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February 14, 2010

Forgiveness Sunday

Epistle: Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4:

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

Gospel: Matthew 6:14-21:

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Valentines Day with J.O.Y.

Sun., Feb. 14 bring your little cupids (ages 5-12) to the JOY Room from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for crafts, snacks, and lots of fun.

MEMORIAL BLOOD DRIVE

Mon., Feb. 15 (President's Day) from 2-7 p.m., the Paterakis family in conjunction with the Red Cross and the Zapis Activity Center is organizing a blood drive in memory of Steve Paterakis, who had received multiple blood transfusions before losing his battle with cancer. Call Danielle Paterakis-Cansky at 440-289-3781 to sign up.

GODPARENTS' SUNDAY

Feb. 14 we welcome visiting godparents and godchildren! After the reading of the Gospel and directly after the sermonette, the entire congregation will be called to stand for the Rededication Service. When the priest says "let us offer our prayer and rededicate ourselves to the Lord," the congregation will join in this prayer together:

Lord Jesus, I believe & confess that you are truly the Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world for the Salvation of all humanity. I believe that you died for me on the Cross, and was buried & rose again on the 3rd day, to give new hope, purpose & meaning to my life. In faith, love & total trust, I now rededicate & commit my life to You. I publicly acknowledge you as my Savior & God. Receive me, I pray, in the mystery of Holy Communion. Forgive my sins. Strengthen me to resist temptation. Help me to grow in faith, in wisdom & in obedience. Inspire me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to follow the Christian teachings in every way. In all I say & do, help me to honor & worship You always "in spirit and in truth." May Your mercy, peace & love remain in my heart, now & forever. Amen.

Please join us after Liturgy for a Pancake Breakfast, prepared by GOYA, in the hall. Tickets on sale at the door for $6/person.

VALENTINES DAY WITH J.O.Y.

Sun., Feb. 14 bring your little cupids (ages 5-12) to the JOY Room from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for crafts, snacks, and lots of fun.

ORATORICAL FESTIVAL

Final papers, along with a bio and picture of contestants are due Feb. 14 to Mrs. Hericks cahericks@aol.com . Papers will not be accepted after today. Presentations will be Sun., Feb. 28, during Sunday School. Grades 4-12 will hear the speeches. Judges will select two finalists from each division to give their speeches in church after the service on March 7. Mr. Apotsos, on behalf of AHEPA, will present awards to our winners on that day (March 7th). The regional competition will take place on Sat., March 6 in Youngstown.

MEMORIAL BLOOD DRIVE

Mon., Feb. 15 (President's Day) from 2-7 p.m., the Paterakis family, Red Cross and Zapis Activity Center is organizing a blood drive in memory of Steve Paterakis, who had received multiple blood transfusions before losing his battle with cancer. Call Danielle Paterakis-Cansky at 440-289-3781 to sign up.

FESTIVAL MEETING

Mon., Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. in the hall will be the first organizational meeting for the 2010 Festival. All chairpeople or those interested in chairing an area need to attend. Cooking dates will be set at this time. We also need creative ideas for various marketing opportunities and any new ideas/changes must be discussed now.

"YES" CLEVELAND

Youth Equipped to Serve, Friday, February 19-Sunday, Feb. 21, hosted by the GOYA of Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights. All GOYA chapters welcome. Register online at yesnorthamerica.org

A TIME TO DANCE

Senior Hellenic dance rehearsals (ages 13 & up) are now taking place each Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the hall. Contact Eleni Papouras-Jenks with any questions.

1st General Assembly of 2010

Mon., Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. in the hall. A quorum of 25 members in Good Standing is required. If quorum is not met the meeting will be on March 1.

ADULT DANCE GROUP

The Cleveland Hellenic Dancers will be meeting on Mon., Feb 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Zapis Activity Center and Wed., Mar 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Hts. Those ages 18 & up who are interested can contact the church office for more details.

Zapis Activity Center

  • Soccer Skills with George Mallias Fridays 6-8 p.m.
  • Kids Basketball Skills: Saturdays 1-3 p.m., for children ages 5-12
  • Adult Golf : Tuesdays 6:30 p.m., starting Feb. 23. At least 10 people needed. $25 for 5 weeks.
  • Kids Baseball Skills: Saturdays 7-9 a.m. each week in March.
  • Contact Nick Hillman (activitycenternick@yahoo.com) to sign up.

THEOTOKOS FELLOWSHIP

The religious book discussion group will now meet alternately between day and evening times on Mondays. Our next gathering will be Monday, February 22, at 10 am in the home of Helen Asimou.

SILENT PRAYER

Each Wednesday from 10-11 a.m., the church is open for individual Silent Prayer time for whoever wishes to take part.

PHILOPTOCHOS EVENTS

We will be preparing the Lenten meal for the first Lenten Lecture on Wednesday, February 17. Members may bring a Lenten casserole or salad to the kitchen before 7 p.m. Don't forget that we are also collecting recipes for a new community cookbook. Please submit your favorite Lenten recipes in February to Stdphiloptochos@gmail.com. Include your name, how many it serves, and a brief history or family note, if you have one.

Lenten Events

LEAD-IN TO LENT

Feb. 14 is Cheesefare Sunday (the last day to eat dairy prior to Great Lent.) Lent begins on Clean Monday Feb. 15.

SATURDAYS OF SOULS

The Saturday of Souls memorial service will be on Feb. 13 and 20, at 9:30 a.m. in church.

SALUTATIONS TO THE VIRGIN MARY

Fridays during Lent at 7 p.m., beginning Feb. 19. Those wishing to decorate the icon of the Virgin Mary, please contact the office to sign up for one of the services. This Friday, Feb. 19, we are blessed to welcome His Grace Bishop Ignatios of Madagascar (originally from Korinthos, Greece) to pray with us the Heretismoi. Please make every effort to come welcome and receive a blessing from this holy man to our parish. Bishop Ignatios served as a missionary in India, where Fr. Stephen Callos met him and said of him: "I consider him one of the most remarkable bishops in the contemporary church." He has devoted the last 25 years to missionary work in Korea, India and now in Madagascar. He is consumed by a desire to serve the poorest and neediest of humanity. During his 14 year tenure in India he oversaw the construction of nine churches, an orphanage for girls, seven free-clinics offering medical and pharmacy services, one free-clinic for dentistry, and five elementary schools.

SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY

Feb. 21 this beautiful, annual Pan-Orthodox service will be at 5 pm. at Holy Trinity Church, 6822 Broadview Rd., Parma, this year. To be a "Patron" in the program book and support our local Orthodox charities, fill out the form found in the Narthex or in February's Epistle, and return it no later than Mon., Feb. 15.

ST. GREGORY PILGRIMAGE

Sat., Feb. 27 at St Gregory Palamas Monastery, 934 County Rd 2256, Perrysville, Ohio. Hierarchal Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. celebrated by Metropolitan Maximos. Lenten meal will be served after at Sts. Constantine & Helen Church in Mansfield.


2010 LENTEN LECTURE SERIES: WHAT IS ORTHODOXY ALL ABOUT?

The St. Syncletika Spiritual Life Committee of St. Demetrios Church invites you to join Fr. Jim on Wednesday evenings during Lent for worship, sustenance and edification!

6 p.m. Pre-sanctified Liturgy · 7 p.m. Lenten meal · 8 p.m. Lecture
Dates Topic Speaker Meal Hosts
2/17 Orthodoxia (Correct worship) Melissa Tsogranos, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Philoptochos Dept of Family Enrichment
2/24 Orthopraxia (Correct actions) Fr. Jerry Hall, Annunciation Church, Akron Choir
3/3 cancelled due to a clergy retreat.
3/10 Orthokoinonia(Correct community living) Fr. Stephen Callos, Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral Daughters of Penelope
3/17 Orthokrisia (Correct judgment) Georgette Constantinou, Akron Children's Hospital
 Bible Study

The Presence of God in Our Life

Lenten Retreat on Sat., Mar. 6 at Sts Constantine & Helen Cathedral, 3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Hts., led by Dr. Peter Kalellis, Christian psychologist , lecturer and author. $15 prepay; $20 after Feb. 28; $5 for students, includes Lenten breakfast & lunch. 9 a.m. service; 9:30 a.m. breakfast; 12:15 pm lunch; 3:30 p.m. Closing prayer. Forms available on the bulletin board or call 216-932-3300.

She Who is Quick to Hear

Retreat on Sat., March 6 at Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, 2238 E. 32nd St., Lorain. 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy; 10:30 a.m. Brunch & 1st Session Speaker Deacon Joseph Lucas' personal testimony of a convert from Islam to Orthodoxy; 12:30 p.m. Lunch; 130 p.m. 2nd Session Speaker Archimandrite Sergius of St. Tikhon's Monastery; 4 p.m. Akathist & Anointing with the Holy Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "She who is quick to hear" from the iconostasis of St. Tikhon; 5 p.m. Vespers. Registration is $12 before March 3; $15 after. Forms are on the bulletin board.

Orthodox Homeschooling Conference

March 11-14 at Antiochian Village in Ligonier, PA. Visit www.antiochianvillage.org for entire schedule and registration form. Registration $85/adult or couple; $35/child ages 5 & up. Lodging & meal fees extra.

Why a Suffering Messiah?

March 12-13, Lenten Retreat at St. Matthew Orthodox Church, 10383 Albion Rd., North Royalton. Fr. Thomas Hopko, premier author and scholar of Orthodoxy, will be the speaker. Fri.: 6:30 p.m. Akathist service; 7:30-8:45 p.m. 1st Session. Sat.,9:30 a.m. Breakfast; 10 a.m. 2nd Session; Noon Lunch (provided); 1:15-3p.m.3rd Session. The cost is $20/person and includes food. Call St. Matthew Church at 440-582-5673 or take a registration form from our bulletin board.

Stewardship

March is Stewardship Awareness Month! Have you ever wondered where your pledge goes? How much is really needed? How else you can contribute? Please join the Stewardship Committee on Sunday, March 7th for a special coffee hour, "St. Demetrios 2010: It's Time to Talk about Time, Talent & Treasure". We will answer questions that are on your mind and provide help for making the right pledge for you and your church this year.

A special thank you to the 49 families that are new to submitting a Stewardship Form. To date, we have received pledges equaling 1/3 of our 2010 Stewardship Target - Thank you! We kindly ask all families to submit their Stewardship Forms by April 1st to the office. (Forms are available in the Narthex & church office).

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNTIES

Dean Nakis Memorial Scholarship is available for students who are active members of one of the Greek Orthodox Churches of Northeastern Ohio, who are either entering college or currently working on their undergraduate degree. Recipients will be selected based on scholastic achievement and financial need. Applications are now available in the church office. Submission deadline is April 5, 2010.

AHEPA Thomas A. Stamatis Chapter 389 and Daughters of Penelope, Icarus Chapter 321 are offering three (3) $500 "Dr. John G. Janas Memorial Scholarships." Graduating high school seniors whose parents are in good standing of AHEPA/Daughters of Penelope or St. Demetrios Church are eligible to apply. Applications available in the church office. Submission deadline is April 10, 2010.

AHEPA Buckeye District 11 Scholarships are now available in the church office. Students entering college in the 2010 school or who are already attending a college or university and whose families are members of AHEPA are eligible. Copies of the application can also be found at www.ahepadistrict11.org Submission deadline is April 15, 2010.

Hellenic College/Holy Cross, the undergraduate college and seminary schools of the Archdiocese, is offering two scholarships:

  • The "Come and See" Scholarships offer 80% off of tuition for all (male or female) incoming students to both schools for the 2010-2011 school year. The scholarship will follow the student through their entire degree program, provided they maintain a 3.0 GPA and adhere to the code of conduct. (Each student must go through the normal admissions process and be accepted by the school in order to receive this scholarship.)
  • The Chrysostom Scholarship operates in conjunction with the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. It offers a 1 year 100% tuition scholarship and 80% tuition scholarship for the remainder of the degree program, provided a 3.0 GPA is maintained, to each Senior Division 1st Place Speaker from each participating parish. In addition, HC/HC is honoring high school junior winners from last year's Festival, should they choose to apply and if they get accepted. More details can be found at http://hellenic.hchc.edu/hellenic/admisions/new-scholarships-established.html.

Volunteer Opportunities

HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS

Hospice of Western Reserve is currently recruiting volunteers. HWR addressed the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of seriously ill people and their families. A few hours of your time will make a world of difference for the thousands we help. The next Volunteer Training Session will be on Mondays (March 15-May 3) from 6-9 p.m. at Diplomat Health Care, 9001 W. 130th St., North Royalton. To sign up, call 216-383-3742.

YOCAMA MISSIONS

This summer's mission trip dates are July 9-16 for Montana and July 16-24 for New Mexico. Contact Angie Giallourakis (440-871-2681) for more information.