The Epistle of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Summer 2020 Pastoral Thoughts By Fr. Andrew Lentz

¿Yo Me Enfrió o Lo Soplo? These days I’m reminded of the eternal question of the British punk rock band, The Clash, “Should I stay or should I go?” It’s amazing how one song can speak to so many different situations, like going to church (or staying for the whole service), exploring your faith in God and spirituality, or just leaving the house in the middle of a pandemic. It’s the sign of a classic, and The Clash nailed it. Mick Jones, the main songwriter, didn’t have anyone or anything specific in mind when writing the song. He said, “It wasn't about anybody specific and it wasn't pre-empting my leaving The Clash. It was just a good rockin' song, our attempt at writing a classic.... When we were just playing, that was the kind of thing we used to like to play.” When a band gets together and starts “jamming,” it’s a beautiful moment of uncertainty that can produce a solar system of music for the universe to behold. With just the right amount of each element and maybe a star or two, the force of gravity begins to shape an amazing sound (or it fails miserably and the planets collide into one another to start the process all over, but we’ll get to that later). When a band is able to harness that sense of jamming in a recorded St. Demetrios is currently working through a new reality, one song, you know you’re in for something special. without our normal festival and now without a chanter. We are We find ourselves in uncertain times, full of questions and learning, as a community, how to adapt with these changes. very few answers. Pandemic updates, riots, racism, and Thankfully, we have a strong parish council, volunteer division fill the news, with the occasional additional plague, leadership, and corps of parishioners who are rising to the like “murder hornets,” tossed in just in case you were starting occasion. We are getting with the times and transitioning to a to get comfortable. What was understood as “normal” in drive-through-only festival. We also have a plan for a smaller February now feels foreign and a lifetime ago. Someone who indoor festival in October. However, even with these was born in 2000 is now around 36 years old. (haha) But now modifications, it’s unlikely we will be able to bring in the imagine what we can do if we harness this collective necessary funds to maintain our operations. We have been experience and jam for a bit. In a spiritual sense, this is an given a lesson with this challenge that we should be more incredible moment where we have a new force to be reckoned careful to not rely on fundraisers to keep our church going. We with. Lessons in patience, humility, and obedience are being will need increased financial stewardship from our members if thrown at all of humanity and we’re all dealing with these we hope to continue growing and spreading the . This lessons in different ways. While we can’t engage in isn’t a bad thing, and it’s something to be proud of when we conversation at the coffee shop or restaurant, the conversation achieve it! The same goes for not having a chanter. The is pouring through social media. Some are handling these chanter position goes back to the time of the Church under lessons more gracefully than others, but such is life. As our Ottoman rule, when Christian worship was being stifled and the churches are beginning to slowly open to more parishioners, we grand choirs were forbidden. We have the opportunity now to are faced with the question, “Should I stay or should I go?” It’s reclaim our ancient glory, to actively worship as a congregation ok to be concerned for your health. It’s ok to feel a little scared and build up our choir into an even more magnificent body. or anxious about going out. You don’t have to. We will Sure, it’s going to be rocky for a bit and we’ll have to work out continue to live stream our services, and if the opportunity the kinks, but we can jam together with the classic worship of arises for you to attend in person and receive Holy Communion the Orthodox Church already written for us. We can even riff then Glory be to God! What’s most important right now is how in other languages like The Clash! we choose to work through our current time. (continued on p. 3) The Epistle is the official publication of the Greek Orthodox Community of St. Demetrios 22909 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River, Ohio ~ (440) 331-2246 ~ www.saintdemetriosrr.org Sunday Services: Orthros 8:20 a.m.; Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Closed for lunch 1:00-2:00 p.m. Publication Deadlines : Weekly Bulletin: Wednesday of each week. Monthly Newsletter– the 15 th of the preceding month

Clergy and Office Staff Parish Organizations Fr. Andrew Lentz, Priest ……………………...... 216-777-9777 Acolyte Coordinator ………………..Ted Seidl...440-930-5759 [email protected] AHEPA …………………………...Costa Petros…440-937-8079 Eleni Papouras-Jenks, Office Manager/ Newsletter Editor American Legion …………Spyro Farmakidis…...440-779-8190 440-331-2246 ext. 2 [email protected] Bible Study Morning leader, Vange Richards…216-221-3003 Byron T. Spooner, Operations Manager 440-331-2246, ext. 3 Evening leader, Tony Kazanas….440-835-0272 x16 [email protected] Bookstore ……….....……...…….Donna Vassos…440-331-5547 John Stamatiades, Church Accountant 440-331-2246, ext. 4 Cantor ……………Andrew Meena [email protected] Andrea Giavroutas, Youth Coordinator Choir Director …………...... Maria Steffas…440-773-1533 [email protected] Daughters of Penelope ..…….……Elisa Demis…440-665-1348 Parish Council FOCUS Friends …….………..…Linda Glynias…216-469-2663 Dimitrios Tsatiris, President…..……………..…..216-310-5233 Greek School Principal Eleni Papouras-Jenks...216-965-8131 Evanthia Pallam, Vice President…..…………….216-402-7646 Board of Education Maria Mougianis…..440-835-2888 Kostas Mathiellis, Treasurer...... …..……..……...440-572-1799 PTO Kelly Steffas ……………………...440-808-8788 Irene Georgantas, Secretary……………………..585-703-5005 GOYA Co- Presidents, Avi Kopasakis & Joanna Psaropoulos Sarah Kazanas, Financial Secretary …...………..216-409-2532 Hellenic Dance Groups Lilly Anitas ……………. ….………………….…..440-734-3440 Aeraki……………………………… Lia Fresty…330-715-1704 Marko Fourtounis………………………….……216-244-2222 Kymata ….……………....Angelia Szekely…440-724-3807 Anna Kachevas……………………………….….563-542-4692 Kyklonas ………………. Eleni Papouras-Jenks…216-965-8131 Marianna Karakatsani…………………………...440-315-3936 Κόλλυβα (Memorial Tray): Gary Thomas…………………………………….440-356-1032 Christina Carpadis………………..…216-215-4232 Floyd Trillis, Jr.…………..………………....…..440-835-6552 Becky Giallourakis……………….....440-610-3516 Lee Zapis………………………………………..440-617-0266 Legacy Fund …....…………Manuel P. Glynias…216-857-3388 Sophia Tjotjos, Legal Counsel Library Committee ….………..…...Andie Titas...440-779-8581 Orthodox Organizations Philoptochos ……………………[email protected] Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America …www.goarch.org President …………..…Maggie Steffas …440-871-6362 Metropolis of Pittsburgh …….… www.pittsburgh.goarch.org Sunshine Committee ….Elpida Kosmidis…440-779-8959 International Orthodox Christian Charities … www.iocc.org Welfare Committee ……………………..Crystal Thomas Orthodox Christian Mission Center …….…. www.ocmc.org Sunday School ….…………... [email protected] Orthodox Christian Network ………...……. www.myocn.net Christina Carpadis Schraff……………………216-215-4232 Orthodox Christian Fellowship ………..………… www.ocf.net Mary Seidl…………………....440-930-5759 St. Herman’s FOCUS Cleveland ….. www.sainthermans.com Spiritual Life Committee ...Angie Giallourakis…216-387-2681 St. Panteleimon Orthodox Christian Outreach www.stpanteleimon.com Individuals w/ Disabilities Liaison ....Tina Kolas...216-970-3737 Zoe for Life ! ……………………... www.zoeforlifeonline.org Speaking of StewardshipStewardship…… 3

RERERE-RE ---OPENINGOPENING MEASURES Clip and return to the church office or email With the blessing and guidance of His Eminence Metropolitan Byron Spooner ( [email protected] ) Savas, many churches in the Metropolis of Pittsburgh re- opened on May 24 th . As we went from the lock down “red 2020 Drive-thru Volunteer Form phase” to the “yellow phase” (limited participation to parishioners under 65) please note the following guidelines: Name______

1. Prior registration is required to attend services by calling Phone______the church office: 440-331-2246 ext. 2. This is so that we Email______know who attended a given service and are able to contact people in case of emergency. I am in a non-risk age group and available on the 2. Masks must be worn at all times except when receiving following shifts (please check all that apply) : Holy Communion. Those with valid medical exceptions, special needs and children 10 and under do not need to Date 10:00 a.m.- 3:30 - wear masks. If you do not have a mask, one will be 3:30 p.m. 9:00 pm provided. 3. Hands must be sanitized upon entry. Thu 6/25 4. You will be directed to your seating area by an usher and are asked to remain in that area for the duration of the Fri 6/26 service. 5. Honor the by a reverent bow and making the sign of Sat 6/27 the Cross instead of kissing. 6. Refrain from shaking hands or kissing others. 7. Instructions for receiving Holy Communion and antidoron Sun 6/28 will be explained by the priest. 8. At the conclusion of the service, please exit and return to If you are unable to physically your vehicle without congregating. volunteer, please consider making a Thank you for your cooperation and understanding! Donation to the Festival (Pastoral Thoughts continued from p. 1) The backing vocals in the second half of “Should I Stay or Should I Go” are in Spanish. As a spur of the moment thing, band member Thanks to Operations Manager Byron T. Spooner and Joe Strummer said, “We needed a translator so Eddie Garcia, the custodian Chris Curley for all their ‘spring cleaning’ tape operator, called his mother in Brooklyn Heights and read her the of the church grounds along with Marko Fourtounis lyrics over the phone and she translated them. But Eddie and his and his crew. mum are Ecuadorian, so it's Ecuadorian Spanish that me and Joe Ely are singing on the backing vocals.” It’s funny how the use of Thanks to those the 263 households that have pledged another language that the band doesn’t speak, and just repeats what the Stewardship in the amount of $326,060 and to 68 was already said strikes a chord with this Greek Orthodox priest! donating households. We have received $196,113 St. Demetrios no longer receives waves of immigrants, but our roots toward our $420,000 budget goal (as of 5/18/2020) are strong and there’s no denying the steady backing vocals of Greek in our worship. It gives an added flavor and depth to our spirituality Thanks to all who have donated seven-day candles and understanding of God. For those who do the research, it’s a during the shut down and kept the light burning at our wonderful gift of insight into the theological solar system that has altar with your prayers. forged our Faith and worship. The indecision of our day is bugging everybody, and eventually See page 19 for memorial donations to the church. we’ll be set free, but for now we continue to wrestle with the question, “Should I stay or should I go? Να είνω ή να φύγω ;” Take your time to pray, think, and breathe. Realize that this is an opportunity to grow. Know that you are loved by God, your parish, and your priest. Everyone is being prayed for at every Divine Liturgy and we look forward to being able to pray together in the same space one day soon! 4 Our Parish People Our Newest Little Angel SUMMER HOLY DAYS

Apostolos Theodore , son of Dimitri and Sofia (Katri) Davalos, was born May 6, 2020. Να σας ζήσει ! ASLEEP IN THE LORD

Polycarpos “Paul” Diamantis, husband of Helen, father of Georgia (Dan) and Peter ‘Taki’ (Athena), papou of Michael, Katina, Kerri, Nicole, Paolo & Zach; great- grandfather of Rocco & Arthur, brother-in- Saturday of Souls (Ψυχοσάββατο ) June 6 law of Asimoula and Argyroula, uncle, 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy cousin, koumbaro, and godfather of many, Submit names via phone or email by 4 p.m., Fri., June 5. passed away May 17, 2020. He was a Those who plan to attend and bring Kollyva should have founding member of St. Demetrios Church and had served on them at church no later then 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. If you Parish Council. He was also a member of the Nafpaktian plan to distribute, Kollyva must be pre- bagged. They Cultural Foundation. A long-time chef, he is best known as co- may be left on the plate if you will take your plate home. owner with his brother, of the Silver Quill Restaurant. Pentecost (Πεντηκοστή ) Sunday, June 7 His 40-day memorial will be June 21. Prophet Elias Poppy Kalis (nee Glaros) wife of Leo, mother of Pamela Hanson, Gary (Karen), Monday, July 20 Leah Rodriguez (Joseph) and James (Renee), grandmother of Katie, Clara, Zach, St. Paraskevi Nick, Alex and Zoe, sister of Alice Murphy, Sunday, July 26 and aunt of many, passed away May 28, 2020. The Transfiguration of the Savior Thursday, August 6 Musical Notes We bid farewell to our cantor Andrew Meena, whose last Sunday chanting for our parish, was May 31 st . Individuals who are qualified can submit their resume to [email protected]

‘MUSIC AS LITURGY’ SYMPOSIUM The International Society for Orthodox Church Music (www.isocm.com ) in cooperation with St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary presents its 3rd annual regional symposium virtually this year from Thursday, June 11 th – Saturday, June 13 th . The event is designed for singers, conductors, chanters, musicologists, hymnographers, readers, composers, youth directors, researchers, and others from around the world who are interested in Orthodox liturgical music. The Dormition of the Theotokos The 2020 Symposium will explore the theme of "Music as Saturday, August 15 Liturgy" amidst a variety of practical and academic sessions, workshops, master classes, keynote presentations, and special St. Phanourios activities such as a Virtual Coffee Chat and music reading sessions. Details and registration information at: Thursday, August 27 www.orthodoxmusicsymposium.org The Beheading of St. John the Baptist MEFGOX NEWS As a result of the pandemic situation and Saturday, August 29 accompanying uncertainty, and with the comfort and safety of our membership as the top priority, the MEFGOX Executive Board NOTE: The above holidays and summer Sundays will be voted unanimously last week to postpone the 2020 Convention to celebrated with Divine Liturgy only, at 9:30 a.m. the same weekend next year. Location will remain set for the host unless/until we find a cantor. parish of St. Paul in North Royalton. Philoptochos: Friends of the Poor At the Archdiocese 5

Thanks to the members of Philoptochos who have been making free Archbishop Elpidophoros Issues masks for our community! Dozens have already been distributed and our Statement on George Floyd ladies are making more, as we begin to welcome back parishioners. On Friday, May 29, 2020, in response to the Philoptochos also thanks those who made donations to support this growing tensions across the country, His project! Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros issued the following statement on social media: On Sun., May 17, we made bag lunches and delivered them to St. “The unjust slaying of George Floyd cannot be Herman’s House for distribution. Thanks to the volunteers. where America stands. Violence only breeds violence, but when such violence is perpetrated If you or someone you know is struggling to feed their family, we have by those in authority, we must all stand up and Giant Eagle gift cards available. Please contact the church office for say: ‘Not on our watch!’ We must stand against discreet assistance. racism and stand for equality for all.” (source: goarch.org) Bible Studies A New Format for After shutting down in March and April, our Morning Bible Study The Orthodox Observer meetings resumed (via Zoom) last month. For now, we will continue to Based completely online, the new Orthodox have virtual meetings on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. To join in a meeting, Observer will provide significant multimedia contact Angie Giallourakis (216-387-2681) with your email to receive the content about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of link. Those who do not have webcams, can still participate by calling in. America. Thanks to Fr. Andrew and for coordinating. In 1934, Archbishop Athenagoras established The Orthodox Observer as the main news source for information pertaining to the Archdiocese. Its first iteration was a magazine. Over the years, the Movie Monday, July 20 publication evolved several times, and in 1971, the Orthodox Observer became the newspaper that became synonymous with the Archdiocese itself. Bella (2006; 1 hour & 31 In early 2020, His Eminence Archbishop minutes; Rated PG-13) Elpidophoros envisioned the next iteration of the Orthodox Observer : a content network that would both allow the faithful to easily engage with the Archdiocese, and to efficiently receive important news and exciting updates from the Archdiocese and her Ministries. This modern multimedia approach will utilize technology and the internet to 6:30 p.m. reach our faithful more consistently and on a Screening in the Cultural Hall broader scale than ever before. (for proper distancing) or Now, almost 100 years after the first magazine Outdoor showing, was mailed to homes of the faithful across projected onto the America, the Orthodox Observer once again has Zapis Activity Center! An international soccer transformed to meet the standards of how the (weather permitting) star is on his way to sign a world consumes news. Based online at lucrative contract when www.goarch.org/news , the Orthodox Observer sudden events end his will feature regular postings across its website and COMING SOON… career. A beautiful social media accounts combined with a weekly August 31 waitress struggling to email bulletin. Mother Teresa (2003, make it in New York City The new Orthodox Observer places the Church 1 hour & 50 min) finds she’s unprepared for in the context of the current world we live in August marks the 110th a choice she has to make. through a diverse and informative experience — birthdate of Mother A simple gesture of offering participants a meaningful connection with Teresa, of blessed kindness will bring them the Archdiocese and its many ministries and memory. Olivia Hussey together and turn an affiliates. stars as the humble ordinary work day into an To sign up for the Orthodox Observer Weekly Albanian girl who became a Catholic nun unforgettable experience. Newsletter and Updates, please visit serving the poorest of India, and received a This uplifting film was https://bit.ly/observersubscribe Nobel Peace Prize. postponed from April. 6 Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to Me’… (Matthew 9:14)

We will all miss being at Camp Nazareth this summer, so let us bring our camp program to you! We will operate on the video platform, Zoom. It will be secure and safe, with staff always present on programs with your camper. We will begin each week with a brief introduction on Sunday evenings and have camp programs Monday-Friday, offering two hours of camp each morning, and two hours of camp each evening! Programs will include Cabin activities, new and improved Orthodox Life sessions, cabin talk, discussion, evening activities, and more! An example of our schedule is listed below along with dates.

Grades 2-7: June 28-July 3 Grades 7-9: July 5-July 10 Grades 10-12: July 12-July 17

Fee: $50 per camper ( This cost only covers 1/3 of the true operating cost for camping ministries.)

REGISTRATION: https://y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/en/summercamp Please make sure to register using a desktop or laptop computer (not a smart phone)

Tentative Schedule: 9:30 am: Good Morning, Cabin Time 9:45 am: Orthros 10:10 am: Wake n Woke 10:20 am: Orthodox Life 10:30 am: Activity (JOY) / Discussion (GOYA) 11:00 am: Break until evening 6:30 pm: Vespers 6:50 pm: Evening Activity! 7:20 pm: Cabin Talk 7:40 pm: KALINIXTA Hellenic Dancers 7

In preparation for a possible fall festival in October , the Aeraki and Kyklonas Dancers Kymata Dancers hope to begin rehearsing on a summer date, to be announced. Those who had registered for one of the dance groups will We will begin rehearsals at 5 p.m. Monday- be contacted with more details in the coming weeks. Thursday, June 8-11 and 15-18 , outside at the courtyard. Although we are not able to perform at the Please note, hygienic precautions may require you to sign up and Drive thru Festival, we will prepare a performance commit to set rehearsal dates to allow for smaller numbers per practice, which will be videotaped and posted as a virtual and better tracing, if needed. Hand sanitizer and “mandilia” will be celebration / promotion of our Drive thru Festival provided at all rehearsals. (see p.1)

Greek School

By Eleni Papouras-Jenks When we walked out of our Greek School classrooms on March Larger classes can also be put in the rooms for which we 12, 2020, we thought we’d only be gone a few weeks. Never can open the dividing walls. As our classes only meet twice having imagined or prepared for a pandemic, our amazing a week, we are already set to follow the possibility of Ohio teachers nonetheless quickly switched into ‘remote’ teaching schools meeting two or three times per week. This will mode, using tools such a Zoom, Messenger, etc., for which they allow (as always) for the classrooms, restrooms and had never received training. And yet, they got their students hallways to be sanitized before and after classes meet. We through the school year, completed the lessons, and remotely don’t know what the fall will bring, but we will follow and administered the finals as oral exams. Report cards and communicate with you, all the recommended guidelines as Progression certificates will be mailed to each home. Although we learn them. we were not able to have our graduation program as planned, we Pending the reopening of our facilities this summer, we hope to honor the accomplishment of our Class of 2020, either on are tentatively planning a Greek School Day camp (possibly a Sunday in the summer, or at the Blessing Day in the fall. for dates in July) which would be free for all the students The Regents test for 2020 has been cancelled by the who were enrolled in the (infamous) 2019-20 school year. Archdiocese (per guidelines in the state of New York.) However, Events would include fun educational and cultural activities, the students who took the prep class have already been registered as well as Olympic style games to be held outdoors on the to take it next year, with a complimentary refresher the week church grounds. Look for more information in the weekly before. Our Adult Greek classes will pick up at the lesson where bulletins and your emails. each level left off in March, on a date to be announced as soon as In the meantime, you can check out Our Greek Village’s we are able to gather. virtual Greek summer camp program for 2020 at I am proud to note how blessed our students and community www.ourgreekvillage.org are to have gone through this difficult time with these The 4-week camp includes language, cooking, and other extraordinary and dedicated teachers: Marina Ermidis, Mary cultural lessons and activities. Szekely, Sofia Deligiannidis, Sofia Katri, Antonia Perris, Irene Dimarhos, and Evangelia Koukouras. Without hesitation or complaint, despite having to dedicate MORE time to Greek School (as in the case of having to administer individual reading lessons & tests versus teaching a whole class room in a set time period) each one in her own way stepped up to the challenge. (Mrs. Sofia Katri even ran Zoom classes during what would technically have been her maternity leave!) We pray to see each other again in the fall, as returning students progress to the next level, and as we welcome new Level A students. Each teacher who has a grade level of returning students will spend some time in reviewing concepts of the previous grade before moving into the new books. Diane Matzorkis is also looking forward to teaching the kids again and we have discussed various options moving forward, including moving the Hymnology class from the choir loft to a more open space to allow for social distancing. We are fortunate that our classrooms are large enough to allow for proper spacing of students’ desks. 8 Around Town Around The Country

Thanks to Jason Arbour and his co-workers at The Harbor Court (across the street from our church) who were kind enough to prepare and deliver meals to some of our parishioners living in the adjacent suburbs. In early May, as the staff safely prepared meals for their residents, they made extras in a show of neighborly concern for those staying at home alone. MANY BLESSINGS TO THEIR STAFF! Friends

Weekly honey sales in Tremont! St. Herman’s FOCUS A New Home for Myrrh-streaming Cleveland is thrilled to announce that their honey will be on HAWAII – The Orthodox Church Capital Improvement Fund sale every Tuesday at the Tremont Farmer's Market from 4- announced the successful purchase of a new home for the 7 pm. along W. 14 th Street. All proceeds from our honey “Hawaiian” Myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon. sales support St. Herman's and our programs. The 7”x 9” icon is an exact copy of the Montreal Myrrh- The people who rely on St. Herman’s House of streaming Iveron Icon of the Holy Theotokos. It was purchased by Hospitality FOCUS Cleveland for meals and other Subdeacon Nectarios of Holy Cross Church when he visited a assistance received another form of comfort last month, as church bookstore in Toronto. In the spring of 2007, he noticed a reported by 19 News. Riley Glazer, a high school junior scent of roses coming from it and brought the icon to his priest. from North Olmsted, came up with the idea of providing By October 2007, a service was held and many went to see the mobile showers for Cleveland’s homeless population, and icon; there was enough myrrh for all. In June of 2008, this her dad outfitted a bus with showers. They have been taking treasured Icon was officially recognized by the Russian Orthodox the bus (dubbed “Fresh Start”) to St Herman’s on Franklin Church as worthy of veneration, and was officially blessed to Boulevard every Friday since May. St. Herman’s also travel to various ministries in Holy Orthodoxy, including here to provides clean clothing for the homeless, in addition to our own parish in 2012. (pictured, right) The main challenge for meals. (source: 19 News ) the Holy Icon being located at the Holy Theotokos of Iveron Russian Greek Festival Season Scrambled Orthodox Church was space. The lockdowns in response to covid19 resulted in a re- According to Fr. Athanasius Kone, scheduling of the ‘usual’ weekends for some of northeast the Parish Rector, often 80 to 100 Ohio’s Greek summer festivals this year. people who would come to see the Like our parish, St. Haralambos Church, 251 25 th St., Holy Icon at one time, yet their space NW, Canton, is planning a drive-thru only Greek food only holds about 40. Real estate in festival on June 5, 6, & 7. Hawaii is limited, so finding a new St. Paul Church in North Royalton is considering moving home would take a great deal of their festival, which usually takes place in July, to late determination. September. Miraculously, a building became Sts. Constantine & Helen festival, which usually takes available several months ago, and place in August, has been completely cancelled. They hope Fr. Kone discussed with OCCIF how to plan their next one for the summer of 2021. they could aid in the plans to obtain a new space for their Church and Scholarship Opportunities the Holy Icon. The Holy Theotokos of Iverson ROC raised MEFGOX Available to individuals active in their parish's $300,000 in donations from all around world. “We even received church music ministry to be used at institutions of higher a donation from India,” said Father Kone. “The overwhelming education or other types of long-term training programs for generosity we’ve seen has been a blessing.” tuition, classroom instruction, private lessons, books, and To help secure the new church property, OCCIF worked with instructional materials. The application can be found on the Father Kone and the Parish Council to provide capital resources to MEFGOX website: www.mefgox.org under the complete the purchase of the Calvary Church of the Islands, a “Scholarships” tab. Submission deadline is June 30, 2020 Christian church that had recently come onto the market. The new space nearly doubles the size of the current Holy Theotokos of Nafpaktian Cultural Foundation $1000 available to a Iverson ROC, and provides many more faithful the opportunity to college student in STEMM, and multiple scholarships spend time with the Holy Icon. available to high school and college students of Greek ancestry in NE Ohio. Deadline extendedto Sept. 15, 2020. OCCIF supports the growth of all jurisdictions of the Orthodox http://www.nafpaktian.org/index.php/non-vis/scholarships/ Church through capital improvement financing to parishes, missions, and monastic communities in the United States. God Bless the CLASS OF 2020 9

Mary Abersold Jordan Dallas Alexandra Kadras Westlake High School Avon High School, Magna Cum Laude Strongsville High School Activities : National Arts Honor Society; Activities: National Honor Society; Activities: National Honor Society; Student Council Secretary; WHS Honor Roll; Academic Letter recipient; Varsity Basketball; AAU Club Basketball; Demonette Dance Team (4 years, Co- Volleyball; Culture Club; Athletic Deca- Business Marketing Club; Captain-Senior Year); Leadership Office aide (2 years); Salvation Army Yearbook Club; Care Club; St. Demetrios Challenge; Film Club; St. Demetrios Book Drive Coordinator; International GOYA; employed by Pacsun Greek Festival volunteer. Travel Leader to Italy. Future Plans: Miami University to Future Plans: Kent State University Future Plans: Ohio State University to study Education majoring in Theater Production Studies study Nursing

Avi Kopasakis Athanasios “Tommy” Sotirios “Tyler” Westlake High School Kolocouris Kolocouris Activities : Student council; National Honors Westlake High School Westlake High School Society; Diversity Club; President of Concert orchestra; Track (threw discus); St Demetrios Activities : National Honor Society; Activities : National Honor Society; Kyklonas Dancer and GOYA (Co-President enjoyed bowling; member of Science Basketball and Lacrosse for WHS. ‘20); graduate of Balourdas Hellenic Cultural Olympiad. School; George Varouh Cretan club dancer Future Plans: Miami University, and Secretary of the Cleveland Cretan Youth; Future Plans: Ohio State University, Farmer School Of Business employed by Brookdale Senior Living. majoring in Computer and Future Plans: Ohio State University, majoring Information Science . in Political Science 10

Makarios (Kod) McCune Jackson Morrison Calan Andrew Oster Walsh Jesuit High School Rocky River High School Bay High School Activities: Graduated with Honors; National Activities: AP Scholar; National Honor Honors Society; Student Ambassador; Cross Activities : Lifeguard at Rocky Society; Key Club; Marching Band, Country (Captain); Track; Investment Club; River Recreation center; St. Trumpet, (4 years); Symphonic Band (2 St. Demetrios GOYA. Demetrios GOYA. years); Captain of Bay Robotics Club, 1st Place Hyland Software High School Future plans: Kenyon College to study the Future Plans: University of Innovation Showdown. natural sciences concentrating in Chemistry Dayton, majoring in Business. Future Plans : Ohio State University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

Polyxeni Politis Joanna Psaropoulos John Safos Rocky River High School Westlake High School, Summa cum laude Westlake High School Activities : Honors and AP classes while Activities : Honors Diploma; Ohio maintaining High Honor Roll all 4 years; Academic Distinction; St Demetrios Activities : Graduate of Balourdas Track; National Honors Society; Spanish GOYA (Co-President 2019-20); National Hellenic Cultural School. Honors Society; Foreign Language Club; Honors Society; National English Honors Key Club; elementary/middle school Society; 3-year Varsity Letterman Girls tutoring; graduate of Balourdas Hellenic Cross Country; SADD Club; Bags of Cultural School. Hope; Marching Band and Concert Band Future Plans: Ohio State University’s 2016-17. Fisher School of Business, majoring in Future Plans : Ohio State University Finance. Scholars Program, majoring in Biochemistry Alexis Sarantos Anastasia “Sia” Schraff Athan Demetrios Tsigas North Olmsted High School St. Joseph Academy Rocky River High School Activities : Graduated 3rd in her class; NOHS Activities : St Demetrios GOYA; Cretan Activitie s: Achieved High Honor Cross Country (4 years, Team Captain Sr. Club dancer; St Joe’s Crew team (3 Roll all 4 years; National Honor Year); National Honors Society; Track; Key years); Rugby (4 years; Team captain Society; Academic All-Ohio for Club; St. Demetrios Kyklonas Dancer; Senior year); travel across U.S. for elite Varsity Boy’s Soccer Team; volunteer at Greek Festival gyro booth; tournaments as a Stars Rugby athlete. graduate of Balourdas Hellenic graduate of Balourdas Hellenic Cultural Future Plans : Lindenwood University in Cultural School. School. Saint Charles, Missouri to study Biology Future Plans: University of Akron’s Honors and Science, with a Rugby scholarship to Future Plans : Ohio State University College, majoring in Chemical Engineering. play on its Division 1 women’s team. to study Pre-Law.

Anthony Vangelos Mark Vangelos Piper Whinery Bay High School Avon High School Westlake High School Activities : BHS Varsity Soccer and Activities: WHS Varsity Gymnastics Tennis; Club Soccer; two-time Triple Activities : St. Demetrios Acolyte (4 years); Marching band Demonette Impact Competitor Award recipient in and GOYA (3 years); Student Council (4 years, Soccer; A Capella Choir; St Demetrios Vice President, Senior year); Key GOYA. Club; National Honor Society (junior and senior years); tireless volunteer at Future Plans: Eckerd College in St. our Greek Festival drive-thru. Petersburg, Florida, majoring in Marine Future Plans: University of Dayton Biology. majoring in Biology 12

Andrea Chiviles Andrew Giavroutas Irini Kazanas The Ohio State University Cleveland State University, Ashland University, Bachelor Degree in Business Cum Laude Cum Laude Administration in Finance, Bachelor's Degree in Urban & Degree in Elementary Education, Minor in Social Psychology Regional Planning, with a focus on Special Activitie s: Women's Club Lacrosse; ΦΓΝ Minor in Urban Sustainability Education Professional Business Fraternity; ΣΕΦ Orthodox Students of OSU; Semester abroad Activities : Dean's list Activities : The Well church group in Florence, Italy at Richmond University. Plans : Pursuing work in Plans: Group Benefits Sales Trainee at government or private sector MetLife Insurance in Cincinnati.

Cassie Marie Packis Katerina Packis University of Cincinnati Savannah College of Art and Design Alexis Mathiellis Bachelor of Science Degree Bachelor's of Fine Arts Degree John Carroll University in Chemical Engineering in Film and Television Bachelor of Science Degree, Activities : “Senior 100 Award” for Specializing in Psychology Leadership, Community Service and Activities: Dean's list every quarter; Academic Excellence; ΦΣΡ for women recipient of the May & Paul Poetter Full- Activities: Coaching St. in Engineering (President); International Tuition Scholarship for all 4 years; very Demetrios GOYA Girls Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering involved with SCAD's Radio station as a Basketball team (Secretary); ΡΛ Honorary Sorority for DJ with several different programs and Panhellenic Leadership. served as Social Media Director and Plans: Working to obtain her Program Director; Studied film at SCAD's Nursing Home Administration Plans: Accepted positon with Sherwin- Lacoste, France campus (2018); Film License Williams’ Accelerated Leadership Intern at the World Trade Center of Program. Savannah (2019.) 13

Sophia Politis Spiro Romell Peter Stamatis Cleveland State University Case Western Reserve The Ohio State University Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing; University Bachelor of Science in Industrial Minor in International Business Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering Engineering Cum Laude Activities : obtained Professional Activities : Society of Manufacturing Sales Certificate Activities : CWRU Football Engineers (President); Institute of Industrial Systems Engineers; Texnikoi Engineering onorary; ΣΕΦ Orthodox Students of OSU; Pistol God Bless our Grads! Club Senior Range Officer Plans : Now employed as a Sunday, June 14 Mechanical Hardware Engineer at Our High School graduates are invited to church for a blessing General Motors in Warren, Michigan. and a special gift from our parish, after Divine Liturgy. RSVP to [email protected] by June 5. Families will be able to watch the live stream from the hall or from home.

We also congratulate the local scholarship recipients: Joanna Psaropoulos, recipient of the Joan Lambros Memorial Scholarship

Bernadette Fresty and Joanna Psaropoulos, recipients of the Dr. Komnenos Fotinos Memorial Scholarship.

AHEPA Chapter 389 and Daughters of Penelope Icarus Chapter Scholarship recipients to be announced.

Dr. Elena S. Vourvopoulos, O.D. The Illinois College of Optometry Magna Cum Laude

Clinical Honors, Accelerated Clinical Program, Dr. Newton K Wesley Ortho K Award, Dr. Thaddeus E. and Virginia E. Urbanek Memorial Scholarship for 4 years 14 In June, we commemorate “Recently Canonized Saints” with ties to the Baltic states & Eastern Europe Saints John of Valaam and John of Ilomantsi are two Orthodox saints of Finland, who were canonized on the same day in 2019 Venerable John of Valaam St. John of Ilomantsi, Finland He was born in 1873 in the Tver John Karhapää was born in 1884 in province of Russia into a peasant family. the Sonkajanranta village, Ilomantsi, At 16, he entered Valaam Monastery Finland, where he developed a strong and spent four years in the Skete of and active Orthodox faith from St. Herman of Valaam. He was childhood. He married and had two conscripted into the army and served children . In response to fervent four years of military service before Lutheran missionary work, John returning to Valaam. He was given founded an Orthodox school as a obedience for two years in St. subdivision of the Sts. Sergius and Petersburg, but later, he wrote that the Herman Brotherhood, that actively city had a bad influence on him and countered the Protestant propaganda. that he, weak in spirit, could not accommodate the urban bustle. In 1910, he was tonsured a He was also a traveling catechist, and in 1914, appointed as a with the name of Hyacinth. In 1921, he was appointed abbot of teacher of Religion for the entire Kuopio Province. In 1915, the St. Tryphon of which, at that time, was Church of St. Anna was built for the school he had founded. He within the territory of the newly independent Finland. In 1933, he received a number of distinctions for his zealous teaching and was tonsured a Great Schema monk with the name John, and missionary work. began to live in seclusion in the Skete of St. John the Baptist, Ironically, his great religious activity earned him a number where he was made spiritual father in 1938. In 1940, Fr. John was of political enemies in Finland, who called him a henchman of evacuated with the other brethren to Finland during the Winter the tsarist regime’s “Russian faith,” and even accused him of War between the Soviet Union and Finland. He reposed on June being a spy. He was called the ″dark force of North Karelia, ″ as 5, 1958, in the New Valaam Monastery in Finland. the Finnish nationalists claimed the Karelians were not aware of their true religion and ethnicity. Instead of defending himself against the accusations, Karhapää simply focused on his religious work. Accusations against him intensified following the Russian revolution in 1917, but this time he was accused of being a Bolshevik! After the Russian Revolution, the churches and schools owns by the Karelian Brotherhood were closed, just before Finland gained its independence in December 1917. The harassment against him became even more intense. Eventually he was slandered among the Orthodox faithful as well, and it was demanded that he be removed from his Church positions. Having lost the support of the local archbishop, John was seen as a criminal, in the turmoil of the Finnish Civil War, which broke out in January 1918. He and his brother were soon 11 Martyrs of Estonia The Priests Vassili Ristkok, Johannes called to join the White Army, but at the conscription meeting Kraav, Joann Sergejev, Arteemi Vapper and Nikolai Leisman, in March 1918, they were arrested, after a small icon was found Deacons Vassili Astanin and Peeter Koslov, Presvytera Marta in John’s pocket. In yet another bizarre political twist, they Leisman, and laypeople Joann Lagovski, Theodor & Anna Petai were transferred to a prison camp in Joensuu set up for the died in prison between 1940-41 as martyrs for confessing Christ Reds, and he was later shot by a group of rowdy White Guards. before the atheist Communist Soviet prosecutors who ruled The exact date of his execution is unclear, as he was buried in a Estonia. Some were executed, some died in prison, and some mass grave. The War Victims of Finland 1914–1922 database were deported. An Estonian Orthodox priest, Fr. Andreas Pold says he was shot on March 7, but his wife was not able to discovered the new martyrs after researching their life stories in obtain his body until December 1918. He was laid to rest in the archives of old newspapers and from those who knew them. Ilomantsi and a large group of both Orthodox and Lutheran They were Canonized in 2012 and are commemorated together Christians attended the funeral. on June 14. St. Stanislav Nasadil was an ethnic Czech, born in 1907, in Loštice, Moravia. He studied theology at Sremski Karlovci and Bitola, Yugoslavia, and was ordained an Orthodox priest of the Church of Serbia, ministering in Li čka Jesenica, Croatia. During World War II, the ultra-nationalist fascist Ustasha regime, a satellite of the Nazis, held power in Croatia, persecuting Orthodox Serbs, Gypsies, Jews and anti-Nazi Croats. As a “foreigner” he could have left, but he refused to leave his parishioners. He was thus arrested in 1941 with his bishop, Hieromartyr Sava (Trlaji ć) and tortured by the Ustashi criminal Josip Tomljenovi ć. He was then sent to the Gospi ć concentration camp in Herzegovina, where he was murdered and his body thrown into the Šaran mass grave in Jadovno. He was Canonized in 2019 and his commemoration set for June 20 , the day when he was taken to the concentration camp . Saint Luke, Bishop of Simferopol and Crimea, the Blessed Surgeon (June 11) 15 Valentin Felixovich Voino-Yasenetsky In 1940, Bishop Luke was sentenced to five was born in Kerch (east Crimea) in 1877, years of exile in the Krasnoyarsk area to a family of civil servants to Lithuanian (Siberia.) At the beginning of World War II, and Polish Kings. In his memoirs, he he offered the authorities his services as a Credited his religious inheritance from his doctor, and was appointed consultant to the pious father and from the New Testament, hospitals of Krasnoyarsk. In 1942, he was Given as a high school graduation gift by elevated to the rank of Archbishop of His principal. Having shown talent in Krasnoyarsk, which at the time did not have a drawing, he graduated from the Kiev single church. Through his efforts, church Academy of Fine Arts, but decided on a career as a physician was opened in a suburb of Krasnoyarsk by 1943. so he could help suffering people. In 1946, he was awarded the “Stalin Award” for his scientific In 1903, he graduated from Great Prince St. Vladimir publications and outstanding scientific work in the area of Medical School at the University of Kiev, and worked as a medicine. He donated almost all of the prize money to help local district physician. From the beginning, Dr. Valentin never children who had suffered as the result of the War. That same requested funds from his patients, nor would he turn anyone year, he was appointed to the Crimea, where at first, he away due to his ethnic background or personal beliefs. Out of combined pastoral service with medical assistance. Later, he compassion for the beggars who were blinded due to trachoma, dedicated himself solely to Church service. With great courage, Dr. Valentin also studied ophthalmology in Kiev. he preached incessantly against the perils of the “Living He married a nurse, named Anna, and they had four children. Church,” a defiled heretical sect propagated by the communist When his wife died, he did not remarry; instead, God provided regime. He is credited with 1,250 sermons, of which 750 are Sofia Sergeevna as a joyful surrogate mother of his children. preserved. When he performed surgery from this point on, he During his early career, he published many scientific wore his bishop's cassock in the operating room, and refused to treatises and, in March 1917, became the head surgeon and work without an icon. professor of surgery in Tashkent (Uzbekistan.) In October, As the regimes of Lenin, Stalin, and Khrushchev came and Lenin took over the government and civil war had erupted by went, Saint Luke’s persecutions and frequent transfers only January 1919. Lenin’s government discouraged any religious increased his popularity. Despite public slander, he was known witness, so Valentin was under constant threat, especially when as an unselfish, loving physician and spiritual father. This posed treating party members, but he refused to operate under any a great propaganda threat to each regime, so towards the end of circumstances without the Icon of the Theotokos. Despite the his life, the Bishop was restricted in his travels and his medical dangers from the regime, he fearlessly attended theological responsibilities. This also was in God’s plan, as by then, he had discussions arranged by Archpriest Mikhail Andeev, who lost his vision to glaucoma. Now he could devote his time ordained Valentin to the priesthood in 1921, at the age of 44. exclusively to matters of faith; he performed many healing He stayed active in both his pastoral work and scientific miracles and had many spiritual children. He last celebrated the activity. In 1923, Bishop Andrew of Ufa administered Fr. Divine Liturgy on Christmas 1960, and gave his last sermon on Valentin’s monastic tonsure and consecration as Bishop Luke. Forgiveness Sunday 1961. He reposed on June 11, 1961. Eventually, he was arrested and put on trial, falsely accused The government made every effort to make the funeral as of giving inappropriate surgical care to injured Red Army inconspicuous as possible: buses were provided to hurry the soldiers. The charges were never proven, but since the Party funeral procession along side streets, so there would be little had to appear infallible, he was convicted to 16 years fanfare. But the faithful boldly ignored the roadblocks to the imprisonment in Siberia. However, due to his surgical skill, he central corridors, spreading roses on the roads. To the dismay was still able to practice at the remote medical facility and in of the mayor, he had to allow the funeral to proceed for three 1926, returned to Tashkent. He was again arrested in 1930 and and a half hours without interference, or risk a riot. People sentenced to another three years of exile. Upon his release, he climbed on balconies and rooftops to watch, and it was witness once again returned to Tashkent, and his medical practice. to God’s Glory that, throughout the procession, there was a He trained many medical students and colleagues in surgery, constant chant of “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have and published many articles. In 1934, his book Notes on mercy on us.” Saint Luke’s prayers to have “Holy God” Purulent Surgery, laid the foundation for an entire medical chanted at his funeral during the atheistic times were answered! specialty used to this day. For that, Bishop Luke was awarded In March 1996, St. Luke's remains were disinterred with an the degree of Doctor of Medical Science in 1936. estimated 40,000 people in attendance. It is said that an As a capable bishop, he strengthened parishes and supported indescribable aroma arose from his relics, and his heart was priests and church councils. Whenever his surgical and pastoral discovered incorrupt, a testament to the great love he bore popularity increased, the communist authorities would transfer towards Christ and his fellow men. Three days later, his relics him. In 1937, he was again arrested, and spent more than two were transferred to the Church of the Holy Trinity in years undergoing tortuous interrogation and humiliation. He Simferopol, to Sagmata Monastery in Greece, and throughout courageously endured those trials, not only refusing to confess the world, where they continue to work countless miracles. to false accusations against him, but engaging in active protests He was Canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2019. such as hunger strikes and sending complaints to the highest authorities against the prosecutors’ illegal actions . Sources : Orthodoxwiki ; mystagogy .com 16 July’s “Recently Canonized Saints” include monastics and martyrs, several associated with Crete. Neomartyrs Gerasimos and 10 bishops of Crete On June 23, 1821, three months after the start of the Greek Revolution, a Synod met in St. Menas Church to hear Bishop Gerasimos of Crete read a letter sent from the Turkish vizier. At that moment, Turks rushed in and murdered the attending Bishops including Neophytos of Knossos, Joachim of Chersonisos, Zacharias of Sitia, Gerasimos of Rethymno, Kallinikos of Kydonia, Mechizedek of Kisamos and Kallinikos of Diopolis, along with 17 priests, 300 lay Christians, and five from Mt. Athos’ Vatopaidi Monastery, who had gone to Crete to present holy relics and the Holy Belt of the Theotokos during a plague epidemic. From there, the Turks went into the city and killed any Christian they encountered, including Bishop Hierotheos of Lampis, along with his deacon. The next day, in 5 Martyr Monks of Leipsoi the village of Epano Fourni, they also shot Bishop Joachim of In 1088 AD, this tiny island in the southeast Aegean, along Petra. The martyred hierarchs were Canonized in 2000 and with Patmos, was given to the spiritual care of St. commemorated together on June 23. Christodoulos by Emperor Alexios Komnenos. In 1550, the first ascetics went from Patmos to Leipsoi, and built a church This monk from Vatopaidi St. Dionysios of Vatopaidi dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos, after an icon Monastery, on Mt. Athos, was among those sent to Crete to they brought with them. After the Fall of Constantinople and escort the Holy Belt of the Theotokos because an epidemic the ensuing Ottoman rule, five monks of this community were ravaged the island (as noted above.) Following the break out of martyred over time: the Greek Revolution on Crete, he was arrested and the Turks -Monk Neophytos of Amorgos was killed by Turks in 1558. kept him hostage, pressuring him to convert to Islam. He -Monk Jonah of Leros was killed in 1561 (he is also refused, so the Turks tortured him by piercing his head with a commemorated on Feb. 28) flaming spit. He remained steadfast to his Faith, and led to the -Monk Neophytos the Fazos was killed by pirates with an ax gallows on Clean Monday (Feb. 13, 1822) where he confessed hammer in 1609 (he is also commemorated on Dec. 8) and received Holy Communion before being executed. He was -Monk Jonah of Nysiros was scourged to death by the Turk also canonized in 2000, along with other martyrs from Vatopaidi Pekir Pasha, in 1635. that accompanied him. His feastday was set for July 31. -Monk Parthenios of Philipopolis was killed when a spear pierced his neck in 1696. Their holy relics rest on the island of Leipsoi and it was Archimandrite Nikephoros Koumoundouros who gathered information about them in 1999. They were canonized in 2002, and commemorated together on July 10.

Elder Paisios He was born in 1924 and baptized by St. Arsenios of Cappadocia. He worked as Monk brothers Parthenios & Evmenios a carpenter until World War II. He These two brothers were from the village of Pitsidia, Crete, born served in the army and repeatedly in 1829 and 1846, respectively, to Harilaos and Maria Haritakis. distinguished himself in military service by When their father died, they wanted to become monks, but their his bravery and self-sacrifice. In 1950, he mother refused to give her blessing. One day, she asked them to went to Mt. Athos, where he was tonsured. bring wood to light the oven, but they encouraged her to put the After eight years, he was asked to spend some time in his loaves in the unlit oven and allow them to bake the bread. The home village in Epirus, in order to defend the faithful against bread miraculously baked and she was no longer hesitant. They Protestant proselytism. He returned to Mt. Athos in 1964 and joined Odigitria Monastery in 1858 and later became hermits in stayed in several monasteries. Eventually, he settled in the the caves of Martsalo, giving guidance to many. In 1870, St. Panagouda hermitage of Koutloumousiou Monastery, where Evmenios was ordained a priest. They lived in caves around the he remained for 15 years. Here, his reputation grew as a holy Koudoumas area until the Panagia appeared to St. Parthenios elder and guide, and he tirelessly received those thirsting for and asked him to build her a monastery. The two brothers were spiritual direction, allowing himself only two or three hours destitute, but local people helped them, and the church was of sleep each night. He was one of the most well-known and completed in 1895. Many miracles are attributed to St. beloved contemporary elders, and many of his counsels and Parthenios, who reposed in 1905. St. Evmenios continued his other writings have been published. Several of his books are good works and reposed in 1920. Their relics are located in available in the our Catacomb Bookstore. Elder Païsios Koudoumas Monastery on Crete. They were canonized in 2007 reposed on July 12, 1994, and was Canonized in 2015. and celebrated on July 10. The Martyrs of Western Europe 17 Mother Maria Skobtsvoa and her son Yuri Skobtsov, Fr. Dimitri Klepinine, and those with them

Elizavta Pilenko was born in 1891 in Riga, Latvia, Father Sergei Bulgakov, her confessor, and which was then part of the Russian Empire. Her Metropolitan Evlogy were responsible for the father was the mayor of Anapa and her mother was care of many thousands of Russian expatriates descended from the last French governor of the scattered across Europe from 1921-1946. Bastille. They were devout Orthodox Christians, and Recognizing her devotion to social work and at age 7, she wanted to become a nun and pilgrim. knowing of her waning marriage, they But when her father died when she was 14, it convinced her husband Daniel to accept the seemed to her unjust and she doubted God’s idea of her becoming a nun. In 1932, at the St. existence. The family moved to St. Petersburg where Sergius Theological Institute, she was she became an atheist and a political radical, like tonsured a nun with the name Maria. She many of the pre-Revolutionary Russian intelligenstia. called her vocation “monasticism in the In 1910, she married Dimitri Kuzmin-Karaviev, a world.” Bolshevik, but later noted the marriage was based was She leased a house and received unemployed more on pity than love. Their group’s discussions on theology, Russian women. With the help of the Metropolitan, a room like their political ideas, had no connection to the lives of upstairs became a chapel for which she herself painted the ordinary people. Her earlier revived, but at first, it iconostasis. Two years later, she moved to a larger location in a was for Christ as a heroic man, not yet as God incarnate. She Russian émigré neighborhood, and eventually rented other prayed and read the Gospel and lives of the Saints, and buildings: one for families, one for single men, and a rural concluded the real need for the people was Christ, not property for a sanatorium. Begging for food and donations, by revolutionary theories. She applied for admission to St. 1937, she was serving 120 dinners per day. She sought out the Petersburg Theological Academy of the Alexander Nevsky homeless and the alcoholics at café Les Halles. A part-time Monastery. Although in those days, it was an all-male school, school was opened for the children. She visited mental hospitals she was admitted nonetheless. and saw to the release of many Russians who were, in fact, sane By 1913, her marriage was collapsing just as her first child, but, admitted due to language barriers. In time, she and her Giaina, was born. At the outbreak of World War I, she took her associates established clinics for tuberculosis sufferers. daughter to southern Russia where her religious life grew more In 1939, Metropolitan Evlogy sent 35-year-old priest Fr intense. By October 1917, when the Bolsheviks took power, Dimitri Klepinine to serve Mother Maria's community. He she was back in St. Petersburg and took part in the All-Russian proved to be a partner, even unto death, in the community's Soviet Congress, where she heard Leon Trotsky dismiss people work among the poor. When the Nazis took Paris in 1940, from her party with, “Go where you belong, into history’s Mother Maria, Fr Dimitri, and others, including her son Yuri, garbage can!” She grew to see how hideously different the chose to remain in the city to care for those who had come to actual revolution was from the dreams of many Russians. count on them. By June 1941, 1,000 Russian refugees were In February 1918, she was elected deputy mayor of Anapa, arrested; by 1942, Nazi persecution of French Jews increased. like her father had been. However, she was arrested and put on Fr. Dimitri provided forged certificates of baptism to preserve trial for “collaboration with the enemy.” She spoke in her own the lives of Jews. When 12,884 Jews, including children, were defense, saying: “Red or White, my position is the same- I will incarcerated at a sports stadium, Mother Maria visited for three act for justice and for the relief of suffering.” Her judge, a days to bring food. She even rescued some children by former schoolmaster named Daniel Skobtsov, acquitted her and smuggling them out in trash bins. They set up escape routes to they eventually married. the unoccupied south, with the help of a local resistance group. During the civil war between the White and Red guards, the This work led to their arrests in February 1943. Mother Maria, family fled to Georgia, where she gave birth to their son Yuri Fr Dimitri, and several of their colleagues, were interrogated by in 1920. A year later, they relocated to Yugoslavia, and she the Gestapo. In April, they were transferred to Compiegne gave birth to daughter Anastasia. Their journey ended in 1923, where Mother Maria had a final meeting with her son; hours with their arrival in Paris, where she made money making dolls later she was transported to Germany. and painting silk scarves. Yuri and Fr. Dimitri died at Buchenwald concentration camp When her five-year-old daughter Anastasia died in 1926, she in early 1944. Mother Maria was sent to Ravensbruck, where emerged from deep mourning determined to be “a mother for she endured for two years. Elderly and emaciated, she was sent all who needed maternal care.” In 1927, she published a book to the gas chambers on Holy Friday, March 30, 1945. It is in which she retold the lives of many saints called Harvest of believed that her last act was to take the place of a Jew being the Spirit. A friend introduced her to the Russian Student sent to death that day. After the war, survivors of the camp Christian Movement, an Orthodox association that sponsored wrote about her, and a Russian film about her was released in lectures and activities, and she was appointed traveling 1982. Her biography is also included in Eric Metaxas’ secretary. She worked daily with the impoverished Russian anthology 7 Women and the Reason for the Greatness. refugees throughout France, and began to envision a “half Mother Maria and her companions were Canonized in 2004 monastic, half fraternal” community to connect the spiritual and their feastday set for July 20. life with service to those in need. 18 19

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