16TH SUNDAY OF LUKE PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE TRIODION BEGINS TODAY FEBRUARY 9TH, 2014

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1 16TH SUNDAY OF LUKE PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE TRIODION BEGINS TODAY FEBRUARY 9TH, 2014 Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church Rev. Fr. Barnabas Powell, Proistamenos Jimmy Smith, Psaltis 3074 Bethelview Road Cumming GA (770) cell (770) We are an intentional Orthodox Christian Community for North Georgia!

2 WORSHIP Eleventh Eothinon/Tone Plagal Fourth We are so very glad you have joined us today, and we pray you will be inspired and encouraged by your time with us. The Orthodox worship service is an ancient and timeless expression of how people have loved, served and worshipped God for many centuries, but it may be a bit of a different experience for you. Please feel free to use a service book or not and simply allow the words of the service to wash over you. The central act of our worship culminates in people receiving communion. This is a very special time for us all and we have some specific beliefs about our communion together. This is why we never impose this service on those who are not prepared or are not baptized Orthodox. This service may raise questions in your mind. Please feel free to ask Fr. Barnabas or Fr. Paul anything you wish after the service. At the end of the service EVERYONE is invited to come forward and receive a portion of the blessed bread from Fr. Barnabas. No one should leave church hungry! Know you are welcome and we are glad you are here. May God bless you and your family. Apolytikion in honor of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Having contended on Lesvos for the sake of Christ God, you have sanctified the island since the discovery of your sacred relics, O blessed ones; wherefore we honor you, O Godbearing Raphael, together with Nicholas and virgin Irene, as our divine protectors and intercessors with the Lord. Schedule for the Week Monday, February 10th - 7 p.m. Parish Council Meting Wednesday, February 12th - 10 a.m. Scripture Study 6:30 p.m. Vespers 7:30 p.m. Orthodoxy 101 Friday, February 14th - 12:30 p.m. Women s Mary Milam s Saturday, February 15th - 5 p.m.great Vespers followed by GOYA Senior Citizen Dinner Parish Council On Duty Today - Chris Foxhall & Quay Farr Ushering Ministry - GOYA Welcoming Ministry - Eleni Jordan Fellowship Ministry - Evon Patrick ACOLYTES Jacob Atkins, Zachery Bethune, Mike & Peter Jordanopolos, Thomas Miller, Evan & Mitchell Roussey, Mike Trainor, Alex & Niko Tzevelekos and Christos Zourzoukis SENIOR ACOLYTES Mike Manos, Dean Pryles

3 TODAY WE REMEMBER Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today Reading: The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness. Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights. All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday. Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone: 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. Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone: Let us flee from the boasting of the Pharisee and learn through our own sighs of sorrow the humility of the Publican. Let us cry out to the Savior, "Have mercy on us, for through You alone are we reconciled." We Also Remember Leavetaking of the Presentation of Our Lord & Savior in the Temple Nicephoros the Martyr of Antioch Markellos, Philagrios & Pankratios the Hieromartyrs Please pray for those faithful who are currently in need of our most fervent intercessions: Andrew, Angie, Bill, Bill, Brent, Carrie, Demetra, Diane, Dina, Donna, Ela, Elaine, Elizabeth, Christina, George, Gus, Heidi, Igli, James, Jamie, Jerry, Joe, Maria, Michael, Nicky, Oni, Patsy, Paul, Peter, Staikoula, Taki, Tara, Violeta, John & Sheila Consos, Katherine & Sam Yalanzon

4 EPISTLE Reading The Reading is from St. Paul s Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15 Prokeimenon. Mode Plagal 4. Psalm 75.11,1 Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them. Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel. TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ΑΩ Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, παρηκολούθηκάς μου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, τῇ ἀγωγῇ, τῇ προθέσει, τῇ πίστει, τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ, τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν, οἷά μοι ἐγένετο ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ, ἐν Ἰκονίῳ, ἐν Λύστροις, οἵους διωγμοὺς ὑπήνεγκα καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐρρύσατο ὁ κύριος. Καὶ πάντες δὲ οἱ θέλοντες εὐσεβῶς ζῇν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διωχθήσονται. Πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον, πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώμενοι. Σὺ δὲ μένε ἐν οἷς ἔμαθες καὶ ἐπιστώθης, εἰδὼς παρὰ τίνος ἔμαθες, καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα οἶδας, τὰ δυνάμενά σε σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.

5 GOSPEL READING The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14 The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." ΑΩ Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην Ἄνθρωποι δύο ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν προσεύξασθαι, ὁ εἷς Φαρισαῖος καὶ ὁ ἕτερος τελώνης. ὁ Φαρισαῖος σταθεὶς πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ταῦτα προσηύχετο ὁ Θεός, εὐχαριστῶ σοι ὅτι οὐκ εἰμὶ ὥσπερ οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἅρπαγες, ἄδικοι, μοιχοί, ἢ καὶ ὡς οὗτος ὁ τελώνης νηστεύω δὶς τοῦ σαββάτου, ἀποδεκατῶ πάντα ὅσα κτῶμαι. καὶ ὁ τελώνης μακρόθεν ἑστὼς οὐκ ἤθελεν οὐδὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐπᾶραι, ἀλλ ἔτυπτεν εἰς τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ λέγων ὁ Θεός, ἱλάσθητί μοι τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ. λέγω ὑμῖν, κατέβη οὗτος δεδικαιωμένος εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἢ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται.

6 UPCOMING SERVICES/EVENTS TODAY, February 9th Monday, Feburary 10th Wednesday, February 12th Friday, February 14th Saturday, February 15th Sunday, February 16th Wednesday, February 19th Thursday, February 20th Saturday, February 22nd 8:45 a.m. Orthros 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy 7 p.m. Parish Council Meeting 10 a.m. Scripture Study Program 6:30 p.m. Vespers 7:30 p.m. Orthodoxy :30 p.m. Women s home of Mary Milam 5 p.m. Great Vespers GOYA hosting Senior Citizen Dinner 8:45 a.m. Orthros 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10 a.m. Scripture Study Program 6:30 p.m. Vespers 7:30 p.m. Orthodoxy 101 6:30 p.m. Philoptochos General Meeting/Membership home of Carol Tadros 5 p.m. Great Vespers 6 p.m. Apokriatiko Glendi (Mardi Parsons Run Clubhouse Sunday, February 23rd :45 a.m. Orthros 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy Meatfare Sunday Luncheon immediately following the Divine Liturgy in the new Parish Life Center SAVE THE DATE Friday, March 7th - 10 a.m. Visitation Ministry IHOP on Marketplace Blvd - Helen McCart Sunday, March 16th - Godparents Sunday - Watch for more info

7 ANNOUNCEMENTS Father Barnabas is attending the Clergy Spring Retreat at the Diakonia Center Tuesday through Thursday. In case of emergency, please call his cell phone (770) Father Barnabas is available to hear confession every Wednesday either before or after Vespers and by appointment. Please call or the church office to request a time to meet with Father and avail yourself to this healing divine mystery of the Church. Father Paul is available on Sunday during Orthros to hear confession, but no later than 9:20 a.m. Please phone the church office to make an appointment. Please call the Church office for more information (770) FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY Our Fellowship Hour Donation Campaign has begun. A suggested donation of $25/family helps cover the cost of the weekly Fellowship Hour. Checks should be made payable to Sts. RNI G.O. Church with Fellowship on the memo line. We hope you have enjoyed the refreshments provided over the past year and will continue to support the Fellowship Committee s efforts to serve you each Sunday. Thank you for your support of this Ministry. AHEPA MOTHER LODGE CHAPTER NO. 1 EDUCATIONAL FUND, INC SCHOLARSHIPS Attention H.S. Seniors, H.S. Graduates, College Students & College Graduates planning to attend or attending College/University Full-time This year the Educational Fund will aware several scholarships ranging from $1,000-$2,500. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of financial need and merit. Father Barnabas has information on eligibility requirements and applications. Applications must be postmarked not later than March 14, Contact Ginny in the Church Office if you are interested.

8 COMMUNITY FUND RAISING The first quarter (Sep-Dec 2013) we were enrolled in the Kroger Community Rewards Program, we had 6 parishioners sign up and the Parish will receive about $50 from their purchases. It doesn t seem like much, but it is free money to the Parish. If you have a Kroger Plus card, please sign up for the Community Rewards program & help the Parish receive the monetary rewards. KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM Kroger is now offering a Community Rewards Program in our area to help bring funds to organizations simply by their membership registering their Kroger Plus card online and then shopping. Each time you use your Kroger Plus card a donation is made to our Church and the Church will receive a reward check on a quarterly basis. Register your Kroger Plus Card online at Krogercommunityrewards.com Be sure to have your Kroger Plus card handy and register your card with: Eastern Orthodox Community of Northern GA, Inc as your organization of choice. That s all there is to it! The more you shop at Kroger using your Kroger Plus Card the more donations Kroger will make to our Church account. Don t have a Kroger Plus card? They are available at Kroger Customer Service Counter. If you use your phone number when you are checking out instead of having the Kroger Plus card scanned, call , select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number and then proceed to register your card number at the above website. If you have any questions about this new fundraiser, please contact Ginny Kostulakos at or officeadmin@stsrni.org P.S. Sts. RNI is officially registered as a 501(C)(3) under the name of Eastern Orthodox Community of Northern GA, Inc.

9 CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION Church School September 8th THROUGH May 18, 2014 A focus on Sacraments and Feasts; Scripture and Bible Stories; Saints and Orthodox Spirituality in communion with our teachers and our children. Church School has Begun! Registration forms are in the Narthex. Pre-K through High School Students need to sign up. Church School Teachers are needed in 3-5 grade as well as High School If interested, please contact Quay Farr (quayfarr@bellsouth.net). GREEK SCHOOL Contact Smara Wolff for information on Greek School - smara.wolff@gmail.com or Spring Semester Classes have begun. 1st Grade Classes held on: Friday - 6:15-7 p.m. or 7-7:45 p.m. 2nd Grade Class held on: Thursday - 6:45-7:45 p.m. Advanced Class held on: Sunday p.m. Spring Semester Classes will began January 23rd, 2014 and run through May Registration forms are in the Narthex.

10 PHILOPTOCHOS Philoptochos is the philanthropic arm of the church, reaching out to those in need of assistance locally, within the Metropolis and nationally Membership Drive has begun. It is time to renew your membership or join Philoptochos for the first time. Membership Forms are available in the Narthex. Philoptochos Officers Marie Chapman, President Helen McCart, 1st Vice President Julie Chokos, 2nd Vice President Margaret Manos, Recording Secretary Harriet Howell, Treasurer Ginny Kostulakos, Assistant Treasurer Anne Trainor, Past President/Advisor GENERAL MEETING/MEMBERSHIP DRIVE Thursday, February 20th, 6:30 p.m. at the home of Carol Tadros Kew Gardens Way, Cumming RSVP or ct222@comcast.net UPCOMING PHILOPTOCHOS EVENTS Saturday, February 22nd - Apokriatiko Glendi (Mardi Gras) Parsons Run Clubhouse Wilshire Chase Drive, Johns Creek An evening of good food & good company & fun before Great Lent. $10/adult and $5/child 12 & under until February 16 After Feb. 16 & at the door $12/adult and $6/child 12 & under. RSVP to Marie Chapman or mommystargater@gmail.com Thank you to all who came to help serve the lunch at The Place on Wednesday, Feb. 5th, or who donated to it in any way. Julie Athenson did a wonderful job in organizing the delicious lunch.

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12 ANNOUNCEMENTS OWN A PIECE OF FELLOWSHIP HALL - For $75/square foot, you could own a piece of our Fellowship Hall. The Parish Council fundraiser to complete renovations is underway. Buy one or more for yourself, your children, your Godchildren, Yiayia or Papou. See a Parish Council Member for more information. Sts. RNI Bookstore News Your purchases through Amazon helps us raise money! We have a new e-store on Amazon for the Sts. RNI Bookstore. This is an Amazon webstore that we put items into categories like books, cds, jewelry, food, etc. and we get paid 10% on all sales through our store. If someone from the church wants to buy something on Amazon, they need to click through our link for us to get credit. Also, if anyone wants a book, cd, etc., not on our list, they need to let us know & we can add it to the site. Use the link: For more information or to add items, contact Aftan Romanczak at aromanczak@hotmail.com Visitors Welcome Dina Sarandis resides at The Oaks on Post Road and welcomes visits from fellow parishioners. Dina says THANK YOU to those who have visited her and wants you to know that she has really enjoyed the company. She looks forward to more visitors. John & Sheila Consos are now residing in Dunwoody 4355 Georgetown Sq., Unit 442 and would enjoy phone calls (770/ ) &/or visits. Sam & Katherine Yalanzon Rivermont Parkway, Alpharetta (after 1 p.m.) If you know of someone who would like a visit, please contact Helen McCart at or the Church Office. If you don t see someone for a while, please pick up the phone & make a call and let them know that they are missed. If you don t have time for visiting, a phone call or card would also be appreciated.

13 HOPE & JOY Sunday, March 16th 1:30-2:30 p.m. HOPE & JOY youth to visit The Oaks Senior Living 3875 Post Road, Cumming Come visit with local elderly (and our own Dina Sarandis) and make a fun St. Patrick s Day craft. We will have lunch for the kids in the Blue House after Church and then go over to The Oaks together around 1 p.m. Parents: Please sign up to bring items for lunch for the children & adults. All children are welcome! We would like a final headcount by March 2 so we can order enough craft supplies. Please RSVP by using sign-up genius: or contact Jennie Johnson at jenniepsi@yahoo.com or GOYA Saturday, February 15th - Senior Citizens Dinner will be served by GOYA immediately following Great Vespers The Seniors of Sts. RNI are invited to an evening of food, fellowship and fun as the GOYANs host their annual Senior Citizen Dinner. For more information contact: Athena Catapano or athenacatapano@yahoo.com OR Suzi Pryles suzi@bloominpatios.com

14 4th Quarter Financial Status 2013 October 2013 November 2013 December st Quarter Financial Status 2014 January 2014 February 6, 2014 Op Acct & B&L (mortgage) External Income $11, $11, $34, $15, $5, Greek Fest Xfer (External) $21, $0 $0 $0 $0 Op Acct External Income Subtotal $33, $11, $34, $15, $5, Op Acct & B&L (mortgage) External Expenses $25, $23, $24, $21, $ Op Acct & B&L (mortgage) Net $8, $(11,823.72) $10, $(6,257.70) $5, Parish Monthly Income/Expense Analysis

15 2014 BLESSING OF HOMES AT THEOPHANY Households wishing to observe this tradition are encouraged to complete the attached form and return at your earliest convenience. Fr. Barnabas is now scheduling house blessings for the time after Theophany and before the beginning of Great Lent on March 3rd. In preparation it is the custom as follows: On a table (or in front of the family iconostasis) have an icon, a candle and/or incense, a small bowl of water and some greenery (basil or rosemary is ideal). Present a list of names of living family members for whom to pray. Any questions regarding the House Blessing please call Fr. Barnabas at (770) or cell (770) or officeadmin@stsrni.org. For Your Refrigerator Door: Fr. Barnabas will visit our home on at am/pm to bless our home HOUSE/BUSINESS BLESSING REQUEST NAME ADDRESS CITY ZIP CODE TELEPHONE (HOME) ( ) - (CELL) ( ) - Convenient Days & Times for your family for Father to schedule a House Blessing: Fr. Barnabas will contact you to schedule the blessing. Envelopes addressed to the Parish are available in the Narthex.

16 To date the 49 families below have returned Stewardship Commitment Cards for Sarante & Julie Athenson Anthony & Mary Birozes Renee Birozes Jordan & Lisa Boston Kosta & Carolyn Bozzuto David & Marie Chapman Julie Chokos John & Sheila Consos Keith & Mary Druffner Quay & Trissie Farr Chris & Elizabeth Foxhall Robert & Jennifer Guano Harald & Stamatia Hagen Mark & Jennie Johnson Eleni Jordan Panagiotis & Melanie Jordanopoulos Vasilis & Mary Kaloudis Tina Maheras William & Margaret Manos Bill & Audrey Marianes George Matthews Al & Helen McCart Johnny Melts Bill & Mary Milam Matthew & Athena Miller Nikolaos Moissiadis Nicolas & Teddie Panos Constantinos & Evelyn Pantazopoulos Gregory Pappas Gus Pappas John & Evon Patrick Michele Perry Mihai & Heidi Popa Pam Powers Marina Raymond Taka & Kathy Shoji Jimmy Smith Estelle Sofikitis Koko & Carol Tadros Steven & Thalia Thompson Nick & Eva Thrasivoulou Brian & Jennifer Tubbs Greg Tzevelekos/Evie Atkinson Rusty & Christine Waldron Diane Walters Steven & Smara Wolff Plutarch & Tina Vamvakias Len Vanerstrom Sam & Katherine Yalanzon Stewardship is caring for the needs of others. Stewardship is offering one s self to God, as He offered Himself to us. Stewardship is what a person does after saying I believe as proof of that belief Parish Council John Patrick, President; Harald Hagen, Vice President; Kosta Bozzuto, Secretary; Chris Foxhall, Treasurer David Chapman, Marie Chapman, Quay Farr, Bill Manos, Greg Pappas, Plutarch Vamvakias