Volume 3 Issue 27 THE LIGHT SUMMER EDITION 2013Volume 3 Issue 27 THE LIGHT SUMMER EDITION 2013 The...
Transcript of Volume 3 Issue 27 THE LIGHT SUMMER EDITION 2013Volume 3 Issue 27 THE LIGHT SUMMER EDITION 2013 The...
THE LIGHT SUMMER EDITION 2013 Volume 3 Issue 27
The Nativity of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church 12326 Spotswood Furnace Road Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-548-2665 www.nativity.va.goarch.org Office Email - [email protected]
FROM THE DESK OF FATHER JOHN
This guide is meant for personal reflection, not as a means of
judging others. Keep in mind that there are different traditions
even among the Orthodox faithful. We come to church to pray
and worship God above all else, and that should be our only
focus.
Church Etiquette
The Holy Orthodox Church is perhaps one of the last social
institutions where dignity, protocol, respect, and reverence are
maintained. This is primarily because when we come to the
church and its services we are entering the Kingdom of God
on earth, His habitation, and we choose to honor this sacred
place by our attentiveness to what is proper and ordered. We
have the opportunity to reflect the image of Christ within us by
our actions. “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9).
Entering the Church
The Orthodox Divine Liturgy begins when the priest intones,
“Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Spirit.” We need to arrive early enough to receive this
blessing. Arriving later causes a distraction for others who
are praying. If an occasional problem occurs and you have
to come in late, enter the church reverently and quietly. The
times in which you must stay in the back of the church, or
the narthex, before entering include: when the Little or Great
Entrance is taking place, when the priest is censing the icons
and congregation or giving the homily, and when the Epistle or
Gospel is being read. If you are unsure when is the best time to
enter the church, ask one of the ushers for guidance.
We come to the church on time, as if to a great banquet,
and with reverence, because we are partaking of the very Body
and Blood of Christ, our Savior. Coming to Orthros or Matins
before the Divine Liturgy will ensure that you will be settled in
plenty of time to pray without distraction.
Standing in Church
It is the custom of some Orthodox Christians to stand
throughout the Divine Liturgy, as well as during other services.
If you choose to stand in a church that has pews, please do so
near the back or sides so that the view of the altar is not blocked
for those who are seated. If you are accustomed to sitting during
the Divine Liturgy, remember to stand at these times: when
the Liturgy begins and the priest gives the blessing; during the
Little and Great Entrances; when the priest is censing the icons
and congregation; during the Gospel reading;
at the anaphora, for Holy Communion; and at the final Bless-
ing. Whenever a hierarch is visiting the parish, out of respect
follow his example and stand and sit when he does.
Lighting of Candles
It is a pious Orthodox tradition to light candles for personal
petitions and intercessions when entering the church. Most
parishes have designated candle stands or holders for these
candles.
It is not proper to light candles at certain times during the
service—generally the same times when you should not enter
the church, such as during the Little and Great Entrances,
when the priest is censing the icons and congregation or giv-
ing the homily, or during the reading of the Epistle or Gospel.
The candles should be allowed to burn all the way down
without being extinguished early, since the burning candle
symbolizes our prayers rising to heaven and the light of
Christ in our midst. Please do not allow young children to
light candles alone, for safety reasons. It is customary to make
a donation for each candle.
Venerating Icons
The Orthodox Church teaches that it is proper to venerate, not
worship, icons. The acceptable way to do this is to kiss either
the hands or feet of the saint depicted in the icon, or the scroll,
the Gospel book, or the hand cross a saint is holding, Please
do not wear lipstick when kissing the icons since the residue
will ruin them.
Additional Pious Customs
• Crossing oneself—It is always appropriate to cross
oneself at the mention of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit; whenever entering or leaving the church; at the
beginning of the Liturgy; when passing in front of the altar;
when venerating an icon, the Gospel, or the cross; and at
times or personal petitions.
It is not necessary to cross oneself when the priest is giving
a blessing or censing the congregation. Instead, one should
bow to receive the blessing.
• Bowing—Orthodox Christians bow when the Theotokos
and Christ are petitioned. They also bow to the priest at
his blessing, and when he asks forgiveness before the Great
Entrance and again before Holy Communion.
See Father, page 7
P a g e 2 T h e L i g h t
Father John C. Katsoulis, Parish Priest 540-645-1427 [email protected] FATHER’S OFFICE HOURS—TUESDAY—FRIDAY 9 A.M.—3 P.M. OTHER HOURS BY APPOINTMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE: [email protected] TREASURER: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.nativity.va.goarch.org FACEBOOK: NTGOC Friends
PARISH COUNCIL PHILOPTOCHOS AHEPA Carl Fulmore, President Maria Yiasemides, President John Manolis, President Dr. Bill Kaltsounis, Vice President Dr. Paul Fallon, Secretary SUNDAY SCHOOL GOYA Jim Malamas, Treasurer Yvonne Rigopoulos, Director Christine Fulmore, Advisor Maxine Calamos, Assistant Treasurer Anthony Hatzis FUND RAISING COMMITTEE DANCE Dennis Makrinos Judy Marrs, Chair Danny Kartoudi, Judy Marrs Kiki Georges Chrysoula Brickey STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE BUILDING/MAINTENANCE CHOIR Michael Euripides, Chair Harry Yiasemides, Chair Mary Moody
SACRAMENTS IN MAY
MEMORIALS Anna, beloved mother of Nitsa Kakavoyannis
Athanasios and Athanasia Kalomatis, beloved parents of Jane Kalomatis Moore
PASTORAL GUIDELINES
WEDDING Marriages are not performed on fast days, during fasting seasons, or on the feasts of the church,
specifically September 14 (Exaltation of the Holy Cross), December 13-25 (Nativity), January 5 & 6
(Theophany), Great Lent and Holy Week, Pascha (Easter), Pentecost, August 1-15 (Dormition Fast and
Feast), and August 29 ( Beheading of St. John the Baptist) Exceptions can only be made with the permission
of the respective hierarch.
BAPTISM A person who wishes to sponsor a candidate for Baptism or Christmation must be an Orthodox
Christian in good standing and a supporting member of an Orthodox parish. A person may not serve as a god-
parent if the Church has not blessed his or her marriage, or, if civilly divorced, he or she has not been granted
an ecclesiastical divorce, or for any other reason he or she is not in communion with the Orthodox Church.
Baptisms may not be performed from Christmas Day through the Feast of Theophany (December 25-January
6), during Holy Week, or any of the Great feast days of the Lord.
FUNERAL Funeral services are permitted on any day of the year, except for Sundays, and Holy Friday, un-
less permission is granted by the Archbishop or Metropolitan. MEMORIAL Memorial services may not be chanted from the Saturday of Lazarus through the Sunday of
Thomas, or any Feast days of the Lord or the Theotokos.
THE LIGHT PAGE 3
JUNE/JULY/AUGUST CALENDAR
SUMMER HOURS BEGIN JUNE 9TH
Sunday Orthos will begin at 8:30 A.M. Liturgy will begin at approximately 9:30A.M.
SCHEDULE OF WEEK DAY DIVINE SERVICES FOR SUMMER 2013
June 13 9 A.M. Divine Liturgy for the Holy Ascension June 22 10 A.M. Divine Liturgy for the Saturday of the Souls July 20 10 A.M. Divine Liturgy for the Prophet Elias July 27 10 A.M. Divine Liturgy for St. Panteleimon August 1 7 P.M. Great Paraclesis August 2 7 P.M. Small Paraclesis August 6 9 A.M. Divine Liturgy for Holy Transfiguration August 7 7 P.M. Small Paraclesis August 8 7 P.M. Great Paraclesis August 9 7 P.M. Small Paraclesis August 12 7 P.M. Small Paraclesis August 13 7 P.M. Great Paraclesis August 14 TBA Great Vespers in Winchester, VA August 15 9 A.M. Divine Liturgy for the Dormition of the Theotokos August 29 9 A.M. Divine Liturgy for the Beheading of St. John the Baptist
Sunday, September 1, return to normal Sunday hours.
ADMINISTRATIVE CALENDAR
June 8 All Day Fencers June 13 7 P.M. An Evening with Nia Vardalos June 15 10 A.M. Ironwood Auctions June 17 7 P.M. PC Mtg. July 7–13 JOY week at Camp Good Shepherd July 12 & 13 Hall Rental July 14—20 GOYA week at Camp Good Shepherd/Father out of office July 21-27 GOYA week 2 at Camp Good Shepherd August 8 7 P.M. FRC Mtg. August 24 Noon Crab Feast
NOTE: The parish bookstore will be open immediately following Divine Liturgy each
Sunday. Please stop by to see the new Icons available for order.
A N E V E N I N G WI T H
N I A V A R D A L O S
$20 Adults $10 Children under 12
Www.nativity.va.goarch.org paypal JUNE 13 AT 7 P.M. BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE NOT INCLUDED IN TICKET PRICE
Nativity of the Theotokos Greek Church
12326 Spotswood Furnace Rd., Fredericksburg, VA
MEET & GREET
$100 per person
INCLUDES TICKET, BOOK, PIC W/ NIA,
6:30—7 P.M.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
www.nativity.va.goarch.org
Use paypal
B O O K S I G N I N G A U T H O R O F
I N S T A N T M O M W R I T E R & S T A R M Y B I G F A T
G R E E K W E D D I N G
Some families are created in different ways but are still, in every way, a family. Writer and star of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Nia Vardalos firmly believed she was supposed to be a mom, but Mother Nature and modern medicine had put her in a headlock. So she made a choice that shocked friends, family, and even herself: with only fourteen hours' notice, she adopted a preschooler. Instant Mom is Vardalos's hilarious and poignant true chronicle of trying to become a mother while fielding nosy "frenemies" and Hollywood reporters asking, "Any baby news?" With her signa-ture wit and candor, she describes her and husband Ian Gomez's bumpy road to parenting, how they found their daughter, and what happened next. Vardalos includes a comprehensive how-to-adopt section and explores innovative ways to conquer the challenges all new moms face, from sleep to personal grooming. She learns that whether via biology, relationship, or adoption—motherhood comes in many forms.
THE LIGHT PAGE 5
STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE CARD
HONOR ROLL
Shown below is a list of families & individuals who
are participating in The Nativity of the Theotokos
Stewardship Program as of May 28, 2013. We would
like to thank all of these families and individuals for
responding to the needs of our parish.
If you have turned in a stewardship card, and
your name does not appear below,
please see Jim Malamas or
Maxine Calamos.
Fr. John & Pres. Stacy Katsoulis
Ladies Philoptochos Society
Kyriacos & Yiannoulla Adamou
Richard & Angela Beamer
Michael & Orneila Bizhuti
Mary Booth
Nancy Costas Breckenridge
Kevin & Chrysoula Brickey
Maxine N. Calamos
Mike & Angelina Campbell
Costas & Sophia Constantine
Markella Countouroudas
Leonard Cowherd
Victoria Dobrescu
Michael & Evanthia Euripides
Paul & Hannah Fallon
Helen Frazier
Carl & Christine Fulmore
Kiki Georges
Julia Getsos
Jimmy & Katherine Giannopoulos
Theofilos Giannopoulos
Pauline Gorton
Thomas Harris
Anthony & Kai Hatzis
Phillip & Monica Hicks
Bill & Stella Kaltsounis
George & Georgia Kapataidakis
Voula Kapataidakis
Kosta & Chryse Kartoudi
Helen Katsarelis
George & Chrissy Katsourakis
Michael Kavros
Maria Kipreos
Dennis & Anthoula Makrinos
James & Koula Malamas
John & Maria Manolis
Peter & Jennifer Margaros
Judy & Brad Marrs
Cynthia & Daniel Miller
David & Mary Moody
Phil & Jane Moore
Robert & Barbara Morrison
Basil & Dorothy Nosal
Elena ODonaghue
Aslanis Pappas
George & Sarah Parent
Georgia Pournaras
Emanuel & Sophia Psaras
Mitchell & Georgia Raftellis
Chris & Yvonne Rigopoulos
Nicholas & Melissa Roman
Steve Salagaras
Gamal & Verilee Salama
Halina Schreckinger
Demetrios Serakos
Wayne & Liz Skinner
James & Christine Smith
Alin & Andrea Son
Mary Stram
Carrie K. Swann
Stefan & Nikki Theodore
Georgia Liakakis Tidler
Vassilios & Eleni Troupos
Bill & Sandy Winkler
John & Ellen Xydias
Harry & Maria Yiasemides
Paul & Martha Ziegenfuss
Hristos & Lambrini Zourzoukis
CONGRATULATIONS
TO OUR GRADUATES!
Alexis Blais Yanni Karellas
Despina Giannopoulos
Thomas Lozier
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24,
NOON—5 P.M. GATE OPENS AT 11 A.M
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PAGE 7 THE LIGHT
From Father, page 1
It is traditional for the Orthodox faithful to bow and cross them-
selves when they enter and leave the church, and when they
pray before the icons.
• Kneeling—In some Orthodox traditions there are times
when kneeling is a pious practice in the Liturgy, the most
notable being at the Consecration of the Holy Gifts. However,
kneeling is prohibited during the Paschal season, from Pascha
to Pentecost, in honor of the Resurrection.
• Touching the priest’s vestments—It is a tradition in some
parishes to touch the hem of the priest’s vestment or phelonion
as he passes by in the Great Entrance with the Holy Gifts. This
custom imitates the woman who was healed by touching the
hem of Christ’s robe. When touching the hem of the priest’s
phelonion, one should be careful not to step in front of the
procession, to pull or tug on the garment, or to push anyone
away.
Special Considerations During Liturgy
• Refrain from socializing during the Liturgy. Save your
greetings and conversations for the fellowship hall. We are in
the Liturgy to greet God with our prayers and worship, not to
distract others.
• Cell phones and texting are never allowed in the
church. If you have a professional reason to carry a phone for
emergencies, keep it on mute, not vibrate, and sit near the exit
so that leaving for an emergency will not be a distraction to
others. Otherwise, turn off your phone before entering the
sanctuary.
• Refrain from reserving seats. Allow others to sit as they
come into the church, and especially make room for visitors so
they will feel welcome.
• Lipstick—Do not wear lipstick while taking Holy
Communion, or when kissing the cross, an icon, the priest’s or
bishop’s hand, or any sacred object. It is best not to wear it at
all in the church, because of the damage it causes.
• Leg crossing—One should not be too casual in the Divine
Liturgy. People from some cultures are offended by the cross-
ing of legs or by arms thrown back over the pew. Keeping your
feet on the ground also enables you to remain attentive and to
stand when necessary.
Receiving the Antidoron, Holy Bread
When receiving the antidoron after Holy Communion or
after venerating the cross at the end of Divine Liturgy, do not
allow the crumbs to drop, since this is blessed bread. Children
will need assistance so that they do not take too many pieces,
and so they are not careless in handling the bread. After
returning to your seat, you may eat the holy bread as you say
the prayers after Holy Communion silently while others are
communing.
Children in Church
Christ said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not
forbid them; for such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew
19:14 ). It is possible for young children to remain in church
throughout a service if they are taught to be quiet and
respectful. Many parishes have cry rooms or nurseries for
those who are too small to be quiet throughout the whole
Liturgy. Please be respectful to those around you if your
child becomes fussy or out of control, and remove him from
the nave of the church quickly. If a very young child needs
a snack, please clear away any leftover pieces. However, the
child should not have anything in his mouth when he comes
to Holy Communion. It is not acceptable at any time to chew
gum in church. It is never appropriate to allow a child to run
down the aisles, play loudly, or carry toys that make noise.
Eventually, children will be able to spend longer times in the
Liturgy. That is where they should be, but remember the reason
for coming to church is to pray and worship. Plan to have your
children use the restroom and get a drink before church begins,
and don’t allow them to come and go continually.
Consider bringing your children into the church at a time
when the Liturgy is finished to “practice” church behavior.
Teach them that they are visiting God’s very special house, and
they will need to have very special manners there.
Leaving Church
The respectful protocol is to leave the church only after the
final blessing, and after kissing or venerating the cross held by
the priest at the end of the Divine Liturgy. It is not acceptable
to be in the church hall, kitchen, or an administrative office
during Liturgy. Some parishes have church school at the end
of the Liturgy. This is the only exception allowed. Those who
leave early deprive themselves of a blessing. After walking to
the back of the nave of the church, it is customary to face the
altar, bow, and make the sign of the cross.
Greeting the Priest and Bishop
In our modern culture, we greet one another with a handshake.
The exception to this is when we greet a member of the clergy.
We do not shake a bishop’s or priest’s hand; we kiss it with
reverence and ask for a blessing. The proper way to do this is
to approach the hierarch or priest with right hand over left,
palms facing up, and then bow while saying, “Master, bless” to
the hierarch, or “Father, bless” to the priest. If either places his
hand in yours while blessing you, this is an appropriate time to
kiss his hand. We kiss his hand because we are honoring Christ,
whom he represents.
Church Clothing
Whenever we are preparing to come to church, we should
remember that we will be entering the House of God. This
requires that we dress modestly and with reverence. Generally
this will mean that we want to wear our best clothing. At
any age it is not appropriate to wear shorts, pants that are
too casual, short skirts, tight-fitting or transparent garments,
garments with low necklines, or strapless tops. Some Orthodox
traditions require women to wear dresses or skirts with covered
shoulders and backs. Although men are not required to wear
a suit and tie, they will want to make an effort to dress as if
they were going to an important event. Clothing with logos or
printed material distracts others from praying. Some women
have the pious tradition of covering their heads. Men and boys
must remove their hats when entering the church.
What could be a more important meeting than that with
God Himself? The purpose in choosing our clothing wisely is
that we model what is important to us by how we dress.
Above all: “In all things give glory to God.”
From A Guide to Parish Etiquette, by Department Director Khouria Maggie Hock