The Epistle of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church DECEMBER 22909 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River, Ohio 2016 Pastoral Thoughts by Fr
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The Epistle of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church DECEMBER 22909 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River, Ohio 2016 Pastoral Thoughts by Fr. Jim Doukas Dear Parishioners: Now that we have already entered the Christmas Advent Period and approaching Christmas Day, it brings to mind a Nice very interesting conversation that I happened to overhear concerning Christmas. This actually startled me. Sun., Dec. 4 Sunday School Pageant & “St Nick” Breakfast and Nameday I heard this young mother telling her friends that Coffee Hour she cannot wait for Christmas to be over because she hates this whole season. She groused about Thu., Dec. 8 Yassou Holiday social having to bake for all her company and mailing so many Christmas Cards. She continued on Sun., Dec. 11 St. Modestos’ Pet blessing mentioning how many more items she needed in order to purchase to complete her grocery list. Thu., Dec. 15 Philoptochos Christmas Auction Then, as she took a deep breath she started listing how many presents she still needed to purchase. Fri., Dec. 16 JOY Gingerbread Party She was very happy though, that her poor husband at least had decorated the outside of the house with Sun., Dec. 18 Choir Concert, lights and put up the Christmas Tree with the kids. Greek School Program, After all of that, she stated: “Have I ever told you GOYA caroling how much I hate this time of year?” As I heard those disturbing words, I just wanted to hug that mom who was holding an infant in her hands and tell her; “Ma’am, it’s not that bad when you think about the real reason why we celebrate Christmas!” Holy Days 8:30 a.m. Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy There’s nothing wrong in knowing how many St. Barbara- Sunday, December 4 (church) more days of shopping are left before Christmas. St. Nicholas – Tuesday, December 6 (church) Nor how many people will be receiving our cards St. Spyridon – Monday, December 12 (chapel) of gifts, as well as dates to remember about St. Basil– Sunday, January 1 (Church) gatherings of family and friends, as well as the St. John the Baptist – Saturday, January 7 (chapel) menu for Christmas Dinner. What is wrong, is when we forget to allow Christmas Day to remain Nativity Royal Hours - Fri., Dec. 23 , 8:30 a.m. (chapel) Holy. Christmas Eve - Sat., Dec. 24, 8:30 am Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Div. Liturgy (Church; Communion offered) May our Lord Bless you and your family ~6:00 p.m. Vespers (Church; No Communion) throughout this Christmas Season and grant you Christmas - Sunday, December 25 (Church, regular Divine Liturgy) much health and happiness as well as PEACE and HOLINESS. Eve of Epiphany– Thu., Jan. 5, Royal Hours at 8:30 a.m. (chapel) and 6:00 p.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy (Communion offered) MERRY CHRISTMAS! Epiphany –Fri., Jan. 6 , 8:30 am Orthros; 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy The Epistle is the official publication of the Greek Orthodox Community of St. Demetrios Phone: (440) 331-2246 Fax: (440) 331-8407 Church Organizations’ Contacts Acolyte Coordinator www.saintdemetriosrr.org …………..…Tom Hlepas…216-269-3265 AHEPA …………………………...Costa Petros…440-937-8079 Sunday Services: Orthros 8:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Bible Study :……...………Evangeline Richards…216-221-3003 Bookstore ……….....……...…….Donna Vassos…440-331-5547 Editor : Eleni Papouras-Jenks Choir Director/Canto r…..…....Bill Matzorkis…..216-496-4230 Publication Deadlines : Weekly Bulletin – Wednesday Youth Choir …….…..Diane Matzorkis…440-463-3068 Monthly Epistle – The 15 th of the preceding month Daughters of Penelope …..………Elisa Demis…440-665-1348 Clergy and Office Staff Greek School Principal Eleni Papouras-Jenks...216-965-8131 Fr. James Doukas, Priest………………(Home) 440-899-3257 Board of Education Maria Mougianis…….440-835-2888 Fr. Anastasios Athanasiou, Assistant Priest……..412-758-1068 PTO Kiki Poulopoulos …………………..440-979-9293 [email protected] GOYA Advisors Athena Diamantis………………216-469-8607 Eleni Papouras-Jenks, Office Mgr [email protected] Sophia Tjotjos…...……….…….440-331-4000 Nick Hillman, Operations Mgr [email protected] Student President Paolo Diamantis John Stamatiades, Church Accountant…440-331-2246, ext. 4 Hellenic Dancers Dale Stalnaker, Webmaster …………[email protected] Aeraki Beginners Group…….. Maria Coutris…412-915-7838 For a seasonal prayer, call the church and choose extension 7 Kymata Jr. Group ….……...Angelia Szekely…440-724-3807 Parish Council Kyklonas ………………. Eleni Papouras-Jenks…216-965-8131 James Diamond, President…..……………….…440-725-9636 JOY ………………………….Sally Tsirambidis…440-716-0581 Byron T. Spooner, Vice President….......……….440-724-1923 Κόλλυβα (Memorial Tray)…...…Ann Carpadis…440-871-8625 Steve Alex, Treasurer……………………………440-823-9595 Becky Giallourakis…440-610-3516 Randy Carpenter, Financial Secretary…..………440-878-0036 Mary Theodore/ Bessie Pappas…..440-331-6180 Eugenia Burpulis, Secretary…...………………...440-356-1746 Library Committee ….………..…...Andie Titas...440-779-8581 Nicholas Giallourakis…………………………....440-773-9931 Philoptochos ……………………[email protected] Andreas Koustis…...…………………………….216-513-8905 President ………Stephanie Zavatchen….440-385-7448 Nikolaos Petousis ………………………....…….440-570-7889 Sunshine Committee ….Elpida Kosmidis…440-779-8959 Anthony Trakas……...…………………………..440-385-7741 Sunday School ….…………... [email protected] _____________________________________ Principal Maggie Steffas…….440-871-6362 Endowment Fund ……………Manuel Steffas…440-871-6362 Spiritual Life Committee ...Angie Giallourakis…440-871-2681 Trust Fund ……………............John Stamatis…440-937-6258 Yassou Club …...…………....Mary Pappadakes…440-799-4821 ORTHODOX ORGANIZATIONS IOCC www.iocc.org Pascalis Papouras : [email protected] St. Herman’s House of Hospitality FOCUS Cleveland www.sainthermans.com OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship of BWU, CWRU, CSU, JCU, Tri-C)……… Mira Damljanovic: m [email protected] St. Panteleimon Orthodox Christian Outreach www.stpanteleimon.com OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center) www.ocmc.org Zoe for Life ! www.zoeforlifeonline.org For local Orthodox events: www.orthodoxcleveland.us Speaking of Stewardship … 3 From the President’s Pen : Embrace Your Treasure By James Diamond Over one hundred years ago, my parents were immigrants who journeyed from Turkey to Greece to Ellis Island to Cumberland, in western Maryland. Thirty families of Greek decent settled in Cumberland becoming a close knit group. There was no Greek Orthodox church in Cumberland. The closest church was in Johnstown, PA. The priest would make two visits per year, but never on a holiday. Service was held upstairs above my dad’s restaurant. The pool tabled had to be moved to create adequate space for the service. The same room was also used for the local AHEPA meetings. In our home, we had a small holy room as did many of the other families. A kandili hung from the ceiling along with icons on the walls. Mom changed the kandili wick daily. After lighting the kandili , we recited the Lord’s Prayer in both Greek and English. Mom also had a censor, which she used to bless each room on Sunday and holidays. GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING: Both my parents believed I needed more religious teachings. They SUNDAY, DEC. 4, 2016 at Noon managed to receive permission from the diocese for me to attend the A QUORUM OF AT LEAST 25 MEMBERS IN local Episcopal church, where I attended from the 8th through 12 th grade. GOOD STANDING ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS I also participated in the basketball program, much like GOYA today, MEETING. If Quorum is not met, the meeting until I moved on to play in high school. The local church league played WILL take place on Wed., December 6, at 7:00 on two week nights at the nearby YMCA. Each Sunday I walked p.m. with or without quorum, per the by-laws. approximately three miles to the Episcopal church. AGENDA At that time, on Sunday there were: Presentation of the 2017 Budget • No travel soccer or baseball tournaments Gala report • No spinning classes at 10:00 AM New Business: Home Committee Requests for • No retail stores open for business • Purchase of a 15x15 tent to replace Sundays were devoted to Christ, family, peace and tranquility. • Purchase of security camera system As I moved along with my life after high school, I relocated to • Replacement of heating/air condition units Cleveland where I lived with my sister and her family. I served in the NOTE: The Election originally scheduled for this military, and completed my college education. A few years later, my date has been cancelled due to no candidate sister and I decided it was necessary to have mom and dad relocate to petitions being submitted. Cleveland. They were getting up in years and both had health issues which began to affect some of their simple tasks in a simple lifestyle. Thanks to…. What happened shortly after their arrival was truly a blessing. They Greg & Katherine Stark for donating a Greek flag had a church to attend! This was missing for nearly sixty years. Every for the flagpole in the front. Sunday, every holiday, every vesper, they were in church….here in St. Nick Kariotakis, Harry Giallourakis & Steve Demetrios. Only severe weather or health issues would prevent their Steffas for the pancakes on Stewardship Sunday. attendance. To both mom and dad…..they had found their The PTO ladies who decorated all the trees in the TREASURE…ST. DEMETRIOS. Narthex, hall and St. Demetrios is now our TREASURE. Our TREASURE is need of l lobbies, and to your help. We need a continuance of leadership. Sad to say, but there John & Betty have been three parish council seat vacancies since January. Plus, no Poulos for one has stepped forward as a candidate for this year’s election for an donating the additional six vacancies. poinsettias. How do expect our TREASURE….church, cultural hall, Sunday school, Greek school, GOYA supported by a beautiful gymnasium to continue to operate? How do expect our TREASURE to operate if the funds needed to pay our existing and escalating expenses fall short? I ask each and every steward to step forward and help as much as you can.