Saint Sophia Cathedral

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1 Saint Sophia Cathedral Greek Orthodox Community God s people, serving God s people Weekly Bulletin Sunday, 13 March 2011 Sunday of Orthodoxy Very Rev. Father John S. Bakas Allan Boyd, Pastoral Assistant

2 CALENDAR OF THE WEEK Sunday, March 13 th Orthros :00am Studies in Faith.....9:15am Memorials :45am Divine Liturgy :00am Monday, March 14 th Bible Study with Fr. John: Philoptohos Women s Bible Study 10:30am Men s Bible Study...12:30pm Tuesday, March 15 th There will be no Bible Study Class during March and April in observance of Great Lent. Bible Study will resume on May 3 rd. Wednesday, March 16 th There will be no Bible Study Class during March and April in observance of Great Lent. Bible Study will resume on May 4 th. Saturday, March 19 th Hellenic Academy - children.... 9:00am Hellenic Academy adults... 11:30am Coffee Hour will be held in our Fellowship Tent EPISTLE READER Jeanine Hanna USHERS Alexandra Guirguis, Dinah Wellington, Shemadine Wellington Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral 1324 South Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles,

3 DAILY VITAMINS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH 3

4 MEMORIALS Polly Kastas (40 days), Peter Bravos, Eugenia Bravos, Fofo Christian, Irene Polizos Nicholson, Yannoula, Eleftherios, Vasilios, Nikolaos, Stavroula, Panayiotis, Josephine, Matthew, Mary Jane ALTAR CANDLES Offered in loving memory of Polly Kastas, by Georgia K. and Chris T. Caras Offered in loving memory of Peter & Eugenia Bravos, and Fofo Christian, by their family 4

5 Υμνος Τροπαριον του Ναου, Ηχος πλ δ Ευλογητος ει Χριστε ο Θεος ημων, ο πανσοφους του αλιεις αναδειξας, καταπεμψας αυτοις το Πνευμα το Αγιον, και δι αυτων την οικουμενην σαγηνευσας, φιλανθρωπε, δοξα σοι. ΚΟΝΤΑΚΙΟΝ Ηχος πλ δ 5

6 HYMNS OF THE DAY Second Tone O Christ our God, begging forgiveness of our sins, we venerate Your Pure Image, O Good One. Of Your own will, You condescended to ascend upon the Cross in the flesh and deliver those You created from the bondage of the enemy. Wherefore, thankfully, we cry out, When You came to save the world, You filled all things with joy, O our Savior. Dismissal Hymn First Tone Savior, Your tomb was sealed by the Jews with a stone. Soldiers kept watch over Your sacred body. Yet, You rose on the third day, giving life to the world. Wherefore the powers of heaven cried out to You, O Giver of Life, Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ; glory to Your kingdom, glory to Your dispensation who alone are the Loving One. Troparion of Saint Sophia (Holy Wisdom) Blessed are You O Christ our God, Who as all wise the fishermen You showed forth; By sending your Holy Spirit down upon them and through them the universe You drew unto your net. O lover of mankind Glory to You. Kondakion To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: Hail, unwedded bride! 6

7 ΕΠΙΣΤΟΛΗ Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:24-26,32-40 Ἀδελφοί, πίστει Μωϋσῆς μέγας γενόμενος ἠρνήσατο λέγεσθαι υἱὸς θυγατρὸς Φαραώ, μᾶλλον ἑλόμενος συγκακουχεῖσθαι τῷ λαῷ τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ πρόσκαιρον ἔχειν ἁμαρτίας ἀπόλαυσιν μείζονα πλοῦτον ἡγησάμενος τῶν Αἰγύπτου θησαυρῶν τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν τοῦ χριστοῦ ἀπέβλεπεν γὰρ εἰς τὴν μισθαποδοσίαν. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γὰρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψών καὶ Ἰεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων. Ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες, μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν 7

8 EPISTLE READING The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 8

9 GOSPEL READING The Reading is from John 1:44-52 At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." 9

10 MINISTRY NEWS PHILOPTOHOS NEWS MOTHER'S DAY: It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our Mother's Day Chairman, Angela Karavedas. As most of you know, she was a very energetic and enthusiastic member of Philoptohos who planned to run for the Board of Directors in May. She was so excited about joining the Board and working in Philoptohos. It is a great loss to us all. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends. Tricia Ballas Kremer, last year's Mother's Day Chairman, has graciously offered to step in and take over as Chairman. Please give her and the committee as much support as you can, while we deal with this very sudden and tragic loss. Angela and her committee were working very hard on this event and we are going to carry on with her wishes to the best of our ability. We want to make this a wonderful day for our MOTHER OF THE YEAR, MARIANNA POLES POLITIS. Please join us on Saturday, May 7th at the Universal Sheraton Hotel. GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Our next general assembly is Sunday, March 20th immediately following church in the apartment residence complex. We need to retract our last message about a food drive for the Salvin School. Please do NOT bring any foods with you to the meeting. The school has informed us they prefer to purchase the items themselves with the money we donate to them, as they have a special discount store where they shop. We are sorry for any misunderstanding about this. EASTER LILIES: Sunshine chairman Helene Ballas will be ordering Easter Lilies for the shut-ins again this year. Please call her at with the names of anyone you know who should be added to our list. We are always looking for volunteers to help deliver the plants as well. The lilies will be available for pick-up in the chapel after church on Palm Sunday. With love, The Philoptohos Board of Directors 10

11 PHILOPTOHOS NEWS (continued) MINISTRY NEWS (continued) Change from the Heart Contribute to Pennies & Prayers A penny is a gift, a prayer of thanks, a reminder that we come together to further the work of Christ our Lord. Pennies & Prayers is a Commission for Orthodox Missions and Evangelism (C.O.M.E.), which is all about bringing Christ to our neighbor. Without these funds our missions throughout the world will not be able to preach the gospel or provide for many needy people. Your family s spare change can help support our current mission parishes and begin new ones. Keeping a jar in the home is a way to remind ourselves of Christ s calling to go to all people everywhere and make them His Disciples. How to Participate in Pennies & Prayers Please make a donation today! Any amount is welcome. Take home a Pennies & Prayers canister and place your spare change into the canister. The whole family is encouraged to participate, especially during the Lenten Season. Return the filled canisters by Pentecost Sunday, June 12, to the church office in care of Philoptochos. All proceeds will be sent to Pennies & Prayers to continue this valuable work for our Orthodox missions. Make this valuable work a family project! If you have any questions or need further information, please call Sophie Mastor, Chairman, at (310)

12 Mr. & Mrs. Club 2011 Kickoff MINISTRY NEWS (continued) Sunday evening, March 13, 2011 Sterling's Supper Club - Upstairs at Vitello's The St. Sophia Mr. & Mrs. Club will be getting together for an evening of impressions, comedy and song, performed by St. Sophia's very own Perry Lambert. For those of you have never seen Perry perform, get ready for an amazing evening, filled with fun, laughter surprise. Though Perry's performance is open to anyone who would like to attend, Sterling's Supper Club will be sectioning off part of the room so that our Mr. & Mrs. Club can gather together. That way we can visit and socialize with one another, reconnecting in fellowship, over dinner, in a joyful atmosphere. Sterling's Supper Club at Vitello's is located at 4249 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, CA Seating from 5:30-6:00PM Showtime is 7:00PM. There are two packages available which are described below. To join the Mr. & Mrs. Club and Perry Lambert at Sterling's Supper Club at Vitello's please contact Dean & Christina Peratsakis , dotos@msn.com, cperatsakis@yahoo.com or you can contact Sterling's: General Admission Package: $31 per person - Includes: General Seating, Entertainment Cover, Show and $13 drink and/or food minimum Please share this notice with your married friends as we may not have everyone's address and we want to make sure that we are inviting everyone. Thank you. Perry Lambert is an accomplished, multi-talented, Singer, Actor, Comedian, and Impressionist. Perry has been hailed as "The Guy with all the right stuff that makes for a great show" He has a unique ability of creating a wholesome evening of family entertainment, by blending comedy, music & celebrity impressions that have made him a smash hit from Brazil to Alaska and back! 12

13 MINISTRY NEWS (continued) PHILANTHROPIA MINISTRY NEWS CONFESSIONS: A blessed spiritual voyage during this great Lenten season. Father Peter will be available on all Wednesdays during lent for confessions from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m., in the St. Demetrios Chapel. Please make an appointment with the church office. USED CLOTHING and CANNED GOODS: Thank you for all the wonderful used clothing and canned goods. The two new receptacles, for used clothing and canned goods, are working great. They are located side by side, in the general area of the chapel. Please identify your clothing donations by indicating whether they are for men, women or children, on the outside of the bags. Thank you! "GET ON THE BUS": Mothers Day is coming on May 8th and we are reminding you that once again we will support the "Get on the Bus" program that takes bus loads of children to visit their mothers who are incarcerated. Any donation you can offer to Philanthropia will be greatly appreciated. Take care and God Bless. Father Peter ******************************************* 5 TONS OF LOVE As we embark on another beautiful Lenten season, let us once again show our Love of neighbor. The AMNOS Ministry will be trying to fill a 5 ton truck with your donation of quality clothing to be distributed to those less fortunate. Conduct your own clothing drive at school, work or in your neighborhood. St. Sophia's 9th Annual 5 TONS OF LOVE Clothing Drive will take place over the next six weeks. Please contact Dean and Christina Peratsakis / dotos@msn.com for more information. Volunteers needed. Drop off location yet to be determined. Thank you. 13

14 The Herald Newsletter COMMUNITY NEWS To All Stewards If your anniversary/birthday is not already listed in our monthly Herald newsletter and you wish for it to be listed in the appropriate issue for your month, please your information to: Stephanie Caiopoulos Lubian Thank you. ******************************************* LENTEN RETREAT FOR YOUNG ADULTS SPECIAL GUEST RETREAT MASTER FATHER CHAD HATFIELD Archpriest Chad Hatfield is the Chancellor of St. Vladimir s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York. Among his many works, Fr. Chad is author of Sin, Sickness and Salvation Christian Bioethics SATURDAY, APRIL 9, :00 A.M. 3:00 P.M. SAINT STEVEN S SERBIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 1621 West Garvey Avenue Alhambra, CA More Info to Follow 14

15 Caring Funeral Service COMMUNITY NEWS (continued) In time of need, we suggest you call Terry Harmon ( ) from Caring Funeral Service. He is the owner of many funeral homes and can accommodate us from any location. He has taken time to know our Greek Orthodox traditions and has become a supporter of the Cathedral by sponsoring the yearly calendar, putting an ad in the Festival book and the monthly Herald. He keeps his prices affordable for families, is easy to work with and very respectful. ******************************************* Our Own Noah Johnson Needs Your Help Noah Johnson, a fellow parishioner and graduating senior at Biola University will be writing a research paper (an ethnography) about our community for his anthropology thesis. In order to get a better understanding of the broader St. Sophia experience, he may ask for your participation in interviews and surveys. Please have no concern over privacy, as no names or personal information are required for his research. In case anyone may have concerns about his research, or if you have a particular interest in helping Noah, please him at NJnoah@gmail.com. Providing data for his research would be much appreciated. ******************************************* PREPARE FOR LENT, HOLY WEEK & EASTER 2011 To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances, to seek Him the greatest adventure, to find Him the greatest human accomplishment. St. Augustine Lent, Holy Week, & Easter is yet another time in our life s journey to fall in love with The Lord. Seek Him, find Him and commit to Him. On page 18 is a schedule of Lenten services. Attending these services will give you an opportunity to find the Lord in a very personal and special way. Mark your calendar and please make every effort to attend these holy services this Lenten season. 15

16 LENTEN SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE COMMUNITY NEWS (continued) As you contemplate Great Lent, which is beginning with Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday), remember fasting is more than abstaining from certain foods, it is fasting from certain life styles and attitudes. It is making a radical change in life s priorities. There is fasting and feasting in life. Consider the following which are more important than what you put in your stomach. Disciplining the stomach and its appetites helps with all the rest. FAST from self-concern and FEAST on compassion for others. FAST from discouragement and FEAST on hope. FAST from lethargy and FEAST on enthusiasm. FAST from suspicion and FEAST on truth. FAST from thoughts that weaken & FEAST on promises that inspire. FAST from shadows of sorrow and FEAST on the sunlight of serenity. FAST from idle gossip and FEAST on purposeful silence. FAST from problems that overwhelm you & FEAST on prayer that sustains. FAST from criticism and FEAST on praise. FAST from self-pity and FEAST on joy. FAST from ill-temper and FEAST on peace. FAST from resentment and FEAST on contentment. FAST from jealousy and FEAST on love. FAST from pride and FEAST on humility. FAST from selfishness and FEAST on service. ******************************************* PLEASE NOTE: HOLY WEEK & EASTER DONATIONS are now being accepted for all floral pieces including solea flowers, icons, wreaths and banners. Altar and solea candles may be purchased as well. Donations of any amount, large or small, may be given towards any of these in blessed memory of loved ones. For additional information please contact Jimmy Karatsikis or Ann Pappas in the cathedral office. LENTEN LITURGY & HOLY WEEK BOOKS Follow all the services of the Lenten season & Holy Week in our Lenten & Holy Week books which are now available in the Narthex for purchase. The supply is limited so please don t wait. Please see Jimmy Karatsikis in the Narthex. KALO SARAGOSTI 16

17 SAINT OF THE MONTH ST. GREGORY PALAMAS MARCH 20 This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers on his saint s day. 17

18 Schedule of Lenten Services Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Wed. March 16 7:30 p.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Fri. March 18 9:30 a.m. Salutations Fri. March 18 7:30 p.m. Sun. of Saint Gregory Palamas Sun. March 20 Orthros 8:30 Liturgy 10:00 Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Wed. March 23 7:30 p.m. Annunciation Liturgy Fri. March 25 Orthros 8:30 Liturgy 9:30 Sunday of the Holy Cross Sun. March 27 Orthros 8:30 Liturgy 10:00 Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Wed. March 30 7:30 p.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Fri. April 1 9:30 a.m. Salutations Fri. April 1 7:30 p.m. Sunday of Saint John of Climacus Sun. April 3 Orthros 8:30 Liturgy 10:00 Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Wed. April 6 7:30 p.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Fri. April 8 9:30 a.m. Akathist Hymn Fri. April 8 7:30 p.m. Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt Sun. April 10 Orthros 8:30 Liturgy 10:00 Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Wed. April 13 7:30 p.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Fri. April 15 9:30 a.m. 18

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20 THANK YOU FATHER CHRIS KANAKIS Father Chris Kanakis, Assistant Priest at St. Anthony s in Pasadena, is filling in for Fr. Bakas this Sunday. Fr. Bakas has joined 5 hierarchs, including our own Metropolitan Gerasimos, for the Pan Orthodox Sunday of Orthodoxy Divine Liturgy at the Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Mary. Many thanks to Fr. Chris and to Fr. Peter Stratos, pastor of St. Anthony s, for making it possible for Fr. Bakas to join the Pan Orthodox Clergy for this historic and holy celebration. 20