From Glory to Glory The monthly newsletter of the

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

Fr. Joseph Strzelecki, Parish Priest

August 2020

Important Dates

August 1 Dormition Fast Begins

Procession of the Holy Cross

August 6 Transfiguration

August 15

Dormition of the Theotokos

August 29 Beheading of St. John the Baptist

1755 Des Peres Road Town & Country, MO 63131-1405

Phone: 314-966-2255 Kitchen: 314-966-6720

Web Site: www.assumptiongoc.org

Office Manager: Diane Sieckmann Email: diane@assumptiongoc.org

Office Assistant RoseMarie Harpole office@assumptiongoc.org

Metropolitan Kallinikos of Edessa, Pella, and Almopia (+1984) Has Been Canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate

On Tuesday 23 June 2020 the holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate convened at the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambesy, Geneva where they officially numbered among the Saints of the Orthodox Church the ever-memorable Metropolitan Kallinikos of Edessa, Pella and Almopia (1919-1984). That evening the bells of the parishes through out the Metropolis of Edessa rang for joy at the announcement. Metropolitan Joel of Edessa went to the tomb of the newly-glorified Saint, where all those present chanted his Apolytikion, Kontakion and Megalyarion composed by Metropolitan Joel himself. His Feast day has been established to be celebrated on the 8th of August.

He was born with the name Demetrios Poulos on 26 January 1919 at the village of Sitaralona in Agrinio to a poor and pious family. He graduated from the Theological School of Athens in 1942, and served as the Metropolis secretary and preacher in Aitolia-Acarnania under Metropolitan Theokletos until 1946. He served in the army from 1946 to 1949. After serving his patriotic duties in the army, he returned to the Metropolis of Aitolia-Acarnania and resumed his work as secretary and preacher. On 23 November 1957 he was tonsured a monk at the Monastery of Myrtia, where he received the name Kallinikos. He was ordained a Deacon and Priest by his brother accounting to the flesh, Metropolitan Konstantinos of Didymoteicho in the year 1957. On 25 June 1967 he was enthroned as the

Metropolitan of Edessa in the Church of Saint Dionysios the Areopagite in Athens. After a seven-month illness he reposed on 7 August 1984 in Athens. During his hospitalization in England he had left to the medical staff and the people who served him or visited him a sense of a holy man. Twenty-nine (29) hierarchs were at his funeral, as well as numerous clergy and a large crowd of faithful. He was buried in the Public Cemetery of Edessa, because he want to be close to his people that he loved an served in his life. In his last will and testament he wrote: “ I have no real estate. I have no money. If only a few thousand drachmas they are to be deposited in the General Philoptochos Fund of the Holy Metropolis...May the mercy of the Lord accompany me during my departure from this vain world.” Metropolitan Kallinikos was an ascetic bishop, a great ecclesiastical figure, a blessed and charismatic leader, and a transparently honest man, whose life was a theology in practice. A crucified and resurrected hierarch, he labored for the sake of his flock and scarified himself for the glory of God. With his noble love, he gave us the certainty of true life. Begin transfigured, he experienced triumph over death and was an adornment to Christ’s Church.

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2020 Parish Council

Fr. Joseph Strzelecki, Parish Priest Scott Thompson, President, Gus Harris, Vice President Elefteria Marcou, Secretary, James Cawood, Treasurer

Peter Regopoulos, Assistant Treasurer Daniel Gantner, Maria Afentoullis Humphrey, Amy Kirkou Pam Martin, Samia Rabie, Greg Simos, Eugenia Kardaris,

Tom Stamos, Nick Tsoubanos, Tonis Zafiropoulos

Pastoral Ministries Acolytes John Nicholas Adult Orthodox Christians (18 years +): Diane Sieckmann Bible Study Fr. Daniel Morton Bookstore Christos Tsiaklides Diakonissa Kristen Vogt Chanters Thomas Carroll Dr. Steve Leon Choir Stephanie Saunders Church Tours Janice Hazeltine Greek School Savas Kyramarios Greek Dancers Kyklos & Armonia Stella Afentoullis Ta Paidakia, Neo Kyma Aliki Malek GOYA (9th -12th Grade) Yvonne Alexopoulos Dr. Jenny Kardaris Greeters Mary Pitliangas, Kelli Baer JOY (K - 4th Grade) Jr. GOYA (5th - 8th Grades) Dr. Debbie Cosmopoulos Kafenio Art Liyeos Hope (infant - 5 years) Christos & Rachel Tsiaklides Orthodox Faith & Life: Dr. Farid & Anna Sadaka Philoptochos Flora Dimitriou, President Prison Ministry Bill Goranitis Sunday School Diane Sieckmann Vacation Church Camp Anna Sadaka Women’s Book Study Presvytera Laura Morton Young Adult Ministry (YAL) (18-35 years) James Murphy

Committees Friday Luncheon Art Liyeos Greek Festival Greg Simos, Art Liyeos Phase III Fr. Joseph Strzelecki Planned Giving Committee Amy Johnson Publicity Committee Rentals & Contracts Helena Brown Vision/Long Range Planning Scott Thompson Finance James Cawood Pete Regopoulos Cemetery Diane Sieckmann Call-a-Ride (Uber) Jim Hoekel Insurance Carol Marshall IT/Phone/Internet Steve Sarris Maintenance/Facilities Art Liyeos Personnel Scott Thompson Gus Harris Special Events Tom Stamos Stewardship Michael Afentoullis Health Committee Laurie Zafiropoulos Hellenic Events Bill Simos Recycling Carol Marshall Youth Protection Soula Marcou

Going on vacation? Won’t be here on Sunday? Consider using the mobile app Give Plus to still con-tribute with an offering or stewardship. It’s safe and secure.

Metropolitan Kallinikos’ ecclesiastical way of thinking, his ascetical ethos, his missionary zeal, his devotion to God and the church, his regenerating word and preaching his entire pastoral ministry, which he pursued ‘in fear and trembling’, his love for God and other people, the way in which he faced his illness, and his complete self-abandonment to God’s providence, arouse our admiration. The words that he said shortly before he died,” I am a sinful bishop, but I love God and the Church,” show his spiritual state.

His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos, as a spiritual child and the person closest to the hierarch of blessed memory for a period of fifteen years, testifies in his writings that he was a saintly bishop, whose presence remains alive even after his death. Many bishops, clergy and laypeople bare witness both orally and in writing to his holiness. The demons that he cast out by his prayers and his miraculous interventions to cure sick people after his death make it clear that God has glorified him. He entered the priesthood at a mature age, conscious of his exalted mission. He especially loved the monastic and hesychastic life, and he was an ascetic Bishop. His sermon on his consecration as Bishop and his address at his enthronement are described as patristic discourses expressing profound feelings of gratitude and love for God. His concern and great love for the flock that God had entrusted to him was exceptional: his aim was to make his Metropolis part of the Kingdom of God. The Encyclicals that he sent reveal his personal interest in the instruction of the priests as well as laypeople. He was extremely attentive about ordinations. He took a personal interest in the progress of priests and their training. He did not act independently, and knew that he would have to answer to God for whatever he did. His many different pastoral activities and his travels around the Metropolis show us his great care and sense of responsibility for every parish. In his province he had the blessed habit of founding new churches dedicated to saints who are not often honored (Evangelist Matthew, Saint Dorotheos, St. Alexios the Man of God, etc.). As a lover of monasticism he often visited Mount Athos, where he performed a number of ordinations. To newly-married couples he would always give a copy of the New Testament with his blessing. His philanthropy always left him penniless, to the extent that

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when he was ordained a Metropolitan he could not afford any vestments, so he had to be given some by his brother who was also a Metropolitan. He supported many young people with an authentic and sincere priestly inclination, was a tireless minister and often visited even the most remote village of his province. During his visits, he treated young children with love and respect as if they were adults and encouraged them in their ministry and participation in the liturgical life. What establishes the Metropolitan as truly a man of God and reveals his wealth of virtues, however, is the way in which he faced the various difficulties in his life and his illness. Although he sacrificed himself wholly for his flock every day, he suffered unjust and slanderous attacks. He faced these and his illness without murmuring or self-pity, without complaints or objections, but with faith in God and great patience, having abandoned himself to God’s providence. His self-condemnation was incomprehensible to worldly reasoning. On many occasions in his life he had the gift of remaining silent. Watchfulness and the remembrance of death, which were particularly evident during the period of his illness, distinguished him through-out his life. His gratitude was boundless: he was infinitely grateful, and he thanked and praised God for everything. Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos writes about him: “God found me worthy to live for fifteen years under the same roof, in the Diocese, with a Bishop who had all the criteria and conditions of holiness. This is the blessed Metropolitan of Edessa, Pella and Almopia Kallinikos. The same testimony is given by his successor to the throne of Edessa, the current Metropolitan Joel, who knew him personally, since we were both his Preachers, but this is also confirmed by the members of his flock, who knew him intimately. After his death, I wrote three books titled Testimony of Life (1985), Jewel of the Church (1998), Kallinikos, Metropolitan of Edessa, a Venerable Figure (2015). In addition, from time to time I wrote various articles that present him as an amazing figure. I met him as a high school student in Agrinio, when he was Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis and I was impressed by his ascetic appearance, his monastic simplicity, is most-sweet words, his whol physiognomy. He was coming to the Christian Board School where I lived, and we all admired the careful, pleasant, simple clergyman.” https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2020/06/metropolitan-kallinikos-of-edessa-pella.html

Metropolitan Ierotheos Vlahos at the bedside of Saint Kallinikos before his repose

Join us in celebrating the

Feast Day

of our beloved

Assumption Church

Friday, August 14

Great Vespers at 6:30 pm

Saturday, August 15

Orthros at 8:30 am

Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am

The Church is a hospital and not a

courtroom, for souls. She does not

condemn on behalf of sins, but grants

remission of sins.

St. John Chrysostom

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Sermon on the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos St. John of Kronstadt “ Magnify O my soul, the honourable Translation of the Mother of God from earth to heaven.” (Refrain for the 9th Ode of the Canon)

Let us be happy, beloved brothers and sisters that we belong to the Holy Orthodox Church, worthily and rightly glorifying the Most Holy Sovereign Theotokos on this eminent day out of all the days of the year with special solemnity. There exists on earth many societies and entire governments that do not consider the need nor the obligation to call upon and glorify the Queen of heaven and earth, the Mother of Our Divine Lord Jesus Christ, and other saints and angels; to submissively serve Her lovingly, as the true Mother of God. Sadly in Russia nowadays we have heretics (among us) who actively dishonor the Mother of God, the saints, their icons, their relics and their festivals. O, if only they also unanimously with us glorified the worthy Queen of heaven and earth! Today the Holy Church solemnly glorifies the honorable Dormition or translation of the Mother of God from earth to heaven. A wonderful translation - she died without serious illness, peacefully. Her soul is taken up in the divine hands of Her Son and carried up into the heavenly abode, accompanied by the sweet singing of angels. And then, her most pure body is transferred by the apostles to Gethsemane where it is honorably buried, and on the third day it is resurrected and taken up to heaven. You see this on the icon of the Dormition of the Theotokos. On it is represented the life-bearing body of the Theotokos laying on a bier, surrounded by the apostles and hierarchs, and in the center of the icon the Lord holding in His hands the most pure soul of the Theotokos. The translation of the Mother of God is a paradigm of the translation in general of the souls of Christians to the other world. We say that our dead have “fallen asleep” or “passed away.” What does this mean? This means that for the true Christian there is no death. Death was conquered by Christ on the cross. But there is a translation, i.e, a rearrangement of his condition, i.e. his soul is in another place, in another age, in another world beyond the grave, eternal, without end, that is what is meant by “falling asleep”. It is as if it were a temporary dream after which, by the voice of the Lord and the fearful yet wonderful trumpet of the Archangel, all the dead shall live and come forth each to his place: either to the resurrection of life or to the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:29). This is what the

Christian means by translation. We should be ready for this translation, for the day of the general resurrection and judgment, for this indescribable world event, recorded in the Holy Scriptures. This preparation for the meeting of the heavenly King before the dread judgment seat, after death, is essentially the person’s preparation throughout the whole of his life. This preparation means a change in all his thoughts, and the moral change of all his being, so that the whole man would be pure and white as snow, washing clean everything that defiles the body and spirit, so that he is adorned with every virtue: repentance, meekness, humility, gentleness, simplicity, chastity, mercifulness, abstention, spiritual contemplation, and burning love for God and neighbor. Our preparation for meeting the heavenly King, and for the inheritance of eternal life in heaven, should consist of these things. The heavenly King desires souls adorned with immutable virtue, souls prepared so that the Very Lord Himself could abide in them. Do not marvel that the Very Lord wants to live in us. In fact the human soul is more spacious than the heavens and the earth, for it exists in the image of God. And if one removes sins from the soul, the Lord of all will settle in it and will fill it with Himself. “We will come to him and make our dwelling with him” (John 14:23), says the Lord about the souls who love Him. And so, ye participants in the Christian feasts, and especially the present feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, ye who are brightly adorned with every virtue and translated to the heavenly kingdom, to Her Son and God, proclaim to each and every one about preparing their souls to be the dwelling place of the Lord, about continual repentance, and about the incorruptible adornment of Christian virtue. Let your death also be unashamed and peaceful, serving as the pledge of a good answer at the dread judgment seat of Christ. Amen.

On the Icon of the Dormition This month, as part of Antiochian Women’s month, we have been exploring the Feasts of the Church dedicated to the Theotokos. Today we turn our collective gaze to the icon of the Dormition. The Dormition, or the falling asleep of the Theotokos – is a feast of resurrection, of celebration, of the life and death and eternal life of the Mother of God. The Scriptures tell us that when Christ was dying on the Cross, He saw His mother and His disciple John. He called to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!" and to John, "Behold your mother!" From then on, John cared for the Theotokos in his home. The first chapter of the Book of Acts confirms that Mary was with the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, and Holy Tradition teaches us that Mary remained in Jerusalem, a witness and teacher, sharing her knowledge of the Lord humbly and peacefully. She lived on, transformed. She had suffered perhaps the greatest grief a mother can bear – the death of her child – and yet, she carried on in belief and hope. Her subsequent ministry granted her a reputation as a great teacher.

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As the end of her life drew near, the disciples preaching throughout the world returned to Jerusalem to see the Theotokos. Except for the Apostle Thomas, all of them including the Apostle Paul gathered together at her bedside. Let’s turn to the icon. Here, we see the Theotokos reclining on her death bed. She looks like one of my Hospice patients, with family and loved ones gathered at the bedside, keeping vigil in prayer, lamentation, and joy. The respectful posture of the Apostles focuses our gaze toward her. On the left side, Saint Peter censes her body, as a holy icon of God, and on the right, Saint Paul bows low in her honor. In attendance are several women and several bishops. What a vigil, what a witness to her personhood as a believer in God, as the birthgiver of God. What did they say to her? How did they pray? Hear the Sticheron after the Gospel of Orthros of the Dormition Feast:

The Apostles gazed on thy bed, viewing thee with

trembling. Some contemplated thy body and were

dazzled, but Peter cried out to thee in tears, saying, I see thee clearly, O Virgin, stretched out, O life of all, and I am astonished…beseech thy Son and God to preserve thy people unimpaired.

They were dazzled, they cried, they were amazed. This mix of emotions echoes that truly profound response we heard today in the Gospel; Lord, I believe; help my unbelief. What a painfully and yet beautifully honest balance of doubt and faith; confession of our limits while reaching toward a God who is limitless. Lord, we believe, help our unbelief. Prayers and Psalms were lifted up; her companions grieved and gave thanks. And at the time of Mary’s death, we are told that Christ himself appeared to all attending and carried her soul to Heaven. Tears of grief were transformed into tears of joy as the Lord appeared in glory. In the icon, above Mary’s bed, we are offered a wonderful reversal of the image of mother and child. Every Orthodox iconostasis has an icon of the Theotokos tenderly holding Christ. Instead, here we see Christ tenderly holding a child wrapped in white clothes, evocative both of burial and baptism. He holds her in a tender embrace, just as she embraced him. All is coming full circle! It evokes to me the many conversations I have with my Hospice patients and their families. We often reflect on this circular caregiving: first, how parents care for their young children and then, at the culmination of life, the roles start to reverse and the children embrace their parents with the same care. It is about the embrace, the connection, the perfectly imperfect love that we do our best to give. It is holding on and letting go. The Theotokos carried Christ in her womb, and now he carries her. Both life-giving, in their own way. Following the death of the Theotokos, her community carried her body in procession and laid her in a tomb. The Apostle Thomas arrived after three days and hoped to see her body one last time, but when the stone was rolled away, she was not there! Her bodily resurrection was confirmed by an angel, and she appeared in glory to the Apostles. Dormition, at its core, is a feast of resurrection. It has clear echoes of Christ’s death, with the three days in the tomb, and the miraculously empty grave. It prefigures our Resurrection through Christ who has trampled down death

by death. In Mary’s life, we see a life for all of us to emulate. She’s not super-human; let us recall Christ’s response to the woman who says that Mary was blessed because she bore Him. Christ says that blessed, rather, are those who hear His word and keep it. As Fr. Thomas Hopko has said, Mary did this better than anyone. She heard the word of God and kept it so well, that she of all women was chosen not only to hear His Word, but to give birth to it, to Him. And the icon itself is not only about the Theotokos. It is just as much about those who are gathered with her. The icon grants us a powerful image of community keeping watch, as she takes her last breaths. It teaches us how to keep vigil in midst of suffering. It brings to mind my Orthodox patient Sophie, a sweet elderly woman home on Hospice. She had family nearby for good support, but she always carried the deep grief of losing her son Jonathan many years before. After meeting her, I connected with her wonderful priest in South Boston to provide support and sacramental ministry. Toward the end of her life, she stopped eating and drinking, but she held on for several days, resting in bed, wearing one of those old-fashioned, long white nightgowns with a pink bow at the neckline. Her family quietly wondered why she was hanging on. It became very difficult for them. But then they recalled how Sophie had mentioned that she didn’t want to die on Joseph’s birthday, which was coming up. Once his birthdate passed, we all offered prayers, and gently reminded her of her end of life wish. She had not spoken or opened her eyes for days. Her family bravely gave her permission to let go. They wanted to keep her with them, of course, but they did their best to trust the process. Lord we believe, help our unbelief. The next day, just as we thought, Sophie fell asleep in the Lord, her face bathed in the rosy light of early morning. In keeping Vigil, her family honored a great matriarch whose connection to her family grew, even beyond her earthly life. It is in keeping vigil that we encounter Resurrection. In keeping vigil, we face our deepest grief and encounter a well of divine love. In keeping vigil, we come face to face with Christ who is present in life and death, powerfully present in the members of His body who keep watch. By allowing the space for grief, for the unknown, by hunkering down, and singing and crying and praying, we allow the God who is LOVE to enter in. We offer God’s presence, and God offers God’s self back. In doing so, we participate in our ongoing salvation in Him. Every moment, from the vigil of the Theotokos at her son’s Cross, to her ministry, to her death and new life, points to a woman of strength and courage. Her surprise at the Annunciation, as we will hear next week, was transformed into a bold “Yes!” Her grief at the cross was transformed into witness. She is an image of hope; she is the Mother of all children of God. May she intercede for us. Amen.

Sermon preached by Sarah Byrne-Martelli at St. Mary Orthodox Church in Cambridge, MA on Sunday, March 18, 2018.

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The Simple Joys of Summer By Photios Kontoglou

B lessed is the man who can, now in the summer, get away for a while from the turmoil of civilization. If he

likes the sea, let him go to any island, where the islanders are not spoiled yet, or to any fishing village. But do not carry civilization with you, as many do, who on the one hand want to leave the unrest behind them, and on the other carry with them all the complicated and tedious tasks of civilization. Take as few things with you as you can. Because, the biggest gain that you will have going to such a place, will be the joy that the person feels as if he is missing many things, that he has them so easily in civilization, and that over there it will seem like some great enjoyment, finding joy in the slightest thing. Unhappy are the people who lack nothing, and have no hope of longing for anything, whether it be food, or rest, or speech, or warmth, or coolness. And truly blessed are those who do not have everything easy, and that is why all things become new and refreshing for them. Therefore, do not take many things with you, so as not to take both the lethargy and the stupidity that easy pleasure gives to man. Then you will understand how valuable even the most insignificant things are. Loneliness will give value to simple company, hunger to dark bread, fatigue to the hard bed covering. The fire of the sun and the salt of the sea will bake your skin, squeeze your body and your wounded soul and you will fee that you are living truly, as the other creatures that remained in their natural way of life live. You will understand in your body and soul real health, and some vitality that you had forgotten, and what you called health in civilization, will then seem to you like a disease. You will rest because of the simplification of your life, unless of course you are completely spoiled, so that you have the idea that happiness is to be confused with a thousand and two knots, and to have many other worries in your mind. It’s as if you are beginning to slowly separate yourself having formerly been very far away, like a shadow, and to be with yourself, without being upset. I do not want to say that you will start talking to the sea, to the trees, to the birds, to the stones, and to call them your brothers, as Saint Francis did, but it will seem to you that you are not falling out of your dignified box, as if you are lying on the ground and looking at insects for hours, or as if you are sitting on a stone in the sea and watching the fish, the crabs and the other living things in the salt water, without getting tired and bored. From the book Ευλογημένο Kαταφύγιο(Blessed Refuge). Translated by John Sanidopoulos. https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2020/07/the-simple-joys-of-summer.html#more

Paraklesis (Supplication Services to the Mother of God) Paraklesis will be celebrated most evenings during the Fast Period of the Theotokos. Please make every effort to attend as many of these services as possible. Please bring with you the form in this newsletter (also available in the Narthex) listing the names of your living loved ones to be commemorated during the services.

Most Holy Theotokos Save Us! Metropolitan Isaiah, Metropolis of Denver - 2004

Preserving the tradition of the Church which is older than the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, the Holy Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary has been exalted above all intellectual creation in the heavens and here on earth. She is "more honored than the Cherubim and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim," the two high and holy ranks of the angelic world who serve at the throne of God. How can we not praise and magnify her since she is the Mother of the Lord Jesus Christ Who is the Light and the Life of all creation? God chose the Holy Theotokos to assist in making eternal our finite, physical condition. In taking flesh from her flesh, He became the Divine Yeast Who has permeat-ed all of humanity, transfiguring our fallen nature into its approaching eternal state. It is, consequently, because of the holy Mother of God in the flesh that our decaying bodies will one day take on their eternal condition. All this has taken place so that Christ Who calls Himself the Bridegroom of the Church would enter into holy and eternal matrimony with His people, the Church, called by Him his Bride. This is the reason that, whenever we receive His di-vine Body and Blood in the Eucharist, we are injected with the imperishable medicine that promises to make our bodies incorruptible and which will be returned to our souls at the General Resurrection. If this is so, as our Lord assures us through His glorious Resurrection, then surely the Holy Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary is in the unique position of hearing our prayers and responding to us in our worldly journey, and helping us under her protection to unite with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the only mediator to God the Fa-ther. For, as the Lord Himself tells us, no one can go to the Father except through Him. Indeed, it was He Who hum-bled Himself in order to lovingly lead us to Him and to His coming Kingdom. All this has been accomplished because the Holy Theotokos accepted to bring the Son of God into the world. As she responded to God, she also responds to us, as we face the difficulties of life, calling out to her, "Most holy Theotokos, save us!"

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Γέροντας Αμφιλόχιος της Πάτμου: Ποιος είναι ο νέος Άγιος της Εκκλησίας μας Ὁ Γέροντας Ἀμφιλόχιος τῆς Πάτμου ὑπῆρξε σημεῖο μέγα γιὰ τὸν παρελθόντα πολύπαθο 20ο αἰώνα. Ὡς ἠγαπημένος τοῦ ἠγαπημένου μαθητοῦ Ἰωάννου τοῦ Θεολόγου, ὡς ἐραστὴς τῆς μοναχικῆς πολιτείας τοῦ Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Χριστοδούλου τοῦ Λατρηνοῦ, ὡς γνήσιο τέκνο καὶ ἀκριβὴς συνεχιστὴς τῆς Κολλυβαδικῆς παραδόσεως, ὡς τέκνο πνευματικό τοῦ Ἁγίου Νεκταρίου, ὡς φλογερὸς ἱεραπόστολος καὶ γενναῖος πατριώτης, πορεύθηκε τὴν στενή και τεθλιμμένη ὁδὸ τοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ εἰσῆλθε νικητὴς καὶ τροπαιοφόρος στὴν αἰώνια Βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ, τῆς ὁποῖας οὐκ ἔσται τέλος. Γεννημένος τὸ 1889 στὸ ἱερὸ νησὶ τῆς Πάτμου, ἀνατράφηκε, ὑπὸ τῶν ἀειμνήστων καὶ θεοσεβῶν γονέων του, ἐν παιδείᾳ καὶ νουθεσίᾳ Κυρίου. Συντόνισε τὴν παιδικὴ του καρδιὰ μὲ τὰ ἠδύλαλα σήμαντρα καὶ τὶς μεγαλοπρεπεῖς καμπάνες τῆς Μονῆς τοῦ Μεγάλου Θεολόγου στην Πάτμο. Τὸ Μάρτιο τοῦ 1906 εἰσέρχεται, ὡς δόκιμος, στὸ Μεγάλο Μοναστήρι καὶ στὶς 27 Αὐγούστου τοῦ ἰδίου ἔτους κείρεται μοναχὸς μὲ τὸ ὄνομα Ἀμφιλόχιος. Ἀργότερα χειροτονεῖται Διάκονος καὶ ἐν συνεχείᾳ Πρεσβύτερος. Ἡ φιλοκαλία, τὰ ἀσκητικὰ κείμενα τοῦ Μεγάλου Βασιλείου καὶ τοῦ Ὁσίου Ἐφραὶμ τοῦ Σύρου ἦταν τὸ ἐντρύφημὰ του. Ἐλάχιστο ἦταν τὸ φαγητὸ του, συνεχεῖς οἱ μετάνοιες, μιὰ σανίδα τὸ κρεβάτι του, πρῶτος στὴν ἀκολουθία, ὄρθιος στὸ στασίδι του, ὑπάκουος στούς γεροντάδες, εὐγενής στούς τρόπους, σεμνός στό ἦθος, ἱεροπρεπὴς στὸ ὕφος, ἀσκητικὸς στὸ φρόνημα. Ὁ Γέροντας Ἀμφιλόχιος Μακρής μονές, ἀνέστησε μοναστήρια, ἐξαπέστειλε ἱεραποστόλους, ἀναζωπύρωσε τὸ μυστήριο τῆς ἐξομολογήσεως, καλλιέργησε τὴ νοερὰ προσευχή, περιέθαλψε ὀρφανά, σπούδασε παιδιά, ἐλέησε πτωχούς, νουθέτησε ἰσχυρούς, ἵδρυσε πρῶτος κατηχητικὰ σχολεῖα, προσέφερε στὴν Ἐκκλησία πλειάδα πνευματικῶν του τέκνων κληρικῶν, μοναχῶν καὶ λαϊκῶν. Ο παγκοσμίως γνωστός ιεράρχης του Οικουμενικού Θρόνου, Μητροπολίτης Διοκλείας Κάλλιστος Γουέαρ, ομολογεί ότι προσήλθε στην Ορθοδοξία εξαιτίας της γνωριμίας του με τον Γέροντα Αμφιλόχιο. Ἠγάπησε τὴν φύση καὶ εἶναι ἐκεῖνος ποὺ πρῶτος φύτευσε πεύκα στὴν ἄνυδρη γῆ τῆς Πάτμου. Δὲν ἔπαψε ποτέ, μέχρι τὸ τέλος τῆς ζωῆς του, νὰ περιδιαβαίνει τὰ ἠγαπημένα του Δωδεκάνησα, καὶ ὄχι μόνο, καὶ ὡς φιλόστοργος πατὴρ νὰ ἐξομολογεῖ, νὰ θεραπεύει, νὰ παρηγορεῖ, νὰ ἐνισχύει, νὰ ἐνθουσιάζει, νὰ εὐλογεῖ, νὰ ἁγιάζει εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Θεανθρώπου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, τοῦ μοναδικοῦ Σωτῆρος τοῦ κόσμου. Στὶς 16 Ἀπριλίου τοῦ 1970 ἡ μακαρία του ψυχή, ὁλοφώτεινη καὶ λαμπερή, ἀπῆλθε ἐκ τῶν προσκαίρων

καὶ εἰσῆλθε θριαμβευτικὰ εἰς τὰς οὐρανίους μονάς. Τὰ σημεῖα τῶν θεοδωρήτων χαρισμάτων του καὶ τῆς ἁγιότητὸς του ἦταν ἐμφανὴ καὶ ἐγνωσμένα πρίν, ἀκόμα, ἀπὸ τὴν μακαρία κοίμησὴ του. Ἔγραφε τὸ Πάσχα τοῦ 1991 ὁ τότε Χαλκηδόνος καὶ νῦν Οἰκουμενικὸς Πατριάρχης κ.κ. Βαρθολομαῖος: «Ἡ Πάτμος εἶναι ἱερὸ νησὶ ἀπὸ τὸν αʹ μ.Χ. αἰώνα, ἀλλὰ ὁ π. Ἀμφιλόχιος μὲ τὴν ἁγία ζωὴ του τὴν ἔκανε ἀκόμη πιὸ ἱερή. Ὁ Γέροντας ὑπῆρξε ἕνας σύγχρονος Ἅγιος, γιατὶ εἶχε πίστη, ὑπομονή, ταπεινοφροσύνη, σωφροσύνη, πνευματικὴ ἀγάπη καὶ ἄλλες ἀρετές, ἴδιες τῶν Ἁγίων.»

Ὁ π. Ἀμφιλόχιος ἦταν ἰδεώδης πνευματικὸς πατήρ, γιατὶ εἶχε ἐπιτύχει ὁ ἴδιος τὴν ἁγιότητα». Ἡ ἐπίσημη ἁγιοκατάταξη τοῦ Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἀμφιλοχίου Μακρῆ ἔγινε στις 29 Αυγούστου 2018. Εορτάζει στις 16 Απριλίου εκάστου έτους. Μέρικές από τις παρακαταθήκες του Αγίου Ἀμφιλοχίου: - Να ζήσετε βίον ειρηνικόν και άγιον, να κρατήσετε τις γραμμές των πατέρων σας. - Ανδρίζεσθε και κραταιούσθε, για να μην έλθετε εις πειρασμόν. Μη δίδετε σημασίαν εις τον κόσμον. Ο κόσμος εξ αρχής και τους Αποστόλους και όλους τους Αγίους τους έπιασε για τρελλούς «...και εμέ εδίωξαν και υμάς διώξουσιν». Να έχωμεν την ομόνοιαν και την ειρήνην. Αυτά ευλογεί ο Θεός. - Ο Θεός να σας ευλογήση, να είναι πάντα κοντά σας στις εργασίες σας, στις σκέψεις σας. Να μην αναμιγνύεσθε ούτε στα κομματικά, ούτε στα προσωπικά. Πάντοτε να λέγετε: Ο Θεός να σας φωτίζη να κάνετε ό,τι είναι καλύτερον για τον τόπον μας. - Ημών το πολίτευμα εν «ουρανοίς υπάρχει». Εδώ ψευτοζούμε, λοιπόν να μη στενοχωρούμεθα ό,τι και να μας συμβή... - Δόξα τω Θεώ πάντων ένεκεν. Εμείς αυτό πρέπει να λέγωμε είτε καλά έχομε είτε κακά. - Όπου εγωισμός εκεί Πνεύμα Θεού δεν υπάρχει. - Δεν ημπορεί να λέγεται Χριστιανός εκείνος όπου δεν έχει αγάπην. Προσποιείται τον Χριστιανόν.

Για την αντιγραφή: Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης

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From the Parish Council Once again as we go to press with the monthly newsletter, I’d like to give you the latest updates on how things are proceeding with our beloved Assumption, addi-tional actions taken and things in progress. First a heartfelt thanks to all those who have responded to our request for stewardship & donations during this time. Summer is usually a slow time for us, and without the Festival and Friday Lunch it would have been doubly so. The silver lining in all of this is it lets us see what happens when we operate with a minimum “lights on” budget. Going forward we have to “revisit” what things are important to us. Faith, Fellowship, and Youth are at the top. I think Mike Aftentoullis, our Stewardship chair, would want me to mention Philotimo. He tells me it can’t be translated, but I believe it refers to doing the right thing with honor and integrity. I think this is something we can all understand and support! The Parish Council is now continuing to meet every two weeks via Zoom video conferencing. Although we expected these sessions to run shorter, in fact they seem to run almost as long as our old monthly meetings due to the detailed discussions. Fortunately we’ve saved on travel time. A few things that have taken place since my last update: A small army of volunteers descended on the kitchen and cleaned, polished, painted and sterilized practically every surface. There still remains some work to be done on cleaning the floor, old tile grout is particularly challenging. The old railroad tie wall by the barbecue pit was fall-ing part. It was just replaced with a beautiful new stone

wall. Material and labor were donated by the Kafenio, Alexander the Great, Epirotic and HAPL societies – If you talk to one of the members be sure to thank them.

All the interior walls have now been painted with the exception the Great Hall and one area of the Narthex that had suffered some water damage is next to be painted There is now a new roof on the area stretching from the kitchen to the older part of the Philoptochos room. This was paid for from funds set aside for that purpose by the Nicholas G Paradissis Memorial Fund. Additionally a lot of patching and rerouting of gutters was included in this work, which should prevent leaks in other areas of our facilities. Note that all of the above is effectively zero cost to the church as far as our ongoing operating expenses! Hopefully everyone is aware by now that the church has reopened, though for liturgical services only. We are operating at what the bishop refers to as Code Yellow, or Level 3 reopening. This means a maximum occupancy of 25% of capacity, or 60 people at a time, including priest, servers and narthex staff. Safety in mind, masks are required. If you would like to attend please contact Diane at the office to reserve a spot: 314-966-2255. On Sunday, entrance is by the side door so that we can have one way traffic. We were on the verge being able to increase the number of people able to attend services, but with a resurgence in the virus we need to be careful in how we adjust the current level, while still maintaining a safe dis-tance. Typical attendance right now is running around 50 people for Sunday service, so there is still room if you’d like to join us. Unfortunately our bishop, Metropolitan Nathaniel, has so far withheld permission for the resumption of other activities within our facilities. The Kafenio, Greek Classes, Youth organizations, Ladies Auxiliary groups and others have all requested access. Please be patient; this is topic comes up at every meeting. We are continuing to monitor the very fluid COVID-19 situation, and actively trying to find a way to manage these things safely and within Metropolis restrictions, as well as St. Louis County and CDC directions. So what else is happening? Τι άλλο? Recently, since the pandemic started, the various youth organizations met by video/teleconference and discussed their needs. The Parish Council was then informed there are two things at the top of the list: Getting a Youth Director and turning the Philoptochos room into an area our young people will want to spend time in. Now that we have a dry ceiling, we can look at what it will take to update the room. Getting a Youth Director is certainly a top priority, but is problematic without a steady income to support him or her. It’s an area of opportunity we will need to address as we move towards normalcy. In the meantime we have a small team of professional parishioners that has volunteered to come up with a design for the room. Personally I’ll volunteer to help replace the floor! I think most folks are aware that every two years we are required to send representatives to the National Clergy Laity Conference. Typically this is four people including our priest, Fr. Joseph. This year we are moving into the new world of virtual attendance via video conference. The sessions will take place September 9th and 10th, starting at noon. It’s hard to believe our church has moved to the

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Clergy Syndesmos

Congratulations to Fr. Douglas Papulis from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in St. Louis, MO. He was elected Treasurer of the Clergy Brotherhood for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago.

President: Fr. Stephen Bithos Vice President: Fr. Richard Demetrios Andrews

Treasurer: Fr. Doug Papulis Secretary: Fr. Dimitri Tobias

Benefits Rep: Fr. James Greanias Alumni Rep: Fr. Panagiotis Boznos

In addition to this, some time ago, Fr. Doug was appointed as the Vicar of the St. Louis region for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, which includes the Greek Orthodox parishes of central Illinois, southern Illinois and most of Missouri. May God bless him in these two very important ministries, and may He grant him many years.

virtual world of streaming services live and holding video conference meetings. Stay tuned. I’ll let you know how things turn out. Finally, as you all know we have not been able to hold a General Assembly; have not been able to vote on a budget, and are not allowed to do so via video conferencing. This is somewhat of a puzzle, but as I’ve mentioned we are operating on a strict basic maintenance budget. We’ve had 3 months of normal operations, and 3 months of pandemic. It gives us just about enough data to forecast what the rest of the year will look like. We will provide a basic Profit and Loss (Income) statement so you can see what this looks like on a pro forma basis (best guess). As with every year we will have five members of the parish council coming up for re-election this fall, which means there are five potential openings. Without being able to hold an in person General Assembly, I don’t know exactly how the voting will be handled, but I’m confident the diocese will let us know in due time. Generally candidates are proposed (nominated and seconded) at the Fall General Assembly. At that point the individual can accept or decline the nomination. Alternatively candidates in absentia can submit nomination forms by mail. Candidates must be current stewards of the church in good standing and have two other existing stewards sign off as recommending them. That gets someone on the ballot. We will make the nomination forms available as we get closer to the November, and by then should have some direction from the Metropolis on how to proceed. Please take care, be safe and reach out to each other. Hopefully we will see other soon. Yours in Christ –

Scott Thompson Parish Council President

Some of our YAL got together for lunch before going their separate ways. We pray for a successful and safe year for all of them.

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Philoptochos Corner The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos Society

Kalo Mina – Happy August! How crazy is it that we are already in August? I have been with the Rockwood School District for 15 years and I am anxiously waiting to see what the school year will look like and what that will mean for me personally. In the meantime, the Dimitriou’s are still doing work on the house. The work on the house truly

never ends � Xronia Polla

to all as we celebrate the feast day of our beloved Panagia on Saturday, August 15th

Chapter News: It is usually quiet for us in the summer, even more so this year. We will be attending the National Philoptochos Conference via ZOOM this year on Friday, August 21, and Saturday, August 22, 2020. There is a $50.00 observers fee for any member. Please let me know if you would be interested in registering. For now, we are content doing our work as a Board via ZOOM meetings. If you know of anyone who needs any help, please let me know.

Metropolis & National News: #Masks Matter Initiative…. We are up to 5600 masks made and distributed in our Metropolis. Our goal is to make and distribute 10,000 masks by the end of the year. Check out the National Philoptochos Facebook page to see the #MasksMatter posts. The Metropolis Philoptochos Annual September Luncheon will be a Virtual Event this year on Saturday, September 19, 2020. You should receive your invitation this month. There is no reason to delay sending back your donation card, RSVP quickly since you already know you will not be attending in person! Did you know that this is the only fundraiser that the Metropolis Philoptochos has? We really need your support! Event Donation is $25; Raffle tickets are 3/$25 or 1/$10. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.

Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.

~ Jackie Chan

Evelyn’s House – BJC Hospice: I keep in contact with the staff. They are grateful for our continued support. If you would like any more information about the hospice house please contact Flora Dimitriou or Diane Sieckmann.

2020 General Meeting Dates: *All meetings are postponed until the Coronavirus restrictions are listed.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Flora Dimitriou Philoptochos President fedimitriou@gmail.com 636-795-4602

Dear Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Sisters; All three of us are so excited to be hosting our 1st ever Virtual Luncheon on Saturday September 19, 2020. Our theme this year is ‘Scatter Kindness.’ This theme says it all that WE are the ladies who scatter kindness to each other and to those in need. We plan to live stream our event and our goal is to have you join us with your church group or from your home. Here are a few quotes we’d like to share: “Kindness is having the ability to speak with love, listen with patience and act with compassion.” -RAKtivisit “Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them and you, the giver.” -Barbara De Angelis With these thoughts we hope YOU will help us make this event a success. Our goal is to raise $30,000 and we cannot do it without you. Please save the date Saturday, September 19, 2020, Noon – 1:30pm. Whether you gather your ladies at church or have a group at your home it is with your generosity that we will be able to help benefit:

The Metropolis Philoptochos Philanthropic Endeavors

We will be sending out updates to be shared with your chapter regarding event. Thank you in advance for your support. With sisterly agape, Marilynn Jemas, Flora Dimitriou and Vonnie Karafotias

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HOW MUCH DO I OWE? By Bill Marianes “How much do I owe” asked the parishioner. “For what?” I asked. “You know, for my church dues.” I truly did not know what to say next, so I asked a simple question: “How much have you

been blessed? “A lot” they said, “but what has that got to do with anything? I just want to know how much of my money I have to give to the church as dues to be a mem-ber?” And that was when I finally realized that, among other things, they got the pronoun wrong. They weren’t really dealing with “their” assets. They are all “His” (i.e., God’s). They failed to understand that Christ’s church does not sell “memberships” or charge “dues” and that everything “they” had was really a gift from God, their Father. Everything! Their life, their talents, their genetic composition, their life experiences, the people who loved them, the opportunities presented them for greatness, the chances to make a difference in the world, their stuff and even their money. None of it was really theirs. They were merely a temporary steward (caretaker) of God’s gifts. They didn’t get it and just wanted me to give them a magic number as if it were written in some golden tablets. So I replied with what Christ taught us on the subject: “Give it all, I said.” In Matthew 19:16-21 we are presented with parable of the young man who asked Christ: “What good deed must I do to have eternal life?” The young man was focused on the right thing, namely eternal life, and not some temporary success, job promotion or nice lifestyle. Christ responded by essentially first reviewing the 10 Commandments and then gave the following clear guidance: “If you would be perfect, go sell what you pos-sess and give it to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow me.” Notice what Christ said. “If you would be perfect…” Perfect, he said, not average, or in the 2nd quartile. The roadmap to perfection is to give back everything we have been given. How many of us are ready to go “all in” and take the journey down that path toward an ultimate goal that is more rich and fulfilling than anything we could imagine? The young man was not ready, and “…he went away sad.” Paradoxically, it is kind of funny, because eventually we will give everything. When we die (on this earth) we will not take any of our stuff with us. You still never see a hearse followed by a UHaul trailer. So why not give it now and experience the joy that comes from helping someone else. Or would you prefer to also “go away sad.” An endless number of Scripture passages make it clear that our obligation of stewardship over God’s many gifts to us is to give in proportion to the blessings we have received. Indeed the Parable of Talents from Matthew 25:14-30 is all about taking whatever gifts God gives us, putting them out into the world and causing them to multiply, and then giving them back in proportion to what

we earned in order to receive the reward of hearing: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much.” 1st Corinthians 9:7 teaches us: “So let each one give as he purposeth in his heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” Note the emphasis on cheerful giving, not 2 paying dues. And of course we cannot forget the indicting message of Luke 16:11 “And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches of heaven?” So it keeps coming back to giving in proportion to the blessings God has given you. In Holy Scripture we do not see references to “dues” but we do find many references to the tithe. The tithe is an obligation to give at least 10% of our blessings. Notice the words are “at least” and notice that it is giving 10% of ALL of our first fruits and blessings. That includes our time and our talents, as well as our treasures. And the title is not just an Old Testament phenomenon as we learn in many places, including Matthew 23:23 where the scribes and Pharisees were admonished to continue the tithe (the law) as well as following Christ’s new commandments of justice, mercy and faithfulness. Even St. John Chrysostom in the 4th century said “And if there was a danger then (he was referring to the Old Testament) in omitting the tithes, think how great it must be now!” And if there was a danger in omitting the tithes dur-ing St. John Chrysostom’s time, think how much greater the danger is now. The Parish Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in Article 18 Section 1 states: “Stewardship is recommended to be 10% of one’s annual income as stated in Holy Scripture to help meet the financial obligations of the Parish, the Metropolis and the Archdiocese.” The OCA has also adopted the tithe as the vehicle to fund their Dioceses. The guidance from all sources is clear, the message is simple and the formula easy. A minimum of 10% of all of the gifts God has given us. Not some arbitrary dollar amount set with little relationship to the blessings that each one of us may have individually received. Not some formula based on operating budgets divided by a fluctuating, and sometimes random, number of pledging units, or some other relatively irrelevant formula. Not a one size fits all amount which mistakenly suggests that each of us have been blessed equally. Even when our Lord went to the house of the tax collector, Zacchaeus, the message of love Christ delivered led Zacchaeus to give 50% to the poor along with a promise to compensate those who he had wronged four-fold. Holy Scripture does not give us any different guidance other than proportional giving of a percentage. Whether it is Christ’s “all in” percentage to the young man, the tithe, or the example of the Virgin Mary’s father, Joachim, who gave 33% to the church, 33% to the poor and lived on the remaining 33%. It is all about a percentage of the blessings you received. So, pick the percentage you like best: 100% (the young man); 66% (Joachim), 50% + 4 times any wrongdoing (Zacchaeus) or 10% (Holy Scripture and the UPR). But make no mistake about it, it is a percentage, not a static number. Christian parishes that have a dues system tend to struggle financially, and they certainly do not experience

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growing numbers of robust and expanding ministries and outreach and evangelism. Whereas, Christian parishes that practice some form of tithing of a percent, or true stewardship, have an abundance of resources, ministries and blessings. As we learn in 2nd Corinthians 9:7 3 “But this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” Brothers and sisters, this is just not that hard. In the over 500 parishes I have been blessed to present to over the last 5 years throughout the country, I have repeatedly discovered that when people stop thinking about their commitment to Christ’s Church as a bill to be paid, or consumer transaction that depends on their satisfaction, and instead see it as the opportunity to share willingly and joyfully the blessings that God has bestowed upon them, their lives and parishes are full of joy, peace and love and true riches and abundance. Dues systems are archaic recipes for extinction. So when someone wants to argue in favor of a dues system, I typically ask them: “If you truly think that a dues system is the right answer for your church, how did you figure out the “right” level of dues, when was it last changed and how’s it working for your church?” The silence that follows is usually deafening. They know it is wrong. They know it does not work over the long term. They know it is not Scriptural or righteous. They just have trouble giving up what is easy. Yet, in the great book, Passing the Plate – Why American Christians Don’t Give Away More Money, Christian Smith, Michael O. Emerson and Patricia Snell report on a study that concluded: “Nearly all the parishioners we interviewed said that they in fact could give more than they do and believe that they should give more.” We know what we should do. Sometimes we just need a little help and encouragement to do the right thing. Consider this message that encouragement. Holy Scripture, best practices in Christian churches and all the research studies reach the same conclusion. Dues systems, set levels of contributions do not work, will not work, cannot work and are neither proper expressions of faith nor effective operational strategies. My definition of stewardship is relatively simple. I believe stewardship is what you do with all of the gifts God gave you. All of those gifts. So if you want to be judged as a great steward, than be generous with all the gifts that have been given to you by your Father. Or you can choose not to live the kind of life Christ taught and you can just do whatever you want to do. So each day you get to look in the mirror and assess your life as a steward (caretaker) of all of the many gifts and blessings God has given and entrusted to you, and ask yourself: “How much does God owe me, and how much do I owe Him?” The choice is yours. As are the consequences. That is the beauty of free will. You know what you need to do, so choose wisely! May God bless you as you pursue your own unique stewardship calling. Stay on The Path and enjoy the journey. (SOTPAETJ)

Bill Marianes is the Chief Evangelist Officer of the Stewardship Calling ministry focused on helping people and parishes discover and live their stewardship callings so that they may have a good account before the awesome judgment seat of Christ.

FOCUS Gateway City Food Pantry is empty at this time and in great need of support from us to serve the poor in St. Louis.

Canned Meats

Chicken, Roast Beef, Spam, Beef Stew, Sardines, Chili

Canned Soups & Vegetables

Chunky Soups, Condensed Soups, Chick-en Noodle, Cream of mushroom, Vegetable beef, Canned Vegetables (no corn, green beans or carrots) , Pork & Beans, Asparagus, Spinach

Hygiene Needs

Razors, Deodorant, Soap (no hotel or sample size), Tooth Brushes, Tooth Paste

Leave items on table outside the Church

Office door

Call Diane Sieckmann at (314) 966-2255 to let her know you will be dropping off

food donations for FOCUS.

Items Needed:

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In Our Prayers Nora (Elaine) Bangert, Seraphima Henderson

Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris, Dean Kases, George Lambos

Important Please inform Fr. Joseph immediately when you or any member of your family is sick or hospitalized, so that appropriate prayer and visitation may be scheduled. Hospi-tals do not notify clergy of patients even if you list yourself as a Church member.

Baptisms Congratulations

Να ζήσει

Congratulations to Alex and Vicki (Toumbalakis) Erderl on the baptism of their daughter, Sophia anna, on June 27, 2020. The Godparents are Gregory and Christina Mollica.

Funerals

Memory Eternal

Panayiotis “Pete” Pelekanos passed away on July 13, 2020. The funeral was held at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church on July 16, 2020 with burial at St. Matthew Cemetery. Pinelopi Lialios, nee Kotis, passed away July 6th, 2020.The funeral took place at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago on July 10, 2020. William Frank Gianino passed away on June 26, 2020.. The funeral took place on July 6, 2020 at St. Joseph Cath-olic Church. Burial was at National Cemetery. Lou Potsou passes away on June 18, 2020. The funeral was held at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church on June 26, 2020 with burial at St. Matthew Cemetery.

Trisagia

July 12 40 day Liz Rodes, daughter of Gus and Janice Rodes 2 year Ismini Draper, daughter of Izmini Draper July 19 6 mo Katherine Georgen, mother of Elaine Been, Andrew Georgen and Dennis Georgen 8 year Nicholas Georgen, father of Elaine Been, Andrew Georgen and Dennis Georgen

August 9 3 year Judge Ellis Gregory, husband of Shirley Gregory

Fr. Joseph Celebrates 32 Years in the Holy Priesthood on August 28th! Eis Anotera!

Parish News

Answers to Prayer -Fr. Andrew Demotses

In securing an answer to our prayers, we must take care that we cooperate with the Lord. Some people ask God to do for them what they could and should be doing for themselves. For example, once, a young boy heard his father offer a fervent prayer for the poor and needy at their dinner table. When the prayers were over and all began to eat, the young boy asked, "Wouldn't it be simpler, dad, if we all just shared with those who have less?" Of course it would! But it is much easier to pray for someone than it is to sacrifice and to help him ourselves. We are not content to offer up to God what we cannot do ourselves, but often ask that he assume our responsibilities as well. Most parents, for instance, pray that their children will mature into responsible and mature adulthood. Very few, however, take care to provide homes that reflect that maturity and responsibility. Somehow, they feel that that it will just happen without their effort and constant vigilance. People who are lonely often behave in the same way; it never occurs to them to stop wanting friends and instead become a friend to others. To the complaint "no one ever calls me," I always answer, "then why don't you call in-stead?" We must try to answer our own prayers, and then leave what we cannot do to God. To do otherwise is to use prayer as a subtle method of avoiding our own responsibilities. We cannot pretend to care about something through prayer without first having tried ourselves to do what needs to be done. St. Paul made this point when he wrote, "Do not deceive your selves; no one makes a fool of God. A person will reap exactly what he plants." (Gal. 6:7).

*Newsletter Reminder* Please remember if you have something to go in the newsletter, please submit by the 5th of the month all articles to

diane@assumptiongoc.org

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Congratulations of Aleke Tsoubanos Tsoubanos promoted to head coach, Macdonald remains on staff as assistant coach NASHVILLE, Tenn. - After 13 years on the Vand erbilt women’s tennis coaching staff, former Commodore standout Aleke Tsoubanos will be promoted to head coach, while Geoff Macdonald will remain with the team as an assistant coach after 26 years at the helm. “There is no one more capable or more prepared to lead our women’s tennis program than Aleke Tsoubanos,” said Vanderbilt vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director Candice Lee. “As a student-athlete and coach on West End, Aleke has lifted Vanderbilt to an elite level, and has impacted numerous Commodores whom she has mentored into successful professionals in tennis, business, and in life.

“We are incredibly thankful for all Geoff has done for the program and university over the past 26 years, and this is another example of his selfless

leadership and passion for the program. We are lucky to keep this duo together as Geoff remains a vital member of the program and the university." “I am honored and thrilled to become the next head coach for Vanderbilt women’s tennis,” Tsoubanos said. “This is truly a dream come true. I want to thank Candice Lee for her trust in me and the opportunity to lead this illustrious program. I also want to thank Coach Macdonald for his incredible support, mentorship, and leadership that has helped mold me as a collegiate tennis coach. I am so excited about our team and the future of Vanderbilt women’s tennis.” “Aleke is just an incredible human being and it’s been my privilege to coach her and then work alongside her for the past 13 years,” said Macdonald. “We have accomplished so much together, and I am glad we will continue to coach together going forward. Aleke and I discussed this transition over the past few years and I’m so excited to watch her excel and take over as head coach.” One of the most respected college coaching duos in the country, Tsoubanos and Macdonald led the Commodores to the program’s first national championship in 2015. The pair has also ushered the Dores to 236 wins, 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, and back-to-back SEC Tournament and regular season titles in 2017-18. Since 2008, the duo has produced nine singles ITA All-Americans as well as three All-America doubles teams, in

addition to 32 All-SEC honorees, including 17 first-team recipients and nine SEC All-Freshman team members. Off the court, 70 student-athletes were named SEC All-Academic honorees over the past 13 seasons and three were named SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Since returning to campus as a coach, Tsoubanos has consistently recruited some of the nation’s top classes, won three Ohio Valley Assistant Coach of the Year awards, and was voted Vanderbilt’s first ever ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2015. A native of St. Louis, Tsoubanos was a standout student-athlete for the Commodores. During her career on

West End, she was a three-time ITA All-American (2002-04), first-team All-NCAA selection, first-team All-SEC selection in both singles and doubles and was the first player to win the ITA All-American Riviera

doubles championship two consecutive years with two different partners. Tsoubanos also excelled off the court, where she earned All-SEC Academic Team accolades. Inducted into the Vanderbilt Hall of Fame in 2015, Tsoubanos still holds four school records. She partnered with Kelly Schmandt in 2004 to win 15 consecutive doubles matches, and she owns the highest doubles winning percentage in a career, winning 82 percent of her doubles matches from 2000-04. She also has the most career doubles victories with 119 and registered 32 doubles victories in a season with both Sarah Riske (2003) and Kelly Schmandt (2004). The Commodores enjoyed some of their most successful years while Tsoubanos was a member of the team. Vanderbilt made the NCAA title match in her freshman season and made the NCAA quarterfinals (2003) and semifinals (2004) in her final two years in black and gold. Tsoubanos enjoyed success in the professional ranks during her career. Her doubles ranking rose as high as 126, winning four doubles titles while on tour. She made the doubles semifinals or better 23 times while on the International Tennis Federation circuit. Tsoubanos also spent two seasons with World Team Tennis for her hometown team, the St. Louis Aces, in 2005 and 2006. While with the Aces, she scored doubles wins over such players as Anna Kournikova and Meghann Shaughnessy. Tsoubanos resides in Nashville with her husband, Dr. Jason Valentine (associate professor of mechanical engineering at Vanderbilt) and their three children: Andrew, Evie and Lia. http://vanderbi.lt/zkvyo

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Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Road Town and Country, MO 63131-1405 Address Service Requested

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. Postage

PAID St. Louis, MO

Permit No. 4628

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From the Orthodox Study Bible Revelation 22:7-9

7Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. 8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed these things. 9Then he said to me, “See that you do not that. For I am a fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 22:7 Keeping the words. . . of this book refers to repentance, faithfulness, and steadfastness, no matter the circumstance of life. The “overcomers” are blessed. 22:8, 9 John repeats his error of attempting to worship the angel (see 19:10). The fact is, even mature Christians and leaders sometimes err. But we press on to change and to continue with Christ. The command to John is, “Worship God” (v. 9). The angel affirms John is a brother of the prophets (v. 9).

For Consideration Each one of the faithful can learn much--indeed, very much--from the life of the Virgin Theotokos. I would like to mention only two things. First, she frequently went to Golgotha, the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, Bethlehem, and other places redolent [reminiscent] of her Son. She prayed on bended knees at all of these places--especially at Golgotha. Thus she gave the first example and impetus to the faithful of visiting holy places out of love toward Him Who by His presence, His passion and His glory made these places holy and significant. Second, we learn how she prayed for a quick departure from this life, so that, when separated from her body, her soul would not encounter the prince of darkness and his horrors, and hidden from the dark regions would not see the punishment of those darkened by sin. Do you see how ter-rible it is for the soul to pass through the toll-houses [mitarstva]? When she--who gave birth to the Destroyer of hades, and who herself has tremendous power over demons--prayed thus, what then is left for us? Out of extreme humility, she com-mended herself to God, and did not trust in her own deeds. So much less should we trust in our deeds, and even more we should commend ourselves into the hands of God, crying out for His mercy, especially at the time of the departure of the soul from the body. https://web.archive.org/web/20170503154308/http://westserbdio.org/en/prologue/602-august-15