Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751 Durham NC 27713 919-484-1600 fatherstavroforos2012@gmail.com www.stbarbarachurchnc.org News & Announcements April 21, 2019 Palm Sunday The Holy Hieromartyr Januarius and Those With Him 4/21/2019 Our Holy Father Maximian, Patriarch of Constantinople 4/21/2019 Theodore the Holy Martyr & his mother Philippa of Perge 4/21/2019 Alexandra the Martyr 4/21/2019 Anastasios the Monk of Sinai 4/21/2019 Beuno, Abbot of Clynnog 4/21/2019 NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME Sunday Worship Schedule: Matins 9:00 am & Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. To Our Visitors and Guests We welcome you to worship with us today, whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The Antidoron is not a sacrament, but it is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. After the Divine Liturgy this morning please join us in the Church Hall for fellowship and refreshments. Please complete a Visitor s Card before you leave today and drop it in the offering tray, or give it to one of the parishioners after the service, or mail it to the Church Office. 1
The Sunday Epistle Reading St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9 BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you. Πρὸς Φιλιππησίους 4:4-9 Ἀδελφοί, χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ πάντοτε πάλιν ἐρῶ, χαίρετε. Τὸ ἐπιεικὲς ὑμῶν γνωσθήτω πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις. Ὁ κύριος ἐγγύς. Μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε, ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετὰ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν θεόν. Καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ ὑπερέχουσα πάντα νοῦν, φρουρήσει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ νοήματα ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Τὸ λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, ὅσα ἐστὶν ἀληθῆ, ὅσα σεμνά, ὅσα δίκαια, ὅσα ἁγνά, ὅσα προσφιλῆ, ὅσα εὔφημα, εἴ τις ἀρετὴ καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος, ταῦτα λογίζεσθε. Ἃ καὶ ἐμάθετε καὶ παρελάβετε καὶ ἠκούσατε καὶ εἴδετε ἐν ἐμοί, ταῦτα πράσσετε καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθʼ ὑμῶν. Palm Sunday Luncheon Today after Church in the Parish Hall 2
The Sunday Gospel Reading The Gospel is in accordance to Saint John (12:1-18) Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me." When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 12:1-18) Πρὸ ἓξ ἡμερῶν τοῦ πάσχα ἦλθεν Ὁ Ιησοῦς εἰς Βηθανίαν, ὅπου ἦν Λάζαρος ὁ τεθνηκώς, ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν. ἐποίησαν οὖν αὐτῷ δεῖπνον ἐκεῖ, καὶ ἡ Μάρθα διηκόνει ὁ δὲ Λάζαρος εἷς ἦν τῶν ἀνακειμένων σὺν αὐτῷ. ἡ οὖν Μαρία, λαβοῦσα λίτραν μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτίμου, ἤλειψε τοὺς πόδας τοῦ Ιησοῦ καὶ ἐξέμαξε ταῖς θριξὶν αὐτῆς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ ἡ δὲ οἰκία ἐπληρώθη ἐκ τῆς ὀσμῆς τοῦ μύρου. λέγει οὖν εἷς ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, Ιούδας Σίμωνος Ισκαριώτης, ὁ μέλλων αὐτὸν παραδιδόναι διατί τοῦτο τὸ μύρον οὐκ ἐπράθη τριακοσίων δηναρίων καὶ ἐδόθη πτωχοῖς; εἶπε δὲ τοῦτο οὐχ ὅτι περὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ἔμελεν αὐτῷ, ἀλλ ὅτι κλέπτης ἦν, καὶ τὸ γλωσσόκομον εἶχε καὶ τὰ βαλλόμενα ἐβάσταζεν. εἶπεν οὖν ὁ Ιησοῦς ἄφες αὐτήν, εἰς τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ ἐνταφιασμοῦ μου τετήρηκεν αὐτό. τοὺς πτωχοὺς γὰρ πάντοτε ἔχετε μεθ ἑαυτῶν, ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε. Εγνω οὖν ὄχλος πολὺς ἐκ τῶν Ιουδαίων ὅτι ἐκεῖ ἐστι, καὶ ἦλθον οὐ διὰ τὸν Ιησοῦν μόνον, ἀλλ ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἴδωσιν ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν. ἐβουλεύσαντο δὲ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἀποκτείνωσιν, ὅτι πολλοὶ δι αὐτὸν ὑπῆγον τῶν Ιουδαίων καὶ ἐπίστευον εἰς τὸν Ιησοῦν. Τῇ ἐπαύριον ὄχλος πολὺς ὁ ἐλθὼν εἰς τὴν ἑορτήν, ἀκούσαντες ὅτι ἔρχεται Ιησοῦς εἰς Ιεροσόλυμα, ἔλαβον τὰ βαΐα τῶν φοινίκων καὶ ἐξῆλθον εἰς ὑπάντησιν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἔκραζον ὡσαννά, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου, ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ Ισραήλ. εὑρὼν δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς ὀνάριον ἐκάθισεν ἐπ αὐτό, καθώς ἐστι γεγραμμένον μὴ φοβοῦ, θύγατερ Σιών ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς σου ἔρχεται καθήμενος ἐπὶ πῶλον ὄνου. Ταῦτα δὲ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ τὸ πρῶτον, ἀλλ ὅτε ἐδοξάσθη ὁ Ιησοῦς, τότε ἐμνήσθησαν ὅτι ταῦτα ἦν ἐπ αὐτῷ γεγραμμένα, καὶ ταῦτα ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ. Εμαρτύρει οὖν ὁ ὄχλος ὁ ὢν μετ αὐτοῦ ὅτε τὸν Λάζαρον ἐφώνησεν ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου καὶ ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν. διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ὑπήντησεν αὐτῷ ὁ ὄχλος, ὅτι ἤκουσαν τοῦτο αὐτὸν πεποιηκέναι τὸ σημεῖ 3
ACTIVITIES FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY: A Palm Cross Maker After Services for the Saturday of Lazarus Contact: Catherine Wilson stbarbtreasurer2018@gmail.com A Holy Week Reader Contact: Pete Marinos pnm1@yahoo.com An Epitaphio Decorator After the Royal Hours on Good Friday Contact: Dina Paliouras via cindy.paliouras@gmail.com A Parent with Child who Receives the Body of Christ from the Cross. In the middle of the 3:00 service of Good Friday Kerri Zaferatos kerrizaferatos@gmail.com Catherine Constantinou Catherine.constantinou@yahoo.com Participating in the Choir Contact: Panos Messis panosmessia@gmail.com Participating in the Reading of the Gospel in a Language other than English or Greek at the Agape Service Contact: Larry Odzak larryodzak@gmail.com Narthex Scheduling Contact: Daniel Przybyl ddprzybyl@gmail.com Being a Pall-bearer that carries the Epitaphio Contact: John Varelas johnvarelas@gmail.com Being a Myrrh-bearer at our Lord's Tomb Contact: Maria Easton Fluffy2u2004@yahoo.com or Hrisavgi Kondilis-Mangum Hdkondilis.mangum@gmail.com Being an Altar Boy Contact: Johnny Mariakakis mariakakis@att.net Adorning the Church with an Easter Lily that your Purchased Contact: Lia Christakos lchristakos@bellsouth.net Contributing a food item for the International Easter Pot Luck After the Midnight Service Let Helen Paliouras know what you are bringing. elenipali.@att.net. All Covered Dishes Should be taken directly to the Church Hall. Everyone is invited to bring a covered dish. 4
Holy Week 2019 Sunday, April 21st Morning - Palm Sunday - 9:00 am Sunday, April 21st Evening - 1st Bridegroom Service - 6:30 pm Monday, April 22nd Evening - 2nd Bridegroom Service - 6:30 pm Tuesday, April 23rd Evening - 3rd Bridegroom Service - 6:30 pm Wednesday, April 24th Afternoon - Service of Holy Unction - 2:00 pm Wednesday, April 24th Evening - Service of the Bridegroom - 6:30 pm Thursday, April 25th Morning - Vespers with Liturgy of St. Basil- 9:00 am Thursday, April 25th Evening - The Holy Passion Service - 6:30 pm Friday, April 26th Morning - Royal Hours - 9:00 am Friday, April 26th Afternoon - Descent from the Cross - 3:00 pm Friday, April 26th Evening - Lamentation Service - 6:30 pm Saturday, April 27th Morning - Vespers with Liturgy of St. Basil- 9:00 am Saturday, April 27th Evening - Matins and Resurrection Service - 11:00 pm Sunday, April 28th Morning - Easter Agape Service - 11:00 am 5
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Easter Lillies 2019 Name: In Memory of: For the Health of: Laurie Ferris Dora and Louis Ferris Pat and Bob Lewis Mary Ferris Larry Joseph Dora and Phillip Joseph Victor Joseph Bessie Chronaki George Chronaki Bessie Chronaki Despina Chronaki Irene Chronaki Terry Chronaki Cadee Chronaki Julia Chronaki Katherine Livas Sophia Livas George Livas Helen Leontis Nick Bourbous Sarah Peter (Taki) George Nick George Demetra Peter Toula Con Jim Maria Daniel and Lori Przybyl Stephen Boska Lorane Przybyl Evelyn Panos The Peter Panos Family Glekas Family Georgiou the Glekas Family Eleni Georgiou Eustathias Athenas Ouranias Dimitriou Panagiotis 8
Lou Constantinou Lou John Catherine Wes John Michael Athena Costa George Tim Harriet Pappas Family Irene Antonios Despina Pappas Kacoyanis Family Faye Kacoyanis Sophie MaKrys Paul Kacoyanis Anna Stephanos James Makrys Anna Kacoyanis Ladies, Updated Schedule for Assembling Pastries The schedule for Assembling Pastries for the Greek Festival has been updated to include all the ladies in our St. Barbara community who can join us. This includes the ladies who work at home (Domestic Engineers) and the ladies who work during the day (9 to 5). Betsy and I are asking that all of you plan your schedules to assist us on the dates listed below. We have a lot of pastries to assemble and the more volunteers we have working together the quicker we can complete the task. We look forward to seeing you at one or more of the scheduled times below. PLEASE let us know if you can join us for this project. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Love in Christ, Joan and Betsy Schedule for Assembling Pastries Monday, April 29, 2019-5:30 pm to 8:00 pm Tuesday, April 30, 2019-10:00 am to 3:00 pm Tuesday, April 30, 2019-5:30 pm to 8:00 pm 9
Here is an overview of the meaning behind each of the days of Holy Week and the types of church services you ll be able to attend: Lazarus Saturday Lazarus Saturday is celebrated in remembrance of the day Lazarus, a friend of Jesus, was brought back from the dead. As you may recall, Lazarus was dead for four days before Jesus brought him back. The entire story is covered in the Book of John in Chapter 11. Specifically, the story of him being brought back from the dead can be found in John 11:38-43. On Lazarus Saturday, churches usually have a Matins Service, which is what the morning church service is referred to as, followed by the Divine Liturgy, which is the standard service that we follow on Sundays. There could also be Evening Vespers. Palm Sunday Palm Sunday is also referred to as the Services of Our Lord s Entry into Jerusalem. This is when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem and the people declared him as their King. This event was so important, it is covered in each of the Four Gospels. Please visit Matthew 21, Mark 16, Luke 19, and John 12 for more information about this. Shortly after his Triumphant Entry, Jesus predicted His death. This can also be found in John 12. Palm Sunday takes place on a Sunday, which means that the regular Divine Liturgy is celebrated at the regular time for your church. However, the service does include a few extra elements, which emulate His Entry into Jerusalem. Churches also have an evening services referred to as the Bridegroom Services. Holy Monday Holy Monday is considered the third day of Holy Week. For each of the first three days, there is a general theme. These are the days that set the stage for Christ s death and resurrection, which takes place later on in the week. On this day, we commemorate Joseph the Patriarch, the son of Jacob (from the Old Testament). This is also the day that the church remembers the moment that Jesus cursed the fig tree on his way into Jerusalem during His triumphant entry. There is typically an Orthos Service on Holy Monday. However, some people have the Bridegroom Service on the evening of Palm Sunday, instead. Some churches actually have both services. Holy Tuesday Most churches do have a Matins service on Holy Tuesday, which is designed to prepare us for the events of Holy Wednesday. Special hymns are sung on Holy Tuesday and many churches enlist their choir for help singing these hymns. One of the special hymns is called Hymn of Cassiane and it has a beautiful, haunting melody. This service usually takes place in the evening. 10
Holy Wednesday There are usually two church services that take place on Holy Wednesday, one in the morning and one in the evening. In the morning, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is usually celebrated. This is one of the only opportunities people have during Holy Week to receive Holy Communion. There is usually another service in the evening where people may receive Holy Unction. The focus during the services of Holy Wednesday are of repentance and confession, and the oil is said to be very healing. This day commemorates the day that Christ s feet were anointed with myrrh. You can read about this in Gospel of Luke, Chapter 7. Holy Thursday Holy Thursday begins the final events that lead to the Lord s Passion. On this day, the Mystical Supper, also called the Last Supper, is celebrated. You can read about the Last Supper in several places throughout the Bible including in Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 15. There are typically two services that take place during Holy Thursday one in the morning and one in the evening. Much of the evening service is spent preparing for Good Friday. This is the day where He was sentenced to death and nailed on the cross. Good Friday On Good Friday, Orthodox Christians commemorate the moment Jesus died on the cross. During the afternoon service, Jesus is taken off the cross and laid in the tomb (Epitafio). During evening service, we mourn his death, read Bible passages, and sing hymns. In the evening, the priest and those who serve in the altar make a procession around the church. Many churches actually take the Epitafio outside of the church and make a procession around the church neighborhood. In many parishes, flower girls throw rose petals on Jesus s body. This procession represents Jesus entering Hades. Holy Saturday During Holy Saturday, we essentially mourn Christ s death. There are several church services throughout the day, but the most important one takes place in the evening. For several hours before midnight, we sing hymns and spend time in church, anticipating His resurrection. A few minutes before midnight, the church gets quiet and goes dark. Finally, the church erupts in candlelight and the traditional hymn, Christos Anesti, or Christ is Risen, is sung. Pascha This is the day we celebrate Christ s Resurrection. The Holy Saturday evening service overlaps with Easter Sunday. There is also a regular Divine Liturgy service on the morning called the Agape service. However, this differs depending on the church. Most families spend the day together, celebrating into the late hours of the day. For most Greek people, this is the biggest holiday of the year and the celebrations are usually quite festive! 11
ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΕΒΔΟΜΑΔΑ Η Μεγάλη Εβδομάδα είναι η εβδομάδα πριν το Πάσχα (από την Κυριακή των Βαϊων το βράδυ μέχρι το Μ. Σάββατο) και ονομάζεται «Μεγάλη», όχι γιατί έχει περισσότερες μέρες ή ώρες από τις άλλες εβδομάδες, αλλά γιατί τα γεγονότα όπου τελούνται και βιώνονται στους Ιερούς Ναούς είναι κοσμοσωτήρια για τον άνθρωπο! Η Εκκλησία από την μεγάλη της φιλανθρωπία, για να μπορέσουν όσο είναι δυνατόν περισσότεροι πιστοί να συμμετέχουν στις Ακολουθίες, επέτρεψε από την αρχή της Μ. Εβδομάδας, να ψάλλεται ο Όρθρος της επόμενης ημέρας. (π.χ. την Κυριακή των Βαϊων το βράδυ ψάλλεται ο Όρθρος της Μεγάλης Δευτέρας). Τι τελείται τις ημέρες της Μεγάλης Εβδομάδας; Οι τέσσερις πρώτες ημέρες μας προετοιμάζουν πνευματικά για το θείο δράμα και οι Ακολουθίες ονομάζονται «Ακολουθίες του Νυμφίου». Μεγάλη Δευτέρα (Κυριακή Βαϊων βράδυ): Την Μεγάλη Δευτέρα κυριαρχούν δύο γεγονότα: α) Η ζωή του Ιωσήφ του 11ου γιού του Πατριάρχη Ιακώβ, του ονομαζόμενου Παγκάλου, δηλαδή του ωραίου στο σώμα και τη ψυχή. Ο Ιωσήφ προεικονίζει με την περιπέτειά του (που πουλήθηκε σκλάβος στην Αίγυπτο) τον ίδιο τον Χριστό και το πάθος Του. β) Το περιστατικό της άκαρπης συκιάς που ξέρανε ο Χριστός (Ματθ. 21, 18-22): Συμβολίζει την Συναγωγή των Εβραίων και γενικά την ζωή του Ισραηλιτικού λαού που ήταν άκαρποι από καλά έργα. Μεγάλη Τρίτη (Μεγάλη Δευτέρα βράδυ): Την Μεγάλη Τρίτη θυμόμαστε και ζούμε δύο παραβολές: α) Των δέκα παρθένων (Ματθ. 25,1-13) που μας διδάσκει να είμαστε έτοιμοι και γεμάτοι από πίστη και φιλανθρωπία. β) Των Ταλάντων (Ματθ. 25,14-30), που μας διδάσκει να είμαστε εργατικοί και πρέπει να καλλιεργούμε και να αυξήσουμε τα πνευματικά μας χαρίσματα. Μεγάλη Τετάρτη (Μεγάλη Τρίτη βράδυ): Η Μεγάλη Τετάρτη είναι αφιερωμένη στην αμαρτωλή γυναίκα (Λουκ. 7,47), που μετανιωμένη άλειψε τα πόδια του Κυρίου με μύρο και συγχωρήθηκε για τα αμαρτήματά της, γιατί έδειξε μεγάλη αγάπη και πίστη στον Κύριο. Ψάλλεται το περίφημο τροπάριο (δοξαστικό) της Υμνογράφου Μοναχής Κασσιανής. 12
Μεγάλη Πέμπτη (Μεγάλη Τετάρτη βράδυ): Την Μεγάλη Πέμπτη γιορτάζουμε 4 γεγονότα : α) Τον Ιερό Νιπτήρα, το πλύσιμο δηλαδή των ποδιών των μαθητών από τον Κύριο, δείχνοντας για το ποια πρέπει να είναι η διακονία των πιστών στην Εκκλησία. β) Τον Μυστικό Δείπνο, δηλαδή την παράδοση του Μυστηρίου της Θείας Ευχαριστίας. γ) Την Προσευχή του Κυρίου, στο Όρος των Ελαιών και δ) την Προδοσία του Ιούδα, δηλαδή την αρχή του Πάθους του Κυρίου. Μεγάλη Παρασκευή (Μεγάλη Πέμπτη βράδυ): Την Μεγάλη Παρασκευή έχουμε την Κορύφωση του θείου δράματος, τελείται η «Ακολουθία των Παθών» και θυμόμαστε και βιώνουμε τα Σωτήρια και φρικτά Πάθη του Κυρίου και Θεού μας. Δηλαδή: α) Τα πτυσίματα β) τα μαστιγώματα γ) τις κοροϊδίες δ) τους εξευτιλισμούς ε) τα κτυπήματα στ) το αγκάθινο στεφάνι και κυρίως την ζ) Σταύρωση και η) τον θάνατο του Χριστού μας. Μεγάλο Σάββατο (Μεγάλη Παρασκευή πρωϊ και βράδυ): Το Μεγάλο Σάββατο το πρωϊ γιορτάζουμε: α) την Ταφή Του Κυρίου και β) την Κάθοδο Του στον Άδη, όπου κήρυξε σε όλους τους νεκρούς. Έτσι Μεγάλη Παρασκευή το πρωϊ (ημερολογιακά), τελούνται οι εξής ακολουθίες: Ακολουθία των Μεγάλες Ωρών και στις 12.00 το μεσημέρι της Αποκαθηλώσεως, δηλαδή την Ταφή Του Κυρίου από τον Ιωσήφ τον Αριμαθαίας και το Νικόδημο τον Φαρισαίο, μέλος του Μ. Συμβουλίου και κρυφό μαθητή του Κυρίου. Την Μεγάλη Παρασκευή το βράδυ (ημερολογιακά) ψάλλονται τα Εγκώμια και έχουμε την περιφορά του Επιταφίου! Κυριακή του Πάσχα (Μ. Σάββατο πρωϊ και νύχτα από τις 12.00 π.μ): Το Μεγάλο Σάββατο (ημερολογιακά) το πρωϊ, έχουμε την λεγόμενη «1η Ανάσταση», δηλαδή το προανάκρουσμα της Αναστάσεως που μεταδίδουν οι ύμνοι και της προσμονής της λυτρώσεως όλης της κτίσεως από την φθορά και τον θάνατο! Το Μεγάλο Σάββατο στις 12.00 (δηλαδή ουσιαστικά την Κυριακή), έχουμε την ζωηφόρο 13
Ανάσταση του Κυρίου μας, την ήττα του θανάτου και της φθοράς και την αφή του Αγίου Φωτός στον κόσμο από το Πανάγιο Τάφο. Κυριακή του Πάσχα στις 11.00 π.μ. ή το απόγευμα, τελείται ο «Εσπερινός της Αγάπης», όπου σε πολλές γλώσσες διαβάζεται το Ιερό Ευαγγέλιο και διατρανώνεται παγκοσμίως η νίκη του θανάτου και η εποχή της Καινούριας Διαθήκης, της χαράς και της Αναστάσιμης ελπίδας. Ποιο είναι το βαθύτερο νόημα των Παθών και της Αναστάσεως για όλους εμάς τους Πίστους; Οι πιστοί βιώνουμε τα πάθη και την ανάσταση του Χριστού συμμετέχοντας ενεργά σε αυτά με «συμπόρευση», «συσταύρωση» και «συνανάσταση»! Ο Χριστός με την θέληση του (εκουσίως), έπαθε και ανέστη για να σωθούμε όλοι εμείς! Αυτό σημαίνει ότι δεν λυπούμαστε «μοιρολατρικά» για το Πάθος του, αλλά για τις δικές μας αμαρτίες και αφού μετανοιώνουμε ειλικρινώς μπορούμε την αντικειμενική σωτηρία που χάραξε ο Χριστός να την κάνουμε και υποκειμενική προσωπική σωτηρία! Μητρόπολη Βεροίας A beautiful and longstanding tradition at St. Barbara Church is the pot-luck dinner after the Resurrection Service that will once again be offered in the wee hours of Easter Sunday, April 28. We encourage our parishioners to please share a platter of your specialty food, which can be a platter of meat, a vegetable/pasta dish, a salad bowl, baked breads or a dessert/fruit of some type. Whatever you decide to contribute to the Parish Easter Meal, please bring "ready to serve"...we will provide plates, cutlery, napkins, cups. cold drinks and ice. If anyone wishes to speak with the meal coordinator, please call Helen Paliouras at 919-942-4229 or email: elenipali@att.net. 14
Saint Barbara Stewards as of April 15, 2019 Our 2019 Stewardship drive is off to a great start. We have 113 Stewards as of April 15, 2019, over two-thirds of our goal of 160 for the year. Thank you. Please help us meet our goal early in the year by pledging your support. Your time, talents and treasure are critical to the success of our Ministries. Please give prayerful consideration to your 2019 contribution as soon as possible. Stewardship is the primary source of the funding for our Ministries and operating obligations. John & Elly Ackerly Dimitra Fitzherbert James & Stella Pantelidis Susan Alexander Dr. Crist & Maria Frangakis Kleanthis & Angeika Papanickas Alec and Frances Alexiades George & Amy Glekas Matina Papazoglou Matt & Vickie Amos Jim & Evy Glekas Katherine Pappas Alexander & Laurel Arapoglou Christopher Goodwin Dr. Ted & Theky Pappas Dr. Marina Arvanitis Leonard & Elaine Goodwin George Pashales Basile & Mary Bakis Paul Kacoyanis Wes Platt & Catherine Constantinou George & Marie Bakis Ed & Eve Kantner Daniel & Lori Przybyl Nicholas & Eugenia Balafas George & Karen Karas Olgha Qaqish Effie Barbee Dr. Kenneth & Karen Korach Angela Quint Lance & Maria Barton Helen Koutouzakis Keith & Alexia Rheinhardt Thalia Becak James Koutsis Al & Christine Safarikas Tamar Beridze Dr. Andrew Kuyper Peter Saloupis John Biggs & Diana Dobrica Dr. Lee & Pauline Kuyper Vaia Sigounas & Adam Silverstein Agape Blackley Catherine Lewis Dr. Charles Stamitoles Barbara Bonfiglio George Livanos & Mattheos & Marika Stavrakakis Marilyn Boska Renee Lisander Andrea Stoney Nick Bourbous Fr. Stavroforos Mamaies William & Jennifer Sullivan Katherine Marie Callahan Daniel & Hrisavgi Mangum Marian P. Sunas Manuel & Carole Capsalis Johnny & Catherine Mariakakis Senait Tesfatsion Sophie Carr Dr. Pete & Joan Marinos Rebecca Theophanous Andrew & Cheryl Christakos Azeb Martin Charalmbos & Cathy Tragas Dr. Arthur Christakos Dr. Nikolaos Maurogiannis & Donna Trohanis Eleni Christakos Dr. Marjory Charlot Tryphon & Suzanne Tryphonos Lia Christakos Panayiotis Mavroidis & Dr. Dimitrios Varelas George & Deborah Christie Dimitra Sakellaris Georgina Varelas Dr. Bessie Chronaki Rodney & Katharine Meadows John Varelas Erie Cocolas Gus & Yael Megaloudis Demi Vlachos Costa Constantinou John & Dawn Mehalek Helen Vurnakes Lou Constantinou Nicholas Mermigas James & Frances Vurnakes Dean Costas Larry & Hope Odzak Ray & Eleni Walter Sharan Dababnah Davis & Courtney Napier Alexa Waters George & Helen Dais Cindy Paliouras Preston & Catherine Wilson Gus & Vanessa Demetriades Jim & Helen Paliouras Robert & Roberta Wippich Anne Dennos John & Dena Paliouras Grace Witham & Nick Brantley George & Patricia Dennos Niko Paliouras Betsy Xenakis Betty Bouchlas Dorton Peter & Evelyn Panos Dino & Kerri Zaferatos Brian & Maria Easton Yuri & Elena Panov Christina Zehia Laurice Ferris Tony & Evelyn Zehia 15
Commemoration of The Great and Holy Feast of Pascha On the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha, Orthodox Christians celebrate the life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This feast of feasts is the most significant day in the life of the Church. It is a celebration of the defeat of death, as neither death itself nor the power of the grave could hold our Savior captive. In this victory that came through the Cross, Christ broke the bondage of sin, and through faith offers us restoration, transformation, and eternal life. Holy Week comes to an end at sunset of Great and Holy Saturday, as the Church prepares to celebrate her most ancient and preeminent festival, Pascha, the feast of feasts. The time of preparation will give way to a time of fulfillment. The glorious and resplendent light emanating from the empty Tomb will dispel the darkness. Christ, risen from the dead, cracks the fortress of death and takes "captivity captive" (Psalm 67:19). All the limitations of our createdness are torn asunder. Death is swallowed up in victory and life is liberated. "For as by a man came death, by a man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive" (I Corinthians 15:21-22). Pascha is the dawn of the new and unending day. The Resurrection constitutes the most radical and decisive deliverance of humankind. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the fundamental truth and absolute fact of the Christian faith. It is the central experience and essential kerygma of the Church. It confirms the authenticity of Christ's remarkable earthly life and vindicates the truth of His teaching. It seals all His redemptive work: His life, the model of a holy life; His compelling and unique teaching; His extraordinary works; and His awesome, life-creating death. Christ's Resurrection is the guarantee of our salvation. Together with His Ascension it brings to perfection God's union with us for all eternity. The Resurrection made possible the miracle of the Church, which in every age and generation proclaims and affirms "God's plan for the universe, the ultimate divinization of man and the created order." The profound experience of and the unshakable belief in the risen Lord enabled the Apostles to evangelize the world and empowered the Church to overcome paganism. The Resurrection discloses the indestructible power and inscrutable wisdom of God. It disposes of the illusory myths and belief systems by which people, bereft of divine knowledge, strain to affirm the meaning and purpose of their existence. Christ, risen and glorified, releases humanity from the delusions of idolatry. In Him grave-bound humanity discovers and is filled with incomparable hope. The Resurrection bestows illumination, energizes souls, brings forgiveness, transfigures lifes, creates saints, and gives joy. The Resurrection has not yet abolished the reality of death. But it has revealed its powerlessness (Hebrews 2:14-15). We continue to die as a result of the Fall. Our bodies decay and fall away. "God allows death to exist but turns it against corruption and its cause, sin, and sets a boundary both to corruption and sin." Thus, physical death does not destroy our life of communion with God. Rather, we move from death to life - from this fallen world to God's reign. 16