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. John Chrysostom, our lives, we resolve to be better or to do more than what we following the Divine Liturgy 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 Church Fathers (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 Paul 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 Adam 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 saint 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 saints 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.