St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2025-03-16
Bulletin Contents

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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (727) 937-3540
  • Fax:
  • (727) 937-1739
  • Street Address:

  • 36 North Pinellas Avenue

  • Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
  • Mailing Address:

  • 17 East Tarpon Avenue

  • Tarpon Springs, FL 34689


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Sundays / Κυριακή
7:45am - Matins / Όρθρος
9:00am - Divine Liturgy (Greek) / Θεία Λειτουργία / (English) / Θεία Λειτουργία

Monday through Saturday

 


Past Bulletins


Dean's Message

Family Healing

Great Lent is a time for the Church to gather as a family in front of God. Week by week the Church offers us lessons for our salvation, but doesn’t expect us to ‘go it alone’ on the road. One of the greatest blessings of the Church is that we are ‘all in this’ together. We are not alone. When we fast, we fast as a Church family. When we pray, we pray as a Church family. When we are sick, we are healed as a Church family.

On the Second Sunday of Great Lent the Church offers us an icon of family. Four men use their own time and strength to bring their paralyzed friend to see Jesus. Their friend needed to be healed but could not bring himself to Jesus alone. When the group arrived, there was no room because everyone was already inside listening to Jesus speak. Being late didn’t stop them.

They could have left their friend alone. They could have turned around. They could have come back another day. Instead, they chose to make sure their friend could see Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He healed their friend.

We all have a friend who needs to see Jesus. We all need help at one time or another in our spiritual life. We all need to be healed by Jesus. He gave us the Church so that we would not be left alone to find Him. He gave us the Church so that we could help each other be healed by Him.

Great Lent is a time for healing. We are not fasting to obey some rules. We are fasting to be healed by God, but we can’t ‘go it’ alone. Great Lent is a time for us to help each other learn to fast. It is a time for us to help each see Jesus in our fasting. Just because this is the Second Sunday of Lent, doesn’t mean it is too late to start fasting. The four men were late to see Jesus, but that didn’t stop them. Being late to the fast shouldn’t stop us.

Fasting is not the only way we are healed. Every time we gather as a Church family in prayer, like the crowd in today’s Gospel lesson, someone can be healed. Great Lent is a time for us to bring our friends to see Jesus. When He sees our faith, He will heal our friends.

Don’t let another Sunday pass before you bring your friend to see Jesus and be healed by Him. The four friends didn’t let a full house or being late stop them. It shouldn’t stop us either.

 +Fr. Athanasios C. Haros 

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Fr. Theofanis

Have you ever been at the beach, enjoying the water, when you suddenly realize you’ve drifted far from your spot on the shore? You didn’t mean to move, but little by little, the current carried you away.That’s exactly what St. Paul is warning us about in today’s Epistle. He says, “We must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it” (Heb. 2:1).

Spiritual drifting works the same way. Most people don’t wake up one day and decide to abandon their faith. Instead, it happens gradually. We get busy, overwhelmed, or distracted. We skip a few prayers because we're tired. We miss a Sunday at church because something else comes up. Before we know it, weeks or even months have passed, and we feel disconnected from God. But here’s the danger: drifting happens quietly. Just like in the ocean, you don’t always feel it until you look up and realize how far you’ve gone.

So how do we stay anchored?

First, we need to stay close to the Church. Worship, Holy Communion, and community are like a spiritual anchor, keeping us grounded. That is why here in the cathedral, we have services twice every day, morning and afternoon, all year long. These services are not just rituals; they are lifelines, moments to pause, pray, and reconnect with Christ.

Second, we need to build small spiritual habits. Even five minutes of prayer or reading Scripture can make a big difference.

Third, we must pay attention to the warning signs. If we feel distant from God, we should ask ourselves: What changed? Are we too distracted or comfortable? Identifying this helps us correct our course.

Finally, we need to encourage one another. Faith is easier when we walk together, supporting and reminding each other to stay strong.

If you’ve been drifting, now is the time to return. Christ is always near, waiting for us to turn back. Don’t let life’s currents pull you away from the One who never changes.

May we hold fast to Him, now and always. Amen.

+Papa Fanis

 

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Lenten Services - The Akathist Hymn

The Second Stanza

This Sunday, we will look at the second stanza of the Akathist Hymn, which we chanted on Friday during the Salutations to the Theotokos service. The stanzas of the Akathist are famous for being theologically rich reflections on Biblical symbolism and typology. They tell about how events in the Old Testament connect to events in the New Testament and the life of Christ, particularly through Mary, the Theotokos. In this hymn it becomes very apparent how our Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled all that the prophets foretold concerning Him. Likewise, the Virgin Mary plays a part in this fulfillment. Let us now explore the beauty contained in the second stanza.

You may recall that each of the stanzas has a theme associated with particular events in the life of our Lord Jesus. Well, the second stanza’s theme is the Holy Nativity - most of the theological reflections contained therein will center on that event. Thus, the first words:

Gloriously extolling the incarnate appearance of Christ did the shepherds hear the Angels. And running as though to a shepherd, they perceived Him to be as it were a blameless lamb that had been pastured in the womb of Mary…

Here we see the rather familiar Biblical imagery of Christ being the blameless lamb, and yet we notice something rather intriguing. The shepherds mentioned here are none other than the Magi from the East, and what’s notable here is that the shepherds are running to worship the lamb. Perhaps we are used to this imagery referencing us, the believers, as the sheep and Christ as the shepherd. In this case, however, the roles are reversed. The words of the Akathist follow thusly: “Rejoice, O Mother of the Lamb and Shepherd. Rejoice, O sheepfold of sheep with reason.”

We see that the Theotokos is notably referred to as both the Mother of the Shepherd, as well as the sheepfold. This beautiful metaphor shows us how, in the Orthodox Church, we view the Virgin Mary as an icon of the entire Church, the ark of salvation. Indeed, we are all called to be like the Theotokos in the sense of bearing God to the world around us. Just as the Virgin Mary contained Christ God in her womb and bore Him to the world, now we are given to be indwelt by God by participating in the Holy Mysteries, and we bring Him into the world spiritually.

As the Akathist Hymn continues, we have mention of the Magi again, called the “children of the Chaldeans.” It is traditionally understood that these eastern Magi were Zoroastrians - that is, they were fire-worshippers. The hymn features an absolutely awe-inspiring figure of speech in the phrase shown here: “In the hands of the Virgin saw the Chaldeans’ children Him who fashioned mankind with His own hand.” Led by a star, the Magi somehow understood that the child they were coming to meet was no ordinary baby. “Rejoice, for the cult of fire you terminate. Rejoice, from the flame of passions you liberate.” The sheer profundity of the Akathist Hymn escapes the grasp of mortal minds.

Philip Carallo

St Nicholas Cathedral Protopsaltis 

 

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Saints and Feasts

March 16

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.


March 16

Sabine the Martyr of Egypt

The holy Martyr Sabine was from Hermopolis in Egypt, and was known for his zeal and piety. During the persecution of Diocletian, he concealed himself with other Christians in a small dwelling outside the city. But when he was discovered, and professed his faith in Christ, he was taken before Arian the Governor, and after he had been tortured he was drowned in the river. Concerning Arian the Governor, See also December 14.


March 16

Christodulus the Wonderworker of Patmos

Saint Christodulus, who was from the region of Nicaea of Bithynia, was the son of Theodore and Anna, and was given the name John. He assumed the monastic habit in his youth and was renamed Christodulus ("slave of Christ" in Greek). At first, he lived the ascetical life in various places, then he received permission and monetary aid from the Emperor Alexis I Comnenus (reigned 1081-1118), and built on the island of Patmos a church and monastery named in honour of Saint John the Evangelist. These buildings stand to this day. However, when the Arabs attacked that place, he fled with his disciples and went to Euboia (Euripus), where also he completed the course of his life about the end of the eleventh century on the 16th of March. The disciples of this righteous man took his sacred incorrupt remains and transferred them to his own monastery, where they repose to this day for the sanctification of those who have recourse to them with faith.


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Cathedral Listings

SATURDAY MEMORIALS 

No Memorials

    SUNDAY MEMORIALS  

Anna V. Faklis - 40 days

Jack George Loupis - 40 days

Vakina Boulafentis - 3 months

George Galoozis - 3 months

Anthony Pikos - 11 years

Constantinos Haskopoulos - 13 years

Presbytera Eleni Theophilopoulos - 14 years

Nomiki Tsimouris - 14 years

                                                                                                                                                                                 THIS SUNDAY'S COFFEE HOUR IS SPONSORED BY:

 St. Nicholas Soup Kitchen

        All ministries wishing to sign up and host the Sunday Coffee Hour please contact Chris Palaidis at 727-808-3895.

 

         Memorial & Artoklasia Service Planning                  

If you are in need of a Memorial, or are contemplating having an Artoklasia Service, call our Parish Office at (727) 937-3540 to have the names put in the bulletin.

Kollyva (μνημόσυνα) for memorials can be ordered through:

Antonia Korfias (727) 937-8785

Evangelia Stavropoulos (727) 937-5649

Afrodity Tassopoulos (727) 674-3304

*Contact info for these preparers is provided as a service to parishioners and does not imply endorsement.

 

  *THE DEADLINE IS MONDAY 5PM FOR ALL BULLETIN INFORMATION*

40 Day Prayer List

Christopher, Sotirios, Helen, Peter, Robert, Frank, Andriani, Stella, Valantis, Eleftherios, Irene, Kalliopi, Niki 

*To add a loved one to this list, please contact Marie at the church office on Mondays by 5:00 pm: [email protected]  (727) 937-3540. 

 

A Prayer for Healing

"Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent Your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ to heal every sickness and infirmity, visit and heal me, Your servant, from all physical and spiritual ailments through the grace of Your Christ.  Grant me patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health.  Lord, You have taught us through Your word to pray for each other that we may be healed.  I pray that You heal me as Your servant and grant me the gift of complete health.  For You are the source of healing and to You I give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen."

 

Our Priests are Here for You

If you, or a loved one, would like to request a priestly visit due to illness or extenuating circumstances, please call Father Athanasios (727) 741-0139 or Father Theofanis Katsiklis Makris at 727-277-6910.

If you are in spiritual need, Father Athanasios wants to make himself available to you, and asks you to please call/text or email him directly, rather than through social media.
 
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 Click the link if you attend St. Nicholas and need a Letter of Good Standing Application

 

*Remember, if your sponsor for a wedding or baptism is a parishioner of St. Nicholas Church, this must be completed.*

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2025 St. Nicholas Parish Council Pangari Rotation Sunday Schedule

 February 2, 2025 – July 27, 2025

 

PC Teams for rotation begins Sunday, 02/02/2025 with Team 2 on Duty

 

**Both PC Teams on duty on Palm Sunday - Sunday, April 13, 2025

 PC Holy Week Schedule to be sent March, 2025; will include Pascha, April 20, 2025

 

February 9, 23; March 9, 23; April 6, **13; May 4, 18; June 1, 15, 29; July13, 27

Team 1:

Michael A. Samarkos

Anna Billiris

Nomikos Christoforos

Dr. John Forcella, Jr.

Themis Fountotos Tezza

Efthimios Klimis

John Lulias

 

February 2, 16; March 2, 16, 30; **April 13, 27; May 11, 25; June 8, 22; July 6, 20

Team 2:

Harry Andropoulos

Stratis Christakis

Rena Faklis

Emmanuel Gombos

Karen Koulias

Rosanne Pappas

Tony Zaronias

 

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Mode

Let us the faithful give praise and worship to the Logos, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation; for of His own goodwill he consented to ascend the cross in the flesh and endured death and raised the dead by His glorious resurrection.
Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal 4th Mode

Light of Orthdoxy, pillar and teacher of the Church, adornment of monastics, invincible champion of theologians, O Gregory thou wonderworker, boast of Thessalonica, herald of grace: ever pray that our souls be saved.
Ὀρθοδοξίας ὁ φωστὴρ, Ἐκκλησίας τὸ στήριγμα καὶ διδάσκαλε, τῶν μοναστῶν ἡ καλλονὴ, τῶν θεολόγων ὑπέρμαχος ἀπροσμάχητος· Γρηγόριε θαυματουργὲ Θεσσαλονίκης τὸ καύχημα κήρυξ τῆς χάριτος· ἱκέτευε διὰ παντός, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Mode

To you, defender and commander in a time of war, I, your City, offer gratitude for victory, for you rescued me from suff'rings, O Theotokos. Since the power you possess is unassailable, from all dangers I entreat you to deliver me, that I may cry to you: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:12-35

At that time, [Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened. That very day] two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. And He said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" and they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And He said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find His body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see." And He said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was not it necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into this glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So He went in to stay with them. When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Fifth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:12-35

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὁ Πέτρος ἀναστὰς ἔδραμεν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα μόνα, καὶ ἀπῆλθε, πρὸς ἑαυτὸν θαυμάζων τὸ γεγονός. Καὶ ἰδοὺ δύο ἐξ αὐτῶν ἦσαν πορευόμενοι ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ εἰς κώμην ἀπέχουσαν σταδίους ἑξήκοντα ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλήμ, ᾗ ὄνομα Ἐμμαούς, καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡμίλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους περὶ πάντων τῶν συμβεβηκότων τούτων. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὁμιλεῖν αὐτοὺς καὶ συζητεῖν, καί αὐτὸς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐγγίσας συνεπορεύετο αὐτοῖς· οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν ἐκρατοῦντο τοῦ μὴ ἐπιγνῶναι αὐτόν. Εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς· Τίνες οἱ λόγοι οὗτοι οὓς ἀντιβάλλετε πρὸς ἀλλήλους περιπατοῦντες, καὶ ἐστὲ σκυθρωποί; Ἀποκριθείς δὲ ὁ εἷς, ᾧ ὄνομα Κλεόπας, εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· Σὺ μόνος παροικεῖς ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνως τὰ γενόμενα ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ποῖα; Οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· Τὰ περὶ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου, ὃς ἐγένετο ἀνὴρ προφήτης δυνατὸς ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ· ὅπως τε παρέδωκαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ἡμῶν εἰς κρῖμα θανάτου, καὶ ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτόν· ἡμεῖς δὲ ἠλπίζομεν ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ μέλλων λυτροῦσθαι τὸν Ἰσραήλ. Ἀλλά γε οὖν σὺν πᾶσι τούτοις τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἄγει σήμερον, ἀφ' οὗ ταῦτα ἐγένετο. Ἀλλὰ καὶ γυναῖκές τινες ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς, γενόμεναι ὂρθριαι ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ μὴ εὑροῦσαι τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ, ἦλθον λέγουσαι καὶ ὀπτασίαν ἀγγέλων ἑωρακέναι, οἳ λέγουσιν αὐτὸν ζῆν. Καὶ ἀπῆλθόν τινες τῶν σὺν ἡμῖν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ εὗρον οὕτω καθὼς καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες εἶπον· αὐτὸν δὲ οὐκ εἶδον. Καὶ αὐτὸς εἶπε πρὸς αὐτούς· Ὦ ἀνόητοι καὶ βραδεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ τοῦ πιστεύειν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἐλάλησαν οἱ Προφῆται. Οὐχὶ ταῦτα ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ; Καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ Μωσέως καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν, διηρμήνευεν αὐτοῖς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς Γραφαῖς τὰ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ. Καὶ ἤγγισαν εἰς τὴν κώμην οὗ ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ αὐτὸς προσεποιεῖτο ποῤῥωτέρω πορεύεσθαι. Καὶ παρεβιάσαντο αὐτόν, λέγοντες· Μεῖνον μεθ' ἡμῶν, ὅτι πρὸς ἑσπέραν ἐστὶ καὶ κέκλικεν ἡ ἡμέρα. Καὶ εἰσῆλθε τοῦ μεῖναι σὺν αὐτοῖς. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κατακλιθῆναι αὐτὸν μετ' αὐτῶν, λαβὼν τὸν ἄρτον εὐλόγησε, καὶ κλάσας ἐπεδίδου αὐτοῖς. Αὐτῶν δὲ διηνοίχθησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί, καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτόν· καὶ αὐτὸς ἄφαντος ἐγένετο ἀπ' αὐτῶν. Καὶ εἶπον πρὸς ἀλλήλους· Οὐχὶ ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν καιομένη ἦν ἐν ἡμῖν, ὡς ἐλάλει ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ ὡς διήνοιγεν ἡμῖν τὰς Γραφάς; Καὶ ἀναστάντες αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ, ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ εὗρον συνηθροισμένους τοὺς ἕνδεκα καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτοῖς, λέγοντας, ὅτι ἠγέρθη ὁ Κύριος ὄντως, καὶ ὤφθη Σίμωνι. Καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐξηγοῦντο τὰ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ ὡς ἐγνώσθη αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ κλάσει τοῦ ἄρτου.


Epistle Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3

IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 1:10-14, 2:1-3

Κατʼ ἀρχάς, Κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί· αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμένεις· καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται· σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ, καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν. Πρὸς τίνα δὲ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἴρηκέν ποτε, Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου; Οὐχὶ πάντες εἰσὶν λειτουργικὰ πνεύματα, εἰς διακονίαν ἀποστελλόμενα διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν; Διὰ τοῦτο δεῖ περισσοτέρως ἡμᾶς προσέχειν τοῖς ἀκουσθεῖσιν, μήποτε παραρρυῶμεν. Εἰ γὰρ ὁ διʼ ἀγγέλων λαληθεὶς λόγος ἐγένετο βέβαιος, καὶ πᾶσα παράβασις καὶ παρακοὴ ἔλαβεν ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν, πῶς ἡμεῖς ἐκφευξόμεθα τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας; Ἥτις, ἀρχὴν λαβοῦσα λαλεῖσθαι διὰ τοῦ κυρίου, ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκουσάντων εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐβεβαιώθη.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 2:1-12

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς εἰς Καπερναοὺμ δι᾿ ἡμερῶν καὶ ἠκούσθη ὅτι εἰς οἶκόν ἐστι. καὶ εὐθέως συνήχθησαν πολλοί, ὥστε μηκέτι χωρεῖν μηδὲ τὰ πρὸς τὴν θύραν· καὶ ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς τὸν λόγον. καὶ ἔρχονται πρὸς αὐτὸν παραλυτικὸν φέροντες, αἰρόμενον ὑπὸ τεσσάρων· καὶ μὴ δυνάμενοι προσεγγίσαι αὐτῷ διὰ τὸν ὄχλον, ἀπεστέγασαν τὴν στέγην ὅπου ἦν, καὶ ἐξορύξαντες χαλῶσι τὸν κράβαττον, ἐφ᾿ ᾧ ὁ παραλυτικὸς κατέκειτο. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· τέκνον, ἀφέωνταί σοι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. ἦσαν δέ τινες τῶν γραμματέων ἐκεῖ καθήμενοι καὶ διαλογιζόμενοι ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν· τί οὗτος οὕτω λαλεῖ βλασφημίας; τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός; καὶ εὐθέως ἐπιγνοὺς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τῷ πνεύματι αὐτοῦ ὅτι οὕτως αὐτοὶ διαλογίζονται ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί ταῦτα διαλογίζεσθε ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν τῷ παραλυτικῷ, ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀφιέναι ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἁμαρτίας - λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· σοὶ λέγω, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. καὶ ἠγέρθη εὐθέως, καὶ ἄρας τὸν κράβαττον ἐξῆλθεν ἐναντίον πάντων, ὥστε ἐξίστασθαι πάντας καὶ δοξάζειν τὸν Θεὸν λέγοντας ὅτι οὐδέποτε οὕτως εἴδομεν.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that has been restored to you.
St. Peter Chrysologus
Homily 50.6. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol. 2: Mark. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2005, p. 27.

Now Matthew indeed saith, that "they brought him," but the others, that they also broke up the roof, and let him down. And they put the sick man before Christ, saying nothing, but committing the whole to Him.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century

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Important Updates From Our Ministries

Philoptochos (A Friend of the Poor) Ministry

Philoptochos Circle Logo

 ST NICHOLAS PHILOPTOCHOS

 Hours of Operation
Mon: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Wed-Fri: 10:00 AM -12:00 Noon
18 Hibiscus Street (located directly behind St Nicholas Cathedral) 

National Philoptochos Mission Statement
To aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church through fund-raising efforts. 

If you would like to make a difference, learn from others and create relationships that will last a lifetime please send your name, e-mail. phone number and address to:

St Nicholas Philoptochos
PO Box 2043
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Annual Membership Fee of $35.00 assists Philoptochos to continue serving the poor.

Full Membership: 

Women of the Greek Orthodox Faith, of at least 18 years of age, shall be eligible for full membership in the Society.

Associate Membership:

An Associate Member shall enjoy all privileges of membership, except the right to vote or hold office.

The following persons shall be eligible for associate membership:

  1. A non-Greek Orthodox woman married to a Greek Orthodox man.
  2.  Greek Orthodox men. 
  3.  A non-Greek Orthodox man married to a Greek Orthodox woman.

St Nicholas Kitchen

Saint Nicholas Kitchen is an outreach ministry of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral that provides hot meals, helping hands and meaningful relationships to the impoverished in our community. The heart for this ministry is illustrated in the book of Matthew 25:35-36:

 “….For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me….”

St. Nicholas Kitchen will continue preparing the Monday meals from 7:30 – 11:00 am. The meals will be delivered Monday's to the new Hope Center at the Sheppard center where the meals will be given to those in need by their, and our volunteers. We still need volunteers, food and monetary donations. Meals will be served from 11:00 – 12:00 pm. For further information, please call Chris Palaidis at (727) 808-3895.

 


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Important Information

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Important Flyers

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Master Calendar

  • Master Calendar

    March 14 to March 30, 2025

    Friday, March 14

    Metropolis Philoptochos Retreat

    Sunday, March 16

    7:45AM Orthros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School following Holy Communion

    Monday, March 17

    8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

    10:00AM Evangelatos Funeral

    4:00PM Greek Folk Dance

    6:00PM Great Compline

    Tuesday, March 18

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    10:00AM Little Lambs

    6:00PM Great Compline

    7:00PM Boy Scouts

    7:00PM YAL Basketball

    Wednesday, March 19

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy

    7:00PM Byzantine Choir

    Thursday, March 20

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    10:30AM Women's Book Club

    6:00PM Great Compline

    6:30PM Choir Practice

    7:00PM YAL Basketball

    7:00PM Learning Conversational Greek

    Friday, March 21

    9:00AM Presanctified Liturgy

    11:00AM Economos Visistation

    11:30AM Economos Funeral

    3:00PM Confessions - NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED

    7:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos

    8:00PM Coffee Hour - Daughters of Penelope

    Saturday, March 22

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    6:00PM Greek Independence Day Celebration - Dinner & Live Music

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, March 23

    7:45AM Orthros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School following Holy Communion

    1:00PM Greek Independence Day Parade

    Monday, March 24

    8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

    4:00PM Greek Folk Dance

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    Tuesday, March 25

    Office Closed - Annunciation Day

    9:00AM Orthros/Matins

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    4:30PM Greek School

    6:00PM Great Compline

    7:00PM Boy Scouts

    7:00PM YAL Basketball

    Wednesday, March 26

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    5:30PM Presanctified Liturgy

    7:00PM Byzantine Choir

    7:00PM GOYA

    7:00PM Epiphany Wrap Up Meeting

    Thursday, March 27

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    10:30AM Women's Book Club

    5:30PM Greek School - Independence Day Program

    6:00PM Great Compline

    6:30PM Choir Practice

    7:00PM YAL Basketball

    Friday, March 28

    9:00AM Presanctified Liturgy

    3:00PM Confessions - NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED

    7:00PM Salutations to the Theotokos

    8:00PM Coffee Hour - Philoptochos

    Saturday, March 29

    9:00AM Daily Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    2:00PM Tsagaratos Visitation

    2:30PM Tsagaratos Funeral

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, March 30

    7:45AM Orthros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School following Holy Communion

    11:30AM Spring Parish Assembly

  • Tampa Bay Regional Greek Orthodox Calendar

    March 14 to March 23, 2025

    Friday, March 14

    Metropolis Philoptochos Retreat

    Saturday, March 22

    10:00AM Young Adult Retreat-St. John Tampa

    Sunday, March 23

    1:00PM Greek Independence Day Parade

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