2014 HOLY TRINITY CATHEDRAL STEWARDSHIP

Transcript

1 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral New Orleans, Louisiana JANUARY 5, 2014 THE FOREFEAST OF EPIPHANY Sunday, January 5 ~ 8:45 am Orthros, 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Sunday School following Holy Communion Hymnology in Gymnasium First The Lesser Blessing of the Waters will take place following Divine Liturgy. SPIROS E. PAVLOU 1 YEAR MEMORIAL Vasilopita Sunday Sponsored by Philoptochos in Cathedral after Services 12:00 pm ~ Epiphany Celebratory Luncheon Tickets on Sale in Foyer 12:00 pm ~ GOYA Meeting in Boardroom 12:00 pm ~ Kids' Cafe in Foyer 12:00 pm ~ PTA Meeting in Upstairs Common Area Monday, January 6 ~ 9:00 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy The Feast of Epiphany Reverend Father Peter Nugent, Co-Celebrant The Greater Blessing of the Waters will take place following Divine Liturgy. 7:00 pm ~ Adult Intermediate Greek School in Room 210 Tuesday, January 7 ~ 9:00 am Divine Liturgy Synaxis of St. John the Forerunner Wednesday, January 8 ~ 7:00 pm Adult Beginner Greek School in Room 210 Saturday, January 11 ~ 10:00 am Youth Greek School in Room 210 6:00 pm Vespers Sunday, January 12 ~ 9:00 am Orthros, 10:15 am Divine Liturgy NO Sunday School, Youth Hymnology, or Youth Greek School Sermon Presented by IOCC Representative Daniel Christopulos Out-of-Doors Blessing of the Waters and Cross Retrieval on Bayou St. John following Divine Liturgy Epiphany Celebratory Luncheon in Gymnasium after Cross Retrieval EPIPHANY LUNCHEON TICKETS ON SALE Epiphany Celebratory Luncheon tickets will be on sale today, Sunday, January 5, in the foyer of the Hellenic Cultural Center and at the door next Sunday, January 12. The cost is $10 for adults, and $6 for children 12 and under. Make plans for your entire family to be a part of this historic, special event by purchasing your tickets today! GREEK SCHOOL SCHEDULE Spring semester Greek School classes begin tomorrow, Monday, January 6, Please note, however, that there will be NO Youth Greek School next Sunday, January 12, in observance of the special Epiphany celebrations that will follow church services HOLY TRINITY CATHEDRAL STEWARDSHIP Christian Stewardship is about becoming good caretakers of all that God has given us. Everyone is blessed with special and unique gifts. Through Holy Scripture we learn that these gifts are a loan from God, Who not only lends everything to us but also reminds each individual that one day He will ask for a detailed account of what he or she has done with the gifts that He bestowed them. Archbishop Anastasios of Albania has noted that we find ourselves by offering ourselves. Have we learned the blessedness of generously giving to others of all we have? The 2014 Stewardship packets were mailed recently to your homes. Please take time to review the message conveyed in the enclosed material and consider donating your time, talent, and treasure to Holy Trinity Cathedral. To update Cathedral records, each steward, individual or family, is asked to complete a 2014 Commitment Card and return it to the office. Moreover, stewards are strongly encouraged to submit the completed forms by January 24, 2014, to assist with upcoming budget planning. Your cooperation on this matter is greatly appreciated.

2 2014 ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDARS Extra copies of the 2014 Ecclesiastical Calendars are available in the Cathedral Narthex. The packet also includes a miniature calendar and a daily Scripture guide. Please help yourself. CHILDREN S COOKIE WORKSHOP The directors of Greek School and HOPE & JOY are conducting an exciting joint venture on Sunday, January 19, 2014, for the children of both groups. Fay Kalergi and Vicki McCallef invite these young people to attend a Greek Alphabet Cookie Workshop and Pizza Party in the Hellenic Cultural Center beginning at 1:00 pm after Greek School. It will be a wonderful hands on opportunity for the children to learn all of the Greek letters while preparing bake items that will be sold the following Sunday, January 29. Proceeds will benefit HOPE & JOY. Parents are asked to bring their young bakers to this educational, fun activity. Contact Vicki McCallef at vmccallef@yahoo.com for more information. PHILOPTOCHOS VASILOPITA SUNDAY The tradition of "cutting the Vasilopita is observed in honor of our Holy Father Basil the Great, archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia hence, its name Vasilopita. Saint Basil the Great established various philanthropic institutions and distributed money to the poor in a discreet manner by placing gold coins in sweetened bread. The recipients cutting the bread were surprised to find the gold coin, which provided them with material sustenance. A beautiful tradition of our Orthodox faith, the Cutting of the Vasilopita will take place today following Church services. All proceeds from this annual celebration are sent to the Academy of Saint Basil, a home away from home for Orthodox young people, who come from broken homes or are victims of poverty, abuse, or abandonment. The Philoptochos Elpis Society thanks you in advance for your consideration and wishes you a Happy New Year. MEMBERSHIP The New Year also means the Philoptochos Membership drive begins. We encourage membership renewals and gladly welcome new members throughout the year. Even if you cannot be an active member, know that your membership fee goes to support charities at the National, Metropolis, and local levels. Now is the perfect time to join generations of women, who have given of their time and wisdom to truly make a difference. Your strength, determination, and compassion will guarantee the mission of Philoptochos is being fulfilled. Our next meeting is Saturday, February 1, 2014, at 10:30 am in the Coffee Room. If you are interested in joining, please contact Membership Chairperson Cathy Vial. SENIOR CITIZENS LUNCHEON Senior Citizens are invited to our next Senior Citizens Luncheon on January 16, 2014, at 11:30 am in the Coffee Room. Make plans now to attend. Also, if you wish to sponsor a luncheon, please contact Connie Tiliakos. HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL EPIPHANY CROSS RETRIEVAL AND 150TH ANNIVERSARY KICK OFF Sunday, January 12, 2014 The Holy Trinity Family is invited to observe the Out-of-Doors Blessing of the Waters and the Epiphany Cross Retrieval along Bayou St. John, directly in front of the Cathedral, after Divine Liturgy next Sunday, January 12, 2014, and later to attend the 150th Anniversary Kick Off Celebratory Luncheon in the Hellenic Cultural Center. The traditional Epiphany Cross Retrieval commemorates the Baptism and the Holy Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The fortunate individual, who recovers the Cross, will receive a gift from the community and will be recognized at the luncheon. Male members of Holy Trinity Cathedral, who are age 16 or older and who desire to be a part of this meaningful Orthodox tradition, are asked to complete a Cross Retrieval Application Form, as well as a Permission Form. Both documents, which are available in the Cathedral office, MUST be completed and returned to the office no later than today, Sunday, January 5, Nominations for a young lady of our community to be the dove bearer are also being accepted. Forms are available in the Cathedral office. To assure the success of this event, the 150th Anniversary Committee is asking for assistance in covering the costs associated with the endeavor. Sponsorship Forms are available in the Cathedral office. Please consider a sponsorship level in support of the Epiphany festivities. For further information on all Epiphany related questions, contact the Cathedral office, Nick Chronis, Costa Vennis, or Barbara Wolf. Our Epiphany service on January 12 will highlight one of the many relics of our Holy Trinity Cathedral Keepers of the Faith collection when Father Maximos utilizes a donated artifact during the Liturgy in the Cathedral. Father will bless the congregation with holy water dipped from a Greek Orthodox ceramic vessel (efchologion) donated to the community by Robert Klatt. This artifact resembles an 1882 painting by Romanian painter Constantin Stahi of the implements used for the blessing of holy water. There will also be a small exhibit in the Hellenic Cultural Center that will showcase liturgical artifacts and historic icons, including a collection of 19 th and 20 th century randistiria (holy water sprinklers) and icons of St. John the Baptist and the Baptism of Jesus.

3 30TH ANNUAL WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY Father Maximos Pafilis will introduce the 30th Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on Friday, January 17, 2014, at Holy Trinity Cathedral. A thirty minute prayer service in Greek and English will begin at 5:30 pm followed by an address by Father Maximos on "The Ecumenical Vision of the Orthodox Church from the Early Church to the Present Time." The Holy Trinity Family will host a reception in the Hellenic Cultural Center after the lecture. Interfaith Communications International is sponsoring the event. HOUSE BLESSINGS Enclosed is a 2014 House Blessing Form. Once it is completed, Father Maximos asks that you return it to the Cathedral office as soon as possible. Please denote a day and time that is convenient for you, and the office will call to confirm the appointed schedule. IOCC VISITORS The Holy Trinity Cathedral Family will welcome twelve visitors next weekend. IOCC Representative Daniel Christopulos will accompany eleven seminarians, who attend six of the eight Orthodox seminaries in North America. The group is volunteering their time and efforts to assist with Habitat for Humanity in the New Orleans area from January 7 through January 12. During their stay they will attend two services Vespers on Saturday, January 11, and Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 12. Father Maximos has invited Dan, who will speak after Liturgy, to present a brief explanation of IOCC and the important work undertaken by the group. Please give our guests a warm reception, particularly when they join the community for the exciting Epiphany festivities slated next Sunday. PILGRIMAGE TO ROME AND CONSTANTINOPLE Fathers Buddy Noel and Maximos Pafilis will direct a special ecumenical pilgrimage to Rome and Constantinople September 8-18, Flyers are available in the office. SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS Sunday School classes resume today, January 5, Students will celebrate Vasilopita Day in the Cathedral after all parishioners have exited the church. Father Maximos will explain the traditions of this day, and all students will receive their own slice of Vasilopita. Please note that next Sunday, January 12, 2014, Sunday School and Youth Hymnology are cancelled in observance of the special activities that will include the Epiphany Cross Retrieval on Bayou St. John and the 150th Anniversary Kick Off Celebratory Luncheon that will follow in the Hellenic Cultural Center. These arrangements will allow families to share this memorable occasion. Regular scheduling for Sunday School and Youth Hymnology will resume on Sunday, January 19, The Holy Feast of Theophany Every year, at the feast of Theophany, we are invited to open our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit descending from above to sanctify, heal, and renew our souls and bodies. Amen! The word Theophany means manifestation or revelation of God and refers to the manifestation of the Holy Trinity at the Baptism of Christ. The feast of Theophany, which is celebrated on January 6, is considered to be the third greatest feast of the Orthodox Church (after Pascha and Pentecost). It commemorates the Baptism of our Lord by John the Forerunner in the river Jordan and the official appearance of the incarnate Word to the world. The feast of Theophany is also called Epiphany, which means manifestation and the Day of Illumination and the Feast of Lights, for Christ, the Sun of Justice, has appeared to illumine those who sat in darkness. The feast of Theophany is the second oldest Christian feast after Easter. Historical evidence indicates that the Gnostics, a group of Christians who believed in heretical teachings, celebrated the feast of Theophany as early as the year 140 AD. Many faithful Christians celebrated the feast of the Baptism of Christ with the Gnostics, which concerned the church, who was vigilant against heretical teachings. Therefore, to protect the faithful from associating with the Gnostics, the church officially adopted the celebration of the Baptism of Christ on January 6, along with the feast of His Nativity. By the year 350 AD, the feast of Theophany became more officially recognized in the church and took the names Epiphany and Theophany. By mid to late fourth century, the church separated the feast of Theophany from the feast of the Nativity of Christ. The celebration of the Feast of Theophany settled on January 6, and the Feast of the Nativity of Christ was moved to December 25 to replace the pagan festival of Sol Invictus "unconquerable Sun." The significance of the Baptism of the Lord is derived from the fact that the Lord accepted to be baptized as a human even thought He didn t need to be cleansed for He was sinless. As a matter of fact, while John baptized Jesus in the body with waters, Jesus baptized John in the spirit and cleansed his soul. According to St. John of Damascus, The Lord was baptized not because He Himself needed cleansing but in order to bury human sin through water and all of the old Adam, to fulfill the law, and to grant us a model and an example of baptism. At the river of Jordan, John the Baptist testified that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God and introduced Him as the expected Messiah. This testimony was of great significance in facilitating the beginning of the ministry of Christ and His redemptive work. At the river Jordan, for the first time, the Triune God revealed Himself fully to the world. The Son in the person of Jesus, the incarnate Word of God; the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove; and the Father who witnesses to the divinity of Christ and proclaims Him to be His only Son,: "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). This manifestation of the Triune God reveals the fact that the redemptive work of salvation was a collective decision of the Holy Trinity and officially introduced Christ as the anointed Messiah, Who came to redeem the world. At the river Jordan, nature was sanctified. The decent of Christ into the river Jordan sanctified the waters and entire creation. The descent of Christ into the river Jordan is the first official step of His redemptive work on earth. His Baptism officially starts His salvific journey and foreshadows His death and resurrection for our sakes. The feast of Theophany reveals that the God of our faith is not an abstract and theoretical God. Rather, He is a living God, Who came to earth, entered our human history, and became Man so that Man may become divine by grace. Therefore, God continues His perpetual presence and His revelation of Himself in the world; and we continue to experience His Theophany until the next coming. Reverend Father Ayman Kfouf

4 Holy Trinity Cathedral Greek Orthodox Community of New Orleans 1200 ROBERT E. LEE BOULEVARD NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA PHONE: (504) FAX: (504) Very Reverend Father Maximos Pafilis

5 5η ἸΑΝΟΥΑΡΊΟΥ 2014 ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΠΡΟ ΤΩΝ ΦΩΤΩΝ Τῶν Ἁγίων Μάρτυρων Θεόπεμπτος καὶ Θεωνᾶς Ἑωθινόν ΣΤ 5 th JANUARY 2014 THE FOREFEAST OF EPIPHANY The Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theonas Eothion 6 Ἀπολυτίκιον τῆς Ἀνάστασης Ἦχος γ Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Ἀπολυτίκιον τῶν Προεόρτιον Ἦχος δ Ἀπεστρέφετο ποτέ, ὁ Ἰορδάνης ποταμός, τὴ μηλωτὴ Ἐλισαιέ, ἀναληφθέντος Ἡλιοῦ, καὶ διηρεῖτο τὰ ὕδατα ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν, καὶ γέγονεν αὐτῷ, ξηρὰ ὁδὸς ἡ ὑγρά, εἰς τύπον ἀληθῶς τοῦ Βαπτίσματος, δι' οὗ ἡμεῖς τὴν ῥέουσαν, τοῦ βίου διαπερῶμεν διάβασιν, Χριστὸς ἐφάνη, ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ, ἁγιᾶσαι τὰ ὕδατα. Ἀπολυτίκιον τῆς Ἁγίας Τριάδας Ἦχος πλ δ Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ πανσόφους τοὺς ἁλιεῖς ἀναδείξας, καταπέμψας αὐτοῖς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, καὶ δι' αὐτῶν τὴν οἰκουμένην σαγηνεύσας, φιλάνθρωπε, δόξα σοί. Κοντάκιον τῶν Προεόρτιον Ἦχος δ Ἐν τοῖς ῥείθροις σήμερον τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, γεγονῶς ὁ Κύριος, τῶ Ἰωάννη ἐκβοᾷ. Μὴ δειλιάσης βαπτίσαι με, σῶσαι γὰρ ἥκω, Ἀδὰμ τὸν πρωτόπλαστον. Resurrection Apolytikion Tone 3 Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. He trampled death under foot by means of death; and He became the firstborn from the dead. From the maw of Hades He delivered us; and He granted the world His great mercy. Apolytikion τῶν Προεόρτιον Tone 4 River Jordan was turned back by Elisseus' mantle once, when the fiery man of zeal Elias had been taken up; then were its waters divided hither and thither. The running streams became dry passage unto him, truly as a sign and type of Baptism, whereby we pass to the other side of the shifting stream of this fleeting life. Christ hath appeared in the Jordan River, to sanctify the waters. Apolytikion of the Holy Trinity Plagal Tone 4 Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who made fishermen all-wise, sending upon them the Holy Spirit and, through them, netting the world. O Loving One, glory to You. Kontakion of the Forefeast Tone 4 In the running waters of the Jordan River, on this day the Lord of all cries out to John: Be not afraid and hesitate not to baptize Me, for I am come to save Adam, the first-formed man.

6 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Β Τιμόθεον δ 5-8 Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου. Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου. Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, νῆφε ἐν πᾶσιν, κακοπάθησον, ἔργον ποίησον εὐαγγελιστοῦ, τὴν διακονίαν σου πληροφόρησον. Ἐγὼ γὰρ ἤδη σπένδομαι, καὶ ὁ καιρὸς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀναλύσεως ἐφέστηκεν. Τὸν ἀγῶνα τὸν καλὸν ἠγώνισμαι, τὸν δρόμον τετέλεκα, τὴν πίστιν τετήρηκα λοιπόν, ἀπόκειταί μοι ὁ τῆς δικαιοσύνης στέφανος, ὃν ἀποδώσει μοι ὁ κύριος ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, ὁ δίκαιος κριτής οὐ μόνον δὲ ἐμοί, ἀλλὰ καὶ πάσιν τοῖς ἠγαπηκόσιν τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ. ΤΟ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Μᾶρκον α 1-8 Αρχὴ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ως γέγραπται ἐν τοῖς προφήταις, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου, ὃς κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου, εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ,ἐγένετο Ιωάννης βαπτίζων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ ἐξεπορεύετο πρὸς αὐτὸν πᾶσα ἡ Ιουδαία χώρα καὶ οἱ Ιεροσολυμῖται, καὶ ἐβαπτίζοντο πάντες ἐν τῷ Ιορδάνῃ ποταμῷ ὑπ αὐτοῦ ἐξομολογούμενοι τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν. Ἦν δὲ ὁ Ιωάννης ἐνδεδυμένος τρίχας καμήλου καὶ ζώνην δερματίνην περὶ τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐσθίων ἀκρίδας καὶ μέλι ἄγριον. Καὶ ἐκήρυσσε λέγων ἔρχεται ὁ ἰσχυρότερός μου ὀπίσω μου, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς κύψας λῦσαι τὸν ἱμάντα τῶν ὑποδημάτων αὐτοῦ ἐγὼ μὲν ἐβάπτισα ὑμᾶς ἐν ὕδατι, αὐτὸς δὲ βαπτίσει ὑμᾶς ἐν Πνεύματι Αγίῳ. THE EPISTLE 2 Timothy 4:5-8 O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance. Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God. TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. THE GOSPEL Mark 1:1-8 The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Today, January 5, is the forefeast of Epiphany in the Orthodox Christian Church and tomorrow, January 6, is the feast of Epiphany. The Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany) of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on January 6. The Feast commemorates the Baptism of Christ and the divine revelation of the Holy Trinity. At the Baptism of Christ, all three Persons of the Holy Trinity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were made manifest. Thus, the name of the Feast is Epiphany, meaning manifestation, or Theophany, meaning manifestation of God.