I AM THE VINE, YOU ARE THE BRANCHES (John 15:51) MARCH 2016 VOL. XXXVI, NO. 3

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1 I AM THE VINE, YOU ARE THE BRANCHES (John 15:51) MARCH 2016 VOL. XXXVI, NO. 3 GREAT LENT There are institutes and symbols adopted by nations, churches or groups of me which represent certain ideals accumulated in the past. These institutes, that is precepts recognized as authoritative, and symbols represent the thoughts and feelings of those who created or adopted them and put in them all the experience of the past, often through struggle and sacrifice. A few feet of ribbon for instance, red, blue and white in color, have little value as is. But if one puts them in a certain pattern of stripes and stars, they become the flag of the United States and represent the ideals and unity of the people of America. The flag reminds us of the United States and represent the ideals and unity of the people of America. The flag reminds us of the people s struggle for liberty. It represents the national unity which attained for them their rights as a people. The same could be said for the institutes of a nation, army or any group of people. These institutes are created by the people and are used by them in certain ways for certain aims. Some of these institutes are the means for achieving certain values and ideals. In the life of the Church of Christ there are many institutes created and maintained to meet the needs of the people - the Ecclesia. Among these is the Great Lent which falls within the year -cycle of the life of the Church before Pascha-Easter. Lent is the period of time for self-examination by the believer; of putting on the spiritual armor of the Militant Church; of applying the riches for prayers and almsgiving; of adopting deeply the meaning of repentance; of atonement and reconciliation with God Almighty. This great period of Lent before Easter is called by the Orthodox Church, Tessaracoste (Quadragesimal), which comes from the word forty (the 40 days of fasting ). This Institute of the 40 days of Lent precedes the Resurrection of Christ. The celebration of the Resurrection of Christ does not fall on the same date each year, but according to the determination of the position of the moon and spring equinox, which is based on the original setting during the last Events of the life of Christ on earth. This 40-day period of Lent is a period of abstinence from foods, but primarily from personal iniquities. Abstinence from foods (fasting) alone is a means of attaining virtue; it is not an end in itself. During the period of fasting one makes a special attempt to evaluate his calling as a Christian; to listen to the voice of the Gospel and heed its commandments; to accept the constant invitation to enter Christ s Kingdom. It is an open invitation to everyone willing to enter; who believes in Christ and repents his iniquities; who makes an about face directly to Christ. To accomplish this - Which is a year-round concern - the Christian Church, dating back many years, out of experience and according to the nature of man instituted certain days of prayer and fasting as steps in a ladder t help those who need guidance to reach this spiritual plateau. All of these steps must have genuine personal meaning to avoid becoming merely a habit and routine. Fasting encompasses the entire pious life of the Christian, as Christ proclaimed, that symbolizes a deep acceptance of His admonition to repent. This can be achieved not so much in terms of time, but in deeds in love of God and one s fellow man. During the period of the Great Lent the awakening of the spirit of man comes about through inspiration from the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ. It is a time of self-examination and preparation, and of taking an inventory of one s inner life. He and Christ know is exact condition. At this time one sees himself in the mirror of the Gospel - how he looks. One finds the means and ways to correct and improve himself. Lent is a period of time when one delves into himself with the light of the Holy Spirit in order to rid himself of the impediments which hold him back. It is a period when one strengthens his faith by more prayer and devotional life. Let us then examine the meaning of fasting, which became an Institute of the Church. Fasting means the total abstinence from foods, as the original Greek word in the Bible, nesteia, literally means. The word fasting today is used for selection of foods and a limiting of their quantity. Fasting also can mean eating once a day bread, salt and water, after sunset. Although the period of Lent appeals to the function of man as a whole in repentance, self examination, almsgiving, relationship with people with whom one is at odds, attitudes toward life, the abstinence from foods play a vital role in the life of the Christian. The quantity and kinds of foods selected for this period of Lent help control carnal desires and develop discipline and a pious life. Fasting from foods is not a virtuous activity in itself, but a means for its achievement. But is has a distinct place in the life of the Christian, especially during the Great Lent. By: Rev. Fr. George Mastrantonis

2 THE VINEYARD A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA (714) ***************** REV. FR. JOHN KARIOTAKIS, PROISTAMENOS Parish Council President... Penelope Contos Philoptochos President... Cindy Kezos Religious Education.... Kaliope Attard Chanter....John Mestakides Senior Citizens (St. John=s Golden Stars)... Freda Chrest Organist/Choir Director... Elsa Libowitz Office Administrator... Emilio Danezis Secretary... Janice Herrera Custodian...José Perez Schedule of Sunday Worship Services Orthros & Divine Liturgy...9:00 A.M. Memorials at Conclusion of Divine Liturgy Fellowship in Church Hall Following Divine Liturgy WEEKDAY/HOLY DAY SERVICES...9:00 A.M. Parish Programs ALTAR BOYS - Each boy serves in the Altar once every other week STUDIES IN THE FAITH - Tuesdays - 11:00 A.M. EVENING STUDIES IN THE FAITH - As scheduled CATECHISM CLASS - (TBA when series will resume) GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL - Tuesdays - 4:00 P.M. CLASS FOR THOSE ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED - As scheduled FOLK DANCE GROUPS - Rehearsals Sundays - Small Hall 12:00 P.M. - Large Hall 1:00 P.M. GOYA - See Schedule PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY - First Wednesday of the month - 7:00 P.M. CHURCH SCHOOL - September to June each year CHOIR PRACTICE - 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month - 1:00 P.M. ST. JOHN=S GOLDEN STARS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS - Meets informally WELCOMING COMMITTEE - In the Narthex during Liturgies Please visit us at: info@stjohnanaheim.org

3 WORSHIP SERVICES MARCH DECEMBER Saturday, March 5, 2016 SATURDAY OF SOULS Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9am Memorial for all souls Sunday, March 6, 2016 Judgment Sunday (Meatfare) Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am Saturday, March 12, 2016 SATURDAY OF SOULS Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9am Memorial for all souls Sunday, March 13, 2016 Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare) Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am Wednesday, March 16, 2016 PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, 6:00pm Followed by light Lenten Meal & Studies in the Faith Friday, March 18, 2016 SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS, 7pm Saturday, March 19, 2016 SATURDAY OF SOULS Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9am Memorial for all souls Sunday, March 20, 2016 Sunday of Orthodoxy Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am Wednesday, March 23, 2016 PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, 6:00pm Followed by light Lenten Meal & Studies in the Faith Friday, March 25, 2016 ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9am *No Salutations this evening Sunday, March 27, 2016 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am Wednesday, March 30, 2016 PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, 6:00pm Followed by light Lenten Meal & Studies in the Faith ACOLYTES OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST TEAM A Michael Bangos George Bovetas Anthony Christofer Dimitri Dimopoulos Donald Glinkie Thanasi Halfhill Dimitrios McLain Nicholas Pieratos Gregory Roumpos Michael Vino TEAM B Argirios Alexopoulos Alexios Angeletakis Christopher Bangos Aleko Culp Spiro-Papachristou Gabriel Dimitri Kouloumbis Yanni Kouloumbis Alexander Krantz George Skordi Anastasios Tasigeorgos Dionysious Tasigeorgos 1.) Acolytes should be in the altar and vested by 10:00 A.M. 2.) Clothing preference is white (or light) shirt and tie with dark shoes. NO SNEAKERS PLEASE.

4 JANUARY MARCH 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Greek Language School, 4pm 2 Philoptochos General Mtg., 7pm Saturday of Souls Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9am MEMORIAL FOR ALL SOULS 6 Judgment Sunday (Meatfare) Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am 7 8 Studies in the Faith, 11am Greek Language School, 4pm AHEPA MTG., 7PM Saturday of Souls Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9am MEMORIAL FOR ALL SOULS 13 Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare) Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am 20 Sunday of Orthodoxy Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am Greek Language School, 4pm Parish Council Meeting, 7pm Greek Language School, 4pm 16 Presanctified Liturgy, 6:00pm Light Lenten meal and Studies in the Faith to follow 23 Presanctified Liturgy, 6:00pm Light Lenten meal and Studies in the Faith to follow SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS, 7pm ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9am NO SALUTATIONS THIS EVENING 19 Saturday of Souls Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9am MEMORIAL FOR ALL SOULS ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL 11AM 26 GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION 5PM 27 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am Greek Language School, 4pm Philoptochos Board Mtg, 7pm 30 Presanctified Liturgy, 6:00pm Light Lenten meal and Studies in the Faith to follow 31

5 CHURCH REGISTRY CHURCH REGISTRY MEMORIALS February 7, 2016 Marina Pergakes - 40 Days Spiros Pergakes - 8 Years John Lantzourakis - 1 Year Helen Alex - 9 Days Elias Halias - 25 Years Philoptochos Memorial February 21, 2016 Tom Harbilas - 40 Days George Mavritsakis - 5 Years Calliope Mavritsakis - 6 Years Irene Harbilas - 15 Years +MEMORY ETERNAL+ February 28, 2016 Eleni Kokkinos - 1 Year MARCH PROSFORO Date Preparer 03/05/16 Kathy Tseheridis 03/06/16 Lela Bonorris 03/12/16 Elefteria Konstantarakis 03/13/16 Maria Tambouris 03/13/16 Eleftheria Skentzos 03/16/16 Kathy Tseheridis 03/19/16 Voula Kitsigianis 03/20/16 Fofo Poulopoulos 03/20/16 Fotini Poulopoulos 03/23/16 Kathy Tseheridis 03/25/16 Kathy Tseheridis 03/25/16 Voula Kitsigianis 03/27/16 Elefteria Konstantarakis GOBL The Greek Orthodox Basketball league is starting! come and watch the games and cheer our kids on! Sunday 3/6 2PM St. John St. Basil at St. John (Dale JHS) Sunday 3/13 2PM St. John St. George at St. George (Downey) Sunday 3/19 2PM St. John St. Nicholas at East Anaheim Gym Sunday 3/27 2PM St. John St. Sophia at East Anaheim Gym *Pee Wee games at 1:30 if there is a game Will go over schedules at practice, please call Argiri Dimopolous with any questions. Body & Soul Saint George Parish invites you to an Apokreatiko Glendi. A dinner-dance featuring the talented and award winning Tsahouridis Brothers from Veria, Greece and DJ Peter Loukatos! March 5, 2016 at 7pm - 2am at Saint John s Fellowship Hall For more info, reservations and tickets please call (323) The Helenic Library of Southern California presents Musical Latitudes and Bard-Popular Song collective in Mikis Theodorakis Songs beyond the borders of the world A concert to celebrate the 90th birthday of the great Greek composer Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 5:30pm at the William Bristol Civic Auditorium Civic Center Drive, Bellflower, CA A reception will follow the event at the hall of St. George in Downey For Reservations call (562) or info@hellenic library.org

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8 Mr. John Mystakides our Protopsaltis Mr. Mystakides (bottom, second from left) in his youth as a member of the Patriarchal Choir. By this signed and sealed Patriarchal letter We certify that the Honourable First Cantor Ioannis Mystakides from Jerusalem, is an excellent and melodious ecclesiastical Musician, a brilliant member of the Greek Orthodox Community of Jerusalem, an exemplary head of family and a virtuous man, distinguished for his excellent ethos, integral character, piety and diligence. He as offered his valuable services to Our Patriarchate with great success event from his childhood as Assistant to the Cantor of the Holy Sepulchre for four years, as Cantor at the Patriarchal Church of S.S. Constantine and Helen for fifteen years and since 1963 up till now as First Cantor and Choir Conductor at our central Church of Annunciation in Amman. He was distinguished also in social and cultural activities our Community. As he is leaving by his own will to settle in America We shall be deprived of an excellent spiritual son and his valuable services, but we are sure that he will be very useful and helpful to the Church and Community everywhere. In witness whereof and fervent recommendation of the a/m Honourable Mr. Ioannis Mystakides We have given this Certificate on the 8/21st July, 1970.

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18 METROPOLIS OF SAN FRANCISCO

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20 St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church 405 N. Dale Street Anaheim, CA (714) Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage P A I D Buena Park, CA Permit No. 65 Address Correction Requested MARCH Time Dated, Please Do Not Delay "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight -- " (Mark 1:2-3)