January 14
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-01-14
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:
- 2025-06-15
- Publish Date:
- 2025-06-01
- Publish Date:
- 2025-05-25
- Publish Date:
- 2025-05-18
- Publish Date:
- 2025-05-11
- Publish Date:
- 2025-05-04
Parish News
A WORD FROM:
V. Rev. Fr. Maximos Politis, HTGOC Parish Priest
(347) 500-8176 [email protected]
Jan 14 Bulletin
Μια αποκάλυψη
Πολλές φορές ο Πιστός φτάνει σε ένα σημείο που απογοητεύεται και λέει: “Μισώ τον εαυτό μου. Έχω γίνει αυτό που σιχαίνομαι.” Αυτό είναι μια πολύ αρνητική προσέγγιση, η οποία δεν οδηγεί πουθενά, αντίθετα φέρνει τον άνθρωπο σε αδιέξοδο. Μήπως όμως υπάρχει τρόπος να δούμε τα πράγματα διαφορετικά;
Είναι πολύ σημαντικό να αντιληφθούμε πραγματικά τον εαυτό μας. Ίσως με την φαντασία μας να δημιουργούμε μιαν εντελώς πλασματική εικόνα. Ότι, για παράδειγμα, δεν κάνουμε λάθη, και πως δεν έχουμε ελαττώματα. Έρχεται όμως ώρα που βλέπουμε ότι η κατάσταση δεν είναι έτσι. Είναι ο Θεός που ανοίγει τα μάτια της ψυχής, βλέπουμε ότι τα πράγματα στις αληθινές τους διαστάσεις και γι αυτό Τον ευχαριστούμε. Οφείλουμε να το δούμε ως μιαν επίσκεψη της χάριτος. Οι Πατέρες της Εκκλησίας διδάσκουν ότι ο Θεός επιτρέπει να δούμε την κατάστασή μας, ανάλογα με την αντοχή δηλαδή τις δυνάμεις μας. Ο εγωιστής θα απογοητευτεί και θα απελπιστεί. Ο ταπεινός αντί να πει ότι σιχαίνεται τον εαυτό του θα πάρει αφορμή από αυτή την “αποκάλυψη” για να κάνει μια νέα αρχή στον πνευματικό του αγώνα.
A revelation
Many times, the Faithful reaches a point where he gets frustrated and says: “I hate myself. I have become what I loathe.” This is a very negative approach, which leads nowhere, on the contrary, it leads the person to a dead end. But is there a way to see things differently?
It is very important to truly perceive ourselves. Perhaps with our imagination we are creating a completely fictitious image. That, for example, we don't make mistakes, and that we don't have flaws. But the time is coming when we see that the situation is not like that. It is God who opens the eyes of the soul, we see things in their true dimensions and for that we thank Him. We must see it as a visitation of Grace. The Fathers of the Church teach that God allows us to see our situation, depending on our endurance, that is, our strength. The egoist will be disappointed and despair. The humble, instead of saying that he loathes himself, will take occasion from this "revelation" to make a new beginning in his spiritual struggle.
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WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH!
We are happy that you are with us today!
“Welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. ”Romans 15:7
We pray that your worship experience with us today
will be inspirational and uplifting.
Please introduce yourself to a parish ambassador.
OUR MISSION: Our parish is a living witness of Jesus Christ, serving the spiritual and physical needs of all people, through worship, outreach, and education.
OUR VISION: Fostering an Orthodox Christian environment that encourages parishioner engagement, increasing public awareness of our faith and of our parish as a spiritual home, and nurturing and growing our stewardship commitments.
Holy Communion is offered only to Orthodox Christians who are in good canonical standing with the church and who have prepared through prayer and fasting. Everyone is invited to receive the Antidoron (Blessed Bread) at the end of the Divine Liturgy. Order for Holy Communion—With Sunday School back in session the order for Holy Communion will be as follows:
- Newly illumined – recently baptized and babies.
- Sunday school teachers and students (who will line up in the middle aisle before Communion) – all visiting children are invited to join us!
- The remaining congregation as directed by the usher.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
"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: Mikae Gaetanos, Kostas Lantzounis, Chresanthe Lemieux, Nicolaos Pramagioulis, Susana G. Kugeares, Leonardos Daniels, and Maryann Bolt. May their memory be eternal!
Prayers for Tom and Paula Marchman Lekas, Angelique Dalarides Kelley, Michael Colburn, Chris Bersu, Michael and Ingrid Fotianos, Ruza Basimamovic, Zoe Kauttu (daughter of Melissa Sarris Kauttu), James Day, Margaret, James, Kyriake; Joseph, Alex Aclim, Jane Anderson, Gwen H., Thanos Nikolopoulos, and Sophia Poland's brother-in-law, Tommy Steward who is battling cancer.
Remember also our missionary families: Fr. Stephanos, Pr. Alexandria, Moses & Athan Ritsi
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SUNDAY SCHOOL - To our middle and high school students and their parents:
Beginning January 14th, the Sunday School class for our teens and tweens will resume meeting (after a break for the holidays), after Communion in the large classroom, left side. We began our studies in the Old Testament and will gradually be moving into the New Testament so that you/your student not only has a general understanding of the Bible as a whole, but can use it, as Bishop Kallistos Ware said in his book on how to read the Bible, “as a means for personal spiritual edification (benefit), as a companion to achieve holistic personal growth, and to reach deification (theosis).”
I look forward to seeing you/your student in class, as well as older acolytes who have concluded their duties in the altar. Respectfully, Melissa Kauttu Strange, Sunday School Teacher
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STEWARDSHIP:
2023 Stewardship (Final count will appear in next week's bulletin.)
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"Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant" Our Stewardship theme for 2024 is “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant,” from the Parable of the Talents. We are all blessed with certain gifts. This parable stresses the importance of developing our gifts, multiplying them, and offering them back in service to God.2024 Stewardship - Together, we are the Caretakers of our Church.
Effective Stewardship Begins with a plan. Each year, we have an opportunity to consciously plan our contributions and our involvement in the life of our parish. Please consider God’s blessings in your life and make a conscious decision to actively and generously support the operating needs of our parish by planning your 2024 stewardship contributions.
You can submit your pledge by printing the attached form, or online at www.holytrinitygoc.com. You can also set up regular monthly payments through the church website or your bank. Thank you!
_____________________________________________HOLY TRINITY GOYA: Alex Espinosa was the Hoy Trinity youth recipient of the Metropolis of Atlanta Archangel Michael Honor.
Upcoming GOYA opportunities include:.
- St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival – providing Greek Orthodox teenagers the opportunity to write and talk about their faith. On March 30, 2024, Holy Trinity Church will host the Northeastern Florida Conference Oratorical Festival.
The Holy Trinity Church GOYA ministry integrates worship (liturgia), fellowship (koinonia), service (diakonia), and witness (martyria). GOYA is for those 13-18 years old. All sixth through twelfth grades are welcome to participate. Contact Connie or Andy for additional information.
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PHILOPTOCHOS EVENTS:
Happy New Year to Everyone! Health and Joy in 2024 and Always!
The New Year begins with a CHAPTER MEETING on Sunday, January 14th!
- Thank you to our GOYA for decorating our tree, packaging the cookies for the parishioners in our community, and, spreading cheer for all!
- Thank you to the Philoptochos Ladies who decorated our Church and our Community Hall. Everything looks beautiful!
- Thank you to all who helped with our Bake Sales, Vasilopita Sales, and our Amazing Silent Auction. All of these endeavors were a great success! Thank you, as well, to our Parishioners, who supported us! A very Special Thank You to Kristina Wilton and Landen, who put together the gorgeous baskets and donated them to our Chapter. Everyone’s efforts will ensure we are able to meet our Philanthropic commitments!
- We have a lot of upcoming events, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone and working together to assist our Parish and the Community-at-large. We are so grateful to be doing it together!
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AGORA:
Featuring delicious imported Greek food items like cheeses, olives, olive oil, oregano, frozen tiropites and spanakopites, phyllo, chocolates, lentils, orzo and pastichio noodles, halvah, spoon sweet preserves, and household items like Greek coffee and soap. Gift baskets are available. All proceeds benefit Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of St Augustine. Please contact [email protected] to place an order or see us after church at the Agora in the church hall. Online pre-ordering for pickup on Sundays at church will be available soon. Stacy Symeonides, Stephanie Danikas & The Agora Team
ST. THEODORA BOOK STORE AND GIFT SHOP: Give that special someone a gift or even give your home a lift with beautiful items from Greece. For info, contact Paula Marchman - [email protected]. St Theodora bookstore is ready with prayer ropes, orthodox bibles, and inspirational books for your family. Do your shopping now and support our church. We are open on Sundays and by appointments during the week, E-mail [email protected]
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HOLY TRINITY FENCE PROJECT:
Michael Lekos has committed to help our Holy Trinity Church raise funds for a new replacement fence. He organized over 20 volunteers to remove the old fence and prepare the area for a new fence. If you choose to help, you can make your donation on his GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/holy-trinity-fence-project), OR send a check [checks can be made payable to “Holy Trinity Church”; please write ‘Fence Project’ on the memo line; and send to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church - 2940 County Road 214 - Saint Augustine, FL 32084-9307]. Thank you for supporting this effort.
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COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! .... PLEASE!
You can do it solo or share the responsibility with someone else.
NEW link for Coffee Hour Sign-up”. Please sign up at:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A4BA9AB29ABF58-47162771-holy
Email Gigi Ray at [email protected] or call her at 404-375-5859; or email Toula Zotos at [email protected]. You can speak to them after church, and they can sign you up also. Thank you in advance for considering offering this hospitality to our parish family and guests. [Using the SignUpGenius link: click the blue box that says SIGN UP; then the brown box at the bottom of the page that says SUBMIT AND SIGN UP - this will take you to the next screen; and click on SIGN UP NOW.
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PARAKLESIS SERVICE AT ST. PHOTIOS - January 17: The public is invited to join us at St. Photios National Shrine on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 for the Paraklesis Service. The V. Rev. Father Maximos will begin the service at 11:30 a.m. For all those whose patron saint is St. Anthony the Great, come and venerate his icon in the Chapel of St. Photios that day – and Happy Name Day!
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HOLY SERVICES AND EVENTS SCHEDULE:
Sunday: Matins 9 am- Divine Liturgy 10 am
Lent: Wed presanctified 6pm…Fri Salutation 6pm…Wed/Fri Paraklesis 6pm....Parish Council 3rd Monday
JANUARY 2024
14 1-yr Memorial for Kostas Lantzounis given by his brother Leo Lantzounis
14 Sunday School class for teens and tweens will resuting
14 Philoptochos meeting
17 Paraklesie Service 11:30 am at St. Photios Shrine
21 Memorial service for the Peterson-Lekas extended family members.
FEBRUARY 2024
10 Flagler College sorority car wash fundraiser in HTGOC parking lot
18 Memorial service for Chresanthe Lemieux - 1 year
30 2024 St. Augustine Ester Parade
MARCH 2024
8 Wedding rehearsal Gaetanos/Smyth 5:00 pm
9 Jacob Gaetanos/Paige Smyth wedding - 3:30 pm
30 Holy Trinity Church will host the Northeastern Florida Conference Oratorical Festival.
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WAYS OF GIVING:
On-Line: Click “Donate Now” on our Church’s webpage: www.HolyTrinityGOC.com to make a gift. Give via credit card, PayPal, or set up recurrent giving through your bank. Please be sure a specific notation (ex: stewardship) is included for each transaction.
Our “Light a Candle & Say a Prayer” ministry lets you light a candle during divine services. Your request will be forwarded to a Council member in the Narthex to light your candle. If you wish to provide names of loved ones to be prayed for, those will be provided to Fr. Maximos.
Giving by Check or Cash: Please be sure to include a notation on the memo line on checks to allow us to identify your intentions (i.e., stewardship, candles, trays, memorials, etc.). Please use a donation envelope available at the welcome desk and the Narthex and fill out the information requested.
Weekly Offering: The Lord's day is to be the time for a weekly offering for the support of His cause. Make your offering today...check or cash and enable our Church to continue to enhance the spiritual growth of the Orthodox Christians entrusted to our care. Your offering can be made at the collection basket as you exit the service or mailed to HTGOC using the donation envelopes are available at the welcome desk and in the Narthex.
Celebrations: Are you celebrating a special day? Birthday, Anniversary, Seasonal House Cleaning? Whatever the event, please consider celebrating it with others and making it a fundraiser for our church. People have raised $6 billion USD on Facebook and Instagram for causes they care about. Create a fundraiser and Facebook will take care of the donation processing with no fees. You can also place the PayPal giving link for the church in your on-line message for donations to be made directly to our account. This can be a fun way to share your happy day with your friends and community and an effective fundraiser for our church. Please reach out to Fr. Maximos or Nick Lekas for details.'
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THE BRICK CAMPAIGN:
The Brick Campaign began as a parish fundraising program for Holy Trinity at the time of the Opening of the Doors in 2008. It has become a vehicle to honor individuals who have impacted our parish, while it continues to provide a wonderful opportunity for people to create a lasting memory for a myriad of reasons. Show your support to Holy Trinity by purchasing a 4" x 8" paver with 3 lines for $100, or an 8" x 8" paver with 6 lines for $250.00. The net profit supports the parish operations.
Brochures are available on the card rack in the Church Hall or alternately, please contact Connie Espinosa [email protected] to either contribute to the 2023 campaign or to assist in this parish ministry. Your support is a lasting tribute that will honor a veteran, a family member, loved one, business or organization. Thank you, Connie Espinosa,
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KOLIVA FOR MEMORIAL SERVICES: is used for commemorations of the departed (40th day after death; 3rd, 6th, 9th month, annually) and Saturdays of the Souls. Contact Faye Peterson, [email protected] or Angela Lekos, [email protected] if you need Koliva prepared. There is a fee of $100 for materials, supplies and labor.
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ARTOKLASIA: Blessing of the Five Loaves is a service of thanksgiving through which we express our gratitude for all the blessings of life. The Blessing is offered on a feast day or special occasion. If you need Artoklasia prepared, contact Angela Lekos, [email protected].
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CHURCH OFFICE:
Please remember to dress appropriately for church when attending Holy Services -no flip-flops or shorts. Thank you - Fr. Maximos Please call (904 829-0504) or email ([email protected]) the parish office if your contact information needs to be updated. Also, if you know of anyone who doesn’t receive parish emails but would like to, please encourage them to contact the parish office with their contact information.
- If you have a request for a special service (traditionally, a volunteered honorarium is given to the priest) such as a memorial, please email the church office at [email protected] or call 904 829-0504 (if you do not have access to email) in advance of requested date with details.
- If requesting a graveside memorial, please contact the priest.
- If you would like any of the following, please contact the priest:
- To arrange an appointment for a House Blessing.
- To offer Holy Communion to someone in need at a hospital, nursing home, in hospice care, or at home.
- The normal deadline for the Church bulletin e-mail articles is before 12pm on Wednesday weekly. Thank you.
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Special Announcements
2024 STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE FORM
2024 Stewardship - Together, we are the Caretakers of our Church Effective Stewardship Begins with a plan. Each year, we have an opportunity to consciously plan our contributions and our involvement in the life of our parish. Please consider God’s blessings in your life and make a conscious decision to actively and generously support the operating needs of our parish by planning your 2024 stewardship contributions. You can submit your pledge by printing the attached form, or online at www.holytrinitygoc.com. You can also set up regular monthly payments through the church website or your bank. Thank you!
Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society
Philanthropy – Fellowship – Faith in Action We invite you to join Philoptochos & help us achieve our mission!
St. Photios National Shrine is Hiring
Hiring! The St. Photios Nation Shrine is now hiring part time positions Gift Shop Docent Fridays and Saturdays 9:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. Apply within or email resume and why this position is of interest to you at [email protected]. Visit Stphotios.org for additional information.
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Tone
You destroyed death by Your Cross, You opened Paradise to the Robber. You turned the Myrrh-bearing Women's lament into joy, and You commanded Your Apostles to preach that You rose, O Christ God, granting the world the great mercy.
Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον· ἠνέῳξας τῷ λῃστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον· τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.
Apolytikion for Apodosis of Epiphany in the 1st Tone
As You were baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, then the worship of the Trinity became manifest, for the voice of the Father bore witness to You, naming You the Beloved Son; and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ God, who appeared and illumined the world, glory to You.
Ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε, ἡ τῆς Τριάδος ἐφανερώθη προσκύνησις· τοῦ γὰρ Γεννήτορος ἡ φωνὴ προσεμαρτύρει σοι, ἀγαπητόν σε Υἱὸν ὀνομάζουσα· καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα ἐν εἴδει περιστερᾶς, ἐβεβαίου τοῦ λόγου τὸ ἀσφαλές. Ὁ ἐπιφανεὶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τὸν κόσμον φωτίσας δόξα σοι.
Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Tone
You appeared today to us * on earth, O Master, * and Your light was signed on us * who cry aloud to You and say * with understanding, O Christ our God: You came and shone forth, O Light unapproachable.
Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον τῇ οἰκουμένῃ, καὶ τὸ φῶς σου Κύριε, ἐσημειώθη ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς, ἐν ἐπιγνώσει ὑμνοῦντάς σε. Ἦλθες ἐφάνης τὸ Φῶς τὸ ἀπρόσιτον.
Saints and Feasts
January 14
The Holy Fathers slain at Sinai and Raitho
As for the holy Martyrs of Sinai and Raithu, those of Sinai contested during the reign of Diocletian, about the year 296; those of Raithu were slain about the middle of the fifth century. On both occasions, the perpetrators of these massacres were a barbarian tribe called Blemmyes, from the parts of Arabia and Egypt.
Because of the Apodosis of the Feast of Holy Theophany also on the 14th of January, the liturgical services to the Holy Fathers slain at Sinai and Raitho are transferred to January 13th.
January 14
Plato the Hieromartyr, Bishop of Tallini and all Estonia, and the Priest Martyrs Michael and Nicholas
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. 1st Tone. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:7-13.
BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (in saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Gospel Reading
Sunday after Epiphany
The Reading is from Matthew 4:12-17
At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."