Dean's Message

Words Mean Something

When a certain young rich man asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19.16) Knowing the condition of the young man’s heart, Jesus asked, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” (Matthew 19.17) The truth was, the young man didn’t really look to the Lord as either Good or a teacher. He was more interested in keeping hold of his wealth than to be guided by Christ. As the Gospel says, the young man, “Went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Matthew 19.22)

When what we feel in our hearts does not match the words that come from our lips, we cannot experience the joy that comes from knowing Christ. When we speak words we think the other wants to hear, we cannot even begin to have an honest relationship with each other. If our words do not express our heart, we are not only lying, we are denying ourselves the opportunity of having any type of relationship, and we walk away sorrowful.

I heard a saying recently. “Behavior is a language.” This means that what we do ‘says something’ about what we believe. In the case of this morning’s Gospel, the rich man’s actions (walking away) said everything we need to know about what he believed. He had no desire to be with God. He had no desire to live forever without his wealth. His behavior spoke louder than his lips.

Here’s the challenge of this morning’s Gospel. It is the same challenge the Disciples had when they heard Jesus say, “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.” They replied, “Who then can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."” (Matthew 19.24-6)

Being saved isn’t about the words that come out of your mouth. Being saved isn’t about the actions we do or do not do. Being saved depends upon our heart. If we love our wealth (or our ego, our power, our status, or ourselves) more than we love God, then we cannot be saved.

Today is our chance to make a commitment to ‘say what we mean and mean what we say.’ If we ‘really’ want to be saved, unlike the rich man in the Gospel, then we must learn to love God more than anything, ourselves or anyone else. And we can’t just say it. Our behavior must ‘say it’ too.

+Rev Protopresbyter Athanasios C Haros

Fr. Theofanis

In this Sunday’s Epistle, from Hebrews 9:1–7, St. Paul reminds us of the worship of the Old Covenant. He describes the Tabernacle, the lampstand, the bread of the Presence, and the Holy of Holies, where only the high priest entered once a year with blood, trembling before the holiness of God. All of these things were only shadows of the true reality that came in Christ. For our Lord entered not an earthly sanctuary with the blood of animals, but heaven itself with His own blood, to open for us the way into the true Holy of Holies, the Kingdom of Heaven.

But as we hear these words today, we cannot ignore the pain of our world. Just this week, in Minnesota, during the holy offering of the Divine Liturgy, a gunman opened fire, killing two children and injuring seventeen others. Our hearts are broken, and we ask: how can such evil touch even the house of God? The truth is, the devil attacks even the Church because he cannot stand to see the people of God gathered in prayer.

The Epistle teaches us that Christ has already broken down the veil of separation. The devil strikes, but he cannot destroy the Church, for Christ is victorious. And in the Divine Liturgy, heaven itself is opened to us. Here, Christ gives us His Body and Blood, not only to forgive our sins but to strengthen us against the evil one.

What, then, can we do as Orthodox Christians? Let us pray for the children who died, the families who grieve, the wounded who suffer, and even for the one who caused such evil, that Christ may show mercy and bring healing where no human word can. Let us guard our children daily with faith.

Parents: Let’s make it a holy habit, each morning to bless our children with AGIASMO Holy water, before they go to school and teach them to make the sign of the Cross as their shield!

In this way, we clothe our children with Christ and entrust them to His care, sending them into the world not unprotected, but covered with His grace. In this way, we clothe our children with Christ and entrust them to His care, sending them into the world not unprotected but covered with His grace. And let us remember: just because we do not see the devil does not mean he does not exist. I remember once asking Geronta Ephraim from the monastery in Arizona why he instructed us to say the prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,” not only quietly but also aloud and from the heart. He answered, “Because even if you do not realize it, someone else is listening in the corner.” With those words, he reminded us that our prayer is not only communion with God but also a weapon against the evil one, who flees at the name of Jesus.

For although the devil rages and even dares to strike at the house of God, he has already been defeated by Christ’s Cross and Resurrection. Let us then be steadfast in prayer, never ashamed to call upon the holy name of Jesus as loud as we can!

The veil has been torn, heaven is open, and Christ Himself remains our refuge, our strength, and our eternal peace.

+Papa Fanis

A Hymn for Every Feast: The Katavasias of the Year

From the Tree of Death to the Tree of Life

This Sunday, we will be treating Ode Five of the Katavasias of the Cross, a beautiful set of hymns that we chant in the Orthodox Church every year leading up to the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross on September 14th. Katavasias are generally known to be rich in Biblical typology, and they are often melodic interpretations of the resounding Scriptural message concerning our Lord Jesus Christ. The Fifth Ode of the Katavasias of the Cross is no exception, so let’s dive into the ocean of theology the Fathers have laid before us.

“Tree of the Cross, you are thrice-blessed, for Jesus Christ, who is King and Lord, was crucified on you….”

The Church does not venerate the Cross as a mere object of execution but as the very symbol of Christ’s victory over death. What gives the Cross its power is that the Lord of glory hung upon it. St. Paul reminds us, “in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9). Because the One crucified is none other than the eternal Son of God, the Cross itself is transformed from an instrument of shame into a vessel of blessing, worthy to be called “thrice-blessed” on account of the Triune God. What once symbolized defeat becomes the very icon of triumph. Thus, we do not speak of the Holy Cross abstractly, as a mere symbol or reminder of historical events, but as transformed forever by the Person of Christ who sanctified it by His own blood.

“... Through you, fallen is the one who by a tree deceived us, for he was lured by God who in the flesh indeed was hung and nailed to you….”

Here the hymn recalls the great reversal wrought by Christ. Humanity’s fall began with a tree in Eden, when the serpent deceived Adam and Eve into disobedience. Yet by the salvific work performed by He who hung upon the Tree of the Cross, the devil himself was deceived. He thought he had conquered Christ by leading Him to death, but in reality he was lured into his own defeat. The Cross, which Satan assumed would be Christ’s undoing, became the weapon of his destruction. The Church delights in this paradox: that the devil was conquered not by sheer force, but by God humbling Himself to the point of death, even death on a Cross (Phil. 2:8). The “tree of death” in Eden is thus overshadowed by the “Tree of life” on Golgotha, which brings life where once there was only death.

“... and who grants to our souls His peace.”

The final words of the Ode point us to the fruit of the Cross: peace. Not simply the absence of conflict, but the “peace of God which surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). Only Christ, the Prince of Peace, could grant such a gift, for as He told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). The Cross is the wellspring of this peace because it reconciles humanity to God, breaking down the wall of hostility and opening the way to communion with Him. To bow before the Cross, then, is to receive anew the gift of Christ’s divine peace, poured into our hearts by the Spirit.

Philip Carallo

St Nicholas Cathedral Protopsaltis

Saints and Feasts

August 31

12th Sunday of Matthew

August 31

The Placing of the Honorable Sash of the Most Holy Theotokos

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

August 31

Cyprian the Hieromartyr & Bishop of Carthage

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

Cathedral Listings

SATURDAY MEMORIALS

No Memorials

SUNDAY MEMORIALS

Ekaterina Harokopou - 3 months

John Grivizas - 6 months

Joseph Pappas - 4 years

Sheila Stamas - 6 years

Stylianos Steffen - 10 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

George, Sally, Lena, Irene, Annabella, Stella, Evangelia, Nancy, Niki, Stavros, Evagelos, Bowen, Logan, Tucker, Richard

*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.

__________________________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________________________________

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!

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Mode

Let the heavens rejoice; let the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the mighty power of His arm. He trampled down death by death and became the firstborn of the dead. From the depths of Hades, He delivered us and granted to the world great mercy.

Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Venerable Sash of the Theotokos in the Plagal 4th Mode

O Ever-Virgin Theotokos, shelter of mankind, thou hast bestowed upon thy people a mighty investure, even thine immaculate body's raiment and sash, which by thy seedless childbirth have remained incorrupt; for in thee nature and time are made new. Wherefore, we implore thee to grant peace to the world, and great mercy to our souls.

Θεοτόκε Αειπάρθενε, τών ανθρώπων η σκέπη, Εσθήτα καί Zώνην τού αχράντου σου σώματος, κραταιάν τή πόλει σου περιβολήν εδωρήσω, τώ ασπόρω τόκω σου άφθαρτα διαμείναντα, επί σοί γάρ καί φύσις καινοτομείται καί χρόνος, διό δυσωπούμέν σε, ειρήνην τή πολιτεία σου δώρησαι, καί ταίς ψυχαίς ημών τό μέγα έλεος.

Apolytikion of the Church in the 4th Mode

An example of the Faith and a life of humility. As a teacher of abstinence you did inspire and lead your flock and through the truthfulness of your deeds were exalted by greatness through your humility; uplifting all and by poverty gaining wealth. Father and Hierarch St. Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, that our souls may be saved.

Κανόνα πίστεως και εικόνα πραότητος, εγκρατείας διδάσκαλον, ανέδειξέ σε τη ποίμνη σου, η των πραγμάτων αλήθεια δια τούτο εκτήσω τη ταπεινώσει τα υψηλά, τη πτωχεία τα πλούσια, Πάτερ Ιεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τω Θεώ, σωθήναι τας ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Mode

Thy precious sash, O Theotokos, which encompassed thy God-receiving womb, is an invincible force for thy flock, and an unfailing treasury of every good, O only Ever-virgin Mother.

Τήν θεοδόχον γαστέρα σου Θεοτόκε, περιλαβούσα η Zώνη σου η τιμία, κράτος τή πόλει σου απροσμάχητον, καί θησαυρός υπάρχει, τών αγαθών ανέκλειπτος, η μόνη τεκούσα αειπάρθενος.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."

First Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 28:16-20

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, οἱ ἕνδεκα μαθηταὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, εἰς τὸ Ὄρος, οὗ ἐτάξατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς. Καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτόν, προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ· οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν. Καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς, ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς, λέγων· Ἐδόθη μοι πᾶσα ἐξουσία ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Πορευθέντες οὖν, μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρός, καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ, καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος· διδάσκοντες αὐτοὺς τηρεῖν πάντα ὅσα ἐνετειλάμην ὑμῖν. Καὶ ἰδού, ἐγὼ μεθ' ὑμῶν εἰμι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας, ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος. Ἀμήν.

Epistle Reading

The Placing of the Honorable Sash of the Most Holy Theotokos
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7

BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.

The Placing of the Honorable Sash of the Most Holy Theotokos
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 9:1-7

Ἀδελφοί, εἶχεν ἡ πρώτη σκηνὴ δικαιώματα λατρείας, τό τε ἅγιον κοσμικόν. Σκηνὴ γὰρ κατεσκευάσθη ἡ πρώτη, ἐν ᾗ ἥ τε λυχνία καὶ ἡ τράπεζα καὶ ἡ πρόθεσις τῶν ἄρτων, ἥτις λέγεται ἅγια. Μετὰ δὲ τὸ δεύτερον καταπέτασμα σκηνὴ ἡ λεγομένη ἅγια ἁγίων, χρυσοῦν ἔχουσα θυμιατήριον, καὶ τὴν κιβωτὸν τῆς διαθήκης περικεκαλυμμένην πάντοθεν χρυσίῳ, ἐν ᾗ στάμνος χρυσῆ ἔχουσα τὸ μάννα, καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος Ἀαρὼν ἡ βλαστήσασα, καὶ αἱ πλάκες τῆς διαθήκης· ὑπεράνω δὲ αὐτῆς Χερουβὶμ δόξης κατασκιάζοντα τὸ ἱλαστήριον· περὶ ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν νῦν λέγειν κατὰ μέρος. Τούτων δὲ οὕτως κατεσκευασμένων, εἰς μὲν τὴν πρώτην σκηνὴν διὰ παντὸς εἰσίασιν οἱ ἱερεῖς, τὰς λατρείας ἐπιτελοῦντες· εἰς δὲ τὴν δευτέραν ἅπαξ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ μόνος ὁ ἀρχιερεύς, οὐ χωρὶς αἵματος, ὃ προσφέρει ὑπὲρ ἑαυτοῦ καὶ τῶν τοῦ λαοῦ ἀγνοημάτων·

Gospel Reading

12th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 19:16-26

At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "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." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to 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." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.

And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, 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." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

12th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 19:16-26

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, νεανίσκος τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ, γονυπετῶν αὐτόν, καὶ λέγων· Διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ἀγαθὸν ποιήσω ἵνα ἔχω ζωὴν αἰώνιον; ‘O δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός. εἰ δὲ θέλεις εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωήν, τήρησον τὰς ἐντολάς. λέγει αὐτῷ· ποίας; ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπε· τὸ οὐ φονεύσεις, οὐ μοιχεύσεις, οὐ κλέψεις, οὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις, τίμα τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα, καὶ ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ νεανίσκος· πάντα ταῦτα ἐφυλαξάμην ἐκ νεότητός μου· τί ἔτι ὑστερῶ; ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ ῾Ιησοῦς· εἰ θέλεις τέλειος εἶναι, ὕπαγε πώλησόν σου τὰ ὑπάρχοντα καὶ δὸς πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι. ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ νεανίσκος τὸν λόγον ἀπῆλθε λυπούμενος· ἦν γὰρ ἔχων κτήματα πολλά. ῾Ο δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι δυσκόλως πλούσιος εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν. πάλιν δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν, εὐκοπώτερόν ἐστι κάμηλον διὰ τρυπήματος ῥαφίδος διελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. ἀκούσαντες δὲ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐξεπλήσσοντο σφόδρα λέγοντες· τίς ἄρα δύναται σωθῆναι; ἐμβλέψας δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· παρὰ ἀνθρώποις τοῦτο ἀδύνατόν ἐστι, παρὰ δὲ Θεῷ πάντα δυνατά ἐστι.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Rise from love of the world and love of pleasure. Put care aside, strip your mind, refuse your body. Prayer, after all, is a turning away from the world, visible and invisible. What have I in heaven? Nothing except simply to cling always to You in undistracted prayer. Wealth pleases some, glory others, possessions others, but what I want is to cling to God and to put the hopes of my dispassion in Him (cf. Ps. 72:25, 28).

St. John Climacus

Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 28: On Prayer; Paulist Press pg. 277, 6th century

Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.

St. Isaac of Syria

Unknown, 7th century

Important Updates From Our Ministries

Philoptochos (A Friend of the Poor) Ministry

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:

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

Important Information

HOPE & JOY is Back - Starting September 3rd

Master Calendar

Master Calendar

August 31 to September 14, 2025

Sunday, August 31

7:45AM Orthros/Matins

9:00AM Divine Liturgy

7:00PM Women's Book Club

Monday, September 1

Office Closed - Labor Day

8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

9:00AM Orthros/Matins

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Blessing of the Waters

5:00PM HDF Dance Practice

Tuesday, September 2

9:00AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

10:00AM Little Lambs

4:45PM Greek School

6:00PM Daily Vespers

7:00PM Boy Scouts

7:00PM Back to Bible Basics

Wednesday, September 3

9:00AM Orthros

11:00AM SPC Student Fellowship with Fr A

5:00PM HOPE & JOY Resumes

6:00PM Paraklesis to the Theotokos

7:00PM GOYA

7:00PM Council of Ministries

Thursday, September 4

9:00AM Orthros

11:00AM Women's Book Club

4:45PM Greek School

6:00PM Paraklesis to St Nicholas

6:30PM Choir Practice

7:00PM PC Meeting

Friday, September 5

9:00AM Orthros

6:00PM Paraklesis to Saint Anastasia

Saturday, September 6

6:00PM Great Vespers

7:00PM Festival of Tables

Sunday, September 7

7:45AM Orthros/Matins

9:00AM Divine Liturgy

5:00PM HDF Dance Practice

6:00PM Great Vespers

7:00PM Women's Book Club

Monday, September 8

8:00AM Soup Kitchen Meal

9:00AM Orthros/Matins

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

4:00PM Dance Ministry

Tuesday, September 9

9:00AM Orthros

4:45PM Greek School

6:00PM Daily Vespers

7:00PM Boy Scouts

7:00PM Back to Bible Basics

Wednesday, September 10

9:00AM Orthros

11:00AM SPC Student Fellowship with Fr A

6:00PM Paraklesis to the Theotokos

7:00PM Philoptochos General Assembly Meeting

7:00PM GOYA

7:00PM Byzantine Choir

Thursday, September 11

9:00AM Orthros

11:00AM Women's Book Club

4:45PM Greek School

6:00PM Paraklesis to St Nicholas

6:30PM Choir Practice

7:00PM Tampa Bay Orthodox Christian Legal Society

7:00PM Dance Board Meeting

Friday, September 12

9:00AM Orthros

6:00PM Paraklesis to Saint Anastasia

Saturday, September 13

9:00AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Men’s Breakfast

6:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, September 14

7:45AM Orthros/Matins

9:00AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Coffee Hour - Dance Ministry

5:00PM HDF Dance Practice

7:00PM Women's Book Club
Tampa Bay Regional Greek Orthodox Calendar
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General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Dean's Message

Fr. Theofanis

A Hymn for Every Feast: The Katavasias of the Year

Saints and Feasts

12th Sunday of Matthew

The Placing of the Honorable Sash of the Most Holy Theotokos

Cyprian the Hieromartyr & Bishop of Carthage

Cathedral Listings

40 Day Prayer List

A Prayer for Healing

Our Priests are Here for You

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Mode

Apolytikion for Venerable Sash of the Theotokos in the Plagal 4th Mode

Apolytikion of the Church in the 4th Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Mode

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Wisdom of the Fathers

Important Updates From Our Ministries

Philoptochos (A Friend of the Poor) Ministry

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:

St Nicholas Kitchen

Important Information

Master Calendar

Master Calendar

August 31 to September 14, 2025

Tampa Bay Regional Greek Orthodox Calendar