You are the voice of Christ in a changing world - A Recap of the Clergy-Laity Congress

Transcription

1 August Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida (850) Rev. Fr. Robert J. O Loughlin You are the voice of Christ in a changing world - A Recap of the Clergy-Laity Congress Excerpts from goarch.org: The following ministries, departments and committees presented their reports: Stewardship- Outreach and Evangelism, Religious Education, Greek Education, Administration, Finance, Center for Family Care, Office of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations, Leadership 100, Youth and Young Adults Ministries, Communications, Hellenic College Holy Cross, Chaplaincy and National Philoptochos. Within the scope of the Administration Committee, three amendments to the Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America were presented and following extensive discussion were approved. The amendments are on Conflicts Disclosure Policy, Whistle-blower policy and Youth protection. Additionally a Financial Disclosure Amendment to the Uniform Parish Regulations was approved. Several resolutions were adapted by the Congress and included: a resolution proposed by the Order of St. Andrew Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Religious Freedom, a resolution regarding Hagia Sophia, that deplores the use of Hagia Sophia for conducting Muslim services, opposes any plans to convert it into a Mosque and calls for it to remain as a museum. Also a resolution on terrorism was adapted which deplores the innocent killing of civilians by terrorists affiliated with radical terrorist groups and condemns those who kill others in the name of religion. In a separate resolution the 43rd Clergy Laity Congress applauds the presence and functioning of the Assembly of Bishops of the United States; calls upon all Orthodox Christians to support the Assembly of Bishops to foster greater unity and coordination of Orthodox Christianity in America; and calls upon all Orthodox Churches in America to work together on the ministries of the Church and serve as a common witness in the secular society of today. Finally, a resolution of thanks was adapted expressing gratitude to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and all those who contributed to the success of the Congress. (see available documents on May you and your families continue to have a blessed summer, +Fr. Robert

2 Page 2 If an emergency or special need should arise, please contact Fr. Rob immediately at Our next ECHO Sundays are August 7th and September 4th. Please drop off your non-perishable food donations into the bins located in the Hellenic Center and Patmos Hall. Save the Date! Friday evening September 9th Community gathering and fellowship In the Hellenic Center More information to follow Congratulations to the Gutierrez family on their Chrismation to the Orthodox Church on Sun. July 3rd and their sponsor Rima Hatoum. Registration for Church School, GOYA, JOY, OCF, and Greek Dancing will be held following the on: Sunday, August 28th in the Hellenic Center. We look forward to our first GOYA outing of the new ecclesiastical year. This ministry provides teenagers time for fellowship, growth in faith, and opportunities for outreach. Saturday, Sept. 17th - Outing to Wild Adventures

3 7 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Orthros 9:30 am & 10:30 am ECHO Parish Council Meeting 5:30 pm Paraklesis Paraklesis 13 Holy Transfiguration Great Vespers 5 pm Page 3 14 Orthros 9:30 am & 10:30 am Great Vespers of the Dormition of the Theotokos 5 pm 21 Orthros 9:30 am & 10:30 am 28 Orthros 9:30 am & 10:30 am Youth Ministry Registration 15 Dormition of the Theotokos Beheading of St. John the Baptist Fr. Rob away from July 31st - August 5th 30 Choir Practice Choir Practice Choir Practice Festival Baking Festival Baking Great Vespers 5 pm Pangari Schedule for August *Denotes a 9:30 start time 08/07 - Fetzko*/Joanos/Gorb (c) 08/14 - Mathes*/Poulos/Atayants (c) 08/21 - Eudy*/Branch/Perrigan (c) 08/28 - Atayants*/Fetzko/Joanos (c) 09/04 - Perrigan*/Branch/Poulos (c) Calendar Symbol Key + = Strict Fast = Wine and Oil allowed = Dairy & eggs allowed = Father Away AUGUST 2016 s = Fish Allowed

4 Page 4 Excerpts from the MESSAGE OF THE HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH To the Orthodox people and to all people of good will To God, "the Father of mercies and all comfort," we address a hymn of thanksgiving and praise for having enabled us to gather during the week of Pentecost (18-26 June 2016) on Crete, where the Apostle Paul and his disciple Titus preached the Gospel in the early years of the life of the Church. We give thanks to the Triune God who was well pleased that in one accord we should bring to a conclusion the work of the Holy and Great Council that was convoked by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch. Bartholomew by the common will of their Beatitudes the Primates of the local Orthodox Autocephalous Churches. Faithfully following the example of the Apostles and our god-bearing Fathers we have once again studied the Gospel of freedom "for which Christ has set us free" (Gal. 5: 1). The foundation of our theological discussions was the certainty that the Church does not live for herself. She transmits the witness of the Gospel of grace and truth and offers to the whole world the gifts of God: love, peace, justice, reconciliation, the power of the Cross and of the Resurrection and the expectation of eternal life. 1) The key priority of the Council was to proclaim the unity of the Orthodox Church. Founded on the Eucharist and the Apostolic Succession of her Bishops, the existing unity needs to be strengthened and to bear new fruits. The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is a divine-human communion, a foretaste and experience of the eschaton within the Holy Eucharist. As a continuous Pentecost, she is a prophetic voice that cannot be silenced, the presence of and witness to the Kingdom of the God of love. The Orthodox Church, faithful to the unanimous Apostolic Tradition and her sacramental experience, is the authentic continuation of the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church as confessed in the Creed and confirmed by the teaching of the Church Fathers. Our Church lives out the mystery of the Divine Economy in her sacramental life, with the Holy Eucharist at its center. The Orthodox Church expresses her unity and catholicity "in Council". Conciliarity pervades her organization, the way decisions are taken and determines her path. The Orthodox Autocephalous Churches do not constitute a federation of Churches, but the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Each local Church as she offers the holy Eucharist is the local presence and manifestation of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. In regard to the Orthodox Diaspora in various countries of the world, it was decided to continue with the institution of Episcopal Assemblies until such time as canonical rigor can be implemented. These assemblies are composed of the canonical bishops appointed by each Autocephalous Church and these bishops continue to remain subject to their respective Churches. The due function of these Episcopal Assemblies guarantees respect for the Orthodox principle of conciliarity. During the deliberations of the Holy and Great Council the importance of the Synaxes of the Primates which had taken place was emphasized and the proposal was made for the Holy and Great Council to become a regular Institution to be convened every seven or ten years. 2) Participating in the Holy Eucharist and praying for the whole world, we must continue the 'liturgy after the ' and give the witness of faith to those near and those far off, in accordance with the Lord's clear command before His ascension, "And you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth (Ac. 1: 8). The re-evangelization of God's people in modern, secularized societies and the evangelization of those who have still not come to know Christ remain an unceasing obligation for the Church. 3) In response to her obligation to witness to the truth and her apostolic faith, our Church attaches great importance to dialogue, primarily with non Orthodox Christians. In this way the remainder of the Christian world comes to know more precisely the authenticity of the Orthodox Tradition, the value of patristic teaching and the liturgical life and faith of the Orthodox. The dialogues conducted by the Orthodox Church never imply a compromise in matters of faith. Continued on page 5

5 Page 5 4) The explosions of fundamentalism observed within various religions represent an expression of morbid religiosity. Sober inter-religious dialogue helps significantly to promote mutual trust, peace and reconciliation. The oil of religious experience must be used to heal wounds and not to rekindle the fire of military conflicts. The Orthodox Church unequivocally condemns the extension of military violence, persecutions, the expulsion and murder of members of religious minorities, forced conversions, the trafficking of refugees, the abductions, torture and abhorrent executions. She denounces the destruction of churches, religious symbols and cultural monuments. Very particularly, she expresses her deep concern about the situation of Christians and of all the persecuted minorities in the Middle East. She calls on the governments in the region to protect the indigenous Orthodox and other Christians and all the populations who have an inalienable right to remain in their countries as citizens with equal rights. Our Council appeals to all parties involved to make systematic efforts without delay to bring to an end the military conflicts in the Middle East and wherever armed hostilities persist and to enable all those displaced to return to their homes. We address our appeal particularly to those in positions of power to act so that peace and justice may prevail in the countries of origin of the refugees. We urge the civil authorities, the citizens and the Orthodox Christians in the countries in which the persecuted are taking refuge to continue to offer help to the limit or even beyond the limit of their abilities. 5) Modern secularisation seeks the autonomy of man (anthropos) from Christ and from the spiritual influence of the Church, which it arbitrarily identifies with conservatism. Western civilization, however, bears the indelible mark of the diachronic contribution of Christianity. The Church, moreover, highlights the saving significance of Christ, the God-man, and of His Body, as the place and mode of life in freedom. 6) In contrast to the contemporary approach to marriage, the Orthodox Church regards the indissoluble loving relationship of man and woman as "a great mystery... of Christ and the Church". Similarly, she calls the family which springs from this and which constitutes the only guarantee for the upbringing of children a "little church". The Church has always emphasised the value of self-restraint. Christian asceticism, however, differs radically from every dualistic asceticism which severs man from life and from his fellow man. On the contrary, she connects this with the sacramental life of the Church. Self-restraint does not concern only the monastic life. The ascetic ethos is a characteristic of Christian life in all its manifestations. Let us pray that "the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory in Christ, will, after we have suffered a little, Himself restore, establish, and strengthen and settle us. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter ). Bartholomew of Constantinople, Chairman Theodoros of Alexandria Theophilos of Jerusalem Irinej of Serbia Daniel of Romania Chrysostomos of Cyprus Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland Anastasios of Tirana, Durres and All Albania Rastislav of Presov, the Czech Lands and Slovakia * all other 153 hierarchs, including His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios,that were present at the Holy and Great Council also signed this document.

6 Page 6 hmogphil@comcast.net Visit us also On Holy Mother of God Philoptochos Society of Tallahassee, Florida LOOKING AHEAD September Starts a Brand New Year! Philoptochos Membership Brunch: (To Be Announced) Next Meeting: September (To Be Announced) Our board will be meeting soon to finish up on our plans for this coming year, and you will be seeing announcements in the Sunday Handouts and the September Monthly Bulletin. It s hard to believe that August is already here and the beginning of school for so many is just around the corner, but much has been accomplished by our Church over the summer. Many of our Philoptochos members have been busy helping in the preparations for our Greek Food Festival coming up October 21 & 22, and we are well on our way! Our Philoptochos Chapter would like to invite those of you who are interested in becoming members to come, learn and find joy in the work you will be doing as you become a part of this exciting philanthropic arm of our Church. We want to make Philoptochos more fulfilling and rewarding for both the giver and the receiver. Our example can inspire and excite those who are to follow in the future. This is a challenge worth taking by all of us. Not a Philoptochos member yet - you can join now! St. JOHN THE DIVINE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH CENTENNIAL WEEKEND His Eminence Geron Archbishop Demetrios of America, His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Reverend Dr. Nicholas Louh, Reverend Dr. Milton Magos and our church family invite you to celebrate 100 years of ministry in Jacksonville. Along with our esteemed guests, we also welcome Keynote Speaker and Greek Orthodox sister-in Christ, the reigning Miss America, Betty Cantrell. GRAND BANQUET SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH Prime Osborn Convention Center (Black tie optional) $100 per ticket Free Valet Parking (tip not included) Tickets Go on Sale May 8th Seating "First Come, First Served" His Eminence Geron Archbishop Demetrios of America His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta To purchase tickets - please go to our website StJohntheDivine100.com SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH 9:00 AM Memorial Service at Evergreen Cemetery to Honor our Ancestors 10:30 AM Celebration at our New Church Property, hors d'eouvres served 5:00 PM Cocktail Hour Followed by Grand Banquet Featuring Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Alexios, Civil and State Dignitaries and Keynote Speaker Miss America Betty Cantrell 2016 Miss America Betty (Baciliky) Cantrell Matt Boyd Photography SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH 9:00 AM Orthros Morning Service 10:00 AM Hierarchical followed by Church-sponsored Luncheon 6:00 PM Hierarchical Great Vespers Service followed by reception MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH 9:00 AM Hierarchical Liturgy for the Feast Day of St. John the Divine

7 Page Greek Festival Oct. 21st & 22nd Baking Dates 9:00 am start time Pastitsio -- July 30th Dolmathes -- August 20th Koulourakia - August 27th Baklava - September 15th, 16th, and 17th Paximadia - September 21st Kourambiedes - September 24th Galatoboureko - October 8th Rice Pudding - October 19th Please note: Baking dates and times are subject to change GREEK FESTIVAL OCTOBER 21ST & 22ND BOOTH & TASK ASSIGNMENTS BOOTH/TASK CHAIR KITCHEN - FOODS - SUPPLIES KITCHEN - SOUVLAKI A'LA CART - GREEK FRIES - SOUVLAKI DINNER TICKETS DINNERS EXPEDITING DIRECTIONAL & VENUE SIGNAGE GRECIAN DELIGHT & ATM GYRO KAFENIO - Outside KAFENIO - Inside PASTRIES PEPSI WAGON TAVERNA - Outside TAVERNA - Inside SET UP TEAM SANITATION SUVENIRS/INFO DESK/VENDORS PERMITING & COMPLIENCE PUBLICITY & MARKETING VOLUNTEERS' REGISTRATION FACILITATORS Richard Allen Johnnie Patronis Nick Joanos & Stephanie Joanos White Dorothy Downing Electra Bustle & Pete Koikos George & Helen Buzyna Becky Pettijohn, Joanna & Don Erikson Manny Joanos Tommy Kiger & Jonathan Truong Jorge Gorb & Lara Ilin Mary & Vicky Gavalas Sara Hill Athena & Bob Gill James & Sophie Garland Jeff Phipps Jeff Phipps & Jimmy Branch Stamie Joanos Catherine Branch Vicki Catsimpiris & Pete Koikos Catherine Branch & Stamie Joanos Pete Koikos, Glen Perrigan & Richard Allen Preparations for the festival are at full swing. Please come and assist with the festival cooking which begins at. Even if all you can give is a small amount of time it is greatly appreciated. Also, please remember to sign up for volunteering with Catherine Branch for Friday and Saturday, October 21 & 22. We hope to see you at our next baking! OPA! AHEPA Luncheon Sunday, September 11th For the observance for the Elevation of the Cross and beginning the new school year! ADULTS. $10.00 For STUDENTS and CHILDREN is FREE Chicken Kabob over Rice Pilaf & Greek Salad Bread, Coffee, Tea and Dessert

8 Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, Florida Return Service Requested Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, FL Office: Hall: Fr. Rob s Cell: Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Celebrated August 6th Website: Addresses: Father Rob: fr.robert@comcast.net Church Secretary: hmog@comcast.net Secretary Hours: Mon./Wed./Fri. 9am-2pm