thanksgiving! · translated as “thanksgiving.” it now refers to the sacrament of the lord’s...
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1
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
Thoughts on
Stewardship
2
November
Calendar
3
Greek Archi-
tects Dubuque
4
Stewardship
Page
5
November
Service Scheule
7
November
Saints
9
Community
News
10
The Trophybearer N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 4
C H U R C H
S T A F F
Parish Priest/Editor:
Fr. Christodoulos
Margellos
Parish Council Presi-
dent: Mary Rankin
Philoptochos Presi-
dent: Susan Matos
Sunday School Direc-
tor: Dn Paul Speed
Caretaker: Jason
Leon
THANKSGIVING!
If you were to count how many times the words “thanks” or “thanksgiving” appeared in
the Bible, you would either get tired of counting or you would lose count and have to start all
over. On one Thursday during the month of November, we remember and celebrate the day of
“Thanksgiving.” We will all be sitting at one table, and we can’t wait to have the turkey carved
and to fill our plate full of the traditional thanksgiving food: stuffing, sweet potatoes, and yams.
And if you are of Greek descent, you have the παστίτσιο, μουσακά, και πατάτες. But is that all
we think about on Thanksgiving Day? Food and more food? Some would argue “of course not, it
is a day to give thanks to God.” But is this enough? A day to give thanks to God? Just a day, not
even a week or a month?
We as Orthodox Christians, though, have something very special that is offered to us. Every
Sunday morning and at every Divine Liturgy, we are giving thanks to God. Let’s think about it:
The word “thanks” means what in Greek? Ευχαριστία! And what is another word for Holy Com-
munion? Eucharist. Do you see the connection?
The word comes from the Greek “ευχάριστο,” which means “grateful” and is now usually
translated as “thanksgiving.” It now refers to the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, the Mystical
Supper, in which bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Christ during the Divine Litur-
gy. The word “Eucharist” has been used to refer to the act of the “breaking of the bread” at least
since the late 1st century. It came about because the words of institution are contained in the
“Eucharistic prayer” or prayer of Thanksgiving.
The earliest written account of the institution of the Eucharist is contained in Paul’s letter to
the Corinthians, written in the spring of the year 55 A.D. The Didache, a Church document from
the end of the 1st century, refers to the Eucharist by name, gives explicit instructions for the form
of the prayers and cautions: “Let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist except those baptized in
the name of the Lord.”
Even though Thanksgiving Day is recognized as a day of giving thanks and praise, we as
Orthodox Christians have this opportunity each and every Sunday. We gather around one table
(the Holy Altar Table), and we each have our place (either in the Altar, pews, choir or narthex).
With the same excitement that we have when the turkey is carved in front of us, even more
so we should feel that same spiritual excitement that we can’t wait until the priest comes out and
says: “With the fear of God, faith and love draw near.” This is Thanksgiving!
So on the day that our nation remembers with its day of
thanks, let us truly embrace the gratitude that we must have for
our Lord, not only on that particular day, but each and every day
of our life.
Fr. Christodoulos Margellos
Nov
embe
r 20
14
Sun
M
on
Tu
e
Wed
Th
u
Fri
Sat
1
Sts.
Co
smas
& D
amia
no
s
Ort
hro
s: 8
:30
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 9
: 30
a.m
.
2
5th S
un
day
of
Luke
Lead
ersh
ip 1
00 S
un
day
Ort
hro
s: 8
:30
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 1
0:0
0 a
.m.
3
4
5
Re
ligio
us
Edu
cati
on
9:3
0 a
.m. &
6:3
0 a
.m.
6
7
8
Syn
axis
of
the
Arc
han
gels
Ort
hro
s: 8
:30
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 9
:30
a.m
.
9
St. N
ekta
rio
s
Ort
hro
s: 8
:30
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 1
0:0
0 a
.m.
Sun
da
y Sc
ho
ol/
Ph
ilop
toch
os
10
11
Par
ish
Co
un
cil M
ee
tin
g
7:0
0 p
.m. G
reen
Ro
om
12
Re
ligio
us
Edu
cati
on
9:3
0 a
.m. &
7:0
0 p
.m.
JOY
Mee
tin
g
5:0
0-7
:00
p.m
.
13
St. J
oh
n C
hry
sost
om
Ort
hro
s: 8
:00
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 9
:00
a.m
.
14
Sain
t P
hili
p t
he
Ap
ost
le
St. G
rego
ry P
alam
as
Ort
hro
s: 8
:00
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 9
:00
a.m
.
15
Nati
vity
Fas
t B
egin
s
Ort
hro
s: 8
:30
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 9
:30
a.m
.
Ro
ck Is
lan
d
16
St. M
atth
ew t
he
Ap
ost
le
Ort
hro
s: 8
:30
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 1
0:0
0 a
.m.
Sun
day
Sch
oo
l
17
Ro
ck Is
lan
d
St. G
rego
ry t
he
Wo
nd
er-
wo
rker
Ort
hro
s: 8
:00
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 9
:00
a.m
.
18
Ro
ck Is
lan
d
Ort
hro
s: 8
:00
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 9
:00
a.m
.
19
Ro
ck Is
lan
d
Ort
hro
s: 8
:00
a.m
.
Div
ine
Litu
rgy:
9:0
0 a.
m.
GO
YA
Mee
tin
g
6:00
-8:0
0 p
.m.
20
Eas
t M
olin
e
Ort
hro
s: 8
:00
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 9
:00
a.m
.
21
Ro
ck Is
lan
d
Entr
ance
of
the
Th
eo
toko
s
Ort
hro
s: 8
:00
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 9
:00
a.m
.
22
Eas
t M
olin
e
St. P
hile
mo
n o
f th
e 7
0
Ort
hro
s: 8
:30
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 9
:30
a.m
.
23
9th
Su
nd
ay
of
Luke
Ort
hro
s: 8
:30
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 1
0:0
0 a
.m.
Sun
da
y Sc
ho
ol
Gre
ek
Arc
hit
ect
s o
f Is
tan
bu
l:
24
Eas
t M
olin
e
Ort
hro
s: 8
:00
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 9
:00
a.m
.
25
Sai
nt
Ka
ther
ine
th
e G
reat
Ort
hro
s: 8
:00
a.m
. Eas
t M
olin
e
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 9
:00
a.m
.
Than
ksgi
vin
g Ec
um
enic
al
Serv
ice:
St.
Jam
es L
uth
eran
26
Ro
ck Is
lan
d
Ort
hro
s: 8
:00
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 9
:00
a.m
.
Re
ligio
us
Edu
cati
on
10
:00
a.m
. & 6
:30
p.m
.
27
Ro
ck Is
lan
d
Ort
hro
s: 8
:00
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 9
:00
a.m
.
28
29
Gre
at V
esp
ers:
5:0
0 p
.m.
30
St. A
nd
rew
Ort
hro
s: 8
:30
a.m
.
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y: 1
0:0
0 a
.m.
Sun
day
Sch
oo
l
4
5
6
November 2014 Parish Council Sunday Duty List
On Sunday, November 2nd, 2014 members on duty: (Angela Spurgetis), Gus Pappas, Joe Burmeister.
On Sunday, November 9th, 2014 members on duty: (Harry G. Coin, Brad Crosson), Tom Bakeris, Mike Patramanis.
On Sunday, November 16th, 2014 members on duty: (Mary Rankin, Mary Kay Eckert), Harry S. Coin, Steve Eckert.
On Sunday, November 23rd, 2014 members on duty: (Joe Burmeister, Gus Pappas), Mary Rankin.
On Sunday, November 30th, 2014 members on duty: (Tom Bakeris, Mike Patramanis), Harry G. Coin, Brad Crosson.
Coffee Hour Hosts for November 2014
On Sunday, November 2nd, 2014 Coffee hour will be hosted by: Dena Manta & Nancy G. Coin.
On Sunday, November 9th, 2014 Coffee hour will be hosted by: PHILOPTOCHOS LUNCHEON.
On Sunday, November 16th, 2014 Coffee hour will be hosted by: Dennis & Nancy Spurgetis.
On Sunday, November 23rd, 2014 Coffee hour will be hosted by: Presbytera Stavroula & Eleni Matos.
On Sunday, November 30th, 2014 Coffee hour will be hosted by: Volunteers Needed
READERS FOR NOVEMBER 2014
On Sunday, November 2nd, 2014: Bill Johnson.
On Sunday, November 9th, 2014: Mary Rankin.
On Sunday, November 16th: Angela Spurgetis
On Sunday, November 23rd: Ethan Kirkpatrick.
On Sunday November 30th: Kay Coin
On Sunday, December 7th: Alexa Florence
On Sunday December 14th: Bill Johnson
ALTAR BOY SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER 2014
On Sunday, November 2nd, 2014: Team 1 Gabriel Florence, Ethan Kirkpatrick, Charlie Cudworth, Andrew Leon, George
Elias, Zach Elias, Gabriel Elias, Tomas Elias.
On Sunday, November 9th, 2014: Team 2 Nikolas Jacobs, Alek Jacobs, John T. Jones, John Mott, Michael Pyevich, Ben
Florence, Peter Matos, Ian Matos.
On Sunday, November 16th, 2014: Team 1 Gabriel Florence, Ethan Kirkpatrick, Charlie Cudworth, Andrew Leon,
George Elias, Zach Elias, Gabriel Elias, Tomas Elias.
On Sunday, November 23rd, 2014: Team 2 Nikolas Jacobs, Alek Jacobs, John T. Jones, John Mott, Michael Pyevich, Ben
Florence, Peter Matos, Ian Matos.
On Sunday, November 30th, 2014: Team 1 Gabriel Florence, Ethan Kirkpatrick, Charlie Cudworth, Andrew Leon, George
Elias, Zach Elias, Gabriel Elias, Tomas Elias.
7
NOVEMBER 2014 SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday, November 2nd 5th Sunday of Luke Orthros: 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 8th Synaxis of the Archangels Orthros: 8:30 a.m.
Michael & Gabriel Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, November 8th Great Vespers for Saint Nektarios Vespers: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 9th 7th Sunday of Luke Orthros: 8:30 a.m.
Saint Nektarios Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, November 13th Saint John Chrysostom Orthros: 8:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:00 a.m.
Friday, November 14th Saint Philip the Apostle Orthros: 8:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 15th Rock Island Divine Liturgy: 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, November 16th Apostle & Evangelist Matthew Orthros: 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.
Monday, November 17th St. George, Rock Island Orthros: 8:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, November 18th St. George, Rock Island Orthros: 8:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, November 19th St. George, Rock Island Orthros: 8:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, November 20th Assumption, East Moline Orthros: 8:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:00 a.m.
Friday, November 21st Entrance of the Theotokos Orthros: 8:00 a.m.
St. George, Rock Island Divine Liturgy: 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 22nd Assumption, East Moline Orthros: 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, November 23rd 9th Sunday of Luke Orthros: 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.
Monday, November 24th Assumption, East Moline Orthros: 8:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, November 25th Saint Katherine the Great Orthros: 8:00 a.m.
Assumption, East Moline Divine Liturgy: 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, November 26th St. George Rock Island, Orthros: 8:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, November 27th (Thanksgiving) St. George, Rock Island Orthros: 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, November 30th Saint Andrew the Apostle Orthros: 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.
8
St. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES
September 9, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT: Joe Burmeister, Mary Kay Eckert, Gus Pappas, Angela Spurgetis, Steve Eckert, Brad Crosson,
Mary Rankin, Fr. Christodoulos
CALL TO ORDER: 7:10 p.m. by President Mary Rankin, Fr. Christodoulos led the prayer.
MINUTES: Motion by G. Pappas to approve August minutes, and second by J. Burmeister, approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Gus Pappas recommends no transfer of funds needed. Mediacom fee includes 2
phone lines, Internet, fax/credit card line. Motion by M.K. Eckert to approve Treasurer’s Report, second by J. Burmeis-
ter, approved.
FOUNDATION REPORT: Chair S. Eckert reported the current balance is $565,985.00.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS: Tom Bakeris and J. Burmeister: Door sweeps needed to keep bugs out, trees by kitchen
were trimmed, bees were eliminated, Crawford’s bid on air conditioning work, Horizon Landscaping will trench Spring
2015(Brad C., is contact), dead crab trees in front need removal, painting of lettering in front of church done in early
Sept., Jason Leon has RoundUp for removal of parking lot weeds.
STEWARDSHIP: M. Rankin reported that we are on target with 65% of what we have budgeted with collections of
$110,774 to date.
FESTIVAL REPORT: G. Pappas said the last meeting is Sept 10th. Balance in Festival account as of Aug 31st is
$50,954.63. Riverbend Food bank will be one recipient of festival profit. A. Spurgetis moved that 5% of net income
from festival be given to Riverbend Food bank which should be approximately $2,000 - $2,400. B. Crosson seconds the
motion. Approved by all.
NEW BUSINESS: Permission will not be granted to anyone to hunt deer on the church property for the hunt Rock Is-
land has due to excess deer.
Eugene Field has asked Fr. Chistodoulos for a walkway from the school to the church (no formal proposal).
The Girl Scouts wants to sell plants the Saturday before Mother’s Day from our parking lot. Our insurance agent will be
asked about a liability waiver or insurance binder.
Philoptochos will have a baklava sale this year.
Parish Council to host coffee hour October 12th in honor of retiring secretary Candace Kalman.
G. Pappas moved, A. Spurgetis, second to donate $100.00 to Presvytera Ana Lillios for Albania mission trip. Approved.
Future discussion of re-keying church doors. Fr. Christodoulos will get quote.
Due to his work schedule, Peter Matos is resigning from the parish council.
Father concluded the meeting with a prayer, and meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
9
SAINT NEKTARIOS: Saint Nektarios was born in Selyvria of Thrace on October 1,
1846. After putting himself through school in Constantinople with much hard labor, he became a monk on
Chios in 1876, receiving the monastic name of Lazarus; because of his virtue, a year later he was ordained
deacon, receiving the new name of Nektarios. Under the patronage of Patriarch Sophronius of Alexandria,
Nektarios went to Athens to study in 1882; completing his theological studies in 1885, he went to Alexandria,
where Patriarch Sophronius ordained him priest on March 23, 1886 in the Cathedral of Saint Savvas, and in
August of the same year, in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, made him Archimandrite. Archimandrite
Nektarios showed much zeal both for preaching the word of God, and for the beauty of God's house. He great-
ly beautified the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, and years later, when Nektarios was in Athens, Saint
Nicholas appeared to him in a dream, embracing him and telling him he was going to exalt him very high.
On January 15, 1889, in the same Church of Saint Nicholas, Nektarios was consecrated Metropoli-
tan of the Pentapolis in eastern Libya, which was under the jurisdiction of Alexandria. Although Nektarios'
swift ascent through the degrees of ecclesiastical office did not affect his modesty and childlike innocence, it
aroused the envy of lesser men, who convinced the elderly Sophronius that Nektarios had it in his heart to
become Patriarch. Since the people loved Nektarios, the Patriarch was troubled by the slanders. On May 3, 1890, Sophronius relieved Metropolitan
Nektarios of his duties; in July of the same year, he commanded Nektarios to leave Egypt.
Without seeking to avenge or even to defend himself, the innocent Metropolitan left for Athens, where he found that accusations of im-
morality had arrived before him. Because his good name had been soiled, he was unable to find a position worthy of a bishop, and in February of
1891 accepted the position of provincial preacher in Euboia; then, in 1894, he was appointed dean of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens.
Through his eloquent sermons his unwearying labors to educate fitting men for the priesthood, his generous alms deeds despite his own poverty,
and the holiness, meekness, and fatherly love that were manifest in him, he became a shining light and a spiritual guide to many. At the request of
certain pious women, in 1904 he began the building of his convent of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina while yet dean of the Rizarios
School; finding later that his presence there was needed, he took up his residence on Aegina in 1908, where he spent the last years of his life, devot-
ing himself to the direction of his convent and to very intense prayer; he was sometimes seen lifted above the ground while rapt in prayer. He be-
came the protector of all Aegina, through his prayers delivering the island from drought, healing the sick, and casting out demons. Here also he
endured wicked slanders with singular patience, forgiving his false accusers and not seeking to avenge himself. Although he had already worked
wonders in life, an innumerable multitude of miracles have been wrought after his repose in 1920 through his holy relics, which for many years
remained incorrupt. There is hardly a malady that has not been cured through his prayers; but Saint Nektarios is especially renowned for his heal-
ings of cancer for sufferers in all parts of the world.
Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel,
Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel: All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, -
sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation - (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and
people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a
whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him,
that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12). In the Heavens they
always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing
they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so
many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories
thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honouring these
divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that
is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, espe-
cially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by
name. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is mighty."
The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thou-
sands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended
upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called
Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archan-
gels, and Angels.
10
40 DAY LITURGY: Beginning November 15th. It is with God’s glory that we will once again offer the 40 days of Liturgies
in 40 days. This year we will be working in conjunction with Assumption parish in East Moline to split up the services. We
will be alternating days and will also publish the full schedule in the calendar. Included in the Trophybearer will be a sheet
you are able to use to submit the names of those Orthodox both living and dead. Please join us in glorifying God.
STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY: Our Annual Stewardship Sunday will be help on Sunday, November 16th. We ask you all if
you like to bring your pledge card with you on that Sunday and deposit it into the pledge box. May the Lord bless us with an-
other wonderful year.
PHILOPTOCHOS SPAGHETTI LUNCHEON: On Sunday, November 9th our Ladies Philoptochos will be hosting a Spa-
ghetti Luncheon. They will be serving us a wonderful meal of spaghetti and meatballs with bread, salad, red & white wine and
cake in commemoration of birthdays. The cost is only $8.00 for adults & $4.00 for kids. Following the Liturgy for Saint
Nektarios on that Sunday. We hope all of you can join us for a wonderful meal by our Ladies Philoptochos.
PHILOPTOCHOS BAKLAVA & PIE SALE: Please see enclosed flier and be sure to get your orders in A.S.A.P. God
bless!
THANKSGIVING ECUMENICAL SERVICE: Fr. Christodoulos and our choir will be participating in this years Thanks-
giving Ecumenical service which will be held on November 25th at 7:00 p.m. at Saint James Lutheran Church. This will be a
community event celebrating this great American Holiday. Everyone who is planning on attending is asked to bring a canned
food item for food pantries run through St. Pius and Second Baptist.. Fellowship and refreshments will be served after the
conclusion of the service. I hope to see many of our members here at St. George will be able to be in attendance to support
our choir. For more information please see Fr. Christodoulos.
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Will be on Tuesday, November 11th at 7:00 p.m. in the Green room. Also the time is
coming for new parish council elections. Please consider being a part of our parish council and help our community move into
the future of the Quad Cites.
NEW COFFEE HOUR SIGN UP: To make it easier for everyone. Coffee hour hosting will now be available for signing
up. A Calendar will be in the office following Liturgy every week to allow everyone a chance to sign up. Be sure to sign up
early so each family gets the date they want. This also affords some families who have not had an opportunity to be involved
in the past to grab a date. Please take the time to sign up and continue our great fellowship following Liturgy every Sunday.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Will be on Wednesday, 5th, 12th & 19th Anyone who would like to attend please join us. It
gives us a chance to continue growing in our faith.
SAINT GEORGE YOUTH NIGHTS: Will be held on 2 different Wednesday’s in November. Our JOY group will be
meeting on Wednesday, November 12th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Then on Wednesday, November 19th our G.O.Y.A. will be meet-
ing from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Both these will be at the church and we will have some food here as well. Please come and Join us
for our Youth Ministry nights.
HOSPITAL VISITS: If you or a family member are in the hospital, please call the office. Ever since the change in the pri-
vacy laws, hospitals are reluctant to call churches. Please call us so that we can avoid missing our parishioners in their time of
need.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU: To all volunteers who have cooked, served and donated meals to the homeless and those in
need through the “EVENING MEAL PROGRAM”, Thank you! It is through your thoughtfulness and care for those less for-
tunate that we are able to continue this Philoptochos sponsored program again this year. We would also be remiss if we did
not thank Dena Manta for taking this ministry under her direction and bringing it to a all new level. Thank you Dena!
EVENING MEAL: The November Evening meal will be hosted by Jim & Elizabeth Teros on Wednesday, November 26th,
2014.
Community News
11
12
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
2930 31st Ave
Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: 309-786-8163
Fax: 309-786-8188
Priest Email: [email protected]
Office Email: [email protected]
www.stgeorgeri.il.goarch.org/
OCTOBER EVENT PICTURES