Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

St John the Baptist, Parish of Cairns The Northern Beacon

Parish Newsletter October/November 2016

VOLUME 93

Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Menelaos Hatzoglou Church: (07) 4058 1116 Fax: (07) 4055 2311 Mobile: 0415 936 609 Email: fr.menelaos@gopcairns.org.au

Parish President:

Theo Bacalakis Mobile: 0488 083 266

Philoptohos Society of St John the Baptist Parish Cairns Ph: (07) 4058 1116

St Johns Community Care Chairperson: Theo Bacalakis

(450-462 Kamerunga Road, Kamerunga) PO Box 44R Redlynch QLD 4870

Ph: (07) 4039 9700 Fax: (07) 4039 9777 Email: sjccl@sjccl.org.au

Chief Financial Officer: Tricia Williams Aged Care Services Manager: Effie Bacalakis Disability Services Manager: Werner Baumeister

Gordonvale Office: (07) 4056 5292 Innisfail Office: (07) 4061 2819 Mareeba Office: (07) 4092 6912 Torres Strait Office: (07) 4090 3666 Townsville: (07) 4725 3777 Brisbane: (07) 3865 7611

Home Assist Secure Ph: 4039 9780 Outside Cairns: 1300 301 882

Redlynch Day Care Centre Director: Carly Francis Ph: 4055 2020

Coming Events & Gatherings

A Courtesy Bus is available for Sunday Service

To book please call Fr Menelaos on

0415 936 609

Sunday School Every Sunday Parish Hall 9-9:50am

For further information contact Father Menelaos on

0415 936 609.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

FELLOWSHIP Every last Saturday of the month

Parish Hall 11:30am

Who ever requires the Parish Priest, Father Menelaos to attend the cemetery for blessings. Please contact Father Menelaos on 0415 936 609.

Kali Parea — Seniors Group

Every Wednesday at 10am St John’s Parish Hall

Call Stella– 0438 791 387 Transport Available

www.greekorthodoxparishcairns.org

HOSPITAL & HOME VISITS BY PRIEST

As we all know, at some point in our life there comes a time when we find

someone we love, or ourselves in hospital for a variety of reasons.

Whoever requires the Parish Priest to visit their loved ones in Hospital or at

home they contact Father Menelaos on 0415 936 609

Greek School/ Adult Classes/Dance School Every Monday 4pm Parish Hall, enrol your children. Enquires contact Father Menelaos Hatzoglou

SAVE THE DATE Annual Presentation Night

Wednesday the 9th of November

At St Johns Community Care Parish Hall

October 20th 2016 English Divine Liturgy for St. Gerasimos at 6:30pm at the Red Beret. Dinner to follow Divine Liturgy. November 1st 2016 English Divine Liturgy to commemorate the Holy Unmercinaries at 6.30pm. Dinner to follow Divine Liturgy at Jimmy’s Burgers (66 Shields St,)

St Demitrios Luncheon Sunday 30th October

OXI Day Celebrations

Following Divine Liturgy Greek School OXI Day

Letters from Father Menelaos………… Dear Beloved Parishioners, In this newsletter, I wanted to elaborate on the life of St Gerasimos of Cephalonia as the Saint is popular among many people from Cephalonia and with people with spiritual needs. Saint Gerasimos was born in 1509 AD in a tiny village of Trikala in the Peloponnesus. His feast day is celebrated on August 16th and October 20th Saint Gerasismos came from a wealthy and aristo-cratic family. Saint Gerasimos visited Constantinople at a young age and it was his first visit there, Saint Gerasimos was moved with the number of Christians who were martyred and then decided to commit his life to monasticism. Saint Gerasimos went straight to Mount Athos where he remained there for 5 years, he was then tonsured as a monk. The monk then was ordained a deacon then a priest by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Germanus in 1579. He also went to Jerusalem for 12 years. Saint Gerasimos also spend some time in Crete and Zakynthos where he maintained the discipline life of an ascetic. For isolation reasons, he withdrew to the Jordan, where he spent forty days without respite. Having received the Patriarch’s blessing for a life of silence, Saint Gerasimos withdrew to Zakynthos for isolation, eating only vegetation. After five years had passed he was inspired to go to the island of Cephalonia. Saint Gerasimos arrived in Cephalonia in 1555. Saint Gerasimos decided to live in a cave in Lassi on the island of Cephalonia. He restored an old church in the village of Omala which is the central part of Cephalonia and built a convent around the church. The church cared for the poor and became a centre for charity. Saint Gerasimos was forewarned of his death, be-fore the saint reposed in the Lord he blessed his nuns then Saint Gerasimos fell asleep in the Lord peacefully on the 15th August, but being the Feast Day Dormition of the Theotokos, Saint Gerasimos Feast day was moved to the 16th August. After the Saints death his body was removed on October 20th with his relics intact and fragrant with healing powers. Saint Gerasimos was granted a gift of healing the sick and curing people with mental illnesses for his exalted life. The relics of the Saint are kept in a glass case. It is well known that Saint Gerasimos has healed many people with mental illnesses and demon possessed people. October 20th it is one of the most significant days for Cephalonia and all Cephalonians living on the island. On the evening of the 19th, Saint Gerasimos’ Sacred relic is moved in a litany procession from the older church that lives over his grave, amongst the people this brings true emotions and touching reactions from the devout who express their faith in God and their respect for Saint Gerasimos. These events also take place on 14th and 15th August every year. The sacred Relic is placed in a specially prepared place within the new Church, the Vespers service com-mences and the faithful begin to pray that evening till the next morning. The next morning there is a Hierar-chal Divine Liturgy to honour Saint Gerasimos, following the Liturgy there is a Litany which is attended by clergy, nuns, monks, officials and thousands of Christians. In the Lord’s Richest Blessing. +Fr Menelaos.

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA

PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CAIRNS

Sunday 30th October 2016

INVITES YOU TO STAY AND ENJOY A LUNCHEON

FOR THE FEAST DAY OF ST. DIMITRIOS.

OXI Day Greek School Performances

Cost: $10 ALL WELCOME

*SUNDAY SCHOOL EVERY SUNDAY 9-9:45 AM PARISH HALL ALL WELCOME

* GREEK LANGUAGE/DANCE CLASSES EVERY MONDAY 4-6PM PARISH HALL

*KALI PAREA EVERY WEDNESDAY 10am PARISH HALL ALL WELCOME

*TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE FOR SUNDAY SERVICES CONTACT FR. MENELAOS 0415 936 609

An Activity of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA

PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CAIRNS

FELLOWSHIP 2016 LAST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH

SATURDAY October 29th 11:30am Parish Hall

& SATURDAY November 26th 11:30pm Parish Hall

Jesus said, “Wherever two or three are gathered, there I am also.’’

• MONTHLY DINNERS FOLLOWING ENGLISH DIVINE LITURGIES. • FUN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

• GROUP DISCUSSIONS • BOWLING MOVIES

COME AND MEET NEW PEOPLE!!!!!!!!

Drinks and light snacks provided

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT FR. MENELAOS 0415 936 609

An Activity of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA

PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CAIRNS

EVERY SUNDAY PARISH HALL 9 - 9:50am

This year the Greek school students will be attending scripture classes once a month, as it is a part of the Greek school curriculum

*FUN ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN *CHILDRENS BIBLE LESSONS

*COLOURING ACTIVITIES & LESSONS *LEARN THE LORDS PRAYER

*ARTS & CRAFTS For further information please contact Fr. Menelaos Hatzoglou

on 0415 936 609

BRING YOUR CHILDREN ALONG ALL WELCOME.

An activity of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA

PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CAIRNS

FATHER MENELAOS HATZOGLOU

WILL BE OFFICIATING A

ENGLISH DIVINE LITURGY TO COMMEMORATE ST GERASIMOS OF KEFALONIA

AT THE PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST REDLYNCH

CAIRNS. THURSDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2016

At 6:30pm

DINNER AT THE RED BERET FOLLOWING DIVINE LITURGY

For further informa on please contact Fr. Menelaos Hatzoglou

0415 936 609.

www.greekorthodoxparishcairns.org email: fr.menelaos@gopcairns.org.au

telephone: 07 4058 1116 fax: 07 4055 3211

An Activity of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA

PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST REDLYNCH CAIRNS

FATHER MENELAOS HATZOGLOU WILL BE OFFICIATING

A ENGLISH DIVINE LITURGY

TO COMMEMORATE THE HOLY UNMERCINARIES

AT THE PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST REDLYNCH

CAIRNS.

TUESDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2016 At 6:30pm

DINNER AT JIMMY’S BURGERS FOLLOWING DIVINE LITURGY

For further informa on please contact

Fr. Menelaos Hatzoglou 0415 936 609.

www.greekorthodoxparishcairns.org email: fr.menelaos@gopcairns.org.au

telephone: 07 4058 1116 fax: 07 4055 3211

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA

Recent Events Sunday 14th August St John’s Parishioners travelled to the Parish of the Dormition of the Theotokos Innisfail to celebrate the Ves-pers Service of the Dormition of the Theotokos. At the end of the service, the faithful gathered and chanted the Egomia to the Virgin Mary. The Ladies of the Philoptochos prepared a Lenten Supper and on behalf of the President and Parishioners of St. John the Baptist Cairns I would like to thank them immensely. The President of the Dormition of the Theotokos Innisfail John Kotzas and the President of St John the Baptist Cairns laid a wreath for the Virgin Mary’s Epitaphio. The Feast Day of the Dormition was officiated at the Redlynch Parish St John the Baptist where the faithful gathered to honour the Theotokos our mother. Sunday 21st August, following the Divine Liturgy there was a luncheon to celebrate the Feast Day of the Dormition of the Theotokos which was well attended. Thank you to the Ladies Philoptochos for putting on a wonderful luncheon.

Wednesday 17th August, we celebrated Seniors Week in the Parish Hall. Everybody from different nationalities enjoyed a wonderful luncheon and entertainment. This signified the valuable contribution of Seniors and the unity of all cultures in Australia and within the Greek Orthodox Church.

Saturday 20th August, The Greek School Dance Group per formed traditional cultural Greek Dances at Fogarty Park, the crowd were im-pressed with the Children’s performance. I am so proud of Our Greek Dance Group and I want to thank them for the performance and on behalf of the Parish I would like to thank Irene Treymane for her endless efforts for teaching our children Greek Dancing. Saturday 27th August, the fellowship Group enjoyed a bowling event. The event was well attended and everybody enjoyed themselves. There was also an English Divine Liturgy to celebrate St Fanourios, there was the cutting of the Fanouropitas. Following the Divine Liturgy, the faithful enjoyed a dinner at Jimmy’s Burgers. Sunday 28th August, Our Par ish celebrated the Vespers Service for The Beheading of St John the Forerunner. During the Vespers Service, there was a Litany where the relics of St John the Forerunner were presented. The next morning Father Menelaos officiated the Matins & Divine Liturgy for the Feast Day of the Beheading of St John the Baptist.

Sunday 4th September, Following the Divine Liturgy, there was a Father’s Day Morning tea held in the Parish Hall. It was very well attended. Father Menelaos gave all the fathers a Father’s Day gift and an icon card. The Fathers were grateful for the Father’s Day gifts. God Bless +Fr Menelaos

Upcoming Events. Thursday 20th October 6:30pm English Divine Liturgy to commemorate the Feast Day St Gerasimos. Followed by a dinner at the Red Beret. All Welcome. Saturday 29th October, Fellowship 11:30 am meet at the Par ish Hall. All Welcome. Sunday 30th October, Following the Divine Liturgy, there will be a Doxology service for OXI DAY. There will also be a Greek School Performance and a luncheon to commemorate OXI DAY Celebrations and also for the Feast Day of St Dimitrios. All welcome. Cost: $10 per person. Tuesday 1st November 6:30 pm English Divine Liturgy to commemorate the Feast Day of the Holy Unmercinaries Kosmas and Diamianos. Followed by dinner at Jimmy’s Burgers. All Welcome. Tuesday 15th November, The Lenten Per iod commences for Chr istmas were fish is allowed up to the 15th December. Fish is not allowed on Wednesday’s and Friday’s. For Spiritual Guid-ance please contact your Spiritual Father or Father Menelaos. Saturday 28th November, Fellowship 11:30 am meet at the Par ish Hall. All Welcome. Guidelines for the Nativity Fast. The Nativity Fast is one of the four Canonical Fasting Seasons in the Church year. This is a joyous fast leading to the nativity of Christ. That is the reason it is less strict than other fasting periods. The fast is divided into two periods. The 1st period is November 15th through to December 19th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy and poultry) is observed. However, fish is allowed every day except for Wednesdays and Fridays. The second period is December 20th through to the 24th when traditional fasting is observed (no meat, dairy, fish, wine and oil). The Purpose of fasting. The purpose of fasting is to focus on the things that are above, the Kingdom of God. It is a means of putting virtue in reality, here and now. Through it we are freed from dependence on worldly things. We fast faithfully and in secret, not judging others, and not holding ourselves up as an ex-ample. Fasting in itself is not a means of pleasing God. Fasting is not a punishment for our sins. Nor is fasting a means of suffering and pain to be undertaken as some kind of penitence. We fast to be delivered from carnal passions so that God’s gift of salvation may bear fruits in us. Fasting is from God, for us, right here and right now. Most of all, we should not overwhelm each other, we ask God to keep watch over us. Do not Fast between 25 December and 5th January, even on Wednesdays and Fridays, if you are pregnant or nursing a newborn, during serious illness, without prayer, without alms giving and without guidance from your spiritual father. God Bless + Fr. Menelaos

Dear Parishioners, Our new Elderly Parent Carers Houses are ready for people to move in: Supportive Accommodation Vacancy in Gordonvale. Do you care for someone with a disability? Are you looking for somewhere they can have their own independence with the security of regular contact with others? We are looking for suitable applicants to share a home with up to three other residents. Our homes are recently completed with all modern conveniences, located within sight of Walsh’s Pyramid in beautiful Far North Queensland. Homes are serviced by trained and caring staff and are suitable for people who need a little help and support to live independently in the community. This is not 24/7 supported accommodation. This is a home where you will be provided with supportive assistance. Each home is fully air-conditioned, with spacious bedrooms and plenty of private space. Interested? Phone (07) 4039 9700 and ask for Amanda, our Residential Operational Facilitator; or email Amanda to rof@sjccl.org.au Yours Sincerely Werner Baumeister Disability Services Manager

TUNE IN TO CAIRNS FM 89.1 Greek Programs is on Saturdays between 2-4pm

Get all the Greek Music and National News and loads more.

GUIDE TO FASTING

Fasting is an integral and essential part of Orthodox Christian life. There are 4 major periods of fasting during the year and a number of other days in which Orthodox Christians abstain from meat, dairy products, eggs, fish, wine and oil. Every Wednesday and Friday (with some exceptions) is a fasting day. If a feast day falls on a Wednesday or a Friday the fasting is relaxed as indicated. With the exception of Holy Saturday we never fast from wine and oil on Saturday or Sunday because the Resurrection of Christ is celebrated on these days. Please consult your spiritual father or priest to help you apply these guidelines to your own situation. The Lenten period for Christmas commences on November 15th till December 24th. Fish is allowed from the November 15th till December 20th except Wednesday and Fridays.

Dear Parishioners, Greetings to all of our friends from little people world at Redlynch Day Care Centre, Another busy month with many exciting events, programs and activities underway at the centre. We held our annual bike-a-thon in August with all the children bringing in their little bikes, donning their helmets and completing laps of the little circuit out the front of the church. Children and families collected sponsorship and helped raise funds for centre resources. We also held our sports program, Ready Steady Go each week for children in the Kindy and Preschool rooms. This program is beneficial for children’s development in many ways- including gross motor skills, hand/eye and hand/foot coordination along with supporting emotional wellbeing such as participation and sportsmanship. Our Preschoolers have been joining some of our St John’s elderly groups for regular visits where they participate in arts and crafts, share books and stories and do activities together. This is such a lovely coming together of young and old, with benefits for both. One of our long term staff members, Miss Michelle, reached another exciting milestone in August, reaching her fifteenth year here at the centre. She has been a part of hundreds of children’s early years in that time and is appreciated for her dedication to service. Michelle will receive a special plaque at our end of year celebrations. Until next month, wishing you well and keep smiling!

Tammie Jennings Director/Nominated Supervisor

S P O N S O R S

Thank you To

all our Sponsors

in 2016

CHURCH SERVICES OCTOBER 2016

Sunday 2 2nd SUNDAY OF LUKE 7:30 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy Sunday 9 3rd SUNDAY OF LUKE 7:30 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy Sunday 16 4th SUNDAY OF LUKE 7:30 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy Thursday 20 ST. GERASIMOS OF KEFALONIA 6:30 pm English Divine Liturgy Sunday 23 JAMES, THE BROTHER OF THE LORD 7:30 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy Wednesday 26 GREAT MARTYR DIMITRIOS THE MYRRH-FLOWING 8:00 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy Friday 28 HOLY PROTECTION OF THE THEOTOKOS 8:00 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy Sunday 30 5th SUNDAY OF LUKE 7:30 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy CHURCH LUNCHEON $10.00 ALL WELCOME (Greek School OXI Day Performance)

Β' Γ' ΤΟΥ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΤΟΥ Πεμπτη 20 ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΓΕΡΑΣΙΜΟΥ ΤΗΣ ΚΕΦΑΛΟΝΙΑΣ 6.30 μμ Θεια Λειτουργια στα Αγγλικα Κυριακη 23 ΙΑΚΩΒΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΘΕΟΥ 7:30 μμ ΤερταρτηΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΜΑΡΥΡΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΜΥΡΟΒΛΗΤΟΥ 8.00 πμ Παρασκευη 28 8:00 πμ Ορθρος και Θεια Λειτουργια ΚυριακηΕ’ ΚΥΡΑΙΑΚΗ ΛΟΥΚΑ 73π Ορθρος Και Θεια Λειτουργια CHURCH LUNCHEON $10.00 ALL WELCOME (Greek School OXI Day Performance)

Note: the Orthros (Matins) Service in Greek and English are on the St Gregory Palamas Monastery – eMatins website: http://sgpm.goarch.org/ematins/matins Who ever requires the Parish Priest for blessings at the cemetery contact Father Menelaos on 0415 936 609 Note: St John the Baptist Parish website: www.greekorthodoxparishcairns.org

CHURCH SERVICES

NOVEMBER 2016 6

Tuesday 1 HOLY UNMERCINARIES COSMAS & DAMIAN6:30 pm Divine Liturgy in English Sunday 6 7TH SUNDAY OF LUKE 7:30am Orthros & Divine Liturgy Tuesday 8 SYNAXIS OF THE ARCHANGELS MICHAEL & GABRIEL 8:00 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy Wednesday 9 ST. NEKTARIOS 8:00 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy Sunday 13 8TH SUNDAY OF LUKE 7:30 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy Note: Tuesday 15 FASTING BEGINS FOR CHRISTMAS FISH ALLOWED UP TO THE 15TH OF DECEMBER Sunday 20 9th SUNDAY OF LUKE 7:30 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy Monday 21 PRESENTATION OF THEVIRGIN MARY TO THE TEMPLE 8:00 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy Friday 25 GREAT MARTYR CATHERINE 8:00am Orthros & Divine liturgy Sunday 27 13TH SUNDAY OF LUKE 7:30 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy Wednesday 30 APOSTLE ANDREW 8:00am Orthros & Divine liturgy

Τριτη 1 ‘ΑΓΙΩΝ ΑΝΑΡΓΥΡΩΝ ΚΟΣΜΑ & ΔΑΜΙΑΝΟΥ 6.30 μμ Θεια Λειτουργια στα Αγγλικα Κυριακη 6 Ζ’ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΛΟΥΚΑ 7:30 πμ Ορθρος και Θεια Λειτουργια

Τριτη 8 ΣΥΝΑΞΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΑΡΧΑΓΓΕΛΟΝ 8.00 πμ Ορθρος και Θεια Λειτουργια Τεταρτη 9 ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΝΕΚΤΑΡΙΟΥ 8.00 πμ Ορθρος και Θεια Λειτουργια Κυριακη 13 Η' ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΛΟΥΚΑ 7.30 πμ Ορθρος και Θεια Λειτουργια Note: Tuesday 15 FASTING BEGINS FOR CHRISTMAS FISH ALLOWED UP TO THE 15TH OF DECEMBER Κυριακη 20 Θ’ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΛΟΥΚΑ 7.30 πμ Ορθρος και Θεια Λειτουργια Δευτερα 21 Η ΕΝ ΤΩ ΝΑΩ ΕΙΣΟΔΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΥΠΕΡΑΓΙΑΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ 8.00 πμ Ορθρος και Θεια Λειτουργια. Παρασκευη 25 ΑΙΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΗΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΜΑΡΤΥΡΟΣ 8.00 πμ Ορθρος και Θεια Λειτουργια Κυριακη 27 ΙΓ' ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΛΟΥΚΑ 7:30 πμ Ορθρος και Θεια Λειτουργια Τεταρτη 30 ΑΝΔΡΕΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΠΡΩΤΟΚΛΗΤΟΥ 8.00 πμ Ορθρος και Θεια Λειτουργια

Note: the Orthros (Matins) Service in both Greek and English are on the St Gregory Palamas Monastery – eMatins website: http://sgpm.goarch.org/ematins/matins Please visit our website: www.greekorthodoxparishcairns.org Who ever requires the Parish Priest for blessings at the cemetery contact Father Menelaos on 0415 936 609