St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-09-07
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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (772) 464-7194
  • Fax:
  • (772) 464-5595
  • Street Address:

  • 2525 South 25th Street

  • Fort Pierce, FL 34981


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Orthros 9:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.


Past Bulletins


Christ is in our midst! He is and ever shall be!

Welcome!

 Join us for Orthodox Divine Liturgy every Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

 Our services are streamed live on the internet
at our Saint Nicholas website
https://stnicholasfp.com/
and on our Facebook page

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - Home | Facebook

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This Week and Upcoming Events

This Week: 

Saturday, September 6         Philoptochos, 10:00 am
          Please note the Time Change for the Philoptochos meetings each month.

Sunday, September 7            Sunday Before Holy Cross
                                                   
Matins 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
                                              Sunday School Begins
                                              Grandparent's Day

Monday, September 8           Nativity of the Theotokos
                                                Matins 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
                                              Discover Orthodoxy, 6:30 pm

Wednesday, September 10   Bible Study, 10:30 am
                                              Parish Council, 6:30 pm

 

Next Week and Upcoming Events:

Sunday, September 14          Elevation of the Holy Cross
                                                Matins 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

Monday, September 15         F.I.S.H.E.R. Men 6:00 pm

 

Stewardship is an offering and is part of how we participate in and support the work of Jesus Christ and His church. By offering back some of what has bestowed upon us, we allow God to work through that offering “for the life of the world.”

Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, to teach and spread the Orthodox Christian faith, to energize, cultivate and guide the life of the Church according to the Orthodox Christian faith and Sacred Tradition.  The Church serves as a beacon, carrier and witness of the message of Christ to all persons in the community, through Divine Worship, preaching, teaching and living the Orthodox faith.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

When the tidings of the Resurrection from the glorious Angel was proclaimed unto the women disciples and our ancestral sentence also had been abolished. To the Apostles with boasting did they proclaim that death is vanquished evermore and Christ our God has risen from the dead and granted to the world His great mercy.
Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Theotokos' Nativity Forefeast in the Fourth Tone

Unto us is born today Mary the child of God, * as the branch from Jesse’s root, and as the fruit of David’s loins, * and all creation is re-created and deified. * O heaven and the earth, rejoice in unison. * Sing praises unto her, O all you Gentile clans. * Joachim is exultant, and Anna is keeping festival, crying out: * “The barren woman bears the Theotokos, * the nourisher of our Life.”
Εκ τής ρίζης Ιεσσαί, καί εξ οσφύος τού Δαυϊδ, η θεόπαις Μαριάμ, τίκτεται σήμερον ημίν, διό καί χαίρει η σύμπασα καί καινουργείται, συγχαίρει τε ομού, ο ουρανός καί η γή, Αινέσατε αυτήν αι πατριαί τών εθνών, Ιωακείμ ευφραίνεται, καί Άννα πανηγυρίζει κραυγάζουσα, Η στείρα τίκτει, τήν Θεοτόκον, καί τροφόν τής ζωής ημών.

Apolytikion for St Nicholas in the First Tone

A model of faith and the image of gentleness; Your life has shown forth to your flock as a teacher of temperance; You obtained through humility, gifts from on high and riches through poverty. O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.

Κανόνα πίστεως καὶ εἰκόνα πραότητος, ἐγκρατείας διδάσκαλον, ἀνέδειξέ σε τῇ ποίμνῃ σου, ἡ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀλήθεια· διὰ τοῦτο ἐκτήσω τῇ ταπεινώσει τὰ ὑψηλά, τῇ πτωχείᾳ τὰ πλούσια, Πάτερ ἱεράρχα Νικόλαε· πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Tone

On this day the virgin Maid, Mary the true Theotokos, * the inviolate bridal room of the heavenly Bridegroom, * by the will of God is born of a barren woman, * to prepare to be the carriage of God the Logos, * as for this she had been destined, * to be the gateway of God and Mother of Life.
Η Παρθένος σήμερον, καί Θεοτόκος Μαρία, η παστάς η άλυτος, τού ουρανίου Νυμφίου, τίκτεται, από τής στείρας θεοβουλήτως, όχημα, τού Θεού Λόγου ευτρεπισθήναι, εις τούτο γάρ καί προωρίσθη, η θεία πύλη, καί Μήτηρ τής όντως ζωής.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Second Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 16:1-8

Διαγενομένου τοῦ Σαββάτου, Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ Μαρία ἡ τοῦ Ἰακώβου καὶ Σαλώμη ἠγόρασαν ἀρώματα, ἵνα ἐλθοῦσαι ἀλείψωσιν τὸν Ἰησοῦν. Καὶ λίαν πρωῒ τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων ἔρχονται ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον ἀνατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλίου. Καὶ ἔλεγον πρὸς ἑαυτάς· Τίς ἀποκυλίσει ἡμῖν τὸν λίθον ἐκ τῆς θύρας τοῦ μνημείου; καὶ ἀναβλέψασαι θεωροῦσιν ὅτι ἀποκεκύλισται ὁ λίθος· ἦν γὰρ μέγας σφόδρα. Καὶ εἰσελθοῦσαι εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, εἶδον νεανίσκον καθήμενον ἐν τοῖς δεξιοῖς, περιβεβλημένον στολήν λευκήν, καὶ ἐξεθαμβήθησαν· ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐταῖς· Μὴ ἐκθαμβεῖσθε, Ἰησοῦν ζητεῖτε τὸν Ναζαρηνὸν τὸν ἐσταυρωμένον, ἠγέρθη, οὐκ ἔστιν ᾧδε· ἴδε, ὁ τόπος ὅπου ἔθηκαν αὐτόν, ἀλλ' ὑπάγετε, εἴπατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ τῷ Πέτρῳ, ὅτι προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε, καθὼς εἶπεν ὑμῖν. Καὶ ἐξελθοῦσαι ταχὺ ἔφυγον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου, εἶχε δὲ αὐτὰς τρόμος καὶ ἔκστασις, καὶ οὐδενὶ οὐδὲν εἶπον· ἐφοβοῦντο γάρ.

Second Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:1-8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back - it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, He is not here; see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.


Epistle Reading

Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Tone. 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 Γαλάτας 6:11-18.

Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Tone. 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 Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.


Gospel Reading

Sunday before Holy Cross
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 3:13-17

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ.

Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17

The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."


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Memorials and Trisagions

Memorial
40 days - Emmanuel Socrates Catechis
husband of Priscilla Catechis
father of Anthoula

Trisagion
3 days - Katherine Kotis
sister of Evelyn Terezakis

Memorial
5 years - Ana Codrea
mother of Daniella Dumitru


May their memory be eternal!

 

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Our Redeemer and Maker, Who was Son of God before the ages, became Son of Man at the end of ages. Thus the One Who, through the power of His divinity, had created us to enjoy the happiness of everlasting life, might Himself restore us, through the weakness of our humanity, to recover the life we had lost.
St. Bede the Venerable
Homilies on the Gospels, 2.18. 7th Century. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol: John 1-10. Intervarsity Press, 2006, p. 126.

For since Nicodemus had said, "We know that Thou art a teacher come from God," on this very point He sets him right, all but saying, "Think Me not a teacher in such manner as were the many of the prophets who were of earth, for I have come from heaven (but) now. None of the prophets hath ascended up thither, but I dwell there."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

For not in heaven only is He, but everywhere, and He fills all things; but yet He speaks according to the infirmity of His hearer, desiring to lead him up little by little ... For after having spoken of the very great benefaction that had come to man by Baptism, He proceeds to mention another benefaction, which was the cause of this, and not inferior to it; namely, that by the Cross ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

But wherefore did He not say plainly, "I am about to be crucified," instead of referring His hearers to the ancient type? First, that you may learn that old things are akin to new, and that the one are not alien to the other; next, that you may know that He came not unwillingly to His Passion; and ... you may learn that no harm arises to Him from the Fact, and that to many there springs from it salvation ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

Now if the Jews, by looking to the brazen image of a serpent, escaped death, much rather will they who believe on the Crucified, with good reason enjoy a far greater benefit ... Seest thou the cause of the Crucifixion, and the salvation which is by it?
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

Seest thou the relationship of the type to the reality? there the Jews escaped death, but the temporal, here believers the eternal; there the hanging serpent healed the bites of serpents, here the Crucified Jesus cured the wounds inflicted by the spiritual dragon; there he who looked with his bodily eyes was healed, here he who beholds with the eyes of his understanding put off all his sins;
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

there that which hung was brass fashioned into the likeness of a serpent, here it was the Lord's Body, builded by the Spirit; there a serpent bit and a serpent healed, here death destroyed and a Death saved ... but the Lord's Death was free from all sin, as the brazen serpent from venom. For, saith Peter, "He did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth." (1 Pet. ii. 22.)
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

For as some noble champion by lifting on high and dashing down his antagonist, renders his victory more glorious, so Christ, in the sight of all the world, cast down the adverse powers, and ... delivered them from all venomous beasts that vexed them, by being hung upon the Cross.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

Here Christ speaks concisely, because His discourse was directed to Nicodemus, but still in a more significant manner ... He shows the great strength of His love ... He, the immortal, who is without beginning, the Infinite Majesty, they but dust and ashes, full of ten thousand sins, who, ungrateful, have at all times offended Him; and these He "loved."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 27 on John 3, 4th Century

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Saints and Feasts

September 07

Sunday before Holy Cross


September 07

The Forefeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos


September 07

Sozon the Martyr

This holy Martyr was a shepherd in Lycaonia. Born a pagan, named Tarasius, he received holy Baptism and was renamed Sozon. Filled with zeal for the truth, he taught his countrymen to desist from the worship of idols. Once he entered the temple of Artemis in Pompeiopolis of Cilicia, cut off the golden hand of the idol, and breaking it in pieces, distributed it among the poor. When he saw that many were being unjustly punished for the theft, of his own accord he gave himself up to Maximian the Governor. He was beaten with rods until his bones were broken. According to some, he suffered martyrdom in 288; according to others, in 304.


September 08

The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.


September 09

The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna

Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.


September 09

Severianos the Martyr of Sebaste

Saint Severian, a senator from Sebastia, was both an illustrious man of wealth and a fearless Christian. Because he encouraged the holy Forty Martyrs of Sebastia to stand fast in their confession, he was given over to terrible torments, and received his own crown during the reign of Licinius and Lysius the Duke, about the year 315.


September 09

Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos


September 10

Menodora, Metrodora, & Nymphodora the Martyrs

These Martyrs, sisters according to the flesh, were from Bithynia. They lived in virginity on a mountain near the Pythian hot springs of Bithynia, devoting themselves to asceticism and prayer. Betrayed to the local governor, Fronto, they were subjected to frightful tortures, and so gave up their holy souls into the hands of God. They contested for the Faith during the reign of Maximian, in the year 304.


September 10

Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos


September 11

Theodora the Martyr of Alexandria

This saint lived in the fifth century. Out of remorse for the adultery that she committed with another man, she fled from her husband's house, renamed herself Theodore, clothed herself as a man, and pretending to be a eunuch, entered a monastery of men. Her identity as a woman was discovered only after her death.


September 11

Euphrosynos the Cook


September 11

Demetrios & Evanthea the Martyrs & their son Demetrianos


September 11

Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos


September 12

Autonomos the Martyr

This saint was a bishop in Italy. Fleeing from the persecution of Diocletian in 298, he came to Bithynia, where he went from place to place converting many from the idols to the true God. Because of this, one day as he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Archangels, they who worshipped wood and stones fell upon him and beat him to death with staves and stones.


September 12

Apodosis of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary


September 13

The Forefeast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross


September 13

The Consecration of the Church of the Holy Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre)

The church that is honoured far above all others is that of the Holy Resurrection, which Saint Constantine the Great constructed at the place of Golgotha, where our Saviour was crucified and buried. For a long time this place had been purposely buried beneath the earth by the Jews and heathen; furthermore, during the reign of Hadrian (117-138), a temple dedicated to Aphrodite was built over the site so that this sacred place might be even further desecrated and fall into utter oblivion. It was here that the Cross was hidden. However, at the command of the pious Emperor Constantine, excavations were made and the tokens of the saving Passion were found. It was here, then, that the very great and magnificent temple named in honour of Christ God's Resurrection-the Anastasis-was built under the supervision of the blessed Helen, while Dracilian was Eparch of Palestine and Macarius was Archbishop of Jerusalem. It was the latter, also, who exalted the venerable Cross and performed the consecration of this temple in the year 336.


September 13

Cornelius the Centurion & Martyr

Saint Cornelius was a Roman by race, a pagan by religion, a centurion in rank, an inhabitant of Caesarea of Palestine, a man pious and God-fearing who gave many alms to the people and prayed continually unto God. In accordance with an angelic vision granted to him, he sent to Joppa that they might bring the Apostle Peter. Saint Peter catechized him in the Faith of Christ and baptized all his household (Acts, ch.10). This became the beginning and the first fruits of the calling of the nations. It is said that, after this, he became a bishop, as some say, of Caesarea; but others say of Scepsis, which is not far from Troas; and that he died as a martyr.


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Saint Nicholas News and Events

    The Voice, September 2025

    The Voice, September 2025

    Our monthly publication, The Voice, is available for your viewing at our website, https://stnicholasfp.com. The September issue is now online. There will be printed copies at the Pangari in the Narthex and the Church Hall for those who do not have internet access. The online edition is in full color.


    2025 Stewardship Program

    2025 Stewardship Program

    “Ekklesia exists when the dispersed, divided, self-preoccupied people unite and become a family, where people see one another as brothers and sisters with God as their common father, and try to share whatever they have and whatever they are, and be united in heart and soul”


    Bible Study

    Bible Study

    Join us the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 10:30 am for Bible Study. Check the published calendar each month for any changes.


    Children's Medical Fund Luncheon 2025

    Children's Medical Fund Luncheon 2025

    The Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos is hosting the 20th Anniversary Children's Medical Fund Luncheon on Saturday, September 27th in Atlanta. Please see Fr. Andrew for details.


    Online Learning Opportunities from Hellenic College/Holy Cross

    Online Learning Opportunities from Hellenic College/Holy Cross

    Are you ready to take the Leap for Faith? Learning has never been easier! With Hellenic College Holy Cross online offerings, you can now learn and grow in your faith from convenience of home. We offer a wide range of educational opportunities spanning a variety of subjects.


    The Liturgical Arts Academy

    The Liturgical Arts Academy

    Learn Byzantine Music and Byzantine Iconography with intensive in-person training at our Diakonia Retreat Center.


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Archdiocese News

Fr. John Chryssavgis nominated His All-Holiness for the Templeton Prize. He had Jane Goodall’s blessing

09/04/2025

Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis, Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Throne, is currently Executive Director of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Holy Cross School of Theology, where he is Professor of Theology. He also serves as theological advisor to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. In this piece, Ben Malian, a contributing writer to the Orthodox Observer, interviews Fr. John about Orthodoxy and ecology, and His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's awarding of the Templeton Prize.


For decades, Orthodox leaders have been committed to ‘creation care.' Read our timeline

09/04/2025

For nearly forty years, the Orthodox Church—led by the Ecumenical Patriarchate—has been at the forefront of faith-based engagement with issues pertaining to the integral health and well-being of the natural world.


Anastassiou Enharmonic Liturgy now available in Greek and official English translation

09/04/2025

The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians is proud to announce that the long awaited and much anticipated Anastassiou Enharmonic Liturgy in the original Greek and official English translation is now available for purchase.


Building the future of faith: Archbishop’s Nameday Gala on November 3, 2025 to support youth summer camp scholarships

09/03/2025

The annual Archbishop’s Nameday Gala, honoring His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, will take place on November 3 at 7:00 pm at Leonard’s of Great Neck. Now in its third year, the Gala continues to raise critical funds for the Archdiocesan Youth Summer Camp Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to children from across the Archdiocese, enabling them to attend Greek Orthodox summer camps regardless of their financial circumstances.


St. Barbara Church in Orange, CT awards over $1,000,000 to students

09/02/2025

On June 1, 2025, St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange, Connecticut awarded $56,350 in scholarships to thirty-six parishioners in support of their undergraduate and graduate studies. Since its inception, the Saint Barbara Scholarship Program has awarded a total of $1,039,350 in scholarships, helping students pursue their academic and professional goals.


Cosmic worship, cosmic witness: Orthodox Vespers for the Preservation of Creation

08/31/2025

More than thirty-five years ago, in one of his final acts as head of the Private Patriarchal Office before assuming the Ecumenical Throne himself, then-Metropolitan Bartholomew of Chalcedon commissioned the renowned hymnographer, Fr. Gerasimos Mikrayannanitis (since canonized as St. Gerasimos of Mt. Athos), to compose a special vesperal service for September 1st. Known formally as the Office of Vespers for the Preservation of Creation, this service wonderfully exemplifies the cosmic character and essential continuity of Orthodox worship and witness as participation in the ongoing incarnation in space and time of the eternal Logos of God, the divine-human person of Jesus Christ at the very heart of our faith. 


What would you say to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew?

08/29/2025

How has His All-Holiness touched your life, inspired your faith, or strengthened your spiritual journey? If you had the opportunity to speak with him and share your thoughts, what would you say? 


Church leaders mourn children killed in Minneapolis shooting

08/28/2025

On the morning of Aug. 27, two children aged 8 and 10 were killed and 17 others were injured in a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minn. Sophia Forchas, a 12-year-old Greek Orthodox girl, is among the children wounded and taken to Hennepin County Medical Center and is in critical condition.


Patriarchal Encyclical for the New Indiction, September 1, 2025

08/28/2025

By the good pleasure of God the giver of all, we embark today upon a new ecclesiastical year, glorifying His heavenly name for the uninterrupted and bounteous fruitfulness of the initiatives of His Holy Great Church in the field of creation’s protection.


HCHC invites men to discern priestly vocation at "Be Attentive" October retreat

08/27/2025

Hellenic College Holy Cross (HCHC) invites men from all Orthodox Christian jurisdictions who may be considering the priesthood to participate in "Be Attentive: Discerning Your Priestly Vocation," taking place Oct. 2–5, 2025 on the HCHC campus.


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Metropolis of Atlanta News

Metropolitan Sevastianos' Message

My Beloved Ones,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, a wealthy young ruler approaches Christ, “…kneeling and saying, ‘Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?’" (Matthew 19:16) Jesus encourages him in the commandments: “You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 19:18-19).

It is here that we see the man’s pride: "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" (Matthew 19:20) Our Lord knows that his wealth has fed his ego, and so, answers him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Matthew 19:21). The young man leaves, saddened at the idea of losing his possessions. Christ does not condemn wealth, but this young ruler allowed money to distort his sense of reality. When Christ tells the disciples that …it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:23), He speaks knowing the true purpose of money: for our needs, and for the benefit of others; not to become greedy, or to spend to excess.

In the Gospel for next Sunday, the Sunday before Holy Cross, we learn the greatness of God's selfless love. In speaking with Nicodemus, Christ reveals the true purpose of His destiny to ascend the Cross: “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:14-17).

My beloved, as we prepare to start the New Ecclesiastical Year, this coming Monday, September 1st , let us meditate on what we are called to do in imitation of Christ: freely give of our time, talents and treasures to serve others. And as we struggle to accomplish this journey to become more like our loving God every day, let us remember Christ’s words to the disciples that “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). So long as we approach everything in our lives with the same kind of humility, charity and love, then we will be better able to overcome our flawed natures, and truly focus on Christ, who loves us so much, that He gave Himself up for our sakes.

+SEVASTIANOS 
Metropolitan of Atlanta

 

 


The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) have created a unique Sunday
School program that enables educators to introduce their students to the
Ecumenical Patriarchate, and to the challenges that His All-Holiness Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy Mother Church of Constantinople face today. 
To view the lesson plans, click here.

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Assembly of Bishops News

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