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TRANSCRIPT
March 2016
TTTHEHEHE MMMESSENGERESSENGERESSENGER Newsletter of All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox ChurchNewsletter of All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church
How To Become An Orthodox Christian So, you’re exploring the idea of joining the Orthodox Church? Relax! It is a joyful and well worn path, with many souls who have made this journey before you, and many more will come after
you.
Step One: Conversion to Christ
St. Paul himself tells us what this Gospel – which means ‘Good News’ – consists of: For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to
the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fall-
en asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
-1 Corinthians 15:3-8
That is the Gospel. What is so ‘Good’ about it? This is the Good News preached to all nations. Is it really Good News?
Christ died for our sins. We have freedom in the Living God if we accept Him! We become inheritors of Eternal Life! What could
be easier! Acceptance of the Gospel of Christ is what we call conversion. It seems elementary, but sometimes we forget what the
Gospel is, and why we convert. Conversion means belief and acceptance in Jesus Christ, the God-man, as the Savior of the world.
Orthodox Christians believe you must be converted every day- every day – and everyone must start with this step if they desire to
make spiritual progress and be saved.
Step Two: Repentance
There is no salvation without repentance. One must repent of our sins, both voluntary and involuntary, of word, deed, and even
thought! Repentance is the gateway to forgiveness and the Kingdom of heaven. After this, one must find a local Orthodox Church.
To become a member of the Body of Christ means connection with other believers. Without this vital connection, Christianity
becomes an interesting study or personality cult. We believe that Christianity is a living faith, and therefore must be received from
living persons. Your introduction to the local clergy and community will enrich you and benefit you in many ways. It will be a
time of learning how the Church does Scripture reading, prayer, fasting, tithing, almsgiving, charity, interior life and evangelism.
You will make new friends, acquire new disciplines and skills that will make you a better and more loving Christian.
Step Three: The Catechumenate
When one desires to become a member of the Body of Christ, a period of instruction is necessary. From the earliest days of the
Church, this was called the Catechumenate, and those wishing to join were called catechumens. One must know the Gospel (see
above). One must know what the Church is, and isn’t; what membership in the Church means, responsibilities and expectations
for members, benefits of membership, and what discipleship means to believers in Christ Jesus. Sometimes a local Church has a
New Members Class, sometimes they have a series of classes for inquirers like yourself.
Your situation is not unique. You may be making this journey of faith alone. You may be coming with your family, or with
friends. You may be a clergyman, leading your flock to the Safe Haven. You may be part of a large group yearning for inclusion in
the Church. Whatever your situation is, you can be assured that many of come that way before you.
Many of the stories published on Journey To Orthodoxy will show you that there are a multitude of ways leading to the Orthodox
Christian faith. Your story may be published next!
The time you spend as a catechumen is time well spent. You’ll not only have the chance to learn more about the Orthodox faith,
but you’ll also have the chance to immerse yourself into the Orthodox way of life. You may get impatient (many of us did!) for
your entrance into the Church, but make no mistake, in no time, your catechumenate will have come to an end, and you’ll be a
member of the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church once and for all!
Congratulations on your retirement:
Paul Bitsos: 38 years & 2 months with Tennant Sales & Service
Deb McDonnell: 35 years with OPPD
Jeff Johannesmeyer: 5 1/2 years with Western Iowa Energy
God Grant Them Many Years! Congratulations to Chris & Vika Hoegemeyer on the
birth of their baby girl Dariya Christianova,
born Tuesday, January 27
Congratulations to Zach & Kelli Berger on the birth of
their baby girl Zoey Margaret,
born Tuesday, February 9
Congratulations to Spiro & Mary Moustakes on their
70 years of marriage!
PARISH INFOMATION Address:
9012 “Q” Street ,
Omaha, NE 68127
Office Hours:
Monday—Friday:
10am—5pm
Phone:
402-934-3688
Website:
www.allholyspirit.com
Email:
Church:
Fr. Alexander Lukashonok:
Services:
Each Sunday
Morning Prayers 8:45 am
Divine Liturgy 9:30 am
2 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church
Thank you Thank you to everyone who provided prosphora, altar
flowers, coffee and food for fellowship hour, and
artoklasia for the month of February. We are grateful for
the participation of: Joanne Sgourakis, Stephanie
Wilger, Hellen Elfering, Debbie Birge, Joan Rakes,
Mike & Sandi Kriha, Jim & Deb McDonnell, Joe &
Kiki Papke, Mike & Nikki Moravec, Karen Chader,
and Cindy Lambert
AHEPA We held our February AHEPA meeting and had one of our largest attendances with 21 members present to discuss our upcoming Fish Fry. We held our 1st Fish Fry on Friday, 2/12 and again we broke our first week attendance. We thank those who came down to help us with set-up, serving
& clean-up. We are expecting another Break-Out Year in both attendance & dollars. Since this is a community event which is supported by the AHEPA, we welcome one & all to help us make this a Premium Fund Raiser for All Holy Spirit. For those of you who have the time, we need help at 2:30 for set-up, at 4:00 for serving/clean tables and at 7:00 for end of night clean-up. Thank you in advance for your support.
Trey & Tammy Honke
Steve & Mariana Hurst
Jeff Johannesmeyer
Knox & Anastasia Jones
Adam & Sandy Karavas
Andy & Debbie Karavas
Bob & Maria Knowles
Vivian Kokkalas
Paul & Annie Kosel
Christopher & Emily Krampe
Mike & Sandi Kriha
Harry & Dee Lahs
Bill & Cindy Lambert
Robert & Maria Laws
Ted & Helen Lazanas
Jim & Deb McDonnell
Michael McDonnell
Jon & Liz Mehuron
Cindy Miller
Mary Mitchell
Mike & Nikki Moravec
Spiro & Mary Moustakes
Ashley Olson
Linda Olson
Mike & Gail Osberg
Joe & Kiki Papke
John & Laura Pavalis
Nick & Aphrodite Petrihos
Helen Petrow
Nick & Shelly Petrow
Nicole Petrow
Sophia Petrow
Theodora Petrow
George & Jody Poullos
George Poulos
George Pserros
David & Lisa Rakes
March 2016 3
2016 Stewardship List
Evan Argyrakis
Alexandra Bakke
Chris & Carole Bakke
Nicholas Bakke
William Bakke
John & Elaine Berger
Zach & Kelli Berger
John & Debbie Birge
Justin & Nicole Birge
Effie Bitsos
Paul & Dora Bitsos
Nick Bitzes
Phil & Tammy Bitzes
Matt & Alexis Boulos
Julie Bouzis
Mike Bouzis
Angie Brown
Maria Brown
Josh & Leah Busch
Joe & Litsa Carter
Karen Chader
Tom & Brenda Denich
John & Hillary Detisch
Steve & Nikki Diamantis
Mary Dounias
David & Hellen Elfering
Katie Elfering
Sarah Elfering
Elias & Demetra Eliopoulos
Despina Foster
Jordan Fox
Jason Gill
Tammy Gill
Clark & Annie Gorder
Zach Hennings
Chris & Vika Hoegemeyer
George & Angie Rakes
Gust & Joan Rakes
Shelly Reiling
Chris & Nadine Saklar
Bill & Joanne Sgourakis
John & Michelle Sgourakis
Aaron & Litsa Shoemaker
Anna Smith
Julie Smith
Sam Tsichlis
Andy Vassios
Ted Warren
Alyssa Wilger
Andrea Wilger
Peter & Stephanie Wilger
Brian & Sheila Zachariae
Saint Gregory Palmas (March 27th, 2016)
4 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church
Orthodoxy and the Civil Rights Movement
On the last Sunday in January, our youth helped us celebrate the beginning of Black History month with a presentation on
Orthodoxy and the Civil Rights Movement. Our younger youth started by singing “This Little Light of Mine” and were followed by are older youth who recited prayers of encouragement, as well as a brief recap of the legacy Martin Luther King Jr. created.
Their presentation portrayed wonderfully how the Orthodox church has always stood for the equality and justice for all.
The Presentation of Our Lord Celebration Tuesday, February 2nd was the Presentation of our Lord. Due to weather, our parish celebrated this day on Tuesday, February 9th. Several stewards came to witness the blessing
of the golden, votive candles. The participation and the outcome of this event was well
received and made for a beautiful, evening prayers. Thank you to all who made their vows to the Lord.
Remember to continue to: “Pay your vows to the Lord.”
December 2015 7 6 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church March 2016 5
[To read the complete story go to: http://www.pravoslavie.ru
and search for Ryan’s article titled "Why Orthodoxy? Conclusion”]
“Why Orthodoxy? Conclusion.”
In the Liturgy one discovers the Inner Life of the Church, for it is in the
Liturgy, beloved, treasured, and defended by Orthodox for centuries, that
the faithful so clearly manifest their abiding devotion. The Liturgy, as
something which has remained almost entirely unchanged for centuries,
whose essential form dates to over sixteen hundred years ago, is, to me,
one of the greatest gifts of Orthodoxy that I will receive when I am chris-
mated. In the Liturgy are found the best embodiments of the “living Tra-
dition” to which the faithful cleave. Metropolitan Kallistos correctly, and
with some sense of humor, observes that Orthodox are constantly talking
about Tradition. Yet what does this word really mean? Is it a kind of reac-
tionary, mechanical, static devotion to all things old? Such tradition, if
that were Orthodoxy, could only be called empty.
Of course, the word has different significance for different people. Certain
Orthodox parishes that are more ethnically-oriented (specific communi-
ties of Russians, Serbians, or Syrians, etc) may sometimes strike people
unfamiliar with them as being more mechanical in nature, cleaving to specific ritual observance rather than a
broad, more informed Tradition. If you are inclined after reading this to visit an Orthodox church, there is a
small chance that you might step into one like this, where, if you don’t immediately venerate an icon, people
might look at you as if asking, silently, “Why are you here?” Do not be afraid if this is the case; rest assured,
most parishes are not like this, and such behavior is not in the spirit of Orthodoxy.
As Metropolitan Kallistos observes, the true Orthodox Tradition is one which is far from static: the life and
light of the Church are vividly expressed in the Liturgy, a word which means “the work of the people.”
The challenge for each Orthodox person is to enter into the fullest possible awareness of how studying, hon-
oring, and above all living this Tradition will bring them to a closer communion with God, a greater sense of
self and a deeper understanding of human nature.
Bearing all this in mind as I prepare for chrismation, I am reminded of the opening words of the Magnificat:
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior!
Mindful of the many preparations that lay ahead, I close with the familiar words of praise rendered by King
David in the psalm which he taught to Solomon:
Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes …
-Ryan Hunter
December 2015 5 6 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church
The Great Fast is coming, the Great Fast is coming! Monday, March 14th
The Great Fast Begins The season of Great Lent will soon be upon us! As Orthodox Christians, the ushering in of this
beautiful season of the Church year is a cause for much spiritual joy! While it is true that we are called
to “give up” certain things during this season, such as meat and dairy products, and unnecessary
activity, it is in reality a time where we receive much more than we give up, if we willingly embrace it.
When we fast, we lighten our bodies, so that we can pray
more attentively. When we participate in the “bright
sadness” of the Lenten services and sing the beautiful
Lenten melodies and hymns, our hearts are softened and
we experience the peace of God which passes all
understanding. When we secretly perform acts of charity
and love to “the least of the brethren...” expecting
nothing in return, we receive back in greater measure,
the rich blessings of God.
So you see, this season is designed to help restore our
spiritual balance, and improve our spiritual insight. By slowing down and embracing the change in our
lifestyle we once again discover the “things most needful” in life, that happiness is not found in the
endless pursuit of worldly possessions, fame and fortune, but in our ability to love others and to
experience the love of God.
-Very Rev. Protopresbyter Peter Paproski [To read the full article go to http://www.acrod.org/organizations/senioracry/acryn-e/onetwork-spiritual-reflections/acry-reflection-pre-lent13]
Reminder Don’t forget to pick up your
Lenten Schedules! [Visit the Parish Hot Spot]
8 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church March 2016 7
Engaging Orthodoxy Live Stream
Event! Saturday, March 5th
9:00 Saturday of Souls Divine Liturgy
followed by
10:00-12:00 Live Stream Lecture
Lecture presented by:
Metropolitan Kallistos Ware
on
Engaging Orthodoxy: The Unchanging Gospel in
an Ever-Changing Culture
Coffee & doughnuts provided in the morning!
Lunch provided in the afternoon!
Join us for this Live Stream Event!
Forgiveness Sunday:
Pre-Lenten Meal Sunday, March 13th
9:30 Divine Liturgy with the Rite of Forgiveness
and The Pascha Canon
followed by
Corned beef and Cabbage Meal
in honor of
St. Patrick of Ireland
Celebration of the Annunciation Thursday, March 24th-Friday, March 25th
Come and bring a dish!
Potluck dinner Thursday, March 24th
5:30 Evening Prayers
6:00 Lenten Potluck Dinner
7:00 Vespers
Friday, March 25th 7:00 AM Divine Liturgy
Greek Independence Celebration Sunday, March 27th 9:30 Divine Liturgy
followed by
Sunday School Performance
&
Shrimp Luncheon
Free will offering appreciated!
6 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church December 2015 7 8 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church
Orthodox Patriarchs Prepare for The Great and Holy Council The Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church will meet in June this
year on the island of Crete in Greece and not at the Phanar in
Constantinople as previously scheduled back in March of 2014. The
decision made at the Synaxis in Geneva last month, was dictated by the
recent Russian-Turkish crisis which basically would prevent the Moscow
Patriarch and his delegation from visiting the City.
That is also why this Synaxis of Primates was meeting in Geneva and not in
the Phanar, as originally planned.
Eleven of the fourteen Primates, with their delegations continued the work
of the Synaxis through Jan. 28th determining the themes to be discussed in June which will include the following ten topics:
1. The Orthodox Diaspora.
2. The manner in which Autocephaly is assigned.
3. The manner of the administration of Autonomy in semi-independent
Churches within the limits of Autocephalous Churches.
4. The Diptychs: the order of the Autocephalous Churches.
5. The issue of a common Calendar.
6. Canonical marriage impediments, especially in the case of Inter-
Christian marriages.
7. Fasting.
8. The relationship of the Orthodox Churches with the rest of the
Christian world.
9. Orthodoxy and the Ecumenical Movement.
10. The contribution of local Orthodox Churches in the prevalence of Christian ideals of peace, freedom,
brotherhood and love among people and removing racial and other discrimination.
Eight of the ten topics have been approved by Pre-Synodal Pan-Orthodox Conferences, while the two concerning
Autocephaly and the Diptychs have not as of yet.
In his introductory speech at the opening session of the Synaxis in Geneva, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, stressed that
“the great responsibility belongs to us now, without further delay, to convert this vision [of the Holy and Great Synod of the
Orthodox Church] into a reality.
http://myocn.net/this-week-in-orthodoxy-february-5-2016-2/
March 2016 9
Ethiopia Drought Threatens Survival Of 10 Million People Baltimore, MD (IOCC) — International Orthodox
Christian Charities (IOCC) is responding to the ur-
gent needs of families in Ethiopia suffering through
the most severe drought in 30 years. More than 10
million people face severe hunger and loss of
livestock across the dry and barren plains of
western Ethiopia.
Tilahun, a 53-year-old cow herder, is at risk of
losing his two newborn calves and only source of
income. The cows in his small herd have stopped
giving milk due to lack of water and feed. The
father of nine children says each day becomes
more uncertain. “We’ve had drought before but we
would move our animals to graze in the
neighboring Afar region, or they came to us when they had drought. This year both regions are affected and the drought is
affecting both people and animals, which makes it difficult,” said Tilahun.
IOCC, an ACT Alliance member, is working with church partner, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Development and Inter
Church Aid Commission, to install five large capacity water tanks in the country’s hard hit North Shewa Zone of the Amhara
region. IOCC is also providing water needed for livestock in remote, drought-hit communities where little emergency relief
assistance is currently available.
The arrival of water is desperately needed to spare the small herd of cattle owned by Shiferaw, 75. The nearest water source
in the region is a six-hour round trip walk from his home. “I don’t remember this kind of drought in my living memory,” he
recalled. “Due to the long distance to the river, our animals are able to reach water only once every three days.” The poor
harvest of teff, a nutritious staple grain in the Ethiopian diet, has also severely cut Shiferaw’s income and a valuable source of
food for his wife and three children. He had to sell one of his seven cows to buy food for his family.
The lack of rain during the country’s short but critical rainy season has led to a severe shortage of water, and caused wide-
spread crop failure and the death of over 400,000 livestock – a stark reminder of how fragile the food supply can become
when growing conditions are severely impacted.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help the victims of poverty and conflicts around the
world, like those suffering from drought in Ethiopia, by making a
financial gift to the International Emergency Response
Fund which will provide immediate relief, as well as long-term
support through the provision of emergency aid, recovery
assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a
gift, please visit iocc.org or call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC
(4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, P.O.
Box 17398, Baltimore, MD 21297.
http://myocn.net/ethiopia-drought-threatens-survival-of-10-million-
people/
10 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church
JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL
FRIDAY FISH FRY FEBRUARY 12 THRU MARCH 25
4:30-8:00 PM
This is a good time to invite your friends and neighbors to join you and learn about
our Orthodox Faith.
Have them join you for the Fish Fry and 7:00 PM Vesper Services
ICON FLOWERS NEEDED!
Flowers needed for
The Annunciation
Contact Nikki Moravec
(614) 563-7777
Get Involved Are you interested in baking prosphora? Do you want to provide food and coffee
for our Fellowship Hour? Would you like to beautify the altar with flowers?
Get involved today! Sign up sheets are located in the Fellowship Hall.
Sunday of Orthodoxy (March 20th, 2016)
Get more Orthodox News with SparkOCN [Available on the Apple App Store]
USHER SCHEDULE If you are unable to usher on your assigned Sunday please find a replacement within your group.
March 3/6 Mike & Nikki Moravec,
John & Cathy Treantos
3/13 Brian & Sheila Zachariae, Mike Kriha, & Jeff Johannesmeyer
3/20 Jason Gill, Mike Bouzis, John Birge, & Bob Knowles
3/27 George Poullos, Paul Bitsos,
John Sgourakis, & Paul Kosel
March 2016 11
April 4/3 Bill & Cindy Lambert,
Dora Bitsos, & Sandi Kriha
4/10 John & Elaine Berger,
Chris Hoegemeyer, & Bill Lewis
4/17 Mike & Niki Moravec, Andy Karavas, & Joe Papke
4/24 Brian & Sheila Zachariae,
John & Laura Pavalis
◄ February March 2016 April ►
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
2
3
4 4:30 PM Fish Fry 7:00 PM Vespers
5 9:00 Divine Liturgy 10:00-12:00 All Souls—Live Stream Event
6 8:45 Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy
7 7:00 PM Choir
8
9
10
11 4:30 Fish Fry 7:00 PM Vespers
12 9:30 AM All Souls
13 FORGIVENESS
SUNDAY 8:45 Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy
14 ~GREAT FAST
BEGINS~ 6:00 PM Parish Council 7:00 PM Great Canon
15 7:00 PM Great Canon
16 6:00 PM Presanctified Liturgy
17 7:00 PM Great Canon
18 4:30 Fish Fry 7:00 PM Salutations
19
20 SUNDAY OF
ORTHODOXY 8:45 Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy 6:30 PM Vespers @ St. Mary’s
21 7:00 PM Great Compline 8:00 PM Chior
22
23 6:00 PM Presanctified Liturgy
24 ANNUNCIATION 5:30 9th Hour 6:00 Pot Luck 7:00 Vespers
25 ANNUNCIATION 7:00 AM Divine Liturgy 4:30 Fish Fry
26
27 ST.
GREGORY PALAMAS 8:45 Matins 9:30 Divine Liturgy
28 7:00 PM Great Compline
29
30 6:30 PM Presanctified Liturgy @ St. Johns
31
Notes:
All Holy Spirit Greek
Orthodox Church 9012 “Q” Street
Omaha, NE 68127-3549 (402) 934-3688 office www.allholyspirit.com
NON-PROFIT
organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 1830
Omaha, NE
“How to Become an Orthodox
Christian”……...……………….….1
Parish News.………….……..2-4
My Life in Christ………………...5
Upcoming News.. ………...……….6-7
Our Archdiocese. ….….…………….8
Pan-Orthodox News…….... ………….......9
Parish Involvement…………………..10
March Calendar…… ……...….......11