December 01
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-12-01
Bulletin Contents
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (904)-829-0504
- Fax:
- (904)829-0504
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Street Address:
- 2940 CR-214
- St. Augustine, FL 32084-2718
Contact Information
Services Schedule
Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00am V. Rev. Father Maximos Politis, Priest
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2024-11-24
- Publish Date:
- 2024-11-17
- Publish Date:
- 2024-11-10
- Publish Date:
- 2024-11-03
- Publish Date:
- 2024-10-27
- Publish Date:
- 2024-10-20
Parish News
PRAYER REQUEST:
"I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing of all parishioners.
Prayers for the family and friends of: Dr. George Antonatos, Ellen Sarris Allen, Maryann Bolt, Leonardos Daniels, Athena Duddy, Mikae Gaetanos, Susana G. Kugeares, Kostas Lantzounis, Chresanthe Lemieux, George Lemieux, Jr., James Mahourtis, Mary Mastoridis, Nicolaos Pramagioulis, Tommy Stewart and Trey Wilkinson.
May their memory be eternal!
Prayers for Taki Andriotis, Angelique Dalarides Kelley, Michael Colburn, Chris Bersu, Michael and Ingrid Fotianos, Ruza Basimamovic, Zoe Kauttu (daughter of Melissa Sarris Kauttu), James Day, James, Kyriake, Alex Aclim, Jane Anderson, Gwen H, Lewis Hayberg and Jayden Billeter .
A WORD FROM:
V. Rev Fr. Maximos Politis, HTGOC Parish Priest
(347) 500-8176 [email protected]
Μια προσέγγιση στους Ύμνους των Χριστουγέννων
Όταν ένα σημαντικό πρόσωπο πρόκειται να επισκεφτεί τον τόπο μας, τότε ο ερχομός του αναγγέλλεται με όλα τα διαθέσιμα μέσα και η αναγγελία αυτή επαναλαμβάνεται πολλές φορές. Τονίζεται ιδιαίτερα ο λόγος για τον οποίο το πρόσωπο αυτό είναι σημαντικό. Και οι ανακοινώσεις εστιάζουν στην προσφορά του στον τόπο.
Πλησιάζουμε τα Χριστούγεννα και οι ύμνοι της Εκκλησίας μας όλο και περισσότερο αναφέρονται στην εορτή. Μας προετοιμάζουν για την εορτή. Ας εστιάσουμε σε μερικούς ύμνους της κύριας ημέρας.
Ένας ύμνος λέει: “Δεῦτε ἴδωµεν πιστοί, ποῦ ἐγεννήθη ὁ Χριστός…”. Η σκέψη μας μεταφέρεται από την Βηθλεέμ των Αγίων Τόπων, στη Βηθλεέμ που γίνεται η κάθε εκκλησία όπου γιορτάζουμε τη Γέννηση του Χριστού. Και όλη αυτή η ατμόσφαιρα μας βοηθάει να βρούμε μέσα μας την μυστική φάτνη. Ο άνθρωπος είναι πλασμένος για να γεννηθεί στην ψυχή του ο Χριστός, σύμφωνα με τον Απόστολο Παύλο. Η ψυχή καλείται να γίνει ταπεινή, να αποβάλλει τα πάθη και να ευφρανθεί ακούγοντας την φωνή ότι: Διότι ἰδοὺ σας αναγγέλλω χαρμόσυνη είδηση που θα σας προκαλέσει χαρὰν μεγάλην διότι γεννήθηκε για σας Σωτήρας.
Το ίδιο μήνυμα μεταφέρει ο ύμνος που ψάλλεται κατά τη διάρκεια του Όρθρου και ονομάζεται “Εξαποστειλάριο”. Και ο ύμνος αυτός λέει: «Επεσκέψατο ημάς, εξ ύψους ο Σωτήρ ημών…». Αναγγέλλει την επισκεψη του Χριστού. Ο Χριστός επιθυμεί να έρθει στην ψυχή μας. Στην Αποκάλυψη του Ιωάννου ο Κύριος, μέσω του Αποστόλου Ιωάννου λέει ότι: Να, βρίσκομαι μπροστά στην πόρτα. Εάν κάποιος ακούσει την φωνή μου και ανοίξει την πόρτα, θα έλθω σε αυτόν και θα δειπνήσω μαζί του και αυτούς θα δειπνήσει μαζί μου. Αυτό είναι το νόημα της επίσκεψης του Κυρίου, που είναι ταυτόχρονα το μήνυμα της εορτής. Είναι η σωτηρία του ανθρωπίνου γένους.
Ο πιστός καλείται να εντρυφήσει στους στίχους για να εμβαθύνει στο νόημά τους. Οι στίχοι μαζί με τη μελωδία γίνονται το όχημα που μεταφέρουν την ψυχή στην πνευματική Βηθλεέμ. Γι αυτό ο πιστός δεν θα μείνει απλώς στην ομορφιά των στίχων και της μελωδίας. Μέσα από αυτά θα νιώσει το μεγαλείο της συγκατάβασης του Θεού. Ο Θεός γίνεται άνθρωπος όχι έτσι κατά γενικό τρόπο. Γίνεται άνθρωπος για εμένα, για εσένα. Που πληγωθήκαμε από την αμαρτία. Που πέσαμε. Για εμάς, που ίσως προς στιγμήν νομίσαμε ότι η σωτηρία και ο αγιασμός μας είναι ακατόρθωτα. Είναι μεγάλο το μυστήριο της ενανθρωπήσεως του Χριστού. Και μέσα από αυτό συντελέστηκε το μυστήριο της σωτηρίας μας.
Τίποτε άλλο δεν χρειαζόμαστε. Να ακούσουμε αυτούς τους ύμνους και να κρατήσουμε το νόημά τους βαθιά μέσα στην ψυχή μας. Και αυτό θα βοηθήσει ώστε να ανατείλει και για εμάς ο νοητός Ήλιος της Δικαιοσύνης, όπως λέει άλλος ύμνος της εορτής. Ο άνθρωπος κουρασμένος από αυτά που βιώνει προσπαθεί να κάνει αλλαγές στη ζωή του, ακόμα και την εμφάνισή του. Η πραγματική αλλαγή είναι η εσωτερική αλλαγή. Ο Χριστός έγινε άνθρωπος. Ήρθε στη Γη, ήρθε για να μείνει. Ας τον κρατησουμε. Με αυτές τις σκέψεις ας ετοιμαστουμε να γιορτάσουμε αληθινά τα Χριστούγεννα.
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An approach to the Christmas Hymns
When an important person is going to visit our place, then his arrival is announced by all available means and this announcement is repeated many times. The reason why this person is important is particularly emphasized. And the announcements focus on what his visit means to the area.
Christmas is approaching and the hymns of our Church are increasingly referring to the feast. They are preparing us for it. Let's focus on some of the hymns of that day.
A hymn says: "Come, believers, let us see the place where Christ has been born". Our thoughts are transported from Bethlehem of the Holy Land to the spiritual Bethlehem where each church is transformed into a spiritual Bethlehem where we celebrate the Nativity of Christ.
And all this helps us to find within us the mystical manger. Man was created for Christ to be born in his soul, according to the Apostle Paul. The soul is called to become humble, to expel the passions, and to rejoice hearing the voice that says: "I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord''.
The same message is conveyed by the hymn that is chanted during Orthros and is called "Exapostilarion". And this hymn says: "Our Savior from on high the Orient from the East visited us". It manifests Christ's visit. Christ desires to come into our souls.
In the Revelation of John, the Lord, through the Apostle John, says: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me". This is the meaning of the Lord's visit, which is at the same time the message of the feast. It is the salvation of the human race.
The faithful are called to immerse themselves in the verses to deepen into their meaning. The lyrics along with the melody become the vehicle that transports the soul to the spiritual Bethlehem. That is why the faithful should not just stay in the beauty of the lyrics and the melody. Through them he will feel the greatness of God's condescension.
God becomes man not in a general way. He becomes human for me, for you, who were wounded by sin, for us, who fell. For us, who may for a moment have thought that our salvation and sanctification are impossible. The mystery of the incarnation of Christ is great. And through this, the mystery of our salvation took place.
We do not need anything else than just to listen to these hymns and hold their meaning deep in our soul. And this will help the “noetic Sun of Righteousness” to rise for us as well, as another hymn of the feast says. Man, tired of what he experiences, tries to make changes in his life, even in his appearance. The real change is the inner change. Christ became man. He came to Earth; he came to stay. Let us keep him. With these thoughts let us get ready to truly celebrate Christmas.
CHURCH OFFICE:
Upcoming Events:
- Tree Decorating & Bonfire 11/30/2024
- 3 Year Memorial for Mikae Gaetanos on 12/1/2024
- Parish Council Elections will be held on December 8th The election will be held electronically and in person. Online elections will be available starting at noon on Friday December 6th. In person voting will begin after liturgy on that Sunday December 8th and run until 1:00 p.m. If you have a new email please notify the church office via email at [email protected] so we can update.
- St. Nicholas Feast Day-Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- St. Photios Shrine Christmas Open House event 3-5
- Christmas Card Sign-up until 12/15/2024
-
Hall Rental Looking for the perfect venue for your next event? The John C. Carlos Fellowship Hall at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in St. Augustine is available for rent! With 2,500 sq. ft. of space and seating for up to 200 guests, it’s ideal for any occasion—whether it’s a birthday party, family reunion, holiday celebration, baby shower, wedding reception, meeting, or lecture.
The hall comes with kitchen facilities, making it easy to cater your event to your liking. For pricing and reservations, give us a call at (904) 829-0504 or email us through our website at www.holytrinitystaugustine.org. We’re open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We look forward to helping you make your event special!
If you have an article for the Bulletin or Newsletter please send by Wednesday each week to Carey at the Church office. You can send to [email protected].
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 2nd Tone
When the angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary, who was seeking Your immaculate body. Unassailed by Hades, You divested it of spoils. Then You met the Virgin. You granted life. O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!
Ἀγγελικαὶ δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμα σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν· καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾅδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ· ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν. Ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.
Apolytikion for the Church in the 4th Tone
Blessed are You, O Christ our God; You made wise men of poor fishermen by sending down upon them Your Holy Spirit, and through them You caught the whole world, O Lover of mankind, glory to You.
Εύλογητός εἶ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεος ἡμῶν ὁ πανσόφους τοὺς ἁλιεῖς ἁναδείξας καταπέμψας αὐτοῖς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ δι᾽ αὐτῶν τῆν οἰκουμένην σαγηνεύσας φιλάνθρωπε δόξα Σοι
Seasonal Kontakion in the 3rd Tone
On this day the Virgin Maid goes to the grotto to give birth to the pre-eternal Word in an ineffable manner. Dance for joy, all the inhabited earth, on hearing. Glorify along with Angels and with the shepherds Him who willed that He appear as a newborn Child, the pre-eternal God.
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν προαιώνιον Λόγον, ἐν Σπηλαίῳ ἔρχεται, ἀποτεκεῖν ἀποῤῥήτως. Χόρευε ἡ οἰκουμένη ἀκουτισθεῖσα, δόξασον μετὰ Ἀγγέλων καὶ τῶν Ποιμένων, βουληθέντα ἐποφθῆναι, Παιδίον νέον, τὸν πρὸ αἰώνων Θεόν
Saints and Feasts
December 01
Nahum the Prophet
The Prophet Nahum had Elkesaeus (Elkosh) as his homeland, and was from the tribe of Symeon; he is seventh in order among the twelve Minor Prophets He prophesied during the time of Hezekias, after the destruction of Samaria (721 years before Christ), but before the ten tribes were taken into captivity; he prophesied against Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. His name means "comforter." His book of prophecy is divided into three chapters.
December 01
Philaret the Merciful of Amnia
Saint Philaret a native of Paphlagonia in Asia Minor, was a virtuous Christian layman who lived in lawful wedlock and raised a family. He was most renowned for his generosity to all in need. With the permission of God, in a short space of time he lost the greater part of his possessions to theft and other misfortunes and was left with nothing but his family, his home, and a little livestock. Yet he continued to give generously to the poor despite the faint-heartedness of his family, who reproached him for giving alms when they were in need themselves; and God, seeing his faith, restored his prosperity to him many times over. He foresaw the day of his death, and reposed in an odour of sanctity in Constantinople in 789.
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal 2nd Tone. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:4-10.
Brethren, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God: not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Gospel Reading
14th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:35-43
At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.