+ Χ Ρ Ι Σ Τ Ο Σ Α Ν Ε Σ Τ Ι + C H R I S T I S R I S E N + + 1
THUNDER BAY BULLETIN HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ΕΛΛΙΝΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΚΟΙΝΟΣΗΣΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΣΡΙΑΔΟ 651 Beverly Street, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6N2 Telephone: (807) 344-9522 www.gothunderbay.org holytrinity@tbaytel.net April 2011 Volume 7 Issue 4 THUNDER BAY BULLETIN Published monthly. Editor(s): Rev. Fr. Nikolaos Tambakis PARISH PRIEST: Rev. Fr. Nikolaos Tambakis; 106 Essex Court, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7A 7N6 # (807) 472-1341 cellular; # (807) 344-9522 office Church email: holytrinity@tbaytel.net; Fr. Nikolaos email: ntambakis@hotmail.com Website: www.gothunderbay.org Office hours: by appointment HELLENIC COMMUNITY PRESIDENT: VICE PRESIDENT: SECRETARY: TREASURER: ASST. TREASURER: ACHILLES STATHOPOULOS TOM MARINIS LISA BOOTE MARIA MORAKIS TAX MILIONIS # (807) 344-1596 HOME; (807) 626-2715 MOBILE # (807) 346-4006 HOME; (807) 624-6720 MOBILE # (807) 473-5281 HOME # (807) 577-3133 HOME; (807) 627-7063 MOBILE # (807) 766-9383 HOME; (807) 626-6010 MOBILE BOARD MEMBERS: ANDY KARANASOS, NICK MILIONIS, TIMO KAROUTAS, TED FRISKY, PETER SAITES, IRENE BINIARIS, PETER KOUKOS. 2010 2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (L TO R): TED FRISKY, PETER KOUKOS, IRENE BINIARIS, NICK MILIONIS, TOM MARINIS, MARIA MORAKIS, ANDY KARANASOS, TAX MILIONIS, TIMO KAROUTAS, ACHILLES STATHOPOULOS, PETER SAITES, LISA BOOTE, WITH FR. NIKOLAOS TAMBAKIS (ABOVE) 2
A very special thank you to Mrs. Garieri and the Grade Fives of Holy Family School who extended their class project on Greece to come to our Church to learn about the history of Greece its culture and faith. Special thanks to our president Achilles Stathopoulos for an excellent presentation on Greek history and culture at Holy Family School! PALM SUNDAY FISH DINNER SUNDAY APRIL 17 TH, 2011 AFTER DIVINE LITURGY, IN THE CHURCH HALL SHARE THE GOSPEL IN YOUR LANGUAGE! My brothers and sisters in Christ, As you know, at the Agape Service on Easter Sunday (4:00pm), we share the Holy Gospel in all languages, including English, Greek, French, Portuguese, Romanian and Italian. It would be our honour if you could share the Gospel that day in your language! Please contact Fr. Nikolaos before Palm Sunday. Do not worry about the content; the Holy Gospel is available in virtually every language. God Bless You! 3
TRIODION 2011 Triodion begins February 13 th this year. It ends on Great Saturday morning (April 23 rd ). February 13 Publican and Pharisee Theme: Humility Fast-free week. February 20 Prodigal Son Theme: Repentance Regular fasting week. February 27 Meat Fare Sunday Theme: Judgment All foods except meat allowed from February 26 March 6. March 6 Cheese Fare Sunday Theme: Ways of Fasting Last day before Great Lent. March 6: Vespers of Forgiveness March 7: Clean Monday. LENT BEGINS. March 13 1 st Sunday of Lent Sunday of Orthodoxy Rejoicing in the Orthodox Faith s triumph over heresies. March 20 2 nd Sunday of Lent St. Gregory Palamas An example of a strong Orthodox role model. March 27 3 rd Sunday of Lent Veneration of the Cross Mid-Lent symbol to continue the spiritual trial. April 3 4 th Sunday of Lent St. John of the Ladder An example of sainthood since childhood. April 10 5 th Sunday of Lent St. Mary of Egypt An example of sinfulness since childhood, with repentance. April 17 6 th Sunday of Lent Palm Sunday Christ s entry into Jerusalem; fish allowed. March 25: Annunciation of the Theotokos fish allowed. The 40 days of Lent include Clean Monday (March 7) and end on the Saturday (morning) of Lazarus (April 16). April 18 Great Monday St. Joseph of Pangalos April 19 Great Tuesday 10 Virgins April 20 Great Wednesday Jesus Arrest Holy Unction April 21 Great Thursday Last Supper Oil allowed April 22 Great Friday The Holy Passion of Christ No Liturgy Allowed. April 23 Great Saturday The Lord s Descent to Hades April 24 Great Sunday Resurrection of Christ No fast April 24 th 30 th : We consume everything on all days (no fasting). PENTECOSTARION 2011 The 50 days of Pentecost are from (Pascha) April 24 th to (Sunday of Pentecost) June 12 th. May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29 June 2 (Thursday) June 5 June 12 Sunday of Thomas Sunday of the Myrrhbearers Sunday of the Paralytic Sunday of the Samaritan Woman Sunday of the Blind Man The Ascension of Our Lord Sunday of the Holy Fathers Sunday of Pentecost NO fasting from Sunday of Pentecost until the Sunday of All Saints. June 19 Sunday of All Saints Apostles Fast begins on June 20 for 9 days. Note that these are general rules for fasting. Speak to your spiritual father or priest as to what is best for you! 4
ΣΡΙΩΔΙΟΝ 2011 Σν Σξηώδην αξρίδεη ζηεο 24 Ιαλνπαξίνπ. Σειεηώλεη ην πξσί ηνπ Μεγάινπ αββάηνπ (23 ε Απξηιίνπ). 13 Φεβξνπαξίνπ Σειώλνπ θαη Φαξηζαίνπ Θέκα: Σαπείλσζε Όρη Νεζηεία 20 Φεβξνπαξίνπ Σνπ Αζώηνπ Τηνύ Θέκα: Μεηάλνηα Κανονική Νηστεία. 27 Φεβξνπαξίνπ Απόθξεσ Θέκα: Η Κξίζε Όια επηηξέπνληαη εθηόο άπν θξεαο άπν 26 Φεβξνπάξηνπ έσο 6 Μαξηίνπ. 6 Μαξηίνπ Σπξηλήο Θέκα: Σξόπνη Νεζηείαο Σειεπηαία εκέξα πξηλ ηε Σεζζαξαθνζηή 6 Μαξηίνπ Δζπεξηλόο πγρσξήζεσο. 7 Μαξηίνπ Καζαξά Γεπηέξα. ΑΡΥΗ ΣΔΑΡΑΚΟΣΗ. 13 Μαξηίνπ Α Δβδνκάδα Νεζηείσλ Κπξηαθή ηεο Οξζνδνμίαο Νίθε ηεο Οξζνδνμίαο ελαληίνλ ησλ αηξέζεσλ. 20 Μαξηίνπ Β Δβδνκάδα Νεζηείσλ Αγίνπ Γξεγνξίνπ Παιακά Τπόδεηγκα Οξζνδόμνπ Δπηζθόπνπ 27 Μαξηίνπ Γ Δβδνκάδα Νεζηείσλ ηαύξνπξνζθζλήζεσο ηαπξόο πξνβάιιεηαη λα εκπλειπζεη δύλακε ζηνζο Υξηζηηαλνύο ζηε κέζε ηεο Μ. Σεζζαξαθνζηήο. 3 Απξηιίνπ Γ Δβδνκάδα Νεζηείσλ Αγίνπ Ισάλλνπ ηεο Κιίκαθνο Έλα παξάδεηγκα αγηόηεηαο από ηελ παηδηθή ειηθία. 10 Απξηιίνπ Δ Δβδνκάδα Νεζηείσλ Αγίαο Μαξίαο ηεο Αηγππηίαο Έλα παξάδεηγκα ακαξηνιήο δσήο άπν ηελ παηδηθή ειηθία πνπ γίλεηαη άγηνο, κε ηελ κεηάλνηα. 17 Απξηιίνπ Σ Δβδνκάδα Νεζηείσλ Κπξηαθή ησλ Βατσλ Δίζνδνο ηνπ Υξηζηνύ ζηα Ιεξνζόιπκα. Δπηηξέπεηαη ην ςάξη. 25 Μαξηίνπ: Δπαγγειηζκόο ηεο Θενηόθνπ - Δπηηξέπεηαη ην ςάξη. Οη 40 εκέξεο ηεο Σεζζαξαθνζηήο πεξηιακβάλνπλ ηελ Καζαξά Γεπηέξα (7 Μαξηίνπ) θαη ηειεηώλνπλ ην πξσί ηνπ αββάηνπ ηνπ Λαδάξνπ (16 Απξηιίνπ). 18 Απξηιίνπ Μεγάιε Γεπηέξα Αγίνπ Ισζήθ ηνπ Παγθάινπ. Αθνινπζία ηνπ Νπκθίνπ 19 Απξηιίνπ Μεγάιε Σξίηε Σσλ 10 Παξζέλσλ. Αθνινπζία ηνπ Νπκθίνπ 20 Απξηιίνπ Μεγάιε Σεηάξηε Σεο Αιεηςάζεο ησλ Κύξησλ κε Μύξν. Μέγα Δπρέιαηνλ Η ύιιεςηο ηνπ Κπξίνπ. 21 Απξηιίνπ Μεγάιε Πέκπηε Ο Μπζηηθόο Γείπλνο. Δπηηξέπεηαη ην ιάδη 22 Απξηιίνπ Μεγάιε Παξαζθεπή Σα Άγηα Πάζε ηνπ Κπξίνπ. Γελ ηειείηαη Θεία Λεηηνπξγία 23 Απξηιίνπ Μεγάιν άββαην Η Κάζνδνο ηνπ Κπξίνπ ζηνλ Άδε. Πξώηε Αλάζηαζε 24 Απξηιίνπ ΣΟ ΑΓΙΟ ΠΑΥΑ Η ΑΝΑΣΑΙ ΣΟΤ ΚΤΡΙΟΤ. Όρη Νεζηεία 24 έσο 30 Απξηιίνπ Καηάιπζε Πάλησλ, όιεο ηηο εκέξεο (όρη λεζηεία). ΠΕΝΣΗΚΟΣΑΡΙΟΝ 2011 Οη 50 εκέξεο ηεο Πεληεθνζηήο είλαη από ην Πάζρα (24 Απξηιίνπ) έσο ηε Κπξηαθή ηεο Πεληεθνζηήο (12 Ινπλίνπ). 1 Ματνπ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Θσκά 8 Ματνπ Κπξηαθή ησλ Μπξνθόξσλ 15 Ματνπ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Παξαιπηηθνύ 22 Ματνπ Κπξηαθή ηεο ακαξείηηδνο 29 Ματνπ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Σπθινύ 2 Ινπλίνπ (Πέκπηε) Η Αλάιεςηο ηνπ Κπξίνπ 5 Ινπλίνπ Κπξηαθή ησλ Αγίσλ Παηέξσλ 12 Ινπλίνπ Κπξηαθή ηεο Πεληεθνζηήο Όρη λεζηεία από ηελ Κπξηαθή ηεο Πεληεθνζηήο έσο ηε Κπξηαθή ησλ Αγίσλ Πάλησλ. 19 Ινπλίνπ Κπξηαθή ησλ Αγίσλ Πάλησλ Η λεζηεία ησλ Αγίσλ Απνζηόισλ αξρίδεη 20 Ινπλίνπ θαη θξαηεί θαη ηειεηώλεη εφέτος 28 Ινπλίνπ (9 εκέξεο). εκεηώζηε πσο απηνί είλαη γεληθνί θαλόλεο γηα ηελ λεζηεία. πδεηείζηε κε ηνλ πλεπκαηηθόλ ζαο ε κε ηνλ Ιεξέα ζαο γηα ην ηη είλαη πηό θαηάιιειν γηα ηελ πεξίπησζε ηεο πγείαο ζαο. 5
SCHEDULE OF DIVINE SERVICES - APRIL 2011 FRIDAY 1 +4 TH SALUTATIONS TO THE HOLY THEOTOKOS. ST. MARY OF EGYPT. 7:00PM-8:30PM. SUNDAY 3 +4 TH SUNDAY OF LENT. ST. JOHN OF THE LADDER. ORTHROS 9:15AM, DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT 10:30AM. WEDNESDAY 6 +PRE-SANCTIFIED DIVINE LITURGY. 7:00PM-8:30PM. FRIDAY 8 +AKATHIST HYMN. STS. HERODION, AGABUS, RUFUS. 7:00PM 8:30PM. SUNDAY 10 +5 TH SUNDAY OF LENT. ST. MARY OF EGYPT. ORTHROS 9:15AM; DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT: 10:30 AM SATURDAY 16 +RAISING OF LAZARUS. STS. NIKI, IRENE, CHIONIA AND AGAPE THE MARTYRS. ORTHROS 9:15AM, DIVINE LITURGY: 10:15 AM. SUNDAY 17 +PALM SUNDAY. - ORTHROS 9:15AM, DIVINE LITURGY 10:30 AM. - NYMPHIOS SERVICE: 7:00 PM. MONDAY 18 +GREAT AND HOLY MONDAY. - NYMPHIOS SERVICE: 7:00 PM. TUESDAY 19 +GREAT AND HOLY TUESDAY. - NYMPHIOS SERVICE: 7:00 PM. WEDNESDAY 20 +GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY. - HOLY UNCTION: 7:00 PM. THURSDAY 21 +GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY. - DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT: 9:15AM 10:15 AM. - OFFICE OF ΣΗΕ HOLY PASSION (12 GOSPELS): 7:00 PM. FRIDAY 22 +GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY. - OFFICE OF THE GREAT HOURS/ DESCENT FROM THE CROSS: 9:15 AM. - OFFICE OF THE LAMENTATIONS: 7:00 PM. SATURDAY 23 +GREAT AND HOLY SATURDAY. - DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT: 9:15 10:15 AM. - THE RESURRECTION SERVICE: 11:15 PM. SUNDAY 24 +THE GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA. - THE SERVICE OF AGAPE: 4:00 PM. HOLY CONFESSION: FR. NIKOLAOS IS HEARING CONFESSIONS ON FRIDAY, APRIL 15 FROM 9:00AM TO 12:00PM AND FROM 5:00PM TO 8:00PM. DUE TO THE NUMBER OF SERVICES THROUGHOUT HOLY WEEK NO CONFESSIONS MAY BE SCHEDULED DURING THAT TIME. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY. THANK YOU. 6
ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΤΘΙΩΝ - ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΤ 2011 ΠΑΡΑΚΕΤΗ 1 +Δ ΣΑΙ ΧΑΙΡΕΣΙΜΟΙ ΣΗ ΘΕΟΣΟΚΟΤ. ΑΓ. ΜΑΡΙΑ ΑΙΓΤΠΣΙΑ. 7:00ΜΜ-8:30ΜΜ. ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ 3 +ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ Δ ΝΗΣΕΙΩΝ. ΑΓΙΟΤ ΙΩΑΝΝΟΤ ΣΗ ΚΛΙΜΑΚΟ. ΟΡΘΡΟ 9:15ΠΜ, ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ΣΟΤ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΤ ΒΑΙΛΕΙΟΤ 10:30ΠΜ. ΣΕΣΑΡΣΗ 6 +ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ΣΩΝ ΠΡΟΗΓΙΑΜΕΝΩΝ ΔΩΡΩΝ. 7:00ΜΜ-8:30ΜΜ. ΠΑΡΑΚΕΤΗ 8 +ΑΚΑΘΙΣΟ ΤΜΝΟ. ΑΓΙΟΤ ΗΡΩΔΙΝΟ, ΑΓΑΒΟΤ, ΡΟΤΦΟΤ. 7:00ΜΜ-8:30ΜΜ. ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ 10 +ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ Ε ΝΗΣΕΙΩΝ. ΟΙΑ ΜΑΡΙΑ ΣΗ ΑΙΓΤΠΣΙΑ. ΟΡΘΡΟ 9:15ΠΜ, ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ΣΟΤ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΤ ΒΑΙΛΕΙΟΤ 10:30ΠΜ. ΑΒΒΑΣΟΝ 16 +Η ΑΝΑΣΑΙ ΣΟΤ ΛΑΖΑΡΟΤ. ΑΓ. ΝΙΚΗ, ΕΙΡΗΝΗ, ΧΙΟΝΙΑ, ΑΓΑΠΗ ΜΑΡΣΤΡΩΝ. ΟΡΘΡΟ 9:15ΠΜ, ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ 10:15ΠΜ. ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ 17 +ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ ΣΩΝ ΒΑΙΩΝ. - ΟΡΘΡΟ 9:15ΠΜ, ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ 10:30 ΠΜ. - ΑΚΟΛΟΤΘΙΑ ΣΟΤ ΝΤΜΦΙΟΤ 7:00 ΜΜ. ΔΕΤΣΕΡΑ 18 +ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΔΕΤΣΕΡΑ. - ΑΚΟΛΟΤΘΙΑ ΣΟΤ ΝΤΜΦΙΟΤ 7:00 ΜΜ. ΣΡΙΣΗ 19 +ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΣΡΙΣΗ. - ΑΚΟΛΟΤΘΙΑ ΣΟΤ ΝΤΜΦΙΟΤ 7:00 ΜΜ. ΣΕΣΑΡΣΗ 20 +ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΣΕΣΑΡΣΗ. - ΘΕΙΟΝ ΕΤΧΕΛΑΙΟΝ 7:00 ΜΜ. ΠΕΜΠΣΗ 21 +ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΠΕΜΠΣΗ. - ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ΣΟΤ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΤ ΒΑΙΛΕΙΟΤ 9:15 ΠΜ 10:15 ΠΜ. - ΑΚΟΛΟΤΘΙΑ ΣΩΝ ΑΓΙΩΝ ΠΑΘΩΝ ΣΟΤ ΚΤΡΙΟΤ 7:00 ΜΜ. ΠΑΡΑΚΕΤΗ 22 +ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΠΑΡΑΚΕΤΗ. - ΑΚΟΛΟΤΘΙΑ ΣΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΩΝ ΩΡΩΝ/ΣΗ ΑΠΟΚΑΘΗΛΩΕΩ 9:15 ΠΜ. - ΑΚΟΛΟΤΘΙΑ ΣΟΤ ΕΠΙΣΑΦΙΟΤ 7:00 ΜΜ. ΑΒΒΑΣΟ 23 +ΜΕΓΑΛΟ ΑΒΒΑΣΟ. - ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ΣΟΤ ΜΕΓ. ΒΑΙΛΕΙΟΤ 9:15 10:15 ΠΜ. - ΑΚΟΛΟΤΘΙΑ ΣΗ ΑΝΑΣΑΕΩ 11:15 ΜΜ. ΚΤΡΙΑΚΗ 24 +ΣΟ ΑΓΙΟΝ ΠΑΧΑ, Η ΑΝΑΣΑΙ ΣΟΤ ΚΤΡΙΟΤ. - ΕΠΕΡΙΝΟ ΣΗ ΑΓΑΠΗ 4:00 ΜΜ. ΘΕΙΑ ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΗ: Ο Π. ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟ ΘΑ ΕΧΕΙ ΘΕΙΑ ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΗ ΠΑΡΑΚΕΤΗ 15 ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΤ ΑΠΟ ΣΙ 9:00ΠΜ ΕΩ 12:00ΜΜ ΚΑΙ ΑΠΟ ΣΙ 5:00ΜΜ 8:00 ΜΜ. ΛΟΓΟ ΣΟΝ ΑΡΙΘΜΟ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΤΘΙΩΝ ΚΑΘ ΟΛΗ ΣΗ ΔΙΑΡΚΕΙΑ ΣΗ ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΕΒΔΟΜΑΔΑ ΔΕΝ ΘΑ ΕΧΕΙ ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΗ. ΠΑΡΑΚΑΛΩ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑΣΙΣΕ ΑΝΑΛΟΓΩ. Α ΕΤΧΑΡΙΣΟΤΜΕ. 7
Ο ΣΤΑΥΡΩΘΕIΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣ ΚΥΡΙΟΣ - Η ΜΟΝΗ ΑΛΗΘΕΙΑ Kαθὼς ὁ Κύριος πορεύεται στὸ ἐκούσιο Πάθος γιὰ μᾶς καὶ γιὰ τὴν σωτηρία μας, ὁδηγεῖται καὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ Πιλάτου γιὰ ἀνάκριση καὶ τελικὴ ἔγκριση τῆς θανατικῆς ποινῆς ποὺ τοῦ ἐπέβαλε τὸ υνέδριο τῶν Ἰουδαίων. Ὁ Πιλᾶτος ὅταν ἄκουσε ἀπὸ τὸν Κύριο ὅτι ἡ βασιλεία Σου δὲν εἶναι ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου καὶ ὅτι ᾖλθε νὰ μαρτυρήση «τὴν ἀλήθεια», δηλαδὴ νὰ φανέρωση τὴν ἀλήθεια, ἐρώτησε: «Σί ἐστὶν ἀλήθεια» (Ἴωαν. ιη 38). Δὲν περίμενε τὴν ἀπάντηση, προφανῶς γιατί ἤξερε ὅτι κανένας φιλόσοφος δὲν μπόρεσε νὰ δώση ἱκανοποιητικὴ ἀπάντηση. Πολλῶ μᾶλλον δὲν περίμενε τὴν ἀπαντήση ἀπὸ ἕνα ὑπόδουλο στοὺς Ρωμαίους Ἑβραῖο, ποὺ οἱ συμπατριώται τοῦ τὸν ἔκριναν ἔνοχο θανάτου. Ἀλλά καὶ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, παρότι πολλὲς φορὲς ὡμίλησε γιὰ τὴν ἀποστολή Σου νὰ φέρῃ στὸν κόσμο τὴν Ἀλήθεια, δὲν ἀπήντησε στὸν Πιλᾶτο. Ὁ Πιλᾶτος δὲν ἔλαβε ἀπάντηση, γιατί δὲν ἐρώτησε σωστά. Ἐὰν ἐρωτοῦσε ὄχι «τί ἐστὶν ἀλήθεια» ἀλλὰ «τὶς ἐστὶν Ἀλήθεια», θὰ ἐλάμβανε τὴν ἀπάντηση: «Ἔγω εἰμὶ ἡ Ἀλήθεια» (Ἰωάν. ιδ' 6). Γράφει ὁ π. ωφρόνιος τοῦ Ἔσσεξ: «Ἡ ἐπιστήμη καὶ ἡ φιλοσοφία θέτουν στὸν ἑαυτὸ τοὺς τὸ ἐρώτημα «τί ἐστὶν ἀλήθεια», ἐνῷ ἡ γνήσια χριστιανικὴ συνείδηση ἀποτείνεται πρὸς τὴν ἀλήθεια ρωτώντας «τίς». Οἱ ἐκπρόσωποι τῆς ἐπιστήμης καὶ τῆς φιλοσοφίας συχνὰ θεωροῦν τοὺς χριστιανοὺς ὀνειροπόλους χωρὶς βάθος, ἐνῷ γιὰ τὸν ἑαυτὸ τοὺς ἔχουν τὴ γνώμη πὼς πατοῦν σὲ στερεὴ βάση καὶ γι' αὐτὸ αὐτοαποκαλοῦνται «θετικιστές». Κατὰ παράδοξο τρόπο δὲν ἀντιλαμβάνονται τὸν ἀφηρημένο χαρακτῆρα ποὺ ἔχει τὸ «τί» τους. Δὲν καταλαβαίνουν πὼς ἡ Ἀλήθεια, ἡ συγκεκριμένη, ἡ ἀπόλυτη, μπορεῖ νὰ εἶναι μόνο «τὶς» καὶ σὲ καμμία περίπτωση «τί». Γιατί ἡ Ἀλήθεια δὲν εἶναι ἕνας θεωρητικὸς τύπος ἢ μία ἀφηρημένη ἰδέα, ἀλλὰ ἡ Αὐτοζωή, τὸ «Ἐγώ εἰμί» (Ἰωάν. η' 58)». («Ἅγιος ιλουανὸς ὁ Ἀθωνίτης», σέλ. 119). Πράγματι ὁ Κύριος δὲν ἐνηνθρώπησε γιὰ νὰ εἰσηγηθῆ μία νέα φιλοσοφικὴ πρόταση γιὰ τὴν ἀλήθεια ἢ ἔστω καὶ μία νέα ἠθικὴ συμπεριφορὰ ἢ μία νέα μεταξὺ ἄλλων θρησκεία, ἀλλὰ γιὰ νὰ φέρῃ στὸν κόσμο σαρκωμένη τὴν Ἀλήθεια, τὸν ἑαυτό Σου. Ἔκτοτε γιὰ τοὺς Χριστιανοὺς ἡ Ἀλήθεια εἶναι ὁ Χριστός. Κατὰ τὸν ἅγιο Ἰωάννη τὸν Θεολόγο καὶ Εὐαγγελιστή: «ὁ νόμος διὰ Μωϋσέως ἐδόθη, ἡ χάρις καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἔγενετο» (Ἰωάν. α' 17). Καὶ ἐπειδὴ ὁ Χριστὸς εἶναι ἡ Ἀλήθεια, ἐλευθερώνει ἀπὸ τὴν πλάνη καὶ τὴν ἄγνοια καὶ σῴζει τὸν ἄνθρωπο: «γνώσεσθε τὴν Ἀλήθειαν, καὶ ἡ Ἀλήθεια ἐλευθερώσει ὑμᾶς» (Ἰωάν. η' 32). Ὑπάρχουν πολλὲς ἀπόψεις γιὰ τὴν ἀλήθεια, ἀλλὰ ἕνας μόνος εἶναι ἡ Ἀλήθεια. Αὐτὸν τὸν Χριστὸ - Ἀλήθεια προεφήτευσαν οἱ Προφῆται, ἐκήρυξαν οἱ Ἀπόστολοι, ὠμολόγησαν οἱ Μάρτυρες, ἐδογμάτισαν οἱ Πατέρες. Αὐτὸς ὁ Χριστὸς εἶναι «φῶς ἐκ φωτός, Θεὸς ἀληθινὸς ἐκ Θεοῦ ἀληθινοῦ, ὁμοούσιος μὲ τὸν Πατέρα». Αὐτὸς ὁ Χριστὸς ἒνωσε τελικὰ καὶ ἀδιάσπαστα τὴν θεία φύση μὲ τὴν ἀνθρώπινη φύση στὴν ὑπόστασή Σου, στὸ ἕνα πρόσωπό Σου, στὸ πρόσωπο τοῦ Λόγου. Αὐτὸς ὁ Χριστὸς εἶναι ἡ Ἀλήθεια. γιατί μὲ τὸν θάνατο Σου νικᾷ τὸν θάνατό μας καὶ μὲ τὴν Ἀνάσταση Σού μας χαρίζει τὴν αἰώνιο ζωή. Αὐτὴν τὴν Χριστοαλήθεια δὲν μπορούμε νὰ τὴν συμβιβάσουμε μὲ τὶς «ἀλήθειες» τῶν ἄλλων θρησκειῶν καὶ ἄλλων πίστεων. Ὁ Χριστὸς εἶναι ὅλη ἡ Ἀλήθεια. Δὲν εἶναι ἡ μισὴ Ἀλήθεια ποὺ πρέπει νὰ συμπληρωθῆ ἀπὸ ἄλλες ἀλήθειες. Ἔχοντας αὐτὴν τὴν πίστη καὶ ὁ μεγάλος Ντοστογιέφσκη ἔγραψε: «Πιστεύω ὅτι ὁ Χριστὸς εἶναι ἡ Ἀλήθεια, ἀλλὰ ἐὰν μὲ πείση κανεὶς ὅτι ὁ Χριστὸς δὲν εἶναι ἡ ἀλήθεια, ἐγὼ θὰ προτιμοῦσα νὰ εἶμαι μὲ τὸν Χριστὸ παρὰ μὲ τὴν ἀλήθεια». Ὁ Ντοστογιέφσκη καὶ ὅλοι οἱ πιστοὶ Χριστιανοὶ πράγματι προτιμοῦμε, πιστεύουμε στὴν προσωποποιημένη καὶ σαρκωμένη Ἀλήθεια καὶ ὄχι σὲ κάποιες ἀπρόσωπες ἀλήθειες, ἰδέες. 8
τὴν Ρωσία στὰ χρόνια του μαχητικοῦ ἀθεϊσμοῦ κάποιος κομματικὸς παράγων προσπάθησε μὲ μία «ἐπιστημονική» ὀμιλία του νὰ πείση τὸ ἀκροατήριό του ὅτι ἡ Ἀνάσταση τοῦ Χριστοῦ εἶναι μῦθος. Ἐνόμισὲ ὅτι ὅλοι ἐπείσθησαν. Ὅταν ἐρώτησε, ἐὰν κάποιος ἔχῃ νὰ εἴπῃ κάτι. ἐζήτησε τὸν λόγο ἕνας εὐσεβῇς Ρῶσος, ὁ ὁποῖος εἶπε δυὸ λέξεις μόνον: «Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη». Ὅλο τὸ ἀκροατήριο ἐβροντοφώνησε: «Ἀληθῶς Ἀνέστη». Ἡ σαρκωμένη Ἀλήθεια, ὁ Χριστός, ἐνίκησε τὶς «ἀλήθειες» τοῦ κόσμου τούτου. Οἱ σταυρωταὶ τοῦ Κυρίου προσπάθησαν νὰ κρύψουν τὸ γεγονὸς τῆς Ἀναστάσεως καὶ νὰ συκοφαντήσουν τοὺς μαθητᾶς ὅτι ἔκλεψαν τὸν Κύριο ἀπὸ τὸν Σάφο. Δὲν μᾶς εἶπαν ὅμως πὼς αὐτοί, οἱ κατ' αὐτοὺς ἀπατεῶνες μαθηταί, ἐκήρυξαν τὸν ταυρωθέντα καὶ Ἀναστάντα Κύριο σὲ ὅλο τὸν κόσμο καὶ γιὰ τὴν ἀγάπη Σοῦ ὑπέστησαν διωγμούς, βασανιστήρια καὶ φρικτοὺς θανάτους. Ἡ ἱστορία ἐπαναλαμβάνε-ται. ύγχρονοι σταυρωταὶ τοῦ Κυρίου συκοφαντοῦν τὸν Ἀναστάντα Κύριο. Προσπα-θοῦν νὰ τὸν γελοιοποιήσουν, χρησιμοποιώντας τὸν τύπο, τὰ ραδιόφωνα, τὶς τηλεοράσεις, τὸ διαδίκτυο. Κυκλοφοροῦν DVD-video μὲ βλάσφημες, ψευδεῖς καὶ ἀναπόδεικτες κατηγορίες κατὰ τοῦ Κυρίου, ποὺ διὰ μεγάλων καθημερινῶν ἐφημερίδων καὶ περιοδικῶν μπαίνουν σὲ κάθε σπίτι, ὥστε μικροὶ καὶ μεγάλοι νὰ κλονίζωνται στὴν πίστη τους, ἀφοῦ δὲν ὑπάρχει καὶ ἡ δυνατότητα νὰ ἀκούσουν καὶ τὴν ἄλλη ἄποψη. Αὐτὸν τὸν στόχο ἐξυπηρετεῖ καὶ ἡ νέο-ἐποχίτικη πανθρησκειακὴ κίνηση τοῦ συγκρητιστικοῦ Οἰκουμενισμοῦ, ποὺ προσπαθεῖ νὰ ἐξισώση τὸν Θεάνθρωπο Κύριο καὶ τὴν Ἁγία μας Ὀρθόδοξο πίστη μὲ τὶς ἄλλες θρησκεῖες καὶ ἄλλες ὁμολογίες. Φοβεροὶ ἐχθροί της Ἐκκλησίας ὑπῆρξαν οἱ αἱρέσεις. Φοβερώτερος ὅλων εἶναι ὁ υγκρητισμός, δηλαδὴ ἡ ἀνάμιξης καὶ σχέτικοποίησης κάθε πίστεως. Ὑποβαθμίζει, μειώνει, ὑποσκάπτει ὄχι κάποιο ἀπὸ τὰ δόγματα ἀλλὰ ὅλα τὰ δόγματα, δηλαδὴ ὅλη τὴν Ἀλήθεια, τὸν Θεάνθρωπο Κύριο, γιὰ νὰ ἄνοιξη τὸν δρόμο στὴν Πανθρησκεία τῆς Νέας Ἐποχῆς μὲ τὴν πίεση τῶν ἰσχυρῶν της γῆς. Ἡ ἀπάντησή μας σ' αὐτὸν τὸν γενικευμένο πόλεμο κατὰ τῆς Ἀλήθειας-Χριστοῦ θὰ πρέπει νὰ εἶναι ἡ μὲ παρρησία ὁμολογία μας ὅτι μόνο ὁ Χριστὸς εἶναι ἡ μόνη Ἀλήθεια καὶ γι' αὐτὸ ὁ ωτὴρ τοῦ κόσμου, καὶ μόνον ἡ Ἁγία Ὀρθόδοξος Ἐκκλησία εἶναι ἡ ἀληθινή, ἀποστολική, ἀκαινοτόμητη συνέχεια τῆς Μίας, Ἁγίας, Καθολικῆς Ἐκκλησίας τῶν Προφητῶν, τῶν Ἀποστόλων καὶ τῶν Πατέρων. Ὁμολογοῦμε τὴν πίστη μας, ἔστω καὶ ἐὰν γι' αὐτὴν τὴν ὁμολογία ὑφιστάμεθα ἢ θὰ ὑποστοῦμε στὸ μέλλον ἐντονώτερο κοινωνικὸ ἀποκλεισμό. Καιρὸς μαρτυρίας καὶ μαρτυρίου γιὰ τὴν ὁμολογία τοῦ ταυρωθέντος καὶ Ἀναστάντος Χριστοῦ, τῆς Αὐτοαληθείας καὶ σωτηρίας μας. Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς Ἀνέστη! O Π. ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟ, ΣΟ ΔΙΟΙΚΗΣΙΚΟ ΤΜΒΟΤΛΙΟ, ΟΙ ΚΤΡΙΕ ΣΗ ΥΙΛΟΠΣΩΦΟΤ, ΣΟ ΚΑΣΗΦΗΣΙΚΟ ΚΑΙ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΦΟΛΕΙΟ, ΕΤΦΟΝΣΑΙ Ε ΟΛΟΤ ΚΑΛΟ ΚΑΙ ΕΤΛΟΓΗΜΕΝΟ ΠΑΦΑ. + FR. NIKOLAOS, THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL, THE LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY, THE GREEK & SUNDAY SCHOOLS WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY AND BLESSED PASCHA. 9
FINDING GOD IN DEVASTATION by Amelia Blanton A three-story tsunami obscures all but treetops as it roars into Natori, Japan, on Friday about the same height as the largest waves seen during the Indian Ocean tsunami that killed hundreds of thousands in late 2004. Photo courtesy of National Geographic When I woke up on Friday morning I rolled over, picked up my phone, checked my e-mail, Facebook and Twitter and the news. As I read posts about the earthquake in Japan, my mind raced back to when I was in Italy and the earthquake in Abruzzo hit, to when I was in high school and the tsunami in South Asia hit, and to when Katrina hit our own soil. After all of these incidents many of us are left asking, where is God? David Bentley Hart, an Eastern Orthodox theologian, addresses this question in his book The Doors of The Sea: Where was God in the Tsunami? The book, short but highly intellectual, developed out of an article, "Tsunami and Theodicy," that he wrote for First Things in 2005 after the tsunami in South Asia. An excerpt from Hart's article brings me some comfort as I look at pictures and videos of the devastation, death and suffering that is occurring now. It serves as a reminder to Christians of that which is the ultimate truth. I do not believe we Christians are obliged-or even allowed-to look upon the devastation visited upon the coasts of the Indian Ocean and to console ourselves with vacuous cant about the mysterious course taken by God's goodness in this world, or to assure others that some ultimate meaning or purpose resides in so much misery. Ours is, after all, a religion of salvation; our faith is in a God who has come to rescue His creation from the absurdity of sin and the emptiness of death, and so we are permitted to hate these things with a perfect hatred. For while Christ takes the suffering of his creatures up into his own, it is not because he or they had need of suffering, but because he would not abandon his creatures to the grave. And while we know that the victory over evil and death has been won, we know also that it is a victory yet to come, and that creation therefore, as Paul says, groans in expectation of the glory that will one day be revealed. Until then, the world remains a place of struggle between light and darkness, truth and falsehood, life and death; and, in such a world, our portion is charity. As for comfort, when we seek it, I can imagine none greater than the happy knowledge that when I see the death of a child I do not see the face of God, but the face of His enemy. It is not a faith that would necessarily satisfy Ivan Karamazov, but neither is it one that his arguments can defeat: for it has set us free from optimism, and taught us hope instead. We can rejoice that we are saved not through the immanent mechanisms of history and nature, but by grace; that God will not unite all of history's many strands in one great synthesis, but will judge much of history false and damnable; that He will not simply reveal the sublime logic of fallen nature, but will strike off the fetters in which creation languishes; and that, rather than showing us how the tears of a small girl suffering in the dark were necessary for the building of the Kingdom, He will instead raise her up and wipe away all tears from her eyes-and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor any more pain, for the former things will have passed away, and He that sits upon the throne will say, "Behold, I make all things new." I highly recommend reading either or both of these pieces; they are dense, but an extremely valuable contribution to our understanding of God in these difficult times. Source: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/civil-religion/amelia-blanton/article_af9c11a4-4d33-11e0-acca-00127992bc8b.html?mode=story 10
OUR MEMBERS So far only 44 people have submitted their membership dues for 2011. We ask and encourage everyone to do so as soon as possible. Each member is indispensable for the well being and functioning of our parish. We thank all who have taken the time to submit their membership dues already as of March 26, 2011: 1. Mrs. Katerina Biniaris 2. Mrs. Athena Blieske 3. Mrs. Lisa Boote 4. Mr. Costa Chimbakis 5. Mrs. Helen Chimbakis 6. Mr. Bill Comminos 7. Mrs. Tarja Comminos 8. Mr. George Comminos 9. Mr. Andrea Comminos 10. Mrs. Nitsa Comminos 11. Mrs. Bayba Frattolin 12. Mrs. Tara Giardetti 13. Mr. Peter Giardetti 14. Mrs. Samantha Graca 15. Mr. Andy Karanasos 16. Mrs. Lori Karanasos* 17. Mr. Tax Milionis 18. Miss Georgina Mellas 19. Mr. Tom Mellas 20. Mrs. Smaragthe Mellas 21. Mrs. Tina Mellas 22. Mrs. Maria Mellas-Catanzaro 23. Mr. Paul Catanzaro* 24. Mr. Stamati Mellisis 25. Mrs. Angela Mellisis 26. Mrs. Athina Morakis 27. Miss Maria Morakis 28. Mrs. Angie Palo 29. Mrs. Nikki Pantoulias 30. Mr. Tom Pavlou 31. Mrs. Rosa Pavlou 32. Mrs. Virginia Pazianos 33. Mr. Tom Pazianos 34. Mrs. Leila Pazianos 35. Mrs. Lola Saites 36. Mr. Artie Soulias 37. Mrs. Rose Sourtzis 38. Mr. Spiro Sourtzis 39. Mr. Achilles Stathopoulos 40. Mrs. Irene Stathopoulos* 41. Mr. Emilio Stefanidis 42. Mrs. Anja Stefanidis* 43. Mrs. Jenny Theodore 44. Mrs. Ploumi Vlotaros 12 Things I Wish I d Known First Visit to an Orthodox Church By Frederica Matthewes-Green Orthodox worship is different! Some of these differences are apparent, if perplexing, from the first moment you walk in a church. Others become noticeable only over time. Here is some information that may help you feel more at home in Orthodox worship twelve things I wish I d known before my first visit to an Orthodox church. #11. The three doors. 45. ros Every Orthodox church will have an iconostasis before its altar. Iconostasis means icon-stand, and it can be as simple as a large image of Christ on the right and a corresponding image of the Virgin and Child on the left. In a more established church, the iconostasis may be a literal wall, adorned with icons. Some versions shield the altar from view, except when the central doors stand open. The basic set-up of two large icons creates, if you use your imagination, three doors. The central one, in front of the altar itself, is called the Holy Doors or Royal Doors, because there the King of Glory comes out to the congregation in the Eucharist. Only the priest and deacons, who bear the Eucharist, use the Holy Doors. The openings on the other sides of the icons, if there is a complete iconostasis, have doors with icons of angels; they are termed the Deacon s Doors. Altar boys and others with business behind the altar use these, although no one is to go through any of the doors without an appropriate reason. Altar service priests, deacons, altar boys is restricted to males. Females are invited to participate in every other area of church life. Their contribution has been honored equally with men s since the days of the martyrs; you can t look at an Orthodox altar without seeing Mary and other holy women. In most Orthodox churches, women do everything else men do: lead congregational singing, paint icons, teach classes, read the epistle, and serve on the parish council. 11
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George Comminos CFP, CIM RRSP Financial Advisor Investment Planning 204-1205 Amber Drive Life Insurance Thunder Bay, Ont. P7B 6M4 Tax Planning Tax Free Savings Plans Complimentary reviews Retirement Planning F: (807) 683-4586 RDSP Cell: (807) 628-7758 Estate Planning 1-800-880-1424 ext. 3 Health Insurance gcomminos@assante.com www.assante.com/advisors/gcomminos 13
Bess and Sheila want you to come join the fun at Bingo! Saturday, April 2 nd, 2011 Wednesday, May 11, 2011 ALL BINGOS ARE AT THE C.L.E. LOCATION at 5:45 PM 14
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