January Volume 11, Issue 01

Transcription

1 January 2016 Volume 11, Issue 01

2 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 900 6th Street Sioux City, Iowa Church Office Rev. Fr. Dimitri Tobias, Proistamenos Telephone: Office Fax: Parish Council President: John Vlahoulis Worship Hours: Sundays: Weekdays: Esperinos: Thursdays: Orthros 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:00 a.m. For Major Feasts 6:00 p.m. Paraklisis Service 6:00 p.m. 1st of Every Month: Agiasmos Service 8:30 a.m. unless there is a service, in which case it will take place 30 minutes prior to Orthros Year Long Ministries Weekly Sunday School: (During School Year) Following Holy Communion Greek Dance: (During School Year) TBD Wednesdays from 5:00 6:00 p.m. Healthy Body/Healthy Soul Wednesdays from 4:30 5:00 p.m. Monthly Orthodoxy on Tap Check Calendar Philoptochos Check Calendar Seasonal Ministries to begin in Spring: Bible Study: Thursdays from 8:30 9:30 a.m. Blessed Darkness (Adult Education): Thursdays 7:00 8:00 p.m. St. Basil s Students (Adult Education): Tuesdays from 6:30 7:30 p.m. Minerva Faith Group (Adult Education): Tuesdays from 12:30 2:00 p.m. Athletics Check Calendar Youth Ministries JOY GOYA- 1st Wednesday 6:00 p.m. 2nd Wednesday 6:00 pm For more information on our ministries, please check out our website! January 2016 Page 2

3 Table of Contents Registry Page 4 Father s Message Page 5-6 President s Message Page 7-8 Stewardship Page 9 Philoptochos Page 10 Ministries Page 11 Services Page Puzzles Page 16 Posters Page Outreach Page 22 Koinonia News Page 22 Pictures Page Church Staff Parish Priest/ Editor: Rev. Fr. Dimitri Tobias Parish Council President: John Vlahoulis Office Director Mary Sharp Philoptochos President: Dr. Fotene Karantinos Book Store: Kiki Karras & Dr. Fotene Karantinos Sunday School Director: Shanda Antonopoulos Greek Dance Director: Leah Baryo Youth Directors: Dean & Amy Karras Stewardship: Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos Orthodoxy on Tap Shanda Antonopoulos Patriarchs: Afrodity Segos We Knead You: Janet Antonopoulos Church & Metropolis News Page 26 Calendar Page 27 Coffee Hour Page 28 Mission of the Parish: To build our Church Family through bountiful religious services, educational classes, fellowship opportunities and outreach. The pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving will feature prominently in the ministries of the Parish. Vision for the Parish: A Dynamic Church, equally strong at home as at the Parish, fortified by Ministries that bring the faithful closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His Holy Mother, and all the Saints. ABRAHAM S PANTRY: Please donate! Foods from Abraham s Pantry are distributed to the local Food Pantries to feed the poor. Check the expiration Date!!! Abraham served the best he had. If we would not eat it, why should we expect someone else to risk getting sick? January 2016 Page 3

4 Registry and Vital Statistics Baptisms: Chrismations: Weddings: On December 31st Leah Baryo was wed to Beau Brockway. ζωή σε σας Funerals Rev. Fr. Tilemahos Alikakos, Rev. Fr. Lucas Rice & Rev. Fr. Dimitri Tobias presided. Koumbaro: Jordan Schultz Να ζήσετε! Να είστε ευτυχισμένοι! We Welcome the following new families to the Parish! Now is the time to reach out to your loved ones who have fallen away for whatever reason and bring them back to Church. Now is the time to share your faith with others! Together we must grow. Together we must build the Body of Christ. Invite someone to a service, to a Bible Study, to a Church Event. We have one of the friendliest communities in the Archdiocese. Let us go out so that they will know we are Christians by our Love. January 2016 Page 4

5 Father Dimitri s Message My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we gather together for the New Year, many of us are filled with optimism. If you count New Year s Eve, there will be several weddings this year. We will have numerous baptisms. This is a time of growth and happiness as we draw near for these joyous occasions. In addition to this, we have seen a marked growth in our ministries, in our stewardship, and in our reputation near and far. But I am not satisfied. I know, I know, your priest asks too much. But I really don t. Christ set the bar for us and it is the duty of the priest to encourage the flock to meet it. To that end, I mean a sanctified life, both at the parish and at home. My goal has always been for your home to become your little Church and reflect your Christian life. This can only be done through prayer and spiritual ascetism. We don t get muscles unless we work out consistently, nor does our nous (the spiritual heart, the eye of the soul), grow unless it is watered with tears and fertilized with prayer. Tears come from the realization of God s love and are the truest tokens of understanding when they come down our face. These are not tears of guilt, self hatred, or feelings of worthlessness. They are tears of humility, knowing who and what we are in relation to our God, recognizing our sins and lack of true love, and yet Jesus Christ loves us still! This love wounds us as St. Porphyrios writes in his work, Wounded by Love. Prayer is done in three ways, and all are necessary. 1st) we must pray together in Church. An organ separated from the main body cannot last long. We are part of the Body of Christ and we must come together. After all For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). We cannot truly experience Christ outside of this, and we encounter Him fully in the Eucharist. 2nd) We pray private prayers that our found in Prayer Books and services that we do by ourselves. 3rd) We pray in our hearts our personal Prayers. The latter two I wish to address. We have to make our homes conducive to prayer. We must not have lewd images sharing the same walls as the blessed Saints. For that matter, we must adorn our walls with Icons. This is not for artistic pleasure, but to share our home with the Saints as Icons are windows into Paradise. This past year, there was a movie that enjoyed some commercial success called War Room, which told the story of an evangelical woman whose marriage was struggling. An older woman gave her the advice of going into a private place, a war room to do battle/pray. To be completely honest, I did not see the movie, but the premise speaks to us as Orthodox because the place where we pray needs to be separate. That is what the word holy means. That which is different from this earth. Every home should have a war room, or, as we call it, a prayer January 2016 Page 5

6 corner, a Προσκυνητάριον (proskinitarion). It is here that we gather as a family every night and pray together. Let us begin this New Year on a good start! Let us bless our homes with prayers! Let us call the priest and have him come to sanctify our home. Let us ask him to bring the waters of Theophany to our houses/business so that the blessings of the Lord might shower us. As your priest, I earnestly want the best things for you and your family. Let us continue to grow as a Church Family and rise from Glory to Glory. I pray the Best Day of 2015 will be your Worst Day of I remain your servant in Christ, Fr. Dimitri Tobias, Proistamenos CALL ME FOR HOUSE BLESSINGS! What I need at your house or business: A list of the Orthodox and Non-Orthodox who consider your house home/ A list of all the employees at your place of business. An Icon to pray towards A Bowl of Water Basil January 2016 Page 6

7 Happy New Year! President s Message As we enter into 2016, I would like to wish each and everyone in the Holy Trinity Family a New Year filled with Health, Happiness and Prosperity! This article brings 2015 to a close, along with my term as President of your Parish Council. I would like to thank the Parish Council for the honor and privilege of serving Holy Trinity in this position. It truly has been a rewarding experience for me. For this article, I was asked to write about the accomplishments of this year along with things that were not accomplished under my term as President. Our Parish Council worked hard on many issues this year with great success and on issues without so much success. Together we had two successful Grecian Dinners, a GreekFest that was once again a leader in community events here in the Sioux City area, and a Saturday in The Park Gyro Booth that was successful. I was happy that Holy Trinity, under the guidance of our beloved spiritual leader Fr. Dimitri Tobias, continued to be a leader as a small church not only in the Metropolis of Chicago, but within the Archdiocese of the United States. As I stated in a previous article, we have come a long way in defining WHO we are, WHAT our mission on this earth truly is, and WHERE we are headed in the future. I have always stated that it s all about moving forward. I was blessed to represent Holy Trinity at several Metropolis events - The Metropolitan Iakovos Nameday Banquet along with the Metropolis Clergy Laity Conference. Both events are excellent opportunities to meet people and form friendships in order to help Holy Trinity become better visable throughout the Metropolis of Chicago. Once again, I thank the Parish Council for these opportunities. Our Stewardship to Holy Trinity experienced growth again this year. Under the guidance of Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos, the Stewardship Committee worked to see that everyone continued or increased their support of Time, Talent, and Treasure to Holy Trinity. With many Ministry opportunities available to each of us as a part of Stewardship, Holy Trinity continues to shine with support from its people. What a joy it was to see many Baptisms taking place this year! This shows that we continue to grow our families and Orthodoxy for the future. We also saw an increase in people who are new to Orthodoxy and Holy Trinity. Of course, it wouldn t be right if we didn t mention the engagements and engagement celebrations that also took place this past year. These young people will one day lead our beloved Holy Trinity! Once again, we continue to grow. What a blessing this truly is! Over the last several months the Parish Council has been re-defining our church committees. We have eliminated some and consolidated others in order to become more efficient and productive with our time. We have also created missions and visions for each remaining committee. This should help in our productivity in the next year. Our goals have become better defined and this should make them more easily attainable. Thank you to the Parish Council for their efforts. As stated earlier, there were some things that were met without success this past year. One project that I feel bad about not completing is the insulating of the attic. Now I am not necessarily talking about the shelving, but the insulating itself. This was an opportunity we completely missed. An opportunity to save money on our heating bills. Money we could have spent elsewhere on our building. The Parish Council had approved bids for this project, however, due to circumstances with scheduling and involvement the project never materialized. I remain hopeful that the new Parish Council can look outside the church membership in order to have this mon- January 2016 Page 7

8 ey saving project completed in the future. There are several other projects that the Parish Council will be looking at over the next year. As more information becomes available, the Stewards will be informed of these projects. As the new Parish Council soon takes over, it is my hope that the young people who have been elected to the Parish Council step up and continue to lead the parish into the next generation with great success. The time has come for our young members to take charge of the future of Holy Trinity. They have great ideas and thoughts for the future. In closing, I would like to say Thank You to the Parish Council for their support this past year. I would like to also say Thank You to Fr. Dimitri Tobias for his guidance, support, and prayers during my term as President. His help with the vision for the future of our parish is truly one of committment. We are blessed to have such a dynamic leader! Respectfully and sincerely submitted, John Vlahoulis 2015, Parish Council President HOLY TRINITY PHILOPTOCHOS SIOUX CITY WARMING SHELTER OUTREACH We are collecting travel-sized Kleenex, Hand Sanitizer, Shampoo, Deodorant, Feminine Hygiene products, tooth brushes and tooth paste, band-aids Also, there is a need for warm weather wear such as socks, gloves, mittens for women, men, and children January 2016 Page 8

9 Stewardship Time-Talent-Treasure Stewardship is about Joy We don t give out of fear of judgment in the afterlife. We give with joy as part of our spiritual growth, putting the emphasis on experiencing heaven now. Stewardship of our gifts can help shape our world and ourselves in such a way that we can experience God s grace, love and communion in the present. This perspective on Christian Stewardship emphasizes that which is possible for us as humans now rather than later. It shifts our focus from fear to the potential for experiencing joy. Hard work may bring power and success. Only God can bring us joy, peace and love. American writer, Frederick Buechner has written, Greed is the mathematical truism that the more you get, the more you have. The opposite of greed the selfless love of God and neighbor is based on the truth that the more you give away in love, the more you are. -from the 2016 Stewardship Brochure Those that seek the Lord shall never be in want of any good thing Stewardship Chair Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos Holy Trinity 2015 Stewards Fr. Dimitri & Presbytera Mary Tobias Dr. & Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Periklis Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Tony Antonopoulos Presbytera Vasiliki Balomenos Mr. & Mrs. John Baryo Ms. Leah Baryo Mr. Tom Baryo Mr. & Mrs. Sid Baumert Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Bikakis Mr. & Mrs. Dimitri Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. John Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. Greg Boucher Mr. & Mrs. Pete Bovis Mr. & Mrs. John Chioros Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ladeas Conyers Mr. & Mrs. George Demetroulis Mr. & Mrs. Kosta Demetroulis Mrs. Georgia Diavastes Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Eliades -Kennelly Mrs. Mary Eliades Mr. & Mrs. Vassilaki Emanuel Mr. Nick Fondoulakis Mrs. Cula Fondoulakis Mr. & Mrs. Tom Fountoulakis Mr. Vaios Gennatos Mr. & Mrs. James Giasafakis Mr. & Mrs. Craig Golden Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Holevas Mr. & Mrs. Rick Jones Dr. Fotene Karantinos Mr. & Mrs. Dean Karras Mr. & Mrs. Alex Karras Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kasotakis Mrs. Stella Kasotakis Mr. & Mrs. Alex Kazos Mr. & Mrs. Orfeas Ketchelos Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Ketchelos Mr. & Mrs. Dave Kjos Mrs. Bessie Klimiades Mr. & Mrs. George Klimiades Mr. & Mrs. Tim Konidas Mrs. Anna Kounas Mr. & Mrs. John Kounas Mr. & Mrs. Chris Kounas Mr. & Mrs. Harry Kouris Mrs. Stella Kreekos Mr. Apostolos Kyriakides Mr. John Lazaris Mr. & Mrs. Lyle Listamann Mr. & Mrs. Paul Madsen Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Margeas Mrs. Daisy Margeas Mr. & Mrs. Steve Margeas Mr. Bill Margellos Mr. & Mrs. Tim Margellos Mr. & Mrs. Mike Michelakakis Mr. & Mrs. Ted Mihelakakis Mr. & Mrs. Dale Milbrodt Mr. & Mrs. George Paradise Mr. & Mrs. Michael Paradise Mr. & Mrs. George Poulos Mrs. Antonia Prewitt Mrs. Maria Rigas Mr. & Mrs. Roger Schultz Mr. & Mrs. Zachary Schultz Mrs. Nancy Selleris Mrs. Afrodity Segos Mrs. Mavra Sengos Mr. & Mrs. Richard Sharp Mr. & Mrs. Spero Siganos Mrs. Anna Theros Dr. & Mrs. Richard Tobias Mr. & Mrs. Costa Tsiobanos Mr. & Mrs. George Tsiobanos Mrs. Joan Vlahoulis Mr. John Vlahoulis Mr. Spero Vlahoulis Mr. Spyro Yianopoulos January 2016 Page 9

10 Happy New Year and Kalo Mena! Philoptochos News December proved to be a very eventful month. Here are some updates on the last months events. We held our annual Christmas Party and Potluck dinner. A huge Thank-you to Mrs. Janet Antonopoulos for hosting the event at her lakeside home. What a beautiful evening filled with festive Christmas sweaters, friends, and a mildly dirty Santa gift exchange. We asked everyone that night to support our Theotokos fund that helps us support those in need and local projects throughout the year. At the annual Festival of Trees auction, the tree we decorated reached an unprecedented $500 bid! And all the proceeds from this event go to a designated local non-profit group. This year The Siouxland Autism group benefited from our efforts. Then, after a 13 year hiatus, Holy Trinity returned to the Soup Kitchen. As the people came down the serving line, we were humbled to have what we have. Some of us recognized former classmates, acquaintances, and even patients. That night we helped serve 52 people in need. With this inaugural event, we had a wonderful group help and look forward to seeing the same enthusiasm at future dates. We will be going back to serve at the Soup Kitchen in March, July, and December and dates will be announced as time draws near. On the Feast day of Saint Nicholas, we passed a tray and raised over $250 to support the national effort of rebuilding the St. Nicholas Shrine at Ground Zero. Then, for the first time we supported the Santa s House. We helped with taking photos of children visiting Santa, helped the kids put together a craft, and assisted children in the little gift store. The highlight for me was a young boy who had picked out little presents for his 10 cousins. As we packaged each one for him, we all were amazed how he had finished his Christmas shopping in 1 night and 1 stop! Just seeing the kids delight as they picked up frosted cookies, asked Santa what they wanted for Christmas and even saw Mrs. Claus was an amazing experience. I look forward to next year. Coming back from the Clergy-Laity conference, the women of St. Helen s Philoptochos in Palos Hills, IL gave us a car load of blankets, fleece throws and pillows to give to those in need. We distributed one blanket to a friend of Holy Trinity who was just diagnosed with cancer. The red and white blanket brought some holiday comfort to her hospital room. We gave the rest of the quilts and fleece throws to Mercy Medical Center to be given to children of abuse. And the 10 fleece pillows went to children in wheelchairs at the Madonna House in Lincoln, Ne. And by February we hope to give the last 10 crotched lap blankets to the Ronald McDonald house. And finally, right before Christmas Philoptochos was able to distribute lovely poinsettias to our shut-in parishioners. As we are cleaning up from gift giving and opening up our own gifts, I would like us to remember that same feeling of receiving and use it for those less fortunate and those who have nothing. In the next months, let s focus our Philoptochos and Holy Trinity efforts in helping the homeless at the new warming shelter. Now that we are facing colder weather and snow, things like mittens, gloves, socks for women, men, and children will be in high need. We will continue to collect sample and travel sized hygiene products as well. Our next Philoptochos meeting will be Jan. 3rd after the coffee hour in the Ahepa room. Mark your calendars as we will plan for an exciting new year of events! With Sisterly Agape, Dr. Fotene Karantinos, Philoptochos President January 2016 Page 10

11 Youth Corner For December, the JOY learned about the true meaning of Christmas and practiced their carols for the Saint Nichoas Day Project. They then made Christmas Painting with Dots The GOYA joined the Philoptochos at the Sioux City Soup Kitchen and served the homeless. Sunday School On December 6th the children brought age appropriate gifts to lay before the icon of Saint Nicholas. They then sang Christmas Carols with Fr. Dimitri. We filled two full baskets at Bomgaars. Well done! December Orthodox on Tap January OoT to be at Minervas s on Friday, January 22nd at 7:00 pm. RSVP to Michelle Bostinelos by January 20th Please see Shanda Antonopoulos for more into! On December 11th we were hosted by Casey and Pam Glanzer at their home. January 2016 Page 11

12 January 1st The Circumcision of Christ & St. Basil the Great Vesperal Liturgy begins at Holy Trinity at 3:00 pm on December 31st Since the Mosaic Law commands that if a woman give birth to a male child, he should be circumcised in the foreskin of his flesh on the eighth day (Lev. 12:2-3), on this, the eighth day from His Nativity, our Saviour accepted the circumcision commanded by the Law. According to the command of the Angel, He received the Name which is above every name: JESUS, which means "Saviour" (Matt. 1:21; Luke 1:31 and 2:21). Apolytikion in the First Tone Our human form hast Thou taken on Thyself without change, O greatly-compassionate Master, though being God by nature; fulfilling the Law, Thou willingly receivest circumcision in the flesh, that Thou mightest end the shadow and roll away the veil of our sinful passions. Glory be to Thy goodness unto us. Glory be to Thy compassion. Glory, O Word, to Thine inexpressible condescension. Kontakion in the Third Tone Now the Lord of all that is doth undergo circumcision, in His goodness cutting off the sins and failings of mortals. He this day doth give salvation unto the whole world; and the hierarch and bright daystar of the Creator now rejoiceth in the highest, Basil the wise and divine initiate of Christ. _+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_ Saint Basil the Great was born about the end of the year 329 in Caesarea of Cappadocia, to a family renowned for their learning and holiness. His parents' names were Basil and Emily. His mother Emily (commemorated July 19) and his grandmother Macrina (Jan. 14) are Saints of the Church, together with all his brothers and sisters: Macrina, his elder sister (July 19), Gregory of Nyssa (Jan. to), Peter of Sebastia (Jan. 9), and Naucratius. Basil studied in Constantnople under the sophist Libanius, then in Athens, where also he formed a friendship with the young Gregory, a fellow Cappadocian, later called "the Theologian." Through the good influence of his sister Macrina (see July 19), he chose to embrace the ascetical life, abandoning his worldly career. He visited the monks in Egypt, in Palestine, in Syria, and in Mesopotamia, and upon returning to Caesarea, he departed to a hermitage on the Iris River in Pontus, not far from Annesi, where his mother and his sister Macrina were already treading the path of the ascetical life; here he also wrote his ascetical homilies. About the year 370, when the bishop of his country reposed, he was elected to succeed to his throne and was entrusted with the Church of Christ, which he tended for eight years, living in voluntary poverty and strict asceticism, having no other care than to defend holy Orthodoxy as a worthy successor of the Apostles. The Emperor Valens, and Modestus, the Eparch of the East, who were of one mind with the Arians, tried with threats of exile and of torments to bend the Saint to their own confession, because he was the bastion of Orthodoxy in all Cappadocia, and preserved it from heresy when Arianism was at its strongest. But he set all their malice at nought, and in his willingness to give himself up to every suffering for the sake of the Faith, showed himself to be a martyr by volition. Modestus, amazed at Basil's fearlessness in his presence, said that no one had ever so spoken to him. "Perhaps," answered the Saint, "you have never met a bishop before." The Emperor Valens himself was almost won over by Basil's dignity and wisdom. When Valens' son fell gravely sick, he asked Saint Basil to pray for him. The Saint promised that his son would be restated if Valens agreed to have him baptized by the Orthodox; Valens agreed, Basil prayed, and the son was restored. But afterwards the Emperor had him baptized by Arians, and the child died soon after. Later, Valens, persuaded by his counsellors, decided to send the Saint into exile because he would not accept the Arians into communion; but his pen broke when he was signing the edict of banishment. He tried a second time and a third, but the same thing happened, so that the Emperor was filled with dread, and tore up the document, and Basil was not banished. The truly great Basil, spent with extreme ascetical practices and continual labours, at the helm of the church, departed to the Lord on the 1st of January, in 379. at the age of fortynine. His writings are replete with wisdom and erudition, and rich are these gifts he set forth the doctrines concerning the mysteries both of the creation (see his Hexaemeron) and of the Holy Trinity (see On the Holy Spirit). Because of the majesty and keenness of his eloquence, he is honoured as "the revealer of heavenly things" and "the Great." Saint Basil is also celebrated on January 30th with Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John Chrysostom. Rest from labour. Apolytikion in the First Tone Your voice resounded throughout the world that received your word by which, in godly manner, you taught dogma, clarified the nature of beings, and set in order the character of people. Venerable father, Royal Priesthood, intercede to Christ God to grant us great mercy. Kontakion in the Fourth Tone For the Church art thou in truth a firm foundation, granting an inviolate lordship unto all mortal men and sealing it with what thou hast taught, O righteous Basil, revealer of heavenly things.as our fervent champion with God, he granteth all the forgiveness of trespasses. January 6th Theophany Divine Liturgy begins at 9:30 am River Blessing begins at 10:30 am About the beginning of our Lord's thirtieth year, John the Forerunner, who was some six months older than Our Saviour according to the flesh, and had lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and came into the parts of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remis- January 2016 Page 12

13 sion of sins. Then our Saviour also came from Galilee to the Jordan, and sought and received baptism though He was the Master and John was but a servant. Whereupon, there came to pass those marvellous deeds, great and beyond nature: the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized and the voice was heard from the Heavens hearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:1-22). From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. It is also from this that the present feast is called "Theophany," that is, the divine manifestation, God's appearance among men. On this venerable day the sacred mystery of Christian baptism was inaugurated; henceforth also began the saving preaching of the Kingdom of the Heavens. Apolytikion in the First Tone Lord, when You were baptized in the Jordan, the veneration of the Trinity was revealed. For the voice of the Father gave witness to You, calling You Beloved, and the Spirit, in the guise of a dove, confirmed the certainty of His words. Glory to You, Christ our God, who appeared and enlightened the world. Kontakion in the Fourth Tone You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to You: "You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light." January 7th Synaxis of the Forerunner Divine Liturgy begins at St. Thomas at 9:00 am Today we celebrate the Synaxis in honour of the most sacred Forerunner, since he ministered at the Mystery of the Divine Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. Apolytikion in the Second Tone The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner; for thou hast proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since thou was granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God hath appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy. Kontakion in the Plagal of the Second Tone The Jordan accepted Your presence in the flesh and reversed its course in fear. John, fulfilling the spiritual ministry, fell back in awe. The ranks of Angels, seeing You in the flesh, baptized in the river, were amazed, and all who were in darkness were filled with light, praising You who appeared and enlightened all January 17th St. Anthony Falls on a Sunday Saint Anthony, the Father of monks, was born in Egypt in 251 of pious parents who departed this life while he was yet young. On hearing the words of the Gospel: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor" (Matt. 19:21), he immediately put it into action. Distributing to the poor all he had, and fleeing from all the turmoil of the world, he departed to the desert. The manifold temptations he endured continually for the span of twenty years are incredible. His ascetic struggles by day and by night, whereby he mortified the uprisings of the passions and attained to the height of dispassion, surpass the bounds of nature; and the report of his deeds of virtue drew such a multitude to follow him that the desert was transformed into a city, while he became, so to speak, the governor, lawgiver, and master-trainer of all the citizens of this newlyformed city. The cities of the world also enjoyed the fruit of his virtue. When the Christians were being persecuted and put to death under Maximinus in 312, he hastened to their aid and consolation. When the Church was troubled by the Arians, he went with zeal to Alexandria in 335 and struggled against them in behalf of Orthodoxy. During this time, by the grace of his words, he also turned many unbelievers to Christ. Saint Anthony began his ascetic life outside his village of Coma in Upper Egypt, studying the ways of the ascetics and holy men there, and perfecting himself in the January 2016 Page 13

14 virtues of each until he surpassed them all. Desiring to increase his labors, he departed into the desert, and finding an abandoned fortress in the mountain, he made his dwelling in it, training himself in extreme fasting, unceasing prayer, and fierce conflicts with the demons. Here he remained, as mentioned above, about twenty years. Saint Athanasius the Great, who knew him personally and wrote his life, says that he came forth from that fortress "initiated in the mysteries and filled with the Spirit of God." Afterwards, because of the press of the faithful, who deprived him of his solitude, he was enlightened by God to journey with certain Bedouins, until he came to a mountain in the desert near the Red Sea, where he passed the remaining part of his life. Saint Athanasius says of him that "his countenance had a great and wonderful grace. This gift also he had from the Saviour. For if he were present in a great company of monks, and any one who did not know him previously wished to see him, immediately coming forward he passed by the rest, and hurried to Anthony, as though attracted by his appearance. Yet neither in height nor breadth was he conspicuous above others, but in the serenity of his manner and the purity of his soul." So Passing his life, and becoming an example of virtue and a rule for monastics, he reposed on January 17 in the year 356, having lived altogether some 105 years. Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone O Father Anthony, you imitated the zealous Elijah. You followed the straight paths of the Baptist and became a desert dweller. By prayer you confirmed the universe. Wherefore, intercede with Christ our God to save our souls. Kontakion in the Second Tone Forsaking the uproars of life O venerable one, you completed your life in quiet, fully imitating the Baptist. Therefore, we honor you with him, O Anthony, Father of Fathers. January 18th Ss. Athanasios and Cyril Divine Liturgy begins at 9:00 am at St. Thomas Saint Anthony, the Father of monks, was born in Egypt in 251 of pious parents who departed this life while he was yet young. On hearing the words of the Gospel: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor" (Matt. 19:21), he immediately put it into action. Distributing to the poor all he had, and fleeing from all the turmoil of the world, he departed to the desert. The manifold temptations he endured continually for the span of twenty years are incredible. His ascetic struggles by day and by night, whereby he mortified the uprisings of the passions and attained to the height of dispassion, surpass the bounds of nature; and the report of his deeds of virtue drew such a multitude to follow him that the desert was transformed into a city, while he became, so to speak, the governor, lawgiver, and master-trainer of all the citizens of this newlyformed city. The cities of the world also enjoyed the fruit of his virtue. When the Christians were being persecuted and put to death under Maximinus in 312, he hastened to their aid and consolation. When the Church was troubled by the Arians, he went with zeal to Alexandria in 335 and struggled against them in behalf of Orthodoxy. During this time, by the grace of his words, he also turned many unbelievers to Christ. Saint Anthony began his ascetic life outside his village of Coma in Upper Egypt, studying the ways of the ascetics and holy men there, and perfecting himself in the virtues of each until he surpassed them all. Desiring to increase his labors, he departed into the desert, and finding an abandoned fortress in the mountain, he made his dwelling in it, training himself in extreme fasting, unceasing prayer, and fierce conflicts with the demons. Here he remained, as mentioned above, about twenty years. Saint Athanasius the Great, who knew him personally and wrote his life, says that he came forth from that fortress "initiated in the mysteries and filled with the Spirit of God." Afterwards, because of the press of the faithful, who deprived him of his solitude, he was enlightened by God to journey with certain Bedouins, until he came to a mountain in the desert near the Red Sea, where he passed the remaining part of his life. Saint Athanasius says of him that "his countenance had a great and wonderful grace. This gift also he had from the Saviour. For if he were present in a great company of monks, and any one who did not know him previously wished to see him, immediately coming forward he passed by the rest, and hurried to Anthony, as though attracted by his appearance. Yet neither in height nor breadth was he conspicuous above others, January 2016 Page 14

15 but in the serenity of his manner and the purity of his soul." So Passing his life, and becoming an example of virtue and a rule for monastics, he reposed on January 17 in the year 356, having lived altogether some 105 years. Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone O Father Anthony, you imitated the zealous Elijah. You followed the straight paths of the Baptist and became a desert dweller. By prayer you confirmed the universe. Wherefore, intercede with Christ our God to save our souls. Kontakion in the Second Tone Forsaking the uproars of life O venerable one, you completed your life in quiet, fully imitating the Baptist. Therefore, we honor you with him, O Anthony, Father of Fathers. January 30 The Three Hierarchs Divine Liturgy begins at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity This common feast of these three teachers was instituted a little before the year 1100, during the reign of the Emperor Alexis I Comnenus, because of a dispute and strife that arose among the notable and virtuous men of that time. Some of them preferred Basil, while others preferred Gregory, and yet others preferred John Chrysostom, quarreling among themselves over which of the three was the greatest. Furthermore, each party, in order to distinguish itself from the others, assumed the name of its preferred Saint; hence, they called themselves Basilians, Gregorians, or Johannites. Desiring to bring an end to the contention, the three Saints appeared together to the saintly John Mavropous, a monk who had been ordained Bishop of Euchaita, a city of Asia Minor, they revealed to him that the glory they have at the throne of God is equal, and told him to compose a common service for the three of them, which he did with great skill and beauty. Saint John of Euchaita (celebrated Oct. 5) is also the composer of the Canon to the Guardian Angel, the Protector of a Man's Life. In his old age, he retired from his episcopal see and again took up the monastic life in a monastery in Constantinople. He reposed during the reign of the aforementioned Emperor Alexis Comnenus ( ). Apolytikion in the First Tone The three most great luminaries of the Three-Sun Divinity have illumined all of the world with the rays of doctrines divine and true; they are the sweetly-flowing rivers of wisdom, who with godly knowledge have watered all creation in clear and mighty streams: The great and sacred Basil, and the Theologian, wise Gregory, together with the renowned John, the famed Chrysostom of golden speech. Let us all who love their divinely-wise words come together, honouring them with hymns; for ceaselessly they offer entreaty for us to the Trinity. Kontakion in the Second Tone Receive, O Lord, the Sacred Heralds who preached God, the pinnacle of Teachers, unto the enjoyment of Your riches and rest. You have received their labors and their suffering as being above and beyond all fruitful offering. For You alone glorify Your Saints. January 2016 Page 15

16 For the Young and Young at Heart M M K O A T H R F M H N S S S L C L W V T P E N B O A A A H R J B I G X P W Q I I P I A C G T Q D R P D O S N I N N Y R K S Z U A Y D I T H T N T N A F N K R K J C M C A D Q G A R V F K K E M A T T K N G R H E I Z O U U X C H N E D Y E P I A G H C I P A G M I K F G O H V T R M S N X Y Y V A U O E E Z I O D A N H B I U C S R H E C S S S I I D T W Y V P Y T R T S I T P A B E H T N H O J H B O S A I N T A N T H O N Y T S L I S A B T N I A S K M R Z Across 6. The Feast that celebrates St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom Down 1. The saint who is considered the father of monks. 2. The ceremony 8 days after Jesus was born. It is now the day children are given their names. 3. The feast in which Jesus Christ is baptized in the River Jordan. 4. The Saint who was the main voice at the First Ecumenical Council. 5. The Saint who brings presents to good children according to the Carols of Greece. 1. CIRCUMCISION 2. JOHN THE BAPTIST 3. SAINT ANTHONY 4. SAINT ATHANASIOS 5. SAINT BASIL 6. SAINT CYRIL 7. SAINT GREGORY 8. SAINT MAXIMOS 9. THEOPHANY 10. THREE HIERARCHS January 2016 Page 16

17 Looking for Donors We need 10 donor Families $60 per Bush for Landscaping the Church Property The Bushes, as you have seen, died along the Jennings Street side of the Property. Why did this happen? Salt, lack of water, harsh temperatures. Despite being billed as hardy, they could not keep up. So why try again? These Burning Bushes are well known to be survivors. Our own Dr. Fotene Karantinos Practice Summit Dental Health uses them and they have similar salt and parking lot issues. These bushes have survived there for years despite lacking water, being abused by salt and the same weather conditions that killed our trees. This solution should work. Therefore, we are asking for 10 families to help us. January 2016 Page 17

18 St. Thomas Antiochian & Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Churches will bless the Missouri River Wednesday: January 6th at 10:30 a.m. We will meet at the Sioux City Boat Ramp by Bev s on the River Wednesday - January 6 6:00 p.m. at the YMCA Join the Youth in the Orthodox Tradition of Blessing the Waters. Each age group of our Youth will have the opportunity to dive for the Cross, the true prize of our faith, for prizes and, of course, extra blessings throughout the year. We will have pizza afterwards and have the pool to swim. JOIN US FOR THE HOLY TRADITION January 2016 Page 18

19 Annual JOY/GOYA Turkey Dinner & Parish Vasilopita Sunday, January 10th $8 Adults 2016 Vasilopita For this year, because of the super abundance of Ministries of our Church, and because we do not want to inadvertently forget someone, we will not be listing individuals for the majority of ministries. Instead, during the service, Fr. Dimitri will announce for all present ministry heads to come forward to receive their piece of the Vasilopita. Therefore, if you are one of the leaders of one of the Ministries of Holy Trinity, please make every effort to be present on January 10th. 1 Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Oldest person present in Church 2 The Most Holy Virgin Mary Presbytera Mary and Presbytera Vickie 3 St. Basil the Great Those celebrating their nameday 4 The Holy Trinity Youngest person present in Church 5 The Archdiocese Our Newest Family Maria Schultz (Metropolis of Chicago Council Member) & Mary Baryo (Metropolis Philoptochos Board Member) 6 The Metropolis of Chicago 7 The Parish Council Parish Council President 8 Philoptochos Philoptochos President 9 The Ministries of the Parish Ministry Heads 10 Sunday School Sunday School Director 11 The Military Servicemen in Church January 2016 Page 19

20 May 4 th May 6 th Included in this trip: -Spiritual Retreat led by Fr. Dimitri & Fr. Lucas in the beautiful new Retreat Center -Trip to St. John Chrysostom Monastery -Shopping at Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlet Mall -Participation in the Feast Day of the Retreat Center Chapel: The Lifegiving Spring Come join us for a Spiritual Paschal Pilgrimage to the Saint Iakovos Retreat Center. We will be the first Church to use this Center as a Retreat on the Feast of the Chapel. In June Holy Trinity donated a Chalice set to the Retreat Center, and we would get to see them used for the first time on their Feast. Cost per person: $350 Included: Bus to Kenosha Wisconsin and back to Sioux City Two Nights at the Retreat Center Retreat Supplies Dinner Thursday Night January 2016 Page 20

21 Preliminary Itinerary Wednesday, May 4, 2016 Depart Sioux City for the St. Iakovos Retreat Center Lunch on Road Dinner on Road Spiritual Retreat led by Fr. Dimitri Tobias & Fr. Lucas Rice at St. Iakovos Retreat Center Thursday, May 5, 2016 Orthros at Retreat Center Chapel Breakfast Trip to St. John Chrysostom Monastery Lunch (Possibly at Monastery) Shopping at Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlet Mall Dinner at the Retreat Center Spiritual Retreat led by Fr. Dimitri Tobias & Fr. Lucas Rice at St. Iakovos Retreat Center Friday, May 6, 2016 Orthros and Hierarchal Divine Liturgy Panagiri Lunch Depart for Sioux City Please RSVP to Maria Schultz or by January 15th with a $100 deposit so that we can reserve the bus. Total Balance Amount due March 1st. Deposit can be refunded if one needs to cancel until March 6 th. WE ARE LOOKING FOR SPONSORS! Please consider donating to make this wonderful pilgrimage possible for everyone! January 2016 Page 21

22 Matthew 25: The Last Judgement For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: Please donate food to Abraham s Pantry. Please volunteer at the Soup Kitchen. Upcoming Philoptochos Program I was a stranger, and you took me in: Please welcome our Catechumens Naked, and you clothed me: Please consider donating clothes to Abraham s Pantry I was sick, and you visited me: Please pray for the speedy recovery of: Barbara and Maria I was in prison, and you came unto me: Please pray for and consider visiting our shut-ins. Stella Kreekos (Westwood Nursing home), Sid Baumert (Embassy Rehab), Georgia Diavastes (at home), Betty Pavlushik (at home) Do you enjoy reading the Monthly Koinonia? Beginning February 1st, only Stewards will receive the newsletter. How do I become a steward? Fill out a Stewardship Card. For our Holy Trinity Family abroad: Pledge whatever you can (the Lord knows your intent), even if it is just $25 to help cover the cost of printing and mailing the newsletter. If even that $25 is too much for you and your family, than pledge to support a ministry, be it listening to sermons, classes, etc. For our Local Holy Trinity Family: Pledge whatever you can (the Lord knows your intent), but consider the concept of tithing (10% of one s income), which is the model our Lord prescribes. If that is too much, lower the percentage to what is possible for your family. While there is no dues for our parish, and we will accept any stewardship pledge, even $0.01, one must ask whether doing the minimum is a healthy attitude. January 2016 Page 22

23 GOYA & PHILOPTOCHOS AT SOUP KITCHEN (December 9) Christmas Tables at Holy Trinity 2015 January 2016 Page 23

24 Philoptochos Christmas Soiree at Janet Antonopoulos Home (December 5) Philoptochos volunteering at Santa s House for Children s Miracle Network (December 22) January 2016 Page 24

25 December 20, 2015 Holy Trinity Christmas Pageant For more pictures, please go to our website and Facebook Page January 2016 Page 25

26 Liturgies for the Month. Please note that this is a tentative list and subject to change. Esperinos January 5 th Vesperal Liturgy of the Eve of Theophany at Holy Trinity Liturgies December 31st eve Circumcision of Jesus Christ & St. Basil the Great Home Church January 6 th Theophany Home Church January 7 th Synaxis of the Forerunner at St. Thomas January 17 th St. Anthony the Great at Holy Trinity January 18 th SS. Athanasios & Cyril at St. Thomas January 21 st St. Maximus the Confessor at Holy Trinity January 25 th St. Gregory the Theologian at St. Thomas January 30 th The Three Hierarchs at Holy Trinity Parish News ALL OF JANUARY IS HOUSE BLESSING SEASON! PLEASE SCHEDULE YOUR HOME January 6 January 10 January 22 January 31 -February 6 March 9 Blessing of the River Youth Night at the YMCA Annual Parish Vasilopita Youth Turkey Luncheon Philoptochos Vasilopita Auction Orthodoxy on Tap at Minerva's Humane Society Annual Caramel Apple Project Usage of Holy Trinity Church Soup Kitchen Outreach 5-7 pm February Metropolis News Western Region Family Basketball Tournament in Libertyville, IL January 2016 Page 26

27 31 8:30 am Sunday Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy 11:30 am Choir Practice :30 am Sunday Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy 11:30 am Choir Practice 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of St. Gregory the Theologian at St. Thomas :30 pm Healthy Body Healthy Soul 6:30 pm Small Vespers at St. Thomas 2:00 pm Office Hours 5:00 pm Byzantine Music Class 6:00 pm Paraklisis Service :00 am Divine Liturgy of the Three Hierarchs at Holy Trinity 6:00 pm Paraklisis Service Martin Luther King 8:30 am Sunday Orthros followed by Divine Litur- 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of SS. Day gy Athanasios & Cyril at 11:30 am Choir Practice St. Thomas :30 pm Healthy Body Healthy Soul 6:30 pm Small Vespers at St. Thomas 21 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of of St. Maximus the Confessor at Holy Trinity 2:00 pm Office Hours 5:00 pm Byzantine Music Class 22 7:00 pm Orthodoxy on Tap at Minerva's Annual Turkey Luncheon 11 Parish Vasilopita & Philoptochos Auction by Divine Liturgy :30 am Sunday Orthros followed 4:30 pm Healthy Body Healthy Soul 6:30 pm Small Vespers at St. Thomas 3 Philoptochos Monthly Meeting 6:00 pm Parish Council Meet- 4 AGIASMOS ing 8:30 am Sunday Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy 11:30 am Choir Practice 5 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of the Eve of Theophany 6 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of Theophany 11:30 am Blessing of the River 4:30 pm Healthy Body Healthy Soul 6:00 pm Youth Night at the YMCA 6:30 pm Small Vespers at St. Thomas :00 am Divine Liturgy of the Synaxis of the Forerunner at St. Thomas 2:00 pm Office Hours 5:00 pm Byzantine Music Class 6:00 pm Paraklisis Service Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 New Year's Day January 2016 Page :00 pm Baptismal Seminar - By appointment 2 Holy Trinity GOC January 2016

28 Prosforo to be offered by the following Families on the following Dates: January 3 Dr. & Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Ray McAvoy Mrs. Mary Eliades January 10 Dr. Fotene Karantinos Mrs. Mary Sharp Mr. & Mrs. Casey Glanzer Ms. Cornelia Ketchelos Mr. & Mrs. Spero Siganos January 17 Fr. Dimitri & Presbytera Mary Tobias Mr. & Mrs. Rick Jones Mr. & Mrs. Chris Kounas Mr. & Mrs. Ted Mihelakakis January 24 Mr. & Mrs. Alex Karras Mr. & Mrs. Roger Schultz Mr. & Mrs. Costa Tsiobanos Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Ketchelos January 31 Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Margeas Mr. & Mrs. Steve Margeas Mr. & Mrs. Craig Golden Mr. & Mrs. Tim Konidas February 7 Mr. & Mrs. Dave Kjos Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Davenport Mr. & Mrs. Dale Milbrodt Mr. & Mrs. Tim Margellos February 14 Mr. & Mrs. Dean Karras Mr. & Mrs. Tony Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Dimitri Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. Tom Fountoulakis February 21 Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Bikakis Mr. & Mrs. Yiani Arvis Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Eliades-Kennelly Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Holevas February 28 Mr. & Mrs. Frank Giganti Mr. George Vlahoulis Mr. & Mrs. Eric Smith Mr. & Mrs. Vassilaki Emanuel We need Coffee Hour Sponsors! Does a loved one have a name day, birthday, anniversary, memorial coming up? Why not honor that loved one by sponsoring the Coffee Hour in his/her/their honor? Check the Coffee Hour Section of the Website to see open days. Sun January 3 Sun January 10 Sun January 17 Sun January 24 Sun January 31 Coffee Hour: Parish Vasilopita and Turkey Luncheon Coffee Hour: Antonopoulos Family in Honor of Alexander Perry s 40-Day Blessing Coffee Hour: John Vlahoulis January 2016 Page 28