August 17
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-08-17
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:
- 2025-08-31
- Publish Date:
- 2025-08-24
- Publish Date:
- 2025-08-10
- Publish Date:
- 2025-07-27
- Publish Date:
- 2025-07-20
- Publish Date:
- 2025-07-13
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]
“..ζωήν προμνηστεύεται θάνατος”
Η επί γης ζωή των Αγίων της Εκκλησίας μας είναι διαποτισμένη από την ελπίδα της μέλλουσας. Ο Άγιος, και μαζί του κάθε Πιστός, ζει, κινείται και εγκαταλείπει τον κόσμο με την βεβαιότητα ότι τον περιμένουν τα αγαθά της αιώνιας ζωής εκεί που δεν υπάρχει πόνος, θλίψη και στεναγμός. Αυτό που για τον κοσμικό ονομάζεται θάνατος, για τον Πιστό είναι κοίμηση. Δύο είναι οι γιορτές που τονίζουν εμφατικά αυτή την ελπίδα. Η Ανάσταση του Κυρίου, δηλ. το Πάσχα, και η Κοίμηση της Θεοτόκου, την οποία κάποιοι ονομάζουν Πάσχα του Καλοκαιριού. Όπως η εορτή της Ανάστασης έχει έντονα πανηγυρικό χαρακτήρα, έτσι και η εορτή της Κοίμησης της Θεοτόκου. Δεν ονομάζεται θάνατος. Η λέξη Κοίμηση φανερώνει ότι το γεγονός είναι προσωρινό και αναμένουμε την αφύπνιση. Στα τροπάρια ονομάζεται “αθάνατη Κοίμηση”.
Ο θάνατος, όπως το έχουν σημειώσει, εκτός από τους θεολόγους, και οι ψυχαναλυτές, ψυχοθεραπευτές και ψυχολόγοι, συνδέεται με την βαθιά κρίση την οποία περνά ο άνθρωπος. Γνωρίζουμε ότι ο άνθρωπος στην ζωή του περνά μέσα από διαδοχικές κρίσεις θανάτου. Από την παιδική του ηλικία, μέσα από τις διάφορες καταστάσεις που βιώνει, συνειδητοποιεί ότι ο θάνατος είναι ένα γεγονός τελικό και αμετάκλητο. Αυτό του δημιουργεί τα πρώτα ερωτήματα για την ζωή και τον θάνατο. Στη συνέχεια, οι διάφορες καταστάσεις που περνάει, δημιουργούν ανασφάλειες και προβλήματα που συνδέονται με την αβεβαιότητα της ζωής και του θανάτου. Τα ναρκωτικά, οι βλαβερές συνήθειες και οι εθισμοί είναι χίμαιρες, δηλαδή απραγματοποίητα όνειρα, με τα οποία προσπαθεί να μεταφερθεί σε κόσμους φανταστικούς χωρίς την παρουσία της φθοράς και του θανάτου. Η υπερκατανάλωση, η εναπόθεση της ελπίδας στην Επιστήμη και Τεχνολογία, ακόμα και η οικολογική καταστροφή του πλανήτη, είναι τα αποτελέσματα των προσπαθειών του να στεγάσει τις ανασφάλειές του σε ψεύτικα καταφύγια.
Η εορτή της Κοίμησης, μέσα από την υμνολογία της Εκκλησίας, βεβαιώνει ότι ο θάνατος της Παναγίας είναι ο αρραβώνας για την αιώνια ζωή όπου τώρα βρίσκεται και από όπου ευχόμαστε να πρεσβεύει για την σωτηρας μας.
“Nενίκηνται τῆς φύσεως οἱ ὅροι, ἐν σοί, Παρθένε ἄχραντε· παρθενεύει γάρ τόκος, καί ζωήν προμνηστεύεται θάνατος· Ἡ μετά τόκον Παρθένος, καί μετά θάνατον ζῶσα, σώζοις ἀεί, Θεοτόκε τήν κληρονομίαν Σου.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“...death is the espousal of life”
The earthly life of the Saints of our Church is imbued with the hope of the life to come. The Saint, along with every faithful soul, lives, works, and departs from this world with the certainty that the blessings of eternal life await him—a place where there is no pain, sorrow, or sighing. What is called death by the secular world, to the faithful is merely sleep.
Two great celebrations emphatically manifest this hope: the Resurrection of the Lord—Pascha—and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, often referred to as the Easter of Summer. Just as the feast of the Resurrection is profoundly solemn, so too is the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin. It is never called death. The term sleep conveys that this event is only temporary—we await the awakening. In the troparia, it is even called immortal sleep.
Death, as observed not only by theologians but also by psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, and psychologists, is deeply tied to the existential crises that man faces. Throughout his life, man experiences successive encounters with the reality of death. Even in childhood, various events cause him to realize that death is final and irreversible. These early realizations give rise to his first questions about life and mortality. As he grows, the challenges he faces create insecurities and fears associated with the uncertainty of life and death.
In response, man seeks escape—through substances, harmful habits, and addictions, all of which serve as illusions, attempts to transport himself to imaginary worlds untouched by decay and death. Overconsumption, blind trust in Science and Technology, and even the ecological destruction of the planet stem from his desperate efforts to house his anxieties within false shelters.
Yet, the feast of the Assumption, through the hymnology of the Church, affirms that the Dormition of the Virgin Mary is not an end but a glorious entrance into eternal life. From her place in the heavens, we call upon her, praying that she intercedes for our salvation.
“The bounds of nature are overcome in you, O immaculate Virgin; for your childbirth is virginal, and your death is the espousal of life. O you who after childbirth are virgin, and after are living, do you O Theotokos, ever save your inheritance.”
Events:
Upcoming Events:
- The Dormition of the Theotokos-Philoptochos Luncheon
Don't forget to get your tickets for the luncheon Sundat August 17th
- Sunday School Open House
We’re excited to invite you and your family to be part of a new season of growth, learning, and fellowship at our Sunday school open house and registration event!
Sunday, August 24th 2025 - 12 noon (after Divine Liturgy)
- Phanouropita Blessing
All are invited to offer a Phanouropita in honor of St. Phanourios on Sunday, August 24. The Great-martyr Phanourios is commemorated on August 27. St. Phanourios is known for assisting the faithful in revealing lost objects, directing or revealing actions that should be taken, and restoring health. He is honored by the faithful through a symbolic cake, called the "Phanouropita," which can be brought to the church, for a blessing.
- Paraklesis
We will be having Paraklesis on August 1st, 8th and 13th at 6:00p.m.
We will be having Divine Liturgy August 6th at 10:00a.m. and August 15th Orthos at 9:00a.m. and Divine Liturgy at 10:00a.m.
-
ANNUAL GREEK FESTIVAL
We will have a Festival meeting Monday, August 18, 6:30pm at HTGOC. Please plan to attend as we need everyone's help and support to make this a successful event.
In addition, please save the following dates to assist with Festival preparations:
September 5th & 6th - Dolmathes
September 12th & 13th - Pastitsio
September 19th & 20th - Moussaka
September 27th - Chicken souvlaki
September 28th - Hall and Outdoor cleanup
October 5th - Signage distribution/placement
October 6th - Tzatziki
October 10th - Setup, cooking prep, salad/tzatziki cups
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
Notices:
- Mortgage Reduction Campaign Sunday August 17th
- Parish Council Meeting Tuesday August 19th
- Philoptochos Membership Tea , Saturday August 23rd
**If you have an article for The Sunday Messenger or Holy Trinity Herald please email by Wednesday each week to Carey at the Church office to [email protected].
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 1st Tone
The stone having been sealed by the Pharisees and chief priests, * and Your all-immaculate body being guarded by soldiers, * You rose on the third day, O Lord and Savior, granting life unto the world. Then the powers of the heavens cried out to You, O Giver of Life, and shouted, “Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your eternal rule! Glory to Your plan for saving us, only benevolent God!”
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.
Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Dormition in the 1st Tone
You gave birth yet preserved your virginity. You fell asleep in death yet did not desert the world, O Theotokos. You were transported to life, as you are Mother of Life and, by virtue of your intercessions, deliver our souls from death.
Ἐν τῇ Γεννήσει, τὴν παρθενίαν ἐφύλαξας. Ἐν τῇ Κοιμήσει, τὸν κόσμον οὐ κατέλιπες Θεοτόκε. Μετέστης πρὸς τὴν ζωήν, Μήτηρ ὑπάρχουσα τῆς ζωῆς, καὶ ταῖς πρεσβείαις ταῖς σαῖς λυτρουμένη, ἐκ θανάτου τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.
Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Tone
The Theotokos is undying in intercession. Immovable is our hope in her for protection. Neither death nor burial prevailed over her. As she is Mother of Life, she was removed to life by Him, the Lord who lived in her ever-virgin womb.
Τὴν ἐν πρεσβείαις ἀκοίμητον Θεοτόκον, καὶ προστασίαις ἀμετάθετον ἐλπίδα, τάφος καὶ νέκρωσις οὐκ ἐκράτησεν· ὡς γὰρ ζωῆς Μητέρα, πρὸς τὴν ζωὴν μετέστησεν, ὁ μήτραν οἰκήσας ἀειπάρθενον.
Saints and Feasts
August 17
Myron the Martyr of Cyzicus
Saint Myron was a priest during the reign of Decius, when Antipater was ruler of Achaia. On the day of our Lord's Nativity, Antipater entered the church to seize the Christians and punish them. Saint Myron, kindled with holy zeal, roundly insulted Antipater, for which he was hung up and scraped, then cast into a raging furnace, but was preserved unharmed. When Myron refused to worship the idols, Antipater commanded that strips be cut in the Saint's flesh from his shoulders to his feet; the Saint took one of the strips of his flesh and flung it in the tyrant's face. He was beaten, and scraped again upon his beaten flesh; then he was thrown to wild beasts, but when Antipater saw them leaving off their fierce nature and protecting the Saint from harm, he was overcome with unbearable shame and slew himself. The Saint was then sent to Cyzicus, where the proconsul had him beheaded, about the year 250.
August 17
Straton, Philip, Eutychian, & Cyprian the Martyrs of Nicomedea
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 First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16.
Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
Gospel Reading
10th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 17:14-23
At that time, a man came up to Jesus and kneeling before him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move hence to yonder place,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting." As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day."