S T . J OHN
THE
B APTIST G REEK O RTHODOX C HURCH
T HE F ORERUNNER V OLUME XXXIV
N UMBER 02
MARCH -A PRIL
2017
S PECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST :
T HROUGH
A
M IRROR D IMLY
Lent is upon us and as we start cleaning our fridges of the food that we feasted upon until this point, we also start a much deeper interior cleaning of our inner being to prepare our souls for the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord. Every year though, Lent looms over as a big and scary thing, mostly because it is something that stretches us to our limits. How much should I fast? How long can I resist standing? How many prostrations I should do? How many services are there to attend? Is it Pascha already? As thoughts like this pass through our minds we boldly move ahead with the discipline of fasting and the heightened rhythm of prayer and, just as a long-distance runner, we start getting into a steady pace that, alongside the grace of the Lord will take us all the way to our desired destination… Sigh…Don’t you wish it was that easy? In real fasting-life things are generally messier. In our house, we have 5 kids and amongst them two teenage boys that are constantly hungry. My wife sets up a nice meal that took her half a day to cook and after five minutes is gone while the boys are in the pantry foraging for ramen noodles. Then the packed lunches to replace the
Through a Mirror Dimly
Parish Council Capsule
Stewardship for 2017
Youth Ministries News
GOYA news
Philoptochos News
The Pascha Family Basket
The Saturday of the Akathist Hymn
The Ladder of Divine Ascent
Book and Soup for the Soul
March-April Calendar
(Continued on page 2)
I NSIDE THIS ISSUE :
C OUNCIL C APSULE The new year has begun and we are already well on our way to another prosperous calendar year. I would like to take a moment to welcome all our new council members
C OUNCIL C APSULE
2
Chrysanthi Andromalos, Florentina Constantineanu, Monty Truitt, Steven Killfoil and Ivo Ivanov
GOYA N EWS
7
Our group is dedicated to representing the wellbeing of this parish and it shows. We have recently gathered for our annual Council Retreat to discuss our mission and set our goals for the year. The care & energy each member of our team has displayed is a good sign for the continued development of our parish’s future. Together with the council & each member of the parish we can accomplish anything.
Y OUTH M INISTRIES
8
P HILOPTOCHOS
9
Let’s look at some of last year’s accomplishments. We have had another successful Greek Food Festival, thanks to the help & contributions from everyone in our community. We have (Continued on page 2)
MUSIC
M INISTRIES
C ALENDAR
13 14
T HE F ORERUNNER
P AGE 2
C OUNCIL ’ S C APSULE (Continued from page 1)
Upgraded our sound system, helping our community hear the service more clearly & worship. During our grounds & maintenance day we improved the beauty of the church outdoors, relocated the bookstore, & refinished our new library. Finally, and maybe most recognizable the Narthex Iconography Project
NONE OF T HE THINGS WE DO IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT THE HELP AND CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY EACH MEMBER OF OUR PARISH .
has been completed. This iconography has undoubtedly transformed the church by allowing our parishioners & guests to submerse themselves in the spirituality of the Orthodox Faith from the moment they step in the door. Again, none of these things are accomplished without the help and contributions made by each member of our parish. The council is here to
continue to represent our community & lead the way as we grow into the future. As we have witnessed, we can only do this with your help. Please join us in our effort as we continue the development of our community’s bright future. Michael Poriotis Parish Council president
A GELESS W ONDERS The Ageless Wonders meeting for March is still undetermined. News will be forthcoming soon. April is Easter holidays and there is lots to do, so I want you all to think about supporting our St. Irene Philoptochos Festival of
Tables fundraiser on Saturday April 29 2017. It will be held at the Texas Star Golf and Conference Center in Euless. Parishioners host and decorate a table of ten. This is a great way to entertain your friends and family.
This is going to be a luncheon and style show with door prizes and silent auction. Should be a fun day for all. More info will be announced soon. I'll be in touch .......Margaret
T HROUGH A M IRROR D IMLY (C ONT .) grow into? The discipline of Great Lent heightens our non-vegetarian meals at the spiritual mindfulness and cafeteria, and the constant allows us, as we struggle grocery shopping of fruits and with its different aspects, to veggies that disappear like learn, through imperfect into a black hole. Yes, it is experiences and failings, messy. what we need to work on to achieve the perfection we So why are we putting ourare called to attain: “Be ye selves through this every year, We are called to grow “unto a therefore perfect, even as your only to fall and to fumble like perfect man, unto the measure of Father which is in heaven is novices learning a new skill? the stature of the fullness of perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Christ” (Ephesians 4:13), but One thought I would like to how can I grow if I do not From failing to follow the share with you is that, for me know my current stature, if I eating discipline of fasting at least, fasting is like a trutham not made aware of where ful mirror of my own weak(Continued on page 3) I stand and what I need to (Continued from page 1)
nesses. Every year, confronted with giving up the comfort of my pampered life, I have a hard time letting it go. The discipline of fasting underlines my faults and awakens my awareness of the true state of my becoming in Christ.
V OLUME XXXIV
T HROUGH
A
N UMBER 02
P AGE 3
M IRROR D IMLY (C ONT .)
(Continued from page 2)
we learn how much we are surrounded by food everywhere: at home, at work, in our cars, in front of our TVs even in bed. Through fasting hopefully, we’ll be able to start replacing this constant material snacking with spiritual bits that nourish our souls with a much more filling and sustainable food. We can learn to “munch” on a few minutes of the Jesus prayer, to get “filled” by the lives of the Saints and “feast” by partaking in the Body of Christ during a Presanctified Divine Liturgy. The heavy schedule of Lenten services puts pressure on our busy schedules and could potentially highlight that we consciously or unconsciously waste a lot of time on frivolous activities. Learning to be better stewards of the time we received from God is a great Lesson of Lent as we become aware that “all things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not”( 1 Corinthians 10:23) and that we should “walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:1617). We can redeem the time that God has provided for us by participating in the timeless experience of the beautiful opportunities of prayer that are set in front of us during Lent. The heightened work of almsgiving we are called to achieve is yet another eye-
opener, as we try to be more generous with our treasure and often we find out that looking for the smallest bill in our wallet to hand out to a homeless person may not be what Christ would want us to do. Caring for our fellow man reveals a camaraderie in life and in its unavoidable pain that strengthens our relationship in Christ and brings together His Body by realizing that “whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” (! Corinthians 12:26) Fasting, prayer and almsgiving, the three pillars of Lent, are great opportunities for self-reflection and action for every Christian that is engaged in his personal growth in Christ. Yes, we will stumble and fall through Lent many a time, yet, by suffering the pain of failing, we may learn that every fall is an opportunity to rise “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” (Proverbs 24:16) We persevere through fasting every year, we put ourselves through the ringer during each Lenten season because we want to say, as the Apostle did “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Resurrection is our destination and the journey through Great Lent exposes ourselves in a mirror that is made less and less dim (1 Corinthians 13:12) by its discipline. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Corinthians 13:5) and the Kingdom will open its arms to receive you. Have a Great Lent and a glorious Resurrection!
The Mystical Supper
“I
HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT , I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE , I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH : HENCEFORTH THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
(2 T IMOTHY 4:7-8).
The Resurrection
T HE F ORERUNNER
P AGE 4
“Y OU
ARE THE
V OICE
OF
C HRIST
The base from which we serve as the Voice of Christ in a Changing World is the parish. A strong parish provides opportunities for sharing the Good News of Christ, and welcoming those that are searching for a spiritual home.
A
CHECK MAILED TO THE CHURCH IS MUCH MORE MEANINGFUL WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY YOUR PRESENCE , BY YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE , BY YOUR PRAYERS , AND BY YOUR COMMITMENT .
The parish also provides a place for worship, community and education in the faith. To be stewards of the Gospel, we need to be stewards of our parish. This requires the vision and inspiration to see the parish, not as it is, but as it could be. We are called to offer ourselves and our treasure to make our local church all that it can be. Our Parish has ministry programs in the areas of Youth (our vibrant GOYA ministry, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Camp Emanuel, Regional Retreats), Seniors (our beautiful Ageless Wonders), Outreach (through our generous and dedicated Philoptochos organization, our annual Greek Festival, our Inquirers program, our websites and social media presence), Wor-
IN THE
M ODERN W ORLD ,”
ship (Choir, Chanters, Acolytes) and so much more. With your involvement these ministries are thriving, but, without your participation, they wither and die. We ask you wholeheartedly to come, join and support these worthy ministries so our Christian voice may be heard inside and outside our parish. Giving to His Church, your Church, is a way to thank God for His
grace and generosity. The most important question is “How can I thank God for my many blessings?” I invite you to be participate in the in our 2017 Saint John’s Stewardship Program. You have the opportunity to make our commitment to our Church and give thanks for God’s many blessings. Before completing your Stewardship Commitment Card, please give prayerful consideration to the commitment you are making. A check mailed to the church is much more meaningful when accompanied by your
presence, by your willingness to serve, by your prayers, and by your commitment. Giving is not a substitute for commitment – it is an expression of your commitment and an expression of thanks for the many blessings in your life. Stewardship is an opportunity to examine our priorities and values, to express out thankfulness, to give of ourselves and to grow in grace. It allows us to participate in the work of God. Our hope is to build a culture at St. John's that emulates the kingdom of God with abundance, joy, peace, and love along with a welcoming environment. We want you to be a part of that environment. I pray that all of you will participate in our 2017 Stewardship Program and be engaged in many of our parish programs and ministries. With paternal Blessings for 2017, In Christ, Fr. Vasile Tudora
V OLUME XXXIV
N UMBER 02
G IVE , G IVE G IVE ... Christian Stewardship is about becoming good caretakers of all that God has given us. God has given each of us special and unique gifts. And through Holy Scripture He 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 the gifts He has given us. Everything we have is temporal. We don’t know for how long we have it. The fundamental question, though, is how will we use all that we have for the glory of God? One day, a person complained to his priest that the Church and Christianity is one continual “give, give, give.” To which the priest
IS
A LL
P AGE 5
ABOUT RECEIVING
replied, “Thank you very much for the finest definition of Christianity I have ever heard. You’re right, Christianity is all about a constant “give, give, give.” God giving His only Son to the world to show His unconditional love. His Son Jesus giving His life on the cross to forgive our sins and destroy death. Then our Lord’s disciples giving all they had to make sure God’s Good News of love was preached to all people everywhere. They not only gave away their homes and businesses, but even gave up their lives as martyrs in gratitude to God!
powering, transfiguring, loving ministry through the Church. For God, Infinite though He be, has chosen to work through us, through our gifts, to continue His saving work in the world today
Stewardship Information as of 01/01/2017 Goal: Pledged: Short:
$355,337 $255,956 $90,381
No. of Stewards: 109
It is by offering our blessings back to God that He will be able to continue His forgiving, healing, liberating, em-
H OW TO BECOME A STEWARD IN 2017? FAQ S How do I become a member of the parish?
ber to remain current through the year on their commitMembership in the Orthodox ments. Overall true membership in the Body of Christ, Church begins at Baptism involves living daily according (Chrismation for some) and continues throughout our life. to His word and within His Church. We are united with Christ through the sacraments and Why must I commit to give through our faithful offering a specific amount? of our lives to Christ. We Knowing the amount of your have to distinguish however monetary participation helps between voting members and our parish plan the activities non-voting members. A votthroughout the year. Your ing member is over 18 years monetary stewardship is kept old and has turned in a signed in the strictest of confidence. stewardship commitment card (for time, talent and treasure). The Archdiocese What if I cannot fulfill my also requires the voting memstewardship 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
C HRISTIANITY
IS ALL ABOUT A CONSTANT “ GIVE , GIVE , GIVE .” G OD GIVING H IS ONLY S ON TO THE WORLD TO SHOW H IS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE . H IS S ON J ESUS GIVING H IS LIFE ON THE CROSS TO FORGIVE OUR SINS AND DESTROY DEATH .
N EWSLETTER T ITLE
P AGE 6
T HE F AMILY PASCHA B ASKET by Fr. Gregory Wigenbach "Do not turn aside too readily from the ancient traditions you have received from the elders, which they in turn learned at their forefathers' feet...(for) they may still prove profitable to you and yours in your times of need." Wisdom of Sirach
T HE
CUSTOM HAS ITS C HRISTIAN ORIGINS FROM THE EARLY C HURCH ' S A POSTOLIC AND SUB - APOSTOLIC COMMUNITIES .
If you adopt a new homeland and assimilate its ways and culture into your own, it can certainly be a positive religious and cultural experience. St. Paul's apostolate among the Greeks, as well as the Byzantine-Greek Christians' mission among the Slavic people amply illustrates this. An even richer synthesis of cultures can result, helping the Church to witness that much more effectively - to the Word of God among the native people. However, there is also a "negative assimilation," which tends to throw aside elements of prime value from the original heritage. Catastrophes in history can do this. The fall of the Byzantine Christian Commonwealth to the conquering Moslem Turks was one such catastrophe whose crippling effects are still with us. Many significant religious traditions were lost or their meanings distorted by paramythia" [stories or tales]. A very ancient custom which "fell by the wayside" among the Greeks as a result of the
400 years of Turkish rule, was the custom of "blessing the family baskets" of Paschal food at Easter. It is still widespread among the Slavic nations who inherited the Orthodox Christian faith and culture from the Byzantine Greeks. Though during my graduate pastoral internship over a dozen years ago, in northern Greece and in the Peloponnesos region, I did
come across the custom in two Greek village communities. I also heard mention of it from a few of my fellow priest-classmates at the University of Thessaloniki. The custom has its Christian origins from the early Church's Apostolic and subapostolic communities. In those days the faithful, as a matter of course, gathered together as an interdependent "family of families," sharing
all the fruits of their labor as gifts of God to be offered and blessed on the high holydays. The blessing of the grapes and fruits on the Feast of the Transfiguration still survives among some Greek communities. The early Christians - whatever their ethnic identity received the tradition from their Jewish spiritual ancestors. Even the ancient name of "Pascha" was translated directly from the Hebrew "Pesach", meaning "to pass-over". Hence, the English name among both Jews and Christians of traditional observance is "The Pasch," or "The Passover". According to the ancient tradition the mother and father of the family would carefully set aside the best of certain basic foods and drink, or symbolic portions thereof, during Holy Week. These were foods which the family would deny themselves during the whole of the Great Paschal Fast. In certain communities the local basketmaker would make a large, new basket for each of the parish families, as new an offering as the foods and the "spring cleaning" that took place amidst hymn-singing. The new basket, finally put together on Holy Saturday morning after the Liturgy of Anticipation [Vesper-Liturgy (Continued on page 11)
V OLUME XXXIV
N UMBER 02
P AGE 7
P ASCHA S ERMON OF S T . J OHN C HRYSOSTOM If you are devout and love God, enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival. If you are a grateful servant, enter, rejoicing, into the joy of your Lord. If you followed the fast, receive your payment now. If you worked from the first hour, receive today your just reward. If you came after the third hour, you are welcomed to celebrate. If you arrived after the sixth hour, have no doubt; for you suffer no loss. If you delayed until the ninth hour, come near with no cause to hesitate. If you arrived even at the eleventh hour, do not be fearful of the lateness; for the Lord is generous and accepts the last as He does the first. He gives rest to him of the eleventh hour, as to him who worked from the first hour. He shows mercy to the last and attends to the first. To the one is given and to the other is granted. He accepts the works and welcomes the volition. He honors the act and praises the intention. All of you, therefore, enter into the joy of our Lord; both first and last, receive your reward. You rich and poor, with
one another dance. You who are abstinent and you who are indolent, honor this day. You who have fasted and you who have not fasted, be glad today. The table is richly laden; all of you, feast sumptuously. The calf is plentiful; let no one depart hungry. All of you partake of the banquet of faith. All of you enjoy the wealth of goodness.
It was embittered, for it was dethroned.
Let no one deplore his poverty, for the Universal Kingdom has been revealed. Let no one lament for transgressions, because forgiveness has dawned from the Tomb. Let no one fear death, for the death of the Savior has set us free.
Christ is risen, and you are overthrown.
He subdued it when it took hold of Him. He despoiled Hades when He descended into Hades. He embittered it as it tasted of His flesh. And anticipating this, Isaiah cried out, “Hades was embittered when it encountered You below.” It was embittered, for it was abolished. It was embittered, for it was mocked.
It was embittered, for it was enchained. It received a body and came upon God. It received earth and met up with heaven. It received what it saw and stumbled upon what it did not see. Death, where is your sting? Hades, where isyour victory?
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life rules. Christ is risen, and not one is to be found dead in the tomb. For Christ rising from the dead has become the first to awaken among those who are asleep. To Him be the glory and the power to the ages of ages. Amen. Text approved 1994 Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver
It was embittered, for it was mortified.
GOYA N EWS GOYA is getting ready for some big things coming up, but before I mention any of those, I would like to congratulate all the participants in the Oratorical Festival, not just our brave goyans! It is so wonderful to see fellow busy teens make time out of their schedule and dedicate it to something so powerful and precious. We also have some leadership roles in the Sunday School
classroom as a few goyans have taken the initiative to plan and lead a group discussion for a few weeks based on the catechism course. More fundraisers and Blood Drives to come while we are also actively seeking community service opportunities within our parish and throughout the metroplex. Greek Dance practice will be starting up earlier this year, so be ready to dedicate
your time and talent just as our wonderful dance instructor Gina has! Fresh, new officers will be nominated April 2nd and elected on May 7th, just in time for the end of the school year. Can’t wait see all the goyans at the next meeting on April 2nd, God bless! Maria Tudora GOYA president
GOYA IS GETTING READY FOR SOME BIG THINGS COMING UP
T HE F ORERUNNER
P AGE 8
Y OUTH M INISTRIES R EPORT Youth Ministries wants to thank everyone for making our Feb. 5 Loukoumades fundraiser a success. And kudos to everyone who helped in the kitchen and behind the scenes: Connie Rafailedes, Tina and Abbie Molhoek, Nina Sullivan and Khanh and George Moutafis.
H IGHSCHOOL AND C OLLEGE G RADUATION L UNCH A PRIL 30
The 2017 Oratorical Festival was a great success. The Junior Division participants were Paulina Gianitsos and Matei Tudora; the senior division participants were Luca Tudora, Zoe Georgulas, Penelopi Yiantsou, Maria Tudora and Alex Shah. Matei and Alex were selected the top speakers in their divisions and will represent St. John’s at the regional Oratorical Festival at St. Demetrios the weekend of March 17-19. Our three judges were Georgia Spartos and Magda Fleming from St. Demetrios; and John Lucas from Holy Trinity The Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival was established in 1983 by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese to provide teenagers with an opportunity to write and talk about their faith. See attached link for participants of the 2015 Metropolitan Festival - you will see some familiar faces! Applications for the 2017 Philoptochos scholarship are available in the parish hall and online. All entries are due March 26. The scholarship is awarded to parish high school seniors who are pursuing higher education in either a two-year, four-year or trade school program. Please see Veronica Fisher, Gail Poriotis or Harriet Blake for questions.
The Church School Lenten Retreat will be held Saturday, April 8, in the church hall. Please join us as we learn about Holy Week, do Easter crafts and fold palm crosses for Palm Sunday. Luminary preparation will held in early April. The luminaries, which parishioners can sponsor in honor of a loved one, will be placed along the church walkway for Good Friday (April 13) and Resurrection (April 14-15) services. Deadline for sponsoring a luminary is April 9. Please see Khanh Moutafis for details. The luminary form can be found here: All girls, ages pre-school to sixth grade are invited to be a Myrofore on Good Friday, April 14. The Myrofores represent the myrrhbearing women who anointed the body of Christ in the Tomb. The girls must wear white and arrive at the church no later than 6.45. They will spread flower petals around the epitaphion. The church will provide the flowers and baskets. Melissa Barnes has graciously agreed to coordinate. The annual Pascha/Easter Egg Hunt is being organized once again by Athena Russo, who hopes to see all our kids join in this year’s festivities (April 16). Parents should bring 10-12 stuffed plastic eggs per child. The parish has lots of empty plastic eggs which we are happy to give out to all families. Youth Ministries will hold our annual high school and college Graduation Lunch April 30. We will announce the winner of the Philoptochos Scholarship that day. Church School Graduation/ End-of-Year Picnic will be May 21. We are looking for a coordinator. Youth Ministries will grill and parents/teachers provide sides.
Camp Emmanuel’s regular registration is due April 30 (early registration deadline is March 31). The senior session takes place June 11-17; the junior session June 18-24. (Note the dates have changed this year, senior session will be held first.) For those who are not familiar with Camp Emmanuel, the camp offers participants ages 11-18 an opportunity to retreat away from the everyday and experience life in a nurturing Orthodox Christian community. Camp Emmanuel is held at the Manzano Mountain Retreat facility in Torreon, New Mexico, outside of Albuquerque. Registration is $390 ($370 for multiple children in same family). Families can save 10% if they register early. See Metropolis website for details: Ionian Village registration opens March 1. Session One takes place June 24 – July 13; Session Two takes place. July 21 – August 9, 2017. To learn more about this amazing Orthodox camping experience in Greece, check out their website Closer to home, St. John’s Vacation Bible School will be held June 6-9. We are looking for volunteers (kids and adults) to help organize. Please see Harriet if you are available. And finally, all those interested in the youth of our parish are welcome to our spring planning meeting Sunday, March 26. Bring your coffee and join us in one of the Sunday School classrooms following services. God bless. Harriet Blake Youth Ministries Coordinator Christ in the Tomb. The girls must wear white and arrive at the church no later than 6.45.
V OLUME XXXIV
N UMBER 02
P AGE 9
PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Greetings… We had a fabulous Dessert Raffle on February 12th. We thank all the terrific Philoptochos ladies that donated baked goods and all the dessert-hungry folks who joined in on the Raffle fun. If you are a graduating senior and would like to apply for the Philoptochos Scholarship, the applications are now available in the Church Hall and on our church website. If you have any questions, please ask Gail Poriotis or Veronica Fisher. Applications are due the 1st. Sunday in April, which April 2nd. I extend an invitation to all of 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. You can be involved in our community, enjoy fellowship
with our fabulous ladies and fulfill the mission in 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. Our Membership Tea will be held on Sunday, March 19th. Thank you to all that have signed up to share your delicious Lenten recipes during our Lenten Soup Suppers. Please contact or check in with Kathy Fox to volunteer to bring a dish. We have our Easter Bake Sale forms available now. Our Baking Day will be April the 8th. and we will distribute our purchased baked goods on Sunday, April 9th. Here are some upcoming dates to keep in mind:
Fri, March 3, 2017 Lenten Soup Supper #1 Fri. March 17, 2017 Lenten Soup Supper #2 Sun. March 19, 2017 Membership Tea/ Membership Meeting Fri. March 31, 2017 Lenten Soup Supper # 3 Sat. April 8, 2017 Baking Day for Easter Bake Sale Sun. April 9, 2017 Palm Sunday/Pick Up for Bake Sale Sat. April 15 Anastasi Reception after Resurrection Service Sat. April 29 Festival of Tables Thur. Sun, May 4 - 7, 2017 Metropolis Philoptochos Conference, Denver Sun. May 14, 2017 Mother’s Day Celebration Project Sun., May 21, 2017 Membership Meeting Kali Sarakosti, Veronica Fisher President, St. Irene Philoptochos
C HURCH S CHOOL Greetings Church School Families, We are looking forward to a beautiful beginning to Great Lent. Passport stamps are available for each Sunday of Lent during Church School. Stamps will be available in the Narthex for “Trips”/ Services attended during the week. Here are some upcoming
dates that you may want to mark on your calendar: 2/26 -- Forgiveness Sunday 3/5 -- no class, Sunday of Orthodoxy (Procession of Icons) 3/12 --no class due to Spring Break 4/8 -- Lenten Retreat 4/9 -- Palm Sunday 4/16 --No Class, Great and Holy Pascha 5/21 --no class, End of Church School Year Awards and Picnic
Please make plans for all your students to attend our Lenten Retreat. Father Vasile will be offering Confession to all the students up to 12th grade. We will also be working on making Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday and Luminaries to line our pathway, again this year. Kali Sarakosti, Veronica Fisher Church School Coordinator
E ASTER B AKE S ALE FORMS AVAILABLE NOW
T HE F ORERUNNER
P AGE 10
T HE S ATURDAY
Icon of the Akathist Hymn
T HE M OST H OLY T HEOTOKOS
IS EXTOLLED IN THE AKATHIST WITH THE HELP OF VARIOUS METAPHORS , SIMILES , AND POETIC IMAGES .
Reading of the Akathist
OF THE
The Saturday of the fifth week of Great Lent is called the Saturday of the Akathist in the Church’s Typikon. The word “akathist” in Greek literally means “not-sitting” or “notsitting hymn,” that is, a hymn during which one is not supposed to sit. The akathist was written no later than the sixth century; a tradition exists that its author was St. Romanos the Melodist. In 626, in memory of the victory of the Greeks over the barbarians who besieged Constantinople and posed a threat to the lives of many, a kontakion was added to the akathist: “To Thee, the Champion Leader, we Thy servants dedicate a feast of victory and of thanksgiving as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos.” The Most Holy Theotokos is extolled in the akathist with the help of various metaphors, similes, and poetic images. The composition was written in Greek, and in the Greek original each of its lines corresponds rhythmically to the other lines; in many cases the endings of the verses rhyme. St. Romanos the Melodist, or another hymnographer whose name remains unknown to us, clothed the doctrine of the Most Holy Theotokos in entirely unique and very beautiful poetic form. People have been very fond of the akathist: over the centuries it has been read not only at divine services, but also during private prayer, both by monks and laymen.
A KATHIST H YMN
At a much later period many other akathists were created that were modeled on this one: such as, for instance, the akathist to the Sweetest Jesus and the akathists to St. Nicholas and to other saints. But the one that was read today, in accordance with the Church’s Typikon, is the akathist in the true sense of the word. It is a remarkable and very profound composition that reveals the Church’s love of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Most Holy Theotokos’ love of the Church and of each one of us. Many Orthodox faithful read it when praying at home. This year [2011] the reading of the akathist takes place on the day after the Feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. This is by no means always the case, because the divine services of the Saturday of the Akathist are performed according to the Paschal calendar; Pascha, as is well known, occurs at a different time every year. This coincidence emphasizes in remarkable fashion the mystery of the Incarnation, of which the Feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos reminds us. It is with this mystery that the akathist begins: “An archangel was sent from Heaven to say to the Theotokos: Rejoice!” Let us glorify the Most Holy Theotokos, the Mother of our salvation.
Let us try to grasp the meaning of the words of this remarkable akathist, learning therefrom the Orthodox teaching of the Most Holy Theotokos. And let us ask that the Queen of Heaven -– the Bride Unwedded and Joy of all who sorrow – never deprive of us her heavenly protection and intercession. Amen. By Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev - translated from Russian.
V OLUME XXXIV
E XCERPTS
N UMBER 02
FROM THE
“Some people living carelessly in the world have asked me: ‘We have wives and are beset with social cares, and how can we lead the solitary life?’ I replied to them: ‘Do all the good you can; do not speak evil of anyone; do not steal from anyone; do not lie to anyone; do not be arrogant towards anyone; do not hate anyone; do not be absent from the divine services; be compassionate to
L ADDER
P AGE 11
OF
D IVINE A SCENT
the needy; do not offend anyone; do not wreck another man's domestic happiness, and be content with what your own wives can give you. If you behave in this way, you will not be far from the Kingdom of Heaven.’” (Step 1, Section 21 “In all your undertakings and in every way of life, whether you are living in obedience, or are not submitting your work to anyone, whether in outward
or in spiritual matters, let it be your rule and practice to ask yourself: Am I really doing this in accordance with God's will?” (Step 26, Section 91) “To admire the labours of the saints is good; to emulate them wins salvation; but to wish suddenly to imitate their life in every point is unreasonable and impossible.” (Step 4, Section 42)
The Ladder of Divine Ascent
T HE P ASCHA F AMILY B ASKET of St. Basil], normally included the following: (1) The Easter, or Pascha, loaf of bread; (2) A bottle of red wine; (3) Meats and meat products, including lamb, sausages, and ham; (4) dairy products, such as butter, cheese, and eggs; (5) oil and seasonings; and (6) salt, to represent Christians as Christ Himself described them - "the salt that gives the earth its savor." Depending on the particular region, the eggs would be prepared and dyed "Resurrection red," and even perhaps marked with a cross, either on Holy Thursday or Holy Saturday morning.
husband, the father of the household, led all in the chanting of hymns and the Lord's Prayer. An embroidered, or specially dyed, cloth emblazoned with the Cross of Christ and the symbol "IC XC/NIKA" (Jesus Christ Conquers) was then placed over the whole [basket]. Just before leaving for the Church the oldest child would place a newlymade candle in the basket to be the family's own Resurrection "lampada" [candle] in readiness for the triumphal "Passing of the Light of Life" at the Midnight Services in the village church.
When all was in readiness, while all of the family were gathered in front of the "home altar" and its icons, the mother - her head covered by a seamless or embroidered white, tasseled veil would reverently place each foodstuff in the basket. Her
Arriving at the Church the family took the basket to the foot of the Iconostasis. After the Liturgy and all had received holy Communion, the priest or bishop blessed the many baskets and the communal apportionment of the Easter/[Pascha] eggs. Leaving
the Church, the whole of the parish or groups of families would gather to share their Easter [Pascha] eggs, soup, breads and cheese. The remainder of the Paschal basket foodstuffs were eaten by the family, usually together with a whole roasted lamb on Easter Sunday and during the "Bright Week" following. We can easily see that the blessing of the Paschal/Easter food baskets has a deep liturgical, spiritual and familial meaning. It is indeed a pity that such a profound tradition as this has largely "fallen by the wayside" among many segments of Orthodox Christians. Perhaps the time has come, during this period of time dedicated to the Christian Family, for us to begin reclaiming this and other wonderful traditions that are, after all, our very own!
TO
ADMIRE THE LABOURS OF THE SAINTS IS GOOD ;
T HE F ORERUNNER
P AGE 12 B OOK AND S OUP 2017
Our Lenten reading program, Book and Soup for the Soul, will take place again during Great Lent starting on March 1st. We will meet Wednesdays after Presanctified Liturgy in the hall. Please bring a Lenten meal to share. The book we’ll read will be A Night in the Desert of the Holy Mountain by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos, a beautiful account about the Jesus Prayer, or the prayer of the heart and how it can be practiced by both monks-nuns and lay people.
J OIN OUR B OOK AND S OUP FOR S OUL
Looking forward to some very good discussions !
THE
MEETINGS EVERY W EDNESDAY AFTER P RE S ANCTIFIED
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
Please join us at http:// stjohndfw.info for the latest news and information about your parish. We are also present on Facebook https:// www.facebook.com/ stjohndfw/ and Tweeter https://twitter.com/stjohndfw. If you like something share it on your favorite social media, send it to your friends and family, get the word out!
C ATECHISM 2016-2017 COMING TO AN E ND !
Our Catechism / Faith Enrichment classes continue every Sunday after Divine Liturgy You can join at any time, everyone is welcome! Don't forget our Parish Library is 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
V OLUME XXXIV
N UMBER 02
P AGE 13
S T . J OHN ’ S C HOIR N EWS Our choir members are active and well known in the Denver Metropolis Choir Federation as well as in the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians at the Archdiocese level. Our participation in these two organizations of the church serves to bring attention and recognition to our St. John the Baptist community as very few parishes of our size are able to participate. Our choir’s membership has remained stable at 15-20 members over the years, but the choir loft can accommodate many more voices and we urge our fellow parishioners to come and join us, especially with the approaching Lenten season and the hymns of Easter to follow. This is
the most inspiring time of the year for all Orthodox choirs everywhere, as we sing the melodies and words of the hymns that have been handed down to us over several thousands of years. If you sing in the shower, you can sing praises to our Lord in the choir. As many parishioners have noticed, the choir sings in English and in Greek from the Green Book, copies of which are at every pew in the nave. While we welcome the entire congregation to sing the hymns and responses with us during liturgy, we would also welcome you in our midst in the loft, so don’t be bashful, c’mon up… We will soon be starting rehearsals of the many beautiful hymns of the season, now
would be a good time to join us. If you have any questions or concerns, stop and chat with Kirsten Shah, our choir director, or with any member of the choir. Kirsten is an accomplished church musician and, especially, a great teacher. If you wish to learn more about the hymnology of the church, Kirsten can be your mentor, as she has been for all of us in the choir. You will also find some of our most senior choir members’ voices to be a wonderful example to follow, as many of us have done over the years. We hope others will join and follow us in continuing the musical tradition of the church in our parish. God bless us all…
C HRIST IS R ISEN IN MANY LANGUAGES Albanian: Krishti Ungjall! Vertete Ungjall! Arabic: Al Maseeh Qam! Haqqan Qam! Chinese: Helisituosi fuhuole! Queshi fuhuole! Coptic: Pikhirstof aftonf! Khen o methni aftonf! Dutch: Christus is opgestaan! Hij is waarlijk opgestaan! English: Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen! French: Christ est Ressuscité! En Vérité, Il est Ressuscité! Gaelic: Erid Krist! G’deya! n erid she!Georgian: Kriste aghsdga! Cheshmaritad aghsdga! Greek: Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!
Hebrew: Ha Mashiyach qam! Ken hoo qam! Hungarian: Krisztus feltámadt! Valóban feltámadt! Italian: Cristo è risorto! È veramente risorto! Japanese: Harisutosu Fukkatsu! Jitsu Ni Fukkatsu! Latin: Christus resurrexit! Vere resurrexit! Norwegian: Kristus er oppstanden! Han er sannelig opstanden! Polish: Khristus Zmartvikstau! Zaiste Zmartvikstau! Portuguese: Christo Ressuscitou! Em Verdade Ressuscitou! Romanian: Hristos a Inviat! Adevarat a Inviat!
Russian: Khristos voskres! Voistinu voskres! Serbian: Hristos Vaskrese! Vaistinu Vaskrese! Slavonic: Christos Voskrese! Voistinu Voskrese! Slovak: Kristus vstal zmr’tvych! Skutoc ne vstal! Spanish: Cristo ha resucitado! Verdaderamente ha resucitado! Swedish: Kristus är upstånden! Ja, Han är sannerligen uppstånden! Syriac: Meshiha qam! Bashrira qam! Ukrainian: Kristos Voskres! Voistinu voskres! Welsh: Atgyfododd Crist! Atgyfododd in wir!
M AY
YOU ALL GLORIFY THE R ESURRECTION IN H YMNS OF JOY !
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church March 2017 SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
1
2
Eudokia of Heliopolis Andomina the New Martyr
FRI
SAT
3
4
Hesychios the Martyr Nicholas Planas
Eutropios, Kleonikos, Vasiliskos, Theodoretos of Antioch
Gerasimos the Righteous Paul & his sister Juliana Theodore–Kollyva Miracle
Great Compline 6pm
Akathist Hymn 6pm
Presanctified Liturgy 6 pm Book and Soup 7:30pm Great Compline 8:30pm
5 Sunday of Orthodoxy 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
7
8
9
10
11
42 Martyrs of Amorion Finding the Cross by Helen
7 Hieromartyrs of Cherson Laurence of Megara
Theophylaktos, Bp. Nicomedea Hermas of the 70
40 Martyrs at Lake Sebaste Caesarios the Righteous
Kodratos & his Companions Anastacia of Alexandria
Sophronios, Pat. Of Jerusalem Theodora the Righteous
Akathist Hymn 6pm
Vespers 5pm
16
17
18
Savinos of Egypt Christodoulos of Patmos
Alexios the Man of God Patrick of Ireland
Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem Trophimos & Eukarpion
Great Compline 6:00 pm
12
13
14
Removal of relics of Nicephoros Pouplios, Bishop of Athens
Benedict of Nursia Euschemon, Bp. Lampasakos
8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Catechism Class Pan Orthodox Vespers Sts C-tin and Hellen Carrolton 6pm
19 Sunday of the Holy Cross 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy & True Cross Procession
Soup Suppers
6
Icons Processions Catechism Class Pan Orthodox Vespers HT Dallas 6pm
Sunday of St. Gregory of Palamas
Vespers 5pm
Presanctified Liturgy 6 pm Book and Soup 7:30pm
Akathist Hymn 6pm
Book and Soup 7:30pm
21
Fathers Monastery of St. Savas Cuthbert the Wonderworker
Agapios & his Companions Manuel of Crete
Presanctified Liturgy 6 pm
Great Compline 6:00 pm
20
15
James the Confessor Thomas, Pat. Of Constantinople
22 Basil of Ancyra Kalliniki & Vassilisa
Soup Suppers
23
24
25
Nikon and Companions Anatolios & Protoleon
Forefeast of Annunciation Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow
ANNUNCIATION
Orthros 8am Presanctified Liturgy 6 pm
Great Compline 6:00 pm
Vespers 5pm
Akathist Hymn 6pm
Divine Liturgy 9am Vespers 5pm
Book and Soup 7:30pm
Catechism Class Pan Orthodox Vespers St. John Euless 6pm
26
27
28
29
30
31 Strict Fast
Sunday of St. Climacus 8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Catechism Class Pan Orthodox Vespers St. Demetrios Fort Worth 6pm
Matrona of Thessaloniki Paul, Bishop of Corinth Great Compline 6:00 pm
Hilarion the New Herodion of the 70
Mark, Bishop of Arethusa Cyril the Deacon
Presanctified Liturgy 6 pm Book and Soup 7:30pm
John Climacus Sosthenes, Apollos, Cephas, Caesar & Epaphroditos Great Canon 6pm
Hypatios the Wonderworker Innocent, Enlightener of Siberia & Alaska
Akathist Hymn 6pm Soup Suppers
Wine/Oil Allowed
Fish Allowed Dairy Allowed
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church April 2017 SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT 1
Strict Fast Wine/Oil
Mary of Egypt Gerontios & Vasilides
Allowed Fish Allowed
Parish Cleaning day 9am Vespers 5:00 pm
Fast Free
2 Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
3
4
5
6
7
Nikitas the Confessor Joseph the Hymnographer
George of Maleon Plato the Studite
Martyrs Claudius, Diodor, Victor & Victorinus
Eutychios, Pat. Of Constan. Methodius Enlightener of Slavs
Kalliopios & Akylina Martyrs Savvas the New in Calymna
8:30 am Orthos 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
Catechism Class Pan Orthodox Vespers St. Seraphim Dallas 6pm
Book and Soup 7:30pm
9 PALM SUNDAY
10 Holy Monday
13
14
15
Holy Tuesday
Holy Wednesday
Holy Thursday
Holy Friday
Holy Saturday
Presanctified Liturgy
Presanctified Liturgy
Presanctified 6am
Presanctified 6am
Catechism Class
Bridegroom Service 7 pm
Bridegroom Service 7 pm
Holy Unction 6pm
Bridegroom Service 7 pm
GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA 1:00 pm Agape Vespers Agape Luncheon
Holy Supper Service 7 pm
18
19
Holy Supper Liturgy10 am Washing of Feet 11:30am
20
21
22
Renewal Friday Theotokos of the Life Giving Fount. Ianouarios And Companions Alexandria the Empress
Renewal Tuesday
Renewal Wednesday
Renewal Thursday
Symeon, Bishop of Persia Makarios, Bishop of Corinth
John the Righteous, Disciple of Gregory of Decapolis Raphael, Nicholas and Irene
Paphnoutious the Holy Martyr George the Confessor
Theodore the Trichinas Zacchaeus of Caesarea
Sunday of Thomas St. George the Trophy Bearer 8:30 am Orthos 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
Elizabeth the Wonderworker Savvas The General of Rome
25
26
Mark the Apostle & Evangelist Emmanuel, Theodore, Gregory, Michael, Gregory, New Martyrs
Basil, Bishop of Amasea Glaphyra the Righteous
Liturgy of Descent into Hades 10am Resurrection Service 11:30 pm
Renewal Monday
24
Royal Hours 8am Apokathelosis 3pm Lamentations Service 7 pm
Passions Service 7 pm
Renewal Vigil 6 pm
23
Orthros 8am Divine Liturgy 9am School Retreat 10am Vespers 5:00 pm
12
Presanctified 6am
17
Lazarus Saturday Agavos, Rouphos, Asynkritos, Phlegon, Herodion & Hermes
11
8:30 am Orthos 9:30 am Divine Liturgy & Palm Blessing
16
Canon of St. Lazarus 6pm
Presanctified Liturgy 6 pm
8
27 Symeon the Holy Martyr Eulogios the Innkeeper
Theodore the Sykeote Nathaniel, Luke & Clement
Vespers 5:00 pm
Divine Liturgy 6am
28
29
9 Monk-martyrs of Cyzikos Memmon The Wonderworker
Jason & Sosipater of the 70 Martyr Cercyra
Paraklesis 6:00 pm Vespers 5:00 pm
30 Sunday of the MyrrhBearers 8:30 am Orthos 9:30 am Divine Liturgy High School Graduation
NONPROFIT S T . J OHN THE 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. XXXIV No. 02 March-April 2017
The Resurrection of our Lord, April 16, 2017