St. Sophia Greek

Orthodox Church

Rev. Fr. Gregory Georgiou

Presiding Priest


Tina Thomas

Parish Council President

Phone: 863-224-4307

Direct Email

Sunday, February 11th, 2024

Hieromartyr Blaise of Sebaste

Orthros 8:45 am

Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

Service of Matins in

Greek/English


Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

From the website of the Annunciation Cathedral

in Atlanta, Georgia

Readings for February 11th

Prokeimenon Mode 3


Sing praises to our God, sing praises.

Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.


2nd Epistle to the Corinthians

(6:1-10)

IN GREEK


Brethren, working together with him, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.


Gospel According to

St. Matthew

(25:14-30)

IN GREEK


The Lord said this parable: “A man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’” As he said these things he cried out: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Hieromartyr Blaise of Sebaste

Saint Blaise lived in the years of Emperor Licinius. He studied medicine, which he did not practice as a profession, but as a charity and offering to the sufferer. At the same time, he was constantly studying the Bible.

The Church, rewarding his presence and offerings, accepted him into the ranks of the clergy and eventually ordained him Bishop of Sebaste. Shortly afterwards, Saint Blaise, motivated by love and humility, abandoned his bishopric and spent most of his life in a cave. There he dedicated himself to prayer and spiritual practice for he had experienced the envy, hypocrisy, and vanity of the people.

When later the persecution against the Christians began, the disgusted governor of Cappadocia and Lesser Armenia, Agricolaus, ordered his arrest and later, after horrific torture, beheaded him. Thus Blaise the fighter sealed his earthly life with a martyred death because of his faith and love for the Triune God.

We pray to Saint Blaise for throat afflictions, the health of domestic animals, and for protection from wild beasts.


Apolytikion of the Saint

Fourth Tone

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Blaise. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Memorial Service

We have a memorial service today 

for Erica Pappas (2 years).

Αιωνία η μνήμη

Memory Eternal!

Peter Pappas, beloved husband,

is sponsoring Coffee Hour/Luncheon.

Service Schedule

February 11, 2024

Orthros 8:45 am

Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

Upcoming Service Schedule

February 25, 2024

Orthros 8:45 am

Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

Greek Festival Update

Festival Chairs

Manny Papadopoulos and Paul Peros

ask for your patience over the

next few weeks with food and

festival preparations.

Please be cautious with the

delivery trucks in the parking lot

and the activity in and out of the hall.

Volunteer and Sponsorship Deadline

Dear St. Sophia Parish Family and Friends,


Your help is needed whether it be for a short time setting up or for multiple shifts throughout the weekend. If you do not sign up online or in person we’ll assign you where needed when you arrive to volunteer. We thank you for your service.


You can sign up for a time slot through the following link


Festival Sponsors

Festival Sponsorships are still available. Please contact us by February 14th to have your name included if you haven't done so. Thank you St. Sophia sponsors for your generosity and support for Greek Fest 2024.


In Christ’s Service,

Festival Chairs and Committee

40 Day Churching

and Baby Blessing

Congratulations to

Nicholas & Marguerite Piliaris

for the 40 day baby blessing

of their daughter Evdoxia.

40 Day Churching and Baby Blessing 02 04 24

Catechism Class

Fr. Gregory Georgiou’s Children’s

Sermon/Lesson

February 4th, 2024

Children's Sermon February 4th, 2024

Fr. Gregory Georgiou’s Sermon

February 4th, 2024

Fr. Gregory's Sermon, February 4th, 2024

Fr. Gregory Georgiou’s Announcements

February 4th, 2024

Fr. Gregory's Announcements, February 4th, 2024

Candles

Submit your names and donations for candles here.

Stewardship


Fill out your 2024 stewardship by clicking here.


Donate anytime through this QR code:

Stewardship and Capital Campaign

We are truly grateful and thankful for

your love for Christ and His Church.

You can also make your stewardship payment online if convenient.

We ask that you continue supporting your parish with your time, talent, and treasure.

If you have any questions call our

Stewardship Chairman Peter Pappas

(908) 510-6987.

Click HERE to fill out your 2024 Online Stewardship
Click HERE for the Capital Campaign Form
Click HERE to give online

Food Pantry

‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; Naked, and you clothed me.’ Matthew 25:34-36


We are collecting food items and toiletries to help those in need in our parish and community. Please bring to the church hall on Sundays.

We can also accommodate your schedule and arrange to receive donations on other days.

The Children’s Word Bulletin

Click here to download the OCN Children's bulletin.

Bookstore

It's Easy to Contact the Church

St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church

1030 Bradbury Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33880

863-299-4532

https://www.stsophia.fl.goarch.org

Church Website


Please email us!

We want to hear what's on your heart and mind

[email protected]



Tina Thomas

[email protected]

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