November Volume 12 Issue 11

Transcription

1 November 2017 Volume 12 Issue 11

2 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 900 6th Street Sioux City, Iowa Church Office Rev. Fr. Dimitri Tobias, Proistamenos Telephone: Office Fax: Parish Council President: Costa Tsiobanos Worship Hours: Sundays: Weekdays: Esperinos: Thursdays: Orthros 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:00 a.m. For Major Feasts 6:00 p.m. Paraklisis Service 6:00 p.m. 1st of Every Month: Agiasmos Service 8:30 a.m. unless there is a service, in which case it will take place 30 minutes prior to Orthros Year Long Ministries Weekly Sunday School: (During School Year) Following Holy Communion Greek Dance: (During School Year) Wednesdays from 5:00 6:00 p.m. Healthy Body/Healthy Soul Wednesdays from 4:30 5:00 p.m. Monthly Orthodoxy on Tap Check Calendar Philoptochos Check Calendar Youth Ministries Check Calendar Seasonal Ministries to begin in Spring: Bible Study: Thursdays from 8:30 9:30 a.m. Blessed Darkness (Adult Education): Thursdays 7:00 8:00 p.m. St. Basil s Students (Adult Education): Tuesdays from 6:30 7:30 p.m. Minerva Faith Group (Adult Education): Tuesdays from 12:30 2:00 p.m. St. Moses the Black Men s Group (Adult Education) Wednesdays from 9:30 10:30 a.m. Athletics Check Calendar November 2017 Page 2

3 Table of Contents Registry Page 4 Father s Message Page 5-8 President s Message Page 8 Stewardship Page 8-9 Philoptochos Page Sunday School Page 12 Youth Page 14 Pictures Page 15 Services Page Posters Page 21 Church & Metropolis News Page 22 Calendar Page 23 Church Staff Parish Priest/ Editor: Rev. Fr. Dimitri Tobias Parish Council President: Costa Tsiobanos Office Director Mary Sharp Philoptochos President: Dr. Fotene Karantinos Book Store: Kiki Karras & Dr. Fotene Karantinos Sunday School Director: Andrea Kjos Greek Dance Director: Leah Brockway Youth Directors: Dean & Amy Karras Stewardship: Maria Schultz Orthodoxy on Tap: Patriarchs: Afrodity Segos We Knead You: Janet Antonopoulos Coffee Hour Page 24 Mission of the Parish: To build our Church Family through bountiful religious services, educational classes, fellowship opportunities and outreach. The pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving will feature prominently in the ministries of the Parish. Vision for the Parish: A Dynamic Church, equally strong at home as at the Parish, fortified by Ministries that bring the faithful closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His Holy Mother, and all the Saints. ABRAHAM S PANTRY: Please donate! Foods from Abraham s Pantry are distributed to the local Food Pantries to feed the poor. November 2017 Page 3

4 Registry and Vital Statistics Baptisms: On October 21 st Luke John, son of Gregory and Rita Boucher was baptized. His Godmother is Dr. Fotene Karantinos On November 18th Oakley, daughter of Colt Golden will be baptized and given the name Chloe. Her God Parents will be Natalie and Orfeas Ketchelos Chrismations: On November 2nd Craig Golden was Chrismated with the name Eustathios. His Sponsor is Andrea Kjos Weddings: Να ζή σετε! Να εί στε ευτυχίσμε νοί! ζωή σε σας Funerals We Welcome the following new families to the Parish! Now is the time to reach out to your loved ones who have fallen away for whatever reason and bring them back to Church. Now is the time to share your faith with others! Together we must grow. Together we must build the Body of Christ. Invite someone to a service, to a Bible Study, to a Church Event. We have one of the friendliest communities in the Archdiocese. Let us go out so that they will know we are Christians by our Love. November 2017 Page 4

5 Father Dimitri s Message My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, One of my favorite topics of discussion is the Holy Angels, the Synaxis of whom we celebrate on November 8th. There seems to be a lot of confusion about the Bodiless Powers, and I wanted to take the time to discuss them here. The first and most prevalent misunderstanding about angels is that human beings become angels. To which of the angels did God ever say, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet? (Hebrews 1:13). Jesus did not come to save angels, but humans. We do not become angels when we die. That would be the equivalent of saying you become a dog or a cat when you die. The reason perhaps people make this mistake comes from the verse in Matthew 22:30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. Notice the word like. Even in the original Greek it reads: 30 ἐν γὰρ τῇ ἀναστάσει οὔτε γαμοῦσιν οὔτε γαμίζονται, ἀλλ ὡς ἄγγελοι θεοῦ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ εἰσιν The similitude to angels lies in the fact that man and women will no longer be given in marriage. There will be no new children, but like the angels, we will worship God perfectly. This is further seen in Isaiah 6 and Revelation 4 as the angels show us the way to glorify God. As a final image of this, look to the icons of the Angels in the domes of most Orthodox Churches. So what are the angels? The angels are the servants of God that came into being between the first two days of Creation. In between then and the creation of the Garden of Eden, the angels warred with one another. Satan, the great deceiver, who was called Lucifer sought to become God. He lost the war, and a third of the angels fell with him. Luke 10:18 I saw Satan fall like lightning. From then until now, the angels have served mankind to bring us closer to our creator. The following is from the Minea of St Dimitry of Rostov and appeared in the November/December 1968 issue of Orthodox Life. This is taken from a reprint included in the booklet _Orthodox Teachings on the Holy Angels_ compiled by Fr Demetrius Serfes (It may still be available through St John of Kronstadt Press) The nine orders of the angels are divided into three hierarchies, each of which is divided into three orders: the highest, the intermediate, the lower. The first hierarch, the highest and closest to the Most Holy Trinity, consists of the SERAPHIM, CHERUBIM, and THRONES. The God-loving six-winged SERAPHIM stand closer than all before their Creator and Maker, as the prophet Isaiah saw, saying: "And the seraphim stood around Him, each having six wings" (Isaiah 6:2). They are fire-like since they stand before That One of Whom it is written: "For our God is a consuming fire." (Heb 12:29); "His throne was a flame of fire" (Dan 7:9); "the appearance of the Lord was like a blazing fire" (Ex 24:17). Standing before such glory, the seraphim are fire-like, as it said: "Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire" (Ps 103:4). They are aflame with love for God and kindle others to such love, as i shown by their very name, for "seraphim" in the Hebrew language means: "flaming". After the seraphim, before the All-knowing God, Who resides in inaccessible light, stand the many-eyed CHERUBIM in ineffable radiance. More than the other lower orders of angels, they are always radiant with the light of the knowledge of God, with the knowledge of the mysteries of God and the depths of His Wisdom; being themselves enlightened, they enlighten others. Their name "cherubim" in translation from the Hebrew language, means: "great understanding" or "effusion of wisdom", because through the cherubim wisdom is sent down to others and enlightenment of the spiritual eyes is given for the seeing of God and knowledge of God. Thereafter stand the God-bearing THRONES (as St Dionysius the Areopagite calls them) before Him Who sits on the high and exulted throne, being named "thrones" since on them, as on intellectual thrones (as writes St Maximus the Confessor) God intellectually resides. They are not called "God bearing" according to essence but according to grace November 2017 Page 5

6 and according to their office, as the flesh of Jesus Christ (as St Basil the Great writes) is called "God-bearing" according to essence since it was indivisibly united with God the Word Himself. The thrones are then called "God-bearing" not according to essence but according to grace, given for their service, which is mystically and incomprehensibly to bear God in themselves. Residing on them in an incomprehensible manner, God makes His righteous judgment, according to the word of David: "Thou hast sat upon a throne, O Thou that judgest righteousness." (Ps 9:4). Therefore through them the justice of God is pre-eminently manifested; they serve His justice, glorifying it and pour out the power of justice onto the thrones of earthly judges, helping kings and masters to bring forth right judgment. The middle hierarchy also consists of three orders of holy angels: the DOMINIONS, the VIRTUES, and the POWERS. one's will and be above all temptations. The DOMINIONS are so named because, being themselves free, they dominate over the rest of the angels which follow behind them. Having abandoned servile fear, as St Dionysius the Aeropagite says, they voluntarily and with joy serve God unceasingly. Also they send down power for prudent governing and wise management to authorities on the earth set up by God. Further they teach how to control the senses, how to subdue in oneself dissolute desires and passions, how to enslave the flesh to the spirit, and how to rule over The VIRTUES, [the usual translation of the name of this order of angels as "virtues" is readily misleading if the old meaning of the word "virtue" as "power" or "force", especially as regards to divine beings (cf Oxford English Dictionary), is not remembered. Note of translator.] filled with divine strength, quickly fulfill the will of the All-High and Omnipotent Lord, strong and powerful. They both work very great miracles and send down the grace of miracleworking to God's saints, who are worthy of such grace, in order that these may work miracles, such as heal every sickness and foretell the future. The holy virtues also help people laboring and those overburdened by the bearing of an obedience placed on them by someone - by which their names "virtues" is explained - and they bear the infirmities of the weak. They also strengthen every man in patience, so that he does not faint away in affliction but rather bears all misfortune with a strong spirit, courageously, and with humility, giving thanks for everything to God, arranging all for our benefit. The POWERS are so called because they have power over the devil, in order to restrain the power of the demons, to repulse the temptations brought upon people by them, and to prevent the demons from harming anyone to the degree that they would wish. The powers strengthen the good ascetics in spiritual struggles and labors, protecting them so that they may not be deprived of the spiritual kingdom. They help those wrestling with passions and vices to cast out evil thoughts and slanders of the enemy and to conquer the devil. In the lowest hierarchy there are also three orders: the PRINCIPALITIES, the ARCHANGELS, and the ANGELS. The PRINCIPALITIES are named thus because they have command over the lower angels, directing them to the fulfillment of divine orders. The management of the universe and the keeping of all the kingdoms and princedoms, of lands and all peoples, races and nations, is also entrusted to them since each kingdom, race and people have for themselves a special deeper and manager from the heavenly order called the principalities, for all their country. Further, the service of this angelic order (according to the explanation of St Gregory the Dialogist) consists in teaching the people to requite each person in authority according to his calling. Finally, the angels of this order raise worthy people to various honorable offices and direct them so that they take power not for the sake of their own gain and benefit, nor for the sake of love of honor and vain renown, but for the sake of honor from God, for the sake of spreading and augmenting of His holy glory, and for the sake of the benefit of their neighbors - as serving the general needs of all their subordinates. The ARCHANGELS are called the great heralds of good news, announcing the great and most glorious. Their service (as the great Dionysius the Aeropagite says) consists in revealing prophecies, knowledge, and understanding of God's will which they receive from the higher orders of angels and announce to the lower order, ie. the angels, and through them, to men. St Gregory the Dialogist says that the archangels strengthen people in the holy faith, enlightening their November 2017 Page 6

7 mind with the light of knowledge of the holy Gospel and revealing the mysteries of devout faith. The ANGELS are the lowest of all the orders in the heavenly hierarchy and the closest to man. They announce the lesser mysteries and intentions of God and teach people to live virtuously and righteously before God. They are appointed to guard each of us who believe: they sustain virtuous people from fallen, and never leave us though we have sinned, but are always ready to help us, if only we ourselves want it. All of the heavenly orders are also called by the common name "angels". Although they have different names according to their situation and grace given by God (as seraphim, cherubim, thrones and the rest of the orders), yet all in general are called angels, because the word "angel" is not a denomination of essence, but of service, as it is written: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister" (Heb 1:14). But their service is different and not identical: each order has its own service; for the All-Wise Creator does not reveal the mystery of His design to all to the same degree, but from the one to the others, through the higher He enlightens the lower, revealing to them His will and commanding it to be as in the book of the Prophet Zachariah. There it is said that one angel, after conversing with the prophet, met another angel who ordered him to go again to the prophet and reveal the future fate of Jerusalem: "And behold, the angel that talked with me went forth and another angel went out to meet him, and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man (that is, the prophet Zachariah), saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of mena and cattle therein: For I, saith the Lord will be unto her a wall of fire round about" (Zach 2:3-5). Deliberating about this, St Gregory the Dialogist says, "When one angel says to the other: 'Run speak to this young man' there is no doubt that certain angels send others, that the lower ones are sent, that the higher send" (St Gregory the Dialogist, Interpretation of the Gospels, #4). We find exactly the same thing in the prophecy of Daniel, that one angel orders another to interpret the vision to the prophet. From this it is evident that angels of higher orders reveal the divine will and intention of their Creator to angels of the lower orders, that they enlighten them and send them to people. The Orthodox Church militant, being in need of the help of the angels, celebrates the Assembly of all the nine angelic orders with a special supplication, as is fitting, on the eighth day of the month of November (Nov 21 OS) ie. the ninth month, since all these nine orders of angels will gather on the day of the Terrible Judgment of the Lord, which the divine teachers of the Church call the eighth day. For they say, at the end of seven thousand years will begin as if an eighth day, "When the Son of man shall in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him" (as the Lord Himself foretold in the Gospel - Matt 25:31). "And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds." (Matt 24:31), ie. from the East, West, North, and South. On a personal note, I want to once again thank you all for your trust and love over the years. I welcome with you Rev. Fr. Luke Melakrinos, who I know will love you as much as I have and will serve you all dutifully. I pray you treat him with the same respect you showed me and allow him to minister with joy our beloved community. May the angels always guide us to Christ our God! I will always be your servant in Christ, Fr. Dimitri Tobias November 2017 Page 7

8 Father Luke s Message No one can put together what has crumbled into dust, but You can restore a conscience turned to ashes; You can restore to its former beauty a soul lost and without hope. With you, there is nothing that cannot be redeemed. You are Love; You are Creator and Redeemer. We praise You, singing: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, my new Family in Sioux City, I am certain that when we think of the month of November, our minds immediately think of the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving. I cannot think of a more perfect time to officially start my new ministry with all of you than the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. We will gather fresh from our tables, and the closeness of the people we love most dearly to draw near to the Heavenly Table. We will partake of the Holy Banquet led by His Grace, Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos in the ultimate form of Thanksgiving by receiving the precious Body and Blood of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ through Holy Communion (Eucharist, a shortened version of the Greek word for Thanksgiving). The trying journey that I have experienced over the past several months due to my sinfulness and the struggles that I continue to battle, are lessened by the forgiveness, love and warmth that I felt from all of you as you welcomed with open arms, Presbytera Marusia and my family to your community. We feel truly that God has brought us together, and for this, and I cannot express adequately my thanks to you all and our loving, forgiving Lord for His great mercy to afford the blessing of serving with you and striving towards our salvation together. I am thankful to have met so many of you, and look forward to meeting each of you individually and to thank you personally for your compassion. I also want to take a moment and thank Fr. Demetrios and Presbytera Mary for their kindness as well as their guidance in shaping you into a community of Christ s love and compassion. You have been blessed with great spiritual leadership and I will strive to continue the wonderful work established by Father Demetri and the past clergy of Holy Trinity. Asking for your prayers and forgiveness, and counting the days, in thanksgiving, that we will be together... In Christ, Fr. Luke Melackrinos November 2017 Page 8

9 President s Message Hello family and friends of Holy Trinity, I would like to take this time to thank Father Dimitri for all the work he has done for Holy Trinity and our community these last few years. As short as his time was here, I believe our church and community are better off now than when he came. Father Dimitri brought and encouraged ideas that were new and outside the box which is exactly what we needed. The new ministries and the way they kept our parishioners involved in the community is one of the reasons we are still a viable Church today. Behind those thoughts and ideas was the occasional thinking of we cannot do that because we have never done it that way before. As we look back at some of the changes that have been made we can now realize that change is not always a bad thing. It can be difficult and not necessarily something that we want but none-theless we have to embrace it and keep moving forward. As much as some of us may not want a change with our priest, it is something we must accept and move forward with. There will be a transitional period that we will all have to work with but we will all be stronger afterwards. Father, thank you again for your time at Holy Trinity in Sioux City. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago and wish you and Presbytera Mary nothing but the best. Costa Tsiobanos 2017, Parish Council President November 2017 Page 9

10 Stewardship Time-Talent-Treasure During this month of Thanksgiving, we give thanks to all of our stewards, who give so generously of their time, talents and treasurers throughout the entire year. We also give special thanks to Fr. Dimitri for his four years of dedicated service to our community and for helping us establish several new ministries, including our stewardship team. By establishing our stewardship team, we have more effectively been able to reach out to our parishioners and help them recognize the importance of sharing any talent they possess. Even though the primary goal of stewardship is to promote our spiritual growth and strengthen our faith, we all know that God loves a cheerful giver. For example, many of us have spent countless hours preparing for our upcoming Fall Grecian dinner. By working side-by-side together and sharing our time and talents, many treasurers will come as well. You cannot do everything, but you can do something. We do our best and leave the rest to Him. Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving! Maria Schultz, Stewardship Chairperson Holy Trinity 2017 Stewards Fr. Dimitri & Presbytera Mary Tobias Mr. & Mrs. Perry Antonopoulos Dr. & Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos Mr. Athanasios Baryo Mr. & Mrs. John Baryo Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Bikakis Mrs. Chris Bikakis-Miller Mr. & Mrs. Greg Boucher Mr. & Mrs. Dimitri Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. John Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. Nick Bovis Mr. & Mrs. Pete Bovis Mr. & Mrs. Beau Brockway Mr. & Mrs. George Demetroulis Mr. & Mrs. Kosta Demetroulis Mrs. Georgia Diavastes Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Eliades Mrs. Mary Eliades (Memory Eternal) Mr. & Mrs. Bill Emmanuel Mrs. Cula Fondoulakis Mr. Nick Fondoulakis Mr. & Mrs. Tom Fountoulakis Mr. Isidoros Garifalakis Mr. Vaios Gennatos Mr. & Mrs. James Giasafakis Ms. Becky Gidas Mr. & Mrs. Craig Golden Ms. Kay Heeren Mr. Christos Iordanou Mr. & Mrs. Rick Jones Dr. Fotene Karantinos Mr. & Mrs. Dean Karras Mr. & Mrs. Alex Karras Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kasotakis Mr. & Mrs. Alex Kazos Mr. & Mrs. Orfes Ketchelos Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Ketchelos Mr. & Mrs. Dave Kjos Mrs. Bessie Klimiades Mr. & Mrs. George Klimiades Mr. & Mrs. Peter Konidas Mr. & Mrs. Tim Konidas Ms. Anna Kounas Mr. & Mrs. Chris Kounas Mr. & Mrs. John Kounas Mr. & Mrs. Harry Kouris Mrs. Stavroula Lantzourakis Mr. John Lazaras Mr. & Mrs. Lyle Listamann Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Margeas Mrs. Daisy Margeas Mr. & Mrs. John Margeas Mrs. Virginia Margeas Mr. & Mrs. Tim Margellos Mr. & Mrs. Ray McAvoy November 2017 Page 10 Mr. & Mrs. Mike Michelakakis Mr. & Mrs. Ted Mihelakakis Mr. & Mrs. Dale Milbrodt Mrs. Olympia Niederecker Mr. & Mrs. George Paradise Mr. & Mrs. George Poulos Ms. Annette Prewitt Mrs. Maria Rigas Mr. Jordan Schultz Mr. & Mrs. Roger Schultz Mrs. Afrodity Segos Mrs. Nancy Selleris Mrs. Mary Sharp Mrs. Helen Siganos Ms. Angela Sourounis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Stabile Mrs. Anna Theros Dr. & Mrs. Richard Tobias Mr. & Mrs. Costa Tsiobanos Mr. & Mrs. George Tsiobanos Mr. George Vlahoulis Mrs. Joan Vlahoulis Mr. John Vlahoulis Mr. Spyro Yianopoulos 82 Stewardship Families

11 Philoptochos News Kalo Mena, This past month of October our Philoptochos chapter decided to take a new approach to our coffee hour with a version of a Pop up Cafe. This year we all witnessed on television the great devastation that the severe hurricanes caused people in Texas, Louisiana, Florida and Puerto Rico. Our Philoptochos members decided to help with the relief efforts. So for one Sunday, our church hall was transformed into a kafeneo. We encouraged the members of Holy Trinity to consider how much, on any given day, they would spend at a Starbucks or Caribou for a coffee and pastry So we offered at different stations, in the church hall, Greek coffee, regular coffee, frappe, chai tea, and hot cocoa. In addition, we had our famous Holy Trinity loukoumades and other desserts as well. Everyone could go to the various stations set up in the hall and place their order. With the help of our community we raised over $300 to aid in the hurricane relief! And I could not be prouder of everyone who stepped up to the challenge. What a great start of giving as we head into the month of Thanksgiving. In November, our chapter will again participate in the Festival of Trees annual Christmas tree auction. Each year we select a theme and decorate and donate a tree that will be auctioned off for a local good cause. It really is a fun afternoon, even as your fingers get covered from all the glitter of garlands and ornaments. This month, I also remind our members to consider visiting a fellow parishioner that may be in a nursing home, homebound, or we just haven't seen in awhile. I would like to likewise encourage the whole parish community to remember those who may not be able to physically come to church but would appreciate a visit or a phone call from another parishioner. And to end, I would also like to express my gratitude to Father Dimitri as he departs Holy Trinity this month to begin his new ministry in Chicago. From his first day in Sioux City, Father Dimitri has ardently supported all the endeavors of our Philoptochos chapter. And above all, he encouraged and challenged us to think beyond our own four walls and look around us and to see how make our communities better places and thus fulfill the mission statement of Philoptochos. We wish Father, Presbytera Mary, and Vassili all the best on the next chapter of their life!! UPCOMING PHILOPTOCHOS EVENTS FOR NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 1: FEAST DAY OF THE PATRON OF STS. of PHILPOPTOCHOS COSMAS AND DAMIANOS. Liturgy and Artoclasia at Holy Trinity NOVEMBER 12: Philoptochos Meeting at Church following Coffee Hour NOVEMBER 17TH: Lunch and Decorating Festival of Trees Christmas Tree at the HoChunk Centre. With Sisterly Agape and Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone, Dr. Fotene Karantinos, Philoptochos President November 2017 Page 11

12 Catechism Sunday School Greetings: Our teachers, Cassandra Ketchelos, Mary Baryo and myself are pleased to see many of our children returning and getting back into the groove of Catechism - Sunday School. It seems with each week passing we are gaining a few more students and some new students. This is wonderful! We always look forward to welcoming more children into His fold. Thank you families for your support into your child s spiritual future as well as Holy Trinity s future. We are currently working on the hymn to the Theotokos as well as the Hymn of Save us O Son of God pursuant to Fr. Dimitri s instruction. It brings me great joy to say that this past week one of my First Grade students said she Heard it up stairs and sang it too. Progress!! +++ Thanksgiving is just around the corner as is Sunday School Christmas Program. More details to follow with regards to practice/planning/program. We wish one and all a blessed Thanksgiving in that because of our forefathers from many countries, we have the freedom of Religion and the right to worship. Think of the opposite - how dreadful. Please be a part of your Constitutional Right - it s a gift and a privilege fought so hard to attain. Our Sunday School has progressed so much over the past several years under the direction of Fr. Dimitri. We are forever grateful for your spiritual expertise, spiritual guidance, kindness and love of children. Our children are forever enlightened by your outstanding standards. On behalf of the Sunday School Teachers and Students we ALL want to say thank you for being our Priest Fr. Dimitri and for everything you have done for us and that we will miss you and we wish you GodSpeed in all that God has placed before you and in his expectations of you. We know that you will be going places in your life as a Priest and we want you to know that you will be in the prayers of the children and staff of Holy Trinity Catechism Sunday School and that you are always welcome here at Holy Trinity. +++ In Christ +++ Andrea Kjos, Sunday School Director November 2017 Page 12

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14 Youth Corner On October 4 th, the Youth volunteered at the Siouxland Foodbank Backpack Program! On October 22 nd the Youth hosted Oktoberfest. Thank you to Dean Karras and his crew for making the event a hit, especially the cake walk! November 2017 Page 14

15 Fall Outing to Scarecrow Pumpkin Farm October 28 November 2017 Page 15

16 November 1st SS. Cosmas & Damianos the Unmercenaries These Saints were from Asia (that is, Asia Minor). After the death of their father, their Christ-loving mother Theodota reared them in piety and in all manner of virtue, and had them instructed in every science, especially that of medicine. This became their vocation, and they went about healing every illness and malady, bestowing healing freely on both men and beasts alike; because of this, they are called "Unmercenaries." And thus, having completed the course of their life, they reposed in peace. Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone Sainted Unmercenaries and Wonder Workers, regard our infirmities; freely you have received, freely share with us. November 8th Synaxis of the Angels All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, - sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation - (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12). In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honouring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is mighty." The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone O Commanders of the Heavenly Host, we the unworthy beseech you, that through your entreaties you will fortify us, guarding us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently bow before you crying: "Deliver us from all danger, as Commanders of the Powers on high! " November 9th St. Nectarios Saint Nektarius was born in Selyvria of Thrace on October 1, After putting himself through school in Constantinople with much hard labour, he became a monk on Chios in 1876, receiving the monastic name of Lazarus; because of his virtue, a year later he was ordained deacon, receiving the new name of Nektarius. Under the patronage of Patriarch Sophronius of Alexandria, Nektarius went to Athens to study in 1882; completing his theological studies in 1885, he went to Alexandria, where Patriarch Sophronius ordained him priest on March 23, 1886 in the Cathedral of Saint Sabbas, and in August of the same year, in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, made him Archimandrite. Archimandrite Nektarius showed much zeal both for preaching the word of God, and for the beauty of God's house. He greatly beautified the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, and years later, when Nektarius was in Athens, Saint Nicholas appeared to him in a dream, embracing him November 2017 Page 16

17 and telling him he was going to exalt him very high. On January 15, 1889, in the same Church of Saint Nicholas, Nektarius was consecrated Metropolitan of the Pentapolis in eastern Libya, which was under the jurisdiction of Alexandria. Although Nektarius' swift ascent through the degrees of ecclesiastical office did not affect his modesty and childlike innocence, it aroused the envy of lesser men, who convinced the elderly Sophronius that Nektarius had it in his heart to become Patriarch. Since the people loved Nektarius, the Patriarch was troubled by the slanders. On May 3, 1890, Sophronius relieved Metropolitan Nektarius of his duties; in July of the same year, he commanded Nektarius to leave Egypt. Without seeking to avenge or even to defend himself, the innocent Metropolitan left for Athens, where he found that accusations of immorality had arrived before him. Because his good name had been soiled, he was unable to find a position worthy of a bishop, and in February of 1891 accepted the position of provincial preacher in Euboia; then, in 1894, he was appointed dean of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens. Through his eloquent sermons his unwearying labours to educate fitting men for the priesthood, his generous alms deeds despite his own poverty, and the holiness, meekness, and fatherly love that were manifest in him, he became a shining light and a spiritual guide to many. At the request of certain pious women, in 1904 he began the building of his convent of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina while yet dean of the Rizarios School; finding later that his presence there was needed, he took up his residence on Aegina in 1908, where he spent the last years of his life, devoting himself to the direction of his convent and to very intense prayer; he was sometimes seen lifted above the ground while rapt in prayer. He became the protector of all Aegina, through his prayers delivering the island from drought, healing the sick, and casting out demons. Here also he endured wicked slanders with singular patience, forgiving his false accusers and not seeking to avenge himself. Although he had already worked wonders in life, an innumerable multitude of miracles have been wrought after his repose in 1920 through his holy relics, which for many years remained incorrupt. There is hardly a malady that has not been cured through his prayers; but Saint Nektarius is especially renowned for his healings of cancer for sufferers in all parts of the world. Apolytikion in the First Tone O faithful, let us honor Nektarios, divine servant of Christ, offspring of Silivria and guardian of Aegina, who in these latter years was manifested as the true friend of virtue. All manner of healing wells forth for those who in piety cry out, "Glory to Christ who glorified you; glory to Him who, through you, wrought wonders; glory to Him who, through you, works healing for all." November 13th St. John Chrysostom This greatest and most beloved of all Christian orators was born in Antioch the Great in the year 344 or 347; his pious parents were called Secundus and Anthusa. After his mother was widowed at the age of twenty, she devoted herself to bringing up John and his elder sister in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. John received his literary training under Anthragathius the philosopher, and Libanius the sophist, who was the greatest Greek scholar and rhetorician of his day. Libanius was a pagan, and when asked before his death whom he wished to have for his successor, he said, "John, had not the Christians stolen him from us." With such a training, and with such gifts as he had by nature, John had before him a brilliant career as a rhetorician. But through the good example of his godly mother Anthusa and of the holy Bishop Meletius of Antioch (see Feb. 12), by whom he was ordained reader about the year 370, he chose instead to dedicate himself to God. From the years 374 to 381 he lived the monastic life in the hermitages that were near Antioch. His extreme asceticism undermined his health, compelling him to return to Antioch, where Saint Meletius ordained him deacon about the year 381. Saint Meletius was called to Constantinople later that year to preside over the Second Ecumenical Council, during which he fell asleep in the Lord. In 386 Bishop Flavian ordained John presbyter of the Church of Antioch. Upon his elevation to the priesthood his career as a public preacher began, and his exceptional oratorical gifts were made manifest through his many sermons and commentaries. They are distinguished by their eloquence and the remarkable ease with which rich imagery and scriptural allusions are multiplied; by their depth of insight into the meaning of Scripture and the workings of God's providence; and, not least of all, by their earnestness and moral force, which issue from the heart of a blameless and guileless man who lived first what he preached to others. Because of his fame, he was chosen to succeed Saint Nectarius as Patriarch of Constantinople. He was taken away by stealth, to avoid the opposition of the people, and consecrated Patriarch of Constantinople on February 28, 398, by Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who was to prove his mortal enemy. At that time the Emperor of the East was Arcadius, who had had Saint Arsenius the Great as his tutor (see May 8); Arcadi- November 2017 Page 17

18 us was a man of weak character, and much under the influence of his wife Eudoxia. The zealous and upright Chrysostom's unsparing censures of the lax morals in the imperial city stung the vain Eudoxia; through Theophilus' plottings and her collaboration, Saint John was banished to Pontus in 403. The people were in an uproar, and the following night an earthquake shook the city; this so frightened the Empress Eudoxia that she begged Arcadius to call Chrysostom back. While his return was triumphant, his reconciliation with the Empress did not last long. When she had a silver statue of herself erected in the forum before the Church of the Holy Wisdom (Saint Sophia) in September of 403, and had it dedicated with much unseemly revelry, Saint John thundered against her, and she could not forgive him. In June of 404 he was exiled to Cucusus, on the borders of Cilicia and Armenia. From here he exchanged letters with Pope Innocent of Rome, who sent bishops and priests to Constantinople requesting that a council be held. Saint John's enemies, dreading his return, prevailed upon the Emperor to see an insult in this, and had John taken to a more remote place of banishment called Pityus near the Caucasus. The journey was filled with bitter sufferings for the aged bishop, both because of the harshness of the elements and the cruelty of one of his 310 guards. He did not reach Pityus, but gave up his soul to the Lord near Comana in Pontus, at the chapel of the Martyr Basiliscus (see May 22), who had appeared to him shortly before, foretelling the day of his death, which came to pass on September 14, 407. His last words were "Glory be to God for all things." His holy relics were brought from Comana to Constantinople thirty-one years later by the Emperor Theodosius the Younger and Saint Pulcheria his sister, the children of Arcadius and Eudoxia, with fervent supplications that the sin of their parents against him be forgiven; this return of his holy relics is celebrated on January 27. Saint John was surnamed Chrysostom ("Golden-mouth") because of his eloquence. He made exhaustive commentaries on the divine Scriptures and was the author of more works than any other Church Father, leaving us complete commentaries on the Book of Genesis, the Gospels of Saints Matthew and John, the Acts, and all the Epistles of Saint Paul. His extant works are 1,447 sermons and 240 epistles. Twenty-two teachers of the Church have written homilies of praise in his honour. Besides his feasts today and on January 27, he is celebrated as one of the Three Hierarchs on January 30, together with Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory the Theologian. It should be noted that, because September 14 is the Exaltation of the Cross, the Saint's memory has been transferred to this day. Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone The grace of your words illuminated the universe like a shining beacon. It amassed treasures of munificence in the world. It demonstrated the greatness of humility, teaching us by your own words; therefore, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede to Christ the Logos for the salvation of our souls. November 21st Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph. Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone Today is the prelude of God's pleasure and the proclamation of man's salvation. The Virgin is clearly made manifest in the temple of God and foretells Christ to all. Let us also cry out to her with mighty voice, "Hail, fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation." November 25th St. Katherine Saint Catherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas (or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste, and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the mouths of the so-called philosophers who had been gathered to dispute with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305. Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai, where they were discovered many years later; the fa- November 2017 Page 18

19 mous monastery of Saint Catherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint Catherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original dates. Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone Let us praise the most auspicious bride of Christ, the divine Katherine, protectress of Sinai, our aid and our help. For, she brilliantly silenced the eloquence of the impious by the sword of the spirit, and now, crowned as a martyr, she asks great mercy for all. November 30th St. Andrew the First Called This Apostle was an Antiochean, a physician by trade, This Saint was from Bethsaida of Galilee; he was the son of Jonas and the brother of Peter, the chief of the Apostles. He had first been a disciple of John the Baptist; afterwards, on hearing the Baptist's witness concerning Jesus, when he pointed Him out with his finger and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, Which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1.29,36), he straightway followed Christ, and became His first disciple; wherefore he is called the First -called of the Apostles. After the Ascension of the Saviour, he preached in various lands; and having suffered many things for His Name's sake, he died in Patras of Achaia, where he was crucified on a cross in the shape of an "X," the first letter of "Christ" in Greek; this cross is also the symbol of Saint Andrew. Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone As first of the Apostles to be called, O Andrew, brother of him (Peter) who was foremost, beseech the Master of all to grant the world peace and our souls great mercy. November 2017 Page 19

20 For the Young and Young at Heart Across 2. The Saint of Aegina and Patron against Cancer. 6. Saint who broke the wheel of blade. 7. The First Called Apostle S G P K L N H Z H L M W V G B K B I D J P M S X L U E E K R H M L U M S U I I I Q A O X C D B H T E D Q I Z W D K Q M L A A R K Q I C M T K X E L X W H K S T J N E I E I T K T E K Z R T T Y U K W P C C L A E I V R G O Q G G U G G O G C P D B G O H Q O V M B U L N C A N E A E W B M Q Q G O U I U J H I V S O B A A N F W T N S Q J S Y P B B Z U A C K W W O K H D D P K A T H E R I N E H F W S O T R D D D C C M R Z V I M I A R C E J H R G N E A G F N M R R W E B N W P C M D Y O T E S O N O I M A D Z K A Q W V J Y L G Z N I S Y N A X I S E R M P M R A G Z V Y G S D A P I I H T Y E R F R S A I F X L S G R U R E L P M E T X R P B I S I L U N B K N J T I S U P O W E R S P A O P A X D E O A E U D M Q M O T S O S Y R H C N H O J R R G O M S C R O B Q F I B S O E I W O C V O V Z B N E S D C R E M T R L J I O B Y L X E F H G F H A F I S P S E H I P E H C F M C V Y U G Q B E E U Z M E Y C Q M C N N A Y B N L P R H O F X H L D B O Q S V U Q N B I E Y B K I Z P E H W U X F A Z J Y H J M V Y U T O T I Z I W L J H B Y U C J A N B L L Y C B M L W N D L B V X K S J D M P W K M J I M G J N S S Q A S U D W E T A Y W F N B T Z W F E G K Z Z T K U H U I F Y N N U S S R O H R W V D K J E R R T K H V L E W R O G O H A C R F S Y J P J W H A D G B N X I N C Down 1. The Holy Saints Cosmos and Damionos. The received no pay for their healings because they were: 3. The Gathering of the Holy Angels 4. The Saint whose Liturgy we celebrate most Sundays. 5. The Place the Virgin Mary was taken at 3 years old. 1. Katherine 2. Andrew 3. Temple 4. Entrance 5. Nectarios 6. Aegina, 7. John Chrysostom 8. Liturgy 9. Unmercenaries 10. Cosmas 11. Damionos 12. Synaxis 13. Angels 14. Seraphim 15. Cherubim 16. Thrones 17. Dominions 18. Powers 19. Virtues 20. Principalities 21. Archangels 22. Angels November 2017 Page 20

21 Save the date! Holy Trinity Philoptochos is sponsoring Family Movie Night & Spaghetti Supper Wednesday, December 6 Dinner starting at 6:00 Movie starting at 6:30 Surprise dessert to follow! $10 per person all ages Proceeds going to Holy Trinity Restoration Project Let's celebrate St. Nicholas Day together! Sign-up sheet in parish hall. November 2017 Page 21

22 Due to the transition of Clergy for Holy Trinity, many weekday services are to be held at St. Thomas during the month of November. Thank you for your understanding. Liturgies November 1 st SS. Cosmas & Damianos the Unmercenaries at Holy Trinity November 7 th St. Raphael at St. Thomas November 8 th Synaxis of the Angels at St. Thomas November 9 th St. Nectarios at St. Thomas November 13 th St. John Chrysostom at St. Thomas November 14 th St. Philip & St. Gregory Palamas at St. Thomas November 21 st Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple at St. Thomas November 25 th St. Katherine at St. Thomas November 30 th St. Andrew the First Called at Holy Trinity Parish News November 5 November 17 November 19 November 17 November 26 December 6 Grecian Dinner Philoptochos Meeting Fr. Dimitri s Last Sunday Philoptochos Lunch and Festival of Trees Tree Trimming Fr. Luke s First Sunday Holy Trinity Family Movie Night: Christmas with the Karountzoses Metropolis News November 2017 Page 22

23 Holy Trinity GOC November 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 FEAST DAY of PHILOPTOCHOS 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of SS. Cosmas & Damian the Unmercenaries at Holy Trinity 4:30 pm Healthy Body Healthy Soul Daylight Saving Veterans Day Time ends 6:00 pm Parish Council Meeting Nectarios at St. Thom- 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of St. (observed) 8:30 am Sunday Orthros followed by Divine Liturgas 11:30 am Choir Practice 11 Veterans Day Advent Fast 16 Advent Fast 17 Advent Fast Philoptochos Meeting 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of St. 8:30 am Sunday Orthros followed by Divine Litur- Palamas at St. Thom- Philip and St. Gregory Philoptochos Lunch and Festival of Trees Tree Trimming gy as 11:30 am Choir Practice 18 Advent Fast 19 Advent Fast 20 Advent Fast 21 Fr. Dimitri s Last Sunday 8:30 am Sunday Orthros followed by Divine Liturtrance at Holy Trinity 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of the 6:00 pm Vespers of the En- Advent Fast gy at St. Thomas Entrance of the Theotokos at St. 11:30 am Choir Practice Thomas 22 Advent Fast 23 Advent Fast Thanksgiving Day 24 Advent Fast 25 Advent Fast 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of St. Katherine at St. Thomas 26 Advent Fast Fr. Luke s First Sunday 8:30 am Sunday Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy 11:30 am Choir Practice 27 Advent Fast 28 Advent Fast 29 Advent Fast 4:30 pm Healthy Body Healthy Soul 30 Feast of Archons Advent Fast 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of St. Andrew at Holy Trinity 5:00 pm Byzantine Music Class 6:00 pm Paraklisis Service November 2017 Page 23

24 Prosforo to be offered by the following Families on the following Dates: November 5 Mr. & Mrs. Rick Jones Mr. & Mrs. Roger Schultz Mr. & Mrs. Ted Mihelakakis Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Ketchelos November 12 Mr. & Mrs. Tim Margellos Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Mr. & Mrs. Tim Davenport Konidas November 19 Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Holevas Mr. & Mrs. Yiani Arvis Mr. & Mrs. Tom Fountoulakis November 26 Mr. George Vlahoulis Mr. Tom Baryo Mrs. Virginia Margeas Mr. Bill Margellos December 3 Mrs. Afrodity Segos Mr. John Vlahoulis Mr. Chris Jones Mr. Chris Margellos December 10 Mrs. Joan Vlahoulis December 11 Dr. & Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos December 24 Mrs. Nancy Selleris Mr. & Mrs. Beau Brockway Mr. & Mrs. Ray McAvoy Presbytera Vasiliki Balomenos Dr. & Dr. George Makhoul Mrs. Maria Rigas Mr. & Mrs. Nick Stabile Mrs. Anna Theros We need Coffee Hour Sponsors! Does a loved one have a name day, birthday, anniversary, memorial coming up? Why not honor that loved one by sponsoring the Coffee Hour in his/her/their honor? Check the Coffee Hour Section of the Website to see open days. Sun November 5 Sun November 12 Grecian Dinner Coffee Hour: Sun November 19 Sun November 26 Coffee Hour: Farewell Fr. Dimitri Coffee Hour: Welcome Fr. Luke November 2017 Page 24