"CALLING THE PEOPLE OF GOD TO HIS HOME" "Every time that we are in our churches, in our beautiful parishes, let us think of those other sheep, those other people who are outside, known and unknown, the ones described in the
parable of the Great Banquet.
Let us think of all others, the truly significant others, who wait to hear the voice of Christ. The voice of Christ invites them to gather in His home, to become His flock.
But how can they hear the voice of Christ? We are the voice of Christ!
My beloved people let such voice be heard outside of our Churches, calling the people of God to His home.
Let us be the voice of Christ. Everywhere for everyone. At any time, at any place of the wide
world of God."

HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS, in his Keynote Address to the Clergy-Laity Congress


AS WE RETURN HOME - FROM FR. ANTHONY STRATIS My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ:

As we return home, we offer thanksgiving to God, drawing from the words of the Doxology: “Glory to You who has shown us the light. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill to all people. We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory. Let your mercy, Lord, be upon us, as our trust is in you.”



While our region was hit by Hurricane Gustav (some areas more severely than others), and while almost all – wisely – evacuated to safer areas, we can appreciate the fact that the damage was not to the level anticipated prior to the storm. Even so, the task of repair and restoration stands before us.



Let us work with one another, help carry the weight of one another, and in all things rely completely upon our Lord, Who has protected us, once again, and has allowed the gray, stormy skies to be broken with light. For, as we know: “Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. For You are the source of life, and in Your light we shall see light.”



Over the course of recent days, I have been in contact with many of you, whether by cell phone (and tried to contact many others, only to be frustrated by jammed circuits) or by email. Certainly, in the days ahead, I will be in touch with many of you as well. Please remember that, as always, I stand ready to help you in any way that I can (along with my prayers for you which, of course, are ongoing). Meanwhile, I look forward to seeing you as we come together in prayer this Sunday.

God bless,

Fr. Anthony Stratis, HOLY TRINITY, New Orleans, LA


FEAST DAYS and NAME DAYS FOR THE COMING WEEK Sept. 7
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Forefeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Sozon the Martyr
Kassiani the Hymnographer
Euodos and Onesiphoros, Apostles of the 70
John the Wonderworker of Novgorod

Sept. 8
The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
Sophronios, Bishop of Iberia

Sept. 9
13th Tuesday after Pentecost
The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna
Severianos the Martyr of Sebaste
Theophanes the Confessor
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos

Sept. 10
13th Wednesday after Pentecost
Menodora, Metrodora, & Nymphodora the Martyrs
Poulcheria the Empress
Forefeast of the Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos

Sept. 11
13th Thursday after Pentecost
Theodora the Martyr of Alexandria
Euphrosynos the Cook
Demetrios & Evanthea the Martyrs & their son Demetrianos
Forefeast of the Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
Sergius and Herman of Valaam, Finland
Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos

Sept. 12
13th Friday after Pentecost
Apodosis of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
Autonomos the Martyr
Hieromartyr Cornatus, Bishop of Iconium
Agirus, the Hieromartyr of Cornoutus, Bishop of Iconium
Forefeast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross
Daniel of Thassos
Julian the Martyr

Sept. 13
Saturday before Holy Cross
Forefeast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross
Memorial of the founding of the Holy Temple: Holy Resurrection of Christ
Cornelius the Centurion & Martyr
Herotheos the Righteous of Iveron Monastery, Mount Athos




























































PARISH LIFE ANNUNCIATION, Mobile, AL HOPE & JOY Ministry "Back to Sunday School" Get-together, Sept. 7, 12-2pm, including lunch, games "and your favorite ...running around the Hall."(!)

HOLY TRINITY, Augusta, GA Ministries Kick Off-Community Luncheon
Sunday Sept. 7, 1st Annual Grandparents Celebration, “Agiasmos” Blessing of the Sunday School Classrooms and Children, and a Luncheon sponsored by Philoptochos to begin their annual membership drive. Dinners $12/adults $6/children.
benefiting the Education, Culture and Youth Diakonia.

Atlanta Are Pan Orthodox Marriage Enrichment, for all married Orthodox couples and engaged couples soon to be married, Friday, Sept. 19, 6pm, at the Hadjisimos’ Home, 2212 Tristan Circle, NE, Atlanta, GA 30345, bring a Lenten covered dish. Guest of Honor, His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios. Contact Glykeria at odysseia1@yahoo.com

STS. RAPHAEL, NICHOLAS & IRENE, Cumming, GA Thyranoixia, Sept. 27, 6:30pm, reception, Sunday, Sept. 28, 8:30am Orthros and Divine Liturgy, followed by banquet

HOLY TRINITY, Clearwater, FL Philoptochos has an outreach to shut-ins, hospitals, nursing homes and rehab centers. Also a sewing group meets monthly and prepares lap-blankets and small stuffed animals which are donated to hospitals.

FSU OCF will begin the 2008-09 school year in September with meetings on Mondays at 8 p.m. For more information, email Ashley Hanania at anh05e@fsu.edu or visit website at
http://www.forministry.com/USFLGOARCHMOGH/Members.ds.

The Arcadian Society of Atlanta will honor those that sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Tripolis in the battle of September 23-25,1821 with a memorial Service on Sunday,
September 21, followed by luncheon in Carlos Hall Beef Kapama, salad, dessert & drinks. Donation $10/Adults; $5/children 5-10, Free for children under 5.

Congratulations to Darden Vaughan, DORMITION, Greensboro, NC, who received his Eagle Scout Award on July 8, 2008. The Eagle Scout Award is a rare achievement at the national level. Only 2% to 4% of all Boy Scouts achieve this rank. For his project, Darden designed and landscaped a Memorial Garden dedicated to the blessed Theotokos at the church.

DORMITION, Greensboro, NC Philoptochos is collecting non-perishable food items for the Year Round Food Bank, such as cereals, oatmeal, pancake mix & syrup, canned ham, turkey, chicken, tuna, or salmon, canned vegetables, sauces, dried pastas, rice noodles, and boxed macaroni and cheese, boxed mashed potatoes; peanut butter, jelly, canned or powdered milk, saltine crackers, jello & canned fruit. These items are bagged to serve several meals for an individual or family in need. $10 or $20 gift cards from Harris Teeter or Food Lion are also needed.





















































































































































PARISH CALENDAR SEPT
HOLY TRINITY, Charlotte, NC YIASOU FESTIVAL 2008, Sept. 4-7

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, Tallahasee, FL Spaghetti Dinner Friday,Sept. 5,11am-7pm

HOLY TRINITY, Asheville, Thyranoixia, Sept. 6 Great Vespers & Artoklasia, 5:45pm, Dinner Reception,7pm,Sept. 7, Orthros & Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, 8am

ANNUNCIATION, Atlanta, GA "Moonlight, Merlot & Monet:A Summer’s Evening of Art" sponsored by Philoptochos, Sat. Sept. 6, 7pm, Kartos Ballroom

ST. CHRISTOPHER, Peachtree City, GA Special Workshop for Parish Families
Sunday, Sept. 7, 11am-1pm

HOLY TRINITY, Augusta, GA Ministries Kick Off-Community Luncheon
Sunday Sept. 7, Dinners $12/adults $6/children.

HOLY TRANSFIGURATION, Marietta, GA Sun. Sept. 7 HOMECOMING PICNIC

ANNUNCIATION, Winston-Salem, NC Annual Picnic, Sunday, Sept. 7, 5PM, food provided by the Parish Council, games & other activities

HOLY TRINITY, Clearwater, FL REGISTRATION FAIR SUNDAY, Sept. 7, 10am sign-up for Church School, Greek School, PTO, GOYA, HOPE & JOY, Hellas & Jr. Hellas Dancers! Agape Luncheon benefiting the Outreach Program, donation: free-will offering

Mon. Sept. 8 6th Annual Holy Transfiguration Golf Tournament, White Columns CC, Alpharetta, GA

HOLY TRINITY/HOLY CROSS, Birmingham, AL
GREEK FESTIVAL, Sept. 11-13

STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN, Fayetteville, NC Greek Festival Sept. 12-14

ST. KATHERINE, Melbourne, FL Philoptochos Attic Sale Sept.12-13, 9am-3pm

ST. NEKTARIOS, Charlotte, NC GOYA 9/12-14 ANNUAL BEACH TRIP

Opening Reception of the 2008-09 Temporary Exhibit of Greek NeedleArts –"Painted with a Needle," Sept. 13, 6:30 pm, St. Photios Shrine, St. Augustine, FL. Exhibit will be on display through May 31, 2009

ST. PHILOTHEA, Athens, GA Greek Festival, Sept. 13-14

ST. PAUL, Savannah, GA 6th Annual Savannah International Food & Wine Festival, Sat., Sept.13, 4–7PM

ST. BARBARA, Sarasota, FL Sept. 14 Holy Cross Sunday/Seminary Luncheon

HOLY TRINITY/ST. JOHN, Jackson, MS Philoptochos Luncheon, Sept. 14

ST. SOPHIA, Miami, FL Pan-Orthodox Celebration Feast of St. Sophia, Tuesday,Sept. 16,Great Vespers,7pm. Matins and Divine Liturgy, Wed. Sept. 17, 9am

HOLY TRINITY, Columbia, SC Greek Festival, Sept. 19-21

HOLY TRINITY/ST. JOHN, Jackson, MS Prosphora Baking Workshop Sat.,Sept. 20

ST. SOPHIA, Winter Haven, FL Feast Day Family Luncheon, Sept. 21

HOLY TRINITY, Columbia, SC 22nd Annual Columbia Greek Festival, Sept. 18-21

ST. NEKTARIOS, Charlotte, NC Friday, Sept. 19 CREDO, Russian sacred music
ensemble, performance, Saturday, Sept. 20, Sacred Music workshop by CREDO

ST. CHRISTOPHER, Peachtree City, GA GREEKFEST 2008, Saturday, Sept. 20, 6:30pm, Seymour Hangar at Falcon Field Airport, $50/person, benefiting Church Building Fund

HOLY TRINITY, Charlotte, NC Sunday School Agiasmos & Registration During Picnic, Hellenic Park, Sept. 21

ST. PHILOTHEA, Athens, GA Golf Classic, Sept. 22, 1:30pm, The Georgia Club, Athens, GA, benefiting parish & Bread for Life.

ST. JOHN, Myrtle Beach, SC Greek Festival 2008, Sept. 25-28

HOLY TRINITY, Clearwater, FL PTO Back-to-School Kick-off,Friday Sept. 26, 6-9pm

ST. NEKTARIOS, Charlotte, NC GOYA 9/26-28 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PROJECT, CHARLESTON

HOLY TRINITY, Asheville, NC Greek Festival Sept. 26-28

ST. GEORGE, Knoxville, TN Greek Fest Sept. 26-28

ANNUNCIATION, Winston-Salem, NC Athenian Night Sept. 27

STS. RAPHAEL, NICHOLAS & IRENE, Cumming, GA Thyranoixia Sept. 27

HOLY CROSS/STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN, Huntsville, AL Rummage Sale last weekend of Sept.


SAVE THE DATE! OCT
HOLY TRINITY,Orlando,FL Greekfest, Oct. 3-5

ANNUNCIATION, Atlanta, GA 2008 ATLANTA GREEK FESTIVAL, Oct. 2-5

Anderson, SC Greek Festival, Oct. 4-5, Anderson Co. Farmers’ Market, benefiting the Building Fund of the Paracletos Monastery

ST. NEKTARIOS Golf Classic Monday, Oct. 6, Noon,Regency Park GC,Fort Mill,SC, benefiting the Missions & Philanthropy Ministry

HOLY TRINITY, Augusta, GA 19th Annual Augusta Greek Festival,Oct. 9-12
the Fabulous Grecian Keys & Troupe Hellas

HOLY TRINITY, St. Augustine, FL Greek Festival Oct. 10-12

HOLY TRINITY, Clearwater, Fl Annual Dinner Dance honoring Veterans, Oct. 11, cocktails 6pm, buffet dinner, 7pm, donation $35/adults, $15/students

ST. MARK, Boca Raton, FL, Oct. 11, Religious Education Seminar

ST. MARK, Boca Raton, FL, Oct. 11, Basketball Tournament

ST. JOHN, Tampa, FL Sunday School Pancake Breakfast, Oct. 12

AHEPA Charity Golf Tournament, Oct. 12, 1pm, Willow Creek GC, Greer, SC, benefiting St. George, Greenville's Youth Center

Orthodox Men’s Club of Clearwater, FL picnic, Howard Park, Tarpon Springs, Saturday, Oct. 11, 11am, Pavilion #4

ST. PAUL, Savannah, GA Greek Festival Oct. 16-18

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, Tallahassee, FL Greek Festival Oct. 17-18

HOLY TRINITY, Asheville, NC 2nd Annual Bazaar, Oct. 18

CHRIST THE SAVIOR, Spring Hill, FL Taverna Night, Oct. 18

STS. RAPHAEL, NICHOLAS & IRENE, Cumming,GA Community Festival Oct.18-19

ST. NICHOLAS, Tarpon Springs, FL Visions of Greece Festival, Oct. 24-26, all proceeds donated to charity

ST. DEMETRIOS,Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Oct. 25 Feast Day Great Vespers 6pm followed by Dinner Dance

ST. BARBARA, Sarasota, FL Oct. 25 Philoptochos Annual Bazaar

HOLY TRANSFIGURATION, Marietta, GA Philoptochos Hoedown! Saturday, Oct. 25,6:30-11pm,steak dinner & dancing

ST. SOPHIA, Miami, FL Dinner Dance

NOV.
ST. NEKTARIOS, Charlotte, NC 10th Anniversary Annual Gala Nov. 1

ST. BARBARA, Sarasota, FL Nov. 2 Greek School “OXI” DAY Celebration

ANNUNCIATION, Mobile, AL Greek Fest 2008, Nov. 6-8

ST. JOHN, Tampa, FL Greek Festival, Nov. 7-9

PARACLETOS MONASTERY, Antreville, SC Sunday, Nov. 9, a special icon of the PANAGIA from a monastery in PONTOS, GREECE, will be dedicated by Metropolitan Alexios

HOLY TRINITY/HOLY CROSS, Birmingham, AL Flu Vaccinations Nov. 9

ST. CHRISTOPHER, Peachtree City, Ga Philoptochos appetizer & baklava sale Nov. 14, 3-7pm & Nov. 15, 9am-12pm (pick up dates)

ST. MARK, Boca Raton, FL Nov. 15, HDF Workshop

CHRIST THE SAVIOR, Spring Hill, FL Bake Sale at Sam's Club, Nov. 21

HOLY TRINITY, Clearwater, FL Golf Tournament, Saturday, Nov. 22, 12:30PM Shotgun Start Scramble Format, The Eagles GC, $100 Donation includes golf, range balls, cart fee, dinner, goodie bag & raffle ticket

ST. ANDREW, Miami, FL Greek Festival, Nov. 21-23

ST. CATHERINE, W.Palm Beach, FL Dinner Dance, Nov. 22

DEC
WINTER YOUTH RALLY 2008, Dec.27–30
Saturday–Tuesday, "The Lord is My Shepherd," Atlanta, GA Atlanta Marriott, Century Ctr.

2009
HDF 2009, Jan. 16-19, Atlanta, GA

Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos 3rd Annual Spiritual Retreat March 20-22, 2009, Diakonia Center



ST. JOHN, TAMPA, FL RETREAT "CREATED IN GOD'S IMAGE AND LIKENESS:
THE HUMAN BEING - BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT"
V. Rev. Archimandrite Grigorios Tatsis, Retreat Leader

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, Tampa, FL
Saturday, Sept. 27
9am-1:30pm

Open to all adults & members of other Orthodox Parishes

Donation: $15 includes lunch & all retreat materials

RSVP by Sept. 20

sponsored by Philoptochos


"4-LIFE" MEMORIAL SPORTS TOURNAMENT St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral GOYA
4-L I F E

Annual Memorial Sports Tournament
and Celebration of Life
“Co-Ed Indoor Soccer/Basketball Tournament”

Fellowship amongst Orthodox Youth of the Tampa Bay Area
Oct. 17-19th 2008
“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any…
For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
(1Corinthians 6:12,20)


Contact Karen Markopulos @ hugosmom2002@yahoo.com or (727) 709-5817
On-line Registration Deadline: Mon. Sept. 22, 2008; link @ goya4life.org
GOYAn/Advisor/Youth Worker Registration Fee: $45.00 until Mon. Sept. 22, 2008
Late Registration @ $55.00 per person , accepted through Mon. Sept. 29, 2008
Church Entrance Fee:$100.00 (to cover awards & referees)
Registration/Church Entrance Fees due to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox GOYA by Mon. Sept.22, 2008
Mail to: St. Nicholas GOYA @ 17 East Tarpon Avenue Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Hotel Info: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Call: 727 934-5781
CODE: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox GOYA
38724 U.S 19 N @ Klosterman Rd. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Basic Dbl. $79. DBL Efficiency Pool Side $89. DBL Suite $109. Deadline: Mon. Sept. 22, 2008


HELLENIC COLLEGE-HOLY CROSS PILGRIMAGE 2008 PILGRIMAGE 2008
SEPTEMBER 13 – 14, 2008
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS
SPEND THE WEEKEND WALKING THE CAMPUS, MEETING THE STUDENTS AND
RECEIVING A RENEWED FAITH IN THE FUTURE OF GREEK ORTHODOXY!
TENTATIVE ITINERARY:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
MORNING: WELCOME AND WORKSHOP
NOON: LUNCH & TOUR OF THE CAMPUS
AFTERNOON: BIBLE STUDY
EVENING: GREAT VESPERS
NIGHT ON YOUR OWN IN BOSTON
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, THE SCHOOL’S NAME DAY!
HIERARCHICAL DIVINE LITURGY
LUNCH
*Childcare available on Saturday
*DETAILS OF HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS & TRANSPORTATION to follow.

For further information and those
who are attending contact Helen Carlos at hacarlo@aol.com or at 404 790 3361


GOYA ADVENT RETREAT The forms for the GOYA ADVENT Retreat are available. Registration forms will be accepted beginning this Friday, August 22nd.

Please do not delay...as although the 'deadline' date is listed as Oct. 14, that is only if the retreat does not fill before that time.

The parishes that have informed me that they will be attending are: Atlanta, Holy Trinity-Charlotte,
Myrtle Beach, FL, St. Nektarios-Charlotte...

If your parish is planning on attending, please email me asap.
All forms are now on our web-site: www.atlanta.goarch.org
1.Go to 2nd top heading 2.Click on: ‘Metropolis Resources’ 3.Click on Youth Diakonia 4.Click on ‘Retreats
Remember:
~Register as a parish.

~The most successful parishes :

1.Make the decision to attend after meeting with their Priest. 2. Secure Adult Advisors/ or chaperones to attend. Announce to all your your the date and time you are leaving, who the Adult Youth Workers/ Chaperones that are attending, & who is driving. If as few as two or three register, bring those young people.

3. Email the forms to your youth with a deadline, and always include their parents on your emails. Stick to your deadline, send in the forms. If others wish to add on, you can then call here at the Metropolis and see if there are any spaces.

4. There is no charge for your Priests to come. +Father George Savas and +Father Grigorios Tatsis will be celebrating The Divine Liturgy, several of the Priests have to return to their parishes on Saturday afternoon.

Start now! You don't want to miss out on a wonderful retreat!



HOLY TRINITY, CHARLOTTE, YAL WEEKEND YAL Columbus Day Weekend
Basketball Tournament & Convention
Oct. 10-13
Guest Speaker: Frank Schaeffer
Can Orthodoxy Survive in America?
Saturday, October 11th 12:30pm—1:30pm
The Blake Hotel
Reservation Code: 1011
Call 1-888-66HOTEL (664-6835)
www.theblakehotel.net
Room rate ends August 31st
For more information please visit
www.yal.htgo.org
or contact Fr. Stathi at (704) 334-4771 or email at yal@htgo.org
Early Bird Registration $79 ends August 31st

Schedule
Friday, October 10
6pm-9pm Registration (The Blake Hotel)
8pm-11pm Meet & Greet/Socialize/Ice Breaker
11pm-2:30am Club Night and Greek DJ Music Festival (Hom nightclub)
Saturday, October 11th
9am-12pm Registration
9am-12pm Basketball Tournaments
12pm-2pm Religious Discussion Session and Lunch
Guest Speaker: Frank Schaeffer “Can Orthodoxy Survive in America?”
2pm-7pm Basketball Tournament Continues
2pm-8pm Free Time to Explore Charlotte, the “QC”
Discovery Place, Museums, Site-Seeing, Shopping, etc.
5pm-7pm Happy Hour at the Hotel Bar/Pool
9pm-2am Cocktails, Dinner & Dance (The Blake Hotel Ballroom)
Sunday, October 12th
9am-12pm Liturgy Service at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
12pm-2pm Lunch
1pm-6pm Basketball Games: Championships and Awards Ceremony
10pm–2:30am Greek Night (Forum nightclub)
Monday, October 13th
Check Out – Yiasas Kai Kalo Taxidi. See You Next Year.

WINTER YOUTH RALLY 2008 Winter Youth Rally
Atlanta Marriott, Century Center

“The Lord is my Shepherd”

December 27 – 30, 2008

(Saturday – Tuesday)

2008 Bible Bowl Challenge

The Acts of the Apostles

&

Orthodoxy 101: A Bird’s Eye View

by Fr. Evagoras Constantinides

Study Questions for

The Acts of the Apostles

Can be found at

http://www.orthodoxyouth.org/acts/

The resource book “Orthodox 101”

Is available from Narthex Press for $15.

$215 PER PARTICIPANT ****** 1st child fee = $215 , 2nd child discounted fee = $205, 3rd child discounted fee = $195 and so on.

On-Line Registration Forms & Info available http://www.atlanta.goarch.org/youthsite/Winter%20Youth%20Rally%2008/WYR%202008%20Info.htm

Winter Youth Rally co-chairs

+Father john johns agiatrias1@bellsouth.net

Julie Orologas orologas@bellsouth.net


NEWS FROM THE DIAKONIA CENTER This has certainly been a busy summer at the Diakonia Center - the activities have been back to back!

One of the comments we hear the most is “we didn’t know there are more things going on after Summer Camp”.

While five weeks of summer youth camps are a major deal for all our resources, we keep going all year round with retreats and conferences and so on. Since summer camp we’ve been busy with Parish retreats, Hellenic Dance Panegyri, and other religious denominations.

Later on this year, we will welcome the Archons from the Metropolis, more Parish Retreats, Goya retreats, and OCF (College Fellowship).

The new dining hall has been the single most impressive addition to our facility and has dramatically changed how most groups function. We are now able to engage civic groups and offer possibilities to non-Orthodox groups.
We are certainly going to enjoy the many fireplaces during the cold winter months.

Fall is spectacular here in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and as the leaves change, we encourage everyone to come and visit. Recently we've seen 2 or 3 families coming and using the facility. Sometimes food is included sometimes they just barbeque by the beach. Every one is welcomed and encouraged to take advantage of all of the 210 acres of our beautiful sanctuary.

If you or your group is interested in a visit contact Fr George Savas at diaconiacenter@yahoo.org or call 864-944-6788. www.diakoniacenter.org









4th ANNUAL INTER-ORTHODOX YOUNG ADULT RETREAT Fourth Annual Inter-Orthodox Young Adult Retreat
September 26th-28th, 2008

$75 Complete package: includes Friday night welcome reception, Saturday keynote speaker and workshops, lunch, dinner, evening cruise and transportation between hotel, seminary and evening events

$15 Friday Welcome Reception

$30 Daytime package: includes Saturday keynote speaker, lunch, and workshops

$45 Saturday evening package: includes dinner and evening cruise

Hotel Information:
Hilton Boston/Dedham $129/night
25 Allied Drive, Dedham, Massachusetts, United States 02026-6147
Tel: 1-781-329-7900
Participants must book their own rooms; reference “Young Adult Conference” to take advantage of special rate


For more information:
www.worcesterdiocese.net
www.antiochian.org


SE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SEMINAR OCT. 11TH ANNUAL SE CONFERENCE-2008 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SEMINAR:
Topic: "The Enthusiastic Teacher". Date:Saturday, October 11, 2008.
Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm.
Location: St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church, 2100 Northwest (NW) 51st Street (Yamato Road), Boca Raton, FL 33431 Phone: 561-994-4822,
Presenter: Rev. Fr. Nicholas Milas, Holy Trinity Church-Danielson, CT. Cost: $12 per person.(Groups of 10 or more $10 per person)
Schedule: Registration 9:00 to 9:30 am, Morning Session 10 am to 12 noon, Lunch 12 noon to 1:00 pm, Afternoon Session 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
Registration deadline: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008. For informationL JoAnne Lindholm 854-977-5073, jolindholm@yahoo.com or jlindholm@coconutcreek.net.


"COME AND SEE" The new ecclesiastical year began on September 1, which marks the beginning of reviving the various ministries of the parish, which, of course, includes religious and cultural education. It is our goal that young and old will take advantage of the educational programs of the parish, to “come and see.” We encourage you to make your spiritual quest a goal in this new Ecclesiastical year.
Opening the New Testament to the Gospel of St. John 1:38, John and Andrew ask Jesus, “Rabbi (which means Teacher), where are you going?” They met Jesus as a passer-by in the crowded street and in order to get to know Him better, they asked to see where He lives. Jesus very casually invites them to “come and see”.
To the question, “Rabbi, where do You live?” Jesus answered, “In you.” Jesus is telling us, as well, that He prefers to live in us, because we have been outfitted to con¬tain God. He is saying to us over and over again that He waits to take up residence in us and has claimed us as His children. He will not rest until he has entered our hearts to make them His throne. Only so far as we are candidates for Heaven and God’s presence are we different. Take that away and we are as common as the grave. Let God in and we have let Heaven in: the power, the peace, the love, and the joy become our riches.
This is why we are obligated to pursue our Greek Orthodox Christian way of life and pass it to the next generation. We prepare ourselves and our youth to become dwelling places of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christ wants to settle down in us and live there year round. He is not a winter resident, a snowbird! He Who had “nowhere to lay His head” seeks to make His home in us. This is why He has chosen to come to us in the simple form of bread and wine in Holy Communion.
When we allow Christ to dominate our life, then all positive things can happen for us and for the Church. It is Christ-filled people who must be the stewards and caretakers of His earthly Vineyard to generate progress and prosperity. This is why we need to teach our youth to become leaders of the great and exalted legacy called Orthodoxy. The Church provides the resources that we must use to prepare them properly. This is a great commission and a great challenge from Christ. So let us “come and see” and do His work in love and in His name for His glory.

Fr. James Rousakis, HOLY TRINITY, Clearwater, FL





A YEAR OF THE LORD Monday, Sept. 1st is the beginning of our Ecclesiastical Year. Many of the hymns for the start of the Church year state that the coming year is God’s to give and God’s to bless—a year of the Lord. These hymns take their theme from Psalm 65 – a psalm of praise
to the Creator.

May this new Church Year be a year of
grace for all of the beloved parishioners of St. Barbara –a
year blessed by God.

from the ST. BARBARA, Sarasota, FL bulletin


"HAPPY NEW YEAR" For most of us, September is associated with "new beginnings." The vacation season has come to an end. Children return to their classrooms. And in the workplace, the pace intensifies after the summer slowdown. As the days grow shorter, life returns to "normal."

For the Church, the first day of September, the initiation of a new ecclesiastical year, also marks "new beginnings." The annual cycle of feasts and fasts begins anew. Church school classes and other opportunities for spiritual formation are offered. Parish ministries and activities are intensified. Parish life also returns to "normal." Exciting as we find new beginnings to be, we should never be content with a mere return to "normal."

It has become clear that when the Church limits itself merely to maintaining the status quo – the "norm" – it cannot and will not grow spiritually, numerically, or in any other way. The essence of the Gospel challenges us to "repent," to "begin anew," to "change" our minds and our hearts, our attitudes and our direction in pursuit of things that transcend the "norm" and enable us to experience that which the world sees as anything but "normal" – the Kingdom of God and its righteousness.

There was nothing "normal" about Our Savior`s inistry. "No man has ever spoken as this man speaks," we read in Scripture. In His words and actions, in His teaching and preaching and healing, Jesus Christ revealed that mankind`s "norm" is not found in this world, but in the life of the world to come – that while we live "in the world," we are not "of the world." Pursuing that which the world considers "abnormal" – virtue, wisdom, vision, repentance, and a life lived in an intimate union with God and His People – is at the very center of His ministry, and that of His Body, the Church. It is "new beginning" that beckons to us, not only at the beginning of the ecclesiastical year, but every day of our lives.

However, without vision, without faith, without a commitment to proclaim the wonderful things God indeed does for us, it is impossible to transcend the "norm," to approach the new ecclesiastical year renewed and refreshed by the very Spirit Who makes all things new, or to grow "from glory to glory." Pursuing the familiar may bring with it comfort, control, and predictability, but the Gospel is not about these things. Rather, it challenges us continually to take a leap of faith and to pursue those things built upon a vision of the Church that focuses on how things could be, rather than how things always have been.

As we begin this new ecclesiastical year, let us together take the leap of faith into the future, approaching our personal lives and the vision of our parish communities with renewed zeal. Let us intensify our pursuit of the Kingdom of God which, while yet to be fully revealed, is already fully present in the life of the Church. At the Divine Liturgy we sing, "We have seen the true light! We have received the heavenly Spirit! We have found the true faith, worshiping the undivided Trinity, Who has saved us." What better time than now to transform these words into action – action that is hardly "normal" in the world`s eyes, yet fully expected in the Lord`s. Invoking God`s blessing upon you and assuring you of my prayers.
Fr. Andrew Koufopoulos, ST. BARBARA, Durham, NC


FORWARD OR BACKWARDS? September 1st marks the Indiction (the beginning of the Church New Year). The liturgical calendar, which regulates the gospel and epistle readings, begins anew once again. As we observe the beginning of the ecclesiastical New Year our thoughts may be drawn to the upcoming festival or to the commencement of school. Yet the Indiction should be a time when we pause and reflect on where we are on our spiritual road to Christ. Are we going forward or backwards?
Like a bulletin board which has been wiped clean, I would recommend that we begin this New Year with a spirit of forgiveness. Too many people gripe and hold onto old grudges and grievances which hold us back spiritually and keep us mired in the problems of the past. What we need to do is to demonstrate a spirit of forgiveness.
Genuine forgiveness acknowledges that there was a wrong committed on us by others. Some discount the idea of forgiveness because they think it’s like pretending that nothing happened, e.g. “It’s no big deal,” or “Oh, don’t worry about it.”
Forgiveness is not acting as if a wrong was not that important. Forgiveness is actually a confrontation. Forgiveness requires admitting that a serious wrong was done against us. When someone does something hurtful to us, we are the victims of their meanness and their thoughtlessness. We sometimes believe that there is nothing we can do about our victim status, but that is not true.
When we forgive, we are no longer powerless; we are no longer the one who has merely been acted upon. When we forgive, we boldly stand and say, “You will not define the way I respond; you will not define who I am.”
What did Our Lord say?
“You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44). The forgiving nature of such actions takes power away from the one who would dictate our place.
Forgiveness makes sense for people who have needed, do need, and will need forgiveness. We like to focus on the immediate hurt and offense and dwell on the wrong done to us. We often devise harsh and merciless responses to those who hurt us. But if we look at the larger situation, we are not only the one to whom wrong has been done; we are also often the one who has done wrong to others.
Consider the words in the Our Father. “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others who have trespassed against us.” God has no tolerance for people who are quick to receive forgiveness from God but then are unwilling to forgive others who wrong them.
Forgiveness is the road to freedom. Admittedly, forgiveness is a bit of a gamble. But what is the alternative? Forgiveness does have its risks, but our only other choice (our only other ‘road’) is to hold onto the bitterness and anger. How many lives have been ruined simply because people continue to hold onto wrongs done them?
Consider the following words of wisdom:
“Whoever opts for revenge should dig two graves.” (Chinese proverb)
“. . . not forgiving someone is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die.”
Forgiveness is not Jesus’ suggestion; it is Our Lord’s express command.
“Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22)
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, as we begin this new church year, I pray that you will be inspired to forgive people who have wronged you. For followers of the Lord, it isn’t simply the wisest choice; it is your only choice.

In Christ,
Fr. Dionysios Listerman-Vierling, DORMITION, Greensboro, NC




YOUTH ICONOGRAPHY WORKSHOP Make plans now for the GOYA Advent Retreat, this November 14-16, 2008.
facilitated by +Father Grigorios Tatsis.

All GOYANS who are interested in learning about Iconography will have an opportunity to participate in
The Youth Iconography Workshop
with +Father Anthony Salzman, during the same weekend.
This class will be limited to 15 and will be held during the GOYA Lenten Retreat Weekend as an option.
Please begin your planning now, and register as a parish.