Newsletter of All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church March 2017 The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary The Feast of the Annunciation is one of the earliest Christian feasts, and was already being celebrated in the fourth century. There is a painting of the Annunciation in the catacomb of Priscilla in Rome dating from the second century. The Council of Toledo in 656 mentions the Feast, and the Council in Trullo in 692 says that the Annunciation was celebrated during Great Lent. The Greek and Slavonic names for the Feast may be translated as “good tidings.” This, of course, refers to the Incarnation of the Son of God and the salvation He brings. The background of the Annunciation is found in the Gospel of Saint Luke (1:26-38). The Troparion describes this as the “beginning of our salvation, and the revelation of the eternal mystery,” for on this day the Son of God became the Son of Man. There are two main components to the Annunciation: the message itself, and the response of the Virgin. The message fulfills God’s promise to send a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15): “I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed; he shall crush your head, and you shall lie in wait for his heel.” The Fathers of the Church understand “her seed” to refer to Christ. The prophets hinted at His coming, which they saw dimly, but the Archangel Gabriel now proclaims that the promise is about to be fulfilled. We see this echoed in the Liturgy of Saint Basil, as well: “When man disobeyed Thee, the only true God who had created him, and was deceived by the guile of the serpent, becoming subject to death by his own transgressions, Thou, O God, in Thy righteous judgment, didst send him forth from Paradise into this world, returning him to the earth from which he was taken, yet providing for him the salvation of regeneration in Thy Christ Himself.” The Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth in Galilee. There he spoke to the undefiled Virgin who was betrothed to Saint Joseph: “Hail, thou who art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Continued on page 2
Transcript
March 2017 1
Newsletter of All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church
March 2017
The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
The Feast of the Annunciation is one of the earliest Christian feasts, and was already being celebrated in the fourth century. There is a painting of the Annunciation in the catacomb of Priscilla in Rome dating from the second century. The Council of Toledo in 656 mentions the Feast, and the Council in Trullo in 692 says that the Annunciation was celebrated during Great Lent.
The Greek and Slavonic names for the Feast may be translated as “good tidings.” This, of course, refers to the Incarnation of the Son of God and the salvation He brings. The background of the Annunciation is found in the Gospel of Saint Luke (1:26-38). The Troparion describes this as the “beginning of our salvation, and the revelation of the eternal mystery,” for on this day the Son of God became the Son of Man.
There are two main components to the Annunciation: the message itself, and the response of the Virgin. The message fulfills God’s promise to send a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15): “I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed; he shall crush your head, and you shall lie in wait for his heel.” The Fathers of the Church understand “her seed” to refer to Christ. The prophets hinted at His coming, which they saw dimly, but the Archangel Gabriel now proclaims that the promise is about to be fulfilled.
We see this echoed in the Liturgy of Saint Basil, as well: “When man disobeyed Thee, the only true God who had created him, and was deceived by the guile of the serpent, becoming subject to death by his own transgressions, Thou, O God, in Thy righteous judgment, didst send him forth from Paradise into this world, returning him to the earth from which he was taken, yet providing for him the salvation of regeneration in Thy Christ Himself.”
The Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth in Galilee. There he spoke to the undefiled Virgin who was betrothed to Saint Joseph: “Hail, thou who art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary (Continued)
In contrast to Eve, who was readily deceived by the serpent, the Virgin did not immediately accept the Angel’s message. In her humility, she did not think she was deserving of such words, but was actually troubled by them. The fact that she asked for an explanation reveals her sobriety and prudence. She did not disbelieve the words of the angel, but could not understand how they would be fulfilled, for they spoke of something which was beyond nature.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34). “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: therefore also that which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1: 35-38).”
In his Sermon 23 on the day of the Annunciation, Saint Philaret of Moscow boldly stated that “the word of the creature brought the Creator down into the world.” He explains that salvation is not merely an act of God’s will, but also involves the Virgin’s free will. She could have refused, but she accepted God’s will and chose to cooperate without complaint or further questions.
The icon of the Feast shows the Archangel with a staff in his left hand, indicating his role as a mes-senger. Sometimes one wing is upraised, as if to show his swift descent from heaven. His right hand is stretched toward the holy Virgin as he delivers his message.
The Virgin is depicted either standing or sitting, usually holding yarn in her left hand. Sometimes she is shown holding a scroll. Her right hand may be raised to indicate her surprise at the message she is hearing. Her head is bowed, showing her consent and obedience. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon her is depicted by a ray of light issuing from a small sphere at the top of the icon, which symbolizes heaven. In a famous icon from Sinai, a white dove is shown in the ray of light.
There are several famous icons of the Annunciation. One is in the Moscow Kremlin in the church of the Annunciation. This icon appeared in connection with the rescue of a prisoner by the Mother of God during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Another is to be found in the Dormition Cathedral in Moscow (July 8). It was originally located in Ustiug, and was the icon before which Saint Procopius the fool (July 8) prayed to save the city from destruction in 1290. One of the most highly revered icons in Greece is the Tinos icon of the Annunciation (January 30).
The Annunciation falls during Lent, but it is always celebrated with great joy. The Liturgy of Saint Basil or Saint John Chrysostom is served, even on the weekdays of Lent. It is one of the two days of Great Lent on which the fast is relaxed and fish is permitted (Palm Sunday is the other).
March 2017 3
Parish News Thank you
Thank you to the following people who provided the
following for the month of February:
Prosphora — Joanne Sgourakis, Aphrodite Petrihos,
Hillary Detisch, Debbie Birge and Hellen Elfering
Altar Flowers — Detisch Family, Ted & Helen
Lazanas and Joel & Ester Cloeter
Food for fellowship hour — Detisch Family,
Despina Foster, Ted & Helen Lazanas, and Joel &
Esther Cloeter
Social Hour Sponsors— Jeff Johannesmeyer,
Despina Foster and Joel & Esther Cloeter
Annie Gorder is now taking care of Alter Flowers and Flowers for the
Icons.
You may take care of altar flowers yourself or call the Church office and
Annie will purchase and arrange flowers.
The cost is $35.
Would you like to donate to provide flowers for the Icons for Special Ser-vices? Watch the bulletin for when these occur and please contact the
Church Office. The cost is $40.
Thank you to Nikki Moravec who
Previously took care of the Flowers!
Flowers
Thank you to John and Laura Pavalis for providing flowers for the Icon
of the Presentation of our Lord.
Holy Week Through Easter Service Books available in the St. Herman of
Alaska Book Store for $25. Limited number of books available!!
Purchase Yours Today!!
Thank you to…
Despina Foster, Effie Bitsos , Chris and
Nadine Saklar and Gust and Joan Rakes for
their donations toward incense. If you
would like to donate toward incense,
please call the Church Office!
Lenten Cookbooks
Looking for quick and easy dishes to prepare to help you get through lent? Most recipes come together in about an hour in-cluding prep and cooking time. Over 45 recipes in each book. A portion of the proceeds are donated to charity. Available at:
Parish News The following article appeared in the March 2, morning World Herald. This is a VERY exciting project on 192nd Street. This project will be our potential neighbor immediately to the north of the land that we now control for a 90 day "investigation period" (all of which was presented at the recent town hall meeting). The AHS General Assembly will be voting on the final decision to purchase the land within 90 days.
Proposed $1.2 Billion Mixed-Use Development Would be 'Unique' in
West Omaha, Planner Says
A $1.2 billion development proposed for 192nd Street and West Dodge Road would create a bustling "gateway to western Omaha" and would include offices, stores, apart-ments and green space. Dubbed Avenue One, it would be one of the largest devel-opments of its kind in Omaha, according to the develop-ers. More than 180 acres straddling 192nd Street south of West Dodge Road would be developed, the equivalent of about SO square city blocks. It would have a seven-acre
central plaza at its heart, 26 acres of green space and more than 6 miles of walking and biking trails. More than 2,000 residential units and 1.3 million square feet of office and commercial space would be built. Developer Curt Hofer and his Jasper Stone Development of Omaha won unanimous preliminary approval for the plan and rezoning from the Omaha Planning Board on Wednesday. The project, once fully approved, is expected to take 15 years to complete. The development would be a "unique place in western Omaha," said Lynn Carlton, an urban planner with HOK, a Kansas City firm working with Jasper Stone. She said Avenue One would be focused on health and would be a "multi-generational, walkable environment." Situated just south of Youngman Lake, the development would be able to capitalize on that lake and park that the City of Omaha has envisaged as the "Memorial Park" of western Douglas County. Developers have told the state that they expect Avenue One to have an economic impact of $1 billion. The project would generate 8,500 construction jobs and 8,900 permanent jobs, they said in their bid to justify state improve-ments to the 192nd Street and West Dodge Road interchange. David Yudelson, representing the Fire Ridge Homeowners Association, said neighbors generally approve of the plan as envisioned and hope it materializes that way. Planning Board members noted that a similarly large development proposed for the area in 2013 had run into neigh-borhood opposition. The members praised Hofer and the other developers for working closely with neighbors this time to address their concerns. By Christopher Burbach I World-Herald staff writer, Mar 2, 2017 http://www.omaha.com/money/proposed-bil lion-mixed-use-development-would-be-uni que-in west/article_2330571f-Oa81-5a9f-bf2f-afa2239c159b.html
A rendering of Avenue One, a proposed $1.2 billion mixed-use development near 192nd Street and West Dodge Road in metro Omaha. If given final approval, the project, which would span 180 acres, could take as long as 15 years to complete.
March 2017 5
Parish News
Fish Fry’s!! Friday March 3 through Friday April 7
The All Holy Spirit Fish Fry's are one of the Best in Omaha. For our Fish Fry's to continue to grow and be a success, AHEPA needs your help in the following areas:
Help!!!!: Set-up of tables and chairs—2:30pm Break down of tables and chairs—8:00pm. Clearing and cleaning tables, removing trash from dining room and kitchen and general support throughout the evening, 4:30pm—8:00pm.
Menu
Appetizers
Hummus with Pita Bread…………...$5 Breaded Calamari…………...$7
Entrées
Fried Cod served with homemade chips or baked potato & slaw…………..$10 Fish Tacos served with homemade chips or baked potato & slaw…………...$10
Baked Mediterranean Fish served with rice or baked potato & slaw…………...$10 Butterfly Shrimp served with homemade chips or baked potato & slaw…………...$12 Bang-Bang Shrimp served with homemade chips or baked potato & slaw…………..$12
Salmon served rice or baked potato or homemade chips & slaw……………..$13 Fried Walleye served with homemade chips or baked potato & slaw…………..$17
KIDS SPECIAL -- Macaroni and Cheese $5
AHEPA
The AHEPA Collegiate Network
The Order of AHEPA has developed a members only collegiate network in order to assist those in the AHEPA family applying to college. The thought behind this is for the applicant to be able to reach out to alumni of the school they plan to pursue their education at for advice and letters of recommendation.
We are asking any member who is willing to be added to this database to fill out the form we've created and linked to below, and thank you in advance for supporting the youth of the AHEPA family!
Your information will only be shared with students applying to your alma mater. Thank you in advance for supporting this endeavor!
Monday, March 6 & March 20, 6:15 pm at the church. These practices are extremely
important as we will be rehearsing music for Lent through Pascha, and learning hymns in
languages other than Greek and English!!
Once again Philoptochos will be holding a Bake Sale at the AHEPA Fish Fry’s! Karen Chader and Tammy Honke will be chairing these events. In order for the Bake Sales to be a success, we need your help!! We need two women each Friday to man the Bake Sale Table and we need everyone to bring items to be sold!
This year we will also be selling crocheted and knitted items. If you have items you would like to donate to be sold, please have the items packaged and priced. New items only, no repurposed items.
The next regular Philoptochos Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 11, 11:30am at the UpStream Brewing Company, 168th & West Center Road, in the Tower Room.
Important topics to be discussed: • Planning for the Palm Sunday dinner and Pascha preparations • Assistance with meal following Pre-Sanctified Liturgy on Wednesday, March 15 (All Holy Spirit is hosting the other Orthodox churches) • Election of the September 2017 through May 2019 Board
You must have your 2016/2017 Stewardship paid to be on the Board. If you have not paid, you will be receiving notification prior to this meeting.
The Metropolis Philoptochos Biennial
Convention will be held during the The Clergy-Laity Assembly of the
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver,
May 3 - 7. Plans will be made for a group from
All Holy Spirit to
A number of women met and Socialized at Dudey’s Pizza on Thursday, February 23, for AHS Girl’s Night Out!
Please have 4th through 12th grade children at church by
8:45 and 1st through 3rd grade Children at church by 9:15!
But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. "Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’ Matthew 21:15-16
St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
Congratulations to the Oratorical festival participants; Niko Boulos, Tannen
Parish News You are the Voice of Christ in a Changing World "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." John 20:21
Stewardship
Stewardship is taking responsibility for the Ministries of All Holy Spirit
Greek Orthodox Church. At our Parish, we are dedicated to the service of outreach and evangelization to the Omaha community. We strive to
provide ministries in prayer, education, service opportunities, fellowship and philanthropy through our beloved Orthodox Church. We are grateful
for your participation in the All Holy Spirit Stewardship Program.
If you have not made your 2017 stewardship commitment please
consider your pledge today.
Thank you to our 2017 Stewards!
Alexandra Bakke
Chris & Carole Bakke Nicholas & Shannon Bakke
William Bakke John & Elaine Berger Zach & Kelli Berger
John & Debbie Birge Effie Bitsos Paul & Dora Bitsos
Nick Bitzes Matthew & Alexis Boulos
Michael Bouzis Angie Brown Joe & Litsa Carter
Abbie Chader Karen Chader
Joel & Esther Cloeter Kyle & Melissa Darling Tom & Brenda Denich
John & Hillary Detisch Mary Dounias David & Hellen Elfering
Katie Elfering Sarah Elfering
Elias & Demetra Eliopoulos Despina Foster Lauren Foster
Jordan Fox Clark & Annie Gorder Chris & Vika Hoegemeyer
Trey & Tammy Honke
Steve & Mariana Hurst Jeff Johannesmeyer
Tammy Johnson Knox & Anastasia Jones Adam & Sandy Karavas
Andy & Debbie Karavas Tesfaye Kinde &Vordabos Gerbrehiwet
Bob & Maria Knowles Mike & Sandi Kriha
Katherine Krug Bill & Cindy Lambert Robert & Maria Laws
Ted & Helen Lazanas Jim & Deb McDonnell
Michael McDonnell Jon & Liz Mehuron Cindy Miller
Mary Mitchell Mike & Nikki Moravec Anthony & June Mourgis
Spiro & Mary Moustakes Ashley Olson
Linda Olson James Panourakis Joe & Kiki Papke
John & Laura Pavalis Nick & Aphrodite Petrihos Bill & Eva Petrides
Anna Petrow
Helen Petrow Nick & Shelly Petrow
Nicole Petrow Sophia Petrow Theodora Petrow
George & Jody Poullos George Poulos George Pserros
David & Lisa Rakes George & Angie Rakes
Gust & Joan Rakes Ray & Kelsey Richards Chris & Nadine Saklar
John & Michelle Sgourakis Laki & Joanne Sgourakis
Anna Smith Julie Smith Scott & Rena Thornton
John & Kathy Treantos Sam & Betty Tsichlis Evan Vasiliades
John & Ann Vasiliades Andy Vassios
Fr. Elias & Pres. Rose Warren Alyssa Wilger Andrea Wilger
Pete & Stephanie Wilger Brian & Sheila Zachariae
March 2017 9
Parish News Outreach
Children's Hospital Rainbow House Thursday, March 9, 5:00—8:00pm
Children's Hospital and Medial Center's Rainbow House located at 7825 Farnam Drive, is a valuable
housing resource that provides a welcoming option for families. Children's Hospital sees a lot of medically complex children and that means families can be in
Omaha for weeks or months.
The Rainbow house is able to serve 56 families who live more than 60 miles from Omaha. Children's Hospital is a premier provider of healthcare for children, infants through adolescents in our region. All Holy Spirit is excited to provide a dinner meal to approximately 30 families on Thursday March 9th, dinner is served from 6:00-8:00pm.
This will be an ongoing project for All Holy Spirit, we hope to nurture an important and rewarding relationship with Children's Hospital. Join us in our efforts not only to provide a meal, but to welcome, listen, and share an
evening with families far from their home.
For details and to volunteer please contact Debbie Birge, Glory to God in all things!
All Holy Spirit provided around 11 people at various times to assist at the Mobile Food Pantry on, February 11. Messiah
Lutheran Church recognized All Holy Spirit before the prayer at the start. The event leader, Randy, took more time than usual, to share Messiah Lutheran’s appreciation of All Holy Spirit being a
part of the Mobile Food Pantry.
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord, rather than for people. -Colossians 3:23
Saturday of Souls, Saturday February 18 and February 25; Maslenitsa and Apokries Celebrations!
The Clergy-Laity Assembly of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver meets one year prior to the biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America so that any necessary resolutions or recommendations can be forwarded to the Congress for considera-tion.
The Assembly deals with matters affecting the life and growth of the parishes within the Me-tropolis. These include the spiritual well-being of the faithful, uniform governance of parishes, educational programs, financial systems, philanthropic concerns, and the organization and effectiveness of parishes. The Local Assembly also submits proposals and recommendations regarding the national church to the Archdiocese for submission to the next Congress.
The members of the Assembly are: the Metropolitan, the Chancellor, the members of the Me-tropolis Council, the Vice President of the Metropolis Philoptochos Board, members of the Archdiocesan Council within the Metropolis, and clergy and lay representatives of the parishes. Each parish may have four representatives: the par-ish Priest; the parish council president of the Parish Council, and two members of the parish.
The Metropolis Philoptochos Biennial Convention and the Church Music Federation Convention occur simultaneously.
The Metropolis of Denver Clergy-Laity Assembly will convene May 3 - 7, 2017. St. Catherine parish in Greenwood Village, Colorado, will host the 2017 event. Registration and hotel information will soon be available.
All Holy Spirit will soon be making plans for parishioners wanting to attend the Assembly, Wednesday, May 3 through Sunday May 7.
Lenten Retreats St. George Orthodox Church, Lenten Retreat, Kearney Nebraska
Please join us for our Lenten Retreat, With Hiermonk Alexii, “Ascetics All! Prayer, Fasting, Alms”
Friday, March 10 & Saturday, March 11
St. George Orthodox Church 1505 Avenue G
Kearney, Nebraska
This Retreat is offered to all, free of charge, invite a friend. A free-will offering will be taken to support Holy Archangel Michael and All Angels Skete in Weatherby, Missouri. They
will be planting 1350 grape vines this spring—let’s help them begin their new Vineyard!!
Please RSVP by Monday, March 6, to help plan for meals and refreshments to: Fr. Christopher at:
5:00pm—Vespers with Akathist Hymn 6:30pm—1st Session with Q&A
7:30pm—Coffee and Lenten Dessert
Saturday, March 11 8:30am—1st and 3rd Hour
9:00am—Breakfast 10:00am—2nd Session with Q&A
10:30am—Break 11:00am—3rd Session with Q&A 12:00pm—Lunch and Dismissal
Holy Archangel Michael and All Angels Skete
We are under the prayerful Omophor (ecclesiastical authority) of His Grace Bishop Longin, of the New Gracanica and Midwestern Ameri-can Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, located in Northwest Missouri. We seek the Gospel Commands and Counsels of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our life is given to prayer, work, and love, for God and the world.
Holy Archangel Michael and All Angels Skete is a men’s monastic community in Northwest Missouri. In addition, the existing women's convent of St. Xenia Sisterhood has relocated to another part of this property.
Lenten Retreats St. Vincent of Lerins Antiochian Orthodox Church, Omaha
Made Manifest by the Light: Finding the Way of Christ
Saturday, March 18 Beginning at 9:00am
St. Vincent of Lerins Orthodox Church 2502 North 51st Street, Omaha
Are we doing right, or are we doing wrong? How do we discern the Will of God and how do we “Walk as children of light”?
The Reverend Dom Theodore, Prior of the Monastery of Our Lady of Laurence, an Orthodox Benedictine Monastic Community in Colorado, will lead us in exploring these questions in the life context of our Lenten, and lifelong,
journey to the Resurrection.
Schedule of Events: 9:00am—Matins
10:00am—Session 1, Followed by Sharing and Silent Reflection 12:00pm—Lenten Lunch
1:30pm—Session 2, Followed by Sharing and Silent Reflection 4:00pm—Conclusion with Vespers
There is no cost for the retreat, although freewill offerings are gratefully accepted, please, RSVP to allow for meal planning: [email protected] or 402-551-9721
The Monastery of Our Lady and Saint Laurence
The Monastery of Our Lady and Saint Laurence belongs to the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese's Western Rite Vicariate, under the omophorion of His Grace, Bishop John, Vicar Bishop.
Founded on Holy Cross Day, 2013, the monastery strives to model its life on the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict of Nursia (d. 547 A.D.), modified by its own Constitutions, under the guidance of its elected Prior (superior). After a period of nearly three years as a "community-in-formation," the monastery was granted canonical status on July 16, 2015, by His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph.
