ST. NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH June/July 2017

Volume 45 Issue 6/7

THE CANON

A GREAT MIRACLE GIVEN BY GOD ONLY TO THE ORTHODOX CHURCH

The ceremony of the Holy Light in Jerusalem:

This ceremony takes place in the Orthodox Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem in such

a way that bewilders the soul of the Christians.

On Easter Saturday, at noon, the Orthodox Patriarch, enters the Holy Sepulcher, recites

special prayers and remains waiting. Sometimes the waiting is long, sometimes short. The

crowd, in the darkened church, repeats continually with a loud voice: “Lord have mercy.” At a

certain moment, the Holy Light flashes from the depth of the Holy Sepulcher in a supernatural

way, miraculously, and lights up the little lamp of olive oil put on the edge of it. The Patri-

arch, after having read some prayers, lights up the two clusters of 33 candles he is holding,

and begins to distribute the Holy Light to the multitude of pilgrims, who receive it with great

emotion, accompanied with the peeling of bells, acclamations, and an unbridled enthusiasm.

The Holy Light is not only distributed by the Archbishop, but operates also by itself. It

emits from the Holy Sepulcher having a gleam of a hue completely different from that of nat-

ural light. It sparkles, it flashes like lighting, it flies like a dove around the tabernacle of the

Holy Sepulcher, and lights up the unlit lamps of olive oil hanging in front of it. It whirls from

one side of the church to the other. It enters to some of the chapels inside the church, as for

instance the chapel of the Calvary (at a higher level than the Holy Sepulcher) and lights up the

little lamps. It lights up also the candles of certain pilgrims. In fact, there are some very pious

pilgrims who, every time they attend this ceremony, noticed that their candles lit up of their

own accord!

This divine light also presents some peculiarities: As soon as it appears it has a bluish hue

and does not burn. At the first moments of its appearance, if it touches the face, or the

(Continued on page 3)

June 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 Saturday

of the Souls

Orthros 9:30

Divine Liturgy

10:15 am

4 Pentecost

Orhtros 9:15 am

Divine Liturgy

10:00 am

General

Assembly

5 6

AHEPA

6:30 PM

7

PARISH

COUNCIL

7:00 PM

8 9 10

11

Orthros 9:15 am

Divine Liturgy

10:00 am

12 13 Philoptochos

Dinner @ 6:00

Cole’s Public

House/Amherst

Guests

welcome!

14 15 16 17

18

Orthros 9:15 am

Divine Liturgy

10:00 am

19 20 21 22 23 24

25

Orthros 9:15 am

Divine Liturgy

10:00 am

26 27 28 29 30

11

—

July 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

Orthros 9:15

Divine Liturgy

10:00 am

3 4

Independence

Day

5 6 7 8

9

Orthros 9:15

Divine Liturgy

10:00 am

10 11 12 13

Parish Council

7:00 pm

14 15

16

Orthros 9:15

Divine Lituryg

10:00 am

17 18 19 20

Prophet Elias

Orthros 9:30

D. Lit 10:15am

21 22

23

Orthros 9:15

Divine Liturgy

10:00 am

24 25 26 27 28 29

30

Orthros 9:15

Divine Liturgy

10:00 am

31

3

mouth, or the hands, it does not burn. This is proof of its divine and supernatural origin. We

must also take into consideration that the Holy Light appears only by the invocation of an Or-

thodox Archbishop. Each time the heterodox bishops tried to obtain it, they failed.

Once the Armenians paid the Turks, who then occupied the Holy Land, in order to obtain

permission for their Patriarch to enter the Holy Sepulcher. The Orthodox Patriarch was stand-

ing sorrowfully with his flock at the exit of the church, near the left column, when the Holy

Light split this column of marble vertically and flashed near the Orthodox Patriarch.

A Moslem Muezin, called Tounom, who saw the miraculous event from an adjacent mosque,

abandoned immediately the Moslem religion and became an Orthodox Christian. This event

took place in 1549 under Sultan Mourad IV, when the patriarch of Jerusalem was Sophrony II.

The appearance of the Holy Light is an event which occurs every year in front of thousands

of visual witnesses. Nobody can deny it. On the contrary, this miracle can reinforce those who

have lack of faith.

There are some very touching recent cases of some Jews, who believed in Christ after

having seen the Holy Light, and who said to their compatriots: “Why are you still waiting for

the Messiah? The messiah has come indeed.”

Someone has give me the Holy Light from the Tomb of Christ and it is presently burning on

our Holy Altar Table.

I will have this Light available for you in the Narthex of the Church on Sunday June 4.

When you light your Sunday Candle, you can do so from the Holy Light. (Be very careful

not to put it out!!!)

Anyone wishing can get a red glass candle and light it to take to your homes.

+Fr. Michael

(Continued from page 1)

The Icon of Pentecost

On the seventh Sunday after Pascha, the Orthodox Church celebrates the descent of the Holy

Spirit upon the Apostles as one of her very great festivals. It is called Pentecost- a Greek word

meaning “Fiftieth” - Because it is the fiftieth day after Pascha. The icon that depicts the event

uses this word as its inscription, taking it from the New Testament. The word appears in the

Acts of the Apostles and in Saint Paul’s First epistle to the Corinthians. (To the Jews- Pentecost

was that when Moses climbed Mount Sinai – on the fiftieth day he received the Ten Command-

ments.)

Traditional icons of Pentecost depict the event in the following manner: An upper room,

indicated by means of walls pierced by windows and embellished at the upper part by drapery.

Inside the room are twelve Apostles, seated on a large semicircular bench. They are shown oc-

cupying places in accordance with their age and relative importance. Peter and Paul are seated

at the center of the composition, at the upper part of the arch of the semicircle formed by the

bench, while the youngest of the apostles are sown in the foreground, at either end of the sem-

icircle.

In traditional icons of Pentecost, twelve Apostles are shown. Among them, as we noted is

Paul, although he was not there. One of the other Apostles- their names are not written on the

icon – was left out so that Paul could be included. As in the icon of the Ascension, Paul is in-

cluded – despite the fact that he was not present- for symbolic reasons, because he was des-

tined to become one of the chief Apostles.

Above the Apostles is represented the heavenly vault, from which there emanate twelve

rays descending upon them.

Typically, and properly, in this scene the Apostles have halos, and a tongue of fire is either

within each halo, at its upper part, or with the ray which terminates in the halo. The faces, pos-

tures, and gestures of the Apostles indicate a peaceful yet vigilant and prayerful state of soul.

Below the Apostles, set off from them by one or two arches, is depicted a bearded old man

with a crown on his head. He holds with his hands – which are extended to the sides – a sheet

within which is twelve scrolls. This man symbolizes the inhabited world (Oikoumeni), while the

scrolls symbolize the teaching by each one of the twelve Apostles that was to take place in vari-

ous parts of the world.

9

RACE INFORMATION All participants will receive a race T-shirt! July 30, 2017 5K race begins at 9 a.m., 3K walk begins at 9:05 a.m. Black River Landing, 421 Black River Lane, Lorain, Ohio 44052 Age Divisions: 12 & under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & over 3K WALK $15, $10 Students 12 & under 5K RUN $15 Pre-Registered, $20 Race Day

The Ladies of Philoptochos once again this year plan to sponsor and participate in

the”Ritenauer Run at The Journal Jog”. This year’s race will take place on Sunday, July 30th.

The proceeds received from this annual event are used to provide college scholarship opportu-

nities to high school students that reside in the City of Lorain. As such, rising seniors who attend

St. Nicholas and are residents of Lorain are eligible to apply for these scholarship opportunities.

Mayor Ritenauer continues to name a scholarship in memory of Andy Georgas. In April, there

were a total of five recipi0ents who were awarded monies from this scholarship in recognition

of their extracurricular activities. Our collective and continued efforts will enable additional stu-

dents to further their education opportunities in Andy’s memory. Application forms for partici-

pation in the Journal Jog will be available in the church office. If interested in making a mone-

tary donation, checks are to be made payable to: Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-A-Child. All dona-

tions are tax deductible and will be designated specifically for the Andy Georgas Scholarship.

For further information contact the church office or Andrea Korogianos

Thank You!

T

Independence Day

GOD BLESS AMERICA

America the beautiful

May it always stay that way-

But to keep “Old Glory” flying

There’s a price that we must pay…

For everything worth having

Demands work and sacrifice

And freedom is a gift of God

That commands the highest price…

For all our wealth and progress

Are as worthless as can be

Without the faith that made us great

And kept our country free.

Nor can our nation hope to live

Unto itself alone, for the problems of our neighbors

Must today become our own…

So in these times of crisis

Let us offer no resistance

In giving help to those in need

Our strength and our assistance

Ad the stars and strips forever

Will remain a symbol of

A rich and mighty nation built on faith and truth and love.

5

SALUTE TO OUR GRADUATES

CONGRATULATIONS !!!

Serafim John Anadiotis

Graduated from: Amherst Steele High School.

Honors and Awards: Graduated with Honors. 4 years Honor Academic Award. President’s Award. 4 years Varsity Letter Swimming. 2 times Coach’s Award Winner. 4 years Letter Marching Band. 4 years Gold Jazz Band Participant, and the Amherst Summer Swim Team Scholarship.

Plans for the Future: the Honors Engineering program at the University of Toledo.

Alison Eleni Christo

Graduated from: Elyria Catholic High School

Honors and Awards: 1 year junior Varsity Soccer Letter, 3 year Varsity Soccer Letter. 3 year Academic Letter.

Plans for the Future: To attend Lorain County Community College to begin her pursuit towards her Nursing Degree and completing it at the University…

Demetria Nicolaou

Graduated from: Firelands High School.

Honors and Awards: Magna cum laude. National honor Society and member of Firelands Marching Band.

Plans for the Future: To attend Lorain County Community College for 2 years and transfer to the Uni-versity of Toledo for Nursing.

Demitri Cullen

Graduated from: Elyria Catholic

Honors and Awards: Academic letter for first honors. Sports letter for Golf. President of the Socratic Club.

Plans for the Future: To Attend John Carroll University for English.

TO OUR DAD ON FATHER’S DAY

WHAT IS A DAD?

A Dad’s a man whose life is spent

In working hard each day,

In tending to his family’s needs

And brightening their way,

In sharing and in caring

And in understanding, too,

In helping with a problem

And in making dreams come true –

And while it’s seldom the he gets

The praise he’s sure to rate

He can be sure his family thinks

He’s absolutely great!

WE WISH ALL THE FATHERS AND GRANDFATHERS

“A HAPPY FATHER’S DAY”

AND A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR ALL THOSE FATHERS

WHO HAVE LEFT THIS WORLD.

MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE ETERNAL!

7

Baptisms

Congratulations to Dean and Nicole Shelly up-

on the Baptism of their son, Joseph Dean, on

May 7, 2017. His Godfather is Anthony Chaga-

ros.

Congratulations to Athanasios and Sara Kout-

saftis upon the Baptism of their son, Anastasi-

os Athanasios on May 13, 2017. His Godpar-

ents are Zacharias and Melina Kantouros.

Νά μάς ζήσουν!!!

Pancreatic Cancer Walk

On June 10th our YAL group will be partici-

pating in the Pancreatic Cancer Walk at the

Cleveland Zoo. If you wish to make a donation

or are planning to walk with our group please

visit www.purplestride.org/cleveland and en-

ter St. Nicholas YAL. For more information. . .

Contact Athena Antoniou.

Philoptochos Spring Dinner

The Philoptochos Spring Dinner will take place

on Tuesday, June 13th at 6:00 pm at Cole’s

Public House located at 209 S. Main Street,

Amherst. Please call the church office

440.960.2992 to make your reservation by June

9th. Guests are welcome!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

WE DID IT AGAIN!!!

I would like to thank everyone who came and

gave of their time, talents and energy these

past few months in preparing, working and

cleaning up at our Gyro Drive Thru Festival. It

was only through your dedicated love and

hard work for the Church that we had another

successful event. God Bless you all. Και του

χρόνου!!!