The VOICE The Monthly Newsletter of Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Cincinnati, Ohio June 2008 Volume 8 Number 6 Metropolitan Dionysios of Kozani, Greece THE DIVINE LITURGY: THE LESSER OR MINOR ENTRANCE Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ When the Third Antiphon is completed the Lesser, or Minor, Entrance takes place. This Minor Entrance is in antithesis to the Great Entrance, which occurs later in the Divine Liturgy, and is the official transfer of the Holy Gospel Book from the Sacristy (Skevofilakion), to the holy Altar Table. In ancient times the Gospel Book was kept in the Sacristy, that was located near the inside of the entryway of the Church. Now, however, when the time nears when the Gospel Lesson will be read, the Gospel Book, even though it is not kept in the Sacristy, is taken from the Altar Table, where it is always kept. But, at the same time, at this juncture the Bishop officially comes into the Church, and enters into the holy Sanctuary to begin the Divine Liturgy. Consequently the Lesser or Minor Entrance is a ceremony with a double meaning: the transfer of the Gospel Book, and the entrance of the Bishop. The Gospel Book represents the Preaching Ministry of Christ, and the entrance of the Bishop signifies the Form (Typos) of Christ. Thus with the same sentiments and the same hymn, the congregation receives the holy Gospel Book, and the Bishop into the holy gathering of the people, as they all sing together: Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. The early interpreters of the Divine Liturgy recognized in every act that occurred in the holy Service some symbolism. In other words, they saw a deeper meaning that was not apparent to those who were present. We might not wish to point out their views, not because they are not correct, but because this not our purpose here. Rather, we wish to explain very clearly what occurs in the Divine Liturgy, without referring to its historical development, or its symbolical meaning. Something that St. Nicholas Cabasilas writes is very characteristic concerning the Entrance of the holy Gospel Book: Everything that occurs in the holy Service, always serves some present need, but it also means something from the deeds and actions of the Passion of Jesus Christ. The Gospel Book represents Christ, and as the celebrant Priest lifts it up with his hands, he demonstrates the appearance of Jesus Christ into the world. And with almost the same words, St. Maximus the Confessor explains: In the Service of the holy gathering, the Lesser Entrance, generally symbolizes the first appearance of our God among us. This same interpreter elsewhere compares the Entrance of the Gospel Book with the entrance of the Bishop, as follows: This first entrance into the holy Church is the type and image brought to teach that the entrance of the Bishop into the holy gathering represents the first appearance of the incarnate Son of God and our Savior Jesus Christ. However, we said above that we shall not stop here on the allegorical and symbolical presentations of the early exegetes of the Divine Liturgy. We must admit that all these explanations, although trustworthy and very successful, yet they were made after the facts. The piety
and faith of the interpreters sought to find in these symbolisms a deeper meaning. And without disagreeing, we do not wish to pursue this any further. We think that it is not a small thing to explain what we see and what we hear, but let us leave the deeper explanations to those who are spiritually more advanced than we are. Whatever takes place in the Church, and whatever is said, is something sacred and holy, and this is sufficient for us. Let us therefore see and let us hear with true appreciative piety, whatever takes place in the Church. And let us leave each one to his thoughts so that his soul may reach deeper and soar higher. Here there is no restriction, because the content of faith is the same for all, but each person must live his faith, according to his own personal manner. What each believer may feel and live within himself, only God knows. The celebrant Priest, bearing the holy Gospel Book, and holding it up high, proceeds to the middle of the Nave. Preceding the Priest as in every Entrance is a processional lit candle, the processional Cross, and the Exapteryga, fans representing the Seraphim and the Cherubim angels. They come to the middle of the Church and stop in line with the Bishop s Throne. The celebrant Priest, after the chorus of Chanters ends the hymn, intones the prayer: Let us pray to the Lord. The chorus of Chanters responds with: Lord, have mercy. The Priest then reads the Prayer of the Entrance so that all may hear it, as follows: O God our Master and Lord, who has appointed in heaven ranks and hosts of Angels and Archangels for the ministry of Your glory. Grant that the holy Angels may enter with us, that together we may serve and glorify Your goodness. At the end he makes the Exclamation: For to You belong all glory, honor and worship This is the first Exclamation that we heard in the Divine Liturgy. Then the Priest blesses the Entrance by extending his right hand towards the holy Altar making the sign of the Cross and saying: Blessed is the Entrance of Your holy ones, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Whatever occurs in the Church is sealed with the sign of the Cross, and every blessing of the Priest is made with the sign of the Cross. In the life of the believers, and particularly in the Church during the Divine Liturgy, the sign of the Cross becomes most important. The Priest seals every action with the sign of the Cross, and every believer in the congregation at each doxology of the Holy Trinity, makes the sign of the Cross on his own person. St. John of Damascus says that The Cross is the sign which makes known and separates the Christians from the non-christians. The Priest raises the holy Gospel Book higher and intones in a loud voice: Wisdom. Stand and attend. The word Wisdom refers to the Gospel and the Gospel is Jesus Christ, the true Wisdom, which comes from above. And the word Stand is an exhortation to the believers, not to merely stand, not only to display external piety, but to lift up their minds and hearts, and try to understand what is now taking place: that Jesus Christ together with the Angels has come to the gathering and entered the holy Sanctuary that the Divine Liturgy may begin. At that moment the entire congregation with one voice sings very joyfully the hymn of the Entrance: Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. This is the hymn with which the congregation receives and greets the Entrance of the Gospel Book and the Bishop. We should explain here, what was representatively said only about the Minor or Lesser Entrance on Sundays, because the Eisodica, the Entrance hymns on Feast days of the Lord are always different. Also about what was said concerning one celebrant Priest, but also the Divine Liturgy can be celebrated by the Bishop with many Priests and a Deacon participating. We should also make it known that when a con-celebration takes place, there is only one who officiates, and that is the Bishop, or the first among the Presbyters. When the Bishop officiates, a he enters the holy Sanctuary, he blesses the congregation. St. John Chrysostom concerning this says that: On entering the Church the Bishop does not ascend the Throne, until he first blesses the congregation. Originally the Bishop s Throne was not in the Nave of the Church, but was inside of the Sanctuary (Ieron Vema), behind the holy Altar Table. Today, the so-called synthronon is located there. Before ending our presentation, we shall return again to the prayer of the Lesser Entrance. The purpose of this prayer is to invite the Angels to join the congregation in the Church and become con-celebrants with them: grant that the holy Angels may enter with us that together we may serve and glorify Your
goodness. Together with the King Christ who is present in the Divine Liturgy, are the Angels and the Archangels, acting as an honor guard. In one of his famous sermons on the Priesthood, St. John Chrysostom writes: I myself heard a person relate that an old and venerable man who was accustomed to see visions, told him that he had been held worthy of such a glimpse, and at that moment of the Sacrifice he had seen all of a sudden, so far as was possible for him, a host of Angels bowing their heads towards the Altar and bowing their heads toward the ground as though they were soldiers standing in the presence of a king. The prayer and the petition of the congregation is a reality. And the hymn of the Lesser or Minor Entrance is the word of truth: Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ. (Translated by Father George Dimopoulos) FUNERALS: TRANSITIONS Carole (nee Regas) Economou, age 71, on April 18, 2008. William Freeman, age 41, on May 9, 2008. PARISH PEOPLE JOHN AND ZOE PRASINOS would like to announce the arrival of their new grandson, to be baptized Nicholas Robert, born to Angie and Tony Paolucci on April 9, 2008. MIKE AND AKRIVI HARALAMOS proudly announce the engagement of their son, George, to Eleni Lekas, the daughter of Nick Lekas and his late wife Lydia of Akron, Ohio. SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL MARK YOUR CALENDARS: VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL will take place on July 28 through August 1 from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. This year's theme is "The Heroes of the Old Testament". We will hear stories about David, Moses, Jonah, Daniel, Ruth and more. The cost of $5.00 per child will include all activities, a snack each day, and a VCS t-shirt which the children will make themselves. Each day will begin with a short church service and homily with either Father Bill or Father Ciprian and include story time, craft time and song time. Instruction will be provided for children ages 3-12. Older children are welcome to attend as teaching assistants. Community service hours may be recorded for any older child who helps with the classes. Registration forms are available in the Sunday Church School Office or online via the church web site. The Metropolis of Detroit is again sponsoring the fabulous St. Nicholas Summer Camp at Cedar Ridge Camp in Louisville, KY. The dates for the camp are July 20-26. This is a great opportunity for the youth of our Metropolis to join for faith, fun and fellowship in an Orthodox Christian environment. For more information and applications please refer to www.southerncamp.com. Please contact Cara Chryssovergis at chryssovergis@fuse.net if you have questions or concerns about Sunday Church School. We look forward to seeing each and every one of our Students again in the Fall. Don t forget that Sunday Church School resumes on Sunday, September 7, 2008.
PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY Christos Anesti! Thank you to Gari Franklin and Olga Raptis for organizing the egg dying again this year! This is a monumental task, and locating the Scarlet color is not always easy! To everyone that turned out to help dye and wrap the eggs, we thank you all! The Zoodochos Peghe luncheon was held on Friday, May 2nd. Philoptochos would also like to thank Pat J. and Pat P. Zaferes, Mary Simos, Chris Morris, and Jinny Balli - and to all who helped prepare and serve this luncheon in honor of our name day. Philoptochos held their last meeting of the year on Tuesday, May 6th. A lovely Baby Shower was held for Presvytera Sinziana and Father Ciprian in honor of their new baby who will be joining us soon! Our members wish to extend their love and best wishes for a joyous and blessed birth. Please remember to volunteer for Kids Kafe during the summer! Matina Trivett will provide information and their new location. Matina is also organizing the Pentecost Continental Breakfast, to be held on Sunday, June 15th. More information will follow in your church bulletin. Cathy Nadaud would like to include a special message of thanks to the officers, board members, committee chairs, and to all Philoptochos members, for all of the many hours they have given on behalf of our philanthropic works. This has been a very successful year for Philoptochos, and we look forward to another, beginning in September! See you at the Panegyri! OVER FIFTY CLUB Our luncheon on April 19 was enjoyed by 61 members at The Mythos Grecian Grill. We had two school buses take us downtown to the restaurant. George Batsakes especially enjoyed the bus ride. He rode in the back seat, and every time we went over a bump, George went Whoaaaa! We had a lot of fun. Thank you to Rita Triantifilou and Sophia Rombis, both celebrating their birthdays, with treats for all. The Club would like to thank George and Linda Psihountakis. Everyone had a lovely day, good food and lots of friends. We definitely will have to go back. At this luncheon, we voted and passed that the Over Fifty Club gives the Church an Easter Offering of $200.00. Congratulations to John and Zoe Prasinos on the birth of their grandson, Nicholas Robert born to daughter Angie and husband. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim Spyridon who was in the hospital recently. Our sympathy is extended to Bob Economou and family in their loss of Carole (Bob s wife). She was a lovely person. The two of them went on many trips with us and had lots of fun. May she rest in peace. We had 31 that went to see West Side Story on June 12. All enjoyed a nice day away and getting ready to work at the Panegyri.
As you know, we will not have a luncheon in June but, on July 19 we will have our cookout, with brats, metts, hotdogs and hamburgers. Paid up members who bring something to share will get in free. If you are not paid up or do not bring something to share, there will be a cost. Please pay your dues of $12.00 if you have not done so. Send your check, payable to The Over Fifty Club, and send to Koula Alex. DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE The following are our newly elected Officers: President - Vera Manolakas; Vice President - Chris Morris; Treasurer - Melody Dargis; Recording Secretary - Ev Gikas; Corresponding Secretary - Karen Aamodt; Board of Directors - Helen Nicholas, Ann Jonson and Matina Trivett. We look forward to a very good year. Once again we must thank our Parishioners for their support. We thank those that bought our herbs and those that made financial contributions. This will enable us to purchase supplies in the Greek language for those children that come from Greece to University Hospital for treatment. Our District Convention is being held in Dayton, Ohio. Come join us for "Greek Night" June 13, 2008, at the Dayton Marriott, 1414 S. Patterson Boulevard, Dayton, Ohio. It should be a fun evening. Please continue to save your aluminum tabs for Ronald McDonald House. "Happy Father's Day"! OUR NEW PARISH DIRECTORY is now available for purchase. You may obtain your copy in the Church Hall following Sunday Divine Liturgies or from the Church Office during regular hours. The prices are as follows: New Binder complete with updated information - $15.00, or updated Refills only - $10.00. Christos Anesti! TREASURER S REPORT: Eugene Nicholas, Parish Council Treasurer I hope that everyone had a grace-filled Holy Week and a joyous Pascha. The Parish Council is once again faced with a major building repair. Three areas of the roof which did not need repair last year have begun to leak. With Chris s recommendation the Council has approved $30,000 to repair the most critical areas. This is an expense that we did not budget for last year, so we must come to you for additional financial help. If you would like to make a donation, please note on your check Roof Fund. We are hoping that Holland Roofing will allow us to pay the bill after Panegyri. By the time you read this, Panegyri will be upon us. Please consider donating your time and talent to the festival. Everyone s help is needed to make it a success. Lastly, I want to mention that we have contracted Lynn Pompeo to handle our QuickBooks in the Office. This will help Pana and costs us less than the amount we budgeted for an Office secretary. We do, however, encourage anyone who would like to volunteer their time in the Office to do so. Stewardship through March 2008: Budgeted $350,000
Pledged $197,500 Received $126,766 (this includes 2008 contributions received in 2007) Financial through March 2008: Total Income YTD $109,506 Total Expenses YTD $179,100 Net Income -$69,594 Η ΑΝΑΛΗΨΗ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ Βιέπεηε απηή ηε θνηλή γηα καο ενξηή θαη επθξνζύλε, ηελ νπνία ν Κύξηόο καο Ηεζνύο Φξηζηόο ράξηζε κε ηελ αλάζηαζε θαη αλάιεςή ηνπ ζηνπο πηζηνύο; Πήγαζε από ζιίςε. Βιέπεηε απηή ηε δσή, κάιινλ δε ηελ αζαλαζία; Δπηθάλεθε ζε καο από ζάλαην. Βιέπεηε ην νπξάλην ύςνο, ζην νπνίν αλέβεθε θαηά ηελ αλύςσζή ηνπ ν Κύξηνο θαη ηελ ππεξδεδνμαζκέλε δόμα πνπ δνμάζζεθε θαηά ζάξθα; Τν πέηπρε κε ηε ηαπείλσζε θαη ηελ αδνμία. Όπσο ιέγεη ν απόζηνινο γη' απηόλ, «ηαπείλσζε ηνλ εαπηό ηνπ γελόκελνο ππήθννο κέρξη ζαλάηνπ, θαη κάιηζηα ζηαπξηθνύ ζαλάηνπ, γη' απηό θη' ν Θεόο ηνλ ππεξύςσζε θαη ηνπ ράξηζε όλνκα αλώηεξν από θάζε όλνκα, ώζηε ζην όλνκα ηνπ Ηεζνύ λα θακθζεί θάζε γόλαην επνπξαλίσλ θαη επηγείσλ θαη θαηαρζνλίσλ θαη λα δηαθεξύμεη θάζε γιώζζα όηη ν Ηεζνύο Φξηζηόο είλαη ν Κύξηνο ζε δόμα Θενύ Παηξόο».(Φηιηπ. 2,8-11). Δάλ ινηπόλ ν Θεόο ππεξύςσζε ην Φξηζηό ηνπ γηα ην ιόγν όηη ηαπεηλώζεθε, όηη αηηκάζζεθε, όηη πεηξάζζεθε, όηη ππέκεηλε επνλείδηζην ζηαπξό θαη ζάλαην γηα ράξε καο, πσο ζα ζώζεη θαη ζα δνμάζεη θαη ζα αλπςώζεη εκάο, αλ δελ επηιέμνπκε ηε ηαπείλσζε, αλ δελ δείμνπκε ηε πξνο ηνπο νκνθύινπο αγάπε, αλ δελ αλαθηήζνπκε ηηο ςπρέο καο δηα ηεο ππνκνλήο ησλ πεηξαζκώλ, αλ δελ αθνινπζνύκε δηα ηεο ζηελήο πύιεο θαη νδνύ, πνπ νδεγεί ζηελ αηώληα δσή, ηνλ ζσηεξίσο θαζνδεγήζαληα ζ' απηήλ; «δηόηη, θαη ν Φξηζηόο έπαζε γηα καο, αθήλνληάο καο ππνγξακκό, γηα λα παξαθνινπζήζνπκε ηα ίρλε ηνπ». (Α' Πέηξ.2,21). Ζ ελππόζηαηνο Σνθία ηνπ πςίζηνπ Παηξόο, ν πξναηώληνο Λόγνο, πνπ από θηιαλζξσπία ελώζεθε κ' εκάο θαη καο ζπλαλαζηξάθεθε, αλέδεημε ηώξα εκπξάθησο κηα ενξηή πνιύ αλώηεξε θαη από απηή ηελ ππεξνρή. Γηαηί ηώξα γηνξηάδνπκε ηε δηάβαζε, ηεο ζ' απηόλ επξηζθνκέλεο θύζεώο καο, όρη από ηα ππόγεηα πξνο ηελ επηθάλεηα ηεο γεο, αιιά από ηε γε πξνο ηνλ νπξαλό ηνπ νπξαλνύ θαη πξνο ηνλ πέξα από απηόλ ζξόλν ηνπ δεζπόηε ησλ πάλησλ. Σήκεξα ν Κύξηνο όρη κόλν ζηάζεθε, όπσο κεηά ηελ αλάζηαζε, ζην κέζν ησλ καζεηώλ ηνπ, αιιά θαη απνρσξίζζεθε από απηνύο θαη, ελώ ηνλ έβιεπαλ, αλαιήθζεθε ζηνλ νπξαλό θαη εηζήιζε ζη' αιεζηλά άγηα ησλ αγίσλ «θη' εθάζεζε ζηα δεμηά ηνπ Παηξόο πάλσ από θάζε αξρή θαη εμνπζία θαη από θάζε όλνκα θαη αμίσκα, πνπ γλσξίδεηαη θαη νλνκάδεηαη είηε ζηνλ παξόληα είηε ζηνλ κέιινληα αηώλα».(δθ.1,20) Γηαηί ινηπόλ ζηάζεθε ζην κέζν ηνπο θη' έπεηηα ηνπο ζπλόδεπζε; «Τνπο εμήγαγε, ιέγεη, έμσ έσο ηε Βεζαλία», αιιά «θαη αθνύ ζήθσζε ηα ρέξηα ηνπ, ηνπο επιόγεζε». (Λνπθά 24,50). Τν έθακε γηα λα επηδείμεη ηνλ εαπηό ηνπ νιόθιεξν ζών θαη αβιαβή, γηα λα παξνπζηάζεη ηα πόδηα πγηή θαη βαδίδνληα ζηαζεξά, απηά πνπ ππέζηεζαλ ηα ηξππήκαηα ησλ θαξθηώλ, ηα νκνίσο επί ηνπ ζηαπξνύ θαξθσκέλα ρέξηα, ηελ ίδηα ηε ινγρηζκέλε πιεπξά, αλ έθεξαλ πάλσ ηνπο, ηνπο ηύπνπο ησλ πιεγώλ, πξνο δηαπίζησζε ηνπ ζσηεξηώδνπο πάζνπο. Δγώ δε λνκίδσ όηη δηα ηνπ «ζηάζεθε ζην κέζν ησλ καζεηώλ» δεηθλύεηαη θαη ην όηη απηνί ζηεξίρζεθαλ ζηε πίζηε πξνο απηόλ, κε απηή ηε θαλέξσζε θαη επινγία ηνπ. Γηαηί δελ ζηάζεθε κόλν ζην κέζν όισλ
απηώλ, αιιά θαη ζηό κέζν ηεο θαξδηάο ηνπ θαζελόο, γηαηί από 'θείλε ηελ ώξα νη απόζηνινη ηνπ Κπξίνπ έγηλαλ ζηαζεξνί θαη ακεηαθίλεηνη. Σηάζεθε ινηπόλ ζηό κέζν ηνπο θαη ηνπο ιέγεη, «εηξήλε ζε ζαο», ηνύην ην γιπθό θαη ζεκαληηθό θαη ζπλεζηζκέλν ηνπ πξνζθώλεκα. Τελ δηπιή εηξήλε, πξνο ην Θεό πνπ είλαη γέλλεκα ηεο επζέβεηαο θαη απηή πνπ έρνπκε νη άλζξσπνη κεηαμύ καο. Καη θαζώο ηνπο είδε θνβηζκέλνπο θαη ηαξαγκέλνπο από ηελ αλέιπηζηε θαη παξάδνμε ζέα, γηαηί λόκηζαλ όηη βιέπνπλ πλεύκα - θάληαζκα, απηόο ηνπο αλέθεξε πάιη ηνπο δηαινγηζκνύο ηεο θαξδηάο ησλ, θαη αθνύ έδεημε όηη είλαη απηόο ν ίδηνο, πξόηεηλε ηε δηαβεβαίσζε δηα ηεο εμεηάζεσο θαη ςειαθήζεσο. Εήηεζε θαγώζηκν, όρη γηαηί είρε αλάγθε ηξνθήο, αιιά γηα επηβεβαίσζε ηεο αλαζηάζεώο ηνπ. Έθαγε δε κέξνο ςεηνύ ςαξηνύ θαη κέιη από θεξύζξα, πνπ είλαη θαη απηά ζύκβνια ηνπ κπζηεξίνπ ηνπ. Γειαδή ν Λόγνο ηνπ Θενύ έλσζε ζηνλ εαπηό ηνπ θαζ' ππόζηαζε ηε θύζε καο, πνπ ζαλ ηρζύο θνιπκπνύζε ζηελ πγξόηεηα ηνπ εδνληθνύ θαη εκπαζνύο βίνπ, θαη ηελ θαζάξηζε κε ην απξόζηην ππξ ηεο Θεόηεηόο ηνπ. Με θεξύζξα δε κειηζζηνύ κνηάδεη ε θύζε καο γηαηί θαηέρεη ην ινγηθό ζεζαπξό ηνπνζεηεκέλν ζην ζώκα ζαλ κέιη ζηε θεξύζξα. Τξώγεη από απηά επραξίζησο γηαηί θαζηζηά θαγεηό ηνπ ηε ζσηεξία ηνπ θαζελόο από ηνπο κεηέρνληαο ηεο θύζεσο. Γελ ηξώεη νιόθιεξν, αιιά κέξνο «από θεξύζξα κέιη» επεηδή δελ πίζηεπζαλ όινη θαη δελ ην παίξλεη κόλνο ηνπ, αιιά πξνζθέξεηαη από ηνπο καζεηέο, γηαηί ηνπ θέξλνπλ κόλν ηνπο πηζηεύνληεο ζ' απηόλ, ρσξίδνληάο ηνπο από ηνπο απίζηνπο. Καηόπηλ ηνπο ππελζύκηζε ηνπο ιόγνπο ηνπ πξηλ ην πάζνο, πνπ όινη πξαγκαηνπνηήζεθαλ. Τνπο ππνζρέζεθε λα ηνπο ζηείιεη ην άγην Πλεύκα, ηνπο είπε λα θαζίζνπλ ζηελ Ηεξνπζαιήκ κέρξη λα ιάβνπλ δύλακε από ςειά. Μεηά ηε ζπδήηεζε ν Κύξηνο ηνπο έβγαιε από ην ζπίηη θαη ηνπο νδήγεζε έσο ηε Βεζαλία θαη αθνύ ηνπο επιόγεζε, όπσο αλαθέξακε, απνρσξίζζεθε από απηνύο θαη αλπςώζεθε πξνο ηνλ νπξαλό, ρξεζηκνπνηώληαο λεθέιε ζαλ όρεκα θαη αλήιζε ελδόμσο ζηνπο νπξαλνύο, ζηα δεμηά ηεο κεγαινζύλεο ηνπ Παηξόο, θαζηζηώληαο νκόζξνλν ην θύξακά καο. Καζώο νη Απόζηνινη δελ ζηακαηνύζαλ λα θνηηάδνπλ ηνλ νπξαλό, κε ηε θξνληίδα ησλ αγγέισλ πιεξνθνξνύληαη όηη έηζη ζα έιζεη πάιη από ηνλ νπξαλό θαη «ζα ηνλ ηδνύλ όιεο νη θπιέο ηεο γεο, λα έξρεηαη πάλσ ζηηο λεθέιεο ηνπ νπξαλνύ». (Μαηζ. 24,30). Τόηε νη καζεηέο αθνύ πξνζθύλεζαλ από ην Όξνο ησλ Διαηώλ, από όπνπ αλαιήθζεθε ν Κύξηνο, επέζηξεςαλ ζηελ Ηεξνπζαιήκ ραξνύκελνη, αηλώληαο θαη επινγώληαο ην Θεό θαη αλακέλνληεο ηελ επηδεκία ηνπ ζείνπ Πλεύκαηνο. Όπσο ινηπόλ εθείλνο έδεζε θαη απεβίσζε, αλαζηήζεθε θαη αλαιήθζεθε, έηζη θη' εκείο δνύκε θαη πεζαίλνπκε θαη ζα αλαζηεζνύκε όινη. Τελ αλάιεςε όκσο δελ ζα πεηύρνπκε όινη, αιιά κόλν εθείλνη γηα ηνπο νπνίνπο δσή είλαη ν Φξηζηόο θαη ν ζάλαηνο είλαη θέξδνο, όζνη πξν ηνπ ζαλάηνπ ζηαύξσζαλ ηελ ακαξηία δηα ηεο κεηαλνίαο, κόλν απηνί ζα αλαιεθζνύλ κεηά ηελ θνηλή αλάζηαζε ζε λεθέιεο πξνο ζπλάληεζε ηνπ Κπξίνπ ζηνλ αέξα. (Α' Θεζ.4,17). Αο έξζνπκε ζην ππεξών καο, ζην λνπ καο πξνζεπρόκελνη, αο θαζαξίζνπκε ηνπο εαπηνύο καο γηα λα πεηύρνπκε ηελ επηδεκία ηνπ Παξαθιήηνπ θαη λα πξνζθπλήζνπκε Παηέξα θαη Υηό θαη άγην Πλεύκα, ηώξα θαη πάληνηε θαη ζηνπο αηώλεο ησλ αηώλσλ. Γέλνηην. BARTHOLOMEW I by Archbishop Rowan Williams The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople enjoys a resonant historical title but, unlike the Pope in the Roman Catholic context, has little direct executive power in the world of Eastern Orthodoxy. Patriarchs have
had to earn their authority on the world stage, and, in fact, not many Patriarchs in recent centuries have done much more than maintain the form of their historic dignities. Patriarch Bartholomew, however, has turned the relative political weakness of the office into a strength, grasping the fact that it allows him to stake out a clear moral and spiritual vision that is not tangled up in negotiation and balances of power. And this vision is dominated by his concern for the environment. In a way that is profoundly loyal to the traditions of worship and reflection in the Eastern Orthodox Church, he has insisted that ecological questions are essentially spiritual ones. He has stressed that a world in which God the Creator uses the material stuff of the universe to communicate who he is and what he wants is one that demands reverence from human beings. Probably more than any other religious leader from any faith, Patriarch Bartholomew, 68, has kept open this spiritual dimension of environmentalism. The title Ecumenical Patriarch historically refers to the Patriarch's pastoral responsibility for "the whole inhabited world." This brave and visionary pastor has given a completely new sense to the ancient honorific; his work puts squarely on our agenda the question of how we express spiritual responsibility for the world we live in. (The above article appeared in the May 8 issue of Time Magazine as part of an article titled 2008 Time 100. Rowan Williams is Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Anglican Church). JUNE 2008 AT A GLANCE Tuesday, 3. Fathers Bill and Ciprian will attend Clergy Syndesmos Meeting in Detroit. Thursday, 5. The Ascension of our Lord. 8:30 a.m. Matins and Divine Liturgy. Saturday, 14. Saturday of the Souls for Pentecost. 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy and Memorials. Sunday, 15. Holy Pentecost. The Kneeling Service. Continental Breakfast sponsored by Philoptochos. Monday, 16. Monday of the Holy Spirit. 8:30 a.m. Matins and Divine Liturgy. Thursday, 19. 7:00 p.m. Parish Council Meeting. Monday, 23. The Apostles Fast begins. Friday, 27. 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. PANEGRYRI 08. Saturday, 28. 3:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. PANEGYRI 08. Sunday, 29. Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostles. 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. PANEGYRI 08. A REMINDER TO ALL OUR READERS: there will be no VOICE for the month of July. Below you will find a list of important dates for the month. Thursday, 17. St. Marina of Antioch. 8:30 a.m. Matins and Divine Liturgy. Sunday, July 20 through Saturday July 26. St. Nicholas Summer Camp in Louisville, KY. Sunday, July 27. St. Panteleimon the Great-martyr and Healer. Monday, July 28 through Friday, August 1. 9:30 a.m. Vacation Church School. FATHER BILL, FATHER CIPRIAN AND THE PARISH COUNCIL would like to extend their gratitude to all our Parishioners who donated flowers and other gifts to the Church during the period of Great Lent, Holy Week
and Pascha. We would like to thank all those who contributed to the special Lenten trays for the Epitahion and especially to those who made anonymous offerings. We would like to thank the following for their generosity: Peter and Karen Aamodt: Sophie Andreadis; Vasso Apostolides; Sam and Esmine Beltsos; Christina Bender; George Chantilas; Gari Franklinl; Jeff and Pana Gregg; Sophia Guethlein; Alexander and Ann Jonson; Pete and Katerina Kontopos and Family; George and Litsa Kranias; Lillian Kyrios; James and Beulah Lambrinides; Pete and Harriet Makris; Lee and Stephanie Megois; the Mintsoulis Family; John and Dena Moraites; Ron and Philanthy Nichols; Gus and JoAnn Perdikakis; Nikitas and Rena Poneris; James and Olga Raptis; Tom and Angie Rombes; Angie Sampson; Craig and Susie Sansone; Frieda Seremetis; Alexandra Sideris; Antonios and Mina Sideris; Mary Simos; Angelo and Eleni Soulas; Nicholas and Becky Spanorigas; Bill and Janis Stergiopoulos; Mary Stone; the Stone Family; Mary Trohanis; James and Maria Tsolometes; Sophia A. Vidas; Patricia P. Zaferes. SCHOLARSHIP SUNDAY On Sunday, May 11, 2008, we observed our annual SCHOLARSHIP SUNDAY. We take this opportunity to congratulate the recipients and to thank the presenters and the scholarship funds they represent. This year s recipients are: Nicholas Bikas-AHEPA Scholarship; Nicole Humbert-Mothers Club Scholarship; Evie Kontopos- GOYA Scholarship; Sotirios Koros-Perdikakis Scholarship(M); Christina Palassis-Perdikakis Scholarship(F); Nicholas Palassis-Gregory Family Scholarship(M); Katie Papathanas-Gregory Family Scholarship(F); Evan Leon- Holy Trinity Scholarship; Noelle Georgantonis-St. Nicholas Scholarship; Alex Romanos-John Suhar Memorial Scholarship; Maria Kontopos-Janice Pantel Memorial Scholarship- Kristen Herrmann-Philoptochos Scholarship; Elizabeth Kavouras-Viola Christopher Memorial Scholarship; Aphrodite Mamaligas-Condorodis Scholarship; Noelle Georgantonis-The Bogis Award. Congratulations to all and EIS ANOTERA! 2008 GRADUATES The following Graduates have been made known to the Church Office. We would like to extend our best wishes to them and their families and pray that God will guide their footsteps in their future endeavors unto the glory of God, for the benefit of the Church and as a source of joy to their parents. OUR 2008 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES are: Noelle Calliope Georgantonis-Colerain High School; Evie Michelle Kontopos-Finneytown High School; Aphroditi Alexandra Mamaligas-The Seven Hills School; Nicholas Irineos Palassis-Oak Hills High School; Katheirne Ann Papathanas-Oak Hills High School. Our 2008 COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY GRADUATES are: Stephanie Nicole Batsakes-B.A. in Specialized Studies in Advertising and Marketing from Ohio University; Calliope Vasiliki Cassis-B.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences from Bluffton University; Kristen Herrmann-B.S. from the Unviversity of Cincinnati; Melissa Maria Mintsoulis-B.A. in Criminal Justice from Northern Kentucky University; John Pantel-B.A. in Dietetics from the University of Cincinnati; Ana Elisa Pantel-B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science from the University of Cincinnati; and Miranda Soultana Rose-B.A. in Elementary Education from Northern Kentucky University. Congratulations and EIS ANOTERA! If your Graduates name did not appear on this list please submit it to the Church Office in writing for inclusion in the next issue of the VOICE.
Father Ciprian Streza I AGREE TO DISAGREE Marriage represents a theanthropic (both human and divine) reality, realized in the sacramental context of Wedding, in which a man and a woman strive to fulfill their vocation to achieve the ultimate level of unity with one another and God. This union however brings together two unique individuals, with unique life experiences, habits, tastes and values. Therefore, disagreements and arguments will inevitably occur and to presume that a couple can go through life without them is not only idealistic, but naive. The consequences of an argument are entirely determined by the way the couple approaches it and their level of spiritual and emotional maturity. Every crisis carries within it the seed for destruction as well as the possibility of renewed strength. This article is meant to provide some tools to assist couples in approaching conflict in a Christ-like manner: selfless, loving and serene. Gaining such an attitude requires self-discipline, commitment and patience, but the outcome makes all the efforts worthwhile as the marital harmony is the key to a happy and fulfilling life. A disagreement is a state of opposed wills heated by emotions, which can lead to both a deepening of communication and destructive dynamics in the couple. As stated above, emotions represent the driving force of an argument, and the way the spouses handle their emotional interaction determines the outcome of their encounter. If mishandled, the smallest disagreement can lead to an argument, fight or even conflict, while an emotionally connected couple can easily overcome the biggest challenges in life. An emotional connection is realized through accumulation of positive interactions of the couple. (In the previous article we emphasized the importance of a constant positive response to emotional bids, which are any single expression of desire to bond.) In relationships where people constantly turn toward each other, the spouses seem to have easier access to humor, affection and interest in each other even during conflict; an important factor which allows them to stay connected emotionally and avoid the dangerous negative feelings. This represents the desirable setting for the next element in conflict management, which is communication. Communication, which etymologically means sharing, making common, implies the ability to reciprocally convey a message, wish, desire, or feeling in an accurate and honest manner. The necessary first step in a conflict is identifying the problem with all the underlying implications and clearly stating it. This step includes the acknowledging, processing and transmitting of emotion. I agree to disagree is a reasonable attitude as it opens the gateway to communication. The process of disagreement is critical because of the frequency and intensity of emotional transfer that occurs during an argument. Both members of the couple should be conscientious of the arguing process, take charge of their verbal communication, and manage their emotional outburst in order to avoid hurtful remarks, which would become roadblocks in the conflict solving process. Ultimately, this is also a spiritual exercise, because it requires humility, patience and self-restrain. In his letter to James, Saint Paul writes: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger, for a man s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19) Saint Gregory the Great continues by saying an unhealthy mind has no control over its own judgment and it thinks that whatever anger suggests must be right. The natural instinct during an argument is to shift the focus from the spouse to one s self and it takes a deliberate effort to maintain the focus on the other. If this attitude fails and one gives in to the natural instinct of anger, he or she becomes belligerent and aggressive toward the partner. This can trigger an unhealthy pattern: the attack, which can take the form of accusation, persistent criticism, threat, ridicule, name-calling, is followed by the spouse s defensive reaction and ultimately withdrawal. The danger of this
kind of pattern lies in the fact that it gives the illusion that the conflict has been resolved, while the unresolved issues continue to build the communication void between the couple. Conflicts left unsettled are more dangerous than an honest, mature confrontation, because they do not just go away, but like an infection left untreated, they come back more powerful and hazardous for the relationship. We all prefer a summer rain, which comes and then leaves room for the sunshine, to a cold, persistent fall rain. Saint Paul writes: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry (Ephesians 4:26,) while Saint John Chrysostom says: Quell the evil impulses while they are fresh. For if night overtakes you, the next day will not be enough to extinguish the further evil, which has been increasing overnight. A genuine desire for harmony and a skilled and mature approach are the key elements for resolving marital conflict. Sometimes it requires sacrifice, self-emptying and prevailing over our pride, but at the end of the day love is replenished only by giving it away. Being created in the image of God, we are spiritually and psychologically resourceful beings, with the ability and need to connect with the other; only in communion can we become fully human. And when conflicts arise, we have to see them as opportunities to grow in our love, to practice patience and to reach out in loving compassion, so that we may overrule the selfish drives. SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR SECOND ANNUAL GOLF OUTING. The date is September 15, 2008, at the Legendary Run Golf Course. Shotgun start will be at 12:30 p.m. Lunch and dinner will be provided. This event is limited to 132 players. On course games, raffles, and silent auctions will be included. More details will follow in the August and September issues of the VOICE. AN ADDED WORD CONCERNING COMMUNION and CHURCH ETIQUETTE: The Holy Eucharist is reserved for Orthodox Christians in good standing who have prepared themselves by prayer and fasting. On the day of the Divine Liturgy we do not eat or drink before Holy Communion. (We, of course, continue to take prescribed medications.) The proper order for reception of Holy Communion is: those with special needs; Altar Boys; Sunday Church School students and staff; the newly Baptized and Chrismated; members of our Choir; and the remainder of the Congregation, pew by pew, beginning from the front of the Nave. We ask that you approach from the center aisle in a quiet and orderly fashion always following the instructions of the Parish Council ushers. When you receive the Eucharist please take the Communion Cloth (to maktron) in both hands and place it under your chin, state your Christian (Baptismal) name clearly, and lightly wipe your lips after receiving, and present the Communion Cloth to the person behind you. We ask that women wearing lipstick kindly remove it before approaching the Chalice. We also wish to inform you that the doors to the Sanctuary will remain closed during the Lesser Entrance, the reading of the Epistle and Gospel, the Great Entrance, the recitation of the Creed, the Consecration of the Holy Gifts, and the Lord s Prayer. We ask that you not attempt to enter the Sanctuary at these times. Thank you for your cooperation.
We need your help for PANGEGYRI 2008! This month, we re inviting people throughout the Tri-state area to enjoy our famous Greek philoxenia at our annual PANEGYRI Greek Festival. Many volunteers are needed to stage this remarkable event so we ask that you please come lend your time and talent. To sign up, contact any of the booth chairpeople or sign up on the sheets posted outside the Church Office. PANEGYRI, our Parish s largest fund-raiser, will be JUNE 27, 28 and 29. The hours are 5:00 p.m. to midnight Friday; 3:00 p.m. to midnight Saturday; and 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday.