S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H. Glad Tidings

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1 St. Paul, MN S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H October 2010 Volume 16, Issue 9 Glad Tidings A Word from Father Rick Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: St. Iakovos the Brother of the Lord On October 23 rd we celebrate the life of St. Iakovos (James) the Brother of the Lord. He is called brother because according to some, he was a son of Joseph the Betrothed, born of previous wife before he was betrothed to the Virgin Mary (see Matt. 13:55). But some other sources say that he was a nephew of Joseph, and the son of his brother Cleopas, who was also called Alphaeus and Mary his wife, who was the first cousin of the Theotokos. Either kinship would confer the title brother. This James is called the Less (Mark 15:40) by the Evangelists to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee, who was called the Great. (Matt.4:21, ff), who is celebrated on April 30 th, and James the son of Alphaeus (Luke 6:15) who is commemorated on October 9 th. He became the first Bishop of Jerusalem, elevated to this episcopal rank by the Apostles, according to Eusebius (Eccl. Hist., Book II: 23), and was called Obliah, that is, the Just, because of his great holiness and righteousness. Having ascended the crest of the Temple on the day of the Passover at the prompting of all, he bore testimony from there concerning his belief in Jesus, and he proclaimed with a great voice that Jesus sits at the right hand of the great power of God and shall come again upon the clouds of heaven. On hearing this testimony, many of those present cried, "Hosanna to the Son of David." But the Scribes and Pharisees cried, "So, even the just one has been led astray," and at the command of Ananias the high priest, the Apostle was cast down headlong from there, then was stoned, and while he prayed for his slayers, his head was crushed by the wooden club wielded by a certain scribe. The first of the Catholic (General) Epistles written to the Jews in the Diaspora who believed in Christ was written by this James. Metropolitan Iakovos 30/40 Celebration Our beloved hierarch Metropolitan Iakovos celebrates his name/feastday on October 23 rd, the Feast of the aforementioned saint. This year the faithful of the Metropolis will gather on Thursday October 28, 2010 at the Drury Lane Banquet Center in Oak Brook, Illinois to celebrate His Eminence s 30/40 Anniversary. This commemorates his thirty years of service as hierarch of the Chicago Diocese/Metropolis and forty years as a bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church. Actually, this event was supposed to take place a year ago but was postponed because of Patriarch Bartholomew s visit to the United States. Many of you may know bits and pieces of Metropolitan Iakovos life and service, but I would like to share with you the more full story. Beginning his higher education in Athens, Greece and continuing his studies and service in the Boston area, Metropolitan Iakovos was appointed Archdiocesan Vicar of the Diocese of Detroit by Archbishop Iakovos in February One year later he was elevated to the rank of Bishop by the Holy See of Constantinople. He was consecrated Bishop of Apameia (an Auxiliary Bishop of Archbishop Iakovos) on Christmas Day of 1969, and ap- (Continued on page 2) Inside Registry p. 3, Parish Announcements pgs. 4-5, Festival Photos, pg. 5, Youth News pg. 7

2 Glad Tidings Page 2 (Continued from page 1) pointed to the Diocese of Detroit as Bishop of that district. In 1971 he was appointed President of Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, while remaining as administrative overseer of the Diocese of Detroit. He simultaneously served as the Bishop of the New England area during his fiveyear tenure as President of Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology. Following the reorganization of the Archdiocesan Districts into Dioceses, Bishop Iakovos was enthroned by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America on May 1, 1979, as the Bishop of Chicago at the Annunciation Cathedral. In November 1997, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Chicago to the active Metropolitanate of Krinis and Exarch of Ionias. In this capacity, His Eminence continued to serve the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Chicago as its Presiding Hierarch. In December of 2002, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elevated the Dioceses of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese to Metropolises of the Archdiocese and elected all of the Hierarchs of the Dioceses as Metropolitans of their respective Metropolises, thus Metropolitan Iakovos was elected Metropolitan of Chicago. The Metropolis of Chicago consists of thirty-four parishes in Illinois, with another twenty-five parishes in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, northern Indiana, and eastern Missouri; as well as two monastic communities. The general offices of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago are located in Chicago, Illinois. Since his assuming the position of Hierarch of the Chicago Metropolis, Metropolitan Iakovos has characterized his tenure by his many initiatives. Under his leadership the Metropolis has increased its efforts to assist the homeless and those in need, as witnessed in the labors of the Metropolis Philanthropy Committee. He has founded new Youth programs, established various local Dialogue Commissions with other faith communities and continues to work with other area Religious Leaders in promoting justice and truth in our society. Various other programs of the Metropolis established by Metropolitan Iakovos include the Bishop Iakovos Scholarship Assistance Program; the Bishop's Task-Force on AIDS; the Metropolis Jr. Olympics; the Festival of Orthodox Books; as well as numerous programs in religion and Greek education. My Relationship with Him I believe I first saw Bishop Iakovos at the GOYA basketball tournament in Rock Island, Illinois in February 1979 and it was a little over a year later that he tonsured me a Reader/Acolyte at St. Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis on June 22, We saw each other several other times over the next several years. Then in 1990, at the 50 th Anniversary weekend for St. George Greek Orthodox Church in St. Paul, I asked for his blessing to attend seminary to begin studies towards the priesthood at Holy Cross in Boston. Over the next four years, we would stop by the Diocese to visit His Eminence during our travels between Boston and the Twin Cities. After spending the summer in Greece, He ordained me to the Holy Diaconate on November 27, 1994 and assigned me to serve as the assistant priest at Holy Apostles Church in Westchester (Chicago), Illinois where he ordained me to the Holy Priesthood on January 22, Serving there for the next three years provided many opportunities for interaction at various parish feastdays and Diocese functions. Later, he transferred me to Dormition Church in Racine, Wisconsin (1997) and of course to St. George Church, here in St. Paul (1999). Over the past thirty years Metropolitan Iakovos has become like a father figure to me and certainly to many, many others who serve in the Church, both clergy and laity. He is a dedicated, serious churchman who also has a good sense of humor. As we experienced at the recent consecration of our Holy Altar table in June, our bishop loves the liturgical life of Greek Orthodoxy and could spend hour after hour worshipping in the church (in fact he has on many occasions). He is at times a stern, strict pastor (Continued on page 6)

3 St. Paul, MN Page 3 Registry August 1 August 1 August 8 August 24 August 8 August 28 August day Churching Maria Paraschou & baby Parker Seka Christoforides & baby Lazaros Rafif Simon & baby Julia Funerals Charles Zubulake Memorials Mary Weiser (2 years) Loucas Arvanitis (40 days) Steve Theros (40 days) Church Staff and Office Hours Church Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:00 AM--2:15 PM Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter (651) FatherRick@usa.com Lori Kurtyka, Administrative Assistant (651) office@stgeorgegoc.org Eric Chadwick, Parish Council President (507) chadwick@ptslaw.com Reva Adkins, Philoptochos President (651) rradkins@comcast.net Rebekah Moll, Youth Minister (763) Andrea Faches, Sunday School Director (507) afaches@msn.com Festal Icons Needed Please donate a Festal Icon (11" x 14") in memory of a loved one. The cost is $75.00 per icon. The icons are displayed in the church nave and are put out for veneration on the Feast Day of the Saint or event they represent. To donate an icon, fill out a form (found on the bulletin board by the kitchen) and return it to the office. 7th Ecumenical Synod October St. Glykeria the Martyr October 22 Three Pillars of Orthodoxy Stella Hofrenning, Greek School Director Jennifer Argeros, Glad Tidings Editor Sue Gnetz and Sandra Thole, Loaves and Fishes Coordinators suegnetz@yahoo.com, quadmom196@yahoo.com Submissions for upcoming issues are due by the 11th of the preceding month.

4 Glad Tidings Page 4 Parish Announcements Fall Office Hours The new church office hours will be 8:00AM to 2:15PM Monday through Friday. Sunday School Has Begun Come prepared to learn, share and grow in our faith. Classes commence immediately following Holy Communion. Please bring extra school supplies, especially Kleenex and hand sanitizer --extra supplies will be shared with our friends at Trinity Missions. Students who meet the recognized level of 75% participation throughout the year will be recognized for their good attendance and contributions on graduation Sunday. If you have any questions, please or call Andrea Faches at Please register online at SundaySchoolForm.html Greek School Greek School began September 26th. Children ages 6 and older are welcome to attend Greek language classes after the church service in the lower level classrooms. Contact Stella Hofrenning for more info at Adult conversation classes are taught Monday evenings, please contact Anna Christoforides for additional information. Iconography Workshop Holy Trinity Orthodox Churchwill host a 4-day Iconography Workshop with Master Iconographer Nicholas Papas, October The workshop is open to all interested persons, from beginners to experienced painters, who would like to increase their knowledge of iconography and technique. For registration information go to Catechism Program Available Interested in learning more about the Orthodox Church? In search for all the right answers? Want to grow in your faith? The Cooperative Catechism program is held Tuesday evenings 7-9pm, starting September 14th at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in St. Paul. The class is open to everyone. To register visit St. Iakovos Camp & Retreat Center News Mr. Nick Kasemeotes has been retained as the new fundraising consultant to help lead the capital campaign to build new dormitory structures at the center. We look forward to working with Mr. Kasemeotes in support of the camp and retreat center. For more info, contact him at: retreatnick@charter.net. Metropolitan Iakovos 30/40 Celebration On Thursday October 28th all the faithful of the Metropolis of Chicago will gather at Drury Lane Banquet Center in Oakbrook, Illinois to honor our beloved hierarch for his 30 years of service to our Metropolis and 40 years as a bishop of the Church. The cost is $125 per person and all proceeds will benefit the St. Iakovos Camp and Retreat Center. Make checks payable to St. George Church and register by contacting Fr. Rick. Family Camp Update The theme this year is Steward Family: All for Christ and Christ for All and the speaker is Father Tim Sas, of Twelve Apostles Greek Orthodox Church. October 8-10 at Camp Wapogasset in Amery, Wisconsin. Annual Art Auction will be held on Saturday Oct.16th! A variety of framed art in all mediums will be auctioned to benefit youth ministries at St. George. Come and enjoy delicious hors d oeuvres, wine and desserts by Gardens of Salonica. Tickets are now available online at g eorgegoc.org or in the social hall following liturgy. ($20/person)

5 St. Paul, MN Page 5 Parish Announcements Stewardship 2010 Update: So far 129 families have pledged $149, 901 for an average of $1,162. And 66% of our stewardship goal is pledged. Last year we had a total of 141 pledges and 108 stewards that gave without pledging. That means that 120 people have yet to pledge their commitment to support our parish with Time, Talents and Treasures. Pick up your St. George Cookbook Oh Taste and See is available for purchase. Copies are available in the bookstore or from the church office. All proceeds benefit St. George s various ministries. Thank You Thank you to all of the festival committee and volunteers who worked so hard to make this year s Greek Festival another great success! Daughters of Penelope News Daughters of Penelope and AHEPAns meet Thursday, October 21 at 7 pm. Congratulations! The Pericles Chapter 270 of the Order of AHEPA is 80 years old. Philoptochos Update The Philoptochos Society will meet Tuesday, October 5at 1:30 pm. Bakers, coordinators and sales people are needed for the Bake Sale and Boutique to be held Saturday and Sunday, November Greek Festival Photos

6 Glad Tidings Page 6 Father Rick, continued from pg. 2 when needed and also a caring, concerned spiritual father to the faithful. It s unfortunate that our parish is 400 miles from the Metropolis because that makes it difficult for us and him to frequently interact together. Thus, I hope that we, his faithful sheep in St. Paul, take advantage of this unique opportunity to honor his Episcopal service to our Church. St. Iakovos Camp & Retreat Center At the request of His Eminence the whole program and all the proceeds from the dinner in his honor on Oct.28 th will be dedicated to the St. Iakovos Camp and Retreat Center. Acquiring a property and building a camp for all the faithful to retreat from the busy world has been a dream of his for many, many years. This dream began to be realized in November 2005 with the approval to purchase the property in Brighton, Wisconsin given by the delegates at the Metropolis Clergy Laity in St. Louis, Missouri. At last year s clergy laity in Milwaukee, it was announced the mortgage for the retreat center property was paid in full. Thus, a capital campaign was initiated to raise money to build the necessary lodging to accommodate large groups (100+). Thus, the dream continues to near fruition. In order to assist with the fundraising for this new ambitious phase, the Metropolis engaged Mr. Nicholas Kasemeotes in early September 2010 to coordinate the effort. He is already working diligently to raise awareness and contact potential donors. If you wish to learn more about the retreat center, plan on attending the celebration in Chicago on Oct.28 th or visit the website: chicago.goarch.org/retreat-center/ Other Stuff in October October brings lots of other special events like Church Music Sunday on the first Sunday, this year Oct.3 rd, where we honor our chanters and choir members for their dedicated service. We also seek to raise awareness and appreciation of our hymnographic tradition. After all, the theology of our Church is contained in the sacred Apolytikia, Kontakia and Troparia which are accompanied by melodic music of the only God-given instrument the human voice, arranged in a manner to life the spirit and soul of the person towards contemplation and union with God. I wish to take a moment to thank our chanters and choir for their efforts to help lead the experience of liturgical worship. Family Camp is also an October tradition. This year the theme is Steward Family: All for Christ and Christ for All and the speaker is Father Tim Sas, of Twelve Apostles Greek Orthodox Church. It is October 8-10 at Camp Wapogasset in Amery, Wisconsin. Our annual Art Auction is back, scheduled for Saturday October 16 th. This is an extremely fun evening to bid on gallery quality framed art in all price ranges. The proceeds benefit our youth programs and have been integral in funding the part-time youth minister position. Please join us for a great event. Our cooperative catechism program is well underway with a record attendance of approximately 35 students. It s always exciting to teach motivated, interested students and I ask for your prayers for all the students, especially those preparing to convert to the Orthodox Faith. FOCUS MN Updates Our local effort of Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve (FOCUS) in Minnesota is off to a great beginning. Under the new director, Matushka Vera Proctor, FOCUS MN is now leasing space on 1600 East Lake Street in Minneapolis and serving two meals per month to the needy and hungry. Vera is also coordinating several other outreach ministries to the poor. This new ministry is providing and will provide numerous opportunities not only for poor people, but for people like us who wish to help. The rich exist for the support of the poor but the poor exist for the salvation of the rich (St. John Chrysostom). For more info, contact our parish liason, Sandra Anderson-Thole. God bless you in Christ, +Fr. Rick

7 St. Paul, MN Page 7 YOUTH NEWS UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS October 2nd: Pan Orthodox Trip to Dead Sea Scrolls October 8th-10th: Family Camp October 13: Jr. GOYA Night October 14: HOPE Night October 16: Art Auction October 21: Pan Orthodox GOYA Cardboard Box City Youth enjoying the Greek Festival November 5-6: Pan Orthodox Jr. OYA Overnight Retreat GOYA: Serves youth in 9th-12th grades Jr. GOYA: Serves youth in 6th-8th grades JOY: Serves youth in Kindergarten 5th grades HOPE: Serves youth ages 3-5 Please watch for announcements for upcoming youth activities or call Rebekah at with any questions. Jr. OYA Overnight Retreat: November 5th-6th Cardboard Box City: October 21 High School Students! Join your orthodox friends from different churches for a pan orthodox event to help raise awareness for family homelessness. We will be spending the night in cardboard boxes/tents to raise money and awareness. Family Camp: October 8-10 SAVE THE DATE! Family camp will be held October 8-10 at Camp Wapogasset in Amery, WI. Please put it on your calendar and try and get as many of your friends to join us! This is a pan orthodox lock-in for youth in 6th-8th grade. Mark your calendars for the weekend of November 5th-6th. Youth from different Orthodox churches in the Twin Cities area will gather for fellowship and growth in the faith. Stay tuned for more information and contact Rebekah with any questions at Youth Volunteers at the Greek Festival

8 S T. G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H 1111 Summit Avenue St. Paul, Minnesota ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID St. Paul, MN Permit No. 177 Phone: Fax: Web Site: Weekday Worship Schedule REGULAR WEEKLY SERVICES St. Paraskeve Petka of Romania Divine Liturgy 9:00am Thursday, October 14 St. Demetrios Divine Liturgy 9:00am Tuesday, October 26 Holy Confession: By Appointment Vespers: (Sept. May) Saturday 5 pm Orthros: Sunday 9:00 am Sunday School:(September - May) following Communion Divine Liturgy: Sunday 9:30 am

9 October 2010 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 COMING IN NOVEMBER +FAST DAY 1 - STS. KOSMAS & DAMIANOS 5-6 Pan-Orthodox Jr.GOYA Youth Retreat +HOLY *5:00pm Radio 8 - HOLY ARCHANGELS PROTECTION OF Program KKMS 13 - ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM THEOTOKOS 980am 14 - Fall Parish Assembly Mtg. +5:00pm VESPERS 15 - Advent Fast Begins 21 - ENTRANCE OF THEOTOKOS *1:00pm Pan Pan-Orthodox Divine Liturgy Orthodox Youth Thanksgiving Holiday Dead See Scolls ND SUN. LUKE +FAST DAY +FAST DAY +APOSTLE IAKOVOS/JAMES +8:15am ORTHROS +ST. THOMAS THE LESS/JUST +9:30am LITURGY APOSTLE *11:00am Sunday *1:30pm Philoptochos *5:00pm Radio School Mtg. Program KKMS *7:00pm Catechism 980am National Church Class +5:00pm VESPERS Music Sunday National OCA ASSEMBLY in Mpls, MN FAMILY CAMP RD SUN. LUKE COLUMBUS DAY +FAST DAY +ST. PARASKEVE +FAST DAY - Office Closed PETKA OF +8:15am ORTHROS ROMANIA +9:30am LITURGY +9:00am LITURGY *11:00am Sunday *5:00pm Loaves School & Fishes *12:00pm MEOCCA *5:00pm Radio *11:30am Acolyte *7:00pm Catechism Mtg. Program KKMS Training *6:00pm Hellenic Class 980am *4:00pm FOCUS Legion Post Meeting *5:30pm HOPE +5:00pm VESPERS Center *7:00pm Bible Youth Activity *6:30pm Youth Study at Fr. Rick's *7:00pm Parish *6:00pm & Family Ministry Mt Home Council ART AUCTION FAMILY CAMP TH SUN. LUKE +ST. LUKE +FAST DAY +FAST DAY +ST. IAKOVOS - HOLY FATHERS EVANGELIST +ST. GERASIMOS +8:15am ORTHROS +9:30am LITURGY *10:00am Metropolitan Iakovos Nameday - Xronia Polla! *4:00pm Pan-Orthodox *11:00am Sunday GOYA Youth at Card- School -board Box City *5:00pm Radio *11:30am Choir *7:00pm Catechism *5:00pm Spiritual Program KKMS Practice Class Life Cmte 980am +5:00pm VESPERS TH SUN. LUKE +ST. DEMETRIOS +FAST DAY +HOLY +FAST DAY +8:15am ORTHROS PROTECTION - +9:30am LITURGY +9:00am LITURGY OXI DAY *11:30am OXI Day Celebration *5:00pm Radio *11:00am Sunday Program KKMS School *7:00pm Stewardship 980am Cmte +5:00pm VESPERS *4:00pm FOCUS *7:00pm Catechism *6:00pm Metropolitan Meal at Center Class Iakovos 30/40 *6:00pm Family Celebration, Chicago IL Night 31 +5TH SUN. LUKE +8:15am ORTHROS +9:30am LITURGY *11:00am Sunday School St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1111 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN Rev. Father Richard Demetrius Andrews -- Phone: (651)

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11 SCHOOL SHOE COLLECTION ONGOING UNTIL NOVEMBER 15 TH PLEASE REMEMBER THOSE WHO STRUGGLE TO PROVIDE SCHOOL SHOES FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND DONATE A PAIR TO THOSE WHO ARE IN GREAT NEED. NEW OR GENTLY USED SHOES WILL BE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED. ALL SIZES K-12 SHOES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE FREE MEALS SERVED AT FOCUS MINNESOTA 1600 E. LAKE STREET MINNEAPOLIS ANY QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PARISH LIAISON:

12 GOD BLESS YOUR TENDERHEARTEDNESS!

13 Focus on a FREE meal for the community!! 2 nd and 4 th Sundays of the month, starting: September 26th October 10 th, October 24 th November 7 th, November 21 st December 12 th, December 26 th From 5:00pm 7:00pm (or until supplies last) at FOCUS Minnesota 1600 E. Lake Street Minneapolis, MN We offer this meal to anyone who needs one and would like to share in community fellowship EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

14 The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Clergy Syndesmos invites you to a special night dedicated to the future of the... St. Iakovos Retreat Center on the occasion of the 40 th Anniversary of Metropolitan IAKOVOS as a Hierarch and 30 th Anniversary as our Hierarch and Father of the Metropolis of Chicago Date and Time: Thursday, Oct. 28 th 6pm - Cocktails 7pm Dinner Drury Lane Banquet Hall 100 Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois The focus of the evening will be the exciting future of the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Please consider a meaningful donation for the evening and an annual pledge for the Retreat Center.