INSIDE THIS ISSUE Fr. Nick s Net

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1 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Fr. Nick s Net Parish News & Events From the Inter-Net Around the World Pg. 2 Pg. 3 Pg. 5 Pg. 6 HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH STEUBENVILLE, OHIO JANUARY 2013 VOLUME V ISSUE 1 ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS ISSUE: January Calendar THE MISSION OF THE HOLY TRINITY PARISH IS TO SEEK AND ACHIEVE ONENESS WITH GOD IN HIS REVEALED SON, JESUS CHRIST THROUGH DAILY SACRAMENTAL AND SACRIFICIAL LIVING. WE WILL STRIVE FOR THE PEACEFUL AND LOVING UNITY WITH OUR NEIGHBORS IN CHRIST WHICH MAKES US HIS DISCIPLES. *0 1 The Net October 2011

2 Fr. Nick s Net January 2013 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Net is the Monthly Newsletter of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church PARISH INFORMATION PARISH PRIEST: FR. NICHOLAS M. HALKIAS PHONE: (740) HOME: (724) FRNICK@HOLYTRINITYSTB.ORG ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: MARY ANNE JACOBS OFFICE@HOLYTRINITYSTB.ORG PARISH ADDRESS: 300 SOUTH 4 TH STREET P.O. BOX 788 STEUBENVILLE, OH PHONE: (740) FAX: (740) OFFICE@HOLYTRINITYSTB.ORG WEB: Holy Trinity Church is a parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh ( and Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America ( under the Spiritual Jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople ( PARISH MINISTRIES PARISH COUNCIL Anthony Mougianis President Spiro Alexander Vice President Greg Matzorkis Secretary Rikki Kamarados Treasurer John Scavdis Asst. Treasurer Tom Kotsanis Asst. Treasurer Marianne Balakos Nick Riley John Synodinos Irene Mitchell Connie Shea Susan Vogagis Philoptochos... Marianne Balakos Religious Education... Greg Matzorkis Stewardship... George Parikakis GOYA... Rikki Kamarados JOY... Angela Mastros / Shanley Demitras HOPE... Connie Shea/Nicole Zorne Choir... Pete Caleodis Library / Bookstore... Mary Romios Senior Citizens... Barbara Lee Maragos Aghia Markella Society... Marie Kamarados Chian Society... John Synodinos Pan-Icarian Brotherhood... Stacey Kotsanis AHEPA... Tommy Kotsanis During one of the greatest feasts of the church year, and during the festive and joyous time of the Lord s Incarnation and baptism, we find ourselves looking at the world differently. We do this because we are reminded by the events in Sandy Hook Elementary School that the world is filled with hatred and violence. Many of our unbelieving relatives, friends or co-workers take the time to remind us that there is no God, because a loving God would never allow these things to exist. Without trying to do too much convincing about the existence of God, we do understand that this same loving God, Who gave us freewill in order so that we could freely love Him, has had to endure evil from the beginning of time. Not too long after He created man and woman, we sinned, and we have been sinning ever since. Not only that, but if Adam and Eve who were only two people brought that much evil to the world, imagine what six billion sinners bring to the world every single day? Nevertheless, the skeptic is right There is too much evil in this world; more than we really know how to deal with. But maybe we haven t dealt with it properly because we are still trying to blame and criticize others. The Lord gave us the capacity of discernment to be able to recognize right from wrong. We use that gift to look at the world and criticize it, and often we use that gift to criticize the One Who gave it to us. But if it is indeed a gift from God, then the first question we should ask ourselves is: What use did God have planned for this gift? What should I be using this for? If we are anything of God, then we know Jesus words from Matthew 7: Judge not, lest ye be judged. And later in that same passage Jesus says, Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother s eye, and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? We, clearly by Christ s words, are not to look at others in a judging or criticizing way, at least not before we use this gift of criticism adequately on another person: ourselves. God gave us the power of discernment and criticism so that we could remove sin from our own lives. This way we can see each and every trace of the evil one in our lives and remove it so that we can belong to God. Imagine how much more clean and peaceful the entire world would be if we would be content to cleanse our own universe within us? As long as we have sin, we are contributing to the evil in this world whether big or small, it doesn t matter. If we truly want to honor the Lord s actions of His Incarnation and baptism, then we must recognize that we are in no way more qualified to criticize than anyone else walking the face of the earth. As the Lord said to those standing by trying to pass judgment on the adulteress, Let he among you without sin, let him cast the first stone. Therefore let us begin to eradicate the sin from our lives. Let us focus on the specks of sawdust, however small, and we can begin the joyous work of ending sin on the earth. God Bless You All!!! 2 The Net January

3 News & Events WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sunday Worship... January Our winter schedule for Orthros and Liturgy is: Orthros at 9:00 am, Liturgy at 10:00 am with Sunday School after Communion. Wednesday Paraklesis Services... January Paraklesis Services will be offered every Wednesday at 6 pm unless otherwise stated. January These are the services for the month of January. Please check your schedules and plan to attend. Wednesday, January 2 5:00pm Chanting Class Friday, January 4 9:00 am Royal Hours Saturday, January 5 9:00 am Vesperal Liturgy Monday, January 7... St. John the Baptist 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Liturgy Tuesday, January 8 4:00 pm Confession Wednesday, January 9 5:00pm Chanting Class COMMUNITY NEWS FELLOWSHIP HOSTS... January January 6... Philoptochos January 13...JOY/HOPE January Parish Council January Parish Council CHURCH MEMBERSHIP PACKETS Please make sure you pick up your 2013 Church packet. Inside you will find your 2013 church envelopes, the new directory, a wallet calendar. They will be located in the Noard Room throughout the month of January. If you live out of town, yours will be mailed to you. EPIPHANY CROSS DIVE 2013 Epiphany Cross Dive 2013 will take place on Sunday, January 6 th from 12:30 pm 2:30 pm at the Steubenville High School Natatorium. This event is being sponsored buy the J.O.Y. of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. All kids are welcome! Bring your goggles! Please call Angela Mastros for your reservation at St. John the Baptist GYRO SALE The next Gyro Sale will be held on Tuesday, January 8th. This month Koulourakia cookies will be available. Please help support the Ladies Philoptochos in this endeavor. GOYA FURNITURE/GAMES NEEDED Wednesday, January 16 5:00pm Chanting Class Thursday, January St. Anthony 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Liturgy 11:00 am Confession Monday, January 21...St. Maximos 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Liturgy Wednesday, January 23 5:00pm Chanting Class Wednesday, January Three Hierarchs 9:30 am Liturgy T.H.E.O.S. School, Pittsburgh 5:00 pm Chanting Class St. John the Baptist In an effort to update the GOYA room we are asking for anyone who can donate furniture (couch, etc.) or games (pinball St. machine, John the etc.) Baptist to the GOYA room. We thank everyone in advance for their consideration in this matter. 3 The Net / January 2013

4 News & Events CHIAN HOLIDAY PARTY The Chian Society will hold its annual Holiday Party at All Saints Church in Weirton on Sunday, January 12, 2013, starting at 1:00 pm. Hope you can make it! BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT The GOYAn s will be participating in a Basketball Tournament in Akron, Ohio, from January 18 through January 20 th. Please help support our team in this event. PARISH COUNCIL... January 8 Parish Council meetings are held the 2 nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm at the church. Senior Citizens...January 31 The Senior Citizens group meetings are held on the last Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm at various locations. Please check the weekly bulletin for the location. SAVE THE DATES RELIGIOUS EDUCATION RELIGIOUS EDUCATION... January There is no scheduled meeting at this time. S.C. BREAKFAST BIBLE STUDY... January 14 The Senior Citizen s Breakfast Bible Study meeting is held on the 2 nd Monday of the month at 10:00 am. FAMILY FUN NIGHT... TBA There is no scheduled Family Fun Night for the month of January. PARISH GROUPS AHEPA... January The AHEPA Society will now have their meetings schedule through our Notify-Now system. CHOIR... January Rehearsals are held weekly when possible and the times vary. Choir members are notified through our Notify-Now system. Anyone who would be interested in joining the Choir is welcome to do so. Please contact Pete Caleodis if you are interested in joining the Choir. OPA WOMAN S STUDY GROUP Holy Trinity has begun a Woman s Study Group. The study group will take place at Lancelot s Restaurant at 6:30 pm on Thursday, January 17 th. All women are invited to join. For more information please contact the church office. Hope to see you there. PHILOPTOCHOS... January 3 The Philoptochos will meet on Thursday, January 3, at 1:00 pm at Lancelot s Restaurant. You will be able to choose from the menu. Please make your reservation to Marianne Balakos by December 31 st at With the blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Savas, the Cleveland area Churches will be hosting a 75 th Anniversary Celebration for the western region (OHIO area) for our beloved Metropolis of Pittsburgh. This will take place the weekend of February 23-24, Saturday morning there will be a Youth Seminar that will be run by the Metropolis Youth Ministries with Seminarians from HC/HC. Saturday evening will be the Banquet at the Westwood Country Club in Rocky River. Sunday will be a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy at St. Demetrios Church in Rocky River with His Eminence Metropolitan Savas, Fr. Nick Triantafillou, President of HC/HC and Fr. James Doukas, Proestamenos of St. Demetrios. For more information please contact Sofia Henry at sofia.henry@gmail.com or SWEARING IN OFFICERS On Sunday, January 6, 2013, we will be swearing in the officers for Parish Council. Let s welcome these people with open arms. NOVEMBER MONTHLY FINANCIALS November weekly income $1, November weekly expenses $5, The Net January

5 From the Inter-NET ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS CONSECRATES AND ENTHRONES BISHOP GREGORY OF NYSSA AS THE FOURTH RULING HIERARCH OF THE AMERICAN CARPATHO-RUSSIAN ORTHODOX DIOCESE Published: Nov 29, 2012 NEW YORK His Grace Bishop Gregory of Nyssa was consecrated and enthroned Nov. 27, as the fourth ruling hierarch of the American Carpatho- Russian Orthodox Diocese, at the Christ The Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown, Pa., with more than 500 clergy and faithful in attendance. Bishop Gregory was nominated as successor to Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos by a Special Assembly of Diocesan Priests of the Carpatho-Russian Diocese on Saturday July 14, On August 30, 2012, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, canonically elected Bishop Gregory as Titular Bishop of Nyssa and ruling Diocesan Hierarch of the American Carpatho- Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A. Then the bishop-elect traveled to Constantinople and officially accepted the call of the Church to serve as Bishop during the Mega Minima service. Bishop Gregory was born in Charlotte, N.C. Dec. 7, 1958, with the baptismal name of George, the first of two children of Peter and Antonia Tatsis. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earning a BA degree in Biology (1981) and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte earning a MS degree in Biology (1989). Working for more than 20 years in the field of Cardiovascular Research at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C., he authored/co-authored over one hundred articles, abstracts, and book chapters. A true son of the Church, from his early youth Bishop Gregory served in his home parish of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Charlotte, N.C. in various capacities including altar server, Sunday School teacher for 13 years and in several leadership positions including Parish Council President. He was also a founding member of St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Charlotte, N.C. where he served on the Parish Organizing Committee, as Sunday School teacher for four years, as a member of the choir and as its first Parish Council President. After taking part in a mission trip to Alaska sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, Bishop Gregory felt the calling to pursue his life-long dream of studying for the Holy Priesthood. Leaving his secular job in early 2003, he entered Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Mass. in the Fall of 2003 and graduated in May of 2006 with the Masters of Divinity degree. Bishop Gregory was ordained a Deacon at St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Charlotte, N.C. on November 4, 2006 by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta. He was tonsured a Monk at Agia Lavra Monastery in Kalavryta, Greece on January 17, 2007, receiving the name Grigorios with St. Gregory Palamas as his Patron Saint. He was ordained a priest at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Atlanta, Ga. on January 28, 2007 also by His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta and was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite on the same day. On February 1, 2007, he was appointed as the Ierokyrix (Itinerant Preacher) of the Metropolis of Atlanta. On September 14, 2007, he received the offikion (rank) of Confessor at the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Chapel in Atlanta, Ga. Serving in his role as Itinerant Preacher and Confessor, Bishop Gregory traveled extensively throughout the Metropolis of Atlanta, where he has led parish retreats, heard confessions and provided spiritual direction to countless numbers of clergy and faithful. Recognizing his affinity for youth ministry and his administrative skills, he was given the responsibility of overseeing all youth programs in the Metropolis of Atlanta. Bishop Gregory also served as the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Raleigh, N.C. from December 20, 2010 until May 31, From October 1, September 30, 2012 he served as Dean of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in New Orleans, La., and as Vicar of the Western Conference of the Metropolis of Atlanta. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, who served as Locum Tenens of the Diocese, since the falling asleep in the Lord of Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos in March 2011, presided at the ordination and enthronement of the new bishop. The Archbishop was assisted by Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, who in previous years had ordained Bishop Gregory to the diaconate and the priesthood, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, and Metropolitan Antony and Bishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. Bishops of other Faiths present included: Bishop Joseph Bartchak of the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese; Bishop-Emeritus Joseph Adamec of the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese; Bishop Gregory Pile of the Lutheran Church, Allegheny Synod; Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh; and Bishop-Emeritus Basil Losten of the Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Diocese of Stamford. The chorus of AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS! ( He is WORTHY!) thundered throughout the Church time and time again during the Hierarchical Liturgy, as His Grace, Bishop Gregory was vested and enthroned. The joy of the day was complete when His Grace ascended the Episcopal Throne and delivered his enthronement address. The festivities of the day continued with an afternoon celebratory banquet at the Pasquerella Community Center in downtown Johnstown where the clergy and faithful had the opportunity to break bread and share in the joy of the day. Taken from: The Net / January 2013

6 Around the World GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCH HAZIM PASSES AWAY December 05, 2012 BEIRUT: Greek Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim passed away Wednesday morning at a Beirut hospital after suffering a stroke a day earlier. He was 92. Hazim, who served as the head of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Levant and Antioch for 33 years, was admitted to Saint George hospital in Ashrafieh Tuesday after suffering a stroke, sources told The Daily Star. Following news of his death, churches in the northern region of Koura tolled their bells as Lebanese officials arrived at St. Nicolas Church in Beirut to offer condolences. Hazim's funeral will be held Sunday at 12 p.m. at St. Nicolas Church while an acting patriarch will be nominated Thursday. Lebanese leaders described Hazim s passing as a loss for Lebanon and the region and praised his role as a religious leader who believed in the principle of coexistence. Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced that the day of Hazim s funeral would be a national day for mourning and praised the late patriarch for the role he played in the region. The absence of Hazim represents a great loss not only for the Orthodox Church and the sects in Lebanon and the world but also for the Lebanese, the Arabs and the Eastern churches, Mikati said in a statement. He also described Hazim as a role model for spiritual, humanitarian and social work. With the passing of Hazim, Lebanon and the Arab world loses a man of moderation and consensus who believed in interfaith and inter-sect dialogue as well as coexistence rather than extremism and isolation, Mikati said. The prime minister, who is currently in Italy, also praised Hazim's role in defending the Palestinian cause and their right for an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital, saying that his struggle for such an issue made him deserve the title of "the patriarch of the Arabs." During a ceremony at St. Nicolas Church, a group of priests carried Hazim s coffin and lowered it near the alter at around 3:30 p.m. Beirut Metropolitan Orthodox Archbishop Elias Audi took part in the ceremony where the prelates paid their respect. President Michel Sleiman, in a statement, offered his condolences to the Orthodox Church in Lebanon and Syria. [Hazim] is a loss not only for his sect but also for Lebanon and the Arabs given his wisdom, courage and repeated calls for dialogue, he said, according to the president s press office. Born in the village of Mhardey near Hama in Syria in 1920, Hazim was the son of an Arab Orthodox family and was attracted to Church service from an early age. After finishing school in Hama, Syria, Hazim moved to Beirut where he studied literature and started serving the Orthodox Church in Lebanon. Hazim helped found the global Society of Orthodox Youth Organizations and he became a member of the Sacred Convention of Orthodox Patriarchs in 1961 and in 1971 he was appointed Orthodox Metropolitan of the Syrian city of Lattakia. Deputy Parliament Speaker Farid Makari described Hazim Wednesday as a historic figure who led the Orthodox community through a difficult time in the region. The Orthodox community has lost a great, historic man who led his people with great wisdom in a difficult phase of the region s history, Makari said in a statement. We assure him that his community will be fine...and its role will remain one that is primarily aimed at building a new, democratic Syria and in strengthening stability in Lebanon and nation-building, he added. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri said the passing of Hazim represented the loss of a national and spiritual pillar of Lebanon. "Lebanese, with the loss of Patriarch Hazim, have lost a great, national and spiritual pillar as they look forward for the Greek Orthodox Church to remain a source of giving and love and which can remain loyal to its heritage in the Arab world, Hariri said in a statement. Hariri, the head of the Future Movement, added that Hazim confronted several challenges in the region with a solid stance aimed at preserving the principles of coexistence, moderation and openness. Taken from: -lebanons-patriarch-hazim-dies-at-91.ashx#axzz2fqajlhf8 6 The Net / January

7 The Net-Minders The Parish of Holy Trinity would like to thank the following benefactors for making this Monthly Newsletter possible: Place your Ad Here Contact the office at Place your Ad Here Contact the office at In Loving Memory Of Nicholas Mougianis 7 The Net / January 2013

8 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church P.O. Box South Fourth Street Steubenville, OH NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE P A I D STEUBENVILLE, OH PERMIT NO. 83 Submissions for THE NET are to be submitted by the 20 th of each month About the Icon on the Cover SYNAXIS OF THE THREE HIERARCHS: BASIL THE GREAT, GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN, & JOHN CHRYSOSTOM 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 ( ). Taken fromhttp://