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I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Welcome Fr.

Michael & Family 2

August Calen-

dar

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2015 Parish

Stewards

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Stewardship

Update

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Service

Schedule

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Greekfest

Sponsorships

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Community

News

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The Trophybearer A U G U S T 2 0 1 5

C H U R C H

S T A F F

Parish Priest/Editor:

Fr. Christodoulos

Margellos

Parish Council Presi-

dent: Mary Rankin

Philoptochos Presi-

dent: Susan Matos

Sunday School Direc-

tor: Dn Paul Speed

Caretaker: Jason

Leon

Why Pray

As I was sitting back one night relaxing and watching a little bit of television, I started watching

one of my favorite shows. It is a rare show now days, dealing with a modern day prophet, a man with

visions from God, that often get him into funny situations. The greatest thing about this show is there

is always a strong moral lesson. This last one I was watching was no different, what really caught my

eye on this was a young woman was questioning her faith, because of a conversation she had. She

attended a Christian university, and visited a nurse for something. The nurse asked her, “If she was a

Christian?” She answered, “Yes”. To which the nurse responded by saying, “I will pray for you”.

This struck the girl as odd, as if she is only praying for her since she was a Christian.

This is a problem within all faiths. They do everything they can for those of similar beliefs, but

have a tendency to forget about everyone else. Now I will qualify this statement saying I am speaking

about our own everyday lives, not within a church setting or during times of tragedy. We hear every

Sunday during services, that we pray for the world, asking our Lord to keep it in peace, and bless it to

be plentiful to all. I have stated in the past the need to see Christ in everyone we encounter. Whenev-

er I question this I quickly am reminded of the parable of the Good Samaritan. We know that in the

parable there was man who was beaten and robbed and was left on the roadside for dead. Many peo-

ple simply walked past him either not realizing he was there, or simply not interested in helping out

their fellow man. How is that different then what the nurse from the show did? Only wanting to pray

for those she thought deserved it.

We need to be less like what the world expects us to be, and more like what God needs us to be.

We must have compassion on our fellow man, and do what ever is within our means to make a dif-

ference. This does not necessarily mean we need to give money or our own time, although both those

are needed. We also need to simply pray for the world. Think about how much better things would

be if everyone of us took 10 minutes out of our day’s to pray for those who are living in pain, strug-

gles, poverty, incarceration, disability, etc. Now many of you might think how could prayer make

that much of difference? My first answer would simply be, putting things onto God’s hands has al-

ways been what has gotten me through my life, and when we are reminded of these struggles in the

world we tend to do more to alleviate the problem.

I ask one simple thing from all of you as we come into this period of the fast for the Dormition of

the Theotokos; let us look at all God’s children as our own children. Let us pray for them and do

what we can to help make the world a better place. And let us keep the parable of the Good Samari-

tan in the forefront of our minds.

Fr. Christodoulos

I also wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for the four and a half blessed years serving this

most wonderful parish in our Lord’s vineyard. In the time I have grown to love each and everyone of you

as a father loves his children. We have grown in the Lord and I like I have said to many am experiencing

both happiness and sadness. Sad because I will miss you all and I love you all. Joyful because I am mov-

ing on to the next stage of my ministry. Much like the apostles of old. As priests we are called on to go

out into the world and spread the message of our Lord to all we come across. And I challenge you all to

do the same. Take time to do something for those in need and minister to those who are in need. Take the

teachings of our Lord to heart. It has been an honor to serves as the Priest of Saint George Greek Ortho-

dox Church here in Rock Island, IL. And I will keep you all in my prayers everyday of my life and I pray

the under the direction of your new Spiritual Father, Fr. Michael you continue to show that zeal for Christ.

May God bless you all.

WELCOME FR. MICHAEL

& FAMILY

Father Michael Constantinides was born June 1, 1970, in Jersey City, NJ. He was raised with parents Eleni and Nicholas

and younger siblings Polymnia and John in Dumont, NJ, while attending the Cathedral of Saint John the Theologian in

Tenafly, NJ.

After graduating Dumont High School, he attended Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of

Theology in Brookline, MA, from which he graduated in 1995 with the Master of Divinity (with Distinction) degree.

In May, 1999 he married Maria Kalimeras of Kingston, NY. On May 21, 1999 the Feast of Saints Constantine

and Helen, Father Michael was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by the hand of Archbishop Spyridon of America at the

Church of Saints Constantine and Helen in Brooklyn, NY. He served as a deacon at the Church of Saint George in King-

ston, NY until Bishop George of New Jersey ordained him to the Holy Priesthood on July 11, 1999 at his home parish of

Saint John the Theologian in Tenafly, NJ.

From July 1999 through December 1999 he served as interim pastor of Saint George Church is Asbury Park, NJ.

On January 1, 2000 he began his initial assignment under the pastorate of Father James Dokos at the Annunciation

Church in Milwaukee, WI where he served as the associate pastor until May 31, 2004. During this time, in April of 2002,

Father and Presbytera Maria welcomed God’s blessing of their son Nicholas into the world.

On June 1, 2004, Father began his ministry as the Proistamenos of Holy Cross Church in Justice, Illinois. Shortly

after, in March of 2005, Father and Presbytera were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Loukia. On September 14,

2009 Father was elevated to the rank of Economos by the hand of His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago at the

Church of the Holy Cross. Father Michael was reassigned to the parish of St. Nicholas on September 1, 2010 until Au-

gust 15th, 2015. And now he is coming to continue the Lord’s work at our Parish of Saint George on Sunday, August

16th, 2015. May God bless him and his family.

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August 2015 Parish Council Sunday Duty List

On Sunday, August 2nd, 2015 members on duty: Brad Crosson, Mike Patramanis.

On Sunday, August 9th, 2015 members on duty: Steve Eckert, Mary Rankin, Mary Kay Eckert.

On Sunday, August 16th, 2015 members on duty: Mary Rankin, Joe Burmeister, Gus Pappas.

On Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 members on duty: Brad Crosson, Mike Patramanis.

On Sunday, August 30th, 2015 members on duty: Steve Eckert, Mary Rankin, Mary Kay Eckert.

On Sunday, September 6th, 2015 members on duty: Mary Rankin, Joe Burmeister, Gus Pappas.

Coffee Hour Hosts for August 2015

On Sunday, August 2nd, 2015 Coffee hour will be hosted by: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

On Sunday, August 9th, 2015 Coffee hour will be hosted by: Parish Council for Fr. Christodoulos’s Farewell.

On Sunday, August 16th, 2015 Coffee hour will be hosted by: Angelos Family

On Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 Coffee hour will be hosted by: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

On Sunday, August 30th, 2015 Coffee hour will be hosted by: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

On Sunday, September 6th, 2015 Coffee hour will be hosted by: Angela Perantinos in memory of her Husband Demos.

READERS FOR AUGUST 2015

On Sunday, August 9th, 2015: Alexa Florence. On Sunday, August 16th, 2015: Ethan Kirkpatrick.

On Sunday, August 23rd, 2015: Kay Coin On Sunday, August 30th, 2015: Mary Rankin.

On Sunday, September 6th, 2015: Michael Pyevich. On Sunday, September 13th, 2015: Angela Spurgetis

ALTAR BOY SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR AUGUST 2015

On Sunday, August 2nd, 2015: Team 1 Gabriel Florence, Ethan Kirkpatrick, Andrew Leon, George Elias, Zach Elias, Gabri-

el Elias, Tomas Elias.

On Sunday, August 9th, 2015: Team 2 Nikolas Jacobs, Alek Jacobs, John T. Jones, John Mott, Michael Pyevich, Ben Flor-

ence.

On Sunday, August 16th, 2015: Team 1 Gabriel Florence, Ethan Kirkpatrick, Andrew Leon, George Elias, Zach Elias, Ga-

briel Elias, Tomas Elias.

On Sunday, August 23rd, 2015: Team 2 Nikolas Jacobs, Alek Jacobs, John T. Jones, John Mott, Michael Pyevich, Ben

Florence.

On Sunday, August 30th, 2015: Team 1 Gabriel Florence, Ethan Kirkpatrick, Andrew Leon, George Elias, Zach Elias, Ga-

briel Elias, Tomas Elias.

On Sunday, September 6th, 2015: Team 2 Nikolas Jacobs, Alek Jacobs, John T. Jones, John Mott, Michael Pyevich, Ben

Florence.

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AUGUST 2015 SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday, August 2nd 9th Sunday of Matthew Orthros: 8:45 a.m.

Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.

Monday, August 3rd Small Paraklesis 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 9th 10th Sunday of Matthew Orthros: 8:45 a.m.

Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.

Monday, August 10th Small Paraklesis 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 12th Small Paraklesis 7:00 p.m.

Friday, August 14th Great Vespers at Assumption East Moline Great Vespers: 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 15th Dormition of the Theotokos Orthros: 9:00 a.m.

At Assumption, East Moline Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.

Sunday, August 16th 11th Sunday of Matthew Orthros: 8:45 a.m.

Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.

Sunday, August 23rd 12th Sunday of Matthew Orthros: 8:45 a.m.

Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, August 29th Beheading of Saint John the Baptist Orthros: 8:30

Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, August 30th 13th Sunday of Matthew Orthros: 8:45 a.m.

Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.

PRAYERS FOR OUR SHUT INS: Have we taken for granted our health? Some of our members who are

no longer able to come to church would always appreciate a phone call just to say hello. Please take time dur-

ing the Lenten season give them a call and say hello.

Ted Bagatelas Elaine Froumis Steve Spurgetis

Janice Smirles Mary Gianulis Judy Pappas

Anne Allen

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Community News PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Will be on Tuesday, June 11th at 7:00 p.m. in the Green room.

RECEPTIONS HONORING OUR DEPARTING AND ARRIVING PRIESTS: On Sunday, August 9th Fr. Christodoulos will

be celebrating his final Sunday Liturgy here at Saint George and we are going to honor him with a small reception during the Coffee

hour. Then On Sunday, August 16th Fr. Michael will be celebrating his first Sunday as the spiritual leader of our parish and we will

be honoring him following liturgy during the coffee hour with a small reception. We hope as many of you as can will join us for

these two blessed days.

SENIOR CITIZEN GROUP OUTING ARE BACK: We have once again started our very Successful Senior Citizen outing min-

istry. Last year when we kicked off this great time we averaged between 18-22 people. This year was no different as many of you

joined us on our first outing at the Nahant Marsh over in South West Davenport. This month on Thursday, August 27 th we will once

again be traveling to the Karpelis Manuscript Museum in Rock Island. We will be meeting at the church at 10:00 a.m. Following

the museum tour we will be joing together for a “dutch treat” meal at the Quad Cities Pancake house in downtown Rock Island. Join

us in this historic musem to see manuscrispts from the contenital Congress featuring the likes of Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock

and John Jay. Please R.S.V.P. to Kay Coin or Nancy Avgenackis.

PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING RESCHEDULED: The next Philoptochos meeting which was scheduled for Tuesday, August 11th

has been rescheduled to Tuesday, August 25th at 10:00 a.m. It is very important that all current Philoptochos members who are able

to attend be there. We hope to see you all there.

REACHING OUT: In an attempt to reach out to former parishioners of St. George we are asking all members to please call the

church office with the names of any former members who have fallen away from the church. Please if you have anybody in mind

please call the church office.

HOSPITAL VISITS: If you or a family member are in the hospital, please call the office. Ever since the change in the privacy

laws, hospitals are reluctant to call churches. Please call us so that we can avoid missing our parishioners in their time of need.

KOLYVA FOR MEMORIALS: As many of us know in order to have a memorial in the Orthodox Church we need to have Koly-

va. Because of this we have started offering to make Kolyva for anyone who needs to have one and either does not have time or

does not know how to make them. We will charge $100.00 for a tray and it will be ready for Sundays. Families are welcome to help

with the making of the Kolyva as well. For more information on ordering Kolyva contact the church office.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: For the coffee hour during the summer months. If you are interested please see the sign up sheet locat-

ed outside the Church office..

SOUVLAKI PREPERATION: On Saturday, August 29th following the Divine Liturgy we will be cutting the pork for our Greek

fests Souvlaki. All those who are able to come help will be receiving a meal following the work. This year we will have over 600

lbs of pork. Then on Monday, August 31st. We will be skewering the cubes. We will begin at 9:00 a.m. promptly. All those who

come will receive a nice meal as well. Please come help us as we ramp up our push towards our Greekfest.

EVENING MEAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Do to scheduling conflict, the person who was hosting the evening meal on Octo-

ber 28th Is no longer able to serve that day. So we are in need of someone to take over October 28th. If anyone is interested or wants

further information please see Dena Manta.

EVENING MEAL HOST FOR JUNE & JULY: the Evening meal in August will be hosted by Randy & Chris Smith on August

26th.

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St. George Greek Orthodox Church

2930 31st Ave

Rock Island, IL 61201

Phone: 309-786-8163

Fax: 309-786-8188

Priest Email: frchristos@gmail.com

Office Email: stgeorgeoffice@aol.com

www.stgeorgeri.il.goarch.org/

Sept. 18 & 19