Good News for the New Year ~ A Message from Fr. Robert

Transcription

1 January Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida (850) Rev. Fr. Robert J. O Loughlin Good News for the New Year ~ A Message from Fr. Robert As we begin the New Year, I was reminded of a story that after the baptism of his baby brother in Church, little Johnny sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy blurted out, That priest said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, but I want to stay with you guys. The start of the new year is a good way to revisit our Christian home life. As we start a new year, we all want to begin with good news! Some of us made new year s resolutions so that we could get off to a good start. Maybe some of us began the New Year by reflecting on the past year, and praying that the new year will be better. With uncertainty all around us, it s nice to come to Church and hear the first Sunday Gospel reading of the New Year tell us, The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! On January 6, we celebrate Epiphany and like Christmas, it emphasizes in a special way the beginning of this Good News of Christ. The Good News of Jesus not only gives us a vision of a new life, but shows us how to live within the Kingdom of God here and now. This world, with all its uncertainty, temptations, and evil can be combated with the Good News that Christ promises. Jesus walks with us, lives in us, and guides us along a new, divine path. Jesus shows us how to live in love and charity. The challenge that each of us has to figure out, however, is how can we avoid the temptations of the world, and live daily this new life in Christ? How do we make this year a year in which we truly experience God s kingdom in our everyday lives? To live in the Kingdom of God, we must realize where we have failed to walk according to God s commandments and must make a change of heart. It can be so easy to point the finger at others and their wrongdoings but we need to reflect deeply on our own sinful ways. Surely all of us have some areas in our lives where we have fallen short of imitating Jesus in our lives. There was an ecumenical clergy conference several years ago with multiple faiths represented, where the question was posed: Is there anything unique about Christianity? Interestingly enough, before anyone could answer, a Rabbi raised his hand and responded: The unique thing about Christianity is that it never gives up on anyone; it never lets anyone go. It always helps a person begin again. There is always the possibility of a new beginning. As all of us begin another new year, may we each decide that this year we will truly try to live in the joy and wonder of our Christ s Good News. We have a choice to make. If we want to experience the Good News that Christ offers to the world, we can begin by repenting by turning away from our sinful ways and turning towards a Christcentered life. Let us begin the new year in including or maintaining in our daily lives a prayer life that is laid out simply in our Orthodox Study Bibles. Let us begin the new year with reading Scriptures daily which can include the readings of the day that we get in our weekly handout or are laid out in other areas including the Study Bible. Let us begin the new year with helping those in need in any which way we can provide. Let us begin the year in maintaining the fasting guidelines that can assist us in our spiritual discipline. Finally, let us allow the Good News of Christ to penetrate our hearts. Wishing you a blessed, joyful and healthy 2018! In Christ s love, Fr. Robert The 2018 Ecclesiastical Calendars are here and available in the Narthex.

2 Page 2 If an emergency or special need should arise, please contact Fr. Rob immediately at Our next ECHO Sundays are January 7th and February 4th. Please drop off your nonperishable food donations into the bins located in the Hellenic Center and Patmos Hall. Home Blessings Please call the to schedule a home blessing which will begin after the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. Message from Metropolitan Alexios My Beloved Ones, Christ is Born! The magnitude and value of the Logos God s Son taking on flesh to become a human being, is beyond human understanding, in our own era, and throughout the history of the world. His love for Creation was so great that He became a man, in order that Mankind might reconcile itself to God, and become Godly once again. The Church Fathers and theologians; the saints and faithful of our Church pay very close attention to this historical event. St. Gregory the Theologian says that There is nothing more important throughout the centuries and millennia of the human race than the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. For by His Incarnation, everything stops and the new era begins. The troubled past of humanity s distance from our Creator gives way to the possibility of closeness with Him, if a person desires. Though the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is a difficult event for the human mind to comprehend, it is for this reason we are meant to join the constant angelic powers in admiration, glorifying God, on the evening of the birth of His Son. Indeed, though the magnitude of the Nativity of our Lord is great and beyond our comprehension, it is possible for a person to truly feel it, if we have faith. Only through faith, can we truly come to grasp this event which is beyond all our reasoning. Through faith, may we truly experience this feast, offering praise and glory to our loving God. The spiritual fathers of our Church also struggled with this question: what can we as human beings offer to our great God, who is without beginning and without end, yet took on flesh for our sakes? A hymn explains The angels offer Thee a hymn; the heavens a star; the Magi, gifts; the shepherds, their wonder; the earth, its cave; the wilderness, the manger and we offer Thee a Virgin Mother... We should not forget the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, who gave birth to our Lord, fulfilling the centuries old words of the Prophet Isaiah and others. This why a Holy Father says, The creator becomes a child, and He who is perfect becomes a kid in order for us, who are His creatures, to become holy. Our God who comes to earth and takes on flesh, offers us many gifts; one of which is peace. Before His coming, peace did not exist either among nations, or in the hearts of men, because we had separated ourselves from God, who is the source of all peace. Now, we may a taste of His peace, should we desire it and will it. We human beings understand the importance and the need for peace, especially in today s society where there is still animosity even in the birthplace of our Lord. But the Devil seeks to remove this gift by instilling the spirit of hatred, and the misunderstanding that peace can be found in earthly and human power. We as Christians supposedly know Jesus Christ though we have not yet become His followers. We try to prioritize our will and our reality over the lives of fellow men. From the moment of His birth, the phrase peace on earth has become part of a song, a greeting, a dream, and a prayer. For we understand that nothing can be done with peace in our hearts, least of all becoming Godly. As Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory used to say, This kind of peace, even after 2,000 years, continues to be important. As St. Paul says, For He Himself is our peace, who has torn down the dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14). I ask that you join me in prayer, so that as Orthodox Christians, we grow closer to our God, understanding His coming, and His presence on earth. With this kind of prayer, we can offer Him a gift: that is, our infirmities. Through His strengthening by faith, we may become valuable members of our society, in order to better the lives of our fellow man, and to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Let us follow the spirit of hymnographer, who says, Come all you Christians, and let us go to see the miracle that is taking place today, which is beyond our understanding. And as we worship with faith, let us cry out, today He is born in Bethlehem of a Virgin. Merry Christmas! +ALEXIOS Metropolitan of Atlanta

3 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Orthros 9:30 a.m & 10:30 a.m Echo Sunday Vasilopita Sunday Orthros 9:30 a.m & 10:30 a.m Church School Orthros 9:30 a.m & 10:30 a.m Church School Orthros 9:30 a.m & 10:30 a.m Church School 1 No Fast 8 Office closed HAPPY NEW YEAR! Parish Council Meeting 5:30 pm 2 No Fast 3 No Fast 4 No Fast Feast Day of Epiphany/ Theophany 9:00 am Followed by the Blessing of the Waters OCF Meeting 23 Choir Practice 5:00 p.m. Choir Practice 5:00 p.m. Choir Practice 5:00 p.m Catechetical Class (Newcomers/Inquirers) 6:00 pm Feast Day of St. Anthony the Great 9:00 am Orthodox Life Class 6:00 pm 24 + Catechetical Class (Newcomers/Inquirers) 6:00 pm Young Adult Gathering - Orthodoxy on Tap Great Vespers 5:00 pm Page 3 JANUARY No Fast 30 No Fast 31 No Fast Orthodox Life Class 6:00 pm Pangari Schedule for January 2018 *9:15 a.m., **10:15 a.m start time & (c) Coffee s = Fish Allowed 01/07 - Mathes*/Catsimpiris**/(c) Kanelides Calendar Symbol Key + = Strict Fast = Wine and Oil allowed = Dairy & eggs allowed = Father Away

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5 The poinsettias that adorned our solea during the Christmas 2017 season were Donated by: In Memory of Andy & Cyndi Balogh Helen & Dick Parish Mark & Bonnie Burrell Christopher Johnnie & Patricia Camechis Camechis & Petrandis families Nadiya & Alex Caspary Vasili & Alexandra Isar, Vladimir Isar & George Caspary George Condaras Constantine & Anastasia Condaras Dorothy Downing Ron Downing;; Our parents & syblings The Drzewieckis Angela & Apostolos Coumanis; Max & Marie Drzewiecki The Farrars Ioanna & Alexandros Alexopoulos; Theofania & Nikos Voyagis; & Barbara Higdon R. Fetzko Aunt Cindy Michael, Vicky, Janet, Nicholas & Elleni Gavalas Dionisios & Elleni Dimopoulos; Nicholas G. Gavalas Victor, Mary, & Nicholas Gavalas Nicholas G. Gavalas Bob & Athena Gill & Angelo Mihalis Erasmia Mihalis & John Mihalis The Griners Evelyn & George Joanos, Athanasia Kavouklis Emanuel & Laura Joanos Mike, Popi, & Steve Stamie Joanos Mike, Popi, Steve, Eva & Eugenia Harriet Kanelidis, Michael, Kane & Alexandra Peter Kanelidis, Angelo & Theodora Kanelidis, Athan & Harriette Stambolis Alexis Lambert Lee Cawley, Richard Cawley & Marjorie Savage Dr. & Mrs. L. L. LaPointe George & Connie Mathes Mary Kennedy Pierce, Louis George & Sophia Theophilous Mathes Fr. Paul & Presvytera Joan Mayernick Our parents and grandparents Alexandra Nick and Family Antonie Corcau Helen Nolas Demetrios Nolas Fr. Robert & Presvytera Joy, Jaclyn & Krista O Loughlin Grandparents, Charles (father) & Mary (sister) Keith, Nia, Maria & Magnolia Parmer George & Kathy Vrachnos The Perrigan Family Bill Perrigan Claude Rabbath Joseph Rabbath, Ibrahim Badawi Kathleen Talantis James Nicholas Talantis John and Tula Vlandis Our parents Donated by: Donald Erickson & Joanna Angelos Michael, Vicky, Janet, Nicholas & Elleni Gavalas Victor, Mary & Nicholas Gavalas Harriet Kanelidis, Michael, Kane & Alexandra Alexis Lambert Billy & Julie Naylor Nolas The Perrigan Family Claude Rabbath In Honor of: Helene Angelos Janet T. Gavalas Janet T. Gavalas Mary Kanelidis Carolyn Pointer and the Moomaw family William Naylor June Perrigan & Paul Pappachristou Rabbath family

6 Page 6 Great job GOYAns facilitating the St Nicholas Pancake Breakfast. Jan. - Bowling at Capital Lanes Thanks to the Branch s for hosting the GOYA Christmas gathering Thanks to our Holy Mother of God community in the wonderful participation of donating gifts for the Toys for Tots program. Feast of St. Nicholas Pancake Breakfast The parish St. John s Oratorical Festival will take place Wednesday, Feb. 28th.. Participation is encouraged as this is a wonderful opportunity to discover the fullness of our Orthodox Faith. Please contact Fr. Rob or Presv. Joy if you would like to participate or if you have any questions. Anthony the Great January 17th Saint Anthony, the Father of monks, was born in Egypt in 251 of pious parents who departed this life while he was yet young. On hearing the words of the Gospel: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor" (Matt. 19:21), he immediately put it into action. Distributing to the poor all he had, and fleeing from all the turmoil of the world, he departed to the desert. The manifold temptations he endured continually for the span of twenty years are incredible. His ascetic struggles by day and by night, whereby he mortified the uprisings of the passions and attained to the height of dispassion, surpass the bounds of nature; and the report of his deeds of virtue drew such a multitude to follow him that the desert was transformed into a city, while he became, so to speak, the governor, lawgiver, and mastertrainer of all the citizens of this newly-formed city. The cities of the world also enjoyed the fruit of his virtue. When the Christians were being persecuted and put to death under Maximinus in 312, he hastened to their aid and consolation. When the Church was troubled by the Arians, he went with zeal to Alexandria in 335 and struggled against them in behalf of Orthodoxy. During this time, by the grace of his words, he also turned many unbelievers to Christ. Saint Anthony began his ascetic life outside his village of Coma in Upper Egypt, studying the ways of the ascetics and holy men there, and perfecting himself in the virtues of each until he surpassed them all. Desiring to increase his labors, he departed into the desert, and finding an abandoned fortress in the mountain, he made his dwelling in it, training himself in extreme fasting, unceasing prayer, and fierce conflicts with the demons. Here he remained, as mentioned above, about twenty years. Saint Athanasius the Great, who knew him personally and wrote his life, says that he came forth from that fortress "initiated in the mysteries and filled with the Spirit of God." Afterwards, because of the press of the faithful, who deprived him of his solitude, he was enlightened by God to journey with certain Bedouins, until he came to a mountain in the desert near the Red Sea, where he passed the remaining part of his life. Saint Athanasius says of him that "his countenance had a great and wonderful grace. This gift also he had from the Saviour. For if he were present in a great company of monks, and any one who did not know him previously wished to see him, immediately coming forward he passed by the rest, and hurried to Anthony, as though attracted by his appearance. Yet neither in height nor breadth was he conspicuous above others, but in the serenity of his manner and the purity of his soul." So Passing his life, and becoming an example of virtue and a rule for monastics, he reposed on January 17 in the year 356, having lived altogether some 105 years.

7 Page 7 Saturday, February 10, :30 pm 11:30 pm Music includes DJ Dinner Menu: Appetizers Prime Rib, Greek Style Oven Potatoes, Green Beans, Greek Salad & Dessert $25.00 for Adults $12.00 for Students Children of Church Members 12 & Under FREE Cash Bar for Wine, Beer and Sodas Tickets will be presold in the Hellenic Center following Liturgy or see any AHEPA member Join the fun with music, prizes, dancing Remember, profits from this event go towards scholarships For upcoming qualified high school seniors, plus philanthropic purposes Next Meeting: January 11 6:00 pm in the Patmos Hall Conf. Rm Vasilopita Sunday: January 7th Thank you to everyone who purchased Poinsettias In Honor or In Memory of loved ones to beautify our church for the Christmas Season. Hilly Fields Florist never disappoints us with their gorgeous Poinsettias! Our Christmas Brunch at the Blu Halo was great, the food was fantastic. We missed those of you who could not make it; however, look on the bright side there s always next year! Vasilopita Sunday Jan. 7, 2018 If you would like to bake a Vasilopita please contact Elaine Mathewes at (850) if no answer please leave a message or by Snyckles@comcast.net. We want to be sure we have enough tables set up for this beautiful celebration. The Blessing and Cutting of the Vasilopita will follow the in the Hellenic Center. All monetary donations will be donated by Philoptochos to Saint Basil Academy Greek Orthodox Archdiocese home for children in need. The academy provides a loving Christian environment where resident children are nurtured to adulthood.

8 Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, Florida Return Service Requested Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, FL Office: Hall: Fr. Rob s Cell: Feast Day of St. Basil the Great Celebrated January 1st Website: Addresses: Father Rob: fr.robert@comcast.net Church Secretary: hmog@comcast.net Secretary Hours: Mon./Wed./Fri. 9am-2pm