HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ΕΛΛΙΝΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΚΟΙΝΟΣΗΣΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΣΡΙΑΔΟ

Transcript

1 THUNDER BAY BULLETIN HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ΕΛΛΙΝΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΚΟΙΝΟΣΗΣΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΣΡΙΑΔΟ 651 Beverly Street, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6N2 Telephone: (807) December 2010 Volume 6 Issue 11 ΧΡΙΣΟ ΓΕΝΝΑΣΕ, ΔΟΞΑΑΣΕ! CHRIST IS BORN, GLORIFY HIM! 1

2 THUNDER BAY BULLETIN Published monthly. Editor(s): Rev. Fr. Nikolaos Tambakis PARISH PRIEST: Rev. Fr. Nikolaos Tambakis; 106 Essex Court, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7A 7N6 # (807) cellular; # (807) office Church holytrinity@tbaytel.net; Fr. Nikolaos ntambakis@hotmail.com Website: Office hours: by appointment HELLENIC COMMUNITY PRESIDENT: ACHILLES STATHOPOULOS # (807) HOME; (807) MOBILE VICE PRESIDENT: TOM MARINIS # (807) HOME; (807) MOBILE SECRETARY: LISA BOOTE # (807) HOME TREASURER: MARIA MORAKIS # (807) HOME; (807) MOBILE ASST. TREASURER: TAX MILIONIS # (807) HOME; (807) MOBILE BOARD MEMBERS: ANDY KARANASOS, NICK MILIONIS, TIMO KAROUTAS, TED FRISKY, PETER SAITES, IRENE BINIARIS, PETER KOUKOS. RELIGIOUS AND LEGAL AUTHORITIES HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN SOTIRIOS - GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS IF TORONTO (CANADA), 1 PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW WAY (86 OVERLEA BOULEVARD),TORONTO, ONTARIO M4H 1C6; TELEPHONE: (416) ; FAX: (416) ; METROPOLIS@GOCANADA.ORG; WEBSITE: EMBASSY OF GREECE - 80 MACLAREN STREET; OTTAWA, ONTARIO K2P 0K6; TELEPHONE: (613) ;FAX: (613) ; WEBSITE: CONSULATE GENERAL OF GREECE BLOOR STREET E, SUITE 1800, TORONTO, ONTARIO M4W 3L4 ; TELEPHONE (416) ; FAX: (416) ; WEBSITE: GREEK TOURIST OFFICE (TORONTO) BAY STREET, TORONTO, ONTARIO M5R 3K8; TELEPHONE: (416) ; FAX: (416) ; GRNTO.TOR@SYMPATICO.CA BOARD OF DIRECTORS (L TO R): TED FRISKY, PETER KOUKOS, IRENE BINIARIS, NICK MILIONIS, TOM MARINIS, MARIA MORAKIS, ANDY KARANASOS, NIS, TIMO KAROUTAS, ACHILLES STATHOPOULOS, PETER SAITES, LISA BOOTE, WITH FR. NIKOLAOS TAMBAKIS (ABOVE) 2

3 ΚΑΛΑΝΤΑ! OUR YOUTH WILL BE COMING TO YOUR HOME TO SING HEARTFELT CHRISTMAS CAROLS CELEBRATING THE COMING OF OUR LORD! H ΝΕΟΛΑΙΑ ΜΑ ΘΑ ΠΕΡΑΟΤΝ ΑΠΟ ΣΟ ΠΙΣΙ Α ΝΑ ΠΟΤΝΕ ΣΑ ΚΑΛΑΝΣΑ ΜΕ ΟΛΗ ΣΗ ΚΑΡΔΙΑ ΣΟΤ! FORT WILLIAM SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, AFTER 4:30PM PORT ARTHUR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, AFTER 4:30PM WE WILL TRY TO COME EARLIEST TO THE HOMES WITH SMALL CHILDREN. IF YOU CANNOT BE THERE TO WELCOME THE KIDS AT THE ABOVE TIMES, PLEASE BE COURTEOUS AND CALL FR. NIKOLAOS AT ΘΑ ΠΡΟΠΑΘΗΟΤΜΕ ΝΑ ΕΡΘΟΤΜΕ ΝΩΡΙΣΕΡΑ ΣΑ ΠΙΣΙΑ ΜΕ ΜΙΚΡΑ ΠΑΙΔΙΑ. ΑΝ ΔΕΝ ΜΠΟΡΕΙΣΕ ΝΑ ΕΙΑΣΕ ΕΚΕΙ ΝΑ ΣΟΤ ΚΑΛΩ ΔΕΥΘΕΙΣΕ, ΠΑΡΑΚΑΛΟYΜΕ ΝΑ ΠΑΡΕΣΕ ΣΗΛΕΦΩΝΟ ΣΟ Π. ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟ

4 DECEMBER 25:THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST Great anticipation is building as we come closer to Christmas Day. The old remember the happy times in their youth when families gathered to celebrate, and the young ones have hopes for the presents and blessings that will be exchanged. This is the one time of the year that many give gifts of charity to those who are financially disadvantaged, remembering God's manifold blessings. Others surrender their burdens and sorrows for the joy that comes with the knowledge that "a Child is born" to the world, a Child Who brings light, solace and peace into the farthest corners of the earth. In this time of the year, as we rush from store to store searching for the perfect gift for our love ones, let us remember that this is the season when the Church hymns out tidings of great joy announcing that Christ is born! "Christ is born; glorify Him! Christ comes from heaven; go to meet Him! Christ is on earth; be exalted! Sing to the Lord, all the earth! And praise Him in gladness, O people, for He has been glorified!" This hymn describes how Orthodox Christians joyfully give thanks to the gift of Christ's miraculous Incarnation. The hymn calls us to act in a very conscious and decisive manner. As Christians we live our Faith and witness it to the world through our gladness and joy; like the single light burning brightly in the darkness. This time of the year is also a time of humility, which today's society has forgotten with the commercialization of this Christ-mass day. The Theotokos responded in humility when she consented to bear the Christ-child. Christ chose a humble cave in which to be born and become Man. The shepherds bowed in reverence and humility to the newborn King. The three wise kings traveled vast distances to pay homage to a baby in a cave used to shelter farm animals. O, what great and moving images these thoughts build! We, like the foreign kings and pure hearted Theotokos, must respond to our Christian Faith in simple humility at all times, and especially now during the Advent Season. Christ's birthplace also reminds us that He depends upon each of us to welcome Him in our very homes, and to make Him part of our lives and families. Rejoice over the message of humility, life, love, and the hope that Christ's life offers us. Do not let your hearts be cold and stomachs sated with the lifeless material things gathered and food eaten. Let s celebrate the joy of the Nativity and extend our love to one another praying that the newborn Child blesses each of us. 4

5 25 ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ: Η ΓΕΝΝΗΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ Ο Μέγαο Βαζίιεηνο ζαπκάδνληαο ην γεγνλόο ηεο Γελλήζεωο ηνπ Χξηζηνύ, ζέηεη ζην ζηόκα ηεο Παλαγίαο ηα αθόινπζα ιόγηα: «Πωο λα Σε νλνκάζω εγώ, ζαπκαζηό κνπ βξέθνο; Τη ζλεηό όλνκα λα δώζω ζηνλ θαξπό ηνπ Αγίνπ Πλεύκαηνο; Να Σνπ πξνζθέξω ζπκίακα ή γάια; Έρεηο αλάγθε από ηηο κεηξηθέο κνπ θξνληίδεο, ή λα πέζω ζηα πόδηα Σνπ θαη λα Σε ιαηξεύω; Τη αλεμήγεηε αληίζεζε; 0 νπξαλόο είλαη ν ζξόλνο Σνπ θη εγώ ζε ηνπνζέηεζα ζηα γόλαηα κνπ. Σε βιέπω ζηελ γε θη όκωο δελ άθεζεο ηνλ νπξαλό. 0 νπξαλόο είλαη εθεί, όπνπ επξίζθεζαη Δζύ». Τελ απνξία θαη ηελ έθπιεμε ηεο Παλαγίαο ζπκκεξίδεηαη θαη άγηνο Βαζίιεηνο. Καη πξνζπαζώληαο λα βξεη ην κπζηηθό πνπ πέηπρε ηελ έλωζε ηόζν αληηζέηωλ πξαγκάηωλ, θαηαιήγεη όηη είλαη Η ΤΑΠΔΙΝΩΣΗ! Από ταπείνωση ο Θεός έγινε άνθρωπος! Από την ταπείνωση Τοσ η γη έγινε οσρανός! Γελ αλέβεθε ν άλζξωπνο ζηνλ νπξαλό. Καηέβεθε ν Θεόο ζηελ γε. Καη έηζη καο έκαζε έκπξαθηα, πωο κπνξεί ε γε, από ηόπνο εμνξίαο λα γίλεη παξάδεηζνο. Από δνύγθια, λα γίλεη Βαζηιεία ηνπ Θενύ. Γη' απηό θαη νη πξώηνη, πνπ αμηώζεθαλ λα Τνλ πξνζθπλήζνπλ, ήηαλ νη ηαπεηλνί πνηκέλεο. Καη νη γεκάηνη ηαπεηλό θαη εηιηθξηλέο θξόλεκα αλαδήηεζεο ηεο αιήζεηαο, «κάγνη εμ αλαηνιώλ». Απηή ε αξεηή ηεο Ταπείλωζεο είλαη ην κεγάιν κήλπκα ηεο ενξηήο ηωλ Χξηζηνπγέλλωλ. Μόλν ν άλζξωπνο πνπ θαιιηεξγεί θαη αγαπάεη απηή ηελ αξεηή, κπνξεί θάπωο λα ληώζεη, ηη έγηλε εθείλε ηελ παγωκέλε λύρηα ηνπ Γεθέκβξε ζηελ Βεζιεέκ ηεο Ινπδαίαο. Καη κόλν κε απηή ηελ αξεηή, κπνξεί λα αμηωζεί λα δερζεί ζηελ θαξδηά ηνπ ηνλ Νενγέλλεην Βαζηιέα θαη Σωηήξα Χξηζηό. Αγίνπ Δθξαίκ ηνπ Σύξνπ Christmas Wishes! The Greek Orthodox Community Board of Directors conveys its heartfelt wishes to the Greek Orthodox Community of Thunder Bay for a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! 5

6 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church presents: SOUVLAKI DINNER (Souvlaki, Tzatziki, Mediterranean Rice, Greek Salad and Pita) $10 Thursday, December 9; 4:00-6:30pm Take Out/Pickup only Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 651 Beverly Street (at Balmoral) Tickets available at the door. Telephone: us at to be on our mailing list! Facebook Join our group The Great Souvlaki Dinner Takeout Website: 6

7 GREEK SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN! We resume Greek School for children of all ages on Saturday mornings in January 2011! Stay tuned for more details! Our teachers Mr. Stamatis Melissis Mrs. Athena Blieske 12 Things I Wish I d Known First Visit to an Orthodox Church By Frederica Matthewes-Green Orthodox worship is different! Some of these differences are apparent, if perplexing, from the first moment you walk in a church. Others become noticeable only over time. Here is some information that may help you feel more at home in Orthodox worship twelve things I wish I d known before my first visit to an Orthodox church. #7. Where s the General Confession? In our experience, we don t have any general sins; they re all quite specific. There is no complete confession-prayer in the Liturgy. Orthodox are expected to be making regular, private confession to their priest. The role of the pastor is much more that of a spiritual father than it is in other denominations. He is not called by his first name alone, but referred to as Father Firstname. His wife also holds a special role as parish mother, and she gets a title too, though it varies from one culture to another: either Khouria (Arabic), or Presbytera (Greek), both of which mean priest s wife; or Matushka (Russian), which means Mama. Another difference you may notice is in the Nicene Creed, which may be said or sung, depending on the parish. If we are saying that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, and you from force of habit add, and the Son, you will be alone. The filioque was added to the Creed some six hundred years after it was written, and we adhere to the original. High-church visitors will also notice that we don t bow or genuflect during the and was incarnate. Nor do we restrict our use of Alleluia during Lent (when the sisters at one Episcopal convent are referring to it as the A word ); in fact, during Matins in Lent, the Alleluias are more plentiful than ever. 7

8 ΠΝΕΤΜΑΣΙΚΕ ΤΜΒΟΤΛΕ ΕΝ ΟΨΕΙ ΣΗ ΑΡΑΚΟΣΗ ΣΩΝ ΧΡΙΣΟΤΓΕΝΝΩΝ Η χαρά τθσ ηωισ δε βρίςκεται μόνο ςτισ γιινεσ απολαφςεισ. Είναι ουτοπία να πιςτεφουμε ςτο Χριςτό και από τθν άλλθ να πιςτεφουμε ότι όςο πιο πολλά υλικά αγακά ζχουμε τόςο πιο καλά τον βιϊνουμε. Γιατί ζτςι ο Χριςτόσ κα ιταν ο Πατζρασ και αδελφόσ για μόνο μία τάξθ ανκρϊπων, ενϊ ο Κδιοσ είναι για όλουσ θ απαντοχι, για πτωχοφσ, μεςαίουσ και πλουςίουσ. Η απόλαυςθ των υλικϊν αγακϊν ενϊ εν πρϊτοισ είναι θ Εντολι του Θεοφ προσ τον άνκρωπο, αυτι γίνεται πολλζσ φορζσ αυτονομθμζνθ, απομακρυςμζνθ ωςτόςο από τον αρχικό προοριςμό τθσ. Αυτό ςυμβαίνει όταν ο άνκρωποσ ηει για να ηει, χωρίσ να ςκζπτεται ότι ηει για άλλο τόπο, κατά το «ϊδε ουκ ζχομεν πόλιν, αλλά τθν μζλλουςα επιηθτοφμεν». Κατά τθν περίοδο τθσ Αγίασ αρακοςτισ των Χριςτουγζννων, ςε ςυνδυαςμό με τθν ευλογθμζνθ και πακοκτόνο νθςτεία, ασ προςπακιςουμε όλοι μασ να ςτρζψουμε ικετευτικά τα μάτια του ςϊματοσ και τθσ ψυχισ μασ ςτον Ουρανό. Να ηθτιςουμε από το Χριςτό μασ να επιβλζψει εφϋθμάσ. Να μασ δϊςει καιρό μετανοίασ, εγκρατείασ, ειρινθσ ψυχικισ και ςωματικισ, αυτάρκειασ, απολαφςεωσ τροφϊν, καιρόν μελζτθσ των Θείων Σου λόγων, απόλαυςιν προςευχισ και μετοχι ςτα Άχραντα Μυςτιρια, ειλικρινι και αλθκινι μετάνοια με το μυςτιριο τθσ εξομολογιςεωσ, αγάπθ ςτον πάςχοντα αδελφό μασ, ζργα αγάπθσ και φιλανκρωπίασ με ςπλάγχνα οικτιρμϊν. Προςπακϊντασ όλοι μασ τα παραπάνω ασ μθ ξεχνάμε ότι ο πνευματικόσ αγϊνασ δεν λογίηεται μόνο θ κατάκτθςθ όλων των ανωτζρων, αλλά και θ προςπάκεια του αγϊνα για τθν κατάκτθςθ. Κι αν ακόμα τίποτα δεν μπορζςαμε να κατακτιςουμε, ασ κατακζςουμε ςτον Κφριό μασ τθν ταπεινωτικι πτϊςθ μασ, ωσ αφορμι για βροχι ελζουσ εκ μζρουσ Σου. Καλι κι ευλογθμζνθ αρακοςτι. Ο Θεόσ να ςασ ςτθρίηει όλουσ και θ Χάρισ Σου να μασ κάψει όλουσ. Αμιν. Γζνοιτο! 8

9 ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΤΘΙΩΝ - ΔΕΚEMBΡIOY 2010 ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ 5 ΔΕΝ ΕΧΕΙ ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ. Ο Π. ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟ ΘΑ ΕΙΝΑΙ Ε ΔΙΑΚΟΠΕ ΑΠΟ 29 ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΤ ΜΕΧΡΙ 9 ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΤ. Ε ΠΕΡΙΠΣΩΗ ΑΝΑΓΚΗ ΝΑ ΠΑΡΕΣΕ ΣΗΛΕΦΩΝΟ ΣΟ ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟ Α. ΣΑΘΟΠΟΤΛΟ. ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ 12 +ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ ΙΑ ΛΟΤΚΑ. ΑΓΙΟΤ ΠΤΡΙΔΩΝΟY ΣΡΙΜΤΘΟΤΝΣΟ. ΟΡΘΡΟ 9:15ΠΜ, ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ 10:30ΠΜ. ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ 19 +ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ ΠΡΟ ΣΗ ΧΡΙΣΟΤ ΓΕΝΝΗΕΩ.ΑΓΙΟΥ ΒΟΝΙΦΑΤΙΟΥ. ΟΡΘΡΟ 9:15ΠΜ, ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ 10:30ΠΜ. ΠΑΡΑΚΕΤΗ 24 +ΠΑΡΑΜΟΝΗ ΧΡΙΣΟΤΓΕΝΝΩΝ. ΕΠΕΡΙΝH ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΤ ΒΑΙΛΕΙΟΤ 7:00ΜΜ. ΑΒΒΑΣΟ 25 +Η ΓΕΝΝΗΙ ΣΟΤ ΚΤΡΙΟΤ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΤ ΚΑΙ ΩΣΗΡΟ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΟΤ ΧΡΙΣΟΤ. ΟΡΘΡΟ 9:15ΠΜ, ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ 10:30ΠΜ. ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ 26 +ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ ΜΕΣΑ ΣΗΝ ΓΕΝΝΗΙΝ. ΤΝΑΞΙ ΤΠΕΡΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΣΟΚΟΤ. ΟΡΘΡΟ 9:15ΠΜ, ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ 10:30ΠΜ. IΑΝΟΤΑΡΙΟΤ 2010 ΑΒΒΑΣΟ 1 +ΠΕΡΙΣΟΜΗ ΙΗΟΤ ΧΡΙΣΟΤ. ΑΓΙΟΤ ΒΑΙΛΕΙΟΤ ΣΟΤ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΤ. ΟΡΘΡΟ 9:15ΠΜ, ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΤ ΒΑΙΛΕΙΟΤ 10:15ΠΜ. ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ 2 + ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ ΠΡΟ ΣΩΝ ΦΩΣΩΝ. ΑΓΙΟΥ ΠΡΟΦΗΤΟΥ ΜΑΛΑΧΙΟΥ. ΟΡΘΡΟ 9:15ΠΜ, ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ 10:30ΠΜ. ΣΕΣΑΡΣΗ 5 +ΠΑΡΑΜΟΝΗ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ. ΕΠΕΡΙΝΗ ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΤ ΒΑΙΛΕΙΟΤ 9:15ΠΜ ΚΑΙ ΑΚΟΛΟΤΘΙΑ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΤ ΑΓΙΑΜΟΤ. ΠΕΜΠΣΗ 6 +ΣΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ ΣΟΤ ΚΤΡΙΟΤ. ΟΡΘΡΟ 9:15ΠΜ, ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ 10:15ΠΜ ΚΑΙ ΑΚΟΛΟΤΘΙΑ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΤ ΑΓΙΑΜΟΤ. ΠΑΡΑΚΕΤΗ 7 + ΤΝΑΞΙ ΙΩΑΝΝΟΤ ΣΟΤ ΠΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΤ ΚΑΙ ΒΑΠΣΙΣΟΤ. ΟΡΘΡΟ 9:15ΠΜ, ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ 10:15ΠΜ. ΣΟ ΤΠΟΛΟΙΠΟ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΣΟΤ ΙΑΝΟΤΑΡΙΟΤ ΘΑ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΣΗΝ ΕΠΟΜΕΝΗ ΕΚΔΟΗ ΣΟΤ ΜΠΟΤΛΕΣΙΝ. Δε γνωρίηω Χριςτό Ζλλθνα, Ρϊςο, Άγγλο, Άραβα Ο Χριςτόσ είναι για μζνα το παν, το υπερκόςμιο Είναι. - Γζροντασ ωφρόνιοσ αχάρωφ 9

10 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES - DECEMBER 2010 SUNDAY 5 NO DIVINE LITURGY SCHEDULED. FR. NIKOLAOS WILL BE ON HOLIDAYS FROM NOVEMBER 29 TH UNTIL DECEMBER 9 TH. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, CALL PRESIDENT ACHILLEAS STATHOPOULOS (INFORMATION ON PAGE 2). SUNDAY TH SUNDAY OF LUKE. ST. SPYRIDON OF TRYMITHOUS. ORTHROS 9:15AM, DIVINE LITURGY 10:30AM SUNDAY 19 +SUNDAY BEFORE THE NATIVITY. ST. BONIFACE. FRIDAY 24 +CHRISTMAS EVE. ORTHROS 9:15AM, DIVINE LITURGY 10:30AM VESPERAL DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT 7:00PM SATURDAY 25 +THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD GOD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. ORTHROS 9:15AM, DIVINE LITURGY 10:30AM SUNDAY 26 +SUNDAY AFTER THE NATIVITY. SYNAXIS OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS. ORTHROS 9:15AM, DIVINE LITURGY 10:30AM JANUARY 2010 SATURDAY 1 +CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD. ST. BASIL THE GREAT. ORTHROS 9:15AM, DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT 10:15AM SUNDAY 2 +SUNDAY BEFORE THEOPHANY. ORTHROS 9:15AM, DIVINE LITURGY 10:15AM WEDNESDAY 5 +EVE OF THEOPHANY. VESPERAL DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT 9:15AM AND THE SERVICE OF THE BLESSING OF THE WATERS AT EPIPHANY. THURSDAY 6 +HOLY THEOPHANY OF OUR LORD. ORTHROS 9:15AM, DIVINE LITURGY 10:15AM AND THE SERVICE OF THE BLESSING OF THE WATERS AT EPIPHANY. FRIDAY 7 +SYNAXIS OF ST. JOHN THE FORERUNNER AND BAPTIST. ORTHROS 9:15AM, DIVINE LITURGY 10:15AM THE REMAINDER OF THE JANUARY SCHEDULE OF SERVICES WILL BE IN THE JANUARY BULLETIN. "If one rejects the Orthodox creed and the eastern ascetic experience of life in Christ, which has been acquired throughout the centuries, then Orthodox culture would be left with nothing but the Greek minor [key] and Russian tetraphony." Elder Sophony of Essex in a Letter to D. Balfour. 10

11 Blessing of Homes I wish to have Fr. Nikolaos bless my home and/or business during the Epiphany season. Θα ικελα να ευλογιςει ο Πάτερ Νικόλαοσ το ςπίτι μου θ το τόπο εργαςίασ μου για τα Θεοφάνεια. Name: Address: Telephone: Please check the appropriate box to indicate which day you wish to have your home/business blessed. Fr. Nikolaos schedule is as follows: Wednesday, January 5 th : Fort William, 1:00pm - 4:30pm Fort William, 5:30pm - 9:00pm Thursday, January 6 th : Port Arthur, 1:00pm - 4:30pm Port Arthur, 5:30pm - 9:00pm If you live out of town, or need special arrangements, call Fr. Nikolaos at Please cut out this form and bring it to the narthex of the church or mail to: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 651 Beverly Street, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 6N2. FOOD DRIVE! Every time you come to church, please bring some non-perishable food items for our Christmas Food Drive, which will be distributed to the local shelters in Thunder Bay. Thank you and God bless you, as you come forth with assistance to those in need. 11

12 Orthodox Mythbusters! Editors Note: This article is being reprinted in this issue because of its popularity. I would like to start a local mythbusters article, which we could post monthly in our bulletin. Please forward all questions to ntambakis@hotmail.com. Superstition has been defined as a belief, a half belief, or a practice for which there appears to be no rational substance. Those who use the term imply that they have certain knowledge or superior evidence for their own scientific, philosophical, or religious convictions. An ambiguous word, it probably cannot be used except subjectively. With this qualification in mind, superstitions may be classified roughly as religious, cultural, and personal. Superstitions that belong to the cultural tradition (in some cases inseparable from religious superstition) are enormous in their variety. Many persons, in nearly all times, have held, seriously or half seriously, irrational beliefs concerning methods of warding off ill or bringing good, foretelling the future, and healing or preventing sickness or accident. Current behavioural research that suggests that everyday superstitions are the natural result of several well understood psychological processes. Fear of the unknown, especially the desire to avoid misfortune, illness or accident which lead to paradoxical human behaviours are being examined through scientific investigation. Ultimately, science can evaluate these behavioural elements but only the True God can offer the confidence and certainty to confront life without phobia. The Church does not accept superstition. We invite you to submit any questions you may have and a list of the most asked questions will be displayed here with the appropriate responses. MYTHS BUSTED ABOUT MARRIAGE AND NEWLYWEDS Myth 1: Two children of the same family should not get married in the same year because it will cause bad luck. - The Orthodox Church does not accept superstition. Orthodoxy says that one, two, three or more children can get married in any one year. Marriage is a Sacrament and, therefore, blessed by God Himself. The notion of bad luck is rejected by the Church. Myth 2: Don t get married in May. It s bad luck. - For the Orthodox Church every moment and every day of every month is blessed by the Holy Spirit. Many weddings are conducted in May which is neither less nor more blessed than any other month. Myth 3: If you ve been koumbaro (best man or matron of honour) at someone s wedding don t make them koumbaro at your wedding or something will go wrong. - There is no impediment in the Orthodox Church to one koumbaro being koumbaro to the other. This is superstition. Myth 4: It s a sin for newlyweds to go to Church during the first year of their marriage. - Nonsense. The couple has been blessed by the Grace of God in His Church. Their relationship at all levels has been sanctified. If a couple ever needed to attend Church it is precisely in their first year when they are still discovering each other and are in need of God s enlightenment. Myth 5: Newlyweds should not receive communion in the first year. 12

13 - Nonsense. This goes back to the notion that essentially marital love is a sin at any time. The Orthodox Church teaches that newlyweds should receive Holy Communion regularly, throughout their life, with the appropriate fasting. Their physical union is not a sin. It is a blessing. Myth 6: Newlyweds should not attend a funeral in the first year. - Nonsense. The Orthodox Church would encourage them to attend, especially in the case of a loved one. Should they not attend the funeral of a parent, a grandparent or a friend? Of course they should. Myth 7: Newlyweds should not attend memorial services in the first year. - Nonsense. The Orthodox Church would encourage them to attend because a Memorial Service is prayer. Myth 8: The bride should not plant a tree in the first year of marriage because her fertility will be transferred to the tree. - Nonsense. The whole of creation is sanctified by God. What fault of the poor tree is it if human beings adhere to such ridiculous superstitions? If this superstition was to be thought out rationally, the tree should give birth to babies. MYTHS BUSTED ABOUT BIRTH AND BAPTISM Myth 1: For 40 days after birth the mother should not leave the home. - This is a misrepresentation of a practice in the Old Testament. The Orthodox Church says the mother can go anywhere she likes during the 40 day period, apart from the church. Myth 2: For 40 days after birth a mother ( lehona ) should not visit anyone else s home. - For the Orthodox Church this is superstition. Common sense, however, would dictate that the woman should avoid upsetting herself by visiting homes that are superstitious and will be offended by her visit. Myth 3: During the first 40 days the mother should not walk to a crossroads. - Nonsense. The Orthodox Church has no issue with crossroads. Myth 4: The new mother should not receive a 40 blessing on the exact day but should do so a few days before. - Why not? Jesus was blessed on exactly the 40th day. If it was appropriate for Jesus, then it is our responsibility to emulate His example. Myth 5: The new mother should ask the priest for a half blessing so she can go out of the home. - There is no such thing as a half blessing in the Orthodox Church. This is a fallacy created for social reasons e.g. wishing to attend a wedding or christening of a relative or friend. What does exist, however, is a blessing for the child, brought to the church by the father or grandparent on the 8th day, for the naming of the child. Myth 6: A pregnant woman should not be a godparent. It s not good for the child. - Orthodoxy has no problem with a pregnant woman becoming a godparent. Myth 7: If someone s christened your child don t christen theirs or else you ll take the oil back. - This is entirely foreign to the teachings of the Orthodox Church. The anointing oil cannot be taken back by anyone. It is indelibly and permanently sealed on the body of the person who has been baptized. Myth 8: After a Baptism, the child should not be bathed for three days. 13

14 - Whilst the number 3 is symbolic of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), for the Orthodox Church there is no reason why the newly baptized child cannot be bathed even on the same evening of the Baptism, so long as the water from the bath and from the washing of the baptismal clothes is not poured down a common drain, but is emptied somewhere where it will not be trodden on such as a hole in the yard of the home or down by the sea. MYTHS BUSTED ABOUT FUNERALS Myth 1: Cover the mirrors in the house so that death won t look at anyone else in the home. - Superstition. Christ has defeated death by His own death. Covering mirrors won t protect against the loss of life Myth 2: When someone dies, place a glass of water next to the oil lamp in the home so that the soul of the departed might drink of it. One priest reported that a parishioner notified him that the deceased had consumed all the water in forty days. - Water, as in H2O, is of no use to someone who has died physically. The soul, which never dies, however, drinks of Christ s living water in the Kingdom of God. Myth 3: At the graveside the priest should break a plate so as to smash any further visitations of death. - This is a strong superstition on a number of Aegean islands. Breaking a plate will not stop the visitation of death. The Orthodox person says with certainty I expect the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen. Myth 4: Don t hold the 40 day memorial service on the day. Always hold it several days before because the soul will be anxious. - The soul of the deceased is now in the timeless dimension of eternity. Time counts for us. Not for the deceased. If we wish to adhere to Orthodox practice, we should arrange for the priest to conduct a Trisagion Memorial Service at the graveside on exactly the 40th day. It then does not matter whether the Mnimosino is held at the church a few days earlier or a few days later. MYTHS BUSTED ABOUT WOMEN Myth 1: During menstruation, women are not allowed to go to church. - Nonsense. Menstruation is a natural process established by the perfect wisdom of God. A woman is not unclean during her period. She certainly can attend Church. Myth 2: During their period, women must not kiss icons or other sacred objects. - Why not? The woman herself is an icon of God created in His image and likeness. Some Fathers of the Church, however, specify that during this time the woman should not receive Holy Communion. OTHER MYTHS BUSTED Myth: Chain letters should be forwarded according to their contents in order to win the lotto or for some loved one not to die. - One manifestation of fear is the ambiguity displayed towards chain letters. Now, if only two of twenty recipients would actually continue a chain letter, it is estimated that in one year 35,184,372,088,832 (this is thirty five trillion) letters would have been sent across the world. Obviously, this number far exceeds the population of the planet (which is approximately 5.3 billion). The so-called chain letter attributed to St. Nektarios and circulated by certain superstitious Christians, is totally and utterly rejected by the Orthodox Church. 14

15 OUR MEMBERS So far only 137 people have submitted their membership dues for We ask and encourage everyone to do so as soon as possible. Each member is indispensable for the well being and functioning of our parish. We thank all who have taken the time to submit their membership dues already as of November 19, 2010: 1. Mr. Razvan Anisca 2. Mrs. Monica Anisca 3. Mr. Gavriil Aspropotamitis 4. Mr. Peter Avgeropoulos 5. Mrs. Joyce Avgeropoulos 6. Mr. Nick Balina 7. Mr. Anthony Biniaris 8. Mr. George Biniaris 9. Mrs. Toni Biniaris 10. Mr. Charlie Biniaris 11. Mrs. Katerina Biniaris 12. Ms. Irene Biniaris 13. Mr. Bill Biniaris 14. Mrs. Dimitria Biniaris 15. Mrs. Katerina Biniaris 16. Mrs. Jenny Biniaris 17. Athena Blieske 18. Mrs. Lisa Boote 19. Mr. Pat Boote 20. Mr. Costa Chimbakis 21. Mrs. Helen Chimbakis 22. Mr. Andreas Comminos 23. Mrs. Nitsa Comminos 24. Mr. Bill Comminos 25. Mrs. Tarja Comminos 26. Mr. George Comminos 27. Mr. Peter Comminos 28. Mrs. Athena Damianakos 29. Ms. Angela Damianakos 30. Mr. Bill Damianakos 31. Mr. Darko Dimitrijevic 32. Mrs. Bayba Frattolin 33. Mr. Ted Frisky 34. Mrs. Joanne Frisky 35. Mr. Shawn Frisky 36. Mrs. Sheila Glymitsas 37. Mr. Peter Giardetti 38. Mrs. Tara Giardetti 39. Mr. George Glymitsas 40. Mr. Harry Glymitsas 41. Mrs. Tula Glymitsas 42. Mr. Bill Hatzis 43. Mrs. Stella Hatzis 44. Mr. Terry Hatzis 45. Mrs. Theodora Hatzis 46. Mr. Jamie Hatzis 47. Mrs. Jan Hatzis 48. Mr. Lei Hartviksen 49. Mrs. Jennie Hartviksen* 50. Mr. Ken Imperius 51. Mrs. Mary Imperius 52. Mrs. Lisa Kahramanos 53. Mr. Andy Karanasos 54. Mrs. Lori Karanasos 55. Mr. Mike Karanasos 56. Mrs. Voula Karanasos 57. Mr. Peter Koukos 58. Mrs. Tanya Koukos* 59. Mr. Nick Koukos 60. Mrs. Joyce Koukos 61. Mr. Ray Leino * 62. Mrs. Virginia Leino 63. Mr. Chris Lent 64. Mrs. Joanne Lent 65. Mr. Jack Lotsios 66. Mrs. Effie Lotsios 67. Mr. Chris Lotsios 68. Mrs. Chrysanthi Lotsios 69. Mr. George Lotsios 70. Mr. George Lucas 71. Mrs. Helen Machairas 72. Mrs. Theresa Mayer 73. Mr. Tom Marinis ** 74. Mr. Nick Milionis 75. Mrs. Penny Milionis 76. Mr. Taxios Milionis 77. Mrs. Andrea Milionis* 78. Mrs. Athina Morakis 79. Ms. Maria Morakis 80. Mrs. Maria Mellas-Catanzaro 81. Mr. Paul Cananzaro* 82. Ms. Georgina Mellas 83. Mr. Tom Mellas 84. Mrs. Smaragde Mellas 85. Mrs. Matina Mellas 86. Ms. Bessie Melville 87. Mrs. Angie Palo 88. Mr. John Pantoulias 89. Mr. Peter Pantoulias 90. Mrs. Helen Pantoulias 91. Mrs. Maria Pantoulias 92. Mrs. Nikki Pantoulias 93. Mr. Tom Pavlou 94. Mrs. Rosa Pavlou 95. Mrs. Virginia Pazianos 96. Mr. Jim Pazianos 97. Mr. Louis Port 98. Mrs. Dimitra Port 99. Mrs. Helen Ralph 100. Mrs. Effie Saites 101. Mrs. Lola Saites 102. Mr. Peter Saites 103. Mrs. Nora Saites * 104. Mrs. Maria Sancartier 105. Mr. Steven Scollie * 106. Mrs. Rose Sourtzis 107. Mr. Spyro Sourtzis 108. Mr. Marino Spourdalakis 109. Mrs. Nora Spourdalakis 110. Mr. Achilles Stathopoulos 111. Mrs. Irene Stathopoulos* 112. Mr. Emilios Stefanidis 113. Mr. Zivko Stojnic 114. Mr. Marty Straight 115. Mrs. Xeni Theodore 116. Mr. Ahileas Tsekouras 117. Mr. Constantine Tsekouras 118. Mrs. Jane Tsekouras 119. Mr. Paul Tsekouras 120. Mrs. Sylvia Tsekouras* 121. Mr. Harry Tsekouras 122. Mrs. Lily Tsekouras 123. Ms. Elaine Tsekouras 124. Mr. John Tsekouras 125. Mrs. Anna Tsentouros 126. Mrs. Christine Vlotaros 127. Mr. Peter Vlotaros 128. Mr. Taki Vlotaros 129. Miss Helen Vlotaros 130. Mrs. Ploumi Vlotaros 131. Mrs. Athena Vlotaros 132. Mrs. Effie Voulgaris 133. Ms. Georgina Voulgaris 134. Mr. Chris Welbourne 135. Mrs. Pat Welbourne 136. Mr. Ryan Witiluk* 137. Mrs. Christine Witiluk DID YOU KNOW......how important your time, talents and treasures are to our parish family? Without these things, it would cost $1, per member, per year to fulfill the basic costs of running our parish (based on our 2009 operating costs)? 15

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17 George Comminos CFP, CIM RRSP Financial Advisor Investment Planning Amber Drive Life Insurance Thunder Bay, Ont. P7B 6M4 Tax Planning Tax Free Savings Plans Complimentary reviews Retirement Planning F: (807) RDSP Cell: (807) Estate Planning ext. 3 Health Insurance gcomminos@assante.com 17

18 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! EVERYONE WELCOME! Wednesday, December 15, 2010 ALL BINGOS ARE AT THE C.L.E. LOCATION at 5:45 PM 18

19 THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: YOUR AD HERE. SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY. YOUR AD HERE. SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY. 19

20 ORTHODOXY AROUND THE WORLD UNITED STATES Oops! Looks like the crane is too short to place the cross on top of the dome! I guess things like that happen sometimes! 20