Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church IEPOΣ NAOΣ KOIMHΣEΩΣ THΣ ΘEOTOKOΥ In the year of the Lord NOVEMBER 2013
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church 5761 East Colorado Street, Long Beach, CA 90814-1954 Phone (562) 494-8929 - Fax (562) 985-1379 Email office@assumptionlb.org Rev. Fr. Christos Kanakis, Proistamenos Page 2 Voula Michail - Kitsios, Office Administrator Penny Benetatos, Choir Director PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS Chris Dolas - President David Matty - Vice President Jimmy Mentas - Recording Secretary Jimmy Eleopoulos - Corresponding Secretary Nick Zamvakellis - Treasurer Board Members Kathy Bastas, Dino Syrengelas, Matoula Batshoun, Peter Bouras, Olympia Stapakis, George Stavros, Nick Monios, Sam Platis AHEPA Tasos Papas - President Bulletin Coordinator Voula Michail - Kitsios Bookstore Zoe Falley - Administrator Choir Pιnιό Benetatos - Director & Organist Karen Fic - President Choir Board Church School Juliana Augoustatos - Superintendent Daughters of Penelope Catherine Vackrinos Sofie Batshoun Family Night Sam Platis Junior Choir Pιnιό Benetatos - Director Karen Fic - Assistant Director Greek School Kathryn Condaras - Principal Donna Stavros - P.T.A Hope/Joy Maria Georgakopoulos - Advisor Dusty Hanson - Advisor Junior GOYA Georgi Spirtos Francis - Advisor Tia Kanavos, Vasso Conley Jorge Rivera, Sexton George Dorlis, Psaltis PHILOPTOCHOS Bobbie Soupos - President Karen Fic - 1st Vice President Amelia Ladas - 2nd Vice President Mary Lofton- Correspond. Secretary Lia Kakaris - Recording Secretary Nikki Andrews - Treasurer Marilyn Coats - Assistant Treasurer Kathy Bastas - Advisor Board Members Eftihia Missios, Olympia Stapakis, Andria Salsman, Matoula Batshoun, Zoe Falley, Vickie Hennig, Anne Pucket GOYA President - Christina Karidakis Vice President - Sina Bacol Treasurer - Margo Papacalos Corres. Secretary - Dena Bussa Rec. Secretary - Tasia Matty Historian - Christa Demos, Lexi Varonos Advisors - Lucia Papacalos, Vickie Demos, Maria Bussa Athletic Director: David Matty Email: goyalb.events@gmail.com Greek Cultural Arts and Dance Dina Lioulias - President Maria Georgakopoulos - Vice President Georgia Alvertos - Corresponding Secretary Dusty Hanson - Recording Secretary Elene Dalkos - Treasurer Senior Christians Nick Monios - President Sons of Pericles Christo Beckas - President Stewardship Ministry Kathy Bastas (Chair) Camille Dolas, Max & Mary Lofton, Kay Platis, Cathy Shweiri Trisagio Ministry Max & Mary Lofton, Vickie Hennig, Yiota Beckas Welcome Ministry Kathy Bastas (Chair), Camille Dolas, Max & Mary Lofton, Kay Platis, Cathy Shweiri
Pastor s Message Beloved Parishioners, I would like to wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving, as we thank God for every good and perfect gift which comes from above (Divine Liturgy). For us Orthodox Christians this holiday is an opportunity to pause and to gather together with our family and friends and reminds us to be thankful. We should think this way not only on Thanksgiving Day but every day, beyond the dinner table, and beyond our homes. The word Eucharist embodies the Thanksgiving that we should always offer to God and share with the world. When we are Eucharistic beings we see our life with a thankful perspective; a perspective of seeing how blessed we are and in turn allows us to see where we too can offer and extend those blessings to others in need. The word Eucharist is synonymous with the Divine Liturgy because we come to God to thank Him for all his blessings both known and unknown. May this day be an opportunity to reflect on who and what we are thankful for in our lives. Wishing you a Blessed Thanksgiving, Fr. Christos Page 3
Greetings Panagia Parishioners! President s Message GREAT NEWS NEED YOUR HELP NEWS Our Panagia Parish needs YOUR HELP! Great news - We have completed nine beautiful, spiritual up lifting and great social experiencing months at our Panagia Parish beginning with the induction of Fr. Christos as our parish priest, the continuing enjoyment and rewards of participating in our existing and new Parish Ministries and the completion and use of our Assumption Center! We have truly been blessed and thank God for all our exceptionally rewarding blessings! Truly great news! Help News As we all know, this year s Greek Festival was very well organized and prepared for a great event. However, we did hit a small bump in the road due to the very unusual hot and humid Labor Day Weekend which resulted in a lower net profit than expected. Our Panagia Parish has two major events that bring in financial funds to operate our Parish, Stewardship and our annual Greek Festival. For many years, our Parish has been financially dependent on the net profit from our annual Greek Festival to supplement our Stewardship funds. It is both Greek Festival proceeds and Stewardship Funds that together provides the monthly operational funding from October to the following August. So with an unfortunate and uncontrollable hot and humid Labor Day Weekend, our net profit for this year s Greek Festival fell about 25% below the planned/budgeted amount. Now the only recourse that we have is to rely solely on our Stewardship income. However, with three quarters of the year completed, our Panagia Stewardship has an outstanding unpaid 2013 pledge balance of approximately $32,000. Our current operating expense usually runs around $40,000 per month. In order for our Panagia Parish to operate for the next three to five months, we are requesting our members to try and pay their unpaid pledged balances as soon as you possibly can. We are also requesting each and all of you to sincerely pray and seriously contemplate increasing your pledge amount for 2014. We are also requesting that as we come to the next year, you consider adjusting your actual Stewardship payment for 2014 to an earlier time in the year rather than later. Remember, this is our Panagia Parish. We all need to take care of our Panagia Parish. We all love, respect and appreciate our church. Please make your best sincere effort in assisting in our Panagia Parish s need for help! I am confident, by working sincerely and diligently we will make it through these upcoming financial challenges in the next upcoming three to five months! THANK YOU! Congratulations to our Philoptochos and all that supported this year s Breast Cancer Month! Congratulations to Katherine Condaras, Principal of our Greek School Ministry and to all of the children that participated in Oxi Day and to a very delicious luncheon. Thanks again to all that supported this important event! Wow! What a great time everyone had at the GOYA Halloween Party! Congratulations to all that prepared and supported this most fun-filled event! Cont. page 12 Page 4
Philoptochos General Meeting went well Great turn out. The food was delicious! A BIG Thank you to all you ladies for sharing your salads and desserts. Cathy Kostallas thank you for the delicious Pastichio. The décor was so festive with the pumpkins, garland and candy on the tables. It made a great Fall presentation. Good job ladies! We were honored to have Diana Jianas, Treasurer for Metropolis along with Kathy Gabrial who is on the National as well as Metropolis Philoptochos Boards. They both spoke and were very informative. We welcome them back any time. Maria Montalbano and Sina Bacol we thank you two for choosing such a great topic. Father Christos swore in our newly appointed ladies to the Board using our new beautiful Silver Gospel that our Chapter donated for the Altar. The new Board Members as of this meeting are; Zoe Falley, Ann Puckett and Vickie Hennig. We have a membership of 157 members to date and are a strong chapter. I want to Thank all of you at this time for always being there for us when we need you most. Your Generosity and Dedication means a lot to all of us and to ALL those who need our support. Please mark your calendars from now and plan on attending the following: December 13 th - Veterans Christmas Party December 15 th - Philoptochos Christmas Party December 19 th - Annual Trinity Christmas Party January Epiphany February Annual Tea Theme this year: Lights, Camera, Action. Think about hosting/filling a table of ten..this is the event that WE share the well kept secrets of Philoptochos with all in attendance. Our work never ends. Can you only imagine what WE could accomplish if ALL of us work together. Think about it; let us know. Love to have you display your favorite Movie Theme/s. There will be a prize for Best Decorated Table. Again, Thank you for everything you do for us. Without YOU it would be pretty tough making ends meet. Your generosity is what makes others happy. During the next few months we will once again be collecting Gift Cards for our less fortunate friends. If you, and/or your family or business would like to donate Gift Cards we would appreciate it very much. When you are writing out your Christmas List, please include Philoptochos. One Gift Card could make a difference to an individual who has nothing. It s always nice to be in a position to help someone. Last year you Parishioners were very generous with gift cards and It worked well. It made Christmas for those who may not have had a Christmas otherwise. The Giving Tree will soon be up as well in the Narthex. Please advise Bobbie or Voula if you know of someone who would like a visitation. Provide the necessary information at that time. If you would like to join us on visitations let us know. Also; would you like to sponsor Coffee Hour? If so, let us know! With Love in Christ, Bobbie Soupos, Philoptochos President Page 5
SAVE THE DATE His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos And the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos joyfully invite you to attend LIGHT THE PATH A Christmas Luncheon in support of THE BISHOP ANTHONY PHILOPTOCHOS STU- DENT AID ENDOWMENT FUND Saturday, November 23, 2013 Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church Pasadena, California Saturday, December 7, 2013 Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church Novato, California Christmas Entertainment And a presentation by one of our Own Seminarians Call: 415-- 431-- 2600 Email: office@sfphiloptochos.org Page 6
PANAGIA S ANNUAL THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE This is our 15 th consecutive year of reaching out to the Long Beach Community by providing Thanksgiving Meals. This year is no different! We NEED YOUR HELP if we are going to support this year s needs to feed the less fortunate within our community. Our goal is to provide 150 Thanksgiving Meals which includes a frozen turkey with all the trimmings. WE NEED 150 TURKEYS! As in the past years, we will again be partnering with our outreach organizations to identify those families with the greatest need/s; as well as within our own community. Needless to say, the need this year is even greater than the past years! WE really need your help! We will be accepting frozen turkeys as well as all the trimmings from now through November 24 th, 2013. There will be a Box in the Narthex for the canned/dry goods. Bring the turkeys to the church and give them to Jorge to put them inside the freezer. For those who prefer not to shop that s ok too. You can write a $30 check or give us $30 cash and Philoptochos will do the shopping for you. Make check payable to PHILOPTOCHOS marked for Turkey/Thanksgiving. Shopping suggestions: Turkey * Roasting Pan * Stuffing Mix * Gravy * Yams * Potatoes/Corn Bread * Canned Veggies/Fruit * Cranberries * Pumpkin Pie Mix/Crust * Seasonings * Chicken Broth Philoptochos would like to Thank All of You in advance for making our goal of 150 turkeys/ 150 meals a possibility. End results; WE make 150 Families that much happier! Any questions contact; Bobbie Soupos @ 714-307-1488 or Kathy Bastas @ 714 847-0442 Page 7
In the year of the Lord - Sunday Monday Tuesday Wedne GENERAL ASSEMBLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD 2013 AFTER CHURCH SERVICES 3 E Λουκά. 5th Sunday of Luke Orthros 8:45 am Divine Liturgy 10:00 am General Assembly 10 H Λουκά 8th Sunday of Luke Orthros 8:45 am Divine Liturgy 10:00 am 17 Θ Λουκά. 9th Sunday of Luke Orthros 8:45 am Divine Liturgy 10:00 am Stewardship Sunday 24 ΙΓ Λουκά. 13th Sunday of Luke Orthros 8:45 am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 25 Αικατερίνης Μεγαλομ. Katherine the Great Martyr Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am St. Katherine s Church in Redondo Beach 4 5 11 12 18 19 Senior Christians Thanksgiving Potluck 11:30 am P. C. Meeting 7:00 pm 26 Greek Sch 5:30 pm - 7: Greek Sch 5:30 pm - 7: Greek Sch 5:30 pm - 7: No Greek S Page 8 Events are subject to change; please refer
November 2013 sday Thursday Fr iday Saturday 1 Κοσμά & Δαμιανού Cosma & Damianos Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy 10:00 am Change of Time (1 hour back) 2 ool 00 pm 6 Choir practice 7:15 pm 7 8 Σύν. Αρχιστρ. Μιχαήλ & Γαβριήλ Synaxis of the Archangels Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy 10:00 am 9 Νεκταρίου Αιγίνης Nektarios the Wonderworker Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy 10:00 am St. Nektarios, Covina ool 00 pm 13 Choir practice 7:15 pm 14 Nativity Fast Begins Joy - Hope 6:00 pm Meeting & Activities 15 16 ool 00 pm 20 21 Τα Εισόδια της Θεοτόκου The Entrance of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple Orthros 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy 10 am 22 23 Choir practice 7:15 pm chool 27 Happy Thanksgiving Office closed 28 Office closed 29 30 Ανδρέου Αποστόλου Andrew the First Called Apostle Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy 10:000 am to weekly bulletin for current schedule info Page 9
Panagia s Stewardship Family as of October 18, 2013 Ala Falanai & Lisa & family Alex Helen Alexiou Demi Alexopoulos Christina Amarantos Harriet Andrade Everardo & Theony Andrews James & Nikki Andrikos Ioannis & Argyro Antoniou Konstantinos & Maria Apostle Helen Apostle Matina Apostle Perry & Rosie Argeris John & Vasiliki Argyros Dionisios & Irini Argyros Phillip & Amy Armogida Elaine Armogida Rod & Krista Armstrong Randy & Janet Bahos kanella Balas Louis & Toula Bassett Shea & Natalia Bastas Demetra Bastas Nikolaos & Kathy Batsaras Ilias & Yota Batshoun Christina Batshoun Emil & Matoula Batshoun Sofia Benetatos Harry & Penny Berdanis John & Helen Berovinos Michael & Kimberly Berovinos Tony & Bonnie Bouras Kathy Bouras Peter Bozigian Linda Breres Zena Brillakis Gus & Nicki Brooks Harriet Castritis Demetrios & Vivi Chelekis Louis & Vicki Chioles James & Effie Choullis Manolis & Sotiria Chrysanthis Alexandra Coats Marilyne Colazas Xenophon & Mila Condaras Nicolas & Katerina Contos Angeliki Contos Vasilis & Voula Cook Jeffrey & Susan Cornwell Carlyle & Demetra Coromelas Acrivi Cozakos Nick Critides Anastasius $ Shawnee Dalkos Bob & Vaso Dalkos Chris & Roula Dalkos John & Stavroula Dalkos Peter & Elene Dalpe Arvanitis Toula Demos George & Vickie Deneff Alkisti Deneff Anthony Deneff Peter & Diane Deneff William & Diana Deralas Dean Diacoumacos Marya Diamond Helen Dogris Alex & Peggy Dolas Chris Dolas James Dolas Jim & Camille Dolas John & Theodora Dolas Peter Douroupis Ioannis & Isabel Edwards Nickolas & Pamela Eleopoulos Jimmy & Leigh Etchepare Anna Exacoustos Stella Ezroj Michael & Christine Falley Zoe Fattaleh Raja Fattaleh Sabba & Diana Fenn Brad & Anna Fiamengo Alexandria Fic Karen Fisher Kathryn Foutris Constantine & Christine Frudakis Katina Futris William & Mary Galanis Jerry & Marian Georgakopoulos Mike & Maria Georgedes Katy Georges Louie & Penny Georgiadou Vicki Georgoulis George & Anna Ghilarducci Walt & Laura Giannoutsos Tatiana Gossen Ryan & Jennifer Tsakoumakis Gurrola Raymond & Mary Gutierrez Ivan & Esther Hadjimarkos Nicholas & Stemma Hadjioannou Nicole & Arion Hanna Jeannette Hansen Helen Hanson Chris & Dusty Hardaway Herman & Pamela Haririan Alka Hatziris John & Ramona Hennig Fred & Vickie Herron Craig & Diana Jordanides Dennis & Giselle Jordanides Timothy & Ria Kades Clio Kakaris Telis & Lia Kallins George & Bettina Kallins James & Virginia Kaltcheva Velitchka Karapoulios Angelo & Eleni Karidakis George & Diane Karidakis Nick & Jim Karmiris Christopher & Christina Karthas Nicholas Kastanas Vassilios & Paris Kiapos Alexandra Kitsios Kostas & Voula Kokkinides Joyce Konstantinidis Byron & Kaite Kontokanis Dimitris & Maria Korakis Michael & Georgia Kostallas Tony & Cathy Koulos Peter & Emily Kourtis Costa & Cecilia Krebenios Anastasia Kyriakos Spiros & Laine Ladas Amelia Ladas Charlie & Patty Lafkas Peter & Ada Lambrakis Spiro & Catherine Lambros Mary Lembesis Ann Lembesis John Jr. & Theresa Lembesis Nick & Saskia Lembesis Pendalis & Evangelia Liakos Nicole Liarakos George & Dezi Liarakos John & Athanasia Liarakos, Dimitrios & Voula Lofton Max & Mary Loizides George & Rodou Lopez Jeff & Georgia Makridis Gus & Georgine Manos Andrew & Pamela Mantikas Nick & Katherine Marangopoulos Jake & Tammy Marentis Victoria Markouizos Karolos & Georgia Markouizos Nektarios & Lisa Matty David & Barbara
Thank you for your loving support and commitment to our church. Mavrovitis Michail & Monica Mentas Ann Mentas James & Patricia Michel David & Vasiliki Michel David Vasili Milonas Dina Missios Basil & Eftihia Monios Nick & Linda Montalbano Paul & Maria Morgan Richard & Valerie Nakai Keiichi & Saki Nezis Alice Okerman David & Elaine Panos George Panou Vivian Papacalos George & Lucia Papadakis Colleen Papadakis Lillian & Andrianna Papadopoulos Evanghelo & Lorraine Papaggelis Christina Papakoulos Angie Papas Maria Papas Tasos & Georgia Pappas Mark & Shari Pappas Victor & Christina Pappas Victor & Tanya Parlapanides Charles & Elenie Pass Gus & Toula Paulos Mary Paulos Nicholas Paulos Todd & Cindy Phillips Crystal Phoutrides Neilos & Patricia Platis Jim & Kay Platis Sam & Laura Pliaconis Alexander & Nicole Polychrones Speros & Dora Popoff Thalia Poulis John Raptis Maria Reed Richard & Kyriaki Rembuskos Panayiotis & Valerie Rembuskos Steve & Amy Richards Dean & Dorothy Richmond Dan & Doris Roll Fotini Roubanis Savvas $ Jodi Russos Asimina Salsman Mel & Andria Santamarina Jose & Ronnea Seger Clay & Suzan Sehremelis Andy & Leslie Sehremelis Athena Sharkoff James & Katherine Shweiri George & Cathy Siames Faye Silva Robert & Nicolette Simitian Richard & Anna Siouris Chris & Yota Skandalakis Melia Skaropoulos Eleni Skourtas Tony & Angelique Smyrniotis Alexandra Smyrniotis Christos & Mary Sotiriou Elias Sotiriou Panagiotis & Vasiliki Soultanakis Paul & Trudith Soupos Tom & Bobbie Spiropoulos Katherine Sprague Ronald $ Mary Stapakis Olympia Stapakis Steve & Joanne Stathis Robert & Josefa Stavros Andy & Amber Stavros Bill & Maria Stavros George & Donna Stavros John & Gwen Stavros Louis & Mary Stavros Ted & Olga Stavros Tom Stergiou Eleni Stevenson Gus & Leona Sullos James & Vickie Sverkos Peter & Natalie Syrengelas Andreas & Evdoxia Syrengelas Andreas & Niky Syrengelas Dino & Dora Syrengelas George & Athanasia Syrengelas Michael & Elizabeth Syrengelas Sotiria Syrengelas Toula Syrengelas Vasili & Maria Talaganis Ernest Talaganis John & Kathleen Tavlarides Angelo & Mary Tener Theresa Teodosiadis Romilos & Melpomeni Terzi Popi Terzis Constantinos & Suzanna Thermos Gerry & Elli Thibault Irene Toulios Spyros & Helen Toumasis Gerasimos & Koula Triantos Anastasia N. Trigonis Tula Trikounakis Tony & Irma Tsakoumakis Stan & Debora Tsamous Peter & Helen Tsimerekis Christos & Christina Tsimerekis Nicos & Anna Vackrinos Catherine Valaskantjis Nikiforos & Georgia Van Der Meyden Dieder & Anne Vardakis Alex Vargo Douglas & Elefteria Varonos Alex, Gonzo & family Varzak Darlene Vasilomanolakis Francine Vasilomanolakis Mike & Nikki Veganes Peter Vlachos Dino & Helen Vlahakis Mary Watkins Evangelia Whalen Christopher &Sara Yakos John & Flora Zambos Angie Zambos John & Stephanie Zamvakellis Nick & Alison Zarifes Angie Zimmerman Roseann (Rikki) Zoolakis Anthony & Kari Zoumberakis Stelios & Stacy Page 11
A few words from the Stewardship Ministry... Can you believe it?? We will soon be celebrating 2014!!... Unbelievable... Stewardship Note But before we bring in the New Year, we must be sure that each of us has fulfilled our 2013 Stewardship commitment. By now you should have received your Stewardship statement as of September 30, 2013. If you did not receive a statement, you either 1) did not make a 2013 Stewardship pledge or 2) made a pledge but never paid any amount toward that pledge. However, it is not too late if you act now. Please take a moment and reflect upon this and send in your 2013 Stewardship card with your check, or on Sunday, drop your Stewardship Card and check in the offering tray. Please be sure to mark in the check memo that it is for your 2013 Stewardship. Please be reminded that if you are not a Steward and current in paying your pledged amount, you will not be able to participate in the Fall General Assembly or vote in the upcoming elections. Your voice is important and we want to hear it! So, please do not delay! In the words of Fr. William Chiganos of Holy Apostles Church in Westchester, Illinois, people don t give to need; they give to vision. Church people don t stretch their giving because of need to meet the budget; they give more because they are able to see a vision of people being reached and God s purposes being accomplished in the life of the church and its ministry. On behalf of the Stewardship Ministry we thank you for your continued generosity, Kathy Bastas (chair) President s Message cont. A very special Thank You to Barbara Matty for volunteering to chair, plan and develop our Parish Directory through the Parish Directory Committee. More to follow stay tuned! Please mark your calendars for the up coming November events: Fall General Parish Assembly Sunday, November 3 rd Stewardship Sunday, November 17 th Very sincere congratulations to George Demos for having the distinct honor and privilege of becoming an Archon! For those that are not familiar with what an ARCON is: An Archon is an honoree by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his outstanding service to the Church, and a well-known distinguished, and well-respected leader of the Orthodox Christian community. Truly a great honor! Please look both in our Panagia Bulletin and our weekly Sunday Bulletins for other events! Our Parish Council is here to serve you and our Panagia Parish. Please do not hesitate to call or ask any of your parish council members or me with any questions! We will provide you with the answers we know and get back to you with the answers we don t know. Thanks for all of your continued support! Chris Dolas, President Page 12
Dear Hope & Joy, Hope/Joy Hope and Joy is a fun ministry at Panagia that provides our youth an opportunity to come together for fellowship, outreach projects and fun activities. Thank you to everyone who joined us last month in the church hall. We had a fun meeting preparing the classroom collection boxes for the church Thanksgiving Outreach Project. The children enjoyed playing together, making popcorn hands and decorating cookies. Our next meeting will be November 15 th from 6pm to 8pm. We will have pizza, drinks, games and crafts. The cost is $5 per person to help cover the supplies and dinner. We always welcome our GOYA youth as helpers. Please RSVP to georgakopoulosm@aol.com. We look forward to seeing everyone. Greek School The Greek School students just celebrated their first major holiday event, OXI DAY, The students recited poems and did a fantastic job. All students were present and we had a very good turnout for our luncheon. All teachers are very proud of their students and hope they will keep up with the good work and effort they are showing. I would like to thank all the teachers and parents for all their help making this event a success. This month there will be no classes on Wednesday, November 27th, 2013. Most children are out from school the whole week for Thanksgiving. Thank you, Kathryn Condaras, Principal Lots of Love, Maria Georgakopoulos, Anne Innis and Dina Lioulias BEST WISHES Announcements Greek Dance & Cultural Arts School OPA! Greek Dance is in full swing with weekly practices. Everyone is working hard to prepare for FDF. Please book your rooms at the Marriott in Anaheim--for more information go to www.yourfdf.org. Reminder: we ask that all dance families become stewards of our church. We need volunteers and helpers for our big New Year's Eve fundraiser, please let your directors know if you are able and available to help. Just keep dancing...opa! Dina Lioulias, president WEDDINGS 10/12/13 Emmanuel Smith & Christina Alexopoulos Koumbara: Nicole Hadjioannou Na zisete - Congratulations BAPTISMS & CHRISMATIONS 10/5/12 Goran Jovicic Godfather: David Michel Congratulations November Prosforo Prosforo for the month of November is donated by Maria Tsalikis and Lillian Papadakis. Thank you. If you would like to donate our Sunday prosforo please call the church office. Page 13
ΒΙΟΙ ΑΓΙΩΝ Greek Column by Voula Michail Οι Άγιοι Ανάργυροι. Στην εκκλησία μας υπάρχουν τρία ζεύγη Αγίων Αναργύρων που έχουν το ίδιο όνομα Κοσμάς και Δαμιανός και είναι αδέλφια. Είναι γιατροί στο επάγγελμα και οι ικανότητές τους θαυματουργικές. Η μόνη διάκριση που έχουν είναι ο τόπος της καταγωγής τους, καθώς και η διαφορετική ημερομηνία εορτασμού από την εκκλησία μας. Έτσι, η μία σειρά των Αγίων Αναργύρων γιορτάζεται από την εκκλησία μας την 1η Νοεμβρίου και κατάγονται από την Ασία. Η άλλη σειρά γιορτάζεται την 1η Ιουλίου και κατάγονται από την Ρώμη. Η τρίτη σειρά των Αγίων Αναργύρων γιορτάζεται την 17η Οκτωβρίου και κατάγονται από την Αραβία. Οι Άγιοι Ανάργυροι, Κοσμάς κα Δαμιανός, που η εκκλησία μας τους γιορτάζει την 1η Νοεμβρίου, προέρχονται από πλούσια οικογένια. Ο πατέρας τους ήταν στην αρχή ειδολωλάτρης και αργότερα βαπτίσθηκε κι έγινε Χριστιανός. Όμως, ενώ ήταν ακόμα σε πολύ μικρή ηλικία οι Άγιοι, τον έχασαν και όλη τους την φροντίδα ανέλαβε η μητέρα τους Θεοδότη, που ήταν Χριστιανή. Φρόντισε να τους δώσει Χριστιανική ανατροφή, να τα μορφώσει όσο καλύτερα μπορούσε, χρησιμοποιώντας και μέρος της περιουσίας της, προκειμένου να τα σπουδάσει. Διάλεξαν και οι δύο την Ιατρική Επιστήμη, όπου με τις ικανότητες που διέθεταν, διακρίνονταν καθημερινά. Η χήρα μητέρα τους Θεοδότη, βλέποντας και ακούγοντας για τις επιτυχίες των παιδιών της ένιωθε ξεχωριστή χαρά και παρακαλούσε το Θεό να τα προστατεύει, αλλά και να τα φωτίζει. Μετά που τελείωσαν τις σπουδές τους και πήραν το πτυχίο της Ιατρικής, άρχισαν να ασκούν το επάγγελμα με απόλυτη επιτυχία. Τα φιλανθρωπικά αισθήματά τους δεν τους άφηναν να ησυχάσουν ούτε στιγμή, γιατί έβλεπαν γύρω τους ανθρώπους να πεθαίνουν, χωρίς να έχουν την στοιχειώδη ιατρική περίθαλψη. Η ζωή τους ήταν απλή και λιτή. Ήταν ολιγαρκείς και ουδέποτε έπαιρναν χρήματα απο τους ασθενείς τους. Γι αυτό η φήμη τους γρήγορα διαδόθηκε και ο κόσμος τους αποκαλούσε Ανάργυρους. Λίγο αργότερα επισκέφτηκαν τη χώρα Φερεμάν όπου ασθένησαν από βαριά ασθένεια και πέθαναν και οι δυο και ενταφιάσθηκαν στη χώρα αυτή. Σ' αυτά τα τρία ζευγάρια των Αγίων Αναργύρων, που η ίδια η φύση προίκισε με σπάνια προσόντα, ο Σωτήρας μας Χριστός εμπιστεύθηκε τα Αποστολικά Του Χαρίσματα. Είχαν τη δυνατότητα να θεραπεύσουν την κάθε σωματική ασθένεια, όπως και την κάθε ψυχική, αλλά και να θαυματουργούν με τη χάρη του Παναγίου Πνεύματος, χάρισμα που είχαν μόνο οι Απόστολοι του Χριστού. Έτσι τα σπίτια τους έγιναν μια σύγχρονη Προβατική Κολυμβήθρα, που νοσηλεύονταν από κάθε ασθένεια όσοι προσέρχονταν σ' αυτούς, χωρίς απολύτως καμιά διάκριση. Δε δέχονταν χρήματα από κανέναν, αλλά ούτε και τις ανθρώπινες ευχαριστίες από τους ασθενείς τους, συμβουλεύοντας τους μάλιστα να ευχαριστούν το Θεό, γιατί απ' Αυτόν γίνονται όλες οι ευεργεσίες και οι θεραπείες. Γι αυτό η φήμη τους σαν "οι καλύτεροι Γιατροί του κόσμου" ακούγονταν σε κάθε γωνιά του πλανήτη. Αυτά τα Ιερά πρόσωπα των Αγίων Αναργύρων η εκκλησία μας τα τιμά ιδιαίτερα με το δικό της ξεχωριστό τρόπο. Την ώρα της Προσκομιδής ο λειτουργός ιερέας εξάγει τη μερίδα της τιμής των Αγίων Αναργύρων Κοσμά και Δαμιανού, Κύρου και Ιωάννου...και "πάντων των Αγίων Αναργύρων". Επίσης η εκκλησία μας τους παρακαλεί να μεσιτεύουν σε όποιον τους επικαλείται για την ασθένειά του και χρησιμοποιεί τις παρακάτω φράσεις "Άγιοι Ανάργυροι θαυματουργοί και ελεήμονες, πρώτοι γιατροί του κόσμου, δωρεάν ελάβατε, δωρεάν εδώσατε". Page 14
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ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 5761 E. Colorado St. Long Beach, CA 90814 NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID LONG BEACH, CA PERMIT NO. 344 Worship Services Regular Schedule Orthros 8:45 AM Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM NOTE: Sunday Divine Liturgy starts at 10:00AM year-round. See enclosed calendar for dates and times of other services this month.