Sunday, August 23, 2026 | 12th Sunday of Matthew

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“With God All Things Are Possible”

This Sunday’s Gospel asks a question that reaches into every Christian heart: What is keeping us from following Christ completely?

The rich young man comes to Christ sincerely seeking eternal life. He has kept the commandments, lived morally, and done many things right. Yet Christ sees deeper. He recognizes the one thing the young man cannot surrender and lovingly calls him to let it go.

The Gospel is not simply a lesson about money. It is a call to examine whatever we may value, protect, or cling to more tightly than Christ.

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” — Matthew 19:26

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Message from Fr. Michael

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today’s Gospel presents us with a sincere and admirable young man. He comes to Christ with a question that every human heart should ask:

“Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

He has kept the commandments from his youth. He is moral, disciplined, and religious. Yet something is still missing. His heart knows that outward obedience alone is not enough.

Our Lord looks upon him with love. Christ does not condemn him. He invites him deeper.

“If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor… and come, follow Me.”

The tragedy of this Gospel is not that the young man was wealthy. Scripture never teaches that riches themselves are evil. Abraham, Job, and many of the saints possessed great wealth. The problem was that his possessions possessed him. He could not let go because his heart was bound to earthly treasure more than to the Lord.

This Gospel asks each of us the same question:

What is keeping us from following Christ completely?

For some, it may be money. For others, it may be pride, ambition, comfort, entertainment, resentment, or the desire always to be in control. Whatever we cling to more tightly than Christ becomes an idol. The Lord lovingly puts His finger on that very attachment and says:

“Give this to Me. Trust Me. Follow Me.”

The rich young man went away sorrowful because he wanted eternal life without surrender. He wanted Christ without the Cross. He desired the Kingdom while holding tightly to the kingdom he had built for himself.

How often we resemble him. We come to church, we pray, we fast, we give alms, yet we keep certain rooms of our hearts locked. We tell the Lord, “You may have this part of my life, but not that part.” Christ desires not merely a portion of our lives but our entire hearts.

The disciples were astonished. If someone so righteous and blessed could struggle to enter the Kingdom, then who could be saved? Jesus answers with words that are the foundation of our hope:

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Salvation is not achieved by our efforts alone. It is God’s grace working in a heart that is willing to repent. The Christian life is a cooperation with divine grace. We struggle, we pray, we fast, we repent, but always depending on the mercy and strength of God.

The Fathers teach that detachment is not merely about giving things away. It is about freedom. A Christian may own many things, but nothing should own the Christian. We use the gifts God has given us for His glory, for the service of our neighbor, and for the care of the poor. True wealth is measured not by what we keep but by what we offer in love.

Every Divine Liturgy reminds us of this truth. Before receiving Holy Communion, we lay aside earthly cares. We come empty-handed, bringing only repentance and faith. Christ gives us the greatest treasure imaginable, His own Body and Blood. Compared with this heavenly gift, all the riches of the world fade away.

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As we leave the church today, let each of us ask honestly:

What would Christ ask me to surrender? What attachment prevents me from following Him more faithfully?

Whatever the answer may be, we need not fear. The One who asks us to let go also promises to fill us with something infinitely greater, His own life, His peace, and His eternal Kingdom.

May we not walk away sorrowful like the rich young ruler, but with joyful hearts answer Christ’s invitation:

“Come, follow Me.”

Prayerfully yours,

+Fr. Michael

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Sunday’s Scripture Readings

Prokeimenon — Mode 3

Psalm 46:6, 1

“Sing praises to our God, sing praises.”

Verse: “Clap your hands, all you nations.”

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Προκείμενον — Ήχος γ΄

ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 46.6,1

Ψάλατε τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν, ψάλατε.

Στίχ. Πάντα τὰ ἔθνη κροτήσατε χεῖρας.

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Epistle Reading

St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 15:1–11

In this Sunday’s Epistle, St. Paul reminds the Corinthians of the Gospel they received and in which they stand.

At the very heart of his proclamation is the truth of Christ’s death and Resurrection: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, rose on the third day, and appeared to His disciples and many others.

St. Paul also speaks humbly of his own apostleship. Although he had once persecuted the Church, his life was transformed through God’s grace.

His words give us one of this Sunday’s most beautiful reminders:

“By the grace of God I am what I am.”

Our Christian lives are not built upon our accomplishments alone. Like St. Paul, everything we become in Christ is ultimately the fruit of God’s grace working within us.

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Gospel Reading

Matthew 19:16–26

A young man approaches Jesus with one of life’s greatest questions:

What must I do to have eternal life?

Christ first reminds him to keep the commandments. The young man responds that he has observed them, but he knows something is still lacking.

Jesus then invites him to something deeper: surrender.

He tells the young man to sell what he possesses, give to the poor, store up treasure in heaven, and “come, follow Me.”

The young man walks away sorrowful because he has great possessions.

Christ then explains to His disciples the spiritual danger of allowing wealth to become an obstacle to entering the Kingdom of God. The disciples are astonished and ask:

“Who then can be saved?”

Christ answers:

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

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Living the Gospel This Week

What Are We Holding Onto?

The rich young man’s struggle is not so different from our own.

Christ may not be asking each of us to surrender the same thing. For one person, the obstacle may be possessions. For another, it may be pride, resentment, comfort, status, ambition, control, or something else entirely.

The question is whether anything has become more important to us than following Christ.

Orthodox Christianity does not teach us simply to reject the material world. Rather, we learn to receive everything as a gift from God and use those gifts for His glory, the care of our families, the service of our neighbors, and the needs of the poor.

Our possessions can be blessings.

They simply cannot become our masters.

This week, we can prayerfully ask:

Lord, what am I holding onto that prevents me from giving You my whole heart?

And when surrender seems impossible, we remember Christ’s promise:

With God all things are possible.

One-Year Memorial Service

At the conclusion of Divine Services this Sunday, Holy Trinity will offer a One-Year Memorial Service for Rosemarie Tsourkas, beloved wife of Demetri.

Our prayers and best wishes go out to Demetri and the entire Tsourkas family.

May our Lord grant rest to the soul of His departed servant Rosemarie in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, and a place of repose.

May her memory be eternal. Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη!

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Upcoming Special Divine Service

Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist

Saturday, August 29, 2026

Orthros — 9:00 AM

Divine Liturgy — 10:00 AM

Please join us as we prayerfully commemorate the Feast of the Beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John.

All are welcome to worship and pray with us.

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August Birthdays

We wish a happy and blessed birthday to all of our parishioners celebrating this month:

August 1 — Larry Efstathiades

August 1 — Gary Spangler

August 4 — Angie Rizzo

August 6 — Nestor Tsimpedes

August 8 — Azariah Mullis

August 9 — Angela Scena

August 10 — Richard Arnoux

August 10 — Amelia Constance

August 11 — Mary Pappas

August 14 — Nate Baker

August 17 — Vlasios Gergis

August 19 — Rose Climan

August 20 — George Annis

August 21 — Margeaux McCarthy

August 26 — Joanne Hetzel

August 26 — Stefanos Loisou

August 28 — Popy Athanas

August 28 — Gregory Ifantides

August 29 — Helen Campbell

August 31 — Elaine Sklom

May God grant you many blessed years! Χρόνια Πολλά!

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August Anniversaries

We also congratulate the couples celebrating their wedding anniversaries this month:

August 9 — Dean & Helen Raptakis

August 20 — Larry & Maria Efstathiades

August 27 — David & Elpida Pardi

August 28 — Leonard & Nilda Moustakas

May God continue to bless your marriages and grant you many joyful years together!

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Join Us This Sunday

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

24411 Rampart Blvd.

Port Charlotte, FL 33980

Phone: 941-629-3888

V. Rev. Dr. Michael Bahlatzis, Protopresbyter

Presiding Priest-Proistamenos

607-215-3887

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Divine Liturgy — Sundays at 10:00 AM

Whether you are a lifelong Orthodox Christian, returning to the Church, or interested in experiencing the ancient Christian faith, you are welcome at Holy Trinity.

May we enter this week with hearts willing to surrender whatever separates us from Christ, trusting not in our own strength, but in His grace.

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Christ is in our midst! He is and ever shall be. ☦️