ISSUE

32
SEPT 2013

Monthly Newsletter for Stewards of Holy Anargyroi Sts. Kosmas & Damianos Greek Orthodox Church

Box & Spoon

2013 Standing Committees

PARISH COUNCIL Aaron Biedermann-President Halina Woroncow-Vice Pres. Tim Kelly Andru Peters-Secretary Dan JerghiuTreasurer Don Jenkins Tia Maragos Erline Holman Robert Lytle STEWARDSHIP / OUTREACH John Maragos Chair Halina Woroncow Ari Kolas Mark Smith Diana Orbelo ICONOGRAPHY Diana Orbelo Chair Tia Maragos Andru Peters Fr. Mark Muoz BUILDING Tim Kelly- Chair Ari Kolas BUDGET Dan Jerghiu Chair Fr. Mark Muoz AUDIT Jacob Peterson Mark Smith John Maragos PHILOXENIA HOUSE Brad Holman Chair GREEK FESTIVAL Dan Jerghiu Chair Lorenda Jerghiu Silent auction Joe Forrer Set-up/Teardown Tim Kelly Outdoor Cooks Johnny Mangouras Marketing Ari Kolas Marketing Penny Kolas Pastries Maria Thomas Pastries Denise Mangouras Pastries Martha Voytovich Market place Andru Peters Beverages Mike Brekke Beer Garden Ali Ostfeld Children Area

ORTHODOXY & E.T.?????

I can foresee no way in which the teachings of the Orthodox Christian tradition could be affected by the discovery of intelligent beings on another planet. Some of my colleagues feel that even a discussion of the consequences of such a possibility is in itself a waste of time for serious theology and borders on the fringes of foolishness. I am tempted to agree with them for several reasons. As I understand the problem, the discovery of intelligent life on another planet would raise questions concerning traditional Roman Catholic and Protestant teachings regarding creation, the fall, man as the image of God, redemption and Biblical inerrancy. First one should point out that in contrast to the traditions deriving from Latin Christianity, Greek Christianity never had a fundamentalist or literalist understanding of Biblical inspiration and was never committed to the inerrancy of scripture in matters concerning the structure of the universe and life in it. In this regard some modern attempts at de-mything the Bible are interesting and at times amusing. Since the very first centuries of Christianity, theologians of the Greek tradition did not believe, as did the Latins, that humanity was created in a state of perfection from which it fell. Rather the Orthodox always believed that man [was] created imperfect, or at a low level of perfection, with the destiny of evolving to higher levels of perfection. The fall of each man, therefore, entails a failure to reach perfection, rather than any collective fall from perfection. Also spiritual evolution does not end in a static beatific vision. It is a never ending process which will go on even into eternity. Also Orthodox Christianity, like Judaism, never knew the Latin and Protestant doctrine of original sin as an inherited Adamic guilt putting all humanity under a divine wrath which was supposedly satisfied by the death of Christ. Thus the solidarity of the human race in Adamic guilt and the need for satisfaction of divine justice in order to avoid hell are unknown in the Greek Fathers. This means that the interdependence and solidarity of creation and its need for redemption and perfection are seen in a different light. The Orthodox believe that all creation is destined to share in the glory of God. Both damned and glorified will be saved. In other words both will have vision of God in his uncreated glory, with the difference that for the unjust this same uncreated glory of God will be the eternal fires of hell. God is light for those who learn to love Him and a consuming fire for those who will not. God has no positive intent to punish. For those not properly prepared, to see God is a cleansing experience, but one which does not move eternally toward higher reaches of perfection. In contrast, hell is a static state of perfection somewhat similar to Platonic bliss. In view of this the Orthodox never saw in the Bible any three story universe with a hell of created fire underneath the earth and a heaven beyond the stars. For the Orthodox discovery of intelligent life on another planet would raise the question of how far advanced these beings are in their love and preparation for divine glory. - by John Romanides, originally published in Boston Globe, 1968.

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name.

Elevation of the Cross Sept 14th

Calendar for September 2013

Sunday Sept. 1st Sunday School meeting after Liturgy Paraklesis of healing to St. Nektarios Discussion on Child Safety after St. Nektarios Nativity of the Holy Theotokos Parish BBQ @ Slatterly Park after Liturgy Monday Saturday Sunday Wednesday Thursday Fri-Sun Wednesday Thursday Sunday Sept. 9th Sept. 11th Sept. 14th Sept. 15th Sept. 18th Sept. 19th Sept. 25th Sept. 26th Sept. 29th Building Committee meeting Festival Committee Meeting Exaltation of the Holy Cross +Strict Fast day+ Orthros/Divine Liturgy First Day of Sunday School! Parish Council Meeting St. Philothei Project Philoxenia Meeting Falling Asleep of St. John the Theologian Orthros/Divine Liturgy GOYA and Parents Outing after Coffee Hour 6:30pm 6pm 6pm 8:30am 7pm 6pm 8:30am 6pm 7pm Wednesday Sept. 4th Wednesday Sept. 4th Sunday Sept. 8th

Sept. 20th-22nd St. Haralambos Church Consecration, Fr. Mark away

SAVE THE DATES!!!

DISCUSSION ON CHILD SAFETY
September 4th at 7pm
Dr. Amalyssa Johnson, Ph.D, LP (who has worked with children and adolescents for nearly 10 years and those who have been sexually abused for the past 5 years) will lead our one hour discussion that will concentrate on the following topics: Promote general awareness of issues in child safety, and how they relate specifically to our church environment Review the recognition of the Level 3 sex offenders living in our neighborhood.

PARISH BBQ September 9th at Slatterly Park after Liturgy

PARISH BBQ PARTY!!!

DATE: Sunday, September 8th 2013 Time: After Liturgy Place: Slatterly Park
Directions: 10th Street & 11th Avenue SE. Park facilities include full electric, restrooms, playgrounds, horseshoes, baseball diamonds and more!!!

Menu: Chicken, ribs, hot dogs, and hamburgers. Please bring

a side dish or dessert to share. Beverages will be provided!!!

Family and Friends are welcome to join!!!

Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.

Youth Team Report

Its September Happy New Year! September marks the beginning of the new ecclesiastical year, the birth of the Theotokos, the start of a new school year. Our Church School teachers have been working throughout the summer on a thoughtful curriculum plan for our youth. We are ready for the first day of classes on September 15th. If your child is new to our program, please be sure to check in with Presbytera Michelle to register him/her in the appropriate class. Our class divisions are just a little different this year: Preschool -Kindergarten (Erline Holman and Maria Peterson); Grades 1-2 (Kathy Lytle); Grades 3-4 (Loredana Jerghiuta and Kris Brekke); Grades 5-6 (Terri Mettler and Catherine Weiler); and Grades 7-12 (Mike Brekke and Halina Woroncow). Please find your teacher in the narthex on the first day of class and your child will be led to their classroom. The summer has flown by as we knew it would, but not without some memorable experiences. All ages helped out enthusiastically with both preparations and event responsibilities during our hottest GreekFest ever! They manned the childrens games, painted faces, managed money, grilled souvlakia, sold pastries, and carried hot pans and heavy boxes of supplies to and fro. They encountered the dedication and long hours put in by our church members, and past parishioners who traveled long distances to help, and worked right alongside them. They saw us open up our church and our faith to the community by means of tours, talks, posters, and pamphlets. And they enjoyed each others fellowship before, during, and after this significant expression of stewardship that was presented with a smile. The life of the church is worship, service, witness, and all we do together to support our church. It is a lesson one is never too young to start learning. In Christ, Your Youth Team Coordinators: JOY: Loredana Jerghiuta GOYA: Halina Woroncow & Mike Brekke

Featured Library Item of the Month

The Heavenly Banquet: Understanding the Divine Liturgy
by Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis Location: Orthodox Instruction
Want to learn more about the Divine Liturgy? This book explains the Divine Liturgy line by line, in simple understandable language, and includes biblical citations and patristic references. Located in the "Orthodox Instruction" section of the library. Did you know our church library has over 800 titles? Browse the shelves or browse the library catalog in the library or on the church webpage. Check out the books following the instructions posted in the church library.

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name.

Elevation of the Cross Sept 14th

Philoxenia House News

During the summer months we had great activity in our Philoxenia House. We had a family of four from Cyprus stay with us for almost 2 months while receiving medical treatment from Mayo clinic. They left for Cyprus with a clean bill of health and a heart full of faith. We also had a family from Chicago that needed quick accommodations that we were able to help with because of many cancelations due to Greeces economic recession. We currently have the Vangelatos family revisiting us after long stay with us previously. They will return to Greece in early September. Also we are expecting early September the Evgenia Svigos Tsokas family that had been with us for long term stay last year . They will be returning to the house for a short period of time. We have the Kritikos family that has needed long term accommodations & will be staying with us until further notice from Mayo. The families have shown gratitude for the wonderful work of the Philoxenia House. Continue to pray for our extended Philoxenia Family. As the winter months will be upon us before we know it, we have some repair work that needs to be addressed. Please make contributions if you are able and help where it is needed. We have also created a new account to fund the new Philoxenia Village, you can make donations to this account thru the church please contact Jackie Barbes. With the grace of God we can start this project in the near future. Yannis Kaloumenos Philoxenia House Administrator

Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who guards you will honour your patience. St. John Climacus

Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.

Freely you have received. Freely give.

Orthodox Christian Stewardship is a way of life, which acknowledges accountability, reverence, and responsibility before God. A primary goal of Stewardship is to promote spiritual growth and strengthen faith. Becoming a Steward begins when we believe in God, to whom we give our love, loyalty and trust and act on those beliefs. As Stewards, we affirm that every aspect of our lives comes as a gift from Him. Stewardship calls on the faithful to cheerfully offer back to God a portion of the gifts with which they have been blessed. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church.
The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards. Each year the Steward is expected to carefully review his or her personal circumstances and make a commitment of time, talent, and treasure to support the Parish and her Ministries, which in turn support the National Ministries of our Archdiocese, Metropolises, and institutions. In Oriented Leadership their book on Orthodox Christian leadership, Williams and McKibben define stewardship as the call of the faithful to share willingly the gifts that God has bestowed on them, including sharing these gifts for Gods work. Stewardship is devotion and service to God and His Church as persons, as families, as a Parish, as a Metropolis, as a National Church, and as the Church Universal. Stewardship is our active commitment to use ALL our time, talent and treasure for the benefit of humankind in grateful acknowledgement of Christs redeeming love.

Stewardship is caring for the needs of others. Stewardship is offering one's self to God as He offered Himself to us. Stewardship is what a person does after saying "I believe.." as proof of that belief. - Williams and McKibben in Oriented Leadership
Our theme for 2013 is Chosen and Appointed by God to Go and Bear Fruit from chapter 15 of the Gospel of John. At the Last Supper, as we read in Chapter 15 of the Gospel of John, Jesus instructed His disciples, "I Am the Vine; you are the branches." He was telling us that the purpose of our abiding in Him is that we may bear fruit for God in the world. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit..." Just as the vine bears fruit only through its branches, so Jesus has chosen to work in the world through us. We are the members of His Body. We are the branches through which the True Vine must bear fruit. We bear fruit when we serve and support God and His Church.

Father Seraphim Rose

Aug. 13, 1934-Sept. 2, 1982
Dont worry too much about how spiritually poor you are God sees that, but for you it is expected to trust in God and pray to Him as best as you can, never fall into despair, and to struggle according to your strength. If you ever begin to think that you are spiritually well off then you can know for sure that you aren't! True spiritual life, even on the most elementary level, is always accompanied by suffering and difficulties. Therefore rejoice in all your difficulties and sorrows.

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name.

Elevation of the Cross Sept 14th

CHURCH NEEDS LIST

Please Donate
The vacuum cleaner has been donated!!! Coffee and coffee filters Candles Two AEDs (automated external defibrillator) Metropolis basketball tournament registration fee OCMC support (Divided between Hoppe and GOYA missions) Thank you!!! $110 per case 5 cases per year $4,200 per year $1300 each $300 per year $500 per month

BUDGET CUTS
Please Donate
Church School texts/supplies Parish youth activities Outreach efforts Repairs: Air Conditioner (7/8/2013) $750 per year $1,000 per year $500 per year $1,000 God is a fire that warms and kindles the heart and inward parts. Hence, if we feel in our hearts the cold which comes from the devil for the devil is cold let us call on the Lord. He will come to warm our hearts with perfect love, not only for Him but also for our neighbor, and the cold of him who hates the good will flee before the heat of His countenance.

-St. Seraphim of Sarov

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name.

Elevation of the Cross Sept 14th

50th Annual Greek Festival!!!

Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.

50th Annual Greek Festival!!!

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name.

Elevation of the Cross Sept 14th

50th Annual Greek Festival!!!

Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.

Philoptochos Society
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Our first meeting of the Ecclesiastical year is on Tuesday, September 10th at 6pm in the Church library. Our Society meets once a month from Sept. to May. These meetings are the core in which our Society develops, plans and encourages our fundraisers and mission work together. Our meeting on Sept 10th is one of high importance as we vote on our commitments for the year. All of our philanthropic endeavors start with these meetings as no one runs Philoptochos alone; it is teamwork, with Gods help, every step of the way. Many of us, in our lives, participate in ministry by ourselves but in Philoptochos, we do it together. We welcome new members at any time; if you are curious or being called, do not hesitate to ask us questions or even better, join our ranks and help us in our work for God. On Sept. 15th after Divine Liturgy in the Church hall; Philoptochos will assist George Yogi Kereakos with a longstanding tradition he has held with his late brother Steve for over 20 years, may Steves memory be eternal. This tradition is hosting the Sunday School Luncheon to celebrate the first day of Sunday School. Thank you Yogi for your wonderful commitment and donation. Parents, grandparents, Godparents and parishioners please attend to, facilitate and celebrate our childrens spiritual growth by regularly attending Divine Liturgy with them and encouraging Sunday School attendance. All over the world there are many miracle working icons that Orthodox Christians make pilgrimages to venerate. One such beautiful icon of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child is Panagia Tsambika in Rhodes, Greece. The Monastery of Panagia Tsambika honors the feast day of the icon on the Nativity of the Theotokos which is September 8th. Around the early 17th century, a shepherd saw high up on a mountain near his village in Rhodes, a shining light. Worried that it would be invaders or thieves coming to rob the village below; he summoned a group of villagers to go and investigate it with him. To their surprise upon reaching the light; they found a small icon of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child in a Cyprus tree. Three times they took the icon and placed it in the village Church only to have it miraculously return to the tree on the mountain. A group of Monks on the nearby island of Cyprus heard about the icon and believed it was their Monasterys missing icon. Two times they brought the icon back to Cyprus only for it to mysteriously return to the mountain in Rhodes. The third time they took the icon; they secretly burned a small spot on the back to assure it was the original icon. This third time the icon miraculously returned to Rhodes and now with the burn mark on the back; the monks understood it was our Holy Mothers wish for a Church to be built where the icon was found. Panagia Tsambika became the name of the icon because the word tsamba in local dialect means spark or small fire. I have heard that Divine Grace often presents itself to us mere and ignorant mortals three times before we finally realize what Gods Will is, and such is with this holy icon. During this time, the shepherd who found the icon and his barren wife who had been praying together for child, were granted their wish. This was the first of many such miracles of Panagia Tsambika, hence for centuries, it is known as a miracle working icon in which our Holy Mother, the Virgin Mary may intercede on behalf of the women who come to properly venerate her for a child. The locals on the island will tell you to make a tama to our Holy Mother which is a bargaining gesture, so to speak, to make a promise or offer a gift to the Virgin Mary if she grants you a child. Personally I find this practice difficult to encourage even though multitudes of people participate in it and I understand that it is important for us to ask and our prayers will be answered according to Gods Will. I believe, and I speak from my own mere laypersons point of view, that it is vital to always honor, in your life, our Virgin Mary, with loving reverence, to give her gifts and respect out of your unconditional love for her. In my opinion, an important way to venerate a miracle working icon or any icon is with true genuine humility and personal repentance, along with gratitude to our Lord, straight from the heart. It is important for us to trust that God knows what is in our hearts and what His Will is to give us; instead of asking for things, to humbly focus on our own weakness, our insignificance and beg Him for His mercy and forgiveness or to ask the Saint we are venerating to passionately intercede to God on our behalf. Also to closely examine our lives and motives, be watchful, work hard, participate in our Orthodox Sacraments, give thanks to the Lord and constantly pray. May God forgive us all in our weaknesses as we struggle to hang on to faith, follow His Will and give our deepest appreciation to Him. With love in CHRIST, Calli Kelly Philoptochos President

The Monastery of Panagia Tsambika

FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

INTRODUCTION The Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life - Giving Cross is celebrated each year on September 14. The Feast commemorates the finding of the True Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by Saint Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine. BACKGROUND In the twentieth year of his reign (326), the Emperor Constantine sent his mother Saint Helen to Jerusalem to venerate the holy places and to find the site of the Holy Sepulchre
Exaltation of the Holy Cross Sat. Sept. 14th-Strict Fast
Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am

and of the Cross. Relying upon the oral tradition of the faithful, Saint Helen found the precious Cross together with the crosses of the two thieves crucified with our Lord. However, Helen had no way of determining which was the Cross of Christ. With the healing of a dying woman who touched one of the crosses, Patriarch Macarius of Jerusalem identified the True Cross of Christ. Saint Helen and her court venerated the Precious and Life -Giving Cross along with many others who came to see this great instrument of Redemption. The Patriarch mounted the ambo (pulpit) and lifted the Cross with both hands so that all of the people gathered could see it. The crowed responded with "Lord have mercy". This became the occasion of the institution in all of the Churches of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross, not only in memory of the event of the finding of the Cross, but also to cele-

Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.

brate how an instrument of shame was used to overcome death and bring salvation and eternal life. The Feast is an opportunity outside of the observances of Holy Week to celebrate the full significance of the victory of the Cross over the powers of the world, and the triumph of the wisdom of God through the Cross over the wisdom of this world. This Feast also gives the Church an opportunity to relish the full glory of the Cross as a source of light, hope and victory for Christ's people. It is also a time to celebrate the universality of the work of redemption accomplished through the Cross: the entire universe is seen through the light of the Cross, the new Tree of Life which provides nourishment for those who have been redeemed in Christ. ICON OF THE FEAST The icon of the Feast of the Precious Cross tells the story of the finding of the Cross and of its Exaltation. Patriarch Macarius is standing in the pulpit elevating the Cross for all to see and venerate (1 & 2). On each side of the Patriarch are deacons holding candles (3). The elevated Cross is surrounded and venerated by many clergy and lay people, including Saint Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine (4). In the background of the icon is a domed structure that represents the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem. This church was one of the churches constructed and dedicated by Emperor Constantine on the holy sites of Jerusalem.