MARCH—APRIL 2019

The Antelope Valley beacon

Volume 7 Issue 2

Great

and

Holy

Pascha

April 28, 2019

Plagal of the First Tone Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Saints Constantine and Rev. Father John Beal For confirmation or Helen Greek questions on any event, Orthodox please contact

www.stsch.org E-mail: sylvarobinson001 43404 30th St West [email protected] @gmail.com Lancaster, CA 93536 (661) 945-1212 P AGE 2 THE ANTELOPE VALLEY BEACON

The Extraordinary Spiritual Feast & fasting, praying, avoiding defile- ly few, and the reading of the Holy our Regular Preparation ment of soul and confessing our by fewer than are present APPROACHING THE FAST before sins. The difference between the by the time the Holy is the Lord's Pascha we confront time celebration of Resurrection on any shared with the people. as a cycle: before any feast of the given Sunday and Pascha is merely Reflecting back to the macro-cycle Spirit we go through a period of a matter of scale – Christ is the of Great before Pascha, we conscious preparation in order to constant that makes the whole can see that the Orthodox norm is receive the benefit the Lord is lay- year cohere in Him. to make an effort in time to receive ing out for us. As Orthodox Chris- There was a time not too long ago the Lord. Brothers and Sisters in tians we are taught from a young when pious Orthodox Christians Christ – let us not be like the fool- age that the Feast of Feasts, the were in the habit of partaking of ish virgins who had provided no oil Lord's Resurrection is the main the Holy Gifts only at Great Feasts. for their lamps at the crucial hour, event of our Church life, and the Pascha, Nativity, Dormition and when Bridegroom arrived at mid- whole point of being an Orthodox Annunciation had become some night, and by their negligence con- Christian is to fully immerse our- of the only feasts on which most demned themselves to be left out selves in his saving Death and Res- Christians dared to approach the of the Wedding Banquet! urrection. . And because they partook Each Eucharistic Liturgy is a Pascha We know that we must go through of the Gifts so infrequently, each provided for our spiritual suste- the Great Fast of 40 days before occasion of it came only after pre- nance throughout the year. Do we entering , an effortful paratory fasting and sacramental skip Lent to enter Holy Week with askesis that focuses all of our facul- repentance (as abstention from no effort in prayer, fasting and ties of mind, body and spirit on the Holy Eucharist 3 weeks running alms? Do we come to next Sun- goal of purification, of putting off excommunicates a member who day's Eucharist without compunc- our sinful passions and working must then be atoned into Com- tion, careless of the hour of our harder to live virtuously. We make munion through a priest's absolu- arrival? tion). Happily, these days parish- more recourse to prayer and fast- Behold the Bridegroom comes ioners feel welcome to take the ing so that when the season of Lent at midnight, And blessed is the Holy Eucharist more frequently, is complete we may be able to en- servant whom He shall find even each time it is offered. This is ter the week of our Lord's Passion, watching, And again unworthy more in keeping with the spirit of Death and Resurrection with our is the servant whom He shall the early Church. senses cleansed, fully responsive to find heedless. Beware, there- the Life that flows from the Empty But as we conform more to the fore, O my soul, do not be Tomb of Christ. ways of our deep ancestors who weighed down with sleep, Lest Great and Holy Pascha fulfills our received the Holy Mysteries with you be given up to death and desires for the fullness of the Life in joy at every opportunity let us also lest you be shut out of the Christ to the measure we make like them keep the holy disciplines Kingdom. But rouse yourself ready for it. But the event of Resur- of fasting and prayer in prepara- crying: Holy, Holy, Holy, are rection occurs for us weekly –for tion. There was a time not outside You, O our God! Through the that great event we gather in this living memory when the hearing have mercy on us! of the Resurrectional Gos- holy temple on Sundays through- – of out the year to celebrate the Mys- pel was understood as necessary Bridegroom Matins tery of Holy Eucharist in Divine Lit- for reception of the Holy Gifts. urgy. And for each of those celebra- Now only a small number of pa- With Love in Christ, tions, we make ourselves ready to rishioners come for Matins. Even receive the Gifts just as we do for the kairos at the beginning of the Fr. John Christ's Great and Holy Pascha by is heard by relative- VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2 PAGE 3 FELLOWSHIP HOUR SCHEDULE Date Event Sponsor Mar 3 Meatfare Luncheon—Parish Assembly Hellenic Center Mar 10 Cheesefare Luncheon Potluck Church/Elaine Grado Mar 17 Coffee Hour Pva. Medea Beal Mar 24 Coffee Hour Hind and Elias Qarmout Mar 31 Coffee Hour Mitzi Bouras Apr 7 No Coffee Hour Apr 14 Coffee Hour Kelli Koukourikos Apr 21 Fish Luncheon Hellenic Center Apr 28 Pascha Agape Luncheon Church & Hellenic Center Anyone interested in doing a memorial luncheon or interested in sponsoring a Fellowship Hour, may contact Helen Poulos at 661-618-8607 (Cell). Yes, Helen!

2019 LENTEN SERVICES  Mar 2 Sat 9/10 AM Sat. of Souls Matins/Liturgy/Memorials  Mar 9 Sat 6:00 PM Cheesefare Great &  Mar 10 Sun 1:00 PM Forgiveness Vespers—start of  Mar 11 Mon 8:00 AM Clean Monday Matins with  Mar 13 Wed 6:00 PM Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, No Lenten soup meal  Mar 15 Fri 7:00 PM 1st Salutations to the Theotokos  Mar 20 Wed 6:00 PM Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Lenten soup meal after  Mar 22 Fri 7:00 PM 2nd Salutations to the Theotokos  Mar 27 Wed 6:00 PM Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Lenten soup meal after  Mar 29 Fri 7:00 PM 3rd Salutations to the Theotokos  Apr 3 Wed 6:00 PM Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Lenten soup meal after  Apr 5 Fri 7:00 PM 4th Salutations to the Theotokos  Apr 10 Wed 6:00 PM Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Lenten soup meal after  Apr 11 Thu 8:00 AM Matins w/Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete  Apr 12 Fri 7:00 PM to the Theotokos  Apr 17 Wed 6:00 PM Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Lenten soup meal after  Apr 19 Fri 6:00 PM Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Lenten soup meal after  Apr 20 Sat 9/10 AM Saturday of Lazarus Matins/Liturgy. Hall not available.

To Register: www.gosfyouth.org Click on flyer or Y2AM.org/BeeTreats or flyer on Click www.gosfyouth.org Register: To

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tries), the Metropolis of San Francisco Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and St Spyr- St and Ministries, Adult Young and Youth of Department Francisco San of Metropolis the tries),

(The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Youth and Young Adult Minis- Adult Young and Youth of Department Archdiocese Orthodox Greek (The Y2AM by: Hosted

[email protected] at Navrides Bill Contact Questions:

participant per $10 Cost:

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THE ANTELOPE VALLEY BEACON VALLEY ANTELOPE THE

4 PAGE

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2 PAGE 5 NOTICES Memorial services Jan-Feb 2019 A memorial was offered for the loved ones of Alex Memorials and Manal Abuata We are providing a form on A memorial was offered for the grandparents of which Parishioners can notify Fr. Peter Bouras John of planned memorials. Please ask for the form at the can- A 40-Day memorial was offered for Nick Zorba by Tandy Zorba and family dle stand. If possible, please sub- mit the form at least one Sunday A Six-Month memorial was offered for Vasiliki by prior to the planned date. Betty Minagossian

According to the rules of the A memorial for Radovan and a 6-Month memorial Church memorials are not permit- for Milca was offered by Seveta Nikolich and Alex- ander Patananan ted: from the Saturday of Lazarus through Thomas Sunday. Also, A 19-Year memorial was offered for Victoria by memorials are not allowed on the Fotini Astrinakis Great Feast Days of the Lord and A 27-Year memorial was offered for Constantinos of the Theotokos. by George and Pilar Dracopoulos

Fr. John’s Office Hours during Great Lent

Wednesday Noon to 5:00 PM Friday Noon to 6:00 PM HOLY WEEK SERVICES  Apr 21 Sun 7PM Bridegroom Matins of Holy Monday  Apr 22 Mon 7PM Bridegroom Matins of  Apr 23 Tue 7PM Bridegroom Matins of  Apr 24 Wed 7PM Blessing of the Oil (Unction)  Apr 25 Thu 9AM Vesperal Liturgy - and Betrayal  Apr 25 Thu 7PM The Crucifixion - 12 Passion  Apr 26 Fri 5PM Vespers: Taking down from Cross (Apokatheilosis)  Apr 26 Fri 7PM Lamentations at the Tomb (Epitaphios)  Apr 27 Sat 9AM Vesperal Liturgy (Prophecies, Empty Tomb)  Apr 27 Sat 11:30PM Matins/Liturgy of Resurrection HOLY PASCHA  Apr 28 Sun 12 Noon Agape Vespers of Great and Holy Pascha  Apr 28 Sun 12:45PM Agape Luncheon and

P AGE 6 THE ATELOPE VALLEY BEACON

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2 PAGE 7

We have six mission parishes in the Metropolis of San Francisco: St. Nectarios, Pasco, Washington; Mission in Salem, Oregon; Holy Cross, Roseburg, Ore- gon; Mission on Maui, Hawaii; Mission in Lake Havasu City, Arizona; Holy Cross, Flag- staff, Arizona. All funds raised will go toward work within our Metropolis mission field. Coffee cups with the logo “Missions Possible” will be available at the beginning of Lent, March 10, 2019. During this time of fasting, we can use these cups for our donation of loose change, dollar bills, or checks, as we give to others from the money we have not spent on ourselves. The cups should be returned to Julie Agnew by the Sunday be- fore —June 9, 2019.

TEXT REMINDERS 2019 PARISH COUNCIL Feed the Hungry Council Officers St. Vincent de Paul President Peter Bouras The 4th Saturday of To receive text Vice President Alex Patananan April is . reminders Secretary Michael Hutchison We have traded of upcoming events, Treasurer James Brunson dates with another email your cell Council Members church. Come help in phone number to Philip Evola serving the poor on Webmaster Elaine Grado Saturday, April 6, @stsch.org Bill Koukourikos 2019

Philoptochos SPRING Membership FORWARD!! Luncheon Don’t Forget to Set Your Clocks March 16, 2019 Forward One Hour on 11:00—2:00 Hellenic Center MARCH 10

P AGE 8 THE ANTELOPE VALLEY BEACON

Apolytikion of First Tone O Christ our God, before Your Passion, You raised Lazarus from the dead to confirm the common Resurrection for all. Therefore, we carry the symbols of victory as did the youths, and we cry out to You, the victor over death, "Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. "

Prior to Holy Week Schedule an appointment with Fr. John Beal for or to have your home or business blessed! Fr. John is available on Sundays following Divine Liturgy and on other days by appointment. To schedule an appointment you may call the Parish Office at 661-945-1212. Lazarus Saturday Lenten Period Reading of the Psalms 2019

Week Day Date Kathisma Psalms 1 Tues 5-Mar 1, 2, 3 1 - 8 9 - 16 17 - 23 2 Tues 12-Mar 4, 5, 6 24 -31 32 -36 37 - 45 3 Tues 19-Mar 7, 8, 9 46 - 54 55 - 63 64 - 69 4 Tues 26-Mar 10, 11, 12 70 - 76 77 - 84 84- 90 5 Tues 2-Apr 13, 14, 15 91 - 100 101 - 104 105 - 108 6 Tues 9-Apr 16, 17 109 - 117 118 7 Tues 16-Apr 18, 19, 20 119-133 134-142 143 - 151 Tuesdays at 10:30 AM at Saints Constantine and Helen, Lancaster VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2 PAGE 9

On Fasting and Great Lent

St. contrasts Fasting of Martyrdom with Fasting of Demons. He states that Fasting of Martyrdom should always be connected to almsgiving and acts of kindness; should always be connected to forgiveness; and should be con- nected to asceticism, which is the giving of ourselves for someone else. St. Chrys- ostom states “If your fasting does not have an ascetical aspect to it, your fasting Agnew, Ms. Jenny could be that of demons.” Agnew. Ms. Julie We are also supposed to fast from time as well during this time of Great Lent. We Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. David give God our time, our talent, our abilities, our resources. Astrinakis, Mrs. Fotini We fast from food in order to give to others who are hungry. We fast from time Benveniste, Mrs. Stefania for ourselves in order to give time to those individuals who need our service. We Benveniste, Mr. and Mrs. Steven should fast from thinking ill of people who have hurt us and give them our for- giveness.Bonorris, We Mrs. should Josie fast from arrogance and be more humble. Bouras, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fasting during Great Lent is the renewal of our Baptism. It is asceticism which is offeringBrunson, to God Mr. andof “myself.” Mrs. James Christou, Mr. and Mrs. Gus During the fast of Great Lent we are restoring the of who we are, as Adam and EveChryssostomides, in the Garden Mr. andof Eden, Mrs. Pandelis so that we, too, can be priests and offer to God that whichDracopoulos, is His Mr. so andthat Mrs. He Georgecan enter within His creation once again and allow us to growDrimakis,—in His Mr. image and Mrs. and Costas likeness! Taken fromEliopulos, Hymnology Mrs. of Great Georgia Lent, the Internet School of Orthodox Studies, Spring 1999, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Evola, Mr. and Mrs.Pledged Philip Stewards for 2019 Agnew,Golea, Mrs. Ms. JulieNicole Hendrickson, Mrs. Lee Astrinakis,Goutsos, Mr. Mrs. and Mrs. Gary Hutchison, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Benveniste,Grado-Berona, Mrs. Mrs.Stefania Georgia Kappas, Mr. Andrew Bouras,Grado, Mrs.Mr. andElaine Mrs. Peter Kappas, Mrs. Sofia Brunson,Haddad, Mr. Mr. and and Mrs. Mrs. Jim Sam Koukourikos, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Christou,Harris, Mr. Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Gus Patananan, Dr. Alexander N. Chryssostomides,Hartman, Ms. Beth Mr. and Mrs. Pandelis Perini, Ms. Frances

Dracopoulos,Hendrickson, Dr.Mrs. and Lee Mrs. George Poulos, Ms. Helen Drimakis,Homsy, Mr. Mr. John and Mrs. Costas Robinson, Mrs. Sylva Evola,Hutchison, Mr. and Mr. Mrs.and PhilipMrs. Michael Sanchez, Miss Senaida Golea, Mrs. Nicole Sanchez, Mr. and Mrs. Santiago

Grado-Berona, Mrs. Georgia Svolos, Ms. Artemis Grado, Mrs. Elaine Woods, Mrs. Stella Harris, Mr. Thomas Zarras, Peter and Lygeri

TIME DATED MATERIAL

Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church

43404 30th Street West

Lancaster, California 93536

Humility Extreme

2018 Apr - Mar

Beacon Valley Antelope The

Church Orthodox Greek Helen and Constantine Saints