SAINT HARALAMBOS CHURCH
IMPORTANT!
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Thank you! Prot. No.529 + B A R T H O L O M E W BY GOD’S MERCY ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE-NEW ROME AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO ALL THE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH GRACE, PEACE AND MERCY FROM THE MAKER OF ALL CREATION OUR LORD, GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Dearest brother Hierarchs and beloved children in the Lord, It is a shared conviction that, in our time, the natural environment is threatened like never before in the history of humankind. The magnitude of this threat becomes manifest in the fact that what is at stake is not anymore the quality, but the preservation of life on our planet. For the first time in history, man is capable of destroying the conditions of life on earth. Nuclear weapons are the symbol of man’s Prometheantitanism, the tangible expression of the “complex of omnipotence” of the contemporary “man-god.” In using the power that stems from science and technology, what is revealed today is the ambivalence of man’s freedom. Sci- ence serves life; it contributes to progress, to confronting illnesses and many conditions that were hitherto considered “fateful”; it cre- ates new positive perspectives for the future. However, at the same time, it provides man with all-powerful means, whose misuse can be turned destructive. We are experiencing the unfolding destruction of the natural environment, of biodiversity, of flora and fauna, of the pollution of aquatic resources and the atmosphere, the progressing collapse of climate balance, as well as other excesses of boundaries and measures in many dimensions of life. The Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church (Crete, 2016) rightly and splendidly decreed that “scientific knowledge does not mobilize the moral will of man, who knows the dangers but continues to act as if he did not k n ow.” (Encyclical, § 11) It is apparent that the protection of the common good, of the integrity of the natural environment, is the commonrespon- sibility of all inhabitants of the earth. The contemporary categorical imperative for humankind is that we live without destroying the environment. However, while on a personal level and on the level of many communities, groups, movements and organizations, there is a demonstration of great sensitivity and ecological responsibility, nations and economic agents are unable – in the name of geopolitical ambitions and the “autonomy of the economy” – to adopt the correct decisions for the protection of creation and instead cultivate the illusion that the pretended “global ecological destruction” is an ideological fabrication of ecological movements and that the natural environment has the power of renewing itself. Yet the crucial question remains: How much longer will nature endure the fruitless dis- cussions and consultations, as well as any further delay in assuming decisive actions for its protection? The fact that, during the period of the pandemic of the novel coronavirus Covid-19, with the mandatory restrictions of move- ment, the shutdown of factories, and the diminishment in industrial activity and production, we observed a reduction of pollution and encumbrance of the atmosphere, has proved the anthropogenic nature of the contemporary ecological crisis. It became once again clear that industry, the contemporary means of transportation, the automobile and the airplane, the non-negotiable priority of economic indicators and the like, negatively impact the environmental balance and that a change of direction toward an ecological economy constitutes an unwavering necessity. There is no genuine progress that is founded on the destruction of the natural environment. It is inconceivable that we adopt economic decisions without also taking into account their ecological consequences. Economic develop- ment cannot remain a nightmare for ecology. We are certain that there is an alternative way of economic structure and development besides the economism and the orientation of economic activity toward the maximization of profiteering. The future of humanity is not the homo œconomicus. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, which in recent decades has pioneered in the field of the protection of the creation, will con- tinue its ecological initiatives, the organization of ecological conferences, the mobilization of its faithful and especially the youth, the promotion of the environment’s protection as a fundamental subject for interreligious dialogue and the common initiatives of religions, the contacts with political leaders and institutions, the cooperation with environmental organizations and ecological movements. It is evident that the collaboration for the protection of the environment creates additional avenues of communication and possibilities for new common actions. We repeat that the environmental activities of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are an extension of its ecclesiological self-con- sciousness and do not comprise a simple circumstantial reaction to a new phenomenon. The very life of the Church is an applied ecology. The sacraments of the Church, its entire life of worship, its asceticism and communal life, the daily life of its faithful, express and generate the deepest respect for creation. The ecological sensitivity of Orthodoxy was not created by but emerged from the contem- porary environmental crisis. The struggle for the protection of creation is a central dimension of our faith. Respect for the environment is an act of doxology of God’s name, while the destruction of creation is an offense against the Creator, entirely irreconcilable with the basic tenets of Christian theology. Most honorable brothers and dearly beloved children, The ecofriendly values of the Orthodox tradition, the precious legacy of the Fathers, constitute an embankment against the culture, whose axiological foundation is the domination of man over nature. Faith in Christ inspires and strengthens the human endeavor even before the immense challenges. From the perspective of faith, we are able to discover and assess not only the problem- atic dimensions, but also the positive possibilities and prospects of contemporary civilization. We call upon Orthodox young men and women to realize the significance of living as faithful Christians and contemporary people. Faith in the eternal destiny of man strength- ens our witness in the world. In this spirit, from the Phanar, we wish all of you a propitious and all-blessed new ecclesiastical year, fruitful in Christ-like deeds, for the benefit of all creation and to the glory of the all-wise Creator of all. And we invoke upon you, through the intercessions of the All-Holy Theotokos, the Pammakaristos, the grace and mercy of the God of wonders.
September 1, 2020 +Bartholomew of Constantinople
Saint H aralambos Greek Orthodox Church
Canton, Ohio
Beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year
September 1
September & October 2020
SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH • 251 - 25th ST. N.W. • CANTON, OH 44709
2020 PARISH ADMINISTRATORS
OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday 9:00 am-3:00 pm EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 330-454-7278 FAX: 330-454-0099 WEBSITE: www.stharalambos.com
CLERGY
REV. PROTOPRESBYTER NICHOLAS V. GAMVAS, D.MIN., PH.D., IERATIKOS, PROISTAMENOS
PHONE: 330-454-2443 CELL: 330-685-5030 EMAIL: [email protected]
REV. DEACON DR. KYRIACOS J. SHIEPIS, D.C.
OFFICE: 330-453-7733 CELL: 330-324-3067 EMAIL: [email protected]
PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS
PRESIDENT: MICHAEL FAKELIS TREASURER: STEVE DIAMANT SECRETARY: JOHN KELLAMIS
VICE PRESIDENT: LINDA NATALE ASST. TREASURER: DAVE HALLAMAN ASST. SECRETARY: ALLISON SARRIS
MEMBERS: MICHAEL GIUSTINO, JAMES KELLAMIS, SAMUEL KRAGALOTT, MICHAEL MORGAN, PETER PAPADOPULOS, MIKE PAXOS, CHRISTOPHER VALLOS,
OFFICE STAFF CHURCH STAFF
SECRETARY: ALEXANDRA TANK CHOIR DIRECTOR: DR. ALEX CHRIST
EMAIL: [email protected] SUBDEACON: BILL POULOS, JR.
PROJECT MANAGER: STEPHANIE WITHERS SEXTON: DEAN DARRAH
EMAIL: [email protected] PROTOPSALTI: PETROS GAITANOS
CHANTORS: THOMAS A. CAZANTZES CUSTODIAN: JOHN SAKELLARIOU JOHN C. KELLAMIS NATALIA KELLAMIS MICHAEL A. LAZORAN
PARISH ORGANIZATIONS
SUNDAY SCHOOL: MARY GRIVEAS GOYA: NIKI STROHMENGER
GREEK SCHOOL: DENA APOSTOLOU JOY: MARCIA BOURNELIS VIRGINIA BALLAS HELLENIC DANCERS: ELENI PAXOS ANGELA GAITANOS SOPHIA KAZES AGIA MARKELLA: ELENI PAXOS
PHILOPTOCHOS: MARY TRIFELOS KNOSSOS: MARIA BOURLAS
SILVER LINERS: HELEN TSARWHAS AHEPA: BILL ZANTOPOULOS
MEN’S CLUB CHRISTOPHER VALLOS DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE: LINDA NATALE
BOOKSTORE: HELEN MEDER MAIDS OF ATHENA: MARIA KALAITSIDES SOPHIE USNER YAL: NATALIA KELLAMIS FRAN ARMATAS
FUNERAL MAKARIA: TINA BOLON CATERING: STEPHANIE WITHERS, HELEN TSARWHAS COORDINATOR PAULA MACRIS
1, September 2020
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Greetings in the Lord. The first day of September marks the beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year. We are accustomed to think of January 1st as the beginning of the New Year. However, Holy Tradition computing the start of the New Year with fall was common in the Biblical times. The summer harvest was at an end, the crops were stored, and the people prepared for a new agricultural cycle. Thus, it became tradition to begin the new year of the Holy Church on September 1st. Many of the hymns of the first day of the Church new year state that the coming year is God’s to give and God’s to bless – A Year of The Lord. The hymns take their theme from Psalm 65 (64 in the Greek Septuagint), a psalm of praise to our Creator, Who is awesome as the Holy Lord who richly sustains the earth with His abundant goodness. The goodness of the Lord is His love, mercy, and grace. The Holy Church’s prayer is that the coming year will be a year of grace and a year blessed by God. We pray that each year is a year of grace and a year blessed by God. The prayers and hymns of the Orthodox Church not only recite the wonderful works of God in creation and history for our salvation but also frequently offer guidance about how to make each year a year of grace, a year of the Lord. For example the very first hymn of the new liturgical year, chanted at Ves- pers in the joyful first tone, reminds us that prayerfully daily independence on God is the basic attitude of the Christian and the Christian life. This hymn is also interesting because it refers to another key passage in the Holy Bible and addresses all of the Orthodox faithful. The first Vesperal hymn of September 1st and the Lord’s Prayer set down three great anchors, three great principles, necesary to make the coming year of the Lord, a year of grace. They are: 1.) the teachings of Christ are the source of truth for our lives, 2.) our Father in Heaven is a personal God who provides for our material and spiritual needs as we ask him in faith, and 3.) daily prayer is the way of ongoing communication and a vital relationship with God. Prayerful daily dependence on God sancti- fies every moment of the day, whether we are at work, at play, at rest, or in difficulty; it fills it with the presence of God and makes it God’s moment.
Koinonia September & October 2020 5
The worship of the Orthodox Church is rich in the Word of God. The first day of the Church New Year, there are a total of eight readings: three from the Old Testament, read during Vespers, and five from the New Testament read during the Orthros and the Divine Liturgy. Vespers are chanted on the previ- ous evening, because according to the Holy Scriptures and Orthodox tradition, each new day begins after the setting of the sun. The Scripture reading from the Divine Liturgy of September 1, is Luke 4: 16-22, a passage which marks the beginning of Christ’s public ministry. The Book of Isaiah, proclaims through this New Testament passage, that Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in Christ. The beginning of the Church New Year and the beginning of Christ’s public ministry converge in Holy Scripture on September 1st, the Church New Year. In this fashion the Church has Jesus speaking to us today just as He did over 2000 years ago. Will we reject or accept Him? Christ’s good news demands our faithful response of mind, heart, soul, and body. The unconditional love of God, shown to us, by the most precious gift of His Son who shed His precious blood on the Cross for our salvation. This re- quires a total response on our part. Saint Symeon the Stylite, whose Feastday is observed on the first day of the Church year, is an example of unwavering devotion. St. Symeon for 40 years lived on top of a pillar, a stylos, therefore he is called a stylite. He was sustained in prayer and the power of God and little else. His ascetic witness was not only a radical denial of all earthly things but also a provocative pointer to the kingdom of God. His vigil for Christ had a powerful impact upon generations of Christians in the Orthodox tradition who were moved to commit their lives to the Lord. A Martyr dies once. St. Symeon was a martyr for Christ for a period of 40 years until his death in 459 AD. And by putting before us, St. Symeon’s example of extreme asceticism at the beginning of the liturgical year, the Church shows us how seriously it takes the priority of Christ and how uncompromising our faith is. The beginning of the Church New Year is a time to pause and refresh the spirit and pray on the New Year before us. It is also a suitable time for us to recommit our lives to Christ ourGod. Main Hymn, September 1st O Lord, Creator of all things, Who by your authority Have established times and seasons, Bless the beginning of our Church year with Your goodness; preserve your people in peace, and through the intercessions of the Theotokos, save us. Amen.
My prayers are with all of you for safety, good health, and well being. In Christ’s Love,
+ Fr. Nicholas V. Gamvas
6 Koinonia September & October 2020
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020
Dear St. Haralambos Parishioners,
I hope and pray that we are all healthy and safe with all that is going on in the world. Please know if you are feeling lost or scared or just need someone to talk to Father Nick is always available to help.
I would like to thank John Sakellariou on his many years of service and congratulate him on his retirement. In all my years at the church I have never noticed the church to be anything but beautiful and clean. Again thank you John and enjoy your retirement!
This is the time of the year, as it is every year, when the children come back to the church for various activities; however, this is not every other year. I want you to know that we are being cautious in our planning for attendance to the various activities. Each organization is doing re- search and is working on safe ways for the children to learn and have fellowship. Please watch for letters and emails explaining how each organization will be meeting in the near future.
As always, we are doing our best to keep everyone safe as we continue to deal with the COVID- 19 pandemic. Please continue to wear your mask and sit in the designated areas. Doing so will enable us to be respectful of our fellow parishioners’ space and sensitivities.
Sincerely,
Michael Fakelis 2020 Parish Council President
Koinonia September & October 2020 7
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5
2020 Welcome Back to a New SEPTEMBER Ecclesiastical Year!
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 9:00 †18th Sunday Labor Day 9:00 †Nativity of 6:30 Parish of Matthew the Theotokos Council Office Closed †Memorial - 1 yr. Meeting Irene Laggeris
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 9:00 †Sunday 9:00 †Exaltation of 4:30 Fish Fry Before Holy Cross the Holy Cross Drive Thru
†Memorial - 1 yr. Helen Cotopolis
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 9:00 †After the 3’30 Bible Study 6’30 Bible Study
Holy Cross
†Memorial - 40 days Peggy Hatzakis & Anthony Varavvas
27 28 29 30 9:00 †1st Sunday of Luke "...Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,
†Memorial - 40 days for the LORD your God will be with you Harriet Marinos wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 1:00 †Sacrament 1 2 3
2020
OCTOBER
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
9:00 †2nd Sunday of Luke
National Church Music Sunday
2:00 †Sacrament
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9:00 †7th Ecumeni- Columbus Day 4:30 Fish Fry cal Council Drive Thru Koinonia Deadline †Memorials - 1 yr. William & Nick for November & December Cotopolis 2 yrs. Christina Sklavenitis Office Closed 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
9:00 †3rd Sunday 3’30 Bible Study in 6’30 Bible Study in of Luke Tri Room Tri Room
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 9:00 †6th Sunday 9:00 †St. Demetrios 9:00 †Holy Skepi of Luke
Deadline for Parish Council Candidates & Man of the Year Petitions 8 Koinonia September & October 2020 ST. HARALAMBOS CHURCH September & october Liturgical Calendar
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 6 SUNDAY 13TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW - 9:00 am - Orthros 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy
SEPTEMBER 8 TUESDAY THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS - 9:00 am - Orthros followed by the Divine Liturgy
SEPTEMBER 13 SUNDAY SUNDAY BEFORE THE HOLY CROSS - 9:00 am - Orthros 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy
SEPTEMBER 14 MONDAY EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS - 9:00 am - Orthros followed by the Divine Liturgy This is a serious fast day. No meat, fish or dairy products are permitted on this day.
SEPTEMBER 20 SUNDAY SUNDAY AFTER THE HOLY CROSS - 9:00 am - Orthros 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy
SEPTEMBER 27 SUNDAY 1ST SUNDAY OF LUKE - ΄ 9:00 am - Orthros 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 4 SUNDAY 2ND SUNDAY OF LUKE - ΄ 9:00 am - Orthros 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy
OCTOBER 11 SUNDAY 7TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL - 9:00 am - Orthros 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy
OCTOBER 18 SUNDAY ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST - 9:00 am - Orthros 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy
OCTOBER 25 SUNDAY 6TH SUNDAY OF LUKE - 9:00 am - Orthros 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy GODPARENT SUNDAY - Please attend services with your Godchildren and Godparents.
OCTOBER 26 MONDAY ST. DEMETRIOS THE GREAT MARTYR - 9:00 am - Orthros followed by the Divine Liturgy
OCTOBER 28 WEDNESDAY HOLY PROTECTION OF THE THEOTOKOS - HOLY SKEPI − OXI DAY 9:00 am - Orthros 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy followed by a Doxology Service This is a National Day of celebration in Greece for observance of those who gave their lives for the sake of “FREEDOM.” This is the day the Greek nation said “NO!” to Italy’s occupation.
Koinonia September & October 2020 9 Join us for our Monthly Fish Fry - Drive Thru Friday, September 18 & Friday, October 16, 2020 4:30pm - 7:30pm www.cantongreekfishfry.com
Surf Entrée Options [available each month]:
ǣ ȏʹ Ȑ ̈́ͳʹ ȏ Ȑ ̈́ͳʹ ȏ Ȑ ̈́ͳʹ ͳǣ Kidsͳǣ Menu [available each month]:
ȏͳ ǡ Ȑ September Turf Special: ̈́ͺ
ȏȐ ̈́ͳͷ ͳǣ Octoberͳǣ Turf Special:
ȏ Ȑ ̈́ͳͷ ͳǣ ͳǣ
How to Order: www.cantongreekfishfry.com/drivethru/
ǣ Ǥ ͳʹ ͳͲǤ ǡ Ǥ ͺ Ǥ Ǧ Ǥ ǦͳͷǦ Ǥ ʹͷǡǤ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ
ʹͲʹͲǦʹͲʹͳ ǣ
ʹͲǡʹͲʹͲ ͳͺǡʹͲʹͲ ͳͷǡʹͲʹͳ ͳͻǡ ʹͲʹͳ ͳͻǡʹͲʹͳ ͳǡʹͲʹͳ ʹͳǡʹͲʹͳ
--Menu Subject to Change--
National Church Music Sunday
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2019
ALTHOUGH THE CHOIR IS NOT IN SESSION AT HIS TIME DUE TO COVID 19, on this day, we will be commemorating National Church Music Sunday and honoring our choir director, our choir members, and our beloved chanters.
On behalf of Fr. Nicholas, the Parish Council, and the St. Haralambos parishioners, we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the choir members and chanters Byzantine Choir Members
Choir Director: Dr. Alex M. Christ Organist: Patrick Ryan Protopsalti: Petros Gaitanos Psaltes: John Kellamis, Thomas Cazantzes, Michael Lazoran, Natalia Kellamis
Flora Anderson Christian Kellamis Melissa Shiepis Paris Apostolou Christine Kellamis Joanna Sirgo Daniela Archer Daunia Kellamis Olga Snyder Stephanie Boka Elbus Kellamis Chris Anne Stavrianou Lefkothea Bourlas Natalia Kellamis Alexandra Tank Melody Bowman Michael Lazoran Nicole Tank Rena Cotopolis Nicholas Loukas Dan Trifelos Vassa Delis-Parker Shelly Loukas Mary Trifelos Laura Dover Goldie Manos Betty Tsangeos Louis Eustathios Georgia Matthews Helen Tsarwhas Ann Fillis Linda Millis Takis Tzouloufis Ted Fillis George Rafailedes Eva Winn Diane Foradas Ava Rocco John Yatras
Carolyn Hill Lydia Yatras
JUNIOR Choir Members
Alexis Bournelis Alyssa Ergazos Ava Rocco Eva Winn Sophia Bournelis Emily Hallaman Olivia Rocco Maria Yatras Amelia Colón Kenna Loukas Kerissa Shiepis Spyridon Yatras Mary Dover Yanni Loukas Constandinos Shiepis Zoe Yatras Michael Dover
Koinonia September & October 2020 11
O Άγιος Κυπριανός θεωρείται ο Άγιος που λύνει τα μάγια;
+
Ο Άγιος Κυπριανός, τιμάται από την Εκκλησία στις 2 Οκτωβρίου έκαστου έτους, μαζί με την Αγία Ιουστίνη. Ωστόσο, για πολλούς ο Άγιος Κυπριανός, αλλά και η Αγία Ιουστίνη θεωρούνται κάτι περισσότερο από Άγιοι- προστάτες, γιατί άραγε; Σύμφωνα με την θρησκευτική παράδοση ο Άγιος Κυπριανός είναι ο Άγιος στον οποίο προσεύχονται οι πιστοί που θεωρούν ότι έχουν «χτυπηθεί» από τη μαγεία. Ποια όμως είναι η ιστορία πίσω από τον Άγιο Κυπριανό και γιατί αυτός ειδικά θεωρείται ως ο κατεξοχήν Άγιος κατά της μαγείας; Σύμφωνα με την επικρατούσα άποψη, ο Άγιος Κυπριανός ο οποίος έζησε τον 3ο αιωνα δεν ήταν καν Χριστιανός. Αντίθετα, ήταν ένας από τους πιο ονομαστούς μάγους της εποχής του. Λέγεται πως εξαιτίας της πολύ καλής οικονομικής κατάστασης της οικογένειας του, είχε ταξιδέψει σε αρκετές χώρες και είχε διδαχθεί αποκρυφιστικες πρακτικές. Σε κάποιες από τις βιογραφίες του καταγράφεται ότι ήταν τόσο ισχυρός μάγος που επικοινωνούσε απευθείας με τον ίδιο τον Σατανά! Κομβικό γεγονός στην ζωή του ήταν η προσπάθεια του να «μαγέψει» μια νεαρή γυναίκα, την Ιούστα, για λογαριασμό ενός ευγενή. Εκείνος ήθελε να την παντρευτεί αλλά εκείνη είχε αφιερωθεί στο Θεό, έτσι ο ευγενής πήγε στον πιο φημισμένο μάγο για να της κάνει μάγια. Οι βιογράφοι του Αγίου Κυπριανού υποστηρίζουν πως ήταν τέτοια η δύναμη της πίστης της Ιούστας που ακόμη και τα πιο ισχυρά μάγια του δεν έπιαναν πάνω της. Λέγεται δε, πως ο ίδιος ο Σατανάς αποκάλυψε στον Κυπριανό πως δεν μπορεί να γίνει τίποτα. Εξαιτίας αυτού του γεγονότος, ο Κυπριανός, όχι μόνο σταμάτησε να ασκεί τη μαγεία, αλλά βαπτίστηκε Χριστιανός. Έφτασε να γίνει μέχρι και Επίσκοπος. Ο ίδιος χειροτόνησε την Ιούστα, διακόνισσα και της έδωσε το όνομα Ιουστίνη. Ο Κυπριανός και η Ιουστίνη αφιέρωσαν τη ζωή τους στην διάδοση του Χριστιανισμού, μέχρι τη στιγμή που συνελήφθησαν από τους ειδωλολάτρες. Το τέλος τους ήταν μαρτυρικό. Με εντολή του αυτοκράτορα Διοκλητιανού, αποκεφαλίστηκαν . Με το πέρασμα των χρόνων οι πιστοί εξαιτίας της παλαιάς ενασχόλησης του Κυπριανού με την μαγεία τον συνδύασαν με τους εξορκισμούς. Μάλιστα υπάρχει μια ευχή κατά της μαγείας η οποία αποδίδεται στον Άγιο Κυπριανό.
12 Koinonia September & October 2020
THE FEASTDAY OF THE EXHALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
SEPTEMBER 14
+Fr. Nicholas V. Gamvas
The Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross is a blessed day and celebration of the tremendous power of the Cross of our Lord and is celebrated each year on September 14. Through the Cross, the power and wisdom of God have been revealed. By the Cross, we are reconciled to Christ, and we can find true and enduring peace. It is the Cross that directs us to Christ and to the way of salvation and eternal life. The Feast commemorates the finding of the True Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by Saint Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine. In the twentieth year of his reign (326), Emperor Constantine sent his mother Saint Helen to Jerusalem to venerate the holy places and to find the site of the Holy Sepulchre and of the Cross. Relying upon the oral tradition of the faithful, Saint Helen found the precious Cross together with the crosses of the two thieves crucified with our Lord. However, Helen had no way of determining which was the Cross of Christ. With the healing of a dying woman who touched one of the crosses, Patriarch Macarius of Jerusalem identified the True Cross of Christ. Saint Helen and her court venerated the Precious and Life-Giving Cross along with many others who came to see this great instrument of Redemption. The Patriarch mounted the ambo (pulpit) and lifted the Cross with both hands so that all of the people gathered could see it. The crowd responded with “Lord have mercy”. This became the occasion of the institution in all of the Churches of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross, not only in memory of the event of the finding of the Cross but also to celebrate how an instrument of shame was used to overcome death and bring salvation and eternal life. On the day of the Feast at the conclusion of the Matins or of the Divine Liturgy, a special service is held. The Cross is placed on a tray surrounded by branches of basil and is taken in solemn procession through the church to the chanting of the Hymn of the Feast. The tray is placed on a table, and the priest takes the Cross and offers petitions from each side of the table, the four directions of the compass. This represents the universal nature of the offering of Christ upon the Cross. As the people respond by chanting “Lord have mercy”, the priest raises and lowers the cross, a commemoration of its finding and exaltation. At the conclusion of the service, the people come and venerate the cross and receive the basil from the priest. The basil is used and offered, as it was the fragrant flower growing where the Cross was found. Today as we venerate the Holy Cross of our Lord, and Orthodox Christians around the world raise the symbol of the sacred and precious wood, we proclaim the Cross to be an invincible shield, a divine scepter, and the boast of the faithful. We exalt it by affirming that the Cross sanctifies to the ends of the world. We hail the life-giving Cross as the “unconquerable trophy of godliness, door to Paradise, and succor of the faithful.” Through the Cross our enemies are vanquished, freedom from corruption and mortality is established, and salvation is offered universally. As the Cross is lifted up, we marvel at how an instrument meant for torture and shame leads us to abundant and eternal life. We contemplate how an object that inflicted suffering and death reveals the glory and power of God. We offer praise and thanksgiving, for instead of hate and inhumanity, the Cross has become love and freedom. Instead of suffering, we find healing and hope. The Cross leads us from death and life, and through the Cross, we know that all things are possible to those who believe in Christ. Koinonia September & October 2020 13
THE GREAT MARTYR
SAINT DEMETRIOS
OCTOBER 26
+Fr. Nicholas V. Gamvas
Saint Demetrios was from Thessaloniki, a most pious son of pious and noble parents, and a teacher of the Faith of Christ. When Maximian first came to Thessalonica in 290, he raised the Saint to the rank of Duke of Thessaly. But when it was discovered that the Saint was a Christian, he was arrested and kept bound in a bath-house. While the games were under way in the city, Maximian was a spectator there. A certain friend of his, a barbarian who was a notable wrestler, Lyaeus by name, waxing haughty because of the height and strength of his body, boasted in the stadium and challenged the citizens to a contest with him. All that fought with him were defeated. Seeing this, a certain youth named Nestor, acquaintance of Demetrios', came to the Saint in the bath-house and asked his blessing to fight Lyaeus single-handed.
Receiving this blessing and sealing himself with the sign of the precious Cross, he presented himself in the stadium, and said, "O God of Demetrios, help me!" and straightway he engaged Lyaeus in combat and smote him with a mortal blow to the heart, leaving the former boaster lifeless upon the earth. Maximian was sorely grieved over this, and when he learned who was the cause of this defeat, he commanded straightway and Demetrios was pierced with lances while he was yet in the bath-house, As for Nestor, Maximian commanded that he be slain with his own sword.
Apolytikion of Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer in the Third Tone The world has found in you a great champion in time of peril, as you emerged the victor in routing the barbarians. For as you brought to naught the boasts of Lyaios, imparting courage to Nestor in the stadium, in like manner, holy one, great Martyr Demetrios, invoke Christ God for us, that He may grant us His great mercy.
Kontakion of Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer in the Second Tone God, who gave you invincible power and with care kept your city invulnerable, royally clothed the Church in purple with the streams of your blood, for you are her strength, O Demetrios.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone Your voice resounded throughout the world that received your word by which, in godly manner, you taught dogma, clarified the nature of beings, and set in order the character of people. Venerable father, Royal Priesthood, intercede to Christ God to grant us great mercy.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone For the Church art thou in truth a firm foundation, granting an inviolate lordship unto all mortal men and sealing it with what thou hast taught, O righteous Basil, revealer of heavenly things.
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The Holy Protection of the Mother of God - October 28 +Fr. Nicholas V. Gamvas
The Protection of the Mother of God ( ) s one of the most beloved feast days on the Orthodox calendar. The feast is celebrated on October 28 in the Greek Orthodox Church.
The Greek Skepi (Σκέπη), has a complex meaning. First of all, it refers to a cloak or shroud, but it also means protection or intercession. For this reason, the name of the feast is variously translated as the Veil of Our Lady, the Protecting Veil of the Theotokos, the Protection of the Theotokos. The feast day celebrates the appearance of the Mother of God at Blachernae (Vlaherna) in the tenth century. At the end of St. Andrei (Andrew of Constantinople) he, with his disciple St. Epiphanius, and a group of people, saw the Mother of God, St. John the Baptist, and several other saints and angels during a vigil in the Church of Blachernae, nearby the city gates. The Blachernae Palace church was where several of the relics of the Theotokos were kept. The relics were her robe, veil, and part of her belt that had been transferred from Palestine during the fifth century. The Theotokos approached the center of the church, knelt down and remained in prayer for a long time. Her face was drowned in tears. Then she took her veil (cerement) off and spread it over the people as a sign of protection. During the time, the people in the city were threatened by a barbarian invasion. After the appear- ance of the Mother of God, the danger was averted and the city was spared from bloodshed and suffering. In recent years, the Feast of the Protection has become associated with thanksgiving for the deliverance of the Greek nation from the Italian invasion of 1940. These events are commemorated in Greece in a national holiday known as “Ochi Day” referring to the response of the Greek leader Metaxas to Mussolini’s ultimatum. In recognition of this, and because of the many miracles of the Holy Virgin which were reported by Greek soldiers during the Greco-Italian War of 1940-1941, the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece elected in 1952 to transfer the Feast from October 1 to October 28. Two different events that took place four hundred years apart are combined in this one icon of the Holy Skepi. And both events took place in the former Church of Blachernae in Constantinople. The icon of the feast, Protection of the Mother of God, shows the Theotokos standing above the faithful with her arms outstretched in prayer and draped with a veil. On both sides of her are angels. On the lower right of most icons of this feast, are saints Andrew and his disciple Epiphanius who saw this vision of the Mother of God, with the twelve apostles, bishops, holy women, monks and martyrs, spreading her veil in protection over the congregation. St. Epiphanius is wearing a tunic under his cloak and gestures in astonishment at the miraculous appearance, while St. Andrew, Fool-for-Christ, is dressed only in a cloak. Below the Theotokos, in the center of the icon, stands a young man with a halo, he is clothed in a deacon’s sticharion. In his left hand, he is holding an open scroll with the text of the Kontakion for Nativity in honor of the Mother of God. This is St. Romanos the Melodos, the famous hymnographer whose feast is also celebrated on the same day, October 1. He is with his choir attended by the Emperor Leo the Wise together with the Empress and the Patriarch of Constantinople.
Koinonia September & October 2020 15
Η ΓΙΟΡΤΗ ΤΗΣ ΑΓΙΑΣ ΣΚΕΠΗΣ 28, October
+
Στα χρόνια του βασιλέως Λέοντος του Μεγάλου (457-474 μ. Χ.) ζούσε στην Κων/πολη ο όσιος Ανδρέας, ο κατά Χριστόν σαλός. Σαλός είναι ο τρελλός και κατά Χριστόν σαλοί ονομάζονται κάποιοι άγιοι, οι οποίοι κάνανε κάποια περίεργα και παράλογα πράγματα, με απώτερο σκοπό να τους θεωρούν παλαβούς ή παλιανθρώπους και να μη τους τιμούν οι άνθρωποι· και έτσι αυτοί να ζουν με ταπείνωση και στην αφάνεια. Μια νύχτα που γινότανε αγρυπνία στο ναό της Παναγίας των Βλαχερνών, ο όσιος Ανδρέας μαζί με τον μαθητή του Επιφάνιο, που έγινε αργότερα πατριάρχης Κων/πόλεως (520-536 μ. Χ.), είδαν την Υπεραγία Θεοτόκο οφθαλμοφανώς, όχι σε όραμα, να μπαίνει από την κεντρική πύλη του ναού. Την συνόδευαν οι Ιωάννης ο Πρόδρομος και Ιωάννης ο Θεολόγος και πλήθος αγγέλων. Αφού μπήκε μέσα στο ναό προχώρησε στον σολέα. Εκεί γονάτισε και προσευχήθηκε πολλή ώρα με θερμά δάκρυα υπέρ της σωτηρίας των πιστών, ενώ την βλέπανε μόνο ο Ανδρέας και ο Επιφάνιος. Αφού προσευχήθηκε για πολύ η Θεοτόκος σηκώθηκε και μπήκε μέσα στο ιερό, όπου φυλασσόταν το μαφόριο της δηλαδή το τσεμπέρι της, το πήρε στα χέρια της και βγαίνοντας έξω το άπλωσε πάνω από τους πιστούς, για να δείξει ότι
τους σκέπει και τους προστατεύει. Αυτό είναι το γεγονός το οποίο στάθηκε αφορμή η Εκκλησία μας να καθιερώσει την γιορτή της αγίας Σκέπης δηλαδή τη γιορτή προς τιμή της Παναγίας, η οποία σκεπάζει (σκέπει) και προστατεύει το λαό του Θεού και φωτίζει τους πιστούς στο δρόμο για την τελείωση. Μας σκεπάζει με τις προσευχές της, με τις παρακλήσεις της και με τα δάκρυά της.
Η Παναγία μας άπλωσε το μαφόριο της εντός του ναού και σκέπασε όσους αγρυπνούσαν και προσευχόταν. Με την ενέργεια αυτή θέλει να πει ότι πρέπει να έχουμε ουσιαστική σχέση με την Εκκλησία για να μας σκεπάσει με τις πρεσβείες της. Την εορτή της αγίας Σκέπης τη γιορτάζουμε κάθε χρόνο στις 28 Οκτωβρίου.
Η ΑΓΙΑ ΣΚΕΠΗ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΤΟ ΕΠΟΣ ΤΟΥ 1940 Δεν είναι τυχαίο ότι οι δύο σημαντικότερες εθνικές γιορτές του έθνους μας έχουν το ιδιαίτερο χαρακτηριστικό να συνεορτάζονται με μία γιορτή της Παναγίας. Την 25η Μαρτίου γιορτάζουμε τον Ευαγγελισμό της Θεοτόκου και την 28η Οκτωβρίου την Αγία Σκέπη της Θεοτόκου. Η γιορτή αυτή μετατέθηκε από την εκκλησία μας το 1952 από την 1η Οκτωβρίου την 28η ως ένδειξη ευγνωμοσύνης προς τη μητέρα του Θεού για τη σκέπη και την προστασία της στον αγώνα των Ελλήνων απέναντι στον αλαζονικό ιταλικό στρατό. Δεν χωράει αμφιβολία ότι η εποποιία του 1940, αποτελεί ένα θαύμα, είναι ένα από τα πολλά θαύματα στην ιστορία των Ελλήνων. Δεν μπορεί να είναι καρπός αποκλειστικά ανθρώπινου αγώνα. Η θεϊκή χάρη συνεργάσθηκε με την ανθρώπινη προσπάθεια. Και είναι δίκαιο που μαζί με τα θριαμβευτικά σαλπίσματα πάνω από τους τάφους των ηρώων, σήμαναν δοξαστικές καμπάνες για ένα "ευχαριστώ" στην Παναγία, σ' εκείνη, στην οποία η εθνική συνείδηση απέδωσε για μια ακόμα φορά ‘’τα νικητήρια’’. Τη Σκέπη των αγωνιστών. Την Ελευθερώτρια των σκλαβωμένων. Γιατί στα κρίσιμα χρόνια του πολέμου οι Έλληνες εμπιστεύθηκαν στα χέρια της Παναγίας τον αγώνα τους. Ζήτησαν τη μητρική προστασία της για να υπερασπιστούν τα δίκαιά τους. Και ήταν τόση η πίστη τους, ώστε την έβλεπαν να τους εμψυχώνει και να τους σκεπάζει, καθώς πολεμούσαν απεγνωσμένα στα χιονισμένα βουνά της Πίνδου και της Αλβανίας. Η άλλοτε Υπέρμαχος Στρατηγός των Ρωμηών γίνεται η Αγία Σκέπη των αγωνιστών και το θαύμα επαναλαμβάνεται. Χάρη στην πίστη που θερμαίνει τις ψυχές τους οι μαχητές περιφρονούν τη λογική των αριθμών και αντιστέκονται στις
σιδερόφρακτες εχθρικές στρατιές με ηρωισμό που κινεί τον παγκόσμιο θαυμασμό.
ΤΑ ΘΑΥΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΑΓΙΑΣ ΣΚΕΠΗΣ ΣΤΟΝ ΠΟΛΕΜΟ ΤΟΥ 1940 Στὸ μέτωπο, σ᾿ ὅλη τὴ γραμμή, ἀπὸ τὴ γαλανὴ θάλασσα τοῦ Ἰονίου μέχρι ψηλὰ τὶς παγωμένες Πρέσπες, ὁ ἑλληνικὸς στρατὸς ἄρχιζε νὰ βλέπει παντοῦ τὸ ἴδιο ὅραμα: Ἔβλεπε τὶς νύχτες μία γυναικεία μορφὴ νὰ βαδίζει ψηλόλιγνη, ἄλαφροπερπατητη, μὲ τὴν καλύπτρα τῆς ἄναριγμενη ἀπὸ τὸ κεφάλι στοὺς ὤμους. Τὴν ἀναγνώριζε, τὴν ἤξερε ἀπὸ παλιά, τοῦ τὴν εἶχαν τραγουδήσει ὅταν ἦταν μωρὸ κι ὀνειρευόταν στὴν κούνια. Ἦταν ἡ μάνα ἡ μεγαλόψυχη στὸν πόνο καὶ στὴν δόξα, ἡ λαβωμένη τῆς Τήνου, ἡ ὑπέρμαχος Στρατηγός.
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OXI DAY CELEBRATION
October 28,1940
On October 28th, millions around the world will commemorate OXI Day, a day
honoring Greece’s courageous resistance during WWII. On October 28th, 1940, the Italian ambassador to Greece, Emanuele Grazzi delivered an ultimatum from Benito Mussolini to Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas. The ultimatum was demanding the entry of the Italian army and the occupation of Greek territory. When Metaxas was faced with this demand, he delivered an unequivocal response in French, (the diplomatic language of the day) “Alors, c’est la guerre.” This brief phrase, “Then, it is war,” was quickly transmuted into the laconic “Oxi” by the citizens of Athens. Ioannis Metaxas had begun his career in the Greek army, eventually entering politics as a staunch royalist. By 1936 he held the post of Minister of War. That same year, a deadlocked election led King George II to appoint Metaxas to the position of Prime Minister. In response to this address, the people of Greece spontaneously went out to the streets singing Greek patriotic songs and shouting anti-Italian slogans. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers, men and women, in all parts of Greece, headed to army recruitment offices to enlist. The whole Greek nation was united in the face of aggression. Meanwhile, Italian forces entered Greece through a rough, wild terrain- the steep Pindos Mountains. There they met fierce and unexpected resistance. As Italian troops moved southward towards the city of Ioannina, Greek troops took to the heights, bombarding the Italians from above. On January 29th, 1941, Prime Minister Metaxas died suddenly and unexpectedly from an inflammation of the pharynx that led to a toxic infection. Alexandros Koryzis, the Governor of the Bank of Greece, succeeded him in office. In March of 1941 Mussolini personally supervised a ferocious counterattack designed to drive the Greeks from Southern Albania. Despite his leadership, the attack failed, further humiliating the Italian leader, leaving him humiliated and enraged. Hitler was also furious at what he perceived as Mussolini’s blunder. Metaxas’ response resulted in a fatal diversion and delayed the Axis powers in general, specifically the German army. British military historian Sir John Keegan describes the Battle of Greece as “decisive in determining the future course of the Second World War.” Winston Churchill believed that Greeks were inspired by their own heroic past, to wage a fierce fight against all odds. He paid homage to the Greek resistance by claiming, “…until now we would say that the Greeks fight like heroes. From now on we will say that heroes fight like Greeks.” Every October 28th, Greeks at home and abroad honor the past by celebrating “OXI” Day.
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THE HAGIA SOPHIA
A BRIEF HISTORY
The Hagia Sophia was originally built as a basilica for the Greek Orthodox Christian Church. However, its function has changed several times in the centuries since.
The Byzantine Emperor Constantine commissioned construction of the first Hagia Sophia in 360 A.D. At the time of the first church’s construction, Istanbul was known as Constantinople, taking its name from St. Constantine, the first ruler of the Byzantine Empire. Hagia Sophia – means Church of the Holy Wisdom.
The first Hagia Sophia featured a wooden roof. The structure was burned to the ground in 404 A.D. during the riots that occurred in Constantinople as a result of political conflicts within the family of then-Emperor Arkadios, who had a tumultuous reign from 395 to 408 A.D.
Arkadios’ successor, Emperor Theodosios II, rebuilt the Second Hagia Sophia, and the new structure was completed in 415 A.D. The second Hagia Sophia contained five naves and a monumental entrance and was also covered by a wooden roof.
However, a little more than one century later, this would again prove to be a fatal flaw for this important basilica of the Greek Orthodox faith; as the structure was burned for a second time during the so-called “Nika revolts” against Emperor Justinian I, who ruled from 527 to 565 A.D.
Unable to repair the damage caused by the fire, Justinian ordered the demolition of the Hagia Sophia in 532 A.D. He commissioned renowned architects Isidoros (Milet) and Anthemios (Tralles) to build a new basilica.
The third Hagia Sophia was completed in 537 A.D., and it remains standing today. The first religious services in the “new” Hagia Sophia were held on December 27, 537A.D. At the time, Emperor Justinian is reported to have said, “My Lord, thank you for giving me the chance to create such a worshipping place.”
The third and final Hagia Sophia is indeed a remarkable structure. It combined the traditional design elements of an Orthodox basilica with a large, domed roof, and a semi-domed altar with two narthexes an endo narthex and an exo narthex. The dome’s supporting arches were covered with mosaics of six winged angels called hexapteryga.
In an effort to create a grand basilica that represented all of the Byzantine Empire, Emperor Justinian decreed that all provinces under his rule send architectural pieces for use in its construction. The building measures some 269 feet in length and 240 feet in width and, at its highest point, the domed roof stretches some 180 feet into the air. When the first dome suffered a partial collapse in 557, its replacement was designed by Isidore the Younger (the nephew of Isidoros, one of the original architects) with structural ribs and a more pronounced arc, and this version of the structure remains in place today.
As Greek Orthodoxy was the official religion of the Byzantines, the Hagia Sophia was considered the central church of the faith, and it thus became the place where new emperors were crowned. The Hagia Sophia served this pivotal role in Byzantine culture and politics for much of its first 900 years of existence.
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The Agia Sophia Continued
Hagia Sophia was for nearly a thousand years the largest church in the world and the center of Christen- dom. In Hagia Sophia, whose dome stands as though suspended from the heavens, emperors were crowned in Hagia Sophia. The splendor of the Orthodox liturgy in Hagia Sophia also led to the conversion of the Russian people to the Orthodox faith.
The next significant period of change for the Hagia Sophia began less than 200 years later, when the Ottomans, led by Emperor Fatih Sultan Mehmed—known as Mehmed the Conqueror— captured Constantinople in 1453. The Ottomans renamed the city Istanbul. And as Islam was the central religion of the Ottomans, the Hagia Sophia was renovated into a mosque in 1453. As part of the conversion, the Ottomans covered many of the original Orthodox-themed mosaics with Islamic calligraphy.
The Hagia Sophia became a mosque on May 29, 1453. Once they breached the walls of Constantinople, The Ottomans raided monasteries and convents, emptying them of their inhabitants, and plundered private houses. They entered Hagia Sophia, which for nearly a thousand years had been the grandest church in Christendom. The faithful had gathered within its hallowed walls to pray during the city’s last agony. Inside the great cathedral, the Ottomans killed the elderly and weak and led the rest off into slavery. When the slaughter and pillage was finished, Mehmet ordered an Islamic scholar to mount the high pulpit of Hagia Sophia and declare that there was no God but Allah, and Muhammad was his prophet. The magnificent old church was turned into a mosque along with hundreds of other churches in Constantinople and elsewhere suffered the same fate. Millions of Christians joined the ranks of the dhimmis, the subjugated people, and were denied basic rights under the hegemony of Islamic law. Others were enslaved, and many were killed.
The panels or medallions, which were hung on the columns in the nave, feature the names of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, the first four Caliphs, and the Prophet’s two grandsons. The mosaic on the main dome the image of Christ the Pantocrator was also covered by gold calligra- phy. Four minarets were also added to the original building during this period, partly for religious purposes (for the muezzin call to prayer) and partly to fortify the structure following earthquakes that struck the city around this time.
In 1935, nine years after the Republic of Turkey was established by Ataturk, the legendary structure has been operated as a museum by the national government, and it reportedly attracted more than three million visitors annually. It became a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
President of Turkey Erdogan ordered the conversion of the historic monument on July 10, 2020 after a court annulled a 1934 presidential decree that made it a mosque again as did the Emperor Fatih Sultan Mehmed in 1453 A.D. The decision, involving one of the city's most important landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been criticized by international religious and political leaders, and the UN cultural agency UNESCO among those voicing concern. Turkish officials have emphasized that when it is not being used as a mosque, the Hagia Sophia -- which is popular with tourists visiting Istanbul -- will be open to all who visit free of charge. Hagia Sophia was converted back to a mosque on Friday, July 24, 2020.
On July 19, 2020, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, of America, and the Members of the Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America issued a statement that declared July 24, 2020 would be observed “as a day of mourning and of manifest grief.”
And on Friday, July 24, 2020, at Saint Haralambos Church in Canton, Ohio, the Akathist was prayed, the Bells tolled, and the Flag was at half mast, as was done in Greek Orthodox Churches throughout the USA and the world.
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E: Τι είναι η Θεία Κοινωνία; Ανώνυμος
Η Θεία Κοινωνία είναι η μετοχή του ανθρώπου στο Σώμα και στο Αίμα του Θεανθρώπου Ιησού Χριστού. Γι'αυτό και τονίζουμε ότι η Θεία Κοινωνία είναι "εις άφεσιν αμαρτιών και εις ζωήν αιώνιον". Αυτό λέγει ο ιερεάς όταν μας προσφέρει το Σώμα και το Αίμα του Κυρίου. Δεν λέγει "εις άφεσιν αμαρτιών και επί υγεία σώματος. Η Θεία Κοινωνία σημαίνει: "είμαι έτοιμος να ζήσω αιώνια"! Η Θεία Ευχαριστία, ή Θεία Κοινωνία, ή Αγία Κοινωνία, ή Θεία Μετάληψη, ή το Δείπνο του Κυρίου, αποτελεί το κυρίαρχο μυστήριο ή τελετήπολλών Χριστιανικών εκκλησιών. Κατά τη χριστιανική παράδοση αποτελεί «θεοσύστατο μυστήριο», διότι στον Μυστικό δείπνο O Ιησούς προεικόνισε το μυστήριο, όπως περιγράφεται χαρακτηριστικά στο κατά Ματθαίον Ευαγγέλιον. Η Θεία Ευχαριστία αποτελεί το σπουδαιότερο μυστήριο της Ορθοδοξίας. Θεωρείται ότι αποτελεί πρόγευση των εσχάτων, της Βασιλείας του Θεού. Στο παρελθόν όλα τα υπόλοιπα μυστήρια τελούνταν μέσα στη Θεία Ευχαριστία. H Θεία Ευχαριστία είναι η ίδια η θυσία του Σώματος και του Αίματος του Κυρίου Ιησού Χριστού.
Q: Did Enoch and Elijah (Elias) Ascend into Heaven? ~ Dean Darrah
A: There is nothing about Heaven in either phrase. It says only that Enoch was translated, but does the relocation really have to be to Heaven? Enoch was moved to a certain place, but it was not that place to where Christ ascended. St. Gregory Palamas says, “God carried away Enoch too, but did He take him to Heaven? Certainly not! For no man hath ascended up to Heaven, but He that came down from Heaven. The question of Elijah’s ascension is more difficult and more interesting. What do we know about the prophet Elijah and his ascension into Heaven? The Bible it says, [T]here suddenly appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and sundered them both; and Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind into Heaven (4 Kg. 2:11). St. Maximos the Greek: “And Elijah was taken not into Heaven, but as if into Heaven.
St. Andrew of Crete sings thus: “Elijah the charioteer once ascended by the chariot of the virtues as to Heaven and was carried above earthly things. Consider then, my soul, this ascent.” St. Romanos the Melodist notes that although the prophet Elijah was lifted up, he was not blessed to enter into Paradise: “Elijah, sitting upon a fiery chariot, ascended, as if into Heaven, as is written, but not reaching Heaven. St. Photios: “And Elijah, as a slave, was taken to the aerial heights, but not into Heaven, but as it were into Heaven (4 Kg. 2:11). The Lord, as the Ruler of all, ascended not as it were into Heaven, but truly into Heaven did He ascend.”
The prophet Elijah and Enoch were translated to some secret earthly place, where they await the apocalypse. The prophets did not ascend into Heaven; there is no contradiction here with the words of Christ pronounced in His nighttime conversation with Nicodemus: No man hath ascended up to Heaven, but He that came down from Heaven, even the Son of man Which is in Heaven (Jn. 3:13).
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QQ:: What is the niche or apse opposite the Prothesis - Table of Oblation called? ~ Savva Bournelis
A : Originally, the Prothesis was located in the same room as the Holy Table, being simply a smaller table placed against the eastern wall to the north of the Holy Table. During the reign of the Emperor Justin II (565– 574), it came to occupy its own separate chamber to the north of the sanctuary, having a separate apse, and joined to the Altar by an arched opening. Another apsed chamber was added on the south side for the Diakonikon.
And from this time forward, large Orthodox churches were triapsidal (having three apses on the eastern side). Smaller churches still have only one chamber containing the Altar, the Prothesis or Table of Oblation where the holy gifts to be offered are prepared and the Diakonikon or the other aspe space where other holy service utensils, i.e., extra, chalice, patens, holy spoons, Holy Gospel, etc., are kept.
Q: In the Spanish Flu of 1918, did they close down churches and were people required to wear masks? ~ Anonymous
A: The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, the deadliest in history, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet’s population—and killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million victims, including some 675,000 Americans. The 1918 flu was first observed in Europe, the United States and parts of Asia before swiftly spreading around the world. At the time, there were no effective drugs or vaccines to treat this killer flu strain. Citizens were ordered to wear masks, schools, churches, theaters and businesses were shuttered and bodies piled up in makeshift morgues before the virus ended its deadly global march.
Our Saint Haralambos Church was founded in 1913, and the Spanish Flu occurred in 1918. And most assuredly our Church founders were indeed affected by the Spanish Flu. In fact, more U.S. soldiers died from the 1918 flu than were killed in battle during World War I. Forty percent of the U.S. Navy was hit with the flu, while 36 percent of the Army became ill, and troops moving around the world in crowded ships and trains helped to spread the killer virus.
Additionally, hospitals in some areas were so overloaded with flu patients that schools, private homes and other buildings had to be converted into makeshift hospitals, some of which were staffed by medical students. Officials in some communities imposed quarantines, ordered citizens to wear masks and shut down public places, including schools, churches and theaters. People were advised to avoid shaking hands and to stay indoors, libraries put a halt on lending books and regulations were passed banning spitting.
Citizens in many cities were fined $5—a significant sum at the time—if they were caught in public without masks and charged with disturbing the peace. By the summer of1919, the flu pandemic came to an end, as those that were infected either died or developed immunity. Our Grandparents and Great Grandparents that were in the USA at that time experienced these difficulties.
The Spanish Flu did not originate in Spain, though news coverage of it did and that is how it got its name. During World War I, Spain was a neutral country with a free media that covered the outbreak from the start, first reporting on it in Madrid in late May of 1918.
Koinonia September & October 2020 21
eacon Keric’s Corner REV. DEACON KERIC SHIEPIS, D.C.
HOLY COMMUNION THE TRUE BODY & BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST
In today’s uncertain times with all the negative things that are plaguing our society and changing the way of our normal routine one thing is for certain.JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. With that ABSOLUTE TRUTH with what Jesus told His disciples that His Blood is true drink and His Body is true meat and that when we partake of them, we have the Lord coursing through our bodies and granting us life everlasting. Holy Communion is THE MOST POWERFUL SPIRITUAL/PHYSICAL MEDICINE THAT WE HAVE ON EARTH!! It is impossible for it to be corrupted by anything that this fallen world has to offer, virus or otherwise.
For some people in today’s environment they are hesitant to partake of the life-giving sacrament, on a regular basis because of FEAR. We must never forget that Christ has OVERCOME the world and all the negativity associated with it. In the first place we must understand that in the Bible and in Orthodox Tradition we never find Holy Communion spoken of in terms of an obligation or “a duty”. We never hear about the practice of receiving Communion being considered as a matter of“ custom”. And we never discover any teaching about the Sacrament in terms of “minimum requirements”.
On the contrary, the genuine Christian Orthodox Tradition speaks about Holy Communion as a wonderful gift of God to men, as the Living Presence of Christ in His people, as the Living Power of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the disciples, as the perfect sacrifice and thanksgiving and praise to God the Father, as the joy of the Feast of the Kingdom already given here in the world.
The Orthodox Church teaches that Holy Communion is the sign and the presence of the Church in a particular place; for where the Liturgy isPROPERLY celebrated, there is the fullness of Christ’s Church. It teaches also that Holy Communion is the way in which all believers and members of the Church are UNITED TO GOD AND EACH OTHER. It is the most perfect expression of celebration and joy for the salvation of the world in Christ.
Holy Communion should be the most common and natural act for Christians. It should be so if Christians actually do what Christ has taught them to do. And this is what He has taught:
Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you. Drink of it all of you, this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for you… Do this in remembrance of me. For unless you eat the body of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you…he that eats my flesh and drinks my blood dwells in me and I in him…
These are the very words of Christ that we call to mind-and to action at every Divine Liturgy of the Church. The most direct and convincing proof that Christians are called to receive Holy CommunionON A REGULAR BASIS lies in the Divine Liturgy itself. We serve the Liturgy very often, certainly once a week on the Lord’s Day. And at every single Liturgy the Priest prays in this way: Make us worthy to partake of this heavenly and awesome mysteries of this sacred and spiritual table with a pure conscience for remission of sins, for forgiveness of transgressions, for the communion of the Holy Spirit, for the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven… do Thou Thyself, O Master, distribute these gifts offered unto all of us for good according to the special need of each of us… Impart unto us Thy Most Precious Body, and Thy Most
precious Blood, and through us to all the people.
22 Koinonia September & October 2020
HOLY COMMUNION Continued
Then following the COMMAND -NOT THE INVITATION, but the command for ALL to draw near to Holy Communion, the whole church sings: We have seen the true light, we have received the heavenly Spirit, we have found the true faith… let our mouths be filled with Thy praise, O Lord, for Thou has made us worthy to partake of Thy holy, divine, immortal and life creating mysteries…
Since these are our prayers and songs at every Divine Liturgy we celebrate, we can only come to two possible conclusions in our attitudes and actions: Either we accept the liturgy as it is, and actually make some attempt to participate/practice what we pray or else we scorn the Liturgy and lie to God every time we do it, since we have absolutely no intention to put into practice what we pray.
The question here is not merely doing what we say we will do. IT IS A MATTER OF DOING WHAT WE PRAY!! And only a cynic, or a hypocrite, or an outright blasphemer would dare to continue, day in and day out, and week in and week out, to come to God, to participate in the Liturgy, and to say prayers with dramatic solemnity which he has absolutely no intention of even attempting to fulfill!!
The conclusion should be obvious to us. To prepare ourselves to receive Holy Communion on a regular basis. It is the authentic will of Christ and the genuine teaching of the Orthodox Faith. Indeed, it is clearly said in just so many words in the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church. We pray to God to let us partake of Holy Communion at EVERY SERVICE, and our prayer has, and must have for us, a genuine and serious significance for what we actually think and do.
This does not mean that one should take Holy Communion lightly, or just jump up to the Chalice without the proper preparation or prayer. Neither can a person come to Communion anytime he happens to “feel like it” without personal discipline. The understanding, however, that Holy Communion is to be received regularly and with personal discipline in no way takes away from the holiness or sanctity of the Sacrament. For in the Sacraments, the laws of nature are overcome to allow the faithful to partake of the Lord’s salvation. We must understand that this is THE MOST POWERFUL SUBSTANCE ON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH AND IN ALL OF CREATION!! The Lord has most graciously offered it to us for our physical and spiritual healing. So how am I to question whether it is“ SAFE” to partake of it no matter what society or the environment tries to tell me. I am supposed to have full confidence in what the Lord tells me. “Draw near” we must, “with the fear of God and with faith and love” For this is what God Himself is calling us to do. And it is the most wonderful thing on the earth, the taste of the kingdom to come…
For all of you that were able to accomplish reading the bible in one-year CONGRADULATIONS!! Well Done! It is time to start again for all of us now that the Ecclesiastical new year is about to begin. Please refer to the schedule for the readings.
Myself along with my wife Diakonisa Melissa, Kerissa and Deno wish everyone a spiritual uplifting Ecclesiastical New Year and a Beautiful Fall season. Enjoy the Lord’s beauty in both.
Koinonia September & October 2020 23
Read the “Orthodox Study Bible” in a Year Submitted by: Deacon Keric J. Shiepis, D.C.
SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER
24 Koinonia September & October 2020
WHY SHOULD WE GO TO THE DIVINE LITURGY?
By: Savvas Bournelis (Holy Cross Seminarian)
We are all born hungry and thirsty. If you’ve been around a baby, you know exactly what I’m talking about. They’ll do just about anything to get their food and drink. They might cry, scream, kick and even suck on their thumb until their thirst is quenched. Likewise, we are all born SPIRITUALLY THIRSTY. In Psalm 27:4, the Prophet David writes, “O God, my God, I rise early to be with You; my soul thirsts for You.”
The Lord Jesus Christ tells us, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst… Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (Jn. 6:34, 53-54).
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we NEED to come to Divine Liturgy for one very, very important reason: to be NOURISHED by the life-giving Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Holy Communion is FOOD FOR THE SOUL. It QUENCHES our spiritual thirst. We can NOT live without It!
Would you choose to not eat and drink perpetually? Of course not! We all know that completely depriving ourselves of food and drink endlessly would in fact be very detrimental to our health. Likewise, when we choose not to come to the Divine Liturgy, we are literally STARVING our soul. And so, the process of be- coming spiritually SICK, MALNOURISHED, and DEAD begins the moment we reject God’s invitation to His Mystical Banquet- the Divine Liturgy (Lk. 14:16-24).
Whatever excuses we try to make - laziness, sports, work, school - is ultimately to our great detriment. I am aware that some are still very scared to come to Church in fear of catching the virus, but let it be known that the the Tradition of the Church testifies to the fact that the Temple (Church Building) is the cleanest and safest place to be in because everything in it is blessed, holy, and sanctified by the life-giving Spirit, Who even has the power to cleanse our souls of every impurity. The only thing we should fear is to be apart from God in the most intimate way offered to us in Holy Communion. Additionally, our Lord reminds us: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt. 10:28).
In the beginning of the pandemic, perhaps some of us in fear rushed to the stores to stock up on food and sanitizer as a means to prevent getting sick or even dying from the COVID-19 virus. But we must ask ourselves: Do we rush to the Church with the same eagerness and concern for the health of our soul? Do we do everything in our means to prevent the virus of sin from entering into us? Do we protect ourselves with the Holy Cross, prayer, fasting, and reading of Holy Scripture? Do we run to the Spiritual Hospital - the Church - to receive our spiritual medicine of Holy Communion?
Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us earnestly ask the Lord to fill us with strength and zeal to go to Church so He may quench our thirst in the Divine Liturgy. “Let us lay aside every earthly care so that we may receive the King of all.” And let us prepare ourselves through fasting, prayer and repentance before we approach Holy Communion with “The fear of God, faith, and love.” Amen!
Koinonia September & October 2020 25
St. Haralambos Church
MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD 2020 Sponsored by the st. Haralambos MEN’S CLUB
Any member in good standing with St. Haralambos Church may submit a candidate for consideration.
The names of the candidates will be submitted to a committee composed of the Priest, Men’s Club President, and past recipients of the award who will make the final decision.
MAN OF THE YEAR RECOMMENDATION 2020
I (We) recommend for consideration as a candidate for Man of the Year:
I (We) feel that this person deserves this recognition because:
Please print Petitioner Name Signature of the Petitioner
DEADLINE FOR THIS PETITION IS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020.
Please return this form IN A SEALED ENVELOPE to the Men’s Club mailbox in the Church Office. If necessary, attach any additional information. Thank you.
26 Koinonia September & October 2020
St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church
John Sakellariou
August 31, 2020
Dear Father Nick, Parish Council Members, Parishioners, Esteemed Members of the Philoptochos Society, Choir, Silver Liners, Sunday School, Greek School, Men’s Club, Bookstore, GOYA, JOY, YAL, Hellenic Dancers, Daughters of Penelope and AHEPA:
It is with a heavy heart and great emotion that I write this letter to all of you to let you know that after 18 years, I will be retiring on August 31, 2020 from the position of Custodian. It has been an honor and a privilege for me to work for Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church for many years. I was especially honored because Saint Haralambos is the name of the Church in my village in Greece where my Papou, Father Ioannis Sakellariou, served for 60 years of whom I am named after. Saint Haralambos will always hold a special place in my heart both in Canton, Ohio and in Daphne, Peleponnesus, Greece.
The past 18 years, I have met many beautiful people and parishioners at Saint Haralambos. There have been many joyous occasions from Pascha to Christmas and from Festivals to Nameday Dinners, Weddings and Baptisms, and many more. In 1981, I was married in Saint Haralambos and my daughter was also married here. I have experienced much sadness in the numerous funerals that have taken place. Memory Eternal to those who passed on.
I took much pride in keeping this church and its facilities spotlessly clean over these past many years. Over the last six months with COVID-19, I was constantly disinfecting the church and the entire facility for the safety of the parishioners and employees. It is my prayer that whoever takes my place will take the same pride in cleaning this facility as I have.
Also in the past, I am grateful for the many parishioners and non-parishioners who have come up to me personally and have congratulated me in my work for keeping this church and facility clean. This to me is of more satisfaction than anything else because the people respected and appreciated my hard work.
I have especially enjoyed working with Fathers Pastrikos and Gamvas. I also enjoyed working with secretaries: Maiy, Alex, and Stephanie. It was also great to work with Nicole of Robert J. Catering.
I pray that you are well and I wish you the best in the future and I look forward to seeing all of my friends in Church. God bless all of you.
Sincerely,
John Sakellariou
Koinonia September & October 2020 27
Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church 251 25th Street N.W., Canton, Ohio 44709 +Rev. Dr. Fr. Nicholas V. Gamvas, Protopresbyter
PARISH COUNCIL CANDIDATE 2021-2022
Parish Council Elections will be held for the positions of Parish Council Members on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 immediately following church services.
Dear Fellow Parishioners:
Now is the time for any parishioner to step-up, make a commitment, and play a role in sustaining the growth of St. Haralambos Church. There are 5 (five) seats up for election. We would like a good representation of males, females, youth, middle age and older members, all in good-standing, wishing to make their contribution to our church.
Please submit your Petition for Parish Council Candidate to any member of the Board of Elections
Committee or the Church Office on or by SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2020, 12:00 NOON so that we may enter your name on the ballot. No applications can be accepted after this date.
Thank you for this consideration.
Board of Elections Chairperson,
Angela Vagotis
ST. HARALAMBOS PARISH COUNCIL CANDIDATE PETITION FOR TERM: 2021-2022
Please enter my name on the ballot for St. Haralambos Church Parish Council Elections.
NAME: (please print) ______
AGE: ______MARITAL STATUS: ______OCCUPATION: ______
PREVIOUS SERVICE TO CHURCH/ORGANIZATIONS: ______
______
______
______
______
______
SIGNATURE DATE
OFFICE USE ONLY Date Received: ______/______/______
Comments: ______By: ______
______
______
28 Koinonia September & October 2020
ST. HARALAMBOS PHILOPTOCHOS SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER KOINONIA
For 89 years, the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society has offered generous and continuous assistance, love and faith wherever and whenever needed – not only to our local communities, Metropolises and National– but around the world. We are the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Since our last meeting, in March, we purchased another Woman of Distinction plaque. Paid all our Commitments to Philoptochos National and Metropolis. Donated $2,300.00 toward the purchase of camera equipment for our St. Haralambos family to watch church services on-line. Donated $300.00 for the convention in Cleveland; however, it was cancelled and we donated the $300.00 to the St. Nicholas Shrine Fund. Donated $150.00 for the COVD-19 to National Philoptochos Emergency Fund Social Services. Donated $100.00 to The Salvation Army Food Bank and$100.00 to The Stark County Hunger Task Force. Donated $1,000.00 sponsorship to our St. Haralambos Canton Greek Fest. Donations to, parishioners in need, which totaled $800.00. St. Haralambos Sunday School outreach - $500.00. Donated to Holy Cross for our seminarian $500.00. Giving Tree $500.00 instead of gift tags.
Get Well Cards were sent to: Peter Bournelis, Irene Gianakis, Mary Sue Spilios; Thinking of You: Katherine Vaitsis, Gigi Tsikes; Sympathy: Eugene and Kathi Volas, Angela and Mario Gaitanos, Petro and Nancy Gaitanos, Mary Griveas, Bill and Stephanie Withers.
Received donation from Angela and Mario Gaitanos in memory of their son. Received two checks ($475 and $513) from the sales of cookbooks from St. Haralambos Bookstore. Thank you.
Since we are not meeting during this virus and until further notice, I will be updating you through e-mails, the Koinonia and our website at https://www.stharalambos.com/church-groups-services/ under Philoptochos on current Philoptochos business, committees and event
Listed below are committees and events and are subject to change due to the virus. • Woman of Distinction-Plaques, Proposals - Chairman – Mary Trifelos/Committee for 2021 • Membership – Fran Armatas/Tina Wey/Mary Trifelos • Programs after the meetings – Kathy Dieringer/Stephanie Withers - TBD • Refreshments after meetings – Carol Trifelos - TBD • Sunshine – Georgia Trikkas • Sunday Morning Coffee Hour– TBD • Clergy-Laity Congress & National Philoptochos Convention – Aug. 21-22, 2020 – via ZOOM. Metropolis Board Delegates- Helen Tsarwhas and Mary Trifelos; Chapter Delegates – Fran Armatas and Carol Capocci • Sept. 2020 Metropolis of Pittsburgh Clergy-Laity Assembly –Delegates - via (ZOOM) • Christmas/Easter Visitations to shut-ins – Chairman, Mary Trifelos - TBD • Funeral Makaria Chairmen – Tina Bolon, Helen Tsarwhas, Paula Macris • Cookbook – Helen Ann Meder and Eleni Paxos • Christmas Party – TBD • Giving Tree – Mary Griveas • Michael & Dolly Sousaris Memorial Student Scholarship – Mary Griveas/Kathy Dieringer. • Vasilopeta Sunday, January 3, 2021 – TBD • St. Haralambos Nameday Luncheon , Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021– Mary Griveas-TBD • St. Haralambos Nameday Banquet – Woman of Distinction – Mary Trifelos-TBD • Reception after Pre-Sanctified Liturgy– TBD - Chairmen: • St. Photios Award- TBD • Mother’s Day Dinner – Monday, May 3, 2021 – Tula Pirovolos/Mary Griveas and committee. TBD • St. Panteleimon Nameday Coffee Hour– Chairman: TBD • September 2021 - Fundraiser: Honoring Our Educators – TBD
Since we are not scheduling any meeting, if any member (or future member) would like to volunteer and help on any of the above committees, please call me at 330-492-9353 or e-mail me at [email protected]. Dues for 2021 - $28.00 – Please pay your dues no later than the end of February 2021, payable to St. Haralambos Philoptochos. You can drop off your check at St. Haralambos Church, or send your check to Fran Armatas at 3420 – 22nd Street NW, Canton, OH 44708. NEW MEMBERS ARE WELCOMED!!
To our members, Father Nick, Parish Council, our parishioners …thank you for all you have done and for all you will do whenever the need exists. Keep well, safe and God Bless! TOGETHER WE CAN DO GREAT THINGS!
Respectfully in His Name,
Mary Trifelos, President
Koinonia September & October 2020 29
St. Haralambos C ommunity News CONGRATULATIONS! CONDOLENCES Congratulations and best wishes to all of Our deepest sympathy to these families the following families on your joyful events! who have lost their loved ones. May God bless all of you for many May their loving memory be eternal! more years of good health and happiness!
BIRTHS DEATHS & UPCOMING MEMORIALS KIT MARIE COTOPOLIS was born on March 31, 2020. JOSEPH D. DOLPH passed on June 6, 2020. Proud parents are Chris & Morgan Cotopolis, and grandparents Father of Joe (Margo) Dolph. James & Tina Cotopolis. PIERINA GABRIELE passed on July 11, 2020. GEORGIANA PATRICIA ARMATAS was born on July 26, 2020. Mother of Giulio (Georgene) Gabriele. Proud parents are Phillip & Lauren Armatas, grandparents George & Athanasia Armatas, George & Patricia Yelichek, SANDRA DODD passed on July 23, 2020. Sister of Bill (Stephanie) Withers. and great-grandmother Goldie Manos. STELLA PLESKO passed on August 1, 2020. ARIS ROSE ZOUMBERAKIS was born on August 6, 2020. Proud parents are Dr. Erick & Caitlin Zoumberakis, PEGGY HATZAKIS passed on August 10, 2020. grandparents Steve & Angie Zoumberakis, and ANTHONY VARAVVAS passed on August 12, 2020. great-grandmother, Vasilo Sklavenitis. HARRIET MARINOS passed on August 21, 2020.
BAPTISMS IRENE LAGGERIS, 1 yr. on September 6, 2020. KIT MARIE COTOPOLIS was baptized on July 26, 2020. She is the daughter of Chris & Morgan Cotopolis. HELEN COTOPOLIS, 1 yr. on September 13, 2020.
Her Godmother is Maria Graf. PEGGY HATZAKIS, ANTHONY VARAVVAS, 40 day on September 20, 2020. ENZO AKSEL BIKENTIOS PLAKAS WISE was baptized on August 8, 2020. He is the son of Alyssa Plakas & Collin Wise. HARRIET MARINOS, 40 day on September 27, 2020. His Godparents are Evangelia & Paul Fresty. NICK COTOPOLIS, WILLIAM COTOPOLIS, 1 yr, CHRISTINA DENMAN was baptized on August 8, 2020. CHRISTINA SKLAVENITIS, 2 yr. on October 11, 2020. Her Godmother is Maria Paxos Kalaitsides.
THEKLA EFRAIMIA PANOPOULOS was baptized on August 30, 2020 at St. John the Forerunner Church, SCHOLARSHIPS Youngstown. Her Godmother is Zafi Panopoulos. Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients and best wishes on your bright future!
DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE DEBUTANTES’ BALL Harry Thomas Scholarship: ALEX REGAS & ALEXANDER CHRIST Congratulations to Anna Darrah & Anna Spilios representing St. Haralambos Church in this year’s Deb’s Ball. Kourmolis Scholarship : May God bless you both as you start your new journeys! ALEX REGAS & JACOB VAGOTIS SHANKEL
Xenophon Griveas Men’s Club Scholarship: ANNA DARRAH & ALEX REGAS
Laura Anne Dieringer Sunday School Scholarship: ALEX REGAS
THANK YOU! Thank you and much appreciation for your continued Dormition of theTheotokos donations, May God bless you!
STACEY PAPPAKOSTAS - Icon wreath, in memory of Peter & Nikolitsa Pappakostas, and Panagiota Gallanis.
CHRIS & ELBUS KELLAMIS - Floral arrangement
JOHN & CHRISTINE KELLAMIS - Icon wreath in memory of loved ones and for health of family.
30 Koinonia September & October 2020
St. Haralambos C ommunity News HAPPY RETIREMENT JOHN!
Our Yianni is retiring!
John Sakellariou’s last day working will be Monday, August 31, 2020.
John has been our very dedicated Church Custodian for over18 years. Everyone knows that John has impeccably cleaned our beloved St. Haralambos Church and it was so much appreciated by all who entered! We all wish John many blessings of good health and much happiness! You are very loved and will be missed by all John!
“His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! To My Dear Friend John, You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. We wish you a healthy, happy retirement. Come and share your master's happiness!' Thank you for your help, love and support these (Matthew 25:23) past 14 years. You will missed every day.
I began my Ministry at Saint Haralambos in Alex Tank & Family January of 2007 and I have come to know you and your family, not only as the Church Custodian but also as a Parishioner and friend. You have Dearest Yianni,
demonstrated a devotion of love and respect for the I will always be so appreciative of everything you have Holy Church and Holy Altar that is most admirable. accomplished at our beautiful church. Not only for me, but for You have been forthright and sincere in fulfilling all of our parishioners. You were always there to lend a hand your duties above and beyond just routine cleaning. and helped everyone who asked. You took pride in every and all that you have Thank you for the numerous times you have helped me. accomplished. Please know that we are going to I will always remember your kindness and selflessness. miss your meticulous service to your Holy Church. By your example, your respect for everyone, and for our It is my prayer that you will enjoy your retirement church, has made me a better person. I miss you already! with your family unto a ripe old age filled with good May God bless you with good health, and enjoy your life health and many blessings. And may God grant with your loving family for a long and happy future! you many years! Much love, Stephanie Withers & Family
In Christ’s love, P.S. I will sadly miss the question, “Where’s John?” + Fr. Nick But now....Vicky will be saying it, lol!
HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY SOPHIA EFFANTIS!
On behalf of our St. Haralambos Church Family, We wish Sophia Effantis a very Happy100th Birthday!
She recently celebrated on August 17, 2020.
Sophia, you are one special and amazing woman who is greatly loved by all!
May God grant you many more blessings of good health
If you haven’t already, just a reminder to submit your 2020 Pledge Cards and donations.
Also, please feel free to call and volunteer at our upcoming Fish Fry Dinners, help is always needed and appreciated! Join us! Thank you!
Koinonia September & October 2020 31
SAINT HARALAMBOS CHURCH
SUNDAY SCHOOL
“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Welcome back to a new Sunday School year! Due to the current pandemic, challenges and uncertainty it brings, we are beginning the year in a new direction keeping in mind the safety and well-being of our students is our foremost priority.
With that thought and taking into consideration Metropolis and public school guidelines, it is the consensus of our Sunday School staff to provide in-home instruction for the next few months while waiting to see what happens with the public schools, taking our lead from them and our Metropolis going forward.
What can parents do? A registration form is included in this issue of the Koinonia. Please fill one out for each of your children. We will provide in-home workbooks by grade level beginning with the Pre-Kindergarten class through high school for all registered students who request them. (At this time the 2-3 year old class is officially cancelled.) Deadline for registering your children is Sunday, September 20th. Please mail or drop off registration forms to the church.
After we receive your registration forms we will compile class lists, order materials for every student who requests them and notify parents when they are ready for pick-up. In this time of isolation, what a perfect opportunity for fam- ilies to spend some quality time together talking with your children about God and our beautiful Orthodox faith through the wonderful resources provided to them by our Sunday School! Our teachers will also provide a direct connection with their students. As we are working out those details we ask for your patience and prayers.
As of this writing, the junior and high school classes are exploring options for occasionally meeting in person, following all protocol and guidelines outlined for their safety during this unprecedented time. Since that is still in the discussion stage, parents of those students will be informed as decisions are made going forward.
Thank you for your continued support of our Sunday School, God be with us all, protect, keep us safe and bless us!
Respectfully in His Name, Mary Griveas, Director
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday School Thanksgiving / Christmas Outreach
We have been approached with questions regarding our annual Thanksgiving/Christmas Food Drive and how we plan to proceed this year due to the pandemic. Our response is we will continue our drive but due to circumstances beyond our control will modify it so that we are following all protocol.
How can you help? This year with the current pandemic, job losses, etc., we anticipate many more families will require our assistance. The Sunday School sincerely thanks our entire Saint Haralambos family for your generosity annually, which has made this very important outreach successful and helped so many families in need. In making distributions, we give priority to those within our own church community first then work with school counselors throughout Stark County to fulfill their needs.
Though we are unable to accept and distribute food items, it is our prayer, intention and hope to supply families with food gift cards to help them during this difficult time. Your response annually has ben overwhelming and helped so many! We humbly ask for your assistance again this year. Every little bit of money donated helps! Please help us once again to make the holidays a little more bearable for those less fortunate. Checks are payable to the Sunday School and may be sent to the church.
Thank you so very much and God bless!
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16
32 Koinonia September & October 2020
SAINT HARALAMBOS SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM 2020–2021 SCHOOL YEAR
FAMILY’S LAST NAME ______
CHILD'S NAME ______
CHILD'S BAPTISMAL NAME & NAMEDAY ______
CHILD'S BIRTHDATE ______
AGE ______GRADE ENTERING ______
FATHER'S NAME ______
MOTHER'S NAME ______
ADDRESS ______
CITY/ZIP CODE ______
HOME PHONE ______-______-______CELL ______-______-______
CONTACT EMAIL ______
PLEASE LIST ANY FOOD ALLERGIES: ______
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
______
______
_____ Yes, I would like to pick up a grade-level appropriate workbook packet for my child for at-home instruction.
Please return this form to Saint Haralambos Church by Sunday, September 20th so that we may register your child and prepare an at-home packet. Packets will only be distributed to registered students who request them. You will be notified by email when packets are ready for pick-up.
Koinonia September & October 2020 33 3
ST. HARALAMBOS GREEK SCHOOL
At this time, reek School is not being offered in September 2020 because of Covid-19; and because the small classrooms and also because the Parents, students, and the teachers are not willing to commit to anything at this point considering the dangers.
There might be some on line programs the teachers will recommend as people email or call in. Please forward us your email and we can further recommend some on-line learning from the Archdiocese.
Greek School is postponed until further notice. Thank you for understanding.
The Greek School Teachers and Staff
St. Haralambos Hellenic Dancers
Hello St. Haralambos Hellenic Dancers and Families!
We hope you are well and we truly miss all of you!
At this time, we are postponing the start of our Greek dance lessons.
Details for the upcoming year will be communicated to each rostered dancer and parents via text or e-mail.
For new incoming dancers, registration is also being postponed until further notice and directive from the Metropolis.
Thank you for your patience during these trying times. Be well and hope to see you soon.
Mrs. Eleni Paxos, Director; Joanna P. Volas, Assistant Director & Maria P. Kalaitsides, Assistant Director
34 Koinonia September & October 2020
Everyone Welcome!
All Bible Studies will be held in the TRI-ROOM with MASKS & SOCIAL DISTANCING
WITH FATHER NICK TUESDAYS, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
SEPTEMBER 22 Topic: “Psalm 23” Presentation by Karen Lazoran
OCTOBER 20 Topic: “Psalms 50 & 51” Presentation by Karen Lazoran
WITH DEACON KERIC THURSDAYS, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
SEPTEMBER 24 & OCTOBER 22
St. Haralambos Icon, Gift & Bookstore
We will be most happy to help you by appointment. Please contact: Helen Meder, 330-494-2411 or Sophie Usner, 330-493-1314
SPYRIDON’S SHOES by Christine Rodgers For ages 7 - 12
A spiritually uplifting 5-Star book. Take a short trip back in time to the Greek Island of Corfu to discover the mystery of St. Spyridon’s Shoes. Discover St. Spyridon’s true miracles and why his shoes continue to wear out… even to this day...
FEEL FREE TO COME AND SHOP, GIVE US A CALL!
WE ARE STILL SELLING AND
WOULD BE MOST HAPPY TO HELP YOU!
A VARIETY OF ITEMS TO CHOOSE FROM!
Koinonia September & October 2020 35
SAINT HARALAMBOS CHURCH 2020 CHRISTMAS CARD PROJECT
SPONSORED BY THE “SILVER LINERS”
THIS IS OUR ONLY FUNDRAISER – YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Our Saint Haralambos Silver Liners will once again sponsor our Church Christmas Card Project. Your love and stewardship have greatly assisted our Senior Citizens in our activities, and we are truly thankful for your continued support!
Parishioners and friends wishing to have their names included in the Christmas Card may do so by mailing their donation to the CHURCH OFFICE.
Names will appear as previously printed, unless there is an addition or omission.
For any questions, please contact: Helen Tsarwhas, (330) 499-4649 or Georgia Trikkas, (330) 499-3653
Please don’t hesitate! Send your donation check in today, for your name to be included in the Christmas card.
Donation - $20 per family, thank you!
PLEASE submit by the deadline: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2020 (FIRM)
2020 St. Haralambos Church Christmas Card
Name: ______
Phone: ______Amount: $ ______
Please make checks payable to:
St. Haralambos Senior Citizens 251 25th St. N.W. Canton, Ohio 44709
Thank you!
36 Koinonia September & October 2020
2020 STE WARD SHI P PLEDGE CARD S SUBMI TTED
AGELOPOULOS, SOTIRIOS & CHRISTY DIGIACOMO, ARISTEA KELLAMIS, CHRIS & ELBUS ANDERSON, FLORA DIGIACOMO, MARIA & ANTHONY KELLAMIS, CHRISTIAN ANDERSON, JOSEPH DIGIACOMO MARISSA KELLAMIS, JIM ANDERSON, HARRIET & INGOLD, EARL KELLAMIS, JOHN & CHRISTINE APOSTALIDES, MICHAEL & HELEN ERGAZOS, JOHN JR. KELLAMIS, NATALIA APOSTALIDES, PETER & CRYSTAL EUSTATHIOS, EVELYN KIMINAS, THEA APOSTOLOU, PARIS & DENA EUSTATHIOS, LOUIS & BONNIE KIRMAN, GEORGIA ARCHER, DANIELA EUSTATHIOS, NICK & ROSEANNE KLEON, POPEY ARMATAS, CHRISTINA & POLYCHRONIS, KOSTAS KOEHLER, DIMITRA & ERIC ARMATAS, DENISE KONSTANTACOS, VIOLETTA ARMATAS, GEORGE & ATHANASIA FAKELIS, JOHN & DINA KOSKOVICH, PAUL & CYNTHIA ARMATAS, HELEN FAKELIS, MICHAEL & STEPHANIE KOSMIDES, JOHN & ANNA ARMATAS, STEVE & FRAN FARAH, CONSTANTINE & RANDA KOSMIDES, JOHN D. & BROOKE ARMATAS, STEVEN. A. FELTZ, MARY & RONALD KOSMIDES, MICHAEL & JENNIFER ARRIGO, JIM FERENCZ, LISA KOUFOS, KATERINA ARRIGO, MICHAEL FILLIS, TED & ANN KOURIS, NICK & THEODORA ARRIGO, VINCENT & STEPHANIE FOGEL, GARY & SUSAN KOURIS, NICODEMOS ARRIGO, VINNY FORADAS, GEORGE & SOPHIA KOURIS, PETE & MARTIN, SHAWN FORADAS, JOHN & SUSAN KOUTRAS, ANTHONY & JANICE BACOPOULOS, ELAINE FORADAS, MICHAEL & VALERIE KOVACH, TEPPIE BAHAS, ALEXANDER FORADIS, CONSTANTINE & LINDSEY KRAGALOTT, SAMUEL & PAVLIDIS, MARIETTA BAHAS, JOHN C. FORADIS, GEORGE & CARRIE BAHAS, JOHN & DENA FORADIS, SAMANTHA LAMBOS, JAMES BALLAS, NICK & VIRGINIA FORINASH, ROBERT LAMBOS, TASSO & BETH BALLAS, THOMAS FOSTER, JOSEPH & DIANE LAMBROU, NICHOLAS & BARBARA BARGIDES, JUDY FOSTINES, PETER LAMBROU, TASIA BASIAKOS, STAVROS & MARIA FRANGOS, MICHELLE & MASTROS, COSTA LANGOS, JAMES BELLAS, JOHN & DENISE FRUSTACI, MARCELLO & EFTIHIA LAZORAN, MICHAEL & KAREN BENCH, GEORGIA & STEVEN LEMOS, EFTICHIA BENJAMIN, ANTHONY & GEORGANNE GABRIELE, GEORGENE & GIULIO LOUKAS, JOHN & CYNTHIA BOKA, MICHAEL & STEPHANIE GAITANOS, CHRISTOPHER & PAMELA LOUKAS, NICHOLAS & SHELLY BOLON, GUY & TINA GAITANOS, MARIO & ANGELA BOURLAS, GEORGE & LEFKOTHEA GAITANOS, PETROS & NANCY MACHAMER, CHRISTOPHER BOURLAS, NATALIE GAMVAS, FATHER NICHOLAS MACHAMER, JOHN & STEPHANIE BOURLAS, NICOLETTE GIALLOURAKIS, PHILLIP & ALYSSE MACHAMER, JONATHAN BOURLAS, PETER & SUZANNE GIANAKIS, IRENE MACHAMER, MATTHEW & HENDERSHOT, MALLORY BOWMAN, MELODY GIAVASIS, CYNTHIA & GLASSER, PETER MACRIS, PAULA BOZEKA, HELEN GIUSTINO, MICHAEL & KATHERINE MAMMONE, OLGA BOZEKA, HELEN V. GLASSER, CYNTHIA & PETER MANNOS, JAMES & CATHERINE BURNS, KATERINA GOUTRAS, LORA MANOS, CHRISTOPHER & TIFFANY GRAF, MARIA MANOS, GOLDIE CALANDROS, LOUIS & MARIA GRIVEAS, JAMES & AMANDA MANOS, MARY CALANDROS, MICHAEL GRIVEAS, MARY MANOS, SOPHIE (SUSIE) CAZANTZES, TOM GUIST, GARY & CONSTANCE MANOS, WILLIAM & LOIS CHRIST, DR. ALEX MANUSELIS, GEORGE & KATHERINE CHRIST, ALEXANDER HALLAMAN, DAVID & LISA MANUSELIS, JOSEPH CHRIST, ANN HILL, FRANK & CAROLYN MANUSELIS, PETER CHRIST, ELAINE HINKEL, MARY MARINOS, ALEXA & CHRIS KRAMER CHUCHANIS, FRANCINE HORAITIS, NICHOLAS & NICKI MARINOS, STEPHANIE COLÓN, JASON & KAY MATTHEWS, GEORGIA CONTES, NICK KAKOULES, MICHAEL & HARITINA McCULLOUGH, PENNY CONTOS, GEORGE KALANTZIS, PETE & GEORGIA MEDER, RICHARD & HELEN CONTOS, GUST & LULA KALLOS, MARY A. MICHALOS, LEAH COTOPOLIS, JAMES & RENA KALOGERAS, RENA MICHALOS, PETER & CAROLYN COTOPOLIS, JAMES & TINA KANDIS, SAKES & EFSEVIA MORAKIS, THEODORE KAPALKO, KATHERINE MORGAN, MICHAEL & DESPINA DARRAH, DEAN KAPLANIS, ARIS & MARCIA DARRAH, RON A. & JANET KARALIS, NICK & ROSEMARY NASTOFF, MICHAEL & STEPHANIE DELIS, ANTHONY KARAVAS, ANGELA NATALE, DONALD II DELIS-PARKER, VASILIKI KARAVAS, IRENE NATALE, LINDA & DONALD DEMIS, GEORGE & PATTI KARIS, ATHENE NICHOLAS, WILLIAM & JOANNE DEMOS, SAM & CATHERINE KARPINSKI, DAVID & JOANNA NICHOLS, FRANCINE & MICHAEL DIAMANT, STEVEN KAZES, MARISSA NICOLAOU, GEORGE & DINA DiDONATO, ALEXANDER KAZES, MICHAEL & SOPHIA NIRO, ANGELA & PETER DiDONATO, EMILY DiDONATO, JASON & DINA DIERINGER, JAMES & KATHY
37 Koinonia September & October 2020
2020 STE WARD SHI P PLEDGE CARD S SUBMI TTED
OLSON, CHRISTOPHER & KRISSA STAMATON, BILL ORLANDO, FRANK & PATRICIA STAMATON, DEAN ORLANDO, JOSEPH & LINDLEY STAMATON, KALI ORPHAN, SOPHIA STAMATON, MICHAEL ORPHAN, STEPHANIE STAMATON, SOPHIA STAVRAKIS, MARY PANAGOPOULOS, DARLENE STAVRAKIS, THEODORA PANAGOPOULOS, ELIZABETH STAVRIANOU, CHRIS ANNE PANOPOULOS, PHILIP & HEATHER STAVRIANOU, PHILLIP PAPADOPULOS, PAULA STERGIADES, ANTONIA PAPADOPULOS, PETER STILIANOS, STEPHEN
PAPPAKOSTAS, STACEY STROHMENGER, NIKI & WILLIAM PAPPAS, ANNETTE
PARKER, ANTHONY G. TANK, ALEXANDRA & BRAD
PAVLIS, KAREN TANK, NICOLE PAXOS, ALEXIA THEODOSIOU, GEORGE & EVANGELIA PAXOS, ANNA THOMAS, VONDALEEN PAXOS, COSTAS & ELENI TRIFELOS, DAN & CAROL Thank YOU for submitting PAXOS, MIHAIL & GEORGIA TRIFELOS, MARY PAXOS, MIKE & MARIA TRIKKAS, EVANGELOS & RITA your 2020 Pledge Card! PAXOS, NICHOLAS TRIKKAS, GEORGE & GEORGIA PAXOS, PETE TSANGEOS, BETTY PETRIDES, GEORGE & BARBARA TSANGEOS, JOHN Parishioners ages 18 and PIROVOLOS, DEAN & DEMETRA TSARWHAS, HELEN over, please submit your PIROVOLOS, MICHAEL TSENEKOS, DINO & OLGA PIROVOLOS, STEPHEN & KELSEY TSENEKOS, GEORGE & IRENE card if you do not see POLITIS, CHRISTOS & SOPHIA TSIKLES, TASOS & COLEMAN, EMMA POLITIS, MARIA TZOULOUFIS, TAKIS your name on this list POLITIS, MICHAEL & IOANNA . POPE, GREGORY USNER, JACK & CATHERINE POPE, JEFFREY These two pages are the POPE, SIA VAGOTIS, ANGELA POULOS, BILL & ANTONIETTA VALLOS, CHRIS & STELLA most current roster as of POULOS, BILL III VALLOS, CHRISTOPHER & DANIELLE POULOS, ELAINE VALLOS, JAMES & EFFIE 08-25-20. POULOS, JOHN A. VLAHOS, BESSIE
POULOS, SAMUEL VLAHOS, CLEOPATRA VOLAS, ELENI Credit & Debit RALLES, PAULINE VOLAS, EUGENE & KATHERINE RALLES, PENELOPE VOLAS, EVAN & ROULA Cards Accepted! RAMPHOS, ANTHONY & MARA VOLAS, PETER & JOANNA
RAY, CONSTANCE VONORTAS, ANASTASIA REGAS, JOHN & SHARON VONORTAS, MARIA Thank You! REGOPOULOS, NICK & CHARRIE VONORTAS, TOM & DESPINA
RISPINTO, DAVID & SARAH VRETAS, ANDREA ROCCO, MATTHEW & JAIME VRETAS, CHRISTINA ROSSETTI, NIKKI VRETAS, JAMES & KATHRYN RUTTER, JAMES & GRETCHEN VRETAS, THOMAS RYAN, PATRICK VUTETAKIS, JAMES
SAKEL, STEPHANIE & JAMES WAIKEM, CRAIG & PARASKEVI SAKELLARIOU, ALEXIOS WEY, ANTHONY & TINA SAKELLARIOU, JOHN & VICKY WITHERS, BILL & STEPHANIE Additional SARRIS, DEAN WITHERS, NICHOLAS SARRIS, MICHAEL & ALLISON Pledge Cards are SHIEPIS, KERIC & MELLISSA XIDES, NANCY SIRGO, DAVID & JOANNA available in the SKENDELAS, STEPHEN YATRAS, JOHN & LYDIA SKENDELAS, WILLIAM & FREDA SMITH, CHAD & MARIA ZENALLIS, GEORGIA Church Office Lobby SOTIROPOULOS, GEORGE & VOULA SPILIOS, MARY SUE and the SPILIOS, REBECCA SPILIOS-MILLER, LINDA Church Narthex. STAMATAKIS, CATHERINE
Koinonia September & October 2020 38
RAFFLE DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON
330-685-7827 Tickets may also be purchased online: www.ahepa59.org
All proceeds benefit Holy Trinity Church, St. Haralambos Church, and AHEPA Charities.
(AHEPA is a non-profit philanthropic organization)
39 Koinonia September & October 2020
SEPTEMBER HAPPY B I R T H D A Y ! OCTOBER 1 15 1 14 Demetra Demos Fr. Nicholas Gamvas Georgia Kirman Joseph Anderson Demetrios Geniatakis Dina Agelopoulos Sia Pope Michael Giustino George Martinez Sophia Bournelis Tasos Tsikles Andrew Kouris
Eros Ramphos Giulio Gabriele Diana Tsenekos
Shawn Martin 2 2 Dina Nikolaou Artemis Nikolaou 15 James Arrigo Acia Shaheen Alyssa Plakas Kyriakos Theophanous 16 George Tsenekos Alexis Christ Niko Chuchanis Nick Withers Lindsey Foradis 3 Steve Zoumberakis 16 Lorraine Manos 17 3 Phillip Giallourakis Mihail Paxos Maria Basiakos Alexis Bournelis Athene Karis Nikki Rossetti Mary A. Kallos Yolanda Kouris 18 Nicholas Koutras 4 Amelia Colón Athena Koumoutzis Niki Strohmenger Philip Stavrianou Mary Manos Stephen Skendelas Thomas Vonortas 17
5 19 Michael Calandros Gus Cotopolis 4 Melody Bowman Yianni Kantzos Katherine Volas Catherine Mannos Mallory Hendershot Demetri Xides Michael Nastoff
Stephanie Nastoff Adam Sousaris 6 18 Georgia Stilianos Nicholas Bournelis Sophia Politis John Yatras 5 Steve A. Bozeka Denise Bellas 19 Angelo Bozekas 20 Stephanie Fakelis Lily Langos Chris Gaitanos George K. Bourlas James Vallos Steve Manolakis Aris Kaplanis Gregory Kandis Eva Paradis Thomas Millis 6 Andrew Rocco John Tsangeos 21 Jack Usner
7 Daniela Archer Stephanie Waggoner
Susie Manos Bill Nicholas 20 7 Joanna Volas Howard Rutter Oslyn Diaz Cedillo Eftihia Frustaci ! Daphne Smith Olympia Loukas 8 22 George Foradis Alyssa Koehler Lois Manos 21 Mary Trifelos Lisa Sakiotis Savva Bournelis
23 Michael Kazes
9 8 Tina Bolon 22 Virginia Ballas Dina DiDonato Catherine Carpenter Constantine Foradis Michael Arrigo
Diane Varavvas John D. Kosmides 24 23 Nick Regopoulos 11 Katherine Manuselis Maria DiGiacomo
Lauren Ergazos George Zakham M 9 Samantha Foradis 24 A Helen Bozeka Michael Dover Katherine Kapalko 25 Joseph Manuselis Stephanie Likouris John Bellas N Peter Sotiropoulos 25 Jonathan Machamer George Calandros Nicki Horaitis
Michael Nichols Carol Capocci Y 10 Nicole Rossetti Leonidas Paxos Kate Benjamin 28 Joe Waggoner Michael Gialouris Carolyn Michalos 26 Y Nick Paxos Gregory Panopoulos 12 Dina Fakelis Lydia Yatras Scott Paradis
Harriet Anderson Kathryn Vretas E Sophia Brown 28 12 29 Peter Foradas Valerie Foradas A Nick Contes Georgene Gabriele Peter Niro Chris Ann Stavrianou
David Rispinto 29 R Sophia Tsenekos 13 Viktor Yagello Alyssa Diamant John Vallos S John C. Bahas Victoria Vallos 30 Jason Colón Preston Zoumberakis 13 Dylan Christ ! Jordan Kalaitsides Irene Tsenekos 30 Michael Kosmides
Penelope Ralles
14 Stavros Basiakos 31 Theodore Kourouniotis Tina Cotopolis Michael Stamaton Talia Hardesty
40 Koinonia September & October 2020
MISSED PARISHIONERS
Below is a list of some of our members of our church family who are not able to attend church. Thoughtful visits and cards are always welcome! If you know of someone who would like to be on this list, please notify the church office. Thank you and may God bless all of you!
ALTERCARE OF HARTVILLE THE DANBURY OF NORTH CANTON THE LANDING OF CANTON 1420 Smith Kramer Rd.. 181 Applegrove St. N.E. 4550 Hills and Dales Rd. N.W. Hartville, OH 44632 330-877-2666 No. Canton, OH 44718 330-497-8718 Canton, OH 44708 330-477-5277 MARY ROULA KALLOS CHRISTOS CHRIST IRENE GIANAKIS
BETHANY NURSING HOME THE INN AT BELDEN VILLAGE ST. LUKE LUTHERAN COMMUNITY 626 - 34th St. N.W. 3927 38th St. N.W. 220 Applegrove St. N.E. Canton, OH 44709 330-492-7171 Canton, OH 44718 330-493-0096 No. Canton, OH 44720 330-499-8341 JOHN TSANGEOS DIANE FORADAS DONNA BOZEKA HARRIET MARINOS ADAM SOUSARIS CANTON CHRISTIAN HOME HARRIET TRIKILAS 2550 Cleveland Ave. N.W. THE INN AT WHITEWOOD VILLAGE Canton, OH 44709 330-456-0004 3146 Whitewood St. N.W, #216 OUT OF TOWN
SYLVIA MAVRAKIS No. Canton, OH 44720 330-933-4467 3169 Alum Trail Place LISA (COTOPOLIS) FERENCZ Lewis Center, OH 43035 CANTON REGENCY ANN SIMATACOLOS 4515 - 22nd St. N.W. Canton, OH 44708 330-477-7664 ANGELO BOZEKAS
HOSPITAL & NURSING HOME
VISITATION CURRENT POLICIES
Clergy visitations to Hospitals and Nursing Homes are limited to hospice and or end of life emergencies.
This is a Hospital and Nursing Home Policy in an effort to prevent the spread of respiratory illness, including Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Health Care Professionals thank us for understanding and helping them keep their patients, staff and community safe during this time. And any such emergency visits are done by appointment.
Thank you for understanding. Saint Haralambos Non-Profit Org. Greek Orthodox Church U.S. Postage 251 - 25th Street N.W. PAID Canton, OH 44709 Canton, Ohio Permit No. 1408
Welcome! View the “Koinonia” in full color at www.stharalambos.com!
T h e E l e vat i o n o f t h e H O LY C ro s s
September 14
TROPARION OF THE CROSS O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, grant victory to Orthodox Christians over the Adversary; and by the power of Thy Cross, preserve Thy habitation.
To protect you, our employees, and our parish community, face coverings are now required inside all Saint Haralambos facilities.
Thank you! Ἀριθμ. Πρωτ. 529 † Β Α Ρ Θ Ο Λ Ο Μ Α Ι Ο Σ ΕΛΕΩι ΘΕΟΥ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥΠΟΛΕΩΣ ΝΕΑΣ ΡΩΜΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΣ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗΣ ΠΑΝΤΙ Τῼ ΠΛΗΡΩΜΑΤΙ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΧΑΡΙΝ, ΕΙΡΗΝΗΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΛΕΟΣ ΠΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΔΗΜΙΟΥΡΓΟΥ ΠΑΣΗΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΤΙΣΕΩΣ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ Προσφιλεῖς ἀδελφοί ἱεράρχαι καί τέκνα ἐν Κυρίῳἀγαπητά, Ἀποτελεῖ κοινήν πεποίθησιν, ὅτι εἰς τήν ἐποχήν μας τόφυσικόν περιβάλλον ἀπειλεῖται ὅσον ποτέ ἄλλοτε εἰς τήνἱστορίαν τῆς ἀνθρωπότητος. Τό μέγεθος τῆς ἀπειλῆςἀποκαλύπτεται εἰς τό γεγονός ὅτι τό διακύβευμα δέν εἶναιπλέον ἡ ποιότης τῆς ζωῆς, ἀλλά ἡ διατήρησις αὐτῆς εἰς τόνπλανήτην μας. Διά πρώτην φοράν εἰς τήν ἱστορίαν, ὁ ἄνθρωπος δύναται νά καταστρέψῃ τούς ὅρους τῆς ζωῆς ἐπί τῆς γῆς. Τά πυρηνικά ὅπλα εἶναι τό σύμβολον τοῦ προμηθεϊκοῦ τιτανισμοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἁπτή ἔκφρασις τοῦ «συμπλέγματος παντοδυναμίας» τοῦ συγχρόνου «ἀνθρωποθεοῦ». Εἰς τήν χρῆσιν τῆς πηγαζούσης ἐκ τῆς ἐπιστήμης καί τῆς τεχνολογίας ἰσχύος, ἀποκαλύπτεται σήμερον ἡ ἀμφισημία τῆς ἐλευθερίας τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. Ἡ ἐπιστήμη ὑπηρετεῖ τήν ζωήν, συμβάλλει εἰς τήν πρόοδον, εἰς τήν ἀντιμετώπισιν τῶν ἀσθενειῶν καί πολλῶν καταστάσεων αἱ ὁποῖαι ἐθεωροῦντο μέχρι σήμερον «μοιραῖαι», δημιουργεῖ νέας θετικάς προοπτικάς διά τό μέλλον. Ὅμως, ταυτοχρόνως, δίδει εἰς τόν ἄνθρωπον πανίσχυρα μέσα, ἡ κακή χρῆσις τῶν ὁποίων δύναται νά ἀποβῇ καταστροφική. Βιοῦμεν τήν ἐξελισσομένην καταστροφήν τοῦ φυσικοῦ περιβάλλοντος, τῆς βιοποικιλότητος, τῆς χλωρίδος καί τῆς πανίδος, τήν ρύπανσιν τῶν ὑδατίνων πόρων καί τῆς ἀτμοσφαίρας, τήν προϊοῦσαν ἀνατροπήν τῆς κλιματικῆς ἰσορροπίας καί ἄλλας ὐπερβάσεις ὁρίων καί μέτρων εἰς πολλάς διαστάσεις τῆς ζωῆς. Ὀρθῶς καί προσφυῶς ἀπεφάνθη ἡ Αγία καί Μεγάλη Σύνοδος τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας (Κρήτη 2016), ὅτι «ἡ ἐπιστημονική γνῶσις δέν κινητοποιεῖ τήν ἠθικήν βούλησιν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ὁ ὁποῖος, καίτοι γνωρίζει τούς κινδύνους, συνεχίζει νά δρᾷ ὡς ἐάν δέν ἐγνώριζεν» (Ἐγκύκλιος, § 11). Εἶναι προφανές ὅτι ἡ προστασία τοῦ κοινοῦ ἀγαθοῦ, τοῦ ἀκεραίου φυσικοῦ περιβάλλοντος, εἶναι κοινή εὐθύνη ὅλων τῶν κατοίκων τῆς γῆς. Ἡ σύγχρονος κατηγορική προστακτική διά τήν ἀνθρωπότητα εἶναι νά ζῶμεν χωρίς νά καταστρέφωμεν τό περιβάλλον. Ἐνῶ ὅμως εἰς προσωπικόν ἐπίπεδον καί ἀπό πολλάς κοινότητας, ὁμάδας, κινήματα καί ὀργανώσεις ἐπιδεικνύεται μεγάλη εὐαισθησία καί οἰκολογική εὐθύνη, τά κράτη καί οἱ οἰκονομικοί παράγοντες ἀδυνατοῦν, ἐν ὀνόματι γεωπολιτικῶν σχεδιασμῶν καί τῆς «ἰδιονομίας τῆς οἰκονομίας», νά λάβουν τάς ὀρθάς ἀποφάσεις διά τήν προστασίαν τῆς κτίσεως καί καλλιεργοῦν τήν ψευδαίσθησιν ὅτι τά περί «παγκοσμίου οἰκολογικῆς καταστροφῆς» εἶναι ἰδεολόγημα τῶν οἰκολογικῶν κινημάτων καί ὅτι τό φυσικόν περιβάλλον ἔχει τήν δύναμιν νά ἀνανεώνεται ἀφ᾿ ἑαυτοῦ. Τό κρίσιμον ἐρώτημα, ὅμως, παραμένει: Πόσον θά ἀνθέξῃ ἡ φύσις τάς ἀκάρπους συζητήσεις καί τάς διασκέψεις, τήν περαιτέρω καθυστέρησιν εἰς τήν ἀνάληψιν ἀποφασιστικῶν δράσεων διά τήν προστασίαν της; Τό γεγονός ὅτι κατά τήν διάρκειαν τῆς πανδημίας τοῦ νέου κορωνοϊοῦ Covid-19, μέ τόν ἐπιβληθέντα περιορισμόν τῶν μετακινήσεων, τό κλείσιμον ἐργοστασίων καί τήν μείωσιν τῆς βιομηχανικῆς δραστηριότητος καί παραγωγῆς, παρετηρήθη μείωσις τῶν ρύπων καί τῆς ἐπιβαρύνσεως τῆς ἀτμοσφαίρας, ἀπέδειξε τόν ἀνθρωπογενῆ χαρακτῆρα τῆς συγχρόνου οἰκολογικῆς κρίσεως. Κατέστη εκ νέου σαφές ὅτι ἡ βιομηχανία, ὁ σύγχρονος τρόπος μετακινήσεως, τό αὐτοκίνητον καί τό ἀεροπλάνον, ἡ ἀδιαπραγμάτευτος προτεραιότης τῶν οἰκονομικῶν δεικτῶν καί ἄλλα συναφῆ, ἐπῃρεάζουν ἀρνητικῶς τήν περιβαλλοντικήν ἰσορροπίαν καί ὅτι η ἀλλαγή πορείας πρός τήν κατεύθυνσιν μιᾶς οἰκολογικῆς οἰκονομίας ἀποτελεῖ ἀδήριτον ἀναγκαιότητα. Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀληθής πρόοδος, η ὁποία στηρίζεται εἰς τήν καταστροφήν τοῦ φυσικοῦ περιβάλλοντος. Εἶναι ἀδιανόητον νά λαμβάνωνται οἰκονομικαί ἀποφάσεις χωρίς νά συνυπολογίζωνται αἱ οἰκολογικαί ἐπιπτώσεις των. Ἡ οἰκονομική ἀνάπτυξις δέν εἶναι δυνατόν νά παραμένῃ ἐφιάλτης διά τήν οἰκολογίαν. Εἴμεθα βέβαιοι ὅτι ὑπάρχει ἐναλλακτική ὁδός οἰκονομικῆς ὀργανώσεως καί ἀναπτύξεως ἔναντι τοῦ οἰκονομισμοῦ καί τοῦ προσανατολισμοῦ τῆς οἰκονομικῆς δραστηριότητος εἰς τήν μεγιστοποίησιν τῆς κερδοφορίας. Τό μέλλον τῆς ἀνθρωπότητος δέν εἶναι ὁ homo oeconomicus. Τό Οἰκουμενικόν Πατριαρχεῖον, τό ὁποῖον κατά τάς τελευταίας δεκαετίας πρωτοστατεῖ εἰς τόν χῶρον τῆς προστασίας τῆς κτίσεως, θά συνεχίσῃ τάς οἰκολογικάς του πρωτοβουλίας, τήν ὀργάνωσιν οἰκολογικῶν συνεδρίων, τήν κινητοποίησιν τῶν πιστῶν καί πρωτίστως τῆς νεολαίας, τήν ἀνάδειξιν τῆς προστασίας τοῦ περιβάλλοντος εἰς βασικόν θέμα τοῦ διαθρησκειακοῦ διαλόγου καί τῶν κοινῶν πρωτοβουλιῶν τῶν θρησκειῶν, τάς ἐπαφάς μέ πολιτικούς ἡγέτας καί θεσμούς, τήν συνεργασίαν μέ περιβαλλοντικάς ὀργανώσεις καί οἰκολογικά κινήματα. Εἶναι προφανές ὅτι ἡ σύμπραξις διά τήν προστασίαν τοῦ περιβάλλοντος δημιουργεῖδιαύλους ἐπικοινωνίας καί δυνατότητας διά νέας κοινάς δράσεις. Ἐπαναλαμβάνομεν, ὅτι αἱ περιβαλλοντικαί δραστηριότητες τοῦ Οἰκουμε-νικοῦ Πατριαρχείου εἶναι προέκτασις τῆς ἐκκλησιολογικῆς αὐτοσυνειδησίας του καί δέν ἀποτελοῦν ἁπλῶς περιστασιακήν ἀντίδρασιν εἰς ἕν νέον φαινόμενον. Ἡ ἰδία ἡ ζωή τῆς Ἐκκλησίας εἶναι ἐφηρμοσμένη οἰκολογία. Τά μυστήρια τῆς Ἐκκλησίας, σύνολος ἡ λατρευτική ζωή, ὁ ἀσκητισμός καί ὁ κοινοτισμός, ἡ καθημερινότης τῶν πιστῶν, ἐκφράζουν καί παράγουνβαθύτατον σεβασμόν πρός τήν κτίσιν. Ἡ οἰκολογική εὐαισθησία τῆς Ὀρθοδοξίας δέν ἐδημιουργήθη, ἀλλά ἀνεδείχθη από τήν σύγχρονον περιβαλλοντικήν κρίσιν. Ὁ ἀγών διά τήν προστασίαν τῆς δημιουργίας εἶναι κεντρική διάστασις τῆς πίστεώς μας. Ὁ σεβασμός τοῦ περιβάλλοντος εἶναι ἔμπρακτος δοξολογία τοῦ ὀνόματος τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐνῶ ἡ καταστροφή τῆς κτίσεως εἶναι προσβολή τοῦ Δημιουργοῦ, ὅλως ἀσύμβατος μέ τάς βασικάς παραδοχάς τῆς χριστιανικῆς θεολογίας. Τιμιώτατοι ἀδελφοί καί προσφιλέστατα τέκνα, Αἱ οἰκοφιλικαί ἀξίαι τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου παραδόσεως, ἡ πολύτιμος παρακατα-θήκη τῶν Πατέρων, ἀποτελοῦν ἀνάχωμα κατά τῆς κουλτούρας, ἀξιολογική βάσις τῆς ὁποίας εἶναι ἡ κυριαρχία τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπί τῆς φύσεως. Ἡ πίστις εἰς Χριστόν ἐμπνέει καί ἐνισχύει τήν ἀνθρωπίνην προσπάθειαν ἐνώπιον καί τῶν μεγίστων δυσκολιῶν. Ὑπό τό πρῖσμα τῆς πίστεως, δυνάμεθα νά ἀνακαλύπτωμεν καί νά ἀξιολογῶμεν ὄχι μόνον τάς προβληματικάς πτυχάς, ἀλλά καί τάς θετικάς δυνατότητας καί προοπτικάς τοῦ συγχρόνου πολιτισμοῦ. Καλοῦμεν τούς ὀρθοδόξους νέους καί τάς νέας νά συνειδητοποιήσουν τήν σημασίαν τοῦ νά ζοῦν ὡς πιστοί χριστιανοί καί σύγχρονοι ἄνθρωποι. Ἡ πίστις εἰς τόν αἰώνιον προορισμόν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου κρατύνει τήν μαρτυρίαν μας ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν τῷ πνεύματι τούτῳ, εὐχόμενοι ἐκ Φαναρίου πᾶσιν ὑμῖν αἴσιον καί παντευλόγητον τό νέον ἐκκλησιαστικόν ἔτος, καρποτόκον εἰς ἔργα χριστοπρεπῆ, ἐπ᾿ ἀγαθῷ τῆς κτίσεως ὅλης καί πρός δόξαν τοῦ πανσόφου Ποιητοῦ τῶν ἁπάντων, ἐπικαλούμεθα ἐφ᾿ ὑμᾶς, πρεσβείαις τῆς Παναγίας τῆς Παμμακα-ρίστου, τήν χάριν καί τό ἔλεος τοῦ Θεοῦ τῶν θαυμασίων.
,βκ’ Σεπτεμβρίου α’ Ὁ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως διάπυρος πρός Θεόν εὐχέτης πάντων ὑμῶν Saint Haralambos Non-Profit Org. Greek Orthodox Church U.S. Postage 251 - 25th Street N.W. PAID Canton, OH 44709 Canton, Ohio Permit No. 1408