Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h. Sunday, March 16, 2014 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

Transcript

1 Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h Sunday, March 16, 2014 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas Dear God, So far today, I ve done alright. I haven t gossiped, and I haven t lost my temper. I haven t been grumpy, nasty or selfish. But in a few minutes, Lord, I m going to get out of bed, and that is when I m going to need a lot of help. Amen. Θεέ μου, Μέχρι στιγμής σήμερα, έχω πάει καλά. Δεν έχω κουτσομπολευσει, και δεν έχω χάσει την ψυχραιμία μου. Δεν έχω γίνει γκρινιάρης, προσβλητικός ή εγωιστής. Αλλά σε λίγα λεπτά, Κύριε, πρόκειται να βγω από το κρεβάτι, και εκεί είναι όπου θα χρειαστώ πολλή βοήθεια. Αμήν. 1

2 THE MISSION OF THE STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF WASHINGTON DC IN SILVER SPRING IS TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, TO TEACH AND SPREAD THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH, TO ENERGIZE, CULTIVATE AND GUIDE THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH ACCORDING TO THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH AND SACRED TRADITION. THE CHURCH SANCTIFIES THE FAITHFUL THROUGH THE DIVINE WORSHIP, ESPECIALLY THE HOLY EUCHARIST AND OTHER SACRAMENTS, BUILDING THE SPIRITUAL AND ETHICAL LIFE OF THE FAITHFUL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, SACRED TRADITION, THE DOCTRINES AND CANONS OF THE ECUMENICAL AND LOCAL SYNODS, THE CANONS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES AND FATHERS OF THE CHURCH AND OF ALL OTHER SYNODS RECOGNIZED BY THE ORTHODOX CHURCH, AS INTERPRETED BY THE GREAT CHURCH OF CHRIST IN CONSTANTINOPLE. THE CHURCH SERVES AS A BEACON, CARRIER AND WITNESS OF THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST TO ALL PERSONS, THROUGH DIVINE WORSHIP, PREACHING, TEACHING AND LIVING THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH. YOUR PRIESTS ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU 24/7. Please use their cell phones for any spiritual need you might have, not for making appointments or scheduling anything. For all appointments and events, please call the church office at (240) Fr. Michael: (301) Fr. Jason: (301) Fr. Michael ΟΙ ΙΕΡΕΙΣ ΣΑΣ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΣΤΗ ΔΙΑΘΕΣΗ ΣΑΣ 24/7. Παρακαλώ να τους καλείτε στα κινητά τηλέφωνα μόνο για πνευματικές ανάγκες. Για οτιδήποτε άλλο, παρακαλούμε να καλείτε το γραφείο στο (240) Σας ευχαριστούμε! 2 Fr. Jason

3 YMNOI THΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ HYMNS OF THE DAY Αναστάσιμο Aπολυτίκιον - Πλ.Α Ηχος Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ. Τοῦ Ἁγίου Γρηγορίου τοῦ Παλαμά Ὀρθοδοξίας ὁ φωστὴρ Ἐκκλησίας τὸ στήριγμα καὶ διδάσκαλε τῶν μοναστῶν ἡ καλλονὴ τῶν θεολόγων ὑπέρμαχος ἀπροσμάχητος Γρηγόριε θαυματουργὲ Θεσσαλονίκης τὸ καύχημα κῆρυξ τῆς χάριτος ἱκέτευε διὰ παντός, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Aπολυτίκιον Αγ. Κωνσταντίνου & Ελένης Τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου τὸν τύπον ἐν οὐρανῷ θεασάμενος, καὶ ὡς ὁ Παῦλος τὴν κλήσιν οὐκ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων δεξάμενος, ὁ ἐν βασιλεύσιν, Ἀπόστολός σου Κύριε, Βασιλεύουσαν πόλιν τὴ χειρί σου παρέθετο ἣν περίσωζε διὰ παντὸς ἐν εἰρήνῃ, πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε. Aπολυτίκιον Αγ. Ανδρέα Ὡς τῶν Ἀποστόλων Πρωτόκλητος, καὶ τοῦ Κορυφαίου αὐτάδελφος, τὸν Δεσπότην τῶν ὅλων Ἀνδρέα ἱκέτευε, εἰρήνην τὴ οἰκουμένη δωρήσασθαι, καὶ ταὶς ψυχαὶς ἡ μῶν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Κοντάκιον- πλ.δ Ήχος Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε. Resurrectional Apolytikion - 8th Tone Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate * with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born * for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. * For in His goodness He was pleased * to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, * and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection. Apolytikion of St. Gregory Palamas O Gregory the Miracle Worker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, comeliness of Monastics, invincible defender of theologians, the pride of Thessalonica, and preacher of grace, intercede forever that our souls may be saved. Apolytikion of Sts. Constantine & Helen Having seen the image of Thy Cross in Heaven, and like Paul, having received the call not from men, Thine apostle among kings entrusted the commonwealth to Thy hand, O Lord. Keep us always in peace, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Friend of man. Apolytikion of St. Andrew As first of the Apostles to be called, O Andrew, brother of him (Peter) who was foremost, beseech the Master of all to grant the world peace and our souls great mercy. Kontakion- 8th Tone To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!" 3

4 Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς. Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος. ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρὸς Ἑβραίους Επιστολής Παύλου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα 1:10-14; 2:1-3 Κατʼ ἀρχάς, Κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμένεις καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ, καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν. Πρὸς τίνα δὲ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἴρηκέν ποτε, Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου; Οὐχὶ πάντες εἰσὶν λειτουργικὰ πνεύματα, εἰς διακονίαν ἀποστελλόμενα διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν; Διὰ τοῦτο δεῖ περισσοτέρως ἡμᾶς προσέχειν τοῖς ἀκουσθεῖσιν, μήποτε παραρρυῶμεν. Εἰ γὰρ ὁ διʼ ἀγγέλων λαληθεὶς λόγος ἐγένετο βέβαιος, καὶ πᾶσα παράβασις καὶ παρακοὴ ἔλαβεν ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν, πῶς ἡμεῖς ἐκφευξόμεθα τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας; Ἥτις, ἀρχὴν λαβοῦσα λαλεῖσθαι διὰ τοῦ κυρίου, ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκουσάντων εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐβεβαιώθη. EPISTLE You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us. Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed. St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3 "IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him. The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12 GOSPEL At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"i say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" Κατὰ Μᾶρκον ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟ Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς εἰς Καπερναοὺμ δι ἡμερῶν καὶ ἠκούσθη ὅτι εἰς οἶκόν ἐστι. καὶ εὐθέως συνήχθησαν πολλοί, ὥστε μηκέτι χωρεῖν μηδὲ τὰ πρὸς τὴν θύραν καὶ ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς τὸν λόγον. καὶ ἔρχονται πρὸς αὐτὸν παραλυτικὸν φέροντες, αἰρόμενον ὑπὸ τεσσάρων καὶ μὴ δυνάμενοι προσεγγίσαι αὐτῷ διὰ τὸν ὄχλον, ἀπεστέγασαν τὴν στέγην ὅπου ἦν, καὶ ἐξορύξαντες χαλῶσι τὸν κράβαττον, ἐφ ᾧ ὁ παραλυτικὸς κατέκειτο. ἰδὼν 4

5 δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ τέκνον, ἀφέωνταί σοι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. ἦσαν δέ τινες τῶν γραμματέων ἐκεῖ καθήμενοι καὶ διαλογιζόμενοι ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν τί οὗτος οὕτω λαλεῖ βλασφημίας; τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός; καὶ εὐθέως ἐπιγνοὺς ὁ Ιησοῦς τῷ πνεύματι αὐτοῦ ὅτι οὕτως αὐτοὶ διαλογίζονται ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς τί ταῦτα διαλογίζεσθε ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν τῷ παραλυτικῷ, ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀφιέναι ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἁμαρτίας - λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ σοὶ λέγω, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. καὶ ἠγέρθη εὐθέως, καὶ ἄρας τὸν κράβαττον ἐξῆλθεν ἐναντίον πάντων, ὥστε ἐξίστασθαι πάντας καὶ δοξάζειν τὸν Θεὸν λέγοντας ὅτι οὐδέποτε οὕτως εἴδομεν. PRAYER LIST If you would like us to remember you or your loved one in our prayers, please contact the office. Eleni, Maria, Simeon, Nikitas, Andreas PRAYER FOR A SICK PERSON Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent Your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ to heal every sickness and infirmity, visit and heal me Your servant from all physical and spiritual ailments through the grace of Your Christ. Grant me patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us through Your word to pray for each other that we may be healed. I pray that You heal me as Your servant and grant me the gift of complete health. For You are the source of healing and to You I give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. MEMORIAL SERVICE No Memorial Service this Sunday 5

6 SAINTS AND FEASTS Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas Reading: This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today. Κυριακή Αγίου Γρηγορίου Παλαμά. Βιογραφία: Ο Άγιος Γρηγόριος ο Παλαμάς ήταν δεινός θεολόγος και διαπρεπέστατος ρήτορας και φιλόσοφος. Δεν γνωρίζουμε το χρόνο και τον τόπο της γέννησής του. (Ο Σ. Ευστρατιάδης όμως, στο αγιολόγιο του, αναφέρει ότι ο Άγιος Γρηγόριος γεννήθηκε το 1296 μ.χ. στην Κωνσταντινούπολη, από τον Κωνσταντίνο τον Συγκλητικό και την ευσεβέστατη Καλλονή). Ξέρουμε όμως, ότι κατά το πρώτο μισό του 14ου αιώνα μ.χ. ήταν στην αυτοκρατορική αυλή της Κωνσταντινούπολης, απ' οπού και αποσύρθηκε στο Άγιο Όρος χάρη ησυχότερης ζωής, και αφιερώθηκε στην ηθική του τελειοποίηση και σε διάφορες μελέτες. Το 1335 μ.χ. με τους δύο αποδεικτικούς λόγους του «Περί εκπορεύσεως του Αγίου Πνεύματος», ήλθε σε σύγκρουση με τον Βαρλαάμ τον Καλαβρό, ο οποίος δίδασκε πως ο άνθρωπος δεν μπορεί να γνωρίσει το Θεό, κι ακόμα περισσότερο δεν μπορεί να ενωθεί μαζί Του. Κατά τα λεγόμενα του Βαρλαάμ, ο Θεός είναι «κλειστός στον εαυτό του» και δεν μπορεί να ενωθεί με τους ανθρώπους. Επομένως, οι «ησυχαστές», οι μοναχοί δηλαδή εκείνοι που έλεγαν ότι μπορεί ο άνθρωπος, αν έχει καθαρή καρδιά και αν συγκεντρωθεί στην «καρδιακή προσευχή» (το «Κύριε Ιησού Χριστέ, Υιέ Θεού, ελέησόν με»), να ενωθεί με το Θεό και να φωτισθεί και να δει το Άκτιστο φως, ασχέτως της μόρφωσής του, δεν ήταν Ορθόδοξοι αλλά «μεσσαλιανιστές» και «ομφαλόψυχοι». Μετά από αυτές τις τοποθετήσεις του Βαρλαάμ, ο Παλαμάς εγκαταστάθηκε στη Θεσσαλονίκη από όπου και άρχισε τον αγώνα «υπέρ των Ιερώς ησυχαζόντων», δηλ. αυτών που ασκούσαν τον ησυχασμό, συγγράφοντας μάλιστα και τους 6

7 ομώνυμους λόγους του. Το ζητούμενο της πάλης αυτής ήταν κυρίως το μεθεκτικόν ή αμέθεκτον της θείας ουσίας. Ο Γρηγόριος, οπλισμένος με μεγάλη πολυμάθεια και ισχυρή κριτική για θέματα αγίων Γραφών, διέκρινε μεταξύ θείας ουσίας αμεθέκτου και θείας ενεργείας μεθεκτής. Και αυτό το στήριξε σύμφωνα με το πνεύμα των Πατέρων και η Εκκλησία επικύρωσε την ερμηνεία του με τέσσερις Συνόδους. Στην τελευταία, που έγινε στην Κωνσταντινούπολη το 1351 μ.χ., ήταν και ο ίδιος ο Παλαμάς. Αλλά ο Γρηγόριος έγραψε πολλά και διάφορα θεολογικά έργα, περίπου 60. Αργότερα ο Πατριάρχης Ισίδωρος, τον εξέλεξε αρχικά επίσκοπο Θεσσαλονίκης. Λόγω όμως των τότε ζητημάτων, αποχώρησε πρόσκαιρα στη Λήμνο. Αλλά κατόπιν ανέλαβε τα καθήκοντα του. Πέθανε το 1360 μ.χ. και τιμήθηκε αμέσως σαν Άγιος. Ο Πατριάρχης Φιλόθεος, έγραψε το 1376 μ.χ. εγκωμιαστικό λόγο στο Γρηγόριο Παλαμά, μαζί και ακολουθία και όρισε την εκκλησιαστική μνήμη του στη Β' Κυριακή της Μ. Τεσσαρακοστής. Το τίμιο σώμα του, μετά από την εκταφή, υπήρξε άφθαρτο, δηλαδή δέν σάπισε, αλλά ευωδίαζε και θαυματουργούσε. Στούς λατίνους όμως, τους υποτελείς του Πάπα, ήταν χονδρό αγκάθι η ενθύμιση του Αγίου και μάλιστα ολόσωμου. Γι αυτό πολλες φορές τον συκοφαντούσαν λέγοντας, πως για τα αμαρτήματά του έμεινε «άλυωτος», δέν δέχθηκε από απέχθεια η γη να τον διαλύσει «στα εξ ων συνετέθη»! Τον 19ο αιώνα μ.χ. ο ναός του Αγίου καταστράφηκε από φωτιά και το τίμιο σκήνωμά του κάηκε αφήνοντας μόνον τα οστά ανέπαφα! Τόσο γινάτι κράτησαν οι καθολικοί που όταν τυπώνονταν οι εκκλησιαστικές μας ακολουθίες στην Βενετία - κατά τους χρόνους της τουρκοκρατίας - ο Δόγης έδινε την άδειά του για την έκδοση, μόνον εφόσον δέν υπήρχε σχετική αναφορά στον Αγιο. Έτσι για αρκετά χρόνια που κυκλοφορούσαν τα έντυπα από την Βενετία, η γιορτή του είχε σχεδόν ξεχαστεί. Περί τα μέσα και τέλη του 20ου αιώνα, επανήλθε η μνήμη των ενδόξων αγώνων του και έλαβε την πρέπουσα θέση στον χώρο των Ορθόδοξων ναών. Saint Patrick, the Enlightener of Ireland - March 17 Saint Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish, was seized from his native Britain by Irish marauders when he was sixteen years old. Though the son of a deacon and a grandson of a priest, it was not until his captivity that he sought out the Lord with his whole heart. In his Confession, the testament he wrote towards the end of his life, he says, "After I came to Ireland - every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed - the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was so moved that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many at night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountain; and I would rise for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm." After six years of slavery in Ireland, he was guided by God to make his escape, and afterwards struggled in the monastic life at Auxerre in Gaul, under the guidance of the holy Bishop Germanus. Many years later he was ordained bishop and sent to Ireland once again, about the year 432, to convert the Irish to Christ. His arduous labours bore so much fruit that within seven years, three bishops were sent from Gaul to help him shepherd his flock, "my brethren and sons whom I have baptized in the Lord - so many thousands of people," he says in his Confession. His apostolic work was not accomplished without much "weariness and painfulness," long journeys through difficult country, and many perils; he says his very life was in danger twelve times. When he came to Ireland as its enlightener, it was a pagan country; when he ended his earthly life some thirty years later, about 461, the Faith of Christ was established in every corner. 7

8 CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS HOPE/JOY: We would like to thank all who participated in making cards for the children at Children's Hospital. We look forward to seeing everyone at our March Lent Event. GOYA: There will not be basketball practice during Great Lent. Please take this opportunity to attend the Pre- Sanctified Liturgy with your family. Great Lent Retreat will be April 5th and 6th at Skycroft Retreat Center. PHILOPTOCHOS: The Philoptochos meeting for today is canceled. The new date and time: Thursday, March 20, 2014, 7pm, at the home of Advisor, Nikki Pappas, 2401 Harmon Road, Silver Spring. Tickets for the Palm Sunday Luncheon will be on sale after Divine Liturgy today in the hall. Please see Nikki Pappas. AHEPA AWARDS: Attention High School Seniors! Student applications are now available for the Washington Metropolitan Area 44th AHEPA Scholarship program. Students eligible for an award will be honored at this year's Awards Program on May 18th, 2014 held at the Hilton Washington, DC / Rockville Hotel in Rockville, MD. This program has honored 1,508 students and awarded $804,975 in scholarships. Applications are available in the church office and website. Completed applications and materials must be submitted by April 4th, For more information, contact Ted Sakkos (tedsakkos@yahoo.com) (202) Dear Parishioner: CHOIR CALL Soon our Community will see the walls of our beautiful House of Worship rising up and not very long after we will gather to celebrate the opening of our new church. On that glorious day, the choir undoubtedly will play a great role in the celebration. We like to have a great choir consisting of many members who can raise their voices in glorifying God for the blessings bestowed upon our community. Dr. Papaloizos is willing to devote individual time with each new member to train him/her. You need nothing more than the desire to sing the beautiful hymnology of our Orthodox faith. It is an incredibly rewarding experience, so please, join us. Each Sunday, there will be a table in the hall of St. Andrew s where interested parishioners can provide their contact information. 8

9 ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY through the eyes of the Church Fathers starting Monday, March 10th, 2014 at St. Andrew s Cathedral Hall 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. 9

10 What Do Your Spiritual Fathers Expect from Their Spiritual Children? To call us ON THE DAY OF BIRTH to come to the hospital to offer prayer. To call us ON THE EIGHTH DAY to come to your home to offer prayer in the NAMING of the baby. To come to the church ON THE COMPLETION OF 40 DAYS to offer prayer for the mom and to CHURCH the baby. To call us to pray with you if there is a MISCARRIAGE. To call us to offer prayer AT THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN. To bring your baby for the MYSTERION OF BAPTISM. To come to your clergy for pre-marriage guidance and to BLESS your engagement with the SERVICE of BLESSING THE ENGAGEMENT. (Informal Blessing of Rings) To come to the church to have your MARRIAGE BLESSED IN THE CHURCH. To come to the church often for the MYSTERION OF HOLY CONFESSION. To come to the church often for the MYSTERION OF HOLY EUCHARIST. To invite your clergy to your home for THE OFFICE OF HOLY UNCTION (in the home) To call us to come to visit those who are sick either in the home, hospital or special care facility and to pray the SERVICE OF THE VISITATION OF THE SICK. We want to pray with you prior to an operation and want to give thanks to God after the operation. To pray with you if there is a perceived need to PRAY AGAINST THE EVIL EYE. To call us if there is a need for an EXORCISM. To be called immediately when someone is near death. To be called immediately upon death for the TRISAGION PRAYER. To pray the TRISAGION PRAYER at the funeral home the night before a funeral, FUNERAL SERVICE IN THE CHURCH upon someone FALLING ASLEEP IN THE LORD. To go to the cemetery on the 9th day after someone has FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE LORD for a TRISAGION PRAYER SERVICE. To pray a 40 DAY MEMORIAL SERVICE in the church, preferably on a Saturday, after someone has FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE LORD. Prayers for those who have fallen asleep should be offered up often. To pray an ARTOKLASIA for the health and gratitude of God s blessings on your family. To come to your home to BLESS it (AGIASMO) at least once per year. To come to your business to pray and BLESS THE BEGINNING OF ANY BUSINESS UNDERTAKING. To offer prayer at a WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. To offer prayer for those who are suffering DEPRESSION. To BLESS A VEHICLE, old or new. To invite us to your home to spend time together and get to know each other better. To come to the church to receive what is basically the only thing we as clergy truly have to offer, the BLESSINGS OF OUR LORD and to engage in spiritual direction. To love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. To love your neighbor as yourself. And the final wish that we your clergy ask of you, our spiritual children, is your prayers. This is love. Fathers Michael and Jason 10

11 ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LIVING Are we ready for the Owner to return or for us to go to him? A man went to visit the caretaker of a large estate with an absentee owner. Noticing how meticulously the caretaker performed every chore, the visitor asked him, When do you expect the owner to return? The caretaker s reply: today, of course. Like soldiers ready at any moment for a barracks inspection, servants are constantly aware that this could be the day of the master s return. If they knew the day or hour of that return, they could waste time. They might borrow some of the master s money, intending to replace it before he comes back. When they cease to expect the master s return, embezzlement6 or squandering becomes a great temptation. But if the stewards know that the master is a man of his word, they live each day as if it were the day of the master s return. Because one day it will be. Either Christ s second coming or our deaths bring us to stand before our Lord. Either event marks the end of our current service as his asset managers. At that moment, our service irrevocable freezer into its final form, to be evaluated as such by our Master at the judgment. The apostle Paul warns us against complacency: You know quite well that the day of the Lord s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, Everything is peaceful and secure, then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. But you aren t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief (1Thessalonians 5:2-4) The thief s design is to make his victims poorer by taking their treasures. If our treasures are on Earth, Christ s return will indeed make us poorer, because it will take away our earthly treasures just as surely as a thief raiding a house. But if we ve stored up our treasures in Heaven, Christ s return will not take treasures from us, but bring treasures to us. Christ will turn the thief analogy on its head, because the faithful believer will not become poorer when Christ returns, but immeasurably richer! Even if Christ does not return for two hundred years, we will meet him in our deaths, whether in twenty years, twenty months, or twenty minutes. God encourages us not to be surprised about the soon coming of our appointment to stand before him. If we are ready to meet Christ, we will long for his return. If we are not ready, we will dread it. If we do not feel ready to meet him, now is the time to get ready. As God s child and his money manager, what personal, spiritual, moral, and financial changes do you need to make to get ready to give him a face to-face account of your job performance? Managing God s Money by Randy Alcorn 11

12 ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΔΙΑΒΙΩΣΗ Είμαστε έτοιμοι γιά την επιστροφή του Ιδιοκτήτη ή γιά να πάμε εμείς σ αυτόν; Ένας άνδρας επισκέφθηκε τον επιστάτη ενός μεγάλου κτήματος που ο ιδιοκτήτης του απουσίαζε. Βλέποντας πόσο σχολαστικά έκανε κάθε μία από τις δουλειές του, ο επισκέπτης τον ρώτησε, "Πότε περιμένεις τον ιδιοκτήτη να επιστρέψει;" Ο επιστάτης του απάντησε: "Σήμερα, φυσικά." Σαν τους στρατιώτες που είναι έτοιμοι ανά πάσαν στιγμή γιά την επιθεώρηση του στρατώνα τους, οι υπάλληλοι έχουν διαρκώς την επίγνωση ότι αυτή θα μπορούσε να είναι η ημέρα της επιστροφής του αφεντικού. Εάν γνώριζαν την ημέρα ή την ώρα της εν λόγω επιστροφής, μπορεί να χαράμιζαν τον χρόνο τους. Μπορεί να «δανειζόντουσαν» μερικά από τα χρήματα του αφεντικού με σκοπό να τα αντικαταστήσουν πρίν γυρίσει. Όταν δεν περιμένουν την επιστροφή του αφεντικού, η κατάχρηση ή η σπατάλη είναι μεγάλος πειρασμός. Αλλά εάν οι διαχειριστές ξέρουν ότι το αφεντικό είναι άνθρωπος που κρατάει τον λόγο του, ζουν την κάθε μέρα σαν να ήταν η ημέρα της επιστροφής του. Γιατί μία ημέρα θα είναι. Είτε η δεύτερη παρουσία του Χριστού ή ο θάνατός θα μας φέρει μπροστά στον Κύριό μας. Καθένα από τα γεγονότα σημαίνει και το τέλος της υπηρεσίας μας ως διαχειριστές της περιουσίας του. Εκείνη τη στιγμή, το ιστορικό της υπηρεσίας μας "παγώνει" και αξιολογείται έτσι από τον Κύριό μας κατά την ημέρα της κρίσεως. Ο Απόστολος Παύλος μας προειδοποιεί εναντίον της αυταρέσκειας: "γνωρίζετε αρκετά καλά, ότι η ημέρα της επιστροφής του Κυρίου θα έρθει απροσδόκητα, σαν κλέφτης μες στη νύχτα. Όταν οι άνθρωποι λένε, «Τα πάντα είναι ειρηνικά και ασφαλή» και, στη συνέχεια, καταστροφή θα πέσει πάνω τους τόσο ξαφνικά όπως ξαφνικά αρχίζουν οι πόνοι του τοκετού σε μία έγκυο γυναίκα. Και δεν υπάρχει διαφυγή. Αλλά, γνωρίζετε σχετικά με αυτά τα πράγματα, αγαπητοί μου αδερφοί, και δεν θα εκπλαγείτε όταν η ημέρα του Κυρίου έρθει σαν κλέφτης "(1 πρός Θεσσαλονικείς 5: 2-4) Ο σκοπός του κλέφτη είναι να κάνει τα θύματά του, φτωχότερα κλέβοντας τους θησαυρούς. Εάν οι θησαυροί μας είναι επί της γης, η επιστροφή του Χριστού σίγουρα θα μας κάνει φτωχότερους, γιατί θα μας πάρει όλους τους γήινους θησαυρούς, ακριβώς όπως και ο κλέφτης που εισβάλει στο σπίτι. Αλλά αν έχουμε αποθηκεύσει τους θησαυρούς μας στους Ουρανούς, η επιστροφή του Χριστού δεν θα πάρει τους θησαυρούς από μάς, αλλά θα φέρει θησαυρούς σε μας. Ο Χριστός θα στρέψει την αναλογία του κλέφτη πάνω του, επειδή ο πιστός δεν θα γίνει φτωχότερες, όταν ο Χριστός επιστρέψει, αλλά απροσμέτρητα πλουσιώτερος! Ακόμη και αν ο Χριστός δεν επιστρέψει για διακόσια χρόνια, θα τον συναντήσουμε κατά τον θάνατό μας, σε είκοσι χρόνια, είκοσι μήνες, ή είκοσι λεπτά. Ο Θεός μας παρακινεί να μήν εκπλαγούμε από το πόσο σύντομα θά έρθει το ραντεβού μας να σταθούμε μπροστά Του. Αν είμαστε έτοιμοι να συναντήσουμε τον Χριστό, θα λαχταρούμε την επιστροφή του. Εάν δεν είμαστε έτοιμοι, θα την φοβόμαστε. Αν δεν αισθανόμαστε έτοιμοι να τον συναντήσουμε, τώρα είναι η ώρα να ετοιμαστούμε. Σαν παιδί του Θεού και διαχειριστής των χρήματων Του, ποιές προσωπικές, πνευματικές, ηθικές και οικονομικές αλλαγές πρέπει να κάνετε γιά να είστε έτοιμοι να του δώσετε πρόσωπο με πρόσωπο λογαριασμό των υπηρεσιών σας; Κάθε εβδομάδα, αυτή η σελίδα θα δημοσιεύει ένα μέρος του βιβλίου «Διαχειριζόμενοι τα χρήματα του Θεού» του Randy Alcorn 12

13 Synaxis of the Primates of the Orthodox Churches (Phanar, March 6-9, 2014) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Through the grace of God, the Primates of the Most Holy Autocephalous Orthodox Churches, to the Orthodox faithful throughout the world, all of our Christian brothers and sisters as well as every person of goodwill: we extend God s blessing and our greeting of love and peace. We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess ) 1. Having convened by the grace of our compassionate God, at the invitation of the Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, at the Phanar, from March 6-9, 2014; having deliberated in fraternal love on matters concerning our Holy Church today; and concelebrating in the Patriarchal Church of St. George on the glorious occasion of the Sunday of Orthodoxy, we address you with these words of love, peace and consolation. Inasmuch as our One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Orthodox Church dwells in the world, it also experiences the challenges of every age. Faithful to Holy Tradition, the Church of Christ is in constant dialogue with every period of time, suffering with human beings and sharing their anguish. For Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and to the ages (Heb. 13.8). The trials and challenges of history are especially acute in our days, and Orthodox Christians cannot remain uninvolved or indifferent to them. This is why we have assembled together in one place (Acts 2.1) in order to reflect on the problems and temptations facing humanity today. There is fighting without and fear within. (2 Cor. 7.5) These Apostolic words are also valid for the Church today. 2. In reflecting upon people s suffering throughout the world, we express our support for the martyrdom and our admiration for the witness of Christians in the Middle East, Africa, and other parts of the world. We call to mind their dual martyrdom: for their faith as well as for the safeguarding of their historical relationship with people of other religious conviction. We denounce the lack of peace and stability, which is prompting Christians to abandon the land where our Lord Jesus Christ was born and whence the Good News spread to the entire world. Our sympathy extends to all victims of the tragedy in Syria. We condemn every form of terrorism and defamation of religion. The kidnapping of Metropolitans Paul and Youhanna, other clergymen as well as the nuns of St. Thecla Convent in Maaloula remains an open wound, and we demand their immediate liberation. We appeal to all involved for the immediate cessation of military action, liberation of captives, and establishment of peace in the region through dialogue. Christians in the Middle East are a leaven of peace. Peace for all people also means peace for Christians. We support the Patriarchate of Antioch in its spiritual and humanitarian ministry, as well as its efforts for reconstruction and the resettlement of all refugees. 3. We fervently pray for peaceful negotiation and prayerful reconciliation in the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. We denounce the threats of violent occupation of sacred monasteries and churches, and pray for the return of our brothers presently outside of ecclesiastical communion into the Holy Church. 4. A fundamental threat to justice and peace both locally and globally is the global economic crisis. The ramifications of this are evident on all layers in society, where such values as personal integrity, fraternal solidarity and justice are often wanting. The origins of this crisis are not merely financial. They are moral and spiritual in character. Instead of conforming to the worldly idols of power, greed and hedonism, we emphasize our vocation to transform the world by embracing the principles of justice, peace, and love. As a result of self-centeredness and abuse of power, many people undermine the sacredness of the human person, neglecting to see the face of God in the least of our brothers and sisters (cf. Matt ,45). Many remain indifferent to the poverty, suffering and violence that plague humanity. 5. The Church is called to articulate its prophetic word. We express our genuine concern about local and global trends that undermine and erode the principles of faith, the dignity of the human person, the institution of 13

14 marriage, and the gift of creation. We stress the undisputed sanctity of human life from inception until natural death. We recognize marriage as the union of man and woman that reflects the union between Christ and His Church. Our vocation is to preserve the natural environment as stewards and not proprietors of creation. In this period of Great Lent, we exhort our clergy and laity to observe a spirit of repentance, to experience purity of heart, humility and forgiveness, bearing witness to the timeless teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ in society. 6. This Synaxis of Primates is a blessed occasion for us to reinforce our unity through communion and cooperation. We affirm our commitment to the paramount importance of synodality for the unity of the Church. We affirm the words of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, that the name of the Church signifies unity and concord, not division. Our heart is set on the long-awaited Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church in order to witness to its unity as well as to its responsibility and care for the contemporary world. The Synaxis agreed that the preparatory work to the Synod should be intensified. A special Inter-Orthodox Committee will work from September 2014 until Holy Easter of 2015, followed by a Pre-Synodal Pan-Orthodox Conference to be convened in the first half of All decisions at the Synod and in the preparatory stages are made by consensus. The Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church will be convened by the Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople in 2016, unless something unexpected occurs. The Synod will be presided by the Ecumenical Patriarch. His brother Primates of the other Orthodox Autocephalous Churches will be seated at his right and at his left. 7. Inseparably interconnected with unity is mission. The Church does not live for itself but is obliged to witness to and share God s gifts with those near and afar. Participating in the Divine Eucharist and praying for the oikoumene, we are called to continue this liturgy after the liturgy, sharing the gifts of truth and love with all humankind, in accordance with the Lord s last commandment and assurance: Go ye, and make disciples of all nations... And lo, I shall be with you until the end of the ages (Matt ). 8. We live in a world where multiculturalism and pluralism are inevitable realities, which are constantly changing. We are conscious of the fact that no issue in our time can be considered or resolved without reference to the global, that any polarization between the local and the ecumenical only leads to distortion of the Orthodox way of thinking. Therefore, even in the face of voices of dissension, segregation, and division, we are determined to proclaim the message of Orthodoxy. We acknowledge that dialogue is always better than conflict. Withdrawal and isolationism are never options. We reaffirm our obligation at all times to be open in our contact with the other : with other people and other cultures, as well as with other Christians and people of other faiths. 9. Above and beyond all challenges, we proclaim the good news of a God, who so loved the world that He dwelt among us. Thus, we Orthodox remain full of hope. Despite all tensions, we nevertheless dare to hope in the almighty God, who is and who was and who is to come (Rev. 1.8) For we remember that the last word the word of joy, love, and life belongs to Him, to whom is due all glory, honor and worship to the ages of ages. Amen. At the Phanar, the 9th of March, Bartholomew of Constantinople + Theodoros of Alexandria + Theophilos of Jerusalem + Kirill of Moscow + Irinej of Serbia + Daniel of Romania + Neophyte of Bulgaria + Ilia of Georgia + Chrysostomos of Cyprus 14

15 Did you know.that you can make your stewardship payment or fulfill your capital campaign pledge via a stock transfer? It may behoove you to look through your investment and stock portfolio before you write a check. If you will be making a donation to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Washington, D.C. (which is a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization) and your donations can be deducted on your federal income tax return as an itemized deduction, you should consider donating appreciated stock from your investment portfolio instead of cash. The tax benefits -- which include deducting the amount of the charitable donation AND escaping the unrealized gains on the donated stock - come from the fact that the deduction one can take for a donation of property to charity is equal to the property's current fair market value. And when the donated property is an investment, the donor does not have to recognize the capital gain. These rules create a "double play" of tax benefits: a charitable deduction AND avoiding tax on the unrealized capital gains of the donated property. This works best for folks whose marginal tax bracket is 15 percent or higher and who claim itemized deductions. For example, let's say you bought stock for $10,000 last year and today it is worth $20,000. You should consider donating the entire toward your capital campaign pledge (assuming you had pledged that much). If you sold the $20,000 stock instead of donating it, you would pay capital gains tax on the $10,000 gain in value. The tax rate for long-term capital gains is 15 percent. Therefore, the tax savings for donating rather than selling the stock would be $1,500 (10,000 x 15%). In addition, you can claim a charitable deduction of the market value of the donated shares -- the full $20, as a charitable donation deduction. If you are in the 25 percent federal tax bracket, this could generate another $5,000 (20,000 x 25%) in tax savings. This brings your total tax savings to $6,500. If you are in a higher tax bracket, your donation deduction will be even more. Also consider this: you are giving a gift of $20,000 which is two times what it originally cost you. So as you can see your tax benefits from making a donation of appreciated stock versus cutting a check can be substantial. But be careful here: this will not work if the stock has NOT been held for more than a year. So, if you are considering the donation of appreciated stock, you need to make sure that the shares have been held for more than one year. In order to gift stock to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Washington, D.C. please provide the Church's brokerage information listed below to your broker/bank. Morgan Stanley: SAINTS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Acct: Morgan Stanley: DTC# 0015 If you decide to take this avenue in giving to your church, please know that it is truly appreciated and we are grateful to you for your kindness and support The information in this article is provided as general information and not as specific tax advice as in all matters concerning your own personal tax situation, please consult with your tax advisor. 15

16 16

17 17

18 18

19 NEA ZOE COMMITTEE UPDATE March, 2014 NEA ZOE COMMITTEE Fr. Michael Eaccarino Metaxas (Max) Ferentinos Jerry Kavadias Jimmy Dialetakos Matt Tiches Nicholas Pittas Demetre Koutras Paul Lappas John Mantzouranis Lou Mavromatis Sotirios Nasios Nick Pantazes A.J. Recachinas Kosta Stathes Demetri Tsipianitis Bill Tzamaras Averginos Vacalopoulos CAPITAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN Sarantos Georgopoulos Chairman CONTRACT ATTORNEY Linowes & Blocher Bethesda, MD ZONING ATTORNEY Shulman, Rogers Rockville, MD ARCHITECT CJK Design Christ Kamages San Francisco, CA CIVIL ENGINEER Macris, Hendricks & Glascock, PA Gaithersburg, MD Under the leadership of our Proistamenos, Father Michael Eaccarino, the efforts of the Nea Zoe Committee in concurrence with the Parish Council continue to move this magnificent project forward despite a difficult and cumbersome approval process in Montgomery County Maryland and compounded by an unusually harsh winter which has hampered our site work progress. Despite the bumps in the road the Parish s focus and excitement continues to be laser sharp as we move ever so close to commencing with construction and seeing this dream become a reality. The committees focus over the last several months has centered around a number of project priorities that will allow the commencement of construction sometime in the spring of this year. I will briefly touch on each of these below. The first is securing all of the necessary site permits required for the project from the various governmental agencies in Montgomery County Maryland. There are over a dozen required site permits necessary for the property to be prepared for a building to be constructed. These are apart and separate from the building plan approvals that will result in a building permit being issued. These site permits include; clearing and grading permit, sediment and erosion control permit, demolition permits, offsite utility permits, on-site utility permits, roadway improvement permit, parkland dedication, record plat approvals, bonding requirements, etc. I am happy to report that as of the writing of this update we are down to needing only one final site approval/ permit, which is the on-site Water and Sewer permit from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). The next is continuing to move the architectural building plans and specifications (CD s) through the review and approval process of Montgomery County. The final goal being the issuance of a building permit. This review and approval process relates to building issues, structural, mechanical, plumbing, life safety, ADA requirements, etc. We are currently in the second review cycle of these plans and with the help of our design team led by CJK and our permit expediter we hope to have these plans approved in the next 30 to 45 days. The next priority is securing the formal approval of our building plans from His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and His Grace Bishop Andonios. Our design team is currently in the process of putting together the presentation materials for this purpose. Our goal is to secure these approvals in the very near future and the parish leadership and committee will make ourselves readily available 19

20 at your convenience to accomplish this goal. The next project priority is to advance the site work construction as far as possible so when the appropriate Archdiocisan and municipal building plan approvals are secured we will be able to seamlessly commence with construction of our glorious new house of worship. Our site work general contractor commenced with some of the site work in the late fall and has been able to accomplish some tasks despite the unusually early and difficult winter conditions we have experienced in the Washington DC Metro area. These items have included the installation of the required sediment and erosion control measures on the property, stakeout and marking of the limits of clearing and grading, installation of the offsite water line to our property, preparing the existing structures on the property for demolition, cutting off existing utility service to the property, installation of the temporary storm water management pond, etc. Our hope is that with spring just around the corner, the site work contractor will be able to move in an accelerated fashion to bring the site to a buildable pad condition so we can commence with construction. It should also be noted that the site work activity taking place, seeing the bulldozers on the property, etc. has energized and excited the parish. It has been a long road and seeing real proof brings the reality of this vision home. The final priority at this point is to complete the selection of a general contractor who will construct our new house of worship and the other building(s) to support our parish and its ministries. Over the last 60 days we have gone through a re-bidding process of the project. There were six general contractors invited to bid the project with five of them submitting proposals. We are currently in the painstaking process along with our design team at CJK of evaluating each of the proposals, making sure that each of them has provided a complete a thorough number and then we can compare and make a determination as to who will work with the parish in constructing the buildings. The road to get to this point has been a long one and one that has required a tremendous amount of patience and perseverance, but at long last there is light at the end of the tunnel. The final leg of our journey will take two equally important and parallel paths; the first will involve the logistics of constructing the new facility and the other critical part will be the capital fundraising campaign with broad participation from everyone in the community to truly make ALL of the pieces of our master plan a reality. The committee s efforts have been and always will be guided by the best interests of the Parish. Thank you to everyone involved for their tireless efforts in advancing this dream forward. Respectfully Submitted, Metaxas (Max) Ferentinos Chairman of the NEA ZOE Committee 20