Tarpon Springs, Florida + Sunday, January 4, 2015 Epiphany - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral JANUARY 5 - 11 SCHEDULE LITURGICAL SERVICES Monday Δεσηέρα January 5 OFFICE AND MINISTRIES Office, M-F, 9:00 am-5:00 pm Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil @ 7:00 a.m., followed by Lesser Blessing of the Waters Bookstore, M-F, 10:00 am-2:00 pm Dance, 4:30-9:00 pm, SpanosPappas/Theofilos Hall Philoptochos, 6:00 pm, Fr Tryfon Hall Orthros 8:00 a.m. Archierarchical Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Τρίηη January 6 Greater Blessing of Waters (Cathedral) 11:30 a.m. Procession to Spring Bayou 12:15 p.m. Office Closed Blessing of the Bayou and Casting of the Cross 1:00 p.m. Wednesday Τεηάρηη January 7 No St. John the Baptist Liturgy. Clergy will be at St. John Tampa. Thursday Πέμπηη January 8 Friday Παραζκεσή January 9 Saturday Σάββαηο January 10 Sunday Κσριακή January 11 Όρθρος/Orthros, 7:00 am Ελληνική Λειηοσργία, 8:15 am English Liturgy, 10:15 am Bookstore, 10:00 am-12:00noon ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 4:5-8 Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, νῆφε ἐν πᾶσιν, κακοπάθησον, ἔργον ποίησον εὐαγγελιστοῦ, τὴν διακονίαν σου πληροφόρησον. Ἐγὼ γὰρ ἤδη σπένδομαι, καὶ ὁ καιρὸς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀναλύσεως ἐφέστηκεν. Τὸν ἀγῶνα τὸν καλὸν ἠγώνισμαι, τὸν δρόμον τετέλεκα, τὴν πίστιν τετήρηκα· λοιπόν, ἀπόκειταί μοι ὁ τῆς δικαιοσύνης στέφανος, ὃν ἀποδώσει μοι ὁ κύριος ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, ὁ δίκαιος κριτής· οὐ μόνον δὲ ἐμοί, ἀλλὰ καὶ πάσιν τοῖς ἠγαπηκόσιν τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 1.1-8 ᾿Αρχὴ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ. ῾Ως γέγραπται ἐν τοῖς προφήταις, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου, ὃς κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου·φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου, εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ,ἐγένετο ᾿Ιωάννης βαπτίζων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ ἐξεπορεύετο πρὸς αὐτὸν πᾶσα ἡ ᾿Ιουδαία χώρα καὶ οἱ ῾Ιεροσολυμῖται, καὶ ἐβαπτίζοντο πάντες ἐν τῷ ᾿Ιορδάνῃ ποταμῷ ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐξομολογούμενοι τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν. Ἦν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιωάννης ἐνδεδυμένος τρίχας καμήλου καὶ ζώνην δερματίνην περὶ τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐσθίων ἀκρίδας καὶ μέλι ἄγριον. Καὶ ἐκήρυσσε λέγων· ἔρχεται ὁ ἰσχυρότερός μου ὀπίσω μου, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς κύψας λῦσαι τὸν ἱμάντα τῶν ὑποδημάτων αὐτοῦ·ἐγὼ μὲν ἐβάπτισα ὑμᾶς ἐν ὕδατι, αὐτὸς δὲ βαπτίσει ὑμᾶς ἐν Πνεύματι ῾Αγίῳ. EPISTLE Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8 Timothy my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing. GOSPEL Mark 1:1-8 The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." TODAY’S MEMORIALS Zacharias Livanos, 40 days Captain Nicholaos Arakas, 10 years Haralambos ―Harry‖ Panson, 15 years MEMORIAL WHEAT / KOLLYVA Kollyva for memorials (μνημόζσνα) may be ordered through Irene Koutelas (727-934-5245) or Evangelia Stavropoulos (727-937-5649) or, of course, may be prepared by the family of the deceased. Contact information for these preparers is provided as a service to parishioners and does not imply endorsement of their product quality or fees. Kindly be reminded that all memorial services must be scheduled — at least two weeks in advance — with the parish office. 40-DAY INFANT BLESSINGS Parents of newborns are reminded to contact the office to schedule their child’s 40-day infant/mother blessings. These now take place at the conclusion of either Sunday Liturgy. This makes it possible for family and friends to witness this milestone, and is also an opportunity for the entire community to welcome new members of Christ’s flock! Parents are also reminded that - all things being equal - the optimal age for christening a child is between 3 to 6 months. Speak with Fr. Taso immediately following the birth of your child to schedule his or her christening. COUNCIL MEMBERS ON DUTY TODAY Anna Billiris Costas Sisois George Dovellos Karen Markopulos Charles Samarkos Gus Tsambis Emmanuel Ioannidis Variable Sunday Liturgy Hymns Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιμον 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. Resurrectional Apolytikion Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. For in His goodness He was pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, and to raise up those who had died, by His glorious Resurrection. Προεόρτιον Ἑτοιμάζου Ζαβουλών, καὶ εὐτρεπίζου Νεφθαλείμ. Ἰορδάνη ποταμέ, στῆθι ὑπόδεξαι σκιρτῶν, τοῦ βαπτισθῆναι ἐρχόμενον τὸν Δεσπότην. Ἀγάλλου ὁ Ἀδὰμ σὺν τῇ Προμήτορι· μὴ κρύπτετε ἑαυτούς, ὡς ἐν Παραδείσῳ τὸ πρίν· καὶ γὰρ γυμνοὺς ἰδὼν ὑμᾶς ἐπέφανεν, ἵνα ἐνδύσῃ τὴν πρώτην στολήν. Χριστὸς ἐφάνη, τὴν πᾶσαν κτίσιν, θέλων ἀνακαινίσαι. For the Forefeast O Zabulon, prepare, and be ready, Nephthalim. Jordan River, hold your course, and exultantly receive the Master who is coming to be baptized. Adam leap for joy with Eve the Foremother. No longer hide yourselves, as once in Paradise; for having seen you naked He has appeared to clothe you in your former vesture. The Christ has appeared, wishing to renew the entire creation. Απολυτίκιον τοῦ Αγίου Νικολάου 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. Apolytikion of St. Nicholas As rule of the faith and picture of gentleness, and teacher of temperance you were exhibited to your flock, by the truth of the evidence, Thus you acquired the lofty through humility, abundance through poverty. Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, that our souls may be saved. Κοντάκιον Ἐν τοῖς ῥείθροις σήμερον τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, γεγονὼς ὁ Κύριος, τῷ Ἰωάννῃ ἐκβοᾷ· Μὴ δειλιάσῃς βαπτίσαι με· σῶσαι γὰρ ἥκω, Ἀδὰμ τὸν πρωτοπλαστον. Kontakion To the flowing streams today of River Jordan comes the Lord and cries aloud to John the Baptist, and He says, "Be not afraid to baptize me now; for I have come to save Adam, the first-formed man." Saints and Feasts Theophany of Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ When our Lord was 30 years old, John the Forerunner, who was some six months older than Him and had lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and came into the parts of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins. Then our Savior also came from Galilee to the Jordan, and sought and received baptism though He was the Master and John was but a servant. Whereupon, there came to pass those marvelous deeds, great and beyond nature: the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized and the voice was heard from the Heavens hearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man. From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. It is also from this that the present feast is called "Theophany," that is, the divine manifestation, God's appearance among men. On this venerable day the sacred mystery of Christian baptism was inaugurated; henceforth also began the saving preaching of the Kingdom of the Heavens. Ἀγία Θεοφάνεια τοῦ Κυρίου Τα Αγία Θεοφάνεια είναι μία από τις αρχαιότερες εορτές της εκκλησίας μας η οποία θεσπίσθηκε το 2ο αιώνα μ.Χ. και αναφέρεται στη φανέρωση της Αγίας Τριάδας κατά τη βάπτιση του Ιησού Χριστού. Η ιστορία της βάπτισης έχει ως εξής: Μετά από θεία εντολή ο Ιωάννης ο Πρόδρομος εγκατέλειψε την ερημική ζωή και ήλθε στον Ιορδάνη ποταμό όπου κήρυττε και βάπτιζε. Εκεί παρουσιάσθηκε κάποια ημέρα ο Ιησούς και ζήτησε να βαπτισθεί. Ο Ιωάννης, αν και το Άγιο Πνεύμα τον είχε πληροφορήσει ποιος ήταν εκείνος που του ζητούσε να βαπτισθεί, στην αρχή αρνείται να τον βαπτίσει ισχυριζόμενος ότι ο ίδιος έχει ανάγκη να βαπτισθεί από Εκείνον. Ο Ιησούς όμως του εξήγησε ότι αυτό ήταν το θέλημα του Θεού και τον έπεισε να τον βαπτίσει. Και τότε μπροστά στα έκπληκτα μάτια των θεατών διαδραματίσθηκε μία μοναδική και μεγαλειώδης σκηνή, όταν με την μορφή ενός περιστεριού κατήλθε το Άγιο Πνεύμα και κάθισε επάνω στο βαπτιζόμενο Ιησού, ενώ συγχρόνως ακούσθηκε από τον ουρανό η φωνή του Θεού η οποία έλεγε: «Ούτος εστίν ο Υιός μου ο αγαπητός, εν ω ευδόκησα» («Αυτός είναι ο αγαπημένος μου Υιός, αυτός είναι ο εκλεκτός μου»). Από τότε και το Βάπτισμα των χριστιανών, δεν είναι «εν ύδατι», όπως το βάπτισμα «μετανοίας» του Ιωάννη, αλλά «εν Πνεύματι Αγίω». Ο Κύριος με το να βαπτιστεί αγίασε το νερό, το έκανε νερό αγιασμού και συμφιλίωσης με το Θεό. Έτσι η Βάπτιση του Κυρίου άνοιξε τη θύρα του Μυστηρίου του Βαπτίσματος. Με την καθαρτική χάρη του αγίου Βαπτίσματος ο παλαιός αμαρτωλός άνθρωπος ανακαινίζεται και με την τήρηση των θείων εντολών γίνεται κληρονόμος της βασιλείας των ουρανών. OUR PRIESTS ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU Father Taso Gounaris (317-694-2551, [email protected]) and Father James Rousakis (727-698-3974, [email protected]) are always available to serve you. Please call them directly for any spiritual needs. To schedule sacraments, please e-mail, call, text Father Taso or leave him a voicemail. For other needs, you may call the parish office at 727-937-3540. Ο Παηήρ Αναζηάζιος και ο Παηήρ Δημήηριος είναι καθημερινά ζηην διάθεζή ζας. Παρακαλούμε να ηούς καλείηε ζηο κινηηό ηοσς ηηλέθωνο για πνεσμαηικές ανάγκες. Για οηιδήποηε άλλο, καλείηε ηο γραθείο ηης εκκληζίας ζηο 727-937-3540. BOOKSTORE SALE Take 10% off all icons and books at St. Nicholas Bookstore’s afterChristmas sale, going on now through Epiphany, January 6. The bookstore is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and Sundays, 10:00 am – noon. Openings are currently available for bookstore staff. SIGN UP FOR UPCOMING FESTIVITIES! Please contact Karen Markopoulos at [email protected] to assist with the annual Epiphany Glendi on January 6 and/or the Greek Festival on January 30, 31 & February 1. Both events will take place in the Theofilos Hall of the Spanos-Pappas Community Center. Your help is needed. Thank you, in advance, for sharing of your valuable time with your parish. MONDAY, JANUARY 5 SERVICE TIME CHANGE Please note that on Monday morning, January 5, the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil will begin at 7:00 a.m. followed by the lesser blessing of the waters. The time change is necessitated by the need for our clergy to be at the airport to receive Archbishop Demetrios of America. 2015 CALENDARS IN Know when important Greek Orthodox Christian feast days fall in the coming year by stopping by the office (around the corner from the Cathedral) during business hours to pick up your copy of the 2015 parish calendar. WE WELCOME METROPOLITAN NIKITAS We welcome home Metropolitan Nikitas, who is in town for the Epiphany celebration. He will, in particular, be presiding over Monday’s Blessing of the Fleet. He will also be with us and presiding over Liturgy today, Sunday, January 4. Please be on hand to welcome him. ALTAR SERVER MEETING AFTER LITURGY All boys who wish to serve in the altar on Epiphany, January 6, are asked to be at a meeting that will take place around eleven o’clock — immediately following Liturgy on Sunday, January 4. EPIPHANY HOUSE BLESSINGS Our clergy will be available to bless parishioner homes and/or businesses during the weeks following Epiphany. You may contact either Fr. Taso ([email protected] or 317-694-2551) or Fr. James ([email protected], 727-698-3974) to make an appointment. Of course they are also available throughout the year for home and business blessings - or for any other need. SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE Applications for the Archimedes Award for the 2015-16 academic year are now being accepted. Go to www.hellenext.org/careerresources/next-generation-scholarships/archimedes-award/ to apply online. To be considered, a completed application, with transcripts and letters of recommendation, must be received by March 1, 2015. SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS January 2015 4Class 10:00-10:45 6 Epiphany 11 Class 10:00-10:45 18 Class 10:00-10:45 25 Godparent Sunday Students celebrate Liturgy with families / No Class Calling St. Nicholas High School Seniors & College Students!!! Apply for a Sophia G. Colovos Scholarship     All forms are on the St Nicholas website; print at home or pick up from the office and return by deadlines below. High School Guidance Counselors will also have packets. Remember to fill out 2014 & 2015 St. Nicholas Stewardship Card. It’s easy! Please review checklist below for ―Required Documents.‖ □ Current scholarship application Application must be completed in full. You may attach any additional comments that explain your special circumstances to the Trustee of the Colovos Scholarship Fund. □ Academic transcript of the previous semester Minimum GPA is 3.0 Recent high school graduates should provide their high school transcript. For college students, an online print-out of final grades is usually acceptable. □ Proof of class registration for the upcoming semester Must be full-time student: 12-credit minimum (with the exception of Summer session.) If your program is full-time but less than 12 credits, provide explanation and proof. □ Parent’s current Personal Tax Return □ Your current Personal Tax Return (if applicable) □ You must be a Steward/Active member of the Church for a continuous two (2) year period immediately prior to the application for a scholarship from the Fund. Applicants 18 years old or older need to be stewards in their own name even if a dependent living at home. For any questions, please contact Karen Markopulos at [email protected] or 727 485-4397. Deadlines approaching Spring 2015 – 1/20/15 Summer 2015 – 5/26/15 ST. NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL ORNAMENT SERIES #1 ....... image of St. Nicholas Cathedral #2 ....... image of Epiphany 24k gold etched on brass $20 each Limited Edition Name _____________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________ City, State, Zip _____________________________________________________ Telephone _______________________Email _______________________ Quantity: Cathedral____Epiphany_____ Amount Paid ____________ Denise Damianakes Pauline Phillips <[email protected]> 727-937-3540 727-612-7808 If we have the faith to dive in head-first. Our Epiphany celebration draws attention from around the world. But at the root of this holy day is a baptism. In baptism, the submergence in water represents death to the old ways of sin, and what follows is a resurrection — a rebirth to a new life in Christ. While Orthodox Christians are baptized only once, as a community we commemorate Christ’s baptism every year. What better time to renew your life in Christ, and what better way than through stewardship? www.stnicholastarpon.org/ stewardship We are stewards of the first catch. SAINT NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL PARISH DIRECTORY OFFICE PHONE: 727-937-3540 MAILING ADDRESS: 17 E Tarpon Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 OFFICE HOURS/CATHEDRAL OPEN FOR PRAYER: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Fr. Anastasios Gounaris, Proistamenos: 317-694-2551 Fr. James Rousakis, Associate: 727-698-3974 Nikitas Manias, Parish Council President 863-559-0580 Denise Damianakes, Office Manager Soultana Kalligas, Administrative Assistant CHANTERS – Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis 727-698-3400 & Anthony Hatzidakis 727-698-3401 CHOIR, 1ST LITURGY – Katie Faklis 727-937-1214 CHOIR, 2ND LITURGY – DeRose Andropoulos 727-942-1473 YOUTH CHOIR – Sandy Chambers 727-642-4454 SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL – Galatiani Leadbetter 727-455-6712 ALTAR SERVERS – Jerry Theophilopoulos 727-946-2225 PHILOPTOCHOS – Sylvia Joanow 727-944-3366 OUTREACH/EVANGELISM – Charles Samarkos 727-480-3289 & George Kallas 727-424-0652 GREEK DANCE – Maria Kouskoutis 727-942-7440 & Eva Athanasatos 727-251-4768 STEWARDSHIP – Charles Samarkos -727-480-3289 EDUCATION, CULTURE & YOUTH – Karen Markopulos 727-485-4397 H.O.P.E. (K-2nd grade) & J.O.Y. (3rd-6th grade) – Eva Psilakis Anderson 727-698-8110, [email protected] Maria Sarantis 727-485-4605, [email protected], JR. G.O.Y.A. (6th-8th grade) – Evangelia Psilakis 727-698-8110 & Erasmia Psilakis 727-644-6582 G.O.Y.A. (9th-12th grade) – Theodora Kampouraki 954-478-4157 & Emmanuel Gombos 727-937-8658 YOUNG ADULT LEAGUE (Y.A.L.) – Pano Toumblares 727-514-4184 BOOKSTORE – Vasilis Panageotou 410-340-2980 WEBSITE – George Dovellos 727-415-6588 EPIPHANY COMMITTEE – Emmanuel Gombos 727-937-8658 & Johanna Kossifidis 727-741-3182 ST. NICHOLAS PRESCHOOL – Jessica Gorman 727-937-7122 GREEK AFTERNOON SCHOOL – Chris Palaidis 727-808-3895 AHEPA – James Miller 727-243-4546 SONS OF PERICLES – Jimmy Makris 727-446-3100 DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE – Michele Manousos 727-858-4456 ATHENIAN SOCIETY – Helen Kariofilis 727-934-6570 BOY SCOUTS – Theodora Genduso 727-243-1706 & Antonio Genduso 727-243-1786 CHIOS SOCIETY – Chrysanthi Psoras 727-597-8421 CRETAN SOCIETY – Angelo Sakis 402-541-6124 HALKI SOCIETY – Michele Manousos 727-858-4456 HELLENIC BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION – Emmanuel Ioannidis 727-934-3885 KALYMNIAN SOCIETY – Nikolas Sazalis 727-945-0348 LACONIAN SOCIETY – Theodore Tsafatinos 727-692-4028 PANCYPRIAN SOCIETY – Angela Georgiadis 727-319-6804 PROMETHEAS SOCIETY – Effie Vassiliou 727-692-6565 SIATISTA ASSOCIATION USA – Peter J Plumpis 727-376-8544 SYMIAN SOCIETY – Michael Faklis 727-937-3602