MARCH 19, rd SUNDAY OF LENT VENERATION OF THE CROSS

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MARCH 19, 2017 3rd SUNDAY OF LENT VENERATION OF THE CROSS Holy Martyrs Chrysanthos and Daria WELCOME TO ST. NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL Cathedral Website: www.stnickspgh.

Nick Giannoukakis CHANTER: Steve Andrews CHOIR DIRECTOR: Steve Andrews ORGANIST: Anna Kovalevska ALTAR BOY CAPTAINS: Nicholas Hages & Andreas Paljug Today s hymns: please see page 2 Epistle: Hebrews

1 MARCH 19, rd SUNDAY OF LENT VENERATION OF THE CROSS Holy Martyrs Chrysanthos and Daria WELCOME TO ST. NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL Cathedral Website: CLERGY: Rev. Fr. Christopher Bender and Rev. Dn. Robert Lykos Father s Cell and - frchbender@verizon.net PROTOPSALTIS: Dr. Nick Giannoukakis CHANTER: Steve Andrews CHOIR DIRECTOR: Steve Andrews ORGANIST: Anna Kovalevska ALTAR BOY CAPTAINS: Nicholas Hages & Andreas Paljug Today s hymns: please see page 2 Epistle: Hebrews 1:10 14; 2:1-3 (p.138) Gospel: Mark 2:1-12 (p. 139) PLEASE JOIN US for coffee and fellowship in the hall, following services, sponsored by the Greater Pittsburgh Greek Orthodox Chorale. TODAY S MEMORIAL SERVICE is being chanted for the repose of the soul of the servant of God Christodoulos Tompros (40 days), father of Maria Tomprou. May God grant him eternal rest and comfort to his family. THIS WEEK AT ST NICHOLAS: Monday, March 20: 7 p.m. Parish Council Meeting; 8-10 p.m. Open Volleyball Wed., March 22: 6 p.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy; 7:30 p.m. Orthodoxy 101 Class Thurs., March 23: 11 a.m. Living Orthodoxy Friday, March 24: 7 p.m. Great Vespers with 4 th Section of the Akathist Hymn Sat., March 25: 8:45 a.m. Annunciation Orthros; 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy; 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Greek School; 10 a.m.-3;30 p.m. GOYA Retreat Sun., March 26: 12:30 p.m. Greek School 25 th March Lunch & Program PLEASE NOTE: In the event of inclement weather, it may be necessary to cancel a church service or other event. Please check with WPXI, Ch. 11. We will be reporting to them if the need arises. SIXTY CLUB NEWS DADDY LONG LEGS, April 1, 2 p.m., O Reilly Theatre -DADDY LONG LEGS Tickets have been ordered; please remit payment to Fran or Virginia this week. May 20 th, Saturday matinée, O Reilly Theater, 2 p.m. LAST WEEK TO MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR DEATH OF A SALESMAN, Arthur Miller s dramatic Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning play about aging, economics and the American Dream as seen through the life of Willy Loman, the most famous traveling salesman in history. We have 8 available seats in the upper, center section. $33 due April 30 th. We may have to cancel this order if there is not more interest. As always, we invite all ages to join us for theater productions. Contact Virginia Fekaris, OR Fran Hanna, Please make all checks, including 2017 dues ($10), payable to St. Nicholas Sixty Club. Virginia is the membership chairman Easter Flower Donations - As we enter this most holy period of the Great Fast, please consider making a donation towards the purchase of flowers used during this time. Our greatest expense lies in the purchase of flowers to decorate the Epitaphion / Kouvouklion. We also are looking for donors for the decorative frames for the Salutations services, the festal icons, the flowers for the Veneration of the Cross service, and the palms for Palm Sunday. We are asking our parishioners and all church organizations to consider making a donation towards this project. The sign-up sheet can be found on the Candle stand in the Narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie in the office, All donations are tax deductible. Thank you!

2 MARCH 19, rd SUNDAY OF LENT VENERATION OF THE CROSS Holy Martyrs Chrysanthos and Daria Tone 6 Orthros Gospel 6 SPECIAL HYMNS OF THE DAY: The first hymn chanted at the Small Entrance is the Festal Apolytikion (Tone 1): Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοίς Βασιλεύσι κατά βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καί τό σόν φυλάττων διά τού Σταυρού σου πολίτευμα. Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross. After the procession with the Gospel the Eisodikon (Entrance Hymn) is chanted: Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν Χριστῷ. Σῶσον ἡμᾶς Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ νεκρῶν, ψάλλοντάς σοι Ἀλληλούϊα. Come let us worship and fall down before Christ. Save us O Son of God, who arose from the dead. We sing to you, Alleluia. After the Entrance Hymn the Priest enters into the Sanctuary, and the Resurrection Apolytikion (Tone 6, p. 171) is chanted. Then, the hymn for the Feastday is repeated. Following this, we chant the Hymn for our Church s Patron, St. Nicholas (Tone 4): Κανόνα πίστεως καὶ εἰκόνα πραότητος, ἐγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ἀνέδειξέ σε τῇ ποίμνῃ σου, ἡ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀλήθεια διὰ τοῦτο ἐκτήσω τῇ ταπεινώσει τὰ ὑψηλά, τῇ πτωχείᾳ τὰ πλούσια, Πάτερ Ἱεράρχα Νικόλαε πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. The truth of things have revealed you to your flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause you have achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved. Finally, we hear the Seasonal Kontakion in the Eighth Tone: O Champion General, we your faithful inscribe to you the prize of victory as gratitude for being rescued from calamity, O Theotokos. But since you have invincible power, free us from all kinds of perils so that we may cry out to you: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded. Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε. Instead of the usual Trisagion, we chant the special one for Feastdays of the Cross: Τὸν Σταυρόν σου προσκυνοῦμεν, Δέσποτα, καὶ τὴν ἁγίαν σου ἀνάστασιν δοξάζομεν. Before Your Cross, we bow down, O Master, and Your Holy Resurrection we glorify. EPISTLE: Hebrews 4:14-18, 5: 1-6 (p. 140) GOSPEL: Mark 8: 34-38, 9: 1 (p. 141) After the Gospel reading please return to page 12 of the Divine Liturgy Book for the remainder of the Service.

GOYA NEWS: Pastichio Sale: Frozen & ready to cook, 9x12 pans, only $30 a pan, and are available after church. To place an order, contact Alea Melacrinos at goya.pastichiosale@gmail.com.

Keeping up with Philoptochos Celebrating 85 years of Philanthropy, Fellowship & Faith in Action! TODAY, Philoptochos will be passing a second basket to benefit Hellenic College Holy Cross.

m. - VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! Attention All Bread Bakers, Wrappers & Bow Makers! - Please reserve Wednesday, April 5 th for the annual Philoptochos Easter Bread Baking session.

3 GOYA NEWS: Pastichio Sale: Frozen & ready to cook, 9x12 pans, only $30 a pan, and are available after church. To place an order, contact Alea Melacrinos at goya.pastichiosale@gmail.com. THANK YOU to our advisors, parents GOYAns, and volunteers who did such a great job yesterday hosting yesterday s Volleyball tournament. Over 300 children participated, and a good time was had by all! Keeping up with Philoptochos Celebrating 85 years of Philanthropy, Fellowship & Faith in Action! TODAY, Philoptochos will be passing a second basket to benefit Hellenic College Holy Cross. COMMUNITY OUTREACH - Philoptochos will be making and serving dinner at the FOCUS Shelter Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at 4 p.m. Also, we will be packing backpacks for FOCUS Backpack Feeding Program on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at 6 p.m. - VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! Attention All Bread Bakers, Wrappers & Bow Makers! - Please reserve Wednesday, April 5 th for the annual Philoptochos Easter Bread Baking session. Everyone is welcome to come any time after 9 a.m. and join us in the Cathedral s Kitchen for Fun & Fellowship. As always, any amount of time you can offer to help us in this important project helps our Philoptochos to continue to help those in need. Any questions, please contact Nikki Lykos at FOOD BANK - The Food Bank supports several of our parishioners and continues to need your support. You can donate by making a check payable to the St. Nicholas Philoptochos Food Bank or through The United Way by designating the St. Nicholas Food Bank through your employers United Way contribution. Just designate #3288. Questions: contact Elaine Andrianos at or Denise Daugherty at SPANAKOPITA LOGS - Philoptochos has a limited quantity of our delicious Spanakopita Logs available for sale. ONLY $9 PER LOG; GET YOURS TODAY! MEMBERSHIP DRIVE - It s that time of year again, the Philoptochos Membership Drive! The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society has held fast to the tradition of philanthropy and we have strengthened the sense of love and compassion for all individuals that are in need. Philoptochos is a connection with other women who share the same feeling and who desire to share their thoughts and talents. PLEASE JOIN or RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY! It s easy. Just complete the membership form and send it in or visit us at our table. Men are welcomed to join, too! From the Church School Desk: You Are the Voice of Christ in a Changing World. Church School students in grades 7-12 can learn more about their faith and participate in the St. Nicholas Oratorical Festival that will be held in March, For more information, please contact Chairman Eve Elsen at or eve.m.elsen@gmail.com. Attention parents and grandparents: Please join your child or grandchild in worshiping during the Divine Liturgy, receive Holy Communion together then attend Church School to see firsthand what your children are learning, on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral s Church School Open House! As always, thanks for sharing your children with us every Sunday. Yours in Christ, Miss Michelle Holy Cross Ladies Philoptochos Society invites you to an AFTERNOON TEA on Sunday, May 20, 2017 at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Community Center, 123 Gilkeson Road, Mt. Lebanon, PA Doors open at Noon and there will be tea sandwiches, fresh fruit, cookies, pastries and various teas will be served. There will also be a silent auction, door prized and fashions by Trendy Trousseau. Tickets are $15. Contact Pam Lagios at or Mary Zotis at for tickets no later than May 12 th. All ages are welcome and hats are optional th Annual Greek Language Festival On April 22, Greek Language students from the Metropolis will participate in a Quiz Bowl, musical and drama performances, dancing, and an art exhibit. There will be food, crafts, games, and fun. All material for the Quiz Bowl can be downloaded. This Metropolis event will take place at St. Nicholas from 11 a.m. 3 p.m.

2017 Stewardship Pledge Cards are in the Narthex (Just ask a member of Parish Council) Christian Stewardship is about becoming good caretakers of all that God has given us.

4 2017 Stewardship Pledge Cards are in the Narthex (Just ask a member of Parish Council) Christian Stewardship is about becoming good caretakers of all that God has given us. It is by offering our gifts back of TIME, Talent and treasure to God that we will be able to continue to enjoy Church life and be happy in Church ministries. If you have already submitted your 2017 Stewardship Commitment, THANK YOU! If not, please take the time to make your financial Stewardship Commitment today and complete the talent portion of the card to enable OUR Community to grow and carry on the mission of our faith. HELP US REACH/EXCEED OUR GOAL Total Pledged Stewards Total Amount Pledged Average Pledge 2017 STEWARDSHIP 149 (GOAL 300) $105, (GOAL $175,000.00) $ As the Father Has Sent Me, So I Send You John 20: ATTN: Church School Students St. Nicholas Oratorical Festival, March 2017 For more information, please contact Chairperson, Eve Elsen at or eve.m.elsen@gmail.com St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral Church School Open House Sunday, April 2, 2017 Join your Child or Grandchild for Church Worship, Holy Communion & Church School!

Almost There! Let's continue on our roll this week as we roll out our festival Koulourakia, tomorrow, Monday, March 20, and Pasta Flora, Thursday, March 23. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

5 Almost There! Let's continue on our roll this week as we roll out our festival Koulourakia, tomorrow, Monday, March 20, and Pasta Flora, Thursday, March 23. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Let's keep up the momentum! Cooking begins at 9 a.m. Remember to identify yourself on your dashboard when you park in the church lot. Koulourakia Monday, March 20 Pasta Flora Thursday, March 23 Tiropita Monday, April 3 Diples Monday, April 24 Much help is needed the week of the festival, Sunday, May 7 - Saturday, May 13. We remain open from 11 a.m. thru to the dinner hour and beyond. Lunches are particularly difficult to staff with so many people working during the day. Please check your schedule for times you can serve throughout the week. Any time and all time will be appreciated! Over 28,000 guests pass through our doors! ********************************************************************** I N T E R N AT I O N A L O R T H O D O X C H R I S T I A N C H A R I T I E S Reservations for the Syrian Relief Dinner can be made online at OR can be purchased at St. Nicholas through parish liaisons, Catina & Connie Stamoolis ( ). Dear Reverend Fathers and brothers & sisters in Christ: On Sunday, April 2, 2017 the IOCC Pittsburgh Metropolitan Committee plans to hold a prayer service and fund raising dinner that will benefit our Syrian brothers and sisters. This "Syrian Relief" gathering will be held at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Pittsburgh, PA. We would like to cordially invite your Parish to attend, and support IOCC's aid efforts in Syria. The recent conflict has been devastating. It has resulted in the displacement of a substantial percentage of the population which is now hungry, homeless, and lacking essential items. (Please see below) Last year Metropolitan SAVAS, Archbishop MELCHISEDEK, Bishop THOMAS, and Bishop GREGORY were able to attend. This year we are hoping to more fully engage all of the Orthodox jurisdictions and faithful in this Orthodox offering of love, prayer, and mercy. Additionally last year, we had non-orthodox religious leaders in attendance including: Bishop Dorsey McConnell, Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh; Reverend Liddy Barlow, Executive Minister, Christian Associates of SW Pennsylvania; Reverend Saleem Ghubril, Executive Director, The Pittsburgh Promise; and Mr. Joshua Sayles, Director, Community Relations Council, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Please join us! During the past four years, we have held four similar Syrian Relief gatherings - with approximately 600 people attending last year. We are able to be extremely efficient with these gatherings, because the community made/donated almost all of the food and supplies for the events. Over the past four years, we were able to raise $210,000 and send a net amount of $201,000 to IOCC. Glory to God! (As a reminder IOCC is typically able to obtain $7 worth of grant/other money for each $1 we raise. So this $201,000 is equivalent to approximately $1,407,000 of total aid in Syria from our community's efforts). We are hoping that this gathering will help to foster more frequent collaborations in our Pittsburgh region - where all of the Orthodox faithful come together, in Christ, to aid one another when tragedies occur in our ethnic homelands. Thank you for your love and help in the ministry of IOCC. We need your help in the following ways: Attend the Event - Reserve tables for your Parishioners and attend as a group. Encourage the philanthropic organizations within your Church to participate and help as a group. See Flyer for reservation details. Make a Donation - Consider making a group Church donation (perhaps pass a tray). Bring the donation to the gathering or send it to Nick Terezis, c/o IOCC, 306 Marberry Dr. Pittsburgh, PA Please make the check payable to IOCC and write "Syrian Relief - Pit" in the memo. Donations from individuals are also welcome. Volunteer to Help at the Dinner - PLEASE volunteer to help during the day of the event (April 2) & encourage your Church Youth Group to volunteer. Last year we DID NOT have enough help. If you would like to volunteer, contact Zelfa at Pray - Most importantly, pray for our Syrian Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and for all people risking their safety to deliver aid.

2017 Sunday Lenten Vespers Western Pennsylvania Deanery Antiochian Archdiocese Sunday, March 19 th, at 4 p.m. Hosted by the Orthodox Cranberry Area Mission Old St.

(AUTHENTIC Middle Eastern Lenten meal to follow the service.

6 2017 Sunday Lenten Vespers Western Pennsylvania Deanery Antiochian Archdiocese Sunday, March 19 th, at 4 p.m. Hosted by the Orthodox Cranberry Area Mission Old St. Killian Church, 205 Clark Street, Mars PA Homilist Fr. Paul Abernathy, director of FOCUS, Pittsburgh and Pastor of St. Moses the Black, Orthodox Mission. (AUTHENTIC Middle Eastern Lenten meal to follow the service.) ECCLESIASTICAL MUSIC MINISTRY AT THE CATHEDRAL You are cordially invited! Come and learn Byzantine chant from a world-class instructor, or join our choir and learn to sing the unique and beautiful arrangements composed by our founding choir director! Our Cathedral is graced by two music ministries grounded in tradition that we hope you will consider participating in: The first is rooted at the Analogion (the Chanter Bookstand). Our Analogion Ministry, blessed by the volunteer service of Dr. Nick Giannoukakis, invites and welcomes anyone with some musical ability, especially the younger generation, to join and learn the beautiful and 1200 year-old tradition of Byzantine hymnology and chant. Those who faithfully adhere to the ministry will not only have an opportunity to grow musically, but more importantly, will solidify their understanding of Greek, gain an appreciation for the structure of the services, and a better insight into our Orthodox faith and its theology through a comprehension of the hymns. With the exception of the summer months (June-August), the Ministry will focus on the Sunday Orthros and the occasional Vespers, in addition to the evening services of Lent and Holy Week. Between June and early September, the Ministry will also focus on the Holy and Divine Liturgy. Dr. Giannoukakis, who was distinguished and tonsured as Protopsaltis by Metropolitan Maximos in 1998, and noted to be among the "who is who" of Byzantine Chanters in a historical compendium published in Greece in 1994, is also the only chanter in our Metropolis to hold a certificate and diploma in Byzantine Music from a Greek Music Conservatory. Dr. Giannoukakis, personally-trained by renowned and respected Greek chanters (Constantin Lagouros, Georgios Syrkas, Emmanuel Hatzimarkos), offers music to the highest possible standards of the Great Church of Christ (the Ecumenical Patriarchate) and has successfully trained young and old individuals for more than 25 years. To learn more, and to consider participating, contact Dr. Giannoukakis at ngn1@andrew.cmu.edu or at ngiann1@pitt.edu. All educational materials are complimentary. The second is rooted in the rich polyphonic innovations of the late Rudolph Agraphiotis who in the early 1900s, first composed the lyrical Liturgy conducted in our church to this day. Some of the choir members are among those who came together to constitute the first choir directed by Mr. Agraphiotis. Today, the choir is in the very capable hands of Mr. Steve Andrews who directs it as another of our Cathedral's volunteers. The choir can be heard during the Divine Liturgy for most of the year's Sunday services as well as at the services for Holy Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The Choir invites and welcomes anyone with some musical ability, especially the younger generation, to join. To learn more, and to consider participating, contact Mr. Steve Andrews at beyondfromwithin@comcast.net. Why not join both ministries? As it is written: "He who delights in the Lord, and walks in the Light will not stumble" (From the Doxastikon of the Orthros of the 5th Sunday of Lent).

On Sunday, March 26, St. Nicholas Greek School will celebrate Evangelismos and Greek Independence after Divine Liturgy with a procession, doxology, luncheon, and program by the children.

Nicholas Greek School Invites You To A Celebration of The Evangelismo

7 On Sunday, March 26, St. Nicholas Greek School will celebrate Evangelismos and Greek Independence after Divine Liturgy with a procession, doxology, luncheon, and program by the children. Come and celebrate together. For shrimp luncheon reservations of $10 for adults, and $5 for children, text or call Lisa Kristian at or lisakristian@yahoo.com by March 15. St. Nicholas Greek School Invites You To A Celebration of The Evangelismos & Greek Independence Day Sunday, March 26 th Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Program at 1 p.m. Shrimp, Pasta, Vegetable & Dessert Adults $10, Children $5 Come and see a play about how a Saint helped a Cretan village against the Jannisaries! POEMS! SONGS! A PLAY & MORE! For reservations, call or text Lisa Kristian, OR lisakristian@yahoo.com BY MARCH 15 th

MARCH 26, th SUNDAY OF LENT

MARCH 26, th SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 26, 2017 4th SUNDAY OF LENT Leave-taking of the Feast of the Annunciation to the Theotokos; Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel WELCOME TO ST. NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL Cathedral Website: www.stnickspgh.org