St. George Greek Orthodox Church 30 East Forge Road - Media, PA Telephone: FAX:

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1 St. George Greek Orthodox Church 30 East Forge Road - Media, PA Telephone: FAX: office@stgeorgemedia.org FrAnastasios@stgeorgemedia.org Volume 31, Issue 2 Check the St. George website for the most up to date information February 2017 The First Sunday of the Triodion Period - Sunday, February 5, 2017 Sunday of The Publican and Pharisee Introduction The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee is the first Sunday of a three-week period prior to the commencement of Great Lent. It marks the beginning of a time of preparation for the spiritual journey of Lent, a time for Orthodox Christians to draw closer to God through worship, prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. It is also on this day that the Triodion is introduced, a liturgical book that contains the services from this Sunday, the tenth before Pascha (Easter), to Great and Holy Saturday. Biblical Story The name for this Sunday is taken from the parable of our Lord Jesus Christ found in Luke 18: This is the story of two men, one a Pharisee, a member of a Jewish sect known for its diligent observance of the Law, and the other a Publican, a government official charged with the responsibility of collecting taxes. Both men enter the temple, and the Pharisee stands openly and prays, thanking God that he is not like other men, specifically extortioners, the unjust, adulterers, or even this tax collector (v. 11). He then begins to list his religious accomplishments by stating, I fast twice a week, and I give tithes of all that I possess (v. 12). In direct contrast to the pride of the Pharisee, the Publican goes to a place where he will not be noticed by others and beats his breast saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner! (v. 13). Having told this story, Jesus affirms that it was the Publican who returned home justified and forgiven rather than the Pharisee. He states, Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (v. 14). The theme of this parable is repentance. Repentance is the door through which we enter Lent, the starting-point of the journey to Pascha. To repent signifies far more than self-pity or futile regret over things done in the past. The Greek term metanoia means change of mind. To repent is to be renewed, to be transformed in our inward viewpoint, to attain a fresh way of looking at our relationship with God and with others. The fault of the Pharisee is that he has no desire to change his outlook; he is complacent, self-satisfied, and so he allows no place for God to act within him. The Gospel depicts him as a man that is pleased only with himself who thinks that he has complied with all of the requirements of religion. But in his pride, he has falsified the meaning of true religion and faith. He has reduced these to external observations, measuring his piety by the amount of money he gives. The Publican, on the other hand, truly longs for a change of mind. He humbles himself, and his humility justifies him before God. He becomes, in the words of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3), poor in spirit. He acknowledges that he is a sinner, and he knows that salvation is only found in the mercy of God. Here we find an example of true humility, an essential aspect of repentance. A change of mind and the transformation of our lives can only happen when we humble ourselves before God, acknowledge our willingness to turn from sin, and receive His grace into our lives. Our preparation for Lent thus begins with a prayer for humility, the beginning of true repentance. Through repentance, we can find and return to the true order of things, a restoration of our spiritual vision that will guide us in a very difficult and challenging world. By entering Great Lent in humility and repentance, we can attain deeper communion with God as we receive His forgiveness and He blesses by guiding us to greater spiritual heights. Icon of the Feast The icon of the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee shows both men in the manner in which they enter the temple to pray. The Pharisee goes to a very prominent place where others will see him. The positions of his hands indicate that he is addressing God by speaking of his stature and accomplishments. In contrast, the Publican enters and remains in a low place, far from the holiest parts of the temple. His posture shows his openness to God, his humility, and his petition for mercy. The icon also shows the state of both men as they leave the temple. Following the words of Christ in Luke 18:14, the Publican has now been exalted in the kingdom of God because of his humility. He leaves the temple forgiven, and he shows that he remains open to the will of God. In contrast, the Pharisee leaves the temple unjustified, still in need of forgiveness. Because of his pride and lack of repentance, he will be humbled before God, the One who knows the condition of each person s soul and who will offer the gift of salvation to those who come to Him in true repentance.

2 Holy Metropolis of New Jersey His Eminence Metropolitan EVANGELOS + St. George Greek Orthodox Church Presiding Priest - Fr. Anastasios P. Bourantas, Economos 2017 Parish Council Members Angelica Politarhos-Santora George Fotiades Margaret Antzoulatos Demetrios Psihalinos Demetrios Christoforatos Roula Fotiades-Alexander Peggy Galiatsatos Valentinos Kanellopoulos Ernest Kollias Nikolaos Liolios Kenneth N. Miller Drew M. Nayman Emmanouil Papadopoulos Marco Tourlitis Nikolaos Yiantsos Organizations Administrative Assistant - Katherine B. Mudrick Chanters - Michael Matekovic, Richard Stingle Choir - Helen J. Beldecos, Director Custodian - Russell Ehly Accountant - George Kaffes Philoptochos - Ai Mirophoroi Diane P. Nayman, President GOYA - Christina Bourantas, Eleni Christou, GOYA Co-Presidents, Advisors: Dina Christou, Sissy Konstantopoulos JOY/HOPE - Anthoula Psihalinos, Effie Lambardakis, Advisors Sunday School Director - Patty Cakrides-Ryan Bookstore - Presvytera Nicoletta Bourantas GOYA Basketball - John Aivazoglou, Coach (boys), Dr. Alex Terris, Coach, (girls) Vacation Church School - Anthoula Psihalinos Greek Folk Dance - (HOPE/JOY) Anthoula Psihalinos, Effie Lambardakis, (GOYA) Phil Voutsakis Young Adult Leaders: Phil Voutsakis Young at Heart (A Ministry for those 55 and over) - Diane Nayman, Bertha Tourlitis, Angie Santora Aristotle Academy at St. George - Elias Pantelidis, Director, Alexander Kopatsis, President Chion Society of St. Markella - Marco Tourlitis, President AHEPA - Rick Hogue, President Daughters of Penelope - Dr. Frances Hourican, President Parish Council Committee Chairpersons Building Expansion - John Aivazoglou, Nikolaos Yiantsos Bylaws - Executive Committee - Parish Council Officers and Past President Facilities - George Fotiades, Nikolaos Liolios, Nikolaos Yiantsos, Demetrios Psihalinos Festival - Sonya Bohmann, Angelica Politarhos-Santora, Nikolaos Yiantsos Finance - Demetrios Psihalinos, Drew Nayman Greek School - Emmanouil Papadopoulos Hall Rental - IATV/Audio Visual - Nikolaos Yiantsos Personnel - Executive Committee Stewardship - Drew Nayman, Kenneth N. Miller Web Master & Strategic Planning - Nick Voutsakis Youth Liaison - Margaret Antzoulatos Golf Classic - John Aivazoglou, Nikolaos Yiantsos

3 February 2017 Check the St. George Website for the most up to date information Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat The Canon of St. Andrew will be read the first week of Great Lent during the Compline Service at 6pm 5 Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee Triodion Begins 6 Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm 7 GOYA Sights & Sounds Rehearsal 6:30 pm DOP Meeting 7:00 pm Pan-Macedonian Dance Rehearsal 8 pm 1 GOYA Dance Rehearsal 7 pm Forefeast Presentation of our Lord, Vespers 7:00 pm 8 GOYA Dance Rehearsal 7 pm DVYC St. Sophia 7:30 pm 2 Presentation of our Lord, Orthros 8:15 am, Liturgy 9:30 am Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm 9 Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm 3 JOY Dance Rehearsal 6:30 pm Documentary Film The Great Uprooting of St. George, 7:30 pm 10 St. Haralambos, Orthros 8:15 am, Liturgy 9:30 am 4 St. George Dinner The Concordville Inn 4 pm-9 pm 11 Aristotle Academy Dinner Dance 6 pm - 11 pm 12 Sunday of the Prodigal Son JOY/HOPE Craft time 12:15 pm 13 Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm 14 GOYA Sights & Sounds Rehearsal 6:30 pm Pan-Macedonian Dance Rehearsal 8 pm 15 GOYA Dance Rehearsal 7 pm 16 Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm Saturday of Souls Liturgy 9 am 19 Judgment Sunday (Mearfare) HOPE Dance Rehearsal 12:15 pm Philoptochos Meeting 12:30 pm 20 office closed Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm 21 GOYA Sights & Sounds Rehearsal 6:30 pm Pan-Macedonian Dance Rehearsal 8 pm 22 GOYA Dance Rehearsal 7 pm 23 Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm 24 JOY Dance Rehearsal 6:30 pm 25 Saturday of Souls Liturgy 9 am Baptism 12 noon Baptism 1 pm 26 Forgiveness Sunday (Vespers following services) (Cheesefare) HOPE Dance Rehearsal 12:15 pm 27 Lent Begins Aristotle Academy Greek School Classes 5:30-7:30 pm Apodeipnon/ Compline 6:00 pm 28GOYA Sights & Sounds Rehearsal 6:30 pm Pan-Macedonian Dance Rehearsal 8 pm Apodeipnon/ Compline 6:00 pm 1 Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:00 pm 2 Apodeipnon/ Compline 6:00 pm 3 Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 9:00 am Salutations to the Theotokos 7pm 4 Saturday of Souls Liturgy 9 am

4 Dear St. George Parishioners: Parish Council Message I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and all the best to all in We had a beautiful day January 8th our Vasilopita Sunday where all the organizational leaders and parishioners received their blessed bread from Fr. Anastasios. I want to thank St. George Parish Council for hosting Stewardship Breakfast on January 15th it was a wonderful breakfast which was chaired by our new Parish Council Member Peggy Galiatsatos. Drew Nayman our Stewardship Chairperson collected 35 new Stewardship Forms which is a sign for a great beginning year for If you haven't filled your form out please do so as soon as possible so we can have and overview of what our year will look like. Please SAVE THE DATE for the St. George Name Day Dinner Dance on February 4th at The Concordville Inn. Please see the enclosed Dinner Dance Flyer with full details as well as contact information for your reservations. This event is hosted every year by the wonderful Hionis Family who contributes all the proceeds back to St. George. It is a honor to celebrate our patron saint and as a faithful community. Let s look forward to our 75th Anniversary in 2018! On Friday evenings (check our website for dates) we have Greek dance lessons at the church for adults which is hosted by one of our wonderful young adults Phil Voutsakis. Please consider coming it is great time and opportunity to connect with new people. Please note that our meetings are posted in the bulletin everyone is invited to come and listen in, or if you want to make a contribution to the meeting please let me know ahead of time so that we can accommodate a time slot for you at our parish council meetings. In Christ, Angelica P. Santora Priest Discretionary Fund The Priest Discretionary Fund is used by the priest to assist those in need. Examples of how this fund is used includes, assisting the hungry and homeless, assist a parishioner in times of crisis, emergency and/or extreme financial need. The monies used to establish this Discretionary Fund will come from the generous donation of our parishioners and other anonymous donations of our community. If you have a question or a desire to contribute, please ask Father Anastasios about the use of the Discretionary Fund and how you can help.

5 Community Shelter Outreach Our parish participates in serving dinner to the men at Safe Harbor Shelter in West Chester. Our parish is responsible for the first Tuesday of each month. It is really a rewarding experience and not that difficult to do. There are several ways you can participate: If you are familiar with the serving routine at the shelter you can sign up for one of the monthly dinners (prepare dinner and serve, either or both). If you are new to the program you can prepare the meal (enough for 25 adults) and /or come to the shelter to serve it. We will be there with you. Of course, if you wish to make a donation, please make checks payable to St. George earmarked for Community Shelter Outreach. The donations will be used to purchase food or supplies for the needs of the shelter residents. If you would like to sign up to volunteer on a Tuesday, please Effie Hionis at ehionis@hotmail.com or leave a message at (610) and I will call you back. This is an amazing opportunity to serve Jesus! Thanks this month: Many thanks to Barbara, Page and Jaclyn Angelus and Connie, Maria and Alexis Coleman. The Mother and daughters teams prepared and served a hot Meatball sandwich meal with potato salad, fresh green salad and dessert. They even provided the residents with bottled water! Generous Future committed volunteers 2/7/17 Maria Nazarides Preparing dinner in memory of her late husband Theodoros Nazarides- May his Memory be Eternal. Open dates 3/7/17, 4/4/17, and 5/2/17 Dear Sunday School Families, It is my prayer that you have had a blessed start to the new year! Godparent's Sunday is a special day for our children, coming to church with their Godparent's and receiving Holy Communion together. Being a Godparent is a blessing and a responsibility to teach our children the importance of having a relationship with Christ. As scripture tell us Deuteronomy 6 (7-8) "You shall teach them to your sons, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and it shall be immovable before your eyes; and you shall write them down on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates." A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the people that helped with Godparent's Sunday, your generosity and hard work are greatly appreciated. In Christ, Patty Cakridas-Ryan Sunday School Director NEED TO GIVE A GIFT - DONATE A BEAUTIFUL RED RIBBON IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE Donors are needed for the 25 beautiful handmade Red Ribbons that adorn our beloved St. George Church. Each ribbon is $40.00 if you would like to donate 1, 2, 3 or all 50 please contact the church office. Thank you. (2)Ribbons In Memory of Harry Pappas. (5) Ribbons donated by JOY/HOPE Please remember, if you have already obtained a civil divorce, you must also receive an Ecclesiastical Divorce from the Church This brief process is confidentially handled by the parish priest. You must complete this process in order to be in good standing with the Church, meaning that you may not partake in the Sacramental life of the Church, (example: being a sponsor at a wedding or baptism, receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Holy Unction, serving on the Parish Council, voting at Parish Assemblies and entering into another marriage). Please consider your personal situation and be in good standing with the Church. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Fr. Anastasios directly.

6 THIS MONTH AT THE BOOKSTORE Stop by and visit the BOOKSTORE to purchase these featured books and many other Religious books, gifts, handmade jewelry and other helpful resources that are now available for purchase. The bookstore is open during office hours and Sunday s following Liturgy. ADULT BOOK: Know the Faith, A Handbook for Orthodox Christians & Inquirers By: Rev. Michael Shanbour YOUTH BOOK: Shepherding Sam By: Melinda Johnson HOLY CONFESSION The Orthodox Christian Church informs us that each and every human being (except for the human nature of Our Lord, Jesus Christ) is a sinner. To be a sinner is not to be a bad person necessarily, but it is to be a human being. A sin is an action or an intention that falls short of the perfection to which God has called us. It "misses the mark", it fails to hit the target. God has given us food; we miss the mark when we overeat. God has given us intimacy; we miss the mark when we are intimate in ways that are outside God-prescribed ways. God has given us free will; we miss the mark when we use that free will in ways that are inconsistent with His will. These are but a few examples. The best news is that God calls us again and again to reflect on our errors and to see them as missed opportunities to live in cooperation with Him. In the Sacrament of Confession, He gives us the opportunity to bring all our misses before Him with a broken spirit, a contrite heart, and a desire to "hit the mark" more often. We need to seize this opportunity as often as possible throughout our lives, and make this our life s operating system. If we do so, then we will be treading along the path of righteousness that leads to everlasting life in His Kingdom.

7 PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY Ai Miroforoi St George Greek Orthodox Church Media PA Hello Everyone, We are in the throes of winter and all are huddled with our families during the frigid weather. However..the ladies of Philoptochos are still busy working for St. George and our many charities. The Philoptochos ladies made hundreds of Vasilopita that many of you enjoyed during the New Year. On Sunday, January 8th the Vasilopita was cut and given to the congregation. To those who received a coin, congratulations and the best to you and your families. As tradition dictates, on Vasilopita Sunday, a tray was passed for Saint Basil Academy. Many of you do not understand the facts of the Academy. * St. Basil is NOT an orphanage. * Founded by Archbishop Athanagoras in Located on the Hudson River across from West Point. The academy sits on 252 acres with historic structures. * A safe haven and home for Orthodox children in need, from families suffering financial hardship or crisis or single parent households who are having difficulties * Full tuition for school education with college assistance available. * All purchase of clothing and personal needs of the children with medical and dental care. * The ultimate goal is to reunite children with family when safe and practical. * FINANCIALLY SUPPORTED BY National and Metropolis Ladies Philoptochos Societies, AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope and other organizations and individuals. Ladies, please join us and help with our many ministries. In Philoptochos Love, Diane P. Nayman, Philoptochos President

8 Sacramental Registry Funerals * On Wednesday, December 21, Chris Pappas, age 87. * On Tuesday, January 17, Vasiliki (Betty) Cozan, age 94. * On Friday, January 20, Pauline Etina Pilallis, age * On Friday, January 20 in Rock Island, IL, Carol (Kerasoula) N. Chickris, age 86 (Mother of Presvytera Nicoletta Bourantas). PROSPHORA /ARTOCLASIA Would you like to donate the Prosphora for a special feast day or your name day, they are available for purchase at $10.00 each. Please contact the church office for more details. Thank you. Artoclasia is available for purchase to celebrate a name day or special occasion from the Philoptochos Society, 5 loaves for $50. Please contact the church office or any Philoptochos member to order. For all memorial services and Artoclasia we kindly ask that you also supply wine and oil for the Altar. Thank you. JOY/HOPE UPDATE JOY DANCE REHEARSAL: Friday, February 3 & 24, 6:30 pm HOPE DANCE REHEARSAL: Sunday, February 19 & 26, 12:15 pm JOY/HOPE CRAFT TIME: Sunday, February 12, 12:15 pm

9 St. George GOYA Holiday Fun Ice Skating & Fellowship

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13 Presentation of Christ in the Temple Introduction This feast, celebrated on February 2, is known in the Orthodox Church as The Presentation of Christ in the Temple. Another name for the feast is The Meeting of our Lord. Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians call the feast, The Purification of the Holy Virgin. About 450 AD in Jerusalem, people began the custom of holding lighted candles during the Divine Liturgy of this feast day. Therefore, some churches in the West refer to this holy day as Candlemas. The Feast of the Presentation concludes the observances related to the Nativity of Christ, a period that opened on November 15 with the beginning of the Nativity fast. Biblical Story The story of the Presentation is told in Luke 2: Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews and observed their religious customs. An important custom was for the couple to take their first-born son to the Temple. The baby was taken to the Temple forty days after his birth and was dedicated to God. In addition, if the parents were wealthy, they were to bring a lamb and a young pigeon or a turtle dove to be offered as a sacrifice at the Temple. The custom provided that if the parents were poor, they were to offer two pigeons or two turtle doves for the sacrifice. When Jesus was forty days old, Mary and Joseph took Him to the Temple in Jerusalem. They were not wealthy, so they took two turtle doves with them to offer as a sacrifice at the Temple. As they arrived at the Temple, Mary and Joseph were met by a very old man named Simeon. He was a holy man and was noted as a very intelligent scholar. Simeon spent much time studying about the prophets of Israel. It was during his studies that he learned of the coming of the Messiah. The Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah to come and deliver Israel from their conquerors. From that time on, Simeon spent his time praying for the Messiah to come. He spent many years in prayer. Finally, while Simeon was praying he heard the voice of God. God promised Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When Simeon saw Jesus, he took the baby in his arms and blessed the Lord and said: "Lord, now let Your servant go in peace according to Your promise, because my eyes have seen Your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory to your people Israel." Also, in the Temple was Anna the Prophetess. She had been a widow for many years. Anna was about eighty-four years old and spent her time in the Temple worshiping, fasting, and praying. When she saw the Christ Child she praised God and spoke of him to all who were awaiting the Messiah. After Jesus was presented in the Temple, the family returned to Galilee to the town of Nazareth. The Bible tells us that Jesus grew and became strong, and was filled with wisdom. Continued on next page

14 Icon of the Feast The Holy Icon shows that the meeting takes place inside the Temple and in front of the altar. The altar has a book or a scroll on it and is covered by a canopy. The Theotokos stands to the left and is holding out her hands in a gesture of offering. The one hand of the Theotokos is covered by her cloak or as it is known, the maphorion. She has just handed her Son to Simeon. Christ is shown as a child, but He is not in swaddling clothes. He is clothed in a small dress and his legs are bare. Jesus appears to be giving a blessing. Simeon holds Jesus with both hands which are covered. This shows the reverence Simeon had for the Messiah. Simeon is bare headed and there is nothing to show that he is a priest. Some biblical scholars say that Simeon was probably a priest of the Temple or a Doctor of the Law. Joseph is behind the Theotokos. He is carrying the two turtle doves for the sacrifice. Anna the Prophetess is also standing behind the Theotokos and is pointing to the Christ child. The words Simeon spoke when he saw the Christ Child are known as "St. Simeon's Prayer." This prayer is sung daily at the evening Vespers services of the Orthodox Church. In the Orthodox Church, both baby boys and baby girls are taken to the Church on the fortieth day after their birth. This is done in remembrance of the Theotokos and Joseph taking the infant Jesus to the Temple. Orthodox Celebration of the Feast of the Presentation This Feast of our Lord is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, which is conducted on the day of the Feast and preceded by the Matins service. A Great Vespers is conducted on the evening before the day of the Feast. Scripture readings for the Feast are the following: at Great Vespers extracts from Exodus 12:15-13:16; Leviticus 12 and Numbers 8; Isaiah 6:1-12, and 19:1,3-5,12,16,19-21; at Matins Luke 2:25-32; at the Divine Liturgy Hebrews 7:7-17 and Luke 2: Hymns of the Feast Apolytikion (First Tone) Hail Virgin Theotokos full of Grace, for Christ our God, the Sun of Righteousness, has dawned from you, granting light to those in darkness. And you, O Righteous Elder, rejoice, taking in Your arms, the Deliverance of our souls, who grants us Resurrection. Kontakion (First Tone) Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom you love, as only the loving one.

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18 AHEPA #79 UPDATE The mission of the AHEPA & DOP Family is to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence. It s officially scholarship season!! The online application will be out by the time you read this, so you have plenty of time to work on it. Remember that you can ask any AHEPAn for advice. I will be happy to look at whatever you would like. To be eligible, you must be an underclassman or graduating high school senior, with a 3.0 or higher GPA, you or your parent must be a member in good standing of Chester-Delco AHEPA or Daughters of Penelope chapters, or a member in good standing of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. The deadline for applications to be received is March 31, This date is firm and will not be moved. Good luck to all! Our annual Celebration of St. Patrick is coming together well! This year, our 5 th, it will be held on March 11, 2017, from 5 PM 10 PM. There will be a Lenten menu available. As more details become available, I will let you know. Please try and attend this fun event. Early bird discount tickets will be available beginning early in February. Still looking for members. Come and be part of something special. It doesn t cost much, doesn t require a lot of time, and the friendships you make will last forever! Hope to see you all at the St. George Name Day Dinner Dance on February 4 at the Concordville! Another great event from your St. George community! Rick Hogue AHEPA Chapter #79 President Link for 2017 AHEPA Scholarship Applications AHEPA79/form3/index.html SAVE THE DATE MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017 ST. GEORGE GOLF OUTING & SILENT AUCTION

19 St. George Greek Orthodox Church Banquet Hall Available Anniversaries Birthdays Corporate Training Conferences Performances Meetings Formal Events Fund-Raisers 30 East Forge Road Media PA Tel: Fax: GREAT SUNDAY CONCORDVILLE INN ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE

20 Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 30 East Forge Road Media, PA Rev. Fr. Anastasios Bourantas, Economos NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 435 MEDIA, PA Return Service Requested Mailed on January 20, 2017 WE OWE EVERYTHING TO GOD When you are generous, you are not bestowing a gift, but repaying a debt. Everything you possess materially comes from God, who created all things. And every spiritual and moral virtue you possess is through divine grace. Thus you owe everything to God. More than that, God has given you his Son, to show you how to live: how to use your material possessions, and how to grow in moral and spiritual virtue. We may say that your material and spiritual possession cost God nothing; God created the universe in order to express his own glory. But the gift of his Son was supremely costly, because his Son suffered and died for our sakes. The agony of Christ on the cross is the measure of how much God loves us. For this reason we should take none of our gifts, material or spiritual, for granted; day-by -day we should give thanks to God for what he has bestowed on us. Once this spirit of gratitude infuses us, we shall see generosity for what it is. We will regard our act as no more than a small token of appreciation for all that we have received or, more precisely, the repayment of a tiny fraction of God's blessings. St. John Chrysostom