ST. KYRIAKE JULY 7 IN THIS ISSUE:

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION YORK, PENNSYLVANIA WWW.AGOCY.ORG THE LADDER JUNE 2018 ST. KYRIAKE JULY 7 IN THIS ISSUE: St. Kyriake the Martyr Missionary Appeal Class of 2018 ON THE COVER 3 YOUTH NEWS 4-5 VOICE OF OUR FAITH 6-9 CALENDAR 10-11 Η Κλιμαξ 12-14 A SPECIAL THANK YOU 15 STEWARDSHIP 17 PARISH COUNCIL 18

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION 2500 Pine Grove Road, York, Pennsylvania 17403 Phone: 717-741-4200 E-mail: annunciationyork@comcast.net Fax: 717-747-0468 Website: agocy.org Office Hours: Monday Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM THE LADDER Monthly newsletter of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. Submissions for consideration are due on the 10th of each month. Clergy Rev. Fr. Andrew N. Tsikitas, Parish Priest Parish Council President Alex Daoularis Vice-President Chriss Papayannis Treasurer Lola Lamnatos Asst Treasurer Maria Skouras Secretary Michael Hiras Nicholas Agapis Pericles Papayannis George H Margetas Church Staff Thomas Livaditis Dr George P Margetas George Karanicolas Chantors.......Nick Karageorge Tom Rontiris Office Administrator.....Diane Shillott Custodian......Jason Beard Organist.. Alisa Nicoara Ladder Editor........Chriss Papayannis Sunday Bulletin....Fr. Andrew Tsikitas Schedule of Worship Hours Summer Sunday Service (June August) 8:00 am Orthros 9:15 am Divine Liturgy Sunday Church School Begins immediately after Holy Communion. Weekday Services Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30 am Schedule of Church Events Bible Study: see Fr Andrew Pastoral Visitations: As needed or by request Home & Business Blessings: By request Contacts Choir Director.....Dr. George Lapes Food Festival Committee.Thomas Livaditis GOYA Coordinator.........Kathy Rodas GOYA Athletics Director....Chriss Papayannis Greek School Teacher........Eleni Veron Greek Dance Instructor... Leah Margetas HOPE & JOY Coordinator...Kate Giovanis Sunday School Director... Chris Giovanis Oratorical Festival Coordinator...Chris Giovanis Philoptochos....Pauline Rosario Grounds & Maintenance.... Michael Hiras Stewardship.....Kate Giovanis Scholarship Committee Dorothy Livaditis Centennial Committee.Steve & Nancy Gekas

JUNE 2018 PAGE 3 ON THE COVER ST. KYRIAKE OF NICOMEDIA JULY 7TH Saint Kyriake was the only child of Dorotheus and Eusebia. Since she was born on a Sunday (Kyriake, in Greek), she was named Kyriake. One day a wealthy magistrate wished to betroth Kyriake to his son. Not only was she young and beautiful, but her parents were wealthy, and the magistrate wished to control that wealth. The magistrate went to her parents to request her hand, but Saint Kyriake told him that she wished to remain a virgin, for she had dedicated herself to Christ. The magistrate was angered by her words, so he went to the emperor Diocletian to denounce the saint and her parents as Christians who mocked the idols, and refused to offer sacrifice to them. Diocletian sent soldiers to arrest the family and have them brought before him. He asked them why they would not honor the gods which he himself honored. They told him that these were false gods, and that Christ was the one true God. Dorotheus was beaten until the soldiers grew tired and were unable to continue. Since neither flattery nor torment had any effect, Diocletian sent Dorotheus and Eusebia to Melitene on the eastern border between Cappadocia and Armenia. Then he sent Saint Kyriake to be interrogated by his son-in-law and co-ruler Maximian at Nicomedia. Maximian urged her not to throw her life away, promising her wealth and marriage to one of Diocletian s relatives if she would worship the pagan gods. Saint Kyriake replied that she would never renounce Christ, nor did she desire worldly riches. Enraged by her bold answer, Maximian had her flogged. The soldiers who administered this punishment became tired, and had to be replaced three times. Shamed by his failure to overcome a young woman, Maximian sent Saint Kyriake to Hilarion, the eparch of Bithynia, at Chalcedon. He told Hilarion to either convert Kyriake to paganism, or send her back to him. Making the same promises and threats that Diocletian and Maximian had made before, Hilarion was no more successful than they were. Saint Kyriake challenged him to do his worst, because Christ would help her to triumph. The saint was suspended by her hair for several hours, while soldiers burned her body with torches. Not only did she endure all this, she also seemed to become more courageous under torture. Finally, she was taken down and put into a prison cell. That night Christ appeared to her and healed her wounds. When Hilarion saw her the next day, he declared that she had been healed by the gods because they pitied her. Then Hilarion urged her to go to the temple to give thanks to the gods. She told him that she had been healed by Christ, but agreed to go to the temple. The eparch rejoiced, thinking that he had defeated her. In the temple, Saint Kyriake prayed that God would destroy the soulless idols. Suddenly, there was a great earthquake which toppled the idols, shattering them to pieces. Everyone fled the temple in fear, leaving Hilarion behind. Instead of recognizing the power of Christ, the eparch blasphemed the true God as the destroyer of his pagan gods. He was struck by a bolt of lightning and died on the spot. Saint Kyriake was tortured again by Apollonius, who succeeded Hilarion as eparch. When she was cast into a fire, the flames were extinguished. When she was thrown to wild beasts, they became tame and gentle. Therefore, Apollonius sentenced her to death by the sword. She was permitted time to pray, so she asked God to receive her soul, and to remember those who honored her martyrdom. Just as Saint Kyriake ended her prayer, angels took her soul before the soldiers could strike off her head. Pious Christians took her relics and buried them in a place of honor.

PAGE 4 THE LADDER OUR YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY ANNUAL ANNUNCIATION SCHOLARSHIPS 2018 2018 Scholarship Recipients Scholarship Committee Dorothy Livaditis Christine Daoularis Alissa Nicoara Marta Tsikitas Alexandra Skouras Socratis Rodas Marianna Rodas Christina Cologer Fr Andrew Tsikitas, Marta Tsikitas, Andrea Cologer (on behalf of Christina Cologer), Socratis Rodas (also accepting on behalf of Marianna Rodas), Alexandra Skouras and Scholarship Committee members, Alissa Nicoara, Christine Daoularis & Dorothy Livaditis. HELLENIC DANCERS OF YORK READY FOR THE JUNE 2018 FOOD FESTIVAL

PAGE 5 PHILOPTOCHOS SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT THE LADDER The following campers have earned full scholarships to Camp Nazareth. Each recipient completed a minimum of 7 service requirements. May their stewardship serve as an example to our community. Gregory Anstine Stephanie Anstine Alexandra Nicoara Gannadiy Smolskiy Christopher Nicoara Maria Smolskiy George Skouras YOUTH NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS GOYA NEWS Through the generosity of the Annunciation York Community, GOYA has donated $550 to Marta Tsikitas' OCMC trip to Ghana. Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. HOPE/JOY OPE and JOY s missions are to strengthen H the relationship of young Orthodox Christians with our Lord Jesus Christ by educating and tutoring young Church members and encouraging them to be active sacramental participants in the life of the Body of Christ, ultimately leading them to Salvation. HOPE (Holy Orthodox Primary Education) HOPE ministers to Kindergarten through the 2nd Grade children. For more information, please contact Kate Giovanis, (717) 487-2150 JOY (Junior Orthodox Youth) JOY ministers to 3rd through 6th Grade children. These ministries incorporate the 4 principles of Worship, Witness, Service and Fellowship into the hearts of our children,. We invite all children, and their parents as well, to become participants in these vital ministries of the Church.

JUNE 2018 PAGE 6 THE VOICE OF OUR FAITH What Is Christian Perfection? St. Theophan the Recluse We all naturally wish, and are commanded to be perfect. The Lord commands: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (St. Matthew 6:48). And Saint Paul admonishes: "In malice be ye children, but in understanding be men" (I Corinthians 14:20). In another place he says: "Stand perfect and complete in all the will of God" (Col 4:12); and again: "Let us go on unto perfection" (Hebrews 6:1). The same commandment is also found in the Old Testament. Thus God says to Israel in Deuteronomy: "Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God" (Deut. 18:18)... "...But if you, my reader beloved in Christ, wish to attain to such heights, you must first learn in what Christian perfection consists. For if you have not learnt this, you may turn off the right path and go in a totally different direction while thinking that you make progress towards perfection. I will tell you plainly: the greatest and most perfect thing a man may desire to attain is to come near to God and dwell in union with Him. There are many who say that the perfection of Christian life consists in fasts, vigils, genuflections, sleeping on bare earth and other similar austerities of the body. Others say that it consists in saying many prayers at home and in attending long services in Church. And there are others who think that our perfection consists entirely in mental prayer, solitude, seclusion and silence. But the majority limit perfection to a strict observance of all the rules and practices laid down by the statutes, falling into no excess or deficiency, but preserving a golden moderation. Yet all these virtues do not by themselves constitute the Christian perfection we are seeking, but are only means and methods for acquiring it. There is no doubt whatever that they do represent means an effective means for attaining perfection in Christian life. For we see very many virtuous men, who practice these virtues as they should, to acquire strength and power against their own sinful and evil nature--to gain, through these practices, courage to withstand the temptations and seductions of our three main enemies: the flesh, the world and the devil; and in and by these means to obtain the spiritual supports, so necessary to all servants of God, and especially to beginners. They fast to subdue their unruly flesh; they practice vigils to sharpen their inner vision; they sleep on bare earth, lest they become soft through sleep; they bind their tongue by silence, and go into solitude to avoid the slightest inducement to offend against the All-Holy God; they recite prayers, attend Church services and perform other acts of devotion, to keep their mind on heavenly things; they read of the life and passion of our Lord, for the sole purpose of realizing more clearly their own deficiency and the merciful loving-kindness of God--to learn and to desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, bearing their cross with self-denial, and to make more and more ardent their love of God and their dislike of themselves. On the other hand, these same virtues may do more harm than their open omission, to those who take them at the sole basis of their life and their hope; not from their nature, since they are righteous and holy, but through the fault of those, who use them not as they should be used; that is, when they pay attention only to the external practices of those virtues, and leave their heart to be moved by their own volitions and the volitions of the devil. For this latter, seeing that they have left the right path, gleefully refrain from interfering with their physical endeavors and even to their own vain thought. Experiencing with this certain spiritual stirrings and consolations, such people begin to imagine that they have already reached the state of Angels and feel that God Himself is present in them. And at times, engrossed in the

JUNE 2018 PAGE 7 contemplation of some abstract and unearthly things, they imagine that they have completely transcended the sphere of this world and have been ravished to the third heaven. However, anyone can see clearly how sinfully such people behave and how far they are from true perfection, if he looks at their life and character. As a rule they always wish to be preferred to others; they love to live according to their own will and are always stubborn in their decisions; they are blind in everything relating to themselves, but are very clear-sighted and officious in examining the words and actions of others. If another man is held by others in the same esteem, which in their opinion they enjoy, they cannot bear it and become manifestly hostile towards him; if anyone interferes with them in their pious occupations and works of asceticism, especially in the presence of others--god forbid!--they immediately become indignant, boil over with wrath and become quite unlike themselves... "...Now, having seen clearly and definitely that spiritual life and perfection do not only consist in these visible virtues, of which we have spoken, you must also learn that it consists in nothing but coming near to God and union with Him, as was said in the beginning. With this is connected a heartfelt realization of the goodness and greatness of God, together with consciousness of our own nothingness and our proneness to every evil; love of God and dislike of ourselves; submission not only to God but also to all creatures, for the sake of our love of God; renunciation of all will of our own and perfect obedience to the will of God; and moreover desire for all this and its practice with a pure heart to the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31), from sheer desire to please God and only because He Himself wishes it and because we should so love Him and work for Him. This is the law of love, inscribed by the finger of God Himself in the hearts of His True servants! This is the renunciation of ourselves that God demands of us! This is the blessed yoke of Jesus Christ and His burden that is light! This is the submission to God's will, which our Redeemer and Teacher demands from us both by His word and by His example! For did not our Master and the Author of our salvation, our Lord Jesus Christ, tell us to say when praying to the Heavenly Father: "Our Father...Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (St. Matt. 6:10)? And did not He himself exclaim on the eve of His passion: "Not My will, but Thine, be done" (Luke 22:42)! And did not He say of His whole work: "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me" (John 6:38)? "...Finally, after learning what constitutes Christian perfection and realizing that to achieve it you must wage a constant cruel war with yourself, if you really desire to be victorious in this unseen warfare and be rewarded with a crown, you must plant in your heart the following four dispositions and spiritual activities, as it were arming yourself with invisible weapons, the most trustworthy and unconquerable of all, namely: (a) never rely on yourself in anything; (b) bear always in your heart a perfect and alldaring trust in God alone; (c) strive without ceasing; (d) remain constantly in prayer. (Source: Unseen Warfare as edited by Saint Nicodemos of the Holy Mountain and revised by Saint Theophan the Recluse)

PAGE 8 THE LADDER Does God go on Vacation? Shawn Jeffries This is the last week of school, which means summer is almost here. Summer can be a really exciting time. The weather is usually nice. The kids are out of school. Family vacations are being planned and booked. Will you be going on a vacation this summer? I can remember growing up as a kid in Texas and being excited about the summer because I knew my family would be taking at least one vacation. Usually we didn t go too far (maybe Houston or Galveston), but it was exciting nevertheless. Since that time I have been able to travel to many places further away. One of the things my family and I love to do is travel to places that we have never been before. We love to see God s creation in different places and meet new Christians. Over the last several years, we have been blessed to vacation in Daytona, Washington D.C., Virginia, San Antonio, New York City, Seattle, Philadelphia, and the Grand Canyon. This coming July we plan on visiting the Midwest for the first time (Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Chicago). We are very excited about this trip and are still trying to figure out all the things we want to do while there. It is a blessing to be able to make long lasting family memories on vacations. The question is: Does God go on vacation with us as well? I certainly hope so. I hope and pray that God goes with me and my family when we go to the Midwest. In fact, I hope and pray that God s eyes are on us and His love and favor are with us wherever we go! How frightening would it be if the one true God was only a local God? What if God was only with us when we were in our home town? What if He went with us to work and helped us through the day, looked over us when we went to the store and drove through town? What if He heard and accepted the worship we offered up to Him at the local church building where we attended, but whenever we left the state or country, God no longer went with us? How would you feel if God stayed back while you went on vacation? Would you still go on vacation? Sure, vacation is fun, relaxing and exciting. Sure, there are beautiful places in the world to see and experience. But would you really be willing to go to those places if you knew that God was not going with you as well? I wouldn t! But thankfully this is not the case. Thankfully there is no place on this earth we can go that God doesn t go as well. The Bible assures us: Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:7-10 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you [a] always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20 The Bible teaches us that God is everywhere! He is in the mountains in eastern Tennessee; He is on the road to Disney World in Florida; He is in a large city like New York; He is at the Grand Canyon; He will be with us in the Midwest when we go in a couple of months. It is a comforting thought to know that God is faithful and goes with us everywhere we go. The more challenging question is: Will our faithfulness to God also go with us everywhere we go? Will our commitment to gather with other saints for worship, stand for truth, read our Bibles, and pray, also go with us on vacation? God will be with us, just as He was at home. But will we be faithful and true to Him while away from home? I hope you have a great summer vacation. If you plan on traveling, be safe and have lots of fun. Remember that since God is the source of all your blessings, He deserves the same faithful attention from you when you are away that He gets when you are home.

JUNE 2018 PAGE 9 Renewal of the Spirit Archbishop Demetrios of America We began this series of reflections on the topic of renewal with a reflection on the renewal of the heart. We now turn to examining the renewal of the spirit, which is the touchstone of our intellectual development as persons, of our fellowship with one another, and of our ability to be in genuine communion with God and His Truth. What precisely do we mean by renewal of the spirit? This question is best answered by observing the characteristics which a person with a renewed spirit displays. We may first observe that a person who demonstrates a renewed spirit is one who exhibits clarity, purity, and piety in thinking. That is to say, a person who demonstrates a renewed spirit does not exhibit confused thinking. Rather, such a person s thought is characterized by the disciplined and regimented manner of approaching abstract concepts and communicating them with elegant simplicity to others. A person who demonstrates a renewed spirit recognizes that his intellectual abilities are gifts from God, and, therefore, he is mindful of the dangers of being arrogant or prideful due to his intellectual abilities. Instead, he values humility and views a keen intellect as a gift that God provides to him not to advance himself, but to serve others. Second, a person with a renewed spirit is someone who thinks and acts properly with others. He consciously remembers that relationships with others are to be treasured and valued. Such a person remembers that other human beings are never to be taken advantage of, abused, or neglected. For example, an employer with a renewed spirit does not treat his employees with indignity. A parent with a renewed spirit does not neglect his child. A team member with a renewed spirit does not take personal credit for work that he knows others are doing, but he rejoices for others in the collective results that emerge. Third, a person with a renewed spirit functions properly in being with God. Such a person is able to balance the stress of work and life issues by knowing that God is a real and constant source of strength. He reaches out to God in prayer on a daily basis, and he is not afraid to raise the question of faith or to express his faith with others. He knows that God is active and omnipresent in all arenas of life, pouring forth his peace and serenity. Finally, as we ponder these three attributes of a person with a renewed spirit, we also consider that the renewal of the spirit, unlike some activities such as the pursuit of an education or the building of one s physical strength through exercise, is not the result of human-initiated activity alone. Rather, renewal of the spirit is only achievable through human effort combined with the action of the Holy Spirit. This is the significance of our baptism and chrismation, as affirmed by Saint Peter s exhortation to the adults of Judea: "be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). Through our continued commitment of our lives in faith, the Holy Spirit provides us with a constant source of rejuvenation, dwells within us, allows us to grow as persons, to discover new ideas for the betterment of all humanity, and to enhance our growth as persons in the likeness of God. Thus, unlike other aspects of renewal, renewal of the spirit is not a condition that, once obtained, ceases its activity. Rather, it is a state of being that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, imparts to us an ongoing renewal, continually repairing all our human deficiencies, and propelling us to ever-increasing heights and potentials as we grow in our communion with God and His saving truth.

JULY 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 5th Sunday of Matthew 8:30 am Orthros 9:45 am Liturgy 2 3 4 Fr. Andrew Clergy-Laity July 1-5 Happy 4th of July OFFICE CLOSED 5 6 7 GOYA Summer Camp Session 3, Camp Nazareth, July 1-7 8 6th Sunday of Matthew 8:30 am Orthros 9:45 am Liturgy 9 10 11 12 13 14 GOYA Summer Camp Session 4, Camp Nazareth, July 8-14 15 Sunday of the Holy Fathers 8:30 am Orthros 9:45 am Liturgy 16 17 18 19 20 The Prophet Elias Orth./Div. Lit. 8:30 am 21 22 8th Sunday of Matthew 8:30 am Orthros 9:45 am Liturgy 23 24 25 26 St. Paraskevi Orth./Div. Lit. 8:30 am 27 St. Panteleimon Orth./Div. Lit. 8:30 am 28 29 9th Sunday of Matthew 8:30 am Orthros 9:45 am Liturgy 30 31.

ΙΟΥΛΙΟΣ 2018 Κυρ Δευ Τρι Τετ Πεμ Παρ Σαβ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 44η Κληρο-Λαική στην Βοστόνη 1, 2 & 3 ΙΟΥΝΙΟΥ 4η Ιουλίου ΓΡΑΦΕΙΟ ΚΛΕΙΣΤΟ 8 6η Κυριακή του Ματθαίου 8:30 πμ Όρθρος 9:45 πμ Λειτ. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Κυριακή των Αγ. Πατέρων 8:30 πμ Όρθρος 9:45 πμ Λειτ. 16 17 18 19 20 Του Προφήτη Ηλία Όρθ./Θ. Λειτ. 8:30 πμ 21 22 8η Κυριακή του Ματθαίου 8:30 πμ Όρθρος 9:45 πμ Λειτ. 23 24 25 26 Αγ. Παρασκευή Όρθ./Θ. Λειτ. 8:30 πμ 27 Αγ. Παντελεήμον Όρθ./Θ. Λειτ. 8:30 πμ 28 29 9η Κυριακή του Ματθαίου 8:30 πμ Όρθρος 9:45 πμ Λειτ. 30 31

PAGE 12 THE LADDER Η Κλίμαξ... Η ΑΓΙΑ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ Η ΜΕΓΑΛΟΜΑΡΤΗΣ 7 ΙΟΥΛΙΟΥ Ήταν κόρη του Δωροθέου και της Ευσεβίας. Αυτοί ήταν άτεκνοι και παρακαλούσαν το Θεό να τους δώσει παιδί. Πράγματι, ο Θεός ευδόκησε, και το χριστιανικό αυτό ζευγάρι απέκτησε παιδί. Γεννήθηκε ήμερα Κυριακή, γι' αυτό και της έδωσαν το όνομα Κυριακή. Κατά το διωγμό του Διοκλητιανού, οι γονείς της συνελήφθησαν και μετά από ανάκριση βασανίστηκαν και αποκεφαλίστηκαν από το δούκα Ιοϋστο. Η Κυριακή παραπέμφθηκε στον Καίσαρα Μαξιμιανό και από εκεί στον άρχοντα Βιθυνίας Ίλαριανό, ο όποιος της υπενθύμισε ότι η ομορφιά της είναι για απολαύσεις και όχι για βασανιστήρια. Τότε η παρθένος κόρη του απάντησε: "Ούτε στη νεότητα μου, ούτε στην ομορφιά μου δίνω την παραμικρή προσοχή. Και τα λαμπρότερα από τα επίγεια πράγματα είναι προσωρινά, όπως τα άνθη και κούφια, όπως οι σκιές. Σήμερα, έπαρχε, είμαι όμορφη, αύριο μια άσχημη γριά. Να κάνω, λοιπόν, κέντρο της ζωής μου την ομορφιά μου; Την αξία της, όμως, τη γνώρισα στις ρυτίδες, που την περιμένουν και στον τάφο πού την καλεί. Νόμισες, λοιπόν, ότι θα κάνω την τερατώδη ανοησία, να χάσω την αιώνια λαμπρότητα για να μείνω λίγο περισσότερο στη γη; Γι' αυτό στο ξαναλέω, έπαρχε: είμαι και θα είμαι στη ζωή και στο θάνατο χριστιανή". Εξοργισμένος ο Ιλαριανός, τη βασάνισε σκληρά και διέταξε να την αποκεφαλίσουν. Αλλά πριν πέσει η σπάθη, προσευχόμενη παρέδωσε το πνεύμα της στον Κύριο. ΣΕ ΤΙ ΣΥΝΙΣΤΑΤΑΙ Η ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΤΕΛΕΙΟΤΗΤΑ; Το μεγαλύτερο και τελειότερο κατόρθωμα που μπορεί να πει ή να συλλογιστεί ο άνθρωπος είναι το να πλησιάσει κάποιος στον Θεό και να ενωθεί με αυτόν. Λοιπόν, αν εσύ, αγαπητέ μου εν Χριστώ αναγνώστη, ποθείς να φτάσεις σε αυτή την κορυφή, πρώτα πρέπει να γνωρίσεις σε τι συνίσταται η πνευματική ζωή και η χριστιανική τελειότητα. Είναι πολλοί που λένε ότι αυτή η ζωή και η τελειότητα συνίσταται στις νηστείες, στις αγρυπνίες, στις γονυκλισίες, στις χαμαικοιτίες και σε άλλες παρόμοιες σκληραγωγίες του σώματος. Άλλοι πάλι λένε ότι συνίσταται στις πολλές προσευχές και στις μακρές ακολουθίες. Και άλλοι πολλοί νομίζουν ότι η τελειότητα συνίσταται εξολοκλήρου στη νοερά προσευχή, στη μοναξιά και στην αναχώρηση, στη σιωπή και στην άσκηση που γίνεται με κανόνα και μέτρο και δεν κλίνει ούτε σε υπερβολές ούτε σε ελλείψεις. Οι αρετές όμως αυτές μόνες τους δεν είναι η ζητούμενη χριστιανική τελειότητα, αλλά άλλοτε είναι μέσα και όργανα, για να απολαύσει κάποιος τη χάρη του Αγίου Πνεύματος, και άλλοτε πάλι είναι καρπός του Αγίου Πνεύματος.

JUNE 2018 PAGE 13 Και ότι είναι όργανα πολύ ισχυρά για την απόλαυση της χάρης του Αγίου Πνεύματος δεν υπάρχει καμία αμφιβολία. Ότι επίσης αυτές οι πράξεις είναι και καρπός του Πνεύματος και προξενούν την αγάπη, τη χαρά, την πίστη, την εγκράτεια, όπως είπε ο Παύλος (Γαλ. 5:22), και αυτό είναι αναμφίβολο. Οι αρετές όμως που είπαμε, μπορούν να προξενήσουν σε εκείνους, που βάζουν όλο το θεμέλιό τους σ αυτές, περισσότερη βλάβη από τις φανερές αμαρτίες όχι εξαιτίας τους γιατί αυτές είναι όλες αγιότατες αλλά εξαιτίας εκείνων που τις μεταχειρίζονται, επειδή αυτοί, με το να προσέχουν σ αυτές μόνο, αφήνουν την καρδιά τους να τρέχει στα θελήματα τα δικά τους και του διαβόλου, ο οποίος βλέποντάς τους ότι βγαίνουν από τον ίσιο δρόμο, τους αφήνει όχι μόνο να αγωνίζονται με χαρά σ αυτούς τους σωματικούς αγώνες, αλλά ακόμη και να επεκτείνονται, με τον μάταιο λογισμό τους, και ως τις απολαύσεις του Παραδείσου. Αλλά σε πόσα σφάλματα είναι μπλεγμένοι αυτοί και πόσο είναι μακριά από την αληθινή τελειότητα, μπορεί να το καταλάβει ο καθένας από τη ζωή και τα ήθη τους. Και αν ο Θεός, θέλοντας να τους φέρει στην επίγνωση του εαυτού τους και στον αληθινό δρόμο της τελειότητας, τους στείλει θλίψεις και αρρώστιες ή παραχωρήσει να τους έρθουν διωγμοί οι οποίοι είναι το δοκιμαστήριο που δοκιμάζει τους γνήσιους και αληθινούς δούλους του, τότε φανερώνουν τα κρυφά της καρδιάς τους, ότι είναι διεφθαρμένα από την υπερηφάνεια. Διότι, σε κάθε λυπηρό γεγονός που θα συμβεί, δεν θέλουν να υποταχθούν στο θέλημα του Θεού μένοντας αναπαυμένοι στις δίκαιες, αν και απόκρυφες κρίσεις του Θεού, ούτε θέλουν κατά το παράδειγμα του ταπεινωθέντα και παθόντα Υιού του, του Κυρίου μας Ιησού Χριστού, να ταπεινωθούν κάτω από όλα τα κτίσματα, έχοντας για αγαπητούς φίλους τους τους διώκτες ως όργανα της θείας αγαθότητας και συνεργούς της σωτηρίας τους. Οπότε είναι φανερό ότι βρίσκονται σε μεγάλο κίνδυνο. Γιατί, έχοντας το εσωτερικό μάτι, δηλαδή τον νου τους, σκοτισμένο, βλέπουν με εκείνο τον εαυτό τους και σκεπτόμενοι τις εξωτερικές πράξεις που κάνουν ότι είναι καλές, νομίζουν ότι έφτασαν στην τελειότητα και έτσι υπερηφανευόμενοι, κατακρίνουν τους άλλους. Γι αυτό δεν είναι δυνατό να μεταστρέψει κάποιος άλλος αυτούς, πάρα μόνο μία ξεχωριστή βοήθεια του Θεού. Διότι ευκολότερα μετατρέπεται στο καλό ο φανερός αμαρτωλός, παρά ο απόκρυφος και σκεπασμένος με το κάλυμμα των φαινομενικών αρετών. Τώρα λοιπόν που γνώρισες πολύ καθαρά ότι η πνευματική ζωή και τελειότητα δεν συνίσταται σ αυτές τις αρετές που είπαμε, γνώριζε ότι αυτή δεν συνίσταται σε άλλα, παρά στην επίγνωση της αγαθότητας και της μεγαλειότητας του Θεού και της δικής μας μηδαμινότητας και κλίσης σε κάθε κακό στην αγάπη του Θεού και στο μίσος του εαυτού μας στην υποταγή όχι μόνο στον Θεό, αλλά και σ όλα τα κτίσματα, για την αγάπη του Θεού στην αποστροφή κάθε δικού μας θελήματος και στην τέλεια υπακοή στο θείο θέλημα και ακόμη, στο να τα θέλουμε όλα αυτά και να τα κάνουμε με καθαρότητα για τη δόξα του

PAGE 14 THE LADDER Θεού και μόνο για να αρέσουμε σε αυτόν, και γιατί έτσι θέλει και αυτός και έτσι πρέπει να τον αγαπούμε και να τον υπηρετούμε. Αυτός είναι ο νόμος της αγάπης, ο γραμμένος με το χέρι του ίδιου του Θεού στις καρδιές των πιστών δούλων του. Αυτή είναι η απάρνηση του εαυτού μας, την οποία ζητάει από εμάς ο Θεός. Αυτός είναι ο γλυκός ζυγός του Ιησού και το φορτίο του το ελαφρό. Αυτή είναι η υποταγή στο θείο θέλημα, στην οποία μας προσκαλεί ο λυτρωτής μας και Διδάσκαλος με το δικό του παράδειγμα και με τη φωνή του. Γι αυτό κι εσύ, αδελφέ, που ποθείς να φτάσεις στο ύψος αυτής της τελειότητας, επειδή και είναι ανάγκη να ασκείς μια διαρκή βία στον εαυτό σου, για να νικήσεις με ανδρεία και να εξουδετερώσεις όλα τα θελήματά σου, μεγάλα και μικρά, αναγκαστικά πρέπει να ετοιμαστείς με κάθε προθυμία της ψυχής σου γι αυτό τον πόλεμο, αφού το στεφάνι δεν δίνεται σε άλλον, παρά μόνο στον ανδρείο πολεμιστή. Διότι όπως ο πόλεμος αυτός είναι δυσκολότερος από κάθε άλλο πόλεμο γιατί πολεμώντας εναντίον του εαυτού μας, πολεμούμαστε από τον ίδιο τον εαυτό μας, έτσι και η νίκη που πετυχαίνουμε σε αυτόν θα είναι ενδοξότερη από κάθε άλλη και περισσότερο ευπρόσδεκτη στον Θεό. Αν και ο Θεός αγαπά περισσότερο την επιστροφή των ψυχών από τη νέκρωση ενός μικρού θελήματος, όμως εσύ, αγαπητέ, δεν πρέπει να θέλεις ούτε να κάνεις τίποτε άλλο κυριότερο από εκείνο που ο Θεός ζητά και απαιτεί περισσότερο από σένα διότι αυτός, βεβαιότατα, καλύτερα ευχαριστείται στο να αγωνίζεσαι για να απονεκρώσεις εσύ τα δικά σου πάθη, παρά στο να τον υπηρετείς σε οποιοδήποτε άλλο πράγμα, και ας είναι μεγάλο και σπουδαίο, παραβλέποντας τα πάθη σου. Τώρα λοιπόν, που έμαθες σε τι συνίσταται η χριστιανική τελειότητα και ότι για να την αποκτήσεις πρέπει να έχεις έναν παντοτινό και σκληρότατο πόλεμο εναντίον του εαυτού σου, είναι ανάγκη να προμηθευτείς τέσσερα πράγματα, σαν όπλα πολύ ασφαλή και αναγκαία, για να βγεις νικητής σε αυτό τον αόρατο πόλεμο και να λάβεις το στεφάνι. Και αυτά είναι: α) το να μην έχεις ποτέ θάρρος στον εαυτό σου, β) το να έχεις πάντοτε όλο σου το θάρρος και την ελπίδα στον Θεό, γ) το να αγωνίζεσαι πάντοτε, και δ) το να προσεύχεσαι. Από το βιβλίο «ΑΟΡΑΤΟΣ ΠΟΛΕΜΟΣ» του αγίου Θεοφάνου του Ερημήτου, έκδ. Β, του αγίου Νικοδήμου Αγιορείτου, εν Αθήναις 1853, κεφ. Α, σελ. 1 (αποσπάσματα).

JUNE 2018 PAGE 15 A Special Thank You Dear Fr. Andrew, our Parish Council, and to all of our Community, These past 4 months have been a roller-coaster of emotions for our entire family as Anthony has been in and out of 4 different hospitals with his 3 major surgeries. Perhaps you made a call, came to visit, sent a text, prayed with us, sent a card, and/or gave a donation Nothing went unnoticed as we have been so overwhelmed with the expression of love, support and concern throughout Anthony s long journey. Everything has touched us in a way that we are unable to express into words. Anthony has reached his final destination and most difficult chapter of his journey with rehab. His journey continues working hard every day to get his muscles moving and gaining his strength in his legs and upper body. In addition we sincerely thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts for any donations you have given throughout this duration and for the collection during the Palm Sunday luncheon held in our church social hall in honor of Anthony for an extra helping hand for his medical needs. We received an unexpected generous donation check on June 23rd from our Parish Council. A special thanks to Fr. Andrew and to our Parish Council for organizing such a touching and unforgettable event for Anthony. Please continue to keep Anthony in your prayers and we pray that you receive twice-fold what you have given God bless. With humble appreciation, George and Pauline Georgaras ++++++++++++++++ Σεβαστέ Πάτερ Ανδρέα, μέλη του Συμβουλίου και όλη την κοινότητά μας, Αυτοί οι τελευταίοι 4 μήνες ήταν μια μεγάλη περιπέτεια ποικιλία συναισθημάτων. Ίσως μας τηλεφωνήσατε, στείλατε ένα μήνημα, κάνατε μία επίσκεψη, προσευχηθήκατε μαζί μας, στείλατε μία κάρτα, ή και κάνατε μία δωρεά... Τίποτα δέν πέρασε απαρατήρητο, έχουμε κατασυγκινηθεί απο τις εκφράσεις αγάπης και ενδιαφέροντος για τόν Αντώνη μας, καί όλα αυτά μας έχουνε αγγίξει με έναν τρόπο που δεν μπορούμε να εκφράσουμε με λόγια. Τέσσερα διαφορετικά νοσοκομεία και τρείς μεγάλες χειρουργικές επεμβάσεις φροντίζουν για την ανάρρωση του Αντώνη και τώρα έφθασε στο στάδιο της φυσικοθεραπείας και δουλεύει σκληρά με ασκήσεις για να κινηθούν οι μύες του και να δυναμόσουν τα πόδια του και το άνω σώμα του. Ευχαριστούμε ειλικρινά όλους εσάς για οποιαδήποτε δωρεά που έχετε κάνει κατά τη διάρκεια του γεύματος της Κυριακής των Βαΐων που πραγματοποιήθηκε στην κοινωτική αίθουσα της εκκλησίας μας για τον Αντώνη για ένα χέρι βοήθειαςγια της γιατρικές του ανάγκες. Στισ 23 Ιουνίου λάβαμε μία απροσδόκητη και γενναιόδωρη χρηματική δωρεά απο το Ενοριακό μας Συμβούλιο. Μία ιδιαίτερη ευχαριστία στόν Πάτερ Ανδρέα και στο Συμβούλιο μας που διοργάνωσαν μια τέτοια συγκινητική χειρονομία για τόν Αντώνη. Δοξάζουμε τόν Θεό για όλα και ευχαριστούμε την οικογένειά μας και όλους εσάς γισ την στήριξή σας σε αυτο το δύδκολο ταξίδη ζωής. Παρακαλούμε να συνεχίσετε να προσεύχεστε για τόν Αντώνη, και εμείς προσευχόμαστε να λάβετε δύο φορές απο αυτό που δώσατε... Ευχαριστούμε απο τα βάθη της καρδιάς μας. Με ταπεινή εκτήμηση, Γιώργος και Πολυξένη Γεωργαρά

J UNE 2018 P AGE 16 Community Update / Kοινοτικη Ενημερωση C HURCH G RADUATES 2018 F OOD F ESTIVAL V OLUNTEERS J UNE 2018

PAGE 17 THE LADDER Steward Update, 2018/Αναπροσαρμογή Οικονομων, 2018 (as of 6-4-18) Dr. & Mrs. George Agapis Dr. & Mrs. Nicholas Agapis Dr. & Mrs. Steven Agapis Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Anstine Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Anstine Mrs. Anita Asimos Mr. & Mrs. George J. Barakos Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Benefiel Mr. & Mrs. Mark Bittner Mrs. Evangelia Bouras Mr. & Mrs. Colin Burtner Mr. Stavros Chantiles Mrs. Vasilia Chiadis Mr. & Mrs. Takis Cologer Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Daoularis Mr. & Mrs. Dionisios Daoularis Dr. & Mrs. Steven Delaveris Mr. & Mrs. Chris Demetriades Mr. & Mrs. George Drivas Mrs. Sophie Eppley Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Frangeskos Mr. & Mrs. Steven Gekas Mr. & Mrs. Kostantinos Georgakopoulos Mr. & Mrs. George Georgaras Miss Mary Anne George Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Giovanis Mrs. Helen Gogonas Mr. Steven Gogonas Dr. & Mrs. George Haritos Mr. & Mrs. Pete Harmantzis Drs. George & Joan Hayes Mr. Charles Henry Mrs. Mary Henry Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hiras Mr. & Mrs. William Hondos Mr. & Mrs. Florin Ionescu Mr. & Mrs. Jim St. John Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Kapsalis Mrs. Antonia Karageorge Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Karageorgos Mr. & Mrs. George Karanicolas Mr. & Mrs. Odisefs Karanicolas Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Karanikas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Keares Mr. & Mrs. Brian Kersey Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Keys Mrs. Eleni Kocoronis Mr. & Mrs. Gus Kocoronis Mr. & Mrs. Harry Kocoronis Mr. & Dr. Isithoros Kostalas Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Kourliouros Mr. Chris Lainas Mr. & Mrs. Eleftherios Lamnatos Mr. John Lamnatos Ms. Lola Lamnatos Dr. & Mrs. George Lapes Ms. Alisa Livaditis Atty. Dorothy Livaditis Dr. & Mrs. Gus Livaditis Mr. John N. Livaditis Dr. & Mrs. Nicholas Livaditis Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Livaditis Mr. & Mrs. Konstantine Mallas Ms. Leah Mallas Mr. & Mrs. William Mallas Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Mandras Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Margetas Mr. & Mrs. George H. Margetas Drs. George P. & Patricia Margetas Mr. & Mrs. Petros Margetas Mr. & Mrs. John Marros Mr. Antonios Masgalas Mr. & Mrs. James Masgalas Ms. Tassia Masgalas Mrs. Georgia Mavros Mr. Constantine Minetos Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Nauss Mr. & Mrs. Teofil Nicoara Mr. & Mrs. Terry Nicozisis Mrs. Angela Pandelidis Dr. & Mrs. K. Nicholas Pandelidis Mrs. Georgia Panopoulos Mr. & Mrs. John Panopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Dimos Papageorgiou Mrs. Anna Papayannis Mr. & Mrs. Chriss Papayannis Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Polychronis Mr. & Mrs. Dino Pritsios Mr. & Mrs. Socratis Rodas Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Rodas Mr. Christos Sacarellos Mrs. Julie Sekeres Mr. & Mrs. James Sgagias Mrs. Kelly Sheasley Mrs. Maria Siakavellas Mr. & Mrs. Louis Skeparnias Mr. Nicholas Skeparnias Mrs. Voula Skeparnias Mrs. Maria K. Skouras Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Smolskiy Ms. Anita Spanakis Mr. & Mrs. James Spanos Mr. & Mrs. George Stavropulos Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Stergiou Mr. & Mrs. George Touras Fr. & Pres. Andrew Tsikitas Mr. Anthony Tsoflias Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Tsoukalis Mr. & Mrs. Apostolos Vainas Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Vainas Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Valakis Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Vellios Mr. Nicholas Vellios Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Vlahos Mr. Nikolaos Vlahos Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Walker Mr. & Mrs. Scott Wilson Mrs. Vasiliki Zahos These are the people who have paid towards Stewardship for 2018. Thank you for you generosity and support of our community. Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. - Matthew 25:21

JUNE 2018 PAGE 18 Council Meeting Minutes - May 1, 2018 Present: Fr Andrew Tsikitas, Alex Daoularis, Michael Hiras, Tom Livaditis, Nick Agapis, Lola Lamnatos, George H Margetas, George Karanicolas, Maria Skouras Absent: Pericles Papayannis, Dr George P Margetas, Chriss Papayannis The meeting began at 7:10 p.m. with a prayer led by Father Andrew. President s Opening Remarks: none Meeting Minutes: Meeting minutes from April 9, 2018 approved. Correspondence: Letter from Treasury of Unclaimed Property. Available refund for sound system improvements from Guitar Center. Mike H. to complete forms and submit. Letter for Clergy Laity conference from July 1-4 and reminder that the priest and one representative is recommended to attend. Registration can be done online at laity.org. George M. looking to possibly attend. Thank you card from Sotiria Lamnatos. Discussed a letter received by Cliff Karoullas from his family s visit from Holy Trinity Cathedral in New Orleans, welcoming him as a visitor to the church. Discussed possibly providing a similar letter for our visitors. Treasure s Report/Financials (Lola Lamnatos): No comments on the treasure s report. Stewardship Committee (Chriss P.): No Report Grounds & Maintenance Committee (Mike H., Chriss P.) Lawn Service Contract: Mike H. presented the bid by Heritage Hill for mowing provided to Chriss P. The cost is $90.10/visit including edging, trimming, etc. The current cost is $155.00/visit. Mike H. discussed that we need to re-negotiate the contract for the snow removal and possibly get a better price by combining the two contracts. George K. made a motion to approve negotiating the new contract and switch lawn care providers, Nick A, second. Motion approved 7-1. Mike and Chriss will look into negotiating the contacts and present for signature. Exact dates for the switch to be determined. Alter Table Glass: The glass on the alter table is badly damaged and needs replaced. Father Andrew indicated that it is a fairly heavy piece of glass that needs to be removed fairly often. Possibly look into getting plexi-glass. If it is not suitable, we can replace with glass in the future. Alex D. to coordinate the replacement. Thermostat Replacement: Thermostats needs to be consolidated and replaced. Mike H. is currently getting prices of facility wide wi-fi that could be used to operate the thermostats remotely.alex D. will coordinate replacement options. Wi-Fi/Electrical Work & Front-of-Church Lighting Update: Mike H. discussed walk-through with Gettle on 5/1 for installation of Wi-Fi wiring and routers for the church (for use with camcorder for live streaming), for the always and offices, and the hall for use during food festivals. In addition, walkthrough included speaker/wiring options for the hall. Current ceiling speakers are likely blown out and are not sufficient for music. Estimate will include a separate amplifier/switch to allow for music to be played in the hall and the rest of the speakers in the kitchen, hall, offices, classrooms to be switched off. This work is conjunction with the spot light and front-of- church lights. Storage Shed: Nick A. presented materials obtained for storage sheds/garages including size, various options, and approximate costs. Mike H. discussed the York Township requirements to avoid stormwater impact design requirements. As long as the shed and associated pad do not exceed 400-s.f. the stormwater permit is a fee-in-lieu of in the amount of +/- $1,200. Nick A. and George K. indicated that the shed should have vinyl siding, to be installed on a concrete pad, have a garage door, and no windows. Possibly need electric for lighting. Various dimensions were discussed that would meet the sizing requirements. Mike H. will verify if any additional requirements are needed for the Building Permit from York Township, and contact Kinsley for estimate on the concrete pad. Landscape/Cleanup Day: Mike H. indicated that the landscape planting plans from Stuffers of Kissel Hill were not completed yet but should be available by next meeting for presentation. Plan will include an estimate that can be bid out. Should consider a site cleanup day in the near future or possibly have Heritage Hills perform the work. Exterior Door Staining: Mr. Dionysis Daoularis stained several of the exterior doors, however as the doors are fiberglass there are some challenges in matching up the correct colors. Doors are fiberglass and came from the factory with a specific tint that differs between the exterior and interior sides. In addition, the doors are very heavy, and the process would be labor intensive, and painting a solid color may not look attractive. The goal is to attempt to match to the original color and finish to the greatest extent possible. It was recommended that the doors be removed and utilize an automotive grade stain/finish. George M. will contact an individual that may be interested in performing the work. Emergency Exit Signs: Tom L. had AFI replace the exit signs with LED replacements. Some painting touchup is needed in the hall due to the different sizes of the fixtures. Fixtures are much nicer than the older standard fixtures. Food Festival (Tom L.) Tom L. indicated that the meat is in and will start cutting soon. Tom indicated that we need to have 1 person/day available during the festival familiar with the point of sale systems in the event the credit card systems go down and can troubleshoot. Billboards for the food festival are located on Richland Ave, Market Street, and one in Hanover. Menu/prices are to be uploaded to the church website and Facebook Page. Mike H. indicated possible donation by a parishioner of a new French fryer. Will be discussed at the next meeting and verify requirements/upgrades needed to handle a new fryer. Old Business Dew Drop Road Taxes: George M. went to the tax assessment office and needs additional information for the reassessment. New Business: Centennial Celebration Debrief: Everyone agreed that the Centennial Celebration was a success. All feedback received to date was highly complimentary of the facility and church improvements, the entertainment, food, speakers, music, program, and turnout. The parish council recognized the dedication and hard work of the Centennial Committee and everyone that was involved in the planning and preparation for the event. Appropriate recognition to be planned in the near future of those who made the event such a success. Lefteri Hristofas has begun to upload the photos from the event to Shutterfly. Mike H. uploaded the video to UStream for viewing. Discussed having the PowerPoint presentation to be installed on DVD for sale and/or upload to the website or Facebook page for viewing. Father Andrew to coordinate. Glatfelter Event: Glatfelter would like to use the hall for an event during the day. If the event was during the day, there was no objection and can be scheduled. Comments and Closing Prayer The meeting ended at 9:00 pm with a prayer by Father Andrew.

JUNE 2018 PAGE 19 Help support our local short-term missionary! Hello brothers and sisters in Christ, I have been wanting to share some wonderful news with you all! This summer, I have been given the opportunity to travel down to Ghana to serve our Lord Jesus Christ and to spread the word of God with the OCMC. I have to say, that I feel honored to be part of something so great, especially since I had a wonderful experience down in Guatemala two years ago. As you may all know, two years ago, I received the same calling to give back to the community and to visit my homeland down in Guatemala. Personally, I was excited and afraid to return to the place where I was born. For me, it would be a new and unfamiliar territory I would be traveling to. But little did I know, a trip down to Guatemala would be the first calling that I would hear from God. He really works in mysterious ways; I instantly felt drawn to my homeland and felt the urge to give back and give thanks to the Lord. Being adopted made me realized how fortunate I was. Honestly, I was one of the lucky ones. Down in Guatemala, I was given the chance to witness with my own eyes the poverty and corruption down in the urban and rural areas. I was saddened by this cruel reality and my heart ached for the citizens of Guatemala. However, they did not need my pity, the people of Guatemala rejoiced in their misfortunes because money and wealth did not seem important to them. They shocked me with their kindness and hospitality. They gave everything they had to make our missionary team feel at home. These selfless acts just showed the love they had for HIM, our Lord and Savior. Their constant curiosity for Christianity made me want to grow in my faith as well. In addition to teaching them about Orthodoxy, they taught me how to live and act like a Christian through their kind gestures and sweet smiles. This was the point in my mission trip, where I told myself, I need to do this again. So here I am again, asking you all to be part of my second calling and to help support me in this mission trip. My mission trip to Ghana will be a wondrous one just like Guatemala. I would greatly appreciate any financial or spiritual support. Lets us do good! Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-20). Glory to God! Yours truly, Marta Tsikitas **On-line donations can be made at: http://bit.ly/1r5r1w0 find the Ghana trip on the OCMC web page, then click on Marta Tsikitas to donate. Thank you for your prayers and support!

Congratulations, High School Class of 2018! William Panayiotis Gekas; Central York H.S.; Penn State, Berks Campus; Undeclared major Christina Eftihia Cologer; York Suburban H.S.; Penn State, Main Campus; Health Sciences Vasiliki Hioutis; York County School of Technology; HACC; Early Childhood Education Marianna Katerina Rodas; York Suburban H.S.; Penn State, Main Campus; Undeclared major Socrates Thomas Rodas; York Suburban H.S.; Elizabethtown College; Undeclared major (leaning towards Business) Sophia Papoutsis-Moul; Southwestern H.S.; Greek Bible College in Pikermi, Greece Demosthenes Dimos Sacarellos; Central York, H.S.; York College of PA; Business Entrepreneurship Themistokles Sacarellos; Dallastown H.S.; West Chester University; Political Science Nicholas Spanakis; Central York H.S.; York Technical Institute; Computer Systems Technology