JANUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER

Transcript

1 ΙΕΡΟΣ ΝΑΟΣ ΑΓΙΩΝ ΜΑΡΙΑΣ ΜΑΓΔΑΛΗΝΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΜΑΡΚΕΛΛΗΣ STS. MARY MAGDALENE & MARKELLA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH JANUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER Dublin Road, Darlington, MD PRESIDING PRIEST THE REV. ELEFTERIOS PLEVRAKIS Office: Website: stsmm.org OFFICE HOURS TUESDAY FRIDAY 10:00 A.M. 4:00 P.M. QUESTIONS? CALL OR VISIT US (FOR OFFICE VISITS PLEASE CALL IN ADVANCE)

2 LETTER FROM THE PRIEST Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I want to wish all of you this New Year, lots of happiness, good health, and spiritual enlightenment. I am sure many would agree with me that there have been many ups and down this past year, but we should not let the burdens of life cast a showdown over the treasures of our faith. We are continuously reminded in life through TV and other media outlets of the tragedies that continue to occur around us, whether it is the killings or the broken homes in which the children continue to leave from hungry. Although these are realities found in our lives today, the biggest tragedy which we encounter from these similar outlets is that that there is little or no mention of God and the countless gifts we are given by Him every day. This approach has completely clouded people s perspective about life. It has devalued man by separating him from God. Instead of him believing in his calling to become god by grace, he instead redirects his efforts and hides behind the protective shield of his ego. Consequently, man puts himself in a predicament where he cannot speak anymore about freedom or hope, but rather the justification of sinfulness and the darkness that arises from it all. As Orthodox Christians, our experiences which are rooted in the revelations of God in History teach us something completely contrary to that narrative. This month we are celebrating the Great Feast of Theophany, which is a revelation of the Trinitarian God in history. It is the moment that all three persons of the Trinity manifest themselves. This was done in order to show that our life in Christ is a life with God. We read in the Gospel according to John that when looking at Christ s image we also see the Father. This is crucial to understand because it brings out the importance of the human nature that both Christ and we share together. Furthermore, Theophany is a celebration of our own baptism since we became sons and daughters through the same waters Christ blessed in the Jordan River. When St. John the Baptist baptized Christ, all of nature was blessed and purified through the divine energies of God. At that moment, the waters around the world changed composition and became vehicles of the Holy Spirit. That is why brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of what bad things are happening around us, we should go into the New Year knowing that it is the works of our Lord that protects us all. We the people only have the efforts to act on these gifts, but not the powers to produce them. Let us spend less time worrying or predicting future events and spend more time enjoying the gifts that God continues to bless us with every day. In Christ, Father Elefterios

3 Αγαπητοί αδελφοί και αδελφές εν Χριστό, Θέλω να ευχηθώ σε όλους σας αυτό το νέο έτος, μεγάλη ευτυχία, καλή υγεία και πνευματική διαφώτιση. Είμαι βέβαιος ότι πολλοί θα συμφωνούσαν μαζί μου ότι υπήρξαν πολλές δύσκολες στίγμες του περασμένου έτους, αλλά δεν πρέπει να αφήσουμε τα βάρη της ζωής να επισκιάζουν τους θησαυρούς της πίστης μας. Είμαστε συνεχώς υπενθυμισμένοι στη ζωή μέσω της τηλεόρασης και άλλων μέσων μαζικής ενημέρωσης των τραγωδιών που συνεχίζουν να συμβαίνουν γύρω μας, είτε πρόκειται για δολοφονίες είτε για σπίτια στα οποία τα παιδιά συνεχίζουν να ζούνε από την πείνα. Αν και αυτές είναι πραγματικότητες που βρέθηκαν στη ζωή μας σήμερα, η μεγαλύτερη τραγωδία που συναντάμε από αυτές τις παρόμοιες διεξόδους είναι ότι υπάρχει λίγη ή καμία αναφορά στον Θεό και στα αμέτρητα δώρα που μας δίνει καθημερινά. Αυτό έχει δώσει στους ανθρώπους μια λανθασμένη προοπτική για τη ζωή Έχει υποτιμήσει τον άνθρωπο διαχωρίζοντάς τον από το Θεό. Αντί να πιστέψει στην έκκλησή του να γίνει θεός κατα χάρη, βάζει όλες τις προσπάθειές του να κρυφτεί πίσω από την ασπίδα του εγώ του. Συνεπώς, ο άνθρωπος μπαίνει σε μια κατάσταση όπου δεν μπορεί πλέον να μιλήσει για ελευθερία ή ελπίδα, αλλά να για δικαιολόγηση την αμαρτία και το σκοτάδι που προκύπτει από όλα αυτά. Ως Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί, οι εμπειρίες μας, οι οποίες έχουν τις ρίζες τους στις αποκαλύψεις του Θεού στην Ιστορία, μας διδάσκουν κάτι εντελώς αντίθετο με αυτήν την αφήγηση. Αυτό το μήνα γιορτάζουμε τη μεγάλη γιορτή της Θεοφανίας, η οποία είναι μια αποκάλυψη του Τριαδικού Θεού στην ιστορία. Είναι η στιγμή που εκδηλώνονται και τα τρία πρόσωπα της Αγίας Τριάδας. Αυτό έγινε για να δείξει ότι η ζωή μας στον Χριστό είναι μια ζωή με τον Θεό. Διαβάζουμε στο Ευαγγέλιο εκ του κατα Ιωάννην ότι όταν βλέπουμε την εικόνα του Χριστού βλέπουμε και τον Πατέρα. Eίναι σημαντικό να το καταλάβουμε αυτο για να δούμε την αξία της ανθρώπινης φύσης που τόσο ο Χριστός όσο και όλοι μοιραζόμαστε. Επιπλέον, η Θεοφανία είναι μια γιορτή του βαπτίσματος μας. Γιατί γίναμε παιδία του Θεου από τα ίδια νερά που ευλόγησε στον ποταμό Ιορδανίας. Όταν ο άγιος Ιωάννης ο Βαπτιστής βάφτισε τον Χριστό, όλη η φύση ήταν ευλογημένη και καθαρισμένη μέσα από τις θεϊκές ενέργειες του Θεού. Εκείνη τη στιγμή τα νερά σε όλο τον κόσμο άλλαξαν τη σύνθεση και έγιναν οχήματα του Αγίου Πνεύματος. Αυτός είναι ο λόγος για τον οποίο αδελφοί και αδελφές, ανεξάρτητα από τα κακά πράγματα που συμβαίνουν γύρω μας, θα πρέπει να πάμε στο νέο έτος γνωρίζοντας ότι είναι τα έργα του Κυρίου μας που μας προστατεύει όλους. Εμείς οι άνθρωποι έχουμε μόνο τις προσπάθειες να δράσουμε με αυτά τα δώρα, αλλά όχι τις δυνάμεις για να τις παράγουμε. Ας ξοδεύουμε λιγότερο χρόνο να ανησυχούμε ή να προβλέψουμε μελλοντικά γεγονότα και να περάσουμε περισσότερο χρόνο απολαμβάνοντας τα δώρα που ο Θεός συνεχίζει να μας ευλογεί καθημερινά. Με Αγάπη, Ο πατέρας Ελευθέριος

4 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Happy New Year! The Parish Council wishes you a healthy and prosperous 2018, and looks forward to seeing all of you at services and our community events. It is time in the New Year to remember our beloved Church, and consider her basic needs as she stands ready for us as our house of worship for all our services. Without your stewardship, our Church will not meet the needs of the community. As expenses for electricity, water, and upkeep have increased for our homes, so have they increased for the Church. It is imperative that each community member consider increasing their pledge by 10 percent for In the final months of 2017, the Parish Council borrowed from the other funding lines in order to meet expenses. The budget depends on your timely stewardship in order for the Church to function in the black. Please consider our Sts. Mary Magdalene & Markella as you plan your budget for the With Love in Christ, Fotini Kaminaris President of Parish Council

5 Happy New Year to all and many wishes for a wonderful and healthy 2018 from Philoptochos Group! Many thanks to all our parishioners for their food bank contribution. All boxes were delivered to the Ministry. Also thank you all for baking Christmas cookies for our fundraiser and to all parishioners for your support. Many thanks to Mr. Stavrou and his family for baking and delivering the Vasilopita breads. The sale was a huge success! We were able to raise just above a thousand dollars. We also want to thank Deanna Mojarrad for hosting our wonderful annual Christmas Dinner at her house. We are always looking for new members and anyone can join at any time. Please contact Maria Giannas, our President, with any questions Next meeting is January 11 th, 2018 more details will follow.

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7 WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR DONATING THE POINSETTIAS WHICH BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED OUR BLESSED CHURCH FAMILY The Alatzas Family Chris and Leslie Babiak Mrs. Amilia Bilis Lee and Mary Caprinolo Mrs. Helen Diamandara Konstantinos and Maria Fokianos Dr. Angela Kaitis Gus and Fotini Kaminaris Louis and Eleni Kanaras Peter and Kim Karas Mrs. Noni Kechagias The Kinder Family Markella Mathious Deanna Mojarrad Mr. Spiro Prapas Mr. Basilios Roros Steber Family Bill and Pauline Stillwell The Trikoglou Family DEDICATION (IN MEMORY OF ) James Tiedge, Michael and Artemis Kanetses, Triffon and Markella Alatzas Cecilia and Nicholas Vloyanetes Athanasios Bilis Mary and Nicholas Caprinolo, Cleo and George Harris Tarsoula and Angelo Emmanuel Hatzidiakos, Ekaterine Fokianos Nicholas Kaitis, Dorothy Kaitis, Dr. Henry Scagliolas Eleni Bontzos, Fotini Bontzos, Emmanuel and Despina Kaminaris John Kanaras, Mary Kanaras, and Demetra Kanaras Steve & Mary Karas, Doreen and Art MacArthur Stelios Hadjis Anthonios Trikoglou, and in honor of Carole Trikoglou John Mathious and Markella Mathioudakis Georgia and Stavros Karkoulas Mother and Father George Roros, and in honor of Nicoletta George and Stavroula Karalekas Mary Loula Kirhagis (Mother of Pauline Stillwell) Tony Trikoglou WE WOULD LIKE TO ALSO THANK SEAN AND MARIA CLARK FOR THEIR POINSETTIAS THAT DECORATED THE NARTHEX

8 Theophany or Epiphany By Protopresbyter George Dion Dragas As You were baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, then the worship of the Trinity became manifest, for the voice of the Father bore witness to You, naming You the Beloved Son; and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ God, who appeared and illumined the world, glory to You. - Apolytikion of the Feast

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12 JANUARY 2018 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES January 1: Monday The Circumcision of Christ St. Basil the Great 9:00 a.m. - Orthros 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great January 5: Friday Eve of the Theophany 8:00 a.m. Orthros of the Eve of Theophany 9:00 a.m. Service of the Royal Hours 10:00 a.m. Great Vespers of Theophany w/ the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great 11:30 a.m. Great Blessing of the Waters January 6: Saturday The Holy Theophany of Christ 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy 11:30 a.m. Great Blessing of the Waters January 7: Sunday The Synaxis of St. John the Baptist 9:00 a.m. - Orthros 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy January 14: Sunday after Theophany 9:00 a.m. - Orthros 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy January 21: 15 th Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. - Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 28: Sunday of the Publican & Pharisee 9:00 a.m. - Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 30: Tuesday The Three Hierarchs 9:00 a.m. - Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy ***The Triodion Period Begins***

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14 THE CUTTING OF THE VASILOPITA **HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL PARISHIONERS OF STS. MARY MAGDALENE & MARKELLA** JUST IN CASE YOU FELL ASLEEP BEFORE THE BALL DROPPED, IT IS A NEW YEAR AND 2017 HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY RECORDED IN THE HISTORY BOOKS AND ALMANACS. IF YOU THINK TIME IS GOING BY TOO FAST, YOU ARE RIGHT!! WHICH MEANS, WE HAVE NO TIME TO WASTE! SO LET S GET BUSY MAKING 2018 A MEMORABLE YEAR IN OUR LIVES. TO DO SO THOUGH, WE NEED ALL THE BLESSINGS WE CAN GET. SO JOIN US ON JANUARY 7, 2018 AFTER THE DIVINE LITURGY FOR THE CUTTING OF THE VASILOPITA.

15 TA KAMARIA STS. MARY MAGDALENE & MARKELLA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH **TAKE OUT THOSE DANCING SHOES*** STS. MARY MAGDALENE & MARKELLA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH IS STARTING UP ITS GREEK FOLK DANCE GROUP. REGISTRATION WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 2018 FOLLOWING THE DIVINE LITURGY. WE WILL START OFF OUR FIRST DAY WITH A FUN PIZZA PARTY. COME JOIN THE FESTIVITIES! WHAT TO EXPECT **FUN AND ENERGETIC CHOREOGRAPHED ROUTINES** **ENGAGE WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES AND PROMOTE GREEK HERITAGE** **ORGANIZE FUN EVENTS SUCH AS PIZZA PARTIES, BOWLING, AND TRIPS TO THEME PARKS** **OPPORTUNITIES TO RAISE MONEY BY PERFORMING AT PRIVATE EVENTS** **TRIPS TO CULTURAL CONVENTIONS, DANCE CONFERENCES, AND EXHIBITIONS**

16 STS. MARY MAGDALENE & MARKELLA S ORTHOPRAXIA BOOK CLUB **MOVIE NIGHT** GREAT LENT IS STARTING MUCH EARLIER THIS YEAR. LET US GET A HEAD START IN PREPARING FOR THIS SPIRITUAL JOURNEY. COME JOIN US ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE CHURCH HALL TO WATCH THIS POWERFUL MOVIE THAT IS GUARANTEED TO MOVE YOU SPIRITUALLY AND PREPARE YOU FOR THE DEEP MEANING OF GREAT LENT. THE MOVIE IS IN RUSSIAN BUT WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES. WE ASK THAT YOU COME WITH NO PRIOR RESEARCH INTO THE MOVIE. ALLOW EVERY MOMENT TO BE A REVELATION IN YOUR HEART. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE FATHER AT FRELEFTERIOS@GMAIL.COM. LET US BRING THE RICHNESS OF ORTHODOXY INTO OUR LIVES

17 RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL RADIO STATIONS ICONS ARE HYPERLINKED. CLICK ON PICTURE IMPORTANT CHURCH WEBSITES ICONS ARE HYPERLINKED. CLICK ON PICTURE HOMILIES FROM FATHERS OF THE CHURCH (GREEK) ICONS ARE HYPERLINKED. CLICK ON PICTURE GERONDA NIKON FATHER KONANOS FATHER ATHANASIOS

18 DELICIOUS GREEK RECIPES FOR DAYS OF FASTING CHECK OUT THESE DELICIOUS VEGAN RECIPIES FROM ***GREAT FOR WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS*** GIGANTES PLAKI ICONS ARE HYPERLINKED. CLICK ON PICTURE TRADITIONAL GOLDEN CAKE FROM CONSTANTINOPLE ICONS ARE HYPERLINKED. CLICK ON PICTURE

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20 ****COMPLETE AND FULLY TRANSLATED LITURGICAL TEXT**** EASY TO FOLLOW FORMAT IN BOTH LANGUAGES (GREEK & ENGLISH) CLICK ON THE HYPERLINKED ICONS BELOW TO BE REDIRECTED TO THE E-MATINS PAGE WHERE YOU CAN PRINT YOUR COPY OF THE SERVICES.

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