May 2012

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FATHER CONSTANTINE Second Sunday After Pascha: Feast Of The Sunday Of Thomas The Orthodox Church observes the Sunday of Thomas one week following the celebration of the Sunday of Holy Pascha. The day commemorates the appearance of Christ to His disciples on the evening of the Sunday following Passover. It also commemorates the appearance of the Lord to His disciples eight days later when Thomas was present and proclaimed “My Lord and my God” upon seeing the hands and side of Christ. This Sunday is also called Antipascha (meaning “in the stead of Pascha,” not “in opposition to Pascha”) because with this day, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sunday of the year to the commemoration of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection. Saint Thomas the Apostle is commemorated by the Church on October 6. The events commemorated on the Sunday of Thomas are recorded in the Gospel of Saint John 20:19-29. Following the crucifixion and burial of Christ, the disciples were gathered in a room with the doors closed and locked for fear of the Jews. On the evening of the Sunday after Passover, Jesus Christ entered the room and stood in their midst, greeting them with the words, “Peace be with you.” (v. 19) He showed the disciples his hands, feet, and side. (v. 20) Thomas was not present with the disciples when Jesus appeared, and he did not accept the testimony of the other disciples concerning Christ’s Resurrection. He stated, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” (vv. 24-25) Eight days later, the disciples were gathered together again with Thomas present, and the Lord appeared in the same manner. Standing in their midst he said, “Peace be with you.” He then spoke directly to Thomas and said, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” (vv. 26-27) Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replied by saying, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” (v. 29) The icon of the Sunday of Thomas depicts Christ standing in the midst of the disciples. He has appeared to the eleven in the upper room, and he is inviting Thomas to come and examine his hands and his side. Thomas is reaching out to touch the side of Jesus. He is also looking to Jesus in a manner that indicates his faith and the proclamation recorded in Scripture. The Sunday of Thomas is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. On this Sunday and throughout the Paschal period until the Apodosis or leave-taking of Pascha, the day before the Feast of the Ascension, the services begin with the chanting of the troparion of Pascha, “Christ is risen….” Scripture readings for the feast are the following: At Orthros: Matthew 28:16-20, the first of eleven resurrectional Gospel passages that are read in a cycle throughout the year during the Sunday matins. On this day the cycle always begins with the first Gospel passage; At the Divine Liturgy: Acts 5:12-20 and John 20:19-31. Apolytikion (Grave Tone) While the tomb was sealed, You, O Life, did shine forth from the grave, O Christ God; and while the doors were shut, You did come unto Your disciples, O Resurrection of all, renewing through them an upright Spirit in us according to Your great mercy. Kontakion (Plagal of the Fourth Tone) With his searching right hand, Thomas did probe Your life-bestowing side, O Christ God; for when You did enter while the doors were shut, he cried out unto You with the rest of the Apostles: You are my Lord and my God.
ADULT SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT Join us as we explore these and other spiritual topics to learn more about our Orthodox faith and how to live it with enthusiasm and gratitude. Classes take place directly after Holy Communion in the Aegean Hall. April 22 - May 13 Bright Week & the Road to Pentecost BIBLE STUDY Please join us on Thursday at 11 am for Bible Study hosted by Father Demetrios Simeonidis. Classes will be held in the Parish Council Room. CATECHISM May 20th is our graduation. Anyone who wishes to volunteer their time for another great event, please contact one of the catechism directors. COFFEE FELLOWSHIP Holy Trinity continues to provide coffee for the Sunday Coffee Fellowship through the efforts of our Hospitality Ministry. Consider either routinely donating an unopened package of cookies to the Cookie Drop, or individuals or groups can occasionally volunteer to host a Coffee Fellowship, perhaps to commemorate an anniversary, memorial, birthday, etc. Take your turn by selecting an available date on the sign-up sheet any Sunday, or by calling the Front Office. May 6 Available May 13 Available May 20 Loukoumathes May 27 Sam’s Catering DANCE CLASSES Dance practice for the Little Aegeans and Jr. Hellenic Dance Troupes will be held on May 6 & 20. Hellenic Dance Troupe practice will be held on May 6. Please meet in the small hall after catechism classes. For more information on our program, please contact Venetta at herrra40@hotmail.com. FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT Please join us for Free Family Movie Night on the lawn by the pavilion on May 18 at 8:30 pm. Everyone is invited to attend. Bring your lawn chair and blanket. GOYA May 4-6 GOYA will be traveling to Ft. Lauderdale for the GOYA Olympics. Paperwork needs to be turned in by April 29. For more information please contact Flora Milios at mail@htgocorlando.org. OUR MINISTRIES ICONOSTASIS ICON FUND Holy Trinity’s Beautification Committee has created a fund to enhance the new Iconostasis that adorns our sanctuary. There are only a few icons left to donate. Please visit the narthex where a rendition of our Iconostasis is framed with the proposed icons that await a kind and generous donor. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Fr. Constantine. MINISTRY LEADERS We are in need of ministry heads, chaperones, and volunteers for the next ecclesiastical year! If you are interested in being a ministry leader or volunteer, please fill out a volunteer form which can be found on the church’s website. We are presently looking for the following Ministry Leaders: JOY/HOPE, Oratorical Festival & Youth Ushers Ministry. 2012/2013 Forms are due by June 1, 2012. Please download your forms from our website at www.htgocorlando.org. PAN-ORTHODOX FEEDINGS The monthly pan-Orthodox feeding of the homeless for May will take place on Friday, May 25, at St. George Orthodox Church. Those planning to cook should arrive at noon, and those planning to set up or serve should arrive at 4 pm and stay until 6 pm. PARISH ASSEMBLY There will be a Parish Assembly on May 20 after Divine Liturgy. Please make sure you are current with your stewardship in order to vote. If you have any questions, please contact the Front Office. PLAYGROUP Playgroup will meet on May 7 at Leu Gardens. Everyone is encouraged to attend this fun event. Please call Amy Burdette (407) 432-4040 for more information. SOCIETY OF WISDOM The Society of Wisdom luncheon will be held on May 17 th at 11:30 a.m. in the Aegean Hall. For more information, please contact Mary Mantzaris @ 407- 322-6958 or Anne Thomas @ 407-352-2236. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We are looking for volunteers to lead various ministries: the Welcome Committee and Greekfest Committee. If you feel that you will be dedicated to these two ministries, please contact the Parish Council president at pcpresident@htgocorlando.org to offer your talent to our Church.
Page 1 and 2: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Page 3: Rev. Fr. Constantine Simeonidis, Pr
Page 7 and 8: B U S I N E S S N A M E UPCOMING RE
Page 9 and 10: FREE MOVIE NIGHT Friday, May 18 th
Page 11 and 12: Holy Trinity Greek Orth., Maitland
Page 13 and 14: Robert and Pamela Allen Kristen And
Page 15 and 16: Nicholas and Heather Panagakis Hele
Page 17 and 18: The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Lad
Page 19 and 20: May Μάιος Sunday [Kυρ] Monda

May 2012

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