MARCH 8, 2015
Saint Sophia
Cathedral Communiqué
Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
Saint Sophia Cathedral 1324 S. Normandie Ave Los Angeles, CA 90006
FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS George E. Preonas, President; James A. Demetriou, PhD, Vice President; Constantine M. Boukidis, Secretary; Tina Callas, Treasurer
MEMBERS V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas; Timi Loomos Freshman; Alek Haidos; Steven C. Hanna; Gig Kyriacou; Brent A. Noyes; John T. Pappas; Jim Zaferis
PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS Anthony A. Demetriou, Presidential Assistant; John G. Marakas III, Sr. V.P. of Wells Fargo, Advisor to the Board; Andrew J. Demetriou, Foundation General Counsel
PARISH COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Brent A. Noyes, President; Dean Peratsakis, 1st Vice President; Glenn Lianos, 2nd Vice President; Irene Andreadis, Recording Secretary; Jeanine Hanna, Corresponding Secretary; Tom Ward, Treasurer
MEMBERS Bertha Angels; Costa Bargeliotes; Peter Cosfol; Mauro Metini; George Rizkalla; Karen Sarames; Dorothy Spirus; William “Bill” Striglos, Dr. Anna Trilas Yallourakis
BOARD OF AUDITORS: Jim Ananias; Anthony A. Demetriou; Tom Moore
Office: 323.737.2424 Fax: 323.737.7029
www.stsophia.org/bulletin
When you write your will or update it, won’t you please remember Saint
Sophia Cathedral? Such a gift will live forever as our church ministers to
our spiritual needs. It’s an investment in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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PHILOPTOHOS NEWS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Please join us on Sunday, March
22nd for our next general assembly meeting. Dr. John
Anastasatos, M.D. FACS, is a plastic surgeon that will be
speaking to us. Dr. John is a member of the American Society
of Plastic Surgeons and a Fellow of the American College of
Surgeons. He graduated from Brown University in three years
with his Bachelors degree and then from the School of
Medicine. Dr. Anastasatos did his general surgical training at
the Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, New York. He is an
active supporter of children’s charities and Victims Assistance
Organizations in Los Angeles and Orange County. In April
2014, he was awarded the Certificate of Congressional
Recognition for his work in plastic surgery and philanthropy.
Dr. Anastasatos does all types of plastic surgery including
reconstructive surgery. Please join us!!
MOTHER’S DAY: The Philoptohos Board of Directors has
selected TINA VASILA CALLAS as our 2015 MOTHER
OF THE YEAR! We are also happy to announce that
Christina Peratsakis and Maria Toczek are the chairmen for
our Mother’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show! They are
planning a wonderful day. Join us on Saturday, May 9 in our
Saint Sophia Maria Maniatakos Pavilion and Maniatakos
Ballroom! Save the date!
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PHILOPTOHOS NEWS
COMMISSION FOR ORTHODOX MISSIONS AND
EVANGELISM: This project from National and Metropolis
Philoptohos, is known as “Pennies ‘n Prayer”. However, this
year they’ve chosen a new theme, “Mochas for Missions”.
In order to raise funds for our mission churches and priests,
Philoptohos is asking people to give up their ‘coffee’ drinks
and save the money to donate towards this commitment. If
you don’t drink coffee, they ask that you choose something
else, say smoothies, ice cream, etc. You may donate cash or if
you choose to write a check please make it out to Saint Sophia
Philoptohos, because the Metropolis asked that we send one
check with the total of money we collect. Look for us in
coffee hour after liturgy or you may send us your donation.
EASTER LILLIES: We are now putting together our list of
shut-ins, the lonely and the sick that should receive an Easter
Lilly plant from Philoptohos. If you know of someone to put
on our list, please contact Helene Ballas at 818-642-8011.
EASTER PICNIC PASTRY BOOTH: Before you know it,
Holy Week and Easter will be here! Easter is Sunday, April
12, in case you did not know. We are starting to collect names
of people who would like to sign up and help serve pastry at
the Easter picnic this year!
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PHILOPTOHOS NEWS
Philoptohos always handles the pastry booth. Yes, you can
still have time to visit and eat with your family while giving a
couple of hours to help our Cathedral. Please call Jan
Pastras at 323-848-9988 or email her at
[email protected] to sign up.
“For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have
me”
John 12:8.
With love in Christ’s service,
Virginia Noyes and
The Philoptohos Board of Directors
PHILOPTOHOS V.I.P
Thursday, March 26: The Reagan Presidential Library
Event Chairman; Angela Ananias 562-695-7234, Co Chair
Mary Morrison; 818-500-0904. Reservations are a must.
The cost is $26, it covers the bus transportation and entrance
to the library. Lunch will be on your own. Please make your
check payable to Philoptohos V.I.P and mail to Angela
Ananias at 4017 Overcrest Drive, Whittier, CA 90601.
Details will follow soon.
In His Service
Athina Lolonis, VIP
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MINISTRY NEWS
SAVE THE DATE
1. Saturday, March 14: Hidden in Plain Site presentation Fr.
John Bakas at Saint Sophia Cathedral
2. Sunday, March 22: Philoptohos General Assembly
3. Thursday, March 26: The Reagan Presidential Library
Trip by the Philoptohos V.I.P
4. Saturday, March 28: Presentation of Louis Anastas’
“Heaven” Original Screenplay at the Huffington Center
THE WHY’S OF ORTHODOXY FR. ALLAN BOYD
The Why’s of Orthodoxy classes are suspended during the
Lenten season and will resume after Pascha.
LIFE IN FAITH STUDIES FR. JOHN BAKAS
Men and Women's Faith Studies classes are suspended
during the Lenten season and will resume after Pascha.
OLD TESTAMENT FR. Allan Boyd
The Old Testament classes are suspended during the Lenten
season and will resume after Pascha.
With the many additional services offered during the
Lenten Season all participants are urged to put their
faith into action an attend all the beautiful services.
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MINISTRY NEWS
ATTENTION MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!
The first Sunday of each month has been officially
named Youth Sunday. In addition to a Sunday School student
reading the Epistle, the Parish Council of Saint Sophia
Cathedral invites middle and high school students to
volunteer in the Narthex during Divine Liturgy. Besides
helping out with the candles and ushering, you may also assist
in passing the baskets to the parishioners to collect their
monetary donations. You'll be paired with a seasoned Parish
Council member to train you. If you'd like to volunteer in the
Narthex and/or pass the baskets, please sign up by contacting
[email protected]. Send your name, phone
number, age and what day you'd like to volunteer. Please
arrive at church at 9:45 a.m. so you may be
trained. Upcoming dates: May 3rd and June 7th
The Parish Council
BASKETBALL IN OUR GYM
EVERY MONDAY NIGHT: Basketball in our Gym 7:30
p.m. to 10 p.m. Shoot the hoops or shoot the breeze, either
way, it's a good time. Hope to see you. Drop by for pick-up
basketball games every Monday night in our gym. Boys and
girls, men and women, ages 13 to 40.
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MINISTRY NEWS
HIDDEN IN PLAIN SITE
Come to the most magnificent Byzantine-inspired Cathedral
in Los Angeles, Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Bring your cameras and your questions to this fascinating
exploration of an ancient branch of Christianity filled with
spiritual treasures hidden in plain sight.
Father John Bakas, Dean of Saint Sophia Cathedral and
Greek Orthodox Community and a renowned story-teller and
scholar, will lead us through the rites including Baptism,
Eucharist, and Chrismation, the ritual of how a priest
prepares for the worship service, and the differences and
similarities between Western and Eastern Orthodox
Christianity. Join us Saturday, March 14th from 2 - 4 pm.
ATTENTION BAKERS!
We are in need of more prosforo for our Lenten Liturgies.
Please bring your offering to Jimmy the Narthex.
EASTER FLOWERS
If you are interested in underwriting any flower arrangements
for Easter in memory of a loved on, please contact Ann
Pappas at 323-737-2424 for available dates. Thank you!
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MINISTRY NEWS
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA) 12-STEP PROGRAM
MEETING
Meetings are every Saturday at 2 pm in the Huffington Center.
AA is a fellowship of men and women whose primary
purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve
sobriety. The scope of AA's program is to bring recovery
from alcoholism through a spiritual awakening and it is
completely in accordance with Orthodox principles and
teachings. The format will be a 15 minute speaker followed by
45 minute sharing.
ATTENTION SUNDAY SCHOOL FAMILIES
You have special seating reserved for you right up front in the
Cathedral every Sunday. Reserved are the first two pews on
the left side. Do take advantage of this beautiful view of the
Divine Liturgy. Your children will likely be more engaged in
the service.
THE HELLENIC ENTERTAINMENT COOPERATIVE
The Hellenic Entertainment Cooperative, a ministry of Saint
Sophia Cathedral, presents the reading of Louis Anastas'
original screenplay "Heaven" at the Huffington Center,
Saturday, March 28 from 1pm to 4 pm. Hors d'oeuvres will
be served and a good will offering will be accepted. To RSVP
contact [email protected].
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MINISTRY NEWS
“Whatever you have done for the least of these you have done for Me” -Jesus Lenten Love begins with offering to those in need. As usual,
Saint Sophia Cathedral is teaming up with Saint Thomas Catholic
Church to help fill their food pantry for those in need. We’re
asking you to bring a grocery bag back on Holy Friday, filled
with all the items listed below (about $50-$60 worth).
Otherwise, simply use your credit card and call Jessica in our
office 323-737-2424 ext 103 to offer a $50 donation, or see Pres
Danita Boyd or Eleni Yokas during Coffee Hour before
Lazarus Saturday (April 4th), so that we have time to shop on
your behalf.
We will deliver these items to our neighbors on Holy Friday,
April 10th.
Dry Rice
Dry Beans (pinto, black)
Dry Lentils
Dry Pastas
Oat Meal (old fashioned,
or quick cooking)
Cereal (cornflakes, Cheeri-
os, etc)
Top Ramen noodles (or
Cup of Noodles)
Dry Boxes of Macaroni &
Cheese
Cooking Oil
Sugar
Coffee
Laundry Detergent
Tooth Paste
Bath Soap
Disposable Diapers
(assorted sizes are needed)
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MINISTRY NEWS
EASTER PICNIC VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you would like to volunteer to help set up at Brookside
Park on Saturday, April 11th, please call Ted at 818.515.4095
If you would like to volunteer to work a 90-minute shift at
the picnic on Sunday April 12th, please see Jan Pastras at
Coffee Hour after church on Sundays, or call Jan
323.459.4006 or Stephanie 909.860.4333
If you have any other questions regarding the 2015 Easter
Picnic, please call Ted Pappas 818.515.4095 or Stephanie
Lubian 909.860.4333
DOCENTS NEEDED
Serve the church and grow spiritually by volunteering as a
weekday docent in the Cathedral. We need committed
individuals to greet guests and keep watch during visiting
hours from 10 am to 12 pm, Tuesday through Friday.
We understand you may not be available to stay the whole
session but your participation will be a blessing to the church,
to our guests, and to your soul as you spend more time in our
holy Cathedral.
Please call the office if you would like to volunteer 323-737-
2424.
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MINISTRY NEWS
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