THE FLAME HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL Monthly Newsletter
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THE FLAME HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL Monthly Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 8 August 2013 METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS ADDRESSES CLERGY-LAITY ASSEMBLY Below is the keynote address of His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios, presented in June at the 2013 Metropolis of Atlanta Clergy-Laity Assembly and Philoptochos Conference in Boca Raton, Florida. It is an insightful piece, filled with information on numerous activities and programs within the Metropolis that directly impact our New Orleans Holy Trinity Cathedral community. Please take time to read it. It is my honor and privilege to welcome you to this wonderful city of Boca Raton in the southern part of the United States in our Holy and God-protected Metropolis of Atlanta. At this time, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios for taking the time to be with us and bless us later on today and to stay and celebrate the Divine Liturgy on Sunday. Also, I convey the blessings of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, our spiritual father, who is constantly thinking about us and praying for us, along with all the members of the Patriarchal Synod. Although we may not realize it, I believe that we here in America are the largest and most productive eparchy. As we begin this evening the Metropolis of Atlanta Clergy-Laity Assembly, the gathering of representatives from all the communities in our Holy Metropolis of Atlanta, I give thanks and praise to Almighty God for all His Abundant blessings. Among them is this special opportunity to gather as the people of God, because we know that where two or three are gathered together there Christ is also, to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, which we have just celebrated on Pentecost, and to discuss our common concerns, sharing our ideas, hopes, and dreams for the future of our Metropolis of Atlanta and, especially, for our young people. Last Sunday we celebrated Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit that the Lord promised would guide and protect the church for ages to come. But, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles for much more than just preaching or evangelism—the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles so that they would be inspired and strengthened to continue the work of our Lord in the world. All of us have also experienced our own Pentecost—at our Chrismation, we received the “seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit.” It is by the Holy Spirit that we are spiritually awakened and understand that we now have a commission from Christ Himself. So, like the Apostles, we too receive the Holy Spirit and are sent out into the world to be witnesses to the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is this same spirit that the Ecumenical Patriarchate, our Mother Church, has nurtured and cultivated through the centuries. Even today under cruel persecution and oppression, our Mother Church maintains the faithful witness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as it did in the glorious days of Byzantium. Here, in the United States, our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese holds high the torch of Truth, and it is up to us to protect this light, making it a beacon that will enlighten us, inspire us, and spread the light of Christ into all the world as His “light shines in the darkness.” My brothers and sisters, this is our Orthodox understanding of the divine mission—that we have been called to deliver this message to the nations, beginning with our own brothers, sisters, spouses, children, families, and friends; in our own communities; in our Holy and God-protected Metropolis of Atlanta; and the entire Archdiocese of America. We have received the great treasure of Orthodox 1200 ROBERT E. LEE BOULEVARD – NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70122 First Greek Orthodox Church in North and South America Continued from previous page Christianity, and we are not to hide our treasure but rather share it with others. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral 1200 Robert E. Lee Boulevard That’s why we have chosen our theme for this gathering: “In everything you do, New Orleans, Louisiana 70122 put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” 504.282.0259 – Fax 504.283.5586 holytrinitycathedral.org (Proverbs 3:6) in order to better understand our mission. In a simple way, our theme gives us the advice that in whatever we undertake we are to do it with Liturgical Services love and with all our heart and mind, with commitment, and then let God do the Sundays – Orthros 8:45 am Divine Liturgy 10:00 am job. Weekdays (when scheduled) 9:00 am Having said that, we need to examine ourselves both personally and as a group Cathedral Clergy in the communities we serve. Some people may say that they trust God, but do Very Reverend Father Maximos Pafilis we trust Him with our whole heart? When things are good in our lives, do we [email protected] 504-609-1499 trust Him? If bad things happen in our lives, do we still trust Him? Or, do we Chanters: Petros Demarinis, Demetrios Pappas trust Him only in certain areas of our life but ignore Him in others so that we can Choir Director: Alex Tiliakos do whatever we want to do? In other words, are we here to do His will, or are we expecting Him to do what is our will? Indeed, have not we seen many times 2013 PARISH COUNCIL President: Nick Moustoukas, MD that the real answer is that we live our lives according to our understanding 1st Vice President: Mike Kleamenakis, OD without ever seeking His will. 2nd Vice President: Constandinos Vennis Treasurer: Christ Kanellakis We should trust God in every part of our lives and also submit to Him in His Secretary: Vladimir Ammons decisions for us. Trusting God means that we put our faith in Him even when we Members: Evangelia Bilalis, Panagiotis have doubts or fears. Putting God first means that every decision we make, Patselikos, Steven E. Psarellis, Eleftherios Toras, every second of everyday, needs to be for the glory of God. It means that we Socrates Toras, and Elias Tsatalios should not be afraid to do things that seem difficult or uncomfortable. Trusting EDUCATION God and putting Him first means we may have to step outside of our comfort Greek School zone in faith. When we do, He will accomplish His purposes because by putting Instructors: Father Maximos Pafilis God first we will make wise decisions. God has blessed us with many different and Fay Kalergi gifts and talents, and if we let Him, He will surely use us to accomplish His will. Sunday School Following Holy Communion So, really, my brothers and sisters, the real question we should be asking Director: Maria Michailakis ourselves is not what we want from God but what He wants from us. And, certainly, the answer is “Not my will, but Thy will be done.” ORGANIZATIONS Acolytes and Readers Of course, here today, I am not speaking to individuals who I must work to Coordinator: Vladimir Ammons convince to join me in delivering God’s message of love, but rather I am AHEPA President: Spiro Latsis surrounded by my family of faith, faithful servants of our Lord and His Holy Daughters of Penelope Church, both clergy and laity, who believe in our common mission and are President: Barbara Stavis Wolf willing to devote their time, talent, knowledge, energy, and resources in order to Education, Culture, and Youth Ministries support it. After all, our clergy spends years of study to prepare themselves to Chairman: Steven E. Psarellis dedicate their lives to the task of leading people on the path to salvation. Our GOYA Coordinators: Maria Michailakis and lay leaders willingly offer themselves and their abilities to implement policies Maria Patselikos and programs that will help others. President: Sophia Marathonitis Advisors: Maria Stokes, Argeta Labatut, Therefore, we are the chosen ones, the blessed ones, according to our Lord, Despina Patselikos, Lenna Korominas who reminds us that “with men, it is impossible, but not with God; for with God, Hellenic Dancers all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27) Our God has chosen us, whom we serve Coordinator: Vivi Demarinis in our Holy Orthodox Church. Holy Trinity Soccer Director: Katerina Tsatsoulis Sutton So, having now spoken a little about the purpose of this gathering, where all the HOPE/JOY (age 11 and under) clergy and laity come together as members of one body, the holy, catholic, and Coordinator: Vicki Mantikos McCallef apostolic church, where we were all baptized in the name of the Father and of Advisors: Angeliki Frezoulis, Sina Lawrence, Donna Venturatos the Son and of the Holy Spirit, I would like to share with you some of the Philoptochos wonderful things that have been accomplished in the life of our Metropolis with President: Connie Tiliakos the assistance and involvement of all of you and many others, who are not PTA present since our last Clergy-Laity Assembly two years ago in New Orleans in President: Vicki Mantikos McCallef 2011. St. Markella of Chios President: Maria Anastasiou My beloved ones, since our last meeting at the Clergy-Laity Assembly, many Support: Secretary, Vickie Catsulis wonderful things have happened in our Metropolis and our local parish Maintenance: Darrell Blunt communities. New programs have been developed and implemented at the 9 2 Metropolis and local level, and, along with that, existing programs have been improved. So that all in all, we should be very pleased at the progress that is taking place in our Metropolis not only in material ways but more importantly in spiritual ways.