The Dormition of the Theotokos August 15

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1 St. George Greek Orthodox Church 30 East Forge Road - Media, PA Telephone: FAX: office@stgeorgemedia.org FrAnastasios@stgeorgemedia.org Volume 31, Issue 7 Check the St. George website for the most up to date information August 2017 The Dormition of the Theotokos August 15 The Feast of the Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 15 each year. The Feast commemorates the repose (dormition and in the Greek kimisis) or "falling-asleep" of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord. The Feast also commemorates the translation or assumption into heaven of the body of the Theotokos. The Holy Scriptures tell us that when our Lord was dying on the Cross, He saw His mother and His disciple John and said to the Virgin Mary, "Woman, behold your son!" and to John, "Behold your mother!" From that hour, the Apostle took care of the Theotokos in his own home. At the time of her death, the disciples of our Lord who were preaching throughout the world returned to Jerusalem to see the Theotokos. Except for the Apostle Thomas, all of them including the Apostle Paul were gathered together at her bedside. At the moment of her death, Jesus Christ himself descended and carried her soul into heaven. Following her repose, the body of the Theotokos was taken in procession and laid in a tomb near the Garden of Gethsemane. When the Apostle Thomas arrived three days after her repose and desired to see her body, the tomb was found to be empty. The bodily assumption of the Theotokos was confirmed by the message of an angel and by her appearance to the Apostles. The Icon of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos shows her on her deathbed surrounded by the Apostles. Christ is standing in the center looking at His mother. He is holding a small child clothed in white representing the soul of the Virgin Mary. With His golden garments, the angels above His head, and the mandorla surrounding Him, Christ is depicted in His divine glory. The posture of the Apostles direct attention toward the Theotokos. On the right Saint Peter censes the body of the Theotokos. On the left Saint Paul bows low in honor of her. Together with the Apostles are several bishops and women. The bishops traditionally represented are James, the brother of the Lord, Timothy, Heirotheus, and Dionysius the Areopagite. They are shown wearing episcopal vestments. The women are members of the church in Jerusalem. In front of the bed of the Theotokos is a candle that helps to form a central axis in the icon. Above the candle is the body of the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. Standing over His mother is Christ holding her most pure soul. Above Christ the gates of heaven stand open, ready to receive the Mother of God. This great Feast of the Church and the icon celebrates a fundamental teaching of our faith the Resurrection of the body. In the case of the Theotokos, this has been accomplished by the divine will of God. Thus, this Feast is a feast of hope, hope in Resurrection and life eternal. Like those who gathered around the body of the Virgin Mary, we gather around our departed loved ones and commend their souls into the hands of Christ. As we remember those who have reposed in the faith before us and have passed on into the communion of the Saints, we prepare ourselves to one day be received into the new life of the age to come. We also affirm through this Feast as we journey toward our heavenly abode that the Mother of God intercedes for us. Through Christ she has become the mother of all of the children of God, embracing us with divine love. ORTHROS 8:15 AM, LITURGY 9:30 AM TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2017

2 Holy Metropolis of New Jersey His Eminence Metropolitan EVANGELOS + St. George Greek Orthodox Church Presiding Priest - Fr. Anastasios P. Bourantas, Economos 2017 Parish Council Members Angelica Politarhos-Santora, President Kenneth N. Miller, 1st Vice-President George Fotiades, 2nd Vice-President Margaret Antzoulatos, Secretary Demetrios Psihalinos, Treasurer Demetrios Christoforatos, Financial Secretary Drew M. Nayman, Assistant Financial Secretary Roula Fotiades-Alexander Peggy Galiatsatos Valentinos Kanellopoulos Ernest Kollias Constandean Lambardakis Nikolaos Liolios Emmanouil Papadopoulos Nikolaos Yiantsos Organizations Administrative Assistant - Katherine B. Mudrick Chanters - Michael Matekovic Choir - Helen J. Beldecos, Director Custodian - Russell Ehly Accountant - George Kaffes Philoptochos - Ai Mirophoroi Diane P. Nayman, President GOYA - Christina Bourantas, Eleni Christou, GOYA Co-Presidents, Advisors: Dina Christou, Sissy Konstantopoulos JOY/HOPE - Anthoula Psihalinos, Effie Lambardakis, Advisors Sunday School Director - Patty Cakrides-Ryan Bookstore - Presvytera Nicoletta Bourantas GOYA Basketball - John Aivazoglou, Coach (boys), Dr. Alex Terris, Coach, (girls) Vacation Church School - Anthoula Psihalinos Greek Folk Dance - (HOPE/JOY) Anthoula Psihalinos, Effie Lambardakis, (GOYA) Phil Voutsakis Young Adult Leaders: Phil Voutsakis Young at Heart (A Ministry for those 55 and over) - Diane Nayman, Bertha Tourlitis, Angie Santora Aristotle Academy at St. George - Elias Pantelidis, Director, Alexander Kopatsis, President Chion Society of St. Markella - Marco Tourlitis, President AHEPA - Rick Hogue, President Daughters of Penelope - Dr. Frances Hourican, President Parish Council Committee Chairpersons Building Expansion - Nikolaos Yiantsos Bylaws - Executive Committee - Parish Council Officers and Past President Facilities - George Fotiades, Nikolaos Liolios, Nikolaos Yiantsos, Demetrios Psihalinos Festival - Angelica Politarhos-Santora, Demetri Psihalinos, Nikolaos Yiantsos Finance - Demetrios Psihalinos, Drew Nayman Greek School - Emmanouil Papadopoulos Hall Rental - Peggy Galiatsatos IATV/Audio Visual - Nikolaos Yiantsos Personnel - Executive Committee Stewardship - Drew Nayman, Kenneth N. Miller Web Master & Strategic Planning - Youth Liaison - Margaret Antzoulatos Golf Classic - Nikolaos Yiantsos, Ernest Kollias

3 August 2017 Check the St. George Website for the most up to date information Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Dormition Fast Begins Paraklesis Service 7 pm 6 Holy Transfiguration Orthros 8:15 am Liturgy 9:30 am 7 Vacation Church School 10 am to 2 pm 8 Vacation Church School 10 am to 2 pm 9 Vacation Church School 10 am to 2 pm 10 Vacation Church School 10 am to 2 pm 11 Vacation Church School 10 am to 2 pm 12 Bring grapes to be blessed Paraklesis Service 7 pm Paraklesis Service 7 pm Paraklesis Service 7 pm 13 10th Sunday of Matthew Orthros 8:15 am Liturgy 9:30 am 14 Forefeast of the Dormition of the Theotokos Great Vespers 7:00 pm 15 Dormition of the Theotokos Orthros/Liturgy 8:15 am th Sunday of Matthew Orthros 8:15 am Liturgy 9:30 am th Sunday of Matthew Orthros 8:15 am Liturgy 9:30 am Beheading of The Forerunner St. John the Baptist, Orthros/Liturgy 8:15 am Save the Dates St. George Greek Food Festival October 5, 6, 7 & 8, 2017

4 Parish Council President Message Dear St. George Parishioners: Happy August to everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer vacation. As you know St. George never gets a vacation but is joyful for everyone else being able to enjoy theirs. I just wanted to highlight some of the exciting changes happening within our church. We have been blessed with some wonderful donations ear marked for specific repairs and improvements. The church hall has been dry walled, painted and crown molding added. New lighting will soon be installed. We are seeking a donation to put new tile in the hall and complete this project. Beautiful Wooden Doors at the front entrance are to be installed momentarily. New signage will also be installed soon, but we are holding off until the doors arrive to make sure all colors are coordinating. This includes signage on the front of the church and the St. George sign on East Forge Road. We are now in the process of dry walling, painting and installing crown molding and carpeting the horseshoe around the church. As many parishioners have seen some of the changes begin, they are continuing to ask the same question "What about the Dome?" which is a great question. We NEED Help from knowledgeable parishioners willing to help us make this happen. We are in the process of gathering a team to work on this major project. We are not sure yet whether we need a new dome or if it is possible to do a major renovation of the current dome. Please call the office and let Kathy know that you want to be on this committee. St. George NEEDS You! Please don't be afraid to step up to the plate to help us make our church whole. Once again we thank the donors who have made these improvements possible. Please continue to enjoy the month of August. We'll see many of you again in September. Be safe and well. Have a blessed month, Angie Santora-Politarhos Parish Council President Dear Sunday School Families: Summer is passing by so quickly. Before we know it, kids will be back in school and the Sunday School year will begin again. We look forward to having the children back and learning about our faith. Please make sure you remember to bring them to Welcome Back Sunday that is held in early September and get registered for this upcoming year. Also, we are looking for teachers, co- teachers and substitute teachers. We would love to have anyone who is interested in teaching the word of our Lord and the Orthodox faith to reach out to the church office. You will then be contacted by Father and/or one of the Sunday School Directors. Looking forward to a blessed ecclesiastical year! In Christ, Sonya Bohmann and Patty Ryan Co- Sunday School Directors

5 Community Shelter Outreach Our parish participates in serving dinner to the men at Safe Harbor Shelter in West Chester on the first Tuesday of each month. There are several ways you can participate: If you are familiar with the serving routine at the shelter you can sign up for one of the monthly dinners (prepare dinner and serve, either or both). If you are new to the program you can prepare the meal (enough for 25 adults) and /or come to the shelter to serve it. We will be there with you. Of course, if you wish to make a donation, please make checks payable to St. George earmarked for Community Shelter Outreach. The donations will be used to purchase food or supplies for the needs of the shelter residents. If you would like to sign up to volunteer on a Tuesday, please Effie Hionis at ehionis@hotmail.com or leave a message at the church office and I will get back to you. Thanks this month: Many thanks to Harry and Eleni Lupia for helping to sponsor and delivering the 4 th of July dinner. We had a celebration meal for the residence of the shelter that was put together by the Lupia Family, the Hionis Family and Evan Andreadis. Decorations were made by Effie and Isaac Hionis and Yuri and Eleni Gerovasiliou. Thanks to Mr. Eleftherios Anastasiou for helping serve the meal. Future dates: 8/1/17 To be sponsored by the Helen Sitaras Family in loving memory of their sister Fofi Kiritsis. 9/5/17 - Open 10/3/17 - Open 11/7/17 - AHEPA Chapter to prepare meal and serve. With Fr. Anastasios and 9 brave parents - the youth had a wonderful (and hot!) time at HersheyPark! Margarita Lambardakis, Mary Lambardakis, Gabriella Bourantas, Christina Liapis, Alexandra Koninis, George Psihalinos, George Galiatsatos, Sophia Galiatsatos, Sophia Galiatsatos, Dionisis Psihalinos, Anestis Kaldermetzis, Niki Liapis, Nikolis Lambardakis, Anastasios Arsenlis, Fr. Anastasios, Athena Psihalinos, Sophia Kaldermetzis ST GEORGE YOUTH HERSERY PARK!

6 THIS MONTH AT THE BOOKSTORE Stop by and visit the BOOKSTORE to purchase these featured books and many other Religious books, gifts, handmade jewelry and other helpful resources that are now available for purchase. The bookstore is open during office hours and Sunday s following Liturgy. Youth Book: In the Candle s Glow By: Elizabeth Crispina Johnson Illustrator: Amandine Wanert Adult Book: Diary of A Russian Priest By: Aleksandr V. Elchaninov Sacramental Registry Baptisms * On Saturday, May 27, Eleni Loukia Nocenti was baptized, Godparent - Eleni Jurado. * On Sunday, May 28, Vasilia Iliana Dosis was baptized, Godparent - Georgios Bazalekos. Wedding * On Sunday, May 28, Vasilios Dosis and Kyriaki Gregoriadis, Koumbaro (Sponsor), Georgios Bazalekos. Funeral * On Friday, July 14, Anthony Tony Giannopoulos, age 75. NEEDED ENGINEERS, BUILDING CONTRACTORS, ARCHITECTS & THOSE WHO LOVE ST. GEORGE St. George is in need of a Facilities Committee to exam the leaking of the church dome and the possible replacement of the Dome. Engineers, Building Contractors, Architects and those who love St. George are encouraged to be apart of this endeavor. Please contact the church office if you have interest to be on this committee ASAP.

7 PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY Ai Miroforoi St George Greek Orthodox Church Media PA Hello Everyone I hope that you have been enjoying the wonderful summer. The weather has been great and to all who have yet to go on vacation, I wish you fun and safety. We are doing great things with the hall. Dry walling will be completed and molding and paint will greet you in the Fall. The hall will be completely transformed and ready for rentals. New lighting will complete the project. Our Philoptochos has donated monies to update the horseshoe. This is the part of the church that goes completely around the doors. New rugs and paint will brighten the area and welcome you. Quite a transformation. Baking: Each Monday at 7 AM a group of dedicated ladies arrive to tackle the project of the week. Thus far we have made 58 pans of Pastichio, 122 pans of Spanakopita and 90 pans of Tiropitas. The ladies are dedicated and committed. We have started baking Tsoureki and we also are making Artoklasia. Parishioners like you purchase Artoklasia for special events. We always have them ready for your convenience. We still have a long way to go but with help from you, it gets easier. We still need many hands to complete the baking. Please can you join us? Bid & Buy: Saturday, November 18, pm $25.00 Please mark your calendars for this event. We always have a wonderful turnout and space is limited. St. George is known for their gifts and great food. The committee is busy working on this event, and needs your support and commitment. We also need help with this Its never ever too late to join. Welcome Back Sunday is September 10th. Philoptochos will have a table to meet and greet you. Until that time, enjoy your time with family. I will see you then. With Philoptochos Love, Diane Polites Nayman Philoptochos President

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18 AHEPA #79 UPDATE The mission of the AHEPA & DOP Family is to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence. Dear St. George Parishioners: I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful summer weather! Vacations and sunshine go together, it seems! Even the dog-day heat waves can t put a damper on the fun of the summer fun! The Chester-Delco Chapter #79 had their end-of-year meeting. Besides celebrating a successful , we enjoyed great comradery, good food, and we took care of the final businesses of this year. First, we elected a new president, so congratulations to Manoli Papadopoulos on being elected new chapter President. Next, John Wilson was elected new Vice-President congrats to him, too! George Kaffes was re-elected treasurer and Ed Stasen as Secretary. Thanks to both for your continued service to our chapter! I would like to personally thank the chapter membership and the St. George community for the support I received these past three years while serving as chapter president. Everything that gets accomplished is the result of cooperation of all! I will be eternally grateful and look forward to being part of this chapter for years to come! Rick Hogu AHEPA Chapter #79 Past President PROSPHORA /ARTOCLASIA Would you like to donate the Prosphora for a special feast day or your name day, they are available for purchase at $10.00 each. Please contact the church office for more details. Thank you. Artoclasia is available for purchase to celebrate a name day or special occasion from the Philoptochos Society, 5 loaves for $50. Please contact the church office or any Philoptochos member to order. For all memorial services and Artoclasia we kindly ask that you also supply wine and oil for the Altar. Thank you. Please remember, if you have already obtained a civil divorce, you must also receive an Ecclesiastical Divorce from the Church This brief process is confidentially handled by the parish priest. You must complete this process in order to be in good standing with the Church, meaning that you may not partake in the Sacramental life of the Church, (example: being a sponsor at a wedding or baptism, receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Holy Unction, serving on the Parish Council, voting at Parish Assemblies and entering into another marriage). Please consider your personal situation and be in good standing with the Church. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Fr. Anastasios directly. Priest Discretionary Fund The Priest Discretionary Fund is used by the priest to assist those in need. Examples of how this fund is used includes, assisting the hungry and homeless, assist a parishioner in times of crisis, emergency and/or extreme financial need. The monies used to establish this Discretionary Fund will come from the generous donation of our parishioners and other anonymous donations of our community. If you have a question or a desire to contribute, please ask Father Anastasios about the use of the Discretionary Fund and how you can help.

19 St. George Greek Orthodox Church Banquet Hall Available Anniversaries Birthdays Corporate Training Conferences Performances Meetings Formal Events Fund-Raisers 30 East Forge Road Media PA Tel: Fax: GREAT SUNDAY CONCORDVILLE INN ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE

20 Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 30 East Forge Road Media, PA Rev. Fr. Anastasios Bourantas, Economos NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 435 MEDIA, PA Return Service Requested Mailed on July 18, 2017 Saint George Greek Orthodox Church Bulletin Advertising Program You are invited to become part of the St. George Church Bulletin Advertising Program offered to a limited number of local professionals and business owners. The ads vary in size to accommodate any advertising budget. All ads are printed and placed in the hands of every member attending services each week for one year. As a bonus, advertisers will be included in our monthly bulletin which is mailed to almost 500 parishioners. Because ad space is limited, please contact The church We hope you will accept our invitation and become part of this inexpensive, effective, and local advertising program. THANK YOU for supporting the St. George Ministries