THE CONSECRATION OF THE HOLY CHAPEL OF PROPHET ELIAS O FIERY MAN, PROPHET ELIAS, YOU SHONE ON EARTH WITH HEAVENLY RADIANCE AND PLEASED THE LORD BY YOUR PRAYERS: YOU CLOSED THE HEAVENS, AND FROM HEAVEN, BROUGHT DOWN FIRE ALL WITH THE HELP OF GOD S MIGHTY RIGHT HAND THE CHURCH CELEBRATES YOU AS ITS PROPHET. -THE PROLOGUE OF OHRID July 21 23, 2017 Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado
For the Consecration of the Holy Chapel of Prophet Elias in Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado July 21 23, 2017 WEEKEND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS JULY 21, 2017 5:45 6:00 PM: PROCESSION OF THE HOLY RELICS 6:00 7:15 PM: VESPERS 7:30 8:00 PM: CHOIR CONCERT FOR THE CITY OF HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS COFFEE & DESSERT OFFERED TO OUR NEIGHBORS TO GET TO KNOW THEM! JULY 22, 2017 9:00 10:00 AM: ORTHROS 10:00 AM: PROCESSION & HOLY CONSECRATION 11:00 AM: DIVINE LITURGY, PANIYIRI / LUNCHEON TO FOLLOW PAID RESERVATIONS OF $25.00 LAMB PLATE, DANCING, CHILDREN S GAMES 7:00 10:00 PM: BATHHOUSE OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY, $14 PER PERSON. COFFEE & DESSERT FOLLOWING JULY 23, 2017 8:30 AM: ORTHROS 10:00 AM: DIVINE LITURGY
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS Accommodations are limited. Mention July Prophet Elias Consecration for special pricing. For a complete list, please visit www.assumptioncathedral.org Colorado Cabin Adventures, 12082 US Hwy 40, Granby, (970) 509-0810 Columbine Cabins, 416 Grand Ave, Grand Lake, (970) 627-0800 Daven Haven, 604 Marina Drive, (970) 627-8144 Elk Creek Cabins and Campground, Golf Course Rd, Grand Lake, (800) 355-2733 Grand Escape Cottages, 1204 Grand Ave, Grand Lake, (970) 627-3410 Grand Lake Lodge, 15500 US Hwy 40, Grand Lake, (970) 627-3967 Homestead Motel, Agate, Granby, (970) 887-3665 Last Minute Lodging Deals, Winter Park/Granby, (970) 531-6750 Littletree Inn, 62000 US Hwy 40,Granby, (970) 887-2551 Mountain Lakes Lodge, 10480 US Hwy 40,Granby, (970) 627-8448 Muddy Water Cabins, Kremmling, (970) 724-9559 Mustachio's on the Lake, 6732 US Hwy 40, Granby, (970) 531-4002 North Shore Resort, Granby, (970) 887-8448 Shadow Mountain Guest Ranch, 5042 Hwy 125, Granby, (970) 887-9524 Sun Valley Ranch, 1705 CR 491, (970) 627-3670 The Canyon Motel, Hot Sulphur Springs, (970) 725-3395 The Inn at Mountainside, (condo/homes) Grand County, (970) 887-6030 The Inn at Silver Creek, Granby, (970) 887-2131 The Rapids, Grand Lake, (970) 627-3707 Trail Riders Motel, 215 E. Agate, Granby, (970) 887-3738 Western Riviera, Garfield St, Grand Lake, (970) 627-3580 Westerner Motel, 875 Agate, Granby, (970) 887-2093 YMCA: Snow Mountain Ranch, 1101 CR 53, Granby, (970) 887-2152
BECOME A GODPARENT IN AN EFFORT TO CONTINUE THE CARE OF OUR HOLY CHAPEL OF PROPHET ELIAS, A GODPARENT PROGRAM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED. JUST AS A GODPARENT LOOKS OUT FOR THEIR GODCHILD, WE ARE LOOKING FOR GODPARENTS TO HELP FUND THE COSTS OF THE CHAPEL, WHICH ARE APPROXIMATELY $1,000 A MONTH. IT IS ALSO OUR HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO RAISE AN ADDITIONAL $8,000 DOLLARS SO THAT THE CHAPEL AND THE PROPERTY IT SITS ON CAN BE ANNEXED INTO THE CITY LIMITS OF HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS. IN DOING SO, WE WILL BE ABLE TO REDUCE THE EXORBITANT COSTS OF WATER WE ARE CURRENTLY BEING CHARGED FOR BEING OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS AND USING CITY WATER. AS GODPARENTS, YOU ARE TAKING ON THE SACRED RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING STEW- ARDS OF THE PROPHET ELIAS CHAPEL IN WHICH DIVINE LITURGIES, WEDDINGS, AND BAPTISMS ARE CELEBRATED. MANY RETREATS FOR OUR GOYA AND OCF ARE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS WELL AS BOY SCOUT AND EAGLE SCOUT ACTIVITIES. THE HOLY ORTHODOX PARISHES IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION PARTICIPATE IN THESE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS. PROPHET ELIAS FIERY CHARACTER AS A WONDERWORKER AND ZEALOT FOR GOD UNDERSCORES OUR BLESSED MISSION TO NURTURE AND TO MAINTAIN THIS HOLY CHAPEL AS A SHINING BEACON OF OUR FAITH. TO DONATE Visit: www.assumptioncathedral.org/consecration Call: Bill 303-388-9314 Or send a check to: Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral 4610 East Alameda Avenue Denver, CO 80246 Please specify: Godparent Prophet Elias
ITEMS ALREADY DONATED TO THE HOLY CHAPEL New mahogany entry doors New porch outside of altar Extension of the solea Kalimata for the altar table New altar table & doors Altar upgraded & cleaned Pews fixed Ceiling painted All wood floors sanded and stained Gospel stand Electrical work upgraded Dimmers installed Fire extinguisher & first aid items Censor stand ITEMS NEEDED FOR THE HOLY CHAPEL $8,000-$10,000 for the annexation of the chapel into the city (would save thousands annually in water costs) Vesting table, communion preparation table and sacrament tables Three new altar lights fixtures Altar curtain Runner for the center chapel aisle Antidoron stand & bowl Altar Seating Pagari Icons on the walls of the chapel Sidewalk around the chapel Retaining wall by the evergreen tree Steps & railing from pavilion to chapel SUBMIT NAMES TODAY TO BE SEALED IN THE HOLY ALTAR Submit the names of your loved ones by July 1, 2017. The names will be put onto one roll of paper and then be sealed in the Holy Altar the day of the consecration. Please either email all names to: or clearly hand write them and submit them to the Assumption Cathedral office labeled Prophet Elias Names. CONSECRATION CHECKLIST Make hotel reservations $25.00 - order tickets for the Consecration Paniyiri/ Luncheon Orders tickets for Sunday lunch Become a Godparent Submit list of names to honor loved ones Request a ride to and from the Consecration (Saturday only)
THE HISTORY OF THE HOLY CHAPEL OF PROPHET ELIAS In the summer of 1924, bus service from Denver to Hot Sulphur Springs began and a steady stream of our Greek Orthodox parishioners sought out the healing benefits of the hot, mountain mineral waters. Annual summer treks up the mountain increased with the arrival of Fr. Diacandrew (Bishop Meletios) in 1947. As time went by, more and more parishioners made their way up to Hot Sulphur Springs with Fr. Diacandrew. During one weekend trip to Hot Sulphur in July, 1952, Fr. Diacandrew, Mary & Ted Demos and Mary & Andrew Gates witnessed a spectacular, three-peaked cloud that engulfed the entire sky. No one ever had seen such a miraculous cloud, and Fr. Diacandrew crossed himself saying, It is a sign of good times. The enthusiasm of this group quickly spread to Mr. and Mrs. James Stathopulos and they spoke of building a small Greek Orthodox Church for those parishioners who came every year to Hot Sulphur Springs. Mr. & Mrs. James Stathopulos acquired the land for the Chapel of Prophet Elias and Fr. Diacandrew placed a cross, made from aspen trees by Louis Papedo, on the very spot the Holy Altar stands today. On August 6, 1953, the groundbreaking ceremony was held. Together with the loving support of their wives, their beloved priest, and the mild weather sent by the grace of God, James Stathopulos, Louis Papedo, Ted Stathopulos, Andrew Gates, and Ted Demos fastened the last screw into the Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church of Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado on October 30, 1953. With the final installation of the lock on the front door this group of devoted Christians brought to fruition a miracle which had been identified by Fr. Diacandrew one year before. And then the weather, which had held until the church s completion, finally broke and the snow fell. In July of 1954, the first Liturgy commemorating the feast day of Prophet Elias was celebrated in the new chapel and the tradition of the annual panigyri celebration was started. That same weekend the first sacrament, a baptism, was held. The daughter of Ted and Georgia Stathopulos was given the name Sophia by her godparents, Andrew and Mary Gates. The hard work and vision of this small-dedicated group, under the guidance of Fr. Diacandrew, gave us this beautiful chapel for all of us to enjoy. Every summer, parishioners, past and present, trek up the mountain to celebrate the feast day of Prophet Elias and to enjoy the healing waters of the hot springs. There are many other stories that speak to the sacrifices and contributions that have led to the development of our beautiful mountain chapel. It is a gift for all of us to share now and to bless many generations to come!
UNDERSTANDING THE CONSECRATION SERVICE BY FR. DIMITRIOS KYRITSIS The Eve of the Consecration The consecration of our beautiful Holy Chapel of Prophet Elias will begin with a procession of the Holy Relics, carried by His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah, into our chapel followed by all the clergy and laity attending. These relics are then placed on the bare Holy Altar, and the service of Great Vespers will commence. A short prayer commemorating the Holy Martyrs is included and their relics will remain on the Altar beside a Vigil Light that burns throughout the night. The Day of the Consecration: The next morning, Metropolitan Isaiah will enter the altar and begin the service asking the Holy Martyrs to pray for us and to give us grace to fight the good fight. The entire congregation will then process around the outside of the chapel three times, as did Joshua in the Battle of Jericho, signifying that this chapel belongs to God. The clergy, chanters, choir and all present, will chant the following hymn: "Be renewed, be renewed, New Jerusalem, for the Light has come to you and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. This House was built by the Father. This House was made firm by the Son. This House was renewed by the Holy Spirit, Who enlightens, strengthens, and sanctifies our souls." Each time the procession returns to the front of the chapel, Metropolitan Isaiah will place the Holy Relics on a table in front of the new Chapel doors and an Epistle and Gospel reading will take place. After the final reading in front of the Chapel, a dialogue based on Psalm 24, will take place initiated by Metropolitan Isaiah, representing Christ returning to Heaven at the Ascension, and the Clergy inside the chapel, representing an angel in heaven. Metropolitan Isaiah will rap upon the door with his episcopal staff and say: "Open Your gates. Open wide the ancient doors and the King of Glory will enter." Clergy respond: "Who is the King of Glory?" Metropolitan Isaiah will say: "The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory." Metropolitan Isaiah will raise the Holy Relics, make the sign of the Cross and the doors to the chapel will open as the angelic hosts receive their Lord into Heaven. The faithful will reenter the Chapel as the choir sings the Great Doxology and other hymns: "You have demonstrated the splendor of the firmament above Lord, and the beauty of the
holy tabernacle of your glory on earth. Lord, You are the life and resurrection of all people, strengthen this Church forever and accept our prayers which will be perpetually offered to You here, through the intercessions of the Theotokos." Metropolitan Isaiah will place the Holy Relics on the altar, first uncovering them and then placing them in a secure container and depositing them in a cavity in the center of the altar. Metropolitan Isaiah will pour Holy Chrism, blessed by the Patriarchate, over the Holy Relics The Seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. He will pray for all those that have contributed to building and sustaining our beautiful mountain chapel. Upon completion of his prayer, His Eminence will permanently seal with wax, mastic, aloe, incense, myrrh and laudanum the Holy Relics into the altar, along with all the names we offer to be commemorated eternally. The Holy Relics are bound together with the wax-mastic, revealing the unity between Christ and His Martyrs. Then, Metropolitan Isaiah will pray for the Holy Spirit to come down and bless the Holy Altar, those present, and the water that will be used to sanctify the Holy Altar Table. His Eminence will proceed to sprinkle rose water and anoint the Holy Altar with Holy Chrism, and four icons of the Evangelists will be secured to the four corners of the Holy Altar with mastic. A white linen shroud, called a Katasarkion, will be placed on the Holy Altar, never to be removed as long as the Chapel remains standing, followed by new altar coverings and appointments. Finally, Metropolitan Isaiah will anoint the icons and walls of the chapel with Holy Chrism and a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will follow, immediately. After the Divine Liturgy, the grounds of Prophet Elias will be transformed into the site of a panigyri (πανηγύρι) celebration for all to enjoy! FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US (303) 388-9314 VISIT US WWW.ASSUMPTIONCATHEDRAL.ORG EMAIL US INFO@ASSUMPTIONCATHEDRAL.ORG