MESSENGER THE. Newsletter of All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church. The Joy of Orthodox Pascha

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1 THE MESSENGER Newsletter of All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church The Joy of Orthodox Pascha by Wesley J. Smith May 2016 One spring, a few years before I converted to Eastern Orthodoxy, my wife and I vacationed in Greece. On the plane we became friendly with a happy elderly Greek-American gentleman who told us excitedly that he was on a pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain (the monastic polity of Mount Athos) for Pascha. Pascha? I asked. What s Pascha? The man chuckled and said, You know it as Easter. He then spent ten minutes explaining why Pascha the new Passover by which the entire human race passes from slavery to freedom under Christ should replace Easter as the favored term for the celebration of Christ s Resurrection. I am not terribly concerned by what it is called, but now that I am Orthodox, I understand why our airplane companion was filled with such eager anticipation. The Paschal Feast is the Orthodox Church s most energetic and joyful religious service. I remember my first clearly: The experience was stunning. I had never participated in such an exuberant and joyful church liturgy. Part of the punch comes from the length and rigor of preparation we undergo prior to the celebration. By the time the great day arrives, Orthodox Christians have engaged in a near-vegan fast for the forty-nine combined days of Lent, Palm Sunday weekend, and Holy Week. Many of us have also attended many mournful Lenten and lengthy Holy Week services, setting the table nicely for a dramatic switch in tone as we finally reach the Feast of all Feasts. We begin the Pascha celebration a little before midnight, as most parishes do, with the chanting of the Midnight Office. Early on, the church is darkened a single candle on the altar provides the only illumination which the priest uses to light candles held by altar servers. They, in turn, enter the sanctuary lighting those held by parishioners. Soon, the church is filled with warm and glorious light. It is almost as if the modern world has faded away. The Paschal Matins immediately follows. Practices vary, but the congregation, carrying candles, banners, or icons, leaves the sanctuary and processes around the church singing. In some parishes, the doors of the church will be closed upon the return, opened only after the priest reads the Gospel account of the empty tomb, and pounds on the door, exclaiming from Psalm 24, Lift up your heads, O gates! And be exalted, you everlasting doors, that the king of glory may enter in! We pour back into the sanctuary, now dramatically transformed with lighted candles and decorated bounteously with flowers. The altar cloth and other coverings are celebratory Paschal white. Uplifted, the congregation sings: Christ is risen from the dead, Trampling down death by death, And on those in the tombs bestowing life! Much of the rest of the Matins service consists of a joyful declaration of the Resurrection, the priest again and again entering the sanctuary from the altar, declaring: Christ is risen! The parish responding loudly in unison, Indeed He is risen! Finish reading this article at: and search for: The Joy of Orthodox Pascha.

2 PHILOPTOCHOS Palm Sunday Dinner Philoptochos would like to thank everyone for making our Palm Sunday Dinner a success! A special thanks to the following people: Tom Denich for making the wonderful Plaki Sauce, Helen and Ted Lazans for their donation of the fish, & Tammy Gill, Darcy Jackson and Mike McDonnell for helping in the kitchen! And all those who helped set up and clean up! Again, Thank You!! Final Meeting of the Year!! Our last meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 7:00pm at the church! Please plan to attend!! We will be reviewing activities to take place in September and October!! AHEPA As many of you already know, we had a very good year with our Fish Fry. Thanks to the effort of our members, our youth volunteers & community members that assisted us with this event, we will be making a $40,000 donation to the Capital Campaign. Our Chapter was formed back in Since then, our Chapter has donated to our Church a total of $214, This amounts includes our donations to both our General Fund & Capital Campaign. This does not include the monies that were donated to our Youth ($9,320) or to our local Community/Charities ($7,793). Thank you Thank you to everyone who provided prosphora, altar flowers, coffee and food for fellowship hour, and artoklasia for the month of April. We are grateful for the participation of: Chris & Nadine Saklar, Joanne Sgourakis, Aphrodite Petrihos, Hellen Elfering, Voula Kotrotsios, Mike & Sandi Kriha, Bob & Maria Knowles, and Theodora Petrow. Youth Take Over Sunday Thanks to all the parents, grandparents and everyone for getting the children to the final Youth Take Over Sunday for the school year. The kids did a great job and I was super proud of each and every one of them! Of course, our youth s involvement would not be possible without Ms. Wilger's amazing instruction. I can tell you I know it looks like she leads our children in song effortlessly but there is a lot of work involved behind the scenes! Ms. Wilger plans what to teach the children, gathers the materials then works with our children about twice a month. We are truly blessed to have Ms. Wilger included in our Sunday Church school program. Thank you Ms. Andrea Wilger! Office Hours: Monday Friday: 10am 5pm Phone: PARISH INFOMATION Address: 9012 Q Street, Omaha, NE Website: Church: AHSoffice@allholyspirit.com Fr. Alexander Lukashonok: FrAlexander@allholyspirit.com Services: Each Sunday Morning Prayers 8:45 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am 2 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

3 2016 Stewardship List Evan Argyrakis Alexandra Bakke Chris & Carole Bakke Nicholas Bakke William Bakke John & Elaine Berger Zach & Kelli Berger John & Debbie Birge Justin & Nicole Birge Effie Bitsos Paul & Dora Bitsos Nick Bitzes Phil & Tammy Bitzes Matt & Alexis Boulos Julie Bouzis Mike Bouzis Angie Brown Maria Brown Josh & Leah Busch Joe & Litsa Carter Karen Chader Tom & Brenda Denich John & Hillary Detisch Steve & Nikki Diamantis John & Lia Diamantis Mary Dounias David & Hellen Elfering Katie Elfering Sarah Elfering Elias & Demetra Eliopoulos Despina Foster Jordan Fox Jason Gill Tammy Gill Clark & Annie Gorder Zach Hennings Chris & Vika Hoegemeyer Trey & Tammy Honke Steve & Mariana Hurst Jeff Johannesmeyer Knox & Anastasia Jones Adam & Sandy Karavas Andy & Debbie Karavas Tesfaye Kinde & Yordanos Geberhiwet Bob & Maria Knowles Christina Knowels Elaina Knowels Vivian Kokkalas Paul & Annie Kosel Christopher & Emily Krampe Mike & Sandi Kriha Katherine Krug Harry & Dee Lahs Bill & Cindy Lambert Robert & Maria Laws Ted & Helen Lazanas Jim & Deb McDonnell Michael McDonnell Jon & Liz Mehuron Cindy Miller Mary Mitchell Mike & Nikki Moravec Toni & June Mourgis Spiro & Mary Moustakes Ashley Olson Linda Olson Mike & Gail Osberg Joe & Kiki Papke John & Laura Pavalis William & Eva Petrides Nick & Aphrodite Petrihos Helen Petrow Nick & Shelly Petrow Nicole Petrow Sophia Petrow Theodora Petrow George & Jody Poullos George Poulos George Pserros David & Lisa Rakes George & Angie Rakes Gust & Joan Rakes Shelly Reiling Chris & Nadine Saklar Bill & Joanne Sgourakis John & Michelle Sgourakis Anna Smith Julie Smith Scott & Rena Thornton John & Kathy Treantos Sam Tsichlis Andy Vassios Ted Warren Alyssa Wilger Andrea Wilger Peter & Stephanie Wilger Brian & Sheila Zachariae Pascha Plants Christ is Risen Truly, He is Risen! A special thanks to everyone who purchased a Geranium plant! Plants purchased in the memory of: John & Sofia Eliopoulos Fred & Mildred Segelke & James & Stella Rakes Alex, Katherina Thomas, Paul Pserros, Maria & Kosta Pserros, & Polidoros & Demetra Demos Patty Olson, Bev Wood, Effie Treantos, & Dora Patrinos Saladyga Family & Dulniawka Family Cletus Johannesmeyer Ray & Shaw & Leo Louis & Elizabeth Poleway Chris Petrow Christopher Thornton Samuel Managos, & Jack Moravec James, George & Angelo Ariel Justine Branan Robert McDonnell, & Ret. Colonel James McDonnell Pete Chapman & Nicoletta Skelton Travis & George Skelton Patrecia Poulos Theodore & Maria Asikin Plants purchased for family households: Nick Bitzes Family The Kriha Family May

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5 Cultivating Inexpressible Joy Joy and the Presence of God Joy is an attribute of Almighty God. He is joy, and the joy of His people. Oh, send out Thy light and Thy truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Thy holy hill and to Thy tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy (Psalm 43:4). God is joy, and to draw near to God is to draw near to joy. Thou shalt show me the path of life; In Thy presence is the fullness of joy; At Thy right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). It may be obvious to many, but in my pastoral experience it needs to be repeated that the primary cause of depression is being far from God. It is the absence of God that elicits within us the greatest grief. Joy is not the absence of sorrows; joy is the presence of God in all these things. It is our impression that we are alone in the midst of our pains that is the source of our greatest sorrow. When God is there, all of our difficulties are infused with a mysterious joy. When He is not, even our greatest earthly happiness is unsatisfying. When we endure the crosses of this poor life without the knowledge that God is in them all, and has sent them to us in His providence from the abundance of His love designed for our salvation, then these very crosses kill us. They provoke within us a great despair, and this despair, according to St. John Chrysostom, is the greatest of the tools of the evil one. These things need not be. An icon of inexpressible joy offered by God to the world in recent centuries is the life of St. Seraphim of Sarov ( ).2 All the saints of God, by being God-bearers, carried in their bosoms unbounded joy and passed it to all who gathered around them. St. Seraphim, however, was exceptional. Though he was a monk he chose not to don the traditional black cassock, but wore throughout the year a white one. Rather than saying, Christ is risen, only for the forty days of Pascha, as is customary, he employed this greeting every day of the year. He greeted his visitors, who included the likes of the Tsar and Tsaritsa of Russia, universally as My joy. His entire life was spent in the quest to acquire the Holy Spirit. Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you...if you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (St. Luke 11:9,13). St. Seraphim knocked. For a thousand days and nights he remained upon a rock in prayer. St. Seraphim asked and St. Seraphim received. The Holy Spirit came upon him in great measure, and the fruit of the Spirit s presence was inexpressible joy. For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace... (Galatians 5:22). In the famous Conversation, St. Seraphim explains to his spiritual son Motovilov: When the Spirit of God descends on a man, and envelops him in the fullness of his presence, the soul overflows with unspeakable joy, for the Holy Spirit fills everything he touches with joy... This is that joy of which the Lord speaks in His Gospel: A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. In the world you will be sorrowful; but when I see you again, your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you (Jn. 16:21-22). If the first-fruits of future joy have already filled your soul with such sweetness, with such happiness, what shall we say of the joy in the Kingdom of Heaven, which awaits all those who weep here on earth?... Then this transitory and partial joy which we now feel will be revealed in all its fullness, overwhelming our being with ineffable delights which no one will be able to take from us. -V. Rev. Josiah Trenham, Ph.D [To read the full article go to: 6 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church December May

6 AHS Outreach Project Presents: Mobile Food Pantry Event Thursday, May 14th Hosted by: Messiah Lutheran Church Location: 8015 Harrison St. La Vista, NE Time range: 7:00am-2:00pm Come assist the Mobile Food Bank Pantry by collecting and organizing non-perishable goods. Looking for volunteers! Contact: Sandi Kriha (402) Check out: Coffee with Sister Vassa Larin on Women in Faith Sunday, May 15th followed by Divine Liturgy Help us celebrate all the Orthodox Women during the celebration of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women! Guest Speaker: Demetra Panopoulos on her trip to Guatemala *Food will be provided. 6 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church December

7 Spring Family Picnic Saturday, May 21st Hosted by: Trey & Tammy Honke Location: 1116 EP Lane Ashland, NE Time: 10:30 am Prayer Services followed by food & games Join us for sand volleyball & fishing! Burgers, hotdogs and water provided. BYOC: Bring Your Own Chair *Bring side dishes & desserts. **Fishing poles not provided. RSVP Preferred: Contact Tammy Honke: (402) Omaha FARE Walk for Food Allergy Saturday, June 04, 2016 Walk Location Stinson Park 2285 South 67th Street, Omaha, NE Walk Schedule Check-in/Activities: 8:30AM - 10:00AM Walk Ceremony: 10:00AM The walk will follow immediately after the ceremony! We will walk rain or shine! 8 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church May

8 Meeting Place of The Holy and Great Council: The Orthodox Academy of Crete (Left-Above): The decision to convene the Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church in Crete, rather than at the headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople as originally proposed, was dictated by exceptional objective circumstances (i.e. by the recent Russo-Turkish crisis) which basically prevents the Patriarch of Moscow, Kyrill, and his delegation from visiting the City of Istanbul (Constantinople). (Above): The Synaxis of Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem Patriarch Kirill of Moscow Patriarch Irinej of Serbia Patriarch Daniel of Romania Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria Patriarch Ilia of Georgia Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus Archbishop Anastasios of Albania Archbishop Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia Source(s): (Right-Above): The Orthodox Academy of Crete is a modern Conference Center situated in an exceptionally beautiful location only a few meters from the sea and next to the Gonia Monastery (17th Century). It is situated 22 kilometers from the city of Chania and 39 kilometers from its international airport. Chania is the westernmost prefecture of Crete, with the city of Chania as its capital. The conference center of the Orthodox Academy of Crete is located about 10 minutes by foot outside the small fishing village of Kolympari. 68 All All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church December

9 Greek American Motorcycle Association (GAMA) Gather for Blessing and Fundraiser for Scholarship Program By John C. Ackerman Apr 11, 2016 HOMER GLEN, IL: The Greek American Motorcycle Association (GAMA) and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago held their 4th Annual Motorcycle Blessing Service today in the cold drizzle at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church located at South Bell Road in Homer Glen. Yet despite the near freezing wet weather, the annual event gathered over 35 motorcyclists and 25 of their motorcycles. The service was officiated by Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, and begin following Sunday services. Assumption Pastor, Rev. Sotirios (Sam) Dimitriou noted, What better way to kick off the summer riding season than to have His Grace, Bishop Demetrios, bless all the riders along with their motorcycles, by saying a prayer for their safety. I d like to think the riders will listen closely to the prayers for a safe riding season GAMA s annual motorcycle blessing is a wonderful way for our members and our fellow Chicagoland supporters in the motorcycle community to start each riding season with a Holy Blessing, said GAMA President John Corasis. It s truly a spiritual feeling that gives you a sense of confidence riding your motorcycle throughout the riding season. This is a wonderful and spiritual experience where Bishop Demetrios along with Fr. Sam Dimitriou bless the riders (along with their motorcycles) and wish them a safe riding season said Nikos Karavitis, GAMA Media and Public Relations Officer. It s refreshing to see how the church continues to reach out and embrace motorcycle enthusiasts and how this blessing continues to grow every year. This 4th Annual event is also a fundraiser ride for the GAMA Scholarship Program. The fundraiser ride begins immediately following the Blessing Service and finished at The Black Sheep in Orland Hills, raising $ this year. GAMA is proud to offer four (4) scholarships to attend the Greek Orthodox Fanari Summer Camp, which is held at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Southern Wisconsin. To apply for the $500 scholarships, students must submit an application by May 31, Every applicant is required to submit a short essay which will help the selection committee to understand their motivations and desires to attend Fanari Camp. Winners will be selected by June 4, The scholarships include transportation, room and board and activity fees at Fanari Camp. The application that could be found on the GAMA web site: The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago oversees all Greek Orthodox parishes within Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, as well as large portions of Missouri and Indiana. You can find more information on the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago at Source: May

10 Get Involved Are you interested in baking prosphora? Do you want to provide food and coffee for our Fellowship Hour? Would you like to beautify the altar with flowers? Get involved today! Sign up sheets are located in the Fellowship Hall. Coming Soon: Vacation Bible School June 20th-24th May 9th is Metropolitan Isaiah's Name Day! Send Prayers to our Metropolitan! 10 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church Bible Study Starting: Wednesday, May 18th 6:30 PM Studying: The Book of Acts *Bible study will continue each Wednesday >REMINDER< General Assembly Meeting Sunday, May 22nd following Divine Liturgy Mother's Day Card Philoptochos is sponsoring Mother's day cards! $5 each Send a specially made card to the special mothers, grandmothers, aunts, godparents or any special woman in your or your child's lives! *Names of those honored will be included in an Artoclasia service being held during Liturgy on Sunday, May 15th. Contact: Maria Knowles: mariaknowles@cox.net or Maria Laws,: marialaws@gmail.com Get more Orthodox News with SparkOCN [Available on the Apple App Store]

11 April May 2016 June Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :00 PM GOYA 1 HOLY PASCHA 1:00 AM Resurrection Dinner 4:00 PM Agape Vespers & St. George :30 AM Divine Liturgy 11:00 AM Bush Baptism 8 SUNDAY OF THOMAS 8:45 Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy 9 MET. ISIAH NAME DAY 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 6:30 PM Parish Council FOOD BANK VOLUNTEER 7:00 AM-2:00 PM 15 SUNDAY OF THE MYRH- BEARERS 8:45 AM Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy Orthodox Women in Faith 16 7:00 PM Choir 17 7:00 PM Philoptochos 18 6:30 PM Bible Study 7:00 PM GOYA FAMILY PICNIC 10:30 AM Prayer The Honke s House 22 SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC 8:45 Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy General Assembly Meeting 29 SUNDAY OF THE SAMARATIN WOMAN 8:45 Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy MID- PENTECOST 6:00 PM Vesperal Divine Liturgy 30 Cemetery Visitations 25 6:30 PM Bible Study 31 Notes: USHER SCHEDULE If you are unable to usher on your assigned Sunday please find a replacement within your group. May 5/1 Jason Gill, Mike Bouzis, John Sgourakis, & Bill Petrides June 6/5 Chris Hoegemeyer, Shelly Reiling, George Poullos, & Paul Bitsos 5/8 George Poullos, Paul Bitsos, John Treantos, & Eva Petrides 5/15 Bill & Cindy Lambert, Mike Kriha, & George Pserros 5/22 John & Elaine Berger, John Birge, & George Rakes 6/12 Andy Karavas, Steve Thompson, Brian & Sheila Zachariae 6/19 Mike & Sandi Kriha, Jason Gill, & Mike Bouzis 06/26 John Sgourakis, Scott Thornton, Bill & Cindy Lambert 5/ 29 Mike & Nikki Moravec, Dora Bitsos, & Angie Rakes May

12 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church 9012 Q Street Omaha, NE (402) office NON-PROFIT organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No Omaha, NE The Joy of Orthodox Pascha..1 Parish News My Life in Christ...5 Upcoming News Our Archdiocese....8 Pan-Orthodox News Parish Involvement..10 May Calendar