Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Sunday Services: Orthros 8:15am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am

Our Vision: To Know God

James Belt

Herman the Wonderworker of Alaska & First Saint of America

The Holy Martyrs Eustratius,

Auxentius, Eugene, Mardarius, and Orestes of Greater Armenia

Lucia the Virgin-martyr

December 13

11th Sunday of Luke

SAINT

S

Holy Trinity Church is under the Omophorion of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of the Metropolis of Detroit.

Father William J. Bartz Presiding Priest

Father Jarrod Russell Assistant Priest

Parish Office Hours 9 am - 5 pm

Monday-Friday

3500 W. 106th Street, Carmel, IN 46032

317-733-3033 317-733-2806-fax

www.holytrinityindy.org

www.facebook.com/holytrinityindy

Parish Council

President Steve Kollias

Vice President Tracy Pappas

Secretary Julie Rowlas

Treasurer Steve Young

Assistant Treasurer George Pappaioanou

Matt Albean, Dean Antonopoulos, Nick Dervenis, Dennis Dickos, Greg Dickos, Bob Dine, Angelo Julovich, Irene Sarris, Gail Zeheralis.

Staff

Office Administrator Cindy Watson Ministries Coordinator Sandy Cooper

Building Manager Tim Bryant

Administrative Assistant Susan Baron

For information about this publication contact the Parish Office at 317-733-3033. Deadline for inclusion is Tuesday before the cover date. All items are requested in digital format, and sent to bulletin@holytrinityindy.org.

Entrance Hymn Come let us bow down to Christ, As we worship Him, The Son of God. Save us, O Son of God, Who did rise from the dead, We sing to You: Alleluia.

Resurrectional Apolytikion (Tone Three)

Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad, For the Lord has shown the mighty Power of His arm. He has trampled down death by death, becoming the Firstborn of the dead. He has delivered us from the depth of hell and has granted to all the world His great mercy.

Apolytikion For the Forefathers By faith You justified the Forefathers, having through them betrothed to Yourself the Church that came out of the nations. The saints are boasting in glory; for the glorious fruit, the Virgin who Without seed gave birth to You, is from their progeny. At their entreaties, O Christ our God, save our souls.

Church Hymn (Troparion of Pentecost) Evlogitos i Hriste O Theos imon, O Pansofous tous aliis anadixas, Katapempsas aftis to Pnevma to ayion, Ke thi afton tin ikoumenin saginefsas, Filanthrope doxa Si. Blessed are You O Christ our God Who has shown the fishermen as wise men By sending down Your Holy Spirit upon them And through them, the whole world You drew into Your net O Lover of mankind, glory to You.

Kontakion (Preparation of the Nativity) Today the Virgin goes forth, Making her way to a cave Where from her ineffably, God the eternal Word will be born. Let the world be filled with joy, Hearing these tidings. Joining the angels and shepherds Let us give glory to Him Who is God from all ages Yet wills to be seen as a little Child.

After the Prayer of the Proskomidi I love you, O Lord my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my Savior.

EPISTLE READING: St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11

BRETHREN, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away; anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

GOSPEL READING: The Gospel According to St. Luke 14:16-24 The Lord said this parable: "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for all is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and there is still room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen.'"

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH (Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed) I believe in one God, Father Almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages;

Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father through

Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven

and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man.

He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He will come again with glory to judge the living and dead.

His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life,

Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,

Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.

Church School

TODAY, December 13 - Class at 9:30. Christmas Program in church after Divine Liturgy

Christmas Service Project: During Advent (Now - December 25), Church School will be collecting for St. Basil's Academy through your child's Church School class. The money collected will be presented to Father Bill at the cutting of the Vasilopita on January 3. Please encourage your child to "earn" the money they donate.

Christmas Giving Tree

Please return all ornaments and gifts to the Church TODAY, December 13. Attach the tag with the child's name to the gift; it will be removed before delivery. The gifts will be delivered to the Martin Luther King Service Center which is providing the names of the children this year. Thank you in advance for helping to brighten a child’s Christmas. Questions? Contact Tracy Pappas (pappastracy@gmail.com) or Beth Eleftheri (beleftheri@indy.rr.com).

Holy Trinity Christmas Ornament $10

Custom 3D Pewter Ornaments commemorating Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church will be available in the Founders' Walk after Divine Liturgy. Makes a wonderful gift!

Sunday Service Schedule and Teams

Date Parish Council Early Duty Parish Council Early Duty Team

12/13/15 George Pappaioanou Nick Dervenis Team 2

Date Parish Council Early Duty Parish Council Early Duty Team

12/20/15 Dennis Dickos Angelo Julovich Team 1

12/27/15 Greg Dickos Bob Dine Team 2

Upcoming Weeks

Altar Boy Team 2 Chandler Andreas Alanis Austin Anderson Thomas Cortese Quentin Csubak *Jon Dimos Zach Eaton Jordan Freudenberg Alex Lupear Sam Lupear

Narthex Server Team 2 Katerina Anderson Gracie Belt Maria Emmanoelides Anna Constance Graffeo Nicole Lisch* Elizabeth Martine Anna-Marie Pasyanos Naya Pease Halie Scott Sophia Saran Emma Tournier

Parish Council Team 2 Nick Dervenis Greg Dickos Bob Dine Steve Kollias George Pappaioanou Steve Young Gail Zeheralis

**Nathaniel Martine Dean Megremis Matthew Moore John Pasyanos Nicholas Pease John Tournier Iraklis Tsiampas Paul Tsiampas Anthony Young Evan Young

Philoptochos Holiday Greek Pastry Sale

Order your favorite Greek delicacies now for the holidays! Great gift idea for friends, family, teachers, neighbors & employees! Please place your orders in the Founders' Walk following the Divine Services or download the order form online at holytrinityindy.org. Orders must be received by TOMORROW, December 14, 2015.

Religious Education Series - Divine Liturgy

Father Jarrod will offer the fifth and final presentation of the Religious Education Series on the Divine Liturgy this Wednesday, December 16 at 7 pm. Let us learn more about the Divine Liturgy together. Attendance at these presentations can be independent of the others. Thus, if one is missed, the following session can still be attended with full understanding.

GOYA Upcoming Events

Saturday, December 19 - Jr/Sr. Caroling and Hot Chocolate Bar

Watch your e-mail and Facebook for details.

Altar Boys and Narthex Servers Christmas Eve Service

All Altar Boys and Narthex Servers are welcomed to serve for the Divine Services on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 6pm. However, those Altar Boys and Narthex Servers who arrive in the Altar or Narthex respectively after 6pm will celebrate the Divine Services with their family.

Christmas Divine Services

Christmas Divine Services will be celebrated on Thursday, December 24 at 6pm and on Friday, December 25 at 9:30am.

Stewardship

Add the Church to your Christmas list this year! Please see a Stewardship Committee

member in the Founder's Walk after Divine Services to offer completed 2016

Stewardship Cards. Wise men gave gifts to baby Jesus! Wise men still give gifts to

Him!

Philoptochos Coat Campaign

Philoptochos are collecting ladies coats again this year for the Embrace Program at

Eskenazi Hospital. Many women coming for breast cancer treatment walk or take a bus

to their appointments. Please bring new or gently used coats for men and women

along with scarves, gloves and toiletries such as deodorant, lotion, soap, toothpaste and

toothbrushes and place them in the bin in the Founders' Walk. For more information

please contact Philoptochos at Philoptochos@holytrinityindy.org

Vasilopita Luncheon

The Vasilopita Luncheon will be Sunday, January 3, following the Divine Services. Sponsored by Philoptochos and benefitting Saint Basil Academy. Adult menu is pastitchio, tiropeta, spanakopeta, Greek salad, peas with pearl onions, coffee and dessert (pre-sale $15, at the door $20). Children's menu is chicken fingers, french fries, applesauce and dessert. (pre-sale $7.50, at the door $10). Reservations forms are available in the Founders' Walk, online at http://holytrinityindy.org/assets/files/philoptochos/Vasilopeta2016.pdf or by calling 317-733-3033. Reservation deadline is December 28. All reservations must be honored. For more information, contact Philoptochos at philoptochos@holytrinityindy.org.

Missionaries Wanted

Applications are now being accepted for Project Mexico and Guatemala Missions. Mexico: The deadline for applications with $200 deposit for Project Mexico is March 15, 2016. Nine of the fifteen slots have been filled. For more information please contact Joe Pavia at 317-844-7479 or email at jpavia@indy.rr.com. Trip date: July 14-20, 2016. Guatemala: The deadline for applications with $200 deposit for Guatemala is February 1, 2016. For more information please contact Mike Young at 317-841-3508 or email at mike.helen.young@att.net. Trip date: August 1-8, 2016 As spaces for these mission trips are quickly taken, please respond as soon as possible, ensuring the memorable experience.

College Student Christmas Break Dinner

All Holy Trinity college students are invited to a Christmas Break Dinner at Matt the Miller’s Tavern at Carmel City Center on Monday, January 4, 2016, beginning at 6:30pm. This event is a perfect opportunity to catch up with friends or make new friends and enjoy great food and fellowship before heading back to campus. The dinner will be free for Holy Trinity college students. Please contact Father Jarrod (fatherjarrod@holytrinityindy.org or (317) 733-3033) to confirm that you or your college student will be attending. The College Student Christmas Break Dinner is the first REAL event organized by Real Emerging Adult Leaders, Holy Trinity’s new young adult ministry.

Pan Hellenic Scholarships

Applications for Pan Hellenic Scholarships for 2015 - 2016 are now available.

Deadline date is Monday, February 1, 2016. All eligible undergraduates are welcome

to apply. Go to the website for details: www.panhellenicscholarships.org

HOLY TRINITY FINANCIAL UPDATE

Operating Account Activity 11/22/2015 - 11/28/2015

Income $16,704.81 Year to date Income $879,330.26 Expense $26,164.56 Year to date Expense $879,375.22

2016 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Information

The 2016 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is approaching. Our Parish SJCOF

will be held Sunday, February 28, 2016. The Archdiocese has released the 2016

Festival Topics for the Junior Division (Grades 7-9) and the Senior Division (Grades

10-12). Please pick up a flyer of topics from your Church School teacher, visit:

h t t p : / / w w w. g o a r c h . o r g / a r c h d i o c e s e / d e p a r t m e n t s / r e l i g i o u s e d /

sjcof/2016_topics_only.pdf, or contact Kristina Tridico (317) 213-3396,

ktridico@yahoo.com, with any questions. Tips and Resources will be available soon.

In the meantime, please encourage your students to choose a topic and save the date

for the Festival!

Golf for Ground Zero 2016

The Rebuild of St. Nicholas Church

Save the date! The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church will be sponsoring a charity

golf outing to benefit the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church on June 27, 2016. St.

Nicholas Church was the only Christian Church that was destroyed during the 9/11

attacks on the World Trade Center. The new domed building is scheduled to open in

2016 during the Parish’s 100th anniversary year. Contact Gary Martine or Duane

Hostetler if you are interested in getting involved with this effort.

The magic of Christmas

if NOT in the presents,

but in His presence!

Justin & Catherine Adams Richard & Athena Adams Ghirmay & Tebereh Adhanom Netsanet Adhanom

George & Dia Agapios Craig & Mary Ajango Vaino & Nancy Ajango David & Sharon Albean Mary Albean Matthew & Karen Albean Lisa Alexander William & Anna Alexander John & Koula Anagnostou Nikolaos Anagnostou Frances Anderson Stephanie Anderson

Brad & Vicki Andrews Cheryl Andros Paula Andros Katherine Angelopolous Mildred (Angie) Angelopolous Chris Angelopoulos Sandra Angelopoulos Ellen Antoniades Anthony & Gena Antonopoulos Dean Antonopoulos Elaine Antonopoulos Roula Antonopoulos William & Patricia Apostolakis Stacey Apostoles Mary Armington Esther Arvanitis George & Jill Arvanitis James & Maria Athanasiou Patty & Lampropoulos Avgerinos Jim & Marika Bagios Susan Bagios James & Tamilyn Bakas Dan J & Sylvia Baker George & Julie Baroudos James & Geraldine Baroudos Father William & Presbytera Emily Bartz Melanie Batalis George & Angela Bayetakos Brian & Barbara Beachnau Jason & Georgette Beatty Asimin (Nina) Bekas Katherine Michalarias Bekas Stavroula Bekas Alexandra Belous James & Lucinda Belt Ryan & Katherine BeMiller Dimitra Bereveskos Angela Bevel Cornelia Bevel Georgia Birch Tim & Georgia Bixler Doug & Annamaria Boggs Richard & Dimond Bonaccorsi Alex & Andrea Boutselis James & Irene Bovis Ryan & Breanna Braun Angelo & Joan Brisimitzakis Curt & Renee Brochhagen Jerome & Beverly Brown

Georgia Buchanan Judith Burns Chris & Sylvia Byerly Carl & Rebecca Shea Cafouros Christina Caldwell Michael & Traci Caldwell Robert & Angela Calliotte David & Kathleen Carlson George & Tona Catavolos Randolph & Peggy Chekouras Constantine & Diane Chininis Elizabeth Chones Bill & Karen Christoff Nancy Christy Martha Chronis William & Patricia Churchill Jr. J. Kevin & Elaine Coghlan William & Kathleen Conrad Thomas & Nia Cortese Thomas & Heidi Cortese III Paul & Diana Coulis Sofia Craig Leigh Ann Csubak Artemis Dallas Christopher & Teresa Dallas Marcus & Sally Dallas Frank & Janet Daskalos Stacy & Susan DeHart Mary Demetriades Estrine Demos Nicholas & Sharon Dervenis Theodore & Julia Dervenis George & Torrey Dial Areti Diamantidis Ekaterini (Kathy) Diamantidis Dennis Dickos Greg & Nancy Dickos Theone Dickos Jimmy & Elaine Dimitroff Kathi Dimitroff James & Kathryn Dimos Jeri Dine Robert & Diana Dine Tyler Dolan Thomas & Irene Doney Kathryn Dowell Doreen Drukas Peter & Lea Dunbar Joseph & Florie Eaton Ted & Anneliese Ebersole Dino & Stacy Efthimiou Anthony & Jill Eleftheri Coula Eleftheri Lawrence & Beth Eleftheri Demetrios & Melinda Emmanoelides Donald & Maria Farley Paul & Florence Farris Anthony & Marian Filis Joanna Filis Tom Filis Tim & Rose Filley John (Woody) & Sandra Foerster Kevin & Marianna Foulkrod Barbara Barkas Frechette Jim & Cindy Freudenberg Stavros & Sophia Galiotos

Stephen & Zoe Gatsos Francis & Heather Gay Stephanie Gemelas Anne Genest Philip & Dorothea Genetos Charles & Genevieve George Soter Georgopulos Thomas & Angeline Georgopulos Demo & Maria Gianakos Steve & Angelique Gianakos Chrysostomos Giannoulakis Robert & Janice Gigli Gregory Gorogiani Antonios & Helen Gounaris George & Sarina Gounaris Maria Gounaris Barry & Matina Graffeo Christopher & Natalie Greisl J. Michael & Cynthia Hackett Stephen & Nicole Hackett John & Erin Hadzigeorge Anthony & Diane Hamstra Erik Handwork Lesli Handwork Keith & Maria Hanzlik Michael & Alexis Hendricks Remon Hermeena & Sarah Perryman David & Erasmia Herzog Thomas & Kathleen Hinshaw Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis & Jean Molleston Les & Jennifer Hock Nikolia Hock Harry & Eugenia Hontos Duane & Eleny Hostetler Helen Houseman Frank & Athena Hrisomalos Frank N. Hrisomalos Karen Hrisomalos Nicholas & Joanne Hrisomalos Tom & Debbie Hrisomalos Tony & Tula Hughes Panayiotis & Catherine Iatridis MD, PhD Marian Jannetides Nick & Elaine Jannetides Mark & Irini Jennings Ronald & Sunday Johnson Angelo & Christine Julovich Kaleigh Julovich Hristos & Kristin Kaimakliotis Betty Kalyvas Joshua Kammerer John & Sharon Kandris Antonios & Anna Kantzavelos Andrew & Athena (Becky) Kapsalis William Karandos Gus & Maritsa Karas George & Eleni Katris Melina Maniatis Kennedy George & Melanie Keris Thomas & Brandie Kopsas-Kingsley Christopher & Maria Kirages George & Susan Kirages James & Tamara Kirages Peter Kirles Nicola Kitcoff Bobby John & Elizabeth Kokinos

2015 Stewardship

As of 12/13/2015, the following 404 Holy Trinity families submitted a 2015 Stewardship Pledge for a total pledge amount of $666,256. Stewardship forms are available in the Founders' Walk and online at holytrinityindy.org.

Pete & Argie Kokinos Stephen & Gail Kollias Effie Konduris Tina Konduris Paula Koneda John Koumoulides Karen Kourmoulis George & Tricia Kritikos Michael & Rachel Krupp Christopher & Antonia Lafter David & Alyssa Letcher Nektarios & Bessie Lianakis John & Leah Lickliter Todd & Joez Lickliter Mary Lienert Constantine & Lauren Linos Panagiotis & Virginia Linos Virginia Linville Michael & Jean Lisch Stephanie Litz William & Cynthia Longest Owen & Labrine Lucas Jr. George & Koula Lupear Ellen Lupear-Pemberton Craig & Barbara Madsen Damian Maggos Michael & Ellen Keris Maguire Michael & Helen Malandrakis Joshua & Katherine Malarsky Raymond & Bessie Maltby Presbytera Janet Mamalis Robert & Heidi Mandich Constantine Maniakas Gary & Niki Martine Athanasios & Marina Mavrikis John Mavrikis Chris & Voula Mavropoulos Harry R. (Mac) & Margo McLaughlin Jim Gus & Veronica Megremis Marigoula (Marsha) Mendakis John & Paula Metaxas William & Anita Metzger Gary Michelson Irene Milionis Kelly Milionis Tracey Milionis Jason & Kelly Minas John & Anna Mirkopoulos Alex Mishel Jeffrey & Panayiota Moe Ben & Gianna Mohrman Thomas & Fontini Moore Nick & Marilyn Mourouzis Nico & Alexandra Mousdicas Ernie & Wendy Mudis William Mullen Amer & Aretoula Nahas J. Matthew & Alexis Neal Daniel & Sue Genest-Neuendorf Theodore & Christine Nicholas Brian Nicholoff Sam & Dawn Nicholos Wayne Nicodemus Christodoulos & Artemis Nikolaou Dean & Heidi Nikou John & Toula Oberlies Brian & Sotiria Tides Oliver Dean & Justo Paikos James & Martha Paikos

Larry & Athanasia (Ann) Paikos Angela Palikaris Niki Palikaris Doreen Pancol James & Demetra Pancol Lee Pancol Stephanie Pancol John & Holly M. Pantzer III Dimitrios & Monica Alsin-Papaioannou Alex & Hionoula Papakosmas George & Marjorie Pappaioanou Aristea Pappas Donna Pappas Elizabeth (Betty) Pappas George & Mary Pappas Georgiana Pappas Gus & Cathy Pappas James & Martha Pappas John G. Pappas Leon & Andrea Pappas Nicholas & Tracy Pappas Victoria Pappas Eric Passmore John & Liberty Pasyanos Nicholas Pasyanos Joseph & Christine Pavia Elias & Maria Pavlakos Martha Payne Gregory & Mary Iatridis Pease John & Maria Pease James Aaron Perry Kevin & Victoria Perry George & Cilia Pogas Helen Pole Mike & Holly Polites Mina Potamousis Nikos Potamousis Michael & Lisa Poulakis Angelo Poulos Peter & Kyriaki Prionas Thomas Prionas Francine Protogere Michael & Angeline Protogere Pauline Protogere Kostas Protopapadakis Gus & Monica Pulos Thalia Pulos Mary P. Raikos John Raikos Jr. Menelaos & Sherry Reckas Zachary & Amanda Reckas Jean Regas Larry & Alexandra Ricketts Vicki Ricketts Pete & Maria Rigakos Becky Rogers Julie Rowlas Father John Jarrod Russell Mary Sampson Kathryn Samuelson Anthony & Linda Saran Nicholas & Yaping Saran Sam Saran Aspasia Sarellas Christos Sarellas James & Debra Saricos Georgia L. Sarivalas Irene Sarris Nick Sarris

Rade & Fanny Savich Ellen Schmidt Jacob & Angie Schneider Vasiliki Scholarinas Matthew Schwarzkopf John & Georgia Schwoeppe Tony & Sheri Seat Douglas & Doris Segar Michael & Michelle Semon Rebecca Sheckell Janet Siakotos John & Georgia Siamas Thomas Siamas Jerry & Themetroula Lahanis-Sikes Gregory & Zoe Simopoulos Maria Sioni Albert & Martha Sleder Nick & Joan Smyrnis Nick & Vickie Sofianopoulos Penny Sofianopoulos Periclis & Vicky Sofianopoulos Stavroula Sotos Gust & Nora Spenos Andrew N. & Michelle Spirrison Nikita & Janet Spirrison Stephen & Huff Stamatis Mary Strapulos Michael & Janet Stropes Kostandinos & Amy Stubos Susan Talbot Katherine Theofanis Nick & Anne Theohares Dimitrios & Maria Therianos Eleni Therianos Carol Tietz Matthew & Penny Tom Johanna Tournier Andrew & Kristina Tridico Nikki Tsangaris Nikolaos & Amily Tsiampas Glenn Turner Robert & Elaine Updike Michael & Venetia Vagias Paul & Jennifer Vallis Toula Vasos Connie & Sondra Vitsas James Vitsas Jonathan Vitsas Vanessa Vitsas John & Eleni Vogas Jordan (Donny) & Laura Vogas George & Joyce Voivodas Steven & Lisa Voivodas Jean Voucas Anthony & Kristen Waterbury Vincent & Stacy Costidakis-Wertz Jim & Cindy Woodruff Athena Wright Paraskevi Xidias Ann Yager Christopher Young Michael & Helen Young (Yoannides) Steven & Irene Young (Yoannides) Angelo & Lynn Zarvas Helen Zarvas Chris & Becky Zeheralis Gail Zeheralis Lynn Zeheralis

Holy Communion Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Saint John of Kronstadt (1829 – 1908) says, “in partaking of the Holy Sacrament, be as sure that you partake of the Body and Blood of Christ, as you are sure that every moment you breathe air.”

Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (about 313 – 386) also teaches us “Since Christ Himself has declared the bread to be His Body, who can have any further doubt? Since He Himself has said quite categorically, ‘This is My Blood,’ who would dare to question it, and say that it is not His Blood? Therefore, it is with complete assurance that we receive the bread and wine as the Body and Blood of Christ. His Body is given to us under the symbol of bread, and His Blood is given to us under the symbol of wine, in order to make us by receiving them one body and blood with Him. Having His Body and Blood in our members, we become bearers of Christ and sharers, as Saint Peter says, of the divine nature… Do not then regard the Eucharistic elements as

ordinary bread and wine: they are in fact the Body and Blood of the Lord, as He Himself has declared. Whatever your senses tell you, be strong in faith.” The Lord urges us to make a sincere effort to make peace with each other when anger or hurt exists, seeking forgiveness or granting forgiveness, as appropriate, (Matthew 5:24) before approaching the Lord. Receiving Holy Communion is certainly important to our spiritual life and growth. This ultimate connection with Jesus Christ is a gift which God gives to us and one which should be accepted gratefully and responsibly. Our Church teaches that receiving Holy Communion frequently is encouraged. Our Church also teaches that a preparation is expected. Preparation for Holy Communion can vary from person to person. The minimum preparation to receive Holy Communion is to fast from meat on Wednesday and Friday and not eat anything on the morning, prior to receiving Holy Communion. For those who must take medication that requires food, they are permitted to eat that which is necessary for their health. Furthermore, the Church teaches us to fast on particular days during the year and especially during the four main fast periods. These four main fast periods are in preparation of holy days of the year, as follows:

December 13 - 24 (Nativity of our Lord) Great Lent (before Holy Week and Easter) Monday after All Saints’ Day through June 28 (the Apostles), August 1 - 14 (the Dormition of the Theotokos)

Each of us is encouraged to approach the Chalice to receive Holy Communion in love and in peace, gratefully and responsibly.

Upcoming Events Sunday, December 13

Church School Christmas Program 12pm Basketball Practice 12:30pm

Monday, December 14 Philoptochos Baking Session 9am

Tuesday, December 15

St. Paul Bible Study 10am Philoptochos Board Meeting 6:30pm Dance Rehearsal--Adult 7pm

Wednesday, December 16 Kafeneio 10am Religious Education Series 7pm

Thursday, December 17 Tour 10:15am Greek School 5pm Choir Rehearsal 6:30pm

Saturday, December 19 Philoptochos Soup Kitchen 9am Philoptochos Bake Sale 10am-2pm Yoga 10am Jr High/Sr High GOYA Caroling 12:30pm-

4:30pm

Sunday, December 27

Orthos 8:15am Divine Liturgy 9:30am

Thursday, December 31 Divine Liturgy--Saint Basil the

Great 5:30pm

Friday, January 1 Parish Office Closed

Saturday, January 2 Yoga 10am

Sunday, December 20 Basketball Practice 12:30pm

Thursday, December 24 Parish Office closes at 12pm Vesperal Liturgy--Nativity of our Lord

6pm

Friday, December 25 Parish Office Closed Divine Liturgy--Nativity of our Lord

9:30am

Saturday, December 26 Yoga 10am

Sunday, January 3 Vasilopita Luncheon 12pm Basketball Practice 12:30pm

Tuesday, January 5 St. Paul Bible Study 10am Vesperal Liturgy and Blessing of the Waters

--Epiphany 5:30pm Missions Committee Meeting 7pm Dance Rehearsal--Adult 7pm

Wednesday, January 6 Kafeneio 10am St. John Patristic Study 7pm

Thursday, January 7 Greek School 5pm Choir Rehearsal 6:30pm

Friday, January 8 Book Corner 10am

Saturday, January 9 Yoga 10am