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The Epistle
April 2016 Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
Father Haralambos Fox, Pastor
1205 San Antonio Creek Road / Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 683-4492 / fax (805) 964-2774
Email: [email protected] / http://www.saintbarbara.net
Third Sunday of Lent: Veneration of the Precious Cross
Fr. George Nicozisin, St. Nicholas Church, St. Louis, Missouri
In (the Gospel lesson for the third Sunday of Lent), taken from Mark 8:34, Jesus says: "If anyone would
come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." According to accepted English
dictionaries, "deny" means to refuse, reject, repudiate and/or to declare something untrue. If we limit ourselves
to these definitions, we do an injustice to the deeper meaning of Christian self-denial. For a clearer picture of
what Jesus means, we must return to the original Greek text. The Greek is "aparnisastho" and it has the meaning
of renunciation and absolute rejection of whatever is incongruous with Jesus' planned salvation for us.
There are those of us who have a narrow and limited understanding of self-denial. We pick and choose at
random what we will give up and what we will do in the name of Christianity. We proceed to label them "Our
little crosses we must bear." "I'll give up movies and/or TV during lent." Thus we conclude with a list of
trivialities that have no bearing on the "self-denial" Jesus speaks about in our gospel lesson for today. Christ-
like self-denial goes much deeper. It penetrates the facade which hides our hidden sins, our shortcomings and
our faults.
Utter denial does not mean depriving ourselves of the necessities of life, nor does it mean we must become
paupers and live in rags. Neither does it mean we must lose our individuality, personality and identity. When
Jesus speaks of total and utter denial of self, He means we must subordinate our clamoring ego that prohibits us
from being the Children of God we were intended to be. Good intentions are not enough. This is why Jesus
says, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
"Take up your cross and follow me" means to get started on our journey to salvation. If the road we are on
does not have God's Eternal Kingdom as its destination, then we had better make a U-turn and find the right
one!
"Taking up our cross and following Jesus" means trying harder when those moments of calamity, tragedy,
sorrow and loss and grief beset us. It means bringing under control our uncontrollable anger, our undue
insensitivity, our impatience and impetuosity. It means subduing our temperament and disposition so that we
can master them rather than their mastering us.
Jesus extends His invitation to us once again to "deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him." Our
Church gives us this Third Sunday of Lent--Mid-point to Golgotha--to pause with Jesus, to refresh ourselves
spiritually, to assess our Lenten journey and to continue with greater determination. But the initiative is still
ours. There is no way into spring but that we endure the rigors of winter. There is no way we can arrive to
Easter Sunday if we do not live the agonies of all our Good Fridays. There is no way we can achieve eternal life
with God unless we deny ourselves utterly and totally in Christ. This we do when we endure and sustain our
own personal crosses and follow Him.
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Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church The mission of Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church is to safeguard the 2,000 year old Traditions handed
down by Christ and His disciples, by encouraging members to participate actively in the Sacramental life of the
Church, and by furthering our knowledge of the Faith through education. In order to realize our role as
stewards of God’s vineyard and to grow spiritually as individuals and as a Parish, we will share our Faith with
those who seek the knowledge of God, welcome and embrace all who join us in worship and fellowship, and
reach out to those in need. Fulfilling our mission will draw us closer to God and His Kingdom, and allow us to
experience the love of God (Agape) in our Parish and community.
Father Haralambos Fox Parish Priest
SAINT BARBARA PARISH COUNCIL ERNEST KOLENDRIANOS - President
MARINA VOGEL - Vice President
GEORGE PAPAZACHARIOUDAKIS - Treasurer
TAYLOR CANFIELD
ALEX CHUCHAS
JOHN P. DEMOURKAS
MARY PAPADOR MENDOZA
GEORGE PAPADOR
BILL PERTSULAKES
JEFF RISHWAIN
PAUL TZIOUVARAS
PARISH MINISTRIES CHANTERS ALEX TRIGONIS & RANDY LANGEL
CHOIR DIRECTOR ANDRIANA KOLENDRIANOS
GREEK FESTIVAL TBD
ST. BARBARA HISTORICAL MUSEUM MARY MAMALAKIS
MISSIONS ALEX HAIMANIS
ORTHODOX SOCIAL NETWORK (OSN) SOPHIA KENRICK
PARISH BOOKSTORE LISA MARKOS
PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY PRESIDENT GEORGIA GASTOUNIOTIS
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT ALEX CHUCHAS
V.I.P. COORDINATOR SOFIJA NEDIC
YOUTH MINISTRIES ACOLYTES JACKSON KWIATKOWSKI
DANCE GROUP DIRECTOR TBD
YOUTH CHOIR DIRECTOR SOPHIA KENRICK
SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR ANGELA CANFIELD
YOUTH DIRECTOR TBD
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AHEPA PRESIDENT JIM ARGER
DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE PRESIDENT CAROL ARGER
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS TUESDAY – FRIDAY * 9 A.M. – 1 P.M.
GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA * METROPOLIS OF SAN FRANCISCO
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President’s Report
GREAT LENT: The Church has placed before all of us the opportunity to benefit from many beautiful services
and sacramental opportunities. Please attempt to participate during this dedicated period of self-reflection on
the journey to PASCHA on May 1st.
SAVE THE JUNE DATES:
SAINT BARBARA GOLF CLASSIC, MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2016 1 P.M.
RANCHO SAN MARCOS, off HWY 154
Co-Chairs: Charlotte Randopoulos & Pam Alexander
Golf Classic Info Brochure mailed to the Parish.
Parishioner Golfing Participation and Sponsorships invited
CHRIS HILLMAN and THE AGAPE TRIO BENEFIT CONCERT
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2016
PLAZA PLAYHOUSE THEATER, CARPINTERIA
Concert Details to follow soon.
Tickets will be sold online as of April 1st
Limited Theater seating so please plan ahead!
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS: Graduating Seniors and undergraduate college students are encouraged
to submit applications for a Saint Barbara Scholarship. Over the past 10 years more than $125,000 has been
awarded to applicants. Applications are available in the Church Office and must be completed before the
deadline date. No exceptions. Awards by the Scholarship Committee are announced in June.
ART, TALENT & NOSH EVENT: A wonderful event held Saturday, March 5th
was a resounding success
despite the much needed gentle rain that afternoon. Sincere appreciation and thank you to Vasilios Gekas for
donating the beautiful art work for purchase (over $3,000 raised!) The popular George Mamalakis Trio were
outstanding as they took us down memory Lane. The Youth Talent Show was entertainment galore, as we can
all attest. The Reception was Nosh perfect! Overall, an absolutely delightful afternoon! For sure to be repeated
in the future!
GREEK FESTIVAL #43: Preparations have begun for our Annual Greek Festival at Oak Park. Permits have
been processed, Leadership and Booth Managers have started planning in earnest for the event that brings us all
together in two days of joyful fellowship, Saturday, July 30th
and Sunday, July 31st. Please save those dates
as we need parish wide assistance in putting on this highly anticipated cultural event for the Santa Barbara
Community. We have been blessed with dedicated workers over the years and we can make Greek Festival #43
the best and most successful with our unified efforts. Join the first Greek Pastry workshop (Koulourakia)
Saturday, April 2. Call Sophia Kenrick at 805 967-1470 to volunteer.
FACILITIES MAINTENANCE & CLOSURE, Please be mindful to: turn off what you turn on, (lights,
heater/AC) close what you open, return what you borrowed, lock what you unlocked, and dispose of your
disposables. We are each caretakers of our beautiful campus facilities.
In His Service,
Ernest Kolendrianos,
President, 2016 Parish Council
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Liturgical Calendar
Friday, April 1st
3rd Salutations to the Virgin Mary – 6:00 pm
Sunday, April 3rd
Sunday of the Holy Cross
Orthros – 9:00 am
Divine Liturgy – 10:00 am
Monday, April 4th
Great Compline – 6:00 pm
Wednesday, April 6th
Presanctified Liturgy – 6:00 pm
Lenten Dialogue
Friday, April 8th
4th Salutations to the Virgin Mary – 6:00 pm
Sunday, April 10th
Sunday of St. John of the Ladder
Orthros – 9:00 am
Divine Liturgy – 10:00 am
Monday, April 11th
Great Compline – 6:00 pm
Wednesday, April 13th
Presanctified Liturgy – 6:00 pm
Lenten Dialogue
Friday, April 15th
Full Akathist Hymn – 6:00 pm
Sunday, April 17th
Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
Orthros – 9:00 am
Divine Liturgy – 10:00 am
Monday, April 18th
Great Compline – 6:00 pm
Wednesday, April 20th
Presanctified Liturgy – 6:00 pm
Lenten Dialogue
Saturday, April 23rd
Saturday of Lazarus
Orthros – 8:00 am
Divine Liturgy – 9:00 am
Sunday, April 24th
Palm Sunday
Orthros – 9:00 am
Divine Liturgy – 10:00 am
Bridegroom Service – 6:00 pm
Monday, April 25th
Holy Monday
Bridegroom Service – 6:00 pm
Tuesday, April 26th
Holy Tuesday
Bridegroom Service – 6:00 pm
Wednesday, April 27th
Holy Wednesday
Presanctified Liturgy – 9:00 am
Sacrament of Holy Unction – 6:00 pm
Thursday, April 28th
Holy Thursday
Divine Liturgy of the Mystical Supper − 9:00 am
Passion Service − 6:00 pm
All Night Vigil
Friday, April 29th
Holy Friday
Royal Hours − 9:00 am
Descent from the Cross − 3:00 pm
Lamentations Service − 6:00 pm
Saturday, April 30th
Holy Saturday
Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil – 9:00 am
Canon of the Resurrection – 11:00 pm
Resurrection Service – 12 midnight
Sunday, May 1st
Great and Holy Pascha
Agape Vespers – 12 noon
ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! CHRIST IS RISEN!
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Saint Barbara Prayer List Please contact the Church Office to request to be added to the list.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
Archbishop Demetrios of America
Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco
Metropolitan Jeronymos of Mwanza
Father Haralambos & Pva. Joann and children
Parishioners of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
Parishioners of St. Barbara’s-Kazinga, Tanzania
Metropolitan Paul (Yazge) of Aleppo
Archbishop Youhanna Ibrahim (Syriac) of Aleppo
Angelique Chuchas (health)
Anna Economidou (cancer)
Bill Gekas (health)
Sorel (Sophia) Kolendrianos (Rett Syndrome)
Happy Name Day!
12th
- Pascha/Anastasi - Anastasia Fell, Ernest Kolendrianos, Anastasia Stavros-Domagala
23rd
- Saint George – George Anthes, George Cosmides, George Dovas, George Fakinos,
Georgia Gastouniotis, Georgia Hanges, George Hroundas, George Mamalakis, George Papador,
Georgia Papador, George Papazacharioudakis, George Scarvelis
29th
– Saint Jason – Jason Argyropoulos, Jason McGillivray
Flower Decorating Palm Sunday is on April 24th this year, Holy Thursday is on April 28, and Good Friday is on April 29th. In
veneration of these important events, we will be decorating icons and Christ’s Tomb on the following dates:
1. On Friday, April 22 at 10:30am, we will decorate 2 icons (Lazarus and Entry into Jerusalem) for the Lazarus
Saturday and Palm Sunday Services.
2. On Wednesday, April 27th at 5:00, we will create the floral wreath to place on the Cross and we will decorate
the Crucifixion icon.
3. On Thursday, April 28, following the evening service, we will be moving Christ’s Tomb, the Kouvouklion,
into the Narthex for decoration (strong men needed!)
4. On Friday, April 29, starting at 8:45am, we will be decorating Christ’s Tomb with a goal to complete the
work by 2:00pm.
Your help is urgently needed to ensure that these floral decorations are completed on time. Please contact
Catherine McDavid at (805)-886-8056 to let her know if you can participate on any of these dates. Thank you!
Red Easter Eggs for Pascha In the past, parishioners have offered to dye Red Easter Eggs that are distributed in church following the
Service of the Resurrection as well as at the Easter Picnic. We will need over 30 dozen eggs dyed. Would you
be able to dye 2 dozen eggs? If you have the time and could do more than 2 dozen, that would be greatly
appreciated. All eggs should be delivered to the Church on Holy Thursday, April 28th
. Please leave them in the
kitchen refrigerator labeled with your name.
Please complete the form below and return it to the office. Red Dye is available in the church office by
request. Thank you very much for your contribution. It is greatly appreciated!
P.S. Please hard boil eggs sufficiently! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
YES, I WISH TO DYE RED EASTER EGGS FOR THE PARISH
NAME:______________________________________________
I WILL BRING ______ DOZEN.
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2016 Holy Thursday Vigil
This year marks the sixth year in which our parish has kept vigil at the foot of the Cross Holy Thursday night
into Holy Friday morning. It is a beautiful and moving experience and part of the Holy Week journey. Teams
of one to three readers may sign up for two-hour time slots beginning after the service of the 12 Gospel
Readings Thursday night and ending with Royal Hours on Friday morning. Please call the church office to sign
up.
2016 Offering Opportunities for Pascha The following is a list of items needed for the special services during Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha. Your
donations are much appreciated and add to the beauty of our services. Please let us know if you would like to
make a donation toward any of the items listed below.
General Items:
10 Containers of Olive Oil ($25 each, or bring in yourself) - $250
3 Boxes of Charcoal ($40 each) - $120
12 Bottles of Communion Wine ($25 per bottle) - $300
6 Beeswax Candles for Solea ($50 each) - $300
Palm Sunday:
Palms for Palm Sunday ($50 each) - $100
Flowers for Icon of the Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem - $100
Bridegroom Services:
Flowers for Nymphios Icon - $100
Holy Wednesday Unction Service:
Aromatic Scent for Holy Unction - $25
7 Beeswax Candles ($15 each) - $105
Holy Thursday Crucifixion Service:
3 Candles for the Cross of Christ ($25 each) - $75
12 Candles for Gospel Readings ($15 each) - $180
Flowers for the Icon of the Crucifixion - $100
Wreath w/ orchids for the Cross of Christ - $150
Holy Friday Apokathelosis Service:
New White Linen Sheet for the Body of Christ - $40
Rose Petals - $25
Holy Friday Lamentation Service:
Rose Petals - $25
Rose Water - $25
Flowers for the Kouvouklion (Epitaphio) - $800
Orchid for the Gospel – $50
4 Kouvouklion Candles ($25 each) - $100
Holy Saturday Divine Liturgy:
Rose Petals - $100
Holy and Great Pascha:
3 Beeswax Candles for the Resurrection ($25 each) - $75
Flowers for the Resurrection Icon - $100
30 Easter Lilies ($10 each) - $300
8 Orchids for Resurrection ($40 each) - $320
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Saturday of Lazarus Family Day
Please join us on Saturday April 23rd
Divine Liturgy – 9:00 am Followed by a
Lenten Waffle Breakfast w/Fresh Fruit Fun Easter Activities
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Resurrection Meal
Following the Midnight Liturgy of Pascha in the Orthodox Center
Sponsored by the Parish Council
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Annual Easter Agape Picnic
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Manning Park, Picnic Area #9 (across from Montecito Union School on San Ysidro Road, Montecito)
Agape Vespers Service 12 noon
Traditional Easter Lamb Meal
Adults - $25 Children (18 and under) - $12
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SPRING CLEANING OF OUR CHURCH for PASCHA
Please save the date of Saturday, April 16 (9:00-1:00) for cleaning of the interior of our church. We will be
polishing andcleaning ecclesiastical items in preparation for Pascha. Since this is a parish activity, we are
hoping for lots of participation from everyone. Students in grades 7+ who participate can earn community
service credits by bringing the necessary paperwork that can be signed by Father Haralambos. Cleaning
supplies, along with coffee and muffins, will be provided, but please bring a pair of working gloves. Please
contact Bessie Condos ([email protected] ) or Mona Zozos ([email protected] ), if you plan to
participate or if you have questions.
Festival Meetings
We need to rally around this event and get the necessary work done to have a successful fundraiser. People have already begun to step up and volunteer. However, we need everyone’s talents to make the event a success. If you were not planning to support the festival you should consider making plans to do so this year. You can support the events in many ways. If you cannot work, help us financially. We will all be better for it in the end. Keeping St. Barbara as a place to worship, through physical labor or financial support, should be a priority for all of us. The Greek Festival is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and under the current condition we need the proceeds to maintain a heathy cash flow. In the future the proceeds can be put towards maintaining and improving our campus.
It takes a village and we all have talents to help with this event, so if you can take on leadership role - great, If you can work in our pastry workshop - great , if you want to work during the event – great, and If you only provide financial support-great.
Meetings: April 5th, 12th,19th May 10th,31st June 14th,28th July 19th
2016 Festival Pastry Workshops
It seems like only yesterday that we ate our last Christmas cookie, and now it’s time to start baking again for
our Greek Festival. Join us as we roll up our sleeves, don our aprons, and get together to create delicious,
unique, and tantalizing pastries for our Greek Festival. All are welcome to participate in one or more of the
workshops, regardless of experience or ability to cook. To all of you fantastic and steadfast bakers who know
exactly how many twists to put into every koulouraki, come on down; we need and appreciate your help. Any
first timers out there, too timid to try to pronounce karithopita? We welcome the extra hands and are ready to
train you! Can’t tell the difference between salt and sugar? We can still use your loving hands to package, box,
lift, and wash up after.
Saturday, April 2: Koulourakia
Saturday, June 25: Kourabiedes
Saturday, July 9: Melomakarona
Friday, July 22: Yogurt cake (Yaourtopita)
Saturday, July 23: Walnut cake (Karithopita)
All workshops begin at 8 AM, and we need volunteers staggered throughout the day. Please contact Sophia
Kenrick at 805-967-1470 or [email protected] to volunteer for a joyous day of fun, fellowship and baking.
Many helping hands make the shaping and baking go quickly, so volunteer today!
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Philoptochos Chapter #4019
Monthly News:
Sunday, April 10th
we are hosting a fundraising luncheon for Greece and Cyprus. A Lentil soup with bread
will be served. Many children and elderly continue to experience hunger - Your generous donation to this
cause will be much appreciated! Make your check payable to “St. Barbara Philoptochos Society” and mail to:
1205 San Antonio Creek Road, S. B., CA 93111 (A tax receipt will be available upon request). If you have any
questions please contact Georgia at 805-455-6725 or email at [email protected]
The Agape Celebration of Love basket benefiting “Kids ‘n’ Cancer” was completed with our Santa Barbara
theme and was mailed. I want to thank Connie Hillman for making all the arrangements and for all those that
donated items to complete the Santa Barbara theme for the basket.
Saturday April 23rd is Saturday of Lazarus and your presence will be much appreciated to prepare the palm
crosses for Palm Sunday.
April 24th is Palm Sunday and Philoptochos will be hosting a luncheon. A fee of only $15.00 will be charged
for adults. Children and students free of charge. Please make your check payable to “St. Barbara Philoptochos
Society”.
“Mochas for Missions” containers are located on the bulletin table at the Orthodox Center year round. Please
take one home and place your dimes, nickels, dollars and bring to Pam Alexander beginning of June.
SAVE THE DATE SUNDAY, JUNE 5th
for a Coney Island BBQ fundraiser to support the St. Nicholas Shrine
in New York.
The next Philoptochos Board meeting will be held on May 10th at the Orthodox Center and the general meeting
will be held on May 15th
at the Education Center.
Respectfully,
Georgia Gastouniotis
We are excited for the upcoming Agape Celebration of Love! Please note that it is earlier this year!
SAINT BARBARA PHILOPTOCHOS INVITES YOU
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TO A LUNCHEON
SUNDAY, april 10TH
, 2016
FOLLOWING THE DIVINE LITURGy
IN THE ORTHODOX CENTER
TO SUPPORT
GREECE AND CYPRUS
Lentil soup and bread will be served!
Many people including the elderly and children are experiencing hunger!
Every dollar counts
Your generous donation to this cause will be much appreciated!
Make your check payable to: St. Barbara Philoptochos Society
mail to:1205 San Antonio Creek Road, S. B., CA 93111 (A tax receipt will be available upon request)
If you have any questions please contact Georgia at 805-455-6725 or email at [email protected]
We thank you in advance for your donation
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Parish Ministries SUNDAY SCHOOL
St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is April
3, 2016. Students have been discussing each topic in
class, writing their speeches, and rehearsing them.
They are prepared to inspire you with their personal
witness to their faith! Please stay and watch them
present their speeches after Liturgy and be amazed.
YOUTH CHOIR
Congratulations and thank you to all the children
who participated in last month’s Art, Talent,
Nosh! You did an amazing job, and it was great
practice for all the feasts to come. We will continue
to practice during Sunday every other week. A letter
went home with the students describing the
upcoming ways the children will be celebrating the
services of the Church. In particular, on Great and
Holy Friday evening, we invite girls 8 and up to
participate as Myrophores (Myrrh-Bearing Women)
during the Lamentations service. If you did not
receive a letter or for any other questions, please
contact Sophia Kenrick at [email protected] or
805-967-1470.
YOUTH
Our kids performed their talents beautifully at the
recent “Art, Talent and Nosh” event. This is the
revival of an old tradition that we will continue in
the future!
GOYA KICK-OFF - Saturday, May 21st. Meet
in front of the Harbormaster’s office, then embark at
4 pm boat ride on Relationship for a coastal/harbor
cruise followed by dinner at the Endless Summer
Bar & Café All Junior and Senior-High students
please RSVP to the office.
SUMMER CAMP – Ride the bus to week #1 of
Summer camp! July 10-16 – see info posted in this
newsletter.
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
Get to know the amazing women in our parish
better!! We had a joyous first meeting where great
ideas were brought up for fellowship. Our goal is to
draw closer to God, and each other in turn.
Have you ever wanted to learn to crochet?
Yiayia Goumas is graciously offering her knowledge
and expertise to teach us at our next meeting!
Materials will be provided, as well as snacks, so just
come as you are! Childcare will be provided as well.
Want to learn more about nutrition and fasting?
We have also started a book together, Food, Faith
and Fasting by Rita Madden, a nutritionist as well as
speaker on Ancient Faith Radio. After starting with
prayer, we will share our thoughts on chapter one,
then we will learn to crochet. You are welcome to
come at any point of the meeting!
Meeting location: Clubhouse at 4440 Shadow
Hills Circle. Time: 10:00am-11:00am
**Press clubhouse button when you arrive at the
gate. Upon entering, clubhouse is on your immediate
left. Park in any available parking space near that
area.
Any questions? Call Alexandra Trigonis 687-
1414 or text 450-8208. Looking forward to seeing
you there!
MISSIONS UPDATE
We make a living by what we get, we make a life by
what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill
Thank you for sharing your blessings and
supporting the orphanages of India, Guatemala and
Albania. Your generosity and love for God will
make a difference to the orphans. We collected
$3000 and were able to send each orphanage $1000.
Special thanks to Bill Poulis for providing and
cooking the food; and to Pam Alexander, Steven
Carmona, Ellen Fenger, Brian and Alexandra Iorio,
Vivi Katsiouleris, and Mary Papador Mendoza for
all their help.
Good news! We were able to send four more
computers to the school in Tanzania, now they have
20 computers. Praise the Lord! But we need more
for the 340 students, so if you’d like to sponsor a
computer (or half a computer) please let us know.
Thanks again. May God Bless you with his love and
good health.
Kali Sarakosti, Alex Haimanis
VIP SENIORS
The V.I.P. Seniors had their last meeting and
luncheon on March 10, 2016 at High Sierra Bar and
Grill Restaurant. Meeting was well attended. There
will be no meetings during the month of April due to
Holy Lent. Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday
May 12, 2016. More information will be available
soon.
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Volunteers for April Epistle Readers: 3 Greek: Voula Aldrich English: Jackson Kwiatkowski
10 Greek: Nick Pappas English: Theophilos Lasswell
17 Greek: Alex Trigonis English: Ruth Angelos
24 Greek: Angelique Chuchas English: Randy Langel
Ushers:
3 Paul Tziouvaras, Brian Iorio
10 William Poulis, Alex Haimanis
17 Paul Tziouvaras, George Papazacharioudakis
24 William Poulis, Brian Iorio
Acolytes: Connor Blake, Theophanis Fox, Cainan Iorio,
Jacob Kaminsky, Dimitri Richardson
Prosphoro Bakers: 3 Connie Pappas Hillman
10 Sophia Kenrick
17 Anna Petronakis
24 Angelique Chuchas
Altar Flowers: Available
Available
Available
Available
Coffee Fellowship Hosts:
Host Needed!
Host Needed!
Host Needed!
Host Needed!
NEWS & NOTES Baptism…
Martin Petzov, on March 26th
Memorials…
Aris Panos (40 days), March 13th, grandfather of Angelique Chuchas
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2016 The Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the Scholarship Program guidelines for 2016. Applications
can be picked up in the Church Office from April 3rd until May 9th. They can also be requested by email.
Applicants must be high school seniors or students enrolled in a postsecondary institution who are, or whose
parents/legal guardians are, stewards in good standing of Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church during 2015
and 2016. ("Good standing" is defined in the Uniform Parish Regulations, or UPR, as being current in
stewardship and other financial obligation to the Parish, abiding by all the regulations in the UPR and the Parish
Bylaws, and cooperating in every way toward the welfare and well-being of the Parish.)
Selection criteria, in order of priority, are the following:
(1) Church Involvement: Young people who are actively involved in the life of the parish will be given
preference over those who don't participate or who do so only marginally. Students who are attending college in
another city and who participate in the life of the parish near their college will likewise be given preference over
those who don't participate or do so only sporadically.
(2) Financial Need: Some students who are very active in the parish may not need financial help, while for
others a parish scholarship may be a tremendous blessing. Thus, the applicants will be asked what they
anticipate their financial need to be, whether they are applying for financial aid at their college or university,
and whether they are currently receiving financial aid.
(3) Academic Record: This criterion includes grade point average as well as extracurricular activities.
(4) Community Service.
All materials must be received in the Church Office by 5:00 PM on May 10, 2015. No late materials will be
accepted, and none will be returned. All information received will be kept strictly confidential. The recipients
will be announced in church on June 7th following the graduation ceremony.
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METROPOLIS SUMMER CAMP 2016
2016 SUMMER CAMP DATES
Ride the BUS! Session I: July 10 – 16
INFORMATION AND ONLINE REGISTRATION: http://www.youth.sanfran.goarch.org/editor/summer-camp/
Blessing of the Animals
SPREAD THE WORD! On Bright Saturday, May 7th
at 10:00 AM, we will be doing the service of the
Blessing of the Animals. All of our children should bring their pets – no matter what size - for this special
blessing service. We ask God’s blessings on every aspect of our life, so we will also include our pets that are so
special to us. Encourage your friends who are members of other churches to come with their pets as well.
Refreshments will be served!
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Community Organizations
Santa Barbara Sister Cities - Patras
www.sbpatras.org
Sister Cities International is a U.S.-based, nonpartisan, non-profit organization which was created at U.S.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1956 White House Summit on Citizen Diplomacy. He envisioned an
organization that would champion peace and prosperity by fostering bonds between people from different
communities around the world. The network currently unites thousand of citizen diplomats and volunteers from
more than 545 US communities with over 2,100 partnerships In 145 countries.
The Greek Independence Day Celebration that was held March 26th was very successful. It was sponsored by
AHEPA and the SB-Patras Sister Cities.
We want to thank Fr. Haralambos for leading us in prayer, and our speakers: the Consul General of Greece
Gregory Karahalios and Dr. James Dimitriou. Also our special thanks to Santa Barbara Mayor Helene
Schneider, the president of the Sister Cities International western region Mr. Gil Garcia, the Santa Barbara
Sister Cities Board president Ms. Takako Wakita and Sister Cities members from other Sister Cities groups that
attended our event. We are grateful for their support.
There are so many people that volunteered to help and I want to thank everyone for assisting in making this
event so successful. My special thanks to the committee: George Papazacharioudakis, Bill Poulis & Jim Arger
from AHEPA, and SB-Patras Sister Cities members Alex Haimanis and Nick Pappas for assisting with the bar.
Our Santa Barbara and Patras Sister Cities are in the process in coordinating a SKYPE program with Dos
Pueblos and San Marcos High School and with the Experimental High School of Patras University. The name
of the professor that will work with them is Dr. John Chiotelis, professor in Physics and a Patras-Santa Barbara
member.
Our group meets every other month. Our next meeting will be held May 11th at Union Ale Brewing Co., 214
State St, Santa Barbara.
If you want to become a member please contact Georgia via email [email protected] or by phone at 805-
455-6725. You can also check our facebook page “Santa Barbara-Patras sister cities organization”. Our website
is coming soon!
Sincerely, Georgia Gastouniotis
Page 15
Commission for Orthodox Missions & Evangelism The Great Commission
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you
always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
Our Mission
The Commission for Orthodox Missions and Evangelism (C.O.M.E.) is a unique ministry of the Greek
Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco that was founded in 1991 by Metropolitan Anthony of blessed memory
and a group of lay leaders to:
educate and engage the faithful of the Metropolis in Evangelism and Mission
fulfill the The Great Commission
assist in the establishment and growth of mission parishes to achieve self sufficiency
further the work and programs of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) in St. Augustine,
Florida
enhance inter-jurisdictional cooperation in the establishment of domestic mission parishes
Board, Strategic Plan & Funding
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos chairs the C.O.M.E. Board, composed of both clergy and lay people
from throughout the Metropolis. The Board meets twice a year. C.O.M.E. also has a volunteer Director and a
full-time Assistant Director working from Portland, Oregon.
The Metropolis of San Francisco’s Strategic Plan, unveiled in 2014, defined three strategic objectives for
Missions & Evangelism, which have become C.O.M.E.’s task to fulfill:
1. Establish and support Missions & Evangelism Ministries in each parish.
2. Plant five new parishes in 10 years.
3. Parish Mentoring
C.O.M.E.’s work is funded primarily by an annual parish-based fundraising campaign called Mochas for
Missions, from parish and individual donations, and from the Sts. Katherine and George Mission Endowment
Fund of the Metropolis of San Francisco.
MOCHAS FOR MISSIONS
Formerly known as Pennies & Prayers, the designated time for the Mochas for Missions program is during the
Easter season (Lent to Pentecost). We raised $525 last year, and hope to beat that amount this year. If you
don’t already participate in St. Barbara’s year-round program, please visit the display located in the Orthodox
Center to participate.
Page 16
DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE, DELOS CHAPTER 103
Easter Koulourakia Sale
Please check Pick-Up Date:
Q Sunday, April 17th (11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
Q Lazarus Saturday, April 23rd (10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) Q Palm Sunday, April 24th (11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
at
Orthodox Center, Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 1205 San Antonio Creek Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Name _____________________________ Phone No. ___________________
Koulourakia with Sesame Seed $9.00 per dozen: Quantity _____dozen
Koulourakia without Sesame Seed $9.00 per dozen: Quantity _____dozen
Total Enclosed $_____________ Total Quantity _____dozen
Mail form and check made payable to: Daughters of Penelope c/o Helen Condon McGillivray
736 Chiquita Road Santa Barbara, CA 93103-2424
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 805.453.4282 or 805.965.6727
SAVE THE DATES IN JUNE!!!
Page 17
SAINT BARBARA GOLF CLASSIC
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2016, 1 P.M.
RANCHO SAN MARCOS GOLF COURSE ADJACENT TO LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST
OFF HWY 154
CO-CHAIRS:
CHARLOTTE RANDOPOULOS AND PAM ALEXANDER
GOLF CLASSIC BROCHURE MAILED TO PARISH
CHRIS HILLMAN & AGAPE TRIO
SAINT BARBARA BENEFIT
CONCERT
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2016, 7 P.M.
PLAZA PLAYHOUSE THEATER
4916 CARPINTERIA AVENUE
CARPINTERIA
DETAILS BELOW!
TWO OUTSTANDING EVENTS TO WELCOME SUMMER
AND SUPPORT THE MINISTRIES OF OUR SAINT BARBARA PARISH FAMILY
Page 19
Spiritual Development Ministry
Ministry Updates
As we move through each of our own personal Spiritual journeys this Great Lent, we have many great Spiritual Development
opportunities by the Grace of God, the prayers of Saint Barbara, and the leadership of Fr. Haralambos to join together in prayer,
action, and also to learn about our Faith, as we approach Holy Pascha (Easter), the Feast of Feasts! The following information shares a
bit about what opportunities are currently available.
Please join us as we gather for prayer during the soul-enriching array of Great Lent weekday
evening services! Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday these beautiful services start at 6pm. They are
exceptional ways to peacefully wind down in the evening, as we move through Great Lent and work to unwind
ourselves, and make time for God, and letting him into our hearts and lives. Additionally, after each Wednesday
service there is a delicious Lenten meal, as well as a Guest Speaker to help focus our minds on soul benefiting
thoughts and concepts on our current and life long spiritual journeys toward God. Please come join us!
Please join us as we take action in almsgiving to help prepare and serve food to the homeless! We
will be helping to prepare and serve dinner to the homeless in Santa Barbara at People Assisting The Homeless
(PATH) on Saturday April 9th
from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Giving of our time, labor, and love is mutually
beneficial for all involved because God’s Grace becomes present, and it is an incomparable and irreplaceable
joy! Please let me know if you are interested in volunteering, and come join us!
Bring the family, invite friends, and please join us in learning at our next Pick-A-Sermon Sunday!
These Faith gatherings of friends and family allow us to interact and learn more about the Faith! The next
gathering will occur Sunday April 10th
after Orthros and the Divine Liturgy, which start at 9am and 10am,
respectively, and conclude at approximately 11:30am. Please join us for this spiritual learning and bonding
event where questions submitted by the community about the Orthodox Christian Faith are answered!
You are also still encouraged to submit/ask anonymous questions you have about Orthodox Christianity
within the boxes in the church narthex, entryway, and also in the entryway of the Orthodox Center!
Spiritual Contemplation
The Value of Time
By the late Rev. Metropolitan Avgoustinos Kantiotis of Florina
On midnight of December 31st, when the clocks reach exactly 12:00, one full year–with all of its joys and
sorrows–is fully erased, and a new year rises. The previous year becomes part of history; all of its 365 days are
left behind, a simple memory.
My dear brethren, did you ever think, I mean truly contemplate about the time period of these 365 days that on
each December 31st becomes part of our own history? What have we truly accomplished during its duration?
Let me assure you that all of us are immensely indebted for all of these days. In an effort to provide a notion of
our responsibility as well as accountability for each year of our earthly lives, I will draw you a picture and
provide you a comparative example; I will present a small parable.
There was a king with many subjects who carried great fondness and devotion for all of his kingdom’s citizenry.
He loved them all very much, every single one of them, without any exception. One day, he decided to give them
all a gift. He prepared and distributed purses filled with gold coins, one to each citizen. The grateful subjects
opened the purses up and begun counting the coins within. They each counted them, over and over, again and
again… All of them had the exact same quantity of gold within their respective purse: 8,760 coins! This was a
significant amount of gold. The good and loving king gave it to them out of his goodwill and love, so that they
could use it for their own benefit and the benefit of their fellow men. And do you know what each of them did
with their respective fortune? You could have never guessed it! Instead of using this blessed inheritance for
Page 20
their home, neighbor or society, they each went by the river bank, opened op their own purses and began
throwing the gold coins away into the deep river water, one by one, until all of their small fortune was
completely gone and their purses stood empty. If any one of us had been there observing them, what might we
have said? Surely all of us would have assumed that they had all gone mad.
My brethren, this is where my simple parable ends. Now who is this loving king? He is our God. Who are these
senseless citizens? We are the King’s citizenry. And what is this 8,760 number?... Every day that passes has 24
hours and all of the year has 365 days. If we multiply the 365 days with the 24 hours of each day, we then
determine that an entire year contains 8,760 hours; these are then the hours that each year our life has to offer.
From January 1st of each year to the next December 31
st that follows 8,760 hours will have passed. I thus repeat
my question: What have we truly accomplished during the duration of the year we are about to leave behind?
Have we made it a worthwhile year? Did we add any value? Or, perhaps we are all like those foolish citizens
that threw away all of their 8,760 gold coins. Let us then make an examination, each one of us on our own, and
let us evaluate and estimate the usefulness of the least year’s 8,760 hours…
“Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:28)
Every day that passes in the life of each of us who are older than 365 days old is essentially equivalent to a new
year in our life for in order to be living in that moment we must have lived the 365 days prior to it. Therefore
our God given gifts of gold coins, hours, are at the forefront of our lives with each day that we are blessed to
have breath in our life. Our spiritual journey through Great Lent each year in preparation for Holy Pascha
presents a focused opportunity to realign our lives and dedicate more of our hours towards setting aside time to
read the divine word of God, the Holy Gospel, to practice and learn how to pray, to fast and keep our focus on
God, to recognize our sins, repent, and participate in the Holy Sacrament of Confession with our Spiritual
Father, to give alms with time, labor, love, and prayer, to attend Feast Day and Sunday Divine Liturgies, as well
as other church services, and most importantly to prepare for and partake of Holy Communion. This time period
each year is without a doubt a perfect time to further develop this spiritual focus in each of our lives. However,
may we by God’s Grace and Help not lay aside this spiritual drive for only these 40 days throughout each year
for this is only 960 hours or 11% of the 8,760 hours God blesses us with each year in our lives. May we keep
this spiritual drive and effort alive within our hearts, thoughts, and actions through utilizing each hour of each
day to work on living the way He intended, so we can continually work on drawing closer to Him with the gift
of each hour He blesses us with in our lives! May God bless, guide, and protect you always through the prayers
of Saint Barbara!
Have a blessed Great Lent! May you be enveloped and filled with the everlasting radiant joy and love of Our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we celebrate His Resurrection, and may it encourage and stay with you always!
With love in Christ,
Alex Chuchas
Spiritual Development Ministry Leader
*If you have questions, feel free to email me: [email protected] *
Page 21
Recent Events
Art, Talent & Nosh
Sunday of Orthodoxy
Page 22
STEWARDSHIP Time, Talents and Treasure
“All shall give as they are able,
according to the blessing of the Lord your God that He has given you.” (Deut.
16:17)
Dear Faithful Stewards -
God bless everyone for your continued show of support! As of the end of March, we have 84 stewards
who have pledged a total of $122,650 and we are well on our way to our budgeted goal of $170,000. May God
continue to bless our community as we strive to be excellent stewards of the parish that He Himself has
established and blessed!
2016 List of Pledged Stewards
Fr. Haralambos & Pva. Joann Fox
Voula Aldrich
Pam Alexander
Sophie Alexander
John & Catherine Anderson
James & Ruth Angelos
Alice Anton
Symeon & Antoinette
Argyropoulos
Charles & Pam Barth
Peter & Olya Benbow
Karen & Gary Carlton
John & Lexy Carroll
Bill Chachakos
Jim Chachakos
Artis Chamberlin-Pattison & Jerry
Pattison
Alex & Angelique Chuchas
Alice Condodina & Bob Lickus
Bessie Condos
Tula Corning
Matina Demourkas
Ellen Fenger
Jeffrey & Mary Fictum
Dino & Afrula Fields
Laurel Fryer
Vasilios Gekas
Constantine & Georgia
Gastouniotis
Helen Goumas
Alex Haimanis
Christopher & Connie Hillman
George Hroundas
Anthony & Agnes Kallas
Ian & Iris Kaminsky
Valerie Katsikis
Bob & Vivi Katsiouleris
Sophia Kenrick
Ernest & Andriana Kolendrianos
Jackson & Margo Kwiatkowski
Frank & Kalliroi Landry
Randy & Patti Langel
Theophilos & Dorothea Lasswell
George & Mary Mamalakis
Kyle Marme
Nick Martin
Ted Martin
Mace & Phyllis Matiosian
Richard & Helen McGillivray
Alexis Mendoza
Richard & Mary Mendoza
Lindsey & Gary Moreno
Mike & Vivian Pahos
Tom & Terry Panages
Chrysanthe Pantages
Greg Pantages & Rea Goumas
George & Tracy Papador
George Papazacharioudakis
Carolyn Pappas
Nick Pappas
Dana Penoff
Bill Pertsulakes
Emanuel Phillips
Michael & Lana Phillips
Gicas & Stella Pollalis
William Poulis
Steve Poulos
Tom & Isabel Poulos
Michael & Alexandra Ramirez
Francesca Richardson
Jeff & Connie Rishwain
Curtis & Georgina Roen
Christina Rottman
Nina Saghieh
Catherine Smith
Andrea Spanos & Luigi Ottieri
Silas Stathis
Theo & Danae Theofanous
Christian & Tracy Tragos
William & Lilli Tragos
Alex & Alexandra Trigonis
Bud & Barbara Tullis
Ahileas & Polyxeni Tziouvaras
Eleni Tziouvaras
Paul & Vivi Tziouvaras
Delight Vames
Marina Vogel
Dimitar & Catherine Yazadzhiev
Page 23
APRIL 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Presanctified
Liturgy, 6 pm
Lenten Dialogue
1
3rd
Salutations,
6 pm
2
Festival Pastry
Workshop, 9 am
(Koulourakia)
3 Sunday of
the Holy Cross
Orthros, 9 am
Divine Liturgy, 10 am
Sunday School
Parish Oratorical
Festival, 12:30
4
Great Compline,
6 pm
5 6
Presanctified
Liturgy, 6 pm Lenten Dialogue
7
8
4th
Salutations,
6 pm
9
10 Sunday of St.
John of the Ladder
Sunday School
Orthros, 9 am
Divine Liturgy, 10 am
District Oratorical
Festival, Irvine
11
Great Compline,
6 pm
12
Parish Council
Meeting, 7 pm
13
Presanctified
Liturgy, 6 pm Lenten Dialogue
14 15
Akathist Hymn,
6 pm
16
Church Cleaning 9-1
DOP Baking
17 Sunday of St.
Mary of Egypt
Sunday School
Orthros, 9 am
Divine Liturgy, 10 am
18
Great Compline,
6 pm
19
20
Presanctified
Liturgy, 6 pm Lenten Dialogue
21
22
Icon Decorating,
10:30 am
23 Saturday of
Lazarus
Orthros, 8 am
Liturgy, 9 am
Family Breakfast &
Activity Day
24 Palm Sunday
Orthros, 9 am
Liturgy, 10 am
Sunday School
Palm Sunday Luncheon
Bridegroom Service,
6 pm
25 Holy
Monday
Bridegroom
Service, 6 pm
26 Holy
Tuesday
Bridegroom
Service, 6 pm
27 Holy
Wednesday
Presanctified
Liturgy, 9 am
Decorate Icons
& Wreath, 5 pm
Holy Unction,
6 pm
28 Holy
Thursday
Divine Liturgy
of Saint Basil,
9 am
Passion Service
of the 12
Gospels, 6 pm
All Night Vigil
29 Holy Friday
Decorating Tomb
of Christ, 8:45 am
Royal Hours, 9
am
Descent from the
Cross, 3 pm
Lamentations
Service, 6 pm
30 Holy
Saturday
Divine Liturgy-
Proto-Resurrection,
9 am
Canon of the
Resurrection, 11pm
Resurrection
Service, 12 am
Resurrection Meal
