The Beheading of St. John the Baptist - St. Nicholas Greek ... · 8/1/2017 · St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin August 2017 Announcements St. Nicholas Book Group

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ST. NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

4967 FOREST PARK AVENUE

ST. LOUIS, MO 63108-1495

Volume 21 - Number 8 August 2017

Proistamenos: Fr. Douglas Papulis (636) 527-7843

(314) 974-4613cell

Parish Priest: Fr. Michael Arbanas (314)909-6999

Office (314)361-6924 (314)395-8704

Fax (314)361-3539 Executive Secretary: Kathy Ellis

Bookkeeper: Diane Winkler Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sngoc.org

ST. NICHOLAS

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH FAMILY LIFE CENTER 12550 SOUTH 40 DRIVE

ST. LOUIS, MO 63141

The Beheading of St. John the Baptist Commemorated on August 29

The Beheading of the Prophet, Forerunner of the Lord, John the Baptist: The Evangelists Matthew (Mt.14:1-12) and Mark (Mark 6:14-29) provide accounts about the martyric end of John the Baptist in the year 32 after the Birth of Christ.

Following the Baptism of the Lord, St John the Baptist was locked up in prison by Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch (ruler of one fourth of the Holy Land) and governor of Gal-ilee. (After the death of King Herod the Great, the Ro-mans divided the territory of Palestine into four parts, and put a governor in charge of each part. Herod Antipas re-ceived Galilee from the emperor Augustus).

The prophet of God John openly denounced Herod for having left his lawful wife, the daughter of the Arabian king Aretas, and then instead cohabiting with Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip (Luke 3:19-20). On his birth-day, Herod made a feast for dignitaries, the elders and a thousand chief citizens. Salome, the daughter of Herod, danced before the guests and charmed Herod. In grati-tude to the girl, he swore to give her whatever she would ask, up to half his kingdom.

The vile girl on the advice of her wicked mother Hero-dias asked that she be given the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Herod became apprehensive for he feared the wrath of God for the murder of a prophet, whom earli-er he had heeded. He also feared the people, who loved the holy Forerunner. But because of the guests and his careless oath, he gave orders to cut off the head of St John and to give it to Salome.

According to Tradition, the mouth of the dead preacher of repentance once more opened and proclaimed: “Herod, you should not have the wife of your brother Phil-ip.” Salome took the platter with the head of St John and gave it to her mother. The frenzied Herodias repeatedly stabbed the tongue of the prophet with a needle and bur-ied his holy head in an unclean place. But the pious Joan-na, wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, buried the head of John the Baptist in an earthen vessel on the Mount of Olives, where Herod had a parcel of land. (The Uncover-ing of the Venerable Head is celebrated (February 24). The holy body of John the Baptist was taken that night by his disciples and buried at Sebastia, there where the

wicked deed had been done. After the murder of St John the Baptist, Herod contin-

ued to govern for a certain time. Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, later sent Jesus Christ to him, Whom he mocked (Luke 23:7-12).

The judgment of God came upon Herod, Herodias and Salome, even during their earthly life. Salome, crossing the River Sikoris in winter, fell through the ice. The ice gave way in such a way that her body was in the water, but her head was trapped above the ice. It was similar to how she once had danced with her feet upon the ground, but now she flailed helplessly in the icy water. Thus she was trapped until that time when the sharp ice cut through her neck.

Her corpse was not found, but they brought the head to Herod and Herodias, as once they had brought them the head of St John the Baptist. The Arab king Aretas, in revenge for the disrespect shown his daughter, made war against Herod. The defeated Herod suffered the wrath of the Roman emperor Caius Caligua (37-4 1) and was ex-iled with Herodias first to Gaul, and then to Spain.

The Beheading of St John the Baptist, a Feast day established by the Church, is also a strict fast day be-cause of the grief of Christians at the violent death of the saint. In some Orthodox cultures pious people will not eat food from a flat plate, use a knife, or eat food that is round in shape on this day.

Www . oca. Org

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Why do we observe the solemnity of John the Baptist be-heading by fasting and sobriety. After all, didn‘t this event occur two thousand years ago?

The reason we observe this fast, and every other fast, for that matter, is the same reason we observe the Feasts of our Church.

We are not simply recollecting occurrences that took place at one time in antiquity and are over and done. Our Church and Her cycles are not “museum oriented”. They are cycles of death and Life, which orb around the center of Life Himself, Jesus Christ.

(cont. on page 4)

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St. Nicholas Servants

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin August 2017

Announcements

St. Nicholas Book Group

The St. Nicholas Book Group will meet Monday, August 7th at 7:00pm to discuss The Muse by Jessie Burton. This novel explores the way that a work of art—a painting—connects two women over time and distance. We will meet at 7:00pm at the Family Life Center.

PLEASE JOIN US!!! EVERYONE is

Welcome

2017 PARISH BOARD Andrew Galakatos,MD, President 314-922-4457 Carol Kamburis, Vice-President Jonathan Hartley, Secretary Peter Takes PhD, Treasurer Nicky Antoniou, Assistant Treasurer Christine Anastas Helen Carey Elizabeth Glynias Stefan Glynias Yemane Habtu Marilynn Jemas Bill Mastorakos, DDS Mary Ann Mastorakos Joseph Palazzola Kon Vellios

AUDIT COMMITTEE Mark Vleisides, Chairperson 314-576-2898 Roxana Couternais Peter Lemakis Janet Papageorge

CEMETARY COMMITTEE William Karides, Chairperson 636-281-0727 Pat Johnson Irene Schildroth

CHURCH SCHOOL Co-Directors Bess Fitzmaurice 636-343-3849 Despina Hartley 618-447-6548

DANCE TROUPE Georgia Johnson 314-832-0061 ELECTION COMMITTEE

Tina Paradowski , Chairperson 314-781-0781 Paul Leara Pat Lekich Demi Nicozisin Mark Vleisides

GREETERS COMMITTEE Roxana Couteranis, Director 314-752-0252

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) DEMETRIOS Tsikalas (Co-chair) 314-323-2838 Jonathan Hartley (Co-chair) 618-520-9569

LIBRARY COMMITTEE Elaine Coulson, Chairperson 405-762-0528 Michael Doran Brandon Redmann

MINISTRY, PRISON Clark Porter, Director 314-518-6747

PHILOPTOCHOS Carol Kamburis, President 314-803-2451

PHYSICAL FACILITIES -CHURCH Dino Pappas, Chairperson 314-701-8118

Bill Coulson Pat Johnson

PHYSICAL FACILITIES –FAMILY LIFE Nick Tharenos, Chairperson 314-576-7011 Mike Kamburis Nick Koskolos Robert Meyer Sam Mezines

PLANNED GIVING John Koch, Chairperson 636-922-7732 Sam Mezines

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE Denise Karras, Chairperson 314-368-4205 Barbara Corrigan Yemane Habtu Peter Takes

St. Irenaeus Orthodox Theological Institute Michael G. Tsichlis, PhD 314-361-6924 x330

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE Stefan Glynias, Chairperson 314-644-1875 Ted Anastas Abrahatzion Habtu Yemane Habtu Marilynn Jemas Mary Ann Mastorakos Steve Ott John Russon

Please submit all articles by the 10th of month

Email: [email protected] Thank You Jennifer English, Editor

Time Time waits for no one—we are al-ready in August. Summer is almost over, but hot days are still around. Children are getting ready for school where new adventures, new people and old friends await them. Grade school kids just leaving home for the first time and then College kids who will be away from home for a long time—one item to remember for school is The Bible. For this book has the most important person to remem-ber—God. As the month gets busier with the preparation for school and the festival, don’t forget one important place to attend and that is Church thanking God for everday you are on this Earth! This month we have: Aug 1—Fasting begins for Dormition Aug 6—Holy Transfiguration Aug 15—Dormition of the Theotokos Aug 20—Panagyri Aug 29—Beheading of John the Baptist Sep 2-4—Festival

-Roxana Couteranis

St. Nicholas General Scholarship Fund

The St. Nicholas General Scholarship Fund for college students has been depleted due to the multiple scholarships that have been given by the Scholarship Committee over the past several years. There is currently only about $100 in the General Scholarship Fund. While the scholarships designated for certain educational pursuits like the priesthood (e.g. , the Fr. Nicozisin Fund) and nursing are still well funded (e.g., the priesthood scholarship funds total ~$50,000), currently the opportunity to give general scholarships for deserving other academic scholars is in serious jeopardy. To help replenish this fund, please consider a contribution to the General Scholarship Fund when donating to St. Nicholas Church in memorial or in celebration of special occasions. The Scholarship Committee would like to continue our mission of giving up to five scholarships per year to deserving college students based upon academic merit and personal need. Your contributions to the future of our children and grandchildren are much appreciated!

Barbara Corrigan, Yemane Habtu, Denise Karras, Peter Takes

Scholarship Committee

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PRESIDENT’S NOTES Andrew E Galakatos MD

PHONE: 314.922.4457 [email protected]

STREET / CHURCH DRIVEWAY CLOSURE IN AUGUST The information now is that the Street and our Driveway will be completed by the 3rd week in August. However, there will be a 3 week period that there will be NO CAR ACCESS to our Driveway ... so that the only way to our Church will be via the BJH PARKING GARAGE ... entering & exiting through LACLEDE AVE ... and a walk across the contiguous lot to the Church front doors. Once again, because of major traffic and parking problems, special sacrament services, visitations & funerals are encouraged to be held at the Family Life Center (FLC) ... through August.

CHURCH LABOR DAY WEEKEND FESTIVAL CALL FOR HELP

As per our promotional flyers in the SUNDAY BULLETINS and the MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, your help, active participation & contributions are always needed and appreciated. Please contact CHRISTINA ANASTAS 314.647.4636 or CAROL KAMBURIS 314.803.2451 and ask how you may volunteer in this major Parish Event of the year.

PANEGYRI 0N SUNDAY 20 AUGUST at CHURCH This year, a small & limited PANEGYRI (Church festive gathering) will take place at Church following Sunday Service (... and NOT at the Family Life Center - FLC). Please see the details in the flyers & notices in the SUNDAY BULLETINS and in this NEWSLETTER.

CONSIDER RUNNING FOR CHURCH BOARD OR A STANDING COMMITTEE

A LETTER with an application FORM will be sent in September with more specific information. In the interim, please consider the honor & the privilege to run for an office and to serve your Parish. If more information is desired at this time, please contact TINA PARADOWSKI (Chair, Election Committee) at 314.781.0781 or [email protected].

ΟΛΟΚΛΗΡΩΣΗ ΟΔΙΚΗΣ / ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΗΣ ΔΙΕΥΘΥΝΣΗΣ ΑΥΓΟΥΣΤΟΥ Οι πληροφορίες είναι τώρα ότι η οδός και το δρόμο μας θα ολοκληρωθεί μέχρι την 3η εβδομάδα του Αυγούστου. Ωστόσο, θα υπάρξει περίοδος 3 εβδομάδων που δεν θα υπάρχει ΚΑΜΙΑ ΠΡΟΣΒΑΣΗ στο Αυτοκινητόδρομο μας ... έτσι ώστε ο μόνος τρόπος για την εκκλησία μας θα είναι μέσω του BJH PARKING GARAGE ... εισερχόμενοι και εξερχόμενοι μέσω της LACLEDE AVE ... και Μια βόλτα κατά μήκος της γειτονικής παρτέρας στις πόρτες της εκκλησίας. Για άλλη μια φορά, λόγω των μεγάλων προβλημάτων κυκλοφορίας και στάθμευσης, οι ειδικές υπηρεσίες των μυστηρίων, οι επισκέψεις και οι κηδείες ενθαρρύνονται να πραγματοποιούνται στο Κέντρο Οικογενειακής Ζωής (FLC) ... μέχρι τον Αύγουστο.

ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ ΗΜΕΡΟΜΗΝΙΑ ΗΜΕΡΟΜΗΝΙΑΣ ... ΠΡΟΣΚΛΗΣΗ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΒΟΗΘΕΙΑ Σύμφωνα με τα διαφημιστικά φυλλάδια μας στα ΚΥΡΙΑΚΑ ΔΕΛΤΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΤΟ ΜΗΝΙΑΙΟ ΝΕΑ ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΑ, η βοήθεια, η ενεργός συμμετοχή και οι συνεισφορές σας είναι πάντα απαραίτητες και εκτιμώμενες. Επικοινωνήστε με την ΧΡΙΣΤΙΝΑ ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣ 314.647.4636 ή το CAROL KAMBURIS 314.803.2451 και ρωτήστε πώς μπορείτε να συμμετάσχετε εθελοντικά σε αυτήν την μεγάλη εκδήλωση ενορίας του έτους.

ΠΑΝΕΓΥΡΙ 0Ν ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 20 ΑΥΓΟΥΣΤΟΥ @ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ Φέτος θα πραγματοποιηθεί ένα μικρό & περιορισμένο πανηγύρι ΠΑΕΓΕΥΡΙ (εκκλησιαστική εορταστική εκδήλωση) στην εκκλησία μετά Κυριακή Υπηρεσία (... και όχι στο Κέντρο Οικογενειακής Ζωής - FLC). Ανατρέξτε στις λεπτομέρειες των φυλλαδίων και των ανακοινώσεων στα ΔΕΛΤΙΑ ΕΚΔΗΛΩΣΕΩΝ και σε αυτό το NEWSLETTER.

ΘΕΩΡΕΙΤΕ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ Ή ΜΙΑ ΜΟΝΙΜΗ ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΗ Μια ΕΙΣΑΓΩΓΗ με έντυπο αίτησης θα αποσταλεί το Σεπτέμβριο με πιο συγκεκριμένες πληροφορίες. Εν τω μεταξύ, παρακαλούμε να λάβετε υπόψη την τιμή και το προνόμιο να τρέξετε για ένα γραφείο και να εξυπηρετήσετε την ενορία σας. Εάν επιθυμείτε περισσότερες πληροφορίες @ αυτή τη φορά, επικοινωνήστε με την TINA PARADOWSKI (Πρόεδρο, Επιτροπή Εκλογών) @ 314.781.0781 ή chrisparadowski@sbcglobal

Planned Giving Committee: Article Series

John Koch, Chairman Phone: 636.922.7732 email: [email protected]

Sam Mezines, Committee Member [email protected]

DID YOU KNOW… that if you have appreciated (higher valued or gained) stock or other real or personal property, you may wish to avoid the exorbitant capital gain tax (a federal tax rate as high as 23.8%, plus applicable state taxes) on the sale of these assets?

Instead, consider a gift of this property to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Not only will you receive a full income tax deduction for the value of these assets, but you will also avoid completely the capital gain tax burden from the sale of this prop-erty.

Ask your financial and tax advisors to illustrate the savings you can achieve from this type of donation to our beloved Church. Anyone on this Planned Giving Committee is also avail-able to help you.

ΓΝΩΡΙΖΕΤΕ ... ότι αν έχετε εκτιμήσει (υψηλότερα αποτιμώμενα ή αποκτηθέντα) μετοχές ή άλλα πραγματικά ή προσωπικά περιουσιακά στοιχεία, ίσως θελήσετε να αποφύγετε τον υπερβολικό φόρο κεφαλαιουχικών κερδών (ομοσπονδιακός φορολογικός συντελεστής 23,8%, συν τους ισχύοντες κρατικούς φόρους) Την πώληση αυτών των περιουσιακών στοιχείων? Αντ 'αυτού, θεωρήστε ένα δώρο αυτής της περιουσίας στην Ελληνορθόδοξη Εκκλησία του Αγίου Νικολάου. Όχι μόνο θα λάβετε πλήρη έκπτωση του φόρου εισοδήματος για την αξία αυτών των περιουσιακών στοιχείων, αλλά θα αποφύγετε επίσης πλήρως το φόρο κεφαλαιουχικών κερδών από την πώληση αυτού του ακινήτου. Ζητήστε από τους οικονομικούς και φορολογικούς σας συμβούλους να

απεικονίσουν τις οικονομίες που μπορείτε να επιτύχετε από αυτό το είδος

δωρεάς στην αγαπημένη μας Εκκλησία. Οποιοσδήποτε σε αυτήν την

Επιτροπή Προγραμματισμένης Δίπλωσης είναι επίσης διαθέσιμος για να

σας βοηθήσει.

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DAILY BIBLE READING GUIDE August 2017

*Fast Begins **Falling Asleep of the Theotokos

(cont. from page 1)

There is a catch-phrase today: “to live a Christ-centered life.” What does this mean?

In a practical way, it means that we observe the fast of Wednesday because we remember Judas’ betrayal of our Lord on this day. We observe the fast of Friday because we remember our Lord’s suffering and cruci-fixion. We observe the Feast Day of every Sunday, because it is the Day of Resurrection, the Lord’s Day.

To live a truly Christ-centered life is synonymous with living a Church-centered life. Our Feasts and our Fasts are not just “recollections” of historical events which are disconnected from our lives.

Our liturgical and ascetic remembrances are actually entrances into the events themselves. Every Sunday for Orthodox Christians is Pascha because our Lord rose once and for all on this Day— “for all,” meaning He is eternally Risen. His resurrection was in time, but now transcends time. In the Divine Liturgy, we enter that eternal now. Our Lord is eternally offering Himself at the Heavenly Altar as the High Priest who is both the “offerer and the offered”. Our Lord is both the Sac-rificial Lamb for our Redemption and the Passover unto eternal life. I am the Resurrection and the Life (Jn.11:25).

We join Him, we unite to Him, not just by “recollection” but by true remembrance. This is what we do in our liturgical worship--no less than break into Heaven!

We become truly Christ-centered when we observe the daily cycles, the weekly cycles, the Paschal cycle, the Cosmic Cycle of our Church because Christ is the center.

When we consciously observe the cycles of our Church, we enter into the very pattern of Divine har-mony and Grace which He has given us. We circle around Life Himself and cannot help but be drawn close in, and feel the rays of the Sun of Righteousness beaming Eternity into our lives!

In Christ’s love,

Fr. Achilles Karathanos

PARISH LIFE

BAPTISM “All you who have been baptized in Christ”

July 23—BENJAMIN FOLEY 40 Day Blessing Patti Appel and son Roman Louis Appel

MEMORIALS

July 9th 40 Day Metropolitan Iakovos July 16th 1 Year Bessie Conis July 23 4 Year Pete Athanas July 30 40 Day John P. Carnasiotis 40 Day Panagiotis Panopoulis 4 Year Mary Bude 45 Year Gloria Carnasiotis

* 1 T Heb 11:33-12:2 Mt 10:16-22

2 W Acts 68-15;7:1-5,47-60 Mk 12:1-12

3 T 1 Cor 14:6-19 Mt 20:17-28

4 F 1 Cor 14:26-40 Mt 21:12-14,17-20

5 S 1 Pet 1-2:10 Mt 15:32-39

Sun 6 2 Pet 1:10-19 Mt 17:1-9

7 M 1 Cor 15:12-19 Mk 9:2-9

8 T 1 Cor 15:29-19 Mt 21:23-27

9 W Acts 1:12-17.21-26 Mt 21:28-32

10 T 2 Cor 1:1-7 Mt 21:43-46

11 F 2 Cor 1:12-20 Mt 22:23-33

12 S Rom 15:30-33 Mt 17:24-18:4

Sun 13 1 Cor 4:9-16 Mt 17:14-23

14 M 2 Cor 2:3-15 Mt 23:13-22

** 15 T Phil 2:5-11 Lk 10:38-42;11:27-28

16 W 1 Tim 3:13-4:5 Lk 9:51-57;10:22-24;13:22

17 T 2 Cor 4:1-12 Mt 24:13-28

18 F 2 Cor 4:13-18 Mt 24:27-33,42-51

19 S 1 Cor 1:3-9 Mt 19:3-12

Sun 20 1 Cor 9:2-12 Mt 18:23-35

21 M 2 Cor 5:10-15 Mk 3:13-21

22 T 2 Cor 5:15-21 Mk 1:16-22

23 W Phil 2:5-11 Lk 10:38-42;11:27-28

24 T 2 Cor 7:1-10 Mk 1:29-35

25 F Titus 1:1-5;2:15;3:1-15 Mt 5:14-19

26 S Heb 6:9-12 Mt 20:29-34

Sun 27 1 Cor 15:1-11 Mt 19:16-26

28 M 2 Cor 8:7-15 Mk 3:6-12

29 T Acts 13:25-33 Mk 6:14-30

30 W 2 Cor 9:12-15;10-17 Mk 3:20-27

31 T Heb 9:1-7 Lk 10:38-42;11:27-28

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Have you ever been “spiritually depressed?” Be honest with yourself, take a look deep down inside and ask yourself a few questions. When you go to church, do you go to socialize with your friends, and leave church never feeling that the Lord has touched your soul? Do you fully understand the meaning and purpose of your worship service? Do you ever feel moved to tears, either for your own sins, or for spiritu-al JOY during the worship service? Do you bring grudges against others with you to church? When you leave the church, do you “park” your Christianity on the steps outside the church and forget it until next Sunday?

If you feel that you have failed in all of the above five areas, don’t despair, you have a lot of company! Everyone has faults, and failings, no one is without sin. Rest assured that you have never committed a sin that someone else has not committed, or thought of. Now that we know we’re not perfect, let’s try to find a way to prevent ourselves from being “spiritually de-pressed.”

Next time you are preparing to go to church take a few minutes before you leave home to take inventory of your feelings. Ask yourself this question: “Am I go-ing to church today only to get something, or am I go-ing to give something? If you are going to only get something, or to just socialize, and don’t expect to give something, go back to bed! The reason you at-tend church is to give thanks to the Lord, give honor to the Lord, and offer a sacrifice of praise to Him, through devoted worship and remembrance of Him.

Worship will not help you at all if you go with a neg-ative attitude, or if you go just to be seen by your friends. Remember you and only you are responsible for your soul. The greatest gift of all has been gra-ciously given to you by God: the “gift of choice.” When you go to church, or worship God in any way you’re giving this “gift of choice” back to God, by freely and lovin2jy remembering Him. Attending church is not enough by itself, we must live Christianity every day of the week, following the teachings of Jesus Christ and applying our Christianity to everyday life.

There is nothing on this earth that is more important than the Lord: but how often do we put material things and earthly feelings before the Lord? I was talking with some people one day about church services. The season was late spring and the weather was just love-ly. A comment was made that made me grieve in my spirit, this is exactly what was said: “You won’t see us in church during the spring and summer unless it rains. On fair Sundays we get together as a family and play golf!” I had to fight very hard to keep from crying! I felt as if they had badly insulted and ridiculed me! I still feel a profound sense of sadness when I

think about this statement today! I could only envision the suffering that Christ went through, and how He had blessed them so wonderfully. They were forget-ting the Source of the good weather and the blessings of good health which allowed them to have the strength to play golf.

There’s nothing wrong with getting together as a family to play golf. What’s wrong with the statement that they made was the choice that was made: “golf over God!” Attending church is not even the big issue here, because if these people were forced to go to church on a fair Sunday instead of playing golf they would most likely resent it and the service would not do the any good. If you attend church every Sunday without fail, and do it out of habit and really don’t go to give proper praise and worship to God, you might as well be playing golf!

Every Christian should think of Jesus Christ as their very dearest friend, because He is! When you attend church you should do so in honor of this “Dear Friend.” Jesus Christ is with you always, everywhere you are He can be found; so why do we go to church? Remember the words spoken by Jesus: “This is My Body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). Jesus wants us to gather in Christian fellowship to remember Him, to partake of the Sacrament of Holy Communion, to hear His teach-ings and Words so that we will be spiritually nourished and able to bear good “spiritual fruit” born of the Holy Spirit.

When you attend church, you should be prepared to forgive all others of their trespasses against you be-fore going into the Holy Church. “Therefore if thou bring thy gift before the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath anything against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, then come and offer thy gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). In our case, when we come to church our offering is a sacrifice of praise, a contrite and humble spirit. You cannot stand in the presence of Christ with hatred and grudges in your heart. For-give others of all their trespasses as the “Lord’s Pray-er” asks us to do. Forgiving others will do two things for you. First of all it will help you personally by recon-ciling with your brother. Secondly, you will be practic-ing your Christianity by obeying one of the teachings of Jesus Christ.

“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35). Strive to clear your heart of bitter feelings and emotions, worry about your own failings instead of dwelling on the failings of others. (cont. on pg 6)

Worship: The Cure for Spiritual Depression By Rev. Michael D. Jordan

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(cont. from pg. 5)

The first step to fixing a problem is identifying it. After the problem is identified the solution can be applied. Each one of us will experience “Spiritual depression” at some point in our lives, nothing thrills Satan more than this “spiritual depression” because his trickery and evil influence has driven us further away from our “Best Friend,” and Satan’s worst ene-my, Jesus Christ!

The solution to the problem of “Spiritual depres-sion” is not very difficult: as in most spiritual prob-lems, prayer is the key answer. Try saying this pray-er in addition to your regular daily prayers:

“Dear Lord, hear my prayer this day. Bless me to forgive others that my many sins may be forgiven by You. Help me this day to worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Open my heart to understand Your Teach-ings. Write Your Precepts into my heart that I may walk down life’s pathways with You constantly lead-ing me. Befriend me, cling to me, never turn Your Face from me. Fill my heart with the Holy gift of Love along with the ability to share this love with others. Send to me the Holy Spirit.”

If you are going to church, on the way to church try to keep as quiet as possible, allow the Peace of God to enter into you. The Peace of God will not enter a heart filled with earthly cares and woes. Look for the little blessings that happen daily, and usually go un-noticed. Be thankful in your heart for all the bless-ings that have been so graciously given to you. By clearing your mind of earthly cares you prepare yourself to approach the “King of All!”

When you enter the Holy Church, be thankful that the Lord blessed you to arrive safely. If you have a prayer book or Bible take it with you and read from it before the services begin. If you happen to see a stranger in church, extend a warm welcome to them, be Sincere, false sentiment is easy to detect. If the stranger is not familiar with the church services, stay with them and act as a guide to help them during the services. Remember, when you befriend a stranger, you may be entertaining an angel; for Jesus said, “If you have done it unto the least of My Children, you have done it unto Me!” Think of this next time you give a stranger the “cold shoulder!”

You can bring “spiritual depression” upon yourself by being “uncharitable” to strangers, especially to those who have made the effort to attend Holy Church. “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all myster-ies, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my

goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me noth-ing” (I Corinthians 13:1-3). It’s bad enough that peo-ple suffer cold treatment in social situations outside of church, but to get mistreated, or given the “cold shoulder” at church proves that the person or per-sons responsible for this treatment is suffering from “spiritual depression” and are acting as Satan’s help-ers.

A congregation that is hostile to visitors is not only blind to the fact that they are destroying their future growth, but also inviting the “spiritual death” of that particular church! Being hostile to strangers is direct disobedience to the Lord’s teachings, and causes those who visit, to feel unwanted, and cast out. “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which be-lieve in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

Fight to change the attitude in your church about new faces. Look upon visitors as blessings sent from God. If you see someone return to church that has been away welcome them warmly with Christian love, and don’t make negative comments like “Where have you been?” or “I haven’t seen you in a long time!” Remember the “Prodigal Son,” his father received him without judgment, and with great love!

Your church should be an “earthly glimpse” of what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. Christians gathering together to worship, praise, and adore the Holy Trini-ty. The congregation is similar to the Angels that sur-round God constantly singing praises to Him.

Take the time to learn all you can about your Christian faith. Learn to embrace your faith to its full-est. Practice your faith and not just on Sunday, but every day of the week. A Christian has the greatest treasure of all, one that no one on earth can take away from them. This “treasure” is eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. If you want to fight “spiritual depression” don’t hide your “treasure” inside, but share it with others, the supply of this “treasure” is endless, the more you share the more you will be blessed with! “Spiritual depression” can be healed with devotion to God, prayer, and Christian love and charity. Always remember, Christian love and charity until you give them away!

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Orthodox Christian mission Center (OCMC) Corner: "The Orthodox Mission Team of St. Louis works to nurture an awareness within our local churches of the need to evangelize, catechize, and support missionary efforts and

programs globally."

OCMC Missionary Fr. Paul Patitsas Visits the Mission Center to Share a Call for Help

by Alex Goodwin

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As always, please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley, 618-447-9688, if you have any questions, would like to be part of the Mission Team St. Louis, or if you would like to help our missionaries. Thank you for your continued support!

Imagine living far away from everything that you had come to know as “home”. What would compel you to make such a sacri-fice? For Orthodox Christian missionaries, it is the call to serve in places where the Faith needs to be shared. The Patitsas family is a missionary family who has been answer-ing this call for many years. They serve out of New Zealand where Fr. Paul and his wife tend a small parish. New Zealand is home to a small Orthodox community, but they have something very precious to offer their fellow countrymen. New Zealand is, like many other developed countries, very secular. Faith is some-thing held by few and downright mistrusted by some. The struggles faced by those trying to keep the light of Faith lit, can be trying. How does one confront apathy for, or disbelief in, God - especially when the institutions that have been the vessels for faith have become mistrusted, and the cares of day-to-day life leave room for little else? Missionaries like the Patitsases have dedicated their lives to calling God’s children back home. In a place like New Zealand, this work looks like keeping the doors of a small parish open with little finan-cial support and living hand-to-mouth, just so people who are facing difficult times or who have questions have a place to go. Fr. Patitsas sees what his family does as planting seeds. They may never personally reap the harvest that they have sown, but they know planting the seeds must happen. Some Orthodox families in New Zealand support their work, but the community there is small, and the Patitsases need your help. Recently, Fr. Patitsas visited the Mission Center before embarking on his own journey to raise the much-needed support they will need to continue their ministry. He shared that they have begun taking the Faith beyond New Zealand to Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa as well, where the Church has now been established. Your support of the Patitsas family is needed now more than ever. Please pray for them and join them in planting the seeds of the Faith by making a gift in support of their work.

To learn more about, or support the work of, the Patitsas family please visit: http://www.ocmc.org/ThePatitsasFamily.

Missionaries like Fr. Paul Patitsas and his family dedicate their lives to planting the seed of the Faith in the hearts of people around the world. Please support them and remember them in your prayers.

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GOYA (9th-12th Grade)

Deb Palazzola [email protected] 314-591-7519 c

Mimi Davis [email protected]

Junior GOYA (6th-8th)

Caroline Arbanas [email protected] 314-445-4127 c

Stavra Ketchmark [email protected] 314-792-8402 c

JOY (3rd-5th)

Rebecca Christophi [email protected]

Georgiana Grant [email protected] 314-420-9159 c

HOPE (K-2nd)

Steph McPherron [email protected] 636-778-0061 h 314-640-0989 c

Cherubs (Pre-K)

Kimberly Anno [email protected] 713-540-5947 c

Family Ministry

Sophia Pierroutsakos [email protected] 314-596-1506 c

Renee Vleisides [email protected] 314-265-8192 c

Youth Choir

Diana Ott [email protected] 314-550-1573 c

Handmaidens

Rosie Hartley [email protected] 618-447-9688 c

Altar Boys

Father Michael [email protected] 314-425-9641 c

Church School

Bess Fitmaurice [email protected] 314-602-5406 c


The Maker's Fun Factory: St. Nicholas Vacation Bible School

This was held July 10-14, and what a week of fun, music, interactive adventures and fellowship, helping our kids become familiar with some of the most mean-ingful lessons of the Bible. What a great and fantastic time the children had. Thank you to all the volunteers!

Hellenic Culture Camp

This was a week of learning all about be-ing Greek. There was Greek cooking, Greek history and geography, Greek dancing, the language, Art and Jewelry making and Sports.

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ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH SCHOOL REGISTRATION – 2017-2018

Parents:

Telephone: Email (mandatory):

Address: City: Zip:

Children must be 3 years of age by August 1, 2017 to enter the 3 year old preschool class. Church school follows the age limits of St. Louis School Districts. Use the back of the form for more than 4 children.

Child: Baptismal Name:

Grade - Fall 2017: DOB:

Allergies:



Allergies:



Allergies:

Parents! We need your continued support to make Church school and all of its extra-curricular activities run smoothly. In order for this to happen, we expect you to volunteer for at least one of the events below. This is a great way for you to make a contribution to Church School and take the burden off of our hardworking and dedicated volunteer teachers and Sunday School staff. Please circle below: Substitute/Assistant Teacher: If you can ’t commit all year long, this is a good way to help out once in a while.

September: Ice Cream Social, Teacher Appreciation Gifts, Decorating and helping prepare Sunday school

November: Teacher’s Meeting Refreshments and set up and Advent decorating of Sunday school

December: St. Nicholas Day Gift Bags, Christmas Pageant, Teacher Appreciation Gifts

January: “Souper Bowl” Canned Food Drive, Oratorical Festival Committee

February: Teacher’s Meeting Refreshments and set up, Oratorical Festival Refreshment Committee

May: Teacher’s Appreciation Luncheon, Teacher’s Appreciation Gifts, End of Sunday School Year Picnic

I can help in any way needed: We often need help with myriad of little things including cleaning and organizing

Summer Sunday School Teacher/Assistant: We need help with our Summer program that ’s offered in June & July for 5 weeks. You can volunteer for one or all five weeks. This is perfect for those wanting to teach and serve but can’t during the regular school year. I can help with decorating and bulletin boards: This is done in September for the commencement of Sunday School, November for Advent and Christmas, January, then in Spring for lent and Easter and then for Summer Photographer: Take pictures as needed, post on website, print as needed for bulletin boards, storage and ar-chive Registration fees are $10/child April – August. Late registrations will be $20/child in September. We welcome all donations. Make checks payable to St. Nicholas Church (reference check Sunday School) and mail to:

St. Nicholas Church 4967 Forest Park Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108

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ST. NICHOLA S

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

4967 Forest Park Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63108

Dear St. Nicholas Family & Friends,

The annual Greek Festival presents a tremendous op-

portunity for us to unite together as family & friends to

share our faith and culture with the St. Louis commu-

nity. Thanks to our organizers, volunteers, and donors

for their continuous support!

In order to help deflate the expenses of the Greek Fes-

tival and maximize profits, we are continuing to seek

monetary donations to help fund the attached listed

items. Each year, we have received an average of

$15,000 from you, our parishioners, that directly affects

our net income. We hope to surpass this amount this

year. It is not necessary to cover the entire estimated

cost of an item and you may choose to make a partial

donation, or better yet, partner with your family and

friends to help cover the cost.

Please make checks payable to St. Nicholas Greek

Festival and note your item in the memo box and

mail to: Christina Anastas, 1001 Surrey Hills Dr, St.

Louis, MO 63117. For any questions or to discuss fur-

ther, please contact Christina Anastas at

314.647.4636 or Carol Kamburis at 314.803.2451.

Thanks for your consideration and generosity!

ST. NICHOLAS GREEK FESTIVAL

2017

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GREEK FESTIVAL GUEST CHECK REQUEST FORM

No. of Checks

Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Please Print

Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Please Print

Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Please Print

Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Please Print

Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Please Print

Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Please Print

Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Please Print

Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Please Print

With the understanding that I will be billed for each dinner check redeemed, please send the number of checks speci-

fied in my name to the individuals listed above.

Your Signature ____________________________________ Print your name clearly _________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________________________________

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Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 100th Anniversary Commemorative Album

Advertising/Memorial Page and Album Reservation Form

Name ____________________________________________________________________

Organization ______________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________

City _______________________________ State ____________________ Zip __________

Home Phone ______________________________ Cell Phone _______________________________

1. Please indicate your Advertisement/Memorial page choice(s).

2. Please indicate the number of Commemorative Albums you would like to purchase.

3. Please select from the formats provided for full, half, and quarter pages.

If possible, provide your text in Word. Photographs must be scanned to 300 DPI at final size.

Email your text and scanned photographs to: [email protected] (It’s a zero!)

If you cannot provide electronic copy:

Please attach a separate page with desired text and your photograph(s) or business card. We will scan your photographs, and they will be returned to you.

4. Submit this form with your payment and make checks payable to:

St. Nicholas Anniversary Album OR You may pay by Credit Card Below.

5.

Mail to: Teddy Hart Questions, call: Teddy Hart 1715 Featherwood 314-997-4826

Saint Louis, MO 63146 314-914-7711

DEADLINE is August 6

Number Type Price Total

Platinum Page – Includes two (2) Anniversary Albums $500

Gold Page – Includes one (1) Anniversary Album $300

Full black and white page $200

Half page $100

Quarter page $75

One-eighth page $50

Total Advertisement/Memorial Pages

Number Price Total

Commemorative Albums $30

Total Advertisement/Memorial Pages and Commemorative Albums

Credit Card Informa"on

Credit Card Type Visa MasterCard AmEx Discover

Credit Card Account Number

Expira"on Date

Name as it Appears on Card

Signature Date

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WEB PAGE MANAGER

Our Church needs a volunteer parishioner who could

manage the church web page.

The page for the most part is up-to-date and provides

extensive informa"on.

However there are always changes in chairpersons,

photos, schedules, etc.

NEEDED

1. MONITOR ACCURACY of INFORMATION

2. ADD DESIGN/GRAPHICS/PHOTOS

3. ADD CONTENT

For further informa"on or to volunteer please contact:

Jonathan Hartley [email protected]

Or

Mary Ann Mastorakos [email protected]

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SAVE THE DATE for the IOCC St. Louis Metropolitan

Committee’s

15TH ANNUAL IOCC BANQUET & 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Sunday, November 12, 2017 Vespers 5:00 | Banquet 6:00

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd. St. Louis, MO 63131

INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX

CHRI STIAN CHARITIES

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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 4967 Forest Park Avenue St. Louis, MO 63108 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

ST. LOUIS, MO

PERMIT NO. 1029

Please visit us at www.sngoc.org

Philoptochos Philanthropy

FOOD BAGS for the HUNGRY

August 2017

Tuna

Macaroni and Cheese

Beets

Plums

Whole Wheat Crackers

Powdered Milk (Op"onal)

Hand Lo"on (Op"onal)

September 2017

Ravioli

Spinach

Fruit Cocktail

Cornbread Mix

Baby/Children’s Shampoo

Hand Sani"zer/Liquid Soap (op"onal)

Mary Mezines,

Food Bag Chairperson

PHILANTHROPY REPORT August 2017

“Blessed is he who understands the poor and the needy” Psalm 40.1 We are pleased to report that we continue to assist our people in our Confidential Program and we thank you for your support when we need your help.

We would like to thank you for your wonderful response to our request for clothing & furniture for several families we were assisting. We hope that you will continue to keep us In your prayers . These are difficult times for many people and your kind help is so very much appreciated. We continue to need a refrigerator and electric stove.

We can also use men’s clothing, gently used slacks, shirts, suits, shoes and coats. Please drop off at church and mark the clothing to the attention of Johanna, Jeanne or Kim. We always welcome gently used children’s clothing, shoes, boots, and please mark whether the clothing is for boys or girls and infant, toddler. or teen. This is very helpful and appreciated………..Your response has been heartwarming. Thank you!

If you are donating small appliances, microwave ovens, kitchen utensils, etc., please deliver to Church – most of our charities pick up the donations at church because we do not have anyone to pick up these items from your homes.

If you are donating furniture, please contact us first, or send an email giving us the list of items and how soon they need to be picked up. We will try to place your items with our charities and notify you if we can use them and when we can pick up your furniture. We will be pleased to send you a tax form for your records. If you have access to a computer, please send info to [email protected] . Be sure to include a telephone number & your ad-dress. This will expedite the handling of your donation.

Thank you so much for continuing to fill the food bags, a suggested menu is next to this message. These are difficult times for many people, and we are pleased to share our food items with Focus and Haven of Grace plus people who might walk in and are in need. With Larry Rice closing his door, we have many more homeless people living on the street. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Johanna Spanos (314) 966-5176 or Jeanne Tompras

(314)994-7667, or Kim Tarlas (314)740-0955 If you cannot reach us, please contact Kathy Ellis at church who will put

you in touch with a person who will handle your donation. We are grateful for your support. Thank you.

Documents

The Beheading of St. John the Baptist - St. Nicholas Greek ... · 8/1/2017 · St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin August 2017 Announcements St. Nicholas Book Group