Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

8210 Cypress Lake Drive Fort Myers, Florida 33919 Metropolis

of Atlanta

TO:

Current Resident or

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church wearing their PINK today in honor of BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. Had my mammogram last week....how 'bout you? That and self breast exams can save lives. It's the least we can do for those who Love and depend on us!

VOICE THE

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

November & December 2015

Nicholas the Wonderworker

December 6th

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 8210 Cypress Lake Drive ~ Fort Myers, Florida 33919-5116

Ch. Phone: (239) 481-2099 Fax: (239)-481-0504 email: officeagoc@gmail.com Fr. Dean’s cell: (239) 322-7553 email: revfrdean@gmail.com

www.annunciation.fl.goarch.org Office Hours: Monday-Friday ~ 9:30 am-3 pm

Administrative Assistant: Kelsie Gregware

MINISTRIES

GOYA (TEENS) Heidi Kubiak– Advisor

Sunday School Mary Sue Gladis

Ladies Philoptochos Ginny Amend, President

H.O.P.E & J.O.Y (5yr-12yr)

Olympia Ruppe

Bookstore Virginia Headley Dr. Theodor Bonstedt DANCE TROUPE Georgia Kline ____________

Organizations: Hellenic American Social Club of S.W. FL Barbara Dionysopoulos, President

VISIT US ON FACEBOOK

Annunciation GOC Fort Myers

November & December VOICE 2015

PARISH COUNCIL

Rev. Fr. Dean Nastos, Proistamenos

Fr. Deacon John Howard _________________________

Executive Officers:

Nick Karras President

Maria Mourgis Vice-President

Virginia Headley Treasurer

Michael Peceri Assistant Treasurer

Heidi Kubiak Secretary

Board Members:

Tom Haley Les Haynes Pat Kemp Mikes Maillakakis Marilyn Necak Carol Palatine Jon Shannon

Council Committees:

Stewardship Pat Kemp

Welcome/Ushering Effie Kapetan All Council Members

Festival Jen-Hope Belis

_____________________________

VOICE Editor Fr. Dean Nastos

Altar Don Headley

Choir Adam Krotov, Co-Director John Nychis, Co-Director Heidi Kubiak, Organist

Chantors Theo Palis Virginia Headley

Prosphoro Polly Margaritis:(239) 634-6460

31 03/01/2016

Our 4th decade of service to our community.

239-542-4733

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Tax, Wills & Trusts,

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The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisement. Before you decide ask us for free

information about our qualifications and experience.

10/01/2015 3

From the Desk of Our Proistamenos... NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our home is a sacred place. A home indicates how civilized one may be. A home is the refuge

of every person. It is the place where one goes for shelter. It is the place where the family is

established. The father, the mother, and the children are called family because they reside in the

same household. Whoever is born into a particular home and is a descendant from that household

belongs to the same family: Grandparents, father or mother, the children and even the

grandchildren. Being born into a family preserves one generation to the next and strengthens the

family unit and the ancestral ties.

Even more for the Orthodox Christian, the home becomes a Church! St. Paul writes in his

epistles that the home of a conscientious Orthodox Christian is called the Church in the Home. The

actual structure of the home and all those who dwell in it are recognized as a Church! In the

Orthodox Christian home the great mystery of life is experienced. There, the husband and the wife

lived united in love just as Christ is united to the Church. Children are born and raised in a

household and taught to adhere to the law and to faithfully follow the teachings of God. From

generation to generation the home enables mankind to inhabit the earth.

Children are the joy of the home, and they are the greatest anxiety of parents. Because children

are a blessing of God, parents are responsible for their well-being to God and then to our fellow

man. God calls parents His “Co-workers” and the world expects civilized people to come from the

home. The home has been compared to a greenhouse where the parents act as the gardeners who

care for their offspring and prepare them for society.

Orthodox parents, give glory and thanksgiving to God for He has called you to be His

“Co-workers” and He has bestowed upon you children. Make your home a Church and as

dedicated priests in the home, commit yourself to nurturing your children. Before God, parents

stand to give an accounting of how they cared for their children in this sacred responsibility. As we

prepare to receive Christ in the flesh at the Nativity, accept the example of the Mother of Jesus and

Joseph, who did not once betray the child entrusted to their care. Raise your children, as St. Paul

writes, “in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

May Thanksgiving Day truly be a day of offering thanks to the Lord for all His blessings upon

us all and may we welcome the New Born King into our souls now and forever.

In Christ’s Service,

Fr. Dean

A Message from the President , Nick Karras

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015 Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, As the year comes to an end, we prepare to celebrate two of the largest & most significant holidays. Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks to the Lord for everything he has given to us. A time also, to help the less fortunate as Orthodox Christians. Then there is Christmas, the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ; a time for joyous celebration. It is very important that we do not get caught up in the materialism that surrounds us during this holiday. We need to reach out within our community and share the positive experience that Jesus Christ’s birth has had upon us. As I previously stated we have a lot to be thankful for. The most recent of those things to be thankful for is Our Little Taste of Greece Event which was a HUGE success. Additionally, there are still events coming prior to the close of 2015 to look forward to. As this year comes to an end, I wish to thank all of the Parish Council members and all of the other volunteers who made this such a successful year. We could not have done it without their help and support. Looking forward to 2016, we need to increase our time, talent & resources to make this coming year a better and even more successful year than 2015. It will be a wonderful success to surpass our accomplishments of 2015, but I know that we have the parish and community who can make it happen. God Bless you all! Have a Happy Thanksgiving & a Very Merry Christmas! In Christ's Service,

Nick Karras Parish Council President

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Capital Campaign by Michael Peceri

“ultimo christianorum” **

On a mountainside in Iraq’s Kurdish region stands the fourth-century Mar Mattai Monastery

named for the hermit monk who retired there at the dawn of Christianity. The forces of Islamic State

are a little more than two miles away. The vast monastery is perched high on Mount Alfaf hewed

from stone. In the courtyard on the ground level live two families who fled Mosul and the persecu-

tion of Christians there.

Four monks live at Mar Mattai Monastery, clad in their black robes and their caps embroidered

with white crosses. In the Eastern Rite church on the monastery upper level the monks are intoning

one of the “chants of the Greek Church, Kyrie eleison. The monks recount their friendly relations with

the Jews who like them, felt at home in the region since Babylonian exile. They then speak of the Is-

lamic State and its mystifying savagery. They recount the problems with the Persians, Mongols, Ar-

abs, and Ottomans. The monk tells us about the fall of Mosul in June 2014. About the “Nazarenes”

who were given a few hours to choose between conversion to Islam and death by the sword. When a

monk was asked if “these savages can win and that this land might become not only Judenfrei but also

cleansed of the Christians who are the last in the world still speaking the language of Jesus?” Without

hesitation the monk responds, “Yes, barring a miracle, yes.” Asked if he and his fellow monks foresee

joining the exodus if such a miracle did not occur. He responds, “No, because we are shepherds. As

long as there remains a single member of the flock lost in these villages where, as in the Bible, it is no

longer possible to tell right from left, we will be there to guide.”

Why am I relating this story when my function on the Parish Council is to lead the Classroom/

Office building Capital Campaign Fund? When I read the op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal writ-

ten by Bernard Henri Levy I was moved by the choices given Christians captured were forced to

make, either convert to Islam or die by the sword, when Mosul was overrun by the Islamic State. A monk

when asked if he thought his monastery would be run over by the Islamic State, “Yes, barring a miracle,

yes.” After further questioning he was asked if the monks would leave the monastery he responded,

“No, we are shepherds, as long as there remains a single member of the flock lost….. we will be there to guide.”

We as Stewards of our Church, thank God, we are not faced with the same decisions enforced

upon Christians who come under the force of the Islamic State or those faced by the monks at the Mar

Mattai Monastery. I am not and you are not faced with decisions of life or death imposed on us by the

Islamic State. However, you and I are faced with the financial commitments we have made to the

Classroom/Office building Capital campaign. For those who have made pledges it would be helpful if

you could finish paying off your pledge now or stepping up the payments. For those Parishioners

who give weekly to the Building Fund tray please increase giving as much as possible. Together we

can as Stewards of our Church relieve our Church of its current financial burden.

**The op-ed in the Wall Street Journal by Bernard-Henri Levy was translated from the French by Steven B. Kennedy and excerpts from Chateaubriand translated by A. S. Kline.

ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

2015 STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM PLEDGES

This listing contains the names of those Stewards of the Church who have signed the, blue, pledge cards for 2015. Pledge cards are available in the Church Narthex or Church office. If you feel your name has been omitted please contact: Kelsie Gregware, Administrative Assistant in the Church Office (481-2099) Virginia Headley, Parish Council Treasurer or Pat Kemp, Stewardship Committee Chairman.

Nicholas & Varvara Alexiou

John & Ashley Aloizakis

Michael & Popi Ambazis

Rev. Albert & Ginny Amend

James & Jodi Anderson

James & Katie Avtges

Anastasios & Darlene Bairaktaris

Dr. Andrew & Jen-Hope Belis

Athena Belis

Laura Bialy Angelo Bitsis

Golfo Bitsis

George & Tracie Blake

Joseph Boisvert

Stephen & Ana Lucia Bonstedt

Dr. Theodor & Dorothy Bonstedt

Michael Boucher

Robert & Helene Boucher

Stephen & Brittany Boucher

Tina Brassel

Robert & Brenda Burandt

George & Elaine Chakonas

Donald & Irene Cheek

Penny Churchman

Leonard & Lois Colagrossi

Elwood & Aglaia Collier

George Comas

Evelyn P. Condoleon

Angelo & Anastasia Constan

George & Georgia Copulos

Katerina Coumbos

Katherine Del Monico

Johanna DiMartino

Constantinos & Barbara

Dionysopoulos

John & Caren Dopoulos

Frances Drakos

Ted Drakos & Anne Hansen

Dan & Teri Edwards

Kosta Eliopoulos

Robert & Aileen Fenton

Athena Fisk

Anastasia Frangakis

Helen Gallian

Evagelos & Niki Georgatos

Kostantinos Georgiou

Joyce Gladis

Mary Sue Gladis

Maria Gorrell

John & Elaine Green

Athanasios & Nicoletta Gritzalis

Roda & Paul Guenther

Thomas & Marlene Haley

Danny & Ann Halvatzis

Patricia Pavis Hanseck & Ronald Hanseck

Ed & Mimi Hardgrove

Richard & Matia Hawks

Les & Emily Haynes

Donald & Virginia Headley

Jaron & Jessica Henkel

Peter Hernandez & Poly Mavridou

George & Willena Heropoulos

James & Bess Hord

Dcn. John & Lanette Howard

Demetria Hughes

Alexander & Hope Hunter

Richard & Cheryl Johnson

Catherine Jokich

Eleni Kaklis

James & Theresa Kalogridis

William & Helen Kaltsas

George & Dorothy Kantarze

Effie Kapetan

Jimmy & Despina Karras

Joanna Karras & Andrew Pastrikos

Nick & Stella Karras

Apostolos Karydas

Bill & Sophia Katsaris

Marianthi Kazakos

Richard & Barbara Keene

Patricia Kemp

Mary & Dub Kendrick

Panos Klentzeris

Irene Kleopas

Rich & Georgia Kline

Presb. Aspasia Kontinos

Continued on Next Page

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05/01/2016

10/01/2015

05/01/2016

11/01/2016

03/01/2016

14131 Metropolis Ave., Ste. 104

Fort Myers, FL 33912 Near Gulf Coast Hospital

Phone (239) 332-4099

10/01/2015

03/01/2016

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7

STEWARDSHIP DATA

Nick & Penny Kontinos

Dr. George & Joyce Kopidakis

Konstantinos & Marie Kostouros

Ann Kotsalis

Nicholas & Mary Koukos

Theo & Nancy Koupelis

Michael & Christine Kouvelis

Ann Kratsios

Adam & Sandra Krotov

Joseph & Heidi Kubiak

Doug & Tina Kucera

Antonia Kurtis

Cynthia Kyriacou

John Lampiris

Emanuel & Rana Levenderis

Theodore & Cleta Lizas

Thomas Loughney

Dino & Jennifer Magas

Jimmy & Valerie Magas

Mikes & Minna Mailakakis

Steven & Jennifer Maillakakis

Stravos & Francine Maillakakis

Theo & Mary Makrynakis

Maria Makrynakis & Leonardo Guinto

Helen Mamukari

Anthony & Marie Mankus

Robert & Sophia Mankus

Paul & Jeannie Manos

Pauline Margaritis

Dr. Paul & Pana Mastros

Ellen Matic

Victoria Matic

S. Charles & Lenore C. Mattoff

Helen Mavrelis

Helen Messerotes

Marilena Midgley

Terry & Faneromeni Miller

Allen & Phyllis Mino-Sheppard

George & Maria Mourgis

Fr. Dean & Pres. Carolyn Nastos

Marilyn & Bertha Necak

Steve & Crystal Nelson

Manoli & Nomiki Neskes

Thomas & Celeste Niarchos

Frieda Nicholas

Donald & Dorothea Nicholson

George & Helen Nicolaidis

John Nychis

Rich & Carol Palatine

Theo & Margaret Palis

Joe & Donna Paolina

Basil & Linda Pappas

Cora Linda Pappas

Presvytera Evangeline Pappas

John & Amelia Pappas

Phillip & Petronia Pappas

Michael B. Peceri

William & Phyllis Photinos

Hrisovalantis & Kaliopi Pilatos

John & Ottilie Pistolis

John & Bernadette Poulos

Pauline Poulos

Patricia Reardon

Gary & Lyudmyla Robinson

Helen V. Rogers

Albert & Darlene Romanosky

Tony & Cathy Rubinski

John & Olympia Ruppe

Mitchell & Christina Samuels

Jamie & Anastasia Scime

Jon & Roman Shannon

Roger & Maria Shields

John & Joanie Simon

George Skaff

Helen A. Sotiropoulos

Bessie Spiridakis

Spero Stergiotis

Thomas & Pamela Strikis

Cornelia Talabac

James & Theresa Thomas

William & Katherine Thomas

Michael R. Thomas, Jr.

John & Corgette Troutman

Effie Vlahos

James & Vanthea Vouros

Jack & Angie Weaver

Artemis Welsh

William & Andrea Wolfe

Marion Zachariades

Total Stewardship Pledged: $136,711 (as of October 19th, 2015)

How many possible Stewards: 303

Total # of Stewards Pledged: 214

2015 Stewardship Goal: $200,000

Total amount given (recorded): $110,636 (as of October 19th, 2015)

Some of this is charged to Stewardship but given by Parishioners who have not signed Pledge Cards.

Greek Fest 2016 by Jen-Hope Belis

Save the Dates for February 26, 27, 28!

The Greek Fest Leads have already been meeting for a couple months and making progress and improvements!

DO YOU WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED??? We would love to have you! There are holes that we need to fill and would love to see new faces get more involved with the planning. Please let Jen-Hope Belis know at jhbelis@yahoo.com

We are looking for people to fill these roles….

Volunteer

Create volunteer schedule (already done for 2016 using www.signupgenius.com)

Recruit new volunteers

Create “guidelines” for volunteers and communicate them

Create name badges for all volunteers

Staff Volunteer Check In Onsite

Call volunteers to recruit or as reminder as needed.

Operations Lead

Prepare Grounds for event.

Oversees Church Maintenance staff & hire help.

Work closely with Chairperson & Electrical Lead to discuss and changes or improvements.

Helps position equipment at delivery.

Trouble shoots during festival.

Sign Lead

Identify locations for posters, brochures, lawn signs, large street signs, etc. Install them as needed.

Coordinate dancer parents to help install small signs

Ensure large signs are installed

Collect lawn signs and large 3x3 signs after the festival.

During festival, put up banners. Install laminated price signs as needed.

Website

Note: could possibly combine website & Facebook

Update website with sponsors, new dates, times, volunteer sign up link, carnival wristband link, pics, etc.

Continued on Next Page...

25

2015 Archangel Michael Honors Recipients

09/01/2016

01/01/2016

10/01/2015

The 2015 Archangel Michael Honors Banquet will take place on Saturday, November 14th in Atlanta, Georgia. This is the 18th Annual event. Every Parish within the Metropolis of Atlanta offers two members to be honored at this event. Our Parish is proud to announce that Al and

Darlene Romanosky are this year’s honorees. Al and Darlene have offered their Time, Talents and Treasures for many years within our Parish. They are always ready and willing to give their support to the Parish when called upon. They are both true examples of dedicated Christians. We are thankful for their constant commitment to our Parish and they are truly worthy of this honor. We pray our Lord continues to bless them with all good things and we as a Parish are proud that they are representing our Parish. They are truly good and faithful stewards of our Lord and our Parish.

9

Facebook

Note: could possibly combine website & Facebook

Update Facebook account on a regular basis

Post-Fest Breakdown & Storage

Supervise breakdown and put everything back in storage so all the equipment, etc. can be readily accessed the following year.

Oversees Church Maintenance staff & hire help.

This takes place on Monday after the festival and lasts about one week.

This person could also supervise the breakdown on Sunday night of the festival. Not much is done on Sunday but if they could provide specific instructions to outlets in prep-aration for Monday

Thank you to the following people who have volunteered to be an AREA LEADS. Without your time & talent, the Greek Fest would not be possible!

Pre & Post Festival Roles

Chairperson Jen-Hope Belis

Dance Director & Instructor Georgia Kline

Dance Instructor Alaina Todd

Décor Marianthi Kazakos

Electrical Mikes Maillakakis

Graphics Maria Guintas

Kitchen Manager Tom Haley

Food Workshops Co-Lead Marlene Haley

Food Workshops Co-Lead John Lempedis

Marketing Tina Kucera

Sponsorship Committee Effie Vlahos

Sponsorship Committee Phyllis Mino

Volunteer High Schools Jennifer Magas

Post-Fest Food Storage Co-Lead Marlene Haley

Post-Fest Food Storage Co-Lead John Lempedis

Post-Fest Food Sales Co-Lead Marlene Haley

Post-Fest Food Sales Co-Lead John Lempedis

Continued on Next Page...

Admissions Phyllis Mino

Aegean Café Don Headley

Aegean Cashier Lead Mary Sue Chupak

Aegean Server Maria Mourgis

Bakery Inside Virginia Headley

Bakery Outside Olympia Ruppe

Bakery Prep Panos Klentzeris

Baklava Sundae Co-lead George Mourgis

Baklava Sundae Co-lead Rich Palantine

Bank Tom Kontinos

Carnival Nancy & Theo Koupelis

Crowd Management Andrew Belis

Greek Coffee & Frappe Angie Weaver

TBD Barbara Dionysopoulos

Lamb Spit George & Dottie Kantarze

Loukoumades Fry Lead George Skaff

Paper Products Lead Marlene Haley

Parking Dustin Tanner

Pepsi & Coffee Marina McCarthy

Saganaki Steve Maillakakis

Take Out Heidi Kubiak

Taverna Co-Lead Joe Gibson

Taverna Co-Lead Charlie Matoff

Volunteer Food & Beverage Marina McCarthy

Yassou Cashier Helen Nicolaides

Yassou Food & Grill Lead Jay Johnson

Yassou Operations Lead Fr. John Howard

Festival Area Leads

23

A Little Taste of Greece

Pictured Above: Steve and Gus at the Grill

Pictured to the Right: Varvara, Dr. Cheryl, Olympia and Pam

Pictured Above: Fr. Dean and Alexa checking the tables

Pictured Above: Katerina, Polly & Niki Servers

Pictured Below: Spiro the Church Mouse enjoying GREEK FRIES

Pictured Above: Lea, Alexa, Athena, Zoe, Melody, Evan, Tablesetters

Pictured Below: George &Darlene, New FRY FOLKS

The Feast of St. Andrew

A Little Taste of Greece by Maria Mourgis

I would like to take this moment to thank everyone who participated in this year's "A Little Taste Of Greece". I sincerely appreciated everyone's hard work and dedication towards this event. Watching our Community come together to make this event such a success was well worth the hard work dedicated by all those who participated.

A special thanks to Barbara Dionysopoulos and her baking team, we sold out of all the deserts they made !!!! Saturday, we even had to make more baklava !!!!! Thank you to Tom and Marlene Haley for the outstanding cooking, everyone commented on the delicious food served!!!! Thank you Phyllis Mino-Sheppard for the wonderful job, you did great getting and scheduling all of the volunteers. Also, a special thank you to Tina Kucera, for heading the advertising and publicity.

In the gospel according to Saint John, Philip calls his friend Nathanael to “come and see” Jesus, but it is Jesus Himself who invited Andrew to “come and see” where He dwells and to spend the day with Him, together with another disciple of John the Baptist, who is probably the evangelist him-self.

Come and see! You will witness the mystery of Christ’s birth from the Virgin, His manifestation at the Jordon in His baptism by John, His victory over the devil in the desert, His proclamation of good news to the poor, His announcement of liberty to the oppressed, His declaration of the acceptable year of the Lord’s grace. You will witness His accomplishment of the signs of His messiahship: the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dumb talk. You will see the winds cease and the seas calmed. You will behold the table spread “in the wilderness” in the feeding of the multitudes (Ps 78:19). You will witness the casting out of demons. And, most glorious of all, you will see the dead being raised by the word of His power. You will know indeed that “the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Mt 12:28), and you will testify truly that “something greater than Jonah”

and “something greater than Solomon is here” (Mt 13:41). You will see what “many prophets and righteous men longed to see... And did not see it, and to hear... And did not hear it” (Mt 13:17). And ultimately you will see the Son off God Himself being lifted upon the Cross in order to give His broken body as food for His people, and His shed blood as their drink, that their hunger and thirst for peace and joy and righteousness, and indeed for life itself, might be forever satisfied. You will “sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” which is brought to the world by the glorified Messiah (Mt 8:11).

To go the way of the Winter Pascha is, according to Saint Gregory the Theologian, to “travel without fault through every stage and faculty of the life of Christ.” It is to enter into the mysteries of the Messiah, “all of which have but one completion: my perfection and return to the first condition of Adam.” It is to “see and be seen by the great God who in Trinity is worshipped and glorified, and whom we now set forth before you as clearly as the bonds of flesh permit, in Jesus Christ our Lord.”

11

Flowers for Nativity of Theotokos Icon– September 8th

Donated by Bill & Sophia Katsaris.

Flowers for St. Sophia, Faith, Hope & Love Icon - September 13th

Donated by Sonya Anderson.

Flowers for St. Iakovos – October 25th

Donated by Tom & Pam Strikis.

Flowers for St. Demetrios Icon – October 26th

Donated by Bessie Spiridakis.

Flowers always add beauty to whatever they adorn. It has always been a tradition among our Orthodox Churches to decorate Holy Icons with flowers when the Feast Day is being celebrated.

Please contact the Church Office and donate towards the flowers you would like as soon as possible. As always, this will be done on a first come, first serve basis. The names of those who donate the flowers will be listed in the “VOICE” Newsletter the month after the Feast Day is celebrated. Thank you for your support in this project and may our Lord continue to bless you. Please make your check payable to: ANNUNCIATION CHURCH

Flowers for SS. Cosmas & Damian Icon – Nov. 1st $45.00

Flowers for Synaxis of Archangels Icon – Nov. 8th $45.00

Flowers for St. Nektarios Icon – Nov. 9th $45.00

Flowers for St. Matthew Icon – Nov. 15th $45.00

Flowers for St. Catherine Icon – Nov. 25th $45.00

Flowers for St. Andrew Icon – Nov. 30th $45.00

Flowers for St. Nicholas Icon – Dec. 6th $45.00

Flowers for St. Spyridon Icon – Dec. 13th $45.00

Flowers for St. Anastasia Icon – Dec. 20th $45.00

Flowers for Nativity of our Lord Icon - Dec. 25th $45.00

Flowers for St. Stephen Icon - Dec. 27th $45.00

Flowers for St. Basil Icon - Jan. 1st $45.00

Flowers for Epiphany Icon - Jan. 6th $45.00

2015 Flowers for Feast Day Icons

Donated 2015 Flowers for Feast Day Icons

Ladies Philoptochos Society by Carol Palatine

Greetings and Welcome Fall!

On September 13th a Spaghetti Luncheon was held for Holy Cross Fundraiser. Thank you to Nick and Stella Karras, James and Terry Kalogrides and Tony and Cathy Rubinski. It was a lovely luncheon and a big success. Thank you all.

Our first LPS Board Meeting took place on September 14th in the Fr. Arthur K. Kontinos Community Center. Many events coming your way. All board members attended.

The General Meeting was held September 28th @6.00 and a Pot Luck Dinner was enjoyed by all who attended. Thank you all for attending.

Don't forget, our annual Bake Sale will follow liturgy on Sunday October 25th in the Fr. Arthur K. Kontinos Community Center.

On Monday October 26th at 11:00 am there will be a General Meeting for all LPS ladies. Please try to attend. Your voice is important to us.

The Annual Turkey Drive is still going on until Nov.15th. Please give to help make everyone's Thanksgiving joyous. Please see Marilyn Necak or Pam Strikis with your donations after liturgy on Sunday.

December 5th is our annual Silver Tea. Please see Lenore Mattoff for any volunteers for this event.

21

Since the birth of the Savior relatively few men of God who have found im-mortality in the sainthood of C h r i s t e n d o m have emerged out of the Holy Land. It is almost as though the Holy Land, in yielding the Son of God, had been bereft of a n y f u r t h e r natura resources and had to content itself with lesser luminaries

in the Christian Church. One of the exceptions to this seemingly barren ground of Christianity was a man named Modestos, who was born in Sebastia, Palestine during the reign of the Roman Emperor Maximinian (A.D. 292). His reign marked a time when the Christian population was sufficient to warrant a Patriarch of Jerusalem, an office which was to be ravaged in the coming centuries under the relentless assault by the Saracen hordes, among others.

The devout Christian parents of Modestos had about given up hope of ever having a child when their prayers to God for an offspring were finally answered with the birth of their only son, a son whom they were to know only briefly in infancy. At the height of an intensified persecution of Christians the parents of the boy were taken from him when he was barely five months old and were put to death after a short imprisonment. It is said that the child was taken to the imperial household where e was placed in the custody of a childless couple in the royal retinue and raised in the pagan tradition.

When Modestos was 13 years old, however, he learned that he had been baptized a Christian and sought the company of a Christian goldsmith who taught the lad all he knew of Christianity and accepted him as his own, a gesture which made the two sons of the

goldsmith envious. They plotted to rid themselves of the pious upstart. Several years older than Modestos, they contrived to have him sold into slavery. He was sent to serve a master in Egypt, where he remained for seven years, during which time he managed to convert the master and his entire household to Christianity. Given his freedom, he returned to Jerusalem.

Modestos had, since his introduction to the word of God, harbored a sincere desire to go to Mt. Sinai, where Moses had received the Ten Commandments from God. When at last this wish was fulfilled he made his way to a monastery, there to serve the Lord with an intensity of purpose that soon brought him to the attention of Church fathers and resulted in his ultimate ordination and assignment in the missionary work of Christ in all corners of the vast peninsula.

He had become the friend and become the friend and confident of Patriarch Platon of Jerusalem and when the ailing prelate saw that the end was near, he summoned Modestos to Jerusalem, along with members of the hierarchy. In accordance with traditions, a selection was to be made when some sign was given as to who should succeed the Patriarch. When the weakened prelate sought the comfort of the Church of Jerusalem, the huge iron gates were closed behind him. As each of the bishops approached, the gates failed to open for them. When Modestos put his hand to the latch the gate swung open. With this sign he was acclaimed the successor to the spiritual throne of Jerusalem.

Modestos, who lived to be 94 years old, served longer than any patriarch in history. Dur-ing his time his spiritual leadership continued undiminished in the qualities of wisdom and piety that were manifested in the holy work to which he applied himself. Under his direction, many Christian shrines that ad been destroyed by the Persian hordes were restored. Less known than other pillars of the Church, he nevertheless made a contribution to Christianity beyond measure and after his death was accorded the sainthood he so richly deserved.

St. Modestos—December 16th

Dance– Hodges University Diversity Festival

It was at the beginning of the 4th century A.D. when the order was issued by King Maxentius to all the subjects of Caesar in his domain:

“I, King Maxentius, greet all of you under my rule and I order that you all gather in the capital city of Alexandria to honor with me our great gods. It is my wish that each and everyone of you bring with you a sacrifice in accordance with your means so that we can offer our gratitude to the gods for the graces they have bestowed upon us. Whosoever ignores my order and worships any other god shall receive the maximum of my wrath.”

Not long after the entire city was flooded with roman subjects bringing with them oxen and sheep and goats and birds to sacrifice to the gods. Maxentius was observing the offerings in the great temple when a peculiar happening attracted his attention. A young woman of indescribable beauty and striking personality stood in the door surrounded by a group of attendants. A messenger informed the King of the young woman’s desire.

The true God, she informed the King, had no need of such barbarous offerings. The King should realize the futility of such practices and should recognize the true God and worship him.

Infuriated at the message, the King ordered that the young woman appear before him. Stunned by her beauty and overwhelmed with her appearance he asked: “Who are you and wherefore the message you have sent us?”

“I am Katherine, majesty, daughter of Constan, educated in letters and rhetoric and philosophy and geometry, but I find that all are small and

unimportant before the word of the true God.”

The exchange ended here to be continued in the Royal Palace where 50 wise philosophers had been assembled to discuss the subject with Katherine. And it was the promise of the King that should they win the debate, the 50 would be bestowed with many gifts, but should they lose, would all be beheaded. But neither the promise of gifts nor the threat of losing their lives was sufficient to strengthen the philosophers to the point where they could outdo the wisdom of Katherine. And so the 50 lost their heads, but Katherine could not be permitted to live either.

After desperate attempts by the King to change her with promises to make her his August, he reluctantly ordered her torture. She was to be torn by four wheels on which sharp instruments had been affixed so that when they turned, they would cut her body to shreds. Yet, when the ominous moment arrived, the wheel would not operate and Katherine was spared this torture.

At this point, the August intervened on the Maid’s behalf, but so great was the wrath of the King, that he ordered the torture and execution of both his wife and his general Porphyrius, who dared to add his word in defense of Katherine.

St. Katherine was finally beheaded and her body carried to Mount Sinai where it lay hidden for 200 years. When Justinian ascended the throne, a beautiful Church was erected at Sinai, and the Holy relics of St. Katherine were laid there to rest in peace.

The Greek Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Katherine on November 25th each year.

Joy of Greece (kardia) dance troupe performed at Hodges University 8th Annual Diversity Festival in Naples. October 3rd, 2015.

St. Katherine—November 25th

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Hellenic-American Social Club of S.W. Florida, Inc. By Ann Constan An exciting schedule of events has been planned for this Fall and Winter season by the Officers and Board of the Hellenic-American Club.

First on the calendar is an OXI Day Picnic on Wednesday, October 28th at Jay-Cee Park in Cape Coral. The cost is $10 per Club member, and $12 per guest. Please contact Barbara Dionysopoulos (239-267-2014) for reservations, information and directions to the park. This has always been a popular outing for all, so make sure you make your reservations in time. We don’t want to run out of food!

Saturday, November 7th, will see us all boarding a chartered bus for Tarpon Springs at 7:30 a.m. sharp, in the Church parking lot. A visit to The Greek Boys Market, and a tour of the St. Michael Shrine are in order. Then on to a restaurant of your choice for lunch, and free time for browsing and shopping before heading back to Ft. Myers. Please contact Phyllis Mino (631-838-1492) to reserve your seat on the bus. Transportation cost: $32 per person. This trip is open to all members, parishioners and friends. Reservations are required.

On Tuesday, December 1st, we are sponsoring a day trip to Selby Botanical Gardens by chartered bus. Transportation and admission to the Botanical Gardens is $45 per person. This was a very popular trip last season, so early reservations are a must. Please contact Phyllis Mino (631-838-1492) for more information and to make your reservation. Open to all. First-come, first-serve.

The Hellenic-American Club is a club for people to meet, socialize and make lasting friendships. Annual dues are $20 per year, which helps defray the cost of meetings, refreshments, contributions to charitable organizations, as well as to subsidize certain social events for members. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month in the Kontinos Community Center. Our next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. on November 10th. Please contact President Barbara Dionysopoulos (239-267-2014) for information on the Club and upcoming events.

SAVE THE DATE January 8, 2016

Hellenic-American Club’s 25th Anniversary Dinner Dance Crown Plaza, Ft. Myers, Florida

Detailed information to be announced in future Sunday Bulletins and Newsletters.

A Fun Bus Trip to Orlando A Great Boat Trip

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Religious Education

Begins every year on November 15th. Our prep-aration for celebrating the Birth (Nativity) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is practiced around the world. This is a very special time for us, as well as a time of great struggle. It becomes a struggle because we see our non Orthodox friends celebrating in the totally opposite way in which we do. We can overcome this struggle , if we try. We Orthodox are called upon to PREPARE ourselves by practicing the spiritual exercises prescribed by the Faith. They are prayer, reading the Holy Scriptures and other Spiritual books, participating in Holy Confession and Holy Communion, increasing our Giving of our Time, Talents and Treasures, fasting from cer-tain foods. We encourage you and your family to KEEP THE FAITH and THE FAST, stand

firm, and look to your reward in the Kingdom of heaven. If you wish to participate in the Sacrament of Holy Confession, please contact Fr. Dean and make an appointment. Enjoy the blessed Season by following the teachings of our Orthodox Faith!

The Christmas (Nativity) Fast

Religious Education News by Mary-Sue Gladis Sunday classes were back in session September 20th and everyone enjoyed the barbeque and games

that followed! A great big THANK YOU to the Ruppe and Belis families who organized the food

and games. Fun, games, great food was enjoyed by all. Thank you to everyone who brought dishes

to share and helped with set up and clean up.

Teachers and classrooms this year are as follows:

Grades PreK-1: Olympia Ruppe, Elaine Green

Grades 2-3: Dorothy Bonstedt and Dr. Cheryl Johnson

Grades 4-7: Niki Georgatos, Poly Mavridou-Hernandez, and Victoria Todd

Grades 8-12: Faith Miller

“Floaters”: Jen-Hope Belis and Joanna Hoch

Director: Mary Sue Gladis

Anyone who would like to help with Religious Education, please contact Mary Sue Gladis or Fr. Dean Nastos. Guest speakers, crafts, snacks, ‘floaters’ (substitute teachers/helpers), food for the Christmas Pageant…..

Something new this year is the online Registration Form. The link is: https://docs.google.com/forms/

d/1gIPAy64MwUBi5mJMom5dzC011xerIK0pJncAfAu84qQ/edit

Also new this year is snacks and drinks for the children being served by parents in the middle room of the Classroom building. Helen Gallian is organizing the parents to bring and serve the snacks each Sunday. Any parents who have not volunteered, but would like to help, please contact Helen.

All Religious Education students will be participating in a service project this fall. We are still working on the project—please watch the church bulletin for more information.

Plans are under way for the annual Christmas Pageant, December 13, 2015. Niki Georgatos will be directing the pageant and Olympia Ruppe will organize the food. The schedule of rehearsals will be sent home with the chil-dren as soon as they’re available.

All students were asked to bring some supplies to their classrooms. Paper towels, hand sanitizer, and Kleenex are requested from each student for their respective classroom.

Thank you for your continued support of our youth.

Inside the Bounce House during the BBQ

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Greek Fest 2015 Charitable Donations

GOYA by Heidi Kubiak

Thank you to those GOYAn's and parents who have supported us in the past, those who will be support-ing and working with us this year, and to those coming up in the future. We have had 2 activities, 1 meeting and will hold the Community Yard Sale Oct. 24th. Plans are being worked on for a community service project for Thanksgiving and Christ-mas. Our GOYAn's will be serving, if needed, for the various Church events coming up, and thank you to those who were busy helping at the Little Taste of Greece. Meetings are the first Sunday's of the month! See you soon!

Nick Karras (Parish Council President and Fr. Dean presenting a check to Golisano Children’s Hospital of $4,000.00 from Greek Fest 2015 proceeds.

Nick Karras (Parish Council President and Fr. Dean presenting a check to Meals on Wheels (CCMI) from Greek Fest 2015 proceeds.

2 Goyan’s up on the ropes!

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SACRAMENTAL DATES FOR 2016 According to the Orthodox Faith and our Holy Greek Orthodox Church the following information is to be used for the proper scheduling of Sacraments within our Holy Orthodox Church. These days are to be followed and adhered to by the Clergy and our laity. A Sacrament can be conducted on one of the non-permissible days only if absolutely necessary and then only by special permission of our Met-ropolitan.

ADULT CHRISMATIONS

Chrismations may take place on any day of the week throughout the year(except Good Friday). A Chrismation will take place only after proper instruction with the Parish Priest and discussion of the appropriate time and day for the Chrismation.

BAPTISM

Baptisms CANNOT BE CONDUCTED on the following days:

Great Lent – March 14 – April 23 (allowed but discouraged)

Holy Week – April 24 – April 30

PASCHA – May 1

Sunday of Thomas – May 8

Pentecost – June 19

Falling Asleep of Theotokos Fast – August 1 – 14 (allowed but discouraged)

Feast of Falling Asleep of Theotokos – August 15

Christmas Fast – November 15 – December 24 (allowed but discouraged)

Christmas Day – December 25

WEDDINGS

Weddings CANNOT BE CONDUCTED on the following days:

January 5 & 6

Great Lent – March 14 – April 23

Holy Week – April 24 – April 30

PASCHA – May 1

Pentecost – June 19

Falling Asleep of Theotokos Fast – August 1 – 14

Feast of Falling Asleep of Theotokos – August 15

Beheading of St. John the Baptist – August 29

Christmas Fast – November 15 – December 12 (allowed but discouraged)

Christmas Fast – December 13 - 24

Christmas Day – December 25

MEMORIALS: Cannot be held on the following Sundays: April 24, May 1, 8, June 19, Dec. 25

FUNERALS Although a Funeral is NOT a Sacrament but a prayer service, they are permitted

on any day of the week throughout the year except on Sundays and Good Friday. There is no ex-ception to this rule.

This information is provided by the Registry Department of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

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