S T . J OHN THE B APTIST G REEK O RTHODOX C HURCH
T HE F ORERUNNER V OLUME XXXIII
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T HE C HRISTIAN F AMILY SUSPENDED AND TEMPTATION —P ART -O NE *
J ANUARY —F EBRUARY 2016
BETWEEN TRADITION
S PECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST :
The Christian Family suspended between tradition and temptation - Part One
Parish Council Capsule
Stewardship 2016 IS ON!!
Youth Ministries News
A Brief Overview of the Psaltic Art by Dr. Grammenos Karanos
The Pierced Soul of The Theotokos by St. Nikolai Velimirovich
Choir News
Beloved Brothers and Sister in Christ, As you can see, even from my short greeting, this talk about family is actually a talk in the family. I am not here to preach to strangers, but to converse with people familiar to us who will be able to better understand what I have to say, because you are hearing it from within. You hear a lot from the outside as well; there is a lot of talk about family these days, with everyone trying to define, or rather redefine, what family is, many times based on personal thoughts and feelings or ideologies of various groups of interests, creating a lot of confusion. In the midst of all this I got tasked today to try to speak on family as well, but not based on my personal ideas, although I will share some, but rather as a rediscovery of the deep Christian roots of this institution in existence even before the beginning of the world. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves… 1. What is family: flesh vs. spirit The simplest understanding of family is a gathering of people that live under the same roof and, most of the time, are also related according to the flesh. Beside this rather universal understanding, in the (Continued on page 3)
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C OUNCIL C APSULE It’s hard to believe 2015 has come and gone. It has to be in part, due, to the great year we’ve had. I suppose time really does fly when you’re having fun. I don’t want to bore you with all the details of what we have been able to achieve as they can speak for themselves, but looking back it should give us all a great sense of accomplishment. When elected as the Council President, I was very unsure of how we would be able to even begin to address the issues at hand. However, it didn’t take long to see how quickly the council and the parish family came together to begin to resolve the litany of items that required a great deal of teamwork. Kudos and a very sincere thank you to everyone who stepped up when called upon. It is this level of participation that I am convinced is required of us to move and grow in the coming years. I would like to thank (and please join me) the esteemed, exiting council members who, without their efforts, we would not be in the position to shift to 2016 and beyond. In no specific order: (Continued on page 2)
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C OUNCIL ’ S C APSULE (Continued from page 1)
Nancy Medvic Chris Geil Olga Papapdopoulou Jeremy Forcum Kirsten Shah (re-elected for the new council) I know it seems like a lot of thank you-s but, hard not to when you know the level and caliber of contribution.
LET US ASK OUR L ORD AND S AVIOR TO CONTINUALLY GUIDE US AS WE BEGIN TO TAKE ON H IS WORK IN OUR PARISH IN 2016.
I would also like to take the opportunity to introduce the new officers of the 2016 Parish Council Michael Eftimie—President Kirsten Shah—Vice-president Larry Leeders—Treasurer Michael Strong—Secretary With all that being said, let us ask our Lord and Savior to continually guide us as we begin to take on His work in our parish in 2016. Between the Planning Committee, new and growing ministries, and the day to day operations we
have a lot of work and exciting events to look forward to! Your culinary team (Larry Leeders, Chris Geil, and myself) would like to thank you for your support of our annual name day luncheon. We enjoyed another fantastic turnout. Thank you GOYANS for your help in ensuring our success. I would like to ask you to mark your calendar for a memorable, upcoming event.
Care at Hellenic College/ Holy Cross in Brookline, MA. Please make time to attend this very insightful address. As always, all are welcome! In closing, I would like to wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year! Michael Eftimie, Parish Council President
This year we will be hosting on behalf of the NTOM , the annual pre-Lenten program called Orthodox Christian Perspectives on February the 26th. Doors open at 6pm or 1800 hours for those who don’t operate on civilian time (you know who you are). A light dinner will be served. Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Philip Mamalakis, the topic is “Marriage and Family: An Invitation To Love” Dr.Mamalakis serves as Associate Professor of Pastoral
A GELESS WO NDERS The Ageless Wonders met for a Matinee movie and lunch on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 for our first meeting of the New Year. I want to thank everyone who donated a gift card for our Christmas AdoptA-Family. The remainder
of the cards went to the church benevolent fund. The Ageless Wonders will meet on Monday, February 22, 2016 at the church hall at 11:00 am. for a Potluck lunch and program. It is time for annual dues and some thoughts for the new year.
I’ll be calling everyone for reservations. So, save the date and come join us for a fun time! Looking forward to a happy and healthy year for all. Margaret
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Christian Church we also have a greater understanding of family, as we also recognize another type of relationships that are not physical in nature but actually spiritual. The spiritual bond between a Godparent and a Godchild is considered as strong as that between parents and their children according to flesh. The Church recognizes it as such and even prohibits to a certain degree the marriage between spiritually related people. This simple fact opens immediately great possibilities in our understanding of family, allowing us to see beyond the materiality of man into his greater calling towards the spiritual world. That is not to say that our bodies and our relationships according to the body are not important, they are, but restraining our understanding of family to only this material aspect overlooks an entire dimension that could possibly lead us to wrong conclusions. This is the most obvious mistake made by family “experts” these days, confining family to a human institution and devoiding it of its connection with its true origins in God. 2. The Christian family as an icon of the Trinity Christians understand family as an icon of God in the Trinity. The Holy Trinity is the original Family as the Father, before the ages, begets the Son and proceeds the Holy Spirit; a Trinity of persons that is the archetype for all in existence. The loving
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C HRISTIAN F AMILY (C ONT .) counsel of this Original Family led to the creation of man, a work of affection, meant to extend on the outside the preexisting love of the Persons of the Trinity. God so wished to have more subjects fashioned in His image, with rationality and free will, ready to partake in what He shares within Himself. He creates Adam not to be alone in the world, but first to be in Communion with Him and secondly, as He fashions Eve out of her man, to be in communion with all mankind. This is the first man’s family: Adam, Eve and God - a perfect icon of the Trinity. We do not know how this family would have evolved if man had followed the path carved for him into grace, but we know that in God’s pre-knowledge of the Fall, Adam and Eve were tasked to multiply and enlarge their family, to enjoy and to care for all Creation. After the fall, with the gift of procreation bestowed upon the original couple, Adam and Eve become the parents of many nations. However, with the rejection of God through the ancestral sin, the original family icon changes in the fallen world and becomes Father, Mother and Child, an incomplete reflection of the original, as God is starting to fade from the ancestral image. Don’t understand this as there is something with a family understood as Father, Mother and Child, it is however not the ultimate state, is not where we want to end our search, but should be regarded as an intermediary
stage. The attraction between man and women is ultimately a foretaste of the attraction between God and man. The marriage and the formation of a family through marriage is not an ultimate goal in itself, although it seems like this nowadays, but even after marriage, just as we did before as single people, we continue to seek God and strive to go back full circle to the original icon of the family. The purpose of the family is first and foremost the quest for the healing of the rift between us and God. This continuous search for the reunification of our original family, leads some to forego the union of flesh of marriage and to rather take Christ as their bridegroom. The monastics follow this path not to say that marriage is not honorable, but because they are actually aiming to climb faster on the heavenly ladder, in their blessed eagerness to get closer to God. Their lives in the communities of the monasteries follows the same goal as a marriage between a man and a woman. In fact there are many similarities between the service of Professing of a Monk or a Nun and the Sacrament of Crowning, exactly to emphasize the common ultimate goal that is union with God. (to be continued) *Talk given at the Holy Nativity Monastery in Kemp, Texas on December 29, 2015
C HRISTIANS UNDERSTAND FAMILY AS AN ICON OF G OD IN THE T RINITY .
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2016 STEWARDSHIP: BRING THEM TO ME! In a well known parable we see the Apostles bringing to Jesus Christ their concerns about the 5,000 men plus women and children that are with them in the wilderness. His disciples lament that all they have are five loaves and two small fish a boy has offered. Jesus’ response is “Bring them to me.” He then takes the loaves, blesses and breaks them, and feeds 5,000 men plus women and children with abundant leftovers. “ WE
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OURSELVES BY OFFERING OURSELVES .”
A RCHBISHOP A NASTASIOS OF A LBANIA
In a similar way, we also bring what we have to Jesus. We offer bread and wine and it may not seem much, but He returns them to us, in the overabundance of His Grace, as His Own Body and Blood, the Holy Communion. By the bread and the wine, foods that are specific to human nature, we offer our lives to Christ, and, through the Holy Spirit that transforms them, we become the Church, His Body on earth. We give our earthly lives in exchange for life ever-
lasting. What a favorable exchange of gifts! No matter how much we give, He cannot be outdone. Just like the boy who offered the loaves and the fish, if we offer what we have – however great or small our gift – with prayer and humility, God will receive our gifts and multiply them to feed His people, both materially and spiritually.
Christian Stewardship is about becoming good caretakers of all that God has given us. God has given each of us special and unique gifts. He also teaches us all that we have is a loan. He lends everything to us, and reminds us that one day He will ask us to give a detailed accounting of what we have done with these gifts He has given us. The only way to multiply these gifts is by offering them to God through the people around us. Archbishop Anastasios of Albania has noted “we find ourselves by offering ourselves.” Have we learned the blessedness of generously giving to others
out of all we have without worrying? Our vibrant parish is on a continuous and sustained growing pathway. Our children, our youth, our young adults, our seniors, our women and men, our inquirers in the faith, our poor and needy, demand the help of our ministries more than ever. The only way for them to fulfill their mission is through your support. Stewardship is not only about how much you give, although this is important, it is also about how much you are engaged, how much time and talent you invest, ultimately in yourselves. If we give the little we have to our brothers and sisters, God will make us heirs of the Kingdom. By giving from what we have, big or small, we become part of the eternal Kingdom that never suffers neither famine nor thirst. I encourage you all to prayerfully consider your contribution in your 2016 stewardship program and getting fully engaged in the life of you parish. May the Lord richly bless you and your family in all
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S TEWARDSHIP 2016 Welcome to 2016!
Church.
It has been a busy year 2015. Thanks to your efforts, we came very close to reaching our stewardship goal in 2015. We are looking forward to reaching our goal this year with your enthusiastic help and participation.
The new church council is excit- Thank you, ed about working together to make our beautiful church even Your stewardship committee, more welcoming for everyone. Angela Cline Cecelia Junell. Remember Christian Stewardship is…
If you want to start the year right, now it’s a perfect time to fill out a stewardship card for the new year 2016. We also hope to start using your talents in the various ministries of our Parish. Our church is growing, an it’s wonderful to see everyone sharing their time and talents in the service of the
…caring for the needs of others.
…learning how to be a responsible and concerned caretaker of Christ’s Church; it is learning how to enjoy Church life and be happy in Church work., for in Her dwells the fullness of the Spirit of God.
Stewardship 2016 info as of 2/7/2016: Goal to cover expenses: $328,521 Pledged: $221,741 Short: $106,780
…our active commitment to use all our time, talent and treasure for the benefit of humankind in grateful acknowledgment of Christ’s redeeming love.
T HANKS TO YOUR EFFORTS , WE CAME VERY CLOSE TO REACHING OUR STEWARDSHIP GOAL IN 2015.
WE
H OW TO BECOME A STEWARD IN 2016? FAQ S 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
ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO REACHING OUR F ULL GOAL THIS YEAR .
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Y OUTH M INISTRIES R EPORT The Oratorical Festival for St. John’s will be Feb. 21. Topics have been distributed to both the middle school and high school classes. The Junior Division is open to students in grades 7-9; the Senior Division is for students in grades 10-12. We would like to have every student write at least a paragraph on one of the topics. Those who would like to present their essay before the parish on Feb. 21 need to provide us with their topic. The Youth Ministries Committee will be available for
coaching on the Sundays leading up to the Feb. 21 presentation. hard copy. See Gail Poriotis (poriotis@sbcglobal.net; 214-707-1827) for details. Like last year, we will have judges from outside the parish. All high school seniors whose families are members of St. The next round, sponsored by John’s are eligible. the Denver Diocese, will be held in Boulder, CO. on April 8-10 in Charlotte, NC. If any- Youth Ministries will hold a one needs a copy of the topics, loukoumades fundraiser on Feb. 7. Please join us and supsee your teacher or go online: port our committee which http://www.goarch.org/ oversees all youth-related acarchdiocese/departments/ tivities at St. John’s. religioused/ sjcof/2016_topics_only.pdf The spring planning meeting for Youth Ministries will be held Sunday, March 27. Applications for the 2016 Philoptochos Scholarship will God bless. be available Feb. 1, online or Harriet Blake, Youth Ministries
T HE O RATORICAL F ESTIVAL FOR S T . J OHN ’ S WILL BE F EB . 21.
C HURCH S CHOOL Church School Families, December was really busy for Church School. We had our Advent Retreat and it was well attended. We had an amazing lesson about the Nativity with Father Vasile. We had crafts, and practiced for our Annual Christmas Pageant. Thank you to Mrs. Esther, Mrs. Allison and Mrs. Harriet for making the day fun. Thank you once again this year to Kirsten Shah. She and the teachers did an amazing job with the children once again. Wow!! What a beautiful and fabulous Christmas Pageant .
3/20 --class, Sunday of Orthodoxy (Procession of Icons) 3/27 --class We resumed classes on Janu- 4/3 --class ary 3rd. 4/10 --class 4/17 --class We have a clear schedule until 4/23 --Lenten Retreat March. 4/24 --Palm Sunday 5/1 --No Class, Great and Holy Lent begins a little late this Pascha year, but we will once again take our Journey to Pascha. We welcome new and visiting students throughout the year. Here are some dates to keep in Please take a moment to fill out a mind. registration form in your child’s classroom. We will appreciate 2/7 --class getting to know your family a bit. 2/14 --class 2/21 --class Veronica Fisher 2/28 --class Church School 3/6 --class Coordinator 3/13 --no class Veronicafisherps50@gmail.com due to Spring Break (Forgiveness Sunday) We are back in the swing of classes now that the Holiday Season is behind us.
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PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Greetings!!!
rison, New York. One of the most beautiful and inspiring traditions of We are hoping your New Year is our Greek Orthodox Church is the off to a fabulous start. observance of Vasilopita in Saint Basil’s honor. A most wise and comWe had a terrific response to passionate clergyman, Saint Basil our Annual Christmas Bake Sale was the first person in history to and Poinsettia Sale. Thank you establish a home for children. His to everyone who supported our feast day combines the cheer and efforts by ordering baked goods happiness of the New Year with the and beautifying our church with glory of the birth of Christ and the the lovely poinsettias. Epiphany, into what is known in our Orthodox Church as the Vasilopita The Philoptochos and Ageless Observance, symbolizing the joy of Wonders Christmas Dinner was life everlasting… for over 70 years well attended. All had a wonPhiloptochos has helped to nurture derful time. The gift exchange the children of the Academy by was said to be fun as ever. providing a warm, loving and secure There were some amazing and “home” ... The Saint Basil Academy humorous treasures that evengrounds and buildings belong to the ing. Linda Papadimitriou once Philoptochos. Your consistent generagain organized our Adopt-Aosity provides for the care of precious Family project. lives, and maintenance of the entire facility.” January 10th was our Vasilopita Auction. It was very well supPhiloptochos Scholarship applicaported, and we thank everyone tions are available as of February who kept the bidding exciting. 1st. If you are a graduating senThank you to Clyde Sebastian ior and would like to apply for for being our official the Philoptochos Scholarship, the applications are now available in auctioneer. Proceeds directly the narthex and on our church benefited St. Basil Academy in website if you have any quesGarrison, New York. “In Janu- tions, please ask Gail Poriotis or ary, Philoptochos chapters across the Veronica Fisher. Archdiocese host Vasilopita events in We will be hosting our Valenhonor of Saint Basil the Great, to tine’s Day Dessert Raffle on Sunbenefit Saint Basil Academy in Gar- day, February 14th, in the church
hall following Divine Liturgy. I hope everyone can find something to enjoy and perhaps share with friends over a cup of coffee or after dinner. I continue to extend an invitation to all the ladies who have been visiting Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church. The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society is a longstanding organization for women of the Orthodox faith. This year is an excellent time to get involved in our community, enjoy fellowship with our fabulous ladies and fulfill the mission of our name, to be a friend to the poor. I hope you will join us this year, Whether you have attended our church for a while now, or are new to the area. We would love to count you among us. Veronica Fisher President, St. Irene Philoptochos
GOYA NEWS Fellow Parishioners, Happy New Year! Just a few weeks ago, our Goyans traveled to various Parishioners' houses as part of our annual GOYA Christmas Caroling fundraiser. Thank you to all who participated both in our Caroling as well as our Christmas turkey raffle. Thanks to your help and support in
GOYA's fundraising. This past Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, our Goyans have competed in the Denver Metropolis basketball tournament held 30 minutes away in Dallas. Thak you all for supporting our parish's youth!
that they may take part in all our fun activities year round. Our meetings are the first Sunday every month after church.
For those of you with kids in 6th grade or older, encourage your child to join GOYA so
Thank You, Alex Shah
Feel free to join us!!!
I EXTEND AN INVITATION TO JOPIN P HILOPTOCHOS TO ALL OF THE LADIES OF S AINT J OHN THE B APTIST G REEK O RTHODOX C HURCH .
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C HOIR NEWS Happy New Year! The choir enjoyed singing the Vesperal Liturgy on Christmas Eve with the chanters this year.
We also thoroughly enjoyed singing Christmas carols at the end of the service. St. John's choir would like to
A B RIEF O VERVIEW
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“Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.” (James 5:13)
The hand of St. Ephraim the Syrian, a patron Saint of Church Musicians
H E BLENDED THE DELIGHT OF MELODY WITH DOCTRINE IN ORDER THAT THROUGH THE PLEASANTNESS AND SOFTNESS OF THE SOUND WE MIGHT UNAWARES RECEIVE WHAT WAS USEFUL IN THE WORDS
Dr. Grammenos Karanos is Assistant Professor of Byzantine Liturgical Music at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
As is evident from St. James the Brother of the Lord’s exhortation, the history of the Christian Church has always been not only a history of prayer, but also a history of song. If in some contemporary Christian denominations music plays a secondary role, it would be no exaggeration to state that in the Greek Orthodox Church almost all of worship is musical. And how could it be otherwise if “chanting is an angelic ministry for [it] gives joy, but it is also prayer?” [...] The Fathers of the Church recognized the beneficial impact music can have on souls and adopted it as an important pedagogical tool to lead humans to eternal salvation. St. Basil the Great expresses the Church’s attitude in very clear terms: “For when the Holy Spirit saw that mankind was ill-inclined toward virtue and that we were heedless of the righteous life because of our inclination to pleasure, what did he do? He blended the delight of melody with doctrine in order that through the pleasantness and softness of the sound we might unawares receive what was useful in the words, according to the practice of the physicians, who, when they give the more bitter draughts to the sick, often smear the rip of the cup with honey.” Music then is the sweet honey with which the Church mixes the doctrines of the faith, in order to heal the sick souls of the faithful. It is through these
BY
wish the rest of our St. John's family a very Happy and Healthy New Year! Kirsten Shah, Choir Director
D R . G RAMMENOS K ARANOS
lenses that the Psaltic Art of the Greek Orthodox Church ought to be viewed.
Modality. Psaltic compositions do not conform to the western major and minor scales, but rather to the Byzantine and post-Byzantine [...] An American reader will natu- eight authentic and plagal modes rally ask what exactly is the Psaltic and their numerous variants. A Art. A very simple albeit limited mode is defined by the tonic, the definition is that it is the art of scale, the genus (i.e. the intervallic chanting. More broadly, it can be internal structure of the tetrachords defined as the strictly vocal, strictly and pentachords), and the melodic monophonic music used in the formulae and cadences, and can worship of the Greek Orthodox easily be identified by the intonaChurch. tion formula that precedes any hymn. [...] In addition to vocal performance and monophony, the Psaltic Formulaic composition. All Art has the following fundamental psaltic compositions are built from characteristics: pre-existing melodic formulae, called theseis, which are combined Primacy of the word versus with short transitional bridgthe music. Music is used as a es. Theseis can be short, long and means to express and illuminate the even very elaborate and melismatic, meaning of the text. Even though depending on the particular compoit is certainly meant to provide a sitional genre to which a hymn degree of aesthetic pleasure to the belongs. One might wonder how listener, its primary role is to con- there can be any originality in the tribute to a prayerful atmosphere in Psaltic Art if a hymn cannot be worship. Therefore, excessive composed out of entirely new mamusical embellishment is seen as terial. The answer lies in the very detrimental and distractive. large number (thousands) of theseis, the difference in their parMicrotonal intervals. Intervals ticular musical content depending that are smaller than the western on the mode and the starting note semitone are frequently used. In on which they are placed, and the fact, it is primarily this microtonal infinite number of ways in which quality that makes the Psaltic Art they can be combined to produce a sound foreign and exotic, hence new acoustic experience. Additionstrangely attractive to the modern ally, throughout the history of the American ear. The existence of Psaltic Art composers kept composmicrotones is closely related to the ing new theseis, thereby renewing tendency of the structural notes of and enriching the material that later a scale (generally, the root and composers would have at their disupper note of a tetrachord) to atposal. tract the non-structural ones, which consequently display a tonal See more here instability.
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T HE P IERCED S OUL "Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also" (Luke 2:35). Who on this earth could even closely compare with the Lord in patient endurance of suffering except His Most-holy Mother? The elder Symeon, adorned with snowy hair like a white swan, prophetically foresaw her future sufferings and likened those sufferings to a sword piercing her soul. One sword had pierced her soul when the righteous Joseph doubted her at the time of her pregnancy; the second, when she had to flee to Egypt before Herod's sword; and the third, fourth and many,
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many others when she saw the hatred and intrigues of the Jewish elders against her Son day in and day out during the whole time of His preaching and miracle-working among men.
cation to God. This handmaid of the Lord, unsurpassable in nobility! She saw herself clearly in God's plan for the salvation of mankind; she read about herself in the prophets; she spoke with the angels God's messengers. Therefore, But the sharpest sword pierced all that came upon her, joy or pain, she knew came from her soul when she stood beneath the Cross of her Son and God. She was not jubilant in Lord. This sword was foreseen her joy nor did she murmur in her pain, but rather she reand prophesied to her by the mained silent and laid it all up holy, aged Symeon. Majestic in her heart. and moving was her silence, beneath which she covered all her pains and all the wounds of O Most-holy Virgin Theotoher heart as with a veil. kos, help us that we may be, like thee, submissive to the In the twilight, all these count- will of God. To thy Son and less pains that had accumulated Lord, through thee, be glory in her most pure heart shone as and praise forever. Amen. an inextinguishable flame of faith and hope in God and dedi- By St. Nikolai Velimirovich
T HEOTOKOS , “S OFTENER
February 2 is the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple. This celebrates the event when the baby Jesus was presented in the Temple according to Jewish law, and was received by the Elder Simeon and the Prophetess Anna (Luke 2:2238). St Simeon prophesied about Jesus being the salvation of the world, and also had a prophecy for His mother, Mary. It is this prophecy which is the inspiration for the Icon of the Mother of God, “Softener of Evil Hearts”, also celebrated today. The origins of the icon are unclear, though it appears to come from South-Western Russia in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Russian name for the icon
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is «Умягчение злых сердец», meaning “Softener of Evil Hearts”, or sometimes Семистрельная, meaning “Seven Arrows” or “Seven Swords”. Simeon’s prophecy to the Mother of God: “…a sword will pierce your soul also…” has always been understood to refer to the intense grief she would experience seeing her only Son crucified. In Western Europe, the Roman Catholic church developed the “Seven Sorrows” of the Mother of God, referring to seven sorrowful events in her life which by the 15th century had evolved into a feast-day with devotional pray-
ers for each of the “Sorrows”. The origins of the icon in south-western Rus (on the frontier with Roman Catholic Europe) make it probable that the image was adopted by the Orthodox Church from the West. However, in Christianity and ancient Judaism, the number seven signifies fullness or completeness. Therefore, in Orthodoxy, the “Seven Swords” of this icon can be seen as representing the boundless sorrow experienced by the Mother of God as Simeon’s prophecy is realised, without having to list a particular number of sorrows. Read more here
Icon of the Mother of God, “Softener of Evil Hearts”
"Y EA , A SWORD SHALL PIERCE THROUGH THINE OWN SOUL ALSO " (L UKE 2:35).
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PRAYER FROM THE DESERT
P LEASE RESERVE YOUR S UNDAY C OFFEE HOUR DATE FOR
2016
Lord Jesus Christ, whose will all things obey: pardon what I have done and grant that I, a sinner, may sin no more. Lord, I believe that though I do not deserve it, you can cleanse me from all my sins. Lord, I know that man looks upon the face, but you see the heart. Send your spirit into my inmost being, to take possession of my soul and body. Without you I cannot be saved; with you to protect me, I long for your salvation. And now I ask you for your salvation. And now I ask you for wisdom, deign of your great goodness to help and defend me. Guide my heart, almighty God, that I may remember your presence day and night. Amen U SHER S CHEDULE 1st Sunday: Cecilia Junell 2nd Sunday: Michael Eftimie / Michael Poriotis 3rd Sunday: Jeremy Ellis / Mike Strong 4th Sunday: Angela Cline / Connie Rafailides 5th Sunday: Larry Leeders / Michael Poriotis
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-
PARISH W EBSITE AND S OCIAL MEDIA
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C ATECHISM C LASSES 2015-2016 ARE A G O !
Our Catechism / faith enrichment classes continue. 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 1st Sunday: Alex Genovezos, Caleb Ellis, Luca Tudora, Matei Tudora 2nd Sunday: Dimitri Rodgers, Alex Shah, Chris Eftimie, Joseph Berca, Noah Ellis 3rd Sunday: Alex Genovezos, Caleb Ellis, Luca Tudora, Matei Tudora 4th Sunday: Noah Ellis, Alex Shah, Chris Eftimie, Dimitri Rodgers 5th Sunday: Matei Tudora, Alex Genovezos, Alex Shah, Luca Tudora fore going into church. The instructions are in the kitchen. Prepare a tray with sugar, creamer, sugar substitute, mixing straws, a few spoons. Set with trash bucket. Put donation basket out with appropriate sign.
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 Connie Rafailedes or Michael Strong to schedule Your Sunday.
CLEAN UP 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
February 2016 SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
2
3
4
1
Strict Fast Wine/Oil Allowed
Forefeast of the Presentation Tryphon the Martyr
The Presentation of our Lord Gabriel The Martyr Divine Liturgy 6am
Symeon and Anna The Prophetess Stamatios, John & Nicholas
8
9
10
Theodore the General Zechariah the Prophet
Leavetaking of Presentation Nicephoros of Antioch
Haralambos the Martyr Anastasios, Pat. Of Jerusalem
Vigil 6pm
7 16th Sunday of Mathew 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Parthenios, Bp. Of Lampsakos Luke the Righteous Catechism Class
14 Sunday Of the Canaanite 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Auxentius of the Mountains Cyril, Enlightener of the Slavs Theodore the Tyro Catechism Class
21 Sunday of the Publican an Pharisee Tridion Begins 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Catechism Class Timothy the Righteous John III, Pat. Of Constan.
28 Sunday Of the Prodigal Son 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Parish Council meeting Basil the Confessor Kyranna of Thessaloniki
SAT
5
6
Agatha the Martyr Polyeuktos, Pat. Constan.
Photios, Pat. Constantinople Bucoloc, Bishop of Smyrna
Presentation of our Lord
Fast Free Fish Allowed
FRI
Isidore of Pelusium Nicholas the Confessor
Vespers 5pm
11
12
13
Vlassios, Martyr of Sebaste Theodora the Empress
Meletios, Abp. Of Antioch Antonios, Abp. Of Constan.
Martinianos the Righteous Aquilla & Priscilla The Apostles
Vespers 5 pm
Small Paraklesis 6 pm
15 Onesimus of the 70 Anthimus the Elder of Chios
16
17
Pamphilos & Companions Flavianos, Pat. of Constantiople
Theodore of Tyro Mariamme, sister of Philip
18 Leo, Pope of Rome Agapetus the Confessor
19 Philemon, Archippos of the 70 Philothea, Martyr of Athens
Small Paraklesis 6 pm
22 Martyrs Eugenios Thalassius and Baradatus
29 John Cassian the Confessor
23 Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna Proterios, Abp. Of Alexandria
24 First and Second Finding of Head of John the Baptist Erasimos of the Kiev Caves
20 Leo, Bishop of Catania Agathon, Pope of Rome Vespers 5 pm
25 Tarasios, Pat. of Constantinople
26 Porphyrios, Bishop of Gaza Photini the Samaritan and sisters “Marriage and Family: An Invitation To Love” 6pm
27 Prokopios the Confessor Raphael of Brooklyn 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. XXXIII No. 1-2 January-February 2016
The Presentation of our Lord February 2nd, 2016