July 27
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-07-27
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:
- 2025-07-20
- Publish Date:
- 2025-07-13
- Publish Date:
- 2025-07-05
- Publish Date:
- 2025-06-29
- Publish Date:
- 2025-06-22
- Publish Date:
- 2025-06-15
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]
«Δος αίμα και λάβε πνεύμα»!
Στη ζωή της Εκκλησίας, αρκετές φορές συναντάμε πράξεις ή καταστάσεις οι οποίες δεν συμβιβάζονται με την κοινή λογική και ούτε πρέπει να αντιγράφονται. Σε αυτές τις περιπτώσεις ο πιστός καλείται να αντιληφθεί το πνεύμα της πράξης ή του γεγονότος, κάτω από το φως των ιδιαίτερων συνθηκών που συνέβη αυτό. Ο όσιος Πέτρος ο Δαμασκηνός θέλοντας να περιγράψει το ψυχολογικό και πνευματικό μεγαλείο της υπακοής στον Θεό, την οποία κάποιες στιγμές καλούμαστε να επιδείξουμε, θυμίζει την ιστορία του προφήτη.
Το γεγονός αναφέρεται στο βιβλίο της Παλαιά Διαθήκης “Βασιλειών 3”. Ο Θεός πρόσταξε κάποιον προφήτη να συναντήσει τον αιμοχαρή κι ειδωλολάτρη βασιλειά Αχαάβ και να του μεταφέρει ένα μήνυμά Του. Ο προφήτης γνωρίζοντας για τον βασιλιά, αντιλήφθηκε την δυσκολία της αποστολής του. Ο βασιλιάς δεν επρόκειτο να τον δεχτεί. Από την άλλη πλευρά, ο προφήτης ήθελε πάση θυσία να υπακούσει στον Θεό. Σκέφτηκε, ότι μόνο αν ο βασιλιάς τον έβλεπε πληγωμένο και ματωμένο θα τον δεχόταν. Καθ’ οδόν προς τον βασιλιά, ο προφήτης συνάντησε έναν αγρότη. Του ζήτησε να τον χτυπήσει στο κεφάλι με την αξίνα του. Ο αγρότης από ευλάβεια δεν τον δέχτηκε. Στη συνέχεια συνάντησε έναν δεύτερο αγρότη ο οποίος υπάκουσε στον προφήτη και τον χτύπησε. Μόλις ο προφήτης αντιλήφθηκε ότι είχε αίμα στο κεφάλι του, ευλόγησε τον αγρότη λέγοντάς του “ας έρθει η ευλογία του Κυρίου σε σένα γιατί άκουσες την φωνή του Κυρίου”. Με αυτόν τον παράξενο τρόπο ο προφήτης μπόρεσε να συναντήσει τον βασιλιά και να του μεταφέρει το μήνυμα από τον Θεό. Επίσης, ακόμα μια φορά ο προφήτης, με το αίμα του φάνηκε αντάξιος της εμπιστοσύνης του Θεού. Στο πρόσωπό του προφήτη ο Θεός είχε έναν άνθρωπο να του μεταφέρει το πνεύμα του.
Αυτή την ιστορία η οποία περιέχει βία εκ μέρους του αγωνιζόμενου προς τον εαυτό του πρέπει να την δούμε υπό το φως των ιδιαίτερων συνθηκών της εποχής. Ο βασιλιάς Αχαάβ έζησε γύρω στο 850 προ Χριστού, πριν δηλαδή περίπου από 2800 χρόνια όταν ο πολιτισμός και τα ήθη της ανθρωπότητας ήταν τελείως διαφορετικά από τα σημερινά. Επομένως κρατάμε το πνεύμα της διήγησης, το οποίο είναι ότι ο Χριστιανός θα βρει το τρόπο να υπακούσει στον Θεό όσο και αυτό τον δυσκολεύει, ή τον αναγκάζει να θυσιάσει κάτι από αυτά που τον ευχαριστούν. Η ιστορία αυτή ήταν η αφορμή να δημιουργηθεί η έκφραση “Δώσε αίμα και λάβε Πνεύμα”.
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“Give blood and receive Spirit.”
In the life of the Church, we often encounter actions or situations that defy common sense and should not be imitated. In such cases, the faithful are called to discern the spirit of the act or event in light of the particular circumstances in which it occurred. Saint Peter of Damascus, seeking to illustrate the psychological and spiritual magnitude of obedience to God—something we are all called to display at times—reminds us of the story of the prophet.
This event is recorded in the Old Testament book of *Kings III*. God commanded a prophet to confront the bloodthirsty and pagan King Ahab and deliver His message. The prophet, fully aware of the king’s character, understood the difficulty of his mission. Ahab was unlikely to receive him. Yet, the prophet was determined to obey God at any cost. He reasoned that only if the king saw him wounded and bleeding would he take him seriously.
As the prophet journeyed toward the king, he encountered a farmer and asked him to strike his head with a pickaxe. Out of reverence, the farmer refused. Then, he met another farmer, who obeyed and struck him. Seeing his head now bloodied, the prophet blessed the second farmer, saying, *"Let the blessing of the Lord come upon you, for you have heard the voice of the Lord."* Through this strange act, the prophet was able to meet the king and deliver God's message. Once again, through his own suffering, he proved himself worthy of God’s trust—God had found in him a man capable of carrying His spirit.
This story, which involves a struggler’s self-sacrifice, must be understood in the context of the era in which it took place. King Ahab lived around 850 BC—about 2,800 years ago—when the customs and cultural norms of mankind were vastly different from today. Thus, we retain the essence of the narrative: the Christian will always find a way to obey God, no matter how difficult the path, even when it requires sacrificing something dear to him.
This powerful story gave rise to the well-known expression: *"Give blood and receive Spirit."*
Notices:
- Memorial for General George P. Christakos on July 27, 2025
- St Paraskevi Feast Day - Liturgy 10:00 am Saturday July 26th
- Chrismation-Laurie Hale Saturday Juky 26th at 10:00
- Pugh Wedding 11am - 5pm
- Bible study Tuesday July 29 @ 6:15 pm
- We collected $154 and sent it to Kerr County, Tx Relief Fund
- Gyro Saturday raised $2372 net income.
- From our July 15 PC meeting -
1. George Kaleyas scholarship fund rules approved- formal announcement in August Herald -
2. Multiuser field project is still stalled, but we are working on it. The issue is that the project has proved to be (thus far) 300% more expensive than we have raised. We are looking at different ways to do it and different acceptable outcomes.
4. Our ytd income shortfall reported was $25493. One of our parishoners volunteered to match donations to reduce our income shortfall up to $1500. Please indicate in your donations "matching funds-Operating" in memo or note sections.
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 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a panel discussion featuring the Very Reverend Fr. Maximos Politis, Fr. Stephanos Ritsi, Iconographer Aristidis Kovaci and Parish president Thomas Lekas.
- 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].
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 Great Martyr Panteleimon in the 3rd Tone
Holy medaled Martyr and healer St. Panteleimon, make intercession to our merciful God, that He grant our souls remission of offenses.
Ἀθλοφόρε ἅγιε, καὶ ἰαματικὲ Παντελεῆμον, πρέσβευε τῷ ἐλεήμονι Θεῷ, ἵνα πταισμάτων ἄφεσιν, παράσχῃ ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν.
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 Grave Tone
Upon the mountain were You transfigured, and Your disciples beheld Your glory as far as they were able, O Christ our God; so that when they would see You crucified they might understand that Your Passion was deliberate, and declare to the world that in truth You are the Father’s radiance.
Ἐπὶ τοῦ ὄρους μετεμορφώθης, καὶ ὡς ἐχώρουν οἱ Μαθηταί σου τὴν δόξαν σου, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἐθεάσαντο, ἵνα ὅταν σε ἴδωσι σταυρούμενον, τὸ μὲν πάθος νοήσωσιν ἑκούσιον, τῷ δὲ κόσμῳ κηρύξωσιν, ὅτι σὺ ὑπάρχεις ἀληθῶς, τοῦ Πατρὸς τὸ ἀπαύγασμα.
Saints and Feasts
July 27
Panteleimon the Great Martyr & Healer
This Saint, who had Nicomedia as his homeland, was the son of Eustorgius and Eubula. His father was an idolater, but his mother was a Christian from her ancestors. It was through her that he was instructed in piety, and still later, he was catechized in the Faith of Christ by Saint Hermolaus (see July 26) and baptized by him. Being proficient in the physician's vocation, he practiced it in a philanthropic manner, healing every illness more by the grace of Christ than by medicines. Thus, although his parents had named him Pantoleon ("in all things a lion"), because of the compassion he showed for the souls and bodies of all, he was worthily renamed Panteleimon, meaning "all-merciful." On one occasion, when he restored the sight of a certain blind man by calling on the Divine Name, he enlightened also the eyes of this man's soul to the knowledge of the truth. This also became the cause for the martyrdom of him who had been blind, since when he was asked by whom and in what manner his eyes had been opened, in imitation of that blind man of the Gospel he confessed with boldness both who the physician was and the manner of his healing. For this he was put to death immediately. Panteleimon was arrested also, and having endured many wounds, he was finally beheaded in the year 305, during the reign of Maximian. Saint Panteleimon is one of the Holy Unmercenaries, and is held in special honor among them, even as Saint George is among the Martyrs.
July 27
Nicholas of Novgorod the fool-for-Christ
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Grave Tone. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.
The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 2:1-10.
Timothy, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.
Gospel Reading
7th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:27-35
At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.