January 2018 Page

Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Circumcision of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ , January 1

Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, January 6

Synaxis of Saint John the Baptist, January 7

The Three Hierarchs, January 30

V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas

Dean

Fr. Christopher Kolentsas

Assistant Priest

1324 S. Normandie Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90006

Tel. 323-737-2424

www.stsophia.org

HERALD JANUARY 2018

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

Dean’s Message 2

Stewardship 4

Philoptochos VIP 4

Philoptochos News 5

Ministries List 8

Sacraments/Memorials 9

Feast Day Article 14

Orthodox Calendar 15

Saint John the Baptist, Leonardo da Vinci, 1513 - 1516,

Oil on Walnut Wood, 69 cm x 57 cm,

Louvre, Paris

January 2018 Page 2

THE DEAN’S MESSAGE

HAPPY NEW YEAR – 2018

One expects a new year’s message to deal with new

beginnings. Resolutions and promises are made to oneself

about making some fundamental changes. Most often these

changes involve losing weight, getting in shape, goal setting,

developing a better diet etc. Obviously there’s nothing wrong

with this approach. However, it is limiting. It is often too self-

centered. We hear ourselves saying, I will, I should, I can, I

must.

Our real self, our God given soul, also cries out for a new

beginning. It seeks a New Year’s resolution which will nourish

and get it into proper shape. Our Lord Jesus Christ, speaking

in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 17:26 says: “For what profit

is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own

soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

There is nourishment for the soul. This can be a new

beginning to reconnect with God. Here is an age old life

giving spiritual prescription we offer to all who want to make

2018 a year of spiritual abundance. It is not all inclusive but it

can be a start.

1. Pray daily, in a planned and disciplined way.

2. Develop a spiritual diet plan by fasting. The cholesterol of

sin clogs up the arteries of the soul. Come to confession

and receive communion frequently.

3. Attend the Divine Liturgy every Sunday and one week day.

Put the time of leaving Home and time it takes to go to

church in your planning calendar. Always arrive on time to

greet the Lord with reverence and praise. Remember our

Liturgy is an intimate form of community prayer to God. It

isn’t a show. It is an on-going outpouring of Christ into us,

by way of Grace and the Eucharist.

4. Pray to become our Orthodox Evangelist, by bringing the

good news of the gospel and of the love of the church to

members of your family, especially to youth who have

fallen away because of past misunderstandings, offenses

and hurt feelings. Fallen

away Greek Orthodox friends also fall into this category.

Invite them to church. Make appointments for them with

our priests. Help repair past misunderstandings.

5. Pray to become a faithful financial contributor to the church

through our stewardship program, support our cathedral

programs and needs. Resolve to be generous participants

with your treasure, time and talent. Make it happen in a

planned and methodical way. Give God your best.

Any and all resolutions require effort and much focused

discipline. We must “stick to it” past the first month of the

year. In making your spiritual new year’s resolution,

remember you have help. Our God is by your side,

strengthening and encouraging you. Happy 2018!

In Christ,

V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas, Dean

January 2018 Page 3

Believe, Belong and Be Loved

January 2018 Page 4

STEWARDSHIP FAMILIES DECEMBER 2017

* Life Members Endowment Fund +Blessed Memory

Believe and Belong through Christian Stewardship

When making out your will, please include our Saint Sophia Cathedral in you estate and financial planning

$6,000 To $7,999

*Preonas, Mr. & Mrs. George

$4,000 To $5,999

Evangelis, Mrs. Theane

$1,000 To $1,999

Anonymous (1)

Bosten, Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey

Dean, Ms. Orania

Fling, Ms. Martha

Giannoudis, Mr. Dimitrios

Settelmayer, Mr. & Mrs. Daniel

$650 To $999

Helm, Mr. & Mrs. Michael

Kalofonos, Mr. Ippolylos

Maniatis, Mrs. Mary

Pappas, Mrs. Georgina

Sabatakos, Mr. & Mrs. Panagiotis

Sarris, Mr. & Mrs. Polly

*Zaferis, Mrs. Eugenia

OTHER

Kominos, Mrs. Grigoria

PHILOPTOCHOS VIP

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas (Kalla Xristougenna) and a Happy New Year.

Our Christmas Party was another success. We had over 100 people thanks to all of you who participated. A big thank you

goes to my co-chair Vickie Deryiades, Vivi Demopoulos for the reservations, Mary Kezios for producing the programs, Jayne

Poullos and Olga Jordan for the beautiful favors and all the board who helped.

For the coming year, January 18, 2018 is our famous Prizes and Surprises (BINGO). Chair is Ourania Giagtzoglou, co-chair

is Anne Dres and reservations is Jayne Poullos. Please contact Jayne to RSVP at 323-429-3949. Luncheon donation is

$10.00 and don’t forget to bring a gift for exchange.

The new board is as follows:

President Angela Ananias

Vice President Irene Mitropetros

Secretary Anne Dres

Treasurer Vivi Demopoulos

Sunshine Jayne Poullos

Membership Mary Kezios

Members:

Vickie Deryiades, Faye Demetriou, Ourania Giagtzoglou, Athina Lolonis, Mersy Loukaris, Petsa Schwartz, and Helen

Varentges.

In His Service

Angela Ananias

President

January 2018 Page 5

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

SPECIAL APPRECIATION

Philoptochos thanks all who attended the Annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 3rd

. The evening was filled with

the true spirit of Christmas through the glorious celebration of Handel’s Messiah, sung by the Saint Sophia Choir under the

masterful direction of Jim Kollias. We thank also our very talented soloists who made the evening so special. And a big

“Thank You” to Olga and Jayne who decorated the Christmas tree and tables; and to Virginia Noyes and all those who

donated holiday cookies for the reception afterwards…our sincere gratitude!

CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING

Thank you to the generous persons who donated toys, cash or other gifts for the East Los Angeles Women’s Center that

serves those affected by poverty, homelessness and domestic violence.

Your gifts are much appreciated!

Thank you to Barbara Kappos, Executive Director and

Christina Peratsakis, chairman of the Christmas Gift Giving Opportunity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our sincerest wishes for a Healthy, Happy and

Prosperous New Year 2018! May all your dreams come true.

Your Philoptochos Board is proud to serve you and the many others who so desperately need our help.

God bless America!

Judith Christopoulos, President

and the Philoptochos Board of Directors

Feast Day of Saint John the Baptist, Vasilopita - Sunday, January 7th

In honor of Saint Basil, or Agios Vasilios, people bake this sweet bread every year at the beginning of the New Year. A silver

or gold coin wrapped in foil is placed in the dough before baking. It is said that the person who finds the coin is to have good

luck for the rest of the year. In churches, Vasilopita is typically cut and served to parishioners on the first Sunday in January.

However, the bread itself does serve as a reminder of all that Agios Vasilios did for people of Greece. The Philoptochos

invites you to join us for this special celebration and your chance at good luck!

General Assembly - Sunday, January 21st

Presentation to be announced. Come and learn more about the work of Philoptochos and our philanthropic efforts. Everyone

is welcome. Wonderful lunches are offered at $10. per person, but reservations are needed to secure your meal. Jan Pastras

is collecting membership donations for 2018. For those members who have not yet paid their 2017 membership, please see

Jan. Remember, we honor and welcome memberships from our male friends as well. Help us keep our membership growing

so we can help others.

Mother of the Year 2018 - We are accepting applications for Mother of the Year at this time. We will make our selection by

early January. Applications will be provided in the church office and on Sundays during Coffee Hour at our Philoptochos table.

For more information, contact judie.christopoulos@gmail.com

Philoptochos Mother’s Day Luncheon - Saturday, May 12th

January 2018 Page 6

January 2018 Page 7

The American Hellenic Council Charitable Foundation is happy to announce that it is accepting applications for the 2018

American Hellenic Council Scholarship Awards.

Three deserving students will be awarded:

• the Aris Anagnos $1,500 Scholarship

• the Dr. and Mrs.Kallins $1,000 scholarship

• the Van Vlahakis Family $1,000 scholarship

The winners will be announced at our Annual Awards Gala on March 31, 2018. You or a loved one can be among the

winners. This year’s deadline is January 31, 2018

About the scholarships

Named in honor of three of the Council’s founders and generous supporters, the scholarships are designed to recognize

outstanding Greek-American university students who have the required academic accomplishments, and a proven record

of participation in community affairs.

The purpose of these scholarships is to reward them for their exemplary academic accomplishments, engage the next

generation of Greek-Americans in Southern California with the American Hellenic Council and its mission, and encourage

their generation to become ambassadors of Hellenism.

Eligibility:

In order to be eligible to apply the applicant must:

A. be a resident of Southern California - specifically residing anywhere within the northern limits of Santa Barbara to

the southern limits of San Diego and within the eastern limits of Palm Springs.

B. be an undergraduate student (sophomore, junior or senior) currently enrolled, full time, in an accredited College

or University, and who will be fully enrolled during the 2018/2019 academic year.

C. must have a minimum 3.5 GPA, (maximum 4.0 scale)

D. the applicant or a member of his/her immediate family must be a paying member of the American Hellenic

Council or become one.

See the details and download the application on link below

http://www.americanhellenic.org/american-hellenic-scholarship

January 2018 Page 8

MINISTRIES

Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Very Reverend Father John S. Bakas, Dean Chris Kolentsas, Assistant Priest

Jim Kollias, Choir Director Mario Lazaridis , Protopsaltis Michael Kontaxis, Assistant Psaltis

Christopher Yokas, Organist James Karatsikis, Sexton

ADMINISTRATIVE AND CUSTODIAL STAFF

John Kopatsis, Executive Director

Jessica Benitez, Admin. Assist. , Angela Kim, Accountant

Oscar Castro, Mauricio Mira, Alejandra Villasenor, Devin Smith

Custodians

FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Executive Officers

George E. Preonas, President

Dr. James A. Demetriou, Vice President & C.F.O.

Gig Kyriacou, Vice President

Constantine M. Boukidis, Secretary

Tina Callas, Treasurer

Members

V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas, Timi Loomos Freshman , Alek

Haidos, Steve Hanna, Diane Sakellaris Lapa, Tony Natsis,

Brent Noyes, John Peterson, Jean Paul-Wardy, Jim Zaferis

Presidential Appointments

Andrew J. Demetriou, Foundation General Counsel

Nicholas Manolelis, Associate

Trustees Emeriti

Nicholas Bissias, Andrew Evangelatos, John T. Pappas

PARISH COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Officers

Brent Noyes, President

Anna Yallourakis, Vice President

Jeanine Hanna, Co-Treasurer

Peter Cosfol, Co-Treasurer

Dinah Wellington, Secretary

Members

Angela Ananias, Bertha Angels, Maria Baltazzi,

Costa Bargeliotis, Glenn Lianos, Bill Striglos,

Karen Sarames, Paris Yatskar

Auditing Committee

James Boltinghouse, Anthony Demetriou,

Phillip Ruhl, Pete J. Cazacus

PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY

Executive Officers

Judith Christopoulos, President

Christina Peratsakis, 1st VP

Jan Pastras, 2nd VP

Virginia Noyes, Recording Secretary

Mary Tassop, Corresponding Secretary

Mary Gallanis, Treasurer

Connie Cooper, Assistant Treasurer

Members

Dorothea Ales, Anna Aronis, Mary-Kay Demetriou, Dina

Demetrius, Alexia Itzigsohn, Olga Jordan, Constance

Manders, Sophie Mastor, Marianna Politis, Jayne Poullos,

Patricia Skeriotis, Allison Stavaridis

ALTAR BOYS

Chris Halekakis

BASKETBALL

Gig Kyriacou & Paul Cooper

BIBLE STUDY

Very Rev. Father John Bakas

BOOK STORE

William Striglos

CHILD CARE

Kathy & Marsha Zagorianos

CHOIR

Jim Kollias

COFFEE HOUR

Ann Pappas

Georgia Vasila

DOCENTS

Angela Ananias

EASTER PICNIC

Ted Pappas

GREEK DANCE GROUPS

Barbara Kappos

Eleni Constantine Manolelis

Demitra Koutsos

HELLENIC ENTERTAINMENT

COOPERATIVE Dina Demetrius

HELLENIC ACADEMY

Alex Oxyzoglou

John Kopatsis

HOSPITALITY

Niki Korbakis

Maria Pelargos

L.A. GREEK FEST

Parish Council

Executive Board

MR. & MRS. CLUB

Dean & Christine Peratsakis

ODOS “The Way”

Helen Lambros

PARENTING

Barbara Kappos

PHILOPTOHOS V.I.P.

Mersy Loukaris, President

SAINT SOPHIA CAMP

Melanie O’Regan

Jack Stumpus (Golf Event)

Tony Mastor (Tennis Event)

Mary-Kay Demetriou (Tennis

Event)

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Eleni Yokas

YOUTH

V. Rev. Father John S. Bakas

January 2018 Page 9

MEMORIALS

EPISTLE READERS

WEDDING

January 27 Geena Alevizos and Andrew Maxey

Koumbaros: Katerina Athanasiou

January 7 Virginia Noyes

January 14 John Holloway

January 21 Elias Kalatzis

January 28 Dean Peratsakis

January 7

Theodora Naoumovitch

(40 days)

Demetrios Pantazis (6 months)

January 21

Mary Christine Houghton

(3 months)

Docents

We have a ministry at St. Sophia Cathedral that most people are not aware of. It is the Docent Ministry. St. Sophia Cathedral

is a Historic Landmark for the city of Los Angeles. There are several people and groups that come during the day to see the

Cathedral, learn about it and our religion.

The Cathedral is open Tuesday thru Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. There are 2 docents per day who welcome the

visitors, share information and answer questions. Docents are present from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.

If you are interested in becoming part of this ministry, please contact either the Cathedral office at 323-737-2424 or Angela

Ananias at 562-695-7234. You need only to devote 2 hours per month.

No experience is necessary. We have all the information you need to know and I, Angela will be with you at the beginning

until you are ready to do it on your own. You will be partnered with a knowledgeable and experienced docent.

Look forward to hearing from you soon!

Angela Ananias

Docent Coordinator

January 2018 Page 10

January 2018 Page 11

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY’S 2018 WINTER FUNDRAISER

Philoptochos is pleased to present An Epicurean Journey with Friends – A Night in Thessaloniki with Acclaimed Chef Peter Minaki on Saturday, January 27, 2018.

This new take on An Evening with Friends is a major fundraiser for our philanthropy and will combine our love for fine food and wine, with fellowship and fun. It’s a journey you don’t want to miss and an event we hope you will consider sponsoring.

Your sponsorship of all or a portion of the items below will go a long way towards furthering our mission. In appreciation your name and gift will appear in our dinner program, audiovisual program and in the March issue of The Herald. Your donation is tax deductible and we thank you in advance for your support.

Kali orexi!

Event Co-chairs Mary-Kay Demetriou and Alexia Haidos Itzigsohn

Kindly make checks payable to Saint Sophia Philoptochos.

Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone: _______________________________ Donation Item(s)_____________________________ $: _______

For questions/more information, contact Mary Gallanis at: 626-437-6378 or amgallanis@yahoo.com

January 2018 Page 12

January 2018 Page 13

The Hellenic Society of Constantinople

Cordially invites you and your friends to the

51st Annual Vasilopita Dinner Dance

Saturday, February 10th, 2018

Saint Sophia Cathedral

The Maniatakos Hall

1324 Normandie Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90006

Cocktails 5:30 pm – Dinner 6:30 pm

Donation: $125 per person

Students: $75 per person

Vasilopita Prize: “A Gold Coin”

Proceeds to benefit Philathropic Institutions of

The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople

Black Tie Optional

Please RSVP by February 6th, 2018

For further information or to RSVP, please call

P. Mike Begakis (310) 420-7709 - email: pmikebegakis@gmail.com

Mary Morrison (818) 500-0904

Janetter Benetatos (323) 660-5707

To be assured of a reservation, please send your check in advance to:

January 2018 Page 14

admired on the face of Mona Lisa, a smile which can be seen

in other Leonardo paintings like that of Saint Anne.

Although Leonardo was aware of the inherent dangers of a

dark background that the figure may not be discerned against

it and will not appear to be detached from it, in the shadows of

the body of Saint John, he has retained just enough light for

the viewer to be able to comprehend his form fully. As in the

moon, even the dark areas of his figure retain a slight glimmer

of reflected radiance. The dark background allows the viewer

to focus on the spiritual side of the topic and it emphasizes the

saint's isolation. The luminous face seems to be an emanation

of the darkness that completely envelops it.

The perfection of Leonardo da Vinci's painting technique has

always been fascinating. The gradation of tones or colors from

light to dark is barely perceptible. Above all, the way the flesh

is rendered gives rise to many comments because of its

crucial role in the fascination exerted by Leonardo's portraits.

He employed the sfumato effect (from Italian sfumare, “to tone

down” or “to evaporate like smoke”) to seamlessly blend

shading together and to blur outlines. He was concerned with

producing smooth tonal gradients from light to dark without

any perceptible change like we see in real life and sfumato

was essential to this. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was

used to study the painting as it allowed the researchers to

examine the layers of glaze and paint in detail without having

to take samples that would damage the masterpiece. They

determined how the layers of glaze and paint had been built

up while also giving them information about their composition.

The thinness of the glaze layers around just two micrometers

each, 50 times thinner than a human hair, confirms the

dexterity of the painter to apply such thin layers. Moreover,

the measured slow and regular evolution of the thickness of

the glaze layers implies that numerous layers have to be

applied to obtain the darkest shadows. Even today,

Leonardo's use of such thin glaze layers still remains an

amazing feat. The glaze, mixed with subtly different pigments,

creates the slight blurring and shadows around the mouth that

give the Mona Lisa and Saint John the Baptist a barely

noticeable smile that seems to disappear when looked at

directly.

By John Kopatsis

Saint John the Baptist (Ἰωάννης ὁ βαπτιστής) is also

referred to as John the Forerunner because he was the

forerunner of Christ. His birth took place six months before

that of Jesus, and according to the Gospel account was

expected by prophecy and foretold by an angel. Saint John

was a Nazarite from his birth (a man "holy unto the Lord", who

took an ascetic vow keeping himself from becoming ritually

unclean). A parent could make this vow for her or his child,

which the child would observe for his entire life and that was

the case with Saint John. He spent his early years in the

mountainous tract of Judea lying between Jerusalem and the

Dead Sea. He led a simple life, wearing rope fiber clothing

and eating "locusts and wild honey". As an adult Saint John

started to preach. The essence of his preaching was the

necessity of repentance and turning away from selfish

pursuits. His doctrine and manner of life stirred interest,

bringing people from all parts to see him on the banks of the

Jordan River. There he baptized thousands unto repentance.

Saint John used baptism as the central symbol or sacrament

of his messianic movement. Jesus came from Galilee to

Jordan to be baptized by Saint John to "fulfill all

righteousness" (Matt. 3:15). Saint John’s public ministry was

brought to a close by being cast into prison by Herod and

beheaded at the instigation of his wife Herodias. Jesus

himself testified regarding Saint John that he was a "burning

and a shining light" (John 5:35). He was the last of the Old

Testament prophets, thus serving as a bridge figure between

that period of revelation and Jesus.

Saint John the Baptist is a standard theme in Christian art,

including his beheading and his depiction as an ascetic

wearing camel hair, with a staff and scroll. In Orthodox icons,

he often has angel's wings, since he is described as a

messenger in the Gospel of Saint Mark. A unique depiction is

the painting of Saint John is the High Renaissance oil painting

on walnut wood by a grand master, Leonardo da Vinci.

Completed from 1513 to 1516 and it is believed to be his final

painting and it is now exhibited at the Musée du Louvre in

Paris, France. When Leonardo died his possessions were

pitifully few. He had three of his paintings, the Mona Lisa, the

Virgin and Saint Anne and his final painting, that of Saint John

the Baptist.

From the encircling darkness emerges this mysterious figure

holding a reed cross and wearing an animal skin. An

examination of this painting using monochromatic sodium light

has revealed both of these items were added later by a

different artist. Many people are critical of this work, finding it

a disturbing representation of a Saint normally portrayed as

gaunt and fiery, living in a desert and surviving on a diet of

locusts and honey. In Leonardo's painting Saint John seems

almost to be effeminate, but of haunting beauty. His face is

almost faun-like and framed by a glorious cascade of curls.

He has an arm bent across his breast and his finger raised

towards heaven, denoting in esoteric significance the coming

of Christ and suggesting the importance of salvation through

baptism that he represents. He has same enigmatic smile so

Saint JOHN THE BAPTIST

Detail from Saint John the Baptist

January 2018 Page 15

JANUARY 2018

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Circumcision of our

Lord and Savior

Jesus Christ

9:00 am Orthros

10:00 am Divine

Liturgy

2

3

4 5

6 Theophany of our

Lord and Savior

Jesus Christ

9:00 am Orthros

10:00 am Divine

Liturgy

7

Synaxis of John the

Holy Glorious Prophet,

Baptist, & Forerunner

8:30am Orthros

9:30 am Studies in Faith

9:45am Memorials

10am Divine Liturgy

8 9 11:00 am Bible Studies w/ Fr. John

10 11

12

13

14 Leavetaking of the

Theophany of Our Lord

and Saviour Jesus Christ

8:30am Orthros

9:30 am Studies in Faith

9:45am Memorials

10am Divine Liturgy

15

16 11:00 am Bible Studies w/ Fr. John

17 18 19

20

21

15th

Sunday of Luke

8:30am Orthros

9:30 am Studies in

Faith

9:45am Memorials

10am Divine Liturgy

22 23 11:00 am Bible Studies w/ Fr. John

24 25

26

27

28

Sunday of the Publican

and Pharisee: Triodion

Begins Today 8:30am

Orthros

9:30 am Studies in Faith

9:45am Memorials

29

30

11:00 am

Bible Studies w/ Fr. John

Synaxis of the Three

Hierarchs: Basil the Great,

Gregory the Theologian

and John Chrysostom

9:00 am Orthros

10:00 am Divine Liturgy

31

Strict Fast Fish Allowed Wine and Oil

Allowed

Dairy, Eggs,

and Fish

Allowed

Fast Free

January 2018 Page 16

Saint Sophia Greek Cathedral

Greek Orthodox Community

1324 South Normandie Avenue

Los Angeles, California 90006

Phone

323 737 2424

E-mail

office@stsophia.org

We’re on the Web!

www.stsophia.org

Place address label here