THE MONTHLY BULLETIN OF 3001 TATES CREEK ROAD, LEXINGTON, KY, 40502 PHONE: 859-266-1921; WEBSITE: WWW.GOCLEX.ORG PARISH PRIEST: FR. COSMIN SICOE PHONE: 859-469-1596 EMAIL: fr.cosminsicoe@yahoo.com April 2017 During the March 4th Youth Group activity, our Youth Group members received the mystery of confession, played soccer and board games. On Saturday, March 18th we had the mini-retreat about the development of the Orthodox Christian worship space with a tour of our to-be-completed new church building. light fixtures, emergency lights and fire lights were installed, carpet tiles were laid in the parish council office, the cry room, the room under the stairwell of the mezzanine and the entire mezzanine; the glass and drywall railing of the We made some more mezzanine was also progress towards the completed. The pews from completion of the church the old church were rebuilding project: during painted and re-varnished the month of March more and are ready to be moved into the new church. Glory to God for all things!
Make Disciples of All Nations The Gospel of Matthew ends with the meeting between the Lord and His apostles after His resurrection in Galilee at the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them (Matthew 28:16). And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying: All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20). This passage from the Gospel of Matthew came to be later known in Christianity as The Great Commission of the Lord to His disciples and, as we could see, His Great Commission was to make disciples of all nations and to baptize them in the name of the Holy Trinity. The Biblical Greek word contained in the oldest manuscripts of this text for nations is ἔθνος. This is what Strong s dictionary tells us about the meaning of this word: éthnos (from ethō, "forming a custom, culture") properly, people joined by practicing similar customs or common culture; nation(s), usually referring to unbelieving Gentiles (non-jews). If this is the meaning of the word ethnos in Greek, then the Lord commissioned His disciples to make disciples of all cultures, not only of their own. Many times, in the Orthodox Church, we forget about this very important commandment of the Lord. Because Orthodoxy was brought to North America by different ethnic groups and because the church existed here for decades within these ethnic groups, sometimes some people are under the impression that the Orthodox Church is only for specific ethnic groups sometimes people even believe that my church is for my ethnic group and not even for other ethnic groups that have been traditionally Orthodox for centuries but this is not what Christ intended for His church. His desire was to make disciples of all nations. If, by God s Grace, most of the people of the Balkans (the Greeks, the Bulgarians, Serbians and Romanians), many people in the middle east and North-Eastern Africa (Syrians, Palestinians, Egyptians, Ethiopians, Eritreans etc.) are Orthodox Christians today, they are Orthodox Christians because some Jews by the names of Peter, Paul, John, James, Andrew, Mark, Luke, Barnabas, Silas and many others took seriously the great commission and they made disciples among these different nations than theirs. The Jewish missionaries to these nations did not try to make them Jew - they tried to make them Christian; they did not try to impose their language and culture on these different nations, but they learned their languages, their customs and traditions and they preached the Gospel in their languages and they brought their cultures in communion with Christ. Because these disciples were like Christ, because they forgot about themselves and became one with the people they were trying to Christianize, Christ was with them, as He promised: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age and their missionary work was very fruitful. The same great commission to make disciples of all nations is give to us, the descendants of the first disciples of the Lord. We are called to try to make disciples not only among the people of our own ethnos (nation, culture), but of all nations. Our mission is not to impose our language, culture or traditions on the nations that we come in touch with, but like Christ, like the early Christian missionaries and like any successful missionaries in the history of Christianity, we are called to forget about ourselves and what we like and to learn the languages and traditions of the nations around us and to bring them into the loving communion of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit because in Christ there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. (Colossians 3:11) Trying to be Christ s disciple, Fr. Cosmin Sicoe
CONNIE COLLIS I love my family, my church, my music and my art. Being three quarters of a century in age, I have had an opportunity to enjoy much happiness, endure some difficulties, and now I look forward to enjoying whatever is in store for me. My Parent s Family: Sam (Seraphim), my father, and Cleopatra, my mother, migrated from the mountains of Greece (Paliokastro, located between Lamia and Karpenisi) and early in the 20 th century settled in South Bend, Indiana. Dad had his own restaurant and did well. Mom was in charge of the home activities, including being the primary decider in their children s raising and education. The children were: Betty (who now lives is Palm Beach, Florida); Pauline (who now lives in Mobile, Alabama) and Steve (who passed away three years ago in his home in Fort Worth, Texas). All married and raised kids and now have grandchildren. I met my husband Bill, at an AHEPA National Convention in my home town. Then we were separated for six months while I was at Butler University and Bill at the Cleveland Clinic. We became engaged six months later and in another six months we were married. We hardly knew each other, having been together about 15 times between our first meeting and our marriage. College for me was different. For me, and for several reasons, I attended 8 different universities before graduating in Theater Arts at George Washington University. I did not plan to work outside the home, so looked upon my college time as an opportunity to study what sincerely interested me. I lived in South Bend for my first twenty years (with a six month stay at Pomona College in southern California). Then Bill and I lived in Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Boston and San Francisco. I loved every experience. We were exposed extensively to my four loves (family, church, music and art). Church was special as regards meeting and socializing with new friends of similar background to ours. Our teaching Sunday school was new and fulfilling. Spending time at the Greek Orthodox Seminary was special. The President, Father Leonidas Contos, remains one of our favorite priests and friends. We always thought of him as an excellent living example of Jesus. And, how I enjoyed Leon for his fun, zest for living and his encouraging way of life. If you never met him, I hope you have a friend who inspired you as Leon did for Bill and me. When we made our home in Lexington, life remained as enjoyable and exciting as it had been in all the other cities we had lived. Maybe we didn t have as superior an orchestra, but in Lexington we could be very involved. I was an active member of the Board and Guild for many years even got to direct the orchestra during a regular scheduled orchestra performance. Our friend, Conductor George Zack, selected I am Woman, a popular song for its day, and a popular social movement for the times. In Lexington, I worked with the Church choir. There was a need for choral arrangements for the Orthodox services. I could not locate any written three part harmony for women s voices, so I arranged the music myself. After the kids were off to College, Jennifer Schnabel and I started the Ashland Interiors Decorating Firm. My personal decorating trait was to create a product where its beauty had a good chance of being fresh and wonderful for a long period of time. I sold out when Bill retired in order that we could travel together. And travel we did; luck had it that we saw a lot of five of the seven continents before my other companion friend, M. S., made traveling too difficult. Our children, Todd and Adam, are now married with children. They have happy, healthy and directed families and individual family members. I believe you will enjoy each member.
Todd and Beth are attorneys in their own firm, the Collis Group, in Columbus, Ohio. Adam is a film maker and professor of Cinematography; his wife, Allison, is the Senior Director of Operations & Strategy of the Annenberg Foundation. But it is the grandchildren for which I requested 469 pages to write about (for which Father just looked at me and smiled). Today, I look forward to a happy time with my family, my friends, my music and Father singing his solo at the up-coming Liturgy service. Presbytera Grigo, please continue your special loving care of our beloved priest. I know you think the world of him. As does Sophia and Anna. And as does the community. And, that sure includes me too. Connie Collis KATINA DOUGLAS I was born in Hazard, Ky, the daughter of Nick and Anna (Anastasia) Arimes. I have five brothers (all Engineers): Billy, Tom, George, and two sisters: Vickie (Vasiliki) retired from IBM and currently primary caregiver for our sister, Nickie Ann, who has Down syndrome. My father came to the United States in 1921 through Ellis Island. He was born in Visoka, Greece (near the Albanian border). He was a chef for the Gibson Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio. He eventually settled in Eastern Kentucky (Lothair) as proprietor of Lothair Confectionery, a general merchandise store including a soda fountain/ice cream parlor sitting area. In 1933 when he traveled back to Greece to get married, he found his beautiful lady in the village of Zagliveri, Thessaloniki (Macedonia region of Greece). After their marriage, he brought her back to Lothair. What a culture shock! They worked together in the confectionery, which helped her with the English language. After a 1957 devastating flood, the family moved to Lexington, KY continuing the grocery business for 17 years operating Arimes Market specializing in Greek and other imported foods. My father passed away in September 1975 at the age of 83, and my mother was 96 at the time of her death in December 2007. I graduated from Henry Clay High School and Kentucky Business College. My first job was a secretarial position in downtown Lexington for an upscale department store (Meyers). After 2 years with Meyers, I was employed by IBM in March 1962. I married Major Douglas (Majorakis) in May 1963, and at that time he was operating the Blue Ox Restaurant in the Meadowthorpe area (eventually sold). He purchased Brandy s Kitchen Restaurant on Main Street. I took a leave of absence from IBM in November 1965 awaiting the birth of our first son, Nick, born in March 1966, and our second son Chris was born in May 1968. I never returned to IBM; I was a stay-at-home Mom and helped in our restaurant. In 1975 my husband s dream came true when he opened a Greek restaurant called Grecian Gardens on the 2 nd level above Brandy s Kitchen. In fact, this block was later demolished and is now the current location of the Fayette County District and Circuit Courts. Major s dream was short-lived when he passed away in January 1978 at the age of 43. I thank God for the support of my family and church family, which helped me through this difficult period of raising our two sons, ages 10 and 12. I began working part-time in Food Service for Fayette County Schools until Nick and Chris graduated from high school and entered college. In 1987, I was employed by the Fayette County Attorney s Office in the Child Support Division. Almost a year later I advanced to the Economic Crimes Division as Legal Assistant for Bounced Check Collections. On September 3 rd, 2017, I will celebrate my 30-year anniversary there. I m thinking lately that maybe it is time for me to retire! While in elementary and high schools, Nick and Chris were always active in church activities and as Acolytes. Nick currently has a 20-year tenure with Galls. He continues his love for the
church as an active Parish Council Board member, helps with chanting, assisting Father Cosmin in the altar, and is always available to help our church. Chris owns and operates his own IT Consulting Company called Intelligent. Chris is the father of my two grandchildren, Kali and Major, who reside in Paris, KY and attend Bourban County High School. One of my greatest blessings is my church, its people, and has always been an important part of my life. I am so excited that we will soon be holding services in our beautiful new sanctuary. Katina Douglas Worship and Church Events Schedule Saturday, April 1 st 9:30 am Spring Cleaning of the Church Yard 6:00 pm Great Vespers; Prayer Group; Confessions Sunday, April 2 nd 5 th Sunday of Great Lent (St. Mary of Egypt) St. Titus the Wonderworker; St. Theodora of Palestine 9:00 am Matins: Tone 4; Gospel 8 10:00 am Holy Liturgy: Epistle: Hebrews 9:11-14; Gospel: Mark 10:32-45; No Sunday School 12:00 pm Agape No Greek School Tuesday, April 4 th 6:30 pm OCF Activity Wednesday, April 5 th 9:00 12:00 pm Office Hours 6:00 pm Holy Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts; Potluck Thursday, April 6 th 6:00 pm Choir Practice 6:00 9:00 pm Office Hours Friday, April 7 th 8:00 am 6:00 pm Philoptochos Easter Bake Sale Saturday, April 8 th 8:00 am - 6:00 pm (or Sell Out) Philoptochos Easter Bake Sale 6:00 pm - Great Vespers; Memorial Service; Confessions Sunday, April 9 th Palm Sunday Eupsychios the Martyr; St. Vadin the Righteous of Persia 9:00 am Matins: Festal 10:00 am Holy Liturgy: Epistle: Philippians; Gospel: John 12:1-8; 11:30 am Sunday School 12:00 pm Agape Senior Youth Group Discussion with Fr. Cosmin 1:00 pm Greek School 6:30 pm Bridegroom Matins Monday, April 10 th Holy Monday 6:30 pm Bridegroom Matins Tuesday, April 11 th Holy Tuesday 6:30 pm Bridegroom Matins Wednesday, April 12 th Holy Wednesday 9:00 am 12:00 pm - Office Hours 6:30 pm Holy Unction Service Thursday, April 13 th Holy Thursday 10:00 am Vesperal Holy Liturgy 6:30 pm Bridegroom Matins with 12 Gospel Readings Friday, April 14 th Holy Friday 8:30 am Great Hours 10:30 am Decorating of the Lord s Tomb 3:30 pm Placing of the Body of the Lord into the Tomb Vespers 6:30 pm Lamentations & Procession Saturday, April 15 th Holy Saturday 10:00 am Vesperal Holy Liturgy 11:30 pm Pre-Resurrection Service 12:00 am Matins of the Resurrection; Paschal Holy Liturgy; Paschal Agape CHRIST IS RISEN!
Sunday, April 16 th Holy Pascha 1:00 pm Vespers of Pascha (with Reading of the Gospel in different languages) 2:30 pm Pascha Luncheon please bring a side dish or dessert Tuesday, April 18 th 6:30 pm OCF Activity Wednesday, April 19 th 9:00 12:00 pm Office Hours 7:00 pm Parish Council Meeting Thursday, April 20 th 6:00 pm Choir Practice 6:00 9:00 pm Office Hours Sunday, April 23 rd St. Thomas Sunday Great Martyr George 9:00 am Matins: Tone 1; Gospel 1 10:00 am Holy Liturgy: Epistle: Acts 1:1-8; Gospel: John 1:1-17; 11:30 am Sunday School 12:00 pm Agape with Birthday Cake for March and April 1:00 pm Philoptochos General Meeting and Elections 1:00 pm Greek School Tuesday, April 25 th 6:30 pm OCF Activity Wednesday, April 26 th 9:00 12:00 pm Office Hours Thursday, April 27 th 6:00 pm Choir Practice 6:00 9:00 pm Office Hours Sunday, April 30 th Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women St. James the Apostle; Argyra the New Martyr 9:00 am Matins: Tone 2; Gospel 4 10:00 am Holy Liturgy: Epistle: Acts 6:1-7; Gospel: Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8; 11:30 am Sunday School 12:00 pm Agape 12:30 3:30 pm Blood Drive 1:00 pm Greek School Many thanks to the Kristalia Tsorvas, Sumer Shahin, Lee Ann Cottrell, Maria Sawaya, Kitty Agioutantis, Dana Bart and Tom and Claire Karelis for offering the agape in March! Here is the agape sign-up list for the next 3 months. Please let Rita Watts or Pam Cox know when you could give the agape. Thank you very much! Sunday Families Signe-up to offer the Agape April 2 (Lent) April 9 (Fish Palm Sunday) April 16 (Pascha) Potluck April 23 April 30 May 7 May 14 May 21
May 28 May 14 May 21 May 28 Income Expenses Total Feb. 1 28, 2017 $ 18,759.65 $ 19,592.99 $ - 833 Jan. 1 Feb. 28, 2017 $ 47,241.89 $ 40,784.92 $ 6,456.97 www.goclex.org http://www.detroit.goarch.org http://www.goarch.org http://www.ancientfaith.com Ancient Faith Radio APP GOARCH Daily Readings APP Pray Always APP I ll Help You All The Way Home. Thomas P. Finsand, Realtor, ABR, SRS 859 940 2447 tpfinsand@yahoo.com