INSIDE THIS ISSUE Fr. Nick s Net

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1 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Fr. Nick s Net Parish News & Events From the Inter-Net Around the World Pg. 2 Pg. 3 Pg. 5 Pg. 6 HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH STEUBENVILLE, OHIO MARCH 2012 VOLUME IV ISSUE 3 ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS ISSUE: March Calendar Easter Flower Flyer THE MISSION OF THE HOLY TRINITY PARISH IS TO SEEK AND ACHIEVE ONENESS WITH GOD IN HIS REVEALED SON, JESUS CHRIST THROUGH DAILY SACRAMENTAL AND SACRIFICIAL LIVING. WE WILL STRIVE FOR THE PEACEFUL AND LOVING UNITY WITH OUR NEIGHBORS IN CHRIST WHICH MAKES US HIS DISCIPLES. *0 1 The Net October 2011

2 Fr. Nick s Net March 2012 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Net is the Monthly Newsletter of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church PARISH INFORMATION PARISH PRIEST: FR. NICHOLAS M. HALKIAS PHONE: (740) HOME: (724) FRNICK@HOLYTRINITYSTB.ORG ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: MARY ANNE JACOBS OFFICE@HOLYTRINITYSTB.ORG PARISH ADDRESS: 300 SOUTH 4 TH STREET P.O. BOX 788 STEUBENVILLE, OH PHONE: (740) FAX: (740) OFFICE@HOLYTRINITYSTB.ORG WEB: Holy Trinity Church is a parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh ( and Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America ( under the Spiritual Jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople ( PARISH MINISTRIES PARISH COUNCIL Anthony Mougianis President Spiro Alexander Vice President Greg Matzorkis Secretary Rikki Kamarados Treasurer John Scavdis Asst. Treasurer Tom Kotsanis Asst. Treasurer Marianne Balakos Nick Riley John Synodinos Irene Mitchell Connie Shea Susan Vogagis Philoptochos... Marianne Balakos Religious Education... Greg Matzorkis Stewardship... George Parikakis GOYA... Rikki Kamarados JOY... Angela Mastros / Shanley Demitras HOPE... Connie Shea/Nicole Zorne Choir... Pete Caleodis Library / Bookstore... Mary Romios Senior Citizens... Barbara Lee Maragos Aghia Markella Society... Marie Kamarados Chian Society... John Synodinos Pan-Icarian Brotherhood... Stacey Kotsanis AHEPA... Tommy Kotsanis 2 The Net / March 2012 There is a freedom that we enjoy in this country freedom of religion. It is a joy that we have such a luxury given to us, since many countries have to fight to worship and practice their faith according to their own religion. Even though in this country freedom of religion allows for certain religions to exist that are clearly against the basic principles of Christianity, as a government they are at least consistent in allowing them. We ve never had to worry about whether or not our civil liberties will be taken away all at once because of our chosen faith, and we have missed the fact that little by little our government has created policies that, when carried out, make it hard to believe that we actually have freedom of religion. But because our government doesn t directly threaten our lives, we don t necessarily notice that this is what is happening. What am I speaking of right now? I am speaking about a healthcare mandate from our government, requiring all healthcare facilities to provide contraceptives and abortion creating alternatives for all medical patients who come to them for healthcare. If our government was being watched carefully, they would see how against Christianity (and how against the Constitution) these mandates are. Even though different Christian faiths have differed opinions and interpretations about abortion and contraceptives (the Orthodox allow contraceptives and the Catholics don t for instance), mandating this type of adherence puts a Catholic hospital or an Orthodox doctor in such a predicament. They, in that moment, can either practice their religion to the best of their ability, or be subject to a law that is ever evolving into a law that does not allow them to practice their beliefs in the workplace. And this is not a new thing to the medical profession; doctors in many colleges are required to learn abortion procedures as prerequisite to graduation. In other words, in order to even become a doctor, in many cases, you would have had to go against your religion. Now I know that these mandates are there, many will say, to protect patients who have no alternative but to come to certain religious doctors or facilities, but you can t suspend the civil liberties of one group trying to grant civil liberties to another. Nevertheless, I will still maintain that the problem is not our government. The reason I say that is because throughout history, in every other society when Christians were being persecuted for their beliefs, they would accept all the persecution to keep their faith unchanged even torture and execution. Our ancestors had to do no different. When oppressed because of their faith, they stood up to their oppressors, and accepted whatever was coming. And in many cases, as in the lives of the saints and martyrs, the local government changed their policies to accommodate people of such faith. So even though the problem is our government, it can also be said that in a country where we have freedom of religion, we, the people of such great faith, have forgotten how to stand up for Christ and truth, because we never had to before. It is time then to allow our government to hear us. It is time for them to understand how important our faith is. It is time to use this opportunity to stand up for Christ and pronounce our faith to our nation. God Bless You All!!!

3 News & Events WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sunday Worship... March Wednesday Paraklesis Services... March Paraklesis Services will be offered every Wednesday at 6 pm unless otherwise stated. March These are the weekday services for the month of March. Please check your schedules and plan to attend. Friday, March 2 6:00 pm Salutations Saturday, March 3... Saturday of the Souls 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Liturgy Monday, March 5 6:00 pm Great Compline Wednesday, March 7 6:00 Presanctified Holy Resurrection, Steubenville Friday, March 9 7:00 pm Salutations All Saints, Weirton Tuesday, March 13 4:00 pm Confession Wednesday, March 14 6:00 pm Presanctified Liturgy Thursday, March 15 11:00 am Confession 6:00 pm Great Compline Friday, March 16 6:00 pm Salutations Monday, March 19 6:00 pm Great Compline Wednesday, March 21 6:00 pm Presanctified Liturgy Friday, March 23 6:00 pm Salutations Wednesday, March 28 6:00 pm Presanctified Liturgy Thursday, March 29 6:00 pm Great Compline Friday, March 30 6:00 pm Akathist LENTEN VESPERS SCHEDULE Sunday, March 4 th at 4:00 pm at All Saints Church-Weirton, WV. A light Lenten meal will be served following the service. Sunday, March 18 th at 4:00 pm in Barton, Ohio Sunday, March 25 th at 5:00 pm at Holy Resurrection-Steubenville LENTEN CLERGY RETREAT Father Nick will be attending the Lenten Clergy Retreat at the Antiochian Village Retreat Center in Bolivar, PA, from Tuesday, March 6 th through Thursday, March 8 th. If you need to get in touch with him please call the office and the secretary will relay your message. FELLOWSHIP HOSTS FELLOWSHIP HOSTS... March March 4... GOYA March GOYA March Riley Family March GOYA MEMORIAL March 18 COMMUNITY NEWS Robert Riley CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations go out to GeorgiAnn Diniaco who was chosen as one of the 20 Outstanding Women in Columbus. GeorgiAnn is responsible for the Safe and Drug Free Schools program within the department of Student Support Services with Dublin City Schools. GeorgiAnn has always been someone who was determined to make a difference in the lives of others. Her work with the drug free leadership program, Teen Institute, has provided a springboard to support youth to find ways to feed and clothe the homeless and assist in projects supporting children with special needs. SAVE THE DATE JOY Metropolis Retreat will be held at the Saxonburg Monastery in Saxonburg, PA, on March 24 th. More information will follow in the weekly Bulletin. 3 The Net / March 2012

4 News & Events FESTIVAL NEWS FESTIVAL PLANNING BEGINS The planning for the 26 th Annual Grecian Festival is underway. The dates of the festival this year are June 12, 13, 14, & 15 th. Everyone s help is appreciated to make this a recordbreaking festival. This year the Chairman of the Festival is John Scavdis with co-chairs Tom Kotsanis and Greg Matzorkis. Look for future updates in the Bulletin. EASTER FLOWERS In this addition of The Net you will find the order form for the Easter flowers. The deadline for ordering your flowers is March 11, Please make sure you have your order form in by that date so we can make an accurate count of the flowers that need to be ordered. GRECIAN STARS Dance practice for the Grecian Stars will start the week following Easter. There will be 8 lessons scheduled and you must attend 6 of the 8 to be allowed to participate in the dancing at the Festival. A form has been included in this issue of The Net. Please fill out the form and have it back to the church office by March 1, On Sunday, March 11 th following Liturgy there will be a brief meeting to discuss practice schedules and sift through the costumes. Please bring yourself and your costumes to this meeting. Let s try to keep up the tradition that Mrs. K. has started for us. TAKI ROMIOS MEMORIAL LIBRARY The Taki Romios Memorial Library is selling books, crosses, censers and other articles which will make great gifts. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION RELIGIOUS EDUCATION... March There is no scheduled Religious Education meeting for the month of February. S.C. BREAKFAST BIBLE STUDY... March 12 The Senior Citizen s Breakfast Bible Study meeting is held on the 2 nd Monday of the month at 10:00 am. C.A.F.E.N.I.O.... March C.A.F.E.N.I.O. will resume at a later date. GREEK SCHOOL... March 5, 12 & 19 Greek school is scheduled for 5:30 pm every Monday except the last Monday of the month. FAMILY FUN NIGHT... March 26 Family Fun Night is scheduled for Monday, March 26 th at 5:30 pm. Join us for lots of games, fellowship and fun. PARISH GROUPS AHEPA... March 20 The AHEPA Society will hold its monthly meetings on the 3 rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm at the church. CHOIR... March Rehearsals are held weekly when possible and the times vary. Choir members are notified through our Notify-Now system. Anyone who would be interested in joining the Choir is welcome to do so. Please contact Pete Caleodis if you are interested in joining the Choir. PHILOPTOCHOS...March 1 The next Philoptochos meeting will be held on Thursday, March 1 st at 1:00 pm. PARISH COUNCIL... March 13 Parish Council meetings are held the 2 nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm at the church. These pictures are just a sample of the many gifts and items we have for sale that would make your Orthodox (and even non- Orthodox) shopping much easier and simpler for you. SENIOR CITIZENS... March The Senior Citizens group will reconvene the last week of September, The meeting will be scheduled for September 27, JANUARY MONTHLY FINANCIALS January weekly income $4, January weekly expenses $3, The Net / March

5 In the biblical narrative of the creation, it is noteworthy that the original day of creation is not designated the first day. It is called, rather, one day (yom ehad). Although this difference of expression in Genesis 1:5 has proved too subtle for virtually all biblical translations into modern languages, its significance caused it to be maintained in the ancient versions, such as the Septuagint (hemera mia) and the Vulgate (dies unus). In addition, that difference of expression ( one day instead of first day ) was the object of explicit discussion in nearly all ancient commentaries on Genesis 1:5, whether Jewish (e.g., Philo and Rashi) or Christian (e.g., Basil and Augustine). In those classical comments on the text, moreover, we find the common assertion that the words one day served to elevate that day to something more than part of a sequence. There is a profound reason why the original day of creation is appropriately called one, whereas the second day is not appropriately called two, nor the third day three, and so forth. The original day is one in a manner analogous to the number itself. One is not simply the numeral that precedes two; it is, rather, the number out of which that second number comes. There is a formal disparity between one and the other numbers. One (to hen) is the font determining the identity of two and the subsequent numbers. One is not just first as part of a sequence; it is what we call a principle, an arche. The principle of something possesses its qualitative form. For example, there is a parallel and corresponding proposition to be argued with respect to repentance, metanoia. Repentance is the arche, the foundational principle, of the life in Christ; it functions in the life of grace as the number one functions in arithmetic. It is not simply the first step of the Christian life. Repentance, rather, provides the abiding and formative structure of the whole life in Christ. Repentance is not a first step that we take with a view to getting past it. We are called to remain forever repentant. Although there is certainly progress to be made in the life of grace, all genuine progress is indicated by a renewal of repentance. A Christian does not grow in Christ by diminishing in repentance. True growth and authentic progress in Christ always imply growth and progress in repentance. There are several very important inferences to be drawn from this premise of repentance as a principle of the life in Christ: First, as the initial effect of grace, repentance is not of an order different from holiness. This needs emphatically to be said, because for some few centuries now there has roamed abroad the fallacious theory that God s act by which we are justified remains external to us. This rather recent theory effectively separates repentance from holiness, as though God would Biblical Repentance By Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon From the Inter-NET declare a man righteous without actually making him righteous, pronounce him to be just without causing him to be a saint, and convert him but without giving him a new heart. Against this theory, the Bible indicates that the conversion of repentance is not just an act of God; it is also an act of man s free will under the accepted influence of God s grace. Man s heart, his interior, is altered by repentance. Second, because repentance is the free decision of man as well as the free gift of God, the grace of repentance, if not properly safeguarded, can also be lost. Again, this truth has been obscured in recent centuries by an erroneous theory asserting that repentance, if genuine, cannot perish. However, a more complete reading of the Bible obliges us to say that the blessed assurance given us in Christ (cf. Romans 8:31-39) is no substitute for humility and vigilance. At no point in our Christian lives can we afford to forget that we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12), with discipline lest we fall away (1 Corinthians 9:27). Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (10:12). Third, if repentance is a sustained constant in the life of grace, it is also repetitive. This repetition is both possible and required, not only for the daily shortcomings that befall us all, but also for those more serious infidelities that may even constitute apostasy. Once again, a fairly recent pernicious theory, interpreting the adjective impossible in Hebrews 6:4 in an excessively literal sense, has imagined that there is no return for a believer who has deliberately fallen from grace. This mischievous theory, however, is dashed to pieces by the biblical examples of such men as David and Peter. The command Repent! is addressed, not only to non-christians (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 8:22), but to Christians as well (Revelation 2:5, 16; 3:3, 19). Repentance is the non-negotiable, foundational constant of the life in Christ. However much God s saints differ from one another in style, tone, and emphasis, repentance is a grace and discipline - a principle - shared by them all.great Lent is now upon us. It is a time for what Fr. Alexander Schmemann (of blessed memory) called "bright sadness." It is a time, above all, for reflection and movement back to God. Sin, in literal translation, means "missing the mark." Not being where we should be. Where we should be, but are not, is in communion with God. So, for practical purposes, sin is separation from God. And, by definition, separation from God is death because life can only exist where God is present. Taken from: antiochian.org/book/export/html/ The Net / March 2012

6 Around the World Religious leaders of other faiths speaking out against health care mandate By: Jennifer Brinker Leaders from Christian and other religious groups around the country have been stepping up to speak out against the federal health care mandate, which will require all health insurance plans to include free contraceptives, sterilizations and abortionproducing drugs. Whether or not they hold the same view on contraceptives as the Catholic Church, all seem to view the mandate as a violation of religious freedom. John Yeats, executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention, which includes about 400,000 regularly worshipping members, this week called the mandate "a frontal attack on our religious liberty," in an article in the Pathway, the MBC's newspaper. Yeats will be teaming up with Archbishop Robert J. Carlson and others next month for a Rally for Religious Liberty at the Missouri State Capitol. "Pope Benedict XVI has called on people of many faiths -- despite our differences -- to put to work the unity that exists among us for the sake of the common good," said Lawrence Welch, director of the archdiocesan Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. "The Rally for Religious Liberty will be a remarkable show of unity by people of different faiths who will be standing up for the common good of religious liberty. In a statement issued Feb. 14, Harrison said the synod remains "deeply concerned" by the mandate, adding that the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) strongly objects "to the use of drugs and procedures that are used to take the lives of unborn children, who are persons in the sight of God from the time of conception." "We remain opposed to this mandate because it runs counter to the biblical truth of the sanctity of human life," the statement continued. "We are committed to working to ensure that we remain free to practice the teachings of our faith, that our religious rights are not violated, and that our rights of conscience are retained." The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America also issued a statement last week, saying that it is joining with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in speaking out against the mandate and calls on HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and the White House administration to rescind the ruling. The assembly includes the 65 canonical Orthodox bishops in the United States, Canada and Mexico. "This freedom is transgressed when a religious institution is required to pay for 'contraceptive services,' including abortion-inducing drugs and sterilization services that directly violate their religious convictions," according to the statement. "Providing such services should not be regarded as mandated medical care." Yeats noted that Missouri Baptist universities will be forced to deal with a ruling that "seeks to secularize the institutions of faith we have built for purposes of faith." According to the Pathway, the president of Southwest Baptist University, C. Pat Taylor, said he plans to speak with trustees later this month about the possibility of joining a federal lawsuit, filed in December by Colorado Christian University and Belmont Abbey College, which challenges the mandate. Also considering that option is Hannibal LaGrange University, another Southern Baptist institution. Missouri Baptist Children's Home, located in Bridgeton and which provides residential child care and foster and adoptive services, among others, also is considering how it would be affected by the mandate. The president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, is calling on members of the second-largest Lutheran church body in North America to support efforts to preserve religious freedom. The synod has 2.2 million baptized members and is headquartered in Kirkwood. 6 The Net March 2012 Last December, more than 60 religious leaders, including Protestant and orthodox Jewish leaders, penned a letter to President Barack Obama, stressing that "religious organizations and leaders of other faiths are also deeply troubled by and opposed to the mandate and the narrow (religious) exemption." "It is emphatically not only Catholics who deeply object to the requirement that health plans they purchase must provide coverage of contraceptives that include some that are abortifacients," the letter said. "It is not only Catholics who object to the narrow exemption that protects only seminaries and a few churches, but not churches with a social outreach and other faith-based organizations that serve the poor and needy broadly providing help that goes beyond worship and prayer. "We believe that the federal government is obligated by the First Amendment to accommodate the religious convictions of faithbased organizations of all kinds, Catholic and non-catholic." -Taken from:

7 The Net-Minders The Parish of Holy Trinity would like to thank the following benefactors for making this Monthly Newsletter possible: In Loving Memory Of Nicholas Mougianis 7 The Net / March 2012

8 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church P.O. Box South Fourth Street Steubenville, OH NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE P A I D STEUBENVILLE, OH PERMIT NO. 83 Submissions for THE NET are to be submitted by the 20 th of each month About the Icon on the Cover 40 MARTYRS OF SEBASTE The martyrdom of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebasteiaia is a powerful lesson in Christian faith, perseverance, sacrifice, and friendship. The story of this martyrdom begins in the early part of the 4th century when the persecution of Christians was still active. There were 40 soldiers of the Roman army who possessed sincere faith in Jesus Christ. When it was realized that they would not deny their belief in the Lord, they were brought to trial before their commander who threatened to have them discharged from the military dishonorably. One of the soldiers responded: "Do not take only our military status, but also our bodies; nothing is dearer or of greater honor to us than Christ our God." Following a number of failed attempts to torture them, they were finally stripped, tied, and thrown into a lake. It happened to be wintertime and the temperature was extremely cold. To tempt the soldiers to deny Christ, the torturers lit fires near the lake to entice them to deny Christ. One soldier actually did come out of the water and headed for the fire, but before he could get there, he died. During the night, a light from heaven came down and heated the lake and warmed these Christian witnesses. At the same time, thirty-nine crowns were sent from heaven and rested upon each of them. One of the soldiers torturing them saw this and, moved by this event, confessed the Christ as Lord and Savior and joined the others in the lake. A fortieth crown appeared and descended upon him at that very moment. In the morning, the commander was furious when he learned of the events and ordered that their legs be broken and they be thrown back into the lake. On the third day following their drowning, the martyrs appeared to the local bishop and told him to search beneath the water and recover their relics. In the middle of the night, the bishop, along with his priests, went to the lake where they found the relics glowing in the water and, gathering them together, they gave them a proper burial. -Taken from: iconograms.org/sig.php?eid=454