The Major Feasts of the Church

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1 St. George Greek Orthodox Church 30 East Forge Road - Media, PA Telephone: FAX: office@stgeorgemedia.org FrAnastasios@stgeorgemedia.org Volume 39, Issue 9 Check the St. George website for the most up to date information October 2015 The Major Feasts of the Church Taken from "The Calendar of the Orthodox Church" by Dr. Lewis Patsavos, Ph.D. The Ecclesiastical Year, which according to Byzantine practice begins on the first of September, is divided between movable and immovable or fixed holy days. The movable holy days are determined by the date of Easter, the most important of all feast days, which is in a class by itself. The determination of the date of Easter was definitively regulated by the decision of the First Ecumenical Synod, held in Nicaea (325). Next in importance to Easter are the "twelve great feasts," of which three are movable. Eight of these feasts are devoted to Christ and four to the Virgin Mary. There are also a number of feast days of varying importance, most of which commemorate the more popular saints. Easter/Pascha Feast of all Feasts September 8: The Nativity of the Theotokos September 14: The Exaltation of the Cross November 21: The Entrance Into the Temple of the Theotokos December 25: The Nativity of Christ January 6: The Feast of Epiphany February 2: The Presentation of Christ Palm Sunday March 25: The Annunciation The Ascension of Christ (40 days after Easter) Holy Pentecost (50 days after Easter) August 6: The Transfiguration of Christ August 15: The Dormition of the Theotokos

2 Holy Metropolis of New Jersey His Eminence Metropolitan EVANGELOS + St. George Greek Orthodox Church Presiding Priest - Fr. Anastasios P. Bourantas, Economos 2015 Parish Council Members Angelica Politarhos-Santora, President Sonya Bohmann, 1st Vice-President George Fotiades, 2nd Vice-President Margaret Antzoulatos, Treasurer Demetrios Psihalinos, Financial Secretary Nikolaos Yiantsos, Assistant Financial Secretary Peter Dionisos, Secretary John Aivazoglou Dimitri Gianneas Nikolaos Liolios Konstantinos Mikropoulos Kenneth N. Miller Mitchell Orrin Emmanouil Papadopoulos Marco Tourlitis Organizations Administrative Assistant - Katherine B. Mudrick Chanters - Michael Matekovic, Stelios Karagianis Choir - Helen J. Beldecos, Director Custodian - Russell Ehly, James Stylios Accountant - George Kaffes Philoptochos - Ai Mirophoroi Diane P. Nayman, President GOYA - Christina Bourantas, GOYA President, Advisors: Presvytera Nicoletta Bourantas, Barbara Angelus, Dina Christou, Daphne Skoutelas JOY/HOPE - Anthoula Psihalinos, Effie Lambardakis and Sonya Bohmann, Advisors Sunday School Director - Patty Cakrides-Ryan, James Stylios Bookstore - Presvytera Nicoletta Bourantas GOYA Basketball - John Aivazoglou, Coach (boys), Chris Voutsakis, Assistant Coach (boys), Dr. Alex Terris, Coach, (girls) Vacation Church School - Anthoula Psihalinos Greek Folk Dance - (HOPE/JOY) Anthoula Psihalinos, (GOYA) Young Adult Leaders: Phil Voutsakis Young at Heart (A Ministry for those 55 and over) - Diane Nayman, Bertha Tourlitis, Angie Santora Aristotle Academy at St. George - Elias Pantelidis, Director, Alexander Kopatsis, President Chion Society of St. Markella - Marco Tourlitis, President AHEPA - Rick Hogue, President Daughters of Penelope - Donna Matekovic, President Parish Council Committee Chairpersons Building Expansion - John Aivazoglou, Nikolaos Yiantsos Bylaws - Peter Dionisos, Mitchell Orrin Executive Committee - Parish Council Officers and Past President Facilities - George Fotiades, Nikolaos Liolios, Nikolaos Yiantsos Festival - Sonya Bohmann, Angelica Politarhos-Santora, Nikolaos Yiantsos Finance - Peter Dionisos, Drew Nayman Greek School - Emmanouil Papadopoulos Hall Rental - Mitchell Orrin, Alex Soutos IATV/Audio Visual - Nikolaos Yiantsos Personnel - Executive Committee Stewardship - Margaret Antzoulatos, John Aivazoglou, Kenneth N. Miller, Drew Nayman Web Master & Strategic Planning - Nick Voutsakis Youth Liaison - Margaret Antzoulatos Golf Classic - John Aivazoglou, Costa Pippis, Nikolaos Yiantsos

3 October 2015 Check the St. George Website for the most up to date information Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Festival Setup will take place during the week of Sept. 27th please give a helping hand any day or evening of the week. Thank you. 28 FESTIVAL SET UP HELP NEEDED! 29 FESTIVAL SET UP HELP NEEDED! 30 FESTIVAL SET UP HELP NEEDED! Parish Council Festival Prep Meeting 7 pm 1 ST. GEORGE GREEK FESTIVAL 5 pm 9 pm 2 ST. GEORGE GREEK FESTIVAL 11 am-10 pm 3 ST. GEORGE GREEK FESTIVAL 11 am 10 pm 4 2nd Sunday of Luke ST. GEORGE GREEK FESTIVAL 12 noon 8 pm 5 Greek School 5:20-7:30 pm St. Thomas Cherry Hill, NJ, 7 pm 6 St. Thomas the Apostle, Orthros, Liturgy Cherry Hill, NJ 9 am Religious Ed. Class 7-8:30 pm Pan-Macedonian Dance Rehearsal 8:30-10pm 7 GOYA Dance Rehearsal 7 pm DVYC Meeting 7:30pm Elkins Park 8 Greek School 5:20-7:30 pm th Ecumenical Council Greek School 5:20-7:30 pm DOP Meeting 7:15 pm 13 Religious Ed. Class 7-8:30 pm Pan-Macedonian Dance Rehearsal 8:30-10pm 14 Pan-Macedonian Society Amalia Bid n Buy 6:30 St. Luke Church GOYA Dance Rehearsal 7 pm 15 Greek School 5:20-7:30 pm 16 DVYC Presents Does the Future Have A Church? Dr. Anton Vrame, Director GOARH Dept. of Cherry Hill, NJ 7:30 pm 17 DVYC Catechist Cherry Hill, NJ 10 am-2 pm Baptism 12 noon Wedding 2:30 pm St. Luke Broomall 7 pm 18 St. Luke The Evangelist JOY/HOPE Pumpkin Tyler Arboritum Philoptochos Meeting 12:30pm 19 Heart Luncheon & Presentation: Protecting yourself from Medicare Fraud 12:30 pm Greek School 5:20-7:30 pm 20 Religious Ed. Class 7-8:30 pm Pan-Macedonian Dance Rehearsal 8:30-10pm 21 GOYA Dance Rehearsal 7 pm 22 Metropolis of NJ Clergy St. George Media 10:30 am Greek School 5:20-7:30 pm Autism Walk Citizens Bank Park Holy Trinity, DE Philoptochos Lunch & Bid n Buy 12 noon 25 6th Sunday of Luke St. Demetrios Upper Darby & Wildwood, NJ 7pm 26 St. Demetrios Orthros, Liturgy Upper Darby & Wildwood, NJ 9 am 27 Religious Ed. Class 7-8:30 pm Pan-Macedonian Dance Rehearsal 8:30-10pm 28 GOYA Dance Rehearsal 7 pm 29 Greek School 5:20-7:30 pm Hall Rental Wilmington DOP Lunch & Fashion Show 11 am Mendenhall Inn

4 President s Message Dear St. George Parishioners: September went so quickly, with all the excitement of starting our Ecclesiastical Year, and the Aristotle Academy Greek School being back in session, as well as all of our St. George Youth Ministries. Now our focus is toward the St. George Greek Festival, please join us Oct 1, 2, 3 & 4. We really need everyone s time, talent and treasure. This is a major fundraiser for our church and one that really allows us all to come together as a church family and work arm and arm promoting our beautiful St. George community. We always have room for one more helper, one more pair of hands, come join us! If you cannot help during the festival, consider coming before to help set up and after to help clean up and put the church back in order. Looking ahead we have many great things happening in the church. Father has once again started his Religious Education Classes. This is a wonderful learning environment, where we get a chance to explore our faith. Classes will meet every Tuesday evening from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (please check our website weekly for changes). Also coming right around the corner is the Holiday Philoptochos Bid and Buy which will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2015, 4:30 pm here at St. George Church. The Bid and Buy is a fun and exciting fundraiser that the ladies of the Philoptochos host each year. Please consider joining them for dinner to kick off the holiday season. Start your Christmas shopping early, enter to win many holiday gift items. In Christ, Angela Politarhos-Santora Parish Council President Pastoral Visits - A Request to All Parishioners: If you desire a pastoral visit in case of a hospitalization, or for someone who is homebound, in a nursing facility, or in prison, please have an immediate family member notify the Church office at ( ) or call Fr. Anastasios directly on his cell-phone ( ), so that a visit can be arranged. Επισκέψεις Ιερέως Εάν επιθυμείτε να σας επισκεφθεί ο ιερέας σε περίπτωση εισόδου στο νοσοκομείο ή εάν είστε αποκλεισμένοι στο σπίτι ή εάν βρίσκεστε σε γηροκομείο ή στη φυλακή, παρακαλούμε βάλετε κάποιον κοντινό συγγενή σας να ειδοποιήσει το Γραφείο της Εκκλησίας (στο ) ή να τηλεφωνήσει απευθείας τον Πατέρα Αναστάσιο στο κινητό του ( ) για να ζητήσετε την επίσκεψή του.

5 Community Shelter Outreach For the past 15 years under the guidance of Barbara Dionisos, our parish has participated in serving dinner to the men at Safe Harbor Shelter in West Chester. I am excited to continue Barbara s example and coordinate our parish s efforts. Our parish is responsible for the first Tuesday of each month. It is really a rewarding experience and not that difficult to do. If you would like more information, or wish to sign up to volunteer on a Tuesday please Effie Hionis at ehionis@hotmail.com or leave a message at (610) and I will call you back. This is an amazing experience and feeling to serve Jesus in this way! (Upcoming Tuesdays: 10/6, 11/3, 12/1.) Dear Sunday School Families, SUNDAY SCHOOL WELCOME BACK to St. George Sunday School As the new Sunday School Director, I look forward to serving you and working together, in spiritually educating our children. Through the tireless efforts of our church group members, your children will find freshly painted classrooms and new supplies! A heartfelt thank you to all of our Sunday School Teachers for making the commitment in working with our youth. Truly you Glorify God by doing so. If you were unable to register your children on September 13 th, we encourage you to attend nonetheless. All new families are welcome to join us. I would like to thank parents for sharing their children with us every Sunday and I wish you a blessed school year! So these words I command you today shall be in your heart and in your soul. You shall teach them to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:6-8 Yours in Christ, Patty Cakridas-Ryan Priest Discretionary Fund The Priest Discretionary Fund is used by the priest to assist those in need. Examples of how this fund is used includes, assisting the hungry and homeless, assist a parishioner in times of crisis, emergency and/or extreme financial need. The monies used to establish this Discretionary Fund will come from the generous donation of our parishioners and other anonymous donations of our community. If you have a question or a desire to contribute, please ask Father Anastasios about the use of the Discretionary Fund and how you can help. Please remember, if you have already obtained a civil divorce, you must also receive an Ecclesiastical Divorce from the Church This brief process is confidentially handled by the parish priest. You must complete this process in order to be in good standing with the Church, meaning that you may not partake in the Sacramental life of the Church, (example: being a sponsor at a wedding or baptism, receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Holy Unction, serving on the Parish Council, voting at Parish Assemblies and entering into another marriage). Please consider your personal situation and be in good standing with the Church. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Fr. Anastasios directly.

6 Sacramental Registry Baptisms * On Sunday, September 6, Maria Michaela Tsilimidos was baptized, Godparents - Michael Tsilimidos and Christina Tsilimidos. * On Sunday, September 20, Penelope Chiara Pappas was baptized, Godparent - Janice Pappas. Wedding * On Saturday, September 5, Augustus Repici and Bridgette Anne Barnes, Koumbari (Sponsors), Mark and Patricia Berryman. * On Sunday, September 20, Haralambos Saritsoglou and Michelle Lee Piner, Koumbari (Sponsor), Sophia Rice. Children s Book: What Do You See at Liturgy By: Kristina Kallas Adult Book #1: A Little Daily Wisdom By: Bernard Bangley Adult Book #2: Ask for the Acient Paths By: Fr. James Guirguis THIS MONTH AT THE BOOKSTORE Stop by and visit the BOOKSTORE to purchase these featured books and many other Religious books, gifts, handmade jewelry and other helpful resources that are now available for purchase. The bookstore is open during office hours and Sunday s following Liturgy. BERTHA S BUNDLES - HELP NEW MOTHER S IN NEED The Philoptochos Society has an on going commitment to collect new born clothing and small items for new mothers called BERTHA S BUNDLES. All items are given to Riddle Hospital for mothers in need. This is not a one time donation, but a monthly gift to the hospital. When possible can you please drop off NEW clothing to the office and a Philoptochos Member will collect them.with thanks PROSPHORA /ARTOCLASIA Would you like to donate the Prosphora for a special feast day or your name day, they are available for purchase at $10.00 each. Please contact the church office for more details. Thank you. Artoclasia is available for purchase to celebrate a name day or special occasion from the Philoptochos Society, 5 loaves for $50. Please contact the church office or any Philoptochos member to order. For all memorial services and Artoclasia we kindly ask that you also supply

7 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Welcome Back to All Now that St. George is in full swing and classes have started, so too, has Philoptochos begun their year. The ladies are in full baking mode and the festival is here. Hopefully for St. George it will be a banner year. Looking forward to many ladies helping. Our first meeting on September 20th had a nice turnout. Our meetings are now on Sundays after Liturgy. This gives everyone an opportunity to come and share what the plans are for the season. Holy Cross Sunday, September 13th, a collection was taken for the students at the Seminary. That day Philoptochos also gave our own Seminarian, Richard Ryan Stingle a scholarship so that he may continue his studies in Greece. We pray, someday Richard will be a permanent part of St. George. Philoptochos Holiday Bid and Buy, Saturday, November 7, :30 PM PRE PAID $25.00 CHILDREN UNDER 10 $10.00 People ask? Why prepay: The answer is simple.tables can be guaranteed and places secure. The log jam at the entrance way is short and efficient. There is very little scrambling to get a place where your friends are. Last year, if you remember, the process was smooth and the wait time to be seated short. Tickets are available. It is not too early to get a table together. The weeks go quickly and the Philoptochos ladies have been buying lovely gifts. Last year, was a record turnout. I would encourage you to plan now and get your friends together soon, We also need help. Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated. Please, no help is too small. Part of the proceeds will be going to the St. Nicholas Shrine in NYC and the other to fund our ministries. I invite you all to please come to our meetings. We encourage new members and as I ve said before you do not have to commit to all meetings. You have many talents and your resources are many. Philoptochos is the right hand of the church...i would like you to become a part of that. Philoptochos dues are $35.00 Next Meeting will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2015, 12:30 PM With Philoptochos Love, Diane P. Nayman, President Ecclesiastical Altar Items made in Greece St. George is requesting donations for the following items. If you would like to donation any of the following items please contact the church One (1) Chalice Cover Set One (1) Grand Christos Anesti Ribbon for Royal Gates Banners (Lavaro) One (1) St. George Banner $2, One (1) Myrrh Bearers Banner $2, Donated by the Koban-Hogue Family Donated by Constantin & Fani Zikas Ribbons Four Purple Ribbons (used for Holy Week) $ (cost for 4) Two Green Ribbons (used for Pentecost & Summer Services) $ (cost for 2) Two Blue Ribbons (used for Feast Days of the Virgin Mary) Donated by faithful parishioners Holy Altar Covering Table Cloths Embroidered White Covering (used for Christmas) $1, Gold Covering (used for Sundays of Great Lent) Donated by GOYA Purple Covering (used for Holy Week) $1, Red Covering (used for Easter & Days of the Holy Martyrs) $1, Green Covering (used for Pentecost & Summer Services) $1, Blue Covering (used for Feast Days of the Virgin Mary) $1,400.00

8 GOYA NEWS Dear all, GOYA is off to a great start! I would like to thank all those who helped with our first fundraiser of the year! Our car wash was a great success! Already during the month of September we have been busy with meetings, basketball, dance, and preparing for our festival. GOYA has many opportunities for service, fellowship, worship and fun. We welcome any youth between grades 7th-12th. I am looking forward to a great year! In Christ, Christina Bourantas GOYA President SUNDAY SCHOOL The St. George Sunday School is in need of new supplies for the new school year. Donations of the following items would be greatly appreciated: Crayons Construction Paper Washable Markers Pencils Construction Paper Elmer s Glue Chalk Children Scissors Glue Sticks THANK YOU!

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17 AHEPA #79 UPDATE The mission of the AHEPA & DOP Family is to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence. I love this time of year. So many people don t, because what follows autumn is winter. But I love watching the leaves change. It s something I ve enjoyed as long as I can remember. I was a teenager in Somerset County, PA, in the mountains and rural part. Needless to say, the colors around me in October and November were beautiful! I still like to take a drive to that area when I hear foliage is at its peak. It s worth the few cold months that follow. This year should be another busy one for our chapter. Mark your calendars for March 12, 2016, for the 4 th annual celebration of St. Patrick. The Irish Stew will make its return, plus we will have lively Irish music, and more. If you haven t experienced this event yet, do what you can to make this one! Here s wishing St. George a successful festival! Looking forward to seeing you all there. Rick Hogue AHEPA Chapter #79 President Daughters of Penelope #246 The Daughters of Penelope held their first meeting on September 14 th at St. George Church. We have plans for many activities and fundraisers throughout the year. With the start of the school year the Daughters of Penelope under the leadership of Peggy Happas and Kathy Mudrick donated back packs and school supplies to Cole Manor Elementary School and Beverly Hills Middle School to help students who can t afford to purchase them. Smiles are sure to appear on every child s face that receives these items. In addition to the school supplies, tissues, sweat pants, socks and undergarments where also donated at the request of the school nurse. The Daughters thank the chapter as well as individual sisters whose contributions made this possible. The Daughters will once again be selling Penelope s Pastries for Thanksgiving and Christmas please see order form in this bulletin to place your order. Plans are already underway for our Biennial Hat Party Luncheon which will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Concord Country Club, mark your calendar and plan to join us. More details will follow. If you would like to join the Daughters of Penelope please see any sisters. In Christ, Donna Matekovic, President

18 Pastoral Guidelines: Church Positions regarding the Sanctity of Human Life CREMATION Because the Orthodox Faith affirms the fundamental goodness of creation, it understands the body to be an integral part of the human person and the temple of the Holy Spirit, and expects the resurrection of the dead. The Church considers cremation to be the deliberate desecration and destruction of what God has made and ordained for us. The Church instead insists that the body be buried so that the natural physical process of decomposition may take place. The Church does not grant funerals, either in the sanctuary, or at the funeral home, or at any other place, to persons who have chosen to be cremated. Additionally, memorial services with kolyva (boiled wheat) are not allowed in such instances, inasmuch as the similarity between the kernel of wheat and the body has been intentionally destroyed.

19 ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE St. George Greek Orthodox Church Banquet Hall Available GREAT SUNDAY CONCORDVILLE INN ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE Contact the church Anniversaries Birthdays Corporate Training Conferences Performances Meetings Formal Events Fund-Raisers 30 East Forge Road Media PA Tel: Fax: office@stgeorgemedia.org PLACE AN AD HERE!

20 Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 30 East Forge Road Media, PA Rev. Fr. Anastasios Bourantas, Economos NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 435 MEDIA, PA Return Service Requested Mailed on September 22, 2015 SAVE THE DATE Metropolis of New Jersey Metropolitan Evangelos Ambassador Awards Program Sunday, November 1, pm to 10 pm Merion Caterers New Jersey More details to follow