ISSUE

44
NOV
2014

Monthly Newsletter for

Stewards of
Holy Anargyroi
Sts. Kosmas & Damianos
Greek Orthodox Church

Box & Spoon

2014 Standing
Committees
PARISH COUNCIL
Aaron Biedermann-President
Halina Woroncow-Vice Pres.
Tim Kelly
Andru Peters-Secretary
Don Jenkins
Erline Holman
Robert Lytle
Jacob Petersen Treasurer
Maria Thomas
STEWARDSHIP /
OUTREACH
John Maragos Chair
Halina Woroncow
Ari Kolas
Diana Orbelo
ICONOGRAPHY
Diana Orbelo Chair
Andru Peters
Fr. Mark Muoz
BUILDING
Tim Kelly- Chair
Ari Kolas
BUDGET
Jacob Petersen
Fr. Mark Muoz
AUDIT
Jacob Peterson
Mark Smith
John Maragos
PHILOXENIA HOUSE
Brad Holman 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
Martha Voytovich Market
place
Andru Peters Beverages
Mike Brekke Beer Garden
Ali Ostfeld Children Area

Why do we have to fast before the Nativity?!

Everyone else is partying and having a good time!
We fast before the Great Feast of the
Nativity in order to prepare ourselves for
the celebration of Our Lords birth. As in
the case of Great Lent, the Nativity Fast is
one of preparation, during which we focus
on the coming of the Savior by fasting,
prayer, and almsgiving.
By fasting, we shift our focus from
ourselves to others, spending less time
worrying about what to eat, when to eat,
how much to eat, and so on in order to use
our time in increased prayer and caring for
the poor. We learn through fasting that we
can gain control over things which we
sometimes allow to control usand for
many people, food is a controlling factor.
We live in the only society in which an
entire TV network is devoted to food!]
While fasting from food, however, we are
also challenged to fast from sin, from
gossip, from jealousy, from anger, and from
those other things which, while well within
our control, we all too often allow to
control us.
Just as we would refrain from eating a lot
before going to an expensive restaurant for
dinnerif we ruin our appetite we will
enjoy the restaurant lessso too we fast
before the Nativity in order to more fully
feast and celebrate on the Nativity itself.
Unlike the contemporary Christmas
celebrations which precede Dec. 25th then

quickly fizzle out, the Orthodox celebrate

the Birth of Christ for SEVEN straight days
after the Feast!
During the Nativity Fast, we are called upon
to refrain from meat, dairy, fish, wine, and
olive oil. At the same time, we are
challenged, within this framework, to fast to
the best of our ability, and to do so
consistently.
If we must modify the extent to which we
fast within this framework, it is of course
possible, but in every instance our fasting
should be consistent and regular, for Christ
does not see fasting as an option, but as a
must.
In Matthew Christ says, WHEN you fast,
do not be like the hypocrites, not IF you
fast or IF YOU CHOOSE to fast.
Finally, it seems quite odd that in our
societya society in which people gladly
and freely spend huge sums of money for
diets, most of which recommend that one
refrain from red meats and dairy products
fasting is not more widely embraced. How
odd that a Jenny Craig consultant or diet
guru or physician will tell us to refrain from
eating meat or cheese or butter and we will
gladly embraceand pay large sums of
money forhis or her advice, while when
the Church offers the same advice [at no
cost] we tend to balk, as if we were being
asked to do the impossible.

Today the precious bridal chamber & Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord...

Theotokos Entrance, Nov 21st

The Entry into the Temple of the Most-holy Theotokos

When the Most-holy Virgin Mary reached the age of three, her holy parents
Joachim and Anna took her from Nazareth to Jerusalem to dedicate her to the
service of God according to their earlier promise. It was a three-day journey
from Nazareth to Jerusalem but, traveling to do a God-pleasing work, this
journey was not difficult for them. Many kinsmen of Joachim and Anna
gathered in Jerusalem to take part in this event, at which the invisible angels
of God were also present. Leading the procession into the Temple were
virgins with lighted tapers in their hands, then the Most-holy Virgin, led on one
side by her father and on the other side by her mother. The virgin was clad in
vesture of royal magnificence and adornments as was befitting the ``King's daughter,
the
Bride of God'' (Psalm 45:13-15). Following them were many kinsmen and friends, all with
lighted
tapers. Fifteen steps led up to the Temple. Joachim and Anna lifted the Virgin onto the first step, then she ran quickly
to the top herself, where she was met by the High Priest Zacharias, who was to be the father of St. John the
Forerunner. Taking her by the hand, he led her not only into the Temple, but into the ``Holy of Holies,'' the holiest of
holy places, into which no one but the high priest ever entered, and only once each year, at that. St. Theophylact of
Ohrid says that Zacharias ``was outside himself and possessed by God'' when he led the Virgin into the holiest place
in the Temple, beyond the second curtain-otherwise, his action could not be explained. Mary's parents then offered
sacrifice to God according to the Law, received the priest's blessing and returned home. The Most-holy Virgin
remained in the Temple and dwelt there for nine full years. While her parents were alive, they visited her often,
especially Righteous Anna. When God called her parents from this world, the Most-holy Virgin was left an orphan
and did not wish to leave the Temple until death or to enter into marriage. As that would have been against the Law
and custom of Israel, she was given to St. Joseph, her kinsman in Nazareth, after reaching the age of twelve. Under
the acceptable role of one betrothed, she could live in virginity and thus fulfill her desire and formally satisfy the Law,
for it was then unknown in Israel for maidens to vow virginity to the end of their lives. The Most-holy Virgin Mary
was the first of such life-vowed virgins, of the thousands and thousands of virgin men and women who would follow
her in the Church of Christ.

On the Great Apostasy by St. Hippolytus of Rome

The Scriptures will be despised, and everywhere they will sing the songs of the
adversary. Fornications, and adulteries, and perjuries will fill the land; sorceries,
and incantations, and divinations will follow after these with all force and zeal.
And, on the whole, from among those who profess to be Christians will rise up
then false prophets, false apostles, impostors, mischief-makers, evil-doers, liars
against each other, adulterers, fornicators, robbers, grasping, perjured, mendacious,
hating each other. The shepherds will be like wolves; the priests will embrace
falsehood; the monks will lust after the things of the world; the rich will assume hardness of heart; the rulers will not
help the poor; the powerful will cast off all pity; the judges will remove justice from the just, and, blinded with
bribes, they will call in unrighteousnessAnd the churches, too, will wail with a mighty lamentation, because neither oblation nor incense is attended to, nor a service acceptable to God; but the sanctuaries of the churches will
become like a garden-watchers hut, and the holy body and blood of Christ will not be shown in those days. The
public service of God shall be extinguished, psalmody shall cease, the reading of the Scriptures shall not be heard;
but for men there shall be darkness, and lamentation on lamentation, and woe on woe.

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

St. Nektarios, Nov 9th

Calendar for November 2014

Monday

Nov 3rd

Tuesday
Wednesday

Nov 4th
Nov 5th

Thurs-Sat

Nov. 6th-8th

Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wed.-Thurs.

Nov. 9th
Fall General Assembly Meeting
Nov. 10th
Adult Choir Rehearsal for Christmas Odyssey 7pm
Nov. 11th
IOCC Info. Event @ Ari/Penny Kolas' home 6pm
Nov. 12th-13th St. John Chrysostom Feast Day Trip to Monastery in
Kenosha, WI

Saturday

Nov. 15th

Sunday
Monday
Wednesday

Nov. 16th
Nov. 17th
Nov. 19th

Thursday

Nov. 20th

Friday

Nov. 21st

Sunday

Nov. 23rd

Monday
Thurs.-Fri.
Sunday
Sunday

Orthodoxy 101 Class

6pm
Adult Choir Rehearsal for Christmas Odyssey 7pm
Election Day
Paraklesis of Healing to St. Nektarios
6pm
GOYA Faith Night
7ppm
Fr. Mark Presenting at Orthodox Christian Association of
Medicine, Science, and Religion Conference Boston, MA

Kolyva Workshop
9am
**NATIVITY FAST BEGINS**
Stewardship Month: Kickoff Luncheon after Liturgy
Adult Choir Rehearsal for Christmas Odyssey 7pm
Building Committee Meeting
5pm
Parish Council Meeting
6:30pm
JOY Faith Night
5:30pm
St. Philothei Project
6pm
Feast: Entry of the Theotokos to the Temple 8:30am
Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Stewardship Month: Ministries Sunday - Presentations
during Coffee Hour .

GOYA Outing to MSP Food Pantry

2:30pm
Nov. 24th
Adult Choir Rehearsal for Christmas Odyssey 7pm
Nov. 27th-28th Thanksgiving Holiday ~ Office Closed
Nov. 30th
Stewardship Month: Video & Wrap-Up after Liturgy
George Dalaras Concert to benefit St. Iakovos 7pm
Nov. 30th
Harris Theater, Millenium Park Chicago, IL
GOYA Food Drive in Narthex November 2nd-23rd

Today the precious bridal chamber & Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord...

Theotokos Entrance, Nov 21st

NOVEMBER IS STEWARDSHIP MONTH

NOVEMBER 16TH
Kick-Off Talk w/Luncheon Fundraiser
@Church:

Talk: Stewardship 2015 Theme, Goals, and Online User Accounts

Bulletin Inserts will include an inspirational one-pager

@Fellowship Hall:

Luncheon: Salmon Fish & Chips (Johnny)

Presentation: Online User Account demonstration (Training PDFs Available)

This Week You Will Receive:
1. Information on how to setup your online user account via mail and email.
2. Your 2015 Stewardship Card via mail (*no longer the preferred pledging format).

NOVEMBER 23RD
Sermon & Ministries Sunday
@Church:

Talk: Stewardship Sermon

Bulletin Inserts will include an inspirational one-pager

@Fellowship Hall:

Talk: New Ministries Table

Talks: Ministry Leaders speak for 2-3 minutes about their ministries and 2015 plans

Coffee Hour hosted by your Ministry Leaders!

NOVEMBER 30TH
GOYA Video & Wrap-Up
@Church:

Paper Pledge Card Collection (GOYA)

Bulletin Inserts will include an inspirational one-pager

@Fellowship Hall:

GOYA Video (Fellowship Hall)

Talk: Stewardship Wrap-Up

Coffee Hour hosted by your Stewardship Team!

November 30th Goal: We ask for each steward to access their new online user
account, review their profile, create a pledge, and setup recurring giving.

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

St. Nektarios, Nov 9th

Parish Council
Parish Council November 2014.
We embrace this fall in preparation for new beginnings. The Building Committee and Parish Council continue to
collaborate on details to move forward with our plans to build a new Fellowship Hall and Education Center
following a supportive vote at our September Special Assembly. Additionally, there was a unanimous vote to name
our new building the, Andrew and Anna Chafoulias Memorial Fellowship Hall and Educational Center. We will
share details and potential timeline for construction as we progress with planning this gracious and needed gift to
our parish community.
We will also be hosting Parish Council elections on December 14th, 2014 for four seats. This is an exciting time in
our church with many opportunities. The following individuals have been selected as candidates to run for a three
year term.
Erline Holman (incumbent)
Ben Johnson
Bob Lytle (incumbent)
Denise Mangouras
Angie Rustad
Most importantly, we would like thank Andru Peters for his many years of service on the Parish Council. His last
meeting will be in December of this year so he can focus on other endeavors as well as prioritize some of his
obligations as he works towards retirement (again). Andru is a wealth of knowledge and has provided an invaluable
service to our church community for years. He has diligently completed the thankless job as Secretary for our
Parish Council and has readily completed this task for our Parish Assemblys over the years.
I would also like to thank Maria Thomas for fulfilling an interim role this past year on Parish Council. We have
appreciated her perspective and wish her well as she continues to serve our parish in her other formal and informal
roles.
In Christ,
Aaron Biedermann, Parish Council President.

Iconography Update!!

Today the precious bridal chamber & Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord...

Theotokos Entrance, Nov 21st

Youth Team
Greetings from your Youth Team!
Church School is up and running at Holy Anargyroi! We have five
classes taught by dedicated parishioners. Our Church School We are
making hymnology a regular feature of our church school
curriculum this year, and the hymn of our patron saints, Kosmas and
Damianos, was the first to be studied. The children sang the hymn, in
English translation, for our parish over our Feast Day weekend and
will do so again at our 60th Anniversary Celebration on December
7th. It is wonderful to hear these young voices raised in praise to God
and His Saints.
Theres a lot of music in the air right now, in fact! Our youth are rehearsing for A Christmas Odyssey a Christmas concert
which Holy Anargyroi is hosting on December 6th. Both JOY and GOYA students are performing under the exquisite direction
of Connie Maragos. Please come to the concert to support us!

JOY Faith Nights will resume on Thursday, November 20th and the children will be
making tied fleece blankets for Project Linus : hope to see many of you.
GOYA has started their monthly Faith Nights. This past month, it was fitting that the
altar boys were present in full force to engage in a discussion of the monastic
life. Excerpts from the 60 minutes program on Mount Athos offered us a rare view
inside this holy and transformative space. Next Faith Night is November 5th at 7 pm.
GOYAs October included a turn at serving coffee hour to our parish at the fellowship hall and completing a clothing drive for
the Dorothy Day House, a local homeless shelter. The large donation was greatly appreciated!

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

St. Nektarios, Nov 9th

Youth Team
~continued~
GOYA had fun carving pumpkins again this year, and enjoyed each others
company over a grill out and bonfire at the Brekkes home. Thanks, Mike
and Kris! It was a perfect fall night for sharing stories with good friends.
Next month, GOYA will be making a contribution to our annual
Stewardship Drive! Stay tuned and join us for the unveiling of their
creativity.
Kathy Lytle is leading a Tree of Saints wall
project and the children Saint icons are now
filling in the tree branches: the display is in our
Church fellowship hall, please make sure to
check it out.
Thank you for sharing your children with us, as we participate in the life of the church and grow in the
faith together. We worship, serve, and witness our faith as a church family. We pray that the
fellowship enjoyed in JOY and GOYA continues to produce lifelong relationships among our
youth. Wishing all a healthy November as we ready ourselves for the upcoming Nativity Fast.
Youth Team Coordinators,
JOY - Loredana Jerghiuta
GOYA - Halina Woroncow and Mike Brekke

Stewardship & Outreach is thrilled to announce

a new Church ministry!!

THE MARTHA MINISTRY

MISSION STATEMENT
Everything to do with the church is like an
inner fire enkindling us, and looking after it is
the best work of all. The humblest job, be it
only to clean the floor of the house of God, is
a nobler work than all the others.
- St Seraphim of Sarov
EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITIES
Clean the Church & Fellowship Hall weekly
as a team. All are welcome.
CONTACT
Erline Holman
holman.erline@mayo.edu, 507-259-5443

Today the precious bridal chamber & Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord...

Theotokos Entrance, Nov 21st

Outreach: Our Newer Members

Andy and Amy Franqueira
Amy and Andy Franqueira hardly need an introduction,
even though they are among our newest members. They
have become so active here that it seems they have been
with us for years. We are really fortunate that their faith
journey brought them here.
And it has been quite a journey because Andy was born in
Kent, England, and Amy was born in St. Petersburg,
Florida.
Andys mum, who hails from North Ireland, is a chef and
his dad, who was born in Spain, has held several positions
including one as a postman in London. Andy studied at
the University of Kent in Canterbury where he received a
degree in physics. He joined a French software company
located in Bristol, a seaport on the west coast of England.
It was the shipbuilders in Bristol who outfitted ships that went to Africa to trade English goods for slaves, which they
transported to America.
When Amy was two, her parents separated, but it was a friendly arrangement; they had joint custody and Amy
remains close to both parents. When her mother moved to La Crosse and opened a bakery, her dad soon followed. He
has worked various jobs including owning a construction company. Amy and her mother lived for a while out West
where her adventurous mother opened bakeries in several towns. Her Dad visited them often to keep in touch with
Amy. They eventually returned to La Crosse.
Amy has been performing songs since she was five in churches ranging from Catholic to Charismatic. Her most recent
appearances were with Christian rock bands. Amy also worked in her moms bakery as she was growing up. Being
adventurous like her mother, Amy took off for England on a vacation and stayed for a while in Bristol. Two days
before she left, the music director at the Church of England she was attending arranged for her to remain for an
extended stay. It was here that she met Andy who was playing guitar in the church orchestra.
After six months she left Bristol and enrolled at the London School of Theology where she studied both theology and
music. Andy joined her in London and a Methodist friend married them. At the time, it was required that the bride
and groom belong to the same church as the presiding minister, so they became Methodists.
They came to America in 2004 and Amy took a position as the youth minister at a Protestant church in Rochester
while Andy attended Winona State to get a degree in elementary education. After teaching second and third grade in
Eyota for a while, he returned to his previous field of software development and is now at the Mayo College of
Medicine. After several years as a youth minister, Amy, being adventurous like her mom, decided to try something
totally different and went into banking as a teller. She is now the manager of customer support at Think Bank.
Amy and Andy attended non-denominational Evangelical churches for several years but felt that they were missing
something. So they began a systematic search by checking the websites of all the churches in Rochester. They
attended a number of them, but only returned to a few.
In Andys words:
Initially, we were exploring all Christian churches across the board. We didn't know much about Orthodoxy, but from
some reading we were impressed by the continuity and theology. So we looked up the local Orthodox Church and
absolutely loved the website - very helpful and informative, plus incredibly welcoming. Our first visit was a great
experience, so much stood out; we loved the fact that it felt truly worshipful, the liturgy was about worshipping God
and not about us.
Oh yes, they also want you to know that they are cat people and have a black and white kitty named Pierre.

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

St. Nektarios, Nov 9th

Stewardship: Seed and Soil

A Sermon by Fr. Theodore Stylianopoulos
And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold (Luke 8:8)
A seed contains a miracle. When you look at it from the outside, or touch it, it appears hard, dry, perhaps even dead
and incapable of producing anything. But place it in the ground, give it water and warmth, and life begins to stir. The
outer shell dies but the inner kernel comes alive by the mysterious forces of growth. The inner powers of the kernel
are released when the seed is in proper soil and receives adequate moisture. The kernel germinates and new life
begins. As long as nourishment is provided, growth continues. From the seed comes a flower, a plant, or a tree, each
of which was present only potentially in the seed.
Is the miracle of growth manifest in human beings, too? Yes, by all means. Not only our physical being but also our
spiritual being has the potential of miraculous growth. Physical growth is practically spontaneous and automatic. Yet
physical growth, too, requires adequate nourishment and suitable environment. Spiritual growth is neither spontaneous
nor automatic. Spiritual growth requires the exercise of personal freedom through intellectual, moral and spiritual
decisions, commitments and actions. But spiritual growth, too, surely needs a proper environment and constant
nourishment to flourish.
In the Parable of the Sower (Lk 8:5-15), Jesus teaches that
both seed and soil are necessary for growth. Both seed
and soil need proper interaction to produce satisfying crop.
The seed is likened to the word of God. The soil is the life
and heart of each human being. The parable tells us that
much seed is lost when falling into unreceptive
soil. However, when seed and soil connect and interact
properly, astonishing growth occurs. And some fell into
good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold.
What do we mean by the seed of the word of God? What is Gods word? Any human word, spoken or written,
conveys meaning. Many words together express a message, various forms of communication from one person to
another. Words and messages reflect the mind and character of the one from whom they come.
In a similar way, Gods word is Gods utterance, Gods speech, Gods message. Gods words convey precious
knowledge that God wants human beings to know and live by. I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods
before me (Ex 20:2-3). Seek first Gods kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to
you (Mt 6:33). Love one another as I have loved you (Jn 13:34). Who ever would be great among you must be
your servant; for the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life for many (Mt 20:26-28).
All those divine words are not merely abstract principles, arbitrarily established, just to test human obedience and
keep people in their place. Rather, they make up essential instruction that is intrinsic to human nature. They are food
and drink natural to our humanity as personal and moral beings created in the image and likeness of God. When those
divine words are wholeheartedly embraced and faithfully practiced, they become life-bearing and lifegiving. They generate light and life because they guide to right and harmonious relationships between God and
people, between people and people, as well as between people and creation. They are like seeds which, when falling
into good soil, grow and yield a hundredfold.
Do you recall some biblical verses about the importance of Gods word? When Jesus was hungry, He was tempted to
turn stones into bread. But He rejected the temptation and said: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceeds from the mouth of God (Mt 4:4). Upon finishing the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared: Everyone
then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the
rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been
founded on the rock (Mt 7:24-25). At a time of crisis, Jesus asked His disciples: Do you also wish to go
away? Simon Peter replied: Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (Jn 6:67-68)!

Today the precious bridal chamber & Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord...

Theotokos Entrance, Nov 21st

Stewardship: Seed and Soil

- Continued Moreover, Gods word is not only instruction and guidance. Gods word discloses Gods
character and power. Gods word both announces and enacts who God is, what He has
done, and what He is doing even now. God cannot be separated from His word. Gods
word is always the vehicle of Gods holy presence and creative power. In Genesis we
read that God said: Let there be light! And there was light. The prophets in the Old
Testament likened Gods word to a powerful hammer that strikes and breaks rock, that is,
the hardness of human hearts and the hardness of human communities, in judgment and
for healing. The Book of Hebrews declares: The word of God is living and active,
sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing to soul and spirit, and discerning the
thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb 4:12).
Even more astonishing is that Christ himself, according to the New Testament, is the
Word of God Logos Theouthe supreme self-revelation of Godwho God is, what
He has done, and what He continues to do today. In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God, and the Word was God In Him was light and the light was
the life of all people. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not
overcome it (Jn 1:1-5).
Of course those words point to the core message of the Christian faith, the good news of the gospel. The good news is
that God in Christ has broken humanitys bondage to the powers of sin, evil, and death. God in Christ actualizes His
love and forgiveness for sinners. God in Christ offers to every man and woman a new start, a new order of life, a life
of grace and truth. Because of the divine nature and blessings of the gospel, St. Paul variously calls the gospel itself
the word of God, the word of Christ, the word of grace, the word of reconciliation, the word of truth. When the gospel
of Christ is wholeheartedly announced, the announcement does not merely inform but also mediates Christ and His
blessings. Christ in His holiness and power is present in His word. When the good news is heard and embraced,
human hearts are stirred and human lives change. The gospel is the power of God for salvation to every one who
believes (Rom 1:16). When falling into good soil, the gospel takes root and grows, and yields a hundredfold.
Nevertheless, if the soil is not conducive to growth, the seed of the word of
God remains inactive and powerless. Seeds cannot take root on the hard
path. Seeds cannot last in rocky ground lacking adequate moisture. Seeds
cannot flourish among weeds. Jesus tells us (Lk 8:11-15) that the hard path
is a faithless heart, a heart that hears but pays no true heed to Gods
word. The rocky ground is a heart that initially receives Gods word but later
loses endurance when trials and temptation come. The soil with weeds is a
heart filled with worldly cares and distractions that seem to swallow up
Gods word. Lack of faith, lack of endurance, and lack of spiritual focus
those indeed are the negative elements of the infertile soil that cancel out the
miracle of the seed. We know all about those elements because we face them
every day. We need to be humbly mindful that all of us at various times have
exemplified the hard path, the rocky ground, or the soil with weeds.
What we need much more is to concentrate on building up good soil. Christ the Sower is forever faithful, enduring,
and active through his mighty and life-giving word. What men and women need to do is respond in kind; to offer to
Him the soil of an honest and good heart (Lk 8:15). The parable clearly identifies the negative elements of the
unproductive soillack of faith, lack of endurance, lack of spiritual focus. But the parable also powerfully suggests
the opposite elements, the contrasting positive qualities of the honest and good heart. Those are lively faith, patient
endurance, and the focus of an active Christian worldview. The Lord warned: He who has ears to hear, let him
hear (Lk 8:8). But the Lord also gives assurance that, when falling on good soil, the seed of Gods word takes deep
root, grows bountifully and yields blessings beyond imagination. Praise, thanksgiving, and glory be to Christ the
eternal Sower. Amen.
Fr. Theodore Stylianopoulos

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

St. Nektarios, Nov 9th

Philoptochos Society
Dear brothers and sisters in CHRIST+
Thank you to all the individuals who worked hard and made donations towards our Roman Holiday Fashion Show.
Thank you to Mando Katselis and Hannys stores for organizing the show and to Denise and Johnny Mangouras for
hosting it in their event center. Thank you to Penny and Ari Kolas and Apollo Liquors. Thank you to Ann Kolas and
Jackie Barbes for putting together the raffle and to all who donated towards that; women like Koula Magaritsidis for
making pans of galaboureko and Maria Boosalis for donating Costas Chocolates. Thank you to our sponsors: Jacob
Petersen of My Clue Accounting and Dr Nick and Effie Psimos. Thank you to YiaYia Bs Seasoning. Thank you to all
who worked the event or modeled and thank you to the GOYAns for being our wait staff. Thank you to all the stores
involved: Hannys Mens and Womens, Chicos, Eye Q Designwear, and Baby Baby. We voted to split the proceeds
four ways with the following benefitted from the show: Rochester Womens Shelter, the Gift of Life Transplant
House, the GOYAns, and Father Marks Discretionary Fund. Once again we are thankful to the Lord for a good
fundraiser that benefits others in need.
Our Holiday Bake Sale order forms are available; please look in Sunday bulletins or in this Box and Spoon edition.
We are taking orders until Nov 30th. The Holiday Bake Sale is one of our biggest fundraisers and all proceeds go
towards our many philanthropic charities so please give the orders to your family, friends and co-workers...the more
orders we sell; the more we can help those in need. We have a variety of pastries on our form and if your are
overwhelmed on what to pick; I suggest the Happy Husband Platter which was started a few years ago after some of
our customers said My husband is going to be so happy to have these Greek desserts! when they picked up their
order. So we started putting together these platters for people (husbands or otherwise) that would love a little bit of
everything. Now those platters are a top seller on our form. Its a testament of how something as small as a comment
can turn into something big towards helping others.
On Sunday, Nov 9th, we will be passing a second tray for the philanthropic charities of His All Holiness, Patriarch
Bartholomew II. Thank you for your generosity.
On Saturday Nov 15th at 9am; our Magdalene Ministry, which is our Support and Bereavement Ministry, will host a
Kolyva Workshop for all parishioners who are interested in learning how to prepare Kolyva (wheat offering) for
Memorials. The process is a spiritually reflective one right from when you take the bowl out to begin to prepare the
Kolyva, throughout the preparation, the Memorial service, the serving of it to others and later when you wash the
bowl and put it away. Father Mark will give a talk on the history and meaning behind Kolyva. Please speak to Maria
Thomas if you are interest in attending.
In closing; I will share one of my favorite quotes from a Holy Father, one who is very dear to my heart. A man whom
I never met but have been, and continue to be, spiritually inspired by his example of holiness, his humility, his
patience, and most of all his love for the Lord, for Orthodoxy, and for humankind. He is the one whom I turn to the
most, of all the Saints in my life, and his name is Saint Nektarios, the Metropolitan of Pentapolis, whom we honor on
Nov 9th:
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 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 in the whole of the creation. Justly then did the
Lord say in His Beatitudes of those possessing purity of the heart: Blessed are the pure in
heart, for they shall see God.
-Saint Nektarios
With sisterly love in CHRIST+
Calli Kelly
Philoptochos President

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

St. Nektarios, Nov 9th

OUR 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Honoring our Past, Embracing our Future
Sts. Kosmas & Damianos Church

Saturday December 6th at 3pm

A Christmas Odyssey concert presented by
the Singers of Holy Anargyroi & Friends,
directed by Connie Maragos
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 with Mayo I.D., $5 for children 12 and under,
$5 for seniors 62 and over. Doors open at 2:30pm. Tickets available at the door or online
at: http://rochesterorthodoxchurch.org/give-online/

Sunday December 7th at 8:30am

Hierarchal Orthros & Divine Liturgy
Sunday December 7th at 5pm
60th Anniversary Dinner Celebration
at Johnny Mangos
Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for children

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

St. Nektarios, Nov 9th

Pan Orthodox Family Camp 2014

Attending St Marys Pan Orthodox Family Camp in Annandale, MN from Holy Anargyroi this year were the Petersen
and the Kelly families. It was a faith filled weekend of fellowship with Orthodox Christians who gathered together
from throughout the upper Midwest. Here, they are pictured with guest speaker, Mother Macrina of the Dormition of
the Mother of God Monastery.

Blanket Sale to benefit Philoxenia House

Sunday Nov. 23rd during coffee hour
Childrens blankets made by the Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Quilt A Thon will
be for sale with all proceeds to go towards the operational cost of the Philoxenia House.
The blankets range in price of $10 to $25 each. If you are interested in purchasing
blankets but will not be present during coffee hour on the 23rd; please see Anna
Ryabova. Thank you.

Magdalene Ministry Kolyva Workshop

Saturday, Nov 15th at 9am in the Church hall
Philoptochos Magdalene Ministry, our support and bereavement ministry, will host a Kolyva
Workshop for all parishioners who are interested in learning how to make Kolyva (memorial wheat
offering) for their loved ones. The workshop will begin with the instruction of Kolyva making,
followed by a talk by Father Mark on the history and meaning of Kolyva. To sign up for the class;
please see Maria Thomas. Thank you.

Today the precious bridal chamber & Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord...

Theotokos Entrance, Nov 21st

Saint Nicholas National Shrine

October 18th Ground Blessing Ceremony
NEW YORK A Ground Blessing ceremony for Saint Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade
Center took place on October 18, 2014 on Liberty Street at the site of the new National Shrine. As
the only house of worship destroyed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the shrine is set
to be fully rebuilt by the end of 2016.
The grounds for the National Shrine, designed by world-renowned Architect Santiago Calatrava were
blessed in an "agiasmos" (Greek for sanctification') ceremony led by His Eminence Archbishop
Demetrios of America.
The Ground Blessing ceremony included a prayer service, readings from scripture, and the blessing
of water from the memorial pools followed by commentary from political officials, religious figures
and Calatrava. The service concluded with a moment of silence remembering the victims who
perished in the tragic attacks on September 11.
"This is truly a remarkable event, commemorating not only what was lost, but acknowledging a
future of rebuilding, reconciliation, healing and peace," said Fr. Evagoras Constantinides, Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese of America's spokesperson.
Once rebuilt, the National Shrine will include a 2nd floor non-denominational bereavement center
welcoming all those seeking comfort and prayer and a place of solace.
"The ground blessing ceremony marks the rebuilding project coming to life," Fr. Constantinides
added. "It's been a long road, and the Archdiocese welcomes everyone to attend St. Nicholas
National Shrine once its doors are opened."
The ceremony boasted more than 2,000 attendees, including U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, former NY
Gov. George Pataki, and former NYC Mayor David Dinkins.
For more information about St. Nicholas
National Shrine, or to make a donation,
please visit::
http://www.stnicholaswtc.org/
Contact:
Stavros Papagermanos
Stavros@gorarch.org
212.570.3556

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

IOCC ROCHESTER EVENT

St. Nektarios, Nov 9th