1 The New Ecclesiastical Year Begins September 1st VOLUME 25 NUMBER 9 September 2016 Dearest Spiritual Ohana, On September 1st, we begin the New Ecclesiastical Year. We must wonder why we celebrate this new beginning on this appointed day. Vincent Gabriel answers this question most adequately in a “blog” from Ancient Faith Radio entitled “Why Orthodox Christians Celebrate the New Year on the First of September.” I invite you to visit the website to read the complete article. The link to the website is as follows: “https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/ onbehalfofall/why-orthodox-christians-celebrate-the-new- year-on-the-first-of-september/.” I will offer only some of the main points. The main points of the blog are as follows: I. So This is the New Year? C The old Roman term for this day is Indictio, meaning “definition” or “order.” This was a day established as the beginning of a fifteen year cycle, marking the redefinition of tax obligations for Roman citizens (especially since Roman soldiers served fifteen-year terms), likely from the time of Caesar Augustus. C One of the Emperor St. Justinian’s novellas (AD 537) decreed that all official documents of the Empire should include the indiction reference. When attempting to date manuscripts from this era, it can be helpful to know the year of the indiction (1–15), as exact dates or years are less commonly found. And when a date is found, it usually corresponds to Anno Mundi(Hebrew: לבריאת העולם) or “the year of the world” since the date of Creation. C Anno Mundi (AM) served as the beginning point for calendars until the modern era in many parts of the world, and is still a liturgical point of reference for both modern Judaism and Christians. (Jews also mark the New Year in September, but on a floating date.) C The date of the creation of the world—as discerned by a literal reading of the Patriarchal histories of the Greek Septuagint—was determined to be around 5500 BC on our modern calendar, with variations here and there. On the Julian calendar, the date of creation was said to be September 1, 5509 (BC), with the birth of Jesus Christ taking place in 5509 AM–that is, 5,509 years from the foundation of the world. II. Harvest, Thanksgiving, and Sowing C By marking the start of a new year in September, the Empire—and later, the Orthodox Church—was associating the new year with harvesting crops. As preparations for winter were being made, so too were preparations for the upcoming year. C For Christians, it was a time of thanksgiving, remembering the good weather and abundant rain the Lord provided for that year’s harvest— something we pray for at every Divine Liturgy. C This draws close parallels with the Feast of Trumpets for the pre-Incarnation people of God (Lev. 23:23–25) III. Ecological Stewardship C The Ecclesiastical New Year is now a day marked by prayers for the care of the environment. (Please (Continued on page 2)
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The New Ecclesiastical Year Begins September 1st
VOLUME 25
NUMBER 9
September 2016
Dearest Spiritual Ohana,
On September 1st, we begin the New Ecclesiastical Year.
We must wonder why we celebrate this new beginning on
this appointed day. Vincent Gabriel answers this question
most adequately in a “blog” from Ancient Faith Radio
entitled “Why Orthodox Christians Celebrate the New
Year on the First of September.” I invite you to visit the
website to read the complete article. The link to the
website is as follows: “https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/
NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS Thu. 9/8 Orthros/Liturgy 8:30/9:30am
GREAT VESPERS Tues. 9/13 6:30pm
ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS Wed. 9/14 Orthros/Liturgy 8:30/9:30am
MAUI SERVICES Sat. 9/24 Liturgy 10:00am
Upcoming Opportunities for Worship & Learning
Moms and the Orthodox Family
We are looking forward to starting up our Fellowship, once again, this Fall! But first, we need to know of
anyone interested in joining us, what day and what time would be the best
for us to meet? Please call or see Anita Higashi and or Fr. Alexander
with your suggestions.
Adult Religious Education
Beginning this month, our classes will focus on establishing and maintaining the “small church” in our homes and in our daily lives, “living the liturgy” after the Liturgy on Sunday. Stay tuned for the schedule and further details in your Weekly Bulletin!
SEPTEMBER PARISH COUNCIL TEAMS
4 Maria Naval
11 Michael Dimitrion
18 Nicholas Kyraakakis
25 Regina Mass
Please remember in your prayers: Ted Anastasopoulos
Dina Giannakopoulos
Suzanne Keyser
Julie Licina
Alice Malick
John Mitsis
& All Those Who need our Prayers
LITURGICAL LIFE OF OUR PARISH
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Share your news! Monthly Bulletin
announcements that you would
like to see in the October issue
of Shorelines should be
submitted to the church office by
September 15th. Email office
@greekorthodoxhawaii.org, call
521-7220, or drop by with a hard
copy of your requested
announcement.
Weekly Bulletin announcements
should be submitted by
Thursday, at Noon, for the
upcoming Sunday.
Maui Orthodox Christian
Mission reminds those who
attend services on Maui to visit
www.mauimission.org or call
617-838-7904 to verify services.
or look for other activities that
may be posted.
LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, the official
philanthropic organization of the Greek Orthodox Church in
America, was established in November 1931, by the late
Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I, who was then serving as
Archbishop of North and South America. The members of the
National Board of Philoptochos are dedicated church women
who offer countless hours to the philanthropic, humanitarian, and
Christian mission of the Church. There are 475 Philoptochos
chapters in the United States. The structure of the Philoptochos
includes the National Board, Metropolitan Boards, and Chapters
BEFORE scheduling meetings, parties, or any other event at church–social hall, kitchen, or office rooms, PLEASE be sure to clear your event with the Church Office at least 2 weeks in advance. Doing so will ensure that our facilities are available for all to use, as well as prevent confusion and double-bookings.
Rental forms must be completed by anyone wishing to use our facilities–organization, member or non-member.
Learn Greek In addition to our classes after Sunday School, the
following classes are on Monday Evenings:
Elementary 5 pm, Advanced Youth-Adults 6-8pm
Dance Group News
Thank you very much!
Fr. Alexander expresses his utmost gratitude to
all our dedicated volunteers, in front of and
behind the scenes, for all your hard work and
dedication for a successful 2016 Greek Festival!
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Each individual/family is requested to sponsor a coffee hour one Sunday per year.
Sign up on the calendar posted outside the Social Hall or contact Suzanne A. or Frances R.
Instructions/tips for sponsoring a coffee hour are available in a 3-ring binder in a cupboard in the hall.
The Ladies of Philoptochos appreciate
any donations of coffee supplies, including paper supplies to help defray some of the coffee hour expenses.
If you are hesitant to prepare and serve a coffee hour
yourself, consider making a monetary donation.
Please do not bring non-Lenten food including cake & ice cream during fasting periods.
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Thank you to our August Sunday Coffee Hour sponsors!
Harriet & Peter Medes
Valentina Yarovaya Kritikos Family
Parish Council
Our Vision: To be a beacon of Orthodoxy in the Pacific and proclaim the Gospel of Christ to all people in accordance with the Orthodox faith
Our Mission: To proclaim the Gospel of Christ to all people in accordance with the Orthodox Faith.
To sanctify and minister to the spiritual growth and needs of the faithful through liturgical worship and spiritual programs.
To safeguard and keep the traditions, values, and faith of the Orthodox Church pure and undefiled.
“A steward is one who manages another’s prop-
erty or resources; the Christian, therefore, is a stew-
ard of everything he is and has, including his own
body and soul, for according to the mystery of salva-
tion, we possess nothing from ourselves, not even
our own life and being; all belongs to God and is
given to us by the Father through His Son because of
the richness of His love and mercy.”
~The Theology of Stewardship in Light of
Orthodox Tradition
by Fr. Paul Wesche
“Stewardship is the offering to God as children of
faith rather than as hired servants. Children of God