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Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751,

Durham NC 27713 919-484-1600 fatherstavroforos2012@gmail.com,

www.stbarbarachurchnc.org News & Announcements

July 10, 2016

3rd Sunday of Matthew

45 Holy Martyrs of Nikopolis, Armenia

Our Holy Father Gregory, Bishop of Assa 10,000 Fathers martyred in Egypt

Apollonios the Martyr

Deposition of the Precious Robe of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Moscow

Righteous Father Anthony of the Kiev Caves

Parthenios and Eumenios of Koudoumas

NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME ! Sunday Worship Schedule: Matins 9:00 am & Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

Today's Readings:

St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 5:1-10

BRETHREN, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man -- though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by

the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

To Our Visitors and Guests

We welcome you to worship with us today, whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are

pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and chrismated (confirmed)

Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the

conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The Antidoron is not a sacrament, but it is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the

ancient Christian Church. After the Divine Liturgy this morning please join us in the Church hall for fellowship and refreshments. Please

complete a Visitor's Card before you leave today and drop it in the offering tray, or give it to one of the parishioners after the service, or

mail it to the church Office.

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Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 5:1-10

Ἀδελφοί, δικαιωθέντες οὖν ἐκ πίστεως, εἰρήνην ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν θεὸν διὰ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, διʼ οὗ καὶ τὴν προσαγωγὴν ἐσχήκαμεν τῇ πίστει εἰς τὴν χάριν ταύτην ἐν ᾗ ἑστήκαμεν, καὶ καυχώμεθα ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι τῆς δόξης τοῦ θεοῦ. Οὐ μόνον δέ, ἀλλὰ καὶ καυχώμεθα ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσιν, εἰδότες ὅτι ἡ θλῖψις ὑπομονὴν κατεργάζεται, ἡ δὲ ὑπομονὴ δοκιμήν, ἡ δὲ δοκιμὴ ἐλπίδα· ἡ δὲ ἐλπὶς οὐ καταισχύνει, ὅτι ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ ἐκκέχυται ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν διὰ πνεύματος ἁγίου τοῦ δοθέντος ἡμῖν. Ἔτι γὰρ Χριστός, ὄντων ἡμῶν ἀσθενῶν, κατὰ καιρὸν ὑπὲρ ἀσεβῶν ἀπέθανεν. Μόλις γὰρ ὑπὲρ δικαίου τις ἀποθανεῖται· ὑπὲρ γὰρ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ τάχα τις καὶ τολμᾷ ἀποθανεῖν. Συνίστησιν δὲ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἀγάπην εἰς ἡμᾶς ὁ θεός, ὅτι ἔτι ἁμαρτωλῶν ὄντων ἡμῶν Χριστὸς ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἀπέθανεν. Πολλῷ οὖν μᾶλλον, δικαιωθέντες νῦν ἐν τῷ αἵματι αὐτοῦ, σωθησόμεθα διʼ αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῆς ὀργῆς. Εἰ γὰρ ἐχθροὶ ὄντες κατηλλάγημεν τῷ θεῷ διὰ τοῦ θανάτου τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, πολλῷ μᾶλλον καταλλαγέντες σωθησόμεθα ἐν τῇ ζωῇ αὐτοῦ.

The Gospel according to Matthew 6:22-33

The Lord said, "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even

Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well."

Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 6:22-33

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· ῾Ο λύχνος τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν ὁ ὀφθαλμός· ἐὰν οὖν ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου ἁπλοῦς ᾖ, ὅλον τὸ σῶμά σου φωτεινόν ἔσται· ἐὰν δὲ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρὸς ᾖ, ὅλον τὸ σῶμά σου σκοτεινὸν ἔσται. εἰ οὖν τὸ φῶς τὸ ἐν σοὶ σκότος ἐστί, τὸ σκότος πόσον; Οὐδεὶς δύναται δυσὶ κυρίοις δουλεύειν· ἢ γὰρ τὸν ἕνα μισήσει καὶ τὸν ἕτερον ἀγαπήσει, ἢ ἑνὸς ἀνθέξεται καὶ τοῦ ἑτέρου καταφρονήσει. οὐ δύνασθε Θεῷ δουλεύειν καὶ μαμωνᾷ. Διὰ τοῦτο λέγω ὑμῖν, μὴ μεριμνᾶτε τῇ ψυχῇ ὑμῶν τί φάγητε καὶ τί πίητε, μηδὲ τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν τί ἐνδύσησθε· οὐχὶ ἡ ψυχὴ πλεῖόν ἐστι τῆς τροφῆς καὶ τὸ σῶμα τοῦ ἐνδύματος; ἐμβλέψατε εἰς τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, ὅτι οὐ σπείρουσιν οὐδὲ θερίζουσιν οὐδὲ συνάγουσιν εἰς ἀποθήκας, καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος τρέφει αὐτά· οὐχ ὑμεῖς μᾶλλον διαφέρετε αὐτῶν; τίς δὲ ἐξ ὑμῶν μεριμνῶν δύναται προσθεῖναι ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλικίαν αὐτοῦ πῆχυν ἕνα; καὶ περὶ ἐνδύματος τί μεριμνᾶτε; καταμάθετε τὰ κρίνα τοῦ ἀγροῦ πῶς αὐξάνει· οὐ κοπιᾷ οὐδὲ νήθει· λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν ὅτι οὐδὲ Σολομὼν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ περιεβάλετο ὡς ἓν τούτων. Εἰ δὲ τὸν χόρτον τοῦ ἀγροῦ, σήμερον ὄντα καὶ αὔριον εἰς κλίβανον βαλλόμενον, ὁ Θεὸς οὕτως ἀμφιέννυσιν, οὐ πολλῷ μᾶλλον ὑμᾶς, ὀλιγόπιστοι; μὴ οὖν μεριμνήσητε λέγοντες, τί φάγωμεν ἢ τί πίωμεν ἢ τί περιβαλώμεθα; πάντα γὰρ ταῦτα τὰ ἔθνη ἐπιζητεῖ· οἶδε γὰρ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος ὅτι χρῄζετε τούτων ἁπάντων. ζητεῖτε δὲ πρῶτον τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ, καὶ ταῦτα πάντα προστεθήσεται ὑμῖν.

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ATTENTION SAINT BARBARA PARISH!

Celebrate with your Church Family yournext special occasion! Consider sponsoring a coffee hour in the social hall after Liturgy on Sundays to commemorate a birthday, graduation, nameday, anniversary, or even for the pleasure of just hosting for your Parish.

Signing up is easy....just place your name on the 'signup coffee hour' sheet located on the table in the hallway nearest the social hall. For details or questions, contact Helen Paliouras at: 919-942-4229 or elenipali@att.net

tel:919-942-4229mailto:elenipali@att.net

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FUNDRAISING PROJECTS TO DATE: 2015

February 7 Gyro Day June 6-7 Greek Festival July 18 Gyro Feast September 12 Yard Sale September 26 Fashion Show October 3 Chicken Dinners To-go November 6 Evening of Music November 20-21 Joint Philoptochos/PC Fundraiser December 2 Christmas Concert December 6 Saint Barbara Celebration Banquet December 12 Holiday Greek Pastries

2016 January 16 Evening of Music January 30 Spaghetti Event February 20 Gyro Event June 4-5 Greek Festival July 23 Gyro Event September 24 Evening of Jazz October 1 Chicken Event

AHEPA DURHAM CHAPTER #277

MEETING TODAY

You Will Always Be In our Hearts!

Saint Barbara Will Never Leave You !

WE NEED YOU as a STEWARD !

Our Saint Barbara Church needs each and every family to join our Stewardship Program.

Our goal is to have 150 Pledged Families

in the Stewardship Program.

As of May 30th we have 91 Pledged Families in our Stewardship Program.

Please help us Reach our Goal.

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Worship Services for July of 2016 - 3rd Sunday of Matthew

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council

Wednesday The Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias

5th Sunday of Matthew -

6th Sunday of Matthew -

For those interested in learning more about the chanting that we do in our Greek Orthodox Churches, we are meeting to go over very basic ways of singing in this tradition. We will begin with humming the isons which anyone can do; and we will go over some of the beautiful chants of our church like the 'Christos Anesti' which is sung at Pascha. We will also discuss how to follow the lead chanter; and a similar concept of 'question and answer' style hymnography. This discussion and sing along will be lead by Tony Thompson, assistant chanter at St. Barbara. If you are interested in participating in this program offering you can Email Anthony Thompson at tony_man@mac.com For a brief bio see below: Tony Thompson is a professional musician and chanter at St. Barbara GOC. He attended UNCG where he studied both music and business. Recently, Tony earned a playing certificate from the American Guild of Organists(2014). In 2013 he was the official salaried organist for Holy Trinity GOC. He has participated in the Raleigh Convocation Choir performing Sacred Choral Music(classical master works). He has also sung in the Triangle Orthodox Choir. Currently, he sometimes works as a professional interim organist /vocalist for Anglican churches. Other places of service as choir master, chanter and chorister: parishes include The Dormition of the Theotokos, St. George(High Point), All Saints Antiochian, St. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church, St. Gregory the Great Orthodox Church in America. Tony has chanted with the much celebrated Byzantine Choir from New York, Romeiko(2003 season) and chanted regulatory at St Sophia Cathedral in Washington, DC.(2003).

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY Sunday, July 17th

Agenda:

- Review of the Results of the Greek Festival - Report of the State of the Parish

as of the end of the First Half of 2016

Geron Archbishop Demetrios Of America started His Opening Remarks with the enumeration of the:

a) Perceived Strengths of the Archdiocese The spiritual leadership of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

The skilled and competent Clergy

The strong spiritual identity

The strong electronic media

The competent volunteers and laity

b) Perceived Weaknesses of the Archdiocese

The lack of adequate understanding of the Orthodox Faith by the faithful

The limited understanding of Orthodoxy by those outside the Church

The low awareness of Orthodoxy in America

The inadequate funding

c) Perceived Opportunities for the Archdiocese

The marriage between Orthodox and non-Orthodox Christians

The emerging technologies and relative resources

The increase interest from non-Orthodox

The ease and utilization of communication media

The Orthodox people in key business, political and educational positions

d) Perceived Threats to the Archdiocese

The number of Orthodox who are not well informed about their Faith

The number of Orthodox who are not active participants in the life of the Church

The increasing secularization

The weakening of the institution of Marriage and of family structure

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And now we face the theme for this 43rd Clergy-Laity Congress of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: The Lord said to his disciples after His resurrection: As the Father has sent me, even so I send you (John 20:21). Here an amazing mission is described, a mission to continue the work of Christ on earth after His ascension. He also said to His disciples, You are the light of the word (Matt. 5L14). He did not say you must be the light, or you have to be the light. He said You are the light. This is a flat statement of a fact. Thus, we can hear Christ saying to us today: As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. You are the light of the world. You are my voice. You are the voice of Christ in a changing world. What is the specific meaning of such an awesome mission charge? 1) If we are the voice of Christ in a changing world, if we are to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth, we must first of all and above all know Christ. In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul offers us guidance related to the absolute importance of knowing Christ. He writes: I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ (Phil. 3:8). And he adds that the purpose of his life it to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, and to share Christ’s sufferings (Phil. 3:9). From this proclamation of the paramount importance of knowing Christ, we can see that it is essential to know Christ in order to be His voice. We must seek Him above anything else. He is the source of our life and hope. He has entered our humanity for our salvation, revealing the grace of God and showing us the way to restore our communion with our Creator. We gather in His name, receive Him in the Holy Eucharist, and offer Him praise and adoration. His is our life, our peace, our joy, and our eternity. We must count everything else as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ (Phil. 3:8). 2) If we know Christ, if we constantly grow in His grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18), what do we offer as His voice? The first precious thing is hope. Christ’s voice was engendering hope. If we are His voice, we spread hope to environments void of hope and true life perspective. There are plenty of such hopeless environments in our changing world. Second, the voice of Christ is the voice of truth. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). His words offer divine wisdom and reveal the truth of God. His voice illuminates truth in a world where many are victims of error or misguided by false ideologies. If we are His voice, we offer the truth that He revealed in His Gospel, thus eliminating all forms of lying, error, falsehood, unfortunately so pervasive in our society.

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Third, the voice of Christ is filled with grace. He came and in a graceful way revealed God’s great love for us. His teachings and healings were filled with grace. We are His voice conveying grace every time that we speak about Him. Christ’s voice is also a voice of healing power. His words were powerful agents of producing miracles of cure, even resurrections. The voice of Jesus through us speaks clearly, powerfully and in a caring way in the face of adversity, persecution, secularization offering a witness of hope, truth, grace and healing power. 3) Our theme affirms that we are the voice of Christ in a changing world. It is a challenging world due to change. We experience this in our own lives as we go through each day, as we reflect on the past months and years and consider the course of our lives over time. Due to multiple means of communication and “real time” information, we are presented constantly with events and moments of change from around the world. We have seen rapid change in technology and the tremendous impact this has had on our lives and societies. In this constant change many advancements have been made that save lives, enhance education and access to information, show the power of human ingenuity. We also see and experience many challenges related to these changes: cost and access to technology, environmental impacts, materialism, and the threats from abuse. Today there is increasing talk about technology addiction. Many are asking how to navigate in the midst of these constant changes in our world and make wise decisions. The voice of Christ is needed in addressing such rapid changes for His voice is the voice of wisdom, stability, love and truth. His voice offers discernment in evaluating the benefits of technological change in relation to human life, purpose and well-being. His voice guides us to look beyond convenience and wants to reflect carefully on the broader impact of change in our lives, our communities, and the entire world. The voice of Christ answers the questions regarding what is good, what is true, what restores our relationships with God and each other. It is essential to affirm that our changing world is also a world of opportunity. Certainly, it is a challenging, sometimes even a provocative and complex world. The pace and manner of change is at times astounding; but it is a world of great need. We are sent by Christ to be His voice, to speak of truth and love, to offer hope and perspective. In a changing world by being Christ’s voice we offer comfort, healing, restoration, stability and purpose. 4) In analyzing our theme we need now to ask the question: How are we offering the voice of Christ in a changing world through the ministries and service of our Greek Orthodox Church in America? During our discussions here our primary work should be evaluating the current ministries and resources at all levels of our Holy Archdiocese as opportunities to offer the voice of Christ. First, we offer the voice of Christ through worship and ministry in the parish. Through worship, the parish becomes the Body of Christ and listens to His voice. With our worship in the parish we become the voice of Christ. In words and actions the voice of Christ is spoken, heard and experienced in worship so that the parish becomes a home, a place of comfort, renewal, and hope. Second, we offer the voice of Christ through the ministries related to the family. We have seen ministry and resources grow significantly throughout our Archdiocese since our last Congress. However, the challenges to the family are tremendous and growing. Many other voices and demands are pressuring families to conform to the world and to live by temporal standards of success and happiness. We cannot relent in our efforts to care for families and to offer the voice of Christ in a changing world that is attempting to alter radically what God has created. Family ministry and our Center for Family Care should continue to be a major focus of discussion and planning at our Congress so that we are equipped to offer the voice of Christ in truth and grace and provide clarity, love and guidance in the midst of so much confusion. Third, we are the voice of Christ through our ministries of outreach and evangelism. Being the voice of Jesus we are sent into a changing world to offer the voice of Christ to those who are not connected to the Church. This includes those who have never heard the voice of Christ, others who have not been prepared to listen, and still others who need a new invitation to return to Him. For these and even others who are distracted by disparate and deceptive ideas, the voice of Christ through us offers meaning and purpose in truth and love. In fulfilling our commission from God, we must continue to strengthen our ministries of outreach and evangelism so that our clergy and laity have the guidance, programs, and resources to offer Christ’s voice clearly and effectively. E. Concluding Remarks Allow me now to conclude by emphasizing the need to engage in three major tasks: Task number one: We need to proceed with a thorough evaluation and a serious revision of the material and the educational resources and means used in our Church for advancing our knowledge of Christ and the truth revealed by

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Him in the Gospel. We cannot be the voice of Christ without a profound knowledge of and connection with Him and with the contents of His saving teaching. Especially when we face the tremendous challenge of a changing world. Task number two: We have to reach out and be the voice of Christ for our brothers and sisters who are not strongly connected with our parishes and come to the Church only on Holy Week and Christmas. They are plenty of them. This is a task that must be systematically organized and engage in creative action all the members of our parishes. Think especially of the disconnected families of interfaith marriages. Let them hear through us the voice of Christ inviting them to join our community of grace and peace in the midst of a turbulent world. Task number three: Cultivate and organize the members of our communities in a way that they recognize the urgent need to go out and be the voice of Christ to the millions of people lost and confused within a changing world. In our recent Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church in Crete, this urgent need was repetitively and persistently presented and emphasized. Our communities cannot be enclosed to themselves and live in a spiritual ghetto. We have to reach out. Our voice as voice of Christ must be heard outside of the walls of our parishes. The entire America is our field within which the voice of Christ will resonate. But please, remember that the voice of Christ as language used by Him was a very powerful one. If you read the Gospels carefully, you will not find any occasion in which the words of Christ were uttered and had not produced immediate results, be it the healings, exorcisms, or extraordinary changes in the natural conditions. Here is a test for us: When we are the voice of Christ for the people who do not know Him, how effective is this voice? In essence, when offering the voice of Christ, we do what He did, in other words we produce works. In the Gospel of John, before going to His Passion, the Lord teaching His disciples offered to them a really amazing statement when He said: he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do (John 14:12). If we are His voice, and called to continue His work, we are the recipients of this amazing promise. Are we ready to really do what Christ did and even more? Are we ready to be His powerful, healing, illuminating voice? Are we willing and ready to change our changing world? Let us ask God to be with us in this awesome work which He is opening for us. Archbishop Demetrios Geron America Καί τώρα ἄς ἐξετάσουμε τό θέμα αὐτῆς τῆς 43ης Κληρικο-Λαϊκῆς Συνελεύσεως τῆς Ἑλληνικῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς μας στήν Ἀμερική: Ὁ Κύριος εἶπε στούς μαθητάς Του μετά τήν Ἀνάστασή Του: Καθώς ἀπέσταλκέν με ὁ πατήρ, κἀγώ πέμπω ὑμᾶς (Ἰωάν. 20:21). Ἐδῶ περιγράφεται μιά ὑπέροχη ἀποστολή, ἡ ἀποστολή νά συνεχισθῇ τό ἔργο τοῦ Χριστοῦ στή γῆ μετά ἀπό τήν ἀνάληψή Του. Εἶπε ἐπίσης στούς μαθητάς Του, Ὑμεῖς ἐστε τό φῶς τοῦ κόσμου (Ματτ. 5:14). Δέν εἶπε πρέπει νά εἶσθε τό φῶς ἤ νά γίνετε τό φῶς. Εἶπε Ὑμεῖς ἐστε τό φῶς. Αὐτό εἶναι μιά ξεκάθαρη δήλωση ἑνός γεγονότος. Ἔτσι, μποροῦμε καί ἀκοῦμε τόν Χριστό νά μᾶς λέει σήμερα: Καθώς ἀπέσταλκέν με ὁ πατήρ, κἀγώ πέμπω ὑμᾶς. Ὑμεῖς ἐστε τό φῶς τοῦ κόσμου. Εἶσθε ἡ φωνή μου. Εἶσθε ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ σ’ ἕναν μεταβαλλόμενο κόσμο. Ποιό εἶναι τό ἀκριβές νόημα μιᾶς τέτοιας ὑπέροχης ἀναθέσεως ἀποστολῆς; 1) Ἐάν εἴμεθα ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ σ’ ἕναν μεταβαλλόμενο κόσμο, ἐάν πρόκειται νά διαδώσουμε τό Εὐαγγέλιο στούς ἐγγύς καί στούς μακράν, πρέπει πρῶτα καί πάνω ἀπ’ ὅλα νά γνωρίζουμε τόν Χριστό. Στήν ἐπιστολή του πρός Φιλιππησίους, ὁ Ἀπόστολος Παῦλος μᾶς προσφέρει καθοδήγηση ἐν σχέσει πρός τή σπουδαιότητα τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Γράφει: ἀλλά μενοῦν γε καί ἡγοῦμαι πάντα ζημίαν εἶναι διά τό ὑπερέχον τῆς γνώσεως Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου μου (Φιλ. 3:8). Καί προσθέτει ὅτι ὁ σκοπός τῆς ζωῆς του εἶναι τοῦ γνῶναι Αὐτόν καί τήν δύναμιν τῆς ἀναστάσεως Αὐτοῦ, καί τήν κοινωνίαν τῶν παθημάτων Αὐτοῦ (Φιλ. 3:9). Ἀπ’αὐτή τήν διακήρυξη περί τῆς σπουδαιότητος τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦ, καταλαβαίνουμε πώς εἶναι οὐσιώδης ἡ ἐπίγνωση τοῦ Χριστοῦ προκειμένου νά εἴμεθα ἡ φωνή Του. Πρέπει νά ἀναζητήσουμε Ἐκεῖνον πρωτίστως. Ἐκεῖνος εἶναι ἡ πηγή τῆς ζωῆς καί τῆς ἐλπίδος μας. Σαρκώθηκε γιά τή σωτηρία μας, ἀποκαλύπτοντας τήν χάρη τοῦ Θεοῦ καί δείχνοντάς μας τόν δρόμο γιά τήν ἀποκατάσταση τῆς κοινωνίας μας μέ τόν Δημιουργό μας. Συγκεντρωνόμεθα ἐπ’ ὀνόματί Του, Τόν λαμβάνουμε στήν Θεία Εὐχαριστία, καί Τοῦ προσφέρουμε δόξα καί λατρεία. Ἡ ζωή μας, ἡ εἰρήνη μας, ἡ χαρά μας καί ἡ αἰωνιότητά μας εἶναι δική Του. Πρέπει νά θεωροῦμε τά πάντα ζημίαν ἔναντι τῆς ὑπεροχῆς τῆς γνώσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου (Φιλ. 3:8). 2) Ἐάν γνωρίζουμε τόν Χριστό, ἐάν αὐξανόμεθα ἐν χάριτι καί γνώσει Του (Πέτρ. Β΄, 3:18), τί προσφέρουμε ὡς φωνή Του; Τό πρῶτο πολύτιμο πράγμα εἶναι ἡ ἐλπίδα. Ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ γεννοῦσε ἐλπίδα. Ἐάν εἴμεθα ἡ φωνή Του, μεταδίδουμε ἐλπίδα καί προοπτική ἀληθινῆς ζωῆς σέ περιβάλλοντα ἀπελπισίας.

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Δεύτερον, ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ εἶναι ἡ φωνή τῆς ἀληθείας. Ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπε: ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ ὁδός καί ἡ ἀλήθεια καί ἡ ζωή (Ἰωάν. 14:6). Οἱ λόγοι Του προσφέρουν θεϊκή σοφία καί ἀποκαλύπτουν τήν ἀλήθεια τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ἡ φωνή Του φωτίζει τήν ἀλήθεια σ’ἕναν κόσμο ὅπου πολλοί ἀναζητοῦν ἤ παραπλανῶνται ἀπό ποικίλες ἰδεολογίες. Ἐάν εἴμεθα ἡ φωνή Του, προσφέρουμε τήν ἀλήθεια τήν ὁποία Ἐκεῖνος ἀπεκάλυψε στό Εὐαγγέλιό Του, ἀποκλείοντας ἔτσι ὅλες τίς μορφές τοῦ ψεύδους, τῆς πλάνης, καί τῆς παραποιήσεως πραγμάτων, δυστυχῶς διάχυτων στήν κοινωνία μας. Τρίτον, ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ εἶναι γεμάτη χάρη. Ἦλθε καί μέ χάρη ἀπεκάλυψε τήν μεγάλη ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ γιά μᾶς. Οἱ διδασκαλίες καί θεραπεῖες Του ἦταν γεμᾶτες χάρη. Ἐμεῖς εἴμεθα ἡ φωνή Του καί μεταδίδουμε τήν χάρη ὁσάκις ὁμιλοῦμε περί Ἐκείνου. Ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ εἶναι ἐπίσης φωνή θεραπευτικῆς δυνάμεως. Οἱ λόγοι Του ὑπῆρξαν πανίσχυρες δυνάμεις παραγωγῆς θαυμάτων ἰάσεως, ἀκόμη καί νεκραναστάσεων. Ἡ φωνή τοῦ Ἰησοῦ μεταδιδόμενη ἀπό μᾶς, ἐνεργεῖ δυναμικά καί μέ φιλόστοργο τρόπο στήν ἀντιμετώπιση τῆς κακουχίας, τοῦ διωγμοῦ, καί τῆς ἐκκοσμικεύσεως, προσφέροντας μαρτυρία ἐλπίδος, ἀληθείας, χάριτος καί δυνάμεως ἰάσεως. 3) Τό θέμα μας ἐπιβεβαιώνει ὅτι εἴμεθα ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ σ’ ἕναν μεταβαλλόμενο κόσμο. Ὁ κόσμος μας εἶναι γεμᾶτος προκλήσεις λόγῳ τῆς μεταβολῆς αὐτοῦ. Τό βιώνουμε αὐτό στίς ζωές μας σέ καθημερινή βάση, ὅταν σκεπτόμεθα τήν πραγματικότητα τῶν περασμένων μηνῶν καί ἐτῶν καί γενικά τήν πορεία τῆς μέχρι τοῦδε ζωῆς μας. Λόγῳ τῶν πολλαπλῶν τρόπων ἐπικοινωνίας καί πληροφοριῶν πού δεχόμεθα σέ ἄμεσο χρόνο, ἐρχόμεθα συνεχῶς ἀντιμέτωποι μέ γεγονότα καί στιγμές πού συμβαίνουν σ’ὁλόκληρο τόν κόσμο τά ὁποῖα σηματοδοτοῦν τήν συνεχῆ μεταβολή του. Ἔχουμε ἰδεῖ τή ραγδαία ἀλλαγή τῆς τεχνολογίας καί τήν τεράστια ἐπίδρασή της στίς ζωές καί τίς κοινωνίες μας. Σ’ αὐτή τή συνεχῆ μεταβολή ἔχει ἐπιτευχθῇ πρόοδος σέ πολλούς τομεῖς μέ ἀποτέλεσμα τήν διάσωση ζωῆς, τήν ἐνίσχυση τῆς παιδείας καί τήν πρόσβαση στή γνώση, τήν ἐπίδειξη τῆς δυνάμεως τῆς ἀνθρώπινης ἐπινοητικότητος, καί τήν καλυτέρευση τῆς ποιότητος τῆς ζωῆς. Παράλληλα, βλέπουμε καί βιώνουμε πολλές προκλήσεις ἐν σχέσει πρός αὐτές τίς ἀλλαγές: κόστος καί πρόσβαση στήν τεχνολογία, περιβαλλοντικές ἐπιπτώσεις, ὑλισμός καί ἀπειλές ἀπό τίς καταχρήσεις. Πολλοί ἀναρωτῶνται πῶς νά κινηθοῦν ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν τῶν συνεχῶν ἀλλαγῶν στόν κόσμο μας καί πῶς νά λαμβάνουν σωστές ἀποφάσεις. Ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ εἶναι ἀναγκαία γιά τήν ἀντιμετώπιση τέτοιων δραστικῶν ἀλλαγῶν διότι ἡ φωνή Του εἶναι φωνή σοφίας, σταθερότητος, ἀγάπης καί ἀληθείας. Ἡ φωνή Του προσφέρει διάκριση στήν ἐκτίμηση τῶν ὠφελειῶν τῆς τεχνολογικῆς ἀλλαγῆς ἐν σχέσει πρός τήν ἀνθρώπινη ζωή, τόν προορισμό καί τήν εὐημερία μας. Ἡ φωνή Του μᾶς καθοδηγεῖ νά κοιτάξουμε πέραν τῶν ἀνέσεών μας καί νά σκεφθοῦμε προσεκτικά τήν εὑρύτερη ἐπίδραση τῆς μεταβολῆς στίς ζωές μας, στίς κοινότητές μας καί σ’ὁλόκληρο τόν κόσμο. Ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἀπαντᾶ στίς ἐρωτήσεις σχετικά μέ τήν ἔννοια τοῦ καλοῦ, τοῦ ἀληθινοῦ, καί ἐκείνου τό ὁποῖο ἀποκαθιστᾶ τίς σχέσεις μας μέ τόν Θεό καί μέ τούς ἄλλους. Εἶναι σημαντικό νά ἀναγνωρίζουμε ὅτι ὁ μεταβαλλόμενος κόσμος μας εἶναι ἐπίσης ἕνας κόσμος εὐκαιριῶν. Βεβαίως, εἶναι ἕνας κόσμος μέ προκλήσεις καί μάλιστα ἀρκετές φορές πολύπλοκος. Ὁ ρυθμός καί ὁ τρόπος μέ τόν ὁποῖον μεταβάλλεται ὁ κόσμος εἶναι συναρπαστικός ἐνίοτε. Ἀλλά εἶναι κόσμος μέ μεγάλες ἀνάγκες. Ἀποστελλόμεθα ἀπό τόν Χριστό νά εἴμεθα ἡ φωνή Του, νά ὁμιλοῦμε τήν ἀλήθεια καί τήν ἀγάπη, νά προσφέρουμε ἐλπίδα καί προοπτική. Σ’ ἕναν μεταβαλλόμενο κόσμο, εἴμαστε ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ, πού προσφέρει ἀνακούφιση, θεραπεία, ἀποκατάσταση, σταθερότητα καί σκοπό. 4) Ἀναλύοντας τό θέμα μας, χρειαζόμεθα στό σημεῖο αὐτό νά ἐρωτήσουμε: Πῶς προσφέρουμε τήν φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ σ’ ἕναν μεταβαλλόμενο κόσμο διά τῆς διακονίας καί τῆς ὑπηρεσίας τῆς Ἑλληνικῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας μας στήν Ἀμερική; Κατά τίς συζητήσεις μας ἐδῶ, ἡ προτεραιότητά μας εἶναι ἡ ἀξιολόγηση τῶν ὑφισταμένων διακονιῶν καί μέσων σέ ὅλα τά ἐπίπεδα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς μας ὡς εὐκαιριῶν προσφορᾶς τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Πρῶτον, προσφέρουμε τήν φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ διά τῆς λατρείας καί τῆς διακονίας στήν ἐνορία. Διά τῆς λατρείας, ἡ ἐνορία γίνεται Σῶμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, συνάγεται ἐνώπιόν Του, κοινωνεῖ μ’ Ἐκεῖνον καί προσφέρει μαρτυρία τῆς δυνάμεως τῆς παρουσίας καί χάριτός Του. Στήν ἐνορία καλύπτονται οἱ φυσικές καί πνευματικές ἀνάγκες διά τῶν ὑπηρεσιῶν τῶν ἀφοσιωμένων κληρικῶν καί λαϊκῶν. Ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἀκούεται καί βιώνεται στή λατρεία διά λόγων καί πράξεων ἔτσι ὥστε ἡ ἐνορία νά μεταβάλλεται σέ σπίτι, τόπο παρηγορίας, ἀνανεώσεως καί ἐλπίδος. Δεύτερον, προσφέρουμε τήν φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ διά τῶν διακονιῶν τῶν σχετικῶν μέ τήν οἰκογένεια. Ἔχουμε διαπιστώσει ὅτι οἱ διακονίες καί τά μέσα ἔχουν αὐξηθῇ σημαντικά σ’ ὁλόκληρη τήν Ἀρχιεπισκοπή μας μετά τήν τελευταία μας Συνέλευση. Παρά ταῦτα, οἱ προκλήσεις πού δέχεται ἡ οἰκογένεια εἶναι τεράστιες καί αὐξάνονται

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συνεχῶς. Πολλές ἄλλες φωνές καί ἀπαιτήσεις πιέζουν τίς οἰκογένειες νά προσαρμοσθοῦν μέ τόν κόσμο καί νά ζοῦν σύμφωνα μέ πρόσκαιρα πρότυπα ἐπιτυχίας καί εὐτυχίας. Δέν μποροῦμε νά μειώσουμε τίς προσπάθειές μας γιά τήν φροντίδα τῶν οἰκογενειῶν καί τήν προσφορά τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ σ’ ἕναν μεταβαλλόμενο κόσμο ὁ ὁποῖος προσπαθεῖ νά ἀλλάξῃ ἄρδην ὅσα δημιούργησε ὁ Θεός. Οἱ ὑπηρεσίες Διακονία τῆς Οἰκογενείας καί τό Κέντρο Οἰκογενειακῆς Φροντίδος συνεχίζουν νά ἀποτελοῦν σημαντικά κέντρα συζητήσεως καί σχεδιασμοῦ στή Συνέλευσή μας ἔτσι ὥστε νά εἴμεθα ἕτοιμοι νά διαδώσουμε τήν φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ μέ ἀλήθεια καί χάρη καί νά προσφέρουμε καθαρότητα, ἀγάπη καί καθοδήγηση ἐν μέσῳ τῆς μεγάλης συγχύσεως. Τρίτον, εἴμεθα ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ διά τῶν διακονιῶν τῆς προσεγγίσεως καί τοῦ εὐαγγελισμοῦ. Ὄντας τό φῶς τοῦ κόσμου, ἀποστελλόμεθα σ’ ἕναν μεταβαλλόμενο κόσμο γιά νά προσφέρουμε τήν φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ σ’ ἐκείνους οἱ ὁποῖοι δέν εἶναι κοντά στήν Ἐκκλησία. Σέ αὐτούς συμπεριλαμβάνονται κι ἐκεῖνοι οἱ ὁποῖοι δέν ἔχουν ἀκούσει ποτέ τήν φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἄλλοι οἱ ὁποῖοι δέν εἶναι προετοιμασμένοι ν’ ἀκούσουν καί ἄλλοι οἱ ὁποῖοι χρειάζονται νέα πρόσκληση γιά νά ἐπιστρέψουν σ’ Ἐκεῖνον. Γιά αὐτούς καί γιά ἄλλους οἱ ὁποῖοι ἔχουν ἀποπροσανατολισθῇ ἀπό ἀποκλίνουσες καί ἀπατηλές ἰδέες, ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ μέσα ἀπό μᾶς προσφέρει νόημα καί σκοπό μέ ἀλήθεια καί ἀγάπη. Ἐκπληρώνοντας τήν ἐκ Θεοῦ ἀποστολή μας, πρέπει νά συνεχίσουμε νά ἐνισχύουμε τίς διακονίες μας τῆς προσεγγίσεως καί τοῦ εὐαγγελισμοῦ ἔτσι ὥστε οἱ κληρικοί καί λαϊκοί μας νά ἔχουν καθοδήγηση, προγράμματα καί μέσα γιά νά προσφέρουν τήν φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ καθαρά καί ἀποτελεσματικά. Ε. ΣΥΜΠΕΡΑΣΜΑΤΙΚΕΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΣΕΙΣ Ἐπιτρέψατέ με παρακαλῶ νά προσφέρω μερικές συμπερασματικές παρατηρήσεις οἱ ὁποῖες τονίζουν τήν ἀνάγκη νά ἀναλάβουμε τρεῖς μείζονες προσπάθειες. Προσπάθεια ὑπ’ ἀριθμ. 1 : Ἡ ἀνάγκη νά προβοῦμε σέ μιά πλήρη ἐκτίμηση καί σοβαρή ἀναθεώρηση τοῦ ὑλικοῦ καί τῶν ἐκπαιδευτικῶν πηγῶν καί μέσων πού χρησιμοποιοῦμε στήν ἐκκλησία μας για τήν προώθηση τῆς γνώσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦ καί τῆς ἀληθείας τῆς ἀποκαλυφθείσης ἀπό Ἐκεῖνον στό Εὐαγγέλιο. Δέν μποροῦμε νά εἴμαστε ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ χωρίς μιά βαθειά γνώση καί σύνδεση μαζί Του καί μιά κατανόηση τῶν περιεχομένων τῆς σωτηριώδους διδασκαλίας Του, εἰδικά ὅταν ἀντιμετωπίζουμε τίς μεγάλες προκλήσεις ἑνός μεταβαλλόμενου κόσμου. Προσπάθεια ὑπ’ ἀριθμ. 2 : Πρέπει νά πλησιάσουμε καί νά γίνουμε ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ γιά τούς ἀδελφούς καί ἀδελφές μας πού δέν συνδέονται μέ ἰσχυρό τρόπο μέ τίς ἐνορίες μας καί ἔρχονται στήν Ἐκκλησία μόνο τή Μεγάλη Ἑβδομάδα καί τά Χριστούγεννα. Ἡ προσπάθεια αὐτή πρέπει νά ὀργανωθεῖ συστηματικά καί νά συμπεριλάβει σέ δημιουργική δραστηριότητα ὅλα τά μέλη τῶν ἐνοριῶν μας. Παρακαλῶ σκεφθεῖτε ἰδιαίτερα τίς μή συνδεδεμένες μέ τήν Ἐκκλησία οἰκογένειες τῶν μικτῶν γάμων, βοηθῆστε τις νά ἀκούσουν μέσω ὑμῶν τή φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἡ ὁποία τίς καλεῖ νά συνδεθοῦν μέ τίς ἐνορίες μας, ἐνορίες χάριτος καί εἰρήνης μέσα σέ ἕναν ταραγμένο κόσμο. Προσπάθεια ὑπ’ ἀριθμ. 3 : Πρέπει νά καλλιεργήσουμε καί νά ὀργανώσουμε τά μέλη τῶν Κοινοτήτων μας μέ τρόπο που θά ἀναγνωρίζουν τήν ἐπείγουσα ἀνάγκη νά ἐξέλθουν καί νά εἶναι ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ γιά ἐκατομμύρια τῶν ἀνθρώπων, πού εἶναι σέ κατάσταση ἀπωλείας και συγχύσεως μέσα σ’ ἕναν μεταβαλλόμενο κόσμο. Στήν πρόσφατη Ἁγία καί Μεγάλη Σύνοδο τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας στήν Κρήτη αὐτή ἡ ἐπείγουσα ἀνάγκη περιγράφηκε καί ἀκούστηκε κατ’ ἐπανάληψη καί ἐπιμόνως. Οἱ Κοινότητές μας δέν μποροῦν νά εἶναι κλεισμένες στόν ἐαυτό τους καί νά ζοῦν μέσα σ’ ἕνα πνευματικό γκέτο, πρέπει να ἐξέλθουμε πρός τόν κόσμο. Ἡ φωνή μας ὡς φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ πρέπει νά ἀκουστεῖ ἔξω ἀπό τά τείχη τῶν ἐνοριῶν μας. Ὁλόκληρη ἡ Ἀμερική εἶναι τό πεδίο ἐντός τοῦ ὁποίου θά ἀντηχήσει ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Παρακαλῶ ὅμως ἄς θυμηθοῦμε ὅτι ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ ὡς γλῶσσα, πού χρησιμοποιήθηκε ἀπό Ἐκεῖνον ἦτο μιά πανίσχυρη φωνή. Ἄν διαβάσουμε τά Εὐαγγέλια προσεκτικά δέν θά συναντήσουμε περίπτωση κατά τήν ὁποία οἱ λόγοι τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἀκούστηκαν καί δέν παρήγαγαν ἄμεσα ἀποτελέσματα εἴτε σέ περιπτώσεις ἰάσεων, ἐξορκισμῶν ἤ ἀσυνήθων ἀλλαγῶν τῶν φυσικῶν συνθηκῶν. Ἐδῶ ἔχουμε ἕνα test γιά μᾶς : ὅταν εἴμαστε ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ γιά τούς ἀνθρώπους, πού δέν γνωρίζουν πόσο ἀποτελεσματική εἶναι ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ, κάνουμε αὐτό τό ὁποῖο Ἐκεῖνος ἔκανε, δηλαδή παράγουμε ἔργα; Στό κατά Ἰωάννην Εὐαγγέλιο, ὁ Κύριος πρό τοῦ πάθους Του καθώς δίδασκε τούς μαθητές του προσέφερε σ’ αὐτούς μία ὄντως ἐκπληκτική ὑπόσχεση ὅταν εἶπε : ὁ πιστεύων εἰς ἐμέ, τὰ ἔργα ἃ ἐγὼ ποιῶ κἀκεῖνος ποιήσει, καὶ μείζονα τούτων ποιήσει. (Ιωαν. 14 : 12). Ἐάν εἴμεθα ἡ φωνή Του, ἐάν ἔχουμε κληθεῖ νά συνεχίσουμε τό ἔργο Του, εἴμαστε οἱ ἀποδέκτες αὐτῆς τῆς θαυμαστῆς ὑποσχέσεως. Εἴμαστε ἕτοιμοι νά κάνουμε πράγματι ὅ,τι ἔκανε ὁ Χριστός καί μάλιστα περισσότερο; Εἴμαστε ἕτοιμοι νά γίνουμε ἡ ἰσχυρή ἰαματική καί φωτιστική φωνή Του; Ἔχουμε τή θέληση καί εἴμεθα ἔτοιμοι νά μεταβάλλουμε τόν μεταβαλλόμενο κόσμο; Ἄς παρακαλέσουμε τόν Θεό νά εἶναι μαζί μας σ’ αὐτό τό τεράστιο καί ἱερώτατο ἔργο, τό ὁποῖο Ἐκεῖνος ἀνοίγει γιά μᾶς.

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GYRO FEAST and

GREEK PASTRY SALE Sponsored by Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church

8306 NC Highway 751 Durham, NC 27713

Saturday, July 23, 2016 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Menu:

GYRO - lamb & beef mix on grilled pita bread $8 with lettuce, tomatoes, onions & tzatziki sauce

Greek Salad, with side of pita bread - Large/Small $7/$4 Soda and Bottled Water $2

Eat in or Take Out Bring the family and enjoy the food and music

12

2016 Saint Barbara Stewards who have

completed Stewardship Cards

Susan Alexander Alec & Frances Alexiades Emmy Anlyan William Anlyan Alexander & Laurel Arapoglou Nick & Jeannie Balafas Lance & Maria (Marinos) Barton Agape Blackley Barbara Bonfiglio Nick Bourbous Spence (Niko) Brantley Connie Hanes Bush John Bush K. Marie Callahan Sophie Carr Gordon & Sophia Caudle Andrew & Cheryl Christakos Arthur Christakos Eleni Christakos Lia Christakos George & Erie Cocolas Costa Constantinou John Constantinou Lou Constantinou Margaret (Peggy) Corrigan John & Ana Dates Anne Dennos George, Patt, Michael Dennos Betty Dorton Elena Dufault Maria & Brian Easton Demetri & Katina Economedes

Laurie Ferris Crist & Maria Frangakis Gabriel Frangakis Stephan & Jennifer Frangakis Jim & Evy Glekas Len & Elaine Goodwin Christopher Goodwin Kevin & Pamela (Goodwin) Hoke Ed & Eve Kantner Mike & Agatha Karakostantis Burt & Glenna Keener Andrew & Summer Kinard Ken & Karen Korach Terry Kougoulos Helen Koutouzakis Andrew Kuyper Lee & Pauline Kuyper Catherine Lewis Elizabeth Livanos Thalea Lyras Father Stavroforos Mamaies Johnny & Catherine Mariakakis Pete & Joan Marinos Panayiotis & Dimitra Mavroidis Matthew & Tina Megaro Larry & Hope Odzak Cindy Paliouras Jim & Helen Paliouras John & Dena Paliouras Peter & Evelyn Panos Yuri & Elena Panov Matina Papazoglou

Irene Pappas & Ben Rudnick Ted & Theky Pappas George J Pashales Daniel & Lori Przybyl Keith & Alexia Rheinhardt Al & Christine Safarikas Iryna Dimitriy Skudar Mattheos N. & Marika K. Stavrakakis Ron, Vicky & Epiphany Stephens Marian Sunas Rebecca Theophanous Tony Thompson Olga Thuer Donna Trohanis Tryphon & Suzanne Tryphonos Dimitrios Varelas Georgina Varelas John Peter Varelas Demetra Vlachos Helen Vurnakes James & Frances Vurnakes Alexa Waters Preston & Catherine Wilson Diane Winans Grace Witham Betsy Xenakis Dino & Kerri Zaferatos Christina Zehia Tony & Evelyn Zehia

Total Dollars Pledged to Date: $106,645

Total Families Pledged to Date: 92

Average per Family: $1,159

Thank you to all Parishioners who have submitted their 2016

Stewardship Cards. Please check the above list to confirm

your name is listed. For those of you, who have not turned in

your Stewardship Card; please do so promptly by submitting

the card in the Collection tray or by mailing it to the attention of

the Treasurer.

The Stewardship Cards assist us for planning our

MINISTRIES and our FINANCIAL Commitments!

As of June 30, 2016