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SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 1607 West Union Boulevard Bethlehem, PA 18018 ORTHODOX Witness VOLUME 27 ISSUE 299 NOVEMBER 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Church Information 2
Father Nick’s Notes 3
Ιllnes and Cure 4
Parish Council Meeting Minutes 8
Calendar s 10
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 11
Parish News 13
Words of Wisdom by Saint Nektarios 14
When body is tried soul is sanctified 15
Greek School Corner 16
A ST. NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL PUBLICATION 1607 WEST UNION BOULEVARD – BETHLEHEM, PA 18018 PHONE: 610-867-1327, FAX: 610-867-9487, KITCHEN: 610-867-5459
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Under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, His Eminence Demetrios Archbishop of the
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh. The mission of
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is to keep and proclaim, pure and undefiled, the Orthodox Christian Faith
and traditions in conformity with the doctrine, canons, worship, discipline, and customs of the Church.
Fr. Nicholas Palis, Oikonomos (Proistamenos ) Dean 610-440-0995
Fr. Nicholas Kossis Protopresbyter 610-694-0948 Fr. Alexander Petrides, Presbyter 610-867-1327 Mrs. Despina Kotsatos, Secretary 610-867-1327
OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday 9:00 πμ – 12:00 μμ
1:00 μμ -5:00 μμ SUNDAY SERVICES Orthros 7:15 AM
Divine Liturgy 1 Greek 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy 2 English 10:15 AM
WEEKDAY SERVICES Orthros 8:00 AM
Divine Liturgy 9:00 am
THURSDAY Paraclesis 6:00 PM
SATURDAY Great Vespers 7:00 PM Please see the calendar in the web page for weekday services
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS BUILDING ENDOWMENT TRUST George Vasiliadis
John Diakogiannis
Vivian Zumas
Cosmos Valavanis
Nikolaos Varvarelis
ACADEMY ST. NICHOLAS Debbie Hrousis
CHOIR
Director Dr. James Chiadis
Organist Nicos Elias : 610-740-0990
GREEK SCHOOL : Theodore Evangelou 610-366-1450
MOMS & TOTS: Presvytera Stephanie Petrides
GOYA/YAL Fr. Alexandros Petrides
MISSIONS
Coordinator : Roger Hall
Deputy Coordinator: Nitsa Vasiliadis
Secretary: Dina Evangelou
PHILOPTOCHOS : Debbie Mouhlas
SENIOR CITIZENS: Mary Moukoulis
SUNDAY SCHOOL Thalia Schmidt, Stratoniki Hahalis
WEBSITE: www.stnicholas.org
EMAIL: [email protected]
Name of Publication: Orthodox Witness Publication: November 2015 Year 27, Issue :10
PARISH COUNCIL 2015 Argeros William
Dectis Peter
Economedes Emmanuel, President
Economou Dimitri
Evangelou Ted
Fliakos Valante,
Garcia Joel,
Gentis Athanasios, Secretary
Hristofas Kostas, Treasurer
Kapsalis Nick
Lioudis George
Mouhlas George, Vice President
Tatalias V. Emmanuel
Vasiliadis Stylianos
Zannakis John
DEADLINE FOR PUBLICATIONS
WEEKLY BULLETIN – PLEASE SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS
to church office by Thursday.
MONTHLY BOOKLET–
Please submit announcements to church
office by the 15th of the prior month.
Please Note – All articles are subjected to
approval and editing.
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November 2015
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Greetings in Christ!
During the month of November we celebrate many important saints. On Sunday Nov. 1st we celebrate the
unmercenary doctors Sts. Cosmas and Damian, who healed people for free with their medical skills and the
grace of Christ. These saints are patron saints of Philoptochos, the Friends of the Poor. One of the articles in this
monthly bulletin is dedicated to these Saints and the others are also related to the theme of illness and cure.
Philoptochos is a wonderful organization which does much charity for the poor and the suffering. November is
also National Philoptochos month. If you have not yet joined this worthwhile organization, and would like to,
please contact Despina Mouhlas our Philoptochos President.
On Sunday Nov. 8th in the evening beginning at 6 PM we are having our Vespers, Paraclesis and Engomia for
the feast of St. Nectarios of Pentapolis in our chapel which celebrates. And on Monday Nov. 9th we have will
have one Orthros and Liturgy beginning at 8:00 AM with Divine Liturgy at 9 AM.
On November 15th we begin the Christmas Fast, along with our daily liturgies which will take place from 8-
10:15 AM. On several Friday nights (11/27, 12/4, 12/18) we will be doing Saturday morning’s service beginning
at 11 PM with Orthros and Divine Liturgy at midnight. As a result the service will not be on Saturday morning.
Please strive to attend as many weekday liturgies as possible. This is also a time when we should strive to go to
confession and prepare to receive Christ in the manger of our souls. There is also incredible spiritual benefit in
supporting these services (either with a donation or prosphoro, wine, oil, incense, etc) and commemorating our
loved ones, especially those who have reposed.
On Sunday, November 15th we will be having one Orthros and Liturgy at 7:45 AM with Divine Liturgy at 9 AM
after which we will have our Annual Fall General Assembly which will discuss our Proposed Budget for 2016
and other important issues including proposed changes to the structure of the St. Nicholas Trust Fund. I hope
that many of you can attend this meeting for the good of our whole Parish.
On Sunday November 22nd, we have a guest speaker Mr. Niko Chochelli, an iconographer, who has also
illustrated a number of Orthodox Children’s books, who will do a power point presentation on the life of St.
Gabriel the Fool for Christ, whose life-sized icon we have in our Narthex. St. Gabriel is a recent Georgian Saint,
whose life is very inspiring. He will make his presentation after both Liturgies. The first presentation will be
translated into Greek if need be. Please take the time to attend this wonderful presentation.
The articles in this bulletin are “Illness and Cure, Acquaintance with the Holy Unmercenaries” by
Archimandrite Cyril Kephalopoulos, “When the body is tried the soul is sanctified” by Nun Eupraxia and “The
Reason for which our afflictions are so frequent and successive and why we should forbear them with fortitude”
by Saint Nectarios of Pentapolis, all translated from the excellent magazine “Peiraike Ecclesia”.
I pray that all the articles along with the 40 day Liturgy and the Christmas Fast will benefit us spiritually.
Wishing you all a fruitful Christmas Fast,
I remain,
In Christ's love, +Fr. Nicholas Palis
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Illness and Cure
Acquaintance with the Holy Unmercenaries By Archimandrite Cyril Kephalopoulos
Man has to face, especially in today’s society, many problems, afflictions and distresses which torture
him, illnesses and pain which trouble his physical health as well as his psycho-mental balance.
The medical science tries with medicines and methods of cure, to heal the illnesses which trouble man,
whereas other sciences, such as psychology and psychiatry fight with the illnesses of soul which especially
today, seem to concern constantly more of contemporary man. However, the problem of illness and of pain is
wider, with many dimensions and extensions, physical, spiritual, of soul, which the scientific approach is not
able to not fully cover, which usually remain on a superficial viewing of matters, unable to enter into the inner
depths of the psycho-spiritual dimension of the human hypostasis.
Pain and illnesses seem to be deeply rooted and identified with human nature. The Lord forewarned his
disciples that “in the world you shall have affliction” (John 16:33). The Apostle Paul widens the existence of pain to
the whole of creation, which sighs and co-suffers with man (Rom. 8:22). Simultaneously however he says that
we must also pass through this stage of afflictions- “through many afflictions must we enter into the Kingdom of God”
(Acts 14:22).
Through this purifying process of pain, which leads to the kingdom of the Heavens, with this
perspective, pain obtains another delivering dimension, which for many people, seems incomprehensible.
In the Old Testament, where the journey of the people of God, of Israel is described, whose historical
course passed through great national and religious adventures, people are mentioned who were harshly tried.
From the beginning, pain and illnesses appear identified with the fate of the human race, an unbreakable
piece of the fallen condition, which the first created humans were experiencing after their exile from Paradise.
The life of man will henceforth be with sadnesses and sighs, with toil and illnesses (Gen. 3:16-19). Man is tried
harshly, his whole being suffers. The suffering person makes a despairing cry which comes from his hurting
heart, together with a feeling of pain and abandonment. Nevertheless, through the trial of the illness, in the end
the level of our faith is tried, and this can function positively also, as a cause of conversion and strengthening of
faith.
Christ upon the Cross is led to humility and to death, carrying human weaknesses and sins on His
shoulders, with His life and His death, Christ becomes wholly a sacrifice of expiation and deliverance of human
pain (Is. 53:2 – 12). Christ came for hurting people and for the sick people. These He places at the epicenter of
His ministry – the blind and lame He cured, He cleansed lepers, He resurrected the dead (Mt. 11:5).
Many times Christ had spoken and forewarned about the necessity of pains and of afflictions, about the
cross which each one must carry (Lk. 9:23). This refers to the narrow and grievous path which leads to the
Kingdom of the Heavens. Man will pass through pains and afflictions, in order to gain the heavenly Kingdom
(Lk. 9:23). Nevertheless, the final assurance of Christ exists that “in the world you shall have affliction-but take
courage, I have defeated the world” (Jn. 16:33) and the promise of the sending of the Holy Spirit, of the Comforter
who will support the believers in difficult moments (Jn. 16:13).
The sense of pain and of physical and spiritual afflictions, (such as those of the sick) obtain for the
Christian, spiritual and saving dimensions, since illness in the framework of Christian faith, ends up a source of
patience and of consolation “whether we are afflicted, for your comfort and salvation which is activated in the patience of
the sufferings which we are also suffering… And our hope is certain for you…. Knowing that just as you are
communicants of the sufferings, thus also of the comfort” (2 Cor. 1:6 – 7).
Through this seeming weakness, the tried and grieved Christian draws strength, faith and hope. The
Apostle Paul expresses this experience: “for my strength is protected and weakness… For when I am ill, then I am
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strong” (2 Cor. 12:9 -10). The Church prays to the great doctor of souls and of our bodies, the Lord Jesus Christ,
in order to deliver us from pains and illnesses (See prayers for health, the mystery of unction). Through the
painful path, faith is tried and strengthened by the hope and love of God (Rom. 5:3-8).
The therapeutic work of Jesus, with the repeated circumstances in the New Testament of miraculous
healings which the Lord performed, is always as a result and consequence of the strong faith of those seeking the
cure, functioned as strengthening the faith of people and as a sign of the presence of divine grace among the
world. The Apostles and Saints continued the therapeutic work of Christ, especially those Saints who received
the title, Unmercenaries.
Our Church recognizes 20 Holy Unmercenaries, who, having studied the medical science, combined
therapeutic work with the spreading of faith in Christ, the granting of medical services with philanthropy and
curing the poor, since they offered their knowledge without receiving pay (without silver [argyros in Greek], so
for this reason they were called Unmercenaries anargyrous). Some of them are more familiar, others not
particularly known to the believers, all of them, however, without exception were shown forth as bearers of
divine grace, utilizing their knowledge and the gifts of the Holy Spirit during the physical illnesses, closing the
wounds of soul, strengthening the humble and sick fellow men in their illness, in the trial of their faith and
patience, following the gospel saying “freely you received, freely give ye”, and acting always for the glory and
praise of the Name of God. We will try to approach and come to know these Doctors, the Holy Unmercenaries of
our Church.
The most familiar of the Holy Unmercenaries are the brothers Cosmas and Damian. With these names,
three pairs of brothers are known to us, whom our Church honors. On the 1st of July those hailing from Rome,
the brothers Cosmas and Damian celebrate, doctors by trade, who lived in the years of the Emperor to Nero.
Saints Cosmas and Damian freely offered their medical services to everyone and wherever science would not
suffice, with the invocation of the name of Christ, they would heal the patients. Their fame spread and out of
envy, the other doctors denounced them as Christians. When however, they were set free to exercise medicine,
then some other doctor guilefully led them to a certain mountain to gather supposed pharmaceutical herbs and
there he pushed them down the precipice.
On November 1, our Church honors another pair of brothers, of Holy Unmercenaries, likewise called
Cosmas and Damian, hailing from Asia Minor. Their mother, Theodote, remained a widow early on, and
dedicated herself to the Christian upbringing of her children. The two brothers Cosmas and Damian studied and
were distinguished in medicine, exercising their skill as a ministry and offering to their neighbor, combining the
cure of bodies with the Christian care for souls. They would not accept pay because they awaited the heavenly
reward. They reposed in peace in a deep old age.
A third pair of Holy Unmercenaries, Cosmas and Damian, together with their other three brothers
Leontius, Anthimos and Euprepios, hailed from Arabia. The five brothers were distinguished for their good
works and their Christian zeal which drew many people to the faith. They were denounced as Christians, they
were captured during the persecution of Diocletian, and were killed by beheading. The Church honors the
memory of the five brothers on October 17.
Another pair of Holy Unmercenaries, Saints Cyrus and John, where martyred also in the fierce
persecution of Diocletian. Cyrus hailed from Alexandria of Egypt, and John from Edessa of Mesopotamia. St.
Cyrus left from Alexandria and went to Arabia to become a monk. God granted him to perform many miracles.
His fame spread and drew John near him who remained with them being a monk in the same monastery.
During the persecution of Diocletian, Saints Cyrus and John left the desert and hastened to encourage the
captured Christian women for them to endure the torture. They were captured and became martyrs through
beheading. Saint Cyril of Alexandria strove for the exhumation of the relics of the two saints and erected a
majestic church in Alexandria, where many Christians and idolaters approached as pilgrims and were cured
miraculously by the Holy Unmercenaries, Cyrus and John. Their memory is honored on January 31.
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St. Tryphon also belongs in the group of the Holy Unmercenaries (February 1) from Lampsacus of
Phrygia, who even though he was not a doctor, had the divine gift of curing illnesses. His fame reached up to
the Emperor Gordian who called him to Rome to cure his daughter. Saint Tryphon healed her, he refused
however the royal honors and the gifts, and he returned to his homeland. Later on, during the persecution of
Decius, Saint Tryphon was captured, tortured, and received a martyrical end. The miraculous grace of Saint
Tryphon extends not only to humans, but also to all of nature, the animals, the fields, the crops, and so for this
reason, the growers call upon him to protect the animals and the harvests.
On February 6, the Church honors the martyr Julian, who being a doctor by trade, hailed from Emesa of
Syria, when he saw the bishop of the city Silouanos being led to martyrdom, he hastened to strengthen him, and
was immediately captured and killed (at the end of the third century during the reign of Emperor Numerian.)
On May 11 the Church honors the hieromartyr Mokios, hailing from Rome and of a noble family, a priest
in the Church of Amphipolis of Macedonia. His Sermons against the idols and exhortations to the Christians to
abstain from idolatrous feasts, brought him into conflict with the vice council Laodicius, who called him publicly
to sacrifice to the idols. Mokios on the contrary overturned the idolatrous altar. He was captured, thrown into a
furnace with asbestos, and came out unharmed. Later on, he was thrown to the wild beasts for them to tear him
up, but again the grace of the Most High protected him. He was led bound to Byzantium, where they beheaded
him. These things occurred during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, a fierce persecutor of the Christians. In
Constantinople, Constantine the Great erected a majestic church in honor of the hieromartyr Mokios, where he
placed his precious relic.
On May 20, we celebrate the memory of the martyr and healer Thallelaios, from Lebanon, a doctor by
trade. In one of the persecutions against the Christians, he was captured, they hung him upside down from the
shins and beheaded him.
On June 27 our Church honors Saint Sampson the Hospitaler, hailing from a rich and noble family. He
settled in Constantinople, where as a priest and doctor he developed a large philanthropic work. The Emperor
Justinian built a large hostel for the foreigners, the poor and the sick people of the Queen City, and he appointed
Saint Sampson responsible for the handling of the hostel (from which he was named “the Hospitaler”).
On July 26, in the fierce persecution of Diocletian against the Christians of Nicomedia, when Saint
Panteleimon was captured and was asked who had catechized him in Christianity, he named the priest of the
church of Nicomedia Hermolaos, who immediately was captured and was beheaded.
In the same persecution of Diocletian, the greatmartyr and healer Panteleimon was also captured. He
hailed from Nicomedia of Asia Minor, of a pagan father and a Christian mother. Early on he lost his mother, but
managed to complete his circular studies and to learn the medical science. The priest Hermolaos catechized and
baptized him a Christian. Saint Panteleimon granted his medical services to the poor of Nicomedia. God
granted him to miraculously cure the blind. When he was captured, he confessed before Diocletian that he
performs miraculous healings with the invocation of the name of Christ. With irons they ripped the saint’s
sides, with lit torches they burned his wounds, they threw him into a burning cauldron and to the wild beasts,
and after God preserved him wondrously, Saint Panteleimon was martyred by beheading on July 27.
The much suffering Church of Nicomedia, the seat of the Roman Emperor Diocletian and fierce
persecutor of Christians offer thousands of martyrs and confessors of the faith, among them also Saint Anicetus
(August 12), who didn’t hesitate to censure the actions of Diocletian. He was captured and confessed his faith in
Christ, was tortured and burned in a fire.
Also, in the persecution of Diocletian, the martyr Diomedes (August 20) was martyred, from Tarsus of
Celicia, a doctor by trade, who healed physical illnesses and calmed the souls of people, spreading the message
of the Gospel. He settled in Nicaea of Bithynia as a doctor and teacher of the faith. Diocletian ordered his
capture. The soldiers found him already having given up his soul to the Lord, and after they cut off his head
from the lifeless body, they transported it to Diocletian.
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These 20 martyrs of Christ comprise the sacred choir of the Holy Unmercenaries, the Doctor- Saints of
our Church. On October 17 the Church honors the Holy Unmercenaries all together (Synaxis of the Holy
Unmercenaries).
Furthermore, the Church has numbered among Her Saints, female doctors also, such as the holy women
Zenais and Fillonilla (October 11), sisters from Tarsus of Celicia, who Unmercenarily healed with the help of
medical science and the strength of divine grace.
All the Holy Unmercenaries comprise a model of faith, of Christian witness, but also of scientific
knowledge, which they recognized as a gift of the Lord and they utilized them for the benefit of the poor, of the
sick, of those hurting, and not for personal monetary gain for glory and fame. Their knowledge, actions, all their
deeds were guided by the Lord and they did everything for the glory of the faith and the sanctification of the
name of Christ. Their criterion was not ephemeral glory or human praise but eternity. The following troparion
summarizes the meaning of their mission and of their particular calling which they received from the Lord.
“Having a fountain of healings, O Holy Unmercenaries, you grant healings to all those in need, as having been
granted very great gifts, from the ever flowing spring of the Savior Christ.
For the Lord says to you, as being of the same zeal as the apostles. Behold I gave you the authority against impure
spirits, so as to cast them out and heal every illness and every sickness. Therefore having lived well with his commands,
freely you received, freely do you grant, healing the sufferings of our souls and our bodies.” From the website http//:www.enromiosini.gr
Translated from Peiraike Ecclesia Magazine Vol. 264, November 2014, pp. 12-15
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PARISH COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 MEETING MINUTES
1. OPENING PRAYER & SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS
Father Alexandros Petrides opened the meeting with a prayer, and gave a spiritual thought (Fest day of the
Nativity of Theotokos) and report on behalf of Fr. Palis, who was out visiting diners for the Festival Banner
project.
2. REPORT OF PRIESTS
Father Alexandros Petrides thanked all those who came to help during the fall festival food preparation.
Father Alexandors Petrides reported that a Marriage & Mom's retreat coming up with Pres. Kerry Pappas --
October 16 at 5pm for couples, and October 17 at 2pm for moms.
Father Alexandros Petrides reported that the GOYA Board Elected the following: President - Peter Moukoulis,
Vice President - Dino Zaharakis, Secretary - Yianni Hahalis, Treasurer - Evangelos Hahalis.
Father Alexandros Petrides reported that there will be a Eastern Region Youth Group Planning Meeting on
September 15 in Reading.
Father Alexandros Petrides reported that Father James Weremedic is the new Dean at St. Nicholas OCA Parish
and that the next local clergy brotherhood meeting will be held on Thursday Sept 17 at St. Nicholas.
Father Alexandros Petrides reported that the Metropolis Clergy Laity will take place the week after the festival
and that he will be attending.
3. ROLL CALL & ACTIONS ON EXCUSES FOR ABSENCE
Absent: Father Nicholas Palis, George Lioudis, Athanasios Gentis, William Argeros.
Present: Father Alexandros Petrides, George Mouhlas, Joel Garcia, Valante Fliakos, Nicholas Kapsalis, Kosta
Hristofas, Stanley M. Vasiliadis, John Zannakis, Manny Economedes, Manny Tatalias, Dimitri Economou, Peter
Dectis, Ted Evangelou.
4. MEETING MINUTES
George Mouhlas presented the Minutes (prepared by Athanasios Gentis) for the August Council Meeting. Peter
Dectis made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Kosta Hristofas. The motion passed unanimously.
5. TREASURER’S REPORT
Kostas Hristofas reports that the total income for the time period between August 1, 2015 and August 31, 2015
totaled: $24,459.69. Additionally, Kosta Hristofas reported that the expenses for the same time period totaled:
$47,501.59. Net Income totaled: -$23,041.90.
Joel Garcia made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. The motion was seconded by John
Zannakis. The motion passed unanimously.
6. CALENDAR
Manny Economedes discussed Greek School Registration which will take place on Monday, September 14, 2015.
Stan Vasiliadis, Nick Kapsalis, and Kosta Hristofas volunteered to assist with this.
George Mouhlas reported that the Philoptochos will have a Wine Tasting fundraised of which the proceeds will
benefit the rebuilding of the St. Nicholas Shrine at Ground Zero.
7. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Welcoming Committee: Manny Economedes reported that Dina Evangelou welcomed visitors the past Sunday.
Scholarship Committee: George Mouhlas and Valante Fliakos provided a brief update. All scholarships have been
awarded and issued.
Trust Committee: George Mouhlas and Stan Vasiliadis provided a brief update. The Trust Board is working on
the rewriting of the Building Trust which expires in 2016.
Long Range Planning Committee: Manny Economedes reported that this committee is in need of a chair.
Building Committee:
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Dome Update--Peter Dectis reported that there could be more of a problem than meets the eye. The Building
Committee already has one proposal in place. At this point, a further study is needed. John Zannakis made a
motion to proceed with the study. Kosta Hristofas seconded the motion.
Electrical issue in kitchen resolved.
Festival Committee: Manny Economedes reported that the Festival Committee needs people to go out with the
priests to help collect donations and banner commitments. Peter Dectis reported that the 2016 Spring Festival
will take place May 19-22, 2016, and the 2016 Fall Festival will take place, September 15-18, 2016.
Education Committee: Manny Economedes reported that the Academy is about $11K in the black for the
previous school year. They are currently working on projections for this school year. The Academy is at about 69
students for the current year.
OLD BUSINESS
Centennial Celebration Committee: Manny Economedes reported that there will be a meeting on Friday,
September 11, at 7:30pm. They are discussing a possible different location.
Photo Directory Committee: Manny Economedes reported that photo sessions are resuming.
"Walk Through History" Committee: Manny Economedes reported that they are continuing discussions on this.
NEW BUSINESS
Budget Committee meeting scheduled for October 20 at 7PM.
The next General Assembly is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, 2015.
Parish Council elections will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2015.
The February General Assembly will take place on Sunday, February 21, 2015.
Motion to Adjourn by John Zannakis. Seconded by Joel Garcia. Motion passed unanimously. Father
Alexandros Petrides gave the closing prayer.
Respectfully Submitted:
Rev. Nicholas Palis George Mouhlas Athanasios Gentis Emmanuel Economedes
Dean Vice President Secretary President
(Acting Secretary)
Rev. Nicholas Palis George Mouhlas Athanasios Gentis Emmanuel Economedes
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November 2015 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESD
AY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 Daylight Savings 7:15 AM Orthros 8:30 AM Div Liturgy
9:45 AM Sun. School 10:15 AM Div. Liturgy 5:30 PM JOY Bible St.
2 4:45 PM Greek School
7 PM Bible Study
3 4 6 PM Paraclesis
7 PM Orthodox Study
5 6 PM Philoptochos
Meeting
6 7 7 PM Great Vespers
8 Holy Archangels 7:15 AM Orthros 8:30 AM Div Liturgy
9:45 AM Sun. School 10:15 AM Div. Liturgy 3PM OCF Thanksgiving
6:00 PM Vespers, Paraclesis, Engomia
9 8 AM Orthros/Liturgy
(St. Nectarios of
Aegina) 12:00 PM Sen. Citizens 4:45 PM Greek School
7 PM Bible Study
10 6 PM OCF
7 PM Parish Council
11 8 AM Orthros/Liturgy
(St. Menas,Victor,
Vincent)
6 PM Paraclesis
7 PM Orthodox Study
12 6:00 PM Advisory Board 6:30 PM PTO Meeting
13 8 AM
Orthros/Liturgy (St.
John Chrysostom)
7PM GOYA Basketball
8 PM Men’s Basketball
14 8 AM Orthros/
Liturgy (St. Phillip, St.
Palamas, St.Constantine
of Hydra)
7 PM Great Vespers
15 Christmas Fast Begins
7:45 AM Orthros
9:00AM D. Liturgy
11:00 AM Gen Assembly
3 PM OCF Hike 5:30 PM JOY Bible St.
16(Christmas Fast) 8 AM Orthros/Liturgy In Hall: Life-Line Screening 4:45 PM Greek School
7 PM Bible Study
17(Christmas Fast) 8 AM Orthros/Liturgy
18(Christmas Fast) 8 AM Orthros/Liturgy
6 PM Paraclesis
7 PM Orthodox Study
19(Christmas Fast) 8 AM Orthros/Liturgy
20(Christmas Fast) 8 AM Orthros/Liturgy
21(Christmas Fast) 8 AM Orthros/ Liturgy
(Entrance of Theotokos)
3 PM Philoptochos Social
Gathering
7 PM Great Vespers
22(Christmas Fast) 7:15 AM Orthros 8:30 AM Div Liturgy 10:15 Saint Gabriel Pr.
9:45 AM Sun. School 10:15 AM Div. Liturgy 11:45 AM Saint Gabriel 5 PM GOYA Bible Study
6 PM Sun. School Teacher Fellowship
23(Christmas Fast) 8 AM Orthros/Liturgy 4:45 PM Greek School
7 PM Bible Study
24(Christmas Fast) 8 AM Orthros/Liturgy 7 PM Vespers
25(Christmas Fast) 8 AM Orthros/Liturgy (St. Catherine)
6 PM Vespers
7 PM Orthodox Study
26(Christmas Fast) 8 AM Orthros/Liturgy
(St. Stylianos-
Thanksgiving)
27(Christmas Fast) 8 AM Orthros/Liturgy 11 PM Orthros 12 AM Liturgy
28(Christmas Fast) 7 PM Great Vespers
29(Christmas Fast) 7:15 AM Orthros 8:30 AM Div Liturgy
9:45 AM Sun. School 10:15 AM Div. Liturgy
30(Christmas Fast) 8 AM Orthros/Liturgy No Greek School
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PARISH COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 MEETING MINUTES
1. OPENING PRAYER & SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS
Father Nicholas Palis opened the meeting with a prayer.
2.REPORT OF PRIESTS
Father Nicholas Palis reported that J.O.Y. Bible study will begin taking place twice a month (most
months) on the first and third Sundays of the month.
Father Nicholas Palis reported that Niko Chochelli will be visiting us on Sunday, November 22, 2015
and be giving a power point presentation in the library after the service.
Father Alexandros Petrides reported that Deacon Stephanos, Deaconisa Alexandria, and son Moses
Ritsi, missionaries from Albania, will be visiting us on November 29, 2015. Father Alexandros Petrides
asked if the Council could hold a breakfast fundraiser for them after both services. The Council
agreed, and John Zannakis volunteered for Yianni's Taverna to donate the necessary items.
Father Nicholas Palis reported that our Church's feast day falls on a Sunday this year. He asked if
there would be a meal after both services, and the Council agreed to have a fish luncheon after both
services. John Zannakis volunteered for Yianni's Taverna to donate the necessary items.
Father Alexandros Petrides reported that our parish will be hosting a GOYA Basketball Tournament
and Dance on Sunday, January 17, 2016.
3.ROLL CALL & ACTIONS ON EXCUSES FOR ABSENCE
Absent: Joel Garcia, Valante Fliakos, Athanasios Gentis, Dimitri Economou, Ted Evangelou.
Present: Father Nicholas Palis, Father Alexandros Petrides, George Mouhlas, George Lioudis,
Nicholas Kapsalis, William Argeros, Kosta Hristofas, Stanley Vasiliadis, John Zannakis, Manny
Economedes, Manny Tatalias, Peter Dectis.
MEETING MINUTES
George Mouhlas presented the Minutes (prepared by George Mouhlas) for the September Council
Meeting. Kosta Hristofas made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Stanley Vasiliadis. The
motion passed unanimously.
4. TREASURER’S REPORT
Kostas Hristofas reports that the total income for the time period between September 1, 2015 and
September 330, 2015 totaled: $162,634.92. Additionally, Kosta Hristofas reported that the expenses for
the same time period totaled: $78,414.05. Net Income totaled: $84,220.87.
William Argeros made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. The motion was
seconded by John Zannakis. The motion passed unanimously.
5. CALENDAR
Father Nicholas Palis reported that the Christmas fast starts November 15, 2015.
Manny Economedes reported that the Fall General Assembly will take place on Sunday, November 15,
2015 Notice will go out soon.
George Mouhlas reported that the Philoptochos will have a Wine Tasting fundraiser on Saturday,
October 24, 2015, of which the proceeds will benefit the rebuilding of the St. Nicholas Shrine at
Ground Zero.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Scholarship Committee: Father Nicholas Palis said there was donor who wanted to provide a one-time
scholarship for a Seminarian of $500. He said the scholarship would be available to any current
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Seminarians that are members in good standing, or a son of a member in good standing. He also
inquired as to whether the Trust Board would be able to match it. George Mouhlas volunteered to
inquire further about this.
Trust Committee: Stan Vasiliadis and George Mouhlas provided a brief update. The Council
expressed some concerns, which Stan Vasiliadis will communicate back to the Trust Board. The Trust
Board is currently working on the rewriting of the Building Trust which expires in 2016.
Building Committee:
Dome Update--Peter Dectis reported that an engineering firm will begin a probe soon, likely this
week.
Key Fab system--Manny Economedes indicated that he will begin gathering quotes for this.
Philoptochos: Father Nicholas Palis reported that the Philoptochos will pass a second tray on Sunday,
November 1, 2015 (National Philoptochos Day) to benefit the Ecumenical Patriarchate. They will also
sponsor the Coffee Hour after one of the services (the other service already had a sponsor).
Education Committee: Manny Economedes reported that the Academy is projecting to break even for
the 2015-2016 school year, with projected income around $214,000.00, and projected expenses around
$214,000.00
Youth Committee: Father Alexandros Petrides reported that the Y.A.L. would like to hold a souvlaki
sale to help raise funds for the Syrian refugee crisis currently taking place in Greece. The sale will take
place on Sunday, November 1, 2015, after both services.
7. OLD BUSINESS
Centennial Celebration Committee: Manny Economedes reported that the committee has come up
with a logo. They will also be selling Christmas ornaments with the logo on them. The Ad Book
sponsor pages will be at various amount depending on the type of page, with the highest at $500.
Photo Directory Committee: Manny Economedes reported that photo sessions are resuming through
the end of October.
Melissa Pavlack and Irene Moukoulis have volunteered to help solicit sponsors for the coffee hours
and will coordinate with the Church office.
8. NEW BUSINESS
Our insurance company will review the payroll to make sure our Workers' Compensation premium is
correct.
The Council agreed to reimburse the Philoptochos for half the amount of the purchases of table linens
which will be used at various events.
Motion to Adjourn by Peter Dectis. Seconded by John Zannakis. Motion passed unanimously.
Father Alexandros Petrides gave the closing prayer.
Respectfully Submitted:
Rev. Nicholas Palis George Mouhlas Athanasios Gentis Emmanuel Economedes
Dean Vice President Secretary President
(Acting Secretary)
Rev. Nicholas Palis George Mouhlas Athanasios Gentis Emmanuel Economedes
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PARISH NEWS / UPCOMING EVENTS PHOTO DIRECTORY: Our 2015-16 Church Directory will include color photos of all steward families! Photos will
be taken at St. Nicholas on Saturdays and Sundays in September, from 11-4pm. BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please
visit www.stnicholas.org/photodirectory to sign up for a time slot. A signup sheet will also be in the Cambanes
Hall. As with all of our Church Directories and per the by- laws, to be included, Stewards must be up to date on
stewardship for the prior two (2) years, that is 2014 & 2015.
Stewardship is like oxygen for our church! Stewardship is the most important financial source we have to sustain
our church, and our church needs loving and heartfelt support! Our fixed monthly costs at St. Nicholas are aroun
$48,000.00. This means that the treasurer (rain, snow, or sunshine) must find $48,000.00 to pay the obligations of the
church each month. Currently, one third of our parish‘s income is derived from the stewardship pledges. This
means that we depend on other, external, sources to sustain 70% of our church needs. If this is OUR community,
why should we expect someone else to pay for it?! We thank you for your continued stewardship effort, by giving
of your time, talent and treasure as God has provided you the ability to.
ICONOGRAPHY: God-willing, we will soon be completing one of the last major phases of the iconography for the
church. The following scenes and saints will complete the right side of the Nave. Please see Fr. Palis, Steve Kandianis
or Niko Tatalias with questions, or if you are interested in donating an icon in honor of your family:
Miracles of Christ: The Wedding at Cana, Christ healing the Paralytic at Bethesda, Christ speaking with St. Photini at
Jacob's Well, Christ healing the Blind Man, Christ feeding the 5,000, Christ walking on the water; (by the side door)
The young Christ with the Elders in the Temple. Male Saints (Full-body): St. Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer, St.
Philoumenos the Cypriot, St. Pachomius the Great, St. Symeon the New Theologian, St. Athanasios the Athonite, St.
Savas of Kalymnos, St. John the Romanian, or a saint of your choice (see one of the committee members mentioned
above)
PARISH NEWS
SENIOR CITIZENS: NEXT MEETING will be on Monday October 12 2015. at 12:00 pm in Cambanes Ηall. Everyone one
is welcome ages 50 and over.
BAPTISMS
CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. and Mrs. Scott & Julie C. Zumas Fenstermacher, for the Baptism of their daughter Eleni.
Best wishes to Godparents M/M. Mike & Judy Zumas. Na sas Zisi! May God bless you all!
CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. and Mrs. Tavis & Maritsa Lahanas-Grotenhuis for the Baptism of their Twins boy and girl
Dimitrios and Nadia. Best wishes to Godparents Nicholas Lahanas and Edyth Lahanas. Na sas Zisi! May God bless
you all!
CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. and Mrs. Vasilis & Zaharo Hatzinikolaou for the Baptism of their Daughter Eleftheria. Best
wishes to Godparents M/M. Yianni and Anna Maria Augoustides. Na sas Zisi! May God bless you all!
WEDDINGS
CONGRATULATIONS: October 2, 2015 to Lazaros A. Doundas and Amber Smith. May God bless them with Love and
Happiness!
CONGRATULATIONS: October 18 to John Margetis and Rachel Seibert. Best wishes to koumbara Maria Manakos. May
God bless them with Love and Happiness
DEPARTURES
SINCERE CONDOLENCES to the family of George Marmaros who reposed in the lord on October 14th, 2015. May God
rest his soul and grant comfort to his family. May his memory by eternal.
SINCERE CONDOLENCES to the family of Virginia – Ευγενία Glicas who reposed in the lord on Wednesday October 27,
Virginia was a Sunday School Teacher for 67 years, taught Greek School for more than 50 years. May God rest her soul
and grant comfort to her family. May her memory by eternal.
SINCERE CONDOLENCES to the family of George Phillips who reposed in the lord on Wednesday October 21, 2015. May
God rest his soul and grant comfort to his family. May his memory by eternal.
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1. The Reason for which our afflictions are so frequent and successive and why we
should forbear them with fortitude By Saint Nectarios of Pentapolis
But why therefore should our afflictions be so frequent and successive? The Holy Scripture solves this question of ours. It
narrates the reason for our sufferings, which it refers to the preancestral sin, saying; “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered
into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” Rom. 5, 12).
Therefore the inherited sin and death are the first causes of our harsh sufferings, because sin, on the one hand, placed as a
hostile dividing wall between God and man (see. Eph. 2, 14) estranged him from God; While the result of this was the
darkening of the Spirit and the dulling of the forces of the soul, namely of the knowing aspect, the volitional aspect and the
emotional aspect, which being faultily dulled, serve man and cause him myriads of afflictions and pains.
While the inherited death sewed in us the corruption, which is planted with us and develops with us and shows as time
progresses, the products of this development, which as threatening our existence are painful and difficult to bear.
So the first and foremost reasons for our afflictions are the already mentioned causes, while the second cause of afflictions is
our moral condition which places us near or far from God. And the hostile dividing wall had taken everyone away from
God and everyone’s attitude was almost the same towards God, but because this was now lifted by Christ, it is already
different. Because Christ not only reconciled the human race with God, but He also strengthens the dulled powers of the soul
through His divine enlightenment. So the position of Christians is able to be altered analogous to the enlightenment which
they receive through their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, because He strengthens the powers of the soul in infallibly, as far as
possible, serving it and granting less afflictions to it.
The afflictions therefore dependent to a large degree also on our moral condition can be considered also as its
results. So we need to be careful in our moral life and be diligent in our relationships to God,- so that our afflictions are both
fewer and less painful.
2. Why we ought to forbear them with fortitude
While we ought to bear these in patience. Firstly because being impatient we hear nothing and not only, but we also
extend our hardships. And secondly, because he who herein forbears the afflictions in patience, will receive a reward in the
future life. Because through his patience in practice, he confesses his faith in the future life, which is faith in Him who
promised it. But should we not also philosophize about the things of the world as having a mind, about the complete
temporality of the world and the ephemerality of our life, which bears much similarity to the lilies of the field which blossom
for one day alone and live (see Matthew 6:28-30?) But why did I omit the most important reason? It is not proper for a
Christian to be distressed about his afflictions, because Christ mystically comforts him, yes He comforts and consoles him.
Christ through mystical energy sends forth into the Christian’s heart the firm conviction of His delivering grace and
strengthens him in the struggle of the afflictions, so that with dispassion he forbears the bitternesses of life and the pains of
his sufferings. Christ drips into his suffering heart the divine balsam burning up the pains.
The Christian ought to not despair in his afflictions, because hope in Christ is one of the three the duties of a Christian.
While he ought to forbear, because instead of a few afflictions he will inherit the heavenly kingdom (see Acts 14:22) wherein
there is no sadness or signing, but life everlasting (see Isaiah 35:10, 51, 11) and heavenly blessedness.
The sufferings of the present time, the Apostle Paul says, are very few compared to the glory which will be revealed in the
future, “For I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy as compared to the future glory which will be
revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18) While such is the glory and “what the Lord prepared for those who love Him,” “which eye has
not seen and ear has not heard and has not ascended upon the heart of man, which God prepared for those who love Him”
(1 Cor. 2:9).
So let us be brave and let us forbear a bit, so that we obtain the heavenly joy and the divine glory. Let us philosophize upon
the matters of the world, so that more dispassionately we proceed. Let us hope upon God and he, who cured the paralytic,
will help us sufferers also. A little more and the grace of the Lord is coming.
Let us forbear a little longer for the heavenly kingdom.
“For he who forbears unto the end, he shall be saved” (Mt. 10:22, 24, 13. Mk. 13: 13).
In Athens
On February 17, 1885.
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When the body is tried the soul is sanctified By Nun Eupraxia
In man’s soul, from the moment he is ill whether physically or in soul he lives the shaking of his
relationship with life and the risking of his relationship with himself and of the world. Because as he is suffering,
he enters into the area of questioning, he tries his personal limits and is tested by the conditions which are
formulated for his own psychosomatic being.
The expression of every suffering restrains the happy good order of daily life, and leads man into
pondering, just as he contests the clashes of what is self evident: the changes of his personal capability and
sufficiency. Changes in physical movement, in work skills, in psychological balance, the natural presence are
conditions which bring him before trial.
But for the Church this testing of the body and soul is a struggle of faith and the path of training. But
mainly it is a reorientation of man’s existence and a placing of his being into question: what is the truly healthy
condition of the whole person, and “of those wounded” after the disobedience of the fall of soul and body.
“When the body is tried, then the soul is sanctified” the Elder Paisios used to say. This is the perspective of
this struggle in which we participate on account of our fallen nature. God allows us “opportunities” for us to gain
Paradise. He allows difficulties as the potential “crowns of martyrdom” and not as an aimless hardship. The
struggle, the endurance, the pain, the affliction, the absence and mainly patience, are presuppositions not of
man’s weakening but of the edification of sanctity, a saving journey “on the narrow and grievous path of
salvation”. Man is called to graft his life onto the gift of the Grace of God.
So the most precious good is not health, but the healthy relationship with God from which the precious
psychosomatic health is granted.
All these things, of course, don’t concern only the person who is ill and is suffering, but everyone who
become communicants of this person’s trial. And this “communing” when it functions in God, follows the law of
spiritual life: the participation of each one in the other’s pain, the cosuffering and cobeing in pain with his
brothers.
True love, authentic love for the other person, comprises the denial of humanistic pity.
It is a living and inventive compassion in the pain of the other person, because it is itself pain. It becomes
an event of communion and a calling which places man in the heart of human trial and human pains. It becomes a
responsibility and a measure for participation in the other’s trial.
“Bear one another’s burdens” says the Apostle Paul. Which means: love the other person, so that you have
the capability of participating in his heavy burden and to endure the journey. Of course the burdens in life are
not only the illnesses but also the circumstantial trials and hardships and misfortunes of each person’s life.
Only if the other person “is in our heart” is it possible for the burden of his pain to be lifted, for loving
care to be given in his afflictions and caring in his agony.
This co-partaking is sacrifice.
This co-pain is imitation of the Lord.
This co-crucifixion becomes sanctification.
Translated from the Magazine “Peiraike Ecclesia” Vol. 264, Nov. 2014, p. 29
