March 1, 2020

Home , Axion Estin, Concurrent (Easter), New Martyr, Saturday of Souls

Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751 Durham NC 27713 919-484-1600 [email protected] www.stbarbarachurchnc.org News & Announcements March 1, 2020

Sunday of Cheese-Fare  

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 The Holy Righteous Martyr Eudocia the Samaritan 3/1/2020  Andonina the New Martyr 3/1/2020  David the Archbishop 3/1/2020

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NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

Sunday Worship Schedule: Matins 9:00 am & Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

To Our Visitors and Guests We welcome you to worship with us today, whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The Antidoron is not a sacrament, but it is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. After the Divine Liturgy this morning please join us in the Church Hall for fellowship and refreshments. Please complete a Visitor’s Card before you leave today and drop it in the offering tray, or give it to one of the parishioners after the service, or mail it to the Church Office.

The Sunday Epistle Reading

Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them. Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel. The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4 Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν. Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ. Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα 13:11-14, 14:1-4 Ἀδελφοί, νῦν ἐγγύτερον ἡμῶν ἡ σωτηρία ἢ ὅτε ἐπιστεύσαμεν. Ἡ νὺξ προέκοψεν, ἡ δὲ ἡμέρα ἤγγικεν· ἀποθώμεθα οὖν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους, καί ἐνδυσώμεθα τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός. Ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ, εὐσχημόνως περιπατήσωμεν, μὴ κώμοις καὶ μέθαις, μὴ κοίταις καὶ ἀσελγείαις, μὴ ἔριδι καὶ ζήλῳ. Ἀλλʼ ἐνδύσασθε τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, καὶ τῆς σαρκὸς πρόνοιαν μὴ ποιεῖσθε, εἰς ἐπιθυμίας. Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαμβάνεσθε, μὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισμῶν. Ὃς μὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει. Ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω· ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο. Σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; Τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει. Σταθήσεται δέ· δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν.

The Sunday Gospel Reading The Gospel According to Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον  Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα 6:14-21

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· ᾿Εὰν γὰρ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, ἀφήσει καὶ ὑμῖν ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος· ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν. ῞Οταν δὲ νηστεύητε, μὴ γίνεσθε ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ σκυθρωποί· ἀφανίζουσι γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ὅπως φανῶσι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἀπέχουσι τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν. σὺ δὲ νηστεύων ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι,ὅπως μὴ φανῇς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύων, ἀλλὰ τῷ πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ, καὶ ὁ πατήρ σου ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ ἀποδώσει σοι ἐν τῷ φανερῷ. Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσι καὶ κλέπτουσι· θησαυρίζετε δὲ ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ, ὅπου οὔτε σὴς οὔτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται οὐ διορύσσουσιν οὐδὲ κλέπτουσιν· ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρὸς ὑμῶν, ἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν.

Reading for Cheese-fare Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

Today’s General Assembly

There will be a General Assembly today in the Social Hall immediately following the Divine Liturgy. The General Assembly will be concurrent with the Cheesefare Luncheon hosted by Philoptochos. The agenda for the meeting will include:  Preliminary Financial Report for 2019  Preparations for the Greek Festival  Any other items community members wish to raise  General remarks by Father Stavroforos Thank you to the beautiful ladies of Philoptochos for allowing us to hold the General Assembly during the Cheesefare Lunch.

For the Week

Monday March 2, Great Compline, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday March 4, Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 pm Friday March 6, First Salutation Service, 6:30 p.m. Saturday March 7, Third and Last Saturday of Souls, 9:00 a.m. Sunday March 8, Sunday of Orthodoxy, Icon Procession at end of the Divine Liturgy in Church. (Daylight Savings Begins. Clocks go forward one hour.) 9:00 am All services for your ipad, or iphone can be found on the Ages Initiative Digital Chant Stand website.

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The love and concern that we have for each other is often expressed by the many conversations that are shared in terms of health issues involving loved ones. The discussion points may center on hospitalization or rehabilitation at a rehab center or by caregivers at home. At times we feel that since these conversations take place on the Church premises that the priest must be aware of the situation and therefore will visit the person that we are talking about amongst ourselves. Families may assume that the priest knows of their family situations since the person that they were talking to about the health issue is close to the priest so that they would probably tell him about our loved one's health condition, Then they wait having the expectation that the priest will go to visit their loved one.

In order to avoid this situation it is asked that a pastoral visit request be made directly to me, Father Stavroforos, via my direct Email which is [email protected]. In doing this I have a record of who made the request, the date, the name of the recipient of the pastoral visit, and their location and contact information. i.e. address and phone, etc,

We need to go from a way of assuming that Father knows and will make the visit to knowing that he knows because we formally requested the visit via his Email. This Email directly to the priest will constitute a formal request that will insure that the reputation of Saint Barbara and the ministry of Father Stavroforos will reflect the desire to provide excellence in pastoral care.

Stewardship 2020 A Unique Opportunity to Double the Value of Your 2020 Donations If you give more in 2020 than your combined 2019 dollar contributions to the Stewardship, Mortgage and Contingency Funds, your additional contributions will be matched dollar for dollar by an anonymous donor. The total amount available for matching funds is $50,000. With full Parish participation in 2020, we can raise an additional $100,000 to meet our expenses and serve our Ministries. Please prayerfully consider increasing your pledge and giving in 2020. New Stewards are also encouraged to participate in the program. Please see the Pledge form for complete details. For your convenience, you can make your contributions online via the St. Barbara website www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/donation.

Thank you, The Stewardship Committee

Stewards as of February 24, 2020

Our 2020 Stewardship drive is off to a great start. As of February 24, 2020, we have 101 Stewards, or over 63% of our goal of 160 for the year. Please help us meet our goal early in the year by pledging your support. Your time, talents and treasury are critical to the success of our Ministries. Please give prayerful consideration to your 2020 contribution as soon as possible. Stewardship is the primary source of the funding for our Ministries and operating obligations. Our expenses don’t stop. Remember for every dollar more you give to the Stewardship, Mortgage and Contingency Funds than you did in 2019 will get matched up to a total of an additional $50,000. Thank you. Alexander, Dr. Susan Gerondelis, Socratis & Aliki Panov, Yuri & Elena Eliseeva Alexiades, Alec & Frances Georgiou, Nicholas Pantelidis, James & Stella Alger, Amy Glekas, Dr. George & Dr. Amy Papanikas, Sam & Cleopatra Amos, Matt & Vickie Glekas, Jim & Evy Papazoglou, Matina Arapoglou, Alexander & Laurel Goodwin, Len & Elaine Pappas, Dr. Ted & Theky Bakis, Basile & Mary Grasso, V. & Elenie Pashales, George Barbee, Effie Greene, Marlyana Przybyl, Daniel & Lori Becak, Thalia Kacoyanis, Paul Qaqish, Dr. Olgha Beridze, Tamar Karamalegos, Antonios & Claire & Arboleda, Mario Biggs, John & Diana Dobrica Karas, George & Karen Quint, Angelia Blackley, Agape Katsiagianis, Wendy Rheinhardt, Keith & Alexia Bonfiglio, Barbara Korach, Dr. Kenneth & Karen Rudnick, Ben & Irene Carr, Sophie Koutouzakis, Helen Safarikas, Al & Christine Capsalis, Anne Lambiris, Elias & Madelene Saloupis, Peter Capsalis, Manuel & Carole Lockett, Paul & Melanie Sarris, George & Jenny Christakos, Andrew & Cheryl Loden, Martha Stutts, Linda Christakos, Arthur Livas, Katherine Sullivan, William & Jennifer Christakos, Eleni Mangum, Daniel & Dr. Hrisavgi Sunas, Marian Christakos, Lia Mariakakis, Johnny & Catherine Tesfatsion, Senait Christie, George & Deborah Marinos, Dr. Pete & Joan Theodosiadis, Zacharias Chronaki, Bessie Martin, Azeb & Marinetou, Efstanthia Cocolas, Erie Maurogiorgos, Dr. Nikolaos Theophanous, Rebecca Constantinou, Catherine & Wes Platt & Charlot, Dr. Marjorie Trohanis, Donna Constantinou, Costa McCoy, Josh Varelas, Dimitrios Constantinou, Lou McGovern, Victoria Varelas, John Costas, Dean McKillip, Cathy Vlachos, Demetra Dababnah, Sharan Mehalek, John & Dawn Vurnakes, James & Frances Dais, George & Helen Mamaies, Fr. Stavroforos Walter, Ray & Eleni Delagrammatikas, George & Christal Mermigas, Nicholas Watters, Jacques & Christine Demetriades, Gus & Vanessa Odzak, Larry & Hope Wilson, Preston & Catherine Dennos, Anne Paliouras, Cindy Wippich, Robert & Roberta Dorton, Betty Paliouras, James & Helen Xenakis, Betsy Edwards, Tia Paliouras, John & Dena Zaferatos, Dino & Kerri Ferris, Laurice Panos, Peter & Evelyn Zehia, Christina Frangakis, Crist & Maria Zehia, Tony & Evelyn

Fasting and Great Lent

The Crucifixion, fragment (Studenica Monastery, Serbia).Great Lent is the 40-day season of spiritual preparation that comes before the most important Feast of the Christian year, Holy Pascha (which means “Passover” and is commonly called “Easter”,). It is the central part of a larger time of preparation called the Triodion season.

The Triodion begins ten weeks before Easter and is divided into three main parts: three Pre-Lenten weeks of preparing our hearts, the six weeks of Lent, and Holy Week. The main theme of the Triodion is repentance—mankind's return to God, our loving Father.

This annual season of repentance is a spiritual journey with our Savior. Our goal is to meet the risen Lord Jesus, Who reunites us with God the Father. The Father is always waiting to greet us with outstretched hands. We must ask ourselves the question, “Are we willing to turn to Him?”

During Great Lent, the Church teaches us how to receive Him by using the two great means of repentance— prayer and fasting.

THE LENTEN FAST

The word “fast” means not eating all or certain foods. As Orthodox Faithful, we can fast completely at certain times of great importance, and especially each time before receiving Holy Communion. Usually, fasting means limiting the number of meals and/or the type of food eaten.

The purpose of fasting is to remind us of the Scriptural teaching, “Man does not live by bread alone.” The needs of the body are nothing compared to the needs of the soul. Above all else, we need God, Who provides everything for both the body and the soul. Fasting teaches us to depend on God more fully.

The first sin of our parents, Adam and Eve, was eating from the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:1-19). We fast from food, or a food item, as a reminder that we are to fast from sinning and doing evil.

There are several benefits of fasting. Fasting helps us pray more easily. Our spirit is lighter when we are not weighed down by too much food or food that is too rich. Through fasting, we also learn to feel compassion for the poor and hungry and to save our own resources so that we can help those in need.

Fasting is more than not eating food. Saint John Chrysostom teaches that it is more important to fast from sin. For example, besides controlling what goes into our mouths, we must control what comes out of our mouths as well. Are our words pleasing to God, or do we curse God or our brother?

The other members of the body also need to fast: our eyes from seeing evil, our ears from hearing evil, our limbs from participating in anything that is not of God. Most important of all, we need to control our thoughts, for thoughts are the source of our actions, whether good or evil.

Fasting is not an end in itself. Our goal is an inner change of heart. The Lenten Fast is called “ascetic.” This refers to actions of self-denial and spiritual training which are central to fasting.

Fasting is a spiritual exercise. It is not imposed or forced upon us. In the same way that true repentance cannot be forced upon anyone, each of us makes the choice to turn away from our sinful ways and go toward our loving, forgiving Father in Heaven.

GENERAL RULES OF THE LENTEN FAST

The Lenten Fast rules that we observe today were established within the monasteries of the Orthodox Church during the sixth through eleventh centuries. These rules are intended for all Orthodox Christians, not just monks and nuns.

The first week of Lent is especially strict. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, a total fast is kept. In practice, very few people are able to do this. Some find it necessary to eat a little each day after sunset. Many Faithful do fast completely on Monday and then eat only uncooked food (bread, fruit, nuts) on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, the fast is kept until after the Presanctified Liturgy.

From the second through the sixth weeks of Lent, the general rules for fasting are practiced. Meat, animal products (cheese, milk, butter, eggs, lard), fish (meaning fish with backbones), olive oil and wine (all alcoholic drinks) are not consumed during the weekdays of Great Lent. Octopus and shell- fish are allowed, as is vegetable oil. On weekends, olive oil and wine are permitted.

According to what was done in the monasteries, one meal a day is eaten on weekdays and two meals on weekends of Great Lent. No restriction is placed on the amount of food during the meal, though moderation is always encouraged in all areas of one's life at all times.

Fish, oil and wine are allowed on the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25) and on Palm Sunday (one week before Easter). On other feast days, such as the First and Second Finding of the Head of Saint John the Baptist (February 24) , the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste (March 9), the Forefeast of the Annunciation (March 24) and the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel (March 26), wine and oil are permitted.

Presanctified Liturgy this Wednesday Evening at 6:30 pm

Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm on March 3, 10, 17, April 1, and 8. As we already have seen, the Eucharistic Divine Liturgy is not celebrated in the Orthodox Church on Lenten weekdays. In order for the faithful to sustain their Lenten effort by participation in Holy Communion, the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts is served. The service is an ancient one in the Orthodox Church. We officially hear about it in the canons of the seventh century, which obviously indicates its development at a much earlier date. On all days of the holy fast of Lent, except on the Sabbath, the Lord’s Day, and the holy day of the Annunciation, the Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified is to be served (Canon 52, Quinisext, 692).

The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts is an evening service. It is the solemn Lenten Vespers with the administration of Holy Communion added to it. There is no consecration of the Eucharistic gifts at the pre-sanctified liturgy. Holy Communion is given from the Eucharistic gifts sanctified on the previous Sunday at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, unless, of course, the feast of the Annunciation should intervene; hence its name of “pre-sanctified.”

The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts is served on Wednesday evenings. It comes in the evening after a day of spiritual preparation and total abstinence. The faithful who are unable to make the effort of total fasting because of weakness or work, however, normally eat a light Lenten meal in the early morning.

During the psalms of Vespers, the pre-sanctified gifts are prepared for communion. They are transferred from the altar table where they have been reserved since the Divine Liturgy, and are placed on the table of oblation. After the evening hymn, the Old Testament scriptures of Genesis and Proverbs are read, between which the celebrant blesses the kneeling congregation with a lighted candle and the words: “The Light of Christ illumines all,” indicating that all wisdom is given by Christ in the Church through the scriptures and sacraments. This blessing was originally directed primarily to the catechumens—those preparing to be baptized on Easter—who attended the service only to the time of the communion of the faithful.

After the readings, the evening Psalm 141 is solemnly sung once again with the offering of incense. Then, after the litanies of intercession and those at which the catechumens were dismissed in former days, the pre- sanctified Eucharistic gifts are brought to the altar in a solemn, silent procession. The song of the entrance calls the faithful to communion.Now the heavenly powers [i.e., the angels] do minister invisibly with us. For behold the King of Glory enters. Behold the mystical sacrifice, all fulfilled, is ushered in.Let us with faith and love draw near that we may be partakers of everlasting life. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

After the litany and prayers, the Our Father is sung and the faithful receive Holy Communion to the chanting of the verse from Psalm 34: “O taste and see how good is the Lord. Alleluia.” The post-communion hymns are sung and the faithful depart with a prayer to God who “has brought us to these all-holy days for the cleansing of carnal passions,” that he will bless us “to fight the good fight, to accomplish the course of the fast, and to attain unto and to adore the holy resurrection” of Christ.

The Akathist Hymn at 6:30 pm on Fridays Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27, and April 3.

The Akathist Hymn is a profound, devotional poem, which sings the praises of the Holy Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary. It is one of the most beloved services in the Orthodox Church. It was composed in the imperial city of Constantinople, "the city of the Virgin," by St. Romanos the Melodist, who reposed in the year 556. The Akathist Hymn has proven so popular in the liturgical life of the Church that many other hymns have been written following its format. These include Akathists to Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the Cross, and to many Saints.

The Akathist hymn consists of praises directed to the Mother of God, beginning with the salutation of the Archangel Gabriel: "Rejoice." As the hymn is chanted all of the events related to our Lord's Incarnation pass before us for our contemplation. The Archangel Gabriel marvels at the Divine self-emptying and the renewal of creation which will occur when Christ comes to dwell in the Virgin's womb. The unborn John the Baptist prophetically rejoices. The shepherds recognize Christ as a blameless Lamb, and rejoice that in the Virgin "the things of earth join chorus with the heavens." The pagan Magi following the light of the star, praise Her for revealing the light of the world.

The word "akathistos" means "not sitting," i.e., standing; normally all participants stand while it is being prayed. The hymn is comprised of 24 stanzas, arranged in an acrostic following the Greek alphabet. The stanzas alternate between long and short. Each short stanza is written in prose and ends with the singing of "Alleluia." Each longer stanza ends with the refrain: "Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded."

The first part of the hymn is about the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary by the Angel. It describes Mary’s surprise at the news, her visit to her mother and Joseph’s doubts as to her innocence. The second part is about the birth of Christ, the worship of the Shepherds and Magi, the flight to Egypt and the visit to Saint Simeon in the Temple. In the third part the hymn directs our attention to the renewal of the world by Christ’s coming, and the amazement of the Angels and the wise men at the sight of the Incarnation of God’s Son. The fourth and the last part is once more a lyric and rhetorical appraisal of Virgin Mary, whom the poet adorns with the most beautiful of adjectives asking her to accept his poetical offering and to intercede for the salvation of human race from the earthly sin.

Orthodox Christian Observance of the Akathist Hymn is on the first 5 Fridays of Great Lent. 11

2020 Festival News

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Barbara, The Silent Auction Committee kindly requests donations for the Silent Auction at our Greek Festival. All items should be in excellent condition.

Possible Donations include: Things Experiences Artwork Tickets to events Crystal Restaurant vouchers One of a kind items Travel offerings Hand made things Outings Antiques Collectibles Icons Memorabilia Items you no longer wish to keep, but are of value Anything else which has a special cachet

Tax receipts for your donations will be provided.

The Silent Auction increases the Greek Festival's bottom line. All profits go directly to the church.

Please contact the co-chairs of the Silent Auction with details of your donations:

Evelyn Panos [email protected] Karen Korach [email protected]

Thank You

GREAT COMPLINE Monday MARCH 2ND AT 6:30 pm

Compline in the Eastern Greek Orthodox Church (in Greek (τὸ) Ἀπόδειπνον [apóðipnon], Slavonic Povecheriye: literally the "after-supper" [prayer]) takes two distinct forms: Small Compline and Great Compline. The two versions are quite different in length. At Compline (whether Small or Great) a Canon to the Theotokos in the Tone of the Week will normally be read (these Canons will be found in the Octoechos). Services to saints in the Menaion that for various reasons cannot be celebrated on the day assigned to them, may be chanted on the nearest convenient day at Compline. In such cases, the Canon for the Saint would be read together with the Canon to the Theotokos, followed by the Stichera to the saint from Vespers. There are also particular days (such as certain Forefeasts, Afterfeasts, and days during the Pentecostarion) that have special Canons for Compline composed for them. The Office always ends with a mutual asking of forgiveness. In some traditions, most notably among the Russians, Evening Prayers (i.e., Prayers Before Sleep) will be read near the end of Compline. It is an ancient custom, practiced on the Holy Mountain and in other monasteries, for everyone present at the end of Compline to venerate the relics and icons in the church, and receive the priest's blessing. Great Compline[edit]Great Compline is a penitential office which is usually served on the following occasions:

 Tuesday and Thursday nights of Cheesefare Week (the week before Great Lent)  Monday through Thursday nights of Great Lent[6]  Friday nights of Great Lent[7]  Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week  Monday through Friday during the lesser Lenten seasons: Nativity Fast, Apostles' Fast, and Dormition Fast[8]  The Eves of certain Great Feasts, as a part of the All-Night Vigil: Nativity, Theophany, and Annunciation. Unlike Small Compline, Great Compline has portions of the service which are chanted by the Choir[9] and during Lent the Prayer of St. Ephraim is said with prostrations. During the First Week of Great Lent, the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete is divided into four portions and read on Monday through Thursday nights. Due to the penitential nature of Great Compline, it is not uncommon for the priest to hear Confession during the service. Great Compline is composed of three sections, each beginning with the call to prayer, "O come, let us worship...": First Part Psalms[10] 4, 6, and 12; Glory..., etc.; Psalms 24, 30, 90; then the hymn "God is With Us" and troparia, the Creed, the hymn "O Most holy Lady Theotokos", the Trisagion and Troparia of the Day, Kyrie eleison (40 times), "More honorable than the cherubim..." and the Prayer of St. Basil the Great. Second Part Psalms 50, 101, and the Prayer of Manasses; the Trisagion, and Troparia of Repentance,[11] Kyrie eleison (40 times), "More honorable than the cherubim..." and the Prayer of St. Mardarius. Third Part Psalms 69, 142, and the Small Doxology;[12] then the Canon followed by Axion Estin, the Trisagion, the hymn "O Lord of Hosts, be with us...", Kyrie eleison (40 times), the Prayer of the Hours, "More honorable than the cherubim....", the Prayer of St. Ephraim, Trisagion, the Supplicatory Prayer of Paul the Monk, and the Prayer to Jesus Christ of Antiochus the Monk.[5] Then the mutual forgiveness. Instead of the normal final blessing by the priest, all prostrate themselves while the priest reads a special intercessory prayer. Then the litany and the veneration of icons and relics.

YOUTH GREEK DANCE PRACTICE SCHEDULE

St. Barbara Families,

Youth greek dance instruction will start this week to prepare for the festival in May. Instruction for our youngest dancers will be at the church on Saturday from 4-5 pm. Instruction for the middle and oldest groups will be on Sunday after church, starting at 12:30 pm (or when church concludes).

If you have questions about the group, you are to please contact me or Chrys Mangum.

Maria Tsikerdanos will be assisting us this year with instruction of the oldest dance group. She is a member of Holy Trinity, where she has taught greek dance and performed and competed with their dance troupe, in addition to performing at our festival as part of the Triangle Hellenic Dance Troupe. We are fortunate to have her assistance this year.

The complete schedule is below:

Day Date Youngest Middle Oldest Saturday 2/8/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 2/9/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 2/15/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 2/16/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 2/22/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 2/23/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 2/29/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 3/1/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 3/7/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 3/8/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 3/14/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 3/15/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 3/21/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 3/22/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 3/28/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 3/29/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 4/4/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 4/5/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 4/11/2020 Saturday of Lazarus - No Practice Sunday 4/12/2020 No Practice Saturday 4/18/2020 Sunday 4/19/2020 Easter - No Practice Saturday 4/25/2020 4-5 pm Sunday 4/26/2020 After Church After Church Saturday 5/2/2020 Festival Festival Festival Sunday 5/3/2020 Festival Festival Festival

Best wishes,

Keith and Alexia Rheinhardt Hrisavgi (Chrys) Mangum Maria Tsikerdanos [email protected]

February 22nd, 29th and March 7th, 2020 Saturday of Souls

Saturday of Souls Explained

It is a Tradition in the Orthodox Church to offer up prayers for the souls of all of our loved ones who have departed this life, in the hope of the Resurrection to Eternal Life. There are four Saturdays of the year that are dedicated specifically to this purpose. They are three Saturdays before and at the beginning of Lent and the Saturday before Pentecost. Everyone is encouraged to submit the names of their loved ones to be commemorated at the services. And you are all encouraged to attend one of these services (and bring Kolyva-boiled wheat) if you are able, as a way of honoring the people in your family who have passed away in church once a year. This year the Saturdays of the souls fall on February 22nd, February 29th and March 7th. All Satuday services will start at 9:00 am. ______

SAVE THE DATE: Festival Spanakopita Assembly Saturday March 28th @ 10am

We will be assembling spanakopitas for this year’s Greek Festival on Saturday March 28th, starting at 10am at the church hall. We’re aiming to make 75-80 large pans, so we could use all the help we can get. I know everyone’s schedules are busy, and your time is valuable, but even if you can only spare an hour or two, please come by.

If you can make it, please bring a small bowl or saucepan to hold melted butter, and a pastry brush. That will help ensure we have enough equipment for all the workers.

Finally, if you can please let either Evelyn Panos ([email protected]), Theky Pappas ([email protected]), or Cindy Paliouras ([email protected]) know if you’re able to come, so we’ll have some idea of how many helpers to expect, that would be much appreciated. Or just drop in, we’re flexible, and we’ll definitely put you to work.

Hope to see you on Saturday March 28th!

Cindy

SAINT BARBARA CHURCH 2020 PLEDGE FORM

Name(s): ______

Address: ______City: ______State: ____ Zip: ______

Home Phone: ______Cell Phone(s): ______

Email(s): ______

SPECIAL MATCHING GIFT OPPORTUNITY FOR 2020* Please prayerfully consider increasing your contributions above your 2019 giving level. Any increases above your total 2019 giving to the Mortgage + Contingency + Stewardship Funds are eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match, to be given to the Stewardship Fund by an anonymous donor, up to a parish total of $50,000 for 2020. Help us realize the full $50,000 Matching Funds donation and double the impact of your increased donation!

STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE FOR 2020* Stewardship donations pay for the operating expenses (not the mortgage) and ministries of St. Barbara Church, which total about $25,000 per month. This pledge form is confidential, for use only by the Parish Treasurer.

Name: ______Cell #: ______email: ______

I/We commit to Christ’s Church a total Stewardship amount of $______to be paid (check one) *: semi-annually____ quarterly____ weekly____ Other (specify) ______

Signed: ______Date: ______I/We would like to speak with Father Stavroforos before making my/our pledge.

*You can conveniently make your contributions online via the St. Barbara website: www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/donation

MORTGAGE & CONTINGENCY FUND PLEDGES FOR 2020* The church mortgage obligation is currently $12,713 per month. I/We hereby pledge to contribute to the Mortgage Fund and acknowledge that my/our giving category (but not the actual dollar amount) may be acknowledged periodically in the church’s Weekly Bulletin and/or posted in the Fellowship Hall. Pillar: $______Torch Bearer: $______Good Shepherd: $______Pace Setter: $______($10,400+ per year) ($5,200–$10,399 per year) ($2,600–$5,199 per year) ($1,200–$2,599 per year) Contributor: $______Friend: $______Other one-time amount: $______($520–$1,199 per year) ($100–$519 per year) I/We hereby also pledge this amount to the Contingency Fund for unforeseen expenses: $______

Signed: ______Date: ______

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*You can conveniently make your contributions online via the St. Barbara website: www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/donation