Newsletter - St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church
Transcription
Newsletter - St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church
THE NEWS FROM ST. NEKTARIOS Volume 20, Issue 2 The Abolition of Man I n 1944, Christian apologist and writer C.S. Lewis wrote “The Abolition of Man” in response to a textbook he had been given to review. He proceeded to identify the underlying premises of the book and elaborate on where they could take us as a society. He felt that the authors were probably unaware of the potential consequences of the techniques they used, perhaps being somewhat naïve and idealistic. Nevertheless, he was strongly critical of their mindset that viewed ideals like patriotism, faith, and love as nothing more than sappy emotionalism. He warned that without a heart to perceive higher ideals, we would lose our direction and become less than human beings; hence the title of his work, “The Abolition of Man.” I strongly recommend the book. It is short, but dense. What follows is my humble attempt to summarize it. In chapter one, Gaius and Titius imply that "all values are subjective and trivial" (p. 5) deeming them to be sentimental and irrational. Emotion, for them, was to be inoculated against with cool rationality (especially in light of the heightened emotions of 1944). Lewis disagreed and argued that "for every one pupil who needs to be guarded from a weak excess of sensibility there IN THIS ISSUE Thank you from the Heracklis family 2 Focus on our Community 2 Saints of our Faith 2 Making Lent Great 3 Some Enchanted Evenings Goyans Gone Gray Fundraiser Young at Heart Financial Matters Greek School Sunday Philoptochos Scout Sunday Youth Basketball News Youth Ministries Saints of our Faith are three who need to be awakened from the slumber of cold vulgarity." (p. 13) Taken far enough, Lewis foresees men without hearts, or chests as he puts it; men who have devolved into either mere intellect or mere animal appetite and in either event, without a heart to collect and guide them outside of themselves to higher things. "We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful." (p. 26) . . . “We laugh at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst” . . . Lewis opens chapter two by stating that the society which rejects objective truth disconnects itself from reality and awaits inevitable destruction. Not that this is the goal of Gaius and Titius, but it may well be the result. They claim to offer freedom from tradition and religion in order to find "real" values. He then goes into, what seemed to me, a fairly complicated philosophical discourse about whether or not another basis for the Tao (or Truth) could be found in the intellect or instinct. Ultimately he asserts that the basis for objective truth or values cannot be found in either one. "The truth finally becomes apparent that neither in any operation with factual propositions nor in any appeal to instinct can the Innovator find the basis for a system of values." (p. 39) Accordingly, those who wish to deny the Tao 3 are forced to pick and choose from among its 4-5 own elements those which are thought to be most suitable for their innovative 6 purposes. Divorced from the context of the Tao, 7 however, the elements become arbitrary and ineffective. "What purport to be new systems or 7 as they now call them 'ideologies', all consist of 8 fragments from the Tao itself, arbitrarily wrenched from their context in the whole and 9 then swollen to madness in their isolation, yet 9 still owing to the Tao and to it alone such vitality 10-11 as they possess." (p. 44) There is only one Tao which we may understand better and move 12 forward in, but which we cannot replace any February 21 , 2016 Fr. John Wallace more than we can create "a new primary colour." (p. 44) Authority to modify the Tao comes only from within the Tao itself by those who accept and value it. Those outside of it have no understanding. We either accept values like love and honesty as good in and of themselves without justification or we do not. Chapter two concludes with a forecasted response on the part of the Innovator who might well be willing to try life without the Tao wishing to be totally free to do as he wishes. "Having mastered our environment, let us now master ourselves and choose our own destiny." (p. 51) In chapter three, Lewis concludes that mastery of the environment really means the mastery of some men over others using nature as their instrument. (p. 55) He notes that each new power or technology that man develops to control the environment is also a power to control men. The final stage will involve the use of "prenatal conditioning" (p. 59) to exercise full control; to remake mankind in the image of man, if you will, instead of the image of God. However, instead of maximizing their potential, those who step outside the Tao forfeit their humanity and become not men at all. Refusing to be children of God, they will become as brute beasts subject only to their passing desires. Thinking this the way to fulfillment, they will nevertheless feel the void and envy those who accept the Tao "as eunuchs envy men." (p. 66) Ironically, "Man's conquest of Nature turns out, in the moment of its consummation, to be Nature's conquest of Man." (p. 68) The Truth or Tao of reality, how are we to respond to it? The ancients decided mankind had to conform to reality. The moderns are attempting to conform reality to mankind. The former saw solutions in knowledge, selfdiscipline, and virtue. For the latter, solutions are to be found in techniques and technologies divorced from ethical concerns. Which will we choose? All in all, I find the book one of striking perception and warning. That so much of what he describes has come and is coming to pass only certifies what he has to say. Theophanes the Confessor S Focus on our community C elebrations, Milestones, Comfort & Support March 12 aint Theophanes, who was born in 760, was the son of illustrious parents. Assenting to their demand, he married and became a member of the Emperor's ceremonial bodyguard. Later, with the consent of his wife, he forsook the world. Indeed, both of them embraced the monastic life, struggling in the monastic houses they themselves had established. He died on March 12, 815, on the island of Samothrace, whereto, because of his confession of the Orthodox Faith, he had been exiled by Leo the Armenian, the Iconoclast Emperor. http//www.goarch.org "Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved." In our prayers Pat Baker Ethan Barnard Sylvia Belk Jodie Boyce Sandy Brewer Marie Callahan Nikki Chomakos Kathy Clewell Dee Cockinos Barbara Cook Bessie Demas Cleo Demopoulos Shannon Elliott Ted Gillis Bill Griggs Nancy Guthery Catherine Kalivas Nick Kefalas Helen Keramidas Dan Kiser Dean Kondilis Peter Mannering Catherine Manthos Casey Martinez Iris Medvid Calliope Milios Christina Nixon Kay Owens Barry Dale Price Jr. Irene Rodriguez Mary Roupas Teziah Stalling James Tekin Mary Thayer Ernest Tsitouris Steve Tsitouris Marion Zablotsky And the persecuted Christians in the Middle East and the non-Christian World AND FOR THOSE IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY Helene Carras Buddy Craft Jordan James Dunn Krassimire Ivanov Michael Mentavlos Zack Millsaps Matthew Millsaps Amanda Moril Elias Nickolopoulos Anton Savin Danielle Zervakos Congratulations To Alexandria and Derek Guy on the baptism of Leighton & Lainey’s sister, Landon To Dr. Dimitrios Stefanidis, MD, PhD on receiving the 2016 Presidential Citations Award for his significant contributions to “simulation center research initiatives targeting quality and safety for surgeons and surgical teams” at the International meeting on Simulation in Healthcare in January Sympathy To the Constantinides family on the passing of Presbytera Kathryn Constantinides To the Neary family on the passing of Ritsa’s nouna and second mother, Athena Anagnoustou in Greece To the Khuri family on the passing of Emile’s mother, Frizeh Khuri in Jerusalem To the Economides family on the passing of Patricia’s husband, Chris Economides In Appreciation Thanks to Diane Gilbert and Copycat for printing the Church Bulletin and Newsletter. Please contact the church office with information we may share with the community or to add someone to the prayer list. Also please contact the office when someone is in need of a clergy visit. Image: Copyrighted free use, https:// commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php? curid=3484312 To our St. Nektarios Church Family and Philoptochos, Thank you so much for your donation and support of the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine prom at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Gastonia. The prom was held on Friday, February 12, 2016 for people with disabilities. This was a worldwide movement in which over 200 churches participated. The prom in Gastonia had over 100 guests and over 200 volunteers. We are thankful for the many prom dresses that we received from our St. Nektarios parish family. We also truly appreciate our volunteers from the community and the generous donation from Philoptochos. With much love and gratefulness, Omer, Tina, Tommy, and Marlena Heracklis 2 Making Lent Great for your family G strengthened . . . [D]ecide as a in front of the icon of Christ. This Lenten Worship: family what your church Not Just for Dummies is the same prostration the Priest service schedule will be . . . Fr. Seraphim will offer a 2-part does at the beginning of services. Planning in advance that you presentation on Tues. Mar. 1 Nothing shifts a family prayer will go to [Monday Compline], time like doing prostrations and Wed. Mar.9 at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night Pretogether. Christ is present as we our Lenten Worship Services Sanctified service, or Friday gather, and through the icons. night Salutations service, . . . is Bowing down to Him makes it real and a commitment towards heavenly rewards of requires a step in faith. Paradoxically, it peace and healing. Planning ahead what strengthens our faith, which is what we need services you will commit to is a way of setting as we try to turn our lives towards Him. Lent is a time that we are invited to change our family's Lenten journey within the life of our lifestyle in preparation for Easter. Like the parish; right where it belongs. So the Lenten buffet is laid out before us to anything else in life, the more we understand nourish our souls and prepare us to receive what is happening, the more we indulge in the M AKE A COMMITMENT TO FAMILY PRAYER Christ at Easter. We can partake of fasting, AT HOME DURING L ENT . banquet, the more we will experience God's church services, and prayer in the home. I Kids are more likely to feel at home at church have not mentioned many of the other 'dishes' healing presence in our lives . . . I will highlight three of the dishes that families can if their home feels more like a church . . . Lent available like confession, forgiveness, partake in, as a way of connecting to the is a great time to build your family icon almsgiving, reading the scriptures, banquet ourselves and teaching our children corner, or come together before your icon pilgrimages, reading the lives of the to partake. Notice the first connection though. corner in prayer. Lent is a time to consider Saints, or memorizing scripture or prayers. coming together as a family before the icons The most effective way to teach our children The banquet is set for us to partake as much the joy of the liturgical life of the Church is to instead of before the television . . . Consider as we desire. embrace it in our own lives. specifically incorporating the Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephraim as a family. [Daily] . . . when The goal or purpose of Lent is not to fast or M AKE A COMMITMENT ON HOW YOU WILL everyone is together, gather at the family icon pray. The goal of Lent is to experience God FAST DURING L ENT . corner and say the prayer all together. directly. Helping our kids 'get more out of As Orthodox we fast from food to be able to O Lord and Master of my life, give me Church' means helping them experience God fast from sin. And it is our sin that keeps us not the spirit of sloth, directly. Lent is a time for families to reorient from experiencing God fully. This connection faintheartedness, lust for power, or idle ourselves towards God, but it takes a between how we eat and how we sin is what talk. (prostration) commitment to open our families to the life in the Fathers of the Church are clear on. This But grant me, your servant, the spirit of Christ and open our homes to God's saving connection is also something that is lost in moderation, humility, patience, and Grace. The feast is there for us to partake. . . contemporary society . . . Essentially the love. (prostration) [and] God promises those who partake, that more we indulge ourselves in whatever we Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see "Blessed our those who hunger and thirst want, the more we become enslaved to our my own faults and not to judge my after righteousness, for they shall be filled." desires . . . Fasting is not magic, but . . . brothers and sisters. For you are through fasting we see God transforming our Philip Mamalakis, PhD blessed to the ages of ages. Amen Excerpts from GOARCH.COM http://www.goarch.org/ worldly desires towards His Kingdom. (prostration) Opening up . . . to fasting opens up our hearts After each verse, do a full prostration, or bow, ourfaith/making-lent-great/ to be filled with the Grace of God and be truly free. Some Enchanted Evenings… reat Lent is like . . . this incredible banquet feast for our souls to learn, indulge, and devour. We have a tremendous spread of services, traditions, rituals, prayers, hymns, and guidelines for preparing for Christ's resurrection. How can we make Lent great for our kids and our families? Well, it is as simple, and as challenging, as learning to indulge ourselves in the Lenten buffet that God offers to nourish our souls. Fasting rules for families are a personal thing. Each family will do it differently. In consultation with your Priest, or Spiritual Father, consider following the fasting guidelines of the Church. Consider what you did last year, and take a step further this year . . . Fasting is not just about food, but also about healing our souls. It is a challenge for us today, but like any sacrifices we make in faith, God's blessings that come from it are uncountable. To My St. Nektarios Family… Please allow me to share my thoughts and feelings about our weekday Lenten services. Let me first say that although I was brought up as Greek Orthodox, until coming to St. Nektarios I had not always attended church during Lent. When my family did attend church, the services were in Greek . . . I didn’t understand anything. Perhaps it’s the acoustics, or the setting sunlight, which catches the smoke from the incense, drawing your eyes to the dome, or the deeply moving melodies of the hymns . . . but listening to our choir sing and chant and read is so spiritual. I can’t help but feel that the Holy Spirit is present. It is a special feeling, quite enchanting and very poignant. Our weekday services are not very well attended and each evening as I head home after one I think, “Folks can experience the magic, peace, and fulfillment of being one with our Lord on these evenings.” M AKE A COMMITMENT TO A C HURCH S CHEDULE DURING L ENT . During Lent, the Church offers more opportunities for us to come together in If you are able to attend, I hope you will do so ... experience for yourself, the quiet, peaceful and prayer. When we make any efforts to re-orient our lives towards God, we will be challenged. spiritual gift our Lord is offering us. The Church knows this and provides Wishing everyone a blessed Lent, opportunities for us to strengthen ourselves Carol Jelush for this effort through prayer. The church services are for us to be encouraged and 3 GOYANS GONE GRAY Fundraiser 1 -30-16 T he parishioners of St. Nektarios and the Goyans Gone Gray came together to support fellow member, Dean Kondilis, and to raise money for his extensive medical bills. Dean is 24 years old and the son of Dena & Steve Kondilis and brother of Katina Kondilis. Dean has been undergoing treatment for three types of cancer since mid-November. The community came together the week before the Super Bowl. The theme was “Keep Pounding” in honor of Dean and the Carolina Panthers. The night was complete with food and fellowship and watching our families compete in a humorous game of Greek Family Feud, created by Dennis Kokenes and hosted by John Miller. It was a lot of fun for all. Special thanks go to Ana Sistare and her team for all their hard work organizing this special fundraiser and to Chad Howard's band, Nojo Slim, who played “gratis”. We are still accepting donations to this medical fund. Please note Kondilis Medical Fund on the memo line of your check. You may call or email Madalina Lowen in the church office for more information. 4 Greek Family feud 5 Young at Heart F o r o u r 5 5 a n d o l d e r members T hursday, January 14th was a bright, sunny day. The weather matched the mood of the St. Nektarios senior citizens who gathered in the social hall for a luncheon meeting. The host committee served a delicious meal of salad, pork chops, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, various cake desserts and fresh fruit. Raffle tickets were sold and the grand prize winners were Peter Kanelos and Don Belk. Remaining funds from the raffle proceeds were divided between the church and Matthews Help Center. Gus Stamas announced a special Young at Heart” outing that will take place on Saturday, March 12th. On that day, interested “Young at Heart” members will gather at the Church at 11:00 a.m. to go to the Narroway Theater in Fort Mill SC for a luncheon and Easter play. The cost of $32.00 includes transportation, the ticket for the play and the luncheon. Reservations are required! The deadline for reservations is Sunday, January 31st. After the luncheon, raffle and special announcements, Ellie Kontos, Rula Poulos and Mary Gallis led the group in spirited Greek dancing. (A good time was had by all.) John Bellios 6 Cultural Ministry—greek school Sunday O n the 31st of January, the students of St. Nektarios Greek Language Afternoon School honored the Three Hierarchs, patrons of the Greek Letters in Hellenic Education. The Three Hierarchs were responsible for uniting the Hellenic Christian faith and Greek Literacy. This day is a celebration, commemorating all those who dedicated their lives to education. A big thank you to these Holy Enlightened Men that devoted their lives to spread Ecumenical Values that allow us today to be free from the shackles of ignorance and fear of the unknown. This day is not only for commemorating, but also for supporting the future of education and literacy in modern society. Last but not least, we want to thank the families of our wonderful students, the administration, teachers, and clergy of St. Nektarios for their support and encouragement. “Without Greek there is No Education.” - Leo Tolstoy “The Greek Language and Heritage belongs to humanity and not just to Greeks.” - Socrates Sophia Shinas Director, St. Nektarios Greek Language School Financial Mat ters — Do Your Best “Let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ, our God” “ ‘Do Your Best’ a traditional American proverb says, God makes this request of His children: Do the best you can –where you are, with what you have, now. The story of Jesus Christ feeding the 5,000 illustrates this through the boy’s offerings of all he had—five loaves and two fish. This boy did his best with what he had, and Jesus used it to perform an incredible miracle.“ As an icon of this miracle, the parish of St. Nektarios is committed to offering your stewardship gifts to God who multiplies them so we, and His ministries, can flourish. Like the young boy, each of us brings our best and trusts in God’s grace, love and communion so we may prosper. And we have. Our parish life is rich and vibrant; the foundation grows stronger each day as we commit and re-commit ourselves to worship, service, fellowship, and witness. Through good governance and financial responsibility, year end 2015 finished in the positive—for the first time in many years. And it is because we continuously strive to do our best with the gifts that have been given to us. “Saint Gregory the Theologian writes, ‘You will never overcome God’s generosity, even if you give away all that you have…. And however much you bring to Him, always more remains. Nor will you give anything that is your own; for all things flow from God (Or 14:22).‘ “ “The Lord does not expect any more from us than what we have to offer. But He does expect us to be faithful and that we do our very best for Him.” “We do our best and leave the rest to Him.” Thank you Good and Faithful Stewards Theodora Sexstone, Treasurer & Stewardship Chair + excerpts taken from www. Goarch.org stewardship resources 7 Philoptochos — A Legacy of Philanthropy T his year’s annual Philoptochos Membership Tea was held on January 31st at the home of Madalina Lowen and was well attended. The ladies gathered for fellowship, food and to learn about Philoptochos’ plans for 2016. Several new members joined us as well ~ Maria Swanson, Charlotte Overlock, Niki Kleto and Karen Guzelian. Philoptochos, established in 1931 by the late Patriarch Athenagoras I, means “friend of the poor.” It is a volunteer organization that initiates and/or supports many church activities and projects. Philoptochos Mission: - To preserve the sacredness of the Orthodox family through family concern, service, unity of action; to perpetuate the Christian concept of marriage and upbringing of children and through it perpetuate and promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and traditions in conformity with its doctrines, canons, discipline, divine worship, usages, and customs; - To promote the charitable, benevolent, philanthropic, and eleemosynary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese by instructional programming, presentations, lectures, seminars, and other educational resources; - To formulate plans and methods to voluntarily aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters; to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church through special funds or solicitations on the local level; and - To promote participation in the activities of the Greek Orthodox community with the cooperation of the Parish Priest and the Parish Council. Ladies Philoptochos Society of St. Nektarios In 1999, the Ladies Philoptochos Society of St. Nektarios was formed with great excitement. From the chapter’s inception until April 2002, members met at each other’s homes, libraries, schools, community rooms, and restaurants to organize and create the fundraising and outreach calendar we have today. Our active schedule of events reflects the commitment of our members and parish—your loving support is critical to our philanthropic successes. With the completion of the St. Nektarios Spiritual Life Center, our chapter now has a home for meetings, activities and events. The annual Membership Tea is still held in parishioners’ homes. Membership Ladies over age 18 who are members of our parish are invited to become members of the Philoptochos. Our annual membership drive begins in January with our Membership Tea. Current and new members are requested to submit membership by end of March. However, we encourage membership renewals and gladly welcome new members throughout the year. Our goal is to have 115 members in 2016. Organizations Supported by Philoptochos We support our National and Metropolis Philoptochos obligations and charities plus local charities and philanthropic activities. Our 2016 goal is to raise enough funds to distribute about $18,000 to these projects. See list of beneficiaries to how your generosity makes a difference. 8 National Commitments Vasilopita - St. Basil Academy - January tray Social Services, Cancer Fund, St. Photios Shrine Autism Assistance Fund Archdiocese Missions Program (OCMC) Support a Mission Priest Sisterhood St. Basil Academy Int'l Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) 75th Anniversary Founders Fund Orthodox Christian Fellowship Holy Cross School of Theology Retired Clergy & Widow Presbyteres Benevolent Fund Emergency Fund, UNICEF Ecumenical Patriarchate-St. Cosmas/Damion National Sisterhood of Presbyteres General Medical Fund Metropolis Commitments Agape Fund, Clergy Education Fund, Discretionary Fund Philanthropy, Website, Youth/Camp, Fanouropita Local Donations Altar Fund, Holy Angels Daughters of Penelope (Holy Trinity) FOCUS -- North America, OCF— NC IOCC — donation for dinner Nairobi Tuition OCN -- Web Broadcast / Radio Project Mexico & St. Innocence St. Barbara's Medical Ministry St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary National Special Requests Metropolis Special Requests Local Philanthropies/Special Projects and Request Emergency Fund/Special Needs Fund Donations to charities at end of year Beneficiary of the — Christmas brunch St. Nektarios Medical Fund Southminster Presbyterian Church - Shine the Night Safe Alliance, Zoe for Life St. Nicholas Shrine -- NY St. Nicholas Philoptochos Agape Luncheon - Wilmington Hazel's Helping Hands (supplies) St. Nektarios Yearly Admin Donation St. Nektarios Facilities usage Donation S t. N e k t a r i o s C u b S c o u t Pa c k 4 9 0 “Doing a Good Turn” T he Boy Scouts of Troop 490 and the Cub Scouts of Pack 490 were busy this month celebrating the “birthday” of Scouting in the United States and participating in the Mecklenburg BSA Council’s annual big “good turn” for the community. The Boy Scouts of America was chartered by Congress on February 8, 1910, so Boy Scouts across the nation celebrate the movement’s birthday on “Scout Sunday” every year on the Sunday before February 8. St. Nektarios recognized its Scouts and Cubs at the close of Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 7th. After the liturgy on Scout Sunday, Troop 490 and Pack 490 delivered 111 grocery bags of donated canned goods to the Loaves & Fishes community food pantry. The Scouts collected the canned goods in the annual “Scouting For Food” food drive with the help of the parish and the church’s neighbors in Providence Plantation. “Well done, Scouts!” Matt Joyner T St. Nektarios Basketball….Believe!!! he St. Nektarios Spartan girls and boys 7th grade basketball teams both enjoyed a wonderful season. The girls, in only their second year in the league and playing in an older age level, were able to perform at an outstanding pace and win the season championship only losing one game. The girls earned the top seed in the end of season tournament but lost in the game to go to the championship. The boys, in their fourth season, took advantage of the time to grow together. They made Spartan history being the first team to ever go undefeated and win the season championship and then earn top seed in the end of season tournament and win the tournament championship to remain undefeated. Congratulations to both our girls and boys teams! With God all things are possible!!! We pray and ask God to give us WISDOM to play the game with respect, FAITH to believe we can do anything, STRENGTH to not be afraid and to overcome anything, and PROTECT and take care of us. We Believe!!! Our kids represented themselves well, their families and their Church! They did it with God!!! Faith is a game-changer!! Theo Karavokiros “Coach Theo” 9 With 4 teams playing this season, there were many opportunities for our kids to learn lessons which helped them grow in their Orthodox faith. Here are a few from the coaches and the players: “Our team’s verse for the season was Philippians 4:13: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’ and our guys learned about the meaning of this verse through both our wins and losses.” Coach Greg Oliven; 9th grade boys “It was a true example of young men bonding together, helping one another and accepting every situation, no matter how difficult, as an opportunity to excel, to grow.” Gerry Clonaris; Senior boys “Playing basketball brought me closer to God and my teammates ! It also made me stronger physically and mentally! “ Catherine Kalariotes; 7th grade girls team “The basketball ministry has produced countless God centered friendships and life lessons that will last a lifetime. I love players and coaches sharing with each other about how to TRUST & BELIEVE while growing in understanding our Faith through this ministry called basketball.” Coach Dean Kalariotes; 7th grade girls “We won this game for Dean [Kondilis], one of our former players [20 years old now] who was diagnosed with cancer, and when he played on the court he always game 100% to the team.”[posted on Instagram] Saba Vashakidze; 7th grade boys “At that final last second loss for the Seniors, I watched the two young men who had been my ringbearers as little boys console each other and that warmed my heart.” Maria Boukidis, fan “I learned how to play in really difficult circumstances and how to lose [with grace].” Elias Gianakopoulos; Senior team Our fabulous Catechism Teachers have many wonderful lessons prepared every Sunday for our students. Some of them are very special events, like this recent one in the First Grade class, led by Christie Asimos and Nino Vashakidze. Christie tells us about that Sunday: “Each year the first grade class has fun participating in a mock baptism. Everyone has a role. From the priest to the photographer! All smiles during this lesson!” This lesson has been a favorite of many classes of First Graders. From this year,s class to the First Graders from 2010 who are now all in 7th Grade, everyone loves the BAPTISM SUNDAY!! 10 “Bless my dealings with all who surround me!” This petition was part of the Morning Prayer we said on Saturday of the Ski Retreat and our goal for our day of skiing. At the end of the day, we agreed that, for the most part, we had accomplished that goal. Once again THE FABULOOUS FISHER FAMILIY were wonderful hosts. Special thanks to our GREAT CHAPERONES: Fr. John & Pres Mary Wallace; Aka & Nino Vashakidze; Gino Collias and Timira Cockinos. Great fellowship Friday night with our Mellow Mushroom pizza dinner; great breakfast with Mrs. Fisher’s famous monkey bread. Then off to Appalachian Ski Mountain for a really fun day of skiing. With lots of new skiers helped by the seasoned skier, we had a safe and wonderful trip. w 11 MARTINIAN OF PALESTINE S February 13 aint Martinian, who was from Caesarea of Palestine, flourished about the beginning of the fifth century. He struggled in the wilderness from his youth. After he had passed twenty-five years in asceticism, the devil brought a temptation upon him through a harlot, who when she heard the Saint praised for his virtue, determined to try his virtue, or rather, to undo it. Coming to his cell by night as it rained, and saying she had lost her way, she begged with pitiful cries to be admitted in for the night, lest she fall prey to wild beasts. Moved with compassion, and not wishing to be guilty of her death should anything befall her, he allowed her to enter. When she began to seduce him, and the fire of desire began to burn in his heart, he kindled a fire and stepped into it, burning his body, but saving his soul from the fire of Gehenna. And she, brought to her senses by this, repented, and, following his counsel, went to Bethlehem to a certain virgin named Paula, with whom she lived in fasting and prayer; before her death, she was deemed worthy of the gift of wonder-working. Saint Martinian, when he recovered from the burning, resolved to go to some more solitary place, and took a ship to a certain island, where he struggled in solitude for a number of years. Then a young maiden who had suffered a shipwreck came ashore on his island. Not wishing to fall into temptation again, he departed, and passed his remaining time as a wanderer, coming to the end of his life in Athens. FORGIVENESS SUNDAY M ARCH 13 The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the firstfashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation. DIRECTORY Church Office: 704-708-4669 Church Fax: 704-846-6094 Email: [email protected] Website: www.stnektarios.org 5108 Kuykendall Rd. Charlotte, NC 28270 Father Steve Dalber, Protopresbyter Home: 704-708-4638 Cell Phone: 704-451-6524 Email: [email protected] Father John Wallace Home: 704-905-2558 Cell Phone: 704-905-2558 Email: [email protected] Father Seraphim Dedes Music Ministry Phone: 704-719-3074 Email: [email protected] Dn. Father Stephanos Potter Dn. Father Paul Tsahakis Parish Council President: Jim Thomas Vice President: John Tsefrikas Secretary: Maria Mortis Treasurer: Theodora Sexstone Ass’t Treasurer: Peter Keretsis Ass’t Secretary: Elizabeth Kleto Members: Kholoud Alyateem, Christina Bonderer, Chris Levantis, John Nichols, Patrick Taylor Parish Administrator Evelyn Klund Administration Staff Madalina Lowen, Kim Clewell Carol Jelush, Niki Kleto Dir. Youth Ministries, Elaine Miller Property Manager, Dena Kondilis Philoptochos Board President: Maria Wheatley Vice President: Bessie Vrettos Recording Secretary: Heather Korolos and Renee Tsefrikas Corresp. Secretary: Helen Clonaris Treasurer: Evelyn Klund Ass’t. Treasurer: Dee Drobonick Members: Thalia Fergione, Maria Kleto, Melisa Galasso, Joanne Kiser, Ana Levantis, Madalina Lowen, Ritsa Neary, Charlotte Nickolopoulos SUNDAYS AT SAINT NEKTARIOS Worship Matins & Divine Liturgy: 8:15 a.m. Youth Catechism: Following Holy Communion Fellowship Coffee: Following the Divine Liturgy Prosfora Please contact the church office or Christie Asimos at 704-756-1512 if you would like to provide Prosfora. Coffee Hour Please contact the church office if you would like to host or co-host a Coffee Hour on Sunday. Your Stewardship pays for the coffee hour refreshments provided by the Hospitality Ministry Team. Flowers You may donate flowers in honor of a family member’s feast day, in memory of a loved one or friend, on the occasion of a holiday, or simply as a gift to the community of St. Nektarios. To donate flower arrangements to be placed at the Iconostasis, St. Nektarios Shrine or in the Narthex for Sunday Services, please contact the church office to reserve a Sunday. Sacramental Wine & Pure Olive Oil You may make a financial gift to help defray the cost of the sacramental wine that is used for Holy Communion. Please note on the memo line of your check or on the envelope “Communion Wine”. You may also donate a bottle or can of pure olive oil which is then blessed at the Shrine of St. Nektarios and is offered in the anointing kits. Please feel free to bring this with you to any of our services and give to an usher on duty. For additional information contact the church office. UPCOMING DEADLINE Newsletter & Bulletin: Information Due: March 15, 2016 Published: March 22, 2016 OUR MISSION: St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church is dedicated to the continuation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s ministry of salvation through the proclamation and teaching of the Gospel; through Baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and through loving service to God and to mankind. OUR VISION: http//www.goarch.org "Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. All rights reserved." The community will provide a loving, caring and welcoming environment where all belong and grow in the faith through worship, service, witness, and fellowship. 12
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