Saint Sophia Cathedral CommuniquéDec 21, 2014  · INSTRUCTOR: Ramsay Seikaly, [email protected] CONTACT: Saint Sophia 323-737-2424 Ramsay Seikaly 818-929-1180 Come and learn

DECEMBER 21, 2014

Saint Sophia

Cathedral Communiqué

Sunday before Nativity

Saint Sophia Cathedral 1324 S. Normandie Ave Los Angeles, CA 90006

FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS George E. Preonas, President; Andrew Evangelatos, Executive Vice President; James A. Demetriou, PhD, Vice President & C.F.O.; Constantine M. Boukidis, Secretary; Tina Callas, Treasurer

MEMBERS V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas; Nicholas Bissias; Timi Loomos Freshman; Alek Haidos; Steven C. Hanna; Michael Huffington; Gig Kyriacou; Brent A. Noyes; John T. Pappas; Jim Zaferis

PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS Anthony A. Demetriou, Presidential Assistant; John G. Marakas III, Sr. V.P. of Wells Fargo, Advisor to the Board; Andrew J. Demetriou, Foundation General Counsel

PARISH COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Brent A. Noyes, President; Irene Andreadis, Recording Secretary; Karen Sarames, Corresponding Secretary/Legal MEMBERS Bertha Angels; Jeanine Hanna; Glenn Lianos; Eleni Constantine Manolelis; Loula Moschonas; Peter Pallas; Dean Peratsakis; Dorothy Spirus; Tom Ward; Anna Yallourakis

BOARD OF AUDITORS: Jim Ananias; Anthony A. Demetriou; Tom Moore

Office: 323.737.2424 Fax: 323.737.7029

www.stsophia.org/bulletin

When you write your will or update it, won’t you please remember Saint

Sophia Cathedral? Such a gift will live forever as our church ministers to

our spiritual needs. It’s an investment in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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PHILOPTOHOS NEWS

OH HOLY NIGHT: As we enter the Christmas season, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A child was born - a bright star hung over a manger - and Wise Men brought gifts. Peace on Earth - good will toward men. The greatest gift of all is love for our fellow man as we try to help those less fortunate during this time of year.

SEE’S CHRISTMAS CANDY SALE: Don’t forget that Philoptohos is selling See’s Christmas candy today for the last time. We have Assorted Chocolates, Nuts and Chews. Please stop by and support the philanthropic work of Philoptohos. Why stand in line at See’s when you can just pop into the coffee hour and do your shopping with us? We’ve made it easy for you to go to church and ‘shop’ all in the same day!

VASILOPITA: Please join us after church in the Maniatakos Hall on Sunday, January 11 for the cutting of the Vasilopita! Let’s have a great start to the New Year!

Philoptohos wishes to thank all of you for a wonderful year. We’ve had a great time with our new projects that you have joined in and appreciate all of your donations, time and effort.

Merry Christmas to all of you and we wish you a happy and healthy New Year. Kronia Polla.

“For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me” John 12:8. With love in Christ’s service, Virginia Noyes and The Philoptohos Board of Directors

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PHILOPTOHOS V.I.P

On behalf of all the members of the Philoptohos V.I.P. Board I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2015!

In His Service Athina Lolonis, VIP

48TH ANNUAL VASILOPITA DINNER ADANCE

THE HELLENIC SOCIETY OF CONSTANTINOPLE

will celebrate their 48th ANNUAL VASILOPITA DINNER

DANCE ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 at the

Wilshire Country Club, 301 N. Rossmore Ave., Los Angeles

The evening will include music, dancing and the traditional

cutting of Vasilopita with the GOLD COIN, plus a

drawing for a 3 day cruise in Mexico for two. Will be honoring

James F. Dimitriou, Ph.D.

Cocktails at 5:30 pm and Dinner at 6:30pm

For more information, please call Mary Morrison at

(818)500-0904 or Jeanette Owens at (323)660-5707

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MINISTRY NEWS

SAVE THE DATE

1. Wednesday, December 24: Christmas Eve Liturgy

2. Thursday, December 25: Christmas Divine Liturgy

3. Thursday, December 25: Cash for Christmas Raffle

4. Wednesday, December 31: New Years Eve Black and White Party

5. Sunday, January 18: Saint Sophia Philoptochos Debutante Presentation Ball

6. Saturday, January 24: 48th Annual Vasilopia Dinner Dance

THE WHY’S OF ORTHODOXY FR. ALLAN BOYD

NO CLASS THIS WEEK

This class is for you if you would like to deepen your understanding and practice of the Orthodox Christian Faith. All are welcome! Join us every Monday at 7:30 pm.

LIFE IN FAITH STUDIES FR. JOHN BAKAS

Our faith weekly Bible study class for Women and Men are cancelled this week. Women’s bible study class will resume January 12. Men’s bible study class will resume January 14.

OLD TESTAMENT WITH FR. ALLAN BOYD

NO CLASS THIS WEEK

Class meets every Thursday at 7:30 pm upstairs in the Huffington Center.

CHRISTMAS EVE LITURGY

This year, for the first time, we will celebrate a Christmas Eve Divine Liturgy focused especially for children. The service will begin at 4:00 pm, allowing families with children to attend. The service will be offered in English. We will celebrate the Christmas Divine Liturgy at 10 am on Christmas Day. This will give parishioners an option of celebrating Christmas liturgically on either day.

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MINISTRY NEWS

TWO ENGLISH AND TWO BILINGUAL LITURGIES

It was announced at the last General Assembly meeting on Sunday, November 9th that beginning January 2015 the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in English every first and third Sunday of the month. The second and fourth Sundays, the Divine Liturgy will be bilingual. The intent is to draw more people into participating in the Divine Liturgy. We must remember that the value of language is to transmit the message of Christ and the gospel in ways that are understandable by all.

CATHEDRAL RED SEATS

The red seats on the North and South sides of our Cathedral are now open seating and anyone can sit there. We encourage the elderly who may need a bit of “soft seating” to use any of the red seats. It’s all open seating.

ATTENTION MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!

The first Sunday of each month has been officially named Youth Sunday. In addition to a Sunday School student reading the Epistle, the Parish Council of Saint Sophia Cathedral invites middle and high school students to volunteer in the Narthex during Divine Liturgy. Besides helping out with the candles and ushering, you may also assist in passing the baskets to the parishioners to collect their monetary donations. You'll be paired with a seasoned Parish Council member to train you. If you'd like to volunteer in the Narthex and/or pass the baskets, please sign up by contacting [email protected]. Send your name, phone number, age and what day you'd like to volunteer. Please arrive at church at 9:45 a.m. so you may be trained. Get involved! We look forward to seeing you!

The Parish Council

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MINISTRY NEWS

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS

Donations are being accepted for cathedral Christmas Poinsettia plants. You can give any amount large or small in memory of a loved one or for health of your family, Please mark the memo section of your check "Christmas Flowers." If you would like to submit names in memorial or for health please give your list of names to Jimmy or ask him if you would like any additional information.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

60 YEARS ANNIVERSARY!

Many congratulations to Mr. Evangelos and Mrs. Catherine Rodinos on your upcoming 60th wedding anniversary. May God bless you richly and fill your life with love and happiness.

ATTENTION SUNDAY SCHOOL FAMILIES

You have special seating reserved for you right up front in the Cathedral every Sunday. Reserved are the first two pews on the left side. Do take advantage of this beautiful view of the Divine Liturgy. Your children will likely be more engaged in the service.

BASKETBALL IN OUR GYM

Every Monday night 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., drop by to pick-up basketball games in our gym. Boys and girls, men and women, ages 13 to 40 are welcome. Shoot the hoops or shoot the breeze, either way, it's a good time. Hope to see you.

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MINISTRY NEWS

RESULTS FOR THE 2015 PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Three Year Terms

Costa Bargeliotes

Peter Cosfol

Brent Noyes

Karan Sarames

Bill Striglos

Two Year Term

Mauro Metini (appointed)

One Year Term

George Rizkalla (appointed)

Congratulations to all of our newly elected Parish Council

members! Oaths and swearing in to be held on Sunday

January 4, 2015. Many thanks to our election chairman, Jack

Stumpus and assistants, Jim Ananias and Noah Johnson.

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MINISTRY NEWS

JOY OF PARENTING CLASS RETURNS!

Join your fellow parishioners in a lively discussion of

parenting of children of all ages, from toddlers to teens. Joy

of Parenting classes resume January 2015.

Planning Ahead:

Jan. 18, 2015: Saint Sophia Philoptochos Debutante

Presentation Ball

Jan. 31, 2015: Greek Dance Groups Annual Glendi

Feb. 1, 2015: Super Bowl Party

Feb. 21, 2015: Apokries (Greek Mardi Gras), presented by

our Parish Council

ICON OF THE HOLY NATIVITY DONATIONS

Donations are being accepted for the decoration of the Icon

to the Nativity of Christ. Please see Jimmy in the Narthex for

details.

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MINISTRY NEWS

Our young adults are hosting a huge New Year's Eve Party in

the Maniatakos Fellowship Hall from 8 pm on New Year's

Eve. It's a Black & White Affair so come with your best dress

and dance the night away in full monochrome glory! Cash bar,

gourmet buffet, photobooth, live jazz and performances, DJ,

dancing and so much more!

Tickets are just $30.00 at nye.huffingtoncenter.com

($40 at the door)

HUFFINGTON CENTER AT SAINT SOPHIA CATHEDRAL

Are you looking to impress your guests? With beautiful

rooms, ample parking and a state-of-the-art kitchen, Saint

Sophia Cathedral’s Huffington Center is well equipped to host

your next big event. Our eloquent and spacious Maniatakos

Ballroom is a perfect fit for wedding receptions, family

reunions, business meetings, or fundraisers! For a more

intimate setting the Maria Maniatakos Pavilion is a beautiful

setting to create wonderful memories. Share the word with

friends and associates. Please call the office or send an email

to [email protected] to schedule a tour and set the

date for your event.

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THE ART OF THE GREEK DANCE

WHEN: Saturday, January 10 to March 21, 2015

WHERE: Saint Sophia Huffington Community Center

TIME: 10 AM – 11:45 AM

FEE: $140 First Time / $120 Returning/$100 Students

INSTRUCTOR: Ramsay Seikaly, [email protected]

CONTACT: Saint Sophia 323-737-2424

Ramsay Seikaly 818-929-1180

Come and learn all the dances you need to know

for festivals, weddings and other Greek events.

Guest instructors teach specialized regional

dances in the historical context of the regions

from which they originated. Bring your dance

shoes and we will see you in January 2015.

What better way to start the New Year!

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21ST ANNUAL SAINT SOPHIA CAMP TENNIS MIXER – OCTOBER 12, 2014

Thank you to the players, sponsors and volunteers for their generous support. A special thank you to Dr. Tony Mastor for chairing and hosting at the Riviera Country Club, for over two decades!

1st Place: Nick Ananias

2nd Place: Aris Spirtos

3rdt Place: Parise Livanos and Jaclyn Spirtos

Sponsors:

Kari Czer

Foti Defterios

James & Faye Demetriou

Mary-Kay Demetriou

Richard Donovan

Tony Dres

Peter & Tina Vasilion

Volunteers:

Chuck Carrillo

Andy Demetriou

Karen Sarames

Photographer:

Allen Altchech

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21ST ANNUAL SAINT SOPHIA CAMP TENNIS MIXER – OCTOBER 12, 2014

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CASH FOR CHRISTMAS 2014 RAFFLE

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PHILOPTOHOS NEWS