Sunday, July 5, 2026 | 5th Sunday of Matthew- Christ Has Power Over Every Darkness

Sunday, July 5, 2026 | 5th Sunday of Matthew

Christ Has Power Over Every Darkness

This Sunday, we gather to celebrate the 5th Sunday of Matthew as we continue our journey through the Gospel according to St. Matthew.

Our Gospel reading (Matthew 8:28–34; 9:1) tells of Christ’s encounter with two men who had been possessed by demons. Living among the tombs and isolated from society, they were bound by darkness until they encountered Jesus Christ. With a single command, our Lord cast out the demons, demonstrating His authority over every power of evil and His compassion for those who suffer.

Fr. Michael reminds us that this miracle reveals far more than Christ’s ability to perform wonders. Although He appeared in human form, His works revealed Him to be truly the Son of God. Even the demons recognized Him, crying out:“What have you to do with us, O Son of God?” (Matthew 8:29)

Just as Christ calmed the storm before arriving in the country of the Gergesenes, He also calmed the spiritual storm surrounding these two men. Their healing reminds each of us that Christ desires to free us from every burden that separates us from Him.

As Fr. Michael writes:

“We are to look to the Lord always to heal us from not only our bodily infirmities but also our spiritual afflictions. May God continue to bless us and prevent us from drowning in the sea of our sins.”

Epistle Reading

Our Epistle reading comes from Galatians 5:22–26; 6:1–2, reminding us that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is:

• Love

• Joy

• Peace

• Patience

• Kindness

• Goodness

• Faithfulness

• Gentleness

• Self-control

St. Paul encourages us to walk by the Spirit, bear one another’s burdens, and restore one another with gentleness, fulfilling the law of Christ.

Parish Life

We Continue to Pray

Please keep the following members and loved ones in your prayers:

Gus, Fran, Theresa, Keagan, Colleen, Liviu, Marina (Wanda), Cindy, Linda, Nicholas, George, Eleni, Chrysoula, Michael, and David.

May our Lord’s healing hand be upon them all.

Stewardship

Your stewardship allows Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to continue proclaiming the Gospel, serving our parish family, and ministering throughout our community.

If you have not yet become a steward, we invite you to prayerfully consider joining our parish family through stewardship.

Online giving is available anytime through our parish website: www.holytrinitypc.org

Celebrating Our Parish Family

Happy Birthday to all celebrating during the month of July! May God grant you many blessed years.

Congratulations to all celebrating wedding anniversaries this month. May God continue to bless your marriages with faith, love, and many years together.

Join Us This Sunday

Divine Liturgy begins at 10:00 AM

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

24411 Rampart Blvd.

Port Charlotte, FL 33980

Whether you are a lifelong Orthodox Christian or visiting for the first time, we welcome you to worship with us as we grow together in Christ.

“Christ is our peace, our healer, and our hope. No darkness is greater than His light.”