The Voice MAY John 1:23 I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord.

Transcript

1 PARISH COUNCIL President: George Spirakis Vice President: Sam Stathos Secretary: Takis Michalos Treasurer: Jack Demtrak Asst. Treasurer: George Moustakis Member: Chris Arakas Member: George J. Karukas Member: Jimmy Lambrinos Member: Mike Merisotis Member: David Radomsky PHILOPTOCHOS President: Loretta Siotka 1st Vice President: Angie Spyralatos 2nd Vice President: Veatriki Vrantsis Treasurer: Angie Spyralatos Corresponding Secretary: Anna Kouis Recording Secretary: Amy Castanes Advisor: Linda Moustakis The Voice John 1:23 I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord. ACTIVITY CONTACTS Choir Director Ann Bazar GOYA Advisors George Karukas Michael Dunn Penny Vlandis Hall Promoter Scheduling Hall Events Cheryl Cox JOY & Hope Advisor Amy Castanes Koliva Preparation Maria Veselinovich Tim Groza Scheduling ~ Coffee Hour/Prosforon Linda Moustakis Sunday Greeters Anna Kouis Thee Holy Nook Philoptochos Gift Shop Adrianne Finn Youth Director Mike Merisotis MAY 2011 St. John the Baptist Phone: Fax: office@stjohn-mb.org Father Angelo C. Pappas, Parish Priest frangelo@stjohn-mb.org

2 Page 2 Message from Father Angelo: CHRISTOS ANESTI!!!! Pascha The Day of the Resurrection has arrived. The promise of our Lord has been fulfilled!!! In the Liturgy of St. Basil, one of the prayers reads, So He became the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep, the first born of the dead, that He might be Himself the first in all things. Now I m sure that following this statement, and based upon your knowledge of the New Testament, you re probably asking, what about Jarius daughter, or the widow s son or even Lazaros, why are they not considered, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep, or the first born of the dead? The difference is that Jesus resurrected these individuals. Yet, on Pascha, we experience the Resurrection of our Lord Himself! He died on the Cross, through His own free will, as well as Resurrecting, by HIS OWN FREE WILL! My friends, we celebrate Pascha, not as a remembrance or a commemoration. We as Orthodox Christians, testify that Christ is alive and with us and that we are alive with Him! It is the day of happiness and joy. Pascha is not merely the declaration of War upon death, but it is the destruction of darkness. Rev. Fr. Alexander Schmemann, of Blessed Memory said, Christ Himself, and this means God Himself, love itself, descends into the grave to encounter death face to face in order to annihilate it and to give us the eternal life God created us to possess. My brothers and sisters, we as human beings ponder over death. And there are those who would simply tell you that religion exists for the sole purpose of rationalizing immortal life. That, when we die, we re just going through a scientific cycle of life. The difference my friends between a non-believer and a person of faith, is that we do not try to reconcile death, as Schmemann writes, but, as Christians, we are fighting it and overcoming it. Through Jesus Christ this is possible. With men this is impossible, but, with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). Mankind finds it difficult to explain certain things in life, for example: creation, the universe, our mere existence. We are limited because we place boundaries upon our thoughts and concepts. If we can t explain it, we look for a scientific explanation, yet fail to understand our own short-comings and limited amount of knowledge. Our Faith allows us to transcend the normal mundane understanding of the world and allows us to raise our hearts and minds into eternal life free of any self made barricades that we have built within ourselves. This is what Pascha is: It is Freedom, It is Joy, It is Happiness. It is Eternal Life. It is Life in Jesus Christ. On behalf of my family and myself, Christos Anesti! Alethos Anesti! Fr. Angelo

3 Message from our Parish Council President: Dear Parishioners, Christos Anesti!. I hope everyone had a joyous Easter. I would like to thank all who volunteered with the fish fry, the Palm Sunday dinner and the Church picnic. It is because of you that these events were a success. The academic school year for both Sunday School and Greek School will be coming to an end shortly. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the teachers and parents who helped make this year a success for our children. Our children are the future of the church and their education is something we should all participate in for it truly does take a village to raise a child. Please be looking in future monthly news letters to see when the planning periods for next school year will take place. I would also like to take this opportunity to once again thank AHEPA for their financial support for the community. If Respectfully, you have not taken the time to fill out a Stewardship card please do so. Remember that Stewardship is not just a financial gift but also a gift of your time for the glory or God. Should you have any questions about Stewardship please contact George N. Spirakis myself, Father Angelo or Sam Stathos. Page 3 If you have not signed up for the annual Golf tournament please do so. Should you need any information about the event you can contact Jimmy Arakas or George Moustakis. Once again, it is time to start to prepare for this years festival. The first festival meeting will take place Wednesday May 18, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the Church Hall. Please mark it on your calendar to attend. All chair positions are open and we will take the opportunity at this meeting to fill them. Please come and be a part of our biggest fund raiser of the year. As always it will take all of us to have a successful festival. As always I wish everyone well, much health and love in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Message from our Youth Director: Dear Parishioners, Christ is Risen! We are so very thankful for all the blessings we have had in our Youth Ministries this year. As we wind down toward summer, the following is the plan for our Youth for the month of May: Greek School/ Family Night: Greek School and Family Night activities will be held on Wednesday evenings from 4:30-7:00PM ending on May 25th. We want to thank our wonderful teachers, Kυρία Irene Sfougaritsos and Kυρία Maria Gavrilis. Also, thank you Kυρία Penny Vlandis for organizing our PTO. And, we want to thank Kυρία Eleni Gabriel for helping out with the young children. Thanks to the Willett family who coordinated our meals every Wednesday evening. We want to extend a very special thank you to the Daughters of Penelope for their generous gift. Thanks to all the parents, grandparents, friends and family who helped make this a successful year in our Greek School. We hope to expand our Greek School more and more in the coming year! Sunday School: Sunday School (Catechism) classes will end June 5, We want to thank our wonderful teachers, Miss Michelle Michalos, Miss Tammy Merisotis, Miss Becky Bigart, Miss Effie Akerlund, and Mr. George Karukas. The girls did a wonderful job during Holy Week as Myrofores! The Sunday School wishes a Happy Mothers Day to all and want to thank all the mothers, fathers, and grandparents who brought their children in for Catechism. Let us grow more this fall! Don t forget to join us for the annual GOYA talent show! Details are in the GOYA article in this newsletter. Congratulations to our high school graduates! This fall Torrie Dunn will be attending the College of Charleston and Stephanie Vlandis will be attending Wofford College. Please let the Church office know if there are any additional graduates we are not aware of. We are very proud of you and wish you all the best! We would like to establish lines of communication in addition to the monthly and weekly newsletters. We are asking everyone to send your addresses to Michael.merisotis@stjohn-mb.org as well as to follow us on the Church Facebook page so we may keep you updated with youth related information over the summer. We start up again in September. See you then! Mike Merisotis

4 Page 4 Message from our Philoptochos President: Dear Friends. CHRISTOS ANESTI! ALITHOS ANESTI! The month of May marks the end of our Philoptochos two-year term of office for Board members from , and it is time to look back and also look ahead as we continue to work for the good of our Orthodox Church and Community in an ever changing world. As President during these two years, I give thanks to God for the opportunity to serve, and to my fellow Board members -- Angie Spyralatos, Veatriki Vrantsis, Amy Castanes, Anna Kouis, Dena Platingos and Linda Moustakis -- as well as to all chapter members and fellow parishioners. Words cannot express my appreciation for your great generosity of spirit and loyal support. Fr. Konstantine and Fr. Regis have served Philoptochos ably as Spiritual Advisors during , and now we continue to move forward in commitments and outreach with Fr. Angelos in the name of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. PAST HIGHLIGHTS include contributing to National commitments such as: Vasilopita to benefit Saint Basil Academy; Social Services; Cancer Fund; Autism Assistance; Saint Photios Shrine; Orthodox Christian Mission Center; Hellenic College Holy Cross; International Orthodox Christian Charities; Orthodox Christian Fellowship; Retired Clergy & Widowed Presbyteres; National Philoptochos Emergency Fund; Ecumenical Patriarchate; UNICEF and General Medical Fund to name a few. A National total of almost $1.4 million was donated in the 2010 calendar year alone, thanks to the help of our community. We remain committed to these projects. At the Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos level, our parishioners also supported many charitable projects, including clergy education, children s hospitals, philanthropy, and youth. In 2009 we were able to successfully pursue a $22,000 grant to further neuroblastoma research at Children s Hospital at MUSC in Charleston. Locally, through the efforts of Philoptochos, we have been able to assist individuals in need (food, utilities, medical) through outreach beyond the community, dependent in part on the Helping Hand donation basket at every Sunday Coffee Hour. We have supported Coastal SC Chapter of the American Red Cross, Grand Strand Blue Star Mothers; Horry County Literacy Council, as well as to organized food banks, etc. Philoptochos regularly lends support to our St. John community projects through Church stewardship, annual Greek Festival program ads, golf tournament holes and educational scholarships; we help out at Meals on Wheels one week every month and provide scheduling for Sunday coffee hours among other things We have planted four olive trees in 2010 and 2011 to honor our loved ones for Mother s Day and Father s Day, and to help the environment; we have also collectively filled health kits for disaster victims in Japan, Thanksgiving food baskets, weekend backpack snacks at Help 4 Kids, and gift bags for the homeless and those in need at Christmas; also donations of clothing and household items to CASA and volunteer work at Associate Charities. We will keep our promise to continue to help others, thanks to you, our fellow parishioners. Most recently, Philoptochos members voted to assist less fortunate women prepare for job interviews and employment by donating clean, used suits, dresses, blouses, slacks, skirts, shoes and accessories to promote confidence and professional well-being. Since our Philiptochos April 6 th General Meeting, it has been learned that Goodwill Industries works to promote job training and job placement opportunities for entry-level positions in the community at Goodwill Job Link Centers. At our next and final General Meeting before summer break (May 4 th ), we will have a guest speaker from Goodwill by the name of Janet Kidwell. Janet will tell us how we can be of help to women outside our doors in their quest to better their lives in today s job market with greater dignity and confidence. LOOKING TO THE NEXT TWO YEARS ( ): After the elections to be held on May 4 th, there will be a different slate of officers to serve Philoptochos. Some faces will be familiar, others will be brand new. Six qualified candidates who have agreed to serve include: Anna Kouis, Linda Moustakis, Irene Sfougaristos, Loretta Siotka, Nina Smith, and Maria Veselinovich thus far; nominations of members in good standing will be accepted from the floor at the meeting. We thank Maria Kiser, who has graciously agreed to serve as Election Chairman at the Meeting, and also Nomination Committee members Lorraine Birbilis and Mary Grell for their important roles. The newly-elected Board members will then be sworn in by Fr. Angelos and officers (President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary) will be chosen among the new Board members; ratification by the National office will follow. Again, thank you for this honor to have served as President of the Saint Paraskevi Chapter of the Ladies Philoptochos Society. May God continue to bless us in His service. Your Sister in Christ,

5 Page 5 Message from our GOYAns: SAVE THE DATE!! Our GOYA will hold their 2nd Annual Talent Show and Dinner on Saturday, May 14th at 6:00 PM. - Doors open at 5:00 PM - Dinner is served at 6:00 PM - Show starts at 6:30 PM Admission : $10.00 Adults / $5.00 Children 12 and under The GOYA will hold their May meetings on May 4th and May 18th at 6:00 PM. My Big Fat Greek Talent Show rehearsals will be held on May 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th, 11th and 13th. See George Karukas for rehearsal times. The GOYA continues to seek ways to earn money to attend retreats. We are interested in doing yard work for anyone for a nominal fee. If you are interested in hiring us to do your spring yard cleanup, please contact any GOYAN. We thank our community for your continued support!! Sincerely, The Myrtle Beach GOYA CONDOLENCES Foteni Skamagas, sister of Nick Katsanos, who fell asleep in The Lord on April 7th. May her memory be eternal. Our deepest condolences to the Skamagas and Katsanos families. St. John s Parish Cookbook, a Voyage in Greek Cooking HOT OFF THE PRESS!!! The 6th revised edition of our parish cookbook has arrived from the publisher. Cost is $15.00 postage and handling is $4.00 per book. Send orders to: Ladies Philoptochos Society, c/o St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, rd Avenue Ext. N., Myrtle Beach, SC BUSINESS OWNERS: If you would like to sell these cookbooks from your business, please contact Linda Moustakis at , or Irene Sfougaristos at

6 Loretta Siotka

7 Page 7 We currently have 137 Stewards who together have pledged $ in support of our parish. Average Family Pledge: $ George & Eileen Adrian Jonathan M. Aftosmes Athanasia Andriotis George K. Andros Chris & Laura Arakas James & Brenda Arakas Mike S. & Robin Arakas Theodoros & Marilene Asimakopoulos Edmond & Christina Asllanaj Dan J. & Sylvia Baker Vincent & Marion Barone Ann Bazar John Beckwith & Nicole Kokenes Charlie & Katie Belissary Bruce & Becky Bigart Lorraine D. Birbilis Pantelis G. Bobby Camposoulis Chris & Amy Castanes James T. & Joanna Cavalaris Frank & Dee Cockinos Mike Cockinos James & Amada Olga Dallis Barbara Dawson Theodore Demetriades John Demtrak Peter Diamantoukos Inger Anna Dickson Jerry & Sonya Dziubak Lillian Ferrigno George Galitsis Katherine Garner Mike & Maria Gavrilis Philip Gene Gore Timothy M. Groza Kosma & Entela Guda David C. Haar & Anastasia Spirakis Anargyros & Paraskeve Halaris Anna Halaris Basem E. & Aida B. Hilal Nancy A. Jackson Louis C. & Lorraine H. Kachulis Stacy Kachulis Fotini Kandris Tom & Barbara Kandris Elaine Karavan John & Katherine Karback Kali Karellas Milton & Joyce Karetas George & Angie Karukas Louis & Zenia Katsoulakis Bob & Angelica Keaton George & Katherine Keirnan David M. & Diane M. Keiser Gregory & Lauren Killian Theano A. King Walter & Connie Klimash Jimmy & Stacey Kontos Konstantinos Kostarelos Anna Kouis Theodore & Georgia Krallis LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY Jimmy & Vivian Lambrinos George & Patricia Lazarou Angelo & Susan Magafan Drew Manios George & Olga Manos Edwin & Bertie Massey Bella Mastromichalis Evangelia Maxfield Michael & Tammy Merisotis Nicholas & Linda Michaels Theognosia Tess Michaels Deane G. & Jean Morris Lili Morris Calliope Moushoures Michael Moshoures George & Linda Moustakis Nick & Susan Pandis William & Angela Panos Nick & Meredith Papadea Rev. Angelo & Presbytera Mary Pappas Mike & Moska Pappas Patsy J. Pappas Lamberto Paragas Jr. & Victoria Moshoures Charilaos & Soultana Paraschos Kostas & Donna Parashos Michael & Julie Passodelis George Pavlic Constantine & Joanne Pavlakos Pete Politis & Nora Bardocz Steve & Penny Politis Tony & Helen Politis Lee & Alexis Polydor Costas N. & Diamanto C. Pournaras George Pournaras Vasilios Pournaras Steve & Rebecca Psaroudis Gregory & Barbara Psillos David & Jane Radomsky Dorothy Radomsky John & Nora Radu Charlie & Jennifer Raptis James & Demmye Raptis Joseph G Reagan Thalia Sanderson Irene Sfougaristos Nicholas & Loretta Siotka Donald & Tina Sliker Harold S. & Constantina Nina Smith Angela H. Sourlis George & Eleni Sourlis Maria Sourlis-Niehouse George & Tamara Spirakis Angie Spyralatos George & Beverly Spyropoulos Evangelos & Constantina Stassinos Gus G. & Eva G. Stathos George G & Zhenetta Stathos Jimmy G. & Elsie Stathos Sam & Ashley Stathos Irina Swart Bernie & Kalla Szostek Ted & Happy Theocles Kurt & Mary Theurer Leslie Thomas William & Claire Tredinnick Vickie Tsagatos Demitrios Tselides Violet B. Tsiantis Al & Vicki Underwood E. Timothy & Mary C. Vaughan Nick & Maria Veselinovich Constantine Deno and Karen Verenes Wiilliam & Penelope Vlandis Gus &Veatriki Vrantsis Themi Tom & Maya Vrantsis J. Ashley Olga Wright Peter C. Yahnis Claudia Zielinski WITH INFINITE LOVE When someone sends you something, you look at the gift card, or at the address to see who sent it. This is only natural. but there is a gift card that goes with everything we have, if we only look to see, and the card reads like this: With infinite Love, Yours faithfully, God.

8 MAY WEEKDAY SERVICES May 20th Friday 6:00 PM Vesper Service (Sts. Constantine & Helen) (Fayetteville, NC) May 21st Saturday 8:45AM Orthros 10:00AM Divine Liturgy (Feast Day of Sts. Constantine & Helen) - Myrtle Beach Fast Days During MAY Wednesdays and Fridays ~ May 4th, 6th 11th, 13th, 18th, 20th, 25th & 27th MAY HOLY DAYS AND FEASTS Apostle & Evangelist John (May 8 th ) St. John, the Apostle and Evangelist, was among the first apostles chosen by Jesus. The son of Zebedee and Salome, John and his brother James left their lives as fishermen of Galilee to follow Christ. It was to John that Jesus spoke from the Cross, entrusting him to watch out for Mary, His Mother. After Mary s death, years later, St. John traveled throughout Asia Minor, preaching and converting thousands. He retired to the island of Patmos where God commanded him to write the book of Revelations. He is also the author of three of the epistles found in the New Testament, and is one of the most beloved figures in Christianity. Constantine & Helen (May 21 st ) Sts. Constantine and Helen are alays depicted together. St. Constantine the Great was the first Roman Emperor to be converted to Christianity. He was moved to convert when he saw a cross of light in the sky, just before leading his army into battle against a rebel army in 312 AD. He moved the capital of the Roman Empire to Constantinople, and made Sunday a public holiday. In 325, he convened the First Ecumenical Council, which established the first seven articles of the Nicene Creed. St. Helen, mother of St. Constantine, was made dowager empress by her son, and her influence was strongly felt throughout his reign. She found the true Cross under a sweet basil plant, the cross on which Christ was crucified, while on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. She erected a shrine there and churches over Christ s tomb, his birthplace, the mountain of Ascension (Mt. of Olives), and a monastery at Mt. Sinai. She is considered one of the most important female saints in the church. Although St. Constantine died in 337, and his mother, St. Helen, died in 338, they share the same feast day, May 21 st. Third Finding of the Head of St. John the Baptist (May 25 th ) St. John the Baptist is commemorated by the Church on 5 different occasions, as is only fitting for the forerunner of the Savior. After his death by beheading, his remains became objects of veneration. His head and hands, in particular, were repeatedly stolen and recovered. On this date, we commemorate the third finding of the head of St. John the Baptist, one of the most precious relics of the early Church. According to St. Theodore the Studite, Verily from the earth rose the head of the Forerunner, bequeathing to believers incorruptible rays of healing, gathering the crowds of angels from above and calling below the races of mankind to address their voices in unison the Glory to Christ God (memorial hymn of the Third Finding of the Head of St. John the Baptist). Happy Mother s Day ~ Sunday, May 8 h To all the special mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and other wonderful women in our lives to whom we dedicate this special day and especially to our Spiritual Mother, The Theotokos!

9 Goya poster in here SATURDAY, MAY 14TH, 2011

10 Page 10 ΠΟΙΜΑΝΤΟΡΙΚΗ ΠΑΣΧΑΛΙΝΗ ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ 896Η 12/04/2011 Π ρ ὸ ς Τὸν Ἱερὸ κλῆρο καὶ τὸν εὐσεβῆ λαὸ τῆς Ἱερᾶς Μητροπόλεώς μας Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη, Χριστιανοί μου Ἀγαπητοί. Στὴν κορυφὴ τοῦ ἐορτολογικοῦ κύκλου τῆς Ὀρθόδοξου Ἐκκλησίας μας ἡ Λαμπροφόρος Πασχαλινὴ Πανήγυρη καταυγάζει τὶς ψυχὲς τῶν χριστιανῶν μὲ τὸ ἀνέσπερο Φῶς, τὸ ὅποιο ἀνέτειλε ἀπὸ τὸν κενὸ Πανάγιο Τάφο καὶ ἡ κτίση στὸ σύνολο τῆς λαμπρύνεται καὶ πανηγυρίζει γιὰ τὸ θαῦμα τῆς ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγέρσεως τοῦ Ἀρχηγοῦ τῆς πίστεώς μας. Ἡ Ὀρθοδοξία εἶναι κατηυγασμένη ἀπὸ τὸ φῶς τῆς Ἀναστάσεως. Ἡ Ἀνάσταση τοῦ Κυρίου, ποὺ ἀποτελεῖ τὴ θριαμβευτικὴ ὁλοκλήρωση τοῦ ἐπὶ γὴς σωτηριώδους ἔργου του, μὲ τὸ θεολογικὸ καὶ λειτουργικό της περιεχόμενο, ἐπισφραγίζει ὅλη τὴ σκέψη καὶ ὅλο τὸ βίο τῆς Ἐκκλησίας μας. Ἡ ἀξιολόγηση, ὅμως, ἑνὸς γεγονότος βαρύνεται καθοριστικά, ἀφ ἐνός ἀπὸ τὰ τεκμήρια ποὺ μαρτυροῦν τὴν Ὕπαρξή του, ἰδιαίτερα ὅταν πρόκειται γιὰ θαῦμα σὲ ἐποχὴ ὀρθολογισμοῦ καὶ ἀπιστίας ὅπως ἡ σημερινή, καὶ ἀφ ἕτερου ἀπὸ τὶς συνέπειές του. Ἂς σταθοῦμε, λοιπόν, συνοπτικὰ καὶ ἐπιλεκτικὰ σὲ κάποιες πλευρὲς τοῦ ἀνεξιχνίαστου μυστηρίου τῆς Ἀναστάσεως τοῦ Κυρίου μας οἱ ὅποιες ἔχουν σχέση μὲ τὴ βεβαίωση τῆς ὕπαρξής της καὶ μὲ τὰ σωτήρια ἀποτελέσματά της. Καταρχᾶς, τὸ Εὐαγγέλιο τῆς Ἀναστάσεως τὸ μεταφέρουν μὲ τρόπο ἐπίσημο καὶ θεόπνευστο οἱ ἱεροὶ Εὐαγγελιστὲς μὲ τὶς διηγήσεις τους γιὰ τὴν Ἀνάσταση τοῦ Χρίστου. Γιὰ νὰ πεισθοῦμε καὶ νὰ πιστέψουμε στὴν πραγματικότητα αὐτή, οἱ ἱεροί Εὐαγγελιστὲς ἀναφέρουν ποικίλα γεγονότα, τὰ ὅποια συνιστοῦν τὰ τεκμήρια καὶ τοὺς ἀψευδεῖς μάρτυρες τοῦ θαύματος. Κατὰ τὴ στιγμὴ τῆς Ἀναστάσεως, πιὸ συγκεκριμένα, συμβαίνουν ὑπερφυσικὰ φαινόμενα. Πρῶτο ἀπὸ αὐτὰ εἶναι ὁ σεισμός. Ὀψὲ δὲ σαββάτων, τή, ἐπιφωσκούση εἰς μίαν σαββάτων, ἦλθε Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ ἡ ἄλλη Μαρία θεωρησαι τὸν τάφον. Καὶ ἰδοὺ σεισμὸς ἐγένετο μέγας (Μάτ. 28:1 2). Μάρτυρες τοῦ σεισμοῦ εἶναι οἱ Μυροφόρες γυναῖκες, οἱ ὁποίες βρίσκονταν ἐκείνη τὴ στιγμὴ στὸν Τάφο. Ὁ σεισμὸς θὰ μποροῦσε νὰ ἑρμηνευθεῖ ἀπὸ τοὺς δύσπιστους ἀνθρώπους κάθε ἐποχῆς σὰν ἕνα φυσικὸ γεγονός, χωρὶς καμία σχέση μὲ τὴν Ἀνάσταση. Ὅμως, τὸ ὅτι ὁ σεισμὸς δὲν ἦταν φυσικὸ φαινόμενο βεβαιώνεται ἀπὸ τὸν Εὐαγγελιστὴ Ματθαῖο, ὁ ὁποίος συσχετίζει τὸ σεισμὸ μὲ τὴν βεβαιώνεται ἀπὸ τὸν Εὐαγγελιστὴ Ματθαῖο, ὁ ὁποίος συσχετίζει τὸ σεισμὸ μὲ τὴν ἐμφάνιση συγχρόνως καὶ τοῦ ἀγγέλου στὸν κενὸ Τάφο. Ἄγγελος γὰρ Κυρίου καταβὰς ἐξ οὐρανοῦ προσελθῶν ἀπεκύλισε τὸν λίθον ἀπὸ τῆς θύρας καὶ ἔκαθητο ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ (Μάτ. 28:2). Ὁ ἄγγελος λέγει στὶς Μυροφόρες γυναῖκες δύο πράγματα: Πρῶτον, ὅτι ὁ Χριστός, ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὁ Ναζωραῖος, Αὐτὸς ποὺ ψάχνουν ὡς νεκρό, δὲν εἶναι ἐκεῖ, γιατί ἀναστήθηκε ἀπὸ τοὺς νεκροὺς καί, δεύτερον, τὶς ἐπιφορτίζει στὴ συνέχεια μὲ μία ἀποστολή, νὰ ποῦν στοὺς Ἀποστόλους ὅτι θὰ συναντήσουν τὸν ἀναστημένο Χριστὸ στὴ Γαλιλαία. Ἡ Ἀνάσταση τοῦ Χριστοῦ βεβαιώνεται, ἀκόμα, ἀπὸ τὶς πολλαπλὲς ἐμφανίσεις του πρὸς τοὺς μαθητές του. Οἱ Εὐαγγελιστὲς μᾶς πληροφοροῦν γιὰ ὁρισμένο ἀριθμὸ ἐμφανίσεων τοῦ ἀναστάντος Κυρίου, σημειώνουν, ἐν τούτοις, ὅτι ὑπῆρχαν καὶ ἄλλες πολλὲς παρουσιάσεις. Ἡ πρωτοχριστιανικὴ κοινότητα ζοῦσε ἔντονη τὴν ἀνάμνηση τῶν ἐμφανίσεων τοῦ ἀναστημένου

11 Page 11 Ναζωραίου, γιὰ τὶς ὅποιες μιλᾶ καὶ ὁ ἀπόστολος Παῦλος. Εἶναι, ἑπομένως, παράδοση τοῦ ἀποστολικοῦ κηρύγματος ἡ μαρτυρία τῆς ἀναστάσεως καὶ τῶν ἐμφανίσεων τοῦ Κυρίου. Πολλὰ καὶ καταλυτικὰ γιὰ τὸν ἄνθρωπο εἶναι καὶ τὰ ἀποτελέσματα τῆς θείας ἀναστάσεως, ἀφοῦ ἡ ἐνανθρώπηση τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ Λόγου τοῦ Θεοῦ εἶναι ἡ εὐλογημένη ἀπαρχὴ τῆς πραγμάτωσης τοῦ ἔργου τῆς σωτηρίας τοῦ ἀνθρώπινου γένους καὶ ἡ Ἀνάσταση τοῦ εἶναι ἡ ἐπιτυχὴς ὁλοκλήρωσή του. Ἡ ἀπόδειξη τῆς θεότητός του, ἡ νίκη κατὰ τοῦ διαβόλου, ἡ κατάργηση τοῦ ἅδη καὶ τοῦ θανάτου, ἡ ἀπελευθέρωση τῶν πνευμάτων ἀπὸ τὰ δεσμὰ τοῦ ἅδη εἶναι μία σπουδαία σωτηριολογικὴ παράμετρος τῆς Ἀναστάσεως τοῦ Κυρίου. Μὲ ἄλλα λόγια, καταδείχθηκε, ὅτι ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς εἶναι ὁ κύριος καὶ ὁ χορηγός της ζωῆς, διότι εἶναι ὁ ἴδιος ἡ ζωή. Κατὰ τὴ διάρκεια τῆς ἐπίγειας ζωῆς τοῦ ὁ Κύριος ἀπέδειξε ὅτι Αὐτὸς εἶναι ὁ διαχειριστὴς τῆς ζωῆς, ἀνασταίνοντας ἀπὸ τοὺς νεκροὺς τὴν κόρη τοῦ Ἴάειρου, τὸ γιὸ τῆς χήρας στὴν πόλη Ναΐν καὶ τὸ Λάζαρο. Διαβεβαίωσε πὼς αὐτὸς ὁ ὅποιος θὰ πιστεύει σὲ Αὐτὸν «καν ἀποθάνει ζήσεται», διότι Αὐτὸς εἶναι ὁ «ζωὴν διδοὺς τῷ κόσμῳ». Ὁ παλαιὸς ἄνθρωπος, ὅμως, τῆς ἁμαρτίας καὶ τῆς φθορᾶς, ὁ ὅποιος προσωποποιήθηκε στοὺς ἄρχοντες τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἐπιχείρησε νὰ καταργήσει τὴ ζωὴ στὸ πρόσωπο τοῦ Χρίστου, ἀλλὰ ἡ ὄντως ζωὴ δὲν πεθαίνει, διότι συνυπάρχει μὲ τὴν ἀνάσταση. «Ἐγὼ εἰμὶ ἡ ἀνάστασις καὶ ἡ ζωὴ» δήλωσε κατηγορηματικὰ ὁ Κύριος. «Οἱ ἄνθρωποι», σύμφωνα μὲ μία σύγχρονη πατερικὴ μορφὴ τῆς Σερβικῆς Ὀρθοδοξίας, τὸν π. Ἰουστίνο Πόποβιτς, «κατεδίκασαν τὸν Θεὸν εἰς θάνατον, ὁ Θεός, ὅμως, διὰ τῆς ἀναστάσεώς Του «καταδικάζει» τοὺς ἀνθρώπους εἰς ἀθανασίαν».ἔτσι, διὰ τῆς ἐνδόξου Ἀναστάσεως τοῦ Κυρίου μας οἱ ὄροι διάβολος, φθορά, θάνατος καὶ ἅδης ἀνήκουν στὸ προχριστιανικὸ παρελθὸν καὶ στὸ ἔξωχριστιανικο παρόν. Οἱ ἀκτίνες τοῦ ἀναστάσιμου ἀνέσπερου φωτὸς ἀποκαθιστοῦν τὴν ἰσορροπία τῆς κτίσης, ἀνακαινίζουν καὶ φωτίζουν ὁλόκληρη τὴ δημιουργία, μέχρι καὶ τὰ «καταχθόνια», τὸν κόσμο τῶν πνευμάτων, τὰ ὁποία ἀναμένουν ἐναγωνίως καὶ τὴ δική τους, ἐν Χριστῷ, ἀνάσταση. Ὁ ἄνθρωπος, τελικά, ξαναβρῆκε τὸ παλαιό του κάλλος. Ὁ πονηρὸς ἐχθρός, ὁ πολέμιος τοῦ ἀνθρώπου καὶ ὅλης της Δημιουργίας ἔχασε τὴ δύναμή του. Μὲ τὴν Ἀνάσταση τοῦ Χριστοῦ ξαναγεννηθήκαμε. Ἔχοντας ὅλα αὐτὰ στὴ σκέψη μας, ἀγαπητοί μου χριστιανοί, ἀναλογιζόμαστε πόσο σπουδαῖο εἶναι τὸ μήνυμα τῆς γιορτῆς τῆς Ἀναστάσεως καὶ πόσο κρίσιμος εἶναι ὁ ἀγώνας γιὰ τὴ διάσωση τοῦ ἀνθρώπινου προσώπου καὶ γιὰ τὴν πνευματική μας πρόοδο, Ἰδιαίτερα στὴ σύγχρονη, πνευματικὰ ταραγμένη, ἰδεολογικὰ συγκεχυμένη καὶ ἀθεράπευτα φοβισμένη, ἐγωιστικὴ καὶ ὑλόφρονα κοινωνία μας. Σήμερα ὅπου σκόπιμα παραβλέπεται ὅτι ἡ περίφημη οἰκονομικὴ κρίση εἶναι πρωτίστως ἠθική, σήμερα ὅπου πολλοὶ νέοι μας, ἠθικὰ ἄοπλοι, δολοφονοῦνται ἀπὸ ἀδίστακτους ἐμπόρους ναρκωτικῶν ἢ μετατρέπονται σὲ ἄβουλα ὄντα ἄγονης ἀμφισβήτησης καὶ ἰσοπέδωσης, γιὰ νὰ σκορπίσουν τὴ δυστυχία πρῶτα στὸ σπίτι τους καὶ μετὰ στὸ κοινωνικὸ σύνολο, σήμερα ποὺ στὸ ὄνομα τῆς προστασίας τῶν ἀνθρώπινων δικαιωμάτων, τοῦ ἐκσυγχρονισμοὶ καὶ τῆς εἰρηνικῆς συνύπαρξης τῶν λαῶν οἱ ἰσχυροί της γὴς διαπράττουν τὶς μεγαλύτερες θηριωδίες, οἱ ἐθνικὲς παραδόσεις παραχαράσσονται ἢ παραμερίζονται καὶ ἡ πίστη στὸ Θεὸ θεωρεῖται ξεπερασμένη καὶ γραφική, σήμερα ποὺ πολλοὶ ἐπιστήμονες, ἀντὶ νὰ θέτουν ὡς προτεραιότητα τὴν ἐπίλυση ἀνθρώπινων ζωτικῶν προβλημάτων, ὅπως γιὰ παράδειγμα εἶναι ἡ θεραπεία ἀνίατων

12 Page 12 ἀσθενειῶν, ἐπιχειροῦν, ὑπεισερχόμενοι στὸ χῶρο τοῦ μεταφυσικοῦ, νὰ μᾶς πείσουν, ἀκόμη καὶ μὲ ἀστείους μαθηματικοὺς ὑπολογισμούς, ὅτι δὲν ὑπάρχει ὁ Θεὸς καὶ ὅτι ἡ θρησκευτικὴ πίστη σιγοσβήνει, σήμερα μέσα σὲ ὅλα αὐτὰ τὰ ζοφερὰ τί μᾶς ἀπομένει; Ἐκεῖνος ποὺ χάρισε τὴ ζωὴ καὶ στοὺς εὐρισκόμενους στὰ μνήματα Θανὰτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, Ἐκεῖνος ποὺ ἔδωσε πάσι, ζωὴν καὶ πνοὴν καὶ τὰ πάντα». Ἐμπνεόμενοι, λοιπόν, ἀπὸ τὸ ζωηφόρο ἀναστάσιμο φῶς τοῦ Σωτῆρος ἠμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἂς ἀγωνιζόμαστε διαρκῶς τὸν ἐπίπονο ἀλλὰ καλὸ ἀγώνα τῆς νέκρωσης τῶν παθῶν μας, τῆς εἰρήνευσης μὲ τὸν ἑαυτό μας, μὲ τὸν κόσμο καὶ τὸ Θεό, τῆς ἐξάλειψης τῶν πολλῶν μας ἁμαρτημάτων, τῆς ἐκδήλωσης γνήσιας ἀγάπης πρὸς τὸν πλησίον μας, τῆς ἐξαφάνισης τῆς ἀδικίας ἀπὸ τὸν κόσμο, τῆς ἐπικράτησης τῆς δικαιοσύνης τοῦ Θεοῦ, τῆς φανέρωσης τῆς Ἀλήθειας. Ἄλλωστε, Ἀνάσταση χωρὶς Σταύρωση δὲν ὑπάρχει, οὔτε νίκη χωρὶς μάχη, οὔτε ἐλευθερία χωρὶς θυσία, οὔτε ἐπιτυχία χωρὶς ἀγώνα. ἍΓΙΟΝ ΠΑΣΧΑ 2011 Θερμὸς εὔχετης πρὸς τὸν Ἀναστάντα Κύριο Ὁ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ Ὁ ΜΟΝΕΜΒΑΣΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΣΠΑΡΤΗΣ ΕΥΣΤΑΘΙΟΣ SELECTED PASCHAL GREETINGS Χριστός Ανέστη! Αληθώς Ανέστη! (Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!) - Greek Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen! - English Krishti u ngjall! Vërtet u ngjall! Albanian Христос Воскрес! Воистину Воскрес! (Khristos voskres! Voistinu Voskres!) - Russian Христос Воскресе! Ваистину Воскресе! (Khristos Voskrese! Vaistinu Voskrese!) - Serbian Hristos a înviat! Adevărat a înviat! Romanian Kristos Tenestwal! Bergit Tenestwal! Amharic

13 PANGARI May 1st Jack Demtrak May 8th Sam Stathos May 15th Takis Michalos May 22nd Jack Demtrak May 29th George Karukas MAY SCHEDULES PROSFORON May 1st Anastasia Haar May 8th Tim Groza May 15th Angie Karukas May 22nd Eva Stathos May 29th Anna Bazar Please let Linda Moustakis know if you wish to make prosforon for a specific day, to avoid confusion for Fr. Angelo as to who is making Prosforon and the prayers to be said. SUNDAY GREETERS May 1st Loretta Siotka & Nina Smith May 8th John & Nora Radu May 15th Lorraine Birbilis & Anna Kouis May 22nd Lou Kachulis & Greg Killian May 29th Takis & Michelle Michalos COFFEE HOUR May 1st Anastasia Haar & family May 8th Parish Council Mothers Day May 15th Daughters of Penelope May 22nd Nina & Steve Smith May 29th Michele Michalos/Takis/Kristina/Alexis The church provides paper items, coffee and sugar. Hosts are responsible for pastries, milk or half & half and juice. Directions for making coffee are posted inside cabinet to right of urns. Use large urn for regular coffee, small urn for de-caf. Sunday school is now held following Communion on Sundays please have juice & treats available for our youth as they come through enroute to their classes. THANK YOU TO OUR ALL OF OUR HOSTS!!! Your efforts and special treats are appreciated by all. MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEERS May 8th Elaine Karavan & Anna Kouis May 9th Linda Moustakis & Loretta Siotka May 10th Timothy & Mary Vaughan May 11th Kalla Szostek & Nina Smith May 12th Demitrios Tselides & John Popa If unable to keep your assigned date, please contact Linda Moustakis at as soon as possible. UPCOMING EVENTS PHILOPTOCHOS will hold their monthly Board meeting on Wednesday, May 4th at 12 PM in the hall coffee room, followed by the electgion of Board members during the General meeting which follows at 1PM. THE DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE will have their monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 11th, at 1:00 PM in the hall coffee room. Discussion will center on the Mother-Daughter gathering. All members please attend. AHEPA will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 11th, at 7:00 PM in the church hall. The Grand Strand Chapter of Church Women United will have May Friendship Day on Saturday, May 14th, at 12:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church at 3810 Grissom Parkway. BYO Brown Bag lunch. Dessert and Drinks will be provided. MARCH 2011 FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget/Goal Income 14, ,280 Expenses 20, ,596 NET: (5,416) ACCOUNT BALANCES Operating Acct 3,452 Fellowship Hall Acct 6,177 Fundraising Acct 13,001 Equity Account 7,381 Medical Fund Acct 4,946 Loan Balance 1,076,603 Loan Pmt: Due in April 67,542

14 INFORMATIVE S C H O L A R S H I P S A V A I L A B L E Philoptochos scholarship applications may be picked up by 2011 graduating seniors in the church office Monday Friday, 8:45AM 2:45PM. AHEPA Scholarship Available Applicant must be entering college -- as a freshman only --at any university in fall This is a one-time scholarship. Please call George Karukas at to get an application. ICONOGRAPHY: His Eminence is encouraging our parish to complete it s iconography project so that the church may be consecrated. We are seeking donations in order to complete this project. If you are interested in purchasing an icon, either from our completed projects or from our upcoming project, please contact Jimmy Arakas at (843) , or you may contact the church office at (843) C.A.S.A. Citizens Against Spouse Abuse Violence Breaks Up Families... and Ruins Lives YANO POURNARAS Yano Pournaras, son of Billy & Renee Pournaras, continues to undergo treatments for Neuroblastoma in Chicago, IL. Photo: Yano with daddy, Billy Pournaras Follow Yano s updates on Facebook at: PHOTOS WANTED We would like include your pictures from church events in our monthly newsletter and on our parish website. Please your digital photos to the office at office@stjohn-mb.org. AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE THEE HOLY NOOK has imported Greek items including hand painted ceramic tiles and jewelry boxes, greeting cards, bracelets, olive oil soap, Greek coffee, brikia and delicious halva, as well as A Voyage in Greek Cooking, St. John s parish cookbook. A catalog is available in the Narthex and online on our parish website. Please stop by during coffee hour, or you may contact Adrianne Finn at WHAT S NEW IN OUR PARISH BOOKSTORE!!! Our parish bookstore is located in the fellowship hall library, and is open following the Divine Liturgy. We have added a children s section, and new icons and instructional guides in addition to a variety of Orthodox Christian literature and worship items. Stop by and check it out!!! This month C.A.S.A. has special needs of Walmart cards for groceries. They also need for the safe houses paper products, paper plates, paper towels, hand soap, sanitizer, laundry soap, and dish detergent. As usual, please bring these and any other unwanted items which can be sold at their store, "Used But Not Abused," to the church, marked CASA. Thank you for your support. ~ Mary Vaughan PARISH PRINTS We have signed, numbered prints of our parish available for $20 each. These would make great gifts for someone who has a wedding or baptism, etc. in our church. The prints could be matted and framed with the date of the event to commemorate a special occasion. Contact for additional information.

15 2011 Myrtle Beach Greek Open IT S NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP A HOLE SPONSOR OR GOLF TEAM! Tuesday, May 10th At the Recently Renovated River Oaks Golf Plantation 1pm Shotgun Start ~ Captain s Choice Format» Hole sponsors $100» Golf is $75 per person, and includes check-in gift, free raffle ticket, prizes, and dinner PLUS an additional FREE round of golf at River Oaks or associate courses» When selling a hole sponsor or team, please collect the money when you make the sale. Checks should be made payable to: St. John Greek Orthodox Church, (with a notation for Golf Tournament in the memo line). We need volunteers to assist with the event: 2 people to deliver items (beverages, sponsor signs, gifts, etc.) to the golf course on Monday, May 9th or Saturday, May 7th Again, this is our second largest fundraising event. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! You can make the difference. Any questions, please call Jimmy Arakas at , or George Moustakis at

16 BLESSING & PLANTING OLIVE TREES Sunday, March 20th, 2011 METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS VISIT Sunday, April 10th, 2011

17 MAKING PALM CROSSES & CHURCH SPRUCE-UP Saturday, April 17th, 2011

18 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! Contact the office at (843) Crabby Mikes NICK & SUSAN PANDIS ENTERPRISES Quo vadis

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