Metropolis Christmas Essay Challenge 2017: Results. Διαγωνισμός χριστουγεννιάτικης έκθεσης 2017 Αποτελέσματα

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1 Metropolis Christmas Essay Challenge 2017: Results Our Metropolis organized the first-ever Christmas Essay Challenge for all Greek Orthodox youth in Canada. Students were asked to answer the question, What Does the Birth (Nativity) of Our Lord Jesus Christ Mean to You? based on personal experience, conversations with family and friends and research. Dozens of submissions were received for the two age categories (8-13 and year-olds.) Congratulations to Anastasia Grillas who was awarded 1 st place in her age group and Maria Grilla who was awarded 2 nd place in her age group. They will be receiving scholarships for their hard work from the Metropolis. Their essays can be found in the center of this week s bulletin. Anastasia and Maria are the daughters of Joanna Niarchos and Thanasi Grillas. We are so proud of you! The Hellenic Community of Ottawa Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church Protopresbyter Fr. Alex Michalopulos Church office: ext. 222 Father Alex s personal line: ext. 230 Life threatening emergency answering service: Community office: ext. 221 Website: Ελληνική Κοινότητα Οττάβας Ορθόδοξος Ιερός Ναός Κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου Πρωτοπρεσβύτερος Πατήρ Αλέξανδρος Μιχαλόπουλος Γραφείο Ιερού Ναού: εσωτ. 222 Προσωπική γραμμή π. Αλέξανδρου: εσωτ. 230 Επείγοντα περιστατικά: Γραφείο Κοινότητας: εσωτ. 221 Ιστοσελίδα: Sunday, February 4, 2018 Κυριακή, 4 Φεβρουαρίου 2018 Sunday of the Prodigal Son Κυριακή Του Ασώτου ************************************************************************ Church Calendar ~ Εκκλησιαστικό Ημερολόγιο Διαγωνισμός χριστουγεννιάτικης έκθεσης 2017 Αποτελέσματα Η Μητρόπολή μας διοργάνωσε, για πρώτη φορά, διαγωνισμό χριστουγεννιάτικης έκθεσης για όλους τους Ελληνορθόδοξους νέους του Καναδά. Ζητήθηκε από τους μαθητές να γράψουν σχετικά με το «Τι σημαίνει η Γέννηση του Κυρίου ημών Ιησού Χριστού για σένα» με βάση προσωπικές εμπειρίες, συνομιλίες με την οικογένεια και τους φίλους αλλά και έρευνα. Υποβλήθηκε μεγάλος αριθμός εκθέσεων και από τις δύο κατηγορίες ηλικιών (8-13 και ετών). Συγχαρητήρια στην Αναστασία Γκρίλλα που κατέκτησε την 1 η θέση και την Μαρία Γκρίλλα που κατέκτησε την 2 η θέση στις κατηγορίες νέων της ηλικίας τους στο διαγωνισμό που διοργανώνει ετησίως η Ιερά Μητρόπολις Τορόντο Καναδά. Οι εργασίες τους περιλαμβάνονται στην κεντρική σελίδα αυτού του δελτίου. Οι δύο αδελφές που είναι κόρες του Θανάση Γκρίλλα και της Ιωάννας Νιάρχου μας κάνουν όλους πολύ υπερήφανους. Thursday, February 8th Πέμπτη, 8 Φεβρουαρίου THEODORE STRATELATES & ZACHARIAS the PROPHET Matins 9:00 a.m., Divine Liturgy 9:45 a.m. ΘΕΟΔΥΩΡΟΥ ΣΤΡΑΤΗΛΑΤΟΥ & ΖΑΧΑΡΙΟΥ ΠΡΟΦΗΤΟΥ Όρθρος 9.00 π.μ., Θεία Λειτουργία 9:45 π.μ. Saturday, February 10th SATURDAY of the SOULS & HIEROMARTYR CHARALAMBOS Matins 9:00 a.m., Divine Liturgy 9:45 a.m. Please bring your kollyva (boiled wheat) and the names to be read in the Service of the Proskomide, before 9:30 a.m. Σάββατο, 10 Φεβρουαρίου ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΝ και ΧΑΡΑΛΑΜΠΟΥΣ ΙΕΡΟΥΜΑΡΤΥΡΟΣ Όρθρος 9.00 π.μ., Θεία Λειτουργία 9:45 π.μ. (πρωΐ) Παρακαλούμε να φέρετε, πριν από τις 9.30 το πρωΐ, τα κόλυβα και τα ονόματα που θα μνημονευθούν στην Προσκομιδή. ************************************ Prepared under Ecclesiastical Supervision

2 Απόστολος: Επιστολή Παύλου - Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 6:12-20 Ἰσχύς μου καὶ ὕμνησίς μου ὁ Κύριος. Στίχ. Παιδεύων ἐπαίδευσέ με ὁ Κύριος. Ἀδελφοί, πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλʼ οὐ πάντα συμφέρει πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐγὼ ἐξουσιασθήσομαι ὑπό τινος. Τὰ βρώματα τῇ κοιλίᾳ, καὶ ἡ κοιλία τοῖς βρώμασιν ὁ δὲ Θεὸς καὶ ταύτην καὶ ταῦτα καταργήσει. Τὸ δὲ σῶμα οὐ τῇ πορνείᾳ, ἀλλὰ τῷ κυρίῳ, καὶ ὁ κύριος τῷ σώματι ὁ δὲ Θεὸς καὶ τὸν κύριον ἤγειρεν καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐξεγερεῖ διὰ τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὰ σώματα ὑμῶν μέλη Χριστοῦ ἐστιν; Ἄρας οὖν τὰ μέλη τοῦ Χριστοῦ ποιήσω πόρνης μέλη; Μὴ γένοιτο. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ὁ κολλώμενος τῇ πόρνῃ ἓν σῶμά ἐστιν; Ἔσονται γάρ, φησίν, οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν. Ὁ δὲ κολλώμενος τῷ κυρίῳ ἓν πνεῦμά ἐστιν. Φεύγετε τὴν πορνείαν. Πᾶν ἁμάρτημα ὃ ἐὰν ποιήσῃ ἄνθρωπος ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν ὁ δὲ πορνεύων εἰς τὸ ἴδιον σῶμα ἁμαρτάνει. Ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὸ σῶμα ὑμῶν ναὸς τοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν ἁγίου πνεύματός ἐστιν, οὗ ἔχετε ἀπὸ Θεοῦ; Καὶ οὐκ ἐστὲ ἑαυτῶν, ἠγοράσθητε γὰρ τιμῆς δοξάσατε δὴ τὸν Θεὸν ἐν τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν, καὶ ἐν τῷ πνεύματι ὑμῶν, ἅτινά ἐστιν τοῦ Θεοῦ. Epistle of St. Paul: 1Corinthians 6: The Lord is my strength and my song. Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely Brethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" - and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God. ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΟΥ ΑΣΩΤΟΥ Η Κυριακή του Ασώτου είναι η δεύτερη Κυριακή πριν από την Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή. Μία Κυριακή πριν από αυτή «ανοίγει το Τριώδιο», βιβλίο της Λειτουργικής με ύμνους που ψάλλονται από την Κυριακή του Τελώνου και του Φαρισαίου μέχρι και το Μέγα Σάββατο. Όπως και την Κυριακή του Τελώνου και του Φαρισαίου, το θέμα αυτής της Κυριακής είναι η μετάνοια. Το παράδειγμα του ασώτου υιού δίνει την ευκαιρία στον Ορθόδοξο Χριστιανό να διαλογιστεί τη σημασία της μετάνοιας στη σχέση του με τον Ουράνιο Πατέρα. Η εικόνα της Κυριακής του Ασώτου απεικονίζει τον άσωτο υιό που γίνεται δεκτός από τον πατέρα του. Είναι μία εικόνα θερμού εναγκαλισμού. Στο πρόσωπο του υιού διακρίνεται η ανάγκη που έχει για τον πατέρα του καθώς, επίσης και η μετάνοια, η αγάπη και η ελπίδα για ανανέωση και αποκατάσταση των σχέσεών τους. Στο πρόσωπο του πατέρα εκφράζεται η συμπόνια για τον γιο που υποφέρει από το βάρος των αμαρτιών του αλλά και η χαρά για την επιστροφή τού ασώτου. ΛΟΓΙΑ ΣΟΦΑ Προτίμησε φήμη καλή να αφήσεις για κληρονομιά στα παιδιά σου παρά πλούτη. Γιατί τα πλούτη είναι εφήμερα, ενώ η φήμη αθάνατη. -Ισοκράτης

3 Ανακοινώσεις Φιλόπτωχος Αδελφότης - Γενική Συνέλευση ΣΗΜΕΡΑ Σήμερα, αμέσως μετά το τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας, στο χωλ του ιερού ναού, θα γίνει Γενική Συνέλευση των μελών της Φιλοπτώχου. Η Αδελφότης προσκαλεί, επιπλέον, και όσες κυρίες ή δεσποινίδες της Κοινότητας επιθυμούν να γίνουν μέλη της. Θα προηγηθεί γεύμα. Η είσοδος είναι δωρεάν. Η Νεολαία γιορτάζει την 25 η επέτειο υπηρεσίας τού πατρός Αλέξανδρου στον ναό μας Γιορτασμός Αποκριάς: 11 Φεβρουαρίου 12 μ.μ. Για να δοθεί η ευκαιρία και στους νέους να γιορτάσουν την 25 η επέτειο υπηρεσίας τού πατρός Αλέξανδρου στην Κοινότητά μας, ο Ελληνικός Αθλητικός Σύλλογος Οττάβας, το χορευτικό συγκρότημα «Οδύσσεια» και η GOYA διοργανώνουν μία ημέρα ψυχαγωγίας, ως συνέχεια της εκδήλωσης Silver Gala. Η Κοινότητα θα προσφέρει χυμούς, καφέ και τσάι αμέσως μετά τη Θεία Λειτουργία. Ελάτε για να γιορτάσουμε μαζί το καρναβάλι με μουσική, παιχνίδια, ποδόσφαιρο και άλλες δραστηριότητες. Οργανώστε τη δική σας ομάδα από άτομα της οικογένειάς σας ή από φίλους όλων των ηλικιών για έναν φιλικό ανταγωνισμό. Η είσοδος είναι 5 δολ. το άτομο με, τουλάχιστον, 4 άτομα ανά ομάδα. Τα έσοδα θα διατεθούν για τις ανάγκες των ομάδων νεολαίας. Θα απονεμηθούν βραβεία στις νικήτριες ομάδες. Καθ όλη τη διάρκεια της εκδήλωσης θα διατίθεται γεύμα που θα μπορείτε να αγοράσετε και θα περιλαμβάνει «κοντοσούβλι», επιδόρπιο, ζεστή σοκολάτα και καφέ. Οι ομάδες πρέπει να εγγραφούν μέσω του συνδέσμου Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες επισκεφθείτε την ιστοσελίδα ή στείλτε μήνυμα στο ohaa@rogers.com. Μην χάσει κανείς αυτή την υπαίθρια, ψυχαγωγική, αποκριάτικη εκδήλωση. Παραγγελίες για λαγάνες Ο Σύλλογος Αρκάδων Οττάβας «Θεόδωρος Κολοκοτρώνης» θα πωλεί, κι εφέτος, τις παραδοσιακές λαγάνες κατά τις ακόλουθες ημέρες και ώρες: Παρασκευή, 16 Φεβρουαρίου, 1-8 μ.μ. και Σάββατο, 17 Φεβρουαρίου 1-7 μ.μ. στην Εστία Ηλικιωμένων και Κυριακή 18 Φεβρουαρίου μετά το τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας στο Κοινοτικό Κέντρο στο αποκριάτικο γεύμα του Συλλόγου. Για παραγγελίες καλέστε τον Δημήτρη Σιώρη στο Σύλλογος Αρκάδων Αποκριάτικο γεύμα 18 Φεβρουαρίου Ο Σύλλογος Αρκάδων «Θεόδωρος Κολοκοτρώνης» διοργανώνει γεύμα την Κυριακή της Τυρινής, μετά το τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας, στο Κοινοτικό Κέντρo. Τιμή εισιτηρίου: 20 δολάρια για ενήλικες, 12 δολάρια για παιδιά 6-12 ετών και δωρεάν για παιδιά κάτω των 5 ετών. Εισιτήρια θα πωλούνται μέχρι τις 15 Φεβρουαρίου από τους: Δημήτριο και Τούλα Σιώρη ( ), Αριστείδη Ηλιόπουλο ( ), Γεωργία Πατρινού ( ) και Βαρβάρα και Θεοδώρα Ζαφειροπούλου ( ). Ευαγγέλιο: Κατά Λουκᾶν 15:11-32 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην Ἄνθρωπός τις εἶχε δύο υἱούς. Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ νεώτερος αὐτῶν τῷ πατρί πάτερ, δός μοι τὸ ἐπιβάλλον μέρος τῆς οὐσίας. Καὶ διεῖλεν αὐτοῖς τὸν βίον. Καὶ μετ οὐ πολλὰς ἡμέρας συναγαγὼν ἅπαντα ὁ νεώτερος υἱὸς ἀπεδήμησεν εἰς χώραν μακράν, καὶ ἐκεῖ διεσκόρπισε τὴν οὐσίαν αὐτοῦ ζῶν ἀσώτως. Δαπανήσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ πάντα ἐγένετο λιμὸς ἰσχυρὸς κατὰ τὴν χώραν ἐκείνην, καὶ αὐτὸς ἤρξατο ὑστερεῖσθαι. Καὶ πορευθεὶς ἐκολλήθη ἑνὶ τῶν πολιτῶν τῆς χώρας ἐκείνης, καὶ ἔπεμψεν αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς ἀγροὺς αὐτοῦ βόσκειν χοίρους. Καὶ ἐπεθύμει γεμίσαι τὴν κοιλίαν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν κερατίων ὧν ἤσθιον οἱ χοῖροι, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐδίδου αὐτῷ. Εἰς ἑαυτὸν δὲ ἐλθὼν εἶπε πόσοι μίσθιοι τοῦ πατρός μου περισσεύουσιν ἄρτων, ἐγὼ δὲ λιμῷ ἀπόλλυμαι! Άναστὰς πορεύσομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ ἐρῶ αὐτῷ πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου. Οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος κληθῆναι υἱός σου ποίησόν με ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου. Καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ. Ετι δὲ αὐτοῦ μακρὰν ἀπέχοντος εἶδεν αὐτὸν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, καὶ δραμὼν ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν. Εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ υἱός πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου, καὶ οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος κληθῆναι υἱός σου. Εἶπε δὲ ὁ πατὴρ πρὸς τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ ἐξενέγκατε τὴν στολὴν τὴν πρώτην καὶ ἐνδύσατε αὐτόν, καὶ δότε δακτύλιον εἰς τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ καὶ ὑποδήματα εἰς τοὺς πόδας, καὶ ἐνέγκαντες τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτὸν θύσατε, καὶ φαγόντες εὐφρανθῶμεν, ὅτι οὗτος ὁ υἱός μου νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέζησε, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς ἦν καὶ εὑρέθη. Καὶ ἤρξαντο εὐφραίνεσθαι. Ην δὲ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἐν ἀγρῷ καὶ ὡς ἐρχόμενος ἤγγισε τῇ οἰκίᾳ, ἤκουσε συμφωνίας καὶ χορῶν, καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος ἕνα τῶν παίδων ἐπυνθάνετο τί εἴη ταῦτα. Ό δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἥκει καὶ ἔθυσεν ὁ πατήρ σου τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν, ὅτι ὑγιαίνοντα αὐτὸν ἀπέλαβεν. Ωργίσθη δὲ καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν εἰσελθεῖν. Ό οὖν πατὴρ αὐτοῦ ἐξελθὼν παρεκάλει αὐτόν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπε τῷ πατρί ἰδοὺ τοσαῦτα ἔτη δουλεύω σοι καὶ οὐδέποτε ἐντολήν σου παρῆλθον, καὶ ἐμοὶ οὐδέποτε ἔδωκας ἔριφον ἵνα μετὰ τῶν φίλων μου εὐφρανθῶ ὅτε δὲ ὁ υἱός σου οὗτος, ὁ καταφαγών σου τὸν βίον μετὰ πορνῶν, ἦλθεν, ἔθυσας αὐτῷ τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν. Ό δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ τέκνον, σὺ πάντοτε μετ ἐμοῦ εἶ, καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐμὰ σά ἐστιν εὐφρανθῆναι δὲ καὶ χαρῆναι ἔδει, ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου οὗτος νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέζησε, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς ἦν καὶ εὑρέθη.

4 The Gospel Reading: St. Luke 15: The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" Announcements Home Blessings Please or call the Church Office (church@helleniccommunity.com or ext. 222) if you would like to schedule an agiasmo (home blessing) with Fr. Alex. Thank you. Philoptochos visits The Ladies of Philoptochos are available to visit elderly people or people who are ill or lonely, in their residence or hospital. For further details or to arrange visits, please speak with or any member of the Philoptochos Board, or call the Church Office. Ladies Knitting Group-Wednesdays 12:00 2:30 p.m. The Greek Ladies Philoptochos are knitting. Everyone is welcome. Never knitted? You are welcome to come and learn or just stop in for fellowship. The group meets on Wednesdays from 12:00 2:30 p.m. in the Church Hall Boardroom. For more information please contact Linda Mitsis (613) Hope to see you there. Ανακοινώσεις Αγιασμός στα σπίτια Εάν επιθυμείτε, ο πατήρ Αλέξανδρος να επισκεφθεί και να αγιάσει το σπίτι σας παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήστε με το γραφείο του Ιερού Ναού στο church@helleniccommunity.com ή εσωτ Ευχαριστούμε. Επισκέψεις της Φιλοπτώχου Η Φιλόπτωχος Αδελφότης επιθυμεί να επισκεφτεί στην κατοικία τους ή στο νοσοκομείο, ηλικιωμένους, ασθενείς ή άτομα που είναι μόνα. Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες ή για να κανονίσετε επίσκεψη, παρακαλούμε μιλήστε με οποιοδήποτε μέλος του Συμβουλίου της Φιλοπτώχου ή καλέστε το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας. "Συναντήσεις για πλέξιμο" Κάθε Τετάρτη μ.μ. Είστε όλες ευπρόσδεκτες στις συναντήσεις για πλέξιμο που διοργανώνει μία φορά τη βδομάδα η Φιλόπτωχος Αδελφότης. Οι συναντήσεις γίνονται κάθε Τετάρτη από τις 12 το μεσημέρι έως και τις 2 το απόγευμα στο χωλ του ιερού ναού. Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήστε με την Λίντα Μίτση στο (613)

5 Announcements Philoptochos Society- General Assembly Today The Greek Ladies Philoptochos Society of Ottawa will be holding a General Assembly on today following the Divine Liturgy in the Church Hall. All ladies of the Church- Community who are interested in finding out more about Philoptochos are welcome to attend. A light lunch will be served, courtesy of the Philoptochos Society. Apokries Winter Carnival & Youth celebration with Fr. Alex - February 11th at 12:00pm Please join us for a continuation of Fr. Alex's 25th anniversary gala event sponsored by the HCO. On Sunday, February 11 th, our Community is offering complimentary juices, coffee and tea during Coffee Hour with Fr. Alex in our Banquet Centre, as the Ottawa Hellenic Athletic Association (OHAA) in partnership with the Odyssey Dance Troupe and GOYA are proud to present the Apokries Winter Carnival. Join us for an outdoor Carnival day with music and games including soccer, toboggan pull, jenga and obstacle course. Create your team with friends and family of all ages for friendly competition. The entrance fee is $5 per person with a minimum of 4 people per team, proceeds going to HCO Youth initiatives. There will be prizes for the best themed team, winning teams and more! Lunch including Kontosouvli, dessert, hot chocolate and coffee will all be available for purchase throughout the event. Teams must be entered through the attached link: For further information go to or us at ohaa@rogers.com. Don't miss out on this fun carnival outdoor event! Laganes Lenten fasting bread The Arcadian Association of Ottawa Theodoros Kolokotronis is once again selling traditional Laganes in celebration of Clean Monday. Sales will take place on Friday, February 16 th from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday February 17 th from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Senior s Centre and final sale on Sunday February 18th at our Cheesefare Sunday Luncheon at the Banquet Centre. Place your orders by calling Jim Sioris at Arcadian Association Cheesefare Sunday Luncheon February 18th The Arcadian Association invites everyone to come and join us for lunch on Sunday, February 18 th immediately after Divine Liturgy at the Banquet Centre to celebrate the Apokreo Cheesefare Sunday. Traditional Macaronada with trimmings, salad, homemade tyropita, and galaktobouriko for dessert will be served. Tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for children 6-12 years of age, free for children 5 and younger. For reservations please call by February 15th: Jim & Toula Sioris ( ); Aristidis & Georgia Iliopoulos ( ), Georgia Patrinos ( ) or Barbara & Dora Zaphiropoulos ( ). Sunday of the Prodigal Son Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast. Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man. Excerpt from I said a prayer for you today and know God must have heard; I felt the answer in my heart, although He spoke not a word. I didn t ask for wealth or fame (I knew you wouldn t mind); I asked for priceless treasures rare, of a more lasting kind. I prayed that He would be near to you at the start of each new day, To grant you health and blessings fair, and friends to share your way. I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small, But that you would know His loving care, I prayed the most of all. - Author unknown

6 Christmas Double Meaning Is the Nativity Lost in Translation? By Anastasia Grillas Christmas once meant the celebration of the birth of Christ, but is now interpreted as a cultural holiday. Every sign of religion now hidden by a whitewashed Hallmark card. Wishes of the season it reads, with no comment on the birth of our Savior. In the days leading up to this great feast, I walked along a path of doubt, conflict, but in the end, ultimate realization. As I get older, I am blessed by meeting new people and learning new things. However, the more I open up my mind to the world, I am more susceptible to the hate that comes with it. These little seeds of doubt planted in the world may come in the form of a proudly atheist politician, or a degrading song. I am not a small child anymore; I am no longer able to close my eyes and cover my ears when someone provides a questionable comment towards my religion. In the months leading up to Christmas, I have found myself in this upsetting scenario more than ever before. I admittedly had moments of weakness. Hopeless and guilty, I felt that even I had fallen into the commercialism trap of Christmas. I was in a state of conflict. The nativity encompasses the word humble, but we are meant to spend large amounts of money on gifts and holiday preparation. However, a Bible quote helps me see the importance of this self-realization, You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked (2 Peter 3:17). As a Christian, I am protected from society s altered version of Christmas. As long as I understand the meaning of the nativity, in all its hope and humility, I should feel no guilt as I buy gifts and participate in other cultural traditions, as long I do not forget their purpose. Of all the people decorating their trees this season, it is only the ones who feel the hope of Salvation, that will find true peace in the holiday. What does the nativity mean to you? The answer to that question gave me the strength to personally reclaim the importance of Christmas. I realized that there is a hidden blessing in the fact that non-christians celebrated the holiday. Despite their beliefs, they were unknowingly allowing Jesus into their homes. I was once angry at the fact that the nativity had been stripped down to nothingness, but I now smile knowing that when the atheist places a star on their tree, it symbolizes the North Star that led the shepherds to Christ. While they think gift-giving is cultural tradition, it truly stands for the gifts that the wise men gave to newly born Jesus. I am blessed that I am lucky enough to know the Truth, but I learned that celebrating the nativity is praying for those that do not. Celebrating the nativity is about spreading the news that Christ is born; not only to the ears of Christians, but to those who need to hear it the most. What Does The Nativity Mean To Me? By Maria Grillas When the month of December begins Christmas lights go up, holiday music plays, snow starts to fall and letters to Santa are written. This time of year is full of joy and happiness. Plans are made with family and friends to celebrate together and gifts are being given. The Christmas spirit fills in each and every house around the world. When asked what the nativity means to me, I would say all these things are secondary to the true meaning of the season, which is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It's not until I get to church on Christmas Eve that I stop and think about the true meaning of Christmas. To me, Christmas is truly about the birth of Jesus, our Saviour that will give us all a chance to one day enter Paradise. To me, this blessed season is about stopping to think about the less fortunate, and helping those who may not have as much as me on Christmas. It is about remembering that on the day that I feast with my family and friends, that many years ago on this day our saviour was being born in a humble manger. While I wrap gifts I think about the gift that God Himself gave us, His son Jesus. While listening to Christmas music I listen to the lyrics as they sing about Him being born in a manger. While Christmas lights are being put up I think about the star that the Wise Men followed to find Jesus. I also think about the true light that the birth of Jesus brought to all of our lives. An endless shining glorious light that gives us the opportunity at salvation and a chance to gain eternal life in paradise with our Lord. In my opinion, one of the most important things I can do on Christmas is try to share this meaning with others. When my atheist friends tell me they are celebrating Christmas I ask them why. When they say they don t know, I try to tell them about the true meaning of Christmas. I tell them that Christmas is more than gifts, but about the true gift of paradise given to us by the birth of our Lord. Christmas day is about the birth of Jesus, so we should not be afraid to say Merry Christmas. We should yell it from the mountain tops. We should sing glory to God and spread the love around us for there is not greater joy that the birthday of our Saviour. He is the true meaning of the season. The nativity of our Lord, was humble, simple and pure. A reminder of what Jesus is and we should strive to be.