GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE A N N U N C I A T I O N. January Events 313 TOKAY AVENUE P.O. BOX MODESTO, CA ST.

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1 January Events JANUARY 6 MOMS AFTER CHURCH JANUARY 9 HOPE/JOY/GOYA MEETING JANUARY 12 GOLDEN CIRCLE JANUARY 15 VASILOPITA JANUARY 18 ORTHODOXY 102 JANUARY 19 TNT JANUARY 23 GOYA FIRESIDE CHAT JANUARY 25 ORTHODOXY 102 JANUARY 1 ST. BASIL THE GREAT INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Letter from Fr. Jon Pilgrimage to the Holy Lands Youth Update JANUARY Namedays GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE A N N U N C I A T I O N 313 TOKAY AVENUE P.O. BOX MODESTO, CA Parish Website: Parish annunciationoffice@gmail.com Parish Telephone: (209)

2 Weekly Services Saturday Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. Sunday Church Hours Divine Services 9:00 a.m. Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation 313 Tokay Avenue, Modesto, CA P.O. Box , Modesto, CA Office: Fax: Office Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Website: Facebook: REV. FR. JON MAGOULIAS PARISH PRIEST AARON GILBERT PASTORAL ASSISTANT ANNUNCIATION PARISH COUNCIL JEFF BROWN NICK FAKLIS JAYLEN FRENCH MARY GAVRILIS TONY GAVRILIS MICHAEL J. KORDAZAKIS ANDREA MAYER NICK PALLIOS STEVE PALLIOS MANOLI RODARAKIS NICK STAVRIANOUDAKIS STAMATIS TSATSARONIS MITCHEAL WORD Parish Organizations: Please submit your articles, photos and information by the 15th of each month for inclusion in the next month s bulletin. Thank you! ALTAR BOYS MANOLI RODARAKIS CHANTER ANDONIOS TSIRELAS CHOIR DIRECTOR MARKELLA TSATSARONIS CHURCH SCHOOL SUPERVISOR HELEN KATOTAKIS EXECUTIVE DANCE DIRECTOR MANOLI RODARAKIS DANCE GROUP PARENTS ALIKI ALEXANDER A.H.E.P.A PAUL FORAKIS APOGONI TIS KRITIS CONNIE SIMVOULAKIS PARISH ORGANIZATIONS GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL TONY GAVRILIS GREEK SCHOOL SUPERVISOR DESPINA RODARAKIS G.O.Y.A. PRESIDENT EVA BORDEN H.O.P.E. PRESIDENT KATHLEEN RAMIREZ J.O.Y. PRESIDENT KYLIE AFFHOLTER Y.A.L. COORDINATOR SOPHIA THYMAKIS COMMUNITY PROGRAMS DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE KAREN FORAKIS MOTHERS OF ORTHODOX MINORS DIANE HILLAS PARISH BOOKSTORE LINDA FOSTINIS PARISH WEBSITE MITCHEAL WORD PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY PRESIDENT GLORIA VINCENT TOTS N TODDLERS HAYLEY KLEVMYR LEFKA OREE MICHAEL J. KORDAZAKIS SISTERHOOD ELEFTHERIA ARGIE THYMAKIS OFFICE PERSONNEL CAROL DUNN, MALINA KOKOLOGIANNAKIS & DIMITRA WILSON Please remember your church in your will!

3 VASILOPITA SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 Following the Divine Liturgy FAMILY LUNCHEON i n t h e VERY REV. EMMANUEL PAPAGEORGE CULTURAL CENTER The Annual Vasilopita Celebration is sponsored by the Philoptochos Society to benefit: ST. BASIL ACADEMY HELLENIC COLLEGE HOLY CROSS -DONATION- A d u l t s - $ S t u d e n t s - $ For information please contact the Church Office Proceeds from the luncheon assist Philoptochos Ministries.

4 Reverend Protopresbyter Jon Magoulias

5 JANUARY 2017 It is time for You to act, O Lord... (Psalm 119:126) Dearly beloved in the Christ: Reverend Protopresbyter Jon Magoulias We all greet one another on the occasion of the New Year when in reality, there is no beginning or end to the year. When we talk about the year we are referring to the twelve months from one January to another. These months, the weeks, the years and the ages are a part of the order mankind has derived to measure time. From the creation of the world there was a beginning that we understand to be time. The Church, however, is not concerned about time but rather directs Her message to humanity. For the Church, therefore, time is viewed as the life of mankind! If time is indeed life, we must be attentive to what takes place in the present. That which has passed is no longer life and the future is yet to be. Life is the present moment, our feelings, our thoughts, and our existence. God has gifted us with a brain so that we might think rightly and correctly! That which is right thinking is just and logical, whereas that which is correct thinking is in accordance with the reality of life. And what is the reality of life? The reality is that God exists as He preserves and governs the world. Since our life exists in time: every moment, every hour, every day, let us wish one another a New Year with joy and health. For the faithful Christian Orthodox steward life is never empty since he makes proper use of time. He struggles to fulfill the Will of God, and in this way conquers time knowing that those who do the Will of God live forever. In Christ s love, Rev. Fr. Jon Magoulias PROTOPRESBYTER

6 1 Ο Άγιος Βασίλειος, γεννημένος το 330 μ.χ. στη Νεοκαισάρεια του Πόντου από γονείς ευγενείς με δυνατό χριστιανικό φρόνημα, έμελλε να γίνει Μέγας πνευματικός διδάσκαλος και κορυφαίος θεολόγος και Πατέρας της Εκκλησίας, αφού η χριστιανική του ανατροφή και η πνευματική του πορεία τον οδήγησαν στην Θεία θεωρεία του Άγίου Ευαγγελίου, και στην αυστηρή ασκητική ζωή, παράλληλα με το ποιμαντικό, παιδαγωγικό και φιλανθρωπικό του έργο. Ο πατέρας του Βασίλειος ήταν καθηγητής ρητορικής στη Νεοκαισάρεια και η μητέρα του Εμμέλεια απόγονος οικογένειας Ρωμαίων αξιωματούχων. Στην οικογένεια εκτός από το Βασίλειο υπήρχαν άλλα οκτώ παιδιά. Μεταξύ αυτών, ο Άγιος Γρηγόριος Νύσσης, ο Όσιος Ναυκράτιος ασκητής και θαυματουργός, η Οσία Μακρίνα και ο Άγιος Πέτρος, Επίσκοπος Σεβαστείας. Τα πρώτα γράμματα, τού τα δίδαξε ο πατέρας του. Συνέχισε τις σπουδές του στην Καισαρεία της Καππαδοκίας, στην Κωνσταντινούπολη και στην Άθήνα. Εκεί σπούδασε γεωμετρία, αστρονομία, φιλοσοφία, ιατρική, ρητορική και γραμματική. Οι σπουδές του διήρκησαν τεσσεράμισι χρόνια. Η ασκητική του ζωή ξεκίνησε ήδη από τα χρόνια όπου φοιτούσε στην Άθήνα. Ο σοφός δάσκαλος του Εύβουλος εντυπωσιασμένος από την αυστηρή νηστεία, του Άγίου, και μετά την παραίνεση του, λέγεται ότι έγινε Χριστιανός. Συμφοιτητές του ήταν και δύο νέοι που έμελλε να διαδραματίσουν σπουδαίο ρόλο στην ιστορία. Ο ένας, φωτεινό ο Άγιος και Μέγας Πατέρας της Εκκλησίας ο Θεολόγος Γρηγόριος και ο άλλος μελανό στον αντίποδα, προδότης του Ιησού, ειδωλολάτρης και διώκτης των Χριστιανών, ο Ιουλιανός ο Παραβάτης. Κατά την διάρκεια αυτών των ετών, ο Άγιος Βασίλειος και ο Άγιος Γρηγόριος ο Θεολόγος ανέπτυξαν μεγάλη και ισχυρή φιλία. Ταυτόχρονα με τις σπουδές τους, είχαν ιεραποστολική δράση. Διοργάνωναν χριστιανικές συγκεντρώσεις, στις οποίες ανέλυαν θρησκευτικά ζητήματα. Ίδρυσαν επίσης και τον πρώτο φοιτητικό χριστιανικό σύλλογο. Επέστρεψε στην Καισαρεία το καλοκαίρι του 356μ.Χ. και συνεχίζοντας την παράδοση του πατέρα του, έγινε καθηγητής της ρητορικής. Το 358 μ.χ. επηρεασμένος από το θάνατο του αδερφού του μοναχού Ναυκρατίου, καθώς και με την παρότρυνση της αδερφής του Μακρίνας, βαπτίζεται Χριστιανός, και αποφασίζει να αφιερώσει τον εαυτό του στην ασκητική πολιτεία. Άποσύρθηκε λοιπόν σε ένα κτήμα της οικογενείας του στον Πόντο. Χαρακτηριστικό της μεγαλοψυχίας του είναι, ότι μετά την βάπτιση του δώρισε στους φτωχούς και στην εκκλησία το μεγαλύτερο μέρος της περιουσίας του. Το φθινόπωρο του ίδιου έτους ξεκινά ένα οδοιπορικό σε γνωστά κέντρα ασκητισμού της Άνατολής, Άίγυπτο, Παλαιστίνη, Συρία και Μεσοποταμία, επιθυμώντας να συναντήσει πολλούς ασκητές και μοναχούς για να γνωρίσει τον τρόπο ζωής τους. Όταν γύρισε στο Πόντο από το ταξίδι αυτό, μοίρασε και την υπόλοιπη περιουσία του και αποσύρθηκε στο κτήμα του επιθυμώντας να ζήσει πλέον ως μοναχός. Εκεί έγραψε τους: «Κανονισμούς δια τον Μοναχικόν βίον», κανόνες που ρυθμίζουν την ζωή στα μοναστήρια μέχρι τις μέρες μας. Με την υψηλή του κατάρτιση στην Ορθόδοξη Πίστη και τον ασκητικό, θαυμαστό του βίο, η φήμη του Άγίου Βασιλείου εξαπλώθηκε με τον καιρό σε όλη την Καππαδοκία. Έτσι και ο Μητροπολίτης της Καισαρείας Ευσέβιος πραγματοποιώντας την Θεία Βούληση αλλά και αυτή των χριστιανών της περιοχής, χειροτόνησε το 364 μ.χ. τον Άγιο Βασίλειο πρεσβύτερο. Το 370 μ.χ., μετά τον θάνατο του Ευσεβίου και σε ηλικία 41 ετών, τον διαδέχθηκε ο Άγιος Βασίλειος στην επισκοπική έδρα, με τη συνδρομή τού Ευσεβίου επισκόπου Σαμοσάτων και του Γρηγορίου επισκόπου Ναζιανζού. Επίσκοπος πλέον, ο Άγιος Βασίλειος αντιμετώπισε την προσπάθεια του Άυτοκράτορα Ουάλη να επιβάλει τον Ομοιανισμό (ρεύμα του Άρειανισμού), επικοινωνώντας μέσω επιστολών με τον Μέγα Άθανάσιο, Πατριάρχη Άλεξανδρείας και τον Πάπα Ρώμης Δάμασο. Στον τόπο του,στην

7 St. Basil the Great January 1 January 1 is dedicated to the memory of one of the most brilliant stars of the Church. We remember Saint Basil the Great who was born about the end of the year 330 in Caesarea of Cappadocia, to a family renowned for their learning and holiness. His parents' names were Basil and Emily. His mother Emily (commemorated July 19) and his grandmother Macrina (Jan. 14) are Saints of the Church, together with all his brothers and sisters: Macrina, his elder sister (July 19), Gregory of Nyssa (Jan. to), Peter of Sebastia (Jan. 9), and Naucratius. Basil studied in Constantnople under the sophist Libanius, then in Athens, where also he formed a friendship with the young Gregory, a fellow Cappadocian, later called "the Theologian." Through the good influence of his sister Macrina (July 19), he chose to embrace the ascetical life, abandoning his worldly career. He visited the monks in Egypt, in Palestine, in Syria, and in Mesopotamia, and upon returning to Caesarea, he departed to a hermitage on the Iris River in Pontus, not far from Annesi, where his mother and his sister Macrina were already treading the path of the ascetical life; here he also wrote his ascetical homilies. About the year 370, when the bishop of his country reposed, he was elected to succeed to his throne and was entrusted with the Church of Christ, which he tended for eight years, living in voluntary poverty and strict asceticism, having no other care than to defend holy Orthodoxy as a worthy successor of the Apostles. The Emperor Valens, and Modestus, the Eparch of the East, who were of one mind with the Arians, tried with threats of exile and of torments to bend the Saint to their own confession, because he was the bastion of Orthodoxy in all Cappadocia, and preserved it from heresy when Arianism was at its strongest. But he set all their malice at nought, and in his willingness to give himself up to every suffering for the sake of the Faith, showed himself to be a martyr by volition. Modestus, amazed at Basil's fearlessness in his presence, said that no one had ever so spoken to him. "Perhaps," answered the Saint, "you have never met a bishop before." The Emperor Valens himself was almost won over by Basil's dignity and wisdom. When Valens' son fell gravely sick, he asked Saint Basil to pray for him. The Saint promised that his son would be

8 περιφέρεια της δικής του ποιμαντικής ευθύνης είχε να αντιμετωπίσει την έντονη παρουσία του αρειανικού στοιχείου και άλλων κακοδοξιών. Άπό τις επιστολές του φαίνονται οι προσπάθειες που κατέβαλε για την καταπολέμηση της σιμωνίας των επισκόπων, για την ανάδειξη άξιων κληρικών στο ιερατείο, καθώς και για την πιστή εφαρμογή των ιερών κανόνων από όλους τους πιστούς και φανερώνεται επίσης η ποιμαντική φροντίδα στα αποκομμένα και περιθωριοποιημένα μέλη της Εκκλησίας. Στην οικουμενική Εκκλησία ο Μέγας Βασίλειος ουσιαστικά αναλαμβάνει τα πνευματικά ηνία από το Μέγα Άθανάσιο, ο οποίος γηραιός πλέον, αποσύρεται από την ενεργό δράση. Εργάζεται συνεχώς για την επικράτηση των ορθόδοξων χριστιανικών αρχών και υπερασπίζεται με σθένος το δογματικό προσανατολισμό της Οικουμενικής Συνόδου της Νίκαιας. Ο Άγιος Βασίλειος, βοηθούσε πάντοτε τους αδικημένους και κουρασμένους, τους πεινασμένους και τους αρρώστους, ανεξάρτητα από το γένος, τη φυλή και το θρήσκευμα. Έτσι το όραμά του το έκανε πραγματικότητα ιδρύοντας ένα πρότυπο και για τις μέρες μας κοινωνικό και φιλανθρωπικό σύστημα, τη «Βασιλειάδα». Ένα ίδρυμα που λειτουργούσε νοσοκομείο, ορφανοτροφείο, γηροκομείο και ξενώνας για την φροντίδα και ιατρική περίθαλψη των φτωχών αρρώστων και ξένων. Τις υπηρεσίες του τις πρόσφερε το ίδρυμα δωρεάν σε όποιον τις είχε ανάγκη. Το προσωπικό του ιδρύματος αυτού ήταν εθελοντές που προσφέρανε την εργασία για το καλό του κοινωνικού συνόλου. Ήταν ένα πρότυπο και σε άλλες επισκοπές και στους πλουσίους ένα μάθημα να διαθέτουν τον πλούτο τους με ένα αληθινά χριστιανικό τρόπο. Πραγματικά είναι άξιο θαυμασμού η έμπνευση που είχε ο Άγιος Βασίλειος,τον 4 ο αιώνα μ.χ. να ιδρύσει και να λειτουργήσει ένα τέτοιο ίδρυμα - πρότυπο. Καταπονημένος από την μεγάλη δράση που ανέπτυξε σε τόσους πολλούς τομείς,εναντίον των διαφόρων κακοδοξιών και ειδικά της αιρέσεως του Άρειανισμού, μη διστάζοντας πολλές φορές να αντιταχθεί με την εκάστοτε πολιτική εξουσία, με όπλα του την πίστη και την προσευχή, με τα κηρύγματα και τους λόγους του, με τα πολλά ασκητικά και παιδαγωγικά συγγράμματα, καθώς και την ασκητική ζωή του ο Άγιος Βασίλειος ο Μέγας παραδίδει το πνεύμα στο Θεό την 1 η Ιανουαρίου του 379 μ.χ. σε ηλικία 49 ετών. Ο θάνατός του βυθίζει στο πένθος όχι μόνο το ποίμνιό του αλλά και όλο το χριστιανικό κόσμο της Άνατολής. Στην κηδεία του συμμετέχει και ένα πλήθος ανομοιογενές από άποψη θρησκευτικής και εθνικής διαφοροποιήσεως. Το υψηλής σημασίας θεολογικό και δογματικό του έργο καθώς και η λειτουργική και πρωτότυπη ανθρωπιστική του δράση, είναι η μεγάλη παρακαταθήκη που μας άφησε. Η μνήμη του τιμάται από την Ορθόδοξη Καθολική Εκκλησία την 1 ην Ιανουαρίου. Άπό το 1081 μ.χ. ο Πατριάρχης Κωνσταντινουπόλεως - Νέας Ρώμης Ιωάννης Μαυρόπους (ο από Ευχαΐτων) θέσπισε έναν κοινό εορτασμό των Τριών Ιεραρχών, Βασιλείου του Μεγάλου, Ιωάννη του Χρυσοστόμου και Γρηγορίου του Θεολόγου, στις 30 Ιανουαρίου, ως προστατών των γραμμάτων και της παιδείας. Με σοφία, στο απολυτίκιο του αναφέρεται η φράση «... τα των ανθρώπων ήθη κατεκόσμησας...». Και ο Άγιος Γρηγόριος ο Θεολόγος, στον Επιτάφιο για τον καλό και Μέγα φίλο του Άγιο Βασίλειο, αποδίδει σ' αυτόν, με την ποιητική και βαθιά στοχαστική ματιά του, το χαρακτηρισμό «παιδαγωγός της νεότητος». Ο Μ. Βασίλειος, εκτός των άλλων θαυμάσιων και Θείας εμπνεύσεως έργων του, έγραψε και την εκτενή και κατανυκτική Θεία Λειτουργία, που, μετά την επικράτηση της συντομότερης Θείας Λειτουργίας του Άγ. Ιωάννου του Χρυσοστόμου, τελείται 10 φορές το χρόνο: την 1η Ιανουαρίου (όπου γιορτάζεται και η μνήμη του), τις πρώτες πέντε Κυριακές της Μ. Τεσσαρακοστής, τις παραμονές των Χριστουγέννων και των Θεοφανείων, την Μ. Πέμπτη και το Μ. Σάββατο.

9 restated if Valens agreed to have him baptized by the Orthodox; Valens agreed, Basil prayed, and the son was restored. But afterwards the Emperor had him baptized by Arians, and the child died soon after. Later, Valens, persuaded by his counselors, decided to send the Saint into exile because he would not accept the Arians into communion; but his pen broke when he was signing the edict of banishment. He tried a second time and a third, but the same thing happened, so that the Emperor was filled with dread, and tore up the document, and Basil was not banished. The truly great Basil, spent with extreme ascetical practices and continual labors, at the helm of the Church, departed to the Lord on the 1 st of January, in 379, at the age of forty-nine. His final words were: Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit (Lk. 23:46). His writings are replete with wisdom and erudition, and rich are these gifts he set forth the doctrines concerning the mysteries both of the creation (The Hexaemeron) and of the Holy Trinity (On the Holy Spirit). Because of the majesty and keenness of his eloquence, he is honored as "the revealer of heavenly things" and "the Great." HYMN OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT (TONE ONE) Your voice resounded throughout the world that received your word by which, in godly manner, you taught dogma, clarified the nature of beings, and set in order the character of people. Venerable father, Royal Priesthood, intercede to Christ God to grant us great mercy. Ees pasan tin ghin exilthen o fthongos su, os dexamenin ton logon su; di u theoprepos edogmatisas, tin fisin tohn onton etranosas, ta tohn anthropon eethi katekosmisas. Vasilion ee-ehratevma, Pater osie, Christon ton Theon eeketeve, dorisastheh eemin to mega eleos.

10 :8-12 :20-21, :17-21 :17-23 :7-16 : :9-15 : :7-16 5:14-19 :4-11 :12-19

11 L I T U R G I C A L C A L E N D A R January Saturday, Great Vespers December 31st 5:00 p.m. Sunday, January 1st COMMEMORATION OF ST. BASIL Epistle Col. 2:8-12 Gospel Luke 2:20-21, Sunday Divine Services 9:00 a.m. Thursday, January 5th EPIPHANY EVE Epistle 1 Cor. 9:19-27 Gospel Luke 3:1-18 Royal Hours & Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 8:30 a.m. Blessing of the Waters Friday, January 6th THEOPHANY Epistle Tit. 2:11-14, 3:4-7 Gospel Matt. 3:13-17 Divine Services 8:30 a.m. Blessing of the Waters Saturday, January 7th ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Epistle Acts 19:1-8 Gospel John 1:29-34 Divine Services 8:30 a.m. Great Vespers 5:00 p.m. Sunday, January 8th SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY Epistle Eph. 4:7-13 Gospel Matt. 4:12-17 Sunday Divine Services 9:00 a.m. Saturday, January 14th Great Vespers will not be celebrated. Sunday, January 15th SUNDAY OF THE TEN LEPERS Epistle Col. 3:4-11 Gospel Luke 17:12-19 Sunday Divine Services 9:00 a.m. Tuesday January 17th ST. ANTHONY THE GREAT Epistle Heb. 13:17-21 Gospel Luke 6:17-23 Divine Services 8:30 a.m. Wednesday January 18th STS. ATHANASIOS AND CYRIL PATRIARCHS OF ALEXANDRIA Epistle Heb. 10:35-11:7 Gospel Mk 5:1-20 Divine Services 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Great Vespers January 21st 5:00 p.m. Sunday, January 22nd 15TH SUNDAY OF LUKE Epistle 1 Tim. 4:9-15 Gospel Luke 19:1-10 Sunday Divine Services 9:00 a.m. Saturday, January 28th Great Vespers will not be celebrated. Sunday, January 29th 17TH SUNDAY OF LUKE Epistle 2 Cor. 6:16-18;7:1 Gospel Matt. 15:21-28 Sunday Divine Services 9:00 a.m. Monday, January 30th THE THREE HIERARCHS Epistle Heb. 13:7-16 Gospel Matt. 5:14-19 Divine Services 8:30 a.m. HOUSE BLESSINGS During the Holy Season of Epiphany it is the practice of the Orthodox Church to bless homes. Anyone desiring their home to be blessed by Father Jon may contact the Church Office ~

12 It is the practice of our Church to give the name of a Saint to the new born child. By assuming the name of a Saint, we not only honor and express our gratitude to a Holy Person for his exceptional contribution to the Orthodox Faith, but provide the new Christian with an example worthy of emulation. The Saint then becomes the Patron of the child protecting it from all danger. Through his prayers, God will grant the child the necessary illumination to become a zealous member of the Church and an ardent follower of Christ. If by chance we accidentally miss someone's nameday, we ask that you please contact the Church Office so that we may correct our records. We extend our prayers to all those celebrating January Namedays and beseech our heavenly Father to grant them many years.! ************************************************************************************************************************************************** January 1 St. Basil the Great John Forakis John Hallis January 17 St. Anthony the Great Vicki Aja Rosanda Amerine William Amerine Barkev Andriopoulos William H. Christie William M. Christie William Davis Ryan Durrer Vasili Giahos Bessie Grillos Chet Jensen William Kalfakis William Katakis Bill Kogeones Bill Kokolas Bill Kokologiannakis Bessie Micheletos Bill Micheletos Vicki Patterakis Kiki Shaw Lea Simvoulakis Bessie Stavrianoudakis Ken Summers Bessie Tavernas Victoria Whitely Valli Wigt January 6 Holy Theophany Jordan Aivaz Frank Blanas Emily Davis Fotios Jordanoglou Jordan Mayer Jordan Normoyle January 7 St. John the Baptist Kylie Affholter John Aretakis Joanne Bouzeneris Joanne Capous John Capous John Hallis Janet Haskin John Hillas John Hillas John A. Hillas John Hillas Jr. Fr. John Kocolas John Kokologiannakis Yianni Kokologiannakis Joanne Korakas John Kordazakis John Lagos John Lagos Jennie Lallas Walter Lemons Fr. Jon Magoulias John Mangelos Giana McCoy John Micheletos John Myrtakis Joan Nicholson John D. Normoyle John G. Pallios Johnny Pallios John Pappas John Pronoitis John Ramirez Jan Ronson JoAnn Sakaldasis John Simvoulakis John Stathoudakis John Stavrakakis Joanne Tavernas Jonathan Word John Zacharias Jon Zagaris John Zigounakis January 9 St. Efstratios, the Righteous Strati Varvatakis Efstratios Yianni Magoulias Adonia Alexander Tony Angelo Tony Gavrilis Antoni Hatzigeorgiou Andoni Kocolas Antonia Fanourgiakis Tony Kokologiannakis Anthony Myrtakis Antonia Myrtakis Tony Pallios Andoni Petrulakis Anthony Stavrianoudakis Fred Thompson Antonios Tsirelas January 18 Sts. Athanasios & Cyril Athan French Athanasios Gianopoulos Tom Mitsopoulos January 20 St. Euthemios Mike Stagakis Efthemios Tzagarakis January 21 St. Maximos the Confessor Parker Klevmyr Max Wigt January 25 St. Gregory the Theologian Gregg Giahos Jaylen French Gregory Merciadis Greg Simvoulakis

13 Pilgrimage 2015: Saints Alive Constantinople Trabzon Greece DAY 12: Following breakfast we began our trip to Athens, a 6 hour drive! On our way we stopped in Dodoni to visit the ancient ruins and site of the Dodona Oracle. The sanctuary of Dodoni was a major spiritual place in ancient Greece. It was the oldest of the Greek oracles and ancient people traveled great distances in order to consult the priests who foretold the future. Outside the temple of Zeus the priests gathered under the sacred oak tree and listened to the sound of the leaves as they shivered in the breeze and glimpsed at the future. People from the entire known world would make the pilgrimage in ancient times in order to consult the future-telling oak tree and to attend cultural festivals that took place regularly at Dodoni. The Oracle is located at the foot of the majestic twin peaks of Mount Tomaros, and while the entire site is sprinkled with ancient ruins, the visually imposing theatre dominates the landscape. It is a theatre that held 18,000 people, one of the largest theaters built in ancient Greece. The limestone seats are weather-beaten and are in a semicircle between the two enormous retaining walls. The theatre was host to theatrical plays in ancient Greece. During that 4th century BC, there would only be 3 actors and a play would only be performed once! No repeat performance... Today, the front rows which were reserved for the aristocrats, were replaced with a wall 2 meters high so that during the time of the Romans, they would hold their gladiator games. Making the theatre an arena that required a semi-circular orchestra and some protection of the front row seats from the things taking place on the stage or what was known as the orchestra. The rest of the Dodoni site is not as visually exciting as the theater since only the rectangular foundations of the buildings remain to outline an enormous complex of temples, hostels, granaries and other buildings.

14 Dodoni is a complex archaeological site because it remained a vital center from about 2000 BC and flourished well into the Roman times. Thus there are many layers of history that the archaeologists have been excavating. Upon completing our tour of the ruins at Dodoni, we continued on our way to Athens. We had several stops on the way since it is a long drive but the landscape was beautiful and we were able to enjoy some excellent Greek music on the bus s sound system. As we drove towards Athens we were able to enjoy beautiful mountainous region of Epirus. We got off the main highway when we arrived in Arta so that we could see the city that was once the capital of the Prefecture of Epirus. This prefecture was established by members of the Imperial Families of Constantinople who fled the City during the 4th Crusades. As a religious sanctuary in the pagan world, Dodoni was adorned with all the riches that ancient people could afford, and excavations have unearthed a multitude of artifacts that date back to archaic times. Most of the important findings are housed at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, while some reside in the Archaeological museum at Ioannina. During Christian times, as was the custom after the 4th century, churches would be built to "cleanse" the area from the early pagan religion and worship. At this site was a large basilica church built above the altar of Hercules and the altar of the Oracle. The Imperial Families tried to reestablish the lifestyle they had enjoyed while living in Constantinople. In addition, a number of Byzantine churches were built. There is also the famous Bridge of Arta which at its highest point was the boundary of the Greek and Turkish states. This bridge replaced an early Roman bridge and was constructed in the early 17th century. During ancient Greek times the city of Arta was known as Avramkia. Arta is protected on all sides by a mountain range and this made it difficult to be invaded by foreign powers. It is also an agricultural area known for growing oranges and corn. The population is approximately 43,000 and for Greece, that is a good size city. We continued our drive towards Athens and stopped for lunch in Menidi on the Amvrahikos

15 Gulf in Southern Epirus. The setting along the shore was amazing and the food outstanding! We drove through Amphilochia, along the gulf and then came to Agrinion. From this direction we came upon the Antirrio-Rio Bridge which links central Greece to the Peloponnesos. The world s longest multi-span cable-stayed bridge, it crosses the Gulf of Corinth near Patras, linking the town of Rio on the Peloponnese to Antirrio on mainland Greece. Known as the "Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge", it is named after a 19thcentury Greek Prime Minister who suggested the idea of building a bridge between Rio and Antirrio. The project was too expensive at the time, when Greece was trying to catch up to other nations during the Industrial Revolution. The 2,880 m (9,449 ft.) long bridge (approximately 1.8 miles) dramatically improves access to and from the Peloponnese, which could previously be reached only by ferry or via the Isthmus of Corinth at its extreme east end. Its width is 28 m (92 ft) it has two vehicle lanes per direction, an emergency lane and a pedestrian walkway. Its five-span four-pylon cable-stayed portion of length 2,252 m (7,388 ft.) is the world s second longest cable-stayed deck. This bridge is considered an engineering masterpiece, owing to several solutions applied to span the difficult site. These difficulties include deep water, insecure materials for foundations, seismic activity, the probability of tsunamis, and the expansion of the Gulf of Corinth due to the movement of the seabed. For these reasons, special construction techniques were applied. The piers are not buried into the seabed, but rather rest on a bed of gravel which was meticulously leveled to an even surface (a difficult endeavor at this depth). During an earthquake, the piers move laterally on the seabed with the gravel bed absorbing the energy. The bridge parts are connected to the pylons using jacks and dampers to absorb movement; too rigid a connection would cause the bridge structure to fail in the event of an earthquake. It was also important that the bridge not have too much lateral leeway so as not to damage the piers. There is provision for the gradual expansion of the strait over the bridge s lifetime. The bridge was planned in the mid-1990s and was built by a French-Greek consortium. On May 21, 2004, the main construction was completed and inaugurated on August 7, 2004, a week before the opening of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Olympic torchbearers were the first to officially cross its length. The bridge received the 2006 Outstanding Structure Award from the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering. In the evening we arrived in Athens, the cradle of Western Civilization, and enjoyed a welcoming dinner at the Royal Olympic Hotel. From that vantage point we had a spectacular view of the Acropolis and the Temple of Zeus. (To be continued)

16 A Yearlong Study of Responsible Stewardship Church of the Annunciation: As the Father has sent Me, so I send you. (John 20:21) January 1, the beginning of the New Year, brings about a new theme in our Christian Orthodox Stewardship Ministry. As the Father has sent Me, so I send you is a challenge to truly live our faith in Christ Jesus! The average Christian does not feel any sense of responsibility in carrying out this challenge put forth by our Lord. We, however, are not called to be average in our Christian Orthodox living! Known as His Great Commission, Jesus calls out to each of us to fulfill the reason why God sent Him into the world. What was that reason that God sent His Son into the world? It was so that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17). Many members give some type of Stewardship offering, but do we really comprehend the magnitude of one s personal responsibility in living our precious Christian Orthodox Faith? The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew presents the procedure we are called to follow in making and developing ministries that build up the Body of Christ: that each individual believer is to be a witness to others in his individual world! We are sent to bring God s love to the members of our families; we are sent to share His love among our friends; we are sent to encourage our co-workers to come to Christ; we are sent to support those in need; and we are sent to be a witness to the promise of eternal life! Jesus entire life was lived to benefit others! The miracles He performed, the words that He taught, the sacrifice He made on the Cross, and His triumph in the Resurrection showed His interaction to save our souls! Holy Scripture is very clear in stating that Jesus sends US to do the same things He has done and for the same reasons God the Father sent Him! Christian Orthodox Stewardship is the sacred work of Christ in action. Just as our Lord was committed to saving mankind, we, too, must concentrate our efforts to develop our ministries for this purpose. There is nothing more precious than to truly bring someone to Christ!

17 Our Christian Orthodox Faith is not a mere philosophy but THE way to life! To understand this, the Steward must accept the Lord s call to reach out to all people. Jesus sends us to reach out to them today! We all know who they are and we must accept His commission to encourage them and to embrace them to be faithful and active Stewards of His Church! The Christian Orthodox Steward supports the Church and Her growing ministries. Ask yourself these questions when considering your Stewardship to our beloved Church. What percentage of my Time, Talents, and Treasure am I offering back to Christ and His Church? Am I offering the bare minimum or am I doing all I we can? Am I giving a significant financial contribution but not attending the Divine Services, and other ministries of the Church. What more can I do? LET S MAKE 2017 THE YEAR WE MEET ALL OF OUR STEWARDSHIP GOALS Increase participation to 100%. Remember, the first $ offered per steward supports the ministry of our national Church. Increase the average Stewardship offering by at least 10%. If you have not pledged in the past we invite you to join us for If you have been a Steward in the past, we sincerely thank you for your continued support and generosity! We prayerfully encourage you to consider an increase in your Stewardship offering. How much is a 10% increase? (Please refer to the chart below.) PLEDGE GUIDELINES INCOME $25,000 $50,000 $75,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200, % $625 $1,250 $1,875 $2,500 $3,750 $5,000 3% $750 $1,500 $2,250 $3,000 $4,500 $6,000 4% $1,000 $2,000 $3,000 $4,000 $6,000 $8, % $1,250 $2,500 $3,750 $5,000 $7,500 $10, % $2,500 $5,000 $7,500 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 The above chart is to assist you calculate your offering. In supporting Christ and His Ministries please realize that we need an average of $1, per steward/family to meet our operating costs contact Fr. Jon if you have questions. Stewardship contributions may now be made online at our Parish Website:

18 YOUTH UPDATE Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) Questions and Answers On a number of occasions, my friends have asked me about my being a member of the Greek Orthodox Church. When I try to explain our Faith to them, they seem to think it is outdated. How do we, as Orthodox Christians, respond to this in today s world? THE CHANGELESS FAITH IN A CHANGING WORLD BAPTISM: WHAT IS HOLY CHRISM? From the order of Baptism in last month s bulletin, you will notice that immediately after being baptized, the Priest anoints the newly illumined with Holy Chrism. Chrismation is a separate Sacrament from Baptism, but is performed immediately after. It is the sacrament whereby the newly baptized is bestowed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and like Baptism, is God-instituted. St. Cyril of Jerusalem says the following on the Sacrament of Holy Chrism: Having been baptized into Christ, and put on Christ, you have been made conformable to the Son of God; for God having called us to the adoption of sons, made us share the fashion of Christ s glorious body. Being therefore made partakers of Christ, you are properly called Christs, and of you God said, Touch not My Christs, or anointed. Now you were made Christs, by receiving the emblem of the Holy Spirit; and all things of Christ. He also bathed Himself in the river Jordan, and having imparted of the fragrance of His Godhead to the waters, He came up from them; and the Holy Spirit in substance lighted on Him, like resting upon like. In the same manner to you also, after you had come up from the pool of the font, was given the Chrism, the emblem of that wherewith Christ was anointed; and this is the Holy Spirit; of whom also the blessed Isaiah, in his prophecy respecting Him, says in the person of the Lord, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach glad tidings to the poor (Is. 61:1). For Christ was not anointed by men with oil or material ointment, but the Father having appointed Him to be the Savior of the whole world, anointed Him with the Holy Spirit, as Peter says, Jesus of Nazareth whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit. And David the Prophet cried, saying, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of the kingdom; You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God even Your God has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows (Ps. 45:6). And as Christ was in truth crucified, and buried, and raised, and you in likeness are in Baptism accounted worthy of being crucified, buried, and raised together with Him, so is it with the Chrism also. As He was anointed with the spiritual oil of gladness, the Holy Spirit, who is so called, because He is the author of spiritual gladness, so ye were anointed with ointment, having been made partakers and fellows of Christ.

19 YOUTH UPDATE But beware of supposing this to be plain ointment. For as the Bread of the Eucharist, after the invocation of the Holy Spirit, is mere bread no longer, but the Body of Christ, so also this holy ointment is no more simple ointment, nor [so to say] common, after the invocation, but the gift of Christ; and by the presence of His Godhead, it causes in us the Holy Spirit. It is symbolically applied to your forehead and your other senses; and while your body is anointed with the visible ointment, your soul is sanctified by the Holy and Life-giving Spirit. And you were first anointed on the forehead, that you might be delivered from the shame, which the first man, when he had transgressed, bore about with him everywhere; and that with open face you might behold as in a glass the glory of the Lord (2 Cor. 3:18). Then on your ears; that you might receive ears quick to hear the Divine Mysteries, of which Isaiah has said, The Lord wakened my ear to hear (Is. 50:4); and the Lord Jesus in the Gospel, he that has ears to hear let him hear (Matt. 11:15). Then on your nostrils; that receiving the sacred ointment ye may say, We are to God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved (2 Cor. 2: 15). Then on your breast; that having put on the breastplate of righteousness, you may stand against the wiles of the devil. For as Christ after His Baptism, and the descent of the Holy Spirit, went forth and vanquished the adversary, so likewise, having, after Holy Baptism and the Mystical Chrism, put on the whole armor of the Holy Spirit, do you stand against the power of the enemy, and vanquish it, saying, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13). Chrism is also symbolic of the tongues of fire that descended upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost and were thus filled with the Holy Spirit. The Apostles in turn, passed on the gifts of the Holy Spirit to others by the laying on of their hands upon the heads of the faithful: Then they laid their hands on them, [those who were baptized] and they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8: 17). And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them (Acts 19: 6). The Apostles also ordained bishops who were also empowered with the laying on of their hands to give the gift of the Holy Spirit. As the Church grew, it was impossible for the bishops to be present at all the Baptisms and so the Church introduced the use of the Holy Myron which through prayers by the bishop was sanctified and then given to the priests to anoint the newly baptized. In this way it was not necessary for the bishop to be present. Whether the recipient received the gifts of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the bishop s hand or through the Chrism, the Sacrament was truly administered, for both these are the sensible and visible elements of the Sacrament. The invisible and supernatural element is always Divine Grace. As has already been mentioned, the Orthodox Church performs the Sacrament of Chrismation [or Confirmation as it is better known in the west] immediately after Baptism. This is how the Church received it from the Apostles and has safeguarded this practice up to the present day. The Protestants reject this Sacrament altogether, while the Roman Catholic Church, since the Council of Trent [ ] postpones the holy chrism and bestows it after many years have passed because, according to her rationalistic spirit, she believes that the child must be at an age of reason in order to receive the holy chrism or confirmation. The Anglican Church follows the practice of the laying on of hands by the bishop again when the child comes to an age of discretion. (To be continued)

20 We Are Excited to Announce: Orthodoxy 102 A Time to Reacquaint Oneself with Our Christian Orthodox Faith Join our Pastoral Assistant, Aaron Gilbert, from January 18 th through February 22 nd on Wednesday Evenings at 7 pm! Topics Include: January 18 th : History, The First 400 Years of the Church January 25 th : The Seven Ecumenical Councils February 1 st : The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed February 8 th : The Orthodox Teaching About the Virgin Mary February 15 th : The Saints February 22 nd : Ethics: What is the Morality in our Life? This ministry is open to everyone who wishes to refresh his understanding of Orthodoxy, for those who may be new to the Faith, and for those who desire to continue to learn more about their faith. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter (2 Thess. 2:15).

21 New Year Resolutions During this time of the year, many people make a New Year s resolution. It is a promise to do an act of self-improvement. It is a way to think about how we can change for the better. Indeed, the New Year gives us an opportunity to reflect on ourselves and strive for a new beginning. As Orthodox Christians, we are called to reflect on ourselves daily so that we may live in a manner that is pleasing to God. It is easy to overlook our short-comings, but when we take the time to examine our lives, we are better able to see in what ways we can improve. Whenever we fall, God, who is all-merciful, is ever ready to give us another chance. We ultimately desire to change so that we may live in a way that God desires for us. With this in mind, what would be some good resolutions for us to make as Orthodox Christians? Here are three suggestions: 1) Pray every day. St. Paul says, pray without ceasing, (I Thess. 5:17). Prayer connects us with God. In the Divine Liturgy, we partake of the Body and Blood of Christ. We become one with Him. It is through prayer that we maintain and even strengthen this connection with our Lord. 2) Make the effort each day to fill the mind with something that is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and holy (Phil 4:8). Take some time for fifteen or twenty minutes per day to read Holy Scripture, the lives of Saints and other writings. In these writings, we begin to understand our purpose in life and see how God is ever present in the world. We are spiritually uplifted by the saints who sought nothing but to do the will of the Lord. 3) Take time each day to reflect on mistakes made, how others may have been hurt, and ask for forgiveness. The Lord is our exemplar on how we must treat each other, as St. John says: let us love one another, for love comes from God, (I John 4:7). These are just a few suggestions, but it is in doing these things that we are able to strengthen our relationships with each other and with God. We will become instruments in God s hands, shining forth His light of love to the world around us! In Christ s Service, Aaron Gilbert Pastoral Assistant

22 Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society JANUARY 2016 Newsletter BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR PHILOPTOCHOS CHAPTER!! We are starting our 2017 membership drive this month. Encourage all your friends to join. Whether you are an active member or a supporting member, we need your assistance to reach our goals to help the sick, the poor, the elderly, the hungry, the lonely and the orphaned. Look for the Philoptochos table on Sundays during Fellowship Hour. You won t want to miss the January meeting. Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. In the classroom building A special thanks to those who helped shop for needy children at Kohl s, for the Soroptimist Community Christmas Tree. Thanks to the members who contributed gift cards for the Christmas tree which was raffled off at the Light the Path luncheon to benefit students at Holy Cross Seminary and Hellenic College. Thanks to Denna Tsatsaronis and Ella Velthoen for decorating and delivering the tree. Thanks to Diana Demetrulias and Paul Mayer for hosting our very successful Holiday Advent Tea in their beautiful home and to Mary Gavrilis and Helen Katotakis for chairing the event. The proceeds will be distributed to NAMI (National Alliance on Mentally Illness) and other Philoptochos ministries. Thanks to Diane Hillas and her committee for collecting the items and distributing the seminarian and shut-in baskets. Please support our next big event which is the Vasilopita Luncheon on Sunday, January 15, 2017.

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24 (Mothers of Orthodox Minors) Invite you to their December gathering on Friday, January 6 th AFTER CHURCH (Theophany) STARBUCKS 1800 Oakdale Rd (corner of Oakdale and Merle), Modesto Questions? Please contact Diane at GOLDEN CIRCLE Please join us to celebrate January Birthdays and enjoy a wonderful luncheon with all of your friends on Thursday, January 12 th At Noon In the Very Rev. Fr. Papageorge Cultural Center December Birthdays! All Parishioners over the age of 55 are invited to join us!!

25 H.O.P.E. (Grades 3-5), J.O.Y. (Grades 6-8) G.O.Y.A. (High School) Y.A.L. ( 18 years old- 35 years old) H.O.P.E. Grade 3-5; J.O.Y. Grades 6-8; G.O.Y.A. - High School; Y.A.L. - College Monday, January 7:00 p.m. HOPE/JOY/GOYA Meetings Meet in Church Monday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. G.O.Y.A Fireside Chat (Location to be determined) A fun time for infant to preschool age kids to get together and play! Thursday, January 19 at 10:15 a.m. In the Sunday School Building Hayley if you have any questions. hayklevmyr@gmail.com

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33 PLEDGED STEWARDS 2016 (AS OF DECEMBER 22, 2016 COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST (MATTHEW 11:28) Affholter, Mike & Anna Amerine, William & Rosanda Ammari, Naiel & Chirin Andriopoulos, Christos & Hariklia Angelo, Antonios Angelo, Elizabeth Angelo, Irene Angelo, Maria Angelo, Michael & Alicia Aretakis, John & Galatia Aretakis, John & Galatia Baker, Nicole Pepelis Bazos, Alex & Effie Berris, Kostantinos & Maria Birakos, Dimos & Allison Bird, Connie Blanas, George & Donna Borden, George Borden, Jeff & Tina Boutsikakis, Arestides Boutsikakis, Christopher & Jacqueline Bouzeneris, Anne Bouzeneris, Mike & Joanne Bouzeneris, Zabia Bowren, Ron Spyridon Brown, Dean & Yianna Brown, Jeff & Dena Burge, Roberta & Harold Moore Burrage, Andrew & Catherine Capous, Alex & Joanne Capous, Alex & Joanne Castillo, Efthemia Cerny, Ryan & Babia Chilles, Chris & Megan Chituras, Katharine Christie, Chris Nino Christie, Harriet Christie, Harry Christie, William M. Christodulis, Stephen & Christina Christoulakis, Mike & Kathy Christy, Steve Cocoles, Stamus & Mary Condor, Bogdan & Voica Conley, Jason & Ileana Constantinou, Andy & Anthoula Constantinou, Panayiota Cooke, Brian & Elizabeth Cougiamtzakis, Angelo Darpinian, Sherri Davis, Brian & Anne De La Torre, Josh & Pamela Despotakis, Janet Despotakis, Janet Duerr, Troy & Kristina Dunn, Gary & Carol Durrer, Justin & Michelle Durrer, Ryan Durrer, Ted & Maria Eranossian, Irina Faklis, Holly & Nick Fanourgiakis, John & Antonia Fisher, David & Christina Flesoras, Dean & Angie Forakis, Irene Forakis, John Forakis, Paul & Karen Fortin, Ryan & Kari Fostinis, Mike & Linda Fraioli, Tom & Vikki French, Jaylen & Maria Galas, Agatha and Chris Gavrilis, Mary Gavrilis, Tony & Jeannette Georgeopulos, Leo & Panagiota George-Pardini, Elaine Giahos, Gregg & Stephanie Giahos, Gregg & Stephanie Giahos, Steve Gianopoulos, Tom & Tina Gianulias, Chris & Pauline Gikas, Michael & Wanda Gikas, Steve Gomez, Danny & Anna Grillos, Steve & Bessie Hadweh, Youssef & Soucher Hallis, John & Katina Hallis, Maria Haskin, Bradley & Janet Hatton, Warren & Janelle Hatzigeorgiou, Steve & Rachel Hilladakis, Bruce & Emily Hillas, John & Anne Hillas, John & Diane Hillas, Mary Horning, Nick & Mary Jacobs, Michael & Tasia Jaureguy, Elizabeth Jaureguy, Mike & Irene Jensen, Karen & Chet Johnson, Don & Nicole Jordanoglou, Gus & Laurie Kakridas, Pete & Petula Kalfakis, William & Sharron Kalmantis, Haroula Kappas, Mary Karabinis, Demitrios & Robyn Karabinis, Peter Karam, Zeffie Karas, John & Sinie Karaszi, Dena Katakis, Andrew Katakis, Argy Katakis, Hope Katakis, Ronald Katakis, William Katotakis, Manuel & Eleni Katsufrakis, Peter & Marlene Katzakis, Spiro & Katina Kennedy, Beverly Kennedy, Susan Khoury, Saliba & Dawn Klabanos, Alex Klevmyr, Erik & Hayley Kocolas, Jim & Chryssi Kogeones, Bill Kokolas, Bill Kokologiannakis, Bill & Malina Kokologiannakis, Manoli & Danielle Kokologiannakis, Martha Kokoris, Stan & Mary Kondarakis, Nick & Zoi Konstantelos, Nick & Evmorfia Korakas, Angela Korakas, Nick & Joanne Kordazakis, George & Angela Kordazakis, John & Dimitra Kordazakis, Mike & Eleni Kordazakis, Stephen M. Kosmadakis, Mathew & Kelsey Kounias, George & Elizabeth Kounias, Helen Kounias, Stratos Lagos, Marie & John Lallas, Mike & Jennie Lamatis, Jackie Lamatis, Jim & Mary Lambros, Pete Lane, Christopher Leffler, Duke Leffler, Duke Z. & Julia Leffler, Paula

34 Legatos, Dennis & Tula Legatos, Maria Lemons, Kelly & Brian Lewis, Fred & Doreen Lewis, Fred & Doreen Lodewyck, Ronald & Betty Lolonis, John & Anna Lolonis, Voula Louis, Dennis & Georgina Machado, Bob & Eleni Malekos, Cindy Malekos, Olivia Mamalis, Peter Mandarakas, Krystalo Maney, Sharon Manganas, Antoun Mangelos, John Mangelos, Katherine Markantonis, Michael Maroudas, George & Cori Maroudas, Maria Mason, James & Gina Mastras, Chrissy Mastras, Nick Mayer, Andrea Mayer, Jordan Mayer, Paul & Dr. Diana Demetrulias McCoy, Jason & Niki McDougal, Joanne Peros McMillen, David & Maria Mellis, Ilene Merciadis, Gregory Metropoulos, Nick & Helen Micheletos, Bill & Jennie Micheletos, Greg & Dora Micheletos, John & Bessie Micheletti, Dan & Jamie Mitri, Jalil & Caroline Mitri, Salim & Mervet Mitri, Seri Mitsopoulos, Andy & Tamara Mitsopoulos, Leo and Voula Mitsopoulos, Tom & Stella Moore, Kevin & Maria Moraitis, Steve & Peggy Moraitis, Steve & Sarah Mouzes, Gus & Lauretta Myrtakis, Manuel & Jennifer Nicholson, Karen Nicholson, Mark Nicolacakis, Dean & Maria Pagonis, Sophie Pakas, Chris If we have mistakenly left your name off the STEWARDSHIP ROSTER, please contact the Church Office. God Bless You! Pallios, Aleta Pallios, Diane Pallios, George & Sophie Pallios, Jim & Lindsay Pallios, Jimmy Pallios, John & Judy Pallios, Kylie Pallios, Mike & Irene Pallios, Nick & Nina Pallios, Steve & Pam Pallios, Tony & Joy Panou, Evangelis & Kristen Papadogiannis, Yianni & Sara Papadopoulos, Christos & Dimitra Papadopoulos, Stelios Papadoulis, Sophia Paras, Andy Paras, Gus & Carol Paras, Jim & Koula Patterakis, Vicki Pepelis, Beatrice Pepelis, Canella Pepelis, Collette Peros, Irene Peros, Pete & Esther Petrulakis, Anna Petrulakis, Dean & Laura Petrulakis, George & Karna Pindel, Daniel & Sandra Poloynis, Mary Poulos, Ted & Antonette Prepoutse, Ted & Kiki Pressas, Alexis Price, Danny & Hilary Leffler Pronoitis, Paul & Charlotte Quick, Bob & Chris Radcliff, Violetta Ramirez, William & Cassandra Reeder, John & Barbara Robinson, Cheryl Rodarakis, Manoli Rodarakis, Michael & Rodo Rosso, Bob & Elaine Sakaldasis, George & Joann Shaw, Mike & Kiki Simvoulakis, George & Georgia Simvoulakis, Greg & Valerie Simvoulakis, John Simvoulakis, Lea Sirogiannis, George & Helen Smith, Philip & Andrea Sonnenberg, Jon & Lea Stamos, Jim & Dena Stamos, Nick & Michelle Stathoudakis, Mike & Olympia Stathoudakis, Stavros Stathoudakis, Yianni & Megan Stavrakakis, John & Pat Stavrakakis, Mike & Mary Jo Stavrakakis, Steve Stavrianoudakis, Darleen Stavrianoudakis, Nick & Suzette Summers, Ken & Lynne Swehla, Terry & Karen Tam, Tony & Carol Tasiopoulos, Loula & Gus Tasiopoulos, Theodore Tavernas, Bessie Tavernas, Brian & Marcy Tavernas, George & Doris Tavernas, James & JoAnn Thompson, Fred & Marianne Thoukis, Gerard & Melisa Thymakis, Argie Thymakis, Sophia Thymakis, Tony Trabookis, Ann Tripp, Karen Tsatsaronis, Markella Tsatsaronis, Stamatis & Denna Tsirelas, Antonios Tsompanas, Pres. Mary Tsoulouhas, Dr. Theofanis Tzagarakis, Efthemios & Martina Tzagarakis, Evthimios & Martina Velthoen, Allen & Ella Venierakis, Emmanouil & Eleni Vilhaur, Craig & Kristin Vincent, Gloria & George Volk, Drew & Ashleigh Voulgarakis, Dimitri & Nanet Wahl-Nicholson, Dr. Donald & Joan Whitely-Myrtakis, Evelyn Wigt, Pete & Valli Wilson, Byron & Dimitra Woods, Helen Word, Mitcheal & Chrysi Zacharias, George & Helen Zagaris, Denise Zagaris, Jon & Grace Zagaris, Mike & Midge Zagaris, Steven & Lena Zanotto, Scott & Katerina Zigounakis, Stella STEWARDSHIP goal 350