THE BEACON ASSUMPTION. December 2014 GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. Attract, Serve, Illuminate

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1 ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY Attract, Serve, Illuminate THE BEACON December Ormsby Lane Louisville, Kentucky Phone: (502) Church

2 Parish Softball Game

3 Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption, There is never a more profound sense of joy in this world than when a family welcomes a new child. The feeling of rebirth and awe is almost indescribable. This new life that parents seem to profoundly know, even from the womb, changes us right to the core. All of a sudden the whole world around us seems different. One would think that the extreme pain of childbirth would result in a whole lot of one child families, but the pain is virtually forgotten to the new mom who now holds a new precious life. In fact, this is stated expressly by Christ in the Gospel according to St. John (16:21): A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. Christ is referring to the Joy and Peace that He has bought into to the world that He will fulfil at His return. If we are so overjoyed by the birth of a new child, a creature brought into the world, how much more joy does the birth of the Creator bring to us? Our world perception changes with the birth of a child, but it is not the perception of the world but all of creation that changes with the birth of our Lord into the world. He is the cornerstone that our salvation is built upon; the bedrock foundation on which we have built our entire lives upon; not only the reason for the season, but the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is hard to comprehend how a humble birth in a small suburb of Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago could completely rock our world! But it did and it does!!! Wishing you a Blessed Nativity of the Lord, I remain in His Service, Pastoral Message Rev. Father Jon Boukis, Proistamenos Attract, Serve, Illuminate

4 Parish Council Corner As we enter into the blessed holiday season, the Parish Council would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year! In the recent fall General Assembly, the parish selected one of the two options for building a church hall which were presented by the Strategic Planning Committee. The option chosen by majority vote was for the new construction of the entire building. The New Year brings much promise for the next chapter in the life of the community as we embark on a capital campaign for the purpose of funding the proposed building. We pray that our dear Lord continues to bless us and our community as we endeavor to honor Him through the expansion of our campus Parish Council Joanna Caneris - President John Harris - Vice President Michael Balakos - Treasurer Ryan Leathers - Secretary Larry Anas Emily Digenis Milton Galanos Ramsey Nassar Jim Simatacolos Parish Council Elections Parish Council Elections will take place on Sunday, December 7, 2014, following the Divine Liturgy and will remain open for 30 minutes. As defined by the UPR and the Parish Bylaws, the Parish Council consists of the Priest, as the head of the Parish, and 9 elected lay members. Five (5) members are to be elected on odd numbered years; four (4) members are to be elected on even numbered years to serve a two year term. Nominated for the term at the Parish General Assembly held on October 19, 2014, were the following candidates: Ryan Leathers Ramsey Nassar Cosmin Schenk Jim Simatacolos

5 Metropolis Events The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit Council and the Metropolis Philoptochos invite you to join us in celebrating the... Feast of St. Spyridon Thursday, December 11, 2014 Great Vespers for the Feast of St. Spyridon 6:30 p.m. (reception to follow) Friday, December 12, 2014 Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St. Spyridon 10:00 a.m. (reception to follow) Metropolis Center 2560 Crooks Road Troy, MI His Eminence Metropolitan NICHOLAS and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit invite you to celebrate the Feast of Saint Nicholas together with our Guest of Honor: His Excellency Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Detroit at the SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 3109 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, MI FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, :00 PM Open House & Reception for the Feast of Saint Nicholas Sunday, December 7, :00pm 5:00pm The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit Council and the Metropolis Philoptochos invite you to join us at the Metropolis Center on the occasion of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas name day. Metropolis Center 2560 Crooks Road Troy, MI

6 Sunday School All children with attendance of 80% or better have hit the mark and will be listed monthly in THE BEACON as with 3 absences or less for the entire year will be recognized in May with a special gift to acknowledge their dedication to Religious Education. Attendance is Important!!! Hit the Mark!!! Vasilia Boukis Christopher Collis George Digenis Luke Digenis Mariam Dodd Ulla Dodd Congratulations to: Ally Harris Andrew Harris Matthew Harris Stephen Harris David Schenk Annual Sunday School Christmas Play Leah Schenk Jason Simatacolos John Simatacolos Andrew Taylor Steffi Taylor Ismene Vedder The children will be giving their Christmas performance on Sunday December 14th after the Liturgy in the social hall. They will be practicing during Sunday school on 12/7, and we need all children who have been assigned a part to be present on that day. Also, there will be mandatory dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 13 th, 11am-Noon. Please have your child at church on Sunday, December 7 th so they can practice their parts. If your child will not be able to participate in the performance, please let me know ASAP so I can reassign their part. Please feel free to call Kristen Kyriacou at (502) or kykristen8@gmail.com" Angel Gifts are due Sunday, December 14 th!!!

7 HOPE/JOY ICE SKATING!!! On Saturday, December 13 th, following the Mandatory Dress Rehearsal for the Sunday School Christmas Play, the HOPE and JOY will be going to Iceland Sports Complex (1701 Ups Dr, Louisville ) for Open Skate. The cost is $6 to skate and $2 for skate rental. If we get 15 people, the skates are free!!! We will leave directly from the Church. GOYA Family Trip Are you missing Summer? Do you want to hit the pool? We are currently working on a Family Trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio. If you want to know more Contact Elyse Allemang at allemang.elyse@gmail.com Basketball Christmas Events The GOYA will be celebrating Christmas with a White Elephant Gift Exchange and a Party on Sunday, December 21 st, at 6:00pm. Don t worry, the food will be fasting! Also, watch your s for an upcoming service project which is yet to be determined. White Elephant On Wednesday, December 3 rd, we will have our 3 rd and final basketball open gym for all ages. The gym is at Hobbs Station Road, Louisville. Open Gym is from 7:00pm- 9:00pm. Come and enjoy the fellowship and get a bit more exercise!!! Fellowship - It s a Winner!!!

8 Greek School Greek School Fall session is coming to a successful end on December 17 th and We will have a Greek potluck on that day. Join us for some delicious home made Greek food. Greek School will return in the second half of January for a Spring session. From all of us Greek language learners "Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Ευτυχισμένο 2015" - Merry Christmas and Happy Hospital Visitation Hospital Visitation is a ministry that we as Orthodox take very seriously, because it is at times when our fallen humanity is failing that we often times also experience spiritual weakness. Just a reminder, hospital visitations and visitation to our homebound parishioners are of utmost importance, but most hospital no longer call to tell the church when our faithful are admitted - and if they do, it is never timely. Please make sure that if you have a loved one who is in need of visitation that you give me a call. With pastoral love, Rev. Father Jon S. Boukis PROISTAMENOS Contact Fr. Jon through the Church Number (502) Messages are sent to Fr. Jon s Cell Phone immediately 24 hours per day

9 Bible Study Bible Study is an opportunity for us to apply the Scriptures to our everyday lives. The Bible is the Good News that enriches our faith and deepens our understanding of every issue that we face. This can only be done through obtaining the mind of the Holy Fathers. Let the scripture come alive in your life today!!! The Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Wednesday Evenings from 6:30pm-7:45pm and on Thursday Mornings from 10:00am-11:15am to study the Book of Acts of the Apostles. Make a commitment to learning His Word! Philoptochos PHILOPTOCHOS UPCOMING EVENTS Have you joined Philoptochos yet? Who? All members of the parish who are 18 years and older. Please pay $35 dues to Evanthia Speliotis, treasurer. New (to us) this year! Become an associate member. Associate members are spouses of members. We need your help. Show your support and become an associate member today by paying dues. You are welcome at any and all events, but you do not have to attend either.

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11 Philoptochos Help Support the Philoptochos Mission Pajamas and Children s books for Wayside Christian Mission. Please bring to church Dec. 14 th /21 st. There will be a bin in the hall. Vasilopita sale: Place your order for a loaf of Vasilopita by December 7 th. Bread will be available December 14 th or 21 st depending upon your preference. $15/loaf. See Evanthia. Order your Christmas baklava. All orders due by December 7 th. Pick up Dec. 14 th. Half dozen $8, 1 dozen $15 and 3 dozen $40. Don t miss out! See any member. Forms available on the bulletin board. There are only 5 ornaments remaining. They are $20 this month. Available in the hall. See a member! We collected 21 Thanksgiving Baskets for EACM. Thank you for your generosity. And more thanks for your continued donations to Chenoweth Elementary School s Backpack program. Just a reminder that the food is going home with the children in their backpack each Friday. Donations should be individual servings, nutritious, ready to eat or heated in the microwave and non-perishable.

12 Assumption Calendar of E Sunday Monday Tuesday th Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour 1:00pm - Philoptochos Baklava Baking at Masterson s Catering th Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Christmas Play (also Angel Gifts Due) Philoptochos Baklava Pick-up Coffee Hour Special Visitor!!! 21 Sunday Before the Nativity of the Lord Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour 6:00pm- GOYA Christmas Party & White Elephant Sunday Before the Nativity of the Lord Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Family Worship Coffee Hour 28 AHEPA Meeting 6:30pm Deadline for Submissions to The Beacon

13 vents December 2014 Wednesday Thursday Friday Greek School 6:30pm-7:45pm Bible Study 6:30pm-7:45pm Basketball Open Gym 7:00pm-9:00pm Greek School 6:30pm-7:45pm Bible Study 6:30pm-7:45pm Greek School Final Fall Session and Greek Pot-Luck 6:30pm-7:45pm Bible Study 6:30pm-7:45pm 24 Eve of the Great Feast of the Nativity of the Lord Vesperal Divine Liturgy 6:00pm 31 Eve of the Feast of St. Basil the Great and the Circumcision of the Lord Vesperal Divine Liturgy 6:00pm Bible Study 10:00am-11:15am Bible Study 10:00am-11:15am 4 11 Lyndon Ecumenical Fellowship at Lyndon Baptist 7:00pm Bible Study 10:00am-11:15am Great Feast of the Nativity of the Lord Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 5 12 Feast of St. Spyridon the Wonderworker Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Holy Confession is done by appointment and may be scheduled by calling Fr. Jon at the Church Office: (502) Saturday Feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am (in Cincinnati,OH) No Great Vespers 6 13 Daughters of Penelope 10:30am Christmas Play Dress Rehearsal 11:00am JOY Ice Skating Noon Great Vespers 5:00pm Great Vespers 5:00pm Feast of St. Stephen Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am No Great Vespers Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free

14 St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Commemorated December 6 th This Saint lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330, As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused. No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock... was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron of all travelers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.

15 St. Spyridon the Wonderworker Commemorated December 12 th Saint Spyridon, the God-bearing Father of the Church, the great defender of Corfu and the boast of all the Orthodox, had Cyprus as his homeland. He was simple in manner and humble of heart, and was a shepherd of sheep. When he was joined to a wife, he begat of her a daughter whom they named Irene. After his wife's departure from this life, he was appointed Bishop of Trimythus, and thus he became also a shepherd of rational sheep. When the First Ecumenical Council was assembled in Nicaea, he also was present, and by means of his most simple words stopped the mouths of the Arians who were wise in their own conceit. By the divine grace which dwelt in him, he wrought such great wonders that he received the surname 'Wonderworker." So it is that, having tended his flock piously and in a manner pleasing to God, he reposed in the Lord about the year 350, leaving to his country his sacred relics as a consolation and source of healing for the faithful. About the middle of the seventh century, because of the incursions made by the barbarians at that time, his sacred relics were taken to Constantinople, where they remained, being honoured by the emperors themselves. But before the fall of Constantinople, which took place on May 29, 1453, a certain priest named George Kalokhairetes, the parish priest of the church where the Saint's sacred relics, as well as those of Saint Theodora the Empress, were kept, took them away on account of the impending peril. Travelling by way of Serbia, he came as far as Arta in Epirus, a region in Western Greece opposite to the isle of Corfu. From there, while the misfortunes of the Christian people were increasing with every day, he passed over to Corfu about the year The relics of Saint Theodora were given to the people of Corfu; but those of Saint Spyridon remain to this day, according to the rights of inheritance, the most precious treasure of the priest's own descendants, and they continue to be a staff for the faithful in Orthodoxy, and a supernatural wonder for those that behold him; for even after the passage of 1,500 years, they have remained incorrupt, and even the flexibility of his flesh has been preserved.

16 Poinsettias Please call the parish office if you would like to donate a Poinsettia ($20), which will adorn our Church for Christmas. Donations for Poinsettias should be offered in one of the following formats: Offered for the Health of Offered in Memory of MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!! Annual Christmas Card ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CARD Wish a Blessed Christmas to the entire Parish of the Assumption by filling out the form below and giving it to a Parish Council member at the Coffee Hour after the Divine Liturgy. Your investment is only $30 to send your greetings to the entire Parish!!! Deadline is December 10 th. ASSUMPTION CHURCH CHRISTMAS CARD APPLICATION Please include my name (family) on the Christmas Card as follows: (Please Print)

17 Cincinnati Invitation The Feast of Our Father among the Saints Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker December 5 and 6, 2014 Friday, December 5: Great Vespers and Fellowship at 6:30 P.M. Saturday, December 6: Matins and Divine Liturgy at 8:30 A.M. Fellowship hosted by our Philoptochos Society Holy Trinity St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 7000 Winton Road Cincinnati, Ohio Epiphany Needs Following Epiphany Fr. Jon will be blessing the homes and businesses of the Parishioners who so request. Sign-up sheets by area will be available during coffee hour in the hall. The parish is running short on some essential supplies. For those who are looking for additional ways to make offerings, please consider picking up one of the following: Toilet Paper Paper Towels Hand Soap Large Trash Bags (33 Gallon) Liquid Dishwashing Soap Paper Plates

18 Contact Information Church Contact Information Fr. Jon s priest@assumption.ky.goarch.org Parish Council President s president@assumption.ky.goarch.org Office Administrator's office@assumption.ky.goarch.org Church Phone: (502) Website: Office Hours Fr. Jon: Monday Thursday and by appointment Office Administrator: 9:00am-1:00pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Fr. Jon can be contacted at the Church Phone Number at all times. If no one is in the office, voic s are forwarded directly to Fr. Jon s mobile phone. Stewardship Thoughts Recently a young couple came to their Priest s office to make a stewardship donation to the parish which was many times the average of the parish. They were not wealthy and didn t display significant means. Letting his curiosity get the best of him, the Priest asked the young couple how they determined the amount they were offering. They responded, Our parents sacrificed and worked for years to build and preserve our parish. We want to follow their good example. Notice the Priest viewed the parish as the parish, but the couple said our parish. How do you view the Assumption? Don t let your pledge be routine. Ask yourself if your offering to His Church displays your gratitude and if you ve followed the good example of those who have gone before us? Stewardship Sunday is December 14, 2014

19 Community Announcements On Sunday, November 16 th, Deacon William Redmon was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit. Fr. William has been assigned to serve as the assistant to Fr. Bill Cassis at the Parish of Holy Trinity St. Nicholas in Cincinnati. Άξιος!!! Worthy!!! The Digenis Family would like to express their gratitude for the prayers and well wishes for George as he has undergone back surgery to relieve pain in his lower back and legs. Your prayers have been heard and George is recovering from his successful surgery and even surpassing the therapy milestones that where expected of him. Glory be to God, the Physician of our souls and bodies!!! We warmly welcome our newest parishioner, Mary, born at 7:35pm on Monday, November 24 th, to Laura and Ryan Leathers. She is 20 inches and weighs in at 6 lbs 5 ounces. Congratulations! Να σας ζήσει!!! May she thrive!!! Do you have news that would be edifying in a Community Announcement, if so, call the Church office or office@assumption.ky.goarch.org.

20 Philanthropic Opportunities Are you already Kroger shopper? Your current shopping could be benefitting the Assumption! Kroger Community Rewards makes fund-raising easy...all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card! TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM: Go to krogercommunityrewards.com and register your Kroger Plus Card (if you are already registered, click Sign In instead of Create an Account. ) Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions You will then get a message to check your inbox and click on the link within the body of the . Click on My Account and use your address and password to proceed to the next step. Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number. If you use your phone number at the register instead of a card, call , select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number. Update or confirm your information. Enter Assumption or our NPO number of and select us from the list and click on confirm. If enrollment is complete, you will see Assumption s name on the right side of your information page. That s it!!! Use your registered Kroger Plus card or phone number at the register and our parish benefits!!! By registering online, coupons can be electronically attached to your Plus Card. Not only do you help the Church, but you save money. Talk to everyone you know about registering to benefit our parish!!!

21 Philanthropic Opportunities Backpack Buddies Because Hunger Doesn t Take the Weekend Off Help feed 10 kids at Chenoweth Elementary over the weekend! There is a container in the back of the church in which to place a food offering! Make it a habit to bring in an item each week for those children who without help may go hungry. (This will be an ongoing program of the Philoptochos) Please bring foods that are: Non-perishable Shelf-stable Single-serving Nutritious May God Bless and multiply your offerings!!! U of L Pediatrics Book Drive Approximately two-thirds of US children and 80 percent of those living below the poverty threshold are not proficient readers by the end of third grade. U of L gives new books at every well-child checkup through age 5 and we give gently used books on sick visits and to siblings. Bring in new or gently used children s books to the office or to Mary Makris!

22 The Power of Self Control Taken from The Prologue from Ochrid (December 24 th ) Victory over temptation is victory over death. This is shown by a wondrous experience of St. Nicholas the Commander. When this commander went off with King Nicephorus's army against the Bulgarians, it happened that he spent the night in a wayside inn. The innkeeper had a daughter, a young girl, who, attracted by the imperial commander's outward beauty, began to entice him into sin. Nicholas refused her once, saying to her that this was enticing him into a satanic act. Nevertheless, the shameless girl came a second and a third time to the commander's room and again tempted him to an impure act. The commander refused both the second and third propositions even more decisively, counseling her to preserve her virginity and not to give her body and soul over to the devil. Finally, he said to her that he was a soldier and was going to war, and that it was unworthy and dangerous for a soldier to soil himself with such a misdeed, which would anger God and lead him to certain death. Thus, this God-loving man conquered temptation. The following day, he moved farther on with the army. The next night, he saw the following vision: He was standing in a spacious field and saw near him a powerful man sitting with his right leg crossed over his left. Before them stood two armies in the field, one facing the other, the Greeks and the Bulgarians. This powerful man told him to watch carefully what was about to happen. Nicholas looked and saw the following: As long as the powerful man kept his right leg crossed over the left, the Greek army overcame the Bulgarian army, and when he changed his position and placed his left leg over the right leg, the Bulgarians charged and ferociously cut down the Greeks. Then this powerful man brought the commander closer to the slaughtered Greek army. The entire field was covered with corpses, body beside body. Only in the middle of these corpses was there an empty space, large enough for the body of a man. Then the man said to Nicholas: ``This place was appointed for your body, but since you defeated the devil's temptations three times last night, you saved your body and soul from death.'' That which Nicholas saw in his dream, he saw precisely in reality at the time of the battle. The entire Greek army perished on the battlefield, but Nicholas returned home alive, not to the barracks anymore, but to a monastery. The Prologue from Ochrid contains short accounts of the lives of major saints for each day, as well as homily, something "for consideration", and points to ponder from Old Testament readings. It is a most valuable addition to any Orthodox library. The contents of these volumes are online at or can be purchased in hardback from any good Orthodox bookseller.

23 Happenings... Sponsors of THE BEACON FULL COLOR ADS 1.25 x 1.5 Blocks 4 Blocks $250 2 Blocks $150 1 Block $100 Ecclesiastical Year Sept. 1 to Aug. 31 ALLEN M. DODD, ESQ doddattorneys.com Please contact the Church Office if you are interested in placing an ad and supporting The Beacon Your ad could be here!

24 Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 930 Ormsby Lane Louisville, Kentucky, Return Service Requested