Christmas Donations - St. George Greek Orthodox Church of Cape

Christmas Donations
Christos & Maria Alex
Chris & Mary Argys
Rose Botsivales
Emanuel & Mary Cavas
Rosetta Chalpara
Mary Childs
Charlie & Stella Constas
Arthur & Fran Dimitres
Frances Fairneny
Kalliope Garoufes
Constantenos & Gloria
Georgalis
Photine Georgopoulos
Fr. Peter & Presvy. Paula
Giannakopoulos
Athena Grigoriadis
George & Athena Grigoriadis
Jim & Frances Haidas
Mr. & Mrs. John C. Houhoulis
Tim & Eileen Kandianis
Christos & Evangeline
Kapsambelis
Lefteri & Alexandra Karacalidis
Tim & Aphrodite Karaniikolas
George & Stacey Kazarian
Steve & Theresa Kostas
George & Margarita Kraniotakis
Leo & Katherine Limberakis
Vasilios & Vasiliki Maragozakis
Sophia Menaxopoulos
Alex & Katie Mitrokostas
Kostas & Frederika Mitrokostas
Socrates & Nancy Mitrokostas
Evelyn Nakos
Rita Neuman
Diana Nicholas
“… and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and
unto the uttermost part of the Earth.” Acts 1:8
Paula Pizzano
Theodore & Vicki Polizos
Veni Lemos Prifti
Sam Rafail
Nicholas & Mary Raftelis
Helen Rowell
Joanne Statires
Arthur & Carol Surabian
Deon & Eleni Theoharidis
Magdalene Theoharidis
Jim & Pat Trempelas
Nicholas & Anne Votze
Mary Vrountas
Denis & Claire Yannatos
Elpiniki Yannatos
TOTAL: $2,195
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Centerville, MA
Permit No. 18
ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX
CHURCH OF CAPE COD
Rev. Fr. Panagiotis K. Giannakopoulos
Protopresbyter
1130 Falmouth Road
Centerville, MA 02632
Phone: (508) 775-3045
Church Fax: (508) 775-3888
Email: agios@stgeorge-capecod.com
St. George Greek Orthodox Church of Cape Cod

February & March 2014
Feast of the Three Holy Fathers
Great Hierarchs and Ecumenical Teachers
Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom
During the reign of the Emperor Alexius Comnenus (1081-1118), a controversy arose in Constantinople among men learned in Faith and zealous for
virtue about the three holy Hierarchs and Fathers
of the Church, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom. Some argued for
Saint Basil above the other two because he was
able, as none other, to explain the mysteries of From left to right: Saint Basil the Great,
the Faith, and rose to angelic rank by his virtues. Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Gregory the
Organizer of monastic life, leader of the entire Theologian (detail).
Church in the struggle with heresy, austere and
demanding shepherd as to Christian morals, in
him there was nothing base or of the earth. Hence, said they, he was superior to
Saint Chrysostom who was by nature more easily inclined to absolve sinners.
The partisans of Saint Chrysostom retorted that the illustrious Archbishop of Constantinople had been no less zealous than Saint Basil in combating vices, in bringing
sinners to repentance and in raising up the whole people to the perfection of the
Gospel. The golden-mouthed shepherd of matchless eloquence has watered the
Church with a stream of homilies in which he interprets the divine word and shows
its application in daily life with more accomplished mastery than the two other holy
Doctors.
According to a third group, Saint Gregory the Theologian was to be preferred to the
others by reason of the majesty, purity and profundity of his language. Possessing a
www.stgeorge-capecod.com
(Continued on page 6)
ORTHODOX WITNESS
“You shall be My witnesses … “
The official monthly publication of
ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
1130 Falmouth Road (Rt. 28), Centerville, MA 02632-3022
Rev. Fr. Panagiotis K. Giannakopoulos, Protopresbyter
Office: 508-775-3045 / Home: 508-362-8322 / Church Fax: 508-775-3888
Email: agios@stgeorge-capecod.com / Web Page: www.stgeorge-capecod.com
Meeting
Times for
Ministries
2nd Mondays
1:30 p.m.
Seniors of St.
George
Layman's Ten Commandments -
Good reading
CHURCH SERVICES
Winter Hours—Orthros 8:30 a.m., Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Classroom lesson is from 10:00-11:50 a.m. Weekday services as scheduled.
Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out
when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel"
that directs the right path throughout the journey.
2. So why is a Car's WINDSHIELD so large and
the Rear View Mirror so small? Because our
PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So
look ahead, and move on.
3. Friendship is like a BOOK: It takes a few
minutes to burn, but it takes years to write.
4. All things in life are temporary. If going well,
enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going
wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.
5. Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the
Gold! Because to hold a diamond, you always
need a base of gold!
6. Often when we lose hope and think this is the
end, GOD smiles from above and says,
"Relax, Sweetheart, it's just a bend.... not the
end!
7. When GOD solves your problems, you have
faith in HIS abilities; when GOD doesn't solve
your problems, HE has faith in your abilities.
8. A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there
be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He
replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"
9. When you pray for others, God listens to you
and blesses them, and sometimes, when you
are safe and happy, remember that someone
has prayed for you.
10. WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's
TROUBLES, it takes away today's PEACE.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS:
Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Saturday By Appointment
Live simply. Love generously; Care deeply;
Speak kindly; Leave the rest to God.
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS & GROUPS
PARISH COUNCIL
Regina Bisgounis
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
Emilios Rigas
PARISH COUNCIL SECRETARY
Catherine DiMauro
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
USHERS COMMITTEE
Adoree McGillvary
Eleni Siamos
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Maria Kaldis
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
PHILOPTOCHOS
Sophie Joakim
YOUTH DIRECTOR
Claire Yannatos
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Sunday School & Greek School
SENIORS OF ST. GEORGE
Elpiniki Yannatos
SENIORS SOCIAL GROUP
Emily Stys
VISION COMMITTEE
Arthur Surabian
GOYA
Matthew Mullin
DANCE DIRECTOR
Claire Yannatos
CHANTOR
ORGANIST
GREEK SCHOOL TEACHER
CUSTODIAN
CHURCH OFFICE
SEXTON
STAFF
Vasilios Meimaris
Roxanne Pappas
Anna Lemanis
Gregory Racheotes
Kim Corners
Igor Janev
508-398-1883
508-776-8634
Tuesdays—weekly
11:00 a.m.
Seniors Social
Group
508-495-0634
508-394-2919
3rd Tuesday
7:00 p.m.
AHEPA
508-771-3939
508-778-1545
4th Tuesday
7:00 p.m.
Parish Council
508-775-8981
508-457-9875
508-477-8933
508-888-4533
508-778-1545
781-646-3835
508-420-6845
508-888-1045
508-775-3045
508-775-3045
508-364-7096
1st Wednesday
1:00 p.m.
Philoptochos
General Meeting
3rd Wednesday
10:00 a.m.
Philoptochos Board
3rd Wednesday
1:00 p.m.
Daughters of
Penelope
4th Wednesday
10:00 a.m.
Prayer Shawl
Group
St. Katherine’s
Philoptochos Society
1.
2013 Community
Christmas Card
(Additional contributors)
Penelope, Jorge, Alexia & Aris
Caicedo
Dina Decas
Helen Kossifos of By the Sea Guests
Mr. Christos Kapopoulos
Nicholas & Margaret Zantos
Next Philoptochos
GENERAL MEETING
March 5, 2014
1:00 p.m.
Anasis Library
BAKE SALE
April 11, 2014
Look for baking schedule
to be announced!
15
Seniors of Saint George
(Continued from page 5)
The next meeting is:
Monday, March 10, 2014
1:30 p.m.
Anasis Library
This will be a brief meeting and a surprise!!!
You need to bring 3 quarters.
Hope to see you there!
να το φάω και έτσι να με εκδικηθείς;
Του απάντησε ο δάσκαλος, με ειρήνη
We are also planning the Pot Luck meeting
and checking out new venues for the lobster
bake. Should have more details by the April
14th meeting. — Elpiniki Yannatos, President
Our 2014 Parish Council
It is a pleasure to welcome Maria Kaldis,
Christine Vancisin and Maria Zombas to this
year’s council. In addition we extend our
gratitude to the other council members who
are willing to give of their time to be a part of
the leadership team of St. George. Thank
you!
Parish Council Officers
Regina Bisgounis, President
Emilios Rigas, VP
Maria Kaldis , Treasurer
Adoree McGillvary, Asst. Treasurer
Catherine DiMauro, Secretary
Christina Carey, Asst. Secretary
Council Members
Igor Janev, Chrisitine Keller,
George Malliaroidakis,
Penelope Psomos, Eleni Siamos
14
και γαλήνη:
-Είμαι χριστιανός. Και τώρα που
πρόκειται να φύγω από τον κόσμο
αυτό, και να παρουσιασθώ
ενώπιον του Θεού, δεν θα ήθελα
να βαρύνω την ψυχή μου με μια
αμαρτία τόσο βαριά.
Ο τούρκος αξιωματικός
συγκλονίζεται, για μια ακόμη
φορά. Στρέφεται και λέει στους
στρατιώτες του:
-Αν έβρισκα έναν τέτοιο τούρκο,
θα έδινα και τη ζωή μου ακόμα!
Μαζέψτε τα όπλα και αφήστε τους
ελεύθερους όλους! Εφημερίδα
«Ηπειρωτικόν μέλλον»
LITURGICAL CALENDAR - EORTOLOGION
MON 10
SUN 16
SAT 22
SUN 23
St. Haralambos the Martyr. Ag.
Carala>mpou Ieroma>rturov
Orthros only @ 9:00 a.m.
St. George has partnered with Viridian
Energy, a socially responsible energy
company, to offer our parishioners a way
to save money while helping St. George
raise funds. Viridian offers a solar program through SolarCity, America’s largest
and leading solar energy provider that will
save you money on your electric bill.
For the entire time you have your solar
panels, St. George will receive residual
income every month from Viridian based
on the amount of electricity each one of us
uses. Contact Roxanne Pappas (508-364
-9964) for more information.
SAT 1
SUN 2
MON 3
FRI 7
17th Sunday of Luke (Prodigal)
IZ > LOUKA. TOU ASWTOU.
Epistle: I Corinthians 6:12-20
SAT 8
Gospel: Luke 15:11-32.
Saturday of Souls. Yucosa>bbato. Orthros & Divine Liturgy
with Kolyva @ 8:30-11 a.m.
SUN 9
Judgement Sunday (Meatfare)
KURIAKH THS APOKREW.
Epistle: I Cor. 8:8-13; 9:1-2
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46.
MARCH 2014 MARTIOS
Making a Difference
Just Got Easier
6:00 pm Great Compline followed by a light Lenten supper.
KOULOUMA.
FEBRUARY - 2014 - FEBROUARIOS
FRI 14
2nd Saturday of Souls. B > Yucosa>bbato. 8:30-11 am Orthros
& Divine Liturgy
SUN 16
FORGIVENESS SUNDAY
(Cheesefare). KURIAKH THS
TUROFAGOU.
Epistle: Romans 13:11-14;
14:1-4
Gospel: Matthew 6:14-21.
Great Lent begins. KAQARA
DEUTERA. ARCH MEGALHS
TESSARAKOSTHS
FRI 21
5:00 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy
Prohgiasme>nh Q. Leitourgi>a.
7:00 p.m. 1st Salutations. A >
CAIRETISMOI.
3rd Saturday of Souls. G > Yucosa>bbato. Ag. Qeodw>rou tou
Th>rwnov. 8:30-11 am Orthros &
Divine Liturgy.
Sunday of Orthodoxy. KURIAKH
THS ORQODOJIAS. 40 Martyrs of
Lake Sebaste.
Epistle: Hebrews 12:1-10
Gospel: John 1:43-51.
5:00 pm Presanctified Liturgy
Prohgiasme>nh Q. Leitourgi>a.
7:00 pm 2nd Salutations. B >
CAIRETISMOI.
2nd Sunday of Lent. B > NHSTEI
-WN. St. Gregory Palamas. AG.
GRHGORIOU PALAMA.
Epistle: Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3
Gospel: Mark 2:1-12.
5:00 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy.
Prohgiasme>nh Q. Leitourgi>a.
7:00 p.m. 3rd Salutations. G >
CAIRETISMOI.
(Continued on page 4)
3
LITURGICAL CALENDAR
List of Stewards for Year-to-Date (Feb. 14)
(Continued)
7:00 p.m. 4th Salutations. D >
CAIRETISMOI.
(Continued from page 3)
SUN 23
3rd Sunday of Lent. G > NHSTEIWN. Stauroproskunh>sewv. Holy CROSS.
Epistle: Heb. 4:14-16; 5:1-6
Gospel: Mark 8:34-38; 9:1.
TUE 25
Annunciation of Theotokos.
Euaggelismo>v thv Qeoto>kou.
8:30-11:30 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy. Doxology
Greek Independence Day.
FRI 28
5:00 p.m. Presanctified
Liturgy. Prohgiasme>nh.
SUN 30
Flowers for the
Salutations
will be
appreciated.
Please check with Father Peter or
the church office. Thank you!
Discovering Orthodox
Christianity
Watch Episode 11 of the series
"Discovering Orthodox Christianity,"
sponsored by the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund and produced by
Greek Orthodox Telecommunications.
The program, "The Ecumenical Patriarchate: Aspects of Past and Present,"
is presented by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America
DVDs are now available of the entire
26 part series. For more information
please contact GOTelecom at
212.570.3588 or
email gotel@goarch.org
4
4th Sunday of Lent. St. John
of Climacus. D > NHSTEIWN.
Epistle: Hebrews 6:13-20
Gospel: Mark 9:17-31.
Van & Connie Geraniotis
Fr. Peter & Presvy. Paula
Giannakopoulos
Joe Graziosi
Barry & Elaine Gremilas
Stewardship
January 2014
Stewardship Goal
$125,000
Pledged YTD
$61,635
Total collected YTD
$39,645
# of Pledges
Christos & Maria Alex
John Anasis
Nicholas Anestis
Ted & Denise Apostol
Katina Atsalis
George Bisgounis
Radu Borcau
Charles & Vassilikis Canelos
Christina Carey
Emanuel & Mary Cavas
Rosetta Chalpara
Cassandra Chamallas
Maria Chatzinakis
James Chekos
Sophia Malita Christakis
Charlie & Stella Constas
Pat Davis
James Demetri
Orestes & Hloy Demetriades
Mark Despotopulos
Helen Doll
Katherine Dorshimer
Andy & Elaine Efstathiou
John & Catherine Fackos
Christine Fairneny
Jim Fotiades
Constantenos & Gloria Georgalis
Photine Georgopoulos
96
Average Pledge per Family $613
“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?
Jim & Frances Haidas
13 Hansen
Susan
Marie Henn
Igor Janev
Nick & Sophie Joakim
James Jumes
John Kacoyanis
Maria Kaldis
James Kalperis
Tom Kalperis
Tim & Eileen Kandianis
George and Joan Kapoutsos
Christos & Evangeline Kapsambelis
John Karacalidis
Lefteri & Alexandra Karacalidis
Efthimios & Aphrodite Karanikolas
Costas & Anne Kefalas
Steve Kostas
Anna Kraniotakis
George & Margarita Kraniotakis
Peter & Van Lambrinos
Eleftherios Lengas
Helen Lentell
Ken Liatsos
James Limberakis
Vaillios & Vasiliki Maragozakis
Adoree McGillvary
Sophia Menaxopoulos
Dino Mitrokostas
Kostas & Frederika Mitrokostas
Maria-Rallou Moore
Dean & Anne Murphy
Evelyn Nakos
Diana Nicholas
George & Nancy Nichols
Manuel12
& Elizabeth Orfanos
Jim & Martha Papadonis
George & Irene Papadopolos
Alex Pappas
Arthur & Diane Pappas
Jim & Elizabeth Pentikis
Emily Pereira
George & Maria Poravas
Nassos Prapas
Penelope Psomos
Gregory & Joyce Racheotes
Nick & Mary Raftelis
Michael Rodolakis
Kostas & Despina Siempos
Vivian Siempos
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Skordas
Artie & Van Speros
Toula Stasinos
Joanne Statires
Emily Stys
Art & Carol Surabian
Peter Theoharidis
Dionysios & Alexandra Tsourides
Ivan & Diyana Tutov
Vladimir and Tatiana Uspensky
Zac Verros
Louis & Zacharie Vinios
Angie Vournazos
Mary Vrountas
Mary Wade
George & Cathy Lee Zografos
Tony & Voula Zombas
Maria Zombas
Save These Dates
Feb. 24-25 Boston
April 27
Byzantine Music
Festival
Pan-Orthodox
Pot Luck
Lunch
April 6
Greek Parade
April 13
Fish Luncheon
May 4
June 8
July 18-20 Grecian Festival
Sep. 22
Golf
Tournament
General
Assembly
Nov. 9
General
Assembly
Sunday School
Graduation
Dec. 7
Elections
(Continued from page 6)
of human life please go to the Archdiocese’s website at www.goarch.org and search for
Pastoral Guidelines. You will find the following position on Cremation listed there as well
as other positions.
“Because the Orthodox Faith affirms the fundamental goodness of creation, it understands the
body to be an integral part of the human person and the temple of the Holy Spirit, and expects
the resurrection of the dead. The Church considers cremation to be the deliberate desecration
and destruction of what God has made and ordained for us. The Church instead insists that the
body be buried so that the natural physical process of decomposition may take place. The
Church does not grant funerals, either in the sanctuary, or at the funeral home, or at any other
place, to persons who have chosen to be cremated. Additionally, memorial services with kolyva (boiled wheat) are not allowed in such instances, inasmuch as the similarity between the
"kernel of wheat" and the "body" has been intentionally destroyed.” (Copied p.269)
ΤΟ ΜΕΓΑΛΕΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΠΙΣΤΕΩΣ
(ΠΡΑΓΜΑΤΙΚΗ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ)
Πέμπτη, 13 Φεβρουάριος 2014 14:15
agiosmgefiras.blogspot.gr
Ήταν καλοκαίρι του 1974. Τα τουρκικά
στρατεύματα εισβάλουν στην Κύπρο. Και
σκορπούν το θάνατο.
Στη Μόρφου συμβαίνει ένα συνταρακτικό
γεγονός. Τούρκοι στρατιώτες συλλαμβάνουν 15
Ελληνες. Τους φέρνουν στην αυλή του σπιτιού
ενός ελληνοκύπριου δάσκαλου, και
ετοιμάζονται να τους εκτελέσουν.
Ετοιμάζουν τα όπλα.
Στήνουν τους αιχμαλώτους (άνδρες, γυναίκες,
μικρά παιδιά) στον τοίχο. Θρήνος, κλαυθμός,
οδυρμός. Τραγικές στιγμές για τους
μελλοθάνατους. Περιμένουν μέσα σε κλίμα
φόβου και αγωνίας τον Τούρκο αξιωματικό να
έλθει και να διατάξει «πυρ».
Στρέφουν τότε το νου τους και την καρδιά τους
στην ελπίδα των απελπισμένων. Και
προσεύχονται όλοι τους θερμά για... το
τελευταίο τους ταξίδι και ιδιαίτερα ο δάσκαλος,
«Θεέ μου, συγχώρησε μας και δέξου μας κοντά
σου. Μνήσθητι ημών, Κύριε, εν τη Βασιλεία
Σου.»
Ο τούρκος αξιωματικός έρχεται. Κοιτάζει τους
στρατιώτες του με τα όπλα, κοιτάζει βλοσυρός
και τους μελλοθάνατους. Ρίχνει μια ματιά προς
τα πάνω. Μια κληματαριά απλώνεται και
σκεπάζει την αυλή. Ζητάει ένα τσαμπί σταφύλι,
για να παρατείνει έτσι σκόπιμα την αγωνία των
αιχμαλώτων.
Παίρνει το τσαμπί. Μα, ενώ ετοιμάζεται να το
φάει, ακούγεται δυνατή η φωνή του δασκάλου:
-Μην το φας! Προχτές το ράντισα με φάρμακο.
Είναι ισχυρό δηλητήριο! Θα πεθάνεις!
Ο αξιωματικός μένει άναυδος. Και γεμάτος
κατάπληξη ρωτάει:
-Καλά, αφού ξέρεις, ότι σε λίγο θα δώσω
διαταγή να σας σκοτώσουν, γιατί δεν με άφησες
40 Day Blessing/
SARANTISMOI
The third child/boy of Demetrius and
Julia Kalkanis was churched.
NA SAS ZHSH! God bless him!
 Alex Christakis
 Peter Malita
 Arthur Apostol
Total Donations: $655
In the Hospitals:
Funerals/KHDEIAI
The following parishioners and
The following parishioners fell asleep friends were hospitalized. We pray
for their good health and quick recovin the Lord:
ery. Spiridoula Stoupis, Mary Jani Antoinette Rafail
kies, George Vasiliadis, James Grev Anna Bowser
To their families, relatives and friends elis, Charlotte Bourne, Michael Stavros, Victor Theodos, Maria Demetras,
we extend our deepest sympathies.
Roushdi Henin, Baby Boy Boudreau,
AIWNIA H MNHMH AUTWN!
Mia Siempos, George Carras, Julia
Clio N. Pappas, Nicholas
Memorials. MNHMOSUNA Katantzis,
C. Constas, George Lagodimos,
Memory eternal! AIWNIA H MNHMH Thais A. Scardino, Maria Adalis, IreAUTWN!
ne Provas, Kimon Kalaitzidis and
 Peter Kandianis
28 yrs
Gleb Zelenoy.
 Theodore Vrountas
1 yr
We wish them PERASTIKA and a
 Peter Malitas
2 yrs
quick recovery. Kalh> ana>rrwsh!
 Alexandros Christakis 10 yrs
 Arthur Apostol
40 days
Plhroforh>ste ton iere>a h> to Kkoinoti-
Memorial Donations
December 2013 & January 2014
 Christos D. Alexander
 John Papagianias
ko grafei>o a>n pro>keitai na noshleuqh>te.
Parishioners who plan to be or are hospitalized should call the office or Father
Peter if they wish a pastoral visit.
(Continued on page 3)
5
Orthodox Christian
Celebration of the
Feast of the Three
Hierarchs
The Feast and commemoration of the
Three Hierarchs is celebrated with the
Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
which is conducted on the morning of the
feast and preceded by a Matins (Orthros)
service. A Great Vespers is conducted on
the evening before the day of the Feast.
Scripture readings for the Feast of are the
following: At Vespers: Deuteronomy 1:817; Deuteronomy 10:14-21; and the Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9. At the Matins: John
10:9-16. At the Divine Liturgy: Hebrews
13:7-16, Matthew 5:14-19.
In many Greek Orthodox parishes the
Feast of the Three Hierarchs is combined
with a celebration of Greek Letters. This
usually includes special events which are
dedicated to the preservation and promulgation of the ideals of Orthodox Christianity
and Hellenic education. The Three Hierarchs were great men of letters who were
not only defenders of Orthodox Christianity,
but supporters of Greek learning. The
relationship of these Fathers of the Church
to education and learning is addressed in
an article on our web site by Rev. Dr. Demetrios J. Constantelos entitled “Hellenic
Paideia and Church Fathers – Educational
Principles and Cultural Heritage.”
(Continued from page 1)
(Continued from page 7)
sovereign mastery of all the wisdom and eloquence of ancient Greece, he had attained,
they said to such a pitch in the contemplation
of God that no one had been able to express
the dogma of the Holy Trinity as perfectly as
he.
ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ
τηρηθείη’’ (Α΄ Θεσ. 5,23).
With each faction setting up one of the Fathers
against the other two in this way, the whole
Christian people were soon caught up in the
dispute, which far from promoting devotion to
the Saints in the City, resulted in nothing but ill
-feeling and endless argument. Then one night
the three holy Hierarchs appeared in a dream
to Saint John Mauropus, the Metropolitan of
Euchaïta (5 Oct.), separately at first, then together and, speaking with a single voice, they
said: “As you see, the three of us are with God
and no discord or rivalry divides us. Each of
us, according to the circumstances and according to the inspiration that he received from
the Holy Spirit, wrote and taught what befits
the salvation of mankind. There is not among
us a first, a second or a third, and if you invoke
one of us the other two are immediately present with him. Therefore, tell those who are
quarrelling not to create divisions in the
Church because of us, for when we were on
earth we spared no effort to re-establish unity
and concord in the world. You can conjoin our
three commemorations in one feast and compose a service for it, inserting the hymns dedicated to each of us according to the skill and
knowledge that God has given you. Then
transmit it to the Christians with the command
to celebrate it each year. If they honor us thus
as being with and in God, we give them our
word that we will intercede for their salvation in
our common prayer.” At these words, the
(Continued on page 7)
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Δηλαδή, εἴθε αὐτός ὁ Θεός, ἀπό τόν ὁποῖο
πηγάζει ἡ πραγματική εἰρήνη, νά σᾶς ἁγιάσει
ὁλόκληρους, καί ὁλόκληρος ὁ νοῦς σας καί ἡ
ψυχή καί τό σῶμα σας, νά διαφυλαχθοῦν
ἄμεμπτα κατά τήν παρουσία τοῦ Κυρίου μας
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
Ἐπιτρέπεται, λοιπόν, νά κάψουμε τό σῶμα μας, τό
ὁποῖο καλούμαστε νά διατηρήσουμε ἄμεμπτο,
μέχρι τή Δευτέρα Παρουσία;Ἐπιπλέον, ἡ καύση
ἀποτελεῖ βίαιη πράξη κατά τοῦ σώματος τοῦ
νεκροῦ, ἀλλά καί ἐναντίον τῆς φύσεως, ἀφοῦ τό
φυσικό εἶναι ἡ ἀποσύνθεση. Μᾶς βεβαβιώνει ὁ
Θεῖος λόγος ‘’ γῆ εἶ καί εἰς γῆν ἀπελεύσῃ’’ (Γεν.
3,19).
Τό σῶμα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου διαλύεται φυσιολογικά
μέσα στήν ὕλη ἀπό τήν ὁποῖα πλάσθηκε. Κάθε
ἄλλη πρακτική ἀποτελεῖ ἀσέβεια καί βεβήλωση.
3) Θεμελιώδης καί βασική ἀλήθεια τῆς πίστεώς
μας εἶναι ἡ ἀνάσταση τῶν νεκρῶν, ὅπως
διατυπώνεται στό ἱερότατο Σύμβολο τῆς Πίστεως:
‘’προσδοκῶ ἀνάστασιν νεκρῶν’’.
Κατά τή Δευτέρα Παρουσία τοῦ Κυρίου μας, τό
σῶμα πρόκειται νά ἀναστηθῇ μεταμορφωμένο καί
ἀνακαινισμένο, γιά νά ἐνωθῇ μέ τήν ἀθάνατη
ψυχή καί νά ζήσῃ ὁ ἄνθρωπος αἰωνίως.
Ὁ Ἀπόστολος Παῦλος σέ ὅσους ἀμφισβητοῦν
τήν ἀνάσταση τῶν νεκρῶν, προβάλλει τό
παράδειγμα τοῦ σπόρου: ‘’ἐκεῖνο πού σπέρνεις
δέν λαμβάνει ζωή, ἄν δέν ἀποθάνει καί δέ σαπίσει
μέσα στή γῆ , οὕτω καί ἡ ἀνάστασις τῶν νεκρῶν
σπείρεται ἐν φθορᾷ, ἐγείρεται ἐν
ἀφθαρσίᾳ’’ (Α΄Κορ. 15,42).
Ἔτσι, κατ’ ἀναλογίαν θά γίνῃ καί ἡ ἀνάσταση
τῶν νεκρῶν. Σπέρνεται τό σῶμα στόν τάφο, σέ
κατάσταση φθορᾶς καί ἐγείρεται σέ κατάσταση
ἀφθαρσίας. Μέ τήν ταφή τοποθετοῦμε τό σῶμα
στή γῆ σάν σπόρο μέ ἐλπίδα βλαστήσεως καί
καρποφορίας. Ἀντίθετα, ἡ καύση τοῦ σώματος
ὑποδηλώνει ὅτι τό σῶμα παραδίδεται στήν πλήρη
ἐξαφάνιση καί αἰώνια ἀπώλεια.
4) Οἱ ἱεροί Εὐαγγελιστές κατέγραψαν μέ τήν
ἐπιστασία τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος, τά σχετικά μέ τήν
Θεόσωμη ταφή τοῦ Κυρίου τό Μεγάλο Σάββατο.
Ἔκδηλη ἡ ἱερότητα τῆς πράξεως αὐτῆς πού
ὑπογραμμίζει τό χρέος τῆς ἀγάπης καί τῆς τιμῆς
πού διά τῆς ταφῆς ἀποδίδουμε στούς νεκρούς
μας. Αὐτή τήν ἀρχαιότατη παράδοση υἱοθέτησε ἡ
Ἐκκλησία καί πιστᾶ τηρεῖ 2000 χρόνια τώρα.
Ἀδιάψευστος μάρτυρας ἡ ὕπαρξη τῶν
κατακομβῶν. Ἄν ἐφαρμοζόταν ἡ καύση τῶν
νεκρῶν, ἡ Ἐκκλησία θά στεροῦταν τοῦ πλήθους
τῶν ἱερῶν λειψάνων, τά ὁποῖα κατέχει ὡς ὕψιστη
εὐλογία καί πηγή ἁγιασμοῦ τῶν πιστῶν μελῶν
της.
5) Συνοψίζοντας, ἰσχυριζόμαστε ὅτι γιά τούς
ὀρθοδόξους χριστιανούς δέν ὑπάρχει δίλημμα στό
θέμα ταφή ἤ καύση τῶν νεκρῶν. Ἡ καύση ὁδηγεῖ
στήν πυρά πατροπαράδοτες καί αἰώνιες ἀξίες. Ἡ
ταφή ἀποτελεῖ θέμα τιμῆς καί σεβασμοῦ, ἔκφραση
πίστεως καί ἐλπίδος, δεῖγμα ἀφοσιώσεως στήν
Παράδοση τῆς Ἐκκλησίας μας.
Ἀπέναντι στή μηδενιστική ἀπαισιοδοξία καί
καταστροφική μανία τῶν ὑποστηρικτῶν τῆς
καύσεως τῶν νεκρῶν, ἀντιπαραθέτουμε τή
δέουσα τιμή πρός τό ἀνθρώπινο πρόσωπο ὡς
ψυχοσωματική ἑνότητα καί τήν ἐλπιδοφόρα πίστη
μας στήν ἀέναη μεταθανάτια συνέχιση τῆς ζωῆς.
For more information on the Greek Orthodox
Church’s positions regarding the sanctity
(Continued on page 12)
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Ταφή ή καύση των νεκρών;
Γράφτηκε από τον/την Ι.Μ. Μαρωνείας - 22.08
Του Σεβασμιωτάτου Μητροπολίτου Μαρωνείας και Κομοτηνής κ. Παντελεήμονος
σύμφωνα μέ τήν ἁγία Διδασκαλία της καί τῆς ἀπ’
αἰώνων Παραδόσεώς της, καί β) δέν ἔχει ἀντίρρηση
γιά τήν καύση τῶν νεκρῶν γιά τούς ἑτεροδόξους καί
ἑτεροθρήσκους.
Ἡ παραπάνω ἀπόφαση στηρίζεται σέ ἰσχυρά καί
ἀναντίλεκτα ἐπιχειρήματα (θεολογικά, ἱστορικά,
κοινωνικά) πού ἀναλύθηκαν ἀπό εἰδικούς ἐρευνητές
καί ἐπιστήμονες.
Ὁ θόρυβος γιά τήν καθιέρωση τῆς καύσης τῶν
νεκρῶν εἶναι συνεχής καί ἐπανέρχεται περιοδικά στό
προσκήνιο.
Μέ τό σύντομο αὐτό ἄρθρο, θά ἐπιχειρήσουμε νά
παρουσιάσουμε τή θέση τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας
ἐπί τοῦ ζητήματος, ὡς ἀπάντηση στούς ἐλάχιστους
θιασῶτες τῆς καύσεως, καθ΄ ὅτι ὁ Ἑλληνικός Λαός
στή συντριπτική του πλειονοψηφία παραμένει
ἀδιάφορος σέ ἀθεϊστικές καί μηδενιστικές ἀντιλήψεις
πού ἐπιχειροῦνται νά τοῦ ἐπιβληθοῦν ἄνωθεν,
προωθώντας τήν ἀποσύνδεση τῆς Ἐκκλησίας ἀπό
τήν κοινωνική ζωή.
1) Ἡ Ἱεραρχία τῆς Ἐκκλησίας τῆς Ἑλλάδος
διεξοδικῶς μέ τό ζήτημα αὐτό σέ δύο συνεδριάσεις
της (12-5-2010 καί 22/23-6-2010). Ἡ Ἱεραρχία
διακήρυξε ὅτι ἐμμένει σέ προηγούμενη ἀπόφασή της,
σύμφωνα μέ τήν ὁποῖα:
α) Γιά τούς Ὀρθοδόξους Χριστιανούς ἡ Ἐκκλησία
γνωρίζει καί συνιστᾶ ὡς μοναδικό τρόπο
ἀποσυνθέσεως τοῦ νεκροῦ σώματος τήν ταφή,
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2) Ἐμεῖς θά περιοριστοῦμε νά δώσουμε μιά
συνοπτική ἀπάντηση στό ΓΙΑΤΙ ἀναγνωρίζει ἡ
Ἐκκλησία μας μόνο τήν ταφή καί δέν ἐπιτρέπει τήν
ἀποτέφρωση τῶν νεκρῶν.
Ἡ ταφή ἀποτελεῖ ΠΡΑΞΗ ΤΙΜΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΣΕΒΑΣΜΟΥ
πρός τό ἀνθρώπινο σῶμα. Σύμφωνα μέ τόν
Θεόπνευστο λόγο τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Παύλου, τό σῶμα
μας εἶναι ‘’ναός τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος’’ (Α΄ Κορ.
στ,19).
Ἡ λατρευτική καί μυστηριακή παράδοση τῆς
Ἐκκλησίας μας ἀπευθύνεται στόν ὅλον ἄνθρωπο
καί δέν περιορίζεται στήν ψυχή του, π.χ. μέ τό ἅγιο
Βάπτισμα καί τό Ἱερό Χρίσμα ἁγιάζεται τό σῶμα τοῦ
ἀνθρώπου πού βυθίζεται στήν κολυμβήθρα καί
σφραγίζεται μέ τό Ἅγιο Μύρο.
Ὁ ἁγιασμός γίνεται πιό φανερός στά ἱερά λείψανα
τῶν Ἁγίων, τά ὁποῖα διατηροῦν τή χάρη τοῦ Θεοῦ
καί γι’ αὐτό θαυματουργοῦν.
Χαρακτηριστικοί εἶναι οἱ λόγοι τοῦ Θεοπνεύστου
Ἀποστόλου τῶν Ἐθνῶν Παύλου: ‘’Αὐτός δέ ὁ Θεός
τῆς εἰρήνης ἁγιᾶσαι ὑμᾶς ὁλοτελεῖς, καί ὁλόκληρον
ὑμῶν τό πνεῦμα καί ἡ ψυχή καί τό σῶμα ἀμέμπτως
(Continued from page 6)
Saints were taken up into heaven in a boundless
light while conversing with one another by name.
Saint John immediately assembled the people and
informed them of this revelation. As he was respected by all for his virtue and admired for his powerful
eloquence, the three parties made peace and every
one urged him to lose no time in composing the service of the joint feast. With fine discernment, he selected 30 January as appropriate to the celebration,
for it would set the seal to the month in which each
of the three Hierarchs already had a separate commemoration (Saint Basil – January 1; Saint Gregory
– January 25; Saint John (translation of relics) –
January 27).
The three Hierarchs—an earthly trinity as they are
called in some of the wonderful troparia of their service—have taught us in their writings and equally by
their lives, to worship and to glorify the Holy Trinity,
the One God in three Persons. These three luminaries of the Church have shed the light of the true
Faith all over the world, scorning dangers and persecutions, and they have left us, their descendants,
this sacred inheritance by which we too can attain to
utmost blessedness and everlasting life in the presence of God and of all the Saints.
With the feast of the three Hierarchs at the end of
January—the month in which we keep the memory
of so many glorious bishops, confessors and ascetics—the Church in a way recapitulates the memory
of all the Saints who have witnessed to the Orthodox
faith by their writings and by their lives. In this feast
we honor the whole ministry of teaching of the holy
Church, namely, the illumination of the hearts and
minds of the faithful through the commemoration of
all the Fathers of the Church, those models of evangelic perfection which the Holy Spirit has raised up
Hymns of
the Feast
Apolytikion: First Tone
The three most great luminaries
of the Three-Sun Divinity have
illumined all of the world with
the rays of doctrines divine and
true; they are the sweetlyflowing rivers of wisdom, who
with godly knowledge have
watered all creation in clear and
mighty streams: The great and
sacred Basil, and the Theologian,
wise Gregory, together with the
renowned John, the famed
Chrysostom of golden speech.
Let us all who love their divinelywise words come together,
honoring them with hymns; for
ceaselessly they offer entreaty
for us to the Trinity.
Kontakion: Second Tone
Receive, O Lord, the Sacred
Heralds who preached God, the
pinnacle of Teachers, unto the
enjoyment of Your riches and
rest. You have received their
labors and their suffering as
being above and beyond all
fruitful offering. For You alone
glorify Your Saints.
Adapted from The Synaxarion: The Lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church, Vol. 3, compiled by Hieromonk Makarios of Simonos
Petra and translated from the French by Christopher Hookway (Chalkidike, Greece: Holy Convent of the Annunciation of Our Lady,
2001) pp. 352-354.
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What is your personal connection to
St. George?
MARCH 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2nd Sat of
Souls / Orthros &
Div Liturgy 8:3011 a.m.
2
3 GREAT
LENT BEGINS!
12:00 pm Bible
Discussion
6:00 pm Great
Compline/
Koulouma
4
5
1:00 pm
Philoptochos
General Mtg
6
9
10
1:30 pm
Seniors of St.
George
11
12
13
16
17
12:00 pm Bible
Discussion
18
19
10:00 am
Philoptochos
Board Mtg.
1:00 pm Daughters of Penelope
20
24
25
26
10:30 am Prayer
Shawl Group
27
7
5 pm Presanctified Liturgy
7 pm 1st Salutations
14
15
5 pm PresanctiLiturgyCape Kids
Hall fied
Rental
7 pm 2nd Salutations
HALL RENTAL
Hall Ren-
8
3rd Sat of Souls
8:30-11 am
Orthros & Div
Liturgy
HALL RENTAL
HALL RENTAL
21
5 pm Presanctified Liturgy
7 pm 3rd Salutations
22
8:30 am Annunciation of Theotokos w/
Orthros & Div
Liturgy
7 pm Parish Council
28
5 pm Presanctified Liturgy
7 pm 4th
Salutations
29
Library Rental
30
31
GREEK
INDEPENDENCE
USHERS/PANGARI COMMITTEE – Assist parishioners with seating, lighting candles and helping as needed.
Members: Maria Alex, Catherine DiMauro, Katherine Dorshimer, George Kraniotakis, Adoree McGillvary, Christine Keller, George Bisgounis, Pat Davis, Regina Bisgounis, Eleni Siamos, Maria Zombas
VISITATION COMMITTEE – Visit with elderly and those who are homebound throughout the year. Check in on
those who haven’t been seen in church in a while.
Members: Evangelina Lambrinos, Candace Spyrou
FINANCE COMMITTEE — The purpose of this committee is to consider all matters of finance and make recommendations as appropriate to the Parish Council for approval or disapproval. Plan, recommend and promote the
annual church budget. Administer the budget and all spending in accordance with the financial policies of St.
George.
Members: Van Geraniotis, Achilles Papavasiliou, Greg Racheotes, Chris Alex, Tim Kandianis, Maria Kaldis,
Denis Yannatos
YOUTH COMMITTEE -- Plan periodic activities for children, coordinating them through the Sunday School,
Greek School and Music program. Encourage and attempt to involve the parents of children in one of the ongoing ministry programs to children.
Members: Maria Alex, Claire Yannatos
HALL RENTAL
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At the stewardship brunch in January, Parish Council President Regina Bisgounis asked everyone who attended
if they would consider signing up to be on one of the church’s committees. Then we mailed out the stewardship
commitment cards and asked people to fill out the back of the cards indicating how they could help out with St.
George’s ministries. We have had some response but it would be great if everyone would sign up to help out in
some capacity. Below are listed some of our committees and their responsibilities and people who have volunteered to work on them:
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS -- The purpose of this committee is to have general charge of the administration and
upkeep of the grounds and buildings and make recommendations.
Members: Emilios Rigas, Greg Racheotes, Arthur Liatsos, Tim Karanikolas, Igor Janev
VISION COMMITTEE — Members are Arthur & Carol Surabian
Other committees we need up and running but don’t have any volunteers are the Parish Life Committee,
Scholarship Committee, and Stewardship Committee.
So get connected! Contact the office if you feel you can help in any of these wonderful ministries.
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