VOL. 46, ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2018

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1 THE CANON St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Lorain, Ohio VOL. 46, ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2018 Father s Message My Dear spiritual Children, Thanksgiving Day is a time in which we should put aside our daily problems of life and bring to mind the many gifts we have received from the Almighty, and show our gratitude to our Heavenly Father which is the Giver of all good things. We must never forget that we live in a land that is blessed by God. Many times we seem to complain about life. Sometimes our health fails us. Sometimes the death of a loved one drains us. We have daily problems. There is unemployment, crime and other social issues which we face in society. We no longer live in Paradise. We have chosen to live in the fallen world, but our Heavenly Father has not abandoned us. He patiently waits for us to return and guides us so that through our faith we may someday return to our original beauty and overcome our struggles and obstacles and achieve that eternal freedom and be re-united with him in Paradise. We have an abundance of good things at our disposal. Is not God the source of all his beneficence? It was faith in Him which spurred on the first immigrants who came to these shores many years ago. God blessed them then in their goal to succeed by giving them faith to weather the storms and trials of this life. Every good thing and every accomplished gift come from above emanating from the Father of Lights. (James 1:17) in other words, from God. Every other attempt which is disassociated from God is an effort in futility. If the Lord had not become a cornerstone of the house, the workers toil in vail. (Psalm 126;1); The first pilrims had this kind of faith, as they too, encountered great trials and tribulations which at the time seemed insurmountable. By the Grace of God they overcame all these obstacles and this is why before they enjoyed the fruits of their labors they were constantly moved to give thanks to Almighty God in sober acknowledgement that He is the source of all goodness and all fruits emanate thereof. Thanksgiving Day is a day to give thanks for all things; a time to break bread with family and friends. It is also a day to acknowledge God s goodness. It is a day of proyer. With al my heart, I pray that you have a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving Day with your loved ones. May God continue to bless you and your family with His abundance. In Christ s Love, +Fr. Michael Thanksgiving Prayer We thank You, loving Master, benefactor of our souls, that on this day we offer unto You praise, thanksgiving and worship for all your many blessings that we have received from You. Direct our ways on the right path, establish us firmly in Your fear, guard our life, and make our endeavors safe, through the prayer and supplications of the glorious Theotokos and ever virgin Mary and all Your Saints. Amen

2 November 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 SENIORS 2 3 5:00 pm 4 Orthros 9:15 Divine Liturgy 10:00 am 5 6 AHEPA 6:30PM 7 8 Archangels Michael & Gabriel Orthros 9:30 am D. Liturgy 10:15 Parish Council Orthros 9:15 Divine Liturgy 10:00 am Philoptochos 7:00 pm Night with Father 7:00 pm Orthros 9:15 Divine Liturgy 10:00 am AHEPA 7:00 PM 21 Entrance of thetheotokos in the Temple Orthros 9:30 Divine Lit 10:15 22 Thanksgiving St. Catherine Orthros 9:15 Divine Liturgy 10:00 am St. Andrew Orthros 9:30 Divine Liturgy 10:15 am SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2018 ST NICHOLAS PARISH GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOLLOWING THE DIVINE LITURGY

3 THE DIVINE LITURGY The word Liturgy comes from the Greek verb, leitourgo, which means to perform a public service. Consequently, and Orthodox priest cannot perform (celebrate) the Liturgy all by himself; he must have at least one other person, not only in order to make the service public, but in order to give the responses as well. There are four liturgies in the Orthodox Church: The Ancient Liturgy of St.James (Iakovos), the Brother of ther Lord and first bishop of Jerusalem (first century). This Liturgy is very long and complex and requires several priests, deacons and readers for its performance; for this reason that when it is performed (celebrated) it is only on special occasions usually October 23 ( the saint s feast day) and the Sunday after Christmas. The Liturgy of St. Basil the Great ( ), which is celebrated ten times a year: on the first five Sundays of Great Lent, on Holy Thursday, on Holy Saturday (morning), on the eve of Christmas (December 24th), the eve of the Epiphany (January 5) and on January 1 the Feast day of St. Basil. The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom ( ), which is really an abbreviated version of the Liturgy of St. Basil, and is celebrated on every Sunday and feast day of the year except those on which the Liturgy of St. Basil or St. James are celebrated. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, which is performed (celebrated) on Wednesdays and Fridays of Great Lent as well as on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week. It is really a Vesper Service combined with Holy Communion prepared from body and blood of Christ which were consecrated on the previous Sunday. This liturgy was established in the life of the Church by the 52nd canon of the Quinsext Council of Trullo692, which states: On all the days of fast on the Holy Great Lents, except Saturday and Sunday and the day of the Annunciation, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified must be performed. Why? Because during the Great Lent, which is a mournful, penitential period, the Christians did not dare to celebrate the customary, elaborate and festive liturgy of (St. Basil or St. John Chrysostom) which was followed by the love feasts, except on Saturday and Sunday (on which is commemorated the end of Creation and the Resurrection of our Lord respectively), and on the feast of the Annunciation, on March 25. However, This deprived the early Christians who were accustomed to celebrate the liturgy and partake of Holy Communion several times during the week, of partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ. Thus the introduction of the Presanctified Liturgy, on Wednesday and Friday, was to give the Christians the opportunity to receive Holy Communion. What are the Holy Angels? THE SPIRITUAL WORLD The anglels are immaterial, spiritual and immortal beings. They do not possess a material body such as ours but are spiritual beings and there fore invisible. They cannot be seen, just as our soul, which is also a spirit, cannot be seen. God created the angels before he created the material world. This derives from the Words of God who said to Job: When the stars were made, all my angels praised me with a loud voice. (Job 38:7) That the angels are a creation of God is clearly stated in Holy Scripture: by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities and powers are names of various angelic orders. As immaterial and spiritual beings the angels transport themselves with ease from place to place; however, they are not omnipresent (everywhere present and at all times) like Gods, for they too are creatures of God with limited ablilites and powers. Though their powers are much greater, indeed, incomparable greater, than those of man, they are nevertheless found infinitely lacking when compared to God s omnipotence (all power). Their knowledge is also great, much greater than human knowledge; yet it cannot be compared with God s omniscience (all -Knowing). Like man they were created with a free will (giving them the freedom to choose whether to obey or disobey God.) Their wills were tested when Lucifer rebelled against God, and through divine grace their will had become firmly rooted in good, towards which it continuously inclines. It is for this reason that they are called the Holy Angels. At time whenever God so willed they have been sent to holy people in order to reveal to them God s will. At such times they took on the form and appearance of (Continued on page 4)

4 young men, occasionally winged, and spoke in human tongue, otherwise it would have been impossible for them to announce to man God s will. According to St. John of Damascene: An angel is an intelligent essence in perpetual motion, with free will, incorporeal, ministering to God, having obtained by grace and immortal nature. Hence, the angels are spirits pure spirits immaterial, heavenly, bodiless and immortal. For this reason, they are also called heavenly and bodiless powers, and are much superior to man, both in knowledge and in power; yet they are neither allwise nor all powerful, for only God is such. The angels are divided into three hierarchal orders. Those closest to the Throne of God: Serephim Cherubim Thrones Those concerning the heavens: Dominions Powers Authorities Those concerning man: Rulers Archangels Angels St. John of Damascene further states concerning angels: They are, he continues, rational and intelligent, and endowed with free will, immortal not by nature ( how God created them) but by grace (what God bestowed upon them They are not hemmed in by walls and doors, bars and seals. When they are in heaven, they are not on the earth When they are on earth, they are not in heaven. Demons The Church teachs the existence of demons. What are demons? Demons, like the angels, are spirits: immaterial and bodiless, but evil spirits which oppose God and seek the piritual destruction and annihilation of man, though it is not uncommon to find situations in which they bodily torture man and make man s life on earth sheer tyranny within that measure of freedom allowed them by God. And God allows them this freedom either for the punishment or chastisement of the sinner or for the trial of the righteous. The demons were not created by God as demons: evil and unclean spirits. In the beginning they were brilliant angels just as all the heavenly spirits. However, they were overcome and dominated by arrogance and pride; thus under the leadership of their captain Lucifer, Eosphoros (lit. The light bearing angel ), who subsequently became Satan (a being in opposition to God: a rebel: an enemy and opponent of God.) they revolted against God. Lucifer tried to become like God in all things by domineeringly usurping divine authority and glory. I will go above the clouds, thought Lucifer, I will set my throne above the clouds. I will be like the Most High. (Isaiah 14:13-14). For this reason, God cast him down into Hades, and with him all those angels who believed and followed him. All these became demons, evil spirits, and their leader became the Devil, Satan, the father of lies. (as our Lord so names him). The Tempter, the Dragon of Revelation, the ancient Serpent, who appeared to Eve as a serpent in order to lure her into disobedience and sin. Belial, Beelzebub as he is called in the New Testament the Seducer who seduces the universe, possessing deadly hatred for God and bline passion against man. His demons are like him. (That the demons at their creation were free and immaterial angels and that they made ill use of their freedom, becoming dark and evil. Their uncleanness not being attributed to their creation. that they are not evil by nature, but good, having been created with good intent and for a good purpose, and having no trace of evil implanted with in them by the Creator, but possessing freedom of choice and the opower to remain with God or to separate themselves from the good, and that they did not remain where God had created them but reviled Him and fell from heaven:, are truths taught by all the Fathers of the Church. Seven Leaders of the Heavenly Powers Michael: is the leader of the angelic army. His name means Who is like God. Michael said the now familiar words to the remaining half of the angles in heaven when Lucifer and his followers had been cast our: Let us stand in awe, let us stand in the fear of God, let us be attentive Στώμεν καλός, Στώμεν μέτά φόβου, Πρόσχομεν...». Michael defend the Garden of Eden, told Abraham not to sacrifice Isaac, protected Jacob from jesau, took the soul of Moses from the devil, and he changed the course of a river in Asia Minor to protect a holy spring in a church. Michael is seen on the left side of the icon screen. Gabriel: which means The power of God, is seen on the right side of the icon screen. He announces the mysteries of God. (The Annunciation to the Theotokos.) Raphael: means God the Healer, Uriel: Light of God. He guards the underworld. (Continued on page 5)

5 (Continued from page 4) Salathiel: One who prayers to God. Jequdiel: means One who glorifies God, Barachiel: The blessing of God. Jeremiel: means God s exaltation. He awakens the thought of man the inspire him towards God. Every nation and every Christian each have their own guardian angels. They record every thought, word, and deed of man that will be revealed on Judgement Day. The Church once again will be printing the annual parish religious Christmas card with the names of participating parishioners. If you wish to have your family s name or the name of your organization printed on the card, we ask that you submit your names and a donation to the church no later than December 10th. Name: Donation: $ The Christmas season is upon us. We are planning to decorate the church with Poinsettas. If you wish to purchase one or more for the church, please contact the church office Metropolitan Savas St Nicholas Greek orthodox Church Lorain, Ohio Sunday, December 9, 2018

6 COMMUNITY NEWS Wedding Congratulations to Benjamin and Valerie Butkowski who had their Marriage blessed in the Church on October 6, Their Koumbara was Aspasia Papatheodorou. Deaths Our deepest sympathy to Teresa Masters and Demetrius Patouhas and their families upon the death of their father, Charles G. Pathouhas who fell asleep in the Lord on October 7, Our deepest sympathy to Sevasti Kollias and her family upon the death of her brother Michael Tsarnas who fell asleep in th Lord on October 13, May God rest their souls and grant peace and comfort to their families+ Memorial Services A 40 day Memorial Service will be held for Charles G. Patouhas on Sunday, November 11, A One Year Memorial Service will be held for Alexandra Deskins on Sunday, November 11, A One Year Memorial Service will be held for Vasiliki Ioannidis on Sunday, November 25, Fall Back Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, November 4th at 2:00 am1! COFFEE HOUR SCHEDULE Don t forget to set your clocks back 1 hour! NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY GOYA PHILOPTOCHOS SENIORS GOYA PHILOPTOCHOS SENIORS GOYA Seniors Group Christmas Lights Tour at the Metroparks Monday, December 10th Parish General Assembly Sunday November 4, 2018

7 Monday, December 31, 2018 Doors open at 8:30 pm Show begins at 10:00 pm St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 2000 Tower Boulevard - Lorain Pre show Appetizer Buffet Mid-Night Snack & Dessert Complimentary Champagne Noisemakers & Hats Cash Bar Music by Dimitri $75 per person $50 Students Catering by Pink Peppercorn Sponsored by Philoptochos St. Nicholas Dance Saturday, December 8th More details soon.....

8 Please join us for the 2018 PYA Winter Conference And 70th Anniversary of the PYA Hosted by the Akron Pancretan Youth And The Cleveland Pancretan Youth Register Now! Thursday: registration at hotel and Welcome Night at the George Varouh Cretan Cultural Center ( registration at syllogo as well) Friday: Whirleyball day event Friday Night: Club Night at Mars Bar After hours at syllogo. Saturday: PYA meeting at the syllogo Saturday night: Dinner/Dance at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church After hours at syllogo Sunday morning : Brunch and send off at syllogo A la carte tickets available at the door for Friday Club Night A la carte tickets available in advances or at the door for Saturday Night dance

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