S T . J OHN THE B APTIST G REEK O RTHODOX C HURCH
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S EPTEMBER -O CTOBER 2016 S PECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST :
A BOUT T RUE C OMMITMENT This also, knowing the time, that it is already time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. (Rom 13:11-12) On my way home yesterday I saw a man, at a crossroad, holding up a sign with a simple message: ”Jesus died for our sins”. He was alone; he was not holding any advertisements, he did not tried to lure anyone into his freshly built mega-worshipping facility, but he lifted up high the sign above his head as you drove by, trying to encourage you read the message. At that moment someone in the car asked a question: ‘what denomination is he from?’ And in that very second it hit me: it really doesn’t matter! The truth that he was holding up high was so universal that nothing else was relevant anymore. All he was trying to tell us, as we drove by in our shiny cars, minding our carefree afternoon, in a jolly mood, was that God has sent His only Son to die on the cross, for each and every one of us. It was a really shocker for me personally, because it made me ponder how little time I spend thinking about this simple truth: Jesus died for my sins. And even more shocking was the realization of the gap that exists between this foundational truth of my faith and my actions to honor it.
About the True Commitment
Parish Council Capsule
Stewardship for 2016
Youth Ministries News
Philoptochos Neew
St. John’s Choir in Nashville
Faith enrichment class of 2016-2017 has started
(Continued on page 3)
I NSIDE THIS ISSUE :
C OUNCIL C APSULE Looking back, here are some of the things you may have missed. We had a fantastic pancake and omelette breakfast which was headed by Ed Korzun and Chris Geil. It’s worth mentioning for a couple of reasons. One, it was absolutely delicious, and two, it was by far and away the highest earning pancake fundraiser we’ve had to date. Thank you both for your time and effort and all of you who supported it! Chris Geil and Mike Poriotis also grilled burgers and brats for the back to school luncheon and Larry Leeders cooked our festival kickoff luncheon. All that cooking can only mean one thing… it’s that time of year again…. more cooking!! Looking forward, the anticipation is rising, not just for our church family, but the community and all those who eagerly await the annual Greek food fest! Think about it… cooler weather, gyro in one hand, baklava in the other, the music, the dancing, that is all pretty hard to beat. Nevertheless, there are more things happening around the church. As mentioned, church (Continued on page 2)
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school is now in full swing. The catechism classes are also underway. Remember, you don’t have to be a catechumen to attend and are encouraged to bring a friend, if you’d like. There is always something to be learned and
edified by attending. The installers are putting the finishing touches on our new sound system, which so many have been looking forward to. We’ve raised well more than 50% of the money needed to begin the work on the iconography project in the Narthex, just to name a few.
A GELESS WO NDERS
T HE AGELESS W ONDERS WILL BE SUPPLYING GREETERS AT OUR F OOD F EST AGAIN THIS YEAR
The Ageless Wonders met on Monday, September 26th.at 11:00 am, at Cinemark Tinseltown Grapevine, to see the movie "Sully" starring Tom Hanks. Afterwards, we went to lunch at a nearby restaurant. I want to
thank everyone who participated in our August “PotLuck Luncheon” for all the good food and fellowship. I want to especially thank Harry Karegeannes for the wonderful program, he never fails to entertain us.
With all of that said, I want to sincerely thank every one of you for help in the various ways that you have and still continue to do so to make our Church home a place where everyone one is welcomed and invited to Come and See! Michael Eftimie
The ageless Wonders will be supplying greeters at our FoodFest again this year. Put aside some time October 14th.to16th.to volunteer. See you soon, Margaret
F ESTIVAL HELP NEEDED: Please sign up to volunteer for Festival! http:// midcitiesgreekfest.info/ or email Cynthia Pursley at cmpursley@yahoo.com. We need help with Parking!!!! GREEK DANCING Hellenic dancers have practice this Saturday 8th at 9 am. Olympian dancers have practice this Saturday 8th at 10 am.
ALL groups have a final Sunday practice on the 9th following service. Hellenic & Olympians we will also have a stage practice on Wednesday 12th H- at 7 pm O- at 8 pm Please make sure you wear your heels. Please see emails below for copy of Festival dance schedules and what to bring list. Any other questions, please let me know. Thank you! G. Poulakos 817-395-3656
BAKING Please remember that on Saturday, Oct. 8th, starting 8:30 am: we will be meeting to bake Baklava. Lunch will be provided. We are planning to do this year 90 pans, so please come here and help! If anyone has any questions please feel free to call Lynn Peters at 817-721-4190 Thank you ! bless you all!
May
God
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A BOUT T RUE C OMMITMENT (C ONT .) (Continued from page 1)
Our Christian life is established on this truth, without Christ dying on the Cross and rising from the tomb we would have no future beyond this cruel, fallen reality, and, at some point would be good to appreciate that life is more than just the next stop on our mad rat race against time. It seems sometimes that we are so committed to the needs of our close family circle, that all the other obligations, especially those that pertain to our faith, start fading away. If we truly believe in the bold truth that man was holding up yesterday, then this belief requires some serious action from our side. The end of every year in our parish is about committing: committing to volunteer to the Greek Festival, committing to our stewardship program, committing to our iconography project, committing to be part of the parish council or any of our ministries and so on. All is good and very useful to our community. Along all this however we should not forget to pledge to also completely rebuild of our own commitments in Christ. We have made such a commitment to God at the time of our baptism, either ourselves or through the mouth of our Godfather or Godmother. We vouched that we will keep our baptismal garment white and spotless and we will uphold the ways of God. Yet ever since that time we kept sinning, some big, some small, but we shy away, day after day, from our original
spiritual pledge. It happens despite our best intentions and it happens because God does not want to take away our precious freedom. He does not want us to be His puppets, but His partners in the refashioning of the world that started at Resurrection. He does not want to do everything for us; He desires that we become partners in our own salvation by re-acknowledging our promise, year after year, a sort of an updated “informed consent” reaffirming our baptismal vows. The problem is that we keep moving the date of this commitment like a wedding date we are not ready for. Every time we get closer to God we get colder and colder feet. “I will have time to come to Liturgy next week, I will pledge next year for stewardship, I will sing in a choir once I’ll have free some time to practice” and we can go on and on with the excuses. Procrastination is a Christian’s worst enemy. But hear what Jesus says, “In an acceptable time I heard you, and in a day of salvation, I helped you; Behold, now is the accepted time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2Co 6:2). Notice He didn’t say tomorrow is the day, but clearly He expresses the urgency of doing now what we already know we have to do. We need to stop bring excuses to the dinner that we are invited by God every minute of our lives: “[…] I have bought a piece of land, […] I have bought five yoke of oxen, […] I have married a wife“(Luk 14:18-20); the excuses won’t do us any good. We have to make a commitment
to God that we will live our lives according to His will and act upon it today. The ultimate commitment of the Orthodox Christian is a commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is known in and through His Church. The Divine Liturgy calls upon us to “commit ourselves, one another, and our whole life unto Christ our God.” We also pray, prior to receiving Holy Communion, “O Master Who loves mankind, unto you we commit our whole life and our hope.” Each of us is unique and blessed by the Holy Spirit with different gifts and vocations in life, therefore, our personal commitment to Christ will be expressed differently. Yet, this commitment should always be built upon a worship of God and a loving concern for others. So as we approach the end of this year don’t wait to hear your name called, don’t wait to be “drafted” to participate in your life in Christ, but rise up of your own accord and be an active citizen of the Kingdom. The commitments we are called to make today define who we are going to be tomorrow. We may or may not be able to fulfill all our ambitious plans here at St. John’s, but by carrying these effort we will be able to rediscover our true priorities, to come together us a community of love, to re-kindle the spark of holiness God has put in all of us from the beginning, no matter what the outcome will be, we will still be winners.
Abraam responding to God’s call
E ACH OF US IS UNIQUE AND BLESSED BY THE H OLY S PIRIT WITH DIFFERENT GIFTS AND VOCATIONS IN LIFE , THEREFORE , OUR PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO C HRIST WILL BE EXPRESSED DIFFERENTLY .
Moses following God’s commandments
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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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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 I am so happy to tell you all that our goal is within reach, we have grown to 141 stewards! We have great hope to be able motivate all of you to leap over the $ 51,000 gap and fulfill our needs for 2016. This is extremely important for all the good work in our parish! Spread the word, talk with a friend today and tell them about all the good happening here!
choose a ministry of your liking and get involved! Thank you for committing yourselves to our wonderful parish, I hope those that have not yet filled out a stewardship card will do so soon.
Stewardship 2 0 1 6 Information as of 09/22/2016 Goal to cover expenses: $328,521 Pledged: $276,991 Short: $ 51,530
No. of Stewards: 141
God bless you all, and thank you again for your support.
T HANK
Sincerely, Angela Cline Cecila Junell Stewardship Committee
Your time and talents are needed more than ever:
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
YOU FOR COMMITTING YOURSELVES TO OUR WONDERFUL PARISH , T HE K EY IS TO G ET INVOLVED !
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Y OUTH M INISTRIES R EPORT SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER NEWS FROM YOUTH MINISTRIES
T HE ANNUAL H ALLOWEEN H IDEAWAY WILL TAKE PLACE S ATURDAY , O CT . 29.
Youth Ministries held its Fall Planning session Aug. 28. At the meeting we organized our annual Back to School Brats, Burgers & Beans Luncheon which was held on Sept. 18 and was a great success. It’s always good to see the kids back in school, excited to learn and to get ready for festival dancing! Thanks goes to all who helped including Connie Rafailedes, Leo and Theresa Alexander, Chris Geil, Tina Molhoek, George and Khanh Moutafis, Joanie Ruppel, Michael Eftimie, Michael Poriotis as well as all the teachers and parents who brought side dishes, salads, drinks or desserts. YM was very glad to have several GOYA officers present at our meeting. The GOYA has big plans for the new school year, including a new frappe booth for the festival. They
also are considering a parish blood drive in November. Details to come. The kids suggested that parishioners be notified about future GOYA events by email as well as on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat). This will also serve to inform families of GOYA-age kids. We are all glad to see the kids so engaged in parish life. As the St. John Dancers prepare to take the stage next week (Oct. 14, 15 and 16), Gina Poulakos and Allison Reimer are putting the final touches on their dance numbers. Sandra Geil is busy making sure everyone’s costumes fit. Many thanks to our dedicated dance team! The annual Halloween Hideaway will take place Saturday, Oct. 29. Please see Athena Russo or Corey Ellis for details. We ask that all families bring enough pumpkins for each child in their family. Athena can be reached at athe-
na_russo@yahoo.com or 347678-5177; Corey is at cmellis8604@yahoo.com or 214-280-9494. Looking ahead, the Christmas Pageant is planned for Dec. 18. We have new costumes this year and look forward to the participation of all our church school kids. We would like to bring the new costumes to Church School on Nov. 13 and allow the teachers to assign parts and costumes to the kids. Our amazing choir director, Kirsten Shah, will direct the show again with assistance from the teachers. Two microphones on either side of the “stage” with children cued to their lines, should make for a more dynamic performance this year. Here’s to a fruitful new school year! Harriet Blake Youth Ministries Coordinator
C HURCH S CHOOL Church School Families, I hope everyone had a fabulous Summer Break! We have a great Church School Year Planned. Registration Forms were available in the Narthex beginning Sunday, September 4th. They were completed in advance and placed in the Church School mailbox in the Hall, or turned them into each child’s teacher on the First day of Class. September 18th was our first day of Church School. Father dismissed the children after they received communion. Our Calendar for the year was distributed, for they will be a
handy reference throughout the year. Immediately following our first day of classes, everybody returned to the Church Hall and enjoyed Burgers and Brats. The men cooked up the hamburgers and bratwurst, and everyone who joined us enjoyed some fellowship. We are thankful to have Corey Ellis volunteering to support our classrooms and us this year. Our wonderful teachers this year are: Pre-K – Kindergarten--Allison Reimer First and Second --- Theresa
Alexander Third and Fourth--- Esther Petercsak Fifth through Eighth --- Harriet Blake High School --- Pres. Tudora and Anca Morcovescu and Michael Strong Once again, I look forward to a wonderful and exciting Church School Year!!! As always, contact me if you have questions. Veronica Fisher Church School Coordinator veronicafisherps50@gmail.com
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PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Hello All!! Our new Ecclesiastical year has begun and so has a new year of important work for our St. Irene Philoptochos Chapter. We have been working steadily on Taverna Night and getting ready for our Festival. If you have not yet purchased your ticket for Taverna Night, please see Liz Strong. Tickets are $45 per person or $360 for a table of 8. If you can help set-up on Thursday, October 13th, we
would love to have your help. It is a fun way to meet new folks, enjoy fellowship and lend your helping hands. Don’t forget to check the Sunday Bulletin for our upcoming Baking Days. We love to visit and bake yummy goods. Our next Union Gospel Mission Sandwich Making Night is coming up on Wednesday, October 5th. Please join us if you can. Lots of folks making sandwiches and packing sacks helps the work go
quickly. I continue to be proud and thankful to be associated with this fabulous group of ladies, locally and nation-wide. I invite each Orthodox woman to consider joining us this year; this group of amazing ladies of the St. Irene Philoptochos Society. Veronica Fisher President, St. Irene Philoptochos
T ICKETS
GOYA NEWS Fellow Parishioners,
4th).
The Greek Festival is approaching, which means our Greek dance practices are starting up again! Here are the times for the dance groups in order of how we will be practicing: OPA: 12:15 -12:45 Young Athenians: 12:45 - 1:15 Hellenic: 1:15 - 2:15 Olympians: 2:15 - 3:15 Please note that these times may vary.
GOYA is taking place in many exciting activities around our church and our community! One particular activity is our blood drive we are hosting through Carter Blood Care. Important information to know about the drive: -12p-3p (begins after Divine Liturgy) -Just to clarify, GOYANs will only be assisting with making sure everybody stays hydrated and fed. We will be able to answer any questions about the process, but
We will be having dance practice every Sunday up until the festival. We did not have practice on Labor Day Weekend (September
the phlebotomist will be the only one to actually draw the blood. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me: penelopilamb@gmail.com As always, if you are in grades 6 - 12 and want to join our fun -filled, Christ-centered youth group, our meetings occur the first Sunday of every month. Regards, Penelopi Yiantsou GOYA Vice President
GOYA E VENTS 2016 GOYA Southern Region Fall Retreat The 2016 Southern Region Fall Retreat will be held November 11-13, 2016, at Pine Cove in Columbus, Texas, for youth ages 11-18 years. The registration fee is $125 for goyans and advisers. Click here for additional information and to register now! Registration Now Open!
The 2017 GOYA Basketball
2017 Oratorical Festival
The event will take place in Dallas, Texas, from January 13 -16, 2017. Participant registration for GOYAns, Advisers, Coaches, and Family is now open! Register today!
March 17-19, 2017 Hosted by St. Demetrios Parish—Fort Worth, Texas
Become a Sponsor for the 2017 GOYA Basketball Event!
Visit the Oratorical Festival page on the youth site for additional information, including 2017 topics!
FOR T AVERNA N IGHT ARE $45 PER PERSON OR $360 FOR A TABLE OF
8. PLEASE SEE L IZ S TRONG
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ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHOIR MEMBERS SING AT 43rd ARCHDIOCESE CLERGY-LAITY CONGRESS
Grand Ole Opry House, in Nashville, TN.
S T . J OHN ' S
WAS WELL REPRESENTED IN THE A LL A MERICAN CHOIR WHICH SANG THE HYMNS AND RESPONSES DURING THE H IERARCHAL L ITURGY
On Sunday, July 3, 2016, St. John's was well represented in the All-American choir which sang the hymns and responses during the Hierarchal Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios and many of the Holy Synod Hierarchs, including Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver. Singing in the 120-voice choir were Kirsten Shah, our St. John's Choir Director; Bill Poletes; Rena Poletes and George Vittas. Afterward, Archbishop Demetrios remarked as to how beautifully the choir created and uplifted the mood and meaning of the liturgy to the many hundreds of faithful who filled the spacious venue known as the Grand 'Ol Opry House... Yes, this year, the ClergyLaity Congress was held in Nashville, Tennessee at Opryland and it concurrently and jointly included the national conferences of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society and the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians... Father Vasile and Michael Eftimie, Parish Council President, represented our parish during the Clergy-Laity Congress... Barbara Vittas, Bertha Gianulis and Veronica Fisher represented the Denver Metropolis and our parish during the National Philoptochos conference proceedings...
St. John The Baptist was exceptionally well represented among the more than 1,000 joint attendees. Following the Hierarchal Liturgy on Sunday, the National Forum Choir group also sang at the opening ceremonies of the ClergyLaity Congress and the National Philoptochos Conference. St. John's choir members then participated in the National Forum meetings and constituted the largest single parish choir delegation from the Denver Metropolis. The meetings included discussions of how to foster congregational singing, jointly supportive choir/ chanter singing and the introduction of new church music and liturgical publications including the "Violakis Typikon" and the "Byzantine Liturgy: Hymnology And Order" by Theodore Bogdanos, both of these monumental works having been edited by the late George T. Demos, M.D. of Denver, one of the great chanters and singers of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America among recent generations. In particular, the former publication is the new, bilingual edition of the original "Typikon of the Great Church of Christ" by George Violakis, Head
Chanter (Protopsaltis) of the Patriarchate of Constantinople at the end of the 19th Century (1800s), and was the sole authoritative document outlining and stipulating the order (taxis) of all the services celebrated within the Church. It was Dr. Demos' desire to preserve and perpetuate the order and beauty of our church services that drove him over a period of sixteen (16) years to republish the Typikon in bilingual format, each page of the original Greek faced on the opposing page by its English translation by Rev. Robert Athas, with a comprehensive dictionary of all liturgical terms in the last chapter. It is an imposing book, completed by Dr. Demos at his home in the early hours of one morning in 2012, whereupon George Demos fell asleep in the Lord at his desk. His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah wrote the following in his moving introductory comments to the book: ".... all
who use this beautiful work will offer grateful thanks to God for blessing Dr. Demos in completing this work. Countless Orthodox Christians will benefit greatly in singing praises to God which will inspire our faithful people to continue their life of worship in our ancient traditions for their sanctification" George P. Vittas, P.E. gpv2011@att.net +1 (817) 874-6128
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T HE H OLY P ROTECTION This miraculous appearance of the Mother of God 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. On Sunday, October 1, during the All Night Vigil, when the church was overflowing with those at prayer, the Fool-for-Christ St Andrew (October 2), at the fourth hour, lifted up his eyes towards the heavens and beheld our most Holy Lady Theotokos coming through the air, resplendent with heavenly light and surrounded by an assembly of the Saints. St John the Baptist and the holy Apostle John the Theologian accompanied the Queen of Heaven. On bended knees the Most Holy Virgin tearfully prayed for Christians for a long time. Then, coming near the Bishop’s Throne, she continued her prayer. After completing her prayer she took her veil and spread it over the people praying in church, protecting them from enemies both visible and invisible. The Most Holy Lady Theotokos was resplendent with heavenly glory, and 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
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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.”
holy Protection should not remain without festal celebration, O EverBlessed One!”
Therefore, in the festal celebration of the Protection of the Mother of God, the OrThe Ever-Blessed Mother of thodox Church sings: “Today God implored the Lord Jesus the Virgin stands in the midst of Christ to accept the prayers of the Church and with choirs of all the people calling on His saints she invisibly prays to God Most Holy Name, and to refor us. Angels and bishops worspond speedily to her interces- ship, apostles and prophets rejoice sion, “O Heavenly King, accept all together, since for our sake she those who pray to You and call on prays to the pre-eternal God.” my name for help. Do not let them On the Feast of the Protection go away from my icon unheard.” of the Most Holy Theotokos Sts Andrew and Epiphanius we implore the defense and were worthy to see the Mother assistance of the Queen of of God at prayer, and “for a long Heaven: time observed the Protecting Veil “Remember us in your prayers, O spread over the people and shining Lady Virgin Mother of God, that with flashes of glory. As long as the we not perish by the increase of Most Holy Theotokos was there, our sins. Protect us from every evil the Protecting Veil was also visible, and from grievous woes, for in you but with her departure it also bedo we hope, and venerating the came invisible. After taking it with Feast of your Protection, we magher, she left behind the grace of her nify you.” visitation.” In Greece in more recent At the Blachernae church, the years, the Feast of the Protecmemory of the miraculous tion has become associated appearance of the Mother of with thanksgiving for the deGod was remembered. In the liverance of the Greek nation fourteenth century, the Rusfrom the Italian invasion of sian pilgrim and clerk Alexan1940. These events are comder, saw in the church an icon memorated in Greece in a of the Most Holy Theotokos national holiday known as praying for the world, depict"Ochi Day" or "No Day," ing St Andrew in contemplareferring to the response of tion of her. the Greek leader Metaxas to In the PROLOGUE, a Russian Mussolini's ultimatum. book of the twelfth century, a description of the establishment of the special Feast marking this event states, “For when we heard, we realized how wondrous and merciful was the vision... and it transpired that Your
Protection Icon
A FTER COMPLETING HER PRAYER SHE TOOK HER VEIL AND SPREAD IT OVER THE PEOPLE PRAYING IN CHURCH , PROTECTING THEM FROM ENEMIES BOTH VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE .
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A BBA A NTHONY
O UR C ATECHISM CLASSES HAVE S TARTED ON S EPTEMBER 25 TH C OME AND SEE US !
Brothers came to Abba Anthony, and said to him, Speak a word for us. How may we be saved? The elder said to them, You have heard the Scriptures. You have the means well enough. But they said, But we want to hear from you, Father. And the elder said to them, The Gospel says, If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, also turn to him the other. They said to him, We are not able to do this. The elder said to them, If you are not able also to turn the other cheek, then permit just one to be struck. They said to him, We cannot do this. The elder said, If you are not able to do this, do not give as you have received. And they said, We cannot do this. So the elder said to his disciple, Make them a little soup, for they are weak. If you cannot do this, and will not do that, what can I do for you? You need prayers.
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 2016-2017 COMING TO AN E ND !
Our Catechism / faith enrichment classes have already started on September 25th. There is still time to register, everyone is welcome! Don't forget our Parish Library, now open. Also check-out our New Bookstore in the hall
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 October 2016 SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT 1 Holy Protection of Theotokos Ananias, Apostle of the 70 Romanos the Melodist
Strict Fast
Wine/Oil
Orthros 8:00am Divine Liturgy 9:00am
Allowed
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Dionysios the Areopagite John the Chozebite
Hierotheos, Bishop of Athens Domnia and her daughters
Charitina the Mayor Methodia of Kimolos
Thomas the Apostle Erotels of Cappadocia
Sergius & Bacchus of Syria Polychronios the Hieromartyr
Pelagia the Righteous Pelagia of Antioch
10
11
12
14
15
Eulampios & Eulampia Theophilus the Confessor
Philip the Apostle of the 70 Theophanes, Bishop of Nicea
Nazarios, Gervasios, Protasios, & Celsius Kosmas the Hagiopolite
Loukianos of Antioch Savinos, Bishop of Catania
Mid Cities Greek Fest
Mid Cities Greek Fest
2nd. Sunday of Luke Cyprian and Justina Eleutherios and Roustikos Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am
9
Paraklesis 6:00pm
13
Vespers 5:00pm
3rd. Sunday of Luke James the son of Alphaeus Andronicus & Athanasia of Egypt Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am
16 Sunday of the 7th. Ecumenical Council Longinos the Centurion Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am Mid Cities Greek Fest
23
Symeon the New Theologian Provos, Andronicus, & Tarachos
Carpos, Papylos, Agathodoros, & Agathoniki Benjamin the Martyr Taverna Night
Paraklesis 6:00pm
17
18
Hosea the Prophet Cosmas and Damian of Arabia
Luke the Evangelist Marinos the Martyr
19 Joel the Prophet Varys the Martyr
20
21
Artemios of Antioch Gerasimos of Cephalonia
Hilarion the Great Relics of Christodoulos of Patmos
Paraklesis 6:00pm
24
25
26
Vespers 6:00pm
22 Averkios of Hierapolis Righteous Rufus Vespers 5:00pm
27
28
29
Holy Protection of the Theotokos Terrence and Eunice
Anastasia of Rome Avramios & Maria
5th. Sunday of Luke James the Apostle Ignatius, Pat. Of Constan.
Arethas the Great Martyr Sebastiane the Martyr
Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am Philoptochos meeting Parish Council meeting IOCC Fundraiser (Holy Trinity GOC)
30
31
6th. Sunday of Luke Cleopas of the 70 Zenobios & Zenobia Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am
Stachys of the 70 Nicholas the new Martyr
Marcianos & Martirios Tabitha, raised by Peter
Great Earthquake Constantinople Demetrios the Myrrh-Streamer
Nestor of Thessaloniki Kyriakos, Pat. Of Constan.
Vespers 5:00pm Halloween Hideway 6:00pm
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. 9-10 September-October 2016
Holy Protection of the Theotokos, October 1 , 2016