PHILOPTOCHOS CORNER St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 3109 Scio Church Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 March 2017 Μεγάλη Σαρακοστή Great Lent MARCH NEWS BRIEFS Let us remember the meaning of Great Lent as we move closer to Holy Easter on April 16. The Two-Year Challenge Starts May 6! The St. Nicholas Philoptochos Two-Year Challenge will focus on Creating Brighter Futures. Creating Brighter Futures is the center that we will be assisting and working with in growing their customized Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) autism treatment for children between the ages of 2-18. Our challenge is to assist in building a playground for the children s center. More information will follow. DATES TO REMEMBER SUNDAY, MARCH 5 Sunday of Orthodoxy WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8 Meeting at 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29 Orthodox Student Dinner - 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY, APRIL 29 Philanthropy with Love St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Troy SATURDAY, MAY 6 Women s Expo --10 a.m.-3 p.m. Details to follow
LENTEN RECIPES SPINACH AND RICE (Spanakorizo) LENTEN CHOCOLATE CAKE 1/4 C olive oil 1 lb. spinach 1 med. onion chopped 1/4 C chopped celery 8 oz. can tomato sauce 1-1/2 C water 1/2 C long-grain rice 1 tsp. dill (optional) Salt/pepper as needed Feta (optional) Saute onion and celery in olive oil Add tomato sauce, water, and rice Bring to boil Add spinach and seasonings Stir well; cover and reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 20 minutes Sprinkle with feta if desired 3 C flour 3 tsp. baking soda 6 tbsp. cocoa powder 2 C sugar 1 tsp. salt 3 tbsp. vinegar 2 tbsp. vanilla 3/4 C vegetable/canola oil 2 C cold water Powdered sugar Measure flour, soda, cocoa, salt, and sugar into large mixing bowl Add vinegar, vanilla, oil, and water and mix well Pour batter into greased 9 x13 pan Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes Let cake sit for an hour and then sprinkle with powdered sugar Recipe can also be used for cupcakes. Reduce baking time to 20 minutes. The springtime of the Fast has dawned, the flower of repentance has begun to open. O brethren, let us cleanse ourselves from all impurity and sing to the Giver of Light. Glory be to Thee, who alone lovest mankind. --Vespers for Lent, week before Lent
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT THE SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY The Sunday of Orthodoxy is the first Sunday of Great Lent. The dominant theme of this Sunday since 843 has been that of the victory of the icons. In that year, the iconoclastic controversy, which had raged on and off since 726, was finally laid to rest, and icons and their veneration were restored on the firs Sunday in Lent. Ever since, this Sunday has been commemorated as the Triumph of Orthodoxy. goarch.org THE DAFFODIL STORY THE BOOK NOOK In preparation for Holy Easter, we are featuring books from our St. Nicholas Bookstore. THE LENTEN SPRING by Thomas Hopko Extensive use of all facets of church tradition inspiring scriptural/liturgical passages from the Lenten services GREAT LENT JOURNEY TO PASCHA by Alexander Schmemann Examines the meaning of Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the Prayer of St Ephraim the Syrian, the Canon of St Andrew of Crete, and other treasures of Lenten worship. He draws on the Church s sacramental and liturgical tradition to suggest the meaning of Lent in our life MEDITATIONS FOR GREAT LENT by Vassilios Papavassiliou Using hymns from the Triodion and the Scripture readings appointed for the season, this Lenten book shows us how to make our fast acceptable Daffodils are the birthday flower of March, the same month as the Spring Equinox that heralds the beginning of a new season. The daffodil is a symbol of rebirth a sign of the new beginnings that come with spring. According to a Greek myth, a young wood nymph named Echo fell in love with a young man named Narcissus. He was bestowed with great beauty by the gods and was given the gift of eternal youth and beauty, provided he did not look at his own reflection. Self-absorbed, he spurned the affections of Echo who was consumed by love, until all that was left of her was her voice. Nemesis, the goddess of revenge, decided to punish him for his behavior. She led him to a pool where he saw his reflection and fell in love with it. Although he did not realize in the beginning that it was just a reflection, when he understood it, he fell into despair that his love could not materialize. The daffodil has become the symbol of vanity, conceit, and unrequited love. --greekmythology.com... and from our Archdiocese website The Great Lent: A Week by Week Meaning www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith8126 The Meaning of the Great Fast: The True Nature of Fasting www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith9199 Let us fast an acceptable and very pleasing fast to the Lord. True fast is the estrangement from evil, temperance of tongue abstinence from anger, separation from desires, slander, falsehood, perjury. Privation of these is true fasting. --A Hymn of First Monday of Lent by St. Basil the Great Καλή Σαρακοστή
BLANKETS FOR MOTT CHILDREN S HOSPITAL What a fun Saturday morning in February! Our Philoptochos and GOYA joined together for a learning session in preparing/tying blankets for the children at Mott. Each blanket was different and will be appreciated and enjoyed by the children. You can tell everyone had a great time!
An Invitation from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 760 West Wattles Road Troy, Michigan For additional details, visit philanthropywithlove.org