Our Journey with the Cross ~ A Message from Fr. Robert

Transcription

1 September Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida (850) Rev. Fr. Robert J. O Loughlin Our Journey with the Cross ~ A Message from Fr. Robert As the Church begins its journey through the liturgical year, it presents us with the starting point of our salvation the Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we celebrate the great feast of the Elevation of the Precious and Life- Giving Cross on September 14 th, a cross will be processed through the Church lifted up on a tray decorated with basil which was growing at the site of the cross. Historically, this feast commemorates the discovery of the true Cross by St. Helen, the mother of St. Constantine. As huge crowds gathered to venerate the Cross, St. Makarios, Patriarch of Jerusalem, carried it up into a pulpit and lifted it up before all the people, who began to cry out repeatedly, Lord have mercy. The Cross was rediscovered and then raised up for the faithful to venerate. As we celebrate this great feast, the Church calls us to rediscover the Cross. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his disciples: If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. Christ s sacrifice on the Cross opened to us the way of life. In giving His life for us, we have the promise of eternal life. In our life pursuits, we place many things in our heart including wealth, status and power but here at the beginning of our journey through the liturgical year, the Church reminds us that true life can come only when the Cross of Christ is at the center of all we do. When we hold up the Cross of Christ, we can see through the empty tomb to His Resurrection. And on the feast of the Elevation of the Cross, the Church in her wisdom brings St. Helen to help us transform this transition from the old to the New Year as well as every transition in our life and unite ourselves to Christ. And that we may follow him through this liturgical year into the blessings of Christmas, the light of His baptism in the Jordan, the joy of Pascha, the wonder of his holy Ascension, the glory of Pentecost, and that in every moment and hour and day of our life, we may be found on a path ascending to God and to His Heavenly Kingdom. However, when we fall short, we must not get too discouraged. We need to brush ourselves off and keep looking forward and keeping the Cross in our view. It means living our life according to God s will and not according to the ways of the world. Psychologists say that people need three things to make them happy. First of all they need something to do. Secondly, they need something to love. Finally, they need something to look forward to. So we can try to make that we are doing the right thing, loving the right thing, and looking forward to the right thing. We can look to Christ and His Cross to show us what to do, what to love and what to look forward to. As the Cross is venerated during the feast, we sing: Before Your Cross we bow down in worship O Master, and Your Holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. Let us all determine, as we journey through the church year, to make the Cross the center of our lives, raising it up in our hearts. In so doing, we will find true joy and true happiness. Wishing you a blessed Liturgical Year, Fr. Robert

2 Page 2 If an emergency or special need should arise, please contact Fr. Rob immediately at Our next ECHO Sundays are September 3 and October 1. Please drop off your nonperishable food donations into the bins located in Patmos Hall. By His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the Natural Catastrophe of Hurricane Harvey The ongoing devastation of Hurricane (now Tropical Storm) Harvey in the Gulf shore region of Texas, and particularly in Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States, is a grim reminder of the terrifying power of nature. Our Ecumenical Patriarchate grieves over the heart-rending loss of life, and bemoans the tremendous loss of property and painful ruin of so many thousands of families lives. We pray for the eternal repose of those whose lives were cut short by this calamity, as well as for the consolation of the bereaved families. We remember our Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and those who minister and labor for the Orthodox faithful of Houston. We pray for all civil authorities, particularly for those brave women and men providing emergency services and relief to those in desperate circumstances. May God provide them strength and fortitude in this, their hour of need. We call upon our Holy Archdiocese of America to provide aid and assistance as it is able, whether through the International Orthodox Christian Charities, the National Philoptochos, or Archdiocesan discretionary resources. Now is the time for compassion and solidarity in action, and we commend those who have already done so. Now is also a time to reflect on the awesome power of creation, and our human responsibility to be good and wise stewards of the environment. We are all called to participate in the redemption and stewardship of our world whether it is through working to ameliorate the destructive force of such hurricanes by better environmental planning; or committing more seriously to the grave issue of climate change and how it is affecting our planet; or even becoming personally involved in the charities that provide comfort and support to those whose lives are so drastically changed in the blink of an eye. As we join together in these important humanitarian acts, we will ever call upon God our Maker, Who is All-Merciful and the true Philanthropos, that He may remember His covenant which is between Him and us and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh (Genesis 9:15). Amen Ecclesiastical Calendars If you would like to Sponsor the 2018 Ecclesiastical Calendar, please call the church office, , as soon as possible. Thank you Greek Festival Baking Dates start time Koulourakia - September 9th Kourambiedes - September 23 Paximadia - TBA Open - September 30 Galatoboureko - September 16th Rice Pudding - October 5 Greek Food Festival October 6 & 7 Please note: Baking dates are subject to change. Our sincere appreciation to all who have come and helped in the last few months. There is a lot more baking to be done over the next four weeks. Please come out and volunteer any time you can give in the making of our famous pastries. We hope to see you at our next baking! OPA! If you are able to assist with the 2017 Greek Festival, please let Nick Joanos know what days you can help in the Hellenic Center after Liturgy. Any and all help during the week and the days of the festival is also needed. Please let Nick know your availability at your earliest convenience so he can make note. FRIDAY & SATURDAY (9/29-9/30) - Pre-festival help in Kitchen beginning at TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY - Sampler boxes made up Need a lot of help with pastries and outside set up beginning at 9:30 am THURSDAY Setting up booths and stocking supplies, all vendors setting up beginning FRIDAY Give your day to your church festival 9am until 10 pm SATURDAY - Give your day to your church festival 9am until 10 pm

3 Calendar Symbol Key SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Orthros 9:30 am & 10:30 am ECHO Orthros 9:30 am & 10:30 am GOYA Meeting Orthros 9:30 am & 10:30 am Church School Orthros 9:30 am & 10:30 am Church School Pangari Schedule for September 2017 *9:15 am, **10:15 am start time & (c) Coffee 09/03 - SJoanos*/Mathes**/(c) NJoanos 09/10 - Mathes*/Poulos**/(c) Gavalas 09/17 - Kanelidis*/**SJoanos/(c) Poulos 09/24 - SJoanos*/Mathes**/(c) NJoanos 10/01 - Gavalas*/SJoanos**/(c) Atayants 10/08 - Poulos*/Mathes**/(c) Kanelides Labor Day OFFICE CLOSED Parish Council Meeting 5:30 pm OCF Meeting Choir Practice 5:00 pm Choir Practice 5:00 pm Choir Practice 5:00 pm Falling Asleep of St. John The Theologian Choir Practice 5:00 pm Adorning an Icon Workshop for Adults 6:00 pm Newcomers/ Catechetical Class 6:00 pm 27 + Newcomers/ Catechetical Class 6:00 pm Philoptochos Meeting 5:30 pm Exaltation of the Holy Cross Young Adult Orthodoxy on Tap Gathering 6:00-7:30 pm 1 Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year 8 f Nativity of The Theotokos Festival Baking Koulourakia Baking Festival Baking Galatoboureko Baking. Festival Baking Kourambiedes Baking JOY Meeting Great Vespers 5:00pm = Wine and Oil allowed = Dairy & eggs allowed = Father Away Page 3 SEPTEMBER = Strict Fast s = Fish Allowed

4 Page 4 Church School The first day of Church School is Sunday, Sept. 17th Students will meet their teachers, Fr. Rob will bless the classrooms, students and teachers, and ice-cream sundaes will be served. September 10th GOYA Mtg. Junior Orthodox Youth (JOY)- September 30th -Mtg Orthodoxy on Tap brings individuals together interested in sharing discussion about topics in our world and Church today. Most importantly, Orthodoxy on Tap is a gathering of young adults (post college to 35ish) who come together in fellowship. If any questions, please contact: Fr. Rob or Presv Date: Sept. 21st Location: The Wine Loft 1240 Thomasville Rd Time: 6:00-7:30 pm Next OCF Meeting - Monday Sept. 18th on the campus of FSU Dinner gathering for new and returning students The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is pleased to offer websites for children to explore their faith while having fun. Children's Bible Reader Online Saints Alive! Online Games and Learning

5 Page 5 The Importance of Religious Education Education is an all-inclusive topic, touching upon every aspect of the human intellect and soul. Religious education, a predominant element of our lives as Orthodox Christians, will be the focus of this brief reflection. Religious education concerns itself with fundamental questions of existence, and, through various ways and means, it seeks to help people to grow in the knowledge of God as they come to terms with these questions. Religious education deals with questions such as these: Who is God? What is my relationship to God? What is the ultimate destiny of human beings? What are the origins of the universe? What is life? What happens at the time of our death? It is in this sense that religious education uniquely differs from other fields of education; such as education pertaining to health, finances, or formal academic study. Fundamental questions of existence are deeply embedded within the human soul, and they persist lifelong. Two examples of persons who spoke eloquently on behalf of humanity in this search for meaning come to mind. The first of these figures is the Psalmist, who upon considering from afar the immensity of God's creation, the heavens, the moon and the stars, turned inward in an attempt to understand his own human predicament of seemingly miniscule significance before the Lord and asked, "What is man, that You are mindful of him" (Psalm 8:4). Millennia later as humanity grew into its technological adolescence, the world would hear the very same passage of Psalm 8 read aloud by astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, this time after having stood, by the grace of God, on the surface of the moon itself. Like the Psalmist, "Buzz" Aldrin was in fact asking a question on behalf of all humanity; like the Psalmist he turned inward to acknowledge his own seemingly infinitesimal significance before God. Both men knew what it meant to be humble before God and truly understood the significance of the proverb, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 1:7). This proverb and the examples of these two figures of ancient and modern history, have three meaningful implications for religious education as we endeavor to continue upon the path of our predecessors to understand fundamental questions of our human existence. First, it is clear that we must approach our religious education with humility, rather than with arrogance. Before the awesomeness of God, we are indeed very tiny, yet at the same time God loves us beyond degrees that surpass our human comprehension. Second, as we endeavor to grow in our knowledge of existential questions that will always persist in our mind, we must acknowledge the necessity of our regular reading of the Holy Scriptures and works of theology, beginning with the writings of the Fathers of the Church and continuing into contemporary works of religious literature. Third, our religious education would not be complete without our acknowledging that among all modes of learning the most superior mode is through our worship of the Almighty God in our Church, where together with our co-worshippers, we open not only our minds to the wisdom of God but also our hearts to His infinite love, and where we receive the most inspiring and extraordinary religious education. +DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America Adult Icon Adornment Workshop Learn how to decorate an icon as well as deepen your understanding about feast days in the Orthodox Church on Wed. Sept. 13th from 6:00-7:00pm. Please let Presv. Joy know at (850) (cell) if you will be participating by Monday, Sept. 11th.

6 Page 6 Spirituality (excerpts from an article) By Rev. Fr. Thomas Fitzgerald The Orthodox Church proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the Greek language, the word for Gospel is Evangelion which means literally "the good news." The good news of Orthodox Christianity is a proclamation of God's unbounded and sacrificial love for man kind, as well as the revelation of the true destiny of the human person. Reflecting on the joyous message of the Gospel, Saint Gregory of Nyssa wrote in the fourth century: The good news is that man is no longer an outcast nor expelled from God's Kingdom; but that he is again a son, again God's subject. Orthodoxy believes that the supreme treasure which God wishes to share with us is His own life. Our faith begins with the affirmation that God has acted in history to permit us to participate in His love and His goodness, to be citizens of His Kingdom. This conviction is expressed so beautifully in the prayer of the Liturgy which says: "You have not ceased to do all things until You brought us to heaven and granted us the Kingdom to come." The initiation of love of God the Father is perfectly expressed and embodied in the Person and Ministry of Jesus Christ. The whole purpose of the Incarnation of the Son of God was to restore humanity to fellowship with God. The great teachers and Fathers of the Orthodox Church constantly reaffirmed this conviction by proclaiming that God had become what we are in order that we could become what He is. Christ is exalted as our Light and our Life. In His Person there is a unity of humanity and divinity which each of us is called to share. In His way of life. there is the model of authentic human life which we are invited to follow. In His victorious Resurrection, there is liberation for us from all powers which can keep us from the Kingdom. Through Christ, then, God the Father has repossessed us and has called us to be His sons and daughters. The Holy Spirit The ever-deepening union of each Christian with God is not a magical or automatic process. While Christ has destroyed the powers of sin, death, and evil once and for all, this victory must be appropriated by each person in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. Each person is called to join with the lifegiving and liberating Spirit" in realizing the fulness of human life in communion with the Father. The Holy Spirit is the agent of deification whose task it is to incorporate us into the life of the Holy Trinity. However, the Spirit always recognizes our human freedom and invites our active cooperation in perfecting the "image and likeness of God" with which each of us is created. Our participation in the life of the Holy Trinity, which we know as theosis, takes place within the Church. For the Orthodox, the Church is the meeting place between God and His people. The Holy Spirit and the Church are organically linked. In the second century, Saint Irenaeus reminded us of this by saying: "Where the Church is there is the Spirit, and where the Spirit is there is the Church." The Holy Spirit moves through the life of the Church to reveal our common humanity in Christ and to unite us with the Father. We acquire the Holy Spirit through our celebration of the Eucharist and the reception of Holy Communion, through our participation in the Sacraments, through our discipline of daily prayer, and through the practice of fasting, all of which result in a Christ-like life. The Holy Spirit, Who is honored as the Lord and Giver of life, is manifest in the life of the Church in order to bring our lives to perfection, and to make us responsible and loving human beings. The fruit of Worship is the gifts of the Spirit. In his letter to the Galatians, Saint Paul identified these as: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fidelity, gentleness, and self-control." Certainly, these are the virtues of a Christ-like life. They testify to the fact that the love of God and the love of neighbor are inseparable. The Individual and the Church The reality of theosis not only bears witness to the love of God who wishes to share Him self with us but also expresses a very positive view of the human person. Orthodoxy believes that each person has an intrinsic value and importance in virtue of his or her unique relationship to God. The human person is never seen as being totally depraved. The "image of God" which can be distorted by sin, can never be eradicated. Through the life of the Church, there is always the opportunity for fulfillment. When the Sacraments are administered, they are always offered to the individual by name. This action not only reminds us of the dignity of each person but also emphasizes the responsibility each person has for his or her relationship to God. While Orthodoxy recognizes the value of the person, it does not believe that we are meant to be isolated or selfsufficient. Each person is called to be an important member of the Church. Orthodoxy believes that one cannot be a Christian without being a part of the Church. The process of theosis takes place with the context of a believing community. To be united with God within the midst of the Church does not mean that our unique personalities are destroyed. We are not engulfed by an impersonal force or power. As with all love which is true and valuable, God's love for each of us respects our personhood. His love is not one which destroys. God's love is one which reveals, elevates, and perfects our true selves. By entering into the life of God, we become the persons we are meant to be.

7 Page 7 The following parishioners have submitted commitments for 2017 with a total collected as of August 16th being $80,688. Our goal for this year is $150,000. If you have not stewarded for 2017, please do so as soon as possible. Please contact the Parish Council Treasurer, Mark Belcher at remark@hotmail.com or (850) , if you have any questions. Andris, Steve & Jackie Allen, Richard Andrei, Petru & Simona Andros, James Angel, Dwight & Kimberly Atayants, Armen & Irina Grigoryan Athitakis, Emmanuel & Mary Bailey, Rhett Walker Balogh, Andrew & Cynthia P. Barkas, Christ & Patty Belcher, Mark & Deborah Bowyer, Layla Branch, Harold & Catherine Bucataru, Ian & Mariana Burmester, Michael & Mandi Burrell, Mark & Bonnie Buzyna, George & Helen Calamas, James Catsimpiris, George & Vicki Cicco, Vincent & Dineen Collins, Catherine & Frank Costa, Barbara Coumanis, George Cox, Emerald Dabit, Danial Dabit, Rommie & Nariman Downing, Dorothy Drzewiecki, Alexander & Meredith Hinshelwood Drzewiecki, Gary & Olibia Edge, Justin & Jennifer Lowery Erickson, Don & Joanna Angelos Fetzko, Ronnie Frankeberger, Gil & Margarita Futch, Scott & Tiffany Garland, James & Sophie Gavalas, Janet Gavalas, Michael & Vicky Gavalas, Victor & Mary Gill, Bob & Athena Gonatos, Michael & Cheryl Gorb, Jorge & Carol Hadoulis, Peter & Kathy Harris, Larry & Christina Hodges, Maria Hughes, Steve & Chrisie Ilin, Yuri & Larisa Jaroszynski, Jan & Svitlana Kalinska Joanos, Emanuel & Laura Joanos, George & Tanya Shivers Joanos, Margarita Joanos, Stamie Katopodis, John & Evi Keith, Stacy Kiger, Russell & Amber Klonis, Nikolaos & Mary Koikos, Jimmy & Anastasia Koikos, George & Karen Koikos, Pete & Zografia Kickish, Rosalia Kolokithas Langston, Sophia LaPointe, Corinne & Leonard Leftheris, Jim & Julie Lockwood, Yvonne Mantzanas, Catherine Marcevski, Velibor (Bo) & Leslie Markovich, Martin & Elizabeth Mathes, George & Connie Mathes, George & Katy Mayernick, Fr. Paul & Presv. Joan Mayernick, Frank & Tracy Mayernick, Nicholas & Rachel McMillan, Cynthia & Norman Michas, Andrew S. & Frances Milatos, Emmanuel Mookas, Tom & Debbie Myers, Jo Ann Nolas, Billy & Julie Nolas, Helen O'Loughlin, Fr. Robert & Presv. Joy Panousis, Linda Papageorge, Mike & Sally Pappas, Nicholas Parmer, Keith & Nia Patronis, Johnnie N. & Mari Perrigan, Glen & Dianne Pappachristou Pevnitskaya, Svetlana Phipps, Jeffrey S. & Mary Poulimenos, Leon & Rachel Poulos, Andrew & Angie Price, Burton & Roie Psikogios, Michael Qumseya, Bashar & Amira Reeves, Corinna Rigas, Alexander & Amanda Rozes, George & Anna Sgouros, Stephanie & Vincent J. Russo Speed, Ian Stavrojohn, Evonne Stratis, Nick Talantis, Kathleen Tsiklistas, John & Eleni Vajagich, Milka Valentine, Thomas & Angela Vlandis, John W. & Katherine C. Vrynios, Pete & Jennifer Webb, Dorothy Deanne Wernke, Michael & Deborah SEPTEMBER hmogphil@comcast.net and Visit us also On Holy Mother of God Philoptochos Society of Tallahassee, Florida On Our Calendar for September Dinner Meeting: Thursday September 7 at 5:30 pm (Dutch Treat) FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD 1950 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL Over the Horizon: Next Meeting: Oct. 12 (Thurs) at 5:30 pm in the Patmos Hall Conf. Rm,

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: The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever- Virgin Mary Celebrated September 8th Website: Addresses: Father Rob: fr.robert@comcast.net Church Secretary: hmog@comcast.net Secretary Hours: Mon./Wed./Fri. 9am-2pm