From Glory to Glory the Monthly Newsletter of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Fr

From Glory to Glory The monthly newsletter of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Fr. Joseph Strzelecki Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos May 2018

1755 Des Peres Road The Ascension: a Beginning, Not an Ending Town & Country, MO 63131-1405 If one read the four Gospels as if they were four separate biographies of Phone: 314-966-2255 Jesus, one might be forgiven for thinking that the Ascension narrated the end of Kitchen: 314-966-6720 the story. We have read narratives of Christ’s birth, His baptism, His temptation Web Site: www.assumptiongoc.org in the wilderness, His ministry, His crucifixion, His resurrection, and now at the

Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos last we come the narrative of His ascension, concluding the story of His life with Email: [email protected] a heavenly happy ending. Everyone loves a happy ending, and this one rounds out the story of Jesus by saying in effect, “And He lived happily ever after at the Office Manager: Diane Sieckmann right hand of God.” In this way of thinking, the story is not finished without the Email: [email protected] Ascension. It might therefore come as a surprise to learn that three out of the four Secretary: Diakonissa Kristen Vogt canonical Gospels do not end with the Ascension or even narrate it at all. Email: [email protected] Matthew’s Gospel ends not with Christ ascending from us, but with His remaining with us, uttering the words, “Behold, I am with you always, even to Dates to Remember in May the close of the age” [Matthew 28:20]. The authentic ending of Mark’s Gospel ends with the discovery of the empty tomb (the last part of Christ’s public May 2 ministry, just as His baptism was the first part), and with the words that the Mid Pentecost women “fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid” [Mark 16:8]. John’s May 8 Gospel ends with a third appearance of the risen Christ to His disciples by the Apostle & Evangelist John Sea of Tiberias (scholars debate about whether or not it first ended with the earlier appearance to Thomas) and with John’s observation that if everything Jesus had done were to be written up, the world itself could not contain those May 15 books. John clearly knew about the ascension, for he records Christ’s words to Vigil for the Leave-taking of Pascha Mary Magdalene, “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father” [John 20:17], but he does not narrate that ascension any more than May 16 Matthew does or Mark does. Only Luke narrates the ascension, adding almost as Leave-taking of Pascha an afterthought that “while He was blessing them, He went away from them and was carried up into heaven” [Luke 24:51], the ascension event itself expressed in May 17 a mere five words in the Greek. Luke narrates it at somewhat greater length in Ascension his second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, saying with a similar economy of words, “while they were looking, He was taken up and a cloud received Him May 21 from their eyes” [Acts 1:9] — the event expressed in nine Greek words. What Saints Constantine & Helen does all this mean? For one thing it means that the Gospels are not biographies as we May 27 understand the term. But more importantly it reveals that the ascension was not Pentecost the ending of a story, but the beginning of one, not the conclusion of Christ’s life so much as the beginning of the life of the Church. It is no coincidence that the

Evangelist who narrated the ascension also narrated at great length and May 28 repeatedly the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, so that Luke is Monday of the Holy Spirit the Evangelist of the Holy Spirit as well as the Evangelist of the Ascension. The two events are connected, for one is the cause of the other. Christ foretold it

2018 Parish Council during His last night with His disciples prior to His arrest: “It is to your Fr. Joseph Strzelecki advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you” [John 16:7]. Luke narrated the Scott Thompson, President Greg Simos, Vice President fulfillment in the words of Peter’s Pentecostal sermon: “Being exalted to the Elefteria Marcou, Secretary right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Gus Harris, Treasurer Spirit, He has poured out this which you both see and hear” [Acts 2:33]. Daniel Gantner Vasilios Simos Carol Marshall Sotirios Sotiriou The temptation is to regard the Holy Ascension as if it were the Holy Absence, Pam Martin Dr. Tom Stamos as if Christ has gone away and we now have less of His presence than was Samia Rabie Chris Tsoubanos available when He walked the earth. It is not so. While He walked the earth, the Dr. Farid Sadaka Nick Tsoubanos apostles could be with Him, but this nearness was conditioned by time and Tonis Zafiropoulos space, and there were times when they were not with Him. When He was not Acolytes Alban Mosher, John Nicholas physically in Judea, for example, Mary and Martha could not be with Him. Now Adult Orthodox Christians (18 years & older): that He has been exalted to the Father’s right hand and has sent His Spirit, we Diane Sieckmann can be near Him always, for His presence is no longer conditioned by time and Assumption Angels (infant - 5 years) space. Everyone can now be close to Jesus and by the power of the Spirit can be Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos with Him every waking hour and even every sleeping hour. The ascension and Bible Study Fr. Daniel Morton the sending of the Spirit means that we now have more of Jesus, not less of Bookstore Him. That is why the Lord said at the end of Matthew’s Gospel that He would Dr. Joseph Steineger, Diakonissa Kristen Vogt be with us until the close of age. These words were not a denial of a future Chanters ascension, but a promise of it. The challenge for us now is to live as children of Steve Bellos Choir the ascension, and as children of the Spirit. Our Lord’s presence and power are Stephanie Saunders always available to us. The question is: how often do we avail ourselves of Church Tours them? Janice Hazeltine https://oca.org/reflections/fr.-lawrence-farley/the-ascension-a-beginning-not-an-ending Friday Luncheon Art Liyeos Greek Festival Greg Simos, Art Liyeos Greek School “I ascend unto My father, and your Father….” Savas Kyramarios According to the mind of the Church, the Risen Lord is also the As- Greek Dancers cended Lord. In the words of Father Georges Florovsky, “In the Ascension Kyklos: Stella Afentoullis Armonia: Stella Afentoullis resides the meaning and the fullness of Christ’s Resurrection.” Though the Ta Paidakia, Neo Kyma: Aliki Malek visible presence of the Risen Lord ended 40 days after His Resurrection, that GOYA (9th -12th Grade) did not mean that His actual presence was withdrawn. Christ solemnly taught Yvonne Alexopoulos, Dr. Jenny Kardaris His disciples – and us through them – “Behold, I am with you always, to the Greeters close of the age” [Matthew 28:20]. The risen, ascended and glorified Lord is the Eleni Murphy JOY (4 years - 4th Grade) Head of His body, the Church. The Lord remains present in the Mysteries/ Jr. GOYA (5th - 8th Grades) Sacraments of the Church. This reinforces our need to participate in the Alki Lappas Case sacramental life of the Church, especially the Eucharist, through which we Kafenio Art Liyeos receive the deified flesh and blood of the Son of God “unto life everlasting.” Little Angels Christ ascended to be seated at “the right hand of the Father” in glory, thus Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos lifting up the humanity He assumed in the Incarnation into the very inner life of Orthodox Faith & Life: God. For all eternity, Christ is God and man. The deified humanity of the Lord Dr. Farid Sadaka, Anna Sadaka Philoptochos is the sign of our future destiny “in Christ.” For this reason, the Apostle Paul Flora Dimitriou, President could write, “your life is hidden with Christ in God” [Colossians 3:3]. Premarital Classes The words of the “two men … in white robes” (clearly angels) who Susan Cassimatis stood by the disciples as they gazed at Christ being “lifted up” as recorded by Prison Ministry Bill Goranitis Saint Luke in Acts 1:11, point toward something very clear and essential for us Stewardship to grasp as members of the Church that exists within the historical time of the Michael Afentoullis world: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, Sunday School Who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Diane Sieckmann Him go into heaven.” The disciples will remain in the world, and must fulfill Vacation Church School (VCS) Anna Sadaka their vocation as the chosen apostles who will proclaim the Word of God to the Women’s Bookstudy world of the crucified and risen Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. They cannot spend Presvytera Laura Morton their time gazing into heaven awaiting the return of the Lord. That hour has not Young Adult Ministry (18-30 yrs) been revealed: “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has Fr. Anastasios & Presvytera Elizabeth 2

fixed by His own authority” [1:7]. The “work” of the environments with others speaking and interacting Church is the task set before them, and they must do this around us. So as children are around parents who put until their very last breath. They will carry out this work their faith to action, they learn by watching and once they receive the power of the Holy Spirit—the listening to them, and then by following their lead. “promise of my Father”—as Christ said to them in Luke 24:49. Whatever our vocation may be, we too witness to And if those in their home are not putting their faith Christ and the work of the Church as we await the fullness to action, children learn inaction as well. of God’s Kingdom according to the times or seasons of the The Christian witness cannot come just once a Father. week during Liturgy and Sunday school. Faith takes In our daily Prayer Rule we continue to refrain from root in the minds and hearts of children over time as using “O Heavenly King” until the Day of Pentecost. We no they are regularly engaging in the action of their faith. longer sing the Paschal troparion, “Christ is risen from the 2. Daily prayer dead,” but replace it from Ascension to Pentecost with the Prayer is a non-negotiable aspect of the troparion of the Ascension: “Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christian faith. A Christian that doesn’t pray is like a Christ our God, granting joy to Thy disciples by the promise motivational speaker that doesn’t speak. We learn to of the Holy Spirit. Through the Blessing they were assured pray by praying, and the Orthodox Church has a that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world!” wealth of prayers for us to connect us not only to https://oca.org/reflections/fr.-steven-kostoff/i-ascend-unto-my-father-and- your-father Christ but also to the generations of people who have prayed these same words. If we want children to learn to pray, then The Role of Parents In Youth Ministry parents must be modelling a prayerful life. What do When we want our children to learn and to be meals look like in your home? Do you pray before educated, we send them to school and to tutors. When eating to thank God for all that He has given you? If we want them to be healed, we send for the doctor. we pray before eating, it first teaches children that When we want them to learn about their faith, we take prayer is important, and second it teaches them that them to Sunday School. It makes sense right? We our blessings come not from our own labor but from leave it to "the experts”. God’s grace. Youth ministry, then, becomes something that Do you have icons in your home? Are they for some educated elite provide to our youth. It’s not our decoration or are they a part of your family’s prayer area of expertise; that’s why we have priests, youth life? It is the Orthodox practice to have a prayer directors, Sunday School teachers, etc. The problem corner or a section in your home where you have with this vision of youth ministry is that it assumes some icons: of Christ, the Virgin Mary, the patron Christian faith is simply another aspect of our lives saints of your family. We might include some like school and physical health rather than the very candles, a censer for incense, a prayer book so that we foundation of who we are. It assumes that being a can say our prayers together. Christian means learning information rather than en- Having prayer be a visible component of your countering a person, Jesus Christ. life together as a family will teach your children that It also assumes that parents don’t have a role in prayer is a natural and vital part of their life. facilitating this encounter with Christ other than taking 3. Learning together their children to church. It can be tough admitting that we don’t know But the Orthodox home is itself meant to be a Jesus Christ well enough to introduce Him to our little church. With this in mind, what then is the role children. But humility is good for us, and it can even of a parent in youth ministry? What are young parents help motivate us to learn together with our children. to do that want to instill a love for Christ and an Or- "Unless you turn and become like children, you will thodox mindset in their children? never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles 1. Watching, listening, and doing himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom Like language acquisition, our Orthodox of heaven" (Matthew 18:3-4). When your children see Christian faith is something which comes to us by you getting excited about Christ, they too will be watching, listening, and doing. When we are little, encouraged to encounter Him along with you. learning language happens naturally as we are in

There are great resources both in print and How do you practice your faith throughout the week? online to learn with your children: from Y2AM, to Would someone know you were an Orthodox Christian Ancient Faith Radio, to children’s books. If you are if they came to your home? How are you seeking reading your Bible, your children will want to learn Christ today? with you. You can even read the stories of the saints Sam Williams is the Pastoral Assistant at St. Nicholas that we remember each day and the scripture readings Greek Orthodox Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. of the day on the Daily Readings app on your phone. https://blogs.goarch.org/blog/-/blogs/the-role-of-parents- But the best place to meet Christ and to live in-youth-ministry out the Orthodox faith with your children is in the Divine Liturgy. So here’s a tough question: when do Parish Council President’s Corner. you arrive to church? Is it when liturgy begins or do We have 2 general assemblies a year, in May and you arrive late? If we arrive late to church but are November, immediately after coffee hour. These are always on time to school and work, what does this normally the time to discuss in a group forum any general teach our children about the importance of the or specific concerns. Past topics have ranged from Liturgy? Remember, children learn by watching us. addressing additional youth programs, church attendance, Many young parents are worried to bring Hellenism, maintenance, iconography, the May Festival and small children to church because they don’t want to Friday Lunch, Stewardship, social events, endowment and be a distraction to other parishioners. Orthodox long range planning, and a variety of other topics. The Parish Council regularly meets 2 to 3 hours churches are filled with icons, candles, incense, beau- once a month. Most months include one or more of these tiful vestments…it’s a sensory experience both for topics. Items discussed at the April 12th meeting included: adults and children. Having a fussy baby is an oppor- Young Adult Mentor Program. A new ministry tunity to walk them around the back of the church to for people 18-25. This will include career guidance; venerate the icons, to investigate the church with your mentoring and resume review in a panel format and cover a child. The more a child is accustomed to being in variety of fields. Expect this to start fairly soon and be a church, from an early age, the more they will see it as recurring event. Stay tuned for further information on when home and will desire to be there. and where to attend, and if interested, how to participate as If your child has questions during Liturgy, let a panelist. Tony Zafiropoulos will be chairing. them ask you quietly. If you don’t know the answer, Maintenance and Facility Updates: reassure your child that you will go together to ask the -Faucets in the upstairs ladies bathroom will be replaced -All of the classroom doorstoppers will be replaced with priest after the service. As children, we are naturally industrial grade ones inquisitive; quenching this inquisitive spirit by hush- -We are evaluating options for upgrading the parking lot ing them can do a lot of damage to a child. Encourage lights. questions and don’t be afraid to say, “I’m not sure, -Painting the upstairs hallways is still a work in progress. but let’s go find out!” -The outside doors downstairs, near the Philoptochos room, Taking children to school doesn’t remove the are having some maintenance done, but are nearing the end duty of parents to help with homework and studying. of their useful life and will need to be replaced in a couple Going to the doctor regularly doesn’t mean a parent of years. has no role in keeping their children healthy. -The loft and storage area behind the stage is being extend- Similarly, having a priest or youth director or Sunday ed and will include conveniently located space for the school teacher doesn’t preclude a parent from helping various costumes used by Kyklos. Finances: As discussed previously, the departure their child stay connected to Christ throughout the of St. Austin’s school has increased the financial burden on week. the church. While a great deal of work is done by Raising children in the Orthodox faith is a volunteers, cleaning requires paying someone to take care community effort, but it begins in the home. It begins of it. Everyone can help with this simply by adopting the as children listen and watch you practice your faith, McDonald’s model: Clean up after yourself and bus your and then they put this same faith into action in their own table. It’s a small thing but if done by everyone, will lives. They learn to pray as their parents make daily have a huge impact. prayer important in the home. They cultivate a love for Jesus Christ by meeting Him in His Church, in the Yours in Christ, scriptures, and in the richness of the Orthodox tradi- Scott Thompson, Parish Council President tion with their parents.

Ἡ ἐπιταγή γιά ἱεραποστολή παροῦσα ὄχι μόνο ὡς «ἀναγγελία», ἀλλά μέ ὅλη της τήν πραγματικότητα καί μέσω τῆς Πρ. Alexander Schmemann θεϊκῆς ἀγάπης, πού εἶναι ὁ καρπός της, ἐπιτελεῖ συνέχεια τήν ἴδια μυστηριακή Ποιά εἶναι τά ἀντικείμενα, οἱ σκοποί τῆς μεταμόρφωση τοῦ παλιοῦ σέ νέο, κάνει ἱεραποστολῆς; Ἡ Ὀρθόδοξη Ἐκκλησία δυνατή τήν πραγματική πράξη, τό πραγματικό χωρίς δισταγμό ἀπαντᾶ. Τά ἀντικείμενα «ποιεῖν» μέσα σ’ αὐτόν τόν κόσμο. αὐτά εἶναι ὁ ἄνθρωπος καί ὁ κόσμος, ὄχι ὁ Ὅλα αὐτά δίνουν στήν ἱεραποστολή τῆς ἀπομονωμένος ἄνθρωπος, μέσα σέ μιὰ Ἐκκλησίας μιὰ κοσμική καί μιὰ ἱστορική τεχνητά «θρησκευτική» ἀπομόνωση ἀπό τόν διάσταση. Θά χρειαζόταν ἕνας ὁλόκληρος κόσμο, καί ὄχι ὁ «κόσμος» σάν μία τόμος γιά νά ἀφηγηθεῖ τήν ἱστορία τῆς ὀντότητα τῆς ὁποίας ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέν εἶναι Ὀρθόδοξης Ἐκκλησίας ἀπό τήν ἄποψη τῆς τίποτα ἄλλο ἀπό ἕνα «κομμάτι». Ὁ συγκεκριμένης συμμετοχῆς της στίς κοινωνίες ἄνθρωπος ὄχι μόνο προηγεῖται ἀλλά καί καί στούς πολιτισμούς ἐκείνους πού ἡ εἶναι ὄντως τό οὐσιαστικό ἀντικείμενο τῆς Ὀρθοδοξία ἀπετέλεσε τήν καθολική ἔκφραση ἱεραποστολῆς. Καί ὅμως ἡ Ὀρθόδοξη ἰδέα ὁλόκληρης τῆς ὕπαρξής τους. Γιά τήν ταύτισή τοῦ Εὐαγγελισμοῦ παραμένει ἐλεύθερη ἀπό της μέ ἔθνη καί λαούς, χωρίς νά προδώσει ἀτομικιστικές καί πνευματιστικές ὅμως τήν «ἐξωκοσμικότητά» της, τήν παραμέτρους. Ἡ ἐκκλησία, τό μυστήριο τοῦ ἐσχατολογική ἐπικοινωνία της μέ τήν Χριστοῦ, δέν εἶναι ἕνας ὀργανισμός πού ἐπουράνια Ἱερουσαλήμ. Θά χρειαζόταν μία ἱκανοποιεῖ τίς «θρησκευτικές» ἀνάγκες τοῦ τεράστια θεολογική ἀνάλυση γιά νά ἐκφράσει ἀνθρώπου. Εἶναι μία καινή ζωή καί γι’ αὐτό σωστή τήν Ὀρθόδοξη ἰδέα τοῦ ἐξαγιασμοῦ λυτρώνει ὁλόκληρη τή ζωή ὅλη τήν ὕπαρξη τῆς ὕλης ἤ, θά λέγαμε, τήν κοσμική πλευρά τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. Καί αὐτή ὁλόκληρη ἡ ζωή τοῦ μυστηριακοῦ της ὁράματος. τοῦ ἀνθρώπου εἶναι ἀκριβῶς ὁ κόσμος μέσα στόν ὁποῖο αὐτός ζεῖ. Ἐδῶ μποροῦμε μόνο νά ἀναφέρουμε πώς ὅλα αὐτά εἶναι τό ἀντικείμενο τῆς Χριστιανικῆς Ἡ Ἐκκλησία μέσω τοῦ ἀνθρώπου σώζει καί ἱεραποστολῆς, γιατί ὅλα αὐτά λυτρώνει τόν κόσμο. Θά μπορούσαμε νά ἀναλαμβάνονται καί προσφέρονται στό Θεό ποῦμε πώς «αὐτός ὁ κόσμος» σώζεται καί διά τῶν μυστηρίων. Στόν κόσμο τῆς λυτρώνεται κάθε φορὰ πού ἕνας ἄνθρωπος ἐνσάρκωσης δέν παραμένει τίποτε τό ἀνταποκρίνεται στό θεϊκό δῶρο, τό «οὐδέτερο», τίποτε δέν μπορεῖ νά ἀφαιρεθεῖ ἀποδέχεται καί ζεῖ μ’ αὐτό. Αὐτό δέν ἀπό τόν Υἱό τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου. μεταμορφώνει τόν κόσμο σέ Βασιλεία οὔτε τήν κοινωνία σέ Ἐκκλησία. Ἡ Βασιλεία Για την αντιγραφή: Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης πρόκειται νά ἔρθει καί ἡ Ἐκκλησία δέν εἶναι ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου. Καί ὅμως αὐτή ἡ ἐρχόμενη Βασιλεία εἶναι ἤδη παροῦσα καί ἡ Ἐκκλησία λαμβάνει τό πλήρωμά της σ’ αὐτό τόν κόσμο. Εἶναι

Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Corner The Orthodox Mission Team of St. Louis

Serving in Multi-Country Program Personnel The Colburn Family

Michael and Lisa Colburn specialize in linguistics Working with Fr Seraphim Dedes (creator of and translation. Michael served as a missionary with the eMatins.org), Michael developed AGES Liturgical Wycliffe Bible Translators for 13 years, and lived 8 years Workbench (ALWB). This software has tools for with the Ogea tribe in Papua New Guinea. When he went translators, a multi-lingual library, typikon templates, and a there in 1977, the Ogea were an “unreached” people group. rubrics engine. The rubrics engine calculates the liturgical His primary assignment was to establish a project to properties for a given date (e.g. the tone of the week, what translate the New Testament into Ogea. This required his day of Lent it is, what feast day it is, etc.), in order to gener- learning Ogea without the benefit of a written grammar or ate services for specific dates, automatically determining dictionary. He devised an alphabet for the Ogea language and inserting the variable hymns. He is working on a web- and taught people to read and write using the new alphabet. based Translation Management System (TMS) to provide He trained Ogea speakers as “mother-tongue” translators tools for translators as they create their translations, and to and provided consultation and review of their translation enter them into a database that can be used by ALWB to throughout the process. As a lay person, he worked to generate services and/or books. evangelize the Ogea people, praying that not only would In addition to software, Michael has been working many Ogea become Christian, but they in turn would on a liturgical translator's handbook for the Hymns of The- become missionaries. This prayer was answered, and the ophany. The handbook is being written using a form of Ogea planted churches in a number of surrounding tribes. English that should be more easily understood by people During this time, he also served for a period as the director who have learned English as a foreign language. The hand- of Wycliffe’s work in the Madang province of Papua New book provides a grammatical analysis of the Greek text, Guinea, supervising over 20 translation teams, and was a model translations, and commentary that explains the mean- member of the executive committee, which oversees the ing of the text, identifies potential translation problems, and work throughout Papua New Guinea. provides suggestions on how these problems can be solved. After returning to the US, Michael worked 24 years The Colburn's lived two years in Thessaloniki, Greece to do as a full-time software developer for the US Government. research and language study for the handbook. For the last 7 years of this time, he established and The Colburns are currently based in St. Augustine, managed a software development division within the U.S. Florida, and from there travel to Kenya and other countries government. He has a certification in project management to train people in the use of the AGES Software. from the Project Management Institute, a certification in multi-million dollar program management by the Federal As always, please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley, Acquisition Institute, and led numerous initiatives from 618-447-9688, if you have any questions, would like to initial vision through to implementation. be part of the Mission Team St. Louis, or if you would Michael's academic qualifications include a BA in like to help our missionaries. Biblical Studies, MA in Linguistics, MCIS in Software En- Thank you for your continued support! gineering, and a Doctor of Computer Science degree. He has developed courses and taught both within industry and at the college level. He and his wife, Lisa, now work full-time with the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) as mission specialists in linguistics and translation. Their vision is that Compassion for others and every Orthodox Christian parish in the world will have the sympathy for their failings will opportunity to worship God using the mother-tongue of its bring the heart closer to the parishioners. Their mission is to equip translators of the heart of God than any form of Orthodox liturgical texts with the knowledge and tools they judging need to produce accurate and understandable translations that speak to the hearts of those who pray, hear, or read St. Hesychius the Presbyter them. To that end, Michael has laid out a multi-year plan to develop and provide four types of assistance to OCMC missionaries, liturgical translators, and publishers of translations: software, courses, handbooks, and consulting.

2018-A Look Ahead Philoptochos Corner Don't see "Mamma Mia - Here We Go Again" The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos without us!!! We will be renting a movie theatre for a pri- Society vate screening of the movie. Ticket sales will start in June under our new banner. The Evelyn’s House – BJC Hospice food/snack Christ is Risen! pantry list will be available in June. Please stop to see Χριστός ἀνέστη! what is needed. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.

Here’s hoping that all of the March & April 2018 Meeting Dates: showers bring May flowers. And speaking of it being May Sunday, May 6, Sunday, June 24, already, it’s hard to believe that a year has gone by already Sunday August 5, Sunday, September 16, since the new board was elected. Sunday, October 14, Sunday, November 11, This is a friendly reminder that it is an election year No meeting in December which means that meeting attendance counts. You must attend at least 4 meetings between May 2018 and April 2019 Come see us at the Taste of Town & Country’s in order to be eligible to be a board member. We look Fire & Ice annual pre-4th of July festival on Saturday June forward to seeing you at our next meeting! 23 from 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm. We will be selling baklava sundaes at our booth. All proceeds to benefit Philoptochos National Chapter Challenge charities. Evelyn's House BJC Hospice Evelyn’s House is in need of more crocheted lap See you all at the May Festival! blankets. If you have any interest in making a blanket please see Janice Kanteres for details, there is a size requirement Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. for these lap blankets. The patients & families love the We have lots of fun fund raisers & activities planned pillow cases Sandy Goranitis has made for them. If you sew every month. We look forward to seeing you. and are willing to make pillow cases please let me know! Flora Dimitriou If you would like any more information on this pro- Philoptochos President ject please see Janice Kanteres or Flora Dimitriou, National 636-795-4602 Chapter Challenge Co-Chairs. [email protected]

Acknowledgements We would like to thank Board Member Eleftheria Afentoullis and friends for serving coffee hour for the Here lies the central message of Pascha and month of May. Christ’s Resurrection! No matter who we are or what we Thank you for supporting our Easter Food Sales in have done in life, no matter how many times we've denied March & April. Everything was delicious!! Christ, or betrayed Him, or even rejected Him, no matter Thank you for supporting our Palm Sunday how many times we've fallen into our common sins or Luncheon. even serious transgressions, Pascha Sunday commands us never to despair, for our Lord’s Resurrection gives us May/June National Commitment hope for a new life and a fresh start!!! We can’t stay 75th Anniversary Founders Fund: Provides hopeless when we know that we have a God who loves us assistance to Greek Orthodox older adults and their families, so much that He willingly died on the Cross to take our continuing care facilities and special projects. sins upon Himself! We have a God who not only endured Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF): Provides betrayal, denial, humiliation, rejection, and the most cruel Orthodox Christian support to college students on campuses form of death on the Cross, but a God who willingly in the U.S. descended into the deepest darkness of Hades to wrestle with the Evil One and break His bonds over us, destroying Have we caught your attention with our new his power of sin, evil and death! For those of us who Philoptochos banner on Sundays? choose to participate in this restoration of life, in this From now on Philoptochos will have a table under resurrection from the dead, that joy and peace and hope its banner in the hall during coffee hour. That will be our will be ours. We will live abundant lives in the power of home base for all of our event ticket sales. Also, all food Christ and in the victory of His Resurrection! orders will be taken there as well as all pick-ups. Stop by Fr. Luke Veronis from time to time to see what we are up to.

May-June Graduations 2018 Sunday School Food Drive If a member of your family is graduating this year from middle school, high school, college, or a graduate school, please call the church office at 314-966-2255 so that we may compile a list of the names. We would like to acknowledge their hard work.

Ben Aslan Emma Bangert Gabriel Bishara Peter Cosmopoulos Alyssa Grube James Huff Evangelia Huff Anna Lederman Eva Loli Evan Matthew Joseph Nadreau

Lea Bishara Nina Edwards will attend Ursuline Academy in the fall Christopher Hock Maggie Huff Gini Lappas Irena Malek Nicholas Nadreau Stella Palmer George Tambassis Evanthia Theodorou Jenna Thorn

A big THANK YOU to all who helped with the very Lydia Edwards is graduating from Ursuline successful 2018 Sunday School Food Drive. It was great Academy will attend University of to watch the piles of food grow from your generous Missouri Columbia in the fall. donations. The food drive began the first week of Great Stella Erickson Irina Kratz Lent and ended on Palm Sunday. The food was donated to Erica Schreiber Alexander Siampos FOCUS Gateway City’s food pantry and another big Ari Theodorou is graduation from Chaminade College THANK YOU to Robert Lampros for packing it all in his Preparatory Texas Christian University (TCU) Fort car and delivering it to FOCUS. Here’s to next year!! Worth, Texas in the fall Theodosius Vogt is graduation from Parkway South High and entering the United States Army. Donors Needed We are looking for donors for the following.

College Graduates Priest’s Prayer book $19.76 James Murphy is graduating from University of Missouri - Columbia with a degree in mechanical Through donations we purchased English service books engineering and minors in aerospace for the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. We need an additional engineering, math and business. $140.17 to cover the cost of all the books.

Mother’s Day Reception $300.00 Father’s Day Reception $300.00

As needs arise we will continue to update this list.

THANK YOU!

Vigil for Leave-Taking of Holy Pascha and Women’s Summer Saint Elisabeth Convent Book Study On Tuesday, May 15, 2018 we will celebrate the vigil for the Leave-taking of Holy Pascha: A little change to our Summer Women’s book 5:30 pm Great Vespers study program. This year 6:15 pm Orthros we will meet once a 7:00 pm Divine Liturgy month on: On Wednesday of the sixth week of Pascha, we Thursday, May 10 celebrate the Leavetaking of the Feast. While most Feasts Thursday, June 14 have their Leavetaking on the eighth day, Pascha, the Feast of Feasts, has its Leavetaking on the thirty-ninth day. The Thursday, July 12 fortieth day is the Feast of the Lord’s Ascension, which At the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church marks the end of the Lord’s physical presence on earth. The in the Parish Council Room at 11:00 am services today are celebrated as a vigil the evening before just as they are celebrated on the day of Pascha itself. following 10:00 am Divine Liturgy (https://oca.org/saints/lives/2015/05/20/41-leavetaking-of-pascha) Following Divine Liturgy the Sisters of St. The book is "Tears of Repentance" by Elizabeth Convent from Minsk, Belarus will be in the Athanasios Katigas, available from the Philoptochos to show their hand-crafted items available for Church office. purchase. These items help the convent with their mission to help children and adults with mental and physical If you have any questions, please contact disabilities as well as support rehabilitation for ex-prisoners Presvytera Laura Morton at 314-303-1784. and drug and alcohol addicts.

Assumption Little Angels Moms (Dad welcome too!) and children, infants up through kindergarten Saturday May 19 10:00-11:00 am Join us for an opportunity to make new friends and get to know other parents from our community. We have snacks and activities for the kids and Coffee for mom (and/ or dad). Looking forward to seeing you!

Memorials: Births - Congratulations to: Memory Eternal

Paul and Tabitha Sarris on the birth of their daughter, April 22 Olivia Kathleen, on March 30, 2018. 1-year Memorial for Constantine Peters 6-year Memorial for Nicholas Georgen Baptisms - Congratulations to: April 29 Gabriel and Sandra Brand, whose son, Kenneth, was 40-Day Memorial for Jack G. (Zacharias) Sarris baptized with the name Gabriel on April 14, 2018. The 1-year Memorial for Olympia Glynias godparents are Dimitrios and Jacqueline Aslan. May 6 Funerals - Memory Eternal to: 1-year Memorial for Christos Zeris

Jimmie Georges, age 57, passed away peacefully on May 13 Saturday, April 7, 2018. The funeral was at Assumption on 3-year Memorial for Helen Papavramides Wednesday, April 11. The Burial was at St. Matthew’s 6-year Memorial for Stergios Papavramides Cemetery. 36-year Memorial for Agnes Harris (Harizopoulos)

Helen Kiriakos (nee Strategos) reposed on Sunday, April 36-year Memorial for George Harris (Harizopoulos)

15, 2018. The funeral was held on Wednesday, April 18th May 20 at Assumption. Burial is at Jefferson Barracks National 40-day Memorial for Demetrios (Jimmie) Georges Cemetery. June 3 1-year Memorial for Mihail Tzianos In Our Prayers: 2-year Memorial for Agni Karagiannis

Nora (Elaine) Bangert, Tom Dubis, Seraphima Henderson, June 10 Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris, Achilles Kirkou, Michael Memorial for the departed members of the Labis, Christopher Martin (Alexandra Martin’s grandson) Hellenic Spirit Foundation George and Janice (Ioanna) Paradissis, Elaine Scott, June 17 Despina Zeris. 1-year Evangelia Halisatanis

Important Please inform either Fr. Joseph or Fr. Anastasios immediately when you or any member of your family is sick or hospitalized, so that appropriate prayer and visitation may be scheduled. Hospitals do not notify clergy of patients, even if you list yourself as a Church member.

Save the date

Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Hellenic Spirt Foundation Charities

& Sunday School The Soulard School of St. Louis Graduation Team up for the 25th Annual Sunday, May 20 Immediately following Divine Liturgy Greek Open Followed by our Invitational Annual Ice Cream Social Golf Tournament hosted by the Sunday School during coffee hour. All proceeds to Glen Echo Country Club benefit Children’s Hospital Gift Locker! 3401 Lucas & Hunt Rd. St. Louis, MO 63121

Please contact 314-447-0290 or 317-703-3847 for more information l Please join us

A mother is she who can take the place of all Sunday, May 13 others but whose place no one else can take. Cardinal Mermillod In the Church hall

Mothers are the necessity of invention. immediately following Divine Liturgy Bill Watterson

Mothers are the people who love us for no good To honor reason. And those of us who are mothers know it's the most exquisite love of all. Mother of the Year Maggie Gallagher and A mother's love is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, it never fails or falters, Woman of the Year . even though the heart is breaking. Helen Steiner Rice

The patience of a mother might be likened to a Many thanks to our anonymous donor tube of toothpaste - it’s never quite all gone. for their generosity unknown

Save the Date Adult Orthodox Christian (AOC) Hellenic Culture Camp 2018 Evening of Fellowship Join us for a lenten potluck dinner & discussion

Saturday May 5 6:00 pm

At the home of For Children Entering Grades 2 through 8 in Fall 2018 Soula Marcou July 16th - 20th, 2018 1206 Patrick Dr. Fenton MO 63026 St. Nicholas Family Life Center Monday – Thursday Please call Soula at 8:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 314-724-2755 to RSVP and coordinate a dish to share. Friday at Vetta Sports: Manchester 8:45 a.m. – noon

If you are interested in hosting an AOC, $100 for one child please call the Church office 314-966-2255 $90 for second child $80 for third child (Financial Assistance Available) Jr. Olympics! Saints. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Activities include: Palos Hills, IL Greek Cooking (bus transportation provided) History

Dates: Memorial Day weekend Geography (May 25-28) Greek Dancing Ages: 8-18 Years Old Greek Language Cost: $170 for the first Child $150 for additional Greek Arts and Jewelry Making Application packet coming soon! Sports

More information coming next month!

Kids Korner

“Peace be with you!” We hear our priests say this during every service. They are repeating the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ which He spoke to the Apostles after He rose from the dead. We hear Father say, “In peace, let us pray to the Lord” during the first litany of the Divine Liturgy. He asks God to grant each of us peace and salvation for our souls, and also to give peace to the whole world. But what does “peace” mean? This is not just peace between countries or people, but a special calmness of our soul that is given to us by the Holy Spirit when we are following God’s commandments and . Peace is a gift that we earn through praying to our Lord as much and as sincerely as possible. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you" (John "Acquire the Spirit of Peace, and a thousand14:7). souls around you will be saved."

- St. Seraphim of Sarov

Some prayers to help obtain peace:

Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O holy angel of God, protect me, and guard me, and pray to the Lord for me.

"My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my protection is the Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity, glory be to Thee."

Needed: Festival Volunteers Friday Lunch and Festival Baking Every year after the Festival the very Our is upon us, and once hard working, dedicated ladies of our parish GREEK FEST again our Church needs your help. We need take the summer off from baking. festival labor volunteers for the It’s time again to prepare delicious foods and desserts for our Friday Luncheons Memorial Day weekend and for the Festival. May 25 - 28 The baking has begun. You can find a kitchen full of our dedicated bakers every To volunteer or for more Wednesday. There is a lot to be done and we information, please contact: Carol need your help. Marshall 314-471-5478 or If you are interested and have some free [email protected] time, please come and join the fun. or the church office at 314-966-2255

If you have any questions, please call Amalia Karakasis at 314-495-0305. Many thanks for your support.

Donations for Great Lent and Holy Week-2018

Five Friday evening Salutation (Xairetismi) services Flowers for Icon of the Bridegroom, Nymphios, of Palm Sunday evening 1st Friday, February 23 Mrs. Sofia Evangelopoulos Flowers - Vangel & Lila Nicholas 33 Gardenias for the Epitaphios Coffee hour - Lila Nicholas Sofia & Paraskevie Liyeos , Niko, Aristotelis and Evan 2nd Friday, March 2 Vojcic in memory of their papou, Steve Evangelopoulos Flowers - Dimitrios & Bessie Theodorou Flowers for medium-sized Icon of the Resurrection Coffee hour - Sunday School Bill and Freda Simos 3rd Friday, March 9 Flowers for large-sized Icon of the Resurrection Flowers - Kosta & Chrisoula Panopoulos Anonymous in Memory of Bill Leon Coffeehour - Choir Rosebud vases for Palm Sunday 4th Friday, March 16 In memory of Helen & Stergios Papavramides Flowers Athanasios & Kalliope Deros Rosebud vases for Easter Sunday Coffee - Philoptochos In Memory of their grandson Mason Dale by Donna & 5th Friday, March 23 Victor Roesch Flowers Marika Karagiannis Flowered Wreath of the Crucified Lord Coffee hour - The Foster Family Br. Charles S. Anthony & Mrs. Irene Anthony In loving memory of the Monk and Despina Zeris Flowers for the Epitaphios ($1,000.00 needed) In loving memory of the Honorable Judge Ellis Gregory by Shirley Gregory and Family Candles Antigone Dafnides Priest’s Resurrection Pure Beeswax Candles Easter Lilies or Chrysanthemums (24 needed) Elaine & James Scott 3 - In memory of my brother and parents 7 Candles for Holy Wednesday Holy Unction Donors Needed Angie & John Koulouriotis 12 candles for 12 Twelve Holy Gospels of Holy Thursday evening In Memory of Nick & Jean Kotakis Other Items 3 candles of the Cross (Stavromenos) Good Friday Mike & Oksana Labis Antho nero (rose water) for Holy Week 4 Candles for the Epitaphios Mrs. Valasia Aslan Spiro & Anna Xenos White Sheet for the Body of Christ Palm Sunday Altar Vigil Candles Jim & Elaine Scott in Memory of George & Mary Greg & Megan Simos and Chris & Nicole Simos Petrides Easter Sunday Altar Vigil Candles Eggs for Easter Sunday Mrs. Photini Vlachos Anonymous in Memory of Bill Leon Toulle for Easter eggs Anonymous in Memory of Bill Leon Holy Wednesday Holy Unction - Olive oil, flour, cotton balls Flowers Byron & Darlene Magafas Daffodils (Sunday of Holy Cross) Incense for use during Holy Week Maria Sakellariou Anonymous donor Flowers for the Icon of the Annunciation, March 25 Mageritsa (Paschal Soup) In memory of Evangelos & Kleanthie Theodorou In memory of Mari Makridis by Michail Samaras, Lazos Palms & Daphne (Palm Sunday) & Eleftheria Makridis Sid & Victoria Ambort Palm Sunday Luncheon, April 1 Flowers for the Mystical Supper Icon, Holy Thursday Fritz & Pat Walters in memory of Evangelos Pelekanos, Donor Needed Haralambos Pelekanos, & John Kochay Rose petals for the Epitaphios Jim & Elaine Scott

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 DES PERES ROAD (Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine) Cash, Checks and Kitchen Phone: Credit Cards accepted: FRIDAY LUNCHEONS 314-966-6720 Master Card, Web Site: VISA, Discover, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm assumptiongoc.org American Express Email: May 2018 [email protected] Menu subject to change

May 11 May 4

Olympia Pork Tenderloin with Anna Potatoes ...... $8 Shrimp Saganaki over Rice ...... $9 Baked Fish with Corn Medley ...... $7 Baked Fish with Mixed Vegetables ...... $7 Pastitsio (ground beef, macaroni casserole) ...... $7 Pastitsio (ground beef, macaroni casserole) ...... $7

Gyro Sandwich ...... $5 Gyro Sandwich ...... $5 (seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with (seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce) tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce)

Lobster Bisque……………….Sm $4……...…..Lg $6 Lentil Soup……………………...Sm $3…...….Lg $5

2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)…...………2 for $3 2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)…...…….…2 for $3 Spanakopita (spinach pita) ...... $3 Spanakopita (spinach pita) ...... $3 Tyropita (cheese pita) ...... $3 Tyropita (cheese pita) ...... $3 Greek Salad with olive oil dressing ...... $5 Greek Salad with olive oil dressing ...... $5

Dessert ...... $3 Dessert ...... $3 (Baklava, Galatobouriko, Kataifi, or Walnut Cake, (Baklava, Galatobouriko, Kataifi, or Walnut Cake, Cheesecake) Cheesecake)

May 18 No Luncheon

Roasted ½ Honey Chicken over Rice ...... $8 May 25 or June 1 Baked Fish with Mixed Vegetables ...... $7 Pastitsio (ground beef, macaroni casserole) ...... $7 Join us instead at our May Greek Festival Gyro Sandwich ...... $5 (seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with Memorial Day Weekend tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce) May 25-26-27-28

Chicken Avgolemono Soup…...... Sm $3……...Lg $5 Friday, Saturday & Sunday 2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)……………2 for $3 11:00 am—9:00 pm Spanakopita (spinach pita) ...... $3 Monday 11:00 am—8:00 pm Tyropita (cheese pita) ...... $3 Greek Salad with olive oil dressing...... $5

Dessert ...... $3 )Baklava, Galatobouriko, Kataifi, or Walnut Cake, Cheesecake)

Festival Menu and Prices Apply 17

Sat

9:00 pm Festival pm 9:00

Saturday of Souls Saturday

Memorial

8:45 amOrthros 8:45

26 26 & Liturgy amDivine 10:00 am 11:00 Olympics Junior

5 12 19 Vespers Great pm 5:00 AOC pm 6:00 Vespers Great pm 5:00 GOYA pm 6:00 Angels amLittle 10:00 Vespers Great pm 5:00 Jr. Goya pm 6:00

St. Seraphim of St. Seraphim Sarov

the Holy the Spirit God.”of

consists inacquisition the of

Fri

9:00 pm Festival pm 9:00

The ourof Christianaim true life

18 Luncheon amFriday 11:00

4 11 25 Luncheon amFriday 11:00 Luncheon amFriday 11:00 am 11:00 Olympics Junior

Thu

Ascension

Liturgy at Saints Cyril & Cyril at Saints Liturgy

Book Study Study Book Church Methody

9:00 amOrthros 9:00

9:00 amOrthros 9:00 Divine & Vespers pm 6:00 amOrthros 9:00 amOrthros 9:00

3 17 Liturgy amDivine 10:00

10 10 24 31 Liturgy amDivine 10:00 amWomen’s 11:00 Liturgy amDivine 10:00 Liturgy amDivine 10:00

taking of Holy Holy of taking

Wed

Leave Leave

Mid Pentecost Mid

9:00 amOrthros 9:00 Kafenio pm 2:00

2 9 16 Liturgy amDivine 10:00 Kafenio pm 2:00 Pascha on Tuesday Services Divine Evening Kafenio pm 2:00

23 30 Kafenio pm 2:00 Kafenio pm 2:00

May

Tue

Vigil for the Leave the for Vigil

Apostle & Evangelist Evangelist & Apostle

Graduation

9:00 amOrthros 9:00 School Greek pm 5:45 Vespers pm 6:30 Study Bible pm 7:15

8 22 29 John Liturgy amDivine 10:00 Vespers pm 6:30 Study Bible pm 7:15

1 15 School Greek pm 5:45 Vespers pm 6:30 Night Youth pm 7:00 Study Bible pm 7:15 Pascha Holy of taking Vespers Great pm 5:30 Orthros pm 6:15 Liturgy Divine pm 7:00 from Sisters pm 8:30 Belarus

Assumption Greek Assumption OrthodoxGreek Church

8:00 pmFestival 8:00

Mon

Saints Constantine & Constantine Saints ofHoly the Monday

Holy Trinity Church Trinity Holy

Matthew Cemetery Matthew

Liturgy & Reception at Reception & Liturgy and Constantine Saints IL Swansea, Church Helen

9:00 am Trisagia at Saint amTrisagia 9:00

7 14 21 28 Helen Divine Orthros, am 9:00 Spirit at Liturgy amDivine 10:00 am 11:00 Olympics Junior

Approximate

Fast Days are Shaded are Days Fast

Feast Days are Boxed are Days Feast

Sun

9:00 pm Festival pm 9:00

Divine Liturgy Times are are Times DivineLiturgy

Blind Man Blind the of Fathers Holy Pentecost

Reception Saints Reception Helen & Constantine

Samaritan Woman Samaritan

Graduation Vespers Kneeling

Meeting School and Sunday Reception

and Sunday School Sunday and

6:00 pm Great Vespers & Vespers Great pm 6:00 amOrthros 8:30 & Liturgy amDivine 9:30

8:30 amOrthros 8:30 Liturgy amDivine 9:45 amOrthros 8:30 Liturgy amDivine 9:45 amOrthros 8:30 Liturgy amDivine 9:45

6 13 20 27 Philoptochos pm 12:00 Day Mother’s pm 12:00 Council 1st Ecumenical School amSunday 11:30 am 11:00 Olympics Junior

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Road NONPROFIT ORG Town and Country, MO 63131-1405 U.S. Postage PAID St. Louis, MO Permit No. 4628 Address Service Requested

From the Orthodox Study Bible

The Gospel of St. Matthew 26: 40-41

40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to peter, “What? Could you not watch me one hour? 41 “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

26:41 Watch and pray is a key to Christian spirituality and our struggle against temptations. Hereby Jesus’ soul is strengthened and He faces death courageously. For, while the divine will of the Father and the Son is one, the Lord becomes obedient to the Father in His humanity. In contrast to Jesus’ vigilance, His disciples sleep. Since body and soul are united, the spirit is paralyzed by a lethargic body. A willing spirit, recog- nizing the weakness of the flesh, knows it needs God’s presence and power. True faith is nourished by ardent, vigilant prayer.

For Consideration

Physical health is undoubtedly a gift of God. But physical well-being is not at all the greatest good of this world, as so many would say and write. Because, whatever physical health may be, it is transitory; and whatever is transitory cannot be man’s greatest good. Values that do not pass away are more precious than those that do, and so eternity is more precious than time. Intransitory values are counted as spiritual health. Father John Kronstadt writes: ‘Oh, I myself feel that, when I am quite well and do not tire myself out with work, my spirit begins to die, the Kingdom of God is not within me and my body begins to master me; when the body is in control, then the devil finds an entrance.’

The Prologue from Ochrid: Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year, vol. 2 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic. Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica Press, Birmingham, 1985. p. 228

2019