FEBRUARY 2018 FAITH FAMILY FELLOWSHIP. This Spirit of Tradition SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

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1 OUR FEBRUARY 2018 FAITH FAMILY FELLOWSHIP SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH This Spirit of Tradition

2 Message Education from Father SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting. Matthew. 6:17 Dearly beloved in the Lord: T he words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as written in the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew are addressed personally to us all. They underscore the vital need and necessity for fasting. Fasting is understood to be an expression of our own personal decision to reexamine our lives. Fasting is also a spiritual exercise that is beneficial to our soul; it is not observed simply as a formality, but a critical component of our Lenten Journey. Many things have been written about fasting. It is one of the most widely discussed topics in our Church. Many of us identify fasting simply as abstaining from certain foods. Holy Scripture teaches us that fasting is much more than what goes in the mouth, Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man (Matthew 15:11). Great Lent provides us with an opportunity to rediscover the true spiritual and moral dimension of fasting. Fasting conducted as a spiritual exercise can be of tremendous help in controlling evil words deeds and thoughts, and it also enables a person to move forward and grow in the life of Christ. The season of Great and Holy Lent will begin on Monday, February 19th also known as Clean Monday. On all Monday evenings during Great Lent our church will host an evening prayer service called Great Compline. The liturgical structure of Great Compline is a beautiful poetic compilation of prayers, hymns, psalms and readings from Holy Scripture. May you all have a blessed 40 day journey through Great and Holy Lent. In Christ s love, Father Prevas Pastor FEBRUARY JANUARY

3 Youth in Action Let the GAMES begin T he information doesn t stop, the activities pile up, and the electronic distractions never quite end. If you feel like at times it can be difficult for us, our families, and our children to be aware of God s loving presence amidst the clamor of our daily activities, you re not alone. That s why every month, St. Nicholas Church demonstrates how our youth s faith is a priority in the life of our community, and our families affirm this priority by participating in, and showing tremendous support for, these various youth ministries. Whether we re competing in our mock pre-olympic games-of-strength or switching tones and engaging in more thoughtful conversations about Orthodoxy, St. Nicholas JOY, Junior and Senior GOYA each aim to help our youth grow in their understanding and love for our Lord and offer gatherings that foster authentic and meaningful connections. Fr. Michael State Assistant Priest FEBRUARY 2

4 Youth in Action E Greek Dance Program very year from September until February, traditional Greek folk music fills the air at St. Nicholas where our youth can be found in many practice sessions grouped in semi-circles, synchronized in step, and joined by hands and a common love for dance. All the hard work and dedication that goes into our Greek Dance Program once again paid off as our beloved Saint Nicholas Parish sent four competitive groups to the Folk Dance Festival (FDF) in San Francisco, over the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend in January. Our 3rd-5th grade dance group, Ellinopoula, won both first place for their dance performance, and also the Choral Award for their exceptional singing. Our Junior High group, Chrysi Psihi, proudly received third place for their dance performance. Our High School group, Orpheus, performed beautifully and deservedly won first place. Our young adult group, Golden Greeks, honored our program by performing two excellent dance suites. Perhaps the best take away for all the groups was the way they conducted themselves throughout the weekend. Like dance itself, our program brings the clergy, adults, and youth together in a beautiful rhythm where we truly become more of a cohesive family than our daily hurried lives may otherwise allow. There is a LOT more going on during those loud practice sessions at church... these dancers are rehearsing for life. It indeed takes a village to run this program and our village is and always will be located in Northridge! Wendy Katsiotes Program Director 3 FEBRUARY 2018

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6 S pirit week has become a tradition of showing school spirit here at St. Nicholas School. Our Student Council provides the students with a daily theme and the children wear free dress that represents the theme.. This year, the free dress themes were, Decades Day, Mix Match Day, Tacky Tourist Day, Favorite Sport Team Day, and St. Nicholas School Day. Our Annual Pep Rally was the highlight of our Spirit Week. On Friday, January 26 the students of St. Nicholas School gathered together in our gymnasium to watch a basketball game between the 7th grade and 8th grade classes. During the game, the students cheered for their favorite team waving pom poms. Our Cheer Squad entertained the students at half time with a cheer routine. It was a very exciting game. and you could feel the excitement and school spirit amongst the students. In the end, our 8th grade class won by 2 points 35 to 33. It was a great way to end a fantastic Spirit Week! Sincerely, Melissa Damato Principal 5 FEBRUARY 2018

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8 Stewardship Commitments at $2,320 and Above Thank you to everyone who has generously given the required pledge amount, and to those who have pledged above and beyond. Veronica Abusleme Nicole Adams James & Cynthia Alex Michael & Taliny Amash Dan Barefoot Elias & Renee Barbinis John & Janice Bariamis Nicholas & Claudia Bomicino Dewayne Bryant & Sarah Anagnost Dina Daglas Michael & Elena Damascus Bob & Evie Duschinsky Klaus & Tracy Endrissat Dino Fekaris Kostas & Soula Fergadis Gene & Vikki George Louis & Niki George James & Tessie Gourgouris Steve & Annie Greanias Anthony & Nicole Jacquet Alexander & Wendy Katsiotis David & Pamela Kelly James & Genie Kontos Mihail & Katina Koulakis Mark & Patricia Langermann Jason & Alexa Linquata Apostol & Edith Livitsanos Steve & Linda Manios Steven & Alexis Markis Frank & Catie Mihalopoulos Michael & Sherry Mohr Larry & Lori Morgan Zak & Elizabeth Nahmoulis Steven & Mari Naltsas Jonathan & Jenni Nassos Jim & Arpi Nikolopoulos Mark & Connie Onks Fr. Michael & Presv. Matia Prevas David & Pandora Randall Michael & Joyce Sapon Fr. Michael & Presv. Sophie State Kostas & Nagwa Theodosiou Michael & Cressie Thomas Paul & Gail Thomas Stephen & Laura Youlios 7 FEBRUARY 2018

9 Orthodox Calendar February 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Presentation of our Lord Orthros 8:00am Liturgy 9:00am Sunday of the Prodigal Son Orthros 8:45am Liturgy 10:00am St. Photios Orthros 8:00am Liturgy 9:00am St. Haralambos 1st Saturday of Souls Orthros 8:00am Liturgy 9:00am Judgment Sunday (Meatfare) Orthros 8:45am Liturgy 10:00am 2nd Saturday of Souls Orthros 8:00am Liturgy 9:00am Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare) Orthros 8:45am Liturgy 10:00am Service of Forgiveness 7:30pm Great Lent Begins The Great Compline Service 7:30pm Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts 9:00am Salutations to the Theotokos 7:30pm 3rd Saturday of Souls Orthros 8:00am Liturgy 9:00am Sunday of Orthodoxy Orthros 8:45am Liturgy 10:00am The Great Compline Service 7:30pm Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts 9:00am 8 FEBRUARY 2018

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