Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Transcription

1 Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral God s people, serving God s people Sunday, 24th of March 2013 Sunday of Orthodoxy 1324 South Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, Office: Fax: Very Reverend Father John S. Bakas, Dean Reverend Father Allan Boyd, Assistant Priest

2 FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES Executive Officers George E. Preonas, President; Andrew Evangelatos, Executive Vice President; James A. Demetriou, PhD, Vice President & C.F.O.; Constantine M. Boukidis, Secretary; Tina Callas, Treasurer Members V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas; Nicholas Bissias; Timi Loomos Freshman; Alek Haidos; Steve Hanna; Michael Huffington; Gig Kyriacou; Brent Noyes; John T. Pappas; Jim Zaferis Presidential Appointments Anthony A. Demetriou, Presidential Assistant; John G. Marakas III, Sr. V.P. of Wells Fargo, Advisor to the Board PARISH COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Officers Brent Noyes, President; John Kopatisis, Vice-President; Irene Andreadis, Recording Secretary; Karen Sarames, Corresponding Secretary/Legal; Michael Kraios, Treasurer & C.F.O. Members Bertha Angels; Jeanine Hanna; Glenn Lianos; Eleni Constantine Manolelis; Loula Moschonas; Kouji Nakata; Alex Oxyzolou; Peter Pallas; Dean Peratsakis; Dorothy Spirus Board of Auditors Jim Ananias; Tony Demetriou; Tom Moore CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK Sunday, March 24 th Sunday of Orthodoxy Orthros :30am Studies in the Faith :30am Memorials....NO MEMORIALS ON SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY Divine Liturgy :00am Monday, March 25th Annunciation of the Theotokos Orthros :30am Liturgy :30am Catechism with Father Allan.... 7:30pm Tuesday, March 26th Women s Bible Study with Fr. John :00am Men s Bible Study with Fr. John :30am Wednesday, March 27 th Pre-Sanctified Liturgy.....7:30pm Thursday, March 28th Old Testament Bible Study with Father Allan....Cancelled Until After Easter Friday, March 29th Pre-Sanctified Liturgy :30am Akathist Hymn :30pm Saturday, March 30th Hellenic Academy (PreK 6) :30am Hellenic Academy (Adults) ,,12:30pm Coffee Hour in the Huffington Center Maniatakos Fellowship Hall The Ikona of Evangelismo & Artoclasia Offered by Zoi Fovos for the Health of her Family 2

3 DAILY VITAMINS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH 3

4 Υμνος Ἀπολυτίκιον τῆς Ἐορτής - Ἦχος β Τὴν ἄχραντον Εἰκόνα σου προσκυνοῦμεν Ἀγαθέ, αἰτούμενοι συγχώρησιν τῶν πταισμάτων ἡμῶν, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, βουλήσει γὰρ ηὐδόκησας σαρκὶ ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῶ, ἵνα ῥύσῃ οὓς ἔπλασας ἐκ τῆς δουλείας τοῦ ἐχθροῦ, ὅθεν εὐχαρίστως βοώμέν σοί, Χαρὰς πλήρωσας τὰ πάντα, ὁ Σωτὴρ ἡμῶν, παραγενόμενος εἰς τὸ σῶσαι τὸν Κόσμον. Ἀναστάσιμο Ἀπολυτίκιον - Ἦχος α Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου Σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος, Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν διὰ τοῦτο αἱ δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοί, Ζωοδότα Δόξα τῇ Ἀναστάσει σου, Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε φιλάνθρωπε. ς Κοντάκιον - Ἦχος πλ δ Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν, εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου, Θεοτόκε, ἀλλ' ὦς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε, Νύμφη Μεγαλυνάριον Επi σoί χαίρει, Κεχαριτωμένη, πάσα η κτίσις, Αγγέλων τό σύστημα καί ανθρώπων τό γένος, ηγιασμένε ναέ καί παράδεισε λογικέ, παρθενικόν καύχημα, εξ ής Θεός εσαρκώθη καί παιδίον γέγονεν, ο πρό αιώνων υπάρχων Θεός ημών τήν γάρ σήν μήτραν θρόνον εποίησε, καί τήν σήν γαστέρα πλατυτέραν ουρανών απειργάσατο. Επί σοί χαίρει, Κεχαριτωμένη, πάσα η κτίσις δόξα σοι. 4

5 HYMNS OF THE DAY Apolytikion of the Feast - Tone 2 We worship Your immaculate Image, O Good One, and ask forgiveness of our sins, O Christ God; for of Your own will You were pleased to go up on the Cross in the flesh, to deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom You have created. Therefore we thankfully cry to You: With joy You have filled all things, O our Saviour, by coming to save the world. Resurrection Apolytikion - Tone 1 The stone had been sealed by the Jews, and soldiers were guarding your pure Body; but on the third day, Saviour, you arose and gave life to the world. Wherefore the heavenly Powers cried out to you, Giver of life: Glory to your resurrection, Christ, glory to your kingdom, glory to your divine plan, you who alone love human kind. 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. Kontakion - Tone 8 To you, the Champion Leader, we your servants dedicate hymns of victory and thanksgiving as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos. Since you are invincible in power, deliver us from all dangers, so that we may cry to you: Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride Megalynarion (Hymn To the Theotokos) O Lady, full of grace...all creation rejoices in you... the orders of Angels... and the human race together. O sanctified temple and heavenly minded Paradise, the pride of virgins...from you God became incarnate...and He who existed from before all ages, became a child. For our Lord made your womb a throne for Himself, and thus He made your body more spacious than the heavens. O lady, full of grace...all creation rejoices in you. Glory to you! 5

6 EPISTLE READING Priest: Let Us Attend EPISTLE READER...HEIDI SANDSTROM Reader: Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers for you are just in all you have done. Priest: Wisdom Reader: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, Priest: Let us be Attentive... Reader: 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. 6

7 GOSPEL READING The Reading is from The Gospel of John 1:43-51 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." 7

8 MINISTRY NEWS PHILOPTOHOS NEWS We will be joining with the Sunday School in collecting items for needy individuals on behalf of the St. Thomas Food Bank (our neighbor) during Lent in the month of April. This year we will be providing everyone participating with a shopping bag and an attached list which will include non-perishable food items and select toiletries. We also will be collecting socks and undergarments for the women and children in the safe houses that are run by the Domestic Violence Agency. Let s give them hope for a better tomorrow. Spring is a renewal of life for the Earth and for our souls as we prepare for Easter. We must never forget that the victims of poverty and violence need hope that their lives will be renewed. Get ready for April and start stocking up on some of these items when you see them on sale or specials in the stores. GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Our next general assembly meeting has been changed to Sunday, March 31 immediately after liturgy. We decided to change the date because our previous plans landed on the same day as the L.A. Marathon. Our speaker is Dr. Nikos Stefanidis from the Philanthropia and Parenting group. We thought that some of you might wish to bring a donation to the meeting for Dr. Stefanidis s work. Items you could donate are: a package of undershirts or socks, blankets, and/or travel-sized samples for personal hygiene from the drug store. We ll see you on the 31st! *Don t forget our SEE S candy sale will take place on Sundays after church. We will be selling for 3 Sundays: April 14, 21 and 28th! All proceeds will go to our Kids n Cancer Camps. Once the candy is sold out we won t be able to get anymore so be sure you buy early! The Kids n Cancer camps are located in California, Arizona and Washington. We are the ONLY Metropolis in the United States that has these wonderful camps. The camps are run by the Metropolis Philoptohos and funded strictly on donations. The days at camp these children and their families receive to just have some fun and get away from the world of hospitals and chemotherapy, is truly a gift of love. Don t forget our election meeting for the Board of Directors is Sunday, May 19 immediately after liturgy! Be sure you pay your dues so you are eligible to vote. If you wish to run for the Board, please send a letter addressed to the President of Philoptohos and state your intentions. You must be a steward in good standing with Philoptohos and a steward at our Saint Sophia Cathedral. With love in Christ s service, Virginia Noyes and the Philoptohos Board of Directors 8

9 MINISTRY NEWS (continued) PHILOPTOHOS VIP NEWS We are pleased to announce that we'll be honoring Evans and Catherine Rodinos as VIP Philoptohos Senior Citizens of the Year Plan to attend this special day. Please join us for a very special luncheon and program that have been planned. Chairperson is Mersy Loukaris and co-chair Pitsa Schwartz. Please contact Mary Kezios at (562) or Stella Morris at (818) for resevations. The price is $25.00 In His Service, Mary Morrison, VIP President HOLY WEEK FLOWERS Donations are being accepted for floral arrangements, icons, underwriting the Epitaphios flowers in memory of loved ones, in full or in part and all related flowers for Holy week and Easter. Altar plant donations may be made in any amount in memory of loved ones. Please contact Ann Pappas or Jimmy Karatsikis for any additional information. (323) ext. 207 Ann or ext. 302 Jimmy JOY OF PARENTING CLASS - Today, Huffington Center, 2nd floor Join your fellow parishioners in a lively discussion of parenting children of all ages: from toddlers to teens and beyond. Today, following Holy Communion, concluding at noon. The topic: "Lecturing vs. Teaching Your Child." Come with your concerns and questions or just listen; there is no pressure to speak to the class. It s a wonderful way to get acquainted with other parents. There is no fee to attend. Classes are held in the Huffington Center, Work/Study Room, upstairs near the left-hand side staircase. The Joy of Parenting Ministry is facilitated by Barbara Kappos, LCSW and Nikolaos Stefanidis, Ph.D. Upcoming topics: March 31, "Preventing Substance Abuse," April 7, "Gratitude," April 14, "Handling Disagreements with Teachers," April 21, "Are You a Parent or a Friend?" April 28, "When Parents Don't Agree." 9

10 PROJECT MEXICO Make Your Summer Vacation Count! Project Mexico, July Use the blessings of your time and talents to help build homes for the less fortunate in Tijuana, Mexico this summer with St Sophia's first Project Mexico team. We are sending a group to join 150 Orthodox Christians in building homes for the less fortunate of Tijuana, Mexico. Groups will construct between four to seven homes in one week, speakers present each evening on a variety of topics, and Sunday is a day of fellowship and fun at St. Innocent s Orphanage. No experience is required, and we encourage all ages to get involved! Families welcome: anyone younger than 14 can come with a parent! Deposits are due March 31st. Do you have questions about the trip or would you like to participate in some way? Please contact Fr. Allan Boyd at FrBoyd@StSophia.org or (323) ******************************************* PLEASE NOTE: The Lenten and Holy week schedule will be available in the Narthex, at the front desk of the Huffington center and at coffee hour. Holy Week, Lenten Liturgy & Akathist service books have arrived for our Lenten journey. Books are available in the Narthex & Bookstore. The supply is limited. ******************************************* VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 2 HOURS Saint Sophia Cathedral Easter picnic Brookside park in Pasadena Easter Sunday, May 5 th Please see Toula Kalatzis during coffee hour to sign up. ******************************************* SAINT SOPHIA RESIDENCE AVAILABLE FOR RENT 1-two bedroom apartment and 1-three bedroom apartment available. If interested please call (323) or (323) ext

11 As we enter this Lent, participating in prayer and fasting, make it joyful by feasting on showing Love of neighbor through almsgiving. Once again, the AMNOS Ministry will make an effort to fill a 5 ton truck with your donation of quality clothing to be distributed to those less fortunate. The Old Testament Prophet Isaiah suggests this bit of wisdom,...the fast that I have chosen...is when I see the naked, to cover him with clothing... Make this Lent even more joyful by conducting your own clothing drive at school, work or in your neighborhood. St. Sophia's 10th annual, 5 TONS OF LOVE clothing drive will take place over the next seven weeks. (Drop off location TBD) Please contact Fr. Allan Boyd or Dean & Christina Peratsakis for more or dotos@msn.com Volunteers needed. Thank you. ******************************************* BASKETBALL NEWS 2013 Greek Orthodox Basketball League Game Date Start Visitor Home Location Sunday 3/24/13 Sunday of Orthodoxy WK #6 2PM St. Nicholas St. Anthony St. Sophia Saturday 2PM St. George St. Katherine Gym 3/30/13 2PM Assumption St. John 2PM St. Sophia St. Basil WK #7 2PM St. Anthony St. George St. Sophia Sunday 2PM St. Katherine St. Nicholas Gym 3/31/13 2PM St. John St. Sophia 2PM St. Basil Assumption Sat. 4/6 9:00AM 7:30PM Quarter Finals St. Sophia Gym Sat. 4/6 1:30PM 7:30PM Semi Finals St. Sophia Gym Sun. 4/7 1:30PM 6:30PM Finals St. Sophia & Loyola Sun. 4/7 6:30PM - 10:30PM Banquet Assumption Gym 11

12 12

13 13

14 For those who are sick or suffering St. James advises us, If anyone among you is sick, let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:13-14) Ensuring that St Sophia s parishioners continue to be cared-for and prayed-for, please list names below of those in our midst that need prayer. Feel free to request the personal prayer of one of our priests after services, or to schedule this with one our priests during St Sophia Cathedral s office hours. As you request prayer, you may also wish to make an offering to Saint Sophia s Altar Fund. Label: For the health of PLEASE PRINT CLEARY: Please submit this form to: Saint Sophia Cathedral Office 1324 S Normandie Ave. Los Angeles CA When you write or update your will, please remember Saint Sophia Cathedral. Your gift will live into eternity. 14

15 Come & See! As we see in today s Gospel Reading, Philip used those very words to invite Nathanael to meet Jesus. Philip knew that Jesus was the Anointed One for whom the people of Israel had been waiting. He was the fulfillment of their hopes; of the promises of the prophets; and of the Jewish law. Amazingly, what Philip realized, is that the Son of God could be seen THE lifesaving miracle. On this Sunday of Great Lent, we remember the Church s declaration in 843 AD, that the use of icons is an important affirmation of God s Son taking on actual human flesh and if seen in the flesh, then also depicted in pictures. These pictures are not to be worshipped (like God), but to be venerated (given particularly deep respect & reverence) for their very real participation in the heavenly kingdom. On the Saturday evening before Sunday of Orthodoxy, many of the various parishes from the Los Angeles area celebrate a pan-orthodox Vespers. This is another come & see moment, showing all of us what we can be if we come together as participants in the heavenly kingdom and how beautiful that can look. 15

16 16