ST GEORGE COMMUNITY NEWS

Transcription

1 ST GEORGE COMMUNITY NEWS Issue 14 January-March 2007 In this issue Cover Story Greek Schools Community News St. George College Questions & Answers. Please write to: St George Community News Questions and Answers. P.O. Box 68 Torrensville Plaza S.A Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY AND PARISH OF ST GEORGE THEBARTON AND WESTERN SUBURBS 60 ROSE STREET, THEBARTON SA 5031 PHONE (08) FAX (08)

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8 CELEBRATION OF EPIPHANY SUNDAY 7th JANUARY 2007 January 5th is the twelfth day of the Christmas season, which is followed by the Epiphany on the 6th, when Jesus Christ appeared after thirty years. He revealed himself as the Son of God and embarked on a sacred mission, which after three years culminated with His crucifixion on the cross. The christening of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan, was this year celebrated on Sunday 7th January at 1.00pm at Glenelg the event is commonly known as the blessing of the waters. Approximately young men were in the cold waters of Glenelg to retrieve the Holy Cross, which was thrown by Bishop Nikandros, in the presence of distinguished political and council leaders as well as a few thousand parishioners Mark Delham retrieved the cross from the waters and received the blessing of the Church with the presentation of a gold cross, which this year was donated by Saint George Community. The religious procession culminated in a festival held on the beach (in front of the Grand Hotel) where food and drinks were provided by members of the Central Committee representing every community/parish in Adelaide, including Saint George Community. Entertainment was provided by a number of dancing groups such as the Saint George College dancers, Pontian Society etc, which were supported by bands of local musicians and singers. Holiday-makers on the beach heard the music and chose to participate in the festival where they enjoyed the food, entertainment and camaraderie provided in a happy, safe and festive environment. 8

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10 St. GEORGE C O L L E G E News NEWS FROM OUR COLLEGE Sanctification Service 2007 The Sanctification Service ( ) for the commencement of the 2007 academic year was held on Thursday, 15 th February 2007 in the Performing Arts & Sports Centre of our College. His Grace, Bishop Nikandros of Doryleon officiated at the Sanctification Service assisted by the Director of our College, the Very Reverend Diogenis, Father Kon and Father Peter. The Sanctification Service is a significant part of our Orthodox faith and an important event in the Religious Calendar of our College. We thank all the parents who attended and joined students in prayer seeking the blessings and guidance of our Lord so that the new school year is productive and successful for our students and staff. Federal Government - Community Water Grants Community Water Grants provide opportunities for communities to act locally to improve the management of water resources to deliver onground results that meet the needs of rural, regional and urban communities, industries and the environment. We advise that our projects identified as part of Round 1 of the Water Grants have been completed. The Community and Parish of St. George Thebarton and Western Suburbs and St. George College were recently advised of success in Round 2 of the Community Water Grants, which, will include the installation of two 30,000 litre underground water tanks at the Junior and Senior Campus. These projects will improve water efficiency through water saving devices including installation of underground storage areas, constant flow valves on taps, replacing inefficient toilets, sealing leaks and adjusting urinal flush volumes. National Excellence in Teaching Nominations encourage, recognise, honour and reward the work of excellent, dedicated, talented, innovative and inspiring teachers of the College whose efforts often go unrecognised. It is important to recognise and celebrate exceptional teachers who initiate new ideas for teaching and who are flexible yet firm about students gaining critical knowledge and skills necessary for life and work in the 21 st Century. During 2006 our teachers Mrs Helen Papageorgiou, Miss Georgia Ktanis, Mrs Melanie Coleman and Miss Deanne Taliangis were acknowledged for their outstanding contributions. Memorandum of Understanding In November 2006, the College signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Hon. John Hill MP, Minister of Health. The Purpose of this MOU is to establish an alliance of schools, university and health industry partners to deliver in 2007 the Pharmacy Retail Vocational Education Training Course which will be offered from St. George College. International Students Program In December 2006, the Australian Government (Department of Education, Science and Training) approved the registration of St. George College for Overseas Students. The St. George College Strategic Plan Towards 2010 supports the introduction of international students, which strategy will enhance crosscultural communications as well as broaden knowledge and understandings of both local students as well as those from overseas. In 2007 we welcome 10 students from Korea whose enrolment at the College will enrich the school community and foster positive attitudes towards difference and diversity pg 10

11 Hon John Hill MP, Minister for Health and other distinguished visitors to our College 11

12 25 TH MARCH On 25 March, we celebrate two major events: the religious Annunciation of the Theotokos, and the 1821Greek national day for independence. Visualize entering an Orthodox Church where on the iconostasion we observe the icons of Archangel Michael on the left alter door and that of Archangel Gabriel on the right door; both were angels and messengers of God. Archangel Michael was sent to remove Adam and Eve from Paradise, whereas Archangel Gabriel was sent to Nazareth to announce to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she would give birth to the Christ Child who would save the world. As directed by God, Archangel Gabriel found Mary spinning a spindle (portrayed in some icons) and announced the good news with Rejoice, O graced one! The Lord is with you. Mary was a virgin and at the tender age of fifteen was betrothed to Joseph. She was alarmed at this news and Gabriel calmed her by saying Fear not, Mary, for you have found grace with God, He has chosen you among all the women, you are to conceive, bear a Son and you will call Him Jesus. This event took place on 25 March, nearly 2000 years ago when life in Nazareth is envisioned as simple and free of the complexities that plague the modern world. It is evident however, that Mary was apprehensive at the prospect of this awesome responsibility and what it would entail for her in the months and years to come. Nonetheless, because of her love for God, Mary humbly accepted the honor by saying Let it be according to the will of God allowing herself to be guided by Him. She was strongly supported by Joseph during the pregnancy, birth and rearing of Jesus for 33 years. In the more recent past of 1453, Byzantine Constantinople, Greece and nearly all the Balkan countries were overrun by the Ottoman Empire and for almost four hundred years the Orthodox Christians of Asia Minor suffered, were oppressed and held hostage in their own land. Holding aloft the Cross of Jesus Christ at Agia Lavra, Bishop Germanos of Patra chose 25 March, 1821, to start the revolution and struggle for Greek independence, proclaiming freedom for all the Greek Orthodox Christians. Initially the Peloponese and sterea Ellada were freed, followed closely by northern Greece and the islands. Almost 100 years later, in 1922, the repatriation and exchange of Greeks with Turks was initiated by European and Greek leaders, at such a high human cost and sacrifice for our nation. We must never forget these sacrifices by our forefathers for the attainment of our freedom, the preservation of Faith and the retention of the Greek language, culture and heritage we enjoy today. We should be proud to announce to everyone our faith and Hellenic extraction with its glorious history, no matter where we live in the world! History has shown that patriotism and devotion have the same emotional root 12

13 love. If Christianity could be compressed into a single word, it would be love the same holds true for freedom and patriotism. The expression For God and Country ( ) has real meaning for the Orthodox Greek on 25 th March, when we celebrate two major events in the life of our Church and national history, honoring both without diminishing either. Valuing highly this planet and the environment, custody of which has been entrusted to our generation, our goal must be to nurture and safeguard these so that we hand them over to the next generation in a better condition than we found it. May God help us in our efforts for peace and a better world! Pres. A.P. We must always remember that constant vigilance is the price for freedom. We pray that world leaders are guided by love, using wisdom in their judgments, so that freedom-loving people can be freed from the oppression of religious and human rights to live in harmony in a diverse world of many languages, colors and cultures /4/ :, 23,,. 13

14 ΒΑΠΤΙΣΕΙΣ :.,.. 30/12/06.,. 06/01/07. Lianny,.. 13/01/07 community.,.. 14/01/07.,.. 20/01/07.,. 21/01/07.,. 04/11/06.,. 26/01/07.,.. 27/01/07. Julianne,.. 03/02/07.,.. 10/02/07. Ghessamyne,. 11/02/07. Ghessamyne, Hannig. 11/02/07.,.. 24/02/07. Linda,. 25/02/07.,. Nicholas Nedelcev. 03/03/07. Sheree,.. 04/03/07. Julie,.. 10/03/07.,.. 11/03/

15 ΓΑΜΟΙ. Gilles. 30/12/2006. Diana Calvert. 06/01/ /01/ /01/2007. Alison Dalli. 07/01/ /01/2007. Yvette Wiskar. 13/01/ /01/ /01/ /02/ /02/2007. Wilson. 10/02/ /02/ /02/2007,,. : 07/12/ /12/ /12/ /12/ /01/ /02/ /03/

16 We would like to thanks the following sponsors AFFORDABLE T I L E S EUROPA PRESS restaurant and function rooms without their support this Newsletter would not be possible