THE DESK OF FATHER JOHN

Transcription

1 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 34 The Nativity of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church Spotswood Furnace Road Fredericksburg, VA Office - nativityofthetheotokos@verizon.net FROM THE DESK OF FATHER JOHN Living As Apostles To America Father Constantine L. Sitaras MARCH 2014 A few years ago a very meaningful and pertinent article was written with the title: The Best Kept Secret in America: The Greek Orthodox Church. The author was a fine priest of excellence and stature, the late Fr. Constantine Monios of blessed memory, who was the Dean of the Annunciation Cathedral in Baltimore, Maryland. Fr. Monios explained how the Orthodox Church was an unknown entity in this land and how it offered so much to the American milieu. In the many years that have passed, the premise of the article remains a constant. We need to ask ourselves Why? Why is this two thousand year old Christian Faith the best kept secret in America? Years ago one could perhaps state that the Church although two thousand years old, was in its infancy in America. People with tremendous courage, boldness, and daring traveled across oceans from the known to the unknown. The only thing they brought with them for security was their faith -- a faith and belief in God and His Church, which they knew had sustained their families for generations. As a people today, however, we have moved on to become well educated and successful in all areas of life and very much a part of the fiber of the American cultural scene. The forbearers of Orthodoxy lived as daring Apostles of the Faith to their own. They protected and sheltered the Church, maintaining it for their children. They built beautiful churches and complexes for the future generations. How do we live as Apostles to America now? What needs to happen if we are to be the Apostles to America? Not only do we need to emulate those who established Orthodox Christianity in this land but also by example we must bring the Faith to all. Discipleship Our models are the Apostles of Jesus Christ. In the original Greek of the New Testament the word mathi-tis is used which literally means student. The English word disciple is from the Latin word for student. The twelve followers of Jesus were His students. They were selected by Him to be educated and trained to go into the world to spread His message of salvation. As students and trainees, the Disciples spent three years with the Lord. They heard His words, they experienced His miracles, and they witnessed the parables and all of His teachings. These resources exist today in the book we know as the Bible. It contains the lessons the Disciples learned; it contains the teachings put forth by the Son of God/ the Son of Man. Discipleship is the mainstay of how we are to become Apostles. Like the Disciples, each Orthodox Christian is called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and like the Disciples, each Orthodox Christian is called to be an Apostle. Each Orthodox Christian must come to understand that, like the Disciples, we need to learn and grow in the Faith. Practice makes perfect is a trite saying frequently used. For a Christian practice means living a Christ-like life, including prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and learning more and more about Orthodoxy. Come Receive the Light we hear the calling at the midnight Resurrection of Pascha. With the fear of God, faith and love come forth, we are called at each Divine to unite with Christ through the Holy Eucharist. Love the Lord your God, with all your heart and all your mind and your neighbor as yourself, we are given the greatest mandate of how we live a Christ-like life. Being a disciple is a life-long process of learning and living the Faith. As we learn about the Faith it becomes a natural consequence to live and practice it. An amazing thing happens. We become witnesses for the Faith --witnesses to our neighbors, our co-workers and our friends. We grow in Faith and are secure in it and therefore able to share it, and answer questions. This only happens by learning and living the Christian truths as found in the Orthodox Church. The way you live as a Christian. The way you raise your children as a Christian. The way you are with your spouse, your friends and acquaintances as a Christian. All of these become living examples of what it is to be a Greek Orthodox Christian living in America. See Father, page 5

2 P a g e 2 T h e L i g h t Father John C. Katsoulis, Parish Priest fr.john_katsoulis@verizon.net FATHER S OFFICE HOURS TUESDAY FRIDAY 9 A.M. 3 P.M. OTHER HOURS BY APPOINTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: nativityofthetheotokos@verizon.net OFFICE HOURS: TUES. & THURS. 9 A.M. 3 P.M. TREASURER: pctreasure@verizon.net WEBSITE: FACEBOOK: NTGOC Friends PARISH COUNCIL PHILOPTOCHOS AHEPA Carl Fulmore, President Maria Yiasemides, President John Manolis, President Dr. Bill Kaltsounis, Vice President Dr. Paul Fallon, Secretary SUNDAY SCHOOL GOYA Jim Malamas, Treasurer Yvonne Rigopoulos, Director Christine Fulmore, Advisor Maxine Calamos, Assistant Treasurer Anthony Hatzis FUND RAISING COMMITTEE DANCE Dennis Makrinos Judy Marrs, Chair Danny Kartoudi, Judy Marrs Kiki Georges STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE BUILDING/MAINTENANCE CHOIR Michael Euripides, Chair Harry Yiasemides, Chair Mary Moody SACRAMENTS IN FEBRUARY MEMORIALS Father Peter Makris, beloved father of Christine Fulmore Christina Kakava, beloved of Paul & Yanni Fallon PASTORAL GUIDELINES WEDDING Marriages are not performed on fast days, during fasting seasons, or on the feasts of the church, specifically September 14 (Exaltation of the Holy Cross), December (Nativity), January 5 & 6 (Theophany), Great Lent and Holy Week, Pascha (Easter), Pentecost, August 1-15 (Dormition Fast and Feast), and August 29 (Beheading of St. John the Baptist) Exceptions can only be made with the permission of the respective hierarch. BAPTISM A person who wishes to sponsor a candidate for Baptism or Christmation must be an Orthodox Christian in good standing and a supporting member of an Orthodox parish. A person may not serve as a godparent if the Church has not blessed his or her marriage, or, if civilly divorced, he or she has not been granted an ecclesiastical divorce, or for any other reason he or she is not in communion with the Orthodox Church. Baptisms may not be performed from Christmas Day through the Feast of Theophany (December 25-January 6), during Holy Week, or any of the great feast days of the Lord. FUNERAL Funeral services are permitted on any day of the year, except for Sundays, and Holy Friday, unless permission is granted by the Archbishop or Metropolitan. MEMORIAL Memorial services may not be chanted from the Saturday of Lazarus through the Sunday of Thomas, or any Feast days of the Lord or the Theotokos. Please contact Father if you wish to schedule a sacrament, or know of a parishioner who is sick or in the hospital.

3 PAGE 3 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 9 A.M. AGORA Spartan Dance Field Trip 9 A.M. Orthos Philoptochos Mtg. 5 P.M. Vespers 9 A.M. Orthos GOYA mtg. Philoptochos Luncheon 9 A.M. Orthos AHEPA Mtg. Dance Luncheon 9 A.M. Orthos Clean Monday Beginning of Lent 6 P.M. Presanctified Divine Salutations to the Theotokos 9 A.M. 11 A.M. 1 P.M. DANCE SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION GROUP 6 P.M. Presanctified Divine Salutations to the Theotokos 9 A.M. WHOLE SHEBANG VENDOR EVENT :30 P.M. PC MTG 6 P.M. Presanctified Divine Salutations to the Theotokos Oratorical Festival 11 A.M. 1 P.M. DANCE SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION GROUP 9 A.M. 6 P.M. Presanctified Divine Salutations to the Theotokos 11 A.M. 1 P.M. DANCE 9 A.M. Orthos In case of inclement weather announcements will be posted on the website, , NTGOC Facebook page, the church phone, & B101.5.

4 Page 4 the light Attention High School Seniors! Student applications are now available for the Washington Metropolitan Area 44th AHEPA Scholarship program. Students eligible for an award will be honored at this year's Awards Program on May 18, 2014 held at the Hilton Washington, DC/ Rockville Hotel in Rockville, MD. This program has honored 1,508 students and awarded $804,975 in scholarships. Applications are available in the church office and website. Completed applications and materials must be submitted by April 4, For more information, contact Janis Anderson at ilovemydogs59@gmail.com or NATIONAL HELLENIC SOCIETY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR HERITAGE GREECE 2014 The National Hellenic Society, in cooperation with the American College of Greece, are now accepting applications for Heritage Greece 2014, a dynamic, cultural summer abroad program geared to undergraduate students of Greek descent. This program enables 50 selected students to learn about their Greek roots by immersing them in the culture and language, and is shared with Greek students from the NHS's partner and host, American College of Greece (ACG), in Athens. The Heritage Greece program is open to undergraduate students of Greek descent, who are between the ages 18-26, who have seldom or never have been to Greece, and have a 3.0 GPA or above. Deadline to apply for Heritage Greece 2014 is March 7, Destinations include the Acropolis, Delphi and the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. Modern campus housing, tuition, classroom materials, meals and transportation will be provided. Selected students must be able to travel to Greece from June 12-29, Upon completion of the program, Heritage Greece alumni will receive one credit hour in a language and culture course, and also have the opportunity to participate in professional development and networking opportunities through the National Hellenic Society. For more information or to apply online, please visit heritagegreece@acg.edu or call Mara Nisdeo at I O N I A N V I L L A G E Session One: June 23 - July 12, 2014 Session Two: July 20 - August 8, 2014 *Both Sessions include the same program and are open to campers who have completed grades 8 through 12. Registration Opens February 1, 2014! Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships Available Applications and instructions for three scholarships administered by the Department of Philanthropy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America are now available for awards to be made for the academic year. The George & Naouma (Gioule) Gioles Scholarship and the Katina John Malta Scholarship are for undergraduate studies, and the Paleologos Scholarship is awarded for graduate work of a non-theological nature. Each of these scholarships was established through generous gifts from dedicated Greek Orthodox Christians who wanted to provide financial assistance towards the education of young people from our Orthodox Christian community. Applications can be downloaded from the website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at For more information, please scholarships@goarch.org or call The deadline for submitting an application for any of these scholarships is April 25, CAMP GOOD SHEPHERD As the cold months of winter pass by, we are again getting closer to the warm days of summer and the amazing Camp Good Shepherd. We are excited to officially announce the 2014 dates for the three sessions of camp: JOY Sunday, July 13th Saturday, July 19th, GOYA Week I Sunday, July 20th Saturday, July 26th, GOYA Week II Sunday, July 27th Sat., August 2nd. Be certain to mark your calendars and spread the word so that everyone can be a part of this fantastic ministry. ATTENTION!!!! Camp Good Shepherd informational session during the March GOYA meeting all parents and GOYANS are encouraged to attend.

5 Page 5 Fr. John & Pres. Stacy Katsoulis Ladies Philoptochos Society Kyriacos & Yiannoulla Adamou Daniel & Yvonne Athana saw Daniel & Stephanie Athanasaw Paul & Helen B ardis Michael & Ornela Bizhy ti Nancy Costas Breckinridge Maxine N. Calamos Costas & Sophia Constantine A m y C o r r i v e a u Lucretia Edreos David & Angela Ellis Michael & Evanthia Euripides Paul & Hannah Fallon Eric & M aria Ga re c ht Kiki Georges J.D. & Martha Harrison Anthony & Kai Hatzis Phillip & Monica Hicks Bill & Stella Kaltsounis George Kapataidakis Kosta & Chryse Kartoudi D a nny K a rt o udi L o ui K a rt o udi Helen Katsarelis George & Chrissy Katsourakis P h o t i o s K a t s o u r a k i s E n k e K o k o n e s h i Angela & Joseph LaRubbio Constantin & Nicole Langa Dennis & Anthoula Makrinos James & Koula Malamas Gino & Marika Marchica Judy Marrs Cynthia & Daniel Miller Bob & Barbara Morrison B i l l & D o r o t hy N o s a l E l e n a O D o n a g h u e C hr i s t o s & E l l y P a p a n a s t a s i o u A s l a n i s P a p p a s A i ke a t r i n a P a s s a G e o r g i a P o ur n a r a s Chris & Yvonne Rigopoulos Nicholas & Melissa Roman Halina Schreckinger J. V. S k i n n e r Wayne & Liz Skinner J i m & C h r i s t i n a S m i t h Alin & Andrea Son Carrie K. Swann Stefan & Niki Theodore Georgia L. Tidler John & Ellen Xydias Vicki Yiasemides Paul & Martha Ziegenfuss Alexander Zotos As of March 18, 2014 We would like to thank the above for responding to the needs of our parish. If your name does not appear, and you have filled out a stewardship card, please see Maxine Calamos or Jim Malamas. Apostleship From Father, page 1 Knowledge of the Faith translates into living the Faith. Learning more and more about Orthodoxy by reading the Bible, participating in the Divine and the services of the Church as disciples translates into being witnesses and models of Orthodoxy and Apostles to America. Discipleship is the process of living as Apostles. The word Apostle comes from the Greek verb apo-stel-no, which means I send or I dispatch. Apostolos means the one who is the dispatcher or the carrier of the Good News. As disciples of the teachings of Jesus Christ we must become Apostles of the great message of salvation. Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only We are told that by being Orthodox Christians we witness to the world. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came with power upon the disciples as promised by the Master. They received that power and were empowered to go out into the world with the most powerful message of all time: Death is vanquished eternal life is a reality the ultimate reality of the essential message of LOVE. From the time of one s baptism and chrismation, a Christian is on a life-long spiritual journey. That path can be one of passivity, being on the sideline, a passerby with no inclination towards exploring the value and meaning of an Orthodox Christian lifestyle. The road can also be one of searching for greater meaning in life, experiencing the glory of the Resurrection, the depth of Orthodox teaching, and yes, the fellowship of being in communion with the Church and her members, living as a steward of the Faith and sharing yourself and your time, talent and treasures with others. The calling comes to each and every one of us. The Holy Spirit consistently knocks at the door of our heart. It is up to each individual to unlock those doors and to allow the Holy Spirit to work within us so that as we learn more, we may live more fully as witnesses and models and Apostles to America. We need to let the Best Kept Secret in America out of the box by living as Apostles to America. Fr. Constantine Sitaras serves the Archdiocese as Executive Director of Saint Basil Academy, and Director of Family Ministry. A 1971 graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Fr. Costa has served the Archdiocese in many capacities, including Executive Director of Ionian Village, Director of the National Youth Office, and Director of Stewardship Ministries. He has served as pastor of Holy Apostles Church in Duluth, MN, and the Church of Our Saviour in Rye, NY. A native of Baltimore, Father Costa and his wife Presvytera Georgia reside in New York.

6 PAGE 6 PLEASE HELP OUR CHILDREN BE A PART OF. SKRATCHERS FUND RAISING INFORMATION Contest dates are February 9 March 9 The children of our parish are raising money for the operating fund. You, as donor will scratch 2 or more dots to reveal your donation (.50 to $3.00) In return, you will receive one FREE coupon sheet with up to $50 in value. When all dots are scratched off, each card will have raised a total of $80 profit! BIGGEST SELLER Contest is based on the total money turned-in by March 9 deadline BIGGEST SELLER wins $75 2 nd place seller wins $50 3 rd place seller wins $25 Time, Talent, Treasure = My Stewardship

7 PAGE 7 Kaitlyn Fulmore Represents Gayle Middle School at the MATHCOUNTS Competition By Carl Fulmore On Feb. 8, 2014, Kailtyn Fulmore, along with 5 other students from T. Benton Gayle Middle School in Stafford, VA, met in Richmond to compete in the 2014 MATHCOUNTS competition at Tuckahoe Middle School. A lot of hard work, studying, and extra hours after school had to be put in for students to make the team and participate in Richmond at the Regional MATHCOUNTS Competition. At Gayle Middle School, about 30 kids consisting of 6 th, 7 th and 8 th graders, met once a week since October, for an hour, preparing and leaning about MATHCOUNTS. Their instructor and math teacher, Mr. Jordan Moellendick, helped the children prepare for some very complex and challenging math problems. Of the 30 students in the MATHCOUNTS club at Gayle MS, only six were selected to represent their school. According to Kaitlyn s dad, Carl Fulmore, Kaitlyn was so excited when I told her that I just got off the phone with Mr. Moellendick and he said she made the team. Kaitlyn immediately started jumping up and down in excitement with a huge smile on her face from her accomplishments. Normally the team is comprised of mostly 8 th graders, with a couple of 7 th graders, in the mix. Kaitlyn was extremely proud to be one of two 6 th graders who made the team this year. Kaitlyn s team performed well at the competition. There were a total of 12 schools participating from the region. Kaitlyn s teammate, Richard Yu, placed 2 nd overall, and will be representing Gayle MS at the state competition next month. GO GAYLE PANTHERS! About MATHCOUNTS: The MATHCOUNTS Competition Series is the only competition program of its kind, with live, in-person events in all 50 states, as well as U.S. territories and schools worldwide through the U.S. Department of Defense and State Department. The Competition Series is ideal for students who have a talent and passion for math who need to be challenged. Students will engage in exciting, "bee-style" contests in which they will compete against and alongside other bright, motivated students. At the local, state and national level, students win hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes every year. Students enrolled in the sixth, seventh or eighth grade are eligible to participate in the MATHCOUNTS Competition Series. Students taking middle school mathematics classes who are not full-time sixth, seventh or eighth graders are not eligible. Participation in MATHCOUNTS competitions is limited to three years for each student though there is no limit to the number of years a student may participate in the school-based coaching phase. Accolades: MATHCOUNTS has been recognized in White House ceremonies by President Barack Obama, as well as former Presidents George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ronald W. Reagan. The MATHCOUNTS Foundation has received two White House citations as an outstanding private sector initiative. MATHCOUNTS has been recognized on the National Association of Secondary School Principals National Advisory List of Student Contests and Activities for MATHCOUNTS has received the Independent Charities of America Seal of Excellence. Charity Navigator has recognized MATHCOUNTS as a four-star charity two years in a row, placing it in the top 16% of all U.S. charities. PLEASE SUBMIT ARTICLES AND/OR PICTURES FOR THIS SECTION TO nativityofthetheotokos@verizon.net BY THE 15th OF EACH MONTH!

8 Page 8 GUESS WHO MET BRENDA LEE???? OUR OWN, ZACK!