FATHER DEMETRI TSIGAS cell phone:

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1 Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church 5965 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, Florida Church Phone: (321) fax (321) Church hall: (321) website: FATHER DEMETRI TSIGAS cell phone: Orthros: 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM Fellowship Hour: Noon Church office hours: Mon. through Fri. 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. / Saturday & Sunday closed ~ VISION & MISSION STATEMENT ~ Our Vision (dream) is to be a growing, loving, united Orthodox Christian family open to all. Our Mission (job) is to grow our faith in Christ through love and respect, with humility and forgiveness. Sunday, DECEMBER 9, th Morning Gospel - 3rd Mode 10th SUNDAY OF LUKE The Conception of St. Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos Prophetess Hannah, mother of Samuel the Prophet Stephen the Newly Revealed, whose relics are in the Church of St. Antipas Martyrs Sositheos, Narses & Isaac of Persia ~ Welcome to Our Guests ~ We are delighted that you are with us today. Please keep in mind that according to the Holy Canons and teachings of the Orthodox Church, you must be a baptized and chrismated member of the Orthodox faith in good standing in order to receive Holy Communion. You are welcome to receive a portion of the blessed bread (antidoron) distributed at the end of the Divine Liturgy. Please join us for fellowship hour following services.

2 Divine Liturgy of St. John the Chrysostom Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιμον Ήχος Γ - σ Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Resurrectional Apolytikion 3 rd Mode - p Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the mighty power of His arm. He has trampled down death by death, becoming the first born of the dead. He has delivered us form the depths of hell and has granted to all the world His great mercy. Τῆς Ἁγίας - Ἦχος δʹ Σήµερον τῆς ἀτεκνίας δεσµὰ διαλύονται τοῦ Ἰωακεὶµ γὰρ καὶ τῆς Ἄννης εἰσακούων Θεός, παρ' ἐλπίδα τεκεῖν αὐτοὺς σαφῶς, ὑπισχνεῖται θεόπαιδα, ἐξ ἧς αὐτός ἐτέχθη ὁ ἀπερίγραπτος, βροτὸς γεγονώς, δι' Ἀγγέλου κελεύσας βοῆσαι αὐτῇ. Χαῖρε Κεχαριτωµένη, ὁ Κύριος µετὰ σοῦ. For the Saint 4 th Mode Today the bonds of childlessness are broken. For hearing the prayers of Joachim and Anne, God promised that against all hope they would give birth to the Maiden of God. He, the Uncircumscribed, would be born of her, when He would become man, and by the Angel's example, He commands us to call to her: "Rejoice, Maiden full of the grace, the Lord is with you." Ἀπολυτίκιον τής Άγίας Αικατερίνης - Ήχος Πλ. Α Τήν πανεύφημον νύμφην Χριστού υμνήσωμεν * Αικατερίναν τήν θείαν καί πολιούχον Σινά * τήν βοήθειαν ημών καί αντίληψιν ότι εφίμωσε λαμπρώς * τούς κομψούς τών ασεβών * τού Πνεύματος τή δυνάμει καί ως Μάρτυς Κυρίου στεφθείσα * αιτείται πάσι τό μέγα έλεος. 2

3 Apolytikion of St. Katherine - Plagal 1st Mode The all-blessed bride of Christ let us extol in song * Katerina the divine and protector of Sinai * our assistance and unfailing firm support; * for she did muzzle brilliantly * the ungodly clever men by the power of the Spirit. And now as a crowned Martyr * the great mercy she pleads for all of us. Κοντάκιον - Ἦχος δʹ Ἑορτάζει σήµερον, ἡ οἰκουµένη, τὴν τῆς Ἄννης σύλληψιν, γεγενηµένην ἐν Θεῷ καὶ γὰρ αὐτὴ ἀπεκύησε, τὴν ὑπὲρ λόγον, τὸν Λόγον κυήσασαν. Kontakion - 4 th Mode On this day the whole wide world is celebrating that Saint Anne conceived a child, which was a miracle of God. And she gave birth to the one who bore the divine Logos, in ways passing speech and thought. The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:22-27 Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married." The Reading is from the Gospel of Luke 13:10-17 At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this 3

4 woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. Please pray for our: Spiritual Leaders: Patriarch Bartholomew; Archbishop Demetrios; Metropolitan Alexios; & Fr. Demetri Civil Leaders: President Donald Trump, US Congress & Supreme Court; Governor Rick Scott; County Commissioners, all our civil authorities & armed forces. Parish Leadership: Parish Council, Philoptochos, Chanters, Choir, Sunday & Greek School teachers & students, Youth & Dance Group leaders and children. Those who are sick, awaiting surgery, recovering from surgery, in need of prayers and/or shut in: Alexandra Diamond, Mae Charos, Dorothy Pappademetriou, Bill & Ellen Werner, Olga Bouras, Yvonne Yacoub, Savannah & Zander Kelly, Mirsini Sirounis, Suzanne Orosz, Faye Nicholas, JoAnne Macheras, John & Anne Cominos, Angela DeCosta, Marlaine Manus, George & Siham Kanazeh, John Figari, Janet Sangi, Anna Kokotis, Leah Thomas, Mary & Pete Faines, Robert & Vel, Katie, Jamie, George & Steven, Carlo Sedney, Georgia & Vasili Menegas, Brandon Gilsenan, Aurelia Bocanu, Peter & JoAnn Zuras, Kris & Jonathan, Athena Giglio, Peter, Alice & Jim Zavitsanos, Michael Cora & family, Harry Paris, Samuel Smith, Kosta, Anastasia, Maggie & Andromahi Theodorou, Peter Katsoulas, Stylianos Theodorou, Isabella Inzirillo, Manny, Androniki, Margie Clore, Fr. Nicholas Harris, Nick & Nora Yanas, Bob & Mary Jane Dearman, Dottie Phillips, Shirley Skarlis, Lisa Paunovich, George & Elaine, Karen, Ainsleigh Grace Brems, Lenny Lloyd, Matt F., Paula, Courtney B., Baby R., Eleni, Konstantina, Mark, Kathy, Konstantina, Martin, Crum Family, Marie Irene Kragenbrink, Wayne, Maria, Alexis, Mike, Penny & Joseph Jones, George Demopoulos, Sylvia Demopoulos, Mark & Christine Balba, Efstratia Triantafilou, Kathy S., Maria Meraz, Anne Figari, Fr. Michael & Pani Karen Miklos, Lisa Wadell, Maria Herrera, Jose, Thomas Xenakis, Penny, Don & Katherine, Eileen McKartin, Valerie Kobzarenko, Dino Koursaris. For those expecting: For those with new babies: Those preparing for Baptism: Angeliki Gatidis & Noah Salmon, baby Noah James; Those serving in the Armed Forces: Joseph Abadiotakis, Jr., Harold David Ballard, George Peter Biniaris, Nicholas Cannaverde, James Christian Figari, Travis Hunter, Samuel Joseph III, Ethan Macheras, Elias Panayiotis Maldonado, Matthew Ryan Stinnett, Nicholas Tsamoutales, Yanni Tshontikidis, Klis T. Zannis. First Responders - Police, Fire & Rescue: Blake (Andrew) Ballard, Kevin Cincimino, Nicole Contos, Firefighter/Paramedic Panayiotis (Taki) Panayiotopoulos. 4

5 For the protection of Christians being persecuted for their faith. For the protection and freedom of the kidnapped Metropolitan Boulos Yazigi and Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim, both of Aleppo, Syria. Those preparing for Marriage: College Students: Arianna & Theodora Bendlin, Barbara Brewster, Elizabeth & Michael Courey, Joseph Daniel Figari, Elizabeth Gaherty, Tony Galanopoulos, Alyssa Giglio, Marianthi & Callia Karas, Kimberley & Dana Marie Koines, Jennifer & Andrew Loso, Evgenia Miller, Melanie & Michelle Niarhos, Elena & Tommy Panouses, Victoria Pappademetriou, Nikoleia Paterakis, Catherine & Maria Psarakis, Ronnie Rickard, George & Jessica Saad, Catie & Sydney Sergis, Costas Stathis, Austen & Leah Thomas, Catherine Triantafyllidis, Jordan Tsigas, Thomas Tsoukalas, WE WILL ONLY LIST NAMES OF COLLEGE STUDENTS FOR WHOM AN ADDRESS IS SUBMITTED. SO PARENTS & GRANDPARENTS, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR STUDENT S TO THE CHURCH OFFICE. (If you know of anyone that should be added to this list, please call the Church office.) SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY EVENING BEGINNING AT 7 PM THE GOSPELS & THE NEW TESTAMENT LETTERS LAST FAITH STUDY FOR THE SEASON December 12: The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John the Beloved Disciple Please turn your cell phones & pagers off or on vibrate before entering Church 5

6 ~ TODAY ~ ~ Trisaghion ~ Mary Koufakis - 6 months Eugenia - 1 year Elias Corpas - 2 years Vasiliki Saridakis- 4 years Nicholas Xenakis - 11 years Willard (Bill) Whitehead - 11 years Stefan Bocanu ~ Upcoming Liturgies & Events ~ Wed., Dec. 12th - St. Spyridon - Orthros 9 am Divine Liturgy 10 am Koulourakia Workshop - 10 am 7 pm - Fall Faith Study Series - see p. 5 for more information Thurs., Dec. 13th - ZOE Christmas Luncheon at Duran Country Club SOLD OUT! Fri., Dec. 14th - Bake Sale Packaging Day - We need all helping hands! Sat. & Sun., Dec. 15 & 16 - Christmas Bake Sale Pick Up Sun., Dec. 16th - Christmas Pageant, Think Humanity Sale following Divine Liturgy Sat., Dec. 22nd - 10:30 am - Annual Pet Blessing 6:30 pm - Lightfest Hayride at Wickham Park, see p. 11 Mon., Dec. 24th - Vesperal Divine Liturgy - 6 pm Tues., Dec. 25th - Christmas Day - NO LITURGY Mon., Dec. 31st - New Year s Eve Vesperal Divine Liturgy for St. Basil Tues., Jan. 1st - New Year s Day - NO LITURGY 6

7 SUNDAY SCHOOL - DECEMBER 2 ~ Vision Statement ~ To be a community of engaged and educated young Orthodox Christians. ~ Mission Statement ~ To encourage and foster spiritual growth of young people in our Orthodox Faith. VPK- 3rd grade Donna Thomson and Jonna Myatt It was such a joy to have the toddlers visiting us again in Sunday School!!! This time we had fun learning about the true meaning of Christmas. First the older kids read Nativity books to the little ones. ( The books were called "Star Bright, Christmas Night " and " Christmas in the Manger") The children also got to play with a nativity scene and we sang Christmas carols together on the carpet. Such an exciting time of the year for the little ones! Attendance: toddlers 1st - 3rd grades Jonna Myatt Attendance: 4th - 6th grades: Daphne Courey & Anastasia Theodorou Thank you again to Mrs. Elena Zabolotna and family for their time and expertise in teaching our class last Sunday! This has been our 3rd session this school year in Expressions of Faith through Art series. The class received artistic instruction to continue developing the theme of the Parable of the Mustard Seed through their paintings. Our children enjoyed making beautiful creations! Attendance: guests 7th - 8th grades: Fred & Jackie Cannaverde We revisited the Epistle reading of Ephesians 6:10-18 and discussed what the armor of God means. When we discussed what does belt of truth mean one of the students correctly understood it to mean to be true to one s self and not to be fake. How important that was to the discussion and to the class can t be understated. For middle school students to understand that they need to be true to themselves was a joy to hear. We then went over each piece of armor and explained how to shod one s feet meant to wrap one s foot with a leather sole and straps like the Roman soldier would wear. That we wrap the feet with the gospel or the good news and bring the Word of God to others. Discussed that the shield of faith is prayer and is used to stop the devil s arrows of deceit, bad judgement, misbehaving etc. We then reread the Epistle from the Message bi- 7

8 ble which basically explains that you need every weapon God issues truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and that prayer is the most important. Attendance: 7 High School/Orthodox Life: Warren Baker & Bill Orosz Attendance: ZOE Welcome December and this special time of year. So many of you mentioned what wonderful Thanksgiving memories you shared with family. Now this blessed Christmas month extends time to reflect on 'the reason for the season' with family and friends near and far. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13th will bring our Zoe Senior group together for one last hurrah of The long awaited annual Christmas Luncheon at Duran Country Club Stadium Parkway, Viera, 12 noon. SOLD OUT!!! We look forward to having our January speaker share her stories and educate us on having a canine companion more and specific Info regarding this meeting will be forth coming after the holiday rush save THURSDAY, JANUARY 10th at noon for Zoe's lunch and lecture meeting, as with all our speakers, we come away with important and insightful information for our attendees praises and kudos to all our past, present and future lecturers.. See you first on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13TH AT NOON AT DURAN COUNTRY CLUB.. Merry Christmas & a Happy 2019 TRESA , CHRISTINE , ELAINE

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10 Deana will be joining us on Sun., December 15th. It's my time of year to stock up on teacher gifts, neighbor gifts etc. from her cause Think Humanity There are Ornaments available in the Community Center on the Christmas tree. You can either make a free will donation or you can bring Animal treats, animal food or toys and pick an ornament. All proceeds and anything you bring will be donated to the Brevard Humane Society. Save the Date: Pet Blessing will take place in front of Church on Saturday, December 22nd at 10:30 am. 10

11 JOIN US FOR OUR 11TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY HAYRIDE & S'MORES When: sat., Dec. 22ND Time: 6:30 PM meet inside the parking lot of Light Fest Entrance on Wickham Road $10 per family Smores and hot chocolate at the church following the hayride. Please contact Cindy to let her know what smores ingredient you will be donating: graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate bars. *Bringing unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots will give us a discount off of our group entrance fee. Call or Cindy Paterakis cindypaterakis@yahoo.com 11

12 MESSAGE FROM HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS November 30th, 2018 My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I greet you with love in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! As we continue our journey toward Bethlehem, I send prayers and best wishes for a blessed and spiritually uplifting Nativity Season. This message serves as a joyous reminder that this coming Saturday, December 1st, His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela will be joining us as the new Auxiliary Bishop of our Metropolis of Atlanta. The intention for any Metropolis is that the Hierarch should see his communities at least once per year. However, given that our seventy-four parishes, five monasteries, and two institutions (the St. Photios National Shrine and the Diakonia Retreat Center) make up the largest-sized Metropolis in the United States, it is impossible to create these many Sundays for me to visit you all, with only 52 weeks in a year. Therefore, I consider it a blessing for our Metropolis to have another Bishop to assist me in this important aspect of our spiritual life. (And very soon, you will be able to access His Grace's itinerary of community visits, just as you are able to do with mine, from our Metropolis website.) Of course, His Grace is also going to undertake the responsibility of the Educational Department of the Metropolis; and I hope and pray for your cooperation as he prepares to plan meetings, workshops and assemblies for our Sunday School teachers and youth workers. With this information, I close by asking for your prayers: both for Bishop Sevastianos as he takes on his new position, and this new milestone in his life; as well as for myself. For it is only by your prayers that we can fulfill the work of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His Vineyard. I remain, Paternally yours with love in the Lord, + A L E X I O S Metropolitan of Atlanta 12

13 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY * Tel: (212) Fax: (212) communications@goarch.org News Release Contact: PRESS OFFICE Stavros Papagermanos pressoffice@goarch.org Date: November 30, 2018 ARCHDIOCESE TAKES SIGNIFICANT STEPS FOR THE RESUMPTION OF CON- STRUCTION AND COMPLETION OF ST. NICHOLAS NEW YORK The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has taken additional significant steps towards the resumption of construction and completion of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine. A new Board of Trustees for St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine has been named, and on December 6, 2018, the feast-day of St. Nicholas, a ceremony of Affirmation of Office will take place at the headquarters of the Archdiocese, followed by a meeting to set a course forward and discuss issues of immediate concern. The St. Nicholas Board of Trustees will have the responsibility and care for the rebuilding of Saint Nicholas and the management of the related funds. The new Board of Trustees will be comprised as follows: seven members will be of the original St. Nicholas parish, seven members are appointed by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America and six ex-officio members will be the heads of six major organizations i.e.: The President of the National Ladies Philoptochos Society, the President of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council, the National Commander of the Order of St. Andrew-Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Chairman of Leadership 100, the President of Faith: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism, and the President of AHEPA. Additionally, a new entity, the Friends of St. Nicholas, Inc., has been created and a Certificate of Incorporation has been filed with the State of New 13

14 York. It is a not-for-profit corporation, which has been created according to the recommendations of the Phase II Report produced by the Special Investigative Committee and PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services LLC ( PwC ) regarding the rebuilding of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine. The Corporation has been formed in order to raise, invest, gift and disburse funds for the construction and improvement of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine. The initial directors of the corporation (who shall also be known as trustees ) are Elaine T. Allen, Olga Pavlakos and Michael Psaros. The number of trustees will be increased up to 15 people and is expected to include individuals from all Metropolises of the Archdiocese. The articles of incorporation provide that the Corporation shall dissolve one year following the consecration of St. Nicholas and all the assets and property of the Corporation shall be distributed to or for the benefit of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine. Upcoming Meeting Dates for Philoptochos Thurs, Jan. 17th Sun., Mar. 24th Sun., May 5th Sat. May 18th Additional Dates: Fri., Dec. 14 Dec. 15 & 16 Jan 13th: Feb. 2nd: Feb. 10th March 31st: April 25th: 11:30 am Perkins in Suntree/ Viera 1:00 pm in church hall PHILOPTOCHOS BOARD ELECTIONS End of Year Luncheon 1:00 at Victoria's Restaurant Bake Sale Packaging Day Christmas Bake Sale Pick up Vasilopita cutting Annual Membership Luncheon Go Red Sunday Soup for the Soul Luncheon Pascha Egg Dyeing 14

15 St. Photios Shrine Celebrating the Three Youths and Holiday Schedule St Augustine, FL On Monday, December 17th, The V. Rev. Father Joseph Samaan will celebrate the feast of Daniel and the Three Youths with Divine Liturgy in the Chapel of St. Photios at 9:30 a.m. Who are these young people that usher in the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus just 8 days later? In Judaism and Christianity, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego appear in the Old Testament book Daniel, chapters 1 3. They overcame much during their childhood from being captured by the Babylonians and raised in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar, to surviving the fiery furnace when their passion for their One True God would not be daunted. This feast day occurs during the Nativity Fast. The story of the Three Youths is a reminder that Divine Grace is acquired through steadfast faith, strengthening one s resolve to keep the fast. A reception will follow honoring Evgenia Gina Mercado. After 12 years of service, Gina transitioned from her position of Shrine Gift Shop Bookstore manager to Shrine volunteer. Please join us in celebrating her. St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine is located on 41 St. George Street. It is open Monday through Saturday, 9:00-5:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon 6:00 p.m. Its chapel is built in memory of the 500 Greeks who came to America in The museum has a permanent exhibit explaining the history of the New Smyrna Colony and the survivors subsequent settlement in St. Augustine as well as a temporary exhibit area that showcases the different aspects of Hellenic culture and Orthodox life. The gift shop has a number of gift items, icons and books from different ethnic backgrounds but especially Greek and Russian. The Shrine will be open 9:00 4:00 on Tuesday, December 24th and closed on Wednesday, December 25th in observance of the Nativity of the Lord. The Shrine will be open on New Year s Eve and from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 1,

16 STEWARDSHIP PRAYER In the name of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen. Lord Jesus Christ our God, accept our offerings as You have accepted the gifts of Your people throughout the ages. We offer these gifts to Your glory, for the support of the ministries of Your Holy Church, for the alleviation of suffering and hunger, and for the proclamation of Your Gospel to the whole world. Grant us Your blessing, Lord our Savior, that we may always be faithful stewards, continuing to share the gifts you have given us, by the power of Your grace, mercy and love. May Your name be glorified forever. Amen STEWARDSHIP 127 Stewards Pledging $132,565 Paid to Date $121,945 Average Stewardship per family $1, Friends of St. Katherine s have paid $45,495. Stewardship Thermometer represents Our Budget of $326,313 vs. Stewardship Pledges For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34 THE JESUS PRAYER Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱέ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με τὸν ἁμαρτωλόν. (τὴν ἁμαρτωλόν if prayed by a female) Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.