the messenger St. George Greek Orthodox Church

SEPTEMBER/October 2013

Editors: Ambrose & Marina Smitherman

Bangor, Maine

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross by Patricia Egan Until the early part of the fourth century, the cross remained a symbol of the Roman empire’s most shameful and cruel execution, not a fit subject for depiction or veneration. But after the Emperor Constantine (remember his vision of the cross at the Milvian Bridge in 312 accompanied by the words “in this sign shalt thou conquer”) outlawed crucifixion and legitimized Christianity, the cross was able to emerge from the shadows to publicly represent the triumph of Christ. In 326, after the mysterious execution of her favorite grandson, followed by that of his stepmother, St. Helen, went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem where she had the temple of Aphrodite, which had been built over the tomb of Christ, torn down. Tradition holds that the smell of basil (vasilikos) led her to nearby Golgotha which she then ordered excavated. Three crosses were found there with two nails and the superscription Pilate had placed over Christ’s cross. By placing paralytics (some traditions say a dying woman) on the crosses, a miraculous cure assured the faithful which one was Christ’s.

What we celebrate every September 14th, the anniversary of the dedication of Constantine’s basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in 335, is the finding and lifting up of the cross for all the world to see and the freedom of Christians to venerate this holy symbol, as well as its 7th century recapture from the Persians who had carried it off in 614 when they conquered Jerusalem. In gratitude for the cross, and in memory of Christ’s suffering and death on it, we fast on this feast just as we do on Good Friday. “How splendid the cross of Chist! It brings life, not death; light, not darkness; Paradise not its loss. It is the wood on which the Lord, like a great warrior, was wounded in hands, feet and side, but healed. Thereby our words: A tree has destroyed us, a tree now brought us life.” – St. Theodore of Studios

Tradition also claims that basil was found twined around the cross or, some say, growing out of it, which is why, on September 14th the cross is often decorated with basil and each parishioner receives a sprig with the antitheron after the Divine Liturgy.

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ST. GEORGE PARISH COUNCIL 2013 Lee Speronis, President……………………942-7822 George Leakos, Vice-President……………989-2166 Kathy Fitzpatrick, Secretary…..………….942-7532 Ambrose Smitherman, Treasurer………... 866-7717 George Brountas………………………...... 989-4987 Kevin Cox…………………………………..667-6257 Christopher Limberis…………………….. 942-9243 Jack Montgomery………………………….945-6022

Dear Fellow Members of the St. George Family, Cool days and brisk nights means autumn has finally arrived and the Folk Festival is behind us! I am happy to announce that we are very likely to attain our budgeted goal for the festival. Cathy and I wish to thank the many special Saint George Parishioners as well as a few amazing friends for a very memorable event. Once again the volunteers at the Saint George Taverna received rave reviews and even hosted the Greek Musicians from Boston, Elatos, one of the featured performers! Cathy and I are very grateful for the love and leadership shown by all the shift leaders and every person who helped at any time from set up through breakdown. Next up: the Greek Dance on November 2nd. This event has become a reserved date now in greater Bangor. Any questions or suggestions about the dance please do not hesitate to contact Cathy or Cynthia Karris, our co-chairs. Remember we NEED your help and cannot succeed unless everyone volunteers. I offer a huge Thank you to our Dance master, Lambros Karris for once again teaching Bangor how to Dance With the Greeks. Sunday School is starting up again and I wish our teachers and students a fabulous and spiritual year. Special Thanks to our long time lead Instructor and Director, Kathy Fitzpatrick who is stepping back this year after many, many years of dedicated service to the children of Our Parish. Our church belongs to you, the parishioners of Saint George and the Parish Council strives to maintain a culture of respect peace, love and order though transparency and humility. Yours in the love of Our Lord, May God Bless All of Us Lee P. Speronis President, Parish Council 2013

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THE YEAR OF GRACE OF THE LORD September 1st – The Church New Year

The Beginning of Repentance By Fr. Costin Popescu – Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Dover, NH Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:11) This powerful and somewhat mysterious and haunting phrase has confronted every generation of listeners and readers for the last three thousand years. It is as if God Himself speaks to us all of a sudden in the middle of the Psalm. We live in a Universe in which everything is in continual motion and transformation. Our lives move so fast that we barely realize when the years go by. And yet behind all this impermanence lies the One Who Is, our Creator, and He beckons us to quiet down and come into His Presence. We might talk about God regularly throughout our life and yet never truly know Him. We fail to see Him because we are only to happy to fill our minds with an idealized image of our own selves, like the Pharisee. I challenge you today to stop your rushing through life, even if for just a brief moment, and allow yourselves to be in God’s presence. As you begin to experience God’s Light, let it shine through the hidden recesses of your being and take an honest look at yourselves. What do we see when we have the courage to look at ourselves? We see that we are very far from what God would want us to be, that we are not quite as appealing and successful as we tend to perceive ourselves. What then? Shall we just ignore this and plunge back into the rapid current of life? There is, fortunately, a better way. The God that we find in stillness is truly a loving God. His Light does not merely expose wounds, but also heals them. All that is needed from us is a sincere recognition of our shortcomings and a willingness to be changed by the grace of Holy Spirit. Only then will we be able to comprehend the appeal of the Lord: “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” As we begin the new ecclesiastical year, let us commit ourselves to this path of repentance and healing. In the words of the holy monastics, let us make a good beginning!

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HAPPENINGS

New Sunday School Year Begins The new Sunday School Year begins with Sunday School Registration on Sunday September 15th. Classes formally begin on the following Sunday, September 22nd. For more information, please contact the church office (945-9588).

Waterville Liturgy Fr. Adam plans to celebrate Divine Liturgy for parishioners in the Waterville-area on Saturday, September 21st, at the Church of the Sacred Heart on Pleasant Street in Waterville. Liturgy begins at 10 a.m. in the chapel next to the main sanctuary. Enter by the parking-lot doors and go up one flight of stairs. Everyone is welcome!

Metropolis of Boston Clergy-Laity Meeting The annual Clergy-Laity meeting for churches in the Metropolis of Boston is on Saturday, October 5th, at the Maliotis Cultural Center on the Campus of Hellenic College in Brookline, MA. For more information, please contact Fr. Adam.

St. George's Salvation Army Ministry On Wednesday, October 16th, it is St. George Church's turn to provide rolls for the noontime meal at the Salvation Army. This bread is generously donated on St. George's behalf by the "Brick Oven Bakery" at 183 Hancock Street in Bangor. Many thanks to them!

Bottle Redemption Fund Raiser St. George Church has a redemption “account” at Broadway Redemption and Beverage Center, 490 Broadway, in Bangor. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven-days-a-week, the redemption center is right next to Tri-City Pizza. Bottles do not need to be counted. Just ask the clerk to put the bottles on the “St. George Church account.” It’s easy, and all proceeds go to St. George Church!

Talks on "Patristics" Resume Fr. Adam continues his series of talks on "Patristics," the great teachers of the Orthodox Faith, every Tuesday evening, beginning October 1st, through November 12th. Claudia Lowd is once again graciously hosting the gatherings at her home, 42 Mill Street in Orono. We have already learned about, among others, Saints Irenaeus and Polykarp, and there are lots more yet to come, so please join Father for these interesting presentations and discussions. For more information, contact Fr. Adam at 947-4709.

Dancing With the Greeks St. George's fun and festive Autumn Greek Dance is scheduled for the first Saturday in November, November 2nd, from 7 to 11 p.m. Thanks to Cathy Speronis, Cynthia Karris, and the Dance Committee, it will be held at the same hall as in the past few years, Wellman Commons in Bangor. With thanks to Lambros Karris, dance practices are scheduled for the four Wednesdays preceding the Dance. Practice will meet downstairs at church from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The first practice is on Wednesday, October 9th. Everyone is welcome!

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MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sponsored Coffee Hours Two Sunday Coffee Hours have been scheduled to be sponsored so far: On September 22nd by Dora & Miltiades Klimis-Zacas and on October 6th by Claudia & Alex Seviciu. Thanks to both families for hosting on these days!

Please keep these people in your prayers: Maria & Gene Muller, Chip Fitzpatrick, Barry Levine, Christian Meyer, Elizabeth Markowsky, Sophia Wirta, Brian Page, Kyvele St. Peter, Eleni Nawfel, Kosta Shanos, Glenna Louridas, Chris Limberis, Jason Nicholas Anovich, Theodosia Kelley, Mary Limberis, Marianna DeJesus, Stefania, Kay Gaddis, Nancy Lowd, Bill Conway, Yelena Aleksyeva, Augie's father August, Nadia Winters, Quentan Fabiano, Electra Giatrelis, Helen Speronis, Alyce Speronis, Aristea Halkedis, Gene Lachner, Lourdes Wellington, Lisa Henderson, Ussi, and for all the Christians who are struggling in the world.

College Scholarships The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation is offering scholarship awards to all undergraduate students of Hellenic descent. They are available to students of high scholarship achievement and to provide support to those in financial need. For more information visit www.panhellenicscholarships.org

Please note: One of the workshops offered will be about our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s Environmental Symposia to study the state of water around the world. This workshop will be facilitated by Kyriacos and Emily Markides.

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We Give Thanks! Sincere thanks to all who worked towards the success of this year's Greek Taverna at the American Folk Festival! It was the best weather ever, and a very good year for St. George's food booth, too. Much appreciation to the Spanakopeta Bakers, to the Booth Set-Up and Take-Down Crews, to Susan Jonason, the Volunteer Coordinator, and to all the wonderful Booth Volunteers who make working the booth so much fun year after year, and a most special "Thank You!" to Co-Chairs Lee & Cathy Speronis who do sooo much! Opa!

The Messenger Vol. 12 Issue 9/10 7

TA NEA (The News)

Greetings from Brian & Paula Page: "Please extend our love to everyone at St. George and best wishes for a terrific, "dry" festival!!! Love, Paula & Brian." Thanks, you two! Your wishes came true!

Recent Wedding Fr. Adam had the joy of blessing the marriage of George and Sharon (Cyr) Leakos at St. George Church on Saturday, September 7th. George and Sharon's sponsors are David and Donna Walter. Arthur Brountas, George's uncle, walked Sharon down the aisle, and the chantor was Lambros Karris, who had had the honor of performing their civil ceremony in Greece. Sharon's mother and sisters, along with many other relatives, were in attendance. Very best wishes to George, Sharon, and their families! Na Zisete

Recent Deaths Katina Minelli, mother of John Heretakis, owner of Dexter House of Pizza, passed away on July 10th, in Massachusetts. Mrs. Minelli has been at St. George often over the years for family baptisms and other celebrations. In keeping, her funeral was at St. George on Monday, July 15th, with Fr. Ted Toppses of Holy Trinity in Lewiston, assisted by Fr. Christopher Moody of Holyoke, MA, conducting the service. Sincere sympathy to the Heretakis, Bonatakis, and Kisamitakis families. Sophia Wirta's dear cousin, Shirley Dimas, passed away after a courageous struggle with cancer, on August 2nd, in Chicago. She was 61 years old. Sophie has always been close to her Chicago cousins and has fond memories of babysitting Shirley when Sophie visited Chicago when she was 18 years old. Our hearts and prayers are with you, Sophie. Patty & Bert Michaud have lost several beloved family members over this past summer: Patty lost Pam Connors and Jonathan Tsoulas. Both were her first cousins on the Tsoulas side of the family. Cousin Jonathan passed away in Florida on August 15th, at the age of 54. "Jonny" was born in Bangor and grew up at St. George Church. A memorial was held for him in Bangor on August 30th, and he now rests with his mother and other Tsoulas family members at Mt. Hope Cemetery. On September 3rd, Bert lost his sister, Michelle Guimond. She passed away in Lewiston. May God be close to you both with comfort and strength for you and your families. In early September, Susan Jonason’s brother Robert Dyer passed away in Portland after an extended illness. Our sincere sympathy to Susan, Leo, and their family. +May their memory be eternal+

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Daily Bible Readings September & October 2013 1. John 21:1-14 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 4:16-22 2. 2 Corinthians 2:3-15 Matthew 23:13-22 3. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17; 3:1-3 Matthew 23:23-28 4. 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 Matthew 23:29-39 5. 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 Matthew 23:29-39 6. Hebrews 2:2-10 Luke 10:16-21 7. 1 Corinthians 2:6-9 Matthew 10:37-42, 11:1 8. Luke 1:39-49, 56 Galatians 6:11-18 John 3:13-17 9. Galatians 4:22-27 Luke 8:16-21

10.  2 Corinthians 5:15-21 John 3:16-21 11. 2 Corinthians 6:11-16 John 12:19-36 12. 2 Corinthians 7:1-10 John 11:47-54 13. Hebrews 3:1-4 John 12:25-36 14. John 12:28-36 1 Corinthians 1:18-24 John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30 15. Matthew 28:16-20 Galatians 2:16-20 Mark 8:34-38; 9:1 16. 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Luke 7:36-50 17. 2 Corinthians 8:16-24; 9:1-5 Luke 3:23-38, 4:1 18. 2 Corinthians 9:12-15; 10:1-7 Luke 4:1-15

19. 2 Corinthians 10:7-18 Luke 4:16-22 20. Ephesians 6:10-17 Luke 21:12-19 21. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 2:1-5 John 8:21-30 22. Mark 16:1-8 1 Corinthians 16:13-24 Luke 5:1-11 23. Galatians 4:22-27 Luke 1:5-25 24. 2 Timothy 3:10-15 Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28 25. 2 Corinthians 13:3-13 Luke 5:33-39 26. John 21:14-25 1 John 4:12-19 John 19:25-27; 21:24-25 27. Galatians 2:6-10 Luke 6:17-23

1. Acts 9:10-19 Luke 6:37-45 2. 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 6:46-49, 7:1 3. Acts 17:16-34 Luke 7:17-30 4. Galatians 4:8-21 Luke 7:31-35 5. 1 Corinthians 4:17-21; 5:1-5 Luke 5:27-32 6. 2 Corinthians 4:6-15 Luke 7:11-16 7. Galatians 4:28-31; 5:1-10 Luke 7:36-50 8. Galatians 5:11-21 Luke 8:1-3 9. 1 Corinthians 4:9-16 Matthew 9:36-38; 10:1-8

10. Ephesians 1:1-9 Luke 9:7-11 11. Acts 8:26-39 Luke 9:12-18 12. 1 Corinthians 10:23-28 Luke 6:1-10 13. Titus 3:8-15 Luke 8:5-15 14. Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:1-3 Luke 9:18-22 15. Ephesians 2:19-22; 3:1-7 Luke 9:23-27 16. Ephesians 3:8-21 Matthew 27:33-54 17. Romans 9:18-33 Luke 9:49-56 18. Colossians 4:5-11, 14-18 Luke 10:16-21

19. Acts 2:14-21 Luke 7:1-10 20. 2 Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1 Luke 8:26-39 21. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 Luke 10:22-24 22. Ephesians 5:20-25 Luke 11:1-10 23. Galatians 1:11-19 Matthew 13:54-58 24. Ephesians 5:33; 6:1-9 Luke 11:14-23 25. Ephesians 6:18-24 Luke 11:23-26 26. Luke 21:12-19 2 Timothy 2:1-10 John 15:17-27; 16:1-2

27. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 Luke 8:41-56 28. Luke 1:39-49, 56 Hebrews 9:1-7 Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28 29. Philippians 1:8-14 Luke 11:34-41 30. Philippians 1:12-20 Luke 11:42-46 31. Philippians 1:20-27 Luke 11:47-54; 12:1

28. 2 Corinthians 4:6-15 Luke 6:17-23 29. Mark 16:9-20 2 Corinthians 1:21-24; 2:1-4 Luke 6:31-36 30. 1 Corinthians 16:13-24 Matthew 24:42-47

The  Messenger  Vol.  12  Issue  9/10   10  

STEWARDSHIP REPORT�

Stewardship Status Report (as of June 9, 2013) Number of Stewards: 77�Stewardship Target: $50,000 Stewardship Gifts Pledged: $47,800 Stewardship Gifts Rec’d: $31,000 Outstanding: $16,800�

The Pledge Committee would like to thank everyone for their support. If you have not filled out your 2013 pledge form yet, please do so at your earliest convenience.

Aloupis, Angela; Aloupis, Vance; Alling, Charlene; Andreescu, Astrid; Angel, Eleni; Aretakis, Jonathan & Ann Cannizzaro; Bennett, Artemis & Charles; Blejeru, Radu & Monika; Bonstedt, Steve & Ana; Brountas, Arthur & Maria; Brountas, George & Kim; Brountas, Helen; Brountas, Peter; Chornyak, J&C; Brown, Cole; Cox, Callie; Cox, John & Debra; Cox, Kevin & Sherri; Cox, Thomas & Cathy; Duddy, Athena & Bill; Egan, Patricia; Eleftheriou, Dr. & Mrs. Basil; Fitzpatrick, Chip & Kathy; Flanzala, Paul & Maria; George, Nick & Grace; Gianibas, Dina; Gregory, Kostas & Sue; Karagiannes, Mr. & Mrs. Christos; Karris, Lambros & Cynthia; Luck, Chris & Neia; Kelley, Michael & Karen; Kelley, Phyllis; Kesaris, Nick & Callie; Kesaris, Nick & Sue; Konstantakos, Anastasios; Konstantakos, Konstantin & Zoe; Konstantakos, Tazos; Kulikowsky, Timothy & Allison; Leakos, George & Sharon; Limberis, Chris & Nancy; Louridas, Peter & Glenna; Lowd, Claudia; Markides, Kyriacos & Emily; Markowsky, Elizabeth; Mendros, F&J; Metropoulos, Fr. Adam & Lisa; Michaud, Bert & Patty; Mihalopoulos, John & Eleni; Montgomery, Jack & Hopie; Muller, Eugene & Maria; Nawfel, Michael & Delores; Nawfel, Sam & Bonnie; Page, Brian & Paula; Pangakis, Jerry; Paul, Georgia; Pearce, Bryan & Aphrodite; Petridis, Christos & Vasiliki; Petrikas, George; Rees, Penny; Rozos, John; Rusu, Bogdan; St. Peter, Kyvele; Selmer-Larsen, Johan & Joan; Seviciu, Alex & Claudia; Shaw, Alan & Joan; Skoufis, Mrs. Peter; Smitherman, Ambrose & Marina; Speronis, Lee & Cathy; Spofford, John & Koula; Spofford, Nikki; Stanley, Anna; Vafiades, Scott & Domenica; Vardamis, Alex & Frances; Walter, Dave & Donna; Wells, Joe & Olga; Wirta, Sophia; Klimis-Zacas, Miltiades & Dora

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 9 am

Orthros with

Liturgy

following for

13th Sunday of

Matthew

Ecclesiastical

New Year

2 3 4 5 6 7

NO

GREAT

VESPERS

8 9 am

Orthros with

Liturgy

following for

Sunday before

Holy Cross

Nativity of the

Theotokos

9 10

11 12 13 14 9 am

Orthros with

Liturgy

following for

Elevation of

the Holy Cross No Great

Vespers

15 9 am

Orthros with

Liturgy

following for

Sunday after

Holy Cross

16 17

18 19 20 21 10 am

Liturgy in

Waterville

NO GREAT

VESPERS

22 9 am

Orthros with

Liturgy

following for

1st Sunday of

Luke

23 24

25 26 27 28

6 pm Great

Vespers

29 9 am

Orthros with

Liturgy

following for

2nd Sunday

of Luke

30 October 1

6pm

Patristics

October 2

October 3 October 4 October 5

Metropolis of

Boston Clergy

Laity

NO GREAT

VESPERS

October 6

9 am Orthros

with Liturgy

following for

3rd Sunday of

Luke

October 7 October 8

6pm

Patristics

October 9

Greek Dance

Practice 7 pm

to 8:30 pm

October 10 October 11 October 12

NO GREAT

VESPERS

SEPTEMBER 2013

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

6pm

Patristics

2

3 4 5

Metropolis of

Boston Clergy

Laity

NO GREAT

VESPERS

6 9 am

Orthros with

Liturgy

following for

3rd Sunday of

Luke

7 8

6pm

Patristics

9

Greek Dance

Practice 7 pm

to 8:30 pm

10 11 12

NO GREAT

VESPERS

13 9 am

Orthros with

Liturgy

following for

4th Sunday of

Luke

14 15

6pm

Patristics

16

Greek Dance

Practice 7 pm

to 8:30 pm

17

5: 30 pm

Vesperal

Divine

Liturgy for

Saint Luke

18 19

NO GREAT

VESPERS

20 9 am

Orthros with

Liturgy

following for

6thSunday of

Luke

21 22

6pm

Patristics

23

Greek Dance

Practice 7 pm

to 8:30 pm

24 25

Great

Vespers in

SACO, ME

For their

feast of Saint

Demetrios

26 9 am

Orthros with

Liturgy

following for

Saint

Demetrios

No Great

Vespers

27 9 am

Orthros with

Liturgy

following for

7thSunday of

Luke

28 29

6pm

Patristics

30

Greek Dance

Practice 7 pm

to 8:30 pm

31 5 pm

Vesperal

Liturgy for

Sts Kosmas

and Damian

Harvest Party

afterwards

November 1 November 2

GREEK

DANCE

7 pm to 11 pm

NO GREAT

VESPERS

November 3

9 am Orthros

with Liturgy

following for

5th Sunday of

Luke

November 4 November 5

6pm

Patristics

November 6 November 7

5:30 pm

Vesperal

Divine Liturgy

for the Synaxis

of the

Heavenly

Hosts

November 8 November 9

6 pm GREAT

VESPERS

OCTOBER 2013

ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH    90 Sanford Street Bangor, Maine 04401 Rev. Fr. Adam Metropoulos Church Phone: (207) 945-9588 Parish Home Tel: (207) 947-4709 Email: stgeorgebangorme1@myfairpoint.net Website: www.stgeorge.me.goarch.org

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2013 Patrons of the Messenger

Anna P. Stanley

Scott & Domenica Vafiades

Angela Aloupis

Bruce & Connie Long