Petra News a Publication Supported by the Stewards of Sts

Petra News A publication supported by the Stewards of Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church

Saint Kosmas the Aitolos Week of August 18th 2019 Sunday, August 18th 2019 Hymns of the Day Upcoming Services & Feastdays Hymn for the Dormition Feast Wednesday, August 21______6 pm “In giving birth you retained your virginity, Paraclesis and in dormition you did not Saturday, August 24______5 pm forsake the world, O Theotokos. Great Vespers You were translated unto life, being the Mother of Life. And thus by virtue of your intercessions Memory Eternal you deliver our souls from death.” “With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Resurrection Hymn Your servant where there is not pain, no sorrow, (Plagal 4th Tone, p. 89 Green Hymnal) no sighing, but life everlasting.” “From on high did You descend, Dear Parishioners, O merciful Lord, for us did You endure, With hope in the Resurrection, I share with you three days in the tomb that we may be, that Father Constantine ‘Dean’ Talagan fell asleep released from passions in this world, in the Lord on August 13th. A visitation will be You who are our resurrection and our life held at Sts Constantine and Helen in Cheyenne Glory unto You O Lord.” from 3-6pm on Sunday, August 18th, followed by the Trisagion at 7pm. The Divine Liturgy Hymn of Saints Peter Paul will be celebrated on Monday, August 19th at 8am and the Funeral Service held at 10am. “Oh leaders of the Apostles, and teachers of the world, Father Dean was a good friend to Sts Peter and Paul. Father Dean had a profound effect on the intercede with the Master of all lives of so many clergy and laity of the Church. that He may grant peace unto the world, He was a forerunner in the ministry of youth, and to our souls His great mercy.” young adults and Church Catechism in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Please remember him in your Kontakion prayers. “The Theotokos, unsleeping in intercession May his memory be eternal. and the immovable hope of protection, could not be retained by any tomb or death. For being Life’s own Mother, Hosts & Volunteers she was transferred to life by Him Myrrhbearers who dwelt in the ever-virgin womb.” Cassie Tinsley & Demetra Gregory Epistle Reader Georgia Georgia Geerdes

Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church Daily readings - The 9th Sunday of Matthew Ninth Orthos Gospel According to John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the not believe.” Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad came and stood among them, and said: “Peace be with you.” when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not retained.” seen and yet believe.” Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disci- with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: ples, which are not written in this book; but these are writ- “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them: “Unless I see ten that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in God, and that believing you may have life in his name. Epistle Reading: St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17

Brethren, we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s cause it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test field, God’s building. According to the grace of God giv- what sort of work each one has done. If the work which en to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, any man has built on the foundation survives, he will and another man is building upon it. Let each man take receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. through fire. Do you not know that you are God’s temple Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, sil- and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys ver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man’s work God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, be- holy, and that temple you are. The Gospel According to Matthew 14:22-34

At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; went up into the hills by himself to pray. When eve- but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning ning came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth man of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out And when they had crossed over, they came to land at for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying “Take Gennesaret. heart, it is I; have no fear.”

Petra News, Week of August 18th, 2019 Saints & Feastdays Saint Kosmas the Aitolos as a Model for Our Lives By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas ters the heart, then it burns with love for others. (St. Kosmas is Commemorated on August 24) Hieromonk Kosmas learned one single language, that of love, and he wanted others to also come to We know the Old Testament story of the Tower of know it, to be able to understand each other and Babel, as well as the confusion and misunderstand- not tear away from each other and kill one another ing that prevailed due to arrogance and haughti- with slander, injustice and lies. True ness. The opposite of this incident love, as a fruit of communion with happened in the New Testament, God, offers people inner fulfillment namely the day of Pentecost. There and thus becomes a means of attrac- with the partitioning of tongues of tion and source of unity. Conversely fire on each of the disciples there the passions, such as envy, arrogance disappeared confusion, fear and and so forth create problems and any- any dissent and there was exempla- one who possesses them becomes a ry unity and agreement. The sacred source of abnormalities. They disrupt hymnographer, juxtaposing the unity, tearing the seamless tunic of two incidents, tells us: “When the Christ, creating factions and a climate Most High came down and con- of polarization. No matter how many founded the tongues He divided languages one speaks, if one does not the nations. When He dispensed know the language of love, accord- the tongues of fire, He called all to ing to the Apostle Paul, they are as a unity, and with one voice we glorify “clanging symbol”, just making noise. The bright the Most Holy Spirit” (Kontakion of Pentecost). In and holy figure of Saint Kosmas the Aitolos dis- other words, when the Tower of Babel was being tributed peace and created a climate of unity. constructed, God brought confusion in the languages and divided people into nations, and now We will highlight three points that characterize this with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit He calls all modest but also explosive and majestic personality, to unity. Arrogance divides and separates people, proving the truth of what we mentioned above. while humility attracts the Holy Spirit, and unites First, he had an ecclesiastical spirit. He did not all people and nations into a brotherhood. Unity despise those above him, but respected them and without divine Grace will always remain a dream sought their opinion and blessing. His mission- unfulfilled. ary career began after he received the blessings of Father Kosmas experienced, like all the saints, his his great Elders in Mount Athos, then he received own personal Pentecost, which is why he was a the blessing and approval of the Patriarch of Con- unified and integrated man and therefore able to stantinople, as well as the Bishops of the places he minister and heal people and lead them into uni- passed through. He did not work as an individual, ty, to the true “unity of faith and communion of nor divide, instead he paved the way for proper the Holy Spirit.” When uncreated divine Grace en- communication.

Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church Second, he knew very well, as a true theologian, up to this and preach in the shadow of the Cross. which means he was a God-seer, that the diversity And this was not just a habit without a deeper of languages is a transient phenomenon based on meaning. The Cross is the symbol of the victory the passions. The passions prevent mutual under- of life against death, as well as of the mystery of standing. Many times people can communicate love. The great missionary was crucified and res- with people who are foreigners with a different urrected and therefore did not hesitate to confront language and culture, while others who seemingly injustice, exploitation, ignorance and falsehood, speak the same language are not able to. It is obvi- even though he knew this path would lead to mar- ous that what prevents the communication are the tyrdom. The Cross he raised up was a symbol of passions, which create a different way of thinking. his personal Cross that he experienced which is For example, how can two people communicate, why he was not afraid to die. Death did not fright- when one speaks the language of reason and the en him, since he defeated it within the limits of other only the language of interest? When the his personal life. Only one who has died and risen Saint asked the Greeks to stop speaking Arvanite can experience and preach true love which leads to and learn Greek, and if they did so then he would communion with God, unity and mutual respect take upon himself all their sins, he did not do this for others. because he was a racist or nationalist, but to give Our society, this modern Babel, requires great holy them the opportunity to study Holy Scripture and patristic figures like Father Kosmas, who experi- learn the language of love. enced and expressed daily in his life the mystery of Third, wherever he passed through, he set up a Pentecost and “spoke” the unique language of love. Cross and a small pedestal. Then he would climb Source: Ekklesiastiki Paremvasi, “Ὁ Πατρο-Κοσμᾶς”, August 1998. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.

What Saint Kosmas Aitolos Asked for When He Preached

“I came to your village and I preached to you. It is thus just for you to pay me for my effort. With money perhaps? What would I do with it? My payment is for you to put the words of God in your hearts, that you may gain eternal life.” - Saint Kosmas the Aitolos Petra News, Week of August 18th, 2019 News & Announcements Upcoming Youth Events Orthodox Christian Faith Series First Day of Sunday School First Class, Sunday, September 15 Wednesday, August 21, 7 pm Divine Liturgy 9:30 am Our first class will meet in the church. Sunday School There will be Paraclesis Service (Eve- Immediately following Holy Communion ning Prayer) at 6 pm. Father Jordan Sunday School Blessing will be leading the series which will cover the doctrines and teachings of 11:45 am Classrooms the Orthodox Christian Faith. If you Sunday School Kick-off Pool Party are interested in the Orthodox Faith and Today, 12:30pm have a desire to deepen your understanding of the Or- Home of Fr Jordan & Presbytera Marika thodox Church, please attend this series. The class is 7793 Essex Place, Bouder open to inquirers and cradle Orthodox Christians. If We invite all youth and parents. Please join us for a special you have any questions, please contact Father Jordan at day to kick-off our Sunday School Ministry. Please bring [email protected]. your bathing suit (girls: please one piece suit) and towel. Convent Monastery Visit Goya Fellowship, Discussion & Bible Study Saturday, September 14 Saturday, September 21 We will have a visiting sister from the Convent in Minsk, St Luke’s Antiochian Orthodox Church Belarus. She will give a presentation on the history and The teens (middle and high school age children) will service of their community that helps children without come together for Vespers (Evening Prayer), 4 pm at St parental support, the patients of the psychiatric hospital Luke’s. Immediately following prayers the teens will meet and the sufferers from drug and alcohol dependence. for dinner and fellowship. There will be a fireside discus- A table with the products will be arranged for sale. Pro- sion and Bible Study. If you have any questions, please ceeds will help the current Convent’s construction and its contact Father Jordan @ [email protected] or charitable work. (720) 329-5212. We will have Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Holy Cross OCF - Orthodox at 9 am (Orthros 8 am). The Monastery Presentation will College/Campus Fellowship take place immediately following the service. There will be Welcome CU Students! refreshments and fellowship in the parish hall. Please join us for a Greek Dinner, Sunday, September 15, 5pm. We will be meeting on the CU Campus (details TBA). If you have any questions, please contact Father Dancing Zorbas Jordan @ [email protected] or (720) 329-5212) Practice Schedule 20th Anniversary Dinner Holy Hermitage We have added a dance practice this Sunday, Aug 18 “Brotherhood of Saint George” after Liturgy. Please bring a change of clothes and see Alanna Nolte to get started. Other practice dates are: Saturday, August 31, 2019, 6:30 pm with special guest speaker. Saturday, 24th: Sts Peter and Paul 10:00am - 12:00pm w/ pizza lunch to follow Hellenic Community Center 4610 East Alameda Avenue Sunday, 25th: Sts Peter and Paul, 3-4:30pm Denver, Colorado Thursday, 5th: Final Practice, 5:00-6:00pm

Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church Taste of Orthodoxy - September 6 - 8, 2019 Community Night this Saturday Volunteer Sign Ups Come help us prepare the Hall for the festival this Satur- Thank you to everyone who signed up last Sunday during day, August 17. Great Vespers starts at 5pm, followed by our Volunteer Fair. We will be set up again this Sunday a potluck dinner at 5:45. We will break down half of the so stop by to grab a couple of shifts. Bonus: homemade tables in the hall and bring down all the equipment and cookies for each shift you sign up for. You can also sign up supplies from the loft. Booth chairpeople should plan to online at: https://stspeterandpaulboulder.ivolunteer.com/ attend to inventory their booth supplies, but everyone is too_2019 welcome to come eat and help. RSVP to Nicole at 303-489- 4491 or by replying to this email no later than August 16. ToO Facebook Campaign Festival Baking Days Facebookers - Keep an eye out for posts from our ToO facebook page. Please ‘like’ each post, but most impor- Join us from 9:00 to 12:00-ish on the following days to fin- tantly, be sure to ‘Share’ with your facebook friends as ish up the baking for the festival. Lunch (and hair nets!) well as the ‘Public.’ provided. August 21, August 23, and August 30 ToO Posters are ready Tent Set Up Please take a few and place them around your local busi- Thanks to everyone who helped get the tent frames set nesses and gathering places. This is a key way we advertise up last Sunday. We will be placing tarps and legs on the the festival, so please help by spreading the word. frames on Sunday, August 25. ToO Philoptochos Soda Sign-Up Volunteer T-shirt Drive! Bring donations to the Hall by Sept 1. Donate soda or bot- Last Sunday To Order tled water by following this link: https://www.signupge- 100% of all proceeds donated to the Philoptokos Soci- nius.com/go/9040A4BADAE2EA75-soda ety! T-shirts and hats can be ordered in the Fellowship Hall or by eMailing Rick Leonidas; [email protected]

Philoptochos Bookstore News - The Planner Food Drive Order your 2019-2020 planner today! Please see Sharon We need help this month to fill our shelf at the Our Dzilvelis or email at [email protected]. Center in Longmont. We are looking for cans of meat. “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, Please put your cans in the bin in the fellowship hall. and those who live in it” (Psalm 24:1) Scholarship Time The 2019–20 edition of The Planner features flow- Time for our annual Philoptokos scholarship! If you ers, plants and trees mentioned in the Bible. It is spi- are a college student and would like to apply, please ral-bound and follows the Ecclesiastical (Church) year send a letter to [email protected] Include why beginning in September and ending in August. The you are applying, accomplishments, what school you Planner helps you keep a daily focus on Christ with fast are attending and include where we can send the schol- days, prayers, saints of the day, and inspiration from arship money too. Scripture. (5.5 x 8.5”) $14.95

Petra News, Week of August 18th, 2019 Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church 5640 Jay Road, Boulder, CO 80301 303-581-1434 • StsPeterAndPaulBoulder.org

About Our Parish Priest We welcome visitors worshiping with us to- Reverend Father Jordan Brown day. Our diverse church family encom- Parish Council passes many converts to the Orthodox Christian Faith, as well as Greek, President - George Tsiouvaras Vice President - Nicholas Kallan Arab, Romanian, Serbian and Rus- Treasurer - Brian Gregory sian Orthodox Christians. The foun- Secretary - Phillip Haratsaris dation of the Orthodox Church are the teachings and Holy Tradition of Philoptokos Jesus Christ. We follow the first Chris- President - Ashley Dzilvelis tians who began to worship Jesus Christ Vice President - Rola DeGeorge after the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Treasurer - Julie Powers Please introduce yourself to our priest and members of our Book Store community. We also encourage you to join us for our fellow- Sharon Dzilvelis ship after services in the parish hall and visit our bookstore. Youth / Goya If you are interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith, please visit with our priest, Fr. Jordan Brown. Fr. Jordan Brown Holy Communion Senior Ministry in the Orthodox Church Dena Tinsley Holy Communion is reserved Choir Director only for baptized and/or chris- Presbytera Marika Brown mated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared by Recurring Services prayer, fasting, and confession. Orthros - Sundays, 8:15 am Divine Liturgy - Sundays, 9:30 am The Orthodox Church under- Great Vespers - Saturdays, 5 pm stands the reception of Holy Confession by appointment. Communion to be the highest expression of our faith. Both Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike are invited to receive the ‘antidoro’ (blessed bread ) at the end of the Divine Liturgy.