Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-08-24
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (228) 388-6138
  • Street Address:

  • 255 Beauvoir Rd.

  • Biloxi, MS 39531


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Service schedule varies.  The current schedule can be found in the bulletin or parish website.

 


Past Bulletins


Father Paisius McGrath, Presbyter

Glory to Jesus Christ! Greetings to the faithful members and families of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.  May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless and guide us now and always.

Today we are presented with an opportunity to reflect on the meaning and importance of forgiveness. In today's Gospel Reading from Saint Matthew 18:23-35, we hear a parable from our Lord on forgiving each other and how this must be a complete forgiveness as we want our Heavenly Father to so forgive us. We understand here that our relationship with God must impact and develop how we engage in our relationships with each other. This begins in understanding that the forgiveness that God grants us by the very act of providing salvation through grace by the ultimate sacrifice of death on the Cross calls for a response from us. This response is not just our accepting this gift but also in allowing this acceptance to shape how we practice forgiveness in our human relationships. This is one of the difficult but necessary aspects of living the Christian life, acceptance of the forgiveness of God for us models for us how we are to develop our actions towards each other so that we not only receive forgiveness but practice it as well.
 
       Your Pastor,
 
       Father Paisius R. McGrath

 

 

  

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 2nd Tone. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:2-12.

Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.


Gospel Reading

11th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 18:23-35

The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."


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Saints and Feasts

August 24

11th Sunday of Matthew


August 27

Phanourios the Great Martyr & Newly Appeared of Rhodes

Little is known of the holy Martyr Phanurius, except that which is depicted concerning his martyrdom on his holy icon, which was discovered in the year 1500 among the ruins of an ancient church on Rhodes, when the Moslems ruled there. Thus he is called "the Newly Revealed." The faithful pray to Saint Phanurius especially to help them recover things that have been lost, and because he has answered their prayers so often, the custom has arisen of baking a Phaneropita ("Phanurius-Cake") as a thanks-offering.


August 29

Beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John

The divine Baptist, the Prophet born of a Prophet, the seal of all the Prophets and beginning of the Apostles, the mediator between the Old and New Covenants, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, the God-sent Messenger of the incarnate Messiah, the forerunner of Christ's coming into the world (Esaias 40: 3; Mal. 3: 1); who by many miracles was both conceived and born; who was filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb; who came forth like another Elias the Zealot, whose life in the wilderness and divine zeal for God's Law he imitated: this divine Prophet, after he had preached the baptism of repentance according to God's command; had taught men of low rank and high how they must order their lives; had admonished those whom he baptized and had filled them with the fear of God, teaching them that no one is able to escape the wrath to come if he do not works worthy of repentance; had, through such preaching, prepared their hearts to receive the evangelical teachings of the Savior; and finally, after he had pointed out to the people the very Savior, and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, Which taketh away the sin of the world" (Luke 3:2-18; John 1: 29-36), after all this, John sealed with his own blood the truth of his words and was made a sacred victim for the divine Law at the hands of a transgressor.

This was Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Galilee, the son of Herod the Great. This man had a lawful wife, the daughter of Arethas (or Aretas), the King of Arabia (that is, Arabia Petraea, which had the famous Nabatean stone city of Petra as its capital. This is the Aretas mentioned by Saint Paul in II Cor. 11:32). Without any cause, and against every commandment of the Law, he put her away and took to himself Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, to whom Herodias had borne a daughter, Salome. He would not desist from this unlawful union even when John, the preacher of repentance, the bold and austere accuser of the lawless, censured him and told him, "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife" (Mark 6: 18). Thus Herod, besides his other unholy acts, added yet this, that he apprehended John and shut him in prison; and perhaps he would have killed him straightway, had he not feared the people, who had extreme reverence for John. Certainly, in the beginning, he himself had great reverence for this just and holy man. But finally, being pierced with the sting of a mad lust for the woman Herodias, he laid his defiled hands on the teacher of purity on the very day he was celebrating his birthday. When Salome, Herodias' daughter, had danced in order to please him and those who were supping with him, he promised her -- with an oath more foolish than any foolishness -- that he would give her anything she asked, even unto the half of his kingdom. And she, consulting with her mother, straightway asked for the head of John the Baptist in a charger. Hence this transgressor of the Law, preferring his lawless oath above the precepts of the Law, fulfilled this godless promise and filled his loathsome banquet with the blood of the Prophet. So it was that that all-venerable head, revered by the Angels, was given as a prize for an abominable dance, and became the plaything of the dissolute daughter of a debauched mother. As for the body of the divine Baptist, it was taken up by his disciples and placed in a tomb (Mark 6: 21 - 29). Concerning the finding of his holy head, see February 24 and May 25.


August 31

The Placing of the Honorable Sash of the Most Holy Theotokos

Although the historical accounts differ somewhat, the Deposition that is celebrated today took place most likely during the reign of Emperor Arcadius (395-408), when the precious Cincture of the Mother of God was brought from Zela of Cappadocia to Constantinople, and placed in the Church of the Theotokos in the section of Chalcopratia.


August 31

Cyprian the Hieromartyr & Bishop of Carthage

Saint Cyprian was born of pagan parents in Carthage of Roman Africa about the year 190. An eloquent teacher of rhetoric, he was converted and baptized late in life, and his conversion from a proud man of learning to a humble servant of Christ was complete; he sold his great possessions and gave them to the poor, and because of his zeal and virtue, was ordained presbyter in 247, then Bishop of Carthage in 248. He was especially steadfast in defending the sanctity and uniqueness of the Baptism of the Church of Christ against the confusion of those who would allow some validity to the ministrations of heretics; his writings continue to guide the Church even in our own day. Having survived the persecution of Decius about the year 250, he was beheaded in confession of the Faith during the persecution of Valerian in 258, on September 14; that day being the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, his feast is kept today.


August 31

Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 2nd Tone

When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You.

Apolytikion for the Church in the 1st Tone

Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who made fishermen all-wise, sending upon them the Holy Spirit and, through them, netting the world. O Loving One, glory to You.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Tone

In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."
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Wisdom of the Fathers

Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
Unknown, 18th century

Wherefore then did He not do this, nor forgive the debt before the account? Desiring to teach him, from how many obligations He is delivering him, that in this way at least he might become more mild towards his fellow servant .... He gave more than he asked, remission and forgiveness of the entire debt.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 61 on Matthew 18, 4th Century

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Upcoming Services and Events

  • Upcoming Services and Events

    August 24 to August 31, 2025

    Sunday, August 24

    11th Sunday of Saint Mathew

    Saint Cosmas of Aetolia

    9:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    12:30PM Catechumen Class

    Wednesday, August 27

    Saint Phanourios the Great Martyr

    9:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    6:00PM Daily Vespers with Talk

    7:00PM Potluck Meal

    Thursday, August 28

    5:00PM Great Vespers with Artoklasia

    6:00PM Parish Bible Study

    Friday, August 29

    Beheading of Saint John the Baptist

    Strict Fast Day

    9:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Saturday, August 30

    10:30AM Holy Baptism of Delia Galbur

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    6:00PM Byzantine Chant Class

    Sunday, August 31

    Saint Cyprian of Carthage

    Honorable Belt of the Holy Theotokos

    9:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    12:30PM Catechumen Class

    6:00PM Great Vespers

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Announcements

 
BIRTHDAYS

This week we as a parish community extend our best wishes and congratulations to David Dubuisson Sr. as he celebrates his birthday on August 24, to Alexis Koskan as she celebrates her birthday on August 28, to Hiro Warden as he celebrates his birthday on August 28 and to Meri Ionescu as she celebrates her birthday on August 29.  May the Lord our God bless His servants David, Alexis, Hiro, and Meri, and may He grant to them many more blessed and happy years!

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

This morning we wish to announce that tomorrow on Monday, August 25 we will have our Practical Orthodoxy Group Meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Aztecas Mexican Cantina Beach Boulevard in Biloxi. Come and join us for an evening of good food, fellowship, and learning more about our Orthodox Faith.
 
This week we celebrate the Feast Days of Saint Phanourios the Great Martyr on Wednesday, August 27 and the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist on Friday, August 29.  Please remember that August 29 as the Beheading of Saint John is a one day strict fast and in honor of him in many places Orthodox do not use a plate or knife at meals.  Come and pray and worship with us on these days!
 
This week on Saturday, August 30, the child of God, Delia Galbur, will be received into the Orthodox Church through Holy Baptism.  Let us pray for her and her family on this special day!
 
We offer a reminder that our Parish Sunday School will begin on Sunday, September 7, classes will meet in the Church Hall from 9:30-10:15 a.m.  For further information please talk with Crystal Anderson.
 
We wish to announce that our Parish Fall General Assembly will meet following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 28. This General Assembly will be for the purpose of electing our 2025 Parish Council Elections Committee and taking nominations for this year's Parish Council Election in November.  Please remember that to participate in and vote everyone needs to be a Parish Member in Good Standing including being up to date on 2025 Pledge.  For more information, check with a member of our Parish Council.

HOLY TRINITY SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Monday, August 25, Practical Orthodoxy Group Meeting 5:30 p.m. at Aztecas Mexican Cantina Beach Boulevard Biloxi
 
Wednesday, August 27, Saint Phanorious the Great Martyr, Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
10:00 a.m.
Daily Vespers and Talk 6:00 p.m.  Potluck Meal
 
Thursday, August 28, Great Vespers with Artoklasia 5:00 p.m.
Parish Bible Study 6:00 p.m.
 
Friday, August 29, Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. STRICT FAST DAY
 
Saturday, August 30, Holy Baptism of Delia Galbur 10:30 a.m.
Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. 
Byzantine Chant Class
 
Sunday, August 31, Honorable Belt of Holy Theotokos/Saint Cyprian of Carthage/ Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne, Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. Catechumen Class 12:30 p.m.
Great Vespers 6:00 p.m.
 
 

The Ministry of Holy Trinity is enabled, thanks be to God, by the faithful support of the following stewards of our Parish:

Abraham Samander
Adam & Shauna Angel
Akaterina Vamvakas
Alijah King
Angele Lorio
Angelos and Elizabeth Vamvakas
Brad & Mandy Sartor
Carl & Nancy Malek
Chris Mavromihalis
Chrissanthi Beach
Colleen Collins
Crystal & Cassidy Anderson
Del & Jill Wilber
Edward S. Maikranz
Eleni Vganges
George & Janie Mavromihalis
George & Sheila Yurchak
George J. Vaporis
George L. Contas
Gus Ravenous
Guy Bowering
Jeff & Christie Maung
Irene Adeline
Irene Koskan
Jaime Ross
John & Donna Collins
Katie Monroe
Louis and Linda Peters
Malama Thrasivoulou
Mousa Maloof
Mihnea C. & Viorica M Ionescu
Nada D. Harris
Nataliya Petrovska Kirkby
Nicoletta Conner
Panagiotis "Peter" & Maria Loukatos
Rodney and Karen Bridges
Seth Willison
Spiro Vganges
Tim Gilmore
Trent & Rachel Milan
William Patrick Weaver
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Bulletin

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