St. Sophia/SS. Faith, Hope & Agape Greek Orthodox Church of Valley Forge 900 South Trooper Road Jeffersonville, PA, 19403 Tel.: (610) 650-8960 Fax: (610) 650-8961 www.saintsophiachurch.org email: stsophia@verizon.net Sunday Worship: 8:45 am Orthros: 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Office Hours - 9 am to 3 pm Rev. Economos Peter J. Thornberg, Proistamenos frpeterstsophia@verizon.net Metropolis of New Jersey
March 15, 2015 Sunday of the Holy Cross Agapius the Martyr & His Companions Manuel the New Martyr of Crete Holy Apostle Aristobulos of the Seventy, Bishop of Britain ENTRANCE HYMNS Resurrectional Apolytikion Katelisas to Stavro ( By Thy Cross Destroyed ) O Death didst Thou destroy by Thy Cross. Thou opened Paradise to the Thief and the laments of the myrrhbearers didst Thou change and to Thine own Apostles command them to announce that Thou had risen O Christ our God, Who gives to the World Thy Great Mercy. Hymn for the Holy Cross Soson Kyrie ( Save, O Lord, Your people ) Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth. Apolytikion of St. Sophia/Ss. Faith, Hope & Agape Greek Oς ελαία κατά καρπος ανεβλάστησας, έν ταίς ανλαίς του Κυρίου, Σοφία μάρτυς σεμνή, καί προσήγαγες Χριστώ καρπόν η δύτατον, τούς τής νηδύος σου βλαστούς, δί α γώνων εύαγων, Αγάπην τε καί `Ελπίδα σύν τη θεόφρονι Πίστει, μεθων δυσώπει υπέρ πάντων ήμων. English Phonetics for Greek Os elea kata karpos anevlastisas, en tes avles tu Kyriou Sofia martys semni, ke prosigages Christo karpon idytaton, tus tis nidyos su vlastus, di agonon evagon, Agapin te ke Elpida, syn ti theofroni Pisti; meth on dysopi yper pandon imon. English As an olive tree laden with fruit you sprouted forth, in the courtyards of the Lord, Sophia martyr dignified, and you brought to Christ a fruit most sweet, Namely your womb s own sprouts, brought up by instructive deeds: your daughters Faith and Hope, along with God-minded Love; together intercede with God for us all. Seasonal Kontakion Ti ipermacho ( O Champion General ) O Champion General, I your City now ascribe to you * triumphant anthems as the tokens of my gratitude, * being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos. * Inasmuch as you have power unassailable, * from all kinds of perils free me so that unto you * I may cry aloud: * Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.
Church Beautification Update March 8, 2015 We continue to focus on meeting our mortgage obligations (please see below for the latest) as well as to take care of buildings and grounds. We are also continuing the process of beautifying the church. We are pleased to announce that the Bishop s Throne was recently sponsored by an anonymous donor for $17,000. God Bless them! Many sponsorship opportunities are still available for both iconography and the furnishings. Our new Narthex furnishings have arrived! They were carved by the world-renowned artisans at S. Kavroulakis Company of Chania, Crete, the same firm that carved our beautiful icon screen and other artifacts. This beautiful furniture now greets everyone who enters our church! Some of these items are still available for sponsorship. In order to protect our iconography and artifacts, we have installed a special humidity control system which will help stabilize the humidity levels especially during the winter months. We will be installing a donor plaque to acknowledge those who have contributed to make our new church and its decoration possible. Our iconographer, Dr. George Kordis may return for a brief visit later this year to decorate the donor plaque and apply a protective varnish to the icons on the icon screen and other items. St. Sophia Church Mortgage The current mortgage balance as of 3/2/2015 is $1,379,295.47 EPISTLE READING The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6 O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance. Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God. BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek." Ἀνάγνωσις ἐπιστολῆς Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 4:14-16; 5:1-6 Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου. Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου. Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν, διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας. Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν. Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεύς, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν καὶ διὰ ταύτην ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως καὶ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ, προσφέρειν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλὰ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καθάπερ καὶ Ἀαρών. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλʼ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει, Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ.
GOSPEL READING The Reading is from the Gospel of Mark 8:34-38; 9:1 The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." ΕVΑΓΓÉΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8.34-38, 9.1 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν ὃς δ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει. Stewardship Update March 15, 2015 The 2015 campaign is now underway. We are asking all of our stewards to commit not only of your Treasure, but of your Time and Talent as well. To continue to grow as a parish and provide the programs and support to the Orthodox faithful in the region, we really need everyone s help! We truly appreciate all of the support from our many stewards and friends. The theme across the Archdiocese for this year is focusing on the Stewardship of Family. When we refer to family, we mean both our personal families as well as our Parish and Orthodox family. As an Orthodox family, the success of our parish and our Ministries are dependent upon everyone s support. We need help in all areas, including with your Time, Talent and (of course) Treasure. Please consider what commitment you are going to make for 2015 to God, our Orthodox faith and our parish. Stewardship is our way of thanking God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us. What are you personally doing to show your gratitude to Him for your own blessings? Are you giving back to Him and the Church of your Time, Treasure and Talents? Our parish needs all three from us! Thank you to everyone who has supported our 2014 Stewardship Program. If you have not yet paid up your 2014 Stewardship Pledge, please do so today! Please be sure to indicate 2014 on the memo line of your check to receive proper credit. 2014 (Year End) 2015 (3/13/15) Pledge Unit Goal 240 240 Pledge $ Goal $210,000 $210,000 Number of Pledges 215 96 Amount Pledged $209,857 $107,325 Average Pledge $976.08 $1123.97 New Stewards 23 4 God Bless You!
Mrs. Cathy Zarcone (610) 687-2735
Pastoral Visits - A Request to All Parishioners: If you desire a pastoral visit in case of a hospitalization, or for someone who is homebound, in a nursing facility, or in prison, please have an immediate family member notify the Parish office at 610-650-8960 so that a visit can be arranged. In Case of Emergency: If you are having an extreme medical emergency and are in need of an Orthodox priest, please call the Parish office at 610-650-8960. AHEPA Scholarships Available: There are two scholarships available: 2015 National Scholarship Application - Deadline: March 31, 2015 The new 2015 AHEPA Educational Foundation scholarship application is now available online! Last year, the AHEPA family awarded over $1 million in combined scholarships. To download your application visit: www.ahepa.org/ahepa/assets/pdfs/2015_aef_application.pdf. 2015 District Scholarship Application Deadline: April 16, 2015 This application is from the AHEPA District 4, of which our AHEPA Chapter 432 Valley Forge is a member. For more information, please see an AHEPA member. To download the application, follow this link: http://www.ahepa4.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2015_district4_scholarship_application.docx Hellenic University Club Scholarships: Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia Announces 2015-2016 University/College Scholarships for Students of Greek Descent or Declared Majors in Greek Studies. These scholarships will be awarded to students with outstanding academic qualifications and financial need. Students must be enrolled full-time in a degree program at an accredited four-year college or university, or they must be high school seniors accepted for enrollment in such a degree program. Applications for these scholarships are available through their website www.hucphiladelphia.org. Application and all supporting documents must be received by Friday, April 3, 2015.
Philoptochos Tsoureki Sale: Pre-orders for Tsoureki (Pascha Bread) are being taken now. The Price is $15 for a 2 lb loaf. The loaf is braided without an egg. The order deadline is Sunday March 29 th. The Pickup date is Saturday, April 4 th. To place an order, please contact Kathy Tsipras (610)539-5413 or visit the Philoptochos table on Sunday during coffee hour to complete an order form. Palm Sunday Luncheon: Make your table reservations early for the Philoptochos Palm Sunday Luncheon scheduled for Sunday, April 5, 2015. For reservations or information contact Maria or Kathy Tsipras by phone (610-539-5413) or email at tsipras@verizon.net or stop by the Philoptochos table in the church hall. Pascha Candles: Easter is just around the corner and as per one of our most prominent traditions, the custom of presenting Paschal candles (the Lambatha) to our loved ones to light, symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The candles can be lit at the Resurrection Service or the Agape Service on Sunday. Again this year Philoptochos will be selling decorated candles to help raise money for their many charities that we contribute to all year long. They are decorated with 2 colored ribbons of your choosing, a cross and flowers if requested. We have many colored ribbons to choose from. Please contact Maria Tsipras at 610-539-5413 or email at tsipras@verizon.net or just stop by the Philoptochos table at the back of the Cultural Center. Please help Philoptochos as well as giving a beautiful gift to your Godchildren, Children, Grandchildren, Nieces or Nephews. Don t wait till the last minute, Pascha will be here before you know it! For GIANT shoppers: We have enrolled in their Gift Card Program and the gift cards are on sale during coffee hour. If you are interested, please see Alexis Witt. SHOP-RITE Register Tapes: Don t forget to save your Shop-Rite register tapes. We can only use receipts from any of the ten Brown s stores located in: Bensalem PA, East Norriton, PA, Fairless Hills PA, Cheltenham, PA and in Philadelphia, PA, on Island Ave., Oregon Ave., 52 nd & Parkside, Haverford Ave., and Ridge Ave. in the Roxborough section. They also have one store in Brooklawn, NJ. The drop off box is located in the lobby of the Cultural Center. Please submit receipts timely, only tapes from within 4 months of the transaction date are accepted. REDNER S Register Tapes: We are now collecting Redner s Market register tapes. Remember to use your Pump Perks card when making purchases. The drop off box is located in the lobby of the Cultural Center. Movie Tavern Tickets: This is the fabulous movie theater in town that offers first run movies as well as an "in-house" dining experience. The Ladies Philoptochos is selling discounted MOVIE TAVERN movie tickets for $8.50 each. They can be used on any day and even for new releases. For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact Maria or Kathy Tsipras. For show times visit www.movietavern.com. AHEPA Track Meet: This year s AHEPA Pan-Hellenic Track Meet will take place on Saturday, May 30 th at 12 noon at Upper Darby High School (rain date Sunday, May 31 st at 12 noon at Upper Darby H.S.) 2015 Ecclesiastical Calendars: The new calendars are still available for pick up in the back of the Cultural Center. Each calendar is in an envelope addressed to each family (2014 stewards) of our parish. If you cannot find your packet, please call the Parish Office.
March 15, 2015 Sunday of the Holy Cross Agapius the Martyr & His Companions Manuel the New Martyr of Crete Holy Apostle Aristobulos of the Seventy, Bishop of Britain Today we are celebrating the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. The differences between this Liturgy and the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom are found in the priest's prayers of the Anaphora, between pages 19 and 28 of your Divine Liturgy books. The Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated on Christmas Eve, the feast of St. Basil, the Feast of Theophany, Holy Saturday morning, and the Sundays of Great Lent. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Thank you to the following individuals/families who have read the prayers during the Salutations to the Theotokos and/or have decorated the icon of the Panagia: Friday, March 13 th The readers were Miss Maria Tsipras, Mrs. Marie DelViscio, Mrs. Irene Tsokas, and Mr. Vasilios Tatsis. Maria and Kathy Tsipras decorated the icon of the Panagia. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Exciting News! The Hon. Judge William Nicholas has arranged for the Montgomery County Commissioners to issue a proclamation recognizing Greek Independence Day. The proclamation will be read at 10:00 am on March 19, 2015 at the County offices. Fr. Peter and Parish Leadership have been invited to attend. Coffee Hour Sponsors Needed! : We are in need of coffee hour sponsors for the upcoming weeks. If you are interested in hosting a coffee hour, please put your name on the list at the back of the hall AND contact the Parish office (by e-mail, if possible; or call Elaine at 215-513-1357.) Readers for Salutations to the Theotokos: The fourth Salutations to the Theotokos are on Friday evening, March 20 th. We still need readers for the English and Greek for the last two Fridays. If you are interested in reading, please call Elaine (215-513-1357) to see which evenings are available. CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK Mon., Mar 16 th Tues., Mar 17 th Wed., Mar 18 th Thurs., Mar 19 th Friday, Mar 20 th 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Festival Baking - Galaktoboureko 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Festival Baking - Galaktoboureko 6:30 pm Festival Planning Meeting 7:00 pm Adult Bible Study in the Cultural Center 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Festival Baking - Galaktoboureko 10:00 am Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 7:00 pm 4 th Salutations to the Theotokos preceded by Pot Luck Dinner at 6:00 pm SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS TODAY Tues., March 17 th Wed., March 18 th Fri., March 20 th Sun., March 22 nd Sat., March 28 th Sun., April 19 th May 27 May 31 GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS AHEPA meeting after Divine Liturgy in the Flex Room 6:30 pm Festival Committee Meeting 7:00 pm Adult Bible Study (in the Cultural center) 10:00 am Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 7:00 pm 4 th Salutations to the Theotokos (preceded by Pot Luck Dinner at 6:00 pm Greek Independence Day Parade Sights & Sounds, Holy Trinity, Egg Harbor, NJ 4 th Annual Benefit Banquet for IOCC @ Adelphia Restaurant, Deptford, NJ Spring Grecian Festival Festival Committee Meeting: The next festival committee meeting will take place on Tuesday evening, March 17 th at 6:30 pm. Future meetings will occur on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm until the festival (with the exception of Holy Tuesday. All those interested in participating in the organization of the festival are welcome to attend. Adult Bible Study: The next Bible Study is this Tuesday, March 17 th, at 7:00 pm, in the Cultural Center. Family Dinner Night: As we have done the past few years, we will be having a Lenten Pot Luck dinner each Friday evening during Lent (before the Salutations). The next dinner is this Friday, March 20 th, at 6:00 pm. We ask that the families of the parish bring a Lenten covered dish to the church so that we may gather for fellowship prior to the Salutations to the Theotokos, which begin at 7:00 pm. For ideas for Lenten recipes, Lenten cookbooks are available in the church bookstore or can be found online. These recipes SHOULD NOT include meat or dairy products. Couples Workshop: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Wilmington, Delaware, is hosting A Couples Day Out Workshop on Saturday, March 21 st, from 9am to 3pm. Father Charles Joanides, Ph.D., LMFT, is presenting this program. If you are interested in attending, please call the church at 302-654-4446 as soon as possible to reserve your seat. Greek Independence Day Parade Next Sunday: The parade in Philadelphia begins at 2 pm. Bus transportation will be provided for all those interested in attending. Departure time is 12 noon sharp. Sights & Sounds 2015: This year s Sights and Sounds will be held on March 28 th at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. Egg Cartons Needed: We are collecting empty egg cartons for the children's Good Friday Retreat. You can drop off egg cartons in the Flex Room. We specifically need paper cartons (not foam), that hold a dozen eggs only.