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DDRESS

V BELMONT CA 94002-1604

900 Alameda

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ERVICE CURRENTS Monthly Newsletter R May 2004

EQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORGAN.

BELMONT, CA 94002

PERMIT No. 17 U.S. POSTAGE

P A I D One may easily wonder why so much of what we consider im- Cross Currents portant and precious in our world is so distorted and confused; why The Monthly Newsletter of the Church of the Holy Cross does the reality of temptation and the fruit of sin seem to gain so great 900 Alameda / Belmont, CA 94002-1604 a prominence? Our Lord confronted head on these questions posed by (650) 591-4447 / fax (650) 508-9846 such a world, and He did so not with violence and destruction but with [email protected] / http://www.goholycross.org the true love which emanates only from Truth. I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E Recently Massachusetts became the first in the union to legalize gay marriage. As abhorrent as this may seem to many of us, Church Matters ...... 8 Stewardship ...... 10 there is support from many sectors of society that condone and even Festival 2004 ...... 12 Golf & Tennis Tournament ...... 12 encourage this kind of distortion and sin. From advertisements in maga- Youth Currents ...... 14 Greek Light ...... 22 zines and newspapers to teachers in our children’s classrooms, Satan’s Philop. Fashion Show. .center Church Calendar ...... center deception continues to blind many to the distance we are placing be- tween God and ourselves. As a parent, you have the greatest influence upon your chil- Articles and ads for Cross Currents are due on the 26th of the month prior to the month of desired publication. dren. Remember that your relationship with your child, despite the con- flicts that will come daily, is what will lift your child, when challenged, from confusion to clear thinking. Saint Theophan the Recluse states that the education of our OF COURSE THERE’S GOD! children is the most sacred of tasks. The most important element in this by Father Peter Salmas, Pastor educational process is the home and the instruction and guidance our children receive from parents, from their mother and father. It is this During a recently overheard conversation regarding the existence of relationship of mother and father that God has ordained and sanctified. God, a young member of our Holy Cross family reaffirmed the reality Gay marriage is man’s attempt to be like God; it is the result of of the element of faith. Gerasimos, from the back seat of the car where foolishly thinking that we, the creation, are in charge and can do it his parents were in conversation with another adult, simply said, “Of alone. We commit the sin of Adam and Eve once again when we think course there’s God.” From the mouth of babes do come words of wis- that God and His instruction to us can be put aside and replaced with dom. our own thought and vision. Every time we ignore God’s guidance and From this point of innocent but knowing faith, how do so many instruction, greater evils will be the result. Unfortunately, the more we of our children grow to become witness not to the glory of their Cre- move away from God and His plan for us, the more distorted and tragic ator but to the distortions that plague our world? When confronted by our world becomes. these distortions that do plague our lives, we must find comfort in know- Saint John the Baptist said it best : “Repent, for the Kingdom ing that the most basic and precious gifts that we wish to pass on to our of Heaven is at hand.” Let us hear and heed these words and continue children can be planted, nurtured, and grown even as seeds which, when to responsibly prepare our children for the coming of the Lord. Their carefully planted and nurtured in soil, will blossom into beautiful and innocence, protected and hence preserved, can provide the wisdom by majestic trees. which we should live our lives. page 2 - Cross Currents STEWARDSHIP - GIVING OF YOURSELF nor but do it now at your local blood bank; take the time to mark your driver’s license to indicate willingness to donate whatever can be used by Tanya W. Spirtos, M.D., Stewardship Chair & Parish Council at your death. And be absolutely sure to notify family members so that they will honor your wishes and not “waste” these precious life-sus- During the past year, the articles I have submitted have dealt with dif- taining gifts. ferent aspects of Orthodox Christian Stewardship pertaining to the giv- When I have written of stewardship funds, I focus on the giv- ing of time and of talent and of treasure. This time I will address what ing as our obligation and not on the utility bills and administrative I consider to be a very important, less often addressed, issue which costs facing our Church today. In the same way, I do not address the particularly interests me as a physician. “giving of yourself” in the context of “what if this were your son?”, On Saturday May 1st, while my daughter Alex was playing bas- implying a reciprocal arrangement in your life or in your future. In- ketball in the Church league at Holy Trinity on Brotherhood Way, I stead, I make the case that it is your responsibility to do whatever you loitered in the gym hallway reading the various postings on their bulle- possibly can, to save the life of a fellow human being. Ignoring the tin board. Surrounded by newspaper clippings, quotations of the Holy plea to donate, whether when alive or after death, shows an ignorance Fathers, and announcements, there was a notice of a bone marrow drive. of the true meaning of stewardship. When the Lord says to you “where Below a photograph of young, smiling Simon Alfred Siniora was a were you when I needed an eye?” can you really answer “if I had only letter in his own words describing his fight against Burkitt’s Lymphoma known it was you, Lord!”? and a request for bone marrow donors at two scheduled drives in San As for Simon, may your memory be eternal, dear brother, wor- Francisco. thy to be deemed happy and ever to be remembered. Less than twelve hours later, I opened the San Francisco Chronicle to find an obituary notice that Simon died on April 30th at the age of 39, leaving behind his wife Zola, and his children Jaclyn, STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE: REMINDER Alfred, Tarik and Daniella. His memorial service will be held today at St. Thomas More Church and burial at Greek Orthodox Memorial Park. Although we are well into 2004, there are families who still have not The bone marrow drive yielded five matches but it was too late sent in their Stewardship pledge cards. Please send in your pledge be- for Simon: by that time his body was too weakened to fight any longer. fore the next Parish Directory comes out! For the rest of us there is a valuable lesson to be learned: there exist among us individuals (whether related or total strangers) who match in Festival 2004 HLA-antigens and can thus donate life-saving marrow (or in other cases, by Bob Nemchik, Festival Chair a desperately sought kidney or other transplant organ). Our bodies are a loan to us for our time on earth, and we have a Here it is the start of a new Festival season. I would like to take this responsibility to care for them and use them as we strive to be God- opportunity to thank all of you who worked on Festival 2003. I have like. When our Lord gave his blood for us, did he not expect us to also tried to thank you all personally but if I inadvertently missed anyone, I give whatever we could to save each other? Your blood and your bone apologize and will do my best to get around to everyone this year. marrow while you are alive, and your corneas and kidneys and heart If anyone has any ideas or suggestions on how to make our after your death, may be a second chance for someone like Simon. Festival the best, not that it already isn’t (I always feel there is room for Don’t wait for the next personal plea to register as a bone marrow do- improvement), I invite you to meet with or call me. I also want to know Please contact Helen Valavanis 573-5315 or Viki Demakas your concerns about the Festival as well. 592-3799 to be part of this fund-raising effort. This year is going to be an exciting one, we have brand spank- ing new Food Booths, which I am sure will be a big improvement over Las Vegas Youth Music Conference the wooden booths we retired last year. For one thing - and this is major - the framework is made of steel and the only thing we will need Start spreading the news . . . Young people who love to sing and have to set them up and take them down is a ladder and gloves. Those of us fun should come to the San Francisco Metropolis Church Music Con- who do set up and take down every year will appreciate that the time it ference, Thursday, June 17 - Sunday, June 20, at the awesome New will take to do both will be drastically reduced. The Calamari and Gy- York - New York Hotel in fabulous Las Vegas. Activities will include ros booths will both be 20x12 feet and Lamb and Souvlaki booths are a pool and pizza party, arcade games, bowling and Grand Banquet. 12x12, as in prior years. The beauty of the current set up is we can add The youth will also rehearse and sing part of the Divine Liturgy on to those booths if necessary. Sunday morning. Young people from numerous Orthodox parishes My heartfelt thanks goes to Jim Stephanos for his work and will participate, so hurry and make your reservations! Come and meet time put into these new booths. He literally designed, bought the steel new friends, have the time of your life and sing like a star! This could and worked hard to make these new booths. Bravo, Jim! The booths, be a fantastic vacation for the whole family! Hotel rates have been with care, should last us a very long time. specially discounted for conference participants. For information, call Some other changes will be made this year but I cannot say Eva Canellos, 529-0180. what they will be until I check with the County Fire and Health Depart- ments, but I think you will find them very positive. We continually are trying to make things better and your input is valued and welcomed. THREE HIERARCHS BOOKSTORE So I thank you all in advance for all your good works of Stew- ardship of Time, Talent and Treasure. Remember all we have belongs Our Three Hierarchs Bookstore continues to provide for “learners of to God and we are just the stewards of His unending number of gifts. all levels” resources for continued spiritual growth. New book titles by Please come to our first Festival meeting on Wednesday, June Saint Vladimir’s Seminary professors and authors Fathers Paul Tarazi 16 at 7 PM, in The Oaks. Thanks. and Veselin Kesich include commentaries on Paul and Mark, Luke and Acts, Thessalonians and Galatians. Also, a new selection of MORE Festival 2004 children’s books will appeal to our young people. With the season for graduations upon us and sacraments of loved ones always with us, it is good to remember that icons are appropriate as gifts to mark these Are you interested in a career change for Festival 2004? The Agora special occasions. Come by your Holy Cross Bookstore to peruse all awaits you. that is available. Helen Valavanis and Viki Demakas are retiring from chair- ing this worthwhile , rewarding act of stewardship to the church. They and their outstanding committee are willing to stay and assist the new team. The Agora is a very popular, lucrative and fun loving experi- ence PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS FESTIVAL Our youngest Philoptochos member Alexandra Nemchik (19) as- sembles “Easter Baskets” for Haven House families. This Easter the Philoptochos organized a Lenten project to help families at Haven House MEETING with personal and household items. Thank you so much to those who donated “Easter Baskets” We delivered 32 “baskets” to the moms of the families before Easter. Haven House is a temporary shelter for fami- lies to stay until they are able to move into permanent housing. These Everyone is invited! are furnished apartments. However, the families need to acquire bed- Please come to share the news, ding, towels and kitchen things that they can take with them to their new homes. (Used but in good condition is OK) If you can help please hear about the changes, contact Helene Nemchik 345-2719. express your suggestions and ideas!

Wednesday, June 16 at 7 PM in The Oaks

Our Belmont Greek Festival is Labor Day Weekend September 4,5,6 sun, etc. So before we take the first step, we have to know all the de- tails about the plants we want in our garden, and also details about the YOUTH CURRENTS weather in the area that we live and if that plant will be able to bloom May 2004 edition there. At the same time we have to take time to clean the area for our Grow in the Grace and knowledge garden basically to make all the preparations before the planting. After of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. the preparations we have to plant our seeds or seedlings. The garden is 2 Peter 3:18 not done just by planting -- the real work begins because we have to protect the plants from weeds, insects, and extremes in weather. At the same time we have to be careful about the amount of the water we give FROM ATHANASIOS and the times that we water the plants. As you see, our garden requires a lot of work. Can you imagine Very soon the seniors will graduate from high school and the universi- how much more work we have to do for our soul? The virtues are like ties. It is a fact that all of us have dreamed about our life’s future and the jewelry that decorate our soul. Patience is the great virtue that will this is especially true for those who are seniors. It is the time when they open the doors for the successes of our life. It is not enough to show complete one step of their studies and very anxiously want to continue patience only once in a while -- we have to become a source of pa- to their next dream. Life becomes very exciting but at the same time tience so when the one instance of patience is exhausted another will we have to take time to see clearly our plans. In our life we need to continue. How many times has it happened to have one problem fol- have patience and more specifically the Holy Fathers speak about “pa- lowed by another and another? For that reason, it is important to culti- tience in plural.” Let us see why patience is a virtue and what is pos- vate patience in our life. Only then are we going to realize how our life sible for those who possess patience to do. can be changed and that nothing can stop us from our goal of making Allow me to use a negative example in order to prove my point. our dreams a reality. All of us have seen from time to time people who do not have any There is another story from the in which the spiri- patience. They are not able to sit still and when they want something tual father puts a stick in the earth about three miles away from their they want it right now. I can use another example the toddlers who, skete and asks his student to water it two times a day morning and when they want something, want it at that moment or they cry out afternoon. So the student had to take a bucket with water and walk loudly and misbehave. three miles to water the stick and then three mile to come back and do On the other hand all of us have met people who have great it again in the afternoon. The faithful student did this with good obedi- patience and something that can be described as a calmness in their ence from that stick came fruit on the third year. Can you see the pa- life. In fact the Holy Fathers said that patience is the mother of all the tience of this student to walk two times a day through the desert to virtues because with this virtue you are able to work towards every water a stick? Of course, his obedience gave the fruit, but if he did not other virtue. This is true because life is not simple, and we often expe- have patience, he would not have been able to show obedience. This is rience difficulties. Let me share with you a story that someone told me the reason why the Holy Fathers speak about patience as the mother of once. every virtue. Our life is like a garden. First we have to decide what we are If we showed more patience to one another, can you imagine going to plant in that garden. We know that plants need special care. how our lives could be changed? Can you see that we would have a Some plants like warm weather, some others cold; some like a lot of page 14 - Cross Currents Cross Currents - page 19 less stressful life and we would be able to experience more, the grace CRYPTO-CROSS of our Lord, being able to love one another more, and acknowledge each other just by having more patience? If we want to grow spiritu- Decipher the clues in the Bible passage below (using the key at the ally, let us start with patience so that we can become worthy of His bottom of the grid on the left) and write the solutions in the appropriate Heavenly Kingdom. AMEN. place on the grid. For example, you are given “kbo” for the word in 12 across, that deciphers to “HIM”. Fill in “HIM” at 12 across. YOUTH Choir We are very pleased to welcome our newest member, Annamarie Buonocore. She joins Alexandra Nemchik, Gabrielle Nemchik, Athina Panagiotidis, Pano Panagiotidis, Vicki Paraskevas, Yasmin Yazdi. Singers’ ages 8-18 interested in the Youth Choir are invited to contact Director Khara-Maria Salmas at 278-6692 or [email protected]. We meet Friday’s from 3:30-4:30 PM. BIBLE puzzles SEVEN-LETTER ACROSTIC

Solve the clues below to give you the words for the grid on the right. Fill in each of the 20 lines with the solution words going across. If you need help, the circled letter in each solution is the first letter of the next word. WISDOM/REFLECTION : HOW OFTEN Therefore, like all the rest of God’s commandments, every one requires the right time, as it says in the Book of Ecclesiastes, “For SHOULD WE RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION everything there is a season.” by Macarius Notaras This is true also with regard to the command about Holy Com- munion. We must receive the proper time; and that means the proper To receive Communion the usual two or three times a year is good and time is the moment when the priest exclaims, “In the fear of God and helpful, but to receive Communion more frequently is far better. Re- with faith and love draw near.” member, the nearer a person comes to the light, the more light he gets. Is this heard only three times a year? Oh, no. Yet, although The closer he draws to the fire, the warmer he is. The nearer he ap- everyone must eat two or even three times a day in order that the mate- proaches sanctity, the more saintly he becomes. rial body may live, must the unfortunate soul only eat three times a In the same way, the more often one draws near to God in Commun- year-or perhaps even once-the food that gives it life in order to live the ion, the more one receives light and warmth and holiness. My friend, if spiritual life? And isn’t this completely absurd? Even if this is not the you are worthy to make your Communion two or three times a year, case, I am very much afraid that we may be deriving no benefit from you are worthy of making it more often, as St. tells complying with the commandments, because we water them down and us, by maintaining your own earlier preparation and worthiness. spoil them. So we are not keepers of the law, but breakers of the law. But what does stop us from taking Communion? The answer is our carelessness and laziness, and we give way to these faults so much TREASURED GREEK PROVERBS that we are not sufficiently prepared to be able to receive Communion. There is another way of looking at this problem, too. People like this do not, in fact, obey God’s commandment as they imagine they do. Where did God, or any one of the saints for that matter, bid us communicate two or three times a year? Nowhere is this found. There- fore we must be very sure that, when we obey a command, it is our duty to see that we are obeying it exactly as it says. That is, we must pay attention to the place, the time, the purpose, the method and all the conditions in which it should take place. Thus the good action that we wanted to perform will be perfect in every detail and well pleasing to God. You can see that the same thing applies to the case of Holy Communion. It is both necessary and very beneficial to the soul for a person to receive Communion frequently. It is also in obedience to the commandment of God. It is a good deed well done and well-pleasing to God. On the other hand to communicate only three times a year is neither in obedience to a command nor a perfect good deed. Because it is not good in itself, its results are not good. CRYPTO-CROSS :

ANSWERS

SEVEN-LETTER ACROSTIC : COMMUNITY EASTER CARDS

We were unable to list some names in last year’s Community Easter Card but are happy to be able to list them here :

Nikki Athanasiou Bob & Betsy Davos, Alexander and Stephanie John, Sarah, Marcella, Sophia & Matthew Haddad Ms Ann Konstantelos Mike & Roxanne Koston Nick & Othonia Makris George, Anthie & Elizabeth Mitropoulos Ted & Mary Pappas Mrs. Mary Portolos Rolan & Irene Ramirez Mark, Kathryn, David and Alexander Simon Eugenia Verbeckmoes SPIRITUAL REFLECTION “I will meditate on Your commandments, and contemplate Your ways.” -Ps. 119:15

Saint Arsenius the Great - (May 8)

Saint Arsenius the Great was born in the year 354 at into a pious Christian “Arsenius, flee people and dwell in silence, this is the root of sinless ness.” From that family, which provided him a fine education and upbringing. Having studied the secu- moment St. Arsenius settled in a solitary cell outside the skete. Having taken on the lar sciences and mastered the Latin and Greek languages to perfection, St. Arsenius struggle of silence he seldom left from his seclusion. He came to church only on Sun- acquired profound knowledge, combined with a pious and virtuous life. His deep faith days and Feast days, observing complete silence and conversing with no one. To the impelled the youth to leave his preoccupation with the sciences and choose service to question of one monk, why he so hid himself from people, the ascetic answered, “God God. When he entered into the ranks of the clergy at one of the Roman churches, he sees that I love all, but I am not able to be simultaneously with God and with people. was then elevated to the dignity of deacon. The Heavenly Powers all have one will and unanimously praise God. On earth, how- The emperor Theodosius (379-395), who ruled the Eastern half of the Roman Empire, ever, each man has his own will and thoughts of various people. I am not able, to for- heard about his erudition and piety, and he entrusted to Arsenius the education of his sake God and live with people.” sons and . Against his will, but in obedience to the command of the Dwelling in constant prayer, the monk however did not refuse visiting monk’s counsel Roman Pope Dymas, St. Arsenius was compelled to withdraw from service at the holy and guidance, giving short, but perceptive answers to their questions. One time a monk altar when he was 29 years old. from Skete coming to the great Elder saw him through a window standing at prayer, Having arrived at Constantinople, Arsenius was received with great honor by the em- surrounded by a flame. The handicraft of St. Arsenius was woven baskets, for which he peror Theodosius, who charged him to educate the imperial sons not only in wisdom, took the leaves of Phoenician palms from which he plaited baskets, having soaked them but also in piety, guarding them from the passions of youth. “Though also they be in water. For a whole year St. Arsenius did not replace the water in a container, from imperial sons,” said Theodosius, “yet must they be obedient unto thee in everything, as which issued forth a putrid stench. When asked why he did this, the monk answered that to their father and teacher.” in this way he would humble himself, since in the world he had been surrounded by With fervor the monk concerned himself with the education of the youths, but the high fragrant smells. Now he would endure the stench instead, so that after death he would esteem with which he was surrounded troubled his spirit, which yearned for service to not know the stench of hell. God and the quietude of monastic life. In fervent prayer the monk besought the Lord to The fame of the great ascetic spread far, and many wanted to see him, and they dis- show him the way to salvation. The Lord hearkened to his prayer and one time he turbed the quietude of the great ascetic. As a result, the monk was forced to move heard a voice, telling him, “Arsenius, flee people and be saved.” And then, removing around from place to place. But those thirsting to receive guidance and blessing still his rich clothing and replacing it by that of a wanderer, he secretly left the court, got found him. upon a ship and sailed off to , from which he quickly hastened to a skete St. Arsenius taught that many take upon themselves great exploits of repentance and monastery. vigil, but rare is the one who will guard his soul from jealousy, anger, and remembrance Arriving at the church, he besought the priest to accept him into the monastic brother- of evil, judgment and pride. In this they are like adorned graves, which are filled with hood, calling himself a wretched wanderer, though his very manner betrayed him as the stench of bones. A certain monk asked the saint what he should do when he read the not a simple but rather cultivated man. The brethren led him off to the monk Abba Psalms and did not understand their meaning. The Elder answered, that he should con- , famed for his holiness of life. He, wishing to test the humility of the tinue the reading of the Psalms, since the evil powers flee from us, unable to bear the newcomer, did not seat Arsenius amongst the monks at the refectory meal, but rather power of the written Word of God. The monks happened to hear how the saint often threw him sugar saying, “Eat if thou dost wish.” With great humility St. Arsenius fell urged himself on in his efforts with the words, “Work, Arsenius, do not loaf about; thou to his knees, came up to the sugar and ate it, having gone off into a corner. Seeing this, hast come not for rest, but for work.” He also said, “Many a time repented I about my Elder John said, “He will be a great ascetic!” Then accepting Arsenius with love, he words, but about my silence, never.” tonsured the beginning ascetic into monasticism. The great ascetic and keeper of silence were given the gift of tears with which his eyes St. Arsenius zealously passed through his obedience’s and soon he surpassed many of were constantly filled. He spent 55 years at monastic endeavors, earning from his con- the desert Fathers in . Once at prayer the monk again heard the Voice, temporaries the title “the Great.” He reposed at age 95 in the year 449 or 450.

if necessary, remove this page from Cross Currents to read both sides CALENDAR subject to changes - please check your Sunday Bulletins

UPCOMING SERVICES Sunday, July 18 - 8:15 AM, Orthros, 9:30 AM, Divine Liturgy Saturday, June 5 – 5:30 PM, Great Vespers Saturday, July 24 – 5:30 PM, Great Vespers Sunday, June 6 – 8:30 AM, Orthros, 10 AM, Divine Lit- Sunday, July 25 - 8:15 AM, Orthros, 9:30 AM, Divine urgy Liturgy Saturday, June 12 – 5:30 PM, Great Vespers Sunday, June 13 – 8:30 AM, Orthros, 10 AM, Divine Liturgy Saturday, June 19 – 5:30 PM, Great Vespers

- summer schedule for Sunday Liturgy begins! - MEETINGS & UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday, June 20 - 8:15 AM, Orthros, 9:30 AM, Divine Tuesdays, 10:30 AM, Bible Study (Fireside Room) Liturgy Thursday, June 24 – Nativity of John the Forerunner, 8 Tuesday, June 1 - 11 AM, ORA; 7 PM, Philoptochos Board AM, Orthros, 9 AM, Divine Liturgy Thursday, June 3, 10-11:30, Toddler Play Group (final Saturday, June 26 – 5:30 PM, Great Vespers meeting before summer) Sunday, June 27 – 8:15 AM, Orthros, 9:30 AM, Divine Monday, June 7 - 7 PM, Tech Committee (Library) (note Liturgy new date!) Saturday, July 3 – 5:30 PM, Great Vespers Tuesday, June 8 - GOYA, Jr. GOYA, JOY & HOPE Sunday, July 4 - 8:15 AM, Orthros, 9:30 AM, Divine Thursday, June 10 - 7:00 PM, Filia (Oaks) Liturgy Tuesday, June 15 - 7:30 PM, Parish Council (Library) Saturday, July 10 – 5:30 PM, Great Vespers Wednesday, June 16 - 7 PM, Festival - Everyone invited! Sunday, July 11 - 8:15 AM, Orthros, 9:30 AM, Divine (The Oaks) Liturgy Saturday, June 26 - Cross Currents articles and ads due at Saturday, July 17 – 5:30 PM, Great Vespers 4 PM

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