GREAT LENT. I AM THE VINE, YOU ARE THE BRANCHES (John 15:51) MARCH 2014 VOL. XXXVI, NO. 3

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1 I AM THE VINE, YOU ARE THE BRANCHES (John 15:51) MARCH 2014 GREAT LENT VOL. XXXVI, NO. 3 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 of 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 to 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 his 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. - By Rev. George Mastrantonis

2 THE VINEYARD A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA (714) ***************** REV. FR. JOHN KARIOTAKIS REV. FR. HARALAMBOS FOX Parish Council President... Penelope Contos Philoptochos President... Cindy Kezos Religious Education....Patricia Bangos & Kaliope Attard Chanter....John Mestakides Senior Citizens (St. John=s Golden Stars)... Freda Chrest Organist/Choir Director... Elsa Libowitz Secretary... Patricia Gauvain 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 four weeks STUDIES IN THE FAITH - Tuesdays 11:00 A.M. GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL - Tuesdays - 4:00 P.M. CLASS FOR THOSE ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED - As scheduled FOLK DANCE GROUPS - Rehearsals Sundays - 1:00 P.M. JOY/GOYA - See Schedule PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY - First Wednesday of the month - 7:00 P.M. CHURCH SCHOOL - September to June each year CHOIR PRACTICE - Thursdays, March 13th & March 27th, 2014 at 1pm ST. JOHN=S GOLDEN STARS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS - Meets informally Please visit us at: info@stjohnanaheim.org

3 WORSHIP SERVICES MARCH 2014 Saturday, March 1, 2014 Saturday of Souls MEMORIAL FOR ALL SOULS Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9am Sunday, March 2, 2014 Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare) Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am Wednesday, March 5, 2014 PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, 6:00pm Friday, March 7, 2014 SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS, 7pm Saturday, March 8, 2014 Saturday of Souls MEMORIAL FOR ALL SOULS Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9am Sunday, March 9, 2014 Sunday of Orthodoxy Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am Wednesday, March 12, 2014 PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, 6:00pm Friday, March 14, 2014 SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS, 7pm Sunday, March 16, 2014 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am Wednesday, March 19, 2014 PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, 6:00pm Friday, March 21, 2014 SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS, 7pm Sunday, March 23, 2014 Sunday of the Holy Cross Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am Tuesday, March 25, 2014 ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9am Wednesday, March 26, 2014 PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, 6:00pm Friday, March 28, 2014 SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS, 7pm Sunday, March 30, 2014 Sunday of St. John Climacus Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am ACOLYTES OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST TEAM 1 February 2nd, March 2nd & March 30th TEAM 2 February 9th & March 9th Theophanis Fox Spiro Gabriel Donald Glinkie Dimitri McLain Nick Pieratos Gregory Roumpos Michael Vino Alexios Angeletakis Michael Bangos Anthony Christofer Thanasi Halfhill George Skordi Dionyiosos Tasigeorgos TEAM 3 February 16th & March 16th TEAM 4 February 23rd & March 23rd Christopher Bangos Aleko Culp Christos Sigas Nikolaos Sigas George Sigas Anastasios Tasigeorgos Argiri Alexopoulos George Bovetas Dimitri Dimopoulos Dino Giakoumis Dimitri Kouloumbis Yanni Kouloumbis 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 MARCH 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Saturday of Souls Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9am MEMORIAL FOR ALL SOULS 2 Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare) Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am Vespers, 7pm at St. George of Downey 3 LENT BEGINS 4 Greek Language School, 4pm Philoptochos General Meeting, 7pm 5 Presanctified Liturgy, 6:00pm Studies in the Faith to follow 6 7 SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS, 7pm 8 Saturday of Souls Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9am MEMORIAL FOR ALL SOULS 9 Sunday of Orthodoxy Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am Student Procession Greek Language School, 4pm AHEPA Meeting, 7pm 12 Presanctified Liturgy, 6:00pm Studies in the Faith to follow 13 Choir Practice, 1pm Parish Council Meeting, 6:30pm 14 SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS, 7pm 15 ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL 16 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am Greek Language School, 4pm Parish Council Meeting, 7pm 19 Presanctified Liturgy, 6:00pm Studies in the Faith to follow SALUTATIONS FDF Weekend GREEK TO THE Anaheim Marriott INDEPENDENCE THEOTOKOS, DAY 7pm CELEBRATION 5PM 23 Sunday of the Holy Cross Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9am Greek Language School, 4pm Philoptochos Board Meeting, 7pm 26 Presanctified Liturgy, 6:00pm Studies in the Faith to follow 27 Choir Practice, 1pm 28 SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS, 7pm Sunday of St. John Climacus Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am 31

5 CHURCH REGISTRY BAPTISMS CONGRATULATIONS! February 8, 2014 Antonia Petrohilos Proud Parents: James and Adrienne Petrohilos Godparent(s): Mihai and Nula Serban FELL ASLEEP IN THE LORD +MEMORY ETERNAL+ February 2, 2014 PHILOPTOCHOS MEMORIAL For all deceased members of the Philoptochos and John Kiousis - 1 Year Irene Kiousis - 14 Years February 9, 2014 Marina Pafilis - 9 Months Panagiota Skoumbis - 40 Days Nikolaos Skoumbis - 44 Years Panagiota Anagnostopoulos - 15 Years Panagiotis Anagnostopoulos - 51 Years February 16, 2014 Georgio Dimakis - 40 Days Ioannis Bogris - 22 Years Panagula Bogris - 21 Years February 23, 2014 Emanuel Vlachos - 6 Years +MEMORY ETERNAL+ February 10, 2014 Yanni Kouloumbis February 12, 2014 Konstantinos Bostinelos MEMORIALS St. John s Philoptochos Society ATTENTION GRADUATED OR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FATHER GEORGE HADJIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Deadline for applying is April 6, 2014 For information or applications, contact Christine Pappas at (714) or pappascg1@gmail.com NEW ORTHODOX CALIFORNIA WEBSITE Orthodox California lists Orthodox events and activities throughout our state. Please encourage your family and friends to utilize this wonderful new resource so they may learn of the different Orthodox activities taking place in California. MARCH 2014 GREEK ORTHODOX BASKETBALL Sunday Start Time Home Visitor 3/2/2014 2PM St. John St. Anthony 3/16/2014 2PM St. John St. Basil 3/23/2014 2PM St. John St. Nicholas MARCH PROSFORO SCHEDULE DATE PREPARER DATE PREPARER 03/01/14 Eugenia Alevizos 03/16/14 Rica Zounatiotis 03/02/14 Eleftheria Konstantarakis 03/23/14 Voula Kitsigianis 03/08/14 Katerine Glavas 03/25/14 Elefteria Skentzos 03/09/14 Elefteria Skentzos 03/25/14 Voula Kitsigianis 03/09/14 Lena Bonorris 03/30/14 Maria Tambouris

6 LET NO ONE DESPISE YOUR YOUTH, BUT BE AN EXAMPLE TO THE BELIEVERS IN WORD, IN CONDUCT, IN LOVE, IN SPIRIT, IN FAITH, IN PURITY GOY, JOY and Dance The event of the month was FDF! All of our kids danced so beautifully it was incredible watching them! Even though there were over 2,000 kids from our Metropolis there (and some from Florida), I know ours felt specially recognized not only because the festival was in their own backyard, but because so many of you came to see them perform! They were all at their best and two of the groups were even honored for their performance, with Atromiti receiving a Founder s award for special achievement, and Dynami winning a 3 rd place medal. Thank you so much to all of the directors and instructors for the effort that you put into teaching our youth. Congratulations to all of our kids and God bless you all for supporting them with your presence! GOYA and YAL rally Get together with Orthodox Youth from throughout the area! See the flyer elsewhere for news about this annual event to be held in Alhambra on March 8th. Youth events will be co-led by Fr. BoB, and a pan-orthodox vespers will be held in the evening. Basketball Our season got off to a great start with both of our teams Junior Girls and Junior Boys winning victories against St. Katherine s Church on Feb. 23 rd. Congratulations to all for playing very well. We have 3 home games in March: on the 2 nd vs. St. Anthony, on the 16 th vs. St. Basil, and on the 23 rd vs. St. Nicholas. The games will be in our own hall after Liturgy, beginning at 2:00. Please stay and support them and see what great teams we have! YAL league! - We also played our first game with our team of year-olds in February! It was great to see our young men suited up again and wearing our colors. This league is new this year if you know of someone that is interested, please see Themis Alexopoulos or Spiro Mantas right away! YAL In addition to our young adult dance group and basketball team, we are gathering a fellowship group together. If you have graduated High School and haven t started your own family yet, please come and join us! Contact Fr. Bob for more info. SUMMER CAMP! PLEASE MARK OFF THE WEEK OF JULY 6-12! We will be renting a bus to take everyone to St. Nicholas Ranch for the first week of Summer Camp the ride up there is half of the fun! Let s get as many kids as possible together for this week. Other Summer Activities: CROSSROAD: A 10-day camp held in Boston for Students just finishing their Junior or Senior years of High School to help prepare them for the real world! Please see for more information. Ionian Villiage Now accepting applications for this one-of-a-kind retreat in Greece! Please go to for more information. Thank you for making your kids a part of the important fellowship opportunities in the Church! GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth Association) is for kids in grades 6-12, JOY (Junior Orthodox Youth) is for our kids in Grades 3-5, and YAL (Young Adult League) is for the post-high-school group. To get involved: contact Fr. Bob at the church office, at , or at frbob@stjohnanaheim.org, or feel free to contact one of our advisors: Andrea and Jimeel Hamud (GOYA): andrea.hamud@gmail.com or Demetra McLain (JOY): demetramclain@att.net

7 SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY PAN-ORTHODOX CELEBRATION IN LOS ANGELES Saturday, March 8: 4pm - Youth & Young Adults Rally with Archimandrite Nathanael Symeonidis and Hierarchs; 6pm - Vespers, Homily by His Eminence, Archbishop Joseph: The 21st Century Christian Martyrdom in Syria and the Middle East as a Whole and Icon Procession; 7pm - Lenten Refreshment Sunday, March 9: 9am Orthros 10am - Hierarchal Divine Liturgy with Icon Procession; 12:30pm - Lenten Lunch

8 SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS Our Church School students and teachers have been busy preparing for Lent and Holy Week. Oratorical Festival March 15, 2014 The topics for the 2014 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival have been passed out to the students in grades 4 th 12 th. There are 3 divisions; Senior Division for th graders, Junior Division for 7 9 th graders and the Elementary Division for 4 6 th graders. Our parish s Oratorical Festival will take place on March 15, Metropolis Festival will take place on May 3, 2014 at St. Nicholas Ranch. If you are interested in participating in this year s Oratorical, please come to your Church School class and pick up a packet from your teacher. OCMC Mission Coin Boxes Lent 2014 Mission Coin Boxes will be passed out to all Church School students. Funds raised will assist the further growth of ministries that support the reach of Christ s Church around the world. Students and their families can put spare change in them each day and pray for their brothers and sisters serving the church around the world in mission countries. The boxes and their change should be brought back to Church School on Palm Sunday, April 13, Saturday of Lazarus Retreat April 12, 2014 Please plan on joining us for our Saturday of Lazarus Retreat. The day will begin with church services followed by a light Lenten lunch. The retreat will be led by Father John and Father Bob. The students will also be making Anastasi lambathes (Resurrection candles) to use during the Anastasi service and confession will be offered to students. We will also be making palm crosses for the Palm Sunday service. We hope to see you at the retreat. It is a very fun and informative day for our students. Myrrh Bearers Holy Friday Evening April 18, 2014 This year 4 th through 6 th grade girls will have the opportunity to participate in the Holy Friday service as Myrrh bearers during the evening service. All girls in 4 th - 6 th grades are invited to participate. You can pick up an information packet in the Church School hall. We hope to see you all at each of these events, as well as each Sunday! Kally Attard and Patricia Bangos, Directors ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST FDF DANCE GROUPS AWARDS Atromiti: Won the Founders Special Achievement Award for the Junior Division Directors: Cathy and Anthony Georgopoulos Dynami: Won Third Place in the Advanced Junior Division Directors: Polyvios Mantas and Tony Xillikakis THE FOLLOWING GROUPS FROM ST. JOHN S PARTICIPATED AT FDF Ta Zuzunakia: Division III Exhibition Category Directors: Georgia Bogris and Stacy Manatogiannis Ellinika Asterakia: Primary Category Directors: Nancy Kantzavelos and Victoria Medenas Atromiti: Junior Category Directors: Cathy and Anthony Georgopoulos Dynami: Advanced Junior Category Directors: Tony Xillikalis and Polyvios Mantas Levendia: Advanced Senior Category Director: Vicky Houreas

9 St. John s Church School is hosting the Parish Level St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Saturday, March 15, :30 am in the Church Hall Students between 4 th and 12 th grade are encouraged to participate. The Oratorical Festival is a program sponsored by the Department of Religious Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Elementary, Middle and High school grade students are invited to speak about their faith, their church and their heritage. Please join us as we give our parish s youth the opportunity to speak about their own Orthodox Faith. Two speakers from each division, junior and senior, will advance to the District Oratorical Festival scheduled for some time in mid March. The Metropolis Level Festival is on May 3, 2014 at St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap, Ca. Elementary Division for students in grades 4-6 The Elementary Division is not judged Junior Division for students in grades 7-9; Senior Division for students in grades Packets can be found in the corresponding Church School classrooms. 25 GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAYCELEBRATION SATURDAY, MARCH 22nd 2014 St. John s Social Hall 405 N. Dale Street, Anaheim 5:00 p.m Songs, Poems, Dinner, DJ and Dancing Performance by St. John s Dancers Donation Adults- $25.00, Children and Dancers $15.00 Please fill out the form below to Reserve your table Please specify if Adult =A or Child=C in the box next to name 1. [ ] 6. [ ] 2. [ ] 7. [ ] 3. [ ] 8. [ ] 4. [ ] 9. [ ] 5. [ ] 10. [ ] Please make checks payable to: St. John s Greek Church Please note in memo on check for: Greek School Program For more information please contact: Joanne (714) or Raza (714) or Katia (714)

10 Stewardship Luncheon On Saturday, February 1st, over 70 Philoptochos members and guests attended our annual Stewardship Luncheon It was an enjoyable afternoon of friendship and fellowship. Our guest speaker was Dr. Helen Patzanakidis who spoke to us about important women s health issues. A special thank you to Jerry Kallaos and her committee for coordinating a wonderful event. Welcome to a few of our new members! F a t h e r G e o r g e H a d j i s M e m o r i a l S c h o l a r s h i p Philoptochos is now accepting applications for the Father George Hadjis Memorial Scholarship. Deadline for applying is April 6, For information and applications, please contact Christine Pappas at (cell) or pappascg1@gmail.com Applications are also available in the Church Office and Church website. Our Stewardship Luncheon kicks off our annual stewardship campaign. Philoptochos is open to all women of our community, ages 18 and over. In addition, Philoptochos is open to Orthodox men as Associate Members. As a steward of Philoptochos, you are a member of an organization 27,000 strong with a noble history of over 80 years of service. Join today! Stewardship forms are available in the Church Office or contact Jerry Kallaos, K i d s n C a n c e r R e c e p t i o n Mark your calendars the annual Kids-n- Cancer Reception will be on Sunday, May 4th and will be held at the Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach. The Kids n Cancer ministry provides children who face life-threatening challenges an opportunity to have a memorable camping experience away from hospitals and doctor s offices. You can support Kids n Cancer by sending your donation to St. John s Philoptochos. Just write Kids n Cancer on the note section of your check. S e e k i n g V o l u n t e e r s Philoptochos will be serving Lenten refreshments following the Salutation to the Theotokos vesper services on Friday nights during the Great Lent. The first Friday will be March 3rd. We are looking for volunteers to help host the refreshment hour by donating your time and providing Lenten treats. Contact Raza Kitsigianis or any Board Member to volunteer or get more information. P h i l o p t o c h o s H u m a n i t a r i a n Congratulations to Christina Dourbetas for receiving the 2014 Humanitarian Award. Christina is an active member of our community and a member of Philoptochos for many years. Christina, thank you for all you have done for our community and for Philoptochos. P h i l o p t o c h o s C o m m i t m e n t s During March, National Philoptochos recognizes the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) and the Support a Mission Project. Through these two programs, Philoptochos supports the OCMC missionary teams, strengthening their ability to empower the Orthodox Church worldwide. G e n e r a l M e e t i n g T U E S D A Y, M a r c h 4 t h You are all welcome to join us at our next General Meeting on TUESDAY, March 4th at 7:00 pm in the Small Hall. Our General Meetings will be held on Tuesday during Lent (March and April) so our members an attend church services on Wednesday evenings. Cynthia Kezos, President

11 STEWARDSHIP PACESETTERS 2014 The following have submitted their 2014 pledge cards. We thank them and we invite the others to fill out and sign their pledge cards as well. A Rich Man is not one who has much, but one who gives much. For what he gives away remains forever -- St. John Chrysostom Fr. John Kariotakis Fr. and Pva. Haralambos Fox Mrs. Eugenia Alevizos Mr. and Mrs. Themis Alexopoulos Mrs. Georgia Anasis Mr. and Mrs. Christos Angeletakis Mrs. Alice Antoniou Mrs. Ann Arvanitis Mrs. Eleni Attard Ms. Joyce Attard Mr. and Mrs. Peter P. Attard Mrs. Bertha August Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Baglin Mr. and Mrs. Jason Baglin Mrs. Kiki Ballas Mr. and Mrs. Dino Basdakis Mr. and Mrs. Nick Begakis Mr. and Mrs. Pete Begakis Mr. and Mrs. Evangelos Benardis Mr. and Mrs. Harry Benetatos Mr. George Benetatos Mrs. Venetta Birakos Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bogris Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Bogris Mr. and Mrs. Chris Bonorris Mr. and Mrs. George Borovilos Mr. and Mrs. Costas Bostinelos Mr. and Mrs. Angelo Boussiacos Mr. Mihale Brailas Mr. and Mrs. James Callas Mr. and Mrs. George Cantonis Mrs. Anne Cantonis Mr. and Mrs. John Chakos Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Chapralis Mr. and Mrs. Nicolas Charalambous Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Chatzipetrou Mr. and Mrs. George Chatzis Mrs. Freda Chrest Miss Catherine Christ Mr. and Mrs. Nick Christ Mrs. Sophia Christian Mr. and Mrs. Nick Christofer Mr. and Mrs. Chris Christopoulos Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Chryssogelos Ms. Helen Cokas Mr. and Mrs. Dukas Contos Ms. Penelope Contos Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cote Mr. and Mrs. Gary Culp Mr. and Mrs. Tom Dallas Ms. Dawn Alexandra Davis Mr. and Mrs. Pete Dedes Mr. and Mrs. William Deralas Ms. Janet Diamant Mr. and Mrs. Nick Diamant Mr. and Mrs. Argirios Dimopoulos Mr. and Mrs. John Dimopoulos Mr. and Mrs. Spiro Doukas Mr. and Mrs. Alex Dourbetas Mr. and Mrs. Angelos Dritsopoulos Mr. and Mrs. George Eleopoulos Mr. and Mrs. David Ellis Fr. and Pva. Haralambos Fox Mr. and Mrs. George Frousiakis Mrs. Georgia H. Frousiakis Mr. and Mrs. William Futris Mr. and Mrs. Leon Gabrielian Mr. Harry Gallanes Mrs. Maria Ganis Mr. and Mrs. Jose Garcia Mr. and Mrs. George Gatsinaris Dr. and Mrs. Vasili Gatsinaris Ms. Patricia Gauvain Miss Constance George Mr. and Mrs. Peter Georgitsis Mrs. Demetra Georgouses Mr. and Mrs. Gus Gialamas Ms. Athena Gianakakos Ms. Penny Glava Ms. Giota Glavas Drs. Constantine & Agathi Glezakos Ms. Grammatia Glinkie Miss Bessie Gonos Dr. and Mrs. Dimitri Grammas Mr. and Mrs. John Hadjis Miss Christina Hadjis Mr. and Mrs. Larry Halfhill Mr. and Mrs. Elias Halias Mr. and Mrs. Tom Harbilas Mr. and Mrs. John Haretakis Mrs. Demetra Harvalos Mr. George Hassapis Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hassapis Mr. and Mrs. George Hatzidakis Mr. and Mrs. James Hill Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hioureas Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Holtermann Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hourigan Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Inzerillo Mr. and Mrs. Ken Jones Mrs. Olga Joseph Mr. and Mrs. Savas Kallaos Mr. and Mrs. John Kapogianis Mr. and Mrs. Ioannis Karambelas Mr. and Mrs. Hristos Karanastasis Mrs. Tula Kareotes Rev. Fr. John Kariotakis Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Karnezis Mr. and Mrs. George Katsivalis Mr. Demitri Kerasiotis Mr. and Mrs. James Kezos Miss Cynthia D. Kezos Mrs. Nickey G. Kezos Mrs. Voula Kitsigianis Mr. and Mrs. Steve Kitsigianis Mr. and Mrs. Gus Kitsios Mr. and Mrs. Gus Klentos Mrs. Jean Koclanakis Mr. and Mrs. Nick Kokkinos Ms. Elefteria Konstantarakis Mr. and Mrs. Konstantinos Kotsiovos Mr. and Mrs. Chris Koukladas Mr. and Mrs. George Kouloumbis Mr. and Mrs. Yanni Kouloumbis Mr. and Mrs. John Koutzoukis Mrs. Anne Koutzoukis Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kyriakos Mrs. Calliopi S. Lambros Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lanyi Mrs. Cathy Lewis Mrs. Cathy Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lewis Mrs. Katherine Livieratos Mr. and Mrs. Peter Loukatos Mr. and Mrs. Konstantinos Mandas Mr. and Mrs. Harry Manos Mr. and Mrs. Rouso Manos Mr. and Mrs. Manousos Manouselis Mr. and Mrs. Aristos Mantas Mr. and Mrs. Demetrios Mantas Mr. and Mrs. Polyvios Margias Mr. and Mrs. Dean Marinos Mr. and Mrs. John Maris Mr. Milton Maris Mrs. Maria Massouris Mr. and Mrs. Gus Mavritsakis Mr. and Mrs. Chad McLain Mr. and Mrs. Kirk McMullin Mr. and Mrs. George Medenas Mr. and Mrs. Peter Melanitis Mrs. Helen Mikirelos Mr. and Mrs. Chris Minoudis Mr. and Mrs. James Mitchell Mrs. Sofia Moysidis Mrs. Vicki Mull Mrs. Mary Naylon Mr. Pete Nichols Mr. Demetres Nicola Mrs. Maria Nicolaou Mr. and Mrs. Chris Novikoff Mr. and Mrs. John Ohanian Ms. Eugenia Pagalidis Mrs. Margarita Pagoulatos Mr. and Mrs. Costa Panagiotou Mr. Deno Papas Dr. Spyridon Papastathopoulos Mr. and Mrs. Kostas Pappas Mrs. Georgia Pappas Mr. and Mrs. Vasilios Paxos Ms. Connie Perakis Mr. and Mrs. Alex Persakis Mr. and Mrs. John Petropoulos Mr. and Mrs. James Petros Mr. John George Petsas Mrs. Despina Petsas Mr. and Mrs. Vlash Pullos Mr. and Mrs. Spyridon Rados Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Roumpos Mr. and Mrs. John Russell Mr. and Mrs. Theofilos Russos Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Salcedo Mr. Paul Sarandos Mr. and Mrs. Chris Sarantos Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Sarres Dr. and Mrs. Randal Schoeman Mr. and Mrs. James Sdrales Mr. and Mrs. Michael Selberis Sophia Shakolas Mr. and Mrs. Chris Sigas Mr. and Mrs. Nickolas Siokos Mr. Alexander Soles Mrs. Georgia Soles Despina Sourias Mr. and Mrs. Petros Sourias Mrs. Bess Stavrakes Mr. and Mrs. James Stavropoulos Mr. and Mrs. Brian Stratouly Mr. and Mrs. Andreas Syrengelas Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Tavlarides Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas Mr. and Mrs. Tom Tragos Mr. and Mrs. Nikiforos Valaskantjis Mr. and Mrs. Michael Vamvakitis Mr. and Mrs. Brent Vandenberg Ms. Z. Foula Vanikiotis Mr. and Mrs. Antonios Vatakis Mrs. Helen Vest Mrs. Estella Vlachos Mr. and Mrs. Randall Wemmer Mrs. Maria Xanthos - Hilding Mr. and Mrs. Ioannis Xilikakis Mr. and Mrs. George Zonos Mr. and Mrs. Athanasios Zounatiotis +R E M I N D E R Stewardship and other donations are accepted by Credit Card on St. John s website at

12 ITEMS IN NEED OF DONORS FOR LENT, HOLY WEEK, AND EASTER FLOWERS TO DECORATE THE ICON OF THE VIRGIN (DURING FIVE FRIDAYS) ANNUNCIATION ICON FLOWERS FLOWERS (500 DAFFODILS) FOR FEAST OF THE CROSS PALM SUNDAY PALMS BANNER OF RESURRECTION LARGE PASCHAL CANDLE USED BY PRIEST FOR EASTER SEASON WREATH FOR HOLY CROSS FLOWERS FOR THE RESURRECTION ICON- ICONOSTASIS EASTER POTTED LILLIES FLOWERS TO DECORATE ICON OF CHRIST FOR HOLY MONDAY SPECIAL INCENSE FOR HOLY WEEK SPECIAL 100% BEESWAX CANDLES FOR CROSS AND ALTAR TABLE PORTABLE ICON OF THE RESURRECTION

13 Parish News We would like to welcome Kostas Pappas and Stephen Kallaos as the newest members of the 2014 Parish Council. On Sunday, March 30th, a General Assembly will be held immediately following Divine Liturgy in the Cultural Community Center. We have numerous important agenda items and presentations. Parish Council members, as well as members of the Restoration, Engineering, and Festival Committees will be presenting updates on their projects. You will be receiving a meeting notice and agenda in the mail shortly. Please plan on attending. Congratulations to all of St John the Baptist Dance Groups that participated in FDF Weekend which was held at the Anaheim Resort. It was encouraging to see youth from all over the west coast interacting with each other and embracing the Greek Culture. Competitors were helping each other with costumes and props. It was fellowship at its finest. We need to support all of our youth ministries by investing and making a commitment in restoring our community as we look to the future. The 1 st quarter Oli Mazi meeting was held on January 30th. Thank you all that participated. Everyone in attendance witnessed Father Haralambos presentation on our updated and revised online Master Calendar. You can find the calendar of events on St. John the Baptist s website OC Greek Fest planning is underway. Volunteers are always welcome to participate in the planning and during festival weekend. Please contact chairman Bill Lambropoulos or chairwoman Stacy Sotos Lanyi. Look for updates on our OCGreekfest.com website. Pennie Contos 2014 Parish Council President

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16 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)