THE BRIDGE. Great Lent February-April Rejoice, bridge that truly leads us from death to life! Akathist Hymn

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1 THE BRIDGE Rejoice, bridge that truly leads us from death to life! Akathist Hymn DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 600 South Willard St., Burlington, VT (802) Fax: CLERGY Rev. Father Andreas M. Papayiannis, Proistamenos Cell: Rev. Father Robert Athas, Retired Great Lent February-April 2018 MESSAGE FROM FATHER The Salvation of the Soul After a large number of people had gathered around our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord spoke these words: 'What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?" In addition, He spoke these words: 'What can a man give in exchange for his soul?" This means that a man's soul has more value than the whole visible world. And if a man loses his soul, with what can he make payment, with what can he buy it back again? With nothing in the world. Not even if he gives the whole world can he buy his lost soul. Blessed is he who knows this, and who guards his soul as his greatest treasure. Blessed is he who stands guard over his soul every day and does not permit his soul to suffer harm in any way. For he who saves his soul will save everything, and he who loses his soul will lose everything. In a small town there once lived a very rich man. He lived in a small dilapidated house. He did not want to renovate his house, but saved and guarded his wealth. Now this one night his house happened to catch fire and burn down. The man, however, jumped out of bed undressed, searched out his saved-up treasure, and leapt out of the house. His whole house was reduced to ashes, but he did not feel sorry about it at all. Rather, with his 1

2 wealth he moved to a large city, and in this large city he built a beautiful palace, and there he continued to live cheerfully and free from worry. What does this story symbolize? The small town represents this world, in which men live as guests for a short time. The small dilapidated house represents man's body, the home of man's spirit. The rich man represents a sensible Christian, who has heard, understood, and laid up in his heart the words of Christ: 'What does it help a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?" The great wealth of the rich man represents the rich soul of a sensible Christian, who labored for a whole lifetime to live according to the law of Christ and amass into his soul all those good works which shine more brightly than gold or silver or precious gems. That spiritual gold and silver, that great spiritual treasure is: faith and hope in God, love for God, prayerfulness, mercy, goodness, peace, brotherly love, humility and purity. What does the burning down of the house represent? It represents bodily death. The unexpected fire in the night represents unexpected bodily death, of which no mortal knows the day or the hour. The awakening of the rich man from sleep at the moment of the fire and the moving to the large city represent the freeing of the soul from the body at the hour of death and the moving to the other world. The large city represents the eternal kingdom of Christ, in which only the angels and the righteous live. The beautiful palace in the large city represents the dwelling place of every righteous soul in that world, in the eternal and everlasting kingdom. This story is clear and the moral is beautiful. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear. Let no one place his hope in this transitory life, which passes as quickly as a cloud driven by the wind from Perister to Oblakov. Let no one take pride in his body, for every human body is a dilapidated house, which death will soon reduce to ashes. But let every Christian man and woman ceaselessly take thought for their souls, for that unique treasure, which can save them from death and destruction. Whoever takes thought for his soul, listens to Christ's words and carries out His holy commandments-the meek Christ helps such a man and helps him without ceasing. He watches over him as a mother over a child in a cradle. And He nourishes him and waters him day and night with His Holy Spirit. And He gives him a guardian angel to protect him in all the paths of life and to take away his soul at the hour of death and lead it into the Heavenly Kingdom. To our God be glory and praise. Amen. By St. Nikolai (Velimirovich) of Ohrid and Žiča 2

3 PARISH MINISTRY DIRECTORY PARISH COUNCIL: Georgia Maheras (Pres.) (c) Nancy Pappas Trombley ( VPres.) nancyt79@comcast.net; Roy Barnes (Secretary) rbarnes12543@student.mbts.edu; Vasilios Contis (Treasurer) vcontis@msn.com; Dave Hunt 2dhunts@gmail.com; Nectar Rorris Sotos Papaseraphim sotosandmaria@gmail.com; Nick Pitt nvpitt@gmail.com; David Saur david_saur@yahoo.com; EDUCATION MINISTRY: Georgia Maheras, Sunday Coordinator PHILOPTOCHOS BOARD: Theodora Contis (President) tcontis1@msn.com; Aleka Michaelides (V. Pres) alekam@live.com Tammy Validakis (Secretary) tammysi@gmavt.net; Maria Michaelides (Treasurer) meroulavt@comcast.net; ORDER of AHEPA: Greg Lambesis, President PROTOPSALTIS: Presvytera Mari Papayiannis PARISH COUNCIL NEWS Georgia Maheras, Parish Council President YOU DID IT! Thank you all for your contributions to stewardship in we exceeded our goal! We are hoping to exceed our 2018 stewardship goal of $66,000. If you haven t pledged yet, please let any Parish Council member know of your interest and we will sign you up! Upcoming Bake Sale and Take-Out Dinner: With Lent just around the corner, we are starting to plan for our Spring Bake Sale and Take-Out Dinner. Please join us on March 31 st (or anytime the week before!) for this important fundraiser. PC Updates: We have received the ratification of our Parish Council from the Metropolis. Fr. Andreas will administer the Affirmation of Office of the 2018 Parish Council on Sunday, February 18 th. Calendars: We will be sending out another newsletter later in the Spring, but are including the April liturgical calendar for planning purposes. Mailing Address Change: Please note that effective 1/1/2018, we changed our mailing address. The mailing address will be: 600 S. Willard Street, S. Burlington, VT, Mail sent to our PO Box will be forwarded for the first half of

4 Sunday News: Our Sunday is currently divided into three groups: Pre-K to 2 nd Grade; 3 rd and 4 th Grader; 5 th through 8 th Grade. If you head into the Community Center on any given Sunday, these great kids are filling the space with their prayers, jokes, and crafts. We appreciate the help of all of the volunteers who help with teach lessons each week- if you haven t already, let us know when you can help out! Here is the Sunday Schedule for the next few months: Date Lesson 2/4 Prodigal Son 2/11 Judgment Sunday 2/18 Make Icons for Sunday of Orthodoxy 2/25 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL- Sunday of Orthodoxy 3/4 St. Gregory Palamas & Forgiveness 3/11 Holy Cross 3/18 St. John Climacus 3/25 St. Mary of Egypt/Palm Sunday 4/1 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL 4/8 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL 4/15 St. Thomas 4/22 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL- Vacation 4/29 Paralytic 4

5 Philoptochos News and Announcements The Philoptochos Society is the official philanthropic organization of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. Our Patron Saints are Cosmas and Damian Nov 1 Come and join us in doing the charity of our Orthodox Christian faith in this place. Philoptochos means friend of the poor. All women of our parish are invited to become members. Mark Your Calendars: February 18 is our next regular meeting; after coffee hour (around 12:15 p.m.) Next regular meeting will be Sunday, March 18. Pascha is April 8 Our Western Christian brothers and sisters celebrate April 1. Spring Bake Sale will be Saturday, March 31 - Monday, March 26, 9:30 a.m. - Bake Sale prep: chopping nuts and folding boxes. - Tuesday, March 27 9:30 a.m. - Baklava and Crescent baking Everyone who can come to help is asked to come. We need volunteers to come at 9 a.m. to help count filo. - Friday, March a.m. Cupping and set-up. Everyone who can come to help is asked to come. - Saturday, March 31 9 a.m. Final preparations Please see the sign-up sheet at church or call Prez Anthe ( ) to volunteer to work the line. Morning Line: p.m. - Early Afternoon Line: 12-2 p.m. Afternoon: 2-5 p.m. typically slow time - Evening: 5-7 p.m. TO ALL THE WOMEN (and Men) OF OUR PARISH SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, IS GO RED SUNDAY THANK YOU FOR WEARING RED! SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR SPREADING AWARENESS OF HEART DISEASE AS THE #1 CAUSE OF DEATH IN AMERICAN WOMEN. 5

6 YOUR DONATION TO THE COFFEE HOUR BASKET Question: What are the donations in the basket at the coffee hour used for? The answer: Your contributions to the coffee hour tray helps Philoptochos charitable work in our community. In 2017 Philoptochos gave $1, to local charities: The American Red Cross VT chapter, Alzheimer's VT chapter, Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS), The Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf (food boxes), Food and Gas cards distributed to needy individuals by our priest, JUMP (Joint Urban Ministries Project) which serves the needs of the working poor, Special Olympics, The Salvation Army, and The Vermont Food Bank. Please continue to be generous and God bless you! COFFEE HOUR during GREAT LENT Coffee /Fellowship Hour after the Divine Liturgy is a way of deepening our feeling of Community. You do a wonderful service when you sponsor coffee hour. Great Lent begins Monday, February 19. During the fasting periods of the Church, please respect the fast by NOT bringing meat or dairy products for coffee hour. Hummus and crackers/pita bread, peanut butter and jelly, fruit, bagels, non-dairy spreads are examples of what have been brought during those times. What Do I Need to Bring -1 quart of milk substitute or non-dairy creamer. -2 half gallons of juice like apple, orange) -Snacks - for about people. See the suggestions for fasting periods above. You do not need to bring coffee, sugar, dishes, or napkins. These are provided at Church. Ladies of Philoptochos are glad to help if you need some in the kitchen. -If you have any questions, please call Presvytera Anthe ( ). 6

7 JOIN US! Community Events for the Entire Parish: Youth Sunday-March 18 th All parishioners under 18 are invited to take a leadership role on March 18 th during Liturgy. We need youth who can read the Epistle, act as Greeters, stand at the Pangari, ring the bell, tend the candles, and pass the tray. Anyone who is interested should contact Georgia at georgiajohn@gmail.com or

8 DORMITION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF BURLINGTON, VT February 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Notes: Fasting Rules: 1 2 MEETING of the 3 No meat, dairy products, fish, wine or olive oil may be consumed; 4:30p Vigil Service LORD No meat, dairy products or fish may be consumed; 5:30p Divine Liturgy No meat may be consumed. Before Receiving Holy Communion No food or drink should be consumed after the previous evening meal; for evening Liturgies, do not consume anything after the mid-day meal. 4 Sunday of the Prodigal Son 11 Meatfare Sunday St Photios the Great 8:00a Orthros 9:00a Divine Liturgy Saturday of Souls 8:00a Orthros 9:00a Divine Liturgy & Memorial 17 Saturday of Souls 8:00a Orthros 9:00a Divine Liturgy & Memorial Service 18 Cheesefare Sunday 19 Clean Monday GREAT LENT BEGINS PRESIDENT S DAY 5:00p Forgiveness Vespers 25 Sunday of 26 Orthodoxy 10:00a Divine Liturgy, Procession & Sunday :00p Presanctified Liturgy 8:00p Great Compline 28 6:00p Presanctified Liturgy Saturday of Souls 7:00p 1 st Salutations to the 8:00a Orthros Theotokos 9:00a Divine Liturgy & Memorial Service Holy Confession after Saturday Great Vespers and before Monday Great Compline during Lent Orthros Mon.-Thurs. 9:00 am, unless shaded in blue; Parish Office hours on Mon. & Tues. 9:30 am 11:30 am, unless shaded in blue 8

9 DORMITION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF BURLINGTON, VT March 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Notes: Fasting Rules: No meat, dairy products, fish, wine or olive oil may be consumed; No meat, dairy products or fish may be consumed; Fish Allowed No meat or dairy products may be consumed. Before Receiving Holy Communion No food or drink should be consumed after the previous evening meal; for evening Liturgies, do not consume anything after the mid-day meal :00p 2 nd Salutations to the Theotokos 3 4 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas 11 Sunday of the Holy Cross, Procession 18 Sunday of St. John Klimakos 25 Annunciation of the Holy Theotokos GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY 10:00a Divine Liturgy, Sunday, Luncheon Fish Allowed :00p Presanctified Liturgy 7:15p Lenten Program 14 6:00p Presanctified Liturgy 7:15p Lenten Program Martyrs of Sebasteia 10 9:00a Presanctified Liturgy 7:00p 3 rd Salutations to the Theotokos :00p 4 th Salutations to the Theotokos Great Canon of St :00p Presanctified Liturgy Andrew 7:00p Service of the Akathist Hymn 7:15p Lenten Program & Great Canon 28 6:00p Presanctified Liturgy 7:15p Lenten Program Lazaros Saturday BAKE SALE & TAKE-OUT 8:15a Orthros 9:00a Divine Liturgy Holy Confession before Monday Great Compline Orthros Mon.-Fri. 9:00 am, unless shaded in blue; Parish Office hours on Mon. & Wed. 9:30 am 11:30 am, unless shaded in blue 9

10 DORMITION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF BURLINGTON, VT April 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Palm Sunday & Palm Blessing 10:00a Divine Liturgy 6:00p Bridegroom Service Fish Allowed 8 Great & Holy PASCHA 12:00a Resurrection Service & Divine Liturgy 12:00p Agape Vespers 2 Holy Monday 9:00a Presanctified Liturgy 6:00p Bridegroom Service 9 3 Holy Tuesday 6:15a Presanctified Liturgy 6:00p Bridegroom Service 10 4 Holy Wednesday 9:00a Presanctified Liturgy 4:00p Holy Unction 7:00p Mystical Supper Service w/ Anointing 11 5 Holy Thursday 9:00a Vesperal Divine Liturgy 7:00p Passion Service 12 5:00p Vigil Service 6:00p Divine Liturgy 6 Holy Friday 7 Great & Holy Saturday 9:00a Royal Hours 9:00a Vesperal Divine Liturgy 4:00p Unnailing from Cross Vespers 11:15p Paschal Vigil 7:00p Lamentations Service 13 Life-Giving Spring Thomas Sunday Sunday of Myrrh- 23 Gt-Martyr George Bearing Women 10:00a Divine Liturgy Sunday of the Paralytic 30 Notes: Fasting Rules: No meat, dairy products, fish, wine or olive oil may be consumed; No meat, dairy products or fish may be consumed; Fish Allowed No meat or dairy products may be consumed. Before Receiving Holy Communion No food or drink should be consumed after the previous evening meal; for evening Liturgies, do not consume anything after the mid-day meal. Holy Confession after Saturday Great Vespers Orthros Mon.-Thurs. 9:00 am, unless shaded in blue; Parish Office hours on Mon. & Tues. 9:30 am 11:30 am, unless shaded in blue 10

11 March 31 st is our ANNUAL SPRING TAKE-OUT DINNER AND BAKE SALE Bake Sale: 10am-7pm Take-Out Dinner: 11am-7pm VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We need people to help every day from March 26 th -March 30 th to help with this major fundraiser for the Philoptochos and the Parish. Please don t forget that this is also the Saturday of Lazaros, so plan on attending Divine Liturgy at 9 am before volunteering! Can you help the week of March 26 th with prep (baking, skewering, set-up)? Can you help by taking a shift on March 31 st? Either serving, preparing food, washing dishes, clean-up, cashier? Please sign up with either (or both!) the Philoptochos or Parish Council to let us know when you can help. 11