From Glory to Glory The monthly newsletter of the

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Fr. Joseph Strzelecki

Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos

June 2019

Dates to Remember in June

June 2

Sunday of the Blind Man

June 4

Vigil for Leave-taking of Pascha

June 5

Leave-taking of Pascha

June 6

Ascension

June 9

Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical

Council

June 16

Pentecost

June 17

Monday of the Holy

June 24

Nativity of St. John the Baptist

June 29

Apostles Peter & Paul

June 30

Synaxis of the Holy Apostles

1755 Des Peres Road

Town & Country, MO 63131-1405 Phone: 314-966-2255

Kitchen: 314-966-6720 Web Site: www.assumptiongoc.org

Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos

Email: Anastasios@assumptiongoc.org

Office Manager: Diane Sieckmann

Email: diane@assumptiongoc.org

Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra Has Reposed The neptic father Elder

Aimilianos of Simonopetra

was born Alexandros

Vapheides in Pireaeus,

Greece in October 1934 to

pious parents who had roots

in Asia Minor. His paternal

grandmother Eudoxia had

been from Constantinople,

and his grandfather

Alexandros was from

Selyvira in Thrace and was a student ta Halki Theological School. In 1906

they moved to Simantra in Cappadocia where they worked as teachers for the

Greek students until the Asia minor Catastrophe, when they went to Greece.

Though they were married, they lived as monastics, often keeping vigils and

living a life of prayer. His grandmother Eudoxia reposed as a nun with the

name Eutaxia and his mother also reposed as a nun with the name Aimiliani.

This is the type of family the future elder was raised with, who taught him to

love prayer, the reading of the lives of the saints and their writings, and living

a life completely dedicated go God.

He attended primary school in Simantra, Halkidiki, where his grandmother

had settled, and secondary school in Piraeus, where his parents had settled. His

higher level education began with his studies at the University of Athens

where he received, in a 1959, a degree in theology. His intentions were to

become a priest, and then become a foreign missionary. He consulted with his

friend Anastasios Yannoulatos (now Archbishop of Albania), who supported

his intention, but thought the should prepare for the is work by spending time

at a monastery. Yannoulatos had him contact Metropolitan Dionysios Trikal,

who he thought would initiate the young Alexandros into monastic life.

Entering the monastic life, Alexandros was tonsured a monk and given the

name Aimilianos on December 9, 1960 and two days

later, December 11, he was ordained a deacon. On

August 15, 1961, Deacon Aimilianos was ordained a

hieromonk. His bishop then had him spend time at

several monasteries before placing him at the

Monastery of Saint Vissarion in the foothills of the

Pindus Mountains. It was while at Saint Vissarion

Monastery that Father Aimilianos seemed to have had a

kind of spiritual crisis and profound experience that

transformed him radically and influenced his

subsequent work, a transformation that made the young

twenty-seven year old hieromonk into a charismatic

elder

2

2018 Parish Council

Fr. Joseph Strzelecki

Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos

Scott Thompson, President

Greg Simos, Vice President

Elefteria Marcou, Secretary

Gus Harris, Treasurer

Daniel Gantner, Carol Marshall, Pam Martin,

Samia Rabie, Pete Regopoulos, Vasilios Simos,

Greg Simos, Sotirios Sotiriou, Tom Stamos,

Chris Tsoubanos, Nick Tsoubanos, Tonis

Zafiropoulos

Acolytes John Nicholas

Adult Orthodox Christians (18 years +):

Diane Sieckmann

Bible Study Fr. Daniel Morton

Bookstore Christos Tsiaklides, Diakonissa Kristen Vogt

Chanters Steve Bellos

Choir Stephanie Saunders

Church Tours

Janice Hazeltine

Friday Luncheon Art Liyeos

Greek Festival Greg Simos, Art Liyeos

Greek School

Savas Kyramarios

Greek Dancers

Kyklos: & Armonia Stella Afentoullis

Ta Paidakia, Neo Kyma: Aliki Malek

GOYA (9th -12th Grade)

Yvonne Alexopoulos, Dr. Jenny Kardaris

Greeters

JOY (4 years - 4th Grade)

Jr. GOYA (5th - 8th Grades)

Alki Lappas Case, Dr. Debbie Cosmopoulos

Kafenio

Art Liyeos

Little Angels (infant - 5 years)

Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos

Orthodox Faith & Life:

Dr. Farid Sadaka, Anna Sadaka

Philoptochos Flora Dimitriou, President

Planned Giving Committee

Amy Johnson

Prison Ministry Bill Goranitis

Stewardship Michael Afentoullis

Sunday School Diane Sieckmann

Vacation Church Camp (VCC)

Anna Sadaka

Women’s Bookstudy Presvytera Laura Morton

Young Adult Ministry (18-30 yrs)

Fr. Anastasios & Presvytera Elizabeth

Emerging from the experience, Father Aimilianos was a different man, like

the dramatic conversion of Saint Paul. He had become energized and single-

mindedly dedicated to the revitalization of monastic life. He was soon appointed

abbot of Meteora with the additional duties as diocesan preacher and confessor.

As a preacher he soon took the Meteora region captive as his brilliant,

mesmerizing speeches resonated especially with the young people who came in

great numbers to hear him. Having heard Father Aimilianos, many were

attracted to the monastic life under his guidance, so that soon he headed a large

and dynamic community.

With his fame as well as natural attraction of Meteora many tourists came,

adding to the pressures on the community. As life at Meteora became increasing

difficult under the pressures of tourism, an opportunity arose when the

governing body of Mount Athos invited him and his community of monks and

novices, in 1983, to repopulate the ancient Monastery of Simonopetra, that

under the charismatic elder the organization and structure of life there was dra-

matically altered.

Elder Aimilianos also founded, in 1974, Panagia Philanthropini, a Center for

Social Advancement and Medical Prevention

and Research, that is located in northern Greece,

near the town of Ormylia,

Chalkidike. The center functions as an

adjunct to the Sacred Convent of the

Annunciation of the Theotokos, a large monastic

community with over 120 numbs from various

nations - the majority of whom hold university

degrees. The convent is a dependency of the

Monastery of Simonopetra on Mount Athos.

Edler Aimilianos retired as abbot in 2000 due

to health reason, and he settled in the Convent of

Ormylia, where he reposed in peach on

Thursday, 9 May 2019. His funeral will take

place there as well. https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2019/05/elder-

aimilianos-of-simonopetra-has.html?

fbclid=IwAR3nm28Q1VepORzsA-e0gLBx1vCrQrqveIVjf0p0qWlq4bzB5WRtaqJGd84

The Grace of God is a valuable thing. It will not come and dwell within

someone unless it finds that person in

agreement with God, according to the Spirit,

trying everything humanly possible. What

we want, though, is for Divine Grace to

come and free us from out weaknesses

without a struggle. In order to the Holy Spirit

to swell in man, it takes a lot of self-denial, a

lot of philotimo, humility, nobility, and

sacrifice. The aim of spiritual life is not

pleasure. Christ has put the outlet in, but our

cords have rusted , so they cannot receive

Divine Grace. To clean the cords, we have to

struggle to know ourselves, to cut off out

passions, and to achieve the virtues; then

God’s Grace will visit us

St. Paisios of Mt. Athos.

3

On May 11, 2019 the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumeni-cal Patriarchate unanimously elected

Metropolitan ELPIDOPHOROS of Bursa to be the Archbishop of America

Let us join together in welcoming Archbishop-elect Elpidophoros!

AXIOS!

Archbishop-elect Elpidophoros. Source: Ecumenical Patriarchate

The dissertations are entitled: “The Synaxes of the

Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne (1951-2004)”

and “Luther’s Ninety-five Theses: Historical and

Theological Aspects. Text - Translation -

Commentary.”

In March 2011, he was elected Metropolitan of Bursa

and in August of the same year was appointed Abbot

of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery

of the Holy Trinity on the island of Halki. He has

served as Orthodox Secretary of the Joint

International Commission for the Theological

Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the

Lutheran World Federation and member of the

Patriarchal delegations to the General Assemblies of

the Conference of European Churches and the World

Council of Churches. He was the Secretary of the Pan

-Orthodox Synods in Sofia (1998), Istanbul (2005),

Geneva (2006), and Istanbul (2008). He has been a

member of the Faith and Order Commission of the

World Council of Churches since 1996. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America www.goarch.org •

H is Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros

(Lambriniadis) of America was born in

1967 in Bakirköy, Istanbul. He studied at

the Department of Pastoral Theology at

the Theological School of the Aristotle University of

Thessaloniki, graduating in 1991. In 1993, he

completed postgraduate studies at the Philosophical

School of the University of Bonn in Germany,

submitting a dissertation entitled: “The Brothers

Nicholas and John Mesarites.” He was ordained to the

Diaconate in 1994 at the Patriarchal Cathedral and

appointed Kodikographos (Scrivener) of the Holy and

Sacred Synod.

In 1995, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the

Holy and Sacred Synod. From 1996-1997 he studied

at the Theological School of St. John the Damascene

in Balamand, Lebanon, where he advanced his

knowledge of the Arabic language. In 2001, he

presented a doctoral dissertation at the Theological

School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

under the title: “Severus of Antioch and the Council

of Chalcedon” and was proclaimed a Doctor of

Theology. In 2004, he was invited to Holy Cross

Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston, where

he taught as Visiting Professor for a semester.

In March 2005, at the proposal of His All-Holiness

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, he was elevated

by the Holy and Sacred Synod to the position of Chief

Secretary and ordained to the priesthood by the

Ecumenical Patriarch in the Patriarchal Cathedral. In

2009, he submitted two dissertations to the Theologi-

cal School of Thessaloniki and was unanimously

elected Assistant Professor of Symbolics,

Inter-Orthodox Relations, and the Ecumenical

Movement.

4

PARTY

February

3 2019

AT 4:00 PM

Congratulations

Aisha Bangert Mother of the Year

Congratulations

Areti Koliadima

Woman of the Year

O n May 12, we celebrated all the wonderful women of the

Assumption who do so much for their families, friends, loved ones

and our Church. After announcing the Mother of the Year, Aisha Bangert,

and Woman of the Year, Areti Koliadima, we had a very nice coffee hour

in celebration. Thank you to Pam Martin and Samia Rabie putting together

a lovely reception and to the men of the Parish Council who served and

cleaned up, giving all the women of the parish a chance to relax.

Congratulations!

5

6

Philoptochos Corner The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos

Society

Christ Is Risen!

Χριστός Ανέστη!

Happy June! Another school year has ended and another

successful May Festival was completed! It's time to catch

up on some rest; hang out with family and friends; plan that

fabulous vacation; read a book or just sit outside and soak

up the sun. Enjoy the summer!

Our Chapter

Diane Sieckmann and I had the opportunity to attend

the May Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos President's

meeting at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. It was a first for

both of us. It truly was a wonderful place to have a

meeting! As we have reported before it is always nice to be

able to share with other chapters "the good, the bad and the

ugly" and learn from each other. By being there we show

our support to the Metropolis & National Philoptochos. We

always come back inspired and share that enthusiasm with

our board and chapter sisters.

Congratulations to Patricia Aaron, Yvonne Alexopoulos,

Dessie Bellos, Helena Brown, Popi Deros, Flora Dimitriou,

Keve Gialouris, Rose Harpole, Amalia Karakasis, Angie

Koulouriotis, Soula Marcou, Diane Sieckmann & Bessie

Theodorou for being elected as your new 2019-2021

Assumption Philoptochos Board. A new Executive Board

will be elected once National Philoptochos ratifies our new

Board.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Board Members Popi Deros &

Diane Sieckmann and their friends for serving coffee hour

for the month of June.

Congratulations to Issa Alyatim, Jimmy Aslan, Reyna

Cassimatis, Thalia Dimitriou, Odessa Magafas, Michael

Murphy, Dean Schreiber, Joby Seitz, Rachel Tsiaklides,

Nina Tzianos & Ellie Poulos Wideman all of which are

recent college graduates. Philoptochos has the honor of

presenting our graduates with an icon.

May/June National Commitment

75th Anniversary Founders Fund: Provides assistance to

Greek Orthodox older adults and their families,

continuing care facilities and special projects.

Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF): Provides Orthodox

Christian support to college students on

campuses in the U.S.

Community Service

Did you know that the Assumption as a parish hosted the

Metropolis of Chicago Oratorical Festival? Well it did and I

am proud to say we did a great job. Diane Sieckmann as

our Sunday School Director was our representative to the

Metropolis Oratorical Committee. Of course as always

Philoptochos stepped up and took on the task of serving

breakfast and preparing and serving lunch at the banquet. I

would like to thank the following Philoptochos Sisters for

helping that day: Stella Afentoullis, Yvonne Alexopoulos,

Helena Brown, Thalia Dimitriou, Rose Harpole, Areti

Koliadima, Stacy Kourinos, Carol Marshall & Bessie

Theodorou. Also, a special thank you to the two men I can

always count on Michael Afentoullis & Charlton

Dimitriou.

Children’s Medical Fund

We need your support in order to help our Chicago Diocese

host this most worthy event. Currently we are looking for

sponsors who would like to donate to the grant fund. Also,

we are looking for facilities who would like to apply for a

grant. Please see Flora Dimitriou or Soula Marcou.

Evelyn’s House – BJC Hospice

We are stocking the snack pantry at the hospice house. If

you would like to make a donation, please see Flora Di-

mitriou for a list of items needed

Evelyn’s House is in need of more crocheted lap blankets.

If you have any interest in making a blanket, please let us

know. There is a size requirement for these lap blankets.

If you would like any more information on this project

please see Flora Dimitriou or Diane Sieckmann.

2019 Meeting Dates: **Board Meeting June 8 at 10am

July - No Meeting, August 4; September 15; October 6;

November 10; No Meeting in December

We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Flora Dimitriou Philoptochos President

636-795-4602

7

Women’s Summer Book Study

Are plans for our Summer Book Study session are complete. The book we are reading is

Everyday Wonders and we will meet for our summer pot luck lunch and book discussion

Saturday, August 17

11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Hosted by Keve Gialouris

17828 Greyabbey Ct.

Chesterfield, MO

If you have any questions, please contact Presvytera Laura Morton at 314-303-1784.

Ask the Elders -On Serving God

and Neighbor

And how can I best serve my

neighbor as a Christian? When we talk to our fellow men

and they tell us about their

troubles, we will listen to them

carefully if we have love for

them. We will have compassion

for their suffering and pain, for

we are God’s creatures; we are a

manifestation of the love of God. However, we often

consider this a great burden, for we are oppressed by

our own cares, worries and weaknesses. We need to

rest from all these cares, but only God can give us rest.

He is the Bearer of all our infirmities and weaknesses.

That is why we must

always turn to Him in prayer. That is our only source of

comfort. Then we will be relieved of our burdens and

the burdens of our neighbors’ troubles as well, for we

will have taken all of them to the Lord.

When our neighbor comes to us with his troubles, we

take part in them, but if we do not know how to relax-to

give all our infirmities and those of our neighbor to the

Lord-then we bear this cumbersome burden in our own

minds and hearts and, over time, we become

unbearably stressed and nervous. We become irritable;

we cannot stand our own selves , let alone other people

around us - our family members and, of course, our

co-workers. Our life becomes miserable and stressed,

and our nerves become strained. This is because we

have not taught ourselves to let go of our thoughts.

When our thoughts are at peace, our body rests too.

The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

Invites You To Our Annual

Father’s Day Reception

Sunday, June 16

Immediately After Divine Liturgy

Join us to Honor the

Father of the Year and

Man of the Year

8

Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Corner The Orthodox Mission Team of St. Louis

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."

As always, 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, please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley, 618-447-9688.

Thank you for your continued support!

The Humble Beginnings of the St. Moses the African House Church by Niko Birbilis

With so many beautiful churches setting the stage for most of Christian history, it can be easy to forget the humble be-ginnings of our sacred worship spaces. Before Christians could legally own property to build churches, however, worship took place right inside people’s homes.

Although most of us are able to worship in ornate churches today, Orthodox Christians around the world continue to worship in simple house churches too, as the Faith contin-ues to spread and grow. In those places, it almost feels like being back in the New Testament epoch of the Church.

The St. Moses the African church in Kisumu, Kenya, is one such example of a modern-day house church. Since Kisu-mu - the 3rd largest city in Kenya - did not yet have a single Orthodox parish, OCMC Missionary Dr. Bill Black made plans to establish a community with a house church, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Athanasios of blessed memory.

Dr. Black worked together with Father Ioannis from Ka-kamega to establish the St. Moses the African parish com-munity, and they invited as many people as they could. Their first service was Palm Sunday 2018, with only 5 peo-ple present. It was a great help when the bishop ordained Fr. Hierotheos James Mukuria and assigned him to this

parish, and one by one the community has continued to grow since then. One young woman invited her friends, several of whom continue to come and participate, and a number of children from the ar-ea where Fr. Hierotheos James lives have been coming to the church as well.

In addition to Sunday Liturgy, they have also been organizing fellowship gatherings on Wednesday nights, meeting in different people’s homes. This has proved effective in engaging people with their ministry outside Sunday services. In recent weeks they have seen more than 20 crowed into Dr. Black’s living room for the Divine Liturgy. Glory to God, they are hoping to baptize 10-15 on Holy Sat-urday before Pascha!

This parish community is still quite new, but through just a patient offering of services, more and more have found their way to this simple house church. These are the fruits of being faithful stewards of the Gospel treasure, and it’s exciting to follow the early development of this house church. Please keep the community of St. Moses the African in your prayers.

To help support mission priests go to www.ocmc.org/about/samp.aspx

The house church of St. Moses the Black was

established by OCMC Missionary Dr. Bill

Black and Fr. Ioannis from Kakamega, This

growing Orthodox parish is the first in Kisu-

mu, Kenya's third largest city.

9

Births - Congratulations to:

Marco and Ying Jovanovic who welcomed their second

daughter, Vicktoria, on December 24, 2018.

Louis and Colby Polychronos who welcomed twins

Alexandra Grace and Constantine Louis on February 14,

2019.

Mike and Emily Tzianos who welcomed their second

daughter, Ellie Grace, on May 16, 2019. The happy

grandparents are Dimitri Tzianos and Tracey Tzianos.

Constantine and Laura Stade on the birth of their

daughter, Evangeline Lillian, who was born on May 18.

The happy grandparents are Fr. Christopher and Matushka

Mary Stade.

Baptisms - Many Years to:

Alexandra Olivia Aslan, daughter of Andy and Nicki

Aslan, received Holy Baptism on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

The Godparents are Maria and Kristina Humphrey.

Stelliana Victoria Costas, daughter of Andrew and Caitlin

Costas, received Holy Baptism on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

The Godmother is Catherine Karam.

Funerals - Memory Eternal

Anna Korologos reposed on May 5, 2019. She is survived

by daughters Athena Zorbas and Patty (Bob) Katsantonis.

Burial is at St. Mary Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorials - Memory Eternal

May 12

9-mon Roman Mandrapa

40-day Helen Welch

May 19

1-year Achilles Kirkou

1-year George Vagionakis,

3-year John M. Surgant Sr

4-year Danny (Daniel) Taylor

5-year Adamantia Menas

5-year Evangeline Surgant

11-year Dorothy Tharenos

16-year James (Demetrios) Menas

22-year Mary Leras

24- year Penelope Strousser 27-year John Ratushinsky

29-year Theodore Menas

34-year George Tsaoussis

36-year John Leras

44-year Thomas (Trifon) Strousser

52-year Calliope Menas

73-year Panagiota Menas

79-year Aristotle Menas

June 2

5-year Haralambos Pelekanos

June 9

9-mon Van (Evangelos) Evangelopoulos

1-year Tom (Athanasios) Dubis

1-year Elaine Scott

10-year Kostando Lakata

13-year Fr. Gerasimos Annas

24-year Andrea Lakata

October 13

Departed Members Brotherhood of Alexander the Great

Important Please inform either Fr. Joseph or Fr. Anastasios

immediately when you or any member of your family is

sick or hospitalized, so that appropriate prayer and

visitation may be scheduled. Hospitals do not notify

clergy of patients, even if you list yourself as a Church

member.

In Our Prayers Nora (Elaine) Bangert Seraphima Henderson

Thekla(Rebecca) Kagaris Dean Kases

Janie (Zafera) Kyramarios George Lambos

College Addresses

In an effort to keep in touch with, and minister to, our

college students, we ask anyone with a daughter or son in

college to contact the Church office with the address,

phone, & email.

10

ΕΙΝΑΙ ΟΙ ΠΡΟΣΦΩΝΗΣΕΙΣ ‘ΠΑΝΑΓΙΑ’ ΚΑΙ ‘ΠΑΤΕΡΕΣ’ ΑΓΙΟΓΡΑΦΙΚΕΣ; Για να εκφράσουμε τα τρυφερά αισθήματα και τον

ιδιαίτερο σεβασμό μας προς την μητέρα τού Χριστού,

οι Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί την ονομάζουμε Παναγία.

Αλλοι όμως παρουσιάζουν την ένσταση ότι «Ο Θεός

είναι ‘Άγιος,’ πώς είναι δυνατόν η Μαρία να είναι

‘Παν-Αγία’;». Οι Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί ονομάζουμε

την μητέρα τού Χριστού ‘Παναγία’ όχι σε σύγκριση

προς τον Θεό, αλλά σε σύγκριση προς τούς

ανθρώπους. Εκφράζονται δηλαδή οι πιστοί

Χριστιανοί με τον ίδιο ακριβώς τρόπο που εκφράζεται

και η Γραφή. Έτσι π.χ. ο προφήτης Δανιήλ (2:37)

χρησιμοποιεί για τον Βαβυλώνιο βασιλέα

Ναβουχοδονόσορα τον τίτλο ‘βασιλεύς βασιλέων’,

δηλαδή υπέρτατος βασιλεύς, τίτλο τον οποίον

αποδίδει δύο φορές η Αποκάλυψη εις τον Χριστό

(17:14, 19:16). Πώς είναι δυνατόν ο Χριστός να είναι

‘βασιλεύς βασιλέων’, δηλαδή υπέρτατος βασιλεύς,

και ταυτοχρόνως να αποκαλείται με τον ίδιο ακριβώς

τίτλο κι ένας απλός άνθρωπος; Μήπως ο ένας

χαρακτηρισμός αναφέρεται με απόλυτη και ο άλλος

με σχετική έννοια; Επίσης ο Ευαγγελιστής Λουκάς

προσφωνεί τον άρχοντα Θεόφιλο ως

‘κράτιστο’ (Λουκ. 1:3) τίτλος ο οποίος είναι

υπερθετικός βαθμός τού επιθέτου ‘αγαθός’ (αγαθός-

κρείττων-κράτιστος). Ο Χριστός όμως μάς έχει

διαβεβαιώσει, ότι κανένας άνθρωπος δεν μπορεί να

χαρακτηριστεί ‘αγαθός’ παρά μόνος ένας, ο Θεός

(Μάρκ. 10:18, Λουκ. 18:19). Πώς λοπόν «Ο Θεός

είναι αγαθός και ο Θεόφιλος είναι κράτιστος, δηλαδή

αγαθότατος;». Μήπως ο Λουκάς δεν αποκαλεί τον

Θεόφιλο ‘αγαθότατο’ σε σύγκριση προς τον Θεό,

αλλά σε σύγκριση προς τούς ανθρώπους;

Με την ίδια λοιπόν λογική τής Γραφής, οι Ορθόδοξοι

Χριστιανοί δεν αποκαλούν την μητέρα τού Χριστού

‘Παναγία’ σε σύγκριση προς τον Θεό, αλλά σε

σύγκριση προς τούς ανθρώπους. Πράγματι η μητέρα

τού Ιησού είναι η ανωτέρα τών αγίων, αγία αγίων

(συμφώνως προς το ‘βασιλεύς βασιλέων’), Υπεραγία

ή Παναγία. Ο χαρακτηρισμός άλλωστε ‘Παναγία’

δικαιολογείται από τις φράσεις τής Γραφής ‘

κεχαριτωμένη’ (Λουκ. 1:28), δηλαδή πλήρης χαρίτων,

και ‘ευλογημένη εν γυναιξί’ (Λουκ. 1:28, 42) δηλαδή

ευλογημένη παραπάνω απ’ όλες τις γυναίκες, αφού

αυτή, απ’ όλες τις γυναίκες, αξιώθηκε να γεννήσει τον

ίδιο τον Κύριο και Θεό. Αρα κατ’αρχήν αυτοί που την

αποκαλούν απλά ‘Μαρία’ θα έπρεπε τουλάχιστον να

την αποκαλούν ‘κεχαριτωμένη’ Μαρία! Και αφού είναι

ευλογημένη παραπάνω απ’ όλες τις γυναίκες, άρα είναι

και αγία παραπάνω απ’ όλες τις γυναίκες, είναι δηλαδή

Παναγία!

Πολλοί ετερόδοξοι επίσης μας κατηγορούν ότι κακώς

αποκαλούμε τούς ιερείς μας ‘πατέρες’ διότι η Αγία

Γραφή γράφει: «πατέρα μη καλέσητε υμών επί τής

γης· είς γαρ εστίν ο πατήρ υμών, ο εν τοις

ουρανοίς» (Ματθ. 23:8-9). Εφόσον ο Χριστός

απαγορεύει να αποκαλούμε τούς ανθρώπους ‘πατέρες’,

γιατί τότε Ο ΙΔΙΟΣ απεκάλεσε τον Αβραάμ

‘πατέρα’ (Ιωάν. 8:56)?

Κατ’ εμάς τούς Ορθοδόξους, η ορθή εξήγηση είναι,

ότι τα εδάφια που αναφέρουν για ‘έναν Κύριο’, ‘έναν

Θεό’, ‘ένα Πατέρα’, ‘έναν Ποιμένα’, ‘έναν

Διδάσκαλο’, η έννοια είναι απόλυτος, ενώ τα εδάφια

που αναφέρουν για πολλούς ‘κυρίους’, ‘θεούς’,

‘πατέρες’, ‘ποιμένες’, ‘διδασκάλους’ η έννοια είναι

σχετική. Όπως ο Απόστολος Παύλος αισθανόταν

πνευματικός πατέρας πολλών πιστών, διότι τούς

αναγέννησε δια τού Ευαγγελίου (Α΄ Κορ. 4:15), γι’

αυτό και θεωρεί την σχέση του με τον Τιμόθεο ως

σχέση ‘πατρός προς τέκνο’ (Φιλιπ. 2:22, Α΄ Τιμ.

1:2,18, Β΄ Τιμ. 1:2, 2:1), όπως ο Απόστολος Πέτρος

αισθανόταν πνευματικός πατέρας τού Μάρκου και τον

αποκαλεί ‘υιό μου’ (Α΄ Πέτρ. 5:13), όπως ο

Απόστολος Ιωάννης θεωρεί τον εαυτό του πνευματικό

πατέρα τών πιστών γι’ αυτό και τούς αποκαλεί ‘τέκνα

μου’ (Γ΄ Ιωάν. στίχ.4), έτσι κι εμείς, με αυτή δηλαδή

την σχετική έννοια, θεωρούμε τούς ιερείς ως αυτούς

που χρησιμοποιεί ο Θεός για να μάς αναγεννήσει

πνευματικώς, και γι’ αυτό τον λόγο τούς αποκαλούμε

‘πατέρες’!

Για την αντιγραφή: Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης

11

Extra Virgin Olive Oil $20/bottle

Missouri Flag $96.00

Patriarchal Flag $289.00

Holy Water bottles…………..$308.00

Icon of St. Porphyrios

Icon of the Annunciation

Icon of Elder Amphilochios Makris

Icon of Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia

Dimitri and Rebecca Kagaris

Please call the church office if you would like to donate

any of these items.

High School Anastasia Harwood graduated from

Jefferson City High School & will

be attending Missouri Western State

University in the fall.

Undergrads Odessa Magafas graduated from Loyola

University Chicago, Summa Cum Laude,

with a BA in Advertising and Public Rela-

tions

Christine Siampos graduated with honors

from Webster University with a degree is in Media

Communications with a minor in Professional Writing.

Post Graduate Greg Nahlik (husband of Abigail Morton), son-in-law of

Father Daniel and Presvytera Laura Morton, graduated in

May with a Master Degree in Education with an emphasis in

Business from Lincoln University of Missouri

Nina Tzianos graduated from UMKC with a Master of Arts

in Counseling with an emphasis in Mental Health.

Hellenic Culture Camp 2019 July 15-19

Open to all children entering 2nd grade through 8th grade in Fall 2019

Monday – Thursday 8:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

St. Nicholas Family Life Center (Please bring a lunch and drink Monday-

Wednesday. Greek lunch will be provided on Thursday)

Friday

8:45 a.m. – noon Vetta Sports: Manchester

Hellenic Culture Camp is a

wonderful opportunity to expose our children and grandchildren to culturally

enriching activities and friendships within our community!

Activities include:

Greek Cooking History

Geography Greek Dancing

Greek Language Greek Arts and Jewelry Making

Sports

Cost: $100 for one child, $90 for second child, $80 for third child (Financial Assistance

Available)

For questions, please contact Barbara Corrigan at

btcstl@yahoo.com or 314.960.6258 visit

https://www.sngoc.org/news/hellenic-culture-camp

12

36th Annual Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago

St. John Chrysostom Oratorical and Arts Festival

When we received the

call from the Metropolis

of Chicago Oratorical

Committee that we would

be hosting the Metropolis

level Oratorical, I said

“Oh no.” How would we

ever do this. We would

be hosting

representatives from

parishes across the

Metropolis coming from

Minnesota, Indiana, and

Illinois. The committee

assured me “It’s easy,

we’ll do most of the

work.” They were right,

they did just about

everything and the things

for which we were

responsible they walked

us through. But there was

still much work to be

done. So many people

said “I’ll help, what can I do?” After months of preparation the day came. The metropolis committee came in Friday, May

10 and spent the afternoon setting up the areas in which the competitions would be held and the hall for the continental

breakfast and the Awards Banquet and Luncheon. The next day the festival began at 8:00 am with registration, a prayer

service and Continental Breakfast Thank you to Breadsmith for making us so many of their wonderful breakfast items.

Many of the judges and came from Chicago but we also had volunteers to be judges, time keepers, tally judges, and door

guards. The Oratorical introduced two new divisions this year, poetry and vocal. The poetry entries, the iconography, and

essay entries, were prejudged since they are not presented orally. However, the entries were displayed in the hall for all to

view. The all judges, door guards, time keepers and tally judges met for orientation prior to the beginning of the festival.

At the conclusion of an inspiring

morning of speeches and chanting,

the awards banquet began with a

wonderful meal and then the

presentation of the awards. The

winners each move on to the national

Direct Archdiocesan District and the

parish of the Archangel Michael

Church in Port Washington, New

York, from June 7 to June 9, 2019.

This could not

have been a

success

without the

help of so

many. Thank

you very

much!

13

Save the Date Hellenic Spirit

Foundation Charities and

The Soulard School of St. Louis

Team up for the

28th Annual Greek Open Invitational

Golf Tournament

June 4, 2019

How lucky I am to have something that

makes saying goodbye so hard

A.A. Milne (Winnie-the-Pooh)

On, Sunday, May 19, the Assumption family

officially said “Good-bye” and “Thank you” to Rich

and Eleni Murphy who will be moving to Richmond,

Virginia.

The Murphy family moved St. Louis around 2003

and immediately became committed and steadfast

stewards of the Assumption. Their children, James,

Michael and Katherine grew up here and still continue

to involved as young adults. If there was an award for

“Best Greeter” it would go to Eleni. She has welcomed

so many visitors and helped those who stayed to

become connected. Rich has taught Sunday School,

served as Sunday School Director and served on the

Parish Council. We have turned to Rich for help at for

many events, big and small, and he’s always been

there. They will be missed very much and despite our

loss we pray for their success in their next adventure.

Congratulations to Stella Erickson who is one of forty

exceptional recipients of the PanHellenic Scholarship.

Following is from the announcement by the PanHellenic

Scholarship Foundation.

Stella, from St. Louis,

Missouri, is currently a

freshman at Purdue University,

studying Biomedical

Engineering in the Honors

College. Stella’s love for

traveling takes her to Greece

every summer. She is proud of

and passionate of her Greek

heritage having attending Greek School for 12 years and

as well as having a love of Greek folk dancing since the

age of four.

14

Scenes from Holy Week

15

16

17

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd., Town & Country, MO 63131

(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)

June 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS

Menu subject to change

11:00 am - 2:00 pm Kitchen Phone: 314-966-6720

Web Site: http://www.assumptiongoc.org/friday-lunch Cash, Checks and Credit Cards accepted:

Master Card, VISA, Discover, American Express

June 7

Mediterranean Meatloaf with Homemade Mashed

Potatoes and Gravy ...................................................... $8

Baked Fish with Mixed Vegetables .............................. $8

Pastitsio (ground beef, macaroni casserole) .................. $7

Gyro Sandwich ............................................................. $5

(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with

tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce)

Lentil Soup..………………………….....Sm. $3....Lg. $5

2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)………..………2 for $3

Spanakopita (spinach pita) ............................................ $3

Tyropita (cheese pita) ................................................... $3

Greek Salad with olive oil dressing .............................. $5

Dessert .......................................................................... $3

(Baklava, Galatobouriko, Kataifi, Walnut Cake,

Cheesecake)

June 21

Beef Kapama over Noodles .......................................... $8

Baked Fish with Mixed Vegetables .............................. $8

Pastitsio (ground beef, macaroni casserole).................. $7

Gyro Sandwich ............................................................. $5

(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with

tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce)

Vegetable Beef Soup....……………..….Sm. $3....Lg. $5

2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)………..………2 for $3

Spanakopita (spinach pita) ............................................ $3

Tyropita (cheese pita) ................................................... $3

Greek Salad with olive oil dressing .............................. $5

Dessert .......................................................................... $3

(Baklava, Galatobouriko, Kataifi, Walnut Cake,

Cheesecake)

June 14

Pork Chop with Anna Potatoes ..................................... $8

Baked Fish with Mixed Vegetables .............................. $8

Pastitsio (ground beef, macaroni casserole) .................. $7

Gyro Sandwich .............................................................. $5

(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with

tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce)

Fasolatha (Bean Soup)…...………..…….Sm. $3....Lg. $5

2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)………..………2 for

$3

Spanakopita (spinach pita) ............................................ $3

Tyropita (cheese pita) .................................................... $3

Greek Salad with olive oil dressing............................... $5

Dessert ........................................................................... $3

(Baklava, Galatobouriko, Kataifi, Walnut Cake,

Cheesecake)

June 28

Shish-Kabob over Rice ..................................................$8

Baked Fish with Mixed Vegetables ...............................$8

Pastitsio (ground beef, macaroni casserole) ..................$7

Gyro Sandwich ..............................................................$5

(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with

tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce)

Meatball Avgolemeno Soup.....……..….Sm. $3…..Lg. $5

2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)………..………2 for $3

Spanakopita (spinach pita) ............................................$3

Tyropita (cheese pita) ....................................................$3

Greek Salad with olive oil dressing ...............................$5

Dessert ...........................................................................$3

(Baklava, Galatobouriko, Kataifi, Walnut Cake,

Cheesecake)

18

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19

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

1755 Des Peres Road

Town and Country, MO 63131-1405

Address Service Requested

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. Postage

PAID St. Louis, MO

Permit No. 4628

20

From the Orthodox Study Bible 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6

2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who

walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

2:15; 3:6 In the NT we read two types of traditions: (1) The Tradition of men (Matt. 15:1 - 9; Col. 2:8) is soundly condemned.

Jesus (quoting Is. 29:13) describes this as “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9). (2) The Tradition of

the apostles or “Holy Tradition,” by contrast, is to be preserved by the Church, for God is its source. Holy Tradition is that

which Jesus taught to the apostles, and which they, in turn, taught the Church under the inspiration o the Holy Spirit in (a) their

instructions as they visited the churches and (b) their writings. Under the guidance of the holy Spirit we adhere to Holy Tradition

as it is present in the apostles’ writings and as it is resident in the Church to which the truth is promised (John 16:13).

Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

For Consideration

We see that vice is something shameful and sinful, and that it always hides itself and always takes on the semblance of

good works. St. John Chrysostom says most beautifully: ‘Vice has not got its own, personal face, but borrows the face

of good deeds.’ The Savior also said ‘(they) come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening

wolves’ (Matt. 7:15). Call a liar a liar, and a thief a thief; a murderer a murderer, an immoral man, an immoral man and

a slanderer a slanderer, and you will anger him. Again I quote Chrysostom: ‘Good works are something natural to man,

while vice is something unnatural and false.’ If a man is seized by some vice, he quickly justifies it by some good

work, clothing it in the garment of good deeds. Truly, vice does not have its own, personal face, and neither has the

devil, the father of vice.

The Prologue from Ochrid: Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year, vol. 2 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic. Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica

Press, Birmingham, 1985. p.. 205.