January Volume 12, Issue 01

Transcription

1 January 2017 Volume 12, Issue 01

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) TBD 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 JOY GOYA- 1st Wednesday 6:00 p.m. 2nd Wednesday 6:00 pm 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. Minerva Faith Group (Adult Education): Tuesdays from 12:30 2:00 p.m. Athletics Check Calendar For more information on our ministries, please check out our website! January 2017 Page 2

3 Table of Contents Registry Page 4 Father s Message Page 5-6 President s Message Page 7 Stewardship Page 8 Philoptochos Page 9 Ministries Page Services Page Puzzles Page 17 Posters Page Outreach Page 20 Pictures Page Church & Metropolis News Page 26 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: John Bostinelos Orthodoxy on Tap Shanda Antonopoulos Patriarchs: Afrodity Segos We Knead You: Janet Antonopoulos Calendar Page 27 Coffee Hour Page 28 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. Check the expiration Date!!! Abraham served the best he had. If we would not eat it, why should we expect someone else to risk getting sick? January 2017 Page 3

4 Registry and Vital Statistics Baptisms: Chrismations: Weddings: 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. January 2017 Page 4

5 Father Dimitri s Message My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This past month we hosted our Chancellor, Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, who, under the auspice of Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago, elevated my humble priesthood to the rank of Father Confessor. While the honor of this grace still galvanizes me as I contemplate it, I am heartened beyond measure for the possibilities of our Church s spiritual growth. You see, a spiritual father is like a doctor of the soul. He is able to prescribe medicine to help people on their journey to spiritual good health. Just as we need exercise, diet and rest for our Physical well being, we also need prayer, fasting, and almsgiving for our Spiritual well being. But how much? If we went to a gym and started using the equipment without a guide we would quickly hurt ourselves. It is the same in the spiritual arena. As we engage in the aesthetical life, we also participate in Spiritual Warfare. Within this warfare, the enemy tries to use lies, guilt, zeal, and our nature against us. He uses lies to convince us we either do not need the aesthetical life, or to push us towards works we are not ready to do, knowing we will fail. This is how he plays with guilt. He knows we will feel guilty when we fall, ashamed at our weakness and therefore feel unworthy or unwilling to seek help. He uses our zeal against us by making us think we can do more than we can at the moment, such as immediately committing oneself to all night vigils or eating only berries and water for Lent when we have never prayed or fasted prior. This is a deliberate trick, playing on out love for God. It is our nature to love God and want to be with him, so the enemy tries to pervert that nature and lead us to other things. This is why a spiritual father is so important. He can help guide you on the path, living a measured life that is not extreme, carefully adjusting your spiritual exercises and fasting practices as he sees progress and knows your soul. I will conclude with sections from my sermon preached upon my Ordination on the Feast of St. Mammas September 2, The Holy Priesthood is ever aware of the fate of those who mismanaged their sacred trust bestowed on them by God the Father. The people of God, the fruits of the vineyard are not the property of the priest. They belong to God and their fruits are His. While the priest must nurture the fruits, weeding, pruning, watering, tending the soil, he must never think that the fruit is his. It has been entrusted to him. And it is very precious. But unlike a plant or animal that can in some way be reasoned in its behavior and actions, a priest cares for human beings and acts as the spiritual physician to all in his care. St. John Chyrostom states it is not possible for any one to cure a man by compulsion against his will, so it is necessary for the priest to act wisely and convince those in his care that his treatment is appropriate. This cannot be a treatment too soft or too harsh, but measured just right to save. The priest must convince the lost sheep to return, not by force or compulsion of fear, but through love. This is a difficult task, and one for which the punishment of failure is severe. And it is for this reason I tremble as I stand before you. For if the Golden-Mouth uttered these words, of what hope do I have to serve. For I fear lest if I took the flock in hand when it was in good condition and well nourished, and then wasted it through my unskilfulness, I should provoke against myself the God who so loved the flock as to give Himself up for their salvation and ransom. Chrysostom warns of what awaits he who fails in this trust. But how dire is the destruction, and January 2017 Page 5

6 how terrible the fire which such a leader brings upon his own wretched head for every soul which is thus lost. He also states of the soul of the priest Cease then to urge us on to a penalty so inevitable; for our discourse is about an office which needs the virtues of an angel. For the soul of the Priest ought to be purer than the very sunbeams, in order that the Holy Spirit may not leave him desolate, in order that he may be able to say, Now I live; and yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me. Given such warnings, one would naturally think it the supreme arrogance to dare and approach the Holy Priesthood. Do I honestly believe I posses the watchfulness, firmness, courage, strength, and love a priest requires? Do I think myself up to the task of leadership and the trust to be bestowed on my soul? Do I really think my soul so pure and spotless that it can receive the Holy Spirit and transform bread and wine into the very body and blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? I do not stand before you in false humility when I say that the answer is a resounding no. I do not possess these qualities, and yet I am here. Yet I am ready to take this step. Because it is not my choice. It is not my will. It is not a step that I take for the power of the priesthood, for the reward of participation in the Divine Liturgy. I am neither arrogant nor spiritually suicidal. It is not a step I take, but a response. I stand here today in response to a calling from God, a calling I received while still small, one that has pressed my soul forward here before you, a loving call to serve the Church, to tend the sheep,and to obey my hierarchs. Therefore, I take courage in this step I take today. Not to say I am worthy, because I know I am not, but because I know that I have been called and that I am not alone. I never have been. That has never been truer than now, with your prayers and support, my beloved Holy Trinity Family. I pray the Best Day of 2016 will be your Worst Day of I remain your servant in Christ, Fr. Dimitri Tobias, Proistamenos What I need at your house or business: CALL ME FOR HOUSE BLESSINGS! A list of the Orthodox and Non-Orthodox who consider your house home/ A list of all the employees at your place of business. An Icon to pray towards A Bowl of Water Basil January 2017 Page 6

7 President s Message Happy New Year! I would like to use this article to reflect on some of the positive and negative things I feel have happened at Holy Trinity in I feel there was many of both the past year and I have never been one of many words so I will not bore everyone with a complete list of them all. The following are just a few things that I feel we can improve on and even a few that we should pat our own backs on. Just to name a couple of positive items first we once again had a good festival even with our change of dates. The decision to change the date of our festival was not greeted by everyone with great enthusiasm but it did turn out to be a good move by our committee. Another thing that changing our long held festival date proved is that we can make real changes without hurting ourselves. It may not be easy to change or accept it but change is not always bad. Another positive of 2016 was the completion of our attic project. A wall was built in the attic to separate the unused portion from the storage area. After the wall was built we were able to invest in the insulation portion of the project that will hopefully save the church money for years to come during the upcoming heating and cooling seasons. To fit in with the insulation project we also updated our thermostats to a programmable type so we can better control our heating and cooling temperatures. Both of these investments will ideally help us save some money. The final positive I would like to mention is a decision that was made at our fall general assembly. I believe it is a good thing to invest in our aging building. We all take the time to take care of our homes by replacing missing items or repairing broken ones. Although I believe our building is structurally sound there are items that have been neglected over the years that need our attention. The longer we wait to address those items the harder and more expensive they will be to fix. The part of admitting we need to get the work done is easy. The part of moving forward and raising the money will be tough. I hope we are all up for the challenge. Being up to the challenge brings this article to the biggest disappointment for me personally. It has been written about more than once this year, stepping up and filling the void of not having a spring diner or Saturday in the park. This is where we fell flat. Of the 80 + stewards in our church less than 25 gave towards the special onetime assessment. I of course do not know who these stewards are, nor do I want to know, so I cannot personally say thank you but I can use this article to say it. Thank you. I look forward to seeing you all in May we take this past year and build on our positives and learn from our mistakes. Costa Tsiobanos 2016, Parish Council President January 2017 Page 7

8 Stewardship Time-Talent-Treasure Election results are in and we have two new members on the Board. We ll call them Ks. Ketchelos and Konidas. Thank you ladies for offering your time and talent to the Church Board. It s rewarding to see younger people take the time to invest in the operation of Holy Trinity. There are plenty of experienced members that ran again or are in their second year of their term. We ll be in to the new year by the time you receive this report. The General Assembly approved the proposed Tuck Pointing project. Several stewards have offered their time and talents to see this project through to completion. There s a lot of money required to do the repair but do it we must. An effort is on going to get funds from various organizations that donate to similar facilities like churches. I hope all pledges to Stewardship were paid for I also hope all stewards paid for their Grecian Dinner tickets. If you haven t, please make an effort to get paid up. I thought last month s report was my final as Stewardship Chairman. Father Dimitri reminded me I owed one more. I hope everyone has healthy and prosperous year Stewardship Chair, John Bostinelos Fr. Dimitri & Presbytera Mary Tobias Mr. & Mrs. Perry Antonopoulos Dr. & Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Tony Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. John Baryo Mr. Tom Baryo Mrs. Maria Baumert Mr. & Mrs. George Belbas Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Bikakis Mrs. Chris Bikakis-Miller Mr. & Mrs. Dimitri Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. John Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. Greg Boucher Mr. & Mrs. Nick Bovis Mr. & Mrs. Pete Bovis Mr. & Mrs. Beau Brockway Mr. Rob Conyers and Mrs. Athena Ladeas-Conyers Mr. & Mrs. George Demetroulis Mr. & Mrs. Kosta Demetroulis Mrs. Georgia Diavastes Mrs. Mary Eliades Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Eliades- Kennelly Ms. Cula Foundoulakis Mr. Nick Foundoulakis Mr. Vaios Gennatos Mr. & Mrs. James Giasafakis Mr, & Mrs. Casey Glanzer Mr. & Mrs. Craig Golden Mr. & Mrs. Tom Haddad Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Holevas Holy Trinity 2016 Stewards Mr, Christos Iordanou Mr. & Mrs. Rick Jones Dr. Andrew Karantinos Dr. Fotene Karantinos Mr. & Mrs. Dean Karras Mr. & Mrs. Alex Karras Mr. Michael Kasotakis Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kasotakis Mr. & Mrs. Alex Kazos Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Ketchelos Mr. & Mrs. Dave Kjos Mrs. Bessie Klimiades Mr. & Mrs. George Klimiades Mr. & Mrs. Tim Konidas Ms. Anna Kounas Mr. & Mrs. Chris Kounas Mr. & Mrs. John Kounas Mr. & Mrs. Harry Kouris Mr. John Lazaris Mr. & Mrs. Lyle Listamann Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Margeas Mrs. Daisy Margeas Mr. & Mrs. John Margeas Mr. & Mrs. Steve Margeas Mr. & Mrs. Tim Margellos Mr. & Mrs. Ray McAvoy Mr. & Mrs. Mike Michelakakis Mr. & Mrs. Ted Michelakakis Mr. & Mrs. Dale Milbrodt Mrs. Olympia Niederecker Mr. & Mrs. George Paradise Dr. & Mrs. Michael Paradise January 2017 Page 8 Mr. & Mrs. George Poulos Mrs. Maria Rigas Mr. & Mrs. Roger Schultz Mr. & Mrs. Zachary Schultz Mrs. Nancy Selleris Mrs. Mavra Sengos Mrs. Mary Sharp Mrs. Helen Siganos Mr. & Mrs. Eric Smith Mr. & Mrs. Nick Stabile Mrs. Anna Theros Dr. Andrew Tobias Dr. & Mrs. Richard Tobias Mr. & Mrs. Costa Tsiobanos Mr. & Mrs. George Tsiobanos Mr. George Vlahoulis Mrs. Joan Vlahoulis Mr. John Vlahoulis Mr. Spyro Yianopoulos 81 Stewardship Families

9 Happy New Year! Philoptochos News I would like to take a few minutes to recap the events of the past month. On Dec.1st the Festival of Trees auction took place at the Ho-Chunck Centre. This year, we decorated our tree with very unique byzantine-style icon ornaments. Many parishioners loved the tree so much that the idea to purchase back our own tree was circulated. Immediately, the AHEPA and Daughters of Penelope stepped up to offer a donation to purchase the tree and by God s grace Holy Trinity was the winning bidder! The tree now adds a special Christmas joy to our Narthex. Again, thank you to the AHEPA and Daughters for their generosity!! On Dec. 4th, I had the pleasure to host the Philoptochos Society annual Christmas gathering. We had a crowd of over 30 guests and the afternoon was marked by delicious lenten dishes, wonderful parea, and a spirited gift exchange. Truly a lovely afternoon! As every year, guests attending the party are encouraged to donate to our Theotokos fund. During the year, we distribute monies from this fund throughout our community to those in need. On the 7th of the month, the Philoptochos along with the Goya prepared and served dinner at the soup kitchen. Braving the bitter cold, we served approximately 29 people in need. We served a fewer number than past times, but I was amazed when one man came back for a third serving of the meal. I asked if he wanted everything on his plate again and he said I ll take everything again ma am. As I m sure I had a stunned look he replied I m really, really hungry. Sometimes, we put on an emphasis on the numbers served but this man exemplified that even helping one person matters. Then, on the 13th, a group of us helped an evening at the Santa s House with decorating cookies for the kids and helping them shop and and wrap presents from the gift shop. On the 18th, myself, Mary Baryo, Maria Schultz, and Father Dimitri braved subzero windchill and a snow storm, to visit Chicago or (Chi-beria as it was called that weekend) for the Metropolitan s Christmas Open House. As very few Chicagoans attended this year, the Metropolitan was very pleased that we made the journey. This month, we also did some baking of pasties as a fundraiser to our chapter for a holiday party hosted by a friend of Philoptochos from the community. And, we ended the month by putting together a package of koulouria and poinsettia s for our shut-in parishioners. A very busy season indeed! Upcoming, on January 8th we will have our annual Vasilopita auction. This year proceeds from the auction will benefit St. Basil s Academy, Goya, Sunday School, the Dance Troop, the Martha and Mary House, and the Philoxenia House. What a treat to be the winning bidder for this delicious once a year tradition!! ***as a Reminder A Second Tray will be passed this day to Support St. Basil s Academy January 15th will be the date for the Philoptochos meeting and will be at church. With Sisterly Agape, Dr. Fotene Karantinos, Philoptochos Chapter President January 2017 Page 9

10 Youth Corner For December, the JOY learned about the true meaning of Christmas and presented gifts for the less fortunate children of Siouxland. It seems every year we see more and more presents. Well done, children! On December 7th, the GOYA joined the Philoptochos at the Sioux City Soup Kitchen and served the homeless. This is what Christmas is all about! Greetings: Sunday School I would like to take the opportunity to thank each student, parents, Theas, Theos, Yia yas and Papaous for the exemplary show of support in ensuring that our beloved children were a part of the Christmas Pageant complete with assigned parts and music. The children were taught that this is All for Jesus and not about us. It is my humble opinion that this is exactly what our children portrayed. Please take the time to look at the church s website and the Metropolitan website for photos. Absolutely stunning to see how our Sunday school has grown. We had at least 30 children taking part and many out there that could have been a part. These same children attend regularly! Thank you children for being so responsible! In addition, it was both a joy and an honor to present the pageant before our Bishop Demetrios - a first for Holy Trinity and a first for our children. Bishop Demetrios took the time to congratulate our children immediately following their presentation in the presence of the congregation and also invited the congregation to take part in extending their gratitude as our children remained on the solea - completing the Nativity Scene. A humbling experience for all. Thank you Bishop Demetrios!! Thank you Fr. Dimitri for your genuine support in ensuring that we held a quality teaching moment in presenting the pageant. We are eternally grateful to have you as our Priest - to guide us to Salvation. Axios to you Fr. Dimitri on your elevation to Confessor! This would make a great Sunday School lesson. January 2017 Page 10

11 I look forward to a new year in hopes of involving the children into other areas of study and presentation. Education is the key to success! Thank you everyone for a wonderful year thus far with such a show of support in our attendance. We continue to have a few children out there that we would love to see in attendance. My Sunday School Faculty - Shanda Antonopoulos, Mary Bariatakis, Kim Hensley, Casandra Ketchelos are such a joy to work with and their hard work is done out of joy in their hearts for our children. It takes a village to raise a child. These special gals are the extended arms of Jesus! Thank you for everything and God bless you. A special thank you to John and Marti Bostinelos - they are now our official Theo and Thea of Holy Trinity Sunday School. They took such good care of us in helping with practices, providing treats and most importantly - support - being present - - now that s a present - a gift from God. Sunday school is the an essential building block to our children s spiritual life. We are all here to help out in any way we can to afford each child within the church the opportunity to a religious education. I wish everyone a splendid Holy Christmas and a new outlook on the New Year(s) to come. Chronia polla to everyone. *We are now officially on Christmas Vacation and will return to Sunday School January 8, See you in full force! Merry Christmas!! Andrea Kjos, Sunday School Director January 2017 Page 11

12 December 11, 2016 Holy Trinity Christmas Pageant January 2017 Page 12

13 January 1st The Circumcision of Christ & St. Basil the Great Since the Mosaic Law commands that if a woman give birth to a male child, he should be circumcised in the foreskin of his flesh on the eighth day (Lev. 12:2-3), on this, the eighth day from His Nativity, our Saviour accepted the circumcision commanded by the Law. According to the command of the Angel, He received the Name which is above every name: JESUS, which means "Saviour" (Matt. 1:21; Luke 1:31 and 2:21). Apolytikion in the First Tone Our human form hast Thou taken on Thyself without change, O greatly-compassionate Master, though being God by nature; fulfilling the Law, Thou willingly receivest circumcision in the flesh, that Thou mightest end the shadow and roll away the veil of our sinful passions. Glory be to Thy goodness unto us. Glory be to Thy compassion. Glory, O Word, to Thine inexpressible condescension. Kontakion in the Third Tone Now the Lord of all that is doth undergo circumcision, in His goodness cutting off the sins and failings of mortals. He this day doth give salvation unto the whole world; and the hierarch and bright daystar of the Creator now rejoiceth in the highest, Basil the wise and divine initiate of Christ. _+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_ Saint Basil the Great was born about the end of the year 329 in Caesarea of Cappadocia, to a family renowned for their learning and holiness. His parents' names were Basil and Emily. His mother Emily (commemorated July 19) and his grandmother Macrina (Jan. 14) are Saints of the Church, together with all his brothers and sisters: Macrina, his elder sister (July 19), Gregory of Nyssa (Jan. to), Peter of Sebastia (Jan. 9), and Naucratius. Basil studied in Constantnople under the sophist Libanius, then in Athens, where also he formed a friendship with the young Gregory, a fellow Cappadocian, later called "the Theologian." Through the good influence of his sister Macrina (see July 19), he chose to embrace the ascetical life, abandoning his worldly career. He visited the monks in Egypt, in Palestine, in Syria, and in Mesopotamia, and upon returning to Caesarea, he departed to a hermitage on the Iris River in Pontus, not far from Annesi, where his mother and his sister Macrina were already treading the path of the ascetical life; here he also wrote his ascetical homilies. About the year 370, when the bishop of his country reposed, he was elected to succeed to his throne and was entrusted with the Church of Christ, which he tended for eight years, living in voluntary poverty and strict asceticism, having no other care than to defend holy Orthodoxy as a worthy successor of the Apostles. The Emperor Valens, and Modestus, the Eparch of the East, who were of one mind with the Arians, tried with threats of exile and of torments to bend the Saint to their own confession, because he was the bastion of Orthodoxy in all Cappadocia, and preserved it from heresy when Arianism was at its strongest. But he set all their malice at nought, and in his willingness to give himself up to every suffering for the sake of the Faith, showed himself to be a martyr by volition. Modestus, amazed at Basil's fearlessness in his presence, said that no one had ever so spoken to him. "Perhaps," answered the Saint, "you have never met a bishop before." The Emperor Valens himself was almost won over by Basil's dignity and wisdom. When Valens' son fell gravely sick, he asked Saint Basil to pray for him. The Saint promised that his son would be restated if Valens agreed to have him baptized by the Orthodox; Valens agreed, Basil prayed, and the son was restored. But afterwards the Emperor had him baptized by Arians, and the child died soon after. Later, Valens, persuaded by his counsellors, decided to send the Saint into exile because he would not accept the Arians into communion; but his pen broke when he was signing the edict of banishment. He tried a second time and a third, but the same thing happened, so that the Emperor was filled with dread, and tore up the document, and Basil was not banished. The truly great Basil, spent with extreme ascetical practices and continual labours, at the helm of the church, departed to the Lord on the 1st of January, in 379. at the age of fortynine. His writings are replete with wisdom and erudition, and rich are these gifts he set forth the doctrines concerning the mysteries both of the creation (see his Hexaemeron) and of the Holy Trinity (see On the Holy Spirit). Because of the majesty and keenness of his eloquence, he is honoured as "the revealer of heavenly things" and "the Great." Saint Basil is also celebrated on January 30th with Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John Chrysostom. Rest from labour. Apolytikion in the First Tone Your voice resounded throughout the world that received your word by which, in godly manner, you taught dogma, clarified the nature of beings, and set in order the character of people. Venerable father, Royal Priesthood, intercede to Christ God to grant us great mercy. Kontakion in the Fourth Tone For the Church art thou in truth a firm foundation, granting an inviolate lordship unto all mortal men and sealing it with what thou hast taught, O righteous Basil, revealer of heavenly things.as our fervent champion with God, he granteth all the forgiveness of trespasses. January 6th Theophany Divine Liturgy begins at 9:30 am River Blessing begins at 10:30 am About the beginning of our Lord's thirtieth year, John the Forerunner, who was some six months older than Our Saviour according to the flesh, and had lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and came into the parts of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins. Then our Saviour also came from Galilee January 2017 Page 13

14 to the Jordan, and sought and received baptism though He was the Master and John was but a servant. Whereupon, there came to pass those marvellous deeds, great and beyond nature: the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized and the voice was heard from the Heavens hearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:1-22). From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. It is also from this that the present feast is called "Theophany," that is, the divine manifestation, God's appearance among men. On this venerable day the sacred mystery of Christian baptism was inaugurated; henceforth also began the saving preaching of the Kingdom of the Heavens. Apolytikion in the First Tone Lord, when You were baptized in the Jordan, the veneration of the Trinity was revealed. For the voice of the Father gave witness to You, calling You Beloved, and the Spirit, in the guise of a dove, confirmed the certainty of His words. Glory to You, Christ our God, who appeared and enlightened the world. Kontakion in the Fourth Tone You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to You: "You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light." January 7th Synaxis of the Forerunner Divine Liturgy begins at St. Thomas at 9:00 am Today we celebrate the Synaxis in honour of the most sacred Forerunner, since he ministered at the Mystery of the Divine Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. Apolytikion in the Second Tone The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner; for thou hast proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since thou was granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God hath appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy. Kontakion in the Plagal of the Second Tone The Jordan accepted Your presence in the flesh and reversed its course in fear. John, fulfilling the spiritual ministry, fell back in awe. The ranks of Angels, seeing You in the flesh, baptized in the river, were amazed, and all who were in darkness were filled with light, praising You who appeared and enlightened all January 17th St. Anthony Falls on a Sunday Saint Anthony, the Father of monks, was born in Egypt in 251 of pious parents who departed this life while he was yet young. On hearing the words of the Gospel: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor" (Matt. 19:21), he immediately put it into action. Distributing to the poor all he had, and fleeing from all the turmoil of the world, he departed to the desert. The manifold temptations he endured continually for the span of twenty years are incredible. His ascetic struggles by day and by night, whereby he mortified the uprisings of the passions and attained to the height of dispassion, surpass the bounds of nature; and the report of his deeds of virtue drew such a multitude to follow him that the desert was transformed into a city, while he became, so to speak, the governor, lawgiver, and master-trainer of all the citizens of this newlyformed city. The cities of the world also enjoyed the fruit of his virtue. When the Christians were being persecuted and put to death under Maximinus in 312, he hastened to their aid and consolation. When the Church was troubled by the Arians, he went with zeal to Alexandria in 335 and struggled against them in behalf of Orthodoxy. During this time, by the grace of his words, he also turned many unbelievers to Christ. Saint Anthony began his ascetic life outside his village of Coma in Upper Egypt, studying the ways of the ascetics and holy men there, and perfecting himself in the virtues of each until he surpassed them all. Desiring to January 2017 Page 14

15 increase his labors, he departed into the desert, and finding an abandoned fortress in the mountain, he made his dwelling in it, training himself in extreme fasting, unceasing prayer, and fierce conflicts with the demons. Here he remained, as mentioned above, about twenty years. Saint Athanasius the Great, who knew him personally and wrote his life, says that he came forth from that fortress "initiated in the mysteries and filled with the Spirit of God." Afterwards, because of the press of the faithful, who deprived him of his solitude, he was enlightened by God to journey with certain Bedouins, until he came to a mountain in the desert near the Red Sea, where he passed the remaining part of his life. Saint Athanasius says of him that "his countenance had a great and wonderful grace. This gift also he had from the Saviour. For if he were present in a great company of monks, and any one who did not know him previously wished to see him, immediately coming forward he passed by the rest, and hurried to Anthony, as though attracted by his appearance. Yet neither in height nor breadth was he conspicuous above others, but in the serenity of his manner and the purity of his soul." So Passing his life, and becoming an example of virtue and a rule for monastics, he reposed on January 17 in the year 356, having lived altogether some 105 years. Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone O Father Anthony, you imitated the zealous Elijah. You followed the straight paths of the Baptist and became a desert dweller. By prayer you confirmed the universe. Wherefore, intercede with Christ our God to save our souls. Kontakion in the Second Tone Forsaking the uproars of life O venerable one, you completed your life in quiet, fully imitating the Baptist. Therefore, we honor you with him, O Anthony, Father of Fathers. January 18th Ss. Athanasios and Cyril Divine Liturgy begins at 9:00 am at St. Thomas Saint Anthony, the Father of monks, was born in Egypt in 251 of pious parents who departed this life while he was yet young. On hearing the words of the Gospel: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor" (Matt. 19:21), he immediately put it into action. Distributing to the poor all he had, and fleeing from all the turmoil of the world, he departed to the desert. The manifold temptations he endured continually for the span of twenty years are incredible. His ascetic struggles by day and by night, whereby he mortified the uprisings of the passions and attained to the height of dispassion, surpass the bounds of nature; and the report of his deeds of virtue drew such a multitude to follow him that the desert was transformed into a city, while he became, so to speak, the governor, lawgiver, and master-trainer of all the citizens of this newlyformed city. The cities of the world also enjoyed the fruit of his virtue. When the Christians were being persecuted and put to death under Maximinus in 312, he hastened to their aid and consolation. When the Church was troubled by the Arians, he went with zeal to Alexandria in 335 and struggled against them in behalf of Orthodoxy. During this time, by the grace of his words, he also turned many unbelievers to Christ. Saint Anthony began his ascetic life outside his village of Coma in Upper Egypt, studying the ways of the ascetics and holy men there, and perfecting himself in the virtues of each until he surpassed them all. Desiring to increase his labors, he departed into the desert, and finding an abandoned fortress in the mountain, he made his dwelling in it, training himself in extreme fasting, unceasing prayer, and fierce conflicts with the demons. Here he remained, as mentioned above, about twenty years. Saint Athanasius the Great, who knew him personally and wrote his life, says that he came forth from that fortress "initiated in the mysteries and filled with the Spirit of God." Afterwards, because of the press of the faithful, who deprived him of his solitude, he was enlightened by God to journey with certain Bedouins, until he came to a mountain in the desert near the Red Sea, where he passed the remaining part of his life. Saint Athanasius says of him that "his countenance had a great and wonderful grace. This gift also he had from the Saviour. For if he were present in a great company of monks, and any one who did not know him previously wished to see him, immediately coming forward he passed by the rest, and hurried to Anthony, as though attracted by his appearance. Yet neither in height nor breadth was he conspicuous above others, but in the serenity of his manner and the purity of his January 2017 Page 15

16 soul." So Passing his life, and becoming an example of virtue and a rule for monastics, he reposed on January 17 in the year 356, having lived altogether some 105 years. Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone O Father Anthony, you imitated the zealous Elijah. You followed the straight paths of the Baptist and became a desert dweller. By prayer you confirmed the universe. Wherefore, intercede with Christ our God to save our souls. Kontakion in the Second Tone Forsaking the uproars of life O venerable one, you completed your life in quiet, fully imitating the Baptist. Therefore, we honor you with him, O Anthony, Father of Fathers. January 30 The Three Hierarchs Divine Liturgy begins at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity This common feast of these three teachers was instituted a little before the year 1100, during the reign of the Emperor Alexis I Comnenus, because of a dispute and strife that arose among the notable and virtuous men of that time. Some of them preferred Basil, while others preferred Gregory, and yet others preferred John Chrysostom, quarreling among themselves over which of the three was the greatest. Furthermore, each party, in order to distinguish itself from the others, assumed the name of its preferred Saint; hence, they called themselves Basilians, Gregorians, or Johannites. Desiring to bring an end to the contention, the three Saints appeared together to the saintly John Mavropous, a monk who had been ordained Bishop of Euchaita, a city of Asia Minor, they revealed to him that the glory they have at the throne of God is equal, and told him to compose a common service for the three of them, which he did with great skill and beauty. Saint John of Euchaita (celebrated Oct. 5) is also the composer of the Canon to the Guardian Angel, the Protector of a Man's Life. In his old age, he retired from his episcopal see and again took up the monastic life in a monastery in Constantinople. He reposed during the reign of the aforementioned Emperor Alexis Comnenus ( ). Apolytikion in the First Tone The three most great luminaries of the Three-Sun Divinity have illumined all of the world with the rays of doctrines divine and true; they are the sweetly-flowing rivers of wisdom, who with godly knowledge have watered all creation in clear and mighty streams: The great and sacred Basil, and the Theologian, wise Gregory, together with the renowned John, the famed Chrysostom of golden speech. Let us all who love their divinely-wise words come together, honouring them with hymns; for ceaselessly they offer entreaty for us to the Trinity. Kontakion in the Second Tone Receive, O Lord, the Sacred Heralds who preached God, the pinnacle of Teachers, unto the enjoyment of Your riches and rest. You have received their labors and their suffering as being above and beyond all fruitful offering. For You alone glorify Your Saints. January 2017 Page 16

17 For the Young and Young at Heart M M K O A T H R F M H N S S S L C L W V T P E N B O A A A H R J B I G X P W Q I I P I A C G T Q D R P D O S N I N N Y R K S Z U A Y D I T H T N T N A F N K R K J C M C A D Q G A R V F K K E M A T T K N G R H E I Z O U U X C H N E D Y E P I A G H C I P A G M I K F G O H V T R M S N X Y Y V A U O E E Z I O D A N H B I U C S R H E C S S S I I D T W Y V P Y T R T S I T P A B E H T N H O J H B O S A I N T A N T H O N Y T S L I S A B T N I A S K M R Z Across 6. The Feast that celebrates St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom Down 1. The saint who is considered the father of monks. 2. The ceremony 8 days after Jesus was born. It is now the day children are given their names. 3. The feast in which Jesus Christ is baptized in the River Jordan. 4. The Saint who was the main voice at the First Ecumenical Council. 5. The Saint who brings presents to good children according to the Carols of Greece. 1. CIRCUMCISION 2. JOHN THE BAPTIST 3. SAINT ANTHONY 4. SAINT ATHANASIOS 5. SAINT BASIL 6. SAINT CYRIL 7. SAINT GREGORY 8. SAINT MAXIMOS 9. THEOPHANY 10. THREE HIERARCHS January 2017 Page 17

18 St. Thomas Antiochian & Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Churches will bless the Missouri River Friday January 6th at 10:30 a.m. We will meet at the Sioux City Boat Ramp by Bev s on the River Friday - January 6 6:00 p.m. at the YMCA Join the Youth in the Orthodox Tradition of Blessing the Waters. Each age group of our Youth will have the opportunity to dive for the Cross, the true prize of our faith, for prizes and, of course, extra blessings throughout the year. We will have pizza afterwards and have the pool to swim. JOIN US FOR THE HOLY TRADITION January 2017 Page 18

19 Annual JOY/GOYA Turkey Dinner & Parish Vasilopita Sunday, January 8th $8 Adults $5 Children under Vasilopita For this year, because of the super abundance of Ministries of our Church, and because we do not want to inadvertently forget someone, we will not be listing individuals for the majority of ministries. Instead, during the service, Fr. Dimitri will announce for all present ministry heads to come forward to receive their piece of the Vasilopita. Therefore, if you are one of the leaders of one of the Ministries of Holy Trinity, please make every effort to be present on January 8th. 1 Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Oldest person present in Church 2 The Most Holy Virgin Mary Presbytera Mary and Presbytera Vickie 3 St. Basil the Great Those celebrating their nameday 4 The Holy Trinity Youngest person present in Church 5 The Archdiocese Our Newest Family Maria Schultz (Metropolis of Chicago Council Member) & Mary Baryo (Metropolis Philoptochos Board Member) 6 The Metropolis of Chicago 7 The Parish Council Parish Council President 8 Philoptochos Philoptochos President 9 The Ministries of the Parish Ministry Heads 10 Sunday School Sunday School Director 11 The Military Servicemen in Church January 2017 Page 19

20 Matthew 25: The Last Judgement For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: Please donate food to Abraham s Pantry. Please volunteer at the Soup Kitchen. Upcoming Philoptochos Program I was a stranger, and you took me in: Please welcome our Catechumens Naked, and you clothed me: Please consider donating clothes to Abraham s Pantry I was sick, and you visited me: Please pray for the speedy recovery of: Barbara, Stavros, Mary, Maria, Maria, Nicholas, Chris, Nicholas, Maria, Vasiliki I was in prison, and you came unto me: Please pray for and consider visiting our shut-ins. Stella Kreekos and Katherine Byrne(Westwood Nursing home), Georgia Diavastes (at home), Betty Pavlushik (at home), George Ciganovich (at home). Do you enjoy reading the Monthly Koinonia? Fill out a Stewardship Card. For our Holy Trinity Family abroad: Pledge whatever you can (the Lord knows your intent), even if it is just $25 to help cover the cost of printing and mailing the newsletter. If even that $25 is too much for you and your family, then pledge to support a ministry, be it listening to sermons, classes, etc. For our Local Holy Trinity Family: Pledge whatever you can (the Lord knows your intent), but consider the concept of tithing (10% of one s income), which is the model our Lord prescribes. If that is too much, lower the percentage to what is possible for your family. While there is no dues for our parish, and we will accept any stewardship pledge, even $0.01, one must ask whether doing the minimum is a healthy attitude. January 2017 Page 20

21 GOYA & PHILOPTOCHOS AT SOUP KITCHEN (December 7) Christmas Tables at Holy Trinity 2016 January 2017 Page 21

22 Top Left: Philoptochos Icon Christmas Tree from Festival of Trees THANK YOU DAUGHTERS & AHEPA for winning the Auction so that we could enjoy it! Top Right: Holy Trinity at the Sioux City Christmas Symphony featuring Brule Bottom Left: His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos consecrating the Icons of the Nativity and Christ Blessing the Children Bottom Left: His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos elevating through the laying on of hands, Rev. Fr. Dimitrios Tobias into the rank of Father Confessor January 2017 Page 22

23 Top Left: A Group Shot of the Parish Council and our esteemed Guests: His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos; John Manos and Kosmas Pablecas, Regional Archon Commanders; Bob Scott, Mayor of Sioux City; and Jeff Self, Chief of Staff to US Senator Joni Ernst Top Right: His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos during the Divine Liturgy Bottom left: Regional Archon Commanders John Manos and Kosmas Pablecas presenting the challenges facing the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople Bottom right: His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos cutting cake commemorating his 10 year anniversary of his elevation to te Episcopacy January 2017 Page 23

24 Philoptochos Christmas Luncheon at Dr. Fotene Karantinos Home (December 4) Philoptochos volunteering at Santa s House for Children s Miracle Network (December 13) January 2017 Page 24

25 2016 Metropolis of Chicago Open House (December 18) Not only did our ladies travel to Chicago, they helped serve and host, as only Holy Trinity can! Mary Baryo, Metropolis Philoptochos Board Member Dr. Fotene Karantinos, Philoptochos President Maria Schultz, Metropolis Council January 2017 Page 25

26 Liturgies for the Month. Please note that this is a tentative list and subject to change. Esperinos January 5 th Vesperal Liturgy of the Eve of Theophany at Holy Trinity Liturgies January 1 sr Circumcision of Jesus Christ & St. Basil the Great Home Church January 6 th Theophany Home Church January 7 th Synaxis of the Forerunner at St. Thomas January 17 th St. Anthony the Great at Holy Trinity January 18 th SS. Athanasios & Cyril at St. Thomas January 21 st St. Maximus the Confessor at Holy Trinity January 25 th St. Gregory the Theologian at St. Thomas January 30 th The Three Hierarchs at Holy Trinity Parish News ALL OF JANUARY IS HOUSE BLESSING SEASON! PLEASE SCHEDULE YOUR HOME January 6 January 8 January 15 January 31 -February 6 March 9 Blessing of the River Youth Night at the YMCA Annual Parish Vasilopita Youth Turkey Luncheon Philoptochos Vasilopita Auction and Second Tray for St. Basil s Academy Philoptochos Meeting at Church Humane Society Annual Caramel Apple Project Usage of Holy Trinity Church Soup Kitchen Outreach 5-7 pm February Metropolis News Western Region Family Basketball Tournament in Rochester, MN January 2017 Page 26

27 29 8:30 am Sunday Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy 11:30 am Choir Practice 30 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of the Three Hierarchs at Holy Trinity :30 am Sunday Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy 11:30 am Choir Practice :00 am Divine Liturgy (St. 5:00 pm Byzantine Music Class Gregory the 6:00 pm Paraklisis Service Theologian) at St. Thomas 4:30 pm Healthy Body Healthy Soul 11:30 am Choir Practice 11:30 am Philoptochos Meeting followed by Divine Liturgy 15 8:30 am Sunday Orthros 16 Martin Luther King Day :00 am Divine Liturgy of St. 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of SS. 5:00 pm Byzantine Music Class 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of of St. Anthony at Holy Trinity Athanasios & Cyril at 6:00 pm Paraklisis Service Maximus the St. Thomas Confessor at Holy 4:30 pm Healthy Body Healthy Trinity Soul 8 Half Class of Sunday School Parish Vasilopita 8:30 am Sunday Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy 11:30 am Annual Turkey Luncheon 11:30 am Choir Practice 11:30 am Annual Vasilopita Auction 8:30 am Sunday Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy January 2017 Page :30 am Choir Practice 1 No Sunday School New Year's Day 2 New Year's Day observed 3 6:00 pm Parish Council Meeting 4 5 4:30 pm Healthy Body Healthy 9:00 am Divine Liturgy of the Soul Eve of Theophany 6 Liturgy of the of the at Holy 7 9:00 10:30 6:00 am Divine Liturgy of 9:00 am Divine Theophany Synaxis am Blessing of the River Forerunner pm Dive for the Cross Trinity Youth Pool Party Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Holy Trinity GOC January 2017

28 Prosforo to be offered by the following Families on the following Dates: January 1 Dr. & Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Ray McAvoy Mrs. Mary Eliades January 8 Dr. Fotene Karantinos Mrs. Mary Sharp Mr. & Mrs. Casey Glanzer Mrs. Helen Siganos January 15 Fr. Dimitri & Presbytera Mary Tobias Mr. & Mrs. Rick Jones Mr. & Mrs. Chris Kounas Mr. & Mrs. Ted Mihelakakis January 22 Mr. & Mrs. Alex Karras Mr. & Mrs. Roger Schultz Mr. & Mrs. Costa Tsiobanos Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Ketchelos January 29 Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Margeas Mr. & Mrs. Steve Margeas Mr. & Mrs. Craig Golden Mr. & Mrs. Tim Konidas February 5 Mr. & Mrs. Dave Kjos Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Davenport Mr. & Mrs. Dale Milbrodt Mr. & Mrs. Tim Margellos February 12 Mr. & Mrs. Dean Karras Mr. & Mrs. Tony Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Dimitri Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. Tom Fountoulakis February 19 Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Bikakis Mr. & Mrs. Yiani Arvis Dr. & Dr. George Makhoul Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Holevas February 26 Mr. & Mrs. Frank Giganti Mr. George Vlahoulis Mr. & Mrs. Eric Smith Mr. & Mrs. Vassilaki Emanuel 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 January 1 Sun January 8 Sun January 15 Sun January 22 Sun January 29 Coffee Hour: 40 Day memorial for Despi Kounas: The Kounas Family Parish Vasilopita and Turkey Luncheon Coffee Hour: 10 Year Memorial for Mary Glarum The McAvoy Family Coffee Hour: Coffee Hour: The Baryo Family January 2017 Page 28