Monthly Newsletter - 1999-2001 Archive
St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church - Bulletin
November 2001 / December 2001 - Volume 5, Number 23
A Message From Your Pastor
Beloved Faithful Parishioners,
September 11, 2001, will remain one of the darkest days in the history
of humankind. Within a few hours, thousands of defenseless and peaceful
people lost their lives. It was the result of an unprecedented and
sinister attack against our country by madmen who were willing to die
for their false diabolic beliefs.
Their irrational acts of violence and destruction are unjustifiable.
They attempted to shake the foundations of our Nation and they delivered
a deep wound in its heart. They thought, they would destroy our
country, which stands for freedom, equality and justice for all. It is
pitiful that in our day, there still are people whose minds can be
manipulated and distorted by maniacs who use religion as a pretext to
achieve their goals.
We are all overwhelmed by the tragedies at the World Trade Center in New
York City, the Pentagon and in the fields of Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
But what these violent people and their mind manipulators underestimated
is that our beloved country is the strongest guarantor of peace and
freedom in the world and nothing can bend our will and resolve. These
tragic and terrible events that shocked and saddened our entire Nation
will not empower those who resort to criminal violence. I am confident
that I speak for all of our parishioners in expressing our profound
sympathy to the families of the victims. We are determined to continue
working for a world of peace consistent with the will of God, our Lord
and Creator.
Following the attack, our Church remained open for people to pray, and
counseling was available.
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church
in America, who was returning by car from Boston to New York City when
he learned the horrible news of the terrorist attacks on New York's
World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington, DC, responded with
the following statement: "This is a tragedy of tremendous proportions
with unforeseeable consequences for the entire world. The terrorist
acts that took place today incite the justified indignation of all
people who value human life, freedom and justice. In this difficult
time I express, along with the entire Orthodox Church, our deep sorrow
and strong support to the families who were hurt by this unprecedented
tragedy. We fervently pray to God, the Lord of peace, love and justice,
to grant to the families of the innocent victims and to the entire
American Nation abundant solace and unlimited strength."
The attack against America reached beyond its borders. It also wounded
also the hearts of the entire civilized world. Terrorism is rejected by
every rational and peace loving person. It is totally unacceptable.
As we write these lines, the war against terrorism continues. We want
to ask each and every parishioner to pray for those who are engaged in
action to bring an end to terrorism. We are a peace loving Nation and
we never want to again witness the killing of thousands of innocent
people.
I would like to draw your attention to 27 Psalm and to ask your
indulgence. During these apocalyptic times, It will give you confidence
in God who loves justice and who will protect us. It will also
strengthen you. Read it as you pray to Him:
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh-my adversaries and foes-they
shall stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear ; though war
rise up against me, yet I will be confident.
One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; to live in the
house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the
Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will
conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.
Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will
offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make
melody to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
"Come," my heart says, "seek his face!" Your face, Lord, do I seek.
Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God
of my salvation!
If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.
Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my
enemies.
Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses
have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence.
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the
living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for
the Lord! (NRSV)
I would also like to thank all those hard working members of our Church
who prepared and organized our 43rd Greek Festival as well as the great
donors of our community, who generously supported it. It was a
difficult decision to proceed with the Festival under these
circumstances. On Wednesday evening, September 12, 2001, we held a
special Service, in our Church for divine protection against "the sword
and enemy invasion," and for the repose of the souls of those who lost
their lives in the attacks, for the families who lost their loved ones
and for our Nation. Following this special Service, which was attended
by a large number of faithful, we held a meeting and decided to have
the Festival and through this great cultural event, to help those who
suffered from the attacks of terror.
American Flags were distributed to the people. Prayers were offered
during both days of the Festival and the National Anthem was sung by
all the people present. The Arcadia chapter of the Red Cross was also
present collecting blood for the wounded and donations of $2,372.00 for
the families of the victims. Our parish is sending more than $6,000.00
to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese - September 11 Relief Fund, (Relief
Hotline: 877-774-0217 or volunteer/contribution Line: 212-570-3595). Of
the six thousand dollars, five thousand came from the Festival's
proceeds and the remaining amount from individual donations. A canvas
signed by the people who attended our Festival will be sent to Mayor
Rudolph Giuliani.
On another note, during the past month, I had to go through two cataract
surgeries . I thank our Merciful God for restoring my eyesight to
continue serving and glorifying Him. The surgeries were totally
successful. I thank you for your prayers, your messages of support and
concern, your visits and your calls. You gave me strength and hope
during a time that I needed it the most and I will never forget your
kindness.
May the Lord our God protect and strengthen you and your loved ones.
May He bring peace to the hearts of all the people of the world. May
the forthcoming observance of Thanksgiving be a day of sincere thanks to
the Lord for America and for what it stands. Amen.
Father Efstathios V. Mylonas
Protopresbyter
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Demolished in WTC Attack
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was demolished in the September 11th
attack on the World Trade Center. The tiny church building was
constructed around 1832. It originally was a residence and later housed
a tavern before the founders of the parish purchased the structure.
Greek immigrants established St. Nicholas Church in 1916 and purchased
the structure for $25,000. It was one of two old calendar parishes
under the Archdiocese until 1993 when it adopted the Gregorian
calendar. Among the church's unique characteristics were its small size
and its icons, which were a gift from the last czar of Russia, Nicholas
II.
The Church of St. Nicholas was a beacon of hope and a place of prayer
and spiritual strengthening for the ever busy people who worked or
visited the area of WTC. Many of them would enter the tiny church to
light a candle and ask for God's enlightenment and guidance.
His All Holiness Bartholomew I Ecumenical Patriarch moved by the tragic
events of September 11 offered assistance to reconstruct St. Nicholas
Church. The Italian city of Bari sent a check of $500,000 for the
reconstruction of the church. St. Nicholas is the Patron Saint of Bari,
and every year the city sponsors a major festival in celebration of his
Feast Day on December 6.
The city of Bari, Italy has particular attachment and love for St.
Nicholas because of the holy relics of the saint that were enshrined on
May 9, 1087 in a magnificent basilica erected there in his honor. In a
gracious ecumenical gesture, the Roman Catholic Church offered some of
the relics of St. Nicholas to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North
and South America in 1972, where they repose in honored glory. Relics
of St. Nicholas were also kept in the Church of St. Nicholas demolished
on September 11.
Leadership 100 of our Archdiocese gave a $500,000 emergency grant to the
Archdiocese for the September 11 Relief Fund. Mr. Arthur C. Anton,
Chairman of Leadership 100, said: "We have been witnesses to a great
national tragedy, but we are comforted that our Spiritual Father,
Archbishop Demetrios, was there to respond. Our very purpose for
existing as an organization is to support the critical ministries of our
Archdiocese in America. What more critical ministry is there than
this?" His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, overwhelmed by the gesture,
said: "Leadership 100 has led us once again with its compassionate heart
and strong resolve. They saw no option but a bold expression of faith
in our Church, our community and our country."
Holy Sacraments and Holy Services
Weddings
Michael Emmanuel Kaparos and Sylvia Beatriz Rodriguez on Saturday, July
14, 2001. Best Man: Stefanos Kaparos, Jr.
Michael Arthur Yagjian and Anita C. Paleologos on Sunday, July 29,
2001. Best Man: Klio Harris.
Congratulations to the newlyweds and may God abundantly bless their
lives.
Baptisms
Peter Joseph, son of Paul and Christa Lakon on Saturday, September 8,
2001. Godparents: Steven R. And Angela McLaren.
Konstandinos Nikolaos, son of Nikolaos Vagenas and Joella Weller.
Godparents: Vasiliki Giakas and Konstandinos Giakas.
Congratulations and best wishes to the parents and Godparents. May God
bless the lives of the newly baptized and keep them in His care.
Chrismation
Michael Kilty on Sunday, October 7, 2001. Sponsor: John Karatzas.
Funerals
Thomas Stanley Lucas of South Pasadena, CA on July 16, 2001.
Vivian Kalafatis of San Gabriel, CA on July 17, 2001.
Assimina Glaros of Alhambra, CA on July 31, 2001.
Constantine S. Horaites of Alhambra, CA on August 10, 2001.
Helen Arvan of Montrose, CA on October 3, 2001.
May the Lord our God grant peace and rest to the souls of these faithful
members of the Church and may their memory be eternal.
We also wish to express our condolences to the families of the following
faithful people who died recently: Lydia Baris, beloved sister of Bella
Carpou, Harry Dean Paulos, beloved brother of Mary Ann Mallis and
Xenofon Stavropoulos, beloved cousin of Litsa Savropoulos and her
family, who lived in the area for many years.
February 13, 2001
To: The Reverend Clergy of the Diocese of San Francisco
From: Metropolitan Anthony
Re: Laypeople speaking in the Church
By way of reminder, it is the express policy of the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America, and conversely of this Diocese, that laypeople
are not permitted under any circumstances to offer homilies, eulogies,
or otherwise to speak publicly in the church edifice without special
permission from the local bishop. Speeches by laypeople are more
appropriately offered in the church hall, or- in the case of a
funeral-at the makaria gathering.
Thank you for your attention to this reminder.
Priority Charities
As we are approaching the Thanksgiving and Christmas Season, please
remember some important charities: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese -
September 11 Relief Fund, Relief Hotline: (877)774-0217. Please visit:
www.goarch.org for updated resources, news and
information or send your
contribution to: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 8-10 East 79th
Street, New York, NY 10021, volunteer/contribution line: (212)570-3595.
Please support St. Anthony's Philoptochos' Annual Christmas Benefit
Luncheon at the Huntington Ritz Carlton Hotel, Pasadena on Saturday,
December 1, 2001. For more information please call (626)449-6943.
Union Station Foundation, Pasadena, which helps the homeless and hurting
in our community, 412 South Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105, tel.:
(626)449-4596. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) 110
West Road, Suite 360, Baltimore, MD 21204, Tel.: (410)243-9820,
www.iocc.org, which helps fellow Orthodox Christians in need throughout
the world. Philanthropia Ministry helps people in need of physical and
spiritual healing. To find out how to send donations or receive the
newsletter, contact hometown.aol.com/philanthropiamin or write
to : Philanthropia Ministry, c/o Presbytera Sophia Lambert, 6357 Crebs
Avenue, Tarzana, CA 91335. The Los Angeles Mission helps the homeless
and hurting in our community. Mission location: 303 East 5th Street, P.
O. Box 55900, Los Angeles, CA 90055, tel.: (213) 629-1227.
Special acknowledgments
We express our deep appreciation and thankfulness to the following
faithful and generous members of our Church: Nick and Irene Mitsos for
their continuing generous support of our Church; Paul and Mary Ann
Mallis for donating a most useful refrigirator to our Church; Dan
Bozikis and his family for donating the icon of the Nativity of the
Most Holy Theotokos in memory of his beloved wife, Ethel; Dr. James and
Sophia Angelos and Art and Christine Gonos and their families
for donating the icon of St. Sophia and her daughters in memory of their
beloved mother, Sophia; Stamatia Weldon for donating the icon of The
Samaritan Woman in memory of her beloved husband, William; Andrea Lappas
for donating her time and talent to design the positioning of the
holding tubes of the lamps of St. Anthony's Iconostasion; George
Mavredakis and James Hagelis for helping with this project; Vincent
Lappas for offering his services to do carpentry and electrical work in
the Church's Office; Dean Tripodes for helping to program our new
computers and to improve our communications system; and James Chames for
helping with the installation of our new telephone units and for
programming them. Special appreciation to the most generous anonymous
couple of our Church and their family for donating the sterling silver
Holy Altar lamps, which will be placed in front of the Iconostasion
Icons and the Royal Door. The lamps are designed and hand made by the
renown Church artist, Christos D. Gianniotis of Athens, Greece, who
follows the traditional Byzantine Art of the Church.
Announcements
Elder Cleopa of Romania will lead an all-day workshop and retreat at St.
Anne Orthodox Church of the Inland Valley, 966 Maryhurst Dr., Claremont,
CA 91711-3319. " Father Cleopa has found his place in history as the
most representative elder and spiritual father of contemporary Romanian
Orthodox spirituality." The retreat will take place on Saturday,
October 27, 2001. For more information and directions call Father
Catalin Mitescu (909) 625-5540 (Church Office) or (90-9) 624-6811
(Home), or www.StAnneOrthodox.org
A food faire on October 28, 2001, from noon until 11:00 p.m. will be
held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Downey, CA and a New Year's
Eve Celebration on December 31, 2001, will be held at The Grand Ballroom
Disneyland Hotel to raise funds for the completion of a new edifice to
the glory of God. We encourage our parishioners to support the
neighboring Church in Downey. For more information, call the Downey
Church Office at (562) 862-6461.
An icon painting workshop by iconographer Yuri Sidorenko, featuring
guest speaker Dr. Jerald Donovan will take place at St. Mark Antiochian
Orthodox Church, 17840 Sky Park Circle, Irvine, CA 92614-6401, tel.:
(949) 851-8933.
Fr. Frank Marangos, the director of our Archdiocese department of
religious education, will be at St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church of
Irvine to lead a two-day seminar called "Sanctify Yourselves and
Sanctify the House of the Lord" on Friday and Saturday, November 9th and
10th, 2001. Friday evening's seminar is specifically focused on an
Orthodox paradigm for Christian leadership in the parish and would be
perfect for members of the parish council and other lay leaders
(Philoptochos, Archons, Leadership 100, etc) to attend. We encourage
Sunday School teachers, parish council members, those who contemplate to
serve as parish council members, group directors, Choir members, youth
workers, YAL, and anyone else in lay ministry or leadership tp attend.
Free will donation at the door ( suggested $5.00 Friday, $15.00
Saturday). Please contact St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church at (949)
733-2366, or Fax (949) 733-0962, or write and indicate which day you
will attend: St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church, 4949 Alton Parkway,
Irvine, CA 92604.
The Fall Clergy Retreat of the Diocese of San Francisco will take place
at St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center from November 12 - 14, 2001.
The Greek Orthodox Cemetery Section at Rose Hills Memorial Park can be
reached at (562) 260-9671 or 1-877-385-4861 ext. 795, Voicemail: (562)
692-1212 ext. 596, Website: www.gomf.org.
It is difficult to face AIDS alone. If someone you know is living with
HIV or AIDS, YOUR CHURCH is here to help. Please call:
(650)573-1444, or (209) 957-6880, or
www.aidsministry.org. This service is
under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox San Francisco Diocese.
Campus Review is an excellent student/youth newsletter published by Fr.
William Gaines. The newsletter is under the auspices of our
Archdiocese. Both St. Anthony's Parish Council and Philoptochos
financially support the publication and circulation of the newsletter.
We would like all of our College/University students and other young
people to become subscribers to this newsletter. You will receive it
free of charge. Please send your subscription to: National Greek
Orthodox Campus Ministry, P. O. Box 8243, Metairie, LA 70011, or send
your address to our Church office and we will order the newsletter for
you.
A new Consul General of Greece to Los Angeles
Dimitris Zevelakis is the new Consul General of Greece to Los Angeles.
We welcome the new Consul General and we are looking forward to
welcoming his visit to our parish. On October 4, 2001, Theodore and
Eleftheria Polychronis opened their gracious home in honor of the new
Consul General. Mrs. Polychronis is the president of the American
Hellenic Council of California. The event was attended by leaders of
the Greek American community of Los Angeles. Fr. Stathis was also
present.
GOYA
Fall 2001 October December
October
- Sun., Oct. 21 - Project Mexico Fund-raiser Dinner
- Fri., Oct. 26 - Set up and pack bags for Halloween Dinner- After pizza & movie
November
- Fri., Nov. 2 - GOYA outing to Knotts
- Sun., Nov. 11 - Museum of Tolerance
- Fri., Nov. 30 - Service Project Operation Christmas Main Center
December
- Sat., Dec. 1 - Bible Bowl location to be announced
- Sun., Dec. 2 - Ice Skating
- Wed., Dec. 5 - Service Project Feeding the hungry at Union Station
- Sun., Dec. 16 - Christmas Party
- Dec. 27 to Dec. 29 - Winter Camp Retreat St. Sophia Camp.
Bill Tragus will be the director of this program. Applications will be
available at the Church office
- Mon., Dec. 31 - Service Project Work on parade floats
JOY
- Oct. 7th - Bowling Trip
- Nov. 4th Lunch & Make Prosforo
- Dec. 2nd - Ice Skating
- Dec. 16: Christmas Service Project and party Decorate Tree and make
decorations.
YAL
- Oct 12 14 - Monastery Trip
- Oct. 27 - Halloween Dance
- Nov. 18 - Bible Study
- Dec. 8 - Christmas Party Fund-raiser for Icon of The Blind Man for St.
Anthonys
National Orthodox September 11 Relief Fund
In response to the World Trade Center Disaster, His Eminence Archbishop
Demetrios, working together with all Orthodox jurisdictions in the
United States, has established the September 11 Relief fund, and
National Orthodox September 11 Relief Centers. The Relief Centers in
the New York area are supported and assisted by Clergy, Philoptochos,
YAL and volunteers from area Orthodox Churches, as well as International
Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and many other Orthodox
jurisdictions. How can we help? Pray for the victims and all persons
affected by the tragedy and disaster in New York and Washington, D.C.
Send your monetary donations to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
September 11 Relief fund.
Relief Hotline: (887) 774 0217
Contribution Line: (212) 570 3595
FDF: The Folk Dance Festival will be in Spokane, WA., February 14 17,
2002. Hotel reservations must be in by January 18th, 2002. For more
information, call (509) 624 1341.
Project Mexico Fund-raiser: Sunday, October 21 at The Aegean Cafe. 540
S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach. 5:00 p.m. Social hour, 6:00 p.m.
dinner. An evening of live music, ocean view, good people, silent
auction, and totally awesome Greek food.
Cretan Dinner/Dance: Enjoy a trip to Crete without leaving Southern
California! Join the Southern California Cretans Assoc. for an evening
of dining, dancing and fun November 3rd at the Saint Sophia Cathedral.
Featuring music & dance form Crete and the mainland, by noted Cretan
Musicians: Nikolaos Zoidakis Lyra and Georgios Karagiogis Laouto.
Donation $50.00 adults $25 Children (12 and under) For reservations and
information contact: Alex Mavros, 310-618-0986; Gus Alex 310-832-6130;
Stamatis Zoumberakis, 562-923-5750; George Skandale, 818-790-5028; Perry
Mormanis, 818-891-9030; Tom Lantzourakis, 909-393-6457.
Halloween Glendi: Pasadena AHEPA Family Halloween Glendi Saturday,
October 27, 2001. Featuring Chateaubriand (Roast of Filet Mignon).
Limited to 200 Tickets. Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Dancing: 8:00 p.m. Dinner &
Dance is $25 adults/ $7 children (Hot Dog). Dance only is $7. Giant
Goodie Bag for all children. * Net proceeds to benefit St. Anthonys
Church. For reservations call: (626) 449 0966.
Philoptochos Spiritual Retreat: Oct. 19 to 21, 2001. Annual Diocese
Philoptochos Spiritual Retreat at St. Nicholas Ranch, Conference &
Retreat Center. Theme: ìWay of the Heart.î Retreat Leader: Rev.
Stephen H. Kyriacou, Dean of Annunciation Cathedral, San Francisco. For
information: (559) 338 2103.
The Consecration of St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, Redondo Beach:
On Sunday, November 25, 2001 St. Katherine Consecration Service begins.
There are a few events surrounding the Consecration Service. Saturday,
Nov. 24 at 9:00 a.m. Youth Rally with His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony
followed by youth breakfast (youth through young adults). Sat., Nov. 24
at 7:00 p.m. Banquet at the Marriott Hotel, Manhattan Beach. Sunday at
7:30 a.m. Orthros. Sunday at 9:00 a.m. Consecration Service. Sunday
at 10:30 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy followed by Brunch at St.
Katherines Church. For more information, call St. Katherines Church:
(310) 540 2434.
Philanthropia Ministry: The Philanthropia Ministry is a HIV/AIDS &
Hospital Ministry. They have a newsletter that goes out to its
supporters which includes letters, sermons and information about their
ministry. To receive the Philanthropia Ministry newsletter and support
their work contact Father Peter Lambert: (818)
345 4724 or check out the web site:
hometown.aol.com/philanthropiamin
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