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From Glory to Glory The monthly newsletter of the

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Fr. Joseph Strzelecki

Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos

December 2018

Dates to Remember in December

December 4

Great Martyr Barbara

December 6

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

December 9

Conception of the Theotokos

December 12

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker

December 15

St. Eleutherios

December 16

The Holy Forefathers

December 23

Genealogy of Christ

December 24

Christmas Eve

December 25

Nativity of Christ

December 27

Protomartyr Steven

1755 Des Peres Road

Town & Country, MO 63131-1405

Phone: 314-966-2255

Kitchen: 314-966-6720 Web Site: www.assumptiongoc.org


Email: [email protected]

Office Manager: Diane Sieckmann


Secretary: Diakonissa Kristen Vogt


Advent:

The Fast of Christmas and

the Preparation for the Nativity

Advent is a Latin word which means “The Coming.” It is used in the life of the

Church to signify the visible coming of the Son of God into this world.

The Two Comings of Christ

Holy Scripture bears witness to that “coming” of the Son of God taking

place at two different times.

The first coming of Christ took place when the Son of God was conceived

by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the most pure Virgin Mary, and born of her

in the stable of Bethlehem according to the flesh and was made man,

sanctifying the world by His coming, for which many kings and prophets had

been waiting.

The second coming of Christ will take place at the end of the world, when

Christ shall come in great majesty to judge the living and the dead.

The Purpose of the Fast

The Fast of Christmas (Advent - the Season of Hope), which begins on

November 15, is a time of anticipation, a time of hope, a time for reflection, a

time of preparation, a time of getting ready for Christmas the great and Holy

Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The world may not know what “Advent” means or when it begins, or even

that there is; such a season in the Christian year; but it does know that there is

something called “Christmas” coming, and that if we want the most of it, now

is the time to get ready for it.

How We Prepare

Stores, radio and television commercials, city officials make sure that dec-

orations go up and the announcers hammer away with the “hard sell.” What

are our Advent preparations? How are we getting ready for Christmas? To

make the most of Christmas, we have to get ready for it. Hopefully, let us

begin, to make the most of our time, realizing that the more we use the Advent

days to listen to what Advent says, the more we will profit from our Christmas

celebrating when it comes. Christmas this year is going to be, as it always is,

another reenactment of the greatest event in history; and we can’t come up to

something like that without careful preparation.

Thoughts About Advent

ADVENT teaches us to do some spiritual shopping for Christmas. AD-

VENT should be a season of spiritual awakening for the soul. Fasting, prayer,

and the sacraments of repentance, confession: and Holy Communion make the

soul alive and exceedingly happy.

2

2018 Parish Council Fr. Joseph Strzelecki


Scott Thompson, President

Greg Simos, Vice President

Elefteria Marcou, Secretary

Gus Harris, Treasurer

Daniel Gantner, Carol Marshall, Pam Martin,

Samia Rabie, Farid Sadaka, Vasilios Simos, Greg

Simos, Sotirios Sotiriou, Tom Stamos, Chris

Tsoubanos, Nick Tsoubanos, Tonis Zafiropoulos

Acolytes Alban Mosher, John Nicholas

Adult Orthodox Christians (18 years +):

Diane Sieckmann

Bible Study Fr. Daniel Morton

Bookstore Dr. Joseph Steineger, Diakonissa Kristen Vogt

Chanters Steve Bellos

Choir Stephanie Saunders

Church Tours

Janice Hazeltine

Friday Luncheon Art Liyeos

Greek Festival Greg Simos, Art Liyeos

Greek School

Savas Kyramarios

Greek Dancers

Kyklos: & Armonia Stella Afentoullis

Ta Paidakia, Neo Kyma: Aliki Malek

GOYA (9th -12th Grade)

Yvonne Alexopoulos, Dr. Jenny Kardaris

Greeters Eleni Murphy

JOY (4 years - 4th Grade)

Jr. GOYA (5th - 8th Grades)

Alki Lappas Case

Kafenio

Art Liyeos

Little Angels (infant - 5 years)


Orthodox Faith & Life:

Dr. Farid Sadaka, Anna Sadaka

Philoptochos Flora Dimitriou, President

Planned Giving Committee

Amy Johnson

Premarital Classes

Susan Cassimatis

Prison Ministry

Bill Goranitis

Stewardship Michael Afentoullis

Sunday School Diane Sieckmann

Vacation Church Camp (VCC)

Anna Sadaka

Women’s Bookstudy Presvytera Laura Morton

Young Adult Ministry (18-30 yrs)

Fr. Anastasios & Presvytera Elizabeth

The Greatest Thing

My beloved, “The greatest thing that could happen is going to happen. God

is going to visit His world. The Promised One is coming. Get ready to meet

Him.”

We can be ready to meet our Savior through prayer, fasting, through the

Sacraments of repentance, confession and Holy Communion, by attending

Church Services during Advent. Christmas is coming. Get ready for it!

Our Christmas Gift to Jesus “

It is, more blessed to give than to receive.“ (Acts 20: 35)

How blessed the wise men were in being able to bring gifts to the Holy

Babe and to adore Him as they knelt before Him! Their hearts were filled with

joy as they left that place.

Everyone who loves Jesus with all his heart wants to give Him love,

coming out of a heart full of gratitude. We want to bring Him our best gift - the

one He desires most. So we surrender our lives to Him that He may reign over

us. Jesus our Lord and Savior never refuses a gift given with a loving heart.

When we open our hearts to Jesus, He enters and fills us with an immense and

overflowing joy. His gifts are much bigger than ours. He gives in abundance.

How wonderful to be His faithful servants!

“A contrite and humble heart God will not despise.” At Christmas time our best

gift to Jesus is an open and responsive heart. This culminates in faith which

believes that Jesus is the One Whom the Scriptures say He is: the Son of God,

the Savior of the world, the Bread of life, the Good Shepherd, the Living

Water, the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel - God with Us.

Accordingly, we commit ourselves to His transforming power. As surely as

Jesus is the Son of God given for our redemption, it follows that when we

receive Him we shall henceforth follow Him devoutly and love Him with all

our hearts.

For all the gifts which we have received so abundantly from the Father,

especially for the Gift of His Beloved Son, we thank our Heavenly Father. We,

too, offer ourselves as a gift to Him.

Beloved, we know that many unbelieving merchants take advantage of the

spirit of the Holy Season for purely commercial purposes. But in spite of all

that may be wrong, there is something wonderful about a season when we

celebrate the birth of the Son of God. Let us rejoice and be happy together!

With heartfelt gratitude and love, my family and I extend our special

greetings to Father John and Father Radu and their families and all the mem-

bers of Holy Trinity Church. Have a Blessed Christmas Season. Christ is Born!

Glorify Him!

Fr. John K. Androutsopoulos

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Pittsburgh, PA

2018 Stewardship Please make your 2018 Stewardship commitment by the end

of December.

Assumption currently has 371 pledged Families.

It is vital that all families make a stewardship donation and

return it to the Church as soon as possible.

Thank you for your generosity and for supporting

Assumption Church.

3

Monday, December 24, 2018

Christmas Eve – St. Eugenia

9:00 am Great Hours & Typica

6:00 pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy & Coffee Hour

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Nativity of Christ

9:00 am Orthros

10:00 am Divine Liturgy and Coffee Hour

Thursday, December 27, 2018

St. Stephen

9:00 am Orthros

10:00 am Divine Liturgy

Holy Confession: Please remember to receive the

Sacrament of Holy Confession before Christmas so you

may receive Holy Communion on Christmas Day.

Monday, December 31, 2018

New Year’s Eve - Circumcision of Christ

St. Basil the Great

7:00 pm Great Vespers

8:00 pm New Year’s Eve Party

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

New Year’s Day – Circumcision of Christ

St. Basil the Great

9:00 am Orthros

10:00 am Divine Liturgy

Friday, January 4, 2019

9:00 am Great Hours & Typica

Saturday, January 5, 2019

Eve of Theophany - Fast Day

9:00 am Orthros

10:00 am Divine Liturgy and Great Blessing of the Waters

5:00 pm Great Vespers

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Holy Theophany

8:30 am Orthros

9:45 am Divine Liturgy and Great Blessing of the Waters

1:30 pm Pan-Orthodox Blessing of the Waters will take place

at Lake 1 in Wilmore Park.

Monday, January 7, 2019

Synaxis of John the Baptist

9:00 am Orthros

10:00 am Divine Liturgy, Coffee Hour & Sunday School

Blessing of the Homes:

Please call Fr.

Joseph or

Fr. Anastasios to

schedule an

appointment to

have your

home blessed.

Holiday Season Schedule

The Holy Monastery of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Ormylia, Greece has a Philanthropic center called "Panagia Philanthopini - Our Lady who Loves Mankind," whose mission is to

comfort and alleviate the suffering of the poor and working class public without preference to race, religion,

gender, or creed.

The Center is dedicated to spreading the message of God’s love and saving grace through medical,

educational, scientific research, charitable and spiritual services and ministries. The director of this center is

Charles Anthony, a former parishioner of the Assumption. During the upcoming holy season, we will take a col-

lection to help the children's programs at this center. If you would like to give a donation for this cause, please

make a check payable to “The Assumption Church” and mark it for “The Ormylia Foundation” and mail or drop

it off at the church office. Thank you for your support.

4

Assumption Christmas Card Fundraiser

Sign up today to have your name included in this year’s Community

Christmas Card and help support Philoptochos Charities

The suggested donation is $15.00. You can sign up during coffee hour or mail this

sign-up sheet with your check to the Assumption Church office. The deadline to sign up is

Sunday, December 2.

Thank you

Please include our name in the 2018 Community Christmas Card.

Please print our name in the following manner:

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Please make checks payable to “Assumption Philoptochos Ladies Society”

“Christmas Card Fundraiser “in the memo line. Drop off or Mail to:

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

1755 Des Peres Road

Town & Country, MO 63131

The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos Society Invites you to

Celebrate the Season All women over 18 years of age of the Assumption Church and Community are cordially invited to celebrate with us

Sunday, December 2, 2018

Following Divine Liturgy

12:30 pm - 4:00 pm

at

Surf and Sirloin, 13090 Manchester Rd,

Des Peres, MO 63131

Ticket Price: $25.00

Don’t forget a small gift for: (no more than $10 to play)

Rob Your Neighbor

To make reservation, please see us under

the Philoptochos banner every

Sunday during coffee hour or call Diane

Sieckmann at 314-966-2255 or 314-412-

3476

This year we are collecting purses for

women in need, in a fun way.

Do you have a gently used purse at

home you no longer use? Fill it with

snacks and hygiene products (examples:

chap stick, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste,

lotion, tissues, shampoo, mints, gum),

and bring it with you to the party

Thank you!

5

Philoptochos Corner The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos

Society

Our soul is simple, as the image and likeness of God;

therefore, when it is well-regulated and is living in ac-

cordance with the will of God, then it is peaceful, easy,

and joyous; whilst, on the contrary, when it consents to

sin, commits sin, or is forced into sin by the Enemy,

then it becomes disturbed, darkened, and heavy. Thus,

always do the will of God, and you will be simple and

quiet; but if you sin you have no peace

Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt

Don’t ever be sad about something ending….

because without an end there cannot be a new beginning.

December is another month where we need to remember

it’s about Faith, Family & Friends.

"At the end of the day it's not about what you have or even

what you've accomplished-it's about who you've lifted up,

who you've made better. It's about what you've given back."

~Denzel Washington

Be grateful and thank God for all of your blessings.

Wishing everyone a

Merry Christmas and

a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year 2019!

2019!

Acknowledgements It is always with the best of intentions to not make any

mistakes when writing this corner. We write this at least a

month in advance and sometimes things change. Therefore,

we would like to thank Carol Maniaci & Sandy Tomazos

for serving coffee hour the month of October and Board

Member Amalia Karakasis and friends for serving coffee

hour for the month of December.

Thank you to Dessie Bellos & Soula Marcou for Co-

Chairing our Holiday Meal Committee

Thank you to Helena Brown & Rose Harpole for Co-

Chairing our Holiday Pastry Box & Tray Committee

Holiday Sales

You are almost out of time!! We will be selling the

Community Christmas card

Pastry boxes/trays,

Spanakopites & Tiropites

Taking orders for vasilopites.

Come find us at the Philoptochos table. Look for our banner

on the wall.

Philoptochos Christmas

Please join us for our annual Philoptochos Christmas Party

on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Surf & Sirloin. The

luncheon ticket price is $25 per person. Please come to the

Philoptochos table to make a reservation. All reservations

must be paid in full in order for your reservation to be held.

Children’s Medical Fund We will be having a number of events during 2019. We

need your support in order to help our Chicago Diocese host

this most worthy event. Please look for our event

flyers. Thank you in advance for your help.

December National Commitments

United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund

(UNICEF) – Benefits the United Nations International

Children’s Emergency Fund

General Medical Fund – Provides financial resources for

individuals in need of assistance not specifically covered by

other restricted National Funds or Programs

Evelyn’s House – BJC Hospice

We are stocking the snack pantry at the hospice house. If

you would like to make a donation please see Flora

Dimitriou for a list of items needed.

Evelyn’s House is in need of more crocheted lap blankets

and pillowcases. If you have any interest in making a

blanket please let us know. There is a size requirement for

these lap blankets.

If you would like any more information on this project

please see Flora Dimitriou or Diane Sieckmann.

2018-2019 Meeting Dates No meeting in December

January 27

February 24

March 24

April 14

May 19 – ELECTION DAY

This is a friendly reminder that it is an election year which

means that meeting attendance counts. You must attend at

least 4 meetings between May 2018 and April 2019 in order

to be eligible to be a board member. We look forward to

seeing you at our next meeting!

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Flora Dimitriou, Philoptochos President

636-795-4602

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

6

What’s My Job?

“But what’s my job?” shouted my indignant four-year-old

daughter as we cruised down the frozen food aisle. Her

nine-year-old sister was reminding me to buy crackers, while

her six-year-old sister held the coupons. My youngest would

smell out busy work in an instant; her job needed to be some-

thing valuable.

“You can use my card to pay at the checkout. I can’t pay

for the groceries without you!” Upon having fulfilled her duty,

she breathed a deep sigh and reflected, “That was very im-

portant.”

When we were in the Anglican Church, we saw men and

women, boys and girls serving together in the same

capacity. Anglicans have female altar servers, deacons, priests

and bishops, and once we saw a female presiding bishop.

Where man goes, woman goes. In that setting, my daughters

could have served in any capacity they chose. But when we

became Orthodox, many of those options were no longer

available. As the girls grow in the Church, the same question

arises: “But what’s my job?”

The Divine Liturgy is offered for the people of God, and

the priest cannot serve it alone. Our first and primary

responsibility as Orthodox Christians, whether from inside or

outside of the altar doors, is to attend liturgy and add our pray-

ers to the priest’s. If we wish to serve in another

capacity, whether male or female, we must all find our gifts

and use them to serve our communities. There are

limitations on us all, including personalities, physical

abilities and, yes, sex. It is particularly important to help our

daughters identify the work women do in their parish and to

help them see the value and richness of ministry and service

that women provide.

So, what can our daughters do? Though my oldest daugh-

ter, Adeline, feels a bit wishful about serving at the altar, with

guidance she has found equally valuable ways to serve. Con-

sider the need of the parish and the gifts of the girl. Working

with your priest you can find ways for girls to take responsibil-

ity. If you are in a parish with many young girls, consider

starting a ministry just for them. Some churches call this a

myrrhbearers ministry. If your parish is smaller, the process is

the same but will be more individualized.

Does she bake? She can learn the art of prosphora making, the

most necessary of offerings. Learning to create a proper seal

and providing the material that becomes the body of Christ is

valuable and rewarding. She can ask a different family each

week for a list of names the priest will pray for during the

liturgy. Does she love responsibility? Girls can assist with the candles in the narthex and nave. They can bring vigil

candles to the iconostasis and monitor candles that are

burning low. Is there an artoklasia or a memorial service?

Candles need to be lit and tended. At the end of the

service, girls can clean out the candle stand, properly

disposing of used candles and refilling candle boxes. If she

wishes to feel official, she can wear a white dress as she

performs her duties.

Does she love music? The choir or chant stand may be

the place for her. This ministry is of particular interest to our

oldest daughter. She helps chant vespers and weekday

liturgies and helps at special services. We should not balk at

teaching our young girls these skills. They are young, but

they are mighty!

Is a pleasant demeanor her gift? She could be a greeter

and welcome her church family into Divine Liturgy each

week. She can be responsible for handing out bulletins,

helping little ones choose a church book to peruse during lit-

urgy and greeting visitors.

Is she artistic? She could consider learning to decorate

the icons with flowers or embroidered scarves. The

frequent feasts throughout our Church year, as well as Holy

Week, bring many opportunities to array our icons, crosses

and churches in beauty.

Is she a nurturer? Her ministry may be helping to

contain small children and guide them through worship,

allowing their parents to participate in a greater capacity. Or

perhaps an older parishioner could use a hand during liturgy.

In the community, she can serve by baking for the

festival, visiting shut-ins, writing for the parish newsletter or

arranging supply drives for any number of organizations.

Other than serving at the altar, if there is a need, our girls can

meet it. Their roles may not be as visible as their brothers’ in

the altar are, but they are nonetheless just as great.

My husband, Rev. Fr. Matthew Moore, often says that

the Church is braced on the backs of women. If the women

decided they were no longer going to do what they always do,

the Church would be in danger of closing! In many churches

women are responsible for much of the work done outside the

altar, and there would be an incredible vacuum if those

offerings ceased. As parents of girls we should always point

out the important work that women are doing in the Church.

If we assign value to the many ministries outside the altar,

our daughters will as well. They will see their contributions

as the beautiful, equally important offerings that they are.

Presvytera Jennifer Moore is an ESL teacher and homeschooling mother of three wonderfully spunky girls:

Adeline (nine), Katherine (six) and Beatrice (four). She and

her husband, Rev. Fr. Matthew Moore, are blessed to serve the parish of St. John Greek Orthodox Church in Charleston,

West Virginia. They have one dog, Inara, and thirty thousand

bees. https://www.goarch.org/-/what-s-my-job-

7

OCMC

Banquet

Supporting Thomas and Elizabeth Manuel,

long term missionaries to the Orthodox

Churches in Guatemala. Tom and Elizabeth

will be at the banquet to speak about their

missionary service.

Thursday, January 10, 2019 Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

1755 Des Peres Road

Town & Country MO 63131

6PM Vespers

7PM Dinner and Program

Tickets are available from your parish OCMC team

representative, by mail or email

OCMC Banquet Reservation: Name:_________________________________________

____________________________________

Address:_________________________________

________________________________________

Phone:___________________________________

Email:___________________________________

Number of tickets_______@ $30 = $_____________

I am not able to attend, but would like to make a

donation in the amount of $________________

Make checks payable: Mission Team - St. Louis

OCMC Banquet

4770 Maryville Rd.

Granite City, IL 62040

Or email to [email protected] Mission Team St. Louis thanks you for your support!

MAIL TO

Mayan Orthodoxy:

Mission Guatemala

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Sunday School

and Philoptochos

Invite you to the

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT and SOCIAL

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16 Immediately following the Divine Liturgy

Come to see the

Sunday School Program and

enjoy a light reception before the program

courtesy of The Assumption Ladies

Philoptochos Society

From the heights our Savior, Christ, the Dayspring of

the East, is come to visit us; and we, who once were in

the shadow and the dark, behold, now we have found

the truth for from a holy Virgin, the Lord hath been

born today.

The Exapostelarion of the Nativity of Christ

8

Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Corner The Orthodox Mission Team of St. Louis

The Orthodox Mission Team of St. Louis works to nurture an awareness within our local churches of the

need to evangelize, catechize, and support missionary efforts and programs globally."

As always, if you have any questions, would like to be part of the Mission Team St. Louis, or if you would like to help our

missionaries, please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley, 618-447-9688.

Thank you for your continued support!

Serving in Guatemala – Thomas & Elizabeth Manuel

Thomas Manuel, the son of Fr. John and Presvytera Karen Manuel, grew up at the center of Church life while his father served first as a Youth Director and later as a Priest. During his first year in college in 2007 he took an OCF REAL BREAK trip to Guatemala City, Guatemala and while there, sparked a lifelong desire to serve in the mission field. After graduating from James Madison University with a dual degree in International Politics, Spanish language and a minor in Latin American Politics he went to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts. He graduated with his Master of Divinity in 2014, and since then he has been serving as a Pastoral Assistant and Youth Director of the Annunciation Cathedral in Norfolk, Virginia. Elizabeth Manuel, daughter of Stavroula Marshall, is a native of Norfolk, Virginia and grew up going to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral. She graduated from Virginia Tech in 2013 with a degree in Psychology, and is currently working as a Special Education Teacher at a local high school. Shortly after graduating college she felt called to the mission field and this was affirmed during a short-term trip to Guatemala in 2015. She is very active in her Church community as she serves as her parish OCMC Ambassador, teaches Sunday School, sings in the choir, works at the local Orthodox Christian Summer Camp as a co-director and generally assists in the many youth ministry programs. Thomas and Elizabeth met in the summer of 2014 at Annunciation Cathedral in Norfolk. They were engaged in the spring of 2016 and married in January 2017. Serving as long-term missionaries has been a desire of both of them for many years and they are excited to be able to share this ministry together. Since 2010 several thousands of the Mayan people in Guatemala have been coming into the church through the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Mexico. The Orthodox Church is now facing a challenge on how to serve the thousands of native people. There are only a small handful of priests available to provide for the people as well as a team of OCMC missionaries to aid in training future priests and skilled lay leaders. Thomas and Elizabeth are thrilled to have the opportunity to join the team down in Guatemala. The Manuel’s are 75% funded for their mission and hope to depart for the field at the end of January 2019. They will be the guest speakers at the January 10, 2019 OCMC Banquet, held this year at the Assumption GOC, 1755 Des Peres Rd, Town & Country, MO. They are eager to share their experiences and plans in Guatemala with all of us. You can also learn more about the Mayan Orthodoxy mission at http://www.mayanorthodoxy.com/ Please consider becoming a part of their mission team by supporting them with your prayers and monthly donations. They must be 100% funded before they can depart! To contact them, email them at [email protected] or online at https://www.facebook.com/ManuelOCMC/

9

Let’s Celebrate the

HOLIDAYS Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 12:30 pm

Surf & Sirloin ~ 13090 Manchester Rd. ~ Des Peres, MO 63131

Hosted by

The Daughters of Epirus

$25 Per Reservation

RSVP & Payment due on or before December 8, 2018 314.249.7350 Eleni Schmidt or [email protected]

Please make check payable to: The Daughters of Epirus

Mailing address:

c/o Eleni Schmidt, 20 Brook Mill Lane, Town & Country, MO 63017

The Assumption Giving Tree is available on Sundays during coffee hour. We help collect items for both Prison

Ministry and other needy families. You may choose one or more tags which will have the items

requested for the needy children. The items must be returned to the church office by De-cember 9. The gifts should be unwrapped with the tag attached. Thank your helping to make this holiday season a little happier for those who are in such need. If you have any questions, you may contact Soula at 314-724-2755.

Christmas Fast The forty-day fast period before the

Nativity of our Lord begins on November

15. The traditional fast consists of

abstinence from meat, dairy, and eggs. On

Wednesdays and Fridays for twelve days

(beginning at St. Spyridon’s Days December 12)

before Christmas, there is also abstinence from fish.

Those who are following the strict fast would also

eliminate wine and oil on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Please consult your spiritual father for personal di-

rection on fasting. This is a traditional time to come

to receive the Sacrament of Holy Confession. Please

prepare to receive this most important sacrament

which cleanses the heart and soul and prepares us

for the feast of our Lord’s birth.

10

«Πώς είναι δυνατόν να προχωρήση αυτός ο κόσμος

χωρίς τον σαρκί φανέντα Θεό;»

Μητροπολίτης Πατρών Χρυσόστομος

Ο ουρανός και πάλι ανοίγει και κατέρχεται ο Κύριός

μας, γενόμενος άνθρωπος για να θεραπεύση το

πρόσλημα, δηλαδή την ανθρώπινη φύση και να

λυτρώση, με αυτή Του την κένωση, το ανθρώπινο

γένος.

Ο Ιερός Χρυσόστομος ονομάζει την εορτή των

Χριστουγέννων Μητρόπολη των Εορτών, επειδή είναι

το κέντρο όλων των εορτασμών, η αιτία και η απαρχή

όλων των πανηγυρισμών.

Η ιστορία υφαίνεται. με το υφάδι της άκρας

ταπεινώσεως και συγκαταβάσεως του Θεού, ο Οποίος

«αγάπη εστί» κατά τον Ιερώτατον Ευαγγελιστήν

Ιωάννη και αγαπητικά προσφέρεται. και θυσιαστικά

χαρίζεται, «ίνα οι άνθρωποι ζωήν έχωσι και περισσόν

έχωσι».

Άραγε, θα κατανοήση ο άνθρωπος, ότι η μόνη πύλη

σωτηρίας, η μόνη ελπίδα, η μόνη οδός για την

υπέρβαση της φθαρτότητος και την απόλαυση της

αιωνίου μακαριότητος είναι ο ενανθρωπήσας Θεός;

Αλήθεια, πώς είναι δυνατόν να προχωρήση αυτός ο

κόσμος χωρίς τον σαρκί φανέντα Θεό; Πώς θα

ξεπεραστή η μεγάλη οδύνη ένεκα της ελλείψεως της

αγάπης μεταξύ των ανθρώπων και των λαών της γης,

χωρίς το ταπεινό προσκύνημα στο Σπήλαιο της

Βηθλεέμ;

Χωρίς τον Θεό δεν υπάρχει ζωή, αλλά κόλαση και

θάνατος. Χωρίς τον Εμμανουήλ, οι λαοί παραπαίουν.

Μακράν του Θεού οι πόλεμοι, τα μίση και τα πάθη

σκιάζουν τον παγκόσμιο ορίζοντα. Ο σεβασμός στην

ανθρώπινη προσωπικότητα εξέλιπε και ο φρικτός

«ρατσισμός» είναι η τραγική επιβεβαίωση της

αλλοτριώσεως του φρονήματος των ανθρώπων.

Όσοι πιστοί, λοιπόν, ας ζήσωμε το Μυστήριο της

κενώσεως του Θεού και ας το κάνωμε υπόθεση της

προσωπικής μας ζωής, της οικογενειακής, άλλα και

της κοινωνικής γενικώτερα.

Η εορτή των Χριστουγέννων είναι και προσωπικός

ανακαινισμός, αλλά και παγκόσμιος λυτρωμός. Είναι χαρά

και αγαλλίαμα συμπάσης της κτίσεως. Η Εκκλησία μας

αληθείας, μιλάει λυτρωτικά στον άνθρωπο. «Σήμερον

γεννάται εκ Παρθένου, ο δρακί την πάσαν εχων

κτίσιν. Σήμερον ο Άναρχος άρχεται και ο Λόγος

σαρκούται…».

«Ό Παλαιός ήμερων παιδίον γέγονεν, ο επί θρόνου

υψηλού και επηρμένου καθήμενος εν φάτνη

τίθεται… επειδή τούτο θέλει. Θέλει γαρ την ατιμίαν

ποιήσαι τιμήν, την αδοξίαν ενδύσαι δόξαν…

Λαμβάνει μου την σάρκα, ίνα με αγιάση· δίδωσί μοι

το Πνεύμα αυτού, ίνα με διασώση…».

Δόξα τω ενανθρωπήσαντι. Θεώ και επί γης οφθέντι,

διά τας πολλάς προς ημάς ευεργεσίας Του. Δόξα τω

Θεώ, διότι εγεννήθημεν εν τω φωτί της γνώσεως

Αυτού, εβαπτίσθημεν εις Χριστόν και ενεδύθημεν

Αυτόν.

Δόξα τω φανέντι. Θεώ, διότι σήμερα ορθοδόξως

εορτάζομε και θεοπρεπώς πανηγυρίζομε, γνωρίζοντες

το μέγα της Οικονομίας Αυτού Μυστήριον.

Ο εορτασμός μας ας καταστή υπόθεση ουσιαστική,

εσωτερική, βιωματική και λυτρωτική εμπειρία, ώστε

ζώντας τα παρόντα μέσα στο κλίμα της αγάπης του

γεννηθέντος Σωτήρος Χριστού, να ορώμεν τα

μέλλοντα, τα άφθαρτα και αιώνια, τα οποία

απολαμβάνουν ήδη οι θεούμενοι όλων των εποχών με

πρώτη την Πανακήρατον Μητέρα Του, τους Αγίους

Αγγέλους, τους Ποιμένας και τους Μάγους, τους

Αποστόλους και Διδασκάλους, τους Οσίους και

Μάρτυρας όλων των εποχών.

«Χριστός γεννάται δοξάσατε. Χριστός εξ ουρανών

απαντήσατε. Χριστός επί γης υψώθητε».

Για την αντιγραφή: Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης

Μυστήριον ξένον, ὀρῶ καὶ παράδοξον!

οὐρανὸν τὸ Σπήλαιον, θρόνον Χερουβικόν,

τὴν Παρθένον, τὴν φάτνην χωρίον, ἐν ᾧ

ἀνεκλήθη ὁ ἀχώρητος, Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, ὂν

ἀνυµνοῦντες µεγαλύνοµεν.

ᾨδὴ θʹ. Καταβασία. Ἦχος αʹ.

11

Births - Congratulations to:

Kevin and Christina Kelly on the birth of their daughter,

Monroe Aphrodite Kelly, on Saturday, October 13, 2018.

The happy grandparents are Pete and Kathy Makos.

Greg and Megan Simos on the birth of their son, Vasilios,

on October 27, 2018. The happy grandparents are Bill and

Freida Simos.

Jesse and Jessica Morton on the birth of their son, Theo-

dore, on November 7, 2018. The happy grandparents are

Fr. Daniel and Presvytera Laura Morton.

Baptisms - Congratulations to:

Farid and Anna Sadaka on the baptism of their daughter,

Mariana Lulu, on Saturday, October 20, 2018. The

Godmothers are Samia Rabie and Mary Sadaka.

Mark and Jaime Cassani on the baptism of their son,

Michael, on October 28, 2018. The Godmother is Kathryn

Been.

Nicholas and Alexia Kanteres on the baptism of their son,

Logan James, on November 10, 2018. The Godfather is

Yianni Strzelecki.

Funerals - Memory Eternal to:

Jereis Musalam, brother of Munira (Khalil) Rishmawi,

who reposed in the Lord on Tuesday, October 30th, 2018

in Beit Sahour Palestine.

Memorials - Memory Eternal

November 4

1-year Demetrios Liyeos

Memorial for the Departed Members of

the Hellenic-American Progressive League

November 18

40-day Amalia Karagiannis

40-day Despina Stergen

6-month George Vagionakis

November 11

Memorial for Departed members of 9 - 12th

grade Sunday School students

November 25

9-month Constantinos Papavlasopoulos

December 2

65-year Michael Tharenos

December 9

40-day Jereis Musalam

December 30

1-year Averini Tsingogias

Important Please inform either Fr. Joseph or Fr. Anastasios

immediately when you or any member of your family is

sick or hospitalized, so that appropriate prayer and

visitation may be scheduled. Hospitals do not notify

clergy of patients, even if you list yourself as a Church

member.

In Our Prayers

Nora (Elaine) Bangert,

Seraphima Henderson,

Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris

Dean Kases,

Janie (Zafera) Kyramarios. College Addresses In an effort to keep in touch with, and minister to,

our college students, we ask anyone with a daughter or son

in college to contact the Church office with the address,

phone, & email.

12

Kids Korner

Generosity and gratitude are like twin

virtues: they go together beautifully and

fill our hearts with love. We talked

about gratitude in November with

Thanksgiving, but must continue to

practice it consciously in December

with Christmas. Remember to be

grateful for every thing that is given to

you, and be most grateful, not because

someone gave you a present, but

because someone has been kind enough

to think about you.

Generosity is sacrificing our wants so

that we can help and give to others.

Take time to think about the people in

your life and what would make them

truly happy. You might realize that

some of the best gifts are things you can

do rather than buy.

*******

“If you give something to one in need, let the

cheerfulness of your face precede your gift, and

comfort his sorrow with kind words. When you

do this, by your gift the gladness of his mind

surpasses even the needs of his body”

+ St. Isaac the Syrian

Generosity & Gratitude

13

Scenes From Youth Sunday

14

Donors Needed

We are looking for donors for the following.

Through donations we purchased English service books

for the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. We need an additional

donation to cover the cost of all the books. $115.17

Father’s Day Reception $300.00

Extra Virgin Olive Oil $20/bottle

Missouri Flag $91.00

Patriarchal Flag $284.00

As needs arise we will continue to update this list.

Thank you to

Mother’s Day reception has been donated. We thank the

anonymous donor whose donation was made in memory

of their parents.

Thank you to Ellen Piskos for the donation for olive oil.

Steve and Eleftheria Afentoullis for donating the cost of

the Greek Flag

Scott Thompson and Maria Sakellariou for the donating

the cost of the American Flag

Support and encouragement

for your grief journey

GriefShare is a special bi-weekly seminar and

support group designed to help you

rebuild your life after losing a loved one

Please join us at 9:30 a.m. at the


October 3, 17, 31

November 14, 28

December 12

For more information, please contact Fr. Anastasios

at 314-966-2255

2018 Christmas Service

Needs (Please call the Church office to

donate.)

12 Poinsettia Plants

Flowers for 2 Icons of the

Nativity

Flowers for Icon of St.

Basil the Great

Flowers for 2 Icons of

Theophany

2 boxes of Charcoal

New Year’s Eve Dinner

Dance Sponsor

Friday Luncheon and

Festival Baking

Every year after the Festival the

very hard working, dedicated

ladies of our parish take the

summer off from baking.

It’s time again to prepare delicious foods and

desserts for our Friday Luncheons and for the

Festival.

The baking has begun. You can find a kitchen full of

our dedicated bakers every Wednesday. There is a

lot to be done and we need your help.

If you are interested and have

some free time, please come and

join the fun.

If you have any questions, please

call Amalia Karakasis at

314-495-0305.

15

ASSUMPTION PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY

HOLIDAY FOOD SALES

To place your order: 1) Stop by the Philoptochos Table during coffee hour 2) Call Helena Brown at 314-456-5602 or Diane Sieckmann at 314-966-2255 3) Email [email protected] 4) Orders Due by: December 9 Last Day to pick up Orders: December 16

Items: Assorted Greek Pastry Spanakopita (Half Pans*)……....$30 Boxes…..$12 Spinach and Cheese Pie frozen and ready to bake Assorted Greek Pastry Trays…$20, $30, $40 Tyropita (Half Pans*)……..$30 Vasilopita…….……………….$15 Cheese Pie Traditional New Year’s bread with hidden coin frozen and ready to bake Baklava…………………$3.00 a piece Please let us know if you have any questions. *Full pans available upon request

Cemetery Plots For a long time the Assumption has

been able to offer our stewards

cemetery plots at St. Matthews

Cemetery for $800. This was made

possible by having pre-purchased a

large number of adjacent plots.

Unfortunately our current

inventory is running out, and effective January 1st, 2019 the

price will go up to $1,000. We are in the process of

negotiating for an additional 30 plots next to our existing

Assumption section, but in order to be able to buy these

and make them available to our stewards at a reasonable

rate, we will need to increase the price to $1,000.

The Assumption Prison Ministry is conducting a Winter Coat Drive for men and women who are ex-offenders. New or gently-used coats may be dropped

off in the Prison Ministry collection box located in the Narthex.

Thank you for your help!

F or this He assumed my body, that I may become capable of His Word; taking my flesh, He gives me His spirit; and so He bestowing and I

receiving, He prepares for me the treasure of Life. He takes my flesh, to sanctify me; He gives me His Spirit that He may save me.

Excerpt from The Nativity Sermon of St. John Chrysostom

16

OCF's College Conference

Midwest will take place from

December 27-30th at the St.

Iakovos Retreat Center in

Kansasville, Wisconsin.

If you are interested in

attending, we are also helping

with financial need. Please call

Fr. Anastasios, if you have any

questions.

17

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd., Town & Country, MO 63131

(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)

December 2018 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS

Menu subject to change

11:00 am - 2:00 pm Kitchen Phone: 314-966-6720

Web Site: http://www.assumptiongoc.org/friday-lunch Cash, Checks and Credit Cards accepted:

Master Card, VISA, Discover, American Express

December 7

Pork Chops with Homemade Mashed Potatoes

And Gravy ................................................................. $8

Baked Fish with Mixed Vegetables .............................. $8

Pastitsio (ground beef, macaroni casserole) ................. $7

Gyro Sandwich ............................................................. $5

(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with

tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce)

Meatball Avgolemono….…....………….Sm. $3....Lg. $5

2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)……..………2 for $3

Spanakopita (spinach pita) ........................................... $3

Tyropita (cheese pita) ................................................... $3

Greek Salad with olive oil dressing .............................. $5

Dessert .......................................................................... $3

(Baklava, Galatobouriko, Kataifi, Walnut Cake,

Cheesecake)

December 14

Baked Honey 1/2 Chicken over Rice ............................ $8

Baked Fish with Sugar Snap Peas & Corn Medley ....... $8

Pastitsio (ground beef, macaroni casserole) .................. $7

Gyro Sandwich .............................................................. $5



Chicken Noodle Soup…….…..………….Sm. $3....Lg. $5

2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)………..………2 for $3

Spanakopita (spinach pita) ............................................ $3

Tyropita (cheese pita) .................................................... $3


Dessert ........................................................................... $3


Cheesecake)

December 21

Lamb Shank over Rice ............................................... $14

Baked Fish with Broccoli & Cheese Sauce .................. $8

Pastitsio (ground beef, macaroni casserole) ................. $7

Gyro Sandwich ............................................................. $5



Fava (Split Pea) Soup…….…..………….Sm. $3....Lg. $5

2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)………..………2 for

$3

Spanakopita (spinach pita) ............................................ $3

Tyropita (cheese pita) ................................................... $3


Dessert .......................................................................... $3


Cheesecake)

NO LUNCHEON

December 28 or

January 4

Have a Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year!

Luncheons will resume on

January 11, 2019

18

17

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1755 Des Peres Road

Town and Country, MO 63131-1405

Address Service Requested

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. Postage

PAID St. Louis, MO

Permit No. 4628

20

From the Orthodox Study Bible The Gospel of St. Luke 9:23

9:23 Then He said to the all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and

follow me.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

For Consideration

The wise men, astrologers from the East, having worshipped the Lord in Bethlehem, returned home, at the command

of an angel, another way. Herod, that wicked king, planned to slaughter all the children in Bethlehem, but God saw

Herod’s intention and sent His angel to Joseph. The angel of God spoke to Joseph in a dream and commanded him to

take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Joseph did this. Taking the Divine Child and His most pure Mother,

he travelled first to Nazareth (Lk. 2:39), where he set his household affairs in order and then, taking his son James with

them, went off to Egypt (Matt. 2:14). And so the words of the prophet: ‘The Lord, riding upon a swift cloud, shall

come into Egypt’ (Is.19:1), were fulfilled. In old Cairo today the cave where the holy family lived can be seen, and in

the village of Matarea near Cairo, the tree under which the Mother of God rested with the Lord Jesus, where a

miraculous spring of water sprang up under the tree. They lived in Egypt for several years, and then the holy family

returned to Palestine in response to a command by an angel of God. And so a second prophesy was fulfilled: ‘Out of

Egypt have I called My Son’ (Hosea 11:1). Herod was dead, and on his bloodstained throne sat a worthy successor in

his wicked son Archelaus. Joseph, hearing that Archelaus was reigning in Jerusalem, returned to Galilee, to his town of

Nazareth, where he settled in his own home. Galilee was at that time ruled by another of Herod’s sons, Herod the

Younger, who was somewhat better than his wicked brother Archelaus.

The Prologue from Ochrid: Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year, vol. 4 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic. Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica

Press, Birmingham, 1985. p. 205

from glory to glory · diane sieckmann vacation church camp (vcc) anna sadaka it is vital that all...

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