August 2017 ¨1645 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 ¨ (850) 878-0747 ¨ Rev. Fr. Robert J. O’Loughlin¨ http://www.hmog.org

The Love and Joy of the Theotokos ~ A Message from Fr. Robert

We are soon to celebrate the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, the Holy Mother of God and the Feast Day of our Church! She became the example for the rest of us of how to live the Christian life, and to gain eternal life. She did not ob-tain eternal life just because she gave birth to Christ but also that she heard the Word of God, and kept it. The Apostle Luke tells us that she kept and trusted God’s Word her whole life. Her life was a life of obedience and loving service to God. It was her selfless love with no strings attached that we can look towards her example and her strength in doing God’s will. Ultimately, we have to be pleasing to God and that is how the Theotokos lived her life. She is an example about how to live our lives in hope. She understood in her heart what God was directing her to do, and she did it. This is perhaps the most im-portant lesson all of us are to continue to learn and remember as we are trying to live a Christian life. The Orthodox way is not always the way of the world. Our way is not to be or try to be greatly praised. Our way should be to serve, and do the will of God, whatever that may be. We often in our prayers ask the Theotokos to pray for us, to protect us, and pray for those in need. We can ask her to encour-age us on our path following Christ. In our preparation for this feast, for two weeks we have Paraklesis ser-vices to the Most Holy Theotokos. Those of you who know this service, know the beauty of the hymns that are chanted. It is during this service and certainly at other times, we ask the Mother of God to intercede for us, to pray for us and others to share with us in her love for her Son. It is with preparation that we can fully enjoy the feast in coming and worshipping God in the services leading up to it. We pray that our lives become strong, joyful and peaceful like hers. One of the things that we can remember about the Theotokos is to understand that she is our example of the Church. If we are going to be Christians, if we are going to be pleasing to God, and if we are going to be hoping to have life in the Kingdom with Him, then our life is to be about hearing the Word of God, and keeping it. It means doing something about it, living our lives in accordance with the Gospel. This would be following the example of the life of the Mother of God. Because of her humility, she has been exalted into heaven. In honoring her we honor her obedience. Every time we come to the Liturgy, every time we pray and read Scriptures there are going to be opportuni-ties to open ourselves to hear and listen to God and His will for us. We are to surrender ourselves to God and fill any emptiness that we have with Christ. We are to be active in experiencing this through the tradi-tions of the Church and through the intercessory prayers of the Theotokos, she can assist us in our efforts. Let us look to her for strength and love and ask the Theotokos to pray for us, to protect us, and support us, in our efforts to grow in faith and love in Christ. May you and your families continue to have a blessed summer,

Fr. Robert

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If an emergency or special need should arise, please contact Fr. Rob immediate-

ly at 850-559-8184.

2017 Greek Festival Baking Dates 9:00 am start time

Baklava - August 24, 25, & 26 Kourambiedes - September 23

Koulourakia - September 9th Open - September 30

Paximadia - TBA Rice Pudding - October 5

Galatoboureko - September 16th Greek Food Festival - October 6 & 7

Please note: Baking dates are subject to change.

Our sincere appreciation to all who have come and helped in the last two months. There will be more baking to be done in a few weeks. Please come out and volunteer any time you can give in the making of our famous pastries. We hope to

see you at our next baking! OPA!

Festival Chairs - Nick Joanos, Glen Perrigan and Richard Allen

May Your Memory Be Eternal…On Wednesday,

July 12, 2017, Maryelen Evans fell asleep in the Lord. Our thoughts and prayers are with Maryelen’s four chil-

dren and family. May her memory be eternal!

Our next ECHO Sundays are

August 6th and September 3rd.

Please drop off your non-

perishable food donations into the

bins located in Patmos Hall.

His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios’

visit to our community Metropolis of Atlanta

Clergy-Laity Assembly, Raleigh, NC

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The OCF (Orthodox Christian

Fellowship) is the official colle-giate campus ministry program under the Assembly of Orthodox

Bishops of North and Central America. The mission of OCF is

to support fellowships on college campuses, whose members expe-

rience and witness to the Ortho-dox Christian Church through

community life, prayer and ser-vice to others and study of the

Faith.

• Monday, August 28th - Dinner to welcome new and

returning students.

We look forward to our first GOYA meeting of the new ecclesiastical year. This ministry provides teen-agers time for fellowship, growth in faith, and opportunities for out-reach.

• Sun Sept 10th -GOYA Mtg

Church School, GOYA, JOY, OCF, and Greek Dancing

*New this year*

- Most documents for youth registration will be sent via email. You may print form, fill out, scan and email back to Presv. Joy at flrjjk@yahoo.com or return to her anytime.

Also, there will be registration following the

Divine Liturgy in the Hellenic Center on:

Sunday, August 27th

GOYAns honoring fathers on Father’s Day

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Department of Inter-Orthodox Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations

Reaching Across Borders to Stop Human Trafficking

On June 23, 2017, governments and non-governmental organizations (NGO) assembled at the United Nations for a multi-stakeholder hearing on the review of the global plan of action to combat trafficking in persons. In order to understand the significance of this amalgamation of words, it is important to understand two basic UN documents: the Protocol to Pre-vent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (UN TIP Protocol) and the Global Plan

of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (Global Plan of Action). The UN TIP Protocol – adopted 12 December 2000 and effective from 25 December 2003 – not only establishes an agreed definition for “trafficking in human persons” but also presents a framework for UN Member States to fulfill their obligations to introduce and strengthen national anti-trafficking legislation. The UN TIP Protocol is a major step forward in the fight against human trafficking since it is the first time UN Member States agreed that trafficking in persons was a serious international issue that needed urgent and coordinated attention.

The Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons – adopted in July 2010 and reviewed in 2013 – builds on the UN TIP Protocol, presenting an action plan for UN Member States to work together to “prevent, protect, and prosecute” when combating human trafficking. It also established the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking

in Persons to support victims through financial, legal, and humanitarian aid. The Global Plan of Action progresses com-mitment beyond a framework to implementation. Every few years, as determined by the UN General Assembly, UN Mem-ber States review the Global Plan of Action to assess what has been accomplished and what remains undone.

Having conducted one review in 2013, the UN is now preparing a second to be completed in September 2017. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA), as a leading member of the NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons (CSTIP), is on the front lines influencing the review process. The GOA and CSTIP advocate for the strengthening of the

following points, calling for their specific mention in the declaration of the review:

Adopt an action oriented outcome document committing to the full implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically adhering to the requirements of Targets 5.2, 8.7 and 16.2.

Adhere to the recommendations of the United Nations Global Plan of Action, specifically the universal ratification of the UN TIP Protocol.

Actualize by December 2018 a robust review mechanism for the UN TIP Protocol, supplementing the UN Conven-tion against Transnational Organized Crime.

Allocate significant resources at the national and international levels towards prevention strategies and exit ser-vices to reverse what “constitutes a serious threat to human dignity, human rights, and development.

Address demand. Without demand there is no trafficking of persons. Addressing this root cause is essential. De-mand for high profits, cheap goods and labor, and commercialized sex is the driving force behind human traffick-ing.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Justin of Canterbury proclaim “all forms of human enslavement as the most heinous of sins, inasmuch as it violates the free will and the integrity of every human being created in the image of God." They “urge our faithful and communities – the members of the Orthodox Church and the Church of England – as well as all people of good will to become educated, raise awareness, and take action with regard to these tragedies of mod-ern slavery, and to commit themselves to working and praying actively towards the eradication of this scourge against humanity.” We are, therefore, called to transcend complacency. In other words, we are to go beyond simply understand-ing human trafficking as “bad” or a “shame” and take action to minister to others and change ourselves – even when un-profitable and inconvenient. Therefore, the following is a short list of exhortations for us all. Please: Pray for the approxi-mately 21 million currently enslaved victims of human trafficking as well as those working to combat human trafficking at all levels.

Learn more about human trafficking and its root causes and share that information as widely as possible.

Discern our own participation and make appropriate lifestyle changes (this includes profiting from invest-

ments in companies with forced labor in their supply chains, supporting the commercial sex industry includ-

ing pornography, focusing on profit and/or cheap goods over people, etc.).

In conclusion, governments and NGOs will continue to create policies and develop programs to end human

trafficking and assist victims. These measures have and will continue to help. However, the $32 bil-

lion “industry” will only be fully eradicated when all of us surrender complacency to action. We must trans-form selfishness to selflessness and progress from sympathy to love.

By Nicholas Anton

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Email: hmogphil@comcast.net

Visit us also On Facebook @ Holy Mother of God Philoptochos Society of Tallahassee, Florida

Philoptochos – Simply one woman asking another woman to care. Invite – Embrace – Involve

August 2017

2017-2019 Philoptochos Board President – Connie Mathes

Vice President - Nia Parmer Treasurer – Cyndi Balogh

Recording Secretary – Ronnie Fetzko Corresponding Secretary – Elaine Mathewes

Not a Philoptochos member yet - you can join now!

Our board will be meeting soon to finish up on our plans for this coming year, and you will be seeing announcements in the Sunday Handouts and the September Monthly Bulletin. It’s hard to believe that August is already here and the beginning of school for so many is just around the corner,

but much has been accomplished by our Church over the summer.

Our Philoptochos Chapter would like to invite those of you who are interested in becoming members to come, learn and find joy in the work you will be doing as you become a part of this exciting philanthropic arm of our Church. We want to make Philoptochos more fulfilling and rewarding for both the giver and the receiver. Our example can inspire and excite those who are to follow in the future. This is a challenge worth taking by all of us.

Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - August 6th

Our Lord had spoken to His disciples many times not only concerning His

Passion, Cross, and Death, but also concerning the coming persecutions and afflictions that they themselves would endure. Since all these evils were near

at hand, but the enjoyment of good things which they hoped to receive in their stead was yet to come, our Savior desired to give them full assurance, evident-

ly and openly, concerning that glory which is prepared for those who endure to the end. Therefore, fulfilling that which He had promised shortly before,

that "there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His Kingdom" (Matt. 16:28), He took His three fore-

most disciples and ascended Mount Tabor, where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light. Suddenly, to-

gether with this dread and marvelous effulgence of light, there appeared those pinnacles of the Prophets, Moses and Elias, who spoke with the Lord Jesus concerning His saving Passion

which was about to take place. Standing before Him as reverent servants, they showed that He is the Lord of both the living and the dead, for Moses came forth from Hades, having died many centuries before, and Elias, as it were from heaven, whither he had been taken up while

yet alive. After a little while a radiant cloud overshadowed them and out of the cloud they heard that same voice which had been heard at the Jordan at the Baptism of Christ, testifying

to the Divinity of Jesus and saying: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased; hear ye Him" (Matt. 17: 5).

Such are the marvels, truly worthy of God, celebrated in this present feast, which is an image

and prefiguring of the future state of the righteous, whose splendor the Lord spoke of, saying: "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun" (Matt. 13:43). It is because of this that the

Kontakion of this Feast is said daily (when there is not a great feast) in the Service of the Typi-ca in perpetual commemoration of the glory that will be the lot of the Saints. According to tra-

dition, the Lord's Transfiguration came to pass forty days before His Crucifixion; this is why the Transfiguration is celebrated forty days before the Exaltation of the Cross.

Page 7

Department of Inter-Orthodox Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations

Recapping the Season-Ending Briefing: Our Recent Work at the UN

On June 22, the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations of the Archdiocese par-

ticipated in the UN’s Department of Public Information season-ending briefing, where members of the NGO

Relations Section gathered to discuss the season’s achievements and activities, and suggested areas for im-

provement. This Section is charged with facilitating dialogue and partnerships with members of civil society,

of which the Archdiocese is part of.

There are approximately 1,500 NGOs affiliated with DPI and they are doing crucial work at the UN to

achieve the various targets set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This past season, UN

DPI/NGO held seventeen briefings covering a variety of issues. They were held for specific events like the

Commission on the Status of Women, and on commemorative days like the International Day of Families and Focus on Faith: Faith Based-Organizations and Refugee Assistance, among many others. At these brief-

ings, information was disseminated and important issues were discussed in order to achieve effectual

change.

In all, there were 1,791 activities reported by NGOs in the most recent season. These included events

(25%), conferences (18%), and campaigns (10%), among others and reached approximately 700 million peo-

ple. These activities covered a wide range of topics, with a majority focusing on SDG 3 (health and well-

being), SDG 4 (education), and SDG 16 (peace).

The Archdiocese, for example, through its representation at the UN, has recently organized events covering

land and water as a source to eradicate poverty, empowering refugee women and children through educa-

tion, and HIV/AIDS and women’s property rights. A complete list of the events associated with our office

can be found here: http://un.goarch.org/en/events.

The briefing also focused on areas where improvements can be made. SDG 14, which focuses on sustaina-

ble uses for the oceans and general conservation of water, only accounted for 6% of all NGO activities last

year. While this number is low, there is cause to believe that the number will increase. Earlier this month,

the UN organized an Oceans Conference, coinciding with World Oceans Day, that sought to identify prob-

lems and solutions in implementing SDG 14. The Ecumenical Office had an active presence at this confer-ence, preparing an intervention to be read on the floor during the Plenary Meeting. A copy of the statement

can be found here: Statement to the June 2017 Oceans Conference. Because of this conference, there is

heightened awareness to the issue and we can expect the 6% number to rise for next season’s wrap up

briefing.

The meeting concluded with an emphasis on the important role NGOs have in the UN system. They are ad-

vocates, facilitators, and educators, working to ensure that we are creating a better world. Keep an eye out

on this blog, as well as un.goarch.org, to see the issues we focus on and the kind of work we are doing.

By Anthony Constantine Balouris

Anthony Balouris is a Fellow at the UN for the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Rela-

tions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (un.goarch.org)

The Archdiocese is an accredited Non-Governmental Organization at the United Nations through the Depart-ment of Public Information (UN DPI) and has General Consultative Status under the Economic and Social Coun-

cil of the UN (ESOSCO). It has been actively working at the UN for 30 years.

Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church

1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, Florida 32308

Return Service Requested

The Dormition of our Most Holy

Lady the Theotokos and Ever

Virgin Mary

Celebrated

August 15

Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church

1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, FL 32308

Office: 850-878-0747 Hall: 850-877-2501

Fr. Rob’s Cell: 850-559-8184

Website: www.hmog.org

Email Addresses:

Father Rob: fr.robert@comcast.net

Church Secretary: hmog@comcast.net

Secretary Hours: Mon./Wed./Fri. 9am-2pm