May Newsletter-Final 1.pub - Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church
Transcription
May Newsletter-Final 1.pub - Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church
LIGHT FROM LIGHT Transfiguration of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church Newsletter Volume 15, Issue 5 May 2012 Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! Thank you to all of the volunteers who made our Pascha celebraon very special this year. Your sacrifice of me, talents, treasures connue to be essenal to the community atmosphere that we all enjoy as members of Transfiguraon. A special thanks to Fr. Vasileios, Pres. Stella, and Liz Strong for their reless service to our community. Thank you to all of the Council members, the ladies of Philoptochos, the many ministry leaders, the Altar servers, the chanters, the usher ministry, and to EVERYONE who made this a truly beauful and blessed Pascha! Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! In Service to His Church, Brandon Suehs, Parish Council President Mark Your Calendar Parish Council Brandon Suehs - President Marko Bjeletich - Vice Pres. Summer Service Hours Begin on May 27: Orthros: 8:15 a.m. Pat Mitchell - Secretary Liturgy: 9:30 a.m. John Chronis - Treas. Stephen Dow Judy Eagle Because of the June installaon of the dome iconography, we will worship in Mount Tabor Hall on June 17 and June 24. Shelley Ebeling Anita Jones Ioannis Ousaklidis The church office will be closed on Memorial Day. Transfiguration of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church 414 St. Stephens School Rd, Austin, TX 78746 Phone: (512) 329-6363 Fax: (512) 329-6364 Fr. Vasileios Flegas, Parish Priest- frvasileios@transfiguration.org; (512) 574-1972 Stuart Yoder LIGHT FROM LIGHT is published monthly, except June & July (combined), by Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church. To submit articles and photos for publication, please contact Reno & Melissa Lauro (meatballandpepper@gmail.com). Light from Light 2 Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Introduction he Feast of the Ascension of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on the foreth day aer the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha (Easter). Since the date of Pascha changes each year, the date of the Feast of the Ascension changes. This year, the Apodosis of Pascha and the Vespers for the Ascension will be celebrated Wednesday evening, May 23, at 5:30 p.m. The Feast of Ascension will be celebrated Thursday morning: May 24, 9:00 a.m., Orthros and 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy. The Feast itself commemorates when, on the foreth day aer His Resurrecon, Jesus led His disciples to the Mount of Olives, and aer blessing them and asking them to wait for the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit, He ascended into heaven. Biblical Story The story of the Ascension of our Lord, celebrated as one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Church, is found in the book of the Acts of the Apostles 1:3-11. It is also menoned in the Gospels of Mark (16:19) and Luke (24:50-53). The moment of the Ascension is told in one sentence: "He was lied up before their eyes in a cloud which took Him from their sight" (Acts 1:9). Christ made His last appearance on earth, forty days aer His Resurrecon from the dead. The Acts of the Apostles states that the disciples were in Jerusalem. Jesus appeared before them and commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the "Promise of the Father". He stated, "You shall be bapzed with the Holy Spirit not many days from now" (Acts 1:5). Aer Jesus gave these instrucons, He led the disciples to the Mount of Olives. Here, He commissioned them to be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). It is also at this me that the disciples were directed by Christ to "go and make disciples of all naons, bapzing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Ma2hew 28:19). Jesus also told them that He would be with them always, "even to the end of the world" (Ma2hew 28:20). As the disciples watched, Jesus lied up His hands, blessed them, and then was taken up out of their sight (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9). Two angels appeared to them and asked them why they were gazing into heaven. Then one of the angels said, "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him going into heaven" (Acts 1:11). May 2012 3 Icon of the Feast The icon of The Ascension of Our Lord is a joyous icon. It is painted with bright colors. Christ is shown ascending in His glory in a mandorla 1. A mandorla is a design which is almond-shaped or round. Inside the mandorla is the figure of a holy person. Christ blesses the assembly with His right hand 2. In His le is a scroll. The scroll is a symbol of teaching 3. This icon shows that the Lord in 1. Christ ascending into heaven on a mandorla. heaven is the source of blessing. In addion, Jesus is the source of knowledge. The icon reminds us that Christ connues to be the source of the teaching and message of the Church, blessing and guiding those to whom He has entrusted his work. 2. Christ blessing with His right hand those who are witnessing His glorious Ascension into heaven (detail). 3. The Scroll in Christ's left hand (detail). The Theotokos occupies a very special place in this icon 4. She is in the center of the icon, immediately below the ascending Christ. The gesture of her hands is gesture of prayer. She is clearly outlined by the whiteness of the garments of the angels 5. The Theotokos is depicted in a very calm pose. This is quite different from the appearance of the Disciples. They are moving about, talking to one another and looking and poinng towards heaven. The enre group, the Theotokos and the disciples represent the Church. The icon of the Ascension includes some who did not witness the Ascension. St. Paul is shown to the le of the Theotokos, but we know that he was not present at the Ascension 6. At that me, St. Paul did not yet believe in Jesus. But he became a Chrisan and one of the greatest Apostles and missionaries 4. The Theotokos amongst the Angels and Apostles of Church. The icon expresses the sovereignty of Christ over His Church; He is its Head, its guide, its source of inspiraon and teaching; it receives its commission and ministry from Him, and fulfills it in the power of the Holy Spirit. Light from Light 4 Orthodox Christian Celebration of the Feast of the Ascension This Feast of our Lord is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, which is conducted on the day of the Feast, May 24, and preceded by the Mans service. A Great Vespers is conducted on the evening before the day of the Feast at 5:30 p.m. on May 23. Scripture readings for the Feast are the following: At Vespers: Isaiah 2:2-3, 62:10-63:9; Zechariah 14:1,4,8-11. At the Orthros (Mans) Mark 16:9-20; At the Divine Liturgy: Acts 1:1-12; Luke 24:36-53. Hymns of the Feast 5. The Theotokos (detail). 6. Saint Paul, who did not witness Christ's Ascension, is depicted in the icon (detail). Reproduced from www.goarch.org Apolykion (Fourth Tone) O Christ our God, You ascended in Glory and gladdened Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Your blessing assured them that You are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. Kontakion (Plagal of the Second Tone) O Christ our God, upon fulfilling Your dispensaon for our sake, You ascended in Glory, uning the earthly with the heavenly. You were never separate but remained inseparable, and cried out to those who love You, "I am with you and no one is against you." THE COMMUNITY OF TRANSFIGURATION CONGRATULATES THE GRADUATES OF THE CLASS OF 2012! Aimee Gouris Daughter of Tom and Allison Gouris Aimee is graduating from Lake Travis High School and planning to attend Austin Community College before transferring to another four-year university. “I have lived here since 1997. Other than participating in the Arts, I love to learn about history. I wish to pursue a degree in archeology and anthropology. I want to thank everyone for pushing and shaping me, to create the person who I am today. I want to thank my parents the most for constantly encouraging me to test new waters. My favorite quote is ‘You got a dream … You gotta protect it. People can’t do somethin’ themselves, they wanna tell you “You can’t do it.” If you want something go get it. Period.’ (Said by Chris Gardner in the Pursuit of Happiness) Thanks guys!” May 2012 5 Maria Chronis Daughter of John and Amy Chronis Amy is graduating from Texas Christian University’s M.J. Neeley School of Business. She’s majoring Marketing Major with an International Emphasis. Quote: "The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet." ~Aristotle Emily Daskalantonakis Daughter of Michael and Beth Daskalantonakis I am graduating from James Bowie High School and will be attending The University of Texas at Austin to study Neurobiology. Hook ‘em! Some of my most fulfilling experiences in high school include serving as a mentor in the Peer Assistance and Leadership program where I have had the honor of working with elementary and middle school children lacking positive role models in their lives. I have also valued performing and directing as a member of the Bowie theater company. Some other great experiences for me in high school have been: serving as the Secretary of the National Honor Society; playing for and managing the volleyball team; and participating in as many unique clubs as possible. My Church Community has always been the center of my life. GOYA activities, camp, retreats and basketball tournaments have been such an important part of who I am. I have also loved participating as a dancer with the Levendia since I was in elementary school! Thank you to all of the people in our community who have loved and helped me throughout my life, and special thanks to my Sunday School teachers and lovable GOYA buddies and advisors! It is also important to me that I thank Father Jordan, Father Michael, and Father Vasileios for loving and guiding me. Who knew that right in the middle of Texas, I would be raised in the most loving Greek Orthodox horio?! We congratulate Emily on being elected a member of the Who’s Who at James Bowie High School—a great honor for which only 25 out of 600 students are selected. Light from Light 6 Mia Karides Daughter of George and Georgia Karides Mia will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting as well as a Master of Professional Accounting Degree with Honors from the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. While at UT, Mia was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She will begin her career in Public Accounting this September. Katina Hicks Daughter of Vickie Hicks Granddaughter of Kaliopi Gialusis Katina is graduating from Stony Point High School, Round Rock ISD. She will be attending Austin Community College before transferring to Texas A&M. Her honors include being listed in the A/B Honor Roll in 12th, 11th, 10th, and 9th grade years; membership in BETA National Honor Society; membership in the Round Rock ISD PTSA; and receiving the Outstanding English Student Award. “My aspirations after graduation are to become a doctor. I want to become a doctor so that I can help people live full, healthy, and happy lives. It's one of the most fullfilling jobs a person could have and I can't wait to begin pursuing my goal. “ "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --George Bernard Shaw Samantha DeRossi Granddaughter of Joseph and Koula DeRossi Samantha is graduating from Texas State University with a Bachelor in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Dance and a concentration in Education. “To my Yiayia and Papou, Thank you for all that you do, my college education would not have been possible without you. I love you both very much and I hope to continue to make you proud. May 2012 7 Christina Randol Daughter of Mark and Jackey Randol Christina is graduating from Concordia High School in Austin, TX. She has been accepted to Helenic College Freshman year 2013—2014 and plans to major in Elementary Education. Due to graduating high school at the age of 16, she will take some classes at Austin Community College and work towards finishing her 3rd degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. Next year, she is also planning on doing volunteer work at a school and teaching at the Taekwondo Dojang to keep busy and gain experience. Her clubs and interests include the following: Girls Basketball Team, Praise Band, Section Leader in choir, District and State music contest, Small group bible study leader, GOYA, Children's Choir, helped with vacation bible school. Maria Benson Daughter of Kiki Benson “My name is Maria Benson and I will be graduating from Lake Travis High My School in May. I have been wonderfully blessed to have been raised in this Orthodox community. I have loved every minute of basketball practice, GOYA retreats, Sunday School Showdowns and Greek dancing. Every memory is precious to me and I will take them all with me as I move on to this new chapter in my life. I will be studying neurobiology at the University of Texas at Austin. In high school, I dedicated my life to the Speech and Debate team and Track and Field. I tried to get involved in as many things as I could and have enjoyed the positions of Vice President of both Debate and the International Thespians Society as well as Community Service Committee Chair of the National Honor Society in my senior year. Following the footsteps of my father, I have continued to pursue my studies in piano. I cherish my community as a family and cannot thank you all enough for your steadfast love and support throughout everything that my family has been through. I love you all and cannot wait to share stories of my new college adventures.” Kayle Stevenson Daughter of Peter and Linda Kangos Kayle Stevenson is graduating from Westwood High School, she is in the top 10% of her class, a member of the National Honor Society, National French Honor Society, Student Council, Mu Alpha Theta, National Society of High School Scholars, various clubs, and formerly a member of the dance team and choir. She will attend either Southern Methodist University or Wake Forest University in the fall. Light from Light 8 Brandon Keys Son of Delores and Drew Keys Brandon Keys will be graduating from Vandegrift HS, he will Graduate with Advanced Placement Honors. He was in the student council and the MU ALPHA Theta and the Key Club. Brandon received an Athletic and Honors Academic scholarship to attend The University of Memphis. He will study Bio Engineering and will be running Division 1 college cross country and track. Brandon has always believed "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." Stefan Tassoulas Son of Erin and Yannis Tassoulas Stefan Tassoulas, graduating from Liberal Arts and Science Academy, LASA. Member of National Honor Society. Varsity soccer team, which won district. He received his Eagle Scout Award this spring, for which his project was leading a group of volunteers in identifying and removing invasive species in Mayfield Park Preserve. He raised money for this project and was able to donate funds for additional native replanting. Stefan will attend Georgia Tech in Atlanta this fall, studying BioChemistry. He received several grants and the BEST Scholarship from the National Science Foundation. To his family and friends he says, “I love you all and cannot wait to share stories of my new college adventures.” Lambros Tassoulas Son of Erin and Yannis Tassoulas Lambros will be graduating from LASA, Liberal Arts and Science Academy. He will be attending Georgia Tech where he will be studying Biology. He received several grants and also the BEST Scholarship from the National Science Foundation. While at LASA he played on the varsity soccer team, which won district this year. He is also a member of the National Honor Society. Lambros received his Eagle Scout Award this spring, his project was to build a stone bridge across a creek in Mayfield Park Preserve. This allows visitors to access more trails that were difficult to reach because of a lack of bridge. He lead volunteers to build the bridge using native stone incorporating his design and engineering. May 2012 9 Clarisa Draina Daughter of JoAnn and Joe Clarissa will be graduating from Bowie High School. She was on the Silver Stars precision dance drill team for two years at Bowie, and she danced for the Church community for four years. Clarissa will be going into the nursing program at Austin Community College. From her Mom, Dad, and brother Stephen: “We wish you the brightest of all successes in the exciting challenges and opportunities that ahead in the future. God bless you always. We love you.” Blagoje Zoran Djordjevic Son of Zoran and Zorica Blagoje is graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in Greek, Latin, Physics, and Mathematics. His honors include High Honors, College Scholar, Unrestricted Endowed Presidential Scholarship, Rapoport-King Thesis Scholarship, McCormack Scholarship in Physics, Masters McCarthy Scholarship in Greek and Latin. He also played Club Rugby. His additional activities include Eta Sigma Phi Classics Society, Society of Physics Students, The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, President of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship. At UT Austin 2008-2012. he studied Pure Mathematics in Moscow, Russia, for the Spring of 2010. Worked in Experimental Solid-State Physics in Würzburg, Germany, in the Summer of 2011. He wrote an Honors Thesis in Greek on the Perception of Science in Byzantine Theology - Geometry according to Gregory Palamas. He also wrote an Honors Thesis in Physics on the Analytical Description of Internal Waves in Fluid Dynamics. In addition, he went on the mission trip Real Break 2012 to Guatemala. Quote: "These past few years for me in Austin have been some of the most challenging and formative of my life and I will carry my experiences here wherever I go. I would not have been able to do what I did without the spiritual support of the Orthodox Christian communities of Austin. Therefore, I would like to thank everyone at Transfiguration for their fellowship, encouragement and faith in me and the Orthodox Christian Fellowship these past few years, which was so critical to my collegiate experience. I hope you continue to support and engage Orthodox college students in the Austin area like you have done for me." Arianna Gazis Daughter of Thalia and George “I am graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Interpersonal Communication Studies from UT's School of Communications. In the fall, I plan to work as a student mentor for an undergraduate course and hopefully continue research in conflict mediation. “ Light from Light 10 IOCC Fundraising Dinner Sunday, June 3 “Growing in our Orthodox Faith”: This event supports Internaonal Orthodox Chrisan Charies, a group that provides financial assistance, emergency relief, development programs and volunteering opportunies for the poor throughout the world. Imad Zaccak is the chair of the IOCC Metropolitan Commi(ee in Ausn, and is seeking our help to assist with this event. Volunteer opportunies include assisng with setup/cleanup, the Silent Aucon, publicity, reaching out to the other Orthodox and ethnic communies, ideas for a guest speaker, and serving food/beverages to tables. Please email Imad at iz2000ca@yahoo.ca if you are able to help out! A New Discussion Series A new discussion series led by Presbytera Vasiliki Eckley on the topic “The Cosmic Vision of St. Maximus the Confessor,” and its relevance for our lives today. Everyone is invited to a(end. We will meet every Wednesday in June. We will begin with Paraklesis at 6:00 p.m. and then begin our study. May 2012 11 OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship) Officers for the 2012-2013 School Year President: Malina Panovich Vice-President: George Kimson General Officers: Andrew Treckmann, Eleni Stamatakis, Dany Haddad Women’s Study Group Presbytera Vasiliki Eckley will lead the next gathering for the young women of the Young Adult League in an informal study group on Wednesday, May 9th and May 9. Presbytera has a professional background in research and the study of relaonships. She has lectured at numerous workshops and retreats, and we are excited to have her meet with the young women of our group who are interested in addressing issues relave to relaonship and lifestyle in today's world, from an Orthodox perspecve. The meeng will be held at her home in central Ausn. Please contact Maria Miller at mariamiller26@yahoo.com if you are interested in a(ending. YAL: Young Adult League Bible Study will resume with Father Vasileios on Tuesday, May 8, and Tuesday, May 22. Please arrive to grab a snack so the study can begin at 6:30 pm. Volunteers are needed for several upcoming events: ♦ Capital of Texas Triathlon—Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day) h(p://www.captextri.com ♦ Specifically, the paratriathlon poron for handicapped racers (athletes who might be paraplegic, have amputated limbs, or who are blind). Many of these triathlon parcipants are professional athletes. ♦ Volunteers would assist them with transioning between the porons of the race and ensuring they have everything they need to connue throughout the event. ♦ Please email ausn.oya@gmail.com for more informaon. Light from Light 12 On the Wednesday of the Paralytic, we celebrate the Feast of Mid-Pentecost Standing in the midst of the teachers, Christ the Messiah teacheth at Mid-Feast. id-Pentecost is the midpoint of the fiy days between the Feasts of Pascha and Pentecost. This year, Mid-Pentacost falls on Wednesday, May 9 (Orthros at 9:00 a.m. and Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.). It is also the Feastday of our beloved Bishop, His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah and the Feastday of St. Christopher. In the Divine Liturgy Gospel passage, we read that “in the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the Temple, and taught” (John 7:14). The feast in queson is the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles which commemorates the Israelites wandering in the desert for forty years, when they lived under tents and tabernacles. “Tabernacles” served as the middle link between the Jewish Passover, which recalls God’s deliverance of His people from the Egypan pharaoh, and the Jewish Pentecost, which remembers Old Israel’s entry into the “promised land” of Mount Sinai. The risen Christ is the link for New Israel as it celebrates the New Passover (Pascha, the Resurrecon) and the New Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and apostles. When Jesus had preached in the temple, he had just healed the Paralyc Man—which the Orthodox Church recalled on the previous Sunday—and was about to give sight to the Blind Man—which the Orthodox Church will recall in ten days. The apolykion of Mid-Pentecost announces the “waters of true worship”, which Christ will give us to drink, just as He gave the Samaritan Woman to drink; we commemorate that event on the coming Sunday. Thus, Mid-Pentecost reveals to the world that Christ will heal all of its infirmies, both physical and spiritual. By Thy boundless mercy, O Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen. O Sovereign Master and Creator of all things, O Christ our God, Thou didst cry unto those present at the Judaic Mid-feast and address forth immortality’s water. Wherefore, we fall down before Thee and faithfully cry out: Grant Thy compassions unto us, O Lord, for Thou art truly the Well-spring of life for all. With the streams of Thy Blood do Thou water my soul, which is grown dry and barren because of mine iniquies and offences, and show it forth to be fruiul in virtues. For Thou didst tell all to draw nigh Thee, O all-holy Word of God, and to draw forth the water of incorrupon, which is living and which washeth away the sins of them that praise Thy glorious and divine arising. Unto them that know Thee as God, O good One, grant from on high the strength of the Spirit, which verily was borne by Thy disciples, for Thou are truly the Well-spring of life for all. —Kontakion and Oikos of the Feast May 2012 13 The Light that Never Sleeps by Fr. Stavros Akrotirianakis ost of us are familiar with the Tradion of the Vigil Light that burns on the altar at all mes. It is called “To Akimiton Fos,” the Light that never sleeps. About a year ago, someme in Lent 2010, I entered the altar one morning, and found, to my dismay, that the light had gone out. No, it wasn’t the first me this happened—it’s happened a few other mes when I had neglected the Light and forgot to change the 7 day vove candle that somemes burns slightly less than 7 days. Last year, on Holy Saturday, I came to church thinking about the Light on the altar table, and how many mes I had let it go out—either through carelessness or forge&ulness—and had to relight it. And I decided that I would use last Easter to start over again with this Light and see how long I could keep it going. I came into the church, blew out the light for a moment, and struck a match and lit a new candle. So, tonight I mark an anniversary of sorts—that Light never went out one me this year. Now it took some effort to keep that Light going—I didn’t want to chance that a 7 day candle might only burn for six days, so I made sure I came in church at least every couple of days to change the candle. I made sure that when I handled the Light while making the change, that I was careful not to let the wax put out the fire. During the couple of weeks I was at summer camp last year, I asked someone to carefully change the candle every couple of days, to make sure that no ma)er what, it didn’t go out. This milestone, while certainly not among the most significant things I have done in my life, is one that has a symbolic meaning for every Chrisan life, starng with mine. The Chrisan life is a lot like the exercise of keeping this Light burning regularly throughout one’s life. Let’s start with the candle itself—the candle, when burning, provides light and warmth. Darkness is defined as the absence of Light, so when even one candle is introduced into a dark room, the room is no longer dark. Our church at this moment may seem dark, but it isn’t, not completely, because one candle is burning on the Holy Altar, one Light is shining in the darkness, and that is all After celebrating the Queen of Feasts, Pascha, it is always difficult to keep the light shining brightly in our hearts. I offer this article from my classmate as another source of inspiration to help us keep the light from going out. May the light of Christ always shine brightly in your lives. Christ is Risen! — Fr. Vasileios that is needed to overtake the darkness, one small Light. And the Light provides warmth. If I put my hands around this candle, I will feel warmth. Even if the church is cold in winter, standing over the candle always makes one feel warm. We will hear shortly in the Gospel of John read at the Paschal Liturgy that Christ is the Light that shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overtake the Light. (John 1:5) One can feel neither dark nor cold if one has the Light. Living the Chrisan life the way God intended for us to live it is a lot like this exercise of keeping this candle burning throughout the year. It takes consistency—it has to be done on a daily basis. Unfortunately, some of us use Easter like a booster shot—we come take a shot of Christ and won’t come back to church for many months. You can’t keep the flame alight in you if you do that, any more than this flame on the altar will stay lit if it is neglected for more than a few days. The Light must also be handled carefully. If I move the candle recklessly while changing it, that light can go out. If we move too recklessly in our lives, our Light can go out as well. And in order to keep the Light of Christ alive, it requires community. See there were a couple of occasions this past year that I had to ask someone else to help me keep this candle burning, because I couldn’t do it myself. And likewise in our Chrisan lives, none of us is an island, and none of us knows everything. We exist in relaonship to one another and we are supposed to help one another keep our lights alive and burning brightly. It is difficult, if not impossible to keep the light going on your own. Everyone needs prayer, everyone needs love, everyone needs forgiveness, everyone needs compassion, everyone needs hope. And because we are all in need of these things, we must also be willing to offer these things freely and joyfully to those around us. We must offer prayer for others, we must offer love, we must offer forgiveness, we must offer compassion, we must offer hope. We have seen through this journey of Holy Week that Christ offered us all of these things—He offered forgiveness to those who crucified Him; He offered peace to His disciples before His betrayal; He offered His prayer for the enre world, that we may be kept in His name, that we may be one with Him; He offered compassion to Peter who a/er his denial was restored as the chief of the Apostles; He offered us the greatest example of love—He told us that there is no greater love than if a man lays down his life for his friends, because shortly a/er saying that, He laid down his life for the whole world, for you and for me. And most importantly, He offers us hope—that the end of life is not an end, but a new beginning; that death is not an indignity, but that a Chrisan death, is the ulmate triumph because it comes with everlasng reward. But this is made possible only when Light from Light 14 we strive to keep the Light of Christ burning within us on a consistent basis. Tonight, if your light has gone out, accept the light of Christ and start over again. Today is a new day, don’t just make it business as usual tomorrow. And if your Light is going strong, if you’ve kept it burning brightly for the past year, celebrate with joy, and enter a new year with a commitment to keep it burning. Last year, I had a goal to keep the flame burning on the altar for one year without fail. By God’s grace, that small goal was accomplished. The goal now remains the same—having rejoiced in keeping this going for one year, I will connue with joy the goal of keeping it going for another. ourselves to begin anew in the Light of the Resurrected Christ. Do you believe in the things we have celebrated this week—the Crucifixion, the Resurrecon, the healing that comes from God through His sacraments, the salvaon that has been promised to us by God? Do you believe that you will one day behold God’s glory? And what are you doing about that today? If you believe in God and you hope that one day you will behold God’s glory in heaven, then make today count, and tomorrow, and next month and next year. We read in the Psalms “This is the day which the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” For the kingdom is not for everyone—but for those who have prepared themselves—for those who have kept the light alive in them on a consistent basis, even when life gets sad, or tough. It is for those who have sat paently, like the 5 wise maidens, with their oil of faith burning brightly while waing for the Lord to come. So, let all things begin anew in the Light of the Resurrected Christ, and going forward from here with joy, let us recommit ourselves and encourage one another to keep that flame alive on a daily basis, safeguarding it with care, and leaning on one another for help when the somemes heavy crosses of this life threaten our light, our joy, our hope. Come receive the Light from the everlasng Light, and glorify Christ who is risen from the dead. I began Holy Week last Sunday by posing three quesons— and I leave you to ponder these as we close Holy Week and ready May 2012 15 Thank you to all of our Dome iconography campaign donors Fr. Vasileios & Prsv. Stella Flegas Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Ackerman Ms. Jane Allen Mr. & Mrs. Rod Ambrose Dr. & Mrs. Jacob Angelo Dr. & Mrs. Lou Apostolakis Mr. & Mrs. Bart Arnold Mr. & Mrs. Vaios Athanasiou Mr. & Mrs. Michalis Bakiris Mrs. Kiki Benson Dcn. George & Prsv. Ria Bithos Mr. & Mrs. Marko Bjeletich Miss Andja Bjeletich Mrs. Lynette Bourgeois Dr. & Mrs. Jerry Burks Mr. & Mrs. Michael Burns Mrs. Despina Carter Mr. William Chriss Mr. & Mrs. John Chronis Mr. & Mrs. William Colovas Mr. & Mrs. Michael Courtney Mr. & Mrs. Michael Daskalantonakis Mr. & Mrs. R. Dean Davenport Mr. & Mrs. Joseph DeRossi Mr. & Mrs. Alex Demetriadis Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Dow Mr. & Mrs. John Dracopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Draina Mrs. Judith Eagle Mr. & Mrs. Michael Ebeling Mr. Richard Edgell Mr. & Mrs. John Esper Mrs. Beatrice Ferris Mr. & Mrs. Jason Garwood Mr. & Mrs. Jack Gatlin Mr. Ilias Georgakopoulos Mrs. Mary Georgantonis Mr. & Mrs. Anthony George Mr. & Mrs. James George Mr. & Mrs. George Gianakopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Michael Glaros Mr. & Mrs. Tom Gouris Ms. Mary Beth Gradziel Mr. & Mrs. Chris Harris Dr. James Hitt Mr. & Mrs. David Horwedel Ms. Eleni Hrissikopoulos Ms. Gwen Elizabeth Jerome Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Jones Mr. & Mrs. Johnny Justice Mr. Ted Kalenterides Ms. Nici Kalogirou Dr. James Kalpaxis Dr. & Mrs. Pete Kangos Mr. & Mrs. George Karides Ms. Elsie Karvelas Mr. & Mrs. Tahseen Khan Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Korioth Mrs. Judith Kountoupis (in memory of Dr. James Kountoupis) Mr. William Leara Mr. & Mrs. Lee Leatherwood Mr. Steve Levendakes Mr. & Mrs. Archie Meador Ms. Pat Mitchell Ms. Olena Nakonechna Mr. & Mrs. Jim Norman Mr. & Mrs. Shawn O’Brien Mr. & Mrs. Tom Papadatos Ms. Gretchen Papazis Ms. Valli Pappas Mrs. Sophie Paulos Mr. & Mrs. John Peet Mr. & Mrs. Chris Petropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Austin Phelps Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 13th! Transfiguration Philotochos Mr. & Mrs. Dionissios Phocas Mr. & Mrs. Ken Pon Fr. Drago & Pr. Milena Popovich Ms. Jennifer Poulakidas Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Read Mr. & Mrs. William Robertson Dr. David Romine Mr. & Mrs. Shane Sewell Ms. Pat Shotwell Mr. & Mrs. George Simbles Mr. & Mrs. John Sofyanos Mr. & Mrs. Harry Stamatis Mr. & Mrs. Athanases Stamatopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Michael Strong Dr. & Mrs. Brandon Suehs Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Suehs Mr. & Mrs. John Tassoulas Ms. Ann Marie Veletsos Mr. & Mrs. Allen Wynn Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Yoder Mr. & Mrs. Elias Zachos OUR YOUTH DONORS: Lauren Apostolakis Alexis Apostolakis Helena Bjeletich Stephania Bjeletich Nikoletta Flegas Charlie Horwedel Anastasios Papadatos Philotheos Papadatos David Read Sophia Read Eleanna Rodriguez Athena Skevofilas Costaki Skevofilax Irini Skevofilax Maria Skevofilax Athanasia Zotis The 2nd Annual Sunday School Showdown & Picnic May 20, 2012 (during Coffee Hour) Why fight your way through the crowds and wait for a long time for a table? Come an celebrate this special day with your church family! We are going to have a delicious Mother’s Day luncheon sponsored by the men’s group of Transfiguration. Make plans to be here! Be there to support your kids as they compete to take the trophy from the reigning champions, the High Schoolers! This is also the final Sunday School activity of the school year—have a wonderful Summer! Please register online for next year's classes. In April, Transfiguration Men’s Fellowship lunch will meet on May 17 (George the Confessor) at 11:45 at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse at Arbor Walk (10515 No. MOPAC; Phone: 512.349.9000). The Men’s Bright Week Steak Dinner raised $2500 for the iconography project. Special thank s to Nick Spiropoulos for organizing the event, Tom Suehs for cooking our steaks, and Jerry Kane for his donation of the meat, Brandon Suehs, John Chronis, George Karides, Stuart Yoder, and all the men who participated. Thank you!! Light from Light 16 TGOC Pastor’s Benevolent Fund: The mission of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world. One way we as faithful live out the mission of the Church and the words of Jesus, “for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” (Matthew 25:35-36) is to offer assistance to others in times of great need. BOOKSTORE NEWS May brings weddings and graduaons; and of course, Mother’s Day. Your bookstore has a beauful selecon of wedding crowns made in Greece, as well as beauful leather-bound Bibles for the bride & groom. Our selecon of granite and agate icons are the perfect gi to mark any occasion. The Transfiguration Pastors Benevolent Fund is a way to help those in need. There has been much need with the recent devastating events and And, as always, we have many inspiraonal books! Stop by and browse. economic problems. Please see Fr. Vasileios to make a donation to help replenish the Benevolent Fund! Congratulations to our newly illumined parishioners who were baptized and/or chrismated on Holy Saturday! Lynne Bourgeois Lisa Lozano Reno Lauro SAVE THE DATE! 15TH ANNUAL TRANSFIGURATION God grant you many years! GOLF TOURNAMENT Philoptochos News CHRISTOS ANESTI! Please mark your calendars for our May meeting which will be held on Saturday, May 12th at Tabor Hall beginning at 12:00 noon. This will be our last gathering until September and I look forward to seeing each of you. We all know the power of prayer and your prayers over the past year have made a difference in so many lives. Please continue to pray for those in need in our community and throughout the world. MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2012 LIVE OAK GOLF COURSE, LAKEWAY, TEXAS 1:00 SHOTGUN START PRIZES FOR ALL GOLFERS Happy Birthday to our May Birthday Ladies! Mary Sarkis: May 9 Effie George: May 10 Irene Omer: May 18 May 2012 17 Congratulations to Reno & Melissa Lauro who were married on May 6 Sponsors: AJ Edwards and Molly Smith God grant you many years! Save the Date! Camp Saint Nicholas Transfiguration’s Vacation Church Camp August 6—10 9:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m. For ages 2—12 (entering 6th grade) (Parents of 2– and 3-years-olds: Please plan to stay at camp with your children.) Contact Julie Wynn: txwynn@gmail.com or 246.0342 Transfiguration thanks Reno & Melissa for becoming the new designers and editors of our newsletter. Memory Eternal Anastasia Gakis, 90, fell asleep in the Lord on April 19. She is survived by her daughter Maria, grandson John D. Males and her grand daughter-in law, Elena. Elvira Pelphrey, 94, fell asleep in the Lord on April 14. She was the mother of Fr. Brendan Pelphrey of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Shreveport, LA. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Dr. Charles Pelphrey; their son, Fr. Brendan (Brant) Pelphrey and wife Sharon; daughter Barbara Morse and her husband Michael; three grandchildren (Michael Pelphrey and wife Dr. Amy Pelphrey, Dr. Andrew Pelphrey and wife Dr. Annie Pelphrey, and Marysa Enis and husband, Dr. Jacob Enis) and seven great-grandsons. One of our long-me parishioners, Virginia Moriars Hobbs, fell asleep in the Lord on April 24th. She was born on March 2, 1922, and was preceded in repose by her husband, Stanley; a son, Robert Hobbs; and a daughter, Francine Ivie. She is survived by a son, Gerald McCrary & his wife, Alma; by a daughter, Mary Lane & her husband, Mark; by her grandchildren, Kara, Jana, John, Jillian, & Christopher; and by her sister, Mary Lyte. May their memory be eternal. Light from Light 18 2012 Stewardship Fr. Vasileios & Prsv. Stella Flegas Mr. & Mrs. Rod Ambrose Dr. & Mrs. Jacob Angelo Mr. & Mrs. Vaios Athanasiou Ms. Tsambika Bakiris Mr. & Mrs. Harry Benas Mr. & Mrs. George Betondo Mr. & Mrs. Marko Bjeletich Mr. & Mrs. Ed Boudreau Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Bowles Ms, Maria Burke Dr. & Mrs. Jerry Burks Mr. & Mrs. Michael Burns Mrs. James Carrozza Mrs. Despina Carter Mrs. Cathy Christ Mr. & Mrs. Nikos Christodoulides Mr. & Mrs. John Chronis Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Chronis Ms. Marianne Clay Mr. & Mrs. Bill Colovas Mr. & Mrs. Michael Courtney Mr. & Mrs. Brian Crenshaw Mr. & Mrs. Michael Daskalantonakis Mr. & Mrs. R. Dean Davenport Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Delvizis Mr. & Mrs. Alex Demetriadis Mr. & Mrs. Joseph DeRossi Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Dow Mr. & Mrs. Thanos Drimilas Ms. Judith Eagle Mr. & Mrs. Michael Ebeling Mr. George Economos Mr. Richard Edgell Mr. & Mrs. John Esper Mr. & Mrs. Costas Evgenides Mr. & Mrs. Jason Garwood Mr. & Mrs. Jack Gatlin Mr. & Mrs. Ilias Georgakopoulos Ms. Mary Georgantonis Mrs. Demetra Anna Georgantonis-Keah Mr. & Mrs. Anthony George Mr. & Mrs. James George Mr. & Mrs. Peter Geranios Mr. & Mrs. Dean Geuras Mr. & Mrs. George Gianakopoulos Mr. Demetri Giannopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Gimenez Ms. Christina Glarakis Mr. & Mrs. Michael Glaros Mr. & Mrs. Tom Gouris Ms. Mary Beth Gradziel Mr. & Mrs. John Halter Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Harris Mr. & Mrs. Cliff Heidel Mrs. Vickie Hicks Dr. James Hitt Mr. & Mrs. Erwin Hockens Mr. & Mrs. David Horwedel Ms. Eleni Hrissikopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Lucas Jacomides Mrs. Gwen Elizabeth Jerome Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Jones Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Jones Mr. & Mrs. Johnny Justice Mr. Theodore Kalenterides Updated as of 04/15/2012 Ms. Nici Kalogirou Dr. James Kalpaxis Dr. & Mrs. Peter Kangos Mr. & Mrs. George Karides Ms. Elsie Karvelas Ms. Demetra Keah Mr. & Mrs. Tahseen Khan Ms. Patricia Klaras Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Korioth Mr. Stephen Kounelias Mr. Reno Lauro Mr. William Leara Mr. & Mrs. Lee Leatherwood Mr. Steve Levendakes Ms. J. Fotini Margos Mr. David Maziasz Mr. & Mrs. Archie Meador Ms. Maria Miller Ms. Pat Mitchell Mrs. Maria Nikas Mr. & Mrs. Jim Norman Mr. & Mrs. Shawn O’Brien Mr. & Mrs. David Omer Mr. & Mrs. Ioannis Ousaklidis Mr. & Mrs. Tom Papadatos Mr. & Mrs. Pete Papachristou Ms. Gretchen Papazis Ms. Valli Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Alex Papavasiliou Mr. & Mrs. Pete Pavlos Mr. & Mrs. John Peet Drs. Nicholas & Lisa Peppas Mr. & Mrs. Austin Phelps Mr. & Mrs. Dionissios Phocas Mr. & Mrs. Ken Pon Mr. & Mrs. Peter Price GOLF, the Greek Orthodox Ladies’ Fellowship meetings will move to Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m., beginning May 8. St. Basil’s Greek Fesval St. Basil's annual Greek fesval is an excing ethnic event in Houston, TX, that opens for 2012 on May 17th through May 20th. Mr. & Mrs. Jamal Qatato Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Read Mr. Thomas Rigney Mr. & Mrs. William Robertson Mr. & Mrs. Peter Romell Col. David Romine Mr. & Mrs. Mihalis Salmatanis Mr. & Mrs. John Sasaridis Mr. & Mrs. Shane Sewell Mr. & Mrs. Michael Shannon Ms. Pat Shotwell Mr. & Mrs. George Simbles Ms. Melissa Smith Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Spanos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholaos Spiropoulos Mr. & Mrs Karl Stahlke Mr. & Mrs. Harry Stamatis Ms. Sue Stevens Mr. & Mrs. Michael Strong Dr. & Mrs. Brandon Suehs Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Suehs Ms. Michelle Suehs Mr. Alexis Takvorian Mr. & Mrs. Miodrag Teodorovic Ms. Debbie Tindle Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Tracey Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Tsihlas Mr. & Mrs. Allen Wynn Mr. & Mrs. Jason Yediares Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Yoder Mr. & Mrs. Elias Zachos Mr. & Mrs. Stathi Zotis GOING PAPERLESS We are trying to reduce our expenses (and help the environment) a lile by reducing the number of paper monthly newsleers that we mail out. If you receive this newsleer by email and do not need a paper copy, please let us know so that we can remove your name from the physical mailing list. Thank you for helping us be good stewards of God’s gis! May 2012 19 Non profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Austin, Texas Permit No. 2218 LIGHT FROM LIGHT Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church May Newsletter Schedule of Services Sunday Service Times: Orthros - 8:45 am; Liturgy - 10:00 am Our NEW Sunday Service Times will begin on May 27: Orthros - 8:15 am; Liturgy - 9:30 am Saturday Great Vespers will not be held in May Sacrament of Confession Feast Days Saturday of St. John the Theologian Tuesday, May 8 Orthros– 9:00 a.m.; Liturgy - 10:00 a.m. Feast of Mid-Pentecost Wednesday, May 9 Orthros -8:45a.m.; Divine Liturgy-10:00a.m. Feast of Sts. Constantine & Helen Monday, May 21 Orthros - 9:00am; Liturgy - 10:00am Call to schedule Memorial Services & 40 day blessings Please call the church office to schedule all memorial services and 40 day baby blessings. The memorial services are normally read at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The 40 day blessings are offered either after Orthros and before the Liturgy or at the end of the Divine Liturgy. Apodosis of Pascha Wednesday, May 23 Orthros - 9:00am; Liturgy - 10:00am Vespers - 5:30pm Holy Ascension Thursday, May 24 Orthros - 9:00am; Liturgy - 10:00am 20