November - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Greek Orthodox Church
IEPOΣ NAOΣ KOIMHΣEΩΣ THΣ ΘEOTOKOΥ
In the year of the Lord
NOVEMBER 2013
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church
5761 East Colorado Street, Long Beach, CA 90814-1954
Phone (562) 494-8929 - Fax (562) 985-1379
Email – [email protected]
Rev. Fr. Christos Kanakis, Proistamenos
Voula Michail - Kitsios, Office Administrator
Penny Benetatos, Choir Director
PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS
Chris Dolas - President
David Matty - Vice President
Jimmy Mentas - Recording Secretary
Jimmy Eleopoulos - Corresponding Secretary
Nick Zamvakellis - Treasurer
Board Members
Kathy Bastas, Dino Syrengelas, Matoula Batshoun,
Peter Bouras, Olympia Stapakis, George Stavros,
Nick Monios, Sam Platis
AHEPA
Tasos Papas - President
Bulletin Coordinator
Voula Michail - Kitsios
Bookstore
Zoe Falley - Administrator
Choir
Pιnιό Benetatos - Director & Organist
Karen Fic - President
Choir Board
Church School
Juliana Augoustatos - Superintendent
Daughters of Penelope
Catherine Vackrinos
Sofie Batshoun
Family Night
Sam Platis
Junior Choir
Pιnιό Benetatos - Director
Karen Fic - Assistant Director
Greek School
Kathryn Condaras - Principal
Donna Stavros - P.T.A
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Jorge Rivera, Sexton
George Dorlis, Psaltis
PHILOPTOCHOS
Bobbie Soupos - President
Karen Fic - 1st Vice President
Amelia Ladas - 2nd Vice President
Mary Lofton- Correspond. Secretary
Lia Kakaris - Recording Secretary
Nikki Andrews - Treasurer
Marilyn Coats - Assistant Treasurer
Kathy Bastas - Advisor
Board Members
Eftihia Missios, Olympia Stapakis, Andria Salsman,
Matoula Batshoun, Zoe Falley, Vickie Hennig, Anne Pucket
GOYA
President - Christina Karidakis
Vice President - Sina Bacol
Treasurer - Margo Papacalos
Corres. Secretary - Dena Bussa
Rec. Secretary - Tasia Matty
Historian - Christa Demos, Lexi Varonos
Advisors - Lucia Papacalos,
Vickie Demos, Maria Bussa
Athletic Director: David Matty
Email: [email protected]
Greek Cultural Arts and Dance
Dina Lioulias - President
Maria Georgakopoulos - Vice President
Georgia Alvertos - Corresponding Secretary
Dusty Hanson - Recording Secretary
Elene Dalkos - Treasurer
Senior Christians
Nick Monios - President
Sons of Pericles
Christo Beckas - President
Stewardship Ministry
Kathy Bastas (Chair)
Camille Dolas, Max & Mary Lofton,
Kay Platis, Cathy Shweiri
Hope/Joy
Maria Georgakopoulos - Advisor
Dusty Hanson - Advisor
Trisagio Ministry
Max & Mary Lofton, Vickie Hennig, Yiota Beckas
Junior GOYA
Georgi Spirtos Francis - Advisor
Tia Kanavos, Vasso Conley
Welcome Ministry
Kathy Bastas (Chair), Camille Dolas, Max & Mary
Lofton, Kay Platis, Cathy Shweiri
Pastor’s Message
Beloved Parishioners,
I would like to wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving, as we thank God for “every good
and perfect gift which comes from above” (Divine Liturgy).
For us Orthodox Christians this holiday is an opportunity to pause and to gather together with our family and friends and reminds us to be thankful. We should think this
way not only on Thanksgiving Day but every day, beyond the dinner table, and beyond
our homes.
The word “Eucharist” embodies the Thanksgiving that we should always offer to God
and share with the world. When we are Eucharistic beings we see our life with a thankful perspective; a perspective of seeing how blessed we are and in turn allows us to see
where we too can offer and extend those blessings to others in need.
The word “Eucharist” is synonymous with the “Divine Liturgy” because we come to
God to thank Him for all his blessings “both known and unknown”. May this day be an
opportunity to reflect on who and what we are thankful for in our lives.
Wishing you a Blessed Thanksgiving,
Fr. Christos
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Greetings Panagia Parishioners!
President’s Message
GREAT NEWS – NEED YOUR HELP NEWS – Our Panagia Parish needs YOUR HELP!
Great news - We have completed nine beautiful, spiritual up lifting and great social experiencing
months at our Panagia Parish beginning with the induction of Fr. Christos as our parish priest,
the continuing enjoyment and rewards of participating in our existing and new Parish Ministries
and the completion and use of our Assumption Center! We have truly been blessed and thank
God for all our exceptionally rewarding blessings! Truly great news!
Help News – As we all know, this year’s Greek Festival was very well organized and prepared
for a great event. However, we did hit a small bump in the road due to the very unusual hot and
humid Labor Day Weekend which resulted in a lower net profit than expected. Our Panagia Parish has two major events that bring in financial funds to operate our Parish, Stewardship and our
annual Greek Festival. For many years, our Parish has been financially dependent on the net
profit from our annual Greek Festival to supplement our Stewardship funds. It is both Greek
Festival proceeds and Stewardship Funds that together provides the monthly operational funding
from October to the following August. So with an unfortunate and uncontrollable hot and humid
Labor Day Weekend, our net profit for this year’s Greek Festival fell about 25% below the
planned/budgeted amount. Now the only recourse that we have is to rely solely on our Stewardship income. However, with three quarters of the year completed, our Panagia Stewardship has
an outstanding unpaid 2013 pledge balance of approximately $32,000. Our current operating
expense usually runs around $40,000 per month. In order for our Panagia Parish to operate for
the next three to five months, we are requesting our members to try and pay their unpaid
pledged balances as soon as you possibly can. We are also requesting each and all of you to
sincerely pray and seriously contemplate increasing your pledge amount for 2014. We are also
requesting that as we come to the next year, you consider adjusting your actual Stewardship
payment for 2014 to an earlier time in the year rather than later. Remember, this is our Panagia
Parish. We all need to take care of our Panagia Parish. We all love, respect and appreciate our
church. Please make your best sincere effort in assisting in our Panagia Parish’s need for help!
I am confident, by working sincerely and diligently we will make it through these upcoming financial challenges in the next upcoming three to five months! THANK YOU!
Congratulations to our Philoptochos and all that supported this year’s Breast Cancer Month!
Congratulations to Katherine Condaras, Principal of our Greek School Ministry and to all of the
children that participated in “Oxi Day” and to a very delicious luncheon. Thanks again to all that
supported this important event!
Wow! What a great time everyone had at the GOYA Halloween Party! Congratulations to all
that prepared and supported this most fun-filled event!
Cont. page 12
Page 4
Philoptochos
General Meeting went well………Great turn out. The food was delicious!
A BIG Thank you to all you ladies for sharing your salads and desserts. Cathy Kostallas thank you for the
delicious Pastichio. The décor was so festive with the pumpkins, garland and candy on the tables. It
made a great Fall presentation. Good job ladies!
We were honored to have Diana Jianas, Treasurer for Metropolis along with Kathy Gabrial who is on the
National as well as Metropolis Philoptochos Boards. They both spoke and were very informative. We
welcome them back any time. Maria Montalbano and Sina Bacol we thank you two for choosing such a
great topic.
Father Christos swore in our newly appointed ladies to the Board using our new beautiful “Silver Gospel”
that our Chapter donated for the Altar. The new Board Members as of this meeting are; Zoe Falley, Ann
Puckett and Vickie Hennig. We have a membership of 157 members to date and are a strong chapter. I
want to Thank all of you at this time for always being there for us when we need you most. Your Generosity and Dedication means a lot to all of us and to ALL those who need our support.
Please mark your calendars from now and plan on attending the following:
December 13th - Veterans Christmas Party
December 15th - Philoptochos Christmas Party
December 19th - Annual Trinity Christmas Party
January – Epiphany
February – Annual Tea – Theme this year: “Lights, Camera, Action”.
Think about hosting/filling a table of ten……..This is the event that WE share the well kept secrets of
Philoptochos with all in attendance. Our work never ends. Can you only imagine what WE could accomplish if ALL of us work together. Think about it; let us know. Love to have you display your favorite
Movie Theme/s. There will be a prize for “Best Decorated Table”.
Again, Thank you for everything you do for us. Without YOU it would be pretty tough making ends meet.
Your generosity is what makes others happy. During the next few months we will once again be collecting Gift Cards for our less fortunate friends. If you, and/or your family or business would like to donate
Gift Cards we would appreciate it very much. When you are writing out your Christmas List, please include Philoptochos. One Gift Card could make a difference to an individual who has nothing. It’s always
nice to be in a position to help someone. Last year you Parishioners were very generous with gift cards
and It worked well. It made Christmas for those who may not have had a Christmas otherwise. The Giving Tree will soon be up as well in the Narthex.
Please advise Bobbie or Voula if you know of someone who would like a visitation. Provide the necessary
information at that time. If you would like to join us on visitations let us know. Also; would you like to
sponsor Coffee Hour? If so, let us know!
With Love in Christ,
Bobbie Soupos, Philoptochos President
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SAVE THE DATE
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos
And the Metropolis of San Francisco
Philoptochos joyfully invite you to attend
“LIGHT THE PATH”
A Christmas Luncheon in support of
THE BISHOP ANTHONY PHILOPTOCHOS STUDENT AID ENDOWMENT FUND
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church
Pasadena, California
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church
Novato, California
Christmas Entertainment And a presentation
by one of our Own Seminarians
Call: 415--‐431--‐2600
Email: [email protected]
Page 6
PANAGIA’S ANNUAL
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
This is our 15th consecutive year of reaching out to the Long
Beach Community by providing “Thanksgiving Meals”. This year is
no different!
We NEED YOUR HELP if we are going to support this year’s needs to feed the less fortunate within our community. Our goal is to provide 150 Thanksgiving Meals which includes a frozen turkey with all the trimmings. WE NEED 150 TURKEYS!
As in the past years, we will again be partnering with our outreach organizations to
identify those families with the greatest need/s; as well as within our own community.
Needless to say, the need this year is even greater than the past years!
WE really need your help!
We will be accepting frozen turkeys as well as all the trimmings from now through
November 24th, 2013. There will be a Box in the Narthex for the canned/dry goods.
Bring the turkeys to the church and give them to Jorge to put them inside the freezer.
For those who prefer not to shop that’s ok too. You can write a $30 check or give us
$30 cash and Philoptochos will do the shopping for you. Make check payable to
“PHILOPTOCHOS’ marked for Turkey/Thanksgiving.
Shopping suggestions:
Turkey * Roasting Pan * Stuffing Mix * Gravy * Yams * Potatoes/Corn Bread * Canned
Veggies/Fruit * Cranberries * Pumpkin Pie Mix/Crust * Seasonings * Chicken Broth
Philoptochos would like to “Thank All of You” in advance for making our goal of 150
turkeys/ 150 meals a possibility. End results; WE make 150 Families that much
happier!
Any questions contact;
Bobbie Soupos @ 714-307-1488 or
Kathy Bastas @ 714 847-0442
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In the year of the Lord -
S u n d ay
M o n d ay
Tu e s d ay
We d n e
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD 2013
AFTER CHURCH SERVICES
3
4
5
 E’ Λουκά.
Greek Sch
5:30 pm - 7:
5th Sunday of Luke
Orthros 8:45 am
Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
General Assembly
10
11
12
 H’ Λουκά
Greek Sch
5:30 pm - 7:
8th Sunday of Luke
Orthros 8:45 am
Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
17
18
 Θ’ Λουκά.
Senior Christians
Thanksgiving Potluck
11:30 am
9th Sunday of Luke
Orthros 8:45 am
Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
Greek Sch
5:30 pm - 7:
P. C. Meeting 7:00 pm
Stewardship Sunday
24
25
 ΙΓ’ Λουκά.
 Αικατερίνης Μεγαλομ.
Katherine the Great Martyr
Orthros 9:00am
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
St. Katherine’s Church in
Redondo Beach
13th Sunday of Luke
Orthros 8:45 am
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
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19
26
No Greek S
Events are subject to change; please refer
- November 2013
s d ay
T h u r s d ay
F r i d ay
S a t u r day
1
 Κοσμά & Δαμιανού
Cosma & Damianos
Orthros 9:00 am
Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
6
hool
:00 pm
7
Choir practice
7:15 pm
13
2
Change of Time
(1 hour back)
8
9
 Σύν. Αρχιστρ.
Μιχαήλ & Γαβριήλ
 Νεκταρίου Αιγίνης
Synaxis of the Archangels
Orthros 9:00 am
Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
Nektarios the
Wonderworker
Orthros 9:00 am
Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
St. Nektarios, Covina
15
16
22
23
29
30
14
Nativity Fast Begins
hool
:00 pm
Choir practice
7:15 pm
20
Joy - Hope 6:00 pm
Meeting & Activities
21
 Τα Εισόδια της Θεοτόκου
The Entrance of the Blessed
Virgin Mary into the Temple
Orthros 9:00 am,
Divine Liturgy 10 am
hool
:00 pm
Choir practice 7:15 pm
27
28
 Ανδρέου Αποστόλου
School
Happy Thanksgiving
Office closed
to weekly bulletin for current schedule info
Office closed
Andrew the First
Called Apostle
Orthros 9:00 am
Divine Liturgy 10:000 am
Page 9
Panagia’s Stewardship Family as of October 18, 2013
Ala Falanai & Lisa & family
Alex Helen
Alexiou Demi
Alexopoulos Christina
Amarantos Harriet
Andrade Everardo & Theony
Andrews James & Nikki
Andrikos Ioannis & Argyro
Antoniou Konstantinos & Maria
Apostle Helen
Apostle Matina
Apostle Perry & Rosie
Argeris John & Vasiliki
Argyros Dionisios & Irini
Argyros Phillip & Amy
Armogida Elaine
Armogida Rod & Krista
Armstrong Randy & Janet
Bahos kanella
Balas Louis & Toula
Bassett Shea & Natalia
Bastas Demetra
Bastas Nikolaos & Kathy
Batsaras Ilias & Yota
Batshoun Christina
Batshoun Emil & Matoula
Batshoun Sofia
Benetatos Harry & Penny
Berdanis John & Helen
Berovinos Michael & Kimberly
Berovinos Tony & Bonnie
Bouras Kathy
Bouras Peter
Bozigian Linda
Breres Zena
Brillakis Gus & Nicki
Brooks Harriet
Castritis Demetrios & Vivi
Chelekis Louis & Vicki
Chioles James & Effie
Choullis Manolis & Sotiria
Chrysanthis Alexandra
Coats Marilyne
Colazas Xenophon & Mila
Condaras Nicolas & Katerina
Contos Angeliki
Contos Vasilis & Voula
Cook Jeffrey & Susan
Cornwell Carlyle & Demetra
Coromelas Acrivi
Cozakos Nick
Critides Anastasius $ Shawnee
Dalkos Bob & Vaso
Dalkos Chris & Roula
Dalkos John & Stavroula
Dalkos Peter & Elene
Dalpe Arvanitis Toula
Demos George & Vickie
Deneff Alkisti
Deneff Anthony
Deneff Peter & Diane
Deneff William & Diana
Deralas Dean
Diacoumacos Marya
Diamond Helen
Dogris Alex & Peggy
Dolas Chris
Dolas James
Dolas Jim & Camille
Dolas John & Theodora
Dolas Peter
Douroupis Ioannis & Isabel
Edwards Nickolas & Pamela
Eleopoulos Jimmy & Leigh
Etchepare Anna
Exacoustos Stella
Ezroj Michael & Christine
Falley Zoe
Fattaleh Raja
Fattaleh Sabba & Diana
Fenn Brad & Anna
Fiamengo Alexandria
Fic Karen
Fisher Kathryn
Foutris Constantine & Christine
Frudakis Katina
Futris William & Mary
Galanis Jerry & Marian
Georgakopoulos Mike & Maria
Georgedes Katy
Georges Louie & Penny
Georgiadou Vicki
Georgoulis George & Anna
Ghilarducci Walt & Laura
Giannoutsos Tatiana
Gossen Ryan & Jennifer Tsakoumakis
Gurrola Raymond & Mary
Gutierrez Ivan & Esther
Hadjimarkos Nicholas & Stemma
Hadjioannou Nicole & Arion
Hanna Jeannette
Hansen Helen
Hanson Chris & Dusty
Hardaway Herman & Pamela
Haririan Alka
Hatziris John & Ramona
Hennig Fred & Vickie
Herron Craig & Diana
Jordanides Dennis & Giselle
Jordanides Timothy & Ria
Kades Clio
Kakaris Telis & Lia
Kallins George & Bettina
Kallins James & Virginia
Kaltcheva Velitchka
Karapoulios Angelo & Eleni
Karidakis George & Diane
Karidakis Nick & Jim
Karmiris Christopher & Christina
Karthas Nicholas
Kastanas Vassilios & Paris
Kiapos Alexandra
Kitsios Kostas & Voula
Kokkinides Joyce
Konstantinidis Byron & Kaite
Kontokanis Dimitris & Maria
Korakis Michael & Georgia
Kostallas Tony & Cathy
Koulos Peter & Emily
Kourtis Costa & Cecilia
Krebenios Anastasia
Kyriakos Spiros & Laine
Ladas Amelia
Ladas Charlie & Patty
Lafkas Peter & Ada
Lambrakis Spiro & Catherine
Lambros Mary
Lembesis Ann
Lembesis John Jr. & Theresa
Lembesis Nick & Saskia
Lembesis Pendalis & Evangelia
Liakos Nicole
Liarakos George & Dezi
Liarakos John & Athanasia
Liarakos, Dimitrios & Voula
Lofton Max & Mary
Loizides George & Rodou
Lopez Jeff & Georgia
Makridis Gus & Georgine
Manos Andrew & Pamela
Mantikas Nick & Katherine
Marangopoulos Jake & Tammy
Marentis Victoria
Markouizos Karolos & Georgia
Markouizos Nektarios & Lisa
Matty David & Barbara
Thank you for your loving support and commitment to our church.
Mavrovitis Michail & Monica
Mentas Ann
Mentas James & Patricia
Michel David & Vasiliki
Michel David Vasili
Milonas Dina
Missios Basil & Eftihia
Monios Nick & Linda
Montalbano Paul & Maria
Morgan Richard & Valerie
Nakai Keiichi & Saki
Nezis Alice
Okerman David & Elaine
Panos George
Panou Vivian
Papacalos George & Lucia
Papadakis Colleen
Papadakis Lillian & Andrianna
Papadopoulos Evanghelo & Lorraine
Papaggelis Christina
Papakoulos Angie
Papas Maria
Papas Tasos & Georgia
Pappas Mark & Shari
Pappas Victor & Christina
Pappas Victor & Tanya
Parlapanides Charles & Elenie
Pass Gus & Toula
Paulos Mary
Paulos Nicholas
Paulos Todd & Cindy
Phillips Crystal
Phoutrides Neilos & Patricia
Platis Jim & Kay
Platis Sam & Laura
Pliaconis Alexander & Nicole
Polychrones Speros & Dora
Popoff Thalia
Poulis John
Raptis Maria
Reed Richard & Kyriaki
Rembuskos Panayiotis & Valerie
Rembuskos Steve & Amy
Richards Dean & Dorothy
Richmond Dan & Doris
Roll Fotini
Roubanis Savvas $ Jodi
Russos Asimina
Salsman Mel & Andria
Santamarina Jose & Ronnea
Seger Clay & Suzan
Sehremelis Andy & Leslie
Sehremelis Athena
Sharkoff James & Katherine
Shweiri George & Cathy
Siames Faye
Silva Robert & Nicolette
Simitian Richard & Anna
Siouris Chris & Yota
Skandalakis Melia
Skaropoulos Eleni
Skourtas Tony & Angelique
Smyrniotis Alexandra
Smyrniotis Christos & Mary
Sotiriou Elias
Sotiriou Panagiotis & Vasiliki
Soultanakis Paul & Trudith
Soupos Tom & Bobbie
Spiropoulos Katherine
Sprague Ronald $ Mary
Stapakis Olympia
Stapakis Steve & Joanne
Stathis Robert & Josefa
Stavros Andy & Amber
Stavros Bill & Maria
Stavros George & Donna
Stavros John & Gwen
Stavros Louis & Mary
Stavros Ted & Olga
Stavros Tom
Stergiou Eleni
Stevenson Gus & Leona
Sullos James & Vickie
Sverkos Peter & Natalie
Syrengelas Andreas & Evdoxia
Syrengelas Andreas & Niky
Syrengelas Dino & Dora
Syrengelas George & Athanasia
Syrengelas Michael & Elizabeth
Syrengelas Sotiria
Syrengelas Toula
Syrengelas Vasili & Maria
Talaganis Ernest
Talaganis John & Kathleen
Tavlarides Angelo & Mary
Tener Theresa
Teodosiadis Romilos & Melpomeni
Terzi Popi
Terzis Constantinos & Suzanna
Thermos Gerry & Elli
Thibault Irene
Toulios Spyros & Helen
Toumasis Gerasimos & Koula
Triantos Anastasia N.
Trigonis Tula
Trikounakis Tony & Irma
Tsakoumakis Stan & Debora
Tsamous Peter & Helen
Tsimerekis Christos & Christina
Tsimerekis Nicos & Anna
Vackrinos Catherine
Valaskantjis Nikiforos & Georgia
Van Der Meyden Dieder & Anne
Vardakis Alex
Vargo Douglas & Elefteria
Varonos Alex, Gonzo & family
Varzak Darlene
Vasilomanolakis Francine
Vasilomanolakis Mike & Nikki
Veganes Peter
Vlachos Dino & Helen
Vlahakis Mary
Watkins Evangelia
Whalen Christopher &Sara
Yakos John & Flora
Zambos Angie
Zambos John & Stephanie
Zamvakellis Nick & Alison
Zarifes Angie
Zimmerman Roseann (Rikki)
Zoolakis Anthony & Kari
Zoumberakis Stelios & Stacy
Page 11
A few words from the Stewardship Ministry . . .
Stewardship Note
Can you believe it?? We will soon be celebrating 2014!! . . . Unbelievable . . .
But before we bring in the New Year, we must be sure that each of us has fulfilled our 2013 Stewardship
commitment. By now you should have received your Stewardship statement as of September 30, 2013.
If you did not receive a statement, you either 1) did not make a 2013 Stewardship pledge or 2) made a
pledge but never paid any amount toward that pledge. However, it is not too late if you act now. Please
take a moment and reflect upon this and send in your 2013 Stewardship card with your check, or on Sunday, drop your Stewardship Card and check in the offering tray. Please be sure to mark in the check
memo that it is for your 2013 Stewardship.
Please be reminded that if you are not a Steward and “current” in paying your pledged amount, you will
not be able to participate in the Fall General Assembly or vote in the upcoming elections. Your voice is
important and we want to hear it! So, please do not delay!
In the words of Fr. William Chiganos of Holy Apostles Church in Westchester, Illinois, “…people don’t give
to need; they give to vision…. Church people don’t stretch their giving because of need to meet the
budget; they give more because they are able to see a vision of people being reached and God’s purposes being accomplished in the life of the church and its ministry.”
On behalf of the Stewardship Ministry we thank you for your continued generosity,
Kathy Bastas (chair)
President’s Message cont.
A very special Thank You to Barbara Matty for volunteering to chair, plan and develop our Parish Directory through the Parish Directory Committee. More to follow…stay tuned!
Please mark your calendars for the up coming November events:
 Fall General Parish Assembly – Sunday, November 3rd
Stewardship Sunday, November 17th
Very sincere congratulations to George Demos for having the distinct honor and privilege of becoming an
Archon! For those that are not familiar with what an ARCON is: An Archon is an honoree by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his outstanding service to the Church, and a well-known distinguished, and well-respected leader of the Orthodox Christian community. Truly a great honor!
Please look both in our Panagia Bulletin and our weekly Sunday Bulletins for other events!
Our Parish Council is here to serve you and our Panagia Parish. Please do not hesitate to call or ask any
of your parish council members or me with any questions! We will provide you with the answers we know
and get back to you with the answers we don’t know.
Thanks for all of your continued support!
Chris Dolas, President
Page 12
Dear Hope & Joy,
Hope/Joy
Hope and Joy is a fun ministry at Panagia that
provides our youth an opportunity to come together for fellowship, outreach projects and fun
activities. Thank you to everyone who joined
us last month in the church hall. We had a fun
meeting preparing the classroom collection
boxes for the church “Thanksgiving Outreach
Project”. The children enjoyed playing together, making popcorn hands and decorating
cookies.
Our next meeting will be November 15th from
6pm to 8pm. We will have pizza, drinks, games
and crafts. The cost is $5 per person to help
cover the supplies and dinner. We always welcome our GOYA youth as helpers. Please
RSVP to [email protected]. We look
forward to seeing everyone.
Lots of Love,
Maria Georgakopoulos, Anne Innis
and Dina Lioulias
Greek Dance & Cultural Arts School
OPA! Greek Dance is in full swing with weekly
practices.
Everyone is working hard to prepare for
FDF. Please book your rooms at the Marriott in
Anaheim--for more information go to
www.yourfdf.org.
 Reminder: we ask that all dance families
become stewards of our church.
We need volunteers and helpers for our big
New Year's Eve fundraiser, please let your directors know if you are able and available to
help.
Just keep dancing.....OPA!
Dina Lioulias, president
Greek School
The Greek School students just celebrated their
first major holiday event, OXI DAY, The students recited poems and did a fantastic job. All
students were present and we had a very good
turnout for our luncheon. All teachers are very
proud of their students and hope they will keep
up with the good work and effort they are showing. I would like to thank all the teachers and
parents for all their help making this event a
success. This month there will be no classes
on Wednesday, November 27th, 2013. Most
children are out from school the whole week for
Thanksgiving.
Thank you,
Kathryn Condaras, Principal
Announcements
BEST WISHES
WEDDINGS
10/12/13
Emmanuel Smith & Christina Alexopoulos
Koumbara: Nicole Hadjioannou
Na zisete - Congratulations
BAPTISMS & CHRISMATIONS
10/5/12
Goran Jovicic
Godfather: David Michel
Congratulations
November Prosforo
Prosforo for the month of November is
donated by Maria Tsalikis and Lillian Papadakis. Thank you. If you would like to donate our
Sunday prosforo please call the church office.
Page 13
ΒΙΟΙ ΑΓΙΩΝ
Greek Column by Voula Michail
Οι Άγιοι Ανάργυροι.
Στην εκκλησία μας υπάρχουν τρία ζεύγη Αγίων Αναργύρων που έχουν το ίδιο όνομα Κοσμάς και
Δαμιανός και είναι αδέλφια. Είναι γιατροί στο επάγγελμα και οι ικανότητές τους θαυματουργικές.
Η μόνη διάκριση που έχουν είναι ο τόπος της καταγωγής τους, καθώς και η διαφορετική
ημερομηνία εορτασμού από την εκκλησία μας. Έτσι, η μία σειρά των Αγίων Αναργύρων
γιορτάζεται από την εκκλησία μας την 1η Νοεμβρίου και κατάγονται από την Ασία. Η άλλη σειρά
γιορτάζεται την 1η Ιουλίου και κατάγονται από την Ρώμη. Η τρίτη σειρά των Αγίων Αναργύρων
γιορτάζεται την 17η Οκτωβρίου και κατάγονται από την Αραβία.
Οι Άγιοι Ανάργυροι, Κοσμάς κα Δαμιανός, που η εκκλησία μας τους γιορτάζει την 1η Νοεμβρίου,
προέρχονται από πλούσια οικογένια. Ο πατέρας τους ήταν στην αρχή ειδολωλάτρης και
αργότερα βαπτίσθηκε κι έγινε Χριστιανός. Όμως, ενώ ήταν ακόμα σε πολύ μικρή ηλικία οι Άγιοι,
τον έχασαν και όλη τους την φροντίδα ανέλαβε η μητέρα τους Θεοδότη, που ήταν Χριστιανή.
Φρόντισε να τους δώσει Χριστιανική ανατροφή, να τα μορφώσει όσο καλύτερα μπορούσε,
χρησιμοποιώντας και μέρος της περιουσίας της, προκειμένου να τα σπουδάσει. Διάλεξαν και οι
δύο την Ιατρική Επιστήμη, όπου με τις ικανότητες που διέθεταν, διακρίνονταν καθημερινά. Η
χήρα μητέρα τους Θεοδότη, βλέποντας και ακούγοντας για τις επιτυχίες των παιδιών της ένιωθε
ξεχωριστή χαρά και παρακαλούσε το Θεό να τα προστατεύει, αλλά και να τα φωτίζει. Μετά που
τελείωσαν τις σπουδές τους και πήραν το πτυχίο της Ιατρικής, άρχισαν να ασκούν το επάγγελμα
με απόλυτη επιτυχία. Τα φιλανθρωπικά αισθήματά τους δεν τους άφηναν να ησυχάσουν ούτε
στιγμή, γιατί έβλεπαν γύρω τους ανθρώπους να πεθαίνουν, χωρίς να έχουν την στοιχειώδη
ιατρική περίθαλψη. Η ζωή τους ήταν απλή και λιτή. Ήταν ολιγαρκείς και ουδέποτε έπαιρναν
χρήματα απο τους ασθενείς τους. Γι αυτό η φήμη τους γρήγορα διαδόθηκε και ο κόσμος τους
αποκαλούσε Ανάργυρους. Λίγο αργότερα επισκέφτηκαν τη χώρα Φερεμάν όπου ασθένησαν από
βαριά ασθένεια και πέθαναν και οι δυο και ενταφιάσθηκαν στη χώρα αυτή.
Σ' αυτά τα τρία ζευγάρια των Αγίων Αναργύρων, που η ίδια η φύση προίκισε με σπάνια
προσόντα, ο Σωτήρας μας Χριστός εμπιστεύθηκε τα Αποστολικά Του Χαρίσματα. Είχαν τη
δυνατότητα να θεραπεύσουν την κάθε σωματική ασθένεια, όπως και την κάθε ψυχική, αλλά και
να θαυματουργούν με τη χάρη του Παναγίου Πνεύματος, χάρισμα που είχαν μόνο οι Απόστολοι
του Χριστού. Έτσι τα σπίτια τους έγιναν μια σύγχρονη Προβατική Κολυμβήθρα, που
νοσηλεύονταν από κάθε ασθένεια όσοι προσέρχονταν σ' αυτούς, χωρίς απολύτως καμιά
διάκριση. Δε δέχονταν χρήματα από κανέναν, αλλά ούτε και τις ανθρώπινες ευχαριστίες από
τους ασθενείς τους, συμβουλεύοντας τους μάλιστα να ευχαριστούν το Θεό, γιατί απ' Αυτόν
γίνονται όλες οι ευεργεσίες και οι θεραπείες. Γι αυτό η φήμη τους σαν "οι καλύτεροι Γιατροί του
κόσμου" ακούγονταν σε κάθε γωνιά του πλανήτη.
Αυτά τα Ιερά πρόσωπα των Αγίων Αναργύρων η εκκλησία μας τα τιμά ιδιαίτερα με το δικό της
ξεχωριστό τρόπο. Την ώρα της Προσκομιδής ο λειτουργός ιερέας εξάγει τη μερίδα της τιμής των
Αγίων Αναργύρων Κοσμά και Δαμιανού, Κύρου και Ιωάννου....και "πάντων των Αγίων
Αναργύρων". Επίσης η εκκλησία μας τους παρακαλεί να μεσιτεύουν σε όποιον τους επικαλείται
για την ασθένειά του και χρησιμοποιεί τις παρακάτω φράσεις "Άγιοι Ανάργυροι θαυματουργοί και
ελεήμονες, πρώτοι γιατροί του κόσμου, δωρεάν ελάβατε, δωρεάν εδώσατε".
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ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED
VIRGIN MARY
5761 E. Colorado St.
Long Beach, CA 90814
Worship Services
Regular Schedule
Orthros 8:45 AM
Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM
NOTE: Sunday Divine
Liturgy starts at
10:00AM year-round.
See enclosed calendar for
dates and times of other services this month.
NON-PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
LONG BEACH, CA
PERMIT NO. 344

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