December Saint 2015Sophia Greek Orthodox CathedralPage HERALD DECEMBER 15, 2015 Ευτυχισμένο το 2016. Ευχόμαστε φέτος η φλόγα της αγάπης να καίει για να ζεσταίνει και να μαλακώνει τις καρδιές όλων. Υγεία, ευτυχία, ελπίδα και Καλή Χρονιά. Birth of Jesus, Fresco Giotto Di Bondonne, 1305, Scrovegni Chapel, Padua INSIDE THIS ISSUE Dean’s Message 2 V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas President’s Message 3 Holy Nativity of Our Lord and God Dean Jesus Christ - December 25 Stewardship 4 1324 S. Normandie Avenue Announcements 4 Epiphany - January 6 Los Angeles, CA 90006 Saint John the Forerunner - Tel. 323-737-2424 Ministries List 8 January 7 Fax. 323-737-7029 Sacraments/Memorials 9 The Three Hierarchs - January 30 www.stsophia.org Philoptochos VIP 9 Feast Day Article 13 Orthodox Calendars, Dec. and Jan. 14, 15 Page 2 December 2015 GOD BECOMES MAN TO SHOW US THE WAY What shall we offer you, O Christ? Let us share the love of God with others. Christ has come to Who for our sake appeared on earth as a human? bear witness to the Father’s love for us. We too can share this love with others, especially with the poor and less Every creature made by you offers you thanksgiving fortunate among us. We can be sensitive to those who The angels offer you a hymn, cannot easily celebrate because of a loss in their lives, Let us The heavens, a star. be the ambassadors of God who share His care and philanthropy. The magi, gifts, The shepherds, their wonder, Let us seek the Lord with an open heart as the shepherds and wise men did. This means that we find opportunities for The earth, its cave, prayer and meditation, for reading the Scriptures related to The wilderness, a manger, Christ’s coming. This means that we can make Christmas a And we offer to you, a Virgin Mother special day by participating in the Divine Liturgy and by receiving Hold Communion with reverence for God, with faith (Vesper Hymn) and with love. The simplicity of the story of Christ’s birth reveals the depth of To Christ Our Lord be glory, now and forever and unto the God’s love and the mystery of His actions in our life. As we ages of ages. Amen. celebrate Christmas anew this year, once again Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and wise men, the angels and animals In Christ, direct our attention to the Lord Jesus. He who is truly the “way, the truth and the life” (Jn.14:1) who reveals Himself in the humble circumstances of a cave in Bethlehem. All of time is centered upon his coming. All of creation surrounds Him who fashioned the creation! The story of the birth of Christ is a vivid reminder of the depth V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas, Dean of God’s love for us. He loves us so much that he has entered into life in this world in the person of Christ. The infinite God mysteriously accepted the limitations of our humanity. It was not enough for God to guide us through the prophets and teachers of old. No, this was not enough for our God. To express his boundless love for us, the Living God appeared among us in the person of Christ has come to teach us, to heal us and to lead us back to the Father. He has come to remind us that we are the Father’s precious daughters and sons. As St. John the Evangelist says: “God so loved the world that he sent His Only begotten Son so that all who believe in him will not be lost but will have eternal life” (Jn.3:16). The story of the birth of Christ and it true significance is often clouded by the commercialism of the season. There is a very frenzied pace to these days which can so easily depersonalize us and dampen the true joy of the season. The stores tempt us for weeks on end to buy this thing or buy that thing. Some of us prefer to speak of the “Holiday Season” rather than of Christmas. Many schools have forbidden the remembrance of Christ’s birth in the classroom. Yes, throughout our society, many fail to remember that the coming of Christ is truly at the heart of the Christmas celebrations. What can we do? Let us remember that the season celebrates the love of God revealed in the coming of Christ. For those with faith, the colored lights, the green trees, the wreaths and the flowers are the symbols of the joy of Christmas. Let us celebrate the joy of Christ’s coming! December 2015 Page 3 PARISH COUNCIL MESSAGE CHURCH TRANSENDS TIME Christmas and New Years are upon us and the songs, birth of Christ is heard throughout the world in many ways. decorations, presents and good will to all reminds us of the So many other wonderful opportunities will happen this month importance of why we are all Orthodox Christians. Our including the Blessing of the Animals in the honor of Saint Church teaches us that through Orthodoxy we hold to the Modestos, the patron saint of domestic animals and his feast traditional beliefs and customs of the early church that Jesus day is celebrated with various rituals in honor of animals. Join Christ established. As we study and adhere to the teaching of Father Bakas and our furry friends on Saturday, December Scripture, a confident peace descends upon us and we know 19, noon, in front of our Chapel for a traditional blessing with with a wonderful certainty that God is guiding, helping and Holy water. saving us. The Church transcends time, and we share in the glories of the past and the future now, here on earth. Very Christmas Eve services will be held on Thursday, December Rev. Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes states in his essay “In 24th at 4:00 pm rejoicing the Nativity and Adoration of the the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”, the shepherds. This service is beautiful and inspiring and leads Church is often likened to an ark. We Orthodox Christians us to Christmas Day Liturgy, the day “a child is born to us, a believe that we should always be spiritually aware, and son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulders; through prayer, fasting, and witnessing, enables people of our and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, God the generation to come to know who we are and what we believe Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace. when it comes to the teachings of the holy Orthodox Faith. th The “ship of salvation,” the ark which is the Church, is Lastly, our special January 9 , 2016 dinner recognizing and available for anyone who desires to confess the faith with us. honoring Very Reverend Father John S. Bakas who is We seek always to help and guide the loving, faithful celebrating 20 years as Dean of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Christians within the Holy Orthodox Church to be zealous to Cathedral (“From Barn to Cathedral”) will be held in the Saint Sophia Community Center. This community event is an fulfill her commandments and ordinances, not least to draw in with love and humility those who are crying out for help and important reminder of sharing our love, eternal thanks and salvation. And in the Holy Orthodox Church we and they may recognition of the continuing service and guidance that our obtain that eternal salvation through Christ Our Lord.” May Priest (beloved and respected Father Bakas) has provided to the Lord Our God, guide us and watch over us all with His all of us. All proceeds from this event will go towards the purchase of a new organ and bell system. peace, and His love, as well as help us, save us, and keep us by His Grace. Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your family, and Happy New Year. Pray for our Church and for the safety and Through the richness of our choir voices, our music ministry health of all of our parishioners. members joyously sang and gave glory, honor, and praise to God during our Christmas concert at the beginning of the Yours in Christ, month. The Lord created the powerful gift of music and He Brent A. Noyes, Parish Council President has given us voices to praise and worship Him with. Many thanks and recognition goes to Jim Kollias, choir director, Chris Yokas, organist, all the instrumentalists (many of whom are practicing Orthodox Christians) and to both the Serbian and Saint Sophia choir alumni and current choir members. To give praise to God is to proclaim his merit and worth in the life of the individual who praises him. God has given us the responsibility and the privilege of proclaiming His righteousness with our mouth and hands and through music. Thank you for this wonderful reminder that the story of the Page 4 December 2015 Believe and Belong through Christian Stewardship STEWARDSHIP FAMILIES OCTOBER 2015 $20,000+ Pappas, Mr. & Mrs. Nick Richardson, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Harkiss, Dr. Sam Pentheroudakis, Mr. & Mrs. Panos Tassop, Ms. Mary M. Wilner, Mrs. Anne $1,000 $2,000 To $3,999 Webster, Mr. & Mrs. Dante Anonymous (1) $650 To $999 OTHER Kourafas, Mr. & Mrs. Christopher $1,000 To $1,999 Anonymous (1) Latinopoulos, Mrs. Mary Anonymous (1) Apostle, Mr. & Mrs. James Ligar, Ms. Mary Anast, Mr. & Mrs. Ernest W. Botsford, Mr. Ryan Mars, Mrs. Irene Fettis, Mrs. Patricia Halekakis, Mr.