March Volume 9, Issue 3

Transcription

1 March 2014 Volume 9, Issue 3 March 2014 Page

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: John Bostinelos Worship Hours: Sundays: Weekdays: Esperinos: Thursdays: Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 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 Sunday School: Following Holy Communion Greek School: Wednesdays from 4:30 5:30 p.m. Greek Dance: Wednesdays from 5:30 6:00 p.m. Bible Study: Thursdays from 8:30 9:30 a.m. Blessed Darkness (Adult Education): Thursdays from 7:00 8:00 p.m. March 2014 Page 2

3 Table of Contents Registry Page 4 Father s Message Page 5 President s Message Page 6 Stewardship Page 7 Philoptochos Page 8-9 Ministries Page Great Lent Page Services Page Confessions Page Church & Metropolis News Page 26 Church Staff Parish Priest/ Editor: Rev. Fr. Dimitri Tobias Parish Council President: John Bostinelos Office Volunteer: Mary Sharp Philoptochos President: Mary Baryo Greek School Director: Janet Antonopoulos Youth Director: Dean & Amy Karras Stewardship: John Vlahoulis O.P.A. Shanda Antonopoulos Peter K. Ladeas Cancer Support Group Sonia Jones Calendar Page 27 Pictures Page Posters Page Coffee Hour Page 36 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? March 2014 Page 3

4 Registry and Vital Statistics Baptisms: Dionysios Valantis Holevas Saturday, February 22 Godparent: Angela Konidas Chrismations: Weddings: Funerals Να ζή σετε! Να εί στε ευτυχίσμε νοί! ζωή σε σας March 2014 Page 4

5 Father Dimitri s Message My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Let the mouth also fast from disgraceful speeches and railings. For what does it profit if we abstain from fish and fowl and yet bite and devour our brothers and sisters? The evil speaker eats the flesh of his brother and bites the body of his neighbor. John Chrysostom In this time of fasting and prayer, brethren, let us with all our hearts forgive anything real or imaginary we have against anyone. May we all devote ourselves to love, and let us consider one another as an incentive to love and do good works, speaking in defense of one another, having good thoughts and dispositions within us before God and men. In this way, our fasting will be laudable and blameless, and our requests to God while we fast will be readily received. We shall rightly call upon Him as our Father by grace and we can boldly say to Him, Father, forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors (Matt. 6:12). -St. Gregory Palamas As we read from these two holy Fathers, the fast is much more than simply abstaining from certain foods. If anything, from what I have seen over time, is that fasting has two very dangerous results if not done prayerfully and with attention. First, the one who fasts most strictly begins to look at others who are not fasting and looks down upon them. He judges them for their weakness and somehow thinks himself righteous because he has fasted from meat and dairy, as though keeping the fast is the highest spiritual height. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand (Romans 14:4). The second danger is that fasting can make us irritable. Not used to our new diets and stressed about our options we become increasingly angry. Some have said to me they would rather not fast if it is going to make them into monsters. My brothers and sisters in Christ, the fast is made holy through the three pillars of the Great Lent: Fasting, Prayer, and Almsgiving. 1. Fasting teaches us discipline and gives us focus. It is a wonderful tool of obedience and self control. 2. Prayer teaches us our love for God and as such Great Lent offers us many opportunities to increase our prayers through Great Compline, The Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, and the Salutations to the Theotokos. Fasting without these prayers is empty. 3. Almsgiving teaches us to love our neighbor and obey the command of Judgment Sunday to take care of every person as though he/she is Christ Himself. Like a Three-Legged Stool, if one leg is too short or too long, the seat has no stability. We must increase all in equal measure to make our journey through Great and Holy Lent fruitful and blessed. I pray our journey to Pascha will be one of love and dedication. I remain your servant in Christ, Please visit our website! Listen to classes, sermons, reflections online Fr. Dimitri Tobias, Proistamenos March 2014 Page 5

6 President s Message I received a call from a parishioner the other day which both surprised and pleased me at the same time. He called to offer some promotional suggestions after reading January s Koinonia. The call made me think about where we ve been and where we re going. There s an old adage that says If you always do what you ve always done, you ll always get what you always got. This brings me right back to the Grecian Dinners. What can we do to improve or make more interesting our menu and how can we promote it more effectively? Other churches serve their dinners cafeteria style to add some interest to their programs. Like the food or not, you can take what you like and go back if you re still hungry. Takes less labor too. How about offering choices such as chicken and souvlakia, spanakopita and Greek potatoes, fasolakia and doulmades. Serve it cafeteria style. How about featuring pastitsio instead of souvlakia How about writing down all names and addresses on checks we receive to develop a future mailing list. How about expanding our business mailing list by using the phone book. Tom Eliades did a great job of selling tickets to businesses but he s gone and so are a lot of ticket sales. Gust Segos did very well on ticket sales too. We need people to step up and do what our former members did or find another way to penetrate our market. Mary Sharp has been pushing us to do a take -out dinner only. Maybe the time for her idea has arrived. We find it easy to stay in our well-established routine. If we continue to do so we will get what we ve always got maybe a lot less. To be blunt, I believe the Grecian dinner as we know it is losing its appeal and we need a primer to get it moving again. Yes, changing our routine is difficult and can be a lot of work. Well, just who are we working for; it s the good financial health of our church. Our AHEPA Chapter is hosting the 2014 AHEPA convention one week following the Festival. Their goal is to assign some profit from the convention to the National AHEPA program which is assisting starving families in Greece. It s claimed that $10,000 will feed 500 families of 4 for 3 months. National AHEPA has raised $160,000 so far. AHEPA supported Holy Trinity when we hosted the Clergy Laity Conference. Let s support AHEPA S efforts too. John Bostinelos 2014, Parish Council President March 2014 Page 6

7 Stewardship Time-Talent-Treasure Normally on this page you would receive a message from John Bostinelos regarding Stewardship. John would inform you of the current stewardship situation in our community, maybe even tell you a story. John has been elected President of the Parish Council and has asked me to continue his message. So, in essence, this is the tale of two Johns. When most of us hear the word Stewardship, almost automatically the issue of money comes to mind. Many think the monetary value each of us gives to a group or community is the only Stewardship the group or community seek. With the stroke of a pen sometimes we are easily swayed by the convenience of thinking this will take care of it. The monetary value of Stewardship is the easiest part of the WHOLE Stewardship package! With a few strokes of the pen..poof! Done! This year s Stewardship theme comes from St. John Chrysostom. A RICH man is not one who has much...but one who GIVES much. For what he gives remains his FOREVER. WOW! What a powerful statement!! What an avenue to make each of us realize that there is SO MUCH MORE to Stewardship than the monetary value we too often think of!!! Our parish community has so many avenues for each of us to expand our thoughts on Stewardship. This was well demonstrated at the recent Cutting and Distribution of the Vasilopita which was held upstairs in the sanctuary. I did not fully realize that there are now SO MANY different ministries which each of us could support and be a part of! I invite you to join the Stewardship Committee in the coming weeks as we look at the 3 T s of Stewardship. Time, Talent and Treasure. If we take the TIME to explore our TALENTS, only then can we realize how great our TREASURE really is. John Vlahoulis Stewardship Chair Holy Trinity Stewards New Stewards Fr. Dimitri & Pres. Mary Tobias Drs. Kosta & Valerie Antonopoulos Dr. & Mrs. Richard Tobias Stewards "answering the Call" - the following Stewards increased their stewardship from 2013 Mr. & Mrs. Dimitri Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Eliades Mr. & Mrs. Dean Karras Mr. & Mrs. John Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. Roger Schultz Stewards - The following parishioners have returned their Stewardship forms for Mr. & Mrs. Perry Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Tony Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. John Baryo Mr. & Mrs. Sid Baumert Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Bikakis Mr. & Mrs. Kosta Demetroulis Mrs. Georgia Diavastes Mrs. Mary Eliades Mr. & Mrs. Bill Holevas Mr. & Mrs. Rick Jones Mr. & Mrs. Alex Karras Mr. & Mrs. Dave Kjos Mrs. Bessie Klimiades Mr. & Mrs. George Klimiades Ms. Anna Kounas Mr. & Mrs. Chris Kounas Mr. & Mrs. John Kounas Mr. & Mrs. Harry Kouris Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ladeas-Conyers Mr. John Lazaris Mrs. Kathy Lieding Mr. & Mrs. Lyle Listamann Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Margeas Mrs. Daisy Margeas Mr. & Mrs. Steve Margeas Mr. Bill Margellos Mr. Chris Margellos Mr. & Mrs. Tim Margellos Mr. & Mrs. Ray McAvoy Mr. & Mrs. Dale Milbrodt Mr. & Mrs. George Paradise Mr. & Mrs. Michael Paradise Mrs. Betty Pavlushik Mrs. Despina Poulos Mrs. Antonette Prewitt Mrs. Maria Rigas Mr. & Mrs. Zachary Schultz Mrs. Nancy Selliris Mr. & Mrs. Richard Sharp Mr. & Mrs. Spero Siganos Mrs. Anna Theros Mrs. Joan Vlahoulis Mr. John Vlahoulis Mr.Spyridon Yianopoulos March 2014 Page 7

8 Philoptochos News Dear Members of Holy Trinity, Kalo Mena! In 2013, National Philoptochos collected and dispersed thousands of dollars to over a dozen causes we support throughout the United States. In addition to these causes, the Philanthropic fund dispersed much needed assistance throughout Greece and Cyprus. Due to the economic crisis, numerous philanthropic organizations of Greece were not funded and in desperate need of assistance. To the right, you can see what was funded with the donations and hard work of chapters and parishes throughout America, where we are truly blessed with abundances. Thank you! -Mary Baryo March 2014 Page 8

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10 Youth Corner On February 7th 9th the children as well as parents and supporters (35 in total, 1/3 of the parish!) traveled to chilly Minneapolis on a bus with no heat. This did not dampen the mood in the slightest! Between playing games, watching movies, and huddling in blankets, the 6 hours flew by. Once in Minneapolis we spent the afternoon in the Mall of America. Thanks to a generous donor, each of the players had $10 of spending money to do with what they wanted. Fun was had by all and then we took a picture to commemorate the Sioux City invasion of the Mall. That night we introduced ourselves to the other guests and to our gracious hosts, the parish of St. Mary s. Amidst music, dancing, and food, all of the participants got to know one another. The next morning saw another adventure for our bus Something had broken and was pumping exhaust and smoke into the bus. After the 15 minute trip to the High School where the games would take place we were all green around the gills. It was decided our driver would need to get us a new bus, and he did. He drove all the way to Sioux Falls and back to Minneapolis in one day. God bless him! That morning we played against Holy Anargoroi from Rochester, MN. Their star player was the son of Rev. Fr. Mr. Muñoz, Gabriel. His daughter Nina was also a player. Guarding this phenom was none other than Charlie Margeas, our shortest player. As I sat next to Fr. Mark on the bleachers I smiled when he yelled at his son, Gabe! In case you haven t realized it yet, that kid is a threat! I thought in my head, They all are. Between our principle shooter, Nicholas Karras, Anyssa Davenport getting rebounds, Charlie Margeas darting in like a squirrel and stealing the ball, and the general teamwork of the rest of our fiery team, we represented a threat to all the teams and that is saying a lot given the majority of our team stood a good two feet shorter than the majority of other players. They thought we would be easy pickings. They were very wrong. Also, our parents proved to be a different sort as well. While other teams were content to clap and cheer on baskets, we decided to rally our troops through cheers. Ho-ly Trinity! Clap Clap ClapClapClap Our play style and cheering was so inspiring that other teams and their parents began to imitate us. It was a beautiful image of the One Body of Christ. While we lost to Holy Anargoroi in double overtime that afternoon in a rematch through the losing bracket, we played the best we could and I was proud of the 3rd place finish. After all, this team is already amazing. The only thing they lacked was height, and they will grow. We might have a dynasty growing! Following a wonderful banquet with His Grace Bishop Demetrios, complete with Greek dancing, we concluded our trip with a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy Sunday Morning before getting on the bus and returning home with our heads held high! March 2014 Page 10

11 Pre-Sanctified Liturgy: Lenten Dinner by O.P.A.: Orthodox Parents Association Spring Seminar Wednesday, March 19th, 2014 All are invited to the Lenten Lecture on the Raising of Orthodox Children by Rev. Fr. Christodoulos Margellos, priest of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Rock Island, IL. Seminar led by Fr. Christodoulos 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. March 2014 Page 11

12 Daughters of Penelope A donor has very generously donated $2,000 towards the Kitchen Project. These monies would do the finishing touches: painting, fixing the tiles that are broken or loose. Also, we would like to purchase new ovens. However, this donor has asked that the Church, through individuals, meet this donation. Let us gather together and meet this challenge! Please give your donations made out to The Daughters of Penelope to Joan Vlahoulis. Thank you for your generosity and continued support! In Christ, President Joan Vlahoulis March 2014 Page 12

13 If you want a free, easy way to hold yourself and others accountable in your weight loss and/or overall fitness journey, please join us on You can either sign up with your address or on Facebook on your computer. You can also download the free app using your smart phone or tablet. Once you have created your account, add me as your friend by using my shanda.antonopoulos@ssccardinals.org - or my username shantonopoulos. That way, we can support, motivate, and learn from each other as we develop our Healthy Bodies and Healthy Souls. If you do not have access to a computer, no problem! Every successful weight loss/ weight management program suggests keeping a food and activity diary each day. Simply buy a spiral bound notebook and start writing down everything you eat and log your activity daily. In addition to My Fitness Pal, we will begin a Walking Buddies group. This is for members of the community who want low-impact exercise in a social setting. The group plans to walk together once a week. They will also check in with each other on other days of the week to hold each other accountable for regular fitness. We continue to meet at Church and walk the Skyway every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. Each Sunday, after coffee hour, we will quickly meet together to share successes, struggles, tips, and healthy recipes. We look forward to beginning this journey in this new ministry with you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Shanda Antonopoulos shanda.antonopoulos@ssccardinals.org Maria Schultz Phone: marogschultz@aol.com Co-chairs Healthy Bodies, Healthy Souls Ministry March 2014 Page 13

14 Ministry Chair: Sonia Jones This ministry meets the third Wednesday of Each month from 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. in the AHEPA Room. Offering an ear for pain, an outlet for frustration, an environment to share experiences and hope, the Peter K. Ladeas Cancer Support Group is a unique Orthodox Cancer Support Group that provides faithful dealing with this terrible disease to come together and support one another, offer advice and connections, and pray. Please contact Sonia Jones or Fr. Dimitri for more information! The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) is the international missions and evangelism agency LENTEN PRESENTATION MARCH 5th of all the Orthodox faithful in North America, headquartered in FOLLOWING PRE-SANCTIFIED LITURGY St. Augustine, Florida. It is OCMC's mission to make disciples of all nations by bringing people to Christ and His Church. Markella Balasis serves as the Coordinator for the Support a Mission Priest (SAMP) and the Agape Canister programs of OCMC. Markella is a graduate of Hellenic College-Holy Cross and served within several local churches and ministries in Florida before coming to OCMC. She will be sharing news about some of OCMC s current efforts around the world and speaking about a person s individual calling to missions. Markella Balasis Agape/SAMP Coordinator Orthodox Christian Mission Center 220 Mason Manatee Way St. Augustine, FL (904) , ext. 163 markella@ocmc.org March 2014 Page 14

15 MARCH 30th RECIPE: LENTEN GREEK VEGETABLES Lenten Vegetable Workshop Please bring the following: Your own casserole dish 2 large potatoes 1 large onion And at least 5 of the following frozen bags of vegetables: Carrots Green beans Okra Zucchini Lima Beans Peas Corn Artichokes Mixed Vegetables Chairpersons: Kiki Karras & Janet Antonopoulos Meeting times: Last Sunday of Each Month after Coffee Hour: Have you ever wanted to know how to make Prosforo? Greek Potatoes? Koliva? Pastitsio? Vasilopita? Greek Lamb? Fanouropita? Fakes? And more? March 2014 Page 15

16 The Liturgical Cycle of the Great Lenten Period Rev. Pavlos Koumarianos, Ph.D. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This week, we began the journey of Prayer of the most beautiful period of the Liturgical year: Great Lent. Thus, with prayer and fasting, the bride the Church began the uphill way to follow the beloved bridegroom Christ - on the steep slope of Golgotha. This could be, in few words, the meaning and the purpose of the liturgical setting of Great Lent: through the divine services and ascetic practices, the Church taking by the hand each and every faithful guides them to an existential participation in the sacred passion of the Lord, carrying with Him the cross and sharing its weight and burden. If the Cross of Christ was an act of absolute selfdenial, an act of thorough eradication of every seed of selfishness and absolute dedication to the mystery of otherness, then, the Church guides the faithful to the same experience through the various liturgical and ascetic practices of the Lenten period. Certainly, the theme of this homily is the liturgical aspects of Lent; however, we cannot separate the liturgical from the ascetic aspects, because in the Orthodox Tradition they are so interwoven that any separation would mutilate both! Liturgy and Ascesis go together, hand in hand, in the Orthodox Tradition! In this context, let us see the basic elements of the Liturgical practices of Great Lent. What are those peculiarities that make this period unique and distinct from the rest of the Liturgical year? The peculiarities of this period could be listed as follows: 1. The celebration of the Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great every Sunday instead of the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. 2. The singing of the Akathist every Friday evening. 3. The celebration of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts every Wednesday and Friday evening with Vespers. 4. The celebration of Great Compline instead of the usual, Small Compline celebrated during the rest of the year. 5. Additional Psalter Readings in the liturgy of the Hours. 6. Enriched Hymnology with a particularly penitential character. 7. Particular Scriptural readings on the Saturday and Sunday Eucharistic celebrations. 8. Furthermore, on top of the original connections of every Sunday to a Scriptural theme, later events in the history of the Church gave her the opportunity to connect every Sunday of Lent with some additional theological or historical themes. 9. A further liturgical characteristic of Lent is the exchange of mutual forgiveness in the place of the dismissal blessing of every vespers. 10. And last but not least, we could say the most impressive characteristic of this period is the strict fast observed every weekday of Lent, leaving out Saturdays and Sundays, when a non-absolute fast is observed. The Liturgy of Saint Basil and the Akathist. From the above list of the peculiarities of the liturgical life of Great Lent, we need to say that the first two, namely the Liturgy of Saint Basil and the Akathist are not purely Lenten idioms. In the Byzantine Church the liturgy of St. Basil was celebrated every Sunday and feast day of the whole year. It was the official Eucharistic Liturgy to be celebrated on a regular basis throughout the year. It is not clearly known why towards the end of the first quarter of the second millennium the Liturgy of Saint Basil was replaced by a liturgy attributed to Saint John Chrysostom. For the survival of celebrating Saint Basil s liturgy during Lent, Baumstark says that it happened because of the conservative liturgical character of Lent. I would insist that two more reasons lead the Church to keep the Liturgy of Saint Basil during Lent: the intention of the Church to dedicate more time to prayer during Lent, as well as, the expressively doctrinal and educational character of the Liturgy of Saint Basil. The Church found the Lenten atmosphere of more dedicated devotion as a good opportunity to teach the faithful the dogma by making them listen to the profound and allembracing theological elucidations of the Basilian Liturgy, especially the Anaphora. March 2014 Page 16

17 As far as the Akathist is concerned, this is rather a interval in the compunctional and penitential character of Lent. The singing of the Akathist is not a part of the particular devotional atmosphere of Lent. It is rather related to the feast of the Annunciation, which always falls in the midst of Lent. Let us explain it having made an observation first: in the present day we celebrate Akathistos every Friday evening together with the service of Compline. Originally though, the Church sung the Akathistos in the Orthros of every Saturday of Lent. Thus the real question is why the Church established this practice to celebrate Akathistos every Saturday morning? The answer is the following: The period of Lent has a basic penitential and mournful character. Annunciation, though, is a great feast with a profoundly joyful character, and according to the Orthodox Liturgical Tradition, it should have its own pre-festal and post-festal joyful period. However, the establishment of a joyful pre-festal and post-festal period for the feast of the Annunciation in the midst of Lent, would cause a certain disorder in the constant flow of the penitential attitude through the weeks of Lent. Nonetheless, it would neither be fair, nor pastorally good to leave the feast of the Annunciation without a pre-festal period of preparation and a post-festal period of celebration. How then could a pre and post festal period be established without damaging the penitential character of Lent? The solution was found in relationship to the fact that Saturdays and Sundays were already excluded from the penitential Lenten routine. Thus the Church used the celebration of the Saturday Orthros of Lent, in order to remind the faithful of the upcoming or just passed joyful feast of the Annunciation. The Scriptural Readings of Great Lent. Then, after the explanation of the liturgical character of the first two elements, let us turn our attention to those liturgical elements which have a purely Lenten character. The backbone of the organization of the 6 weeks of Great Lent is the system of readings and celebrations of the Saturdays and Sundays of Great Lent. The Gospel readings of the Saturdays and Sundays of Great Lent are taken from the Gospel of Saint Mark with one exception: the 1st Sunday of Lent, when the Gospel is taken from the Gospel according to Saint John. The Epistle readings are from Hebrews. I think the reasons of this selection are obvious. As far the Gospels are concerned, Mark is the evangelist who presents Christ as the prototype of a Martyr, actually the unique, true and authentic Martyr. In view of the liturgical celebration of the passion of Christ during Holy Week, what else would be more suitable and appropriate than to read the Gospel that emphasizes the martyr character of Christ. As far as the Epistle readings are concerned, the Epistle to the Hebrews, is the Epistle that emphasizes the intercessional, mediatory and placatory role of Christ s self-sacrifice: For Christ has entered not into a sanctuary made with hands... but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.... He suffered once for all anticipating the end of all the worlds, in order to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.... So, Christ having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to appear for their salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for Him. (Hebrews 9: the Epistle reading of Saturday of the 5th week of Lent.) Now, based on the readings, the Sundays of Lent are dedicated to a variety of themes, with which the spiritual stream of Lent flows naturally into the climate of Holy Week. Thus, according to the Gospel of the 1st Sunday, Philip calls Nathaniel to get to know Jesus personally. He calls him with the words come and see. The words of Philip are obviously an allusion to the visual character of Holy Icons. The 2nd Sunday is dedicated to the double healing of the paralytic, through the forgiveness of his sins followed by the restoration of his physical health. The relationship between this Gospel passage and the penitential character of Lent is obvious! The 3rd Sunday is dedicated to the self-denial, self-sacrifice and Cross, not of Christ, but of every faithful person who wants to follow Christ. The 4th Sunday s gospel is the miracle of a healing of a demon-possessed young man. When the disciples asked Christ why they were not able to heal the boy, Christ in reply emphasizes the instrumental importance of Prayer and Fasting to the effect of getting rid of the evil powers. There is nothing more relevant to the struggle of Fasting and the insistence on Prayer that constitute the main aspects of Lenten spirituality. Finally the 4th and the 5th Sundays readings contain preannouncements of Christ s voluntary death on the cross, whereas the 5th also contains the lesson of humility and self-offering as a response to the selfish and naive worldly query of the disciples about who is greater among them. Let us add here that all these Sunday Gospel themes are the coninuation of the fundamental ideas proclaimed through the Gospel readings of the first 4 Sundays of the Triodion, the most significant among them being that of limitless love towards neighbors, which is expressed as an unconditional gift of forgiveness. March 2014 Page 17

18 Sunday celebrations during Great Lent. However, as far as the Sundays of Lent are concerned, let us note here that in addition to the original connections of every Sunday to a Scriptural theme, later events in the history of the Church or further pastoral needs, gave to the Church the opportunity to connect every Sunday of Lent with some additional themes: the celebration of Orthodoxy on the 1st Sunday, the commemoration of Saint Gregory Palamas on the 2nd, the Veneration of the Cross on the 3rd, the veneration of Saint John the author of the Ladder on the 4th, and Saint Mary of Egypt on the 5th. With these celebrations, the festal themes of every Sunday of Lent in their totality form an exposition of the aspects of theory and practice in the life of the Church as they celebrate and expose basic doctrinal and ascetical principles. However, let us note here that in the Sundays of Lent the doctrinal truths and the ascetical methods of the Church are not presented as theoretical and abstract intellectual concepts. Dogma is presented as history, as a dynamic achievement of human beings struggling to explore the Truth. It is not an abstract formulation of dogma that is presented, but a historical event, the triumph of the veneration of the holy icons, or a person, a theologian, like Saint Gregory Palamas, a Saint who became a theologian by his personal dedication to prayer and self-purification. The ascetic life and the practice of holiness are also presented as living experiences of real human persons. It is not the abstract notion of holiness that is presented to the faithful, but the persons of Saint John the Sinaite and Saint Mary of Egypt. And, finally, in the midst of Lent, both dogma and ethics are recapitulated in the veneration of the Cross of Christ! Sacred Hymnology. As far as the hymnology and the services of the weekdays of Lent are concerned, things are more elaborated and the enrichment more intense. We could at least mention the penitential orientation of the hymns of this period. I think that it is here that the particular character of Lent is most obvious. The best example of this case could be the canon of Saint Andrew of Crete, inserted into the regular service of Great Compline of the first 4 days of the 1st week of Lent, as well as into the Orthros (Matins) of the Thursday of the 5th week. The literal, spiritual, and theological content of the texts of hymns and prayers of Lent constitute an excellent school of self-knowledge. The highest conclusions of the psychology of depth and the best methods of psychotherapy look like lessons of elementary education in front of the healing power of the hymns, prayers and services of Great Lent, if they are used appropriately. In the hymns, prayers and patristic readings of this period all the hidden folds of the human soul are exposed to light. The hymns of the Triodion teach us first about the consequences of sin. They describe the human soul as full of passions, sinful tendencies, spiritual weaknesses, psychological inclinations that go against the will of God almost naturally. In the Ascetic Literature, passions are sinful habits that serve, slavishly and almost naturally, the effective power of death and separation from God. However, these hymns do not describe only the negative aspect of the human fall. They inspire also optimism and cheerfulness in the hope of the open possibility of return to God, the possibility of salvation through repentance. They tell us that if we want, we can fight against the passions and defeat them. What is more important though is that this hymnology offers the healing experience of being a part of a communion of persons with bonds of authentic love: the Church. Through the Church as a communion of life, it is obviously manifested that spiritual weaknesses and sinfulness fall, and spiritual achievements and holiness are shown to have a character of commonality and are equally shared experientially by all. Nobody is alone or rejected in his/her failure in the Church, and the Saints do not form an elite group of people separated from the rest of the members of the Church s body: the personal spiritual achievements of the Saints can be a benefit for and a gift to all the members of the Church. Saints and sinners are together members of the one holy body of Christ. You learn then that you fail and fall, but not alone, because you fail and fall as a member of the Church, which means, that in spite of your personal sinfulness you are a part of the same body with the Saints, the angels, the Theotokos and finally Christ Himself. And Christ and the Saints take on their shoulders your weakness, making your falls their loving care, and allowing you to take part in their purity and holiness. Thus, even as a sinner, you are sanctified by grace, as long as you repent and fight and keep yourself in the Church. March 2014 Page 18

19 The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. In harmony with the just mentioned joyful and hopeful penitential character of the Lenten services and hymns is the most imposing Lenten liturgy: the liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts a unique expression of the pastoral wisdom of the Byzantine liturgical tradition, the pearl of Lenten devotion. In the Byzantine times, the liturgy of the Presanctified was celebrated daily. In the spiritual struggle of Great Lent, the faithful needed more than ever the strengthening partaking of Holy Communion. Thus, by the celebration of the Presanctified the opportunity of receiving Holy Communion every day was given to the faithful. It is very interesting though to observe the reasons why this communion takes place from presanctified gifts and there is no consecration in this service: In order to have the consecration of the Gifts, you need to have this important part of the Eucharistic Liturgy that is called Holy Anaphora. The Holy Anaphora is the prayer with which the bread and the wine become the body and the blood of Christ in the Liturgy. If we compare the structures of a complete Eucharist with the service of the Presanctified we will notice that it is exactly the Anaphora which is missing. Why? The Anaphora is not only the consecration of the Gifts through the epiclesis, but before this it is the act of offering the Holy Gifts to God joyfully, praising Him triumphantly for the gift of our salvation. The Anaphora, the act of offering the gifts to God, always had the cheerful and triumphant character of boldness and confidence before God. However, boldness and triumph do not fit with the penitential character of Lent. Thus, the wisdom of the holy fathers formulated the service of the Presanctified Gifts as a participation in the Eucharist but without the Anaphora, a Eucharist without thanksgiving and jubilation, a Eucharist that is rather a cry for help than a joyful acclamation: O God set free our senses from deadly passions, let our eyes abstain from evil sights, our hearing from idle talk... purify our lips as they sing your praises, let our hands produce only works that are pleasing to You... (1st Prayer of the faithful of the Liturgy of the Presanctified). And this cry finds response and comfort in the self-giving love and grace of God. Holy Communion is finally given after the penitential and purifying course of prayers and hymns of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. Fasting and Devotion. The time does not allow us to move on to further analysis of other services and other aspects of Lenten devotion. I will finish with an observation on the historical evolution of Great Lent. We have already mentioned that it seems that the Church, through the centuries, in formulating the services of Lent, tried to add things to the already existing liturgical elements, as if she was trying to make this period of the liturgical year as heavy and more tiresome as possible! The Church maintained the Liturgy of Saint Basil for the Sundays of Lent, added Psalms and canons to the various services of the Liturgy of the Hours, used the Egyptian longer version of Compline, the Great Compline, instead of the regular Palestinian Compline, etc. The same can be observed with the practice of fasting. In the early centuries it was just two days of fast before Easter Sunday. The two days became a whole week later on. The whole week became three weeks in Rome in the 4th century. The three weeks became 5 weeks in Egypt in the 4th century. The 5 weeks became 6 in Antioch and Constantinople in the 4th century, in Jerusalem in the 5th century, in Alexandria in the 7th century. The monks of Palestine would fast for 8 weeks since the 4th century. In Constantinople, an 8th week of moderate fast was added during the 7th century. It is really hard to understand this increase of numbers of weeks of fasting, as well as the increase of length and number of prayers, hymns, prostrations and other liturgical practices. The selfish and comfortseeking spirit of the Western society would lead us to the opposite kind of acts: to try to cut short all the services and the days of the fast. However, this urge and willingness to suffer more and to be more patient, has always been a common and constant tendency of the Church. I think the explanation can be found in the words of Saint Ignatius, when he was trying to convince his friends in Rome not to do anything to spare him from going through the martyrdom, even if they had the power and the possibility to do so. Saint Ignatius, having used all sorts of arguments to convince them to allow him to be martyred, he concludes: 'Christ, my passionate love, has been crucified! I think this small sentence of Saint Ignatius says everything! - See more at: lent_liturgical_cycle.asp#sthash.gbzqk6ru.dpuf March 2014 Page 19

20 March 2 Forgiveness Sunday Orthros begins at 9:00 a.m. March 9 Sunday of Orthodoxy Orthros begins at 9:00 a.m. The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation. Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Second Tone O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen." For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian ( ) and ending in the reign of Theophilus ( ). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy. Apolytikion in the Second Tone O Christ our God, begging forgiveness of our sins, we venerate Your Pure Image, O Good One. Of your own will you condescended to ascend upon the Cross in the flesh and deliver those You created from the bondage of the enemy. Wherefore, thankfully, we cry out, "When You came to save the world, Your filled all things with joy, O Our Savior." March 2014 Page 20

21 March 16 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas Orthros begins at 9:00 a.m. March 23 Sunday of the Holy Cross Orthros begins at 9:00 a.m. This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty -three years, he reposed in the Lord in His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today. Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone O Gregory the Miracle Worker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, comeliness of Monastics, invincible defender of theologians, the pride of Thessalonica, and preacher of grace, intercede forever that our souls may be saved. With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast. Apolytikion in the First Tone Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross. March 2014 Page 21

22 March 25 The Annunciation Easperinos on the 24th begins at 6:00 p.m. Orthros on the 25th begins at 9:00 a.m. Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38). Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been wellpleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55) Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone Today marks the crowning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery before all ages. For the Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaims the grace. Wherefore, we also cry out with him, "Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you." Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!" March 23 Sunday of St. John Climacus (The Ladder of Divine Ascent) Orthros begins at 9:00 a.m. The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast. Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone With the rivers of your tears, you have made the barren desert fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have borne fruit a hundredfold. By your miracles you have become a light, shining upon the world. O John, our Holy Father, pray to Christ our God, to save our souls. March 2014 Page 22

23 Confession with Fr. Christodoulos Tuesday, March 18 th Wednesday, March 19 th Thursday, March 20 th Call Fr. Dimitri Tobias to make an appointment on one of these three days. Pray and think and your confession over several days. Ask God to help you perceive your sins and to make a thorough confession of them. Sometime before the sacrament of Holy Confession, offer selected prayers from the following Confessional Prayers, Psalm 51 or the following prayer of repentance: Prayer of Repentance O Lord my God, I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word and deed. I have also omitted to do what Your holy law requires of me. But now with repentance and contrition I turn again to Your love and mercy. I entreat You to forgive me all my transgression and to cleanse me from all my sins. Lord, fill my heart with the light of Your truth. Strengthen my will by Your grace. Teach me both to desire and to do only what pleases You. Amen. Now, without justification or self-pity, make a prayerful examinations of your conscience regarding all things. As a help, reflect on your life in the light of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. Take pencil and paper and specify your sins so that, at the time of the sacrament, you will be able to make a thorough confession from the list, without confusion or lapse of memory. The Ten Commandments I am the Lord your God, and you shall have no other gods before me. Has God been the source, center and hope of my life? Have I put myself, others or things before God? Have I failed to trust in God's existence, love and mercy? Have I failed to pray to God, to worship Him and to thank Him for His blessings? Have I tried to serve God and keep His commandments faithfully? Have I murmured or complained against God in adversity? Have I praised and glorified God through my words and deeds? You shall not make for yourself a graven image in order to worship it. Have I valued anyone or anything above God? Have I given to anyone or anything the love, honor and worship that belongs to God alone? Have I made and idol of any person, idea, occupation, or thing? You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Have I blasphemed God's holy name in any way? Have I sworn a false oath? Have I broken any solemn vow or promise? Have I entered into an agreement, promise or contract against God's law? Have I cursed or used foul language? Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Have I worshiped regularly on Sundays and major feast days and have I helped others to do the same? Have I worked unnecessarily on Sundays or major feast days or caused others to do so? Have I spent the Lord's Day in a wholesome and edifying ways? Honor your father and mother Have I loved and respected my parents as I should? Have I neglected them or failed to help them? Have I disobeyed them, deceived them or caused them pain by my words or deeds? Have I treated all my family members with patience and love? March 2014 Page 23

24 Thou shall not kill. Have I caused the harm, injury or death of anyone? Have I wished my own or anyone's harm or death? Have I been cruel to animals or destroyed any life unnecessarily? You shall not commit adultery. Have I committed any immoral acts alone or with others? Have I caused others to commit immoral acts? Have I committed immoral acts in my heart? You shall not steal. Have I taken anything that was not mine from anyone or from anywhere? Have I cheated anyone? Have I caused others to steal or cheat? Have I tried to find the owners of lost things I have found? Have I damaged or destroyed anything that belonged to another? Have I defrauded anyone of rightful wages? Have I paid my debts? Have I given to the poor and to philanthropic causes in proportion to my means? You shall not bear false witness. Have I given false testimony against anyone? Have I spoken evil, told lies or spread rumors about anyone? Have I disclosed to anyone the sins and faults of another? Have I made careless statements or done anything else to harm the name and reputation of another? Have I engaged in idle gossip? You shall not covet. Have I looked with envy jealousy or hatred toward the possession talents or achievements of others? Have I desired the downfall or loss of others out of evil intent that I might benefit? Have I grieved that God has bestowed greater blessings on others than on me? The Beatitudes Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Have I truly recognized my complete dependence on God? Have I been proud arrogant and self-righteous in my ways? Have I been selfish, possessive and self-seeking? Have I sought after status power and wealth? Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Have I endured difficulties and afflictions with faith and patience? Have I felt sadness for the sufferings of the poor, the hungry, and addicted; the sick, the lonely and the sinful of the world? Have I truly been sorrowful for my sins and faults? Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Have I tried to serve or rather to dominate others at home, school, work, office, Church and elsewhere? Have I nursed against anyone? Have I been resentful, bitter, unforgiving or insulting and abusive to others? Have I loved my enemies? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Have I truly yearned for God's will to be done in all things? Have I worked for justice in my family, society and the world in ways with in my reach? Have I tried to cultivate a righteous life through prayer, fasting, worship, receiving Holy Communion and deeds of love toward others? Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Have I shown compassion and help toward the poor, hungry, lonely and needy around me? Have I tried to understand and forgive others? Have I been indifferent judgmental or legalistic? Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Have I loved goodness, purity and holiness? Have I succumbed to evil motives and intentions? Have I given way to impure thoughts, words or deeds? Have I been guilty of bias and prejudice? Have I been hypocritical, pretentious or self-indulgent to sinful passions? March 2014 Page 24

25 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Do I have God's peace in my heart? Have I been unfairly angry, aggressive or impatient? Have I worked for peace at home, work, Church and in society? Have I been irritable, polemical, or divisive? Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Have I complained when persecuted for God's sake? Have I prayed for my persecutors? Have I failed to defend anyone in the truth for fear of humiliation or persecution? Have I had the courage to stand up for what is right despite criticism, ridicule or persecution? Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you on my account; rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven Is the joy of Christ in my heart even in trying moments? Have I been pessimistic despondent or despairing? Have I truly delighted in the promise of God's treasures in heaven? March 2014 Page 25

26 Parish News March 3 Clean Monday Pot Luck Koulouma following Great Compline March 5 Markella Balassis to speak on OCMC following Pre-Sanctified Liturgy March 9 Sunday of Orthodoxy Fakes Cook Off Perhaps the most delicious Lenten Meal March 15 GOYA at YMCA March Confessions with Fr. Christodoulos March 19 OPA Seminar following Pre-Sanctified Liturgy March 23 Stavroproskiniseos Philoptochos Luncheon and Greek School Greek Independence Day Program March 29 Parish Day Trip to Omaha March 30 Multi-Cultural Fair March 30 We Knead You Lenten Vegetables Metropolis News March 2014 Page 26

27 Holy Trinity GOC March 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 Philoptochos Monthly Meeting 9:00 am Sunday Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy 11:30 am Choir Practice 3 4 6:00 pm Great Compline 6:00 pm Greek Festival 7:00 pm Koulouma Pot-Luck Meeting Dinner 6:00 pm Byzantine Music Practice 7:00 pm Parish Council Meeting 5 OCMC Markella 6 7 Balasis 8:30 am Morning Bible Study 6:00 pm Salutations to the 5:30 pm Greek Dance Practice 7:00 pm Blessed Darkness 6:00 pm Paraklisis Service Theotokos 6:00 pm Pre-Sanctified Adult Education Liturgy 1 8:30 am Agiasmos Service 9:00 am Orthros 10:00 am Saturday of Souls Liturgy 8 9:00 am Orthros 10:00 am Saturday of Souls Liturgy 9 Daylight Saving 10 Time starts 6:00 pm Great Compline FAKES COOKOFF! Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession Men's Group Monthly Meeting 9:00 am Sunday Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy 11:30 am Choir Practice 11 6:00 pm Byzantine Music Practice :30 pm Healthy Body 8:30 am Morning Bible Study 6:00 pm Salutations to the Healthy Soul Walkers 7:00 pm Blessed Darkness 6:00 pm Paraklisis Service Theotokos 4:30 pm Greek School Adult Education 5:30 pm Greek Dance Practice 6:00 pm Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 15 GOYA at YMCA (potential) 16 9:00 am Sunday Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy 11:30 am Choir Practice 17 6:00 pm Great Compline 18 Confessions 6:00 pm Byzantine Music Practice 19 OPA Seminar Fr. 20 Confessions 21 Christodoulos 8:30 am Morning Bible Study 6:00 pm Salutations to the Confessions 6:00 pm Paraklisis Service Theotokos 4:30 pm Healthy Body 7:00 pm Blessed Darkness Healthy Soul Walkers Adult Education 4:30 pm Greek School 6:00 pm Pre-Sanctified Greek Independence Day Program 6:00 pm Esperinos of the 24 Stavroproskiniseos Luncheon Annunciation 9:00 am Sunday Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy 11:30 am Choir Practice 30 Multi Cultural Fair 31 We Knead You 6:00 pm Great Compline 9:00 am Sunday Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy 11:30 am Choir Practice 25 9:00 am Orthros of the Annunciation 10:00 am Divine Liturgy of the Annunciation 6:00 pm Byzantine Music Practice 26 4:30 pm Healthy Body Healthy Soul Walkers 4:30 pm Greek School 5:30 pm Greek Dance Practice 6:00 pm Pre-Sanctified Liturgy :30 am Morning Bible Study 6:00 pm Salutations to the 6:00 pm Paraklisis Service Theotokos 7:00 pm Blessed Darkness Adult Education 29 10:00 am Parish Day Trip to Omaha March 2014 Page 27

28 2014 Annual Western Region Metropolis of Chicago Basketball Tournament in Minneapolis, Minnesota March 2014 Page 28

29 Our players fought like lions! We took 3rd Place. If you are wondering why we only took 3rd, look at the top left picture. Even at half the height of the majority of the other teams players, our Holy Trinity Athletes skill and courage could not be denied! We are so proud of you and everyone who came! March 2014 Page 29

30 Are Your kids/grandkids asking questions about the church you can t answer? Is Jesus a Jew? What happens when we die? Why do we have to go to Church? Who made God? You owe to them and yourself to learn the answers! Come to Bible Study *Thursdays: 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Blessed Darkness (Adult Catechism) & Pot Luck *Thursdays: 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. (Paraklisis 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.) March 2014 Page 30

31 We Knead You Ministry proudly presents Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church s Lenten Fakes Cook Off! Sunday, March 9th following the Divine Liturgy! Come bring your special recipes and let us enjoy one of the tastiest meals Great Lent has to offer! March 2014 Page 31

32 Day Trip to Omaha, Nebraska Joselyn Art Museum March 29th Museum Admission: $10 for adults, Under 17 Free, College Student Free with I.D. Agenda: 10:30 a.m. Arrive at Museum 12:30 p.m. Leave for Greek Islands Restaurant 1:00 p.m. Lunch (No Host Lunch) Open to Holy Trinity Parishioners and Friends of Holy Trinity! Feel free to invite some friends who would enjoy the fellowship! If we can get 30 people we will rent a bus, otherwise we will carpool in vans. Please sign up during Coffee Hour. Trip Ministry Chairs: Maria Schultz & Christine McAvoy March 2014 Page 32

33 Philoptochos Stavroproskiniseos Luncheon & Greek School Independence Day Program Sunday, March 23rd Join us as we celebrate the midpoint of the Holy Fast in a Luncheon honoring the Holy Cross and enjoy the presentations by our wonderful Greek School as they celebrate our Independence! Thank you to our Greek School Staff! Janet Antonopoulos Director Mary Demetroulis, Perry Antonopoulos, George Tsiobanos, Mary Sharp & Leah Baryo Greek Dance Instructor! March 2014 Page 33

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35 Vesperal Liturgy of the Mystical Supper Officiated by His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, Chancellor of the Metropolis of Chicago. Liturgy will begin at 9:00 a.m. A fasting Luncheon of Shrimp and Rice will be served following the Liturgy Please join us in welcoming His Grace! March 2014 Page 35

36 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 March 2 Sun March 9 Prosforo: Afrodity Segos Coffee Hour: In Memory of Gust Segos 6 Months Prosforo: Maria Schultz Fakes Cook Off Sun March 16 Sun March 23 Sun March 30 Prosforo: Shanda Antonopoulos Coffee Hour: Prosforo: Mavra Sengos Little Green Leprechauns Stavroproskiniseos Luncheon and Greek Independence Day Program Prosforo: Kiki Karras Coffee Hour: Anna Margellos in Memory of Alexandra and Christos Margellos March 2014 Page 36