N A T I V I T Y O F C H R I S T

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The Word

The Ten Commandments of the Churchby Saint Nikolai Velimirovic

Every Christian ought:

1) To go to church for public worship every Sunday, and on great holy days, besides the every-day private prayers;

2) To keep the fast periods and fast days prescribed;

3) To respect the priests as spiritual fathers;

4) To confess sins with repentance before a priest;

5) To avoid association with unbelievers and to read no atheistic, vulgar books;

6) To pray for the living and for the dead;

7) To keep special fasts and prayers when they are ordered by the Church authorities in times of emergency such as war, pestilence, hunger, drought, etc.;

8) To support the maintenance of the church, Church servants and Church institutions;

9) To educate children by the Faith of our Fathers, and to admonish sinners to return to the Faith;

10) To help in every respect the Orthodox Church’s mission in this world.

Who is Saint Nikolai?Known throughout Orthodox Christendom as the ‘new Chrysostom,’ Saint Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic (1880-1956) was blessed with the extraordinary gift of explaining complex doctrine, tradition and Scripture with simplicity and elegance while never diminishing the grandeur and grace this is Orthodox Christianity.

Born in 1880 in Lelich, Serbia, Saint Bishop Nikolai fought Nazism, survived the Dachau concentration camp and lived in exile while spreading his deep love of Christ until his death in 1956.

After World War II he left Communist Yugoslavia and immigrated as a refugee to the United States in 1946 where he taught at several Orthodox Christian seminaries such as St. Sava's Serbian Orthodox Seminary in Libertyville, Illinois, St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary and Monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania, and St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary now in Crestwood, New York.

~ adapted from The Faith of the Saints, A Catechism by Saint Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic

Notes From the Parish CouncilLifted up by the Nativity community, lay leaders striving to serve through administrative ministry.Page 2

Religious EducationOffering the experience to grow in the Orthodox Faith to Nativity Stewards and friends -- adults and youth.Page 3

Philoptochos‘Friends of the Poor!’ Whenever a parish, a Metropolis, or an Archdiocese ‘wants to get it done...’ Philoptochos is there!Page 4

StewardshipFollowing in the footsteps of the Magi, on the journey of wisdom, we respond to the grace given to us by God.Page 6

Cultural & Fellowship MinistriesThe Church engages people where they are -- that is the model of Jesus Christ’s ministry. We all exist within culture, and broad variation within culture. Page 8

Youth MinistryThe Nativity campus is most pleased when it is filled with the children God has entrusted to us as parents.Page 10

A Monthly Newsletter September 2014

Saint Nikolai Velimirovic

Commemorated March 18

“And  the  Word  became  flesh  and  dwelt  among  us,  full  of  grace  and  truth.”~  John  1:14

P A R I S H C O U N C I L

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Looking for a Date?

The Parish Council is coordinating a new master calendar structure for all events held on our campus. Parish Council members will be contacting ministry leaders during September to assist in the development of a 2014-15 Ecclesiastic Year calendar.

All events will be posted on the online calendar with an emphasis placed on balancing the use of the campus and the sequence of fundraising activities. Additionally, this transparent scheduling process will allow members of the Parish Council to provide better support to the religious and social schedule of our community.

If you wish to propose a date for an organization’s event, the easiest way to access the calendaring process is to email the Parish Council at parishcouncil@nativityofchrist.org. This will provide you with an expedited response to your scheduling needs.

You Won’t Find This at Starbucks

The new parish directory has been distributed during coffee hours in August and will continue to be available after services in September. If you have not made it to a coffee hour lately, please stop by to pick up your family’s directory copy.

Parishioners residing outside of Marin or Sonoma counties were mailed their directory copy. Due to the cost of postage for mailing this document, all parishioners living in Marin or Sonoma counties are encouraged to pick up their family copy when they attend their next Sunday Diving Liturgy.

An Offer You Can’t Refuse

George Georgeson and Tony Kosmas are heading a review of the charges made for the use of our campus facilities. One decision that has already been made is to provide reduced facility use rates for parishioners in good standing.

With the recent landscaping and parking lot upgrades, our church grounds offer a welcoming setting suitable for almost any occasion. So, for that next big event in your family’s life, please consider utilizing our social hall and/or deck.

Notes from the Parish

Council

A Great Cause with a Solid Return on InvestmentDuring this time of international turmoil, many organizations are making pleas for your charitable contributions. Please consider International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) as a prime beneficiary of your philanthropic donations.IOCC has extremely low overhead, which delivers service with great financial impact for those people in extreme need. Your contributions to IOCC are stretched to the maximum benefit through its organizational purchasing power, dedication to Orthodox beliefs, and lean administrative costs.

The mission of the parish council as defined in the Uniform Parish Regulations -- and therefore the mission of the Parish Council -- is “...to keep, practice and proclaim the Orthodox Christian Faith pure and undefiled.”

www.goarch.org

R E L I G I O U S E D U C A T I O N

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Adult Religious Education

Nativity Adults are provided two formal opportunities to grow in their knowledge and understanding of the Church in weekly Bible Study and Adult Education classes.

In September’s Bible Study we will begin our examination of the Gospel Account of Saint Luke, and continue with the study of Acts of the Apostles — every Tuesday at 10 am!

In September’s Adult Education Class we will explore the experience of sainthood in the Orthodox Christian Church, including the examination of two modern day figures who are soon to be canonized as saints in the Holy Orthodox Church! — every Wednesday at 6 pm!

No materials are required for the adult education classes, and friends are always welcomed!

Youth Religious Education

Nativity youth cultivate their Christian identity through the Sunday School Program, which begins each Sunday following Holy Communion — with the first Sunday of each month serving as ‘Activity Sunday,’ when all grades are brought together and Nativity teens facilitate learning activities to our younger students.

Please contact our Nativity Religious Education Director, Kathy Marshall, or our Sunday School Coordinator, Christina Thomatos to register your child today!

Special attention is being given this year to the Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival! All Nativity youth will be given the opportunity and are expected to participate in varied forms through our Sunday School program. Further information will be given through the Sunday School program itself.

September Dates to Remember

Saturday, September 6 Teacher Planning Meeting 9:00 - 11:00 am

Sunday, September 14 Registration Sunday (for both Sunday

School and Greek School)

Sunday, September 21 Youth Activity Sunday and Blessing of

the Waters Service

Sunday, September 29 First Day of Sunday School Class

Saint Basil the Great on Education“You and I ought to welcome this seed, cultivate it carefully, nourish it attentively and foster its growth by going to the school of God's commandments with help of

His grace.”

Saint Basil the Great

Commemorated January 1

P H I L O P T O C H O S

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N AT I O N A L P H I L O P T O C H O S The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc. is the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that has offered eighty years of philanthropy through a multitude of programs that make a difference in the lives of people in the United States and throughout the world.  The Society was established in November 1931, by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I, who was then serving as Archbishop of North and South America.

Philoptochos fulfills its mission to “help the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, those with disabilities and the victims of disasters through its National and Metropolis Boards and its 485 Chapters and 27,500 members nationwide.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America called Philoptochos, “an army of nobility and the jewel of our Church.  Philoptochos must continue to do what God does by loving people.”

Some recent Philoptochos Society outreach activities include:

+ Provided funding to build a children's medical clinic in Waliso, Ethiopia

+ Provided assistance to families in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina

+ Provided first response assistance in Greece following the devastating fires of 2007

+ Established programs such as Go Red

+ Correspond to National Health Observance days across the United States

+ Expanded membership programs in order to serve the needs of all generations

* from www.philoptochos.org, where more information can be found about the ministry of this most beautiful Orthodox experience.

Nativity Coffee HourDid you know that our Philoptochos ensures that the stewards and friends of Nativity have the opportunity to continue fellowship in the social setting of coffee hour following Sunday Divine Liturgies? Get involved by supporting Philoptochos’ current efforts, and helping our coffee hour grow in sponsorships and experience!

Now that summer is winding down, we’re getting back into our normal

routine. A huge Thank you goes to the Filenathes for hosting coffee hour for July and August. If any other group

would like to take a month or a Sunday please let us know. If you are interested in hosting a coffee hour, please contact Debbie Kokalis at 367-5252. She will be happy to schedule your date. If you are unable to host a coffee hour, any food donations are much appreciated. Just drop off your food item before church.

Who Doesn’t Love A Gyro?Philoptochos is a ministry that is completely self-funded! Through membership donations and fundraising, the Nativity of Christ Philoptochos has established a decades-long ministry assisting Nativity faithful, community projects, local charities, national & international charities, and the

Archdiocesan & Metropolis Philoptochos experiences! How have you been a part of this ministry? How can

you be a part of it today?

We will sponsor a Gyros Luncheon on Sunday, September 14 (see flyer). Cost is $6 per Gyro, and the proceeds will benefit the philanthropic activities of the Philoptochos Society

Let’s Go To The Hop -- The Sock Hop!The Philoptochos September 21 coffee hour will support the St. Anthony

Foundation and The Gubbio Project of San Francisco by collecting men’s new, white, mid-calf athletic socks. 

We learned that during the summer months donations of socks go down even though their need by the homeless, who often walk barefooted, is equally great.  Clean, warm socks are important comfort for the homeless, especially to many of them who are diabetic. This is a simple need that we can help fulfill.  Following Liturgy on September 21, please bring new socks and enjoy the sounds of the 50’s that will get you rockin’ in your stockings.  There will be a fun prize for the person or family who bring the most pairs!

Happy Birthday!Mary Kay Stratigos    9/3George Tacticos        9/6Pat Destein                9/9Connie Captanian      9/12Anna Cordellos          9/14Anna Diamantopoulos  9/14Soteria Mestakidis       9/15Matina Seremetis        9/28

Dates to Remember

Aug. 29th Meal for Homeward Bound

Sep 4th Board Meeting, 6:30 pm

Sep 14 Gyro Luncheon

Sept. 21 Sock Hop

P H I L O P T O C H O S

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Let’s go to the Hop – The Sock Hop

! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"#$%!&'(!)*++((!'*#$!#,-./(!/*0%1!!

2%!-#,,*$&!*+!&'(!3&4!5%&'*%6!7*#%/8&.*%!9#::.*!;$*<()&=!!!!!!!

;'.>*,&*)'*-!.-!'*-&.%?!8!)*++((!'*#$!&*!)*>>()&!

new white, mid-calf men’s athletic

socks.

3*!,.)@!#,!8!:#%/>(!A*$!B*$(C!*+!-*)@-!8%/!<*.%!#-!+*$!

)*++((!8%/!/8%).%?!&*!&'(!*>/.(-!8&!&'(!

September 21 coffee hour

"'($(!0.>>!:(!8!+#%!,$.D(!+*$!&'(!,($-*%!*$!

+8B.>6!0'*!:$.%?-!&'(!B*-&!,8.$-!*+!-*)@-4!!

E*%(&8$6!/*%8&.*%-!+*$!&'.-!,$*<()&!8$(!8>-*!?$8&(+#>>6!8))(,&(/4!!F'()@-!B8/(!

,868:>(!&*!;'.>*,&*)'*-!3*).(&6!8%/!/(-.?%8&(/!G3*)@!;$*<()&H4!

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Join The Magi Today!

Hundreds of households, thousands of souls, are blessed to be served by the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox

Christian Church.

Many of the households served by Nativity are still yet to articulate their

Magi Journey by returning a completed 2014 Be Wise as Magi Commitment

Card to the Nativity office.

If for whatever reason you have not yet returned a completed commitment

card, you are invited to complete the card below and return it to the Nativity

office today.

May our Lord recognize our Christian pilgrimage as wise!

2014 Stewardship Update

Commitment Cards Received" " 206Total Amount Committed" " " $174,781Budgeted Goal" " " " " $206,961Yearly Average" " " " " $844!

+++

Pledges Received Since 6/23/14Dutoff, DimitriGarofalos, JohnMorris, Susan

O'Farrell, Shaun & RaniaSexauer, Nicholas & Alison

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done good and faithful servant...” ~ Matthew 25:23

S T E W A R D S H I P

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Multiple Iconographic Depictions of the Magi’s Offering

The Offering of the Magi“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell

down and worshipped Him. And they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” ~ Matthew 2:11

C U L T U R A L & F E L L O W S H I P M I N I S T R I E S

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Minoan Dancers!Find additional information about this year’s Nativity Minoan experience in this month’s edition of The Word.

How did it all start?

The Minoan Dancers were created in 1986 by artistic directors Vasilis and Effie Fourakis at the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church in Marin County, California. It began as a passing request by a parishioner for us to teach a small group of high school students at the church. We met with the dancers and planned our rehearsals to prepare for our first performance as "The Minoan Dancers" at the 1986 Marin Grecian Festival.

We also contacted many of our friends whom we had danced with in the Alkmini Kouri Bloom Greek Dance Ensemble to form the adult group. Costumes were made or borrowed, choreographies were developed, music was obtained from all available sources and many hours were spent rehearsing. Our first performances were well received and we began planning for the 1987 Greek Orthodox Folk Dance Festival.

The FilenathesChristian fellowship experienced through the Filenathes experience can be found on and off the Nativity campus at regular gatherings and efforts.

The Filenathes will meet for lunch at noon on Saturday, September 20, at the China Palace Rest-aurant, 7089 Redwood Ave., Novato.  Phone:  (415) 892 6583.   Non-members are cordially invited to join us.  Please call Maria Mantalvanos  (415) 472-4068, or Cathie Banks, (415) 499-1736 by Sept. 15 if you plan to join us.   

Directions: Coming from the north: exit at DeLong, turn left at DeLong and left at Redwood Blvd.  

Coming from the south: exit at Rowland Blvd, turn left on Rowland, and right onto Redwood Blvd.  The restaurant is next to the Chevrolet dealership where you turn west at the stop light and made a quick left into the restaurant parking lot.

Nativity Greek Language SchoolBuilt upon a foundation of many years established by Presvytera Kay Efstathiu, the Nativity of Christ Greek Language School was reignited in 2012 by Presvytera Eleni Palumbis, and continues to grow under the leadership of our current teachers.

The Nativity of Christ Greek Language School is pleased to make many announcements as we enter the 2014-2015 school year...

The addition of our new full-time teacher, Mrs. Dafni Dedopoulou Lustig. Mrs. Dafni comes to our program with a wealth of experience, having taught Greek language at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church’s Hellenic School in Belmont, CA, at the Fanari Academy of Greek Education in Sunnyvale, CA, at the Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral Greek School in Oakland, CA, and our Metropolis of San Francisco Greek Immersion Summer Camp. We welcome Mrs. Dafni to our Nativity family! Joining our continuing teachers Mrs. Eirini Karatzaferi and Lena Kokalis -- we are thankful for our staff of teachers and all they offer to our Nativity youth!

New curriculum has been purchased and will be implemented this year.

Many thanks to those involved with the June Glendi event at Nativity, as all profits went to benefit the Greek Language School. In addition we have received donations from individual Nativity stewards! We continue to maintain the philosophy of low registration fees, and therefore are dependent upon such donations from parish events and parishioners -- thank you!

" " " " "

The meander motif took its name from the river Meander, a river with many twists, mentioned by Homer

in the Iliad. The motif is also known as Greek key or Greek fret.

Meander was the most important symbol in Ancient Greece, symbolizing infinity or the eternal flow of

things. Many temples and objects were decorated with this motif, and it is considered that there is a

connection with the Cretan labyrinth – indeed - a labyrinth can be drawn using a Greek key.

Meander symbolizes as well the bonds of friendship, of love and devotion and that’s the reason it’s often given

as marriage gift.

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Y O U T H M I N I S T R I E S

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Nativity Basketball CampNativity youth learning Christian virtues through ahtletics.

Nativity’s Summer Basketball Clinics were a tremendous success! Led by Scott Morgan, a Novato basketball coaching legend, in conjunction with Father Luke and other volunteers — proved that Christian virtues can be taught through athletics! Nativity youth and their friends learned about the rules of basketball and the rules of life — built upon the message of 2Timothy 2:5, An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. We thank Coach Morgan and all the families involved for generating this beautiful ministry. Keep your eyes and ears open for an announcement about a winter offering during the Christmas break!

GOYA, JOY & HOPEYouth Activity Groups offering activities to our Nativity Family to grow relationships and peer groups on the foudation of Orthodoxy.

Nativity GOYA is back! Under the leadership of George Eliades, Nativity teens will gather monthly in varied activities both on and off the Nativity campus!

Nativity HOPE & JOY are back! Nativity pre-teens will gather every other month for activities both on and off the Nativity Campus!

Through Nativity’s Activity Sundays, formal learning activities will be offered to our youth, and through our GOYA, JOY & HOPE programs, Nativity Youth will have the opportunity to grow their Orthodox peer groups — building friendships upon the foundation of their Orthodox faith!

Greek SchoolThe Greek School will begin classes on September 17 at 4:15-5:45 pm.

Please submit your applications as soon as possible! Positions are limited!

You will find registration forms on Sundays at the Greek school booth after the services. Registration Sunday is September 14.

Depending upon applications, adult classes will begin in October. 

Folk DanceGreek dance lessons start in September on Wednesdays. Please see the

flier on page 9 in this month's newsletter.

Contact Effie Fourakis at 415-823-9433 or effiejf@me.com for the starting date in September.

Schedule is: Pre-K and elementary age dancers 5:45 - 6:45 pm; High school and adult dancers 7:00-9:00 pm.

His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco showing the kids how it’s done at the 2nd Annual Nativity Basketball Camp

N A T I V I T Y N E W S

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September Services & ReadingsDate/Time     Service     Epistle       GospelSep  7      9:30  am   Sunday  Before  Holy  Cross   Galatians  6:11-­‐18     John  3:13-­‐17Sep  8      9:30  am   Nativity  of  the  Theotokos   Philippians  2:5-­‐11     Luke  10:38-­‐42,    11:27-­‐28Sep  14  9:30  am   Exaltation  of  the  Holy  Cross     I  Corinthians  1:18-­‐24       John  19:6-­‐11;  13-­‐20,                     25-­‐28,  30Sep  17  9:30  am   Saints  Sophia,  Faith,  Hope  &  Love   Galatians  3:15-­‐22     Mark  6:7-­‐13Sep  21  9:30  am   Sunday  After  Holy  Cross   Galatians  2:16-­‐20     Mark  8:34-­‐9:1Sep  26  9:30  am   St.  John  the  Evangelist   I  John  4:12-­‐19     John  19:25-­‐27;  21:24-­‐25Sep  28  9:30  am   1st  Sunday  of  Luke     II  Corinthians  6:1-­‐10   Luke  5:1-­‐11

Sacraments & Blessing ServicesBaptisms" "

June 28 Nicholas Alexander Orfescu, son of Daniela Pedersen and Dan Orfescu. Sponsor was Nina Goettge.

August 10 Dean Pogni. Sponsor was Frank Hontalas.

August 16 Mattea Loula Kamages, daughter of Alex and Sherry Kamages. Sponsors were Chris & Keri Antonis.

Wedding" "

July 27 Margarete Foster and Russell Thomas Roesner; Koumbara was Christina Vourakis.

Funerals" "

July 25 Connie Martigopoulos

August 14 George Fotinos

Our sincere condolences to Harry Martigopoulos and his family and to Vivan Fotinos and her family.

May their memories be eternal and may they dwell with the saints!

Memorials"

July 28 EvangeliaVeloudiou

August 10 Mary Xanthippi Camamis

Deceased members of the Sideris Family

Test Your Orthodoxy IQ

1) Who was the first Patriarch of Constantinople?2) Who wrote the New Testament book, Acts of the Apostles?3) What are the three major orders of clergy?4) What words are proclaimed by the priest begin the Divine Liturgy?5) Who is the High-Priest of the Orthodox Christian Church?

Answers

1) Saint Andrew the Apostle

2) Saint Luke the Evangelist

3) Bishop, Priest, Deacon

4) “Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages or ages.”

5) Jesus Christ

Can You Sing?Are you a contemporary Sinatra at karaoke night, or even in the shower? Stop hiding your talent, and offer it to God — join the Nativity choir today! No formal music background is required. Simply bring your best effort and a prayerful heart, and we will glorify the Lord together as a family. Please see Presvytera Evelyn and begin your participation in this beautiful ministry!

F R O M T H E P A T R I A R C H A T E

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Holy Myrrh is the Chrism Oil used in the Orthodox Church for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Holy Myrrh is sanctified by the Ecumenical Patriarch with the participation of a host of Bishops and other clergy, as well as lay people. Whereas the chafing of the Holy Myrrh takes place in a building adjacent to the Patriarchal Chapel of Saint George it is stored and kept in the Sacred Repository of Holy Myrrh located in the Tower, elsewhere on the Patriarchal grounds. The Ecumenical Patriarchate distributes the Holy Myrrh to the Orthodox Churches throughout the world to be used for Confirmation, one of the Seven Sacraments. In the Orthodox Church this Sacrament of Confirmation is administered at Baptism.Approximately every ten years the reserve of Holy Myrrh nears depletion. The Ecumenical Patriarch then informs the Holy Synod which resolves and requests for the replenishment of the Holy Myrrh during Holy Week of the forthcoming year. His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch informs the Primates of Orthodox Churches throughout the world and extends to them, and other Hierarchs, an invitation to attend and participate. A request is also made to many of them asking for a specific offering of a precious oil or element mandated for inclusion in the preparation of the Holy Myrrh.Metropolitans of the Ecumenical Throne and lay people as well, are assigned to comprise the body of those responsible for all the appropriate preparations. In the year 2012, Metropolitan Athanasios of the Senior See of Chalcedon was appointed to preside. Metropolitan Cyril of Imvros and Tenedos, Metropolitan Dimitrios of Sevasteia, Metropolitan Theoliptos of Iconium and the Grand Archimandrite Athenagoras as secretary, were the ranking clergy appointed. The lay people appointed were Stefanos Bairamoglou, George Savits, Joseph Constantinides, Christos Hamhougias, Theodore Messinas, Aris Tsokonas, Constantine Agiannides, and Catherine Malita.

[1] From the translation of the office of Holy Myron by Rev. S.T. Kezios, Holy Myrrh in the Orthodox Church, Ecumenical Patriarchate, Istanbul, 2012

* this writing and others may be found at www.patriarchate.org

An Explanation of Holy Myron

F R O M T H E A R C H D I O C E S E

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Be the Bee!“Be the Bee” is a phenominal new, multimedia ministry tool for

the whole family!Thanks to the Archdiocesan Department of Youth Ministry,

under the leadership & direction of Father Jason Roll, this series of video shorts touch upon several topics appropriate for adults

and youth alike!Simply visit www.goarch.org or www.youtube.com

and search for “Be the Bee!”

History of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

www.hchc.edu/about/history_holycross

The institution was originally founded as Holy Cross Theological School in 1937 in Pomfret, Connecticut. Since then Holy Cross has served as the seminary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas. In 1946 the school was moved to Brookline, Massachusetts, where the students and faculty could take advantage of the educational and cultural opportunities of Greater Boston. In response to the emerging needs of the Church, and by virtue of its own academic maturation, in 1966 Holy Cross expanded its collegiate division into a full four-year liberal arts college, a distinct undergraduate institution known as Hellenic College. Today the faculties and students of the undergraduate and graduate schools continue to form one community, sharing the same campus and facilities. However, the two schools are academically separate entities. Holy Cross offers graduate programs of study leading to the degrees of Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.), and Master of Theology (Th.M.). Holy Cross has developed into an accredited graduate school of theology, and as such has become one of the most important institutions of the Orthodox Church in the Western hemisphere.

At Holy Cross, education is viewed as an integration of learning and faith. While committed to providing

excellence in teaching, learning, and scholarship, the Holy Cross programs also reflect the religious and cultural values of the Greek Orthodox tradition.

Holy Cross strives to fulfill the need of the Orthodox Church to educate each generation of leaders, clergy and laypersons who share a common experience of learning and faith; men and women who, in their chosen professions, will exemplify the values and spirit of Orthodox Christianity.

The institution is engaged in a variety of teaching, scholarship, service, and worship activities directed toward developing the intellectual and spiritual potential of students, as well as enabling the faculty to pursue teaching and scholarship in their various disciplines with academic freedom. Thus, it constitutes a unique environment of personal growth and intellectual maturity for men and women who provide the priestly and lay witness and leadership of Orthodox Christianity in the western world.

Holy Cross is located in the Greater Boston area, the "Athens of America," notable for its numerous colleges and universities. The city is student-oriented and rich in cultural, educational, and athletic opportunities. Our own campus offers a variety of cultural activities and intramural sports. The underlying source of all of our experiences is our deep commitment to our faith and heritage, which allows us to blend a unified vision of the past, present, and future in all that we do.

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MeditationsA monthly message from the Metropolis of San Francisco

Mother of the Yearby, Reverend Father Christos Kanakis, parish priest serving Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Long Beach, CA

Every year some parishes like to award and acknowledge an outstanding mother as “Mother of the Year.” You can imagine the reaction from the Greek mothers and their families that do not get this achievement each year. I chose to put an end to this dispute when I nominated the Mother of the Year to be the Virgin Mary. She is the Mother of God and the Mother to us all. No one challenges this recipient and everyone agrees that this honor belongs to the woman who is full of grace.

Why do we have such a devotion to the Panagia? Because she changed the course of the entire human race and its relationship with God by accepting her calling to become His mother.  No one else in the history of humanity has or will have this relationship to Christ as does the Virgin Mary. She holds her Son in her arms and in her Dormition her soul is held by her Son. This is why when we celebrate the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos it is not a sad event for the Panagia, but a joyful one as she meets her Son again.  

Our love, respect, and honor to the Theotokos is great and inseparable from our Liturgical life. The Liturgical calendar begins with the Nativity of the Theotokos on September 8 and ends with the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15. Every service in the Orthodox Church commemorates and honors the Theotokos. She has countless icons attributed to her different miracles and is depicted as the Directress, Joy of All Who Sorrow, the Unfading Rose, and the Glykofilousa (sweet kiss). She is faithful, sweet, compassionate and meek, yet she

is the Protectress of all nations and the Mighty Defender or Ti Ypermaho (Akathist Hymn) of every city. The title Mighty Defender was once the title the Athenians gave to Athena, the mighty Goddess of War, to protect the city, but this same title is used for the Panagia. Though the Panagia is not a soldier, she is ceaselessly defending our Mother Church and protecting our faithful through her fervent prayers and intercessions.  She is powerful because of her faith and love for her Son. She is the example of what it means to put our pride, fears, anxiety, pain, and our doubts aside and follow what God calls us to do, and thus changing the entire world and giving it hope. Like in the Wedding of Cana, Mary never stops telling Christ when the sweetness and joy in people’s lives runs out and needs to be transformed.

As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15, let us emulate the obedience, humility and devotion of the Panagia, and let us honor her as our Mother of the Year.

Metropolis Staff ChangesThe Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco is announcing changes to its staffing infrastructure effective August 18, 2014.

Mr. Paul Gikas, who has been serving as the Metropolis Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries since October 2011, will assume the duties as Director of Development and Communications. His responsibilities will include fundraising and public relations for the Metropolis. Paul holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Loyola University in Chicago, IL and a Master of Divinity Degree from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA. During his tenure, Paul worked diligently to expand the Metropolis Summer Camp and Greek Village Camp programs,

which both experienced growth during his tenure.

Ms. Johanna Duterte has been appointed as the Metropolis Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. She has been Summer Camp Administrator and Activities Coordinator for Saint Nicholas Ranch Summer Camp since 2012. She has also served as a GOYA advisor at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in San Jose, CA. Johanna will oversee the development of youth and young adult ministries in the Metropolis. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from California State University, Long Beach.

We congratulate Paul on his new position and welcome Johanna to the Metropolis staff!

*These writings and other materials may be found at www.sf.goarch.org

“We are a vibrant and dynamic region serving the Greek Orthodox faithful in the western United States. I encourage you to visit our

website regularly for the latest information on our many

programs and ministries. May you be blessed with "every good

and perfect gift from above" (James 1:17), and may

all our work in the vineyard of the Lord glorify His name!”

The Word 15

SeptemberSeptember

20142014Nativity of Christ Church

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6New  Church  Year     Bible  Study  10:00  am

Philoptochos  Board  Meeting  6:30  pm

Sunday  School  Teacher's  Meeting    9:00-­‐11:00  am

7 8 9 10 11 12 13Sunday  Before  Holy  Cross    

Divine  Liturgy  9:30  am

Nativity  of  the  Theotokos

Divine  Liturgy  9:30  am

Bible  Study  10:00  am

Parish  Council  Meeting  7:00  pm

Akathist  Nativity5:30  pm

Adult  Ed  6:00      The  Saints

Wedding  3:00  pm

14 15 16 17 18 19 20Exaltation  of  the  Holy  Cross    

Divine  Liturgy  9:30  am

Registration  Sunday  for  Sunday  School  and  Greek  School

Bible  Study  10:00  am Saints  Sophia,  Faith,  Hope  &  Love  

Divine  Liturgy  9:30  am

Greek  Schl  4:15  -­‐  5:45  pm

Akathist  Nativity5:30  pm

Adult  Ed  6:00    The  Saints

Filenathes  Luncheon    12:00  noon  at  China  Palace  Restaurant  in  Novato

Wedding  4:00  pm

21 22 23 24 25 26 27Sunday  after  Holy  Cross

Divine  Liturgy  9:30  am

Sunday  School  Activity  Day  (Blessing  of  the  Waters)

Philoptochos  Sock  Hop

GOYA    Trip  to  A's  Game

Bible  Study  10:00  am Greek  Schl  4:15  -­‐  5:45  pm

Akathist  Nativity  5:30  pm  

Adult  Ed  6:00    The  Saints

St.  John,  the  Evangelist  Divine  Liturgy  9:30  am

Metropolis  Council  Meeting  at  Belmont

28 29 30First  Sunday  of  Luke

Divine  Liturgy  9:30  am

Sunday  School  Classes

Philoptochos  Gyro  Luncheon

Bible  Study  10:00  am Greek  School  4:15  -­‐  5:45  pm

Akathist  Nativity  5:30  pm

Adult  Ed  6:00            Feast  Days

N A T I V I T Y O F C H R I S T

Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church1110 Highland DriveNovato, CA 94949

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