Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-07-20
Bulletin Contents
Parish News
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings

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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (904)-829-0504
  • Fax:
  • (904)829-0504
  • Street Address:

  • 2940 CR-214

  • St. Augustine, FL 32084-2718

Contact Information

Thomas Lekas


[email protected] | 678-993-3629

Services Schedule

Sunday  Divine Liturgy 10:00am    V. Rev. Father Maximos Politis, Priest

Past Bulletins


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: 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, Adeline Susan Rahaneotis, 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,Jayden Billeter, Vanessa Oliver and Chris.

A WORD FROM:

V. Rev Fr. Maximos Politis, HTGOC Parish Priest

(347) 500-8176 [email protected]

Πνευματικός αγώνας, Μια πνευματική “εμπορική” πράξη.

Η σωτηρία της ψυχής, αγαπητοί αδελφοί και αδελφές τόσο στο Ευαγγέλιο, όσο και στην Υμνολογία της Εκκλησίας,  παρομοιάζεται με τη διαχείριση, την χρήση ή και την περιφρόνηση των αγαθών που μας έχει παραχωρήσει ο Θεός. Ο Θεός δημιουργεί κάποιες απολαύσεις στη ζωή. Δεν σημαίνει όμως πως πρέπει να απολαύσουμε όλα όσα μας έδωσε. Οι ασκητές, με την φώτιση του Θεού, ο σημερινός Χριστιανός με την συμβουλή της Εκκλησίας, μπορεί να απαρνηθεί κάποια από τα καλά της ζωής. Για να το καταλάβουμε καλύτερα: Ο άνθρωπος είναι φτιαγμένος από τον Θεό ώστε να θέλει συντροφιά, να είναι μαζί με άλλους συνανθρώπους. Ο ασκητής πηγαίνει να ζήσει μόνος του ή μαζί με ελάχιστους. Όχι γιατί δεν αναγνωρίζει την αξία της συντροφιάς. Το αντίθετο, επειδή βλέπει πόσο αξία έχει αυτή, την αρνείται για χάρη του Θεού. Όλοι γνωρίζουμε την ωφέλεια αλλά και την ευχαρίστηση που λαμβάνουμε από την σωστή διατροφή. Ο ασκητής όμως, σε όλη του τη ζωή, οι υπόλοιποι Χριστιανοί περιστασιακά και με τις οδηγίες της Εκκλησίας, θυσιάζουν την ωφέλεια και την απόλαυση. Αυτό μοιάζει με μια εμπορική πράξη. Διαχειριζόμαστε τα εγκόσμια αγαθά για να απολαύσουμε τα μέλλοντα. Οι Μάρτυρες δίνουν το αίμα τους, την ζωή τους και σε αντάλλαγμα λαμβάνουν την αιώνια ζωή. Είναι αυτό που αναφέρεται στον Όσιο Πέτρο τον Δαμασκηνό, “Δώσε αίμα και λάβε Πνεύμα”.

 Έτσι, ένα τροπάριο της Εκκλησίας λέει:  

Ω, τι εξαιρετική συναλλαγή κάνατε, Άγιοι! Γιατί έχετε επενδύσει αίμα και κληρονομήσατε τους ουρανούς. Αφού προσωρινά δοκιμαστήκατε, χαίρεστε αιώνια. Καλή πράγματι ήταν η επιχείρησή σας! Διότι με την παραίτηση από πράγματα που φθείρονται, λάβατε σε αντάλλαγμα πράγματα άφθαρτα. Και τώρα πανηγυρίζοντας με τους Αγγέλους, υμνείτε αδιάκοπα την ομοούσιο Τριάδα.

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Spiritual Struggle, A Spiritual Trade

The salvation of the soul, dear brothers and sisters, both in the Gospel and in the Hymnology of the Church, is likened to the management, use or even contempt of the goods that God has given us. God creates some pleasures in life. But it does not mean that we should enjoy everything He gave us. Ascetics, with the enlightenment of God, today's Christian with the advice of the Church, can renounce some of the good things in life. To understand it better: Man is made by God to want companionship, to be with other human beings. The ascetic goes to live alone or with a few. Not because he does not recognize the value of companionship. On the contrary, because he sees how valuable it is, he denies it for the sake of God. We all know the benefit but also the pleasure we receive from proper nutrition. The ascetic, however, throughout his life, the rest of the Christians occasionally and with the instructions of the Church, sacrifice the benefit and the enjoyment. This is like a commercial transaction. We manage worldly goods to enjoy the future ones. The Witnesses give their blood, their lives, and receive eternal life in return. It is what refers to Saint Peter of Damascus, "Give blood and receive Spirit".

So, a hymn of the Church says:

How good is your trade, o Saints: you shed blood, and gained heaven. smitten for a time, you rejoice in eternity. Your trade is good indeed. By forsaking corruption, you inherited incorruption. With the Angels, you ceaselessly praise the consubstantial Trinity.

Notices:

  • GYRO Saturday on Saturday July 19th from 11:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.
  • Mortgage Reduction Campaign Sunday July 20th
  • Memorial for George Christakos on July 27, 2025

 

EVENTS:

  Upcoming Events:    

  • Annual Philoptochos Backpack Donations 

Help support kids in need by Simply Donating $15.00 per Backpack. Please make check payable to Philoptochos, Deadline is August 3, 2025.

  • Discover the Ancient Faith

Join us on August 9th for a panel discussion featuring the Very Reverend Fr. Maximos Politis and Fr. Stephanos Ritsi.

  • Greek Festival 2025 

We need your assistance to make this years festival a success.  If you would like to be a sponsor of this fabulous event please click link www.stauggreekfest.com

   **If you have an article for the Bulletin or Newsletter please email by Wednesday each week to Carey at the Church office to [email protected].

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Tone

As the Father and Spirit are unoriginate, so the Word, who was born from the Virgin for us. Let us praise Him, O believers, and let us worship Him. For our salvation He was pleased to be crucified in the flesh, and to undergo death, and to resurrect the dead, by His glorious resurrection. Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν· ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Apolytikion for Prophet Elias in the 4th Tone

The angel incarnate and the Prophets’ pedestal, the second Forerunner of the coming of Christ, Elias the glorious, sent down to Elisha the divine grace from heaven. He drives away diseases and he cleanses lepers. Therefore he pours out healings to those who honor him. Ὁ ἔνσαρκος ἄγγελος, τῶν Προφητῶν ἡ κρηπίς, ὁ δεύτερος Πρόδρομος τῆς παρουσίας Χριστοῦ, Ἠλίας ὁ ἔνδοξος, ἄνωθεν καταπέμψας, Ἐλισαίῳ τὴν χάριν, νόσους ἀποδιώκει, καὶ λεπροὺς καθαρίζει· διὸ καὶ τοῖς τιμῶσιν αὐτὸν βρύει ἰάματα.

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 2nd Tone

O Protection of Christians that never falls, intercession with the Creator that never fails, we sinners beg you, do not ignore the voices of our prayers. O good Lady, we implore you, quickly come unto our aid, when we cry out to you with faith. Hurry to intercession, and hasten to supplication, O Theotokos who protect now and ever those who honor you. Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία, πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε, μὴ παρίδῃς, ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.
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Saints and Feasts

July 20

6th Sunday of Matthew

July 20

The Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah)

Elias of great fame was from Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of Galaad (Gilead), beyond the Jordan. He was of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary and ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin, and girded about his loins with a leathern belt. His name is interpreted as "Yah is my God." His zeal for the glory of God was compared to fire, and his speech for teaching and rebuke was likened unto a burning lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot. Therefore, set aflame with such zeal, he sternly reproved the impiety and lawlessness of Ahab and his wife Jezebel. He shut up heaven by means of prayer, and it did not rain for three years and six months. Ravens brought him food for his need when, at God's command, he was hiding by the torrent of Horrath. He multiplied the little flour and oil of the poor widow of Sarephtha of Sidon, who had given him hospitality in her home, and when her son died, he raised him up. He brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered to God before all the people of Israel, that they might know the truth. At the torrent of Kisson, he slew 450 false prophets and priests who worshipped idols and led the people astray. He received food wondrously at the hand of an Angel, and being strengthened by this food he walked for forty days and forty nights. He beheld God on Mount Horeb, as far as this is possible for human nature. He foretold the destruction of the house of Ahab, and the death of his son Ohozias; and as for the two captains of fifty that were sent by the king, he burned them for their punishment, bringing fire down from Heaven. He divided the flow of the Jordan, and he and his disciple Elisseus passed through as it were on dry land; and finally, while speaking with him, Elias was suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in the year 895 B.C., and he ascended as though into heaven, whither God most certainly translated him alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11). But from thence also, after seven years, by means of an epistle he reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as it is written: "And there came a message in writing to him from Elias the Prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the way," and so forth (II Chron. 21:12). According to the opinion of the majority of the interpreters, this came to pass either through his disciple Elisseus, or through another Prophet when Elias appeared to them, even as he appeared on Mount Tabor to the disciples of Christ (see Aug. 6).

July 20

Synaxis of the Russians who were perfected in France: Protopresbyter Alexios Mednedkov, Presbyter Dimitrii Klepinin, Mother Maria Skobtsova, her son Yuri Skobtsov, and Ilia Fondaminskii

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 1st Tone. Psalm 109.4,1.
You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Verse: The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies my footstool.

The reading is from St. James' Universal Letter 5:10-20.

BRETHREN, take as an example of suffering and patience the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation. Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit. My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Gospel Reading

6th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:1-8

At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic -- "Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

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