1 SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 1607 West Union Boulevard Bethlehem, PA 18018 ORTHODOX Witness VOLUME 28 ISSUE 306 JUNE 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS Church Information 2 Father nick’s notes 3 Precious presence of the Saints 4 Missions Corner 6 Calendar 8 HOLY TRINITY GOD 9 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 11 Photi Kontoglou 13 Parish News 15 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
Transcript
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SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 1607 West Union Boulevard Bethlehem, PA 18018 ORTHODOX Witness VOLUME 28 ISSUE 306 JUNE 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS Church Information 2 Father nick’s notes 3 Precious presence of the Saints 4 Missions Corner 6 Calendar 8 HOLY TRINITY GOD 9 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 11 Photi Kontoglou 13 Parish News 15
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 George Glaros Cosmos Valavanis Nikolaos Varvarelis ACADEMY ST. NICHOLAS Debbie Hrousis CHOIR Director Dr. James Chiadis Organist Nicos Elias : GREEK SCHOOL : Theodore Evangelou MOMS & TOTS: Presvytera Stephanie Petrides GOYA/YAL Fr. Alexandros Petrides MISSIONS Coordinator : Nitsa Vasiliadis Secretary: Eleni Pippis PHILOPTOCHOS : Debbie Mouhlas SENIOR CITIZENS: Mary Moukoulis SUNDAY SCHOOL Thalia Schmidt, Stratoniki Hahalis
PARISH COUNCIL 2016 Argeros William Dectis Peter Economedes Emmanuel, Economou Dimitri Fliakos Valante, Vice President Garcia Joel, Gentis Athanasios, Secretary Hristofas Kostas, Treasurer Kapsalis Nick Lioudis George Mouhlas George, President Tatalias Helen 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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June 2016
Dear Parishioners and Friends, Christ is Risen! I would like to thank all those who supported our Annual Festival this year, our Chairman Mr. Peter Dectis and his Cochairmen Mr. George Lioudis, Mr. Manny Tatalias and all their committees along with all those who cooked, prepared, served, cleaned, gave church tours, sang songs, performed folk dances, donated, and helped in any other way. Despite the rain on Saturday, God blessed us with wonderful crowds and enthusiasm! On Sunday June 12th we are honoring our High School and College Graduates. If you have not already given your information about our Graduates to the Church Office, please do so! On this same Sunday we are having our Church Picnic at Bicentennial Park. I hope that all of you can come. A lot of fun activities and good food and fellowship are planned. On Sunday June 19th, 9 of our JOY age children will be going to Camp Nazareth! Camp is a life transfiguring experience, and I ask that you keep all of our JOY children in prayer so that it may be a very spiritually beneficial experience. On Tuesday, June 21st we are taking a Bus Trip to St. Irene Chrysovalantou Monastery in Astoria, NY where we will hold a Paraclesis to the Saint, followed by Lunch at Telly’s Taverna, Astoria and there will be free time for shopping. For those who would prefer to not shop they may wait at the Taverna. There is still room on the bus, so if interested please call Stella Marino at 610-867-8503. The main articles in this bulletin are: “Precious is the presence of the Saints” by By Katerina Tsakiris, Photi Kontoglou and the Greek Orthodox Tradition 50 Years After His Repose, by Constantine Holeva, both of which are taken from the wonderful Peiraike Ecclesia Magazine, and Holy Trinity, God, have mercy and save us, by the Saint Lydia Magazine.
I pray that all these articles prove beneficial.
May God bless all of you during this summer season.
In the Risen Christ’s love,
Fr. Nicholas Palis
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Precious is the presence of the Saints By Katerina Tsakiris
On the first Sunday after Pentecost, the Church Fathers established that we invoke the memory of all the saints, prophets, martyrs and confessors, the monastic Saints and the righteous ones. This is because All the Saints comprise a practical testimony of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of the Church. With this feast, the multitude of the many anonymous and unknown Saints are also celebrated. But the feast of All Saints is also a reason for motivating the believers to imitate them. The existence of the Saints is a living proof that the Gospel can be applied. The Saints were people like us, "experiencing the same things as us". Some of them, furthermore, at some stage in their life were great sinners. But they did not rest in sin, they did not justify it. And when God with His own unfathomable ways visited them, they did not neglect to adorn the place of His residence within them. They loved His commandments, even if they were contrary to the habits of their souls. In the beginning with great effort, then with great joy, they regulated their behavior towards people and the irrational creation with Christ's teaching. But they did not just remain in behavior. From this they passed to its internal presuppositions. They smoothed out the flow of their passionate thoughts. They separated in their mind the meanings of things from the passions that overcast the inner sky of their hearts. Thus they obtained a simple eye and a pure heart, in which God revealed Himself and He gave to them His empirical knowledge. That's why the Saints of our Church are "springs of theology" whether they are able to express it with speech or not. Christian life is a life of holiness. And the imitation of the Saints is an imitation and communion of their holiness. Only God alone is Holy by nature. But people also become holy, when they participate in the holiness of God with the grace of the Holy Spirit. And man’s partaking in the holiness of God is manifested in the world with his moral progress and perfection. The presence of the Saints is valuable for all of humanity. The communion of the faithful with Christ takes place in Church "by the intercessions of the Saints." Saints are the humble servants of God. They are the members of the Body of Christ, His images in history. The Saint does not project his individuality, but he wipes it out for God's glory. God rests in the Saints, just as the Saints in God. The Saint becomes the temple of God. The Saints reflect God’s glory in the world and God becomes "wondrous among His Saints." The ethos of the Saints is the ethos of Christ and of His Church, and the reference to the virtues of the Saints is a reference to the virtue of Christ. So imitating them, is imitating Christ. It is compliance to His life. The Church Fathers often refer the acts of the believers to the Saints of the Scripture or to Christ Himself. On the contrary the acts of the unbelievers go back to the demons or to the devil himself. Thus it is indicated that man is offered two possibilities. Going along with Christ and His Saints, that entails turning away from the devil, or going along with the devil and his followers, which implies aversion from Christ and the Saints. The spiritual struggle of Christian is not without meaning and purpose. And this because the struggle is the antidote for man to not depart from God, the medicine for the healing of the wounds that sin inflicts. The struggle, furthermore, does not express a negative attitude towards life. It is a reference point for a deeper and more effective participation in the spirit of God's commandments. The Apostle Paul seeks
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this struggle from everyone. And he has this right, because he himself in all his life, lived struggling, constantly fighting the the various crafts of the devil. Basil the Great emphasizes that we must consider this spiritual struggle of ours "the greatest of all struggles." The Christian struggle is not a theory, an empty word, an ordinary order. It is an expression and pulse of life. It is a continuous effort, an exercise and ascesis, with hardship and sacrifice, to combat the sinful situation and for liberation from the bondage of the passions. The struggle is lifelong, and requires a constant denial and constant surpassing. St. Nicodemos the Athonite titled one of his main works "Invisible Warfare", wanting to show the struggling side of Christian life. In the rationalist materialistic mentality of the times, speaking about Saints and about Holiness, seems at a first glance unrealistic. And yet, in this very difficult time the Saint is sought for. And glory to God, we have Saints; we live with Saints. The presence of the Saints is intense. Our people, the Orthodox Greek people, are kneaded with the Saints. We love the Saints and we respect and honor them. So for this reason, we also hasten to them. And this because we know that the Saint censures, but also inspires. When we look at an icon of a Saint or when we are reading his synaxarion or the life of a Saint, we are censured. We are censured, for our lives for our own daily life. The presence of the Saints censures our lives, but simultaneously it initiates our life. The Saint inspires us, because he comforts us, he strengthens us, he becomes a signpost for our spiritual life, and he calms our existence. In the difficult times we are living in, where the intoxicating mottos of material-mindedness and flesh-worship and of bulimia of the senses prevail, the duty is imperative to achieve sanctification and perfection. That is why the presence of the Saints is precious!
(Translated from Peiraike Ecclesia Magazine, June 2015, Vol. 271, pp. 6-7)
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Missions Corner
Flooding of temptations and blessings Dear friends of the Mission, rejoice in the Lord. We give glory to God for all the blessings He gives us here in the Mission field, for what He allows and what He economizes. We also thank all of you who work behind the scenes so that we can evangelize those near and afar for the glory of God and His Church and the salvation of men. It is
With great joy I announce to you that the two churches you funded, the Holy Archangels and the Transfiguration of the Savior, have been completed and now we are fitting out the interior equipment. They are already in operation but there are still many things missing. In this part of the year, a considerable obstacle is the torrential rain flooding the roads, which results in the locomotion being very difficult, if possible at all. Last month, I visited a church in northern Madagascar to oversee the works; during
the return journey an area of 400-500 acres was flooded and became inaccessible. The roads were totally and completely covered by flood water, which, like a boundless sea, rolled down rushingly drifting downstream everything in its path. Transport was stopped and, since the road was severed at several points, hundreds of cars were immobilized and the bus passengers were watching the phenomenon astonished. At some point, I decided to move and cross the road in the jeep, but I risked being carried away by the water stream when a sea of water fell upon the car and the cabin got flooded. Rapidly and fearfully I returned back praising God, who saved us from certain death. We stayed on the road for three days until the rain had stopped and the water level had dropped from 1.20 meters that it had reached in some places to 30-40 cm, so that we could pass through the dangerous crossings. In the Mission, one can meet unexpected situations. It’s a world both familiar and unknown that hides a lot of things. Adventures are something usual in the missionary course. God’s power and the love for the dissemination of His word make us defy several difficulties interposed in our missionary way. Conditions and appearances can be more or less disappointing. But the gospel that we read gives us
strength and drives out every thought of despair, since we contemplate what sufferings both our Lord and the Apostles and other saints endured for humanity and the fellow man. We are deeply moved by people’s thirst for Orthodoxy and their love for the Church. They walk for hours to reach their church and participate in the holy services. They attend the Liturgy very carefully and finally they partake of the Holy Communion in due order, with thoughtfulness and fear of God. Their life has nothing to do with ours. The financial crisis is a permanent state of affairs in this country. But this does not impede our missionary work at all. New Parishes are opened constantly and people run like thirsty deer to learn the truth. Once we say “Glory to God” that we have built churches for some parishes, suddenly new parishes are created, which also need a church. More specifically, we presently have four small villages with no church in the Toliara region. I implore you. If among you there are donors to fund these churches, I will be grateful to you. The cost for each church will amount to 30,000 euros. Moreover, the orphanage in the capital city of Antananarivo has been completed and it will soon start operating. However, there are still many particulars needed. For instance, behind the orphanage, we are constructing an outbuilding to be used partly as an outdoor kitchen to cook on a wood stove for economy and partly as a laundry. It is essential that we have your help because there are always needs to be covered in the beginning. The beds for the children, the closets for their clothes, the tables and chairs, everything was made in our own carpentry shop. We understand the financial hardships people are facing and we demand nothing. We only earnestly ask for whatever possible.
11 8 AM Orthros Liturgy (St. Luke of Symferopol) 7:00 PM Great Vespers
12 7:45 AM Orthros 9:10 AM Div. Liturgy 1:00 PM Church Picnic Bicentennial Park 1:00 PM Baptism
13 4:45PM Greek School Commencement 7 PM Bible Study
14 7 PM Parish Council
15 6 PM Paraclesis 7 PM Orthodox Study
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17 18 8 ΑM Orthros/Liturgy (Saturday of Souls) 7:00 PM Great Vespers
19 Pentecost FATHER’S DAY 7:45 AM Orthros 9:00 AM Div. Liturgy 10:15 AM Kneeling Vespers JOY Camp Session 1
20 8 AM Orthros Liturgy (Monday of the Holy Spirit) 7 PM Bible Study
21 9 AM Bus trip to St. Irene Chrysovalantou Monastery
22 6 PM Paraclesis 7 PM Orthodox Study
23 7:00 PM Vespers
24 8 AM Orthros Liturgy Nativity of John the Baptist)
25 7:00 PM Great Vespers
26 7:45 AM Orthros 9:10 AM Div. Liturgy
27 APOSTLES’ FAST BEGINS
28 7:00 PM Vespers
29 8 AM Orthros Liturgy (Sts. Peter & Paul the Apostles) 6 PM Vespers 7 PM Orthodox Study
30 8 AM Orthros/ Liturgy (Synaxis of 12 Apostles)
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HOLY TRINITY GOD
Have mercy and save us
The Holy Fathers of our Church have written and have left us sacred services, which are read and chanted in frequent, or spontaneous moments of the day. The first service of the day is the service of the Midnight Hours, which is held in the first hours after midnight before it dawns. Then, in the quiet of the night, when the heavens are open, and prayer rises unobstructedly, to the throne of the All Good God, the believers read this sacred service. Whoever has this sacred custom to perform, in the night this so special prayer, have certainly lived its power and the great joy which flows from it. Opening the Great Horologion we observe that there are three forms. One for the weekdays, one for Saturdays, and one for Sundays. The first two types are mainly psalms and prayers which are “read” without a melody. The main trunk of the third type however, of the Midnight Hours of Sunday, is a canon that is chanted. This canon, which is comprised of about thirty troparia, very theological, with high meanings and very melodiously, is dedicated to the worship of the Holy Trinity. There are eight such canons, one for each tone. Before these troparia, the verse “Holy Trinity God, have mercy and save us,” precedes.
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This verse is a very brief, but simultaneously very powerful prayer to the Holy Trinity. It reminds us quite a bit of the very familiar, equally brief and powerful prayer, the “Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me”. As also, the “Most Holy Theotokos save us”, but also the “Saint of God intercede for us”. All these brief prayers have common characteristics. They are patristic, inclusive, powerful, of a few words, and for this reason easy for one to learn them and to repeat them with his mind continually. That they are of a few words and standard, helps the believer to not fall into vain speech. God knows everything. We don’t need to enumerate them to Him and, furthermore, to torture our mind seeking beautiful and complicated words. What God awaits, is simply that we have Him constantly in our mind, repeating these small prayers. And He knows afterwards how He will send His grace and blessing. Especially the prayer to the Holy Trinity, the “Holy Trinity God have mercy and save us”, is a very blessed prayer. Unknown to many. Familiar to whoever has the pious habit of going very early on Sunday to church, before the Matins begins, and they hear the Midnight Hours of Sunday, in which this verse is constantly repeated melodiously. Because in some parish churches, pious clergymen every Sunday, before the Matins, chant this wonderful service of the Midnight Hours and they hymn the All Holy name of the Holy Trinity and give thus the opportunity to pious parishioners to rejoice and to pray to the Holy Trinity. In this small prayer very many meanings are contained. First of all, when the believer repeats it, he confesses his faith in the Triune God. “Holy Trinity God…”, he says. He confesses that the only true God is Triune. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. With this confession of his, he denotes that he is not of another religion nor a heretic but an Orthodox Christian, baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. His love, his hope, his consolation, his light is the Holy Trinity. Also, the exclamation “Holy Trinity God…” is a doxology of the name of God. The believer proclaims doxologically, aside from the faith, his gratitude and his love for the Holy Trinity. The word which follows, the “have mercy”, is a very inclusive supplication of the believer. With the supplicating petition “have mercy”, the believer seeks from the Holy Trinity to cast on him the Holy Trinity’s compassionate and full of paternal loving gaze and to shower the grace, the enlightenment, the remission of sins, the power, health of body and soul, the goods, and in general the various holy gifts. In the word “have mercy”, is hid the supplication of the believer for the healing of all his needs of soul and body. Without entering into the process of enumerating them all, he entrusts to God, who knows everything, to judge where, when and how, He must send His help. And finally, the phrase, “save us” reveals our conviction that the only source of our salvation is our Holy Triune God. We deposit our faith that we are not awaiting from anywhere else our salvation except only from God. The salvation of our soul is a higher benefaction of God to us unworthy ones for this. Our struggles and agonies in this life, must look to this. These however alone do not suffice, because they are weak. They show only our good disposition. God performs the work of our salvation. So for this reason, we fervently beseech Him to save us, in whatsoever manner He thinks. If we want to contribute, in a further manner, to the work of our salvation, along with the other struggles and prayers of ours, let’s add this small prayer, “Holy Trinity God, have mercy and save us”. Let’s repeat it with our mind. We will see then with how much power, with how much joy and with what a blessing, our Holy Triune God will cover us. (Translated from the Magazine “Agia Lydia” Vol. 495 June 2014).
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PARISH COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016 MEETING MINUTES
OPENING PRAYER & SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS Father Nicholas Palis opened the meeting with a prayer
REPORT OF PRIESTS The following update on the youth was provided: Camp Nazareth registration has opened on February 22. This year up to $3,000 was approved and Father was happy to report that 40 campers from St. Nicholas are signed up to go to camp this year. Additionally Father has made a request to the Daughters of Penelope to cover the 10 additional scholarships. JOY regional Lenten retreat held in Bethlehem that was run by Father Theodore Petrides had 40 participants. MOMs event held on April 2nd event had 27 women with Presvytera Kerry Pappas. Saturday of Lazarus Confessions and Palm Cross Making will be held on April 23. Holy Friday Retreat will be held on April 29. The three Greek Dance troops are all practicing for the Spring Festival. They are led by Katerina Hatzis (Senior Olympians), Tammy Papachristos (Junior Olympians) and Nikki Marmaros (PeeWee Olympians1st. ROLL CALL & ACTIONS ON EXCUSES FOR ABSENCE Absent: Nicholas Kapsalis,. Present: Father Nicholas Palis, Father Alexandros Petrides, William Argeros, Peter Dectis, Manny Economedes Dimitri Economou, Valante Fliakos, Joel Garcia, Athanasios Gentis, Kosta Hristofas, George Lioudis, George Mouhlas, Ellen Tatalias, Manny Tatalias, Stanley M. Vasiliadis, John Zannakis.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS Athanasios Gentis reports that there is no new communications for the month of March to report MEETING MINUTES The Minutes for the March Council Meeting were presented by Athanasios Gentis. Kosta Hristofas made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected, seconded by Valante Fliakos. The motion passed unanimously STEWARDSHIP UPDATE
Kosta Hristofas reports that 27% of budgeted stewardship contributions have been satisfied for 2016. Manny Economedes informs council that a letter and stewardship cards have been prepared. Additionally the first three open houses are set. Scheduling of those open houses will take place after Pascha. Manny further explains different approaches that will be looked into to educate the parish about the expenses of the parish. TREASURER’S REPORT
Kostas Hristofas reports that the total income for the time period between March 1, 2016 and March 31, 2016 totaled: $36,608.58. Additionally, Kosta reported that the expenses for the same time period totaled: $60,634.37. Net Income totaled: -$24,025.79. Manny Economedes made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. The motion was seconded by George Lioudis. The motion passed unanimously SPECIAL REPORTS / STANDING COMMITTEES / OLD BUSINESS
Special Projects Walk Through History: no new updates for the Walk through History. Photo Directory: Manny Economedes provided an update on the status of all the names going into the Photo Directory and the necessary steps to ensure it is properly updated. Centennial Celebration: Manny Economedes describes the layout of the commemorative booklet that will be distributed. The Taverna night will be $50 per ticket (at this point is 40% sold out), and the Grand Banquet will be at the Blue and will cost $80 per ticket (at this point is 50% sold out). Notices will go out to all the area parishes. Posters are being designed for the events. Tote bags will be available for sale ($2 each) at the spring festival. Building Committee:
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Dome Update: Peter Dectis reports that there were a few discussions about the engineering study and that the next step is to get a specification so that the work can go out to bid. Trust Document (Special Assembly): George Mouhlas asks if there are any questions concerning the new Trust and the Letter detailing the loan agreement for the repair of the dome. Dimitri Economou makes a motion to accept the letter detailing the loan agreement for the repair of the dome. The motion is seconded by Kosta Hrisotfas and is passed unanimously. Copier Kosta Hristofas provided a Comparative Table of Printer Lease Offerings. All offers were discussed along with the pros and cons on each proposal
William Argeros makes a motion to accept Advanced Business Machines proposal for a 60 month lease term with the color option the motion is seconded by George Lioudis the motion passes unanimously. Sound System (Church Hall, Easter) William Argeros provided an update on the newly purchased outdoor sound system. The system will be available for use during Holy Week and Pascha. A/C for Basement Classrooms: The building committee reported that a HVAC specialist will visit to look into the issues being reported. St. Photios Awards Banquet – Saturday, May 7, 2016. Father Nicholas Palis presented council with two awardees. Katina Columbus and Manny Tatalias. NEW BUSINESS
Holy Week Schedule was and pangari details were discussed for the Holy Week Services. Palm Sunday Kitchen help will be needed. 2016 Spring Festival – May 19-22, 2016. George Lioudis provided an update on the kitchen cooking schedule. Peter Dectis also discussed changes for the upcoming festival. Church Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, June 12th. Credit Card Machine: George Mouhlas raises the issue of having the capability of accepting credit cards year round. Joel Garcia provided some details on the benefits of having a credit card machine. Next Council Meeting will be held Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 7:00 pm. Motion to Adjourn by William Argeros. Seconded by Peter Dectis. Motion passed unanimously. Father Alexandros Petrides gave the closing prayer. Respectfully Submitted: Rev. Nicholas Palis Athanasios Gentis George Mouhlas Dean Secretary President Rev. Nicholas Palis Athanasios Gentis George Mouhlas
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PHOTI KONTOGLOU AND THE GREEK ORTHODOX TRADITION 50 YEARS AFTER HIS REPOSE By Constantine Holeva
July 13th, completes exactly 50 years from the repose, in the Lord, of Photi Kontoglou, an important iconographer and author of the 20th century. His death was a result of a serious car accident at Voula of Attica. The very talented but humble and modest sir Photis, as he became known, indelibly left his marks on the spiritual and artistic life of our homeland with his persistence on the Greek Orthodox Tradition, with his piety, with his knowledge of the texts and the sources of our Faith, with his noteworthy erudition in Paris of that time, and with his guileless love for Asia Minor, Greece and Hurting Romanity. Kontoglou was born in Aivali (Kydonies) of Asia Minor in 1895, where he also learned the Greek and Christian letters. He studied painting in Paris, but became an initiate and servant of Orthodox Byzantine iconography through a visit of his to the Holy Mountain. The destruction of Asia Minor in 1922 forced him to settle in Athens where he excelled as an iconographer, author, article writer and fighter for Orthodoxy and Hellenism. He iconographed many churches within and outside of Athens, he adorned with historic topics the
Municipal Building of the capital. In order to help the iconographers to return to traditional iconography and to avoid the imitations of western models he authored his chief work, which is the book “Expression of Orthodox Iconography”. His students in this were many, among whom are John Tsarouhis and Nick Eggonopoulos. Kontoglou wrote a total 3000 articles and essays in newspapers and magazines related to the ecclesiastical and national tradition of our Race. He wrote with his own characteristics and charming tone, combining the literary and advanced demotic language, with the deep knowledge of hymnography, the faith and our Ecclesiastical Literature. His texts woke up many modern Greeks and they continue to remain timely and fresh even today. The Orthodox Tradition “remaining in herself renews everything” and the writings of sir Photis prove that the eternal remains always timely. His pen travels us to far away sees, takes us back to Byzantium (Romania) and to the Turkish occupation, hymns Saints, New Martyrs and heroes, reminds us of the good the ages of the Hellenism of Asia Minor, teaches without tiring, comforts in soul and enriches us spiritually. Reading his texts we feel the scent of spiritual fragrance and we come closer to our roots, to the unabolished Hellenic seed according to his expression. Of his many books I separate the following ones, which made a particular impression on me: “Aivali my homeland”. A collection of articles and essays which refer to the thrilling Aivali and more generally to Asia Minor, which Kontoglou greatly loved as his birthplace. The first chapter occupies a large part of the book, dedicated to the Neomartyr of the 18th century, Saint George Chiopolitis, who was killed by the Turks by dreadful tortures in Aivali. “Hurting Romanity”. A text about Byzantium and Modern Hellenism, necessary for every Hellene who wishes to learn the role of the Church and the Orthodox Tradition in the survival of our race throughout the ages. “Byzantium, A Disputed Point”, “The Unabolished Hellenic Seed”, “The Sanctified Revolution” are just a few of
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the amazing texts of this epitome of our national self knowledge. Romanity, is hurting Greece, Christian Greece, Kontoglou writes with simplicity and wisdom. “A Great Sign”, a documented, enlightening and inspired narration of the events which led to the miraculous discovery of the relics of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene in Therme of Lesvos. “Mystical Blossom”. A selection of texts from the Patristic and Nyptic Literature, which introduce us to Orthodox Spirituality. “Mournful Synaxarion of Constantine Paleologos”. A brief text full of respect for Byzantine Hellenism and those who fell during the Capture of Constantinople. I don’t want to be unjust to the rest of the books of the humble but really great Photi Kontoglolu. I suggest that you read as many as you are able. It is a shame that the constant modernizing changes in our school books, have cut off our youth from his works. Whichever of you parents and educators have the capability, it would be good for you to offer to the Hellenic children the wisdom, the piety, the simplicity and the genuine Hellenicness of sir Photi. I note with emphasis the fact that Kontoglou studied in Paris, but he was not altered, he did not become a frank, he did not become a maniac for foreign things. We see the same thing one century before with Dionysios Solomos, who studied in Italy, but returned more Hellenic and Orthodox. The message is that we must supply our children from little, with Christ and Greece. If they have the Greek Orthodox upbringing from the family, no matter where they end up later on, no matter how many foreign influences they receive, they will remain creative Greeks. Kontoglou naturally utilized the knowledge which he obtained in Paris, but always with a Greek Orthodox foundation and aiming at the adaptation of his message to the needs of the age. Thus today also. Don’t have hesitations, if our children leave, for a bit, or for many years, in universities of Europe or the USA. They are not in danger of becoming dehellenized if you parents and teachers of theirs, have brought them up in a Hellenic Orthodox way. Furthermore, they will utilize every new knowledge and experience for the good of Hellenism. On the contrary, if we allow our children to be trained only from the very lacking schoolbooks, or from the television and even if they remain inside Greece, again they will become unHellenized citizens. I believe that the best memorial for the soul of the blessed Photi Kontoglou, is the presentation of a few lines from a text of his which I select by chance and specifically from the “Vesperal Light”, which is contained in his book “Aivali my homeland” (4th edition, Ankyra, Athens 2009): “Upon the clay tiles of the church, some tall greens rustle in the wind. From within the dome however, is the Pantocrator, as if He’s bowing from heaven “looking upon all the sons of men”. His head is majestic with thick and abundant hair which falls on His left shoulder. His beard is thick, His expression is simple, with humility and meekness. Nevertheless He has a divine majesty. Wide necked, with an open shirts, with wide chests and with hands lifted up, as one goes around. He is surrounded in a wide cloak, as if He is embracing the whole world. “His surrounding garment is like an abyss”! With His right hand He is blessing the world and with His left He is holding the Gospel, the Law of God… Down beneath at that time the monk says with a calm voice the “O gladsome light”, whereas the sun is setting and the day is finishing… Tears come to a person’s eyes upon hearing these ancient words, which are simple and eternal like the kingdom of the sun. The book which is leaned on the analogion, writes that it is a poem of Athenogenous the Martyr. It’s a very ancient hymn, which simple people say every night when the day is finishing for two thousand years up to this day, who hold from the ancient Greeks, like this monk of the Holy Mountain, who is also in his face like the ancient ones. Unabolished Hellenic seed. You will never dry up, you will never die. From your elderly and most precious trunk, new shoots constantly jump forth, where tasting them, even the wild animals calm down”…
And our spirit calms down reading sir Photi Kontoglou, this blessed refuge of the Hellenic Orthodox Tradition. Let us pray before the icons which bear the humble signature of the hand of Photi Kontoglou and let us ask God to comfort the soul of our chaste iconographer and prose writer.
(Translated from Peiraike Ecclesia Magazine June 2015, Vol. 271, pp. 48-49)
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PARISH NEWS / UPCOMING EVENTS
THE PRIESTS AND THE PARISH COUNCIL WISH YOU A BLESSED PASCHAL PERIOD. CHRIST IS RISEN-TRULY HE IS RISEN
OUR APPRECIATION TO OUR FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS: We had the most successful Spring Festival ever!!! On behalf of our Priests the Festival Committee, our Parish Church Council, we would like to thank you all for all your efforts contribution of time, funds and goods. This event could not have taken place without our volunteers and donors, many of whom have taken time off from work and their busy schedules to support our Church and Community. During the Festival and in many cases for weeks preceding it, many have spent more time on this event than they have spent on their work and family. Our volunteers and donors are the lifeblood of our community and deserve not only our thanks, but our admiration and respect!!!. THERE IS NO KNEELING TILL THE SUNDAY OF PENTECOST WHEN WE HAVE THE KNEELING SERVICE
WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND YOUR FORGIVENESS for your inconvenience because of the raising of scaffolding for the spacklers. It will remain there with the right Isle closed for the next 3 weeks until the icons are completed. 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. This week scaffolding will be set up on the right side of the church, while the preparations and installations are made. The scenes and saints on the right side of the Nave have been donated. Many thanks to all those who have donated. God willing, our Iconographer Kosta Theodorou will be coming at the beginning of June. Please see Fr. Palis, Steve Kandianis or Niko Tatalias with questions if you are interested in donating in honor of your family (Large scenes): The Publican and the Pharisee, The Prodigal Son, The Rich Man and Lazarus, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, and the Exaltation of the Holy Cross) (Full-body): - St. Euphemia the Great Martyr, St. Macrina, St. Olympiada the Deaconess, St. Theodora the Empress, St. Kyranna the New Martyr, St. Chryse the New Martyr, St. Matrona of Moscow or a female saint of your choice (See one of the committee members mentioned above). ST. NICHOLAS ACADEMY IS LOOKING FOR A FULL-TIME TEACHER-ASSISTANT for the upcoming school year. Please send resume and cover letter with current references to: St. Nicholas Academy, 1607 W. Union Blvd. Bethlehem, PA 18018, ATTN: Deb Hrousis.
CONGATULATIONS TO MR. AND MRS. NICHOLAS AND MEGAN PARASHOS for the baptism of their daughter Kalliroi. Best wishes to godparents Mr. and Mrs. Chris and Kim Valianatos. Na sas zisi! and May God bless you all! THE GREEK SCHOOL HAS CREATED THE ROMAIC SCHOOL to embrace this very spirit in our community! Join us every Saturday, starting in November 2016, in the classes below! Greek Dance, Hellenomatheia, Adult Greek Language Class, and Byzantine Music. ST. NICHOLAS BUS TRIP TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2016 TO ST. IRENE CHRYSOVALANTOU MONASTERY ASTORIA, N.Y. Paraklesis with Veneration of Relics, followed by lunch at a nice Taverna in Astoria also some free time for Shopping. Bus leaves from St. Nicholas 9:00 A.M. sharp $ 30.00 per person (for any information or to reserve please call Stella Marino 610-867-8503 if you want to pay by check please make it out to St. Nicholas Cathedral. Please make every effort to come it will be well worth it.
