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The Epistle of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church October 2020 PASTORAL THOUGHTS ST. DEMETRIOS by Fr. Andrew T. Lentz Fr. Moses Berry is a friend and co-worker in FEASTDAY Christ with a unique perspective on Orthodox Christianity in the United States. As a priest Sunday, October 25 of the Orthodox Church in America, he lives 6:00 p.m. Vespers with his wife, Magdalena, in Ash Grove, Missouri, on the farm his great-grandfather built in 1871. Monday, October 26 Because they are an African American family, the Berrys are 8:20 a.m. Orthros notable in Southwest Missouri for owning and living on the 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy same property for more than 125 years. Fr. Moses has restored a family cemetery established in 1875 and dedicated to “Slaves, Indians and Paupers.” This cemetery is now on the Greene I replied, “Father, I’m interested in Orthodoxy, and I just want County Register of Historic Sites and the National Register as to look around at the mosaics.” He said, “I think you’d be well. Fr. Moses’ parish, Theotokos “Unexpected Joy” Orthodox happier in the Coptic church.” I also knew what he meant – Church, stands close to an enormous sycamore tree--the same that there wasn’t room for someone like me in his church. tree that Fr. Moses’ ancestors used as a shelter for church (The Copts, after all, were more likely to have people of picnics and other celebrations for over a century. color.) I was wounded, and in my madness, pledged to myself Fr. Moses is a contributor to An Unbroken Circle: Linking that I’d never darken the doors of that church again. I’d go Ancient African Christianity to the African American out of my way to avoid even driving near it, as it was a trigger Experience ; co-founder of the annual Afro-American and for me of that unpleasant memory. Ancient Christianity Conferences sponsored by the Brotherhood Years passed, and a young man who I’d helped mentor, a of St. Moses the Black; and is in demand locally as a speaker on graduate of Holy Cross Seminary, was now an associate African American history, and nationally on issues in African pastor of that very same church. Not knowing my history American spirituality and Orthodox Christian mission. He has there, he asked if I would come and give the Sunday of appeared on “Good Morning America” and on the National Orthodoxy homily. I was torn between my natural inclination Geographic channel and visited our parish a number of years to steer clear of that place and the request of my spiritual son. ago. I gave in to my better nature and agreed to go. I started my homily by saying that we must be very careful You Never Know… about how we treat people, and always treat them with loving kindness and respect. If we’re not careful, we will offend our By Fr. Moses Berry own brothers and sisters. As we read in Proverbs, a brother A young Orthodox African offended is harder to be won than a strong city captured. I American woman from St. continued my homily by talking about what happened to me at Louis told me that she that church. At the end of the service, there was a reception, didn’t feel comfortable during which a little old lady came up to me and said, “I was going to a certain church in the one who approached you all those years ago,” and she town. She said that the last time she attended that church, she began to cry, and I began to cry. And there we were, in the received a less than warm welcome. I told her a story about that middle of the church hall, in front of all these people, holding very same church, that happened to me, around 1987. hands and crying over our offenses to one another – hers of This church was having an open house to display its rejecting me, and mine of being resentful of her for my wonderful mosaics. I saw the event in the newspaper, and knew rejection. I had to go, as I’d always been attracted by icons and mosaics. I told the young woman that we don’t go to church to get When I entered the crowded nave of the church, on a Friday accepted by other people, although that’s a wonderful thing, afternoon, an official person approached me and said “How can but, rather, to be in the presence of Christ. After all, even our I help you?” I knew what she meant by that question, by the Lord did not always have the warmest of receptions. It is your subtle tone of her voice. In my experience, this always meant choice, I continued, whether or not you go back to that “what are you doing here?” I replied, “no thank you ma’am, church, but don’t be confused as to why we go to church in I’m just looking.” A few moments later, the priest approached the first place. me and again asked, “How can I help you?” The Epistle is the official publication of the Greek Orthodox Community of St. Demetrios 22909 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River, Ohio ~ (440) 331-2246 ~ www.saintdemetriosrr.org Sunday Services: Orthros 8:20 a.m.; Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Closed for lunch 1:00-2:00 p.m. Publication Deadlines : Weekly Bulletin: Wednesday of each week. Monthly Newsletter– the 15 th of the preceding month Clergy and Office Staff Parish Organizations Fr. Andrew Lentz, Priest …………………….......216-777-9777 Acolyte Coordinator ………………..Ted Seidl...440-930-5759 [email protected] AHEPA …………………………...Costa Petros…440-937-8079 Eleni Papouras-Jenks, Office Manager/ Newsletter Editor American Legion ……………Spyro Farmakidis...440-779-8190 440-331-2246 ext. 2 [email protected] Bible Study Byron T. Spooner, Operations Manager 440-331-2246, ext. 3 Morning leader, Angie Giallourakis…216-387-2681 [email protected] Evening leader, Tony Kazanas….440-835-0272 x16 John Stamatiades, Church Accountant 440-331-2246, ext. 4 Bookstore ……….....……...…….Donna Vassos…440-331-5547 Andrea Giavroutas, Youth Coordinator Choir Director ………….............Maria Steffas…440-773-1533 [email protected] Daughters of Penelope ..…….……Elisa Demis…440-665-1348 Parish Council FOCUS Friends …….………..…Linda Glynias…216-469-2663 Dimitrios Tsatiris, President…..……………..…..216-310-5233 Greek School Evanthia Pallam, Vice President…..…………….216-402-7646 Principal : Eleni Papouras-Jenks................216-965-8131 Kostas Mathiellis, Treasurer......…..……..……...440-783-1988 Board of Education: Maria Mougianis…..440-835-2888 Irene Georgantas, Secretary……………………..585-703-5005 PTO: Kelly Steffas ………………………..440-808-8788 Sarah Kazanas, Financial Secretary …...………..216-409-2532 Hellenic Dance Groups Lilly Anitas ……………. ….………………….…..440-734-3440 Aeraki……………………………… Lia Fresty…330-715-1704 Marko Fourtounis………………………….……216-244-2222 Kymata ….……………....Angelia Szekely…440-724-3807 Anna Kachevas……………………………….….563-542-4692 Kyklonas ………………. Eleni Papouras-Jenks…216-965-8131 Marianna Karakatsani…………………………...440-315-3936 Κόλλυβα (Memorial Tray): Gary Thomas…………………………………….440-356-1032 Koula Callas………………………...216-347-2299 Floyd Trillis, Jr.…………..………………....…..440-835-6552 Christina Carpadis………………..…216-215-4232 Lee Zapis………………………………………..440-617-0266 Becky Giallourakis……………….....440-610-3516 Sophia Tjotjos, Legal Counsel Legacy Fund …....…………Manuel P. Glynias…216-857-3388 Orthodox Organizations Library Committee ….………..…...Andie Titas...440-779-8581 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America …www.goarch.org Philoptochos ……………………[email protected] Metropolis of Pittsburgh …….… www.pittsburgh.goarch.org President …………..…Maggie Steffas …440-871-6362 International Orthodox Christian Charities … www.iocc.org Sunshine Committee ….Elpida Kosmidis…440-779-8959 Orthodox Christian Mission Center …….…. www.ocmc.org Welfare Committee ……………………..Crystal Thomas Orthodox Christian Network ………...……. www.myocn.net Sunday School ….…………... [email protected] Orthodox Christian Fellowship ………..………… www.ocf.net Mary Seidl……………..…………....440-930-5759 St. Herman’s FOCUS Cleveland ….. www.sainthermans.com Spiritual Life Committee ...Angie Giallourakis…216-387-2681 St. Panteleimon Orthodox Christian Outreach www.stpanteleimon.com Individuals w/ Disabilities Liaison ....Tina Kolas...216-970-3737 Zoe for Life ! ……………………... www.zoeforlifeonline.org Speaking of Stewardship… 3 PARISH Thanks to those the 297 households that have pledged COUNCIL $341,035 in Stewardship, and paid $254,345. We also have 86 additional households that have contributed $41,131 (as of ELECTIONS 9/27/2020.) To date, we have received a total of $295,477 An Election will be held toward our goal. to fill the following The 3rd Quarter statements are being mailed to stewards in vacancies: Irene Georgantas, Sarah Kazanas, Kostas early October. Mathiellis, Floyd Trillis Jr., Gary Thomas, Dimitri Tsatiris, and Lee Zapis, on Sun., Nov. 1, 2020, immediately Thanks to those who donated to St. Demetrios following Divine Liturgy and until 12:30 p.m. Church in Loving Memory of … (as of publication ) The above board members may re-run for another term. Board members who have one year to complete and shall Vasiliki Pasalis+ Amy & Sami Foti remain on the Parish Council thru 2021 are: Lilly Anitas, Christie Spanos Spencer Marko Fourtounis, Anna Kachevas, Marianna Karakatsani, and Evanthia Pallam. Gus Paterakis+ George & Mary Ellen Hervouvis Michael & Irene Steffas CANDIDACY REQUIREMENTS: A person desiring to qualify, as a candidate for the Parish Jane Wessel Lang+ Olga Packis Council must be a baptized or chrismated Orthodox Christian who is in spiritual good standing with his/her church (i.e. if married, is married in the Orthodox Church, if GENERAL ASSEMBLY divorced, has secured the ecclesiastical divorce, and participates in the sacraments of the church). Sunday, October 4 immediately following Divine Liturgy, in the Cultural He/She must also have paid his/her financial obligation to Hall. the parish up to and including December 31, 2020 to be considered a member in good standing.
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  • The Meaning of the Wall Paintings

    The Meaning of the Wall Paintings

    SPACE AND IMAGE: THE MEANING OF THE WALL PAINTINGS AT THE HERMITAGE OF IOANNES by ALEV TURKER (Under the Direction of Asen Kirin) ABSTRACT Ayvali Church at Güllüdere Valley in Nevşehir, Turkey, is one of the structures that exemplify monastic life in Cappadocia. Carved into an isolated rock formation, the space is divided into two levels, with two chambers in the lower level and one second-story room. An opening in the floor of the upper room connects to the first floor’s north chamber. The lower level is extensively adorned with frescoes, the second phase (913-920) of which was commissioned by Ioannes (John), whereas the upper room shows no signs of painted decoration. A close examination of the wall paintings reveals that while the south chamber was used by the monk for personal prayer, the north chamber functioned as a funerary place. The architecture and the iconographic program of the wall paintings suggest that the structure functioned as a hermitage rather than a church. INDEX WORDS: Byzantine art, Cappadocia, Rock-cut architecture, Monasteries, Hermitages, Ayvali Church, Wall paintings SPACE AND IMAGE: THE MEANING OF THE WALL PAINTINGS AT THE HERMITAGE OF IOANNES by ALEV TURKER B.A., Hacettepe University, Turkey, 2004 M.A., Hacettepe University, Turkey, 2008 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS ATHENS, GEORGIA 2011 © 2011 ALEV TURKER All Rights Reserved SPACE AND IMAGE: THE MEANING OF THE WALL PAINTINGS AT THE HERMITAGE OF IOANNES by ALEV TURKER Major Professor: Asen Kirin Committee: Shelley Zuraw Stefaan Van Liefferinge Frances Van Keuren Electronic Version Approved: Maureen Grasso Dean of the Graduate School The University of Georgia December 2011 iv DEDICATION In loving memory of my father, Yucel Turker, who I love and miss immeasurably Babacigim, I hope you are somewhere out there always watching us closely v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank the members of my committee for their support and advice during this challenging process.