GREAT LENT - stjohnanaheim.org the period of the Great Lent the awakening of the spirit of man comes about through inspiration from the Head of the Church, ... Mikis Theodorakis

VOL. XXXVI, NO. 3

“I AM THE VINE, YOU ARE THE BRANCHES” (John 15:51)

MARCH 2016

GREAT LENT

There are institutes and symbols adopted by nations, churches or groups of me which represent certain ideals accumu-

lated in the past. These institutes, that is precepts recognized as authoritative, and symbols represent the thoughts and

feelings of those who created or adopted them and put in them all the experience of the past, often through struggle and

sacrifice. A few feet of ribbon for instance, red, blue and white in color, have little value as is. But if one puts them in a

certain pattern of stripes and stars, they become the flag of the United States and represent the ideals and unity of the

people of America. The flag reminds us of the United States and represent the ideals and unity of the people of

America. The flag reminds us of the people’s struggle for liberty. It represents the national unity which attained for

them their rights as a people. The same could be said for the institutes of a nation, army or any group of people. These

institutes are created by the people and are used by them in certain ways for certain aims. Some of these institutes are

the means for achieving certain values and ideals. In the life of the Church of Christ there are many institutes created

and maintained to meet the needs of the people - the Ecclesia. Among these is the Great Lent which falls within the year

-cycle of the life of the Church before Pascha-Easter. Lent is the period of time for self-examination by the believer; of

putting on the spiritual armor of the Militant Church; of applying the riches for prayers and almsgiving; of adopting

deeply the meaning of repentance; of atonement and reconciliation with God Almighty. This great period of Lent before Easter is called by the Orthodox Church, Tessaracoste (Quadragesimal), which comes

from the word forty (the 40 days of “fasting”). This Institute of the 40 days of Lent precedes the Resurrection of Christ.

The celebration of the Resurrection of Christ does not fall on the same date each year, but according to the determina-

tion of the position of the moon and spring equinox, which is based on the original setting during the last Events of the

life of Christ on earth. This 40-day period of Lent is a period of “abstinence” from foods, but primarily from personal

iniquities. Abstinence from foods (fasting) alone is a means of attaining virtue; it is not an end in itself. During the

period of fasting one makes a special attempt to evaluate his calling as a Christian; to listen to the voice of the Gospel

and heed its commandments; to accept the constant invitation to enter Christ’s Kingdom. It is an open invitation to

everyone willing to enter; who believes in Christ and repents his iniquities; who makes an “about face” directly to

Christ. To accomplish this - Which is a year-round concern - the Christian Church, dating back many years, out of

experience and according to the nature of man instituted certain days of prayer and fasting as steps in a ladder t help

those who need guidance to reach this spiritual plateau. All of these steps must have genuine personal meaning to avoid

becoming merely a habit and routine. Fasting encompasses the entire pious life of the Christian, as Christ proclaimed,

that symbolizes a deep acceptance of His admonition to “repent”. This can be achieved not so much in terms of time,

but in deeds in love of God and one’s fellow man. During the period of the Great Lent the awakening of the spirit of man comes about through inspiration from the Head

of the Church, Jesus Christ. It is a time of self-examination and preparation, and of taking an inventory of one’s inner

life. He and Christ know is exact condition. At this time one sees himself in the mirror of the Gospel - how he looks.

One finds the means and ways to correct and improve himself. Lent is a period of time when one delves into himself

with the light of the Holy Spirit in order to rid himself of the impediments which hold him back. It is a period when one

strengthens his faith by more prayer and devotional life. Let us then examine the meaning of fasting, which became an Institute of the Church. Fasting means the total

abstinence from foods, as the original Greek word in the Bible, nesteia, literally means. The word fasting today is used

for selection of foods and a limiting of their quantity. Fasting also can mean eating once a day bread, salt and water,

after sunset. Although the period of Lent appeals to the function of man as a whole in repentance, self examination,

almsgiving, relationship with people with whom one is at odds, attitudes toward life, the abstinence from foods play a

vital role in the life of the Christian. The quantity and kinds of foods selected for this period of Lent help control carnal

desires and develop discipline and a pious life. Fasting from foods is not a virtuous activity in itself, but a means for its

achievement. But is has a distinct place in the life of the Christian, especially during the Great Lent.

By: Rev. Fr. George Mastrantonis

THE VINEYARD A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA

(714) 827-0181

*****************

REV. FR. JOHN KARIOTAKIS, PROISTAMENOS

Parish Council President ............................................................................ Penelope Contos

Philoptochos President ...................................................................................... Cindy Kezos

Religious Education ..................................................................................... . Kaliope Attard

Chanter ....................................................................................................... .John Mestakides

Senior Citizens (St. John=s Golden Stars) ........................................................ Freda Chrest

Organist/Choir Director ................................................................................... Elsa Libowitz Office Administrator ..................................................................................... Emilio Danezis Secretary ....................................................................................................... Janice Herrera

Custodian .............................................................................................................José Perez

Schedule of Sunday Worship Services

Orthros & Divine Liturgy.....................................9:00 A.M.

Memorials at Conclusion of Divine Liturgy

Fellowship in Church Hall Following Divine Liturgy

WEEKDAY/HOLY DAY SERVICES......9:00 A.M.

Parish Programs

ALTAR BOYS - Each boy serves in the Altar once every other week

STUDIES IN THE FAITH - Tuesdays - 11:00 A.M.

EVENING STUDIES IN THE FAITH - As scheduled

CATECHISM CLASS - (TBA when series will resume)

GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL - Tuesdays - 4:00 P.M.

CLASS FOR THOSE ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED - As scheduled

FOLK DANCE GROUPS - Rehearsals Sundays - Small Hall 12:00 P.M. - Large Hall 1:00 P.M.

GOYA - See Schedule

PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY - First Wednesday of the month - 7:00 P.M.

CHURCH SCHOOL - September to June each year

CHOIR PRACTICE - 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month - 1:00 P.M.

ST. JOHN=S GOLDEN STARS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS - Meets informally

WELCOMING COMMITTEE - In the Narthex during Liturgies

Please visit us at: www.stjohnanaheim.org

Email: [email protected]

DECEMBER 2015

WORSHIP SERVICES MARCH 2016

ACOLYTES OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

TEAM A

Michael Bangos

George Bovetas

Anthony Christofer

Dimitri Dimopoulos

Donald Glinkie

Thanasi Halfhill

Dimitrios McLain

Nicholas Pieratos

Gregory Roumpos

Michael Vino

TEAM B

Argirios Alexopoulos

Alexios Angeletakis

Christopher Bangos

Aleko Culp

Spiro-Papachristou Gabriel

Dimitri Kouloumbis

Yanni Kouloumbis

Alexander Krantz

George Skordi

Anastasios Tasigeorgos

Dionysious Tasigeorgos

1.) Acolytes should be in the altar and vested by 10:00 A.M.

2.) Clothing preference is white (or light) shirt and tie with dark shoes.

NO SNEAKERS PLEASE.

Saturday, March 5, 2016

SATURDAY OF SOULS

Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9am

Memorial for all souls

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Judgment Sunday

(Meatfare)

Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am


SATURDAY OF SOULS




Forgiveness Sunday

(Cheesefare)


Wednesday, March 16, 2016

PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, 6:00pm

Followed by light Lenten Meal & Studies in the Faith

Friday, March 18, 2016

SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS, 7pm


SATURDAY OF SOULS




Sunday of Orthodoxy





Friday, March 25, 2016

ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS


*No Salutations this evening


Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas





JANUARY 2016

WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE

The office would like parish assistance in

returning used candles to the Monastery.

If you plan to make a trip to the

Monastery please contact

the church office. Thank you!

MARCH 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Greek Language School, 4pm

2 Philoptochos General Mtg., 7pm

3 4 5 Saturday of Souls Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9am MEMORIAL FOR ALL SOULS

6 Judgment Sunday (Meatfare)


7 8 Studies in the Faith, 11am Greek Language School, 4pm AHEPA MTG., 7PM

9 10 11 12 Saturday of Souls Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9am MEMORIAL FOR ALL SOULS

13 Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare) Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am

14 15 Greek Language School, 4pm Parish Council Meeting, 7pm

16 Presanctified Liturgy, 6:00pm Light Lenten meal and Studies in the Faith to follow

17 18 SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS,

7pm

19 Saturday of Souls Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9am MEMORIAL FOR ALL SOULS

20 Sunday of Orthodoxy Orthros 9am & Divine Liturgy 10am

21 22 Greek Language School, 4pm


24 25 ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS, Orthros & Divine Liturgy 9am

NO SALUTATIONS THIS EVENING

26 GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

5PM

27 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas


28 29 Greek Language School, 4pm Philoptochos

Board Mtg, 7pm


31

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL 11AM

GOBL The Greek Orthodox Basketball league is

starting! come and watch the games and

cheer our kids on! Sunday 3/6 2PM

St. John St. Basil at St. John (Dale JHS)

Sunday 3/13 2PM

St. John St. George at St. George (Downey)

Sunday 3/19 2PM

St. John St. Nicholas at East Anaheim Gym

Sunday 3/27 2PM St. John St. Sophia at East Anaheim Gym

*Pee Wee games at 1:30 if there is a game

Will go over schedules at practice, please call Argiri

Dimopolous with any questions.

CHURCH REGISTRY

CHURCH REGISTRY

+MEMORY ETERNAL+

Date Preparer 03/05/16 Kathy Tseheridis

03/06/16 Lela Bonorris

03/12/16 Elefteria Konstantarakis

03/13/16 Maria Tambouris

03/13/16 Eleftheria Skentzos

03/16/16 Kathy Tseheridis

03/19/16 Voula Kitsigianis

03/20/16 Fofo Poulopoulos

03/20/16 Fotini Poulopoulos



03/25/16 Voula Kitsigianis

03/27/16 Elefteria Konstantarakis

MARCH PROSFORO

MEMORIALS

February 7, 2016

Marina Pergakes - 40 Days

Spiros Pergakes - 8 Years

John Lantzourakis - 1 Year

Helen Alex - 9 Days

Elias Halias - 25 Years

Philoptochos Memorial

February 21, 2016

Tom Harbilas - 40 Days

George Mavritsakis - 5 Years

Calliope Mavritsakis - 6 Years

Irene Harbilas - 15 Years

February 28, 2016

Eleni Kokkinos - 1 Year

The Helenic Library of Southern California presents Musical Latitudes and Bard-Popular Song collective in

Mikis Theodorakis

Songs beyond the borders of the world A concert to celebrate the 90th birthday

of the great Greek composer

Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 5:30pm

at the William Bristol Civic Auditorium 16600 Civic Center Drive, Bellflower, CA 90706

A reception will follow the event at the hall of St. George in Downey

For Reservations call (562) 305-2356 or email:

info@hellenic library.org

Body & Soul Saint George Parish invites you to an Apokreatiko

Glendi. A dinner-dance featuring the talented and

award winning Tsahouridis Brothers from

Veria, Greece and DJ Peter Loukatos!

March 5, 2016 at 7pm - 2am

at Saint John’s Fellowship Hall

For more info, reservations and tickets

please call (323) 806-3886

Mr. John Mystakides our Protopsaltis

Mr. Mystakides (bottom, second from left) in his youth as a member of the Patriarchal Choir.

By this signed and sealed Patriarchal letter We certify that the Honourable First Cantor Ioannis Mystakides from Jerusalem, is an excellent and melodious ecclesiastical Musician, a bril-liant member of the Greek Orthodox Community of Jerusalem, an exemplary head of family and a virtuous man, distinguished for his excellent ethos, integral character, piety and diligence. He as offered his valuable services to Our Patriarchate with great success event from his childhood as Assistant to the Cantor of the Holy Sepulchre for four years, as Cantor at the Patriarchal Church of S.S. Constantine and Helen for fifteen years and since 1963 up till now as First Cantor and Choir Conductor at our central Church of Annunciation in Amman. He was distinguished also in social and cultural activities our Community. As he is leaving by his own will to settle in America We shall be deprived of an excellent spiritual son and his valuable services, but we are sure that he will be very useful and helpful to the Church and Community everywhere. In witness whereof and fervent recommendation of the a/m Honourable Mr. Ioannis Mystakides We have given this Certificate on the 8/21st July, 1970.

METROPOLIS OF

SAN FRANCISCO

"Behold, I send my messenger before

thy face, who shall prepare thy way; the

voice of one crying in the wilderness:

Prepare the way of the Lord, make his

paths straight -- "

(Mark 1:2-3)

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

P A I D

Buena Park, CA

Permit No. 65

Time Dated, Please Do Not Delay

Address Correction Requested MARCH

St. John the Baptist

Greek Orthodox Church

405 N. Dale Street

Anaheim, CA 92801 (714) 827-0181

Documents

GREAT LENT - stjohnanaheim.org the period of the Great Lent the awakening of the spirit of man comes about through inspiration from the Head of the Church, ... Mikis Theodorakis