The Epistle of St
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The Epistle of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church JANUARY 22909 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River, Ohio 2016 Pastoral Thoughts The PTO of St. Demetrios’ Balourdas Hellenic Cultural School invites you to the annual by Fr. Jim Doukas Three Hierarchs & Greek Letters’ Day Dear Parishioners, A Celebration of Scholarship HAPPY NEW YEAR! During the month of January, our Sunday, January 31 st beloved Orthodox Church has two Α Ω beautiful traditions: 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy in St. Demetrios Church Along with Christmas and Easter, Epiphany is one of the Memorial for deceased educators of our parish greatest Feasts Days of the Orthodox Christian year. It A Sermon of St. John Chrysostom commemorates the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan by St. John the Baptist. The Church considered all the waters of the earth blessed on Epiphany as Christ entered the Jordan. At 11:30 a.m. –Noon Greek School Open House each subsequent Epiphany service, the Church’s prayers bless water again. This “HOLY WATER” is then used for sprinkling the faithful, for drinking, for “the cleansing of Noon Parish Brunch in the Cultural Hall souls and bodies, for …healing and sanctification…” Followed by In preparation for drinking the holy water, Orthodox Christians observe a strict fast on January 5, the day before Program and Presentation of Epiphany. This fast entails a spiritual preparation as well. The 2016 PTO & Anna Poulos Memorial Orthodox make a thorough confession of their sins, Scholarships accompanied by repentance, and strive to live in harmony and love with everyone. THEOPHANY is another name given to the Epiphany feast. Tickets on sale later this month. Contact the church A Greek word, theophany means “The Appearance of God.” Here is the Epiphany hymn which summarizes the events of office or Kiki Poulopoulos (440-979-9293) the feast day. It is the same hymn sung by the priests as they Proceeds from the brunch will go toward future bless the homes (see schedule on p. 4) of the faithful during scholarships the Epiphany season: Lord, when You were baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. For the voice of the Father Sweetness is added to the bread to symbolize the sweetness and gave witness to You, calling you Beloved; and the Spirit, in joy of life everlasting. It also symbolizes the hope that the New the form of a dove, confirmed the certainty of His words. Year will be filled with the sweetness of life, liberty, health, and Glory to You, Christ our God, who appeared and enlightened happiness for all who participate in the Vasilopita. the world . The community observance of Vasilopita is most impressive. One of the other January customs, and most beautiful and The priest begins the spiritual portion with a series of inspiring traditions of the Orthodox Christian Church is the supplications for the health and peace of the world. Pieces are observance of Vasilopita. This annual observance, together cut for Christ and His Holy Church, the Patriarch, Metropolitan, with many other traditions of our Church, joins our Orthodox Clergy and Laity, etc. (This tradition is taken from the ancient Faith and heritage with the history of the Christian religion observance of evening meals within the community.) Many itself. The word “Vasilopita” is a compound Greek word pieces of bread are then distributed to the faithful. which means the sweet bread of St. Basil, and originated from This year, we will cut the community Vasilopita on Sun., his Feast day on January 1st and the Baptism of Jesus Christ January 10 and ask all ministries that will be sending a on Epihany Day on January 6th . (During the first three representative to please RSVP to the church office by Jan. 8. centuries AD, the birth of Christ and Epiphany were This is a great event in which we see all of our organizations celebrated on the same day.) being honored by their presence, and all of us realizing that we According to tradition, special sweet bread is prepared both are all ONE FAMILY OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN in Orthodox homes and in the Church community. CHRIST! 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 AHEPA …………………………...Costa Petros…440-937-8079 Fax: (440) 331-8407 Bible Study :……...………Evangeline Richards…216-221-3003 www.saintdemetriosrr.org Bookstore ……….....……...…….Donna Vassos…440-331-5547 Choir Director/Canto r…..…....Bill Matzorkis…..216-496-4230 Editor : Eleni Papouras-Jenks Youth Choir …….…..Diane Matzorkis…440-463-3068 Daughters of Penelope …..………Elisa Demis…440-665-1348 Sunday Services: Orthros 8:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Greek School Principal Eleni Papouras-Jenks...216-965-8131 Publication Deadlines : Weekly Bulletin – Wednesday Board of Education Maria Mougianis…440-835-2888 Monthly Epistle – The 15 th of the preceding month GOYA Advisors Athena Diamantis………………216-469-8607 Dan Packis……………………..440-937-9531 Fr. James Doukas, Priest………………(Home) 440-899-3257 Sophia Tjotjos…...……….…….440-331-4000 Fr. Anastasios Athanasiou, Assistant Priest……..412-758-1068 President Matthew Szekely……………….440-835-5712 Eleni Papouras-Jenks, Office Mgr [email protected] Hellenic Dancers Nick Hillman, Operations Mgr [email protected] Aeraki Beginners Group…….. Maria Coutris…412-915-7838 John Stamatiades, Church Accountant…440-331-2246, ext. 4 Kymata Jr. Group ….……...Angelia Szekely…440-724-3807 Dale Stalnaker, Webmaster …………[email protected] Kyklonas ………………. Eleni Papouras-Jenks…216-965-8131 For a seasonal prayer, call the church and choose extension 7 JOY (Junior Orthodox Youth) Κόλλυβα (Memorial Tray)…….Ann Carpadis..…440-871-8625 Maria Statheros…216-226-1680 PARISH COUNCIL Library Committee :…………..…...Andie Titas...440-779-8581 Steve Alex………….……………………………440-823-9595 Philoptochos ……………………[email protected] Eugenia Burpulis……………....………………...440-356-1746 President ………Stephanie Zavatchen….440-385-7448 Randy Carpenter…………………………………440-878-0036 Sunshine Committee ….Elpida Kosmidis…440-779-8959 James Diamond……………………………….…440-725-9636 Sunday School ….…………... [email protected] Andreas Koustis…...…………………………….216-513-8905 Principal Maggie Steffas…….440-871-6362 Nikolaos Petousis ………………………....…….440-570-7889 Assistant Principal Cindy Genin……440-610-7686 Byron T. Spooner…………………….....……….440-724-1923 Spiritual Life Committee ...Angie Giallourakis…440-871-2681 Anthony Trakas……...…………………………..440-385-7741 Trust Fund ................John Stamatis, Chairman…440-937-6258 Yassou Club …...…………....Mary Pappadakes…440-799-4821 ORTHODOX ORGANIZATIONS IOCC www.iocc.org Pascalis Papouras : [email protected] St. Herman’s House of Hospitality FOCUS Cleveland OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship of BWU, CWRU, CSU, www.sainthermans.com JCU, Tri-C)……… Mira Damljanovic: m [email protected] St. Panteleimon Orthodox Christian Outreach OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center) www.ocmc.org www.stpanteleimon.com POYAF (Pan-Orthodox Young Adult Fellowship) Zoe for Life ! www.zoeforlifeonline.org ……Maria Koulioufas: 440-525-1187 For local Orthodox events: www.orthodoxcleveland.us Speaking of Stewardship… 3 Parish Committees - We NEED You! Each year the Parish Council sets the coming year’s committees to assist in administering church affairs and accomplishing new goals. Please look at the 2016 committees listed below and consider joining one or more of our committees. This is your chance to make a difference where you think it is needed. Any parishioner in good standing is eligible to be a member or chairperson of a committee. If you are interested , please contact the church by January 31 st at (440) 331-2246. Your time, talent and energy are invaluable to your church. 1. The Stewardship Committee - helps educate parishioners on financial needs, motivate them to make their pledges and administer the pledge program. 2. The Budget Committee - helps review last year’s budget in September and develop next year’s budget for the Parish Council and Parish Assembly Those who visited our church nursery room recently will have noticed 3. The Home Committee - helps ensure that the Parish quite a change, thanks to Nicholas Apostolakis, son of John & Property is properly maintained, including, procuring Dorothea, who along with his family and friends built and installed new necessary materials and contractors and supervising storage and seating as part of his Boy Scouts of America Eagle project, repairs. working toward the rank of Eagle Scout. Photo: Dorothea Markakis 4. Board of Education Supports Greek School teaching staff and administration with curriculum and academic As presented last November, please see below the proposed scope of issues, and selects annual scholarship recipients work for the Nave and Narthex of St. Demetrios Church, as put forth by AODK architectural firm: 5. Communications/Multi-media/Technology Committee - Help to upgrade parish technology and disperse information to the parish and community 6. The Catering Committee - helps administrate the church’s contract with the caterer. 7. The Events Coordinator/Fund Raising Committee helps coordinate the church’s calendar for the fundraising/social activities of different organizations within the church, led by a Parish council chairperson 8. The Aesthetics Committee - recommends ways to update and beautify the church, led by a Parish Council Chairperson. 9. The Hospitality Committee - helps originate and administrate programs welcoming new members and fostering