elias the prophet - St. George Greek Orthodox Church

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
WqistÁr Am—stg! AkghÖr Am—stg!
Volume 11
Issue 6 & 7
June/July
2005
The Monthly Newsletter of St. George Greek Orthodox Church
www.stgeorgegoc.org
ELIAS THE PROPHET
July 20
E
lias, the Prophet, was from Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of
Galaad (Gilead), beyond the Jordan. He was
of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary and
ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin,
and girded about his loins with a leathern belt. His
name is interpreted as "Yah is my God." His zeal for
the glory of God was compared to fire, and his
speech for teaching and rebuke was likened unto a
burning lamp. From this too he received the name
Zealot. Therefore, set aflame with such zeal, he
sternly reproved the impiety and lawlessness of Ahab
and his wife Jezebel. He shut up heaven by means of
prayer, and it did not rain for three years and six
months. Ravens brought him food for his need when,
at God's command, he was hiding by the torrent of
Horrath. He multiplied the little flour and oil of the
poor widow of Sarephtha of Sidon, who had given
him hospitality in her home, and when her son died,
he raised him up. He brought down fire from Heaven
upon Mount Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice
offered to God before all the people of Israel, that
they might know the truth. At the torrent of Kisson,
he slew 450 false prophets and priests who worshipped idols and
led the people astray. He received food wondrously at the hand of
an Angel, and being strengthened by this food he walked for forty
days and forty nights. He beheld God on Mount Horeb, as far as
this is possible for human nature. He foretold the destruction of the
house of Ahab, and the death of his son Ohozias;
and as for the two captains of fifty that were sent by
the king, he burned them for their punishment,
bringing fire down from Heaven. He divided the
flow of the Jordan, and he and his disciple Elisseus
passed through as it were on dry land; and finally,
while speaking with him, Elias was suddenly
snatched away by a fiery chariot in the year 895 B.
C., and he ascended as though into heaven, whither
God most certainly translated him alive, as He did
Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11). But from thence
also, after seven years, by means of an epistle he
reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as it is
written: "And there came a message in writing to
him from Elias the Prophet, saying, Thus saith the
Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not
walked in the way," and so forth (II Chron. 21:12).
According to the opinion of the majority of the
interpreters, this came to pass either through his
disciple Elisseus, or through another Prophet when
Elias appeared to them, even as he appeared on Mount Tabor to the
Disciples of Christ (see Aug. 6).
Apolytikion—Fourth Tone
The incarnate Angel, the Cornerstone of the Prophets, the second Forerunner of the Coming of Christ, the glorious
Elias (Elijah), who from above, sent down to Elisha the grace to dispel sickness and cleanse lepers, abounds therefore in
healing for those who honor him.
Kontakion—Second Tone
O Prophet and foreseer of the great works of God, O greatly renowned Elias (Elijah), who by your word held back the
clouds of rain, intercede for us to the only Loving One.
Archdiocese and Metropolis News ............................. Page 2
Parish News and Announcements .............................. Page 4
Philoptochos News ..................................................... Page 5
Visit of Patriarch Ignatius IV ........................................ Page 6
Namedays, Birthdays, and Anniversaries ................... Page 8
St. George Book Store ................................................ Page 9
Youth News ................................................................ Page 10
Glad Tidings
Page 2
REGULAR WEEKLY
SERVICES
Holy Confession
By Appointment
Vespers
Saturday 5:00 PM
(September—May)
Orthros
Sunday 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy
Sunday 9:45 AM
Sunday School
(September through May)
starts after administration of
Holy Communion
For Weekday Services please
check the Calendar of Events
included in this bulletin.
!!!
Church Staff and Office Hours
Church Office Hours
Mondays
10:00AM-12:30PM,
1:30PM-4:30PM
Tue.—Thurs. 8:00AM-12:30PM,
1:30PM-4:30PM
Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews,
Presbyter
(651) 222-6220
Email: [email protected]
Fiona Eustathiades
Administrative Assistant
(651) 222-6220
Email: [email protected]
Jason and Kelly Barbes
Youth Ministers
(612) 926-0281
Email: [email protected].
Paul Loudas
Parish Council President
(651) 731-1959
Email: [email protected]
Reva Adkins
Philoptochos President
(651) 738-1630
Email: [email protected]
Steve Ryan
Sunday School Director
(651) 292-9948
Email: [email protected]
Barbara Bauman
Choir Director
(651) 415-0556
Anna Christoforides
Greek School Director
(651) 225-8016
Email: [email protected]
Dan and Jackie Matuska
Glad Tidings Editors
(320) 629-2689
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
June/July 2005
ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS MOURNED AND PRAISED AS PASTOR,
ECUMENIST, AND STATESMAN AS HUNDREDS ATTEND FUNERAL
SERVICE AT HOLY TRINITY CATHEDRAL AND BURIAL AT HOLY CROSS
SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY, BROOKLINE, MA
New York—Hundreds of worshippers from
near and far filled the Archdiocesan Cathedral
of the Holy Trinity for the funeral of
Archbishop Iakovos, former Archbishop of the
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and
South America, on Thursday, April 14. His
Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of
the Greek Orthodox Church in America,
presided at the Funeral Service assisted by the
Holy Eparchial Synod and four clergymen.
Orthodox hierarchs in attendance included His
Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens
and All Greece, and representing the
Ecumenical Patriarch, His Eminence
Archbishop Grigorios of Thyateira and Great
Britain and His Eminence Metropolitan
Kyrillos of Imvros and Tenedos.
Faithful and friends of all religions and
backgrounds, from across the country and the
world, were offered several opportunities to pay
their respects to the leader of the Greek
Orthodox Church in the Americas from 1959 to
1996. Viewings were held at the Archdiocesan
Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City
on Tuesday evening, April 12, also throughout
the day on Wednesday, April 13. Trisagion
Prayers were offered by Metropolitan Herman
and clergy of the Orthodox Church of America
and Bishop Antoun and clergy, on behalf of the
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of
North America. The City of New York offered
New York City Greek American policemen,
members of the St. Paul Society, to serve as
honor guards for the three days of viewing and
the funeral. They joined the Evzones
(Presidential Honor Guard of Greece) who
were given permission by the Government of
Greece to extend their stay, following
participation in the Greek Independence Day
Parade, to serve as an honor guard to
Archbishop Iakovos until the conclusion of the
funeral.
Following a Trisagion (Prayer) Service on
Wednesday evening, April 13, Archbishop
Demetrios of America and representatives from
a number of Greek Orthodox organizations
offered remarks. Speakers included Rev. Fr.
James Moulketis, President of the
Archdiocesan Presbyters Council, Mr. Michael
Jaharis, Vice Chairman of the Archdiocesan
Council, Mrs. Georgia Skeadas, President of
the National Philoptochos Board, and Mr.
Nikos Diamantidis, President of the Hellenic
Federations of New York.
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity was filled
to capacity at the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy and the
Funeral Service of Archbishop Iakovos on
Thursday morning. Orthodox Hierarchs in
attendance in addition to the Patriarchal
representatives and Archbishop Christodoulos,
included Metropolitan Tarasios of Buenos
Aires, SCOBA hierarchs and members of the
Holy Eparchial Synod including Metropolitans
Iakovos of Chicago, Maximos of Pittsburgh,
Methodios of Boston, Alexios of Atlanta,
Nicholas of Detroit, Evangelos of New Jersey
and Gerasimos of San Francisco, as well as
auxiliary and retired bishops of the Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese, representatives of the
Oriental Orthodox Churches and ecumenical
leaders of the Roman Catholic and Protestant
Churches and the Jewish community.
In a moving farewell Archbishop
Christodoulos said: "History has already
recorded your remarkable passage. Orthodoxy
does not mourn today. It rejoices because you
served it with a unified dream and great faith.
The Church of Greece, its hierarchs, its clergy
and its people bow before your holy body
today. May the blessings of the Holy Cross, our
respect, love and holy recognition accompany
you on your way to the Angels."
Metropolitan Grigorios read the official
statement of the Ecumenical Patriarch and
commented extensively on the life and service
of Archbishop Iakovos to Orthodoxy, to the
world and to the Americas.
Metropolitan Kyrillos in his closing
remarks, addressing the reposed Archbishop
Iakovos said: "I brought with me some earth
from our homeland Imvros and from the holy
grave of your parents to keep you company, so
that you don't feel lonely away from home. I
brought this earth to bless your hands that
blessed us when you were with us. Farewell
and may your memory be eternal."
Members of the Greek and Cypriot
diplomatic corps were in attendance at the
Funeral Service as well as government and
political leaders headed by the Mayor of New
York City Michael Bloomberg, and included
former Mayors Rudolph Giuliani, David
Dinkins and Ed Koch. Calling Archbishop
(Continued on page 3)
January 2004
June/July
2005
Glad Tidings
(Continued from page 2)
Iakovos an 'immigrant in a city of immigrants" Mayor Bloomberg
continued: "Today, we come together to mourn the passing of
someone who, for so many years was the most visible
representative of this (Greek American) community. We revere the
memory of Archbishop Iakovos, not only as the man who put a
powerful human face on the faith of our half-million Greek
Orthodox neighbors, but who also devoted his life to building
bridges of understanding between people of all religions and races.
He truly walked the walk and talked the talk."
Also speaking were Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD); the
Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Nikolaos Tsiartsionis,
representing the Prime Minister of Greece, and Grigoris Niotis,
member of the Parliament representing George Papandreou and
PASOK. Condolence messages were read from Correta Scott King
and President George H.W. Bush.
"Archbishop Iakovos was unyielding and committed to
Orthodoxy but open at the same time to other religions", said
Archbishop Demetrios, who began his Eulogy by remarking on the
tremendous life and ministry of his predecessor. He thanked those
who remained close to and cared for Archbishop Iakovos during the
nine years of his retirement and especially during the past months
and days. Archbishop Demetrios also recalled that Archbishop
Iakovos, in his final days, spoke words of thanks and love to those
around him. And when he was unable to speak, his last ultimate
final communication was to use his hand to make the sign of the
cross, conveying that when human language stops the language of
God begins. Archbishop Demetrios concluded his remarks with
one of Archbishop Iakovos' most loved passages from St. Paul's
letter to the Romans, " Who shall separate us from the love of God?
Neither death, nor life, not angels, nor principalities, nor things
present, not things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the
love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8, 35:39)
Immediately following the funeral, a cortege led by the hearse
carrying the body of Archbishop Iakovos and several cars with
clergy and close friends and family completed his final journey to
Brookline, MA and beloved Holy Cross School of Theology for
burial on the grounds of Holy Cross Chapel on Friday morning,
April 15. Archbishop Demetrios presided at the Trisagion Service
and interment, attended by several faithful, clergy and seminarians.
Speaking were Deputy Minister of Finance Peter Doukas,
representing the Greek Government, and His Eminence
IOCC COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS
RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE
Baltimore (IOCC)—International Orthodox Christian Charities'
communications efforts have once again been recognized for
excellence. IOCC has received a Telly Award and three DeRoseHinkhouse Memorial Awards for communications work which
highlights the organization's efforts to address human need in 2004.
The national DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial awards are presented
by the Religion Communicators Council (RCC), an interfaith
association of more than 600 religion communicators working in the
United States. IOCC Communications Associate Stephen Huba is a
member of RCC.
An Award of Excellence in the Electronic Communication
category went to IOCC's Web site, redesigned in 2004. An Award of
Merit in the National Newsletter category went to IOCC's "News &
Needs" newsletter, and an Award of Merit in the Booklet category
went to the children's prayer journal.
Glad Tidings
Page 3
Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imvros and Tenedos. His Eminence
Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, who grew up with Archbishop
Iakovos, beginning as a 13-year old altar boy in Holy Trinity
Cathedral, and who served several years as his Deacon, offered a
warm and emotional personal remembrance. In closing he said,
"Today we bid farewell to a clergyman who honored his priesthood
every day and every moment of his life. Archbishop Iakovos was
born to be a priest. He was destined by Almighty God to be a leader
in the Church. And what a leader he was! He made those of us
born in America proud of our faith and cultural heritage. He moved
Greek Orthodoxy into the main stream of the religious, cultural and
political life of our nation. We thank God that he blessed each of
us in this Chapel, that he blessed America, our Church and
humanity itself with the life of this charismatic man."
Messages of condolences from throughout the world continue to
be received from religious, governmental and diplomatic leaders
including: Patriarch Theodoros II, of Alexandria and All Africa;
Patriarch Ireneos of Jerusalem, the Patriarchate of Moscow, the
Church of Cyprus; Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All
Albania; Archbishop Nikolai of the Orthodox Church in the Czech
Lands and Slovakia, and numerous hierarchs of the Orthodox
Churches throughout the world.
Additionally, messages were also received from President
George W. Bush, President William J. Clinton and Senator Hillary
Clinton, President Jimmy Carter, Governor George Pataki, Senator
Charles Schumer, President of the Greek Republic Karolos
Papoulias, Prime Minister of Greece Constantine Karamanlis,
Mayor of the City of Athens Dora Bakoyiannis, and other
dignitaries.
Among the condolences received from various religious leaders
were messages from The Vatican and Holy See Secretary of State
Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo; Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop
Celestino Migliore, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the
United Nations; Bishop Skylstad, President of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop of Baltimore Cardinal
Keeler, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches Dr.
Samuel Kobia; General Secretary of the National Council of
Churches Rev. Robert Edgar; Mark Hanson, Presiding Bishop of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Frank T. Griswold,
Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church; Clifton
Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church and Dr. David M. Elcott, President of the
American Jewish Committee.
In addition, the IOCC video "We Can Change the World" recently
won a Telly Award in the 25th annual Telly Awards competition. The
IOCC video was produced by Nicholas Furris of Spectrum Films,
Inc., Jacksonville, FL, in association with Greek Orthodox
Telecommunications. The video features an original song written and
performed by Orthodox Christian recording artist Andrew Anthony.
"These awards highlight the importance of good communications
in alleviating human suffering and giving a voice to the voiceless,"
said Alex Machaskee, chairman of the IOCC Board of Directors'
communication committee. "I applaud the efforts of IOCC's staff to
not only raise awareness about these needs but also to address them
through humanitarian programs."
The winning IOCC Web site was redesigned in 2004 in
cooperation with graphic designer Joseph McCourt of Bark at the
Moon Studios.
Founded in 1992, IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of
the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the
Americas (SCOBA).
Glad Tidings
Page 4
Sympathies and Prayers
• Ellen Vujovich, whose daughter-inlaw, Gretchen, fell asleep in the
Lord on January 22. God grant her
rest!
• Proetessa Agnes Pop and her son,
Alin, whose husband and father,
Rev. Fr. Georghe Pop, reposed in
the Lord Friday, April 22, 2005,
after a long illness. Fr. Pop, age 43,
of West St Paul, was pastor of St.
Stephan Romanian Orthodox
Church in South St. Paul.
• Clark Smith, on the passing of his
father, George Smith, Wednesday,
April 27, 2005.
• To Ken Marks whose mother,
Melba, fell asleep in the Lord on
April 16.
• The Mann family, whose father, Al,
reposed in the Lord on May 3.
• The Kalogerson Family, whose
mother, Ruby Kalogerson, reposed
in the Lord on May 13.
Greek Festival Meeting
There is a Greek Festival meeting on
Monday, June 6, 6:30 PM at St. George.
All are invited who want to help make
this year’s festival another great success.
Richard and Sue Gnetz
2503 Evening Twilight Avenue
Henderson, NV 89052
June/July 2005
St Paul Police
Clergy Academy
On Thursday June 9,
8:00AM—5:00PM the St.
Paul Police Department is
conducting a free annual allday academy for faith-based
communities at Bandana
Square Conference Center, St
Paul. It is a good way to learn
about the police department,
and helps strengthen their ties
to our community. Advance
registration required. Contact
Fr Rick.
An Invitation for Fun!
Nick Kanavati, on his way to Jerusalem for Holy Week
Come and join your friends and Pascha, stops in Greece and spends some time
from St. Mary GOC for an with Fr. George and Presvytera Christa Dokos.
a f t e r n o o n o f f u n a t Pictured here also with their daughter, Evie.
Chanhassen's Dinner Theatre
for lunch and the musical comedy Art Auction Planning
"Nunsensations" on Wednesday, July 20. Meeting Scheduled
Cost is $27, bus ride included! Leaves Save the Date!
St. Mary GOC at 10:15 AM. Deadline On Tuesday, May 31, at 6:30 PM, the
for reservations and check is June 14. Art Auction Committee will meet at St.
Send to Jim Andrews, Treasurer, 10205 George Greek Orthodox Church for it’s
28th Avenue N, Plymouth, MN, 55441.
first planning meeting. Because the
proceeds from the auction benefit our
youth, parents of our youth are
Congratulations
To proud yiayia Lily Zachariades on the especially encouraged to bring their
birth of baby boy Galen Cole to John ideas to the meeting. For additional
and Chris Frazier, April 27.
information call Jason or Kelly Barbes at
612-926-0281 or Presvytera Jane at 651695-1436. This years Art Auction is on
Saturday, October 8, 2005.
June/July Coffee
Hour Schedule
June 5
Connie and Mike Tzenis
June 12
Lana, Speros, Steve and Jane Payton
June 19
OPEN
June 26
Paraschou Family (Fr. Parry Memorial)
July 3
OPEN
July 10
OPEN
July 17
Peter and Dana Tountas Family
July 24
OPEN
July 31
Andrea and Eric Chadwick Family
"""
January 2004
June/July
2005
I
Glad Tidings
Thoughts on Families
and Children
in the life of the Church
Glad Tidings
Page 5
Truths to Remember
If you worry, you didn’t pray.
If you pray, don’t worry.
f we want to impart the faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and
Savior and if we want to instill the importance of His
Body, the Holy Church, in living and spreading the
Gospel, then each of us must be committed to the spiritual
activity and mission of our sacred community. What does
this mean? Here are some guidelines:
1. Pray everyday at home as a family. Each member of the
family must also pray each day.
2. Read the scripture each day. The Word of God is just as
powerful as Holy Communion.
3. Worship at church every Sunday. We are all members of
the Body of Christ. We need each other.
4. Receive the Sacraments of Holy Communion,
Confession and Unction on a regular basis.
5. Seek out spiritually enriching activities such as mission,
benevolence, and educational experiences.
We cannot be true Orthodox Christians apart from the
guidance and love of the Orthodox Church. Likewise, our
Orthodox Faith is empty and dead if we do not apply its
principles and teachings in our everyday life. It may not be
easy to do the things listed above but as many have said,
“Nothing worthwhile is easy.” Our Lord Jesus Christ said,
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is
the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go
in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way
which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew
7:13-14) The spiritual life in and connected to the Body of
Christ is the narrow path. Choose it, follow it and you will
find life!
DID YOU KNOW?
There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the
Federal Buildings and Monuments in Washington, D.C.
DID YOU KNOW?
Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid
preacher, whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer
since 1789.
DID YOU KNOW?
John Jay, one of the framers of the Constitution, was
appointed by George Washington in 1789 to be the first
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
(and later served two terms as governor of New York).
He wrote, in a private letter (1797) to clergyman Jedidiah
Morse: “Providence has given to our people the choice
of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege
and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer
Christians for their rulers.
It is to be regretted, but so I believe the fact to be,
that except the Bible there is not a true history in the
world. Whatever may be the virtue, discernment, and
industry of the writers, I am persuaded that truth and
error (though in different degrees) will imperceptibly
become and remain mixed and blended until they shall be
separated forever by the great and last refining fire.”
"A cheerful heart is
good medicine" (Prov. 17:22)
A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one
house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer
came to his repeated knocks at the door.
Therefore, he took out a card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the
back of it and stuck it in the door.
When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found
that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message,
"Genesis 3:10." Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he
laughed out loud.
Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock."
Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid
for I was naked."
The next Philoptochos meeting will be held at
D'Amico's on Grand Avenue in St. Paul on
Tuesday, June 7, at 6:30 PM. To get an accurate
count for seating please RSVP to Reva Adkins
(651-738-1630) or Stella Trieber (651-483-3162).
Page 6
Glad Tidings
Posted Sunday, May 15, 2005 in the St. Paul Pioneer Press
Patriarch pays special
visit
In state for award, he blesses faithful at local church
BY KAY HARVEY
T
he excited congregation of St. George Antiochian
Orthodox Christian Church in West St. Paul filled
the pews Saturday to greet and pray with one of
the highest-ranking leaders of Eastern Orthodox
Christianity.
A long stream of men, women and children moved
through a receiving line to kiss the hand of Ignatius IV, the
patriarch of Antioch, and receive his blessing during an
afternoon reception at St. George. They then gathered for a
prayer service.
"It is such an honor to have him
here," said church member Vicky
Michaels of Apple Valley. "Most
people go their entire lives without
being in the presence of a
patriarch."
And so likely would members
of St. George parish, if the visiting
patriarch hadn't traveled to
Minnesota for another kind of
honor. Today Ignatius IV will
receive the prestigious Pax Christi
Award from St. John's Abbey and
University in a ceremony on the Catholic school's campus
in Collegeville.
The 83-year-old patriarch, who hails from Damascus,
Syria, is to Antiochian Orthodox
Christians the equivalent of a
pope, parishioners said. He is the
spiritual head of thousands of
Christians throughout the United
States, Canada, South America,
western Europe and the Middle
East. The Orthodox church also
believes the religious leader is the
170th successor to St. Peter, the
apostle of Jesus who became the
first bishop of Antioch.
Ignatius IV's visit to this 400member parish, where almost
everyone takes on some volunteer role and where bake
sales and ethnic dinners help stretch the operating budget,
June/July 2005
is indeed an anomaly, said John Chagnon of St. Paul, a
church deacon.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime event," he said. "That's
why you see all the
hubbub and the
pictures."
Church leaders
called the visit
unprecedented.
Eight-year-old T.J.
Perry of Eagan,
wearing a suit, posed
for a picture with the
patriarch and church pastor the Rt. Rev. Archimandrite
John Mangels before donning his altar-boy vestments to
serve at an evening prayer
service.
People arrived in a
celebratory mood and wearing
their Sunday best. Rami Jubran,
17, sported a pink tie and
matching rose stuck in his lapel.
That's because he was later
headed for his prom. But the
church reception, he said, was
his top priority.
"I had to come here," he said.
"The prom takes second place.
This is a big, big thing."
Ignatius IV wore a black robe, a dangling red pendant
and black headgear — an alousi, Greek for a round
headpiece, from which flowed a latti, Arabic for a
monastic veil denoting celibacy. He sat at the center of the
event's head table, flanked by other clergy clad in black.
They included the Rt. Rev. Bishop Mark Maymon, bishop
of Toledo, Ohio, and the church's Diocese of the Midwest.
Along with more than 300 others gathered in the church
social hall, the priests dined on tabouli, pita bread, stuffed
grape leaves, kibbi and baklava, all prepared by the men
and women of the church. Many parishioners are
descendants of the Syrian and Lebanese immigrants who
founded the church, one of a handful of Antiochian
Orthodox churches in the upper Midwest, in 1913.
Parishioners then filed into wooden pews in the
church's ornate sanctuary for a candlelit vespers service
led by the visiting patriarch.
Ignatius IV was chosen for the award he will receive
today for helping pave the way for preservation of
religious manuscripts the university is collecting,
particularly in places where access is hindered by war or
other strife, said Mag Patridge of St. John's.
"He has really been helping us in the Middle East, and
that's where we're concentrating right now."
January 2004
June/July
2005
Glad Tidings
Saint John’s to Present
Highest Honor to Greek
Orthodox Patriarch of
Antioch
COLLEGEVILLE,
Minn.—Saint J ohn’s
Abbey and University will
present its highest honor,
the Pax Christi Award, to
the Greek Orthodox
Patriarch of Antioch, His
Beatitude Ignatius IV
Hazim, on Sunday, May
15. The event will begin at
5 p.m. with Evening
Prayer in the Abbey
Church, which is open to
the general public. The
invitation-only dinner and
award presentation will
follow in the Great Hall.
His
Beatitude’s
relationship with Saint John’s arises from his support for the
work of the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library (HMML),
a sponsored program of SJU. The Patriarch’s commitment to
safeguarding the Middle East’s priceless Christian heritage
has helped guide and support HMML’s work in Lebanon,
Syria and Turkey, preserving the manuscripts held in
monasteries and libraries, and making them accessible
throughout the world via www.hmml.org.
As Patriarch of Antioch, His Beatitude is the third ranking
hierarch of the Orthodox Church, after the Patriarchs of
Constantinople and Alexandria. He stands in a line of
succession traceable to St. Peter, the first bishop of Antioch,
and is known for his abiding interest
He stands in a
in programs for Orthodox youth and
encouragement of education at all
line of
levels. Particularly notable are his
succession
c o m mi t m e n t s t o t h e o l o gi c a l
traceable to St.
education as Dean at the Seminary at
Peter, the first
Balamand, leading to the
bishop of
establishment of the Saint John of
Antioch...
Damascus Institute of Theology in
1970; his leadership in ecumenism as
a president of the World Council of Churches and founder of
the Middle East Council of Churches, and his concern for the
religious formation of young people in the Antiochian
Orthodox Church.
Three years ago, the HMML Board of Overseers
identified the Eastern Christian cultures of the Middle East,
Asia Minor and the Caucasus as its next strategic priority.
Glad Tidings
Page 7
From the beginning, the Patriarch has encouraged HMML in
these efforts as it dedicates itself to new projects that will
preserve manuscripts in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, and
make them available to scholars and others throughout the
world.
The Pax Christi Award cites His
Beatitude in particular for having
“long recognized that the
patrimony preserved in the
Church’s manuscripts must be
shared widely, and with all
Christians.” The Rev. Columba
Stewart, OSB, executive director of
HMML, notes that “His Beatitude
is a true leader in the Middle East,
both spiritually and intellectually.
In encouraging HMML to
undertake new projects that
preserve priceless manuscripts, and in his work with Saint
John’s as a Catholic monastery and university, he has been an
inspiration to many. As Christian communities in the Middle
East become smaller because of emigration, the Patriarch
recognizes the importance of preserving the Christian
heritage and of using technology to join scattered members in
the diaspora. It is also more and more crucial today to teach
Christians of the West about the origins of Christianity in the
Middle East, and to enlist the assistance of western Christians
in supporting their brothers and sisters of the eastern
churches.”
HMML was founded 40 years ago in response to the
devastating loss of manuscripts and books during the two
World Wars. It is the only institution in the world exclusively
dedicated to the photographic preservation and study of
manuscripts, particularly in locations where war, theft, or
physical conditions pose a threat. Since its inception, HMML
has built the world’s largest collection of manuscript images,
having photographed some 90,000 manuscripts totaling
almost 30 million pages. HMML is also a leader in the
development of electronic cataloguing for manuscripts and
the collection and display of digital images of manuscripts.
As the highest honor awarded by Saint John’s the Pax
Christi Award recognizes those who have devoted themselves
to God by working in the tradition of Benedictine
monasticism to serve others and to build a heritage of faith in
the world. The Award has been presented to 50 individuals.
Past recipients include the late Cardinal Leo Jozef Suenens of
Belgium; the former representative of the Holy See in the
United States Archbishop Jean Jadot; former senator and
presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy; the late Archbishop
John Roach of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and
Minneapolis; Mary Jo Copeland, founder and director of
Minneapolis’ Sharing and Caring Hands; Amy Grant, a
contemporary Christian singer; and the late Cardinal Joseph
Bernardin of the Chicago Archdiocese.
[From http://www.csbsju.edu/news/2005/04/greekorthodox_patriarch.
htm]
Glad Tidings
Page 8
June/July 2005
PARISHIONERS NAMEDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, AND BIRTHDAYS
Namedays
Many Years! WqÁmia Pokk‚!
Kelly Barbes, Kay Strenglis, Kalliopi Verros
June 8
Asimo Ehrenberg, Kalley Johnson
Lisa Jordan-Paraschou, Betty Assimacopoulos, Scott Hoffhines,
Elizabeth Mihailidis, Veta Normandin, Betty Papapanou,
Elizabeth Poulios, Elizabeth Stoller, Zaharias Papazois
Peter Georgantones, Paul Makredes, Paul Smith,
Peter Hofrenning, Dan Matuska, Peter Vellis
Apostolos Poulios, Paul Poulios,
All Saints—WqÁmia Pokk‚! to all.
Keri Balzart, Kari Hoffhines, Kari Kalogerson
June 15
June 24
Erika Bardwell
July 11
Marina Antoniou
July 17
Minda Arsenault
July 19
Elea Bentley, Louis Demonakos, Louis Ellis, Elias Hofrenning
Elianna Stoller, Louis Trigas
Jordana Volk Koja
July 20
Anna Baffa, Anna Christoforides, Kimberly Gounaikis
July 25
Pauline Axiotis, Evie Jordan-Paraschou, Pauline Bisch,
Becka Dokos, Wendy Loudas, Parry Paraschou,
Paraskevas Tsobanakis
Pendelis Eliou, Paul Loudas
July 26
Anniversaries
Steve and Rallou Rice
Fred and Stella Treiber
Nicolas and Karen Criticos
John and Alexis Bighley, Yiannis and Kathi Stamatopoulos
George and Michelle Gounaikis
Milam Paraschou and Maria Nguyen
Dimitri (Jim) and Kimberly Gounaikis,
Peter and Christine Roumel
Chris and Mary Kalogerson, Basil and Irene Loudas
Fr. George and Christa Dokos, Peter and Susan Katsiotis
Michael and Athena Keifer, John and Bess Manesis
George and Melissa Marazes
Dan and Jackie Matuska
Peter and Dana Tountas
Christ and Antonia Kontenakos
George and Karen Demonakos
June 29
June 30
July 7
July 22
July 27
June 1
June 13
June 19
June 21
June 23
June 24
June 25
June 30
July 1
July 7
July 21
July 24
July 26
July 28
July 31
If your name isn’t listed in any of these categories, but should be,
please call the church office so it can be added.
Registry
Baptism
Emily Hattling, Godmother is Elaine Koutsoukos
May 21
40 Day Churching
Vicky Paraschou and her son Basil
May 15
Funerals
Ruby Kalogerson
May 23
Birthdays
Tanya Richey
June 1
Andrew Granias
June 2
Monica Kappos-Nusser, Theo Karvounarakis,
June 3
George Evan Saribalas, Stamathia Vessey
Yeorgia Christoforides, Kalley Johnson
June 4
John Peter Boosalis, Elena Pliakis
June 5
Ronald Adkins, Dimitrios Pitsavas, Alexandra Poulios,
June 6
Richard Wellenbring
Alexander Beletse, Stella Papazois
June 7
Kally Fuller, James S. Theros
June 8
Chris Georgantones, Ekaterina Hofrenning, Timothy Loudas
June 9
Jo Ann Creamer
June 10
Jean Pliakas, Nicholas Psimos
June 11
Paul Kresser
June 12
Anastasia Chouliaris, Dinos Constantine
June 13
Isidoros Papaconstantinou
June 16
Suzi Joiner
June 17
Nicolas Criticos, Alexis Lake, Ruby Manoles
June 19
Dimosthenis Papazois, Efthimios Taratsas
June 20
Erika Bardwell, Sofia Creamer, Alexandra Drivas
June 21
Mary Richey
June 22
Kibret Gebremedhim, John Kluznik
June 24
Karen Petanitis
June 25
Steven Kanavati, Athena Petanitis, Kelly Speros
June 26
Sara Gebrehiwet
June 27
Peter C. Georgantones
June 28
Peter Boosalis, George Canas, James Canelake, Paul Loudas, June 30
Theodora Nemeth, Ann Pathos
Nicholas Katsiotis, Mary Mantis
July 1
George Kanavati
July 2
Amy Saribalas
July 3
Kayla Valek
July 5
George Dendias
July 6
Efthimia Bruer, Georgia Haidos, Iakovos Tsoukalas
July 7
Louis Ellis, Maria Kontinakis
July 8
Mina Faltas
July 9
Yorgo Kaniamos
July 10
Travis Solesky, Connie Tzenis
July 11
Constantine Bowman, Elias DeVoe, Louis Demonakos,
July 12
Maria Theologides
Kharissa Maehren-Paraschou, Georgia Mann
July 13
Georgia Lucas
July 14
Peter Kontinakis
July 15
Elias Hofrenning, Nicholas Kanavati
July 16
Mary Georgantones, Mary Makredes, Alexander Nemeth
July 18
Andriana Creamer, Lucille Marinos, Jackie Matuska
July 19
Meron Gebrehiwet, Thomas Rice
July 20
George Leckas
July 22
Marianna Katsiotis
July 23
Mary p. Boosalis, Rita Kanavati, Stella Lake, Apostolos Poulios July 24
Pericles Tortorelis, Lily Zahariades
July 25
Carla Dubis
July 26
George Demonakos
July 27
Kyle Bruer, George Eliou, Temesgen (Timo) Gebremedhin
July 28
Efstathios Chouliaris
July 31
January 2004
June/July
2005
Glad Tidings
ST. GEORGE BOOK STORE
Title:
Publisher:
Price:
“Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit”
The lives and counsels of contemporary
Elders of Greece
Protecting Veil Press, Thessalonica, Greece
$18.00
In the spiritual development of a Christian, the study and
contemplation of the Holy Scriptures is absolutely essential. The
Holy Spirit talks to the spirit of the pious through a particular
passage. This is one way that He uses to direct the steps of the
righteous and answer prayer and questions.
Another way He uses human vessels is to give a word of
Wisdom and Knowledge to His faithful. The people He chooses
are ones who have dedicated their lives to the service of God and
have progressed to a high level of sanctity, through purification of
the heart, humility and obedience.
The sayings of such vessels are indeed pearls of Wisdom, full
of the grace of the Holy Spirit and if they reach the heart of the
one who hears them or reads them and talk to it and sink in it
through studious contemplation, they can have a pronounced effect
in the transformation of the individual’s soul. They will result in a
change in the way the individual thinks and acts.
The lives of these unique souls, can be an inspiration in
themselves, for they portray persons from all paths of life, who
have chosen to dedicate themselves to the service and purpose of
God. One can learn many things from such study.
The vessels talked upon in this book are all recent elders of the
Orthodox Church in Greece, who lived most of their lives during
the twentieth century. The fact that they are recent and some of
them our contemporaries reinforces the notion that the Holy Spirit
has always been active through His charismatic ways in the
Orthodox Christian church ever since Pentecost.
C
ongratulations to the Festival of Nation's
Committee and volunteers for a job well
done. Also congratulations to Anna
Christoforides and her group for organizing a
great dance program, exhibit, and bazaar. As a
volunteer I enjoyed working with people of our
community that I had not had the pleasure of
working with or chatting with before. These
events give us the opportunity to get to know each
other better. The International Institute, which
organizes the Festival, has always been very
Glad Tidings
Page 9
Through them and their experiences, one can get a glimpse into
the realm of the unseen, the spiritual domain. Looking thus into
the world of the spirits, one can be assured that what one reads is
indeed authentic and a manifestation of the kingdom of God and
not a deception of the devil, for the devil can indeed appear as an
angel of light.
One of these elders was elder Iakovos of Evia. I will quote
from the book verbatim an encounter he had, that I pray will open
the reader’s spiritual eyes. This can be found in the book’ pp 1001. I introduced my own interpretations of certain phrases and
words for clarification. These can be found in parentheses.
“When my elder Nicodemos reposed, I asked in my prayer
where his soul had gone. Then I saw not in a dream, but in a
spiritual way (must have been something like a vision or a special
communication between the deceased elder and elder Iakovos, in
the spirit) my elder call me and ask me to bring him the keys of the
monastery, because the Great High Priest (Lord Jesus Himself)
had come. (Both his elder and elder Iakovos were monks in a
monastery.) I went outside the door of his room, which is over the
entrance of the monastery. When I got close, I could hear
exchanges: Question, answer. An interrogation was going on
inside. I knocked at the door and went into the room and what did
I see? My elder was standing bareheaded, with his head down and
his hands crossed, with much fear and reverence. Opposite him
was the Great High Priest (Lord Jesus Himself), sitting on a
throne. The throne was hovering three feet above the ground. His
face shone, golden, like pure wax. I can’t describe it my child. On
His knees a book was open and inside it the life of my elder was
written down. The Great high Priest asked questions and my elder
responded. When I entered the interrogation stopped. I went to my
elder, bowed and gave him the keys of the monastery…. I saw, my
child, that our whole life: works, words, thoughts…are written
down. We will have to answer for everything.
As for my elder I learned that his soul did fine.
accommodating. Thanks to past chairpersons,
good relations with the Institute were established
long ago and this is very evident by the amount of
space they give us and how they adequately
address our needs. Thanks so much!
Glad Tidings
Page 10
June/July 2005
CALLING ALL KIDS!
RESERVE AUGUST 8-12
to "TEAM UP WITH THE SAINTS"
at VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL!
Parents and teens are needed to
make this another great week!
Look for the mailer coming soon to
register and volunteer!
Contacts:
Denise Smith (952) 929-1019
Jeanne Pliakas (651) 702-9482
Fr. Rick with St. George Acolytes on Holy and
Great Friday.
January 2004
June/July
2005
Glad Tidings
Glad Tidings
Page 11
Readers at the Agape Vespers on Holy Pascha, Sunday, May 1, 2005.
Special Thanks
to St. George Youth
Pictured here are
St. George Youth
enjoying Pascha
with a piñata.
The wonderful people in this picture did us a great
favor last Fall by contributing their time and energy
on a Sunday afternoon to help us rake our lawn.
Apparently they had run out of raking at a
parishioner's home on our street! We were the
recipients of their good will. Thank you all so much!
Kathleen Bartholomay, Paul Englund and Isak Englund
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
PageSummit
12
1111
Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55105
Telephone (651) 222-6220/FAX (651) 225-9276
Glad Tidings
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DIVINE LITURGY
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June/July
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Sun
Mon
Tue
Glad Tidings
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1
Thu
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Fri
3
FAST DAY
Page 13
Sat
4
FAST DAY
5:00 PM
Radio Program
6TH SUNDAY
OF PASCHA
BLINDMAN
8:30 AM
ORTHROS
9:45 AM
DIVINE LITURGY
5
6
12
13
19
8:30 AM
ORTHROS
9:45 AM
DIVINE LITURGY
9:00 AM
DIVINE LITURGY
9
9:00 AM
DIVINE LITURGY
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
VESPERS
Philoptochos Meeting
At D’Amico’s
14
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20
21
17
18
SATURDAY
OF SOULS
FAST DAY
5:00 PM
Radio Program
7:00 PM
Ahepa and Daughters
22
11
5:00 PM
Radio Program
7:00 PM
Parish Council
16
7:00 PM
Bible Study at
Fr. Rick’s
10
ST.
BARTHOLOMEW
Patriarch’s
Nameday
FAST DAY
FAST DAY
5:00 PM
Loaves and Fishes
PENTCOST
8
ASCENSION
FAST DAY
6:30 PM
Greek Festival
Meeting
7TH SUNDAY
OF PASCHA
HOLY
FATHERS
8:30 AM
ORTHROS
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DIVINE LITURGY
7
APODOSIS
OF PASCHA
NATIVITY OF
FORERUNNER
23
24
25
FAST FREE WEEK
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Radio Program
Summer Church Camp
ALL SAINTS
26
8:30 AM
ORTHROS
9:45 AM
DIVINE LITURGY
27
28
29
STS. PETER
AND PAUL
9:00 AM
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FAST OF APOSTLES
30
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APOSTLES
July 2005
Glad Tidings
Page 14
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ST. KYRIAKI
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ORTHROS
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Fast of Theotokos
Transfiguration
Vacation Church School
Dormition of Theotokos
Greek Festival
Beheading of Forerunner
30
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St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1111 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
"Rev. Father Richard Demetrius Andrews -- Phone: (651) 222-6220 -- www.stgeorgegoc.org