1

Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751,

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

www.stbarbarachurchnc.org News & Announcements,

March 26, 2017

Sunday of Saint John of the Ladder

Synaxis in honor of the Archangel Gabriel 26 Martyrs in Crimea

Irenaeus the Hieromartyr of Hungary

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

Today's Readings:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

Verse: For he has regarded the humility of his servant.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom

to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus

Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater

than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God

desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of

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.

https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=472

2

his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that

God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set

before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind

the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the

order of Melchizedek.

Μεγαλύνει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον, καὶ ἠγαλλίασε τὸ πνεῦμά μου ἐπὶ τῷ Θεῷ τῷ σωτῆρί μου.

Στίχ. Ὅτι ἐπέβλεψεν ἐπὶ τὴν ταπείνωσιν τῆς δούλης αὐτοῦ.

Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 6:13-20

Ἀδελφοί, τῷ Ἀβραὰμ ἐπαγγειλάμενος ὁ θεός, ἐπεὶ κατʼ οὐδενὸς εἶχεν μείζονος ὀμόσαι, ὤμοσεν καθʼ ἑαυτοῦ,

λέγων, Ἦ μὴν εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσω σε, καὶ πληθύνων πληθυνῶ σε. Καὶ οὕτως μακροθυμήσας ἐπέτυχεν τῆς

ἐπαγγελίας. Ἄνθρωποι μὲν γὰρ κατὰ τοῦ μείζονος ὀμνύουσιν, καὶ πάσης αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογίας πέρας εἰς βεβαίωσιν

ὁ ὅρκος. Ἐν ᾧ περισσότερον βουλόμενος ὁ θεὸς ἐπιδεῖξαι τοῖς κληρονόμοις τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τὸ ἀμετάθετον τῆς

βουλῆς αὐτοῦ, ἐμεσίτευσεν ὅρκῳ, ἵνα διὰ δύο πραγμάτων ἀμεταθέτων, ἐν οἷς ἀδύνατον ψεύσασθαι θεόν,

ἰσχυρὰν παράκλησιν ἔχωμεν οἱ καταφυγόντες κρατῆσαι τῆς προκειμένης ἐλπίδος· ἣν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς

ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν, καὶ εἰσερχομένην εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος· ὅπου πρόδρομος ὑπὲρ

ἡμῶν εἰσῆλθεν Ἰησοῦς, κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδὲκ ἀρχιερεὺς γενόμενος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

The Reading is taken from the Gospel According to Mark 9:17-31

At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb

spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and

becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he

answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to

bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw

him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming

at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From

childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything,

have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes."

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a

crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command

you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came

out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and

lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could

we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting."

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was

teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will

kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."

Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Μᾶρκον Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα 9:17-31

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄνθρωπός τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ λέγων, διδάσκαλε, ἤνεγκα τὸν υἱόν μου πρός σε, ἔχοντα

πνεῦμα ἄλαλον. καὶ ὅπου ἂν αὐτὸν καταλάβῃ, ῥήσσει αὐτόν, καὶ ἀφρίζει καὶ τρίζει τοὺς ὀδόντας αὐτοῦ, καὶ

ξηραίνεται· καὶ εἶπον τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου ἵνα αὐτὸ ἐκβάλωσι, καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσαν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ λέγει· ὦ

γενεὰ ἄπιστος, ἕως πότε πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔσομαι; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετε αὐτὸν πρός με. καὶ ἤνεγκαν αὐτὸν

πρὸς αὐτόν. καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν εὐθέως τὸ πνεῦμα ἐσπάραξεν αὐτόν, καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐκυλίετο ἀφρίζων. καὶ

ἐπηρώτησε τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ· πόσος χρόνος ἐστὶν ὡς τοῦτο γέγονεν αὐτῷ; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· παιδιόθεν. καὶ πολλάκις

3

αὐτὸν καὶ εἰς πῦρ ἔβαλε καὶ εἰς ὕδατα, ἵνα ἀπολέσῃ αὐτόν· ἀλλ᾿ εἴ τι δύνασαι, βοήθησον ἡμῖν σπλαγχνισθεὶς

ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ εἰ δύνασαι πιστεῦσαι, πάντα δυνατὰ τῷ πιστεύοντι. καὶ εὐθέως κράξας ὁ

πατὴρ τοῦ παιδίου μετὰ δακρύων ἔλεγε· πιστεύω, κύριε· βοήθει μου τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι

ἐπισυντρέχει ὄχλος, ἐπετίμησε τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἀκαθάρτῳ λέγων αὐτῷ· τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἄλαλον καὶ κωφόν, ἐγώ

σοι ἐπιτάσσω, ἔξελθε ἐξ αὐτοῦ καὶ μηκέτι εἰσέλθῃς εἰς αὐτόν. καὶ κράξαν καὶ πολλὰ σπαράξαν αὐτὸν ἐξῆλθε,

καὶ ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ νεκρός, ὥστε πολλοὺς λέγειν ὅτι ἀπέθανεν. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς κρατήσας αὐτὸν τῆς χειρὸς ἤγειρεν

αὐτόν, καὶ ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἰσελθόντα αὐτὸν εἰς οἶκον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν κατ᾿ ἰδίαν, ὅτι ἡμεῖς οὐκ

ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τοῦτο τὸ γένος ἐν οὐδενὶ δύναται ἐξελθεῖν εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ

νηστείᾳ. Καὶ ἐκεῖθεν ἐξελθόντες παρεπορεύοντο διὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἵνα τις γνῷ· ἐδίδασκε γὰρ

τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων, καὶ

ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀποκτανθεὶς τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται.

Pre-sanctified Liturgies During Great Lent

Pre-Sanctified Liturgies offered on Wednesday Evenings throughout Great Lent at 6:30 p.m. 5th Wednesday of Lent - March 29 Wednesday before Holy Week - April 5

Explanation of the Service: The Eucharistic Divine Liturgy is not celebrated in the Orthodox Church on Lenten weekdays because of its celebratory nature. In order for the faithful to sustain their Lenten effort by participation in Holy Communion, the Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts is served. The Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts is usually an evening service. It is the solemn Lenten Vespers with the administration of Holy Communion added to it. There is no consecration of the Eucharistic gifts at the Pre-sanctified Liturgy. Holy Communion is given from the Eucharistic gifts sanctified on the previous Sunday at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Fasting Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion at the Evening Service: So that the Body and Blood of our Lord may be the first thing to pass our lips on the day of communion, we abstain from all food and drink from the time that we retire (or midnight, whichever comes first) the night before. Married couples should abstain from sexual relations the night before communion. When communion is in the evening, as with Presanctified Liturgies during Lent, this fast should if possible be extended throughout the day until after communion. For those who cannot keep this discipline, a total fast beginning at noon is sometimes prescribed.

___________________________________________________________________________________ Services of the Week:

Wednesday March 29th : Pre-Sanctified Liturgy for the 5th Wednesday of Lent 6:30 pm

Friday March 31st: The Akathyst Hymn to the Virgin Mary at 6:30 pm

4

AHEPA CHAPTER # 277 NEWS

AHEPA SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

The time to apply for AHEPA SCHOLARSHIPS has arrived – on the AHEPA table at St. Barbara’s you will find DISTRICT 3 SCHOLASHIP applications, available to undergraduate students, who are accepted into the first to fourth year of a US college or university. Must apply by April 15th, 2017. Also AHEPA

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP applications are available to undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students. The submission deadline is March 31, 2017.

PLEASE NOTE: for both District and National scholarships, the student needs to be sponsored by a parent who is an AHEPA member in good standing [whose 2017 dues are paid], or the applicant must be an AHEPA member in good standing.

In addition, a local AHEPA SCHOLARSHIP is available to a qualified high school graduate who is an active member of our St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church parish. The applications for this scholarship will also be at the AHEPA table and the submission deadline is April 15th 2017.

"Since we're now officially in Lent, many of us will be modifying our diets for fasting. Why not enjoy a hardy bowl of bean soup for lunch or supper that John Paliouras prepared! Starting this Sunday, March 12, we will be selling quarts of bean soups (plus lentil soups) for your Lenten meals. Stop by the table in the social hall by the double doors after the coffee hour and pick up a quart or two for your family to enjoy....100% of the proceeds benefit the Church Building Fund."

PROJECTS TO DATE:

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 8 Greek Style Chicken Dinner & Pastry November 18-19 Athenian Grill and Pastry December 2 Christmas Concert December 10 Holiday Greek Pastries

2017 May 6-7 Greek Festival THANK YOU TO ALL OUR STEWARD FAMILIES!

5

Our goal for the year 2016 was to increase the number of our active Steward families to 150! We are pleased to report that this ambitious effort has been practically achieved by noting that as of December 31, 2016, we had 145 Steward families contributing generously their time, talents and treasure to assist their church community of St. Barbara in meeting its mission. A big Thank You to ALL for your commitment to total STEWARDSHIP! St. Barbara Greek Dance Troupe If your children are interested in dancing at this year’s festival and have not already registered please contact Keith and Alexia Rheinhardt (keithalexia@gmail.com or 919-435-6689). We welcome experienced and new dancers ages 5 and up. With the exception of the final dress rehearsal, practices will be after Sunday school and will last no longer than one hour. The main responsibility for the families is to bring their children to all the practices, be available for both days of the festival and to let the instructors know of any scheduling conflicts that cannot be avoided. This is a great opportunity for the kids to join in fellowship, keep the greek dance tradition alive and have fun! Dance Practice & Festival Performance Schedule

February March April May

Sunday, February 12 Sunday, March 5 Sunday, April 2 Friday, May 5 - “Dress Rehearsal”

Sunday, February 19 Sunday, March 12 Sunday, April 23 Saturday, May 6 - Festival Performances

Sunday, February 26 Sunday, March 19 Sunday, April 30 Sunday, May 7 - Festival Performances

Sunday, March 26

Keith and Alexia Rheinhardt

Dear Choristers,

Here is the schedule for rehearsals for the Lenten and Pascha services. Note that the time is earlier

on Saturday mornings than previously posted.

Saturday, March 18 10:30 - 12:00

Saturday, April 1 10:30 - 12:00

Sunday, April 2 after church

****Please let me know if you will be able to attend and if you will be singing on Good Friday evening and

Saturday night for the midnight Pascha service.*****

This coming Sunday....."SPRING FORWARD"! Change your clocks to one hour ahead.

Have a good week.

Blessings,

Donna

mailto:keithalexia@gmail.comtel:(919)%20435-6689

6

Hello everyone, We are quickly approaching our much anticipated, first annual, Easter play, The Passion! There are 2 rehearsals left before our big performance on Friday, April 7th, 6:30pm. We will rehearse Sunday, March 26th 2-4pm AND have a DRESS REHEARSAL on Sunday, April 2nd 2-4pm. During the next 2 and 1/2 weeks, we will continue to prepare for our reenactment of the Easter story learning and rehearsing our music, and running through the play itself. For the remaining rehearsals, it is essential for EVERYONE to be present, all singers, actors, children and adults, even parents who are helping out behind the scenes with the kids (***Unless you have spoken with me directly about your child missing rehearsal***). We will have most of our set, microphones/sound system, and we will be running through scene by scene of the play, including singing all of the songs and solos, and placement/transitions of all cast during the entire play. This is a critical rehearsal because it is the last one before the final dress rehearsal on April 2nd 2-4pm. We will also be discussing costumes for everyone. I will email to everyone what your child's costume or your costume (if you are an adult in the play) should look like. We are trying to keep costumes simple yet true to the clothing of the time period. More information to come about that... Important note: It is imperative that everyone practice their music, solos, choreography, and sign language at home! The more you do it, the more comfortable you will be during the performance. Again the remaining rehearsals are as follows: Sunday, March 26th, 2-4pm EVERYONE Sunday, April 2nd, 2-4pm EVERYONE Friday, April 7th, 6:30pm PERFORMANCE If you or your child wants to eat pizza, please let me know. We will serve pizza at 1:30pm PRIOR to rehearsals on both rehearsal dates so that we can promptly begin our practice at 2pm sharp. This way we will be able to use our time most efficiently! As always, I look forward to working with all of you! Please contact me if you have any questions whatsoever:) Blessings, Michelle Claypoole

Hello everyone, I hope my note finds you all well. As I’m sure you’ve heard, preparations are getting under way for the St.

Barbara’s Greek Festival on May 6th

& 7th

. We will be assembling spanakopitas on Saturday, April 1

st starting at 10am at the church hall. We’re aiming to

make about 75 large pans, so we could use all the help we can get. I know everyone’s schedules are busy, and

your time is valuable, but even if you can only spare an hour or two, please come by. If you can make it, please bring a small bowl or sauce pan to hold melted butter, and a pastry brush. That will

help ensure we have enough equipment for all the workers. Finally, if you can please let either Evelyn Panos (mamapan@aol.com), Theky Pappas (tedtheky@aol.com), or

me know if you’re able to come, so we’ll have some idea of how many helpers to expect, that would be much

appreciated. Or just drop in, we’re flexible, and we’ll definitely put you to work. Hope to see you on Saturday April 1

st!

Many thanks,

Cindy

Cindy Paliouras cindy.paliouras@gmail.com or cindy.paliouras@progress.com Theky Pappas tedtheky@aol.com Evelyn Panos mamapan@aol.com

mailto:mamapan@aol.commailto:tedtheky@aol.commailto:cindy.paliouras@gmail.commailto:cindy.paliouras@progress.commailto:tedtheky@aol.commailto:mamapan@aol.com

7

Hi Ladies, The 2017 St. Barbara Greek Festival is the first weekend in May. (May 6 & 7). We need to prepare the Koulourakia and Kourambiethes for the Pastry Booth. The koulourakia will be prepared on Tuesday, February 28 and Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the church. The schedule is attached for your convenience. The kourambiethes will be prepared at a later date. We will serve a light luncheon. We hope you can assist us with this project. Please let us know as soon as possible. In Christ, Joan Marinos and Catherine Mariakakis

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Sacrament of Holy Unction

On Holy Wednesday Evening

All Parishioners should attempt to attend the service and be anointed with the blessed oil of Holy Unction. As the priest anoints the forehead, cheeks, chin, palm and back of hands, we should ask God's forgiveness. Therefore, family members will no longer be permitted to take Holy Unction home. However, the Priest may anoint those unable to attend the service of Holy Unction on Holy Wednesday on another day of Holy Week. For those who are shut-ins, homebound, or infirm, please contact your local priest before Holy Week for visitation and the offering of healing prayers and the Holy Sacrament.

(new Metropolis Directive)

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Philoptochos is sponsoring a clothes drive for Dress for Success. We would like for you to donate your gently used business attire from now until April 3, in order to help women get back on their feet. The clothes will be used for interviews and once jobs are attained. Thank you for your help. Please see Lia Christakos or Catherine Constantinou if you have questions. 'Dress for Success is a nonprofit organization that assists women to enter the workforce. There is a location in the back hall for storage of donations.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

FELLOW ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS, AGAIN THE OUTREACH COMMITTEE OF ST BARBARA'S CHURCH IS SEEKING YOUR HELP IN CONTRIBUTING CANNED GOODS FOR OUR FELLOW NORTH CAROLIANS WHO HAVE HAD MUCH LESS THAN WE THIS PAST YEAR. YOU HAVE BEEN THOUGHFUL IN THE PAST YEARS WITH CLOTHING AND CANNED FOOD SO WE ASK AGAIN IN THE SPIRIT OF OUR LENTEN PERIOD TO GIVE AGAIN. OUR CABINET WILL BE -- AGAIN -- IN THE SOCIAL HALL FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS. GOD BLESS YOU AND HAVE A TRUE AND BLESSED EASTER. LOU CONSTANTINOU LAURIE FERRIS JOAN MARINOS

8

INCLUDE YOUR NAME IN THE

SAINT BARBRA COMMUNITY EASTER CARD

Greetings to All! We have the most wonderful and special season approaching! The youth here at St. Barbara's is doing an Easter Card that will be mailed to the entire St. Barbara's Greek Orthodox Church Family. We will have a sign-up table in the reception hall OR just outside of the door that leads one out of the sanctuary toward the reception hall. You can sign your family up if you wish to participate in the Easter card immediately following the conclusion of liturgy every Sunday through Sunday, April 9. It will be $20 per family, and your family's name will be printed inside of the card. We encourage everyone to participate! Please see me if you have any questions, and I look forward to seeing each of you Sunday! Joyfully in Christ,

Michelle Claypoole

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO PARTICIPATE :

A Palm Cross Maker

After Services for the Saturday of Lazarus on April 8th Cleo Papanikas cleopatrazp@aol.com

A Holy Week Reader

Contact Pete Marinos pnm1@yahoo.com

An Epitaphio Decorator After the Royal Hours on Good Friday April 14th

Contact Dina Paliouras via cindy.paliouras@gmail.com

A Parent with Child who Receives the Body of Christ from the Cross. In the middle of the 3:00 service of Good Friday April 14th

Contact Cleo Papanikas cleopatrazp@aol.com

Participating in the Choir Contact Donna Trohanis donnatro@bellsouth.net

Participating in the Reading of the Gospel in a Language other than English or Greek at the Agape Service on April 16th

Larry Odzak larryodzak@gmail.com

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.firstbaptistregina.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/fbcevent_HolyWeekEvents3_dp1879160.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.firstbaptistregina.ca/events/event/event-holy-week/&h=282&w=540&tbnid=rjfe51LnwYPitM:&zoom=1&docid=MrNGT-pHvLAjCM&ei=Au4FVZapNuyKsQT4iIDIAQ&tbm=isch&ved=0CHQQMyg4MDg

9

Easter Eggs for Toole Wrapping Should be dyed at home and brought to church on Good Friday to be wrapped on the premises.

Contact Catherine Mariakakis at 919-408-0765 mariakakis@frontier.com

Volunteering in the Narthex and Ushering Parishioners Contact John Varelas at johnvarelas@gmail.com

Being a Pall-bearer that carries the Epitaphio

Contact Nicholas Paliouras nickpali82@yahoo.com

Being a Myrrh-bearer at our Lord's Tomb Contact Cleo Papanikas cleopatrazp@aol.com

Being an Altar Boy

Contact Johnny Mariakakis at mariakakis@att.net

Adorning the Church with an Easter Lily that your Purchased Hope Odzak hdodzak@gmail.com

Contributing a food item for the International Easter Pot Luck After the Midnight Service

Let Helen Paliouras Know What Your Bringing. elenipali.@att.net. All Covered Dishes Should be taken directly to the Church Hall.

Everyone is invited to offer a cover dish.

Watching your child Enjoy the Easter Egg Hunt Activities on Thomas Sunday April 23 Contact Person Michelle Claypoole at mclaypoole19@aol.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

please consider assisting a former saint barbara goya advisor

The transplant team suggested we look for a living donor as we are in a race against time and a living kidney would be better for Jim since he only has the one kidney and would save him from dialysis for a long time. While any kidney is welcome the goal is to find a living donor. The living kidney lasts longer than a deceased kidney. It also alleviates stress on the current transplant list, no more waiting. We are also getting a second opinion from University of North Carolina Hospitals and going on their transplant list also. The dual purpose of this fund raiser is to help with anything not covered in the transplant process and medical bills. If anyone would consider being on the living list please contact us to get the transplant coordinator's information. While

the living donor's transplant is covered, other expenses are not such as interstate travel, hotels, parking, time off from work, copays etc. The figure we were given is approx. $8,000 -$10,000 since the donor lives out of state. With Jim no longer able to work and my job being cut to 20 hrs. Oct. 2015 and ended Sept. 9th there are no extra funds to pay for doctors, hospital bills, copays and medicines. With only one kidney Jim is having a difficult time staying heaIthy. He cannot have certain foods because his remaining kidney is functioning very low and does not process out fluids. I spend a lot of time taking Jim to doctor’s visits and doing everything at home which does not help my job prospects. In the past 3 years we have gone through all of our savings due to unexpected problems and now have no way of coming up with funds which would mean we would not be able to do the transplant, funding is a requirement of the transplant process for living donors. There is a foundation for kidney transplant recipients if your are considered low income and we did not fit. Asking for help and assistance is difficult and we would be blessed and very grateful for help in any amount. Having a kidney transplant is more important than any pride we have. Our family, especially the grandchildren would thank you a thousand times over. Thank you for any help and consideration you can provide to reach our goal. Listed below is the gofundme website to donate. https://funds.gofundme.com/dashboard/2ncra79g/customize/description# Mary K Monos Fedash Winterville NC

mailto:mariakakis@frontier.comhttps://funds.gofundme.com/dashboard/2ncra79g/customize/description

10

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

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

2017 Saint Barbara Durham, NC

Sunday, April 9th Morning - Palm Sunday - 9:00 am

Sunday, April 9th Evening - 1st Bridegroom Service - 6:30 pm Monday, April 10th Evening - 2nd Bridegroom Service - 6:30 pm Tuesday, April 11th Evening - 3rd Bridegroom Service - 6:30 pm

Wednesday, April 12 Afternoon - Service of Holy Unction 2:00 pm Wednesday, April 12 Evening - 4th Bridegroom and Anointing with Holy Unction- 6:30 pm

Thursday, April 13 Morning - Vespers with Liturgy of St. Basil- 9:00 am Thursday, April 13 Evening 28 - The Holy Passion Service - 6:30 pm

Friday, April 14 Morning - Royal Hours - 9:00 am Friday, April 14 Afternoon - Descent from the Cross - 3:00 pm

Friday, April 14 Evening - Lamentation Service - 6:30 pm Saturday, April 15 Morning - Vespers with Liturgy of St. Basil- 9:00 am Saturday, April 15 Evening - Matins and Resurrection Service - 11:00 pm

Sunday, April 16 Morning - Easter Agape Service - 11:00 am

tel:919-942-4229tel:919-942-4229mailto:elenipali@att.nethttp://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UJNgcw7XI20/VQUZYkxl6NI/AAAAAAAADls/F44MdajyqCI/s1600/Holy-Week-2+(1).png&imgrefurl=http://hdimagelib.com/holy+week+pictures&h=881&w=1600&tbnid=yN5lLmGHSpqH7M:&docid=KzQURjDdJ8cpaM&itg=1&ei=lJGyVYLjDozx-AGi1K6wCg&tbm=isch&ved=0CDsQMyg4MDg4yAFqFQoTCIL98O6_9MYCFYw4PgodIqoLpg

11

12

THIS EVENT IS OPEN

TO ALL OUR PARISHIONERS

AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY

13

St John of the Ladder is honored by the church as a great ascetic and the author of the reknowned spiritual book called The Ladder, for which he is named. (St John Klimakos in Greek) There is almost no information about St John's origins. One tradition suggests he was born in Constantinople around the year 570, and was the son of Ss Xenophon and Maria. John went to Sinai when he was sixteen, submitting to Abba Martyrios as his instructor and guide. After four years, St John was tonsured as a monk. Abba Strategios, who was present at St John's tonsure, predicted that he would become a great luminary in the Church of Christ. For nineteen years St John progressed in monasticism in obedience to his spiritual Father. After the death of Abba Martyrios, St John embarked on a solitary life, settling in a wild place called Thola, where he spent forty years laboring in silence, fasting, prayer, and tears of penitence. It is not by chance that in The Ladder, St John speaks about tears of repentance: "Just as fire burns and destroys the wood, so pure tears wash away every impurity, both external and internal." His holy prayer was strong and efficacious, as may be seen from an example from the life of the God-pleasing saint. St John had a disciple named Moses. Once, the saint ordered his disciple to bring dung to fertilize the vegetable garden. When he had fulfilled the obedience, Moses lay down to rest under the shade of a large rock, because of the scorching heat of summer. St John was in his cell in a light sleep. Suddenly, a man of remarkable appearance appeared to him and awakened the holy ascetic, reproaching him, "John, why do you sleep so heedlessly, when Moses is in danger?" St John immediately woke up and began to pray for his disciple. When Moses returned in the evening, St John asked whether any sort of misfortune had befallen him. The monk replied, "A large rock would have fallen on me as I slept beneath it at noon, but I left that place because I thought I heard you calling me." St John did not tell his disciple of his vision, but gave thanks to God. St John ate the food which is permitted by the monastic rule, but only in moderation. He did not sleep very much, only enough to keep up his strength, so that he would not ruin his mind by unceasing vigil. "I do not fast excessively," he said of himself, "nor do I give myself over to intense all-night vigil, nor lay upon the ground, but I restrain myself..., and the Lord soon saved me." The following example of St John's humility is noteworthy. Gifted with discernment, and attaining wisdom through spiritual experience, he lovingly received all who came to him and guided them to salvation. One day some envious monks reproached him for being too talkative, and so St John kept silence for a whole year. The monks realized their error, and they went to the ascetic and begged him not to deprive them of the spiritual profit of his conversation. Concealing his ascetic deeds from others, St John sometimes withdrew into a cave, but reports of his holiness spread far beyond the vicinity. Visitors from all walks of life came to him, desiring to hear his words of edification and salvation. After forty years of solitary asceticism, he was chosen as igumen (abbot) of Sinai’s St Catherine’s Monastery when he was seventy-five. St John governed the holy monastery for four years. At the request of the abbot of the Raithu monastery, St John wrote the incomparable Ladder, a book of instruction for monks who wished to attain spiritual perfection. Knowing his wisdom and spiritual gifts, the abbot requested St John to write down whatever was necessary for the salvation of those in the monastic life. Such a book would be "a ladder fixed on the earth" (Gen. 28:12), leading people to the gates of Heaven. St John felt that such a task was beyond his ability, yet out of obedience he fulfilled the request. The saint called his work The Ladder, for the book is "a fixed ladder leading from earthly things to the Holy of Holies...." The thirty steps of spiritual perfection correspond to the thirty years of the Lord's age. When we have completed these thirty steps, we will find ourselves with the righteous and will not stumble. The Ladder begins with renunciation of worldliness, and ends with God, who is love (1 Jn 4:8). Although the book was written for monks, any Christian living in the world will find it an unerring guide for ascending to God, and a support in the spiritual life. The twenty-second step of The Ladder deals with various forms of vainglory. St John writes: When I fast, I am vainglorious; and when I permit myself food in order to conceal my fasting from others I am again vainglorious about my prudence. When I dress in fine clothing, I am vanquished by vanity, and if I put on drab clothing, again I am overcome by vanity. If I speak, vainglory defeats me. If I wish to keep silence, I am again given over to it. Wherever this thorn comes up, it stands with its points upright. A vain person seems to honor God, but strives to please men rather than God. People of lofty spirit bear insult placidly and willingly, but only the holy and righteous may hear praise without harm. When you hear that your neighbor or friend has slandered you behind your back, or even to your face, praise and love him. It is not the one who reproaches himself who shows humility, for who will not put up with himself? It is the one who is slandered by another, yet continues to show love for him. Whoever is proud of his natural gifts, intelligence, learning, skill in reading, clear enunciation, and other similar qualities, which are acquired without much labor, will never obtain supernatural gifts. Whoever is not faithful in small things (Lk 16:10), is also unfaithful in large things, and is vainglorous. It often happens that God humbles the vainglorious, sending a sudden misfortune. If prayer does not destroy a proud thought, we bring to mind the departure of the soul from this life. And if this does not help, let us fear the shame which follows dishonor. "For whoever humbles himself shall be exalted, and whoever exalts himself shall be humbled" (Lk 14:11). When those who praise us, or rather seduce us, start to praise us, let us recall our many sins, then we shall find that we are not worthy of what they say or do to honor us. In The Ladder, St John describes the ascent toward spiritual perfection, which is essential for anyone who wishes to save his soul. It is a written account of his thoughts, based on the collected wisdom of many wise ascetics, and on his own spiritual experience. The book is a great help on the path to truth and virtue. With the exception of the scriptures themselves and St Athanasius’ Life of Anthony, it is the most copied and influential book in Christian history. The steps of The Ladder proceed gradually from strength to strength on the path of perfection. The summit is not reached suddenly, but gradually, as the Savior says: "The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force" (Mt 11:12). St John of the Ladder is commemorated on the fourth Sunday of Great Lent and on March 30th

14

http://stbarbarachurchnc.org/images/2017GreekFestival.jpg