The Voice of Holy Trinity

March 2012 “... Since the kingdom of is not just words, it is power.” 1 CORINTHIANS 4:20 HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL + PORTLAND + OREGON ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ENCYCLICAL FOR 2012 to all kinds of foods, but also how to entirely escape and get rid of covetousness, greed, and all kind of evil." “Let us keep the Fast not only by refraining from food, (Sermon 2 On Fasting). but by becoming strangers to all the bodily passions; that we who are enslaved to the tyranny of the flesh Let us keep the Fast...by becoming may become worthy to partake of the Lamb, the Son of strangers to all bodily passions. A God, slain of His own will for the sake of the world, and fundamental concept in understanding spiritually may celebrate the feast of the Savior's Orthodox Christian spiritual life is passions. Resurrection from the dead. So shall we be raised high in These are natural things necessary for life that the glory of the virtues, and through our righteous actions have mutated and taken control of our lives. we shall give joy to the Lord who loves humankind.” We must eat in order to live, but when our life First Apostichon of Vespers from Tuesday of the First Week is dominated by food we succumb to the passion of gluttony. Money is a necessity but Dearly Beloved, when our life is centered on the acquisition of wealth, we are As we embark on the journey of controlled by the passion of avarice. Great Lent, it is good and edifying Humans need to love and be loved, to pause and reflect on the true but often times that love is significance the spiritual endeavor deformed and we become slaves to that lies before us. The Church's the passion of lust. Lent is a time to hymnography is a trustworthy practice self-control in order to tame guide, steering us away from all these passions that have enslaved us caricatures of Lent, reminding us of to unhealthy cravings and disorient the full scope of our pilgrimage. our life. Great Lent is a time of retreat to help us confirm our life to During this period of Great Lent, Christ. Great and Holy Lent is let us examine the essential values designed to be a period of that guide us in our actions. Let us transformation for us – yes, a time reorient our lives so that they are of struggle, but a joyful struggle to guided by God and His love rather become more Christ-like in all that than passionate desires; let us desire we think, in all that we do, and in all nothing more fervently than God that we say. and His love. Great Lent is a time of liberation, when we free ourselves from the shackles of Let us keep the Fast not only refraining from food. All too things and desires, pursuing single-mindedly a often we focus almost exclusively on what we eat and do not deeper union with God and a more eat. This is important, but it is only part of our task. As authentic reflection of God's love. Lent is a Basil the Great wrote, "Fasting is the strength-training of the time to rejoice that, through self-discipline, we godly....It is clear that fasting would not only teach self-control in relation have grown closer to God and have become a more perfect image of God's compassion, mercy and love. As Fueled by a terrific hotcakia breakfast such, regardless of the struggle, this is a time of joy and hope. compliments of the dance group, we dug into our Embrace it as such and the joy of the Resurrection will fill the objectives for this coming year. very depths of your existence. The council is focused on the following objectives: Liberating ourselves from the slavery to passions of the flesh  Building communication throughout the frees us to love God. Without the distractions of the passions, we parish and transparency from the council. can be more attentive to our relationship with God. Without  Creating opportunities with our clergy destructive passionate goals, our lives are free to be guided by for parish spiritual unity. Christ's command to love God and our neighbor. This is the true  Increasing youth participation and meaning of μετανοια (repentance): a reorientation of our lives. supporting our youth director. And so the Church instructs us that a pure fast includes  Convening leadership discussions with attentiveness in prayer and works of mercy to the poor. parish groups and identifying our whole parish as leaders of our faith. Let these simple insights guide us during the coming 40 days.  Connecting with and caring for lapsed Be aware not only of ourselves but of others. Let us be attentive members of our parish family. in all aspects of our life not only to our own needs but to the In all we do, following our mission of “Faith needs of others. Let this be a time when we not only curtail that which impedes us but when we develop the things that make us First”, putting our faith at work in all endeavors, and expanding our spiritual journeys. more Christ-like. With the tumult of years past behind us, this year seems a good time for our parish to connect and With these few thoughts I invite you to embark joyfully on the reach out to each other, to love our parish family, journey of the Great and Holy Lent. Do not be burdened by the and to truly walk our faith together. discipline, but be renewed by the opportunity to grow into deeper Michael Rouches, President communion with God. The discipline is neither easy nor always pleasant, but the results will bring joy to you and those around you. May this be a time of profound spiritual joy for you, your Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral community, your family, and your loved ones. Our hope is in the 3131 NE Glisan St., Portland, OR 97232 Lord who never fails! 503-234-0468 www.goholytrinity.org Dynamis is the monthly newsletter of the Holy With Love in Christ, Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Portland, Oregon. Articles for the next month’s issue of Dynamis are due in the church office on the 11th + G E R A S I M O S of the current month. Deadlines will be strictly Metropolitan of San Francisco adhered to.

------Dynamis Editorial Guidelines How to contribute: Email to: [email protected] or on a CD with a hard copy to the church office. If Dispatches From Home you do not use a computer, please fax submissions to 503-236-8379 or bring a typed Last weekend during our parish council retreat, our council copy to the church office. members and clergy shared a bit about ourselves and we quickly discovered how deeply we are connected and that in generations We reserve the right to edit or decline a past, our families drew together and laughed, cried, and submission. All inserts must be approved by the worshipped as we do today. This history is rich and meaningful church office and the postal service. because of our faith, and our unity in one Holy Church. Next Sunday take a moment to look around our church. Really Announcements policy: Unpaid announcements look at the faces of our parish, our church family, and think about for church-related events are limited to a half the memories, the connections we’ve made, the loving words and page. Non-church-related community event the disagreements we’ve had. announcements are limited to a quarter page. As I look around our parish I see some of the most important people in my life, the faces of people I share more with than any Advertising rates: Full advertising section – half of back page …$400 other part of my life. It is with this idea of connectivity that we Half advertising section – ¼ of back cover...... $225 began our work at the retreat. Quarter advertising section – 1/8 of last page..$125 Explanation of Lenten Services Great Compline Service (Monday Evenings 6:00 pm) Compline SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY in Greek is ―Apodipno‖ meaning from of after dinner. The th Compline service is traditionally offered after dinner. We have March 4 in our Orthodox prayer books the Small Compline Service. This Holy Trinity will be hosting the Pan-Orthodox service is much shorter than the Great Compline and is a Sunday of Orthodoxy. The Annunciation Orthodox wonderful service to pray at your home prayer corner throughout Church will be leading the choir for the Divine the year. The Great Compline Service offered during Great Lent Liturgy and special icon procession service. The consists of the reading of Psalms and the chanting of hymns related Orthodox parishes in Portland will be joining us for to combating sin in the evening hours and during sleep. The Great services. The Sunday Orthros will be at 8:45 am, Compline Service is a wonderful way to begin the week. and the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am. Please bring an icon with you for this very special Sunday. We plan, Presanctified Liturgy (Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm, Fridays weather permitting, to process outside the church @ 9:00 am, and the First 3 days of Holy Week) with our icons. Immediately following service, there The Presanctified Liturgy is a service celebrated on Wednesdays will be a special luncheon with all the proceeds and Fridays during Great Lent. The Presanctified Liturgy is also benefitting the St. John Greek Orthodox Monastery celebrated the first three mornings of Holy Week beginning on in Goldendale. Monday. The liturgy is called ―Presanctified‖ because the consecration of the Holy Gifts takes place on the preceding The meaning of the Sunday of Orthodoxy Sunday. The Presanctified Liturgies are offered to the faithful to For over one thousand years Orthodox offer more opportunities to receive Holy Communion during the Christians have been observing the Sunday of most Holy Period of the Church year. Orthodoxy in recognition of the fact that the holy icons which had been removed from the churches The question frequently comes up regarding fasting before the by government edict during the eighth century were evening Presanctified Liturgy. The faithful make every effort to eat once again reinstated in the churches. a light Lenten meal in the morning. We should do our best to keep Even though the Seventh Ecumenical Council in at least a 6 hour fast before Liturgy. In other words, eat a small AD 787 had supported the legitimacy of the holy Lenten meal as close to 12 noon on the day of the Liturgy. icons and defined their proper use in Orthodox worship, various Byzantine emperors, having been The first part of the service is a Vespers with beautiful readings influenced by heretical concepts, did not allow their from the psalms. The last part of the service is a Divine Liturgy. public use and veneration. During the readings of the psalms the Presanctified gifts are It was not until March 11, 843 in transferred from the altar table, the Proskomide (Oblation Table). that Empress Theodora and Patriarch Methodios in The Presanctified Liturgy is unique because the mood of the service a great procession returned the holy icons to their is very solemn. The liturgy is traditionally considered to be the rightful places. effort of St. Gregory of Rome (6th century bishop). I encourage Icons have been used in the Christian faith from everyone to participate in as many of these liturgies as possible. This the very beginning and have always enjoyed a place is a wonderful time to help with the many readings of the service. of honor in the churches and in the homes of the faithful. The church teaches that icons are the Akathist (Salutations / Akathistos) windows of heaven from where the of God Friday Evenings, 7:00 pm look down upon us to protect us and to intercede ―Akathistos‖ in Greek means standing up or without sitting with Christ for us and our salvation. down. In the Orthodox Tradition the people offer this service Since Orthodox Christians believe that when standing up the entire time (Elderly, the sick and small children they enter a church, they leave the world behind and can sit). It is believed the Akathist Service find themselves on a higher and more spiritual was composed and offered to the Mother of God in the year plane, the icons which surround them are vivid 626. That year Constantinople was saved from the siege of reminders of man’s divine purpose in Creation and the Avars and Persians. This entire service is a poetic canon of his ultimate destiny in God’s Kingdom. dedicated to the Theotokos. The Akathist Service is known as one Today we celebrate this event not only for the of the hymnological masterpieces of the Church. icons, but for the fact that the Orthodox Church is The service is both historical as well as Theological. We hear the only Christian church which has preserved the hymns expounding the belief in the Incarnation of the Lord and the teachings of the Seven Ecumenical Councils and of salvation of believers in Him. The hymns are not only offered to undivided without addition or the Lord and the Virgin Mary, but also to St. John the Baptist, subtraction (Revelation 22:18-19), but intact down Gabriel the Archangel, the Shepherds and Wise Men worshipping through the centuries; for intact we must present Christ. Most agree the Akathist Service is the most emotional of all her to the Lord when He returns. the Lenten Services. Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver February 15, 2012 Ahepa/HACCM Oral For I was hungry and you gave me food, History Project: Greek I was thirsty and you gave me drink Americans and the American Matthew 25:35 – Judgment Sunday Railroad System of the Pacific To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Northwest. During our Oral History interviews of many Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of of the Greek families living in Portland, it was the Parish Council of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the noted that a number of interviewees spoke of Day, Afternoon and the Church Schools, the Philoptochos their historic and current connection to the Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations and the American railroad system. It was the railroad that entire Greek Orthodox Family in America brought their grandparents or parents to Oregon and now our committee is anxious to begin its Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, next project. We would like to conduct interviews that will specifically focus on the On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod of our Holy Greeks and the American Railroad System of the Archdiocese of America, I am writing to you, the faithful Pacific Northwest. members of our Holy Orthodox Church here in the United All Greek families living in Oregon and States, this heartfelt appeal for our brothers and sisters in Southwest Washington are invited to submit their . The financial crisis that has rocked Europe and deeply railroad histories to our Oral History Committee. affected Greece has reached proportions where the suffering of Information will be gathered through interviews, innocents and the ordeal of common people cry out for urgent pictures and assorted memorabilia. This and substantive help. So many of our families have roots in information will be edited to produce a final Greece and many of us have relatives and friends who are now project that will become a part of our Hellenic experiencing privation unknown in that country since the time American Cultural Center and Museum. of the harsh occupation of the Second World War. We are excited that this final project may also Cognizant of this harsh reality, we must respond by become a part of the Engine house and Rail offering real and tangible assistance to our brethren through Heritage interpretive center that is being trusted Church affiliated humanitarian and philanthropic constructed in Portland. The Oregon Rail agencies which will directly assist those most in need. Heritage Center will house Portland’s three Therefore, as the time of Great Lent approaches, when we are heritage steam engines and we are hopeful that it called by the Church to a greater consciousness of the needs of will showcase the important role the Greeks our fellow human beings, I hope that every Christian will played in building railroads throughout the Pacific generously respond to this special appeal by making a donation Northwest. to the Relief Fund for the People of Greece of the Archdiocese. We ask you to please contact Nick Hanches or With paternal blessing and Cleo Rumpakis if your grandparents, parents, prayers for you and your beloved families, that this Lenten uncles or cousins were in any way involved with Season may be even more spiritually rewarding to you because the railroads of the Pacific Northwest. We are of your love and generosity, I remain, interested in interviewing people from throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington With paternal love, whether they played a major or very minor role in the railroad’s history. Please help us make this historic undertaking a success. ------+ D E M E T R I O S Thank You! Archbishop of America The Daughters of Penelope want to thank those who attended our annual Scholarship Luncheon. The gyros were plump and tasty. The baklava was fresh and delicious. The dancers were adorable and the raffle was packed with leather purses and pashmina scarves. Also, many thanks to the Hara All contributions should be forwarded to the Greek Orthodox Dance group for an excellent performance along Archdiocese, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075, earmarked for the with their instructors, Nikki Diamond and Alexis Relief Fund for the People of Greece. Gianopoulos. See you next year! Our People Philoptochos Corner—News

Funerals: You can Use February 13, 2012: Ivan “Mike” Shmilenko, who fell asleep in the Lord on February 5, 2012 at the age of 89. In 2011, National Philoptochos distributed $1,479,875 to a wide array of causes, charities and ------Orthodox commitments. Drawn from the nationwide power of some 29,000 members, Koliva, Part II National Philoptochos receives $15 from each Last year we included an article on Memorials and included a member. These dollars are used to support the recipe for Koliva. In part II, we would like to cover what extensive mission of the organization. Your happens on Sunday when your family comes to church for the membership makes a difference! Memorial. The Koliva that was prepared the previous day is brought into Deadline for 2012 Membership is April 1st. the church. After Father reads the blessing for your loved one(s) the Koliva is blessed. Then the sexton will take the koliva out of To renew of become a new member, contact the church into the small hall. Membership chair Chrissy Rouches @ (503-254- When church services conclude and people file out of church 7509); Stacey Gianopoulos, President @(503-789- into the hall, please have someone from your family (or a friend) available to help serve the koliva to parishioners. There are cups 2209); or mail your check to the church office. and spoons available for you to use stored in the kitchen. At the end of Coffee hour, please remember to clean up any Holy Trinity Philoptochos continues working in cups and spoons left over and take any leftover koliva home. all areas of our community: Leftovers need to be refrigerated as soon as you get home and cannot be left in the church kitchen. Any leftover Koliva that is Thanks to our Seniors Committee, many have not used can be spread over your lawn (maybe in a special enjoyed a Valentine’s luncheon, speakers on corner). The tray and white tub need to be washed and dried and nutrition, outings and more. put away in the kitchen. Because of our committed cookbook committee, ------sales of Flavor It Greek! A Celebration of Coffee Hour or ? Food, Faith & Family continues to fund our A few parishioners have mentioned that there have been a few philanthropic efforts. It’s still the best cookbook Sundays when as they left church to come into the hall for coffee around! hour, they felt like they were entering a Marketplace with vendors trying to sell them things and asking for money. Our Thrift Shop sits as a beacon for those in Following the Divine Liturgy, there is always a coffee hour in need of household goods, clothes and a friendly the hall (or luncheon). These are intended to be a time to place to go. Your continued donation of items is socialize, greet new visitors and have a cup of coffee and a cookie. so appreciated! In an effort to be welcoming, we would like to remind people to greet a new face, introduce yourself and offer visitors a chance to And so much more ...... pick up brochures and information about our church. As you enter the hall, please notice that the Welcome Table is PHILOPTOCHOS- WE MAKE A the only table placed near the coffee serving table. The DIFFERENCE Stewardship Committee will also have a table set up by their banner in the alcove by the large hall. Mark your calendar for our 2nd annual Mother’s When there are other ministries that have reserved a table for Day Tribute…May 2012 a Sunday, those tables will be located towards the East wall (by the Conference Room) for them to sell baked goods, tickets, etc. Watch for more information on the upcoming Each Sunday, two groups will be able to reserve a table. If your organization would like a table set up in the hall for coffee hour, Mother’s Day tribute – your opportunity to please call the church office the week before to reserve. They will honor the important women in your life--- put a sign on your table for Sunday. sponsored by Philoptochos. Ahepa Scholarships: Ahepa District Scholarships are now available. The Northwest Ahepa Family Educational Foundation has awarded over $250,000 to applicants from Oregon and Washington. Applicants must be members of the Ahepa Family (Maids of Athena/Sons or Pericles) or the parent(s) of the applicants must be either a member of Ahepa or the Daughters of Penelope. We encourage all high school seniors or current college students to apply, given the requirements. Visit AHEPA’s website, www.ahepad22.org for information and the application form. Applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2012. Questions? Call Katherine Karafotias at 503-617-4838. Great and Holy Pascha 2012 Renewing the Apostolic Vision A Pan-Orthodox Mission Seminar Dear Faithful of Holy Trinity, Saturday, March 17, 2012 Listed below are the many items with needed for Holy Week and Anastasia Pamela Barksdale, M.Div. , costing nearly $4100. OCMC Missionary Albania Some parishioners have Anastasia will speak about her experience as a expressed a desire to sponsor missionary in Albania and the mission theology some of the items needed. and vision of His Beatitude Archbishop Please indicate if you would like Anastasios Yannoulatos from his new book, to sponsor and return your gift Mission in Christ’s Way. to the church office. We will apply the lessons learned to the Any amount is appreciated. outreach and evangelism ministries of each of Kali Anastasi. our parishes. Please spread the word – all who are interested in the work of sharing the Faith with others are encouraged to attend. For information, contact St. John the Baptist GOC  Palms for Palm Sunday $195 ------ Candles for Holy Thursday $35 Wednesday Presanctified  Flower wreath (Stefani) for Holy Thursday $150 Liturgy Schedule March 7, Pan Orthodox @ St. John Greek Orthodox One case of special white candles $167 Church One case of special white candles $167 March 14 @ Holy Trinity One case of special white candles $167 Mach 21@ St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Church One case of special white candles $167 March 28 @ Holy Trinity One case of special white candles $167 April 4 @ Annunciation Orthodox Church One case of special white candles $167 One case of special white candles $167 Services will begin at 6:30 pm One case of special white candles $167 The Pan Orthodox liturgies are a wonderful One case of special white candles $167 time for all Orthodox Christians to come One case of special white candles $167 together in true fellowship. We come together  Epitafios Flowers and Carnations $900 to receive spiritual food and break with our neighbor. A delicious Lenten meal will be  Candles for Epitafios $188 offered at every Wednesday Presanctified Liturgy.  Easter Lilies $300 Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim O Lord and Master of my life, take away from me the will to be lazy and sad; The desire to  Easter candies and trinkets for our children $300 get ahead of other people and to boast and brag.

Please apply my gift of $______to the category Give me instead a pure and humble spirit, the checked. will to be patient with other people and to love them. Name: ______O Lord and King, let me realize my own ______mistakes and keep me from judging what other people do. For You are blessed now and ______forever. Amen Holy Trinity Cathedral suggested that a plaque for the memorial wall in the courtyard be purchased with the money (approx. $300). Parish Council Meeting Minutes There was general consensus that the balance of the January 9, 2012 money should not be used for operating expenses, but for something more permanent and tangible. Fr. Jordan Present: Mike Rouches, Jace Thompson, Sophia suggested perhaps a Youth Endowment. All PC Stamatis, John Lampros, Eleni Marschman, Katherine members are to brainstorm and bring their ideas to the Ossey, Mike Karussos, Irini Souris, Christina Geist retreat. Jace discussed a change needed in Fund Accounting Excused Absence: John Spathas practices for specifically assigned monies. Currently, if designated money is not spent within the calendar year, Opening Prayer and Reflection was given by Fr. Jordan the money is absorbed into the general fund. A mechanism is needed for creating a fund for keeping Approval of Minutes: Jim Aspros was ill, so the minutes accounts separate. Jace is working with Aristides on this for December were not approved. issue. Festival accounting is still being ironed out but will be Priests Report launched by March. Jace stressed that the Festival account will remain separate from the general fund Fr. Jordan initiated a discussion about Cappella account. Romana and their use of the facilities, mailing address and office personnel. Fr. Jordan had a positive meeting Building and Maintenance with Executive Director Mark Powell. Mike Rouches will meet with Mark Powell and draw up an agreement Eleni Marschman submitted the following report: concerning the above issues in order to keep communication clear and positive. Accurate Heating: Completed quarterly maintenance in the church, President's Report halls, and Annex shortly before . At that time, everything seemed to be working well. Mike R. welcomed all the new council members and encouraged people to keep a notebook of ideas, Cooler in St. Dimitrios kitchen: innovations and collaborations they have for the council. Dec. 29th the cooler was not working. Debco was The PC retreat is scheduled for February 3rd at 6PM called in by Tom Meletis. Problem was found and through Saturday until 3:00 or 4:00. Mike will notify Gail resolved. Cost of repairs: $329.50 paid by the Festival that we plan to provide and cook our own meals for the Committee, and we re-reimbursed the Committee. retreat. Mike will send out an email for folks to sign up The cooler has never been alarmed, so no one was to bring food or drink. aware of the cooler problem. The Metropolis Clergy-Laity is scheduled for January 16- We are awaiting an estimate to add an alarm to the 17 at St. Nicholas Ranch. Sophia Stamatis, Fr. Jordan cooler. Should receive estimate by the end of this week. and Mari Lou Diamond will be attending. Maintenance Committee:

Treasurer's Report Meeting scheduled for Friday, January 13th .

The forecast for Stewardship was $440k, the Goal St. Katherine’s Hall: was for $479k and the actual was $450k. We are due for Jim Kolias volunteered to re-stain the walls below the an external audit in 2012. Jace will be paying off the windows as well as below the stage, and the walls next to $30k line of credit that was taken out last summer with the stage. He will also be painting the areas next to the money already in the account. doors going into St. Katherine’s Hall from St. Dimitrios A bequest of $167k was given to Holy Trinity Hall. Cathedral by Demetra Spanopoulos (wife of Nick Jim along with Andy Rouches re-aligned doors Spanopoulos, deceased) at her death. Jace made a leading into St. Katherine’s Hall from St. Dimitrios Hall motion that $50k of the bequest be used to repay the to avoid scraping the floors in that area. They also added money owed the Endowment Committee. Eleni new padding to door stops. seconded the motion. Discussion followed as how to best honor the memory of the Spanopouloses. Eleni Air ducts in St. Katherine’s Hall need to be cleaned the church after services. He specified that the books out, and the grates power-washed/scrubbed. Jim Kolias should all be upright and moved to the left side of the has volunteered to take care of this problem. book racks and the Prayer pamphlet set on the right. “Bubbling” window sills under stained glass windows in the Church: Steve Hunt will be sending an estimate Stewardship sometime this week for consideration. John Lampros will be the new liaison with the Personnel Stewardship committee. He thanked all the efforts of the PC in writing letters and talking to people about their Mike K. reported that there is a meeting set with the stewardship. He emphasized that it was most important staff for Tuesday, January 24th. for people to find something they are passionate about Ellie Bass has graciously volunteered to act as liaison concerning the church and share that with others. This between renters and the church. Gail will continue to will have the greatest impact on people with whom we handle the paperwork but Ellie will coordinate the details speak. of facilities usage with the renters. Mike K. asked that Sunday PC staff usher half of the Other Business balcony to the far aisle so as not to clog the one closest to the staircase at dismissal. Dynamis Article for February is due on January 17th The facilities Insurance is up for review. Philadelphia and will be written by Christina Geist. is the current company and may be charging us up to There was discussion on a variety of issues concerning $3,000 unnecessarily. Mike K. will offer a comparative Ethos Bookstore. PC members needing a key for times report of current options, and then recuse himself from when Christina Koutoures is not there. Also that while the process and final decision in order to avoid any Christina K. has been so dedicated to Ethos, she may be notions of impropriety. in need of some help. Other ideas such as a highlighted “book of the month” review by the clergy were Liaison Reports discussed.

Youth and Families Ministry is off to an excellent Fr. Jordan gave a closing prayer. start our new Youth Director George Demas. Fr. Jordan briefly lamented a missed opportunity to have more Respectfully submitted by Christina Geist youth attend a pan-Orthodox retreat in January, but it filled up too quickly. Seattle GOYA plans to host our youth for a retreat/Amazing Race sometime in March. George Demas continues to make personal connections with our youth, with a special emphasis on our High School group. Ethos Bookstore There are local youth events planned for January and Open Monday thru February but the big event coming up is FDF. George Friday and Fr. Demosthenes will be attending with our Anatoli 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM dance group. and for one hour Philoxenia. This ministry continues to struggle from a after Liturgy on dearth of volunteers. PC has not been very good at Sundays helping out on Sundays due to other duties. John Lampros asked that the Greeters in the narthex make a Come In and browse! point of introducing new comers or visitors to a PC • Books member on duty on Sundays. This way PC members can continue to be ambassadors for the church and seek the • Candles new folks out after church/during coffee hour to further • Tapes welcome them. Christina will communicate this request • Incense to Catherine Lingas and her greeters. • Jewelry John Lampros also asked that PC members on duty • Items for Baptisms & Weddings need to pay closer attention to cleaning and straightening • Gifts Feast Days & Services for March Friday, March 2: 9:00 am – Presanctified Liturgy 7:00 pm – Salutations Saturday, March 3: Saturday of the Souls 8:00 am – Orthros 9:00 am – Divine Liturgy Monday, March 5: 6:00 pm – Compline Service Wednesday, March 7: 6:30 pm – Pan-Orthodox Presanctified Liturgy @ St. John the Baptist Friday, March 9: Holy 40 Martyrs 9:00 am Presanctified Liturgy 7:00 pm – Salutations Monday, March 12: 6:00 pm Compline Service Wednesday, March 14: 6:30 pm Presanctified Liturgy @ Holy Trinity Friday, March 16: 9:00 am Presanctified Liturgy 7:00 pm – Salutations Monday, March 19: 6:00 pm – Compline Service Wednesday, March 21: 6:30 pm – Pan-Orthodox Presanctified Liturgy @ St. Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church Friday, March 23: 9:00 am – Presanctified Liturgy 7:00 pm Salutations Monday, March 26: 6:00 pm – Compline Service Wednesday, March 28: 6:30 pm Presanctified Liturgy @ Holy Trinity Friday, March 30: 9:00 am Presanctified Liturgy 7:00 pm - Salutations March, 2011 Panagia Mazi Mas! Youth Page “The Scoop” for your Youth Group Newsletter from the Dept of Youth Ministry For more information contact Youth Director, George Demas @ 503-234-0486, ext 34 Remember the Dates! (Detailed Information to Follow. Please check your physical mail, emails & Facebook. RSVP ASAP with George Demas for all events.)  “Goya Together Night” is EVERY 1St & 3rd SATURDAYS of each month at Holy Chronia Polla! Trinity from 5-8pm (Vespers, Dinner, Spiritual Discussion/Activity/Social Happy Name Day! Outreach & Hang-out). This night is subject to change (time or date) when other Youth or other major community events are scheduled. Join us, and Evangelios Lampus please bring your friends from outside our church community!  Lenten Services are every Monday (Great Compline, 6:00pm), Wednesday (March 25) (Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, 6:30pm: check church schedule; Pan-Orthodox and alternating at other churches) and Friday (Salutations to Theotokos, 7:00pm). Gabriella Courogen Families, let’s suffer for Christ this Lent in the most beautiful way and join the community in prayer! (March 26)  March 3, 5-8pm, “Goya Together Night”: Vespers, Dinner (Youth cooks and serves), Spiritual Discussion, hang out and Youth planning.

 March 10, 7:00am, Mt. Hood Tubing:”Marching the Mountain of Repentance”. (Hope/Joy, K-5). Meet at Mt. Hood and a full day of tubing, playing in the snow, and unceasing reflection of repenting during Lent.

 March 16-18, Seattle Lenten Retreat “Amazing Race”: (Goyans, 7-12 grades). The race is on again! We will join our Christian brothers & sisters in Seattle this year as we race to both gain salvation during Lent and piously compete in an Amazing Race style journey around downtown.

 March 24, 3-6pm, “Nerf War” and Great Vespers for Annunciation: (Hope/Joy, K-5 grades). Bring/buy your own Nerf toys (we have extra if needed) for a battle in the Thomas Gianopoulos with basement and around Holy Trinity!!! Never do we support sister, Joeanne, as he violence, yet we will learn through this event that our true receives the St. George Boy weapons in life are virtues against the evil one! Scout Honor for his witness and education in Orthodoxy. Looking Ahead: Special April Events April 7, 9am-2pm (All Ages) Lazarus Quote of the Month (For our Orthodox Identity): Saturday Liturgy (Orthros 8am), Food, Palm Tying & Discussion "The struggle for the God-Man is the struggle for man. It is April 13, All Day! Holy Friday Retreat: (K- not the humanists, but the people of the Orthodox Faith, 12). Services and Rotations: Crafts, Holy who share in the life of the God-Man, who are struggling Week Hymns, Scavenger Hunt & More for true man, man in the image of God and in the image of Christ" -St Justin Popovich- Getting To Know The Heart Of Our Youth

Adrianos (Nouli) Bekris

Hello my name is Adrianos (Nouli) Bekris. I am 10 years old and was born on January 14, 2002 in the city of Vancouver, WA. I have lived in Vancouver for my whole life. But when I'm done with college I would like to move to Los Angeles, CA. But unfortunately I'm in 4th grade and have a lot of years to go before I can Andy Buhler move there. Some of my favorite things to do are play piano, soccer, I am currently a junior at Jesuit High School in basketball, build LEGOs, write fiction stories, and listen to music. I Portland. I cherish the education I am getting at Jesuit and how especially like to listen to Ludwig Van Beethoven, Pop, and Greek my eyes have been opened to expand my faith through many Rap. different opportunities. My parents are Matthew and Leslie Being Greek Orthodox is important to me because, it is a Buhler, and my father is a lifetime active member of the church. very strong part of our culture. And when I go to church I feel good for I have a younger brother, Markos, who is in the 5th grade and a example: when I've done something bad I can ask God to forgive me. sister Alexis who is an 8th grader. Since 5th grade I have served Also when I go to communion I think the holy wine tastes good and is in the altar. I enjoy the liturgy very much from the altar and it is special. One other thing is that I have an uncle in San Francisco, CA something I take a lot out of and cherish. If it weren’t for my who is a Greek Orthodox Priest at Annunciation Greek Orthodox dad, Father Jerry Markopoulos or Gary Palumbis’ influence, I Church. His name is Fr. Niko Bekris. I hope you enjoyed this never would have tried it out. In my time outside of school and Biography. church I am either playing sports or hanging out with friends or family. What draws me to church the most is that it is a different culture than other churches, and celebrates values that I believe in. My deepest connection to Orthodoxy is how I can confidently take it wherever I go. I attend a Catholic school, and go to mass every Friday (but don’t take communion of course). If Jesuit has Spiritual Reflection Question for Andy Buhler: The taught me one thing, it is to be you, and this teaching makes me a 40 Martyrs, commemorated on March 9, stood better Orthodox Christian. I have the opportunity to be different naked 3 days in freezing waters (while it was with my faith as most are Catholic, and I am challenged day in snowing) to endure and prove their love for and day out to adhere to my personal view and morals. Spiritual Reflection: Like the 40 Martyrs, I along with Christ and not conform to the Pagans who were others my age am faced with “freezing waters.” The teenage trying to make them deny Christ and the theology years are an awkward time in one’s life and it is a time of of the Church. What are the "freezing waters" choices. The biggest choice I face each day is remaining strong (how we demonstrate our love through suffering) with my Orthodox beliefs. In retrospect, I have a decision to for your age group as you all progress in Lent and make as I become an adult: whether to stay Orthodox or not. My goal is to continue worshipping the Orthodox tradition and that in modern days? How can you all stand firm in entails striving every day to keep praying and believing my own these "Freezing Waters", and is there anything too beliefs. The 40 Martyrs stood in the freezing weather for three difficult for you to withstand nowadays? whole days, which was a testament to their faith. These upcoming years for people growing up in their adult stage full of choices is a testament to our faith as well. By knowing my roots and familial support, I manage to stand firm in these freezing waters of young adulthood. ANATOLI, winners of FDF Best Choral Group Youth Page in the Advanced Special Junior Division FDF 2012 in Anaheim, CA Bravo and Congratulations to our 2012 Advanced Junior Choral Winners, ANATOLI!!!

“He who Loves his brother abides in light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him” 1 John 2:10

FDF Joy and Togetherness! Hanging with our own group & fellow brethren from St. Demetrios, Seattle.