O Logos 1... Inside this Issue. Ecclesiastical Calendar January. Ecclesiastical Calendar February. Ask Father Andrew January events

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1 St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church 525 Church Road Elgin, IL (847) O Logos January/February Vol. 28 Issue 01-02, 2012 Inside this Issue Ecclesiastical Calendar January Ecclesiastical Calendar February Ask Father Andrew January events Parish Council News Philoptochos News Hope Faith and Joy January/February events Jr./Sr. Goya Church School Chronicles

2 The Orthodox Word The Orthodox Word is the official publication of the Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, located at, 525 Church Road, in Elgin, Illinois, Office Hours - Mon. thru Fri. - 9:00am - 2:30pm Office Fax Emergency Rev. Fr. Andrew G. Karamitos, Economos - Fr. Andrew - FRAGK@aol.com Secretary Kastri1@aol.com Youth Directors - Andrea - YMDirAndrea@aol.com Natalie Natalie.wians@yahoo.com Parish Council Officers & Members for 2011 Mr. Chrysoula Zannis... President Mr. George Skoulikaris.... Vice President Mr. Patty Duda... Secretary Mr. Alex Poulos......Treasurer Mr. Nick Grivas.... Asst. Treasurer Mrs. Art Sbarounis... Asst. Secretary Mr. Jeffery Erickson Mr. Zack Frangiadakis Mr. Stan Karthan Mr. George Pavlakis Miss. Maria Zannis Mr. Daniel Savas Saint Sophia Organizations Administrative Assistant... Mrs. Matina Caribacas Ladies Philoptochos Society President... Mrs. Kathy Katrakis Youth Ministry Director... Mrs. Andrea Abed Church School Director... Presvytera Georgeanne Karamitos/Mrs. Maria Kroll Altar Boys Captains Mr. John Garoufalis, Mr. Nicholas Anzelmo & Mr. Alex Duda Stewardship Chairman... Chanters... Mr. Tom Chiampas/Mr. Harry Giannaris/Mr. Jim Karonis Choir Director... Mrs. Pam Argyris/Mrs. Peggy Boytor Church School Music Directors... Mrs. Karen Karas/Mrs. Kiki Raysakis Pericles Greek School Committee Chairman.....Mrs. Cathy Skoulikaris Pericles Greek School P.T.O. President... Mrs. Valerie Flaherty Agape Dance Troupe... Mr. Jim Kouretas & Miss Maria Kanella Zannis Golden Circle.....Mrs. Andrea Karthan Ecclesiarch...Mr. Boris Hristov Saint Sophia Scheduled Meeting Times Parish Council... 3rd Monday of each month - 6:45 pm Ladies Philoptochos Society... 1st Monday of each month - 7:00 pm Church School... Immediately following Holy Communion Hope....Wednesday - 9:30 am Faith/JOY/Jr.GOYA... Please check calendar GOYA... Please check calendar Choir... 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month - 7:30 pm Pericles Greek School... Saturday - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Pericles Greek School P.T.O.... Saturday - Please see Church Calendar - 9:30 pm Agape Dance Troupe... 2 nd & 4rth Monday of each month, except during Lent Golden Circle... 4 th Monday of each month - 11:00am Schedule of Religious Services Sunday Orthros Service... 8:00 am Sunday Divine Liturgy... Immediately following Orthros Weekday Orthros... 8:00 am Weekday Divine Liturgy... Immediately following Orthros Vespers Service... 7:00 pm Church Office Hours... Monday thru Friday - 9:00 am to - 2:30 pm

3 ` JANUARY ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ SUNDAY ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ JAN. 1 ST. BASIL THE GREAT- ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ EPISTLE: COL. 2:8-12, GOSPEL: LUKE 2:20-21, THURSDAY ΠΕΜΠΤΗ JAN. 5 FOREFEAST OF THEOPHANY-ΠΡΟΕΟΡΤΙΑ ΦΩΤΩΝ EPISTLE: 1 COR. 9:19-27, GOSPEL: LUKE 3:1-18 FRIDAY ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ JAN. 6 HOLY EPIPHANY ΤΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ EPISTLE: TITUS 2:11-14, 3:4-7, GOSPEL: MATTHEW 3:13-17 SATURDAY ΣΑΒΒΑΤΙΒ JAN. 7 ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST-ΩΑΝΝΟΥ ΠΡΟΦΗΤΟΥ & ΒΑΠΤΙΣΤΟΥ EPISTLE: ACTS 19:1-8, GOSPEL: JOHN 1:29-34 SUNDAY ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ JAN. 8 APODOSIS OF THEOPHANY- ΑΠΟΔΟΣΙΣ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ EPISTLE: EPH. 4:7:13, GOSPEL: MATTHEW 4:12-17 SUNDAY ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ JAN TH SUNDAY OF LUKE - ΙΒ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΟΥ ΛΟΥΚΑ EPISTLE: COL. 3:4-11, GOSPEL: LUKE 17:12-19 TUESDAY ΤΡΙΤΗ JAN. 17 ST. ANTHONY THE GREAT- ΑΝΤΩΝΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ EPISTLE: HEB. 13:17-21, GOSPEL: LUKE 6:17-23 WEDNESDAY ΤΕΤΑΡΤΗ JAN. 18 ST ATHANASIOS & CYRIL- ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΟΥ & ΚΥΡΙΛΛΟΥ EPISTLE: HEB. 13:7-16, GOSPEL: MATTHEW 5:14-19 SUNDAY ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ JAN TH SUNDAY OF LUKE ΙΕ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΟΥ ΛΟΥΚΑ EPISTLE: 1 TIM. 4:9-15, GOSPEL: LUKE: 19:1-10 SUNDAY ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ JAN TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW ΙΖ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΟΥ ΜΑΤΘΑΙΟΥ EPISTLE: 2 COR.. 6:16-7:1, GOSPEL: MATTHEW: 15:21-28 MONDAY ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ JAN. 30 THE THREE HIERARCHS - ΤΩΝ ΤΡΙΩΝ ΙΕΡΑΡΧΩΝ EPISTLE: HEB. 13:7-16, GOSPEL: MATTHEW 5:14-19 FEBRUARY ΦΕΒΡΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ THURSDAY ΠΕΜΠΤΗ FEB. 2 PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD-ΥΠΑΠΑΝΤΗ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ 8:00 ORTHROS, DIVINE LITURGY FOLLOWING ORTHROS EPISTLE: HEB. 7:7-17, GOSPEL: LUKE 2:22-40 SUNDAY ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ FEB. 5 TRIODION BEGINS- ΑΡΧΕΤΑΙ ΤΟ ΤΡΙΩΔΙΟΝ EPISTLE: 2 TIM. 3:10-15, GOSPEL: LUKE 18:10-14 FRIDAY ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ FEB. 10 HIEROMARTYR HARALAMBOS-ΧΑΡΑΛΑΜΠΟΥ, ΙΕΡ0ΜΑΡΤΥΡΟΣ EPISTLE: 2 TIM. 2:1-10, GOSPEL: JOHN 15:17-27; 16:1-2 SUNDAY ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ FEB. 12 SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON - ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΟΥ ΑΣΩΤΟΥ EPISTLE: 1 COR. 6:12-20, GOSPEL: LUKE 15:11-32 SATURDAY ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΝ FEB. 18 1ST SATURDAY OF SOULS- Α ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΝ EPISTLE: 1 THESS. 4:13-17, GOSPEL: LUKE 21:8-9, 25-27, SUNDAY ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ FEB. 19 MEATFARE SUNDAY ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΗΣ ΑΠΟΚΡΕΩ EPISTLE: 1 COR. 8:8-9:2, GOSPEL: MATTHEW 25:31-46 SATURDAY ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΝ FEB. 25 2ND SATURDAY OF SOULS Β ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΝ 8:00 ORTHROS, DIVINE LITURGY FOLLOWING ORTHROS EPISTLE: GAL 5:22-26; 6:1-2, GOSPEL: MATTHEW 6:1-13 SUNDAY ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ FEB. 26 CHEESEFARE SUNDAY ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΗΣ ΤΥΡΟΦΑΓΟΥ EPISTLE: ROM. 13:11-14; 14:1-4, GOSPEL: MATTHEW 6:14-21 FORGIVENESS VESPERS 4:30 P.M. MONDAY ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ FEB. 27 GREAT COMPLINE 6:00 PM - ΜΕΓΑ ΑΠΟΔΕΙΠΝΟΝ 6:00 ΜΜ WEDNESDAY ΤΕΤΑΡΤΗ FEB 29 PRE-SANCTIFIED 9:00 AM - ΠΡΟΗΓΙΑΣΜΕΝΗ 9:00ΠΜ

4 JANUARY 2012 EVENTS Wednesday, January 4, Hope gathering 9:30 am Thursday, January 5, Choir Practice 7:30 pm Saturday, January 7, Greek School 9:00am-12:00pm Sunday, January 8, Philoptochos Cutting of Vasilopita Wednesday, January 11, Hope 9:30 am JR. GOYA mtg. 6:45 p.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Saturday, January 14, Greek School 9a.m.-12 p.m. Monday, January 16, Dance Troupe 6:30-8:30 Faith/Joy 6:45 p.m. Parich Council mtg. 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, Hope 9:30 am SR. GOYA mtg. 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 19, Choir practice 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 21, Greek School 9 a.m. 12 p.m. P.T.O. meeting 9:00 am Iconography Workshop 12-4 pm Monday, January 23, Golden Circle 11-2 Wednesday, January 25, Hope 9:30 am JR. GOYA mtg. 6:45 p.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 27, GOYA outing Saturday, January 28, Greek School 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Greek Letters Program Monday, January 30, Dance Troupe 6:30-8:30 pm Agape Academy of St Sophia An Orthodox Christian Preschool Agape Academy of St. Sophia News Happy New Year! Xronia Polla! We are so excited to have our doors open to our five preschool students this Fall! Our preschool teacher, Mrs. Kathy Karavitis, has been busy teaching our children preschool skills, such as letter recognition and sounds, the Orthodox Christian saints, such as St. Luke and St. Nicholas, and the Greek language, such as the Greek alphabet and the names of vegetables. Children also have the opportunity to socialize in a warm and loving environment. We continue to enroll students who are 3 and 4 years old for this school year, as well as opening enrollment for the school year. Enrollment for all students begins February We thank the families who are a part of the preschool for bringing their precious children and we would also like to thank the parishioners of St. Sophia for their support If you have any questions or would like an application, please contact us at agapeacedemy@st-sophia.org or agapeacademymystsophia@ yahoo.com FEBRUARY 2012 EVENTS Wednesday, February 1, Hope Gathering 9:30 am SR. GOYA 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 2, Choir practice 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 4, Greek School 9a.m. 12 p.m. P.T.O. meeting 9:00 a.m. Sunday, February 5, Youth Souper Bowl Sunday Monday, February 6, Faith/Joy 6:45 p.m. Philoptochos 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 8, Hope Gathering 9:30 a.m. JR. GOYA 6:45 p.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 10 APOKREATIKO GLENDI Saturday, February 11, Greek School 9 a.m.12 p.m

5 ` Monday, February 13 Dance Troupe 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 15, Hope gathering 9:30 a.m. Thursday, February 16, Choir practice 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 18, Greek School 9:00 a.m.- 12 p.m. FRINDLE PLAY Sunday, February 19, Communion Luncheon Monday, February 20, Golden Circle 11 a.m. Faith/Joy 6:45 p.m. Parish Council 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, February 22, Hope gathering 9:30 p.m Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Friday, February, 24 Goya outing Saturday, February 25, Greek School 9:00 a.m m. Monday, February 27, Koulouma dinner 6:00 pm Wednesday, February 29, Hope gathering 9:30 am Ask Father.. QUESTION: I was told in Holy Confession that I must realize and live my Orthodox Christian life in the fullness of the Church to be saved and embraced at my death. Please explain and share it with others. Remember: What we do unto others...we do to Christ Himself. Go into the world and actually be a GREEK ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN! QUESTION: I have begun to read the Holy Scripture every evening but seek a prayer to inspire me and uplift my mind to embrace His Word. Please offer your Priestly advice? ANSWER: An Orthodox Christian must spiritually prepare for one s reading of the Holy Gospel. Let me offer to you the prayer the Priest offers at the Divine Liturgy before the Scripture Reading. O Merciful Master, cause the pure light of Your knowledge to shine in our hearts, and open the eyes of our mind to understand Your message of Good Tidings. Fill us with the fear of Your blessed commandments that by subduing our earthly desires we may seek a heavenly citizenship, and may do and consider all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, O Christ our God, are the source of Light to our souls and bodies, and to You we grant glory, with Your Eternal Father, and Your all-holy, righteous and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and to all ages. Amen. ******************** coming up this February. We are all very excited to show the community what we have been working on this year. Just a reminder dance practice is held every 2 nd and 4 th Monday of the month but we will not practice during Great Lent. Junior Troupe 1 st grade 6 th grade: Practice 6:30 7:15 Senior Troupe 7 th grade High School: Practice 7:15 8:30 New dancers are always welcome! In His Service, Demetrios Kouretas, Andrea Kouretas, Stacie Kouretas, Taso Kalamaras, Angelike Zannis, and Maria-Kanella Zannis ANSWER: You were Baptized, Confirmed with Holy Chrism and received the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ at your Baptism. Honestly, that says it all. Heavenly Gifts were given to you and yes, the Gift of the Holy Spirit...the Fullness of the Church. Live, share and preach your Orthodox Faith daily. Worship in the Church weekly at least. Reach out and offer love, gifting and forgiveness to one and all. Dance Troupe News The Senior Agape Dancers have been asked to perform at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast and Youth Day of Community Service on January 14 th and 15th. These are events that the Agape Dance Troupe once partook in and we are looking forward to being apart of the programs once again. The entire troupe will perform at the Saint Sophia Apokriatiko

6 LENT AND EASTER FLOWER DONATIONS Donations are now being solicited for items to be used during Great Lent, Holy Week and Easter. Those persons wishing to donate toward any of these items are asked to inform Father Andrew or Matina. Items needed are as follows: March 2, 1 st Salutations Virgin Mary Icon $60.00 March 9, 2 nd Salutations Virgin Mary Icon $60.00 March 16, 3 rd Salutations Virgin Mary Icon $60.00 March 18, Veneration of Holy Cross, Jonquils $ March 23, 4 th Salutations Virgin Mary Icon $60.00 March 30, Akathist Hymn Virgin Mary Icon $60.00 April 8, Palm Sunday Palm crosses $60.00 April 8, Palm Sunday Palms $ April 8, Palm Sunday Nymphios Icon $60.00 April 11, Holy Unction Oil, Q-tips, Cotton, flour April 11, Holy Wednesday Last Supper Icon $60.00 April 12, Holy Thursday Wreath $75.00 April 12, Holy Thursday Crucifixion Candles April 13, Holy Friday Carnations for Epitaphios $ April 13, Holy Friday Pink starfighter lilies $ April 13, Holy Friday Asiatic white lilies $ April 13, Holy Friday Pink & white gladiolas $ April 13, Holy Friday Orchids for Epitaphios $ April 13, Holy Friday White Sheet, April 13, Holy Friday Rose Water, Gardenia Cologne, April 14, Holy Sat. night Big Anastasis Icon $ April 14, Holy Sat. night Small Anastasis Icon $75.00 April 14, Holy Sat. night Small Anastasis Icon $75.00 April 14, Holy Sat. night 25 Easter plants $30.00 each April 14, Holy Sat. night Lambatha $100.00

7 ` ΟΙ ΤΡΕΙΣ ΙΕΡΑΡΧΕΣ Ἡ ἑλληνικὴ παιδείία καὶ ὁ πολιτισµμὸς ἔχουν τὴ δικήή τους ἑορτήή. Στὶς 30 Ἰανουαρίίου ἑορτάάζουν µμαζὶ µμὲ τὴν Ἐκκλησίία µμας τὴ µμνήήµμη τριῶν ξεχωριστῶν προσωπικοτήήτων τῆς παγκόόσµμιας ἱστορίίας, τῶν ἰσάάριθµμων Ἱεραρχῶν, τοῦ Μεγάάλου Βασιλείίου, τοῦ Γρηγορίίου τοῦ Ναζιανζηνοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἰωάάννου τοῦ Χρυσοστόόµμου. Τιµμώώντας ἐκείίνους, τιµμοῦµμε µμαζὶ ὅλα τὰ εὐγενῆ ἀνθρώώπινα ἐπιτεύύγµματα καὶ τὸν πολιτισµμόό, διόότι αὐτοὶ τὰ βίίωσαν καὶ τὰ καλλιέέργησαν στὸ ἔπακρο καὶ γι αὐτὸ δικαίίως καθιερώώθηκαν προστάάτες τους. Ὁ Μέέγας Βασίίλειος γεννήήθηκε στὴν Καισαρείία τῆς Καππαδοκίίας τὸ 330. Οἱ γονεῖς του Βασίίλειος καὶ Ἐµμµμέέλεια, µμαζὶ µμὲ τὴ γιαγιάά του Μακρίίνα, φρόόντισαν νὰ γεµμίίσουν τὴν ψυχήή του µμὲ εὐσέέβεια καὶ ἀγάάπη γιὰ τὴν Ἐκκλησίία. Σπούύδασε στὶς πιὸ ὀνοµμαστὲς σχολὲς τῆς ἐποχῆς του, µμὲ ἀποκορύύφωµμα τὶς φιλοσοφικὲς σχολὲς τῶν Ἀθηνῶν. Ἐκεῖ, µμαζὶ µμὲ τὸ φίίλο του Γρηγόόριο τὸ Ναζιανζηνόό, σπούύδασε τέέσσερα χρόόνια ( ) φιλοσοφίία, νοµμικάά, ρητορικήή, γεωµμετρίία, ἀστρονοµμίία, µμουσικὴ καὶ ἰατρικήή. Ὅταν ὁλοκλήήρωσε τὶς σπουδέές του ἐπέέστρεψε στὴν πατρίίδα του καὶ ἐργάάστηκε ὡς δικηγόόρος καὶ δάάσκαλος τῆς ρητορικῆς. Παράάλληλα ἐπισκέέφτηκε διάάφορα ὀνοµμαστὰ µμοναστικὰ κέέντρα προκειµμέένου νὰ γνωρίίσει τὴν µμοναχικὴ ζωήή. Τὸ 360 ἀποσύύρθηκε µμαζὶ µμὲ τὸ φίίλο του Γρηγόόριο σὲ ἐρηµμικὴ τοποθεσίία, κοντὰ στὸνἴρη ποταµμὸ τοῦ Πόόντου, ὅπου µμόόνασε ὣς τὸ 363 µμελετώώντας καὶ συγγράάφοντας. Τὸ 363 χειροτονήήθηκε πρεσβύύτερος στὴν Καισαρείία, ἀναπτύύσσοντας τεράάστια φιλανθρωπικὴ δράάση. Τὸ 370 ἐκλέέχτηκε ἀρχιεπίίσκοπος Καισάάρειας τῆς Καππαδοκίίας. Τόότε ἀρχίίζει ἕνα καταπληκτικὸ κοινωνικὸ ἔργο. Ἵδρυσε τὴν περίίφηµμη «Βασιλειάάδα», ἕνα τεράάστιο συγκρόότηµμα εὐποιΐας, τὸ ὁποῖο περιελάάµμβανε νοσοκοµμεῖο, ὀρφανοτροφεῖο, πτωχοκοµμεῖο, ἐπαγγελµματικὲς σχολέές, κ.λ.π. Μέέσα σὲ αὐτὸ ἔβρισκαν καταφύύγιο καὶ βοήήθεια χιλιάάδες ἄνθρωποι. Κατὰ τὸν φοβερὸ λιµμὸ τοῦ ἔσωσε ἀπὸ βέέβαιο θάάνατο ὅλους τοὺς φτωχοὺς τῆς εὐρύύτερης περιοχῆς τῆς Καισάάρειας. Ταυτόόχρονα ἀνέέπτυξε τεράάστια ποιµμαντικὴ καὶ συγγραφικὴ δράάση. Ὑπῆρξε δεινὸς θεολόόγος, µμέέγας συγγραφέέας, τοῦ ὁποίίου τὸ ἔργο εἶναι µμέέχρι σήήµμερα πρωτοπόόρο. Ἐξαιτίίας τοῦ φιλάάσθενου ὀργανισµμοῦ του καὶ τοῦ ἀφάάνταστου κόόπου τοῦ ἔργου του πέέθανε νέέος 49 ἐτῶν στὶς 31 Δεκεµμβρίίου τοῦ 378. Ἡ κηδείία του ἔγινε τὴν 1η Ἰανουαρίίου τοῦ 379 µμὲ πρωτοφανεῖς ἐκδηλώώσεις σεβασµμοῦ καὶ τιµμῆς ἀπὸ ἐχθροὺς καὶ φίίλους. Ἡ Ἐκκλησίία µμας τὴν ἡµμέέρα αὐτὴ τιµμᾶ τὴν µμνήήµμη του. Γρηγόόριος ὁ Θεολόόγος γεννήήθηκε τὸ 329 στὴν Ναζιανζὸ τῆς Καππαδοκίίας. Ὁ πατέέρας του Γρηγόόριος καὶ ἡ µμητέέρα του Νόόννα, εὔποροι ὄντες, ἔδωσαν µμεγάάλη µμόόρφωση µμὰ καὶ εὐσέέβεια στὸ παιδίί τους. Φοίίτησε στὶς ὀνοµμαστὲς σχολὲς τῆς Καισάάρειας τῆς Καππα- δοκίίας, τῆς Καισάάρειας τῆς Παλαιστίίνης, τῆς Ἀλεξάάνδρειας καὶ τῶν Ἀθηνῶν. Ὅπως ἀναφέέραµμε, ἐκεῖ γνωρίίστηκε µμὲ τὸν Βασίίλειο. Ὅταν ὁλοκλήήρωσε τὶς σπουδέές του γύύρισε στὴν Ναζιανζὸ καὶ προτίίµμησε νὰ ἀφιερωθεῖ στὴν ὑπηρεσίία τῆς Ἐκκλησίίας. Μόόνασε γιὰ ἕνα χρόόνο µμαζὶ µμὲ τὸ Βασίίλειο στὸνἴρη ποταµμὸ τοῦ Πόόντου καὶ στὴ συνέέχεια χειροτονήήθηκε ἐπίίσκοπος Σασίίµμων. Τὸ 379 σύύνοδος ἐπισκόόπων τῆς Ἀντιόόχειας ἀποφάάσισε νὰ µμεταβεῖ ὁ Γρηγόόριος στὴν Κωνσταντινούύπολη προκειµμέένου νὰ ἀντιµμετωπισθεῖ ἡ ἀρειανικὴ λαίίλαπα στὴν Βασιλεύύουσα. Μὲ ὁρµμητήήριο ἕνα µμικρὸ ναὸ κήήρυττε στὰ πλήήθη καὶ σὲ µμικρὸ χρονικὸ διάάστηµμα κατόόρθωσε νὰ ἀναχαιτίίσει τὴν αἵρεση. Τὸ 380 ἀναδείίχτηκε ἀρχιεπίίσκοπος τῆς Κωνσταντινούύπολης χωρὶς οὐσιαστικὰ νὰ τὸ ἐπιθυµμεῖ. Ὅταν κάάποιοι ἀµμφισβήήτησαν τὴν ἐκλογήή του γιὰ τυπικοὺς λόόγους παραιτήήθηκε καὶ ἐπέέστρεψε στὴν Καππαδοκίία, ζώώντας τὸ ὑπόόλοιπο τοῦ βίίου του µμὲ προσευχήή, ἄσκηση, φιλανθρωπίία καὶ ἡσυχίία. Συνέέγραψε τεράάστιο θεολογικὸ καὶ ποιητικὸ ἔργο. Πέέθανε στὶς 25 Ἰανουαρίίου τοῦ 390. Τὴν ἡµμέέρα αὐτὴ τιµμᾶ ἡ Ἐκκλησίία τὴ µμνήήµμη του. Ὁ Ἰωάάννης ὁ Χρυσόόστοµμος γεννήήθηκε

8 στὴν Ἀντιόόχεια τὸ 354. Ὁ πατέέρας του ἦταν εἰδωλολάάτρης, τὸν ὁποῖο µμετέέστρεψε στὸν Χριστιανισµμὸ ἡ σύύζυγόός του καὶ µμητέέρα τοῦ Ἰωάάννη ὑπέέροχη Ἀνθοῦσα. Ἀφοῦ ὁλοκλήήρωσε τὴν ἐγκύύκλιο µμόόρφωσήή του, προσκολλήήθηκε στὸν ὀνοµμαστὸ εἰδωλολάάτρη Λιβάάνιο ὥστε νὰ συµμπληρώώσει τὶς σπουδέές του στὴ ρητορικὴ καὶ στὴ φιλοσοφίία. Ἡ ἐπίίδοσήή του ἦταν τέέτοια ὥστε ὁ Λιβάάνιος τὸν προόόριζε γιὰ διάάδοχόό του στὴ Σχολήή! Ἀµμέέσως µμετὰ σπούύδασε Θεολογίία στὴν ὀνοµμαστὴ Θεολογικὴ Σχολὴ τῆς Ἀντιόόχειας. Ἄσκησε γιὰ λίίγο χρόόνο τὸ ἐπάάγγελµμα τοῦ ρήήτορα, στὸ ὁποῖο σηµμείίωσε µμεγάάλη ἐπιτυχίία. Ὅµμως πολὺ γρήήγορα ἐγκατέέλειψε τὴν κοσµμικὴ δόόξα, τὸ προσοδοφόόρο ἐπάάγγελµμα καὶ τὶς ἰαχὲς τοῦ πλήήθους καὶ ἀφιερώώθηκε στὴν ὑπηρεσίία τῆς ἐκκλησίίας. Τὸ 380 χειροτονήήθηκε διάάκονος καὶ τὸ 385 πρεσβύύτερος στὴν Ἀντιόόχεια. Γιὰ δεκατρίία ὁλόόκληρα χρόόνια ἐργάάστηκε δραστήήρια καὶ ἀναδείίχθηκε πρόότυπο ποιµμέένα, διδασκάάλου καὶ κοινωνικοῦ ἐργάάτη. Πλῆθος ἀναξιοπαθούύντων ἔβρισκαν κοντάά του πνευµματικὴ καὶ ὑλικὴ στήήριξη. Τὸ 398 ὁδηγήήθηκε παρὰ τὴ θέέλησήή του νὰ ἀναλάάβει τὸ θρόόνο τῆς Κωνσταντινουπόόλεως. Ὡς Ἀρχιεπίίσκοπος τῆς Βασιλεύύουσας ἀνέέλαβε ἕναν τιτάάνιο ἀγώώνα κατὰ τῆς διαφθορᾶς καὶ τῆς ἀκολασίίας ποὺ εἶχε ἐπικρατήήσει στὴν πλούύσια πρωτεύύουσα τοῦ κράάτους. Ξεκίίνησε τὸ ξεκαθάάρισµμα ἀπὸ τὴν Ἐκκλησίία καὶ ἔφτασε µμέέχρι τὰ ἀνάάκτορα καὶ ἰδιαίίτερα στηλίίτευσε τὴν διεφθαρµμέένη αὐτοκράάτειρα Εὐδοξίία. Ἦρθε σὲ ρήήξη µμὲ τοὺς ἰσχυροὺς τοῦ χρήήµματος καὶ τῆς κρατικῆς ἐξουσίίας. Ὅλοι αὐτοὶ κατόόρθωσαν ἀκόόµμα καὶ µμὲ ἀπόόφαση ψευδοσυνόόδου ( Ἱέέρειας τοῦ 407) νὰ ἐξοριστεῖ δυὸ φορὲς στὸν Πόόντο. Στὶς 14 Σεπτεµμβρίίου τοῦ 407 δὲν ἄντεξε τὶς κακουχίίες καὶ πέέθανε καθ ὁδὸν στὰ βάάθη τῆς Ἀρµμενίίας. Τὸ ἔργο τοῦ Ἰωάάννη ὑπῆρξε τεράάστιο. Τὸ συγγραφικόό του ἔργο κολοσσιαῖο. Ἡ κοινωνικήή του προσφορὰ ἀνεκτίίµμητη. Ἡ Ἐκκλησίία µμας τοῦ προσέέδωσε τὸν τίίτλο Χρυσόόστοµμος, διόότι ὑπῆρξε πραγµματικὰ ὁ µμεγαλύύτερος Πατέέρας ρήήτορας, τὸ γλυκόόλαλο ἀηδόόνι τῆς Ἐκκλησίίας, ὅπως παρατηρεῖ σύύγχρονος στοχαστήής. Ἡ µμνήήµμη του ἑορτάάζεται στὶς 13 Νοεµμβρίίου. Ἡ τριάάδα τῶν κορυφαίίων αὐτῶν ἱεραρχῶν τῆς Ἐκκλησίίας µμας, ἔχει καθιερωθεῖ στὴ συνείίδηση τῶν πιστῶν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς ἀνθρώώπινης ἱστορίίας, ὡς οἱ φωτεινὲς ἐκεῖνες προσωπικόότητες οἱ ὁποῖες ἔπαιξαν καθοριστικὸ ρόόλο στὴ διαµμόόρφωση τοῦ παγκόόσµμιου πολιτισµμοῦ. Εἶναι οἱ ἐκπρόόσωποι µμιᾶς πλειάάδας φωτόόµμορφων πατέέρων τῆς Ἐκκλησίίας µμας οἱ ὁποῖοι ὄχι µμόόνο διέέσωσαν ὅ,τι πολύύτιµμο εἶχε δηµμιουργήήσει ἡ ἀνθρώώπινη διάάνοια ὣς τόότε, κυρίίως τῶν Ἑλλήήνων, ἀλλὰ µμέέσα στὸ πνεῦµμα τοῦ φωτόός, τῆς ἐλευθερίίας καὶ τῆς ἀγάάπης τῆς ἀπαράάµμιλλης διδασκαλίίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ, συνέέθεσαν τὸν νέέο πολιτισµμὸ τοῦ κόόσµμου, τὸν ἑλληνοχριστιανικόό. Οἱ τρεῖς ἱεράάρχες ἔχουν καθιερωθεῖ ὡς οἱ προστάάτες τῶν γραµμµμάάτων καὶ τοῦ πολιτισµμοῦ ἀπὸ τὸν 10ο κιόόλας αἰώώνα ἀπὸ τὸν φωτισµμέένο ἐπίίσκοπο Εὐχαΐτων Ἰωάάννη Μαυρόόποδα. Ἐκεῖνος εἶχε βάάλει τέέλος στὴν ἱερὴ διαµμάάχη στοὺς κόόλπους τῆς Ἐκκλησίίας γιὰ τὸ ποιόός ἀπὸ τοὺς τρεῖς Ἱεράάρχες ὑπῆρξε ὁ πιὸ σπουδαῖος. Τέέτοια ἦταν ἡ ἐπίίδραση τῶν µμεγάάλων αὐτῶν προσωπικοτήήτων στὴ συνείίδηση τῶν πιστῶν! Ἔτσι ἀπὸ τόότε στὴν ἱερὴ κοινὴ µμνήήµμη τους (30 Ἰανουαρίίου) µμαζὶ µμὲ αὐτοὺς τιµμῶνται τὰ γράάµμµματα καὶ ἑορτάάζουν οἱ παράάγοντες τῆς παιδείίας, διδάάσκοντες καὶ διδασκόόµμενοι. Οἱ ὑπέέροχες φωτεινὲς αὐτὲς προσωπικόότητες ἀποτελοῦν τὴν ἠχηρὴ ἀπάάντηση σὲ ὅσους εἴτε ἀπὸ ἄγνοια, εἴτε ἀπὸ σκόόπιµμη ἐµμπάάθεια συκοφαντοῦν τὸν Χριστιανισµμὸ ὡς δῆθεν σκοταδιστικὸ σύύστηµμα, τὸ ὁποῖο κατάάστρεψε τὸν ἀρχαῖο πολιτισµμὸ καὶ ὁδήήγησε τὴν ἀνθρωπόότητα στὸ σκοτεινὸ µμεσαίίωνα. Οἱ τρεῖς Ἱεράάρχες, καὶ τὸ σύύνολο σχεδὸν τῶν πατέέρων τῆς Ἐκκλησίίας µμας, ὑπῆρξαν φορεῖς ὑψηλῆς µμορφωτικῆς στάάθµμης. Ὁ Μέέγας Βασίίλειος κατεῖχε ὅλη σχεδὸν τὴ γνώώση τῆς ἐποχῆς του, ἦταν θεολόόγος, φιλόόλογος, ἰατρόός, γεωµμέέτρης, φυσιοδίίφης, νοµμικόός, ρήήτορας, µμουσικὸς κ.λ.π. Ὁ Γρηγόόριος ὑπῆρξε µμέέγας θεολόόγος, ἀπαράάµμιλλος ποιητὴς ἀρχαϊκῶν στίίχων, ρήήτορας καὶ φιλόόσοφος. Χάάρη στὴν κολοσσιαίία µμόόρφωσήή του διετέέλεσε καθηγητὴς τῶν ὀνοµμαστῶν φιλοσοφικῶν σχολῶν τῶν Ἀθηνῶν!

9 ` Ὁ Ἰωάάννης ὁ Χρυσόόστοµμος ὑπῆρξε ὀνοµμαστὸς ρήήτορας, νοµμικόός, θεολόόγος, ἄριστος φιλόόλογος καὶ ἀπαράάµμιλλος χειριστὴς τοῦ λόόγου, γι αὐτὸ ὀνοµμάάστηκε καὶ Χρυσόόστοµμος. Ὁ ὀνοµμαστὸς ἐθνικὸς δάάσκαλόός του Λιβάάνιος εἶχε πεῖ µμὲ πίίκρα πὼς τὸν ὑπέέροχο αὐτὸ µμαθητήή του τὸν κέέρδισε ὁ Χριστιανισµμὸς καὶ ἔτσι ὁ ἐθνισµμὸς ἔχασε µμίία σπάάνια πνευµματικὴ προσωπικόότητα! Ἡ συγκεκριµμέένη ἱστορικὴ περίίοδος ποὺ ἔζησαν ἦταν ἐποχὴ µμεταβατικήή, ἔντονων πνευµματικῶν συγκρούύσεων. Ὁ ἀρχαῖος κόόσµμος ἔδυε κάάτω ἀπὸ τὴν ἱστορικὴ ἀναγκαιόότητα καὶ µμίία νέέα πραγµματικόότητα ἔπαιρνε τὴ θέέση του στὸ πνευµματικὸ στερέέωµμα, ὁ Χριστιανισµμόός. Αὐτὴ ἡ µμετάάβαση δὲν ἔγινε χωρὶς συγκρούύσεις καὶ τριβέές. Ὁ θνήήσκων ἐθνισµμὸς ἀνθίίστατο µμὲ ὅσες δυνάάµμεις τοῦ εἶχαν ἀποµμείίνει. Ἡ θλιβερὴ περίίπτωση τοῦ ψευτοροµμαντικοῦ Ἰουλιανοῦ ( ) νὰ νεκραναστήήσει τὴν εἰδωλολατρίία µμὲ τὴ βίία καὶ τοὺς διωγµμοὺς κατὰ τοῦ Χριστιανισµμοῦ, χωρὶς φυσικὰ ἀποτέέλεσµμα, ἀποτελεῖ µμίία φανερὴ πτυχὴ τῆς ταραγµμέένης ἐκείίνης ἐποχῆς. Οἱ ἐν λόόγῳ πατέέρες ὅµμως ὄχι µμόόνο εἶδαν τήήν, χωρὶς πισωγύύρισµμα, ροὴ τῶν ἱστορικῶν πραγµμάάτων ἀλλὰ συνέέβαλαν θετικὰ σ αὐτόό. Παράάλληλα κράάτησαν συνετὴ στάάση µμπροστὰ στὶς βαρβαρόότητες τοῦ ἐθνισµμοῦ. Εἶναι χαρακτηριστικὴ ἡ ἐπιστολὴ τοῦ Γρηγορίίου πρὸς τὸν φίίλο του καὶ πρώώην συµμµμαθητήή του Ἰουλιανόό. Προέέτρεπε τὸν φανατικὸ αὐτοκράάτορα νὰ µμελετήήσει καλλίίτερα τὸν ἑλληνισµμὸ ὥστε νὰ διδαχθεῖ µμέέσα ἀπὸ αὐτὸν ὅτι δὲν δικαιολογοῦνται διωγµμοὶ καὶ κακουργίίες στὸ ὄνοµμα αὐτοῦ. «Τὸ ἑλληνίίζειν ἐστὶ πολυσήή µμαντον», τόόνιζε ὁ σοφὸς ἱεράάρχης. Μετὰ τὴν ἐπιστολὴ αὐτὴ ὁ θηριώώδης αὐτοκράάτορας ἄρχισε νὰ ἀλλάάζει στάάση κατὰ τῶν Χρισιανῶν. Oἱ τρεῖς Ἱεράάρχες δὲν ἦταν µμόόνο θιασῶτες τοῦ λόόγου, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀκάάµματοι ἐργάάτες τοῦ ἔργου. Μιὰ σύύντοµμη µματιὰ στὸ βίίο τους, µμᾶς βεβαιώώνει γιὰ τὸ πολύύπλευρο ποιµμαντικόό, κοινωνικὸ καὶ πνευµματικόό τους ἔργο. Ὅπως προαναφέέραµμε ἡ περίίφηµμη καὶ µμοναδικὴ «Βασιλειάάδα» τοῦ Μ. Βασιλείίου στὴν Καισάάρεια τῆς Καππαδοκίίας, οἱ τιτάάνιοι ἀγῶνες κατὰ τῶν ἀρειανῶν τῆς Κωνσταντινούύπολης τοῦ Γρηγορίίου καὶ τὸ θαυµμαστὸ φιλανθρωπικὸ ἔργο τοῦ Χρυσοστόόµμου στὴν Ἀντιόόχεια καὶ µμετὰ στὴν Κωνσταντινούύπολη, εἶναι κάάποιες ἀπὸ τὶς δραστηριόότητέές τους. Παράάλληλα µμᾶς ἄφησαν ἕνα ἀπέέραντο συγγραφικὸ ἔργο, στὸ ὁποῖο διασώώζεται ὄχι µμόόνο ὁ µμοναδικὸς ἑλληνικὸς λόόγος ἀλλὰ καὶ ὅ,τι καλὸ εἶχε δηµμιουργήήσει ἡ ἀρχαιόότητα. Ἀναφέέρω γιὰ παράάδειγµμα τοὺς ποιητικοὺς στίίχους τοῦ Γρηγορίίου οἱ ὁποῖοι εἶναι ἐφάάµμιλλοι τῶν ἔργων τῶν µμεγάάλων ποιητῶν τῆς ἑλληνικῆς ἀρχαιόότητας. Ἀναφέέρω ἀκόόµμα καὶ τὶς προτροπὲς τοῦ Βασιλείίου ὥστε νὰ ὠφεληθοῦν οἱ νέέοι µμελετώώντας ἐπιλεκτικὰ τοὺςἕλληνες σοφοὺς καὶ συγγραφεῖς. Οἱ µμεγάάλοι αὐτοὶ πατέέρες δὲν καλλιέέργη- σαν στὰ πρόόσωπάά τους µμόόνο τὸ πνεῦµμα ἀλλὰ καὶ τὴν ἀρετήή. Τὰ ἱερὰ συναξάάριάά τους ἀναφέέρονται µμὲ λεπτοµμέέρειες στὴν καλλιέέργεια καὶ τὴ βίίωση τῶν ἀρετῶν στὴν καθηµμερινήή τους ζωήή. Παροιµμιώώδης ὑπῆρξε, γιὰ παράάδειγµμα, ἡ ἀκτηµμοσύύνη τοῦ Βασιλείίου, ἡ γλυκύύτητα καὶ ἡ εὐγέένεια τοῦ χαρακτήήρα τοῦ Γρηγορίίου καὶ ἡ συµμπόόνια πρὸς τοὺς ἐνδεεῖς τοῦ Χρυσοστόόµμου. Τὰ γνήήσια ἀνθρώώπινα πρόό- τυπα, ποὺ σκιαγραφοῦσαν στὰ συγγράάµμµματάά τους, µμιµμοῦνταν πρῶτοι αὐτοίί. Οἱ τρεῖς αὐτοὶ µμεγάάλοι «φωστῆρες τῆς τρισηλίίου Θεόότητος» πρέέπει νὰ εἶναι καὶ στὶς ἀσέέληνες σκοτεινὲς µμέέρες µμας φωτεινὰ ὁρόόσηµμα καὶ πνευµματικοὶ δεῖκτες τόόσο ὅλων τῶν παραγόόντων τῆς παιδείίας ὅσο καὶ ὅλων τῶν σκεπτόόµμενων ἀνθρώώπων. Ὁ πνευµματικὸς ἀποπροσανα- 0τολισµμὸς καὶ ἡ πολιτιστικὴ πενίία τῆς ἐποχῆς µμας ἐπιβάάλλει νὰ στραφοῦµμε στὶς καθάάριες πνευµματικὲς πηγὲς τῶν προγόόνων µμας, νὰ ἐνστερνιστοῦµμε τὶς διαχρονικὲς ἰδέέες τους ὅπως αὐτὲς καλλιεργήήθηκαν µμέέσα στὴν ἑλληνορ- θόόδοξη παράάδοσήή µμας, ὥστε νὰ µμπορέέσουµμε νὰ βγοῦµμε ἀπὸ τὸ πνευµματικὸ τέέλµμα ποὺ µμᾶς ἐγκλώώβισε ἡ σύύγχρονη ἀπολυτοποίίηση τῆς τεχνολογίίας σὲ βάάρος τοῦ πνευµματικοῦ πολιτισµμοῦ

10 He Grasps! When he was a young man, Joshua Liebman made a list of the things he would like to have. The list was long and included such things as health, love, talent, power, wealth, and fame. He showed the list around, asking others for their opinion. A wise old friend of the young man's family looked the list over and said, "Joshua, this is an excellent list. It is well-digested in content. It is set down in a reasonable order. But it appears, my young friend, that you have omitted the most important element of all. You have forgotten one ingredient, lacking which, each possession becomes a hideous torment, and your list as a whole, an intolerable burden." "And what is that missing ingredient?" Joshua asked. The wise old friend replied by taking a pencil and crossing out Joshua's entire list. Then he wrote down three words: "Peace of mind." That young man, Joshua Liebman, later became the author of the inspiring book called "Peace of Mind " which has sold millions of copies. As a matter of fact, in recent years a great many books have been published on the same theme and most of them have been big sellers. More than anything else we might place on our list of wants "Peace of mind." Jesus came into the world, under the most extraordinary circumstances, to give us that peace. During the weeks of Advent, we listen to many rousing prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. At the end of this season we are presented with a little baby. The baby Jesus might appear too simple a solution to the problems of God's people. "What's the catch?" we may ask. Christ's birth is the celebration of the great Emmanuel (God is with us) mystery. And God is with us so that we may know that we are infinitely lovable. To come as a baby was his first and greatest lesson to us, for it teaches the most important lessons of all about God's attitude towards us. A child is full of freshness and trusting love. Its eyes are to the future -- to growing up. Unspoiled by prejudice or bitterness, each child is a new beginning. A child's loving confidence can make the greatest villain think again, and it can bring new life to the old and weary. But the greatest lesson is one which we have all experienced when we have stretched out a tentative finger to a new baby -- he or she grasps it with an uncanny strength. Stretch out just one finger, so to speak to the Lord this Christmas and He will grasp it for as long as you let him. No one has ever surpassed John's powerful description of the Incarnation Event -- the miracle of the infinite God who comes to us and reveals Himself to us in the Person of a tiny, vulnerable human Child. "All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of men" (Jn. 1:4). John is telling us that in and through the Lord Jesus, God has made it possible for us to experience His Power and Love in the depths of our existence so that we may have fullness of life. But did you notice the unexpected turn John makes in the middle of his description? Turning from this scheme of grace and light and life, John suddenly says, "he came to his own domain and his own people did not accept him" (Jn. 1:11). Then just as suddenly, John returns once again to the scheme of Grace, saying, "And we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth" (Jn. 1:14). John is emphasizing the miracle of the persistence of God's Grace. In spite of the rejection, in spite of the resistance, He keeps coming, He keeps returning, He keeps trying to break through to offer us His love. And, as John says, those who finally say "Yes," those who receive Him, "He gave power to become children of God" (Jn. 1:12). No more beautiful or important Christmas story has ever been written. Think of those times into which Jesus was born! Palestine was a place of social upheaval. The Roman Empire held its heavy military hand over the whole Mediterranean world. Zealots were plotting assassinations and acts of terrorism. The rich and the powerful -- the very few -- lorded it over the impoverished masses. Religious leaders played games with the occupying forces in order to maintain their positions of influence. Jerusalem was a place where centuries of bloodshed and confrontation had persisted. That the blessed Babe could survive in spite of those heavy odds is a miracle in itself. That the Child grew strong and became the timeless Source of our peace of mind is a tremendous manifestation of God's Power and Mercy. We celebrate in thanksgiving for the Babe's birth: a new life has begun; a Tender Plant has sprouted; a Young Sun has begun to shine. And, as He grows, He will tell us about justice. And He will shower mercy upon us, not because we have earned it, but because we need it. We stretch out our finger and He grasps it! In a Central European town, the older townspeople could be seen making the sign of the cross as they passed by a certain ordinary-looking stone wall. When a visitor asked why they were doing this no one could tell him. The visitor's curiosity led him to begin

11 ` chipping away at the layers of whitewash and dirt covering the wall until, underneath it all, he discovered a beautiful mural of Mary and the Child Jesus. Generations before, the townspeople had a reason for making the sign of the cross, but succeeding generations had forgotten it, yet they continued to go through the motions. This is the danger we face in the midst of the extreme secularization of our Christmas. Have we forgotten the reason for coming together to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child? Has our devotion to the cause of the Prince of Peace come down to the level of our "just going through the motions?" We look into the manger and we see a Baby. We see a Cross. We see danger. We see risk. We see the clash between what we are and who we are to become. We see the struggle for redemption. We see mercy. We see love. We see hope for enduring peace. From Bethlehem's crib, God invites us to share in His very life; to be one with Him. How do we deal with this? How do we respond? How should we respond? The answer, of course, is to follow the Lord Jesus. "The Father and I are one " Jesus said to the disciples (Jn. 10:30). Then he added, "If I am not doing my Father's work, there is no need to believe me; but if I am doing it, then even if you refuse to believe in me, at least believe in the work I do; then you will know for sure that the Father is in me and I am in the Father" (Jn. 10:37-38). In order to accept God's invitation to be one with Him, we must follow Jesus' example in doing the Father's works." The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve " Jesus told the disciples (Mk.10:45). And He gave them the key that opens the door to eternal life, saying, "Come, O blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared or you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me..." (Mt. 25:34-36). Jesus is telling us now that we cannot pass through the door to eternal life, we cannot be one with God, we cannot appreciate our true worth whilensss, we cannot heal our wounds, we cannot be whole persons unless and until we acknowledge and accept the reality of God's Love for other persons -- all other persons. Once upon a Christmas Eve, a man sat in reflective silence before the fireplace, pondering the meaning of Christmas. "There is no point to a God who becomes man," he mused. "Why would an all-powerful God want to share even one of His precious moments with the likes of man? And even if He did, why would He choose to be born in an animal stall? No way! The whole thing is absurd! I'm sure that if God really wanted to come down to earth, He would have chosen some other way." Suddenly, the man was roused from his reverie by a strange sound outside. He went to the window and saw a small gaggle of blue geese frantically honking and aimlessly flopping about in the snow. They seemed dazed and confused. Apparently they had dropped out in exhaustion from the flight formations of a larger flock on its way from the Arctic Islands to the warmer climes of the Gulf of Mexico. Moved to compassion, the man tried to "shoo" the poor geese into his warm garage, but the more he "shooed" the more they panicked. "If they only realized I'm only trying to do what's best for them," he thought to himself. "How can I make them understand my concern for their well-being?" Then, this thought came to him: "If for just a minute, I could become one of them, an ordinary goose, and communicate with them in their own language, they would know what I am trying to do." And suddenly... suddenly, he remembered Christmas and a smile came over his face. Suddenly, the Christmas story no longer seemed absurd. Suddenly, he pictured that ordinarylooking infant, lying in the creche, in that stable in Bethlehem, and he knew the answer to his Christmas problem: God had become one of us to tell us that He loves us. May the true spirit of Christmas resound in our hearts and in our homes this day! May our faith response to the Christmas Message be a sweet song of love heard around the world! May we be harbingers of the Good News that through Jesus Christ, God's invitation to eternal life is extended to all; that there is always room for one more -- or billions more! "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word was made flesh and lived among us" (Jn. 1:1,14). A Young Sun has begun to shine. And, as He grows, He will tell us about justice. And He will shower mercy upon us, not because we have earned it, but because we need it. We stretch out our finger and He grasps! "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour" (Lk. 2:14)

12 St. Sophia Church School Chronicles Christ is Born! May God Grant You Many Abundant Blessings in 2012! We pray that everyone had a blessed Nativity season! We thank all of those who helped with the Nativity program this year. The children s angelic voices filled our Church with warmth and love as we anticipated the birth of Christ., A special thank you to Mrs. Janice Novick for coordinating this special event, and to Mrs. Sieglinde Savas and Mrs. Eleni Karavasis for working with the costumes. Thank you also to all of the families who brought their children to rehearsals and participated in reminding all of us of the true meaning of Christ s blessed Nativity in our lives. We thank everyone for their generous and overwhelming contributions to our annual Holiday Food Drive. We collected a multitude of items. Many families have participated, and it is a blessing to be involved in serving those in need. Thank you to Mrs. Deme Wians for coordinating these efforts. We will be hosting our annual Communion Luncheon on February 19, It is a blessing to be able to have another opportunity to celebrate receiving Holy Communion as one church family. We encourage youth participation in the preparation, serving, and clean-up of the breakfast. Church school teachers will ask their classes for volunteers by the end of January. Please encourage your children to participate. Our Mission Drive begins this year on Februrary 26 th. Mission boxes to support the programs of our Orthodox Christian Mission Center in St. Augustine, Florida will be distributed to our students that day. We ask that children try to give a quarter for every meal they have at home. This is a wonderful tool to help our children learn to remember Christ s command, to go and make disciples of all nations. Finally, this year s parish St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will be held on March 4, 2012 and March 11, The festival will include all the grades of our Church School. Please see the included flyer for more information. We are praying for 100% participation from our youth as they are given the opportunity to express and share their faith! With love in Christ, Presvytera Georgeanne Karamitos, Church School Director Maria Kroll, Assistant

13 ` Oratorical Arts Festival 2012 Important Dates and Deadlines 1/21/12 Iconography Workshop for pre-registered students Noon to 4pm 1/22/12 Junior and Senior Level classrooms finish topic introductions *Students choose category participation (speech, essay, icon, or poem). If they are writing a speech or essay, they must choose a topic at this point. Participants must submit registration forms. 2/12/12 Oratorical Writing Workshop--Noon to 3pm 3/4/12 St. Sophia Oratorical Festival: Pre-K through 6 th graders present after Divine Liturgy 3/11/12 St. Sophia Oratorical Festival: All submissions are due at 11am. Speakers deliver their speeches after Divine Liturgy 3/25/12 Announcement of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place speeches, essays, poems, and icons 4/21/12 Metropolis Oratorical Festival at St Athanasios, Aurora, IL. 5/20/12 Certificates presented to all participants

14 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS THE ST. SOPHIA PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY WISHES OUR ST. SOPHIA FAMILY A BLESSED AND JOYOUS NEW YEAR. WE PRAY THAT 2012 BRINGS US PEACE, LOVE AND RENEWED FAITH. METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO PHILOPTOCHOS BOARD ELECTION RESULTS Congratulations to Irene Arsoniadis on her election as President of the Metropolis Philoptochos Society and to Pam Argyris as First Vice President. We offer our support and encouragement to these members and to the entire Metropolis Board in all of their endeavors to help those in need. HOLIDAY BAZAAR & FOOD FEST Thank you to Chairman Matina Caribacas and her committee for their planning and hard work in making this year s Holiday Bazaar and Food Fest a wonderful success. Thank you to all who came to support our efforts at this important fund raising event. CHRISTMAS BAKE SALE Thank you to Fani Kalamaras and her committee for baking the delicious sweets for the Christmas Bake Sale, which was a great success. VASILOPITA Our annual Cutting of the Vasilopita will be held in church on Sunday, January 8, Please join Fr. Andrew as he cuts the Vasilopita for the benefit of the children of St. Basil s Academy. In addition, the Metropolis of Chicago will also hold its 52 nd Annual Cutting of the Vasilopita on January 8, 2012 at the St. George Church in Schererville, Indiana. Festivities begin at 6:00 PM. If you are interested in attending please see President Kathy Katrakis for tickets. St. John Chrysostom wrote: "Almsgiving is the heart of virtue... it is the queen of the virtues, which quickly leads people to the very height of heaven; it is the best of advocates... To do alms is a work greater than miracles... To feed the hungry Christ is a work greater than raising the dead in Christ's name. PHILOPTOCHOS MEMBERSHIP The New Year brings the reminder to renew your St. Sophia Philoptochos membership. Let's keep in mind that all our labors towards fulfilling our National and Metropolis obligations are to take care of the sick, the poor, the hurting, the homeless, the hungry, and the thirsty and to keep the Orthodox faith alive. Membership renewal forms will be sent to all current Philoptochos members. Not a current member? Why not join us in supporting our Philoptochos endeavors, both nationally and locally. In the words of Rev. John Bakas (St. Sophia Cathedral, Los Angeles), We are all angels with one wing we can only fly when holding on to each other. Philoptochos works as a team and we can only be strong when we all work together. Membership forms can be found after Divine Liturgy at the Philoptochos table. Please join us and become a member of the largest Christian women s philanthropic organization in the United States, 27,000 + members strong. Please help us to help others. COMMITMENT CORNER As part of the National Philoptochos Society, our Philoptochos donates to 17 National Commitments/Ministries, as well as Metropolis commitments and local charities. In November and December we donated to the following National Ministries: Ecumenical Patriarchate, Sisterhood of Presbyteres, UNICEF and the General Medical Fund. In addition, Christmas donations were sent to the following local charities: Halos of Hope, Clearbrook Center, Gigi s Playhouse, Little Angels, Community Crisis Center, Jingle Bell Fund, The Salvation Army, Guadalupe Homes, Shoe Fund, Elgin Mental Health Center, Larkin Home and the Metropolis Philanthropy Wish Fund. We hope that our donations made Christmas a happier time for those less fortunate.

15 ` An evening of Dancing Through the Decades Apokreatiko Glendi 2012 Hosted by: St. Sophia Parish Council Friday, February 10, 6:30 PM St. Sophia Community Center 525 Church Road, Elgin, IL Traditional Makaronada with Kyma Kapama Greek/American DJ Music & Performances by Agape Dance Troupe Dress like your favorite decade Adult Tickets $30.00 Young Adults (12-18 years) $10 Children (under 12) Free For reservations call: Zack (847) Chrysoula (630)

16 Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox 525 Church Road Elgin, Illinois NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO DATED MATERIAL PLEASE DO NOT DELAY ***********************************************