PARISH COUNCIL President: George Spirakis Vice President: Sam Stathos Secretary: Takis Michalos Treasurer: E. Timothy Vaughan Asst. Treasurer: Jack Demtrak Members: George J. Karukas Member: Nick Katsanos Member: Mike Merisotis Member: Anastasia Spirakis PHILOPTOCHOS President: Loretta Siotka 1st Vice President: Angie Spyralatos 2nd Vice President: Veatriki Vrantsis Treasurer: Angie Spyralatos Corresponding Secretary: Anna Kouis Recording Secretary: Amy Castanes Advisor: Linda Moustakis The Voice John 1:23 I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord. ACTIVITY CONTACTS Choir Director GOYA Advisors George Karukas Michael Dunn Greek School Director Mike Merisotis HOPE Advisor Karen Karukas JOY Advisor Amy Castanes Koliva Preparation Maria Veselinovich Tim Groza Scheduling ~ Coffee Hour/Prosforo Linda Moustakis Sunday Greeters Anna Kouis Thee Holy Nook Philoptochos Gift Shop Adrianne Finn NOVEMBER 2010 St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church 3301 33rd Avenue Ext. N. Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Phone: 843.448.3773 Fax: 843.946.7597 E-mail: office@stjohn-mb.org Father Angelo C. Pappas, Parish Priest E-mail: frangelo@stjohn-mb.org
Page 2 The Voice...they had no need to look at the traffic or watch for any danger around them. They followed their shepherd. He knew his sheep, and they knew him. They trusted him to the point that they had NO FEAR! How blessed I am that my Shepherd is the Good Shepherd, the one who loves me for what I am and who I am, who accepts me with all my faults. Message from Father Angelo: My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This past summer while traveling in Greece, I was able to visit quite a few churches and monasteries. In doing so, I would enter the Holy Sanctuary and venerate the Crucified Christ and proceed to kiss the Holy Gospel on the Holy Altar. I would also turn to a passage from the gospel for self-reflection, a passage to meditate upon. I came across a passage which is often read in our parishes, especially on Feast Days of the Saints, the Gospel of St. John, 10:9-16: I am the door; if anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and then the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd. I pondered over this passage for awhile, sitting in the church, looking at the Icon of the Crucified Christ, knowing that He gave up His Life for MY sins. That He laid down His life that I may be saved, to have an opportunity to enter His Kingdom. That He, and only He, is the way, the true path, the DOOR into Paradise. I meditated on this for quite awhile, thinking that I understood it well, or really thought I did. Several days later my family and I, while in Sparti, Lakonia in the Peloponnese, decided to drive to the port city of Gythion, only 20-30 minutes away from Sparti. As I drove I was forced to stop, for there was a flock of sheep crossing the road. One following another, they had no need to look at the traffic or watch for any danger around them. They followed their shepherd. He knew his sheep, and they knew him. They trusted him to the point that they had NO FEAR! They all crossed the road and entered a new pasture for their grazing. How peaceful and serene, how content. For me, I was seeing the Gospel in action. This is exactly how we should follow Jesus Christ: with commitment, with our heads down, and following our Good Shepherd without question or issue. We should trust in our Lord to guide us from one pasture to another; from one life to another. A couple of days later we were on our way back to Athens, and while on the road somewhere between Tripolis and Corinth, I was following a pick-up truck. I couldn t help but notice that standing on the bed of this pick-up, well tied up, was a lamb on its way to be slaughtered. Instead of passing the truck, I followed it for awhile thinking of this poor lamb s limited future. Surprisingly enough, I found myself driving and also staring at this lamb s face. It was maybe my own imagination, or thought process, but I sensed the fear, the anguish, the betrayal that this lamb was feeling. Its shepherd, its master, its guardian, sold it so that it may die. Again, the Gospel passage came to mind, he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. How blessed I am that my Shepherd is the Good Shepherd, the one who loves me for what I am and who I am, who accepts me with all my faults. The words of Jesus Christ are the words which we must all heed and follow. Following Him gives us peace, tranquility, contentment and serenity, but most importantly it makes us His Holy Flock, His Holy Sheep, His sons and daughters. Let us now in the month of November and the following months, listen to the words of the Holy Gospel. Let us follow Him as did many of the Saints that we commemorate during these months. Let us rejoice as we approach His Holy Nativity. Let us pray on bended knee for forgiveness. Let us feel His warm and loving embrace. With this in mind, Let us love one another, so that with one mind we may confess our Lord. I pray that this Thanksgiving we celebrate with love in our hearts and Glorify God for giving us each other. From my family to yours, Happy and Joyous Thanksgiving! With love in Christ, Father Angelo
The Voice Page 3 Message from our Parish Council President: Dear Parishioners, The holiday season is upon us, and I hope everyone has a nice Thanksgiving. The fall General Assembly meeting took place on Sunday October 10, 2010. Parish Council elections will be held on Sunday December 5, 2010. The nominating committee will be taking names for the Parish Council through November 14, 2010. Should you wish to run for the parish council or nominate someone, please call Donna Tripp in the church office, or Jimmy Arakas. The American Red Cross will be feeding the poor on December 25, 2010 at the Fellowship Hall. All those who can help are encouraged to do so. We will need someone to help coordinate between the Church and the American Red Cross. If you are willing and able, please contact me or Donna in the Church office. This is the second year that the American Red Cross will be using our facility. Let s help them make this a successful endeavor as it was last year. I know that we have all had a trying year with the way the country s financial situation has been. The economic outlook has not been good, and we in this area are, unfortunately, not immune to this problem. However, if you still have a roof over your head and can still feed your family, please keep in mind that there are others in Horry County who cannot. The Ladies Philoptochos will be accepting food donations for the needy throughout the holiday season. Please find it in your heart to try and donate a can of something. Every little bit will help. The festival figures were discussed at the General Assembly meeting, and the preliminary figures are good. The festival grossed $210,000. Thank you again for all of your help. The festival will donate to the Waccamaw Youth Center and CASA again this year. We are also donating a swing set to the Myrtle Beach Primary School. Chris Arakas brought to the attention of the Board that the handicapped children at this school were watching the other children play during recess, while sitting in their wheelchairs. When Chris was handling the installation of the playground at our Church, he saw that the company we purchased from made handicapped accessible playground equipment. We are blessed to not have this need for our children, but we felt that it would be helpful to provide for the need of these children and the children that come after them. Please keep in mind that 1% of the festival profits will also go into the Church s medical fund. Should you or anyone you know need help paying for prescriptions, please contact Dr. Victoria Moshoures at 839-2500, or Dr. Jimmy Kontos at (843) 685-8012. As always, I wish everyone well, much health and love in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Respectfully, George N. Spirakis Parish Council President However, if you still have a roof over your head and can still feed your family, please keep in mind that there are others in Horry County who cannot....the handicapped children at this school were watching the other children play during recess, while sitting in their wheelchairs. Operation Christmas Child - ONE MISSION To demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Boxes will be accepted at the Church until November 8th. (See mailing that went out this week for additional details). For additional forms, got to: www.samaritanspurse.org Use an empty shoe box (standard size) or small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift. BOY or Girl? Decide whether buying for a boy or a girl, and the child s age: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Mark the age on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box. FILL WITH GIFTS: Toys, school supplies, personal hygiene items, a personal note, small books, hard candy (double wrapped) etc. DO NOT INCLUDE: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans. PLEASE DONATE $7 for each shoe box to cover shipping and other project costs. You can write a check to Samaritan s Purse (note OCC on memo line) and put it in an envelope inside the box. If preparing more than one box, please combine on one check. Bring boxes to the Church during office hours (Mon Fri, 8:45AM 2:30PM), before or after church services, or you may contact Chris Arakas at (843) 602-2359 to make arrangements to have them picked up from your location.
NOVEMBER WEEKDAY SERVICES Monday, November 1 st Orthros 8:45 AM 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy (Sts. Cosmas and Damianos) Thursday, November 4 th 6:00 PM Paraklesis Service Sunday, November 7 th 6:00 PM Vesper Service (Archangels Michael and Gabriel) Monday, November 8 th Orthros, 8:45 AM 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy (Archangels Michael and Gabriel) 6:00 PM Vesper Service (St. Nektarios) Tuesday, November 9 th Orthros, 8:45 AM 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy (St. Nektarios) Tuesday, November 16 th Orthros, 8:45 AM NO DIVINE LITURGY (St. Matthew) Tuesday, November 30 th Orthros, 8:45 AM 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy (St. Andrew, First-Called Apostle) Fast Days During november Wednesdays & Fridays ~ November 3rd, 5th, 10th and 12th Christmas Fast begins November 15th until December 25th What is a Paraklesis Service? A Paraklesis is a supplicatory service addressed to the Mother of God. It is held for the purpose of invoking Divine help through the Mother of God in the case of physical or spiritual illness, or in cases of other personal difficulties. If you would like Father Angelo to pray for the good health of your loved ones, please complete a form that is available in the Narthex and give it to Father before the service.
November Holy Days and Feasts Sts Kosmas & Damianos (Nov. 1 st ) St. Philip (Nov. 14 th ) These two brothers were raised in a comparatively wealthy family in Asia Minor in the early years of the Church. They were educated as doctors, and believed that "of the most high cometh healing." They made a decision not to charge any of their patients, hence they are known as the "unmercenaries." They were known for their healing and their miracles throughout the early Christian community. Respected by non Christians as well, they lived and practiced medicine to an old age. Sts. Kosmas and Damianos are the Patron Saints of the Philoptochos. Synaxis of the Archangels Gabriel & Michael (Nov. 8 th ) Michael and Gabriel, the Archangels, are considered to head the heavenly incorporal (not being of body) powers. The two side doors of the Orthodox iconostasis always bear full figure icons of the two Archangels in guard's attire. They were symbolically placed on the two side doors as if to warn and prohibit the unauthorized to enter the Sanctuary. In the Orthodox Church the feast of the Archangels is celebrated on November 8 th. St. Nektarios (Nov. 9 th ) St. Nektarios is a modern saint, born in 1846 in Thrace (Turkey). He became a bishop in the church in Egypt, but was stripped of his authority by jealousy. He then became dean of a theological school, established a convent for nuns, and eventually retired to the island of Aegina, near Piraeus. Pilgrims came to visit him throughout his life, and continued to visit and pray at his grave following his death in1920. Because of miraculous cures, Nektarios was declared a saint in 1961. He is the patron saint of people with cancer, heart trouble, arthritis and epilepsy. St. John Chrysostom (Nov. 13 th ) St. John, author of the Liturgy used in most Sunday Services, was known as Chrysostom or Golden-Mouthed for his eloquence. Trained as a lawyer, he instead entered a monastery, then was ordained as a priest in 386 AD. He was so popular and gifted as a preacher that he was elected to the Patriarchate of Constantinople at the age of 49. His crusade against the wealth and excessiveness of the royal court caused him to be banished, but even in exile he continued to preach and write beautiful sermons for his beloved Church. When the apostles set out to preach the word of Christ, they drew lots to determine who would go to which region. St. Philip, born in the same small village as Sts. Peter and Andrew, was assigned to much of Asia Minor, where he traveled and taught with the aid of his sister Miriam and the apostle Bartholomew. He also successfully ministered to the Greeks. When he killed a giant snake that the Phrygians of Asia Minor were worshipping as a god, simply by touching it, thousands were converted. This angered the pagans leaders, who had the three condemned to death. Their crucifixion was stopped by an earthquake, which was seen as a sign from God, but St. Philip died from his wounds, praising the Lord. St. Gregory Palamas (Nov. 14 th ) Although St. Gregory Palamas was born into a noble family and raised in the royal palace of Constantinople, his heart yearned to work for Christ. At an early age, he left the palace to live an aesthetic life in a monastery on Mt. Athos. By the 14 th century, these monasteries were nearly extinct, and St. Gregory made it his life s work to restore their spiritual life and leadership. He taught that the human body is sanctified by the sacraments and participates through the senses in prayer offerings, a concept that, at that time, was highly controversial. As a result of his efforts on behalf of monasticism and the monasteries, Mt. Athos was closely tied to the Patriarchate, and once again became a spiritual bastion for Christianity. St. Matthew (Nov. 16 th ) St. Matthew the Evangelist was a member of a hated profession, a tax collector for Rome, when Jesus called him to become an apostle. He became the most intellectual of the twelve apostles. His gospel is filled with references to the prophecies and events of the Old Testament. After Pentecost, he preached the gospel throughout the Holy Land and beyond. He was martyred in Ethiopia. Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple (Nov. 21 st ) It was an ancient Jewish custom for some parents to dedicate a child to God and present him or her to the temple. Joachim and Anna presented their daughter Mary to the temple when she was three years old. She remained with the holy men for twelve years, acquiring the finest education. Soon after her return home, she was visited by the Archangel Gabriel, announcing that she would be the Mother of Christ.
O GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD, FOR HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOR EVER. Psalm 136:1 St. Katherine (Nov. 25 th ) Katherine was a lovely young girl of 18, from a noble family, when she first came to the attention of the authorities in Alexandria, Egypt, in the 4th century AD. Public debates in the forum were very popular, but the Christian community did not have an orator who could match the pagan debaters. Katherine out - argued and out debated the pagan orators, and left her audience amazed. Enemies of the Christians reported her to Emperor Maxentius. She was martyred on the spiked wheel which is usually depicted on her icons. St. Andrew (Nov. 30th) St. Andrew, a fisherman from Bethsaida, is also known as Proklitos, "first called," since he was the first person chosen by the Son of God when He began his ministry. Following the Resurrection, he went out to preach along the Black Sea, where he brought Christianity to many thousands of people in Thrace, Macedonia, Greece, Scythia (Russia, where he is considered the patron saint), and Byzantium. He ordained Stachys, the first bishop of Byzantium, establishing the unbroken line of Patriarchs from whom all priests, bishops and archbishops are spiritually descended. He was martyred on an X shaped cross at the age of 80, for converting the wife of the ruler. A Thanksgiving Prayer Lord God, from whom flow all the blessings of life, we worship Your Holy Name on this Thanksgiving Day. We give thanks for your unceasing goodness upon us through families, friends, the Gospel, the Church, and our freedom in America. We thank you for your Words of abundant life. We thank you for filling our hearts with faith, hope, joy and love. Grant us your peace this day, we pray, and be in our gathering. AMEN Christmas Lent Christmas Lent lasts 40 days in the Orthodox Church, from November 15 th to December 25 th. This is a time for prayer, fasting, confession, anticipation, and preparation for the Savior s coming. Offer to God a sacrifice of Thanksgiving. Psalm 50:14 The Sacrament of Confession is available to everyone. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, the Bible teaches. Call Fr. Angelo at 448-3773 for an appointment for Confession. Happy Nameday & Chronia Polla To all those celebrating their Namedays in November!
NOVEMBER SUNDAY SERVICES SUNDAY, November 7 th 7th Sunday of Luke Commemorating: 33 Martyrs of Melitene; Lazarus the Wonderworker; Martyr Athenodorus; and Alexander the Martyr of Thessaloniki. READINGS: Epistle: Ephesians 2:14-22 Gospel: Luke 8:14-22 Daylight Saving Time Ends: Turn clocks back one hour. SUNDAY, November 14 th 8th Sunday of Luke Commemorating: Philip the Apostle; Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki; Emperor Justinian and his wife, Theodora; and Panteleimon of Asia Minor. READINGS: Epistle: 1 Corinthians 4:9-16 Gospel: Luke 10:25-37 SUNDAY, November 21 st Presentation of the Theotokos into the temple READINGS: Epistle: Hebrews 9:1-7 Gospel: Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28 SUNDAY, November 28 th 13 th Sunday of Luke Commemorating: Stephen the New; Irenarchos and his Companion Martyrs at Sebaste; Auxentius; and 16 Martyrs of Tiberioupolis. READINGS: Epistle: Ephesians 6:10-17 Gospel: Luke 18:18-27
2010 STEWARDSHIP LIST Page 8 We currently have 176 Stewards who together have pledged $114,236 in support of our parish. Average Family Pledge: $ 651.07 George & Eileen Adrian Jonathan Aftosmes Athanasia Andriotis George K. Andros Chris & Laura Arakas James & Brenda Arakas Effie Arakas Michael J. & Wendy Arakas Michael @. & Robin Arakas Tommy & Mary Arakas Nickolas & Patricia Argyros Theodoros & Marilele Asimakopoulos Edmond & Merita Asllanaj Eugenia Badescu Dan J. & Sylvia Baker Vincent L. & Marion Barone Helen D. Bauer* Anna K. Bazar John Beckwith & Nicole Kokenes Charles & Katie Belissary Bruce & Rebecca Bigart Ernest V. & Athena Bilotto Evan & Alexia Bofilios Tony & Roula Bofilios Aspasia Buck* Pantelis G. Camposoulis Chris & Amy Castanes Mike Cockinos Theodore & Theodora Demetriades John. P. Demtrak Peter Diamantoukos C. Dino Drosas Thomas Michael Dunn John & Stefani Engonidis Jordan & Maria Engonidis Peter Engonidis James & Bessie Farsolas Lillian Ferrigno George Galitsis Eleni Gavrilis Mike & Maria Gavrilis Costas & Urania Geladakis John & Jessica Geladakis Spiro Geladakis Mary Grell Alexandra Grivakis Timothy Groza Kozma & Entela Guda David C. Haar & Anastasia Spirakis Basem E. & Aida Hilal Doris Hoenig* Walter & Irene Hyll Nancy A. Jackson Louis & Lorraine Kachulis Stacy Kachulis Flor Myriam Kallis Demetrios & Tasia Kaltsounis Evangelos & Anthoula Kaltsounis Tom Kandris John & Katherine Karback Harry & Vonnie Karetas Milton & Joyce Karetas Elaine Karavan George & Bessie Karras Constantine & Marybeth Karukas George & Angeliki Karukas George J. & Karen Karukas Nicholas & Debra Katsanos Louis & Xeni Zenia Katsoulaki B. Stefan Keane John J. & Carolyn Kefalas J.J. Kefalas David M. & Diane M. Keiser Annette Keramidas Greg & Lauren Killian Theano A. King Walter & Constance Klimash Jimmy & Stacey Kontos Konstantinos & Sofia Kostarelos Anna Kouis Theodore & Georgia Krallis Eunice Kritsidimas Jimmy & Vivian Lambrinos George & Patricia Lazarou Alkis & Victoria Leftis Constantine & Amy Leftis George & Olga Manos Larisa Markessinis Bella Mastromichalis David & Patricia Mavroidis Jamie McLain & Helen Farsolas McLain George X. McNulty Costas & Nocolette Melissaris Nicholas Melissaris Michael & Tammy Merisotis Theognosia Tess Michaels Nicholas & Linda Michaels Takis & Michele Michalos Lili Morris Calliope Moshoures Michael Moshoures George & Linda Moustakis Maria Oster William & Angela Panos Nick & Mary Papadea Nick & Meredith Papadea Patsy J. Pappas Lamberto Paragas & Victoria Moshoures Charilaos & Soultana Paraschos John & Athina Paraschos Kostas & Donna Paraschos Constantine & Joanne Pavlakos George A. Pavlis Dena Platingos Pete Politis & Csengelle Bardocz Steve & Penny Politis Tony & Helen Politis Costas & Diamanto Pournaras George Pournaras Harry & Nikki Pournaras John & Zoe Pournaras Nick & Anna Pournaras Vasilios Billy & Renee Pournaras Steve & Rebecca Psaroudis Gregory & Barbara Psillos David & Jane Radomsky Dorothy Radomsky John & Nora Radu James & Demetra Raptis Thalia Sanderson David & Mary Santimaw Irene Sfougaristos Nicholas & Loretta Siotka Harold & Constantina Smith Angela H. Sourlis George & Eleni Sourlis Harry & Georgia Sourlis Evangelos & Constantina Stassinos Maria Sourlis Niehouse Patricia H. Sourlis Peter H. Sourlis Peter & Joanna Sourlis Angelica N. Spirakis George & Tamara Spirakis Peter N. Spirakis Angie Spyralatos George & Beverly Spyropoulos Cathy Stathos George G. & Zhanetta Stathos Gus & Eva Stathos Jimmy G. & Elsie W. Stathos Sam & Ashley Stathos Spiro & Frankie Steiner James Stocks & Fotini Kandris Jacqueline Strovilas Bernard & Kalliopi Szostek Panteleimon Taxakis & Brooke Elliott Elaine Arakas Teruel Ted & Happy Theocles Kurt & Mary Theurer Angeline Thompson Dino & Susan Thompson William & Claire Tredinnick Vickie Tsagatos Demitrios Tselides Nick & Maria Veselinovich Ms. Violet Tsiantis Al & Vicki Underwood Edwin T. & Mary Vaughan George & Iris Vlandis William & Penelope Vlandis Gus & Veatriki Vrantsis Tom & Maya Vrantsis Cliff & Elaine Willett J. Ashley Olga Wright Peter C. Yahnis Claudia Zielinksi
PANGARI Nov 7 Nov 14 Nov 21 Nov 28 PROSFORON Nov 7 Nov 14 Nov 21 Nov 28 NOVEMBER SCHEDULES Anastasia Spirakis George Karukas Jack Demtrak Michael Merisotis Tim Groza Linda Moustakis Anonymous Angie Spyralatos SUNDAY GREETERS Nov 7 Greg & Lauren Killian Nov 14 Takis & Michele Michalos Nov 21 John & Nora Radu Nov 28 Lou Kachulis & Anna Kouis COFFEE HOUR Nov 7 Nov 14 Nov 21 Nov 28 Jane Radomsky & Family Chris & Laura Arakas Daughters of Penelope GOYAns The church provides paper items, coffee and sugar. Hosts are responsible for pastries, milk or half & half and juice. Directions for making coffee are posted inside cabinet to right of urns. Use large urn for regular coffee, small urn for de-caf. Sunday school is now held following Communion on Sundays please have juice & treats available for our youth. THANK YOU TO OUR ALL OF OUR HOSTS!!! MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEERS Nov 8 Elaine Karavan & Anna Kouis Nov 9 Linda Moustakis & Loretta Siotka Nov 10 Timothy & Mary Vaughan Nov 11 Kalla Szostek Nov 12 Demitrios Tselides & John Popa If unable to keep your assigned date, please contact Linda Moustakis at 238-1473 as soon as possible. INFORMATIVE From the Family of Gary Morris Many, many thanks to everyone in the community for their many cards and condolences for Gary Morris Lili Morris, Deane Morris, Maria Kiser, and his daughters Jenny, Mallory and Courtney. THE LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS will hold its next Board Meeting on Wednesday, November 3rd at 12 Noon, followed by a General Meeting at 1PM. AHEPA will hold their meeting on Wednesday, November 3rd at 7PM in the Fellowship Hall. Church Women United will hold their World Community Day 2010 celebration on Saturday, Nov. 6th at 12 noon at St. Andrew Catholic Church Community Center, located at 37th Avenue N. in Myrtle Beach. Bring your own brown bag lunch drinks and dessert will be provided. Contact Ms. Vickie at 449-7886 for more info. The Daughters of Penelope will have a booth at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center for the annual Dickens Christmas Show November 11 14. Hours are Thursday Saturday 9AM-6PM, and on Sunday from Noon 6PM. They will be selling Greek pastries, and AHEPA will be selling Greek food. On Saturday, Nov. 13th at 10AM, our JOY and HOPE youth will meet at Ripley s Aquarium for an outing. Ticket prices are: Adults - $10, Ages 6-11 $5, and Ages 2-5 $2. There is no charge for children under 2. Please RSVP to Amy Castanes at 663-1111 if you d like to join us. THE DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE will hold their meeting (FOR THIS MONTH ONLY one week later due to the Dicken s Show) on Wednesday, November 17th at 1PM in the Fellowship Hall Coffee Room. SAINT BASIL ACADEMY We teach, We heal, We bring the light of Christ to young lives. To help a child in need: Notify your priest of a neglected, abandoned or abused child. Fill out and mail in a student application form. Make a call directly to Saint Basil Academy at (845) 424-3500. Set up an appointment to visit, or Go to: www.saintbasilacademy.org
CONGRATULATIONS!!! To Jamie McLain & Helen Farsolas-McLain on the birth of their son, James Michael McLain III, on October 13th. Dr. James and Bessie Farsolas are his proud grandparents! Also to Tom and Maya Vrantsis on the birth of their son, Konstantine Michael Vrantsis, on October 6th. Gus and Veatriki Vrantsis are his proud grandparents! CONGRATULATIONS!!! To Peter Yahnis, who has been appointed to the Horry County Higher Education Commission at Coastal Carolina University. Peter will serve on the Board from 2010-2014. YANO POURNARAS Yano Pournaras, son of Billy & Renee Pournaras, continues to undergo treatments for Neuroblas toma in Chicago, IL. You may follow Yano s updates on Facebook at: WANTED We would like your pictures from church events to be included in our monthly newsletter and on our parish website. If you have digital pictures you would like to share, please e-mail them to Donna Tripp at office@stjohn-mb.org. AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE THEE HOLY NOOK has imported Greek items including hand painted ceramic tiles and jewelry boxes, greeting cards, bracelets, olive oil soap, Greek coffee, brikia and delicious halva, as well as A Voyage in Greek Cooking, St. John s parish cook-book. A catalog is available in the Narthex and online on our parish website. Please stop by during coffee hour, or you may contact Adrianne Finn at 843-855-0304. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=92990071642. PHOTO: Yano playing with Fruit Loops and crayons! ICONOGRAPHY: His Eminence is encouraging our parish to complete it s iconography project so that the church may be consecrated. We are seeking donations in order to complete this project. If you are interested in purchasing an icon, either from our completed projects or from our upcoming project, please contact Jimmy Arakas at (843) 450-3665, or you may contact Donna Tripp in the office at (843) 448-3773. C.A.S.A. Citizens Against Spouse Abuse Violence Breaks Up Families... and Ruins Lives WHAT S NEW IN OUR PARISH BOOKSTORE!!! Our parish bookstore is located in the fellowship hall library, and is open following the Divine Liturgy. We have added a children s section, and new icons and instructional guides in addition to a variety of Orthodox Christian literature and worship items. Stop by and check it out!!! With the state of the economy and the increased number of women and children in need who are staying in CASA's safe houses, CASA's biggest need this month is food cards from any grocery store in the area. Besides that, any items you bring to church will either be used by the victims or sold in CASA's thrift store, Used But Not Abused. The proceeds will help fund the needs (including relocation) of the victims. Thanks for your continued donations and support. ~ Mary Vaughan PARISH PRINTS We have signed, numbered prints of our parish available for $20 each. These would make great gifts for someone who has a wedding or baptism, etc. in our church. The prints could be matted and framed with the date of the event to commemorate a special occasion. Contact the office at 448-3773 for additional information.
COFFEE HOUR ON OCTOBER 10TH TO WELCOME Father Angelo and Presvytera Mary Pappas BREAST CANCER AWARENESS & EDUCATIONAL LUNCHEON Held at Garden City Pancake House on October 16 th, 2010 The Philoptochos Ladies would like to offer a heart-felt thanks to all who participated in our successful luncheon!
Macarius Notaras To receive Communion the usual two or three times a year is good and helpful, but to receive Communion more frequently is far better. Remember, the nearer a person comes to the light, the more light he gets. The closer he draws to the fire, the warmer he is. The nearer he approaches sanctity, the more saintly he becomes. In the same way, the more often one draws near to God in Communion, the more one receives light and warmth and holiness. My friend, if you are worthy to make your Communion two or three times a year, you are worthy of making it more often, as St. John Chrysostom tells us, by maintaining your own earlier preparation and worthiness. But what does stop us from taking Communion? The answer is our carelessness and laziness, and we give way to these faults so much that we are not sufficiently prepared to be able to receive Communion. There is another way of looking at this problem, too. People like this do not, in fact, obey God's commandment as they imagine they do. Where did God, or any one of the saints for that matter, bid us communicate two or three times a year? Nowhere is this found. Therefore we must be very sure that, when we obey a command, it is our duty to see that we are obeying it exactly as it says. That is, we must pay attention to the place, the time, the purpose, the method and all the conditions in which it should take place. Thus the good action that we wanted to perform will be perfect in every detail and well pleasing to God. You can see that the same thing applies to the case of Holy Communion. It is both necessary and very beneficial to the soul for a person to receive Communion frequently. It is also in obedience to the commandment of God. It is a good deed well done and well-pleasing to God. On the other hand, to communicate only three times a year is neither in obedience to a command nor a perfect good deed. Because it is not good in itself, its results are not good. Therefore, like all the rest of God's commandments, every one requires the right time, as it says in the Book of Ecclesiastes, "For everything there is a season." This is true also with regard to the command about Holy Communion. We must receive the proper time; and that means the proper time is the moment when the priest exclaims, "In the fear of God and with faith and love draw near." Is this heard only three times a year? Oh, no. Yet, although everyone must eat two or even three times a day in order that the material body may live, must the unfortunate soul only eat three times a year - or perhaps even once-the food that gives it life in order to live the spiritual life? And isn't this completely absurd? Even if this is not the case, I am very much afraid that we may be deriving no benefit from complying with the commandments, because we water them down and spoil them. So we are not keepers of the law, but breakers of the law. 2003 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America www.goarch.org
Χάνεται η ελληνικότητα των εορτών μας Άρθρο του Μητροπολίτη Μονεμβασίας και Σπάρτης κ.κ. Ευσταθίου Μπροστά από αρκετά χρόνια είχα διαβάσει σε σοβαρή αθηναϊκή εφημερίδα ένα άρθρο του Η. Νικολούδη, Καθηγητή Πανεπιστημίου των Παρισίων και του Εθνικού Μετσοβίου Πολυτεχνείου Αθηνών. Μεταξύ των άλλων στο σημαντικό αυτό άρθρο ο έμπειρος πανεπιστημιακός δάσκαλος έγραφε: «υπάρχει θέμα προστασίας και διάσωσης του ελληνικού χαρακτήρα, γιατί υπάρχει απειλή που έρχεται στην σημερινή εποχή από τον α- διακριτικό βιομηχανικό άνθρωπο. Η ελληνικότητα της ελληνικής κοινωνίας που επέζησε στην βάρβαρη εχθρική κατοχή κινδυνεύει από την έμμεση πολιτισμένη εισβολή των συμμάχων μας λαών. Άνοιξαν διάπλατα οι κλεισμένες ελληνικές εσώπορτες στον βάρβαρο «κυβερνάνθρωπο» και στον «πολιτισμένο» τεχνοκράτη. Αυτό που κινδυνεύει να εκλείψει είναι ο ελληνικός ανθρωπισμός. Το ουσιαστικό πολιτικό μας πρόβλημα είναι, σήμερα και αύριο και συνέχεια, να μείνουμε έλληνες». Επαναφέροντας στην μνήμη μου αυτές τις επισημάνσεις και βλέποντας γύρω μου την σύγχρονη πραγματικότητα, κυριεύομαι από αγωνία, γιατί δεν μπορούμε σήμερα να κάνουμε λόγο για απειλή, αλλά για εισβολή. Δεν μπορούμε σήμερα να μετράμε επισημάνσεις, αλλά να καταγράφουμε τρομακτικές διαπιστώσεις, που είναι αυτόχρημα καταστροφικές για την υπόστασή μας. Η προστασία της ελληνικότητας δεν είναι σωβινισμός, γιατί δεν έχει επιθετική διάθεση. Είναι νόμιμη ανθρωπολογική άμυνα, γιατί απειλείται ο ελληνικός τύπος ανθρώπου από την αντιανθρώπινη στρατηγική της εποχής μας. Είναι ανάγκη να γίνουμε όσο μπορούμε περισσότερο έλληνες και να μείνουμε έλληνες. Ο λαός μας ευρίσκεται στην Ευρωπαϊκή οικογένεια, αλλά δεν πρέπει να ξεχάσει αυτή από την οποία προέρχεται. Δεν πρέπει να εξευρωπαϊσθεί σε βαθμό επικίνδυνο, ώστε να χάσει την ιδιαιτερότητα και την ταυτότητά του, την ιδιοπροσωπία του. Ευρισκόμενη η Ελλάδα στην Ευρώπη να μη «βγει» από την Ελλάδα. Ο εξευρωπαϊσμός να μη γίνει αφελληνισμός. Αυτό θα είναι η συμφορά μας. Για να επιβεβαιωθεί η διαπίστωση, ότι η εισβολή έχει δημιουργήσει προβλήματα ολοφάνερα, ας δούμε τις ημέρες αυτές τα ελληνορθόδοξα ήθη και έθιμά μας, που υπέστησαν τρομακτική και ανησυχητική αλλοίωση. Δύσκολα τώρα αναζητάς την ελληνικότητα στην εορτή των Χριστουγέννων που σημαίνει ορθόδοξη πνευματικότητα. Στο ραδιόφωνο και στην τηλεόραση, στις εφημερίδες και τα περιοδικά, στα σπίτια και στις διάφορες αίθουσες θα συναντήσει κανείς και θα ζήσει ατμόσφαιρα περισσότερο ευρωπαϊκή παρά ελληνική. Και τα δελτάρια, ακόμη, και τα καρτ-ποστάλ που θα ανταλλάξουμε για τα χρόνια πολλά δεν θα έχουν βυζαντινές εικόνες και δεν θα γράφουν, όπως άλλοτε «καλά Χριστούγεννα», αλλά μία γενική ακαθόριστη ευχή «καλές γιορτές» η το χειρότερο «καλές διακοπές». Στις εφημερίδες, μάταια θα αναζητήσεις, ακόμη και την ίδια ημέρα των Χριστουγέννων, το ζεστό ελληνοχριστιανικό χρώμα, με τα διηγήματα του Παπαδιαμάντη και τις περιγραφές των ελληνορθοδόξων παραδόσεων. Αντίθετα διαβάζεις πολλές στοχαστικές ευρωπαίων διανοητών μελέτες, λες και εξέλιπαν οι πνευματικοί άνθρωποι στον τόπο μας, και δοκίμια αιρετικά και αντιθρησκευτικά τα οποία κάνουν λόγο, όχι για το ανεπανάληπτο γεγονός της ενανθρωπήσεως του Θεού, που χώρισε την ιστορία σε προ Χριστού και μετά Χριστό περίοδο, που έφερε κοντά μας τον Θεό μας, που στερηθήκαμε χρόνια πολλά, που έφερε τον Σωτήρα μας, τον οποίο είχαμε απόλυτα ανάγκη, αλλά γράφουν για τον «θρύλο» των Χριστουγέννων.
Στο ραδιόφωνο και την τηλεόραση θα ιδεί κανείς και θα ακούσει πολλά ευρωπαϊκής θρησκευτικής ποιήσεως και μουσικής έργα και ελάχιστα ελληνικά και ορθόδοξα έργα από τον ανυπέρβλητο λειμώνα της εκκλησιαστικής υμνολογίας η και της εθνικής και δημοτικής λαογραφίας με τα τόσο ωραία και ασύγκριτα κάλαντα και άλλα επίκαιρα. Άλλοτε τα σπίτια ήταν καθαρά, με ασβεστωμένες τις αυλές τους και γεμάτα από τα παιδιά που επέστρεφαν από μακριά όπου σπούδαζαν η εργάζονταν, από τους συγγενείς που έκαναν το ταξίδι τους, για να περάσουν όλοι μαζί την μεγάλη γιορτή. Έρχονταν και τα νιόπαντρα ζευγάρια, για να κάνουν Χριστούγεννα μαζί με τους γονείς τους και με τους γονείς των γονιών τους, οι οποίοι περίμεναν και αυτοί την μεγάλη γιορτή. Ήταν το σπίτι στις δόξες του, ντυμένο στα γιορτινά του και το τραπέζι το μεσημέρι πλούσια στρωμένο με το καλομαγειρεμένο φαγητό, και με τα απαραίτητα σπιτικά γλυκά. Και η χαρά στα πρόσωπα όλων ήταν η ανταύγεια της άλλης χαράς που είχαν στην καρδιά τους, ύστερα από την συμμετοχή όλης της οικογένειας στο μυστήριο της ζωής, την θεία κοινωνία. Τώρα φεύγουν. Αδειάζουν τα σπίτια και γεμίζουν τα πολυώνυμα τουριστικά ξενοδοχεία. Αδειάζουν οι Ναοί και γεμίζουν τα λογής-λογής νυχτερινά κέντρα, όπου διοργανώνονται οι χριστουγεννιάτικες ρεβεγιόν που διαφημίζονται πολύ ενωρίτερα, για να εξασφαλίσουν ένα τραπέζι οι «σύγχρονοι» ευρωπαίοι νεοέλληνες. Και πάρα πολλοί περνούν την άγια νύχτα που «προσμένουν με χαρά οι χριστιανοί» εκεί στους «ναούς» των προ Χριστού ψευδοθεών του Βάκχου και της Αφροδίτης, των ειδώλων, δηλαδή, που συνέτριψε ο αληθινός Θεός μας με την Γέννησή του. Επομένως, η εισβολή έγινε. Ο εχθρός όχι προ των πυλών, αλλά εντός των σπιτιών μας. Τρέμω μήπως μπει και μέσα στις καρδιές μας, οπότε θα έχει συντελεσθεί η καταστροφή. Γιατί, αποκόπτοντας σιγά-σιγά τον σύγχρονο έλληνα και ορθόδοξο από τις αιώνιες ρίζες του, την ιδιοπροσωπία του, τον κάνεις αιχμάλωτο αυτής της γης χωρίς πνευματικές αναζητήσεις, χωρίς ενδιαφέροντα, όχι μόνο για την μετά θάνατον ζωή, αλλά και για την πρόσκαιρη επίγεια. Έτσι μεταβάλλεται η όμορφη χώρα μας σ ένα μέτριο ευρωπαϊκό χωριό χωρίς θελκτικά ψυχικά ενδιαφέροντα, ώστε ο διψασμένος για λίγη πνευματικότητα ξένος ερχόμενος να σκέπτεται τον άδικο κόπο του και τα χρήματα που ξόδεψε. Είναι καιρός, ακόμη, έστω στο παρά πέντε, να μετρήσουμε το χρέος μας ως έλληνες και ορθόδοξοι έναντι της ένδοξης ιστορίας μας, έναντι όλων εκείνων οι οποίοι έδωσαν αίμα και δάκρυ για αυτό τον τόπο. Είναι ανάγκη να συνειδητοποιήσουμε πως δεν έχουμε δικαίωμα να κατασπαταλήσουμε τον πολύτιμο πατροπαράδοτο θησαυρό μας, ούτε να αποξενωθούμε από την πατρογονική μας κληρονομιά. Έχουμε χρέος να παραδώσουμε αμείωτη και ανόθευτη την αιώνια ελληνορθόδοξη παράδοσή μας στα παιδιά μας και στις ερχόμενες γενεές, πριν τα αίματα και τα δάκρυα των γενναίων υπερασπιστών αυτών των τιμαλφών του Γένους μας γίνουν ποτάμι και μας κατακλύσουν. Ο Μονεμβασίας και Σπάρτης ΕΥΣΤΑΘΙΟΣ
PHILOPTOCHOS UPDATE: NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2010 Bless the Lord, you His Angels, who excel in strength, who do His Word, heeding the voice of His Word. Psalms 103:20 Caring is sharing your love through ministry to others One Woman Asking Another Woman to Care VISION: What is the TRUE vision of Philoptochos today? It is the same as the one presented by then Archbishop Athenagoras in November 1931 -- seventy-nine years ago. The Philoptochos vision began in our Past, is with us in our Present, and will continue into the Future. Our vision remains ongoing: We must care for the needy through the advancement of the work of Christ. MISSION: The Philoptochos vision was adapted from different passages in the Bible in which Christ enlightened us to what our mission should be as Christians. Orthodox women are committed to actively assist those less fortunate and to make a difference. The benevolent works of Philoptochos are a continuation of Christ s ministry on earth. Philoptochos not only supports charities but also spiritually enriches our members through participation in philanthropic endeavors to return a portion of our time, talents and treasures, with which God has blessed us. ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE: The month of November gives all faithful Orthodox the opportunity and grace to support our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, who affirms: Love your neighbor as yourself (Lev. 19:18 and Matt.5:43). In his words, This ultimately means recognizing in our neighbor the very face of God and, indeed, the face of our own selves. On the first Sunday of November (11/7), Philoptochos will pass the second tray after the Divine Liturgy so that we may all lend our support to the programs and charities dear to His All Holiness within the Patriarchate and amidst a culture of harsh Turkish restrictions. (See 60 Minutes televised interview.) THANKSGIVING: Here in the United States, November is also a time of beautiful tradition and celebration, giving thanks to God for our many blessings even during this time of economic stress on families. Thanksgiving baskets with food to the needy will be prepared and distributed, and with your continued generosity, weekend snacks will fill backpacks of hungry school children. We sincerely thank all our fellow parishioners and wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving holiday. FAMILY OUTREACH: November has also been designated by the Archdiocese Department of Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism in coordination with the Ladies Philoptochos Society as a month in which to focus on Family Outreach. National Philoptochos President, Aphrodite Skeadas, states in a recent letter that it is the responsibility of each Philoptochos Chapter to encourage our Orthodox family members and friends to bring the disconnected back to the Orthodox Church. Let us all come together in spiritual renewal and in fellowship and offer a deeper commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ. Meetings: Wednesday, November 3rd ~ Board meeting @ noon; General meeting @ 1 pm.
CALENDAR: November December 2010 Wednesday, Nov. 3: Philoptochos Board Mtg. - Noon; General Meeting - 1 pm. Saturday, Nov. 6: Church Women United World Community Day Ecumenical Celebration 12 noon at St. Andrew s Catholic Church Community Center. (Contact Ms. Vickie at 449-7886 for more information.) Sunday., Nov. 20: Deadline to contribute to Thanksgiving Food Baskets to needy. Wednesday, Dec. 1: Deadline to order Community Christmas Card (form available online, in the Newsletter or at Pangari). Fri., Sat. Dec. 3-4: Annual Christmas Bake Sale and Jewelry Boutique in our Hall. (Deadline for Pre-Orders is Nov. 20 th ) Pre-Order forms are available online. See the Church website. Sunday, Dec. 12: Deadline to fill Christmas Stockings for Children & Adults Sponsored by the American Red Cross. Philoptochos Christmas Brunch (location to be decided) Sunday, Dec. 19: Deadline to order Poinsettia Plant(s) for Church (form available online, in this Newsletter, or at Pangari). Saturday, Dec. 25: 20 th Annual American Red Cross Christmas Dinner (in Fellowship Hall). May the blessings of the Holy Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bring love and peace to us all. Your Sister in Christ, Loretta Siotka Philoptochos President
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Your Business Could Be Here Call Donna at 843-448-3773 YEAR-END TAX PLANNING ~ GIFTS OF STOCK We can satisfy our financial obligations in many ways: our annual Stewardship commitment, pledging for major projects such as the fellowship hall, or making major donations for iconography or furnishings. A stock gift may be a prudent option to consider for any or all of the above. A gift of appreciated stock offers a tax benefit to the donor. Not only can the donor take a charitable deduction for the FULL fair market value of the stock, but capital gains tax is also avoided; plus, the Church is NOT subject to any taxes on the sale. Viewed another way, you may be able to give more than you thought possible when the tax ramifications are considered. The benefit to the Church is the same whether you give cash or stock, the savings to YOU is GREATER if you give appreciated stock. To make a gift of stock, you may: Instruct your broker to transfer the stock to the following: LPL Financial Services Account No. 1618-3141, DTC # 0075 If you have any questions, call Larry Reed at (910) 579-4783 or (888) 592-4783 OR Deliver an endorsed certificate to the Church. ***** If you have any questions, you may contact Timothy Vaughan at (843) 236-9680. ***** Donors are advised to consult with their own legal and tax professionals when considering gifts other than cash.