The Epistle of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church March 2019 60 years of Faith and Fellowship Pastoral Thoughts : Raising saints ` By Fr. Andrew Lentz What do you want to be when you grow up? I’ve never heard someone say, “A saint!” We would most likely chastise a child for such a response assuming that they were being silly, and yet, this is an awesome response since it is the entire goal of the Orthodox Christian life. A friend of mine, in explaining what Orthodox Christianity is to someone who never heard of it, told a story of a couple who had lost their infant son. He said that those parents were not in despair for their dead child, but were grateful. They took solace in the fact that they had achieved their purpose—they raised a saint. Those parents offer us a beautiful example of Orthodox Christian parenthood in their deep understanding of our theology and purpose in life. Our purpose in life is to become a saint. Whether we like it or not, we have been charged with the task of achieving sainthood. We accepted this charge at our baptism and we reaffirm it every time we receive Holy Communion. So while it might seem a bit strange to write down “sainthood” under life goals, we really need to start considering it. Sainthood as a life goal doesn’t mean you have to run off to the monastery, but it does mean that you’re seriously thinking about how you’re going to reach that goal with what you do each day. Children invited to bring icons for the procession As we journey through the Great Fast in preparation for Fellowship and refreshments following the service. Pascha, what are we really doing? Are we dieting or are we truly training ourselves to become saints? If all we’re doing is altering our diet, going through the motions of extra church There are no angry saints. None of the saints blamed their services, and acting cranky and tired because of it, just stop. demeanor on a protein deficiency. Our icons don’t depict the The entire purpose of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and extra saints with smiles, but they are not scowling either. They church services is to help us draw closer (in a loving way) to have a serious look because being a saint is a very serious Christ and those around us. If we fast for the wrong reasons, matter—a serious matter that requires our serious attention. If and are miserable because of it, we just push ourselves even we are not striving to become saints and raise our children as further away from God and neighbor. The Great Fast is not an saints, then why are we going through the motions? Now is easy period in the life of an Orthodox Christian, but it is a very the time to think about what we have done with our lives and necessary one. This is the time that we reflect on our life and what we want to do with the rest of our time on this earth. how we live it so that we might reorient ourselves towards God Our time here is short, and just a tiny blip when we consider and becoming one of His Holy Ones. As we pay less attention that we’re going to live on for all eternity. After all that has to regular food, we need to fill that void with more spiritual been taught to us about God and our purpose in life, striving to food. As we pay less attention to all of our activities, we need become a saint and raising our children to be saints, in my to pay more attention to our spiritual activities. As we pay less humble opinion, is the smart life goal. As St. Paul addresses attention to our own needs, we need to pay more attention to the faithful as saints in each of his epistles, so too do I address the needs of others. This last point is a critical one. The more you here. I wish all the saints of our community a blessed and we pay attention to the needs of others, the less irritable we fruitful journey through the Great Fast and a most glorious become of our own. celebration of Pascha! The Epistle is the official publication of the Greek Orthodox Community of St. Demetrios 22909 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River, Ohio ~ Phone: (440) 331-2246 ~ www.saintdemetriosrr.org Sunday Services: Orthros 8:20 a.m.; Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Closed for lunch 1:00-2:00 p.m. Publication Deadlines : Weekly Bulletin – Wednesday . Monthly Epistle – The 15 th of the preceding month Clergy and Office Staff Parish Organizations Fr. Andrew Lentz, Priest….……[email protected] Acolyte Coordinator …………..…Tom Hlepas…216-269-3265 Eleni Papouras-Jenks, Office Manager/ Newsletter Editor AHEPA …………………………...Costa Petros…440-937-8079 [email protected] American Legion …………Spyro Farmakidis…...440-779-8190 Nick Hillman, Operations Mgr [email protected] Bible Study :……...………Evangeline Richards…216-221-3003 John Stamatiades, Church Accountant…440-331-2246, ext. 4 Bookstore ……….....……...…….Donna Vassos…440-331-5547 Parish Council Choir Director/Canto r…..…....Bill Matzorkis…..216-496-4230 Lilly Anitas, President.….………………….…..440-734-3440 Youth Choir …….…..Diane Matzorkis…440-463-3068 Dimitrios Tsatiris, Vice President…………..…..216-310-5233 Daughters of Penelope ..…….……Elisa Demis…440-665-1348 Kostas Mathiellis, Treasurer.....…..……..……...440-572-1799 Greek School Principal Eleni Papouras-Jenks...216-965-8131 Floyd Trillis, Jr, Financial Secretary ……....…..440-835-6552 Board of Education Maria Mougianis…...440-835-2888 Sarah Kazanas, Secretary………………………..216-409-2532 PTO Kelly Steffas ……………………...440-808-8788 Irene Georgantas ………………………………..585-703-5005 GOYA Advisor , Athena Diamantis………...……216-469-8607 Anna Kachevas……………………………….….563-542-4692 Student Presidents : Manny Katrakazos & Angelia Poulopoulos Andreas Koustis……………………….……..….216-513-8905 Hellenic Dance Groups Evanthia Pallam………………………………….216-402-7646 Aeraki……………………………… Lia Fresty…330-715-1704 Tom Theodore. ………………………………….440-331-1927 Kymata ….……………....Angelia Szekely…440-724-3807 Gary Thomas…………………………………….440-356-1032 Kyklonas ………………. Eleni Papouras-Jenks…216-965-8131 Anthony Trakas………………………………....440-385-7741 Κόλλυβα (Memorial Tray): Sophia Tjotjos, Legal Counsel Christina Carpadis………………..…216-215-4232 Becky Giallourakis……………….....440-610-3516 Orthodox Organizations Legacy Fund …....…………Manuel P. Glynias…216-857-3388 Library Committee ….………..…...Andie Titas...440-779-8581 For Local Orthodox events ,visit www.orthodoxcleveland.us Philoptochos ……………………[email protected] Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America …www.goarch.org President …………..…Maggie Steffas …440-871-6362 Metropolis of Pittsburgh …….… www.pittsburgh.goarch.org Sunshine Committee ….Elpida Kosmidis…440-779-8959 International Orthodox Christian Charities … www.iocc.org Welfare Committee …………………..Crystal Thomas Orthodox Christian Mission Center …….…. www.ocmc.org Sunday School ….…………... [email protected] Orthodox Christian Network ………...……. www.myocn.net Christina Carpadis Schraff……………………216-215-4232 Orthodox Christian Fellowship ………..………… www.ocf.net Spiritual Life Committee ...Angie Giallourakis…216-387-2681 St. Herman’s FOCUS Cleveland ….. www.sainthermans.com Individuals w/ Disabilities Liaison....Tina Kolas...216-970-3737 FOCUS Friends …………..…Linda Glynias…216-469-2663 St. Panteleimon Orthodox Christian Outreach www.stpanteleimon.com Zoe for Life ! ……………………. www.zoeforlifeonline.org Speaking of Stewardship… 3 Thanks to those who have already volunteered for one of the 2019 Administrative Committees . Open seats are indicated for those still wishing to volunteer. GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING Sunday March 3, 2019 Stewardship Committee –PC Liaison – Dimitrios Tsatiris This meeting will take place immediately following church in Chair (3 year term)– Byron Spooner; Members (1 year term)– the hall. Please sign in before taking your seats. Kostas Mathiellis, Andy Koustis, Lilly Anitas, Harry A QUORUM OF AT LEAST 25 MEMBERS IN GOOD Giallourakis, Tony Trakas STANDING ARE REQUIRED FOR THE MEETING. If Quorum is not met, the meeting WILL take place on Monday Budget Committee -Chair (1 year term)– Kosta Mathiellis March 4 th @7:00pm with or without quorum per the by-laws. (Treasurer); Members (1 year term)– Floyd Trillis Jr. AGENDA includes: (Financial Secretary,) John Stamatiades (Parish Accountant), • State of the Parish Address – Fr. Andrew Lentz Gary Thomas, (1 spot left) • 2019 Budget Update • Legacy Fund Update Home Committee –PC Liaison – Tony Trakas; Chair (3 year • Nominations for 2019 Board of Auditors term)– Manny Glynias; Members (1 year term)– Harry • Nominations for 2019 Board of Elections Giallourakis, Angelo Karouzos, Bill Pastis, Nick Hillman, • Home Committee Update: Steve Alex • Festival cement pad (safety issue) • Hall floor bids Catering Committee –PC Liaison – Andy Koustis; Chair (2 • Hallway Carpet year term) – Manny Glynias; Members – Nick Hillman (Business manager), Sophia Tjotjos (Legal Advisor), Cindy ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS MEETING “A Parish Assembly Boutoganis, Tom Hlepas consists of the members of the parish who have met their financial obligations to the Parish, in accordance with the Festival Committee –PC Liaison – Lilly Anitas (President); Parish By-laws. A person whose name appears on the Chair – Nick Hillman; Members – Byron Spooner (2 spots left) membership roll, but who is in arrears in payment of his/her stewardship obligations may take part in Parish Assembly by Events/Fundraising – PC Liaison – Sarah Kazanas; Chair – meeting such obligations by the meeting day. New members available; Members – Eleni Papouras-Jenks, Peggy Giavroutas may exercise their vote at Parish Assemblies if they have been members in good standing