Glad Tidings The Meaning of the Great Fast

Transcription

1 St. Paul, MN March 2012 Volume 18, Issue 3 S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H Glad Tidings The Meaning of the Great Fast The True Nature of Fasting: Fast (neesteea)- a balance must be kept between the outward and the inward. On the outward level fasting involves physical abstinence from food and drink, and without such exterior abstinence, a full and true fast cannot be kept. Yet, the rules about eating and drinking must never be treated as an end in themselves. Neither should we overemphasize the external rules about food, nor should we scorn these rules as outdated. We are a unity of body and soul. But some, because of their heretical attitude towards human nature, create a false 'spiritualism' which rejects or ignores the body and view man solely in terms of his reasoning brain. This has caused a general decline in fasting. As to the argument that fasting rules are too difficult to follow in today's world, it can be said that fasting traditionally practiced in the Church has always been difficult and always involved hardship. The primary aim of fasting is to make us conscious of our dependence upon God. The purpose of its difficulty and hardship is to lead us into a sense of inward brokenness and contrition. On the other hand, abstinence/fasting leads us to a sense of lightness, wakefulness, freedom and joy. Even though it might be debilitating at first, afterwards we find that it enables us to sleep less, to think more clearly, and to work more decisively. As many doctors acknowledge, periodical fasts contribute to bodily hygiene. St. John Chrysostom says the fast is "abstinence not only from food but from sins. The fast should be kept not by the mouth alone but also by the eye, the ear, the feet, the hands and all members of the body." Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are central to the Lenten season. Divorced from prayer and from the reception of the holy sacraments, unaccompanied by acts of compassion, our fasting becomes pharisaical or even demonic. Fasting, then, is valueless or even harmful when not combined with prayer. In the Gospels the devil is cast out, not by fasting alone, but by "prayer and fasting" (Matt ; Mark 9.29). Prayer and fasting should in turn be accompanied by almsgiving- the love for others expressed in practical form, by works of compassion and forgiveness. Always in our acts of abstinence we should keep in mind St. Paul's admonition not to condemn others who fast less strictly. Five misconceptions answered: 1) The Lenten fast is not intended only for monks and nuns, but is enjoined by all Orthodox Christians. 2) The Triodion should not be misconstrued in a Pelagian sense. Our progress in the fast does not depend solely upon the exertion of our own will. On the contrary, whatever we achieve is to be regarded as a free gift of God. 3) Our fasting should not be self-willed but obedient. Do not try to invent special rules for fasting. We should follow as faithfully as possible the accepted pattern set before us by Holy Tradition. If our fasting becomes willful and proud, it may assume a diabolical character, bringing us not closer to God, but to Satan. This is because fasting renders us sensitive to the realities of a spiritual world which can be dangerously ambivalent- for there are evil spirits as well as good. 4) Lent is a time for joyfulness, not gloom. John Climacus says it can bring us a "joy-creating sorrow." The season of Lent falls not in midwinter when the countryside is frozen and dead, but in spring when all things are returning to life. The English word "Lent" originally had the meaning "springtime." 5) Lenten abstinence does not imply a rejection of God's creation. During the fast we deny our bodily impulses - for example, our spontaneous appetite for food and drink- not because these impulses are in themselves evil, but because they have been disordered by sin and require purification through self-discipline. St. Paul's usage of the word "flesh" denotes the totality of man, soul and body together. The Historical Development of the Great Fast: Three main components to the Inside: Registry pg. 3, Parish News pgs. 4-5, Orthodox Christianity in the Contemporary World pg. 7 (Continued on page 2)

2 Glad Tidings Page 2 (Continued from page 1) Great Fast- 1) Holy and Great Weekpreceded by the Saturday of Lazarus and Palm Sunday. Started in the 2 nd and 3 rd centuries by observing a brief fast of one or two days before Easter. By middle 3 rd cent., the Paschal fast had in many places extended to embrace the entire week prior to Easter. The developed Holy Week ritual which we have today is not found until the late 4 th cent. 2) The Forty Days of the Great Fastbeginning on Monday in the first week. No evidence of this in the pre- Nicean period. First evidence is from Canon 5 of the Council of Nicea (325) which probably recognized an existing practice. By the end of the 4 th cent. the 40 Day Fast had become standard practice. Evidence strongly suggests that the 40 Day fast originated in the practice of the final preparation of catechumens for the sacrament of Baptism or 'illumination.' Candidates underwent intensive training and instruction, and existing members of the church community were encouraged to share in their prayer and abstinence, thus renewing their own baptismal dedication to Christ. Why choose Easter as the time for baptizing catechumens? This sacrament is precisely an initiation into the Lord's Cross and His Resurrection (see Rom ). Biblical precedents for a 40 day fast: People of Israel in wilderness for 40 years (Ex ); Moses remained fasting forty days on Mt. Sinai (Ex ); Elijah abstained from all food for 40 days as he journeyed to Mt. Horeb (3 Kings 19.8); Most important of all, Christ fasted for forty days and forty nights in the wilderness tempted by the devil (Matt. 4.1). Questions? Is Holy Week included in the 40 days, or treated as a distinct and additional period? Is Saturday regarded as a day of fasting? How are the 40 days calculated or reconciled? In the West, a six-week fast of six days each week (Sunday excluded) gives 36 days, add four days to start on Ash Wednesday. In the East, a seven-week fast of five days each week giving 35 days plus Holy Saturday = 36 days (Holy Week included). Or count continuously 40 days from Clean Monday to Friday of Sixth week, then Lazarus Saturday, Palm Sunday and Holy Week. Significance of 36 days? Just as the Israelites dedicated to God a tithe or tenth of their produce, so Christians dedicate the season of Lent to God as a tithe or tenth of the year. 3) Pre-Lenten Period- During the 6 th - 11 th centuries, the season of Pre- Lenten preparation was expanded to include three other Sundays (besides Cheese Week- Sunday of Forgiveness). These preparatory Sundays are: Publican and the Pharisee, Prodigal Son, and Last Judgment. They are followed by a preliminary week of partial fasting, ending with the Sunday of Forgiveness. The Rules of Fasting: Most Orthodox authorities agree on the following rules- I.) During the week between the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee and that of the Prodigal Son, there is a general dispensation from all fasting. Meat and animal products may be eaten even on Wednesday and Friday. II.) In the following week, often termed the 'Week of Carnival', the usual fast is kept on Wed. and Fri. Otherwise there is no special fasting. III.) In the Week before Lent, meat is forbidden, but eggs, cheese and other dairy products may be eaten on all days, including Wed. and Fri. IV.) On weekdays during the seven weeks of Lent, there are restrictions both on the number of meals taken daily and on the types of food permitted; but when a meal is allowed, there is no fixed limitation on the quantity of food to be eaten. a.) On weekdays of the first week, fasting is particularly severe. According to the strict observance, in the course of the five initial days of Lent, only two meals are eaten, one on Wednesday and the other on Friday, in both cases after the Presanctified Liturgy. On the other three days, those who have the strength are encouraged to keep an absolute fast; those for whom this proves impracticable may eat on Tuesday and Thursday (but not, if possible, on Monday), in the evening after Vespers, when they may take bread and water, or perhaps tea or fruit-juice, but not a cooked meal. It should be added at once that in practice today these rules are commonly relaxed. At the meals on Wednesday and Friday xerophagy is prescribed. Literally this means 'dry eating'. Strictly interpreted, it signifies that we may eat only vegetables cooked with water and salt, and also such things as fruit, nuts, bread and honey. In practice, octopus and shell-fish are also allowed on days of xerophagy; likewise vegetable margarine and corn or other vegetable oil, not made from olives. But the follow- (Continued on page 3)

3 St. Paul, MN Registry January 28, 2012 December 20, 2011 January 18, 2012 Marriage Michael & Tamara Merkouris. Sponsors are Koumbaroi Spero & Lana Payton. Birth Baby Theodore Kaniamos. Parents are George & Corie Kaniamos and grandparents are Dimitri & Dimitra Kaniamos. 40-Day Churching Tamara Merkouris and baby Demetri. Address Change Church Staff and Office Hours Church Office Hours (Monday-Friday) 8:00 AM--2:15 PM Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter (651) Lori Kurtyka, Administrative Assistant (651) Tom Lampros, Parish Council President (651) Page 3 Marlyse Hirschy 26 Sunnybank Road Watertown MA Festal Icons Needed Please donate a Festal Icon (11" x 14") in memory of a loved one. The cost is $75.00 per icon. The icons are displayed in the church nave and are put out for veneration on the Feast Day of the Saint or event they represent. To donate an icon, fill out a form (found on the bulletin board by the kitchen) and return it to the office. St. Ephraim the Syrian March 7 St. John of Climacus March 30 Creation of Animal Kingdom (Continued from page 2) ing categories of food are definitely excluded: i) meat; ii) animal products (cheese, milk, butter, eggs, lard, dripping); iii) fish w/ backbones; iv) vegetable oil and wine (i.e. all alcoholic drinks). b.) On weekdays in the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth weeks, one meal a day is permitted, to be taken in the afternoon following Vespers, and at this one meal xerophagy is to be observed. c.) Holy Week. On the first three days there is one meal each day, with xerophagy; but some try to keep a complete fast on these days, or else they eat only uncooked food, as on the opening days of the first week. On Holy Thursday one meal is eaten, with wine and oil. On (Continued on page 6) Reva Adkins, Philoptochos President (651) rradkins@comcast.net Andrea Faches, Sunday School Director (507) afaches@msn.com Stella Hofrenning, Greek School Director Jennifer Argeros, Glad Tidings Editor Sue Gnetz & Sandra Thole, Loaves and Fishes Coordinators gnetzsue@gmail.com, quadmom196@yahoo.com Submissions for upcoming issues are due by the 11th of the preceding month.

4 Glad Tidings Page 4 Parish Announcements JR/GOYA: BINGO at Penelope Senior Housing We will be going out to McDonalds for lunch and then joining the seniors who live at Penelope 35 in Bloomington on Saturday, March 24 for Bingo. We had a nice time before and they are excited for us to return. Please let Pres Jane know if you plan to come and also if you need a ride (janedono1@gmail.com or ). Saturday, March :45 Lunch at McDonalds Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington. 1:00-3:00 Bingo at Penelope 35 Senior Apartments Beard Ave South, Bloomington Basketball Tournament Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and talents to help our parish host the annual Western Region Family Basketball Tournament. We ve already received numerous compliments on a job well done! Bravo! Godparent/child Luncheon Thank you to the Kanavati family and parish council members who helped host the Godparent/child luncheon this past Sunday. It was great to see so many spiritual families in church together for Divine Liturgy. Oratorical Success Tthank you to Andrea Faches and Sunday School teachers for organizing and leading our annual Oratorical Festival. The grade school children did a wonderful job in sharing many of the things that they have learned about their Orthodox Christian Faith. We also recognize the participants in the Junior Division: Bill Chadwick, Tess Chadwick (winner), Marissa Mortari & Theologia Pitsavas, and the Senior Division: Katharine Chadwick (winner) & Antigone Delton. Very well thought-out and articulated essays by all Congrats! Fresh Phyllo Fundraiser The Ladies of Philoptochos will be selling fresh, never frozen phyllo for upcoming Pascha! Cost is $4 per pound. Orders and payment will be taken in the Social Hall Sundays, March These are the only dates orders will be taken in order for the phyllo to be ready for pick up Sundays, March 25-April 8th.. You can also place an order via (janedono1@gmail.com) with check mailed to church. Since this is a pre-paid order fundraiser, orders and payment must be collected by deadline. Ask your friends if they would like you to order some for them too! The dough keeps up to 4 months in the refrigerator. Pre-Paid Order Dates: March 4, 11 and 18 Pick Up Order Dates: March 25, April 1 and 8 Photos Wanted If you have photos from the Oratorical Festival, Godparent/child Sunday & luncheon or the Basketball Tournament, please send them to photos@stgeorgegoc.org. You may also upload the files to CD and give to Fr. Rick, or him for instructions on how to upload to the parish shutterfly.com account. Thanks! Photo Directory Update Complimentary 8x10 photos have arrived. Please stop by the church office to pick it up. If your portrait is not here yet, it will be coming soon in a future shipment and we will call you when it arrives. Orthodox Media The Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) produces the Come Receive the Light (CRTL) weekly radio broadcast. The CRTL program broadcasts every Saturday at 5:00pm on KKMS 980AM. You can also listen on the internet anytime along with an array of other Orthodox Christian programming on Ancient Faith Radio also has excellent programming: Thank you to all those who generously supported "Come Receive the Light". Your gift keeps this national SCOBA Orthodox Christian Ministry radio program on KKMS 980AM every Saturday at 5 PM in the Twin Cities area. Broadcasting cannot happen without your contributions. We count on your donations to continue broadcasting our beloved Orthodox Christian Faith. Those of you who missed the opportunity to contribute your tax deductible gift to keep Come Receive the Light on the air, it may be sent to Myra Toconita, Treasurer,

5 St. Paul, MN Page 5 Parish Announcements 1391 W. Sandhurst Dr., St. Paul, MN Please make your check payable to MEOCCA Radio Ministry. Thank you again for your generous support of this ministry. Twin Cities Radio Ministry Committee Loaves and Fishes Thank you to all who helped at Loaves & Fishes February 13th. It was nice to see some of our youth helping serve and clean-up as well as some non-parishoners. We are always happy to see new and old volunteers feeding those who are less fortunate than we are. Again, thanks to all Summit Update The home next door to the church is still for sale. The price is now $999,900. We ask everyone to pray that the Lord enlighten and inspire any person (or group of persons) to consider purchasing the home and donating it to the parish. Many good possibilities exist for using the home to enhance or expand our ministries. Prayer Ropes from Hogar Prayer ropes are for sale in our bookstore. These ropes were made by the orphans at the Hogar in Guatemala. This is an excellent way to pray and help those in need. For more info: Trinity Mission The food drive for Trinity Mission continues throughout the year. Some people have much more than they need and then there is the growing population of poor that need so much; including basic human necessities like food, clothing and shelter. Please remember those who cannot afford food while you are grocery shopping, and purchase one or more extra items for them. Trinity Mission accepts donations of any non-perishable food. A list of the items needed is posted in the lower level of St. George, by the red bins labeled "Trinity Mission". Thank you! Summer Church Camp Counselors Wanted Faithful, responsible, mature young adults and parents are encouraged to apply for positions as staff/counselors for the St. Mary Summer Church Camp Program It is extremely rewarding to help kids grow in their Orthodox Faith. If interested contact Fr. Rick. Ionian Village 2012 Summer Camps There are two sessions for youth ages 13-18: Summer Travel Camp (June 29 -July 18) and Byzantine Venture (July 25-August 13). There are three Spiritual Odyssey trips for youth ages 19-28: Cyprus & Constantinople (May 30 June 9), Greek Mainland (June 10-20), Greek Islands (July 15-25). For more info see promotional literature in pamphlet rack or visit Junior Olympics The next event will be held in Chicago May 25-27, Events include Track & Field, 10K Run, Bowling, Basketball, Softball, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Wrestling, Chess, Checkers & Backgammon. Annually, over 800 medals are awarded. Now is the time to start planning for your child s involvement. MEOCCA Choir Invitation Join the MEOCCA Choir this year for Sunday Lenten Vespers! You do not need to have experience and we welcome new members every year! It s a great opportunity to learn some new music and meet fellow Orthodox Christians from around the Twin Cities. We rehearse one hour prior to each service (3:00 pm sharp!) at Orthodox churches around the Twin Cities. Please bring a friend who is new this year so we can welcome them into our group! If you have questions or concerns, please contact Sara Ann Pogorely at or saschweb@hotmail.com. We look forward to worship and fellowship during Lent. Fr. Basil Kissal Reposes in the Lord Fr. Kissal served our parish briefly for a few months in 1975 as a chanter and volunteer lay assistant. He is survived by Presvytera Rita Kissal and sons: George and Constantine and their families. Funeral services were held on February 1st. Memorials to Clergy & Presvyteras Benevolent Fund c/o Pres. Pauline Pavlakos, 6315 Wilmington Drive, Burke, VA or IOCC. Condolences may be sent to Presvytera Rita Kissal, 100 Watkins Pond Bvld, #103, Rockville, MD May his memory be eternal!

6 Glad Tidings Page 6 (Continued from page 3) Great Friday those who have the strength follow the practice of the early Church and keep the total fast. Those unable to do this may eat bread, with a little water, tea or fruitjuice, but not until sunset, or at any rate not until after the veneration of the Epitaphion at Vespers. On Holy Saturday there is in principle no meal, since according to the ancient practice after the end of the Liturgy of St. Basil the faithful remained in church for the reading of the Acts of the Apostles, and for their sustenance were given a little bread and dried fruit, with a cup of wine. If, as usually happens now, they return home for a meal, they may use wine but not oil; for on this one Saturday, alone among the Saturdays of the year, olive oil is not permitted. d.) The rule of xerophagy is relaxed on the following days: i) On Saturdays and Sundays of Lent, with the exception of Holy Saturday, two main meals may be taken in the usual way, around mid-day and in the evening, with wine and olive oil; but meat, animal products and fish are not allowed. ii) On the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25) and Palm Sunday, fish is permitted as well as wine and oil, but meat and animal products are not allowed. If the Feast of the Annunciation falls on the first four days of Holy Week, wine and oil are permitted but not fish. If it falls on Great Friday or Holy Saturday, wine is permitted, but not fish or oil. iii) Wine and oil are permitted on the following days, if they fall on a weekday in the second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth week: First and Second Finding of the Head of St. John the Baptist (February 24), Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste (March 9), Forefeast of the Annunciation (March 24), Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel (March 26), Patronal festival of the Church or Monastery. iv) Wine and oil are also allowed on Wednesday and Thursday in the fifth week, because of the vigil for the Great Canon. Wine is allowed - and, according to some authorities, oil as well - on Friday in the same week, because of the vigil for the Akathistos Hymn. Conclusion: It has always been held that these rules of fasting should be relaxed in the case of anyone elderly or in poor health. In present-day practice, even for those in good health, the full strictness of the fast is usually mitigated. Only a few Orthodox today attempt to keep a total fast on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in the first week, or on the first three days of Holy Week. On weekdays- except perhaps during the first week or Holy Week- it is now common to eat two cooked meals daily instead of one. From the second until the sixth week, many Orthodox use wine, and perhaps oil also, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and less commonly on Mondays as well. Permission is often given to eat fish in these weeks. Personal factors need to be taken into account, as for example the situation isolated Orthodox living in the same household as non-orthodox, or obliged to take factory or school canteen. In cases of uncertainty each should seek the advice of his or her spiritual father. At all times it is essential to bear in mind that 'you are not under the law but under grace' (Rom. 6.14), and that 'the letter kills, but the spirit gives life' (2Cor. 3.6). The rules of fasting, while they need to be taken seriously, are not to be interpreted with dour and pedantic legalism; 'for the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Rom ). Resources: The Lenten Triodion translated by Mother Mary & Kallistos Ware, Faber- Faber, London, 1977, pp.699. The Lenten Spring- Readings For Great Lent, by Thomas Hopko, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY, 1983, pp.162. Great Week And Pascha In The Greek Orthodox Church by Alkiviadis C. Calivas, Holy Cross Press, Brookline, MA, 1992, pp.145. Great Lent- Journey To Pascha, by Alexander Schmemann, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY, 1974, pp.140. Fasting- What The Bible Teaches by Jerry Falwell, Tyndale House Publ., Wheaton, IL, 1981, pp.55. Daily Lenten Meditations For Orthodox Christians, by Emily Harakas, Light & Life Publ. Co., Minneapolis, MN, 1983, pp.75. Fasting And Science, by Constantine Cavarnos, CTOS, Etna, CA, 1988, pp.21 On Fasting by?, Synaxis Press, Chilliwack, B.C., 1980, pp.27. See full article: ourfaith9199 from The Lenten Triodion by Mother Mary and Kallistos Ware, 1977, pp

7 St. Paul, MN Page 7 Orthodox Christianity in the Contemporary World This is part IV of the Keynote address given by Rev. Dn. John Chryssavgis at the Metropolis of Chicago Assembly on October 6, Part III was printed in the February 2012 issue of Glad Tidings. Look for the rest of the address in upcoming issues. C. Inter-Christian Relations and Reconciliation The same ecumenical principle is evident in the Patriarch s dialogue with other Christian Churches. Once again, this is an attitude for which he is often criticized and slandered. Yet, the Christian world is fortunate to have in this historic office a thinker and pastor of such wisdom, capable of holding the diverse problems of the day firmly within the generous bounds of classical Christian orthodoxy. Christians of all confessions recognize and give thanks for the witness of His All-Holiness to these great truths and for his unfailing ecumenical charity and courtesy. Way ahead of his time; way ahead of other churches Orthodox and non-orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew has been forging new ground and pioneering openness! The ecumenical vision and conviction of the Church of Constantinople is literally cause to be grateful, a harbinger of fresh air in the church and the world. It is, for example, much harder for the sort of ignorant prejudice and intolerable exclusivism propounded by some local Metropolitans in Greece to be nurtured or cultivated within the Ecumenical Patriarchate. In a moving homily delivered in 1997 at St Peter s Basilica in Rome, the Patriarch acknowledged that failure and sin in our history is something we must learn to share as Christians not something we can exploit to reproach one another, but a matter of making ourselves freely responsible for each other within the Body of Christ. In fact, some of his boldest sermons have been delivered at the Vatican! And still, he is criticized for supposedly betraying Orthodoxy! When the Patriarch visited Rome on June 29, 2004, the Pope apologized for the Fourth Crusade and the sacking of Constantinople. In response, the Patriarch asked for no material compensation, but only for the return of the relics of Sts. Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom as a tangible step toward moral restitution. In some ways, I would dare suggest that this return (after 800 years) of the precious relics of two former Patriarchs of Constantinople was just as significant as the lifting (in 1965) of the anathemas of 1054 between Patriarch Athenagoras and Pope Paul VI. The latter was profoundly symbolical as a gesture; but the former was a tangible step toward reconciliation. D. Inter-Religious Understanding and Tolerance Since Orthodox Christians have a 550-year history of co-existence with Muslims, His All-Holiness Rev. Dn. John Chryssavigs has initiated a series of meetings with Moslem leaders throughout the Middle East. To this end, he has traveled to Libya, Syria, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Kazakhstan and Bahrain, as a result earning greater credibility and creating more bridges between Christianity and Islam than any other Christian leader. In fact, his level of comfort among politicians and leaders, businessmen and intellectuals, both in Turkey and globally, is extraordinary. He has met and mingled comfortably with such diverse leaders as Rabin and Arafat, Castro and Clinton! On this planet created by God for us all, there is room for all of us are the words uttered by the Patriarch at the site of St Nicholas s Church in New York City, beside the ruins of the World Trade Center in March On official visits, a Muslim associate will often be part of his entourage, even at this moment when he is preparing to visit the Holy Mountain. Underlining the fundamental compatibility of Orthodoxy and religious freedom, human rights, and democracy, he preaches that any encroachment against religion is a crime in the name of religion. His philosophy is based on tolerance of the other welcomed in his/her otherness and uniqueness the discernment and recognition of the face of Christ in the face of our neighbor.

8 S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H 1111 Summit Avenue St. Paul, Minnesota ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 177 Phone: Fax: Web Site: Weekday Worship Schedule REGULAR WEEKLY SERVICES Holy Confession: By Appointment Great Compline Every Monday in March 6:00pm Ninth Hour and Presanctified Liturgy Every Wednesday in March 5:30pm Akathistos Every Friday in March 6:00pm Vespers: (Sept. May) Saturday 5 pm Orthros: Sunday 9:00 am Sunday School:(September - May) following Communion Divine Liturgy: Sunday 9:30 am

9 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday STRICT FAST +STRICT FAST +SATURDAY OF OF GREAT LENT OF GREAT LENT SOULS +STRICT FAST OF GREAT LENT +9:00am LITURGY +10:30am +6:00pm Memorial Service AKATHISTOS *5:00pm Radio *5:30pm HOPE *7:30pm Lenten Program KKMS Youth Dinner & Lecture 980am +5:00pm VESPERS ST SUN. LENT- +40 MARTYRS SUNDAY OF OF SEBASTE ORTHODOXY +8:15am ORTHROS *10:00am LENTEN +9:30am LITURGY +5:30pm NINTH RETREAT *11:00am Procession +6:00pm GREAT HOUR *12:00pm MEOCCA of Icons COMPLINE +6:00pm Mtg +6:00pm *4:00pm SUNDAY PRESANCTIFIED AKATHISTOS *5:00pm Radio OF ORTHODOXY *7:00pm Catechism LITURGY *7:00pm Parish Program KKMS VESPERS at Class *7:30pm Lenten Council *7:30pm Lenten 980am St. Mary OCA Dinner & Lecture Dinner & Lecture +5:00pm VESPERS Daylight Savings Time Begins +2ND SUN. LENT - ST. GREGORY PALAMAS March 2012 Coming in April... 1 Fifth Sun. Lent- St. Mary of Egypt 7 Lazaros Saturday- Youth Retreat 8 Palm Sunday- Ahepa Fish Dinner 9-14 Great & Holy Week 15 Great & Holy Pascha- Resurrection of Christ Bright/Renewal Week 23 St. George- Parish Feast Day + STRICT FASTOF GREAT LENT :15am ORTHROS +5:30pm NINTH +9:30am LITURGY HOUR *12:00pm Acolyte +6:00pm Training PRESANCTIFIED *4:00pm Feed the +6:00pm GREAT LITURGY +6:00pm Hungry at FOCUS COMPLINE *7:30pm Lenten AKATHISTOS *4:00pm LENTEN *7:00pm Catechism Dinner & Lecture *7:30pm Lenten VESPERS at St. Class Dinner & Lecture George GOC + STRICT FASTOF GREAT LENT + *5:00pm Radio Program KKMS 980am +5:00pm VESPERS RD SUN. LENT - VENERATION OF CROSS +8:15am ORTHROS *12:00pm GOYA +9:30am LITURGY Youth Bingo w/ *11:30am Seniors Veneration of Cross +6:00pm GREAT +5:30pm NINTH *12:00pm Parish COMPLINE HOUR *5:00pm Radio Assembly *7:00pm Catechism *7:00pm Bible +6:00pm +6:00pm Program KKMS *4:00pm Feed the Class Study at Fr. Rick's PRESANCTIFIED AKATHISTOS 980am Hungry at FOCUS House LITURGY *7:30pm Lenten +5:00pm VESPERS *4:00pm LENTEN *7:30pm Lenten Dinner & Lecture VESPERS and JOY Dinner & Lecture Youth at St. George Antiochian + STRICT FASTOF GREAT LENT GREEK +ST. INNOCENT- INDEPENDENCE APOSTLE TO DAY AMERICA +4TH SUN. LENT - ST. JOHN CLIMACUS +9:30am Divine +ANNUNCIATION +5:30pm NINTH Liturgy in Eau +8:15am ORTHROS HOUR Claire, WI +9:30am LITURGY +6:00pm *4:00pm Feed the +6:00pm GREAT PRESANCTIFIED +6:00pm *5:00pm Radio Hungry at FOCUS COMPLINE LITURGY AKATHISTOS Program KKMS *4:00pm LENTEN *7:00pm Catechism *7:30pm Lenten *7:30pm Lenten 980am VESPERS at St. Class Dinner & Lecture Dinner & Lecture +5:00pm VESPERS Elizabeth OCA + STRICT FASTOF GREAT LENT + St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1111 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN Rev. Father Richard Demetrius Andrews -- Phone: (651)

10 Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 7th Annual St. Gregory Palamas, an articulate defender of Orthodoxy and true prayer in the 14 th century, is commemorated the second Sunday of Great Lent each year. He is the inspiration for this weekend festival featuring lectures, worship and fellowship. For directions to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church visit our website at or call Summit Ave. St Paul, MN Friday, March 18 Encountering World Religions - An Orthodox Christian Perspective Guest Speaker: Fr. Alexander Goussetis, D.Min. Saturday, March 19 6:00PM Akathistos/Salutations Service 7:30PM Lenten Meal 8:00PM Introduction, Personal Reflections & Primal Religions Also referred to as tribal, indigenous or traditional, primal religions are sometimes defined as pre-historic or pre-literate. Their emphasis is typically on nature, human and divine oneness. Some examples would be Shamanism, African animists, Pantheism and Deism. Fr. Alex will share perspectives on basic tendencies of primal religions while also sharing some of his own faith journey. 10:00AM Coffee and Fellowship 10:30AM Major Eastern Religions Eastern refers to religions originating in geographical areas such as India, China and Southeast Asia and includes Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism. Fr. Alex will compare and contrast these with Orthodox Christianity looking at their origins and basic beliefs. 12:00PM Lenten Potluck Luncheon 1:00PM Monotheistic Religions Besides Christianity, there are two other major monotheistic (One God) religions. Judaism and Islam dominate much of the attention on the world stage today and have for centuries. Fr. Alex helps us understand more about these two important religions and their relationship to Orthodoxy. 3:00PM Sunday, March 20 Great Vespers Service 8:15AM Orthros Service 9:30AM Divine Liturgy 4:00PM Pan Orthodox Lenten Vespers Fr. Alexander Goussetis is pastor of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (since 2004). He is a graduate of Drexel University,(B.S. Accounting 83) Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (M.Div. 92) & Andover-Newton School of Theology (D.Min. 96). Fr. Alex previously served as pastor of Archangel Michael Church in Campbell, Ohio ( ), instructor of World Religions at Youngstown State ( ), assistant pastor at St. Demetrios Church in Weston, MA, and Orthodox Chaplain for several Boston area prisons and hospitals. He is the author of four books: Renewed Day by Day; Encountering World Religions: An Orthodox Christian Perspective; A Rebel s Journey: A Novel of Doubt & Christian Transformation; Seed for the Sower. Fr. Alex is married to Presvytera Lisa and they have three children.

11 Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 7th Annual St. Gregory Palamas, an articulate defender of Orthodoxy and true prayer in the 14 th century, is commemorated the second Sunday of Great Lent each year. He is the inspiration for this weekend festival featuring lectures, worship and fellowship. For directions to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church visit our website at or call Summit Ave. St Paul, MN BIOGRAPHY Fr. Alexander Goussetis, D.Min. Pastor of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Lancaster, Pennsylvania Education: B.S. Accounting, Drexel University, Philadelphia PA (1983) M.Div., Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Boston, MA (1992) D.Min., Andover Newton School of Theology, Boston MA (1996) Background: Born and raised in New York City, Fr. Alex worked as a certified public accountant for five years before entering Holy Cross seminary and graduating with a Masters of Divinity degree in He went on to earn his Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis in psychology and counseling from Andover Newton Seminary in He was an assistant pastor at St. Demetrios Church in Weston, MA and worked as an Orthodox Chaplain in several Boston area prisons and hospitals before being assigned to Archangel Michael Church in Campbell, Ohio in While there he taught World Religions at Youngstown State ( ). In 2004 he was assigned as pastor of Annunciation Church in Lancaster, PA. He serves on the board of Orthodox Christian Network, which produces Come Receive the Light and other programming ( and is currently President of the Orthodox Christian Churches of South Central Pennsylvania, a Pan-Orthodox group that organizes social, ministry, and charity events. Fr. Alex has authored four books. He is married to Presvytera Lisa and they have three children. Books: Renewed Day by Day (Light & Life 1997) A book featuring 28 exercises for learning and developing deeper practices in Orthodox spirituality Encountering World Religions: An Orthodox Christian Perspective (Light &Life 2008)- A book offering the basic teachings of many of the world religions with an Orthodox Christian response A Rebel s Journey: A Novel of Doubt & Christian Transformation (Light & Life 2011) A book that uses a fiction backdrop to engage young adults in searching for the ancient Christian faith Seed for the Sower: (Holy Cross Press 2011)- Part l offers a brief historical survey of the role of preaching in the Orthodox Church. Part ll presents practical examples of a contemporary homiletic style Other: His pastoral emphasis is making the Orthodox faith relevant to people in their everyday life, and in educating our faithful in articulating the teachings of the Church to others. As a result of teaching World Religions at Youngstown State University, Fr. Goussetis became renewed in encouraging his flock to accept the challenges of living in a pluralistic world: The more we learn about Orthodoxy, the more we can share our faith with the world around us. The more we learn about other religions, the more effective we can be in dialoguing about the treasure of Orthodoxy.

12 WEDNESDAYS THEME: Great Lent- Journey to Pascha by Fr. Richard Andrews DATE February 29 March 7 March 14 March 21 March 28 April 4 TOPIC Introduction- Preparation for Lent Lenten Worship Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts The Lenten Journey Lent in our Life Conclusion: Holy Things for the Holy FRIDAYS THEME: Gifts of the Spirit by various speakers DATE TOPIC SPEAKER March 2 Wisdom & Knowledge Fr. Marc Boulos March 9 World Religions & Orthodoxy Fr. Alexander Goussetis March 16 Faith Fr. Paul Hodge March 23 Healing & Miracles Fr. John Chagnon March 30 Discernment & Tongues Fr. Richard Flom 6:00PM 7:30PM 8:00PM 8:30PM 8:45PM SCHEDULE Lenten Service Lenten Community Meal Lecture Q&A Conclude Wednesday s Theme: Great Lent- Journey to Pascha Based on the classic book by Fr. Alexander Schmemann, Fr. Rick will guide pilgrims on the journey through Great and Holy Lent to Pascha (Orthodox term for the Resurrection of Christ). We will examine and try to understand better many themes related to Lent including: preparation, scriptural passages, prayer, fasting, liturgical texts, confession, almsgiving and questions related to Orthodoxy in society today. Friday s Theme: Gifts of the Spirit Based on St. Paul s words to the Christians of Corinth (1Cor.12:1-11), we will examine the spiritual gifts including wisdom, love, faith, healings, miracles, discernment and tongues. Hopefully, we will gain a better understanding of the importance of diversity of gifts and unity in the Spirit of God while seeing how the gifts relate to ministries and activities in the Church and of the Church towards the world. Meal Hosting Any individual, family, committee, or group is encouraged to sponsor a Lenten Meal. Please sign-up. 1

13 Biographies of Speakers: Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews is pastor/priest of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in St. Paul, MN (since 1999). He is a graduate of University of Minnesota (BS 1988) Minneapolis, MN and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (MDiv 1994) Boston, MA. Fr. Rick is also a writer/commentator for OrthodoxyToday.org, a volunteer chaplain with the St. Paul Police Department, and the clergy supervisor for the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry of Minnesota. Fr. Rick served Holy Apostles parish in Chicago ( ) and Dormition of Theotokos parish in Racine, WI ( ). He is married to Presvytera Jane and they have one son, Theodore. Rev. Fr. Marc Boulos is pastor of St. Elizabeth Orthodox Mission, in Eagan, Minnesota. He is also founder and chair of the Minnesota Bible Lecture Series, a non-profit organization created to promote Orthodox biblical scholarship in colleges, seminaries and churches in the Twin Cities area. He is a board member of the Orthodox Center for the Advancement of Biblical Studies and Associate Editor of the Orthodox Audio Bible Commentary (published through OCABS Press). Fr. Marc has given numerous talks locally and nationally on biblical and pastoral topics. He holds a Master of Divinity from St. Vladimir's Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York. In addition to his priestly ministry, Fr. Marc is employed in the private sector, where he has received professional recognition for his work as a Manager in Information Technology. Fr. Alexander Goussetis is priest/pastor of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (since 2004). He is a graduate of Drexel University, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (M.Div. 1992), and Andover-Newton School of Theology (D.Min. 1996). Fr. Alex previously served as pastor of Archangel Michael Church in Campbell, Ohio ( ), instructor of World Religions at Youngstown State ( ), assistant pastor at St. Demetrios Church in Weston, MA, and Orthodox Chaplain for several Boston area prisons and hospitals. He is the author of four books: Renewed Day by Day; Encountering World Religions: An Orthodox Christian Perspective; A Rebel s Journey: A Novel of Doubt & Christian Transformation; Seed for the Sower. Fr. Alex is married to Presvytera Lisa and they have three children. Fr. Paul Hodge is an Archpriest of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of N. America. He is attached to St. George Orthodox Church in West St. Paul, MN (since 2011). He holds degrees in Russian Language and Literature (B.A. Carleton College, Northfield, MN 1988), Soviet/Russian Studies (Master of International Affairs, Columbia Univ., New York, NY 1990), and Pastoral and Theological Studies (Master of Divinity, St. Vladimir Seminary, Crestwood, NY 1993). Fr. Paul is also a regular volunteer at FOCUS MN (1600 Lake St., Mpls.) and a sometime participant in the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry of Minnesota. Since his ordination in 1995 Fr. Paul has served St. Thomas parish in Sioux City, IA ( ), St. George parish in Kearney, NE ( ), St. George Cathedral parish in Wichita, KS ( as Assistant to the Dean), St. Nicholas parish in Bridgeport, CT ( ), and St. Elias parish in LaCrosse, WI ( as interim). He is married to Presvytera Amy (who spent her childhood at St. Mary Romanian Orthodox church in St. Paul). They have one son, Elias, and one daughter, Faith. Fr. John Chagnon is currently attached to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in West St. Paul, MN. He is a graduate of Bemidji State University (BS Mass Communications 1984) and of Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. in Missions & Evangelism 1989), Ordained to the deaconate in 2003 and priesthood in 2005, Fr. John served as a parish priest at St. Elias Antiochian Church in La Crosse, WI ( ). He is currently the Program Coordinator for Parkshore Senior Community, St. Louis Park, MN. Fr. John is married to Jane Chagnon and they live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Fr. Richard Flom is an attached priest at St. Mary's OCA Cathedral in Minneapolis, MN since He is a graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, MN (BA, 1963), University of North Dakota (BS, 1965), Northwestern University Medical School, IL (MD, 1967), and St. Michael's Seminary, San Clemente, CA (MMin, 1998). He was a Lieutenant Commander in the USN Medical corps ( ), serving at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, an Assistant Professor of Neuroradiology at the University of Virginia Medical School, Charlottesville, VA ( ). as the Director of Interventional Neuroradiology at Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, ( ). As an ordained clergy in the Charismatic Episcopal Church, he converted to Orthodoxy in After attending St. Tikhon's Seminary ( ) he was ordained a Priest on March 3, He is married to Matushka Cassiane and they have a daughter, Kari, and a son, Eric, and four grandchildren. 2

14 St. George Greek Orthodox Church Parish Council Meeting Minutes January 12, 2012 Attendees: Fr. Rick Andrews, President Tom Lampros, Vice President Joe Weiser, Secretary Sophronis Mantoles, Treasurer George Kanavati, Asst. Treasurer, Diane Anastos, Nanette Gomez, Dan Simon, Steve Zeece. Absent: Alexis Bighley I. Call to Order, 7:04pm II. Opening Prayers, 7:05pm III. Oath of Office: For Nannette Gomez (New PC member). IV. Submission of minutes: The minutes from the Dec 8 th meeting were accepted as submitted. V. Submission of minutes: The minutes from the January 1 st officer s election meeting were accepted as submitted. VI. Treasurer s report: Mr Kanavati presented the financial report. The planned budget shortfall was highlighted, increase of stewardship from 2010 to 2011 was also highlighted. George also elaborated on a couple of other areas including less expenses on youth director and snow removal. The last item presented was that the 2012 budget proposal is showing a shortfall of 54, This amount is illustrated in the budget as a new line item for clarity, Deficit Revenue under stewardship, and can be offset via net proceeds from fundraisers including the festivals or offset by withdrawal from savings and investment accounts. VII. Father s Report: Father Rick reported on the following: a. Meeting with new Parish Council members: Passed a new book to new members, also passed an article on history of Greek Orthodox Church. b. Goals for the New Year: Basketball tournament, pictorial directory, master plan for improving the inside of the Church (need the correct term), church archives looking at digitizing the archives in the future, initiating a planned giving program or at minimum teaching parishoners how to keep the church in their giving plans, divine liturgy participation increase for parish council members, encourage participation in the sacrament of confession, participation in loaves and fishes, participate in bible study, participate at a dinner at FOCUS. c. Youth Minister: We budgeted $6,000 for the position. (See motion in item number VIII.) d. Annual job review for Lori: Father soliciting constructive input (both positive and negative) from Parish council. e. Discussion with Philoptochos president: Mailings cost etc, add to agenda for next month. VIII. Director of youth ministry: Joe Weiser made a motion to initiate the search for a new youth minister. Motion seconded by Dan Simon and was passed unanimously. IX. Committee Reports: a) Stewardship committee: Tom Lampros and the committee are working on ways to increase Stewardship for Looking into ways to engage in more dialogue with the parishioners. Also establishing a giving program. New members were added to the stewardship committee 1

15 chaired by Alexis. Father reported on stewardship statistics. He also stressed how we should lead the way as PC members in giving. b) Building and Grounds: Dan Simon reported that he discussed the fellowship hr for the first weekend of February with Naomi Tsantir and George Kanavati signed up to take care of it. Dan reported on cleaning log with vanguard cleaning company. The fan in the women s bathroom was running backwards and fans in both bathrooms now operating as originally designed. Dan to look into the water heater in the sanctuary bathroom. Dan also reported on positive progress with new cleaning service and correction to initial start up invoice. c) Sanctuary master planning: Fr. reported on the progress. The committee met three times. Looking at the iconography and other ways to improve the sanctuary area. First effort will be to add two new icons on each side of the platitera. d) Welcome and Outreach committee: Father encouraged both Dan and Sophronis to continue planning events and look into the next steps. X. Unfinished business: a. Roselawn Cemetary Monument: Revised proposal went back and forth with Shawnrock. Some details of the design were missed. Proposal cost went up by a couple of thousand dollars after several revisions. b. Capital Projects: Bathroom fans and other topics covered elsewhere on agenda. c. Basketball Tournament: 23 teams signed up so far. Ads are coming in. Meal registrations are coming in. Need volunteers. Five teams from our parish are participating. Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos will be in St. Paul for the tournament. d. Parish Photo Directory: Vicki Paraschou reported that photos were taken at the Church, photos are been submitted and families are also taking pictures at other professional settings. No plans for formal group pictures of committees, etc. If we want them added we need to let groups know. e. Copier and Computer: Everything was delivered here except the laptop for Fr. and installation is in progress. XI. XI. New Business a) Ushering Schedule: Mr Lampros passed the ushering schedule around for PC members to sign up. b) Summons due to 2011 Rental Property: Mr Kanavati represented the Church at the court. There was water damage in the basement of the property that was sold in February of 2011 prior to the sale. The Church was sued and the summons are more likely to excuse the church of any responsibility. Motion to pay Phil, former property manager, $ for his services and investigative efforts to help respond to the summons, was made by Mr Kanavati. Mr Zeece offered to donate the $ Motion seconded by Joe Weiser, passed unanimously. c) Open Council Seats: There are two open council seats. The process is to think of someone, check with Fr. for eligibility and then ask the person. d) Motion to add a greeting from the PC in the add book for the tournament. Motion passed. Adjournment and Closing Prayer: 9:12 pm. Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Zeese seconded by Mr Mantoles. All documents and reports submitted at the meeting are on file with the original copy of the minutes at the church. 2