“Fasting from the Sentiment of Christmas” by Fr Stephen Freeman Christ is born! Give Him glory!

Christmas is the great feast of sentiment in our culture. It is filled with deep poignant reminders of childhood

hopes and dreams as well as bitter pains. The songs associated with it, from religious carols to the crooning

of Bing Crosby, are geared towards a set of thoughts and feelings that are among the most strongly held in

modern America. Of course, the feelings are not about Christ or His birth. That event itself becomes over-

shadowed in the fog of sentiment. The feast is about a feeling - one that is often co-opted for other purposes.

The angels proclaim, “Peace on earth, goodwill towards men!” and their song is taken up as a slogan, a desire

and longing for a world that does not exist, but which we feel as though we somehow misplaced. “I’ll be

home for Christmas,” the singer croons, but we never do get home. For the home is a childhood that we re-

member, but with all of the tricks of false memory. It is blended with images of Jimmy Stewart and Zuzu’s

Petals and the sentiments of a Christmas that never comes. And so we react with anger. The marketing of the

sentiment begins too soon and is often either too earnest or simply wrapped in kitsch. Anger is the reactive

passion that seeks to protect us from the season’s onslaught. And it hardens the heart - like that of Scrooge.

But whatever Christmas is—it is not nothing. It cannot be avoided or dismissed. As such, it should be recog-

nized for what it is - a spiritual struggle that begs to be joined. The struggle is not about Christmas - it is

about the passions. So how do we struggle? First we forget what the culture is doing. How can we expect the

culture to do something different? Modern culture exists to sell things to people and the people exist in order

to feed their passions - to acquire pleasure and avoid pain. But the Christian struggle is to keep the feast. And

the feast begins with fasting. This is the Orthodox way of life, the last complete example of classical Christi-

anity in the modern world. There are other vestiges of classical Christianity - trace elements that mark the

memory of a Christianity now greatly weakened. In contemporary Churches that memory is called Advent.

Advent is marked with a special wreath with candles and readings appointed for Sundays. The home might

include an Advent Calendar, a ritualizing of the Christmas countdown. But forgotten by contemporary

Christianity is that Advent was once a fasting season, comparable to Lent. In Orthodoxy, the fullness of the

fast remains. The Nativity Fast begins 40 days before Christmas (November 15 on the New Calendar).

Though not as strict as the fast of Great Lent, it is nearly so. And this is the classical pattern of the Christian

life - the arrival of every feast is prepared with fasting. The greater the feast, the stricter the fast. Why the fast-

ing before the feast? It would be just as appropriate to ask, “Why the feast?” The liturgical celebration of

events, or saints is not an exercise in ceremonial memory. The Church is not engaging in fits of nostalgia. The

faith of the Church is that the mystery of the feast, or the person of the saint is, in fact, made mystically pre-

sent in the feast. We do not celebrate the memory of Christmas - Christmas comes into our midst and we be-

come partakers of the mystery. The Word becomes flesh, and the spiritual energies of Christ’s incarnation

permeate the lives of those of partake of the feast. It is a saving event. It is this reality that fasting prepares

S T . G E O R G E

G R E E K

S T . G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H D E C . - 2 0 1 4

Building a Stronger Orthodox Christian Community by: Spiritually growing together; Sharing the Orthodox Faith through fellowship, outreach, and philanthropy; Worship-

ping in a traditional Byzantine church; Supported through Stewardship

202 Hillview #1 Eugene, Oregon 97408 Website: www.stgeorgeor.org Phone: (541) 683-3519 Email: frgerasimos@sntgrg.org

Agape

Page 2 S T . G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H

for. Fasting is a spiritual preparation that readies the

body, soul and deep heart for the reception of the feast.

And in the feast we are transformed. This is the hall-

mark and pattern of the whole of the Orthodox spiri-

tual life. Our attention in the 40 day Nativity fast is

properly directed towards our own lives. We refrain

from certain foods and increase our prayers. We in-

crease our giving and remembrance of the poor. We

strain ourselves towards union with Christ in all

things. And all of this so that at the great feast of His

Nativity, He might be mystically born in us, in His hu-

mility, finding a welcome and kindred home. He does

not enter the heart that is crowded with wealth and

cares. For there was no room in the public inn. It is in

the humble cave in the company of the ox and ass that

Christ finds His home. And there, in the company and

companionship of His mother we welcome Him. We

really don’t need to concern ourselves with what is

happening in the stores and shops. We may indeed

decorate our trees and buy presents. But the heart that

has taken up the discipline of the fast can forgive the

world for its forgetfulness and neglect. For it was in

just such a time that Christ was born. Those who are

watching for Him will always find Him.

A blessed Nativity Fast and Feast to all!

Greetings from the Roseburg Mission! It is a busy time of year for the mission: just like you, we are

preparing for our annual parish assembly next month, col-

lecting stewardship cards, and finalizing our last Almsgiving

projects for year. Please pray for us as we work towards a

budget that helps us achieve our Mission State-

ment: Attaining to the measure of the stature of the full-

ness of Christ, through worship, service, witness, fellow-

ship and discipleship, guarded and guided by the Holy

Trinity. Undergirding all this activity is the growing anticipation of

the Feast of Holy Nativity! Roseburg is a dark place, and

we joyously await the coming of the Light of the World.

We invite you join us for a service in December (13 and 27).

Following Liturgy we have an amazing potluck coffee hour,

then Orthodoxy 101, Choir Practice, Catechism, and (by

popular demand) Biblical Greek class. We’d love to have

you see what we are about!

In Christ ~ Lisa Buck

Dearly Beloved,

It is with great joy that I wish to announce to all our

clergy and faithful in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of

San Francisco that the Holy Synod of our Ecumenical

Patriarchate has elected the Very Rev. Archimandrite

Apostolos Koufallakis, the Chancellor of our Metropolis,

as Bishop of Medeia.

His Grace Bishop-elect Apostolos shall serve under the

Archbishop of America, as do all auxiliary bishops of our

Archdiocese; however, he has been appointed by the

Archbishop to serve the specific needs of our Metropolis,

according to the regulations of our Holy Archdiocese.

Thus, Bishop-elect Apostolos will occupy the position of

Acting Chancellor of the Metropolis of San Francisco

and be responsible to the Metropolitan, while continuing

his active involvement in the various ministries, commit-

tees and programs of our Metropolis.

As your Metropolitan I have often noted that it is impos-

sible for me to attend all the events that are taking place

in our Metropolis. There are too many important activi-

ties throughout our Metropolis that require attention and

prompt response. The geography of our Metropolis is

quite vast and our parishes are very active, thus our Me-

tropolis would be enhanced by the addition of a bishop. It

is worth noting that adding a bishop to serve in our Me-

tropolis was a goal of our Metropolis Strategic Plan, and

one that should, over time, assist our Metropolis to grow

and strengthen the ministries of our Church.

An auxiliary or titular bishop is not elected to an extant

diocese of the Church. Medeia is an ancient city, where

there once was a Christian community, but no longer. An

auxiliary bishop is greeted as “His

Grace” (Theofilestatos).

Bishop-elect Apostolos has many desirable characteris-

tics for a hierarch. Foremost is his faith in the Lord, and

his love and fidelity to His Holy Orthodox Church and

our Archdiocese. His care and concern for the clergy and

the faithful of our Church is evident at every occasion.

Bishop-elect Apostolos will be ordained to the Episco-

pacy on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at the Archdioce-

san Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York. Mean-

while I ask that you include Bishop-elect Apostolos in

your prayers, asking our Lord and all the Saints to

strengthen him and keep him worthy of his new ministry.

With Love in Christ,

+Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco

A G A P E Page 3

Parish Council Report There are many things that I am thankful for as we enter into this season. I am grateful for the amazing individuals that I

have the pleasure of working alongside here at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. I am humbled and encouraged by the

quiet grace, commitment and zeal that I encounter among the members of this parish. This is a special place. It is no mis-

take that we remember the founding members, stewards and benefactors of this community during the liturgy. As a result

of your tireless commitment, faithful sacrifice and service, we have the opportunity to worship here at St. George. For

that I am truly grateful.

This past week, our family was confronted by the loss of a dear priest and friend, Father John Hardenbrook from St.

Lawrence Orthodox Church in Felton, California. Father John was a former evangelical minister who, along with nu-

merous Protestant clergy and lay people, became part of the Orthodox Church in the 1980s. Father Peter Gillquist

chronicled this journey from Evangelical Christianity to Orthodoxy in the book, Becoming Orthodox, and the book

(along with Father John) served as my introduction to the Orthodox Church. I would encourage you to read (or re-read)

the book. It is available in our library and bookstore. May his memory be eternal.

As we journey through the fast of the Nativity, I invite you to consider the teachings of St. John Chrysostom on fasting,

who wrote;

Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works.

If you see a poor man, take pity on him.

If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him.

Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye and the ear and the feet and the hands and all the members of our bod-

ies.

Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice.

Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.

Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful.

Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip.

Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.

For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers?

May He who came to the world to save sinners strengthen us to complete the fast with humility, have mercy on us and

save us. Nektarios Kaelin

Stewardship Report As we prayerfully consider our 2015 stewardship, please ponder the following paraphrase from Saint Tikhon of

Zadonsk:

“Whatever you might have in talent and treasure is given to you by God. It is given to you not just for your sake, but also

for the sake of other people. Remember that you are the steward and not the master of these.”

Please make every effort to share your time, talent, and treasure in 2015 with others and with our parish. Stewardship

Sunday is December 7th. Have you returned your 2015 stewardship card? If not, please make every effort to do so.

Thank you,

Your Stewardship Committee

Treasurer’s Report As of Sunday, November 24, the operation account of Saint George has over $8,700 in it with only one small (under

$100) bill outstanding. While this is encouraging, please remember in a typical month the parish usually has over

$10,000 in expenses; and in March, June, September and December those expenses climb to over $12,000 because of

items billed quarterly. As has been reported here and at parish assemblies, the parish needs approximately $2,500 in in-

come per week throughout the year to meet its financial obligations. Please make every effort to fulfill your stewardship

pledge for 2014 before the end of the year. If you are unsure if your giving is up-to-date, please contact Neal Zoumbou-

kos (541-344-4485).

Have a blessed Nativity season and thank you for your support of Saint George.

S T . G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H Page 4

.

PHILIA

Philia’s International Luncheon and Show was both a fun and successful event, thanks to all

who supported our efforts. We had lots of food, great entertainment, and plenty of smiles and

laughter from our parishioners and friends.

We are now busy baking Greek pastries and preparing for the craft fair. Please mark the week-

end of December 13 and 14 on your calendars. Bring your friends and families to enjoy a lunch

at our Kafenion, serving gyros, pastitsio, spanakopita as well as a vegetarian dish for those ob-

serving the fast. We will have a Greek coffee and desserts booth, lots of pastry for sale and

plenty of crafts and gifts for holiday shopping. Philia will have T-shirts and aprons available, as

well as Rada products, which include fine cutlery as well as dips and other interesting items.

Come and support us! This is a fundraiser for both the parish and Philia.

For info on wedding or baptismal items contact Gloria at 541-424-0575 or via email at zeazeas-

timmons@gmail.com.

Plans for the future:

Pastry & Craft Fair on December 13, 11:00-3:00 and December 14, 1:00-4:00

Philia’s White Elephant Christmas Party on December 21

Vasilopita Luncheon on January 11

Next meeting: January 4, 2015: There will be NO meeting on December 7, due to the pas-

try sale.

Reminder: Philia is a philanthropic organization open to ALL women in the parish.

Come and join us! We could always use helping hands and helpful minds.

Julie Lenkoff, Philia Coordinator

***************************************************************************

COFFEE CHAT :

Reminder: Because of the pastry and craft fair, there will be NO COFFEE HOUR on December 14.

Instead, please support our parish fundraiser, purchase a food item from the Kafenion, enjoy the

holiday atmosphere and plan to Christmas shop at our gift booths. We will have a vegetarian dish

available for $5.00 for those observing the fast.

Please note that the fellowship hour schedule will be emailed and posted on the board soon. We

are grateful to all who signed up to host one.

Thank you.

Julie Lenkoff, Fellowship Coordinator

****************************************************************************

CLEANUP CORNER:

I will be emailing the completed cleaning calendar out in December. Thank you to all who are will-

ing to help keep our church neat and tidy.

Julie Lenkoff, Cleanup Coordinator

S T . G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H Page 5

December Celebrations

Birthdays

December 4th-Alehandra Merritt December 10th-Leo Hall

December 15th-Debbie Wilson December 18th-John Timmon, Lester Wilson

December 22nd-Lisa Lilles December 23rd-Timothy Kaelin

December 26th-Nina Titus

Feast Days December 6th-St. Nicholas

Niko Lilles, Nikolai Lilles, Nick Markopoulos

December 9th-St. Anna

Ann Leith

December 24th-St. Eugenia

Cassandra Batterson

December 25th-Nativity of Christ

Gloria Timmons

December 26th-St. Joseph

Joey Carroll

December 27th-St Stephen Stephanie Carroll, Stephen Kaelin

Wedding Anniversaries December 28th

Richard & Melita Green December 31st

Pete & Katharine Drakatos Trenton & Francis Newton-Jones

Baptized in Christ/Chrismated

12/6-Nicholas Jon Pos

12/15-Bob & Bonnie Graham; Elias & Rebeca

Groomer

Many Years! Chronia Polla!

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

Happy Holidays! Our committee is busy mak-

ing final touches on the Bake Sale & Craft Show,

coming up Dec. 13th & 14th. Come one, come all,

and join in the fun. Please invite your friends

and family. There will be vendors with beauti-

ful and unique items, along with our Kafenion,

serving Greek coffee and many scrumptious

foods. If you'd like to volunteer either or both of

those days, contact Presvytera Maria. This is our

biggest fundraiser of the year, so spread the

news!

Presvytera Maria

Missions & Evangelism Committee Report

The Evangelism Committee wishes our parish-

ioner's a Blessed Christmas, keeping in mind

that the birth of Christ is the reason we focus our

energy toward bringing others to the Orthodox

Faith.

May this season be blessed,

Melita Green

From the Bookstore

In an effort to improve the functioning of our

Bookstore we are asking parishioners to take a

survey and provide us with input. A survey is

included in this issue of the Agape. Please take a

moment to complete the survey and return it to

the church in care of Greg Sebastian.

Thank you!

Page 6 S T . G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H

News and Events

What’s New!

First Saturday Breakfast: The dates for December’s First Saturday Breakfast events are Friday, December

5th and Saturday, December 6th. Many hands make for light work so please consider lending us yours.

Nativity Fast: The 2014 Nativity Fast continues this month and culminates on Christmas Day. May it be

blessed!

Babies! Congratulations to Trenton & Francis Newton-Jones on the birth of their daughter Penelope!

May she live for us! We also send along congratulations to Leo and Debbie Hall’s son Sam on the birth of

his son Kaidence. May he live for us!

Stewardship Sunday: Sunday, December 7th is Stewardship Sunday. Please make every effort to com-

plete and submit a pledge card and join us on that day when we ask God to bless our commitment of our

time, talent and treasure.

Parish Assemblies: In November we held the first of two parish assemblies. At that Assembly we dis-

cussed the 2015 Budget, and heard reports from the Fundraising and Missions & Evangelism committees.

We also opened nominations for the 2015 Parish Council and appointed an Election Committee. The sec-

ond Assembly will take place on Sunday, December 7th. At that Assembly we will need to approve a

budget for 2015. Elections for the 2015 Parish Council will also take place that day. Please make every ef-

fort to be here and participate in the Assembly.

2015 Parish Council: On Sunday, December 7th we will hold elections to fill four positions for the 2015

Parish Council. The candidates as of November 23rd are: Melita Green, Bob Graham, Larissa Lilles and

Stephanie Carroll. Continuing PC members are: Art Mehas, Neal Zoumboukos and Greg Sebastian. Those

who are completing their terms and not re-running are Brian Kaelin and Lisa Lilles. We thank them for

their service on the PC!

Bake & Craft Sale: Please join us on Saturday & Sunday, December 13th & 14th for the Bake & Craft

Sale!

CHRISTMAS IN JULY - THANK YOU to one and all! A total of 15 "Christmas in July" boxes were

shipped to Afghanistan in care of our parishioner, Michael Creech, and arrived in just 9 days! What a

great way to say a heartfelt thanks to our troops at Thanksgiving time! Michael sent the following mes-

sage of Thanks:

Thank you very much for all the boxes you sent. I gave some to each of the companies to pass out among their soldiers. I

did keep the peanut M&M though. I also put some down in our common area for soldiers who may not see the boxes.

We appreciate all the time and effort you and the church put into gathering and packing up all those items. I will hang

up all the cards and take a picture to send back to you. Thank you and God Bless you all, Mike Creech.

We also thank Gloria for coordinating the project again this year and for all of those who helped her.

In our prayers: “Pray for one another that you might be healed” (James 5:16)-Jim, Eleni, , John, Yelena,

Sarah, Sharon, Alexandra, Christopher, Ruth, Elaine, John, Fr. Constantine, Fr. James, Kevin, Lisa,

Eugenia, Niko, Rebeca, Maria, Anastasia, Zinaida, Katherine, Rachel, Nektaria, Leda, Jesse, George, John,

Ann, Kay, Debbie, Elaine, Elle, Bill, the Orthodox Christians in Iraq, Egypt, Syria , the Middle East and

the Ukraine, the unborn, pregnant women contemplating abortion, & those who pray for the end of abor-

tion. Please also be praying for Michael Creech who is deployed to Afghanistan, and for Liana and the

kids.

Page 7 S T . G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H

12/7 12/14 12/21 12/28

FELLOWSHIP Graham

Kafenion at

Bake Sale

Batterson

Potluck

GREETER Larissa L. Ann C Ann L Liana C

PROSFORON Creech Hauser Lilles Creech

FLOWERS OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN

READERS Brad Thomas Brad Thomas Brad Thomas Brad Thomas Brad Thomas

CLEANING

CREW

12/6

Kaelin

12/13

Carmack

12/20

Graham

12/27

Batterson

GET INVOLVED!!! Look through this list of organizations, programs, and ministries at our parish,

then call the contact person and get involved!!! PARISH COUNCIL Nektarios Kaelin 541-335-9256

ACOLYTES Bob Graham 541-937-2670

BOOKSTORE Greg Sebastian 541-220-9560

PHILIA WOMEN’S GROUP Julie Lenkoff 541-345-2107

CHURCH SCHOOL Brian Kaelin 541-335-9256

CHANTER/CHANT GROUP Brad Thomas 541-689-9690, Ann Marie Kaelin 541-335-9256

FRIENDS OF ST. JOHN CONVENT Art Mehas 541-485-8671

FELLOWSHIP Julie Lenkoff 541-345-2107

STEWARDSHIP Neal Zoumboukos 541-344-4485

GREETERS Your name here???

OUTREACH/1ST SAT. BREAKFAST Bonnie Graham 541-914-3381

FLOWERS Diane Monger 541-530-3210

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM Melita Green 541-543-8792

FUNDRAISERS Presbytera Maria 542-844-1094

Hymns from the Nativity of Christ Christ is born, give glory! Christ comes from heaven, go meet Him! Christ is upon earth, be exalted! Sing to the Lord all the earth; and all you peoples raise the hymn with joy, for He has been glorified. Ruined through transgression, the one made in God’s image became wholly subject to corruption, fell stumbling from a better and divine life. Him the wise Creator now refashions, for He has been glorified. The Creator, seeing humanity that He had made with His own hands per-ishing, bowed the heavens and came down; but He took our whole being from a divine, pure Virgin, being made truly flesh; for He has been glori-fied.

Saint George Greek Orthodox Church

202 Hillview 1

Eugene, OR 97408-5018