sunday bulletin - Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church

October 12, 2014
Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
Symeon the New Theologian?Provos, Andronicus & Tarachos
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ENTRANCE HYMNS
Resurrectional Apolytikion - Tou Lithou Sfrayisthentos (?The Stone Had Been Sealed?)
The Jews had sealed the stone that was set before Your Tomb and around Your Grave soldiers guarded
Your Pure and Sacred Body, yet Savior You arose the third day and granted to the world Your gift of Life.
For this do the powers of Heaven acclaim You the Life bestower. Glory to Your Resurrection and glory to
Your Kingdom. Glory to Your dispensation, O only Friend of man.
Apolytikion for the Fathers ? Iperdhedhoxasmenos I, Christe (?Supremely blessed are You, O Christ?)
Supremely blessed are You, O Christ our God. You established the holy Fathers upon the earth as beacons,
and through them You have guided us all to the true Faith, O greatly merciful One, glory be to You.
Apolytikion of St. Sophia/Ss. Faith, Hope & Agape
Greek
OР ЕКАъА ЙАТэ ЙАЯПОР АМЕБКэСТГСАР, щМ ТАъР АМКАъР ТОУ йУЯъОУ, сОЖъА ЛэЯТУР СЕЛМч, ЙАъ ПЯОСчЦАЦЕР
вЯИСТЧ ЙАЯПЭМ Г ДЩТАТОМ, ТОЩР ТчР МГДЩОР СОУ БКАСТОЩР, Дъ А ЦЧМЫМ ЕЩАЦЫМ, аЦэПГМ ТЕ ЙАъ `еКПъДА СЩМ
ТГ ХЕЭЖЯОМИ пъСТЕИ, ЛЕХЫМ ДУСЧПЕИ УПщЯ ПэМТЫМ чЛЫМ.
English
As an olive tree laden with fruit you sprouted forth, in the courtyards of the Lord, Sophia martyr dignified, and
you brought to Christ a fruit most sweet, Namely your womb╒s own sprouts, brought up by instructive deeds:
your daughters Faith and Hope, along with God-minded Love; together intercede with God for us all.
English Phonetics for Greek
Os elea kata karpos anevlastisas, en tes avles tu Kyriou Sofia martys semni, ke prosigages Christo karpon
idytaton, tus tis nidyos su vlastus, di╒ agonon evagon, Agapin te ke Elpida, syn ti theofroni Pisti; meth╒ on
dysopi yper pandon imon.
Seasonal Kontakion ? Prostasia ton Christianon (?O unfailing protection of Christians?)
O unfailing protection of Christians, and our faithful advocate before the Creator: though we are sinners, do
not ignore our entreaty; but in your goodness, grant your timely help to us who appeal to you in faith. Quickly
make intercession; on our behalf make speedy supplication, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who
honor you.
EPISTLE READING
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.
TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have
believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and
profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the
law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or
twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is
self-condemned.
When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have
decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their
way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as
to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you
all. Amen.
?МэЦМЫСИР ?ПИСТОК?Р
пЯ?Р тъТОМ 3:8-15
е?КОЦГТ?Р Е?, йЩЯИЕ, ? хЕ?Р Т?М пАТщЯЫМ ?Л?М.
сТъВ. ?ТИ ДъЙАИОР Е? ?П? П?СИМ, О?Р ?ПОъГСАР ?Л?М.
пИСТ?Р ? К?ЦОР, ЙА? ПЕЯ? ТО?ТЫМ БО?КОЛА? СЕ ДИАБЕБАИО?СХАИ, ?МА ЖЯОМТ?ФЫСИМ ЙАК?М ?ЯЦЫМ
ПЯО?СТАСХАИ О? ПЕПИСТЕУЙ?ТЕР ХЕ?. ТА?Т? ?СТИМ ЙАК? ЙА? ?Ж?КИЛА ТО?Р ?МХЯ?ПОИР ? ЛЫЯ?Р Д?
ФГТ?СЕИР ЙА? ЦЕМЕАКОЦ?АР ЙА? ?ЯИМ ЙА? Л?ВАР МОЛИЙ?Р ПЕЯИ?СТАСО, Е?С?М Ц?Я ?МЫЖЕКЕ?Р ЙА?
Л?ТАИОИ. АИ?ЕТИЙ?М ?МХЯЫПОМ ЛЕТ? Л?АМ ЙА? ДЕУТ?ЯАМ МОУХЕС?АМ ПАЯАИТО?, Е?Д?Р ?ТИ ?Н?СТЯАПТАИ
? ТОИО?ТОР ЙА? ?ЛАЯТ?МЕИ, ?М А?ТОЙАТ?ЙЯИТОР. ?ТАМ П?ЛЬЫ ?ЯТЕЛ?М ПЯ?Р С? ? тУВИЙ?М,
СПО?ДАСОМ ?КХЕ?М ПЯ?Р ЛЕ Е?Р мИЙ?ПОКИМ, ?ЙЕ? Ц?Я Й?ЙЯИЙА ПАЯАВЕИЛ?САИ. фГМ?М Т?М МОЛИЙ?М
ЙА? ?ПОКК?М СПОУДА?ЫР ПЯ?ПЕЛЬОМ, ?МА ЛГД?М А?ТО?Р КЕ?П?. ЛАМХАМ?ТЫСАМ Д? ЙА? О? ?Л?ТЕЯОИ
ЙАК?М ?ЯЦЫМ ПЯО?СТАСХАИ Е?Р Т?Р ?МАЦЙА?АР ВЯЕ?АР, ?МА Л? ?СИМ ?ЙАЯПОИ. ?СП?ФОМТА? СЕ О?
ЛЕТ ??ЛО? П?МТЕР. ?СПАСАИ ТО?Р ЖИКО?МТАР ?Л?Р ?М П?СТЕИ. ? В?ЯИР ЛЕТ? П?МТЫМ ?Л?М.
GOSPEL READING
The Reading is from the Gospel of Luke 8:5-15
The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along
the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock;
and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and
the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a
hundredfold." And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has
been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that
seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed
is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and
takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the
rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they
believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they
are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and
pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who,
hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." As he
said these things, he cried out "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
CALLING ALL COLLEGE STUDENTS!
The 2014/15 PanHellenic Scholarship Application is Here!
The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation is proud to announce that its 2014/15 application is
now available for eligible Greek American college students to apply. On June 20, 2015, the
Foundation will distribute $250,000 in scholarship awards to 40 deserving undergraduates,
as follows:
?
?
Twenty (20) Awards of $10,000 based on academic achievement and financial
need
Twenty (20) Awards of $2,500 based solely on academic achievement
To apply, visit www.panhellenicscholarships.org to download the application or call
312-357-6432. Application deadline is January 31, 2015.
еVацц?киом
йАТ? кОУЙ?М 8.5-15
е?ПЕМ ? йЩЯИОР ТчМ ПАЯАБОК?М ТАЩТГМ╥ ?Н?КХЕМ ? СПЕъЯЫМ ТО? СПЕ?ЯАИ Т?М СПЭЯОМ А?ТО?. ЙА?
?М Т? СПЕъЯЕИМ А?Т?М ? Л?М ?ПЕСЕ ПАЯ? Т?М ?ДЭМ, ЙА? ЙАТЕПАТчХГ, ЙА? Т? ПЕТЕИМ? ТО? О?ЯАМО?
ЙАТщЖАЦЕМ А?ТЭ╥ ЙА? ?ТЕЯОМ ?ПЕСЕМ ?П? Т?М ПщТЯАМ, ЙА? ЖУ?М ?НГЯэМХГ ДИ? Т? Л? ?ВЕИМ ?ЙЛэДА╥
ЙА? ?ТЕЯОМ ?ПЕСЕМ ?М ЛщС? Т?М ?ЙАМХ?М, ЙА? СУЛЖУЕ?САИ А? ?ЙАМХАИ ?ПщПМИНАМ А?ТЭ. ЙА?
?ТЕЯОМ ?ПЕСЕМ Е?Р Т?М Ц?М Т?М ?ЦАХчМ, ЙА? ЖУ?М ?ПОъГСЕ ЙАЯП?М ЙАТОМТАПКАСъОМА. ТА?ТА КщЦЫМ
?ЖЧМЕИ╥ ? ?ВЫМ ?ТА ?ЙОЩЕИМ ?ЙОУщТЫ. ?еПГЯЧТЫМ Д? А?Т?М О? ЛАХГТА? А?ТО? КщЦОМТЕР╥ ТъР Е?Г ?
ПАЯАБОК? А?ТГ; ? Д? Е?ПЕМ╥ ?Л?М ДщДОТАИ ЦМ?МАИ Т? ЛУСТчЯИА Т?Р БАСИКЕъАР ТО? хЕО?, ТО?Р Д?
КОИПО?Р ?М ПАЯАБОКА?Р, ?МА БКщПОМТЕР Л? БКщПЫСИ ЙА? ?ЙОЩОМТЕР Л? СУМИ?СИМ. ?СТИ Д? А?ТГ ?
ПАЯАБОКч╥ ? СПЭЯОР ?СТ?М ? КЭЦОР ТО? хЕО?╥ О? Д? ПАЯ? Т?М ?ДЭМ Е?СИМ О? ?ЙОЩСАМТЕР, Е?ТА
?ЯВЕТАИ ? ДИэБОКОР ЙА? А?ЯЕИ Т?М КЭЦОМ ?П? Т?Р ЙАЯДъАР А?Т?М, ?МА Л? ПИСТЕЩСАМТЕР СЫХ?СИМ.
О? Д? ?П? Т?Р ПщТЯАР О? ?ТАМ ?ЙОЩСЫСИ, ЛЕТ? ВАЯ?Р ДщВОМТАИ Т?М КЭЦОМ, ЙА? О?ТОИ ?ъФАМ О?Й
?ВОУСИМ, О? ПЯ?Р ЙАИЯ?М ПИСТЕЩОУСИ ЙА? ?М ЙАИЯ? ПЕИЯАСЛО? ?ЖъСТАМТАИ. Т? Д? Е?Р Т?Р ?ЙэМХАР
ПЕСЭМ, О?ТОъ Е?СИМ О? ?ЙОЩСАМТЕР, ЙА? ?П? ЛЕЯИЛМ?М ЙА? ПКОЩТОУ ЙА? ?ДОМ?М ТО? БъОУ
ПОЯЕУЭЛЕМОИ СУЛПМъЦОМТАИ ЙА? О? ТЕКЕСЖОЯО?СИ. Т? Д? ?М Т? ЙАК? Ц?, О?ТОъ Е?СИМ О?ТИМЕР ?М
ЙАЯДъ? ЙАК? ЙА? ?ЦАХ? ?ЙОЩСАМТЕР Т?М КЭЦОМ ЙАТщВОУСИ ЙА? ЙАЯПОЖОЯО?СИМ ?М ?ПОЛОМ?. ТА?ТА
КщЦЫМ ?ЖЧМЕИ╥ ? ?ВЫМ ?ТА ?ЙОЩЕИМ ?ЙОУщТЫ.
Philoptochos ?Old Fashioned Bake Sale?
Our Ladies╒ Philoptochos will be participating in St. Sophia's Craft Show again this year with the theme of
"Old Fashioned Bake Sale". This event is a great opportunity for you to help Philoptochos on your
schedule. We are looking for baked goods to sell at the craft show on November 7-9. There's one
catch...the sweets cannot be any of the delicious pastries that our sisters make each year for our festivals
and craft show. So, that means, NO baklava, galaktoboureko, fenikia, kourambiedes, paximadia,
koulourakia or tsoureki. Other than these few items, the options are unlimited! Please contact Cathy
Zarcone (610-687-2735) to let her know what you are planning to make and drop off.
Building Committee Update
October 12, 2014
While many of our stewards and friends have been on vacation, many people vacationing in this area came
to St. Sophia over this past summer. Our church is truly a shining beacon of our faith. And we have become
a regional landmark as well! She should always remember to give thanks for our beautiful church and how
much has been accomplished. Of course, no matter how much has been accomplished, the work to continue
our progress goes on.
The second phase of our iconography project has been completed. These include the icons of the Icon
Screen, the Pulpit, the Bishop╒s throne, and the large murals on the western wall. Many of the icons and
artifact items are still available for sponsorship; please ask any member of the Parish Council or Fr. Peter if
you wish to help and/or commemorate a loved one.
The installation of the two mosaic medallions in the Narthex (entryway) and on the Solea in front of the altar
has been completed, and they are just beautiful. In the Narthex, the floor medallion shows two peacocks
drinking from a fountain. Peacocks were symbols of eternal life in the early Church. On the Solea, we
installed the double headed eagle, the symbol of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the traditional symbol of
the Byzantine Empire.
In other exciting news, we recently ordered the new Narthex furnishings which will be carved by S.
Kavroulakis Company of Chania, Crete; the same firm that carved our beautiful icon screen and other
artifacts. It will take a few months for the artisans to complete their task and so we can expect delivery
sometime in early February of 2015. Many of these items are available for sponsorship.
On the chart below you can see the progress on our mortgage. If you still have an outstanding balance on
your building pledge or can make a new pledge, please pay the amounts due to help your church reduce its
debts.
St. Sophia Church Mortgage
The current mortgage balance as of as of 9/29/2014 is $1,429,598.92
Stewardship Update
October 12, 2014
On September 1st we marked the start the new Ecclesiastical year. Summer is over, kids are back to school
and people are returning from their vacations. As we begin the ?new year?, now is a most appropriate time to
make sure we return to church (for those we haven╒t seen during the summer months). Also, as we gear up
for the very busy fall, it is important to make sure we keep God in our schedules. Not just holy days and
Sundays, but every day of the week
To be considered a true steward of our faith, we need to LIVE the faith. True Stewardship begins with giving
of our time-especially by attending services regularly?as well as volunteering (sharing our talents). God has
blessed us all with many talents. We have many ministries that could use yours! There is always much to do.
Your service is much appreciated!
For those of us with children, we also need to make sure they become active in the faith as well and learn
that our faith is even more important than fall sports!! Please register your children for Sunday school if
you have not already.
We would like to thank everyone who has supported our parish thus far in 2014 with your Time, Talent and
Treasure. This has been a record breaking year for our parish based on the number of stewards,
involvement in our many ministries and financially. We have many new families this year; it is great to see
some many new faces become involved with the spiritual life of our community!
If you have not yet become a steward for 2014, there is still time! Cards are available at the Pangari, in the
Hall or by calling the Parish office at 610-650-8960. God Bless you!
2013
(Year End)
2014
(10/10/14)
Pledge Unit Goal
230
240
Pledge $ Goal
$200,000
$210,000
Number of Pledges
223
197
Amount Pledged
$210,485
$205,101
Average Pledge
$943.88
$1041.12
New Stewards
46
22
October 12, 2014
Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
Symeon the New Theologian?Provos, Andronicus & Tarachos
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Coffee Hour: Today╒s coffee hour is sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. John and Lynn Pogas.
Decorating for PTO Costume Party: This afternoon after coffee hour the PTO will be decorating the hall for
the Costume Party this Saturday. All help is welcome and would be most appreciated!
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Monday, Oct 13th
Tuesday, Oct 14th
Wed, Oct 15th
Thurs, Oct 16th
Friday, Oct 17th
Saturday, Oct. 18th
9:00 am to 1:00 pm ? Craft Fair Baking ? Koulourakia/Paximadia
9:00 am to 1:00 pm ? Craft Fair Baking ? Koulourakia/Paximadia
9:00 am to 1:00 pm ? Craft Fair Baking ? Koulourakia/Paximadia
10:00 am to 12 noon ? Senior Parea Meeting
7:00 pm ? Great Vespers of Feast day of St. Luke @ St. Luke, Broomall
10:00 am ? Divine Liturgy ? Feast Day of St. Luke @ St. Luke, Broomall
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm ? PTO Costume Party
SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS
Thurs, Oct 16th
Sat, Oct. 18
Sat, Oct 18th
Tues, Oct 21st
Sun, Oct 26th
Tues, Oct 28th
10 am to 12 noon ? Senior Parea Meeting
Feast day of St. Luke ? To be celebrated at St. Luke, Broomall
PTO Costume Party ? 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm ? Donation $7.00
7:00 pm ? Adult Bible Study
Fall General Assembly Meeting ? after Divine Liturgy
5th Annual Metropolitan Evangelos Ambassador Awards Program
9:00 am Orthros; 10:00 am Divine Liturgy ? Holy Protection of the Theotokos
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Update on Fr. Peter: Fr. Peter continues to heal at home several weeks after his automobile accident. He
is working very hard with his physical therapy. He misses our parishioners and sends his love to everyone.
Fr. Peter looks forward to returning to his pastoral duties here at St. Sophia Church as soon as he is
able. Fr. Peter and his family would like to thank everyone for their concern and continued prayers. Keep
sending cards, emails or best wishes to Fr. Peter in care of the Parish office.
You can follow Fr. Peter╒s progress by visiting the CaringBridge site. CaringBridge is a caring social network
to help people stay connected with family and friends during a health event. You can visit Fr. Peter╒s site to
stay updated and share messages of encouragement and compassion in the Guestbook. Visit online at:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/frpeterthornberg Site Name: frpeterthornberg
In Case of Emergency: If you are having an extreme medical emergency and are in need of an Orthodox
priest, please call the Parish office at 610-650-8960.
Pastoral Visits - A Request to All Parishioners: If you desire a pastoral visit in case of a hospitalization,
or for someone who is homebound, in a nursing facility, or in prison, please have an immediate family
member notify the Parish office at 610-650-8960 so that a visit can be arranged.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Senior Citizen Ministry: St. Sophia╒s Senior Parea is open to all senior citizens of the community.
After a summer break, the next meeting of the Senior Parea will be this Thursday, October 16th in the
Cultural Center from 10:00 am to 12 noon.
Movie Tavern Tickets: This is the fabulous movie theater in town that offers first run movies as well as an
"in-house" dining experience. The Ladies╒ Philoptochos is selling discounted MOVIE TAVERN movie tickets
for $8.50 each. They can be used on any day and even for new releases. For more information, or
to purchase tickets, contact Maria or Kathy Tsipras. For showtimes visit www.movietavern.com.
For GIANT shoppers: We have enrolled in their Gift Card Program and the gift cards are on sale during
coffee hour. If you are interested, please see Alexis Witt.
SHOP-RITE Register Tapes: Don╒t forget to save your Shop-Rite register tapes. We can only
use receipts from any of the ten Brown╒s stores located in: Bensalem PA, East Norriton, PA, Fairless Hills
PA, Cheltenham, PA and in Philadelphia, PA, on Island Ave., Oregon Ave., 52nd & Parkside, Haverford Ave.,
and Ridge Ave. in the Roxborough section. They also have one store in Brooklawn, NJ. The drop off box is
located in the lobby of the Cultural Center. Please submit receipts timely, only tapes from within 4 months of
the transaction date are accepted.
REDNER╒S Register Tapes: We are now collecting Redner╒s Market register tapes. Remember
to use your Pump Perks card when making purchases. The drop off box is located in the lobby
of the Cultural Center.
Children╒s Choir: Children╒s choir practices take place on Sundays after Holy Communion. Children╒s
Choir performances will be held on the first Sunday of each month (11/2, 12/7, 1/4, 2/1, 3/1, etc.) Children
should arrive at 9:45 am on those Sundays for a quick practice in the Cry/Bride room. Also, the Christmas
Pageant will be on Christmas Eve again. Practices will be held during Sunday school. Dress rehearsals
will be held after church on 12/7, 12/14 and 12/21. Permission slips will be distributed to the students. All
children need to hand in a signed permission slip in order to be permitted to participate in the pageant.
AHEPA ?Basket-of-Cheer? Raffle: The Valley Forge Chapter of the Order of AHEPA will be holding a
?Basket of Cheer? raffle on Sunday, November 16, 2014. Tickets are $5 for an arm╒s length and are being
sold in the back of the hall on Sundays. Winners need not be present to win. Proceeds will benefit AHEPA
Chapter 432, to help further the chapter╒s mission to support the St. Sophia Community and promote Greek
culture and education. Please see Socratis Tsipras, Tom Novitski or any AHEPA member to purchase
tickets.
PTO Fall Costume Party: This year╒s Fall Costume Party will take place this Saturday, October 18th, from
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Join us for Food, Fun and Games! Admission is $7.00.