Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2024-07-14
Bulletin Contents

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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 the Lord our God continue to bless and guide us all every day of our lives!

Today we commemorate on the 3rd Sunday following Holy Pentecost the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council (Chalcedon 451 AD) and All Saints of the British Isles (England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland). Their lives give us examples of letting the Gospel Light shine for in Today's Gospel Reading from Saint Matthew 5:14-19, we hear the teaching of our Lord from the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Here our Lord commands his Disciples and us that the True Light must be allowed to shine brightly in the world. Only when the followers of Christ shine His light will the darkness of the world be chased away by the illumination of His Saving Light of grace, salvation and faith.
 
Today being the Sunday between July 11-18 is commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council. They were called to define the inspiration of the Holy Spirit  the relationship between the Divine Nature and Human Nature of Jesus Christ. The Church was beset by a controversy of dud the Divine Nature take over the Human Nature or did both natures remain after the Incarnation but without separation or confusion. This they did in rejecting the twin heresies of one Nature(monophysitism) and splitting in two Christ( Nestorianism).  Gathered in Chalcedon in 451 AD these Holy Fathers defined the teaching of Eastern Orthodoxy on the relationship between the natures of Christ which we belief and teach to this day. It was in the century following this Council that a portion of the Church in misunderstanding the teaching of this Holy Council separated themselves and formed what are known today as the Oriental Orthodox churches. Sadly this division exists today but we pray that one day both Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox will one day be guided back together in all truth!
 
         Your Pastor;
         Father Paisius R McGrath 

 

 

  

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Hymns of the Day

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Tone

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 2nd Tone. Psalm 31.11,1.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous.
Verse: Blessed are they whose transgressions have been forgiven.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15.

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from Matthew 5:14-19

The Lord said to his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Every work which does not have love as its beginning and root is nothing.
St. John Chrysostom
Unknown, 4th century

"But whosoever shall do and teach," said He, "shall be called great." For not to ourselves alone, should we be profitable, but to others also; since neither is the reward as great for him who guides himself aright, as for one who with himself adds also another.
St. John Chrysostom
Homilies 15 and 16 on Matthew 5, 4th Century

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Saints and Feasts

July 15

Julitta & Kyrikos the Martyrs

Saint Julitta was from the city of Iconium. Fearing the persecution of Diocletian, she took her son Cyricus, who was three years old, and departed for Seleucia; but finding the same evil there, she went over to Tarsus in Cilicia, where the ruler arrested her. He took her son from her and tried with flatteries to draw the youth to himself. But the little one, in his childish voice, called on the Name of Christ and kicked the ruler in the belly so hard, that the tyrant became enraged and cast him down the steps of the tribunal. In this manner, the child's head was crushed, and he gave up the spirit. As for his blessed mother, she first endured many torments, and finally was beheaded in the year 296.


July 15

Vladimir, Equal-to-the-Apostles of Kiev

Grandson of Saint Olga, Saint Vladimir ascended the throne of Kiev in 980. Though a zealous idolater, he was illumined by the grace of God, accepted the Christian Faith, and completely changed his ways. He was baptized in Cherson in 988, receiving the name Basil; he came forth from the font not only healed of a blindness lately afflicting him, but also from being passionate and warlike, he became meek, peaceable, and exceedingly godly. Whereas his grandmother had refused marriage with the Emperor in Constantinople (see July 11), he married Anna, sister of the Emperors Basil and Constantine, and was accompanied home by priests from Constantinople. Diligently seeking to spread Christianity throughout his realm like a new Constantine, he destroyed the idols (having the chief diety Perun scourged and then cast into the Dnieper River), and summoned all his subjects to Holy Baptism. He reposed in peace in 1015.


July 20

Elias the Prophet

Elias of great fame was from Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of Galaad (Gilead), beyond the Jordan. He was of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary and ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin, and girded about his loins with a leathern belt. His name is interpreted as "Yah is my God." His zeal for the glory of God was compared to fire, and his speech for teaching and rebuke was likened unto a burning lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot. Therefore, set aflame with such zeal, he sternly reproved the impiety and lawlessness of Ahab and his wife Jezebel. He shut up heaven by means of prayer, and it did not rain for three years and six months. Ravens brought him food for his need when, at God's command, he was hiding by the torrent of Horrath. He multiplied the little flour and oil of the poor widow of Sarephtha of Sidon, who had given him hospitality in her home, and when her son died, he raised him up. He brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered to God before all the people of Israel, that they might know the truth. At the torrent of Kisson, he slew 450 false prophets and priests who worshipped idols and led the people astray. He received food wondrously at the hand of an Angel, and being strengthened by this food he walked for forty days and forty nights. He beheld God on Mount Horeb, as far as this is possible for human nature. He foretold the destruction of the house of Ahab, and the death of his son Ohozias; and as for the two captains of fifty that were sent by the king, he burned them for their punishment, bringing fire down from Heaven. He divided the flow of the Jordan, and he and his disciple Elisseus passed through as it were on dry land; and finally, while speaking with him, Elias was suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in the year 895 B.C., and he ascended as though into heaven, whither God most certainly translated him alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11). But from thence also, after seven years, by means of an epistle he reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as it is written: "And there came a message in writing to him from Elias the Prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the way," and so forth (II Chron. 21:12). According to the opinion of the majority of the interpreters, this came to pass either through his disciple Elisseus, or through another Prophet when Elias appeared to them, even as he appeared on Mount Tabor to the disciples of Christ (see Aug. 6).


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Upcoming Services and Events

  • Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Calendar

    July 14 to July 21, 2024

    Sunday, July 14

    Sunday of the Holy Fathers of 4th Ecumenical Council

    9:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Monday, July 15

    Saint Vladimir of Kiev Equal to the Apostles

    Holy Martyrs Julitta and Cyriacos

    9:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Wednesday, July 17

    Saint Marina of Antioch

    9:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Friday, July 19

    6:00PM Great Vespers with Artoklasia

    Saturday, July 20

    Holy Prophet Elijah (Elias)

    9:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Sunday, July 21

    Saint Symeon Fool of Christ

    4th Sunday of Saint Mathew

    9:30AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

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Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are pleased to announce that here at Holy Trinity we will be forming a new group for fellowship and learning which we are calling Practical Orthodoxy. In this group we will be learning more of the traditions and practices of our Orthodox Faith and how we are called to live as Orthodox Christians. For more information, please talk with Father Paisius and Cassidy and Crystal Anderson.

This morning we also commemorate the Holy Saints of the British Isles: the Holy men and women who lived and passed on faithfully the teachings and practices of the Orthodox Faith. Take a look at the beautiful Icon for these Saints this morning!

This week we celebrate the Feasts of Holy Martyrs Cyriacos and Julitta( relics in our Altar) and Saint Vladimir of Kiev on July 15, Saint Marina of Antioch on July 17 and the Holy Prophet Elijah (Elias) on July 20. Please join us for the celebration of these great Saints as we worship together.

As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Prophet Elijah next weekend, it is a time honored and beautiful tradition for Orthodox Christians to have their vehicles blessed at this Feast. So next Saturday, July 20 and next Sunday, July 21 we will have Blessing of Vehicles following Divine Day on both days.

We are pleased to announce that the printed copies of our Parish schedule for July are now available in the Narthex and Church Side Entrance. Please pick up your copy and join us in the prayer and worship of our Parish Community.  The June calendar is also on the church website at https://holytrinitybiloxi.org/.

 BIRTHDAYS

Today we offer our best wishes and congratulations to George Vaporis who celebrates his birthday on July 14, and Akaterina Vamvakas and TErica Kelly who celebrate their birthday on July 18, and John Collins who celebrates his birthday on July 20.  May the Lord our God bless His servants George, Akaterina, TErica, and John. May He grant to them many more blessed and happy years!

ANNIVERSARIES

We offer our congratulations to Cristian and Meri Ionescu for their anniversary on July 19.  They have been married for 43 blessed years.  

If we missed your anniversary or birthday it means we don't have you information listed on our roster.  Please let us know so we can make the updates.

       PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND RECOVERING 

Pray for Saidi Maalouf, Mousa Maalouf, Niki Arnold, Wilson Arnold, Karen Henderson, Photine Hagicostas, Louie Peters, and Demetri Vlahos as they recover from their illnesses.  May the Lord our God quickly heal His servants.  Get well soon. 

Please let Father Paisius know of any parishioner who is sick so we may pray for them. 

ORTHODOX STEWARDSHIP

Orthodox Christian Stewardship is a way of life, which acknowledges accountability, reverence, and responsibility before God. A primary goal of Stewardship is to promote spiritual growth and strengthen faith. Becoming a Steward begins when we believe in God, to whom we give our love, loyalty and trust and act on those beliefs. As Stewards, we affirm that every aspect of our lives comes as a gift from Him. Stewardship calls on the faithful to cheerfully offer back to God a portion of the gifts with which they have been blessed.  See bulletin inserts for the 2024 Stewardship Pledge Form and a current list of parishioners who have pledged for this year.  

 

 

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Bulletin Inserts

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