-
APRIL 2, 2017 – FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT – ST. MARY OF EGYPT
Our venerable father Titus the Wonderworker
WELCOME TO ST. NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL
Cathedral Website: www.stnickspgh.org Email:
[email protected] CLERGY: Rev. Fr. Christopher Bender and Rev.
Dn. Robert Lykos
Father’s Cell - 724-630-3483; Father’s E-mail -
[email protected] PROTOPSALTIS: Dr. Nick Giannoukakis CHANTER:
Steve Andrews
CHOIR DIRECTOR: Steve Andrews ORGANIST: Anna Kovalevska ALTAR
BOY CAPTAINS: Nicholas Hages & Andreas Paljug
Today’s hymns: please see page 2
Epistle: Hebrews 9:11-14 (p.143) Gospel: Mark 10:32-45 (p. 144)
THIS WEEK AT ST NICHOLAS: Monday, April 3: 8-10 p.m. Open
Volleyball Wed., April 5: 6 p.m. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy; 6:30 p.m.
Adult Greek school; 7:30 p.m. Orthodoxy 101 Class Thurs., April 6:
11 a.m. Living Orthodoxy Sat., April 8: 8:45 a.m. Lazarus Saturday
Orthros; 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy; 11:30 a.m. Church school
Breakfast/Palm Making
SIXTY CLUB NEWS: 2017 dues are $10 per person. Please make
checks payable to St. Nicholas Sixty Club & contact Virginia
Fekaris with any questions. SAVE THE DATE - June 11th We are
currently planning a program on First Aid and C.P.R. Watch the
Sunday bulletins for details.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greek School – (A Note from Maria Stamoolis) We would like to
thank everyone who supported the Greek school last week for the
Celebration of Evangelismos and Greek Independence. We thank
Christina Hammerling for donating and making the pasta and salads
and Marcie McGuire, John Frentzos and Bill Copetas for cooking the
delicious luncheon. The children did a great job with their poems
and songs. Special recognition goes to the actors and actresses -
Mia Velisaris, Mina Andrews, Vasilis Benos, Alex Copetas, Themis
Balouris and the narrator Marianna Christos for doing an excellent
job performing the Miracle of St. Menas in 1826. Again thank you
for supporting our Greek Language school and keeping it
continuously running for more than 100 years. JUST IN – Each year,
at the St. Photios Awards Banquet, two of the faithful who have
offered exceptional service to the entire Metropolis over many
years are honored with the Metropolis St. Photios Award. This week,
we learned that two of our own have be chosen by His Eminence
Metropolitan Savas for this honor: CONGRATULATIONS to lifelong
members MARIA STAMOOLIS & DR. JAMES KYROS. They join Virginia
Fekaris & James Machin, who are our parish’s honorees for this
year. It is not too late to make reservations, if you would like to
attend & support all our honorees. Please see the form sent in
this bulletin, or in the monthly Newsletter.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5th Annual Greek Language Festival On April 22, Greek Language
students from the Metropolis will participate in a Quiz Bowl,
musical and drama performances, dancing, and an art exhibit. There
will be food, crafts, games, and fun. All material for the Quiz
Bowl can be downloaded. This Metropolis event will take place at
St. Nicholas from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Holy Week/Easter Flower Donations – We are deeply grateful to
all of those
who have so generously offered to sponsor flowers for the most
sacred season of Holy Week and Pascha, covering every item on our
annual list. Further donations in support of
beautifying our church at this holy time of year are, of course,
greatly appreciated! And of course, all donations are tax
deductible.
http://www.stnickspgh.org/mailto:[email protected]
-
APRIL 2, 2017 – FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT – ST. MARY OF EGYPT
Our venerable father Titus the Wonderworker
Tone 8 Orthros Gospel 8
SPECIAL HYMNS OF THE DAY:
The first hymn chanted at the Small Entrance is the Resurrection
Apolytikion in this week’s tone (Tone 8, p. 172).
After the procession with the Gospel the usual Eisodikon
(Entrance Hymn) is chanted:
“Come let us worship and fall down before Christ.
Save us O Son of God, who arose from the dead. We sing to you,
Alleluia.” Δεῦτε προσκυνήσωμεν καὶ προσπέσωμεν Χριστῷ.
Σῶσον ἡμᾶς Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ νεκρῶν , ψάλλοντάς σοι·
Ἀλληλούϊα.
After the Entrance Hymn the Priest reenters the Sanctuary, and
the Resurrection hymn is repeated.
This is followed by the hymn for the saint of the Day (Mary of
Egypt): Ἐν σοὶ Μῆτερ ἀκριβῶς διεσώθη τὸ κατ' εἰκόνα· λαβοῦσα γὰρ
τὸν σταυρόν, ἠκολούθησας τῷ Χριστῷ, καὶ
πράττουσα ἐδίδασκες ὑπερορᾶν μὲν σαρκὸς παρέρχεται γάρ,
ἐπιμελεῖσθαι δὲ ψυχῆς, πράγματος ἀθανάτου·
διὸ καὶ μετὰ Ἀγγέλων συναγάλλεται Ὁσία Μαρία τὸ πνεῦμά σου.
In you, O Mother, is preserved undistorted what was made in the
image of God; for taking up the cross,
you followed Christ and by example taught that we should
overlook the flesh, since it passes away,
and instead look after the soul, since it is immortal. And
therefore, O devout Mary,
your spirit rejoices with the angels.
Following this, we chant the Hymn for our Church’s Patron Saint,
St. Nicholas (Tone 4):
Κανόνα πίστεως καὶ εἰκόνα πραότητος, ἐγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον,
ἀνέδειξέ σε τῇ ποίμνῃ σου, ἡ τῶν
πραγμάτων ἀλήθεια· διὰ τοῦτο ἐκτήσω τῇ ταπεινώσει τὰ ὑψηλά, τῇ
πτωχείᾳ τὰ πλούσια, Πάτερ
Ἱεράρχα Νικόλαε· πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς
ἡμῶν.
The truth of things have revealed you to your flock as a rule of
faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher
of temperance; for this cause you have achieved the heights by
humility, riches by poverty.
O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ God that
our souls be saved.
Finally, the Seasonal Kontakion is heard: Προστασία τῶν
Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία, πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε, μὴ
παρίδῃς, ἁμαρτωλῶν
δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν,
τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι·
Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν,
ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.
O Protection of Christians beyond reproach, mediator to the
Creator immovable, O despise not the pleading voices of those in
sin, but hasten, O good one, to the help of all of us who in faith
cry out to you:
speed up your intercession, and press on your supplication, O
Theotokos who always protects all those who honor you.
Epistle Reading: Hebrews 9: 11-14 (p. 143) Gospel: Mark 10:
32-45 (p. 144)
After the Gospel reading, return to page 12 of the Divine
Liturgy Book for the rest of the service.
-
GOYA NEWS: Pastichio Sale: Frozen & ready to cook, 9x12
pans, only $30 a pan, and are available after church. To place an
order, contact Alea Melacrinos at [email protected]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Keeping up with Philoptochos…
Celebrating 85 years of Philanthropy, Fellowship & Faith in
Action! Palm Sunday Luncheon Save the date, Sunday, April 9, 2017,
in the Cathedral Room (Large Hall) for the annual Palm
Sunday Luncheon. It is a nice way to start off Holy Week, by
‘breaking bread’ together as a family.
Attention All Bread Bakers, Wrappers & Bow Makers! - Please
reserve Wednesday, April 5th for the annual
Philoptochos’ Easter Bread Baking session. Everyone is welcome
to come any time after 9 a.m. and join us in the Cathedral’s
Kitchen for Fun & Fellowship. As always, any amount of time you
can offer to help us in this important project
helps our Philoptochos to continue to help those in need. Any
questions, please contact Nikki Lykos at 412-897-8208.
A Philoptochos Board Meeting will be held, Tuesday, April 18,
2016, 7 p.m. in the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox
Cathedral Conference Room. Following the meeting, we will be
preparing the Mother’s Day/Father’s Day Mailing.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH - Philoptochos will be packing “backpacks”
for FOCUS’ Backpack Feeding Program
Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at 6 p.m. - VOLUNTEERS ARE
NEEDED!
SPANAKOPITA LOGS - Philoptochos has a limited quantity of our
delicious Spanakopita Logs available for sale.
ONLY $9 PER LOG; GET YOURS TODAY!
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE - It’s that time of year again, the
Philoptochos Membership Drive! The Greek Orthodox Ladies
Philoptochos Society has held fast to the tradition of
philanthropy and we have strengthened the sense of love and
compassion for all individuals that are in need. Philoptochos is a
connection with other women who share the same feeling
and who desire to share their thoughts and talents. PLEASE JOIN
or RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY! It’s easy. Just complete the
membership form and send it in or visit us at our table. Men are
welcomed to join, too!
HOMEBOUND VISITATIONS - The St. Nicholas parishioners who are
homebound are looking forward to our annual Easter visit. We will
be giving each person a potted flower. If you are interested in
visiting one our homebound, please
contact Mary Peterson at (412) 337-6759. FOOD BANK - The Food
Bank supports several of our parishioners and continues to need
your support. You can donate
by making a check payable to the “St. Nicholas Philoptochos Food
Bank” or through The United Way by designating the St. Nicholas
Food Bank through your employers United Way contribution. Just
designate #3288. Questions: contact Elaine
Andrianos at 412-731-4334 or Denise Daugherty at
412-508-1326.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From the Church School Desk: “You Are the Voice of Christ in a
Changing World.”
Attention parents and grandparents: Please join your child or
grandchild in worshiping during the Divine Liturgy, receive Holy
Communion together then attend Church School to see firsthand what
your children are learning,
on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox
Cathedral’s Church School Open House! Upcoming dates to
remember
Communion Breakfast & Palm Making, Sat., April 8, 2017, (St.
Lazarus Day), Following the Divine Liturgy Easter Egg Hunt, Easter
Sunday, April 16, 2017, Following the Agape Service
As always, thanks for sharing your children with us every
Sunday. Yours in Christ, Miss Michelle
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Holy Cross Ladies Philoptochos Society invites you to an
AFTERNOON TEA on Sunday, May 20, 2017
at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Community Center, 123 Gilkeson
Road,
Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228. Doors open at Noon and there will be tea
sandwiches, fresh fruit, cookies, pastries and
various teas will be served. There will also be a silent
auction, door prized and fashions by Trendy Trousseau.
Tickets are $15. Contact Pam Lagios at 412-276-4616 or Mary
Zotis at 412-835-238
1 for tickets no later than May 12th
. All ages are welcome and hats are optional.
mailto:[email protected]
-
2017 Stewardship Pledge Cards are in the Narthex (Just ask a
member of Parish Council)
Christian Stewardship is about becoming good caretakers of all
that God has given us. It is by offering our gifts back of TIME,
Talent and treasure to God that we will be able to continue to
enjoy Church life
and be happy in Church ministries.
If you have already submitted your 2017 Stewardship Commitment,
THANK YOU! If not, please take the time to make your financial
Stewardship Commitment today and complete the talent portion of
the
card to enable OUR Community to grow and carry on the mission of
our faith.
HELP US REACH/EXCEED OUR GOAL
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral Church School Open
House
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Join your Child or Grandchild for Church Worship, Holy Communion
& Church School!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2017 STEWARDSHIP
Total Pledged Stewards
149 (GOAL 300)
Total Amount Pledged
$105,210.00
(GOAL $175,000.00)
Average Pledge $706.11
“As the Father Has Sent Me, So I Send You” John 20:21
Please join us for our
Annual Easter Egg Hunt Easter Sunday, April 16th, 2017,
Following the Agape Service
If you wish to help, please bring one dozen pre-filled plastic
eggs on
Sunday and drop them off in the Narthex before Church.
ALL PARISHIONERS are welcome to join the fun!
There will be coffee, juice, bagels, fruit and donuts after the
service! Questions: Call Michelle Kotsagrelos (412) 680-1416
-
FOOD FESTIVAL: ELEVEN DOWN AND ONLY TWO MORE!! Join us in St.
Nick's kitchen tomorrow, Monday, April 3 starting at 9 a.m. to help
assemble 180 pans of our
delicious festival Tiropita. Enjoy the fun, camaraderie and
sense of accomplishment! Your time and talent is greatly
appreciated! We are so grateful to everyone who has helped us reach
this point!
Tiropita Monday, April 3
Diples Monday, April 24
Much help is needed the week of the festival, Sunday, May 7 -
Saturday, May 13. Lines open at 11 a.m. and run continuously thru
to the dinner hour and beyond. Lunches are particularly difficult
to staff with so many people
working during the day. Please check your schedule for times you
can serve throughout the week. Any time and all time will be
appreciated!
**********************************************************************
ECCLESIASTICAL MUSIC MINISTRY AT THE CATHEDRAL
You are cordially invited! Come and learn Byzantine chant from a
world-class instructor, or join our choir and learn to sing the
unique and beautiful arrangements composed by our founding choir
director!
Our Cathedral is graced by two music ministries grounded in
tradition that we hope you will consider participating in:
The first is rooted at the Analogion (the Chanter Bookstand).
Our Analogion Ministry, blessed by the volunteer service of Dr.
Nick Giannoukakis, invites and welcomes anyone with some musical
ability, especially the younger generation, to join and learn the
beautiful and 1200 year-old tradition of Byzantine hymnology and
chant. Those who faithfully adhere to the ministry will not only
have an opportunity to grow musically, but more importantly, will
solidify their understanding of Greek, gain an appreciation for the
structure of the services, and a better insight into our Orthodox
faith and its theology through a comprehension of the hymns. With
the exception of the summer months (June-August), the Ministry will
focus on the Sunday Orthros and the occasional Vespers, in addition
to the evening services of Lent and Holy Week. Between June and
early September, the Ministry will also focus on the Holy and
Divine Liturgy.
Dr. Giannoukakis, who was distinguished and tonsured as
Protopsaltis by Metropolitan Maximos in 1998, and noted to be among
the "who is who" of Byzantine Chanters in a historical compendium
published in Greece in 1994, is also the only chanter in our
Metropolis to hold a certificate and diploma in Byzantine Music
from a Greek Music Conservatory. Dr. Giannoukakis,
personally-trained by renowned and respected Greek chanters
(Constantin Lagouros, Georgios Syrkas, Emmanuel Hatzimarkos),
offers music to the highest possible standards of the Great Church
of Christ (the Ecumenical Patriarchate) and has successfully
trained young and old individuals for more than 25 years. To learn
more, and to consider participating, contact Dr. Giannoukakis at
[email protected] or at [email protected]. All educational
materials are complimentary. The second is rooted in the rich
polyphonic innovations of the late Rudolph Agraphiotis who in the
early 1900s, first composed the lyrical Liturgy conducted in our
church to this day. Some of the choir members are among those who
came together to constitute the first choir directed by Mr.
Agraphiotis. Today, the choir is in the very capable hands of Mr.
Steve Andrews who directs it as another of our Cathedral's
volunteers. The choir can be heard during the Divine Liturgy for
most of the year's Sunday services as well as at the services for
Holy Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The Choir invites and welcomes
anyone with some musical ability, especially the younger
generation, to join. To learn more, and to consider participating,
contact Mr. Steve Andrews at [email protected]. Why not
join both ministries? As it is written: "He who delights in the
Lord, and walks in the Light will not stumble" (From the Doxastikon
of the Orthros of the 5th Sunday of Lent).
**********************************************************************
ATTENTION: ALL CHURCH SCHOOL STUDENTS Communion Breakfast &
Palm Making - Saturday, April 8th, 2017
(Following the Divine Liturgy in the Small Hall)
***Remember there is Church school on Palm Sunday, April 9th,
2017!
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
-
Food Festival Ad Book Our April 14th deadline is fast
approaching. All proceeds from the ad book directly benefit our
Church's
Building Fund. Thank you to those who have already placed
your
Ad or Patron Listing!
Anastasi CELELBRATION
April 16, 2017
After the Midnight Resurrection Service,
Please join Philoptochos for a Paschal meal
as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord.
Meal follows the Anastasi services in
the Cathedral Room.
A Free-Will offering is being accepted by the
Philoptochos Society to offset expenses.
For More information, call Michelle Kotsagrelos
at 412-680-1416
-
Attention All Seamstresses JOY is making new dance costumes for
the 18 girls in this year’s group. We are looking for volunteers to
assist
with cutting and sewing the dresses and aprons for the costumes.
Also, as the HOPE group has grown in number, we need to make a few
additional costumes like those that were made last year. Any and
all help is greatly
appreciated by our children (and their parents)!!! If you are
able to assist with cutting and/or sewing, please contact Nikki
Lykos (412-897-8208) or Tulla Velisaris (412-889-1648).