ISSUE

St. KATHERINE the Wise and Great Martyr Nov. 25th

Saint Katherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas (or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste, and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the mouths of the socalled philosophers who had been gathered to dispute with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305. Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai, where they were discovered many years later; the famous monastery of Saint Katherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint Katherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Katherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Katherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original dates.

22
November 2012

Monthly Newsletter for the Stewards of Holy Anargyroi Sts. Kosmas & Damianos Greek Orthodox Church

Box & Spoon

Pilgrimage to St. John Chrysostom Monastery On the occasion of their Feast day:
Mon. Nov. 12th-Tues. Nov. 13th
Departing Rochester around Noon and returning Tuesday evening. Monday evening will consist of the traditional Hierarchal Athonite Vigil, Tuesday morning the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy will be celebrated. There is a signup sheet in the Narthex! Any ?s please see Fr. Mark

2012 Standing Committees

PARISH COUNCIL Tim Kelly President Aaron Biedermann V.P. Andru Peters Secretary Dan Jerghiu Treasurer Diana Orbelo Tia Maragos Erline Holman Robert Lytle Halina Woroncow STEWARDSHIP / OUTREACH John Maragos Chair Halina Woroncow Ari Kolas Mark Smith Diana Orbelo ICONOGRAPHY Diana Orbelo Chair Tia Maragos Andru Peters Fr. Mark Muoz BUILDING Tim Kelly- Chair Ari Kolas BUDGET Dan Jerghiu Chair Fr. Mark Muoz AUDIT Jacob Peterson Mark Smith John Maragos PHILOXENIA HOUSE Chamaidi Belanger Chair GREEK FESTIVAL Dan Jerghiu Chair Lorenda Jerghiu Silent auction Joe Forrer Set-up/Teardown Tim Kelly Outdoor Cooks Johnny Mangouras Marketing Ari Kolas Marketing Penny Kolas Pastries Maria Thomas Pastries Denise Mangouras Pastries

Slander is worse than cannibalism.

- St. John Chrysostom
Once again a rather macabre sight greets the reader of the Box & Spoon! I can assure you that although I am writing this the day after Halloween my inspiration stems from a rather distinct commemoration than the one just cited. But lets hold off on that for the moment and contemplate this grotesque scene. I did not have to delve into the murky depths of a Google image search to find a photo that would match the pithy quote of St. John Chrysostom (celebrated Nov. 13th). Rather, I called to mind another of my favorite artists (remember who adorned last months cover??), a Spaniard by the name of Francisco Goya. The painting is entitled Saturn Devouring his Son and projects the ancient Greek Myth of the Titan Kronos, who, fearing that he would be overthrown by his children, ate each one upon their birth. This famous work of art is now housed at the Prado Museum in Madrid where I first saw it as a high school sophomore in 1993. It has haunted me since. The gory desperation of an insane demi-god to maintain his supremacy and regime is unfortunately closer to non-fictional reality than most of us would care to admit. Cannibalism...is a repugnant sub-human activity that borders on the unthinkable. Turning our attention to the quote by St. John we confront the realization that (forgive my boldness) nearly all of us have partaken of the unthinkable. Slander is normally defined as saying something false and damaging. However, the Fathers also teach a more comprehensive understanding that would also include insults, slurs, and the like (see the Evergetinos). It is not my intent to commence a diatribe of condemnatory comments divulging the evils of slander...I believe a lesson is best learned by example. Along with Chrysostom another infamous and wonderworking saint is celebrated in the month of November: St. Nektarios Metropolitan of Pentapolis (Egypt) and protector of Aegina (Nov. 9th). A man who was elevated to the heights of sanctity on the lips of slanderous men. St. Nektarios was born in Thrace in 1846 and from a young age his life was dedicated to spiritual struggles which led him to be tonsured a monk on the island of Chios in 1876. He completed his theological studies at the University of Athens through the patronage of the Patriarch of Alexandria, Sophronios. Under the patriarchs care and guidance he came to Alexandria, Egypt where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1885 and soon after was consecrated Metropolitan of Pentapolis an ancient See in modern day Libya. He was appointed as the main preacher of the Alexandrian Patriarchate and was the Patriarchs personal secretary; certainly positions of great renown and influence. He was immediately a star and the Christians of Cairo flocked to hear him preach, liturgize, and teach. As the adage goes, no good deed goes unpunished alas so was the life of our saint. Some of his fellow brothers in Christ saw his popularity and led by jealousy and wounded pride slandered Nektarios to his close friend, Patriarch Sophronios. Their charge was one of self-serving deceit: they spread the word that the saint was rallying support around himself to topple the Patriarch from his throne and become the next heir of St. Mark the Apostle. Lies. In a moment of weakness Sophronios banned the saint from his Patriarchate and sent him penniless, homeless, and heartbroken back to Athens. Against this disingenuous plot, Nektarios uttered not one word of self defense or explanation. He meekly and altruistically obeyed his former patron, abdicated his See, and departed to a life of uncertainty and exile. He spent several years in poverty, without an assignment, harassed by clerics and laity alike who believed the slander leveled against him. Imagine this scene! A Metropolitan of the church derided, outcast, and essentially living as a vagabond! Yet, the weaknesses and spiritual miscalculations of some become the harbinger for grace and holiness for another. Because of the saints patient endurance of his trials he was gifted with a superabundance of grace that was inescapable. He was ultimately appointed Dean of the Rizarios Theological School and soon after established a female monastery on the island of Aegina. This same monastery today possess his holy relics and the tens (hundreds?) of thousands of pilgrims who come every year to venerate them. Slander is devastating. Slander is pernicious. Slander is anything but Godly. In spite of this, the authentic Christian can us it (an other trials) as a spiritual tool to cut away the passions of pride, ambition, and self-importance. I agree with St. John Chrysostom...slander is worse than cannibalism: for in the latter one consumes the other unscathed, in the former the consumer is ultimately devoured . Food for thought.. + Fr. Mark

Let us praise the most auspicious bride of Christ, the divine Katherine, protectress of Sinai, our aid and our help. For, she brilliantly silenced the eloquence of the impious by the sword of the spirit, and now, crowned as a martyr, she asks great mercy for all.

Martha Voytovich Market place

Andru Peters Beverages Mike Brekke Beer Garden Larissa Ostfeld Childrens Area

holyanargyroi@gmail.com

Greek Orthodox Church 703 West Center Street Rochester, MN 55902 (507) 282-1529 phone (507) 282-1253 fax http://www.holyanargyroi.org

Holy Anargyroi/Sts. Kosmas & Damianos

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Rochester, MN Permit No. 278

Let us praise the most auspicious bride of Christ, the divine Katherine, protectress of Sinai, our aid and our help.

Feast Day, November 25th

Glorified by the work of the Spirit, he abundantly pours forth the grace of healing to those who cry out.

Saint Nektarios Feast Day, November 9th

Liturgical and Organizational Calendar

November 2012
Thursday Saturday Sunday Sunday Monday Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Mon.-Tues. Wednesday Thursday Thursday Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday Monday Monday Monday Wednesday Thurs.-Fri Saturday Monday Wednesday Nov. 1st Nov. 3rd Nov. 4th Nov. 4th Nov. 5th Nov. 6th Nov. 6th Nov. 7th Nov. 8th Nov. 9th Nov. 10th Nov.12th-13th Nov. 14th Nov. 15th Nov. 15th Nov. 17th Nov. 17th Nov. 18th Nov. 18th Nov. 19th Nov. 19th Nov. 19th Nov. 21st Nov. 22nd-23rd Nov. 24th Nov. 26th Nov. 28th Parish Feast Day: Orthros/Divine Liturgy SS Kosmas & Damian NO GREAT VESPERS Hierarchal Liturgy w/ Metropolitan IAKOVOS Founder's Banquet @ Barlow Event Center ACDC Religious Ed ELECTION DAY Philoptochos Society Meeting in Church Library Paraklesis to St. Nektarios Holy Archangels Orthros/Divine Liturgy St. Nektarios the Wonderworker Orthros/Divine Liturgy Great Vespers St. John Chrysostom Feast Day Overnight Trip to SJC Monastery in Kenosha, WI GOYA Faith Night Joy Faith Night St. Philothei Project (GOYA) **NATIVITY FAST BEGINS** Prosphora Baking Workshop Great Vespers Ministries Sunday GOYA FOCUS Meal Serving, leaving church at 2:30pm Philoxenia Meeting ACDC Religious Ed Buidling Committee Meeting Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple Orthros/Divine Liturgy Thanksgiving Holiday, Office Closed NO GREAT VESPERS ACDC Religious Ed Parish Council Meeting 8:30am 8:30am 5pm 6pm 6pm 6pm 8:30am 8:30am 6pm

Youth Team Report

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6)
We strive to raise our children to love the church and embrace their roles within the body of Christ as they grow up and out of our direct sphere of influence. At the Clergy-Laity meeting this summer, we were challenged to see the mission of the Youth Program as incorporating the youth directly into the life of the church, providing valuable roles at the earliest ages. We can be hopeful that our youth have really gotten it when we see those children grow into teenagers who in the midst of a multitude of societal pressures still come to church and respond enthusiastically to opportunities for stewardship. We can see this in our own GOYAns. Their parents were key players in this evolution. They were committed to bringing their children to church and staying through Sunday School, they attended additional liturgical services throughout the year, they drove to numerous JOY fellowship outings despite unpredictable weather and Japanese beetles! These young people now are committed to one another as members of the body of Christ, and joyfully gather together to: clear weeds at the Philoxenia House, scrape wax at church, prep a meal for St. Philothei, put on coffee hour for the parish, help serve and clean up for major parish events, serve in the altar, assist with liturgical readings, brainstorm a plan to spruce up the church basement while we await our new Fellowship Hall, organize and teach Vacation Church School, substitute teach for a younger Sunday School class, and, last but not at all least, laugh, play, and support each other any day of the week. These young people teach us much about community and stewardship. On October 25th, JOY group resumed their Faith Night series: the topic for this session was "Vision of Faith" - centered on the Vision of Faith that Joseph becomes for the rest of his family. Children learned the story of Joseph who becomes a Vision of Faith among his jealous brothers by forgiving them. To better understand this we familiarized with the Genesis 45:4-7 scripture readings. We had great participation and enjoyed the learning as well as the fellowship.

7pm 5:30pm 6pm 10am 6pm

On Sunday, October 28th the GOYAns enjoyed an afternoon of fellowship around the bonfire Thanks! to the great hospitality of Kristine and Mike Brekke: perfect weather and roasted marshmallows contributed to the great success of this outing!

5pm 6pm 7pm 8:30am

6pm 7pm
At Clergy-Laity meeting this summer, we were, also, advised that a successful youth program needs to start with the youngest children in the church..and it was recognized that in order for that to be possible, their parents need to be fully invested in the youth program. Lets take the time to bring our children to Liturgy, to Sunday School, to as many fellowship events as we can, and to volunteer to help teach class or plan some youth events if we can the pay off will be much greater than the time we spend getting them there. Let us continue to work ceaselessly, with Gods grace, to nurture our children in the bosom of the Church. Youth Team Coordinators, JOY - Loredana Jerghiuta GOYA - Halina Woroncow and Mike Brekke

The man of pure heart believes in the Church, admires her spiritual system, discovers God in the Mysteries, in the heights of theology, in the light of the Divine revelations, in the truths of the teachings, in the commandments of the Law, in the achievements of the Saints, in every good deed, in every perfect gift and in general the whole of creation. Justly then did the Lord say in His Beatitudes of those possessing purity of heart: Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. -Saint Nektarios
Saint Nektarios the Wonderworker Feast Day: Orthros and Divine Liturgy, Friday November 9th 2012

Let us praise the most auspicious bride of Christ, the divine Katherine, protectress of Sinai, our aid and our help.

Feast Day, November 25th

Glorified by the work of the Spirit, he abundantly pours forth the grace of healing to those who cry out.

Saint Nektarios Feast Day, November 9th

Parish Council
A reminder of who the members of your parish council are for the 2012 year: Tim Kelly, President; Aaron Biedermann, Vice President; Dan Jerghiuta, Treasurer; Andru Peters, Secretary; Robert Lytle; Erlene Holman; Diana Orbelo; Tia Maragos; and Halina Woroncow. The parish council presented the updated parish bylaws at the October 28th parish assembly and the next step in the process is to send them to the Metropolis for ratification. The 2013 budget was presented and accepted by the parish. I know these can be long meetings, as we presently only meet twice a year as a general assembly, so the parish council appreciates your attendance and attention. During the last parish council meeting the audit committee brought their recommendations of change to the parish council. It was a very interesting discussion and there will be changes forthcoming to our accounting practices and the way we manage the business and financial structure of the church. We discussed the upcoming Founders Dinner on November 4, 2012. This is an honorary dinner in memory of the founders and members who helped to establish the Holy Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church. Elections for the council members will occur the first Sunday in December. Only those parishioners who are in good standing are allowed to participate in these elections. You will have an excellent group of five nominees to choose from, of which three will serve a three year term. Make your choices wisely. The makeup of the parish council is critical to the operational business of the church. Father provides the spiritual guidance to the council and an overall watchful eye on our proceedings to ensure that the Orthodox Way is followed. Tim Kelly Parish Council President, Building Committee Chair

Philoxenia House News

And everything, whatsoever ye may do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and Father through Him Colossians 3:17
We are very blessed to have the downstairs apartment at Philoxenia House almost complete. The kitchen needs some final touches, but everything else looks really nice, clean and ready to welcome guests. It has taken a long time and a lot of people put many hours working towards completing the project. There were a lot of problems with the house which had to be fixed before we proceeded with the actual renovation. We found many animal nests between the rafters, holes in the roof and water damage from leaking pipes which had become dangerously volatile and danger to the guests. The upstairs apartment will be ready in a few days and will need to be cleaned thoroughly. I will call on volunteers to help us with the apartment and basement. Here are some photos from the newly renovated downstairs apartment. Linens, towels and rugs for the two bedrooms were donated by our friends at St. Nectarios Philoptochos Society in Chicago. During the months of September and October we have had a steady flow of guests at the St. Iakovos House and often they had to share the accommodations. However, everyone was very satisfied and very happy to have found such a comfortable and welcoming place and a loving parish. Chamaidi Belanger Chair, Philoxenia House Committee

Philoptochos Society
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On November 17th we will host a Prosforo Making Workshop. It is free to all parishioners who would love to learn this sacred and important Orthodox tradition. More information will follow in the Church Bulletin. On December 16th; we will host our Holiday Bake Sale in the church hall after Liturgy. During the month of November we will be encouraging people to order their cookies/pastries with our Holiday Order Form. This fundraiser helps us greatly in our mission work and we ask you to please give the Holiday Bake Sale Order Forms to your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. The more orders we can fill; the more we can give away to those in need and fulfill Jesus Christs call freely you have received; freely give. Matthew 10:8. On November 9th we honor Saint Nektarios. I was first introduced to the life story of this amazing man of God in 1998 by a spiritual sister and dear friend who taught me the most important virtues of being an Orthodox Christian woman, by word and example, Toula Giannopoulos. I am forever grateful to God for my spiritual friendship with Toula and the many Orthodox jewels that she brought into my life which includes Saint Nektarios. The Saint was a devotedly faithful servant of God who shone Divine Love to all who knew him with an open heart. He joyfully treasured Gods creation and believed that all human life is valuable. In his own words, he said No living soul, man or woman, is discounted by our Heavenly Father. Our holy heritage obliges us to administer to all, to be accounted for in front of the Lord. One of Saint Nektarios many Godly virtues was his belief that all women receive an ethic, religious and higher education, whether they become nuns, workers, wives or mothers, that they have all the proper tools to help mankind flourish. He was devote in his prayers to the Theotokos and often asked for her guidance, protection and intercessions on his behalf. His accomplishments in life were many which included holding the post of Metropolitan of Pentapolis, publishing many theological Orthodox books, and also was the Dean of Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in which he educated hundreds of young men to become pious Priests and thus strengthened Orthodoxy in Greece. I must point out that his life was incredibly difficult with many tribulations and trials yet he faithfully persevered through it all by his strong love for Jesus Christ. He devoted the last years of his life assisting a small group of poor, young, illiterate women who desired to become Orthodox nuns and dedicate their life to the Lord. I hold a special comfort in my knowledge that the woman he was spiritually closest to was a blind woman named Chrysanthi. Saint Nektarios did not see her disability; he saw a woman, although she could not physically see, who possessed great spiritual vision and it was she that encouraged him, by the grace of God, to establish the Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Aegina. Under the spiritual guidance of Father Nektarios, Chrysanthi grew more devotedly in her purity of heart for God and later become the first Abbess of the Monastery, known as Mother Xene. When most Orthodox Christians talk about Saint Nektarios they are quick to tell of his many miracles as there are over two thousand miracles attributed to his intercession. For me, it is his Christian character, one of a humble man who was intensely and passionately devoted to God and humankind that I find most inspiring. Here Lord kneels Your servant, lead me where You will for it is always Your will that matters, not mine. I shall gladly kiss Your immaculate feet Saint Nektarios overheard praying before the crucifix after Divine Liturgy in Euboia, Greece in 1891. In Christ, Calli Kelly Philoptochos President

Stewardship and Outreach

November is Stewardship Month! We are planning several talks, handouts, and a new event on November 18th called Ministries Sunday! We are very excited!!! Stewardship is a way of life, and each year the Orthodox Steward is expected to carefully review his or her personal circumstances and make a commitment of time, talent, and treasure to support the Parish and her Ministries, which in turn also support the National Ministries of our Archdiocese and Metropolises. We may be small in terms of size, but we are large in our international outreach and compassion to those in need. Truly, our Parish is built on the visions of Housing the Sick (Philoxenia), Feeding the Hungry (Philothei), and Witnessing to Christ (Albania, Project Mexico). Freely we have received all things from God, freely do we give all things to those in need. Let us make our pledges of time, talent, and treasure in support of this vision, and with this hope in mind as we grow larger together each day.

2012 Current List of Pledging Members

Dr. Matthew Abdel Andrew Barbes Gust & Jackie Barbes Joel & Chamaidi Belanger Lexie & Aaron Biedermann Costa & Maria Boosalis Mike & Kris Brekke Maria Economou-Frank Gus & Kathy Chafos Peter & Angie Chafos Rebeca Chery Fr. Anthony Coniaris Ionel & Lucia Dumitrascu Joe & Cindy Forrer Dimitar & Ralitza Gavrilov George & Michelle Gounaikis Helen Grechis Trevor & Laura Hamlen Natasha Henderson Bradley & Erline Holman Gordy & Connie Jelatis-Hoke Donald & Elaine Jenkins Dan & Loredana Jerghiuta Carolyn Jukich Ben and Amalyssa Johnson Yanni Kaloumenos Tom & Sandy Kapellas Phyllis Kapenis Michael & Mondo Katselis Tim & Calli Kelly George Kereakos Steve Kereakos Michelle Kinsley Hermann & Erin Klarr Ari & Penny Kolas Sam Kolas Nick and Anne Kolas Tony & Nereida Lecakis Constantine Lecakis Kula Magaritsidis John & Denise Mangouras Dr. Nick&Connie Maragos John Maragos Tia Maragos George & Linda Margellos Petre & Mihala Marin Fr. Mark & Pres.Michelle George & Cathy Murak Dr. Diana Orbelo Soula Pampori Maria Pasalis Andi Pathoulas Andru Peters Jacob & Maria Peterson Dr. Doug & Anne Pflaum Marilyn Phelps Catherine Psimos Dr. Nick & Effie Psimos Nicholas Psimos George & Alicia Psomas Jim & Vicki Psomas Angie Rustad Tina Sageotis John&Jennifer Sakellarou Mogib & Seham Salama John Schur Mark Smith Fr. Bob & Nikki Stephanopoulos George & Maria Thomas Roy and Olga Truelson Martha Voytovich Ray Ostfeld and Dr. Halina Woroncrow George & Marion Zahhos

Let us praise the most auspicious bride of Christ, the divine Katherine, protectress of Sinai, our aid and our help.

Feast Day, November 25th

Glorified by the work of the Spirit, he abundantly pours forth the grace of healing to those who cry out.

Saint Nektarios Feast Day, November 9th

Metropolitan Iakovos visits

Holy Anargyroi / Sts. Kosmas and Damianos