Transfiguration of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church Newsletter

Transfiguration of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church Newsletter Volume 12, Issue 1 January 2009 The Baptism of Christ is celebrated as Theophany, the appearance of God, and Epiphany (Epiphany comes from the Greek and means manifestation. Jesus Christ has manifested or revealed Himself to the world.) In the early Church the birth of Jesus and His baptism were celebrated on the same day (January 6). The early Christians chose this date in order to replace the pagan cult of the winter solstice (worshipping the sun). The Church worshipped not the sun, but the Son of Righteousness, Jesus Christ. In the 4 th century the pagans of Rome changed its calendar and moved their pagan solstice up to December 25. The Church of Rome decided to move the celebration of the Nativity from January 6 to December 25. The Orthodox Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord on January 6. The Holy Gospels consider the Baptism of Jesus to be as significant as the cross and the resurrection. All four evangelists describe in detail the Lord s Baptism. Jesus is thirty at the time of His baptism and up to this event has lived with His family in Galilee. He has lived as an ordinary man working with His hands. His divine nature up to this time has not been revealed. Jesus is baptized by St. John the Baptist on the banks of the Jordan River. God has revealed Himself in the person of Jesus Christ. God the Father witnesses to the divinity of Jesus and proclaims Jesus to be His only Son, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17). The Baptism of Christ is known and celebrated as The Feast of Lights. His baptism is a Feast of Lights because it was for us, His children that Jesus allowed Himself to be plunged into the waters of the Jordan. His baptism is for our illumination, The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned (Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16). Bishop Kalistos Ware wrote, In reality it is not He who is cleansed in the Jordan, but we ourselves. Theophany is a gift of renewal, recreation and regeneration. The Nativity of Jesus celebrated Christ becoming man, assuming us. He became a part of us because He never stopped loving us. At His Epiphany Jesus is not only with us, but enlightens us. A wise monk wrote, The light of Christ at Christmas was but a star in the dark night; at Epiphany it appears to us as the rising sun; it will grow and, after the eclipse of Holy Friday, burst forth yet more splendid, on the morning of Easter; and finally, at Pentecost, it will reach its full zenith. God is praised more often as light in the hymns and prayers than He is as love or wisdom. The Feast of our Lord s Baptism proclaims that Christ has appeared and enlightened the world. Today we have escaped from darkness, and by the light of the knowledge of God we have been illuminated, (Patriarch Sophronius). The New Year begins with the celebration of the Feast of Baptism. It is not only Jesus baptism but our baptism. Let us begin the New Year with renewing the baptism we received. Jesus began His public ministry at His Baptism and began to change people s lives. Let us not put the Grace of God in the closet. The people who sat in darkness have seen great light from this time Jesus began to preach, Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand (Matthew 4:16-17). Repentance is renewal. It is through repentance that we receive the Light of Christ love. St. Irenaeus described the Holy Trinity as God the Father stretching His two arms out to us in love; one arm is Jesus and the other arm is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Trinity is reaching out to us in love. Let us respond with love by reaching out our arms to God. Christ our God, Light of Lights, God made manifest, has shone upon the world. O you peoples, let us glorify Him! (Epiphany Orthros) Father Jordan Transfiguration of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church 414 St. Stephens School Rd, Austin, TX 78746 Phone: (512) 329-6363 Fax: (512) 329-6364 Rev. Economos Jordan G. Brown, Parish Priest Parish Council Officers President: Michael Glaros Vice President: Lou Apostolakis Secretary: Kori Yoder Treasurer: Ron Jernigan

Choir Concert 2008 Thank you to our Directors and the Children s, Junior and Chanters Choirs for a beautiful concert in December! Children s Choir Pres. Marika and Heidi directing the Ruby Wynn solo Helen and Paul Shannon Youth Choir Luke and Cecilia Junior Choir performs Pat-A-Pan Heidi directs the Junior Choir Matthew Wynn on piano solo combined choirs Chanter s Choir Constandina and Youth Choir singing from balcony Maria, Jasmin, and Aimee Happy Birthday to Sophie Paulos and Kyriaki Brown!...and of course, the children got a treat from Santa! 2

Diving In Living Theophany (Epiphany) in the Orthodox Christian Home (excerpts from Building an Orthodox Christian Family) In the Orthodox Church, we remember the amazing revelation of God s nature and the resanctification of creation every year with the Feast of Theophany, January 6 th (the Greek word, theophaneia means to show God ), and confirm our belief in both the Holy Trinity and our life in the world to come every time we say the Creed or make the sign of the Cross! Each year at Theophany (Epiphany), the church blesses the waters again using the sign of the Cross, for our use as we work toward salvation: we drink it at Church, we take it home to drink when we are sick or struggling, and we sprinkle it on things around us we hope will help us on our journey toward salvation. Preparing for the Blessing of Your Home By entering the waters of the Jordan, our Lord blessed them and with the waters, all creation. Material creation once again became very good as it was when He created it. The blessing of homes is the central sign of God s resanctification of the whole world, and a confirmation of our hope to work toward salvation here on earth. The priest visits all members of the Church to pray with them in the place where they live - house, apartment, or dorm room to bless their surroundings with Holy Water. He asks God to have mercy on the house, to rid it of every evil and to fill it with every blessing. Our homes, together with every person in the family, are filled with all the fullness of God. Prepare for Father Jordan s visit to bless your home: Fill out the house blessing form below or contact the church office to schedule an appointment. Fr. Jordan will be visiting the Georgetown area on Jan. 8 and 9; the Round Rock and North Austin areas on Jan. 14-16; the Lakeway and Rob Roy areas on Jan. 21-23; and the South Austin and Westlake areas on Jan. 28-30. Please try to schedule your house blessing around these dates. Make a list of the first names of those family members you wish to pray for when the priest arrives, with the living and the deceased in separate columns. Prepare your family icon corner with a candle, an icon of Christ, a sprig of basil, and a wide bowl (a little larger than a cereal bowl). Turn on at least one light in each room and turn off all TVs, stereos and computers. EPIPHANY HOUSE BLESSING FORM If you would like Father Jordan to bless your home for the New Year, please return this form to the Church Office as soon as possible. Please indicate your preferred time of day: Name Address Phone Numbers If you have any questions please call the Church Office at 329-6363. 3

Parish Announcements Philoptochos January Events Vasilopita Auction On Sunday, Jan. 11 please be prepared to help Philoptochos have a successful Vasilopita Auction. You may help in one of two ways: 1) try your hands at something new and bake Vasilopita to be sold that day, and/or 2) bring your wallet to buy one of the delicious loaves. Supporting St. Basil's Academy is a great way to start off the new year as well as to remember St. Basil himself. St. Basil's Academy is the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese home for children in need. The academy provides a loving Christian environment where resident children are nurtured to adulthood. Vasilopita Auctions are the main source of funding for the operating expenses of the Academy Sisterhood. This program provides for the ongoing needs of the children of the Academy, such as clothing, furniture, equipment and essentials for the dormitories, kitchen, etc. and for the graduation celebrations and special awards for graduating students. If you would like to bake a loaf, please bring it to Mt. Tabor Hall Sunday morning to be auctioned off in a silent auction. ************************************************* The Children's clothing drive was very successful again this year. Thanks to all who participated. The car load of clothing was delivered on December 5th to Chris Collins, the very grateful Family Resource Specialist at Norman Elementary School. The CASA project and Christmas Card fundraiser were very successful as well. Many thanks to everyone who participated! The women had a delightful luncheon meeting in December at Ronnie s Real Food Bistro. It was delicious and everyone had a great time. Thanks so much to Ellen Apostolakis for organizing the event! NEW YEAR S DAY TRADITION GREEK STYLE ~ Greek Orthodox tradition THE VASILOPITA (Saint Basil s Bread) The word Vasilopita is a compound Greek word which means the sweet bread of Basil. This age old tradition commenced in the fourth century, when Saint Basil the Great, who was the bishop of Cappadocia of Caesarea in the last half of the fourth century, wanted to distribute money to the poor in his Diocese. He commissioned some women to bake sweetened bread, in which he arranged to place gold coins. Thus the families in cutting the bread to nourish themselves were pleasantly surprised to find the coins. THE ANNUAL HOME OBSERVANCE This event, which happened in Cappadocia of Caesarea in the last half of the fourth century, is very much alive in our orthodox homes each year on January 1st. According to tradition, special sweet bread (in some areas of Greece, ti takes the form of a cake) is prepared both in the Orthodox homes and in the Church community, which is called Vasilopita. Sweets are added to the bread, which symbolize the sweetness and joy of life everlasting. It also symbolizes the hope that the New Year will be filled with the sweetness of life, liberty, health, and happiness for all who participate in the Vasilopita Observance. When the Vasilopita is prepared, a coin is usually added to the ingredients. When the bread is cut and the observance begins, the individual who receives that portions of the Pita, which contains the coin, is considered blessed. This tradition adds joy to the celebration at the beginning of the New Year, which everyone hopes will bring joy to all. Many Orthodox Christians enjoy the Vasilopita at home with their loved ones during the New Year s celebration. The head of the family cuts the pieces of pita for all members of the family. Since Saint Basil loved the poor, a special piece is cut for the unfortunate of the world, which symbolizes our concern for the poverty-stricken people of all nations. CUTTING THE VASILOPITA The head of the house will bless the Vasilopita with the cutting knife crosswise in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. He then will cut the center in a circle as an offering to our Lord Jesus, Who is first in our life. Then he will proceed to cut wedges starting with a piece for the Ever-Virgin Mary, and for Saint Basil. Subsequently, a wedge is cut for himself, and all other members of his family beginning with the oldest The one who finds the coin in his or her piece is considered blessed for the New Year. KALANTA - New Year s Carols Along with the feast of St. Basil is the observance of the civil New Year. These two observances are commemorated with the singing of the Kalanta (carol-type songs), which speak both of the New Year and the great bishop, Saint Basil. The Kalanta are part of the Vasilopita Cutting in each home on New Year s/st. Basil s Day. The words stress the joy and excitement of the New Year, which brings new opportunities, the love of Christ, His miraculous Birth, His Baptism, and the compassion of the pious Saint Basil who brought so much joy and happiness to the world. The ask St. Basil to stay a while at their home, to partake of their meal and fellowship, and to grant them good cheer. Look on page 6 for a recipe for Vasilopita Cake ~ WEBSITE: WWW.TRANSFIGURATION.ORG Emails: Church Office: tgocoffice@flash.net Fr. Jordan: frjordan@flash.net 4

YOUTH NEWS: GOYA GOYA is a youth ministry offered to young persons, 6 th -12 th grade. January dates: Saturday, January 24, 6:00 pm Junior GOYA Fireside Chat @ the Khan home Please join us for pizza and a bible study with Father Jordan Junior GOYANs only (6 th, 7 th, 8 th and 9 th graders) Sunday, January 25, 12:30 pm Senior GOYA lunch and discussion with Father Jordan Senior GOYANs, 9 th, 10 th, 11 th, and 12 th graders only - Location TBA Stewardship Sunday Luncheon, January 4 th, 2008 Lunch will be provided by The Greek Plaka Restaurant 2009 STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM - Strengthening our Relationship with God Let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God The Stewardship Commitment Card will be collected on Sunday, January 4, 2008, after the Divine Liturgy. Your commitment Card can be mailed to the Church office. Orthodox Christians who wish to become parishioners in good standing in our Parish may become Stewards by making a Stewardship Commitment for 2009. May his memory be eternal James Jim Carrozza passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 11, 2008 after a courageous battle with ALS. Jim was a wonderful man. The Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Parish will miss him. Jim was the first one to arrive at church and the last one to leave. Jim was the # 1 recruiter for church projects. He loved us and embraced us as family. We will continue to remember the legacy he left and pray that his memory will be eternal. May their memories be eternal Eleni Terzis, mother of Fotini Terzis passed away in December. Maxine Margos, mother of Jill Klement and Fotini Margos passed away in December. Congratulations to:. Baby News! Eleni and David Horwedel on the birth of their daughter, Paraskevi Eleni Horwedel. Christa and Shane Sewell on the birth of their son, Maximos Sewell. God grant you many years! Prayers for Healing Dolly, Betty, Arlena, Sophie, Archie, Lou, Thomas, Kathy, Linda, Suzanne, Pat, Steve, Nina, Phyllis, James, Gwen Elizabeth Men s Fellowship Transfiguration Men s Fellowship will meet on January 20 at First Chinese BBQ near the corner of North Lamar and Braker Lane Contact Allen Wynn for directions or more information If you are interested in receiving email notifications/ reminders about the Men's Fellowship Luncheons and other gatherings please send an email to Allen Wynn at awynn3816@gmail.com Sunday School Sunday School classes will resume on Jan. 11. Congratulations to: Weddings Elena Gutierrez and John Males on their marriage on December 28. God grant you many years! Greek School The Greek School will resume classes the Tuesday after New Year's Day, which is January 6th. Contact Cynthia Price with any questions: colovasprice@austin.rr.com 5

Adult Education St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church invites us to join them for a Weekend Retreat with Fr. Jon Braun on When One Knows the Bridegroom, He Looks for the Bride To be held on JANURARY 30-31, 2009 at ST. SOPHIA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH THE TOPIC WHEN ONE KNOWS THE BRIDEGROOM, HE LOOKS FOR THE BRIDE A personal story of searching for the Church as a devoted Protestant Pastor and fervent Campus Crusade Leader Friday, January 30, 2008 7:00 P.M. 1. Growing in Christ, the Bridegroom: the gift of our Protestant heritage would point out the great value of the Protestant commitment to many genuine Orthodox fundamentals, such as reading the Bible, personal commitment to Christ. Saturday, January 31, 2008 10:00 A.M. 2. Being in the Church, the Bride: Finding the fullness of the faith would describe your journey as part of God s plan to seek, find, and rejoice in the fullness of life of the One Church established by Christ. would point out that looking for the One Church, the Bride, is the only way we can convince the world of the integrity of the Bridegroom Saturday, January 31, 2008 1:00 P.M. 3. Experiencing the Wedding Banquet: Finding liturgical life would point out the importance of praying and worshiping as the Church, Militant and Triumphant. would explain the difference between liturgical and non-liturgical life from a personal experience. VASILOPITA CAKE 1 cup sweet butter 4 teaspoons baking powder 1 cup sugar 1 cup milk 3 cups flour grate one lemon and/or orange peel 4 eggs 1/8 teaspoon salt Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add one egg at a time. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add a little flour mixture and then a little milk repeatedly to the butter and sugar. Add grated lemon and orange. Pour into greased pan. Bake in a pre-heated oven of 350 o for 45 to 50 minutes. Add coin at the end. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. 6

Stewardship Sunday, January 4 th, 2009 You are invited to join the Stewards of the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday, January 4, 2008 by participating in the Divine Liturgy and Stewardship Sunday Program. This Sunday is dedicated to spiritually reinvigorating and renewing our commitment to the Church in preparations for the challenges we will face in the New Year 2009. We ask that you prayerfully consider your 2009 Orthodox Christian Stewardship Commitment, commensurate with your resources and your gratitude for the bounties and blessing our Lord has bestowed on you. We invite you to attend the Divine Liturgy on Stewardship Sunday and place your Commitment card in the offering tray. Alternatively, you may return your Commitment Card by mail. Orthodox Christian Stewardship: Strengthening our Relationship with God Our Stewardship nourishes our bond with the Lord and ensures the growth of the Church He entrusts to our care. Stewardship strengthens our relationship with God because it is a Christ centered lifestyle. We are One Church, His Church. Our Church family is an integral part of the Body of Christ. The authentic continuation of the One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. The manner and means by which we love and serve God as faithful stewards of His Church reflects our commitment to Him and the extent to which the Lord our God is the center of our life. Stewardship begins when we submit ourselves to God and truly believe in Him. This very faith strengthens our relationship with Him and affects every aspect of our life. Our bond with the Lord our God begins with faith, is maintained by the Holy Spirit, and is continually renewed in our actions. As Orthodox Christians we believe that all the faithful together constitute the Royal Priesthood and bear a personal responsibility for the welfare of the One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Knowing full well our abundant inheritance - now is the time for us to build our legacy and strengthen our relationship with Christ. Our Stewardship is nothing less than a faithful commitment to God. The work of the Lord, the hope of current and future generations of Orthodox Christians depends on all of us and our stewardship. Our Church is an essential part of the body of Christ and His plan for the salvation of the world. When we embrace our calling to be stewards of His Church we commit ourselves to God and His Good News. The more we have been blessed by the Lord our God, the more He expects us to give back to Him and His Church in terms of Our time, our talent and our treasure! Sharing our time, talent and treasure is an important way for us to grow as Orthodox Christians. It deepens our relationship with God and helps meet the commitment made at our Baptism and renewed every Sunday to serve Christ our God with all our heart, mind, body and soul Forever. What we do with those blessings is our gift to God!... and is a hallmark of our faith, our love and our legacy. Christ loves us so much He sacrifices Himself for us. With all of this in our mind and in our heart, please take a moment and fill out the 2009 Stewardship Commitment Card. By completing and keeping up-to-date your family information portion of the card you help the parish maintain the record of your legacy as integral members of our Church family. As a basic element towards strengthening your relationship with God, prayerfully consider your challenges and opportunities. Then, please make a Stewardship commitment to Christ and His One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. This is what we believe This is our inheritance. What will be our legacy? Thank you to all of our 2008 stewards for all of your generous support! Theophany at Barton Springs in Zilker Park Blessing of the Waters & Diving for the Cross ~ Pan Orthodox Service ~ The St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church has invited our parish to participate in the annual Pan Orthodox Agiasmo and Diving for the Cross. Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 1:00 pm Location: Barton Springs in Zilker Park We need young men to dive for the Cross! Please see Father Jordan for more details. 7

Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church 414 St. Stephens School Road Austin, Texas 78746 Non profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Austin, Texas Permit No. 2218 Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church Newsletter Sunday Worship Orthros Divine Liturgy Sacrament of Confession 8:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Saturday Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. Schedule of Services Feast Days & Fast Days Feast of St. Basil - Thursday, January 1, 2009 Orthros - 9:00 Am. Divine Liturgy - 10:00am; Vasilopita Blessing Forefeast of Epiphany - Monday, January 5 Royal Hours - 8:00 am Vesperal Liturgy- 6:00 pm; Agiasmo Feast of the Epiphany - Tuesday, January 6 Orthros - 8:00am Liturgy - 9:00 am; Blessing of the Waters After Saturday Great Vespers - or call Fr. Jordan to Feast of St. John - Wednesday, January 7 Orthros - 8:00am schedule a convenient time Liturgy - 9:00am Memorial Services Feast of St. Anthony - Saturday, January 17 Please schedule Memorial Services through the Orthros - 8:00 am Office. Memorials will be offered only at Saturday Liturgy - 9:00 am Great Vespers, unless it is a 40-day memorial, which may be offered at Saturday Great Vespers or Feast of the Three Hierarchs - Friday, January 30 Orthros - 7:00 am following Divine Liturgy on Sundays. Liturgy - 8:00 am 8