July/August 2014 - Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church

Saint
Katherine
www.saint-katherines.org
3149 Glen Carlyn Road
Falls Church, VA 22041
DOXA
The monthly newsletter of
Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church
Volume 12, Number 7-8
JULY/AUGUST 2014
THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAMILY: A DWELLING
OF CHRIST AND WITNESS OF HIS HOLY GOSPEL
THE TITLE OF THIS ARTICLE is the theme of our 42nd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress, being held this month within our Holy Metropolis in the city of brotherly love,
Philadelphia.
The use of the word “family” is often interpreted as a social unit consisting of parents and their children, dwelling as a group. Well, some dictionaries now also define
family as any group of persons closely related by blood, parents, children, uncles,
aunts and cousins, and also all those persons considered as descendants of a common
progenitor.
The case then can be made for us as Orthodox Christians that it is not our last/sur
name that identifies us as family, but Jesus Christ, as our common Father. We are
brothers and sisters in Christ. Therefore, the theme of “Orthodox Christian Family”
includes those who are single, too.
Archbishop Demetrios writes, “For this year’s Congress, our theme will continue
our focus on strengthening the family. Our theme is The Orthodox Christian Family:
A Dwelling of Christ and a Witness of His Gospel. This theme is based on the prayer offered by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians—For this reason I bow
my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is
named (Ephesians 3:15).
This proclamation affirms that God is the source and identity of the family. He
created us in His divine image and likeness. He also created the family. As we live
in a time when family as an institution is frequently attacked, such a statement is
vital. The history of divine revelation as presented in the Holy Scriptures is filled
with references to the family. From the creation of the human race with the first
family—Adam, Eve, Cain, and Abel—to the origins of the Hebrew people with
Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Jacob, and their descendants, family becomes the
context for God’s divine work. Family is also essential in the fulfillment of His divine plan in the Incarnation of Christ. Our Lord was born into a family, and He
spent thirty years with His family in Nazareth before starting His three years of public ministry.
The role of the family in the history of God,s revelation to humankind is joined in
Holy Scripture by many passages that present the identity and ideals of what God
intended the family to be. In the book of Proverbs and the deuterocanonical books of
the Wisdom of Solomon and the Wisdom of Sirach, we are offered guidance on the
qualities of family life. Further, many counsels presuppose a family environment. In
the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses family relationships in several of his
Epistles, offering guidance to husbands and wives, parents and children, and emphasizing the priority of love, commitment, and faith.
All of this together offers a strong, biblical foundation for our emphasis on the
family as Church or kat’oikon ekklesia (Romans 16:5, Colossians 4:15). This con(Continued on page 14, column 2)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE . . .
All Around the Town ...........12
Bookstore .........................11
Book Review ...................... 6
Calendars ........................8-9
Church Duty Roster ............12
Daughters of Penelope .........11
Dormition of the Theotokos .... 3
GRACE ...........................10
Graduates .........................13
Greek Article ..................... 6
Hellenic Education Center ...... 5
Mission and Outreach ..........10
Parish Council .................... 3
Philoptochos......................11
Prison Ministry ................... 4
Registry ............................ 7
Stewardship ......................14
Support our Parishioners ...15-16
. . . AND MORE!
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey
Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church
www.saint-katherines.org
3149 Glen Carlyn Road
Falls Church, VA 22041
703-671-1515 phone
703-671-1385 facsimile
CLERGY
Rev. Protopresbyter Konstantinos A. Pavlakos, Proistamenos
Rev. Presbyter Panagiotis Hanley, Assistant Priest
STAFF
Assistant Financial Officer
Choir Director
Hellenic Education Center Director
Information Technology
Protopsalti
Secretary/Teacher
PARISH COUNCIL
President, Jim Stoucker
Vice President, Maria Wills
Secretary, Bill Polizos
Treasurer, Maria Vargas
Kelly Alexis
Andrea Ballard
Chris Christou
Dr. John Demakis
Artemis Dimopoulos
Peter Karounos
Nick Larigakis
703-909-2256
703-250-5419
703-533-0055
703-319-1610
703-723-3619
703-321-3009
703-909-9078
SCHOOLS AND STUDIES
Bible Study (Saturdays)
Bible Study (Sundays)
Catechetical (Sunday) School, Adult
Catechetical (Sunday) School, Youth
Women’s Book Club
MINISTRIES
Acolytes
AHEPA #438 (P. Derzis)
Bookstore
Book Reviews
Daughters of Penelope Helle #283
DOXA
Facebook
GOYA (ages 13-18)
GRACE
Greek Dance
Greek School Auxiliary
Hellenic Education Center
HOPE (ages 7 and under)
JOY (ages 8-12)
Listserv (email list)
Missions and Outreach
OCF (College Ministry)
Philoptochos
Prison
Safeway eScrip
Single Parent Fellowship
Website
YAL (Young Adult League)
cell 571-213-1109, home 703-239-2627
cell 571-421-6595
Anna Vassilopoulos
John Doulis
Presv. Eleni Alexopoulou
Theodoros Theocharis
James Loizou
Sophia Tsangali
703-671-1515
703-899-4131
703-671-7715
703-671-1515
703-356-8220
703-671-1515
703-690-1050
703-948-7950
571-434-7790
703-812-0286
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Anastasios Galatis and Daniel McKinney
Angelo Toutsi, President
Frances Kalavritinos, Manager
Gregory McKinney, Contributor
Karen Polizos, President
Presv. Pauline Pavlakos, Editor
Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church
Christina Kosmakos, President
Fr. Costa Pavlakos, Spiritual Advisor
Aris and Anna Yortzidis, Instructors
Martha Lampros, President
Greek School and Paideia Preschool
Toula Christou, Director
Tina Papamichael, Director
Presv. Pauline Pavlakos, Administrator
Dr. John Demakis, Chairman
Fr. Costa Pavlakos, Spiritual Advisor
Eleni Kanakos, President
Dennis Garbis
Elvira Garnett, Coordinator
Andrea Katsenes, Coordinator
Presv. Pauline Pavlakos, Webmaster
TBD
[email protected]
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[email protected]
Costas Mavromatakis
Mallamo Mavromatakis
George Moshos
Bill Porter
Pierre Tavoularis
Daphne Vaccarello
Gregory McKinney
Bill Polizos
Bill Polizos
George Charuhas, Principal
Fay Mpras
[email protected]
[email protected]
571-344-3634
703-830-0224
202-409-2302
703-901-2404
703-573-6235
703-830-0892
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
571-338-6929
571-434-7790
571-434-7790
703-999-2109
703-865-5776
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
703-281-0843
703-671-1515
571-338-6929
571-434-7790
703-239-2627
Gregory McKinney
571-271-6411
703-671-1515
757-218-6991
703-536-4860
703-671-7715
703-533-0055
703-536-4711
703-239-2627
703-319-1610
703-671-1515
703-938-8360
202-437-7299
703-425-3675
[email protected]
703-239-2627
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http://www.stkhec.org
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FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT
EACH YEAR, AT THE END OF EACH FESTIVAL, it’s appropriate to reflect on all our many blessings and to thank those who
are responsible for our success. The singular efforts of our Festival chairman, George Moshos, are again to be commended. Thank you George...each year you dive in and do a fabulous job! It is difficult to name all those responsible for our
festival’s success, but I would especially like to thank stalwarts like Andrea Ballard, Eleni Kanakos, Mary Varlas, Pete
Chambers, John Andre, John Agnos, George Moraitis, John Gouvis, and Pantelis Firippis. Everyone who participated as
a volunteer in our festival can take a measure of justifiable pride in its success. Please know all of you have our undying
gratitude and we rely on your involvement for our continued success.
As we approach the school year’s end and long awaited summertime vacations, I want to express my gratitude to the
educators of our community. Kudos to Gregory McKinney and Bill Polizos for their wonderful Bible Study programs on
Saturdays and Sundays respectively. My thanks to George Charuhas, our Catechetical School Director, and all our teachers for continuing their tradition of excellence by furthering our children’s religious education each Sunday. I also wish to
take this opportunity to congratulate Eleni Alexopoulou, the Director of our Hellenic Education Center, for providing
strong leadership and influence during the inaugural year of HEC operation. I especially want to thank all of our teachers, in both our Paideia preschool and Greek language school alike, for their singular efforts in educating our children
and enhancing their appreciation of our language, culture, history, and faith. I made the case long ago that the Hellenic
Education Center offered one of the greatest bargains anywhere and that has certainly proven to be the case this year.
Indeed, we are very blessed with exceptional teachers at all levels of our schools and I can think of no better example to
amplify this than to relate a story about a recent encounter with one of our teachers and her students that had a tremendous impact on me.
During our recent festival, as I was carrying supplies to one of our booths, I had occasion to bump into Mrs. Evangelia
Dimitropoulou, who had her entire Greek School class in tow. “Mr. Stoucker, excuse me, but could you tell me how
much you’re being paid?” The look on my face must have been priceless and she repeated, “How much are you being
paid to work at our festival?” Of course, I realized what she was doing and responded that I, along with everyone else
working at the festival, was a volunteer supporting our Church and community. As we discussed the entire concept of
volunteerism and why we gladly worked for the benefit of others, I could immediately see that the message was resonating with her students. I was impressed and grateful for this educator’s efforts to broaden her students’ understanding of
life within their community. Congratulations, Evangelia, for a job well done and showing your students that their community is also a distinct part of their classroom!
On behalf of our Parish Council, I wish you all a happy, healthy and safe summer season.
Your Servant in Christ,
President, Parish Council
P.S. I began this article by thanking all those involved in our festival’s success. The sheer number of people involved
occasionally results in the inadvertent omission of someone's efforts and such was the case when I neglected to mention
Dina Gadonas as one of the ladies who generously baked for our recent Easter picnic. Thank you Dina and all those who
work on behalf of our community.
THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS
CONCERNING THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS, this is what the Church has received from ancient times from the tradition of the Fathers. When the
time drew nigh that our Savior was well-pleased to take His Mother to Himself, He declared unto her through an Angel that three days hence, He would
translate her from this temporal life to eternity and bliss. On hearing this, she went up with haste to the Mount of Olives, where she prayed continuously.
Giving thanks to God, she returned to her house and prepared whatever was necessary for her burial. While these things were taking place, clouds
caught up the Apostles from the ends of the earth, where each one happened to be preaching, and brought them at once to the house of the Mother of
God, who informed them of the cause of their sudden gathering. As a mother, she consoled them in their affliction as was meet, and then raised her
hands to Heaven and prayed for the peace of the world. She blessed the Apostles, and, reclining upon her bed with seemliness, gave up her all-holy
spirit into the hands of her Son and God.
With reverence and many lights, and chanting burial hymns, the Apostles took up that God-receiving body and brought it to the sepulchre, while the
Angels from Heaven chanted with them, and sent forth her who is higher than the Cherubim. But one Jew, moved by malice, audaciously stretched forth
his hand upon the bed and immediately received from divine judgment the wages of his audacity. Those daring hands were severed by an invisible blow.
But when he repented and asked forgiveness, his hands were restored. When they had reached the place called Gethsemane, they buried there with
honor the all-immaculate body of the Theotokos, which was the source of Life. But on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, and
raised up the artos (bread) in Jesus' Name, as was their custom, the Theotokos appeared in the air, saying "Rejoice" to them. From this they learned
concerning the bodily translation of the Theotokos into the Heavens. These things has the Church received from the traditions of the Fathers, who have
composed many hymns out of reverence, to the glory of the Mother of our God (see October 3 and 4).
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PRISON MINISTRY
ON APRIL 10-13, 2014, I had the opportunity to accompany about 30 men in a prison ministry sponsored by
KAIROS Prison Ministry International (KAIROS =
GOD’s special time). The ministry is non-denominational
and Christ centered. The members of the KAIROS Team
come from all walks of life. There were doctors, lawyers,
engineers, ex-offenders, ex-drug users, plus members of
the clergy. There were many retirees from the military.
There were Catholics, Protestants, Episcopalians, Methodists, and one Greek Orthodox.
The ministry was conducted at the Greensville Correctional Center (GRCC), Jarratt, Virginia. The GRCC is a
medium security facility within the Virginia Department of
Corrections and is comprised of about 1,400 offenders.
KAIROS Prison Ministry has been in existence since the
1970s and has developed an excellent program that has the
highest rate of non recidivism.
Prior to admittance into a facility, at least 30 hours (3
Saturdays) of KAIROS training is required in addition to
training and background checks by the Virginia Department of Corrections. Each KAIROS team member was
required to bring 100 dozen (1,200) homemade (not store
bought) cookies to be used during the 4-day event. It was
encouraged to obtain family, friends, and church members
to assist in the making of the cookies. Additionally each
team member was required to hand write a letter to each
offender (42 participants) that was to take part of the 4-day
event.
The cookies are an integral part of the KAIROS program
because the residents never get anything sweet. In fact, the
food is barely suitable for consumption so the opportunity
to eat something sweet is a treat, but the opportunity to eat
all the cookies you want is beyond description.
The letters have an impact because most have never received a single letter and the receipt of 30 letters from
every team member is so overwhelming that most are
brought to tears. Some offenders confided that since the
beginning of their incarceration they had never received
one letter and had never had one visitor. (In one case, an
offender had been at GRCC for 30 years.)
The program emphasizes GOD’s unconditional love,
GOD’s forgiveness, GOD’s mercy, and salvation that
Christ’s death and resurrection bring.
The limitations of space do not allow me to fully describe the events of the four-day encounter. But, I can tell
everyone that it was one of the most awesome events of
my life. I would also add that I shed more tears during
those 4 days than I had shed the previous 25 years. It is a
moving experience to witness the acceptance of GOD’s
grace as one seeks forgiveness.
If one wants to jumpstart their spiritual life then I highly
recommend involvement in a prison ministry. You will
never be the same again.
I would be glad to further discuss the details of the
weekend to anyone who is interested. Feel free to communicate with me at [email protected] or 202-4377299 at anytime.
In Christ’s Service,
Dennis Garbis
Note: I, Fr. Costa, am grateful to Dennis for helping to
lead our newest ministry at Saint Katherine—the Prison
Ministry. This gives every one of us a way to co-op with
KAIROS Prison Ministry and visit Christ (“I was in prison
and you visited me . . . [Matthew 25-39]).”
Mr. Garbis has volunteered to meet with any interested
individuals or groups that would like to participate in prison ministry. You may contact him or me. We will have
more information in the next DOXA, as well as a meeting
date in September.
Η ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ
ΤΟ ΚΑΛΟΚΑΙΡΙ ΕΦΤΑΣΕ! Ο κάθε ένας μας εκτός από τις καθημερινές υποχρεώσεις του καλοκαιριού ας μην ξεχνάει και τις πνευματικές
του υποχρεώσεις. Η Πίστη στον Χριστό μάς στηρίζει και μας δίνει ζωή. Μόνο κοντά στον Χριστό μπορούμε να ξεδιψάσουμε. Ο
Χριστός μάς προσφέρει το Ζωντανό νερό! Μην ξεχνάμε τα λόγια Του. "Αυτός που πιστεύει σε Μένα θα γίνει ποταμός που θα τρέχει,
θα ποτίζει και θα δροσίζει την ανθρωπότητα".
Η αξία της Θείας Λειτουργίας δεν συγκρίνεται με τίποτα. Είναι η πιο μεγαλειώδης προσευχή της Εκκλησίας. Είναι μοναδική,
ανεπανάληπτη και αναντικατάστατη. Αυτό που βρίσκουμε στην Θεία Λειτουργία δεν μπορούμε να το βρούμε πουθενά αλλού:
Ο ουρανός στην γή! Ο Χριστός ανάμεσά μας! Η αληθινή λατρεία! Η τέλεια δοξολογία! Το αληθινό φώς!!
Η Θεία Λειτουργία επιδρά αποτελεσματικά πάνω στον άνθρωπο, τον γαληνεύει, τον φωτίζει και τον αγιάζει. Υψώνει τον νού πάνω
από τα καθημερινά και βιωτικά ζητήματα. Βοηθάει να ξεπεράσουμε το φόβο και την απελπισία του θανάτου. Μας δυναμώνει να
αντιμετωπίσουμε τις δοκιμασίες και τις αντιξοότητες που συναντάμε στην ζωή. Διαποτίζει ολόκληρη τη ζωή μας με αναστάσιμη ελπίδα
και χαρά. Μας χαρίζει την χάρη του Αγίου Πνεύματος. Ο Θεός έρχεται και κατοικεί μέσα μας!!
Σύμφωνα με τον ρώσο στοχαστή και λογοτέχνη Νικαλάι Γκόγκολ αν δεν υπήρχε η Θεία Λειτουργία ο κόσμος θα γέμιζε από
περισσότερους απελπισμένους ανθρώπους, από μεγαλύτερο αριθμό των αυτοκτονούντων, οι φυλακές θα γέμιζαν από περισσότερους
εγκληματίες. Η νεολαία θα πλησίαζε περισσότερο τα ναρκωτικά, την διαφθορά, την αναρχία, τον μηδενισμό και την εγκληματικότητα.
Η θεία Λειτουργία θυμίζει και εμφυτεύει στον άνθρωπο την άγια και ουράνια χριστιανική αγάπη!!
Θεέ μου, οδήγησε εμάς και τα παιδιά μας αυτό το καλοκαίρι αλλά και σε όλη μας την ζωή στον δικό Σου δρόμο.
Καλό καλοκαίρι!!
Αμήν.
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HELLENIC EDUCATION CENTER
Eleni Alexopoulou
THIS YEAR HAS BEEN AMAZING and a lot of fun for Paideia Preschool. Let me share some of the “funny” moments. Also,
please remember that Paideia Preschool enrolls students year round ages 2-5.
From Ms. Evi’s and Kiki’s class (Ladybugs, 2 year olds):
The other day we were in the hallway and one of the students pointed out the bouzouki that is encased on the wall. The
student shouted, “Look, it’s a guitar!” Using this as a good leaning moment, Kyria Kiki praised him for realizing that it
was an instrument, but said, “Good job! It is an instrument, but it is not a guitar, it’s a bouzouki.” The student was insisting that it was a guitar, when another student, who is not of Greek descent, turned around and responded with, “No!!
It’s not a guitar! It’s a zouki!”
From Ms. Vicky’s and Ms. Saba’s class (Bumble Bees, 3 year olds):
One day, Ms. Vicky heard the children as they were going up the slide to say to each other “Σκουλήκι” (worm). In
the beginning, she thought that the kids saw a worm, but then she heard Angelo saying to the kids, “Say skouliki”. That
is when she realized that this was the password for anybody who wanted to go up the slide. Free play gives the students
the opportunity to use their imagination and develop their social skills.
It is morning and Stratis’s mom keeps telling him that it is time to wash his face and get ready for school. So she tells
him, “You need to wash the eye boogers off your face in order to go to school” to which Stratis replied, “Does Ms.
Vicky wash her eye boogers off her face in the morning before she comes to school?”
Panagioti was frustrated because his class had to leave the playground and go back inside. So, he told Ms. Vicky, “I
am going to leave and go to Greece and you will be looking for me, but you will not be able to find me”.
Around circle time Ms. Saba was talking with the class about the different professions and how each person is a big
helper with what they do. When she asked “What do you call the person that collects the trash?” they responded with,
“Trashman.”
From Ms. Evangelia’s class (Owls, 3 year olds):
Stefanos was trying to teach his mom how to say “Μέλισσα’’, the word for bee in Greek. While his mom was trying
really hard, he finally told her, “Mom, I don’t think you have a Greek mouth.” It is amazing how soon the students realize that there are different accents.
Rick and his mom are out to dinner and he said, “Mom, the chef (he really meant the waiter) is Greek. His mom
asked, “How do you know?” He said, “Hola.” In Greek Όλα means everything! Another time as they were leaving the
school he saw two latino workers and greeted them in Greek, “Γεια σας.’’
Student: “Miss Kiki. I want to be Elsa when I grow-up.”
Miss Kiki: “That’s wonderful! You want to be a teacher like Kyria Elsa?’’
Student: “No! Not Kyria Elsa, QUEEN Elsa from Frozen,’’ (a Disney movie).
From Ms. Elsa’s class (Stars, 4 year olds):
One day Ms. MaryAnn was wearing long pants and a long shirt and one of the students said: ‘’Ms. MaryAnn did you
come with your pajamas to school today?’’
As the school year was coming to an end, one student yelled out, “Enough! Enough school. Enough Paideia. Time to
close the school and go to Greece!”
That’s all for now! More memorable moments to come in the fall!
Kalo Kalokairi/Καλό Καλοκαίρι!
2014 HEC SUMMER CAMP: 7 WEEKS OF FUN!
Week 1, June 30 - July 3: Party in the USA
Learn all about America and end the week with a 4th of
July picnic.
Week 2, July 7 - 11: Around the World
Travel with your passport and enjoy an international potluck lunch on Friday.
Week 3, July 14 - 18: Spirit of the Olympics
Catch the spirit of the Olympics and end the week with the
HEC Olympic Games
Week 4, July 21 - 25: Under the Sea
Explore the land and sea through nature and craft projects.
Week 5, July 28 - August 1: Art Week
After exposure to various art mediums throughout the
week, an art gallery (with the campers’ creations) will be
set up on Friday.
Week 6, August 4 - 8: Dr. Seuss
Explore a variety of Dr. Seuss’ books. Older children (ages
6-9) will receive instruction in traditional Greek Folk
Dance.
Week 7, August 11 - 15: Sports, Fitness & Food
Using MyPlate.org, campers will be introduced to a health
and active lifestyle.
$275 per week for the half-day program (9:00am-12:30pm | $300 per week for the full-day program (9:00am-3:30pm)
$385 per week for the extended care program (7:00am-6:00pm)
$20 activity fee per child | add’l $100 per week for non-stewards of Saint Katherine
5
Ο ΑΓΙΟΣ ΚΟΣΜΑΣ Ο ΑΙΤΩΛΟΣ
Σοφία Δ. Τσαγκάλη
BOOK REVIEW
Gregory McKinney
ΊΣΩΣ ΝΑ ΜΗΝ ΥΠΗΡΧΕ ΕΛΛΑ∆Α ΣΗΜΕΡΑ, αν δεν υπήρχε το
1821. Αλλά το ’21 δεν ήταν κάποιο ανεξήγητο γεγονός, ούτε
βέβαια
δημιούργημα
στιγμής.
Οφείλεται
στους
εθναποστόλους, στους αναγεννητές των τελευταίων χρόνων
της Τουρκοκρατίας, μεταξύ των οποίων σημαντική θέση
κατέχει ο Άγιος Κοσμάς ο Αιτωλός. Ίσως είναι ο
επιβλητικότερος και δυναμικότερος από όλους.
Γιατί όμως σ’ αυτό ειδικά το τεύχος να μιλήσουμε για τον
Άγιο Κοσμά τον Αιτωλό; Τον ευλαβούμαστε πάντα, κυρίως οι
ασχολούμενοι με την παιδεία, αλλά πιο πολύ το καλοκαίρι,
γιατί στις 24 Αυγούστου, που εορτάζουμε την αγία μνήμη
του, οι κωδωνοκρουσίες των εκκλησιών σε συγκινούν και
τρέχεις στον ναό να πάρεις λίγη απ’ την χάρη αυτού του
παιδαγωγού Αγίου.
Το πρώτο του όνομα ήταν Κωνσταντίνος και ως τα είκοσι
χρόνια του ήταν αγράμματος. Η κλίση του όμως στα
γράμματα και στην θρησκεία ήταν ακατανίκητη. Επιθυμούσε
τόσο πολύ να μορφωθεί για να σταθεί δίπλα στον λαό να τον
βοηθήσει όσο περισσότερο μπορούσε. Και το κατόρθωσε.
Τελειώνοντας το σχολείο, στάθηκε πρώτα σαν δάσκαλος
κοντά στους ανθρώπους της Αιτωλοακαρνανίας. Όταν όμως
έμαθε, πως ιδρύθηκε η Αθωνιάδα Σχολή στο Άγιο Όρος,
έτρεξε εκεί. Κοντά στον Ευγένιο Βούλγαρη, καθώς επίσης
και σε άλλους λογίους της εποχής, έμαθε πολλά, όπως
φιλοσοφία, ιατρική, αλλά και κάτι άλλο σπουδαιότερο πως
έπρεπε να γίνει εθναπόστολος και ιεροκήρυκας σε όλη την
Ελλάδα. Το έργο του ήταν δύσκολο και βαρύ και τα
γράμματα δεν του ήταν αρκετό εφόδιο, γι’ αυτό έπρεπε να
μορφωθεί και πνευματικά. Έγινε λοιπόν καλόγηρος στην
Ιερά Μονή Φιλοθέου, όπου επί δεκαεφτά ολόκληρα χρόνια,
μέρα και νύχτα, χάλκευε τον χαρακτήρα του. Προετοιμαζόταν
για την εξόρμηση, που ήταν η ασίγαστη επιθυμία του και
που τον κατέτρωγε μέσα του, όπως ο ίδιος διηγείται, «σαν το
σκουλήκι που τρώγει το ξύλο».
Έτσι, όταν πια είχε γίνει 46 ετών, ήταν ήδη πνευματικά και
ψυχικά μεστωμένος. Με μάτια που έλαμπαν από ουράνιο
φως, άρχισε με βαθειά συναίσθηση την αποστολή του. Με
την πατριαρχική άδεια που είχε, μπορούσε να κινηθεί
παντού. Μεγίστη και θυελλώδης ήταν η δράση του στην
Θράκη, στην Ήπειρο, στην Στερεά Ελλάδα, στα νησιά του
Ιουνίου και του Αιγαίου πελάγους. Ο κόσμος ξεχείλιζε τις
εκκλησίες που συγκεντρωνόταν για να ακούσει το θείο
κήρυγμά του, γι’ αυτό μετά μαζεύονταν στην πλατεία και
κήρυττε κάτω από τον ίσκιο το Σταυρού. Στο μέρος που θα
κήρυττε, κατασκεύαζε ένα ψηλό ξύλινο σταυρό και τον
έστηνε εκεί. Για βάση τοποθετούσε ένα σκαμνάκι, ανέβαινε
σε αυτό και κήρυττε απλά, ζωντανά, παραστατικά. Η
γλώσσα που χρησιμοποιούσε ήταν φλογερή και καυτερή και
συγκλόνιζε τα πλήθη. Αφού τελείωνε το κήρυγμα, κατέβαινε
από το σκαμνάκι, το μάζευε και το έπαιρνε μαζί του. Το
Σταυρό τον άφηνε εκεί, για να θυμούνται το κήρυγμά του.
Κάθε σταυρός ήταν μία άσβηστη φλόγα, που ζέσταινε και
πύρωνε τις καρδιές των ραγιάδων. Και αυτοί έτρεχαν πίσω
του σαστισμένοι, του φιλούσαν τα ασκητικά χέρια, τα
τριμμένα ράσα, τα σκονισμένα πόδια. Η τελευταία του
πορεία στην Ήπειρο έμοιαζε σαν μιά απέραντη θρησκευτική
λιτανεία, που το φαινόμενο αυτό ήταν μοναδικό στα χρονικά
της Εκκλησίας και του Έθνους.
Αν δεν υπήρχε το εθνοσωτήριο κήρυγμα του Αγίου Κοσμά,
ίσως να μην υπήρχε Ελληνισμός και Ορθοδοξία σήμερα!
Χιλιάδες χριστιανοί γίνονταν Μουσουλμάνοι. Ο χείμαρος της
Christ the Eternal Tao, 4th ed. Hieromonk Damascene
(Author), Lou Shibai and You-Shan Tang (Illustrators).
Valaam Books/St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood
(Publisher). 2004. Paperback. 552 pages.
(Continued on page 14, column 1)
6
[Paul said] “And He made from one blood every nation of
men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, and He ordained their preappointed times and the boundaries of their
dwellings, in order for them to seek the Lord, if perhaps
indeed they might grope for Him and find Him, and yet
being indeed not far from each one of us; for in Him we
live and move and have our being, as also some of your
own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’” (Acts 17:26-28, EMTV)
As Paul made their ‘Unknown God’ known to the Athenians in the Person of Christ, so does Hieromonk (now
Abbot) Damascene seek to make Christ known to those
enamored of the Taoist religion of China. While this includes millions upon millions of Chinese, Taoism is also a
faith often explored by Westerners turning from Christ
towards Asia, looking for a spirituality and mode of life
that they (mistakenly) believe to be absent among the people claiming Him.
Having been introduced to Orthodoxy by Fr. Seraphim
Rose (+1982), Abbot Damascene (and I) expressed a
youthful admiration for the ancient writings of the Chinese
sage, Lao Tzu, source of the Taoist religion. The Abbot
has no interest in syncretism; his aim is not to weave together some “feel-good” hybrid of Taoism and Christianity. Instead, he takes a cue from the Church Fathers in their
recognition of the incomplete, yet genuine, way that Plato
and Socrates revealed something of the mind of the Father
and prepared the way for Christ in the ancient Greek- and
Latin-speaking worlds. Damascene says, “If the Greek
philosophers can be honored in this way, cannot also Lao
Tzu, who came even closer that they to describing the
Logos, the Tao, before He was made flesh, and dwelt
among us?”
He opens the book with a series of seventy-eight poetic
Christian reflections mirroring Lao Tzu’s Tao Teh Ching
and exploring the similarities of spirit between Christ the
Logos and the Tao as realized by Lao Tzu. Damascene
demonstrates that the only thing lacking in Lao Tzu’s profound intuitions of ultimate reality was the knowledge of
personalism of God as revealed in Christ. The book’s second part is a deeper analysis of the philosophical principles
common to the two faiths. In the third part, the Abbot reveals how Orthodoxy and the monasticism of the Christian
East offers a spirituality every bit as profound and powerful as that of the Far East, but completed by the full revelation of God in Christ.
If you know a lapsed Christian looking to the Oriental
religions for something he has yet to encounter in his native faith, offer him a copy of Christ the Eternal Tao. Perhaps his heart will then call him to Holy Orthodoxy.
In 2013, Igumen Damascene (Christensen) became the abbot of St.
Herman of Alaska Monastery (Serbian Orthodox Church) in Platina, CA,
where he has lived for over 25 years.
REGISTRY
Weddings
Baptisms
Daniela Carcani
and
Ivan Rafael Sljussar (June1)
Koumbara: Nikoleta Tzaferos
Nicholas Thomas (May 24)
son of Carter and Andrea Wilkinson
Godparent: Maria Gevas Hagen
Elpida (Hope) Demetriou
and
Bruno Cardoso (June 14)
Koumbaroi: Petros Demetriou and
Sophia Lambrou Christodoulou
Caroline V. Handal
and
Dimitrios Sotiropoulos (June 14)
Koumbaroi: Stelios Vatikiotis and
Anastasia Sotiropoulos
Sarah Elizabeth Dunnigan Palacpac
and
Naoum Elias Anagnos (June 21)
Koumbaros: Alexander Antzoulatos
Cynthia Ginter
and
Constantine Souvagis (June 28)
Koumbaros: Emilios James Souvagis
Vaia E. Abatzis
and
Allan E. Lewis (June 28)
Koumbaroi: Christos and Theodora Gougoufkas
Sena Mariam (May 25)
daughter of David and Zemma Chachu
Godparent: Zeleka Mamo
Nikolas Alexander (June 1, 25)
son of Alexander and Victoria Hatzis
Godparent: Nicholas Theodore Murn
Thomas Andrew (June 14)
son of Justin and Christine Leonard
Godparent: Peter Kalos
Chrismation
Vasilli Athanasios Alafogiannis
son of Athanasios and Roseanne Alafogiannis
Sponsor: Themistocles Karavites
Congratulations!
Funerals
Kondylo Bakogiorgis (April 17, Sparta, Greece)
George Paul Peter John Hadgopoulos (May 22)
Panagiotis Pete Stathis (June 11)
Chris Christofi (June 14)
Zena (Zoe) Hayes (June 16, Baltimore, MD)
May their memory be eternal.
GREEK CHAMBER MUSIC PROJECT
Gilda Vretea and Marilyn Schimpf
ON JUNE 7, 2014 A CONCERT sponsored by The Hellenic Society Prometheas was held at the Hellenic Center in Bethesda. Three talented young musicians presented the classical compositions of M. Hadjidakis, M. Kalomiris, S. Xarhakos,
M. Theodorakis, and of the Cypriot Joseph Benakis. The artists were Ellie Falaris Ganelin flute, University of Maryland
and founder of the Greek Chamber Music Project; Mary-Victoria Voutsas, piano, American University; and Anna Matijasic Hennessy, violin, of University of Virginia and James Madison University. The event was well attended and the
audience responded with enthusiasm to the excellent playing and interpretation.
It should be noted that Mary-Victoria Voutsas is the granddaughter of Mr. Yiannis Papadopoulos, former principal at
Saint Katherine Greek School, and the daughter of Mr. Stratis Voutsas and Mrs. Georgia Papadopoulos-Voutsas, members of our community. We wish these young talented musicians the best and we hope to hear them again soon.
7
JULY 2014
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
9:00am Summer Camp
3
9:00am Summer Camp
4 Independence Day
5
9:00am Summer Camp
11
9:00am Summer Camp
12
(Office Closed)
6 4th Sunday of Matthew
9:30am Orthros
10:30am Divine Liturgy
7
9:00am Summer Camp
8
9:00am Summer Camp
9
9:00am Summer Camp
10
9:00am Summer Camp
Clergy-Laity Congress
Philadelphia, PA
Clergy-Laity Congress
Philadelphia, PA
Clergy-Laity Congress
Philadelphia, PA
Clergy-Laity Congress
Philadelphia, PA
Clergy-Laity Congress
Philadelphia, PA
13 Sunday of the Holy
14
9:00am Summer Camp
15
9:00am Summer Camp
16
9:00am Summer Camp
17
9:00am Summer Camp
18
9:00am Summer Camp
19
9:30am Challenge Liturgy at Saint George
25
9:00am Summer Camp
26
Fathers
9:30am Orthros
10:30am Divine Liturgy
7:30pm Deuteri Deutera
20
9:30am Orthros
10:30am Divine Liturgy
21
9:00am Summer Camp
22
9:00am Summer Camp
23
9:00am Summer Camp
24
9:00am Summer Camp
27
9:30am Orthros
10:30am Divine Liturgy
28
9:00am Summer Camp
29
9:00am Summer Camp
30
9:00am Summer Camp
31
9:00am Summer Camp
Please check the online calendar, http://saint-katherines.org/calendar, for the most current information.
9:30am Orthros
10:30am Divine Liturgy
-----------------
9:30am Orthos
10:30am Divine Liturgy
Project Mexico
9:30am Orthros
10:30am Divine Liturgy
9:30am Orthros
10:30am Divine Liturgy
3 8th Sunday of Matthew
9:30am Orthros
10:30am Divine Liturgy
Sunday
26
25
27
20
Project Mexico
7:00pm Great Vespers
7:00pm Paraklesis
28
21
Project Mexico
12pm Deadline for
September DOXA
14
9:00am Summer Camp
7
9:00am Summer Camp
Thursday
13
9:00am Summer Camp
7:00pm Paraklesis
9:00am Summer Camp
6 Holy Transfiguration
9:30am Orthros
10:30am Divine Liturgy
Wednesday
29
22
Project Mexico
9:00am Summer Camp
9:30am Orthros
10:30am Divine Liturgy
otokos
15 Dormition of the The-
7:00pm Paraklesis
8
9:00am Summer Camp
7:00pm Paraklesis
9:00am Summer Camp
1 Dormition Fast Begins
Friday
Please check the online calendar, http://saint-katherines.org/calendar, for the most current information.
Project Mexico
Project Mexico
18
19
12
9:00am Summer Camp
11
9:00am Summer Camp
7:30pm Deuteri Deutera
5
9:00am Summer Camp
Tuesday
4
9:00am Summer Camp
Monday
AUGUST 2014
30
23
Project Mexico
16
9:30am Challenge Liturgy at Saint George
9
2
Saturday
MISSIONS AND OUTREACH
Project Mexico, August 13-19. Our mission trip to Project
Mexico is less than two months away—August 13-19. The
team will be staying at St. Innocence Orphanage and will
be involved in homebuilding near Tijuana, Mexico. Fr.
Panayiotis Hanley will be the spiritual leader. This is a
great opportunity for adults and teenagers to witness their
faith and enjoy an experience that will change their lives.
The total cost of the trip will be approximately $1,500. If
you are interested in more information, please contact Ray
Vazquez at [email protected]. Also, you can go to
the Project Mexico website: http://projectmexico.org/
HomeBuilding.aspx. If you would like to donate or sponsor one of our missionaries, please make your check payable to Saint Katherine, and note Project Mexico and the
missionary’s name.
Food Pantry. The next date for food collection for the
Food Pantry is October 19, 2014. For the three Sundays
prior to the collection, we will be passing out our blue
collection bags again after church. We have hit 1,000
pounds of food for the last three collections! Thanks to all
for your generosity. Let’s do even better in October.
The shelter is open every Saturday from 9:00am to
12:00pm to distribute the food. They need volunteers to
help with the distribution. If you are interested in donating
your time to this worthy cause, contact our own Rebecca
Leung, [email protected]. Spanish speakers are especially welcome.
Monumental Mission Walk, November 15. Our next
mission walk on the National Mall will be Saturday, November 15, starting at 9:00am. This year, our tent will be
at 15th Street and Constitution Avenue. Jen and Alex Carr
will coordinate this year’s walk to benefit Orthodox missions internationally and locally. Details will appear in a
future issue of DOXA. In 2013, we had 184 participants.
Come join us this year!
OCMC Benefit Dinner, April 26, 2015. Next year, our
OCMC benefit dinner will feature Rev. John Chakos who
is our long-term missionary in Guatemala. Fr. Chakos has
served for many years in Pittsburgh, PA but now he and
his wife are working with the new Orthodox Church in
Guatemala. He will share with us the exciting events occurring in Guatemala as hundreds of thousands are converting to Orthodoxy. Learn how the Church is ministering to them. Save the date!
Special Announcement. Please welcome our two newest
little missionaries: Ava Rose Perez, the daughter of Joe
and Carolyn Perez and Penelope Despina Katharos, the
daughter of Nick and Korinna Katharos. Congratulations
to the new parents!
Consecration of Cathedral in Tirana. On Sunday, June
1, 2014 the new Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana was consecrated by His All-Holiness, the Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew I, together with Their Beatitudes,
the Patriarchs Theophilos of Jerusalem, Irenej of Serbia,
10
Daniel of Romania, the Archbishops Chrysostom of Cyprus, Ieronymos of Athens, Savas of Warsaw, as well as
the Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana. They celebrated together with the representative Metropolitans of the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, Moscow, Bulgaria and
Georgia as well as Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Archbishop Nikon
of the Orthodox Church in America.
OCMC Executive Director Fr. Martin Ritsi, all of
OCMC’s missionaries to Albania, and OCMC Board
members Fr. John Parker and Fr. Luke Veronis also attended the consecration.
As is well-known, during the long totalitarian persecution of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania
(1967-1990) the atheist regime destroyed a great number
of holy churches and monasteries or turned them into
storehouses, blacksmith foundries, military barracks, and
entertainment places. In 1965, they tore down the old Cathedral Church in the central square of Tirana and built a
15 story hotel.
The new complex of the “Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral in the center of Tirana, with its “Nativity of Christ”
chapel, bell tower, and Synodical Center, is the symbol of
the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania’s reconstruction from its foundations in all fields from 1991 until
present-day.
Missionary of the Month. We are pleased to announce a
new feature on our Missions and Outreach page—
Missionary of the Month. Each month, we will highlight a
long-term missionary or missionary couple sent out by the
OCMC. For our first missionary couple of the month, we
have chosen Nathan and Gabriella Hoppe of Albania.
Nathan is our longest serving Orthodox missionary. We
have been blessed at Saint Katherine to have had him with
us twice in the last five years. Below is a brief account of
their missionary work.
Nathan and Gabriela are working to inspire, train,
equip, and lead Albanians to proclaim the Gospel and
make disciples in Albania. They feel a tremendous urgency to follow Christ’s command to make disciples of all
nations in this land where less than a generation ago, complete atheism was enforced by the totalitarian communist
government. Albania is one of the fastest changing countries in the world as it moves to integrate economically
and culturally with Western Europe. The Orthodox
Church of Albania has experienced a resurrection under
the inspired leadership of Archbishop Anastasios. This
resurrection is one of the miracles of the Orthodox world
today but it is a fragile miracle and there is still much
work to do.
The ministry of the Hoppes is focused on seminary students, university students and children. Nathan teaches a
course of the early Church fathers at the Resurrection of
(Continued on page 11)
PHILOPTOCHOS (by Eleni Kanakos, President)
BOOKSTORE
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK our Saint Katherine community
for making our spring festival such a huge success. Thank
you to all the Philoptochos women who helped in so many
different ways. A special thanks to Mary Varlas for all her
hard work with the pastries.
We had a great time at our annual end-of-year dinner at
Amphora. Thank you, Bilidas and Cholakis families, for
your hospitality.
Have a great summer!
PLEASE VISIT OUR CHURCH BOOKSTORE in the community
center after the liturgy. We carry a wide assortment of
Orthodox books, icons, and other items to enrich your
spiritual life.
HELLE CHAPTER #283 HELD INITIATIONS for 13 new members and reinstated 3 this past September through May,
and we are gearing up for another busy year! If you
would like to learn more about the Daughters of Penelope
and how to join, please contact Karen Polizos at 571-4347790, or Rosalie Georgeadis at 703-532-1723.
We enjoyed a lovely “Girls’ Day Out” afternoon at the
Lake Anna home of Lynn Francis for our end of year celebration. The setting was beautiful and the food was delicious. At the Saint Katherine’s Greek School graduation
ceremony held in June, Helle Chapter presented its 2014
Hellenism Award to two graduating students for their academic achievement and individual excellence. Congratulations to the recipients—Sophia Pelekasis and Iliana Tzafolias. Each also received a copy of Homer’s Illiad and Odyssey. The objectives of the Daughters of Penelope are to
promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, Family, and Individual Excellence.
We hope everyone enjoys a fun and safe summer! Kalo
kalokeri!
SO GO AND RUN FREE
Author Unknown
So go and run free with the angels
Dance around the golden clouds
For the Lord has chosen you to be with him
And we should feel nothing but proud
Although he has taken you from us
And our pain a lifetime will last
Your memory will never escape us
But make us glad for the time we did have
Your face will always be hidden
Deep inside our hearts
Each precious moment you gave us
Shall never, ever depart
So go and run free with the angels
As they sing so tenderly
And please be sure to tell them
To take good care of you for me
Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church offers a grief
support group, GRACE (Grief Recovery: Accepting,
Coping, and Evolving). For further information,
please call Fr. Costa Pavlakos at 703-671-1515.
Thank you to Maria Papageorgiou for contributing
articles nearly every month for the last 10 years.
(Continued from page 10)
Christ Theological Academy and leads the ministry to students at the University of Tirana. Nathan also directs the
Central Children's Office of the Orthodox Church of Albania a ministry in which he works closely with Gabriela.
Nathan is also the team leader for the OCMC missionary
team in Albania. He represents the Orthodox Church of
Albania at a number of international gatherings including
the official dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church and
the dialogue with the Lutheran World Federation. Together
Nathan and Gabriela lead a team of 25 Albanian Orthodox
youth to Kosovo each year where they hold friendship
camps for about 1,800 Muslim Albanian children. These
camps are part of the social and philanthropic work of the
Orthodox Church of Albania.
The Hoppes have three children, Tristan (15), Katherine
(13), and Daniel (3).
Please partner with the Hoppes through prayer and financial support. Checks should be made out to the OCMC and
in the bottom left line write: Hoppes. Checks should be
mailed to the OCMC at 220 Masson Manatee Way, St. Augustine, FL 32086
HOMELESS SHELTER
Hygiene and Survival Kits. For the fourth straight year, we
will be providing Hygiene and Survival Kits to the Homeless shelter. These kits are given out during the winter
months when the shelter cannot accommodate everyone who
would like to stay. Each church organization has been asked
to contribute one or two items for the kits. Our Sunday
School students will prepare the kits on December 14. If
there are any questions, please contact Dr. John. Demakis
at [email protected]
Feed the Homeless. We continue to take food to the
Homeless Shelter once a month. The July and August dates
have not yet been set. If you are interested in helping to
serve food at the shelter, please contact Dr. John Demakis
at [email protected]
Clothes and Toiletries. We continue to collect clothing
and toiletries for the homeless shelter all year long. Bring
new or clean used clothes and unopened toiletries to the
foyer of our Meletis Charuhas Center.
11
ALL AROUND THE TOWN
Joanna Bose
EL GRECO: 400 YEARS LATER
IN EARLY NOVEMBER, the National Gallery of Art will have an exhibit commemorating the 400th anniversary of El
Greco’s death in 1614. The NGA already houses one of the largest collections of the painter’s works in the U.S., but
this exhibit will hopefully include some lectures that will provide those unfamiliar with his work and history greater insight into this very unique painter.
Domenikos Theotokopoulos was born on Crete in 1541, when the island was under Venetian rule. He trained in the
Byzantine tradition of icon painting and many consider him to be the last Byzantine creator. When he emigrated to Venice in 1567, he joined the workshop of the Italian master Titian and there he also came to know the works of other masters like Michelangelo and Tintoretto.
For practical reasons, he took up portrait painting, a genre at which he later excelled, fusing the Italian mannerist style
with his already developed talent for icon painting.
In 1577 he emigrated yet again to Spain. Toledo, which had been the seat of government up until a short time before
his arrival, was a new home that would prove ripe for his imagination and talent. He also had opportunities to design and
build altarpieces in chapels.
One such was the Chapel of San Jose in Toledo, which was commissioned by a wealthy trader.
El Greco designed the altarpiece which included two of the works we have here in the permanent collection: St. Martin
and the Beggar and Madonna and Child with St. Martina and St. Agnes. This chapel remains as a good example of 16th
century architectural design today.
My own fascination with El Greco comes from seeing how he portrays the human condition of being suspended between heaven and earth. His figures often seem other-worldly; the religious subjects are particularly well represented in
their expression of elevation into another realm. The elongation of bodies, the use of light and color, the insistence on
showing faces upturned or otherwise engaged in another experience than their earthly one; all these elements can be at
once unsettling and inspiring. Most certainly inspiring.
JULY CHURCH DUTY ROSTER
July 6, 2014 9:30am
Maria Vargas, Captain Costa Mavromatakis
Kelly Alexis Mallamo Mavromatakis
John Demakis Maria Wills
Nick Larigakis
July 13, 2014 9:30am
Jim Stoucker, Captain Pierre Tavoularis
Andrea Ballard Daphne Vaccarello
Nick Larigakis Maria Vargas
George Moshos
July 20, 2014 9:30am
George Moshos, Captain Bill Polizos
Kelly Alexis Bill Porter
Chris Christou Daphne Vaccarello
Peter Karounos
July 27, 2014 9:30am
Bill Polizos, Captain Mallamo Mavromatakis
Chris Christou Jim Stoucker
Artemis Dimopoulos Maria Wills
Costas Mavromatakis
CELEBRATE FREEDOM! There’s no better place to be on Independence
Day than the National Mall, the nation’s most important civic space. This
year’s fireworks not only celebrate the birth of our nation, but continue the
bicentennial commemoration of the War of 1812 and mark the 200th
anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner.
12
AUGUST CHURCH DUTY ROSTER
August 3, 2014 9:30am
Andrea Ballard, Captain Bill Polizos
John Demakis Bill Porter
Artemis Dimopoulos Pierre Tavoularis
Peter Karounos
August 10, 2014 9:30am
C. Mavromatakis, Captain Mallamo Mavromatakis
Kelly Alexis Maria Vargas
John Demakis Maria Wills
Nick Larigakis
August 17, 2014 9:30am
Jim Stoucker, Captain Pierre Tavoularis
Andrea Ballard Daphne Vaccarello
Nick Larigakis Maria Vargas
George Moshos
August 24, 2014 9:30am
Kelly, Alexis, Captain Bill Polizos
Chris Christou Bill Porter
Peter Karounos Daphne Vaccarello
George Moshos
August 31, 2014 9:30am
Maria Wills, Captain Mallamo Mavromatakis
Chris Christou Bill Polizos
Artemis Dimopoulos Jim Stoucker
Costas Mavromatakis
CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!
Victoria Ann Campbell, daughter of Frances and
Michael Campbell, sister of Dean, granddaughter
of Anna Moshos, graduated from Randolph-Macon
College in Ashland, Virginia, with a Bachelors of Science
Degree in Biology and minor in Psychology. She was a
member of the Beta Beta Beta Biology Honor Society, PreHealth Medical Society, Alpha Phi Omega Service Society
and a three-year Member on the Academic Integrity Council. She will pursue her medical doctorate in Graduate
School.
Sofia Antoniou Cardamone, daughter of Thomas
Cardamone and Soula Antoniou, graduated from
Washington-Lee High School with an Advanced
Diploma. Sofia received an Advanced Placement Award for
all four years and an International Baccalaureate certificate.
Her accomplishments include the Quill & Scroll Honor Society for Excellence in Scholastic Journalism, participation in
the Global Citizen Project in Costa Rica and apprenticing at
the Arlington Independent Media producing documentaries.
Sofia played sports all four years and received the Athletic
Director's Tri-Athlete Award. She volunteered as a camp
counselor during summers and with multiple clubs during
school including Best Buddies. Sofia will attend Northeastern University in Boston, MA and as a freshman will study
abroad at the American College of Thessaloniki.
Deanna Coronis, daughter of Dr. Susan D. Coronis, graduated from T.C. Williams High School
and will attend Goucher College, Baltimore, MD,
in the fall. Deanna plans to study Environmental Science,
with a minor in Sociology, at Goucher College in Baltimore
in the fall. She graduates from T.C. Williams High School,
where she was a member of the National Honor Society for
four years, and received her school’s Presidential Award for
Academic Excellence. Deanna served on the Student Superintendent Leadership Committee, and was an active member
of the Environmental Science Garden Club. She volunteered
at Red Cross and the ALIVE Food Distribution Program,
and was honored at the White House for her volunteerism.
Deanna played the saxophone in the school band, and completed a senior internship at National Geographic in June.
Maggie Goldsmith, daughter of Eleni Sempeles
Goldsmith and Michael Goldsmith, graduated from
Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, VA
and will attend James Madison University in the fall. Maggie lettered four years in Varsity Tennis and three years in
Varsity Softball. She was a member of GOYA for 3 years,
serving as secretary for 2013-2014. Maggie was Editor-inChief of her school newspaper, was a member of the Quill
and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School
journalists, received the Coach’s award for Tennis, and was
the recipient of the House of Kefelos Scholarship Award and
the Joan Dalianis Foundation Scholarship Award.
Irene Nicole Kalis, daughter of Mary Papadopoulos
and Nicholas Kalis, graduated from American Uni-
versity’s Kogod School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with specializations
in Real Estate and Finance. Irene is working at CBRE, a
commercial real estate services firm.
Alexandra Kiszka, daughter of Thomas and Flora
Kiszka, will attend Longwood University this fall
following her graduation from Hayfield Secondary
School. Alex played volleyball throughout high school. She
will be majoring in English at Longwood.
Stavros Kontzias graduated with an Advanced degree from Langley High School in McLean, VA.
He was a 4-year varsity Tennis player, member of
the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, and
Math Honor Society. His Tennis team reached the Virginia
state finals 3 of his 4 years. He will attend James Madison
University in Harrisonburg, Virginia in the Fall majoring in
Business.
Thomas Taylor Soiles graduated from WashingtonLee High School in Arlington. He plans to attend
Guilford College in North Carolina, majoring in
both psychology and criminal justice.
Joanna Thomas, daughter of Craig and Lori Thomas, graduated from McLean High School as a Valedictorian. She will attend the University of Virginia this fall. While at McLean, Joanna served as class
President, played flute in the marching and symphonic honor
bands, attended the Virginia Governor’s Japanese Language
Academy, played basketball and lacrosse, and coached middle school girls’ basketball in the McLean Youth League.
Christopher Michael Trahos, son of Dr. Michael
and Helen Trahos, and brother of Paula, received
the degree of Juris Doctor with academic honors
from the University of Notre Dame Law School. Prior to
law school, Christopher attended Georgetown University
where he received both his undergraduate and master’s degrees. During his time at law school, Christopher was a
Dean’s Award Recipient, Excellence in Oral Advocacy
Award Recipient, Solicitations Editor for the Notre Dame
Journal of Legislation, and Vice President of the Sports,
Communications, and Entertainment Law Forum.
Panayiota Tsiaoushis, daughter of Sophia Varlas,
graduated from George C. Marshall High School
and will attend Randolph-Macon College in the
fall. Panayiota placed 3rd in State DECA competition, she
was FBLA leader for three consecutive years. She was in
Best Buddies which is an organization that serves children
with special needs, a regular volunteer at Jill’s House in
McLean that offers respite care for children with special
needs and their families, an active member of Relay for Life
and Student Activities Director at Marshall. Panayiota is
also a responsible member of the community, good citizen,
loving sister, niece, daughter, and granddaughter!
13
STEWARDSHIP
SHOWN BELOW is a list of families and individuals who participated in the 2014 Saint Katherine Stewardship Program from May 1 through
May 31, 2014.Thank you for responding to the needs of our church. Any questions? Contact Anna Vassilopoulos at 703-671-1515.
M/M James Enos
Christian and Olga Esteves
Ms Despina Foster
Mr Michail Ignatiou
Mr William Jackson and
Mrs Maria Liakos
Mr Peter Kalos
Mrs Anastasia Kapranos
Mr Ntinos Karaiskos
M/M Peter Karounos
Mr Spiro Kastanis
Mrs Anastasia Kitsantas and
Mr Stephen Willett
M/M Dimitris Kouretas
M/M Constantine Kowalski
M/M Gregoris Kozakos
M/M Michael Lampros
Ms Anna Lecos
Mrs/Mr Christine Leonard
M/M Evangelos Abatzis
AHEPA CHAPTER No. 438
M/M Vasilli Alafogiannis
M/M Antonios Antonis
Mrs Sophie Barfield
Mrs Jill Beverly
Mr Lambros Bisbikis and
Mrs Georgia Siozios
M/M Jeffrey Borst
Mrs Christofi and Mr Arias
M/M Chris Christou
M/M Christos Christou
M/M Paul Christou
Miss Ljiljana Ciric
Dr/Mrs James Constantine
M/M Gus Costas
Ms Dorothea Davidian
M/M Alexios Dimopoulos
DOP Helle #283
Ms Julie Lippmann
M/M James Loizou
M/M Allen Lyubinsky
Dr Thomas Mandes
Dr/Mrs Spiros Manolas
M/M James Marko
M/M John Markogiannakis
Mr Scott Mooney and
Mrs Eleanor Galifianakis
Maj/Mrs Sean Neagle
M/M Demetrios Nicholakos
Mr Evan Owen and
Dr Joanna Athanasopoulos
M/M Nickolas Panteleos
M/M Odysseas Papadimitriou
M/M Stephen Rader
M/M Basil Rousos
Mr Andrew Sessions
Mr Christos Snear and
Mrs Dawn Terminella
M/M Dimitrios Sotiropoulos
M/M Antonios Spiliotopoulos
Mrs Vasiliki B. Stafilatos
M/M Teophanis Staflilatos
Mrs Helen Stassinos
Mrs Kalliopi Stergioulis
Mr/Ms Ken Stewart
M/M Ted Theocharis
Mr Pantelis Theofanidis
Mr George Trifonas
M/M Stratis Varlas
M/M Stelios Vatikiotis
M/M Sakellarios Vouvalis
Mr Carter Wilkinson and
Mrs Andrea Gevas
Mr Keith Wooldridge
Mr Peter Xefteris
M/M Theodore Yiannarakis
SAINT KATHERINE LIVE!
Did you know that we have a live feed from our church? Relatives and friends from far away can watch a
sacrament. If you are sick and cannot make it to a service, you can still participate. Sign in to the church
website, saint-katherines.org, and click on the red “Saint Katherine Live!” button in the right-hand column.
(Continued from page 6, column 1)
εξώμοσης απειλούσε να κατακλείσει ολόκληρη την Ελλάδα.
Το φαινόμενο του εξισλαμισμού έλαβε τόση έκταση, που
ανησύχησαν ακόμη και αυτοί οι Τούρκοι. Και όλα αυτά, γιατί
η αμάθεια βασίλευε παντού, η δε φτώχεια μάστιζε τον τόπο.
Πλήθος παιδιά έμεναν αβάφτιστα, μιά και ιερείς δεν
υπήρχαν. Ήταν γενική η κοινωνική καθυστέρηση. Στις δε
ορεινές περιοχές η ζωή ήταν τόσο βάρβαρη, που φοβόσουν
να τις πλησιάσεις.
Σε αυτόν τον κόσμο κήρυξε ο Άγιος Κοσμάς (ο πατροΚοσμάς, όπως τον αποκαλούσαν) με λόγο και με έργα.
«Καλύτερον να θανατώσης εκατόν ανθρώπους, παρά να
αφήσεις ένα παιδίον αβάπτιστον να αποθάνη», έλεγε. Οι
πλούσιοι συγκινήθηκαν και αφιέρωσαν στις εκκλησίες
περισσότερες από 4.000 κολυμβήθρες, στις οποίες τα
Ελληνόπουλα άρχισαν να βαφτίζονται.
«Χτίστε σχολεία, χτίστε σχολεία... Ο Χριστός λειτουργιέται
στα φώτη, όχι στα σκότη. Νοιώστε το... ∆εν βλέπετε πως το
Γένος μας αγρίεψε από την αμάθεια και γινήκαμεν ωσάν τα
θηρία; Καλύτερα, αδελφέ μου, να έχης Ελληνικόν Σχολείον,
παρά να έχης βρύσες και ποτάμια. Και ωσάν το μάθεις το
παιδί σου γράμματα, τότε λέγεται άνθρωπος. Και μη μόνο
φροντίζετε να τα αφήσετε πλούτη. Καλύτερα να τα αφήσετε
φτωχά και γραμματισμένα, παρά πλούσια και αγράμματα».
Έτσι πέτυχε να κτιστούν πάνω απο 210 Ελληνικά Σχολεία
και άλλα 1.100 άρχισαν να λειτουργούν. 1.400 περίπου
φάροι άναψαν....
Χαρούμενο Καλοκαίρι!
(Η συνέχεια στο επόμενο τεύχος)
14
(Continued from page 1)
cept is related to the early Christian practice of conducting
worship, teaching, and fellowship in the homes of believers, closely connecting
The relationships shared by the members of a family and
by the family with the Church are essential to understanding the meaning of the Apostle Paul’s statement, from God
every family in Heaven and on earth is named. When the
family is connected to God and is the dwelling of Christ,
great and abundant blessings will come. As further exclaimed by the Apostle in Ephesians 3, we can know that
God will provide all that we need from the riches of His
glory. Families that live in Christ and offer a witness of
His Gospel, that are rooted and grounded in love, will find
inner strength, will gain the wisdom of the Saints, will
know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge…and
be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16-19).”
I ask you to be mindful that we are one family. Let us
take the challenge of strengthening our mission to become
alive and strong in our faith.Come to church, for this is
the gathering place for all of us to proclaim with one heart
and one mind that we are a dwelling of Christ and a witness of the Gospel.
Yours in Christ’s service,
15
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