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April 2014 Bulletin

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April 2014 Bulletin The Orthodox Way St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Lexington, MA Communiqué of the Primates of the Orthodox Churches By the grace of God, the proceedings of the Synaxis of the Primates of the Orthodox Autocephalous Churches concluded today, on the Sunday of Orthodoxy. The Synaxis took place at the Phanar from 6-9 March, 2014, at the invitation and under the presidency of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and was attended by all the most venerable Primates in person, with the exception of His Beatitude Patriarch John of Antioch, who, due to illness, was represented by Hierarchs of his Church. The proceedings of the Synaxis were carried out in a very fraternal spirit; the Hierarchs discussed maters concerning the life of the Orthodox Church in the contemporary Contents world, and particularly in regions where Orthodoxy and Christianity in general face serious problems and difficulties; the Hierarchs also expressed their support and Messages ………………2-3 profound interest of the Orthodox Church in its entirety concerning their fellow human Orthodoxy in News…...5 beings suffering in those regions. Above all, the Synaxis considered the prevailing Father’s Message……...6 situation in the Middle East and recent developments in Ukraine, as well as the ongoing uncertainty about the fate of the bishops, Metropolitan John of Aleppo, and Yuhanna Great Holy Week……7-8 Ibrahim of the Syriac Church, who were kidnapped by unknown persons a very long Stewardship……………..9 time ago. Youth Ministries……..10 In the framework of their Synaxis, the Primates also deliberated on the matter of the Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church and decided that, upon expediting the Adult Ministries ……..11 process of preparation, it will be convened and presided by the Ecumenical Patriarch in PC President Ltr………12 Constantinople in 2016. 50th Ann. Info…….…..13 With regard to this matter, the Primates also determined issues related to representation and participation of the Orthodox Autocephalous Churches in this Celebrations & Synod, as well as the manner of decision-making at the Synod. Announcements……….14 On Sunday morning, 9th March, the feast of Orthodoxy, the Primates concelebrated in Approaching Pascha..15 the Patriarchal Church of St. George at the Phanar, where their Message to the Vespers of Love……….16 Orthodox faithful throughout the world, their Christian brothers and sisters everywhere, and all people of goodwill, was read officially from the pulpit. Greek Ind. Parade…..17 At the Phanar, March 9, 2014 Message From Primates…………….18-19 From the Chief Secretariat IOCC…………………..…20 of the Holy and Sacred Patriots Day & Driving Synod Concerns…………...21, 24 Calendar………………..22 Holy Friday Retreat..23 Messages hurch Contact Information St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 17 Meriam St. Lexington, MA 02420 Some members of our parish family were given parking tickets for attending services www.stnicholaslex.org and parking prior to 10am on Meriam St. Please know that we are in communication with the Lexington Police Department. If you could be of some Sunday Worship Service Orthros: 8:15 a.m. assistance please contact Fr. Demetri. Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m. Main Office Secretary: Mary Correia Phone: (781) 862-6453 Email: [email protected] Hours: Mon – Thurs 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.* If you have not been receiving church material/mailing or e-mails, please contact the Presiding Priest church office at 781-862-6453 or email [email protected]. Thank you. Rev. Fr. Demetrios Costarakis Phone (office): (781) 862-0315 Phone (home): (978) 275-0002 Phone (emergency): (978) 201-0636 Email: [email protected] *Days and times may vary due to Liturgical or other schedules* Unfortunately House Blessings were not able to take place during Lent. T You will be informed a few days Parish Council prior by a phone message when Father will be in your area. Thomas Tsaros, President [email protected] Make a list of the first names of those family members you wish to pray for when the priest arrives. The Lela Digenis, Vice President names should be for the living. [email protected] On your dining room table or family altar, place a lighted candle, a Theophany icon or an Icon of Christ and a bowl with water. Judy Gray, Secretary Please secure any animals that may be in the home, so they are not frightened as the priest goes from [email protected] room to room. Marcy Norse, Treasurer [email protected] We are happy to announce that Adult Catechism & Bible Tony Gray, Stewardship Chair Study will be once again active at our parish as soon as [email protected] House Blessings are complete. A questionnaire through Survey Monkey has been set up and we encourage your Lou Saledas, Finance [email protected] input...it only has 4 questions!!! Here is the link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6SJTTP9 Maria Decoulos, Asst. Sec. [email protected] This ministry is for all on all levels: those who have grown up in the life of the church, those who have been married into the church and those who want Andy Vasilakis, Asst. Trea. to learn more about the church!!! The programs have been set up by our Archdiocese. We will [email protected] gather and watch a 20+ minute video and then have a discussion/question and answer to follow. We encourage all in 2014 to learn more about our Orthodox Faith and to participate in these classes. Maria Decoulos, Robert DeVasto, Mike Tanionos, Helen Theodosiou, Charlene Colt, Alexandra Joseph, Hope Tsacoyeanes We ask that each of you take the following survey found at this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6SJTTP9 These 4 questions will help us offer an Adult Catechism & Bible Study in the New Year! 2 Messages (continued) SAVE THE DATES St. Irene’s Philoptochos Events “31 BAG PARTY” “Girls Night Out!” Thursday, April 24, 2014 - 6:30 p.m. We will have a great evening with wine, appetizers, desserts and an opportunity to see a demonstration of 31 Products. These products include: Wallets, storage items, pocketbooks, tote bags, pet leashes, organizational stuff and so much more. It will be a fun night out and we can work together to support our beloved St. Irene's Philoptochos. Please mark your calendars and look forward to some amazing fellowship and parea! “WHITE ELEPHANT SALE” Saturday, May 10, 2014 - 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Start saving your knick-knacks, small household items, glassware, books, toys, games, sports equipment, small furniture, etc. All items must be in working condition, have all their parts and be clean. NO CLOTHING - NO TELEVISIONS - NO COMPUTER PARTS will be accepted. Drop-off schedule will be announced. In preparation for Holy Friday Night’s Lamentation Service, we will be decorating the Kouvouklion with flowers on Holy Friday Morning. Immediately following the Service of Royal Hours, volunteers will begin this sacred task. All are invited to come to the church at 10:00 a.m. and help with the preparation. 3 Sunday of Orthodoxy Pics 4 Orthodoxy In the News Vandalism at a Sacred Site in Constantinople Istanbul, Turkey 3/26/2014 Reportage and photographs by Nicholas Manginas On Sunday, March 23, 2014 at noon, a number of young vandals invaded the courtyard and the chapel of Agia Paraskevi, the site of a Sacred Spring (Agiasma), outside the Byzantine walls near the Monastery of Baloukli. For at least five hours, according to the testimony of the church sacristan (neokoros) of forty years, Athanasiou Ozkaramichaloglou, the runaway crowd of youths looted and dishonored the sacred precints of the Agiasma, disrupting the entire sanctuary, sending sacred vessels and priestly vestments flying to the floor. They also invaded the home of the neokoros. They caused significant damage, broke into the candle pangari, and when they fled, even stole a bell! These unfortunate events occurred during the celebrations of the Turkish holiday, Nevrouz, that is a Springtime festival originating in Mesopotamia and continuing today in Turkey especially among Kurds. It is worth noting that despite calls for help (that were unanswered) the neokoros and his family fled from the area, resorting to the protection of the local police station only forty meters away. Even then the police declined to intervene on the pretext of further exacerbating the crowd. The band of youths left in the wreakage two flags of the HDP Party (composed mainly of Kurds). Upon being informed of the events, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed sorrow and indignation for the vandalism at the Agiasma. 5 After Pascha… 6 End of Great Lent and Holy Week The memory of this Saint is celebrated on April 1, where her life is recorded. Since the end of the holy Forty Days is drawing nigh, it has been appointed for this day also, so that if we think it hard to practice a little abstinence forty days, we might be roused by the heroism of her who fasted in the wilderness forty-seven years; and also that the great loving-kindness of God, and His readiness to receive the repentant, might be demonstrated in very deed. About the year 626, the Persians, Avars, and Slavs came with a great host and besieged the imperial city of Constantinople while the Emperor Heraclius and the main body of the Byzantine army were absent in the East. Enemy ships filled the sea, especially the Golden Horn, and on land the adversaries were ready for attack with foot-soldiers, horses, and engines of war. Though the citizens courageously withstood them, yet they were few in number and would be unable to repulse the attack of such a great host. Hence, they could not count on any other means of salvation, except the protection of the Theotokos.
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