The Trophybearer Parish Priest:

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1 S A I N T G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H C H U R C H S T A F F The Trophybearer Parish Priest: Fr. Michael Constantinides Parish Council President: Mary Rankin Philoptochos President: Susan Matos Sunday School Director: Deacon Paul Speed Caretaker: Jason Leon I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : January 2 Calendar President s 3 Corner Community 5 News Stewardship 6 Update Bookstore 7 News Lives of the 9- Saints 10 Test your 12 Faith V O L U M E 6 I S S U E 1 PASTORAL MESSAGE J A N U A R Y Happy New Year! We are all filled with excited expectations for the coming year. It is a time of new beginnings, yet it is also a time of reflection. As we reflect on the happenings of last year, we are thankful for so many blessings that have been bestowed upon each of us. The words thank you describe our gratitude for the many occasions that we have helped or were helped by others. Let us take a moment to discuss what one should be thankful for; why we were blessed with such good fortune; and how we should respond to those that have helped us. We should be thankful for the forgiveness of our sins. As Orthodox Christians, sin is considered a disease, not a breaking of a law. For this reason, we must receive healing of our sins through Confession and Communion. By partaking in Holy Confession and Holy Communion, we strengthen our relationship with God and our fellow man. These sacraments allow us to restore and keep the image and likeness of God along with becoming more God-like. We are called to become gods by grace. The only difference between God and man is that man Needs God! Each of us should also be thankful for our assistance on our journey to being God-like. Those people who guide us along our way include our spiritual ancestors, bishops, priests, deacons and lay people. These role models will help us, our children and grandchildren both spiritually and physically to become better Christians. Why are people blessed with guidance from others? The answer is love. The topic of love is expressed in the Eleventh Orthros Gospel, when Christ says to Peter, Do you love me? What is love? Love, agape, means etymologically selfless love, maternal love, unconditional love. Love is the key to God, because God is love. Our world was created in love. Adam fell because he had no love, or rather the wrong kind of love. The new Adam did what God wanted because he had the right kind of love. Forgiveness is the ultimate example of love. We should respond to acts of kindness by following God s example of forgiveness. The Lord s Prayer tells us that before God forgives our trespasses, we must forgive those who trespass against us. We must listen and honor those who lead their flocks. Our leaders are chosen by God and should be honored by all. In fact, we should follow those leaders in: Fasting which allows us to have a proper attitude towards our faith; Prayer which allows us to communicate with God; Confession which removes the spirit of rejecting God s grace from us and Holy Communion which puts God within us. We indeed have much to be thankful for this year. We should be thankful for God s forgiveness of our sins and restoration of His image and likeness within us. We should be thankful to our leaders, who model for us how to become closer to God and our faith. We should be thankful for the unconditional love that God gives us everyday by calling us his children. Let us live as though we are forgiven, by forgiving others. In this way we may, as St. Paul tells us, Be all things to all people that in all ways we may save a few. Fr. Michael Constantinides Parish Priest

2 January 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Fast Free The Circumcision of Our Lord Saint Basil the Great Office Closed 8:30 a.m. Orthros followed by the Fast Free 2 3 Sunday before Theophany Fast Free 8:30a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Family Worship only Fast Free 4 5 Eve of Theophany Strict Fast Day 7:00 p.m. Vesperal followed by the Blessing of the waters 6 The Theophany of Our Lord Fast Free 8:30 a.m. Orthros followed by the *Please Note: the Great Blessing of the Waters will occur following Orthros as is the ancient Tradition of the Church* 6:00 p.m. Orthodox Study Forum The Synaxis of Saint John the Baptist 8:30 a.m. Orthros followed by the 7 Fast Day Sunday after Theophany Parish Vasilopita 8:30a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Sunday School Class resume following Holy Communion Parish Council Oath of Office :00 p.m. Parish Council Meeting 13 Fast Day 10:00 a.m. Orthodox Study Forum 6:00 p.m. Orthodox Study Forum Fast Day Oil and Wine Allowed th Sunday of Luke 8:30a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Sunday School Class following Holy Communion :30 p.m. Prayer Ministry Meeting 20 Fast Day 10:00 a.m. Orthodox Study Forum 6:00 p.m. Orthodox Study Forum Fast Day th Sunday of Luke 8:30a.m. Orthros 10:00 am. Sunday School Class following Fast Day 10:00 a.m. Orthodox Study Forum 6:00 p.m. Orthodox Study Forum Fast Day 30 The Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs 8:30 a.m. Orthros followed by the Divine Liturgy 31 15th Sunday of Luke 8:30a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Sunday School Class following Holy Communion

3 V O L U M E 6 I S S U E 1 g{x VÉâÇv Ä VÉÇÇxvà ÉÇ P A G E 3 Parish Council Elections On December 6 the following parishioners were elected to twoyear terms to the Parish Council: Brad Crosson, Mariellen Crosson, Mike Patramanis, and Ken Stiegel. In addition, Dale Allison, Dennis Spurgetis, and Diana Spurgetis have agreed to be appointed to vacancies on the council after January 1 st. Those who have a year remaining on their current term are Joe Burmeister, Mary Kay Eckert, and Mary Rankin. This means there are two more vacancies on the 2016 council, and if any parishioner is interested in serving in this capacity, please contact Father Michael to learn more. The parish council wishes to thank Steve Eckert and Gus Pappas who are leaving the council at the end of December for their many years of service. Both Steve and Gus will continue to be of service on the festival committee and other endeavors. Prayer Ministry to Begin Gus Pappas will head this new ministry to be instituted in On January 19 a meeting will be held at church at 6:30 pm for people who are interested in participating in this endeavor. If you would like more information, contact Gus or Father Michael. See you on the 19th! Council Thank You Notes The council would like to thank all of the parishioners who have supported the ministries of St. George throughout the past year. We appreciate the hard work of Father Christodoulos and Father Michael in Christ s vineyard! Thank you to Jason Leon for keeping the premises so sparkling and pleasant! Thank you to the chanters, choir members and director, Sunday school teachers, Prosphoro bakers, youth workers, handymen, Philoptochos workers, senior outing organizers, festival workers, coffee hour hosts/hostesses, and on and on. Each person s contribution, be it in time, talent or treasure (or all of the above!), is greatly appreciated and furthers the mission of the church. Thank you for a wonderful 2015! Yours in Christ, Mary Rankin Mary Rankin Parish Council President Serving on the Parish Council is a sacred opportunity! If you wish to serve please contact Father Michael or Mary Rankin!

4 P A G E 4 T H E T R O P H Y B E A R E R January 3, 2016 Sunday before Theophany Alexa Florence Epistle Readers January 17, th Sunday of Luke Michael Gust January 31, th Sunday of Luke Kay Coin January 10, th Sunday of Luke Michael Pyevich January 24, th Sunday of Luke Angela Spurgetis O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall show forth your praise! Anyone interested in being an epistle reader should contact the church office! January 3, 2016 Brad Crosson, Mariellen Crosson Mike Patramanis January 10, 2016 Mary Rankin, Joe Burmeister, Ken Stiegel Parish Council Sunday Duty January 17, 2016 Brad Crosson, Mariellen Crosson Mike Patramanis January 24, 2016 Mary Kay Eckert and Mary Rankin January 31, 2016 Mary Rankin, Joe Burmeister, Ken Stiegel Coffee Hour Hosts for January 2016 Monthly Pastoral Visits Hospitals: 3 Shut-in: 9 Please keep the sick and the shutins in your prayers! January 3, 2016 hosted by: Open January 10, 2016 hosted by: Open January 17, 2016 hosted by: Open January 24, 2016 hosted by: January 31, 2016 Open Fellowship Open and fun!

5 V O L U M E 6 I S S U E 1 P A G E 5 Community News THEOPHANY CELEBRATION SCHEDULE On Tuesday, January 5, the Eve of Theophany, beginning at 7:00 p.m. we will have the Vesperal followed by the Great Blessing of the Waters The Great Blessing of the Waters on the Feast Day of Theophany, Wednesday, January 6, will take place following the 8:30 a.m. Orthros, as is the ancient Tradition of the Church (not following the ). HOUSE BLESSINGS Call Father Michael if you wish to have your house blessed. Father Michael will be blessing homes from Wednesday January 6 through the beginning of Great Lent. All appointments are on a first call first served basis, so telephone today SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Classes resume on Sunday January 10, 2015 PARISH COUNCIL NEWS The Parish Council Oath of Office will be administered and the Election of Officers will occur on Sunday January 10, 2016, following the Divine Liturgy VASILOPITA CELEBRATION Our Parish Family will be celebrating our Annual Vasilopita Celebration on January 10, HOSPITAL VISITS If you or a family member are in the hospital, please call Election News the office. Ever since the change in the privacy laws, hospitals are reluctant to call churches. Please call us so that we can avoid missing our parishioners in their time of need. PRAYER MINISTRY We are announcing a ministry that we are beginning here at Saint George that involves us praying for those who have needs, just as the Lord instructs us to. For information and to participate please contact Gus Pappas. SHUT-IN VISITATIONS Father Michael would like to know if anyone needs a home visit because they are not able to come to Church. Father visits with them once a month. Please call the church office if you know of anybody who needs a visit! Our Saint George Parish Community PRAYERS FOR OUR SHUT-INS Have we taken for granted our health? Some of our members who are no longer able to come to church would always appreciate a phone call just to say hello. Anne Allen Ted Bagatelas Thank You! Thank you to the 2015 Parish Council whose terms expired. They were: Mary Rankin, President; Mike Patramanis, Vice President; Brad Crosson, Secretary; Mary Kay Eckert, Treasurer; Joe Burmeister Steve Eckert Gus Pappas We thank you for your Service to our Saint George Family Parish Council Congratulations to the 2016 newly elected Parish Council: Joe Burmeister Brad Crosson Mariellen Crosson Mary Kay Eckert, Mike Patramanis Mary Rankin Ken Stiegel Xenia Bagatelas Helen Corelis Stella Cudworth Jim Patton Xenia Patton Janice Smirles Pat Grevas

6 P A G E 6 The New Year shows promise for the St. George Parish Sunday School. We have started the year well, and it is safe to say our numbers are up and our teachers are doing a great job. We will take a short break for the holidays, on December 27 and January 3. We will have a teacher available, however, for activities if we have any children interested in gathering. All of this has been said before, but our children have a lot of competition for Christ's message. On January 10, 2016 Vasilopita will be distributed at the end of liturgy in honor of St. Basil and best wishes for a healthy, peaceful New Year, In addition to a gift of a slice of this favorite sweet bread, some Sunday School News Nickelodeon has done a survey saying children average 35 hours of time in front of a TV a week. Web MD will tell you our children need at least nine hours of sleep a day, or 63 hours a week. The school day runs close to 40 hours a week. This very rough estimate tells us they have about 30 hours a week for everything else in their lives. That very rough estimate tells us how vital it is that our children are church every Sunday (and other services when possible), Vasilopita 2016 lucky person will be the recipient of a hidden Vasilopita coin. Tradition tells that this coin will bring you a blessed new year. Of course, in honor of St. Basil a special collection will be taken at the end of liturgy to help support the academy bearing his name in Garrison, New York. And if this isn t enough, we will also hold a raffle for the extra loaves of bread. Each loaf will contain a wrapped coin to share with your family. and in Sunday School. We have little time to pass on our faith to the next generation; let's not allow a single opportunity to pass us by. We will have some special events for Sunday School children in the coming spring; be ready to take advantage of these opportunities to nurture our faith in the next generation. Deacon Paul Tickets will be sold at the bookstore (Stavro Logo for those who do not remember our name) beginning January 3rd and following liturgy January 10 th. Father Michael will draw the winning ticket(s) in the green room. Cost of each ticket is one ticket for $5.00, three tickets for $ T H E T R O P H Y B E A R E R St. Philip the Deacon is the patron saint of Religious Education. He was an inspired evangelist and teacher whose missionary work brought a multitude of new believers to Christ in Samaria and other cities. along the coast of Palestine Welcome! Please join Father Michael in welcoming a new family among us: John and Jennifer Kay as well their children!

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8 P A G E Stewards T H E T R O P H Y B E A R E R Father and Presbytera Michael Constantinides Deacon and Deaconess Paul Speed Father and Presbytera Chris Matos Jorg and Basema Alias Anne Allen Marcia Allen Ray and Connie Allen Dale and JoElaine Allison Jeff and Elaine Amidon John and Pat Andrews Mike and Nancy Avgenackis Paul and Christine Bagatelas Polly Bagatelas Ted and Karen Bagatelas Tom and Jenny Bakeris Georgena Barnes Pascal Booras Frances Bourboulas Spiro Bruskas Elaine Burmeister Joe Burmeister John and Darcy Callas Emily Caras Peter and Becky Caras Carol Chickris George and Nancy Coin Harry G. and Susan Coin Harry S. and Paula Coin Nick and Nancy Coin Stan and Kay Coin Helen Corelis John and Shan Corelis Brad and Mariellen Crosson Cleo Dalamaggas Mrs. Sam Demou Niki Doty Angeline Douglas Angela and Sean Doyle Steve and Mary Kay Eckert Daniel and Mari Elias Maurice and Sue Elias Tony and Candace Elias Paul and Cathy Farrell Edward Filip Scott and Alexa Florence Elaine Froumis Jim Gartelos John and Randi Gartelos Carol Gillian George Gnatovich Steven Goodell Nick Grevas Pat Grevas Mary Jane Griffin Michael Gust Pete and Arlene Gust Gus and Irene Harb Nidal Harb Vanessa Hayden-Porter J.P. and Andrea Jacobs Nick and Claudette Jannes Tim and Kathy Joannides Scot and Adrienne Johnson Candice Kalman Georgia Kalomas Louis and Amanda Kantzavelos George and Diane Karoules Chris and Lennice Kavallieros John and Jennifer Kay Ermioni Keber Quinn and Anne Kirkpatrick Deborah Kutsunis George and Linda Kutsunis Ted and Debra Kutsunis Chris and Nikki Lebessis Jennifer Lensgraf Joan Lensgraf Jason Leon Von Lillios Darlene Lingris Tassos Liras Dena Manta Emmanuel and Tracy Mathews Nancy Mathews Peter and Susan Matos John and Linnea Mekus Helen Moorhead Steve Morgan Ken and Pam Mott John Natsis Marguerite Nelson Anthony and Marianne Nichols Pauline Nichols Scott and Leesa Palmer Demetrios and Kathy Papageorgiou Maria Papageorgiou Chris Pappas Gus and Kerri Pappas Judy Pappas Matt and Lori Pappas Nick Pappas Tim Pappas George and Alexia Patramanis Mike and Vickie Patramanis Angela Perantinos Marina Pikis Demetrios Pliakos Mike and Vickie Pyevich Mary Rankin Jovanka Rastovic David Ray Alex Reese Dennis and Marina Reese Effie Skafidas Frank J. and Mary Jane Skafidas Janice Smirles Gordon and Helen Smith Randy and Chris Smith Angela Spurgetis Colette Spurgetis Dennis and Nancy Spurgetis Diana Spurgetis Helen Spurgetis Lucille Spurgetis Mary Spurgetis Nick and Fran Spurgetis Ken and Helen Stiegel John and Martha Stratton Marge Stratton Marlowe Suess James and Elizabeth Teros Veronica Tolescu Gus and Virginia Tripilas Ellen Tsagaris James Tsagaris Ted Vlahos Frank Vretis Bill and Diane Whitehead Kim and Mary Winters Kulla Wiss John and Joanna Zaimes We are deeply grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ for our faithful and committed Stewards. Listed here are the individuals/ families who pledged their commitment in 2015!

9 V O L U M E 6 I S S U E 1 P A G E Stewards Father and Presbytera Michael Constantinides Deacon and Deaconess Paul Speed Dale and JoElaine Allison Jeff and Elaine Amidon John and Pat Andrews Mike and Nancy Avgenackis Tom and Jenny Bakeris Diane Breckon John and Darcy Callas George and Nancy Coin Harry G. and Susan Coin Nick and Nancy Coin Helen Corelis John and Shan Corelis Brad and Mariellen Crosson Cleo Dalamaggas Steve and Mary Kay Eckert George Gnatovich Mike Gust Pete and Arlene Gust Nick and Claudette Jannes Tim and Kathy Joannides Scot and Adrienne Johnson Georgia Kalomas Louis and Amanda Kantzavelos George and Diane Karoules Jason Leon John and Jennifer Kay Deborah Kutsunis Ted and Debra Kutsunis Von Lillios Darlene Lingris Nancy Mathews John and Linnea Mekus Anthony and Marianne Nichols Pauline Nichols Dimitri and Kathy Papageorgiou Mike and Vickie Patramanis Jimmie Pliakos Mike and Vickie Pyevich Mary Rankin David Ray Effie Skafidas Randy and Chris Smith Angela Spurgetis Colette Spurgetis Dennis and Nancy Spurgetis Ken and Helen Stiegel John and Martha Stratton Marge Stratton James and Elizabeth Teros Veronica Tolescu Frank Vretis Bill and Diane Whitehead Kim and Mary Winters There is your brother, naked and crying! And you stand confused over choice of floor covering. St. Gregory of Nyssa

10 P A G E 1 0 The Circumcision of the Lord (January 1) The Circumcision of the Lord On the eighth day after His Nativity, our Lord Jesus Christ was circumcised in accordance with the Old Testament Law. All male infants underwent circumcision as a sign of God s Covenant with the holy Forefather Abraham and his descendants (Gen. 17:10-14, Lev. 12:3). After this ritual the Divine Infant was given the name Jesus, as the Archangel Gabriel declared on the day of the Annunciation to the Most Holy Theotokos (Luke Wherever we live, we observe two common items made of glass: windows and mirrors. We look through a window but at a mirror. A mirror simply reflects what is in front of it. We look, in a mirror to see how we look, but we don't need a 1:31-33, 2:21). The Fathers of the Church explain that the Lord, the Creator of the Law, underwent circumcision in order to give people an example of how faithfully the divine ordinances ought to be fulfilled. The Lord was circumcised so that later no one would doubt that He had truly assumed human flesh, and that His Incarnation was not merely an illusion, as certain heretics (Docetists) taught. In the New Testament, the ritual of circumcision gave way to the Mystery of Baptism, which it prefigured (Col. 2:11-12). Accounts of the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord continue in the Eastern Church right up through the fourth century. The Canon of the Feast was written by St Stephen of the St Sava Monastery (October 28 and July 13). Thoughts to Ponder mirror to see how other people look; we need a window. Our life style can be like a window or like a mirror. "Window" people look beyond themselves, at other people, at the world. "Mirror" people see only themselves. In addition to circumcision, which the Lord accepted as a sign of God s Covenant with mankind, He also received the Name Jesus (Savior) on the eighth day after His Nativity as an indication of His service, the work of the salvation of the world (Mt.1:21; Mark 9:38-39, 16:17; Luke 10:17; Acts 3:6, 16; Phil 2:9-10). These two events, the Lord s Circumcision and Naming, remind Christians that they have entered into a New Covenant with God and are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ (Col. 2:11). The very name Christian is a sign of mankind s entrance into a New Covenant with God. Therein lies their misery. Christ and His followers are "window" people. T h r o u g h C h r i s t i a n stewardship they find life's highest joy in helping support God's work in the world through His Church T H E T R O P H Y B E A R E R Send your treasures to the heavenly storage room. Deposit your wealth in God s Bank, distributing it to the poor, the orphans and the widows, so that you can receive a million times more in the Second coming of Christ Saint Joseph the Hesychast

11 V O L U M E 6 I S S U E 1 P A G E 1 1 The Theophany of the Lord (January 6) Theophany is the Feast which reveals the Most Holy Trinity to the world through the Baptism of the Lord (Mt.3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22). God the Father spoke from Heaven about the Son, the Son was baptized by St John the Forerunner, and the Holy Spirit descended upon the Son in the form of a dove. From ancient times this Feast was called the Day of Illumination and the Feast of Lights, since God is Light and has appeared to illumine "those who sat in darkness," and "in the region of the shadow of death" (Mt.4:16), and to save the fallen race of mankind by grace. In the ancient Church it was the custom to baptize catechumens at the Vespers of Theophany, so that Baptism also is revealed as the spiritual illumination of mankind. The origin of the Feast of Theophany goes back to Apostolic times, and it is mentioned in The Apostolic Constitutions (Book V:13). From the second century we have the testimony of St Clement of Alexandria concerning the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, and the night vigil before this Feast. There is a third century dialogue about the services for Theophany between the holy martyr Hippolytus and St Gregory the Wonderworker. In the following centuries, from the fourth to ninth century, all the great Fathers of the Church: Gregory the Theologian, J o h n C h r y s o s t o m, Ambrose of Milan, John of Damascus, commented on the Feast of Theophany. The monks Joseph the Studite, Theophanes and Byzantios composed much liturgical music for this Feast, which is sung at Orthodox services even today. St John of Damascus said that the Lord was baptized, not because He Himself had need for cleansing, but "to bury human sin by water," to fulfill the Law, to reveal the mystery of the Holy Trinity, and finally, to sanctify "the nature of water" and to offer us the form and example of Baptism. On the Feast of the Baptism of Christ, the Holy Church proclaims our faith in the most sublime mystery, incomprehensible to human intellect, of one God in three Persons. It teaches us to confess and glorify the Holy Trinity, one in Essence and Indivisible. It exposes and overthrows the errors of ancient teachings which attempted to explain the Creator of the world by reason, and in human terms. The Church shows the necessity of Baptism for believers in Christ, and it inspires us with a sense of deep gratitude for the illumination and purification of our sinful nature. The Church teaches that our salvation and cleansing from sin is possible only by the power of the grace of the Holy Spirit, therefore it is necessary to preserve worthily these gifts of the grace of holy Baptism, keeping clean this priceless garb, for "As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ" (Gal 3:27). On the day of Theophany, all foods are permitted, even if the Feast falls on a Wednesday or Friday. The Theophany of our Lord Feeding the hungry is a greater work than raising the dead. St. John Chrysostom

12 P A G E 1 2 T H E T R O P H Y B E A R E R The Apostle Timothy The Holy Apostle Timothy was from the Lycaonian city of Lystra in Asia Minor. St Timothy was converted to Christ in the year 52 by the holy Apostle Paul (June 29). When the Apostles Paul and Barnabas first visited the cities of Lycaonia, St Paul healed one crippled from birth. Many of the inhabitants of Lystra then believed in Christ, and In the Orthodox Church, there are many customs and traditions that are an important part of our worship. Some are cultural and some are pious customs. Some are essential and some are not. From time-totime, we need to address some of these various etiquette issues to better inform the faithful THE IMPORTANCE OF PUNCTUALITY The time to arrive at Church is before the service starts. If you arrive after the begins, try to enter the Church quietly and observe what is The Apostle Timothy (January 22) among them was the future St Timothy, his mother Eunice and grandmother Loida (Lois) (Acts 14:6-12; 2 Tim. 1:5). The seed of faith, planted in St Timothy s soul by the Apostle Paul, brought forth abundant fruit. He became St Paul s disciple, and later his constant companion and co-worker in the preaching of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul loved St Timothy and in his Epistles called him his beloved son, remembering his devotion and fidelity with gratitude. He wrote to Timothy: You have followed my teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, and patience (2 Tim. 3:10-11). The Apostle Paul appointed St Timothy as Bishop of Ephesus, where the saint remained for fifteen years. Finally, when St Church Etiquette happening. If the Epistle or Gospel is being read or the Little or Great Entrance is taking place, wait until it is finished to quickly find a seat. Try not to interrupt the Liturgy by your entrance. The best way to avoid this situation is to arrive on time. LET US ATTEND In some Orthodox cultures, crossing one s leg is taboo and considered to be disrespectful. In our American culture, while there are no real taboos, we tend to cross our legs to get comfortable when sitting. Crossing one s legs in Church is Paul was in prison and awaiting martyrdom, summoned his faithful friend, St Timothy, for a last farewell (2 Tim. 4:9). St Timothy ended his life as a martyr. The pagans of Ephesus celebrated a festival in honor of their idols, and used to carry them through the city, accompanied by impious ceremonies and songs. St Timothy, zealous for the glory of God, attempted to halt the procession and reason with the spiritually blind idolworshipping people, by preaching the true faith in Christ. The pagans angrily fell upon the holy apostle, they beat him, dragged him along the ground, and finally, they stoned him. St Timothy s martyrdom occurred in the year 93. not permitted, not because it is wrong, but rather because it is too casual and relaxed for being in Church. Remember, sitting in Church is a concession, not the normative way of prayer. You surely do not want to get too relaxed and let your mind drift off. In fact when you do sit in Church, you should sit attentively. Keep both feet on the floor, ready to stand at attention, which is what let us attend means. If you change from inhumanity to almsgiving, you have stretched forth the hand that was withered. If you withdraw from theaters and go to church, you have cured the lame foot. If you draw back your eyes from a harlot... you have opened them when they were blind... These are the greatest miracles. St. John Chrysostom

13 V O L U M E 6 I S S U E 1 P A G E 1 3 Answers to Last Month s Test Your Faith Service and Liturgical Books Across 3. The service book containing the canons and hymns of the eight tones or modes of Byzantine Music i s c a l l e d the. 5. This liturgical book contains instructions about the order of the various Church services and ceremonies in the form of a perpetual calendar. 6. A brief biography of a saint read in the church on occasions of his feast day is called the. 8. This liturgical book contains all the prayers, hymns and services performed during the period of fifty days between Easter and Pentecost. 9. This liturgical book contains the prayers and ceremonial order of the various church services including the for the priest. 10. The Greek term for the Gospel Book is the. Down 1. A liturgical book containing the hymns, prayers and services of the movable feast before Easter, beginning with the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee until Easter Sunday. 2. The liturgical Book containing the various Apostolic (Epistle) Readings is called the. 4. The Liturgical book containing the different services and prayers of the hours of the day is called. 7. A liturgical book containing the lives of the saints and the special hymns (Stichera) for the feast-days of the Orthodox Saints. It is divined into twelve volumes, one for each month.

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15 TRUE OR FALSE 1. In the Orthodox Church, we feel that material things are bad and only spiritual things are good. 2. The bishops acting within the church are not capable of making mistakes they are infallible. 3. The Orthodox Church believes that God is one in substance but three in persons. 4. Christ was born perfect God and perfect man. 5. The Orthodox Church allows only one baptism. 6. The Virgin Mary is the Birth-giver of Christ the Man and not of Christ God. 7. The salvation of man needs the cooperation between God and man. 8. We fast because we are commanded to do so by Christ; fasting starves the body to feed the soul and brings us closer to God. Test Your Faith... TRUE OR FALSE The book of the Acts of the Apostles tells us how the first Christians lived and worshiped God. Mark True or False after the following sentences: 1. The first Christians were of one heart and soul. 2. They shared everything they had. 3. They had their worship gatherings only in the Temple of Solomon. 4. The Feast of Love (Agape) was a part of their worship. 5. The Feast of Love was a Jewish custom that the Christians kept. 6. They kept the Sabbath as the most important day of their public worship. Below are some of the names of the disciples. Can you find them in this puzzle? Andrew James John Judas Matthew Peter Philip Simon Thomas S A M O H T P H I L I P W J S R E L E P A T C J H N E M O W T R S H E G T W N R Q S A T D C R O M N O M I S A S A D U J