ST. BARBARA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS 28 OCTOBER 2012 SAINT BARBARA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/ WORSHIP HOURS Matins 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church The Very Reverend Archimandrite Father D. Stavroforos Mamaies fatherstavroforos2012@gmail.com Cell Phone Number: 919-491-2565 8306 NC Highway 751 Durham, NC 27713 (919) 484-1600 Father Stavroforos Office Hours Tuesday - Friday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. We are a Greek (Eastern) Orthodox parish, part of the oldest Christian tradition, dating to 33 A.D., the Day of Pentecost. We trace our roots back to the Apostles and their teachings. We hold fast to the moral, theological and liturgical traditions of the Early Christian Church. We are pleased that you have chosen to experience the worship of Early Christianity in a modern setting.
TODAY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2012 THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF LUKE Jesus Cures the Woman with the Issue of Blood (right) & Raises Jairus Daughter from the Dead (left) Icon above left: Jesus Raises Jairus Daughter from the Dead, Dionisy fresco, 1495-96, the Virgin Nativity Cathedral, St. Ferapont Belozero Monastery, Russia OXI DAY Sunday, October 28, 2012 AHEPA NEWS Today, October 28 AHEPA will host the coffee hour today, October 28, to remember and mark "OXI Day", October 28, 1940, the day Greece refused to succumb to Fascist Italy's coercive ultimatum, and to honor Greek resistance to aggression. A brief historical summary will be available describing the events surrounding this remarkable and noteworthy day in recent Greek history. Also, please save the evening of Saturday, November 10, to attend the traditional fall dinner dance sponsored by our AHEPA - an evening of delicious food and exciting music. Bring your family and friends to enjoy a savory buffet dinner and to dance to delightful Greek and American music. For more details see any AHEPA member, - but do SAVE THIS DATE! OXI DAY OCTOBER 28 On OXI DAY, October 28, we mark the anniversary of October 28, 1940, when Greece refused to be bullied and defended the homeland from Italian Fascist aggressors. By 1940, the National Socialists [ Nazis ], led by Adolf Hitler, governed Germany, re-armed the German military, annexed Austria and parts of Czechoslovakia, occupied Belgium, crushed and occupied the western half of Poland, defeated and occupied France, and threatened to invade England. Also by 1940, Italian Fascists, led by Benito Mussolini, had occupied Albania, placing Italian armed forces at the northern border of Greece. World War II had begun and some Balkan nations submitted to the Berlin-Rome axis, such as Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. Greece and Yugoslavia hoped to stay out of the war, but leaned toward their traditional allies the embattled English and the defeated French. Neutrality could not be maintained in the face of aggressive military plans hatched by the axis. Back in 1936, at the Council of Balkan Cooperation, held in Belgrade, Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas had declared, that in case of war between Italy and the British and French allies, Greece would side with the Western forces. Meanwhile, Italy s Mussolini linked his fortunes with Germany s Hitler, presenting a very dangerous and aggressive Nazi-Fascist partnership to other European nations. As they carried their intentions into reality, the aggressive axis partners could not leave a good part of the Balkans neutral and independent. The strategic location of Greece could not remain uncontrolled by the axis and possibly open to be used by the British Navy. On October 28, 1940, at three in the morning, the Italian ambassador to Greece, Count Emmanuelle Grazzi, arrived at the house of Prime Minister Metaxas and asked that he be awakened. When the two met, in Metaxas s study, Grazzi handed the Greek PM a formal ultimatum, that in essence stated: the Italian government asks the Greek government to grant the right to Italian armed forces to occupy strategic sites on Greek territory, to better conduct the military conflict between Italy and Britain. The Greek government is asked to immediately order its military forces not to resist this temporary occupation. The impertinent tone of the ultimatum continued, should the Greek government refuse to abide by this request, within three hours, the Italian army will move to achieve the occupation by force. Ioannis Metaxas did not need three hours to consider the ultimatum his answer was immediate and short OHI! [NO!] - and he spoke on behalf of the whole nation. Continued on the following page
OXI DAY Continued from the previous page On the morning of October 28, the whole nation said NO. The clamor to fight the Fascist bully filled the entire country; flags were hung on balconies and windows; Greeks of every age felt a surge of energy. The Italians attacked at dawn, but against heavy odds, and given only the briefest notice, outnumbered Greek soldiers fought valiantly and held back the enemy. In the following months, during the winter of 1940-1941, the quickly mobilized Greek armed forces, commanded by General Alexander Papagos, soundly beat the much better armed Italians. The Greek homeland remained free. Early in WW II, Greeks had handed the first defeat to the mighty military machine of the Berlin-Rome axis, until then considered unbeatable. They also caused rage in Berlin; on April 6 1941, the colossal German military, with its numberless tanks, Stuka planes, and superbly armed manpower, ferociously attacked and occupied both Greece and the Serbian part of Yugoslavia. It took four long years before the Greeks and allies managed to defeat the Nazi-Fascists, but in the annals of history, the Greek nation s No, inspired by patriotism and high ideals, remains admirable and magnificent. PREPARED BY AHEPA CHAPTER 277 DURHAM THE CITY OF MEDICINE AND KNOWLEDGE Speaking to God by Archbishop Demetrios of America NEW YORK - Speaking to God is a collection of over seventy prayers written by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. Originally written in Greek in the 1960s, the third edition was issued in 2010. The book has been recently translated into English and was released by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on October 15. An ebook edition will follow later this year. In addressing the focus of the book in the Introduction, Archbishop Demetrios states, We should speak to God. We should present our problems to Jesus. We should set in front of Him our hard times and our disappointments. We should place our plans, our worries, and desires in His hands. This is the meaning and message that this book wishes to bring to the world. Speaking to God has five sections or cycles, which include prayers on general themes and specific topics: (1) Asking God to teach us how to pray (2) Talking to God about ourselves and our problems (3) Singing the praises of His glory and majesty (4) Entreating Him on behalf of our brothers and sisters, and (5) Addressing the need for a real understanding of the Gospel. Speaking to God is a helpful resource for daily prayer. It offers strength and inspiration through prayers that guide conversation with God and find in Him the love, wisdom, and peace needed in all of life s experiences. This new resource is available in both print and digital editions through the Orthodox Marketplace at www.orthodoxmarketplace.com. Discounts and bulk ordering information for parish and religious bookstores are available through the Department of Communications at 212-774-0244. The Greek edition is also available through Orthodox Marketplace. The proceeds, as with all the other publications authored by Archbishop Demetrios, will fund the Archbishop Demetrios Benevolent Fund. ISBN: 978-1-58438-024-5 Price: $12.95 (print). Double Headed Eagle, Symbol of Orthodoxy and the Byzantine Empire, Patriarchal Church, Constantinople
NEXT WEEK COMING SOON NEXT SUNDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2012 THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LUKE Lazarus and the Rich Man DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME Daylight Saving Time ends next Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 2:00 a.m. Don t forget to move your clocks back one hour ("Spring forward, fall back"). 2012 METROPOLIS CLERGY RETREAT The highlights Diakonia Retreat Center of the trip included the beautiful, picturesque setting, the Divine Liturgy with His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios, and all of the clergy brotherhood, and the joy received by the clergy as they met in support of one another. Diakonia Retreat Center Lodges The three returned home on October 11, refreshed and renewed. On October 9, 2012, Father Stavroforos, Father Paul Christy and Father Regis Alexoudis attended the Metropolis Clergy Retreat at the Diakonia Retreat Center in Salem, South Carolina. Diakonia Retreat Center This year's retreat dealt with the topic of "Stress Management". The retreat was blessed with two speakers who offered their insights and suggestions to help the clergy in their ministries to their parishes. Their biographies are included below.
v BASILE COMEDY CONCERT Saturday, December 1, 2012 Enjoy Greek-American comedy at its finest from none other than BASILE, performing Saturday, December 1, in the social hall of Holy Trinity Church in Raleigh. Buy your tickets now for an evening of good food and entertainment. Check out the BASILE table in the social hall opposite the coat closets. Ticket proceeds will benefit the building fund of Saint Barbara. For more information, contact Helen Paliouras, 919-942-4229, elenipali@att.net. The Boats of Drama, Greece Every December 3, on the eve of St. Barbara s Feast Day following Great Vespers and the procession with her icon, the children of Drama, Greece, leave small boats, beautifully lit with candles, on the calm waters of St. Barbara Lake in front of the church bearing her name. Later, families gather in their homes to eat warm, sweet Barbara (Varvara) cake, a traditional dessert similar to a honey cake. St. Barbara is the patron saint of the city of Drama and the lake and surrounding park are named for her. http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2009/12/various-miracles-of-saint-barbara.html & http://www.drama.gr REBUILDING ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH IN NEW YORK CITY October 20, 2012 NEW YORK New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, announced yesterday at the Archdiocesan Council meeting that the final agreement on rebuilding St. Nicholas was signed the day before, October 18, 2012. He stated that the Port Authority would begin construction immediately, hoping to complete the foundation in a year and then turn the site over to the Church. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is the only church destroyed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Governor Cuomo made the announcement during the joint luncheon of the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the National Philoptochos Board, which had both convened for their first meeting of the 2012-2014 term in the New York Hilton. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America welcomed Governor Cuomo and thanked him for being instrumental in the process and for helping St. Nicholas Church be resurrected. The Archbishop talked about the transformation of the World Trade Center and said, When St. Nicholas Church is completed it will be a place of praying, a place of comfort, openness and reconciliation where the relatives of the almost three thousand victims of 9/11 can come and light a candle. The Archbishop offered to the Governor a symbolic gift, a sterling silver hand-made cross, as a symbol of sacrifice and love, of loss and gain, of death and resurrection. Governor Cuomo accepted the symbolic gift on behalf of all the people of the State of New York and after the announcement praised the perseverance of the Greek Orthodox Church and community and said: Let me say this on the Church of St. Nicholas though, I applaud you for what you did the Archbishop has been very kind, (but) I am only doing what I am supposed to be doing. I am doing my job and what I was elected to do. But the fight that you waged for St. Nicholas Church that went over a decade is remarkable. You faced every obstacle, you were told no, time after time, after time. You fought the bureaucracy, numerous governors, numerous heads of the Port Authority and you wouldn t take no for an answer and you kept coming back and kept coming back and it is such a beautiful story of the Greek community. Organizing, mobilizing, refusing to give up, refusing to loose [lose]. And, what was most beautiful, it wasn t for you, it wasn t about a monetary gain, it wasn't because someone was going to be advanced, it was the fundamental belief of the Greek community, which is about community and faith and philanthropy. (Photos Dimitrios Panagos/GOA), http://www.goarch.org/news/cuomostnicholas-10192012
Alec & Frances Alexiades Angelica Anastos Alexander & Laurel Arapoglou William & Donna Athas Nicholas & Eugenia Balafas Rita Balaban Lance & Maria (Marinos) Barton Rev. Fr. James & Anne Berends Pamela Goodwin Beruk Barbara Bonfiglio Nick Bourbous Stan J. Bukowski Andrew & Connie Bush Spyridoula Capetanos George & Sophie Carr Gordan & Sophia Caudle Andrew & Cheryl Christakos Art Christakos Lia Christakos George & Ellen Christon George & Erie Cocolas Catherine Constantinou John Constantinou Lou Constantinou Marie Council Betty Dorton Frances Eliadis John Eliadis Laurice Ferris Christ & Maria Frangakis Stephan Frangakis Nick Galifianakis Socratis & Aliki Gerondelis Jim & Evy Glekas Christopher Goodwin Leonard & Elaine Goodwin James Grinias Ezana Hailu & Hirut Hailemeskel Craig & Alexandra Henriquez ST. BARBARA STEWARDS 2012 As of October 28, 2012, the 113 parish families listed below have completed and turned in GOARCH a Pledge Card for 2012. Danny & Isabel Kalmanides Rali Makros Kalfas Antonios & Claire Karamalegos Tom & Zoe Kash Wendy & Chris Katsiagianis Burt & Glenna Keener Jim & Christi Kleoudis Gus & Karen Kolias Dr. & Mrs. Christopher Kontos Kenneth & Karen Korach Helen Koutouzakis Lee & Pauline Kuyper Tom & Liz Leech Helen V. Leontis Elizabeth Livanos George Livanos Sophie Livas Paul & Melanie Lockett Mr. & Mrs. John C. Manuel Alex Mariakakis Johnny & Catherine Mariakakis Pete & Joan Marinos Tyler McElligott Victoria McGovern John & Mary Jon McWhirter Matthew& Tina Megaro Martha Melts Curtis & Alexis Mitchell Aurel Motioc Florin & Livia Motioc Stella Mousmoules Alina & Liviu Nicoara Joanne Nikides Hope & Larry Odzak Cindy Paliouras James & Helen C. Paliouras Nicholas Paliouras John & Dena Paliouras Peter & Evelyn Panos Yuri Panov & Elena Eliseeva Costas & Kristina Pantermakis Ioannis Papanikas Kleanthis & Angelika Papanikas Sam & Patricia Papnikas Matina Papazoglou Michael & Dena Papazoglou Ted and Theky Pappas George Pashales Joseph & Pauline Podgurski Budd & Viki Radovich Stephanie & Christopher Rook Charles and Helen Roupas Al & Christine Safarikas Ross Sauve Brannon & Melissa Glyptis Simpson Alexandra Allison Soule Mr. & Mrs. Matt Stavrakakis Eleni Christakos & Rick Steadman Vicky & Epiphany Stephens Bill & Joanne Sunas Ernest & Marian Sunas Donna Trohanis Mary Trohanis Lou & Marilyn Tsipis Thelma & Lewis Voultos James & Frances Vurnakes Demetra Vlachos & Alexa Waters Michael D. Waters Jacques & Christine Watters Catherine & Preston Wilson Tracy Nikki Wilson Robert & Robbie Wippich Eleftherios & Kathryn Xixis Tony & Evelyn Zehia Christina Zehia Total Dollars Pledged $206,521.00 ST. BARBARA MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT SEPTEMBER 2012 Treasurer s Report Income Expenses +/- 2012 Budget (12 Months) $425,488.00 $425,488.00 $ 0.00 September Actual $ 16,532.00 $ 32,896.00 ($ 16,364.00) YTD Actual (9 months) $259,896.00 $329,051.00 ($69,065.00) Stewardship THE PRESIDENT S CORNER Parish Council Meeting Highlights October 16, 2012 Please join the St. Barbara community for a wonderful evening of comedy, Comedy Night with Basile, on December 1 at the Holy Trinity Social Hall in Raleigh. Contact Parish Council members or Helen Paliouras to purchase tickets. CELL TOWER MEETING The Cell Tower Appeal meeting between our neighbors and the City of Durham was held this past Tuesday, October 23. The City of Durham Board of Adjustments postponed the decision and sent the case back to the City Planning Board for review and more information. A newly designed, very impressive Saint Barbara website was presented to the Parish Council by Al Safarikas. It is still in the design phase and expected to be ready for launch before year-end. The next Parish General Assembly is scheduled for Sunday, November 18, 2012. Alec Alexiades, Parish Council President Icon above: Good & Faithful Servant, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Wilmington, NC Budget YTD Pledged YTD Collected $269,204.00 $206,521.00 $166,108.00