3.14. A Word from Father Rick. in this issue

Transcription

1 3.14 St. V O L U M E 2 0, I S S U E 3 M A R C H George Greek Orthodox Church St. Paul, Minnesota A Word from Father Rick in this issue Artic le: Astr o lo gy p.2 Regis tr y p.3 Paris h News p.4 Basket ba ll Pho t os p.7 Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ: About the time you receive this newsletter, Great and Holy Lent will begin. I encourage us all to make use of this Godappointed sacred time to immerse ourselves in the Journey to Pascha. The path to the Resurrection is paved with virtues but our walk upon them and in them can only be accomplished through self-denial of fasting from both food and sin. Our ascetical effort can only be accomplished by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit which we open ourselves to whenever and wherever we pray to and worship the Triune God. Finally, we cannot reach our destination unless we help our neighbor to walk with us. We must practice almsgiving to share the love of Jesus Christ with those around us, especially the poor and needy. The opportunities for prayer and worship are abundant during Lent with at least four additional services per week including the Pan-Orthodox Sunday Lenten Vespers, the Monday Great Compline, the Wednesday Presanctified and the Friday Akathistos. It is so sad to see people deprive themselves and their god/ children of this unique worship in the joyful-sadness spirit of the season. We should only deny ourselves our passions and the temptations towards sin not the worship of God in and with the Church! Speaking of godchildren, I would like to thank the parish council under the leadership of Tom Lampros, Jon Kennedy and Alexis Bighley for sponsoring the luncheon for Godparent/Godchild Sunday. It was great to see so many attend liturgy and stay for fellowship. I would like to thank Tom Lampros for his hard work and leadership as parish council president these last two years. And I want to congratulate and welcome Mr. Jon Kennedy into that role for I look forward to working with Jon and the parish council this year in helping our community fulfill its sacred mission. As with every year, we have a lot of work to do. I would also like to welcome our newest parish council members: Mr. Steve Arsenault and Phyllis Kapetonakis. One of Tom s last duties as parish council president was leading our recent Town Hall meeting that reviewed the process and shared the content of several activities over the past year including the Why I Come to St. George exercise, the parish survey, and the parish council retreat. Specific focus was given to the goals both ministerial and spiritual/ ascetical developed by the council in the retreat. Several people who attended shared their thoughts during the meeting. We thank Mr. Paul Karos for leading the retreat last summer and for being present at this meeting to provide valuable guidance and feedback. This past weekend we enjoyed the annual Western Region Metropolis of Chicago Family Basketball Tournament, hosted by our sister parish of St. Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis. Our parish was well represented with two JOY teams, a boys, a girls and a men s team. As always several players from Holy Anargyroi Church in Rochester participated on our teams. We were well represented in the medal round including JOY 2 nd Place, Boys 2 nd Place and Girls 3 rd Place. Special thanks to our coaches: Dan Simon and Kyle Bruer for JOY, Anthony Selliris for Boys, and Ari Kolas and John Mangouras for Girls. Next year the tournament will be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Returning to the theme of worship, when you enter the nave of the sanctuary, you may notice something a bit different. That s because the skylights above the four evange- (Continued on page 2)

2 list stained glass icons were replaced. At the same time, the voids in between the skylights and the stained glass were scraped and painted, and the stained glass icons themselves were removed, cleaned and repaired. In addition, the electric lights in the voids were replaced with energy efficient, long lasting LED lights. I want to thank Dan Simon for taking on this project and seeing it through to completion and saving some money along the way. Returning to the theme of Lent, our annual Lenten lectures and retreat are now planned and we look forward to the many guest speakers that will visit on the Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent. Our Friday series theme is Journey s to Orthodoxy and our Wednesday theme is Almsgiving. For our Lenten retreat we welcome back Dr. Harry Boosalis who lead us on the theme of Freedom and Freewill in the Orthodox Church. See the enclosed flyers for more details. Please also consider having you and your family or a couple families together host the Lenten meal on Wednesday or Friday. Ministry/Committee groups and other organizations are welcome to team up and do the same. Lastly, we look forward to the pastoral visit of His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, the chancellor of our Metropolis of Chicago. He will celebrate the Divine Liturgy on Sunday March 9 th and will give the sermon at the Sunday of Orthodoxy Pan-Orthodox Vespers that afternoon at St. Mary OCA Cathedral in NE Minneapolis. Please help us welcome His Grace that day and receive his episcopal blessing. +Fr. Rick Astrology is Astrolatry by Father Alexander Karloutsos "When our soul departs from life, we shall not be accused because we have not worked miracles, or have not been theologians, or have not seen visions, but we shall all certainly have to give account before God, because we have not wept unceasingly for our sins." --St. John Climacus Christian man does not have to be a miracle -worker, brilliant theologian or heavenly vision soothsayer or maker, but he does have to account for not being aware of his sins. A sin in the Orthodox Church is understood in the spirit of the Greek word "amartia." In Ancient Greece, when a person aimed to hit the bull's eye and failed, they called it "amartia," "he missed." Falling short of the mark, not reaching your goal, not attaining your purpose is sin. When a Christian does things that keep him away from Christ, he sins because he does not live up to his purpose, and that is to live in Christ. When we do not live up to our goal, being the image and becoming the likeness of God, then we sin. When we allow the stars of heaven to guide our actions and not God, who created the stars, then we are sinning. When we run to the newspapers to look up our horoscopes and our futures, and do not seek wisdom and learning from the Bible, then we are sinning. When we do, or don't do, this and that because astrologers say so, and close our ears to God's Commandments, then we are sinning. We are sinning when we pray to our Christian God and, simultaneously, take somewhat seriously the zodiac. We are not Aquarians, Pisceans or Librans, sons and daughters of stars; we are men and women, sons and daughters of God. People are now being introduced as Arians and Leos, no longer as Christians. Isn't it strange that people would rather be named after stars and their constellations, than after God, the Creator and Source of Life? It is rare today to hear people say, "No, I'm not of Zodiac. I am of God, a Christian; a small Christ." The Church has always preached against astrology. Jeremiah in Chapter 10 verse 2 writes: "Learn not the way of the unbelievers, nor be dismayed at the signs of the stars because the nations are dismayed at them, for the beliefs of these people are false." When Daniel was confronted by the astrologers of the Assyrians, or Babylonians, from whom we have inherited astrology, Daniel answered: "No wise men, enchanters, magicians or astrologers can show to the King Nebuchadnezzer the mystery which he has asked, but only God in Heaven, Who reveals all mysteries..." Our Canon law prohibits people from believing in astrology. In fact, Canon 36 of Laodecia in 369 casts out of the Church people who make, sell, buy or wear the zodiac signs. The Church Fathers, like the Ancient Greeks, felt that there were "many wonders in the universe, but none more wonderful than man."man is God's personal image according to Psalm 8, "man was made a little less than God and crowned with glory"in order to have complete dominion over the whole worldstars included. St. Gregory the Great writes: "Man was not made for the stars, but rather the stars for man; and if a star can be called the ruler of man, then man must be considered the slave of his own servants." God did not create the planets and stars with the intention that they would dominate man, but that they, like other creatures, should obey and serve him. Augustine considers astrology a religion of fate which is vehemently condemned by the Church. He feels that anyone who believes that our loving God would give power to stars in order to direct and govern our lives offends God's justice and love. St. John Chrysostom sees this belief in stars as a foolish disbelief against God's omnipotence and creativity. God is subjected to the star's power. He also points out that if we are directed by starpower, then there is no such thing as good or evil because we do what we do under the stars' direction. "This means that God's commandments, that man shall not sin or that man shall do good, come down to nothing but foolishness." The Church Fathers bring up the idea of twins, especially Jacob and Esau. They ask, "Why is there such a diversity in the life of twins, in their actions, fortunes, deeds, callings, honors, and all such things pertaining to human life; is this a result of a tiny interval of time, even though they were conceived in the same moment?"st. Gregory the Great understands astrology as superstition and foolishness-astrologers told him that a person born under the Aquarius sign was a fisherman, yet in the desert, he has met Aquarians but never fishermen. In Persia, where a child is born to a king and becomes a prince, they Continued on page 5 page 2

3 St. Paul. MN Registry Funerals January 18 Angelica Maravelas Church Staff and Office Hours Memorials January 12 January 19 January 26 Address Updates Menelaos Manolis (1 year) Antonia Kontenakos (5 years) Garifilia Miller (40 days) Melina Anastasia Anderson Ideal Way, Lakeville, MN Lydia Lekka 53, Tzavella Street, Chalandri Greece Sam Kantos Woodhaven Drive W, Palm Desert, CA Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y 2 AM) recently began a weekly series of short, informative, entertaining, and spiritually beneficial videos. The series, Be the Bee, is named after a metaphor associated with Elder Paisios of Mount Athos(+1994), and explores ways we can all focus on what is good and beautiful in our everyday lives. Our Department has been very successful at connecting with people and sharing the Faith through a variety of social media, and we realized that there wasn t much of an Orthodox presence on YouTube, said Fr Jason Roll, Director. Our youth are already on YouTube, so why aren t we? It s a natural way to preach the Gospel and spread Christ s unconditional love. Access the channel by searching Y2AM on YouTube, or going to 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. Church Office Hours M,W,Th, F 9:00 AM 2:00 PM Tues. 12:00 5:00 PM Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, Presbyter (651) fatherick@stgeorgegoc.org Administrative Assistant (651) office@stgeorgegoc.org John Kennedy, Parish Council President (651) jdkennedy@comcast.net Reva Adkins, Philoptochos President (651) rradkins@comcast.net Lani Hattling, Sunday School Director (763) lanihattling@gmail.com Stella Hofrenning, Greek School Director (651) hofrenni@augsburg.edu Jennifer Argeros, Glad Tidings Editor Andrea Faches & Eric Chadwick, Loaves and Fishes Coordinators afaches@msn.com Submissions for upcoming issues are due by the 11th of the preceding month. St. Athanasios of Meteora St. Simon the Apostle page 3

4 Parish News Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) Fr. Chris Metropolis to visit Twin Cities Wednesday, April 2 St. Mary s Greek Church in Minneapolis will be hosting Fr. Chris for a talk about OCN following Pre-Sanctified Liturgy. It all begins at 6pm. Philoptochos Phyllo Sale FRESH Phyllo Pascha Orders are this month! Philoptochos ladies will be taking orders for for FRESH phyllo. Get your orders in for your Pascha meal. Orders taken Feb. 16, 23 and March 2 or by ing janedono1@gmail.com. Phyllo Pick-Up Days are March 16 and 23 following liturgy. Each pound is $4 for advance orders. Please see order form in Gladtidings or at church to place your order. If you have any questions, please contact Presbytera Jane. New Annotated guide to the Sunday Gospel Readings The Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries has launched an ongoing project to create an easy to use annotated guide to the Triodion, Great Lent, and Holy Week Gospel readings. Readers can click on highlighted text to view relevant quotes from Scripture and Church Fathers, and helpful explanations of interesting topics St. George 75 th Anniversary Planning has begun for our church s 75 th Anniversary, If you would like to be part of organizing committee and/or events, please contact cochairs Denise Smith or Dawn Lampros. Next meeting is Tuesday, March 18 at 6:30pm Prison Ministry Update With the approval and support of the parish council, starting in April the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry of Minnesota ( will host their bi-monthly reunion dinners at our parish. Mrs. Eleni Hoffhines is the coordinator of that ministry. Contact her if interested in assisting or learning more about the program. Positions Open: Youth Minister and Administrative Assistant positions are open to applicants. If interested please send a resume and cover letter to Fr. Rick. For more info you may also contactfr. Rick. IOCC One Day Build in Woodbury Lenten Saturday of Service that will occur on Saturday, March 29 from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm in Woodbury. BUT, space is limited to 25 people, so we need to encourage everyone to register ASAP. See flyer insert. Although we are not charging the participants, IOCC is making a donation to Habitat of at least $500 for this opportunity and we would welcome donations from participants to help defray this cost. Donate Incense Just like prosfora, communion wine and olive oil, anyone is welcome to make an offering of incense to the church for use during the worship services. Incense of any scent can be used. The best incense usually has a powdery white residue on it. Some is available in the bookstore or can be ordered online from Festival of Nations is scheduled to take place at the St. Paul River Centre May 1-4, Tom Lampros has volunteered to be the chairperson for the event. Stay tuned for more info. Our Symapathies to Mr. James Argeros, whose brother, Anthony, fell asleep in the Lord January 30 th in Chicago. He is survived by his wife and four young children. Remember them all in your prayers. May his memory be eternal! Archdiocese Clergy Laity on July , 2014 in Philadelphia, PA. If you have any interest in attending, please speak with Fr. Rick. Lay delegates from our parish will be selected at the Spring Parish Assembly meeting. March Family Night Join us for the next Family Night at the home of Lisa and Misael Jordan on Saturday, March 1 starting at 6:30pm, following vespers at church. Pizza will be provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Then it s outdoors for sledding! Bring your winter gear and sleds. Please let Lisa and Miseal know you are coming at Mlisa@jordandrillingsolutions.com or Lisa and Misael Jordan s address: Baypoint Drive SW, Burnsville RSVP Saturday, March 1 6:300PM Lenten Lectures begin March 5 Following Lenten services on Wednesdays and Friday, a light dinner will follow along with our guest speakers. Wednesdays theme is Almsgiving and Fridays theme is Journeys To Orthodoxy. Please see the insert for details. St. Gregory Palamas Festival of Light Lenten Retreat March Our annual Lenten Retreat guest speaker is Dr. Harry Boosalis. The theme of this year s retreat is Freedom and Freewill: Personal Freedom In The Orthodox Church. If you would like to help, please see Fr. Rick or Minda Arsenault. Please see the insert for details. page 4

5 St. Paul. MN Astrology is Astrolatry continued from page 2 say his star caused it so; but then he asks, who can estimate how many slaves were born at the same time and moment as the king's son? "And yet the sons of kings, born in the same hour as the slaves, go on to a kingdom, while slaves born together with them die in slavery." Astrology came from Babylonia over 4,000 years ago. It was based on the astronomical system-that the sun revolves around the earth, not the earth revolves around the sun. The year was divided into 12 months, 6 having 30 days, 6 twenty nine, thus making 354 days. So once in a while, they would add a 13th month. What I'm leading to is this: a person born in April, called Aries in our Gregorian calendar, in their calendar should be a Pisces, and an Aquarian. You see, we are a month ahead. So all of that which you have been reading about yourself is wrong because you were in the wrong month. The Babylonian Astrological Calendar is a month behind ours. Will Durant in his History of Civilization calls astrology one of the many superstitions of ancient days which still flourish in our own day. But the stupidity of it all is best summed up by the immortal Shakespeare: "This is the excellent foppery of the world, that when we are sick in fortune we make guilty of our disaster the sun, the moon, and the stars; as if we were villains by necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion; knaves, thieves and teachers by spherical predominance; drunkards, liars, and adulterers by an enforced obedience of planetary influence." St. Gregory of Nyssa, summing up the essential aspect of human dignity, rightly says if we are but instruments of heavenly rotation, then we do not have free will. "And if man loses freedom, he loses everything." If man is not free, man is not man. Hierarchical Visit His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos Sunday, March 9th Divine Liturgy at St. George and Pan Orthodox Vespers at St. Mary OCA Cathedral His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, the chancellor of our Metropolis of Chicago, will be with us onsunday March 9th for Divine Liturgy. His Grace will also give the homily at the Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers that afternoon (4pm) at St. Mary OCA Cathedral. Axios! To the newly ordained Deacon George Lamberis, husband of Diakonissa Diana (Dokos) Lamberis. Deacon George will to serve at St. Haralombos Greek Orthodox Church in Niles Illinois outside Chicago. Fr. George Dokos participated in his brother-in-law s ordination. page 5

6 New Parish New Council Members Thank you to Steve Arsenault and Phyllis Kapetanakis, who were elected by the parish council to the two vacant positions on the council. We look forward to their service and leadership. GREAT AND HOLY Great and holy lent begins Monday, March 3rd. There are many resources and ways to participate in Lent. See some of the opportunities below: Listen, Learn, and Share: Great Lent, Holy Week & Pascha Lenten Lecture Series (see insert for details) Wednesdays following Presanctified Liturgy Almsgiving Fridays following Journeys to Orthodoxy St. Gregory Palamas Lenten Retreat March (see insert for details) Families: Meet new Parish Council member Stephen Arsenault Steve was born and raised in Boston, and I married Minda in Jerusalem in We moved to St. Paul in 1993, to be near Minda's family. We were chrismated at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in We have no children. I have one sister living and some nieces and nephews living in the Boston Area I worked in Boston as a Psychiatric Counselor and Clinical Supervisor (9 years), and as Principal and Director of Personnel at Life-Line Ambulance Service (8 years); and as Registrar of St. George s College in Jerusalem (4 years). My last job was Senior Accountant at the University of Minnesota (10 years) and am now retired. My Education includes an MA (2008) Applied Orthodox Theology at St. Stephen s Program and Balamand University (Thesis: Icons and Ethics); MBA (1989) Suffolk Univ.; Advanced Graduate Certificate in Counseling Psychology (1976) Northeastern Univ.; EdM Counseling Psychology (1972) from Suffolk Univ. In September 2013, I completed a three year course of study in Iconology with the Antiochian House of Studies Program. Since then I have continued to write icons and to study the theology of the icon. I have been active at St. George as the Chairman of the Stewardship Committee, and Chairman of the Spiritual Life Committee to arrange adult education programs. I have been the Chairman of the Auditing Committee for the past several years. Since 1994, I have chanted, along with Minda, and have been head chanter since 1999, increasing my role and responsibilities. I have been active in the Bookstore and am currently responsible for its accounting function. I am currently chairman of the Master Plan Committee to design and implement new iconography in the church. IOCC boxes every one put money into the box each week and watch your coins grow into a generous donation to IOCC. Prayer spend additional time as a family in prayer. Plan a time and day each week to gather as a family. Lenten Services come to at least one additional service each week during Lent. Lenten meals offer to serve a meal during on of the Lenten meals. page 6

7 St. Paul. MN A wonderful weekend had by all Congratulations to our basketball teams that participated in tournament last weekend. The JOY team placed second in an exciting championship game on Sunday. The boys team won third place and the girls team placed second. Lots of kids had lots of fun! Thanks to our coaches: Dan Simon, Kyle Bruer, Anthony Selliris, Ari Kolas and John Mangouras. The Metropolis of Chicago Western Re gion Family Basketball Tournament hosted by our sister parish St. Mary February 7-9 JOY team placed second in an exciting championship game on Sunday. Congratulations! Girls GOYA takes second! Boys GOYA team brings home third place! Men s Team page 7

8 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 177 ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED 1111 Summit Avenue St. Paul, Minnesota Phone Fax Glad Tidings March2014 WEEKDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Saturday of Souls Orthros 8:00am; Divine Liturgy 9:00am Saturday, March 1 Pan-Orthodox Lenten Vespers various locations Sundays, 4:00pm March 9, 16, 23, 30 Compline Service Mondays, 6:00pm Ninth Hour/Presanctified Liturgy Wednesdays, Ninth Hour 5:30pm; Liturgy 6:00pm Akathistos Service Fridays, 6:00pm Great Vespers Saturdays, 5:00pm Annunciation Orthros 8:00am; Divine Liturgy 9:00am Tuesday, March 25 REGULAR WEEKLY SERVICES Holy Confession: By Appointment Vespers: (Sept. - May) Saturday 5:00 pm Orthros: Sunday 8:15 am Sunday School: (Sept. - May) following Communion Divine Liturgy: Sunday 9:30 am

9 ~ March 2014 ~ Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 +FAST FROM MEAT +SATURDAY OF SOULS 8am ORTHROS 9am LITURGY 5pm-6pm VESPERS 2 +CHEESEFARE SUNDAY 8:15am ORTHROS 9:30am LITURGY OCMC Missions Sunday MARTYRS OF SEBASTE +SUN. OF ORTHODOXY 8:15am ORTHROS 9:30am LITURGY 11am PROCESSION OF ICONS 4pm-7pm Feed the Hungry (FOCUS MN) 4pm-6pm EN VESPERS (St Mary's Orthodox Cathedral) 3 +CLEAN/PURE MONDAY - GREAT BEGINS 6pm-7pm COMPLINE SERVICE 10 6pm-7pm COMPLINE SERVICE 7:00pm Parish Council Mtg. 7pm-9pm Catechism Class ND SUN. - ST. GREGORY PALAMAS 6pm-7pm COMPLINE SERVICE 8:15am ORTHROS 7pm-9pm Catechism Class 9:30am LITURGY 4pm-7pm Feed the Hungry (FOCUS MN) 4pm-6pm EN VESPERS (St George Greek Orthodox Church) 23 +3RD SUN. - VENERATION OF CROSS 8:15am ORTHROS 9:30am LITURGY 11am VENERATION OF CROSS 12pm-1pm Estate Planning Seminar 4pm-7pm Feed the Hungry (FOCUS MN) 4pm-6pm EN VESPERS (St Mary's Romanian Church) 30 4TH SUN. - ST. JOHN LADDER 8:15am ORTHROS 9:30am LITURGY 11am-12pm Greek Independence Day Program 4pm-6pm EN VESPERS (St. Panteleimon Russian Orthodox Church) 24 6pm-7pm COMPLINE SERVICE 7pm-9pm Catechism Class 4 1:30pm Philoptochos Meeting 6:30pm-8pm Choir Practice :30pm 75th Anniversary Cmte Mtg 25 +ANNUNCIATION GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY 8:00am ORTHROS 9:00am LITURGY 31 COMING IN APRIL +ST. INNOCENT- APOSTLE TO AMERICA 6pm COMPLINE SERVICE 7pm-9pm Catechism Class 5 5:30pm NINTH HOUR 6pm PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY 7:30pm-9pm Lenten Meal & Lecture 12 5:30pm NINTH HOUR 6pm PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY 7:30pm-9pm Lenten Meal & Lecture 19 5:30pm NINTH HOUR 6pm PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY 7:30pm-9pm Lenten Meal & Lecture 26 5:30pm NINTH HOUR 6pm PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY 7:30pm-9pm Lenten Meal & Lecture pm-2pm MEOCCA Meeting (FOCUS Minnesota) 6:30pm-8pm OCF, University of Minnesota 20 6 Fifth Sunday Great Lent- St. Mary of Egypt 12 Lazaros Saturday- Youth Retreat 13 Palm Sunday- Holy Week Begins 20 Great & Holy Pascha- Resurrection of our Lord Bright/Renewal Week 23 St. George the Great Martyr- Parish Feast Day!!! Metropolis Clergy Retreat May 1-4 Festival of Nations 7 6pm AKATHISTOS SERVICE 7:30pm-9pm Lenten Meal & Lecture 6pm AKATHISTOS SERVICE 7:30pm-9pm Lenten Meal & Lecture 21 6pm AKATHISTOS SERVICE 7:30pm-9pm Lenten Meal & Lecture :30pm-8pm OCF, University 6pm AKATHISTOS of Minnesota SERVICE 7:30pm-9pm Lenten Meal & Lecture 6pm-8pm Family Night 8 +SATURDAY OF SOULS 5pm-6pm VESPERS 15 9am-3pm EN RETREAT 5pm-6pm VESPERS 22 5pm-6pm VESPERS 29 9:30am-11am Divine Liturgy (Eau Claire, WI) 5pm-6pm VESPERS

10 WEDNESDAYS THEME: Almsgiving DATE TOPIC SPEAKER March 5 Philoxenia House (Rochester, MN) John Mangouras March 12 Scriptural Foundations of Almsgiving Steve Arsenault March 19 FOCUS-MN (Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve) Mat. Vera Proctor March 26 IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) Nick Kasemeotes April 2 IOCC (US Domestic Programs) Dan Christopulos April 9 OCPM-MN (Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry) Leadership Volunteers FRIDAYS THEME: Journeys to Orthodoxy DATE TOPIC SPEAKER March 7 Following the Road Fr. Thaddeus Wojcik March 14 Prayer: Freedom for Communion with God Dr. Harry Boosalis March 21 Where am I going and why am I in this hand basket? Fr. Jonathan Proctor March 28 The Path to the Truth Fr. Thomas Begley April 4 Peeking Through the Mail Slot & From the Mind, to the Body, to the Soul Fr. John Chagnon & Fr. Richard Flom Wednesday s Theme: Almsgiving SCHEDULE 6:00PM Lenten Service 7:30PM Lenten Community Meal 8:00PM Lecture 8:30PM Q&A 8:45PM Conclude Alms are money, food, clothing given to the poor and needy. Almsgiving is the act of giving alms and comes from the Greek word eleemosyne which connotates charity and compasssion, and is based on the word eleos or mercy. The giving of alms is considered to be one of the main pillars of lenten ascetical discipline along with fasting and prayer. We will hear about several organizations (local, national & international) that provide alms to the poor and needy of many different types and backgrounds. Friday s Theme: Journeys to Orthodoxy Thousands of people were not born (baptized as infants) in the Orthodox Church. They encountered Orthodox Christianity somewhere in life and were drawn in by the depth, beauty and mystery of the Ancient Eastern Orthodox Tradition. Each person has a unique story that gives witness to the power of God s Holy Spirit working in their lives and the lives of those they encountered. Come and hear their stories and (re)learn the treasures of our Faith. You will be inspired to (re)commit your life to Christ and His Church. Meal Hosting- Any individual, family, committee, or group is encouraged to sponsor a Lenten Meal.

11 Journeys to Orthodoxy -Biographies of Speakers: Fr. Thaddeus Wojcik is a retired priest who serves at various parishes including Holy Assumption Orthodox Church in Lublin, WI, St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Stanley, WI., and St. Mary's Orthodox Church in Cornucopia, WI. He is Dean Emeritus of the Minneapolis Deanery in the Midwest Diocese of the Orthodox Church of America. Currently, an Adjunct Professor of Theology at the University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN (since 2005). He is a graduate of University of Minnesota (BA, 1964) and St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary (M.Div. 1968). Dr. Harry Boosalis, Professor of Theology at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary, South Canaan, Pennsylvania (since 1992). Education: B.A., University of Minnesota in Philosophy and Classics (1981); M.Div., Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Boston MA (1985); Th.D., University of Thessaloniki, GREECE (1999). Books: Published by St. Tikhon s Seminary Press: Holy Tradition: Ecclesial Experience of Life in Christ (2013); Taught by God: An Introduction to Orthodox Theology (2010); Knowledge of God: Ancient Spirituality of the Christian East (2009); Orthodox Spiritual Life According to St. Silouan of Mount Athos (2000); The Joy of the Holy: Saint Seraphim of Sarov and Orthodox Spiritual Life (1993). He is a native of Minneapolis and St. Mary Greek Orthodox Church. Fr. Jonathan Proctor has been priest/pastor of Holy Trinity Orthodox Christian Church in Saint Paul for 23 years. He grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was baptized a an adult, and spent three years living in Athens, Greece, where he taught English and was on a partial scholarship from the church of Greece. He is a graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand (BA) and St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary (MDiv 1990), New York, NY, and studied theology at the University of Athens, Greece. His wife Vera grew up in a Serbian priest family in Chicago, and they have two children. Fr. Thomas Begley is priest/pastor of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in West St. Paul, MN and Dean of the Midwest Deanery of the Diocese of Toledo, of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese. He is a graduate of Hope College in Holland, MI, (BA 1974) and Oral Robets Seminary, (MDiv. 1984). He attended St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary, Crestwood, NY ( ). Fr. John Chagnon is currently attached to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in West St. Paul, MN. He is a graduate of Bemidji State University (BS Mass Communications 1984) and of Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. in Missions & Evangelism 1989), Ordained to the deaconate in 2003 and priesthood in 2005, Fr. John served as a parish priest at St. Elias Antiochian Church in La Crosse, WI ( ). He is currently the Program Coordinator for Parkshore Senior Community, St. Louis Park, MN. Fr. John is married to Jane Chagnon and they live in St. Paul, Minnesota Fr. Richard Flom is an attached priest at St. Mary's OCA Cathedral in Minneapolis, MN since He is a graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, MN (BA, 1963), University of North Dakota (BS, 1965), Northwestern University Medical School, IL (MD, 1967), and St. Michael's Seminary, San Clemente, CA (MMin, 1998). He was a Lieutenant Commander in the USN Medical corps ( ), serving at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, an Assistant Professor of Neuroradiology at the University of Virginia Medical School, Charlottesville, VA ( ). as the Director of Interventional Neuroradiology at Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, ( ). As an ordained clergy in the Charismatic Episcopal Church, he converted to Orthodoxy in After attending St. Tikhon's Seminary ( ) he was ordained a Priest on March 3, He is married to Matushka Cassiane and they have a daughter, Kari, and a son, Eric, and four grandchildren. Almsgivng -Biographies of Speakers: Philoxenia House I was a stranger and you took me in. Matthew 25:35. The Philoxenia House Ministry demonstrates love for our neighbor by offering free temporary housing to individuals and families visiting the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, within a Christian Orthodox environment that provides spiritual healing and comfort. The first house was established in 2004, and in 2007 we expanded and now operate a second called St. Iakovos House. We have begun a campaign to build the Philoxenia Village. The houses are operated by volunteers that are parishioners of our Church. Stephan Arsenault and his wife Minda have been members of St. George Greek Orthodox Church since Steve is involved in many parish ministries and activities including chairman of the Stewardship Committee, Spiritual Life Committee, and is the head chanter. His interests are in the areas of worship, iconography, and adult education. He worked in Boston as a Psychiatric Counselor and Clinical Supervisor (9 years), and as Principal and Director of Personnel at Life- Line Ambulance Service (8 years); and as Registrar of St. George s College in Jerusalem (4 years). His last job was Senior Accountant at the University of Minnesota (10 years). He is now retired in St. Paul. Matushka Vera Proctor was appointed director of the Twin Cities center of FOCUS North America in In cooperation with the local Orthodox community, FOCUS Mn has established a weekly foodshelf, free clothing exchange, and one-on-one fellowship built around a community meal. Matushka Vera grew up in Chicago, and attended the University of Illinois, the Sorbonne in Paris France, and attended St. Vladimir's Seminary with an emphasis in Liturgical Music from She is married to Fr. Jonathan Proctor and they serve a parish, Holy Trinity (OCA), in St. Paul, MN. They are the parents of two children and have been part of the Orthodox community in the Twin Cities for 23 years. Nick Kasemeotes is a Gift Officer for IOCC. Education includes Bachelor s degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison; Masters of Divinity degree from Holy Cross Greek Seminary in Brookline, Massachusetts. Nick served as an ordained priest in St. Louis for 3 years and Rochester, Minnesota, for 25 years. He also served as a hospital chaplain for the Mayo Clinic, and as prison chaplain to Orthodox inmates at two federal and one state prison. Before coming to IOCC Nick worked in development at FOCUS and St. Iakovos Retreat Center. He and his wife Beth now live in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Dan Christopulos is a native of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Education includes BS in Sociology, University of Wyoming (1979), where he was an All-Conference place kicker in football and played in the 1976 Fiesta Bowl; Master of Divinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (1983); & Masters in Social Work. Worked in parish ministry for 15 years including 3 years in the mission field in East Africa. Employed by IOCC since 2001 and is the current US Country Representative managing all aspects of IOCC s activities in the United States ranging from emergency response to development programs. He and his wife Patty reside in Minneapolis where she manages Light and Life Publishing Company. Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry of Minnesota Our mission is to fulfill the calling of our Lord Jesus Christ to minister to prisoners and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit help them attain salvation. (Matt. 25). Our Vision seeks, through the volunteer efforts of clergy and laity, OCPM-MN to provide Orthodox Christian fellowship and teaching to prisoners and former prisoners in the Twin Cities greater metropolitan area with the intent to help them prepare for transition to society.

12 Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 9th Annual St. Gregory Palamas, an articulate defender of Orthodoxy and true prayer in the 14 th century, is commemorated the second Sunday of Great Lent each year. He is the inspiration for this weekend festival featuring lectures, worship and fellowship. For directions to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church visit our website at stgeorgegoc.org or call Summit Ave. St Paul, MN Friday, March 14 Saturday, March 16 6:00PM Akathistos/Salutations Service 7:30PM Lenten Meal 8:00PM Prayer: Freedom for Communion with God Here we focus on the practical methods of prayer our Church encourages us to use as we strive to grow in our own personal relationship with God. Special attention is given to the inspired teachings of the recently canonized monk St. Porphyrios of Mount Athos including his very practical advice that is surprisingly relevant for residents of contemporary American society. 10:00AM Coffee and Fellowship 10:30AM Freedom: God s Great Gift to Humankind Here we discuss the vital role of freedom within our personal lives as human beings. After highlighting the differences between secular and spiritual definitions, we will focus on how freedom relates to our own personal growth and our unique capacity to love, as well as our ability to live in communion with each other. 12:00PM Lenten Potluck Luncheon 1:00PM The Power and Perils of Human Freedom Finally, we will deal with the possibilities, as well as the potential perils, inherent in human freedom. We will examine the use of our free-will which is according to our nature, the abuse of our freedom which is contrary to our nature, as well as the ultimate exercise of true human freedom, that which allows man to become divine and truly like Christ. 3:00PM Sunday, March 17 Freedom and Freewill: Personal Freedom In The Orthodox Church Guest Speaker: Dr. Harry Boosalis Great Vespers Service 8:15AM Orthros Service 9:30AM Divine Liturgy 4:00PM Pan Orthodox Lenten Vespers Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota of Greek-American parents, Dr. Boosalis grew up at St. Mary s Greek Orthodox Church. Upon graduation from Seminary, he served his home parish as a lay assistant and youth director under the tutelage of his life-long parish priest, Fr. Anthony M. Coniaris. He went on to pursue his doctoral degree in Greece under the direction of Prof. Georgios Mantzaridis. His dissertation provides a systematic presentation of the teaching of St. Silouan of Mount Athos on Orthodox spiritual life, highlighting its relevance for today. Dr. Boosalis has been teaching dogmatic theology as a full time faculty member at St. Tikhon s since the Fall of 1992, when he organized, developed and implemented a new curriculum for the entire sequence of dogmatic courses in the Master of Divinity degree program. He serves the Seminary as the Chairman of the Department of Theology and Spirituality and is a member of the Academic Affairs Committee, the Curriculum Committee and the Faculty Development Committee.

13 Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 9th Annual St. Gregory Palamas, an articulate defender of Orthodoxy and true prayer in the 14 th century, is commemorated the second Sunday of Great Lent each year. He is the inspiration for this weekend festival featuring lectures, worship and fellowship. For directions to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church visit our website at stgeorgegoc.org or call Summit Ave. St Paul, MN BIOGRAPHY Dr. Harry Boosalis, Th.D. Professor of Dogmatic Theology St. Tikhon s Orthodox Seminary, South Canaan, PA Education B.A., University of Minnesota- Philosophy and Classics (1981) M.Div., Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Boston MA (1985) Th.D., University of Thessaloniki, GREECE (1999) Background Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota of Greek-American parents, Dr. Boosalis grew up at St. Mary s Greek Orthodox Church. Upon graduation from Seminary, he served his home parish as a lay assistant and youth director under the tutelage of his life-long parish priest, Fr. Anthony M. Coniaris. He went on to pursue his doctoral degree in Greece under the direction of Prof. Georgios Mantzaridis. His dissertation provides a systematic presentation of the teaching of St. Silouan of Mount Athos on Orthodox spiritual life, highlighting its relevance for today. Dr. Boosalis has been teaching dogmatic theology as a full time faculty member at St. Tikhon s since the Fall of 1992, when he organized, developed and implemented a new curriculum for the entire sequence of dogmatic courses in the Master of Divinity degree program. He serves the Seminary as the Chairman of the Department of Theology and Spirituality and is a member of the Academic Affairs Committee and the Curriculum Committee. Books published by St. Tikhon s Seminary Press Holy Tradition: Ecclesial Experience of Life in Christ (2013) Taught by God: An Introduction to Orthodox Theology (2010) Knowledge of God: Ancient Spirituality of the Christian East (2009) Orthodox Spiritual Life According to St. Silouan of Mount Athos (2000) The Joy of the Holy: Saint Seraphim of Sarov and Orthodox Spiritual Life (1993) Two of them have also been translated and published in Greece. He has edited and directed the publication of three other theological books for St. Tikhon s Seminary Press, including "Time and Man" by Prof. Mantzaridis and "Passions and Virtues" by Prof. Anestis Keselopoulos. He is presently working on a forthcoming publication titled " Person to Person: The Orthodox Understanding of Man. Other His guest lectures include: The Spiritual Significance of Icons in the Orthodox Faith. An Orthodox Perspective of Suffering. The Theology of Theosis.' Orthodoxy and Islam: A Theological Perspective. 'St. Silouan of Mt. Athos and Orthodox Spiritual Life.' 'Love: Our Path to Holiness.' He has represented St. Tikhon s Seminary at various theological conferences, including, Theological Studies in Modern Greece, Violence and Christian Spirituality, Neo-paganism and Contemporary Society, Paths to the Heart: Sufism and the Christian East and Apocalyptic Themes in Early Christianity. Since the Summer of 2002, Dr. Boosalis has been leading a group of St. Tikhon s seminarians on an annual pilgrimage to Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos, Greece. In the Summer of 2009, Dr. Boosalis participated in a teaching mission to Tanzania in East Africa, conducted under the auspices of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC).

14 The Power of the Power By Robert Chandler, Attorney at Law Imagine your health suddenly fails or you have an accident. You now need someone to step in and help you with legal and financial matters--someone who can pay bills, and manage assets. Is there someone, usually in your family, with legal authority to do that? Imagine you are sick and cannot make your own health care decisions. Is there someone with legal authority to do so? The tool that fits this need is a legal document called Power of Attorney. A Power of Attorney is an agency arrangement. You name someone, your agent, to handle matters for you if you cannot. There are two power of attorney statutes. One covers legal and financial matters. The other is limited to health care. If you are incapacitated, and have not named someone as your agent in your own power of attorney, an incapacity hearing may be required. A court may determine you are not capable of making your own business or personal decisions and appoint a conservator. That person, named by the court, will then make future decisions for you. A simple power of attorney for legal and financial matters combined with a simple health care power of attorney would avoid the incompetency hearing which is very public, may be embarrassing to the family, expensive, and can lead to great delay in obtaining the authority necessary. Your agent for legal and financial matters can do anything you can, once you appoint them to act on your behalf. This includes such things as writing and depositing checks, filing taxes, and selling your house. If your spouse has ever tried to do something as simple as speak with a credit card company where the account is in your name alone, your spouse likely heard that the company needs to speak directly with the account holder or must receive the account holder s consent. What would your family do if you were unable to give your consent because you were in an accident, or suffered a stroke? Unable to give your consent, your family may have no choice but to go to court. Your appointed health care agent is able to make decisions for you when you are no longer able to communicate to the doctors caring for you. Having an agent already named could make all the difference in your care and the management of your affairs. Giving someone the authority to speak for you helps your health care providers know precisely who to contact when they need answers that you cannot provide. Signing a power of attorney does not mean you are giving your rights away. You are still able to act for yourself while you are capable of making your own decisions. A power of attorney is simply a way for you to plan for life s uncertainties. Your agent, whether for legal and financial matters, or for health care, is legally bound to act in your best interests. You may revoke your power of attorney at any time, and it is important to regularly review who you have chosen to act on your behalf if you are unable to do so. No one knows what the future holds. If you are unprepared when an unexpected life-altering event occurs, you and your family will have to deal with the legal, as well as the emotional, consequences. By executing a power of attorney now, you can ensure that if you are unable to make legal, financial, and healthcare related decisions yourself, that they are made by someone that you know and trust. The power of a power of attorney is great, and with great power comes great responsibility. ***Please join us on Sunday March 23 rd after social hour for a 30 minute presentation and discussion on estate planning led by real estate attorney, Mr. Robert Chandler. He will highlight many important changes in federal and state laws governing your estate.

15 St. George Greek Orthodox Church Parish Council Meeting Minutes January 20th, 2014 Attendees: Tom Lampros, Alexis Bighley, Sophronis Mantoles, Dan Simon, Nanette Gomez, Joe Weiser, Fr. Richard Andrews, Jon Kennedy, Frank Nemeth. Absent:, Bill Katsiyiannis, George Mastrogiorgis. Special Guests: Eleni Hoffhines. I Call to Order: 6:48 PM. II Open Prayers and readings: 6:52 PM. III Special Topic #1: 6:58 PM. Eleni Hoffhines and prison ministry and reunion dinner. Eleni presented the mission of the ministry. This is a Pan-Orthodox mission. Eleni visits the prisons in Shakopee and Lino Lakes. The prisoners come from minimum security prisons. Fr Rick is the spiritual advisor for the ministry. The ministry provides a re-union dinner every other month for the volunteers and the prisoners who are on the work release program. This dinner is currently been served at St. Mary's GOC of Minneapolis. The program includes a speech from the spiritual advisor. After the program there is fellowship time for prisoners and volunteers to visit with each other. The ratio of volunteers and prisoners are almost one to one. Eleni would like to have St. George GOC be involved with this ministry. The trained volunteers prepare the re-union dinners. There was a Q/A session after the presentation. Most members of the council spoke in support of the suggestion to be more involved with the ministry. Motion made by Alexis to have St. George G.O.C host the re-union dinners (by-monthly) starting in March of Review the program in January of Motion seconded by Jon and the motion carried unanimously. IV Special Topic #2: 7:26 PM. Oath of office for those not in attendance yesterday. There are no council members that were not present yesterday. Noted that Eric Chatwick resigned from his position on the parish council. His resignation was accepted by the council. The council also expressed their thanks for Eric's service. V Special Topic #3: 7:50 PM. Officer Elections: Alexis, Nanette and Frank Nemeth were nominated to be the president and the nominations were respectfully turned down. Joe Weiser nominated Jon to be the president. The nomination was seconded by Alexis and was accepted unanimously. Dan and Frank Nominated Alexis to be the vice president. Nomination accepted and unanimously passed. Joe and Alexis nominated Dan to be the treasurer. Nomination accepted and unanimously passed. Dan and Alexis nominated Frank to be the assistant treasurer. Nomination accepted and unanimously passed. Tom and Frank nominated Sophronis to be the secretary. Nomination accepted and unanimously passed. VI Submission of past Council Meeting minutes: 8:36 pm

16 The minutes were passed around the table for everyone to take notes on. The notes will be consolidated at the end of the meeting. The consolidated minutes will be approved electronically. VII Treasurer's report: 9:45 pm Dan Simon prepared a financial report consisting of the following: The report shows a summary as follows: Dan to send a summary to Sophronis. Most expense categories were under budget but we had a shortfall from Stewardship income. Motion made by Alexis to pay the attorneys for medical assistance from the property donor investment fund. The motion was seconded by Joe Weiser. The motion carried unanimously. VIII Father s report: 10:09 pm Fr Rick presented the following topics: a) Next meeting scheduled for February 10 th at 7:00pm to accommodate the Loaves and Fishes. b) First meeting of the 75 th anniversary committee took place yesterday. c) Conflict of interest disclosures to be signed by next meeting. Sophronis to send the forms out for signatures. d) Basketball tournament two of our teams competing. The tournament is hosted by St. Mary's GOC. Father encouraged everyone to attend in order to support our sister parish. The banquet for the tournament will take place on Saturday February the 8 th. e) The Bishop was invited to attend liturgy on March 9 th at St. George. The parish will plan a special coffee hour with the Bishop. f) The Sunday of Orthodoxy vespers will be taking place at St. Mary's on March 9 th. g) Lenten retreat scheduled for March 16 th h) Youth video contest is been discussed. IX Committee Reports: a) Stewardship Committee 9:20 pm: Attorney Robert Chandler will make a presentation on estate planning on March 30th. Projected goal for 2013 was not met. Fell short by $10, from our Stewardship goal. Discussion continued on what can be done different with the stewardship committee moving forward. List of Goals to be presented at February's meeting. b) Welcome and Outreach Committee 9:40 pm No topics discussed. c) Buildings and Grounds 9:41 pm No topics discussed. d) Roselawn cemetary lots update 9:42pm No topics discussed.