Sunday, October 11, 2026 | Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council

Sunday, October 11, 2026 | Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council

The Parable of the Sower: Cultivating Faith, Defending Truth, and Bearing Fruit

“But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.” — Luke 8:15

This Sunday, October 11, 2026, we gather at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Port Charlotte to commemorate the 350 Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea in 787 AD.

Our Gospel reading, Luke 8:5–15, presents the Parable of the Sower and the Seed, reminding us that the Word of God is offered to everyone, but the condition of our hearts determines how deeply it takes root.

This Sunday brings together two powerful lessons: the importance of remaining faithful to Orthodox Christian teaching and the responsibility each of us has to nurture our spiritual lives.

Through messages from His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta and Fr. Michael Bahlatzis, we are invited to reflect on the courage of the Holy Fathers, the sacred tradition of iconography, and Christ’s call to become good soil in which His Word can flourish.

Commemorating the 350 Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council

The Seventh Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea in 787 AD, was a defining moment in the history of the Orthodox Church.

The Council defended the Orthodox veneration of holy icons during a period of persecution known as Iconoclasm.

Beginning in 726 AD, under Emperor Leo the Isaurian, icons were banned from churches. Those who defended their proper veneration faced persecution, suffering, and even martyrdom.

The first period of Iconoclastic Persecution lasted approximately 59 years. Although the Seventh Ecumenical Council restored the Church’s teaching on icons, a second period of persecution followed in the ninth century and continued for nearly 30 years.

The final restoration of the holy icons is celebrated each year on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the first Sunday of Great Lent.

Today, we honor the Holy Fathers who stood firm in their faith, defended Holy Tradition, and preserved the teachings of the Orthodox Church for generations to come.

Their courage reminds us that the truth of Christ endures, even during times of great hardship and division.

A Message from His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

This Sunday, we commemorate the 350 Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea in the year 787. The purpose of this council was to refute the Iconoclastic Persecution which began in 726. For nearly 60 years, starting under the command of Emperor Leo the Isaurian, icons were banned from churches, and those who advocated the Orthodox position were persecuted, and martyred.

What is special about this Sunday is that, despite the support of the Patriarch and the Emperor, this period renewing the Church’s veneration in icons did not last.

The first Iconoclastic Persecution lasted 59 years, while the second and final one in the 800s lasted almost 30 years. We celebrate the end of this second and final Iconoclastic Persecution, as you know, every year on the Sunday of Orthodoxy.

This means that many of the 350 Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, for whom we shall pray this Sunday, were martyred.

What can we learn from this troubling period in Church history?

Let us also reflect on this Sunday’s Gospel reading, the Parable of the Sower and the Seed:

“A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold… The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts… The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word…have no root… and in a time of testing fall away… among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.” (Luke 8:5-8; 12-15)

This Sunday, we take strength and comfort in the fact that unlike those seeds which fall on rocks and into thorns, God and Orthodoxy will always triumph thanks to the testimony of these Holy Fathers.

Despite the spirit of disunity and anguish that pervaded the Church during Iconoclasm, those who clung to their faith and Holy Tradition, were—like those seeds is good, true soil—witnesses who refreshed the tree which is forever sustained by the blood of martyrs.

+ SEVASTIANOS

Metropolitan of Atlanta

A Message from Fr. Michael

The Gospel, the Holy Icons, and the Soil of Our Hearts

Dearly Beloved faithful in Christ:

Today, the Holy Church places before us two beautiful and deeply connected themes: the memory of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, and the Gospel parable of the Sower and the Seed.

At first, these two subjects may seem unrelated. One speaks about the holy icons and the defense of the Orthodox faith; the other speaks about a farmer scattering seed upon different kinds of soil.

But in reality, they speak about the same thing:

How do we receive Christ and His truth into our hearts?

The Gospel tells us that a sower went out to sow. Some seed fell beside the road, some upon the rock, some among thorns, and some upon good soil.

The Lord explains that the seed is the word of God.

The seed is the same. The Sower is the same. The difference is the soil.

And this is where the Gospel becomes personal for every one of us.

Every Sunday, the word of God is sown into our hearts. We hear the Scriptures. We hear the Gospel. We receive the teachings of the Church. We receive the invitation to repentance, prayer, forgiveness, and holiness.

But what happens to that seed after we leave church?

Does it take root?

Does it change the way we speak to our spouse, our children, our parents, our friends, and even those who have hurt us?

Does it make us more patient? More forgiving? More compassionate?

Or does the seed remain on the surface and disappear as soon as we return to the distractions and anxieties of everyday life?

When the Cares of the World Become Thorns

Our Lord tells us that the seed which falls among thorns is choked by the cares, riches, and pleasures of life.

How relevant these words are for us today.

We can become so busy that we have no time to pray. We can become so concerned about money, work, possessions, reputation, and the future that we forget the One who gave us life itself.

And yet, the Lord does not tell us that the world itself is the problem.

The problem is when the things of this world become more important to us than God.

The good soil, Christ tells us, represents those who hear the word of God, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Notice that beautiful word: patience.

Spiritual life is not instant.

A seed does not become a tree overnight. A child does not become mature in one day. And a Christian does not become holy simply because he or she has attended one Divine Liturgy.

God gives the growth, but we must cultivate the soil of our hearts.

What the Holy Fathers Defended

This brings us to the Holy Fathers whom we commemorate today.

The Seventh Ecumenical Council, held at Nicaea in 787, defended the Orthodox teaching concerning the holy icons.

The Fathers proclaimed that because the Son of God truly became man, because Jesus Christ took flesh, became visible, lived among us, was crucified, resurrected, and ascended into heaven, we can faithfully depict Him in the holy icons.

The icon is not God Himself.

We do not worship wood and paint.

Rather, through the honor given to the icon, our minds and hearts are directed toward the person depicted.

When we bow before an icon of Christ, we are bowing before Christ.

When we kiss the icon of the Panagia, we express our love and honor for the Mother of God.

When we venerate the saints, we give glory to God who made them holy.

The holy icons therefore proclaim something essential about our faith:

God came to us. God became visible. God entered into our human existence.

Christianity is not merely an idea. It is not simply a philosophy or a collection of moral teachings.

It is the revelation of a Person: Jesus Christ.

And the same Christ who is revealed to us through the Holy Scriptures is also presented to us through the life of the Church.

The Church Is the Garden

This is why the connection between the icons and today’s Gospel is so beautiful.

The Gospel is the seed. The Church is the garden in which that seed is planted.

The holy icons surround us and continually remind us of the One whom the seed reveals.

When we enter an Orthodox church, we do not enter an empty room.

We enter a place filled with the testimony of those who received the word of God and bore fruit.

We see Christ. We see the Panagia.

We see the Apostles, the Martyrs, the Hierarchs, the Ascetics, and all the Saints.

They are witnesses that the Gospel can actually transform a human life.

The Saints were once ordinary people like us. They had struggles, temptations, and they experienced grief. They had weaknesses.

But they allowed the seed of God’s word to take root in their hearts.

And eventually, that seed bore fruit.

What Kind of Soil Are We?

My beloved brothers and sisters,

The question for us today is not whether God is sowing His seed. He is.

The question is:

What kind of soil are we?

Perhaps sometimes our hearts are like the road, hardened by anger, disappointment, or indifference.

Perhaps sometimes they are like the rocky ground. We are enthusiastic about our faith for a little while, but when difficulties come, we lose courage.

Perhaps sometimes our hearts are filled with thorns. The anxieties, ambitions, pleasures, and distractions of this world leave little room for God.

But the good news of the Gospel is that soil can be changed.

A hardened heart can become soft.

A neglected heart can become fertile.

A heart filled with thorns can be cleared.

Through prayer, repentance, Confession, fasting, forgiveness, the Divine Liturgy, and works of love, God prepares our hearts to receive His word.

And this is why we should never become discouraged with ourselves.

Perhaps you feel that you have failed God many times. Perhaps you have tried to change and have fallen again. Perhaps you have prayed and wondered why you have not yet become the person you want to be.

Do not give up.

The farmer does not stop planting simply because the harvest does not appear immediately.

Keep praying. Keep coming to church. Keep receiving the word of God. Keep forgiving. Keep beginning again.

The grace of God is patient with us.

And if we offer Him even a small opening in our hearts, He can transform it.

A Prayer for Our Hearts

Today, as we honor the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, let us also remember what they defended: the truth that God truly became man for our salvation.

The Christ whom we see in the icon is the Christ whom we encounter in the Gospel.

The Christ whom we receive in Holy Communion is the Christ who calls us to become good soil.

Let us therefore ask God today:

“Lord, soften my heart. Remove the stones. Take away the thorns. Help me to receive Your word. And let Your word bear fruit in my life.”

May the prayers of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, and the example of all the Saints help us to become that good soil, so that the word of God may take deep root within us and produce a harvest of faith, hope, love, repentance, mercy, and holiness.

And may that fruit not remain only within us, but become a blessing to our families, our parish, our community, and everyone whom God places in our path.

Prayerfully yours,

+ Fr. Michael

Scripture Readings for October 11, 2026

Prokeimenon — Mode 4

Daniel 3:26–27

“Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.”

Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

Προκείμενον. Ήχος δ’

Δανιήλ 3.26–27

Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν.

Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν.

Epistle Reading

St. Paul’s Letter to Titus 3:8–15

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men.

But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile.

As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.

And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you.

Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all. Amen.

Πρὸς Τίτον 3:8–15 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα

Τέκνον Τίτε, πιστὸς ὁ λόγος, καὶ περὶ τούτων βούλομαί σε διαβεβαιοῦσθαι, ἵνα φροντίζωσιν καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι οἱ πεπιστευκότες θεῷ. ταῦτά ἐστιν καλὰ καὶ ὠφέλιμα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις · μωρὰς δὲ ζητήσεις καὶ γενεαλογίας καὶ ἔριν καὶ μάχας νομικὰς περιΐστασο, εἰσὶν γὰρ ἀνωφελεῖς καὶ μάταιοι.

αιῥετικὸν ἄνθρωπον μετὰ μίαν καὶ δευτέραν νουθεσίαν παραιτοῦ, εἰδὼς ὅτι ἐξέστραπται ὁ τοιοῦτος καὶ ἁμαρτάνει, ὢν αὐτοκατάκριτος.

Ὅταν πέμψω Ἀρτεμᾶν πρὸς σὲ ἢ Τυχικόν, σπούδασον ἐλθεῖν πρός με εἰς Νικόπολιν, ἐκεῖ γὰρ κέκρικα παραχειμάσαι.

Ζηνᾶν τὸν νομικὸν καὶ Ἀπολλῶν σπουδαίως πρόπεμψον, ἵνα μηδὲν αὐτοῖς λείπῃ.

μανθανέτωσαν δὲ καὶ οἱ ἡμέτεροι καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι εἰς τὰς ἀναγκαίας χρείας, ἵνα μὴ ὦσιν ἄκαρποι.

Ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ μετ ᾽ἐμοῦ πάντες.

Ἄσπασαι τοὺς φιλοῦντας ἡμᾶς ἐν πίστει.

ἡ χάρις μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν.

Holy Gospel

Luke 8:5–15 | The Parable of the Sower

The Lord said this parable:

“A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it.

And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it.

And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold.”

And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said:

“To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved.

And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.

And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

As he said these things, he cried out:

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Living the Gospel This Week

What Kind of Soil Is Your Heart?

The Parable of the Sower invites us to reflect on how we receive the Word of God in our everyday lives.

Christ describes four types of soil, each representing a different spiritual condition.

The hardened path represents those who hear God’s Word but allow it to be taken away before it can grow.

The rocky ground represents those who initially receive the Word with joy but lose their faith when difficulties arise.

The thorny ground represents those whose faith becomes overwhelmed by worldly anxieties, material possessions, and distractions.

The good soil represents those who hear the Word, hold it close to their hearts, and patiently allow it to transform their lives.

The beautiful lesson of this Gospel is that our hearts are not beyond transformation.

Through prayer, repentance, forgiveness, and participation in the life of the Church, we can cultivate hearts that are ready to receive Christ.

The Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council give us an extraordinary example of this kind of faith.

Despite persecution and suffering, they remained rooted in the truth of the Gospel.

Their lives remind us that genuine faith is not simply something we profess with our words.

It is something we demonstrate through perseverance, sacrifice, and love.

This week, let us ask ourselves:

Am I making room for Christ in my daily life?

What distractions or anxieties are preventing God’s Word from growing within me?

How can I demonstrate my faith through kindness, forgiveness, and service to others?

May we all strive to become the good soil that bears fruit through patience and faith.

Bible Study & Catechism Classes

Come grow with us in our understanding of Holy Scripture and the Orthodox Christian faith.

Bible Study: 9:00 AM–10:30 AM

Catechism Class: 10:30 AM–11:30 AM

Upcoming Class Dates

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Saturday, December 5, 2026

Saturday, January 16, 2027

Saturday, March 13, 2027

Everyone is warmly invited to attend.

Please bring your Orthodox Study Bible, which will be used during the classes.

We look forward to sharing in fellowship, learning, and spiritual growth together.

Upcoming Special Services

The following services are in addition to our regularly scheduled Sunday Orthros and Divine Liturgy.

Friday, October 23, 2026

Feast Day of St. James (Iakovos), the Brother of the Lord

Orthros: 9:00 AM

Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM

Friday, November 13, 2026

Feast Day of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople

Divine Liturgy: 9:00 AM

No Orthros will be held.

Wednesday, November 25, 2026

Feast Day of St. Katherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria

There will be NO SERVICES AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH on this day.

Orthros and Divine Liturgy will instead be celebrated at St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Naples, Florida.

Sunday, November 29, 2026

Vespers for the Eve of the Feast Day of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle

Time: 1:00 PM

October Birthdays

We extend our warmest birthday wishes to the following members of our parish family.

October 3 — Liam Hill

October 3 — Zachary Verros

October 7 — Thomas Muse

October 14 — Wanda Spangler

October 14 — Hunter Constance

October 16 — Andriana Yanni

October 17 — Victoria Baker

October 18 — Peter Kapasouris

October 25 — Steven Christopher

October 28 — Catherine Roy

October 28 — Theresa Vriniotis

October 31 — James Potter

May God grant each of you many blessed years! Χρόνια Πολλά!

October Wedding Anniversaries

We celebrate the following couples who are marking their wedding anniversaries this month.

October 5 — George & Susan Beres

October 9 — Dean & Helen Raptakis

October 13 — Andrew & Debbie Kontos

October 20 — Nestor & Anna Tsimpedes

October 21 — Issam & Maisa Dubbaneh

October 25 — Monica Vallee & Norman Cardinale

May the Lord continue to bless your marriages with love, faith, patience, and many joyful years together.

Many blessed years!

Special Parish Event: Our First Blessing of the Animals

Saturday, December 19, 2026 | 10:00 AM

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is excited to announce our first Blessing of the Animals, a special opportunity to give thanks for the animals that bring companionship, comfort, and joy into our lives.

Parishioners and community members are invited to bring their beloved pets, including dogs, cats, and other animals, to receive a blessing.

The event will take place in the parking lot in front of the church.

Honoring St. Modestos, Patron Saint of Animals

St. Modestos is recognized as the patron saint of animals and is remembered for his compassion toward God’s creation.

Born in 292 AD, St. Modestos is celebrated for his piety and respect for animals.

His prayers are traditionally invoked for the protection, health, and well-being of animals.

During the Blessing of the Animals, a special prayer associated with St. Modestos will be offered, and pets will be blessed with holy water.

The prayer asks for God’s compassion and relief from suffering for animals, reflecting the Orthodox Church’s respect for all creation.

St. Modestos’ feast day is celebrated on December 18. Our parish blessing will take place the following day, Saturday, December 19.

December 18 also marks the name day of His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos, which Fr. Michael anticipates celebrating at a Tampa Bay-area church.

Important Safety Guidelines

For the safety and comfort of everyone attending:

• All pets must be on a leash or secured in a crate or carrier.

• No pets will be permitted inside any buildings on church property.

• The blessing will take place outdoors in the church parking lot.

We look forward to welcoming our parish families and their beloved animals for this special occasion.

All are welcome!

Join Us at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

24411 Rampart Blvd.

Port Charlotte, FL 33980

Church Office: 941-629-3888

V. Rev. Dr. Michael Bahlatzis, Protopresbyter

Presiding Priest-Proistamenos

Phone: (607) 215-3887

Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM

Whether you are a longtime member of our parish family, new to the area, or simply interested in learning more about Orthodox Christianity, we warmly invite you to worship with us.

As we commemorate the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, may we remember their unwavering devotion to Christ and the truth of the Orthodox faith.

And as we reflect on the Parable of the Sower, may we prepare our hearts to receive God’s Word with patience, humility, and love.

“Lord, soften my heart. Remove the stones. Take away the thorns. Help me to receive Your word. And let Your word bear fruit in my life.”

May the prayers of the Holy Fathers, the intercessions of the Most Holy Theotokos, and the example of all the Saints guide us toward lives filled with faith, hope, mercy, and holiness.

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