Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-03-03
Bulletin Contents

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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (302) 654-4446
  • Fax:
  • (302) 654-4204
  • Street Address:

  • 808 North Broom Street

  • Wilmington, DE 19806


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
808 North Broom Street, Wilmington, Delaware  19806 

Telephone: (302) 654-4446,  Fax:  (302) 654-4204

CHURCH EMAIL: [email protected]
 
Church Office Hours: Monday ~ Friday - 9:00am - 4:30pm 

V. Rev. Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne

Fr. Christoforos Oikonomidis, Proistamenos 
  
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SERVICE SCHEDULE:
Orthros                    9:00 AM
Divine Liturgy           10:00 AM
 Sunday School         After the distribution of Holy Communion 


Past Bulletins


Fr. Christoforos Oikonomidis

 My dear beloved parishioners of Holy Trinity,

It is amazing how quickly time moves! It seems like yesterday, when in December, I offered my first monthly bulletin message to you, and we are already in March! I am pleased to say though, that these past three months that I have been with you, was a time filled with blessings and accomplishments. During the Christmas holidays – one of the busiest times of the year – I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you and your families; a wonderful process that continues to this day. I have to say that Holy Trinity is a well-organized Parish, with wonderful people, with a bright past and a most promising future!

Speaking of “future”, the best part of it is our youth. We have a strong group of children, teenagers and young adults that stay close to our Orthodox Faith and love this Church with all their heart. This is evident in everything we do here at Holy Trinity; every day there is something going on for our youth, whether it is basketball practice, dance practice, JOY & HOPE family nights, GOYA meetings, Young Adult League gatherings, Greek School classes etc. However, the culmination of every youth activity is the participation of our children of all ages in the Sunday Divine Liturgy and the classes that follow. I am very proud of them, and I thank the parents for making the effort to bring our children to our church’s many activities and for entrusting them to Jesus Christ, His Church and us.

On the weekend of February 17 & 18, 2024, we had our annual Basketball Tournament hosting nine Churches and their teams here at Holy Trinity. This was a huge undertaking resulting in a beautifully organized event that all thoroughly enjoyed. I would like to thank our GOYA Advisors and Coaches, together with the countless volunteers, who put their time and effort into making this year’s Tournament a success. On that Sunday, we had the blessing of welcoming our Spiritual Father, His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, who celebrated the Divine Liturgy and offered his blessing to all. His Eminence’s presence marked the beginning of our Parish’s official celebration of our 90th Anniversary! His Eminence was amazed by the presence of so many young people in Church and was very thankful for the great participation of our youth in the Divine Liturgy. Moreover, we were all very excited and proud when our Holy Trinity Girls Basketball Team won the Tournament on that Sunday! Congratulations girls!

On a different note, this month we are entering Great Lent. This is the most sacred time of the ecclesiastical year and in the liturgical life of our Church. Great Lent is the appropriate time and opportunity to take a break from our hectic schedules and busy lives and look into our spiritual life and health. Our Holy Mother Church will be calling us all throughout this fasting season, to change our “lifestyles”, not by simply going “vegan” but by restricting our bodily passions. And our passions can only be controlled and reduced by doing two things: fasting and praying. Only through fasting and praying can we deepen our relationship with God.

On “Forgiveness” Sunday, March 17, we will be asked by our Church to offer our forgiveness to everyone, even to our enemies, to begin the “good fight” of Lent. On “Clean Monday”, March 18, which is the first day of Great Lent, the fast begins in earnest, with strict guidelines for fasting and prayer. On that day, we have the first Great Compline Service in the evening (see analytical Lenten Liturgical Schedule below), followed by an Orthodox Lecture-Discussion, where we will have the opportunity to learn more about Lent and other topics that concern our spiritual lives.

Every Wednesday evening, beginning March 20th, we will be celebrating the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, a very special and unique liturgical service. The Presanctified Liturgy is a solemn Lenten Vespers Service with the administration of Holy Communion added to it. This gives us the chance to receive the most precious Body and Blood of Christ in the middle of the week, allowing us to obtain strength and blessing to continue our spiritual fight and struggle. The evening Liturgy will be followed by a community meal.

Every Friday of Lent, for five Fridays, we will be celebrating the Salutations to the Theotokos. This joyful and beautiful Service, organically connected with the Feast of the Annunciation, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and helps us advance and progress in our spiritual life by coming closer to Her and entrusting ourselves to the Mother of God, Panagia.

On the Saturdays of the 9th, the 16th and the 23rd of March we remember our deceased (Saturday of the Souls). We will be offering memorial prayers at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, and our faithful are asked to bring the names of their deceased and kollyva (boiled wheat) as per our tradition, to be commemorated in the Service.

We can realize from the above that we are entering a unique season, filled with blessings and spiritual opportunities, but also with a lot of work to do! Let us try more this Great Lent. Let us increase our efforts to fast, repent, forgive and serve our brothers and sisters. Let us make every effort to come as much as we can to the sacred services of our Church, enjoy the beauty of the sacred services allowing them to lead us to our spiritual regeneration.

I pray that you all have a blessed and fruitful Great Lent, filled with the Grace of God.

Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne

Christoforos Oikonomidis, Presiding Priest

 

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Αγαπητοί μου Ενορίτες,

Ήδη βρισκόμαστε στον μήνα Μάρτιο, ο οποίος μας εισάγει στην Αγία και Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή. Αντιλαμβανόμαστε πόσο γρήγορα κυλά ο χρόνος, σχεδόν αμείλικτα. Μου φαίνεται σαν χθες, όταν ήλθα στην Αγία Τριάδα πριν από τρεις μήνες. Από τότε, είχα την ευκαιρία να σας γνωρίσω, να κάνω φιλίες και να γίνω μέρος της καθημερινότητάς σας. Πραγματικά νιώθω ευλογημένος για όλα αυτά και συνεχίζω με πιο πολύ όρεξη και ένταση το έργο που μου έχει αναθέσει η Εκκλησία, δηλαδή να σας διακονώ.

Το μεγαλύτερο στολίδι της Ενορίας μας είναι η νεολαία μας. Τα νέα παιδιά που πλημμυρίζουν τους χώρους της Εκκλησίας μας και γεμίζουν με ζωντάνια τα πάντα! Αυτά τα παιδιά του Θεού, τα δικά σας παιδιά, που είναι και δικά μας, νιώθουν την Εκκλησία να είναι το σπίτι τους. Χαίρομαι που εμπιστεύεστε τα παιδιά σας στην Εκκλησία, ιδιαίτερα αυτούς τους δύσκολους καιρούς, όπου η κοινωνία θέλει να τα διδάξει καινούρια, άγνωστα, περίεργα πράγματα. Η μόνη προστασία τους από κάθε είδους κακές επιρροές και βλαβερές συνήθειες είναι η Εκκλησία του Χριστού.

Το Σαββατοκύριακο 17 και 18 Φεβρουαρίου είχαμε το καθιερωμένο τουρνουά μπάσκετ, και φιλοξενήσαμε νέους και νέες από 9 Ενορίες. Με τη Χάρη του Θεού, όλα πήγαν υπέροχα. Την διαφορά όμως έκαναν οι νέοι της Αγίας Τριάδας. Με πολύ αγάπη και καλοσύνη υποδέχθηκαν τα άλλα παιδιά και τις οικογένειές τους και βοήθησαν στην όλη διοργάνωση με άψογο τρόπο. Πραγματικά καμάρωσα τα παιδιά μας και ένιωσα υπερήφανος γι’αυτά. Ιδιαίτερα την Κυριακή εκείνη, όπου είχαμε την τιμή και ευλογία να υποδεχθούμε τον Πνευματικό μας Πατέρα, τον Σεβασμιώτατο Μητροπολίτη Νέας Ιερσέης κ. Απόστολο, ο οποίος επισκέφθηκε την Ενορία μας για πρώτη φορά μετά την Ενθρόνισή του. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος με την παρουσία του κήρυξε την έναρξη των επίσημων εορτασμών για τα 90 χρόνια της Ενορίας μας, αλλά κυρίως ευχαριστήθηκε με την μεγάλη παρουσία των παιδιών μας. Να τα ευλογεί ο Θεός!

 

Να πούμε όμως και λίγα λόγια για τις μεγάλες και σπουδαίες ημέρες που έρχονται. Στις 18 Μαρτίου ξεκινά η Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή. Είναι μια πνευματική περίοδος όπου η Εκκλησία μας προσκαλεί να προετοιμαστούμε για το Πάθος και την Ανάσταση του Κυρίου μας. Αυτή η προετοιμασία περιλαμβάνει νηστεία, εγκράτεια παθών, συγχώρηση, μετάνοια, εξομολόγηση, ελεημοσύνη και προσευχή. Είναι δηλαδή ένα πνευματικό στάδιο αρετών, στο οποίο καλούμαστε να αγωνιστούμε ώστε να νικήσουμε τον ίδιο μας τον (κακό) εαυτό…

Κύριο χαρακτηριστικό της Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστής είναι, όπως είπαμε, η νηστεία και η προσευχή. Η νηστεία δεν έχει σκοπό να μας εξουθενώσει αλλά ούτε και να μας αδυνατίσει. Σκοπό έχει να μας μάθει την ευλογημένη «εγκράτεια». Χαρακτηριστικά αναφέρει ο μακαριστός Μητροπολίτης Διοκλείας Κάλλιστος: «είναι σημαντικό να μην παραβλέπουμε τις σωματικές απαιτήσεις της νηστείας αλλά είναι ακόμα πιο σημαντικό να μην παραβλέπουμε την πνευματική της σημασία. Η νηστεία δεν είναι μόνο ζήτημα δίαιτας. Είναι ηθικό όπως και σωματικό. Η πραγματική νηστεία πρέπει να μεταστραφεί στην καρδιά και στη θέληση. Πρέπει να επιστρέφει στο Θεό, πρέπει να γυρίσει σαν τον Άσωτο στο σπίτι του Πατέρα μας. Με τα λόγια του Αγίου Ιωάννη του Χρυσοστόμου «εγκράτεια σημαίνει όχι μόνο από τα φαγητά αλλά και από τις αμαρτίες». «Η νηστεία», επιμένει, «έπρεπε να τηρείται όχι μόνον από το στόμα αλλά και από τα μάτια, τα αυτιά, τα πόδια, τα χέρια και όλα τα μέλη του σώματος»: το μάτι πρέπει να απέχει από αισχρά θεάματα, το αυτί από κακεντρεχή φλυαρία, τα χέρια από πράξεις αδικίας.» (‘’Νηστεία σημαίνει Εγκράτεια, Προσευχή, Αγαθοεργία’’, Σοφία και Λόγος, Φεβρ. 2015)

Όσο για την προσευχή, τώρα είναι η ευκαιρία να την αγαπήσουμε περισσότερο. Η περίοδος αυτή μας δίνει τη δυνατότητα όπως είπαμε να έλθουμε πιο κοντά στον Θεό διά της προσευχής. Προσευχή είναι η επικοινωνία μας με τον Πατέρα μας. Όπως γράφει και πάλι ο μακαριστός Μητροπολίτης Διοκλείας Κάλλιστος: «Ο ορθόδοξος συγγραφέας Τίτο Κόλλιαντερ γράφει: «έχουμε δημιουργηθεί για την προσευχή, όπως ακριβώς δημιουργηθήκαμε για να μιλάμε και να σκεφτόμαστε». Η προσευχή είναι η αληθινή μας φύση. Χωρίς προσευχή δεν είμαστε πραγματικά άνθρωποι. Αυτός είναι ο λόγος που ο απόστολος Παύλος έλεγε «ἀδιαλείπτως προσεύχεσθε» (Α΄ Θεσ. 5:17). Με την προτροπή αυτή δεν εννοούσε ότι θα πρέπει να λέμε προσευχές όλη την ώρα, καθώς κάτι τέτοιο είναι στην πραγματικότητα αδύνατο. Κάποιες στιγμές χρειάζεται να στρέψουμε την προσοχή μας και σε άλλα πράγματα. Αλλά είχε κατά νου την προσευχή ως έναν εννοούμενο προσανατολισμό, μία κρυμμένη διάσταση ή ένα ιδανικό, που διαπερνά όλα όσα κάνουμε. Όπως παρατηρεί ο άγιος Ισαάκ ο Σύρος, οι άγιοι ακόμη και όταν κοιμούνται δεν παύουν να προσεύχονται, γιατί το Άγιο Πνεύμα προσεύχεται πάντοτε μαζί τους. Αυτό, όντως, είναι εκείνο που πραγματικά χρειάζεται ο κόσμος: όχι απλά ανθρώπους που λένε πότε πότε προσευχές, αλλά ανθρώπους που είναι οι ίδιοι μια διαρκής προσευχή, ζωντανές φλόγες προσευχής. Τέτοιοι άνθρωποι μεταμορφώνουν τον κόσμο. Όπως έλεγε κι ο άγιος Ιωάννης της Κρονστάνδης, «Η προσευχή είναι μία κατάσταση συνεχούς ευγνωμοσύνης». (Public OrthodoxyΜητροπολίτου Κάλλιστου Γουέαρ, 2020)

Αυτές τις άγιες ημέρες της Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστής η Εκκλησία μας θα μας δώσει πολλές πνευματικές ευκαιρίες μέσα από τις ιερές Ακολουθίες. Την Καθαρά  Δευτέρα, 18 Μαρτίου, και κάθε Δευτέρα, θα τελούμε το Μεγάλο Απόδειπνο στις 6 το απόγευμα και θα ακολουθεί πνευματική ομιλία. Από την Τετάρτη 20 Μαρτίου και κάθε Τετάρτη στις 6.30 το απόγευμα θα τελούμε την όμορφη και κατανυκτική Λειτουργία των Προηγιασμένων Δώρων και θα ακολουθεί νηστίσιμο γεύμα. Από την Παρασκευή 22 Μαρτίου και κάθε Παρασκευή θα τελούμε τους Χαιρετισμούς της Παναγίας μας στις 6.30 το απόγευμα. Τα Σάββατα 9, 16 και 23 Μαρτίου έχουμε τα Ψυχοσάββατα, όπου τελούμε μνημόσυνα και θυμόμαστε τους αγαπημένους μας που είναι στον ουρανό. Και φυσικά κάθε Κυριακή συμμετέχουμε στην Θεία Λειτουργία.

Είμαστε ευλογημένοι αγαπητοί μου που έχουμε την Αγία μας Μητέρα, την Εκκλησία, η οποία μας αγαπά και ενδιαφέρεται για την πνευματική μας προκοπή και καλλιέργεια. Ας μην χάσουμε λοιπόν την ευκαιρία και τα δώρα που μας δίνει ο Θεός αυτή την περίοδο της Σαρακοστής. Ας προσπαθήσουμε να ζήσουμε -ο καθένας σύμφωνα με τις δυνάμεις του- την πνευματικότητα που μας χαρίζει η Σαρακοστή, με την ευλογημένη νηστεία, την αγάπη στο συνάνθρωπο και την συμμετοχή μας στις ιερές Ακολουθίες. Μόνο έτσι θα καταλάβουμε καλύτερα και θα νιώσουμε έτοιμοι να υποδεχθούμε το Πάσχα, ένα αληθινό και διαφορετικό Πάσχα από κάθε άλλη χρονιά.

Καλή και ευλογημένη Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή αγαπητοί μου!

π. Χριστοφόρος Οικονομίδης

Αρχιμανδρίτης του Οικουμενικού Θρόνου

Ιερατικώς Προϊστάμενος 

 

  

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March 3, 2024

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Epistle: I Corinthians 6:12-20 Page 130

Gospel: Luke 15:11-32 Page 130

 

Memorials: Fr. Christoforos’ mother Efthimia Oikonomidis~ 12 Years

Ekaterina Chalima ~ 40 Day

NARTHEX DUTY TEAM:  Group 1

TODAY’S FELLOWSHIP IS OFFERED BY:

The Altar Guld & the Philoptochos Society offer the coffee hour today in loving memory of Fr. Christoforos’ mother, Efthimia Oikonomidis. May her memory be eternal.

THIS WEEK AT HOLY TRINITY:

Sunday, March 3

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

9:00am Orthros/10am Divine Liturgy

Sunday School

Monday, March 4

7pm OCF @ University of DE

Tuesday, March 5

Funeral for Theodore Roustopoulos 10am Visitation / 11am Funeral Service

6pm Boys Basketball Practice

Metropolis Clergy Retreat (March 5-7)

Wednesday, March 6

12pm Bible Study

5:30pm Greek School

5:30 to 7:30pm Sights and Sounds Practices (See GOYA Emails for time-slot)

Friday, March 7

5:30pm HOPE JOY Dance Practice

Saturday, March 9

1st Saturday of Souls

9am Orthros / 10am Divine Liturgy

Sunday, March 10

Judgement Sunday (Sunday of Meatfare)

9:00am Orthros/10am Divine Liturgy

Sunday School

1pm Philoptochos Meeting

 

 

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To follow the service via the GOA Digital Chant Stand

type in the link below and click the date of the service.

https://dcs.goarch.org/goa/dcs/dcs.html

 

 

Welcome   

The Holy Trinity Family welcomes all visitors. We hope that you enjoyed the Divine Service of the Church of the Book of Acts. You participated in the most ancient Christian Service written by Saint John Chrysostomos- the Golden Mouth. The Sacrament of Holy Communion is distributed ONLY to those Baptized and/or Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared according to our Sacred Tradition. We invite everyone to come forward at the end of the Divine Liturgy to receive the blessed bread. If you have any questions about the Orthodox Church or would like to discover how to join this Ancient Christian Faith please see the priest after the service or call the church office for an appointment 302-654-4446. We thank you and may the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and yours abundantly always.  

 

 

 

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Sunday Hymns

 

Hymns for Sunday 

Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιμον. Ἦχος πλ. βʹ.

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.

Resurrectional Apolytikion. Mode pl. 2.

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!

Ἦχος πλ. δʹ.

Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ πανσόφους τοὺς ἁλιεῖς ἀναδείξας, καταπέμψας αὐτοῖς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, καὶ δι' αὐτῶν τὴν οἰκουμένην σαγηνεύσας, φιλάνθρωπε, δόξα σοι.

Mode pl. 4.

O Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who by sending down the Holy Spirit upon them, made the fishermen wise, and through them illumined the world and to you the universe was ever drawn – all Glory to you O Lord.

Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος γʹ. Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον.

Τῆς πατρῴας, δόξης σου, ἀποσκιρτήσας ἀφρόνως, ἐν κακοῖς ἐσκόρπισα, ὅν μοι παρέδωκας πλοῦτον· ὅθεν σοι τὴν τοῦ Ἀσώτου, φωνὴν κραυγάζω· Ἥμαρτον ἐνώπιόν σου Πάτερ οἰκτίρμον, δέξαι με μετανοοῦντα, καὶ ποίησόν με, ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου.

Kontakion. Mode 3. On this day.

I revolted senselessly out of Your fatherly glory; I have squandered sinfully all of the riches You gave me. Hence to You, using the Prodigal’s words, I cry out, I have sinned before You, merciful loving Father. O receive me in repentance, I pray, and treat me as one of Your hired hands.

 

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Saints and Feasts

March 03

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.


March 03

The Holy Martyrs Eutropius, Cleonicus, and Basiliscus

The Martyrs, who were from Amasia, were fellow soldiers and kinsmen of Saint Theodore the Tyro (see Feb. 17). They were betrayed to the Governor Asclepiodotus as Christians, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305). After many torments, Eutropius and Cleonicus were crucified; Basiliscus was not slain together with them, but was shut up in prison, in the hope that with time he might change his mind and sacrifice to the idols. He was beheaded on May 22; see also the account on that day.


March 03

Theodoretos the Holy Martyr of Antioch


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53

At that time, having risen from the dead, Jesus went up and stood among His disciples and said to them, "Peace be with you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; handle Me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, He said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave Him a piece of broiled fish [and some honeycomb], and He took it and ate before them. Then He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name in all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands, He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the Temple blessing God.

Sixth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:36-53

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀναστὰς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐκ νεκρῶν ἔστη ἐν μέσῳ τῶν Μαθητῶν, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Πτοηθέντες δὲ καὶ ἔμφοβοι γενόμενοι, ἐδόκουν πνεῦμα θεωρεῖν. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Τί τεταραγμένοι ἐστέ, καὶ διατὶ διαλογισμοὶ ἀναβαίνουσιν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; ἴδετε τὰς χεῖράς μου καὶ τοὺς πόδας μου, ὅτι αὐτὸς ἐγώ εἰμι, ψηλαφήσατέ με καὶ ἴδετε, ὅτι πνεῦμα σάρκα καὶ ὀστέα οὐκ ἔχει, καθὼς ἐμὲ θεωρεῖτε ἔχοντα. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπών, ἐπέδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τοὺς πόδας. Ἒτι δὲ ἀπιστούντων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς, καὶ θαυμαζόντων, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἔχετέ τι βρώσιμον ἐνθάδε; Οἱ δὲ ἐπέδωκαν αὐτῷ ἰχθύος ὀπτοῦ μέρος, καὶ ἀπὸ μελισσίου κηρίου. Καὶ λαβών, ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ἔφαγεν. Εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς· Οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι, οὓς ἐλάλησα πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔτι ὢν σὺν ὑμῖν, ὅτι δεῖ πληρωθῆναι πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Μωσέως καὶ Προφήταις καὶ Ψαλμοῖς περὶ ἐμοῦ. Τότε διήνοιξεν αὐτῶν τὸν νοῦν, τοῦ συνιέναι τὰς Γραφάς· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ὃτι οὕτω γέγραπται, καὶ οὕτως εἴδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστόν, καὶ ἀναστῆναι ἐκ νεκρῶν τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ, καὶ κηρυχθῆναι ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ μετάνοιαν καὶ ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἀρξάμενον ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλήμ. Ὑμεῖς δέ ἐστε μάρτυρες τούτων. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πατρός μου ἐφ' ὑμᾶς· ὑμεῖς δὲ καθίσατε ἐν τῇ πόλει Ἱερουσαλήμ, ἕως οὗ ἐνδύσησθε δύναμιν ἐξ ὕψους. Ἐξήγαγε δὲ αὐτοὺς ἔξω εἰς Βηθανίαν, καὶ ἐπάρας τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ, εὐλόγησεν αὐτούς. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ εὐλογεῖν αὐτόν αὐτούς, διέστη ἀπ' αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀνεφέρετο εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν. Καὶ αὐτοὶ, προσκυνήσαντες αὐτόν, ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ μετὰ χαρᾶς μεγάλης. Καὶ ἦσαν διαπαντός ἐν τῷ Ἱερῷ, αἰνοῦντες καὶ εὐλογοῦντες τὸν Θεόν. Ἀμήν.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20.

Brethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 6:12-20.

Ἀδελφοί, πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλʼ οὐ πάντα συμφέρει· πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐγὼ ἐξουσιασθήσομαι ὑπό τινος. Τὰ βρώματα τῇ κοιλίᾳ, καὶ ἡ κοιλία τοῖς βρώμασιν· ὁ δὲ θεὸς καὶ ταύτην καὶ ταῦτα καταργήσει. Τὸ δὲ σῶμα οὐ τῇ πορνείᾳ, ἀλλὰ τῷ κυρίῳ, καὶ ὁ κύριος τῷ σώματι· ὁ δὲ θεὸς καὶ τὸν κύριον ἤγειρεν καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐξεγερεῖ διὰ τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὰ σώματα ὑμῶν μέλη Χριστοῦ ἐστιν; Ἄρας οὖν τὰ μέλη τοῦ Χριστοῦ ποιήσω πόρνης μέλη; Μὴ γένοιτο. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ὁ κολλώμενος τῇ πόρνῃ ἓν σῶμά ἐστιν; Ἔσονται γάρ, φησίν, οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν. Ὁ δὲ κολλώμενος τῷ κυρίῳ ἓν πνεῦμά ἐστιν. Φεύγετε τὴν πορνείαν. Πᾶν ἁμάρτημα ὃ ἐὰν ποιήσῃ ἄνθρωπος ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν· ὁ δὲ πορνεύων εἰς τὸ ἴδιον σῶμα ἁμαρτάνει. Ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὸ σῶμα ὑμῶν ναὸς τοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν ἁγίου πνεύματός ἐστιν, οὗ ἔχετε ἀπὸ θεοῦ; Καὶ οὐκ ἐστὲ ἑαυτῶν, ἠγοράσθητε γὰρ τιμῆς· δοξάσατε δὴ τὸν θεὸν ἐν τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν, καὶ ἐν τῷ πνεύματι ὑμῶν, ἅτινά ἐστιν τοῦ θεοῦ.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 15:11-32

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωπός τις εἶχε δύο υἱούς. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ νεώτερος αὐτῶν τῷ πατρί· πάτερ, δός μοι τὸ ἐπιβάλλον μέρος τῆς οὐσίας. καὶ διεῖλεν αὐτοῖς τὸν βίον. καὶ μετ᾿ οὐ πολλὰς ἡμέρας συναγαγὼν ἅπαντα ὁ νεώτερος υἱὸς ἀπεδήμησεν εἰς χώραν μακράν, καὶ ἐκεῖ διεσκόρπισε τὴν οὐσίαν αὐτοῦ ζῶν ἀσώτως. δαπανήσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ πάντα ἐγένετο λιμὸς ἰσχυρὸς κατὰ τὴν χώραν ἐκείνην, καὶ αὐτὸς ἤρξατο ὑστερεῖσθαι. καὶ πορευθεὶς ἐκολλήθη ἑνὶ τῶν πολιτῶν τῆς χώρας ἐκείνης, καὶ ἔπεμψεν αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς ἀγροὺς αὐτοῦ βόσκειν χοίρους. καὶ ἐπεθύμει γεμίσαι τὴν κοιλίαν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν κερατίων ὧν ἤσθιον οἱ χοῖροι, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐδίδου αὐτῷ. εἰς ἑαυτὸν δὲ ἐλθὼν εἶπε· πόσοι μίσθιοι τοῦ πατρός μου περισσεύουσιν ἄρτων, ἐγὼ δὲ λιμῷ ἀπόλλυμαι! ἀναστὰς πορεύσομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ ἐρῶ αὐτῷ· πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου. οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος κληθῆναι υἱός σου· ποίησόν με ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου. καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ. ἔτι δὲ αὐτοῦ μακρὰν ἀπέχοντος εἶδεν αὐτὸν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, καὶ δραμὼν ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ υἱός· πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου, καὶ οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος κληθῆναι υἱός σου. εἶπε δὲ ὁ πατὴρ πρὸς τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ· ἐξενέγκατε τὴν στολὴν τὴν πρώτην καὶ ἐνδύσατε αὐτόν, καὶ δότε δακτύλιον εἰς τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ καὶ ὑποδήματα εἰς τοὺς πόδας, καὶ ἐνέγκαντες τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτὸν θύσατε, καὶ φαγόντες εὐφρανθῶμεν, ὅτι οὗτος ὁ υἱός μου νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέζησε, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς ἦν καὶ εὑρέθη. καὶ ἤρξαντο εὐφραίνεσθαι. ῏Ην δὲ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἐν ἀγρῷ· καὶ ὡς ἐρχόμενος ἤγγισε τῇ οἰκίᾳ, ἤκουσε συμφωνίας καὶ χορῶν, καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος ἕνα τῶν παίδων ἐπυνθάνετο τί εἴη ταῦτα. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἥκει καὶ ἔθυσεν ὁ πατήρ σου τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν, ὅτι ὑγιαίνοντα αὐτὸν ἀπέλαβεν. ὠργίσθη δὲ καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν εἰσελθεῖν. ὁ οὖν πατὴρ αὐτοῦ ἐξελθὼν παρεκάλει αὐτόν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπε τῷ πατρί· ἰδοὺ τοσαῦτα ἔτη δουλεύω σοι καὶ οὐδέποτε ἐντολήν σου παρῆλθον, καὶ ἐμοὶ οὐδέποτε ἔδωκας ἔριφον ἵνα μετὰ τῶν φίλων μου εὐφρανθῶ· ὅτε δὲ ὁ υἱός σου οὗτος, ὁ καταφαγών σου τὸν βίον μετὰ πορνῶν, ἦλθεν, ἔθυσας αὐτῷ τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· τέκνον, σὺ πάντοτε μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ εἶ, καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐμὰ σά ἐστιν· εὐφρανθῆναι δὲ καὶ χαρῆναι ἔδει, ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου οὗτος νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέζησε, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς ἦν καὶ εὑρέθη.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Thank God every day with your whole heart for having given to you life according to His image and likeness - an intelligently free and immortal life...Thank Him also for again daily bestowing life upon you, who have fallen an innumerable multitude of times, by your own free will, through sins, from life unto death, and that He does so as soon as you only say from your whole heart: 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee!' (Luke 15:18).
St. John of Kronstadt
My Life in Christ: Part 1; Holy Trinity Monastery pgs. 104-105, 19th century

But if he had despaired of his life, and, ... had remained in the foreign land, he would not have obtained what he did obtain, but would have been consumed with hunger, and so have undergone the most pitiable death: ...
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

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New Members Received

Loudovic Wiechecki

Emily Raisis

Joseph Sparco

George & Kristie Asimos

George Asimos, Sr.

Jessica Marvel

Caroline Vande Poele

Beth Haldas

Anthony Taylor

Francis Wiechecki

Anthony & Melanie Metaxotos

George & Michelle Hall

 

 

 

 

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Serving This Week at Holy Trinity

  

NARTHEX DUTY TEAM:  Group 2

TODAY’S FELLOWSHIP IS OFFERED BY:

The Altar Guld & the Philoptochos Society offer the coffee hour today in loving memory of Fr. Christoforos’ mother, Efthimia Oikonomidis.

May her memory be eternal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Parish Outreach & Evangelism

 

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

Our Lord Jesus Christ came in to the world that He might restore our humanity by filling it with the Divine and life-giving Holy Spirit. When this happens, we become a new creation in Christ overflowing with abundant life. All of us are called to participate in this Divine way of being. 

Although Holy Trintiy has a vibrant history extending over 90 years, we are continually gaining new families and new parish members through marriages, childbirths, conversions from non-Christian religions and by people who are embracing the Orthodox Chrisitan way of life.

If you or someone you may know are desiring to join our Church, please let the church office know and we will have someone reach out to them for a pastoral visit.

We ask that all of our members prayerfully reflect on who we have the opportunity to be welcoming here at Holy Trinity, so that you might share that information with our Parish Priest. 

May the Lord bless,

The Outreach & Evangleism Ministry

 

Matthew 28: 18-20

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

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CURRENT EVENT FLYERS

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Announcements

Congratulating our GOYAns for a successful tournament!

It was a wonderfilled weekend!

Our Girls Team took 1st place!!! Congratulations girls!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have a pastoral emergency please call the

Church office @ 302.654.4446

Fr Christoforos @ 856.246.2756, or

Stephen Karakasidis @ 302.383.0476

 

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ΠΟΙΜΑΝΤΟΡΙΚΗ ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ

 

Please view the attached informational video from the Metropolis Opioid Response Effort (M.O.R.E.) (CLICK ON TH ELINK BELOW TO VIEW THE VIDEO)

Please share it with anyone and everyone! Please HELP us do M.O.R.E.

https://www.nj.goarch.org/opioids

 

 

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

O Father, foolishly I ran away from Your glory, and in sin, squandered the riches You gave me. Wherefore, I cry out to You with the voice of the Prodigal, "I have sinned before You Compassionate Father. Receive me in repentance and take me as one of Your hired servants."
Τῆς πατρῴας, δόξης σου, ἀποσκιρτήσας ἀφρόνως, ἐν κακοῖς ἐσκόρπισα, ὅν μοι παρέδωκας πλοῦτον· ὅθεν σοι τὴν τοῦ Ἀσώτου, φωνὴν κραυγάζω· Ἥμαρτον ἐνώπιόν σου Πάτερ οἰκτίρμον, δέξαι με μετανοοῦντα, καὶ ποίησόν με, ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου.
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