St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church Canton, Ohio

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1 St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church Canton, Ohio Dormition of the Theotokos August 15 July & August 2018

2 SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH th ST. N.W. CANTON, OH PARISH ADMINISTRATORS OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday 9:00 am-3:00 pm PHONE: FAX: WEBSITE: CLERGY REV. PROTOPRESBYTER NICHOLAS V. GAMVAS, D.MIN., PH.D., IERATIKOS, PROISTAMENOS PHONE: CELL: REV. DEACON DR. KYRIACOS J. SHIEPIS, D.C. OFFICE: CELL: PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESIDENT: MIKE PAXOS TREASURER: STEVE DIAMANT SECRETARY: RENA COTOPOLIS VICE PRESIDENT: MICHAEL FAKELIS ASST. TREASURER: JAMES KELLAMIS ASST. SECRETARY: LINDA NATALE MEMBERS: VINCE ARRIGO, RON A. DARRAH, MARY GRIVEAS, DAVID HALLAMAN, JOHN KELLAMIS, MICHAEL MORGAN,PETER PAPADOPULOS, DR. WILLIAM SKENDELAS, DENNIS TZOULOUFIS, CHRISTOPHER VALLOS, GEORGIA ZENALLIS OFFICE STAFF SECRETARY: ALEXANDRA TANK PROJECT MANAGER: STEPHANIE WITHERS CUSTODIAN: JOHN SAKELLARIOU CHURCH STAFF CHOIR DIRECTOR: SUBDEACON: SEXTON: PROTOPSALTI: CHANTORS: DR. ALEX CHRIST BILL POULOS, JR. DEAN DARRAH PETROS GAITANOS JOHN C. KELLAMIS THOMAS A. CAZANTZES MICHAEL A. LAZORAN PARISH ORGANIZATIONS SUNDAY SCHOOL: GREEK SCHOOL: PHILOPTOCHOS: MEN S CLUB: SILVER LINERS: BOOKSTORE: FUNERAL & MAKARIA: MARY GRIVEAS DENNIS TZOULOUFIS HELEN TSARWHAS VINCE ARRIGO CAROL TRIFELOS HELEN MEDER FRAN ARMATAS PAULA MACRIS RENA COTOPOLIS GOYA: JOY: HELLENIC DANCERS: AGIA MARKELLA: KNOSSOS: AHEPA: LINDA NATALE DR. MICHELLE FRANGOS DESPINA PAXOS-MORGAN PHAIDRA SOTIROPOULOS ELENI PAXOS ELENI PAXOS MARIA BOURLAS PAUL KOSKOVICH DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE: LINDA NATALE MAIDS OF ATHENA: SONS OF PERCLES: YAL: ELENI VOLAS ANTHONY M. ANTONIADES NATALIA KELLAMIS

3 WE TRULY THANK ALL OF YOU!

4 JULY ST. HARALAMBOS CHURCH SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 9:00 5th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW TRISAGION 3:00 CATERING-TRI 8 9:00 6th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS GOD BLESS AMERICA! OFFICE CLOSED :00 SAFETY COUNCIL :00 CANTON ROTARY 14 11:00 SACRAMENT 15 9:00 SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS :00 ATLANTIC FOODS :00 ELIAS THE PROPHET 10:00 CANTON ROTARY 21 6:30 GREAT VESPERS MARKELLA & MARY MAGDALENE 1:00 SACRAMENT 22 9:00 STS. MARKELLA & MARY MAGDALENE TRISAGION :00 ST. PANTELEIMON 10:00 CANTON ROTARY :00 9th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW For the most current information, please refer to the Sunday Bulletin online at AUGUST 2018 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 6:30 PARAKLESIS 2 3 6:30 PARAKLESIS 4 MAY YOU ENJOY A BLESSED, HAPPY SUMMER! DORMITION FAST BEGINS 10:00 CANTON ROTARY ROBERT J. EVENT 5 9:00 10th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW 5:30 GREAT VESPERS 12 9:00 11th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW 6 9:00 HOLY TRANSFIGURATION 6:30 PARAKLESIS 13 6:30 PARAKLESIS 8:00 CATERING EVENT - KRASSAS 7 8 6:30 PARAKLESIS 14 6:30 GR. VESPERS DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS 15 9:00 DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS 9 10:00 SAFETY COUNCIL :30 PARAKLESIS 10:00 CANTON ROTARY RUMMAGE SALE :00 CANTON ROTARY 19 9:00 12th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW :00 ATLANTIC FOODS :00 CANTON ROTARY 25 MEMORIAL 26 9:00 13th SUNDAY OF MATTHEW :00 CANTON ROTARY 4 Koinonia July & August 2018

5 ST. HARALAMBOS CHURCH JULY & AUGUST LITURGICAL CALENDAR JULY JULY 1 SUNDAY 5TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros. 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy. JULY 8 SUNDAY 6TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros. 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy. JULY 15 SUNDAY SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros. 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy. JULY 20 FRIDAY ELIAS THE PROPHET - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros followed by the Divine Liturgy. JULY 21 SATURDAY GREAT VESPERS - ST. MARY MAGDALENE & ST. MARKELLA 6:30 p.m. - Great Vespers. JULY 22 SUNDAY ST. MARY MAGDALENE - ST. MARKELLA OF CHIOS - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros. 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy. JULY 27 FRIDAY ST. PANTELEIMON 9:00 a.m. - Orthros followed by the Divine Liturgy. JULY 29 SUNDAY 9TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros. 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy. AUGUST AUGUST 1 WEDNESDAY DORMITION FAST BEGINS - PARAKLESIS - - 6:30 p.m. AUGUST 3 FRIDAY PARAKLESIS - - 6:30 p.m. AUGUST 5 SUNDAY 10TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros. 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy. GREAT VESPERS - HOLY TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD 6:30 p.m. - Great Vespers. AUGUST 6 MONDAY HOLY TRANSFIGURATION - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros. 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy. PARAKLESIS - - 6:30 p.m. AUGUST 8 WEDNESDAY PARAKLESIS - - 6:30 p.m. AUGUST 10 FRIDAY PARAKLESIS - - 6:30 p.m. AUGUST 12 SUNDAY 11TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros. 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy. AUGUST 13 MONDAY PARAKLESIS - - 6:30 p.m. AUGUST 14 TUESDAY GREAT VESPERS - DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS 6:30 p.m. - Great Vespers. AUGUST 15 WEDNESDAY DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS - H 9:00 a.m. - Orthros followed by the Divine Liturgy. AUGUST 19 SUNDAY 12TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW - 9:00 a.m. - Orthros. 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy. (Fr. Basil Shaheen-Sub.) AUGUST 26 SUNDAY 13TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW - I 9:00 a.m. - Orthros. 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy. (Fr. Basil Shaheen-Sub.) Koinonia July & August

6 Presented by the St. Haralambos Philoptochos 6 Koinonia July & August 2018

7 Koinonia July & August

8 THE THEOTOKOS + Fr. Nicholas V. Gamvas A great many traditions revolve around the Ever-Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, the Birth-giver of the pre-eternal Word of God, which are theologically paramount. It is believed by Orthodox Christians that she was and remained a virgin before and after Christ's birth. Many of the Church's beliefs concerning the Virgin Mary are reflected in the apocryphal text "The Nativity of Mary", which was not included in scripture, but is considered to be accurate in its description of events. The child Mary was consecrated at the age of three to serve in the temple as a temple virgin. Zachariah, at that time High Priest of the Temple, did the unthinkable and carried Mary into the Holy of Holies as a sign of her importance that she herself would become the ark in which God would take form. At the age of twelve she was required to give up her position and marry, but she desired to remain forever a virgin in dedication to God. And so it was decided to marry her to a close relative, Joseph, an uncle or cousin, an older man, a widower, who would take care of her and allow her to retain her virginity. And so it was that when the time came she submitted to God s will and allowed the Christ to take form within her. It is believed by many Orthodox that she, in her life, committed no sin; however, the Orthodox do not accept the Roman Catholic doctrine of the Immaculate conception. The Theotokos was subject to original sin as the Orthodox understand it, yet she lived her life stainless and pure. In the theology of the Orthodox Church, it is most important to understand that Christ, from the very moment of conception, was fully God and fully man. Therefore, Orthodox Christians believe that it is correct to say that Mary is indeed the Theotokos, the Birth-giver of God, and that she is the greatest of all humans ever to have lived (except, of course, for Christ her Son). The term 'Theotokos' has tremendous theological significance to Orthodox Christians, as it was at the center of the Christological debates of the 4th and 5th centuries AD. After her great role was accomplished, the Church believes she remained a virgin, continuing to serve God in all ways. She traveled much with her son, and was present both at his Passion on the Cross and at his ascension into heaven. It is also believed that she was the first to know of her son's resurrection the Archangel Gabriel appearing to her once more and revealing it to her. It is believed she lived to the age of seventy and called all the apostles to her before she died. According to tradition Saint Thomas arrived late and was not present at her death. Desiring to kiss her hand one last time he opened her tomb but her body was gone. The Orthodox believe she was assumed into heaven bodily. 8 Koinonia July & August 2018

9 SAINT PAISIOS OF MT. ATHOS JULY 12 Saint Paisios of Mount Athos (Greek: Ὅσιος Παΐσιος ὁ Ἁγιορείτης), born Arsenios Eznepidis ( ), was a well-known Greek Eastern Orthodox ascetic from Mount Athos, who originated from Pharasa, Cappadocia. He was respected for his spiritual guidance and ascetic life and many people worldwide highly venerate Elder Paisios, especially in Greece and in Russia. Venerable Elder Paisios was canonized on 13 January 2015 by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the church commemorates his feast day on July 12. The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided at its meeting of May 5, 2015 also to add the name of the Venerable Paisios of Mount Athos to the Menology of the Russian Orthodox Church, establishing his feast day on June 29/July 12, following the Menology of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople. On 25 July 1924, Arsenios Eznepidis was born in Pharasa (Çamlıca), Cappadocia, shortly before the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. Arsenios' name was given to him by St. Arsenios the Cappadocian, who baptised him, naming the child for himself and foretelling Arsenios' monastic future. After the exchange, the Eznepidis family settled in Konitsa, Epirus. Arsenios grew up there, and after intermediate public school, he learned carpentry. 12 During the civil war in Greece, Arsenios served as a radio operator. In 1950, having completed his service, he went to Mount Athos: first to Father Kyril, the future abbot of Koutloumousiou monastery, and then to Esphigmenou Monastery (although he was not supportive of their later opposition to the Ecumenical Patriarchate).Arsenios, having been a novice for four years, was tonsured a Rassophore monk on 27 March 1954, and was given the name Averkios. Soon after, Father Averkios went to the (then) idiorrhythmic brotherhood of Philotheou monastery, where his uncle was a monk. While there, he was in obedience to Elder Symeon. On March 12, 1957, Elder Symeon tonsured Father Averkios to the Small Schema, giving him the name Paisios, in honour of the indefatigable Metropolitan of Caesarea, Paisios II, whose native village was Pharasa. Koinonia July & August

10 22 Η πολύαθλος και ένδοξος παρθενομάρτυς της Χίου Ανάμεσα στους πολυάριθμους Αγίους, που κοσμούν το τοπικό αγιολόγιο και τη μακρόχρονη εκκλησιαστική ιστορία του μυροβόλου νησιού της Χίου είναι και η Αγία παρθενομάρτυς Μαρκέλλα, που αποτελεί το ευλαβικό καύχημα των απανταχού της Γης Χίων και τον πολύτιμο πνευματικό θησαυρό για χιλιάδες προσκυνητές, που συρ ρέουν στον τόπο του μαρτυρίου της για να αποδώσουν τον οφειλόμενο σεβασμό στο μεγαλείο και τον ηρωισμό της, αλλά και για να ζητήσουν τη θαυματουργική της χά ρη για την επίλυση σωματικών και ψυχικών ασθενειών. Η Αγία Μαρκέλλα γεννήθηκε και μεγάλωσε στη Βολισσό, στο ιστορικό αυτό κεφα λοχώρι της βορειοδυτικής Χίου. Για τον χρόνο της γέννησης, της ζωής και του μαρτυρίου της Αγίας υπάρχει σύγχυση και ασάφεια μεταξύ των βιογράφων. Σύμφωνα με τον βιογράφο της, Όσιο Νικηφόρο τον Χίο, η Αγία Μαρκέλλα έζησε και ήκμασε περί το Ο πατέρας της ήταν ειδωλολάτρης και η χριστιανή μητέρα της απεβίωσε σε νεαρά ηλικία. Η Μαρκέλλα δια κρίθηκε από νωρίς για τη βαθιά της πίστη και αγάπη στον Χριστό, την καλοσύνη και αγνότητά της, τη σεμνότητα και την ευγένεια της ψυχής της. Προικισμένη με θεϊκή σοφία και αμέτρητα ψυχικά χαρίσματα επικοινωνούσε αδιάκοπα με τον Θεό. Αυτόν τον "επίγειο άγγελο" φθόνησε ο εωσφόρος και θέλησε να την πολεμήσει με κάθε μέσο. Έτσι ο ειδωλολάτρης και σκληρόκαρδος πατέρας της άρχισε να επιθυμεί ερωτικά την ίδια του την κόρη και να νιώθει προς αυτή μία αστείρευτη σαρκική επιθυμία. Όταν η Μαρκέλλα διαπίστωσε τον αναίσχυντο χαρακτήρα του σαρκολάτρη πατέρα της, εγκα τέλειψε το πατρικό σπίτι και αναζήτησε καταφύγιο στα βουνά της περιοχής. Τότε ο πα τέρας της κινούμενος από τις κτηνώδεις ορέξεις του και με απερίγραπτη μανία άρχι σε να ψάχνει να βρει τη νεαρή και όμορφη Μαρκέλλα. Τότε η δύστυχη και έντρομη κόρη προσπάθησε να προστατευθεί και να σώσει την τιμιότητά της. Μία μεγάλη βά τος αποτέλεσε το ασφαλές καταφύγιο της Αγίας. Ένας βοσκός όμως αντιλήφθηκε τη Μαρκέλλα και υπέδειξε τη βάτο στον μανιακό πατέρα της. Τότε ο πατέρας έβαλε φω τιά στη βάτο για να την αναγκάσει να βγει έξω από αυτή. Η Μαρκέλλα κατάφερε και βρήκε διέξοδο και έτσι γλίτωσε από τα χέρια του σαρκολάτρη πατέρα της. Στη συνέ χεια άρχισε να τρέχει πάνω στις πέτρες και τα βράχια, αλλά ο πατέρας της βλέποντας τη δυσκολία να την φτάσει, αποφάσισε να τη σημαδέψει με το τόξο του και έτσι εκτόξευσε προς αυτή ένα βέλος. Η Αγία πληγώθηκε και το αγνό της αίμα πότισε τα βράχια. Παρόλα αυτά δεν έχασε την ψυχική της δύναμη και συνέχισε να τρέχει. Οι σωματι κές της δυνάμεις άρχισαν όμως να την εγκαταλείπουν και κάποια στιγμή έπεσε κά τω ταλαιπωρημένη και πληγωμένη. Η βαθιά και ακλόνητη πίστη της την βοήθησε να βρει τη σωτήρια λύση. Με τα μάτια στραμμένα στον Ουράνιο Νυμφίο προσευχή θηκε και Του ζήτησε να σχίσει τον βράχο και να την κρύψει μέσα. Η παράκληση της Αγίας έγινε πραγματικότητα και έτσι ο βράχος σχίστηκε και δέχτηκε το σώμα της ενάρετης Μαρκέλλας μέχρι το στήθος. Ο σαρκολάτρης πατέρας φτάνοντας στον τόπο και βλέποντας το παράδοξο αυτό θαύμα, οργίστηκε ακόμη περισσότερο και έκοψε με ένα μαχαίρι τους μαστούς της και τους πέταξε στο βουνό. Στη συνέχεια αποκεφάλισε την κόρη του και πέταξε την κεφαλή της στη θάλασσα. Σύμφωνα με την παράδοση μία ασυνήθιστη λάμψη άρχισε να εκπέμπεται από την κεφαλή της Αγίας, που στέφθηκε με τον ουράνιο και άφθαρτο στέφανο της άθλησης και της θεϊκής δόξας. Ο σχισμένος βράχος, που δέχτηκε το μαρτυρικό σώμα της Αγίας, αποτελεί μέχρι σήμερα για τους προσκυνητές σημείο ευλαβικής αναφοράς και πηγή ιαμάτων, αφού όσοι προσεύχονται με πίστη, παρατηρούν τον ερυθρό χρωματισμό των βράχων και το νερό να ατμίζει. Αναρίθμητα είναι τα θαύματα, που με τη χάρη του Θεού, έχει επιτελέσει η Αγία Μαρκέλλα από την εποχή του μαρτυρίου της έως τις ημέρες μας, ενώ μάρτυρες θαυ μαστών σημείων έγιναν λαμπρές πνευματικές φυσιογνωμίες της Εκκλησίας μας, όπως Άγιος Μακάριος ο Νοταράς Επίσκοπος Κορίνθου, ο Άγιος Νεκτάριος Επίσκοπος Πενταπόλεως και ο βιογράφος και συντάκτης της Ακολουθίας της Αγίας, Όσιος Νικηφόρος ο Χίος, οι οποίοι συχνά προσέρχονταν στον τόπο του μαρτυρίου της Αγίας για να προσευχηθούν. Η μνήμη της Αγίας παρθενομάρτυρος Μαρκέλλας εορτάζεται κάθε χρόνο στις 22 Ιουλίου και λαμπρά πανήγυρις λαμβάνει χώρα στον φερώνυμο ιερό ναό της Αγίας, που βρίσκεται επί της αμμώδους παραλίας στον ομώνυμο όρμο της Βολισσού και αποτελεί παγχιακό, αλλά και πανελλήνιο προσκύνημα. Η φιλοπατρία των απανταχού της Γης ευρισκομένων Χίων, αλλά και τα αναρίθμητα θαύματα της Αγίας οδήγησαν στην ανέγερση ιερών ναών επ ονόματι της πολυάθλου και ενδόξου παρθενομάρτυρος της Χίου. Έτσι η συνοικία του Βοτανικού στην Αθήνα κοσμείται με ενοριακό ναό της Αγίας Μαρκέλλας, ενώ τα τελευταία χρόνια ανεγέρθηκε περικαλλές παρεκκλήσιο στο όνομα της Αγίας και στην περιοχή της Κάτω Κηφισιάς. Γραφικά παρεκκλήσια επ ονόματί της έχουν καταγραφεί στις Σπέτσες, την Άνδρο, τη Μήλο, τη Σαντορίνη και τη Σάμο. 10 Koinonia July & August 2018

11 SAINT MARKELLA PATRON SAINT OF CHIOS JULY 22 The holy and glorious Virgin-martyr Markella of Chios is the patron saint of Chios. Her feast day is celebrated on July 22. Markella was born and lived in the village of Volissos of Chios and lived during the fourteenth century. Her mother was a devout Christian but her father, who was mayor of the village, was an idolater. At a young age, her mother passed away, but not before she had taught Markella the ways of the Lord. While her father saw to her education, she continued to live in faith and virtue, dedicating herself to Jesus Christ. She studied the Holy Bible and spent many hours in prayer. She practiced the virtues of fasting, love, hospitality and chastity. She avoided idle interactions so that she would not come to spiritual harm. Her goal was to attain the Kingdom of Heaven, and to become a bride of Christ. St. Markella increased in virtue as she grew older, fasting, praying, and attending church services. She tried to keep the commandments and to lead others to God. She loved and respected her father, and comforted him in his sorrow. She told him she would take care of him in his old age, and would not abandon him. As an adult, St Markella was loved by everyone for her beauty and for her spiritual gifts. Her father, moved by the evil one began to have sinful desires for Markella. By the time she had reached her eighteenth birthday, her father's desires had begun to show and so Markella decided to leave from her father's house in order to preserve her purity. She went to a nearby mountain and hid in a bush. With the help from a local shepherd, her father found her. He then set fire to the bush to force her to show. It is said that the shepherd's hand with which he pointed out Markella's hiding spot immediately began to tremble. Markella ran to the sea to escape but her father aimed an arrow at her and wounded her. The blood of the saint dyed the rocks and to this very day, during the festivities for her feast day, at a specific time, her blood becomes visible on these rocks for all the faithful who bear witness to this miracle. Her final moments were spent in prayer to Christ with a request that the rocks would open for her to hide from her father. She was enclosed in the rock, with only her chest and head visible. Upon finding her, filled with evil frenzy, her father butchered her body and then cut off her head and threw it into the sea. Her head floated to the nearby beach of Komi. For many years, the locals could not locate the head until one day an Italian Naval ship was in the area. In the evening, they could see a bright light coming from the distance and when they got closer they witnessed a head, floating in the water, lit by upright floating candles. Immediately, they realized that this was a sacred miracle they were witness to and they took the head of the Saint back to their homeland. Holy water is said to spring from the rocks that mark her martyrdom. Many pilgrims visit this location and every year on the 22nd of July, during the commemoration services for the Saint, the holy sea water in the rock pool boils during the entire Paraklesis Service; this phenomenon only occurs in the presence of a priest. If a pilgrim's faith is strong, a local tradition is that the water in the rock-pool will feel extremely warm to touch. Koinonia July & August

12 Κοίμηση της Υπεραγίας Παρθένου Μαρίας Τον καθένα από μας τον βασανίζει το ερώτημα: τι θα γίνει με μας και τι μας περιμένει μετά το θάνατο; Μία σαφή απάντηση σ' αυτό το ερώτημα μόνοι μας δεν μπορούμε να την βρούμε. Αλλά η Αγία Γραφή και πρώτα απ' όλα ο λόγος του Κυρίου μας Ιησού Χριστού μας αποκαλύπτουν αυτό το μυστικό. Μας το αποκαλύπτουν επίσης το απολυτίκιο και το κοντάκιο της μεγάλης αυτής γιορτής της Κοιμήσεως της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου και οι εκκλησιαστικοί ύμνοι που ψάλλονται σ' αυτή τη γιορτή. Θέλω όλοι σας να καταλάβετε, γιατί ο θάνατος της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου και Παρθένου Μαρίας λέγεται Κοίμησή της. Ο μέγας απόστολος Ιωάννης ο Θεολόγος στο 20ο κεφάλαιο της Αποκαλύψεως μιλάει για τον πρώτο και το δεύτερο θάνατο. Ο πρώτος μόνο θάνατος, ο οποίος είναι αναπόφευκτος για όλους τους ανθρώπους, περιμένει και τους αγίους και τους δικαίους. Αλλά ο δεύτερος, ο φοβερός και αιώνιος θάνατος, περιμένει τους μεγάλους και αμετανόητους αμαρτωλούς, οι οποίοι αρνήθηκαν την αγάπη και την δικαιοσύνη του Θεού και είναι καταδικασμένοι να βρίσκονται αιωνίως σε κοινωνία με το διάβολο και τους αγγέλους του. Στο Ευαγγέλιο του ίδιου μεγάλου αποστόλου και ευαγγελιστού Ιωάννου του Θεολόγου διαβάζουμε τα λόγια του Χριστού, τα οποία είναι πολύ στενά συνδεδεμένα με όσα γράφει η Αποκάλυψη: «αμήν αμήν λέγω υμίν ότι ο τον λόγον μου ακούων και πιστεύων τω πέμψαντί με έχει ζωήν αιώνιον και εις κρίσιν ουκ έρχεται, αλλά μεταβέβηκεν εκ του θανάτου εις την ζωήν» (Ίωάν. 5, 24). Το ακούτε, το καταλαβαίνετε; Νομίζω ότι ακόμα και θα πρέπει να σας κινήσει την περιέργεια το γεγονός ότι όλοι όσοι υπακούουν στο λόγο του Χριστού και πιστεύουν στον Ουράνιο Πατέρα του, ο οποίος τον έστειλε, αμέσως μετά το θάνατο τους θα περάσουν στην αιώνια ζωή. Δεν υπάρχει λόγος να δικαστούν αυτοί που έχουν ζωντανή πίστη στο Θεό και υπακούουν στις εντολές του. Και στους μεγάλους δώδεκα αποστόλους είπε ο Κύριος μας Ιησούς Χριστός: «αμήν λέγω υμίν ότι υμείς οι ακολουθήσαντές μοι, εν τη παλιγγενεσία, όταν καθίση ο Υιός του ανθρώπου επί θρόνου δόξης αυτού, καθίσεσθε και υμείς επί δώδεκα θρόνους κρίνοντες τας δώδεκα φυλάς του Ισραήλ» (Ματθ. 19, 28). Δικαστές και κατήγοροι θα είναι κατά την Φοβερά Κρίση του Θεού οι Απόστολοι του Χριστού και, βεβαίως, είναι τελείως αδύνατο να φανταστούμε να δικάζονται η Υπεραγία Θεοτόκος και Αειπάρθενος Μαρία, ο Βαπτιστής του Κυρίου Ιωάννης, οι μεγάλοι προφήτες του Θεού, ο Ηλίας και ο Ενώχ τους οποίους ζωντανούς τους πήρε ο Θεός στον Ουρανό, όλο το αμέτρητο πλήθος των μαρτύρων του Χριστού, οι δοξασμένοι από τον Θεό άγιοι αρχιερείς και θαυματουργοί με επί κεφαλής τον άγιο Νικόλαο, αρχιεπίσκοπο Μύρων της Λυκίας. Ή Υπεραγία Παρθένος Μαρία υπήρξε άχραντος ναός του Σωτήρος και σ' αυτήν κατοίκησε το Άγιο Πνεύμα και από την αγιότατη μήτρα της έλαβε το ανθρώπινο σώμα ο Υιός του Θεού, ο Οποίος κατέβηκε από τους Ουρανούς. Γι' αυτό ο σωματικός της θάνατος δεν ήταν θάνατος αλλά Κοίμηση, δηλαδή ένα άμεσο πέρασμα από τη Βασιλεία του Θεού εντός της στη Βασιλεία των Ουρανών και την αιώνια ζωή. Προσέξτε: «τάφος και νέκρωσις ουκ εκράτησεν». Σκεπτόμενοι αυτό, ας θυμηθούμε και τι γράφει η Αγία Γραφή για το θάνατο του μεγαλυτέρου προφήτη της Παλαιάς Διαθήκης, του Μωυσή στο 34 κεφάλαιο του βιβλίου του Δευτερονομίου, ότι πέθανε σύμφωνα με το λόγο του Θεού στο όρος Νεβώ και τάφηκε στη γη Μωάβ. Ο τάφος του μεγάλου αυτού προφήτη έπρεπε να είναι για πάντα τόπος προσκυνήματος για όλο το λαό του Ισραήλ. Όμως στη Βίβλο διαβάζουμε, ότι: «ουκ οίδεν ουδείς την ταφήν αυτού έως της ημέρας ταύτης» (Δευτ. 34, 6). Όμως κατά τη Μεταμόρφωση του Κυρίου στο όρος Θαβώρ εμφανίστηκε ο Μωυσής στον Κύριο και Δεσπότη του τον Ιησού μαζί με τον προφήτη Ηλία, ο οποίος αρπάχτηκε ζωντανός στους ουρανούς. Νομίζω ότι δεν θα είναι αμαρτία αν θα πούμε, ότι το σώμα του μεγάλου Μωυσή, όπως και το σώμα της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου, με τη δύναμη του Θεού, έμεινε άφθαρτο. Γι' αυτό και ο τάφος του είναι άγνωστος. Να σκεφτόμαστε, αδελφοί και αδελφές μου, την μακάρια Κοίμηση της Υπεραγίας Παρθένου Μαρίας και να θυμόμαστε τα λόγια του Κυρίου μας Ιησού Χριστού: «Αμήν αμήν λέγω υμίν ότι ο τον λόγον μου ακούων και πιστεύων τω πέμψαντί με έχει ζωήν αιώνιον, και εις κρίσιν ουκ έρχεται, αλλά μεταβέβηκεν εκ του θανάτου εις την ζωήν» (Ίωάν. 5, 24). Να μάς αξιώσει ο Θεός να γευθούμε και εμείς οι αμαρτωλοί τη μεγάλη αυτή χαρά, με τη χάρη και τη φιλανθρωπία του Κυρίου μας Ιησού Χριστού, φ η δόξα και το κράτος συν τω ανάρχω αυτού Πατρί και τω Παναγίω Αυτού Πνεύματι εις τους αιώνας. Αμήν. 12 Koinonia July & August 2018

13 THE DORMITION OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS AND EVER VIRGIN MARY AUGUST 15 Magnify O my soul, the honourable Translation of the Mother of God from earth to heaven. (Refrain for the 9th Ode of the Canon) Let us be happy, beloved brothers and sisters that we belong to the Holy Orthodox Church, worthily and rightly glorifying the Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos on this eminent day out of all the days of the year with special solemnity. There exists on earth many societies and entire governments that do not consider the need nor the obligation to call upon and glorify the Queen of heaven and earth, the Mother of Our Divine Lord Jesus Christ, and other saints and angels; to submissively serve Her lovingly, as the true Mother of God. Sadly in Russia nowadays we have heretics (among us) who actively dishonor the Mother of God, the saints, their icons, their relics and their festivals. O, if only they also unanimously with us glorified the worthy Queen of heaven and earth! Today the Holy Church solemnly glorifies the honorable Dormition or translation of the Mother of God from earth to heaven. A wonderful translation - she died without serious illness, peacefully. Her soul is taken up in the divine hands of Her Son and carried up into the heavenly abode, accompanied by the sweet singing of angels. And then, her most pure body is transferred by the apostles to Gethsemane where it is honorably buried, and on the third day it is resurrected and taken up to heaven. You see this on the icon of the Dormition of the Theotokos. On it is represented the life-bearing body of the Theotokos laying on a bier, surrounded by the apostles and hierarchs, and in the center of the icon the Lord holding in His hands the most pure soul of the Theotokos. The translation of the Mother of God is a paradigm of the translation in general of the souls of Christians to the other world. We say that our dead have fallen asleep or passed away. What does this mean? This means that for the true Christian there is no death. Death was conquered by Christ on the cross. But there is a translation, i.e, a rearrangement of his condition, i.e. his soul is in another place, in another age, in another world beyond the grave, eternal, without end, that is what is meant by falling asleep. It is as if it were a temporary dream after which, by the voice of the Lord and the fearful yet wonderful trumpet of the Archangel, all the dead shall live and come forth each to his place: either to the resurrection of life or to the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:29). This is what the Christian means by translation. We should be ready for this translation, for the day of the general resurrection and judgment, for this indescribable world event, recorded in the Holy Scriptures. This preparation for the meeting of the heavenly King before the dread judgment seat, after death, is essentially the person s preparation throughout the whole of his life. This preparation means a change in all his thoughts, and the moral change of all his being, so that the whole man would be pure and white as snow, washing clean everything that defiles the body and spirit, so that he is adorned with every virtue: repentance, meekness, humility, gentleness, simplicity, chastity, mercifulness, abstention, spiritual contemplation, and burning love for God and neighbor. Our preparation for meeting the heavenly King, and for the inheritance of eternal life in heaven, should consist of these things. The heavenly King desires souls adorned with immutable virtue, souls prepared so that the Very Lord Himself could abide in them. Do not marvel that the Very Lord wants to live in us. In fact the human soul is more spacious than the heavens and the earth, for it exists in the image of God. And if one removes sins from the soul, the Lord of all will settle in it and will fill it with Himself. We will come to him and make our dwelling with him (John 14:23), says the Lord about the souls who love Him. And so, you participants in the feasts, and especially the present feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, you who are brightly adorned with every virtue and translated to the heavenly kingdom, to Her Son and God, proclaim to each and every one about preparing their souls to be the dwelling place of the Lord, about continual repentance, and about the incorruptible adornment of Christian virtue. Let your death also be unashamed and peaceful, serving as the pledge of a good answer at the dread judgment seat of Christ. Amen. Koinonia July & August

14 SAINT FANOURIOS AND FANOUROPITA ( Φανουρόπιτα) AUGUST 27 Have you lost something? Want to discover something? There is still time... August 27 is the feast day of Saint Fanourios the Martyr. On the eve of the saint s feast day, fanouropita is baked and taken to church for blessing at the evening service. And is dedicated to Άγιος Φανού ριος, St Fanourios, in the Greek Orthodox church, whose icon was found in the Byzantine period on the island of Rhodes (Rhodes). The attribute associated with St Fanourios in popular Greek Orthodox tradition is that he is the finder of lost objects, as his name suggests: in the Greek language, φανερώνώ (fanerono) means to reveal. Breads and cakes are baked in his name and offered at the church in the vespers (the night before the feast day) or the morning service (on the feast day), which are then blessed by the priest and shared among the congregation. In this way, the maker of the cake has hope that their lost object may be found. For the same reason, unmarried women may bake a cake in his name, in the hope of discovering the name of their husband (there is no account of the vice versa happening!) And sick people may do the same in the hope that a cure will be found to treat them of their ailment; the 'lost object' takes on a metaphorical meaning: luck, fate, destiny. St Fanourios is often depicted carrying a candle like a torch, looking for something. Although St Fanourios was a saint, his mother apparently did not do good during her time on earth, according to one version of the story of his life: "Η μάνα του Αγίου δεν ηκαμε καλό ποτέ τζη. Μόνο ένα κρομμυδύφυλλο ήδωσε μια βολά σ'ένα διακονιάρη. Σαν απόθανε ήβραζε σ'ένα καζάνι με πίσσα και ο Άγιος αρώτησε: α-γιάντα η μάνα μου είναι εκειά μέσα; Ο Μιχαήλ Αρχάγγελος τ'απηλοήθηκε: -Γιατί δεν ήκαμε ποτέ καλό. Να ρίξομε το κρομμυδόφυλλο που ήδωσε κι ανέ τηνέ σηκώσει να βγει επάνω, να σωθεί... Ερίξανε το κρομμυδόφυλλο και η μάνα ντου βγήκε στα χείλια του καζανιού μαζί με τρεις άλλες γυναίκες που πιαστήκανε κι αυτές από το κρομμύδι. Μα η μάνα ντου τώσε δίνει μια σπρωξιά και πέφτουνε πάλι μέσα. Τοτεσάς λέει ο Αρχάγγελος: Θωρείς πως κι επαέ είναι ακόμη κακή. Τοτεσάς ο Άγιος Φανούριος ζήτησε μια χάρη: Να μην πηγαίνουνε πράμα γι'αυτόν, μόνο για τη μάνα ντου για να λένε να τση συγχωρέσει ο Θεός..." (quotes found in The above text about the mother of St Fanourios has been written in the Cretan dialect. This is not surprising, since the saint is more highly revered on the Cretan island than in other parts of Greece. The churches that are named after St Fanourios take on a more celebratory nature during this time: racks are brought in, tables are laid out, people arrive with their cakes and breads, and the priest blesses them during the service. 14 Koinonia July & August 2018

15 The Discovery of the Miraculous Icon of Panagia Evangelistria of Tinos Island, Greece The highly-venerated icon of the Annunciation was discovered in the ruins of the ancient church of St John the Baptist on January 30, An elderly man, Michael Polyzoes, had a dream shortly before the Feast of the Annunciation in 1821, in which the Mother of God appeared to him in shining white garments. She instructed him to dig in the field of Anthony Doxaras outside the city, where he would find her icon. She also told him to build a church on the site, since there had once been one there. The Queen of Heaven also promised to help him accomplish these tasks. Upon awakening, he crossed himself and tried to go back to sleep, believing that his dream had been a temptation from the devil. Before falling asleep, Michael saw the Theotokos once again, and noticed that the room was flooded by a gentle white light. Her head was surrounded by divine light, and her face displayed ineffable grace and sweetness. Speaking to the old man she said, "Why are you afraid? Your fear comes from unbelief. Listen! I am Panagia (the all-holy one). I want you to dig in the field of Anthony Doxaras where my icon is buried. I ask you to do this as a favor, old man. You will build a church there and I will help you." Then she disappeared. The next morning, Michael went into the village and told the priest what had happened to him during the night. The priest also thought the dream was a temptation, so he urged Michael to come for Confession and Communion. The old man, however, was not convinced that his visions were mere dreams or demonic temptations. He told the inhabitants of the village of his experience. Some laughed at him, but only two believed his words. The two men went with him to the field one night and dug in many places, but they found nothing. Then they dug in another place and found the remains of an old wall. Finding nothing but bricks, they had to give up their search in the morning so the Turks would not find out what they were doing. Anthony Doxaras, the owner of the field, found the bricks and tried to use them to build an oven. The mortar would not adhere to the bricks, so whenever they tried to build one section of the oven, it collapsed. The workers were convinced that God was showing them that the bricks from the ancient church were not to be used for an oven. Koinonia July & August

16 The Heavens, The World, and Us Fr. Nicholas V. Gamvas In the scriptures and in the spiritual tradition of the Church, the expression the world has two different meanings. In the first, the world is the expression of all of God s creation. As such it is the product of God s goodness and the object of His love. According to the scriptures, God creates the world and all that is in it. He creates the heavens and the earth as the declaration of His glory (Ps 19.1). He creates all living things, crowned by the formation of man in His own image and likeness. According to the scriptural record, God called His creation good... very good (Gen 1.12, 18, 25, 31). And according to the Gospel, Christ has come as the savior of the world (Lk 2.11, Jn 4.42). For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him (Jn ). In addition to this positive scriptural understanding of the world, there is also a negative use of the expression which has caused confusion about the proper understanding of Christian faith and life. This negative use of the term the world is presented not as God s object of love, but as creation in rebellion against God. Thus Christ spoke: If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you (Jn ; cf. Jas 4.4). Saint John continues to speak of the enmity between Christ and the world in his first letter where he gives the following commandment to Christians. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever (1 Jn ). The same ambiguity as that concerning the world exists with the expression the flesh. In some instances, the term flesh is used in a positive sense meaning the fullness of human existence, man himself. Thus it is written about the incarnation of Christ that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (Jn 1.14). It is also written that on the day of Pentecost, God poured out His Holy Spirit on all flesh (Acts 2.17, Joel 2.28). The word flesh in this sense carries no negative meaning at all. Rather it is the affirmation of the positive character of created material and physical being, exemplified by Christ who became flesh and commands men to eat of my flesh (Jn ). In the scriptures again, particularly in the writings of Saint Paul, the expression the flesh is used in the same negative way as the world. It is employed as the catchword for godless and unspiritual existence. 16 Koinonia July & August 2018

17 The Heavens continued For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God s Law, indeed it cannot please God (Rom 8.5 8). Here, for Saint Paul, the term flesh is not a synonym for man s body which is good, and the apostle makes this perfectly clear in his writings. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?... 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 (1 Cor ). In the spiritual tradition of the Church the ambiguity about the world and the flesh is treated carefully. It has been explained without confusion by the spiritual teachers and proclaimed clearly in the Church s sacraments. God s good creation is not evil. Material existence is not evil. Man s fleshly body is not evil. Only sinful passions and lusts are evil. They are evil because they treat the created world and the fleshly body of man as ends in themselves, as objects of idolatrous adoration and godless desire. They are evil because, as Saint Augustine puts it, they express the worship of the creature rather than the Creator. By nature the soul is without sinful passion. Passions are something added to the soul by its fault... The natural state of the soul is luminous and pure through absorbing the divine light... The state contrary to nature... is found in passionate men who serve passions. ( When you hear that it is necessary to withdraw from the world... to purify yourself from what is of the world, you must understand the term world. World is a collective name embracing what are called passions. When we speak of passions collectively, we call them the world.... the world is carnal life and minding of the flesh. ) (Saint Isaac of Syria, 6th c., Writings On Spiritual Training). Koinonia July & August

18 D REV. eacon Keric s Corner DEACON KERIC SHIEPIS Please, Do Not Disturb Growing up as a "Priest Kid" (PK), I use to hear my father talking to other area clergy and a common theme was: "Some seek the Church only when they are hatched, matched and dispatched," referring, of course, to baptism, marriage and burial. As a child I used to think it sounded funny and catchy, but as an adult, this statement is unbelievably accurate and pretty well describes the infrequency of our presence in God's Holy House. When I was attending a recent postgraduate seminar for license renewal which unfortunately was being held on Saturday and Sunday, and when I was leaving the hotel room early Sunday morning to go to class, I passed door after door along the corridor on which a familiar card had been hung on the door knob bearing the simple request, "PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB." America was sleeping on Sunday morning! It reminded me of a prayer that I read a long time ago in a magazine, Almighty God, as I lie here on the sofa, this lovely Sunday morning, surrounded by the Sunday paper and half listening to the television, it has come to me that I have lied to Thee and myself. I said that I did not feel well enough to go to Church. That was not true; I was not motivated enough. I would have gone to my office, had it been Monday morning: I would have played golf if I had it scheduled today. I would have been able to go to the movies had it been Friday night, but it is Sunday morning and Sunday illness covers a multitude of sins. God have mercy on me, I have lied to Thee and Myself. I was not ill; I am lazy and indifferent. PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB ME, GOD." Do Not Disturb...how well these word describe our inattentiveness to God and His will. The problem is that a lot of people's hearts are not on the same path as Jesus' path. Christ said, "I am the way, follow Me." And certainly Christ meant it. We become so self sufficient and "busy" in our comfortable circumstances that oddly enough it becomes too "burdensome" to go to Church and acknowledge God's blessings granted to us. The truth is, we have God just where we want Him. We would never dream of or dare to say no to our employer, landlord or the tax department; in fact we are extremely polite to their demands but we become extra ordinarily courageous when it comes to rejecting God's commandments and will. We obey the Laws of men because if we don't, we realize what the consequences will be. But God's law and commandments are another story completely. God's commandment to keep the Sabbath finds us doing it by not attending His Holy House and living the Liturgical lifestyle throughout the seasons of the Church year. God's will is that we love and forgive our enemies, but we decide whom we are to love and whom to hate. According to us, Christ's "love thy enemy," means to love them on our terms. Our Lord said that to follow Him, we must take up our cross, but sacrifice and taking up the cross to modern man means how he can sacrifice to insure himself of more earthy comforts. 18 Koinonia July & August 2018

19 Please, Do Not Disturb continued Too many Christians labor under the misinterpretation of what free will means. They protest that they are free to do whatever they please, whether it is going to Church on Sunday, loving their enemy, or performing any other Christian duty. But we overlook the fact that when by our own free will we became Christians, with the solemn pledge that from now on God's will would be our will, His commandments would be our life, and that Christ's Cross would be our joyful duty. Why then do we renege on a binding promise and pledge made to almighty God? Has He not lifted from our shoulders a multitude of sins? Why are we luke-warm and indifferent towards our Lord? St. Paul emphatically states that we cannot be luke-warm; either we are for Christ or against Him! We cannot profess to be Christians but our daily lifestyles are opposite of that which Christ teaches. Why this split personality type of religious life? There are at least three basic reasons. First of all, we know little about what we believe- secondly, sin has us far from God-and thirdly, we have become attached to this earth and life. There is a remedy for all three. To learn what we believe, we can easily obtain religious literature and guidance from the clergy and the Church. There is a wealth of information about Orthodoxy which is available if we are but willing to ask/search for it. Above all, we can open up and study the Divine words and teachings of our Lord in His Holy Bible. The reading of the Scriptures should be as regular a habit as that of reading our phones, text messages and s. Reading the Scriptures privately and as a family, truly is the greatest blessing any home could have. Sin, the old-fashioned word, which separates man from God is quite prevalent today and many are guilty before God for the sins of mind, heart and body. But through sincere repentance and the cleansing of Christ's holy body and blood we are able to once more come near to our Lord. For He will not reject us if we really acknowledge the wrongs of our ways and strive to be better. And last, but not least, we must learn to throw off worldliness, an excessive love and attachment to this world and life and indifference to our eternal home in the other world. We dedicate ourselves with all of our being for a comfortable and secure life here on this earth, while knowing all along that we will only live here for a very short span of time, while in the world to come, we will live eternally. How foolish of man to concern himself with an over absorption the things of this world which are subject to change through man and nature, while disregarding eternal happiness in God's Kingdom. It would be wise for us to spend more time thinking and concerning ourselves about the other world, for we never know when it is our time to be called by God to "go home". Eternity is right around the corner and only the twinkling of an eye away. "Please Do Not Disturb!". how soothing this is to a guilty conscience. But more sobering and true is the following verse of Scriptures: "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." (Romans 13:11) Let us make the most of the time that is gifted to us by the grace of God to store up "riches in heaven" by doing that which Christ calls us to do and try to strengthen our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so that on "that day" we will hear the most blessed command of Jesus "Well done good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your Lord!" My family Diakonisa Melissa, Kerissa, Costandinos and I wish each and everyone a most blessed, prosperous, fun filled and safe summertime season. Enjoy the weather!! Koinonia July & August

20 LIVING AS ROYALITY ON EARTH VS. ETERNITY IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN + Rev. Dr. Nicholas V. Gamvas What Are We Living For? Applause!!! Applause!!! (from the 1950's musical "All about Eve." Remember this from the movie and musical? Most of us live for glory on this earth instead of for glory with God. (Most people today are living for applause and temporary glory.) [ Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "You have said so," Jesus replied. (Luke 23:3)] [ Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36)] We believe that Christ is the ruler of all creation. In our Christian faith, we believe that Christ existed with God before creation, that Christ was the agent of creation, and that Christ is the ruler of all creation and the Universe. There is an icon in Orthodox Churches in the center dome called: O Pantokrator which translates from the Greek as The Ruler of the Universe. The Holy Trinity: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit always existed. We also believe that Christ is the ruler of all nations, the ruler of all kings, and that His reign lasts for all eternity. All the kings and kingdoms of the earth will have their moment in history and then they fade away and go, as we have seen in history. The kingdoms of this world are shakable and will eventually fall and history repeats itself. St. Paul says in (1 Corinthians 2:6): about the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. Saint John Chrysostom refers to them as "the dethroned powers who rule this world". Secular powers are still ruling, but in reality they are dethroned dethroned in the sense that the sentence of doom has been passed upon them. They do not acknowledge God s kingdom and so they will suddenly collapse or are in a process of silent decay. Good Examples are: The pharoahs of Egypt, King Herod, Caesar, Henry the 8 th, Hitler, Communism, Saddam and others My point is, there is only one king who outlives them all Jesus Christ the King of all kings. Jesus wanted His disciples to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus told parables about the Kingdom and gave teachings about the Kingdom and worked miracles of the Kingdom of Heaven. St. Basil the Great wrote: The church is full of people who want one eye for the world and the other for the kingdom of God. Therefore, everything is blurred; one eye is long and the other is short; all is confusion...when the Spirit of God is on us, the world looks very empty; the world has a very small hold on us, and we begin to let go of our hold of it and lay hold of things eternal. This is the church s need today. What about being Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Oprah, or Madonna or for a day? 20 Koinonia July & August 2018

21 The Royal Wedding that just took place on May 19, 2018 and cost in excess of $45 million dollars wow! How many homeless and hungry people are outside the gates of the Castle Compound? Did they get to sample any of the Elderberry / Lemon Wedding Cake? How many men imagined themselves being in Prince Harry s place for even a minute? How many women imagined themselves in Meghan Markel s place for even a minute? How many of us imagine ourselves in the Kingdom of God for eternity? This is something that Christ offers us. John Lennon said in 1966, Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn t argue about that. I m right and I will be proved right. We are (meaning The Beatles )more popular than Jesus now. I don t know which will go first rock n roll or Christianity. Fourteen years later, Lennon was shot dead by Mark David Chapman in New York City on December 8, We are supposed to be Kingdom of God people; are we not? Do our lives reflect that? The root of the word Kingdom in the Greek means to rule or to reign. The kingdom of God, then, is the rule or reign of God in our lives for which we are to pray for and to seek! Jesus spoke of the Kingdom as being in the present as well as in the future. In Luke 17:21, Jesus said: the Kingdom of God is within you. Wow, how awesome is that! Because in Genesis 1:27: God created us in His Image and Likeness. Wherever there is a heart that is surrendered to the claims and to the demands of Jesus Christ, there His Kingdom exists But there is a day coming, says Jesus in Matthew 8:11: I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven. Don t we want to be part of that Kingdom of Heaven for Eternity or would we just like to have been a guest at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry's and Duchess Meagan's which is temporary and now gone? In other words, Jesus is saying that when both the small and great will sit side by side in the kingdom, and realize that in God s order of things there are no favorites. Jesus Christ has a unique plan for each one of us we need to be ready and open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit so that we do not miss out on what this means for each one of us. We need to understand that throughout Scripture, all revelation of God s Word to us is an invitation. In other words, all that God reveals to us in His Word invites us to live with Him forever...these are the words of eternal life!! This is the reality of Jesus Kingship... His kingdom Jesus is Lord, so that we might live near Him in love. He is King of all, not over us - but for us and with us. A challenge for you and I is this: What sacrifices and how much faith and how many good works and how spiritually do we want to develop to be in God's Heavenly Kingdom? [Luke 17:21, Jesus said: the Kingdom of God is within you. ] AMEN!! Koinonia July & August

22 Kick Off the Football Season with us at the 2018 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACHES PREVIEW! DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON! OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! ENJOY Fun Fellowship, Refreshments, Delicious Buffet Dinner, and the 2018 Coaches Panel! Social Hour Dinner Coaches Panel 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm Tickets available in the church office. For more information please contact Steve Diamant at Sponsored by the St. Haralambos Men s Club SILVER LINERS See you in September! OUR RECENT DANUBE TRIP The cruise was enjoyed by Tony & Jan Koutras, Helen Tsarwhas, Kathy & Jim Dieringer, Sophie Usner, Grace & Nick Margaritakis 22 Koinonia July & August 2018

23 Ask Father Nick Q: Is the " Common Cup " used at weddings a chalice, or can it be a fancy gold, silver, or glass wine goblet or glass? ~ Chris Gaitanos A: The Common Cup used at the Orthodox Wedding tradition ceremony has a ritual of the drinking of the common cup. On the bridal table there is wine in a common cup, (not a chalice used for Holy Communion) but a fancy metal or wine glass. After the priest reads the blessing of the Common Cup prayer the priest gives it to each the groom and the bride to sip three times of wine from the shared cup. The sweet red wine symbolizes the 'word of honor ' spoken between the couple. The ritual of the common cup is based on the wedding of Cana of Galilee, where Jesus turned water into wine. Just as wine was at the wedding in Cana, the Bride and Groom share a common cup of (unconsecrated wine) symbolizing the sharing of all that life will bring. The cup represents life and symbolizes they will share everything. Their sorrows will be divided in half and their joy will be doubled. Q: What are some ways to provide emotional support to a person who is living with and dying of a serious illness or has already passed? ~ Anonymous A: When we are mourning the loss of a loved one, we have a myriad of strong emotions; to heal, we need to articulate them. Grief seems to take over our bodies, and our feelings are neither orderly nor coherent. In this state, it s quite common to repeat ourselves. What mourners need most are listeners, and it can be hard to find them. We are a society of talkers, and impatient ones at that. When we hear a story the second or third time, we tend to lose patience with the speaker. And yet it s in telling our story, over and over again, that we begin to make sense of it. The more we listen, the easier it becomes. And someday, we will need others to listen to us too. Q: What is the legend behind the Lenten Dish known as Imam Bayildi? A: Imam Baldi (Ιμάμ μπαλντί) is a Turkish dish dating back to the Middle Ages. A long time ago about the Middle ages there lived a Turkish imam (cleric), well known for his appetite and love of good food. One day he surprised his friends by announcing his engagement to the beautiful young daughter of a rich olive oil merchant. At this stage, the imam s friends were not aware of her abilities as a cook. Part of her dowry was a consignment of the very finest olive oil. The wealthy merchant gave the groom twelve great jars of the prized oil, each one as big as a man. Following the wedding, the young daughter quickly revealed her talents as a Turkish cook and every day prepared a special dish for her new food-loving husband. Stuffed eggplant in olive oil was his absolute favorite, and so he asked his wife to make it for him every night as the center piece of his dinner. Being a good wife, she did as she was told, and made the delicious dish for twelve days in a row. On the thirteenth day, however, when the imam sat down to dinner, his favorite aubergine dish was starkly absent. The imam demanded to know the reason for its disappearance. The bride replied, My dear husband, I cannot make your favorite dish anymore, for we have no more olive oil. You will have to buy some more. The lmam was so shocked by the news that he fainted. And so ever since that day, his favorite dish has become known as Imam Bayildi, (the imam (cleric) fainted). Koinonia July & August

24 Back By Popular Demand! Philoptochos Presents... THE RUMMAGE SALE And bake sale! AUGUST 9, 10, & 11 Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 9:00 am 4 pm We need your household items and fresh baked goods! When cleaning, please set aside like-new, or gently-used items for our sale! Starting from now, all items can be delivered to the Church during week days from 9 am to 3 pm. BAKE SALE items can be brought in on Wednesday, July 8th, or Thursday morning, July 9th. VOLUNTEERS ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED the week of August 6-11, please come and help! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: It takes MANY of us to sort, price and get things ready for this huge project! PLEASE consider giving some of your time. We could use women, men, and older children to help! It s fun! ITEMS NEEDED: Furniture Bed Sheets, Linens, Blankets Kitchen Items Children s Clothes Toys Christmas Items Furniture JewelrY Tools Antiques Books Records OR ANYTHING! BAKE SALE: We need many baked goods! CHAIRPERSONS If you have any questions, please call: Paula Macris, or Helen Tsarwhas, THANK YOU! 24 Koinonia July & August 2018

25 ST. HARALAMBOS PHILOPTOCHOS JULY & AUGUST KOINONIA A HUGE THANK YOU! To all the Philoptochos ladies (and men) who worked so hard to provide pastries for our excellent Greek Fest again this year. All the food and pastries were delicious, and we received many compliments from everyone. CONGRATULATIONS to the Co-Chairmen, Mike Fakelis, Mike Paxos, and Peter Papadopulos, and the many, many volunteers who worked so hard to make our Greek Fest the BEST! NATIONAL CLERGY-LAITY CONFERENCE The National Clergy-Laity Conference will be held in Boston July 1 6, Mary Trifelos, Advisor, and I as President, will represent our Philoptochos. RUMMAGE SALE AUG. 9, 10, & 11 We are accepting your clean household items (no clothing, please) during July and the first week of August. Please call Paula Macris (330) or Helen Tsarwhas (330) to arrange a time and day to bring your items to the church. Also, we will need many volunteers to work in order to make this Rummage Sale Fundraiser a success. Please call Paula or Helen to volunteer your time. THANK YOU! FALL FUNDRAISER - SAVE THE DATE Please save the date for an exciting Fall Fundraiser planned by Co-Chairmen Christine and Natalia Kellamis and their committee for Saturday, November 3, 2018 in our Krassas Center. It will be a beautiful, innovative and unique Style Show with the theme WORLD OF FASHION. More details to come. SAINT PANTELEIMON COFFEE HOUR Our Philoptochos will again be sponsoring the Sunday Coffee Hour for our Patron Saint, Panteleimon, on Sunday, July 29, 2018 after the church Liturgy. FIRST PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING Our first Philoptochos meeting for the Ecclesiastical year will be Tuesday, September 4, AFTER LABOR DAY. Board meeting at 5 pm, General meeting at 6 pm. NEW MEMBERS ARE WELCOME! Respectfully, in His Name, Helen Tsarwhas, President Koinonia July & August

26 ST. HARALAMBOS PHILOPTOCHOS MOTHER S DAY DINNER 26 Koinonia July & august 2018

27 Koinonia July & august

28 ST. HARALAMBOS CHURCH COMMUNITY NEWS CONGRATULATIONS & BEST WISHES TO ALL! May your lives be filled with an abundance of God s blessings! BIRTHS ELLIE CHRISTINA PANTELIDES was born on May 15, Proud parents are Peter & Eleni (Lambos) Pantelides, and grandparents, Tasso & Beth Lambos, George & Frances Pantelides. GABRIELLA ANNA KALAITSIDES was born on May 24, 2018 Proud parents are Jordan & Maria (Paxos) Kalaitsides, and grandparents. Irene Kalaitsides, Costas & Eleni Paxos, BAPTISMS CONNOR NICHOLAS REGOPOULOS was baptized on May 5, He is the son of Paul & Angela (Guhl) Regopoulos. Godparents are Lambros & Brittany Paxos. MARIA STAPLETON was baptized on May 12, She is the daughter of Timothy & Marissa (Foradas) Stapleton. Godmother is Kristen (Foradas) Oakley. LIAM JOHN KOSMIDES was baptized on May 19, He is the son of John & Brooke (Haggerty) Kosmides. Godfather is Michael Kosmides. CHRISTIANA VALENTINA CARONA was baptized on May 19, She is the daughter of Matthew & Ashley (Gaitanos) Carona. Godparents are John & Sharon Regas.. ALANA KONSTANTINA GIALLOURAKIS was baptized on May 26, She is the daughter of Phillip & Allyse (Shaheen) Giallourakis. Godparents are Sarah (Michalos) Rispinto, and Nicholas Giallourakis. DAPHNE PARIS SMITH was baptized on May 23, She is the daughter of Chad & Maria (Apostolou) Smith. Godmother is Angela (Apostolou) Niro. CHRISMATION MICHAEL DEAN NICHOLS was chrismated on June 26, He is the fiancé of Francine Foradas Poulos. His sponsor was John Kellamis. Michael has been studying Orthodoxy for 7 years. WEDDINGS Congratulations and Best Wishes to Everyone! WILLIAM BALLAS & MARI LAURINE IAROCCI were married on April 21, Their Koumbaro is John Regopoulos. TIMOTHY STAPLETON & MARISSA FORADIS were married on May 12, Their Koumbaroi are Peter J. Foradas & Kristen (Foradas) Oakley. ANASTASIOS TSIKLES & EMMA COLEMAN were married on June 16, Their Koumbara is Barbara Kefalas. KOSTANTINOS NIKOLAOU & ARTEMIS SKLAVENITIS were married on June 30, Their Koumbaroi are Kosta Koufos & Eleni Bourlas. DEATH JENNIFER ESPINOSA passed on May 5, Our deepest condolences to her family. May her memory be eternal. In loving memory of our son Dimitri, Your birthday is coming, holidays pass and it seems unbelievable that it s been 10 years since God called up on you to join Him. Our dear son, we miss you more and more every day. And you stay in our thoughts always. Your smile and your face is so alive sometimes that I think that you are standing by my side. God bless your soul son, we love you always. Love, Mom and Dad THANK YOU! On behalf of Alexis Bournelis, we would like to thank all of the wonderful and caring individuals that have shown so much concern about her condition. The outpouring support and love that has been given to Alexis is overwhelming and it means so much to all of us. Your generosity to this cause by your donations, prayers and participation in the Transverse Myelitis Association Walk made it such a success. Keep her in your prayers! Thank You The Bournelis Family 28 Koinonia July & August 2018

29 ST. HARALAMBOS CHURCH COMMUNITY NEWS CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations Gentlemen! Savvas Bournelis has just been named the inaugural winner of the Hellenic College Humanities Paper Prize, a new award given by the faculty of the Literature and History program. A Religious Studies major, Savvas won the prize with his paper, "The Truth of the Sinking of the Lusitania," which argues that British and American agents engineered the sinking in 1918 to draw the United States into World War I. Dr. Demetrios Katos, Dean of Hellenic College, describes the paper as "full of eye-opening historical detail and heartbreaking insights into the machinations of man." Asked how he chose the subject of his paper, Savvas says, "The controversial mysteriousness surrounding the subject caught my interest, which grew more and more during the research process. Being recognized as the first-ever recipient of the Humanities Paper Prize is a humbling and exciting honor." SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Congratulations Everyone! HARRY THOMAS Vinny Arrigo Samantha Foradis KOURMOLIS Nicholas Regas Eleni Volas MEN S CLUB Nicholas Regas Eleni Volas Congratulations to Nicole Tank, a recipient of the 2018 Panhellenic Scholarship. She is one of twenty Greek American students, nationwide, to receive a scholarship based solely on academic achievement. Thomas Ballas has accepted a commission as a 2nd lieutenant and placement in the Army Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). This program offers medical professionals the opportunity to work within the military and gain worldclass experience in their given field. PHILOPTOCHOS FALL FUNDRAISER World of Fashion Style Show Anyone interested in donating a $25 gift card to ANY retail store of your choice for our Fashion Gift Card Board, or monetary donations, it would be much appreciated! Please contact Tina Wey, or Paula Papadopulos, All proceeds benefit the philanthropy of Philoptochos. NEW ADDRESS If you know of anyone who has moved recently, we will be most happy to place their new address in the Koinonia. NICKIE SIMITACOLOS Morning Glen Ct. Yulee, FL GREEK FEST INFO Photos from our Canton Greek Fest will appear in the September & October issue of the Koinonia. If you have any pans or other items from our Greek Fest, please return them back to the church. Thank you! FUN HELP NEEDED! If you have an hour or two a month that you can donate your time to the church for catering functions, please contact Linda Natale at Thank you! Koinonia July & August

30 CONGRATULATIONS 2018 GRADUATES! ERIN MICHELLE DOLPH Graduated from GlenOak High School. Erin will be attending the University of Toledo for Pre-Pharmacy. She is the daughter of Joseph and Margaret Dolph. YIANNI NEKTARIOS KANTZOS Graduated from Hoover High School. Yianni will be attending the University of Akron to study Bio Medical Engineering. He is the son of Nick and Janelle Kantzos. SAMANTHA FORADIS Graduated from GlenOak High School. Erin will be attending Kent State University to study Exercise Science/Pre-physical Therapy. She is the daughter of George and Carrie Foradis, granddaughter of Jim and Rena Cotopolis, and great-granddaughter of Helen Cotopolis. LEXI LAPE Graduated from Bexley High School, Columbus, OH. Lexi will be attending Ohio University for English/Creative Writing. She is the daughter of Steve and Kristiana Lape and granddaughter of Lanny & Sia Pope. NICHOLAS REGAS Graduated from Jackson High School, Summa Cum Laude. Nick will be attending The Ohio State University for Economics & Psychology and later pursue a post graduate Behavioral Economics degree. He will run on their cross country, field and track teams. He is the son of John and Sharon Regas, grandson of Sophocle and Patricia Regas. ANDREW DONALD TURNER Andrew graduated from Sycamore High School, Cincinnati, Ohio. Andrew will be attending the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. He is the son of Kent and Carolyn Turner, grandson of George and Patti Demis, great-grandson of the late Tony and Carolyn Spilios. ELENI MARIA VOLAS Graduated from Hoover High School. She will be attending the Ohio State University Her field of future study is Medicine. She is the daughter of Peter and Joanna Volas, granddaughter of Costa & Eleni Paxos, and Eugene and Katherine Volas. EMMA COLEMAN TSIKLES Graduated from Northeast Ohio Medical University in May with her Doctorate of Pharmacy. Emma is the wife of Taso Tsikles and daughter-in-law of John and Gigi Tsikles. DETRIA LYNN KASIE EUSTATHIOS Graduated from Xavier University, Anthony Munoz Foundation, Cum Laude, with a BS in Business Administration, a specialty in Human Resources and Recruiting with a Minor in French. She is the daughter of William and Jeanne Eustathios and granddaughter of Louis and Bonnie Eustathios. 30 Koinonia July & August 2018

31 SAINT HARALAMBOS CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL Recognition Awards 2018 with Father Nick I AM AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN Koinonia July & August

32 SAINT HARALAMBOS CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School Recognition Sunday - May 20, 2018 The following awards were presented: 5 th Grade Students: All students received an Orthodox Study Bible. They are as follows: Amelia Colón, Giovanni Foradis, Arianna Parker, Eva Winn Myrrh Bearers: The following girls participated as Myrrh Bearers on Good Friday evening. Each received a gift. Thank you, girls! Amelia Colón, Emily Hallaman, Paisia Kantzos, Hannah Shiepis, Gia Tzouloufis, Yeorgia Zenallis 8 th Grade Students: Each received a Holy Week book. They are as follows: Emmanuel Colon, Elaina Norris, Ava Rocco, Luke Sarris, Ariana Tsenekos High School Graduates: All who have successfully completed the program through their senior year of high school by regular class attendance received a graduation certificate and gift. They are as follows: Samantha Foradis, Yianni Kantzos, Nick Regas, Eleni Volas Laura Anne Dieringer Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship was established for students who have successfully completed instruction through their senior year. The requirements for the scholarship are each student be registered, in good standing by attending SS class regularly, enrolled in an institution of higher learning, and submit an essay of how he/she has grown in their Orthodox Faith through Sunday School attendance. A copy of their essays is included in this issue of the Koinonia. Bravo, girls, and God bless! Congratulations to the recipients of the $300 scholarship: Samantha Foradis and Eleni Volas Special Announcements: The Sunday School is happy to announce that each of our twenty-four (24) students who plan to attend Camp Nazareth this summer will receive a $100 gift toward their fee. This year three of our students will also attend the Ionian Village in Greece. Sunday School happily provided each of them with a $100 gift toward their expenses. They are as follows: Nick Regas, Dean Sarris and Michael Stamaton. We continue to encourage all our children to participate in these programs, wish them all Godspeed and God Bless! Merit Awards: These awards are based on teacher recommendations and given solely at the discretion of the teacher. Students earn this award by regular class attendance, participation in class, as well as class behavior. First year award recipients received a merit pin, all others received bars which specify second, third year award, etc. and are added each year to the pin. They received a certificate and gift. First Year Award: Julia Apostalides Yanni Loukas Anna Spilios Second Year Award: Emily Hallaman Paisia Kantzos Milan Kragalott Hannah Shiepis Gia Tzouloufis Alexia Zenallis Amelia Colón Emma DeAngelis Third Year Award: Dimitri Bahas Thaddeus Fakelis Yianni Kantzos Ava Rocco Olivia Rocco Eva Winn Fourth Year Award: George Sotiropoulos Kostas Paxos 32 Koinonia July & August 2018

33 Fifth Year Award: Erin Foradis Nicholas Hallaman Markos Kantzos Kosta Volas Zoe Yatras Sixth Year Award: Kenna Loukas Kylie Tsenekos Seventh Year Award: Aliki Kantzos Jonathan Machamer Alexa Nastoff Yanni Volas Tenth Year Award: Alex Regas Eleni Volas Excellent Attendance Awards: The following students maintained excellent attendance throughout the year. They received a certificate and gift. Pre-Kindergarten: Lexi Bournelis Kindergarten: Sophia Bournelis Olympia Loukas 1 ST /2 ND Grade: Julia Apostalides Yanni Loukas Yeorgia Zenallis 3 rd /4 th Grade: Paisia Kantzos 5 th /6 th Grade: Nicholas Hallaman Kenna Loukas Junior High School Kosta Volas High School Aliki Kantzos Markos Kantzos Yianni Kantzos Alexa Nastoff Eleni Volas Yanni Volas At the conclusion of the ceremony, each student received a promotion certificate and special gift. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL! Parents, if your child s name is on any of the above lists and you were not in church on May 20 th, please see us in the Sunday School office. Also, if any students names were inadvertently omitted from this article, please accept our apology. Special thanks to all our wonderful teachers for their commitment and dedication to our program: 2-3 year olds: Joanna Volas, Stephanie Nastoff 3 rd /4 th Grade: Linda Natale Pre-Kindergarten: Stephanie Machamer, Diane Foster 5 th /6 th Grade: Tula Pirovolos Kindergarten: Tina Wey, Paula Papadopulos Junior High: Angela Vagotis, Virginia Ballas 1 st /2 nd Grade: Stephanie Withers assisted by High School: Niki Strohmenger, John Kellamis Samantha Foradis and Leah Bench Office: Roseann Eustathios, Kathy Hardesty, Stephanie Likouris, Stella Vallos On behalf of our teachers and staff we thank you for your continued support of our program and look forward to another successful year beginning in September. Have a safe, fun, restful summer and God bless. Respectfully in His Name, Mary Griveas, Director Koinonia July & August

34 SAINT HARALAMBOS SUNDAY SCHOOL LAURA ANNE DIERINGER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 2018 RECIPIENT SAMANTHA FORADIS - ESSAY 34 Koinonia July & August 2018

35 SAINT HARALAMBOS SUNDAY SCHOOL LAURA ANNE DIERINGER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 2018 RECIPIENT ELENI VOLAS - ESSAY Koinonia July & August

36 2018 STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE CARDS SUBMITTED ABEL,FRANK ANDERSON, JOHN & EMILY ANDERSON, JOSEPH ANDERSON, FLORA ANDERSON, HARRIET & INGOLD, EARL APOSTALIDES, MICHAEL & HELEN APOSTALIDES, PETER & CRYSTAL APOSTOLOU, PARIS & DENA ARMATAS, DENISE ARMATAS, HELEN ARMATAS, PHILLIP & LAUREN ARMATAS, STEVE & FRAN ARMATAS, STEVEN A. ARRIGO, MICHAEL ARRIGO, VINCE & STEPHANIE ARRIGO, VINNY BAHAS, ALEXANDER BAHAS, NICHOLE BAHAS, JOHN & DENA BAHAS, JOHN CONSTANTINE BALLAS, NICHOLAS & VIRGINIA BARGIDES, JUDY BASIAKOS, STAVROS & MARIA BELLIOS, JOHN & DENISE BENCH, GEORGIA & STEVE BENJAMIN, ANTHONY & GEORGANNE BOKA, STEPHANIE & MICHAEL BOLON, GUY & TINA BOURNELIS, PETER & MARCIA BOWMAN, MELODY BOZEKA, HELEN BOZEKA, HELEN V. CALANDROS, GEORGE & RACHEL CALANDROS, LOUIS & MARIA CALANDROS, MICHAEL CAPOCCI, JOHN & CAROL CARPENTER, CATHERINE CAZANTZES, TOM CHAGAROS, IRENE CHRISANTHUS, ALICE CHRIST, ALEX CHRIST, ALEXANDER CHRIST, ANN CHRIST, ELAINE CONKLIN, BRIAN & MARIA CONKLIN, TYLER CONTOS, COSTA & LULA CONTES, NICK COTOPOLIS, HELEN COTOPOLIS, JAMES & RENA COTOPOLIS, JAMES & TINA COTOPOLIS, NICK COVERT, CONSTANTINA CUNDIFF, RYAN & ELEFTERIA DARRAH, DEAN DARRAH, RON A. & JANET DARRAH, RONALD R. & KATHERINE DELIS, ANTHONY DEMIS, GEORGE & PATRICIA DEMOS, DEMETRA DIAMANT, STEVEN DIERINGER, JAMES & KATHY DOLPH, JOSEPH & MARGARET EFFANTIS, SOPHIA ESBER, ELENI EUSTATHIOS, EVELYN EUSTATHIOS, LOUIS & BONNIE EUSTATHIOS, NICK AND ROSEANNE FAKELIS, CLARA FAKELIS, JOHN & DINA FAKELIS, KOSTANDINOS & MARIA FAKELIS, MICHAEL & STEFANIE FALASCO, MATTHEW FARAH, CONSTANTIN & RANDA FASOULAS, NIOVE FELTZ, MARY & RON FERENCZ, LISA FILLIS, TED & ANN FOGEL, SUSAN & GARY FORADAS, DIANE FORADAS, GEORGE & SOPHIA FORADAS, JOHN & SUSAN FORADIS, GEORGE & CARRIE FRANGOS, MICHELLE FRONIMOPOULOS, STEVE FRUSTACI, MARCELLO & EFTIHIA GABRIELE, GIULIO & GEORGENE GAITANOS, MARIO & ANGELA GAITANOS, PETROS & ATHANASIA GAMVAS, FATHER NICHOLAS GIALLOURAKIS, PHILLIP & ALYSSE GIANAKIS, IRENE GIUSTINO, MIKE & OLGA GLASSER, CYNTHIA & PETE GOUTRAS, GUST & LORA GRAF, CHRISTOPHER & MARIA GRIVEAS, MARY GUIST, GARY & CONSTANCE HADJIAN, MARY HALLAMAN, DAVID & LISA HATZAKIS, PEGGY HILL, FRANK & CAROLYN HINKEL, MARY HORAITIS, NICK & NICKI KAKOULES, MICHAEL & HARITINA KAKOULES, NICHOLAS KALANTZIS, PETER & GEORGIA KALLOS, MARY A. KALOGERAS, RENA KANDIS, SAKES & EFSEVIA KANTZOS, NICK & JANELLE KAPALKO, KATHERINE KAPLANIS, ARIS & MARCIA KARALIS, NICK & ROSEMARY KARAVAS, ANGELA KARAVAS, IRENE KARIPIDES, MIKE KARIS, ATHENE KARPINSKI, DAVID & JOANNA KELLAMIS, CHRIS & ELBUS KELLAMIS, CHRISTIAN KELLAMIS, DAUNIA KELLAMIS, JIM KELLAMIS, JOHN & CHRISTINE KELLAMIS, NATALIA KIMINAS, AXOTHEA KIRMAN, GEORGIA KLEON, POPEY KLIDE, SOPHIE KOEHLER, ERIC & DIMITRA KONSTANTACOS, VIOLETTA KOSKOVICH, PAUL & CYNTHIA KOSMIDES, JOHN & ANNA KOSMIDES, JOHN D. & BROOKE KOSMIDES, MICHAEL & JENNIFER KOURIS, NICK & THEODORA KOUROUNIOTIS, THEODORE & HEIDI KOUTRAS, ANTHONY & JANICE KOUTRAS, GEORGIA KOUTRAS, JOHN & GINA KOVACH, TEPPIE KRAGALOTT, SAMUEL & MARIETTA KREAREAS, PHANOULA LAMBOS, TASSO & BETH LAMBROU, NICHOLAS & BARBARA LAMBROU, TASIA LANGOS, JAMES LAZORAN, MICHAEL & KAREN LEMOS, EFTICHIA LIKOURIS, ARIANNA LIKOURIS, CASSANDRA LIKOURIS, MARIA LIKOURIS, TRIANTAFILOS & STEPHANIE LOUKAS, JOHN & CYNTHIA LOUKAS, NICHOLAS & SHELLY MACRIS, PAULA MAMMONE, OLGA MANNOS, JAMES & CATHY MANOS, CHRISTOPHER & TIFFANY MANOS, GOLDIE MANOS, MARY MANOS, SOPHIE MANOS, WILLIAM & LOIS MANUSELIS, GEORGE & KATHERINE MANUSELIS, JOSEPH MANUSELIS, NICK MANUSELIS, PETER MARINOS, HARRIET McCULLOUGH, CHARLES & PENNY MEDER, RICHARD & HELEN MICHALOS, LEAH MICHALOS, PETER & CAROLYN MILLER, DAVID MILLER, MICHAEL MIZERES, ARLENE MORAKIS, TED MORGAN, MICHAEL & DESPINA NASTOFF, MICHAEL & STEPHANIE NATALE, LINDA & DONALD NICHOLAS, WILLIAM & JOANNE NIKOLAOU, GEORGE & DINA NIKOLAOU, KONSTANTINOS G. NIRO, PETER & ANGELA NOUSSIAS, MARIA OAKLEY, KRISTEN & JOHN OLSON, KRISSA & CHRISTOPHER ORLANDO, FRANK & PATRICIA ORPHAN, SOPHIA ORPHAN, STEPHANIE 36 Koinonia July & August 2018

37 2018 STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE CARDS SUBMITTED PAGONIS, GEORGENE PALMER, ANASTASIA PALMER, PETER & PAULA PALMER, PETER G. PANAGOPOULOS, PAUL & DARLENE PANOPOULOS, CHRIST & MELISSA PANOPOULOS, PHILLIP & HEATHER PAPADOPULOS, PAULA PAPADOPULOS, PETER PAPPAKOSTAS, STACEY PAPPAS, ANNETTE PARADIS, SCOTT & EVA PARKER, GLORIA PAVLIS KAREN PAXOS, ALEXIA PAXOS, ANNA PAXOS, COSTAS & ELENI PAXOS, LAMBROS & BRITTANY PAXOS, MIHAIL & GEORGIA PAXOS, MIKE & MARIA PAXOS, NICHOLAS PAXOS, NICK & LINDA PAXOS, STEVE & KELLY PETRIDES, GEORGE & BARBARA PIROVOLOS, DEAN & DEMETRA PIROVOLOS, MICHAEL PIROVOLOS, NICHOLAS PIROVOLOS, STEPHEN & KELSEY POLITIS, CHRISTOS & SOPHIA POLITIS, MARIA POLITIS, MICHAEL POPE, JEFFREY POPE, LANNY & SIA POULOS, BILL III POULOS, BILL Jr & ANTONIETTA POULOS, ELAINE POULOS, FRANCINE POULOS, JOHN A POULOS, SAMUEL PRENDES, MATTHEW & KATIE RALLES, PAULINE RALLES, PENELOPE RAMPHOS, NICK & EROS REGAS, JOHN & SHARON REGAS, SOPHOCLES & PATRICIA REGOPOULOS, JOHN REGOPOULOS, NICK & CHARRIE RISPINTO, DAVID & SARAH ROSSETTI, NIKKI RUTTER, JAMES & GRETCHEN SARRIS, MICHAEL & ALLISON SEMEDO, PEGGY SAKEL, STEPHANIE & JAMES SAKELLARIOU, ALEXIOS SAKELLARIOU, JOHN & VICKY SHIEPIS, GEORGE & SHARI SIMINGES, CAROL SIMITACOLOS, ELPINICKIE SIRGO, DAVID & JOANNA SKENDELAS, STEPHEN SKENDELAS, WILLIAM & NICOLETTA SKLAVENITIS, ARTEMIS SKLAVOUNOS, KELLY SMITH, CHAD & MARIA SOTIROPOULOS, GEORGE & VOULA SOUSARIS, DOLLY SPILIOS, MARY SUE SPILIOS, REBECCA SPYROU, ALEXANDROS SPYROU, PANAGIOTIS & FRANCESCA SPYROU, STEFANOS STAMATAKIS, CATHERINE STAMATELOPOULOS, JOHN & SOULA STAMATON, KALI STAMATON, SOFIA STAMATON, WILLIAM STAVRAKIS, MARY STAVRAKIS, THEODORA STAVRIANOU, CHRIS ANNE STAVRIANOU, PAUL & TONYA STERGIADES, JOHN & ANTONIA STILIANOS, GEORGIA STROHMENGER, DRU STROHMENGER, ELIOT STROYMENGER, GEORGEANNA STROHMENGER, NIKI & WILLIAM TANK, ALEXANDRA & BRAD TANK, NICOLE TATARIDES, NICOLE THOMAS, VONDALEEN TRIFELOS, DAN & CAROL TRIFELOS, MARY TRIKKAS, GEORGE & GEORGIA TSANGEOS, BETTY TSANGEOS, JOHN & ANNE TSARWHAS, HELEN TSENEKOS, DINO & OLGA TSENEKOS, GEORGE & IRENE TSENEKOS, NICHOLAS & MICHELLE TSIKLES, TASOS TZOULOUFIS, DENNIS & ARISTEA TZOULOUFIS, TAKIS USNER, JACK & SOPHIE VAGOTIS, ANGELA VALLOS, ANTHONY & BETHANY VALLOS, CHRIS & STELLA VALLOS, CHRISTOPHER VALLOS, ELAINE VALLOS, JIM & EFFIE VALLOS, JOHN H VALLOS, VICTORIA VARAVVAS, ANTHONY & DIANE VARLAMOS, CAROLYN VLAHOS, CLEOPATRA VLAHOS, HARRY & BESSIE VOLAS, EUGENE & KATHERINE VOLAS, EVAN & ROULA VOLAS, PETER & JOANNA VRETAS, ANDREA VRETAS, CHRISTINA VRETAS, JAMES & KATHRYN VRETAS, THOMAS VUTETAKIS, JAMES XIDES, DEMETRI XIDES, ELLIE XIDES, NANCEY YAGELLO, CHERYL YATRAS, JOHN & LYDIA WAIKEM, CRAIG & PARASKEVI WEY, TINA & ANTHONY WITHERS, BILL & STEPHANIE WITHERS, NICHOLAS ZENALLIS, ALEX & AMY ZENALLIS, GEORGIA ZOUMBERAKIS, ERICK & CAITLIN ZOUMBERAKIS, STEVE & ANGIE THANK YOU TO EVERONE FOR SUMITTING YOUR PLEDGE CARD FOR 2018! THESE TWO PAGES ARE THE MOST CURRENT ROSTER AS OF If you do not see your name on this list, please submit your card a.s.a.p. If you have submitted your card, and your name is not on this list, please contact the church office, , #0, WE KINDLY THANK YOU! Koinonia July & August

38 JULY BIRTHDAYS St. Haralambos Church AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 1 Christina Covert 2 Alexis Kramer Kerissa Shiepis Phaidra Sotiropoulos John Stamaelopoulos 3 William J. Manos 4 Justin Brown Christopher Cotopolis Michelle Tsenekos 6 John Capocci 7 George Demis Anna Kosmides 8 Aliki Kantzos 9 Maria Calandros Francine Chuchanis Christopher Kreareas Matthew Prendes 10 Dena Bahas Nicholas Hallaman 12 Randa Farah 13 Theodore Morakis Christina Vretas 14 Sandy Bozeka Constantin Farah Sophia Kosmides Nicholas Lambrou James Vutetakis 15 Robert Gruber 16 Anthony Bozeka Elizabeth Conrad Sophia Kreareas 17 Gina Frangias Lora Goutras 18 Eva Kandis Carol Siminges Stephanie Withers 19 Marcello Frustaci Nicholas Tsenekos 20 Sophia Klide Matthew Machamer Peter Papadopulos Takis Tzouloufis 22 Dimitra Koehler Annette Pappas Amy Zenallis 23 Dean Christ Stephanie Kovach Brittany Paxos Effie Vallos 25 Lula Contos 26 Christina Polychronis Lisa Ferencz Frank Hill John Loukas Cleo Vlahos 27 Vicky Sakellariou Dan Trifelos 28 Jordan Dolph Stephanie Sakel 29 Denise Armatas George Shiepis Maria Smith Barbara Sotiropoulos 30 Joanne Nicholas 31 Gary Guist Marietta Kragalott Linda Paxos George Tzouloufis! M A N Y Y E A R S! 1 John Machamer Luke Morgan 2 Steve Diamant Irene Karavas 3 Nikki Abel Ross DeAngelis Theodora Stavrakis Stamatia Topalidis 4 Nick Karalis 5 James Cotopolis Eleni Manos Carolyn Varlamos 6 Suzanne Bourlas Brian Conklin Matthew Falasco Kimmie Kalogeras Shari Shiepis 7 Georganne Benjamin Efsevia Kandis Bill Poulos Jr. 8 Marcia Kaplanis Elias Politis Panagiota Tzouloufis 9 Tyler Conklin Cynthia Loukas Stella Vallos 10 Jacob Graf Anthony Morgan Nicholas Regas 11 Chris Kramer Anthony Rispinto Allison Sarris David Sirgo 12 Amanda Griveas James Langos Joseph Orlando Stephen Pirovolos 13 Cynthia Fastrich Tasos Kalantzis Nikki Lyndaker Patricia Yelichek 14 Matthew Carona Nicole DeAngelis 15 Lambros P. Paxos 16 Milan Kragalott Sophia Orphan 17 Sophia Effantis Juliana Kreareas John Sakellariou Tina Wey 18 Tiffany Manolakis Evelyn Oakley Annamaria Zenallis 19 Erin Foradis Anna Spilios 20 Marissa DiGiacomo Pamela Gaitanos Peter Manuselis Sophie Usner 21 Cassandra Iriarte Leah Michalos Mary Sue Spilios 22 Louis Eustathios Roula Kallos John Kalogeras Malaina Paradis Brittany Zoumberakis 23 Peggy Hatzakis 24 Linda Millis 25 Elaina Norris 26 Ariana Parker John Poulos Peggy Semedo 27 John Kellamis Constance Ray Nancy Xides 29 Mary Feltz Earl Ingold 31 Lauren Armatas Brian Norris 38 Koinonia July & August 2018

39 MISSED PARISHIONERS Below is a list of some of our members of our church family who are not able to attend church. Thoughtful visits and cards are always welcome! If you know of someone who would like to be on this list, please notify the church office. Thank you and may God bless all of you! ALTERCARE OF HARTVILLE 1420 Smith Kramer Rd.. Hartville, OH MARY ROULA KALLOS BETHANY NURSING HOME th St. N.W. Canton, OH JOHN & ANNE TSANGEOS CANTON CHRISTIAN HOME 2550 Cleveland Ave. N.W. Canton, OH MIKE KARIPIDES SYLVIA MAVRAKIS CANTON REGENCY nd St. N.W. Canton, OH ANGELO BOZEKAS THE DANBURY OF NORTH CANTON 181 Applegrove St. N.E. No. Canton, OH CHRISTOS CHRIST THE INN AT BELDEN VILLAGE th St. N.W. Canton, OH DONNA BOZEKA DIANE FORADAS HARRIET MARINOS THE INN AT UNIVERSITY VILLAGE 2650 Ohio State Dr. S.E. Massillon, OH MARY MANOLAS THE LANDING OF CANTON 4550 Hills & Dales Rd. Canton, OH HELEN COTOPOLIS MEADOW WIND HEALTH CARE CTR rd St. N.E. Massillon, OH, HARRY MURUTES SANCTUARY GRANDE 850 Applegrove St. N.E. No. Canton, OH PHANOULA KREAREAS ST. LUKE LUTHERAN COMMUNITY 220 Applegrove St. N.E. No. Canton, OH ANNA ECONOMOU ADAM SOUSARIS HARRIET TRIKILAS WINDSOR ASSISTED LIVING 1454 East Maple St. No. Canton, OH ROGER SHOOK OUT OF TOWN c/o Rick & Joni Byers 7949 Princewood Dr. Hudson, OH IRENE LAGGERIS THE INN AT BEAR TRAIL 8199 Monroe Dr., Suite 207 Lewis Center, OH ANN SIMATACOLOS St. Haralambos Church Altar Boy Schedule Thank you to all of our Altar Boys for your dedication to our Lord! TEAM A Dean Sarris Markos Kantzos Emmanuel Colón Luke Sarris George Sotiropoulos Yianni Sotiropoulos TEAM B Louis Varlamos Fotis Vonortas Steven Zoumberakis Milan Kragalott Viktor Yagello PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Please be ready to start at 9:45 a.m. TEAM A - JULY 1 TEAM B - JULY 8 & 29 AUGUST 5 AUGUST 12 TEAM C - JULY 15 TEAM D - JULY 22 AUGUST 19 AUGUST 26 TEAM C Michael Stamaton Derek Manos Alexander Regas Nicholas Hallaman Yanni Loukas TEAM D Yanni Volas Kosta Volas Anthony Morgan Luke Morgan Kostas Paxos Minas Paxos Zachary Volas

40 St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church th Street N.W. Canton, OH Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Canton, Ohio Permit No Welcome! THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS (Virgin Mary) AUGUST 15 THE ICON THE THEOTOKOS (Virgin Mary) Depicted upon her funeral bier. CHRIST Standing behind the Theotokos is her Son, Who has come to receive His Mother s soul into heaven; He holds in His left arm an infant in white, symbolizing the soul of the Theotokos, Christ also is robed in white and appears in an aureole depicting the Light of His Divinity. THE APOSTLES On either side of the bier stand the Apostles; the group on the left is led by Saint Peter who stands at the head of the bier; the group on the right is led by Saint Paul who stands at the foot of the bier. ANTONINUS THE JEW Below the bir is a figure of Antoninus the Jew. Being an impious man he tried to discredit the new Christian community by disrupting the burial of the Theotokos. When he attempted to overturn the bier and thus dishonor the Theotokos, anarchangel (shown in the lower right corner) severed his hands to stop his disgrace. Antoninus later repented of his sins and embraced Christianity through Baptism.