March 18 2018

SAINT SOPHIA CATHEDRAL

MIAMI, FLORIDA
Sunday, March 18, 2018

Saint John Climacus

Saint John of the Ladder

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may
be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine
Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer expe-
rienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation
how to lay a sound foundation
for his struggles, how to detect
and war against each of the pas-
sions, how to avoid the snares
laid by the demons, and how to
rise from the rudimental virtues
to the heights of Godlike love
and humility. It is held in such
high esteem that it is universally
read in its entirety in monaster-
ies during the Great Fast.

Rev. Fr. Spiro D. Bobotas

Telephone 305- 854-2922 * Fax: 305-858-1854
Website: stsophiamiami.org

2401 S.W. 3rd Avenue, 33129
Mailing Address: 244 SW 24th Road Miami, Fl. 33129

Liturgical Guide

Apolytikion for the Resurrection– Tone PL 4

Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος

From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days
hast Thou submitted that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O our Life and

Resurrection, Lord, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. John Climacus in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Ταίς τών δακρύων σου ροαίς, τής ερήμου τό άγονον εγεώργησας

With the streams of thy tears, thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by
thy sighings from the depths,thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou be-
camest a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, O John our righteous Father.

Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Apolytikion for St. Sophia Tone 3

Χαίρει ἔχουσα ἡ Ἐκκλησία, σὲ καὶ τέκνα σου καύχημα θεῖον,
Having you and your three daughters as a sacred boast, the Church rejoices and with
gladness she praises you, You are to me my pride and joy, as are the most precious relics
of your children; Oh Glorious Martyrs: Sophia, Faith, Hope and Love, intercede to

Christ our God to save our souls.

Kontakion

Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια,

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city,
dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe

from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"

Scripture Readings

Epistle Reading

The Reading is from Paul’s letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one
greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and
multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise.
Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is
final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs
of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an
oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God
should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to
seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the
soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has
gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the or-
der of Melchizedek.

Gospel Lesson

The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son
to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he
foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it
out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how
long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And
they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the
boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus
asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it
has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do
anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are

Gospel continued

possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I be-
lieve; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he re-
buked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out
of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came
out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that mos of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took
him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his
disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This
kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and
passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his
disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they
will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."

2018 Stewards

Mr. Tim Anagnost Mrs. Mary Benitez
Mrs. Mary Andersen Fr. & Presvytera Bobotas
Mr. Georgios Andreadis Ms. Sheila Callesis
Mr. & Mrs. Gus Andy Mr. Nicholas Callesis
Ms. Argie Anthony Mr. Thomas Carlos
Mr. & Mrs. Alexis Anthony Arjona Mr. & Mrs. Charles Cavalaris
Mr. Panagiotis Arvanitis Mr. & Mrs. George Cavaliris
Ms. Sarah Arvantis Ms. Mary Cavaliris
Ms. Jane Baloras Ms. Marilyn Charles

Ms. Lynn Christ Mrs. Betty Lantz
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Cocotos Mr. & Mrs. Perry Lantz
Mr. George Cozonis Ms. Irene Lirakis
Mr. & Mrs. Albert De Nicola Mr. Evangelos Marsellos
Mrs. Virginia Demery Mrs. Satira Mekras
Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Dimitropoulos Mr. & Mrs. John G Mekras
Mr. Constantin Dimitropoulos Mr. Christos Meletis
Mr. & Mrs. Allen Donelan Mr. & Mrs. Themis Michalakos
Mr. Nicholas Efthimiou Ms. Eleni Monas
Mr. & Dr. Dame Giorgios Farazoulis Ms. Marianna Page
Mr. & Mrs. Jose Godur Ms. Barbara Panagakos
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Hados Mr. & Mrs. HarryPasquier
Mr. Nick Hados Mr. & Mrs. Jim Petkas
Ms. Adis Haralambides Mr. & Mrs. Bill Petros
Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Hatzichristofis Mr. Nicholas Pisaris
Mr. Christos Heletis Mr. & Mrs. George Potter
Mr. & Mrs. Bret Jenkins Mr. & Mrs. Nick Poulos
Mr. & Mrs. W. Steven Joachim Ms. Emmanuela Prevolis
Mrs. Matilda Kalaveshi Ms. Maria Ritsi
Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kallergis Mr. & Mrs. James Sanders
Ms. Olga Kalogeropoulos Dr. & Mrs. Theodore Sarafoglu
Ms. Maria Kalogeropoulos Mr. & Mrs. John Scurtis
Mr. John Kandara Drs. George Sfakianakis
Mrs. Lucille Kanelidis Mr. & Mrs. Aristides Simopoulos
Mr. & Mrs. George Kanistras Mrs. Anastasia Tsiplis
Mr. & Mrs. James Karnegis Drs. Andreas Tzakis
Mr. & Mrs. Charalambos Kasselakis Ms. Daisy Vagias
Ms. Fani Katsoufi Ms. Mary Venable
Mr. & Mrs. Anastasia Kekakos Ms. Elena Vertlib
Mr. John Kiskinis Mr. Stratos Vranas
Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kos Mr. & Mrs. Peyton Watson
Mr. & Mrs. Andrey Kotov Mr. & Mrs. Craig Wensley
Ms. Stella Kounelis Mr. Lukas Zapsas
Mr. Pierre Koussiafes Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Zervas
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Lailas

Coming Soon!

Contemporary Works Lending Library at St. Sophia

Yes! Very soon a small shelf that will hold contemporary
adult, teen and children’s Orthodox Christian books will
be available to checkout on Sundays. The lending library
will be built from donated books that the donor has read
and inscribed. The reason for the inscription is to allow
future readers of your book an opportunity to discuss the
book with you thereby creating a mini book club discus-
sion, if desired. The library will be fully automated
through a self-checkout system via a mobile app. No
worries, printed library cards will also be distributed for those who are not tech savvy. If you
would like to be in the library system, want to donate, or need further information, please
email Nancy Martini at [email protected] or call her at 305-401-7726.

WISDOM OF THE FATHERS

Seest thou how He now proceeds to lay beforehand in them the foundation of His doctrine about fast-
ing? ... See, at any rate, how many blessings spring from them both. For he that is praying as he ought,
and fasting, hath not many wants, and he that hath not many wants, cannot be covetous; ...

NEW GOSPEL FOR THE ALTAR

It is with great joy and gratitude that we acknowledge that
we now have a New Gospel which we can bring forth to
present to God and his People. The old Gospel which
served the Cathedral well for many years was worn down
to its bare metal (see in the insert below.) Through the
many years of service the gold leaf
simply vanished leaving a less that
presentable covering for the written
word of God.. We thank Maria and
Olga Kalogeroopulos for their
generous gift that can be enjoyed by
all.

Luncheon

Honoring the Theotokos

sponsored by the
Philoptochos

Sunday, March 25th 2018

Adults $10 - Children (12 & under ) $5
Please RSVP by Monday, March 19th

To 305-854-2922

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 18th Sunday, St. John Climicus Matins 9:00 AM
Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

March 21st , Wednesday Presanctified Liturgy 6:30 PM

March 23rd Friday, Akathist Hymn 7:00 PM
March 24th 10:00 AM
Saturday Morning Goya B akiing

March 24th Annunciation Vespers Annunciation Church @ N. Miami 7:00 PM

March 25th Sunday , Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Matins 9:00 AM
Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

Camper Registration Opens

Tuesday, March 20 at 6:00 p.m.

Cost $400.00

(EARLYBIRD Coupon expires May 31, 2018)
Sibling Discounts of $25.00 are only eligible for each additional child in the

family after the first camper with the coupon code SIBLING.

Help adorn our Tsoureki for Pascha!
Cathedral with
Flowers for Holy Week. If you would like to reserve your
order please call the office at
There are many decorated icons and 305-854-2922
floral arraignment that go into
Small loaves $10.00
transforming the Cathedral during this Large Loaves $15.00
most Holy time. Your gift is appreciated

Your check made payable to St. Sophia
Philoptochos,

“Easter Flowers”. Will go a great distance in
enhancing our Holy Week