The Epistle of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church APRIL 22909 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River, Ohio 2016 Pastoral Thoughts by Fr. Jim Doukas On Holy Friday afternoon, we witness one of the most symbolic sacred services of the Orthodox Church – the Un-Nailing service. It speaks for itself through the large Crucifix, the embroidered Epitaphios (Holy Tapestry) with Christ lying in His Grave decorated with flowers on the Kouvouklion. Traditionally, this th is the service attended by children and their parents, because it April 24 is so simple, colorful, educational, and most of all, extremely 8:30 a.m. Orthros~9:30 a.m. Hierarchal Divine impressive to the eyes who see Jesus’ death and burial in such a vivid way. But all are encouraged to attend. Liturgy with His Eminence Metropolitan Savas When we take His most precious Body from the Cross that remained all night in Church, and take off the nails from His Traditional Plaki Luncheon to follow in the hands and feet, we wrap it in a white linen sheet- just like those Metallinos Cultural Hall emotional moments of a man named Joseph, who placed it into $15.00 For Baked Fish plate the Tomb. This is done when the priest reads a long Gospel with $8.00 For Pasta Marinara plate 61 Bible verses: “Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of Salad ~ Rolls ~ Soft Drinks ~ Coffee God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Sponsored by the Youth Choir Jesus. And Pilate wondered if He were already dead; and Delicious Easter Tsoureki bread will also be on sale summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He was in the west lobby, outside the hall. already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that He Sponsored by the Liturgical Choir was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud and taking Him down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud, For tickets, call Diane Matzorkis (440-463-3068) and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.” (Matthew 27:55-61) With sorrow in our hearts, we witness the funeral procession of His sacred Body. The priests carry the special embroidered Epitaphio tapestry over their heads and go slowly around the church interior, while the congregation kneels. Finally, it is placed in the Kouvouklion, the large flowery wooden grave in front of the Holy Altar, along with a Gospel. Through the Paschal Agape Service centuries, the Eastern Orthodox church used Byzantine art and ststst its mystical dynamics in presenting to the faithful a most Easter Sunday, May 1 decorative, expensive, and attractive “Tapestry” with the “icon” that depicts Him dead, surrounded by His Beloved Mother, the 11:00 a.m. Disciples and Joseph, the “nobleman from Arimathea.” Those who know a language other than English or The last spiritual enjoyment of this great Holy Friday Greek, and would like to read the Gospel at the service, afternoon comes when the faithful approach the Epitaphio at the please contact the office to sign up. end. As Christians, we pay tribute to Christ (who died for US!) by kissing the Epitaphio and by “burying ourselves with Him.” The annual JOY Easter Egg Hunt will take place How? By passing under His Grave and burying out sins there! immediately following the service (weather permitting) Scholars indicate that this is a very old custom. on the church grounds. As we witness this beautiful service, let us remind ourselves of our commitment to our Lord and Savior who committed His life For other Holy Week church service times, see to us! Have a blessed Easter. Καλό Πασχά ! the calendar on page 17. The Epistle is the official publication of the Greek Orthodox Community of St. Demetrios Church Organizations’ Contacts Phone: (440) 331-2246 Acolyte Coordinator …………..…Tom Hlepas…216-269-3265 Fax: (440) 331-8407 AHEPA …………………………...Costa Petros…440-937-8079 www.saintdemetriosrr.org Bible Study :……...………Evangeline Richards…216-221-3003 Sunday Services: Orthros 8:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Bookstore ……….....……...…….Donna Vassos…440-331-5547 Choir Director/Canto r…..…....Bill Matzorkis…..216-496-4230 Editor : Eleni Papouras-Jenks Youth Choir …….…..Diane Matzorkis…440-463-3068 Publication Deadlines : Weekly Bulletin – Wednesday Daughters of Penelope …..………Elisa Demis…440-665-1348 Monthly Epistle – The 15 th of the preceding month Greek School Principal Eleni Papouras-Jenks...216-965-8131 Clergy and Office Staff Board of Education Maria Mougianis…….440-835-2888 Fr. James Doukas, Priest………………(Home) 440-899-3257 PTO Kiki Poulopoulos …………………..440-979-9293 Fr. Anastasios Athanasiou, Assistant Priest……..412-758-1068 GOYA Advisors Athena Diamantis………………216-469-8607 [email protected] Dan Packis……………………..440-937-9531 Eleni Papouras-Jenks, Office Mgr [email protected] Sophia Tjotjos…...……….…….440-331-4000 Nick Hillman, Operations Mgr [email protected] President Matthew Szekely……………….440-835-5712 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 Κόλλυβα (Memorial Tray)…...…Ann Carpadis…440-871-8625 Byron T. Spooner, Vice President….......……….440-724-1923 Becky Giallourakis…440-610-3516 Steve Alex, Treasurer……………………………440-823-9595 Maria Statheros…216-226-1680 Randy Carpenter, Financial Secretary…..………440-878-0036 Library Committee :…………..…...Andie Titas...440-779-8581 Eugenia Burpulis, Secretary…...………………...440-356-1746 Philoptochos ……………………[email protected] Nicholas Giallourakis…………………………....440-773-9931 President ………Stephanie Zavatchen….440-385-7448 Andreas Koustis…...…………………………….216-513-8905 Sunshine Committee ….Elpida Kosmidis…440-779-8959 Nikolaos Petousis ………………………....…….440-570-7889 Sunday School ….…………... [email protected] Anthony Trakas……...…………………………..440-385-7741 Principal Maggie Steffas…….440-871-6362 _____________________________________ Assistant Principal Cindy Genin……440-610-7686 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 Pan-Orthodox Young Adult Fellowship ……Maria Koulioufas 440-525-1187 For local Orthodox events: www.orthodoxcleveland.us Speaking of Stewardship… 3 Greek Festival : June 1616----19,19, 2016 FESTIVAL Thanks to everyone who helped roll Dolmades and Souzoukakia last month! This month, we will work COOKING on 2 of the most labor-intensive dishes- PLEASE April 4-5 Pastitsio join us starting at 9 a.m.! Photos: April 11-12 Moussaka Nick May 10*-11 Spanakopites Hillman May 16*-17 Tiropites May 23 Galaktoboureko May 30 Green beans June 1 Koulourakia June 6-7 Lamb Shanks June 13 Sauces June 14 Chicken June 15 Tourlou and Rice pudding * Denotes an evening session Thanks to a generous Statement of Activity Current Current Month Month memorial donation of $5,000 (February 2016) Actual Budget YTD Actual YTD Budget from the Stella and Georgia Income Metrakos Family Trust, the Pledges Totals: 34,698.00 32,055.56 83,598.37 65,111.12 balance on the dome icon of Offerings Totals: 5,309.51 5,216.67 9,131.62 10,433.30 St. Bartholomew has been Education Offerings Totals: 1,560.00 1,000.00 4,677.50 2,000.00 paid off! The Dome Other Church Donations Totals: 6,395.00 1,500.00 8,313.00 3,000.00 Iconography update began in Fund Raiser Revenue Totals: 45.00 316.67 602.00 633.30 2003, when many of the Rental Revenue Totals: 2,484.00 6,125.00 2,985.60 12,250.00 icons were sponsored by individuals and church Other Revenue Totals: 5,452.10 2,266.67 6,423.13 4,533.30 ministries. A loan was taken Income Totals: 55,943.61 48,480.57 115,731.22 97,961.02 out to complete the dome Expense (along with several other Gross Wages Totals: 15,062.76 15,725.02 30,306.25 31,449.96 capital improvements,) and Pastor Benefits Totals: 17,387.62 14,066.66 31,878.88 28,133.40 since then, several memorial Other Payroll Expenses Totals: 5,174.11 4,530.56 12,602.53 9,061.12 donations toward the icons have helped pay down the Assistant Pastor Benefits Totals: 8,341.48 8,516.67 16,746.87 17,033.30 loan principal. With this Education Expenses Totals: 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 recent donation, only one Fund Raiser Expenses Totals: 0.00 1,041.67 0.00 1,083.30 icon remains unsponsored: Parish Organizations Totals: 543.27 283.34 634.82 566.60 St. James Alpheus. Anyone Mission and Outreach Totals: 1,450.00 779.17 1,450.00 1,558.30 wishing to donate toward Arch/Diocean Expenses Totals: 14,757.15 7,741.67 22,375.75 15,483.30 paying off this final mosaic Church Expenses Totals: 540.31 1,375.00 1,968.26 2,750.00 can contact Fr. Jim. Office Expense Totals: 3,861.15 2,419.46 5,536.92 4,838.80 Main Complex Exp Totals: 20,097.86 15,058.33 30,090.98 30,116.70 See this month’s feature article about the Apostle Expense Totals: 87,215.71 71,537.55 153,591.26 142,074.78 mosaics, on pages 10-11.