Saint Sophia. Axiologa. worth mentioning JANUARY 15, th Sunday of St. Luke

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1 Saint Sophia Axiologa worth mentioning JANUARY 15, th Sunday of St. Luke

2 - FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE OFFICERS George E. Preonas, President; Dr. James A. Demetriou, Vice President & C.F.O.; Constantine M. Boukidis, Secretary; Tina Callas, Treasurer MEMBERS V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas, Timi Loomos Freshman, Alek Haidos, Steve Hanna, Gig Kyriacou, Diane Sakellaris Lapa, Tony Natsis, Brent Noyes, John Peterson, Jean-Paul Wardy, Jim Zaferis PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS Andrew J. Demetriou, Foundation General Counsel John G. Marakas III, Sr. Advisor to the Board ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT Anthony Demetriou TRUSTEES EMERITUS Andrew Evangelatos, Nicholas Bissias and John T. Pappas PARISH COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Brent A. Noyes, President; George Rizkalla, Vice President; Peter Cosfol, Treasurer; Jeanine Hanna, Co-Treasurer; Dinah Wellington, Recording Secretary MEMBERS Anna Yallourakis; Angela Ananias; Bertha Angels; Bill Striglos; Costa Bargeliotes; Glenn Lianos; Jonas Metin; Karen Serames; Maria Baltazzi; Mauro Metini; Paris Yatskar, Associate Member BOARD OF AUDITORS: Jim Ananias; Anthony A. Demetriou; Tom Moore Saint Sophia Cathedral 1324 S. Normandie Ave Los Angeles, CA Office: Fax: e When you write your will or update it, won t you please remember Saint Sophia Cathedral? Such a gift will live forever as our church ministers to our spiritual needs. It s an investment in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

3 MINISTRY NEWS 1. Today: Debutante Ball 2. Tuesday, January 17: Prayer of the Heart Meditation 3. Thursday January 19: Philoptochos V.I.P. Prizes and Surprises LIFE IN FAITH STUDIES Fr. John S. Bakas Increase your knowledge about our faith at our weekly Bible study class. You ll have a chance to ask Fr. John questions and engage in interesting discussions with your fellow parishioners in a casual setting. Don t miss this wonderful opportunity to grow in your faith. Classes meet in the General Assembly Room. Co-Ed Bible Studies class is every Tuesday at 11 am, begins January 17, SAFE LANDINGS Beginners introduction to the Orthodox Christian Faith Looking for a safe spiritual home? A place to worship, pray and fellowship in the manner of ancient and magical Christianity? Then you will find a safe landing place in Orthodox Christianity and Saint Sophia Cathedral. Please join our new 6-week class taught by our Pastoral Assistant Chris Kolentsas. Our inquirer class is every Thursday at 7 pm. Show up or please sign up by calling or chriskolentsas@stsophia.org. SEEKING A FEMALE ROOMATE To share a 2 bedroom apartment next to the church, will have own bedroom and balcony. Preferably Greek speaking. Please call Jessica at

4 PHILOPTOCHOS VIP NEWS I would like to wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Your board has prepared a fun schedule for you. January as always we have our most enjoyable event, Prizes and Surprises. It will take place on Thursday, January 19, Start time is 11:30am, $10.00 per person. Chair person is Ourania Giagtzoglou, cochairman is Anne Dres and reservations is Angela Ananias. Please call February 27 is Kathara Deftera Lenten Luncheon. Prepared by the V.I.P. board chefs, with the famous tourlou, taramosalata, fruit and Lenten dessert. Reservation Faye Demetriou Donation $12. March, possible event is a day trip to Temecula or a casino. Details to follow. April 16 is our Easter, so no events are planned. May is our Senior Citizen Luncheon. It will be held on Tuesday 5/23/17. Further details to follow. I hope that everyone will be able to attend our events. The board is here to facilitate you. For any event, please try to make your reservations early. We always have late reservations which makes it difficult for us to organize the meals. Happy New Year. In His service, Mersy Loukaris VIP President 3

5 The Hellenic Society of Constantinople cordially invites you and your friends to the 50th Annual Vasilopita Dinner Dance is on Saturday February 4, 2017 at St.Sophia Cathedral, Maniatakos Hall Cocktails 5:30pm - Dinner 6:30pm Donation $125 per person - Students $75 per person Vasilopita Prize: "A Gold Coin" Honoring Mr. Ted Maniatakos, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Proceeds to benefit Philanthropic Institutions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Black Tie Optional RSVP by January 30th, 2017 For further information or to RSVP, please call Mary Morrison (818) or Jeanetter Benetatos (323) To be assured of a reservation, please send your check in advance to: HSOC - P.O.Box Glendale, CA

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8 PRAYER OF THE HEART MEDITATION WORKSHOPS You are invited to join Parish Council Member and Meditation Teacher, Maria Baltazzi, as she continues to lead group sessions on an inward journey, using the Prayer of the Heart. Discover how contemplative prayer meditation can benefit both you and the world around you. The Prayer of the Heart is based on the Jesus Prayer. Each week begins with a short discussion on how to cultivate happier, more spiritual lives. Then followed by a guided meditation. These sessions are for anyone interested in meditation, all levels are welcomed. You are encouraged to bring friends and family members. Schedule permitting, these workshops will be held every two weeks throughout the coming year. Next session: Jan 17. Also, would love to see you on Jan 31. Location: Huffington Center Saint Sophia Cathedral, Maria Maniatakos Room Time: 7:30pm 9pm Cost: Community Gift 7

9 Recap of the Prayer of the Heart Session, Jan. 3rd: New Beginnings One: Review the significant attitudes, actions and behavior that are serving you well. Two: Review the significant attitudes, actions and behavior that are NOT serving you well. Three: Consider the NEW attitudes, actions and behavior that you would like to cultivate, and WHY. Four: Consider the significant attitudes, actions and behavior that are NOT serving you well, and are willing to let go of NOW. You do this to create space for that which can serve you well. Five: Create a strategy that will enable you to let go of attitudes, actions and behavior that are NOT serving you well. This may involve seeking a teacher, coursework, or support group. Six: Create a strategy that will enable you to cultivate attitudes, actions and behavior that will serve you well. This may also involve seeking a teacher, coursework, or support group. Seven: Take on just one attitude, action or behavior that you want to cultivate that will serve you, and one you want to let go of that does not serve you. Small steps will create better long-terms results as well as reduce the overwhelm that can come when making significant changes in your life. When you have accomplished this, take on another. Eight: Support this effort with your daily meditation and prayer practice. Bible Quote Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ~ Matthew 7:7 Any questions, or suggestions, can be sent to happy@pixhappiness.com. 8

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12 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017! We were pleased to see so many people attending the Cutting of the Vasilopita last Sunday after Liturgy. Much gratitude goes to Father John, our spiritual Father, for his wisdom and oratory; to Mary Gallanis for making the sweet and delicious mega-sized Vasilopita; to Olga Jordan for gift wrapping the individual Vasilopitas for sale; to Jan Pastras for preparing the platters of cheese and olives; to John Kopatsis for preparing the tasty olives and for Marianna Politis and Jayne Poullos for setup. The DEBUTANTE BALL will take place this evening Sunday, January 15, Sixteen beautiful young ladies from across Southern California will be presented at our biennial Debutante Ball this year. It is always a special evening to remember, not only for our debutantes, but also for the parents, families and friends who are present. We welcome your presence and any financial support you can offer. Please support Philoptochos major fundraiser to be held at the elegant Beverly Wilshire Hotel. For information, please call Cynthia Spears (818) Congratulations to the debutantes and their families! And to Katrina Beers and Georgia Kezios, co-chairs, we wish you much success this evening! MOTHER OF THE YEAR We are accepting applications for Mother of the Year at this time. If you have someone you would like to recommend to be Mother of the Year, please pick up an application in the church office or on Sundays during Coffee Hour at our Philoptochos table. The deadline for submission is February 1 st. The Mother s Day Luncheon this year will be Saturday, May 13, (See application included in this newsletter) 11

13 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING January 22 nd after Divine Liturgy. Come and learn what Philoptochos is all about and join us for a delicious pot luck lunch prepared by our board. Please call Dorothea Ales (661) for reservations for lunch. Everyone is welcomed to attend. (see announcement flier) MEMBERSHIP FOR 2017 Jan Pastras, 1st V.P. will be accepting membership dues for 2017 starting this month. Please help us increase our membership so we can expand our charitable work. Ladies of all ages are encouraged to join our Philoptochos chapter. We welcome gentlemen as associate members as well. PHILOPTOCHOS BOARD ELECTIONS Sunday, May 21 st If you are interested in getting involved in Philoptochos by joining the board, please note the following: In order to be eligible to run for the board one must be a member in good standing with the Philoptochos chapter and the church. Also, one must have attended at least 4 meetings during the year. There will be a general meeting each month in 2017 from January-April, so please attend our meetings, especially if you are interested in being on our Board of Directors. We need your help and involvement! We wish you and your families God s many blessings filled with Hope, Peace, Joy and Good Health throughout the New Year! 12

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16 The Mission of Saint Sophia Cathedral 1. Proclaim and teach the Gospel according to the Orthodox Christian Faith 2. Sanctify and enhance the spiritual life of the faithful through Orthodox Christian worship. 3. Receive persons into the Church through instruction, baptism and/or chrismation. 15