The Northern Beacon Parish Newsletter AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018 VOLUME 104

Transcription

1 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia St John the Baptist, Parish of Cairns The Northern Beacon Parish Newsletter AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018 VOLUME 104 Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Menelaos Hatzoglou Church: (07) Fax: (07) Mobile: Parish President: Theo Bacalakis Mobile: Philoptohos Society of St John the Baptist Parish Cairns Ph: (07) St Johns Community Care Chairperson: Theo Bacalakis ( Kamerunga Road, Kamerunga) PO Box 44R Redlynch QLD 4870 Ph: (07) Fax: (07) Chief Financial Officer: Sonya Leonardi Aged Care Services Manager: Effie Bacalakis Disability Services Manager: Amanda McInerney Gordonvale Office: (07) Innisfail Office: (07) Mareeba Office: (07) Torres Strait Office: (07) Townsville: (07) Brisbane: (07) Coen: (07) Home Assist Secure Ph: Outside Cairns: Redlynch Day Care Centre Director: L Dos Santos director@redlynchdaycarecentre.com.au Coming Events & Gatherings Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia FELLOWSHIP Saturday 25th August/ Saturday 29th September 11am Greek Language School Language Classes/ Dance School Every Monday 4pm Parish Hall. Enquires contact Father Menelaos Hatzoglou Russian Language School Every Thursday 4:30 pm Parish Hall. Contact Nadia Pinder nadiya70@hotmail.com August /September 2018 Tuesday 14th August 2018 Vespers Service for the Dormition of the Theotokos at the Parish of The Dormition of the Theotokos Innisfail Bus Departs 5pm Big Marlin Bookings Essential Pease contact Father Menelaos Wednesday 15th August 2018 Matins & Divine Liturgy for The Dormition of the Theotokos 8am at the Parish of St John the Baptist Cairns. Sunday 19th August 2018 The Dormition of the Theotokos Luncheon Following the Divine Liturgy All Welcome Parish Hall. Saturday September 1st English Divine Liturgy 9am to Commemorate the Ecclesiastical New Year. Luncheon to follow Divine Liturgy Rib Lone Star Smithfield All Welcome. Friday 14th September Matins & Divine Liturgy to Commemorate the Elevation of the Holy Cross 8am Strict Fast. Sunday School Every Sunday Parish Hall 9-9:50am For further information contact Father Menelaos on Kali Parea Seniors Group Every Wednesday at 10am St John s Parish Hall Call Stella Transport Available 2018 Paraklisis Service for the Theotokos Commences 1st August 13th August 6pm Wednesday s 9am FATHERS DAY MORNING TEA SUNDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER 2018 COST: FREE-Parish Hall Following Divine Liturgy Who ever requires the Parish Priest, Father Menelaos to attend the cemetery for blessings. Please contact Father Menelaos on. A Courtesy Bus is available for Sunday Services To book please call Fr Menelaos on HOSPITAL & HOME VISITS BY PRIEST As we all know, at some point in our life there comes a time when we find someone we love, or ourselves in hospital for a variety of reasons. Whoever requires the Parish Priest to visit their loved ones in Hospital or at home they contact Father Menelaos on

2 Letters From Father Menelaos.. The Beheading of St. John the Forerunner. The Church commemorates the beheading of St. John the Forerunner on August 29. It is a strict fast (no meat, fish, dairy or olive oil) because of the grief of Christians at the violent death of the saint. The prophet of God; John openly denounced Herod, a sub king of Judea under the Roman Empire. Herod had divorced his wife and unlawfully took his brother s wife Herodias. Herod threw St. John the Forerunner in jail. During Herod's birthday, Salome the daughter of Herodias danced seductively before the king and his guests. In gratitude to the girl, Herod swore to give her whatever she wanted, even up to half of his kingdom. On the advice of her wicked mother Herodias, she immediately requested that she be given the head of St. John the Forerunner on a platter. Herod had become apprehensive at first, for he feared God and the people who loved the Holy Forerunner. But because of his guests and his careless oath, Herod couldn't go back on his word. Herod gave the orders to cut the head of St. John the Forerunner and to give it to Salome. St. John the Forerunner in prison spoke his last words, "Repent for the Kingdom is in hand". St. John's head was cut off and given to Salome on a platter, then she gave it her mother. The pious Joanna, wife of Herod's steward Chuza buried the head of St. John the forerunner in an earthen vessel on the Mount of Olives. The Holy body of St. John the Forerunner was taken that night by his disciples and buried at Sebastia. The Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The feast day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated every year on September 14 which is exactly forty days after the Transfiguration of Christ. The feast day commemorates the finding of the Holy and true Cross of our Lord by Saint Helen the mother of Saint Constantine. The Emperor Constantine in the twentieth year of his reign (326) sent his mother Saint Helen to venerate the Holy Places and to find the location of the Holy Cross, which he had seen in a dream from God. Saint Helen had found three Crosses and had no way of determining which cross was the Cross of Christ. The three Crosses were taken to a woman who was near death, and when the woman touched the True Cross, she was healed from her infirmity. Saint Helen then laid the Holy Cross on a deceased man during a funeral procession and as soon as the Holy Cross touched the man, the Holy Cross restored the deceased man back to life. The Cross is special because it is an instrument of our Salvation. Christ Himself says Whoever desires to follow me let him pick up his Cross and follow me. (Luke 9:23) The point is not simply self-sacrifice but we unite ourselves to the sacrifice of Christ on His Cross. The feast day of the Exaltation of The Holy Cross is a strict Lenten day, where oil is not consumed. On the feast day, all Greek Orthodox Churches decorate the Cross with Basil and Basil bunches are distributed to the faithful at the end of the Divine Liturgy by the Priest. In the Lord s Richest Blessings +Fr Menelaos

3 Recent Events On Sunday 20 May, Representing His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, His Grace Bishop Seraphim officiated a thanks giving Hierarchal Divine Liturgy alongside Father John Kapetas, Father Alexios and Father Menelaos. The Thanks Giving Divine Liturgy was in accordance with the 25 year Silver Jubilee of the naming of the Parish The Service was wonderful and was well attended. At the end of the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy, with the Blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, Father Menelaos was elevated to the rank of an Oikonomos. Father Menelaos was humbled to receive such a blessing. Following the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy, there was a Luncheon held in the Parish Hall, it was enjoyed by all. There were presentations presented by His Grace Bishop Seraphim and a speech from His Grace to acknowledge all the hard work that has been achieved by past and current Parish Council Members and of the Ladies Philoptochos, to be able to fulfil the dream of having A Greek Orthodox Church in Cairns. On behalf of the Parish President Theo Bacalakis and his family, Parish Board Members and parish Council, the ladies Philoptochos and the Parishioners of St John the Baptist, we would like to thank His Grace Bishop Seraphim for coming to Cairns to celebrate yet another milestone that has been achieved by the Parish of St John the Baptist Cairns. We would also like to thank His Eminence for his Paternal love, Respect, Blessings and Spiritual Guidance over the past 25 years. On a final note, we would like to thank everyone who has supported our Parish from the humble beginnings to date. Thank you to all who came from afar to help us celebrate the 25 year Silver Jubilee of the naming of the Parish. On Saturday 23 June, the Parish held a Vesper service to commemorate the Nativity of St John the Forerunner. Father Menelaos also conducted a Litany for the relics of St John the Baptist where the faithful had the opportunity to venerate the Holy Relics. Sunday 24 June, the Parish commemorated the Feast day of the Nativity of St John the forerunner; the Divine Liturgy was officiated in English, it was well attended. The Greek School Dance Group performed at the Greek Festival. The Children danced and celebrated with Greek Dances. On behalf of the Parish President, Board members, Parish committee and the Parishioners, we would like to thank the students for their performance and to their teacher Irene Tremayne and to their parents, as we are always proud of the children. This year s Greek Festival was a success. On behalf of the Parish President, Board members, Parish Committee and the Parishioners, we would like to thank our Parishioners, staff members from the Redlynch Day Care Centre and from St John s Community Care and to all the volunteers, dancers and performers and sponsors for their ongoing support for the Greek Festival. We would also like to thank the Ladies Philoptochos for their lovely honey puffs and church souvenirs. We would also like to thank DJ Georgiou, Michael Friginotis, Bico Athanasios and Linda Cooper for attending the Greek Festival. We would also like to thank John Bacalakis, for his wonderful chanting during the English Divine Liturgy. We would like to thank Thomas Triantafilou for his endless cooking and preparations. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Parish President Theo Bacalakis and Effie Bacalakis for their ongoing contributions towards the Greek festival and to our Board members and Parishioners for their ongoing support. UPCOMING EVENTS. Wednesday 1 August Paraklisis to the Theotokos Commence 6pm except for Wednesday s 9:00 am. Lent commences 1 st August till 14 th August. Strict Fast Fish allowed 6 th August for the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Monday 6 August Feast Day of the Transfiguration of Our Lord English Divine Liturgy 6:30 pm Fish Allowed. Tuesday 14 August Vespers Service for the Dormition of the Theotokos and Egomia to the Theotokos 6:30pm at the Dormition of the Theotokos Innisfail. Wednesday 15 August Feast Day of the Dormition of The Theotokos 8am Matins & Divine Liturgy. St John the Baptist Cairns. Sunday 19th August Following the Divine Liturgy a Luncheon for the Dormition of the Theotokos. All Welcome Parish Hall Redlynch. Tuesday 28th August -Vespers Service for the Beheading of St John the Forerunner 6pm. Wednesday 29 August Feast Day of the Beheading of St John the Forerunner Matins & Divine Liturgy 8am. Saturday1st September English Divine Liturgy to commemorate the Ecclesiastical New Year 9:00am followed by a Luncheon at The Rib Lone Star Smithfield. Sunday 2nd September Father s Day Morning Tea All Welcome. Cost: Free. Where: Parish Hall following the Divine Liturgy. Saturday 8 th September The Feast day of the Nativity of the Theotokos Matins & Divine Liturgy 8am. Friday14th September the Feast day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Matins & Divine Liturgy 8am (Strict Fast). God Bless +Fr Menelaos

4 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP 2018 LAST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH SATURDAY 25th AUGUST 11:00am/29th SEPTEMBER 11:00am Parish Hall All Welcome. Jesus said, Wherever two or three are gathered, there I am also. MONTHLY DINNERS FOLLOWING ENGLISH DIVINE LITURGIES. FUN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES GROUP DISCUSSIONS BOWLING MOVIES COME AND MEET NEW PEOPLE!!!!!!!! Drinks and light snacks provided FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT FR. MENELAOS EVERY SUNDAY PARISH HALL 9.00am - 9:50am *FUN ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN *CHILDRENS BIBLE LESSONS *COLOURING ACTIVITIES & LESSONS *LEARN THE LORDS PRAYER *ARTS & CRAFTS For further information please contact Fr. Menelaos Hatzoglou on BRING YOUR CHILDREN ALONG - ALL WELCOME This year the Greek school students will be attending scripture classes once a month, as it is a part of the Greek school curriculum. An Activity Of The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Of Australia

5 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CAIRNS FATHER MENELAOS HATZOGLOU WILL BE OFFICIATING A ENGLISH DIVINE LITURGY MONDAY 6TH AUGUST 2018 At the Parish of St John The Baptist Redlynch ENGLISH DIVINE LITURGY TO COMMEMORATE THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR 6:30pm Dinner to follow Divine Liturgy at the Red Beret Hotel All Welcome FATHER MENELAOS HATZOGLOU WILL BE OFFICIATING A ENGLISH DIVINE LITURGY TO COMMEMORATE THE ECCESIASTICAL NEW YEAR AT THE PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST REDLYNCH SATURDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER :00 am Luncheon to follow Divine Liturgy Lone Star Rib House All Welcome. FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT FR. MENELAOS fr.menelaos@gopcairns.org.au Telephone: Fax:

6 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CAIRNS TUESDAY 14th August 2018 Vespers Service For The Dormition of the Holy Theotokos The parish and Community of The Dormition of the Theotokos Innisfail 6:30 pm Bus Departs 5:00pm Big Marlin Earlville Bookings Essential Contact Fr Menelaos WEDNESDAY 15th August Matins & Divine Liturgy 8am at the Parish of St John The Baptist Redlynch Cairns. Sunday 19th August Come and Join Us for a Luncheon to Celebrate the Feast Day of The Dormition of the Theotokos Followed by the Divine Liturgy Parish Hall All Welcome. $10 per person. For Further Information please contact Fr. Menelaos. FATHERS DAY BREAKFAST FOLLOWING THE DIVINE LITURGY SUNDAY 2ND OF SEPTEMBER 2018 COST: FREE For further information please contact Fr. Menelaos Hatzoglou fr.menelaos@gopcairns.org.au Telephone: An Activity of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

7 GUIDE TO FASTING Fasting is an integral and essential part of Orthodox Christian life. There are 4 major periods of fasting during the year and a number of other days in which Orthodox Christians abstain from meat, dairy products, eggs, fish, wine and oil. Every Wednesday and Friday (with some exceptions) is a fasting day. If a feast day falls on a Wednesday or a Friday the fasting is relaxed as indicated. With the exception of Holy Saturday we never fast from wine and oil on Saturday or Sunday because the Resurrection of Christ is celebrated on these days. Please consult your spiritual father or priest to help you apply these guidelines to your own situation. Fasting begins Wednesday August 1st till Tuesday 14th August for the Dormition of the Theotokos Lenten Fast. Fish allowed Monday 6th August for the Transfiguration of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Dear Parishioners, It is a busy time at St Johns Community Care with the end of financial year reports. We have achieved our contracted outputs in accordance with our service agreement and this is a result of our staff s efforts and commitment to the organisation and the clients. We were happy to be part of the Greek Festival. It is great team building and a excellent example of working collaboratively with the Parish and the Day care. The Festival was well attended and those who attended enjoyed the Greek food, sweets, dancing Zorba, multicultural entertainment, cooking demonstration, plate smashing and olive spitting competition. It was wonderful to see everyone sharing culture and communities. St John s have been helping young people to transition onto the new National Disabilities Insurance Scheme. Information Sessions have been held in Cairns, Mareeba, Innisfail, Townsville and Brisbane providing people with information and assistance to register. We are preparing for the information stall at the Gordonvale Pyramid Race Day and the Annual Seniors Celebration on the 22nd August. Please come along your support is appreciated. Regards Effie Bacalakis TUNE IN TO CAIRNS FM 89.1 Greek Programs is on Saturdays between 2-4pm Get all the Greek Music and National News and loads more.

8 S P O N S O R S Thank you To all our Sponsors in 2018