Upcoming Community Events Thursday 22.
Please note that the Parish Development meeting scheduled for this evening has been postponed.
The new date will be mid-November; you will be notified once it is on the schedule.

Friday 23.
12p/ Delaware Valley Clergy Meeting at Annunciation, Elkins Park.
6:30p/ Youth Dance Practice. Please note new schedule:
JOY I - 6:30 to 7:15.
JOY II - 7:15 to 8:00.
GOYA - 8:00 to 9:00.

Saturday 24.
2/p Church Hall Rented.
7p/ Fellowship Fundraiser hosted by Diane and Alex Saphos.

VI Sunday of Luke, October 25, 2009.
8:45a/ ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY.
40-day Memorial for the repose of the soul of Konstantinos Verros.
Family and friends are invited to attend.
40-day Blessing of Martin Constantine, newborn son of Martin and Evangelia King. Congratulations!
7p/ Festal Vespers at the Celebrating Churches of St. Demetrios, Upper Darby and Wildwood.

Monday 26. Demetrios the Myrrhbearer & Great Martyr of Thessaloniki.
8:45a/ ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY at the Celebrating Churches of St. Demetrios, Upper Darby and Wildwood.
7p/ Book of the Apocalypse (Revelation) Study at Church.

Tuesday 27.
11a/ Bible Class at Church, studying the Book of James, the Brother of our Lord.
4:30p/ Greek Language Classes.
7p/ Parish Council Meeting.

Friday 30.
12p/ Delaware Valley Clergy Meeting at Annunciation.

Saturday 31.
1p/ Church Hall Rented.

V Sunday of Luke, November 1, 2009.
Cosmas & Damianos the Holy Unmercenaries & their mother Theodota, David the Righteous of Evia.
8:45a/ ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY.
Memorial for the repose of the soul of Christina Zervoudis (5-year), and for all departed members of Philoptochos.
Family and friends are invited to attend.
Artoklasia for health and salvation of all Philoptochos members.
Greek School “OXI” Day commemoration.

Monday 2.
Parish Council Nominations Open.
5p/ Apostolic Visit by His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew to SS Constantine and Eleni Church at Annapolis, Maryland.

Tuesday 3.
11a/ Bible Class at Church, studying the Book of James, the Brother of our Lord.
4:30p/ Greek Language Classes.
7p/ Philoptochos Board Meeting.

My Church And I Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The above theme will occupy the Sundays to come. It is a theme that fits the times. Statistics show that 15% of Christians that used to be regular church-goers have abandoned that good habit. This statistic involves all Christian denominations, including the Orthodox Church. It is not hard to see that we also locally and nationally have the problem of less worshipers on Sunday morning. Here I will not discuss the many and various reasons for that `illness`, only to say that we are not immune from the following `viruses`. We live in a society that offers a supermarket of religions. Secularization of the Church is a reality. The laws of the state do not provide a healthy spiritual or psychological environment for the youth. Christians enjoy comfort and easiness of life and expect from God to bless them even while they remain in a fierce opposition to His Gospel. The issue here is, how can we, who have decided to remain within the `walls` of the church, help bring the rest back. There are two ways to attack this issue. One way is to stop all the negative `waves` that come about from the winds of talk like, gossip, judgmental attitude, prideful statements, contentions, and other unchristian behavior. But how can this unchristian behavior be stopped? No negative thing can be eliminated with out a positive thing taking its place, that is very true. And here is where the theme "MY CHURCH AND I" can help. Positive things, attitudes, are developed through knowledge of the truth. When I correctly understand "WHAT IS THE CHURCH", I will be able to control much better or even completely stop my negative attitude towards others and the Church. Also, this knowledge will empower me and become my support when I go out of my way to speak to others about the CHURCH!
The major problem that I see around us is that we do not know ourselves what to say to others about the Church. We invite them with a very humanistic way that has no power. "Come to Church", we say, "it is good for you". Other times we say to someone who has not being in church for sometime," come, go to confession, you`ll feel better". Of course the truth is that no matter what we say if the person himself does not recognize his illness, how can he be healed? But, if we say the proper thing which is, "Jesus loves you and wants you back", don`t you think that our chances of winning that soul are much greater? Last Sunday we explained it by giving the example of marriage. When I believe that my wife and I have become one the day we received Christ`s blessing in the Church, then I will do my best to remain within the walls of that marriage, correct? Therefore, it is about FAITH. We came to the understanding that the CHURCH AND I ARE UNITED as a husband is united to his wife (thank you Saint Paul).

Also we tried to increase our understanding on the difference between religion and Christianity. For the definition on religion, please check the dictionary. Christianity though is much more. It is about a very specific and real God who has revealed Himself to us and has united us to Him through the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ. And sustains us in that union by His Holy Spirit in the Church. Christianity also has another dimension which is fully revealed in the body of Christ. The essence of Christianity is eschatological. Father Alexander Schmemann explains: "Eschatological means that Christianity is directed, at the same time and totally, both on the NOW and the KINGDOM TO COME. That the experience of the kingdom is completely depended on the experience of NOW. This world is busy with the tomorrow, passionately busy, busy with something that does not exist; something that will be eaten by moth and rust. Where as Christianity is busy, OUGHT TO BE BUSY with TODAY, which alone gives us the experience of the Kingdom. Does it mean leaving history? or indifference to practical action? to responsibility? to involvement? NO. The now is our duty as Christians, not of the Church as such, the Church is here so that, not one action of this world, not one tomorrow would become an idol, a goal in itself". Our goal in the near future will be to figure out in plain language what he means.
Father Luke Veronis this past Saturday introduced to us a very old Orthodox mindset. The theology that the Church is compared with a hospital. This concept is of great importance to all Christians. The hospital is a microcosm, a thousand times more real than the normal and healthy world surrounding it. You see, inside the hospital everybody is busy with the essential, and the essential is NOW, in the light of the end, of eternity. That is why everything, every detail is important. In there are no cheap emotions, no rhetoric, no idle talk. Each word is important for it deals with life/death. There is no time for showing off, popularity, pretense. They deal with the situation that is in front of them, NOW, with the hope of a better tomorrow. The Church should have the same mindset. We, her members, ought to acquire this mindset because the now will determine my future. Can you imagine being hungry and cold and you ask for help and someone says to you," Go and I will comfort you later". Ten minutes later you are found frozen on a side walk. Remember the disciple who said to Jesus, "Let me go and bury my father"; What was Jesus` response? "Let the dead bury their own dead, you follow me". The Church is about the NOW." Now is the acceptable time/day of the Lord". It is strange then how some people wait till they are on their death bed to come to Church.

Further down our lesson we mentioned four factors that keep us away from understanding "What is the Church".
The first, it comes from my ignorance. If I`m to be truthful I would say; “when did I bother in a serious manner to learn what is the Church?” Yes, I do know about Archbishops and Priests and all those who have some responsibility small or large in the parish, even by name. As a sociable person I read magazines and newspapers about the subject and I pretend that I am knowledgeable about the Church. But when did I really sit down like Martha`s sister Mary with attentiveness and humility to learn the subject well? Therefore I confess that I do not know much.
Moving forward in my search I discover another factor of my lack of knowledge. This factor is called, PREDISPOSITION, biased view. How can I have a good and correct view about something when I have developed some wrong, negative, predisposition? Many things are said in such a way that they develop in me a not so good of a picture, but rather a wild and critical feeling, not to mention a hostile attitude towards the Church. I do not see the Church as something of mine but as something foreign. I do not see her as being part of her, that I belong in her, but as a stranger. Therefore whatever hostile and negative is said about her DOES NOT BOTHER ME. WHO CARES, it is not my business anyway. But if someone though accuses me that I am bias about another subject I become upset. Strange things!
The third factor for my lack of knowledge is my INDIFFERENCE. I did not show interest for her, as much as I show interest for sports, music, movie-stars, some social clubs I belong. For these things I DEVOTE TIME, MONEY and sometimes even place myself in bodily danger. Not few spectators have been killed or injured in certain ball games. I learn about foreign countries far away from me because I am a citizen of this world. Do I wish to learn about the heavenly country, revealed in the Church? I admit, I do not know much about the Church.
The fourth factor is the greatest and most negative one which I recognize inside of me as a block in order to know correctly the Church is my sinful life. Sin in its many forms and variations darkens my mind (nous), poisons my whole self, defiles my heart, and corrupts my logic. Sin is a subject best dealt with a spiritual father but man basically knows when he has gone against God`s law.
What am I to do? I have to send away from me whatever keeps me out of the Church. "What is impossible with man is possible with God". With God`s help I can make baby steps towards the knowledge of the truth. Who is going to help me? The very thing that I ignore so often, THE CHURCH. But the Church is an unclear, undefined, dark and mysterious thing. NO! SHE IS NO SUCH THING.
Do not listen to people who see the Church as a taboo. The Church is clear like a diamond and beautiful as a pearl.
Let us then take off our sandals like Moses, for this ground is holy. And have complete understanding of our unworthiness as we approach the subject "THE CHURCH AND I". The path has been prepared for us by the God inspired writers of the past. Let us walk on it with Godly fear, faith and love. Amen.
Father Christos

You Are Invited... To a Fellowship Fundraiser.
We all spend money each week eating out in restaurants, bringing in takeout or purchasing prepared meals at the grocery store. We are looking for 10 or more host families throughout Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery counties to invite families and friends to their homes for dinner. The menu will be a simple and standard one at all homes: Pizza, salad, dessert, soda and coffee. The people who attend the dinner bring the money that they would have spent that week eating out, put it in a sealed envelope and at the end of the dinner, the money collected will go to the church. No one will open the envelopes except the Treasurer who will deposit the money. So, if you eat at Burger King on a Saturday night for $15 or at a gourmet restaurant for $150 bring that donation with you and have a pizza party. The host family will be responsible for providing the food but not for giving a donation. It is a great opportunity for fellowship, meeting new people and reconnecting with friends and our church family.

Here are the dates for the upcoming Fellowship Fundraisers:

Saturday October 24, 7:00 pm: Diane and Alex Saphos Residence. 5 Poppy Court. Newtown, PA 18940. Please RSVP to Diane Saphos at 215-579-4426 by October 22, 2009.

Saturday November 7, 7:00 pm: Frank and Marianne Marmarou Residence. 6321 Musket Court. Bensalem, Pa. 19020. Please RSVP to Marianne Marmarou at 215-752-5878 by November 4, 2009.

Please contact the Parish Council or the Church office if you are interested in hosting the next Fellowship Fundraiser.

Bible Studies at Annunciation The Morning Weekly Bible Study takes place every Tuesday morning, 11:0 am at Church (please see Weekly Bulletin for possible changes due to the ecclesiastical calendar & Fr. Christos’ availability). The group is currently studying the book of James the Brother of our Lord, with plans to go through all the General Epistles this year.

HERE ARE THE DATES AND PLACES OF THE UPCOMING
EVENING ORTHODOX STUDIES:
Monday Oct. 26, 7pm/ Book of The Apocalypse Study at Church.
Thursday Nov. 5, 7pm/ Orthodox Lives Study: Theme to be determined. Hosted by Fr. Christos and Presvytera Joanna at their home, 1363 Foxglove Dr. Jamison, PA 18929.
Thursday Nov. 19, 7pm/ Book of The Apocalypse Study at Church.
Thursday Dec. 3, 7pm/ Orthodox Lives Study: Theme and host family to be determined.
Monday Dec. 7, 7pm/ Book of The Apocalypse Study at Church.
Mark your calendars and make the effort to attend these soul-enriching and edifying activities.


Retreat Thank You We would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make last Saturday`s retreat a success.  Fr. Veronis gave two very inspiring and challenging talks, and 40 attendees enjoyed wonderful fellowship and a delicious lunch prepared under the direction of chef extraordinaire Stephanie Ristvey.  Many hands prepared and donated the food, and we thank each of them for their support of this event.  Anyone interested in reading Fr. Veronis`s books, Lynette`s Hope and Missionaries, Monks, and Martyrs, can purchase them at the Resource Center.
--- Jane Papacostas and Stella Fisfis, co-chairs

Share-a-Ride to Church Do you, or someone you know, need a ride to Church?
A number of parishioners have indicated on their Stewardship Card that they are willing to volunteer to give persons a ride to Church.
Please contact the office, 215-635-0316, and we will connect you with someone in your area who can bring you to Church, and take you back home.

Fall General Assembly and Parish Council Elections The Fall General Assembly of our parishioners will be held on Sunday November 22, 2009, in our Cultural Center, immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Official invitation should be arriving to your home by post mail.
Parish Council Elections will be held on Sunday, December 13, 2009. Nominations for Parish Council will open on November 1, and close at the General Assembly on November 22. Election information and Petition for candidacy for the 2010 Parish Council should also be arriving to your home by post mail.
You are invited to attend both of these important events, and take an active part in decision making process and the administration of your parish.


Philoptochos News Sunday November 1 is the Feast of SS Cosmas & Damianos the Holy Unmercenaries & their mother Theodota; the Patron Saints of Philoptochos. There will be a Memorial commemorated that day, offering prayers for the repose of the souls of all departed members of Philoptochos, and an Artoklasia for health and salvation of the members of Philoptochos and their families. All Philoptochos members are invited to attend. A collection will also be taken to benefit the National Philoptochos.

On Thursday November 12, 6:30 pm, we will be holding our Annual Bid N Buy. The Theme this year is “An Evening At Tiffany`s”. All are invited.

2010 OPA Journal We are looking for a TEAM of volunteers to work on the 2010 Journal that is seen by thousands of people at the OPA festival.  Responsibilities include:  Soliciting Ads, Graphic Design, Data Input, Compilation of Articles, Financial Management. 
Come and get involved in this very important fundraiser! 
We are starting early this year to make it the most successful journal yet!
If you are interested in participating, please contact the Church Office at 215-635-0316 
or Ginny Markos 215-643-5815.

JOY Kids Mission JOY age children are invited to the Delaware Valley Region JOY KIDS MISSION on Saturday November 14, 2009, starting at 9:00 am, hosted by the Church of St. Demetrios, Upper Darby, PA.
The theme this year is "The Lives and Travels of Various Saints".
For further information amd registration, please contact Toula Pithis 215-750-9757, or Nikki Pieces, 215-464-8492.

The Prayer Corner “For Health and Salvation”
If yourself or a loved one is going through a difficult time and would like the community to pray for you, please contact Fr. Christos or the Parish Office, and request to be added on the prayer list. We will list the first names only in the weekly bulletin for six months, or until you ask to be removed from the list. Fr. Christos will also make a special mention of these names at the Proskomede.
We also need to remind you to call Fr. Christos when someone is ill and hospitalized so Fr. Christos can visit the hospital or nursing home.

Prayer for Healing:
Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent our Lord to heal every sickness. Visit and heal us. Grant patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us to pray for each other that we may be healed. We pray that You heal, guide and protect your servant (s)
(pray by name for those who are sick)
and grant them the gift of complete health. For You are the source of healing and to You we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Please add the following to your daily prayer list:
Anastasia, Donna, Eleni, Eleni, Frederica, Garyfalia, George, John, Kyriaki, Maria, Mary, Nicholas, Panagiota, Thalia, Thomas, Chris, Chris, Chrysanthi, Nicholas, Eusebia, Mary, Themistokles, George, Panagiotis, Fr. Anthony, Presvytera Eleni, Cora, Fr. Kyriakos, Soteria, Konstantina, Panagiotis, Eleftheria, Francis, Beverly, Allan, Ella, Fr. John, Presvytera Elizabeth, Peter, Irene, Leila, Liz, Panagiotis, Andreas, Kyle, Penelope, Petros, Michael, Olivia...

Shoes For Orphan Souls NEW SHOES ARE GOOD FOR THE SOUL.
YOURS AND THEIRS.

Dear Parishioners,
The Shoes for Orphan Souls shoe drive is approaching its deadline, and we are less than half way to our goal. We are still in need of 48 pairs of new shoes for children. Shoes are such a basic necessity, which we take for granted. If every family in our church was to donate one pair of new shoes, we would make our deadline of donating 75 pairs of shoes to 75 children who are less fortunate than us. Please make your donations so that I can send the quota that I had committed to this organization by October 31st. Thank you for your generous gift.
Respectfully yours,
Alexa Verros – project coordinator averros007@comcast.net or 215-657-7973

Do you shop at Genuardi’s or Macy’s ? If you do, you could help the Church earn some money.
It is free, and it is easy.
Simply go to www.eScript.com, enter our group ID 500000937, and follow the instructions.
For further information, please see Sophia Penning.

Metropolis Awards Banquet, November 8, 2009 GREATER PHILADELPHIA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCHES TO HOST THE METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY SIXTH ANNIVERSARY AND ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS BANQUET
All Orthodox Christians are invited to the Saint John Chrysostom and Ambassadors Awards Banquet on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at the Concordville Inn in Concordville, Pa. This event, sponsored by the clergy and churches of the Delaware Valley, will honor our Archbishop, His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos on the sixth anniversary of his ordination and ascendancy as primate of the Metropolis of New Jersey. This event will also enable Metropolitan Evangelos to specially recognize outstanding members of our parishes and most importantly, our youth who will be participating in the Ambassador Awards Program. Leading members of our parishes are invited to join the Fellowship 1000 Endowment Fund by contributing $1,000 a year for ten years for a total of $10,000. The donation for the banquet is $50 (including the meal). A commemorative journal will be issued. To place a personal message in the journal or to honor a loved one please see Father Christos or call the church office. The donation for the message is GOLD PAGE $750, FULL PAGE $500, 1/2 PAGE @250, 1/4 PAGE $125. All proceeds from this anniversary event will benefit the Metropolis of New Jersey Building Fund. To join the Fellowship 1000 Endowment Fund, for tickets for the banquet or for more information about this event, please see or call Father Christos. A formal invitation has been mailed to you. Please try to attend.