June/July 2015 - Holy Trinity Church · Bible Study: will resume in September ... ABRAHAM’S PANTRY: Please donate! ... June/July 2015 Page 6 President’s Message

Volume 10, Issue 6/7

June/July 2015

June/July 2015 Page 2

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

900 6th Street Sioux City, Iowa 51101

Www.holytrinity.ia.goarch.org

Church Office Rev. Fr. Dimitri Tobias, Proistamenos

Telephone: 712-255-5559 847-558-9849

Office Fax: 712-255-1836 [email protected]

Parish Council President: John Vlahoulis

Worship Hours:

Sundays: Orthros 9:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

Weekdays: Orthros 9:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

Esperinos: For Major Feasts 6:00 p.m.

Thursdays: Paraklisis Service 6:00 p.m.

1st of Every Month: Agiasmos Service 8:30 a.m. unless there is a service, in which case it will take

place 30 minutes prior to Orthros

Sunday School: (During School Year) Following Holy Communion Greek Dance: (During School Year) Wednesdays from 5:00—6:00 p.m. Bible Study: will resume in September Thursdays from 8:30—9:30 a.m. Blessed Darkness (Adult Education): will resume in September Tuesdays from 6:30—8:00 p.m. St. Basil’s Students (Adult Education): will resume in September Thursdays from 6:30—7:30 p.m.

Olive Garden Faith Group (Adult Education): will resume in September Tuesdays from 12:30—2:00 p.m. Cyber Ministry Book Club (Adult Education): will resume in September orthodoxysiouxcity.boards.net


Table of Contents

Registry Page 4

Father’s Message Page 5

President’s Message Page 6-7

Philoptochos Page 8

Stewardship Page 9

Ministries Page 10

Services Page 11-16

Posters Page 17

Church & Metropolis News Page 18

Calendar Page 19-20

Pictures Page 21-23

Coffee Hour Page 24

Church Staff

Parish Priest/ Editor: Rev. Fr. Dimitri Tobias

Parish Council President: John Vlahoulis

Office Director Mary Sharp

Philoptochos President: Mary Baryo

Book Store: Kiki Karras &

Dr. Fotene Karantinos

Sunday School Director: Shanda Antonopoulos

Greek Dance Director: Leah Baryo

Youth Directors: Dean & Amy Karras

Stewardship: Dr. Kosta Antonopou-

los

Orthodoxy on Tap Shanda Antonopoulos

Patriarchs: Afrodity Segos

We Knead You: Janet Antonopoulos

ABRAHAM’S PANTRY:

Please donate! Foods from Abraham’s Pantry are distributed to the local Food Pantries to

feed the poor.

Check the expiration Date!!! Abraham served the best he had. If we would

not eat it, why should we expect someone else to risk getting sick?

Congratulations to our Graduates!

Chris Antonopoulos

Mia Smith

Torianna Davenport


Registry and Vital Statistics

Baptisms:

On Saturday, June 6th

Michael Jaymes and George Jeffrey

Landry

Were baptized

Their Godparents are

Lori & Robert Peterson

Chrismations:

Weddings:

Να ζή σετε! Να εί στε ευτυχίσμε νοί!

Funerals

ζωή σε σας

We Welcome the following new families to the Parish!

Now is the time to reach out to your loved ones who have fallen away for

whatever reason and bring them back to Church. Now is the time to share

your faith with others! Together we must grow. Together we must build

the Body of Christ. Invite someone to a service, to a Bible Study, to a

Church Event. We have one of the friendliest communities in the Archdi-

ocese. Let us go out so that they will know we are Christians by our

Love.


Father Dimitri’s Message My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I cannot thank everyone enough for their hard work and dedication to the 2015 Greek Fest. I think my favorite offering was the Aegean Dancers’ loving “Zorba the Greek” Scene. Even the plates being smashed had Greek Keys and “Greek Fest” written on them; such dedication! It would be impossible to thank each individual for his or her “herculean” contributions, whether it was cooking in the sweltering heat, greeting our guests, cleaning, selling, dancing, donating pastries and other items to sell, or many of the many other ways people helped, you know who you are and how your part, no matter how small, made this “Offering of Love” a tremendous success. I could not be prouder.

In July we celebrate our nation’s independence day. As Orthodox Christians, we appreciate the tenants of freedom more than most. We respect those who have died to make us free because we understand more acutely than most what it means to be slaves. I am not speaking of the Greeks under the Turkokrateia (Enslavement under the Turks from 1453-1821), though certainly that analogy can be made. I am speaking of our slavery to Sin and the ultimate fate awaiting all under its tyranny: Death. Jesus Christ, through His death, set us free from sin. “Therefore, just as sin en-tered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned”—(Romans 5:12) … “But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!” (Romans 5:15).

O say can you see by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there; O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

This verse of the Poem written by Francis Scott Key tells a very important story about the symbol of Freedom. The poem takes place in the dawn, after the battle of Ft. McHenry (1814) , after Key watched the British attempts all through the night to both destroy the flag and those who held it up. He witnessed again and again as the men came forward to die (perilous), holding that flag until a pile of bodies formed a flag pole(gallantly). The artillery from the HMS Erebus fired rockets at the flag (rockets’ red glare) while the HMS Meteor fired bombs (bombs bursting in air), and the fact that they kept firing gave proof that the flag was still there. Truly that banner represents the home of the brave and the land of the free.

But let us shift our focus to the Saints, who are no less gallant, no less brave, and fought in no less perilous fights. For

they combatted against the forces of evil. As St. Paul states “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wicked-ness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). They took up their banner (The Cross), and bravely triumphed. After all, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39). For it was not they who stood, but Jesus Christ who strengthened them. “To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand” (Romans 14:4).

Let us cherish our freedom. Let us seek what it means to be truly free, for only Christ is truly free.

Please visit our website! Www.holytrinity.ia.goarch.org Listen to classes, sermons, reflections online

I remain your servant in Christ, Fr. Dimitri Tobias, Proistamenos


President’s Message

Greetings Holy Trinity Family, June is half past and has proved to be a busy month for Holy Trinity. We enjoyed a visit from our Hierarch Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos for the Feast Day of Pentecost. He was accompanied by Mr. Demetrios Burikas who served as a chanter for the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy along with the Pentecost Kneeling Service. Follow-ing services a beautiful luncheon was hosted by our Philoptochos ladies for all to enjoy! His Grace was pre-sented a gift of a coffee table book filled with beautiful photographs of the Clergy Laity Conference which was hosted by Holy Trinity in 2013. An additional gift of a Chalice Set was made to the St. Iakovos Retreat Center and presented to His Grace. The Chalice Set, one of four used at Holy Trinity, was donated by your Parish Council as a way to have Holy Trinity’s stamp of participation involved at the Retreat Center Chapel. A special “Thank you” to all who helped with the preparations and handling of this wonderful Pentecost after-noon event. The following day, Monday of The Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity once again hosted visiting clergy. Fr. Demetrios and Prs. Katerina Kounavis, Fr. Thomas and Prs. Angela Alatzakis, and Fr. Christodoulos Margellos joined Fr. Dimitri Tobias for Orthros and Divine Liturgy on Holy Trinity’s Name Day. The services were beautiful and tru-ly inspiring. Following services, there was a delicious Pastichio luncheon held in the Church Hall. Thank You to those who worked hard to prepare and serve this delicious feast on our beloved Holy Trinity’s Name Day! Our Stewardship Committee, with Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos as Chairman, hosted a Stewardship Appreciation Luncheon, following the Divine Liturgy, on June 7th. This event was held as a way of saying “Thank You” to YOU, OUR STEWARDS, for participating in the Stewardship Program here at our beloved Holy Trinity. It was open to everyone and is a free will offering event where monies raised will go to help fund the purchase of new chairs for the Church Hall. Thank you to everyone involved in the first time Stewardship Appreciation Luncheon. Thank you to all who contributed to this very worthwhile effort. The 15th Anniversary of Siouxland’s Premeire 3 Day Ethnic festival, GreekFest, has come and passed. As we all are aware, GreekFest has grown by great leaps and bounds over the last 15 years. This year was no excep-tion! This annual “celebration” has become a mainstay over the past 15 years in Siouxland during the sum-mer. We are very grateful to Sioux City and the surrounding communities for their support of this event. We are also very grateful to our sponsors- large and small- for their support. It is due to this support and the hard work of the parishioners of Holy Trinity that make GreekFest what it has become! The festival this year ran very smoothly and was one where there were smiles on the faces of OUR people working together as a “Family”. THANK YOU to ALL who put forth their time & effort in order to create the annual “one of a kind summer experience for our GUESTS”! As I write this article for the Koinonia, I am thinking about all the hard work and all the people involved for GreekFest. What it actually took to put on an event of this magnitude. There are many hours that are put in prior to “Preparation Week” in order for this event to move forward. Many people take their time, out of their love for the church and their love for one another, to make sure things are in order for our many “Guests” from the Siouxland area for this 3 day event. I say “Guests” because that is exactly what they are! They came to GreekFest to enjoy themselves! They ate our delicious food, watched our dancers, bought our baked goods, purchased raffle tickets for both the merchants raffle and the Church raffle, danced to the mu-sic be it Greek or American, purchased our libations from the “Taverna”, and enjoyed our entertainment. I guess you could say that it is out of THEIR love for OUR Parish Community that they continue to give us all


their support in order to make this a successful event year after year! We are here to offer our “Holy Trinity Hospitality” and to make sure they enjoy themselves. We are here to PLEASE OUR GUESTS who come to spend their hard earned money and not to please ourselves. I would like to share with you a comment I received from one of our guests on Saturday night. This lady and her husband have been coming to GreekFest for a number of years. We see each other every year and al-ways make it a point to come up and say to each other “Hi, how have you been?” This year was no exception except for when she said “You have such a great community here at Holy Trinity! This year we can really feel the togetherness, the sincerity and the love between everyone here. You all work so close with one another that it seems like you are all family. This is a great church event! That is one of the main reasons we keep coming back year after year.” As stated previously, many of our OUR PARISHIONERS contribute many hours prior to “Preparation Week.” The church grounds are cleaned up, the festival booth is given updates if needed, many phone calls are made, many miles are driven, food is ordered, merchants are contacted, tents are ordered --- and the list goes on and on! It is out of THEIR love for the church that they do the things they do and what NEEDS to be done. It is out of love for ONE ANOTHER that creates a respectful working environment for everyone in-volved. There should be love. There should be respect. There should be caring and understanding. These are the things that help make Holy Trinity a “Parish Family”. As YOUR Parish Council President, I make myself available to you should you have any concerns. You may contact me at 712-574-1640. If I do not answer, please leave a message. I WILL return your call. John Vlahoulis 2015, Parish Council President


Philoptochos News Celebrating Pentecost and the Church's Name Day with His Grace, Bishop Demetrios and visiting clergy was a beautiful occasion. Luncheons were served both Sunday and Monday and all who attended were very complimentary of the efforts put forth by the committees preparing the luncheons as well as the welcoming hospitality and philoxenia. We are in the midst of a busy time related to the church fundraising efforts. It will take everyone to help out in some capacity or another as to ensure success. Thank you to the Philoptochos and all others who showed up to prepare for the upcoming Greek Fest. We have accumulated over 10,000 servings of baklava, diplis, spanakopita, dolmades and pastichio, etc. to date! Way to go!!!!!!!!! We held our local Philoptochos Elections recently, and our ratified board consists of; Janet Antonopoulos, Mary Baryo, Vicki Bovis, Fotene Karantinos, Kiki Karras, Virgina Margeas, Mary Sharp, Pres. Mary Tobias, Joan Vlahoulis. Thank you to all who accepted the nomination for the board. Tentatively, on June 28th, the new board will meet, take the oath of office and then elect our officers. I continue to field questions from women interested in joining, but not certain what we are all about. The best way to explain is that we are the Philanthropic arm of the church. We participate in local, national and international re-lief efforts and causes. We even hold a non-voting seat in the U.N.!! Most recently, when a series of earthquakes struck the Kathmandu area of Nepal, India on April 25th and May 12th, thousands were killed and left homeless. Emergent funds totaling $20,000.00 were immediately sent by the National Philoptochos Society's Na-tional Emergency Fund, of which we participate. We are being asked to continue to support this ongoing effort. In addition, six years ago, the financial crisis in Greece began, causing extreme hardships, especially to the elderly, sick and poor there. The poorest households in the debt-ridden country lost nearly 86% of their income. Elderly benefits were slashed, school milk programs discontinued, taxes drastically increased and wage cuts implemented for those fortunate to keep their employ-ment. Throughout this time the Philoptochos has already distributed $452,000.00 for Greece and Cyprus, but more needs to be done. An Aid to Greece and Cyprus Campaign continues. Numerous national programs in the United States are supported by Philoptochos. Social Services are a primary area of donations. Committees evaluate the needs and priorities before the distribution of the hard earned monies that are collected from chapters around the United States. To see more on this you can check the Philoptochos.org website or link to it from Goarch.org website. Don't forget to utilize the smile.amazon.com website for future purchases, where you can select National Philoptochos as the charity you wish to support. Amazon then donates 0.5% of each purchase made! The next Clergy-Laity/Philoptochos Conference will be in Madison, WI Nov. 15-18th. We will hopefully be participating in this event. More info to follow.

Thank you! Mary Baryo – President

PHILOPTOCHOS 'END OF YEAR' CELEBRATION!

Date and Place to be determined


Stewardship Time-Talent-Treasure

As Orthodox Christians, we are called to a new way of seeing things – A new way of life. Our stewardship is

obedience to the greatest commandment to “Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” We

are called to bring others to commit their lives to Jesus Christ in such a way that leads to the joy of knowing

him personally and profoundly. As Orthodox Christians we see the world as God’s gift, as a sacrament of

God’s presence and a means of communion with him. And so we are able to offer the world back to God as

we say in every Divine Liturgy “Thine own of Thine own we offer unto to thee…”

I would like to thank all of you for making the Stewardship Luncheon such a successful

event. I hope that we can make this a yearly thing. In all we raised $1200 which will be ap-

plied towards the chairs. I would also like to thank everyone that donated the food and help

prepare it for everyone to enjoy. Again, thank you for all that you do at Holy Trinity.

Stewardship Chair

Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos

Holy Trinity 2015 Stewards Fr. Dimitri & Presbytera Mary

Tobias Dr. & Dr. Kosta Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Periklis

Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Tony Antonopoulos Presbytera Vasiliki Balomenos Mr. & Mrs. John Baryo Ms. Leah Baryo Mr. Tom Baryo Mr. & Mrs. Sid Baumert Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Bikakis Mr. & Mrs. Dimitri Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. John Bostinelos Mr. & Mrs. Greg Boucher Mr. & Mrs. Pete Bovis Mr. & Mrs. John Chioros Mr. & Mrs. George

Demetroulis Mr. & Mrs. Kosta Demetroulis Mrs. Georgia Diavastes Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Eliades-

Kennelly Mr. & Mrs. Vassilaki Emanuel Mr. Nick Fondoulakis Mrs. Cula Fondoulakis Mr. & Mrs. Tom Fountoulakis

Mr. Vaios Gennatos Mr. & Mrs. James Giasafakis Mr. & Mrs. Craig Golden Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Holevas Mr. & Mrs. Rick Jones Dr. Fotene Karantinos Mr. & Mrs. Dean Karras Mr. & Mrs. Alex Karras Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kasotakis Mrs. Stella Kasotakis Mr. & Mrs. Alex Kazos Mr. & Mrs. Orfeas Ketchelos Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Ketchelos Mr. & Mrs. Dave Kjos Mrs. Bessie Klimiades Mr. & Mrs. George Klimiades Mr. & Mrs. Tim Konidas Mrs. Anna Kounas Mr. & Mrs. John Kounas Mr. & Mrs. Chris Kounas Mr. & Mrs. Harry Kouris Mr. John Lazaris Mr. & Mrs. Lyle Listamann Mr. & Mrs. Paul Madsen Mr. & Mrs. Christopher

Margeas Mrs. Daisy Margeas

Mr. & Mrs. Steve Margeas Mr. Bill Margellos Mr. & Mrs. Tim Margellos Mr. & Mrs. Mike Michelakakis Mr. & Mrs. Ted Mihelakakis Mr. & Mrs. Dale Milbrodt Mr. & Mrs. George Paradise Mr. & Mrs. Michael Paradise Mr. & Mrs. George Poulos Mrs. Antonia Prewitt Mrs. Maria Rigas Mr. & Mrs. Roger Schultz Mr. & Mrs. Zachary Schultz Mrs. Nancy Selleris Mrs. Afrodity Segos Mrs. Mavra Sengos Mr. & Mrs. Richard Sharp Mr. & Mrs. Spero Siganos Mrs. Anna Theros Dr. & Mrs. Richard Tobias Mr. & Mrs. Costa Tsiobanos Mr. & Mrs. George Tsiobanos Mrs. Joan Vlahoulis Mr. John Vlahoulis Mr. Spero Vlahoulis Mr. Spyro Yianopoulos


Youth Corner

The Goya will gather at Dean and Amy’s House for a

Barbeque and fireside chate in late June or early Ju-

ly.

The Youth will have a pool party in July

Please check your emails often for when the dates

are finalized. If you are not getting youth emails,

please contact Dean and Amy at [email protected]

to be added to the list and join us for fun and

fellowship!

New Ministry

Join our young parishioners for a

monthly evening of good fellowship

at a bar, tavern, restaurant, or wher-

ever the group would like.

Orthodoxy on Tap brings together individuals interested in sharing open

dialogue and discussion about issues, challenges, and hot topics in our

world and church today. Most importantly, Orthodoxy on Tap is a gather-

ing of friends who come to share in the cup of growth and togetherness ...

Thirsty?

Contact Shanda Antonopoulos if interested and look for our first event in

your weekly bulletin!


Pentecost

After the Saviour's Ascension into the Heavens, the eleven Apostles and the rest of His disciples, the God-loving women who followed after Him from the beginning, His Mother, the most holy Virgin Mary, and His brethren-all to-gether about 120 souls re-turned from the Mount of Ol-

ives to Jerusalem. Entering into the house where they gathered, they went into the upper room, and there they persevered in prayer and supplication, awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit, as their Divine Teacher had promised them. In the meanwhile, they chose Matthias, who was elected to take the place of Judas among the Apostles. Thus, on this day, the seventh Sunday of Pascha, the tenth day after the Ascension and the fiftieth day after Pascha, at the third hour of the day from the rising of the sun, there suddenly came a sound from Heaven, as when a mighty wind blows, and it filled the whole house where the Apostles and the rest with them were gathered. Immediately after the sound, there appeared tongues of fire that divided and rested upon the head of each one. Filled with the Spirit, all those present began speaking not in their native tongue, but in other tongues and dialects, as the Holy Spirit instructed them. The multitudes that had come together from various places for the feast, most of whom were Jews by race and religion, were called Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and so forth, according to the places where they dwelt. Though they spoke many different tongues, they were present in Jerusalem by divine dispensation. When they heard that sound that came down from Heaven to the place where the disciples of Christ were gathered, all ran together to learn what had taken place. But they were confounded when they came and heard the Apostles speaking in their own tongues. Marvelling at this, they said one to another, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" But others, because of their foolishness and excess of evil, mocked the wonder and said that the Apostles were drunken. Then Peter stood up with the eleven, and raising his voice, spoke to all the people, proving that that which had taken place was not drunkenness, but the fulfil-ment of God's promise that had been spoken by the

Prophet Joel: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that I shall pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy" (Joel 2:28), and he preached Jesus of Nazareth unto them, proving in many ways that He is Christ the Lord, Whom the Jews crucified but God raised from the dead. On hearing Peter's teaching, many were smitten with compunction and received the word. Thus, they were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added to the Faith of Christ. Such, therefore, are the reasons for today's feast: the coming of the All-holy Spirit into the world, the com-pletion of the Lord Jesus Christ's promise, and the ful-filment of the hope of the sacred disciples, which we celebrate today. This is the final feast of the great mystery and dispensation of God's incarnation. On this last, and great, and saving day of Pentecost, the Apostles of the Saviour, who were unlearned fisher-men, made wise now of a sudden by the Holy Spirit, clearly and with divine authority spoke the heavenly doctrines. They became heralds of the truth and teach-ers of the whole world. On this day they were or-dained and began their apostleship, of which the sal-vation of those three thousand souls in one day was the comely and marvellous first fruit. Some erroneously hold that Pentecost is the "birthday of the Church." But this is not true, for the teaching of the holy Fathers is that the Church existed before all other things. In the second vision of The Shepherd of Hermas we read: "Now brethren, a revelation was made unto me in my sleep by a youth of exceeding fair form, who said to me, 'Whom thinkest thou the aged woman, from whom thou receivedst the book, to be?' I say, 'The Sibyl.' 'Thou art wrong,' saith he, 'she is not.' 'Who then is she?' I say. 'The Church,' saith he. I said unto him, 'Wherefore then is she aged?' 'Because,' saith he, 'she was created before all things; therefore is she aged, and for her sake the world was framed."' Saint Gregory the Theologian also speaks of "the Church of Christ ... both before Christ and after Christ" (PG 35:1108-9). Saint Epiphanius of Cyprus writes, "The Catholic Church, which exists from the ages, is revealed most clearly in the incarnate advent of Christ" (PG 42:640). Saint John Damascene ob-serves, "The Holy Catholic Church of God, therefore, is the assembly of the holy Fathers, Patriarchs, Proph-ets, Apostles, Evangelists, and Martyrs who have been from the very beginning, to whom were added all the nations who believed with one accord" (PG 96, 1357c). According to Saint Gregory the Theologian, "The Prophets established the Church, the Apostles conjoined it, and the Evangelists set it in order" (PG 35, 589 A). The Church existed from the creation of


the Angels, for the Angels came into existence before the creation of the world, and they have always been members of the Church. Saint Clement, Bishop of Rome, says in his second epistle to the Corinthians, the Church "was created before the sun and moon"; and a little further on, "The Church existeth not now for the first time, but hath been from the begin-ning" (II Cor. 14). That which came to pass at Pentecost, then, was the ordination of the Apostles, the commencement of the apostolic preaching to the nations, and the inaugura-tion of the priesthood of the new Israel. Saint Cyril of Alexandria says that "Our Lord Jesus Christ herein ordained the instructors and teachers of the world and the stewards of His divine Mysteries ... showing to-gether with the dignity of Apostleship, the incompara-ble glory of the authority given them ... Revealing them to be splendid with the great dignity of the Apostleship and showing them forth as both stewards and priests of the divine altars . . . they became fit to initiate others through the enlightening guidance of the Holy Spirit" (PG 74, 708-712). Saint Gregory Palamas says, "Now, therefore ... the Holy Spirit de-scended ... showing the Disciples to be supernal lumi-naries ... and the distributed grace of the Divine Spirit came through the ordination of the Apostles upon their successors" (Homily 24, 10). And Saint Sophro-nius, Bishop of Jerusalem, writes, "After the visitation of the Comforter, the Apostles became high priests" (PG 87, 3981B). Therefore, together with the baptism of the Holy Spirit which came upon them who were present in the upper chamber, which the Lord had foretold as recorded in the Acts, "ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence" (Acts 1:5), the Apostles were also appointed and raised to the high priestly rank, according to Saint John Chrysostom (PG 60, 21). On this day com-menced the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by which we become "partakers of the Divine Nature" (II Peter 1:4). For before Pentecost, it is said of the Apos-tles and disciples only that they abode in "prayer and supplication" (Acts 1:14); it is only after the coming of the Holy Spirit that they persevered in the "breaking of bread,"that is, the communion of the Ho-ly Mysteries-"and in prayer" (Acts 2:42). The feast of holy Pentecost, therefore, determined the beginning of the priesthood of grace, not the begin-ning of the Church. Henceforth, the Apostles pro-claimed the good tidings "in country and town," preaching and baptizing and appointing shepherds, imparting the priesthood to them whom they judged were worthy to minister, as Saint Clement writes in his first Epistle to the Corinthians (I Cor. 42).

All foods allowed during the week following Pente-cost.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast shown forth the fishermen as supremely wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. O Befriender of man, glory be to Thee.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone Once, when He descended and confounded the

tongues, the Most High divided the nations; and when

He divided the tongues of fire, He called all men into

unity; and with one accord we glorify the All-holy

Spirit.

Monday of the Holy

Spirit

As it is the custom of the

Church, on the day after every

great Feast, to honour those

through whom it came to pass

our Lady on the day after the

Lord's Nativity, Joachim and

Anna after our Lady's Nativity,

the holy Baptist the day after Theophany, and so forth,

on this day we honour our God the All-holy Spirit, the

Comforter promised by our Saviour to His disciples

(John 14:16), Who descended upon them at holy Pen-

tecost and guided them "into all truth" (ibid. 16:13),

and through them, us.

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who made fisher-men all-wise, sending upon them the Holy Spirit and, through them, netting the world. O Loving One, glory to You.

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone When the Most High came down and confounded

tongues of men (Babel), He divided the Nations.

When He dispensed the Tongues of Fire, He called all

to unity, and with one voice we glorify the Most Holy

Spirit.


June 25 The Nativity of

the Forerunner Orthros begins at 9:00 a.m.

He that was greater than all who are born of women, the Prophet who received God's testimony that he surpassed all the Prophets, was born of the aged and barren Elizabeth (Luke 1: 7) and filled all his kinsmen, and those that lived

round about, with gladness and wonder. But even more wondrous was that which followed on the eighth day when he was circumcised, that is, the day on which a male child receives his name. Those present called him Zacharias, the name of his father. But the mother said, "Not so, but he shall be called John." Since the child's father was unable to speak, he was asked, by means of a sign, to indicate the child's name. He then asked for a tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And immediately Zacharias' mouth was opened, his tongue was loosed from its silence of nine months, and filled with the Holy Spirit, he blessed the God of Israel, Who had fulfilled the promises made to their fathers, and had visited them that were sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, and had sent to them the light of salvation. Zacharias prophesied con-cerning the child also, saying that he would be a Prophet of the Most High and Forerunner of Jesus Christ. And the child John, who was filled with grace, grew and waxed strong in the Spirit; and he was in the wilderness until the day of his showing to Israel (Luke 1:57-80). His name is a variation of the Hebrew "Johanan," which means "Yah is gracious."

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone O Prophet and Forerunner of the presence of Christ, we who fervently honor you cannot worthily praise you. For by your revered and glorious birth the bar-renness of your mother and the muteness of your fa-ther were unbound, and the incarnation of the Son of God is proclaimed to the world.

Kontakion in the Third Tone She that once was barren doth today bring forth

Christ's Forerunner, John, the culmination and the

crown of all the Prophets. For when he, in River Jor-

dan, laid his hand on Him Whom the Prophets

preached aforetime, he was revealed as God the

Word's fore-chosen Prophet, His mighty preacher, and

His Forerunner in grace.

June 29 SS. Peter &

Paul Orthros begins at 9:00 a.m.

The divinely-blessed Peter was from Bethsaida of Gali-lee. He was the son of Jonas and the brother of Andrew the First-called. He was a fisher-man by trade, unlearned and poor, and was called Simon;

later he was renamed Peter by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who looked at him and said, "Thou art Si-mon the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter)" (John 1:42). On being raised by the Lord to the dignity of an Apostle and becoming inseparable from Him as His zealous disciple, he followed Him from the beginning of His preaching of salvation up until the very Passion, when, in the court of Caiaphas the high priest, he de-nied Him thrice because of his fear of the Jews and of the danger at hand. But again, after many bitter tears, he received complete forgiveness of his transgression. After the Resurrection of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit, he preached in Judea, Antioch, and cer-tain parts of Asia, and finally came to Rome, where he was crucified upside down by Nero, and thus he as-cended to the eternal habitations about the year 66 or 68, leaving two Catholic (General) Epistles to the Church of Christ. Paul, the chosen vessel of Christ, the glory of the Church, the Apostle of the Nations and teacher of the whole world, was a Jew by race, of the tribe of Benja-min, having Tarsus as his homeland. He was a Roman citizen, fluent in the Greek language, an expert in knowledge of the Law, a Pharisee, born of a Pharisee, and a disciple of Gamaliel, a Pharisee and notable teacher of the Law in Jerusalem. For this cause, from the beginning, Paul was a most fervent zealot for the traditions of the Jews and a great persecutor of the Church of Christ; at that time, his name was Saul (Acts 22:3-4). In his great passion of rage and fury against the disciples of the Lord, he went to Damascus bearing letters of introduction from the high priest. His intention was to bring the disciples of Christ back to Jerusalem in bonds. As he was approaching Damas-cus, about midday there suddenly shone upon him a light from Heaven. Falling on the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" And he asked, "Who art Thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." And that heavenly voice and brilliance made him tremble, and


he was blinded for a time. He was led by the hand into the city, and on account of a divine revelation to the Apostle Ananias (see Oct. 1), he was baptized by him, and both his bodily and spiritual eyes were opened to the knowledge of the Sun of Righteousness. And straightway- O wondrous transformation! - beyond all expectation, he spoke with boldness in the syna-gogues, proclaiming that "Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 9:1-21). As for his zeal in preaching the Gospel after these things had come to pass, as for his unabating labors and afflictions of diverse kinds, the wounds, the prisons, the bonds, the beatings, the ston-ings, the shipwrecks, the journeys, the perils on land, on sea, in cities, in wildernesses, the continual vigils, the daily fasting, the hunger, the thirst, the nakedness, and all those other things that he endured for the Name of Christ, and which he underwent before na-tions and kings and the Israelites, and above all, his care for all the churches, his fiery longing for the sal-vation of all, whereby he became all things to all men, that he might save them all if possible, and because of which, with his heart aflame, he continuously traveled throughout all parts, visiting them all, and like a bird of heaven flying from Asia and Europe, the West and East, neither staying nor abiding in any one place - all these things are related incident by incident in the Book of the Acts, and as he himself tells them in his Epistles. His Epistles, being fourteen in number, are explained in 250 homilies by the divine Chrysostom and make manifest the loftiness of his thoughts, the abundance of the revelations made to him, the wisdom given to him from God, wherewith he brings together in a wondrous manner the Old with the New Testa-ments, and expounds the mysteries thereof which had been concealed under types; he confirms the doctrines of the Faith, expounds the ethical teaching of the Gos-pel, and demonstrates with exactness the duties in-cumbent upon every rank, age, and order of man. In all these things his teaching proved to be a spiritual trumpet, and his speech was seen to be more radiant than the sun, and by these means he clearly sounded forth the word of truth and illumined the ends of the world. Having completed the work of his ministry, he likewise ended his life in martyrdom when he was beheaded in Rome during the reign of Nero, at the same time, some say, when Peter was crucified.

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone First in prominence among the Apostles, and teachers to the Universe, intercede to the Master of all for peace in the world and for our souls great mercy.

Kontakion in the Second Tone O Lord, receive unto the enjoyment of Your good

things and Your rest, the steadfast preachers of Godly

words, the pinnacle of Your Disciples. Receive their

pain and death above every sacrifice, for You alone

know the hearts of men.

June 30 The Synaxis of

the Holy Apostles Orthros begins at 9:00 a.m.

The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, the First-called; James the son of Zebe-dee, and his brother John, who was also the Evangelist

and Theologian; Philip, and Bartholomew (see also June 11); Thomas, and Matthew the publican, who was also called Levi and was an Evangelist; James the son of Alphaeus, and Jude (also called Lebbaeus, and surnamed Thaddaeus), the brother of James, the Brother of God; Simon the Cananite ("the Zealot"), and Matthias, who was elected to fill the place of Ju-das the traitor (see Aug. 9).

Apolytikion in the Third Tone O Holy Apostles, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Kontakion in the Second Tone O Lord, receive the steadfast and divinely voiced

preachers, the pinnacle of Your disciples, unto their

rest and the enjoyment of Your blessings. You re-

ceived, above every offering, their labors and their

life. You alone know what the heart holds.

July 20 Prophet Elias

(Elijah)

Orthros begins at 9:00 a.m.

Elias of great fame was from

Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of

Galaad (Gilead), beyond the

Jordan. He was of priestly lin-

eage, a man of a solitary and

ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin,

and girded about his loins with a leathern belt. His

name is interpreted as "Yah is my God." His zeal for

the glory of God was compared to fire, and his speech


for teaching and rebuke was likened unto a burning

lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot.

Therefore, set aflame with such zeal, he sternly re-

proved the impiety and lawlessness of Ahab and his

wife Jezebel. He shut up heaven by means of prayer,

and it did not rain for three years and six months. Ra-

vens brought him food for his need when, at God's

command, he was hiding by the torrent of Horrath. He

multiplied the little flour and oil of the poor widow of

Sarephtha of Sidon, who had given him hospitality in

her home, and when her son died, he raised him up.

He brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount Car-

mel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered to God be-

fore all the people of Israel, that they might know the

truth. At the torrent of Kisson, he slew 450 false

prophets and priests who worshipped idols and led the

people astray. He received food wondrously at the

hand of an Angel, and being strengthened by this food

he walked for forty days and forty nights. He beheld

God on Mount Horeb, as far as this is possible for hu-

man nature. He foretold the destruction of the house

of Ahab, and the death of his son Ohozias; and as for

the two captains of fifty that were sent by the king, he

burned them for their punishment, bringing fire down

from Heaven. He divided the flow of the Jordan, and

he and his disciple Elisseus passed through as it were

on dry land; and finally, while speaking with him, Eli-

as was suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in

the year 895 B.C., and he ascended as though into

heaven, whither God most certainly translated him

alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11).

But from thence also, after seven years, by means of

an epistle he reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as

it is written: "And there came a message in writing to

him from Elias the Prophet, saying, Thus saith the

Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not

walked in the way," and so forth (II Chron. 21:12).

According to the opinion of the majority of the inter-

preters, this came to pass either through his disciple

Elisseus, or through another Prophet when Elias ap-

peared to them, even as he appeared on Mount Tabor

to the disciples of Christ (see Aug. 6).

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

The incarnate Angel, the Cornerstone of the Prophets,

the second Forerunner of the Coming of Christ, the

glorious Elias (Elijah), who from above, sent down to

Elisha the grace to dispel sickness and cleanse lepers,

abounds therefore in healing for those who honor him.

July 26 Ss. Hermoloas and Paraskeve


Saint Hermolaus and those with him were priests of the

Church in Nicomedia, living in hiding after the Emperor

Maximian had burnt to death the 20,000 Martyrs of Ni-

comedia (see Dec. 28). It was Hermolaus who converted

Saint Panteleimon to Christ. When Saint Panteleimon was

seized as a Christian and was asked by Maximian who it

was that had turned him from the idols, the Saint, enlight-

ened by God that the time of his teacher's martyrdom also

was at hand, revealed to Maximian that it was Hermolaus

the priest. Saint Hermolaus was taken with Saints Hermip-

pus and Hermocrates, and when they had confessed Christ

to be the only true God, they were beheaded in the year

305. Saint Hermolaus is one of the Holy Unmercenaries.

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee

received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life

from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed

Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly de-

stroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ

God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merci-

ful.

Saint Paraskeve, who was from a certain village near

Rome, was born to pious parents, Agatho and Politia. Since

she was born on a Friday (in Greek, Paraskeve), she was

given this name, which means "preparation" or

"preparedness" (compare Matt. 27:62, Mark 15:42, Luke

23:54, and John 19:31, where 'Friday' is called "the day of

the preparation"). From childhood she was instructed in the


sacred letters and devoted herself to the study of the divine

Scriptures, while leading a monastic life and guiding many

to the Faith of Christ. During the reign of the Emperor An-

toninus Pius, she was apprehended because she was a

Christian and was urged to worship the idols, but she an-

swered with the words of Jeremias: "Let the gods that have

not made heaven and the earth perish from off the

earth" (Jer. 10:11). Because of this she endured exceeding-

ly painful torments, and was beheaded in the year 140. The

faithful pray to her for the healing of eye ailments.

Apolytikion in the First Tone

Appropriate to your calling, O Champion Paraskevi, you

worshipped with the readiness your name bears. For an

abode you obtained faith, which is your namesake. Where-

fore, you pour forth healing and intercede for our soul

July 27 St. Panteleimon


This Saint, who had Nicome-

dia as his homeland, was the

son of Eustorgius and Eubu-

la. His father was an idolater,

but his mother was a Chris-

tian from her ancestors. It

was through her that he was instructed in piety, and

still later, he was catechized in the Faith of Christ by

Saint Hermolaus (see July 26) and baptized by him.

Being proficient in the physician's vocation, he prac-

ticed it in a philanthropic manner, healing every ill-

ness more by the grace of Christ than by medicines.

Thus, although his parents had named him Pantoleon

("in all things a lion"), because of the compassion he

showed for the souls and bodies of all, he was worthi-

ly renamed Panteleimon, meaning "all-merciful." On

one occasion, when he restored the sight of a certain

blind man by calling on the Divine Name, he enlight-

ened also the eyes of this man's soul to the knowledge

of the truth. This also became the cause for the mar-

tyrdom of him who had been blind, since when he was

asked by whom and in what manner his eyes had been

opened, in imitation of that blind man of the Gospel

he confessed with boldness both who the physician

was and the manner of his healing. For this he was put

to death immediately. Panteleimon was arrested also,

and having endured many wounds, he was finally be-

headed in the year 305, during the reign of Maximian.

Saint Panteleimon is one of the Holy Unmercenaries,

and is held in special honor among them, even as

Saint George is among the Martyrs.

Apolytikion in the Third Tone

Panteleimon, saintly champion and healer, intercede

with our merciful God to grant our souls remission of

sins.

Saturday—July 4th

Saturday in

the Park

Volunteers needed! Friday for Prep as well as

Saturday

Please contact

Dean Karras


Ask the Fathers Sunday, June 28th Great Vespers for SS. Peter & Paul: 6:00 p.m. Pot-Luck Dinner and Questions with the Fathers 7:00 p.m. Come and bring your questions to ask Fr. Lucas and Fr. Dimitri in an open environment. Why do we fast? Why are Liturgies set up the way they are? Why is Church on Sundays? Why were the disciples chosen? What is the Patriachate? What are the icons?

July 26 Ask the Fathers—Held at Holy Trinity

August 23 Ask the Fathers—Held at Holy Trinity

Lamentations Service to

the Theotokos

August 1st

6:00 p.m.

At Holy Trinity


Parish News June 28 Ask the Fathers—

Held at St. Thomas

July 4 Saturday in the Park

July 12 Fr. Dimitri Out of

Town. Church at St. Thomas

July 26 Ask the Fathers—

Held at Holy Trinity

August 1 Lamentations to the

Theotokos at Holy Trinity

August 16 Church Picnic at

Stone State Park

August 23 Ask the Fathers—

Held at Holy Trinity

Metropolis News

St. Mary’s Camp Saturday June 27th- Friday July 3th

Fanari Camp 2015 FANARI CAMP DATES

Session 1: June 15-21 - 6th-11th grade Session 2: June 22-28 - 10th & 11th grade ONLY Session 3: July 6-12 - 6th-11th grade Session 4: July 13-19 - 6th-11th grade

Save the

Date !!!

August 16th

Annual Church Picnic

& Liturgy

Liturgy will be held at Stone

State Park Lodge

July 20th Holy Trinity will go to an Explorer’s Game!

Join us as we watch the Explorers take on the Saltdogs!

Bring the Whole Family! Take us out to the Ball Game!!!

Pot Luck/Tailgate at 5:30 p.m., game at 7:00 p.m.


Ho

ly T

rinity

GO

C J

un

e 20

15

Su

nd

ay

Mo

nd

ay

Tu

esday

W

edn

esday

T

hu

rsday

F

riday

S

aturd

ay

1

9:00 am

Orthros

10:00 am

Divine Liturgy of the

Holy S

pirit 7:00 pm

P

arish Council M

eet-

ing

2

3

4:30 pm

Healthy B

ody Healthy

Soul

5:00 pm

Greek D

ance Practice

6:00 pm

Youth &

Fam

ily

NIG

HT

4

2:00 pm

O

ffice Hours

5:00 pm

Byzantine M

usc Class

6:00 pm

Paraklisis S

ervice

5

Visitatio

ns

6:00 pm

Baptism

al Sem

inar -

By appointm

ent

6

Davrn

po

rt bap

tism

7

Dip

les for G

reekfest W

e Kn

ead Y

ou

Ph

ilop

toch

os M

on

thly M

eeting

AG

IAS

MO

S 9:00 am

S

unday Orthros

10:00 am

Divine Liturgy

11:30 am

Choir P

ractice

8

9

10

4:30 pm

H

ealthy Body H

ealthy

Soul

5:00 pm

Greek D

ance Practice

6:00 pm

GO

YA

11

2:00 pm

O

ffice Hours

5:00 pm

Byzantine M

usc Class

6:00 pm

Paraklisis S

ervice

12

Greek F

est V

isitation

s 1

3

Greek F

est

14

Greek F

est 9:00 am

O

rthros of The H

oly

Prophet E

lisseus

(Elisha)

9:00 am

Sunday O

rthros 10:00 am

D

ivine Liturgy 10:00 am

D

ivine Liturgy of The

Holy P

rophet Elisseus

(Elisha)

11:30 am

Choir P

ractice

15

1

6

1

7

18

2:00 pm

O

ffice Hours

5:00 pm

Byzantine M

usc Class

6:00 pm

Paraklisis S

ervice

19

Visitatio

ns

20

21

Fath

ers' Day

9:00 am

Sunday O

rthros 10:00 am

D

ivine Liturgy 11:30 am

C

hoir Practice

22

2

3

2

4

9:00 am

O

rthros of the Nativity

of the Forerunner

10:00 am


Nativity of the F

ore-

runner

7:00 Post G

reek Fest

Meeting

25

2:00 pm

O

ffice Hours

5:00 pm

Byzantine M

usc Class

6:00 pm

Paraklisis S

ervice

26

Visitatio

ns

27

28

9:00 am

S

unday Orthros

10:00 am

Divine Liturgy

11:30 am

Choir P

ractice

7:00 pm

Ask the F

athers

29

9:00 am

O

rthros of SS

. Peter &

Paul

10:00 am

Divine Liturgy of S

S.

Peter &

Paul

30

9:00 am

O

rthros of the Holy

Apostles

10:00 am


Holy A

postles


Su

nd

ay

Mo

nd

ay

Tu

esday

W

edn

esday

T

hu

rsday

F

riday

S

aturd

ay

1

8:30 am

Agiasm

os Service

2

2:00 pm

O

ffice Hours

5:00 pm

Byzantine M

usic Class

6:00 pm

Paraklisis S

ervice

3

Visitatio

ns

Ind

epen

den

ce Day o

bserved

6:00 pm

Baptism

al Sem

inar -

By appointm

ent

4 In

dep

end

ence D

ay

Satu

rday

in th

e P

ark

5

On

e year mem

orial

Mich

ael 9:00 am

S

unday Orthros

10:00 am

Divine Liturgy

11:30 am

Choir P

ractice

6

7

8

9

1

0

11

12

C

hurch at St. T

homas

13

1

4

1

5

1

6

1

7

1

8

19

9:00 am

S

unday Orthros

10:00 am

Divine Liturgy

11:30 am

Choir P

ractice

20

9:00 am

O

rthros of Prophet

Elias

10:00 am

Divine Liturgy of

Prophet E

lias 5:00 pm

B

aseball outing

21

2

2

2

3

2:00 pm

O

ffice Hours

5:00 pm

Byzantine M

usic Class

6:00 pm

Paraklisis S

ervice

24

Visitatio

ns

25

26

9:00 am

O

rthros of SS

. Par-

askeve & H

ermolaos

10:00 am

Divine Liturgy of S

S.

Paraskeve &

Herm

o-

laos 11:30 am

C

hoir Practice

7:00 pm

Ask the F

athers

27

9:00 am

O

rthros of St. P

an-

teleimon

10:00 am

Divine Liturgy of S

t.

Panteleim

on

28

2

9

3

0

2:00 pm

O

ffice Hours

5:00 pm

Byzantine M

usic Class

6:00 pm

Paraklisis S

ervice

31

Visitatio

ns

Ho

ly T

rinity

GO

C J

uly

20

15


Pentecost with Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos

Feast Day of our Parish

Guest Clergy:

(Left to right)

1. Fr. Christodoulos Margellos, St.

George (Rock Island, IL)

2. Fr. Demetrios Kounavis, Holy

Cross (Justice, IL)

3. Fr. Thomas Alatzakis Assumption

(East Moline, IL)

We thank His Grace and our brother

Clergy for their journey to make our

Feast richer with their presence.


2015 Greek Fest

An Incredible display of Family



Sun June 21 Coffee Hour: The Vlahoulis Family

Sun June 28 Coffee Hour:

Sun July 5 Coffee Hour: The Davenport Family in

Memory of Michael (1 year)

Sun July 12 Church at St. Thomas

Sun July 19 Coffee Hour:

Sun July 26 Coffee Hour:

We need Coffee Hour Sponsors!

Does a loved one have a name day, birthday, anniversary, memorial coming up? Why not honor

that loved one by sponsoring the Coffee Hour in his/her/their honor? Check the Coffee Hour

Section of the Website to see open days.

Prosforo to be offered by the following Families on the following Dates:

Documents

June/July 2015 - Holy Trinity Church · Bible Study: will resume in September ... ABRAHAM’S PANTRY: Please donate! ... June/July 2015 Page 6 President’s Message