THE LIGHT Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church Webster, Massachusetts

THE LIGHT Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church Webster, Massachusetts www.schwebster.org

Vol. 17, No. 8 August 2021 REACHING OUR POTENTIAL Month of the Virgin Mary As I watched the Olympics these possibilities? Saint Paul used the past two weeks, I reflected on the metaphor of physical training and Most Holy potential that each of these athletes compared it to our spiritual training fulfilled. Obviously, they are among when he wrote to his disciple Tim- Theotokos the most talented athletes in the othy, “While physical training is world, yet each of these Olympians of some value, godliness is valua- Save us! took their God-given talents and de- ble in every way, holding promise veloped them, honed them, perfect- for both the present life and the ed them so that they could reach life to come.” (1 Timothy 1:4) Daily Paraclesis their potential. They surely didn’t do it alone but with a team of coach- What is our Godly potential? Services es and colleagues who pushed them Each of us were created in the im- Aug 1-14 toward perfection throughout their age and likeness of God. Reflect on lives. They were given opportuni- this for a moment! Being created in ties, which maybe other athletes of the image and likeness of God is Feast of the similar talent don’t necessarily have, what distinguishes humans from and they seized the opportunities the rest of the animal world. Every Virgin Mary and used them to fulfill their athletic single person was created in the potential. image of God – with our creativity, Aug 15 intellect, reason, passion, desire, Watching these Olympians, how- and the freedom to use each how Special Coffee ever, made me wonder about the we choose. The Fathers of the Fellowship potential each one of us is given Church distinguished between im- and how seriously and carefully age and likeness by highlighting

we strive to develop and fulfill our that being created in the likeness of Annual Greek own God-potential God. For many God is the divine potential we pos- of us, we push ourselves and our sess. Each of us, without exception, Festival children to fulfill our intellectual have the potential to be united with Sept 11-12 potential, wanting to do well in God and so filled with His Spirit school, to find a profession in which that we can become Christ-like. We we will use our intellect and charis- have the potential to become ma to its fullest. Some of us push saints, holy ones who are so en- ALL SERVICES their children in athletics, in the arts, lightened and filled with God’s in other areas where we see obvious grace that we become one with LIVE STREAM skill, or where we have a passion Him. ourselves. Connect at website On August 6th we celebrate the www.schwebster.org How serious, though, do we try to Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus understand our spiritual potential when he climbed up Mount Tabor and strive to fulfill our God-given with three of his disciples - Peter, Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church 37 Lake Parkway, PO Box 713 Webster, MA 01570 Church Telephone: (508) 943-8361 website: www.schwebster.org Facebook: St Constantine Helens (Church) Church Office Hours: Monday, Fridays 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

The mission of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church is to proclaim the Good News of Salvation through the Orthodox Christian Faith for the glory of our Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We are a community of believers who journey towards our Lord Jesus Christ and one another through our WORSHIP, FELLOWSHIP, SPIRITUAL GROWTH, WITNESS, and SERVICE. We invite all people to join us on this journey in the Kingdom of Heaven.

We are under the jurisdiction of His Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America His Eminence, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston

Father Luke A. Veronis Telephone: (508) 949-7623 (h) (774) 230-6985 (cell) email: [email protected]

2021 PARISH COUNCIL Sunday School Teachers: President: Michael Chito Anton Cojocaru, Sara Darlagiannis, George Vice President: Joseph Gliniecki Dunning, Anesti Jordanoglou, Evis Secretary: Marie McNally Jordanoglou, Pauline Mueller, Stephanie Quill, Rayne Purcell, Pres. Faith Veronis Treasurers: Leah DiDonato &

Bill Thompson Ecclesiarchs: Rayne Seraphim Purcell Kathy Bilis Lisa Healy and Charlie Chito Sandi Kunkel Neal Neslusan Evelyn Pappas Jared Quill Cantors: Anestis Jordanoglou, Demetrios Debby Raymond Nick Seferi Milios, Joseph Gliniecki, Annalisa Dunning

Festival Chair: Lisa Healy & Marie McNally PHILOPTOCHOS President: Deborah Mitsakos Vice President: Sara Darligiannis & 100th Anniversary Chari: Mike Chito & Thomai Gatsogiannis Co-Chair Joe Gliniecki Secretary: Christine Kiritsis Treasurer: Sandi Kunkel Gyro Fest Chair: Michael Chito, Joey Gliniecki GOYA: President: Louisa Foisy, Golf Tournament Chair: Arthur Bilis Vice President: Panayiota Veronis,

Secretary: Kara Bilis Choir Directors: Tony and Nike Beaudry Church Secretary: Mary Seferi & Maria Mironidis Greek Dance Group: Nike Beaudry Social Media : Kristina Mironidis Bookstore: Tina Colello The Light - August 2021 REACHING OUR POTENTIAL

John and James – and spent a night in prayer with them. ments might seem, what are they in compari- In the middle of the night, Jesus suddenly becomes illu- son to partaking in God’s nature and becoming mined, brighter than the sun and radiating the uncreated one with our Creator! light of God from His very being. This experience over- Our potential as human beings is lifted up whelms the disciples who fall down with their faces to from any earthly, limited, finite boundary into the ground. They hear a voice from heaven say, “This is an eternal, unending, and infinite journey in my beloved son in whom I am pleased. Listen to the Divine Love of God! We can participate in him.” (Matthew 17:1-9) The disciples also see Jesus God’s nature!!! speaking with Elijah and Moses, two of the greatest figures of the Old Testament who represent the law and the Yet, to fulfill this potential we have to do some- prophets. This feast of the Transfiguration highlights the thing. Just as the Olympians couldn’t simply rely divine nature of Jesus Christ and how He is the fulfill- on their athletic potential but had to spend count- ment of all the Law and Prophets. Jesus is God Himself less hours, days and years training, learning, who has become a human being. growing, and perfecting their talent and skill, the Apostle Peter teaches us that to fulfill our divine Yet, instead of focusing solely on what this feast says potential we must nurture “our faith with good- about who Jesus is, the Apostle Peter reflects upon this ness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godli- experience in his second epistle by connecting it to the ness, affection, and love.” potential every follower of Christ has. “We were eyewit- nesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and Divine grace is a gift that God gives us, helping us glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to fulfill our potential, but we must act as co-workers him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with with the Almighty and consciously and diligently whom I am well pleased," we heard this voice borne cultivate the virtues that will increase our faith. from heaven, for we were with him on the holy moun- Only by nourishing our faith will we participate in tain.” God’s nature.

Then he goes on to say, “God has given us, through His Goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, divine power, his precious and very great promises, so godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Each of that through them you may escape from the corruption these are areas we must focus on if we are serious that is in the world because of lust and may become par- in our desire to “become participants in the divine ticipants of the divine nature.” (1 Peter 1:4) nature.” We must give not just as much attention, but much more attention and time and effort to Peter highlights that we can escape the corruption and nurturing our faith than nurturing our pursuits for evil of the world and become participants in the divine earthly and temporary dreams and pleasures. nature! The world around us is filled with darkness, dirt- iness, lust, corruption, and evil. We all know this and are Remember who you are. Remember the poten- influenced in various ways by the darkness of the world. tial God has placed in each one of us. Remem- Instead of lamenting about this fallenness, St. Peter ber “God’s precious and very great promises, so points out how we can escape from the worldly corrup- that through them we may escape from the cor- tion and become participants in the “divine nature.” ruption that is in the world because of lust and may become participants of the divine na- Here lies our potential! Our call in life is so much ture.” And strive to become a spiritual Olympi- more and so much greater than simply focusing on an receiving a crown of gold in our heavenly some earthly, temporary, superficial pleasures and arena. dreams. Even if we could be an Olympian and become the greatest athlete in the world, or if we could use our brains and intellect and become a world re- With hope in Jesus Christ, nown doctor or physicist or writer or whatever else the Fulfiller of our Divine Potential, we might dream about, as great as these accomplish- +Luke

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DIFFERENT ICONS OF THE THEOTOKOS Stephen Beale

At first, they all seemed essentially identical. I . was in a local icon museum on an assignment and I was facing a hanging panel of ten different icons of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, or the Theotokos, the God-bearer. Sure, in some icons Mary’s head was tilted to the left rather than the right. And some glittered while others were more dulled with age. And certainly the relative proportions of Mary to the Christ Child varied widely. But in terms of fundamental fea- tures they all looked the same: Mary was much larger than Christ, even if He was shown in a non-infant stage, her head was bowed, and Christ always seemed to be cradled within her embrace.

It had been a decade past my entrance into the Church, but my vestigial Protestant instincts started acting up. Why was Mary always larger than Christ? Why so many icons depicting the same thing? It seemed like so much overkill re- In some versions of these icons, the angle lated to Mary. of Mary’s arms suggests not just prayer but an act of revelation. Her arms are held back Of course, I’ve learned to distrust such lingering as if to provide an unobstructed view of Protestant instincts. So, rather than turn away Christ. from icons of Mary I put more focus into them. And I started to get it. Mary’s whole counte- The other icons started to nance was designed in such a way as to center differentiate themselves. attention on Christ, who was usually in the focal One of the simpler types is point of many of the Theotokos icons that I saw. the Hodigitria icon, trans- Learning to distinguish among the different lated as She Who Shows types of Theotokos icons—there are at least five the Way. In this depiction, major ones based on style—helped me to see Christ rests on one side of this. Mary while her free hand points to Him. Mary’s rela- One icon really illustrated tive largeness catches our how Mary always leads us to attention only so that it might be concen- Christ. In this style, also trated on Christ. known as Mother of God Praying, Mary’s arms are And so it is with the other types of Theoto- held up in prayer, instead of kos icons. In the Eleousa in a maternal embrace. In icon, the motherly love of these icons Christ is sus- Mary towards Christ and pended in the center, often in His reciprocal filial affec- a circle, near or over where tion towards her are Mary ’s heart would be. In a sense, it was like stressed. One other com- there was an icon within an icon.

2 The Light - August 2021 mon type shows Mary enthroned, with Christ also enthroned within her. The Virgin Mary’s

The Tender Heart icon of the identity does not exist Virgin Mary highlights her apart from Christ. She is compassion for the world and never a Mother without her love for all people, wanted to draw them closer to her a Son, a Queen without a son. King, or an indicator of the way without a Way to These icons underscore a fundamental truth: Mary’s identi- point towards. She is ty does not exist apart from always with Christ and is Christ. She is never a mother without a Son, a oriented towards Him. queen without a King, or an indicator of the way without a Way to point towards. his readers most assuredly This sets Mary radically apart from all other di- had to be familiar with the vine mothers of the ancient world, whose identity ancient myths of the time, was only loosely or incidentally connected to even if they did not believe their famous sons. One struggles to think of any them. We see things radi- maternal figure from ancient Greek or Roman cally anew when we read myth where the mother is always depicted with the gospel in this broader her son. Rather it is easy to visualize them with- cultural context, as did all out their sons. Their identity is comprehensible the Church Fathers. as individuals. In the ancient world, he- Such a thing is unthinkable for Mary: she is al- roes—extraordinary figures ways with Christ. Her whole existence is oriented who transcended their humanity to become some- towards Him. thing like a god—had special origin stories. Many, who later went on to found cities or new nations, And, likewise, in contemplating these icons we had miraculous births and infancies just as do the are called to become like Mary—to embrace superheroes of today. Christ, to make him the center of our whole existence, and to let Him reign over our hearts. Consider Romulus and Remus, the twin founders of Rome. Their mother was one of the Vestal Vir- gins—a priestly cult of women devoted to the hearth VIRGIN MARY VS. goddess—who had the misfortune of being raped by the war god Mars or the hero Hercules, depending on the account. Her virginity violated, she was put THE MYTHS to death while the infants were left to die of expo- A common smear against veneration of Mary is its sure, only to be saved and suckled by a wolf. As far supposed vestigial paganism. But when the gospel as birth myths go that’s pretty tame, actually. account of Virgin Mary, as in the Annunciation in Luke 1, is compared with the ancient myths of ancient But the pattern of an innocent virgin or nymph be- Greece and Rome, it is striking how different Mary is ing unwittingly or unwillingly bedded by a lustful from her supposed pagan counterparts. god is a recurrent motif in ancient Greek myth. Eu- ropa was abducted by Zeus, the king of the gods, This is more than an exercise in contemporary apolo- and later gave birth to Minos, the founder of Minos. getics. The Gospel of Luke was written in Greek and Another forced union between Zeus and the virginal Callisto led to the birth of Arcas, a mythical king of

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VIRGIN MARY VS. THE MYTHS the Arcadians. Likewise, Persephone was kid- to the inconveniences of human childbirth. Being napped by Hades, though their union produced fully man and fully God, Jesus was neither of no children, perhaps because he was the god of these and beyond both. the dead. Of course, not all birth myths cast victim virgins. This difference is reinforced from the beginning in the figure of Mary herself. With the above In Roman mythology, the roles are seemingly myths in mind, listen anew to the Annunciation reversed for the hero Aeneas, also a mythical account in Luke 1. founder of Rome whose father, Anchises was human, while his mother was the goddess Ve- And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was nus. In one way the story is true to the form of sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Naza- the others cited above: Venus seduces An- reth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name chises only by disguising herself as a human was Joseph, of the house of David; and the vir- princess, with the deception only being re- gin’s name was Mary. And the angel being come vealed afterwards. in, said unto her: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women” (verses But otherwise, Venus is very much unlike the 26-30). nymphs, who so often seem to be little more than receptacles for uncontrollable divine pas- After the birth of Jesus is described and the mi- sion. In the epic poem the Aeneid, written raculous means of His conception, Mary then re- about 20 to 30 years before the birth of Christ, sponds: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it she is depicted as something of a force of na- done to me according to your word. And the an- ture, constantly intervening to shape the fate of gel departed from her” (verse 38). her hero son, or intervening on his behalf with other deities. The differences between this true story and ancient myth are immediately obvious. First, the The birth stories of the gods are even weirder. appearance of a messenger announcing what is to Dionysus, the god of wine and theater, was come. Mary is surprised, clearly, but she is now born from Zeus’ thigh. His human mother prepared for the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Semele had died after seeing Zeus in his full moment of conception, this wondrous meeting of divine glory, so Zeus had stowed his son until earth and heaven in the womb of Mary is, moreo- he was ready to be born. But Zeus was not al- ver, not some sudden unplanned event, but rather ways so kind to his children. Worried that one the design of divine providence, as the angel ex- of his unwilling consorts—this time a fellow plains. deity, Metis—would give birth to a rival claimant to the divine throne, Zeus swallowed Notice this too: it is the Holy Spirit—God as her and her unborn child. Zeus later developed wholly other—whom Mary will encounter, not a severe headache. Another god cracked open some lustful anthropomorphic deity. And yet, Zeus’ skull and out came Athena. Mary has been specially prepared for this. She has already been ‘filled’ with grace. Perhaps fittingly, Zeus himself had to force his own father, Cronus, to vomit out his brother And then finally there are her words of assent to and sister gods, the future Olympians. her role in God’s providential plan. Her ‘Yes’ to God. Let it be done according to your will. The gospel stands apart from these myths. Those who insist otherwise face an immediate A tremendous amount of theological reflection conundrum. The child that was born to Mary has been poured into this moment, indicating as it was neither a hero bound to ascend to the di- indeed does the importance of cooperation in vine nor a god who had briefly condescended grace, faith in the Word of God as a free act, and

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Mary’s special role in God’s plan of salvation—all valid. Most Holy Theotokos intercede for us and But in the context of ancient myth, the simple fact that Mary even was granted an opportunity to say save us! ‘yes’ at all is significant. It is indicates that she was to be no passive vessel of the Holy Spirit, that she is no way should be likened to those darting nymphs and strange virgins of ancient myth—just Hail Mary Full of as we would shudder at the remotest suggestion that the Holy Spirit has passions as we do or that Grace the Lord is with God ‘forced’ Mary to participate in this plan. For You. Blessed are you us, that sounds blasphemous. For the ancient Greeks and Romans it would have been quite the among women and norm. blessed is the fruit of

But then is Mary perhaps more like Venus, the your womb for you have goddess? The best answer to this suggestion, I be- given birth to the Savior lieve, rests in one of the most conspicuous objects of the veneration of Mary: the icon. Find an icon of of our souls. Mary—any one. One of the most common types is the Mother of God the Theotokos icon, in which a large figure of Mary is depicted with an infant Je- sus. You are honored more

If you google images of the Virgin Mary you will than the cherubim and notice that Jesus is in every single one. OK, that’s beyond compare more something we take for granted now but do a google glorious than the sera- search of images for Venus and you may notice some of Venus with Aeneas but one thing is clear: phim, without loss of her identity is no way inextricably linked to Aene- virginity you gave birth as. Her maternal relationship with him is incidental to who she is, whereas, with Mary, it’s clear her to God the Word, we entire identity is bound up with her son Jesus. magnify you the true

All that Mary is points to Jesus. Perhaps that’s why Birth-Giver of God. her figure looms so large in the icons, to drive home the message that Jesus had a fully human mother, not some on-again-off-again maternal deity with her own life. Theotokos as our hope

The account in the Gospel of Luke offers us a true of us Christians one story that is at once more ordinary and extraordi- and all, comfort shelter nary than ancient myth because it is both more human and more divine. It is more human because and protect all who Mary’s dignity as a person capable of freely choos- place their hope in you. ing self-giving love is upheld. And more divine because it reflects both the majesty and loving- kindness of God the Creator.

5 The Light - August 2021 ST. KOSMAS AITOLOS

"If it were possible for me to climb up into the sky, to be holy life of peace, joy, and humility. able to shout with a great voice, to preach to the entire world that only our Christ is the Son and Word of God, He emphasized that true Christian love means, "If I have a true God and life of all, I would have done it. But be- loaf of bread to eat, and someone else does not have, I must cause I can't do such a thing, I do this small thing; I not eat alone but share what I have. If I have clothes and walk from place to place and teach my brothers and another lacks them, I must give away part of what I have. sisters as I can, not as a teacher but as a brother." If I open my mouth to gossip, at once I remember love and it stops my mouth from speaking. . . And above all, love These words were said by Saint Kosmas of Aitolos, teaches me to forgive. A man may insult me, kill my father, whose feastday we celebrate on August 24th. He was my mother, my brother, and then gouge out my eyes. As a one of the greatest missionaries of the modern era. For Christian, it is still my duty to forgive him." the last 20 years of his life, he traveled throughout villages of Greece and Albania preaching the Gospel of In many villages, the people loved him and wanted him to Christ and trying to help people discover the great rich- stay with them. His desire to share the gospel with all peo- es of the Kingdom of God. ple compelled him onward. He would tell these people, "What can I do since there are thousands of villages where St. Kosma came from a poor family, where education the people have never heard the word of God." Before was unavailable. He himself remained illiterate for the leaving any village, he encouraged the villagers to organize first 20 years of his life. However, he had a strong de- a school so that they could teach their children to read and sire to learn to read because he felt it was very im- then they could begin reading the Bible. During his life he portant for him to be able to read the Bible and writings started over 200 elementary schools and 10 high schools. of the Church Fathers and to better discover the riches of our Orthodox faith. Although Kosmas was loved by many people, his preaching obviously upset certain groups and on August 24, 1779 Thus, Kosma traveled throughout many villages look- he was seized in the city of Berat and hanged. ing for ways to learn. Eventually, he went to Mount Athos and to the Philotheou Monastery. At age 20, he From this brief account of his life, we see four main princi- became a monk and thought he would spend the re- ples which he lived by: First, the importance he placed in mainder of his life living in a monastery. reading the Bible and Church Fathers. Second, his understanding of the need for Christians to preach the gospel and His life changed as he read Holy Scripture and began share the good news of Jesus Christ with all people. Third, living a serious spiritual life. St. Kosma said, "By study- his strong desire for all people to be educated, especially so ing the holy Gospel, I found many teachings which are that they could then read the Bible and learn the Faith. pearls, diamonds, treasures, riches, joy - eternal life. Fourth, his belief that we must live the Christian life in Among these teachings I found Christ saying that no practical ways. Such living must be seen in our actions - Christian can be concerned only with himself, but must through love, forgiveness, caring for others, following the be concerned with those who don't know Christ and basic teachings of Christ in our daily lives. who have never heard the Gospel." St. Kosma played an important role in the history of Chris- This revelation from the Bible helped transform his life; tianity in the Balkans. When many Christians were forget- it made him see beyond himself and his own cares, and ting their Orthodox faith and even converting to Islam in look into the needs of the world. He would later say, "I the 18th century, St. Kosma brought people back to Jesus looked out my window and saw the world wounded, Christ and helped them come closer to God. bleeding, and crying for help. I saw the world sub- merged by waves of egoism, ignorance, and hatred. The way we can best honor his memory is by continuing And I decided to waste no more time." his work. We must follow his example by making our Or- thodox Christian Faith central in our lives, by sharing Compelled by the call of God to "go forth" to all peo- Christ’s Good News with others, and by striving to live a ples, he left the monastery with the blessing of his elder holy, pure and Christ-like life in our daily lives! and the Ecumenical Patriarch and began traveling from village to village preaching a simple yet powerful mes- May God have mercy upon all of us through the prayers of sage to believe in God, commit your whole life to Him, St. Kosma. love one another, forgive each other, and strive to live a

6 The Light - August 2021 FALLING ASLEEP OF THE VIRGIN MARY Fast from August 1-14; Feast day August 15th

One of the four major fasting periods for the Orthodox Church occurs from August 1 - 14, in preparation for the Great Feast of the Falling Asleep of the Virgin Mary on August 15.

During this time, Orthodox Christians are asked to increase their spiritual struggle by praying more often, attending the Supplication Services (Paraclesis) to the Virgin Mary, generously offering alms to those in need, and fasting from meat and dairy products as a spiritual Please email Fr. Luke at discipline to draw closer to God. [email protected] with the names of anyone you want us to May we all use this period for our spiritual edification and growth! pray for during this holy season.

OUR TRANSFIGURATION The Feast of our Lord’s Transfiguration Aug 6th

Why do we come to Church each week? What are we seeking from our Christian faith? What is our ultimate goal for this brief life here on planet earth? The Feast of Our Lord’s Transfiguration (Aug 6) clearly teaches us that our goal in life should be nothing less than TRANSFIGURA- TION! To be transfigured, to be transformed, to be lifted up out of the superficialities of the world and to become “a new creation” in Christ, one united with our Lord & filled with His Divine light and energies! Contrary to our fallen human nature, the Transfiguration of Jesus raises our eyes up to our original destiny, which St. Peter affirmed: “[Our Lord’s] divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness… and through his great and precious promises, [we] may be partakers of the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world.” (2 Pet 1:3,4)

Jesus confirmed this teaching throughout his ministry when He invited everyone to fulfill their divine potential. He wants you and me to become one with Him. Thus, the feast of the Transfiguration not only reaffirms the divine identity of our Lord, but also reveals to each one of us our true nature; we see our destiny in divine transfiguration! Human life is not about petty, mundane, superficial pursuits of pleasure, comfort, power, and worldly success, but instead is about a greater call, a return to our original and divine destiny! Life is about transfiguration into the life of Christ!

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As the years have gone by, we have lost PHILOPTOCHOS many of the older members of our Church Family from whom we have received beautiful traditions from their parents and then who NEWS passed them on to the next generation - experience, knowledge, traditions, as well as INTRODUCING OUR NEW their delicious recipes. They also passed on PHILOPTOCHOS PRESIDENT a deep love for Christ and His Church and an understanding of the importance of the Beloved Parishioners, services that we provide.

I’d like to introduce myself to In order to continue a multi-generational our Church Family as the newly Philoptochos experience, I hope to bring in elected Philoptochos President. more and more younger members in our society. We want and need the energy, spirit, I grew up in this Church and and talents of this younger generation and of have many fond memories as a all the new people who are a part of our child attending the original Church.

Church on High Street with my We need to always remember that Philopto- dad and other Mtsakos family chos means “friends of the poor” and I want members. As the years passed us to find new, creative ways in which we by I fell away from the church can reach out to those in need all around us, and ventured out into life. For a within our own church family and especially number of years I would only to those in the larger community outside the attend church on occasion. doors of our Church. I welcome any new, fresh and creative ways in which we can I thank God that my best friend of over 45 years, fulfill our mandate to be friends of those who Thomai Gatsogiannis, brought me back to this are marginalized and in need! Please come church over 10 years ago. I remember and loved with whatever ideas you have!!! the first sermon I heard from Fr. Luke, which was about love and hope and his desire for our Church Finally, I want to thank very much our former Family to reach out beyond ourselves into the larg- President, Evelyn Pappas, and our former er central Mass community and the world. I have Treasure, Marie McNally, for their many always had a passion to give back to society and years of faithful and fruitful service. They to reach out to those in need, so I resonated well played a central role in the leadership of with that first sermon. Philoptochos for numerous years and we are all very grateful. Of course, we expect them My new journey in this Church began as an active to still stay very involved in all that we do! member worshipping with our community and en- We love you Evelyn and Marie. joying the warm and loving fellowship I experi- enced here. I then joined the Parish Council as I ask the entire community to please pray for well as the Philoptochos to start giving back to our our Philoptochos and the work we do. We Church. I have been a part of the Living Bread want to be inspired by the Holy Spirit and Luncheon from the first month that we started this filled with the grace of God so that in all we beautiful ministry and I have found this service do, we do for the glory of God! such a rewarding experience for me. I have also been deeply involved in all of our luncheons, festi- With all my love and gratitude, val, gyro fest, and any other activities we have at the Church.

Debby Mitstakos

8 The Light - August 2021 COFFEE FELLOWSHIP USHERS & GREETERS SERVING GROUPS SCHEDULE (Only for Ushers and Greeters who feel comfortable being back in Church) Aug 1- Christine Kiritsis, Charlotte Neslusan, Titi Chito, Vasiliki Zahariou Aug 1 —Matt Benoit, Lisa Healy, Chris Pantazi Aug 8 - Donna Cooney, Leah Didonato, Rena Klebart, Betty Tonna, Aug 8 - Arthur Bilis, Thomai Gatsogiannis, Trish Laureau Aug 15 - Thomai Gatsogiannis, Trish Lareau, Deb Raymond, Demyana Aug 15—Neal Neslusan, Mike Chito, Tekla Jimmy Karapanos

Aug 22 - Tina Colello, Christa Aug 22—Nicoleta Cojcaru, Christine Benoit, Mary Seferi, Vange Wilson Kiritsis, Debby Raymond

Aug 29 —Matt Benoit, Aug 29- Christine Kiritsis, Charlotte Lisa Healy, Chris Pantazi,

Neslusan, Titi Chito, Vasiliki Zahariou We need more greeters!!! Please contact Fr. Luke if you can help once a month We need more help with coffee fellow- and serve as a greeter. ship !!! Please contact Fr. Luke if you can help once a month!

YOUTH EPISTLE Coffee Fellowship Supply Pastries/Donuts Groups READERS Starting in September we will begin Aug 15- Panayiota Veronis having people bring healthy snacks Aug 22 - Maria Jordanoglou (fruit, vegetables) along with other Aug 29 - Helen Dunning treats for our coffee fellowship.

If you’d like to be a part of this group, We are looking for more young please let Fr. Luke know. girls who would like to read the Epistle once every six weeks.

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VACATION CHURCH CAMP “Dare to Be a Daniel” Two Sessions: PK-Grade 5 and 6th - 10th Grade

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12 The Light - August 2021 Our VCC Visit to the Zoo

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14 The Light - August 2021 OUR ANNUAL GREEK FESTIVAL IS BACK!!! SEPTEMBER 11TH & 12TH

We are excited to bring back our traditional annual Greek Festival! In hope to keep our costs down as much as possible, anyone who would like to donate any of the following or make a monetary donation to purchase any of the items for the food line, please see or call either one of the chairpeople, Lisa Healy 508-981-8109, Marie McNally 508-612-2946. Also please reach out to us if you want to know how you can help pre- pare for the festival, or if can volunteer. Thank you!!!

THE FOLLOWING, WE WILL NEED TO KNOW BY AUGUST 30, 2021 30 CASES OF WATER 12- PACKS OF SODA - 14 COKE, 12 DIET COKE, 10 GINGER ALE, 10 ROOT BEER, 12 ORANGE, 7 SPRITE 2 LARGE BOTTLES OF KETCHUP 1 LARGE BOTTLE RELISH & 2 LARGE BOTTLES MUSTARD 20 LARGE ONIONS (FOR GYROS) 3000 NAPKINS 600 SMALL PAPER PLATES 6 OR 7 INCH 100 SLICES OF AMERICAN CHEESE (INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED) 140 HOT DOGS AND HOT BUNS 140 HAMBURGERS AND BUNS 500 DINNER ROLLS 3 CASES SERNO (6 HOUR) ICE

Philoptochos Donations Needed: 150 Phyllo packets 110 cream cheese packages 110 big cottage cheese 150 pkg of spinach 60 lbs salted butter 20 lbs unsalted butter

We also need donations of thematic gift baskets and also raffle items for children’s center table

100TH ANNIVERSARY

SHARING THE LIGHT

SAVE THE DATE: 100th Anniversary Gala Dinner at the Mansion at Bald Hill in Woodstock Saturday, November 13th

We have set a goal to raise $250,000 to help our Church share the Light of Christ to the local community and the world through certain charitable projects, while also beautifying and upkeeping our Church Building.

Contact Chairman Mike Chito (860-481-0405) or Joe Gliniecki (508-864-1279)

Outreach Projects and Church Beautification/Upkeep Projects in honor of this event:

OUTREACH AND CHARITY:  Paid off $3.5 million in medical debt for 2200 families  Send $15,000 St Innocent Orphanage and Project Mexico  Send our Metropolis of Boston Summer Camp Program $10,000 in gratitude for all they do for our youth.  Supporting certain programs helping those with addictions  Supporting children who need help with their medical needs

CHURCH BEAUTIFICATION AND UPKEEP:  New $45,000 HVAC System and Duct Work for Church Sanctuary  New $30,000 Roof for Church Sanctuary  LED Lighting for Chandeliers in Church (completed)  Pantocrator Icon on Ceiling of our Church (completed)  Possible Marble Flooring for Church Solea and Altar  Possible Outdoor Pavilion and Landscaping for Backyard of Church

Please Consider Participating in this once in a Lifetime Celebration

THANK YOU!!!

FUNDRAISING GOAL: $250,000

TOTAL IN CASH AND PLEDGES: $180,000

ARCHANGELS ($40,000-$50,000)  An Anonymous Donor Inspired by our Church’s Good and Faithful Steward Challenge

ANGELS ($30,000-$39,000)  Michael and Titi Chito

PRINCIPALITIES: ($20,000– $29,000)  Marion Thomas  Philip and Barbara Thomas

GOOD SHEPHERDS: ($15,000 - $19,000)  Neal and Charlotte Neslusan

TORCHBEARERS: ($10,000 - $14,000)  Joey Gliniecki  Sandi/Gerry Kunkel

BENEFACTORS ($5000-$9000)  Paulette Steffa in honor of Fr Alexander/Pres. Pearl Veronis  In loving memory of Cosma and Stella Hadjoglou from Christine Mayo  Robert Miller  Scott, Kathy, Kaiden, Hanna Kunkel  Lee, Ashley and Xander Kunkel  Fr Luke and Pres. Faith Veronis and Family

PATRONS: ($2000-$4900)  Jared and Stephanie Quill  Anonymous Donor offering our new Visitation Icon

SUPPORTERS: ($1000-$1900)  In loving memory of my husband Charlie from Ann Chito  Athina Bilis  Leah DiDonato  Mary Fatsi  Bill and Christine Kiritsis  Nick Popiak  Eleanor Teguis  Ted Theodores  In memory of my wife Hariklia from Jimmy Milios  Tasi Vriga

The Light - August 2021 Remembering Our Church Family

Aug 15 Dormition of Virgin Mary Important Dates Rose Angelo in AUGUST: Mary Baxter Coral Cynthia Rose Breton Make a visit, give a call, or express your con- Despina Condos gratulations to members of our Church family Maria Economou who celebrate special days during this month. Mary Fatsi Maria Jordanoglou BIRTHDAYS: Despina Kiely

Aug 1 Dimitrios Milios Trish Panayiota Lareau Aug 1 Adam Sanderson Marie McNally Aug 4 Nicholas Veronis Maria Mironidis Aug 6 Katerina Beland Marie Monroe Aug 6 Sophia Quill Maria Papa Aug 6 George Dunning Mary Papageorge Aug 7 Vassey Tanko Mary Seferi Aug 11 Ramona Geotis Panayiota Veronis Aug 11 Mikaela Baraklilis Aug 12 Sophia Baraklilis Aug 30 St. Alexander Aug 13 Helen Constantine Alexandra Koulax Aug 13 Catherine Jordanoglou Alexander Pappas Aug 14 David Johnson Sandi Kunkel Alex Massie Aug 17 Alex Seferi Aug 18 Denise Gritzner Sandy Sanderson Aug 19 Steliane Thompson Alex Seferi Aug 19 Richard Seferi Alexandra Xanthopoulos Aug 20 Elias Thompson Aug 20 Abby Neeland Congratulations to Aug 21 Padraic Peterson James (Dimitrios) Bilis Aug 22 Katerina Quill Aug 23 Julie Milios on his Chrismation into the Aug 27 Arthur Peterson Church. We welcome our newest Aug 27 Clara Enache Aug 28 Matthew Zhuk members into our Church Family.

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES:

Aug 5 Mike/Loucia Scafari Aug 8 Chris/Alex Massie Aug 20 Aristotelis/Gloria Panagiotou Aug 24 Anton & Nicoleta Cojocaru Aug 28 Fr Luke & Pres Faith Veronis

NAMEDAYS:

Aug 6 Transfiguration Sam Sotir Kiritsis Sam Sotirios Pappas

The Light - August 2021 IS OUR CHURCH COMMIT TO 20 IN YOUR WILL? MINUTES WITH GOD EACH DAY

Remember Christ’s Use Fr. Luke’s Daily Email Beloved Church in your to help you spend 20 Estate Planning and minutes every day Legacy Giving! connecting with God through Meditation and What a beautiful way to Scripture.

remember the Church that Sign up to the daily email at has blessed you and www.schwebster.org and go to bottom right column of nourished you throughout homepage. your life, or at different stages in your life. ONLINE GIVING

Even after you have gone to https://my-site-108326- 103062.square.site/ be with the Lord and join the Church Triumphant in Or look for our safe & convenient the company of the saints, you can still help the Church here on earth continue her at bottom left of Church sacred ministry of love and webpage at hope to the world! www.schwebster.org

Learn your Orthodox Faith from Orthodox podcasts, music, teachings at

www.myocn.net www.AncientFaith.com Thank You to those who sponsor our monthly bulletin!

Dudley - Auburn - Blackstone Shaw-Majersik Funeral Home 48 School Street Webster, MA 01570 tel: 508-943-6278 Because We Care Richard D. Majersik, Director www.shaw-majersik.com

Robert J. Miller, Inc. Funeral Services

366 School Street Webster, MA 01570 Tel. (508) 943-0045 ROBERT J. MILLER Toll Free 866-360-0045 Funeral Director Fax (508) 943-3163 Email: [email protected] ww.rjmillerfunerals.net

Put an Ad in the monthly bulletin for $200/year. 114 Point Breeze Road Webster, MA AUGUST 2021

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 Feast of 7 Transfiguration 8:30 Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy 6:30 Paraclesis 6:30 Vesperal Service Liturgy for the 6:30 Paraclesis 6:30 Para- 7:15 Orthodoxy Feast of the NO VESPERS Service clesis Ser- 101 Class Transfiguration 6:00 Paraclesis vice Service 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

8:30 Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy 6:00 Festival ! Meeting 6:30 Paraclesis Service 2:00 Baptism 6:30 Para- 7:15 Orthodoxy 6:30 Paraclesis 6:30 Paraclesis 5:00 Vespers 6:30 Paraclesis clesis Ser- 101 Class Service Service1 Service vice 15 Feast of the 16 17 18 19 20 21 Virgin Mary

8:30 Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy w 6:30 Paraclesis Special Coffee 6:30 100th Service NO VESPERS Fellowship for Anniversary 7:15 Orthodoxy the Feast Meeting 101 Class

22 23 24 St 25 26 27 28 Kosmas 8:30 Matins 9:30 Divine 8:45 Matins 9:30 Liturgy Liturgy

6:00 Festival 6:30 Paraclesis Meeting Service 5:00 Vespers 7:15 Orthodoxy 101 Class 29 30 Sept 1 Sept 2 Sept 3 Sept 4 Sept 5 8:30 Matins Beginning 9:30 Divine of the new Liturgy Church Year 25th Wedding Anniversary 8:45 Matins 6:30 Paraclesis of Anton/ 9:30 Liurgy Service Nicoleta Co- 7:15 Orthodoxy 5:00 Vespers jocaru 101 Class

Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church 37 Lake Parkway PO Box 713 Webster, MA 01570

FR. LUKE’S 10 DAILY SPIRITUAL DISCIPLES

1. Pray and connect with God every day through the formal prayers of the Church as well as with our spontaneous prayers. 2. Meditate and sit in silence for 10 to 15 minute, opening up our heart and mind to God and being filled with His Spirit. Remember to “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). 3. Fill our mind with whatever is “true, noble just, pure, lovely, good, virtu- ous” (Philippians 4:8), remembering that such things can especially be found in Holy Scripture and spiritual writings. 4. Express gratitude towards God and towards others, “giving thanks for all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). 5. Hand over anger, resentment, bitterness, and all of our failures and sins to God, asking forgiveness from Him for our own mistakes and offering forgiveness to anyone who has hurt or offended us. 6. Refuse to allow envy, jealously, greed, or our egocentric desires to preoccupy our minds. Learn “to rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:14). 7. Humbly serve others with joy, imitating our Lord when He washed the feet of His disciples and offered His life for the salvation of the world. 8. Do deliberate acts of kindness to friends as well as to any strangers who cross our path. 9. Smile and brighten up the day for each person we meet, following St. Paul’s exhortation to “edify and bring grace to whoever hears your words” (Ephesians 4:29).

10. Keep an eternal perspective on life, remembering that we all are brief sojourners on this earth and “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20).