The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We...
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64 Schemerhorn Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 718.624.0595 Vol. 2 No. 3 www.stconstantineandhelen.org • [email protected] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. JN 1:14 Page 1 W ith the Feast of Christmas drawing near, it is important that we all take time to look at ourselves and our spiritual practice as it extends to our every day life. In this arti- cle I would like to address the theology of Jesus Christ as the Word of God and the use of words in prayer and worship. Specifically, I want to bring to light how our spiritual practice must also extend to our every spoken word. A few months ago I was having a conversation with a person and in the midst of our dialogue God’s name was used in vain. I was taken aback because even in the presence of a priest the blasphemy took place. This is not an isolated story. Each day blas- phemy, foul language and cursing is so common that it has becomes the norm. Many times we may even justify our use of foul language because, we reason, everybody does it. This, however, is not how God ever intended for us to use our words. The verse referenced at the title of this article is from the prologue of the Gospel of John. It begins with “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.”JN1:1-2 During the creation story God creates with His creative Word and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. This creative Word is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. It is this Word that becomes flesh by Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary in the person of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the great communicator of God the Father by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit to teach and dialogue with us about our very important relationship with God. In God’s great mercy and love He humbled Himself so much, He emptied Himself into the world that His Word could dwell with us, alive, and in the best manner in which God could relate to us in our own humanity. Thus, as Jesus taught, as He performed miracles as He travelled the path of humility with His incarnation, His birth, His baptism and His crucifixion it is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, it is this very Word of God who is undergoing such humility in order for God to relate to us in the most loving, passionate, honest and tender way. The rich spiritual tradition of prayer and worship is expressed with words. The first Ode of the Katabasia dedicated to the Virgin Mother states, “My mouth shall I open wide, and it will thus be with Spirit filled.” We participate in the divine services by chanting and speaking words. While we pray to God we speak to our Lord with words not only of our lips but of our heart and soul. When we prayerfully read the Holy Scriptures we are listening to the Word of God. Thus, words that pour forth from the mouths of people are meant for a holy and honorable purpose. For example, the archangel Gabriel waited for the word of Mary when he conveyed to her the good news of that she would conceive and give birth to the Son of God: “Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.” LK 1:38; It was with a word that the thief on the cross stole his way into paradise when he confessed to Jesus on the cross: “Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” LK 23:42; It was with His Word that Jesus healed many as we read in the miracles that Jesus performed in the Gospels. As is evident from these examples, the main purpose of language and the words we use is to allow us to conduct a dia- logue -- both with our creator and with one another -- in a holy and truthful way. As the psalmist, King David hymns, “May the praise of God be in their mouths” Ps 149:6 I would like to also shed some light on this theme from the Holy Scriptures and through the theology of the church. St. James in his apostolic letter dedicates chapter three to how evil the tongue may become. In one verse he says, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” James 3:10-11 With this same image in our mind how can a person pray to God, receive Holy Communion, sing hymns from the Divine Liturgy and then in one breath use foul language? In the story of creation, God made humankind in His image and likeness. Each time we speak a word, in reality, we represent God. One would never curse at a holy icon in the church. Why would a person curse at another person who is an icon of God? Even if we are not cursing at someone else we still misrep- resent God who made us in His image and likeness. In the Old Testament, if a person blasphemed the name of God, one was stoned to death. We read this in the Book of Leviticus. And whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him…” Lev. 24:16 This was in direct response to the third com- mandment, “Do not use the Lord’s name in vain!” St. Komas, Apostle to the Poor, says the following about those who curse: “If a person curses my father, my mother, my sibling, I have an obligation as a Christian to forgive them. If a person however curs- es my Christ and my Panagia, I do not want to see them. We have seen through the beautiful services, the scrip- tures and the saints, the fact that words are intended to be a reflection of God’s holy Word. Also, we have read in vivid detail how cursing and blasphemy is a sin. Since blasphemy and cursing have become so prevalent in today’s culture, we must ask ourselves how that reflects on our spiritual state. Therefore, if we find ourselves ever cursing or using God’s name in vain, we must repent and make a con- scious effort to change our ways and instead of using such words, work to express anger and frustration with a different approach. A great phrase to use in time of frustrating situations is the prayer “Lord Have Mercy! Kyrie Eleison!” as God’s mercy is like a sooth- ing balm which redirects passion into virtue. I would like to conclude this article with words from Moses from the Book of Deuteronomy 12:28: “Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.” Father John Lardas
Transcript of The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We...
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64 Schemerhorn StreetBrooklyn, NY 11201718.624.0595
Vol. 2 No. 3www.stconstantineandhelen.org • [email protected]
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came
from the Father, full of grace and truth. JN 1:14
Page 1
With the Feast of Christmas drawing near, itis important that we all take time to lookat ourselves and our spiritual practice as itextends to our every day life. In this arti-cle I would like to address the theology ofJesus Christ as the Word of God and the
use of words in prayer and worship. Specifically, Iwant to bring to light how our spiritual practice mustalso extend to our every spoken word.
A few months ago I was having a conversationwith a person and in the midst of our dialogue God’sname was used in vain. I was taken aback becauseeven in the presence of a priest the blasphemy tookplace. This is not an isolated story. Each day blas-phemy, foul language and cursing is so common thatit has becomes the norm. Many times we may evenjustify our use of foul language because, we reason,everybody does it. This, however, is not how God everintended for us to use our words.
The verse referenced at the title of this article isfrom the prologue of the Gospel of John. It beginswith “In the beginning was the Word, and the Wordwas with God, and the Word was God. He was withGod in the beginning.”JN1:1-2 During the creationstory God creates with His creative Word and theSpirit of God hovered over the waters. This creativeWord is the Son of God, the Second Person of the HolyTrinity. It is this Word that becomes flesh by HolySpirit and the Virgin Mary in the person of our Lordand Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the great communicator of God theFather by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit toteach and dialogue with us about our very importantrelationship with God. In God’s great mercy and loveHe humbled Himself so much, He emptied Himselfinto the world that His Word could dwell with us,alive, and in the best manner in which God couldrelate to us in our own humanity. Thus, as Jesustaught, as He performed miracles as He travelled thepath of humility with His incarnation, His birth, Hisbaptism and His crucifixion it is the Second Person ofthe Holy Trinity, it is this very Word of God who isundergoing such humility in order for God to relate tous in the most loving, passionate, honest and tenderway.
The rich spiritual tradition of prayer and worship
is expressed with words. The first Ode of theKatabasia dedicated to the Virgin Mother states, “Mymouth shall I open wide, and it will thus be withSpirit filled.” We participate in the divine services bychanting and speaking words. While we pray to Godwe speak to our Lord with words not only of our lipsbut of our heart and soul. When we prayerfully readthe Holy Scriptures we are listening to the Word ofGod. Thus, words that pour forth from the mouths ofpeople are meant for a holy and honorable purpose.
For example, the archangel Gabriel waited for theword of Mary when he conveyed to her the good newsof that she would conceive and give birth to the Sonof God: “Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you havesaid.’ Then the angel left her.” LK 1:38; It was with aword that the thief on the cross stole his way intoparadise when he confessed to Jesus on the cross:“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you comeinto your kingdom.’” LK 23:42; It was with His Wordthat Jesus healed many as we read in the miraclesthat Jesus performed in the Gospels. As is evidentfrom these examples, the main purpose of languageand the words we use is to allow us to conduct a dia-logue -- both with our creator and with one another-- in a holy and truthful way. As the psalmist, KingDavid hymns, “May the praise of God be in theirmouths” Ps 149:6
I would like to also shed some light on this themefrom the Holy Scriptures and through the theology ofthe church. St. James in his apostolic letter dedicateschapter three to how evil the tongue may become. Inone verse he says, “Out of the same mouth comepraise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.Can both fresh water and salt water flow from thesame spring?” James 3:10-11 With this same imagein our mind how can a person pray to God, receiveHoly Communion, sing hymns from the Divine Liturgyand then in one breath use foul language?
In the story of creation, God made humankind inHis image and likeness. Each time we speak a word,in reality, we represent God. One would never curseat a holy icon in the church. Why would a personcurse at another person who is an icon of God? Evenif we are not cursing at someone else we still misrep-resent God who made us in His image and likeness.
In the Old Testament, if a person blasphemed the
name of God, one was stoned to death. We read thisin the Book of Leviticus. And whoever blasphemesthe name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. Allthe congregation shall certainly stone him…” Lev.24:16 This was in direct response to the third com-mandment, “Do not use the Lord’s name in vain!”
St. Komas, Apostle to the Poor, says the followingabout those who curse: “If a person curses my father,my mother, my sibling, I have an obligation as aChristian to forgive them. If a person however curs-es my Christ and my Panagia, I do not want to seethem.
We have seenthrough the beautifulservices, the scrip-tures and the saints,the fact that wordsare intended to be areflection of God’sholy Word. Also, wehave read in vividdetail how cursingand blasphemy is asin. Since blasphemyand cursing havebecome so prevalentin today’s culture, wemust ask ourselveshow that reflects onour spiritual state.Therefore, if we find ourselves ever cursing or usingGod’s name in vain, we must repent and make a con-scious effort to change our ways and instead of usingsuch words, work to express anger and frustrationwith a different approach. A great phrase to use intime of frustrating situations is the prayer “Lord HaveMercy! Kyrie Eleison!” as God’s mercy is like a sooth-ing balm which redirects passion into virtue.
I would like to conclude this article with wordsfrom Moses from the Book of Deuteronomy 12:28:“Observe and obey all these words which I commandyou, that it may go well with you and your childrenafter you forever, when you do what is good and rightin the sight of the LORD your God.”
Father John Lardas
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Board Of Trustees
His All Holiness Bartholomew His Eminence Archbishop DemetriosArchbishop of Constantinople, Primate of the Greek OrthodoxNew Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch Church in AmericaRum Patrikhanesi 342 20 Fener-Halic 10 East 79th StreetIstanbul, Turkey New York, NY 10021Tel. +011-90-212.531.9670, 531-9676 (212) 570-3500
Board MembersAthanasia Apostolakos John Athanitis Steve BacasAndreas Chyrsostomou Ted Dikeakos George FanourakisZeno Gavales Panagiotis Papadopoulos George PoulonAndrew Poulos Chris Sofronis Peter StratigakisJim Tampakis Alex Vanech Konstatinos VarelisPeter Vlitas Peter Yatrakis
Fr. John K. Lardas,Presiding PriestSts. Constantineand Helen Cathedral64 Schermerhorn StreetBrooklyn, NY 11201(718)624-0595
Board of TrusteesExecutive Board
Peter Rogakos – PresidentConstantinos Paravalos – Vice-PresidentAngelo Koutsidis – 2nd Vice-President
George Papadakos – TreasurerAngelo Papadakos – Asst. TreasurerAnthony Kammas – Asst. Treasurer
John Anestis – Greek SecretaryHercules Argyriou – English Secretary
Editing StaffFr. John Lardas – Editor Theokli Hatzoglou – Greek Editor Catherine Economakis – Copy EditorPatterson Graham, Taso Gementzopoulos, Andrew Yannakos – Photography and Alumni
Special ThanksMr. Tony Barsamian and the Queens Gazette for publishing the Newsletter
Board CommitteesChurch Order: Peter VlitasMaintenance and Security: Dean ParavalosReal Estate: Jim TampakisChurch Dance: Dean ParavalosChurch Name Day: Konstantinos Varelis and Dean ParavalosTechnology: Ted DikeakosBonds: Ted DikeakosYouth: Taki PapadopoulosChurch Journal: Hercules Argyriou100th Anniversary: Peter Vlitas and Jim TampakisFestival Chairperson: Michelle TampakisHuman Resources: George PoulonMembership and Pledge: Ted Dikeakos and Deano VasilakosSchool Board Chairlady: Dr. Kathryn Yatrakis
Church SecretaryEffie Katsenis
Philoptochos Executive BoardPresident – Georgeann Papadakos1st Vice-President – Fevronia Soumakis 2nd Vice-President – Lucy BounasTreasurer – Stelene ArgyriouSecretary – Stella KanellakisAdvisors – Evangelia Apostolakos and Betty Xanthos
Board MembersCleo Athanitis, Pauline Apostolakis, Margie Bacas, Efrosini Ekonomakos,Popi Gavales, Soula Kastanis, Connie Lambros, Presbytera Eleni Lardas,Pitsa Tampakis, Catherine Vasilakos, Betty Xanthos, Vaso Xekardakis
A. Fantis Parochial School of SS. Constantine and HelenSchool Board Chairlady: Dr. Kathryn YatrakisPrincipal: Dr. Alice FarkouhSchool Board Committee: John Adelaide, John Athanitis,AnnaChrysostomou, Jeannine Harris, Anthony Kammas, AngelaPapadopoulos, Vincenta Papas, Dean Paravalos, Peter Rogakos , JimTampakis, Dr. Kathryn Yatrakis , Dr. Alice Farkouh, Fr. John LardasSunday School Director: Paulline ApostolakisChoir Director: Paulette HiosChanter: Panagiotis DelicarisKantelinautis: Panagiotis MasouridesKoliva: Evangelia MasouridesProsforo: Efrosoni EconomakosAcolytes: Andrew PoulosNews Letter: Fr. John LardasWebsite: Nicholas and Maria (Mao) Soulakis
Affiliates and Organizations of the Cathedral ofSS. Constantine and HelenGoya Advisors: Taki Papadopoulos and Leya TropodasJoy Monthly Meetings: Maria VlitasGoya Girl’s Basketball: Calliopi Athanasakos and Agatha ApostolakisGoya Boy’s Basketball: Jimmy Papaspyrou, Adam Hotzoglou and JohnStathakisJoy Coaches: Angelo Koutsidis, Angelo Papadakos, Taki Papadopoulos,John Athanites, Andrew Poulos, Foti Karantonis, Stamatis KanellakisAdult Greek Language: Vasiliki PartiglouDance Instructor: Despina and Aspasia HotzoglouMicro Ellinaki: Stella KanellaisYoung at Heart: Katerina JamesOPA (Orthodox Paidea Association): Fotis Karantonis
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Η γιορτή των Χριστουγέννων παρουσιάζειστη σημερινή κοινωνία μια μοναδικήπρόκληση για το πώς οι λέξειςχρησιμοποιούνται για να εκφράσουν σκέψεις,συναισθήματα, ιδέες και πώς για τηνεπικοινωνία με τον Θεό. Αυτό το άρθρο θακατευθυνθεί προς τη Θεολογία του ΙησούΧριστού, ως τον Λόγο του Θεού. Θαερευνήσει την χρήση των λέξεων στηνπροσευχή και την λατρεία και θα σχολιάσει τοπόσο κυρίαρχη είναι η βωμολοχία, η άσκημηγλώσσα και η βλασφημία στη σημερινήκοινωνία.
Ο στίχος από την Αγία Γραφή πουαναφέρεται στον τίτλο αυτού του άρθρουείναι από τον πρόλογο του Ευαγγελίου τουΙωάννη. Ξεκινά με: « Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος,καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν, καὶ Θεὸς ἦν ὁΛόγος. Οὗτος ἦν ἐν ἀρχῇ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν.».Ιω. 1:1-2 Στη διάρκεια της ιστορίας τηςδημιουργίας του κόσμου, ο Θεός δημιουργείμε τον Λόγο της δημιουργίας Του και τοπνεύμα του Θεού παρέμενε μετέωρο πάνωαπό τα ύδατα. Αυτός ο λόγος τηςδημιουργίας είναι ο Υιός του Θεού, τοδεύτερο πρόσωπο στην Αγία Τριάδα. Είναιαυτός ο Λόγος, ο οποίος γίνεται σάρκα απότο Άγιο Πνεύμα και την Παρθένο Μαρία στοπρόσωπο του Κυρίου και Σωτήρα μας, ΙησούΧριστού. Ο Ιησούς Χριστός είναι ο μεγάλοςκοινωνός του Θεού Πατέρα μέσω τηςεπιφοίτησης του Αγίου Πνεύματος για ναδιδάξει και να κάνει διάλογο με εμάς σχετικάμε την πολύ σημαντικά σχέση μας με τον Θεό.Με το μεγάλο έλεος και την αγάπη του Θεού,Αυτός ταπείνωσε τον Εαυτό του τόσο πολύ,έδωσε τον Εαυτό του στον κόσμο για νακατοικήσει ο Λόγος του μαζί μας, ζωντανός,και με τον καλύτερο τρόπο με τον οποίο οΘεός θα μπορούσε να σχετιστεί με μας μέσαστην ανθρώπινη φύση μας. Έτσι, όπωςδίδαξε ο Ιησούς, όπως έκανε θαύματα, όπωςταξίδεψε στο μονοπάτι της ταπεινοφροσύνηςμε την ενσάρκωσή Του, τη γέννησή Του, τηβάπτισή Του και τη σταύρωσή Του, είναι τοδεύτερο πρόσωπο της Αγίας Τριάδας, είναιαυτός ο Ίδιος ο Λόγος του Θεού, ο οποίοςυφίσταται τόση ταπεινοφροσύνη ώστε ο Θεόςνα σχετιστεί μαζί μας με τον πιο στοργικό, τονπιο παράφορο, τον πιο ειλικρινή και τρυφερότρόπο.
Η πλούσια πνευματική παράδοση τηςπροσευχής και της λατρείας εκφράζεται μελέξεις. Η πρώτη Ωδή της Καταβασίας πουείναι αφιερωμένη στην Παρθένο δηλώνει,«Ανοίξω το στόμα μου και πληρωθήσαταιπνεύματι». Συμμετέχουμε στη ΘείαΛειτουργία ψάλλοντας και λέγοντας λέξεις.Όταν κάνουμε προσευχή στο Θεό μιλάμεστον Κύριό μας με λέξεις που δεν βγαίνουνμόνο από τα χείλη μας αλλά από την καρδιάκαι την ψυχή μας. Όταν διαβάζουμε με
κατάνυξη την Αγία Γραφή ακούμε τον Λόγοτου Θεού. Με αυτόν τον τρόπο, οι λέξεις πουβγαίνουν από τα στόματα των ανθρώπωνέχουν έναν ιερό και τιμητικό σκοπό. Οαρχάγγελος Γαβριήλ περίμενε για τα λόγιατης Μαρίας, όταν της μετέφερε τα καλά νέα,ότι θα συλλάμβανε και θα γεννούσε τον Υιότου Θεού. Η Μαρία απάντησε «Ἰδοὺ ἡ δούληΚυρίου· γένοιτό μοι κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου». Τότεο άγγελος την άφησε. ΛΚ 1:38 Με μια λέξηο ληστής πάνω στον σταυρό έκλεψε τονδρόμο του για τον παράδεισο, ότανεξομολογήθηκε στον Ιησού που ήταν στονσταυρό τις ακόλουθες λέξεις, «καὶ ἔλεγε τῷἸησοῦ· Μνήσθητί μου, Κύριε, ὅταν ἔλθῃς ἐντῇ βασιλείᾳ σου.». ΛΚ 23:42 Ήταν με τονΛόγο του, που ο Ιησούς θεράπευσε πολλούς,όπως διαβάζουμε στα θαύματα που έκανε,στο Ευαγγέλιο. Ο κύριος λόγος της γλώσσαςκαι των λέξεων που χρησιμοποιούμε, είναι γιανα κάνουμε διάλογο με τον δημιουργό μας, οένας προς τον άλλο με έναν ιερό και αληθινότρόπο. Όπως ο ψαλμωδός, Βασιλιάς Δαβίδυμνεί, «αἱ ὑψώσεις τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν τῷ λάρυγγιαὐτῶν» Πς 149:6
Πριν από μερικούς μήνες, είχα μιασυνομιλία με ένα πρόσωπο και στη μέση τουδιαλόγου μας, το όνομα του Θεούβλασφημήθηκε. Ξαφνιάστηκα, γιατί ακόμακαι μπροστά σε ιερέα ακούστηκε βλασφημία.Αυτό δεν είναι ένα μεμονωμένο περιστατικό.Κάθε μέρα, σε εργοτάξια, στο χρηματιστήριο,σε εστιατόρια, στον κινηματογράφο καιακόμη και στα σπίτια μας, η βλασφημία, ηαισχρολογία και το βρίσιμο είναι τόσοσυνηθισμένα που γίνονται φυσιολογικά.Μερικές φορές δικαιολογούμε τέτοιεςπράξεις σαν φυσιολογικές, επειδή όλοιβρίζουν. Θα ήθελα να ρίξω λίγο φως πάνω σεαυτό το θέμα, από την Αγία Γραφή και μέσωτης Θεολογίας της εκκλησίας. Ο ΆγιοςΙάκωβος στην αποστολική του επιστολήαφιερώνει το κεφάλαιο τρία στο πόσο κακήμπορεί να γίνει η γλώσσα. Σε ένα στίχο λέει,«ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ στόματος ἐξέρχεται εὐλογίακαὶ κατάρα. οὐ χρή, ἀδελφοί μου, ταῦτα οὕτωγίνεσθαι. μήτι ἡ πηγὴ ἐκ τῆς αὐτῆς ὀπῆς βρύειτὸ γλυκὺ καὶ τὸ πικρόν;» Ιάκ3:10-11 Με αυτήτην ίδια εικόνα στο μυαλό μας, πώς μπορείένα άτομο να προσεύχεται στο Θεό, ναλαμβάνει Θεία Κοινωνία, να ψάλλει ύμνουςαπό τη Θεία Λειτουργία και μετά με μιαανάσα, να αισχρολογεί και να βρίζει;
Στην ιστορία της δημιουργίας, ο Θεόςέφτιαξε το ανθρώπινο είδος κατ ΄ εικόνα Τουκαι ομοίωση. Κάθε φορά που λέμε μια λέξη,στην πραγματικότητα, αντιπροσωπεύουμε τοΘεό. Κανείς δεν θα έβριζε ποτέ μια θείαεικόνα στην εκκλησία. Γιατί ένα άτομο ναβρίσει ένα άλλο άτομο, το οποίο είναι εικόνατου Θεού; Ακόμη κι αν δεν βρίζουμε κάποιοάλλο άτομο, παραμορφώνουμε τον Θεό που
μας έφτιαξε κατ’ εικόνα και καθ’ ομοίωση.Στην Παλαιά Διαθήκη, εάν ένα άτομοβλασφημούσε το όνομα του Θεού, τονλιθοβολούσαν μέχρι θανάτου. Τοδιαβάζουμε στο Λευιτικό. «ὀνομάζων δὲ τὸὄνομα Κυρίου, θανάτῳ θανατούσθω· λίθοιςλιθοβολείτω αὐτὸν πᾶσα ἡ συναγωγὴ᾿Ισραήλ...» Λευιτικό 24:16 Αυτό προέκυψεαπευθείας από την τρίτη εντολή, «οὐ λήψει τὸὄνομα Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ σου ἐπί ματαίῳ·»
Ο Απόστολος Κοσμάς του Αιτελού λέει ταακόλουθα σχετικά με αυτούς που βρίζουν.«Εάν ένα άτομο βρίζει τον πατέρα μου, τηνμητέρα μου, τον αδελφό μου, έχω υποχρέωσησαν χριστιανός να το συγχωρήσω. Εάν όμωςβρίσει τον Χριστό και την Παναγία μου, δενθέλω να το δω».
Αυτό το άρθρο επικεντρώθηκε στοΔ ε ύ τ ε ρ οΠρόσωπο τηςΑγίας Τριάδας,στον Λόγο τουΘεού που γίνεταισάρκα, έτσι ώστεο Θεός ναεπ ικο ινωνήσε ιμαζί μας με τονπιο στοργικό καιτρυφερό τρόπο.Έ χ ο υ μ εκαταλάβει μέσααπό τις όμορφες λειτουργίες, τις Γραφές καιτους Αγίους, ότι οι λέξεις είναι αντανάκλασητου θείου Λόγου του Θεού. Επίσης, έχουμεδιαβάσει με πολλές λεπτομέρειες για τηναμαρτία της βομολοχίας και της βλασφημίας.Μια και η βλασφημία και η βρισιά έχουνκυριαρχήσει τόσο πολύ στη σημερινήκουλτούρα, πραγματικά τώρακαταλαβαίνουμε την πνευματική στέρησηπου υπάρχει σήμερα. Εάν πιάσουμε τουςεαυτούς μας κάποια φορά κολλημένους στησυνήθεια της βωμολοχίας και τηςβλασφημίας του ονόματος του Θεού, αςβρούμε την καρδιά μας μέσα στη στοργικήκαλοσύνη και το έλεος του Θεού. Χρειάζεταινα μετανοήσουμε και να προσπαθήσουμε ναμετατρέψουμε τον θυμό μας και τηναπογοήτευσή μας με μια θετική προσέγγιση.Μια σπουδαία φράση για ναχρησιμοποιήσουμε σε τέτοιες καταστάσειςείναι η προσευχή «Κύριε Ελέησον!». Τοέλεος του Θεού είναι σαν ένα καταπραϊντικόβάλσαμο το οποίο μετατρέπει το πάθος σεαρετή. Τελειώνω με τα λόγια του Μωισή απότο βιβλίο της Δευτερονομίας «φυλάσσου καὶἄκουε καὶ ποιήσεις πάντας τοὺς λόγους, οὓςἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαί σοι, ἵνα εὖ σοι γένηται καὶτοῖς υἱοῖς σου δι᾿ αἰῶνος, ἐὰν ποιήσῃς τὸἀρεστὸν καὶ τὸ καλὸν ἐναντίον Κυρίου τοῦΘεοῦ σου.» 12:28
Καὶ ὁ Λόγος σὰρξ ἐγένετο καὶ ἐσκήνωσεν ἐν ἡμῖν, καὶ ἐθεασάμεθα τὴν δόξαναὐτοῦ, δόξαν ὡς μονογενοῦς παρὰ πατρός, πλήρης χάριτος καὶ ἀληθείας. Ιω. 1:14
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BaptismsJuly 4th Theoni Mao Maria, daughter of Nicholas
and Maria (Mao) SoulakisGodparent: Panagiotis A. Matalas
July 18th Clio Elaise, daughter of Charles and Georgia FoleyGodparents: Angela and Alexandra Zimmerman
Sept. 12th Marina, daughter of George and Rachel KaralekasGodparents: Paul and Nadia Kuris
Sept. 20th Nicholas, son of Matthew and Sophia NikolaouGodparent: Ignatios Nikolaou
Oct. 3rd Nina (Crystal), daughter of Kwo-Tsair Tsay and Su-Mei LinGodparent: Virginia Vassilakos
Oct. 18th Isabella, daughter of Demetrios and Lisa Marie HatzidoukasGodparent: Peter Hatzidoukas
Oct. 24th Katherine, daughter of David and Jaqueline KrantzGodparent: Tina Vaccari
Oct. 25th Stavros, son of George and Angela MasouridisGodparents: John and Stephanie Papaioannou
WeddingsJuly 18th Thomas Barberi and Maria Plevritis
Koumbara: Helen S. NievesSept. 26th John Diamantakis and Kathleen Molina Pascual
Koumbaro: George DiamantakisSept. 27th Stylianos Kalogeras and Evdokia Tsoukala
Koumbaro: Demetrios B. KontoliosOct. 3rd Constantinos Frangos and Euthymia Dourakis
Koumbaro: Christos KoufomihalisOct. 9th Peter Nicholas Getschmann and Elpida Hope Loparnos
Koumbara: Eleni EkonomakosOct. 15th Paul Poulos and Nina (Crystal) Tsay
Koumbaro: Andrew S. PoulosOct 18th John McCann and Felicia Dougherty
Koumbaro: Nikitas Malliorakis
FuneralsJune 6th +Carrie JacobsSept. 17th +Carole VamvaketisOct. 21st +Frank Bakakos
Page 4
Sacraments
DecemberSat. 12 Breakfast with SantaFri. 18th Joy Christmas GatheringSat. 19th Christmas Gift and Food DriveSun. 20 Sunday School Christmas Pageant/Philoptochos
Christmas Party
JanuarySun. 10 Blessing of Waters at Battery ParkSun. 17 Philoptochos VasilopitaSun. 17 Midnight Run (Cloth and Food Drive
for the Homeless)Mon. 18 J.O.Y. Iceskating at The Floyd Bennett Field AviatorFri. 22nd J.O.Y 10th Anniversary Dinner Dance
Calendar of EventsFebruaryFeb. 5-7 Brooklyn/Queens Goya
Ski TripSat. 6th St. Parthenios VigilFeb. 15 Clean Monday
(Beginning of the Great Lent)Feb. 21 Sunday of OrthodoxyFeb. 28 Godparent Sunday
March Sat. 13th The Silent Auction Benefiting
The A. Fantis Parochial School
SAVE THE DATE!Friday, January 22, 20107:30 pm – 12:30 amJ.O.Y 10TH ANNIVERSARYDINNER DANCEDante Caterer’s • East Elmhurst, NYAdults $60 / Kids under 12 $30R.S.V.P. November 1, 2009
For additional information, please call either:Nick Tavantzis 917.224.0057 Taki Papadopoulos 917.881.0900* All net proceeds will be used to offset costs associatedwith both basketball and soccer leagues.
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Page 5
DECEMBERSun. 20 The Sunday Before Christmast
Orthros: 9:00 AMDivine Liturgy: 10:30 AM
Tue. 22 The Fest of St. Anastasia, the Deliverer of PotionsOrthros: 8:30 AMDivine Liturgy: 9:30 AM
Thur. 24th The Fore feast of ChristmasThe Royal Hours of Christmas
4:30 PMThe Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Christmas
6:00 PM
Fri. 25th The Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ celebratedby His Grace Bishop Philotheos of MeloaOrthros: 9:00AMThe Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM
Sat. 26th The Synaxis of the Most Holy TheotokosOrthros: 8:30 AMDivine Liturgy: 9:30 AM
Sun. 27th The Sunday after Christmas and The Feast of St. StephenOrthros: 9:00 AMDivine Liturgy: 10:30 AM
JANUARYFri. 1st The Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
and the feast of St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesareaof CappadociaOrthros 9:30 AMDivine Liturgy 10:30AM
Sun. 3rd The Sunday Before EpiphanyOrthros: 9:00 AMDivine Liturgy: 10:30 AM
Tue. 5th The Fore feast of EpiphanyThe Royal Hours 8:30 AMThe Great Vesper of Epiphany and Divine Liturgy of St. Basil9:30 AM
Wed. 6th The Feast of Epiphany of our Lord and Savior Jesus ChristOrthros 8:00 AMDivine Liturgy 9:00 AM
Thur. 7th The Gathering of the honorable and glorious forerunner andBaptist JohnOrthros 8:30 AMDivine Liturgy 9:30 AM
Sun. 10th The Sunday after EpiphanyOrthros: 9:00 AMDivine Liturgy: 10:30 AM
Sun. 17th The 15th Sunday of Luke (Zaccheus)Orthros: 9:00 AMDivine Liturgy: 10:30 AM
Sun. 24th The 16th Sunday of Luke (The Publican and the PhariseeOrthros: 9:00 AMDivine Liturgy: 10:30 AM
Sat. 30th The Feast of the Three HierarchsOrthros 8:30 AMThe Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM
Sun. 31 The 17th Sunday of Luke (The Prodigal Son)Orthros: 9:00 AMDivine Liturgy: 10:30 AM
THE FEAST DAY CALENDAR OF CHRISTMASAND EPIPHANY 2009 - 2010
ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣΚυρ. 20η Πρό της Χριστού Γεννήσεως
Όρθρος: 9:00 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Τρι. 22 Η εορτή της ‘Αγίας Αναστασίας της ΦαρμακολυτρίαςΌρθρος: 8:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ
Πεμ.. 24η Η Βασιληκές Ωρες των Χριστουγέννων, 4:30 μμΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΗ ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΥ 6:00 μμ
Παρ.. 25η Η ΚΑΤΑ ΣΑΡΚΑ ΓΕΝΝΗΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΥΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ
Θα χοραστατήσει ο Θεοφιλέστατος Επίσκοπος Μελόης κ.φιλόθεος
Όρθρος: 9:00 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:00 πμ
Σαβ. 27 Η Σύναξις της Υπεραγίας ΘεοτόκουΌρθρος: 8:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ
Κυρ. 27 Μετά την Χριστού Γεννησιν και Η εορτή του Αγίου ΣτεφάνουΌρθρος: 9:00 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣΠαρ. 1 Η ΚΑΤΑ ΣΑΡΚΑ ΠΕΡΙΤΟΜΗ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΗΜΩΝ
ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ και μνήμη του εν Αγίοις Πατρός ημώνΒασιλείου του Μεγάλου, Αρχιεπισκόπου Καισαρείας τηςΚαππαδοκίας Όρθρος: 9:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Κυρ. 3 Προ Των ΦώτωνΌρθρος: 9:00 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Τρι. 5 Προεόρτια των ΦώτωνΒασιληκές Ωρες: 8:30 πμΟ ΜΕΓΑΣ ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝΜΕΤΑΤΗΣ ΘΕΙΑΣ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΥ 9:30 πμ
Τετ.. 6 ΤΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΥ ΚΑΙΣΩΤΗΡΩΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΌρθρος: 8:00 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 9:00 πμ
Πεμ 7 Η Σύναξις του Τιμίου Ενδόξου Προφήτου, Προδρόμου καιΒαπτιστού Ιωάννου Όρθρος: 8:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ
Κυρ. 10 Μέτα Τα ΦώταΌρθρος: 9:00 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Κυρ. 17 Η ΙΕ΄ Λουκά (Του Ζακχαίου) και Η Εορτή του ΑγίουΑντωνίουΌρθρος: 9:00 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Κυρ. 24 Η ΙΣΤ΄ Κυριακή του Λουκά(Τελώνου και Φαρισαίου)Όρθρος: 9:00 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
Σαβ. 30 Η Εορτή Των Τρίων ΙεράχωνΌρθρος: 8:30πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ
Κυρ. 31 Η ΙΖ΄ Λουκά (του Ασώτου)Όρθρος: 9:00 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ
ΕΟΡΤΟΛΟΓΙΟΝ ΤΩΝ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΤΩΝΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ 2009 - 2010
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