THE PHOS CHURCH SERVICES. Coming up in Feb-Mar: To see the Phos in colour, visit our website at: See Inside or go to our website

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1 Feb Mar 2013 Περιοδικό τῆς Ἐνορίας-Κοινότητος Ἁγίας Ἄννας, Χρυσή Ἀκτή Newsletter of the Greek Orthodox Parish- Community of St Anna, Gold Coast 31 a Crombie Ave, Bundall PO Box 5074 GCMC Qld 9726 (07) , admin@gocstanna.org PRESIDENT S REPORT Happy New Year to you all and your families. We hope that 2013 is one filled with much joy, health and abundant blessings. Last year was a very busy year in our community and 2013 in shaping up to be another big year on our calendar of events. All our committees work extremely hard all year round to put on many different functions and services for the community s benefit. These people, all of whom are volunteers (no, they don t get paid!), donate their time for the benefit of our community. Many times over the years some people forget this fact and it s very disheartening to see our volunteers being criticised by a small minority. Rather than criticizing, come and help! You don t have to be on any committee to come in and help in any way. We appreciate any forms of assistance and you will be made very welcome. On the 1 st of December 2012, this community was proud to be the host for the Panchian Federation of Australia s National Conference. It was a very special event as it coincided with the celebration of the 100 anniversary of the liberation of Chios. Both the Main Committee and Ladies Auxiliary worked hard to ensure that this would be a memorable event for our Chios friends. In excess of 300 delegates attended the Dinner Dance held in our venue, including the National President, Mr Pantelis Kolokithas, and State Presidents from NSW, VIC, SA, and Qld, with fellow associate members. We d sincerely like to thank the Qld State President, Mr Jack Conias who liaised tirelessly with our community to ensure its success. Congratulations Jack! We thank all our volunteers preceding the event, on the day and of course on Sunday when State delegates held their national meeting on our premises. Our Ladies Auxiliary also provided morning tea for the delegates, with sumptuous array of sweets with morning tea and coffee provided. The committee wishes to personally thank chefs, John and Louis Grosdanis, for their professionalism and culinary skills who both so generously assisted and shared these skills with the Ladies Auxiliary in the preparation, cooking and plating of the meals for the Dinner Dance. We extend our warm appreciation to them both. On the 9 th of December 2012, the Greek School had its end of year concert. All Greek School students received their certificates. Academic awards and the Ahepan Bursary was presented by Ahepan Mr Sam Koutsoukos to the most outstanding students. This year the winner of the annual Bursary was Joanna Politakis. Congratulations to Maria, on a wonderful effort in We once again thank Ahepa for attending this event, for their generosity, and for their kindness to this community. Also in attendance from Ahepa were Chris and Eleni Georga, the immediate Past President of Ahepa. Carols by Candlelight was held on Sunday the 16 th of December It was a beautiful evening and many new faces attended on the night to enjoy singing Carols in both Greek and English. We hope this year will be an even bigger event. It s a great night of the community coming together as one family. On Sunday the 6 th of January 2013, we had our annual Theophania(Blessing of the Waters) ceremony at Evandale and straight afterwards the community held its annual Souvla Luncheon. Congratulations to Crystal Paris and Ziggy Zantiotis who retrieved the cross in their respective categories. We had a large gathering of approximately 300 parishioners at the luncheon and a great time was had by all. In attendance also on the day, were four lifesavers from Greece who had been here on the Gold Coast for the past two months training to obtain their Bronze Medallion. Two of the lifesavers had attended the training previously and were updating and deepening their knowledge and skills, whilst the other two were successful in obtaining their Bronze Medallion. We thank Mr and Mrs Souris and the Kotarides family for billeting them whilst on the Gold Coast. We thank the Ladies Auxiliary for all the hard efforts, the Main Committee and all the volunteers who made the Theophania event successful. We d particularly like to thank dear friend to us all, Mr Spiro Levanes who once again did a brilliant job working side by side with the Ladies Auxiliary and gently guiding with the food preparation, cooking and food presentation. We are deeply grateful to you, Spiro, for your ongoing assistance. On a sad note, our deepest sympathy to the Koroniadis family and friends on the passing of Mrs Sophia Koroniadis who passed away on the 23 rd of December May her memory be eternal. James Nides Honourary President Coming up in Feb-Mar: Feb 6 Greek School starts Feb 22 Fund raiser- Stelio Dionisiou Mar 10 Seniors Luncheon Mar 13 Parthenon Marbles Lecture at St George CHURCH SERVICES See Inside or go to our website To see the Phos in colour, visit our website at:

2 Page 2 IT S A WRAP! Even though the New Year has well and truly commenced, this is the first opportunity we have had to wish Father Roman and all of you within our community good health for The end of last year was a whirl of Christmas Carols, Greek School Breakup and catering for the Chios Association. We thank all of you who assisted us with those endeavours, especially chefs, John and Louis Grosdanis who very kindly donated their time and skills during the National Chios Association Conference held at our community. We are also deeply grateful to all of you who so generously donated groceries for our Christmas Hamper Drive. On behalf of the Community, we were uplifted to be able to donate 64 large boxes filled with food to assist needy families. The Theophania celebrations were very successful again this year with a full hall of parishioners filled with the joy of the Blessing of the Waters celebration. We thank all who attended and those who assisted in continuing to make this one of our most sought after LADIES AUXILIARY functions. We remain indebted to Spiro Levanes who so generously gives us his ongoing professional assistance with the cuisine. We kindly thank Diana Kalas who again this year generously donated holy water bottles. GREEK FESTIVAL THIS IS OUR YEAR This is our year for the Gold Coast Greek Festival which will be held again in July at the Evandale Parklands. Please look for updates as we work hard to spread the Greek spirit to our city. A U S T R A L I A D A Y AWARDS NOMINATION CERTIFICATE The Ladies Auxiliary was the proud recipient of a Certificate given at the Australia Day Awards at the Council Chambers. The Auxiliary was nominated in recognition of the work done with our Community and within the broader community. The nomination would not have been possible without the extraordinary help given by all of you - hundreds of volunteers throughout the years. 11TH CLERGY-LAITY CONFERENCE Father Roman, Sandra Voukelatos, Sally Cominos Dakin, Jim and Helen Raptis recently represented our community at the 11 th Clergy Laity Conference held in Sydney. This is a national conference held every few years. At this Conference, Father Roman and Jim Raptis together with Father Dimitri and Michael Anastas (both of St George) were elected to the Archdiocese Council as the Queensland representatives. TO HONOUR OUR SEN- IOR CITIZENS AND OUR HOSPITAL On Sunday, 10 March, we will be honouring the 15 Year milestone of our Senior Citizens with a luncheon. We invite all of you to attend to celebrate together. It is not just a function for Seniors, but for all the Community. The Seniors have nominated the Gold Coast Hospital to be the recipient of a portion of the profits. As the hospital is used by many of us, we would like to show our support for this is where we receive help in our most dire hour of need.

3 Page 3 GREEK MOVIE NIGHT A movie night to be held at a cinema is currently being organised. Please watch out for the coming details. DANCING GROUP This year we would like to have 3 dance classes, one for children between 5 and 9, one for children between 10 and 13 and one from year 8 onwards. If you haven t already completed an application form and returned it to the administration office by of post, please go to our web page and download form and return by 22nd February. You will be notified of date and times of when dancing classes are to commence. Please understand if you would like your child to perform at our festival and other functions this year they must attend classes regularly as per the details on the application form. SPIRITUAL CORNER Αποσπάσµατα από Το Γεροντικόν Κάποιος αδελφός της Σκήτης έσφαλε. Έγινε συγκέντρωση στην οποία κάλεσαν τον αββά Μωυσή αλλ αυτός δεν θέλησε να πάει. Του παρήγγειλε τότε ο πρεσβύτερος: «Έλα, γιατί σε περιµένουν όλοι». Κι εκείνος σηκώθηκε και πήγε κρατώντας στην πλάτη ένα καλάθι τρύπιο που το γέµισε µε άµµο. Οι Πατέρες που βγήκαν να τον προϋπαντήσουν του λένε: «Τι είναι αυτό, πάτερ;» «Οι αµαρτίες µου απαντά ο Γέροντας που κυλούν και πέφτουν πίσω µου και δεν τις βλέπω και ήλθα εγώ σήµερα να κρίνω τα σφάλµατα άλλου». Όταν τ άκουσαν αυτά οι Πατέρες, δεν είπαν τίποτε εναντίον του αδελφού αλλά τον συγχώρεσαν. Ρώτησε ένας αδελφός τον αββά Ποιµένα: «Εάν δώ κάποιο σφάλµα του αδελφού µου, είναι καλό να το σκεπάσω;» Κι ο Γέροντας απάντησε: «Όποια ώρα σκεπάσουµε το σφάλµα του αδελφού µας, σκεπάζει και ο Θεός το δικό µας. Και όποια ώρα θα φανερώσουµε του αδελφού το σφάλµα, θα φανερώσει και ο Θεός το δικό µας». Είπε ένας Γέροντας: «Μην κρίνεις τον πόρνο. Εάν εσύ είσαι σώφρων. Κι εσύ είσαι παραβάτης του νόµου όπως κι εκείνος. Γιατί Αυτός που είπε να µην πορνεύσεις (Ματθ. 5,27), είπε και να µην κρίνεις (Ματθ. 7,1)».35. Ήταν κάποιος Γέροντας που έτρωγε καθηµερινά τρία παξιµάδια. Τον επισκέφθηκε κάποιος αδελφός και όταν κάθησαν να φάνε, έβαλε και για τον αδελφό τρία παξιµάδια. Είδε κατόπιν ο Γέροντας ότι ο αδελφός είχε ανάγκη να φάει περισσότερο και τού φερε άλλα τρία. Αφού χόρτασαν και σηκώθηκαν, κατέκρινε ο Γέροντας τον αδελφό και του είπε: «εν πρέπει, αδελφέ, να υπηρετούµε τη σάρκα µας». Ο αδελφός έβαλε µετάνοια στον Γέροντα και έφυγε. Την επόµενη ηµέρα όταν έφθασε η ώρα για φαγητό, έβαλε ο Γέροντας τα τρία παξιµάδια για τον εαυτό του. Αλλά αφού τα έφαγε, αισθάνθηκε πάλι να πεινά αλλά συγκρατήθηκε. Την άλλη µέρα πάλι το ίδιο έπαθε και άρχισε να αισθάνεται εξάντληση. Κατάλαβε τότε ο Γέροντας ότι τον εγκατέλειψε ο Θεός και ρίχνοντας τον εαυτό του ενώπιον του Θεού, άρχισε να παρακαλεί µετά δακρύων για την εγκατάλειψη που του έγινε. Και βλέπει έναν άγγελο που του είπε: «Αυτό σου συνέβη, επειδή κατέκρινες τον αδελφό. Να ξέρεις λοιπόν ότι αυτός που µπορεί να εγκρατεύεται ή να κάνει κάποιο άλλο καλό, δεν το κάνει µε δική του δύναµη, αλλά η αγαθότητα του Θεού είναι που ενισχύει τον άνθρωπο». Έλεγαν οι Γέροντες τίποτε δεν είναι χειρότερο από την κατάκριση. Ένας άγιος άνθρωπος, όταν είδε κάποιον να αµαρτάνει, δάκρυσε και είπε: «Αυτός σήµερα και εγώ σίγουρα αύριο». Ακόµη κι αν πραγµατικά αµαρτήσει κάποιος µπροστά σου, µην τον κρίνεις, αλλά να θεωρείς τον εαυτό σου πιο αµαρτωλό απ αυτόν, έστω κι αν είναι κοσµικός. Κάποιος αµαρτωλός έκανε µια ερώτηση σ έναν άγιο Γέροντα για να έχει µια βάση, ώστε να µην αµαρτάνει µε τον λογισµό. «Ας υποθέσουµε είπε ότι βλέπω κάποιον να κάνει κάτι και το λέω αυτό σε κάποιον άλλο και βλέπω ότι δεν τον κατακρίνω, αλλά απλώς το συζητούµε. Αυτό παύει να είναι κατάκριση;» Ο Γέροντας είπε: «Εάν µιλάς µε εµπάθεια έχοντας κάτι εναντίον του, είναι κατάκριση, αν όµως είσαι ελεύθερος από πάθος, δεν είναι κατάκριση. Αλλά για να µη µεγαλώσει το κακό, η σιωπή είναι προτιµότερη».

4 Page 4 11 th Clergy-Laity Congress 2013 From January our Parish-Community was represented by our Parish Priest and other members of our main committee and Ladies Auxiliary at the 11 th Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia held in Sydney. Representing the Hellenic Republic in Queensland was the Hon. Consul Mr Jim Raptis and his wife Mrs Helen Raptis. The general theme of the congress was the Pauline phrase: let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:1-2). The Ecumenical Patriarch was represented at the congress by the His Grace Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, together with special guest His Grace Eugenios Metropolitan of Rethymnon Crete, invited by Archbishop Stylianos. The keynote address was delivered by Emeritus Professor of Theology from Athens University Mr Nicolaos Xexakis. The congress began with an Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday 20 January at the Cathedral in Redfern, followed by a doxology and official dinner at St Spyridon Church, Kingsford. The congress continued with the Pastoral report of His Eminence covering the past four years of ministry, followed by other reports, group meetings, resolutions, plenary sessions and dinners hosted by the Parishes of St Stylianos Gymea and All-Saints Belmore. It was also noted that His Eminence completed 37 years of dedicated leadership and service to the Church in Australia since his enthronement in Η ΙΑ Κληρικολαική Συνέλευση Η ΙΑ Κληρικολαική Συνέλευση της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αυστραλίας πραγµατοποιήθηκε από 20 έως 23 Ιανουαρίου στο Σύδνεϋ, µε γενικό θέµα το Παύλειο: δι υποµονής τρέχοµεν τον προκείµενον ηµίν αγώνα, αφορώντες εις τον της πίστεως Αρχηγόν και τελειωτήν Ιησούν (Εβρ. 12, 1-2). Ο Οικουµενικός Πατριάρχης κ.κ. Βαρθολοµαίος εκπροσωπήθηκε στην Κληρικολαική απο τον Μητροπολίτη Ντητρόιτ Νικόλαο, ενώ στις εργασίες έλαβε µέρος και ο Μητροπολίτης Ρεθύµνης και Αυλοποτάµου κ. Ευγένιος. Αξίζει να σηµειωθεί ότι ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος µας συµπλήρωσε ήδη 37 χρόνια Αρχιεπισκοπείας και εισέρχεται αισίως στο 38ο έτος. Πρόκειται για τον µακροβιότερο ποιµενάρχη της Αυστραλίας. Στην Κληρικολαική έλαβαν µέρος πάνω από 450 άτοµα, κληρικοί και λαϊκοί, όπως επίσης, ο οµότιµος καθηγητής της Θεολογικής Σχολής του Πανεπιστηµίου Αθηνών Νικόλαος Ξεξάκης. Μεταξύ των συνέδριων έλαβαν µέρος καί ο Επίτιµος Πρόξενος Ελλάδος στην Κουηνσλάνδη κ. ηµήτριο Ράπτη µε την σύζυγό του Ελένη, ο ιερατικός προϊστάµενός µας π. Ρωµανός και άλλα µέλη του διοικητικού συµβουλείου και της φιλοπττώχου αδελφότητας. Memorial Services Memorial services are held as an act of love and remembrance towards the departed members of the Church. They are not, however, held on the following days: From the Saturday of Lazarus until the Sunday of St. Thomas. On the feast days of our Lord: The Circumcision (1st January), Epiphany (6th January) The Presentation (2nd February) The Annunciation (25th March) The Ascension, Pentecost, The Transfiguration (6th August) and Christmas Day (25th December). On the Feast of the Parish Church. On the 15 August, the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. To arrange for Kollyva, contact Theo and Maria Asimopoulos or ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ Μνηµόσυνα µετά κολλύβων δέν τελοῦνται: Ἀϖό τοῦ Σαββάτου τοῦ Λαζάρου µέχρι καί τῆς Κυριακῆς τοῦ Θωµᾶ. Κατά τίς εσϖοτικές καί κύριες Θεοµητορικές ἑορτές, ἤτοι: Τήν ϖρώτη τοῦ ἔτους, τῶν Θεοφανείων, τῆς Ὑϖαϖαντῆς, τοῦ Εὐαγγελισµοῦ τῆς Θεοτόκου, τῆς Ἀναλήψεως, τῆς Πεντηκοστῆς, τῆς Μεταµορφώσεως, τῆς Κοιµήσεως τῆς Θεοτόκου, τῆς Ὑψώσεως τοῦ Τιµίου Σταυροῦ, τά Χριστούγεννα καί τήν ευτέρα τῶν Χριστουγέννων. Τήν ἡµέρα κατά τήν ὁϖοία ϖανηγυρίζει ὁ Ναός τῆς Ἐνορίας-Κοινότητος. Για να παραγγείλετε κόλλυβα τηλεφωνήστε στους Θεόδωρο και Μαρία Ασιµόπουλο ή

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6 Page 6 PHOTO GALLERY THEOPHANIA 2013

7 Page 7 Greek School Breakup & Christmas Party 2013

8 Page 8 LECTURE IMPORTANCE OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES Date: Wednesday 13 March 2013 Time: 7.30pm Guest speaker: Mr Emmanuel Comino AM Location: The Greek Club, 29 Edmonstone Street, South Brisbane Contact: or Event dedicated to: the late Dr Con Castan Mr Comino is Chairman and founder of the IOC in Australia for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles. GREEK SCHOOL Greek School recommences on the 6th February. Hours are every Wednesday. The school caters for all school aged children. Year 11 and 12 (Year 2 & 3 Lyceum) have been board approved and accepted as OP subjects. For further information about Greek School ring on Wednesday between3.30pm & 7.00pm, or ring School Administration or contact the Community Office on (07) Senior Citizens Program subject to change without notice 5 Feb We meet at our Hall at am. The Committee will be providing Lunch. 12 Feb We meet at our Hall at am. Lunch at Benowa Tavern. 5 Φεβ Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ, το συμβούλιο θα προσφέρει γεύμα. 12 Φεβ Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ, Lunch at Benowa Tavern 19 Feb We meet at our Hall at am. BYO Food 19 Φεβ Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ. με τα φαγητά μας 26 Feb We meet at our Hall at am. BYO Food 26 Φεβ Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ. με τα φαγητά μας 5 Mar We meet at our Hall at am. The Committee will be providing Lunch. 12 Mar We meet at our Hall at am. The Committee will be providing Lunch. 5 Μαρ Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ, το συμβούλιο θα προσφέρει γεύμα. 12 Μαρ Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ, το συμβούλιο θα προσφέρει γεύμα. 19 Mar We meet at our Hall at am. BYO Food 19 Μαρ Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ. με τα φαγητά μας 26 Mar We meet at our Hall at am. BYO Food 26 Μαρ Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ. με τα φαγητά μας Father Romanos Stergiou Parish Priest Phone: Mobile: Fax: father@gocstanna.org Office Hours: by appointment please call directly