June / July 2016 - the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Annunciation
Transcription
June / July 2016 - the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Annunciation
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation July 2016 Volume 43 Issue 3 MESSAGE OF THE HOLY AND GREAT COUNCIL OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH To the Orthodox people and to all people of good will To God, "the Father of mercies and all comfort," we address a hymn of thanksgiving and praise for having enabled us to gather during the week of Pentecost (18-26 June 2016) on Crete, where the Apostle Paul and his disciple Titus preached the Gospel in the early years of the life of the Church. We give thanks to the Triune God who was well pleased that in one accord we should bring to a conclusion the work of the Holy and Great Council that was convoked by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch. Bartholomew by the common will of their Beatitudes the Primates of the local Orthodox Autocephalous Churches. sacramental life, with the Holy Eucharist at its center. The Orthodox Church expresses her unity and catholicity "in Council". Conciliarity pervades her organization, the way decisions are taken and determines her path. The Orthodox Autocephalous Churches do not constitute a federation of Churches, but the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Each local Church as she offers the holy Eucharist is the local presence and manifestation of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. In regard to the Orthodox Diaspora in various countries of the world, it was decided to continue with the institution of Episcopal Assemblies until such time as canonical rigor can be implemented. These assemblies are composed of the canonical bishops appointed by each Autocephalous Church and these bishops continue to remain subject to their respective Churches. The due function of these Episcopal Assemblies guarantees respect for the Orthodox principle of conciliarity. Faithfully following the example of the Apostles and our god-bearing Fathers we have once again studied the Gospel of freedom "for which Christ has set us free" (Gal. 5: 1). The foundation of our theological discussions was the certainty that the Church does not live for herself. She transmits the witness of the Gospel of grace and truth and offers to the whole world the gifts of God: love, peace, justice, reconciliation, the power During the deliberations of the Holy and Great Council the of the Cross and of the Resurrection and the expectation of importance of the Synaxes of the Primates which had taken eternal life. place was emphasized and the proposal was made for the Holy 1) The key priority of the Council was to proclaim the unity of and Great Council to become a regular Institution to be conthe Orthodox Church. Founded on the Eucharist and the vened every seven or ten years. Apostolic Succession of her Bishops, the existing unity needs 2) Participating in the Holy Eucharist and praying for the to be strengthened and to bear new fruits. The One Holy whole world, we must continue the 'liturgy after the Divine Catholic and Apostolic Church is a divine-human communion, Liturgy' and give the witness of faith to those near and those a foretaste and experience of the eschaton within the Holy far off, in accordance with the Lord's clear command before Eucharist. As a continuous Pentecost, she is a prophetic voice His ascension, "And you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem that cannot be silenced, the presence of and witness to the and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth Kingdom of the God of love. The Orthodox Church, faithful to (Ac. 1: 8). The re-evangelization of God's people in modern, the unanimous Apostolic Tradition and her sacramental secularized societies and the evangelization of those who have experience, is the authentic continuation of the one Holy still not come to know Christ remain an unceasing obligation Catholic and Apostolic Church as confessed in the Creed and for the Church. confirmed by the teaching of the Church Fathers. Our Church lives out the mystery of the Divine Economy in her 3) In response to her obligation to witness to the truth and her 1 Continues on page 2 apostolic faith, our Church attaches great importance to dialogue, pr imar ily with non Or thodox Chr istians. In this way the remainder of the Christian world comes to know more precisely the authenticity of the Orthodox Tradition, the value of patristic teaching and the liturgical life and faith of the Orthodox. The dialogues conducted by the Orthodox Church never imply a compromise in matters of faith. cetic ethos is a characteristic of Christian life in all its manifestations. Apart from the specific topics about which it decided, the Holy and Great Council notes in brief the following important contemporary issues: 7) In regard to the matter of the relations between Christian faith and the natural sciences, the Orthodox Church avoids placing scientific investigation under tutelage and does not adopt a position on every scientific question. She thanks God who gives to scientists the gift of uncovering unknown dimensions of divine creation. The modern development of the natural sciences and of technology is br inging r adical changes to our life. It brings significant benefits, such as the facilitation of everyday life, the treatment of serious diseases, easier communications and space exploration, and so on. In spite of this, however, there are many negative consequences such as the manipulation of freedom, the gradual loss of precious traditions, the destruction of the natural environment and the questioning of moral values. Scientific knowledge, however swiftly it may be advancing, does not motivate man's will, nor does it give answers to serious moral and existential issues and to the search for the meaning of life and of the world. These matters demand a spiritual approach, which the Orthodox Church attempts to provide through a bioethics which is founded on Christian ethics and Patristic teaching. Along with her respect for the freedom of scientific investigation, the Orthodox Church at the same time points out the dangers concealed in certain scientific achievements and emphasizes man's dignity and his divine destiny. 4) The explosions of fundamentalism observed within various religions represent an expression of morbid religiosity. Sober inter-religious dialogue helps significantly to pr omote mutual trust, peace and reconciliation. The oil of religious experience must be used to heal wounds and not to rekindle the fire of military conflicts. The Orthodox Church unequivocally condemns the extension of military violence, persecutions, the expulsion and murder of members of religious minorities, forced conversions, the trafficking of refugees, the abductions, torture and abhorrent executions. She denounces the destruction of churches, religious symbols and cultural monuments. Very particularly, she expresses her deep concern about the situation of Christians and of all the persecuted minorities in the Middle East. She calls on the governments in the region to protect the indigenous Orthodox and other Christians and all the populations who have an inalienable right to remain in their countries as citizens with equal rights. Our Council appeals to all parties involved to make systematic efforts without delay to bring to an end the military conflicts in the Middle East and wherever armed hostilities persist and to enable all those displaced to return to their homes. We address our appeal particularly to those in positions of power to act so that peace and justice may prevail in the countries of origin of the refugees. We urge the civil authorities, the citizens and the Orthodox Christians in the countries in which the persecuted are taking refuge to continue to offer help to the limit or even beyond the limit of their abilities. 8) It is clear that the present-day ecological crisis is due to spiritual and moral causes. Its roots are connected with greed, avarice and egoism, which lead to the thoughtless use of natural resources, the filling of the atmosphere with damaging pollutants, and to climate change. The Christian response to the problem demands repentance for the abuses, an ascetic frame of mind as an antidote to overconsumption, and at the same time a cultivation of the consciousness that man is a "steward " and not a possessor of creation. The Church never ceases to emphasize that future generations also have a right to the natural resources that the Creator has given us. For this reason, the Orthodox Church takes an active part in the various international ecological initiatives and has ordained the 1st September as a day of prayer for the protection of the natural environment. 5) Modern secularisation seeks the autonomy of man (anthropos) from Christ and from the spiritual influence of the Church, which it arbitrarily identifies with conservatism. Western civilization, however, bears the indelible mark of the diachronic contribution of Christianity. The Church, moreover, highlights the saving significance of Christ, the God -man, and of His Body, as the place and mode of life in freedom. 6) In contrast to the contemporary approach to marriage, the Orthodox Church regards the indissoluble loving relationship of man and woman as "a great mystery... of Christ and the Church". Similarly, she calls the family which springs from this and which constitutes the only guarantee for the upbringing of children a "little church". 9) Against the levelling and impersonal standardization that is promoted in so many ways, Orthodoxy proposes respect for the particular characteristics of individuals peoples. It is also opposed the making of the economy into something autonomous from basic human needs and turning it into an end in itself. The progress of mankind is not connected only with The Church has always emphasized the value of an increase in living standards or with economic development self-restraint. Chr istian asceticism, however , differ s at the expense of spiritual values. radically from every dualistic asceticism which severs man from life and from his fellow man. On the contrary, she 10) The Orthodox Church does not involve herself in politics. connects this with the sacramental life of the Church. Her voice remains distinct, but also prophetic, as a beneficial Self-restraint does not concern only the monastic life. The as- intervention for the sake of man. Human rights today are at the 2 Continues on page 3 center of politics as a response to the social and political crises † Anastasios of Tirana, Durres and All Albania and upheavals, and seek to protect the citizen from the † Rastislav of Presov, the Czech Lands and Slovakia arbitrary power of the state. Our Church also adds to this the obligations and responsibilities of the citizens and the need for constant self-criticism on the part of both politicians and Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate citizens for the improvement of society. And above all she emphasizes that the Orthodox ideal in respect of man † Leo of Karelia and All Finland transcends the horizon of established human rights and that † Stephanos of Tallinn and All Estonia "greatest of all is love", as Christ revealed and as all the faithful who follow him have experienced. She insists also that a † Elder Metropolitan John of Pergamon fundamental human right is the protection of religious freedom † Elder Archbishop Demetrios of America --namely, freedom of conscience, belief, and religion, including, alone and in community, in private and in public, † Augustinos of Germany the right to freedom of worship and practice, the right to † Irenaios of Crete manifest one's religion, as well as the right of religious communities to religious education and to the full function and † Isaiah of Denver exercise of their religious duties, without any form of direct or † Alexios of Atlanta indirect interference by the state. † Iakovos of the Princes’ Islands 11) The Orthodox Church addresses herself to young people who seek for a plenitude of life replete with freedom, justice, † Joseph of Proikonnisos creativity and also love. She invites them to join themselves † Meliton of Philadelphia consciously with the Church of Him who is Truth and Life. To come, offering to the ecclesial body their vitality, their † Emmanuel of France anxieties, their concerns and their expectations. Young people † Nikitas of the Dardanelles are not only the future, but also the dynamic and creative present of the Church, both on a local and on a world-wide † Nicholas of Detroit level. † Gerasimos of San Francisco 12) The Holy and Great Council has opened our horizon towards the contemporary diverse and multifarious world. It has emphasized our responsibility in place and in time, ever with the perspective of eternity. The Orthodox Church, preserving intact her Sacramental and Soteriological character, is sensitive to the pain, the distress and the cry for justice and peace of the peoples of the world. She "proclaims day after day the good tidings of His salvation, announcing His glory among the nations and His wonders among all peoples" (Psalm 95). † Amphilochios of Kisamos and Selinos † Amvrosios of Korea † Maximos of Selyvria † Amphilochios of Adrianopolis † Kallistos of Diokleia † Antony of Hierapolis, Head of the Ukrainian Orthodox in the USA † Job of Telmessos Let us pray that "the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory in Christ, will, after we have suffered a little, Himself restore, establish, and strengthen and settle us. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 5.1011). † Jean of Charioupolis, Head of the Patriarchal Exarchate for Orthodox Parishes of the Russian Tradition in Western Europe † Gregory of Nyssa, Head of the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox in the USA † Bartholomew of Constantinople, Chairman A complete list of all the Hierarchs attending the Great and Holy Council and all those who signed the documents can be found at: www.holycouncil.org † Theodoros of Alexandria † Theophilos of Jerusalem † Irinej of Serbia †Daniel of Romania † Chrysostomos of Cyprus † Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece † Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland 3 Feast of the Procession of the Venerable Wood of the Cross from August 1-14 By Rev. Father Christos P. Mars In the Greek Horologion of 1897, the origin of this feast is explained: "Because of the illnesses that occur in August, it was customary, in former times, to carry the Venerable Wood of the Cross through the streets and squares of Constantinople for the sanctification of the city, and for relief from sickness. On the eve (July 31), it was taken out of the imperial treasury, and laid upon the altar of the Great Church of Hagia Sophia (the Wisdom of God). From this Feast until the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, they carried the Cross throughout the city in procession, offering it to the people to venerate. This is the Procession of the Venerable Cross." Throughout the period of the Dormition Fast beginning on August 1st through the 14th we simultaneously celebrate the Feast of the Procession of the Venerable Wood of the Cross. Unlike the September 14th, observance, this commemoration is considered to be a minor feast in comparison and significance, but it does have the bringing out of the Cross and veneration by the faithful like the September feast. It is the first of three "Feasts of the Lord" in the month of August, the other two being the Transfiguration (August 6) and the Icon of Christ "Not Made by Hands" otherwise known as the Holy Mandylion (August 16). It should be noted that in the Russian Orthodox Church, this feast also celebrates the Baptism of Russia which occurred on August 1, 988. In the "Account of the Order of Services in the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Great Church of the Dormition," compiled in 1627 by order of Patriarch Philaret of Moscow and All Rus, there is the following explanation of the feast: "On the day of the Procession of the Venerable Cross there is a church procession for the sanctification of water and for the enlightenment of the people, throughout all the towns and places."Knowledge of the day of the actual Baptism of Rus was preserved in the Chronicles of the 16th century: "The Baptism of the Great Prince Vladimir of Kiev and all Rus was on August 1." It is customary to have a crucession (a procession headed by the Cross) and celebrate the Lesser Blessing of Water on August 1st. Because of the blessing of holy water, this holy day is sometimes called "Savior of the Water." The Greeks perform this ceremony on the first of every month, but the Russians do it on August 1st, specifically to commemorate the baptism of the Russian people. There may also be celebrated on this day the Rite of Blessing New Honey, for which reason the day is also referred to as "Savior of the Honey." According to Saint Nikolai Velimirovich in his Prologue explanation of this feast, he adds a few additional significant meanings to this feast: "This feast was instituted by a mutual agreement of the Greeks and Russians at the time of the Greek Emperor Manuel and the Russian Prince Andrew in commemoration of the simultaneous victories of the Russians over the Bulgarians and the Greeks over the Saracens [in 1164]. In both of these battles, crosses were carried by the armies from which heavenly rays shone. It was therefore instituted that, on August 1st, the Cross be carried first to the middle of the Church of the Divine Wisdom [Hagia Sophia] and after that, along the streets for the people to venerate as a commemoration of the miraculous help of the Cross in previous battles. This was not an ordinary cross but the true Honorable Cross which was kept in the church of the imperial court. On July 31st, the Honorable Cross was carried from the imperial court to the Church of the Holy Wisdom of God and from there it was carried along the streets for the consecration of the earth and the air. Finally, on August 14, it was again returned to the church of the imperial palace." Though there is some truth to the words of St. Nikolai concerning the origins of this feast in Russia, in actuality this feast dates back much earlier for the Romans of Constantinople. This is clarified by Bulgakov, who describes this miraculous event that happened at the same time between two Orthodox armies as a separate feast from the older Procession of the Venerable Cross. In fact, we know that the origin of the Feast of the Procession of the Venerable Cross goes back to the ninth century or earlier. Russia began to celebrate it at the beginning of the 15th century. The commemoration of the mutual victories of the Russian and Roman armies with the aid of the Cross dates back to the date of the actual battle in 1164. To better understand the origins and rubrics of the celebration of this feast among the Romans of Constantinople, I refer you to the following information provided within the excellent article by Holger A. Klein titled "Sacred Relics and Imperial Ceremonies at the Great Palace of Constantinople." He writes: "The Persian invasion of Syria-Palestine in 614 and the Arab conquest of Jerusalem in 637/38 resulted in a number of important relic translations during the reign of Emperor Herakleios (610-641) and changed Constantinople’s status as a repository of sacred relics for centuries. As suggested by the Chronicon Paschale, the relic of the Holy Lance, Sponge, and the True Cross from Jerusalem were recovered from the Persians during the fall of 629, transferred to the capital, and exhibited for public veneration in the church of Hagia Sophia for several days. While Emperor Herakleios, according to some sources, triumphantly returned the relic of the True Cross from Constantinople to Jerusalem and exalted it in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on 21 March of the following year, the unexpected loss of the Holy City to the Arabs soon necessitated the relic’s transfer back into the capital, where it was now safeguarded by the emperor and kept inside the confines of the imperial palace.” 4 The forced relocation of the ‘larger part’ of the relic of the True Cross from Jerusalem to Constantinople and its presumed deposition in the imperial palace not only ensured the Empire’s safety and prosperity for the future, it also re-affirmed the emperor’s role as the guardian and protector of Christianity’s most sacred treasure. While a smaller portion of the relic, associated with Constantine the Great and set in a bejeweled processional Cross, had already been used in imperial processions in the beginning of the sixth century, and is known to have preceded the imperial army on military campaigns during the reign of Emperor Maurice, it was the alleged return of the True Cross from Jerusalem that effectively transformed Constantinople into a ‘New Jerusalem’ and the imperial palace into a locus sanctus at the heart of the Empire. The possession of the True Cross not only reinforced the emperor’s divine mandate but also rendered him the most important distributor of relics of the True Cross in the Christian world, a position future emperors would eagerly exploit in building political alliances with Christian rulers and potentates in Western Europe. Where the relic of the True Cross from Jerusalem was originally kept cannot be determined with certainty. In the second half of the seventh century, when Bishop Arkulf visited Constantinople on his way back from the Holy Land, a portion of the relic was, at least for the time of its public veneration during Holy Week, kept inside Hagia Sophia in a 'very large and beautiful chest [...] to the north of the interior of the building.' Arkulf’s testimony has often been considered as an indication that the main relic of the True Cross had, by the seventh century, been entrusted to the care of the Patriarch. Judging from later accounts, however, it is more likely that the relic of the True Cross from Jerusalem and the so -called ‘Cross of Constantine,’ first mentioned by Theodore Anagnostes, were both safeguarded inside the imperial palace, presumably in the skeuophylakion, and removed only temporarily for specific liturgical and ceremonial functions. As recorded in Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos’ Book of Ceremonies [10th cent.], important relics of the True Cross were still kept in the skeuophylakion of the imperial palace during the tenth century and taken out on specific feasts and occasions. One such feast was a six-day-long festival celebrated in mid-Lent that included a public display and veneration of the relic of the True Cross inside Hagia Sophia and a related imperial ceremony performed in the palace. According to the Book of Ceremonies, celebrations started on the third Sunday of Lent in the skeuophylakion of the imperial palace. Between the third and sixth ode of Orthros [Matins], the 'three glorious and life-giving Crosses', were removed from the treasury, embalmed by the protopapas and taken to the Nea Ekklesia to be venerated by all. After Orthros was concluded, the Crosses were taken to the gallery of the church, where the clergies of the Nea and the imperial palace jointly intoned the Troparia of the Crucifixion. At this time, the emperor and his co-emperors were given the opportunity to venerate and kiss the precious and life-giving relics. Then, the three Crosses were separated from each other. Accompanied by the clergy of the Nea, a deacon carried one of them back down to the main level of the church to be displayed for further veneration. The second Cross was taken over by the papias of the Great Palace, who, accompanied by the palace clergy, the protopapas of the church of St. Stephen and the diaitarioi of the palace, carried it in festive procession through the Heliakon [of the Chrysotriklinos] and from the Chrysotriklinos into the Lausiakos, where it was displayed for the veneration by members of the senate. The Cross was then taken to the Church of the Protomartyr Stephen in the Daphne palace, where it remained overnight. On the following day, the papias took the relic to Hagia Sophia, where it was displayed for veneration by the faithful during the rest of the week. The third Cross never left the gallery of the Nea. After noon on Friday, when public venerations had ended at Hagia Sophia, the papias and the clergy of the Nea brought the respective Crosses back into the palace. Finally, between the third and sixth ode of Orthros on Sunday, the protopapas and the skeuophylax returned all Crosses to the skeuophylakion. What is striking about this description is not only the fact that, by the tenth century, three Crosses of the glorious and life-giving Wood were kept in the skeuophylakion of the imperial palace, but also that these relics were employed in a complex ceremony that involved their display in three distinct locations within the imperial palace – the Nea Ekklesia, the Lausiakos and the Church of St. Stephen – as well as in the church of Hagia Sophia. Another closely related ceremony involving the True Cross is described in the Book of Ceremonies for the week before and the two weeks following August 1st. Once again, the ceremony started between the third and sixth ode of Orthros in the skeuophylakion of the palace. After the relic was embalmed, it was taken to an unspecified church within the imperial palace, where it was displayed for veneration by the emperors. The relic was then taken to the Lausiakos, where it was set up to be venerated by the members of the senate. Afterwards, the Cross was taken to the church of St. Stephen, from where it was carried through each of the quarters of the capital to 'cleanse and sanctify all places and houses of the God-guarded and imperial city; and not only the buildings, but also the walls of the city and its suburbs.' When the relic returned from its journey on August 13th, it was first brought to the Chrysotriklinos and placed on the imperial throne. Then, the papias, accompanied by the protopapas and the clergy, took the relic through the rooms of the imperial palace to cleanse and sanctify them as well. For a short while thereafter, the relic was kept in the oratory of St. Theodore before the papias carried it back to the Church of the Virgin of the Pharos after Vespers. Here, the relic was received by the skeuophylax of the palace and returned to the treasury between the third and sixth ode of Orthros. 5 Abba Sisoes the Great by Elias Lampropoulos As we look in the Ecclesiastical Calendar we often find feasts of saints whose names are unfamiliar. Some of these rare names are accompanied by notable titles, among which the most frequent is “Great”. Fathers of the Church, Hierarchs, Martyrs, Hieromartyrs, Apologists and Ascetics are distinguished as “Great” among the saints. Yet, regardless of how many “Great” saints there might be, most of the time we do not bother to discover how the greatness of one or the other saint has impacted and is still impacting our Orthodox Piety, and what their contribution have to do or should have to do with our lives. Among the Greats of the Church, on July 6th we commemorate Abba Sisoes, a humble ascetic of the Fourth century, who fled the world and lived in the desert for over 80 years. Although his name does not sound familiar to us, in the monastic tradition he has a significant place as one of the most eminent teachers of the desert, despite the fact that he did not leave behind theological treatises, canons, commentaries, sermons or any other writings. His greatest lesson is derived from his life itself, or better, from his encounter with death. Abba Sisoes was born in Egypt at the beginning of the Fourth century. While still very young, he expressed his desire to flee the world, go to the desert and live the rest of his life, in submission to the one and only love of his heart, which is Christ. Thus, he left his parents’ house and sought to find the angelic way of living in the noted monastic center of Nitria in Egypt. There he practiced obedience, the highest of the monastic virtues, under the guidance of well-respected elders. However, he yearned to travel into the deeper part of the Egyptian desert and meet St. Anthony the Great, who at that time was a living legend among the monastics. After begging his elders for a long time, Sisoes finally received the blessing to leave Nitria and go visit St. Anthony. He happily traveled to the deepest ends of the desert, far away from any comfort and ease. Sadly, by the time he arrived at St. Anthony’s mountain, St. Anthony had already reposed in the Lord. After venerating at St. Anthony’s tomb, the young Sisoes realized there was only one way to receive a lesson from St. Anthony; he would spend of his life on the same mountain exercising himself with prayer, enduring the same hardships that St. Anthony endured and completing his earthly course. Hence, for 72 years Sisoes remained on that very mountain upon which St. Anthony had lived. In the “Desert Fathers” collection we find few of Abba Sisoes’ sayings, along with some fragmental incidents of his life. He exhausted himself in prayer and fasting, asking God for one single thing: Humility. For him who had reached a higher level of virtue, Humility was not just the mean to enable the advancement of his monastic struggle, it was the goal. It is really hard, I have to confess, for some earthly-minded persons like the author of this article, to understand this concept. Abba Sisoes never prayed for the winning lottery numbers or such, but rather to be granted humility, a precious gift so often and so easily neglected by us. He used to say: “The way that leads to humility is chastity first, prayer second and third to struggle with all your strengths to reach God.” In other words, Abba Sisoes’ lesson was that we will encounter God’s mercy only if we are eager to be merciless with ourselves. This is a hard concept for us to 6 understand indeed, as we live in a world where the “Gospel of Prosperity” and the “Loving God no matter what” have cast the Crucified Christ away from our society. Even more eloquent than his words is the depiction of Abba Sisoes before the tomb of Alexander the Great, a depiction very popular in monasteries. Abba Sisoes kneels before the tomb of one of the greater kings and conquerors in the history of mankind, encountering nothing of Alexander’s earthly glory, only humbled bones lying in the tomb, and he meditates as we read on his icon’s inscription: “Sisoes, great among the ascetics, stood before the tomb of Alexander, Emperor of the Greeks, who in ancient times shone with glory, was horrified by the instability of the passing of time and was saddened by transient glory, cried aloud: Beholding you, O grave, I am afraid of your view and a tear runs down from my heart as I meditate the common debt (destiny) of all mankind. How can I ever avoid this fate? Alas, alas, O death, who can escape you?” The mystery of death for this great ascetic was a tragedy which haunts all human life, whether we acknowledge it or not. Even though Christ abolished death through His Sacrifice and Resurrection every human being still risks the danger of being trapped by vanity or other transient desires and falling into this terrible fate, like Alexander the Great. St. Sisoes kneels with awe before death, as he realizes that the struggle against this great mystery is a lifetime battle. Only a life which is completely overshadowed by Christ’s Grace can overcome death, but still death remains fearsome for the human mind. Thus, Abba Sisoes spent his life meditating and worrying more about his death than his life. When he grew very old, his followers transferred him from St. Anthony’s mountain closer to the city in order to provide him with more comfort, as he was becoming weaker day by day. However, this transfer saddened the Elder, who insisted he be brought back to the desert -“the only place that made him think as a free man”- as he used to say to his students. Eventually, Abba’s will was respected by his novices and he returned to St. Anthony’s mountain. When it was the time for Abba Sisoes to depart from this world, he gathered the entire brotherhood of ascetics, blessed them and asked them to pray for him as his soul would be departing from his body. While the brotherhood prayed gathered in Abba Sisoes’ monastic cell, his face became bright, and the Abba began to whisper, “Behold A bba A nthony has come to receive my soul”, and then continued, “Behold the Archangels have come”, and then, “behold the Holy Apostles have come”. Every time he whispered the coming of each saint, his face became brighter and brighter, until his face had become so bright that the monks could not look at it. Then, the Abba said: “Behold my Lord and my Creator has come”, and by saying this, he breathed his last breath. In the Psalter we read: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” (Ps. 115:6) Indeed, Abba Sisoes, with his righteous life and his hard exercise escaped the terrible curse of mankind. By living his life fully committed to Christ, he defeated death, and when his soul was leaving his body, he did not encounter darkness but light. May Abba Sisoes the Great always intercede for us who look at the calendar without even bothering to learn the story of this oddly named saint. 7 n PARISH REGISTRY PARISH REGISTRY CONTINUED As of 7/18/2016 BIRTHS Baby Girl Born to Jimmy & Leah Economos Baby Girl Born to John & Angelina (Papandreou) Lawrence Baby Girl Born to Alexandros & Kelly Demestihas Baby Boy Born to George & Kate Koulouris Baby Boy Born to Christos & Nicole Adams Baby Boy Born to Douglas & Julia Lott Baby Boy Born to Panayiotis & Panagiota Damianeas Baby Boy Born to Andrew & Katherine Ladikos George Simitses Angelo Angelato Barbara Bailey Olga Lawandales Betty Plithides Bill Vasilas John Anander Spiros Stavros Lazos Harriet Angel Burks Eleni Couvaras WEDDINGS Santiago Gallo & Alexia Skouteris George Deleanides & Taylor Sestak Eli Locicero & Courtney Henfield Robert Halpin & Maria Snider Alex Reeves & Alexis Georgeson Speros Kokenes & Katie Daugherty Nabil Mansour & Amira Hanna (Mother of Jerry, Basil and Tassie, in Johannesburg, South Africa) WAYS TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH US BAPTISMS Facebook Parents: Don & Katerina Pottinger Baby: Zoe Penelope Godparent: Stella Hondros Baby: Dahlia Magdalini Godparent: Stacey Ehmer Parents: Evangelos & Maria Hadjisimos Baby: Anastasia Demetra Godparents: Ryan & Maria Starks Parents: Vasili & Maria Katsadouros Baby: Pantelis Raphael Godparents: Ari & Katina Zachas Parents: Angeliki Karamberis & Georgios Tziallas Baby: Anastasia Maria Karamberis Godparent: Dina Papadakis Parents: Stephen & Alyssa Hallick Baby: Mila Isabelle Godparent: Christine Hallick Parents: Corey & Lydia Marcum Baby: Ezra Godparents: Cameron Baxter, Abeba Cherinet & Galilea Malede Parents: Ashraf & Anna Attalla Twin Babies: Alexander & Milasha Godparent: Maria Starostova Parents: Vasilis & Katherine Babaliaros Baby: Leonidas Vasilis Godparent: Georgios Tarasidis Twitter YouTube Tout Instagram “Like”, “Follow”, “Subscribe”, Watch and See www.facebook.com/atlgoc www.twitter.com/atlgoc www.youtube.com/atlgoc and our website www.atlgoc.org Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Now Accepting Online Donations! Click HERE for instructions on Guest Donations or click on one of the links below to Donate now. (Above is an example of what to look for on our Cathedral website, www.atlgoc.org) GOOFS BREAKFAST Every other THURSDAY at 9:00 a.m. in the Kafenion. Open to everyone!!! Come join us for a full breakfast and great fellowship! Full breakfast includes fruit, waffles, bacon, sausage and much more! Donation $5 per person. Contact the Cathedral office at 404-633-5870 for the date of the next gathering. Hope to see you there! Parents: Andrea & Katherine Ladikos Baby: Stefanos Godparents: Kosta Ntonas & Maria Kappis Parents: Panagiotis & Jenny Poulopoulos Baby: Anastasia Godparents: Evangelos Evangelinos & Aspasina Nikolatos Patrikakis SPECIAL CELEBRATION Congratulations to Arthur and Connie Pappas who celebrated their 50th Anniversary at Petite Auberge Restaurant with many relatives and friends. CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Lori Thompson Pappas who received her Master’s degree in Anthropology from Georgia State University with a 4.07 GPA! 8 Cathy Goumenis Day Needs Your Help Cathy, who has been suffering with leukemia, underwent a blood and marrow transplant a few months ago. She has been in remission, however is now fighting many other medical issues including graft vs. host disease and adult onset diabetes. These conditions require numerous medications, mainly immune suppressant drugs, which are only partially covered by insurance. The monthly out of pocket costs are staggering and the family is in need of our assistance. If you would like to make a donation, please make your checks payable to the Cathedral’s Benevolent Fund or the Philoptochos Social Services Fund, earmarked for Cathy Goumenis Day. Donations can be mailed to the Cathedral at 2500 Clairmont Rd. NE; Atlanta, GA 30329. Please pray for Cathy, her husband Frank, sons Cole and Christopher, and her brother David. May our Lord give them strength and comfort during this challenging time toward her complete recovery . 9 2016 Atlanta Greek Festival Hours: Thursday, September 22nd – Drive Thru Only Friday, September 23rd – 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm Saturday, September 24th – 11:00 am – 11:00 pm Sunday, September 25th – 11:00 am – 7:00 pm Festival Baklava Baking!! Beginning Monday, July 25 – Friday, July 29th Continues Monday, August 1st- Wednesday, August 3rd It’s that time of year when our wonderful Cathedral volunteers prepare the delicious baklava sold at our Greek Festival! All baklava baking will take place in the HCC kitchen. Baking begins at 10:00 a.m. Please bring your apron and your lunch. Soft drinks provided. This is always a fun tradition & our bakers (both women & men) have a great time! No experience necessary to join this group! Let’s continue our legacy of homemade baklava! Car of Your Dreams CHARITY “DRIVE” DONATION $100 Only 1000 tickets will be sold so act fast! Drawing will take place on Sunday, September 25 at the Atlanta Greek Festival th Tickets available every Sunday in Carlos Hall or by calling the Cathedral Office at 404-633-5870 10 Save Date z Saturday, October 15, 2016 Annual Gala y Auction Benefitting The Annunciation Day School Highlighting the needs of the science department You are an important element of our success! 103 West - Buckhead Formal Invitation to follow Did Know? • 100% of funding for the Annunciation Day School comes from tuition, parent • • • • • • fundraisers, and individual donations. The Gala is an annual opportunity for the Annunciation Cathedral parish family to support ADS. ADS holds the highest possible accreditation. Students consistently score in the 97th percentile nationwide on standardized tests. ADS students, in addition to standard curricula, are taught the Orthodox Christian Faith, Greek language, music, art, and P.E. Since its inception in 2002, ADS has catalyzed many conversions to the Orthodox Christian faith. Families transferring internationally to the Atlanta area seek out ADS by name for their children’s education. Parents, it’s not too late to enroll your Pre-K through 7th grade child for the 2016-2017 year! 11 It was truly a blessing to have our Sunday School families and our Day School families enjoying camp together. Campers, counselors and parents start asking about dates, field trips, etc. beginning in February. The ADS teachers say that their non-Orthodox students are excited about camp in the spring and start asking them the same things. It is very heartwarming to see our counselors in training, our counselors and our teachers bonding with all of our children. This year was so much fun! We had a busy two weeks filled with memorable activities including Opening & Closing Prayer, Orthodox Life, Dance, Sports & Arts & Crafts each day. Overall 74 families registered their children, which totaled 110 campers. 53 campers came to camp for both weeks, and the other 57 only came either week one or week two. During Week 1, there were 77 registered campers. Our Adventure Campers, ages 13 & 14, learned some aerial moves at the Circus Arts Institute. Our youngest campers, ages 3-7, went to Hippo Hop and our campers, ages 8-14, went to White Water. Everyone attended the Divine Liturgy on Ascension Thursday. During Week 2, there were 88 registered campers. Our Adventure Campers went white water rafting on the Middle Ocoee. Everyone attended the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday. Our entire camp, all ages, went to SkyZone trampoline park. On Thursday, June 16th, Family Night was held in the Kartos Ballroom with over 250 attending. After dinner, campers danced and sang to entertain their parents. The evening ended with a slideshow of both weeks. 12 Week 1 13 Week 2 14 Lenten Season Sunday School teachers and students were very busy during the Lenten Season. Heretismi Services On each of the five Fridays of Great Lent, students participated in the Heretismi Services and the Akathistos Hymn by presenting flowers to the Theotokos. Students in 6 th-12th Grades also read the Psalms and chanted hymns to the Theotokos and Christ. Sunday of Orthodoxy-March 20th: 6th-12th Grade students participated in the procession by bringing their favorite icons and walking in the procession. Sunday of the Holy Cross- April 3rd: PreK C-5th Grade students participated in the procession by bringing a cross from home or carrying a daffodil (a symbol of the Resurrection) and walking in the procession. Saturday, April 23rd- Lazarus Saturday: This Saturday is traditionally a day for Group Communion where families attend Church together, receive Communion, then go to Carlos Hall to make palm crosses for Palm Sunday. Breakfast is also served in Carlos Hall. This year, there were several generations teaching each other how to make the crosses. It was a beautiful Saturday morning. Sunday, April 24th- Palm Sunday: 8th Grade Sunday School students joined the altar boys and handmaidens in the procession of palms. Friday, April 29th – Great Friday: 4th & 5th grade girls participated in the afternoon and evening service as Myrrophores. The 12th Grade boys participated as Kouvouklion carriers in the evening service. A Special Thank you to… Stacie Nefos for getting the rose petals ready for the Myrrophores. Voula Giannakopoulos for making all of the corsages for the Kouvouklion carriers. Sunday, May 8th – 1st Grade Bibles: The Kliossis family ( Angelo, Sheri, Kolin & Elliot) presented Bibles to the 1st Grade students. Each year, they give a Bible to each 1st grader in memory of their daughter and sister, Carolyn, who passed away almost 25 years ago, when she was a 1st grader. We are blessed to have a family honor their daughter and sister by giving our children their own Bibles. 15 Sunday, May 22nd – Graduation & Attendance Recognition: Sunday School classes ended on Sunday, May 22nd. Perfect Attendance: Fourteen students were recognized for Perfect Attendance: Arthur Lamas & Stella Hadjisimos- 1st year; Eleni Hadjisimos- 2nd year; Juliana Lamas, Anastasia Lamas, Sophia Pappadakis & Angela Pappadakis- 4th year; Robby Keenan- 5th year; Katy Rhena Constantinides, Nicolas Keenan & Elizabeth Keenan- 6th year; Nikolaos Constantinides & Phaethon Constantinides- 7th year. One more student also had perfect attendance for his first year- Andrei Mudrenko. Graduation: Zoe McClure gave a speech on behalf of the graduating class, then all of the 12th Grade graduates received their diplomas before all of the students went to class. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL GRADUATES! MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Agiasmo for the 2016-2017 school year will be held on Sunday, August 7th. Registration forms are available in the Church Office, outside the Sunday School Office and on the Cathedral website. 16 Arcadian Society of Atlanta The Arcadian Society of Atlanta held its annual Picnic at the Cathedral Picnic Pavilion on Sunday, June 5, 2016. The Picnic has always been a special time for us to get together and to enjoy our family and friends. Thank you to the Chairmen and head chef Spyros Kontoes and to his co-chairman George Skoufis. Tony Yialamas, Spyros Soteres, Pete Giannakopoulos, John and Dimitra Pavlopoulos were also helping to prepare the food. Gus Plagianis managed the entrance, Nick Vasilakis was in charge of the music and they do a great job and many others are there helping with the food and the set up. Our annual tradition of honoring the High School Graduates of our members Children and Grandchildren is always the highlight of the evening. Christopher Bilson, Leo Frangis, Charles Nastopoulos, and Taylor Smallwood were our 2016 Graduates. We are so proud of them! We appreciate the support of everyone who attended this relaxing community family day! We are looking forward to our Fall schedule of events with our members and our Church community. On Thursday, September 8, 2016 we are sponsoring and cooking for the Golden Group Luncheon. On Sunday, September18, 2016 we will have a Memorial Service to commemorate the brave people who lost their lives fighting for their freedom against the Turkish oppression. We will also be sponsoring the Coffee Hour after Liturgy. On Sunday, November 13, 2016 we are having our Annual Bake Sale in Carlos Hall. Elaine P. Tissura, President Danaos Agios Petros Picnic The Danaos Society, Atlanta's oldest organization for Greek-Americans, celebrated the name day of its Patron Saint (Agios Petros of Argos) on May 15th. About fifty members enjoyed the festivities, food and camaraderie! 17 18 19 20 21 THANK YOU TO OUR 2016 EPITAPHION CONTRIBUTORS! Christopher & Nicole Adams Mark & Sophia Adams & Family Van & Becky Aggelakos George Alexander Thomas Alexander Pete & Catherine Alexander Alec Alexander Mrs. Lula Alexander Patricia Alexander Janet Algers Johnny Ambrocio Patricia Anagnostakis Anastasiades Family Elaine B Andrews Georgia Andros Vickie Andros Bill & Nichole Androutsopoulos Anonymous Nicholas & Catherine Argendeli Costa & Fotini Babaliaros Mike & Mary Balsamides Mark & Rose Barton Maryanne Beverly Biehler Family Karen & John Boosalis Van Botsaris James & Vasiliki-Bouras Boudouris Mary Bougas Niki Bouras Helen Burleigh Chris & Maria Callas Theodora Campbell Mary J. Campbell Ron & Vicki Canakaris Connie & Voula Caras William & Betty Caras Maria Caras Chris G. Carlos John & Elaine Carlos Ron Hilliard & Helen A. Carlos Jimmy & Georgia Carras Manuel & Deidre Chaknis Harriet Chaknis James & Georgia Coclin In Memory of Pres. Eurydice Constantinides Criton & Jennifer Constantinides Doty Constantinides In Memory of Pres. Kathryn Constantinides Irene Constantinides & Family Bo & Dina Cook Demetrios & Eugenia Costarides Mr. & Mrs. John Costopoulos Vickie Costopoulos In Memory of Mary Coumanis Nick & George Coumanis Jerry & Helen Couvaras & Family Mike & Norma Creety Doug & Christina Cullinan & Family Dallis Children Scott & Lisa Davenport Read & Diane Davis George Demas George Demetriades Nick & Mary Demos Evangeline & Richard Dennis Jr Bess Dimos Eleni Dodys Nick A. Dodys Family Joyce Dove Nick & MaryAnn Economos Nick & Angela Economy John & Jean Economy George & Christina Evagoris Pauline Fermanis Athina Fili Christo Fotopoulos James & Irene Fotos Thomas & Joan Frangos Franklin Family Mike & Frances Galifianakis Les & Mary Alice George & Family Stephen & Valine Georgeson Mr. & Mrs. Tom Giannakopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Pete Giannakopoulos Voula J. Giannakopoulos John & Theoni Giannakopoulos Helen Giannopoulos James & Lia Gilmer James & Claire Gilmore Jr Ellie Giovinazzo Evangeline M. Gouvas Maria Grasso 22 Peter & Linda Grivas Demetrios & Glykeria Hadjisimos Alex & Penny Halkos Barbara Hall Butch & Margaret Hansen Bobby, Olga & Melina Haralambakis Polly Hassos Evangelos & Maria Hadjisimos Christopher, Katherine & Ruby Holmes Eleftheria & Stella Hondros Victoria Hurst Anna Johnson Mary L. Jones Nick & Beverly Jones Costa & Kiki Kacur Mr. & Mrs. John Kalinoglou Tom, Stephanie, Emily & William Kantsios Rev. Fr. Paul & Presbytera Evi Kaplanis Karampelas Family Dorothy Karandanis I. Panos Karatassos Family Mr. & Mrs. Pete Kardaras Karolis Family Harry & Tasia Katapodis Nick & Frances Katapodis Mr. & Mrs. Harry Katapodis & Family Xarilaos & Helen Katsoudas George & Eleny Katsoudas & Family Chris, Evie & Maria Kemp Alex & Athena Kourtis Kessler Jessica L. Killgore Ted & Vickie Kipreos Eva Kitromelides Vickie Klemis George & Metaxia Kleris Angelo & Sherry Kliossis & Family Lazaros Kochilas & Androniki Kokkali Dimitri &Maria Konidaris Effie & Niki Kosmetatos Mr. & Mrs. Nikolaos Kostopoulos Andy & Anna Kostopoulos Vickie Kouloumberis Family Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Koulouris Augustina Kouros Greg Koutrelakos Marina Kuluberis Andreas & Maria Ladikos Art & Tassie Lamas Dick Larry Stephen & Kalliopie Lawandales Thomas & Paula Lekas Lea Leng & Family Maria Linardakis Chris Loumakis Catherine Macris Cleo Malires Gigi & Michael Marinos Pat, Susan & Ryan Marinos Terisa Marinos Fr. Christos & Pres. Mari Mars & John David & Evie Merrillopoulos Joanne & Michael Mertzanis Zaharoula Millas & Family Nick & Effie Moraitakis Mark & Dimitra Moraitakis & Family Constance Nagle Jimmy Nakos Mr. & Mrs. Pete Nassos & Family Kay, Charles & Christina Nastopoulos George Nastopoulos Charles Nastopoulos Mr. & Mrs. James Natsios Stacie Nefos Vanya V. Nourachi Jerry & Golfo Odenwelder & Family Katherine Olympiadis Michelle Olympiadis Lou & Evangelia Pahountis Harry N. Palles Johnny & Leigh Ann Panos Helen Panos Pete Pantazopoulos Eleni Pantazopoulos Helen Pantelis John & Kiki Papadimitriou Diamondis & Evie Papadopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Tony Pappadakis Chris & Maria Pappadakis & Family Chris & Vivian Pappas Penelope & Helen Pappas Golfo Pappas & Family Louis & Katina Pataki Nick, Patti & Errica Patellis Costa & Athanasia Patronis Catherine Patronis Mr. & Mrs. John G Patronis & Mary Katherine George & Dale Patterson Mr. & Mrs. Solon Patterson Spyros & Joann Pavlostathis Josee Penot Spero & Stephanie Peppas Nick & Lynn Petkas Mr. & Mrs. George Petrakopoulos Ted & Betty Petrides Gus & Anna Plagianis Victor & Christina Polizos Mrs. Raleigh Poulos Audrey A. Poulos Aristides & Mary Poulos Nella Poulos Mr. & Mrs. John Poulos & Family George & Kerasia Pribas Ioana Rican Richard & Stacey Sapp Greg & Pam Saunders Mimi Scaljon Bill & Vickie Scaljon Gunter & Maria Sharp & Family Artemios Sideridis Ric & Argie Sirmans & Family Thomas Skafidas Dr. George Skardasis George & Calliope Skoufis Mary Slay Andrew, Jennifer, Eleni & Connor Smith Spero & Nota Soteres Argyris & Maria Soublis Pete Soulimiotis Terry & Shelly Sudia Spahr Larissa Spears Karen & Becky Stamatiades Mike Stamos Jimmy & Angelo Stappis Anthony & Lottie Stefanis Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Stewart & Family Mr. & Mrs. Peter Syribeys & Family Jorge Trujillo Eva C. Tsangarides Kirin Tsirsiliasos Jim & Fran Tucker Nickolas & Jane C. Tucker-Sigalos Vasilios Tzamos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Vallianatos In Memory of Stavros & Nikolaos Varvouris Spero & Demetra Vasilakis Mrs. Georgia P. Vasilos 23 Georgia Vastakis Patty Vastakis Paul & Ethel Winegar Mr. & Mrs. Tony Yialamas Magda Yiannopoulos Sotiris & Lea Zervoulias Zukerino Pastry Shop Sandra Zuniga Paid Advertising: ! Enjoy a FREE Gyro wrap on your Name Day! www.GrecianGyro.com Facebook.com/GrecianGyro KOLIVA & PROSFORON (sizes may vary) For orders contact Marina Kuluberis Cell: 678-488-0810 Home: 770-923-8016 PLACE YOUR AD HERE! SPOT AVAILABLE Contact the Cathedral office today at 404-633-5870 for a price list. Your favorite Greek-American radio program now on the internet with your mistress of ceremonies Miss Vickie Henson Tune in to Echoes of Athens every Sunday 2:00-3:00 pm on WATB 1420 am on your radio dial just like the old days or listen at www.echoesofathens.com on demand : Όποτε Θέλετε! 706-962-3246 [email protected] Currently accepting sponsors & Advertisers TUNE IN NOW ECHOESOFATHENS.COM All news can be e-mailed to [email protected] or put on a disk and brought to the Cathedral office during office hours (Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) EDITOR: Rev. Fr. Paul A. Kaplanis, Dean ([email protected]) MANAGING EDITOR: Rev. Fr. Christos P. Mars ([email protected]) DESIGN: Andrea Koulouris ([email protected]) All Cathedral mail goes to the post office on the same day. If you do not receive your Annunciator in a timely manner, please call your post office and notify them. 24