N E P S I S

S a i n t S o p h i a ’ s G r e e k O r t h o d o x C h u r c h 3 2 5 W a r i n g R o a d

S y r a c u s e , N e w Y o r k 1 3 2 2 4

P h o n e ( 3 1 5 ) 4 4 6 - 5 2 2 2 F a x ( 3 1 5 ) 2 5 1 - 1 6 5 4

Spiritual watchfulness and alertness. “Watch, there-fore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42)

It’s time for my favorite Orthros service of the year outside of Pascha, the Orthros for the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple. It happens every year on February 2, this year on a Tuesday.

My favorite part is the Megalynaria, which are the hymns just after I say "The Theotokos and Mother of Light let us magnify in song" (Τὴν Θεοτόκον καὶ μητέρα τοῦ φωτὸς ἐν ὕμνοις τιμῶντες μεγαλύνωμεν). There are many megalynaria in this service - in monasteries, this part of the service goes on for some time. Let me introduce you to a couple of them.

This reminds us that we do exactly the same thing that our Lady the Theotokos did when she brought our Lord to the temple forty days after His birth: Past the understanding of * all the angels, mortals, too, * Virgin Mother, Lady pure, * is that which occurred in you.

It's a forty day blessing of an infant! Today, the priest takes the place of St. Symeon when he took our Lord in his hands and sang his song: Symeon lived many years, * till the Christ he was to see, * then to Him he called aloud, * "My departure now I seek."

At a forty day blessing, I can see the personality of the child already starting to show itself. Make my soul to shine, O Lord, * with the light perceptible, * that I purely look on You, * and proclaim You as my God.

I mean the way they cry, or don’t, or sleep through the whole thing, the way they look around and respond to the change in sound when I carry them from the narthex into the nave. Him, whom liturgists above * trembling praise in litany, * now below does Symeon * hold, embracing in his arms.

Some of the babies stare at the Pantocrator icon on the ceiling as I carry them to the solea. You by nature are but One, * yet in persons Trinity; * set a guard around those who, * serving, do believe in You.

Definitely it’s the happiest part of my job. Well, one of the happiest! God bless and protect all the babies and children of St. Sophia's! Your affectionate servant, Father David

“The Hymns of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple” FEBRUARY 2021

NEPSIS

2021 Parish Council

Peter Manolakos President

Thomas Anthis Jr. Vice President

Christopher Shiomos, OD Secretary

Michael Copanas Treasurer

Robert Allen Nicholas Anastasiou

Joy Weatherup Anthis Stephanie Armatas Dimitrios Kiritsis

Eleni Kosmas, MD George Nardone

James Telonis, MD

Honorary Board Members

James Sakezles

VISIT THE

PARISH WEBSITE

stsophias.org

P a g e 2 N E P S I S

IMPORTANT DATE

February 2021

church calendar

Presentation

of Our Lord

Tuesday

February 2, 2021

9:00 am Orthros

10:00 am Divine Liturgy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Biblical Story

The story of the Presentation is told in Luke 2:22-29. Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews and observed their religious customs. An important custom was for the couple to take their first-born son to the Temple. The baby was taken to the Temple forty days after his birth and was dedicated to God. In addition, if the parents were wealthy, they were to bring a lamb and a young pigeon or a turtle dove to be offered as a sac-rifice at the Temple. The custom provided that if the parents were poor, they were to offer two pigeons or two turtle doves for the sacrifice. When Jesus was forty days old, Mary and Joseph took Him to the Temple in Jerusalem. They were not wealthy, so they took two turtle doves with them to offer as a sacrifice at the Temple. As they arrived at the Temple, Mary and Joseph were met by a very old man named Simeon. He was a holy man and was noted as a very intelligent scholar. Simeon spent much time studying about the prophets of Israel. It was during his studies that he learned of the coming of the Messiah. The Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah to come and deliver Israel from their conquerors. From that time on, Simeon spent his time praying for the Messiah to come. He spent many years in prayer. Finally, while Simeon was praying he heard the voice of God. God promised Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah.

When Simeon saw Jesus, he took the baby in his arms and blessed the Lord and said: "Lord, now let Your servant go in peace according to Your promise, because my eyes have seen Your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory to your peo-ple Israel."

Also, in the Temple was Anna the Prophetess. She had been a widow for many years. Anna was about eighty-four years old and spent her time in the Temple worshiping, fasting, and praying. When she saw the Christ Child she praised God and spoke of him to all who were awaiting the Messiah.

After Jesus was presented in the Temple, the family returned to Galilee to the town of Nazareth. The Bible tells us that Jesus grew and became strong, and was filled with wisdom.

February 2021 Memorials Eternal Be Their Memory

February 7, 2021

• Memorial Service for Mary Iuanow (40 Days)

• Memorial Service for Dilbera Malelis (40 Days)

• Trisagion Prayer for Christ Steve Alexander (6 Years)

• Trisagion Prayer for George Andrew Armatas (25 Years)

February 14, 2021

• Memorial Service for Hristina Telonis (3 Years)

February 21, 2021

• Memorial Service for Zoe Papazides (40 Days)

• Memorial Service for Eleanor Theodore (40 Days)

• Memorial Service for Magdaline Kouides (1 Year)

February 28, 2021

• Memorial Service for Leonidas “Harry” Tzivani (3 Years)

P a g e 3 N E P S I S

Zoe Papazides

Zoe Papazides Family would like to thank everyone in the Saint Sophia community for their kind words and their support. Your acts of friendship and love have not gone unnoticed. It is comforting to know we are not alone in our grief.

THERE IS ONLY ONE CHURCH, ONE TRUTH,

THE TRUTH IS IN ORTHODOXY

I HAVE LIVED IT AND I KNOW IT

BY THE GRACE OF GOD

THERE ARE MANY LIGHTS THAT MAN SEES

THAT MAKE AN IMPRESSION ON HIM BUT ONLY ONE

IS THE TRUE LIGHT

Blessed Elder Porphyrios, +1991

CHOIR

Choir Practice is held 6:00 pm on Wednesday evenings and we welcome

everyone to join our Choir

Sacramental Registry December 2020

Funerals

•Mary Marko

•Christ Lemonides

St. Sophia's Website & Mailing List

Visit St. Sophia's website www.stsophias.org. There is a wealth of information on the website with the most up to date calendar on services and events, color photographs from recent functions, electronic sacrament forms to easily fill out and submit, and an online chapel highlighting the days readings and hymns.

Please subscribe to our mailing list to receive the latest information instantly. By subscribing to the mailing list you will be able to receive the electronic form of the Nepsis, the weekly bulletin, parish obituary announcements, and any other pertinent information. You may sign up by going to the website and clicking the tab titled “Subscribe to our Mailing List” or via this link: http://stsophias.org/subscribe-to-our-mailing-list. It’s that easy!

If you no longer require the paper copy of Nepsis through the mail, please notify Katina in the office so that you may be removed from the mailing list.

P a g e 4 N E P S I S

Online Event Friday—February 5, 2021 9:00 pm—10:30 pm EST

Tickets $30.00 via www.eventbrite.com

February 14th

P a g e 5 N E P S I S

P R E S I D E N T ’S M E S S A G E

Dear Parish, When the Parish Council decided to move forward with the Carry Us Across Campaign, we were looking at an annual deficit of approximately $200,000. We had received a PPP Loan of $36,090 dollars from the CARES Act, and we had raised about $42,000 from our drive through festival. Since we had $78,000 towards our goal, we needed to raise approximately $122,000 to reach $200,000.

Thanks to so many parishioners and friends of St Sophia, I am extremely pleased to tell you that we have achieved that goal plus a little bit more. Because of the generosity of so many, we can go into 2021 confident that we will emerge from this pandemic with a strong balance sheet.

There is more good news. We will, in mid February, apply for new loan funds being offered by the Federal Government. Better yet, parishioners have increased their stewardship gifts for 2021. Also, given our experience with the drive thru in 2020, I am confident that, if we cannot have a full blown festival, any 2021 drive thru will be bigger and better than last year's effort

It appears, then, that we will emerge from the pandemic with minor financial damage to our balance sheet. That result is definitely worth celebrating, And, as you all know, vaccines are now being administered. We will have a true celebration when our church is once again filled with worshippers, Sunday school students attending class on Sunday, and church activities are back to "normal".

As people of faith, as Christians, as Eastern Orthodox Christians we have the advantage of turning to our Church for strength, solace and hope in difficult times. The Church offers us the flesh and blood of the Lamb at every Liturgy. We celebrate the Resurrection whenever we partake of this Holy Mystery. For those who truly believe, worldly difficulties, as sad or tragic as they can be, lose their power over us.

We had a capital campaign not so our kids can play basketball, not to have wonderful social gatherings. We had a capital campaign to maintain St Sophia's financial strength so that we can partake of the mysteries of the Faith in a church that we all know and love.

Again, the Parish Council extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to a successful campaign.

Yours in Christ, Peter Manolakos Parish Council President

STEWARDSHIP If you do not have one, you can obtain a 2021 Stewardship Pledge card online, by calling the office at (315) 446-5222 or you can pick one up at the candle stand. You should have received your 2020 Annual Statement in late January. Again, if you did not, call the office and one will be sent to you. Thanks to all our Stewards. The Stewardship Committee

P a g e 6 N E P S I S

P a g e 7 N E P S I S

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

Happy New Year! Best wishes for happiness and good health and prosperity to one and all! The February Children’s Sermon will take place, on Sunday, February 21st which happens to be the beginning of the Triodion, Pre-Lenten period. Lent begins on Monday, March 15th this year and ends on Saturday, May 1st. Father David will be talking to our children about this annual journey of focusing on spiritual health through fasting and evaluating ourselves. While we cannot have our Carnivale, I will follow up with fun activities for the entire family. In February, we will be reaching out to all our 7th-12th grade students regarding participating in the Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. We will provide information and resources; and get students registered. We are being given the option of holding our parish level festival virtually or in person. How we ultimately conduct our event will depend on the COVID situation in our area. Placing Health Safety Priority #1. I will be discussing potential dates with Father David for our local event. We may hold it as early as March 21st or as late as April 18th. The District Level event is usually held right after Pascha. Our top two participants in the Senior and Junior Division will represent St. Sophia at that event. The top two participants in the Senior and Junior Division of that event will move on to the Metropolis Event which is usually held mid-May. Metropolis event will have the 1st place participant in each division move to the National event which hopefully be held in person at St. Spyridon Church in Loveland, Colorado mid-June. They do hope they will be able to conduct an in-person event. The festival offers students the opportunity to explore how Orthodoxy relates to their lives. Over the years, I have found that students get something out of participating. Parents, we ask that you work with your son and/or daughter. Go over the topics as a family and encourage them to register. As Lent is a time to reflect on our lives, the topics are a great way to explore how Orthodoxy is relative. This year, I am pleased to announce that our church board approved Parish level awards for students who participate: Senior Division Junior Division 1st Place $100.00 Visa Card $75.00 Visa Card 2nd Place $75.00 Visa Card $50.00 Visa Card 3rd Place $50.00 Visa Card $25.00 Visa Card Each participant will get a certificate and a small token for their participation. Students who reach the Metropolitan Level and National has opportunity to secure prizes and/or scholarships. Hellenic College offers The Chrysostom Scholarship. Finalists in the senior and junior divisions at the parish, district, metropolis, and national levels of competition are eligible to receive a Chrysostom Scholarship to Hellenic College. This scholarship provides awards ranging from $2,500 to $30,000 per year.

As always please reach out to me if you have any questions.

Yours In Christ,

Liz Steinberg 315-447-4445 Sunday School Director

AHEPA News

Chapter #37 ~ Syracuse, NY

Dear AHEPANS and Parishioners, Finally, we see a light at the end of the tunnel and with Gods help our scientists will help us to reach the end of the tunnel. It is important for us to keep our faith, our health, and stay connected as often as we can. We thank God that the technology gives us the means through internet, cell phones and apps, as Zoom, to be able to have virtual meetings and attend church via YouTube. For those members who are not able to connect with today’s technology, we are making contact by phone regularly. Our next chapter meeting is 2:00 pm Saturday February 20th. This will be a virtual meeting by the Zoom application. Invite a family member or friend to join us in our virtual meetings, they are always welcomed. We are making our best effort to keep connected with our members, because you matter and you have made the difference in our chapter’s success, and for that we thank you. Stay safe, Mike Labatos, President AHEPA Syracuse Chapter 37

P a g e 8 N E P S I S

AHEPA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

AHEPA scholarship applications will be available on March 1, 2021.

To be eligible, the applicant must be the child of a member in good standing

of St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church.

Applications will be available from the Church office and Ahepa Chapter No. 37.

P a g e 9 N E P S I S

Bicentennial Committee for the Celebration of Greek Independence Day Presents:

FILIKI ETERIA: THE DIASPORA SECRET SOCIETY

Filiki Eteria (Friendly Society) was a secret organization founded in 1814 in Odessa, present day Ukraine, on the shores of the Black Sea. Established mainly by young Phanariot Greeks from Russia, its purpose was the over throw of the Ottoman Empire which had a strangle hold on Greece since the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

The three main participants in the inception of the “Friendly Society” were Emmanuel Xanthos, Athanasios Tsakalov, and Nikolaos Skoufas with the support of Tzar Alexander I of Russia.

The membership continued to grow in numbers and geographic locations eventually encompassing all regions of Greece and Greek Communities abroad.

In 1818, the seat of the society was moved to Constantinople and after the untimely death of co-founder Nikolaos Skoufas, Alexander Ipsilantis, an officer in the Russian army, took over as the leader. It was the “Filiki Eteria” the “Friendly Society” initiated by Greeks living abroad that provided the spark and culminated in the March 25, 1821 revolution against the Ottoman Empire and subsequent Independence of Greece.

*” Diaspora” is the Greeks who lived outside Greece

*” Phanariot” is one from Phanari, a suburb of Constantinople

Over the next 10 months, we will share some of the high points of this fight for independence which inspired and won the admiration of the western world.

Watch for these monthly historical nuggets here in the Nepsis

GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

The annual event for raising the Greek/Hellenic Flag

at the Syracuse City Hall will take place 12:00 noon Thursday, March 25th.

Face masks to be worn and social distancing as per CDC Guidelines to be adhered to.

More to come in the Nepsis of March.

February 2021

Program Schedule For Cable Television All Programs Air on Spectrum (Time Warner) Cable Chanel 98

in Onondaga County

P a g e 1 0 N E P S I S

Sunday Programs at 7:00 pm

Feb 7 — Inclinations and Freedom Feb 14—Faith and Science Feb 21—Lord, Have Mercy Feb 28—How to Sing the Akathist Hymn

Monday Programs at 7:00 pm

Feb 1—The Gospel of St. John, part 11 Feb 8—The Gospel of St. John, part 12 Feb 15—The Gospel of St. John, part 13 Feb 22—The History of Orthodox Christianity, part 1

PLEASE NOTE…..

On Verizon FIOS Chanel 29, the series has ended

Programs are available at frdavidsmith.com

Family Classic TV Sponsored by St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church

Sundays at 6:00 pm ~ Sir Lancelot with William Russell Sundays at 6:30 pm ~ The Adventures of Robin Hood with Richard Greene Sundays at 8:00 pm ~ Cisco Kid with Duncan Renaldo & Leo Carrillo (2 episodes) Thursdays at 8:30 pm ~ Sherlock Holmes with Ronald Howard Fridays at 8:00 pm ~ Jim Bowie with Scott Forbes (2 episodes)

P a g e 1 1 N E P S I S

St. Sophias Greek Orthodox Church—February 2021

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 6:00 PM JESUS PRAYER GROUP

2 9:00 AM ORTHROS 10:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD

3 6:00 PM CHOIR REHEARSAL

4 5

9:00 PM—10:30 PM ONLINE EVENT

“BASILE THE COMEDIAN” www.eventbrite.com

6 6:00 PM GREAT VESPERS

7 9:00 AM ORTHROS 10:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY SUNDAY OF MATTHEW

8 6:00 PM JESUS PRAYER GROUP

9 10:00 AM BIBLE STUDY

10 6:00 PM CHOIR REHEARSAL

11 12 13 10:00 AM ROMANIAN LITURGY 6:00 PM GREAT VESPERS

14 9:00 AM ORTHROS 10:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY SUNDAY OF THE CANAANITE 2:00 PM BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE MEETING

15 6:00 PM JESUS PRAYER GROUP

16 10:00 AM BIBLE STUDY

17 6:00 PM CHOIR REHEARSAL 7:00 PM NOT YOUR TYPICAL BIBLE STUDY

18 19 20 2:00 PM AHEPA MTG 6:00 PM GREAT VESPERS

21 9:00 AM ORTHROS 10:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN AND THE PHARISEE

11:30 AM CHILDREN’S SERMON: TRIODION BEGINS TODAY

22

23

24 6:00 PM CHOIR REHEARSAL

25 26 27 6:00 PM GREAT VESPERS

28 9:00 AM ORTHROS 10:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON 2:00 PM BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE MEETING

FR. DAVID OUT OF TOWN

FR. DAVID OUT OF TOWN

FR. DAVID OUT OF TOWN

FR. DAVID OUT OF TOWN

FR. DAVID OUT OF TOWN

St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church—March 2021 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 6:00 PM JESUS PRAYER GROUP

2 10:00 AM BIBLE STUDY

3 6:00 PM CHOIR REHEARSAL

4 7:00 PM YAL VIRTUAL DINNER

5 6 9:00 AM ORTHROS 10:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY SATURDAY OF SOULS 6:00 PM GREAT VESPERS

7 9:00 AM ORTHROS 10:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY JUDGEMENT SUNDAY (MEATFARE SUNDAY)

8 6:00 PM JESUS PRAYER GROUP

9 10:00 AM BIBLE STUDY

10 6:00 PM CHOIR REHEARSAL

11

12

13 9:00 AM ORTHROS 10:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY SATURDAY OF SOULS 6:00 PM GREAT VESPERS

14 9:00 AM ORTHROS 10:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY FORGIVENESS SUNDAY 2:00 PM GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE MEETING

15

LENT BEGINS

6:00 PM GREAT COMPLINE

16 10:00 AM BIBLE STUDY

6:00 PM GREAT COMPLINE

17 10:00 AM GREAT COMPLINE 6:00 PM PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY

18 6:00 PM GREAT COMPLINE

19 9:00 AM PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY 6:00 PM AKATHIST HYMN I

20 9:00 AM ORTHROS 10:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY SATURDAY OF SOULS 2:00 PM AHEPA MEETING 6:00 PM GREAT VESPERS

21 9:00 AM ORTHROS 10:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY

11:30 AM VIRTUAL ORATORICAL FESTIVAL

6:00 PM VESPERS SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY

22 6:00 PM JESUS PRAYER GROUP

23 10:00 AM BIBLE STUDY

24 6:00 PM ANNUNCIATION VESPERS

25 9:00 AM ORTHROS 10:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY ANNUNCIATION

GREEK INDEPENDENCE

DAY

26 9:00 AM PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY 6:00 PM AKATHIST HYMN II

27 6:00 PM GREAT VESPERS

28 9:00 AM ORTHROS 10:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS

2:00 PM GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE MEETING

29 6:00 PM JESUS PRAYER GROUP

30 10:00 AM BIBLE STUDY

31 6:00 PM PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY