pascha the feast of feasts april 8, 2018

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ST. NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

4967 FOREST PARK AVENUE

ST. LOUIS, MO 63108-1495

Volume 22- Number 4 April 2018

Proistamenos: Fr. Douglas Papulis (636) 527-7843

(314) 974-4613cell

Parish Priest: Fr. Michael Arbanas (314) 425-9641

Office (314)361-6924 Fax (314)361-3539

Office Administrator: Gracie Johnson Bookkeeper: Diane Winkler

Email: [email protected] Website: www.sngoc.org

ST. NICHOLAS

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH FAMILY LIFE CENTER 12550 S FORTY DRIVE ST. LOUIS, MO 63141

On this glorious Feast of Feasts that is filled with the transcendent light and unsurpassable joy of the Lord’s Resurrection, I proclaim with you, my beloved people, the exclamation of victory, Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!

The reality of the Lord’s Resurrection his an unparal-leled significance for humanity. The Resurrection is an event of multiple victories, victories that have a transform-ative renewing promise for each of us.

First, the Lord’s Resurrection is the victory over death, the victory of life over death. In the Paschal light, we real-ize that while death continues to be a physical phenome-non, it does not dominate humanity as the ultimate and unavoidable fate. Rather death has lost its sting (1 Corin-thians 15:55) as it opens a passageway to a better life, a life in the union, presence, and eternal communion with God.

Ultimately, the Resurrection, becomes the destiny for each and every one of us. Saint Paul assures us in clear language that as Christ was risen, so we will He risen and be united to Christ in a transformed life, an incorruptible life, a shining life, a luminous life bathed in an abundance of light and splendor.

Second, the Lord’s Resurrection is the victory over injustice. Is it possible to identify any event more unjust than the Crucifixion of Christ? In the horrific event of unbe-lievable injustice in which humanity crucified the living manifestation of perfection, holiness, innocence, and puri-ty, we the Resurrection of Christ overcoming this injustice and restoring triumphantly the invincible rule of justice willed by God.

Third, the Lord’s Resurrection is also the victory of love over hatred. The Resurrection of Christ is the estab-lishment of love as the central reality of life. Despite the cries of hate, Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him! (John 19:15) Christ on the Cross asks the Father to for-give his adversaries for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). The Resurrection amazingly transforms the Cruci-fixion from a crime of hatred on the part of humanity to an act of love on the part of Christ! Christ is risen and love is splendidly shining over humanity

Fourth, the Lord’s Resurrection is the victory of salva-tion, liberation and holiness over sin, guilt and evil. Some contemporary existential philosophers consider that sin, guilt, and evil are the conditions that man cannot surpass. With the Resurrection, however, man can overcome these tormenting elements of the human condition. The Cross, followed by the Resurrection, establishes the abolition of sin and guilt and restores the reality of life free of them. It is a newness of life due to the Resurrection. While sin, guilt, and evil may still be a reality on earth, under the light of the Resurrection they are very different. By the grace and might of Christ’s Resurrection, they can be easily overcome as they are now stripped of their power to con-trol and consume us.

In the salvific Day of the Resurrection, we are fully aware of these multiple victories of Christ over anything that is hostile to human existence. All these victories of the Risen Lord, lead us once more to the central message of the Resurrection, which is our own personal resurrection. It is the vision of this Resurrection that fills us with hope for the future, no matter what the present circumstances of life may be.

It is the promise of our personal resurrection that this vision establishes and fills us with ineffable joy as we chant, It is the Day of Resurrection! O People, let us glory in splendor! Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha! For Christ our God has transported us who sing the triumphal hymn from death to life, and from earth to Heaven.

-Archbishop Demetrios of America

Pascha The Feast of Feasts

April 8, 2018

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St. Nicholas Servants

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin April 2018

Announcements 2018 PARISH BOARD Teddy Hart, President 314-914-7711 Carol Kamburis, Vice-President Jonathan Hartley, Secretary Helen Carey, Treasurer George Ellis, DDS Asst. Treasurer Christina Anastas John Davis Yemane Habtu Marilynn Jemas Tinna King,MD Bill Mastorakos, DDS, MS Joseph Palazzola Chris Sarantakis Stephanie Tyler Kon Vellios

AUDIT COMMITTEE Mark Vleisides, Chairperson 314-576-2898 Adonis Chakides Roxana Couternais Peter Lemakis Janet Papageorge

CEMETERY COMMITTEE William Karides, Chairperson 636-281-0727 Janet Hunnius Irene Schildroth

CHURCH SCHOOL Co-Directors Bess Fitzmaurice 636-343-3849 Despina Hartley 618-447-6548

DANCE TROUPE Georgia Johnson 314-832-0061 ELECTION COMMITTEE

Tina Paradowski , Chairperson 314-781-0781 Paul Leara Pat Lekich Demmie Nicozisin Mark Vleisides

GREETERS COMMITTEE Roxana Couteranis, Director 314-752-0252

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) Demetrios Tsikalas (Co-chair) 314-323-2838 Jonathan Hartley (Co-chair) 618-520-9569

LIBRARY COMMITTEE Elaine Coulson, Chairperson 314-991-5033 Michael Doran Brandon Redmann

“NEXT 100” Dan Tarlas , Chairperson 314-713-5500

PHILOPTOCHOS Carol Kamburis, President 314-803-2451

PHYSICAL FACILITIES -CHURCH Dino Pappas, Chairperson 314-701-8118

Bill Coulson Pat Johnson

PHYSICAL FACILITIES –FAMILY LIFE Nick Tharenos, Chairperson 314-576-7011 Demo Argyros Nick Koskolos

PLANNED GIVING John Koch, Chairperson 636-922-7732 Sam Mezines

PRISON MINISTRY Clark Porter, Director 314-518-6747

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE Denise Karras, Chairperson 314-368-4205 Barbara Corrigan Yemane Habtu Peter Takes

St. Irenaeus Orthodox Theological Institute Michael G. Tsichlis, PhD 314-361-6924 x330

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE Fr. Doug Papulis Fr. Michael Arbanas Mary Ann Mastorakos

WEBSITE Rosie Hartley, Webpage Administrator 618-239-9359

Please submit all articles by the 10th of month

Email: [email protected] Thank You Jennifer English, Editor

St. Nicholas Book Group

The St. Nicholas Book Group will meet Monday, April 16 at 7:00pm, to discuss A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. This 1962 classic of young-adult fiction is the subject of a recent Hollywood film with an all-star cast. We’ll take an opportunity to re-read (read for the first) this classic. We will meet at 7:00pm at the Family Life Center.

PLEASE JOIN US!!!

EVERYONE is Welcome

HOLY WEEK AND PASCHA SERVICE 2018 SCHEDULE

MARCH 31 9:30 a.m.

-

SATURDAY OF LAZARUS Divine Liturgy

APRIL 1 PALM SUNDAY 8:30 a.m. - Orthros

9:30 a.m. - Divine Liturgy 7:00 p.m. - Bridegroom Service at FLC Chapel APRIL 2 HOLY MONDAY 7:00 p.m. - Bridegroom Service at FLC Chapel APRIL 3 HOLY TUESDAY 7:00 p.m. - Bridegroom Service APRIL 4_ HOLY WEDNESDAY 1:30 p.m. - Holy Unction (Sacrament of Healing) (Anointing following) at FLC Chapel 7:00 p.m. - Holy Unction (Anointing following) APRIL 5 HOLY THURSDAY 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy at FLC Chapel 7:00 p.m. - Service of the 12 Passion Gospels APRIL 6 HOLY FRIDAY 10:00 a.m. - The Royal Hours

1:30 p.m. - The Descent from the Cross 7:00 p.m. - The Lamentations (Epitaphion) APRIL 7 HOLY SATURDAY 10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy 11:00 p.m. - Canon of the Resurrection APRIL 8 PASCHA Midnight - Resurrection Service and Liturgy 1:15 a.m. - Resurrection Lite Meal (Following Liturgy) Noon - Service of Love (Agape Service)

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PRESIDENT’S NOTES Teddy Hart

PHONE: 314-914-7711

February tricked us with several days of spring-like weather, only to shock us back into the reality that it actually still is Winter, bringing with it all its trappings of below freezing temperatures and intermittent snow flurries! But we survived it all and look forward to continuing through our blessed Lent to Holy Week and Pascha and eventually, Spring. We held our Parish Council Meeting on February 20. It was a good meeting, and we charged through a number of issues. Here are some of the topics dis-cussed and data points shared. · You will soon see new banners on St. Nicholas

church and at the Family Life Center. We want to keep the celebratory momentum going of this, the first year of our Next 100 years!

· March 11 was Stewardship Appreciation Sun-day. We want to thank all the parishioners who have already submitted their 2018 pledges and we encourage those who have not yet done so to please fill out their pledge forms.

· You may remember that a second tray was passed for collecting funds to repair monuments at St. Matthew cemetery. These monuments be-long to individuals whose families are no longer in the area or who may have no family remain-ing. We are happy to report that thanks to your kindness and contributions, the monuments in question have been repaired.

· We will soon begin electronic scanning of some of our records. Rather than storing boxes of old billings and invoices, scanning the documents and storing them electronically will help reduce storage space requirements, while also making the documentation accessible through computer

searches. They will be stored both in “the cloud” and also on a digital backup housed in the Par-ish safe.

· If you are a key holder to one of our facilities (St. Nicholas church or the Family Life Center), you will soon be contacted to complete new paper-work. We are NOT picking on you! We are up-dating our Security documentation.

· The Parish Council hosted the first Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Lenten meal on February 21, and we thank Carol Kamburis and Helen Carey for the delicious meal that they prepared.

· On Sunday, February 25 Marilynn Jemas and Dr. Tinna King chaired the Sunday of Orthodoxy Lenten meal. Approximately 80 Pan-Orthodox parishioners from area churches attended the Vespers and the wonderful free meal served by Marilynn’s and Tinna’s committee. It was a beautiful service offered by nine area Orthodox Priests, including our own Father Doug and Fa-ther Michael.

· SAVE THIS DATE: The St. Nicholas Golf Tour-nament is scheduled for Friday, June 29. To all you golfers out there – mark your calendars! To all you non-golfers, but golf watchers/dinner eat-ers – mark your calendars!

If you have questions about any of these issues, please contact me or any one of the Parish

Council members. We are here to serve through the Grace of God and for the

benefit of our beloved Parish. Yours in Christ,

Teddy Hart

O Christ our God, the ever-shining and most-bright sun of righteousness you who shone with your flesh in the darkness of our ignorance and called all people to the deep knowledge of your ineffable glory, Consume in the fire of your incomprehensible Divinity our wickedness which furiously desires material things. Extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one. Shine within our hearts

your pure light of the knowledge of God, and open the eyes of our mind that we may understand your gospel teachings and be aware of your marvelous works. Instill in us also the fear of your blessed commandments so that by trampling down all the desires of the flesh, we may live a spiritual life, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to you; for you are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

A MORNING PRAYER TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

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Philoptochos Corner April 2018

First Day of Lent/Clean Monday - February 19 –

Once again Philoptochos hosted this very special annual Lenten Luncheon, immediately following the Compline Service at the Family Life Center. Fellowship was en-joyed by all that attended this very special day. Many thanks to Maria Kamburis and Mary Argyros for chairing this event. The meal was fantastic! A special thanks to all the Philoptochos members that helped that day.

Sunday of Orthodoxy - February 25 –

We were honored to be the host church for this year’s Vespers and pot luck dinner. We thank Marilynn Jemas & Tinna King for serving as co-chairs.

Pre-Sanctified Dinner – March 7 –

Philoptochos hosted its Annual Pre-Sanctified Dinner after Liturgy in the Philoptochos Room at the Family Life Center. More than 50 parishioners were in attendance and enjoyed a delicious Lenten dinner prepared by Christina Ginos, Maria Kamburis, and Dianne Zotos.

Palm Sunday Brunch – April 1 —

Once again Philoptochos will host its Annual Palm Sun-day Brunch. Please join us with your family and friends for a delicious brunch: Sauteed Lemon fish, Gourmet Omelets, Poached Salmon, Assorted Pasties, Mimosas, Bloody Marys and a Children’s Buffet. A special after-noon is planned for the children. Adults $30.00 per per-son. Children $5.00 age 12 and under.

Grecian Kitchen Sping Order form Treat your family and friends to home-made Grecian specialties for the Easter Holiday and summer. We are offering Koulouria, Baklava, Spanakopita, Tiropita, Tsou-rekia, Pastitsio, and much more! Remember we sell our specialties year round. Please fill out the order form in this month’s newsletter and mail to Dianne Zotos, 1213 Hillcrest Field Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63005.

Kendra Gives Back Party - Friday, May 11 –

Join us for a Kendra Gives Back Party and enjoy sips, sweets and jewels. Friday, May 11th from 5pm to 8pm – Kendra Scott at Plaza Frontenac. 20% of the proceeds benefit St. Nicholas Philoptochos Society. Calendar of Events: Sunday 4/01– Palm Sunday Sunday 4/08 – Agape Reception after Divine Liturgy Sunday 4/08 – Easter Lamb Roast – hosted by Parish Council Thursday 4/26 – Board Meeting Friday 5/11 – Kendra Gives Back Party/Kendra Scott-Plaza Frontenac

All faith in the triumph of Life over death, every pre-sentment of the Resurrection, are implicit belief in Christ for only power of Christ raises, and will raise the dead. Since the victory of Christ over death, the Resurrec-tion has become Universal Law for creation; and not only for humanity, but also for the beasts, the plants and the stones, for the whole cosmos in which each one of us is the head. We are baptized in the death of Christ, shrouded in water to rise again with Him. And for the soul purified in the baptismal waters of tears, and ablaze with the fire of the Holy Spirit, the Resurrection is not only hope but present reality. The Second Coming begins in the souls of the saints, and St. Symeon the New Theologian can write: “For those who became children of the light and sons of the day to come, for those who always walk in the light, the Day of the Lord will never come, for they are already with God and in God.” An infinite ocean of light flows from the risen body of the Lord.

V. N. Lossky from his book Orthodox Theology: An Introduction

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DAILY BIBLE READING GUIDE April 2018

Hints of resurrection can be sensed in a green shoot rowing out of an old tree stump and the awak-ening of plants from beneath the soil, frozen hard dur-ing the winter. We are heartened by such signs of new life and always stop to salute any flower that manages to grow through the snow still lying on the ground so late in the season.

Such springtime rebirths have particular meaning to us as Christians, in our belief in His death and Res-urrection. However, one of the challenges of Great Lent and the Pascha/Easter Season is to find in the world around us signs of the transformations that are afoot in our lives. As Orthodox Christians, Christ’s Resurrection is our core belief – and should be the touchstone for a crucial spiritual practice.

Remember a time when you brought hope to a de-pressed friend? You were doing your part to bring her back from the dead. Remember when tempers flared at your workplace, family or church congregation and you intervened to reconcile the embattled parties? That was practicing resurrection. Every time we bring hope and healing to a situation where there is despair and conflict, we are revealing Christ’s kingdom. To embody our Lord’s love, compassion, and forgiveness is to carry on the resurrection day by day.

When we forgive our enemies, feed the hungry, comfort the sick and suffering and speak out against injustices, we’re living the resurrection under the Spirit guidance. We must not let it be just a historical hap-pening.

-Orthodox Herald

Winter’s Grace

“Daily Readings” App

The Daily Readings App on your mobile device is the easiest way to access the day's Bible readings

prescribed by the Lectionary of the Greek Ortho-dox Church. The Daily Readings App also lets you read the lives of the saints or lookup fasting guide-lines for each day right on your device.

Developed by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Internet Ministries, there is no better way to carry the Church's prescribed Scripture and devotional reading with you at all times.

In the app store type in “daily readings” and it will be the one with the app logo above. Available Platforms:

Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch) Android Windows Phone Amazon Appstore (including Kindle Fire)

*Palm Sunday **Pascha +Holy Week

*+ Sun 1 Phil 4:4-9 Jn 12:1-18

2 M Mt 2:18-23 Mt 24:3-35

3 T Mt 22:15-23:39 Mt 24:36-26:2

4 W Jn 12:17-50 Mt 26:6-16

5 T 1 Cor 11:23-32 Mt 26:40-27:2

Mt 26:1-29 Jn 13:3-17

6 F 1 Cor 5:6-8 Mt 27:62-66

7 S Rom 6:3-11 Mt 28:1-20

** Sun 8 Acts 1:1-18 Jn 1:1-17

9 M Acts 1:12-17.21-26 Jn 1:18-28

10 T Acts 2:14-21 Lk 24:12-35

11 W Acts 2:22-38 Jn 1:25-51

12 T Acts 2:38-43 Jn 3:1-15

13 F Acts 3:1-8 Jn 2:12-22

14 S Acts 3;11-16 Jn 3:22-33

Sun 15 Acts 5:12-20 Jn 20:19-31

16 M Acts 3:19-26 Jn 2:1-11

17 T Acts 4:1-10 Jn 3:16-21

18 W Acts 4:13-22 Jn 5:17-24

19 T Acts 4:23-31 Jn 5:24-30

20 F Acts 5:1-11 Jn 5:30-6:2

21 S Acts 5:21-32 Jn 6:14-27

Sun 22 Acts 6:1-7 Mk 15:43-6:8

23 M Acts 12:1-11 Jn 15:17-16:2

24 T Acts 8:5-17 Jn 6:27-33

25 W 1 Pet 5:6-14 Lk 10:16-21

26 T Acts 8:26-39 Jn 6:40-44

27 F Acts 8:40-9:18 Jn 6:48-54

28 S Acts 9:19-31 Jn 15:7-27; 16:1-2

Sun 29 Acts 9:32-42 Jn 5:1-15

30 M Acts 12:1-11 Lk 9:1-6

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Metropolitan of Chicago His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago

Consecrated: March 17, 2018 | Patronal Feast: April 22

May God grant him many years!

His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael (Symeonides) of Chicago is of Pontic and Asia-Minor ancestry,

and was born in Thessaloniki, Greece (1978). He is the third child of Irene and Vasilios Symeonides. He re-ceived his early education from the Greek American Institute of the Zoodochos Peghe Parish of the Bronx, NY. He later graduated from Hellenic College (BA, 2000) and from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of The-ology (MDiv, 2003). He earned an STM (2003) in Christian Ethics and a ThD (2007) in Bioethics from Boston University. Fr. Nathanael has also studied the History and Ethics of Public Health at Columbia University Mail-man School of Public Health.

He has served as a guest professor of Orthodox Christian Ethics and Bioethics at Fordham University,

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and Saint Vladimir Theological School. He has authored nu-merous articles in theology and bioethics. He has delivered a series of presentations to clergy of the Archdio-cese and to regional pan-Orthodox clergy associations.

Metropolitan Nathanael is a brother of the historic monastery of St. George Epanosifis in Crete,

Greece. He was ordained a deacon (2003) and a presbyter (2010) by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. Prior to his ordination to the episcopacy, His Eminence served as the Deacon to Metropolitan Methodios (2003-2006); Deacon to the Archbishop (2006-2010); presiding priest of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, NYC (2010-2013), and interim-pastor of the Holy Resurrection Church of Brookville, NY and the Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral of Brooklyn, NY. As a parish priest in Manhattan, Metropoli-tan Nathanael developed a unique urban ministry, Orthodox Professionals in Action (OPA), which provided over 400 young professionals the opportunity to minister to the most vulnerable in society.

From September 2013-March 2018, His Eminence served as the Director of the Office of Inter-

Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. In this capaci-ty, he managed and cultivated relationships between the Archdiocese and numerous religious organizations, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, and Permanent Missions to the United Nations. He also served as Director of the Archdiocesan Committee on Science and Technology (AACST).

His Eminence coordinated the Archdiocesan commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the March on

Selma (2015) and represented the Archdiocese on the National Council of Churches (NCC) Special Task Force to End Racism in America. He serves as a member of a special non-partisan and interreligious working group in Washington, D.C., which seeks to advance religious freedom and pluralism in the Middle East. He is also a member of Tanenbaum’s Communications Committee. During his tenure at the Archdiocese, Metropoli-tan Nathanael also served as the Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA and on the Assembly’s Secretariat. His Eminence also established a Graduate Fellowship Program that provided graduate and post-graduate students the opportunity to serve the Church at the United Nations.

In 2016, Metropolitan Nathanael attended the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church and as-

sisted the press office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. On February 7, 2018, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate unanimously elected

him Metropolitan of Chicago, succeeding His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of blessed-memory. He was or-dained a Bishop on March 17th in the Holy Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New York, and will be enthroned on March 24th in the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation, Chicago.

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LENT AND HOLY WEEK DONATIONS 2018 We extend to you, the beloved Faithful of St. Nicholas, the opportunity to share in making our Great Lent a Holy and most beautiful and inspiring event by decoration of our Church. Please call the Church office 314.361.6924 if you would like to donate. Below are items need-ed during the Holy Season: Mid-Lent Veneration of the Cross- Jonquils for Sunday of the Cross- donated by Mary Varvaras Palms for Palm Sunday- Palm Sunday Icon Flower Arrangement- donated by Julie Ambrozat, In memory of Anne Souris Lilies for Epitaphion- Hydrangeas for Holy Week and Easter- Hertisme (Friday night) Candles- donated by Nota Chronopoulos, In memory of her husband Christos Levane (incense)- donated by Katherine Ellis, In memory of Loved Ones Altar Candles for Holy Week Services Palm Sunday- donated by Sophia Chronopoulos & Family Monday- donated by Sophia Chronopoulos & Family Tuesday- donated by Sophia Chronopoulos & Family Wednesday- donated by Sophia Chronopoulos & Family Thursday- donated by Sophia Chronopoulos & Family Friday- donated by Sophia Chronopoulos & Family Saturday- donated by Sophia Chronopoulos & Family Flowers for the Icon of the Bridegroom (Nymphios)- donated by Helen & Tom Georges Holy Wednesday Service Holy Unction (Q-tips, baggies, cotton balls & olive oil)- donated by the

Kamburis Family, In memory of Tharinos & Kyriaki Patakas Holy Thursday Icon Flower Arrangement for Divine Liturgy- Holy Thursday Icon Flower Arrangement for Service for 12 Passion Gospels- Holy Thursday 12 Gospel Candles- donated by Paul & Helen Leara Holy Thursday Service Wreath- donated by Katherine Siromas Rutter Holy Thursday Service Candles for Cross- donated by Katherine Siromas Rutter Good Friday Sheet for Body of Christ- donated by the family of Mary Rupi Good Friday Icon Flower Arrangement for Royal Hours- Good Friday Icon Flower Arrangement for The Descent from the Cross- donated by the Family of Florence Mastis, In her memory Good Friday Icon Flower Arrangement for The Lamentations (Epitaphion)- donated by Kon Vellios Good Friday Epitaphion Candles- donated by Loretta Wacker, In memory of Loved ones Good Friday Anthonero (Rosewater)- donated by Rosie Hartley, In memory of her parents Holy Saturday Icon Flower Arrangement for 1st Divine Liturgy- donated by Kon Vellios Holy Saturday Resurrection Candles for Priests

One Candle- donated by Katherine Siromas Rutter Two Candles- donated by Anna P. Siromas, In memory of her parents, Efthalia & Pashalis

Holy Saturday Resurrection Icons- Holy Saturday Floral Cross for Resurrection Service- donated by Mary Jane Thomas Holy Saturday Resurrection Banner- donated by Cathy Cline & Georgia Doumouras, In memory of Loved ones Agape Service Icon Flower Arrangement- donated by Kon Vellios Easter Eggs- donated by Dino Benos Olive Oil (for votive lights)- donated by the Kamburis Family 12 Palm Tree Plants- Resurrection Lite Meal Donations-

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Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Corner: "The Orthodox Mission Team of St. Louis works to nurture an awareness within our local churches of the need to evangelize, catechize, and support missionary efforts and

programs globally."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As always, please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley, 618-447-9688, if you have any questions, would like to be part of the Mission Team St. Louis, or if you would like to help our missionaries. Thank you for your continued support!

Western Part of Uganda

Over 200 People Join Orthodox Christianity through Holy Baptism! by Uganda Orthodox Church

May our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified! The people of Rwemiriro village, located in the western part of Uganda, were prayerfully guided to join Orthodoxy through engaging in the sacrament of Holy Baptism. The decision of so many to join in the Orthodox faith comes after a long evangelism mission by Rev. Fr. Aristotle Asiimwe to spread the gospel to the western part of Uganda, where Orthodoxy had not yet reached the Ankole region

Upon blessings from H.E Archbishop Jonah of the Holy Metropolis of Kampala and all Uganda, this holy endeavor saw many souls guided to the Orthodox

faith. Over 200 people joined the church, where among the baptized were infants, youth and the elder-ly. The community commended His Eminence for al-

lowing Fr. Aristotle Asiimwe to come and engage with them, to quench their thirst for Ortho-doxy.

This community was started in September of 2017 through the acquisition of a 4.2 acre of land just along the hills of Ntungamo-Kabale high way. Currently the people of Rwemiriro vil-lage are worshiping through a temporarily structure, which was set up through the efforts of the people after longing to have a place of worship. There is a lot of opportunity for growth in this up and coming community, where the people have begun working the land, farming crops such as maize, ground nuts and beans to develop the area with the hopes that more permanent structures will soon be built.

With so many in the new members of the Orthodox Church, there are a lot of developmental plans for this area ranging from a secondary school to be named after St. Paisios, a hospital to be named after St. Porfirios and a community center. We pray that this region turns into a full deanery through discovering new communities and setting up different Orthodox Church parishes. May God bless our brothers and sisters in Uganda and all over the world as more followers join the faith and hear the word of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To view the 2018 Mission Teams, go to https://www.ocmc.org/about/open_teams.aspx

His Eminence Jonah Archbishop of Kampala and All Ugan-

da baptizes a small child on a day where over 200 people

were welcomed into the Orthodox Church.

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Spring is here and Holy Week is upon us. Just a reminder, we will not have Sunday School on Easter Sunday. If you haven’t done so yet, return you mission coin boxes filled with coins to help our Orthodox missionaries who devote their lives to spreading the good news of Christ’s love and our Orthodox faith to people, often indigenous people, in far away places. The money collected in these boxes help support these mission families in places like Mongolia and Guatemala. So please remember them this month.

During lent, our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders learn about the holy sacrament of confession and prepare for this and Father Michael visits with these students to talk to them about confession. Then on Saturday of Lazarus, our youth participate in this Holy Sacra-ment (often for the first time). This is also the morning that the children help prepare our church for Palm Sunday. Afterwards, the children are treated to a pancake breakfast. Then on Palm Sunday, students up through 4th grade will participate in a procession with Palm Crosses during Divine Liturgy (at the Great Entrance). Students should be present at the BEGINNING of Divine Liturgy to participate in this beautiful tradition. After Divine Liturgy, a lovely brunch will be served but remember to make advance reservations.

This month, we ask that parents sign up as volunteers for our annual Church School Picnic. It’s easy to do, just email Bess Fitz-maurice at [email protected] or go to this Sighup Genius Link to sign up for a slot:

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0F48A9A82BA7FC1-stnicholas This year, the picnic will be on May 20th (our last day of Sunday School) at the Family Life Center and Tom Whaley and family

will once again chair this event and it promises to be a great time for the whole family. It’s a celebration for our entire church. But we need parents to help set up, serve, clean up and facilitate the games and prizes and activities. We will have a picnic meeting after Sunday school on April 15th. Just email me ([email protected]) to let me know that you can volunteer and will attend the meeting. If you didn’t get a chance to volunteer this year, this is your opportunity to help our Sunday school. And there are time slots that allow you to serve for just one hour so you can enjoy the picnic with your family.

We also need volunteers and donations for our annual Sunday School Teacher’s luncheon scheduled for May 6th. This is an opportunity to show our teachers how much we appreciate them by providing a delicious lunch and a small gift. Please let me know if you can help out or can make a donation towards the cost of the luncheon and teachers gifts.

We also need volunteers to help with Summer Sunday School that will take place each Sunday in July. Our theme this year will be “Pioneers of Christianity” and we’ll enjoy Sunday School lessons that revolve around fun-filled pioneer activities such as making butter, bread, koliva, candles, and planting seeds. We’ll enjoy all this and more. We need volunteer teachers, assistants, people to make and bring snacks, help serve and a crew to decorate the Sunday School. Let Bess Fitzmaurice know if you can help (or your teen or even tween). Summer Sunday School is for children up through 5th grade.

Finally, I hope you were able to enjoy our Oratorical Festival on March 4th. Each class up to 5th grade presented class projects. We also had two individual speakers, 6th graders Markella Souris and John Spivey, who both presented outstanding speeches in

front of their peers and congregation. We are very proud of all our students. You can see most of these projects in the Sunday school halls. I also want to thank our Oratorical Festival Committee Chairperson, Stavra Ketchmark, all of our dedicated teachers and clergy as well as our judges, Diana Ott, Jenny Pappas and John Davis. And thank you to the parents who brought in re-freshments and helped serve them at the celebration following the Oratorical Festival. Despina and I wish you a happy spring and Kali Anastasi (a blessed Resur-rection) and look forward to seeing you and your children in church.

In His Service, Bess Fitzmaurice Despina Hartley

Co-Sunday School Directors

GOYA (9th-12th Grade)

Stavra Ketchmark [email protected] 314-792-8402 c

Junior GOYA (6th-8th)

Georgiana Grant [email protected] 314-420-9159 c

JOY (3rd-5th) Rebecca Christophi

[email protected]

HOPE (K-2nd) Steph McPherron [email protected] 636-778-

0061 h 314-640-0989 c

Cherubs (Pre-K) Family Ministry Sophia Pierroutsakos

[email protected] 314-596-1506 c

Renee Vleisides [email protected] 314-265-8192 c

Youth Choir Diana Ott [email protected] 314-550-

1573 c Handmaidens Rosie Hartley [email protected] 618-447-

9688 c Altar Boys Father Michael

[email protected] 314-425-9641 c

Church School Bess Fitmaurice [email protected] 314-602-

5406 c

Sunday School

Oratorical Festival Speakers 6th graders John Spivey and Markella Souris with Fr. Doug and Fr. Michael

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Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession

Youth Bowling

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Hellenic Culture Camp 2018

Medical Information If your child has allergies or medical condi!ons that we need to be aware of please respond

to this email with the following informa!on:

Child’s Name ___________________________________________________________

Allergies or other medical condi!ons _______________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

If your child has no allergies or medical condi!ons please respond NONE

We will use the phone numbers that were provided on the registra!on forms in case of

emergency.

Thank you.

_____________________________________________________date _______________

signature

Hellenic Culture Camp 2018

Registration Form Child’s Name _______________________________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip ________________________________________________________________________________

Email ____________________________________________________________________________

Phone 1 ___________________ Phone 2 ___________________

Grade entering in Fall 2018 ___________

Amount enclosed ____________________ check # _______________

Please make checks payable to: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

In memo note: Hellenic Culture Camp

Please mail this form to: Ve"a Sports Manchester

Hellenic Culture Camp

150 Enchanted Parkway

Manchester, MO 63021

Circle T-Shirt Size: Youth Small Adult Small

Youth Medium Adult Medium

Youth Large Adult Large

I agree to be legally bound that individual par!cipants in this program do so at their own risk. I hereby release St.

Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Westchester Tennis and Sports LLC, DBA Ve"a Sports, its officers, agents, employ-

ees, and volunteers from all claim liability, loss of service and cause of ac!on of any kind of personal injury and prop-

erty damage arising in any way out of said par!cipa!on.

Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian: _______________________________________________________

Registra on deadline: Friday, July 6, 2018

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CHURCH FUND

In Memory of Sophia Dendrinelis -Terry Levi

-Pat & ReRe and John Jr. Heskes -Michael Antonopoulos

-Barbara Held In Memory of Cleo Tarlas

-Richard & Lecie Steinbaum -Mary Angelides

-Sophia & Stephanie Chronopoulos -Bruce & Caryn Sandweiss

In Memory of Tasia Millonas -Raymond & Virginia Parker -Bill & Atha Koutsogiannis

In Memory of George Markantonis -Michael Markantonis

-Richard & Jeanne Wegner In Memory of Thomai Karakasis

-Christos & Vickie Karakasis

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

In Memory of Tina Cassimatis -Penny Tsichlis -Mary Tsichlis

-Louis & Theone Politis In Memory of Cleo Tarlas -Joe & Dominica Redman

-Michael & Georgia Ferretti -Stacy Georges Himmelspach In Memory of Anne Souris

-Presvytera Sylvia Nicozisin & Family In Memory of Sophia Dendrinelis

-Socrates Dendrinelis

RENOVATIONS OF ST. NICHOLAS

In Memory of Karen Pappis -Georgia Doumouras

In Memory of Anne Souris -Leo & Despina Pashos

PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY

In Memory of Anne Souris -Tim & Chris Camene

In Memory of Sophia Dendrinelis -Tracy Nelch & Tim Earley In Memory of Cleo Tarlas

-Bill & Elaine Coulson

FAMILY LIFE CENTER

In Memory of Bess Millonas -Elaine Thompson Rapanos

-Katherine Ellis -Eleni Lomax

In Memory of Cleo Tarlas -Katherine Siromas Rutter

-Janet E. Papageorge -Katherine Ellis

In Memory of Anne Souris -F. Thomas & Stacey Alexander

-Katherine Ellis In Memory of Sophia Dendrinelis

-Louis & Theone Politis

THE NEXT 100

In Memory of Anne Souris -Dan & Andrea Tarlas

In Memory of Cleo Tarlas

-Cynthia Milonas -Stephen Potter

-The Miller Family -Todd & Jessica Newstead

-Sophia Vassiliou -Alexandra Kamakas

-Peggy Colovos -Ellanie Balber

-The McPherron Family -Stacie, Mike, Sophia

& Michael Mullen

-Bonnie Osher -Helen & Chris Christ

-David Krauss & Nada Fremder-Krauss

-Cynthia Melvin -The Kamburis Family

-The Brody Family -The Berra Family

-The Velasquez Family -The Fosheim Family -Mariann Mihailidis

-Evelyn Trakas -Charles & Katherine Perkins

-The Trakas Family -David & Teresa Jumper

-Robert & Jessica Kuhlman -Mark & Marianna Hurrell

-Andrea & Anthony Padinha -Kay Zotos -Ann Zotos

-Joseph Nugent -Mark Riley & Candice Kasai

-Tony & Ellen Trakas -Diane & Magdalene Zotos -Charles & Barbara Galli -Jerry & Tammy Jasiek

-Ted Dameris -Helen Koskolos

-Robert & Ann Espenschied -Mark & Paddie Wunderlich

MEMORIAL DONATIONS

FUNERALS

† Sophia Dendrinelis fell asleep in the Lord on February 17th, the funeral was on February 22nd. May her Memory be eternal.

† George Markantonis fell asleep in the Lord on February 18th, the funeral was on February 26th. May his Memory be eternal.

† James Sorbello Sr. fell asleep in the Lord on March 11th, the funeral was on March 16th. May his memory be eternal.

MEMORIALS v 40 Day Memorial for Cleo Furla Tarlas on March 11th v 38 Year Memorial for Hercules Tarlas on March 11th v 24 Year Memorial for Pitsa Furla on March 11th v 38 Year Memorial for John Furla on March 11th v 1 Year Memorial for Pete Davis on March 11th v 40 Day Memorial for Sophia Dendrinelis on March 18th v 6 Month Memorial for Lana Vlahiotis on March 18th v 1 Year Memorial for Georgia B. James on March 18th v 1 Year Memorial for Anastasia Raines on April 22nd

PARISH LIFE

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Dear St. Nicholas Parishioners: Our “2018 Annual Labor Day Greek Festival” festivities are underway! We are in celebration of “The Next 100” – the future of St. Nicholas! Over the years we have had loved ones who have spent many hours in the St. Nicholas kitchen making our Festivals huge successes. “You” can do the same by joining us in making this the best Festival ever! This will be a great opportunity for you to serve your St. Nicholas Community by volunteering your services for a couple of hours or for one day. A delicious lunch will be served by our volunteers. We look forward to seeing you. April – Wednesday, April 18

th – 8:30 a.m. at St. Nicholas – Miscellaneous day for melting butter, making

salad dressing and Loukoumades bags Monday, April 23

rd – 8:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas – Spanakopita Assembly

Monday, April 30th – 8:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas – Spanakopita Assembly May – Monday, May 21st – 8:00 a.m. St. Nicholas – Galatoboureko Assembly June – Saturday, June 9

th – 8:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas – Lamb Shanks (Manpower needed)

Monday, June 18th – 8:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas – Salad Dressing Cups Monday, June 25th – 8:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas – Tiropita Assembly July – Monday, July 30th – 8:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas – Koulouria August – Monday, August 6th – 8:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas – Koulouria Monday, August 13

th – 8:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas – Kourabiedes

Monday, August 20th – 8:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas – Finikia Friday, August 24th – 8:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas – Meli Finikia/Cup Baklava/Kataifi Monday, August 27

th – 8:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas – Pastry Boxes/Trays for Pastries

Tuesday, August 28th – 8:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas – Baklava/Kataifi Trays Wednesday, August 29

th – 8:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas – Baklava/Kataifi Trays

Thursday, August 30th – 8:00 a.m. at. St. Nicholas – Clean Chickens (Manpower needed) We are very interested in having the youth of our parish learn the skills of our parents and grandpar-ents. If you need “service hours” for school or would like to do an ”internship” in learning what takes place in the kitchen in preparation of our Annual Labor Day Greek Festival, please feel free to con-tact me with any questions [email protected] or 314.647.4636. Thanks, Chris Anastas

2018 Festival Schedule

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Donations for Festival

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APRIL 2018

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

Palm Sunday

1 Holy Monday

2

Holy Tuesday

3

Holy Wednesday 4

Holy Thursday

5

Good Friday

6 Holy Saturday

7 8:00am-Orthos 9:30am-Divine Litur-gy

Palm Sunday Luncheon after Divine Liturgy 7pm Bridegroom Service Family Life Center Chapel

7pm Bridegroom Service Family Life Center Chapel

7pm Bridegroom Service at Church

1:30pm Holy Unc-tion at Family Life Center Chapel 7pm Matins of Holy Thursday, with Holy Unction at Church

10am Divine Liturgy at Family Life Cen-ter Chapel 7pm Service of the 12 Passion Gospels at Church

10am The Royal Hours at Church 1:30pm The Descent from the Cross at Church 7pm The Lamen-tations at Church

10am Divine Litur-gy at Church 11pm Canon of the Resurrection at Church

Pascha 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Midnight Resurrec-tion Service and Liturgy at Church (Lite Meal following) Noon Agape Ser-vice at Church 1:30 Easter Lamb Roast at Family Life Center (After Agape Service)

7am Men’s Fellow-ship Family Life Center

Καφενείοv 10am-Noon at Fami-ly Life Center 10am Divine Liturgy at AHEPA Apart-ments

10:30am Alexan-der the Great Meeting at Church

Sunday of Thomas

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8:00am-Orthos 9:30am-Divine Litur-gy Greeter: Sue Katsoulis

7pm St. Nicholas Book Group at Family Life Center

6:30pm Greek Class at Family Life Center

7am Men’s Fellow-ship Family Life Center 8:30am Festival Prep at Church

22 St. George

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8:00am-Orthos 9:30am-Divine Litur-gy Greeter: Elaine Coulson

10am Divine Litur-gy at Family Life Center Chapel (Luncheon to fol-low) 8am Spanakopita Assembly at Church

10am Women’s Faith Group at Family Life Cen-ter

7am Men’s Fellow-ship Family Life Center

6pm Philoptochos Board meeting at Family Life Center

10am-10pm Scrapbooking and Project Day at Family Life Center

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8:00am-Orthos 9:30am-Divine Litur-gy Greeter: Stacie English

8am Spanakopita Assembly at Church

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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 4967 Forest Park Avenue St. Louis, MO 63108 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

ST. LOUIS, MO PERMIT NO. 1029

Please visit us at www.sngoc.org

Philoptochos Philanthropy

FOOD BAGS for the HUNGRY

April 2018

Hormel Chop Ham

Sweet Potatoes

Kidney Beans

Pineapple Rings

Powdered Milk

Bathroom Tissue (op!onal)

May 2018

Spam or Tweet

Irish Potatoes

Spinach

Jello or Pears

Baby/Children’s Shampoo

Hand Sani!zer / Liquid Soap

(op!onal)

Mary Mezines,

Food Bag Chairperson

PHILANTHROPY REPORT April 2018

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord and He will repay him for his deed” Proverbs 19:17

To all our St. Nicholas community, our Philoptochos members & our Christian friends everywhere, we pray that you had a Blessed and Beautiful Christmas and may your New Year be filled with God’s Blessings, Good Health and Peace on Earth!

We have been blessed to help needy families this last year thanks to your generosity and your support of our Events. Thank you for helping us assist children and families who are suffering because of the economy or family tragedies. We thank Father Doug and Father Michael for their spiritual counsel and for advising us in diffi-cult matters we sometimes face. Please continue to fill your food bags. Our need for this ministry has grown and is very much appreciated by our charity organizations and our outreach projects. We are currently looking for a chairperson. Please contact Carol Kamburis, our Philoptochos President if you would like to volunteer. Please see the suggested menu next to our message If you are donating furniture, please contact us first, please send an email ([email protected]) giving us a description of the furniture and how soon it needs to be picked up. We will try to place your items and notify you if we can use them. The person who does the pickup is a vol-unteer & must arrange for use of a truck. If we are able to use your furniture, we will be pleased to send you a tax form for your records. Thank you.

If you have any questions, please contact Johanna Spanos (314) 966-5176 or Jeanne Tompras (314)994-7667, or Kim Tarlas

(314)740-0955 We are grateful for your support. Thank you.

pascha the feast of feasts april 8, 2018

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