FATHER DEMETRI TSIGAS cell phone: Orthros: 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM Fellowship Hour: Noon

Transcription

1 SAINT KATHERINE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 5965 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, Florida Church Phone: (321) fax (321) Church hall: (321) website: FATHER DEMETRI TSIGAS cell phone: Orthros: 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM Fellowship Hour: Noon Church office hours: Mon. through Fri. 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. / Sat. closed & Sun. closed during Liturgy ~ VISION & MISSION STATEMENT ~ Our Vision (dream) is to be a growing, loving, united Orthodox Christian family open to all. Our Mission (job) is to grow our faith in Christ through love and respect, with humility and forgiveness. HOLY PASCHA Jeremiah the Prophet ( BC) Hieromartyr Batas of Persia Marty Philosophos of Alexandria Isidora the Fool-for-Christ of Egypt Martyrs Euthymios, Ignatios & Akakios the Younger (1815) Martyr Savvas Panaretos, Archbishop of Paphos in Cyprus Nikephoros of Chios New Martyr Mary of Crete Sunday, May 1, 2016 Festal Morning Gospel ~ Welcome to Our Guests ~ We are delighted that you are with us today. Please keep in mind that according to the Holy Canons and teachings of the Orthodox Church, you must be a baptized and chrismated member of the Orthodox faith in good standing in order to receive Holy Communion. You are welcome to receive a portion of the blessed bread (antidoron) distributed at the end of the Divine Liturgy. Please join us for coffee hour following services.

2 Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great Ἀπολυτίκιον - Ήχος Πλ. Α - σ. 152 Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καὶ τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωὴν χαρισάμενος. Apolytikion of Pascha - Plagal 1st Tone - see p. 15 in this bulletin Christ is Risen from the dead, by death trampling down upon death and to those in the tombs He has granted life. Ἡ Ὑπακοή - Ἦχος δʹ Προλαβοῦσαι τὸν ὄρθρον αἱ περὶ Μαριάμ, καὶ εὑροῦσαι τὸν λίθον ἀποκυλισθέντα τοῦ μνήματος, ἤκουον ἐκ τοῦ ἀγγέλου Τὸν ἐν φωτὶ ἀϊδίῳ ὑπάρχοντα μετὰ νεκρῶν τί ζητεῖτε ὡς ἄνθρωπον; Βλέπετε τὰ ἐντάφια σπάργανα δράμετε καὶ τῷ κόσμῳ κηρύξατε, ὡς ἠγέρθη ὁ Κύριος, θανατώσας τὸν θάνατον ὅτι ὑπάρχει Θεοῦ Υἱός, τοῦ σῴζοντος τὸ γένος τῶν ἀνθρώπων. The Ypakoe (Obedience) - 4th Tone When the women with Mary had come before dawn, and they found that the stone had been rolled away from the sepulcher, they heard from the Angel, ʺWhy do you seek among the dead, as a mortal man, the One who exists in everlasting light? See the grave cloths in the sepulcher. Run and proclaim to the world that the Lord has risen and put death to death; for He is the Son of God who saves the human race.ʺ Κοντάκιον - Πλ Δ - σ Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες, Ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾅδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος, ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν. Kontakion Plagal 4th Tone - p Into the grave You descended, Immortal One, yet You destroyed the power of Hades and as victor You arose, O Christ our God; You proclaimed to the myrrhearing women a greeting of joy, You brought peace to Your holy apostles, and to the fallen You granted resurrection. 2

3 The Epistle Reading is Acts of the Apostles 1:1-8 IN THE FIRST BOOK, O Theophilos, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit." So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of lsrael?" He said to them, "it is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth." The Gospel Reading John 1:1-17 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'") And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. MEGALYNARION - pgs Brevard County, State of Florida & America Spiritual Leaders: Patriarch Bartholomew; Archbishop Demetrios; Metropolitan Alexios; & Fr. Demetri Civil Leaders: President Barack Obama, US Congress & Supreme Court; Governor Rick Scott; all our civil authorities and our armed forces. Parish Leadership: Parish Council & Philoptochos members, Chanters & Choir, Dance, Sunday & Greek School teachers and students, our Youth Group leaders and children. Those who are sick, awaiting surgery, recovering from surgery, in need of prayers and/or shut in: Sophia Tenreiro, Alexandra Diamond, Peter Katsoulas, Mae 3

4 Charos, Theresa Sempepos, Peter & Dorothy Pappademetriou, Nicholas, Gus Drivas, Bill & Ellen Werner, Olga, Despina Kalimnios, Ashley, Elias Corpas, Nazieh & Yvonne Yacoub, Savannah & Zander Kelly, Vada Ganakos, Mirsini Sirounis, Katherine, Don, Penny, Princeton, Suzanne Orosz, Faye Nicholas, Gerry & Chris, Veton, Mark, Ayad Saad & family, JoAnne Macheras, John Cominos, Van Katehakis, Lisa Waddell, Michael Donohue, Angela DeCosta, Marlaine & Jim Manus, Ann Prieston, Anna, Kris Stamatis, Anastasia, Kyriaki, Renee, Olga Taran, George & Sue Kanazeh, Joseph, Jay & John Paul Figari, Matina, Gabriel & Markos Pongpipat, George, Mirek, James Burkhardt, Maria, Mary Katsenes, Lisa, Sylvia Demopoulos, Alexandra, Joyce Stavrakis, Taylor Pappas, Rosemary George, Connie Ortolani, Maria Brewster, Maria, Iakovos, Efstratia, Sarah Wells, Jan & Mary, James Petersen, Denis Frawley, David Buckles, James Pappas, Bill Kokotis, Lori, Debbi Walker, Michelle Orosz, Leah Thomas, Mary & Pete Faines, Robert & Vel, Tony Niarhos, Mary Catalano, Nicole, Katie, Mike, Nicole, Andromahi, Rick Zelvis, Kathy S., Pauline Contakos, Jessie, Elaine Demopoulos, Mary Donedini, Christina, Jerry & Joseph Figari, Jamie, Jessie. For those expecting: Patricia & Andre, Ryan & Natalie Yacoub-Pugh For those with new babies: Those serving in the Military: Joseph Abadiotakis, Jr., Elias Panayiotis Maldonado, Nicholas Tsamoutales, Yanni Tshontikidis, Harold David Ballard, Samuel Joseph III, Nicholas Cannaverde, Travis Hunter, Ethan Macheras, Matthew Ryan Stinnett, James Christian Figari. For the protection of Christians who are being persecuted for their faith. For the protection and freedom of the kidnapped Metropolitan Boulos Yazigi and Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim, both of Aleppo, Syria. Those preparing for Marriage: Sotiria Tutzarakis & Matthew Stinnett, Alexis Zavitsanos & Kraig Tharp, Nicolas Melitas & Julie Noble. College Students: Arianna Bendlin, Telly & Tony Galanopoulos, Alyssa Giglio, Sade & Jamila Jelani, Alyssa, Marianthi & Peter Karas, Kimberley & Dana Marie Koines, Jennifer & Andrew Loso, Esther Muradov, Tommy Panouses, Ashley P. Buckles, Catherine Psarakis, George & Jessica Saad, Noha Saliba, Catie Sergis, Costas & Alex Stathis, Mary Jane Tutzarakis, Elizabeth Gaherty, Brandon Arena, Melanie Niarhos, Ronnie Rickard, Leah & Austen Thomas (If you know of anyone that should be added to this list, please call the Church office.) Please turn your cell phones & pagers off or on vibrate before entering Church 4

5 AGAPE SERVICE 12 NOON Followed by the Pascha Picnic $15 Adults $8 Children 12 & Under ~ Upcoming Liturgies & Events ~ Fri., May 6th - Theotokos of the Life Giving Font - Orthros 9 am Divine Liturgy 10 am Sun., May 8th - Mother s Day Sun., May 15th - Last day of Sunday School & AHEPA Sunday Sun., May 15th - Festival Meeting following AHEPA breakfast in the conference room Thurs., May 19th - Mon., May 23rd - Office closed Fri & Sat, May 20 & 21 - Yard Sale - 9 am - 2 pm - see p. 18 for more details Sun., May 22nd - Sunday School Awards & presentations Mon., May 30th - Memorial Day - Office closed Sun., June 5th - Philoptochos Meeting following Divine Liturgy Sat., June 11th - End of Year Philoptochos Luncheon TBA Thurs., June 9th - Holy Ascension - Orthros 9 am Divine Liturgy 10 am Sat., June 18th - Saturday of Souls - Orthros 9 am Divine Liturgy 10 am Check our website for updated Liturgies & Events 5

6 May 1, 2016 Prot. No B A R T H O L O M E W By God s Mercy Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch To the Plenitude of the Church Grace, Peace and Mercy from Christ, who has Risen in Glory *** Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, We wholeheartedly address you from the See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate with the joyous greeting Christ is risen! The resurrection of Christ is the center of our Orthodox faith. Without the resurrection, our faith is in vain (1 Cor. 15:14). Through His resurrection, the divine Word rendered humanity created in the image of God but wounded and stained by sin incorrupt and deified, granting us once again the possibility of achieving divine likeness, of which we were deprived through disobedience. However, what does the feast of Pascha signify as the victory of life over death in a world of violence and war, especially in the name of religion and God? Many philosophers endeavored to find a solution to the problem of death and to overcome death with various theories. We Orthodox Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the dead and boldly declare the destruction of death. We know that it is the Word of God who bestows life and in whom was life (John 1:4). We have the joyful experience of the Church, that death was conquered through the resurrection of Christ. All things have been filled with joy, having received the experience of resurrection. This faith brightens all expressions of church life and culminates in the divine Eucharist. The fact that, in the Christian world, it is especially the Orthodox Church that preserved the divine Eucharist as the center of its life and spirituality is inseparably related to the fact that the resurrection is the nucleus of our faith, worship and ecclesiastical ethos. For this reason, the Eucharistic liturgy is always festive, joyous, and primarily linked with the Lord s day as the day of the resurrection. 6

7 The most striking expression and interpretation of the resurrection as well as of its regenerative power is the image of the descent of our Lord Jesus Christ to Hades, as this is wonderfully depicted at the Chora Monastery in Constantinople. The Lord of glory descends to the depths of Hades, destroying its gates, arising victorious and resurrecting Adam and Eve in Himself, and in so doing resurrects the entire human race from beginning to end. Now, all things have been filled with light, heaven and earth and all things beneath the earth. Creation rises from the dark realm of death to the heavenly kingdom, whose light has no evening. The faithful, as participants in the resurrection, are called to declare the Gospel of freedom in Christ to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). The Mother Church, which lives the mystery of the cross and the resurrection simultaneously, today invites us to approach with lit candles and together to celebrate the salvific Pascha of God. Through the resurrection of our Savior, all of humanity has become one people, united in one body. Through His cross and resurrection, Christ definitively destroyed all existing hatred. Thus, the Orthodox Church, as the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, is the Church of the reconciliation of all, the Church of love toward all, friends and enemies. Reconciled, filled with new life, filled with true life, we all become fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (cf Eph. 2:15-20). Unfortunately terrorism, war, and bloodshed continue to this day. The lament and agony of victims, particularly as these are rapidly disseminated through modern technological means, tear the world apart and break our heart. This is why the world s leaders political, religious and church are obliged and compelled by love to do everything that is possible to avoid such unacceptable conditions. In the midst of this modern irrational world, we Orthodox Christians are called to offer a positive witness of love and sacrifice to our fellow human beings. For us as Orthodox faithful, Pascha is not a fleeting moment of escape from the ugly reality of evil in the world; it is the unwavering conviction that Christ, who trampled down death by death and rose from the dead, is with us always, to the close of the age (Matthew 28:20). Beloved brothers and sisters, such is once again this year the message of the resurrection from the most holy Apostolic and Patriarchal Ecumenical Throne, the sacred center of Orthodoxy, to all people: that Christ has risen and the 7

8 power of death was abolished; the authority of the powerful over the weak has been destroyed. Life reigns and the nurturing love, profound mercy, and endless grace of the risen Christ cover the whole world, from one end to the other. It is sufficient for us to realize that Jesus Christ is the true light, that in Him is life, and that this life is the light of all people (cf John 1:3-4). This is our message to all political and religious leaders of the world. Therefore, approach and receive the light from the unfading light of the Phanar, which as the light of Christ and the light of love shines upon all; in Him there is no darkness (cf 1 John 1:5). Let us hear this Gospel of joy and light; and let us Orthodox alleviate the pain of today s world with our own love and sacrifice. Glory be to Him who bestows life, who has shown the light and love and peace to the world as well as to each one of us. Glory to Jesus Christ, the king of glory, the conqueror of death and champion of life. At the Phanar, Holy Pascha 2016 Your fervent supplicant before the risen Christ, + Bartholomew Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch 8

9 The day of Resurrection; let us be radiant for the festival, and let us embrace one another. Let us say, brethren, even to those that hate us, Let us forgive all things on the Resurrection, and so let us cry, Christ has risen from the dead: by death he has trampled on death, and to those in the graves given life (Paschal Sticheron). Pascha 2016 To the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of Parish Councils, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Members of Philanthropic Organizations, the Youth and Youth Workers, and the entire Orthodox Christian Family in the United States of America Beloved and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, For more than forty days, we have walked upon the most blessed path of Great and Holy Lent. During this time, we have engaged in a spiritual struggle to grow closer to Christ; we have increased our fasting; we have intensified our prayers; we have expanded our charitable love for our neighbor; we have cried, confessed, and repented. Perhaps more significant than any of our individual achievements is the fact that we have embarked upon this journey as brothers and sisters, joined to one another as members of the Body of Christ. In this way, our common spiritual labors do not lead in isolation but in communion; together we can offer the common proclamation: Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! This salvific message is proclaimed by each of us in our daily lives. However, it is also a message that is proclaimed by the Church, that is, by all men and women, ordained and lay, young and old. In this way, each time we proclaim the Resurrection of Christ, we convey to the world a message of communion and solidarity with God and with the least of our 9

10 brethren. Our calling to charity, service, and love is even more pronounced during this period of joy. After all, how can we ever proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who so loved the world that He humbled himself to the point of death (Phil 2: 8), if we don t first express our love for our brothers and sisters? (cf. 1 John 4: 21). For forty days following Holy Pascha, as we greet each other with the Paschal message, Christ is Risen, we must remain vigilant and search for bold new ways to share the unwaning Light of Pascha with those whose lives have been overwhelmed by darkness and despair. Let us remember in thought and prayer and in word and action the countless men, women, and children who face unspeakable hardships and persecutions in all corners of the world. May we bear witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and in so doing, may we not only become recipients of God s abundant grace (Acts 4:33), but also be transformed into merciful hands that offer to our spiritually-thirsty world the eternal waters of the Resurrection. All of us, the Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States, with profound love extend to you our fervent prayers that you and your loved ones continue to walk in the newness of life of the Holy Resurrection (Romans 6:4). Together, we join you in declaring, with one voice and one mind, Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! +Archbishop Demetrios of America Chairman 10

11 May 1, 2016 Protocol 69/16 May 1, 2016 Holy Pascha The Feast of Feasts He is not here; for He is risen as He said! Matthew 28:6 To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Χριστός Ἀνέστη! Christ is Risen! On this glorious and holy Feast of our Lord s Resurrection, we shine in the brilliant light and exhilarating joy of His presence and grace. We sing hymns of praise to the One who gives us new life. We proclaim the defeat of death and triumph over the tomb, as Christ is risen, resplendent and victorious. In our worship on this Feast of feasts and highest holy day of the year, we hear in our hymns the story of those who went to the tomb: The myrrhbearing women at deep dawn drew nigh to the tomb of the Giver of Life. (Hymn of Matins) In the Gospel of Luke we read how they found the stone rolled away but did not find a body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how He told you that the Son of man must be crucified and on the third day rise. (Luke 24:4-7) One focal point in this passage and as it is recorded in the Gospels of 11

12 Matthew and Mark is on remembering the voice of Christ. He is risen as He said (Matthew28:6); there you will see Him, as He told you (Mark 16:7); and remember how He told you (Luke 24:6). The angels called the women and the disciples to remember His voice and His words; to reflect on all that had happened and to recognize that the promises of the Lord had been fulfilled, death and the tomb could not hold the Son of God, and just as He said, He is the resurrection and the life! For the disciples the voice of Christ was a very real experience. They were present for all of the miraculous events and His teaching. Following His Resurrection and Ascension, they could not but speak of all the things they had seen and heard for those full years being with Him. (Acts 4:20) In receiving the Gospel by faith, we affirm and proclaim the power and truth of His Passion and Resurrection as well. Through our worship and His power and presence in our midst, we hear His voice, we affirm the fulfillment of His promises, and we proclaim to the world the salvation and abundant life found in Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. We see and hear, and we become the voice of Christ! Today, in our festival of joy, light and life, we proclaim to the world a sacred Pascha. We sing of a new and holy Pascha, a Pascha that has opened unto us the gates of Paradise. We see a new dawn as the bridegroom comes forth from the tomb, abolishing the power of death, lifting us up from corruption, ransoming us from sorrow, so that we chant joyously the hymns of salvation and life everlasting. We see the glorious Resurrection of our Lord. And as the angels said to the women who marveled at the empty tomb, we hear Him say, Go quickly and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen! Christ is risen indeed! With paternal love in the Risen Lord, DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America 12

13 HOLY SATURDAY EVENING/EASTER SUNDAY MORNING The lamentations of the previous night are repeated and the church is plunged into darkness to symbolize the despair and defeat experienced before the dawn of Christ s victory over the Enemy of our salvation. Precisely at midnight, a single light emerges from the altar representing the victory of Christ over death, the defeat of the Prince of Darkness by Jesus, the Light of the World. As the light is passed from person to person, it pushes back the darkness of the church and defeats it completely. The Resurrection is proclaimed in song and triumphant procession, and after the Liturgy, its light is carried into our homes so that they too might be filled with its light and warmth and triumph. Scripture readings for this service are taken from: Mark 16:1-8. PASCHA SUNDAY MORNING Christ s Resurrection and victory is affirmed in this morning s theme. The Gospel is read in several languages to illustrate the universality of the Good News of the Resurrection and its proclamation to the very ends of the earth. Love, forgiveness, reconciliation, triumph and joy these are the gifts which we receive because Christ lived and died and triumphed for our sake. Scripture readings for this service are taken from: John 20: ORTHODOX CELEBRATION OF PASCHA During the forty days of the Resurrection period, Orthodox Christians greet one another by saying: Christ is Risen, the Easter salutation. They likewise respond with the affirmation: Truly He is Risen! The Gospel according to John (20:19-25) is read in various languages, proclaiming the Good News of the Resurrection all over the universe without discrimination. The fruit of faith in the Resurrection of the Lord is love in His Name; therefore, this day is called Sunday of Agape (love feast), a day dedicated to Christian principles, especially to forgiveness and charity. At this time, Christians seek to end misunderstanding and arguments among those with whom they may be at odds. 13

14 Thank you! For your donations for Pascha Flowers throughout Lent, Holy Week & Pascha Allred, Helene (in memory of her mother, Alexis) Eleni Bakolia Balba, Mark & Christine Beaudry, Richard & Ourania (in loving memory of brother, Ioannis, mother, Archonto & father, Damianos) Beebe, Georgia Bilissis, Leo & Linda Brewster, John & Eleni Brewster, Maria & Danny Catalano, Alfred & Mary Cincimino, Kevin & Patricia Costopoulos, Maria Diminture, John Dishaw, James & Maria Echevarria, Dail & Despina Ellis, John & Clara Fotopoulos, Evangelia Frawley, Stephanie Grant, Merrill & Despina Haley, John (in memory of Jane Haley) Halkias, Martha Hassel, Brent & Evangelia Hawkins, Mike & Ioanna Kolcun, Michael & Thalia Kyriakidis, Philip & Janet Ladis, George & Nicolet Loso, Stephen & Patricia Marinos, Julia Mayzes, Charles & Andrea Menegas, Vasilios & Georgia Panouses, Kurt & Tracy Papageorge, James & Diana Roman, George & Elaine Sarpoolaki, Nasser & Zoy T. Schultz, Anthony Sebekos, Helen (in memory of her daughter, Joanne) Sergis, Peter & Catherine Tsamoutales, Frank & Kimberly Whitehead, Evangeline Xenakis, Anastasia Yacoub, Nazieh & Yvonne Yanas, Nick & Nora Zarnas, Esther Zavitsanos, James & Stephanie Zuras, Peter & JoAnn 14

15 SPIRITUAL VITAMINS WHY RESURRECTION? Death has been the white elephant in the room of existence from the beginning of... well, not time but the fall. Eat from the tree and you shall surely DIE! Why? Good question. Because we choose to live independently of God, and there is no life in us. Christ is the great I Am, the One Who Is, The Source of Life, The Source of Being, The Alpha and Omega. Therefore, just as God predicted, we died when we ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Or more accurately, Adam died and we, being his progeny, inherited that state of being; so death has shaped life ever since. Fear of death has haunted us ever since and informed our choices and decisions. Rationally of course we can do nothing about death. We try and avoid it, we try and prevent it, we try and deny it, we try and prolong life; we even try, knowing the inevitability of death, to just make the ride more comfortable, like the bus ride in C.S. Lewis The Great Divorce. But death is a specter that we cannot escape. We have to come to grips with it. But the question at hand is Why Resurrection. Why did Jesus have to rise from the dead, why is it so foundational to our faith. Couldn t He just have paid the price for our sins and left it at that? I would go back to the statement that Eat from the tree and you shall surely DIE! This was not a judgment or condemnation; it was a statement of fact. God knew that apart from Him we could not live. Remember, Christ is the great I Am, the source of life itself. It therefore follows that when Christ was killed on the cross and Hades swallowed up life, that death could not contain life and vomited up life as it states in our hymnography. Christ who is the source of life, conquered death by death. By dying He descended into Hades and death beheld Life and Life was victorious. If we look for any other solution to death than Christ-who is Himself LIFE, we will find no power over death; just as Christ could not deny who He is and escape the cross, so too He cannot deny who He is and stay in the tomb. It not only proves that He is who He says He is but it also affirms that we are who He says we are-- new creatures in Christ. Therefore how can we neglect so great a salvation? If we listen to the 4th Century Christians talk about their faith, we can see that they had it right. St. Athanasios explains... now that 15

16 the Savior has raised His body, death is no longer terrible, but all those who believe in Christ tread it underfoot as nothing and prefer to die rather than to deny their faith in Christ, knowing full well that when they die they do not perish, but live indeed, and become incorruptible through the resurrection. And goes on to say, A very strong proof of this destruction of death and its conquest by the cross is supplied by a present fact, namely this: all the Disciples of Christ despise death; they take the offensive against it and, instead of fearing it, by the sign of the cross and by faith in Christ trample on it as on something dead. (On the Incarnation by St. Athanasios p. 57.) We Christians, sixteen centuries later could use this sort of perspective in order to give a testimony to our world of our ultimate hope and freedom. It answers the big question of life and allows us to truly be alive in Christ without fear, and that is priceless. Fr. Anthony Salzman, ST. PHILOTHEA, Athens, GA AHEPA & Philoptochos scholarships are being offered. Call or the church office for a form. Deadline to return COMPLETE applications is 12 pm May 1, No exceptions. No application will be considered if all information is not included. IF YOU HAVE A STUDENT GRADUATING, PLEASE THE CHURCH OFFICE THEIR GRADUATION INFORMATION, PICTURE AND WHERE THEY WILL BE ATTENDING COLLEGE. 16

17 Thank you to Stephanie Zavitsanos for taking the lead on organizing all the flowers for Pascha this year! Thank you to everyone who came and helped decorate the flowers and the Kouvouklion and prepared the Church for Anastasi. Without everyone s help we couldn t have done it without you. Hosting Fellowship Hour This is a wonderful opportunity to extend our Christian hospitality with one another and any guests or visitors who attend our services. Duties: Set up the two coffee pots in hall Provide a simple snack, Clean up If any parishioners, families, group of families, koumbari or friends would like to host a fellowship hour following Sunday Liturgy please contact : Church office Or - admin@saint-katherine.org Available dates: May 8 June 5, 12, During fasting periods, store bought cookies w/o egg or dairy products are: Nabisco Classics (oatmeal raisin, cinnamon swirls) Nabisco Social Tea Biscuits, Oreos. 17

18 STEWARDSHIP A COMMITMENT TO HIS CHURCH IN TIME, TALENT & TREASURE Orthodox Christian Stewardship is a way of life, which acknowledges accountability, reverence, and responsibility before God. A primary goal of Stewardship is to promote spiritual growth and strengthen faith. Becoming a Steward begins when we believe in God, to whom we give our love, loyalty and trust and act on those beliefs. As Stewards, we affirm that every aspect of our lives comes as a gift from Him. Stewardship calls on the faithful to cheerfully offer back to God a portion of the gifts with which they have been blessed. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards. Each year the Steward is expected to carefully review his or her personal circumstances and make a commitment of time, talent, and treasure to support the Parish and her Ministries, which in turn support the National Ministries of our Archdiocese, Metropolises, and institutions. Stewardship is caring for the needs of others. Stewardship is offering one's self to God as He offered Himself to us. Stewardship is what a person does after saying "I believe..." as proof of that belief. - Williams and McKibben in Oriented Leadership 18

19 Fri & Sat, May 20 & 21 9 am - 2 pm St. Katherine Education Building Bring your items to donate on Sundays ONLY and see either Cindy Paterakis, Vanna Rickard or leave in the double classroom in the education building. NO CLOTHES PLEASE! Pick up can be arranged for larger items Contact Vanna at vascro@hotmail.com or Cindy at cindypaterakis@yahoo.com Proceeds from yard sale benefit St. Katherine Philoptochos ZOE Thursday, May 12th The Zoe meeting for the month of May will be a PERSONAL SAFETY presentation with Corporal Pam Hibbs from the Community Relations Department of the Brevard County Sheriff s Of fice. The meeting will begin at 1PM. All are welcome to this event. Please RSVP to Christine Balba at or mbalba@cfl.rr.com so we may obtain a head count of all those interested. 19

20 ST. KATHERINE DINNER CLUB You are cordially invited to join the St. Katherine Dinner Club! Membership is free! Each couple who joins will be having an exciting dining experience once a month with two other couples in the club! This is how it works: You agree to host dinner at your home for two other couples in the club every third month. You will be invited in return to other parishioners homes the other two months. The host for the month will be sent the contact information for the other couples, and it will be up to them to coordinate the time. FAQs What if I am not part of a couple? No problem! Find a buddy, or simply fill in the form as single. Can I pick who I have dinner with? NO!! This is the beauty of the club! We will be meeting new people from church that we might not otherwise. Couples will be paired at random. Do I have to invite all four Roman boys if I get paired with Dan and Brenda Roman? No, this is a club for adults. It is not expected that you invite the children. If the host wants to invite the children, they may, but again, this is a club for adults. How do I sign up? Please see Brenda Roman in the hall for sign up forms, or her at brock0187@yahoo.com. Please include your name & the name of your spouse, or buddy. Also include addresses for both, phone numbers, and home addresses. See you at dinner!! 20

21 You can now share our website with your family and friends and have them buy their cookbooks directly from our website. We are now set up with PayPal for cookbook purchases and eventually stewardship and donations! We now have a new landscape company servicing our needs owned by parishioners Spiros & Costas Theodoropoulos. Call WHAT A BLESSING: THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED SO FAR. OUR ANNUAL BILL HAS ALREADY DROPPED BY 12%! IF MORE PARISHIONERS PARTICIPATE WE CAN GET THIS COST DOWN TO 0. SO PLEASE, CONTACT COSTAS THEODOROPOULOS IN ORDER TO SAVE YOURSELVES & THE CHURCH MONEY. PROPOSAL FOR PRICE REDUCTION PROGRAM: 21

22 STEWARDSHIP PRAYER In the name of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen. Lord Jesus Christ our God, accept our offerings as You have accepted the gifts of Your people throughout the ages. We offer these gifts to Your glory, for the support of the ministries of Your Holy Church, for the alleviation of suffering and hunger, and for the proclamation of Your Gospel to the whole world. Grant us Your blessing, Lord our Savior, that we may always be faithful stewards, continuing to share the gifts you have given us, by the power of Your grace, mercy and love. May Your name be glorified forever. Amen STEWARDSHIP 105 Stewards Pledging $120,942. Paid to Date $54,403. HAVE YOU SUBMITTED YOUR 2016 STEWARDSHIP FORM TO HELP YOUR CHURCH? 44 Friends of St. Katherine paid $21,048. [For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34 THE JESUS PRAYER Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱέ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με τὸν ἁμαρτωλόν. (τὴν ἁμαρτωλόν if prayed by a female) Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

23 23

24 24