April 2016 - St. Sophia Cathedral

April 2016
Page
Saint Sophia
Greek Orthodox
Cathedral
HERALD
APRIL 15, 2016
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Dean’s Message
2
President’s Message
2
Stewardship
4
Philoptochos News
5
Philoptochos VIP
5
Orthodox Spirituality Center
6
Ministries List
8
Sacraments/Memorials
9
Holy Week Schedule
12
Feast Day Article
13
Orthodox Calendars
14,15
V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas, Dean
1324 S. Normandie Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90006
Tel. 323-737-2424
Fax. 323-737-7029
www.stsophia.org
Palm Sunday - April 24
Holy Week - March 25 - May 1
Great and Holy Pascha - May 1
Thomas Sunday - May 8
The Resurrection, El Greco
Oil on Canvas, 275 x 127 cm,1595
Museo Del Prado, Madrid, Spain
April 2016
Page 2
Dean’s Message
“...and HE GAVE”
and bestowing life on those in the graves.
Christos Anesti!
And again,
In Christ,
CHRISTOS ANESTI!
The Paschal Canon in the form of the ecclesiastical poetry, of
Saint John of Damascus, eighth century Saint, beckons us to:
“Come, let us partake of a new drink: not one miraculously
brought forth from barren rock, but a spring of immortality,
welling up from Christ’s tomb, from which we draw strength”.
The glory of Easter is not just exquisite and saintly poetry but
the truth and reality that God gave his only begotten Son, so
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have life
everlasting. The reality is in one word. GAVE. The entire
canon of the New Testament can be defined in the same
word. GAVE. Through His death, He GAVE us immortality by
eliminating death.
Through the glorious light of His
resurrection, He wiped out the permanent darkness of sin and
hopelessness. He GAVE us to partake of the new wine of
Himself from which we draw strength. One can compose a
dictionary full of the “GAVES” of our Lord Jesus Christ. He
not only GAVE but GIVES constantly of the new drink from
which we draw strength. He GIVES us Himself in the tangible
presence of His Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Our
Orthodox Faith is the living and giving reality of the Risen
Christ.
Giving is commemorated in every Liturgy in the form of the
Holy Gifts of our Eucharist or Holy Communion. Givers are
also remembered in prayerful petitions: “Further we pray for
those who bear offerings, those who do good works in this
holy and venerable church…” And that is why during this
Bright Season, I remind you of the blessed power of GIVING.
Our Saint Sophia Cathedral is completing the fourth month of
our 2016 Stewardship Pledge Drive. If you have not made
your pledge to our Cathedral Ministry, please do so by asking
for a pledge card from our office or picking up the card in the
Narthex when you come to worship. If you’ve already made a
pledge, we prayerfully hope that it will be fulfilled. If you are
moved to increase the amount of what you have given in the
past, please respond in the manner that gratifies your own
soul and honors the master giver our Lord Jesus Christ.
In every way, our Cathedral is experiencing a “new and holy
Passover; a Pascha that has opened to us the gates of
paradise a Pascha sanctifying all believers.”
This Paschal renewal is not only spiritual. Indeed, Christ
came to redeem all of creation. We see the renewal in our
surrounding neighborhood. With Saint Sophia leading the
way, crime has decreased significantly, buildings painted and
refurbished, streets cleaned and remodeled, lighting improved
and the general economic climate enhanced by increased
business opportunities. Is this something the church should
be doing? Of course it is. Pico and Normandie is where God
planted His Golden Cathedral. Let us be His GIVING
instrument of personal and community-wide redemption.
May the life-giving power of Easter bless you and your family,
for Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death,
V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas, Dean
Parish Council Message
A Brief Explanation of
Lenten and Holly Week
Services
Father Bakas reminds all of us of the importance of being
involved as an active participant within the services to better
remember and learn what helps us to grow in the knowledge
of Christ. In growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord,
we will go and communicate the experience, to proclaim the
truth of the gospel in its powerful and convincing beauty and
convey the message intact, whole, and vibrant in its ineffable
splendor.
I found some information that you may want to use to help
familiarize yourself and your family with the services that they
may be attending during Pascha. A few minutes spent talking
about each service during the day, or in the car on the way to
Church, is important in understanding, practicing and sharing
in the wholeness of truth. Help your family and friends to be
interested in the services by asking questions about what they
will see, hear or do. Share the “why” we are spiritually
connected in each service as the words, theme and meanings
become more apparent and relevant in our own personal
lives.
The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts. Discuss with
your family that this service is part Vespers (like the
services we attend on Saturday evenings) and part
Liturgy (like the service we attend Sunday mornings.)
The Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. This service is
celebrated several times during Great Lent, and gets it
title from St. Andrew, a Jerusalem monk who lived during
the seventh and eighth centuries, and became archbishop
of Crete. The service is a poem that tells the story of the
Old and New Testaments, and become our "spiritual
lament" that our sins have separated us from God.
Between each verse of the poem, we sing the following
refrain as we prostrate: "Have mercy on me, O God, have
mercy on me.
Akathist to the Theotokos is made up of twenty-four
stanzas in the form of an alphabetic acrostic, alpha
through omega, offered within a compline service. In the
Greek tradition, the stanzas are divided into four parts,
with each being read on the first four Fridays of Great
Lent. On the fifth Friday the entire twenty-four stanzas are
recited. The stanzas tell us of the Annunciation, Mary's
visit to Elizabeth, Joseph's doubt and his dream, the
Nativity of our Lord, the flight into Egypt, the blessing of
April 2016
St. Simeon, the new life centering on Heaven, God's
presence on earth and in heaven, the angels'
amazement, and more about the Virgin Mary's role. We
are reminded that the Theotokos intercedes for us.
Palm Sunday Evening. This evening’s service calls to
mind the beginning of Jesus’ suffering. The Gospel
describes the plotting of the priests and elders to trap
Jesus into convicting Himself as a religious heretic.
Through parables, Jesus tells us of His coming betrayal,
trial, conviction and execution by crucifixion. The hymns
of this service commemorate two things: The first, the
prophetic figure of Joseph, who while virtuous,
nonetheless suffered unjustly at the hands of his brothers
before being realty rewarded; and the second, the parable
of the fig tree, which in failing to bear fruit, became a
symbol of fallen creation, and of our own lives, in which
we also have failed to bear spiritual fruit. Scripture
readings for this service are taken from: Matthew21:1843.
The Bridegroom Service (Monday Evening). "Behold
the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night. Blessed
is the servant He shall find awake. But he who is found
negligent shall be judged unworthy. Be careful, my soul,
and fall not into a deep sleep..." is the hymn we sing at
this service celebrated on [Palm Sunday evening, in the
Greek tradition], Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday. In this
hymn from Scripture, in which Christ is the Bridegroom
and we are the servant, we are warned to be ready for
Christ's coming by preparing our souls.
Holy Tuesday Evening. The need for true repentance is
the concern of Tuesday evening’s service.
This
transformation from the life of sin to a life of faith and
obedience is exemplified for us in the person of the sinful
woman who received the gift of forgiveness when she
anointed Jesus with myrrh and washed His feet. The
highlight of this service is hymn written in honor of this
woman by St. Kassiani. The Gospel meditation foretells
of the coming suffering of Christ and recalls His inner
struggles and agony.
Holy Wednesday Afternoon/Evening (Holy Unction).
The primary theme of Holy Wednesday is our human
need for the healing and forgiveness that comes into our
lives when we establish a relationship with God through
Jesus Christ. Unction is offered for the healing of both
physical and spiritual illness, including the forgiveness of
sins. The service consists of seven prayers, seven epistle
and seven gospel readings. The priest will also call on the
"healing" saints to join us in our prayers. Jesus continues
to heal people just as He did in the Gospels
Page 3
Passion. The reading is taken from all four gospels in
order to include every detail, and is divided into twelve
parts. Prepare everyone for the lengthy service by
explaining two significant events attributed to Holy
Thursday that they can relate to: The Last Supper and
Judas' betrayal. At the service, watch as each candle is lit
before each reading.
Entombment. Great and Holy Friday is the most somber
day of Holy Week; thus, the Entombment service helps us
express our sorrow over Christ's death on the cross. We
see a "tomb" where an oversized icon (the "winding
sheet") of Christ lays, beautifully adorned with flowers.
We prostrate before the winding sheet and venerate it.
The service contains hymns of lamentation and sorrow for
both Christ's death and our own sins.
Holy Saturday Morning. On Holy Saturday morning we
celebrate the theme of faithfulness receiving its reward.
The crucifixion is over, Christ is buried, the twelve
apostles and other disciples are scattered and defeated.
And yet, three myrrh-bearing women come in faithfulness
to perform the last act of love – to anoint Jesus according
to the Jewish burial custom. Their unwavering devotion is
rewarded – they are the first to share in Christ’s triumph
over evil and death. They are the first witnesses to the
Resurrection.
Matins and Paschal Liturgy. When we come to Church
late Saturday evening, the Church is very quiet and dark.
The only light comes from the flickering candles. We
leave the Church and walk around it three times (the
procession) singing a beautiful hymn that tells us Christ
has risen from the dead. Each person carries a small,
lighted candle. The Gospel is read at the Church
entrance; then the priest pounds on the door three times.
It is opened, and when we return inside, the Church is full
of light! Candles are glowing everywhere. The priest's
white vestments seem to glow! The tomb of Jesus is
gone. The Church seems bigger and brighter. We sing
loudly and with great excitement many times: "Christ is
Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and
upon those in the tombs bestowing life." This is the
happiest service of the year and we are glad to be part of
it!
Easter Sunday Morning AGAPE Service.
Christ’s
Resurrection and victory is affirmed in this morning’s
theme. The Gospel is read in several languages to
illustrate the universality of the Good News of the
Resurrection and its proclamation to the very ends of the
earth. Love, forgiveness, reconciliation, triumph and joy –
these are the gifts which we receive because Christ lived
and died and triumphed for our sake.
Vesperal Liturgy of Holy Thursday. This service is most
significant because we remember the first Holy
Communion which took place at the Last Supper. Tell
your family that the first Holy Communion occurred at this
Passover feast when Jesus Christ gave bread and wine
to His Apostles and told them to "do this in remembrance
of me."
Glory be to Him for all things, and may your Easter be blessed
Reading of the Passion Gospels. During this service of
Holy Thursday, we hear the entire account of Christ's
Yours in Christ,
Brent A. Noyes, Parish Council President
Orthodox Celebration of Pascha. During the forty days
of the Resurrection period, Orthodox Christians greet one
another by saying:
“Christ is Risen”, the Easter
salutation. They likewise respond with the affirmation:
“Truly He is Risen!”
April 2016
Page 4
Believe and Belong through Christian Stewardship
STEWARDSHIP FAMILIES FEBRUARY 2016
$10,000 - $14,999
Ambatielos, Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos*
$6,000 To $7,999
Holcomb, Mr. & Mrs. James
$4,000 To $5,999
Anonymous (1)
Callas, Mr. & Mrs. Greg
Haidos, Mr. & Mrs. Alek*
Preonas, Mr. & Mrs. George*
Vasila, Mrs. Georgia
$2,000 To $3,999
Anonymous (1)
Aronis, Dr. & Mrs. Constantine*
Callas, Mr. & Mrs. Steven
Demetriou, Mr. & Mrs. James*
Freshman, Mrs. Timi Loomos
Halikis, Mrs. Rosalind F.*
Kollias, Mr. & Mrs. Jim
Korbakis, Dr. & Mrs. John*
Natsis, Mr. & Mrs. Natsis
O’Donnell, Mr. & Mrs. Jim
Pappas, Mr. & Mrs. Gus John
Siafaris, Mr. & Mrs. George
Zanetos, Mr. & Mrs. John
$1,000 To $1,999
Anonymous (1)
Attyah, Mr. Paul
Boltinghouse, Mrs. Helen*
Chistolini, Mr. & Mrs. Bruce
Cosfol, Mr. & Mrs. Peter
Flokas, Ms. Dena
Garrity, Mr. Thomas
Greitzer, Mr. & Mrs. Steven
Harros, Mr. & Mrs. George
Karagianis, Mr. & Mrs. Lou
Kirages, Mr. & Mrs. John
Kostos, Mrs. Virginia
Lee, Mr. & Mrs. Nathan
McDemas Family
Mihalas, Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence S.
Mohr, Mr. & Mrs. Michael
Murad, Mr. Mark and Mrs. Evangeline
Goulas
Nakata, Mr. & Mrs. Kouji
Nichols, Ms. Dina
Peratis, Mrs. Christine*
Petrou, Mr. & Mrs. Nicos
Travlos, Mr. & Mrs. Sam
Venetos, Mr. & Mrs. Paul
Vidalis, Mr. Angelo
Vourakis, Mr. & Mrs. Aki
Zinelis, Mr. Panagiotis
$650 To $999
Anonymous (6)
Apostle, Mr. & Mrs. James
Aronis, Mr. & Mrs. Vas
Athans, Mr. & Mrs. Alex
Bakas, Ms. Andrea
Brice, Mr. & Mrs. Timothy
Boudouvas, Mr. & Mrs. John
Chiochios, Mr. & Mrs. Charles
Contois, Mr. & Mrs. Michael
Costalupes, Mr. & Mrs. Kim
Dascalu, Mr. & Mrs. George
Demopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Peter and Vivi
Gabriel, Mr. & Mrs. Louis
Garrity, Mrs. Sophia
Jones, Mrs. Mary E.
Karnakis, Ms. Ekarternia
Kousakis, Mr. Aristotle
Kousakis, Mr. Peter
Maniatis, Ms. Mary
Mickelopoulos, Ms. Ruth
Nahas, Mr. Joseph
Nissley, Mr. Gary & Mrs. Tina Tsoutsas
Oxyzolou, Drs. Alexandros & Areti Tillou
Papademetropoulos, Mr. Lazaros
Peterson, Mr. Christopher
Peterson, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen
Price, Mr. & Mrs. Donald
Psaltiras, Mr. & Mrs. Eftychios
Rizopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. John
Schwartz, Mrs. Petsa
Staikos, Mr. Alexandros
Stamatis, Mr.& Mrs. Harry
Stathes, Mr. Margus
Varentges, Ms. Kalli
OTHER
Alexopoulos, Mr. & Mrs.
Arvanitis, Mr. & Mrs. Komnas
Constantinou, Ms. Marilyn
Emery, Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan
Flokas, Mr. & Mrs. Louis*
Kaplanis, Mr. & Mrs. George
Kyriacou, Mr. & Mrs. Charalambos
Maniskas, Ms. Anastasia
Mars, Mr. & Mrs. Themes
Melko, Ms. Eugenia
Mitropetros, Mr. & Mrs.
Panayi, Ms. Rena
Petronis, Ms. Carrie
Pilichos, Mrs. Efrossini
Rand, Mr. & Mrs. Noam
Stamatiades, Mr. Ross
Szekely, Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel
Tassop, Mr. & Mrs. Gus
Topetzes, Ms. Joanna
Veracka, Ms. Virginia
Zachario, Mrs. Helen
Zotos, Rev. Dr. Gregory
STEWARDSHIP FAMILIES MARCH 2016
$10,000 - $14,999
Yallourakis, Drs. Stephen and Anna
$6,000 To $7,999
Marakas, Mr. & Mrs. John*
$4,000 To $5,999
Helis Conrad, Ms. Cassandra
$2,000 To $3,999
Anonymous (1)
Evangelatos, Mr. & Mrs. Andrew*
Lapa, Mr. & Mrs. Donald J. & Diane
Moschonas, Ms. Loula & Mr. James
Edgerton
Warner, Mr. Michael
Wellington, Mrs. Shelmadine
$1,000 To $1,999
Fettis, Mrs. Patricia*
Fotinakes, Mrs. Jennie
Jordan, Ms. Olga
Karavas, Mr. & Mrs. Dan
Koutsoukos, Mrs. Electra
Manolelis, Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas
Metini, Mr. & Mrs. Mauro
Perris, Mr. & Mrs. Nickolas
Sandstrom, Mr. & Mrs. William
Waldron, Mr. & Mrs. William
$650 To $999
Anonymous (1)
Apostolakis, Ms. Christina
Chialtas, Mr. George
Chrys, Mrs. Annie
Defterios, Mr. & Mrs. Christo
Demetrius, Ms. Dina
Fouad, Mr. & Mrs. Raymond
Karnakis, Ms. Ekartina
Morris, Ms. Stella*
Nicolaou, Mr. & Mrs. Carl
* Life Members Endowment Fund
Pallas, Mr. Peter
Papachristos, Mr. & Mrs. Ioannis
Papoulias, Mr. & Mrs. Tom
Papoutsis, Mr. & Mrs. Constance
Savas, Dr. Diana N.
Smith, Mr. Kenyatta
Spirus, Mr. & Mrs. Kosta
Tassop, Ms. Mary
Tsimahides, Mr. & Mrs. Zafiris
Warren, Mr. William
Wellington, Mr. Isiah
Wellington, Mr. Joshua
OTHER
Erwin, Mrs. Catherine
Giannoulis, Mr. Chris
Gregg, Ms. Karla
Pappas, Mr. James
Pappatheodorou, Dr. Sofia
Treantafelles, Ms. Kitsa
+Blessed Memory
When making out your will, please include our Saint Sophia Cathedral in you estate and financial planning
April 2016
Page 5
PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
LENTEN FOOD DRIVE - The Sunday School along with the Philoptochos are collecting dry goods for the food pantry at Saint
Thomas Church to benefit our needy neighbors. Please bring a grocery bag or two (see list of food items on flier) on or before
Holy Thursday evening. If you wish to make a monetary donation visit our Philoptochos Table at Coffee Hour or donate online
at: https://saintsophia2016lentfooddrive.eventbrite.com and we will shop on your behalf.
EASTER FLOWERS will be available on Palm Sunday for those persons homebound or convalescing. Please submit names to
Christina Peratsakis at 213-716-1988 by April17th.
EASTER PICNIC - May 1, 2016. Sign-ups for volunteers still needed in the Philoptochos Pastry Booth. Call Jan Pastras
323.848.9988 or email: [email protected]
MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON – Saturday May 7, 2016. Honoring our beloved Presbytera Maria Ximena Bakas to be held at
the Saint Sophia Huffington Center. Marianna Politis and Mary Gallanis are chairwomen. Everyone is welcome! Seating is
limited. For Reservations, Contact Jeannie Boukides (818) 389-7661. If you would like to receive an invitation, please email
your address to [email protected]
MAY GENERAL ASSEMBLY – Sunday May 15, 2016 12:30 pm. Maria Maniatakos Pavilion. “The Mysteries of Floral
Arranging Revealed”, featuring the talented “Ruben” of MATISSE FLOWERS. Lunch will be provided for a $10 Donation.
Everyone is welcome! Please RSPV to Dorothea Ales 818-990-6241 [email protected]
SAINT SOPHIA PHILOPTOCHOS DEBUTANTE PRESENTATION BALL 2017 - Plans are underway for the Saint Sophia
debutante Presentation Ball to be held on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Interested
young ladies who will be high school juniors (aged 16) and older should contact the Presentation Ball Co-Chairmen, Katrina
Beers (714)936-7900 or Georgia Kezios (562)865-7700. An informational meeting will be held at the Saint Sophia Cathedral
Huffington Center on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 12:30 pm.
2016 NATIONAL PHILOPTOCHOS BIENNIAL CONVENTION - JULY 3-8, 2016, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention
Center, Nashville, Tennessee. For more information: email [email protected]
In Christ’s service,
Judith Christopoulos, President
PHILOPTOCHOS VIP
May 24, 2016, Tuesday, Senior Citizen of the Year Luncheon
We are very happy to announce that Faye and Jim Demetriou have been selected as our Senior Citizens of the Year 2016. We
invite you to attend this special day for Faye and Jim who both have served our Community since their youth, in many ways.
The event will be held at the Maniatakos Fellowship Hall. Reservations are required by May 18, 2016. Donation $25.
Please call Mary Kezios (562)923-7110 or Angela Ananias (562)695-7234. Make checks payable to Philoptohos VIP. Mail to:
Mary Kezios, 10409 Casanes Ave. Downey, CA. 90241
June 23, 2016, Thursday, at 11:00 AM, Luncheon and Book Presentation
We are honored to have Connie Constant as our guest to present her new book, American Kid, Nazi-Occupied Greece
Through a Child’s Eyes. Connie is a local author and a parishioner of Saint Katherine’s at Redondo Beach. She presented her
previous book Austin Lunch, Greek American Recollections, to the VIP’s which everyone enjoyed very much.
The story is about the painful and dangerous survival of a Greek American family during the American depression and the
occupation of Greece by Germany during World War II. When the Great American Depression hit, the father decided to send the
mother and their 3 young children to Greece where conditions seemed to be better at that time for raising the children. He
stayed behind to search for work and then decide how and where to reunite the family. Because the communications between
Greece and USA had ceased for 5 years, it took the family more than that to reunite. Their survival is miraculous.
Please come and join us for Connie’s presentation of the book. Books will be available for signing and purchase. Lunch will be
served free of charge at the Huffington Center. Everyone is welcome but reservations are required so we can plan for the
luncheon. Please RSVP with Vivi at (310) 215-3130 or Angela Ananias at 562-695-7234.
We wish you Happy Easter, KALO PASCHA. In His service,
Mersy Loukaris, VIP President
April 2016
Page 6
Inner Stillness Meditation Workshop with the Prayer of the Heart, Topic:
Detachment
at the Huffington Center of Saint Sophia Cathedral
Monday, May 9, 2016, 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
presented by Maria Baltazzi and V. Rev. Fr. John Bakas
Call 323-737-2424 for more information and registration.
Science and Orthodox Spirituality
Lecture 4: Experiencing Inner Awareness in Practice
at the Huffington Center of Saint Sophia Cathedral, Wednesday, May 11, 2016, 6:00 - 9:30 pm
Price: $20. Dinner buffet and refreshments served at 6:00 pm
presented by Dr. Menas C. Kafatos, V. Rev. Fr. John Bakas and Maria Baltazzi
How can the experience of Inner Peace and Love of Orthodox Spirituality can be scientifically described? How can science,
while retaining its objectivity and present day success, accept the inner realms? This is a true dialogue between the two great
systems of human experience Science and Spirituality.
This lecture explores the role of the mind in making the world feel full of separation as in the classical physics view. It is the
veiling by the mind that clouds experience and hides the underlying awareness. When we become aware of our own minds we
can go beyond time and understand the Orthodox teachings of impermanence of physical world appearances and the reality of
pure inner stillness.
April 2016
Page 7
Saint Sophia Foundation Scholarships
John S. Sakellaris Scholarship - (for College/Post-Graduate Students)
Angelo L. Pappas Scholarship - (for Graduating High School Seniors)
The Saint Sophia Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the creation of four $2,500 scholarships for eligible
students within our community. These scholarships are offered to a graduating high school and college or postgraduate students. We have increased the amount and number of scholarships this year.
These scholarships are in honor of two of the greatest leaders of our community from the San Julian church, to
the founding of our Saint Sophia community up through the Community Campaign for Building Expansion. John and
Angelo were true leaders, visionaries and stalwart servants on behalf of Saint Sophia Cathedral and its community.
They were also the best of friends.
John Sakellaris served his Greek Orthodox Church and community for over 80 years. He was an Altar Boy,
member of the Choir, Treasurer of the first Parish Council at the Church of the Annunciation on San Julian Street,
member and first Treasurer of the Saint Sophia Cathedral Parish Council. In 1952, John was appointed by Mr.
Charles P. Skouras as Comptroller of the newly organized Saint Sophia Foundation. He was elected a member of the
Board of Trustees in 1960 and Treasurer in 1964. In 1987, he was elected President of the Board of Trustees of the
Saint Sophia Foundation and continued to serve in that capacity until his death in 2010.
Under John’s administration, the Trustees have been responsible for the building of the Saint Sophia residence,
the expansion of parking facilities, the construction of the Walk of the Blessing Hand and Wall of Honor, and the
restoration, beautification and improvement of the Cathedral itself and its property. He played a significant leadership
role in the Faith, Vision and Community Campaign for Building Expansion here at St. Sophia Cathedral.
In addition to being a Life Member, John was the donor of the Blessed Hand and two of the mosaic Icons in the
Dome of St. Sophia Cathedral. In 1992, John was recognized for his dedication and earned the designation of Archon
of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. In 2010, John received the Blessing Hand Award from the
Foundation. John was a sustaining donor to the Patriarch Athenagoras Institute of Orthodoxy, Holy Cross Seminary,
Hellenic College, St. Basil’s Academy, local and national Philoptohos Societies, and the Order of Ahepa, the Building
for Excellence Campaign at USC’s Keck School of Medicine and numerous other charities.
Angelo Pappas (“Angie”) was a Saint Sophia Steward since 1952, when he made his first generous contribution
to the Cathedral prior to its completion. His devotion to our church has been demonstrated through his stewardship
giving of time, talent and treasure for the past 58 years. He was appointed to the National Archdiocesan Council by
His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos in 1973 and served in the Axios Foundation for Worthiness from 1982 to 1984.
Angelo was honored an Archon for his outstanding service to the Greek Orthodox Church in 1994 and he received the
Blessing Hand Award.
Angie was elected a member of the Board of Trustees in 1972, Vice President in 1986 and President in 2010,
following John’s passing. In 1979, Angie initiated the Cadillac for Christmas annual fundraiser – later named Cash
for Christmas – and served as a chairman until 2009. He was instrumental in acquiring properties for the Cathedral
Foundation, and led the construction of enclosures to secure the church grounds.
Angie worked hand-in-hand with John and the Foundation in leading the construction of the Saint Sophia
residence, the expansion of parking facilities, the Walk of the Blessing Hand, the restoration and beautification of the
Cathedral grounds and our beautiful Huffington Center.
To receive an application please contact Tina Callas by email ([email protected]) or phone (818-388-7818) or
Gig Kyriacou by email ([email protected]) or phone (818-613-4412)
COMPLETED APPLICATIONS DUE MAY 6, 2016
April 2016
Page 8
MINISTRIES
Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Very Reverend Father John S. Bakas, Dean
Jim Kollias, Choir Director
Mario Lazaridis, Protopsaltis
Michael Kontaxis, Assistant Psaltis
Christopher Yokas, Organist
James Karatsikis, Sexton
FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Executive Officers
George E. Preonas, President
Dr. James A. Demetriou, Vice President & C.F.O.
Constantine M. Boukidis, Secretary
Tina Callas, Treasurer
Members
PARISH COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Officers
Brent Noyes, President
Dean Peratsakis, Vice President
Karen Sarames, Recording Secretary
Jeanine Hanna, Corresponding Secretary
Members
V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas ,
Timi Loomos Freshman , Alek Haidos, Steve Hanna ,
Gig Kyriacou , Brent Noyes , John T. Pappas, Jim Zaferis
Bertha Angels, Maria Baltazzi, Costa Bargeliotis,
Presidential Appointments
Diana Wellington
Anthony A. Demetriou, Presidential Assistant
John G. Marakas III, Sr. Advisor to the Board
Andrew J. Demetriou, Foundation General Counsel
Chris Stavaridis and Paris Yatskar, Associates
PHILOPTOHOS SOCIETY
Executive Officers
Judith Christopoulos , President
Jan Pastras, 1st Vice President
Connie Cooper, 2nd Vice President
Allison Stavaridis, Recording Secretary
Marry Tassop, Corresponding Secretary
Lola Gialketsis, Assistant Corresponding Secretary
Mary Galanis, Treasurer
Scarlett Billis, Assistant Treasurer
Honorary Life Members
Jennie Doumak Christine Peratis
Members
Dorothea Ales Frances Bissias
Pauline Evangelatos Olga Jordan Tricia Kremer Coni Manders
Sophie Mastor Christina Peratsakis Marianna Politis Jayne Poullos
Sonia Stathes Maria Toczek
Peter Cosfol, Jonas Metin, Mauro Metini,
George Rizkalla, Bill Striglos, Anna Yallourakis,
Auditing Committee
James Ananias
Anthony Demetriou
ALTAR BOYS
Chris Halekakis
BASKETBALL
Gig Kyriacou & Paul Cooper
BIBLE STUDY
Very Rev. Father John Bakas
BOOK STORE
William Striglos
CHILD CARE
Kathy & Marsha Zagorianos
CHOIR
Jim Kollias
COFFEE HOUR
Ann Pappas
Georgia Vasila
DOCENTS
Angela Ananias
Virginia Noyes, Advisor
EASTER PICNIC
Ted Pappas
GREEK DANCE GROUPS
Barbara Kappos
ADMINISTRATIVE AND CUSTODIAL STAFF
Eleni Constantine Manolelis
John Kopatsis, Huffington Center Executive Director
Jessica Benitez, Admin. Assist., Angela Kim, Accountant
Oscar Castro, Mauricio Mira, Miguel Rosales, David Castillo
Custodians
HELLENIC ENTERTAINMENT
COOPERATIVE
Dina Demetrius
Demitra Koutsos
Tom Moore
HELLENIC ACADEMY
Alex Oxyzoglou
John Kopatsis
HOSPITALITY
Niki Korbakis
Maria Pelargos
L.A. GREEK FEST
Parish Council
Executive Board
MR. & MRS. CLUB
Dean & Christine Peratsakis
ODOS “The Way”
Helen Lambros
PARENTING
Nick Stefanidis
Barbara Kappos
PHILOPTOHOS V.I.P.
Mersy Loukaris, President
SAINT SOPHIA CAMP
Melanie O’Regan
Jack Stumpus (Golf Event)
Tony Mastor (Tennis Event)
Mary-Kay Demetriou (Tennis
Event)
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Eleni Yokas
YOUTH
VR Father John S. Bakas
April 2016
Page 9
SACRAMENTS AND MEMORIALS
BAPTISMS
May 14
MEMORIALS
Katherine Vasila Kokenes - 40
May 15
days
Stella Kontes - 7 years
Evangelos Rodinos - 40 days
May 22
Duane Hanna - 27 years
Leila Valentine - 6 months
Ekaterina Karnakis - 2 months
Nathan Nicholas
son of Jason and Sandy Scholz
Sponsors: Erica Johnson
May 15
John Tassop
April 17
Sydney Marie Johnson
daughter of Justin and Erica Johnson
Sponsor: Sandra and Jordan Johnson
Illios Balanos
son of John and Karla Balanos
Sponsor: Sean Christian Wheelus
EPISTLE READERS
WEDDINGS
March 5
Elena Argyros and Jorge Lopez
Koumbara: Roula Argyros
April 17
Mauro Metini
April 24, Palm Sunday
Maria Baltazzi
May 1, Holy Pascha
Bill Stiglos
May 8
Costa Bargeliotis
May 15
Jayne Poullos
“Whatever you have done for the least of these
you have done for Me.” - Jesus
Lenten Love begins with offering to those in need.
In our offering of God’s love, the Saint Sophia Sunday School along with the Saint
Sophia Philoptochos Society, is collecting critically needed items to supply the food
pantry of our next door neighbor; the Parish Church of Saint Thomas. This food
pantry serves the surrounding community and is a life-line to families and seniors in
our neighborhood. Please bring a grocery bag or two on or before the HOLY
THURSDAY EVENING SERVICE filled with some of the critically needed items
listed below (about $50-$60 worth).
If you wish to make a monitory donation please stop by our table at Coffee Hour
each week or donate online anytime day or night before Lazarus Saturday, April
23rd at https://saintsophia2016lentfooddrive.eventbrite.com and we will do the
shopping for you.
Items will be delivered on Holy Friday, April 29th,
During the Sunday School Retreat
□ Dry Rice, Beans, Lentils, Pastas
□ Dry Boxes of Macaroni & Cheese
□ Peanut Butter, Jelly or Jam
□ Pasta Sauce
□ Canned Vegetables
□ Cooking Oil
□ Oatmeal, Cereal
□ Sugar
□ Top Ramen noodles
□ Coffee
□ Variety of Baby Formula
□ Canned Tuna, canned meats
□ Laundry Detergent
□ Bath Soap
□ Tooth Paste
□ Disposable Diapers
Page 10
April 2016
April 2016
Page 11
April 2016
Page 12
REMAINING LENTEN Schedule
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
Friday, April 15
9:30 AM
th
5 Salutations to the Theotokos
Friday, April 15
7:30 PM
Sunday of St Mary of Egypt
Sunday, April 17
Orthros 8:15 AM, Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
Wednesday, April 20
7:30 PM
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
Friday, April 22
9:30 AM
Saturday of Lazarus
Saturday , April 23
Orthros 8:30 AM, Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM
Sunday, April 24
Orthros 8:30 AM, Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM
Palm Sunday
Holy Week Schedule
Holy Monday, April 25
Holy Tuesday, April 26
Holy Wednesday, April 27
Holy Thursday, April 28
Holy Friday, April 29
Holy Saturday, April 30
Easter Sunday, May 1
9:30 am
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
7:30 pm
Second Service of the Bridegroom
7:30 pm
Third Service of the Bridegroom
9:30 am
Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
3:30 pm
Sacrament of Holy Unction (Early Choice)
7:30 pm
Sacrament of Holy Unction (Late Choice)
10:00 am
Saint Basil Morning Vesperal Liturgy
7:30 pm
Reading of the 12 Gospels
9:30 am
Reading of the Royal Hours
3:30 pm
Descent from the Cross
7:30 pm
Lamentation Service
9:30 am
Saint Basil Morning Vesperal Liturgy
11:00 pm
The Canon
12:00 am
Resurrection Service
12:30 am
Resurrectional Divine Liturgy
11:00 am
Agape Service
1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Pascha Picnic in Pasadena
PALM SUNDAY
ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΩΝ
ΒΑΙΩΝ
Start the Holy Week by joining Father John Bakas and
the Parish Council for a Lenten Luncheon and Fellowship
after the Liturgy on Palm Sunday, April 24th,
in the Maniatakos Fellowship Hall
Tickets $10
April 2016
Page 13
THE RESURRECTION OF EL GRECO
By John Kopatsis
The Resurrection of Christ is a foundation of Orthodox
Christian faith and the central tenet of Christian theology. It is
part of the Nicene Creed: "On the third day he rose again in
accordance with the Scriptures". All four Gospels conclude
with an extended narrative of Jesus's arrest, trial, Crucifixion,
Burial, and Resurrection. In each Gospel these five events in
the life of Jesus are treated with more intense detail than any
other portion. We receive an almost hour-by-hour account of
what is happening. The death and Resurrection of Jesus are
treated as the climax of the events, the point to which
everything else has been moving all the while. As the evening
came after the crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate
for the body of Jesus, and after Pilate granted his request,
wrapped it in linen cloth and laid it in a tomb, but God raised
him from the dead. He appeared to many people over a span
of forty days before He ascended into heaven, to sit at the
right hand of His Father. All four gospels report that women
were the ones to find the tomb of Jesus empty. Whereas
others found that women were not qualified or authorized to
teach, the four Gospels have it that the Resurrected Christ
commissioned women to proclaim to men, including Peter and
the other Apostles, the Resurrection, foundation of
Christianity.
In Saint Paul’s apostolic ministry, the Resurrection of Christ
was central. In describing his message to the Christians in
Rome, of greatest significance was his preaching of Christ,
who was the “Son of God in power according to the Spirit of
holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our
Lord” (Romans 1:4). When some of the Christians in Corinth
raised doubts about the resurrection of the dead, Saint Paul
responded with a vehement argument: “For if the dead do not
rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your
faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who
have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only
we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
But in fact Christ is risen from the dead, the first fruits of those
who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:16-20).
The Gospels do not include an account of the "moment of
resurrection". In the Orthodox Church most icons do not
depict that moment, but show the myrrh bearers and depict
symbolic scenes of Christ’s descent into Hades, the victory
over death and His deliverance of the righteous from Hades,
an excellent example of which is the Anastasis fresco (1310 1320) in the Chora Church in Constantinople. Doménikos
Theotokópoulos (Δομήνικος Θεοτοκόπουλος, 1541 – 1614),
most widely known as El Greco, was a painter, sculptor and
architect of the Spanish Renaissance. He had roots that were
firmly in the Byzantine tradition, but he considered spiritual
expression to be more important than public opinion and it
was in this way that he developed a unique style that has
allowed him to be regarded as one of the great geniuses of
Western art. The Resurrection is believed to have been part
of the high altarpiece of the Church of the Colegio de Doña
Maria de Aragón in Madrid.
It now resides in the Museo
del Prado in Madrid where
it is revered as one of El
Greco’s most spectacular
and unique religious works.
Looking more like a
creation from the twentyfirst century than the
sixteenth, It stands out as a
work ahead of its time. The
dramatically
elongated
figures, bold colors and
loose brush strokes were
considered somewhat odd
in the Baroque period in
which it was painted.
Detail of The Resurrection
The nude figure of Christ is
shown in a blaze of glory, striding through the air and holding
the white banner of victory over death. The soldiers who had
been placed at the tomb to guard it scatter convulsively. Two
of them cover their eyes, shielding themselves from the
radiance, and two others raise one hand in a gesture of
acknowledgement of the supernatural importance of the
event. Another wearing a helmet decorated with brilliantly
colored plumes, rests his cheek on his hand - the traditional
pose of melancholy - still unaware of Christ's Resurrection. El
Greco's skill in creating dramatically foreshortened figures is
clamorously apparent in the soldier wearing a yellow cuirass
sprawled in the foreground and in the adjacent soldier in
green. By excluding any visual reference to the tomb or to
landscape, El Greco removed the scene from the scriptural
realm and he articulated its universal significance through the
dynamism of nine figures that make up the composition and
the intensity of the light and colors. Swirling drapery,
contorted bodies, the angularity and elongation of the figures
and the vivid colors add to the drama of the painting. Light is
the important element in this image of the Resurrected Christ.
High-contrast lighting, broad brush strokes and the chaotic
placement of the figures create energy and tension. The
movement has an incomparably great force and has nothing
of the sharp explosive quality of El Greco’s earlier work. The
movement is not dissipated, but is contained and
concentrated. The figures now are vehicles of movement and
light.
It is believed by many art historians that El Greco’s visionary
style set the stage for the modernism of the early twentieth
century. It appears that Cubism was directly influenced by El
Greco’s angularity and effusive lighting. Picasso, in particular,
seems to have been influenced by his ascetic figures and cool
tones during his blue period. The emotional effect caused by
El Greco’s distorted figures seems to be closely linked with
the Expressionist movement that originated in Germany and
Austria as well as the Abstract Expressionism that developed
in New York City and pioneered by Jackson Pollock.
April 2016
Page 14
APRIL 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
Pre-Sanctified
Liturgy 9:30 am
3rdSalutations to
the Theotokos
7:30 pm
3
4
Sunday of the
Holy Cross
8:15am Orthros
9:15am Faith Studies
9:45am Memorials
10am Divine Liturgy
10
10:30am
Bible Study w/Fr.
John
11
Sunday of Saint
John Climacus
8:15am Orthros
9:15am Faith Studies
9:45am Memorials
10am Divine Liturgy
17
5
12
10:30am
Bible Study w/Fr.
John
18
19
Sunday of Mary Of
Egypt
8:15am Orthros
9:15am Faith Studies
9:45am Memorials
10am Divine Liturgy
24
Great and Holy
Pascha
11:00am Agape
Service
1:00pm Pascha
Picnic in Pasadena
7
14
15
16
Pre-Sanctified
Liturgy 9:30 am
5thSalutations to
the Theotokos
7:30 pm
Pre-Sanctified
Liturgy 7:30 pm
20
9
Pre-Sanctified
Liturgy 9:30 am
4thSalutations to
the Theotokos
7:30 pm
Pre-Sanctified
Liturgy 7:30 pm
13
8
21
22
23
Saturday of
Lazarus
Pre-Sanctified
Liturgy 9:30 am
Pre-Sanctified
Liturgy 7:30 pm
25
Palm Sunday
Holy Monday
8:15am Orthros
9:15am Faith Studies For the Holy Week
Schedule Please
10am Divine Liturgy
See Page 12
7:30pm 1st Service
of the Bridegroom
May 1
6
26
8:30am Orthros
9:30am Liturgy
27
28
29
30
Holy Tuesday
Holy Wednesday
Holy Thursday
Holy Friday
Holy Saturday
Strict Fast
Fish Allowed
Wine and Oil
Allowed
Dairy, Eggs,
and Fish
Allowed
Fast Free
April 2016
Page 15
MAY 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
1
Great and Holy
Pascha
11:00am Agape
Service
1:00pm Pascha
Picnic in Pasadena
Wed
2
Renewal
Monday
Thu
3
Renewal
Tuesday
Fri
4
Renewal
Wednesday
Sat
5
Renewal
Wednesday
7
Renewal
Friday
Theotokos of the
Life Giving Spring
Renewal
Saturday
8:30am Orthros
9:30am Liturgy
8
9
Thomas
Sunday
8:15am Orthros
9:15am Faith Studies
9:45am Memorials
10am Divine Liturgy
15
16
Sunday of the
Samaritan Woman
8:15am Orthros
9:15am Faith Studies
9:45am Memorials
10am Divine Liturgy
12
13
14
17
18
19
20
21
Saints
Constantine
and Helen
8:30am Orthros
9:30am Divine
Liturgy
10:30am
Bible Study w/Fr.
John
23
Sunday of the
Paralytic
8:15am Orthros
Saint George
9:15am Faith Studies
9:45am Memorials
8:30am Orthros
9:30am Liturgy
10am Divine Liturgy
29
11
10:30am
Bible Study w/Fr.
John
Sunday of the Myrrh
-Bearing Women
8:15am Orthros
9:15am Faith Studies
9:45am Memorials
10am Divine Liturgy
22
10
24
25
26
27
28
10:30am
Bible Study w/Fr.
John
30
31
10:30am
Bible Study w/Fr.
John
Strict Fast
Fish Allowed
Wine and Oil
Allowed
Dairy, Eggs,
and Fish
Allowed
Fast Free
April 2016
Page
16 Greek Cathedral
Saint Sophia
Greek Orthodox Community
1324 South Normandie Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90006
VE
NS
E
I
IT
SE
M
TI
Place address label here
Phone
323 737 2424
Fax
323 737 7029
E-mail
[email protected]
We’re on the Web!
www.stsophia.org
Man of Science, Man of God
Michael Faraday, the father of electromagnetism, was arguably the best experimentalist
in the history of science. He was an English scientist who contributed to the fields
of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. The Faraday Institute for Science and
Religion is an interdisciplinary academic research institute based at Saint Edmund's
College, Cambridge, England. It was established in 2006 by a $2,000,000 grant from
the John Templeton Foundation to carry out academic research, to foster
understanding of the interaction between science and religion, and to engage public
understanding in both these subject areas.