The Epistle of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church November 22909 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River, Ohio 2017 Pastoral Thoughts by Fr. Jim Doukas Now that Thanksgiving is here, I would like to share a wonderful article : “One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument. ON the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there, and for that matter, probably couldn’t care less. These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation., overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia. Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world. These two Latin words composed of just four syllables and only seven letters mean, very simply “Praise be to God!” In 1888, the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took 25 years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation: Laus Deo “Praise be to God.” From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city, with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l’Enfant…a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north, the Jefferson Memorial to the south, the Capital to the east, and the Lincoln Memorial to the west. A cross, you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th , 1848, deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible. Praise be to God! The St Demetrios Catacomb Bookstore has several copies of Dr. Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the Mamalakis’ book Parenting Toward The Kingdom . They are normally spiritual mood given by the founder and first $21, but we are selling them for $18 until November 15. President of our unique democracy, “One Nation, Under God.” Thanks to the St. Demetrios Trust Fund for underwriting a major (continued on page 11) portion of the retreat. The Epistle is the official publication of the Greek Orthodox Community of St. Demetrios Phone: (440) 331-2246 Church Organizations’ Contacts Fax: (440) 331-8407 Acolyte Coordinator …………..…Tom Hlepas…216-269-3265 www.saintdemetriosrr.org AHEPA …………………………...Costa Petros…440-937-8079 Sunday Services: Orthros 8:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. American Legion …………Spyro Farmakidis…440-779-8190 Editor : Eleni Papouras-Jenks Bible Study :……...………Evangeline Richards…216-221-3003 Publication Deadlines : Weekly Bulletin – Wednesday Bookstore ……….....……...…….Donna Vassos…440-331-5547 Monthly Epistle – The 15 th of the preceding month Choir Director/Canto r…..…....Bill Matzorkis…..216-496-4230 Clergy and Office Staff Youth Choir …….…..Diane Matzorkis…440-463-3068 Fr. James Doukas, Priest………………(Home) 440-899-3257 Daughters of Penelope …..………Elisa Demis…440-665-1348 Fr. Anastasios Athanasiou, Assistant Priest……..412-758-1068 FOCUS Friends …………..……Linda Glynias…216-469-2663 [email protected] Greek School Principal Eleni Papouras-Jenks...216-965-8131 Eleni Papouras-Jenks, Office Mgr [email protected] Board of Education Maria Mougianis…….440-835-2888 Nick Hillman, Operations Mgr [email protected] GOYA Advisor, Athena Diamantis……………216-469-8607 John Stamatiades, Church Accountant…440-331-2246, ext. 4 Student President: Jordyn Prok Dale Stalnaker, Webmaster …………[email protected] Hellenic Dancers For a seasonal prayer, call the church and choose extension 7 Kymata ….……………....Angelia Szekely…440-724-3807 Kyklonas ………………. Eleni Papouras-Jenks…216-965-8131 Parish Council JOY ………………………….Sally Tsirambidis…440-716-0581 Nicholas Giallourakis, President……………....440-773-9931 Κόλλυβα (Memorial Tray)…...…Ann Carpadis…440-871-8625 Anthony Trakas, Vice President………………..440-385-7741 Becky Giallourakis…440-610-3516 Andreas Koustis, Treasurer…………………….216-513-8905 Library Committee ….………..…...Andie Titas...440-779-8581 Steve Alex, Financial Secretary…...……………440-823-9595 Philoptochos ……………………[email protected] Lilly Anitas, Secretary……………….…………..440-734-3440 President …………..…Maggie Steffas …440-871-6362 Ellie Chrisman…………………………………...440-835-8430 Sunshine Committee ….Elpida Kosmidis…440-779-8959 Harry Giallourakis………………….………..…..216-695-1119 Sunday School ….…………... [email protected] Anna Kachevas……………………………….….563-542-4692 Christina Carpadis Schraff……………………216-215-4232 Kostas Mathiellis………………………………...440-572-1799 Spiritual Life Committee ...Angie Giallourakis…216-871-2681 Evanthia Pallam………………………………….216-402-7646 Special Needs Services …….Tina Hericks….216-970-3737 Floyd Trillis, Jr……………………………....…..440-835-6552 Yassou Club …...…………....Mary Pappadakes…440-799-4821 Dimitrios Tsatiris ………………………………..216-310-5233 Sophia Tjotjos, Legal Counsel Endowment Fund ……………Manuel Steffas…440-871-6362 For Local Orthodox events ,visit www.orthodoxcleveland.us Trust Fund ……………............John Stamatis…440-937-6258 St. Herman’s FOCUS Cleveland www.sainthermans.com St. Panteleimon Orthodox Christian Outreach ministering to nursing Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America …www.goarch.org homes and shut-ins www.stpanteleimon.com Metropolis of Pittsburgh ……… www.pittsburgh.goarch.org Zoe for Life ! ministering to those in crisis pregnancies and mothers in need www.zoeforlifeonline.org International Orthodox Christian Charities … www.iocc.org Orthodox Christian Fellowship College campus ministry Orthodox Christian Mission Center ………. www.ocmc.org www.ocf.net For info on BWU, CWRU, CSU, JCU, Tri-C Orthodox Christian Network ………...……. www.myocn.net Chapters, contact Mira [email protected] 3 Speaking of Stewardship … From the President’s Pen Hello all! Well folks…we 2017 did it. We’re close to the finish line in raising Stewardship enough funds for the Raise the Roof Campaign. Our Goal: goal is $717,000 and our $475,000 community has already Thanks to 362 families pledged 97% of our goal. (see p. 12) For those that have donated or pledged already, that pledged and 109 words cannot describe how amazing this is donors, we are at 71% and I thank you all. of our operating budget For those that have not pledged yet, don’t as of the end of worry there is still time! We are going to October. have a plaque thanking all of those that have pledged to the cause within the lower narthex or narthex (final location to be determined.) Do not miss out on the opportunity to be a part of something special that will live on our & Stewardship Sunday walls for generations to come. This is a very th cool opportunity and I hope everyone can be a November 5 part of it within our community. Following Divine Liturgy, join us in the hall On November 19th, following church, we for complimentary pancakes and to fill out will be having our next general assembly. your 2018 stewardship pledge. Make your Here we will be updated the community on commitment to our church’s future! the status of the Raise the Roof project as we continue to finalize plans. If you have any questions or concerns on the project this will 2017 PARISH COUNCIL ELECTION be a great time to attend to bring them up. The members of the Election Committee, Angelo Karouzos, Betty Poulos, and We will be having a few other updates as well Angie Vianos, have set the election for Sun., Dec. 3, 2017 , immediately from the Parish Council but the Raise the following Divine Liturgy and until 1:00 p.m., to fill the following vacancies: Roof project will be the main topic. Lilly Anitas, Nick Giallourakis, Anna Kachevas, Andreas Koustis, Evanthia Last topic for this letter: Save the Date of Pallam, and Anthony Trakas. (According to the By-laws, these individuals must January 7th, 2018 which is the Vasilopita Day be re-nominated and elected in order to continue serving ). Board members who Celebration at St. Demetrios. We are going to have one year to complete and shall remain on the Parish Council in 2018 are: start a new tradition at St. Demetrios and have Steve Alex, Ellie Chrisman, Harry Giallourakis, Kostas Mathiellis, Floyd Trillis a luncheon thanking the community for 2017 Jr., Dimitri Tsatiris. accomplishments and honoring all of those CANDIDACY REQUIREMENTS: lost, married, baptized, etc. More information 1. Candidate must be a baptized or chrismated Orthodox Christian who is in to come on this event. spiritual good standing with his/her church (i.e. if married, is married in the As always please let me know if you have any Orthodox Church, if divorced, has secured the ecclesiastical divorce, and questions or concerns. God Bless, participates in the sacraments of the church). Nick Giallourakis, Parish Council President 2. Candidate must have paid his/her financial obligation to the parish up to and 440-773-9931 including December 31, 2017. [email protected] 3. Candidate must be a member of the parish for at least one year and comply with the Canons of the Church. Save the Date for 4. All candidates must attend a seminar conducted by a priest prior to the election General Assembly to discuss the Uniform Parish Regulations (UPR) and the oath of office. The 2017 Regional Seminar date to be announced. Sunday, November 19 CANDIDACY PETITIONS: 12 Noon Petitions have been mailed and also available in the church office. Place in election box located in the church office by Fri., Nov. 17 at 12 p.m.; or mail to in the Cultural Hall the church office, postmarked by Tue., Nov. 14, 2017, to be valid.