August Volume 8, Issue 7

Transcription

1 August 2013 Volume 8, Issue 7 August 2013 Page

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: Maria Schultz Worship Hours: Sundays: Weekdays: Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. 1st, 3rd & 5th Week of the Month Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. 2nd & 4th Week of the Month Orthros 6:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 7:00 a.m. Esperinos: Thursdays: for Major Feasts 6:00 p.m. Paraklisis Service 6:00 p.m. 1st of Every Month: Agiasmos Service 7:00 a.m. Sunday School: Following Holy Communion Greek School: Wednesdays from 4:30 5:30 p.m. Greek Dance: Wednesdays from 5:30 6:00 p.m. Bible Study: Thursdays from 6:30 7:30 a.m. Blessed Darkness (Adult Education): Thursdays from 7:00 8:00 p.m. August 2013 Page 2

3 Table of Contents Church Staff Registry Father s Message Page 5 President s Message Page 6 Philoptochos Page 7 Youth & Family Ministries Page 8 Stewardship Page 9 Services Page Church & Metropolis News Page 14 Calendar 15 Parish Priest/ Editor: Parish Council President: Office Secretary: Philoptochos President: Sunday School Director: Youth Director: Rev. Fr. Dimitri Tobias Maria Schultz Mary Baryo 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 August 2013 Page 3

4 Registry and Vital Statistics Baptisms: Upcoming Sunday, August 4th, The 40-Day Blessing for Rita Boucher and her baby boy. The Conyers-Ladeas Family cordially invites you to the baptism of their son Sunday, September 01, 2013 Chrismations: Casey Patrick Glanzer on July 20, (Adult baptism) His Godparents are Perry & Janet Antonopoulos at 4:00 p.m. Godparents: George and Mary Demetroulis Weddings: Funerals The honorable Judge Phillip S. Dandos, 83, of Sioux City passed away Monday July 15, The Funeral took place Saturday, July 20th. May his memory be eternal! We Welcome the following new families to the Parish! Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church would like to welcome back to the area Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos, DPM and Dr. Valerie Tallerico, DPM. Both received their Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Degree from Des Moines University with honors and completed a three year residency in podiatric medicine and surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA. They received exceptional training at one of the premier podiatric residency programs in the country. Kosta and Valerie are qualified in all aspects of foot and ankle treatment and surgery. They just recently started at UnityPoint Health-St Lukes as the hospital s only Foot & Ankle Specialists. They are now accepting new patients at their UnityPoint Podiatry Clinic located at 2730 Pierce Street, Ste 300A, Beginning in September, they will also be seeing and accepting new patients at the new Sunnybrook medical clinic. Kosta and Valerie are very excited to be back in the area so they can once again be close to their family, friends, and the church community. August 2013 Page 4

5 Father Dimitri s Message Beloved in the Lord, I wish to introduce myself as your new priest. I am exceedingly excited to meet each of you as we begin our relationship together. August for the Orthodox marks the end of the Ecclesiastical Year. The month of August offers multiple messages of triumph. First we celebrate the Transfiguration, and through the blessing of the grapes we see how just as the grapes are transfigured into Blood of Christ, so too we desire to be transfigured to become like unto God. Many people say of the Orthodox that we need to get with the times, to adapt to the modern world. While it is true we must be knowledgeable of the world and meet modern challenges, the Orthodox Church must never bend in its identity, mission, or faith. The Church is to transfigure the world, not be transfigured by the world. Next we celebrate the falling asleep of the blessed Virgin Mary, the Theotokos. Such a sad event caused all of the Disciples around the world to be brought to Gethsemane in Jerusalem for her funeral. Such honor is given to this event that we fast for the two week prior to the feast and hold Paraklisis Services nightly asking her intercessions. She is our constant intercessor before God. She is our Mother. She is the 10th Order of Angels greater in honor when compared to the Cherubim, greater in glory than the Seraphim. What would our lives be like without St. Phanurius? If you have never baked a Phanouropita before. Check out the recipes we have supplied under his Biography Page. Finally, we celebrate the beheading of the Forerunner. When we look at the icon of the Anastasis (Resurrection) we see St. John the Baptist in hell directing King Solomon and King David to Christ. He is the voice of one crying in the wilderness; Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight (Isaiah 40:3). In life and now in death, St. John prepared the whole world for Christ. It is my hope we will all grow together in Christian love and build the body of Christ. Please visit our new website! I remain your servant in Christ, August 2013 Page 5

6 President s Message Where is baseball mentioned in the Bible? "In the big inning God created the Heaven and Earth." On July 18th the heat didn't stop 21 parishioners who spent the evening at a pre-game cookout and then enjoying the baseball game at Explorers Park. The heat also didn't stop us from hosting our annual gyro booth at Saturday in the Park on July 6th. Many thanks to Dean Karras for chairing the gyro booth committee and to everyone who came to help staff the booth. Even though it requires a lot of hard work, it was still a fun and profitable day for us. We next look forward to welcoming Fr. Dimitri and Presbytera Mary Tobias to our Holy Trinity family. Even though they will not arrive in Sioux City until the 1st of August, Fr. Dimitri has already spent countless hours preparing for their new ministry. If you haven't already had the opportunity, please visit our new web-site at to see just how much work has already been done. Fr. Dimitri is already providing up-to-the-minute news, information and photos on our new web-site, in addition to all of the information regarding the upcoming Clergy Laity - Philoptochos - Family Synaxsis Conference to be held in Sioux City the first week of October. We were recently informed that our special guests for the conference will be His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of American, in addition to Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago and Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos. A sign-up board has been posted in the fellowship hall, if you're interested in helping with the conference. Our next Clergy Laity Conference meeting is set for August 7th, following Paraklesis service, and we welcome everyone's help as we prepare for this historic visit to Sioux City. As has been mentioned previously, we are still seeking sponsors to help offset expenses for the Clergy Laity Conference. If you would like to make a donation towards the grand banquet, catered lunches, registration bags, coffee breaks, or just the general fund, please see Fr. Dimitri or myself. We thank those of you who have already made your generous donations too. August is filled with many special feast days, so please visit the web-site or view the calendar here in the Koinonia for dates and times. Many blessings to Father and Presbytera as they begin their new ministry here, and safe travels to our many parishioners who are traveling during the month of August. Lastly, we express our thanks to Frs. Lucas Rice, Constantine Balomenos and Peter Pappas for their ministries during our time of transition. Maria Schultz Parish Council President August 2013 Page 6

7 Philoptochos News On behalf of the Philoptochos, I wish to extend a warm welcome to Father Dimitri and Presbytera Mary upon the beginning of their ministry in Sioux City. We look forward to working together. Last year, we celebrated the Philoptochos' 80th anniversary as an organization. We stand among 27,000 women throughout the country, who have been helping those less fortunate for these many years. Please consider joining this worthy organization this year. We will have our first meeting of the year on Sunday, September 15th, following the Fellowship hour. As you will read in this month's Koinonia, we are in the midst of planning to host the Diocesan Clergy/ Laity Conference here on Oct. 2-6th. The Philoptochos will have their own individual meetings with speakers and workshops. Each parish sends official representation for these meetings. In addition, persons can attend and listen to the speakers as a non-voting attendee. Please consider attending one or more of these sessions. More info to follow... Our local chapter will be involved with providing 'hospitality' and 'philoxenia' to our guests during these days. Soon, you will hear the call to duty, as we prepare Koulouria, dolmadakia, pitakia, ect.. for the events of the week. We may be small in numbers but we are sure to rise to the challenge. Thank you. Mary B. Philoptochos Pictures Diplis Anyone? Preparing Greek salad dressings for festival August 2013 Page 7

8 Youth Corner We want to thank Roger Schultz for his many, many years as Church Youth Director. Now that Jordan has graduated High School it is appropriate for new people to step up and fill some very big shoes. On Tuesday, September 3rd starting at 6:00 p.m. we invite all families to come to the Church for our first Youth Night. I am asking for parental volunteers. This evening will determine how our year will go for this important ministry as it establishes the needs of the parish and the desires of the Youth for their program. Jr. & Sr. High School Students please attend as well so that we can assess where and how you want your ministry to go. I believe in Youth Leadership so I will be looking for motivated Youths who care about their church and are interested in leading. (*cough* looks good on scholarship applications too *cough*) I am very excited to meet you all! The Church begins at home. Please check out our website for more information! Your servant in Christ, Fr. Dimitri August 2013 Page 8

9 Stewardship Time-Talent-Treasure Treasure: Our goal at Holy Trinity Church for 2013 is to raise $60,000 in stewardship contributions. Through June 2013, $28,264 has been given. Please reconsider your giving for this year. I f we are to make our goal, each steward should give $200 more than they did last year. To date 3 stewards have pledged to give more. The Board of Holy Trinity Church is doing all it can to raise money through special events. We're also trying to reduce operating costs as best we can. You need to do your part too. Time: Many parishioners give their time as part of their stewardship. Unfortunately, some stewards commit their time and don't show up. Some make no commitment, show up, then get disappointed when there's little for them to do. Others commit, show up, and leave early. Project chair members become exasperated when these events occur. When you commit your time, give it freely and totally so you can be counted on to do your part. Talent: Can you cook, sew, draw, print, fix things, organize? Yes many parishioners have unique talents needed to support our on going ministries. I mention only a few talents. You know what you can do. Don't keep them a secret. Offer your unique abilities to the church. You'd be surprised how good it feels to give your talents to help others. John Bostinelos Stewardship Chair Holy Trinity Stewards Fr. George & Presbytera Kathy Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Perry Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Tony Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. James Aspeotis Mr. & Mrs. John Baryo Mr. & Mrs. Sid Baumert Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Bikakis Mr. & Mrs. Dimitri Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. John Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. Pete Bovis Mr. & Mrs. George Ciganovich Mr. & Mrs. Rob Conyers-Ladeas Mr. & Mrs. George Demetroulis Mr. & Mrs. Gus Demetroulis Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Eliades Mr. & Mrs. Tom Eliades Mr. & Mrs. Vasilaki Emanuel Mrs. Cula Fondoulakis Mrs. Diane Fondoulakis Mrs. Irene Fondoulakis Mr. Nick Fondoulakis Mr. Vaios Gennatos Mrs. Anna Giasafakis Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Haddad Mr. & Mrs. Rick Jones Mrs. Fotene Karantinos Mr. & Mrs. Alex Karras Mr. & Mrs. Dean Karras Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kasotakis Mrs. Stella Kasotakis Mr. & Mrs. Alex Kazos Mr. & Mrs. Dave Kjos Mrs. Bessie Klimiades Mr. & Mrs. George Klimiades Ms. Anna Kounas Mr. & Mrs. Chris Kounas Mr. & Mrs. Harry Kouris Mrs. Stella Kreekos Mrs. Stephanie Lanzourakis Mrs. Kathy Lieding Mr. & Mrs. Lyle Listamann Mr. & Mrs. Paul Madsen Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Margeas Mrs. Daisy Margeas Mr. & Mrs. Steve Margeas Mr. Bill Margellos Mr. Chris Margellos Mr. & Mrs. Tim Margellos Mr. & Mrs. Ray McAvoy Mr. & Mrs. Mike Michelakakis Mr. & Mrs. Ted Mihelakakis Mr. & Mrs. Dale Milbrodt Mr. & Mrs. Hank Mobley Mr. & Mrs. Michael Osberg Mr. & Mrs. George Paradise Mr. & Mrs. Michael Paradise Mrs. Betty Pavlushik Mrs. Vernon Prewitt Mrs. Maria Rigas Mr. & Mrs. Roger Schultz Mr. & Mrs. ZacharySchultz Mrs. Nancy Selliris Mrs. Mavra Sengos Mr. & Mrs. Richard Sharp Mr. & Mrs. Spero Siganos Mrs. Anna Theros Mr. & Mrs. Costa Tsiobanos Mr. & Mrs. George Tsiobanos Mrs. Victoria Vlahakis Mrs. Joan Vlahoulis Mr. John Vlahoulis Mr. Spero Vlahoulis Mr.Spyridon Yianopoulos August 2013 Page 9

10 Esperinos & Divine Liturgy for the Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Monday, August 5 at 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday, August 6 at 6:00 a.m. Our Lord had spoken to His disciples many times not only concerning His Passion, Cross, and Death, but also concerning the coming persecutions and afflictions that they themselves would endure. Since all these evils were near at hand, but the enjoyment of good things which they hoped to receive in their stead was yet to come, our Savior desired to give them full assurance, evidently and openly, concerning that glory which is prepared for those who endure to the end. Therefore, fulfilling that which He had promised shortly before, that "there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His Kingdom" (Matt. 16:28), He took His three foremost disciples and ascended Mount Tabor, where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light. Suddenly, together with this dread and marvelous effulgence of light, there appeared those pinnacles of the Prophets, Moses and Elias, who spoke with the Lord Jesus concerning His saving Passion which was about to take place. Standing before Him as reverent servants, they showed that He is the Lord of both the living and the dead, for Moses came forth from Hades, having died many centuries before, and Elias, as it were from heaven, whither he had been taken up while yet alive. After a little while a radiant cloud overshadowed them and out of the cloud they heard that same voice which had been heard at the Jordan at the Baptism of Christ, testifying to the Divinity of Jesus and saying: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased; hear ye Him" (Matt. 17: 5). Such are the marvels, truly worthy of God, celebrated in this present feast, which is an image and prefiguring of the future state of the righteous, whose splendor the Lord spoke of, saying: "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun" (Matt. 13:43). It is because of this that the Kontakion of this Feast is said daily (when there is not a great feast) in the Service of the Typica in perpetual commemoration of the glory that will be the lot of the Saints. According to tradition, the Lord's Transfiguration came to pass forty days before His Crucifixion; this is why the Transfiguration is celebrated forty days before the Exaltation of the Cross. Apolytikion in the Grave Tone You were transfigured on the Mount, Christ God revealing Your glory to Your disciples, insofar as they could comprehend. Illuminate us sinners also with Your everlasting light, through the intercessions of the Theotokos. Giver of light, glory to You. Kontakion in the Grave Tone You were transfigured upon the mount, O Christ our God, and Your disciples, in so far as they could bear, beheld Your glory. Thus, when they see You crucified, they may understand Your voluntary passion, and proclaim to the world that You are truly the effulgence of the Father. August 2013 Page 10

11 Esperinos & Divine Liturgy for the Dormition of the Theotokos Wednesday, August 14 at 6:00 p.m. and Thursday August 15 at 9:00 a.m. Concerning the Dormition of the Theotokos, this is what the Church has received from ancient times from the tradition of the Fathers. When the time drew nigh that our Savior was well-pleased to take His Mother to Himself, He declared unto her through an Angel that three days hence, He would translate her from this temporal life to eternity and bliss. On hearing this, she went up with haste to the Mount of Olives, where she prayed continuously. Giving thanks to God, she returned to her house and prepared whatever was necessary for her burial. While these things were taking place, clouds caught up the Apostles from the ends of the earth, where each one happened to be preaching, and brought them at once to the house of the Mother of God, who informed them of the cause of their sudden gathering. As a mother, she consoled them in their affliction as was meet, and then raised her hands to Heaven and prayed for the peace of the world. She blessed the Apostles, and, reclining upon her bed with seemliness, gave up her all-holy spirit into the hands of her Son and God. With reverence and many lights, and chanting burial hymns, the Apostles took up that Godreceiving body and brought it to the sepulchre, while the Angels from Heaven chanted with them, and sent forth her who is higher than the Cherubim. But one Jew, moved by malice, audaciously stretched forth his hand upon the bed and immediately received from divine judgment the wages of his audacity. Those daring hands were severed by an invisible blow. But when he repented and asked forgiveness, his hands were restored. When they had reached the place called Gethsemane, they buried there with honor the all-immaculate body of the Theotokos, which was the source of Life. But on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, and raised up the artos (bread) in Jesus' Name, as was their custom, the Theotokos appeared in the air, saying "Rejoice" to them. From this they learned concerning the bodily translation of the Theotokos into the Heavens. These things has the Church received from the traditions of the Fathers, who have composed many hymns out of reverence, to the glory of the Mother of our God (see Oct. 3 and 4). Apolytikion in the First Tone In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from death by your intercessions. Kontakion in the Second Tone Neither the grave nor death could contain the Theotokos, the unshakable hope, ever vigilant in intercession and protection. As Mother of life, He who dwelt in the ever-virginal womb transposed her to life. August 2013 Page 11

12 Divine Liturgy for the St. Phanurius Thursday August 27 Orthros begins at 9:00 a.m. Little is known of the holy Martyr Phanurius, except that which is depicted concerning his martyrdom on his holy icon, which was discovered in the year 1500 among the ruins of an ancient church on Rhodes, when the Moslems ruled there. Thus he is called "the Newly Revealed." The faithful pray to Saint Phanurius especially to help them recover things that have been lost, and because he has answered their prayers so often, the custom has arisen of baking a Phaneropita ("Phanurius-Cake") as a thanks-offering. Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone A heavenly song of praise is brightly sung on the earth; * the hosts of the Angels keep an earthly festival now in splendor and radiant joy; * from on high, they praise with hymns the suff'rings and struggles; * and below, the Church doth laud the heavenly glory * thou foundest by thy contests and pains, O glorious Phanurius. Kontakion in the Third Tone From a vile captivity, thou didst deliver the Lord's priests, and, O godly-minded one, didst break their bonds by divine might; thou didst bravely shame the tyrants' audacious madness, giving joy unto the Angels, O thou Great Martyr. O Phanurius most glorious, we all revere thee as a true warrior of God. Easy St. Phanourios Bread Fasting (with oil) Preheat oven to cup sugar 2. 1 cup oil 3. 2 cups orange juice 4. 3/4 cup raisins 5. 3/4 cup chopped walnuts 6. 1 tsp. baking soda 7. 4 cups flour Mix oil and sugar, and beat until it's a creamy yellow. This may take a long time. Put the baking soda IN the orange juice, and stir until dissolved. [NB: this can be spectacularly dramatic if you use a two cup measuring cup with two cups of o.j. in it. (Please don't ask how I found out.) It might be easier to hold a two cup measuring cup OVER the bowl full of oil and sugar and pour in *one* cup of o.j., mix in 1/2 tsp. baking soda, watch the fireworks, pour it into the bowl, and again mix *one* cup of o.j. with 1/2 tsp. baking soda, stir and pour again. If you don't dissolve the baking soda completely, you get lumps of it in the cake. So, stir well.] Add the flour, then the raisins and nuts. Pour the batter into an ungreased 9"x13" pan and bake at 350 degrees F. for 45 minutes (or until a clean toothpick dipped in the cake emerges clean.) I use a bundt pan instead of one 9" x 13", and my kids prefer this with chocolate chips in the place of the raisins and nuts. It doesn't really need a frosting, but if you wanted to drizzle a stiff glaze made out of, say, powdered sugar and lemon juice and a little water over it, that would be okay, too. If you wanted to put spices in the batter, I'd go with a tiny amount (1/4 tsp. or less) of ground cloves. Modified from a recipe in Greek Traditions and Customs in America, by Marilyn Rouvelas Fancy St. Phanourios Bread (Phanouropita) Not even close to fasting! This recipe originally came from a cookbook for a Greek parish in Chicago, but I've tampered with it, mostly by editorializing. Doubles well; the recipe given is for one loaf pan worth, but Doubled it makes a bundt pan's worth. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a large, heavy bottomed saucepan, combine: 1. 1 cup orange juice 2. 1/2 cup brandy 3. 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter 4. 1/2 teaspoon salt 5. 2 cups golden raisins 6. 3/4 cup sugar 7. 1/2 cup honey 8. 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon 9. 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for exactly ten minutes -- any longer, and you'll have a good caramelized smelling door stop instead of a cake. Set pot in cold water to cool mixture completely. Sift into cooled syrup: 1. 2 cups all-purpose flour 2. 2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder 3. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Beat vigorously for eight to ten minutes (Takes muscles! We use a wooden spoon for this) or until batter is smooth and bubbly. Stir in: 2 Tablespoons grated orange peel Turn into well greased 7" fluted pan or 8" loaf pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 sesame seeds (optional; skip if you like). Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup brandy and cool cake in pan. Bring to church to have blessed, and then share with parishioners or the poor. Smells amazingly wonderful while cooking. August 2013 Page 12

13 Divine Liturgy for the Beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John Thursday August 29 Orthros begins at 9:00 a.m. The divine Baptist, the Prophet born of a Prophet, the seal of all the Prophets and beginning of the Apostles, the mediator between the Old and New Covenants, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, the God-sent Messenger of the incarnate Messiah, the forerunner of Christ's coming into the world (Esaias 40: 3; Mal. 3: 1); who by many miracles was both conceived and born; who was filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb; who came forth like another Elias the Zealot, whose life in the wilderness and divine zeal for God's Law he imitated: this divine Prophet, after he had preached the baptism of repentance according to God's command; had taught men of low rank and high how they must order their lives; had admonished those whom he baptized and had filled them with the fear of God, teaching them that no one is able to escape the wrath to come if he do not works worthy of repentance; had, through such preaching, prepared their hearts to receive the evangelical teachings of the Savior; and finally, after he had pointed out to the people the very Savior, and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, Which taketh away the sin of the world" (Luke 3:2-18; John 1: 29-36), after all this, John sealed with his own blood the truth of his words and was made a sacred victim for the divine Law at the hands of a transgressor. This was Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Galilee, the son of Herod the Great. This man had a lawful wife, the daughter of Arethas (or Aretas), the King of Arabia (that is, Arabia Petraea, which had the famous Nabatean stone city of Petra as its capital. This is the Aretas mentioned by Saint Paul in II Cor. 11:32). Without any cause, and against every commandment of the Law, he put her away and took to himself Herodias, the wife of his deceased brother Philip, to whom Herodias had borne a daughter, Salome. He would not desist from this unlawful union even when John, the preacher of repentance, the bold and austere accuser of the lawless, censured him and told him, "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife" (Mark 6: 18). Thus Herod, besides his other unholy acts, added yet this, that he apprehended John and shut him in prison; and perhaps he would have killed him straightway, had he not feared the people, who had extreme reverence for John. Certainly, in the beginning, he himself had great reverence for this just and holy man. But finally, being pierced with the sting of a mad lust for the woman Herodias, he laid his defiled hands on the teacher of purity on the very day he was celebrating his birthday. When Salome, Herodias' daughter, had danced in order to please him and those who were supping with him, he promised her -- with an oath more foolish than any foolishness -- that he would give her anything she asked, even unto the half of his kingdom. And she, consulting with her mother, straightway asked for the head of John the Baptist in a charger. Hence this transgressor of the Law, preferring his lawless oath above the precepts of the Law, fulfilled this godless promise and filled his loathsome banquet with the blood of the Prophet. So it was that that all-venerable head, revered by the Angels, was given as a prize for an abominable dance, and became the plaything of the dissolute daughter of a debauched mother. As for the body of the divine Baptist, it was taken up by his disciples and placed in a tomb (Mark 6: 21-29). Concerning the finding of his holy head, see February 24 and May 25. 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 First Tone The glorious beheading of the Forerunner was a certain divine dispensation, that the coming of the Saviour might also be preached to those in Hades. Let Herodias lament, then, that she demanded a wicked murder; for she loved not the Law of God, nor eternal life, but one false and fleeting. August 2013 Page 13

14 Parish News August 11- Agiasmos for the Start of School. Following the Divine Liturgy the children will participate in the Agiasmos Service and receive an Icon to place in their Backpacks. September 8 Church Picnic at Chris Larsen Park Following the Divine Liturgy we will travel to Chris Larsen Park for a fantastic afternoon of good food and Fellowship. Tickets and prices information will be available shortly Metropolis News October 2-6 Clergy Laity Conference, Philoptochos Assembly, and Family Synaxis Our Parish is blessed and honored to host this Annual Event at the Marina Inn and Conference Center. We will need a lot of help for this event that will let everyone in the Metropolis know who we are. May it be blessed and edifying. August 2013 Page 14

15 Calendar Agenda View August 2013 Page 15

16 Tailgating at the Explorers Game August 2013 Page 16