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, Geraldine Sarris, Philip Sarris, Maryann Bolt, Leonardos Daniels, Athena Duddy, Ingrid Fotianos, Mikae Gaetanos, Susana G. Kugeares, Kostas Lantzounis, Chresanthe Lemieux, George Lemieux, Jr., James Mahourtis, Mary Mastoridis, Nicolaos Pramagioulis, Adeline Susan Rahaneotis, Mary Santas, Tommy Stewart, Tracey Billeter Stott, Gary Spanos, Gwen H, Trey Wilkinson, Michael Fotianos ,Mike Theodosion Rita Latgis, Thomas Gross.

May their memory be eternal!

Prayers for:

Taki Andriotis, Angelique Dalarides Kelley, Michael Colburn, Chris Bersu, Michael , Ruza Basimamovic, Zoe Kauttu , James Day, James Kyriake, Alex Aclim, Jane Anderson, Athena Mechikoff, Lewis Hayberg,Jayden Billeter, Vanessa Oliver, Kugeares Family (Zoe and Marika ), Bobby James, Michaela, and Patricia Tortorella, Martha Tzemopoulos, Kaliroi Parris, Gary Peterson,Thomas Lekas, Cliff Demeritt .

A WORD FROM:

V. Rev Fr. Maximos Politis, HTGOC Parish Priest

(347) 500-8176 [email protected]

Ο μύθος του Ίκαρου

Σύμφωνα με την Αρχαία Ελληνική Μυθολογία ο βασιλιάς της Κρήτης Μίνωας, αιχμαλώτισε τον Δαίδαλο μαζί με τον γιο του Ίκαρο. Προκειμένου να δραπετεύσουν, ο Δαίδαλος κατασκεύασε δυο ζευγάρια φτερά τα οποία προσάρμοσαν στους ώμους τους. Ο Δαίδαλος είχε δώσει οδηγίες στον Ίκαρο να μην πετάει χαμηλά γιατί η θάλασσα θα έκανε ζημιά στα φτερά, αλλά ούτε πολύ ψηλά για να μη λιώσει το κερί με το οποίο έκανε τη συγκόλληση των φτερών. Ο Ίκαρος, γοητευμένος από την εμπειρία της πτήσης δεν άκουσε τον πατέρα του και πέταξε πολύ ψηλά με αποτέλεσμα να λιώσει το κερί. Ό Ίκαρος έπεσε στην θάλασσα και πνίγηκε.

Ο μύθος του Ικάρου είναι χτισμένος πάνω στο όνειρο του ανθρώπου να πετάξει, να βγει έξω από τον γήινο κόσμο, αυτόν που μέχρι τότε ήξερε και να κάνει ένα βήμα πιο πέρα από τις φυσικές του δυνατότητες. Αλλά κρύβει μέσα του τα δεινά που έρχονται όταν ο άνθρωπος κάνει κακή διαχείριση της αυτοεκτίμησης. Η χαμηλή αυτοεκτίμηση που είναι η πτήση κοντά στη θάλασσα, καταστρέφει τα φτερά, με άλλα λόγια ο άνθρωπος δεν έχει όνειρα και σχέδια για τη ζωή. Η υψηλή αυτοεκτίμηση δηλαδή η πτήση κοντά στον ήλιο, λιώνει το κερί. Η υπερεκτίμηση των δυνατοτήτων μας γεννά εγωισμό, αλαζονεία και προσβολή του Θείου. Η λανθασμένη αυτοεκτίμηση καίει ή βυθίζει τον άνθρωπο. Ο Ίκαρος δεν άκουσε τον πατέρα του ο οποίος του έφτιαξε τα φτερά. Η μη σωστή χρήση των χαρισμάτων που μας έδωσε ο Θεός Πατέρας, οδηγεί τον άνθρωπο στην καταστροφή ενώ η σωστή, του δίνει φτερά στα όνειρα και κίνητρα για την πρόοδο. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The myth of Icarus

According to Ancient Greek Mythology, the king of Crete, Minos, captured Daedalus together with his son Icarus. In order to escape, Daedalus made two pairs of wings which they adjusted to their shoulders. Daedalus had instructed Icarus not to fly low because the sea would damage the wings, but not too high so as not to melt the wax with which he welded the wings. Icarus, fascinated by the experience of the flight, did not listen to his father and flew very high, as a result of which the candle melted. Icarus fell into the sea and drowned.

The myth of Icarus is built on the dream of man to fly, to get out of the earthly world, the one he knew until then and to go one step beyond his natural capabilities. But it hides the sufferings that come when a person mismanages self-esteem. The low self-esteem that is the flight near the sea, destroys the wings, in other words man has no dreams and plans for life. High self-esteem, i.e. flying close to the sun, melts the candle. The overestimation of our possibilities breeds selfishness, arrogance, and insult of the Divine. Wrong self-esteem burns or sinks a person. Icarus did not listen to his father who made his wings. The incorrect use of the gifts given to us by God the Father, leads man to destruction while the correct one, gives him wings in dreams and a motivation for progress.

Events:

Thanksgiving Food Drive Holy Trinity Philoptochos Ladies

Help us bless families in need this Thanksgiving!

We are collecting turkeys, stuffing, mashed potatoes, canned vegetables, cranberry jelly, macaroni and cheese, gravy, chicken broth, baking mixes, and other non-perishable Thanksgiving favorites.

Donation Deadline: Friday, November 20, 2026

Would you rather make a monetary donation?

Your generosity will help us purchase food for those in need.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE⁠

Thank you for your kindness and generosity this Thanksgiving!
General Fall Assembly November 8, 2026 at Noon
Saint Nektarios Artoklasia

St. Nektarios is a true icon of Christian love and patience, and he is considered the patron saint for people who have sicknesses. St. Nektarios is honored and remembered annually on November 9. In honor of St. Nektarios, an Artoklasia is offered by Andrew & Angela Lekos and Tom & Paula Lekas. Through the prayers of St. Nektarios, may we live our lives as witnesses and imitators of Christ.
40-Day Memorial for Thomas Gross Sunday November 15, 2026

Notices:

Each Sunday’s social hour is chaired by Philoptochos

A volunteer coordinates a given week’s plan. That means that regardless of experience, anyone can volunteer to provide a snack and be a host. This is not limited to Philoptchos members or even just to women!

Sign up is available on our website, under the Calendar tab.

We understand that many parishioners are unable to host, however they want to connect, get involved and enjoy time together after worship. If you’re able, you can always bring something to share with our parish family and Sunday school children. Items picked up during grocery store sales (buy one, get one free) are always appreciated. Also, this is a great way to get non-perishable items to donate to the local food pantry!

We welcome:

Ø Baked goods or simple snacks (ready to serve)

Ø Fruits (cleaned and ready to serve)

Ø Homemade items (list ingredients to prevent allergy concerns)

If you have any questions on what to bring or when, reach out to Kaliroi Parris at [email protected] or contact any of the Philoptochos ladies and they will be glad to help you!

**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 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 μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν· καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν Ἅδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ· ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν. Ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Synaxis of the Archangels in the 4th Tone

OChief Commanders of the heavenly armies, we the unworthy now entreat you in earnest, to fortify us by your supplications to the Lord, and shelter us beneath the wings of your spiritual glory, guarding us who run to you and fervently entreat you: As the Commanders of the hosts on high, rescue us faithful from dangers of every kind. Τῶν οὐρανίων στρατιῶν Ἀρχιστράτηγοι, δυσωποῦμεν ὑμᾶς ἡμεῖς οἱ ἀνάξιοι, ἵνα ταῖς ὑμῶν δεήσεσι, τειχίσητε ἡμᾶς, σκέπῃ τῶν πτερύγων, τῆς ἀΰλου ὑμῶν δόξης, φρουροῦντες ἡμᾶς προσπίπτοντας, ἐκτενῶς καὶ βοῶντας· Ἐκ τῶν κινδύνων λυτρώσασθε ἡμᾶς, ὡς Ταξιάρχαι τῶν ἄνω Δυνάμεων.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Tone

The Savior’s most pure and immaculate temple, the very precious bridal chamber and Virgin, who is the sacred treasure of the glory of God, on this day is introduced into the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings the grace in the divine Spirit. She is extolled by the Angels of God. A heavenly tabernacle is she. Ὁκαθαρώτατος ναὸς τοῦ Σωτῆρος, ἡ πολυτίμητος παστὰς καὶ Παρθένος, τὸ ἱερὸν θησαύρισμα τῆς δόξης τοῦ Θεοῦ, σήμερον εἰσάγεται, ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ Κυρίου, τὴν χάριν συνεισάγουσα, τὴν ἐν Πνεύματι Θείῳ· ἣν ἀνυμνοῦσιν Ἄγγελοι Θεοῦ· Αὕτη ὑπάρχει σκηνὴ ἐπουράνιος.

Saints and Feasts

November 08

7th Sunday of Luke

November 08

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel

All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, - sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation - (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12). In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honouring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is mighty." The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.

November 09

Nektarius the Wonderworker, Metropolitan of Pentapolis

Saint Nektarius was born in Selyvria of Thrace on October 1, 1846. After putting himself through school in Constantinople with much hard labour, he became a monk on Chios in 1876, receiving the monastic name of Lazarus; because of his virtue, a year later he was ordained deacon, receiving the new name of Nektarius. Under the patronage of Patriarch Sophronius of Alexandria, Nektarius went to Athens to study in 1882; completing his theological studies in 1885, he went to Alexandria, where Patriarch Sophronius ordained him priest on March 23, 1886 in the Cathedral of Saint Sabbas, and in August of the same year, in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, made him Archimandrite. Archimandrite Nektarius showed much zeal both for preaching the word of God, and for the beauty of God's house. He greatly beautified the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, and years later, when Nektarius was in Athens, Saint Nicholas appeared to him in a dream, embracing him and telling him he was going to exalt him very high.

On January 15, 1889, in the same Church of Saint Nicholas, Nektarius was consecrated Metropolitan of the Pentapolis in eastern Libya, which was under the jurisdiction of Alexandria. Although Nektarius' swift ascent through the degrees of ecclesiastical office did not affect his modesty and childlike innocence, it aroused the envy of lesser men, who convinced the elderly Sophronius that Nektarius had it in his heart to become Patriarch. Since the people loved Nektarius, the Patriarch was troubled by the slanders. On May 3, 1890, Sophronius relieved Metropolitan Nektarius of his duties; in July of the same year, he commanded Nektarius to leave Egypt.

Without seeking to avenge or even to defend himself, the innocent Metropolitan left for Athens, where he found that accusations of immorality had arrived before him. Because his good name had been soiled, he was unable to find a position worthy of a bishop, and in February of 1891 accepted the position of provincial preacher in Euboia; then, in 1894, he was appointed dean of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens. Through his eloquent sermons his unwearying labours to educate fitting men for the priesthood, his generous alms deeds despite his own poverty, and the holiness, meekness, and fatherly love that were manifest in him, he became a shining light and a spiritual guide to many. At the request of certain pious women, in 1904 he began the building of his convent of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina while yet dean of the Rizarios School; finding later that his presence there was needed, he took up his residence on Aegina in 1908, where he spent the last years of his life, devoting himself to the direction of his convent and to very intense prayer; he was sometimes seen lifted above the ground while rapt in prayer. He became the protector of all Aegina, through his prayers delivering the island from drought, healing the sick, and casting out demons. Here also he endured wicked slanders with singular patience, forgiving his false accusers and not seeking to avenge himself. Although he had already worked wonders in life, an innumerable multitude of miracles have been wrought after his repose in 1920 through his holy relics, which for many years remained incorrupt. There is hardly a malady that has not been cured through his prayers; but Saint Nektarius is especially renowned for his healings of cancer for sufferers in all parts of the world.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Psalm 103.4,1.
Who makes his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of fire
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God you are very great.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 2:2-10.

Brethren, if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his own will. For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, "What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou carest for him? Thou didst make him for a little while lower than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet." Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Gospel Reading

7th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 8:41-56

At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus' feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter and those who were with him said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!" But Jesus said, "Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more." But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well." And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise." And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Diakonia Newsletter

Read the latest Diakonia Newsletter for this Sunday

https://bulletinbuilder.org/diakonia-newsletter/2026-11-08?source=bulletin_web

November 8, 2026

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