PRESENTATION OF CHRIST GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

Transcription

1 PRESENTATION OF CHRIST GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH CURRENT NOVEMBER 2018

2 Dear Presentation of Christ Family, Just a few weeks ago I was passing through a department store and found myself face-to-face with Christmas ornaments and wrapping paper. I stopped to check the date, and confirmed my suspicion that it was still mid- October. And yet, the retail world was telling me that it was time to start preparing for Christmas. Whether it is by shopping, decorating, or baking cookies, we all start preparing for Christmas long before December 25 th. But how many of us consider the directions given to us by the Church to prepare for the Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord? Like other Major Feasts, the Church calls us to a time of prayer and fasting leading up to Christmas. While this might seem contradictory to how the world around us celebrates the Christmas Season, it need not be a hindrance to our joy. The fasting period during the 40 Days leading up to Christmas is meant to make us mindful of that for which we are preparing. By embracing this period through the lens of the Church, we make ourselves all the more aware that the Nativity of our Lord is a short time away. As we consider what we eat, we remember that we are approaching Christmas. As we attend extra services and increase our prayer, we recall that this Great Feast is around the corner. When we give extra alms, we remind ourselves that we are increasing our giving because God is giving us His Son in the Flesh. Whether we have been observing the fast our entire lives, or not heard of it prior to reading this letter, we are all invited to participate as we are able. Like any new exercise, we should begin our fasting based on where we are in life, and attempt to increase as we go. The Nativity Fast will be the topic of our discussion in Adult Education on November 7 th (please see the flyer). Our Philoptochos will facilitate an opportunity for further giving of alms through our Shoe Drive for Foster Children from November 11 th through December 23 rd. Finally, after the Feast, on December 29 th, we will gather for our second Annual Christmas Family Retreat. Join us as we embrace this time of fasting and joyously anticipate the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! See you at Church, Fr. Dea n

3 A Note from President and Stewardship Chairman Steve Markantone The future is bright here at Presentation of Christ Church. We are blessed to have a flourishing community under Father Dean s leadership. Our community has not only grown spiritually but is consistently growing in number. It is great to look around the church see new faces and youth. Thank you for commitment to our community through your 2019 Stewardship Pledge. Your participation as a steward and time, talent, and treasure makes a difference in the ministries and activities the church has to offer. We are grateful for your ongoing financial support. God has destined the church for great success, we can accomplish this together! Here is to our continued growth in this vibrant community..your love and loyalty is appreciated. Steve Markantone Parish Council President

4 Fellowship Coffee Hour Schedule Please remember to bring creamer and juice. Thank you.

5 2018 Festival Memories!!!

6 Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society Saint Catherine s Feast Day Celebration November 11, 2018 Time 11:30 AM Olympia Hall

7 TRADITIONAL GREEK NEW YEAR S BREAD (with Good Fortune coin for 2019) Vasilopitas Sponsored by Grecian Odyssey Dancers of Presentation of Christ $8.00 each Orders must be placed by 12/12/18 Pick up vasilopitas at the Olympia Hall, East Pittsburgh, on Sunday, December 16, or Sunday, December 23, from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. ORDER FORM NAME..PHONE # of Vasilopitas w/sesame = # of Vasilopitas without Total number ordered Total amount enclosed Make checks payable to: Grecian Odyssey Dancers, and mail it with your order to: Mary Doreza, 3813 Burnaby Drive, Pittsburgh, PA ***Please Submit Orders By December 12.*** Please circle pick up date preference: Dec. 16, or Dec. 23.

8 Youth and Young Adult Events in the Metropolis OPA!

9 2018 YPAPANTI Community Christmas Card It s that time of year again for our annual Christmas card project a wonderful way to send your greetings of the birth of our Lord to the entire parish community. Please print your name the way you would like it to be published on the card (English). In order for your name to be included, please return this form with your donation of $15.00 to the office by December 1, It can be placed in the collection basket or mailed to the office or brought to the office. Name(s) Please print your name on the above line the way you would like it to appear on the card. Thank you for supporting our Christmas Card Campaign Poinsettias Donation Form You can honor your loved ones, or commemorate your departed loved ones, or simply wish to beautify the church during the Nativity of Christ holiday season and support our Church at the same time by sponsoring one or more beautiful poinsettias for Christmas. A donation of $20.00 is requested. Please submit your order by December 1, Thank you. Name: Number of each

10 Children s Christmas Program Sunday, December 23, 2018 After Divine Liturgy Followed by Christmas Brunch At Olympia Community Center Christmas Services Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil December 24, :00 PM December 25, :30 AM Matins 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy *Parish Vasilopita Cutting December 30, 2018 after Divine Liturgy.

11 Presentation of Christ Adult Education Fall 2018 Wednesday, October 17 Feast of Saint Luke (Vigil) Matins 6:00 PM Divine Liturgy 7:00 PM 8:00 PM Adult Education: On the Life of St. Luke Wednesday, October 24 Paraklesis 6:30 PM Adult Education 7:30 PM Through the Intercessions of the Theotokos: The Protection of Our Most Holy Lady (No Class October 31) Wednesday, November 7 Paraklesis to St. Nektarios 7:00 PM Adult Education 8:00 PM The Nativity Fast: How Orthodox Christians Count Down to Christmas (No Class November 14, November 21) Wednesday, November 28: 6:30 PM Paraklesis7:30 PM Adult Education What Does It Mean to be Called and Sent? St. Andrew the First Called

12 The St. Catherine Philoptochos of the Presentation of Christ Invites you to its annual St. Catherine s Feast Day Luncheon Join us after Church on Stewardship Sunday, November 11 for a Thanksgiving Turkey Feast All Proceeds benefit the ministry of the St. Catherine Philoptochos Adults $12.00, Children 12 and under $5.00 For Reservations, contact Sophie Koutsavlis at or Stamatia Milburn at

13 A Good Word Λόγον Αγαθόν Monthly Newsletter of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of pittsburgh Issue 16 November 2018 His Eminence and the Delegates and Observers following the Invocation and Keynote Address of the 37th Annual Metropolis Clergy-Laity, Philoptochos, and Youth Worker Assembly, gathered at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Mt. Lebanon, PA. Metropolitan Convenes 37th Metropolis Assembly His Eminence Metropolitan Savas called to order the 37th Metropolis Assembly at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Mt. Lebanon, PA with an invocation service calling on the Holy Spirit to guide the delegates, and a memorial to departed Clergy, Presvyteres, and Archons who passed into eternal life since the last Assembly. The one-day Assembly program focused primarily on the business of the Metropolis, adopting a shortened format to respect the time parish delegates gave in July to the Archdiocesan Clergy-Laity Congress. Following the Invocation and Keynote Address, the Assembly split into three parallel sessions, one focusing on the Metropolis ministries and administration, one on the work of the Philoptochos, and another on matters related to Youth and Young Adult ministries. During the plenary session, committees of the whole were held 2018 Assembly Documents & News Important 2018 Metropolis Assembly Documents, have been posted on the Metropolis website For more information, visit: for the traditional Assembly committees: Administration; Greek Education & Culture; Youth, Young Adult, and Camping Ministries; Finance (including the passage of the 2019 Metropolis Budget); Stewardship, Outreach, & Evangelism; and the ad-hoc New Metropolis Center Committee. Under New Business, two primary motions were passed. The first related to electing a first-ever Metropolis Audit Committee, which will be made up of Metropolis Council member Harry Ruska as chair, and two delegates from the Assembly, John Chames of Akron and John Harbilas of Camp Hill. The second authorized the sale of the Butler County property (originally purchased for Mt. Tabor) while maintaining the mineral rights. Support His Eminence and the Metropolis Ministries It costs approximately $1,000 per day to operate our Metropolis including His Eminence s pastoral visitations, preparations for Summer Camp and GOYA retreats, our vital registry (tracking marriages, baptisms, chrismations, and deaths), and more. Please consider sponsoring a day in the life of the Metropolis. To contribute, visit

14 Annunciation G.O. Cathedral, Columbus, OH choir singing responses during the Sunday Hierarchical Liturgy. Photo by Diana Synadinos, used with permission. His Eminence poses with the Metropolis Philoptochos Board and Parish Chapter Delegates to the 2018 Metropolis Philoptochos Assembly, held at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Mt. Lebanon, PA. Philoptochos Assembly Highlights Successful Year The Metropolis of Pittsburgh Chapters continued in 2018 the Philoptochos mission of serving our fellow man. They actively engaged in the national projects and worked within the Metropolis with our own special causes. Through staunch and steadfast participation in the National Philoptochos commitments by the parishes and Metropolises, the National Philoptochos was able to disburse a total of $1,737, in They have also collected $106,710 to date for the victims of the devastating and deadly wildfires in Attica, Greece. These funds are being distributed directly to those people in need. The Metropolis of Pittsburgh Philoptochos Society has continued the Feed the Hungry program with remarkable success. The ladies of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Akron, Ohio were honored at the 2018 Biennial National Philoptochos Convention with the distinction of serving the 1,000,000th Meal. Congratulations to all our faithful and committed members of our Metropolis Philoptochos who have heard the call to aid those less fortunate than themselves. The ladies of the Philoptochos Society diligently concluded their annual Assembly by adopting the following disbursements. Metropolis of Pittsburgh Good Samaritan Fund $ 2,770 Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery $ 2,500 Metropolis Youth $10,000 Earmarked as $ 5,000 Youth Ministries $ 5,000 Camp Ministries The Metropolis of Pittsburgh Ladies Philoptochos Society granted honorariums for the seminary students from the Metropolis of Pittsburgh attending Holy Cross School of Theology of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Please mark your calendars for the 2019 Daffodil Luncheon on March 16, 2019 at St. Haralambos in Canton, OH. This is the annual social services fundraiser of the Metropolis, and is open to men and women from around the Metropolis. Sincere thanks are offered to the parish family of Holy Cross for their generous hospitality and their welcoming friendship to all our delegates from across the Metropolis. The Philoptochos looks forward to working with all our Metropolis and Parish delegates for the 2020 Archdiocesan Clergy Laity and National Philoptochos Congress in Cleveland OH.

15 Calendar for November 2018 Subject to Updates November Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Feast of Saints Kosmas & Damianos 8:30 AM Matins 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 4 8:30 AM Matins 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 40 Days-Rojtas Chrismation-AP *7:00PM Odyssey Practice 11 8:30 AM Matins 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy Memorial -9 yrs Angelike Athans Philoptochos Luncheon- Edgewood CC 18 8:30 AM Matins 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 2:00 PM Odyssey Prac. 25 8:30 AM Matins 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 2:00 PM Odyssey Prac :00 PM YASOU monthly evening meeting YASOU :00 PM Choir Practice NOTE DATE: 7:00 PM Parish Council Meeting 7:00 PM Sandwiches for the Homeless 7:00 PM Paraklesis 8:00 PM Adult Orthodox Ed 14 No Paraklesis or Adult Education 7:15 PM Odyssey Practice 21 Entrance of the Theotokos 8:30 AM Matins 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy No Paraklesis or Adult Education 7:15 PM Odyssey Prac 28 9:00 AM Rankin Christian Ctr Sandwich Pick up 6:30 PM Paraklesis 7:30 PM Adult Education 8 7:00 PM Odyssey Practice 15 Nativity Fast Begins 22 THANKSGIVING OFFICE CLOSED 29 7:00 PM Odyssey Practice 9 Karadiotissa Icon at Holy Cross. 6:00 PM Icon Arrival 7:00 PM Paraklesis 16 GOYA Fall Retreat 23 OFFICE CLOSED 30 St. Andrew the First Called 8:30 AM Matins 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 10 Philoptochos- Luncheon Prep 17 Hall Event 24 Hall Event

16 Presentation of Christ Ypapanti Greek Orthodox Church 1672 Electric Avenue, PO Box J, East Pittsburgh, PA Website: Follow us on Instagram and Under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, His Eminence Demetrios Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and His Eminence Metropolitan Savas The mission of Ypapanti is to proclaim with joy the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to teach and spread the Orthodox Christian Faith and to be a community devoted to and energized by the love of God and our neighbor. Rev. Fr. Constantine Kokanos Sunday Services Cell Phone: Matins 8:30 AM FatherDeanKokanos@gmail.com Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM Lucy Koutsavlis, Admin Assistant Paraklesis Service Wednesday at 6:30 PM lkoutsavlis@ypapanti.net Orthodox Adult Education - Office Phone: Wednesday at 7:30 PM Office FAX: Stefanos Giannikas, Chanter Tara Reis, Events Coordinator Filia Arvanitis, Asst Chanter Thomas Rosvanis, Asst Chanter Wilford Clark, Custodian 2018 Parish Council Members Steve Markantone, Pres Anthony Peter J Stan Prestogeorge, VP Koutsavlis, Samantha Tom Rosvanis, VP Koutsavlis, Sophie Paula Borsch, Treasurer Lazaridis, Kiki Anastasia Andrews, Treas Mantzouridis, Petros Sam Koutsavlis, Secretary Pranis, Tootie Organizations & Committees Sunday School Director -Paula Borsch Philoptochos President Sylvia Graziano Choir Director-Tom Rosvanis Choir President Toni Morgan Organists- Marguerite Ellis & Roula Kyros YAL-Nick Stupakis&Dean Leventopoulos St. Kyriaki Book Store Deborah Gryziak YASOU Co-Presidents-Tootie Pranis Grecian Odyssey Dancers Director Mary Doreza President Elias Bardis Junior Olympian Dancers Directors Michelle Kotsagrelos Jamie Orfanopoulos Asst Directors Elias Bardis Maria Bardis GAPA President Elias Bardis