The Epistle St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church January 22909 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River, Ohio 2015

Pastoral Thoughts The Balourdas Hellenic Cultural School PTO by Fr. Jim Doukas cordially invites you to the annual Dear Parishioners, Three Hierarchs & Greek Letters Happy New Year! The first of the year is an Day Program interesting time of the year – centered on th reflection and resolution. We use this time Sunday, January 25 to reflect on the year that just ended and from that we naturally evolve into what we can learn from that reflection Memorial for deceased educators of our parish and resolve to make the New Year better. In every aspect of and an actual sermon of St. , our lives, we resolve to be better or to do more than what we following the did. At work, we strive to be more productive; at home, we take steps to spend more quantity (and quality) time with family and friends; and for our own selves, we resolve to eat Greek School Open House – all welcome to healthier, lose weight, and exercise. I am prayerful that visit the classrooms and meet our teachers another aspect of reflection and resolution is in our spiritual lives. Brunch in the Cultural Hall As we look back on 2014, we should reflect on the effort we made in the areas of worship/prayer (both private and with special video presentations, and corporate), reading the Bible, and study of the teachings of the Keynote Speaker Dr. Pete N. Poolos , Fathers. Fasting, almsgiving and other Christian virtues amateur Ancient Greek historian & should also make the list in our spiritual reflection of 2014. As we naturally evolve into how we resolve to better ourselves Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, in 2015, I pray the following can be helpful tips to help us all Case Western Reserve University in the success of our evolving spiritual resolutions: *Attend the Divine Liturgy and other services regularly. For Dorians, Ionians, Myceneans, Minoans Orthodox Christians, there is no substitute for attending church. Besides something that pleases God, it is necessary for “What Did the Ancient our spiritual well-being. For shut-ins or invalids who aren't able to go to church, God certainly understands the Greeks Call Themselves?” circumstances of these people, and recognizes their hearts. However, it is a different matter for those who could attend church but are too lazy, or put other things such as entertainment and amusements before God, or who harbor bitterness or indifference toward others at Church. *Reading the Bible daily is important to stay connected to God’s Word. Every home should have an Orthodox Bible which includes commentary and correct interpretation. *The study of the teachings of the (Patristics) and their theological and scriptural insights are very valuable. The Holy Fathers lived much closer to the days of the apostles than we do, and they were forced to crystallize the apostolic teaching in response to the influx of various heresies and Presentation of the 2015 PTO & the Anna Poulos errors. Their formulation of doctrine was biblical and foundational for true Christianity, and their homilies and other Memorial Scholarships and Book Fair to follow writings, contain innumerable valuable insights. In today’s society, it is IMPERATIVE that we arm ourselves against the $12.00 per adult and $7.00 per student daily bombardment of these heresies. For tickets, contact the church office at 440-331-2246 or (continued on p. 4) [email protected] The Epistle is the official publication of the CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS’ CONTACTS Greek Orthodox Community of St. Demetrios Acolyte Coordinator …………..…Tom Hlepas…216-269-3265 Phone: (440) 331-2246 Adult Catechism ……...………..Tom Andrews…440-734-6894 Fax: (440) 331-8407 AHEPA …………………………...Costa Petros…440-937-8079 www.saintdemetriosrr.org Bible Study :……...………Evangeline Richards…216-221-3003 Bookstore …...……...…….Pres. Goldie Doukas…440-899-3257 Editor : Eleni Papouras-Jenks Choir Director/Canto r…..…....Bill Matzorkis…..216-496-4230 Sunday Services: Orthros 8:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Youth Choir …….…..Diane Matzorkis…440-463-3068 Publication Deadlines : Weekly Bulletin – Wednesday Daughters of Penelope …..………Elisa Demis…440-665-1348 Monthly Epistle – The 15 th of the preceding month Greek School Principal Eleni Papouras-Jenks...216-965-8131 Board of Education Maria Mougianis…440-835-2888 Fr. James Doukas, Priest………………(Home) 440-899-3257 GOYA Advisors Ellen Chrisman………………...440-835-8430 Eleni Papouras-Jenks, Office Mgr [email protected] Dan Packis……………………..440-937-9531 Nick Hillman, Operations Mgr [email protected] Helene Santarelli………………440-779-8312 John Stamatiades, Church Accountant…440-331-2246, ext. 4 Student President ………….. Cassie Packis Dale Stalnaker, Webmaster …………[email protected] Hellenic Dancers Kymata ….…..Mary Szekely…440-835-5712 Kyklonas ….. Eleni Papouras-Jenks…216-965-8131 PARISH COUNCIL JOY (Jr. Orthodox Youth) …...Stacy Loizos….440-799-4846 Steve Steffas, President…….………………...….440-476-0746 Κόλλυβα (Memorial Tray)…….Ann Carpadis..…440-871-8625 Cindy Bountogianis, Vice President …………....440-554-6655 Maria Statheros…216-226-1680 Steve Alex, Treasurer……………………………440-823-9595 Library Committee :…………..…...Andie Titas...440-779-8581 Nikolaos Petousis, Financial Secretary …...…….440-570-7889 Philoptochos ……………………[email protected] Ageleke Zapis, Secretary …….………………….440-477-4775 President ………Stephanie Zavatchen….440-385-7448 Eugenia Burpulis………………………………...440-356-1746 Sunshine Committee ….Elpida Kosmidis…440-779-8959 Randy Carpenter…………………………………440-878-0036 Sunday School ….…………... [email protected] Angelo Coutris……………………………..……440-343-4051 Principal Maggie Steffas…….440-871-6362 James Diamond……………………………….…440-725-9636 Assistant Principal Cindy Genin……440-610-7686 Ted Loizos…...…………………………………..216-533-2698 Spiritual Life Committee ...Angie Giallourakis…440-871-2681 Byron T. Spooner……………………….……….440-724-1923 Trust Fund ...... John Stamatis, Chairman…440-937-6258 Anthony Trakas……...…………………………..440-385-7741 Yassou Club …...…………....Mary Pappadakes…440-799-4821 Greg Kolocouris, Legal Advisor

ORTHODOX ORGANIZATIONS IOCC www.iocc.org Pascalis Papouras : [email protected] St. Herman’s House of Hospitality FOCUS Cleveland (International Orthodox Christian Charities) www.sthermans.com OCF ………..……...Mira Damljanovic: m [email protected] St. Mary of Egypt Chapel (now located inside Annunciation) (Orthodox Christian Fellowship BW, CWRU, CSU, JCU, Tri-C) St. Panteleimon Orthodox Christian Outreach OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center) www.ocmc.org www.stpanteleimon.com ……………………....Gerald Largent POYAF ………………….……Maria Koulioufas: 440-525-1187 Zoe for Life ! www.zoeforlifeonline.org …...... Paula Kappos (Pan-Orthodox Young Adult Fellowship) For Pan-Orthodox events, and links to all the Orthodox YOCAMA …………………………………. www.yocama.com churches and monasteries in Cleveland go to (Young Orthodox Christian American Mission Adventures) www.orthodoxcleveland.us Parish News 3 OUR NEWEST LITTLE ANGELS Election Results On Dec. 7th , we held elections to fill six seats on the 2015. Allianna Hope , daughter of George & Vickie Douzos, was Parish Council. Congratulations to top vote-getters Steven J. born on Nov. 13, 2014. Alex, Eugenia Burpulis, Randy Carpenter, James R. Diamond, Nikolaos H. Petousis, and Byron T. Spooner, who will be Alexandra, daughter of Steve & Maria Melacrinos, was returning to the board. Swearing in of the new board is born Dec. 9, 2014. tentatively scheduled for Sun., Jan. 18, 2015 (pending ratification by the Metropolis.) Evangelia , daughter of George & Lia Antonaklas, was born in Dec. 12, 2014. NEW COMPUTER LAB

Thanks to the efforts of the 2014 Golf Committee, the Greek ASLEEP IN THE LORD School PTO, and Daughters of Penelope, the parish Computer Lab has been given a much needed technical over-haul. Six John "Yiannis" Revmatas, husband of Nitsa, new PC towers have been purchased for use by Greek School, father of Milton and Xenophon (Paula), pappou of Sunday School, and the computer at large. Lindsay, and uncle of many nieces and nephews, passed away Dec. 9, 2014. His 40 day memorial Greek School Level 2 will be on January 18. girls were the first students to begin lessons James Stephen Gallas, husband of Katherine, in our new & improved father of Kimberly (George) Veras, grandfather of language lab, with Alexander, Christopher, Dimitri, and Gregory volunteer Manos, (Jennifer) Veras, passed away Dec. 11, 2014. who will run the lab. He was a WWII U.S. Army veteran, lifelong member of AHEPA John M. Manos Chapter 36, and a founding member of St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Senior ‘Intro to Computers’ Class North Royalton. His 40 day memorial will be Jan. 18 . Starting Tue., Jan. 20 , at 11 a.m., Paul Manos will be teaching basic computer skills to parish senior citizens on Andrew M. Manos , father of George (Deanna), Tuesdays through January. Free and open to all. William (Margaret), John (Mary), and Melissa Learn more about e-mail, using the computer for letters or Psaropoulos (Bobby), grandfather of Emmanuel, budgets, or navigating the Internet. There are six desktops in Alexandra, Joanna and Christos, and brother of the computer lab, but we will accommodate all who are Paul, John, and Stella Kamenos, passed away Dec. interested. Contact the office for more details or to sign up. 15, 2014. His 40 day memorial will be Jan . 25.

Constantino “Gus” Callas , husband of Estelle, father of of Anna, Nicholas and Helene Santarelli House Blessings (Anthony), and Pappou of Eleni and Paschalis, passed away Dec. 21, 2014. Gus was an active member of St. Demetrios Church, having served If you want your home or business blessed on the day Fr. Jim on Parish Council, Building Fund and Home will be in your neighborhood, please contact the church Committees for many years. His 40 day memorial office (440-331-2246 or [email protected]) and ask to will be Jan. 25. be put on the schedule: Mon., Jan. 5 : Rocky River Komninos “Karl” Fotinos, M.D., husband of Tue., Jan. 6: Westlake Maria, and father of Sophia and Rena, passed Wed., Jan. 7: Fairview Park away on Dec. 27, 2014. Dr. Fotinos practiced for 30 years on Cleveland's Westside, on staff at Fri., Jan. 9: Lakewood Lutheran and Fairview Hospitals and Medical Mon., Jan. 12: Avon/Avon Lake/ Lorain Co. Director at Rae-Ann and Algart Nursing Homes. Tue., Jan. 13: Bay Village His 40 day memorial will be Feb. 1st . Wed., Jan. 14 : North Olmsted Fri., Jan. 16: South suburbs We also extend our sincere condolences to Nick Petousis on the loss of his father Christos. If you are not available on the date that Fr. Jim will be in your town, contact the office to schedule a make-up day. 4 Speaking of Stewardship…

New “enter” and “exit” signs were installed in time for Christmas, replacing the damaged ones that were decades old. Now, no one has an excuse about not finding their way to church! ☺

Happy New Year 2015 The pledge forms for 2015 are now available in the Narthex and will also be mailed with our End-of-Year Statments. Please prayerfully consider how much you can give to your church this year and fill out a pledge form. The 2015 Church calendars have arrived. Thanks to Zeis McGreevey Funeral Service for sponsoring the wall calendars and to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for sponsoring the pocket calendars. Lobby Remodeling There will be NO ACCESS to the entrance area by the hall until Jan. 20 th . Eleni will temporarily relocate to the Greek School office by the Lower Narthex and Fr. Jim will use the office in the church. Anyone visiting the office during weekdays, or to come to church for Sunday services and coffee hour, will need to enter/exit the building through the Zapis Activity Center entrance OR the east doors to the lower Narthex. Thank you in advance for your cooperation! For donations, call Lia Augoustidis: 216-650-0426

(Fr. Jim’s message, continued from p1.) *Virtues, often called the fruits of the Spirit, are basically defined as morally good behavior or character. Fasting (self-control) is the foundation of acquiring virtue. The Orthodox Church teaches that the body, as well as the soul, must be trained and disciplined to acquire virtues. An example of some of the many virtues we should strive for are: faith, hope, chastity, obedience, generosity, gratitude and love. As we spiritually reflect on 2014 and make our resolutions for the New Year 2015, it is very appropriate to also reflect on how we approached our stewardship commitment in 2014 to our beloved St. Demetrios Church. When many of us hear the word “stewardship” we often think that it is all about money. That is not the case. Stewardship is all about doing what God wants us to do with the gifts He has given us for HIM - time, talent and treasure. The challenge for all of us is that we cannot know what God wants from us unless we spend some time praying, listening, learning and trusting in God’s abundance. As we naturally evolve from our reflections of last year, it is the hope and prayer that we resolve to a deeper “stewardship” commitment in 2015! - Fr. Jim The Prayer of Stewardship: Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy LORD JESUS CHRIST, Thou are the Good Steward, who redeemed and Eve of their failed stewardship by offering Thyself for the life of the world. Thou didst teach us in the feeding of the multitudes that whatever we give to God is returned to us manifold. Thou didst praise those good and faithful servants in the parable of the talents who returned to the Master their gifts multiplied. So help us to learn the joy of stewardship, remembering that everything we have comes from Thee. For Thou art the Good Steward and to Thee we offer thanksgiving, praise and glory, together with Thy Father who is everlasting and Thine all- holy, good and life-giving Spirit now and ever and onto the ages of ages. Amen. What is a Parishioner in Good Standing? 5 Each year, our church asks us to become good stewards. But there is often confusion on what it means to be a parishioner. Is it the person who just makes a financial contribution? Is the person who attends every service? Below is the definition of a parishioner as defined by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and St. Demetrios’ By-Laws : UNIFORM PARISH REGULATIONS ARTICLE 18 PARISHIONERS Section 1: Every person who is baptized and chrismated according to the rites of the Orthodox Church is a parishioner. The religious, moral and social duties of a parishioner are to apply the tenets of the Orthodox Faith to his/her life and to: adhere to and live according to the tenets of the Orthodox faith; faithfully attend the Divine Liturgy and other worship services; participate regularly in the holy sacraments; respect all ecclesiastical authority and all governing bodies of the Church; be obedient in matters of the Faith, practice and ecclesiastical order; contribute towards the progress of the Church's sacred mission; and be an effective witness and example of the Orthodox Faith and Traditions to all people. A parishioner in good standing practices all the religious and moral duties as described in this Section 1. At a minimum, a parishioner in good standing must: be 18 years of age or over; be current in his or her stewardship and other financial obligations to the Parish, abide by all the regulations herein stated and the Parish Bylaws; and cooperate in every way towards the welfare and well being of the Parish. (Stewardship is recommended to be ten percent (10%) of one’s annual income as stated in Holy Scripture to help meet the financial obligations of the Parish, the Metropolis and the Archdiocese.)

ST. DEMETRIOS BY-LAWS ARTICLE V, Section 6 Duties of a Member- The religious, moral and social duties of a parishioner are to apply the tents of the Orthodox faith to his or her life and activities, to seek personal spiritual growth, to attend the Divine Liturgy and other services of worship faithfully on Sundays and holy days, to keep the rules and fasts of the Orthodox tradition, to receive frequently the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion, to train and teach the young according to the faith and spirit of Orthodoxy, to respect the clergy, the ecclesiastical authority, and all governing bodies of the Church, to be obedient in matters of faith and ecclesiastical order, and to cooperate in every way towards the welfare and prosperity of the Parish and the success of its sacred mission. Section 7: A parishioner shall pay such regular stewardship obligations and special assessments as the Parish may establish, or to make an annual stewardship pledge in those Parishes where stewardship has been adopted.

Bills Paid in December

Pay To For Date Amount G.O. Archdiocese of America Monthy Commitment 12/01/14 6,735.00 Camelot Digital Epistle 12/1/2014 95.00 Cose Medical Mutual Health Care 12/02/14 2,754.13 First Federal Of Lakewood Complex Mortgage Payment 12/02/14 3,251.44 Cox Business Phone /Cable 12/02/14 320.15 Metropolis of Pittsburgh Monthly Commitment 12/03/14 560.00 Henningers Candles 12/04/14 480.00 Verizon Wireless Fr jim Cell phone 12/05/14 75.54 Division of Water Complex Water Bill 12/08/14 295.10 American Church Monthly Mailing 12/09/14 114.20 Dominion East Ohio Complex Gas 12/10/14 1,473.54 Cintas Complex Rugs 12/10/14 298.30 Orkin Pest Control Pre-pay yearly 12/10/14 748.80 Home Depot Repairs 12/10/14 32.27 Bank of America Fr Jim 12/13/14 92.15 Bank of America Nick Hillman 12/13/14 728.00 C.C.T. Financial Copy machine 12/13/14 294.00 Illuminating Co. Complex Electrical 12/18/14 2,211.14 Cleveland water Complex water 12/19/14 174.70 City of Rocky River Sewer Billing 12/25/14 577.60 Orthodox Health Care Fr jim 12/29/14 2,415.00 Prime Sourse Bathroom Supplies 12/29/14 220.36 Payroll 1215/2014 13,500.00 Archdiocese Benefits Commitment 12/15/14 600.00 Payroll 12/30/2014 16,000.00 $ 54,046.42 6 Celebrate Youth! Sunday School Greek School

Thanks to all the teachers & parents who helped make so As we start off the New Year of 2015, we are so excited with many beautiful memories in December! See p.11-12 for the newest ‘tool’ to our curriculum. Thanks to donations from photos. the 2014 Golf Outing, our PTO, and Daughters of Penelope, the computer lab (see p. 3) has been updated to include six new Sun., Jan. 25 – No classes due to Three Hierarchs & PC towers, printer, and even head phones, to make it a true Greek Letters Open House. A memorial for deceased language lab. Thanks also to volunteer Paul Manos. Sunday School teachers will be held on this day. Last month, Greek School alumni Yianni Petousis (Class of COMING UP… ‘13) received his certificate for passing Level Two in Sun., Feb. 8- Godparents’ Sunday Ellinomathia. “I wish to thank you and the St Demetrios Greek school for the education it provided,” said his father, Nikolaos Petousis. “It is critical to know a second language in order to function in todays Global society. Learning Greek not only keeps us grounded with our background but it will help us learn Youth Choir another language as well. For example, Italian or French or Spanish. Also, Greek terminology is found in Engineering, Congratulations to the members of the Youth Choir that sang at Mathematics, Science, Medicine, etc.” the Inter-Orthodox Nativity Concert, which St. Demetrios The teachers are all very proud of Yanni! Axios! hosted last month. They opened with the Apolytikion for our patron and ended with traditional Greek kalanda. Special This month, Greek Orthodox communities around the world thanks to soloist Kosta Ermidis for chanting the Megalinon honor the patron of “Greek Letters”- St. Basil the Great, Psychi Mou from the Christmas Liturgy. Photos and video can St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom. Their be found on the church’s Facebook page. The Youth Choir also combined sermons and theological writings beautifully sang for the Sunday School & Greek School Christmas promoted Christianity through the Greek language (which was programs. (Photos on pages 5-7.) more accessible to the common people in the eastern world than Thanks to everyone who supported our Vasilopita bread sale! Latin or Aramaic-the language that Jesus actually spoke.) On Sun., Jan. 25 th , as we honor these saints, we will also Sat., Jan. 10- Rehearsal at 10 a.m., in the chapel remember our own parish’s deceased educators of both Greek Sun., Jan., 25 – Perform at Greek Letters’ Day luncheon School and Sunday School with a memorial following the Divine Liturgy (which we will attend as a school.) Also, the day’s sermon will be a translation of an actual sermon given by Acolytes St. John Chrysostom, and delivered by Level 8 students. Visit your child’s classroom at our annual Open House, Schedule thru March ( not including holidays or feast days ) showcasing our students and teachers, as we keep alive the Team # 1: Captain/ Peter Stamatis Assistant Captain/ wonderful traditions of our Greek Orthodox heritage for future Alex Stamatis, Stefano & Emanual Loizos, Yianni Petousis, generations. In addition to parents, pappous & yiayias, why not Spiros Roumelis invite your child’s elementary school teacher as well? We then encourage EVERY Greek School family to stay for Team # 2: Captain/ Matthew Szekely Assistant Captain/ the Greek Letters’ Day brunch. This is a wonderful opportunity Mark Vangelos, Stefano & Panayiotis Matheos, Christopher for the younger students to view an educational slide show on Salveter, Nicholas Soulas Byzantium compiled by the Level 8 students, and to hear an interesting talk about the Ancient Greeks and Homer, by Dr. Team # 3: Captain/Vlassi Pappas Assistant/ Manny Pete Poolos. Proceeds from this event go toward the PTO Katrakazos, Paolo & Zach Diamantis, James Katrakazos, Scholarship, for which we hope all your children will someday Isadore Hadgis, Niko Pappas be eligible! – Eleni Papouras-Jenks

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH Thu., Jan. 8 - Classes resume 4th # 2 1th # 3 1st # 1 Sun., Jan. 11 - Deadline for scholarship applications; 11 th # 3 8th # 1 8th # 2 Board of Education meeting 18 th # 1 15th # 2 15th # 3 Tue., Jan. 13 – Teachers’ meeting 25th # 2 22nd # 3 22nd # 1 Sun., Jan. 25 –Three Hierarchs & Greek Letters Day. Students 29th # 2 & teachers will meet in their classrooms at 9:30 a.m. and process into church as a group. (See p. 1 for more details.) G.O.Y.A.

Jan. 16-18 – Basketball Tournament hosted by Sts. Constantine & Helen, Cleveland Heights Jan. 30-Feb. 1 – Basketball Tournament, hosted by St. Haralambos, Canton.

(above) All 4 of our teams at the December mini- tournament which we hosted (clockwise) GOYA caroling throughout parish homes.

Photos: Andrew Giavroutas; Eleni Papouras- Jenks 8 YASSOU CLUB invites you to the Zapis Activity Center Nick Hillman, Activities Director Utensil Wrap Party [email protected] Tues., Jan. 13, starting at 9 Sun Coffee Hr. Kids Open Play Now in session a.m. in the Cultural Hall Mon 9:30 a.m. Agio Fitness Walk Starting Jan. 8 7-9 p.m. GOYA Boys basketball Now -February Join us to help wrap the utensils 9:00 p.m. Men’s Basketball Year round & napkins for the festival Tue 7:30 a.m. Exercise with Sophia Year round 7-9 p.m. GOYA Girls’ basketball Now – February Breakfast will be provided by Wed 7-9 p.m. GOYA Boys’ basketball Now -February Yassou Club & 9:00 p.m. Men’s Basketball Year round Lunch will be provided by the Thu 7:30 a.m. Exercise with Sophia Year round 9:30 a.m. Agio Fitness Walk Now in session Festival Committee 7-9 p.m. GOYA Girls’ basketball Now -February All welcome! Fri Available for kids’ birthdays 440-331-2246 x3

(We will continue on Jan. 20, if needed .) Sat 1-3 p.m. Kids’ Basketball Skills Now in session 3-4:30 pm Kids’ Soccer Skills Come on, Nono & Nona! Our Lady of Sorrows will leave you smiling A Book Review by Eleni Papouras-Jenks The Lady of Sorrows by British author Anne Pancake Zouroudi is the latest book in her “Seven Deadly Sins Mystery” series to be available in the U.S. Having read the previous books (The Messenger of Athens, the Taint of Breakfast Midas, and the Doctor of Thessaly, ) I was very excited to read the fourth installment featuring the mysterious detective Hermes Diaktoros. (Since each book stands alone, it is not necessary to have read any others or to read them in any particular order.) Set on the fictional Aegean island of “Kalkos,” the mystery centers around an icon of the Panagia which washed ashore after a storm and a shipwreck in 1863. The surviving sailors built a church in her honor where pilgrims (and economy-boosting tourists) have come to pray to the miraculous icon ever since. Godparents Sunday But, while on vacationing aboard his yacht, the keen-eyed detective notices something suspicious. Is the icon stolen? Is it a copy? February 8 As with all small towns, the villagers and itinerant gypsies In the Cultural Hall, immediately have their own closely guarded secrets that cast suspicion on each them, in turn. But with the help of an art historian from the following Divine Liturgy mainland, Hermes unearths more than just the history of the icon; he also uncovers a horrible crime, committed under the influence Come and enjoy a wonderful breakfast of of the Deadly Sin of Wrath. pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausage. This 270-page book was published in the U.K. in 2010, but is Cost: $10 /adult and $5 / child now on sale in the U.S., or can be borrowed from the Cuyahoga County Public Library system. It makes a wonderful virtual escape Please RSVP, so we can prepare accordingly, to from the snowy weather outside to envisioning a sunny Greek [email protected] island! ON THE BULLETIN BOARD 9

Real Break 2015

College students, want to spend your spring break doing good and helping others, along with fellow Orthodox students? Then look into a REAL Break service/mission trip and find a trip that coincides with your school’s spring break.

Registration for the below trips is now open: •, February 27 – March 7, 2015 •Guatemala, February 28 – March 7, 2015 •Alaska, March 7-14, 2015 •New Orleans, March 8-15, 2015 •Romania, March 13-21, 2015 •Honduras, March 14-21, 2015 •Toronto, March 21-28, 2015 •Cleveland, March 21-27, 2015

You must be a high school graduate between the ages of 18-25 to register for Real Break 2015. Cost and registration information can be found at www.ocf.net

Teens and young adults that participate Summer 2015 Home Building Dates are Up! in Ionian Village travel across Greece, Choose a week and come build a home for venerate the relics of saints, walk in the an impoverished Mexican family. footsteps of the Apostles, and visit significant sites of Greek history and Small Group Weeks: May 27 - June 2 culture. This unique summer camping June 5 - 11 program is operated by the Greek August 4 - 10 Orthodox Archdiocese of America. August 13 - 19 Summer 2015 Camp Programs Double Group Weeks: June 16 - 22 Regular Registration will open on February 1. Each 20-day session June 26 - July 2 July 23 -29 is open to young people who have completed grades 8 through 12. • Session One: June 22 – July 11, 2015 Orthodox Basic Training (OBT) : July 7 - 13 • Session Two: July 19 – August 7, 2015

Spiritual Odyssey: #TakeMeBackToIV Visit Our Website for More Information Spiritual Odyssey will take 40 young adults ages 19-24 on www.projectmexico.org excursions, while being based on the historic Ionian Village campgrounds Or Contact Us: •June 1 - June 11, 2015 Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage P.O. Box 120028 Chula Vista, CA 91912 Summer 2015 Staff Applications [email protected] Applicants must be Greek Orthodox and at least 21 years old by June 14, 2015. Applications now available (619) 426-4610 www.Ionianvillage.org 2014 Holiday Album Christmas Film St. Demetrios parish kicked off the holidays with the screening of the movie “Christmas with the Karounztoses.” Families enjoyed a fellowship dinner and the new comedic film by Greek-American filmmaker Robert Krantz (Karountzos) which focuses on a man named who is trying to balance his relationships with his wife, teenage sons, and elderly father against the pressures of his career. When a promotion falls through, Michael is stuck spending Christmas Eve with his eccentric relatives. The bittersweet story alternates between “therapy” sessions which one cousin has gifted to the reluctant family and the hilarious dinner conversation about Greek celebrities, which – based on the laughter in the Cultural Hall- everyone has had! DVDs of the movie, which were available from Chairperson Cindy Bountogianis (pictured below, with Fr. Jim) sold out in minutes but are available for sale on line. Thanks to all who attended, donated, and to the GOYA teens who watched over the younger children.

St. Modestos Pet Blessing On Dec. 14, Fr. Jim gave the annual pet blessing of St. Modestos, of domestic animals. Although those who have pets love them like family, if Fr. Jim comes to bless your home, please make sure they are crated or kept in a room where they will not be underfoot, for everyone’s safety. Photos courtesy of Chrstina Carpadis Schraff Celebrating St. Nicholas

Sunday School students and even some grown-up parishioners! – enjoyed lunch and visit from “St. Nick” on Dec. 7. Later that evening, our parish hosted the annual Inter- Orthodox Nativity Concert this year. Eight other choirs joined our own Youth and (clockwise from top Liturgical choirs (pictured, bottom) to sing left): ‘St. Nick” gets both ecclesiastic and ethnic traditional hymns gift ideas from Katya & carols from the Greek, Ukrainian, Russian, Genin, Joshua and Romanian traditions. McNulty, Christina Manos, and Sunday School Director Maggie Steffas and Presvytera Goldie

Do you get better presents if you share a nameday with St. Nick? Nicholas Steffas & Nicholas Szekely wait in line to find out, while John Papandreas receives chocolate coins. Even grown-up Nick Pyros (left) hoped for the best…

Photos: Eleni Papouras-Jenks Each Sunday before Christmas, our community proclaimed the Good News with song. On Dec. 14, Sunday School presented their Christmas pageant.

On Dec. 14, JOY children hand-craft Gingerbread Houses for their families to enjoy. No promises that all the candy made it onto the ‘houses’ though… Holiday Traditions The theme of the 2014 Greek School Christmas Program and featured the traditional Nativity Tableaux, as well as scenes from a traditional village Christmas with regional Kalanda, visits with “Agio Vasili” (Greek Santa Claus is actually St. Basil), and a re-enactment of the Epiphany blessing of the waters on a Greek island. Photos courtesy of Angie Rokas. For more photos, like us on Facebook “St. Demetrios Greek School” 14 Around the Country of Antioch Visits Archdiocese St. Photios Celebrates 33 rd Anniversary ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA- Feb. 6-8, is the NEW YORK – On Dec. 9, annual pilgrimage weekend and anniversary His Eminence of the dedication of the St. Photios Greek Demetrios of America (right) Orthodox National Shrine. The program welcomed, His Beatitude kicks off with feast day services of St. Patriarch John X of Antioch Photios the Great and a blessing of the to the Greek Orthodox exhibit “Pioneering Priests: Establishing the Archdiocese. Greek Orthodox Faith in America .” Patriarch John X said that, \ coming from the Middle East The exhibit is funded by Archbishop Iakovos L100 and from a country tormented Endowment and produced by Drs. William & Regina by war, he is mindful of and grateful for the prayers of the Samonides. The National Greek Shrine, an institution of the orthodox faithful in America and the expressions of love and Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, is dedicated to the support of the Ecumenical Patriarch through his letters and first colony of Greek people who came to America in 1768 and phone calls. Antioch in is one of the five cities of the consists of exhibits depicting the life of early Greeks in original Church, in which resided, along with America. The weekend will also include a visit to the AHEPA Jerusalem, Constantinople, Alexandria (Egypt), and . New Smyrna Memorial and a banquet with keynote speaker (goarch.org; Photo: D. Panagos/GOA) Nicholas Furris. Greek Antiquities Tour US and Canada by Iota Myrtsioti As images of an ancient tomb discovered in Amphipolis, northeastern Greece, make headlines across the world, a group of ancient Greeks have been on the road since December 12, traveling to the New World for a well-documented comprehensive exhibition about their ancient world. Agamemnon, Leonidas, Plato, Aristotle, Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great, all emblematic personalities of Greek history and mythology, are joined by anonymous Mycenaeans, aristocrats and athletes, kouroi and korai, in the largest ever archaeological exhibition of Greek-based artifacts to take place beyond the country’s borders, set to go on display in Canadian and US museums. While the idea for the ancient Greek exhibits to make transatlantic trip, scheduled to last ```` for two years (a first stop in Montreal, Canada, will be followed by Ottawa, Chicago, and Washington D.C.), was born in the midst of the crisis, its realization was made possible thanks to funding from a consortium of North American museums formed for the tour, whose official representative is the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa. The Greek Ministry of Culture proved equally generous. Over 500 masterpieces, including sculptures, paintings and pieces of jewelry – all discovered in excavations across Greece – were removed from the display cases of local museums to make up the portraits of Greeks who defined the country’s as well as the world’s cultural heritage through the centuries: from the unnamed dead to mythical King Agamemnon and from well-known early Iron Age aristocrats to the lustrous personalities of ancient Greek philosophy (Plato, Aristotle) and historical figures such as Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great. The exhibition – the largest shipment of ancient artifacts showcasing landmark examples of excavation findings to travel beyond the country’s borders, following an exhibition on Alexander the Great at the Louvre Museum in Paris in 2011-12 – was put together with the help of 11 ephorates of prehistoric and classical antiquities and seven museums: the National Archaeological,Acropolis, Numismatic and Epigraphical museums in Athens and the archaeological museums of Thessaloniki, Pella and Iraklio. “As highlighted in its title, ‘The Greeks – Agamemnon to Alexander the Great,’ the exhibition focuses on man and images of places and cultures surrounding him from the Stone Age through the Hellenistic period, from about 6000 BC to the 2nd century,” noted Maria Andreadaki-Vlazaki, former general director of antiquities and culture at the Greek Culture Ministry, who coordinated the efforts of the committee in charge of selecting the objects and outlining the show’s structure through 10 display sections. Landmark archaeological treasures, including the gold funeral mask of King Agamemnon and the gold wreath of Philip II of Macedon, highlight the Cycladic civilization, the dynamic character of the Minoans, the world of Mycenae, Homeric heroes, the ancient Greek athletic spirit, the depiction of the human figure, the self-sacrifices of Greeks, the structure and operations of democratic Athens, the accomplishments of Athenians in the fields of architecture, sculpture, painting, theater, history, philosophy and politics, as well as the military and financial rise of the Macedonian rulers. (source: Kathimerini.com) Scholarship Opportunities 15 GREEK SCHOOL The PTO & Anna Poulos Memorial Scholarships are again being offered to graduating high school seniors (Class of 2015.) Eligible applicants must also be graduates of the Balourdas Hellenic Cultural School, who plan to continue to higher education. Applications available in the church office. Deadline for submission is Sun., Jan. 11, 2015 . Awards will be presented at the Greek Letters’ Day Luncheon on Sun., Jan. 25, 2015.

PAN-HELLENIC SCHOLARSHIP There are $250,000 in scholarships are available to undergraduate students of Hellenic descent. Twenty awards of $10,000 based on academic achievement & financial need. Twenty awards of $2500 based solely on academic achievement. The application is available at www.panhellenicscholarships.org Deadline to apply is Jan. 31, 2015 . Awards will be presented on June 20, 2015.

ARCHIMEDES AWARD Applications are now being accepted for the Next Generation Initiative’s new for outstanding high school seniors of Hellenic heritage intending to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) related fields at a university in the United States. To be considered for a 2015-16 scholarship, please apply by March 1, 2015 . For more information, and to apply, please go online to www.hellenext.org . HERITAGE GREECE PROGRAM The National Hellenic Society (NHS), a non-profit foundation comprised of leaders of the Greek American community desiring to preserve Hellenic heritage in America sponsors Greek American college students, most of them from interfaith families to spend two weeks in Greece with a peer group of students from the American College of Greece, (ACG), an incredible 65 acre, state-of-art campus in Aghia Paraskevi—on a hillside of an Athens suburb. Students receive credit and upon their return from Greece become part of the Heritage Greece Alumni network—NHS continues to play an active role in their lives keeping them engaged and involved in the NHS and other NHS Programs. NHS then mentors and guides the students in their respective career paths. This year’s Heritage Greece Program takes place from June 11-28, 2015 . Participants receive credit and activities range from Greek language, cooking, dance classes to learning about Greece’s cultural treasures from an insider’s perspective with expert professors as their guides. The educational program includes: · A once in a lifetime first-hand experience of Greek heritage, traditions and culture · An experiential customized one-credit language and culture course · Field trips and on-site teaching · Recreational and educational excursions · Modern, spacious housing at ACG (students stay at the facilities built for the US Olympic Swim & Boxing teams) · Tuition, meals, transportation and related expenses in Greece · Classroom materials Students bear a portion of the airfare costs to and from Athens ($1,000). They gather in Washington DC on June 11, 2015 for Orientation and attend meetings with members of Congress, staff, Embassy of Greece and Cyprus diplomatic corps and given an insider’s Washington DC tour. The students depart as a group for Greece on June 12 accompanied by ACG staff. The grant from the NHS to the students covers all other expenses including Orientation costs, tuition, transportation, meals and related expenses in Greece. ACG is accepting online applications through March 27, 2015 . Eligible candidates must be of Greek- American descent, enrolled in college, with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Candidates that have never or seldom been to Greece are given priority. Prospective applicants can get more information at: http://www.acg.edu/admissions/study- abroad/heritage-greece. 16 Throughout 2014, our Patriarch met several times with the of Rome, in ongoing talks to bring the two Churches closer together. In honor of these proceedings, in 2015, we will feature (pre-Schism) Saints of Rome St. Sylvester, Pope of Rome (Jan. 2) St. Paula of Rome (Jan. 26) Sylvester was a native of Rome. Due to his Paula was born in 347 to a noble family virtue and love for all, the faithful made him in Rome, and at 16 married Toxotius, Pope, against his will, upon the death of Pope a prominent nobleman. Though he was Miltiades in 314. He was Pope when a pagan, he was devoted to her and gave ended the persecution of her freedom to keep a Christian home the Church, and personally instructed him in and rear their 5 children as Christians. the Faith. Once, in a debate between the Saint When she was 32, her husband died suddenly, and Paula and Zambrius, a Jewish scribe and occultist, resolved to turn her large house in Rome into a monastery. Zambrius whispered a magic word in the ear of a bull, upon Later, she traveled to the Holy Land with her spiritual father which the animal fell down dead. Zambrius then challenged the St (June 15). In Bethlehem, she established two Pope to do as much in the name of Christ. The holy bishop monasteries, one for women (where she lived) and one for St replied, 'My God gives life and resurrection, not death.' Lifting Jerome and his companions. Every day the nuns chanted the his hands to heaven, he restored the creature to life. The Emperor entire Psalter, which they were required to learn by heart. St. and the crowd who witnessed the debate cheered the Saint, and Paula was exceptionally austere in her fasting and lavish in many decided to be baptized. Unable to attend the Council of her almsgiving, often giving away to the poor even the goods Nicaea personally, he sent delegates to represent him and uphold needed by her community for subsistence. She aided her the Orthodox faith there. He reposed in peace in 325. spiritual father and brother Jerome in his controversies with Origen's followers; St Jerome himself was hot-tempered, and St Paula often exhorted him to confront his enemies with St. Tatiana the (Jan. 12) patience and humility. When she was 56 years old, she felt She was the daughter of a wealthy Roman her death approaching, and heard Christ say to her 'Rise up, consul. She became a deaconess in Rome, and my love, my fair one, and come away; for lo, the winter is was seized as a Christian during the reign of past, the rain is over and gone' (Song of Songs 2:10-11). To Alexander Severus in 230. Before the tribunal, this she replied 'The time of harvest has come. I shall truly she fearlessly confessed Christ and, when she was taken to the see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living,' and temple in an effort to force her to make sacrifice, she cast down gave up her soul joyfully, in 404. Her funeral was attended the idols by the power of her prayer. At this, the soldiers seized by throngs of monks, nuns and poor people, all of whom her and subjected her to many indignities and tortures, finally revered her as their mother and benefactress. throwing her into a raging furnace. When this did not harm her, she was thrown to the wild beasts, but they refused to harm her. St. Marcella of Rome (Jan. 31) At last, she was beheaded and gained her crown of martyrdom. Marcella was the daughter of a prominent Roman family, and was given in marriage, despite her reluctance. She was widowed after less than a year and, following the example of St. Agnes of Rome (Jan. 21) the prophetess Anna, she dedicated her widowhood to God. She was a of noble birth who lived in She turned her fine house in Rome into a monastery, living Rome during the reign of . From an there in strict asceticism.“When the Church was riven by early age, she loved chastity (ΑΓΝΗ , the origin controversies about the doctrines of Origen, Saint Marcella of her name, means "pure" in Greek.) kept silent for a while but, deciding at length to take up the Her purity became so well known that cause of Orthodoxy, and maintaining a sweet and gentle she was sought out by many women of Rome, manner in the exchanges, she succeeded in confounding the whom she encouraged to accept Christ as the one true God, and arguments of the heretics.” (Synaxarion) to honor him with their chastity. For this, she was in time In 410, the Goths invaded arrested and brought before the City . When she refused to and pillaged Rome, breaking deny Christ, the Prefect had her handed over to a brothel; but into her house, too. Marcella everyone who attempted to violate her was mysteriously received them calmly, but prevented, and one especially vicious and lewd attacker was when they demanded money miraculously struck dead. In front of the Prefect's soldiers, Agnes she answered that no one as prayed to God, and the dead man was restored to life. Many poorly clothed as she was pagan spectators, and the Prefect himself, cried "Great is the could be expected to have power of the Christians!" But others claimed that Agnes had any money. performed this wonder by sorcery and should be killed. The At this, the invaders beat her mercilessly despite her great age. Prefect ordered that she be burned to death., so she was martyred She bore their blows without complaint, asking only that they in 304. She was only 12 years old, yet gave up her life serenely spare her spiritual daughter Principia. Struck to the heart by her and with prayers on her lips. Some Christians gathered her relics response, the barbarians took her and her to the Church and placed them in a tomb where a magnificent church was later of St Paul, where she reposed two days later. built . Her holy relics remain a source of healing to this day . 7

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