Sunday Bulletin 9 th of September 2012 Sunday before the Holy Cross

Sunday Bulletin 9 th of September 2012 Sunday before the Holy Cross God s people, serving God s people Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral 1324 South Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, 90006 Office: 323.737.2424 Fax: 323.737.7029 www.stsophia.org www.stsophia.org/bulletin Very Reverend Father John S. Bakas, Dean Reverend Father Allan Boyd, Assistant Priest

CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK Sunday, September 9 th Orthros...........8:15am Studies in the Faith.....9:15am Divine Liturgy............ 10:00am Monday, September 10 th Catechism with Father Allan..begins September 17 th Tuesday, September 11 th Women s Bible Study with Father John..... 10:00am Men s Bible Study with Father John.... 11:30am Wednesday, September 12 th Hellenic Academy (Adults).begins September 19 th Thursday, September 13 th Old Testament Bible Study with Father Allan begins September 20 th Friday, September 14 th Elevation of the Ven. & Life-Giving Cross Orthros.......8:30am Liturgy............ 9:30am Saturday, September 15 th Hellenic Academy (PreK 6).....begins September 15 th Hellenic Academy (Adults). begins September 15 th There is no Coffee Hour today Please join us at the L.A. Greek Fest, following Divine Liturgy.. EPISTLE READER... Nicholas Perdaris 2

DAILY VITAMINS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH 3

Υμνος ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙΑ Ηχος πλ α Τροπαριον του Ναου, Ηχος πλ δ Ευλογητος ει Χριστε ο Θεος ημων, ο πανσοφους του αλιεις αναδειξας, καταπεμψας αυτοις το Πνευμα το Αγιον, και δι αυτων την οικουμενην σαγηνευσας, φιλανθρωπε, δοξα σοι. ΚΟΝΤΑΚΙΟΝ Ηχος πλ δ 4

HYMNS OF THE DAY Your birth, Theotokos, brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Freeing us from the curse, He gave us His blessings. Abolishing death, He granted us eternal life. Apolytikion - Fifth Tone O Faithful, let us sing a hymn of praise and worship to the Logos who is co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, who was born of the Virgin for our salvation. Of His own will, He went upon the Cross in the flesh and suffered death, to raise the dead through His glorious Resurrection. Second Tone O Lord, celebrating the memory of the righteous divine ancestors, we beseech You through them to save our souls. Troparion of Saint Sophia (Holy Wisdom) Blessed are You O Christ our God, Who as all wise the fishermen You showed forth; By sending your Holy Spirit down upon them and through them the universe You drew unto your net. O lover of mankind Glory to You. Kondakion In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve from the corruption of death. And so your people free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life. 5

ΕΠΙΣΤΟΛΗ Πρὸς Γαλάτας 6:11-18 Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ δι οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν. 6

Let Us Attend.. EPISTLE READING Verse: You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us... Save me, O Lord, for the Godly man has failed. Wisdom.. Reading is from Saint Paul s Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18 Let us be Attentive.. BRETHREN, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and not only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. 7

GOSPEL READING The Reading is from John 3:13-17 The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." PLEASE NOTE Due to schedule conflicts, Father John Bakas is unable to offer his Tuesday night Bible Study class at this time. 8

MINISTRY NEWS PHILOPTOHOS NEWS We are back and in full swing and starting some new projects! The June National Philoptohos sent an additional donation of $160,000 to Greece for emergency aide relief efforts. $185,000 so far that has been sent for food and medicine. The Los Angeles Mission has asked us to participate in a new project. Disney and the Hanes Corporation are collecting NEW packages of socks for men, women and children at the Mission. Today is the last day for donations in front of the church. However, if you would like to bring a package or two of socks to the PASTRY BOOTH at the Festival, we will gladly accept your donation and give you a little gift in return. Our booth will be in the gymnasium. Please consider picking up a package of socks next time you are shopping. The everyday things in life that we take for granted, like having clean socks to wear is a big thing to people who have no socks at all. Thank you. Our meetings will be held immediately after liturgy on Sundays, in the General Assembly Room of the Huffington Center. The first 3 meetings have been scheduled as follows: Sunday, September 23rd - Tina Russek - Los Angeles Mission Sunday, October 21st - Maria Kootsikas, Pharm. D. Flu Season Sunday. November 18th Thanksgiving Luncheon If you have moved or are not receiving Philoptohos mail for our special events, please send us a note and give us your name and address. So much mail is returned to us by the post office because of wrong addresses. It would be very helpful if you would update us. Don t forget also, to add your name to our mailing list so you receive all our special event invitations! With love in Christ s service, Virginia Noyes and the Philoptohos Board of Directors 9

PHILOPTOHOS VIP NEWS MINISTRY NEWS (continued) Hard to believe we are in the final days of summer and almost ready to welcome autumn. Hope you all had a very pleasant summer and that you will join us as we resume our monthly VIP activities. Thursday, October 4 HUNTINGTON LIBRARY & BOTANICAL GARDENS, SAN MARINO We'll be starting our trip by having a brunch at a local restaurant followed by the visit to the beautiful Botanical Gardens and Library. Paid reservations are a must. Please call chairperson Mersy Loukaris (323)661-1592 or co-chair Athina Lolonis (818)846-1357. Make checks payable to Philoptohos VIP c/o Mersy Loukaris 3841 Edenhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039. Deadline is Sept. 27 th. Cost of the trip is $ 27.00 which includes bus, visit of library and gardens and branch. The bus will depart from church at 10:30 (please be half an hour earlier). We will return to church at 4:30pm Sunday, November 4 - OUR ANNUAL ARTOKLASIA which is offered for the health of the Philoptohos VIP members (senior citizens) and their families. Thursday, December 13 VIP CHRISTMAS PARTY & 41ST ANNIVERSARY OF VIP Save the date - Information to follow. In His Service Mary Morrison President of VIP Philoptohos ******************************************* The AMNOS Ministry is continuing to collect magazines for area hospitals to help patients and families pass time. We would like to thank everyone who has brought their magazines to be donated. The hospital Auxiliaries have been grateful for your thoughtfulness and kindness. The Donation Box can be found next to the Chapel on Sundays. Please make sure you remove your address labels. 10

PHILANTHROPIA NEWS MINISTRY NEWS (continued) PHILANTHROPIA TEAM BOARD MEETING: On Sunday, October 21 st, we will have our annual meeting, immediately following the Divine Liturgy. A specific time and place on the church grounds will be forthcoming. Please plan to attend this very important meeting. USED CLOTHING and CANNED GOODS: This is a year-long project, so please continue your donations as there are still many we need to reach. Please identify all clothing donations on the outside of the bags by indicating whether they are for men, women or children. The receptacles for "used clothing" and "canned goods" are located side by side, near the chapel. Thank you! PHILANTHROPIA WEBSITE: www.philanthropiaministry.org God bless you! Father Peter ******************************************* SAINT SOPHIA BOOKSTORE Saint Sophia Book Club Our next selection will be: The Screwtape Letters Letters from a Senior to a Junior Devil by C.S. Lewis In this humorous and perceptive exchange between two devils, C. S. Lewis delves into moral questions about good vs. evil, temptation, repentance, and grace. Through this wonderful tale, the reader emerges with a better understanding of what it means to live a faithful life. Meeting & Discussion: Thursday September 27 th @ 7:30pm in the Bookstore November Book Club selection: Healer's Light - Achieving the Impossible - by Gudata S. Hinika, MD, FACS Date and time to be announced. Healer's Light: Achieving the Impossible demonstrates the difference one person can make in the lives of thousands. One does not expect a boy from a tiny village in the hinterlands of Southern Ethiopia to put himself through two bachelor s degrees, medical school, and become a surgeon. Dr. Hinika, a fellow Orthodox Christian and the head of Ethiopian Health Aid, will be in attendance. 11

COMMUNITY NEWS Parents with Small Children As many parents know, we have a wonderful Cathedral nursery for toddlers and children under 5 years old. It gives parents the opportunity to worship and pray while their children are cared for in a loving and caring way. The nursery is located on the south side of the Huffington Center, across from the St. Constantine Chapel. ******************************************* WE NEED PROSFORO We request offerings of Prosforo for the cathedral anytime within the next several weeks. ******************************************* St. Sophia Moms & Tots Program is a Faith, Music and Movement infant and toddler program designed for Moms and/or Dad's with young children between the ages of 6 months - 3 years. If you are a parent or caregiver with a little one, please join us! Begins Wednesday, October 3, 2012 through May, 2013 10:30am -11:30am Huffington Center at Saint Sophia, in the Nursery Room $60 registration fee per child Our weekly gathering will consist of singing, dancing and movement activities, followed by story time and a craft activity based on our church calendar (be it a Feast Day or a Saints day, etc.). We will learn how to do our cross, say our prayers, and much more! For information please contact the St. Sophia Moms & Tots coordinator, Katia Boudouvas at kbakas@gmail.com ******************************************* OCF COLLEGE STUDENT SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16 th As Orthodox students arrive on college campuses, OCF is already in high gear, organizing resources and programs to help our students stay connected to Christ and His Church. On Sunday, September 16 th, parishes across North America will be celebrating College Student Sunday by recognizing our college students. Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is a critical ministry. Many of our young people have participated in Orthodox pre-schools, Sunday school, and robust teen activities (youth groups and camps). Upon high school graduation, however, they are put to the test, and forced to face real world challenges without the benefit of family and spiritual support. OCF is on college campuses to make sure our children have a safe and reliable 'home away from home.' Here at Saint Sophia, we all need to extend extra efforts to make sure that local college students see Saint Sophia Cathedral as their home-away-from-home. 12

Saint Sophia Greek Folk Dance Ministry Dance Practices will begin the weekend of September 22 nd. Please check with your directors for the time and location. If you are new, please contact the people listed below for more information. Please join us on Sunday, September 16 th @ 1pm Huffington Center General Assembly Room The Greek Folk Dance Ministry will hold their Annual Orientation and Registration Meeting on Sunday, September 16, 2012. In order for you to complete your registration forms, pay your fees, and receive updated information on the program, it is critical that you attend this meeting. You may also access the registration forms on Saint Sophia Cathedral s website. This ministry will have 5 groups this year with over 70 participants. If your child is 5 years old by December 1 st they are eligible to join our youngest group. Please plan to attend the meeting if you are 18 years old or older. The goal of our Saint Sophia Dance Ministry is to connect our children to a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ as expressed through our Orthodox Faith and as celebrated by our rich culture and heritage of dance and song. Please Note: It is mandatory that each dancer attend Sunday School, on time, at least 10 times from the beginning of the Fall Semester through January 27 th. If your child does not have at least 10 on-time Sunday School attendances by that date, their paperwork will not be signed and they will not be able to dance at FDF. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting on September 16 th Your attendance is mandatory For further information please contact: Eleni Constantine - 310 420-8374 Barbara Kappos - 626 695-4742 Demitra Koutsos - 818 903-7059 You may also e-mail us: st.sophia.folkdance@gmail.com 13

September 1 st is time to Renew! Saint Sophia Cathedral and It is time to renew your Ralphs Card Donation for Saint Sophia Camp Zoe! Every September all participants are asked to re-register. By registering your Ralph s Card online or in person you will be donating a percentage of your spending to Camp Zoe to further the mission of providing a camping program structured to meet the needs of children with severe physical and developmental disabilities from families living with economic challenges within the city of Los Angeles. Without Camp Zoe these children would likely never experience the joys of Camp. Camp Zoe was founded and is run by dedicated volunteers and Clergy of Saint Sophia. Camp Zoe is designed to help these much deserving campers develop a "sense of self. By registering your card for Saint Sophia your own rewards will not be affected. 100% of the money received from Ralphs will go directly to Camp Zoe. Register by one of three ways: 1. Online at www.ralphs.com Our NPO is 82038. If you have not registered your card before with Ralphs you will have to register it at this time. 2. By taking this letter to Customer Service of your local Ralphs Grocery Store. 3. By taking this letter into Ralphs the next time you shop and asking the cashier to scan the BarCode with your Rewards Card. RALPH S CASHIER OR MANAGEMENT TEAM MEMBER: Please scan the bar code below along with the customer s rewards card or alt ID within their order. A purchase is required in order for the link between their card and the organization to work. This procedure is successful when you hear the audible beep & see the words LOYALTY DIV on the receipt. For more information please log into: http://www.ralphs.com/myralphs/703/pages/community_contribution.aspx Thank you for your involvement in helping us at Camp Zoe! The Camp Zoe Team 14

For those who are sick or suffering St. James advises us, If anyone among you is sick, let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:13-14) Ensuring that St Sophia s parishioners continue to be cared-for and prayed-for, please list names below of those in our midst that need prayer. Feel free to request the personal prayer of one of our priests after services, or to schedule this with one our priests during St Sophia Cathedral s office hours. As you request prayer, you may also wish to make an offering to Saint Sophia s Altar Fund. Label: For the health of PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY: Please submit this form to: Saint Sophia Cathedral Office 1324 S Normandie Ave. Los Angeles CA 90006 15