Newsletter - St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church

THE NEWS FROM ST. NEKTARIOS
Volume 20, Issue 2
The Abolition of Man
I
n 1944, Christian apologist and writer C.S.
Lewis wrote “The Abolition of Man” in
response to a textbook he had been given to
review. He proceeded to identify the underlying
premises of the book and elaborate on where
they could take us as a society. He felt that the
authors were probably unaware of the potential
consequences of the techniques they used,
perhaps being somewhat naïve and idealistic.
Nevertheless, he was strongly critical of their
mindset that viewed ideals like patriotism, faith,
and love as nothing more than sappy
emotionalism. He warned that without a heart to
perceive higher ideals, we would lose our
direction and become less than human beings;
hence the title of his work, “The Abolition of
Man.” I strongly recommend the book. It is
short, but dense. What follows is my humble
attempt to summarize it.
In chapter one, Gaius and Titius imply that "all
values are subjective and trivial" (p. 5) deeming
them to be sentimental and irrational. Emotion,
for them, was to be inoculated against with cool
rationality (especially in light of the heightened
emotions of 1944). Lewis disagreed and argued
that "for every one pupil who needs to be
guarded from a weak excess of sensibility there
IN
THIS ISSUE
Thank you from the Heracklis family
2
Focus on our Community
2
Saints of our Faith
2
Making Lent Great
3
Some Enchanted Evenings
Goyans Gone Gray Fundraiser
Young at Heart
Financial Matters
Greek School Sunday
Philoptochos
Scout Sunday
Youth Basketball News
Youth Ministries
Saints of our Faith
are three who need to be awakened from the
slumber of cold vulgarity." (p. 13) Taken far
enough, Lewis foresees men without hearts, or
chests as he puts it; men who have devolved
into either mere intellect or mere animal appetite
and in either event, without a heart to collect
and guide them outside of themselves to higher
things. "We make men without chests and
expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh
at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our
midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be
fruitful." (p. 26)
. . . “We laugh at honour
and are shocked to find
traitors in our midst” . . .
Lewis opens chapter two by stating that the
society which rejects objective truth disconnects
itself from reality and awaits inevitable
destruction. Not that this is the goal of Gaius
and Titius, but it may well be the result. They
claim to offer freedom from tradition and religion
in order to find "real" values. He then goes into,
what seemed to me, a fairly complicated
philosophical discourse about whether or not
another basis for the Tao (or Truth) could be
found in the intellect or instinct. Ultimately he
asserts that the basis for objective truth or
values cannot be found in either one. "The truth
finally becomes apparent that neither in any
operation with factual propositions nor in any
appeal to instinct can the Innovator find the
basis for a system of values." (p. 39)
Accordingly, those who wish to deny the Tao
3
are forced to pick and choose from among its
4-5 own elements those which are thought to
be most suitable for their innovative
6
purposes. Divorced from the context of the Tao,
7
however, the elements become arbitrary and
ineffective. "What purport to be new systems or
7
as they now call them 'ideologies', all consist of
8
fragments from the Tao itself, arbitrarily
wrenched from their context in the whole and
9
then swollen to madness in their isolation, yet
9
still owing to the Tao and to it alone such vitality
10-11 as they possess." (p. 44) There is only one Tao
which we may understand better and move
12
forward in, but which we cannot replace any
February 21 , 2016
Fr. John Wallace
more than we can create "a new primary
colour." (p. 44) Authority to modify the Tao
comes only from within the Tao itself by those
who accept and value it. Those outside of it have
no understanding. We either accept values like
love and honesty as good in and of
themselves without justification or we do not.
Chapter two concludes with a forecasted
response on the part of the Innovator who might
well be willing to try life without the Tao wishing
to be totally free to do as he wishes. "Having
mastered our environment, let us now master
ourselves and choose our own destiny." (p. 51)
In chapter three, Lewis concludes that mastery
of the environment really means the mastery of
some men over others using nature as their
instrument. (p. 55) He notes that each new
power or technology that man develops to
control the environment is also a power to
control men. The final stage will involve the use
of "prenatal conditioning" (p. 59) to exercise full
control; to remake mankind in the image of man,
if you will, instead of the image of God. However,
instead of maximizing their potential, those who
step outside the Tao forfeit their humanity and
become not men at all. Refusing to be children
of God, they will become as brute beasts subject
only to their passing desires. Thinking this the
way to fulfillment, they will nevertheless feel the
void and envy those who accept the Tao "as
eunuchs envy men." (p. 66) Ironically, "Man's
conquest of Nature turns out, in the moment of
its consummation, to be Nature's conquest of
Man." (p. 68)
The Truth or Tao of reality, how are we to
respond to it? The ancients decided
mankind had to conform to reality. The moderns
are attempting to conform reality to mankind.
The former saw solutions in knowledge, selfdiscipline, and virtue. For the latter, solutions are
to be found in techniques and technologies
divorced from ethical concerns. Which will we
choose?
All in all, I find the book one of striking
perception and warning. That so much of what
he describes has come and is coming to pass
only certifies what he has to say.
Theophanes the
Confessor
S
Focus on our community
C elebrations, Milestones, Comfort & Support
March 12
aint
Theophanes,
who was born in
760, was the son
of illustrious
parents. Assenting
to their demand,
he married and became a
member of the Emperor's
ceremonial bodyguard.
Later, with the consent of
his wife, he forsook the
world. Indeed, both of them
embraced the monastic life,
struggling in the monastic
houses they themselves
had established. He died on
March 12, 815, on the
island of Samothrace,
whereto, because of his
confession of the Orthodox
Faith, he had been exiled
by Leo the Armenian, the
Iconoclast Emperor.
http//www.goarch.org
"Copyright © Holy Transfiguration
Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by
permission. All rights reserved."
In our prayers
Pat Baker Ethan Barnard Sylvia Belk Jodie Boyce Sandy Brewer Marie Callahan Nikki Chomakos
Kathy Clewell Dee Cockinos Barbara Cook Bessie Demas Cleo Demopoulos Shannon Elliott
Ted Gillis Bill Griggs Nancy Guthery Catherine Kalivas Nick Kefalas Helen Keramidas Dan Kiser
Dean Kondilis Peter Mannering Catherine Manthos Casey Martinez Iris Medvid Calliope Milios
Christina Nixon Kay Owens Barry Dale Price Jr. Irene Rodriguez Mary Roupas Teziah Stalling
James Tekin Mary Thayer Ernest Tsitouris Steve Tsitouris Marion Zablotsky
And the persecuted Christians in the Middle East and the non-Christian World
AND FOR THOSE IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY
Helene Carras
Buddy Craft Jordan James Dunn Krassimire Ivanov
Michael Mentavlos Zack Millsaps
Matthew Millsaps
Amanda Moril
Elias Nickolopoulos
Anton Savin
Danielle Zervakos
Congratulations
To Alexandria and Derek Guy on the baptism of Leighton & Lainey’s sister, Landon
To Dr. Dimitrios Stefanidis, MD, PhD on receiving the 2016 Presidential Citations Award for his significant
contributions to “simulation center research initiatives targeting quality and safety for surgeons and surgical
teams” at the International meeting on Simulation in Healthcare in January
Sympathy
To the Constantinides family on the passing of Presbytera Kathryn Constantinides
To the Neary family on the passing of Ritsa’s nouna and second mother, Athena Anagnoustou in Greece
To the Khuri family on the passing of Emile’s mother, Frizeh Khuri in Jerusalem
To the Economides family on the passing of Patricia’s husband, Chris Economides
In Appreciation
Thanks to Diane Gilbert and Copycat for printing the Church Bulletin and Newsletter.
Please contact the church office with information we may share with the community
or to add someone to the prayer list.
Also please contact the office when someone is in need of a clergy visit.
Image: Copyrighted free use, https://
commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?
curid=3484312
To our St. Nektarios Church Family and Philoptochos,
Thank you so much for your donation and support of the Tim
Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine prom at Southminster
Presbyterian Church in Gastonia. The prom was held on
Friday, February 12, 2016 for people with disabilities. This was
a worldwide movement in which over 200 churches
participated. The prom in Gastonia had over 100 guests and
over 200 volunteers. We are thankful for the many prom
dresses that we received from our St. Nektarios parish
family. We also truly appreciate our volunteers from the
community and the generous donation from Philoptochos.
With much love and gratefulness,
Omer, Tina, Tommy, and Marlena Heracklis
2
Making Lent Great for your family
G
strengthened . . . [D]ecide as a
in front of the icon of Christ. This
Lenten Worship:
family what your church
Not Just for Dummies is the same prostration the Priest
service schedule will be . . .
Fr. Seraphim will offer a 2-part does at the beginning of services.
Planning in advance that you
presentation on Tues. Mar. 1 Nothing shifts a family prayer
will go to [Monday Compline],
time like doing prostrations
and Wed. Mar.9 at 7 p.m. on
Wednesday night Pretogether. Christ is present as we
our Lenten Worship Services
Sanctified service, or Friday
gather, and through the icons.
night Salutations service, . . . is
Bowing down to Him makes it real and
a commitment towards heavenly rewards of
requires a step in faith. Paradoxically, it
peace and healing. Planning ahead what
strengthens our faith, which is what we need
services you will commit to is a way of setting as we try to turn our lives towards Him.
Lent is a time that we are invited to change
our family's Lenten journey within the life of
our lifestyle in preparation for Easter. Like
the parish; right where it belongs.
So the Lenten buffet is laid out before us to
anything else in life, the more we understand
nourish our souls and prepare us to receive
what is happening, the more we indulge in the M AKE A COMMITMENT TO FAMILY PRAYER
Christ at Easter. We can partake of fasting,
AT HOME DURING L ENT .
banquet, the more we will experience God's
church services, and prayer in the home. I
Kids are more likely to feel at home at church have not mentioned many of the other 'dishes'
healing presence in our lives . . . I will
highlight three of the dishes that families can if their home feels more like a church . . . Lent available like confession, forgiveness,
partake in, as a way of connecting to the
is a great time to build your family icon
almsgiving, reading the scriptures,
banquet ourselves and teaching our children
corner, or come together before your icon
pilgrimages, reading the lives of the
to partake. Notice the first connection though. corner in prayer. Lent is a time to consider
Saints, or memorizing scripture or prayers.
coming together as a family before the icons
The most effective way to teach our children
The banquet is set for us to partake as much
the joy of the liturgical life of the Church is to instead of before the television . . . Consider
as we desire.
embrace it in our own lives.
specifically incorporating the Lenten Prayer of
Saint Ephraim as a family. [Daily] . . . when
The goal or purpose of Lent is not to fast or
M AKE A COMMITMENT ON HOW YOU WILL
everyone is together, gather at the family icon pray. The goal of Lent is to experience God
FAST DURING L ENT .
corner and say the prayer all together.
directly. Helping our kids 'get more out of
As Orthodox we fast from food to be able to
O Lord and Master of my life, give me
Church' means helping them experience God
fast from sin. And it is our sin that keeps us
not the spirit of sloth,
directly. Lent is a time for families to reorient
from experiencing God fully. This connection
faintheartedness, lust for power, or idle
ourselves towards God, but it takes a
between how we eat and how we sin is what
talk. (prostration)
commitment to open our families to the life in
the Fathers of the Church are clear on. This
But grant me, your servant, the spirit of
Christ and open our homes to God's saving
connection is also something that is lost in
moderation, humility, patience, and
Grace. The feast is there for us to partake. . .
contemporary society . . . Essentially the
love. (prostration)
[and] God promises those who partake, that
more we indulge ourselves in whatever we
Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see
"Blessed our those who hunger and thirst
want, the more we become enslaved to our
my own faults and not to judge my
after righteousness, for they shall be filled."
desires . . . Fasting is not magic, but . . .
brothers and sisters. For you are
through fasting we see God transforming our
Philip Mamalakis, PhD
blessed to the ages of ages. Amen
Excerpts from GOARCH.COM http://www.goarch.org/
worldly desires towards His Kingdom.
(prostration)
Opening up . . . to fasting opens up our hearts After each verse, do a full prostration, or bow, ourfaith/making-lent-great/
to be filled with the Grace of God and be truly
free.
Some Enchanted Evenings…
reat Lent is like . . . this incredible
banquet feast for our souls to learn,
indulge, and devour. We have a tremendous
spread of services, traditions, rituals, prayers,
hymns, and guidelines for preparing for
Christ's resurrection. How can we make Lent
great for our kids and our families? Well, it is
as simple, and as challenging, as learning to
indulge ourselves in the Lenten buffet that
God offers to nourish our souls.
Fasting rules for families are a personal thing.
Each family will do it differently. In
consultation with your Priest, or Spiritual
Father, consider following the fasting
guidelines of the Church. Consider what you
did last year, and take a step further this
year . . . Fasting is not just about food, but
also about healing our souls. It is a challenge
for us today, but like any sacrifices we make
in faith, God's blessings that come from it are
uncountable.
To My St. Nektarios Family…
Please allow me to share my thoughts and feelings about our
weekday Lenten services.
Let me first say that although I was brought up as Greek Orthodox,
until coming to St. Nektarios I had not always attended church during Lent. When my family did
attend church, the services were in Greek . . . I didn’t understand anything.
Perhaps it’s the acoustics, or the setting sunlight, which catches the smoke from the incense,
drawing your eyes to the dome, or the deeply moving melodies of the hymns . . . but listening to
our choir sing and chant and read is so spiritual. I can’t help but feel that the Holy Spirit is present.
It is a special feeling, quite enchanting and very poignant. Our weekday services are not very well
attended and each evening as I head home after one I think, “Folks can experience the magic,
peace, and fulfillment of being one with our Lord on these evenings.”
M AKE A COMMITMENT TO A C HURCH
S CHEDULE DURING L ENT .
During Lent, the Church offers more
opportunities for us to come together in
If you are able to attend, I hope you will do so ... experience for yourself, the quiet, peaceful and
prayer. When we make any efforts to re-orient
our lives towards God, we will be challenged. spiritual gift our Lord is offering us.
The Church knows this and provides
Wishing everyone a blessed Lent,
opportunities for us to strengthen ourselves
Carol Jelush
for this effort through prayer. The church
services are for us to be encouraged and
3
GOYANS GONE GRAY Fundraiser 1 -30-16
T
he parishioners of St. Nektarios and the Goyans
Gone Gray came together to support fellow
member, Dean Kondilis, and to raise money for his
extensive medical bills. Dean is 24 years old and the
son of Dena & Steve Kondilis and brother of Katina
Kondilis. Dean has been undergoing treatment for three
types of cancer since mid-November. The community
came together the week before the Super Bowl. The
theme was “Keep Pounding” in honor of Dean and the
Carolina Panthers. The night was complete with food
and fellowship and watching our families compete in a
humorous game of Greek Family Feud, created by Dennis
Kokenes and hosted by John Miller. It was a lot of fun for all.
Special thanks go to Ana Sistare and her team for all their hard
work organizing this special fundraiser and to Chad Howard's
band, Nojo Slim, who played “gratis”.
We are still accepting donations to this medical fund. Please
note Kondilis Medical Fund on the memo line of your check. You
may call or email Madalina Lowen in the church office for more
information.
4
Greek Family feud
5
Young at Heart
F o r o u r 5 5 a n d o l d e r members
T
hursday, January 14th was a
bright, sunny day. The weather
matched the mood of the St.
Nektarios senior citizens who
gathered in the social hall for a
luncheon meeting. The host
committee served a delicious meal of
salad, pork chops, mashed potatoes,
mixed vegetables, various cake
desserts and fresh fruit.
Raffle tickets were sold and the
grand prize winners were Peter
Kanelos and Don Belk. Remaining
funds from the raffle proceeds were
divided between the church and
Matthews Help Center.
Gus Stamas announced a special
Young at Heart” outing that will take
place on Saturday, March 12th. On
that day, interested “Young at Heart”
members will gather at the Church at
11:00 a.m. to go to the Narroway
Theater in Fort Mill SC for a
luncheon and Easter play. The cost
of $32.00 includes transportation,
the ticket for the play and the
luncheon. Reservations are
required! The deadline for
reservations is Sunday, January
31st.
After the luncheon, raffle and
special announcements, Ellie
Kontos, Rula Poulos and Mary Gallis
led the group in spirited Greek
dancing.
(A good time was
had by all.)
John Bellios
6
Cultural Ministry—greek school Sunday
O
n the 31st of January, the students of St. Nektarios Greek
Language Afternoon School honored the Three Hierarchs,
patrons of the Greek Letters in Hellenic Education. The Three
Hierarchs were responsible for uniting the Hellenic Christian faith
and Greek Literacy. This day is a celebration, commemorating all
those who dedicated their lives to education.
A big thank you to these Holy Enlightened Men that devoted
their lives to spread Ecumenical Values that allow us today to be
free from the shackles of ignorance and fear of the unknown. This
day is not only for commemorating, but also for supporting the future
of education and literacy in modern society.
Last but not least, we want to thank the families of our wonderful
students, the administration, teachers, and clergy of St. Nektarios for
their support and encouragement.
“Without Greek there is No Education.” - Leo Tolstoy
“The Greek Language and Heritage belongs to humanity and not
just to Greeks.” - Socrates
Sophia Shinas
Director, St. Nektarios Greek
Language School
Financial Mat ters — Do Your Best
“Let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ, our God”
“ ‘Do Your Best’ a traditional American proverb says, God makes this request of His children: Do the best you can –where
you are, with what you have, now. The story of Jesus Christ feeding the 5,000 illustrates this through the boy’s offerings of
all he had—five loaves and two fish. This boy did his best with what he had, and Jesus used it to perform an incredible
miracle.“
As an icon of this miracle, the parish of St. Nektarios is committed to offering your stewardship gifts to God who multiplies
them so we, and His ministries, can flourish. Like the young boy, each of us brings our best and trusts in God’s grace, love
and communion so we may prosper.
And we have. Our parish life is rich and vibrant; the foundation grows stronger each day as we commit and re-commit ourselves to worship, service, fellowship, and witness. Through good governance and financial responsibility, year end 2015 finished in the positive—for the first time in
many years. And it is because we continuously strive to do our best with the gifts that have been given to us.
“Saint Gregory the Theologian writes, ‘You will never overcome God’s generosity, even if you give away all that you
have…. And however much you bring to Him, always more remains. Nor will you give anything that is your own; for
all things flow from God (Or 14:22).‘ “
“The Lord does not expect any more from us than what we have to offer. But He does expect us to be faithful and
that we do our very best for Him.”
“We do our best and leave the rest to Him.”
Thank you Good and Faithful Stewards
Theodora Sexstone, Treasurer & Stewardship Chair
+ excerpts taken from www. Goarch.org stewardship resources
7
Philoptochos — A Legacy of Philanthropy
T
his year’s annual
Philoptochos Membership Tea was
held on January 31st at the home of Madalina
Lowen and was well attended. The ladies
gathered for fellowship, food and to learn
about Philoptochos’ plans for 2016. Several
new members joined us as well ~ Maria
Swanson, Charlotte Overlock, Niki Kleto and
Karen Guzelian.
Philoptochos, established in 1931 by the late
Patriarch Athenagoras I, means “friend of the
poor.” It is a volunteer organization that
initiates and/or supports many church
activities and projects.
Philoptochos Mission:
- To preserve the sacredness of the
Orthodox family through family concern,
service, unity of action; to perpetuate the
Christian concept of marriage and upbringing
of children and through it perpetuate and
promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and
traditions in conformity with its doctrines,
canons, discipline, divine worship, usages,
and customs;
- To promote the charitable, benevolent,
philanthropic, and eleemosynary of the
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese by instructional
programming, presentations, lectures,
seminars, and other educational resources;
- To formulate plans and methods to
voluntarily aid the poor, the destitute, the
hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed,
the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed,
the handicapped, the victims of disasters; to
undertake the burial of impoverished persons
and to offer assistance to anyone who may
need the help of the Church through special
funds or solicitations on the local level; and
- To promote participation in the activities of
the Greek Orthodox community with the
cooperation of the Parish Priest and the Parish
Council.
Ladies Philoptochos Society of St.
Nektarios
In 1999, the Ladies Philoptochos Society of St.
Nektarios was formed with great excitement.
From the chapter’s inception until April 2002,
members met at each other’s homes, libraries,
schools, community rooms, and restaurants to
organize and create the fundraising and
outreach calendar we have today. Our active
schedule of events reflects the commitment of
our members and parish—your loving support
is critical to our philanthropic successes.
With the completion of the St. Nektarios
Spiritual Life Center, our chapter now has a
home for meetings, activities and events. The
annual Membership Tea is still held in
parishioners’ homes.
Membership
Ladies over age 18 who are members of our
parish are invited to become members of the
Philoptochos. Our annual membership drive
begins in January with our Membership Tea.
Current and new members are requested to
submit membership by end of March.
However, we encourage membership
renewals and gladly welcome new members
throughout the year. Our goal is to have 115
members in 2016.
Organizations Supported by
Philoptochos
We support our National and Metropolis
Philoptochos obligations and charities
plus local charities and philanthropic
activities. Our 2016 goal is to raise
enough funds to distribute about $18,000
to these projects. See list of beneficiaries
to how your generosity makes a
difference. 
8
National Commitments
Vasilopita - St. Basil Academy - January tray
Social Services, Cancer Fund, St. Photios Shrine
Autism Assistance Fund
Archdiocese Missions Program (OCMC)
Support a Mission Priest
Sisterhood St. Basil Academy
Int'l Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)
75th Anniversary Founders Fund
Orthodox Christian Fellowship
Holy Cross School of Theology
Retired Clergy & Widow Presbyteres Benevolent Fund
Emergency Fund, UNICEF
Ecumenical Patriarchate-St. Cosmas/Damion National Sisterhood of Presbyteres
General Medical Fund
Metropolis Commitments
Agape Fund, Clergy Education Fund, Discretionary Fund
Philanthropy, Website, Youth/Camp, Fanouropita
Local Donations
Altar Fund, Holy Angels
Daughters of Penelope (Holy Trinity)
FOCUS -- North America, OCF— NC
IOCC — donation for dinner
Nairobi Tuition
OCN -- Web Broadcast / Radio
Project Mexico & St. Innocence
St. Barbara's Medical Ministry
St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary
National Special Requests
Metropolis Special Requests
Local Philanthropies/Special Projects and Request
Emergency Fund/Special Needs Fund
Donations to charities at end of year
Beneficiary of the — Christmas brunch
St. Nektarios Medical Fund
Southminster Presbyterian Church - Shine the Night
Safe Alliance, Zoe for Life
St. Nicholas Shrine -- NY
St. Nicholas Philoptochos Agape Luncheon - Wilmington
Hazel's Helping Hands (supplies)
St. Nektarios Yearly Admin Donation
St. Nektarios Facilities usage Donation
S t. N e k t a r i o s C u b S c o u t Pa c k 4 9 0
“Doing a Good Turn”
T
he Boy Scouts of Troop 490 and the
Cub Scouts of Pack 490 were busy
this month celebrating the “birthday” of
Scouting in the United States and
participating in the Mecklenburg BSA
Council’s annual big “good turn” for the
community.
The Boy Scouts of America was chartered by Congress on February 8, 1910, so
Boy Scouts across the nation celebrate the movement’s birthday on “Scout
Sunday” every year on the Sunday before February 8. St. Nektarios recognized
its Scouts and Cubs at the close of Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 7th.
After the liturgy on Scout Sunday, Troop 490 and Pack 490 delivered 111
grocery bags of donated canned goods to the Loaves & Fishes community food pantry. The Scouts collected the canned goods in the annual
“Scouting For Food” food drive with the help of the parish and the church’s neighbors in Providence Plantation.
“Well done, Scouts!”
Matt Joyner
T
St. Nektarios Basketball….Believe!!!
he St. Nektarios Spartan girls and boys 7th
grade basketball teams both enjoyed a
wonderful season. The girls, in only their second
year in the league and playing in an older age level,
were able to perform at an outstanding pace and
win the season championship only losing one
game. The girls earned the top seed in the end of
season tournament but lost in the game to go to the
championship.
The boys, in their fourth season, took advantage of
the time to grow together. They made Spartan
history being the first team to ever go undefeated
and win the season championship and then earn
top seed in the end of season tournament and win
the tournament championship to remain
undefeated.
Congratulations to both our girls and boys teams!
With God all things are possible!!!
We pray and ask God to give us WISDOM to play the game with respect, FAITH to believe we can do anything, STRENGTH to not be afraid
and to overcome anything, and PROTECT and take care of us. We Believe!!!
Our kids represented themselves well, their families and their Church!
They did it with God!!!
Faith is a game-changer!!
Theo Karavokiros “Coach Theo”
9
With 4 teams playing this season, there were many opportunities for our
kids to learn lessons which helped them grow in their Orthodox faith. Here are a few
from the coaches and the players:







“Our team’s verse for the season was Philippians 4:13: ‘I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me,’ and our guys learned about the meaning of this verse through both
our wins and losses.” Coach Greg Oliven; 9th grade boys
“It was a true example of young men bonding together, helping one another and
accepting every situation, no matter how difficult, as an opportunity to excel, to grow.”
Gerry Clonaris; Senior boys
“Playing basketball brought me closer to God and my teammates ! It also made me
stronger physically and mentally! “ Catherine Kalariotes; 7th grade girls team
“The basketball ministry has produced countless God centered friendships and life
lessons that will last a lifetime. I love players and coaches sharing with each other about
how to TRUST & BELIEVE while growing in understanding our Faith through this ministry
called basketball.” Coach Dean Kalariotes; 7th grade girls
“We won this game for Dean [Kondilis], one of our former players [20 years old now] who
was diagnosed with cancer, and when
he played on the court he always game
100% to the team.”[posted on Instagram]
Saba Vashakidze; 7th grade boys
“At that final last second loss for the
Seniors, I watched the two young men
who had been my ringbearers as little
boys console each other and that
warmed my heart.” Maria Boukidis, fan
“I learned how to play in really difficult
circumstances and how to lose [with grace].”
Elias Gianakopoulos; Senior team
Our fabulous Catechism Teachers have many wonderful lessons prepared every Sunday for our students.
Some
of them are very special events, like this recent one in the First Grade class, led by Christie Asimos and Nino Vashakidze.
Christie tells us about that Sunday: “Each year the first grade class has fun participating in a mock
baptism. Everyone has a role. From the priest to the photographer! All smiles during this
lesson!” This lesson has been a favorite of many classes of First Graders. From this year,s class to
the First Graders from 2010 who are now all in 7th Grade,
everyone loves the BAPTISM SUNDAY!!
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“Bless my dealings with all who surround
me!” This petition was part of the Morning Prayer we said
on Saturday of the Ski Retreat and our goal for our day of
skiing. At the end of the day, we agreed that, for the most
part, we had accomplished that goal. Once again THE
FABULOOUS FISHER FAMILIY were wonderful hosts.
Special thanks to our GREAT CHAPERONES: Fr. John &
Pres Mary Wallace; Aka & Nino Vashakidze; Gino Collias
and Timira Cockinos.
Great fellowship Friday night with our Mellow Mushroom
pizza dinner; great breakfast with Mrs. Fisher’s famous
monkey bread. Then off to
Appalachian Ski Mountain for a
really fun day of skiing. With lots
of new skiers helped by the
seasoned skier, we had a safe and
wonderful trip.
w
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MARTINIAN OF PALESTINE
S
February 13
aint Martinian,
who was from
Caesarea of
Palestine, flourished
about the beginning
of the fifth century.
He struggled in the
wilderness from his
youth. After he had
passed twenty-five
years in asceticism,
the devil brought a temptation upon him through a harlot, who when
she heard the Saint praised for his virtue, determined to try his
virtue, or rather, to undo it. Coming to his cell by night as it rained,
and saying she had lost her way, she begged with pitiful cries to be
admitted in for the night, lest she fall prey to wild beasts. Moved with
compassion, and not wishing to be guilty of her death should
anything befall her, he allowed her to enter. When she began to
seduce him, and the fire of desire began to burn in his heart, he
kindled a fire and stepped into it, burning his body, but saving his
soul from the fire of Gehenna. And she, brought to her senses by
this, repented, and, following his counsel, went to Bethlehem to a
certain virgin named Paula, with whom she lived in fasting and
prayer; before her death, she was deemed worthy of the gift of
wonder-working. Saint Martinian, when he recovered from the
burning, resolved to go to some more solitary place, and took a ship
to a certain island, where he struggled in solitude for a number of
years. Then a young maiden who had suffered a shipwreck came
ashore on his island. Not wishing to fall into temptation again, he
departed, and passed his remaining time as a wanderer, coming to
the end of his life in Athens.
FORGIVENESS SUNDAY
M ARCH 13
The Holy Fathers have appointed
the commemoration of Adam's exile
from the Paradise of delight here,
on the eve of the holy Forty-day
Fast, demonstrating to us not by
simple words, but by actual deeds,
how beneficial fasting is for man,
and how harmful and destructive
are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For
the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting,
which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did
they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that
blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death,
and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind.
The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by
bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have
suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the firstfashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss
and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine
commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to
begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness
this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.
DIRECTORY
Church Office: 704-708-4669
Church Fax: 704-846-6094
Email: office@stnektarios.org
Website: www.stnektarios.org
5108 Kuykendall Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28270
Father Steve Dalber, Protopresbyter
Home: 704-708-4638
Cell Phone: 704-451-6524
Email: frdalber@stnektarios.org
Father John Wallace
Home: 704-905-2558
Cell Phone: 704-905-2558
Email: frwallace@stnektarios.org
Father Seraphim Dedes
Music Ministry
Phone: 704-719-3074
Email: frdedes@stnektarios.org
Dn. Father Stephanos Potter
Dn. Father Paul Tsahakis
Parish Council
President: Jim Thomas
Vice President: John Tsefrikas
Secretary: Maria Mortis
Treasurer: Theodora Sexstone
Ass’t Treasurer: Peter Keretsis
Ass’t Secretary: Elizabeth Kleto
Members: Kholoud Alyateem, Christina
Bonderer, Chris Levantis, John Nichols,
Patrick Taylor
Parish Administrator
Evelyn Klund
Administration Staff
Madalina Lowen, Kim Clewell
Carol Jelush, Niki Kleto
Dir. Youth Ministries, Elaine Miller
Property Manager, Dena Kondilis
Philoptochos Board
President: Maria Wheatley
Vice President: Bessie Vrettos
Recording Secretary: Heather Korolos
and Renee Tsefrikas
Corresp. Secretary: Helen Clonaris
Treasurer: Evelyn Klund
Ass’t. Treasurer: Dee Drobonick
Members: Thalia Fergione, Maria Kleto,
Melisa Galasso, Joanne Kiser,
Ana Levantis, Madalina Lowen,
Ritsa Neary, Charlotte Nickolopoulos
SUNDAYS AT
SAINT NEKTARIOS
Worship
Matins & Divine Liturgy: 8:15 a.m.
Youth Catechism:
Following Holy Communion
Fellowship Coffee:
Following the Divine Liturgy
Prosfora
Please contact the church office or Christie
Asimos at 704-756-1512 if you would like
to provide Prosfora.
Coffee Hour
Please contact the church office if you
would like to host or co-host a Coffee Hour
on Sunday. Your Stewardship pays for the
coffee hour refreshments provided by the
Hospitality Ministry Team.
Flowers
You may donate flowers in honor of a
family member’s feast day, in memory
of a loved one or friend, on the occasion
of a holiday, or simply as a gift to the
community of St. Nektarios. To donate
flower arrangements to be placed at the
Iconostasis, St. Nektarios Shrine or in the
Narthex for Sunday Services, please
contact the church office to reserve a
Sunday.
Sacramental Wine
& Pure Olive Oil
You may make a financial gift to help
defray the cost of the sacramental wine
that is used for Holy Communion. Please
note on the memo line of your check or on
the envelope “Communion Wine”. You may
also donate a bottle or can of pure olive oil
which is then blessed at the Shrine of St.
Nektarios and is offered in the anointing
kits. Please feel free to bring this with you
to any of our services and give to an usher
on duty.
For additional information contact the
church office.
UPCOMING DEADLINE
Newsletter & Bulletin:
Information Due: March 15, 2016
Published: March 22, 2016
OUR MISSION:
St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church is dedicated to the continuation
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s ministry of salvation
through the proclamation and teaching of the Gospel;
through Baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
and through loving service to God and to mankind.
OUR VISION:
http//www.goarch.org
"Copyright © Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA,
used by permission. All rights reserved."
The community will provide a loving, caring and welcoming
environment where all belong and grow in the faith through
worship, service, witness, and fellowship.
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