THE PHOS CHURCH SERVICES. Coming up. See Insert or go to our website PRESIDENT S REPORT

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1 July-Aug 2017 Περιοδικό τῆς Ἐνορίας-Κοινότητος Ἁγίας Ἄννας, Χρυσή Ἀκτή Newsletter of the Greek Orthodox Parish- Community of St Anna, Gold Coast 31 a Crombie Ave, Bundall PO Box 5074 GCMC Qld 9726 (07) , admin@gocstanna.org If you would like to receive the Phos in colour by send your address to admin@gocstanna.org PRESIDENT S REPORT St Anna was blessed this year with a visit by His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Apollonias, representing His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, on the weekend of 22 and 23 rd of July. We must give our thanks to His Eminence for sending his representative to us for both the Agiasmos Service and to concelebrate at the feast of the Dormition of St Anna and the subsequent lunch. Saturday afternoon was a special milestone in the life of our Parish-Community as Bishop Seraphim conducted an Agiasmo and blessing of the Foundation Stone, for the first stage of St Anna s Independent and Community Living Centre at Arundel. This building consists of 6x one bedroom & 1x two bedroom units and is for, not only Greek people but for all Gold Coasters in need. This dream would not have come to fruition without, firstly, the generous gift of leasehold land provided by the Gold Coast City Council. For those of you have been to see this section of Allied Drive you will note that land in this street was given to many other communities and charitable organisations. We thank the city Council for their generosity which has allowed many charitable groups to benefit and assist those in need. We are enormously grateful to Jim, Helen & Evan Raptis who have so generously donated the entire cost of this first building. Their enormous continuing contributions to the life of the Greek Orthodox Community of St Anna cannot be overstated. They help this community in many different ways throughout the year and do not wish recognition for this as it is done with love for their Church and Community. Thank you does not seem enough, but THANK YOU, Jim, Helen and Evan for allowing us to commence this project completely free of debt. We look forward to welcoming our first residents in the early months of Thank you to Mayor Tom Tate and Kristyn Boulton, Councillor for Division 4, for attending the Foundation Stone Ceremony. Also Father Laurenti Pescar of Agia Paraskevi, Presidents from the other South East Qld Parishes Michael Anastas, Dr Peter Marendy, Luke Comino and Stathi Zambas of the Cypriot Community. We thank each and every one of you who attended the Agiasmo and who returned to the Community Centre for afternoon tea organised by our very hard working Ladies Auxiliary, The feast for the Dormition of St Anna was celebrated on Sunday 23 rd, officiated by His Grace Bishop Seraphim, was better than ever this year as it has been many years since our Church has had a Bishop in attendance for our Feast Day. The luncheon which followed was attended by over 250 people. Our dancing groups performed beautifully and thanks must go to their teachers, Sally Cominos-Dakin, Effie Petridis Alvanos and Maria Voudouros, who spend many hours of their time teaching plus organising the readiness of the costumes for their performances. Thank you ladies. As many of you will have noticed Stage 1 of the maintenance of our Church has begun. This work has been made possible by the generous donations of our Parishoners to whom we offer our deep gratitude. Our Church is looking sparkling. So as to keep you informed, below is a list of works either completed or soon to be completed. Leaks to the roof sheeting has been repaired painting to the outside of the Church has been completed New tiles for the outside of the Church are being laid Deteriorated timber windows and doors to the east and west of the Church are to be replaced and will be installed at the end of this month Marble tiles inside the Church are being repolished New carpet laid These are very busy but very satisfying times! These works were badly in need and we will continue to work through Stage 1 before we commence on Stage 2. With everyone s help we hope to continue with the works in the months ahead. We can now admire our beautiful Church once more. The community congratulates Goethe Ionnides for celebrating his 90th birthday. George was the community s volunteer Psalty for over 35 years and we still miss seeing him standing at the psaltiri. May St Anna keep you well for many years to come. Coming up 1 Oct Morning Tea following Church 22 Oct St. Anna s Day luncheon CHURCH SERVICES See Insert or go to our website Father Romanos Stergiou Parish Priest Phone: Mobile: father@gocstanna.org Office Hours: Tuesdays 10am-12pm, Wednesdays 4.30pm-7pm and Fridays 5-7pm. Please ring for an appointment.

2 Page 2 THE ST ANNA CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY AND INDEPENDENT LIVING The Ladies Auxiliary was very proud to be present on the day of the laying of the Foundation Stone by His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Apollonias for our Parish- Community s new project. We have worked hard to ensure that St Anna s continues to offer its community services to its members and to the Gold Coast community at large and we continue to work towards this mission. Once again, we take this opportunity to extend an invitation to any ladies who may be interested in joining the Auxiliary or assisting the Auxiliary, thereby helping with this good work. To join the Ladies Auxiliary, the very first step is to become a member. ST ANNA S DAY The Ladies Auxiliary was especially honoured this year to welcome His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Apollonias to our St Anna s Feast Day luncheon. Just over 200 people celebrated together on the day. Our three dancing groups took part in the celebration and we thank their teachers who are LADIES AUXILIARY helping the dancers to progress beautifully. We are grateful to all who kindly donated raffle prizes, who assisted the Auxiliary with preparation of the food and the sweets that were sold after the Liturgy. Lastly, thank you to all our local parishioners who attended on the day. Kai tou hronou! BUS TRIP TO THE DOR- MITION OF THE THEOTO- KOS A number of our parishioners took advantage of a mini bus organised by the Auxiliary to make the trip to the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos. We thank the community of Panayias for their hospitality. Please note that ever since the buses have been going to Brisbane over many years the Ladies Auxiliary has always paid for the shortfall often quite substantial amounts. Though we are pleased to provide this service we really encourage people who are able to go, to take advantage of the bus offered. HELPING THE GOLD COAST COMMUNITY The Auxiliary, with your help, was pleased to have assisted with a number of initiatives within the wider Australian community. We have sold raffle tickets for the Gold Coast Community Fund and we participated by collecting unneeded items to assist during Homelessness Week. We are pleased to assist wherever we can. COMING EVENTS FATHER NAME DAY Sunday, October 1 ROMAN S With great joy, we will celebrate Father Roman and his Name Day on Sunday October 1 st. The Ladies Auxiliary will offer morning tea after the Liturgy. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you are able to bring a plate of savoury or sweet that would be appreciated. OXI FAMILY NIGHT Sunday, October 22 The National Day of Oxi will be held on Sunday, October 22 at the conclusion of the Liturgy. On that day, the Ladies Auxiliary will prepare a luncheon. Please see the enclosed flyer for details. Everyone is invited to follow the Greek School program, to admire the good work of the students, to share a meal together and to acknowledge this special day in Greek history. HIGH TEA - November Our High Tea will be held in November. The date will be announced in the next Phos along with the name of the exciting speaker we have invited.

3 Page 3 INFORMATION FOR WAKES AND MEMORIALS For information on wakes and memorials, catering and costing, please contact: Thalia Zakos on or Sandra Voukelatos on To arrange for Kollyva, contact Cathy Walker on You must give two weeks notice Memorials with Kollyva can not be conducted between the Sat. of Lazarus and the Sun. of St. Thomas; on the major feast days of our Lord and the Parish Church nor on the 15th Aug, the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. SPIRITUAL CORNER Part 1 Η θέσις της Παναγίας εις την Ορθόδοξον Εκκλησίαν Γέροντας Βασίλειος Γοντικάκης, Προηγούµενος Ι.Μ. Ιβήρων 9 Σεπτεµβρίου 2015 Ένας περίφηµος ύµνος της Εκκλησίας µας ονοµάζει την Παναγία ουρανό: Αύτη γαρ ανεδείχθη ουρανός και ναός της θεότητος» και ένας άλλος «ουρανώσασα το γεώδες ηµών φύραµα». Και ο άγιος Νικόλαος ο Καβάσιλας λέει ότι, όταν ο Θεός δηµιούργησε τα πάντα και, βλέποντάς τα, είδε και είπε ότι ήταν «καλά λίαν», αυτό το «καλά λίαν» αυτό το κάλλος και αυτή η καλοσύνη, αφορούσαν την Παναγία. ηλαδή, ήταν όλα «καλά λίαν», επειδή οδηγούσαν στην Παναγία, επειδή εν τελεί θα εγεννάτο η Παναγία. Έτσι, η Παναγία είναι ο σκοπός όλης της δηµιουργίας και το τέλος όλης της αναµονής της Παλαιάς ιαθήκης. Ο Θεός δηµιούργησε όλο τον κόσµο «καλόν λίαν» και δηµιούργησε στο τέλος τον άνθρωπο, για το πλάσιµο του οποίου καταβάλλει µια ιδιαίτερη προσπάθεια, κάνει µια ιδιαίτερη ενέργεια. εν λέγει και γεννάται, αλλά πλάθει τον άνθρωπο «εκ της γης», και εµφυσά «πνοήν ζωής» σ αυτόν. Ο Μέγας Βασίλειος λέει ότι ο Θεός έδωσε στον άνθρωπο «µοίραν της αυτού θεότητος». Κι έτσι, εµείς θα µπορούσαµε να γινόµαστε θεοί κατά χάριν, αν υπακούαµε στο θέληµα του Θεού. Γεννιέται τότε το ερώτηµα πολλές φορές: Γιατί ο Θεός δεν µας έσωσε, εφ όσον µας αγαπούσε; Εµείς παρακούσαµε του πλάσαντος, κάναµε, όπως λέµε, του κεφαλιού µας. Αλλά Αυτός, ως Θεός εύσπλαχνος και Πατέρας, γιατί δεν µας έβαζε πάλι στον Παράδεισο; Όµως δεν υπάρχει Παράδεισος, χωρίς την ελευθερία. Λέει ο άγιος Ιωάννης ο Χρυσόστοµος: «εν θα µπορούσε ο Χριστός να σώση τον Ιούδα»; Και απαντά ο ίδιος, και λέει ότι ο Χριστός έκανε τα πάντα, αλλά δεν ήθελε διά της βίας να σώση τον Ιούδα, γιατί διά της βίας δεν υπάρχει σωτηρία, παρά µόνο η καταστροφή του ανθρώπου. Έτσι, λοιπόν, περιµέναµε χιλιετίες ολόκληρες, για να έρθει κάποιος άνθρωπος, ο οποίος θα καταλάβαινε τι σηµαίνει αγάπη του Θεού. Αλλά, για να το καταλάβαινε αυτό, έπρεπε να ήταν καθαρός και πολύ ταπεινός. Και γεννήθηκε η Παναγία. Και νοµίζω ότι αυτό το καταλαβαίνουµε µ εκείνα που λέει ο Απόστολος Παύλος στην προς Γαλάτας επιστολή του: «Προ δε του ελθείν την πίστιν υπό νόµον εφρουρούµεθα συγκεκλεισµένοι εις την µέλλουσαν πίστιν αποκαλυφθήναι». Πριν να έρθει η πίστη, ήµαστε κλεισµένοι µέσα στον Νόµο. Ο Νόµος έγινε παιδαγωγός εις Χριστόν, αλλά ο Νόµος, οποιοσδήποτε νόµος, ήταν ανίκανος, και είναι ανίκανος να σώση και να ικανοποιήσει τον άνθρωπο αληθινά. Γι αυτό, όταν ήρθε το «πλήρωµα του χρόνου, εξαπέστειλεν ο Θεός τον υιόν αυτού, γενόµενον υπό νόµον, ίνα τους υπό νόµον εξαγοράση, ίνα την υιοθεσίαν απολάβωµεν». Και το πλήρωµα του χρόνου είναι η γέννηση της Παρθένου, της γυναικός διά της οποίας έγινε άνθρωπος ο Θεός. Αυτή είναι η «κλίµαξ δι ης κατέβη ο Θεός» και η «γέφυρα η µετάγουσαν τους εκ γης προς ουρανόν». Αυτή, λοιπόν, η «εκ κοιλίας µητρός» της ηγιασµένη, ακριβώς γιατί ήταν καρπός πολλής προσευχής των γονέων της, του Ιωακείµ και της Άννης, που ζήτησαν να τους χαρίσει ο Θεός ένα παιδί, και να το αφιερώσουν εξ ολοκλήρου στον Θεό, αφιερώθηκε στον Θεό από βρεφικής ηλικίας. Και ακούµε στην ακολουθία των Εισοδίων να ψάλλει η Εκκλησία ότι «των αγίων εις άγια η άγια και άµωµος εν αγίω Πνεύµατι εισοικίζεται». Εκεί µένει η Παρθένος επί χρόνια, εκεί τρέφεται µε τροφή Αγγέλου, και, όταν φθάση σε µια ώριµη ηλικία και έχη ως µνηστήρα τον Ιωσήφ, δέχεται τον αρχαγγελικό ασπασµό, και είναι πιά Ικανή να πει «ναι» στο µήνυµα του Αγγέλου, να πει «γένοιτό µοι κατά το ρήµα σου», να δεχθεί να γίνη το θέληµα του Θεού σ αυτή. Κι από τότε και στο εξής, να γίνη εκείνη η οποία, διά της όλης υπάρξεώς της, σαρκοποιεί τον Υιό και Λόγο του Θεού. Και έτσι, γίνεται η «ευρυχωρωτέρα των ουρανών», η βασίλισσα των Αγγέλων, και αυτή που πράγµατι αξιώνεται να κάνει τη γη ουρανό.

4 Page 4 Photo Gallery Artists view of St Anna s Independent and Community Living Centre The foundation stone for St Anna s Independent and Community Living Centre The Agismos Service on 22nd July from L to R - Helen & Jim Raptis, Mayor & Mrs Tate and Sandra Voukelatos St Anna s Day Church service GOLD COAST HOMELESS CONNECT It was another successful day at Homeless Connect with perfect weather and great attendance at Metricon Stadium. The clothing area is always a popular attraction for those who attended. Those in charge of the clothing area informed us they had received a record number of clothing crates this year. Donation areas were located throughout the Gold Coast, including St. Anna s hall. Thank you to all those from the St. Anna s community who donated items for the event and helped contribute to such a great day. Although I don t have the final figures of attendance, I was informed that 850 breakfasts were served for the attendees. Gold Coast Homeless Connect always falls on the first week of August which coincides with National Homelessness week. This year was the tenth year that it has been running. This huge event always recruits volunteers and relies on the generosity of Gold Coasters donating items for those in need. If people ever want more information about the event then please don t hesitate to contact me. Chris Sakley

5 Page 5 Bribie Island Retreat and Recreation Centre An Activity of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Bribie Paniyiri Greek Festival Sunday 2 July 2017 Bribie Paniyiri Greek Festival 2017 once again turned in a fabulous day for all who could attend! We were blessed with a sunny day, which set the scene for close to 4000 people to join in the celebration. Special Thanks to George Kassos & the Organising Committee for your tireless efforts, and of course to the willing volunteers who make this event possible. Also we thank the many visitors who came from not only from the local and regional community, but also from Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to enjoy the day. Next year the event is scheduled for Sunday 1st July, Please enjoy some images of the day below, kindly provided by Dr. Peter Marendy. ST.ANNA S YOUTH GROUP The St.Anna s Youth Group will be looking forward to a couple upcoming events in September. September school holidays (date to be confirmed) will be a chance for St. Anna s teens to get together for a movie and a meal. This will be during the first week of the September holidays. September 30th to October 2nd there is a youth camp at Bribie Island. These are done at least once a year and feedback from those that attend is that it s a must! See flyer for further information. More details will be available on the St. Anna s Youth facebook page or contact Alex Sen on

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7 Page 7 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia PARISH-COMMUNITY OF THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS, MT GRAVATT G.O. EENS $160 including: food, bus, accommodation and Bribie island recreation center Surfing lessons, low ropes, campfire. Fun with friends 30 th of September to the 2 nd of October. (September holidays) GO.TEENS CAMP 2017 From Saturday 30 th of September to Monday 2 nd of October there will be a G.O.Teens camp at the Bribie Island Retreat and Recreation centre. The camp includes all meals, accommodation in cabins, surfing lessons and other fun activities. Bus pickup included and will be from Southside Parish church and returning on the Monday. GO.TEENS Aphrodite Livanes Coordinator apli2@bigpond.com Find us on Facebook!

8 Page 8 Senior Citizens We meet at our Hall at am on Tuesdays. BYO Food Θά συναντηθούμε στο χώλ μας 10,30 π.μ. με τα φαγητά μας The seniors were treated to Pizza by Lefterios to celebrate his birthday in August which was appreciated by all who attended on the day. We wish him and the other seniors who had birthdays a healthy and happy year. St. Anna s day was celebrated with a luncheon after Church. The Seniors club helped with the cost of the tickets. We welcome all the visitors we have had over the last couple of months from the southern states. Photos from the past The Seniors committee with Gary Baildon Providing Home Care Packages: Providing in home services for ACAT approved seniors Supporting your lifestyle needs and helping you stay in your home longer. For Enquiries contact Julie Firth or Kellie Burr on (07) Mon Fri. GOC Care Day Respite Centre for adults: 60 to 65years, with disabilities (chronic pain, vision or hearing loss, chronic illness etc) over age 65 years who are frail, have chronic conditions or are socially isolated caring for spouses or adult children with disabilities Mondays or Thursdays; morning tea and lunch provided. Based in community Hall, with regular outings. Older Men s Group meets alternate Mondays: active, excursion group. Members meet at community Hall. For Enquiries contact Joanne or Rebecca: or , Mon and Thurs only. Celebrating Goethe Ioannides 90th Birthday