The Light is published monthly by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church P.O. Box 1491 Tulsa, OK 74101

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1 TULSA, OKLAHOMA FEBRUARY 2015 The Light is published monthly by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church P.O. Box 1491 Tulsa, OK CROSSING THE LINE Although we rarely stop to think about it, there are lines everywhere which mark the boundaries of our life. There are lines in parking lots that tell us where to park our cars. There are lines in the middle of streets that tell us where to safely cross the street when we are walking. There are lines on rulers that measure, and lines on athletic fields that tell both players and referees if balls and athletes are in or out. Lines are very important. They help us to know where we stand. We need to know in life whether we stand on one side of the line or the other. In the book of Exodus, we learn that Moses also drew a line for the people of Israel. They had gotten drunk and worshipped a golden calf. The chosen people of God had allowed themselves to become drunken idolaters. Moses knew that each of them had to decide where he stood in his relationship to the Lord, and so he stepped in front of them and drew a line by saying, "Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come to me." (Ex. 32:26). That day, we are told, many crossed the line so that they could stand with Moses and the Lord. Jesus Christ also drew a line when He called those who were in the multitude to follow Him. Some accepted His invita tion, but they were the few. Most simply turned away to continue living their lives as they had always done before. That important line has never been erased. It still exists today. Each of us is called by Christ to decide on which side of that line we will stand. Those who choose the life of faith and obedience to the will of God cross the line to follow Christ. Those who choose not to take up a life of obedience remain where they are, among the many. The choice is ours to make. But we need to remem ber that of all the lines in our life, this is the most important for in deciding where we stand, we make a choice for eternity. 1

2 community Best Wishes Thoughts and continued prayers for: Dortha McCullen Chuck Kingsley Angie Petros Jim Economou Regina and Charles Samuels Theophany School Seminarian Fund "So let each one give as he decides in his heart... for God loves a cheerful giver." [2 Cor. 7] Looking for a way to assist seminarian families? Theophany School, grounded in the Orthodox Christian faith, offers its students challenging academics in a creative and Christian environment dedicated to cultivating the minds and hearts of our students as they develop a love of learning, service, and respect for each other. The proximity to Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, one of the few Orthodox seminaries in the country, provides a unique opportunity for our families to grow and learn together in Orthodox environments, from the youngest family members to the oldest. For many seminarian families, the calling to study and dedicate themselves to their faith often requires significant sacrifices: moving to a new home, often far away from family, as well as substantial financial tolls as at least one parent attends classes. We hope to establish an opportunity for our seminarian families, who dedicate so much to our Church, to be able to send their children to Theophany School, without the concern of an additional financial burden. Please help our most dedicated families and future priests to share in this special opportunity! Theophany School flyers available in the Narthex. Please help yourself! youth goya news Goya Basketball Tournament The weekend of January 16-19, we took a big group of GOYAn s Down to Dallas for the Metropolis of Denver Basketball tournament. We had a great weekend filled with fun, fellowship and lots of Laughter. We had a Senior Boys team in which we paired up with OKC and a Junior Boys team in which Tulsa and OKC, Paired up the boys from St. Catherine s in Denver. A few of the girls played with Kansas City and Dallas. We would like to thank all the GOYAn s who came down with us as well as all the Chaperones. The GOYAn s who were able to attend the Tournament were; Natalie and Katie Henry, Jackie and Gracie Zaferes, Max Collier, Nicole Stamatoyiannakis, Mark and John Kingsley, Stavros and Kosta Parperis, Cameron McClellan, Andrew Reich, Pete and Eleni Boyaci, and Stelios Boyaci. The Adults who were able to come down and help were; Jenny Stasinopoulos, Matt Akins, Dn. Michael Stevenson, Randy and Athena Reich (along with Alana and Alexianna), Gina and Patrick Kinglsey, Marios and Kate Parperis (along with Zoe and Sophia), Steve McClellan and Tian Boyaci (and Photios). We were very thankful for such a great turn out from Holy Trinity Tulsa. Goya Event coming up in February The next Goya Outing will be a night out to go watch an ORU Men s Basketball game. More info coming soon. Kate Stevenson Travels With Tulsans Presents An Enchanting Tour Of The Greek Islands Wed, 02/04/ :10pm to 1:00pm Event is being held at: University Village Retirement Community, Stovall Theater 8555 S. Lewis Ave. Tulsa, OK Harry Potter, has visited more than 30 Greek islands over the course of his 25 journeys to Greece. Join Potter for a photographic tour that will take you not only to major historic sites on these islands but also on the path less traveled that invariably leads to endless encounters with awe-inspiring beauty and amazing culture.

3 Philoptochos has been asked to commence a year-long campaign for a fundraising initiative for the Saint Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center. We are asking for the community s support for this initiative with individual donations. We would like to pass a tray quarterly for donations. If you would like to write a check, please make it payable to Philoptochos and mark it for St. Nicholas Shrine, as we have been asked to write one check per quarter for all donations. I have included Frequently Asked Questions that were provided by National for your information. There will also be copies of this information available in the Narthex. Please don t hesitate to contact me at with any additional questions you may have. Looking forward to your participation in making this a successful community effort in support for the St. Nicholas Shrine. Ground breaking ceremonies for the St. Nicholas Shrine took place on October 18, 2014, in New York. The service was taped and is available for your viewing on the Archdiocese website: goarch.org Thank you. Ruth Chiconas, Philoptochos President Frequently Asked Questions about Saint Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center What is Saint Nicholas National Shrine? Why is it important to rebuild Saint Nicholas? The original Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church cast a reverent and faithful shadow on the World Trade Center. Greeks purchased the row house in 1892 as a community home, and it became the Saint Nicholas Church in For many Greeks immigrants, it would have been their first stop after seeing the Statue of Liberty and disembarking from Ellis Island. The little church was a spiritual jewel, open to all. Generations of New Yorkers, Orthodox and non-orthodox alike, would stop in to light a candle, say a prayer, or just sit quietly. Everything changed on 9/11. Saint Nicholas was completely destroyed in the collapse of World Trade Center Tower Two during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. During the weeks and months that followed, Archbishop Demetrios of America presided over numerous funerals and memorials for the many Greek Orthodox Christians who died that fateful day. He participated in interfaith and ecumenical events, at city, state and national levels. And most importantly for Saint Nicholas, the only house of worship destroyed on 9/11, the Archbishop inaugurated a dialogue with then Governor George Pataki to rebuild the church. The tradition of hospitality that Saint Nicholas exemplified throughout the twentieth century will continue at the new location which is located in close proximity to the old site, on the same block. There will be a Meditation/Bereavement space and a Community center, housed in the upper levels above the Narthex, to welcome visitors and faithful. Once rebuilt, Saint Nicholas, like the Parthenon that graces the Acropolis, has the potential to inspire millions for generations to come. The parish will continue to function as a parish of the Archdiocese and it will also be a National Shrine on hallowed ground. It will shine as a spiritual beacon of hope and rebirth to cherish the memory of those who were lost that fateful day and to build a better future for generations yet to be born. Why did Saint Nicholas become a National Shrine? The terrorist attack that destroyed the World Trade Center Towers and the Saint Nicholas Church affected our entire Nation and the whole world. For that reason, the Encyclical of the Holy Eparchial Synod of our Church in America is so compelling. As the Hierarchs state: "The new Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero will be much more than a rebuilt parish. It will be a National Shrine of our Holy Archdiocese and a place of pilgrimage for our Nation and the whole world." The Archdiocese and the Parish had always seen that such an evolution for this historic parish of Manhattan was the logical next step. Not only is the mission and presence of Saint Nicholas at Ground Zero a national undertaking, but also likewise are the costs and responsibilities.

4 Frequently Asked Questions about Saint Nicholas National Shrine Page 2 What is the mission of Saint Nicholas National Shrine? Certainly, Saint Nicholas will continue to function as a parish of the Archdiocese, and it will also be a National Shrine for all who come into its warm embrace. The scope of its mission will span the globe, as literally millions of visitors to the September 11'h Memorial and Museum will also visit Saint Nicholas. This expanded mission of Saint Nicholas as a National Shrine of the Greek Orthodox Church of America is commensurate with its presence at the epicenter of history that defines the twenty-first century. In his exhortation to the community, Archbishop Demetrios stressed the enormous visibility of the rebuilt Church. He noted that as a National Shrine, Saint Nicholas would welcome all and be a House of Prayer for all people. The Archbishop said: "This church will not be just a national shrine, but also an international shrine. It will show the will of all people to rebuild and resurrect from the ashes of 9/11. This will be a church for all to light a candle for the beloved that were lost on September 11th. This church will be a Greek Orthodox National Shrine on Hallowed, Sacred Ground." As a Greek Orthodox Parish, the full cycle of services will be held. And as a welcoming haven of spiritual wealth and health, the Church building -the nave, narthex, and the bereavement space - will be a vital and indeed necessary component of the new World Trade Center. What is the interfaith component of Saint Nicholas National Shrine? As a witness to the boundless Love of God, which triumphs over violence and hatred, a special, interfaith and nonsectarian space has been dedicated for peaceful reflection and meditation to be used by people of all faiths and beliefs. The entire structure, including the nave, bereavement space (2nd floor) and social hall (3rd floor) will have programs of remembrance designed specifically for the surviving family members, inter-religious educational programs, cultural events and an integrated synergistic overall program of activities, exhibitions, etc. that are commensurate with the dignity and solemnity of the site. The inclusivity of the bereavement space within the structure that houses a particular house of worship signals the American democratic and religious ideal that the practice of one's own beliefs in no way hinders the beliefs of another. In fact, quite the opposite, it welcomes the belief of another. Thus the bereavement space is nondenominational and truly interfaith. How does the Saint Nicholas National Shrine fit with the mission of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc.? As the duly accredited women's philanthropic society of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, Philoptochos undertakes: To promote the charitable, benevolent, and philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, through instructional programs, presentations, lectures, seminars and other educational resources; To preserve and perpetuate Orthodox Christian concepts and the Orthodox Christian Family, and through them, to promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and traditions, in accordance with its doctrines, canons, discipline, divine worship, usages and customs; To promote participation in the activities of the Greek Orthodox community, with the cooperation of the Parish Priest and the Parish Council. The rebuilding of Saint Nicholas will once again have enormous meaning in the life and welfare of many people, and as a national shrine, it will be used to offer millions of human beings, who walk through its halls, peace and spirituality in a place where terror once reigned. The new Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church will once again have a Philoptochos chapter, and the National Philoptochos will support this chapter as it does all others throughout our Archdiocese and will maintain a presence at the Shrine.

5 Frequently Asked Questions about Saint Nicholas National Shrine Page 3 What was the process for choosing an architect to design Saint Nicholas National Shrine? A special committee was formed which included both lay and clergy leaders of the Archdiocese as well as academic experts in church architecture to interview a select group of firms with international reputations for excellence. Archbishop Demetrios set the tone for this process: "The design for the church must respect the traditions and liturgy of the Greek Orthodox Church, but at the same time must reflect the fact that we are living in the 21st century." In the end there was an overwhelming consensus by the committee advising Archbishop Demetrios in favor of the design and expertise of Santiago Calatrava. Calatrava developed his plan from a wealth of Byzantine precedents, including the famous monastery of Chora and the Church of Hagia Sophia itself. What is the overall project schedule? The Ground Breaking for Saint Nicholas National Shrine took place on October 18, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. All faithful are invited to be a part of this monumental and historic moment in the life of the World Trade Center, the Archdiocese and the country. Following the Ground Blessing, construction began at the site. The Thyranoixia, or Opening of the Doors, is expected to take place during the summer of 2016, which will not only celebrate the completion of construction, but the 100 year anniversary of the original Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which opened in How is the reconstruction project managed? The rebuilding committee is comprised of both lay and clergy leaders of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America including: His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America Dennis Mehiel His Grace Bishop Andonios John Pappajohn Father Alexander Karloutsos Anthony Kouzounis John A. Catsimatidis Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis Jerry Dimitriou Dean Metropoulos Michael Jaharis Aphrodite Skeadas George Marcus George S. Tsandikos The construction will be overseen and managed by Archbishop Demetrios, Bishop Andonios and Jerry Dimitriou representing the Archdiocese along with Santiago Calatrava, Koutsoumitis Architects, Gorton and Partners, Turner Construction Company, and other sub-contractors representing the external team of managers. Furthermore, a technical support team for the project is comprised of Archdiocesan staff and other stewards of the Church. How much will it cost to build Saint Nicholas National Shrine? While the Archdiocese is still in the budget and bidding process, the current budget to rebuild Saint Nicholas National Shrine is estimated at approximately 38 million dollars in hard construction costs. How is the construction of Saint Nicholas National Shrine being financed? The rebuilding of Saint Nicholas will be partially financed through an initial major gifts campaign and also through a national, multi-faceted fundraising initiative. The Holy Eparchial Synod, under the chairmanship of Archbishop Demetrios of America, has called for every parish of the Archdiocese to voluntarily make a one or two year commitment in order to raise the necessary funds. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios has asked National Philoptochos to commence a campaign so that every faithful member of Philoptochos makes a gift of $100 which can be accomplished through a group effort or as individuals. By participating in this manner, the entire national Church will become stakeholders in Saint Nicholas.

6 Frequently Asked Questions about Saint Nicholas National Shrine Page 4 Who will oversee the fundraising campaign? The Rebuilding Committee is led by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and will be spearheaded by Fr. Alexander Karloutsos, who is supporting Philoptochos' fundraising initiative along with our Spiritual Advisor, His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela. How much money has already been raised? Total contributions since September 11, 2001 are approximately $7.2 Million. What sources have contributed major funding for the project? The Archdiocese has received major gifts from around the world. The Greek Government contributed approximately $260,000 in The Greek people, through contributions collected in Greece and through telethons contributed approximately $375,000. In addition, the rebuilding of Saint Nicholas National Shrine has been an international effort, with countries and organizations spanning the globe contributing to this worthy cause. These include, amongst others, the City of Bari, Italy and the Embassy of the State of Qatar, as well as interfaith organizations from around the country such as The American Jewish Committee, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston. Additionally the Archdiocese has commitments from the National Philoptochos, Leadership 100, AHEPA, the Metropolises, Parishes and major donors around the country. These commitments, along with other pledges received, total approximately 20 million dollars for the rebuilding effort. How is the government supporting the building of Saint Nicholas National Shrine? As of this time, the Archdiocese has not received any funding from either the government or any other agency for this project. Has the parish received any insurance compensation? If so, how will these funds be used? 1.2 million dollars in insurance compensation was received after 9/11, and these funds are being used for the construction of the new church. Once complete, what is the estimated annual operating budget of Saint Nicholas National Shrine? The annual operating budget is not yet finalized, but will incorporate the realities of running a facility of this magnitude. The expected source of revenue is a combination of membership contributions, visitor contributions, major gifts, etc. How will Saint Nicholas National Shrine be staffed? Saint Nicholas is expected to employ the following positions: Presiding Priest, Chanter, Assistant Chanter (part time), Administrative Staff, Maintenance and Janitorial Staff, as well as Gift Shop Attendants (four part time). In addition, outside companies will most likely be contracted for full-time Security. How will the faithful, including Philoptochos members, and the general public be able to visit Saint Nicholas National Shrine? Over the coming year and a half, both the parish leadership and the Archdiocese will be working together to determine the details that will encompass the experience of visiting Saint Nicholas National Shrine. Plans regarding visiting hours, parking, tours, and other salient details will be communicated to both the faithful of the Archdiocese and the general public as they are made available and will most likely coordinate with the September 11th Museum which is directly across the street. How can I contribute to Philoptochos' fundraising initiative toward the rebuilding of Saint Nicholas? Make a contribution via check made payable to your local Philoptochos chapter in your Metropolis and earmarked for the Saint Nicholas National Shrine at Ground Zero. In addition, each and every member of our Archdiocese is asked to contribute to the rebuilding process through their prayers and by spreading the good news with others.

7 FEBRUARY 2015 Sunday & Weekday Orthros 9 am Sunday & Weekday Divine Liturgy 10 am Holytrinity.ok.goarch.org Sunday School 9:45 am Contact SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY MONDAY Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Prosf: K Andrew Altar: 4 Coffee Hour: Philoptochos 8 Sunday of the Prodigal Son Prosf: H Revelis Altar: 1 Coffee Hour: Megali Ellas Parish Council 7 pm Bible Study 7 pm 10 Bible Study 7 pm ***************************** F A S T F R E E *********************************** Saturday of The Souls C L E R G Y M E E T I N G S - D E N V E R Retreat with Fr. Maximos Noon Vespers 5:30 pm 15 Judgment Sunday (Meatfare) Prosf: A. Zaferes Altar: 2 Coffee Hour: Daughters 16 Philoptochos 7 pm 17 Bible Study 7 pm Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare) TO BE ANNOUNCED 23 GREAT LENT BEGINS Bible Study 7 pm

8 HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 1222 South Guthrie Ave. P.O. Box 1491 Tulsa, OK Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Tulsa, Oklahoma Permit No CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Label Here We appreciate your feedback to the monthly newsletter. For input, ideas, or to advertise within, please contact the parish office at or Father at Deacon Michael at or Susan Costakis-Boone at Submission for next month s issue is the 16th of the month. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 1222 South Guthrie Ave. Tulsa, OK Phone: (918) Website: Priest: Father William M. Christ Deacon Michael Stevenson PARISH COUNCIL President: Dean Roilos Vice-President: Dr. James Kufdakis Treasurer: Greg Sorenson Secretary: Paul Mihos Members Sarah Collier Dr. Michael Karathanos Peggy Mihos John Sakelaris Rachel Welch Demetrius Zaferes Ginger Zaferes COMMITTEE CHAIRS Greek Festival - Dean Roilos Maintenance - Greg Sorenson ORGANIZATIONS/ADMINISTRATIVE A.H.E.P.A. - Dean Roilos Daughters of Penelope - Martha Metevelis Megali Ellas - Pope Kingsley Parish Nurse - Sondra Claxton, RN MINISTRIES Prison Ministry -Tian Boyaci Sunday School -Deacon Michael and Sarah Collier G.O.Y.A.- Matt Akins, Jenny Stasinopoulos and Kate Stevenson Philoptochos - Ruth Chiconas Choir - Pope Kingsley Greek School -Renee Michalopolos NCD Spokesperson -Barbra Kingsley Miranda NCD Education -Brian Welch