Χριστός Aνέστη! Christ is Risen!

ISSUE 4 APRIL 2018 Pg. 2 Thoughts from Deacon John Pg. 3 Parish Council President Pg. 4 Holy Week Schedule Pg. 5 General Assembly Agenda Pg. 7 Philoptochos Post Pg. 7 Stewardship Pg. 8 AHEPA, Agape, Holy Friday Pg.10 Choir & Prosforo Pg.11 Monthly Calendar Looking into April Saturday, March 31st - Saturday of Lazarus 9:00 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Usher Meeting immediately following the Divine Liturgy to prepare for Holy Week Pancakes and Palms Church Cleaning April 1st - Palm Sunday 8:45am Orthros and Divine Liturgy April 8th - Holy and Great Pascha April 15th -Sunday of Thomas 8:45am Orthros and Divine Liturgy April 22nd - Sunday of the Myrrhbearers 8:45am Orthros and Divine Liturgy April 29th Sunday of the Paralytic 8:45 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy Spring General Assembly Following Divine Liturgy FOR HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE SEE PAGE 4 Χριστός Aνέστη! Christ is Risen! April Usher Duty Sunday, April 1st Palm Sunday All Ushers on Duty Saturday April 7th - Anastasi Service All Ushers on Duty Sunday, April 8th - Pascha TBD Sunday, April 15th - Team 2 K a t h y K o k k i n a k o s, P a n a g o u l a Skoularakos, Vicki Skoularakis, Pat Janas, Lia Frantsvog Sunday, April 22nd - Team 3 Litsa Halverson, Stephanie Kanellopoulos, Kali Weaver, Visha Anevich Sunday, April 29th - Team 4 Dora Komninos, Alex Gonos, Vicky Vantsouris, Rena Gonos, George Vantsouris Rev. Fr. Konstantine Mendrinos, Interim Proistamenos Rev. Deacon John Pantelis 3600 76th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33710 www.ststefanos.org 727-345-8235 fax: 727-345-8286 Email: office@ststefanos.org

SOME THOUGHTS FROM DEACON JOHN Well, it is now April and Holy Week is upon us and Pascha is just around the corner. We saw some very intense times at St Stefanos this past month and it seems we are slowly re-grouping and coming together as a parish family. But wait there s more. Some of you might remember the commercial when the announcer states Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life. Well welcome to the first day of the rest of the life of St Stefanos parish. But before we go further, there is one thing I would ask all of you to consider. Referencing any task, endeavor or item, three actions or concepts are always associated with it. Picture the Target store logo sign. It is a 2-ring target with a bulls-eye in the middle. Now picture in the outer ring the word What. In the interior ring the word How. And in the bulls-eye the word Why. What How Why The most important of these is Why. So while we look at where things stand at St Stefanos and we see the What (what we have to do) and we try to figure out How (how we will do them), we can t overlook the most important point Why. Why settles things for us. Why helps us focus. Why inspires us. Why gives us purpose. Why gives us direction and motivation. Here are a few Whys to ponder. Why are you a parishioner at St Stefanos Why do you come to church at St Stefanos every week Why did, or do, your parents bring you to St Stefanos every week Why do you volunteer and give your time and talent and treasure to the parish Why do you care about what happens next Why do you care about this parish thriving, not just surviving Why would it bother or upset you if this parish were to shut down and close Why Fill in your own personal question or questions If we can each answer for ourselves our questions of Why the What and the How will be all that much more manageable. If we can each answer our individual questions of Why and then come together with a common purpose, What we have to do and How we will do them will become evident and we will get things done. But first we have to answer our Whys. I would ask one and all to think this through and ask and answer your personal Whys. Then let s get to work and get the Hows going to get the Whats done. Kalo Pascha and Kali Anastasi! In Christ, Deacon John

MESSAGE FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT Dear Parishioners and Friends, We probably all start the new year with vivid but for the most part, unsustainable resolutions. Many of us make resolutions about many things that truly do want to see them to fruition, but it's not too long before we revert to our ingrained practices and those resolutions made in good faith, fall by the wayside. For me, a new year allows me the opportunity to reflect on the past and resolutions that I made, some of which I mastered and some that evaporated. But mostly I remember those that meant that I would work diligently to achieve goals and surpass expectations. I reflect on the years of shared love of family and friends. I reflect on goals met with strong sense of positive direction and clear vision to help me to reach goals. This year I took on a new challenge, becoming our Parish President. Our uniqueness, our individuality, and our life experience molds us into what we are. I hope we can all embrace that. I pray we may all challenge ourselves to search into the deepest resources of our hearts to cultivate an atmosphere of understanding, acceptance, tolerance, and compassion. We are all part of the St. Stefanos Family. Brian Cagney said A comfort zone is the most dangerous area anyone can stay in. It is a place of no growth and no challenge. I want to challenge you today to get out of your comfort zone. God has put gifts and talents in you that you probably don't know anything about. If we are to grow and thrive as a church, please join me and be part of the challenge. Let s see our beloved St. Stefanos family grow and flourish. There are a couple positive things to reflect upon: We had a very successful festival, and I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make it possible. We have future plans to reach out to our stewards and make our community stronger and vibrant. The Parish Council and our Stewardship Chair Spiro Komninos invite you to one-day Stewardship Seminar titled Igniting the Flame presented by Bill Marianes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Atlanta, on April 14, 2018. As we enter Holy Week please remember John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Happy Resurrection, ΚΑΛΗ ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΗ! With Love in Christ, Nicky Stamoulis-Parish Council President

HOLY WEEK and PASCHA The services of Holy Week transform us into eyewitnesses and direct participants in the awesome events of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Saturday of Lazarus, March 31st 9:00am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy Palm Sunday, April 1st 8:45am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy 5:00pm Bridegroom (Nymphios) Service Holy Monday, April 2nd 6:00pm Bridegroom (Nymphios) Service Holy Tuesday, April 3rd 6:00pm Bridegroom (Nymphios) Service Holy Wednesday, April 4th 5:00pm Holy Unction Service Christ is Risen! Holy Thursday, April 5th 9:00am Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil 6:30pm Service of the Passion- Reading of the Twelve Gospels Holy Friday, April 6th 9:00am Royal Hours of Pascha 11:00am Holy Friday Retreat 3:00pm Apokathilosis Vespers 7:00pm The Service of the Lamentations Holy Saturday, April 7th 9:00am Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil 11:00pm Canon of Holy Pascha Pascha Sunday, April 8th 12:00am Resurrection Service and the Divine Liturgy of Pascha 11:00am Agape Vespers 12:00noon Easter Egg Hunt Easter Sunday, following the 11:00am Agape Service The youth of St. Stefanos and other parishes are invited to the Easter Egg Hunt! All children and all ages are welcome Myrrhbearers for Holy Friday Girls in grades 3-5 may serve as Myrophores (the myrrh bearing women) on Holy Friday. The girls must attend Sunday regularly and be active in Church activities. Flower wreaths and baskets will be provided, and white dresses are available if needed. Girls must be available before the service and must be able to stay through the entire service on Holy Friday in order to participate. Please contact Rita Hurst at 727-612-4040 or by email at: Ihurst1@tampabay.rr.com

GENERAL ASSEMBLY AGENDA SPRING GENERAL ASSEMBLY AGENDA - APRIL 29, 2018 Call to Order Parish Council President Opening Prayer Fr. Dean Mendrinos Quorum Verification PC Secretary & Treasurer Election of General Assembly Chair Parish Council President Reading of minutes from previous General Assembly and acceptance of minutes Parish Council Secretary Treasurer s Report Parish Council Treasurer President s Report Nicky Stamoulis New Business - Festival Report Spiro Komninos - Election of Delegation to National Clergy-Laity Congress in Boston, July 1st - 5th - Other Adjourn Closing Prayer Fr. Dean Mendrinos ** Just a reminder that you must be an active Steward for 2018 with a card on file in order to vote at the General Assembly **

PHILOPTOCHOS AND STEWARDSHIP Our Ladies Philoptochos has been very busy getting ready for Holy Week! We have been baking for our Palm Sunday bake sale, and participated in Palms and Pancakes along with cleaning the altar items for Easter. We will be hosting the Palm Sunday luncheon on April 1, having a fish luncheon for $10 and a kid's meal for $5. Please join us celebrating Palm Sunday. Many thanks to Vicky Filides for heading up the Palm Sunday luncheon and our many kitchen and set up volunteers. Our Visiting Angels, now under the direction of Litsa Stathacopoulos, spent some time with St Stefanos shut-ins and brought Easter gifts. The Philoptochos, represented by Vicky Anadiotis, donated personal supplies to the female veterans living at C. W. Bill Young (Bay Pines) VA. In April, we will be feeding Pinellas Hope homeless shelter and Ronald McDonald house. Saturday, April 28 will be Philoptochos major fundraiser--our afternoon tea! Please plan to be with us for a lovely luncheon. Please feel free to join us. Dues are only $35. Our end of the year luncheon will be Sunday, June 3, at Isla del Sol. Save the date. Philoptochos will also be giving a scholarship for a worthy graduate. Please see Joanna Petsalis for more details. Applications are due May 1. Philoptochos annual Convention will be July 1-5 in Boston, MA. Philoptochos' mission is to help the poor, sick, unemployed, orphaned, widowed, handicapped, victims of disasters, to promote the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, preserve and perpetuate the Orthodox Christian faith, traditions and family, and the community. Our April meeting will be held Sunday after church on April 22 in the Education building. Please join us. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Parish Council, along with our Stewardship Chair, Spiro T. Komninos, Esq., invite you to a free one-day Stewardship Seminar titled Igniting the Flame presented by Bill Marianes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Atlanta on April 14, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The program is designed to re-energize our Parish, ministries within our parish, and our parishioners to create a true culture of giving towards stewardship and sustainability of our community. The seminar will discuss strategic planning and how to be more effective leaders and communicators when it comes to stewardship. The seminar is open to all parish members who want to learn what is happening in our Christian Churches. The program will begin with registration and a light breakfast with refreshments from 9:00-9:30. Following this, Mr. Marianes will cover the facts and figures of what is happening around us and in our Orthodox church. Mr. Marianes will continue his discussion with the 15 components of the Culture of True Stewardship Tactics. There will be a break for lunch which will be provided between 12:00-1:00. Following the lunch break, Mr. Marianes will continue with any of the Stewardship Tactics not covered in the morning session and continue on to cover certain of the 7 Elements of Engaged Discipleship and the 7 Elements of Consensus Vision and Strategic Planning. There will be an opportunity for questions during the program regarding any of the stewardship information Mr. Marianes shares with us. We have attached a flyer regarding our upcoming program and we ask that you share this information with anyone who may be interested in this program as we believe this program is worth participating in. We ask that if anyone in our community is interested in attending that you please email us with a list of names and the number of individuals coming to the seminar so that we can plan accordingly. Please send your responses to Dora Komninos at: DLUV122@aol.com or to Spiro T. Komninos at: Spirolaw@Hotmail.com. We look forward to an exciting program presented by Mr. Marianes and we hope that you will join us on April 14! With love in Christ, Dora Komninos

AHEPA/DOP, AGAPE and HOLY FRIDAY RETREAT There will be no April meeting due to the Easter season. We wish you all a Happy Easter. ΚΑΛΗ ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΗ! St. Stefanos Sunday Presents: Holy Friday Retreat for all Church families Theme: The Four Evangelists Friday, April 6th 11:00am - 3:00pm There will be a special seperate retreat for the kids in Pre-K and Kindergarten. Each lesson will bring to life the people who wrote the Gospels A Lenten lunch and craft project will be included. Most importantly, at the conclusion of the instructional activities, all the children and adults will be able to see everything that they have learned come to life during the Apokathilosis Service at 3:00PM. Please return this portion to the Church Office by Wednesday, April 12th. Name: Grade: Phone: Email: If you have any questions or need a school excuse letter please contact the Church office at (727) 345-8235 or office@ststefanos.org

CHOIR & PROSFORO CHOIR Kali Anastasi! The choir is looking forward to singing the beautiful lamentations on Holy Friday along with the congregation, and then celebrating the Resurrection on Holy Saturday! Several of the choir members are planning to attend the choir conference this summer in Mobile, Alabama, where we will be singing the bilingual Divine Liturgy by Dr Tikey Zes. The choir practices at 7 Thursday evenings and on Sunday mornings before church. If you like to praise God in song, please join us!!!! To my beloved choir members who participated in this year s Holy Week services as well as throughout the ecclesiastical year with your dedication and unselfish love and devoted talents. I am humbled and thank you, John Paul Arambages Choir Director Rejoice O Artists for you have all entertained angels unseen Jonathan Jackson - Orthodox Christian Artist and musician Thine own of Thine own: The Ministry of Baking and Offering Prosforon The word Prosforon (in the plural, Prosfora) is translated from its Greek origin as offering and, as such, is a fitting name for the bread we bring to church for the Divine Liturgy. The making of Prosforon in our homes is an opportunity for families to gather and participate in the life of the Church in a meaningful way. Elissa Bjeletich, Soak up the Son, an Orthodox Christian Blog. Throughout the centuries our faithful have brought gifts of bread and wine to the Church that these might be offered at the Proskomide and changed at the Consecration by the Holy Spirit into the Body and Blood of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. It has been customary for the Prosforon to be prepared by individuals who prepare themselves spiritually for this task, and who offer the very finest ingredients to be fashioned by hand and baked into bread in accordance with our tradition. Consisting of four ingredients, flour, water, salt and yeast, the baking of Prosforon offers to your entire family a way to prepare a gift that will be transformed on the Holy Altar during the Consecration to the body of Christ during the Divine Liturgy. Recipes for Prosforon are easy to find. One may be found on page 164 of our very own St. Stefanos Philoptochos Society cookbook. The Σφραγίδα (seal) may be purchased in our St. Stefanos Book Store. Please contact Christine Klimis, who chairs the St. Stefanos Prosforon ministry, to pursue this further. Christine can arrange to assist you by providing you guidance and instruction in addition to scheduling your donation. Call Christine at (727) 481-7070.

2 Holy Monday 3 Holy Tuesday 4 Holy Wednesday 6 Holy Friday 7 Holy Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Palm Sunday 8:45am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy 5:00pm Bridegroom 8 Holy Pascha 11:00am Agape Service 12:00pm Egg Hunt 15 8:45am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy 22 8:45am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy Philoptochos Meeting 29 8:45am Orthros 10:00am Divine Liturgy General Assembly 6:00pm Bridegroom 9 16 23 30 6:00 pm Bridegroom 10 6:pm Parish Council 6:30pm Greek 17 6:30pm Greek 24 6:30pm Greek APRIL 2018 5:00pm Holy Unction 11 10:00am UAW 18 25 5 Holy Thursday 9am Vesperal Liturgy 6:30pm Passion Service 12 7:00pm Choir Practice 19 7:00pm Choir Practice 26 7:00pm Choir Practice 9:00am Royal Hours 11:00am HF Retreat 3:00pm Apokathilosis 7:00pm Lamentations 13 10:00am Prayer Group 20 10:00am Prayer Group 27 10:00am Prayer Group Saturday 9am Vesperal Liturgy 11p Vigil/ Resurrection 14 Stewardship Calling Seminar with Bill Marianes 9am to 4pm 21 28 Philoptochos Tea & Luncheon

ST. STEFANOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 3600 76th Street North St. Petersburg, Florida 33710 www.ststefanos.org E-mail: office@ststefanos.org NON - PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #6203 ST. PETERSBURG, FL Return Address Requested