2019 June Word 1

“And the Word became flesh & dwelt among us, full of grace & truth.”

~John 1:14

Liturgies & ReadingsUpcoming services

for JunePage 2

Parish Council A Letter from our

PC PresidentPage 4

Fr. John’s Message The Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom

Page 1

Sunday SchoolIcon of the Resurrection

Service ProjectsPage 10

Upcoming EventsGreek FestivalHeritage Night

Page 11

PhiloptochosBoard Elections

Missions PossiblePage 5

June 2019

Dear Stewards and Faithful of Nativity of Christ,Christ is Risen!“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” - Colossians 3:23As we have completed the 2019 Marin Greek Festival I must express my gratitude to all of you for another successful year. Thousands upon thousands of people were able to come to our Church and experience our food, music, dancing, and most importantly, our faith. Our Festival’s success is not just determined by the number of people experiencing the Church, but the number of people witnessing that our work for the Church is done from the heart. I particularly would like to thank our Chairs, Rose Hunter and Nico Haris for their leadership as well as Vicki Kalabokes and Spiro Stratigos for managing several logistical details. There are over 20 additional coordinators who are responsible for a specific facet of the Festival and I thank all of them for committing numerous hours to ensure their area was efficiently executed. All the volunteer hours during, before, and after the Festival are a testament to the community’s commitment to working for the Lord from the heart. I thank all the stewards of our beloved Parish for making the 2019 Marin Greek Festival a true witness to our Orthodox

Christian Faith and a treasured event in Marin County. As we continue the celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection and our 50th Anniversary, I invite all stewards to our Special Parish Assembly on Sunday, June 9th. Through one-on-one interactions, Parish Assembly presentations, direct parishioner feedback, a parish-wide comprehensive survey, and a strategic planning workshop, the Strategic Planning Steering Committee has prioritized six goals for the five-year strategic plan of Nativity of Christ. I pray that through this structured and focused plan, our community can work together efficiently, and from the heart, to fulfill the desired mission and vision of our Parish. With Great Lent, Holy Week, and the Marin Greek Festival, this time that we have welcomed our daughter, Marina, has been a busy yet very special time for our family. I thank all of you for your prayers and warm wishes and Marina is looking forward to meeting the stewards of Nativity of Christ on Sunday, June 2 for her 40 Day Blessing. May our Risen Lord continue to bless our community with good health so we may continue to work for the Lord with all our hearts.

In Christ’s love,

Fr. John

N A T I V I T Y O F C H R I S T G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H

The Word

2 2019 June Word

All Divine Services on Sundays and weekdays begin with Orthros at 8:30am followed by the Divine Liturgy.

Please make every effort to attend these worship services on time.

June Services and Readings

Sun June 2 The Blind Man Acts 16:16-34 John 9:1-38

Thurs June 6 Holy Ascension Acts 1:1-12 Luke 24:36-53

Sun June 9 1st Ecumenical Council Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 John 17:1-13

Sat June 15 Saturday of Souls I Thessalonians 4:13-17 John 21:14-25

Sun June 16 Holy Pentacost Acts 2:1-11 John 7:37-52; 8:12

Sun June 23 All Saints Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2 Matthew 10:32-33, 37-28; 19:27-30

Mon June 24 Nativity of John the Baptist Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4 Luke 1:25. 57-68, 76-80

Sat June 29 Apostles Peter and Paul II Corinthians 11:21-33; 12:1-9 Matthew 16:13-19

Sun June 30 Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles I Corinthians 4:9-16 Matthew 9:36; 10:1-8

Holy AscensionThe Lord Jesus passed forty days on earth after His Resurrection from the dead, appearing continually in various places to His disciples, with whom He also spoke, ate, and drank, thereby further demonstrating His Resurrection. On this Thursday, the fortieth day after Pascha, He appeared again in Jerusalem. After He had first spoken to the disciples about many things, He gave them His last commandment, that is, that they go forth and proclaim His Name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. But He also commanded them that for the present, they were not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait there together until they receive power from on high, when the Holy Spirit would come upon them.Saying these things, He led them to the Mount of Olives, and raising His hands, He blessed them; and saying again the words of the Father's blessing, He was parted from them and taken up. Immediately a cloud of light, a proof of His majesty, received Him. Sitting thereon as though on a royal chariot, He was taken up into Heaven, and after a short time was concealed from the sight of the disciples, who remained where they were with their eyes fixed on Him. At this point, two Angels in the form of men in white raiment appeared to them and said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, Who is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven" (Acts 1:11). These words, in a complete and concise manner, declare what is taught in the Symbol of Faith concerning the Son and Word of God. Therefore, having so fulfilled all His dispensation for us, our Lord Jesus Christ ascended in glory into Heaven, and sat at the right hand of God the Father. As for His sacred disciples, they returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, rejoicing because Christ had promised to send them the Holy Spirit.It should be noted that the Mount of Olives is a Sabbath's day journey from Jerusalem, that is, the distance a Jew was permitted to walk on the day of the Sabbath. Ecumenius writes, "A Sabbath day's journey is one mile in length, as Clement says in his fifth Stromatis; it is two thousand cubits, as the Interpretation of the Acts states." They draw this conclusion from the fact that, while they were in the wilderness, the Israelites of old kept within this distance from the Holy Tabernacle, whither they walked on the Sabbath day to worship God.

2019 June Word

Marin Greek Festival

2019 June Word

Congratulations….Our Village Rocked!!!! A heartfelt “thank you” to all of our hardworking volunteers who gave their time, talent, and treasure for many months. You, as a united team, put on an amazing Festival! The comments on the surveys and from the attendees are a tribute to all of your hard work…THANK YOU. Our village accomplished so much, so well: the sprucing up of the campus, cooking and baking, arranging for presentations and activities at the Festival, setup and clean up, vendors, marketing, singing, chanting, and dancing. For almost 50 years, our Festival has grown to become an important addition to Marin County’s event calendar. The Festival, in addition to being a fundraiser, allows us to share our Greek heritage, faith, culture and hospitality with thousands of attendees. Each year you have helped to create a welcoming atmosphere that has Festival goers returning year after year.We will be holding an Appreciation Dinner, chaired by Cathy Selmi, on Thursday, May 30th. The date of the Post-Festival meeting will be announced soon.On to 2020…

With Appreciation,Niko, Rose & Vicki

Marin Greek Festival

2019 June Word

Parish Council UpdateThe Parish Council would like to thank you all for your faith and love as we together as a community honored our 50th Anniversary with a successful 2019 Marin Greek Festival. The gifts of your time, talents, and treasure are invaluable as we serve Marin and Sonoma Counties.

2019 June Word

Let’s Celebrate! To celebrate the end of the current board term, the next Philoptochos general meeting will be held at Wild Fox Restaurant in Novato on June 4th at 6:30. The short agenda will include the presentation of the 2019-2021 board members. Please plan to join the women and men of our chapter for a fun meal together. Please email Irene Meehan imeehan715@hotmail.com o r R o s e H u n t e r

Kynegos@hotmail.com by May 30th, if you will attend. The restaurant is located at 225 Alameda del Prado

Holy Cross Monastery RetreatOn Saturday, June 22 we will be going to the Holy Cross Monastery in Castro Valley for a one day retreat which will include a tour of the Monastery. Please bring head scarves and long dresses. Plans are currently in the works for a retreat to our Monastery in Dunlap in the Fall.

Mission Possible Formerly known as “Mochas for Missions”This is the ministry that funds missions in our own Metropolis. What you would spend on a coffee drink every day can help support our current mission parishes and begin new ones. Keeping a jar in your home is a way to remind us of Christ’s call to go to all people everywhere. Canisters will be available in the Church Office and are due back on Sunday, June 9. If you chose not to get a canister, your cash or check donation to Philoptochos marked for Mochas for Missions will be gratefully accepted.

Upcoming Philoptochos Dates

June 2: Graduates Recognition Luncheon and Scholarship PresentationsJune 4: Celebratory Dinner, Wild Fox Restaurant, 6:30 PMJune 22: Holy Cross Monastery Retreat, Castro ValleyJuly 2: Board Meeting, 6:30 PM

Philoptochos

Recognition LuncheonPlease join us at the Sunday, June 2 Fellowship Hour for a light luncheon to honor all of our graduates. We will be awarding the annual Philoptochos and Perivolaris Family scholarships at this luncheon. Please come to show your support for our young parishioners!

Philoptochos Membership Drive “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” - Mother Teresa. With that beautiful thought in mind, if you have not already done so, please join or renew your membership in Philoptochos. This is a vital ministry for the men and women of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. Attendance at meetings is not necessary. Please give what you can of your time, talents or monetary support to this worthy endeavor. You may contact any board member to join. Fellowship Hours Hosting a Fellowship Hour is a great way to honor a family member or special event. Hosting a Fellowship Hour means that you provide the snacks of your choice. Philoptochos members make the coffee and set-up the food and coffee tables. Contact R o s e H u n t e r ( 4 1 5 - 4 9 7 - 8 3 0 0 , kynegos@hotmail.com) if you would like to be a host. Please keep in mind those who benefit from Philoptochos when contributing for your coffee and snack.

2019 June Word

StewardshipChrist is Risen! The base from which we serve as the Voice of Christ in a Changing World is the parish. A strong parish provides opportunities for sharing the Good News of Christ, for welcoming those that are searching for a spiritual home, and a base from which we are sent out into the world. The parish also provides a place for worship, community and education in the faith. To be stewards of the Gospel, we need to be stewards of our parish. This requires the vision and inspiration to see the parish, not as it is, but as it could be. We are called to offer ourselves and our treasure to make our local church all that is can be. Stewardship is an opportunity to examine our priorities and values, to express our thankfulness, to give of ourselves and to grow in grace. It allows us to participate in the work of God. Bearing fruit in the world is the visible result of our abiding in Christ, the True Vine.Your Stewardship Commitment is a testimony of your dedication to your own spiritual growth and the spreading our beloved Orthodox Faith. With your help we can reach our goal! Nobody can do everything but we all can do something!

2019 June Word

Great Friday Retreat

Great Friday Retreat On Great Friday the youth of our Sunday School gathered for the Royal Hours Service in the morning and then participated in the Great Friday Retreat. Crafts and lessons were prepared by Andy Stenros and the Sunday School staff. We thank the parents and teachers for providing a Christian environment for our young people on the holiest day of the year.

2019 June Word

Holy Friday Services

Holy Wednesday ServicesHoly Wednesday we were blessed to have His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos preside over both the Holy Unction Service in the afternoon as well as the Matins of the Mystical Supper in the evening.

Holy Week Highlights

2019 June Word

Holy Pascha

Our choir, chanters, and acolytes contributed to another spiritually uplifting Holy Week. A fantastic Pascha Picnic was offered for over 400 guests to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord from the dead and the 50th Anniversary of Nativity of Christ.

2019 June Word

May HighlightsAlex EliadesPhiloptochos is proud to sponsor a seminarian every year from Holy Cross and it was a particular blessing to sponsor our own, Alex Eliades. He graduated with a Masters of Divinity on Saturday, May 18, 2019 and will be immediately moving to Pheonix, AZ to serve the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Along with his wife, Laura, they are not only to begin their service to the Church but they also are expecting their first child in the Fall. Congratulations to you and your family Alex!

2019 June Word

Upcoming Events

VIP’s There will be no VIP’s in June, July and August. Our monthly meetings will return on September 12th. Look for details in the August Word.

June 9 Special Parish AssemblyFollowing the Divine Liturgy on June 9th there will be a Special Parish Assembly to approve the proposed Strategic Plan. The Agenda will be paper mailed and emailed near the end of May. The Plan will also be posted on the Parish Website upon its pending approval on June 9. Please join us as we dream toward the future vision and mission of our dynamic Parish.

Gyro Booth at the Marin County Fair

Save the dates to help at our gyro booth. We are in need of volunteers July 3 through 7.

2019 June Word

Another Sunday school year is winding down! Our last class before summer vacation is June 2nd. Please bring a dessert to share for our Sundae Sunday celebration after class.

Check out the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, "Soak up the Son" activity pages for ways to stay connected to learn about our faith this summer. You can attend Parish activities, youth ministry gatherings, and most of all, the Divine Liturgy either at our Parish or wherever your travels may take you this summer.

Please look for the link to register for the 2019-2020 Sunday School year in the July/August Word. Registering helps us appropriately plan for future activities as well as for class loads for Sunday School in the Fall.

Teachers are needed for second and third grade students. This position is open to job share as well so if there are two interested parishioners who would like to work together, that would be fabulous! Please contact Christina Thomatos. Christina.thomatos@gmail.com. Substitute staff is always needed as well so come join our teaching family!

Congratulations to all of our students for another wonderful year of Sunday School. We wish all the best to our 8th and 12th grade graduates. Happy summer to everyone!

Sunday School

Nativity of Christ Parish at Greek Heritage Night

Greek Heritage Night will take place on Friday, September 27th  vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers. Game time is at 7:15pm.Tickets are $47 each in the bleacher section 137 and will include a special Giants Greek t-shirt.Visit https://www.mlb.com/giants/tickets/specials and select Greek Heritage Night to purchase tickets.

GOYA GatheringOn May 9th, the Stathis Family hosted the last Goya Gathering of the year. After a delicious meal and enlightening discussion, we gave specific recognition to our seniors in attendance: Bella Stathis, Tim Chyrklund, and Nicole Efstathiu.

2019 June Word

Metropolitan Elpidorphoros

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros  (Lambriniadis) of America was born in 1967 in Bakirköy, Istanbul. He studied at the

Department of Pastoral Theology at the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, graduating in 1991. In 1993, he completed postgraduate studies at the Philosophical School of the University of Bonn in Germany, submitting a dissertation entitled: “The Brothers Nicholas and John Mesarites.” He was ordained to the Diaconate in 1994 at the Patriarchal Cathedral and appointed Kodikographos (Scrivener) of the Holy and Sacred Synod.

In 1995, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod. From 1996-1997 he studied at the Theological School of St. John the Damascene in Balamand, Lebanon, where he advanced his knowledge of the Arabic language. In 2001, he presented a doctoral dissertation at the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki under the title: “Severus of Antioch and the Council of Chalcedon” and was proclaimed a Doctor of Theology. In 2004, he was invited to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston, where he taught as Visiting Professor for a semester.

In March 2005, at the proposal of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, he was elevated by the Holy and Sacred Synod to the position of Chief Secretary and ordained to the priesthood by the Ecumenical Patriarch in the Patriarchal Cathedral. In 2009, he submitted two dissertations to the Theological School of Thessaloniki and was unanimously elected Assistant Professor of Symbolics, Inter-Orthodox Relations, and the Ecumenical Movement.

The dissertations are entitled: “The Synaxes of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne (1951-2004)” and “Luther’s Ninety-five Theses: Historical and Theological Aspects. Text - Translation - Commentary.”

In March 2011, he was elected Metropolitan of Bursa and in August of the same year was appointed Abbot of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of the Holy Trinity on the island of Halki. He has served as Orthodox Secretary of the Joint International Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Lutheran World Federation and member of the Patriarchal delegations to the General Assemblies of the Conference of European Churches and the World Council of Churches. He was the Secretary of the Pan-Orthodox Synods in Sofia (1998), Istanbul (2005), Geneva (2006), and Istanbul (2008). He has been a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches since 1996.

On May 11, 2019 the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate unanimously elected Metropolitan ELPIDOPHOROS of Bursa to be the Archbishop of America

Archbishop-elect Elpidophoros. Source: Ecumenical Patriarchate

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

www.goarch.org • facebook.com/goarch • twitter.com/goarch

Let us join together in welcoming Archbishop-elect Elpidophoros! AXIOS!

2019 June Word 15

Presiding Priest Fr. John & Pres. Stephanie Kocolas

Priest Emeritus Fr. Constantine & Pres. Kay Efstathiu Pres. Evelyn Adams

Aaron, Steven & Eva Adams, Bill & Lisa Ambrosi, Alex Anderson, Francis Angelonides, Peter & Arlene Antonellis, Grigorios Antonis, Chris & Keri Argyres, Andreas & Joanne Balopoulos, Michael & Anna Barmperis, Ioannis & Tina Batbie, Donald & Barbara Bechaka, Sonia Bertolina, Ronald & Elaine Bizani, Alexandra Blasingame, Dave & Katina Boosalis, Gud Botaitis, Demetri Bryan, Keith & Karavolos Brzycki, Jeffrey & Tracy Langly Burrows, Bill & Floretta Camamis, Constance Dina Capetanos, Bill& Chrisoula Captainian, Ted & Connie Castro, Jeff & Joanna Catel, Paraskevi Cavender, John & Tina Bournazos Chyrklund, Chris & Elaine Corcoran, Bruce & Fran Cordellos, Dennis & Anna Couch, George & Katherine Cummings Nathan & Daphne Cunningham, Kenn & Elaine Daifotis, Kimon & Cindy Daifotis, Nick Degaitis, Julia Delfino, Ken & Carrie Delis, Nicholas & Stephanie Della Cella, Joseph & Kathryn Kalabokes Demakas, George Demiris, George Diamond, Jason & Vickie Economy, Carol Efstathiu, Paul & Kristen Eggleston, Philip & Angela El-Far, Karim & Jasmin Eliopoulos, Sophia Evind, Thomas Fafoutis, Diane Ferber, John & Pamela

Foster, Paul & Christina Fotinos, Vivian Fourakis, Achilleas Fourakis, Argyro Fourakis, Vasilis & Effie Fradelizio, John & Georgia Fuss, Patrick Gagas, Charles & Claire Gavallos, Constantina Gavallos, Dennis & Heloisa George, Pete & Ann Georgeson, George & Debbie Geron, Marika Gikkas, Pete & Vickie Hatos Gikkas, Stephanie Giusti, Nonie Grey, Connie Haginicols, Charles & Amalia Hajopoulos, Kathy Hall, Bryan & Paula Haris, Nico & Nicole Haritakis, Sylvia Harvey, Elaine Hawes, Warren & Chris Hontalas, Chris & Susan Hundley, Courtney & Marilyn Hunter, John & Rose Hunter, Stacey Iannios, Demetrios & Manulani Kakleas, Jon & Michelle Kalabokes, Chris & Vicki Kalabokes, Matthew Kamages, Christ & Pat Kanas, Nick & Carolynn Karas, Tom & Eleni Karaszi, Mariska Katsaros, Eleni Kavantjas, Diane Keller, Ed & Karen Kocolas, Andoni & Alexia Kokalis, George & Debbie Kokalis, Nick & Lena Kosmas, Anthony & Anthonia Kosturos, John & Dolly Kozas, Anna Kozas, Tom & Angie Kuvelis, Dean & Denise Lagios, Michael & Sheila Lendaris, Antonia Lendaris, George Livadas, Carl & Stacey Livanos, Nicholas & Patricia Lourdis, Vasiliki Lynn, Thomas & Lucille Madias, Alex & Robyn Madias, Dino & Marti Madias, Michael & Laurie Manesis, Alexandria Mantalvanos, Alex & Maria Mancini, Anthony & Despina

Mardakis, Helen MArsala, Joan Marshall, Phil & Kathy Mavromihalis, Steven & Vickie Mayer, Paul & Diana Demetrulias Medan, Dushan & Gigi Meehan, Nicole Meehan, Thomas & Irene Mehas, Christine Messner, Mark & Cheryl Metallinos, Sophia Montoya, Paul & Sophia Morales, Marlon & Andrea Morphew, Forrest & Ephimia Morris, Susan Muntean, Elisabeta O’Connor Wayne & Betty Oetzel, Robert & Pauline Orologas, Alexandra Orologas, Julie Orologas, Katerina Orr, Thomas & Beverly Panagotacos, James & Diane Pantazes, Katherine Papadopoulos, John Papageorge, Christos & Despina Papanikolaou, George & Soula Papanikolaou, Marina Papedo, Janice Pappas, Maria Passaris, Michael & Meredith Passaris, Peter & Maria Passaris, Ted & Elaine Pauletti, Jeff & Alexandria Payea, Keith & Nicolette Perivolaris, Nick & Ellen Perivolaris, Sara Petrakis, Steve & Martha Pezzuto, Maria Picras, Beatrice Pineda, Andy & Matina Seremetis Pinoris, Lloyd & Anastasia Porter, Bryan & Melina Powers, Bill & Kiki Taft Prokopakis, Johanna Psaros, Stamati & Eleni Rishwain, Darren & Pamela Roesner, Russell & Margarite Roland, George & Doris Rouman, Steve & Liz Sandoval, Irene Saris, Tony & Betty Scafidas, Anastasia Scanagatta, Roman & Eleni Scott, Anthony & Renee Selmi, Cathy Selmi, Helen Sideris, Stassie

Siefkas, Chris & Susan Simon, Kay Simos, Ted & Sophia Sklavos, James & Bessie Slenkin, Alex & Nancy Smernes, Kalliope Smith, Evdokia Smyrni, Anna Soeten Alexandra Sotiras, Erene Sotiras, George Sotiras, Maria Starling, Eric & Irene Stathis, Pete & Dina Stathis, Sophia Stavrinides, Nicholas & Thalia Stenros, Andriana Stenros, Stuart & Stella Stockton, John & Susan Stratigos, Spiro & Mary Kay Streutker, Dawne Tacticos, George Tangalakis, Odysseus & Joanna Thomatos, Dennis & Christina Tocmakidis, Penelopy Touras, Antonios & Antonia Trapalis, Arthur & Niovi Trapalis, Vicki Trevoledes, Patrice Triantafyllos, John & Laura Trimble, Paul Tsiplakos, George & Maria Tzafopoulos, Demetrios & Cindy Tzafopoulos, Nicholas & Vasiliki Tzagarakis, Martina Vallas, James & Judith Vlahakos, Nick & Georgia Vrattos, John & Francesca Walters, Charles & Amalia Walters, Jenny Walters, Scott & Karen Weeks, Andrew Weeks, Dan & Stacey White, Sonja Whittaker, Madeline Wildermuth, Anna Woods, Doris Xenelis, Nicholas Yakumithis, Michael Yatrakis, Christopher & Eirini Karatzaferi Yioulos, Dean & Ann Zaccardelli, Dennis & Kathryn Zaferiou, Paul & Phyllis Zagorites, Marion Zahariudakis, Dimitrios &

2019 Pledged Stewards of Nativity of Christ (As of May 27, 2019)“All Things are Possible to the One Who Believes in Christ.”

2019 June Word

2019 June Word

The Word June 2019

Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church1110 Highland DriveNovato, California 94949www.nativityofchrist.org

Change Service Requested