12
1 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Mallard Parish Outing 2 January Cal- endar 3 Parish Stew- ards 4 January Service Schedule 5 Youth Corner 7 Community News 10 Pictures for December 11 The Trophybearer JANUARY 2014 CHURCH STAFF Parish Priest/Editor: Fr. Christodoulos Margellos Parish Council Presi- dent: Office Secretary: Candice Kalman Philoptochos Presi- dent: Susan Matos Sunday School Direc- tor: Dn Paul Speed Youth Director: Deacon Paul Speed HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY Just a few days ago we celebrated the Nativity of Our Lord. In the Nativity we experienced the love of God offered to the world in the humble birth of the Christ child. That night we heard all creation praise God. The angels proclaimed the birth to the shepherds as they sang, “Glory to God in the highest.” The shepherds came to see the infant and are amazed. The animals surrounded the infant offering their warmth and their manger. The heavens illuminated and guided the Magi by the star. All creation praises and glorifies the Creator of all coming into the world as a small, innocent, humble child. Through Christ’s birth the world prepares for the glory that is to come through His Resurrection. In the month of January we celebrate a much more public acknowledgement of Jesus as Savior. The feast of Epiphany provides us the first opportunity to witness the full manifestation of God. As we stand on the shores of the Jordan we watch the Christ walk into the waters. We hear the voice of the Father proclaiming, “This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased.” We see the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descend from the heavens. Through Christ’s baptism we experience the love of God as Jesus humbles him- self before man and we rejoice at the glory of God in the fullness of the Trinity. The Forerunner, John, immediately recognizes Jesus as He approaches him. John had been in the wilderness calling the people to repentance fulfilling the words of Isaiah. Baptism in water to that point had been a ritualistic cleansing from sin, a sign of repentance, and this was the message that John was preaching with one caveat, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Mt 4:11) John knew that Jesus had no need to be baptized because He had no sin and as Jesus ap- proached him he called out, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29) All must be fulfilled: baptism in water to bring baptism of the Spirit. Jesus humbles himself to be baptized in water in order that the glory of the Trinity may be re- vealed to all. As we sing: “You have bowed Your head before the Forerunner and have crushed the heads of the dragons. You have descended into the waters and have given light to all things, that they may glorify You, O Saviour, the Enlightenment of our souls.” (Doxastikon for Epiphany) The act of bowing is an expression of humility and submission. In our society we do not see this act as readily as one would in Europe or among royalty. As one approaches or takes leave in the presence of royalty, they bow. This simple, formal act demonstrates submission to the other. The fact that Jesus bows his head before John in its very essence demonstrates the mode in which the Christ would serve all humankind: the King as servant. If Christ had not approached John for baptism the glory of the epiphany of the Trinity would be lost. We would not have heard the words of the Father, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”, nor seen, “the heavens opened and the Spirit of God descending like a dove.” For Christ, always, in His ministry humility comes before glory. During the past few weeks we have given witness to both of these feasts. We have celebrated the joy of Christ’s birth in the humble stable revealing God’s love for His creation. We have rejoiced in seeing Jesus humble himself as He enters the waters of the Jordan and the glory of the Trinity manifest.

HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY · 2014-01-04 · Coin, Nick and Nancy Milani, Dino & Tsagaris, Ellen Spurgetis, Nick and Fran Coin, Stan and Kay Moorhead, Helen Spurgetis, Steve Corelis, Helen

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Page 1: HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY · 2014-01-04 · Coin, Nick and Nancy Milani, Dino & Tsagaris, Ellen Spurgetis, Nick and Fran Coin, Stan and Kay Moorhead, Helen Spurgetis, Steve Corelis, Helen

1

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Mallard Parish

Outing

2

January Cal-

endar

3

Parish Stew-

ards

4

January Service

Schedule

5

Youth Corner 7

Community

News

10

Pictures for

December

11

The Trophybearer J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4

C H U R C H

S T A F F

Parish Priest/Editor:

Fr. Christodoulos

Margellos

Parish Council Presi-

dent:

Office Secretary:

Candice Kalman

Philoptochos Presi-

dent: Susan Matos

Sunday School Direc-

tor: Dn Paul Speed

Youth Director:

Deacon Paul Speed

HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY

Just a few days ago we celebrated the Nativity of Our Lord. In the Nativity we experienced the

love of God offered to the world in the humble birth of the Christ child. That night we heard all creation

praise God. The angels proclaimed the birth to the shepherds as they sang, “Glory to God in the highest.”

The shepherds came to see the infant and are amazed. The animals surrounded the infant offering their

warmth and their manger. The heavens illuminated and guided the Magi by the star. All creation praises

and glorifies the Creator of all coming into the world as a small, innocent, humble child. Through Christ’s

birth the world prepares for the glory that is to come through His Resurrection.

In the month of January we celebrate a much more public acknowledgement of Jesus as Savior.

The feast of Epiphany provides us the first opportunity to witness the full manifestation of God. As we

stand on the shores of the Jordan we watch the Christ walk into the waters. We hear the voice of the Father

proclaiming, “This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased.” We see the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove

descend from the heavens. Through Christ’s baptism we experience the love of God as Jesus humbles him-

self before man and we rejoice at the glory of God in the fullness of the Trinity.

The Forerunner, John, immediately recognizes Jesus as He approaches him. John had been in the

wilderness calling the people to repentance fulfilling the words of Isaiah. Baptism in water to that point

had been a ritualistic cleansing from sin, a sign of repentance, and this was the message that John was

preaching with one caveat, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is

mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with

fire.” (Mt 4:11) John knew that Jesus had no need to be baptized because He had no sin and as Jesus ap-

proached him he called out, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29) All

must be fulfilled: baptism in water to bring baptism of the Spirit.

Jesus humbles himself to be baptized in water in order that the glory of the Trinity may be re-

vealed to all. As we sing: “You have bowed Your head before the Forerunner and have crushed the

heads of the dragons. You have descended into the waters and have given light to all things, that they

may glorify You, O Saviour, the Enlightenment of our souls.” (Doxastikon for Epiphany)

The act of bowing is an expression of humility and submission. In our society we do not see this

act as readily as one would in Europe or among royalty. As one approaches or takes leave in the presence

of royalty, they bow. This simple, formal act demonstrates submission to the other. The fact that Jesus

bows his head before John in its very essence demonstrates the mode in which the Christ would serve all

humankind: the King as servant. If Christ had not approached John for baptism the glory of the epiphany

of the Trinity would be lost. We would not have heard the words of the Father, “This is my beloved Son,

with whom I am well pleased”, nor seen, “the heavens opened and the Spirit of God descending like a

dove.” For Christ, always, in His ministry humility comes before glory.

During the past few weeks we have given witness to both of these feasts. We have celebrated the

joy of Christ’s birth in the humble stable revealing God’s love for His creation. We have rejoiced in seeing

Jesus humble himself as He enters the waters of the Jordan and the glory of the Trinity manifest.

Page 2: HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY · 2014-01-04 · Coin, Nick and Nancy Milani, Dino & Tsagaris, Ellen Spurgetis, Nick and Fran Coin, Stan and Kay Moorhead, Helen Spurgetis, Steve Corelis, Helen

Come join us on Saturday,

February 15th

for a parish outing to

the QUAD CITIES MALLARDS game

at the iwireless Center

in Downtown Moline.

As the Mallards take on

the Rapid City Rush.

We have tickets available for $10 each.

Come join us for a night of Fun.

You Don’t want

To miss the action

Please R.S.V.P. to

Fr. Christodoulos

Page 3: HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY · 2014-01-04 · Coin, Nick and Nancy Milani, Dino & Tsagaris, Ellen Spurgetis, Nick and Fran Coin, Stan and Kay Moorhead, Helen Spurgetis, Steve Corelis, Helen

Sun

M

on

Tu

e

Wed

Th

u

Fri

Sat

1

Cir

cum

cisi

on

of

ou

r Lo

rd

St. B

asil

the

Gre

at

Ort

hro

s: 8

:30

a.m

.

Div

ine

Lit

urg

y: 9

:30

a.m

.

2

3

Ro

yal H

ou

rs o

f Ep

iph

any:

8:0

0 a

.m.

4

Gre

at V

esp

ers:

5:0

0 p

.m.

5

Eve

of

Epip

han

y

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s: 8

:30

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.

Div

ine

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urg

y 1

0:0

0 a

.m.

Ble

ssin

g o

f th

e W

ate

rs

Par

ish

Co

un

cil O

ath

6

Epip

han

y o

f o

ur

Lord

Ort

hro

s: 8

:30

a.m

.

Div

ine

Lit

urg

y: 9

:30

a.m

.

Gre

at B

less

ing

of

the

Wa-

ters

7

8

9

10

11

Gre

at V

esp

ers:

5:0

0 p

.m.

12

Sun

day

aft

er

Epip

han

y

Ort

hro

s: 8

:30

a.m

.

Div

ine

Lit

urg

y: 1

0:0

0 a

.m.

Cu

ttin

g o

f V

asilo

pit

a

Sun

day

Sch

oo

l

13

14

Par

ish

Co

un

cil M

ee

tin

g

7:0

0 p

.m. G

reen

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om

15

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ligio

us

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on

9:3

0 a

.m. &

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0 p

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1

7 1

8 Sa

ints

Ath

anas

ios

& C

yril

Ort

hro

s: 8

:30

a.m

.

Div

ine

Lit

urg

y: 9

:30

a.m

.

19

12

th S

un

day

of

Luke

Ort

hro

s: 8

:30

a.m

.

Div

ine

Lit

urg

y: 1

0:0

0 a

.m.

Sun

day

Sch

oo

l

Ch

urc

h R

ead

ers

Mee

tin

g

20

Sain

t Eft

hym

ios

Ort

hro

s: 8

:00

a.m

.

Div

ine

Lit

urg

y: 9

:00

a.m

.

21

22

2

3

24

25

St. G

rego

ry t

he

Th

eo

logi

an

Ort

hro

s: 8

:30

a.m

.

Div

ine

Lit

urg

y: 9

:30

a.m

.

26

15

th S

un

day

of

Luke

Ort

hro

s: 8

:30

a.m

.

Div

ine

Lit

urg

y: 1

0:0

0 a

.m.

Sun

day

Sch

oo

l

Yo

uth

Ou

tin

g to

QC

Fam

ily

27

28

29

Re

ligio

us

Edu

cati

on

9:3

0 a

.m. &

6:3

0 p

.m.

30

Thre

e H

iera

rch

s

Ort

hro

s: 8

:00

a.m

.

Div

ine

Lit

urg

y: 9

:00

a.m

.

31

Janu

ary

2014

Page 4: HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY · 2014-01-04 · Coin, Nick and Nancy Milani, Dino & Tsagaris, Ellen Spurgetis, Nick and Fran Coin, Stan and Kay Moorhead, Helen Spurgetis, Steve Corelis, Helen

4

Alias, Jorg and Basema Harb, Gus & Irene Patramanis, George & Alexa

Allen, Marcia Jacobs, J.P. and Andrea Patramanis, Mike and Vickie

Allen, Ray and Connie Jannes, Nick and Claudette Perantinos, Angela

Allison, Dale and JoElaine Joannides, Timothy and Kathy Peters, Jason & Kristin

Amidon, Jeff and Elaine Johnson, Scot and Adrienne Pliakos, Demetrios

Andrews, Pat and A.J. Kalman, Candice Porter, Vanessa

Asmussen, Zach and Alyssa Kalomas, Georgia Pyevich, Mike & Vickie

Avgenackis, Mike and Nancy Kapalis, Jim and Diane Rankin, Mary

Bageteas, Paul & Christine Karoules, George and Diane Rastovic, Jovanka

Bagetelas, Polly Karoules, Katherine Rastovic, Ratko and Svetlana

Bagatelas, Ted and Karen Kirkpatrick, Anne and Quinn Reese, Andrea

Bakeris, Tom and Jenny Kutsunis, Deborah Reese, Marina & Dennis

Booras, Pascal Kutsunis, George W. and Linda Skafidas, Frank G. & Frances

Bourboulas, Frances Kutsunis, Ted and Debra Skafidas, Frank J. & Mary Jane

Bruskas, Spiro Lebessis, Chris and Nikki Skafidas, George and Effie

Burmeister, Elaine Leon, Jason Smith, Gordon and Helen

Burmeister, Joe Lillios, Von Smith, Randy & Chris

Callas, John and Darcy Lingris, Darlene Speed, Paul and Romilee

Caras, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Manta, Dena Spurgetis, Angela

Caras, Emily Margellos, Father Christodoulos Spurgetis, Colette

Caras, Peter and Becky Mathews, Emmanuel and Tracy Spurgetis, Dennis and Nancy

Chickris, Carol Mathews, Nancy Spurgetis, Greg

Coin, George and Nancy Matos, Fr. Chris and Presbytera Spurgetis, Helen

Coin, Harry G. and Susan Matos, Peter and Susan Spurgetis, Lucille

Coin, Harry S. and Paula Mekus, John and Linnea Spurgetis, Mary

Coin, Nick and Nancy Milani, Dino & Tsagaris, Ellen Spurgetis, Nick and Fran

Coin, Stan and Kay Moorhead, Helen Spurgetis, Steve

Corelis, Helen Morgan, Steve Stiegel, Ken and Helen

Corelis, John & Shan Mott, Ken & Pam Stratton, John and Martha

Crosson, Brad & Mariellen Natsis, John Stratton, Marge

Dalamaggas, Cleo Nelson, Marguerite Suess, Marlowe

Douglas, Angeline Nichols, Pauline Teros, James and Elizabeth

Doxas, Joan Nicholson, Edward Tolescu, Veronica

Eckert, Steve and Mary Kay Palaiologos, Kosta and Areeta Tripilas, Gus and Virginia

Elias, Daniel & Mari Palmer, Scott and Lesa Tsagaris, James

Elias, Maurice & Sue Papageorgiou, Dimitri & Kathy Vlahos, Ted and Penny

Farrell, Paul & Cathy Papageorgiou, Maria Vretis, Frank

Florence, Scott and Alexa Pappas, Chris Whitehead, Bill and Diane

Froumis, Elaine Pappas, Gus and Kerri Winters, James and Mary

Gnatovich, George Pappas, Judy Wiss, Kulla

Grevas, Nick Pappas, Matt and Lori Zaimes, John and Joanna

Grevas, Ted & Pat Pappas, Nick Zeroth, Connie

Gust, Pete and Arlene Pappas, Tim

2014 Saint George Stewards

Page 5: HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY · 2014-01-04 · Coin, Nick and Nancy Milani, Dino & Tsagaris, Ellen Spurgetis, Nick and Fran Coin, Stan and Kay Moorhead, Helen Spurgetis, Steve Corelis, Helen

5

JANUARY 2014 SERVICE SCHEDULE

Wednesday, January 1st Circumcision of the Lord Orthros: 8:30 a.m.

Saint Basil the Great Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m.

Friday, January 3rd Royal Hours of Epiphany 8:00 a.m.

Saturday, January 4th Great Vespers Great Vespers: 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 5th Sunday before Theophany Orthros: 8:30 a.m.

Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.

Monday, January 6th Holy Theophany Orthros: 8:30 a.m.

With Agiasmos service Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m.

Saturday, January 11th Great Vespers Great Vespers: 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 12th Sunday after Theophany Orthros: 8:30 a.m.

Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, January 18th Saints Athanasios & Cyril Orthros: 8:30 a.m.

Patriarchs of Alexandria Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, January 19th 12th Sunday of Luke Orthros: 8:30 a.m.

(Ten Lepers) Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.

Monday, January 20th St. Efthymios Orthros: 8:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy: 9:00 a.m.

Saturday, January 25th St. Gregory the Theologian Orthros: 8:30 a.m.

Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, January 26th 15th Sunday of Luke Orthros: 8:30 a.m.

(Sunday of Zacchaeus) Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, January 30th Three Hierarchs Orthros: 8:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy: 9:00 a.m.

Page 6: HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY · 2014-01-04 · Coin, Nick and Nancy Milani, Dino & Tsagaris, Ellen Spurgetis, Nick and Fran Coin, Stan and Kay Moorhead, Helen Spurgetis, Steve Corelis, Helen

6

January 2014 Parish Council Sunday Duty List

-Names in Parenthesis indicate team member to arrive by 9:30 a.m.

On Sunday, January 5th, 2014 members on duty: (Harry S. Coin, Mary Rankin), Steve Eckert, Tom Bakeris.

On Sunday, January 12th, 2014 members on duty: (Gus Pappas, Joe Burmeister), Brad Crosson, Peter Matos.

On Sunday, January 19th, 2014 members on duty: (Mike Patramanis), Angela Spurgetis, Harry G. Coin.

On Sunday, January 26th, 2014 members on duty: (Steve Eckert, Tom Bakeris), Harry S. Coin, Mary Rankin.

On Sunday, February 2nd, 2014 members on duty: (Brad Crosson, Peter Matos), Gus Pappas, Joe Burmiester.

Coffee Hour Hosts for January 2014

On Sunday, January 5th, 2014 Coffee hour will be hosted by: The Speed Family

On Sunday, January 12th, 2014 Coffee hour will be hosted by: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED.

On Sunday, January 19th 2014 Coffee hour will be hosted by: Elaine Amidon & Kathy Begyn.

On Sunday, January 26th, 2014 Coffee hour will be hosted by: Susan & Lizzy Coin.

On Sunday, February 2nd, 2014 Coffee hour will be hosted by: Vickie Pyevich & Cathy Farrell.

READERS FOR JANUARY 2014

On Sunday, January 5th, 2014: Alexa Florence.

On Sunday, January 12th, 2014: Kay Coin.

On Sunday, January 19th, 2014: Colleen Matos.

On Sunday, January 26th, 2014: Alexa Florence.

On Sunday, February 2nd, 2014: Kay Coin.

ALTAR BOY SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 2014

On Sunday, January 5th, 2014: Team 1 Gabriel Florence, Ethan Kirkpatrick, Andrew Leon, George Elias, Zach Elias, Gabriel Elias,

Tomas Elias.

On Sunday, January 12th, 2014: Team 2 Nikolas Jacobs, Alek Jacobs, John T. Jones, John Mott, Michael Pyevich, Ben Florence,

Peter Matos, Ian Matos.

On Sunday, January 19th, 2014: Team 1 Gabriel Florence, Ethan Kirkpatrick, Andrew Leon, George Elias, Zach Elias, Gabriel Elias,

Tomas Elias.

On Sunday, January 26th, 2014: Team 2 Nikolas Jacobs, Alek Jacobs, John T. Jones, John Mott, Michael Pyevich, Ben Florence,

Peter Matos, Ian Matos.

On Sunday, February 2nd, 2014: Team 1 Gabriel Florence, Ethan Kirkpatrick, Andrew Leon, George Elias, Zach Elias, Gabriel Elias,

Tomas Elias.

Page 7: HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY · 2014-01-04 · Coin, Nick and Nancy Milani, Dino & Tsagaris, Ellen Spurgetis, Nick and Fran Coin, Stan and Kay Moorhead, Helen Spurgetis, Steve Corelis, Helen

7

YOUTH CORNER!

Page 8: HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY · 2014-01-04 · Coin, Nick and Nancy Milani, Dino & Tsagaris, Ellen Spurgetis, Nick and Fran Coin, Stan and Kay Moorhead, Helen Spurgetis, Steve Corelis, Helen

8

Saint Basil the Great: Was born about the end of the year 329 in Caesarea of Cappadocia, to a family

renowned for their learning and holiness. His parents' names were Basil and Emily. His mother Emily

(commemorated July 19) and his grandmother Macrina (Jan. 14) are Saints of the Church, together with all his

brothers and sisters: Macrina, his elder sister (July 19), Gregory of Nyssa (Jan. to), Peter of Sebastia (Jan. 9), and

Naucratius. Basil studied in Constantinople under the sophist Libanius, then in Athens, where also he formed a

friendship with the young Gregory, a fellow Cappadocian, later called "the Theologian." Through the good influ-

ence of his sister Macrina (see July 19), he chose to embrace the ascetical life, abandoning his worldly career. He

visited the monks in Egypt, in Palestine, in Syria, and in Mesopotamia, and upon returning to Caesarea, he departed

to a hermitage on the Iris River in Pontus, not far from Annesi, where his mother and his sister Macrina were al-

ready treading the path of the ascetical life; here he also wrote his ascetical homilies.

About the year 370, when the bishop of his country reposed, he was elected to succeed to his throne and

was entrusted with the Church of Christ, which he tended for eight years, living in voluntary poverty and strict as-

ceticism, having no other care than to defend holy Orthodoxy as a worthy successor of the Apostles. The Emperor

Valens, and Modestus, the Eparch of the East, who were of one mind with the Arians, tried with threats of exile and of torments to bend the Saint to

their own confession, because he was the bastion of Orthodoxy in all Cappadocia, and preserved it from heresy when Arianism was at its strongest.

But he set all their malice at naught, and in his willingness to give himself up to every suffering for the sake of the Faith, showed himself to be a

martyr by volition. Modestus, amazed at Basil's fearlessness in his presence, said that no one had ever so spoken to him. "Perhaps," answered the

Saint, "you have never met a bishop before." The Emperor Valens himself was almost won over by Basil's dignity and wisdom. When Valens' son

fell gravely sick, he asked Saint Basil to pray for him. The Saint promised that his son would be restated if Valens agreed to have him baptized by

the Orthodox; Valens agreed, Basil prayed, and the son was restored. But afterwards the Emperor had him baptized by Arians, and the child died

soon after. Later, Valens, persuaded by his counselors, decided to send the Saint into exile because he would not accept the Arians into communion;

but his pen broke when he was signing the edict of banishment. He tried a second time and a third, but the same thing happened, so that the Emper-

or was filled with dread, and tore up the document, and Basil was not banished. The truly great Basil, spent with extreme ascetical practices and

continual labors, at the helm of the church, departed to the Lord on the 1st of January, in 379. at the age of forty-nine.

His writings are replete with wisdom and erudition, and rich are these gifts he set forth the doctrines concerning the mysteries both of the

creation (see his Hexaemeron) and of the Holy Trinity (see On the Holy Spirit). Because of the majesty and keenness of his eloquence, he is hon-

ored as "the revealer of heavenly things" and "the Great." Saint Basil is also celebrated on January 30th with Saint Gregory the Theologian and

Saint John Chrysostom.

SAINT GREGORY OF NYSSA: Saint Gregory, the

younger brother of Basil the Great, illustrious in speech and a zealot for the Orthodox Faith, was born in 331. His brother Basil was en-couraged by their elder sister Macrina to prefer the service of God to a secular career (see July 19); Saint Gregory was moved in a sim-ilar way by his godly mother Emily, who, when Gregory was still a young man, implored him to attend a service in honor of the holy Forty Martyrs at her retreat at Annesi on the River Iris. Saint Greg-ory came at his mother's bidding, but being wearied with the jour-ney, and feeling little zeal, he fell asleep during the service. The Forty Martyrs then appeared to him in a dream, threatening him and reproaching him for his slothfulness. After this he repented and be-came very diligent in the service of God. Gregory became bishop in 372, and because of his Orthodoxy he was exiled in 374 by Valens, who was of one mind with the Arians. After the death of Valens in 378, Gregory was recalled to his throne by the Emperor Gratian. He attended the Local Council of Antioch, which sent him to visit the churches of Arabia and Palestine, which had been defiled and ravaged by Arianism. He attended the Second Ecumenical Council, which was assembled in Constantinople in 381. Having lived some sixty years and left behind many remarka-ble writings, he reposed about the year 395. The acts of the Seventh

Ecumenical Council call him 'Father of Fathers."

Page 9: HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY · 2014-01-04 · Coin, Nick and Nancy Milani, Dino & Tsagaris, Ellen Spurgetis, Nick and Fran Coin, Stan and Kay Moorhead, Helen Spurgetis, Steve Corelis, Helen

9

Save the date!

On Sunday, January 12,

2014 vasilopita will be distrib-

uted at the end of liturgy in honor of St. Basil and best wishes for a

healthy, peaceful New Year, 2014. In addition to a gift of a slice of this fa-

vorite sweet bread, some lucky person will be the recipient of a hidden

vasilopita coin. Tradition tells that this coin will bring you a blessed new

year.

Of course, in honor of St. Basil a special collection will be taken at

the end of liturgy to help support the academy bearing his name in Garri-

son, New York..

And if this isn’t enough, we will also hold a raffle for the extra loaves

of bread. Each loaf will contain a wrapped coin to share with your family.

Tickets will be sold at the bookstore (Stavro Logo for those who do not

remember our name) beginning Sunday, January 5th and following liturgy

Sunday, January 12th. Father Christodoulos will draw the winning tickets

in the green room. Cost of each ticket is one ticket for $5.00, three tick-

ets for $10.00.

Page 10: HUMILITY BEFORE GLORY · 2014-01-04 · Coin, Nick and Nancy Milani, Dino & Tsagaris, Ellen Spurgetis, Nick and Fran Coin, Stan and Kay Moorhead, Helen Spurgetis, Steve Corelis, Helen

10

READERS FOR SUNDAY MEETING: On Sunday, January 19th following Divine Liturgy we will be having a meeting for all

those who are currently readers as well as for anyone who would like to become a reader. You will be blessed to do the epistle read-

ing for St. George on Sunday morning.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Will be on Tuesday, January 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Green room.

PARISH COUNCIL OATH OF OFFICE: Will take place on Sunday, January 5th following Divine Liturgy.

PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING: Will be on Sunday, January 12th following Divine Liturgy .

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: We will be resuming classes on Wednesday, January 15th. We will also have class on Wednesday,

January 29rh. Morning classes meet at 9:30 a.m. & Evening classes meet at 6:30 p.m. We are still working on St Porphyrios book

“Wounded by Love” All are welcome to join us. Come learn about our faith together.

YOUTH NEWS: Youth Bowling and Fun Day: On Sunday, January 26th at 1:00 p.m. we will be going with our youth to Qaud

Cities Family Entertainment in Moline. It is a wonderful complex where we will rent some lanes and have fun bowling. But there is

more to do! They also have the largest Laser Tag area in the QCA as well as an arcade. We will be providing the bowling and food.

Anything else will need to paid for on your own. Please R.S.V.P. with Fr. Christodoulos or Dn. Paul Speed if you are interested in

attending.

QUAD CITIES MALLARD GAME OUTING: On Saturday, February 15th at 7:00 p.m. we will be having a parish outing to the

Mallards game in Moline. The cost of the tickets are $10.00 for great lower bowl seats. If we sell out our tickets then we may be

able to get more as needed. This will be a fun outing to come and cheer our local Hockey Team on to victory. Please R.S.V.P. to Fr.

Christodoulos if you are interested.

CHANTERS NEEDED: We have been blessed at Saint George over the years to have many people volunteer their time to help

with chanting the sacred services of the Church. Our current chanters Chris, Steve and Dn. Paul are doing a great job, but soon, God

willing, we will need a few more to help with services. We also hope to be able to add more English to our Orthros services. So

anyone who is interested please see Fr. Christodoulos for more details.

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 any former members who have fallen away from the church. Fr. Christodoulos will then reach out to them.

Please if you have anybody in mind please call the church office or speak with Fr. Christodoulos

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. At a later date will also offer a class on Kolyva making so that we can teach more peo-

ple within the community to make Kolyva. For more information on ordering Kolyva contact 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.

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) TUTORING: Individualized tutoring for those whose first language is not

English is available at St. George at no charge to parishioners. Hour-long sessions are held in the classroom next to the Library and

can be scheduled Tuesday-Friday during the day or at evening. Instruction is tailored to the needs of the student. Call Kathy at 793-

0032 for more information or to schedule a time.

HOUSE CLEANING: One of our New Parishioner's Dehab Debessay from Eritrea is doing house and office cleaning. She is a

mother of seven children and has owned a restaurant and a hotel for over 20 years. Currently she is looking for a work in house and

office cleaning. She is available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. In case there is a need for work after 5:00

pm, she is also willing to do the service. Anyone who is interested please call 309-3259663.

WESTERN METROPOLIS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: Will be held on February 7-9. We will be attempting to get a

team together in conjunction with East Moline.. Anyone whose children are interested please see Fr. Christodoulos or Dn. Paul for

more details.

EVENING MEAL: For January will be hosted by Bill & Mary Rankin on January 22nd.

Community News

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2013 Sunday School Christmas Program

Although we had to fight through a massive Snow storm on Sunday, December 22nd. We had enough of our Sunday School

Kids show up so we could still have our Christmas Program.

YOUTH CHRISTMAS CAROLING

We had to cancel our original date, but got in to see our Shut-ins on Sunday, December 29th. The group was not big as we usually

have but was enthusiastic and our Shut-ins loved it!

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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: [email protected]

Office Email: [email protected]

www.stgeorgeri.il.goarch.org/