January 2012 - St. Sophia Cathedral
Transcription
January 2012 - St. Sophia Cathedral
Page Saint Sophia Cathedral Herald HERALD CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF GREEK ORTHODOXY IN LOS ANGELES JANUARY 2012 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Dean‘s Message 2 President‘s Message 3 Stewardship News 4 Foundation News 6 Philoptohos News 7 Philanthropia News 10 Youth News 11 Sunday School News 12 Sacraments 13 Ministries List 14 Community News 15 Saints of the Month 17 Orthodox Calendar 18 Deadline for February Herald Sunday, 15 January Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas, Dean Rev. Fr. Allan Boyd, Assistant 1324 S. Normandie Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90006 Tel. 323-737-2424 Fax. 323-737-7029 www.stsophia.org In Loving Memory of Panos Angels November 14, 1937 — December 9, 2011 Saint Sophia Cathedral Parish Council President Page 2 Herald DEAN’S MESSAGE “HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012” One expects a new year‘s message to deal with new beginnings. Our new and beautiful Community Center is a new beginning for our cathedral ministries. Let us resolve that it will be used to the glory of God and in His service. It will be formally dedicated after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 5th. There are resolutions and promises that are made to oneself about making some fundamental changes in the building of our lives. Most often these changes involve losing weight, getting in shape, strengthening relationships, developing a better diet, etc. Obviously there‘s nothing wrong with this approach. However it is limiting. It is often too self-centered. We hear ourselves saying: I will, I should, I can, I must. Our real self, our God given soul, also cries out for a new beginning. It seeks a New Year‘s resolution which will nourish and get it into proper spiritual condition. Our Lord Jesus Christ, speaking in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 17:26 says: ―For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?‖ Jesus is the nourishment for the soul. This can be a new beginning to reconnect with God. Here is an age old life giving spiritual prescription we offer to all who want to make 2012 a year of spiritual renewal and abundance. It is not all inclusive but it can be a start. Pray daily, in a planned and disciplined way. Put it on your daily calendar. Develop a spiritual diet plan by fasting and practicing humility. The cholesterol of sin clogs up the arteries of the soul. Come to Holy Confession regularly and receive Holy Communion frequently. Attend and participate in the Divine Liturgy every Sunday. Put the time of leaving home and the time it takes to get to church in your planning calendar. Always arrive on time to greet the Lord with reverence and praise. Remember our Liturgy is an intimate form of community prayer to God. It isn‘t a show. It is an on-going outpouring of Christ into us, by way of Grace and the Eucharist. Pray to become our Orthodox Evangelist, by bringing the good news of the gospel and the love of the church to members of your family, especially to youth who have fallen away because of boredom, past misunderstandings, offenses and hurt feelings. Fallen away Greek Orthodox friends also fall into this category. Invite them to church. Make appointments for them with our priests. Help repair past misunderstandings. For those with language issues.. remember, the first Sunday of every month, the Divine Liturgy is in English. Pray to become a faithful financial contributor to the church through our stewardship program which begins this month. Support our cathedral programs and needs. Resolve to be a generous participant with your treasure, time and talent. Please give in a planned and methodical way. Give God your best, with the Joy of Believing and Belonging. Any and all resolutions require effort and much focused prayerful discipline. We must ―stick to it‖ throughout the year. In making your spiritual new year‘s resolution, remember you have help. Our Lord is by your side, strengthening and encouraging you. We have so much to be thankful for. God Bless you! Happy New Year! Herald Page 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE in memoriam Panos Angels-Angelotopoulos, was born on November 13, 1937, in Nemea, Greece. He was one of six children born to Agamemnon and Avanthia Angelotopoulos. He grew up in Halandri, a suburb of Athens, Greece. Panos received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and after graduation, was called to serve in the Greek Navy. He then ventured to the United States. He arrived in Los Angeles in 1963 and began a new chapter in his life. He met and married his wife Bertha in September 1966. Panos and Bertha had three lovely daughters, their brightest angels, Ava, Dimetra, and Tanya. The Angels family was dedicated to two southland orthodox communities-St. Nicholas and Saint Sophia. For more than 20 years, they served the community of St. Nicholas. Panos helped with their Greek Food Festivals and Bertha taught Sunday School. As a committed father, Panos ensured his daughters were active in the church youth ministries. They participated in Goya and spearheaded the Greek Folk Dance program. Panos was a member of the FDF Board of Trustees from 1986 to 1993. For his efforts and support of youth programs, he was honored with the Patriarch Athenagoras Humanitarian award in 1997 by Metropolitan Anthony. In 1999, the Angels family began participating at Saint Sophia Cathedral, where his daughters were asked to spearhead the rejuvenated dance program. Panos was invited to help run the accounting for the LA Greek Fest. From there, Panos served on the Saint Sophia Parish Council and in 2002 became the Treasurer of the Cathedral. He served diligently and helped to upgrade the Cathedral accounting systems to bring them into the 21st century using state of the art accounting programs. In 2007, Panos was elected President of the parish council. A position he held with honor and integrity. He was a jack of all trades and ensured that the Cathedral ran smoothly. Every Sunday he warmly greeted parishioners and embraced everyone who was new to the community. All who knew Panos could see his dedication and devotion to the Cathedral through his selfless actions. He was Saint Sophia’s "Good Will Ambassador.” Panos Angels was a champion of life. He embraced life as he lived it, fully committed and dedicated to the task at hand. It is stated that the quality of a man's character is judged by how he faces adversity. This quote is a reflection of the strength that shined so brightly in Panos. Throughout the challenges that faced him this past year in his battle with cancer, Panos always embraced the positive and strived to live. Even when the physicians focused on the negative, Panos defied the skeptics and championed hope. He did the impossible and continued the only way he knew, completely committed to life and those he loved. Our dear Panos did indeed face adversity and he fought the good fight. He passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles on December 9, 2011. “Good night sweet prince” of Saint Cathedral, your light will surely be missed. May his memory be eternal… Sophia Page 4 Herald STEWARDSHIP Believe and Belong through Christian Stewardship STEWARDSHIP IN ACTION 1908 ~ 2011 FAITH, VISION and COMMUNITY Ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you. Deuteronomy 32:7 A DREAM The history of Greek Orthodoxy in Los Angeles is the story of the dreams and aspirations of young immigrants willing to risk all to come to an unknown far away place. Unlike their more established compatriots of the East Coast, the Greeks of the West did not have the comfort of an established “Greek Town” or community to welcome them. Following an endless ocean voyage to Ellis Island, they continued their adventurous trip by rail across a strange continent in search of opportunity and a dream. They brought no possessions with them other than their faith, culture and traditions. It was their strong faith & love of the church & heritage that helped build the Greek Orthodox Community in Los Angeles. 1908 ~ A CHURCH IN A ROOM These remarkable forefathers sowed the seeds for Saint Sophia Cathedral on June 14, 1908, when the Greek Orthodox Community of Los Angeles was formally incorporated. The small group of founding members met at 240 Anderson Street. They chose Louis Alexakis as the first president, & Fr. Koutousis to serve the growing number of faithful. 1912 ~ THE ANNUNICATION OF THE VIRGIN MARY Realizing the need for a larger and permanent facility, a property was purchased to build a church at 1216 San Julian Street. By 1912 the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church had become a reality, and was lovingly known thereafter as the “San Julian Street Church.” Fr. Geronteos Koutousis continued as its first priest, followed by Fr. Kallistos Papageorgopoulos, who was later appointed as the first bishop of San Francisco and the western states. An explosion in membership marked the 30’s and 40’s ending with the inspired ministry of Fr. Anthony Kosturos. With emphasis on the youth, Fr. Kosturos made organizing and teaching the youth a priority, forming G.O.Y.A. – the Greek Orthodox Youth of America. 1952 ~ SAINT SOPHIA CATHEDRAL The culmination of this era of accomplishment was the construction of Saint Sophia Cathedral. Under the leadership of Charles P. Skouras, funds were raised to build the magnificent Byzantine Cathedral. Mr. Skouras donated the property. The Greek community and many other Philhellenes raised additional funds. The eloquent V. Rev. Fr. Leonidas Contos reinforced the Cathedral’s public image through his radio & television Eastern Orthodox teachings. The Saint Sophia Foundation was established to be the Cathedral’s fiscal guardian and the Parish Council its operating administrators. The beautiful Saint Sophia Choir was also established in 1952 and flourished under the direction of Dr. Frank Desby, a scholar of Byzantine music. 1957 ~ THE LEGACY CONTINUED The Charles P. Skouras Memorial Center, consisting of offices and classrooms for the Sunday school and later the Greek school, was completed in 1957. The Community Center, serving the community and generating income for the operating expenses of the church, was completed in 1973 and renovated in 1999. The Saint Sophia Residence, generating income for the Foundation while its occupants are becoming a vital part of the Cathedral family, was completed in 1994. The St. Constantine Chapel has served the community since its consecration in 2009 by providing an intimate environment for small services and sacraments. It is the resting place of Charles P. Skouras, the Cathedral’s benefactor, and William Chavalas, the Cathedral’s artist. Additional improvements have contributed to the beautification of the Cathedral and its grounds: the parking lot was expanded and enclosed to secure the church grounds; the Walk of Blessing Hand, and Wall of Major Donors & Life Members were constructed; the Cathedral’s restrooms renovated; and the exquisite mosaic mural, The Symphony of Angels, beautified the altar. The arrival of the dynamic and charismatic Dean, V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas, in 1995, has brought our Parish to new elevations. The Cathedral’s ministries, reaching out to parishioners and neighbors in spirit of faith, service and devotion, continued to thrive by promoting religious, educational, cultural and social programs for all ages. Along with the growth of programs, there had been an increased demand for additional space and improved facilities. 2012 ~ OUR LEGACY: A NEW COMMUNITY CENTER Many years ago, the Foundation authorized the formation of the Saint Sophia Building Committee to study the needs of the community and develop a plan to fulfill those needs. Following many years of planning and fundraising, our new Community Center has become a reality. THE COMMUNITY CENTER FEATURES: 53,820 sq. ft. as compared to the old 22,500 sq. ft. Fellowship Hall, a premier banquet space. The Pavilion, an intimate dining room. A professionally designed industrial kitchen. Cultural Center for Performing Arts and Sports.. General Assembly room. Board room, conference rooms, library museum, music room, and bookstore & gift shop. Additional offices and classrooms, and increased storage facilities for all ministries. Lobby with elevator accessing the 2nd floor. There are no words to express our gratitude to the Saint Sophia Foundation Board of Trustees for defining the vision and goals for the future and to our kind and generous Donors for their Christian Stewardship in transforming that vision to a reality. THANK YOU. Since the establishment of the Los Angeles Greek Orthodox community in 1908, each generation has carried on the pride of the past, the respect for the present, and the responsibility for the future. It is this ageless spirit of devotion and Christian Stewardship that keeps our faith, culture and community alive. As our Saint Sophia Ministry continues to be the pillar of strength and inspiration for our Orthodox Community we ask God to bless our Parish with love, unity and Christian fellowship. Page 5 Herald STEWARDSHIP Believe and Belong through Christian Stewardship 2012 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN Believe and Belong The Joy of Believing comes when we believe in God, to whom we give our love, loyalty and trust. The Joy of Belonging comes when we become practicing Stewards by being responsible caretakers of His House of worship and by lovingly participating in the life of His Church. Our gratitude and thanksgiving for God’s love and blessings are demonstrated by offering Him, through His Church, our time, talent and treasure through our Stewardship. In continuing our Stewardship Legacy, we invite you to join us on Sunday, January 15, as we begin our 2012 Stewardship Campaign with a presentation following the Divine Liturgy. 2012 CATHEDRAL’S OPERATING BUDGET: $1,200,000 THE BUDGET IS AN ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES AND INCOME EXPENSES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES: INCOME IS GENERATED FROM THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES: SALARIES: CLERGY; OFFICE, CATHEDRAL AND MAINTENANCE STAFF PLATE AND CANDLE PAYROLL TAXES SACRAMENTS MEDICAL AND WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE MEMORIALS PROPERTY TAXES MISCELLANEOUS: HOLIDAY OFFERINGS, MINISTRY DONATIONS, CATHEDRAL TOURS, PARKING LOT RENTALS, ETC. STEWARDSHIP MINISTRIES UTILITIES WEBSITE GARDENING, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS STEWARDSHIP GOAL: $1,000,000 SUPPLIES: OFFICE, CATHEDRAL, MAINTENANCE OFFICE EQUIPMENT, REPAIRS, PRINTING AND MAILING STEWARDSHIP IS THE MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME NEEDED FOR THE DAILY OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE CATHEDRAL SECURITY GUARDS, ALARM AND PATROL SERVICE ARCHDIOCESE AND METROPOLIS DUES In order to provide greater fiscal transparency and better communication with our Stewards where their generous donations are being used, the Parish Council has decided to break out the budget activities. In prior years, the Income and Expenses for the Cat hedral’s Operations and Other Activities were included in the $1,600,000 Total Operating Budget. Beginning this year, the Cathedral’s Operating Budget of $1,200,000 will apply only to the Cathedral’s operating expenses. The following activities will not be included in the Cathedral’s budget: Community Center, Festival, Hellenic Academy, Folk Dance Program, Saint Sophia Camp and Camp Zoe. These activities have their own internal annual budgets and generate income to sustain their own programs. The Community Center will be maintained by income generated from the Fellowship Hall rentals and Festival. You will be receiving your 2012 stewardship packets during the week of January 15. As you count your blessings and evaluate your priorities, please help us reach our goal by responding to the needs of our Church with a kind and generous heart. May the New Year bring you good health, joy, peace and prosperity! Irene Frankos, Stewardship Committee Chair PLEDGED STEWARDS for NOVEMBER 2011 $4,000 To $5,999 $500 To $999 OTHER Nikias, Dr. & Mrs. Chrysostomos Zaferis, Mr. & Mrs. James E.* Chaldaris, Mr. & Mrs. George Constance, Mr. & Mrs. Spiro Defterios, Mr. & Mrs. Christos Hrebeniuk, Mr. Jamin Carl and Sellis, Ms. Maria Christina Lambros, Mr. Ponti and Abadou, Ms. Sabine Zaharopoulos, Mr. Konstadinos Anonymous 2 Berry, Mr. & Mrs. James Gregg, Ms. Karla Mitropetros, Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Mouzas, Ms. Alexandra $2,000 To $3,999 Toczek, Mr. & Mrs. Andrzej $1,000 To $1,999 *Life member and Active Steward Boghosian, Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Courlas, Ms. Marianna THE 2011 COMPLETE REPORT OF STEWARDS AND STEWARDSHIP INCOME WILL BE PUBLISHED NEXT MONTH Page 6 Herald FOUNDATION NEWS The Saint Sophia Foundation Dedication and Blessing The Huffington Center Maniatakos Fellowship Hall Wilson Hanks Family Cultural Center Page 7 Herald PHILOPTOHOS NEWS Happy New Year !! I am honored to have this opportunity in this issue of the Herald to give you some history and explanation of all the donations and work we do during the year. Philoptohos was started on March 10, 1919 when a group of Hellenic women, who came to their new home in America, saw a need to help their fellow man. This group was called the Greek Ladies Society of Los Angeles. Though their main objective was philanthropy, the women supported their church, the Patriarchate and the Theological Seminary. On January 30, 1945, under His Eminence Archbishop Athenagoras, the name was changed to The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptohos Society and became the international organization that it is still known as today. The first Saint Sophia Debutante Ball was held in 1952 and continues to be a major fundraiser and highlight of the social season in Los Angeles. While the ladies had a tradition of honoring a ―Mother of the Year‘ and a separate fashion show later on, the two events were combined into one on May 7, 1960. This continues to be a beautiful event that is enjoyed by many people from a number of communities every year. These major fundraisers are where our Philoptohos gets the money it needs to help the poor and the sick. The Philoptohos Mission Statement says ―to aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick… to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the church….‖ As you can see, this covers a lot of people and organizations who need assistance. Philoptohos is a non-profit organization. We‘re not a corporation or a business that makes money for profits. We make money - but we use that money to help relieve suffering and pain wherever we can. Unfortunately, we cannot help everyone who contacts us but we do our best by researching the individual circumstances that come to us and then decide on a plan of assistance. Philoptohos is not supposed to be a ‗long term‘ care program, but rather short-term immediate assistance to help people get their situation under control. Our Board members work very hard to determine the best way for us to help those in need. I will begin by first explaining our obligations. We have charitable donations that we make on three different levels: local organizations, Metropolis (which used to be called the Diocese) and National Philoptohos. The word ‗obligation‘ is a very polite way for the Metropolis and National to say ―mandatory‖. Every year we are given a list of our ‗obligations‘ by the Metropolis and National Philoptohos headquarters. These are not ‗voluntary‘ or ‗discretionary‘ decisions by the chapter. Every Philoptohos chapter in the United States must abide by these lists. Sometimes I hear people say ―oh you don‘t have to give money to that‖ or ―you‘re giving too much money away‖. But we do not have a choice in these matters. National and the Metropolis Philoptohos monitor the chapters very closely. On a local level we donate and help our Cathedral, the Saint Sophia Camp program, The Foundation for the Junior Blind, the Los Angeles Mission, the Philanthropia Ministry, the Salvin School and we offer aid for hospitalized children and adults who arrive from Greece for medical care. I will explain what the Salvin School project is. This is a public school that serves children who are severely mentally and physically challenged. Most of these children have short life expectancies and no hope for any major improvement in their condition as they get older. The school district pays for the administrator, staff and nurses who care for these children every day. The majority of families is low-income or at poverty level who can barely pay their bills to care for themselves and other children in the home, as well as take care of a special needs child. With the help of Philoptohos donations, the school was able to purchase food items and make ‗food‘ boxes for Thanksgiving and Christmas for 74 families this year. Though we are not able to discuss personal cases, we help many families from our Cathedral and others in the area who are in difficult times. Some of these families are struggling with life threatening illnesses, a loss of income and some are mothers raising their children alone. We support the families with gift cards so they can buy items they need. These families are also helped at Christmas time through the wish-list items on the Angel Tree. I can‘t give you details, but our chapter puts a lot of hours and love, into this work. We are also trying more and more to reach out to the area around the Cathedral, such as the Los Angeles Mission, and do what we can for our neighbors. Many of our donations to the Metropolis and National Philoptohos are put into ‗funds‘ that are used later on. The Metropolis on the West Coast has the Kids ‗n Cancer Fund, which raises money to support the Kids ‗n Cancer camps we have in California, Arizona, Oregon and Washington. We also contribute to the maintenance of the Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, the Bishop Anthony Student Aid Endowment Fund for seminarians, and the Emergency Relief Fund. The program for seminarians raises money to help offset the costs at Holy Cross College for those men from our Metropolis, who are studying to become our future priests. When there is a local disaster, whether it is from a fire, flood or earthquake, the Metropolis will reach out and send assistance to the Emergency Relief Fund. Page 8 Herald PHILOPTOHOS NEWS (continued) The Metropolis program has a fairly new program called ―Adopt a Student‖ in which the local chapters in our Metropolis adopt a student at Holy Cross/Hellenic College. Throughout the year, the chapter sends little gifts and notes of encouragement to the student. It‘s very difficult for students (some are married with families) to be so far away in Massachusetts all alone. This year our chapter has adopted Stefanos Courey, son of Father Michael Courey from St. Katherine‘s in Redondo Beach. Now let‘s discuss the National Philoptohos which has a long list of contributions that we make throughout the year. We have the Social Welfare Services Fund, the Cancer Fund, the Cardiac Fund, the Children‘s Medical Fund, the Ecumenical Patriarchate Fund, Hellenic College/Holy Cross, the Orthodox Christian Mission, the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), Autism Assistance, UNICEF, and the Retired Clergy and Widowed Presbytera‘s Benevolent Fund, just to name a few! When Philoptohos passes a tray at church, the money goes to something specific. Sometimes it goes to Holy Cross/Hellenic College, other times the Patriarchate programs, and still other times, into our outreach programs to help the people we keep track all year long. Our Mother‘s Day luncheon and Fashion Show, Debutante Ball, and An Evening with Friends Dinner are our main fundraisers to get us through a year. When you put a greeting into a program book, or attend a lunch or dinner, your money goes back to work helping those who are less fortunate. The women in Philoptohos love what they do and believe in it very strongly. If you have not joined Philoptohos or attended a meeting, please think about doing so and join in our work. We are proud to announce that Philoptohos has committed $200,000 to the building fund project here at our beautiful Cathedral. Philoptohos is ‗the right arm of the church‘ and always available to help the church when needed. I‘m pleased to introduce you to the new Board Members for 2011-2013: First Vice President, Marianna Politis, Second Vice President Helene Ballas, Recording Secretary Mary Gallanis, Corresponding Secretary Lola Gialketsis, and Treasurer Scarlett Billis. Board members include: Frances Bissias, Judith Christopoulos, Connie Cooper, Pauline Evangelatos, Olga Jordan, Tricia Kremer, Constance Manders, Sophie Mastor, Jan Pastras, Christina Peratsakis, Diane Pruett, Sonia Stathes, Mary Tassop and Maria Toczek. Our advisor is Dina Oldknow, our past president. The Saint Sophia Philoptohos Society in Los Angeles, California is honoring Father Peter V. Lambert, Executive Director of "PHILANTHROPIA, INC', at their upcoming EVENING WITH FRIENDS DINNER, to be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at the Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, California. Father Lambert, ordained a Greek Orthodox Priest in 1960, was one of the major members in establishing the Office of Economic Opportunity (War On Poverty, under sergeant Shriver), Head Start and the VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) project, where he became the first Deputy Director in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Father Lambert's first assignment as a priest was at St. Mary's Orthodox Church in Iron Mountain, Michigan. He was later transferred to Canton, Ohio in 1969, where he established the new, Holy Cross Parish. Father was moved around and served in a number of other areas, including Grand Rapids, Michigan, Van Nuys, California and eventually would settle in at St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles as First Assistant to the Dean of the Cathedral. He served at St. Sophia for four years, and then was sent to start the mission parish in Camarillo, California, where the community eventually purchased the Air Force Chapel at the Camarillo Airport. That airport became St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. Next, Father took up a challenge at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bakersfield, California, where he served for ten years. After serious eye surgery, which was followed by a degenerative eye condition, Father Lambert took a part-time position at St. Constantine and Helen in Lancaster, California but was forced to retire in 1992. Following the death of his son Andrew in 1996, Father Lambert was asked to be on the organizing task force and establish an HIV/AIDS Ministry for the Diocese of San Francisco. For the past twelve years, Father Lambert has served as Executive Director of PHILANTHROPIA, a "Consortium of Orthodox Christians dedicated to serving the sick and suffering". Philanthropia, which means to show Love, compassion and caring for all people of God. To learn more visit Philanthropia.org. He has lectured at many church groups and hospitals, on the prevention of AIDS and the AIDS pandemic. Father Lambert helped establish "THE WALL LAS MEMORIAS PROJECT" with its founder Richard Zaldivar, and is currently an honorary member on their Board of Directors. The Wall is in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, and is the first government sponsored monument in memory of AIDS victims. The Philanthropia group also helps with the 'GET ON THE BUS' program that takes children to see their mothers in jail on Mother's Day and helps sponsor the annual Pediatric Memorial Booklet and service at the City of Hope, for families who have lost a child to cancer, and the new "Agape Ministry" at St. Nectarios church in Covina, California, which assists patient's families at the end of a patient's life. There is so much more to honor, in Father Lambert in addition to these few major feats which he has accomplished. We are looking forward to continuing the great work of Philoptohos. Father lives in Tarzana, California with his wife, Sophia, of 51 years. In addition to their son, Andrew, of blessed memory, they also have a son Perry, and a daughter, Carrie Elaine. With love in Christ‘s service, Virginia Noyes, President For more information contact Marianna Politis (310) 275-4074 Page 9 Herald PHILOPTOHOS NEWS (continued) Philoptohos Board Member Olga Jordan prepares the Angel tree, as Sunday School student Gavin Bergeron selects an “Angel family” to help. Sunday School children Isaiah Wellington and Gavin Bergeron donate their stuffed animals to the Philoptohos toy drive. Members Marianna Politis, Jan Pastras, Virginia Noyes and Sophie Mastor collect boxes of cereal and cans of coffee for the L.A. Mission Cereal and Coffee Drive. 2011—2013 Philoptohos Board of Directors With the help of Philoptohos donations a Salvin School student and his mother receive a “food box.” Page 10 Herald PHILOPTOHOS VIP PHILANTHROPIA NEWS Happy New Year! With each new year, the work and needs continue. Let us review the 2011projects (and events) we were able to fulfill with the help and support of all of you who gave so generously: I am honored to be elected as the new president of the Philoptohos VIP‘s. I would like to thank our dear Vivi Demopoulos, the past President, for her hard work these last 2 years. She did an excellent job together with her Board. We wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. We hope that you had a joyous Christmas. Our traditional VIP Christmas luncheon was a great success. Around 80 members and friends attended this great event with delicious food, beautiful decorated tables, Christmas carols in English and Greek, and many drawings donated by members of VIP. Our congratulations go to the event chairman Faye Demetriou who not only donated the center pieces but presented a wonderful program. Christine Peratis, the founder of this organization gave a beautiful speech with memories of the good old days of VIP. At the luncheon, the new officers and board for 2012 were introduced by me, the incoming president. USED CLOTHING and CANNED GOODS: This is a year-long project, so please continue your donations as there are still many we need to reach. Please identify all clothing donations on the outside of the bags by indicating whether they are for men, women or children. The two new receptacles for "used clothing" and "canned goods" are working great. They are located side by side, in the general area of the chapel. Thank you! GET ON THE BUS: With your generous support, we reached our goal of $1,500 to sponsor a bus for the 2011 scheduled visits of hundreds of children who boarded buses to travel from cities all over the state of California to be united with their incarcerated moms and/or dads. Thank you…God Bless! THE WALL-LAS MEMORIAS PROJECT: We continue to support Richard Zaldivar, Executive Director, in their struggle to achieve the same goals we have for continued AIDS education, awareness and prevention. STREET OUTREACH: Our own Dr. Nikos Stefanidis, a Staff Psychologist at Children‘s Hospital, L.A., and an instructor of doctorate candidates…is involved in a program to counsel and guide the ―throwaway children‖ at night on Santa Monica Boulevard. With support from Philanthropia, Dr. Nikos purchases articles of clothing/personal items to try to encourage these young people to get off the street, accept shelter, care and rehabilitation at various housing centers. 27TH AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES: We also sponsored walkers… follow-up pictures and article in the Fall issue of Philanthropia. PRIZES & SURPRISES Jan.26th Thursday, is that time of the year when we play our favorite game. Please join us at 11:30a.m. in the Fellowship Tent for a delicious lunch. The cost is a donation of $10.00. Following lunch, you can enjoy an afternoon of "prizes and surprises" with your friends. Reservations are required. Please call Mersy Loukaris (323)661-1592 or Jayne Poullos (310)871-9723. We hope to see you all there. KATHARA DEFTERA Mark your calendar for the next VIP event. The start of Lent begins on February 27th. More details to follow. In his Service, Mary Morrison Philoptohos VIP President CITY OF HOPE PEDIATRIC MEMORIAL BOOKLET & SERVICE: This was our 9th year sponsoring the Memorial Booklet and Service for the City of Hope. Our liaison is Dr. Randi McAllister, who together with a team of doctors and nurses on the Pediatric staff, host the parents and families to remember their children who were victims to cancer. Thank you to all the Philoptohos chapters and individuals who donated the funds. LOS ANGELES MISSION: Philanthropia partnered with Saint Sophia Philoptohos to collect plain coffee and plain cereal, e.g. Cheerios or Corn Flakes needed at the L.A. Mission. THANKSGIVING BASKETS: Philanthropia partnered with the Saint Nectarios ―Agape Ministry‖ in Covina to provide food baskets to the various needy families. PHILANTHROPIA WEBSITE: The ―Fall‖ issue of the PHILANTHROPIA Newsletter is on the website at: www.philanthropiaministry.org We thank Perry Lambert who is coordinating our website and also congratulate him for being nominated as Best Cabaret Artist of 2011 by Broadway World! Thank you to so many people involved in the above-named projects. We especially thank our beloved Father John Bakas, the Parish Council, and the Philoptohos who enabled us to put it all together! God bless you! Father Peter Page 11 Herald YOUTH NEWS Contacts for Youth Programs ALTAR BOYS Fr. John Bakas [email protected] GREEK DANCE Barbara Kappos [email protected] BASKETBALL Paul Cooper [email protected] HELLENIC ACADEMY Andri Christodoulidou, Director CAMP AXIOS September Sucher [email protected] CAMP ZOE Fr. John Bakas [email protected] GOYA Fr. John Bakas [email protected] Fr. Allan Boyd [email protected] Youth Calendar of events Sunday 1 New Year‘s Day—Saint Basil Sunday School Classes cancelled Sunday 8 Sunday School Regular Schedule Saturday 14 Sunday School High School Class hike [email protected] Sunday 15 Sunday School Class Regular Schedule RITE OF COMMITMENT Helen Lambros [email protected] Sunday 22 Sunday School Class Regular Schedule SAINT SOPHIA CAMP Melanie O‘Regan [email protected] saintsophiacamp.org Saturday 28 Young Adult Pilgrimage Incorrupt relics of St John Maximovitch San Francisco Sunday 29 Sunday School Class Regular Schedule SUNDAY SCHOOL Eleni Yokas [email protected] “Happy New Year!” from the Metropolis Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries I hope and pray that all of you had a wonderful Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and that you are ready for all of the blessings and challenges that 2012 will bring! After being in the Metropolis Youth Office for close to three months now, and having the opportunity to speak with many of you out there in our parishes, I believe I have a little better idea of the kinds of things this Office needs to do in order to continue to develop the Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Metropolis. So, in addition to the yearly programs that you are familiar with like FDF, Oratorical Festival, GOYA Lenten Retreats, Summer Camp and Greek Village, here are a few new things to look for in the New Year: Metropolis Youth Website and Facebook Page Metropolis Young Adult Website and Facebook Page YAL Lenten Retreat Youth-Worker Retreat I very much look forward to getting these websites up and running which should become a very valuable tool to trying to connect all of us throughout our very geographically large Metropolis. However, I would still like to hear from all of you, our young people, young adults and our youth-workers, with any ideas you may have for our Metropolis Youth and Young Adult Ministries. So please e-mail me [email protected] with your ideas & suggestions…….or just to say ―hello‖. In Christ, Paul Gikas Director, Youth and Young Adult Ministries Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Office: 415-814-1186 Cell: 415-525-6803 Email: [email protected] Page 12 Herald SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Sunday School Calendar 2012 Sunday School classes begin after Communion and end at 12:15 PM, unless otherwise noted. January Sunday 1 Sunday 8 Sunday 15 Sunday 22 Sunday 29 No Classes – Holiday Break Regular Schedule Regular Schedule Regular Schedule Regular Schedule February Sunday 5 Sunday 12 Sunday 19 Sunday 26 Monday 27 Regular Schedule Regular Schedule Holiday Weekend – No Classes Regular Schedule Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera) March Sunday 4 Sunday 11 Sunday 18 Sunday 25 Regular Schedule (Sunday of Orthodoxy) Regular Schedule Regular Schedule Regular Schedule April Sunday 1 Saturday 7 Sunday 8 Friday 13 Friday 13 Sunday 15 Sunday 22 Sunday 29 Regular Schedule Saturday of Lazarus Pancake Breakfast and Palm Cross Assembly Palm Sunday - Regular Schedule Holy Friday Retreat 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM (Ages 3-11, grades Pre-K to 6) Holy Friday Lock-In (following evening service for grades 7-12 only) No Classes – Easter – Egg Hunt at St. Sophia Easter Picnic Regular Schedule Godparent‘s Sunday – Special Schedule May Sunday 6 Sunday 13 Sunday 20 Sunday 27 Regular Schedule Regular Schedule – Mother‘s Day Regular Schedule Holiday Weekend – No Classes June Sunday 3 Sunday 10 Pentecost - Regular Schedule Last Day of Sunday School – ‗In & Out‘ Paniyiri following Liturgy Page 13 Herald JANUARY SACRAMENTS WEDDINGS Saturday 7th BIRTHDAYS Debbie Ananias & Jonathan Garcia BAPTISMS Saturday 21st Olivia Alexa & Georgia Eleni Parents: Dave & Janet Anderson MEMORIALS Said on December 18 Chris Daly January 8 EPISTLE READERS January 1 Sunday School Student January 8 George Popoff James Boltinghouse Rev. Timothy Zagorianos January 15 Christine Xenopolou Dina Demetrius Anthony Xenopolou January 22 Jenny Xenopolou Stanley Funk Toula Kalatzis January 29 January 15 Gus Marentes Marie Marentes Panagiotitsa Marentis Demetrios Marentis Elizabeth Bunch Walton Bunch Fotini Bayz James Bayz Tommy Bayz Gus Bayz Bill Bayz Harry Bayz Constantinos Reveliotis Panagiotis Tragus Angeliki Tragus Bessie Revels James Perparas Aspacia Perparas Sylvia Soulis Peter Arvan Alexandros Meares Evangelia Meares Michael Meares Zafiris Tsimahides USHERS January 1 Gene Chronopoulos Dan Lubian January 8 Alexandra Georgiou Christina Georgiou Rosemary Georgiou January 15 Niki Korbakis Maria Pelargos January 22 Dinah Wellington Shelmadine Wellington January 29 January 22 Chris Julias Pareskevoula Doumakes Drulias Gene Chronopoulos Dan Lubian Ballas, Helene Boltinghouse, Jim Boudouvas, John Brooks, Alicia Brooks, Nicholas Callas, Steven Cappos, Helene Contois, Annette Cooper, Paul Dalis, John Dascalu, George Demetriou, Helen Eritano, Nichole Flowers, Debbie George, Gregory V. Georgiou, Nickolas Halikis, Rosalind Hanna, Jeanine Hanna, Steve James, Hilda Karagianis, Lou Katsoulis, John Kiapos, Aspasia Kodomichalos, Velios Kokenes, Katherine Kollias, Jim Konugres, Georgie Korbakis, Anna Krokidas, Ariana Lambert, Perry Litchfield, Jodi Maniatis, Mary Morris, Stella Nikos, Theodora Papoutsis, Constance Papoutsis, Vasilis Pappas, Ann Petros, Anastasia Poulos, Rena Rodinos, Catherine Sarantes, James Sarantopoulos, Kathryn Soteras, Solon Spiropoulos, Doraly Subova, Natasha Treantafelles, Daphne Trigonis, Fotene Baliotis Van Alstine, Toula Varvandakis-Estes, Valerie ANNIVERSARIES Anton, John & Cleo Evangelatos, Andrew & Pauline Kodomichalos, Velios & Celia Lambert, Father Peter & Pres. Sophia Pappas, John T & Bess Rodinos, Evangelos & Katherine Xronia Polla!! If you wish to view the Herald online, please go to the cathedral website: stsophia.org and click on the HERALD link. If you wish to view the Weekly Bulletin, please go to the cathedral website: stsophia.org. Hover over the HERALD link, and then select WEEKLY from the drop- Please note… If your birthday or anniversary is not listed in the monthly Herald newsletter and you would like it to be listed, please e-mail Stephanie at [email protected] Page 14 Herald MINISTRIES Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral Very Reverend Father John S. Bakas, Dean Reverend Father Allan (Gabriel) Boyd Jim Kollias, Choir Director Dimitris Liogris , Protopsaltis Christopher Yokas, Organist James Karatsikis, Sexton FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES Executive Officers PARISH COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2011) Executive Officers Angelo L. Pappas, President Andrew Evangelatos, Vice President Dr. James A. Demetriou, Vice President & C.F.O. George Preonas, Vice President Constantine Boukidis, Secretary Tina Callas, Treasurer Panos A. Angels, President Loula B. Moschonas, Vice President Stephanie Caiopoulos Lubian, Recording Secretary Karen Sarames, Corresponding Secretary Michael Kraios, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer Members Dina Demetrius Jeanine Hanna Toula Kalatzis Tom Martin Alex Oxyzolou Sebastian Opffer Peter Pallas Ted Pastras Dean Peratsakis Zafiris (Zaf) Tsimahides V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas Panos A. Angels Nicholas Bissias Timi Loomos Freshman Gig Kyriacou Alek Haidos John T. Pappas Presidential Appointments Anthony A. Demetriou, Presidential Assistant Steve Hanna, Presidential Assistant John G. Marakas III, Sr. V. P. of Wells Fargo, Advisor to the Board PHILOPTOHOS SOCIETY Executive Officers Virginia Noyes, President Marianna Politis, 1st Vice President Helene Ballas, 2nd Vice President Mary Gallanis, Recording Secretary Lola Gialketsis, Corresponding Secretary Scarlett Billis, Treasurer Dina Oldknow, Advisor Honorary Life Members Jennie Doumak Christine Peratis Members Frances Bissias Judith Christopoulos Connie Cooper Pauline Evangelatos Olga Jordan Tricia Ballas Kremer Constance Manders Sophie Mastor Jan Pastras Christina Peratsakis Diane Pruett Sonia Stathes Mary Tassop Maria Toczek OFFICE STAFF Christina Ajalat, Office Manager Dimey Angels, Accounting CUSTODIAL STAFF Leonard Hart Miguel Rosales Members Associates Irene Frankos, Stewardship Chairperson Ann Pappas, Facilities/Maintenance Coordinator Auditing Committee Tom Moore Anthony Demetriou Chris Markos & Paul Cooper BIBLE STUDY G.O.Y.A. Rev. Father Allan Boyd HELLENIC ACADEMY Andri Christodoulidou, Director HOSPITALITY Very Rev. Father John Bakas Rev. Father Allan Boyd BOOK STORE Niki Korbakis Maria Pelargos L.A. GREEK FEST William Striglos CAMP ZOE Ted & Jan Pastras MR. & MRS. CLUB Very Rev. Father John Bakas CHILD CARE Dean & Christine Peratsakis PARENTING Kathy & Marsha Zagorianos CHOIR Jim Kollias COFFEE HOUR Ann Pappas Georgia Vasila DANCE GROUPS Nick Stefanidis Barbara Kappos PHILANTHROPIA Rev. Father Peter Lambert PHILOPTOHOS V.I.P. Barbara Kappos DOCENTS Faye Demetriou EASTER PICNIC Ted Pappas Tony Dres Dean Treantafelles Toula Kalatzis Stephanie Lubian Melanie O‘Regan Kathleen Kyriacou Jack Stumpus (Golf Event) SUNDAY SCHOOL Eleni Yokas YOUTH Very Rev. Father John Bakas Rev. Father Allan Boyd ALTAR BOYS Very Rev. Father John Bakas Chris Halekakis BASKETBALL Mary Morrison, President SAINT SOPHIA CAMP Page 15 Herald COMMUNITY NEWS Page 16 Herald St. Nicholas Visits with some Saint Sophia Sunday School Children THE TRADITION OF THE VASILOPITA The tradition of baking and cutting a special "pita" (which can mean a loaf of bread, a cake, or even a pie) each year on January 1st is observed of our holy father Basil the Great, archbishop of Caesarea in Cappodocia-- hence its name "Vasilopita" meaning "St. Basil's Bread." This tradition is observed in both parish churches and in the homes of the faithful. What is the meaning of this tradition and how did it begin? For centuries upon centuries, parents, grandparents and godparents have related the following to Orthodox children about St. Basil and the Vasilopita. One year, during a time of terrible famine, the emperor levied a sinfully excessive tax upon the people of Caesarea. The tax was such a heavy burden upon the already impoverished people that to avoid debtors' prison each family had to relinquish its few remaining coins and pieces of jewelry, including precious family heirlooms. Learning of this injustice upon his flock, St. Basil the Great, the archbishop of Caesarea, took up his bishop's staff and the book of the holy Gospels and came to his people's defense by fearlessly calling the emperor to repentance. By God's grace, the emperor did repent! He canceled the tax and instructed his tax collectors to turn over to St. Basil all of the chests containing the coins and jewelry which had been paid as taxes by the people of Caesarea. But now Saint Basil was faced with the daunting and impossible task returning these thousands of coins and pieces of jewelry to their rightful owners. After praying for a long time before the icons of Christ and His All-Holy Mother, St. Basil had all the treasures baked into one huge pita. He then called all the townspeople to prayer at the cathedral, and, after Divine Liturgy, he blessed and cut the pita, giving a piece to each person. Miraculously, each owner received in his piece of Vasilopita his own valuables. They all joyfully returned home, giving thanks to God who had delivered them from abject poverty and to their good and holy bishop St. Basil the Great! In remembrance of that miracle wrought by God as a result of St. Basil's love and defense of his people, Orthodox Christians have observed the tradition of the Vasilopita each year on January 1st-- the date on which St. Basil reposed in the Lord in the year 379 .. Today, the sign of the Cross is then made over the Vasilopita with a knife while saying, "In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." All respond "Amen." Then pieces of the Vasilopita are cut in the following order: The 1st piece is set aside for Christ, the 2nd piece for Theotokos, the 3rdpiece for St Basil, and the 4th piece for the poor. Then pieces are given to all present, beginning with the eldest and ending with youngest. He or she who receives the piece containing the coin is traditionally considered to be especially blessed for the New Year. Page 17 Herald Saints of the Month Theophany of Our Lord & Savior – January 6th About the beginning of our Lord's thirtieth year, John the Forerunner, who was some six months older than Our Savior according to the flesh, and had lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and came into the parts of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins. Then our Savior also came from Galilee to the Jordan, and sought and received baptism though He was the Master and John was but a servant. Whereupon, there came to pass those marvelous deeds, great and beyond nature: the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized and the voice was heard from the Heavens hearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:1-22). From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. It is also from this that the present feast is called "Theophany," that is, the divine manifestation, God's appearance among men. On this venerable day the sacred mystery of Christian baptism was inaugurated; henceforth also began the saving preaching of the Kingdom of the Heavens. Saint Anthony – January 17th The Father of monks, was born in Egypt in 251 of pious parents who departed this life while he was yet young. On hearing the words of the Gospel: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor" (Matt. 19:21), he immediately put it into action. Distributing to the poor all he had, and fleeing from all the turmoil of the world, he departed to the desert. The manifold temptations he endured continually for the span of twenty years are incredible. His ascetic struggles by day and by night, whereby he mortified the uprisings of the passions and attained to the height of dispassion, surpass the bounds of nature; and the report of his deeds of virtue drew such a multitude to follow him that the desert was transformed into a city, while he became, so to speak, the governor, lawgiver, and master-trainer of all the citizens of this newly-formed city. The cities of the world also enjoyed the fruit of his virtue. When the Christians were being persecuted and put to death under Maximinus in 312, he hastened to their aid and consolation. When the Church was troubled by the Arians, he went with zeal to Alexandria in 335 and struggled against them in behalf of Orthodoxy. During this time, by the grace of his words, he also turned many unbelievers to Christ. Saint Anthony began his ascetic life outside his village of Coma in Upper Egypt, studying the ways of the ascetics and holy men there, and perfecting himself in the virtues of each until he surpassed them all. Desiring to increase his labors, he departed into the desert, and finding an abandoned fortress in the mountain, he made his dwelling in it, training himself in extreme fasting, unceasing prayer, and fierce conflicts with the demons. Here he remained for about twenty years. Saint Athanasius the Great, who knew him personally and wrote his life, says that he came forth from that fortress "initiated in the mysteries and filled with the Spirit of God." Afterwards, because of the press of the faithful, who deprived him of his solitude, he was enlightened by God to journey with certain Bedouins, until he came to a mountain in the desert near the Red Sea, where he passed the remaining part of his life. Saint Athanasius says of him that "his countenance had a great and wonderful grace. This gift also he had from the Savior. For if he were present in a great company of monks, and any one who did not know him previously wished to see him, immediately coming forward he passed by the rest, and hurried to Anthony, as though attracted by his appearance. Yet neither in height nor breadth was he conspicuous above others, but in the serenity of his manner and the purity of his soul." So Passing his life, and becoming an example of virtue and a rule for monastics, he reposed on January 17 in the year 356, having lived altogether some 105 years. Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs: January 30th This common feast of these three teachers was instituted a little before the year 1100, during the reign of the Emperor Alexis I Comnenus, because of a dispute and strife that arose among the notable and virtuous men of that time. Some of them preferred Basil, while others preferred Gregory, and yet others preferred John Chrysostom, quarreling among themselves over which of the three was the greatest. Furthermore, each party, in order to distinguish itself from the others, assumed the name of its preferred Saint; hence, they called themselves Basilians, Gregorians, or Johannites. Desiring to bring an end to the contention, the three Saints appeared together to the saintly John Mavropous, a monk who had been ordained Bishop of Euchaita, a city of Asia Minor. They revealed to him that the glory they have at the throne of God is equal, and told him to compose a common service for the three of them, which he did with great skill and beauty. Saint John of Euchaita (celebrated Oct. 5) is also the composer of the Canon to the Guardian Angel, the Protector of a Man's Life. Please check the Orthodox calendar on page 18 for a schedule of weekday services and fast days. Page 18 Herald JANUARY 2012 Sun Saint Basil Mon 9 10:30am Bible Study w/Fr. John 12:30pm Bible Study w/ Fr. John 7:30pm Bible Study w/Fr. John 15 8:15am Orthros 9:15am StudiesFaith 9:45am Memorials 10am Divine Liturgy 12th Sunday of Luke/ Stewardship 12:30pm Bible Study w/ Fr. John 7:30pm Bible Study w/Fr. John 22 8:15am Orthros 9:15am StudiesFaith 9:45am Memorials 10am Divine Liturgy 15th Sunday of Luke Fri 5 7:30pm Bible Study w/Fr. Allan 11 Eve of Theofany 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Liturgy 7:30pm Catechism w/Fr. Allan 12 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Liturgy 7:00pm Hellenic Academy - Adults 17 Sat 7:30pm Bible Study w/Fr. Allan 18 7:30pm Catechism w/Fr. Allan 19 6 Theophany 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Liturgy 12:30pm Bible Study w/ Fr. John 7:30pm Bible Study w/Fr. John 14 20 21 Hellenic Academy PreK—9:30am K & 1-6—9:30am Adult—12:30pm 7:00pm Hellenic Academy - Adults 24 7:00pm Hellenic Academy-Adults 30 Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs 8:15am Orthros 9:15am Liturgy Synaxis of John the Baptist 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Liturgy Afterfeast of the Hellenic Academy Theophany no liturgy PreK—9:30am K & 1-6—9:30am Adult—12:30pm Saint Anthony 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Liturgy 23 7 13 7:30pm Bible Study w/Fr. Allan 25 7:30pm Catechism w/Fr. Allan 26 27 10:30am Bible Study w/Fr. John 29 9am Orthros 9:15am StudiesFaith 9:45am Memorials 10am Divine Liturgy Sunday of the Canaanite 10 16 10:30am Bible Study w/Fr. John Thu 3 4 classes cancelled 7:00pm Hellenic until 1/9/2012 Academy - Adults 8 8:15am Orthros 9:15am StudiesFaith 9:45am Memorials 10am Divine Liturgy Sunday after Epiphany / Vasilopita Wed 2 1 8:15am Orthros 9:15am StudiesFaith 9:45am Memorials 10am Divine Liturgy Circum. of our Lord Tue 7:30pm Bible Study w/Fr. Allan 28 Hellenic Academy PreK—9:30am K & 1-6—9:30am Adult—12:30pm „Evening with Friends‟ Dinner 7:30pm Catechism w/Fr. Allan 31 ALSO on 1/7/2012 Hellenic Academy PreK—9:30am K & 1-6—9:30am Adult—12:30pm 7:00pm Hellenic Academy-Adults ALSO TODAY 10:30am Bible Study w/Fr. John 12:30pm Bible Study w/ Fr. John 7:30pm Bible Study w/Fr. John Strict Fast Fish Allowed Wine and Oil Allowed Dairy, Eggs, and Fish Allowed Fast Free www.st g eorgepublishing.com For information about ad sponsorship, please call St. George Publishing at 262-650-0030 or 1-800-447-0030. ©St. George Publishing, Inc. N0196 4c LP Saint Sophia Greek Cathedral Greek Orthodox Community 1324 South Normandie Avenue Los Angeles, California 90006 E TIM IVE T I NS SE Phone 323 737 2424 Fax 323 737 7029 E-mail [email protected] We’re on the Web! www.stsophia.org Coming Soon...
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