Saint Sophia s Cathedral Communiqué July 27, 2014 Seventh Sunday of St. Matthew
FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE OFFICERS George E. Preonas, President; Andrew Evangelatos, Executive Vice President; James A. Demetriou, PhD, Vice President & C.F.O.; Constantine M. Boukidis, Secretary; Tina Callas, Treasurer MEMBERS V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas; Nicholas Bissias; Timi Loomos Freshman; Alek Haidos; Steven C. Hanna; Michael Huffington; Gig Kyriacou; Brent A. Noyes; John T. Pappas; Jim Zaferis PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS Anthony A. Demetriou, Presidential Assistant; John G. Marakas III, Sr. V.P. of Wells Fargo, Advisor to the Board; Andrew J. Demetriou, Foundation General Counsel PARISH COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Brent A. Noyes, President; John Kopatsis, Vice-President; Irene Andreadis, Recording Secretary; Karen Sarames, Corresponding Secretary/Legal; Michael Kraios, Treasurer & C.F.O. MEMBERS Bertha Angels; Jeanine Hanna; Glenn Lianos; Eleni Constantine Manolelis; Loula Moschonas; Peter Pallas; Dean Peratsakis; Dorothy Spirus; Tom Ward; Anna Yallourakis BOARD OF AUDITORS: Jim Ananias; Anthony A. Demetriou; Tom Moore Saint Sophia Cathedral 1324 S. Normandie Ave Los Angeles, CA 90006 Office: 323.737.2424 Fax: 323.737.7029 www.stsophia.org/bulletin When you write your will or update it, won t you please remember Saint Sophia Cathedral? Such a gift will live forever as our church ministers to our spiritual needs. It s an investment in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
PHILOPTOHOS NEWS Helene Ballas and I have returned from the National Philoptohos Biennial convention in Philadelphia. They were very informative meetings but also very exhausting. Meetings would begin at 9:00 in the morning and most nights we were not done before 10:00 p.m. We presented our Outreach program going out to the streets of Hollywood with the shoes and items we collected, food we are making and delivering out to the those on the streets, and our future projects for the homeless such as the Backpack drive. It was very well received and the National President loved our presentation. I must thank Judie Christopoulos for putting together the wonderful slide show of all the photos from our work with Focus and distributing shoes to homeless school children, plus all the photos from our Shoe luncheon and the streets of Hollywood. It was absolutely wonderful and very moving! PACK A BACKPACK FOR CHILDREN: We are planning to do another collection for the homeless along with a Philoptohos luncheon. This time we are planning to collect new backpacks and school supplies for homeless children. DON T FORGET: Bring your donation WITH you to the hall as your admission into the luncheon! You may bring color pencils, pens, erasers, notebook paper and pencils and/or backpack. The collection will begin in July (if you are unable to join us in August) and the lunch will be August 17 after liturgy in the Maniatakos Hall. We hope you will join us. So many children start school early that we felt it was important to have the lunch in August rather than later in the fall. If you do not have time to shop but would still like to be part of this project, we will accept a small donation from you for the lunch. CONTINUED 2
PHILOPTOHOS NEWS DEBUTANTE BALL: SAVE THE DATE! Our Debutante Ball will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Please plan to join us for a beautiful evening. Chairman Katrina Beers and her committee are planning a wonderful event. Philoptohos is still handling a large outreach program to help many people who are unemployed, struggling on social security, or are ill. If you would like to donate a gift card to our program from Target, Trader Joe s or Wal-Mart it would be greatly appreciated. You can be an angel to someone by helping Philoptohos in their work. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me John 12:8. With love in Christ s service, Virginia Noyes and The Philoptohos Board of Directors PHILOPTOHOS V.I.P The V.I.P is planning a trip on Thursday October 23, 2014 to visit Harrah s Rincon Casino at Valley Center near Temecula. Please call Chairman Irene Mitropetros for reservations at (323) 346-5223 or Co-chair Mary Kezios at (562)923-7110. Write your check to Philoptohos VIP for $10.00 per person and mail it to Mary Kezios at 10409 Casanes Avenue, Downey, CA, 90241-2910 or Irene Mitropetros at 2318 4th Av.enue, Los Angeles CA 90018. Make sure to include your name, address and date of birth. In His Service Athina Lolonis, VIP President 3
GREEK FEST VOLUNTEERS The 16th annual L.A. Greek Fest will be held on September 5, 6 and 7, 2014. This is our community s biggest and most important expression of cultural and spiritual identity, as well as a critical fundraiser for our operational costs. Our participation as volunteers is needed again. It is the act of coming together and working for a common goal that defines us as the Saint Sophia Cathedral Community. Please join us at the coffee hour after the Liturgy and sign up with our volunteer coordinator, Irene Andreadis: Cell (310) 418-3804 Email irene.andreadis1226@gmail.com Do not forget that individuals benefit of volunteerism: community improvement, relaxation, socialization, stimulating conversation, self satisfaction, altruism, potential learning, acquisition of new skills, and career opportunities. 4
MINISTRY NEWS SAVE THE DATE 1. August 7: Wondrous Orthodox Arts Happening 2. August 15: Dormition of the Mother of God. 8:30am Orthros / 9:30am Liturgy 3. September 5, 6, 7 L.A Greek Fest FR. JOHN BAKAS OUT OF TOWN Father John will be out of town from July 29 to August 30. Please contact Fr. Allan in his absence. THE WHY S OF ORTHODOXY WITH FR. ALLAN BOYD This class is for you if you would like to deepen your understanding and practice of the Orthodox Christian Faith. All are welcome! Classes are every Monday at 7:30 PM. OLD TESTAMENT WITH FR. ALLAN BOYD Class is not in session during Summer. Will resume September 18th. 5
SEEKING FOR A GREEK SPEAKING NANNY Seeking for a part-time nanny that can read and speak Greek. If you are interested or know someone that is, please contact Jessica at 323-737-2424 or email secretary@stsophia.org for more information. HUFFINGTON CENTER AT SAINT SOPHIA CATHEDRAL Are you looking to impress your guests? With beautiful rooms, ample parking and a state-of-the-art kitchen, Saint Sophia Cathedral s Huffington Center is well equipped to host your next big event. Our eloquent and spacious Maniatakos Ballroom is a perfect fit for wedding receptions, family reunions, business meetings, or fundraisers! For a more intimate setting the Maria Maniatakos Pavilion is a beautiful setting to create wonderful memories. Share the word with friends and associates. Please call the o f f i c e o r s e n d a n e m a i l t o events@huffingtoncenter.org to schedule a tour and set the date for your event. 6
Go Greek in L.A. Under the Shining Light of a Historic- Cultural Monument The Saint Sophia Cathedral Friday: 5 pm - 11 pm 1324 S. Normandie Ave. Saturday: 12 pm - 11 pm Los Angeles, CA 90006 lagreekfest.com 7
Authentic Greek Epicurean Delights and Refreshing Libations in a Festive Atmosphere filled with Music and Dance Live Performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday General admission: $5 Seniors 65 and over: $3 Children under 12: Free Free Parking Free Entrance on Friday September 5th Our delicious lineup prepared from scratch from old family recipes Marinated leg of lamb slow-roasted on a spit Authentic Gyro with layers of beef and lamb Greek meatballs with fresh herbs Hand-crafted flaky filo dough spinach pies Marinated tender breast of chicken skewers Homemade Greek pastries Traditional Greek braided butter cookies Award-winning imported Greek and domestic wines and beers Top shelf signature cocktails... and much, much more! 8
HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS: CLERGY-LAITY 2014 - ON THE FAMILY The divine origin of the family as an institution and its ultimate and irrevocable consecration by the Lord Jesus Christ, not only by His Words but also by His Actions and personal example, constitute our perfect understanding of what the family really is. We have, therefore, to be fully aware of the supreme value and irreplaceable nature of the family. We must be fully conscious of the fact that the family belongs to the unique items of the universe created directly by God Himself and shared personally by Jesus Christ, the incarnate God in His earthly life. This awareness and consciousness of the sacredness of the family is our antidote against the constant poisoning of the institution of the family today by all kinds of theories, mentalities and attitudes. Within this context, we see the Christian Orthodox Family as a dwelling of Christ and a witness of His Gospel. Truly our Orthodox Christian Family is a home for Christ, His permanent residence, His dwelling place. We certainly encounter the Lord in the Church, especially in the worship there and through the participation in the Holy Sacraments. But our Orthodox Christian family is also a dwelling place of Him. It is so by its strong faith in Him, a faith that is transmitted from generation to generation in the genealogical history of each family. The Orthodox Christian family is a dwelling of Christ by making the prayer to Him a permanent characteristic of its life, something so indispensable and vital like breathing and eating. It is a dwelling of Christ by having love, originating from Jesus the source of love, being cultivated and continuously growing among the members of the family. It is a dwelling of Christ by daily listening to His words treasured in the Bible, the source of the absolute truth. The Orthodox family is a dwelling of Christ by having its members constantly transformed and grown spiritually by His dwelling sanctifying and regenerating power. 9
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FROM YOUR STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY Stewardship is our active commitment to use all our time, talents and treasures for the benefit of humankind in grateful acknowledgement of Christ s redeeming love. Please don t forget to submit your yearly 2014 stewardship pledge on the red pledge card. Your pledge and participation then will be acknowledged in the Monthly Herald and will help us with forecasting our working budget for the year. Please join our important ministry and help the Saint Sophia Community in providing a loving, caring and welcoming environment where all belong and grow in the faith through worship, service, witness, and fellowship. SCHOLARSHIP FOR MEDICAL/DENTAL STUDENTS The S. James Vamvas Scholarship Fund was established in 1986 in honor of S. James (Sparky) Vamvas, D.D.S, Professor Emeritus of the USC School of Dentistry and Oral Surgery. This fund allows the society to provide financial assistance to medical and dental students of Hellenic descent who are from California or attend medical or dental school in California. The fund is the only one of its kind on the west coast. Since 1988 the Society has awarded 151 scholarships to 79 men and 72 women, totaling $200,250 DEADLINE: SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2014 - All applications must be submitted by this date for consideration. Download the HAMDS Scholarship Form at: hamds.org/programs/scholarships Please send all required materials directly to HAMDS via email to info@hamds.org 11
DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS FRIDAY AUG. 15 Donations for the decorated Ikona Kimisis Tis Theotokou are being accepted. Please see Jimmy Karatsikis for details. THE FORUM: ORTHODOX YOUNG PROFESSIONALS Saint Sophia hosts a vibrant gathering of young professionals in the Maria Maniatakos Pavilion every Tuesday night at 7:00pm. The Forum meets to eat, learn, and pray together; growing in Christ-centered fellowship. It s a great place to meet new people for those young professionals new to the Los Angeles area. Get connected on Facebook by liking the page: facebook.com/cwla.forum See you Tuesday, July 29th! We ll being hearing a p r e s e n t a t i o n o n iconography by Reader Michael Lujan. 12
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