Forerunner October 2015 by St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

S T . J OHN THE B APTIST G REEK O RTHODOX C HURCH

T HE F ORERUNNER V OLUME XXXII N UMBER

K ILLER

PRAYER — BY

O CTOBER 2015

S PECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST :

H IEROMONK S ERAPHIM

Have you ever looked at your prayer book with the distinct feeling of ‘I hate you, I hate you, I hate you?’ Have you felt totally useless spiritually, unable to move forward for one tiny step? Do you, in fact, feel that you are going backwards, rather than advancing in any way; that your prayer life is worse today than yesterday, and definitely worse than a year ago? Well, in that case, rejoice, for this is the sure sign that your prayer is working. I’ve met so many people this weekend… each with their personal story, personal challenges, personal sources of happyness and pain. Everywhere though, questions and worries concerning prayer take over the conversation in a matter of minutes. The basic thing people seem not to understand is that the point of prayer is not happiness – the reason we pray is not so that we feel happy and fulfilled.



Killer Prayer—by Hieromonk Seraphim



Parish Council Capsule



Stewardship 2015 NEED YOUR HELP



Youth Ministries News



Music Ministry: What is Orthros?



The Feast of the Holy Protection of the Theotokos



Food-Fest 2015 Dates OCTOBER 16th, 17th, 18th



Choir News

(Continued on page 3)

I NSIDE THIS ISSUE :

C OUNCIL C APSULE September has been a busy month @ St. John’s with various meetings, cleaning and baking. All of this is being done in preparation for our upcoming festival. One of those meetings, Gen. Harry Karegeannes and I attended, was the Euless City Council meeting and I have to admit, I was truly astonished by how warmly we were received and how highly the city regards our festival and what it means overall. With that being said, I encourage anyone who has yet to decide, if/ where they will help, to think about where they can best serve and sign up! It is our best platform to share, not just delicious food, but our rich Orthodox faith with our friends and community. Please know, we are a few short weeks away and will need all hands on deck to exceed the high standards and expectations that have been set before us. Many thanks to those who have already started working countless hours.

C OUNCIL C APSULE

N EW S TEWARDSHIP P AGE

Y OUTH M INISTRIES

MUSIC

M INISTRIES

C ALENDAR

Changing hats… In last month’s article, I kindly asked families to please not allow children to (Continued on page 2)

8 11

T HE F ORERUNNER

P AGE 2

C OUNCIL ’ S C APSULE (Continued from page 1)

go in to the old choir loft and nursery. It’s become a reoccurring issue w/ food and drinks being left behind and invites all types of insects and

possibly rodents to come and feast. We have a great park nearby and the weather is all the better to enjoy it. Please help us in keeping up ALL of our facilities.

In closing, remember to thank a teacher as our church school year is now underway. Kindest Regards, Michael Eftimie

A GELESS W ONDERS The Ageless Wonders will meet on Monday, October 12, 2015 for Brunch and a movie. We are going to see "The Intern", a new film starring Robert De Niro as a 70 year old retired executive who

YOU HAVEN ' T ALREADY DONE SO , PLEASE SIGN UP FOR YOUR SERVICE AS FESTIVAL STAFF ON VOLUNTEERSPOT . COM , OR SEE G EORGE M OUTAFIS FOR MANUAL SIGN UP

applies for an internship with a booming E- commerce company, because there is a hole in his life that needs filling. There will be more details to follow when available So save the date

and in the meantime, plan on coming to help with the baking for the Festival. Hope to see y'all at Taverna Nite!! Come and celebrate St John's 35 anniversary!! Questions?? Margaret 817-354-

THE FESTIVAL IS HERE!!! OCTOBER 16-18 TAVERNA NIGHT OCTOBER 15TH Dear Parishioners, blessings to all and best wishes for a successful festival! If you haven't already done so, please sign up for your service as festival staff on volunteerspot.com, or see George Moutafis for manual sign-up.

Raffle Tickets are available from Mike Strong. Prizes are iWatch, Android Watch or FitBit with Rangers tickets. This is the best festival raffle ever! Don't forget Taverna Night at 6:00 PM on October 15th... Reservations and tickets

are available from Liz Strong at a reduced $40 per person for a great dinner, wonderful entertainment and an interesting program. Please come and support Philoptochos in its charitable endeavors, bring friends and relatives. George P. Vittas, P.E.

NOW IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE Your church needs individuals who are willing to help other church council members handle the daily running of our church. This is not a financial plea… It’s a plea for strong leaders, for a few good people to donate their time and effort. This year we have five people on the church council whose terms will be ending. These vacancies need to be filled. Please seriously consider submitting your name for the

election which will be held in December. In November, all candidates’ names will be submitted for approval.

towards it

You will be a prime candidate if you meet the qualifications:

If you would like to submit your name for the upcoming election for a 2 year term or if you have any questions, please contact the church nominating committee. Thank you.

*You have been a member of St. John ‘s for one year or longer. *You are a member in good standing in the church. This means you filled out a pledge card and have completed your commitment or you are making regular payments

*You commit to participating in all activities of the pparish council necessary for the life of the parish

Connie Sarros csarros@verizon.net 330-606-3100

V OLUME XXXII N UMBER

P AGE 3

K ILLER P RAYER (CONT.) (Continued from page 1)

By prayer, our saints say, we get closer to God; unfortunately, getting closer to God means we have to get closer to ourselves first, closer to our own hearts, because that is where Christ reveals Himself – and getting to know one’s own heart is nasty business; getting to know who you really are is never fun, never a fulfilling or comforting experience. When your prayer kills you on the inside, let it. And give thanks. When your prayer exposes the small person that you are in front of your own conscience, let it. And give thanks. These years of pain, these years of staring at one’s prayer book and wondering how did one get so low and miserable, so utterly unable to control one’s thoughts, one’s feelings, one’s attention, one’s passions, these years when you go down in your own personal hell and you discover that this is where you belong, that there is nothing alive in you, nothing holy in you – these years are the years your prayer IS working. This is the time you’re keeping yourself open for God to strat re-creating you, re-shaping you into who you really are.

These are painful years, when nothing good seems to live in us, but these years will teach you so many things about yourself, things you would never learn otherwise. You learn your limitations, you learn humility, you learn repentance, you learn obedience, you learn not to judge, not to condemn – for, how could you judge and condemn anyone, when you yourself are spiritually dead and surviving only out of God’s love and mercy? These years are the foundation for all your future years. I think about these years as the foundation to a house – my life. Make sure, make absolutely sure that you have a strong, healthy foundation; otherwise, no matter what you build on top of it, it will crumble sooner or later. This prayer is just a stage, of course. When God sees that the foundation is ready, you will break through, and things will be different. Don’t despair and don’t give up – for now, just rejoice because you know your prayer is working. You’re gradually learning the truth about yourself, you’re gradually leaving behind the idolatric images of your self that you or those around you have built for years. As you leave these fake images be-

hind, you’re getting closer to your real self, you gain knowledge about who you really are and, in time, this self-knowledge will be the foundation for knowledge and love for God. Let this prayer kill you. It’s not you who’s dying, not your real self, but the fake and prideful self you’ve learnt to mistake for who you really are. Let this prayer kill this fake self, let this prayer help you discover your real name, your real personhood. Don’t get down from the cross of this prayer. Remember that after the Cross – and only after – Christ’s Resurrection awaits you: You, the real one. If you liked this article please visit Fr. Seraphim’s blog here: http://www.mullmonastery.com/ ways-you-can-help/

There are many ways you can help.

Hieromonk Seraphim

L ET

PRAYER KILL YOU . I T ’ S NOT YOU WHO ’ S DYING , NOT YOUR REAL SELF , BUT THE FAKE AND PRIDEFUL SELF YOU ’ VE LEARNT TO MISTAKE FOR WHO YOU REALLY ARE .

T HE F ORERUNNER

P AGE 4

2015 STEWARDSHIP C HALLENGE IS ON! When we speak of Stewardship, most often, we stress the importance of sharing the great gifts of God’s material world. But which of God’s gifts is greater than family? Family is a beautiful and meaningful opportunity to practice stewardship and to grow in our understanding of the blessing of properly using and sharing God’s gifts.

ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN OUR G OD ’ S WORK AT S T . JOHN ’ S BY PRAYERFULLY CONSIDERING YOUR CONTRIBUTION IN OUR 2015 STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM AND BEYOND .

But who is our family? In Christ’s Church our family goes beyond our blood relatives and extends to all that partake in the Body and the Blood of Christ from the same Chalice. Our Parish, our Metropolis, all of our Orthodox brothers and sisters are our family. But as Christ did not came to save only His immediate family, the people of Israel, so our family extends to all those who have the image of God in them, the entire humanity. Our family, stretches even beyond the living into the realm of the Triumphant Church going back to all pious generations before us: our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters into the ages.

But even that is not all. Aren’t the saints our spiritual parents in Christ? Aren’t the angels our protectors? Isn’t the Theotokos the mother of all mankind? As such, the great gathering happens right here, in the Church, during the Divine Liturgy, when, on the diskos, Christ sits in the middle as the sacrificial lamb, with the Theotokos as His right, the angels and saints at his left and we, the living and the departed, resting at His feet. This is our family reunion that mystically takes place at every Divine Liturgy. We are called to share this gift of family with the entire world. We share it by building our meaningful churches that invite people to Christ, by adorning them with icons that open windows into heavens, by serving the Liturgies and the Sacraments, by teaching the faiths to our children, by reaching out in evangelization, by extending our help to those in need, by making everyone our family. All this beautiful family movement towards God and towards one another is not possible if we don’t share, if we isolate ourselves, and our gifts, from one another. Consider Church as a birthday party where we all take turns to give and receive. Everyone is happy in this exchange of gifts; everyone is lifted up

spiritually by the joy of making our family happy. At St. John’s our ministry programs continue to grow and Stewardship is the only way to provide the necessary resources to help sustain them. Stewardship is an opportunity to examine our priorities and values, to express our thankfulness, to give of ourselves and to grow in God’s grace strengthening our family. Giving to St. John the Baptist is a way to thank God for His generosity. The question is not, "How much do I give?" We must ask ourselves instead “How can I thank God for the blessings He gives everyday to my family?” I encourage you all to actively participate in our God’s work at St. john’s by prayerfully considering your contribution in our 2015 stewardship program and beyond. With paternal blessings Fr. Vasile Tudora

V OLUME XXXII N UMBER

P AGE 5

S TEWARDSHIP N EWS O CTOBER 2015 Welcome back everyone! Hope you all are getting back in the routine of life; with children in school, summer behinds us, and better yet, gearing up for our 24th annual food festival. It is so wonderful coming to church and seeing all the new faces. I know that church family members are reaching out with a "hello", maybe a hand shake, or better yet: “welcome". As our church continues to grow, our ministries will continue to grow as well. Our church's needs are close to being met, for which I am very thankful.

Please don't forget that stewardship also means participating in our ministries helping with a small group, or even betRight now we could use your help with our church festival. I hope everyone will sign up to volunteer in some capacity; and I look forward to seeing new faces at our festival. Angela cline Cecilia Junell Stewardship Committee

Stewardship 2015 info as of 09/30/2015: - Goal expenses: $304,127 - Pledged: $274,758 - Short: ( 29,369) Please help us to achieve our goal by filling out a stewardship card and making your commitment! Thank you for your support!

H OW TO BECOME A STEWARD IN 2015? How do I become a member of the parish? Membership in the Orthodox Church begins at Baptism (Chrismation for some) and continues throughout our life. We are united with Christ through the sacraments and through our faithful offering of our lives to Christ. We have to distinguish however between voting members and non-voting members. A voting member is over 18 years old and has turned in a signed stewardship commitment card (for time, talent and treasure). The Archdiocese also requires the voting member to remain current through the year on their commit-

ments. Overall true membership in the Body of Christ, involves living daily according to His word and within His Church. Why must I commit to give a specific amount? Knowing the amount of your monetary participation helps our parish plan the activities throughout the year. Your monetary stewardship is kept in the strictest of confidence. What if I cannot fulfill my stewardship commitment? During the course of a year,

people’s circumstances change. Your stewardship is valued because it is made out of your love for God and His Church. Please do not be concerned if you are unable to meet your stewardship commitment – we are glad you are a part of this parish. How do I submit a Stewardship Card? You can find the card in the pews in Church or you can fill one on-line and e-mail it to our church office at stjohndfw@gmail.com. More info here

S TEWARDSHIP ALSO MEANS HELPING WITH ONE OF OUR MINISTRIES , LIKE FOR INSTANCE GETTING INVOLVED WITH OUR FESTIVAL . I HOPE EVERYONE WILL SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

T HE F ORERUNNER

P AGE 6

Y OUTH M INISTRIES R EPORT

T HE

TOPICS FOR THE 2016 O RATORICAL F ESTIVAL HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED AND THEY WILL BE SHARED WITH THE OLDER CLASSES DURING THE UPCOMING WEEKS .

We had another successful Brats, Beans & Burgers Back to School Luncheon on Sept. 13. Thanks to all who helped including our grill guys — Mike Eftimie, Chris Geil and Michael Poriotis; our kitchen set-up & clean up folks — Maria Kerbow, Tina Molhoek and Khanh Moutafis; our shoppers — Leo and Theresa Alexander; our inventory “guru," Connie Rafailedes; as well as the rest of our YM committee who contributed side dishes: Athena Pachares, Esther Petercsak, Pres. Mirela,

Anca Morcovescu, Allison Medvic, Hope File, Margaret Chokas, Gail Poriotis and Debbie Manos. Thanks, too, to all the families who contributed to Youth Ministries with a donation. We had a great turnout! The annual Halloween Hideway will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, in the Church Hall. Parents are asked to bring pumpkins for each child. Besides carving or painting pumpkins, there will be games and pizza. Please see Athena Russo for details. Additional parental help is always welcome!

Athena can be reached at 347-678-5177 or at athena_russo@yahoo.com. The topics for the 2016 Oratorical Festival have been announced and they will be shared with the older classes during the upcoming weeks. One last note - Youth Ministries is very proud of our GOYA who has come up with some great fundraising ideas for the upcoming year, including a photo booth during the Festival. Please support them! God bless. Harriet Blake Youth Ministries Coordinator

C HURCH S CHOOL Church School Families: Our new school year is off to a great start! We had a great turn out for “Meet the Teacher and Burger and Brats!” Our first class went well. We have seen lots of new faces, and thank everyone for joining us. Here are a few upcoming dates on our calendar: 10/4 – Class 10/11 – Class 10/18 – No class Due to Festival 10/25 – class, Thanksgiving Basket kickoff. please bring a canned vegetable.

11/1 – Class. Please bring a canned fruit or stuffing mix. 11/8 – class. Please bring pie filling in a can: pumpkin, cherry, apple… If you did not receive a Church School Calendar for 2015-2016 year, please ask your child’s teacher for a copy. Again, I look forward to another terrific year with all of our families! If you have any questions, comments and

suggestions, please contact me any time. Veronica Fisher Church School Coordinator Veronicafisherps50@gmail.co m

V OLUME XXXII N UMBER

P AGE 7

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Taverna Night is just around the corner, Thursday, October 15th. Join us for the opening of our FoodFest, as we take the opportunity to celebrate the 35th anniversary of our beloved parish, St. John the Baptist! If you do not have your ticket yet, there is still time. Tables are filling up, but we still have room for more folks to join in for the fun. Liz Strong can take your reservation for a table ($320) or individ-

ual ticket ($40). This year’s Taverna Night charitable donation is to the Neonatology ICU at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital HEB. They will be using the donation to purchase new bassinets for their most fragile of patients, newborns in the NICU.

Enjoy delicious hors d’ oeuvres and silent auction, then settle in for dinner while enjoying the entertainment. Come out and help us kick-off our Mid-Cities Greek FoodFest and celebrate our 35th Anniversary.

There will be live music, scrumptious food, dancers and a photo booth to help comVeronica Fisher memorate this historic and St. Irene Philoptochos fabulous occasion.

GOYA NEWS Fellow Parishioners, With the festival quickly approaching, our dance groups have been practicing every Sunday and some Saturdays. Please come support us at our various performances through the festival. The 2016 GOYA Basket-

ball Tournament will be held in Dallas once again. Registration will begin October 7th, please sign your Goyan up soon after to get the cheaper early registration cost if he/she plans to attend. For

those interested, there is a T shirt design contest for the basketball tournament, please see the GOYA email for more information. Yours in Christ, Alex Shah

N EW P ARISH D IRECTORY Everyone should soon receive a message regarding our new parish directory. It will be photographed and published by LifeTouch which provides the directory to us at no cost to our church. Every family photographed receives a complimentary directory and an 8-by-10 portrait. In addition to the complimentary photo, you will have a chance to purchase addi-

tional photos on the day of your portrait session. We will have photography signup days on Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 in the parish hall. There also will be opportunity to sign up during the Festival, Oct. 16-18, at The MarketPlace. Photography dates are as follows: Thursday,

Oct. 29: 3-9pm Friday, Oct. 30, 3-9pm Saturday, Oct. 31, 10am-4pm Please see Harriet Blake for details (hlblake@aol.com; 214-995-4290)

L ET US ALL CELEBRATE OUR

P ARISH ’ S 35 TH A NNIVERSARY , 13 TH A NNUAL T AVERNA N IGHT C ELEBRATION ON THRUSDAY ,

O CTOBER 15 TH , A ND OUR

24 TH YEAR M ID -C ITIES G REEK F OOD F EST ! F RIDAY , S ATURDAY AND S UNDAY , O CTOBER 16 TH , 17 TH AND 18 TH . 2015

T HE F ORERUNNER

P AGE 8

T HE S ERVICE OF O RTHROS (M ATINS ) E XPLAINED 2. (C ONT )

The hand of St. Ephraim the Syrian, a patron Saint of Church Musicians

“O RTHROS ” COMES FROM THE G REEK WORD “ ARISE ”, AND IS THE PROPER SERVICE FOR THE MORNING

In parishes the reduction of the canon to just the Katavasia has led to particular Katavasiae being used seasonally. The Katavasia of the Canon of the Akathist Hymn, like the Kontakion “O Never-failing Protectress”, has come to be used for much of the year, with Katavasiae related to other particular feasts being substituted periodically. While this has the advantage that the Katavasia, having the characteristics of idiomela, becomes more easily recognized and sung by worshippers, the disadvantage is that the various canons in the Octoechos and Menaia are seldom if ever heard. Given their rich theological content, this is lamentable. The Kontakion and the Ikos The Kontakion, Ikos and Synaxarion are typically found after the sixth ode of a fully chanted Canon. If the full Canon is not chanted, a good practice is to include the Kontakion, Ikos and Synaxarion immediately before the Katavasia. The Kontakion and Ikos are the first hymns of what once were much longer compositions (the old “Kontakia”), which were theological reflections on particular holy days and formed an important element of the “cathedral” office. Kontakia emphasized important theological points of the particular holy

day, in the manner of a poetic reflection. The Ikos (plural, “Iki”) expanded on the theme of the main Kontakion. Typically, the final words of the Kontakion are also the final words of the Ikos.

tions. These theologically rich biographies detail not only the simple life of the saint, but the theological implications of various events as well. At one time, readings from the Synaxarion formed a lengthy and regular part of the divine worIn addition to the role of the ship of the Church. NowaKontakia in the Octoechos and days, while the abbreviated in the Menaion, some Kontakia references in Orthros are the have also come to function as main liturgical legacy of this “seasonal hymns” at the Divine practice, the materials of the Liturgy. In that capacity, a Synaxarion are available in Kontakion will anticipate a several editions, including Feast, like the Kontakion in several English language edianticipation of the Nativity of tions, and are sources of inspiour Lord, or the Kontakion of ration and teaching for many the Cross, etc. The insertion of of the faithful. a particular Kontakion in the Liturgy reminds the worshipTo be Continued... pers of upcoming Feasts and important seasons. Compiled from various sources mostly here and here The Synaxarion The Synaxarion is a short reference to the saint or event commemorated on a particular day. In modern usage, a simple reference that on such a day, saint so-and-so is commemorated is followed by a brief poetic comment indicating something about the life of the saint, concluding with an intoned petition for God’s mercy through the prayers of the saints. While this is all that remains liturgically of the Synaxarion in Orthros, the Synaxarion (“book of coming together”) is properly the collection of the lives of the saints celebrated on each day of the calendar year. Consequently, published Synaxaria, or Synaxaristes, typically are multi-volume collec-

V OLUME XXXII N UMBER

T HE F EAST

OF THE

P ROTECTION

The Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, celebrated on October 1st, commemorates the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God that occurred in the mid-tenth century in Constantinople, in the Blachernae church where her robe, veil, and part of her belt were preserved after being transferred from Palestine in the fifth century.

P AGE 9

OF THE

M OST

the protecting veil in her hands gleamed “more than the rays of the sun.” St Andrew gazed trembling at the miraculous vision and he asked his disciple, the blessed Epiphanius standing beside him, “Do you see, brother, the Holy Theotokos, praying for all the world?” Epiphanius answered, “I do see, holy Father, and I am in awe.”

The Ever-Blessed Mother of God implored the Lord Jesus Christ to accept the prayers of On Sunday, October 1, during the All Night Vigil, all the people calling on His when the church was over- Most Holy Name, and to reflowing with those at pray- spond speedily to her intercession, “O Heavenly King, accept er, the Fool-for-Christ St Andrew (October 2), at the all those who pray to You and call on my name for help. Do fourth hour, lifted up his not let them not go away from eyes towards the heavens my icon unheard.” and beheld our most Holy Lady Theotokos coming through the air, resplendent Sts Andrew and Epiphanius with heavenly light and were worthy to see the Mother surrounded by an assembly of God at prayer, and “for a of the Saints. St John the long time observed the ProBaptist and the holy Apostle tecting Veil spread over the John the Theologian accom- people and shining with flashes panied the Queen of Heav- of glory. As long as the Most en. On bended knees the Holy Theotokos was there, the Most Holy Virgin tearfully Protecting Veil was also visiprayed for Christians for a ble, but with her departure it long time. Then, coming also became invisible. After near the Bishop’s Throne, taking it with her, she left beshe continued her prayer. hind the grace of her visitation.” After completing her prayer she took her veil and At the Blachernae church, the spread it over the people memory of the miraculous praying in church, protect- appearance of the Mother of ing them from enemies God was remembered. In the both visible and invisible. fourteenth century, the RusThe Most Holy Lady Thesian pilgrim and clerk Alexanotokos was resplendent der, saw in the church an icon with heavenly glory, and of the Most Holy Theotokos

HOLY

T HEOTOKOS

praying for the world, depicting St Andrew in contemplation of her. During the festal celebration of the Protection of the Mother of God, the Church sings, “With the choirs of the Angels, O Sovereign Lady, with the venerable and glorious prophets, with the First-Ranked Apostles and with the Hieromartyrs and Hierarchs, pray for us sinners, glorifying the Feast of your Protection throughout the world.” On the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos we implore the defense and assistance of the Queen of Heaven, “Remember us in your prayers, O Lady Virgin Mother of God, that we not perish by the increase of our sins. Protect us from every evil and from grievous woes, for in you do we hope, and venerating the Feast of your Protection, we magnify you.” In Greece the commemoration of the Holy Protection of the Theotokos has been moved from October 1 to October 28 (Oxi day) after a 1950 decision of the Holy Synod of Greece. Greece commemorates this Great Feast in conjunction with one of their national days because during the war Theotokos protected and gave strength to all the Greeks that fought in order to defend their motherland.

R EMEMBER

US IN YOUR PRAYERS , O L ADY V IRGIN M OTHER OF G OD , THAT WE NOT PERISH BY THE INCREASE OF OUR SINS F OR I N YOU DO WE HOPE .

T HE F ORERUNNER

P AGE 10

G REEK D ANCE P RACTICE

The dance practice for 2015 Festival: no practice today. We will continue with Sunday practices on the following days: Sept. 13, Sept. 20, Sept, 27, Oct. 4, Oct. 11. Hellenic & Olympian dancers will also have Saturday practices on the following days: Sept. 12, Sept.19, Oct, 3, Oct. 10. Olympian dancers will be from 10:30 - 11:30 am

HAVE RECENTLY SWITCHED TO A NEW C OFFEE HOUR SYSTEM WHERE EVERY FAMILY WILL HOST A COFFEE HOUR PER YEAR .

Hellenic dancers will be from 11:30 -12:30 pm. *e-mail: gpoulakos@live.com

N EW

PARISH

W EBSITE

Out with the old and in with the new! In this period of spiritual regeneration we are also very happy to announce that our website just got a complete overhaul! Built on a modern, mobile and social friendly platform our website will keep you connected with everything that is happening at St. John’s. Please join us at http:// stjohndfw.info for a new level of browsing experience. Enjoy the new graphic interface, simplified menus, news posts, photo galleries and more to come. Share it on your favorite social media, send it to your friends, get the word out!

C ATECHISM C LASSES 2015-2016 ARE A G O !

Our Catechism / faith enrichment classes have already started See us every Sunday after Divine Liturgy in the Church Bridal Room. The program is open for non-Orthodox as well as for Orthodox Christians that want to learn about the Faith. Join us to learn more about the Orthodox Faith and don't forget to bring a friend. Don’t forget our Parish Library is open. See Steven or Serban if you want to borrow a book.

A COLYTE S CHEDULE U SHER S CHEDULE 1st Sunday: Chris Geil / Jeff Younger 2nd Sunday: Michael Eftimie / Jeff Younger 3rd Sunday: Jeremy Ellis / Cecilia Junell 4th Sunday: Angela Cline / Olga Papadopoulou 5th Sunday: Nancy Medvic / Jeremy Forcum

C OFFEE H OUR D UTIES SETUP Arrange pastries/food in a desirable manner on the appropriate tables in the parish hall. You are responsible for making the coffee. Make two pots: one regular, one decaf. Plug in be-

1st Sunday: Jackson Wright, Alex Genovezos, Caleb Ellis, Luca Tudora 2nd Sunday: Dmitri Rodgers, Alex Shah, Chris Eftimie, Joseph Berca, Noah Ellis 3rd Sunday: James Seals, Alex Genovezos, Caleb Ellis, Luca Tudora, Matei Tudora 4th Sunday: Noah Ellis, Alex Shah, Chris Eftimie, Dmitri Rodgers

C OFFEE H OUR H OST

As you probably know already , we have recently switched to a new Coffee hour system where every family will host a coffee hour per year. Please see Olga Papadopoulou

5th Sunday: Matei Tudora, Alex Genovezos, Alex Shah, Luca Tudora

to schedule Your Sunday.

fore going into church. The instructions are in the kitchen.

CLEAN UP

Prepare a tray with sugar, creamer, sugar substitute, mixing straws, a few spoons. Set with trash bucket. Put donation basket out with appropriate sign.

Wash all dishes soiled, including coffee pots. Return sugar tray to kitchen and replenish it. Wash off hall tables and kitchen counters. Thank-You

St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

OCTOBER 2015 SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

Holy Protection of Theotokos Ananias, Apostle of the 70 Romanos the Melodist Divine Liturgy 6 am

Cyprian and Justina Eleutherios and Roustikos

Dyonysios the Areopagite John the Chozebite

Taverna night

Midcities Greekfest

Pelagia the Righteous Pelagia of Antioch

James the son of Alphaeus Andronicus & Athanasia of Egypt

Eulampios & Eulampia Theophilus the Confessor

1 Strict fast Wine and oil allowed

2nd Sunday f Luke 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Catechism Class

Charitina the Martyr Methodia of Kimolos

Thomas the Apostle Eretois of Cappadocia

Hierotheos, Bishop of Athens Domnina and her daughters

Sergius & Bacchus of Syria Polychronios the Hieromartyr

Vespers 6pm

Small Paraklesis 6 pm

Symeon the new Theologian Provos, Andronicus, & Tarachos

Carpos, Papylos, Agathodoros, & Agathoniki Benjamin the Deacon

Nazar, Gervasios, Protasios, & Celsius Kosmas the Hagiopolite

Loukianos of Antioch Savinos, Bishop of Catania

7th Ecumenical Council 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Catechism Class Philip the Apostle of the 70 Theophanes, Bishop of Nicaea

Longinos the Centurion

Hosea the Prophet Cosmas and Damian of Arabia Vespers 5pm

Small Paraklesis 6 pm Special prayers for Festival

Averkios of Hierapolis Righteous Rufus

James the Apostle Ignatius, Pat. of Constan

Saint Luke The Evangelist 8:00 am Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy

Joel the Prophet Varys the Martyr

Arthemios of Antioch Gerasimos of Cephalonia

Hilarion the Great Relics of Christodoulos of Patmos

Arethas the Great Martyr Sebastiane the Martyr Vespers 5pm

Luke the Evangelist Marinos the Martyr

Small Paraklesis 6 pm

6th. Sunday of Luke 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Catechism Class Marcianos & Martirios Tabitha, raised by Peter

Anastasia of Rome Avramios & Maria

Cleopas of the 70 Zenobios & Zenobia

Stachys of The 70 Nicholas the new Martyr

Oxi Day Great Earthquake Constantinople Demetrios the Myrrh-Streamer

Nestor of Thessaloniki Kyriakos, Pat. Of Constan

Holy Protection of the Theotokos Terrence & Eunice Small Paraklesis 6 pm

Vespers 5pm

S T . J OHN

THE

NONPROFIT

B APTIST

G REEK O RTHODOX C HURCH

303 Cullum Dr. Euless, TX 76040 Tel 817 283-2291 Return Service Requested

Sponsorship for This Month’s Forerunner

W E ’ R E O N T H E W E B AT HTTP:/ / STJOHNDFW. INFO

THE FORERUNNER

Vol. XXXII No. 10 October 2015

Holy Protection of the Theotokos October 1st , 2015