Important Events in January

January 1 Circumcision of Christ -

St. Basil the Great

January 5 Eve of Theophany

January 6

Theophany

January 7 St. John the Baptist

January 17

St. Anthony the Great

January 18 Saints Athanasios and Cyril

January 25

St. Gregory the Theologian

January 28 Triodion Begins

January 30

Three Hierarchs

From Glory to Glory The monthly newsletter of the

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Fr. Joseph Strzelecki

Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos

January 2018

1755 Des Peres Road

Town & Country, MO 63131-1405

Phone: 314-966-2255

Kitchen: 314-966-6720 Web Site: www.assumptiongoc.org

Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos

Email: Anastasios@assumptiongoc.org

Office Manager: Diane Sieckmann

Email: diane@assumptiongoc.org

Secretary: Diakonissa Kristen Vogt

Email: kristen@assumptiongoc.org

Elder Iakovos, the Long-Range Star of Evia Canonized by the Holy Patriarchate of Constantinople, November 27, 2017

The venerable Elder Iakovos Tsalikes,

the admirable Abbot of the Monastery of

the Venerable David in Evia, was a long-

range star who shined in our days with

the rays of his simplicity, his goodness,

his equal-to-the-angels state and his

numerous wonders.

Elder Iakavos was the personification of

love, a living embodiment of "the new

life in Christ", a projector of virtue and a

mirror of humility and temperance.

He embodied and experienced the testa-

ment of grace and delighted all those who

approached him, since he was entirely the

"fragrance of Christ" (2 Cor. 2:15). With

his sweet words he gave them rest and

conveyed to them the good things of the

Holy Spirit, "joy, peace and gentle-

ness" (Gal. 5:22), with which he was gift-

ed, affirming the Gospel phrase: "Out of

the abundance of the heart the tongue

speaks" (Matt. 12:34).

Elder Iakovos was a spiritual figure of the Monastery of the Venerable David,

sent by the philanthropic Lord to the modern lawless Israel and admonished them

with the example of his simple yet venerable life and the grace of his words

which were always "seasoned with salt" (Gal. 4:6). The Elder was not very

educated, but he was overshadowed, like the fishermen of Galilee, with the grace

of the All-Holy Spirit, making wise the unwise and moving the lips of those cho-

sen by God to spiritually guide the people to salvation.

Elder Iakovos was born on November 5, 1920 to pious parents, his mother The-

odora being from Livisi in Asia Minor and his father Stavros from Rhodes. In

early 1922 Turkish cetes captured his father and led him deep into Anatolia.

After the catastrophe of our blessed Asia Minor, which was allowed by God for

our sins and apostasy, the family of the Elder followed the hard road of exile.

Their ship transferred them over to Itea and from there they settled in Amfissa.

There it pleased the Lord, in 1925, for his father to find them and together as a

family they moved to Farakla in Evia.

At the age of seven the young divinely-illumined Iakovos memorized the

Divine Liturgy even though he was illiterate. In 1927 he attended elementary

school and was distinguished for his performance and his obvious love for the

Church and sacred writings.

2

2017 Parish Council Fr. Joseph Strzelecki

Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos

Scott Thompson, President

Greg Simos, Vice President

Elefteria Marcou, Secretary

Gus Harris, Treasurer

Daniel Gantner Vasilios Simos

Carol Marshall Sotirios Sotiriou

Pam Martin Dr. Tom Stamos

Samia Rabie Chris Tsoubanos

Dr. Farid Sadaka Nick Tsoubanos

Tonis Zafiropoulos

Acolytes Alban Mosher, John Nicholas

Adult Orthodox Christians (18 years & older):

Diane Sieckmann

Assumption Angels (infant - 5 years)

Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos

Bible Study Fr. Daniel Morton

Bookstore Dr. Joseph Steineger, Diakonissa Kristen Vogt

Chanters Steve Bellos

Choir Stephanie Saunders

Church Tours

Janice Hazeltine

Friday Luncheon Art Liyeos

Greek Festival Greg Simos, Art Liyeos

Greek School

Savas Kyramarios

Greek Dancers

Kyklos: Stella Afentoullis

Armonia: Stella Afentoullis

Ta Paidakia, Neo Kyma: Aliki Malek

GOYA (9th -12th Grade)

Yvonne Alexopoulos, Dr. Jenny Kardaris

Greeters Eleni Murphy

JOY (4 years - 4th Grade)

Jr. GOYA (5th - 8th Grades)

Alki Lappas Case

Kafenio

Art Liyeos

Little Angels

Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos

Orthodox Faith & Life:

Dr. Farid Sadaka, Anna Sadaka

Philoptochos Flora Dimitriou, President

Premarital Classes

Susan Cassimatis

Prison Ministry Bill Goranitis

Stewardship Michael Afentoullis

Sunday School Diane Sieckmann

Vacation Church School (VCS)

Anna Sadaka

Women’s Bookstudy Presvytera Laura Morton

Young Adult Ministry (18-30 yrs)

Fr. Anastasios & Presvytera Elizabeth

The appearance of Saint Paraskevi to the young Iakovos and the revelation

of his brilliant ecclesiastical future

Often the purity of his life led him to pray for his suffering countrymen,

whom he would heal by reading prayers that were irrelevant to their situation,

but he did it with much devotion showing to all that the "grace of God was on

him" (Lk. 2:40).

In 1933 he completed elementary school, but the financial difficulties of his

family did not allow him to continue his studies. So he followed his father in

his manual work.

Impressed by his melodious chanting the Metropolitan of Halkidos

consecrated him a Reader.

What impressed everyone was his ascetic life, his prayerful disposition, his

love for work, his lack of sleep, and his strict observance of the fasts.

In this voluntary personal deprivation he came to add the involuntary

suffering of the whole family and that of all the hapless refugees from the

dispossession.

In July of 1942 the mother of the Elder died, foretelling his future as a priest.

He joined the army in 1947, where he remained undaunted by the derision of

his colleagues, who jokingly called him "Father Iakovos".

However, he received admiration from his commander, who was among the

few that sensed the future bright spiritual path of the young refugee.

After being released from the army in 1949, Iakovos, at the age of 29, was

orphaned also of a father. His focus was on his sister, without, however,

neglecting the thoughts of his childhood desire to enter the monastic state.

After his sister married, in November of 1952 he went to the Monastery of

the Venerable David near Rovies, fulfilling his desire of completely dedicating

his life to God. At the age of 32 Iakovos was tonsured a Monk, and on Decem-

ber 19, 1952 he was ordained a Priest in Halkida by Metropolitan Gregory.

He then continued his ascetic life in the Monastery, with concerted prayer in

the cave of the Venerable David, with divine visions and miracles, which

increased over time.

He achieved high measures in virtue and suffered many attacks from

good-hating demons, who hated his equal-to-the-angels life.

He often saw and spoke with Venerable David and Saint John the Russian, while he was also made worthy of the gifts of foresight and insight.

Often during the Divine Liturgy he would see Angels serving him in the

Sacred Altar, Cherubim and Seraphim encircling him covering their faces with

their six wings, revering the slain Lamb, the God-man Jesus, on the Holy Paten,

broken but not divided, forever eaten yet never

consumed.

In August of 1963 in a wondrous way he satiated with three kilos of noodles

75 laborers with generous servings with half a pot of leftovers.

On the 25th of June in 1975 he became the Abbot of the Monastery and held

this rudder firmly until his venerable repose on the 21st of November in 1991.

Due to his hermit and ascetic life, however, the health of the Elder was

shaken, the veins of his legs rotted, and he had to undergo surgeries for his

hernia, his appendix, his prostrate and his heart, even being placed within him a

pacemaker.

From 1990 onwards his strength began to leave him. In September of 1991 he

was hospitalized at the General State Hospital of Athens for a small infarction.

When he returned to the Monastery he suffered from inflammation, which,

unfortunately, turned into pneumonia. He sensed his end.

The morning of November 21, 1991 he followed the Service for the Entrance

of our Theotokos, he chanted and he communed of the Immaculate Mysteries.

After confessing some of the faithful he took a walk around the Monastery. In

3

Christmas Holiday Season Schedule

Monday, January 1, 2018

Circumcision of Christ - St. Basil the Great

New Year’s Day

9:00 am Orthros

10:00 am Divine Liturgy

Friday, January 5, 2018

Eve of Theophany - Fast Day

8:30 am Great Hours

10:00 am Vesperal Divine Liturgy and Great

Blessing of the Waters

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Holy Theophany 8:30 am Orthros

10:00 am Divine Liturgy and Great Blessing of the Waters

1:15 pm Pan-Orthodox Blessing of the Waters

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Synaxis of John the Baptist

Vasilopita Sunday 8:30 am Orthros

9:45 am Divine Liturgy and Sunday School

Blessing of the Waters: On Saturday January 6, 2018,

the Feast of the Theophany, at 1:15 pm the Pan-Orthodox

Blessing of the Waters will take place at Lake 1 in

Wilmore Park.

Blessing of the Homes: Please call Fr. Joseph or Fr.

Anastasios to schedule an appointment to have your home

blessed.

2017 Christmas Service Needs (Please call the Church office to donate.)

12 Poinsettia Plants

Flowers for 2 Icons of the Nativity

Flowers for Icon of St. Basil the Great Anonymous

Flowers for 2 Icons of Theophany 1 Icon John and Angie Koulouriotis

8 bags of Incense

1 lb Anonymous

6 boxes of Charcoal

New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance Sponsor

3 Priest’s copy of the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the

Great.

Holy Water Bottles

The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos Society

Invites you to the

Annual Cutting of the Vasilopita

Please join us on Sunday, January 7, 2018

Immediately following Divine Liturgy

the afternoon he confessed a spiritual daughter of his and

waited for the return of his novice Iakovos from Limni, who

that day was ordained a Deacon by the Metropolitan of

Halkidos. As soon as the fathers arrived the Elder tried to

get up, but became dizzy. His breathing became heavy, his

pulse weakened and from his lips came a soft blow.

The Elder took the road to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The people who were informed of his funeral were few.

The phones, however, took fire and from one person to

another the sad news spread.

The next day thousands of people flocked to the

Monastery, clergy of all ranks and spiritual children of the

Elder from all over Greece, who came to give their last

embrace.

The courtyard of the Monastery was crowded. The

funeral service was chanted outdoors and after his sacred

body was processed around the Katholikon. During the

procession many of the faithful saw the Elder get up from

his coffin to bless the crowd.

Once the sacred body descended into the grave, with one

voice the thousands of faithful with resurrection hymns and

resurrection bells joyfully cried out: "Saint! Saint!"

Since then Elder Iakovos, with his dozens of posthumous

miracles, has been classified in the souls of the faithful as a

Saint, by those who await with longing his formal

canonization by the Mother Church.

Source: Dr. Haralambos M. Bousias Translated by John Sanidopoulos

4

Greek Studies Professor

Michael Cosmopoulos elected to

Royal Society of Canada SEP/25/2017 | POSTED BY STEVE WALENTIK

Michael Cosmopoulos never

imagined his work in archaeology

would win him acclaim on both sides

of the Atlantic Ocean. “When you’re

young and you’re starting out, you

don’t think in those terms,” said

Cosmopoulos, the Hellenic

Government-Karakas Foundation

Professor of Greek Studies at the

University of Missouri–St. Louis. “You just do what you

find exciting, and archaeology is exciting to me. It’s my

passion.” But others have taken notice and recognized his

contributions to the study of ancient Greek civilization in a

career that now has spanned more than 30 years.

This month, the Royal Society of Canada became the

latest group to do so when it elected him a fellow. He will

receivewhat is said to be the highest honor a scholar can

achieve in the arts, humanities and sciences in that country.

“Michael B. Cosmopoulos is an internationally known

archaeologist and classicist whose pioneering and

multi-disciplinary approaches have impacted deeply our

knowledge of the Classical world,” read a press releasefrom

the Royal Society of Canada. “Through his sophisticated

theoretical models and important archaeological

excavations, he has developed new ways of understanding

Greek religion (especially the origins of ancient mystery

cults) and political history (especially the emergence of

states and social complexity).”

Cosmopoulos’ election comes on the heels of his

induction, last winter, to the European Academy of

Sciences and Arts. “After this has happened, I’m very

excited about it,” he said. “But it wasn’t part of the picture

in the beginning.” There was also surprise about his most

recent honor because, though his first professorship after

completing his PhD was at the University of Manitoba, he’s

lived in the United States for the past 16 years. “I look upon

those years with nostalgia,” said Cosmopoulos, who was

born and raised in Athens and first came to North America

to pursue his doctorate at Washington University in St.

Louis in 1985. “Canadians are wonderful, very warm and

hospitable. Winnipeg was a great city – the snow aside.”

He has maintained connections in America’s northern

neighbor, evaluating applications for Canadian funding

agencies, assessing articles for Canadian scholarly

publications and training Canadian students in the field.

Cosmopoulos directs the Iklaina Archaeological Project,

which is funded through UMSL’s Greek professorship as

well as through major grants from the National Endowment

for the Humanities, National Science Foundation and

National Geographic Society. He also teaches Greek

history, culture, religion, technology, archaeology, art,

language and mythology and organizes the activities of the

Greek professorship.

The Iklaina site is a palace that dates to the time of the

Trojan War, between 1500 B.C. and 1200 B.C. It’s

believed to be one of the sites mentioned in Homer’s epic

poem, The Iliad, as one of the capitals of the Greek kings

who fought in the war. At Iklaina Cosmopoulos studies the

processes of state formation in the western world. “It’s an

exciting case of mythology overlapping with history and

archaeology,” Cosmopoulos said. The discoveries that

have been made there have transformed what had

previously been believed about ancient Greek history.

Cosmopoulos’ work has been featured prominently in the

national and international press, including on PBSand the

National Geographic Channel.

“I can’t say enough about the work that Michael’s done,”

said colleague Patti Wright, associate professor of

anthropology at UMSL. “We’ve had a number of students

who have gone to his field school in the summer, and they

love the experience. He’s also a prolific writer, who’s

becoming really well known internationally and bolstering

the name of our university in Europe and now in Canada.”

Cosmopoulos will be inducted, along with the other new

fellows, at the Royal Society of Canada’s Induction and

Awards Ceremony on Nov. 24 at the Fairmont Winnipeg

Hotel.

What follows is a Greek translation of the original story:

Ο Καθηγητής Εελληνικών Σπουδών Μιχάλης

Κοσμόπουλος εξελέγη στη Βασιλική Ακαδημία του

Καναδά

Ο Μιχάλης Κοσμόπουλος ποτέ δεν φανταζόταν ότι το

έργο του στην αρχαιολογία θα τουπροσέφερε αναγνώριση

και στις δύο πλευρές του Ατλαντικού Ωκεανού.

«Όταν είσαι νέος και αρχίζεις την καριέρα σου, δεν

σκέφτεσαι με αυτούς τους όρους», δήλωσε

ο Κοσμόπουλος , καθηγητής Ελληνικών Σπουδών στο

Πανεπιστήμιο του Μιζούρι. “Κάνεις αυτό που σε

ενδιαφέρει και η αρχαιολογία είναι συναρπαστική για

μένα. Είναι το πάθος μου. ”

Αλλά η διεθνής επιστημονική κοινότητα αναγνώρισε

τη συνεισφορά του στη μελέτη του αρχαίου ελληνικού

πολιτισμού σε μια σταδιοδρομία που έχει πλέον ξεπεράσει

τα 30 χρόνια.

Αυτό το μήνα, η Βασιλική Ακαδημία του Καναδά τον

τίμησε εκλέγοντάς τον Τακτικό Μέλος, που είναι η

υψηλότερη τιμή που μπορεί να λάβει ένας επιστήμονας

στις Τέχνες και τις Επιστήμεςστον Καναδά.

“Ο Μιχαήλ Β. Κοσμόπουλος είναι ένας διεθνώς

αναγνωρισμένος αρχαιολόγος και κλασικιστής,του οποίου

οι πρωτοποριακές και διεπιστημονικές προσεγγίσεις έχουν

επηρεάσει βαθιά τις γνώσεις μας για τον Κλασικό κόσμο”,

γράφει το δελτίο τύπου από την Royal Society of Cana-

da. «Μέσα από τα λεπτομερή θεωρητικά μοντέλα και τις

Photo by August

Jennewein)

5

σημαντικές αρχαιολογικές ανασκαφές του έχει αναπτύξει

νέους τρόπους κατανόησης της ελληνικής θρησκείας

(κυρίως των αρχαίων μυστηριακών λατρειών) και της

πολιτικής ιστορίας (ιδιαίτερα της εμφάνισης των κρατών

και των σύνθετων κοινωνιών)».

Η εκλογή του Κοσμόπουλου στη Βασιλική Ακαδημία του

Καναδά δεν είναι η μόνη, καθώς τον περασμένο

χειμώνα εξελέγη και στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ακαδημία

Επιστημών και Τεχνών .

Η εκλογή του στην Καναδική Ακαδημία ήταν απρόσμενη

γιατί, αν και η πρώτη τουπανεπιστημιακή θέση μετά την

ολοκλήρωση του διδακτορικού του ήταν στο Πανεπιστήμιο

της Μανιτόμπα, τα τελευταία 16 χρόνια ζει στις Ηνωμένες

Πολιτείες.

«Θυμάμαι εκείνα τα χρόνια με νοσταλγία», δήλωσε ο

Κοσμόπουλος, ο οποίος γεννήθηκε και μεγάλωσε στην

Αθήνα και πρώτα ήρθε στη Βόρεια Αμερική για να

συνεχίσει το διδακτορικό του στο Πανεπιστήμιο

Ουάσινγκτον στο Σαιντ Λούις το 1985. «Οι Καναδοί είναι

θαυμάσιοι άνθρωποι, πολύ ζεστοί και φιλόξενοι. Το

Γουίνιπεγκ ήταν μια όμορφη πόλη – εκτός από τα χιόνια!”

Από τότε που ήρθε στην Αμερική διατήρησε τις επαφές του

με τον προς βορρά γείτονα των Η.Π.Α., αξιολογώντας

αιτήσεις χρηματοδότησης για καναδικά ερευνητικά

Ιδρύματα και το καναδικό Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού,

αξιολογώντας άρθρα για καναδικά επιστημονικά

περιοδικάκαι εκπαιδεύοντας καναδούς φοιτητες στην

αρχαιολογία.

Ο Κοσμόπουλος διευθύνει την ανασκαφή της

Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας Αθηνών στην Ικλαινα. Η

ανασκαφή χρηματοδοτείται από την Έδρα Ελληνικών

Σπουδών του Πανεπιστημίου Μιζούρι, καθώς και από

το Εθνικό Ίδρυμα Ερευνών για τις Ανθρωπιστικές

Επιστήμες , το Εθνικό Ίδρυμα Επιστημών και την National

Geographic Society . Διδάσκει επίσης την ελληνική ιστορία,

τον πολιτισμό, τη θρησκεία, την τεχνολογία, την

αρχαιολογία, την τέχνη, τη γλώσσα και τη μυθολογία και

οργανώνει τις δραστηριότητες της Έδρας.

Η περιοχή της Ικλαίνας είναι ένα μεγάλο κέντρο που

χρονολογείται στον Τρωικό πόλεμο, μεταξύ του 1500 π.Χ.

και του 1200 π.Χ. Πιστεύεται ότι είναι μία από τις

τοποθεσίες που αναφέρονται στο επικό ποίημα του Ομήρου

Η Ιλιάδα ως μία από τις πρωτεύουσες των Ελλήνων

βασιλιάδωνπου πολέμησαν στον πόλεμο.

Στην Ικλαίνα ο Κοσμόπουλος μελετά τις διαδικασίες

γένεσης του θεσμού του κράτους στον δυτικό κόσμο.

“Είναι μια συναρπαστική περίπτωση μυθολογίας που

συναντά την ιστορία και την αρχαιολογία”, δήλωσε ο

Κοσμόπουλος.

Οι ανακαλύψεις που έγιναν εκεί έχουν αλλάξει τις

γνώσεις μας της πρώιμης ελληνικήςιστορίας. Το έργο του

Κοσμόπουλου παρουσιάστηκε εκτενώς στον εθνικό και

διεθνή Τύπο, συμπεριλαμβανομένου του PBS και του Na-

tional Geographic Channel.

“Δεν μπορώ να πω αρκετά για το έργο που κάνει ο κος.

Κοσμόπουλος”, δήλωσε η Patti Wright, αναπληρώτρια

καθηγήτρια Ανθρωπολογίας στο UMSL. «Εχουμε πολλούς

φοιτητές που έχουν συμμετάσχει στην ανασκαφή της

Ίκλαινας και όλοι λάτρεψαν την εμπειρία. Είναι επίσης

ένας παραγωγικός συγγραφέας και ερευνητής, ο οποίος

γίνεται πολύ γνωστός σε διεθνές επίπεδο και ενισχύει το

όνομα του πανεπιστημίου μας στην Ευρώπη και τώρα στον

Καναδά “.

Η τελετή υποδοχής του καθηγητή Κοσμόπουλου στη

Βασιλική Ακαδημία του Καναδά θα γίνειστις 24

Νοεμβρίου στο ξενοδοχείο Fairmont Winnipeg.

http://blogs.umsl.edu/news/?p=70451

Women’s Book Study (Adults Only)

BeginningThursday,

January 18, 2018

This session there will only be a morning group

Thursday Mornings

10:30 am at the home of

Victoria Ambort 925 S. Bemiston Ave. Clayton MO 63105

We will be reading “The Lenten Spring

By Thomas Hopko

Please contact Presvytera Laura Morton

314-303-1784 For more information

6

Philoptochos Corner The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos

Society

Happy New Year! WOW it's 2018!! We have much to look

forward to this year. Check out our “A Look Ahead” list

below. We have lots of fun fund raisers & activities planned

every month. We look forward to seeing.

National Chapter Challenge

Evelyn's House BJC Hospice Believe it or not we present our Challenge in July! We took

a break during the holidays but now we are on a mission to

complete our presentation. If you would like any more

information on this project please see Janice Kanteres or

Flora Dimitriou, National Chapter Challenge Co-Chairs.

Acknowledgements *We would like to thank Board Member Janice Kanteres

and friends for serving coffee hour for the month of January.

*Thank you to Diane Sieckmann for organizing our

fabulous annual Philoptochos Christmas Party at Surf &

Sirloin. Also, thank you for all the wonderful children's gifts

donated. This year our children's gifts went to Shriner’s

Hospital to help with the huge loss they experienced

because of the fire at their storage facility.

*Thank you to Dessie Bellos & Eleftheria Afentoullis for

making the famous grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch

during the Sunday School Christmas Pageant.

*Thank you to Lila Nicholas and crew for making the

Vasilopites for our sales and New Years Eve.

January National Commitments Vasilopita - Proceeds benefit St. Basil's academy

Social Services/Cancer & Other Major Illnesses Fund -

Provides outreach, support and financial

2018-A Look Ahead Look for our 2018 Philoptochos Stewardship Commitment

Letter

Sunday, January 7

Vasilopita Sunday

Sunday, January 21

Gyro Luncheon

$10 includes gyro, fries & a drink

Saturday, February 3

Martini/Margarita Night

$10 includes drinks & desserts

Sunday, March 11

Soup Sunday Luncheon $10

Saturday, April 21

Greek Dance admission $10

All proceeds to benefit Philoptochos charities

2018 Meeting Dates: January 14 Saturday, March 17th

February 11 No Meeting in April

May 6th

We wish everyone a healthy, happy & prosperous 2018!

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Flora Dimitriou

Philoptochos President

636-795-4602

fedimitriou@gmail.com

Scenes from the Christmas Party

7

Ή αγάπη μας πρός τό Θεό Αγ. Νικόδημος ο Αγιορείτης

ΑΣ ΣΚΕΦΤΟΥΜΕ, αγαπητοί, ότι τρεις είναι οί σπουδαιότεροι λόγοι, πού μας παρακινούν — ή καλύτερα μας αναγκάζουν— ν’ αγαπάμε τό Θεό. Ό πρώτος είναι, ότι ο Ιδιος μας προστάζει νά Τόν αγαπάμε· ο δεύτερος, ότι Αυτός είναι αξιος αγάπης περισσότερο από κάθε αλλο· καί ο τρίτος, ότι Αυτός προκαλεί τήν αγάπη μας μέ τή δική Του αγάπη καί μέ αναρίθμητες ευεργεσίες. Ή πρώτη απ’ όλες τίς έντολές είναι: «Αγαπήσεις Κύριον τόν Θεόν σου έν όλη τή καρδία σου καί εν όλη τή ψυχή σου καί έν όλη τή διανοία σου αύτη έστί πρώτη καί μεγάλη έντολή» (Ματθ. 22:37-38). Είναι πρώτη, γιατί αποτελεί τό θεμέλιο όλης της χριστιανικής ήθικής καί τελειότητος. Γι’ αυτό πρέπει νά έχει τήν πρώτη θέση στήν καρδιά τών χριστιανών. Ή αγάπη στόν πλησίον καί κάθε αλλη αρετή κρέμεται καί τρέφεται από τήν αγάπη στό Θεό. Είναι πρώτη, γιατί έναντιώνεται λιγότερο από τίς αλλες έντολές στήν έλευθερία τοϋ ανθρώπου. Δέν μπορεί ποτέ ο ανθρωπος νά έκπληρώσει τήν έντολή αυτή, αν δέν τό θελήσει. Είναι πρώτη, γιατί αποτελεί τήν ψηλότερη πνευματική κορυφή, πού μπορεί νά φτάσει ή ψυχή. Είναι πρώτη, γιατί δέν έχει ποτέ τέλος. Γι’ αυτό είπε ο απόστολος Παύλος, ότι «νυνί μένει πίστις, έλπίς, αγάπη, τά τρία ταυτα- μείζων δέ τούτων ή αγάπη» (Α' Κορ. 13:13). Υστερα απ’ αυτά, ας σκεφτούμε πόσο πρέπει νά τιμάμε αυτή τήν αρετή καί πόση προθυμία καί έπιμέλεια πρέπει νά δείχνουμε στήν εφαρμογή της. Ακόμα κι αν ο Θεός μάς απαγόρευε νά Τόν αγαπάμε, έμείς θά έπρεπε ακατάπαυστα νά Τόν παρακαλούμε, ζητώντας Του νά μάς επιτρέψει τήν έκπλήρωση αυτής της υψιστης αρετής. Καί τώρα μάλιστα, πού μάς προστάζει τόσο έντονα, είναι δυνατό νά μήν υπακούσουμε στήν έντολή Του; Υπάρχει μεγαλύτερο απ’ αυτό τό θαύμα της συγκαταβάσεως του Θεού, πού μας προστάζει νά Τόν αγαπάμε σά νά έχει ανάγκη από τήν αγάπη μας; Κι εμείς τόσο αναίσθητοι είμαστε, πού δεν καταλαβαίνουμε τό μέγεθος της ευεργεσίας; Ας διαλέξουμε λοιπόν εν’ από τά δυό, γιατί ενδιάμεση λύση δέν ύπάρχει: Η θα αισθανόμαστε ευχάριστα τή φλόγα της αγάπης τού Θεού καί εδώ καί στόν Παράδεισο, ή θά καιγόμαστε, χωρίς ελπίδα σωτηρίας, από τήν αιώνια φλόγα τού άδη. Η μιά φλόγα είναι σωτήρια καί ζωογόνα, η άλλη κολαστήρια καί θανατηφόρα. Ομως καί οί δυό φλόγες ξεπετάγονται από τήν ίδια φωτιά, τήν αγάπη τού Θεού. Αυτή θά ευφραίνει στόν παράδεισο εκείνους πού τή φύλαξαν. Αυτή θά κολάζει στόν άδη έκείνους πού τήν αθέτησαν. Για την αντιγραφή: Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης

8

The Assumption Orthodox Faith and Life Committee

presents

Fr. Theodore Dorrance and Eikona

for our February Retreat

February 9 - 11, 2018

Fr. Theodore Dorrance

was born in Pueblo,

Colorado and raised in

Englewood. He grew up

in a Roman Catholic

family. Fr. Theodore

learned about the

Orthodox Church during

his undergraduate years

and became Orthodox in

1983. He graduated from

the University of

Colorado in 1985 with a

B.S. Degree in Business

Administration. Upon graduation, he worked in the

corporate world for a couple years. He was married in

1985 to his high school sweetheart, Stacey Maniatis.

They decided to attend Holy Cross Greek Orthodox

School of Theology in 1986 to study theology and

prepare for the priesthood. Fr. Theodore earned his

Master of Divinity in 1990. After graduation, he and

his wife and first daughter spent seven months in

Greece in further preparation for ordination. Fr.

Theodore was ordained in 1991 and served the

Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, CA for two years as

an assistant priest, St. Katherine in Redondo Beach,

CA as the proistamenos for four years and founded the

parish of St. John the Baptist in Portland, OR, which he

served these past twenty years. He has four children:

three girls and a boy. He has served the Metropolis of

San Francisco as a member of the Metropolis Council,

Vicar of the Northwest region of the Metropolis and

Director of the Metropolis Ministry of Missions,

Evangelism and Parish Mentoring. When he gets the

chance, he enjoys the beautiful outdoors, fly fishing,

skiing and hiking in the mountains. He is currently the

Director of Missions and Evangelization for the Greek

Orthodox Metropolis of Denver and is serving as the

Associate priest at St. Catherine Greek Orthodox

Church in Greenwood Village, Colorado

Eikona

(pronounced ee-

ko-na), is a three-

sister

ensemble who

chant Byzantine-

styled Hymns and

sing

Contemporary

Christian Music.

Rooted in the

Greek Orthodox Church, their music preserves, shares and

promotes centuries’ worth of rich, musical tradition of

hymns and psalmody. Their angelic voices have been

heard in services and homes around the world and

continue to inspire, encourage, and excite the newest

generation of Greek Orthodox and Christian music fans.

Before there was Eikona, there were three sisters: Stacey,

Marika and Chrysanthy Maniatis. Together with their

parents, Dr. Jim and Connie Maniatis, they grew up in

Denver, Colorado, and attended the Assumption Greek

Orthodox Cathedral where their father is the choir director

of fifty years, and their mother, the organist. There is a

rich tradition of Orthodox and Greek music at the lovely

Cathedral of the Mile High City. Eikona is their

opportunity to share their love of music, to promote Greek

Orthodox Theology and Hymnology, and to preserve their

inherited Sacred Christian Musical Traditions. They have

been singing now for over 20 years as a ministry, and want

to continue making worship more alive, more meaningful,

and more beautiful. Years of Junior and Senior Choir,

music studies, and church services eventually led to the

creation of Eikona, Greek for image, as all are called to be

‘little icons’ of the living God. Eikona has brought the

sisters increasingly closer to each other, to their Faith and

to appreciate the wealth of beauty and grace contained in

the church services of the Greek Orthodox Faith. It has

also helped them become more proficient chanters and

choir directors of their respective churches.

Fr. Theodore Dorrance

9

The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

Orthodox Faith and Life Committee presents

Giving Yourself for the Glory of God

Friday, February 9 6:30 pm Paraklesis chanted by Eikona Followed by refreshments in the Philoptochos Room 8:00 pm 1st session Making the Most of Your Time and Talents Youth Discussion groups GOYA (Grades 9-12) Jr. GOYA (Grades 5-8) JOY (Kindergarten - 4th grade) Little Angels (Infant - 4 years old with their parents )

Saturday , February 10 St. Haralambos 8:15 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy & Saturday of the Souls Memorial Service 11:00 am Registration & Continental Breakfast 11:30 am 2nd Session How Your Life Can Work for the Church: Nurturing the Treasures of our Holy Orthodox Faith 1:00 pm Lunch 2:00 pm 3rd Session You are the Church’s Best Resource 3:30 pm (approximate time) Eikona Concert 5:00 pm Great Vespers

Sunday, February 11 8:30 am Orthros 9:45 am Divine Liturgy chanted by Eikona 12:00 noon Coffee hour with Fr. Theodore and the Eikona sisters

February 9 - 11, 2018 With Fr. Theodore Dorrance and

Location: Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 1755 Des Peres Rd., Town & County, 63131 Cost

Friday Evening - Voluntary Offering Saturday - $20.00 per person

If you would like to make a donation to support this ministry, please send a check to the Assumption Church with “retreat” in the memo.

To register or for more information, please call the Church office at 314-966-2255 or email diane@assumptiongoc.org

Retreat Schedule

10

In Our Prayers:

Nora (Elaine) Bangert, Tom Dubis, Seraphima Henderson,

Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris, Achilles Kirkou, Michael

Labis, George and Janice (Ioanna) Paradissis, Tom

(Anastasios) Masa, Elaine Scott, Despina Zeris.

Funerals Memory Eternal to:

William “Bill” Butler Walker, husband of Denise

Fundoukos Walker and son-in-law of Maria Vamvas,

reposed on November 14, 2017 in Colorado Springs, CO.

A memorial service was held in Colorado.

Christos Exarhos, father of Freda (Bill) Simos, reposed in

Athens, Greece, on Friday, November 17, 2017. The

funeral was in Athens.

William Paul Lampros, beloved son of Dr. William and

Kathie Lampros, and dear brother of Robert Lampros,

passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2017.

Elaine Budicky, beloved mother of Tina (Brian) Nickas,

reposed on Tuesday, December 12, 2017.

Evangelos (Angelo) Pelekanos, father of Theresa Gower,

reposed in the Lord on Tuesday, December 12,2017

Important

Please inform either Fr. Joseph or Fr. Anastasios

immediately when you or any member of your family is

sick or hospitalized, so that appropriate prayer and

visitation may be scheduled.

Hospitals do not notify clergy of patients, even if

you list yourself as a Church member.

Weddings Congratulations to:

Costin and Kristina Condratov who were united in Holy

Matrimony on Saturday, November 18, 2017. The

Orthodox sponsors are Cezar and Alina Moisinade.

Bill and Sandy Goranitis who were married in the

Orthodox Church on December 2, 2017. The Orthodox

sponsor is Mary Pitliangas.

Memorials: Memory Eternal!

December 3

40-day Memorial for Gus (Costandinos) Maris

6-month Memorial for His Eminence Metropolitan

Iakovos of Blessed Memory

December 10

40-Day Memorial for Demetrios Liyeos

6-mon Memorial for Labib Rabie

7-year Memorial for Maria Potsos

25-year Memorial for Nicholas Potsos

51-year Memorial for Kostandinos Potsos

December 17

40-Day Memorial for Christos Exarharos

6-mon Memorial for Evangelia Halastanis

1-year Memorial for Alexander (Ollie) S. Aslan

2-year Memorial for Angelo Palladino

18-year Memorial for George Palladino

January 7

1-year Memorial for Jean (Katherine) Kotakis

January 21

1-year Memorial for A. Glen Beck

Baptisms and Chrismations Many Years to:

Jacob Fellhauer, son of Kevin Michael Fellhauer and

Adoria Lee, received the sacrament of Holy Baptism on

November 26, 2017. His Godparent is Athena Fellhauer.

Thank you

from Mariva Vamvas for all the notes, kind words, help,

meals and prayers she received from this wonderful

community during her recovery from the terrible fall she

had last September.

11

A Reflection on the Nyeri Youth Mission

Trip, Kenya, October 2017

Fr. Achilles Karathanos

By the time I was in route to Nairobi via Frankfurt, it

seemed a small miracle that we were finally on the way.

Our trip had been moved from August to October to avoid

the tense political climate that was escalating with Kenyan

National elections. Who could have predicted that, once

the elections took place, the losing candidate would take his

case of election fraud successfully to the Supreme Court,

and the presidential election would be repeated in October!?

After numerous back and forth between OCMC

headquarters, Bishop Neofitos, folks on the ground in

Kenya, and us, we concluded that risks were minimal, and

all would be well in the hands of God.

Due to the schedule change, though, we were down to

three members of the mission team going, and now we had

one week to prepare to serve the children of the Makarios

Children’s Home in Nyeri, as well as to teach at the Nyeri

Diocese Mother’s Union and Youth Retreat, and at the

Diocese Clergy Synaxis! Feeling awfully unprepared and

overwhelmed, I contacted His Grace, Bishop Neofitos,

several times, seeking his guidance and direction. About the

third time I was asking about specifics, His Grace gently

responded, “Father, please don’t worry, it will be enough

for you to come and hold the hand of a child. It is enough

just to come.”

“By your prayers, Your Grace, may it be blessed!” Of

course, while I did my best to trust in the Bishop’s gracious

word, Mother Johanna, Molly and I notched up our

intensity in gathering information, sharing, and

coordinating our youth program in the few fleeting days we

had remaining. We packed icons, purchased as many craft

supplies as we could carry, and “talked shop” on Skype.

With the help of OCMC staff, we were on our way! Of

course, no godly undertaking goes untried by the evil one.

Due to tropical storm Nate, Molly’s flight was delayed by a

day, and so it would only be two of us for the first day.

Surely,” I pondered to myself, “this schedule that we’ve

been given is off by a day.” I couldn’t quite swallow that

after travelling thirty plus hours, and arriving at our final

destination in Nyeri around 1 am, that we would be

celebrating Divine Liturgy and embarking on our first full

day of teaching at the Children’s Home that same day. But

so it was, and so did God’s grace abound! This was no

“regular” Divine Liturgy, but a Liturgy sung by a hundred

and fifty children in unison, raising the tin roof of St.

Nikodemos Church to Heaven! After the Liturgy, the

children welcomed us, their guests, with an exuberant

program of singing, dancing, poetry, as well as with an

official address in perfect English by one of the radiant

girls, Karen.

The great warmth and the Christian love and hospitality

they showed us ignited within us a flame that enabled us to

somehow do what we were called to do. We instructed

them in the Orthodox

Faith, class after

class. We taught

lessons on prayer and

the Holy Sacraments;

we shared lives of

saints, and

encouraged them to

live out their faith in

Christ.

One might wonder,

as did I before going

to Nyeri, “Couldn’t

these children and the

older youth and

mothers have

received similar

instruction from local

clergy and

catechists?” It is

quite possible. But

when it comes to

mission work, there

is also something

valid to the

Scriptural saying that “a prophet is not without honor

except in his own country” (Mt. 13:57). In other words,

although the content we taught may have been similar to

what they could receive from local instructors, the fact that

three Orthodox brothers and sisters (and a priest and a nun

to boot!) came from across the world to their Children’s

Home in the village of Nyeri infused the encounter with

grace and power. We shared lessons, but more than that,

we shared our lives and experiences with one another, and

the bond of Christ in the Holy Spirit was made manifest.

To be honest, I am not so sure that the younger children,

or even most of the older, will remember the theology and

symbolism of the Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation

which we taught. But I do think they will remember

walking the quarter mile back and forth between the school

and the home for meals with the three Americans; I think

the girls will remember huddling close to Mother Johanna

and hearing a word from a real living nun; I think they will

remember kicking the home-made rag ball around in the

dirt, and then receiving a new soccer ball, and passing it

around with the long-robed priest; and I am quite certain

they will remember high-fiving and holding our hands,

because it was in these things that we shared Christian love,

and in which our mission was fulfilled.

While the Bishop’s words, “It is enough to come and

hold the hand of a child,” certainly were generous and com-

forting, they were also filled with wisdom and truth!

12

Divine Liturgy at St. Nikodemos

Church, Makarios Children’s Home,

Nyeri, Kenya, left

At St. St. Mary’s newly rebuilt Ortho-

dox Church, Meru (below top)

Nyeri Diocese Youth Conference, St.

Luke Orthodox Church, Nyeri

(below middle)

Children making Cross pendants on Craft Day

At Makarios Children’s Home, above.

Left: The Blessing of the Motor Bikes for the

Clergy of Nyeri and Mt. Kenya Diocese

Twenty one new bikes and the clergy riders were

blessed on this occasion.

Thank you to everyone who contribute!

This Lent, let’s help His Grace to complete this

mission with ten more bikes!

13

Kids Korner

How do I practice patience?

Here are a few things you can do to

help yourself calm down and be

patient when things are especially hard:

1. Count very slowly to ten.

2. Give yourself a five minute

timeout to calm down

3. Take 5 slow, deep breaths

4. Take a quick walk

5. Listen to music

6. Hug a stuffed animal

7. Color a picture

8. Play with some putty, play-dough,

or sand

9. Work on a puzzle

10. Blow into your hands or blow

bubbles

Patience

What is patience?

Patience is one of the many virtues that God asks all

of us to acquire. To put it simply, patience is having

the ability to wait and deal with things calmly without

complaining. We could be waiting for our mother to

feed us, for a friend to share a toy, for an illness to get

better, or for someone to stop being mean to us. The

key to having patience with any situation is trusting

that God will take care of us, and that no matter how

long we have to wait, we will be better off. It can be

really hard to be patient, especially when the world

around us tells us that everything should be quick and

easy; fast food, fast internet, other people doing eve-

rything for us. But all that instant stuff just makes us

impatient, anxious and grumpy when we don’t get

what we want quickly enough. Patience is so important that St. Paisios wrote a whole

book about it! Holy St. Paisios, pray for us!

14

Sunday, January 21,

the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church will celebrate

Grandparents’ Sunday.

We Love

Our Grandparents

Make plans now to share in Divine Liturgy and prepare to

receive Holy Communion with the special grandpeople in

your life. Please stay for the coffee hour that will follow

Divine Liturgy. Also, this is a good opportunity to do

something special with your grandparents and or

grandchildren on that day.

Adult Orthodox Christian (AOC) Evening of Fellowship

Join us for a potluck dinner & discussion Saturday, January 27, 2018

6:00 pm

At the home of Tonis and Laurie Zafiropoulos

1225 Pinecrest Lane Manchester MO 63021

Please call Laurie at 314-496-5861

to RSVP and coordinate a dish to share.

Save the Dates for future AOC:

February 18, 2017 - Dennis & Kandis Graham

March 18 or 25, 2017 TBA

If you are interested in hosting an AOC,

please call the Church office 314-966-2255

Save the Date

Daughters of Epiros

Annual Apokreatiko Glendi

Saturday, February 17,2018

6:00 p.m.

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Road

Details coming soon.

Don’t miss out on this fun tradition and family night!!

Save the

Date for our

Annual Super Bowl

Party

Sunday,

February 4,2018

Hosted by

Rich and Eleni

Murphy

2030 Sundowner

Ridge Dr.

Ballwin MO 63011

Stay tuned for Details

15

New Air

Conditioner We thank all

the donors thus far that

have made given

generously to our new

air conditioner in the

Sunday School hallway.

We still have a substantial amount of the loan

outstanding but we have met the matching funds level in

donations.

If you wish to make a donation, there are enve-

lopes in the Narthex at the pangari with the notation

“Sunday School Air Conditioner” or you may mail your

donation to the church office made payable to the Assump-

tion Greek Orthodox Church and note in the memo line

“Sunday School Air Conditioner.”

Thank you.

Friday Lunch and Festival Baking

Every year after the Festival the very

hard working, dedicated ladies of our parish

take the summer off from baking.

It’s time again to prepare delicious

foods and desserts for our Friday Luncheons

and for the Festival.

The baking has begun. You can find a

kitchen full of our dedicated bakers every

Wednesday. There is a lot to be done and we

need your help.

If you are interested and have some free

time, please come and join the fun.

If you have any questions, please call

Amalia Karakasis at 314-495-0305.

Memory of our Holy Father Longinus, who

died in peace Our holy Father Longinus lived in the Egyptian deserted

during the fourth or fifth century. Among other saying of

his, are the following: A dead man judges no one, and it is

just the same with the man who is humble. To someone who

wanted to go live in exile, he replied: Unless you guard

your tongue, you will not be able to live in exile wherever

you go. To someone else who wanted to live in solitude, he

said: If you do not exercise the virtues in the midst of men,

still less will you be able to do so in solitude. By his life and

his words he taught love of humility as superior to all the

works of ascesis, saying: Fasting humbles the body, vigil

purifies the intellect and stillness leads to the affliction that

baptizes man anew and cleanses him of all sin. We also owe

to him the famous saying: Shed your blood and receive the

Spirit.

Parish Council Election Results Congratulations to the newly elected 2018 Parish

Council members:

Dan Gantner

Soula Marcou

Tom Stamos

Nick Tsoubanos

Tony Zafiropoulos

Our sincere thanks to the continuing members of

the parish council:

Gus Harris

Carol Marshall

Pam Martin,

Samia Rabie

Farid Sadaka

Greg Simos

Bill Simos

Sotirios Sotiriou

Scott Thompson

Chris Tsoubanos.

Our grateful appreciation and best wishes to the

departing member of the parish council:

Despina M. Bellos.

We thank Dessie for her 20 years of service

on the Parish Council

16

9

Everyone is welcome

Bring the whole family

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

Annual

Appreciation

Luncheon

After Divine Liturgy

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Your are invited to join

us for a wonderful

complimentary luncheon,

in appreciation for your

hard work, time, talents

and treasures you share

throughout the year as

members of our Parish.

Please join us as we say

THANK YOU!

17

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18

January 5

Mediterranean Meatloaf with Real Mashed Potatoes

and Gravy .......................................................... $8.00

Baked Fish with Mixed Vegetables ........................ $7.00

Pastitsio (ground beef, macaroni casserole) ........... $7.00

Gyro Sandwich ....................................................... $5.00

(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread

with tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce)

Meatball Avgolemono Soup…………...……..Sm. $3.00

………………………………………………...Lg. $5.00

2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)……………2 for $3.00

Spanakopita (spinach pita) ..................................... $3.00

Tyropita (cheese pita) ............................................. $3.00

Greek Salad with olive oil dressing ........................ $5.00

Dessert .................................................................... $3.00

Baklava, Galatobouriko, Kataifi, or Walnut Cake,

Cheesecake

January 20

Shrimp Saganaki over Rice .................................... $9.00

Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans .................... $7.00

Pastitsio (ground beef, macaroni casserole) ........... $7.00

Gyro Sandwich ....................................................... $5.00

(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread

with tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce)

Lobster Bisque………………………....….….Sm. $4.00

………………………………………………...Lg. $6.00

2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)……………2 for $3.00

Spanakopita (spinach pita) ..................................... $3.00

Tyropita (cheese pita) ............................................. $3.00

Greek Salad with olive oil dressing ........................ $5.00

Dessert .................................................................... $3.00

Baklava, Galatobouriko, Kataifi, or Walnut Cake,

Cheesecake

January 12

Lamb Shanks over Rice ........................................ $14.00

Baked Fish with Mixed Vegetables ........................ $7.00

Pastitsio (ground beef, macaroni casserole)............ $7.00

Gyro Sandwich ....................................................... $5.00

(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread

with tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce)

Lentil………………………..………………..Sm. $3.00

………………………………………………..Lg. $5.00

2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)…….……...2 for $3.00

Spanakopita (spinach pita) ...................................... $3.00

Tyropita (cheese pita) ............................................. $3.00

Greek Salad with olive oil dressing ........................ $5.00

Dessert .................................................................... $3.00

Baklava, Galatobouriko, Kataifi, or Walnut Cake,

Cheesecake

January 27

Honey 1/2 Chicken over Rice ................................. $8.00

Baked Fish with Stewed Peas ................................. $7.00

Pastitsio (ground beef, macaroni casserole) ........... $7.00

Gyro Sandwich ....................................................... $5.00

(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread

with tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce)

Chicken Avgolemono Soup……………..…..Sm. $3.00

………………………………………………..Lg. $5.00

2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)…….……...2 for $3.00

Spanakopita (spinach pita) ..................................... $3.00

Tyropita (cheese pita) ............................................. $3.00

Greek Salad with olive oil dressing ........................ $5.00

Dessert .................................................................... $3.00

Baklava, Galatobouriko, Kataifi, or Walnut Cake,

Cheesecake

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd., Town & Country, MO 63131

(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)

January 2018 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS

Menu subject to change

11:00 am - 2:00 pm Kitchen Phone: 314-966-6720

Web Site: http://www.assumptiongoc.org/friday-lunch

Cash, Checks and Credit Cards accepted:

Master Card, VISA, Discover, American Express

19

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

1755 Des Peres Road

Town and Country, MO 63131-1405

Address Service Requested

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. Postage

PAID St. Louis, MO

Permit No. 4628

20

From the Orthodox Study Bible

The Gospel of St. Luke 13:30

13:30 “And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”

13: 29, 30 People of humble faith from all parts of the earth will join together in God’s consummated Kingdom. Those

who vainly think themselves secure because of honored status will be last.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

For Consideration

On a tablet in the Church of St. Sophia are inscribed the words: ‘Wash your sins, not just your face.’

Whoever entered this church read this inscription and remembered that the Christian faith demands moral

purity of him - purity of soul, heart and mind. For the whole spirit of man is concentrated in his heart, as the

Lord said: ‘Blessed are the pure in heart.’ The most complete outward purity is of no help whatever in

attaining of the Kingdom of heaven. Oh, when will we learn to give as much attention to washing ourselves

from sin as we devote daily to the washing of our faces? God will then see into our hearts as in a mirror.

The Prologue from Ochrid: Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year, vol. 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic. Translated by Mother

Maria. Lazarica Press, Birmingham, 1985. p.178.