ST. NECTARIOS AMERICAN CARPATHO-RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH 405 Marcum Road, Lakeland, FL 33809 • http://www.stnectarios.com Rev. Fr. Demetri Glimidakis Fr.’s Cell: (970) 620-3899 Fr. Demetri’s Email: [email protected] JULY 2019 BULLETIN

From the desk of Fr. Demetri: Many faithful have an image of God in their mind, and the use of the icon in the Orthodox Church is believed to be, not an idol, but a window to something In continuing with the next two glorious. The icon is a vehicle to give us something to focus commandments, we will be looking on. Much like pulling out a photograph of someone we at commandment two and three. love from our wallets, the icon only represents the person St. Nectarios of These two commandments are depicted. Many have gone too far, and have worshiped Born: October 1, 1846 again in relationship with how we the wood and paint, and have even eaten the materials in Selymbria, Thrace relate to our Lord. in hopes that miracles would be bestowed upon them, Reposed: November 9,1920 in Aegina, but the true teaching of the Church is clear: there is only Canonized: April 20, 1961 The Second Commandment one God, and idolatry is a sin. If we look closely at each Feast Day: November 9 icon, they are supposed to all look like Christ in some way, HOLY NECTARIOS, “You should not make for yourself any carved image—any PRAY UNTO GOD FOR US! because each saint is a reflection of our Lord. likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in Directory: the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; The image of God is found in each of us, and you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the often with society we find that worship is extended to Parish Council Members: LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of human heroes or stars and even ourselves with a narcis- President...... Walter Klymenko the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth gen- VP...... John G. Sennett sistic self-love. But, there is a sense in which we humans Treasurer...... Sam Gjurich erations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to are in the image of God. God does not want to be wor- Secretary...... Kendra J. Taylor thousands, to those who love Me and keep My command- shipped as pagan gods were. We are not to worship the Stewardship...Daniel Rodriguez ments.” – Exodus 20:4-6 image itself, but we are to reverence the person behind Natalie Pope Outreach & Church Activities ... it. Many Protestant churches condemn the Orthodox Arlene Tonjes & Denise Katseralis God commanded us not to make idols or any Church for the use of icons, and many times they are right representations to worship. Nothing man made could in their condemnation. If our prayers are extended toward, Sisterhood officers: Co-Chairs...... Denise Katseralis compare with Almighty God—human handiwork would or if our worship is shown toward anyone other than God Nina Klymenko only give us a false image of the true God. Many believe Himself, we walk a dangerous line between orthodoxy and Treasurer....Jacqueline Righetti that the use of pictures, icons or statues is a sinful act, and idolatry. We are not to worship the or angels or any Secretary...... Natalie Pope truly when we worship, we should focus our worship to- other being. When we celebrate the life of a saint, every Altar Servers: ward God alone. Before Christ came, God was someone single breath and thought should be always reflected back George only people could imagine. He was beyond anyone’s un- at Christ as God, that the saint we remember lived his life Logan derstanding. We knew that we were created in His like- to reflect Christ. God wants us to become like Him in char- Marek ness, but still many even feared even to utter God’s name. acter, love, choices, attitudes and approaches. We are to Thank you to John Bonnewitz- However, when Jesus came, He brought the intangible to let Christ live in us—to strive to live always as He lived. We Coffey & Kevin Justice who have life. He was born and lived among us as a man, and the are to live godly lives and reflect the light of God that oth- volunteered to assist in the altar as needed. chasm between God and man was filled and a new rela- ers may see our good works and glorify our Father in tionship with the Almighty was born. SAINT NECTARIOS heaven. ORTHODOX CHURCH: Andrei Rublev’s icon ‘The Trin - A Mission of the American ity’ depicts the three angels who visited Abraham at the Oak Carpatho--Russian of Mamre (Genesis 18:1–8), but Orthodox Diocese: the painting is full of symbol - His Eminence, Gregory ism and is interpreted as an icon of the Holy Trinity. At the of Nyssa, Metropolitan time of Rublev, the Holy Trinity Bishop Under the Jesus Christ Pantocrator from the was the embodiment of spiri - tual unity, peace, harmony, mu - Ecumenical Patriarchate deisis mosaic in Hagia Sophia, Is - tanbul (formerly Constantino - tual love and humility. of Constantinople . ple). How does the Second Commandment apply in our modern, materialistic The first sentence in the Lord’s Prayer says: Our Father, who art in world? Heaven hallowed be thy name. The term hallowed, as used here, means that his name should be highly respected, holy and blessed. It should be Idolatry is often connected with coveting—the desire to have more. glorified and we should praise his name for his name is greatly to be Anything that takes the place of God in our hearts and minds is idolatrous. praised. The prayer that Jesus teaches clear defines our relationship with We can break the second commandment often when we build up things our God. in our mind and seek after money, wealth or power over God or when we The name of God at one time was not even written or spoken by place our spouses, children or others above God. The only one we should many Jews because they did not feel worthy to speak or write His name strive to be like is Christ himself and no other. down. Many times, if His name was written down, it was written down with- The Third Commandment out vowels so that God could remain in a place that was set apart from every other name. The name that is used in the scriptures should be Yahweh, in “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD fact most of the places where the words “the Lord” is used should have been will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” the proper name of Yahweh. Just as many other sins, we have let this com- – Exodus 20:7 mandment lax in our commitment to serving and honoring God. King David writes in many of his Psalms, that the Lord’s name, Yah- The third commandment is one of God’s instructions that is often weh’s name, is excellent in all the earth, that His name is above every other taken lightly in today’s modern society. Even on television they still will not name and that we are to glorify Him. That the mighty ones are to give unto use the “f” word, but will use what we believe to be God’s name in vain. the Lord glory and strength. How is it that we have forgotten the fact that This commandment is broken by people without a second thought, but Jesus’s name is powerful enough that when we ask anything in His name God’s instructions were clear. He did not want his name used thoughtlessly that He will do what we ask? Many take this as if when we ask things Jesus or used in cursing others. The word vain is a powerfully descriptive word. In will be as a genie in a bottle and give us whatever we want. We are not to this instance, the word means: to have no real value, idle or worthless. In use His name lightly; we are to ask of the Lord for His grace within His will, essence when we use God’s name in vain, we use it with no real power, it not selfishly for our own gain. has no ability to heal or bring any fruition. Usually when someone spouts God’s name, it is with a spirit of anger and rage. The Apostle Paul clearly In truth, many of the profanities that are used today were a direct teaches in his letter to the Colossians that we should not have anger, wrath, reflection back on God. The words we use are something that we will be malice, be blasphemous or use filthy language. weighed by. Every word we use will be judged. How many words have we used thoughtlessly and without worry to their None of us would want our own names accompanied by a vulgarity, outcome? so why do we use our Savior’s name in a such a way? Jesus is our Savior, our Redeemer, and so many use His name cursing and while doing so de- If you are one that invokes God’s name in vain, I urge you to re- fame His name. In reading the scriptures we learn in Romans that: "As I consider what consequences there is for us in doing this. Just as the other live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall con- commandments, when we break one commandment, we break them all. fess to God.“ His name is a name that brings demons to their knees, His When we sin, we sin—there is no middle ground. There was an old saying name is a name that should be reverenced and praised. His name should that I heard growing up: weigh your words. We need to watch what come be hallowed in our prayers. from our mouth, for whatever we say could be our last.

God bless,

Fr. Demetri Glimidakis BIRTHDAYS THIS MONTH : 07/09 Natalie Pope SAVE • THE • DATE 07/25 Charles J. Stoyka 07/25 Patsy Justice We just received confirmation, ANNIVERSARIES :

His Eminence, Sorry if we missed your birthday, anniversary or nameday - this bul - Gregory letin is a work in progress. NAMEDAYS : will be joining us in celebrating the Divine 07/17 Vilma Rodriguez (St. Marina) Liturgy. A luncheon will follow, more infor - 07/18 Fr. Frederick mation in the coming months. 07/25 Annemarie Andrejkanic Edith Gjuric Evelyn Hoppenstand Please make note of the date and plan ac - Nancy Ruth Frishe cordingly. It’s not every day that we are (St. Anne) able to receive our Hierarch for services We are in need of updating our and it is truly a blessing when He arrives. parishioner directories. We’d love it if you could email your informa - tion or write out your information and return it to the church office. TH PRAYERS FOR HEALTH , HEALING SUNDAY, NOV. 24 , 2019 OR OTHER INTENTIONS : If you have any intentions, health, healing or other, please submit the first names last initial to Fr. Sisterhood Demetri. Write that it is a prayer re - quest so it can be added to list. ANNIVERSARIES , N AMEDAYS & of St. Nectarios BIRTHDAYS & OTHER CELEBRA - TIONS : On the 1st Sunday of the month, As our beloved St. Nectarios recognized We’re continuing to collect hygiene items the importance of women in the church, we’d like to celebrate milestones for Polk County students: soaps, tooth - with our parish family, so whether our parish depends on many women for paste, toothbrushes, shampoos, etc. it is a nameday, anniversary, birth - the day to day needs of the parish. From While shopping, please add something day or other celebration in the cur - feast day decorations to starting up for the collection or you can make a dona - rent calendar month, let’s make fundraisers to helping with coffee hour mention of it and celebrate it on tion to the parish and note in the subject: the 1st Sunday of the month. and cleanup - the women of the parish Sisterhood POLK have always been a great blessing! VOLUNTEERS FOR OUR WEEKLY COFFEE HOUR : Our council has voted to encourage a sisterhood of the parish to fulfill both We’re collecting school supplies as part We are always in need of volun - teers to assist with the weekly cof - outreach and fundraising endeavors in of our outreach program (IOCC). There fee hour. Please sign-up if your the community and abroad. are a lot of sales this month, so please interested in participating in the Congratulations to our newly elected officers: Denise Katseralis Narthex. You’re also welcome to & Nina Klymenko are Co-Chair; Jacqueline Righetti is Treasurer; find time to add some crayons, pencils, bring a dish to share! Natalie Pope is Secretary. May St. Nectarios guide our work in notebooks, etc. to your shopping or you CHOIR : service to the Lord’s house. can make a donation to the parish and All voices are welcome to the peo - Current projects we are working on: ple / choir / chanter responses note in the subject: Sisterhood IOCC listed in your service book. Need - Collecting much needed school supplies until August not be a professional singer to par - (notebooks, highlighters, scissors, pencil sharpeners, pens, ticipate, God doesn’t judge quality pencils, crayons, backpacks, pencil boxes, etc.) of voice - He knows what He’s - Collecting hygiene items (toothpaste, toothbrushes, soaps, etc.) given you. MEMORIALS / P ANAHIDA : - Cleaning the parish in October in preparation of our feastday Remembering those that passed this in November and the visit from our Metropolitan Bishop life is part of our faith. If you have those Gregory whom you wish to remember, please - Trying to establish funds to send some of the children of the provide Fr. Demetri their names and when they departed this life, we’d like parish to Camp Nazareth - Ongoing endeavor for camp to offer a monthly memorial on the 4th Our next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 21st. Sunday of the month. Count Your June Blessings: 1) We’re blessed that we have many new faces joining us every week. Fast of the Holy Apostles 2) We’re blessed by Harry and Sam’s diligence to repairing the door. Orthodox Christians around the world observe four fasting 3) We’re blessed we didn’t have more damage than a bent sign, cracked seasons during the year. Two of these—the Great Fast for culvert and downed tree from the car accident in June. the forty days of Lent, and the Dormition Fast during the 4) We’re blessed to hear news of Kenneth John Sanders moving north of first fifteen days of August—are considered “strict” fasts. San Francisco. The other two are generally observed as “lesser” fasts: the 5) We’re blessed to have a church family that plans outings and outreach. so-called “Christmas Lent” or fast during the forty days be - 6) We’re blessed by having our priests (Fr. Frederick Watson & Fr. Demetri) fore the Feast of the Nativity, and the Fast of the Apostles teach us the symbolism of icons and items that are used in worship. which occurs in June. 7) We’re blessed to have word that our Metropolitan Bishop Gregory will be joining us in November. In America the Fast of the Apostles is probably the least 8) We are blessed to have so many unsung heroes of the parish... council well known, but is among the oldest of Christian traditions. members, volunteers, the Sisterhood and others that donate their time, It is mentioned by St. Athanasius in the fourth century, and talent and tithe to make everything come together each day. Their there are other testimonies to its existence very early in the dedication and love of the Lord and His church often go unnoticed. history of the Church. The fast begins on the day after the 9) We’re blessed by each and every one of you! God be with you all! observance of All Saints’ Sunday, which falls one week after ********************************************************* Pentecost. ORTHODOX EDUCATION CLASSES - Fr. Demetri’s monthly Sunday teach - ing is on the Nicene Creed over the next few months. Is there a topic you’d Today the fast ends with the observance of the Feast of Sts. like him to tackle? Are there days of the week where a nightly or morning Peter and Paul, which is held on June 29. In earliest practice, study would be of benefit? Let Fr. Demetri know. however, the fast was probably not connected with the Feast of Peter and Paul. Rather, it was a time for fasting after the celebration of Pentecost and/or All Saints. Apparently, different traditions prescribed different lengths of the fast— whether for one week, several weeks, or even only one day. Today, the fast still has a variable length because of its con - nection to the date of Pentecost, and therefore of All Saints.

The date of Pentecost varies with the date of Holy Pascha (Easter), falling fifty days after Pascha. Therefore, the date of the Sunday of All Saints varies accordingly. This means that the length of the Fast of the Apostles also varies each year. For those churches which follow the Old Calendar, the Fast can be very long (as long as 42 days) or very short (8 days), depending upon when Holy Pascha falls. For Ortho - dox churches which use the New Calendar, there are some years in which there is no Apostles’ Fast at all.

There are different traditions regarding how strictly to fol - low the Fast. In most Orthodox traditions, the fast is not as Remember, when you write out your utility bills or any kind of bill, severe as that during Great Lent. Fish, wine and oil are per - to put aside something to give back to the Glory of God in your life! mitted on all days except Wednesday and Friday, which are Our goal for this year, is to have a mortgage burning for the church strict fast-days throughout the year except immediately fol - land! May God’s will be done. You can make a weekly offering or lowing the Great Feasts of the Lord. In other traditions, fish, monthly, whether you are in church or if want to mail it. At some point, wine and oil are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays during we may offer a wireless transfer or direct deposit for those tech savvy in - the Fast of the Apostles. dividuals. Passing the tray in service is awkward, clumsy and takes away from the true beauty of worship, but as it is a necessity, please place your For faithful Orthodox today, the Fast of the Apostles can be offering in the basket upfront either as you enter or as you leave the an occasion for reflection upon the lives and example of the parish. We try not to inconvenience the flow of the service by pushing Holy Apostles. On the Sunday of All Saints, we remember baskets several times a service. Help us make this a welcoming and re - and celebrate the lives of all those who have gone before laxing aspect of service. There are envelopes and pens as you enter, you us in the faith: our fathers, forefathers, the apostles, preach - can put your name and amount on them or leave them as anonymous. ers, evangelists, teachers, hierarchs and martyrs. The read - ings which are appointed for that day (Hebrews 11:33-40, other disci - 12:1-2, and Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30) remind us ples in order that countless worshippers of God have sacrificed their lives to settle the for the faith which we have inherited. matter. Paul says that he Following Jesus’ admonition recorded by St. Matthew, the opposed Apostles left behind their parents, their children, and their Peter to his possessions in order to bring the Good News of Jesus face (Gala - Christ to people who did not know Him. Christian mission - tians 2:11 aries around the world are still doing this today. During the ff.). After Fast of the Apostles we are reminded to pray for them all, some discus - and for Orthodox mission everywhere. sion it was agreed that The Fast is also an occasion to remember that in Christ, we Christians have a unity that goes far beyond our personal opinions, would no likes or dislikes. The Acts of the Apostles tells us that the longer follow Apostles themselves recognized this very early. The occa - the Law, in - sion was an argument which took place regarding whether cluding prac - the followers of Christ needed to continue to observe the tices like Law of Moses. At first, Peter and Paul took different sides circumcision in the discussion. and the complex dietary laws given in the Books of Moses. However, they would continue to observe some of the re - Both Peter and Paul were Jews, but their personalities and strictions of the Law regarding moral principles, and the backgrounds were very different. Peter, who was formerly eating of blood. a fisherman, was among the first of the disciples to follow Jesus. Presumably he was uneducated and probably spoke It is significant that Peter did not simply decide to agree only Aramaic in the local Galilean dialect. Paul, on the other with Paul on these matters. Rather, he was given a vision hand, was very well educated under Gamaliel, the most fa - from God in which it was declared that foods which were mous rabbi (teacher) of his time, and spoke several lan - formerly declared to be “unclean” for all Jews, were now guages. “clean” or acceptable (Acts 10). Thus, Peter realized that God was instituting a new order and way of life, and that Moreover, Paul—originally named Saul—was not among to agree with Paul was a matter of obedience to Christ him - the Twelve Disciples. He even led a deadly persecution of self. Christians until he received an astounding vision of Christ while on the way to Damascus (Acts 9). The blinding vision These events remind us to seek God when we have dis - changed his life forever. Thereafter he became an ardent agreements within the Church. This requires humility on our witness to the risen Christ. But because of his former life, it part, and the willingness to accept others even when we was very difficult at first for the disciples to forgive and ac - might not have agreed with them before. We let go of our cept him. own personal wishes or demands, and pray for the good of the Church and for a recognition of the will of God for all Before very long, Peter and Paul became involved in the of us together. dispute about keeping the Law. Paul, who was preaching among Gentiles, taught that it was no longer necessary to At the conclusion of the Fast, therefore, we celebrate Peter keep the Law, because the purpose of the Law was to and Paul together. The icon of the Feast depicts the two points to the death and resurrection of Christ. Paul even men standing side-by-side, holding the Church together in proclaimed that the Law had been nailed to the cross with their hands. This is a powerful symbol of the supernatural Christ, for now we are justified by faith and not by following love for one another which is given by the Holy Spirit. In the the Law (see Romans 10 and Galatians 3). Peter, however, Holy Spirit we have agreement and new life. For this reason, was drawn towards the opinion of some Jews that although Orthodox Christians today can regard the Fast of the Apos - Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah, the Law neverthe - tles as one of the most important times of the year, a time less should continue to be observed for all time. to humble ourselves and pray for genuine love and unity in the Church around the world. Paul journeyed to Jerusalem to meet with Peter and the (From the Orthodox Christian Network) Services & Scripture Readings: Glory be to God for all things. Tuesday, July 2nd - Holy Land Experience Please sign-up with Arlene Tonjes or Denise Katsarelis, we need a a group of at least 15 people to qualify for dis - count admission ($40 adult / $25 child admission). Sunday, July 7th - 9:30am - 3rd Sunday of Matthew (Fr. Frederick Watson will offer an icon teaching at service) We are having a church picnic after service. Hot dogs & hamburgers! Epistle: Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5 Gospel: Matthew 6:22-33 Sunday, July 14th - 9:30am - Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council Epistle: Titus 3:8-15 Gospel: Matthew 5:14-19 Sunday, July 21st - 9:30am - 5th Sunday of Matthew (Fr. Demetri will offer a teaching on The Nicene Creed at 9am / Sisterhood Meeting after service) Epistle Reading: Romans 10:1-10 Gospel Reading: Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1 Sunday, July 28th - 9:30am -6th Sunday of Matthew (Fr. Demetri tentatively Memorial/Panihida will be offered.) Epistle Reading: Romans 12:6-14 Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:1--8 Christ: “Dad, there’s a whole lot of people staring at us through Sign-up for reading the Epistle. Sign-up sheet is in the Hall. the window.” God, the Father: “That’ll be the Orthodox, Son.” ST. NECTARIOS AMERICAN CARPATHO-RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH 405 Marcum Road, Lakeland, FL 33809 www.stnectarios.com