Put Christ first because He puts us first, and let nothing deter us from loving Him. St. Cyprian of Carthage

Saints and Feasts of the Month

August 6, Transfiguration of Christ

August 15, Dormition of the Theotokos

August 29, Beheading of John the Baptist

THE LIGHT AUGUST 2020 VOLUME 27 ISSUE 12

From the desk of Fr. John the Editor

Fr. John is getting a month off from his newsletter contribution to prepare the new ec-clesiastical year. So today’s article is my creation, the results of my reflections on this month’s feasts, I hope you all enjoy! Eleni

August is a funny month in the ecclesiastical calendar. You all may have noticed that I only have three icons for saints and feasts of the month (to the left). A glance at the church calendar shows that there are saints celebrated every day, so yes, technically, I could have expanded the range of images. But take a peek at the three significant feasts of this month—the Transfiguration of Christ, the Dormition (i.e. falling asleep) of the Theotokos, and the Beheading of John the Baptist. I am not sure what the theolo-gians would suggest, but when I think of the figures that are most significant in Christ’s life, the Theotokos and John the Baptist take center stage. I am going to assume you all agree about the significance of the Theotokos, so I’ll explain my thinking around John the Baptist, before I continue with the discussion of these feasts. We are taught that baptism is significant to our function as Orthodox – it starts us on the path to salvation. We are taught to honor our godparents as we would honor our parents, when we con-sider who will stand as a godparent to our child the decision is significant. In olden days, the choice of godparent included some thought as to how that person would be able to raise the child if something happened to the parents. Simultaneously, there are many traditions surrounding how godparents are chosen (i.e. Greeks will often have the best man/maid of honor from their wedding baptize the first child/ren); neverthe-less, it is not a decision to make lightly as godparents are, in part, responsible for the child’s upbringing in the church. So, considering John the Baptist is the human who baptized the Divine, I feel like his connection to Christ is significant. And those afore-mentioned theologians probably agree at least a little bit as every iconostasio features the icon of John the Baptist next to Christ.

So, again, August is a funny month and perhaps more spiritually significant than we normally would consider as it is also the last bit of vacation time before the start of the school year and end of the summer and we are distracted by more earthly concerns. For example, Gamal had sent out an email on August 2nd with the Dormition Chal-lenge. As you all, hopefully, know, the first 14 days of August are fasting days leading up to the 15th when the Dormition of the Theotokos is celebrated. The idea of the challenge was to take 15 minutes a day to pray and reflect on your faith, as well as per-haps reach out to your spiritual family. Now, show of hands, how many of you have tried the challenge? How many of you have even taken the time to even read the email? While I’ll excuse those of you without email or the tech savvy to check your email a little bit, the idea that periods of fasting are not just about not eating meat is not a new one nor is the idea that we as Orthodox Christians should take the time eve-ryday to pray or meditate some way on our faith. Frankly, the proliferation of material online, both speeches and articles, makes it incredibly easy to find ways for spiritual enrichment. Think about it, what if you listened to an Orthodox podcast, a YouTube video of a speaker, or had whatever device read an article to you while you are getting ready in the morning or driving around? What if you spent time in prayer instead of scrolling for the latest back-to-school sales? What if your vacation planning included a religious or spiritual retreat? What if life becomes simpler when you keep Christ first?

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

9 8:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy

10 6pm Small Paraklesis

11 6pm Great Paraklesis

12 6pm Small Paraklesis

13 6pm Great Paraklesis

14

15 9am Divine Liturgy, Dormition of the Theotokos

16 8:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy

17 18

19 20

21

22 11am Gyro Drive Thru

23 8:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy

24 25

26 27 28 29 9am Divine Lit., Beheading of St. John the Baptist 4:30pm Dinner for Old Mill Terrace

30 8:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy

31 1 9am Divine Liturgy, Beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year

2

3

4 5

6 8:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy 7pm Virtual Philoptochos Meeting

7 6pm Great Ves-pers, Feast of the Church, Nativtiy of the Theotokos

8 9am Divine Lit., Nativity of the Theotokos

9 10 11

12

13 9am Orthros/Divine Liturgy

14 9am Divine Lit., Exaltation of the Holy Cross

15 16 17 18 19

July 2o20 August 2020

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For our Greek Readers...

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Η ΠΡΟΟΔΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΤΙΜΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΖΩΟΠΟΙΟΥ ΣΤΑΥΡΟΥ- ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΓΙΟΡΤΗ ΤΗΣ ΟΡΘΟ-ΔΟΞΙΑΣ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ 1 ΑΥΓΟΥΣΤΟΥ- ΚΑΛΟ ΜΗΝΑ

https://www.ekklisiaonline.gr/nea/i-proodos-tou-timiou-ke-zoopiou-stavrou-megali-giorti-tis-orthodoxias-simera-1-avgoustou-kalo-mina/

Σήμερα η εκκλησία μας εισέρχεται στην περίοδο της Νηστείας του Δεκαπενταυγούστου. Την ίδια δε ημέρα εορτάζει την Πρόοδο του Τιμίου Σταυρού δηλαδή την έξοδο του Τιμίου Σταυρού από το παλάτι στη Πόλη και τη λιτάνευσή του στις συνοικίες της Κωνσταντινουπόλεως προς ευλογία των πιστών.

Η Πρόοδος Του Τιμίου και Ζωοποιού Σταυρού– Μεγάλη γιορτή της ορθοδοξίας σήμερα 1 Αυγούστου- Καλό μήνα!

Ο Σταυρός αναδεικνύεται σύμβολο ευλογίας και μέτρο της αγάπης και της συγχώρεσης.

Ο ζωοποιός Σταυρός δείχνει την πορεία προς την Ανάσταση του Κυρίου και την εξαγορά της ανθρωπότητας από την αμαρτία.

Ο Σταυρός του Κυρίου δείχνει το μέγεθος και της αγάπης και της θυσίας του ίδιου του φανερωθέντος Θεού, τόσο για τον άνθρωπο όσο και για τη δημιουργία ολόκληρη.

Στην Κωνσταντινούπολη, μετά την προσκύνηση του Τιμίου Ξύλου, γινόταν η λεγόμενη Πρόοδος, δηλαδή η περιφορά Του μέσα στην πόλη.

Ο Ευστρατιάδης αναφέρει τα έξης: «Κατά την ημέραν ταύτην εξήγετο εκ του σκευοφυλακίου της μεγάλης εκκλησίας ο Τίμιος Σταυρός, περιήγετο ανά την πόλιν και εξετίθετο εις διαφόρους ναούς προς προσκύνησιν και αγιασμόν των πι-στών και πάλιν απετίθετο εις το σκευοφυλάκιον».

Ο Κωνσταντίνος ο Πορφυρογέννητος στο έργο «Έκθεσις Βασιλείου τάξεως» περιγράφει τον τρόπο που γινόταν, τόσο η προσκύνηση, όσο και η περιφορά. Το Τίμιο Ξύλο, λοιπόν, προσφερόταν για προσκύνηση από τους πιστούς από τις 23 Ιουλίου και για επτά ημέρες.

Στη συνέχεια, για δύο εβδομάδες γινόταν η Πρόοδος του Τιμίου Ξύλου προς αγιασμό, η οποία κάλυπτε όλη σχεδόν την Πόλη και τα περίχωρά της.

Στις 14 Αυγούστου περιέφερναν το Τίμιο Ξύλο στα ανάκτορα και το εναπόθεταν στο εκκλησάκι των Αγίων Θεοδώρων, που βρισκόταν εντός του παλατιού.

Η εορτή της Προόδου του Τιμίου Σταυρού καθιερώθηκε να τελείται στις εκκλησίες, λόγω της σωτηρίας των Βυζαντινών από την επιδρομή των Σαρακηνών, με τη δύναμη του Τιμίου και Ζωοποιού Σταυρού, επί αυτοκρατορίας του Μανουήλ Κο-μνηνού.

Τέλος, να πούμε ότι από σήμερα, μέχρι και τις 14 Αυγούστου, η Εκκλησία καλεί τους πιστούς σε νηστεία, ως πνευματική άσκηση και προετοιμασία για την μεγάλη εορτή της κοιμήσε-ως της Θεοτόκου.

Notes on Calendar Events

Stay tuned for further fundraising dates/events. Sunday School start date and format will be announced soon! Stay tuned for details. October Mini Festival—Details to follow in September’s edition (cancellation or alternative plans)

Parish Council

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My Fellow Orthodox Christians,

I’m glad to see many of you again in person at Church, it’s been a blessing catching up with you all! I do want to re-mind everyone to pre-register for Church attendance at https://www.nativity.va.goarch.org/church-reopening/ and to read through all the material on the Church reopening site.

Fund Raising

We had our second gyro drive thru on July 25th, where we have a set meal consisting of a gyro, bag of chips and a bottle of water for $10. No special orders or variations, along with selling baklava on the side extra. No exiting the vehicle, strictly a drive thru. God Blessed us with another successful event where we grossed $5800 in sales compared to the first one where we grossed $4000 with a net take home of a bit over $4900. The event ran from 11am to 3pm. I want to thank everyone

that came out to help! Especially the next generation that’s coming up in our Church. It was a blessing to see our youth hard at work for our Lord’s Bride, our beloved Nativity of the Theotokos.

We plan on having another gyro drive thru August 22nd, from 11am to 3pm. Please like and share the event posts on our Facebook page, @fredgreekfest.

No official decision has been made as of yet, but I highly doubt that we will be having a festival this year. With God’s Grace our intent is to hold one gyro drive thru every month to try and supple-ment the lost income from missing out on two festivals this year. By next newsletter I hope to have a final decision for you all.

Hall Rentals have stalled due to COVID 19, which has been another major source of income for our beloved Church. Our inability to fund raise will be a challenge this year and we’re evaluating ways to fund raise safely and within feder-al and state guidelines. With God’s Grace we will get through this. As Orthodox Christians, we are called to take a something that’s negative and turn it to something positive. COVID 19 forced us to think through other ways to gener-ate income for the Church, leading to the gyro drive thru which has been a blessing. This and other initiatives and min-istries will continue to support our long-term mission when through God’s Grace this current crisis has passed.

Our Church unity, faith and love of Christ and one another is boundless. Through our unity in Christ we will find ways to stay connected, drawing spiritual nourishment from God and strength from one another during these trying times. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please reach out to Father John at fr.john@ntgoc.org, myself gamal@ntgoc.org or any other parish council member and we will help in any way we can.

We appreciate your continued support and participation! That’s what makes these ministries and initiatives possible. We ask that you continue to support the Church so that together we may serve our Nativity of the Theotokos Church and our community during this difficult time.

In closing Xronia Polla! Happy Ecclesiastical New Year to you all! The NTGOC Parish Council renews it's never ending pledge of service to Christ and his Church and look forward to a great year together! As always, a prayer:

O gracious Mother of the gracious God, O most pure and blessed Mary, the Mother of God: Pour the mercy of thy Son and our God upon my impassionate soul, and with thine intercessions set me unto good works, that I may pass the rest of my life without blemish and, with thine aid, attain heaven. O Virgin Mother of God, the only one who art pure and blessed; O Queen of the Heavenly Host, Defender of our souls: Being delivered from evil, as thy servants, O Mother of God, we offer unto thee the hymns of thanks and victory; but as thou hast power invincible, deliver us from all calamity, that we may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O Ever-Virgin Bride! O Virgin, spotless.

In Christ, Gamal

Philoptochos

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Greetings from the Ladies Philoptochos!

Summertime is typically not as eventful for the Ladies due to summer vacations so this will be a quick update. Last month a wonderful dinner meal was served to approximately 80 residents at Mill Park Terrace. Thank you to Maria Yiasemides for organizing the event. Our next dinner event at Mill Park Terrace to occur on Saturday, August 29th.

Unfortunately do the pandemic, our back to school clothing drive partnered with the Interfaith Community Council was cancelled due to health safety concerns. When we have our next Philoptochos meeting we can brainstorm other ideas for helping children in need in the local community.

Registration is open for the National Philoptochos 2020 Virtual Biennial Convention for August 21-22nd. The deadline to register is August 17th. Thus far we have two delegates representing our chapter and there is an opening for a 3rd person. Unlimited ladies can register as observers. Please contact me if interested in participating.

Our next board meeting will occur on Sunday, August 30th and our next general meeting will be on Sunday, September 6th at 7:00pm via telephone. I will email everyone the call in number closer to the event. I look forward to hearing your voices on the phone until we can safely meet in person again.

I pray everyone is staying safe and healthy. Please let me or any one of the ladies know if any parishioner is in need of charitable assistance or community needs during this unpredictable time. Stay strong in your faith, in your love for one another, be kind, be thankful, and most of all remember God is always, always with you. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13.

In Christ, Verilee Vasilakos

Stewardship

Stewardship: The Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

https://www.goarch.org/-/stewardship-the-transfiguration-of-our-lord-and-savior-jesus-christ

The Feast of the Transfiguration on Mt. Tabor reveals the glorious light of Christ’s divinity. In describing this event St. John Chrysostom explains that Moses represents the Law and Elijah the Prophets of the Old Testament. Both had vi-sions of God. Moses is symbolic of the dead while Elijah, having been carried up to heaven in a chariot of fire, repre-sents the living over whom - both the living and the dead - Christ reigns in glory!

Also in the icon are the Apostles Peter, James and John. Christ appears to them, not in the form of man, the "suffering servant", but in the form of God! Church hymnology states: "For taking apart the three Disciples He has expressly cho-sen...He led them up into the mountain by themselves; and for a short time He concealed the flesh He had assumed, and was transfigured before them."

The Transfiguration of Christ is a theophany, a manifestation of God that displays His uncreated divine energy. In the Transfiguration we celebrate the divinity of Christ and the call for His faithful followers to allow God to live in their lives.

Orthodox Christian STEWARDSHIP is the response we offer when God lives in our lives. The participation of the three disciples, along with Moses and Elijah, reveal to us the entire Church: the disciples representing the Church on earth and the prophets the heavenly Church. God’s covenant in the Old Testament is fulfilled in Christ. The testimony of these two prophets and three disciples is the revelation of God in Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We, then, be-come members of the body of Christ through Baptism and Chrismation into the Faith.

The STEWARDSHIP Program is the way for everyone to belong. We are expected to make an honest and sincere contri-bution to the sacred ministry of the Church. No matter what one’s income so long as one gives as an expression of faith and love the work of Christ’s church will grow and prevail. See: Matthew 17:1-12; Mark 9:2-10; Luke 9:28-36

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Things You Need to Know Before Attending Services

PLEASE FOLLOW PARISH INSTRUCTIONS

• Register to attend services using the website or the emailed link. If you are unable to use the link to register, please contact Fr. John or Gamal.

• You MUST be wearing a mask before you enter the church. Masks may only be removed if and when you receive Holy Communion.

• The front door of the Church will be the only door available for entrance into the Church. This door will be kept open so that parishioners do not have to touch the door handle.

• Hands must be sanitized upon entry. You will be directed to your seating area by an usher and are asked to remain in that area for the duration of the service. Seating has been arranged for appropriate social distancing. Families are asked to keep their children from wandering the aisles or jumping pews.

• Honor the icons and other sacred objects by a reverent bow and making the sign of the Cross instead of kissing.

• Divine Liturgy books/Hymnals and parish publications (bulletins) will not be available.

• The restrooms will be open for use by only one parishioner at time.

RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION

• Follow the social distancing guidelines as you approach. There are appropriate markers on the floor to guide you.

• Wait on the carpet until the person in front of you has walked away from the Chalice.

• As you approach the chalice, please remove your mask.

• Keep your hands by your sides.

• Do not provide your name (unless prompted).

• Do not close your mouth on the spoon—open your mouth wide enough to allow Fr. John to administer the Gifts.

• Do not wipe your mouth on the cloth, it is there to prevent the gifts from falling to the ground.

• Antidoron is not being distributed after Holy Communion, please return to your assigned seat.

WORSHIP SERVICE CONCLUDES

• Collection baskets will not to be passed. At the end of Liturgy, a basket will be placed in the Narthex and parishion-ers will be encouraged to leave their donation as they exit.

• Antidoron, koliva from any memorial services, and/or bread from an artoclasia will be available, in baggies, as you exit the church.

• At the conclusion of the service please exit and return to your vehicle without congregating.

• There will be no congregating in Church or in the Church parking lot.

• Maintain Social Distancing while exiting Church.

For those of you not able to attend in person, the services will continue to be live streamed via YouTube. Don’t for-get to subscribe so you can get notifications of all content.

Miscellany

Condolences

On July 27, Anna Razza passed away. Anna had only been a member of our parish a few years, but had been active in the Ladies Philoptochos.

May her memory be eternal.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Christopher Donner and his sons, Nicholas (Toya), Matthew (Shion), and Paisios (Aira) and their godparents, Chris Rigopou-los, Gamal Salem, and Paul & Hannah Fallon.

May they live a long and blessed life!

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Miscellany

Happy Name Day! Χρονια Πολλα!

Happy Name Day to all of those celebrating their feast this month!

Maximillian Elessa Markellos Justinian Salome

Sotiris/Sotiria Violet Myron/Myra Rose Alexander

Panayiotis/Panayiota Lora Fotis Despina Damon

Adriana/Adrian Katholiki Maria Alcibiades Arsenios

Bartholemew Samuel Natalia Fanouris

Food

for

thought

…

The Nativity of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church

12326 Spotswood Furnace Road Fredericksburg, VA 22407

540-548-2665 Office Email—office@ntgoc.org

Newsletter Email—newsletter@ntgoc.org www.nativity.va.goarch.org

Parish Information

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PARISH COUNCIL Gamal Salem, President Nick Roman, Secretary Maria Christoforatos, Treasurer Maxine Calamos, Assistant Treasurer George Tsoukleris Dennis Makrinos Yvonne Athanasaw Chris Zourzoukis STEWARDSHIP Yvonne Athanasaw FUND RAISING

BOOK STORE Monica Hicks PHILOPTOCHOS Verilee Vasilakos, President Linda Govenides, Vice-President Christine Turdean, Treasurer Secretary CHOIR 2020 FESTIVAL

SUNDAY SCHOOL Dr. Judy Marrs, Director DANCE Dr. Judy Marrs, Director GOYA Dan Athanasaw Jr. HOPE/JOY

Office Hours

Fr. John is available as follows or by appointment

Monday—Closed

Tuesday— 9am-1pm

Wedensday— 9am-1pm

Thursday—9am-1pm

Friday—9am-1pm

Cell phone number—

540-645-1427

Email—fr.john@ntgoc.org

PASTORAL GUIDELINES

Please contact Fr. John if you wish to schedule a sacrament, or know of a parishioner who is sick or in the hospital.

WEDDINGS: Marriages are not performed on fast days, during fasting seasons, or on the feasts of the church, specifi-cally September 14 (Exaltation of the Holy Cross), December 13-25 (Nativity), January 5 & 6 (Theophany), Great Lent and Holy Week, Pascha (Easter), Pentecost, August 1-15 (Dormition Fast and Feast), and August 29 (Beheading of St. John the Baptist) Exceptions can only be made with the permission of the respective hierarch.

BAPTISMS: A person who wishes to sponsor a candidate for Baptism or Chrismation must be an Orthodox Christian in good standing and a supporting member of an Orthodox parish. A person may not serve as a godparent if the Church has not blessed his or her marriage, or, if civilly divorced, he or she has not been granted an ecclesiastical divorce, or for any other reason he or she is not in communion with the Orthodox Church. Baptisms may not be performed from Christmas Day through the Feast of Theophany (December 25-January 6), during Holy Week, or any of the great feast days of the Lord.

FUNERALS: Funeral services are permitted on any day of the year, except for Sundays, and Holy Friday, unless permis-sion is granted by the Archbishop or Metropolitan.

MEMORIALS: Memorial services may not be chanted from the Saturday of Lazarus through the Sunday of Thomas, or any Feast days of the Lord or the Theotokos.