The Net A monthly publication of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church November 2020 | Vol. 12 | Issue 10 Directory Paul the Confessor Fr. Matthew Moore November 6 Parish Priest Saint Paul was from Thessalonica. He became the secre- Erin Harris Office Manager tary of Alexander, Patriarch of Constantinople (see Aug. 30), a deacon, and then the successor of Saint Alexander Parish Council in about 337. Because of his virtue, his eloquence in teaching, and his zeal for Orthodoxy, the Arians hated and Anthony Mougianis feared him. Nick Riley Maria Matzorkis When the Arian Emperor Constantius, who was in Anti- Pete Caleodis och, learned of Paul's election, he exiled Paul and proclaimed the Arian Eusebius Nick Demitras Patriarch. Saint Paul went to Rome, where he found Saint Athanasius the Great Rana Mahfood also in exile. Provided with letters by Pope Julius, Paul returned to Constantino- Joanne McCraley ple, and after the death of Eusebius in 342, ascended again his rightful throne; Niko Mastros the Arians meanwhile elected Macedonius, because he rejected the Son's con- substantiality with the Father (and the divinity of the Holy Spirit besides). Greg Matzorkis Don Richardson When Constantius, yet at Antioch, learned of Paul's return, he sent troops to Michael Riley Constantinople to drive Paul out. The Saint returned to Rome, where Saint Atha- Chris Vogagis nasius also was again in exile. Constans, Emperor of the West, Constantius' Ministries brother, but Orthodox, wrote to Constantius that if Athanasius and Paul were not allowed to return to their sees, he would come with troops to restore them Philoptochos Angie Mahfood him-self. So Paul again returned to his throne. Religious Education Stewardship After the death of Constans, however, Constantius had Paul deposed. Because of the love of the people for Saint Paul, Philip the Prefect, who was sent for him, GOYA Rikki Kamarados was compelled to arrest him secretly to avoid a sedition. Paul was banished to JOY Maria Matzorkis Cucusus, on the borders of Cilicia and Armenia; a town through which his most HOPE Maria Matzorkis illustrious successor, Saint John Chrysostom would also pass on his way to Coma- Choir Pete Caleodis na in his last exile. Chanters Erma Rangos Senior Citizens Barbara Lee Maragos In Cucusus, about the year 350, as Saint Paul was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the little house where he was a prisoner, the Arians strangled him with his own omophorion, so much did they fear him even in exile. His holy relics were brought back to Constantinople with honour by the Emperor Theodosius the Fraternal Organizations Great. Chian Society John Kamarados Pan-Icarian Stacey Kotsanis AHEPA Tommy Kotsanis 300 South Fourth Street PO BOX 788 | Steubenville, OH 43952 | 740-282-9835 | [email protected] Clergy Corner Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, November Monthly Parish Memorial November is maybe my favor- O, God, give rest to the souls of your servants, those ite month. Not only do we men and women of Holy Trinity that went before us celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s the month before Christmas, which itself is another joyous Nikolaos Dimosthenis Karras occasion to plan for. In the Nikolaos Georgiou Georgoulis Orthodoxy we also plan for Zanis Klouvas these two events; while Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, the premise is that we Angelos Georgiou Konstantopoulos give thanks to God for the blessings he gives us in our joys Eleni Stavrou Gialeli and sorrow. Ilias Georgiou Markantoni We begin fasting for the Nativity on November 15, forty Maria Sotiriou Belegri days before Christmas. We do it in anticipation for the Ethel William Mahfood coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Though it’s not as rigorous as our Lenten fast—this fast largely encourages Nikolaos Komninos us to eat fish instead of meat— it nevertheless is meant to Georgios Michalakis keep us hungry, both physically and spiritually, so that we Omiros Georgiou can feast sumptuously on December 25, both in the Church and in our homes. In America we take a small Pantelis Nikolaou Kollaros break from this on Thanksgiving, but the following day we Nikolaos. Lagoudakis begin our fast again, we continue to prepare for the Feast! Efstratios Poulias But we don’t just prepare ourselves to gather in the parish Ilias Chasapis for this joyous day. For the last several years, with the leadership of Spiro Alexander, we have opened our doors Stavros Periklis Kaminis on Christmas day to feed hundreds of hungry and lonely Paraskevas Spanopoulos citizens in Steubenville and its surrounding towns. COVID- Stamatoula Moraiti 19 will make our 2020 celebration look different. While we wait to hear from Spiro about how different it will look, we Ioannis Lamprinos must remember that, no matter the situation, as we give Dimitrios Belegris thanks to God for his coming down to earth, we are also called to love and serve those around us, no matter the situation. And for this year, it’s important that we commit THANK YOU to everyone who has begun to support to that calling, however the plans shape out. our monthly memorials. It is a blessing that donors have already provided enough for us to buy the Please remember all those who are suffering around us. materials for koliva through April. Remember not just the sick, but the lonely. Remember the hurt, the sad and despondent. Remember also our own sorrows and joys, and to be thankful for all of the blessings still upon us. In the words of St. John Chrysostom “Glory to God for All Things!” 2 | The Net | A Monthly Publication of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 300 S. 4th St. | Steubenville, OH | 740-282-9835 The President’s Page Happy November! in order to access online giving and follow the easy direc- tions. Beloved parishioners of Holy Trinity welcome to November! Kalo Mena! Stewardship: Xristos Anesti! Our parish strives “To lead people to God through Ortho- dox Christianity and to provide ways for them live and As we continue on with the pandemic share God’s love.” It does so in good days and in bad, such restrictions and the Green Phase of as we now experience. Church attendance may be difficult our coming back to worship at Holy or impossible for you, but we endeavor to spread the Trinity, a continued thanks to every- “good news” as best we can. Any financial help that you one for your cooperation as we con- might offer, or can send us is deeply appreciated. tinue to allow up to 50% of our sanctuary’s capacity into our church for Divine Liturgy. Please continue to pray for the sick who have contracted this horrible virus, and for the families of the many that We are always working diligently to make it fair and as have lost their lives throughout the world and here in our safe as it possibly can be for everyone ;and so far it has country. Also continue your prayers for our sick here with- gone very well. Please continue to follow the rules of dis- in our own church family. tancing: sitting with close family members only. Face masks are still mandatory as well so please continue to We are looking to fill several committees and anyone is wear these. As with last month many have shown a desire welcome to join and participate. Currently, we need help to attend church, though many have also preferred to stay with the following: home for the time being; and that’s perfectly fine. There’s no right or wrong here, it is solely based on your personal 1.) Outreach comfort. This arrangement will change as the pandemic 2.) Education changes so our hope is that the numbers stay the same or 3.) Ways and Means even drop so that we can continue to worship together. If you have an interest in any of these committee’s please We must stay vigilant and continue to follow the rules either call Fr Matthew or Erin in the office or myself to strictly as the coming weeks will be very important as to join! We need your help! where the pandemic heads especially locally which can have an affect on us as well. We have the upcoming Philoptochos Gyro and Festival Favorites sale on November 3rd, which also is Election Though in the interim, and for those of you who cannot Day. Online pre order sales have been terrific and it is rec- attend or desire not to, please continue to watch our ser- ommended to pre order to be assured of receiving a festi- vices live every Wednesday and Sunday at val treat. Gyros as always will be readily available hot, www.holytrinitystb.org/live fresh and plentiful that day. If you have any questions please contact either the office , Angie Mahfood Angela Again, please look at our renovated website that Fr. Mastros or myself and we will be more than glad to assist Matthew has worked on so diligently: you. www.holytrinitystb.org and surf through the many pages of information, church calendars schedules and updates. As always, thank you for all that you do in helping make Holy Trinity great; it takes a village and each and everyone With great sadness we had to cancel our festival this year of you makes an enormous difference! but I am proud to report that the Covid Relief Campaign has been extremely well received. Thank you to everyone In closing and as always let us remember: who has given; the festival committee is very thankful, and your generosity has allowed our church to operate 1 John 4:7 properly during this unprecedented and difficult time.