The Dialogist. In This Issue: PASCHA EDITION. April 2019 ICONS & CREMATION. 1 Icons & Cremation. 2 Stewardship of Faith. 3 Greek School Ministry

Transcription

1 April 2019 The Dialogist PASCHA EDITION In This Issue: 1 Icons & Cremation 2 Stewardship of Faith 3 Greek School Ministry 4 Philoptohos 5 AHEPA 6 Saved by the Livestream 7 OCF Student Letter 8 Angels, Hope & Joy 9 Metropolis of Atlanta 10 Lenten Speakers ICONS & CREMATION What a joyful and colorful spectacle it was on the 1st Sunday of Lent as our children proudly marched around the sanctuary displaying their favorite icons. On Sunday, March 10, 2019, the Orthodox world celebrated the 1,976 anniversary of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, which commemorates the return of the icons back into the Church. This year however the celebration gave me pause to reflect on what appears to be a growing trend in America, namely, the cremation of the dead. There is plenty of scholarship and theology out there on why the Church does not grant funerals for those who have chosen to be cremated but for me, the best explanation perhaps is that man is made in the image of God. In fact in the Scriptures, the original language uses the term icon for image. Therefore if man is an icon of God, then deliberately and intentionally destroying the body in the violent process of cremation, is like marring an icon. St. Paul has said in his First Letter to the Corinthians, Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own and again, Do you not know that you are God s temple and that God s Spirit dwells in you? In other words, not only is each one of us an icon or image of God but we are also living temples of God, the dwelling place of the Spirit of God. My spiritual Father, Fr. Stanley Harakas, has written that the Church insists that the body be buried so that the natural physical process of decomposition may take place. The reason for this is that Mother Church seeks to affirm the fundamental goodness of creation and understands the body to be an integral part of the human person and the temple of the Holy Spirit. In conclusion my friends I would say once again, avoid the extremes. We are not here to pamper ourselves but the body has legitimate needs of nurture, recreation and cleansing in life and respect and repose in its falling asleep. May the Lord strengthen us during these holy days of purification. God bless

2 2 THE DIALOGIST STEWARDSHIP OF FAITH The 2019 stewardship campaign titled Stewardship of the Faith: All Things are Possible to the One Who Believes in Christ, launched in early December New Co-Chairs Angela and George Georgallis have focused this year s ministry on diverse communications, inspiring member testimonials, and multiple, new methods for increasing participation. Like most Orthodox Churches, Holy Trinity has a growing list of operational demands, with the daily expense of running the church at more than $1,300. The Church is also relied upon heavily for our unwavering philanthropic support from the greater community in North Carolina. Thanks to the tremendous generosity and support of many Holy Trinity members, we are on pace to see recordbreaking results this year. As of February 28, 2019, we have received $312,000 in pledges from more than 242 members. The Greek Orthodox faith defines stewardship as the opportunity to express our thankfulness, to give of ourselves, and to grow in grace. Stewardship allows us to participate in the work of God here in our community where we know our church nurtures our faith and the faith of others, each and every day. As we have just passed the halfway mark in this year s campaign, we look forward to closing out the year strong, thereby reflecting our members ultimate acts of sacrificial love, that not only benefit Holy Trinity, but the greater communityat-large as well. Any stewardship questions can be directed to: Angela Georgallis at acgeorgallis@gmail.com George Georgallis at ggeorgallis@hotmail.com.

3 Pascha Edition 2019 GREEK SCHOOL MINISTRY Holy Trinity s Greek School classes have been hard at work continuing to learn our beautiful language. This year, we added a new adult beginner class that has been very exciting and fun. All of our students have been learning the Greek National Anthem and poems that will be recited during this year s March 25th Greek Independence Day Celebration. We have a wonderful team of teachers who are extremely dedicated and we welcome anyone who would like to join this ministry to offer their time and talent in teaching our eager students. Our last class will be held on Sunday, April 14th and registration for will take place over the summer. Anyone interested in learning Greek next year is welcome to join us every Sunday, from noon to 1pm. For more information, please holytrinityraleighgreekschool@gmail.com. Respectfully submitted by Zoe Pusic Greek School Ministry Director

4 4 THE DIALOGIST PHILOPTOHOS After a successful Holiday Café/Bake Sale, our women delivered pastries and poinsettias to our shut-ins. We submitted our check to Club Horizon; this charity provides assistance to individuals who struggle with mental health illness. The money we raised will allow them to buy computers for training. We hosted the Vasilopita Auction in January for the second year. John Demos was the Master of Ceremonies for us. With his auctioneering skills, as well as several of our members baking multiple Vasilopitas, we raised $1,641 to send to St. Basil s Academy. In February, we held our Sweets for Sweet fundraiser; the proceeds ($2,436) went to Holy Cross to support our seminarians. The Fellowship Hall was beautifully decorated with balloons, flowers and cloth tablecloths. We had heart-shaped cakes, brownies, cookies as well as items for your kitchen. We will be focusing on feeding the hungry. Our National Philoptochos has a goal of providing 1.5 million meals to the hungry by May In order to reach this goal, we are hosting a Rise Against Hunger with AHEPA to package over 10,000 meals for people in need. We are continuing to assist the Food Bank of NC by donating an additional $500 for people still struggling to get on their feet after Hurricane Florence last fall. On March 31st, we will have a presentation in the Hall about other ways we can help in our community. We wish everyone a Happy Pascha! Respectfully submitted, Stephanie Starr, Philoptochos President

5 Pascha Edition 2019 AHEPA SIR WALTER RALEIGH CHAPTER 10 Spring 2019 The AHEPA Sir Walter Raleigh Chapter #10 continues to be busy and productive. We hosted the March 25th Greek Independence Day program where our Greek School presented poems in honor of this historic day, our youth Hellenic dancers performed, and we served a nice luncheon. We gave back to our local community throughout Lent by partnering with the Ladies Philoptochos and hosted the Rise Against Hunger event held on March 30th, participating in the Habitat for Humanity s Orthodox Build, and our faithful men continue to serve at the Wilmington Street Men s Shelter every second Wednesday of the month. AHEPA will be hosting the Lenten meal at the Church on April 17th. Much more is being planned for the remainder of the year. We will have something special for National AHEPA Day on May 19th, too. We welcome all men, age 18 and older, to join us we continue to promote good will, fellowship, friendship, and charitable efforts throughout our community and beyond. Please join us for a meeting after Church on Sunday from noon to 1pm in the multi-purpose room. Wishing everyone a blessed Lenten season.

6 6 THE DIALOGIST SAVED BY THE LIVESTREAM By Stephen Roman It was the end of Deacon Gavrilo had given a great sermon about not letting the holiday marketing get in the way of celebrating the birth of Christ. An inspiring sermon indeed. As we typically do on our drive back to rural Willow Spring, our family discussed this week s sermon. Some of the subjects included how it relates to our current life, and being mindful to the priorities in our precious life. Fast forward to the end of next week, which faced Sarah and me with the following challenges: 1. Saturday 7:45pm- Our daughter, Ariana has a runny nose. 2. Sunday 7:45am- Ariana and son Alexander have fevers and breakfast table. 3. Sunday 7:47am- The parents decide not to go to church for (obvious reasons). 4. Sunday 8:30am- Lysol whole house and prepare for WW3. 5. Sunday 8:47am- Realized that the last week, I was able to watch Deacon s sermon on the TV located in the Nursery with Alexander via LiveStream app. 6. Sunday 9:08am- Download LiveStream app on our TV, search for account, HTGOC, GO. It was this moment I realized how fortunate we are to have such talent in our church community that our service is able to be watched from home for any situation that may come up to where you or a loved one cannot make it to church. With an invitation from Chris Pappas, one of the many active members of the Broadcast Ministry, I have found out how many moving parts go into coordinating a live broadcast each week. The Broadcast Ministry according to Pappas, is the offspring of the AV Photo Team which was started around 2000 and a request from Father Paul to extend our fellowship hall Holy Week transmissions in another way to minister to shut-ins. He went on to explain Unlike other ministries at the church, we do not have any fund raisers planned for any equipment or upgrades, so it mainly comes from personal donations or a limited line item in the church budget. Broadcast equipment can add up in costs quickly. One goal is to permanently locate cables, connections

7 Pascha Edition 2019 and camcorders to make broadcast setups and shutdowns more efficient. I was very impressed when Pappas said they have the ability to LiveStream a family event, such as a wedding or baptism so that family members who cannot travel to Raleigh, can watch it all live with the rest of the family right from their home. After the event, even a video could be made and given to the family by the Broadcast Ministry. Pappas went on the elaborate on some of the members. Jim Riley has been invaluable in helping us work out broadcasting techniques and recommending affordable equipment. Chris Noffsinger has worked out the best use of available internet broadband service and Rob Coffin has worked diligently in trying to improve the broadcast sound, including adding choir and soloist microphones directly into Livestream for clarity. Rob also works with the church webmaster, John Dombalis, to post the sermons that the audio team records each Sunday on the church website and YouTube. LiveStream is also available on most all App Stores on phone/tablet if you are travelling or don t have a smart TV available. I highly suggest to also spread the word to family and friends, who may welcome this service to help bring them closer to our Mother Church. If you have any interest in joining this team, please contact Chris Pappas or any of the members listed above. The other members of the broadcast team include, Harry Costa, Steve Flaherty, Don McEnteer, Harry Nicholos, Bert Michaud, David Krakowski, Ken Higgins and Tracy Brunk, Peter Kythas and Nik Theocles. OCF STUDENT STAYS IN TOUCH WITH HIS CHURCH Hello Father Paul, I hope all is well. I am currently at Wingate University outside of Charlotte in my second semester doing well. I have learned a lot about my self, other people and the world. Being in the small school environment is what fits me and I am happy I came here. With no access to my own car and a busy schedule I go to church when I can. I have met two Greeks on campus I go with and have become friends with! Even though my school originally was tied to a Baptist church there are many forms of Christians on this campus believing in a higher figure so I feel welcomed which is nice. I have gone to several religious non denominational events. Also, in the first semester I did a class that analyzed the Bible. Some of the information I knew from going to camp and Church and I also learned to some new information! God gives us talents, running is the talent He blessed me with. As you may remember I committed here on a cross country and track scholarship. Running has gone well and happy I chose to run. Ended up with the fifth best time for the 8k in cross country in the fall and also was one of two freshmen to run in the regional meet. Currently have the third best time in the 5K on our team for the indoor track season. This weekend I will run the 5K in our conference championship as that will wrap up the indoor track season. The egg tradition, I love it, I think it so awesome and I felt honored to be apart of a tradition that is so dear to my heart. Sadly I wont be back in Raleigh for Easter in My family will come and celebrate Easter with me in Charlotte. I am not happy about this as I have celebrated Easter in Raleigh many times. My exams fall the next week after Easter and because of that it makes sense to stay close to school. You will have to choose someone else and its up to you to choose. I thought I would let you know well ahead of time to start thinking about who want to choose. Sincerely, Ian Hixson

8 8 THE DIALOGIST WELCOME TO ANGELS, HOPE & JOY! ANGELS(Our Preschool Messengers) HOPE (Hellenic Orthodox Primary Education) is the ministry for children grades K-2nd while JOY (Junior Orthodox Youth) is the ministry for children grades 3rd-6th. Here at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. The mission and goal of Angels, Hope & Joy ministry is to lead our children into experiencing the Orthodox Faith. Participating in Angels, Hope & Joy ministry allows our children to build a strong bond with their Orthodox friends and lays out the foundation and tradition of our Orthodox faith through worship, fellowship and service. The bond they create now with each other and our Lord, Jesus Christ, will guide them and strengthen them through out their lives. We welcome all children grades Preschool-6th to join us through out the year for our gatherings which include AHJ And SJTM snack drive, AHJ Easter egg hunt, AHJ Mother s Day event,schools out for summer, ice cream social, Socktober, Thanksgiving Drive, Decorating ornaments for the men s shelter and AHJ Angel Tree. There is no fee to participate in the Angels, Hope & Joy ministry and we invite you to join us and spread the word and fellowship. In Christ, Francesca Panagos and Anna Kouba

9 Pascha Edition 2019 GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF ATLANTA ΙΕΡΑ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΣ ΑΤΛΑΝΤΑΣ March 19, 2019 Rev. Fr. Paul Christy Mr. Jim Klemes, Parish Council President and Esteemed Parish Council members And the Faithful of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 5000 Lead Mine Road Raleigh, NC My Dearly Beloved in the Lord, For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jer. 29:11) I greet you with love and joy in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray that His abundant and loving grace will uplift and sustain you always, as we continue through Great Lent. I was delighted to receive your recent letter regarding your intention to sell the property so generously donated by Mr. Marangos, and then to use the funds to purchase property adjacent to your parish home. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rev. Fr. Paul Christy, Mr. Jim Klemes, the Parish Council President, the Parish Council members, and all the Faithful who have undertaken the responsibility to provide for the future of your beloved community. Your generous offering of love, time, talent and resources and faithful stewardship is a great blessing not only in the life of your Parish community but also in the life of our Holy Metropolis of Atlanta and our Holy Orthodox Church. Therefore, as the Metropolitan and Shepherd of our God-protected Metropolis of Atlanta, I am pleased to give my permission and blessings to proceed with the sale of the property managed by your Cathedral Real Estate Committee, as approved by your General Assembly on March 10, With Christ s love in my heart, and with joy, as your Bishop and spiritual father, you have my prayers and best wishes for future success. I also wanted to let you know that how proud and grateful I am to work alongside you in our Lord s Vineyard. May your lives be overflowing with our Lord s abundant grace and every blessing from Above. I remain, Paternally yours with love in the Lord, +ALEXIOS Metropolitan of Atlanta 2480 Clairmont Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia Telephone: Fax: Web: info@atlmetropolis.org

10 10 THE DIALOGIST LENTEN SPEAKERS CHRISTINE KUSHNER MY LIFE IN OUR CHURCH April 17th Christine Kushner, a professional policy analyst and freelance writer, has lived in Wake County since A product of North Carolina public schools, she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has a master s degree in Public Affairs from Princeton University. Her work as a policy analyst, consultant, and journalist has focused on the fields of public health, health care access, and public education. She has experience in communication, policy, program administration, and grant-writing. She has been active in several PTAs, has served on school improvement teams, and still volunteers in WCPSS classrooms. She is a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and is a William Friday Fellow for Human Relations through the Wildacres Leadership Initiative. Christine has served on the Wake County Board of Education since 2011, serving two terms as Chair. DR. GEORGE STAVROS POTHOLES ON THE LENTEN ROAD TO HUMILITY April 10th George Stavros joined the School of Theology faculty in Spring 2010 to oversee the Counseling Psychology and Religion doctoral program. He has been on the clinical and training staff of the Danielsen Institute since 2004 and currently serves as Executive Director. His teaching and research interests are in psychotherapy, psychotherapy training, and spiritually integrated psychotherapy, and he is a licensed psychologist and certified pastoral counselor. He will be addressing grandiosity, reactivity to difference and conflict, and the self, a study which his team at Boston University recently completed. FR. MICHAEL PLATANIS EXPLORING THE MYSTERY OF REPENTANCE AND CONFESSION March 13th Protopresbyter Michael A. Platanis is currently the Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Columbia, SC. He is a graduate of Holy Cross where he received his Masters in Divinity in He will be speaking on the subject of the Mystery of Repentance and Confession. Repentance is indeed an act of reconciliation, of reintegration into the Body of Christ, which has been torn asunder by sin. For "if one member suffers, all suffer together" (1 Corinthians 12.26). "Therefore, confess your sins to one another... that you may be healed" (James 5.16). The whole Church expresses a search for repentance in the repeated words of the Psalmist in Psalm 50. It is through the faith of the community that the individual is readmitted and forgiven. DEAN POLIZOS PANAGIA VIMATARISSA March 20th Dean, a native of Atlanta, is among the most active members in the Holy Trinity Community. Sporting a love for educating the young and old alike, he has spearheaded the Hellenic Dance Ministry in our parish for nearly a decade. At the core of his love of Hellenism and the Greek culture lies a deep seeded love for the Orthodox Faith. Aside from teaching Hellenic dance to people of all ages, he teaches the youth at the Antiochian Village summer camp about what it means to live an Orthodox life in Christ. He will be teaching us about a sacred jewel of the Church, the miraculous icon of Panagia Vimatarissa that was brought to the Diakonia Retreat Center last year, and about the Church s love for the Theotokos.

11 Pascha Edition 2019 MICHAEL BISHOP SERVING THE HOMELESS AND CARING FOR VETERANS March 27th Michael Bishop is a North Carolina Native born and raised in Greensboro. Michael Served in the United States Marine Corps and was in Desert Shield/Storm. In 2007 Michael lost his house and car after being reinjured from an accident while serving in the USMC. He spent 16 months at South Wilmington Street Shelter and was able to get employed and housing. Within 2 years the non-profit Michael was working for went bankrupt. A fellow Marine overheard about a new temporary job coming to the VA working with homeless Veterans helping them find employment, Michael applied and starting working for the VA in What was supposed to be a 3 year temporary job has become full time and 8 years later Michael is still working with homeless. In 2014 Michael bought a house and now lives in Durham, NC. FR. ANTHONY SALZMAN BECOMING ORTHODOX April 3rd Fr. Anthony Salzman graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology Summa Cum Laude in He spent the next 6 years studying the Art of Byzantine Iconography under Master Iconographer Kosta Photiadeis in Thessaloniki, Greece. He is currently engaged in painting large mural icons for St. Andrews Orthodox Church in Pensacola, Florida, and recently completed the ceiling of St. Sophia GOC in New London, CT. He will be holding a workshop in Salem, SC in May of 2018 at the Diakonia Retreat Center as part of The Liturgical Arts Academy, sponsored by a generous grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta. He serves the Church of St. Philothea Greek Orthodox Church in Watkinsville, Ga., since He is married to Christine and has two sons, and two grandchildren.

12 Manny Aretakis Caught working behind the scenes holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 5000 Lead Mine Rd, Raleigh, NC