GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION YORK, PENNSYLVANIA THE LADDER

MARCH 2015

THEOPHYLAKTOS, BISHOP OF NICOMEDIA—MARCH 8

Theophylaktos was from the East; his native city is INSIDE THIS ISSUE: unknown. In Constantinople he became a close friend of Tarsius, who afterwards became FROM THE DESK OF 3 of Constantinople. Theophylaktos was made Bishop FR. ANDREW of Nicomedia. After the death of Tarsius, his successor Nicephorus (see June 2) called together a STEWARDSHIP NEWS 4-6 number of Bishops to help him in fighting the iconoclasm of Emperor Leo the Armenian, who St. Theophylaktos, Bishop PARISH COUNCIL 4 reigned from 813-820. Among them was Euthymius, of Nicomedia—March 8 Bishop of Sardis, who had attended the holy Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787 - he was exiled three times for the YOUTH NEWS 7-11 sake of the holy icons, and for defying the Emperor Theophilus' THE VOICE OF OUR command to renounce the veneration of the icons, was scourged from 11-17 head to foot until his whole body was one great wound, from which FAITH he died eight days later, about the year 830; of Thessalonica; ALENDAR 18-19 of Synnada; Emilian, Bishop of Cyzicus; and Saint C Theophylaktos who boldly rebuked Leo to his face, telling him that because he despised the long-suffering of God, utter destruction was Η ΚΛΙΜΑΞ 20 about to overtake him, and there would be none to deliver him. For COMMUNITY this, Theophylaktos was exiled to the fortress of Strobilus in Karia of 26-28 ANNOUNCEMENTS Asia Minor, where, after 30 years of imprisonment and hardship, he gave up his holy soul about the year 845. Leo the Armenian, according to the Saint's prophecy, was slain in church on the eve of our Lord's Nativity, in 820. Apolytikion, Plagial of the Second Tone Thou didst live a life hidden in God, O all-famed Theophylaktos, but Christ revealed thee unto all as a shining light set upon the spiritual lampstand, and He placed in thy hands the tablets of the Spirit's doctrines; whereby do thou enlighten us. GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION 2500 Pine Grove Road, York, Pennsylvania 17403

Phone: 717-741-4200 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 717-747-0468 Website: agocy.org

Office Hours: Monday—Friday, 9:00 AM—2:00 PM

THE LADDER Monthly newsletter of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. Submissions for consideration are due on the 10th of each month.

Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation Schedule of Worship Hours Ministry Team Sunday Service 8:45 am—Orthros

10:00 am—Divine Liturgy Clergy Sunday Church School

Rev. Fr. Andrew N. Tsikitas, Parish Priest Begins immediately after Holy Communion. Rev. Deacon Robert Kuchta Weekday Services

Saturday Vespers—6:00 pm Parish Council Orthros/Divine Liturgy— 9:00 am

Alex Daoularis—President Schedule of Church Events Nicholas Agapis—Vice President Weekly Bible Study: Tuesday, 6:30—8:00 pm Vicki Karandrikas—Secretary Pastoral Visitations: As needed or by request Lola Lamnatos—Treasurer Home & Business Blessings: By request Michael Hiras Eleftherios Hristofas George Karanicolas Dr. George Lapes Thomas Livaditis Chriss Papayannis Contacts Maria V. Skouras Choir Director 9999..99...... Dr. George Lapes

Choir Director, Emeritus 99...Dr. P Kirk Pandelidis Church Staff Food Festival Committee 99999...Tom Livaditis Chantors9.9999999...9...Nick Karageorge GOYA Coordinator 9..9.99....99...Kathy Rodas Tom Rontiris GOYA Athletics Director 9.9...... Chriss Papayannis Greek School Teacher 99..9....99....Eleni Veron Office Administrator 999..999...Diane Shillott HOPE & JOY Coordinator 99...... Kate Giovanis Custodian 99999999....99...Jason Beard HOPE & JOY Advisor 999..9.Athena Kostarellos Organist 9999999999...9 Alissa Nicoara Oratorical Festival Coordinator .99..Chris Giovanis The Ladder 99999...9..9..Chriss Papayannis Philoptochos 999999..999..Pauline Rosario Sunday Bulletin 99..999.9.Fr. Andrew Tsikitas Sunday School Coordinator 999..Kyriaka Tsoflias

MARCH 2015 PAGE 3 FR. ANDREW TSIKITAS’ MESSAGE

From the Desk of Fr. Andrew … our community, taking part in our already, well-established ministries, or Welcome all to our resurrected monthly to suggest new avenues for us to pursue. community newsletter. I would like to In the final analysis, I am very excited to first of all apologize for the lengthy begin this new year with a fresh vision absence of this portion of our parish for our community. We have new communications. This redesign was people on board at all levels, and aimed at streamlining the product and together we can take the steps necessary making it easier to work on and to to launch our community forward in distribute to all of you; thank you for 2015 and the years to come. We are your patience. poised and ready to fulfill our mission We have brought on board a few new as a parish of the Greek Orthodox faces to help with the production of our Archdiocese, and to be a shining beacon newsletter, and I am looking forward to of Christ’s love for all to see. the fresh perspective they will bring to Let me close with a reiteration of our this outreach project. My hope is to also community’s mission statement: make this publication not only a source of information, but an opportunity to “The Mission of the Annunciation Greek engage in conversation with the Orthodox Church of York, Pennsylvania members of our community and even is to respond to the Great Commission beyond, providing an opportunity to of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew address concerns and questions that all 29:18-20), by keeping, practicing and who read this may have. proclaiming the Orthodox Christian Faith pure and undefiled to all who seek My hopes and prayers for this new year the truth through the four pillars of are simple … I would like to see us come Worship (Leitourgia), Fellowship together as a family of faith, to (Koinonia), Service (Diakonia) and understand more deeply what it means Witness (Martyria).” to be an Orthodox Christian and a member of the Body of Christ. I would A blessed 2015 to us all, I remain your like to see our community become more humble and unworthy servant in Christ, open and welcoming to all who come through our doors; from the Orthodox †Andrew “transplant” to our area, to the casual, curious visitor who has no knowledge of or connection with the Orthodox faith. I would also like to see more of our members take an active role in the life of PAGE 4 THE LADDER STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE

STEWARDSHIP NEWS

2014 GOAL: $100,000 2014 monies received: $ 88,599 (181 pledges) 2014 monies outstanding: $ 4,000 (projected) 2014 Total: $ 92,599 Unrealized Goal: $ 7,401

During the week of January 25, 2015, the Stewardship Committee sent letters to the community listing all the members who made their Stewardship Commitment for 2014. Unfortunately, a few names were omitted accidentally. The following Names/Family's fulfilled their 2014 Stewardship:

Mr. and Mrs. Costas Hioutis Mrs. Bess Mr. and Mrs. Gerasimos Sideras Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Sartalis Mr. and Mrs. Demetrios Papadiamantis

We appreciate your generosity and support of our community. Thank you to all that have contributed!

PARISH COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPRING GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Sunday, April 19 Immediately following church service Discussion will include a Building Committee report on the expansion of the church campus. The Parish Council has scheduled this meeting for all members. Please mark your calendar. We need you to vote for the future of our church.

STEWARD UPDATE, 2014/ΑΝΑΠΡΟΣΑΡΜΟΓΗ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΩΝ, 2014 (as of 1-12-15)

Dr. & Mrs. George Agapis Mr. & Mrs. Gus Hioutis Mrs. Helen Lewis Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Rodas Mr. & Mrs. John Agapis Mrs. Hrisoula Hioutis Ms. Alisa Livaditis Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Rontiris Dr. & Mrs. Nicholas Agapis Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hiras Atty. Dorothy Livaditis Mr. & Mrs. Michael Rosario Dr. & Mrs. Steven Agapis Mr. & Mrs. William Hondos Mr. John N. Livaditis Mr. & Mrs. Themis Sacarellos Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Aggelis Mr. & Mrs. Eleftherios Dr. & Mrs. Nicholas Livaditis Mr. & Mrs. John Sagonas Mr. & Mrs. Peter Alexopoulos Hristofas Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Livaditis Mr. & Mrs. Chris Saltos Mr. Mitchell Angelos Mr. & Mrs. Florin Ionescu Mrs. Vasiliki Livaditis Mrs. Julie Sekeres Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Anstine Mrs. Mary Kailian Mr. & Mrs. Konstantine Mallas Mr. & Mrs. James Sgagias Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Anstine Mr. & Mrs. Stylianos Ms. Leah Mallas Mr. & Mrs. Konstantine Mr. & Mrs. William Asimos Kakaziotis Mr. & Mrs. William Mallas Sgagias Mr. Christopher Barakos Mrs. Maria Kalathas Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Mandras Dr. Magdelene Sgagias Mr. & Mrs. George N. Barakos Mr. Paul Kanellakis Mr. Athanasios Margetas Mrs. Kelly (Skouras) Sheasley Mr. & Mrs. John Barakos Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Kapsalis Mr. George H. Margetas Mr. John Skeparnias Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Barakos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Drs. George P. & Patricia Mr. & Mrs. Louis Skeparnias Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Benas Karageorgos Margetas Mr. Nicholas Skeparnias Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Benefiel Mr. & Mrs. George Mr. & Mrs. Peter Margetas Mrs. Voula Skeparnias Mr. & Mrs. Mark Bittner Karandrikas Ms. Sevi Margetas Mr. & Mrs. George V. Skouras Mrs. Evangelia Bouras Mr. & Mrs. Nicholaos Mr. & Mrs. James Masgalas Ms. Maria K. Skouras Mr. & Mrs. Colin Burtner Karandrikas Mrs. Georgia Mavros Ms. Maria V. Skouras Mr. & Mrs. Louis Chiadis Mr. & Mrs. George Karanicolas Dr. & Mrs. Gela Mchedlishvil Ms. Roula Skouras Mr. & Mrs. Takis Cologer Mr. & Mrs. Odisefs Mr. & Mrs. Patrick McWatters Mr. & Mrs. Stavros Skouras Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Coroneos Karanicolas Mr. Thomas Meligakes Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Skouras Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Mr. Constantine Minetos Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Daoularis Karanikas Mr. Dimitrios Mokas Smolskiy Mr. & Mrs. Dionisios Daoularis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Katz Mrs. Connie Murphy Ms. Kalliopi Somis Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Daoularis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Keares Drs. Jonathan & Yanna Mr. & Mrs. James Spanos Mr. & Mrs. Steven Delaveris Mr. & Mrs. Brian Kersey Nachtigall Mr. & Mrs. James St. John Mr. & Mrs. Chris Demetriades Mr. & Mrs. Gus Kocoronis Ms. Martha Newmoyer Mr. & Mrs. George Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Drivas Mr. & Mrs. Harry Kocoronis Mr. & Mrs. Teofil Nicoara Stavropulos Mr. & Mrs. Sotirios Drivas Mr. & Mrs. John Kolakoglu Mr. Georgios Onasiakis Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Stergiou Mrs. Sophie Eppley Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Dr. & Mrs. Nicholas Pandelidis Mr. & Mrs. John Toggas Mr. & Mrs. Garrett Finke Koliofotis Dr. & Mrs. P. Kirk Pandelidis Mrs. Aglaia Tsogas Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Mr. & Mrs. Isidoros Kostalas Dr. & Mrs. Steven Pandelidis Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Tsogas Frangeskos Mr. & Mrs. George Mrs. Georgia Panopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Tsoukalis Ms. Irene Franzis Kourliouros Mr. & Mrs. John Panopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Tsoukalis Mr. & Mrs. Steven Gekas Mr. & Mrs. John Koutsokostas Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Mr. & Mrs. John Tsoukalos Mr. & Mrs. George Georgaras Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Papadiamantis Mr. Apostolos Vainas Miss Mary Anne George Koutsokostas Mr. & Mrs. Dimos Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Vainas Mr. Aaron Gilbert Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Papageorgiou Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Vellios Mr. & Mrs. Andrais Giourtis Kouvatsos Mrs. Anna Papayannis Mr. Nick Vellios Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Dr. Peter Kouvatsos Mr. & Mrs. Chriss Papayannis Mrs. Eleni Koukounas-Veron Giovanis Dr. Tasha Kouvatsos Mr. & Mrs. Pericles Mr. John Veron Mrs. Helen Gogonas Mr. John Kratsas Papayannis Mr. Nicholas Veron Mr. Steven Gogonas Fr. Deacon & Mrs. Robert Mr. & Mrs. Antonios Plakas Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Vlahos Mr. & Mrs. Pete Harmantzis Kuchta Mr. & Mrs. James Plakas Mr. & Mrs. Nikolaos Vlahos Mr. & Mrs. Zacharias Mr. & Mrs. Eleftherios Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Walker Harmantzis Lamnatos Polychronis Mr. & Mrs. Donald Wall Drs. George & Joan Hayes Mr. & Mrs. Fotios Lamnatos Ms. Donna Polychronos Mr. & Mrs. Scott Wilson Mr. Charles Henry Ms. Lola Lamnatos Mr. & Mrs. Dino Pritsios Mrs. Haido Zahos Mrs. Mary Henry Dr. & Mrs. George Lapes Mr. & Mrs. Socratis Rodas Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Zahos

These are the people who have paid towards Stewardship for 2014. Thank you for you generosity and support of our community. “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” - Matthew 25:21 STEWARD UPDATE, 2015/ΑΝΑΠΡΟΣΑΡΜΟΓΗ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΩΝ, 2015 (as of 2-18-15)

Dr. & Mrs. Nicholas Agapis Mrs. Kelly (Skouras) Dr. & Mrs. Steven Agapis Sheasley Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Mr. John Skeparnias Anstine Mr. & Mrs. Louis Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Anstine Skeparnias Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Benefiel Mr. Nick Skeparnias Mr. & Mrs. Mark Bittner Mrs. Voula Skeparnias Mr. & Mrs. Louis Chiadis Ms. Maria K. Skouras Mr. & Mrs. Steven Mr. & Mrs. George Delaveris Stavropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Chris Fr. & Pres. Andrew Tsikitas Demetriades Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Mr. & Mrs. Garrett Finke Tsoukalis Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Frangeskos Valakis Ms. Mary Anne George Mr. & Mrs. Scott Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Giovanis Maj. & Mrs. George Haritos Drs. George & Joan Hayes Mr. Charles Henry Mrs. Mary Henry Mrs. Hrisoula Hioutis Mr. & Mrs. William Hondos Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Karanikas Mr. George Kotsopoulos Fr. Deacon & Mrs. Robert Kuchta Mr. Chris Lainas Mr. & Mrs. Eleftherios Lamnatos Mr. John Lamnatos Ms. Lola Lamnatos Ms. Alisa N. Livaditis Mr. John N. Livaditis Dr. & Mrs. Nicholas Livaditis Mr. & Mrs. Konstantine Mallas Mrs. Georgia Mavros Dr. & Mrs. Nicholas Pandelidis Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Polychronis

These are the people who have paid towards Stewardship for 2015. Thank you for you generosity and support of our community. “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” - Matthew 25:21 MARCH 2015 PAGE 7

YOUTH NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS GOYA The new year has blessed us with newly the Rescue Mission, and making the reinvigorated GOYA. Attendance from dressing for the Food Festival. the teens in our community has A huge thank you goes out to all of the skyrocketed! parents and parent-advisors that have So far this year the GOYANs have helped make this years GOYA a great volunteered their time by caroling and success. visiting senior centers, serving meals at

UPCOMING EVENTS March 1: GOYA Meeting immediately after church March 1 & 8: Easter Card Donation Table March 15: Coffee Hour hosted by the GOYANs April 4: GOYANs clean the church and make palms April 5: Loukoumades sale April 10: Decorate church for Anastasi April 25-26: St Demetrios basketball tournament, Baltimore, MD

HOPE/JOY

he mission of HOPE and JOY is to JOY (Junior Orthodox Youth) strengthen the relationship of young T JOY ministers to 3rd through 6th Grade children. Orthodox Christians with our Lord Jesus Christ. These programs work to educate and edify young The scope of these ministries is to incorporate the members of the Church, encouraging them to 4 principles of Worship, Witness, Service and become active sacramental participants in the life Fellowship into the hearts of our children, so that of the Body of Christ, the Church. These they can use these tools as adults as well. We ministries offer them the opportunity to invite all children, and their parents as well, to “Let the little children come experience the Faith, ultimately leading them to become participants in these vital ministries of to Me, and do not forbid Salvation. the Church. them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” HOPE (Holy Orthodox Primary Education) Matthew 19:14 HOPE ministers to Kindergarten through the 2nd Grade children.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 11(Holy Saturday): Pascha Egg Hunt More information will be posted on Fr. Andrew’s office door.

May 3: HOPE/JOY Craft Night 5-7pm Please RSVP to Kate Giovanis ([email protected] ) or sign up on Father Andrew's door so we can have enough craft supplies. PAGE 8 THE LADDER YOUTH NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

GOYA DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT GOYANS PREPARE DRESSING FOR IN LANCASTER, PA FOOD FESTIVAL

HOPE/JOY POOL DAY—SUMMER 2014 MARCH 2015 PAGE 9 YOUTH NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

HOPE/JOY SOCCER DAY—SUMMER 2014

HOPE/JOY CRAFT NIGHT PAGE 10 THE LADDER GOYA YOUTH PICTURES MARCH 2015 PAGE 11

Community Paschal Card Send a personalized Paschal card to members of your family and community!

With this announcement, we want you to participate in a GOYA fundraising effort. A minimum donation of $15.00 is requested. Please fill out the form located below and send it to the church with your check payable to GOYA Annunciation Church or come find us at the GOYA table on Sundays during coffee hour. Deadline: March 09, 2015 (No Exceptions) We would like to thank all of you for your past support.

Thank you for your support!

Name:______

Name as you would like it to appear in the Paschal Card:

______

______PAGE 12 THE LADDER

THE VOICE OF OUR FAITH …

DOES IT MATTER IF I MISS CHURCH? PT. 1

There is no doubt about it. The worst—the very worst thing I ever did while courting the woman who would one day become my wife was to miss an important dinner date with her. This wasn’t just any dinner date, mind you. Barbara had gone to great lengths to cook a beautiful meal for the two of us to share. She wanted this to be an extra special meal and had planned a warm, wonderful evening together for the two of us. THERE IS NOTHING MORE FRUSTRATING I arrived at her apartment at about 8 p.m. (dinner was to be at six!) and was met OR MADDENING TO at the door by a very downcast and disappointed young woman. I had never seen A HOST OR HOSTESS her countenance so fallen. THAN TO PAINSTAKINGLY “What’s wrong?” I asked as I peered over her left shoulder at a table carefully set PLAN AND PREPARE with nice dinnerware and candles. Suddenly I realized the terrible mistake I had A FEAST FOR made. Even now, 35 years after this event, I feel awful as I remember the sadness BELOVED FRIENDS in her eyes. AND FAMILY MEMBERS, ONLY TO You see, I hadn’t just missed an appointment. I had missed a wonderful FIND AT THE LAST opportunity to share a special moment of life together with this growing love of MINUTE THAT THEY my life. Rather than a night of joy and gladness, the evening was a disaster, ARE TOO BUSY OR spoiled by my thoughtless selfishness. Even though I hadn’t planned for it to TOO CARELESS TO happen, my forgetfulness and irresponsibility had said to Barbara that I really SHOW UP. didn’t care about her, that I didn’t love her. Fortunately, she was willing to forgive and forget, and to go on with our relationship. I, on the other hand, have never forgotten the lessons I learned from that dismal experience. Have you ever had something like that happen to you? Maybe you prepared a dinner party and your guests did not show up. There is nothing more frustrating or maddening to a host or hostess than to painstakingly plan and prepare a feast for beloved friends and family members, only to find at the last minute that they are too busy or too careless to show up. Jesus once taught a parable about a man who had this experience. It is called the parable of the great banquet (Luke 14:16-24, please read to refresh your memories). Jesus is not talking here about an ordinary supper. This is the messianic call to the heavenly and eternal banquet, and, unbelievably, many refuse it! They turn it down to do something else—something “necessary” to their life on earth. Jesus knew that the true purpose of life does not lie in buying and selling, or even in marriage. The true purpose of life is to join in the eating of bread in the Kingdom of God. His parable tells us of God’s desire for us to come and dine with Continued on next page … MARCH 2015 PAGE 13

MISS CHURCH? From previous page, through pg 15

Him in His Kingdom. He sends His servants even to compel bystanders to come to His messianic banquet. Even though the first invited, the privileged, shut themselves out with their excuses, God, because of His love and mercy, never gives up. He calls the outcasts and the Gentiles to come because His desire to fill His house will not be frustrated. This invitation, dear reader, is fulfilled in Christ’s Church. We have been invited to come and dine, not merely on the bread of the earth, for “man cannot live on bread alone.” Rather, we have been called to dine on heavenly food, Christ’s Body, which “He gave for the life of the world.” As important as it is to come together to partake of earthly food, it cannot compare with the benefit which comes from our partaking together of spiritual food. Sadly, many people who call themselves Orthodox Christians do not seem to understand this fact. REFUSING GOD’S INVITATION During a visit to England, I attended an Orthodox church which probably held a thousand people when the building was filled. It was a beautiful old stone church building with a balcony that seemed to encircle most of the nave. The balcony was empty. The main floor of the nave was three-fourths filled with the faithful. Interestingly enough, the pastor made a comment to me soon after the Divine Liturgy, in which he expressed a common condition which exists among contemporary Orthodox parishes in America. He said, “This was an average attendance for Sunday, but you ought to see it on Palm Sunday—the church is totally filled with people, including the balcony!” I had heard this same sort of comment many times from Orthodox pastors in America. We must ask, who are these mystery guests who only show up at Christmas, Palm Sunday, and Pascha, or maybe at a wedding or baptism? I am told they are baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians. So why are they not in church? Does it really matter if one misses church most Sundays of the year? Or what about the parishioner who disappears for several Sundays in a row without any excuse? He or she just didn’t feel like coming. Does it really matter? And what about those of us who virtually never miss church on Sunday, except maybe when we are on vacation, or for something like the Big Game? Does it really matter to willfully miss church just a few times? What is the teaching of the historic Orthodox Faith in regards to this question of being absent from the assembly of believers on the Lord’s Day? The Church teaches that to be willfully absent from church on Sunday is to refuse the invitation of the Lord to His Holy Table! First of all, we must understand what the meaning of the “Lord’s Day” is. This expression is used by Christians everywhere, even though it is only explicitly mentioned once in Scripture, by Saint John: “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day (Revelation 1:10). We must understand that it was no accident that Saint John received his revelation on Sunday, because it is on this day that we are called to leave “all earthly cares” and enter into worship . . . in Heaven! You see, Saint John was illumined in the Spirit— that is, his spiritual eyes were opened to see the reality of God’s heaven—while he was standing at the holy altar of God on the Lord’s Day. Saint John, thank God, was in church that day on the island of Patmos. What an experience he had! But here’s the most PAGE 14 THE LADDER incredible thing: all of us are called to enter into heaven “in the Spirit” on the Lord’s Day, just as Saint John did. And the very minimum expectation of each Orthodox believer is to be in church on the Lord’s Day, the first day of the week, in celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. Christ was raised from the dead on the first day of the week. We have ample evidence that from the earliest days of the Church, His disciples celebrated His Resurrection by gathering to take the Eucharist on that day. Saint Luke writes, “On the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread” (Acts 20:7). And Saint Paul instructs the Corinthian Church to collect their alms on the “first day of the week” (1 Corinthians 16:2). The earliest second-century catechism, called The Didache, says, “On the Lord’s own day, assemble in common to break bread and offer thanks.” And Saint Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, A.D. 69, mentions that the Christians were “no longer keeping the Jewish Sabbath but living in accordance with the Lord’s day on which also our life arose through Him and His death.” NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING TOGETHER! The writer of Hebrews speaks strongly of the importance of Christians gathering together: “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh [the Eucharist], and having a High Priest over the house of God [the Church], let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:19-25, italics added) Forsaking the assembling together with the church has from the beginning been taken as a very serious sin. Canon 80 of the Sixth Ecumenical Council states: “In case any Bishop, or Presbyter, or Deacon, or anyone else on the list of the Clergy, or any layman, without any graver necessity or any particular difficulty compelling him to absent himself from his own church for a very long time, fails to attend church on Sundays for three consecutive weeks, while living in the city, if he be a Cleric, let him be deposed from office; but if he be a layman, let him be removed from Communion.” The Church has taught that one of two things must be true: either such a person is not a believer, or, though a believer, he scorns the common offering of hymns and prayers to God. Saint comments on the Hebrews passage: “What is ‘not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together?’ The Apostle Paul knew that much strength arises from being together and assembling together. ‘For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there I am in the midst of them’ (Matt. 18:20). And again, [Jesus taught] ‘that they may be one, as we also are one’ (John 17:11); and, ‘they all had one heart and [one] soul’ (Acts 4:32). And not this only, but also because love increased by the gathering [of themselves] together; and since love is increased, it makes sense that the things of God must follow also.” The word for “assembly” in the Old Testament Hebrew, koheleth, is translated ekklesia in Greek, which translates in English as “church.” Ekklesia literally means to be “called out” from the world. There is no more important way in which we as holy (set apart) people fulfill our entering into the other world than in our eucharistic assembly. Not to be faithful to the invitation by our Lord to this supper has always been looked upon as a scorning of the common offering of hymns and prayers to God, as well as haughty disregard for the memory of the . MARCH 2015 PAGE 15

Guarding the Church against the seeds of apostasy, the Apostle Paul, writing to the Hebrews, says in regards to the “forsaking of the assembly,” “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26). While many sins are willful, to sin willfully here means defiant sin, or deliberate repudiation of God. Christ is the offering for all sin, voluntary or involuntary—which demonstrates God’s incomparable grace towards us. But if we deliberately and with full knowledge reject the sacrifices of Christ—then where can we possibly turn to obtain forgiveness? Perhaps now we can begin to see just how serious a thing it is to miss church as if it doesn’t matter. It does matter. In fact, it is a matter of salvation. The fourth-century Saint wrote, “There is no salvation outside of the Church.” This was not novel teaching. The Apostle Paul, writing to the Hebrews regarding the Holy Eucharist, says: “Anyone who has rejected ’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:28, 29) These, of course, are strong words, directed at those who had believed and been baptized, but had then “fallen away” and apostatized from the Faith. However, a deliberate absence from the Table of the Lord for no good reason, for even a short period of time, makes one vulnerable to be taken by the spirit of apostasy. According to canonical teaching, “If anyone is tempted with this sin—having stayed away for more than three consecutive Sundays from the Table of the Lord—he or she is required to be received back into the communion of the Church through the Sac-rament of Confession—thereby establishing a true heart in full assurance of faith (no doubts or second thoughts), having our hearts sprinkled (with virtue) from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (holding fast to our baptism).” One can see how the Church has viewed staying away from church as the “seeds of apostasy” which may lead to the eternal “staying away from God,” hell itself. You see, if human beings do not eat earthly food, their bodies will die. Likewise, if we do not eat spiritual food, we will die eternally. Thus, God’s eternal plan for mankind on this earth is to gather the family (the Church) each Lord’s Day to partake of the Heavenly Bread. This is not optional for Christians— it is the Faith! This is the historic practice of the Orthodox Church, and it must be the practice of all those who call themselves Orthodox Christians. … -Fr. John W. Hardenbrook, continued next month PAGE 16 THE LADDER

MOVIE REVIEW: EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS The gods? Pish. Moses can do without But when a few sheep scamper up this 'em. sacred hill and Moses runs after them, something happens to shake his In the ancient Egypt reconstructed here by agnosticism. He gets knocked around and famed film director Ridley Scott—where knocked out by a landslide. And when he rivers, rocks and rising suns all have their comes to, he sees a burning bush. Beside own personal deities, where the pharaoh it, a child—a child who talks as no child Seti scrutinizes animal organs for omens— should. Moses puts his faith in himself and his own strong right arm. As one of Seti's "Who are you?" Moses asks. Christian Bale stars as most trusted generals, he knows full well Moses in Exodus: Gods "I Am," the child tells him. and Kings the challenges facing this riverfront empire: Neither Amun nor Osiris nor any Moses told himself that he wanted other deity is going to save the Egyptian nothing to do with all those gods. But it people from the Hittites. Moses and his seems that God may want something to princely stepbrother, Ramses, at the front do with him. of the Egyptian army, stand a better Positive Elements chance of protecting the kingdom than a handful of goose guts. Exodus: Gods and Kings is, of course, based (sometimes quite loosely) on the So when a priestess uncovers an omen in biblical book of Exodus. It's the some entrails—that in an upcoming battle foundational journal of the Jews in many a leader will be saved, and the savior will respects, and a broadly inspirational one lead—Moses shrugs it off. ... as well—a story of a people striving for Not Ramses, though. Even though the freedom. Some of that shines through in prince loves Moses like the brother he this screenplay. grows up to be, the foretelling now makes At first, Moses is a reluctant shepherd for him a foe. And when Ramses hears his people. For much of the movie, he sees rumors that Moses might not be Egyptian himself as Egyptian. He hates the idea of at all—that he could be, of all things, a leaving his wife and son behind when he Hebrew, one of those who were enslaved goes back to Egypt to retrieve his by the Egyptians 400 years earlier— Hebrews. But go he does—demanding Ramses knows that Moses will have to go. freedom for a people he barely knows Ridley's Ramses exiles Moses to the from a government he actually quite likes. wastelands beyond the Nile, where Moses ... He's not a prophet without a heart … eventually finds Jethro and his fair but he is one who's determined to see his daughters in the land of Midian. There, he through to the end. … finds a wife (Zipporah), a new life (as a God is obviously a big part of the Exodus shepherd) … and a new God to deal with. story. And while Ridley Scott doesn't Moses' own son points to a mountain and make Him central here, to both his credit tells him that it's sacred. "God's and detriment the director does give Him mountain," he says. And when Moses screen time. hesitates to accept, Zipporah chastises him for confusing the child. … The mysterious boy Moses talks to by the burning bush is called (in the credits) MARCH 2015 PAGE 17

Malak, a Semitic word for angel. And Moses himself point, Scott said, "Can you think of a good one? A just calls the child a messenger at one point. But he clearly and kind and tolerant religion?" Not in this movie. represents someone much, much bigger. He either is Is the God Scott gives us "the God of compassion and God or he speaks directly for Him, calling Moses to his mercy"? Rarely. "Slow to anger and filled with sacred work and triggering the plagues as well. This unfailing love and faithfulness"? Hardly. And we God is powerful … but is shown to act like a petulant, haven't even begun to talk about the plot-point willful child. Ramses is horrified that the Hebrews deviations Scott's Exodus takes when compared to the would worship a God who kills children, and Moses original text. Moses? Well, he's far more tortured expresses his own moments of doubt and horror too. terrorist than booming Charlton Heston here. Actor Because of all that, it's easy to see a tinge of the Gnostic Christian Bale said of his character, "I think the man concept of the Demiurge [Creator] at play in this lad was likely schizophrenic and was one of the most who would be God. (Gnosticism encompasses multiple barbaric individuals that I ever read about in my life. heretical deviations from Christianity. Tendrils of it … He was a very troubled, tumultuous man and hold that the Bible is really the story of two gods—one mercurial. But the biggest surprise was the nature of the essentially unknowable and most-high God of the God. He was equally very mercurial." New Testament, and the other a lesser, more vindictive Not everything takes the first exit ramp off the god of the Old Testament.) scriptural account, though. And the resulting Scott also leaves open the possibility that God is a combination of fact and artistic license can create some figment of Moses' imagination—a hallucination pretty robust conversations about what the Bible really brought on by the rock that hit his head. ... Even the does say about Moses and his mission of liberation. It's parting of the Red Sea feels more like a weird-but-still- an optimistic view that's bolstered by us seeing that the natural anomaly, especially at first, than a supernatural shed blood of the Passover lamb—a foreshadowing of event. … Christ's awesome work on the cross so many centuries later—still protects the Israelites in this tale. And Conclusion Moses does indeed begin his own personal … In fairness, the original Exodus story is challenging transformation when he's called, and he does indeed to our modern and postmodern sensibilities of equality fulfill God's directive on his life, whether he really and human rights. It's undeniably hard to read about wants to or not. the killing of Egypt's first born and not feel a twinge of From www.pluggedin.com grief. But Scott's God approaches the plagues with either the dispassion of a grim accountant or the anger of a boy who feels wronged. There's no hint of sadness or love. And because Scott chose to portray Him as a boy, moviegoers may want to respond by sending the tyke to a timeout. Which, given Scott's outspoken anti-religion leanings, might be exactly what the director had in mind. "The biggest source of evil is of course religion," he told Esquire in 2012. When the interviewer pressed him on the PAGE 18 THE LADDER March 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Sunday of 2 3 4 5 6 7 Orthodoxy Greek School Greek School Greek School Greek School 2nd Salutations 8:45 am Orthros K&1 grade; 4:30-6 2&3 grade; 4:30-6 K&1 grade; 4:30-6 2&3 grade; 4:30-6 6:30 pm 10 am Div. Lit. 4&5 grade; 6-7:30 6 & high school; 4&5 grade; 6-7:30 6 & high school; 6-7:30 6-7:30 Great Compline, Pre-Sanctified 6:00 pm Parish Council, 6:30 pm 7:00 pm

8 Sunday of St. 9 10 11 12 13 14 Gregory Pala- Greek School Greek School Greek School Greek School 3rd Salutations Regional JOY mas K&1 grade; 4:30-6 2&3 grade; 4:30-6 K&1 grade; 4:30-6 2&3 grade; 4:30-6 6:30 pm Lenten Retreat 8:45 am Orthros 4&5 grade; 6-7:30 6 & high school; 4&5 grade; 6-7:30 6 & high school; 9:30 am-1:00 pm 6-7:30 6-7:30 10 am Div. Lit. Great Compline, Pre-Sanctified 6:00 pm Bible Study, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm

15 Sunday of 16 17 18 19 20 21 The Holy Cross Greek School Greek School Greek School Greek School 4th Salutations 8:45 am Orthros K&1 grade; 4:30-6 2&3 grade; 4:30-6 K&1 grade; 4:30-6 2&3 grade; 4:30-6 6:30 pm 10 am Div. Lit. 4&5 grade; 6-7:30 6 & high school; 4&5 grade; 6-7:30 6 & high school; 6-7:30 6-7:30 Great Compline, Pre-Sanctified 6:00 pm Bible Study, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm

22 Sunday of 23 24 25 26 27 28 St. John Cli- Greek School Greek School Annunciation Greek School Akathyst Hymn macus K&1 grade; 4:30-6 2&3 grade; 4:30-6 Orth./Div. Lit. 9 2&3 grade; 4:30-6 6:30 pm 8:45 am Orthros 4&5 grade; 6-7:30 6 & high school; am 6 & high school; 6-7:30 6-7:30 10 am Div. Lit. Great Compline, 6:00 pm Great Vespers, 6:30 pm

29 Sunday of 30 31 St. Mary of Greek School Greek School Egypt K&1 grade; 4:30-6 2&3 grade; 4:30-6 8:45 am Orthros 4&5 grade; 6-7:30 6 & high school; 6-7:30 10 am Div. Lit. Great Compline, 6:00 pm Bible Study, 6:30 pm MARCH 2015 PAGE 19 Μάρτιος 2015

Κυρ Δευ Τρι Τετ Πεμ Παρ Σαβ

1 Κυριακή της 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ορθοδοξίας Ελλην. Σχολείο Ελλην. Σχολείο Ελλην. Σχολείο Ελλην. Σχολείο Β’ Χαιρετισμοί 8:45 πμ Όρθρος K&1 τάξη; 4:30-6 2&3 τάξη; 4:30-6 K&1 τάξη; 4:30-6 2&3 τάξη; 4:30-6 6:30 μμ 10 πμ Θ. Λειτ. 4&5 τάξη; 6-7:30 6 & γυμνάσιο; 4&5 τάξη; 6-7:30 6 & γυμνάσιο; 6-7:30 6-7:30 Μεγ. Απόδειπνο, Προγιασμένη, 6:00 μμ Ενορ. Συμβούλιο, 6:30 μμ 7:00 μμ

8 Κυρ. Αγίου 9 10 11 12 13 14 Γρηγορίου Ελλην. Σχολείο Ελλην. Σχολείο Ελλην. Σχολείο Ελλην. Σχολείο Γ’ Χαιρετισμοί Παλαμά K&1 τάξη; 4:30-6 2&3 τάξη; 4:30-6 K&1 τάξη; 4:30-6 2&3 τάξη; 4:30-6 6:30 μμ 8:45 πμ Όρθρος 4&5 τάξη; 6-7:30 6 & γυμνάσιο; 4&5 τάξη; 6-7:30 6 & γυμνάσιο; 6-7:30 6-7:30 10 πμ Θ. Λειτ. Μεγ. Απόδειπνο, Προγιασμένη, 6:00 μμ Κύκλος Αγ. 6:30 μμ Γραφής, 6:30 μμ

15 Κυρ. της 16 17 18 19 20 21 Σταυροπροσκ. Ελλην. Σχολείο Ελλην. Σχολείο Ελλην. Σχολείο Ελλην. Σχολείο Δ’ Χαιρετισμοί 8:45 πμ Όρθρος K&1 τάξη; 4:30-6 2&3 τάξη; 4:30-6 K&1 τάξη; 4:30-6 2&3 τάξη; 4:30-6 6:30 μμ 10 πμ Θ. Λειτ. 4&5 τάξη; 6-7:30 6 & γυμνάσιο; 4&5 τάξη; 6-7:30 6 & γυμνάσιο; 6-7:30 6-7:30 Μεγ. Απόδειπνο, Προγιασμένη, 6:00 μμ Κύκλος Αγ. 6:30 μμ

Γραφής, 6:30 μμ

22 Κυρ. του 23 24 25 26 27 28 Αγ. Ιωάννου Ελλην. Σχολείο Ελλην. Σχολείο Ευαγγελισμός Ελλην. Σχολείο Ακάθιστος Κλίμακος K&1 τάξη; 4:30-6 2&3 τάξη; 4:30-6 Όρθ./Θ. Λειτ. 9 2&3 τάξη; 4:30-6 Ύμνος 8:45 πμ Όρθρος 4&5 τάξη; 6-7:30 6 & γυμνάσιο; πμ 6 & γυμνάσιο; 6:30 μμ 6-7:30 6-7:30 10 πμ Θ. Λειτ. Μεγ. Απόδειπνο, 6:00 μμ Μεγ. Εσπερινός, 6:30 μμ

29 Κυρ. της 30 31 Αγ. Μαρίας Ελλην. Σχολείο Ελλην. Σχολείο Αιγυπτίας K&1 τάξη; 4:30-6 2&3 τάξη; 4:30-6 8:45 πμ Όρθρος 4&5 τάξη; 6-7:30 6 & γυμνάσιο; 6-7:30 10 πμ Θ. Λειτ. Μεγ. Απόδειπνο, 6:00 μμ Κύκλος Αγ. Γραφής, 6:30 μμ PAGE 20 THE LADDER

Η ΚΛΙΜΑΞ ...

ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΓΡΑΦΕΙΟ ΤΟΥ ΠΡ. ΑΝΔΡΕΑ ... Ορθόδοξη πίστη. Θα ήθελα επίσης να δω περισσότερα από τα μέλη μας να αναλάβουν Καλώς ήρθατε όλοι στο ενεργό ρόλο στη ζωή της κοινότητας μας, ανανεωμένο μας μηνιαίο δελτίο λαμβάνοντας μέρος σε ήδη καθιερωμένες της κοινότητας. Θα ήθελα πρώτα δραστηριότητές μας, ή να προτείνουν νέους απ'όλα να ζητήσω συγγνώμη για δρόμους για να ακολουθήσουμε. την μακροχρόνια απουσία αυτού του τμήματος επικοινωνίας της ενορίας μας. Σε τελική ανάλυση, είμαι πολύ Αυτός ο επανασχεδιασμός έγινε με στόχο τον ενθουσιασμένος για να αρχίσει αυτό το νέο εξορθολογισμό του και να το καταστήσουμε έτος με ένα νέο όραμα για την κοινότητά μας. ευκολότερο τις δημιουργίας της και την Έχουμε νέους ανθρώπους που έχουν διανομή της σε όλους σας. Σας ευχαριστούμε προσφερθεί σε όλα τα επίπεδα, και μαζί για την υπομονή σας. μπορούμε να λαμβάνουμε τα αναγκαία μέτρα για την έναρξη της κοινότητάς μας μπροστά Έχουμε φέρει ομάδα αυτή μερικά νέα στο 2015 και τα επόμενα χρόνια. Είμαστε πρόσωπα για να βοηθήσουν με την έτοιμη να εκπληρώσουμε την αποστολή μας παραγωγή του ενημερωτικού δελτίου μας, και ως ενορία της Ελληνικής Ορθόδοξης χαίρομαι για την νέα προοπτική που θα Αρχιεπισκοπής, και να είμαστε ένας φωτεινός φέρουν σε αυτό το έργο. Η ελπίδα μου είναι φάρος της αγάπης του Χριστού για να το δουν να κάνουμε επίσης αυτή την έκδοση να είναι όλοι. όχι μόνο μια πηγή πληροφοριών, αλλά μια ευκαιρία να μπούμε σε συζήτηση με τα μέλη Επιτρέψτε μου να κλείσω με μια επανάληψη της κοινότητάς μας και ακόμα πιο πέρα, της δήλωσης αποστολής της κοινότητάς μας: παρέχοντας μια ευκαιρία να αντιμετωπίσουμε «Η αποστολή της Ελληνορθόδοξης τις ανησυχίες και τα ερωτήματα που όλοι όσοι Κοινότητας του Ευαγγελισμού του Υόρκ, διαβάζετε αυτό μπορεί να έχετε. Πεννσυλβάνια είναι να ανταποκριθεί στην Οι ελπίδες και οι προσευχές μου για αυτό το «Μεγάλη Εντολή» του Κυρίου ημών Ιησού νέο έτος είναι απλές ... Θα ήθελα να μας δω Χριστού (Ματθαίον 29: 18-20), κρατώντας, να έρθουμε μαζί ως μια οικογένεια πίστεως, εξασκώντας και διακηρύσσοντας την να κατανοήσουμε πιο βαθιά τι σημαίνει να Ορθόδοξη Χριστιανική Πίστη αγνή και είσαι Ορθόδοξος Χριστιανός και ένα μέλος αμόλυντη για όλους όσους αναζητούν την του Σώματος του Χριστού. Θα ήθελα να δω αλήθεια μέσα από τους τέσσερις πυλώνες της την κοινότητά μας να γίνει πιο ανοικτή και Λατρείας, Κοινωνίας, Διακονίας και φιλόξενη για όλους που έρχονται μέσα από Μαρτυρίας. " τις πόρτες μας ... από τους Εύχομαι ευλογημένο το 2015 για όλους μας, «μεταμοσχευμένους» Ορθόδοξους που έχουν παραμένω ο ταπεινοίς και ανάξιος δούλος έρθει στην περιοχή μας απο αλλού, έως και σας εν Χριστό, τον περιστασιακό, περίεργο επισκέπτη που δεν έχει καμία γνώση ή σχέση με την †Ανδρέας MARCH 2015 PAGE 21

Ο ΟΣΙΟΣ ΘΕΟΦΥΛΑΚΤΟΣ, ΕΠ. ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔΕΙΑΣ—8 ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ Έζησε τον 8ο αιώνα, στα χρόνια του αυτούς, ο Θεοφύλακτος πήγαινε πολλές φορές αυτοκράτορα Λέοντα του Δ'. Ήταν από τα στις καλύβες των δυστυχών οικογενειών και, μέρη της Ανατολής, και ή μεγάλη του παιδεία αφού τις παρηγορούσε με τη χριστιανική τον έφερε στη Βασιλεύουσα. Εκεί δημιούργησε ελπίδα και με την παροχή χρηματικού φιλικές σχέσεις με πολλούς επισήμους, βοηθήματος, έκανε ο ίδιος τον νοσοκόμο, μεταξύ αυτών και με τον έπειτα Πατριάρχη περιποιούμενος τους αρρώστους. ο Ταράσιο. Όταν πλέον έγινε Πατριάρχης ο Θεοφύλακτος για τους αγώνες του κατά των Ταράσιος, παρακίνησε το Θεοφύλακτο και εικονομάχων εξορίστηκε στο Στρόβιλο, και έγινε μοναχός. Εισήλθε σ' ένα μοναστήρι στον από τις πολλές κακουχίες παρέδωσε το Εύξεινο Πόντο. Μετά από λίγο, αναδείχθηκε πνεύμα του μετά 30 χρόνια εξορίας. Επί επίσκοπος Νικομήδειας. Στη νέα του θέση ο βασιλίσσης όμως Θεοδώρας (842-857) και Θεοφύλακτος διέπρεψε σ' όλα τα καθήκοντα πατριάρχου Μεθοδίου (842-846), του. Διακρίθηκε κυρίως στα έργα της μετακομίστηκε το τίμιο λείψανο του στη ελεημοσύνης και της φιλανθρωπίας. Με τις Νικομήδεια και κατετέθη στον Ιερό νάο Κοσμά θερμές του προτροπές και την ηθική του και Δαμιανού, πού ο ίδιος είχε κτίσει. επιβολή, ίδρυσε πολλά νοσοκομεία. Απολυτίκιο. Ήχος γ'. Δημιούργησε ταμεία για τις άπορες χήρες και τα ορφανά. Ακολουθώντας το λόγο του Φύλαξ άγρυπνος, της Εκκλησίας, και Χριστού "ό δε μείζων υμών έσται υμών καθαίρεσις, της δυασεβείας, Ίεράρχα διάκονος", δηλαδή, εκείνος πού μεταξύ σας Θεοφύλακτε πέφηνας· του γαρ Χριστού την είναι μεγαλύτερος στη γνώση και το αξίωμα, Εικόνα σεβόμενος, ύπερορίας και θλίψεις πρέπει να υπηρετεί τους άλλους και με κάθε ύπέμεινας· Πάτερ Όσιε, Χριστόν τον Θεόν τρόπο να γίνεται χρήσιμος και ωφέλιμος σ' Ικέτευε, δωρήσασθαι ημιν το μέγα έλεος.

Ο ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΜΟΣ—ΑΓ. ΙΩΑΝΝΟΥ ΧΡΥΣΟΣΤΟΜΟΥ (ΜΕΡΟΣ Α’)

Πρόλογος αποκόπτεται από το σώμα της Εκκλησίας εκείνος που, χωρίς σοβαρό λόγο, δεν εκκλησιάζεται για τρεις Η πίστη στο Θεό και η συμμετοχή στη θεία λατρεία, συνεχείς Κυριακές. προπαντός στην ευχαριστιακή σύναξη, αποτελούν για κάθε ζωντανό μέλος της Εκκλησίας δυο Ο τακτικός εκκλησιασμός δεν αποτελεί για τον πραγματικότητες αξεχώριστες. Ο αληθινός πιστό μιαν απλή συνήθεια, ένα τυπικό θρησκευτικό χριστιανός δεν μπορεί να ζήσει χωρίς τη θεία καθήκον, μια κοινωνική υποχρέωση ή έστω μια Λειτουργία. Τα υπερώα του Μυστικού Δείπνου και ψυχολογική διέξοδο από τον ασφυκτικό κλοιό της της Πεντηκοστής, που συνέχειά τους είναι οι ιεροί καθημερινότητος. Αντίθετα, με την προσέλευσή του ναοί, αποτελούν κατεξοχήν τους τόπους της στο ναό εκφράζει μιαν υπαρξιακή του ανάγκη. Την παρουσίας του Θεού και την διανομής των θείων ανάγκη να ζήσει αληθινά, αυθεντικά. Να χαρισμάτων. Η «ομοθυμαδόν επί το συναντήσει την Πηγή της ζωής του, το Δημιουργό αυτό» προσκαρτέρηση των πιστών εκφράζει την του, και να ενωθεί μαζί Του. Να εκφράσει την ενότητα του εκκλησιαστικού σώματος, που εδώ και αγάπη και την ευλάβειά του στην Παναγία μας και τώρα προγεύεται τα αγαθά της βασιλείας του Θεού. στους Αγίους, του φίλους του Θεού. Να νιώσει δίπλα Αυτή την αλήθεια απηχούν και οι άγιοι Πατέρες της του τους πνευματικούς του αδελφούς. Πενθέκτης Συνόδου (691), όταν παραγγέλλουν ν’ PAGE 22 THE LADDER

Το σώμα και το αίμα του Χριστού, που μεταλαβαίνει στη θεία Λειτουργία, του χαρίζουν αυτή την πληρότητα, τον κάνουν να αισθάνεται «συμπολίτης των αγίων και οικείος του Θεού». Έτσι, αναχωρεί από το ναό με τη δύναμη ν’ αντιμετωπίσει σύμφωνα με το θείο θέλημα και με την προοπτική της αιώνιας ζωής τη φθαρτότητα του καθημερινού του βίου. Ας ευχηθούμε, το σπίτι του Θεού, ο ιερός ναός, να γίνει και δικό μας σπίτι, η θεία Λειτουργία να καταστεί το κέντρο της υπάρξεώς μας και η τράπεζα της Ευχαριστίας ν’ αποβεί για τον καθένα μας «ψυχοτρόφος και ζωοποιός» - ΙΕΡΑ ΜΟΝΗ ΠΑΡΑΚΛΗΤΟΥ Λιμάνια πνευματικά οι ναοί Με λιμάνια μέσα στο πέλαγος μοιάζουν οι ναοί, που ο Θεός εγκατέστησε στις πόλεις· πνευματικά λιμάνια, όπου βρίσκουμε απερίγραπτη ψυχική ηρεμία όσοι σ’ αυτά καταφεύγουμε, ζαλισμένοι από την κοσμική τύρβη. Κι όπως ακριβώς ένα απάνεμο κι ακύμαντο λιμάνι προσφέρει ασφάλεια στα αραγμένα πλοία, έτσι και ο ναός σώζει από την τρικυμία των βιοτικών μεριμνών όσους σ’ αυτόν προστρέχουν και αξιώνει τους πιστούς να στέκονται με σιγουριά και ν’ ακούνε το λόγο του Θεού με γαλήνη πολλή. Ο ναός είναι θεμέλιο της αρετής και σχολείο της πνευματικής ζωής. Πάτησε στα πρόθυρά του μόνο, οποιαδήποτε ώρα, κι αμέσως θα ξεχάσεις τις καθημερινές φροντίδες. Πέρασε μέσα, και μια αύρα πνευματική θα περικυκλώσει την ψυχή σου. Αυτή η ησυχία προξενεί δέος και διδάσκει τη χριστιανική ζωή· ανορθώνει το φρόνημα και δεν σε αφήνει να θυμάσαι τα παρόντα· σε μεταφέρει από τη γη στον ουρανό. Κι αν τόσο μεγάλο είναι το κέρδος όταν δεν γίνεται λατρευτική σύναξη, σκέψου, όταν τελείται η Λειτουργία και οι προφήτες διδάσκουν, οι απόστολοι κηρύσσουν το Ευαγγέλιο, ο Χριστός βρίσκεται ανάμεσα στους πιστούς, ο Θεός Πατέρας δέχεται την τελούμενη θυσία, το Άγιο Πνεύμα χορηγεί τη δική Του αγαλλίαση, τότε λοιπόν, με πόση ωφέλεια πλημμυρισμένοι δεν φεύγουν από το ναό οι εκκλησιαζόμενοι; Στην εκκλησία συντηρείται η χαρά όσων χαίρονται· στην εκκλησία βρίσκεται η ευθυμία των πικραμένων, η ευφροσύνη των λυπημένων, η αναψυχή των βασανισμένων, η ανάπαυση των κουρασμένων. Γιατί ο Χριστός λέει: «Ελάτε σ’ εμένα όλοι όσοι είστε κουρασμένοι και φορτωμένοι με προβλήματα, κι εγώ θα σας αναπαύσω» (Ματθ. 11:28). Τι πιο ποθητό απ’ αυτή τη φωνή; Τι πιο γλυκό από τούτη την πρόσκληση; Σε συμπόσιο σε καλεί ο Κύριος, όταν σε προσκαλεί στην εκκλησία· σε ανάπαυση από τους κόπους σε παρακινεί· σε ανακούφιση από τις οδύνες σε μεταφέρει. Γιατί σε ξαλαφρώνει από το βάρος των αμαρτημάτων. Με την πνευματική απόλαυση θεραπεύει τη στενοχώρια και με τη χαρά τη λύπη. Γιατί δεν εκκλησιάζεσαι; Παρ’ όλα αυτά, λίγοι είναι εκείνοι που έρχονται στην εκκλησία. Τι θλιβερό! Στους χορούς και στις διασκεδάσεις τρέχουμε πρόθυμα. Τις ανοησίες των τραγουδιστών τις ακούμε με ευχαρίστηση. Τις αισχρολογίες των ηθοποιών τις απολαμβάνουμε για ώρες, δίχως να βαριόμαστε. Και μόνο όταν μιλάει ο Θεός, χασμουριόμαστε, ξυνόμαστε και ζαλιζόμαστε. Μα και στα ιπποδρόμια, μολονότι δεν υπάρχει στέγη για να προστατεύει τους θεατές από τη βροχή, τρέχουν οι περισσότεροι σαν μανιακοί, ακόμα κι όταν βρέχει ραγδαία, ακόμα κι όταν ο άνεμος σηκώνει τα πάντα. Δεν λογαριάζουν ούτε την κακοκαιρία ούτε το κρύο ούτε την απόσταση. Τίποτα δεν τους κρατάει στα σπίτια τους. Όταν, όμως, πρόκειται να πάνε στην εκκλησία, τότε και το ψιλόβροχο τους γίνεται εμπόδιο. Κι αν τους ρωτήσεις, ποιος είναι ο Αμώς ή ο Οβδιού, πόσοι είναι οι προφήτες ή οι απόστολοι, δεν μπορούν ν’ ανοίξουν το στόμα τους. Για τ’ άλογα, όμως, τους τραγουδιστές και τους ηθοποιούς μπορούν σε πληροφορήσουν με κάθε λεπτομέρεια. Είναι κατάσταση αυτή; Γιορτάζουμε μνήμες αγίων, και σχεδόν κανένας δεν παρουσιάζεται στο ναό. Φαίνεται πως η απόσταση παρασύρει τους χριστιανούς στην αμέλεια· ή μάλλον όχι η απόσταση, αλλά η αμέλεια μόνο τους εμποδίζει. Γιατί, όπως τίποτα δεν μπορεί να εμποδίσει αυτόν που έχει αγαθή προαίρεση και ζήλο να κάνει κάτι, έτσι και τον αμελή, τον ράθυμο και αναβλητικό όλα μπορούν να τον εμποδίσουν. MARCH 2015 PAGE 23

Οι μάρτυρες έχυσαν το αίμα τους για την Αλήθεια, κι εσύ λογαριάζεις μια τόσο μικρή απόσταση; Εκείνοι θυσίασαν τη ζωή τους για το Χριστό, κι εσύ δεν θέλεις ούτε λίγο να κοπιάσεις; Ο Κύριος πέθανε για χάρη σου, κι εσύ Τον περιφρονείς; Γιορτάζουμε μνήμες αγίων, κι εσύ βαριέσαι να έρθεις στο ναό, προτιμώντας να κάθεσαι στο σπίτι σου; Και όμως, πρέπει να έρθεις, για να δεις το διάβολο να νικιέται, τον άγιο να νικάει, το Θεό να δοξάζεται και την Εκκλησία να θριαμβεύει. ‘’Μα είμαι αμαρτωλός’’, λες, ‘’και δεν τολμώ ν’ αντικρύσω τον άγιο’’. Ακριβώς επειδή είσαι αμαρτωλός, έλα εδώ, για να γίνεις δίκαιος. Ή μήπως δεν γνωρίζεις, ότι και αυτοί που στέκονται μπροστά στο ιερό θυσιαστήριο, έχουν διαπράξει αμαρτίες; Γι’ αυτό οικονόμησε ο Θεός να υποφέρουν και οι ιερείς από κάποια πάθη, ώστε να κατανοούν την ανθρώπινη αδυναμία και να συγχωρούν τους άλλους. ‘’Αφού, όμως, δεν τήρησα όσα άκουσα στην εκκλησία’’, θα μου πει κάποιος, ‘’πως μπορώ να έρθω πάλι;’’. Έλα να ξανακούσεις τον θείο λόγο. Και προσπάθησε τώρα να τον εφαρμόσεις. Αν βάλεις φάρμακο πάνω στο τραύμα σου και δεν το επουλώσει την ίδια μέρα, δεν θα ξαναβάλεις και την επόμενη; Αν ο ξυλοκόπος, που θέλει να κόψει μια βελανιδιά, δεν κατορθώσει να τη ρίξει με την πρώτη τσεκουριά, δεν τη χτυπάει και δεύτερη και πέμπτη και δέκατη φορά; Κάνε κι εσύ το ίδιο. Αλλά, θα μου πεις, σ’ εμποδίζουν να εκκλησιαστείς η φτώχεια και η ανάγκη να εργαστείς. Όμως δεν είναι εύλογη και τούτη η πρόφαση. Εφτά μέρες έχει η εβδομάδα. Αυτές τις εφτά μέρες τις μοιράστηκε ο Θεός μαζί μας. Και σ’ εμάς έδωσε έξι, ενώ για τον εαυτό Του άφησε μία. Αυτή τη μοναδική μέρα, λοιπόν, δεν δέχεσαι να σταματήσεις τις εργασίες; Και γιατί λέω για ολόκληρη μέρα; Εκείνο που έκανε στην περίπτωση της ελεημοσύνης η χήρα του Ευαγγελίου, το ίδιο κάνε κι εσύ στη διάρκεια αυτής της μιας μέρας. Έδωσε εκείνη δυο λεπτά και πήρε πολλή χάρη από το Θεό. Δάνεισε κι εσύ δυο ώρες στο Θεό, πηγαίνοντας στην εκκλησία, και θα φέρεις στο σπίτι σου κέρδη αμέτρητων ημερών. Αν όμως δεν δέχεσαι να κάνεις κάτι τέτοιο, σκέψου μήπως μ’ αυτή σου τη στάση χάσεις κόπους πολλών ετών. Γιατί ο Θεός, όταν περιφρονείται, γνωρίζει να σκορπίζει τα χρήματα που συγκεντρώνεις με την εργασία της Κυριακής. Μα κι αν ακόμα έβρισκες ολόκληρο θησαυροφυλάκιο γεμάτο από χρυσάφι και εξ αιτίας του απουσίαζες από το ναό, θα ήταν πολύ μεγαλύτερη η ζημιά σου· και τόσο μεγαλύτερη, όσο ανώτερα είναι τα πνευματικά από τα υλικά. Γιατί τα υλικά πράγματα, κι αν ακόμα είναι πολλά και τρέχουν άφθονα από παντού, δεν τα παίρνουμε στην άλλη ζωή, δεν μεταφέρονται μαζί μας στον ουρανό, δεν παρουσιάζονται στο φοβερό εκείνο βήμα του Κυρίου. Αλλά πολλές φορές, και πριν ακόμα πεθάνουμε, μας εγκαταλείπουν. Αντίθετα, ο πνευματικός θησαυρός που αποκτούμε στην εκκλησία, είναι κτήμα αναφαίρετο και μας ακολουθεί παντού. ‘’Ναι, αλλά μπορώ’’, λέει κάποιος άλλος, ‘’να προσευχηθώ και στο σπίτι μου’’. Απατάς τον εαυτό σου, άνθρωπε. Βεβαίως, είναι δυνατόν να προσευχηθείς και στο σπίτι σου· είναι αδύνατον όμως να προσευχηθείς έτσι, όπως προσεύχεσαι στην εκκλησία, όπου υπάρχει το πλήθος των πατέρων και όπου ομόφωνη κραυγή ικεσίας αναπέμπεται στο Θεό. Δεν σε ακούει τόσο πολύ ο Κύριος όταν Τον παρακαλείς μόνος σου, όσο όταν Τον παρακαλείς ενωμένος με τους αδελφούς σου. Γιατί στην εκκλησία υπάρχουν περισσότερες πνευματικές προϋποθέσεις απ’ όσες στο σπίτι. Υπάρχουν η ομόνοια, η συμφωνία των πιστών, ο σύνδεσμος της αγάπης, οι ευχές των ιερέων. Γι’ αυτό, άλλωστε, οι ιερείς προΐστανται των ακολουθιών· για να ενισχύονται με τις δυνατότερες ευχές τους οι ασθενέστερες ευχές του λαού, κι έτσι όλες μαζί ν’ ανεβαίνουν στον ουρανό. Όταν προσευχόμαστε ο καθένας χωριστά, είμαστε ανίσχυροι· όταν όμως συγκεντρωνόμαστε όλοι μαζί, τότε γινόμαστε πιο δυνατοί και ελκύουμε σε μεγαλύτερο βαθμό την ευσπλαχνία του Θεού. Κάποτε ο απόστολος Πέτρος βρισκόταν αλυσοδεμένος στη φυλακή. Έγινε όμως θερμή προσευχή από τους συναγμένους πιστούς, κι αμέσως ελευθερώθηκε. Τι θα μπορούσε, επομένως, να είναι πιο δυνατό από την κοινή προσευχή, που ωφέλησε κι αυτούς ακόμα τους στύλους της Εκκλησίας; Συνέχεια στο επόμενο τεύχος PAGE 24 THE LADDER

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS/ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΕΣ ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΕΙΣ

Dear Parishioner,

We would like to take this opportunity to extend to you an invitation to share in making our Great Lent and Holy week a most beautiful and fulfilling journey. The following is a list of flowers and items which will be needed for the various services that will occur.

In order to maintain uniformity and thus add to the beauty of our services, we ask that contributions be made to the Church. Father Andrew will make arrangements in purchasing the items and flowers. We need the following flowers and/or floral arrangements.

Flowers for the Salutations to the Mary ____Feb. 27 ____March 6 ____March 13 ____March 20 ____Flowers for the Akathist Hymn on March 27 ____Flowers for the small Icon of the Annunciation and on the Iconostasion ____Daffodils/Jonquils for the Veneration of the Cross ____Flowers for Saturday of Lazarus Icon ____Flowers for Palm Sunday ____Palms for Palm Sunday ____Vayia for Holy Saturday morning Service ____Flowers for the Icon of the Bridegroom ____April 5 ____April 6 ____April 7 ____Flowers for the Icon of the Last Supper ____Flowers for the Icon of the Crucifixion ____Flowers for the Icon of the Apokathelosis ____Donation for the flowers for the Epitaphios ____Flowers for the Resurrection Banner ____Flowers for the Resurrection Icon ____Lily plants for Iconostasion and Altar Table ____Wreath for Crucifixion on Holy Thursday ____Epitaohio Candles for Good Friday ____Donations for Candles: Holy Week (Altar Table) Incense, Priest’s Anastasi Candle ____Potted Flowers for Crucifixion ____Additional General Donations

The above items can be donated by filling out this form and returning it to the Church office. There is no specific dollar amount for any of the above items—whatever you wish to give. ______

Name______. Indicate the item you wish to donate the following:

In Memory of ______

For the Health of______

MARCH 2015 PAGE 25 METROPOLITAN SAVAS VISITS TO BLESS THE WATER PAGE 26 THE LADDER

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS/ΚΟΙΝΟΤΙΚΕΣ ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΕΙΣ

Congratulations! The 40-day blessing of Georgios Spanakis, son of Aristides Spanakis and Nickolle Sylvester took place in our church on Sunday, February 15, 2015

Συγχαριτήρια! Είχαμε τον σαραντισμό του Γεωργίου Σπανάκη, γιός του Αριστείδου Σπανάκη και της Nickolle Sylvester στην εκκλησία μας την Κυριακή, 15-2-2015

May their memory be eternal! The following members of our community have been laid to rest:

◊ Panagiotis (Pete) Alexopoulos (1922-2014), passed away on 12/7/2014

◊ Ekaterini Tsipouras (1926-2015), passed away on 1/6/2015

◊ Vasilios Asimos (1929-2015), passed away on 1/19/2015. May the Lord grant them eternal rest.

Αιωνία η μνήμη αυτών! Τά ακόλουθα μέλη της κοινότητάς μας αποβίωσαν εν Κυρίω:

◊ Παναγιώτης Αλεξόπουλος (1922-2014), την 7/12/2014

◊ Αικατερίνη Τσίπουρα (19??-2015), την 6/1/2015

◊ Βασίλειος Ασίμος (1929-2015), τη 19/1/2015. Ο Θεός να τους αναπαύσει. MARCH 2015 PAGE 27

JOY & GOYA SUMMER CAMP, 2014 Non-Profit Organ. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No.68 YORK, PA

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION YORK, PENNSYLVANIA 2500 Pine Grove Road York, Pennsylvania 17403 Fr. Andrew N. Tsikitas, Parish Priest

Phone: 717-741-4200 Fax: 717-747-0468 E-mail: [email protected] “Today is the beginning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery of ages. The Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin, and proclaims this gift from God. Together with him, we cry out to WWW. AGOCY. ORG & you, O , ‘Hail, you full of grace, the Lord ON FACEBOOK! is with you.’” - Dismissal Hymn of the Annunciation