St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2025-08-10
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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

Keeping Your Head Above Water 

Life can be a bit overwhelming at times, for all of us. Young and old alike, there are times in our lives when facing struggles makes us think we are drowning. No matter where we look, all we can feel and see is storms. No matter what we say, all we can feel is fear and anxiety. If you have ever felt this way, you are not alone. It happens to everyone, even the Apostles. 

All we want in those moments is to survive. We know the Church teaches us to pray. We try to pray but we feel our words are falling on deaf ears. We know we’re supposed to trust God, but all we can see is the storm instead of God standing in front of us. Here’s the truth of today’s Gospel. God is always right in front of us. 

In today’s Gospel lesson we hear about Peter walking on water, which is supposed to give us faith and encouragement, but we’re not Saint Peter. What I want you to consider today is that sometimes Jesus is right in front of your eyes, and STILL we don’t recognize Him, just as the disciples didn’t recognize Him when He came to comfort them during a late night storm. He was still there in front of them, and He is still there RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU. 

In the midst of the storm the disciples who had witnessed His power for a while by then, were unable to recognize Him. What could have prevented them? What prevents you from recognizing Him? The disciples were talented fishermen. They were likely very good sailors. Is it possible they were so focused on their own abilities to get them through the storm, they “had no need” to recognize Jesus had come to help? Is it possible we are focused too much on ‘getting ourselves out of trouble’ that we forget God is here to help? 

The answer is as basic as the struggle. So long as Saint Peter kept his focus on Christ, the storms weren’t more than he could handle. With his eyes of Jesus, Saint Peter walked on the stormy water. That’s the key to keeping your head above water. Keep your eyes on Christ. 

Go ahead and let the waves crash against you. Jesus is standing right there to hold your hand and keep your head above water. Go ahead and walk through the storm holding Christ’s hand. Stop paying more attention to the storm than you pay to God. He is right in front of you, but you won’t see Him looking only at the storm.  

I’ve had the blessing of walking through many storms with people over the years. I can tell you from experience the storms have no power over you when you’re holding Christ’s hand. Don’t let go.

+Rev Protopresbyter Athanasios C Haros

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Fr. Theofanis

This Sunday’s epistle invites us to see the Church as God’s field and God’s building, with Christ as the solid foundation. If he lives by the Spirit, our lives become the materials we lay on that foundation. This message is for everyone, children, students, workers, elders,in every walk of life.

Here is a simple example from our parish life: a student began a new school year with a small, daily commitment. Each morning he prayed, asked God for a humble heart, and looked to help a classmate before seeking his own help. In class he chose enduring materials: sharing notes with someone who needed them, speaking truth with gentleness, forgiving someone who hurt him, and keeping his eyes on long-term growth rather than quick praise. When temptations rose, gossip, rivalry, or pride, he returned to the Cornerstone and chose mercy, humility, and honesty.

As the days pass, tests, projects, games, and friendships, the building grows. The life that lasts becomes a craft of prayer, mercy, steadfast faith, and truth, the gold, silver, and costly stones. The wood, hay, and straw of pride, envy, or rumors burn away under the refining fire of Christ. Remember: you are God’s temple, and the Spirit dwells in you. This means personal holiness and church unity: be living stones who fit together in love, guard the temple of the Spirit, and build the Church with humility and truth.

To the children starting a new school year: may Christ be your foundation; may your days be built with kindness, honesty, and hard work; may your classrooms and friendships be blessed with His peace. 
Happy new school year!

+Papa Fanis

 

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A Hymn for Every Feast: The Katavasias of the Year

The Trophy Invincible

This Sunday, we will explore the Biblical typology seen in the Katavasias of the Cross. As the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross approaches each September, the Church has appointed the Katavasias of the Cross to be chanted from the end of the Feast of the Transfiguration until the Leave-taking of the Feast of the Cross.The Elevation of the Holy Cross commemorates the finding of the Precious Cross of our Lord by St. Helen, the mother of St. Constantine the Great. However, the feast is more than just a commemoration of this historical event. It is a profound proclamation: “Behold the Cross, through which joy has come into the whole world!”

Just as we see in so many other festal katavasias, the hymns of the Cross follow a familiar pattern steeped in biblical typology. Throughout the Old Testament, the Church sees prophetic glimpses of the Cross, foreshadowing the fulfilment of the Scriptures by Christ who would one day hang upon it. “Moses prefigured the Cross. Lifting up the rod, he stretched out his hand and split the Sea for Israel to cross on land. Then he stretched it out again, and the sea returned and covered Pharaoh’s chariots. The Cross was thus portrayed as our invincible armor….”

We are once again reminded of the rod of Moses, by which the Red Sea was parted and the people of Israel were saved. These hymns link Israel’s deliverance to the economy of salvation worked by our Lord Jesus Christ in His crucifixion, likening Moses’s extension of the wooden rod to the extension of the arms of our Lord on the wood of the Cross. Likewise, Aaron’s rod that budded becomes a sign – not only of God’s chosen priest, but of the Tree of Life restored. Adam fell by eating of a tree in disobedience; and now, by the Tree of the Cross, we are raised again.

Other prophetic images appear in the Scriptures as well: the wood that made the bitter waters of Marah sweet, the bronze serpent lifted high in the wilderness, the ark of Noah that saved God’s chosen people from the waters of the Flood, and the Prophet Jonah praying with outstretched arms in the belly of the sea beast for three days and three nights. Today’s Katavasias teach us that all of these are prefigurements of the Holy Cross, the Tree by which Christ conquered death and brought life to the world.

The Fathers of the Church teach us that the Cross is not merely a historical instrument of suffering; it is our invincible armor, the Tree of life, and the unshakable foundation of faith. Through these hymns, we are not only remembering what Christ has done: we are entering into the very mystery, chanting our way through the layers of divine revelation. As we chant the Katavasias of the Cross in the weeks surrounding the Feast, let them remind us that God, in His wisdom, prepared the way of salvation long before Christ was born to fulfill it. May these katavasias strengthen our hearts with the knowledge that the Cross is the symbol of Christ’s victory: the trophy invincible.

 Philip Carallo

St Nicholas Cathedral Protopsaltis  

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Saints and Feasts

August 10

9th Sunday of Matthew


August 10

Laurence the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Rome

This Saint, who was born in Spain, was the Archdeacon of the Church of Rome, caring for the sacred vessels of the Church and distributing money to the needy. About the year 257, a harsh persecution was raised up against the Christians by Valerian. Pope Sixtus, who was from Athens, was commanded to worship the idols, and refused; before his martyrdom by beheading, he committed to Laurence all the sacred vessels of the Church. When Laurence was arrested and brought before the Prefect, he was questioned concerning the treasures of the Church; he asked for three days' time to prepare them. He then proceeded to gather all the poor and needy, and presented them to the Prefect and said, "Behold the treasures of the Church." The Prefect became enraged at this and gave command that Laurence be racked, then scourged with scorpions (a whip furnished with sharp iron points - compare II Chron. 10:11), then stretched out on a red-hot iron grill. But the courageous athlete of Christ endured without groaning. After he had been burned on one side, he said, "My body is done on one side; turn me over on the other." And when this had taken place, the Martyr said to the tyrants, "My flesh is now well done, you may taste of it." And when he had said this, and had prayed for his slayers in imitation of Christ, he gave up his spirit on August 10, 258.


August 10

Hippolytus the Martyr of Rome


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Cathedral Listings

SATURDAY MEMORIALS 

Alexandros Mouratoglou - 40 days

Irene Leventis - 6 months

Vasilios Margaris - 1 year

   SUNDAY MEMORIALS  

Anastasia Gribble - 9 days

Pamela Kontodiakos - 9 months

Andie Stavrakis - 1 year

Mary Pikos - 4 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

Fr. Stephen and Presvytera, Irene, George, Sally, Lena, Irene, Annabella, Stella, Evangelia

 

*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

  August 3, 2025 – January 25, 2026 

PC Teams for rotation begins Sunday, 08/03/2025 with Team 2 on Duty

**Both PC Teams on duty on St. Nicholas Feast Day – Saturday, December 6, 2025 and Holy Theophany, Epiphany -  Tuesday, January 6, 2026

August 10, 24; Sept. 7, 21; Oct. 5, 19; Nov. 2, 16, 30; Dec. 14, 28; Jan. 11, *25 (*if needed)

Team 1:

Michael A. Samarkos

Anna Billiris

Nomikos Christoforos

Dr. John Forcella, Jr.

Themis Fountotos Tezza

Efthimios Klimis

John Lulias

August 3, 17, 31; Sept. 14, 28; Oct. 12, 26; Nov. 9, 23; Dec. 7, 21; Jan. 4, 18

Team 2: 

Harry Andropoulos

Stratis Christakis

Rena Faklis

Emmanuel Gombos

Karen Koulias

Rosanne Pappas

Tony Zaronias

 

Looking For More Information on St. Nicholas?

Parish Financial Reports for St. Nicholas are available here!

Parish Council and Assembly Minutes for St. Nicholas are available here!

 

 

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 4th Mode

From on high You descended, Most Merciful; for us You condescended to a threeday burial to set us free from the passions. O Lord, our Resurrection and our Life, glory to You!
Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Transfiguration in the Grave Mode

You were transfigured upon the mountain, O Christ our God, showing to Your disciples Your glory as much as they could bear. Do also in us, sinners though we be, shine Your everlasting light, through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Giver of light. Glory to You.
Μετεμορθώθης εν τώ όρει Χριστέ ο Θεός, δείξας τοίς Μαθηταίς σου τήν δόξαν σου, καθώς ήδυναντο, Λάμψον καί ημίν τοίς αμαρτωλοίς, τό φώς σου τό αϊδιον, πρεσβείαις τής Θεοτόκου, φωτοδότα δόξα σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

You were transfigured upon the mount, O Christ our God, and Your disciples, in so far as they could bear, beheld Your glory. Thus, when they see You crucified, they may understand Your voluntary passion, and proclaim to the world that You are truly the effulgence of the Father.
Επί τού όρους μετεμορφώθης, καί ως εχώρουν οι Μαθηταί σου τήν δόξαν σου, Χριστέ ο Θεός εθεάσαντο, ίνα όταν σε ίδωσι σταυρούμενον, τό μέν πάθος νοήσωσιν εκούσιον, τώ δέ κόσμω κηρύξωσιν, ότι σύ υπάρχεις αληθώς, τού Πατρός τό απαύγασμα.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and My God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, you may have life in His name.

Ninth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:19-31

Οὔσης ὀψίας τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ συνηγμένοι διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ· ἐχάρησαν οὖν οἱ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες τὸν Κύριον. Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς πάλιν· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν, καθὼς ἀπέσταλκέ με ὁ πατήρ, κᾀγὼ πέμπω ὑμᾶς. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησε καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Λάβετε Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον. Ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἀφιένται αὐτοῖς, ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται. Θωμᾶς δέ, εἷς ἐκ τῶν δώδεκα, ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, οὐκ ἦν μετʼ αὐτῶν ὅτε ἦλθεν Ἰησοῦς· ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄλλοι μαθηταί· Ἑωράκαμεν τὸν Κύριον. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐὰν μὴ ἴδω ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὸν δάκτυλόν μου εἰς τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὴν χεῖρά μου εἰς τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ, οὐ μὴ πιστεύσω. Καὶ μεθʼ ἡμέρας ὀκτὼ πάλιν ἦσαν ἔσω οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ Θωμᾶς μετʼ αὐτῶν. Ἔρχεται ὁ Ἰησοῦς τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον καὶ εἶπεν· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Εἶτα λέγει τῷ Θωμᾶ· φέρε τὸν δάκτυλόν σου ᾧδε, καὶ ἴδε τὰς χεῖράς μου. καὶ φέρε τὴν χεῖρά σου καὶ βάλε εἰς τὴν πλευράν μου, καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος ἀλλὰ πιστός. Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ Θωμᾶς, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ὁ Κύριός μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ὅτι ἑώρακάς με πεπίστευκας, μακάριοι οἱ μὴ ἰδόντες, καὶ πιστεύσαντες. Πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἄλλα σημεῖα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐνώπιον τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ἃ οὐκ ἔστιν γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τούτῳ· ταῦτα δὲ γέγραπται ἵνα πιστεύσητε ὅτι ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἵνα πιστεύοντες, ζωὴν ἔχητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ.


Epistle Reading

9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17

Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.

9th Sunday of Matthew
Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 3:9-17

Ἀδελφοί, Θεοῦ γάρ ἐσμεν συνεργοί· θεοῦ γεώργιον, θεοῦ οἰκοδομή ἐστε. Κατὰ τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν δοθεῖσάν μοι, ὡς σοφὸς ἀρχιτέκτων θεμέλιον τέθεικα, ἄλλος δὲ ἐποικοδομεῖ. Ἕκαστος δὲ βλεπέτω πῶς ἐποικοδομεῖ. Θεμέλιον γὰρ ἄλλον οὐδεὶς δύναται θεῖναι παρὰ τὸν κείμενον, ὅς ἐστιν Ἰησοῦς Χριστός. Εἰ δέ τις ἐποικοδομεῖ ἐπὶ τὸν θεμέλιον τοῦτον χρυσόν, ἄργυρον, λίθους τιμίους, ξύλα, χόρτον, καλάμην, ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον φανερὸν γενήσεται· ἡ γὰρ ἡμέρα δηλώσει, ὅτι ἐν πυρὶ ἀποκαλύπτεται· καὶ ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον ὁποῖόν ἐστιν τὸ πῦρ δοκιμάσει. Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον μένει ὃ ἐποικοδόμησεν, μισθὸν λήψεται. Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον κατακαήσεται, ζημιωθήσεται· αὐτὸς δὲ σωθήσεται, οὕτως δὲ ὡς διὰ πυρός. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ναὸς θεοῦ ἐστε, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ οἰκεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν; Εἴ τις τὸν ναὸν τοῦ θεοῦ φθείρει, φθερεῖ τοῦτον ὁ θεός· ὁ γὰρ ναὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ἅγιός ἐστιν, οἵτινές ἐστε ὑμεῖς.


Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34

At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.

9th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 14:22-34

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠνάγκασεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοὺς μαθητὰς ἐμβῆναι εἰς τὸ πλοῖον καὶ προάγειν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ πέραν, ἕως οὗ ἀπολύσῃ τοὺς ὄχλους. Καὶ ἀπολύσας τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὄρος κατ᾽ ἰδίαν προσεύξασθαι. ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης μόνος ἦν ἐκεῖ. Τὸ δὲ πλοῖον ἤδη σταδίους πολλοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἀπεῖχεν, βασανιζόμενον ὑπὸ τῶν κυμάτων, ἦν γὰρ ἐναντίος ὁ ἄνεμος. Τετάρτῃ δὲ φυλακῇ τῆς νυκτὸς ἦλθεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν. Οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης περιπατοῦντα ἐταράχθησαν λέγοντες ὅτι Φάντασμά ἐστιν, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ φόβου ἔκραξαν. Εὐθὺς δὲ ἐλάλησεν [ὁ ᾽Ιησοῦς] αὐτοῖς λέγων, Θαρσεῖτε, ἐγώ εἰμι· μὴ φοβεῖσθε. Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν, Κύριε, εἰ σὺ εἶ, κέλευσόν με ἐλθεῖν πρὸς σὲ ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα· ὁ δὲ εἶπεν, ᾽Ελθέ. καὶ καταβὰς ἀπὸ τοῦ πλοίου ὁ Πέτρος περιεπάτησεν ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα καὶ ἦλθεν πρὸς τὸν ᾽Ιησοῦν. Βλέπων δὲ τὸν ἄνεμον ἐφοβήθη, καὶ ἀρξάμενος καταποντίζεσθαι ἔκραξεν λέγων, Κύριε, σῶσόν με. Εὐθέως δὲ ὁ ᾽Ιησοῦς ἐκτείνας τὴν χεῖρα ἐπελάβετο αὐτοῦ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, ᾽Ολιγόπιστε, εἰς τί ἐδίστασας; καὶ ἀναβάντων αὐτῶν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον ἐκόπασεν ὁ ἄνεμος. Οἱ δὲ ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες, ᾽Αληθῶς Θεοῦ υἱὸς εἶ. Καὶ διαπεράσαντες ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν εἰς Γεννησαρέτ.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

The principle and source of the virtues is a good disposition of the will, that is to say, an aspiration for goodness and beauty. God is the source and ground of all supernal goodness. Thus the principle of goodness and beauty is faith or, rather, it is Christ, the rock of faith, who is principle and foundation of all virtues. On this rock we stand and on this foundation we build every good thing (cf. I Cor. 3:11).
St. Gregory of Sinai
On Commandments and Doctrines no. 83, Philokalia Vol. 3 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 228, 14th century

Christ did not command the winds to cease at that time, but Himself stretched forth His hand and took hold of Peter, because here faith was required of him. When we do not do our part, divine (grace) slows and stands still.. . . it was not the wind that did Peter harm; his lack of faith sank him. Where faith is fruitfu, firm and strong, none of the evils that may befall us can do us any harm.
St. John Chrysostom
The Gospel Commentary edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002, 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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More Important Information

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Master Calendar

  • Master Calendar

    August 10 to August 24, 2025

    Sunday, August 10

    7:45AM Orthros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Blessing of the Backpacks

    6:00PM Paraklesis to the Theotokos

    Monday, August 11

    8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

    1:00PM Funeral

    5:00PM Dance ministry

    6:00PM Paraklesis to the Theotokos

    Tuesday, August 12

    9:00AM Orthros

    6:00PM Paraklesis to the Theotokos

    7:00PM Boy Scouts

    7:00PM Bookstore Committee Meeting

    Wednesday, August 13

    9:00AM Orthros

    6:00PM Paraklesis to the Theotokos

    7:00PM Philoptochos Board Meeting

    Thursday, August 14

    9:00AM Orthros

    11:00AM Decorate Kouvouklion for Panagia

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    6:00PM YAL Basketball

    6:30PM Choir Practice

    7:00PM Dance Board Meeting

    Friday, August 15

    OFFICE CLOSED - Dormition of the Theotokos

    9:00AM Orthros/Matins

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Saturday, August 16

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    7:00PM Young Adult Fellowship

    Sunday, August 17

    7:45AM Orthros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    7:00PM Women's Book Club

    Monday, August 18

    8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

    5:00PM Dance Ministry Agiasmo

    Tuesday, August 19

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Little Lambs

    6:00PM YAL Basketball

    6:00PM Daily Vespers

    7:00PM Boy Scouts

    Wednesday, August 20

    9:00AM Orthros

    11:00AM SPC Student Fellowship with Fr A

    6:00PM Paraklesis to the Theotokos

    7:00PM GOYA

    Thursday, August 21

    9:00AM Orthros

    11:00AM Women's Book Club

    12:00PM Funeral

    6:00PM YAL Basketball

    6:00PM Paraklesis to Saint Nicholas

    6:30PM Choir Practice

    7:00PM PC Meeting

    Friday, August 22

    9:00AM Orthros

    6:00PM Paraklesis to Saint Anastasia

    Saturday, August 23

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Coffee Hour for St Dionysios

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    7:00PM Panagias Evening

    Sunday, August 24

    7:45AM Orthros/Matins

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Special Parish Assembly

    12:00PM Catechumen Lunch

    7:00PM Women's Book Club

  • Tampa Bay Regional Greek Orthodox Calendar

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