From Glory to Glory The monthly newsletter of the
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Fr Joseph Strzelecki
Fr Anastasios Theodoropoulos
July 2019
Dates to Remember
July 1
Unmercenaries Kosmas amp Damianos
July 11
Great Martyr Euphemia
July 12
St Paisios of Mt Athos
July 14
Fathers of the 4th Council
July 17
Great Martyr Marina
July 20
Prophet Elias
July 25
Repose of St Anna
July 26
Righteous Paraskeve
July 27
Great Martyr Panteleimon
1755 Des Peres Road
Town amp Country MO 63131-1405 Phone 314-966-2255
Kitchen 314-966-6720 Web Site wwwassumptiongocorg
Fr Anastasios Theodoropoulos
Email Anastasiosassumptiongocorg
Office Manager Diane Sieckmann
Email dianeassumptiongocorg
Office Secretary Janice Hazeltine
janiceassumptiongocorg
Two New Saints from Finland
Canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate According to the official communiqueacute of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the
Ecumenical Throne on November 29 2018 ldquoThe Holy and Sacred Synod in
unanimously accepting the proposal of the Autonomous Church of Finland under
the Ecumenical Patriarchate recorded in the Hagiologion of the Orthodox
Church the Venerable John of Valaam (1873-1958) and the Holy Martyr and
Confessor John of Ilomantsi (1884-1918) both of whom lived and worked
thererdquo
Venerable John of Valaam (1873-1958) John was
born on February 14 1873 in the Tver province of
Russia into a peasant family He graduated from the
parish school of the village of Ilrsquoinskoe In 1889 he
entered Valaam Monastery After spending four
years in the Skete of Saint Herman of Valaam he
was conscripted into the army for another four years
Released from military service he temporarily
returned home before returning in 1901 to Valaam
John was given obedience for two years at the
metochion of the Valaam Monastery in St
Petersburg Later he wrote that the city had a bad
influence on him and that he weak in spirit could
not accommodate the urban bustle In 1906 John
became a novice at Valaam Monastery and on May 22 1910 he was tonsured a
monk with the name of Hyacinth After repeated petitions Hyacinth returned to
the monastery and lived initially in Prophet Elias Skete then later in the Skete of
Saint John the Baptist On October 19 1921 he was appointed abbot of Saint
Tryphon of Pechenga Monastery Then on November 13 he was ordained a
hierodeacon and on November 15 a hieromonk At that time the monastery was
within the territory of the newly independent Finland In 1932 Hyacinth
returned to Valaam and in 1933 he was tonsured in Great Schema with the
name John and began to live in seclusion in the Skete of Saint John the Baptist
In 1938 he was elected the spiritual father of the monastery In 1940 Fr John
was evacuated with the other brethren to Finland during the Winter War between
the Soviet Union and Finland The elder reposed on June 5 1958 in the New
Valaam Monastery in Finland
Holy Martyr and Confessor John of Ilomantsi (1884-1918) Johannes
Karhapaumlauml was born to a farmerrsquos family in Sonkajanranta village Ilomantsi
North Karelia He was a member of the local youth section of the Brotherhood
of Saints Sergius and Herman adopting a deep Eastern Orthodox faith in his
early childhood In 1906 Karhapaumlauml requested by then-archbishop of Vyborg and
all Finland Sergius (Stragorodsky) to open a religious school in his home village
as the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland had launched a campaign for
Lutherizing the traditionally Orthodox Karelia The 1908 the completed school
2
2019Parish Council
Fr Joseph Strzelecki
Fr Anastasios Theodoropoulos
Scott Thompson President
Greg Simos Vice President
Elefteria Marcou Secretary
Gus Harris Treasurer
Peter Regopoulos Assistant Treasuer
Daniel Gantner Carol Marshall Pam Martin
Samia Rabie Vasilios Simos Greg Simos
Sotirios Sotiriou Tom Stamos Chris Tsoubanos
Nick Tsoubanos Tonis Zafiropoulos
Acolytes John Nicholas
Adult Orthodox Christians (18 years +)
Diane Sieckmann
Bible Study Fr Daniel Morton
Bookstore Christos Tsiaklides Diakonissa Kristen Vogt
Chanters Steve Bellos
Choir Stephanie Saunders
Church Tours
Janice Hazeltine
Friday Luncheon Art Liyeos
Greek Festival Greg Simos Art Liyeos
Greek School
Savas Kyramarios
Greek Dancers
Kyklos amp Armonia Stella Afentoullis
Ta Paidakia Neo Kyma Aliki Malek
GOYA (9th -12th Grade)
Yvonne Alexopoulos Dr Jenny Kardaris
Greeters Mary Pitliangas
JOY (4 years - 4th Grade)
Jr GOYA (5th - 8th Grades)
Alki Lappas Case Dr Debbie Cosmopoulos
Kafenio
Art Liyeos
Little Angels (infant - 5 years)
Fr Anastasios Theodoropoulos
Orthodox Faith amp Life
Dr Farid Sadaka Anna Sadaka
Philoptochos Flora Dimitriou President
Planned Giving Committee
Amy Johnson
Prison Ministry Bill Goranitis
Stewardship Michael Afentoullis
Sunday School Diane Sieckmann
Vacation Church Camp (VCC)
Anna Sadaka
Womenrsquos Bookstudy Presvytera Laura Morton
Young Adult Ministry (18-30 yrs)
Fr Anastasios amp Presvytera Elizabeth
was built by Karhapaumlauml and the Karelian
Brotherhood an organization established in
Olonets to oppose the Lutherization Karhapaumlauml now
started working as a domestic missionary across
Karelia with the monks of Valaam Monastery Since
1914 he was a traveling religion teacher in Kuopio
Province Karhapaumlauml was also active in the
completion of the Church of Anna the Prophetess
inaugurated in Tuupovaara in 1915 The church was
built by the Karelian Brotherhood and financed by a
wealthy Saint Petersburg businessman Due to his
activities the Finnish nationalists accused Karhapaumlauml
for supporting the Russification of Finland and promoting the the PrimeRussian
faithPrime (FinnishPrimeRyssaumln uskoPrime the word ryssauml is a racist slur for Russian)
calling him a collaborator of the Russian secret police Okhrana The nationalist
press accused Karhapaumlauml of Primeanti-FinnishPrime politics He was called the Primedark
force of North KareliaPrime as the nationalists claimed the Karelians were not
aware of their true religion and ethnicity Instead of defending himself against
the accusations Karhapaumlauml focused on his religious work According to the
Church historian Kauko Pirinen Karhapaumlaumlrsquos work was only influenced by his
deep faith but not any kind of politics After the 1917 Russian Revolution the
Karelian Brotherhood owned schools and churches were closed and the
harassment on Karhapaumlauml became even more intense The Finnish right-wing
nationalists called him a Bolshevik although he had supported the Tsarist
regime Karhapaumlauml was finally expelled of his teacherrsquos vacancy just before
Finland gained its independence in December 1917 As the Finnish Civil War
broke out in January 1918 Karhapaumlauml was soon called to join the White Army
but was arrested at the conscription meeting and transferred to Joensuu where
he was placed in a prison camp set up for the Reds After a while Karhapaumlauml
was executed by a firing squad and buried in a mass grave The exact date of
Karhapaumlaumlrsquos death is not known According to his wife Karhapaumlauml was executed
in 8 March but the War Victims of Finland 1914ndash1922 database says he was
shot in 7 March Karhapaumlaumlrsquos body was finally handed over to his wife in
December 1918 and buried in Ilomantsi where a large crowd of local Ortho-
dox and Lutherans attended the funeral Karhapaumlaumlrsquos gravestone was stolen
twice and thrown in the nearby lake until it was cast in concrete
You cannot be too gentle too kind Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other Joy radiant joy streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives All condemnation is from the devil Never condemn each other We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves When we gaze at our own failings we see such a swamp that nothing in another can equal it That is why we turn away and make
much of the faults of others Instead of condemning others strive to reach inner peace Keep silent refrain from judgment This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander insult and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil - St Seraphim of Sarov
3
New Archbishop of Thyateira
and Great Britain
On Wednesday June 12 the Holy
Synod of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate filled the vacancy of
the Archbishop of the Holy
Archdiocese of Thyateira and
Great Britain Metropolitan Nikitas (Lioulias) of
Dardanelles Director of the Patriarch Athenagoras
Orthodox Institute (PAOI) in Berkeley California was
voted unanimously after three candidates were proposed
by the vote of the members of the Holy Synod held in the
Patriarchal Church
At the same time the Holy Synod decided to express its
delight to the former Archbishop of Thyateira and Great
Britain Gregory for his many years of ministry and
offering to the faithful people of this important
ecclesiastical Province of the Mother Church
Metropolitan Nikitas (Lulias) of Dardanelles Exarch of All
Hellespont was born in Tampa Florida United States in
1955
He studied at the University of Florida from which he
received his degree in Religion (1976) He then attended
the Theological School of the Holy Cross of Boston where
he graduated in 1980 and then completed postgraduate
studies at the Theological School of the Aristotle University
of Thessaloniki (1982)
He was ordained a Deacon in 1985 by Archbishop Jacob of
America and in the same year he became a Presbyter
He served in Saints Constantine and Helen (Merriville IN)
Church and in 1987 in the Holy Diocese of Chicago as
Secretary [Chancellor]
In 1988 he received the Archimandritersquos officium and
became a Protosyncellus at the same Bishopric
In St Petersburg Russia he completed his studies in
History and Russian language
He taught selected courses on Orthodoxy at the Loyola
University of Chicago
On December 2 1996 he was unanimously elected as
Metropolitan of Hong Kong and ordained on the 14 of the
same month at the Patriarchal Church of St George
His enthronement took place at St Luca Cathedral in Hong
Kong on January 12 1997 and became the first regular
priest of the newly-established Hong Kong Metropolis and
then he was appointed at the Dardanelles Metropolis in
2007
It is finally worth mentioning that Metropolitan Nikitas is
the Director of the Berkeley USA Patriarchal Orthodox
Institute ldquoPatriarch Athenagorasrdquo in Berkeley USA
Celebration
Happy Birthday
To Fr Joseph who celebrates his birthday on
July 2
and
Happy Anniversary
to
Fr Joseph and Presvytera Ranae
who celebrate their
wedding anniversary
July 12
Ask the Elders -On
Serving God and
Neighbor But it is so hard to find that peace
in my crazy busy life
Our plans and interests often
interfere with our lives We make
all these plans believing that we
will never succeed in anything
unless we arrange everything meticulously We truly must
try to do everything as our conscience tells us but we must
not do anything in haste It is when we are in a hurry that
the enemy traps us In haste we cannot be aware of
whether we have ignored him because we have no time to
think of him we are too busy with plans inside our head
In this manner it is easy to sin against our neighbor And
when we sin against our neighbor we are actually sinning
against God for God is everywhere He dwells in the soul
of each and every one of us Our relationship toward our
fellow men defines our relationship toward God
It seems that we do not understand one thing it is not good
when we return the love of those who love us yet hate
those who hate us We are not on the right path if we do
this We are the sons of the light and love the sons of God
His children As such ewe must have His qualities and His
attributes of love peace and kindness toward all
4
Archbishop Luke
of Simferopol and
Crimea Officially
Canonized by the
Ecumenical
Patriarchate
Although Archbishop
Luke of Simferopol and
Crimea popularly known
as Saint Luke the
Surgeon was canonized
by the Russian Orthodox
Church on Mary 25 1996
following the exhumation
of the his sacred relics he
was not officially listed among the Saints by the
Ecumenical Patriarchate despite his popular veneration
among the Greeks in Greece with churches and shrines
dedicated to him there This is a common custom as each
independent Church has its own list of saints and calendar
for commemoration Since canonizations only take place
after a request has been made by a Bishop Archbishop
Luke of Simferpol and Crimea was officially canonized on
June 13 2019 after a request was made by the newly
enthroned Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kiev and All
Ukraine Therefore he is now officially listed among the
Saints by decision of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate
The Life of St Luke Bishop of Simferopol
and Crimea the Blessed Surgeon
Saint Luke Bishop of Simferopol and Crimea the Blessed
Surgeon was born Valentin Felixovich Voino-Yasenetsky
(Валентин Феликсович Войно-Ясенецкий polish
spelling Wojno-Jasieniecki April 14 1877 and died June
11 1961
Doctor of Medicine Professor and State Prize winner
since 1944 he was the Archbishop of Tambov and
Michurinsk and later of Simferopol and the Crimea While
he was serving the church as an Archbishop he was also
practicing as a surgeon and taught and published many
books and articles on regional anesthesia and surgery He
is now known to be a world-famous pioneering surgeon
In November of 1995 he was announced as a Saint by the
Ukrainian Orthodox Church and was officially glorified
by the Patriarchate of Russia May 25 1996 He is
commemorated by the church June 11 the anniversary of
his falling asleep in the Lord
Life
Born with the name Valentine Felixovitch
Voino-Yassentsky on April 27 1877 in Kerch (east
Crimea) his family members were civil servants to
Lithuanian and Polish Kings The family was
impoverished over time but Saint Luke remembers that he
received his religious inheritance from his pious father His
first true understanding of the Christian faith came from the
New Testament given to him at his high school graduation
by his principal
Education
He had an outstanding secular training Having exceptional
drawing abilities he graduated the Kiev Academy of Fine
Arts[note 1] He decided however against pursuing art in favor
of a career where he could help people who suffer and
chose to be a physician
In 1903 at the age of 26 he graduated from Great Prince St
Vladimir Medical School at the University of Kiev and for
a long time worked as a local district physician An
extraordinary medical student he excelled at anatomy His
superior knowledge of anatomy served him throughout his
surgical career
Out of compassion to the blindness that beggars were
experiencing due to trachoma Saint Luke studied
ophthalmology at the Kiev ophthalmologic clinic In a very
short time he acquired a significant amount of
ophthalmologic training His knowledge of this subspecialty
helped him treat not only his trachoma patients but many
other serious eye conditions as well
Marriage
Another important event in Valentinersquos life was the
marriage to his wife Anna a nurse They had four children
The family was transferred frequently to various regional
health care facilities and from the very beginning Valentine
never requested funds from his patients nor would he turn
anyone away because of his ethnic background or personal
beliefs When his wife died God in setting the path for
Valentinersquos Sainthood provided the family with Sofia
Sergeevna who would be the joyful surrogate mother of his
children during the harsh times ahead Valentine never
remarried
Career
During his early career he published many scientific
treatises and eventually became the head surgeon and pro-
fessor of surgery at the hospital in Tashkent in March 1917
In October Lenin took over the government and civil war
erupted in Tashkent in January 1919 Leninrsquos government
disfavored any religious witness Valentine was under
constant threat especially when treating party members but
he refused to operate under any circumstances without the
Icon of the Mother of God His results were outstanding
ldquoI ought to tell you that what God did to me as amazing and
incomprehensibleMy pursuing surgery completely satis-
fied the goal I always had to serve the poor and the suffer-
ing to dispose all my strength for the comfort of their pains
and to help them in their needsrdquo
These are some of the introductory comments from the
memoirs of Saint Luke that were kept by his secretary EP
Leikfeld His words are not vainglorious but a commentary
on how Gods plan was fulfilled through the life and
5
PARTY
February
3 2019
AT 400 PM
example of Saint Luke Living in the Ukraine during the
oppressive period of communism St Luke stood out
among his fellow physicians both as a surgeon and as a
Christian Even the communists coveted his talents for
healing the body
Ordination and Persecution
Despite the dangers from the Lenin regime he fearlessly
attended theological discussions arranged by Archpriest
Mikhail Andeev During this period when clergymen and
pious people would prove their faith in blood providence
led the Archpriest to invite Valentine to the priesthood
Thus in 1921 at the age of 44 Valentine was ordained a
priest For two years this exceptional individual was active
not only in his pastoral work but in public and scientific
activity
Eventually Fr Valentine was arrested and put on trial
falsely accused of giving inappropriate surgical care to
injured Red Army soldiers At his trial in his characteristic
fearless way he denounced the prosecutors claims by
explaining
ldquoI cut people to save them You Mr Public
Prosecutor why do you cut their heads offrdquo
Certainly the charges were never proven but since the Party
had to be infallible Fr Valentine was convicted to sixteen
years imprisonment
Doctor Scientist Bishop Imprisonments
Noting Fr Valentinersquos spiritual gifts prior to his departure
from Tashkent (arrest and exile to Siberia) in 1923 Bishop
of Ufa Andrew (Ukhtomsky) administered monastic
tonsure and facilitated his consecration as Bishop[note 2]
Almost immediately Saint Luke was sent to the first of his
three imprisonments
Due to his talent as a surgeon there would always be
placement at a remote medical facility where the attending
colleagues would be astounded that a professor with such
impeccable academic credentials would be subservient to
the whims of the local civil authorities Despite the
criticisms of lesser surgeons Saint Luke would practice his
medical skills With the grace of God he amazed his
colleagues with excellent medical outcomes in
ophthalmologic and surgical cases that others deemed
incurable
In 1926 Bishop Luke returned to Tashkent but in 1930
was again arrested and sentenced to three years of exile
Upon his release he once again returned to Tashkent and
spent his time in medical practice As a physician and
professor he trained many students and colleagues in the art
of surgery and as a scientist he found the time to publish
many articles A fruit of this work was the appearance in
1934 of his book Notes on Purulent Surgery[note 3] which
laid the foundation for an entire medical specialty For that
work Bishop Luke was awarded the degree of Doctor of
Medical Science in 1936 and his work continues to be used
in medicine to this day This monograph and the
subsequent revisions was the ldquogold standardrdquo reference for
his colleagues at the time
As a capable hierarch he strengthened the parishes and
supported priests and church councils As Saint Lukersquos
surgical and pastoral popularity would increase the
communist authorities would transfer him When blatant
injustices would be committed against Christians and
fellow political prisoners he would initiate hunger strikes
In 1937 Vladyka was arrested and spent more than two
difficult years undergoing tortuous interrogation and
humiliation[note 4] Nonetheless resting his hope in the Lord
he courageously endured those trials not only refusing to
agree to false accusations against him but engaging in
active protests ndash refusing to eat and sending complaints to
the highest authorities against the prosecutorsrsquo illegal
actions He would say to his fellow prisoners
ldquoThey demand that I remove my ryassa I will never do so
It my ryassa will be with me to my very deathhellip I help
people as a physician and I help them as a servant of the
Churchhelliprdquo
The people who met him during his ordeals bore witness to
his true character As a physician he was Unmercenary and
never asked for money treating all his patients with
immense love He shared his patientsrsquo pain and anguish for
he saw each person as an image of God unique and
unrepeatable
In 1940 Bishop Luke was sentenced to five years of exile
in the Krasnoyarsk area At the beginning of the Great
Patriotic War (World War II) Bishop Luke offered the
authorities his services as a doctor and in 1941 was
appointed consultant to the hospitals of Krasnoyarsk
In 1942 Vladyka was elevated to the rank of Archbishop
and appointed to the Krasnoyarsk kathedra which at the
time did not have a single church Through Archbishop
Lukersquos efforts in 1943 a church was opened in a suburb of
Krasnoyarsk He wrote to Patriarch Sergius
ldquoAll of Eastern Siberia from Krasnoyarsk to the Pacific
Ocean gave no sign of church lifehellipIf churches in various
parts of the Krasnoyarsk area are not opened in the near
future there is a risk that the people will lapse into reli-
gious savageryrdquo
In 1944 the archbishop was appointed to the kathedra in
Tambov In 1946 for outstanding scientific work in the area
of medicine he was awarded the ldquoStalin Awardrdquo for all his
scientific publications He donated almost all of the money
to help children who had suffered as the result of the War
Also in 1946 Vladyka was appointed to the kathedra of
Crimea where at first he combined archpastoral service
with medical assistance to the people but later dedicated
himself to Church service zealously working to build up
Christrsquos vineyard something that under the conditions of
life under Communist authorities then demanded great
courage and faith
As a Bishop he preached incessantly not only about the
need to live Orthodoxy but against the perils of the ldquoLiving
Churchrdquo httpsorthodoxwikiorgLuke_(Voino-Yasenetsky)_of_Simferopol_and_Crimea
6
2019
Father
of the
Year
Byron Magafas
Fatherrsquos Day
On June 16 we announced our Father and Man of Year Congratulations to
Byron Magafas Father of the Year and
Dr Demetrios Lappas Man of the Year
May God grant them many years After the presentations we were able to
personally congratulate the recipients at a very nice reception prepared by Pete
Regopoulos and Chris Tsoubanos
2019
Man
of the
Year
Dr Demetrios
Lappas
7
Spiritual Aspects of Fatherhood
By Al Rossi PhD
A conference participant once asked the speaker ldquoWhat is
the best way for a father to love his childrenrdquo The speaker
replied ldquoThe best way for a father to love his children is to
love their motherrdquo I reflect often upon that superbly
accurate statement And I think the reverse is equally true
the best way a mother can love her children is to love their
father
More than anything else in the world children need a
loving family and parents who support each other even if
the parents are apart through separation or divorce Christ
challenges us to love one another and that challenge
becomes even more compelling within our own families
Even in the best of families there is brokenness And that is
why the manrsquos call to fatherhood is so important We
fathers are called to show our families strong manly love
and forgiveness virtues modeled powerfully in the father of
the prodigal son (Lk 1132)
This father is stable loving and generous In his fairness
he avoids violating the freedom of either of his sons When
the prodigal demands his inheritance and decides to leave
the father does not attempt to withhold the money He does
not pressure the son to stay by trying to make him feel
guilty And the father is wise enough not to send care
packages to relieve the sonrsquos distress The father allows
both of his adult sons to make their own mistakes and to
learn from their failures an appropriate form of discipline
for older adolescents and young adults
The prodigalrsquos father demonstrates manly leadership by
taking loving initiatives and he takes many such initiatives
He maintains a thriving business to provide the generous
inheritance He creates and supports a loving family for the
prodigal to run from and for the older son to remain with
And there is his last generous joyful initiative as he runs
out to embrace the returning son kiss him and put on him
the best robe ring and shoes He celebrates the return of
his son with a feast And in a scene all of us fathers can
recognize he opens up the conversation with the sulking
older son
The father takes the initiative in bringing about forgiveness
and reconciliation in the whole family He is a model for us
in responding to our call to follow the Spirit of Jesus in
taking many initiatives in our families especially that of
boundless forgiveness for our children
When a father takes responsibility for his own spiritual
life for the way he prays goes to church and practices
virtue in the family he gives good example Then his
leadership in the family is authentic based on his own
solid relationship with God and he is less likely to be
concerned about any resistance his children may give him
He can lead family prayer When I suggest that we stand in
the living room and pray before a trip or that we pray in a
restaurant I often feel an initial resistance in my children
But quiet cooperation and peacefulness soon follow
Sometimes the children will even tell me that they prayed
in a restaurant when I wasnrsquot there
At times the fatherrsquos role of leading the family to great
forgiveness and prayerfulness is an unpopular one But as
a man grows in his own spiritual life he becomes more
sturdy and willing to accept responsibility Although all
this is impossible for us fathers to do alone God can do all
things God can even bestow the awesome spiritual power
of fatherhood upon us
httpsocaorgthe-hubthe-church-on-current-issuesspiritual-aspects-
of-fatherhood
Our Churchrsquos feast day celebration
Panagiarsquos Panegyri
Sunday August 18 2019
Immediately following
Divine Liturgy
More information to follow
8
Philoptochos Corner The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos
Society
Happy July Half of our summer vacation is almost over
Hope you are making the best of it Your new Philoptochos
Board has been busy planning out the rest of their 2019
calendar We know that many of you are traveling to
Greece or other exciting places Please be smart be safe
Check in with us during coffee hour wersquoll be waiting for
you when you get back
Our Chapter
We had our 2019-2021 Executive Board Elections on June
2nd and here are the results
President ndash Flora Dimitriou
1st Vice President ndash Helena Brown
2nd Vice President ndash Keve Gialouris
Recording Secretary ndash Rose Harpole
Corresponding Secretary ndash Patricia Aaron
Treasurer ndash Angie Koulouriotis
Assistant Treasurer ndash Diane Sieckmann
Adviser ndash Soula Marcou
Board Members Yvonne Alexopoulos Dessie Bellos
Popi Deros Amalia Karakasis amp Bessie Theodorou
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Board Member Diane Sieckmann
and friends for serving coffee hour for the month of July
Thank you to everyone who made a jewelry donation to us
for our May Festival Sale All proceeds will benefit the
National Childrenrsquos Medical Fund Luncheon chapter
expenses and sponsorship programs
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund
We have RAFFLE TICKETS FOR SALE Check out the
amazing prizes you could win 1 ticket for $10 or 3 tickets
for $25 find a Philoptochos member during coffee hour to
purchase your chance to win
Please support our youth ndash National Philoptochos
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund ldquoKids Helping Kidsrdquo at our
Panagia Panegyri Sunday August 18th Our youth will be
behind the bar selling punch iced tea amp lemonade All
proceeds will benefit the CMF SponsorshipGrant Program
We need your support in order to help our Chicago Diocese
host this most worthy event
A Look Ahead
Weekend of August 16th 17th amp 18th Bring a friend and
work a shift Sign up for The Festival of the Little Hills St
Charles See Helena Brown for more information
Dont see Downton Abbeyrdquo without us We are making
plans to rent a movie theatre at the Marcus Des Peres Cine
for a private screening of the movie Ticket sales will start
in August The ticket price is $1500 per person More in-
formation to follow regarding date and time
Sunday September 8th ndash Annual Gyro Luncheon
Sunday November 3rd - Philoptochos Name Day
Artoclassia
Saturday November 16th ndash National Childrenrsquos Medical
Fund Luncheon hosted by the Metropolis of Chicago
Sunday December 1st - Philoptochos Christmas Party
Evelynrsquos House ndash BJC Hospice
We are stocking the snack pantry at the hospice house If
you would like to make a donation please see Flora
Dimitriou for a list of items needed Also Evelynrsquos House
continues to need of more crocheted lap blankets or pillow
cases If you have any interest in making the blankets or
pillow cases please let us know There is a size requirement
for these items If you would like any more information on
this project please see Flora Dimitriou or Diane Sieckmann
2019 Meeting Dates
No Meeting in July August 4 September 15 October 6
November 10 No Meeting in December
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
Flora Dimitriou
Philoptochos President
fedimitriougmailcom
636-795-4602
9
Fanari 2019 Our Fanari campers left on June 16 for a week of learning and
fellowship on the grounds of the St Iakovos Retreat Center in
Kansasville Wisconsin Fanari is wonderful experience Ask
any of our campers who went
Congratulations to our area AHEPA 53 2019
Scholarship Recipients
The awards were given out this past Sunday June 2 at
the AHEPA 53 Apartments The St Louis AHEPA
Chapter has been awarding scholarships since 1950 to hone
the recipients for their outstanding academic achievements
This year AHEPA 53 awarded 15 scholarships Receipents
from the Assumption were
Demetri Case
Athena Stamos
George Sakelis
The ceremony was emceed by Chapter President Mi-
chael Kontominas and the scholarship awards were
presented by Basil Pappas
AHEPArsquos goal is to see these young students
succeed to the highest degree possible and not to forget their
Hellenic heritage
Applications for both Chapter and District level schol-
arships can generally be picked up in February from the
Church offices or online
10
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Corner The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis
The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis works to nurture an awareness within our local churches of the
need to evangelize catechize and support missionary efforts and programs globally
As always if you have any questions would like to be part of the Mission Team St Louis or if you would like to help our
missionaries please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley 618-447-9688
Thank you for your continued support
Celebrating 10 Years Since the Dedication of OCMCs Headquarters by Niko Birbilis
This May OCMC was thrilled to celebrate our 10-year-anniversary since the dedication of our current
missionary training and administration building May 21 2009 marked a great day not only for us at OCMC
but for Orthodoxy around the world The roots of OCMC go all the way back to Athens Greece in the 1950s
and to the influence of two young theologians Fr Deacon Anastasios Yannoulatos and Fr Deacon Demetrios
Trakatellis Deacon Anastasios would eventually go on to become His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of
Albania and Deacon Demetrios would soon go on to become His Eminence Archbishop Geron Demetrios of
America
Inspired by the missionary fervor and vision of these brilliant young men the Mission Center would begin as a
committee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) of America As it continued to grow and develop
however the GOAs mission center soon moved to its own location in St Augustine Florida and Fr Dimitrios
Couchell (now His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos) was appointed as its first Executive Director In 1987
the mission center sent the first short-term mission team to Kenya and these teams would continue into the
present day as some of the most fruitful ministries of the mission center
By 1994 the GOA graciously handed its mission center over to become the pan-Orthodox mission center
representing the combined missionary efforts of all Orthodox jurisdictions in the US At this point it was finally
labeled the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
Fr Martin Ritsi took over as Executive Director in 1998 and by the late 2000s OCMC was already involved in
thirty countries around the world OCMC continued growing and soon it was time to expand to a new location
It was at this point that due to many incredibly generous supporters OCMC was able to construct its current
home the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Training and Administration Building This new
OCMC headquarters building was dedicated on May 21 2009 Since then it has increasingly been the source of
countless ministries striving to carry out Christrsquos great commission and spread the Gospel to the ends of the
earth
In the past 10 years since the dedication OCMC has sent a total of 1181 team members on 159 mission teams to
18 different countries This past year alone OCMC
Has continued to support 375 indigenous clergy worldwide through the SAMP program
Has continued to support 23 long-term missionaries
Provided medical care to 1199 people
Reached 815 children
Catechized 1400 people
Sent 4 healthcare and counseling teams
Built a church in Indonesia
Carried out 7 projects for students and orphans
Wersquove had a wonderfully exciting and fruitful history and we thank you all for walking this journey with us
With your support we are enabling countless people around the world to know the Gospel of Christ and to expe-
rience His love Please continue to keep our work in your prayers to volunteer your time and talents on our mis-
sion trips and to donate to our ministries Now we look forward to all that the next 10 years will bring
11
Births - Congratulations to
George and Melinda Abuqubou on the birth of their son
Christopher who was born on August 26 2018
Baptisms - Many Years to
Isabella Mavra Xenos Zewki daughter of Shivan and
Tatiana Zewki Isabella was baptized on May 19 2019
and her Godparents are Antonios Xenos and
Anastasia Mezinis
Anna Sophia Theodoropulos daughter of Fr Anastasios
and Presvytera Elizabeth Theodoropoulos Anna was
baptized on June 1 2019 at Saints Peter and Paul in
Glenview IL and her Godmother is Julie Stefanski
Peirce James Farmakis son of Mike and Shannon
Farmakis Pierce was baptized on June 1 2019 and his
Godfather is Kostantinos (Dino) Deros
Eleni Polixeni Psara daughter of Spiro and Colleen Psara
Eleni was baptized on June 2 2019 and her
Godparents are are Panteli Pappas and Alona
Teliatnykova
Sophia Shea Hayden daughter of Bob and Natalie
Hayden Sophia was baptized on Saturday June 22 at
Saints Pete and Paul in Glenview IL and her Godgather is
Peter Sparacio
Funerals - Memory Eternal
Anastasia ldquoAnnierdquo Markovich reposed on June 5 2019
The funeral was June 10 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox
Church with interment Mt Hope
Dorothy Nancy Graeff reposed on June 6 2019 The
funeral was on June 11 with interment at St Mathews
Cemetery
Nick Niarchos of Palos Hills Ill brother of Eugenia
(Alex) Pavlopoulos reposed on June 6th The funeral was
June 10 at Saints Constantine amp Helen Greek Orthodox
Church Palos Hills Il Interment at Evergreen Cemetery of
Evergreen Park in Il
Lehman Bennett grandfather of Jenny Bennett passes
way on June 15 The funeral and burial were on June 19
in Dallas TX
Memorials - Memory Eternal
June 2
5-year Haralambos Pelekanos
5-year Fr Constantine Regopoulos
June 9
9-mon Van (Evangelos) Evangelopoulos
1-year Tom (Athanasios) Dubis
1 year Mike Labis
1-year Elaine Scott
2 year Danica Mandrapa
8 year Ljubica Terzic
10-year Kostando Liakata
13-year Fr Gerasimos Annas
24-year Andrea Liakata
July 28
1-year Despina Zeriss
2-year Chris Zeris
August 4
21-year Athanasios Stratos
October 13
Departed Members Brotherhood of Alexander the Great
Important Please inform either Fr Joseph or Fr Anastasios
immediately when you or any member of your family is
sick or hospitalized so that appropriate prayer and
visitation may be scheduled Hospitals do not notify
clergy of patients even if you list yourself as a Church
member
In Our Prayers Nora (Elaine) Bangert Seraphima Henderson
Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris Dean Kases
Janie (Zafera) Kyramarios George Lambos
College Addresses In an effort to keep in touch with and minister to our
college students we ask anyone with a daughter or son in
college to contact the Church office with the address
phone amp email
12
Extra Virgin Olive Oil $20bottle
Missouri Flag $9600
Patriarchal Flag $28900
Holy Water bottleshelliphelliphelliphellip$30800
Icon of St Porphyrios
Icon of the Annunciation
Icon of Elder Amphilochios Makris
Icon of Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia
Dimitri and Rebecca Kagaris
Please call the church office if you would like to donate
any of these items
Womenrsquos Summer Book Study
Our plans for our Summer Book Study session are
complete
The book we are reading is
Everyday Wonders
Stories of Gods Providence
By V Rev Michael J Oleksa
and we will meet for our summer pot luck lunch and
book discussion
Saturday August 17
1100 am to 200 pm
Hosted by Keve Gialouris
17828 Greyabbey Ct
Chesterfield MO
If you have any questions please contact
Presvytera Laura Morton at 314-303-1784
Hellenic Culture Camp 2019 July 15-19
Open to all children entering 2nd grade through 8th grade in Fall 2019
Monday ndash Thursday 845 am - 300 pm
St Nicholas Family Life Center (Please bring a lunch and drink Monday-
Wednesday Greek lunch will be provided on Thursday)
Friday
845 am ndash noon Vetta Sports Manchester
Hellenic Culture Camp is a
wonderful opportunity to expose our children and grandchildren to culturally
enriching activities and friendships within our community
Activities include
Greek Cooking History
Geography Greek Dancing
Greek Language Greek Arts and Jewelry Making
Sports
Cost $100 for one child $90 for second child $80 for third child (Financial Assistance
Available)
For questions please contact Barbara Corrigan at
btcstlyahoocom or 3149606258 visit
httpswwwsngocorgnewshellenic-culture-camp
13
But I say to you the Lord says love your enemies do
good to those who hate you pray for those who
persecute you Why did he command these things So
that he might free you from hatred sadness anger and
grudges and might grant you the greatest possession of
all perfect love which is impossible to possess except
by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God
St Maximus the Confessor
Περί εἰδώλων Αγ Ἰουστίνου Πόποβιτς
Τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος δοκιμάζει καθημερινῶς στόν
κόσμο μας τήν ἐμπειρία νά ὁδηγοῦνται οἱ ἄνθρωποι
στήν ἀπώλεια εἴτε λόγῳ τῆς ἄγνοιας εἴτε τῆς μή
ἀναγνωρίσεως τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ Θεοῦ καί
Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ Μέ ἄλλα λόγια ἐκπίπτουν
ἐξαιτίας εἴτε τῆς ἀθεΐας εἴτε τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας
Αὐτή ἡ ἄγνοια ἤ ἡ μή ἀναγνώριση τοῦ Κυρίου
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιφέρει τήν ἄγνοια ἤ τήν μή
ἀναγνώριση τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ ἀγαθοῦ σέ αὐτόν
τόν κόσμο τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ Αὐτοί οἱ
ἄνθρωποι ζοῦν laquoἐν ἀσελγείαις ἐπιθυμίαις
οἰνοφλυγίαις κώμοις πότοις καί ἀθεμίτοις
εἰδωλολατρείαιςraquo Ναί laquoἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαιςraquo
γιατί ἡ εἰδωλολατρεία εἶναι πάντοτε σέ πληθυντικό
ἀριθμό Ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ὁποῖος δέν ἀναγνωρίζει τόν
μόνο ἀληθινό Θεό θέλοντας καί μή ἀναγνωρίζει
ἕνα ἀναρίθμητο πλῆθος ἄλλων μικρότερων
θεοτήτων ψευδῶν θεῶν εἰδώλων Πρόκειται γιά τίς
ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη πού δέν ἔχουν οὔτε ἀριθμό
οὔτε τέλος Ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος δελεάζεται ἀπό μία
τέτοια μικρή μικρή θεότητα τότε αὐτή τόν
παρασύρει στίς ὑπόλοιπες ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη καί
τότε εἶναι πού τόν κατακομματιάζουν καί τόν
κατασπαράζουν οἱ ἀναρίθμητοι ψευδεῖς καί
ἀδηφάγοι θεοί Καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέν εἶναι σέ θέση
νά ἀμυνθεῖ σέ αὐτήν τήν ἀγέλη τῶν τρομερῶν
θηρίων καί τῶν δελεαστικῶν πειρασμῶν Τό
μικρότερο πάθος ὁδηγεῖ σέ μεγαλύτερο καί ἔτσι
σταδιακά βυθίζεται σέ ὅλο καί μεγαλύτερα πάθη
ὥσπου ἐν τέλει δέν μπορεῖ νά ἀναδυθεῖ ἀπrsquoαὐτά
Καί κάθε πάθος ἐμπεριέχει ἀναρίθμητα εἴδωλα καί
κάθε ἐπιθυμία φέρει ὅλο καί περισσότερα εἴδωλα
πού δέν ἔχουν τελειωμό Τά εἴδωλα εἶναι σάν τή
δυνατή φωτιά μέσα της κατακαίγονται καί ἡ
συνείδηση καί ἡ ψυχή καί ἡ καρδιά καί τό θέλημα
τοῦ ἀνθρώπου Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος τῆς
ἀγάπης παρακαλεῖ τούς χριστιανούς laquoΤεκνία
φυλάξατε ἑαυτούς ἀπό τῶν εἰδώλωνraquo Ἀπό τά
εἴδωλα προέρχονται ὅλα τά κακά καί τά μικρά καί
τά μεγάλα Καί κάθε ἄνθρωπος εἶναι εἰδωλολάτρης
ἐφrsquoὅσον δέν πιστεύει στόν μόνον Ἀληθινό Θεό
στόν Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Διότι ὁπωσδήποτε σέ
κάτι πιστεύει εἴτε ὄν εἶναι αὐτό εἴτε πράγμα εἴτε σέ
ὁρατά εἴτε σέ ἀόρατα εἴδωλα ὅπως εἶναι ὁ ἥλιος ἡ
σελήνη οἱ ἀστέρες οἱ ἄνθρωποι ὁ πολιτισμός ἡ
τεχνολογία ἡ φυλή ἡ κοινωνική τάξη τά πάθη οἱ
ἡδονές καί [hellip] τό ὄνομά τους laquoΛεγεώνraquo Ἀπό τό
πρῶτο ὥς τό τελευταῖο ὅλα τά παραπάνω εἶναι
εἰδωλολατρία Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀμφιβολία ὅτι τό καθένα
ἀπrsquoαὐτά φονεύει ὅτι κάνει ἄνθρωπο τόν ἄνθρωπο
φονεύει δηλαδή ὅτι θεοειδές θεονοσταλγικό
ἀθάνατο θεῖο αἰώνιο Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος
νουθετεῖ καί ἐντέλλεται στούς χριστιανούς laquoΔιόπερ
ἀγαπητοί μου φεύγετε ἀπό τῆς εἰδωλολατρείαςraquo Οἱ
ἄνθρωποι διά τῶν ποικιλόμορφων εἰδωλολατρειῶν
ἔμμεσα ἤ ἄμεσα θυσιάζουν τούς ἑαυτούς τους στὀν
διάβολο προσφέρονται ὡς θυσία στόν διάβολο Σέ
τελευταία ἀνάλυση κάθε εἰδωλολατρία εἶναι
σατανολατρία καί κάθε εἰδωλο-διακονία εἶναι σατανο-
διακονία Μήπως δέν λατρεύει δέν διακονεῖ δέν
προσφέρει θυσία τήν ψυχή του στόν διάβολο ἐκεῖνος
πού ζεῖ στά πάθη καί στήν ἡδονή ὅποιος ὑπηρετεῖ
ὁποιονδήποτε καί ὁτιδήποτε ἐκτός ἀπό τόν μόνον
ἀληθινό Θεό καί Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Αὐτό εἶναι
τόσο ξεκάθαρο γιά κάποιον πού μπορεῖ μέ φρόνηση
νά κρίνει Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ θεόσοφος Ἀπόστολος λέγει
στούς πρώην εἰδωλολάτρες Κορινθίους laquoὡς
φρονίμοις λέγωhellipοὐ θέλω δέ ὑμᾶς κοινωνούς τῶν
δαιμονίων γίνεσθαι Οὐ δύνασθε ποτήριον Κυρίου
πίνειν καί ποτήριον δαιμονίων οὐ δύνασθε τραπέζης
Κυρίου μετέχειν καί τραπέζης δαιμονίωνraquo
Ἀναμφίβολα ὁλόκληρο τό Εὐαγγέλιο τοῦ Σωτῆρος
ἔγκειται στό ὅτι laquoτό σῶμα τῶ Κυρίῳ καί ὁ Κύριος τῶ
σώματιraquo Ἔτσι γνωρίζουμε τό αἰώνιο μυστήριο τοῦ
ἀνθρωπίνου ὄντος πώς ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός
εἶναι ὁ Σωτήρας ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὄχι μόνο
τῆς ψυχῆς ἀλλά καί τοῦ σώματός του Γιrsquoαὐτό καί τό
σῶμα τοῦ χριστιανοῦ ὀφείλει νά εἶναι ναός ἅγιος στόν
ὁποῖο ζεῖ ἡ ἁγία ψυχή στόν κόσμο μας καί στόν ὁποῖο
πρόκειται νά ζήσει καί μετά τήν κοινή ἀνάσταση τῶν
νεκρῶν Τά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν διά τοῦ ἁγίου
Βαπτίσματος τῆς Θείας Μεταλήψεως καί τοῦ
εὐαγγελικοῦ τους βίου ἔγιναν ἀναπόσπαστα μέρη τοῦ
Θεανθρώπινου σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Τά σώματα
αὐτά δέν ἀνήκουν πλέον στούς ἴδιους ἀλλά σέ
Ἐκεῖνον Ὅτι ἔγινε μέ τό ἅγιο σῶμα Ἐκείνου
πρόκειται νά συμβεῖ στά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν Για την αντιγραφή Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης
14
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Old Testament prophet Elijah the Tishbite lived during
the time when King Ahab ruled Israel Ahabs wife Jezebel
was a foreigner who did not worship the One True God of
Israel but the false god Baal She persecuted prophets and
deceitfully tried to force the people of Israel to turn away
from God and worship Baal Elijahs fiery personality often
brought him into conflict with Ahab and Jezebel because he
was absolutely determined that the people would stay
faithful to God God rewarded Elijahs devotion with the gift
of prophecy Once when Elijah knew a serious drought was
coming soon God instructed him to leave his home and go
east of the Jordan River promising that he would be fed by
a raven Just as God promised the raven
brought Elijah food and he was able to
drink from a stream When the stream ran
dry God told him to go to the city of
Zarephath In the city he met a widow
who was gathering sticks He asked her
for bread but she replied I have no
bread baked and there is only a small
amount of flour and oil left for my son
and me There was not enough she said to share with
another person Saint Elijah told her not to worry or be
afraid but to make the bread and give him a little loaf She
did so and a great miracle occurred The widow had enough
flour and oil to last a whole year Sometime later when her
son died Elijah prayed over his body and the boy came
back to life The widow was overjoyed and said to Elijah
Now I know that you speak Gods word After many years
of drought God sent Elijah to see King Ahab By this time
there was famine as well as drought in the land While
searching for food and water Ahabs advisor Obadiah met
Elijah on the road He told King Ahab that the prophet was
back and Ahab went out to meet him He said to Elijah Is
it you you troubler of Israel Saint Elijah told King Ahab
that he the king was the one who was troubling Israel
because he was not living his life according to Gods laws
and should not be following the false god Baal Then he said
to the king Tell the people of Israel and the four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal to meet me on Mount Carmel When
everyone had arrived Saint Elijah told the people If the
Lord is God follow him but if Baal is then follow him
He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest He told
them to put their sacrifice on one altar and he would put his
on another altar Neither one would start a fire to burn their
sacrifice but would call on God and Baal to start the fire
The false prophets of Baal hopped around and yelled to their
god to come and light the sacrifice Saint Elijah laughed and
said that maybe Baal was napping and needed to be
awakened The false prophets yelled even louder and still
nothing happened Elijah calmly made a large trench around
the dirt and all the water Saint Elijah had shown them all
the true and only God When King Ahab told his wife
Jezebel what Elijah had done she angrily promised to kill
the prophet Fearing for his life Elijah fled to Beer-sheba in
the land of Judah There he sat down under a broom tree
so miserable and fearful that he asked God to take his life
Instead God sent an angel to encourage him and to prepare
him for a long journey Following the angels instructions
he walked for forty days and forty nights until he came to a
cave There God spoke to him in a gentle breeze telling
him to bless helpers who would spread the true faith One
of those Elijah blessed was Elisha who was plowing his
fathers field When Saint Elijah saw him he threw his
cloak over him and soon Elisha was accompanying Elijah
as his helper As Saint Elijahs earthly life neared its end
God sent him to Bethel Jericho and the Jordan When he
came to the Jordan Elijah rolled up his cloak and touched
the water The water immediately parted and Saints Elijah
and Elisha crossed over on dry land As they continued to
walk a fiery chariot driven by fiery horses came and took
Saint Elijah in a whirlwind up into the sky Elisha took up
the great prophets cloak Elijahs story doesnt end there
He was one of two Old Testament saints who appeared with
Jesus at His Transfiguration Saint Elijah was there to
represent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the
coming of the Son of God He is a wonderful example of
someone who loved God with all of his soul all of his heart
and all of his mind In some churches on the feast of Saint
Elijah the priest blesses cars bicycles roller skates scoot-
ers (chariots) and any other method of transportation with
wheels httpdceocaorgassetsfilesresourcesSaints-Animalspdf
Troparion (Tone 4)
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets
The second forerunner of the coming of Christ Glorious
Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha To dispel diseases
and to cleanse lepers Therefore he pours forth healings on
those who honor him
Quote
I have been very zealous for the Lord Almightyhellip
- Elijah about himself 3 Kingdoms 1910
Date Born
Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the
Incarnation of Christ
Date Died
Elijahs death is described in 2 Kings 2 9-13 (4 Kingdoms
2 9-13 OSB) The date is not certain
Commemoration Date
July 20 and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
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sma
s amp
Da
mia
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s
90
0 a
m O
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10
00
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ine
Lit
urg
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63
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m V
esp
ers
3
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m K
afen
io
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nd
ep
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ce D
ay
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py 4
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ly W
eek
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m G
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Pais
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of
Mt
Ath
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nch
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m G
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14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
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un
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83
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m O
rth
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m D
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m O
rth
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00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
18
19
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
21
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
25
Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
28
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
29
3
0
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
2
2019Parish Council
Fr Joseph Strzelecki
Fr Anastasios Theodoropoulos
Scott Thompson President
Greg Simos Vice President
Elefteria Marcou Secretary
Gus Harris Treasurer
Peter Regopoulos Assistant Treasuer
Daniel Gantner Carol Marshall Pam Martin
Samia Rabie Vasilios Simos Greg Simos
Sotirios Sotiriou Tom Stamos Chris Tsoubanos
Nick Tsoubanos Tonis Zafiropoulos
Acolytes John Nicholas
Adult Orthodox Christians (18 years +)
Diane Sieckmann
Bible Study Fr Daniel Morton
Bookstore Christos Tsiaklides Diakonissa Kristen Vogt
Chanters Steve Bellos
Choir Stephanie Saunders
Church Tours
Janice Hazeltine
Friday Luncheon Art Liyeos
Greek Festival Greg Simos Art Liyeos
Greek School
Savas Kyramarios
Greek Dancers
Kyklos amp Armonia Stella Afentoullis
Ta Paidakia Neo Kyma Aliki Malek
GOYA (9th -12th Grade)
Yvonne Alexopoulos Dr Jenny Kardaris
Greeters Mary Pitliangas
JOY (4 years - 4th Grade)
Jr GOYA (5th - 8th Grades)
Alki Lappas Case Dr Debbie Cosmopoulos
Kafenio
Art Liyeos
Little Angels (infant - 5 years)
Fr Anastasios Theodoropoulos
Orthodox Faith amp Life
Dr Farid Sadaka Anna Sadaka
Philoptochos Flora Dimitriou President
Planned Giving Committee
Amy Johnson
Prison Ministry Bill Goranitis
Stewardship Michael Afentoullis
Sunday School Diane Sieckmann
Vacation Church Camp (VCC)
Anna Sadaka
Womenrsquos Bookstudy Presvytera Laura Morton
Young Adult Ministry (18-30 yrs)
Fr Anastasios amp Presvytera Elizabeth
was built by Karhapaumlauml and the Karelian
Brotherhood an organization established in
Olonets to oppose the Lutherization Karhapaumlauml now
started working as a domestic missionary across
Karelia with the monks of Valaam Monastery Since
1914 he was a traveling religion teacher in Kuopio
Province Karhapaumlauml was also active in the
completion of the Church of Anna the Prophetess
inaugurated in Tuupovaara in 1915 The church was
built by the Karelian Brotherhood and financed by a
wealthy Saint Petersburg businessman Due to his
activities the Finnish nationalists accused Karhapaumlauml
for supporting the Russification of Finland and promoting the the PrimeRussian
faithPrime (FinnishPrimeRyssaumln uskoPrime the word ryssauml is a racist slur for Russian)
calling him a collaborator of the Russian secret police Okhrana The nationalist
press accused Karhapaumlauml of Primeanti-FinnishPrime politics He was called the Primedark
force of North KareliaPrime as the nationalists claimed the Karelians were not
aware of their true religion and ethnicity Instead of defending himself against
the accusations Karhapaumlauml focused on his religious work According to the
Church historian Kauko Pirinen Karhapaumlaumlrsquos work was only influenced by his
deep faith but not any kind of politics After the 1917 Russian Revolution the
Karelian Brotherhood owned schools and churches were closed and the
harassment on Karhapaumlauml became even more intense The Finnish right-wing
nationalists called him a Bolshevik although he had supported the Tsarist
regime Karhapaumlauml was finally expelled of his teacherrsquos vacancy just before
Finland gained its independence in December 1917 As the Finnish Civil War
broke out in January 1918 Karhapaumlauml was soon called to join the White Army
but was arrested at the conscription meeting and transferred to Joensuu where
he was placed in a prison camp set up for the Reds After a while Karhapaumlauml
was executed by a firing squad and buried in a mass grave The exact date of
Karhapaumlaumlrsquos death is not known According to his wife Karhapaumlauml was executed
in 8 March but the War Victims of Finland 1914ndash1922 database says he was
shot in 7 March Karhapaumlaumlrsquos body was finally handed over to his wife in
December 1918 and buried in Ilomantsi where a large crowd of local Ortho-
dox and Lutherans attended the funeral Karhapaumlaumlrsquos gravestone was stolen
twice and thrown in the nearby lake until it was cast in concrete
You cannot be too gentle too kind Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other Joy radiant joy streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives All condemnation is from the devil Never condemn each other We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves When we gaze at our own failings we see such a swamp that nothing in another can equal it That is why we turn away and make
much of the faults of others Instead of condemning others strive to reach inner peace Keep silent refrain from judgment This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander insult and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil - St Seraphim of Sarov
3
New Archbishop of Thyateira
and Great Britain
On Wednesday June 12 the Holy
Synod of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate filled the vacancy of
the Archbishop of the Holy
Archdiocese of Thyateira and
Great Britain Metropolitan Nikitas (Lioulias) of
Dardanelles Director of the Patriarch Athenagoras
Orthodox Institute (PAOI) in Berkeley California was
voted unanimously after three candidates were proposed
by the vote of the members of the Holy Synod held in the
Patriarchal Church
At the same time the Holy Synod decided to express its
delight to the former Archbishop of Thyateira and Great
Britain Gregory for his many years of ministry and
offering to the faithful people of this important
ecclesiastical Province of the Mother Church
Metropolitan Nikitas (Lulias) of Dardanelles Exarch of All
Hellespont was born in Tampa Florida United States in
1955
He studied at the University of Florida from which he
received his degree in Religion (1976) He then attended
the Theological School of the Holy Cross of Boston where
he graduated in 1980 and then completed postgraduate
studies at the Theological School of the Aristotle University
of Thessaloniki (1982)
He was ordained a Deacon in 1985 by Archbishop Jacob of
America and in the same year he became a Presbyter
He served in Saints Constantine and Helen (Merriville IN)
Church and in 1987 in the Holy Diocese of Chicago as
Secretary [Chancellor]
In 1988 he received the Archimandritersquos officium and
became a Protosyncellus at the same Bishopric
In St Petersburg Russia he completed his studies in
History and Russian language
He taught selected courses on Orthodoxy at the Loyola
University of Chicago
On December 2 1996 he was unanimously elected as
Metropolitan of Hong Kong and ordained on the 14 of the
same month at the Patriarchal Church of St George
His enthronement took place at St Luca Cathedral in Hong
Kong on January 12 1997 and became the first regular
priest of the newly-established Hong Kong Metropolis and
then he was appointed at the Dardanelles Metropolis in
2007
It is finally worth mentioning that Metropolitan Nikitas is
the Director of the Berkeley USA Patriarchal Orthodox
Institute ldquoPatriarch Athenagorasrdquo in Berkeley USA
Celebration
Happy Birthday
To Fr Joseph who celebrates his birthday on
July 2
and
Happy Anniversary
to
Fr Joseph and Presvytera Ranae
who celebrate their
wedding anniversary
July 12
Ask the Elders -On
Serving God and
Neighbor But it is so hard to find that peace
in my crazy busy life
Our plans and interests often
interfere with our lives We make
all these plans believing that we
will never succeed in anything
unless we arrange everything meticulously We truly must
try to do everything as our conscience tells us but we must
not do anything in haste It is when we are in a hurry that
the enemy traps us In haste we cannot be aware of
whether we have ignored him because we have no time to
think of him we are too busy with plans inside our head
In this manner it is easy to sin against our neighbor And
when we sin against our neighbor we are actually sinning
against God for God is everywhere He dwells in the soul
of each and every one of us Our relationship toward our
fellow men defines our relationship toward God
It seems that we do not understand one thing it is not good
when we return the love of those who love us yet hate
those who hate us We are not on the right path if we do
this We are the sons of the light and love the sons of God
His children As such ewe must have His qualities and His
attributes of love peace and kindness toward all
4
Archbishop Luke
of Simferopol and
Crimea Officially
Canonized by the
Ecumenical
Patriarchate
Although Archbishop
Luke of Simferopol and
Crimea popularly known
as Saint Luke the
Surgeon was canonized
by the Russian Orthodox
Church on Mary 25 1996
following the exhumation
of the his sacred relics he
was not officially listed among the Saints by the
Ecumenical Patriarchate despite his popular veneration
among the Greeks in Greece with churches and shrines
dedicated to him there This is a common custom as each
independent Church has its own list of saints and calendar
for commemoration Since canonizations only take place
after a request has been made by a Bishop Archbishop
Luke of Simferpol and Crimea was officially canonized on
June 13 2019 after a request was made by the newly
enthroned Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kiev and All
Ukraine Therefore he is now officially listed among the
Saints by decision of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate
The Life of St Luke Bishop of Simferopol
and Crimea the Blessed Surgeon
Saint Luke Bishop of Simferopol and Crimea the Blessed
Surgeon was born Valentin Felixovich Voino-Yasenetsky
(Валентин Феликсович Войно-Ясенецкий polish
spelling Wojno-Jasieniecki April 14 1877 and died June
11 1961
Doctor of Medicine Professor and State Prize winner
since 1944 he was the Archbishop of Tambov and
Michurinsk and later of Simferopol and the Crimea While
he was serving the church as an Archbishop he was also
practicing as a surgeon and taught and published many
books and articles on regional anesthesia and surgery He
is now known to be a world-famous pioneering surgeon
In November of 1995 he was announced as a Saint by the
Ukrainian Orthodox Church and was officially glorified
by the Patriarchate of Russia May 25 1996 He is
commemorated by the church June 11 the anniversary of
his falling asleep in the Lord
Life
Born with the name Valentine Felixovitch
Voino-Yassentsky on April 27 1877 in Kerch (east
Crimea) his family members were civil servants to
Lithuanian and Polish Kings The family was
impoverished over time but Saint Luke remembers that he
received his religious inheritance from his pious father His
first true understanding of the Christian faith came from the
New Testament given to him at his high school graduation
by his principal
Education
He had an outstanding secular training Having exceptional
drawing abilities he graduated the Kiev Academy of Fine
Arts[note 1] He decided however against pursuing art in favor
of a career where he could help people who suffer and
chose to be a physician
In 1903 at the age of 26 he graduated from Great Prince St
Vladimir Medical School at the University of Kiev and for
a long time worked as a local district physician An
extraordinary medical student he excelled at anatomy His
superior knowledge of anatomy served him throughout his
surgical career
Out of compassion to the blindness that beggars were
experiencing due to trachoma Saint Luke studied
ophthalmology at the Kiev ophthalmologic clinic In a very
short time he acquired a significant amount of
ophthalmologic training His knowledge of this subspecialty
helped him treat not only his trachoma patients but many
other serious eye conditions as well
Marriage
Another important event in Valentinersquos life was the
marriage to his wife Anna a nurse They had four children
The family was transferred frequently to various regional
health care facilities and from the very beginning Valentine
never requested funds from his patients nor would he turn
anyone away because of his ethnic background or personal
beliefs When his wife died God in setting the path for
Valentinersquos Sainthood provided the family with Sofia
Sergeevna who would be the joyful surrogate mother of his
children during the harsh times ahead Valentine never
remarried
Career
During his early career he published many scientific
treatises and eventually became the head surgeon and pro-
fessor of surgery at the hospital in Tashkent in March 1917
In October Lenin took over the government and civil war
erupted in Tashkent in January 1919 Leninrsquos government
disfavored any religious witness Valentine was under
constant threat especially when treating party members but
he refused to operate under any circumstances without the
Icon of the Mother of God His results were outstanding
ldquoI ought to tell you that what God did to me as amazing and
incomprehensibleMy pursuing surgery completely satis-
fied the goal I always had to serve the poor and the suffer-
ing to dispose all my strength for the comfort of their pains
and to help them in their needsrdquo
These are some of the introductory comments from the
memoirs of Saint Luke that were kept by his secretary EP
Leikfeld His words are not vainglorious but a commentary
on how Gods plan was fulfilled through the life and
5
PARTY
February
3 2019
AT 400 PM
example of Saint Luke Living in the Ukraine during the
oppressive period of communism St Luke stood out
among his fellow physicians both as a surgeon and as a
Christian Even the communists coveted his talents for
healing the body
Ordination and Persecution
Despite the dangers from the Lenin regime he fearlessly
attended theological discussions arranged by Archpriest
Mikhail Andeev During this period when clergymen and
pious people would prove their faith in blood providence
led the Archpriest to invite Valentine to the priesthood
Thus in 1921 at the age of 44 Valentine was ordained a
priest For two years this exceptional individual was active
not only in his pastoral work but in public and scientific
activity
Eventually Fr Valentine was arrested and put on trial
falsely accused of giving inappropriate surgical care to
injured Red Army soldiers At his trial in his characteristic
fearless way he denounced the prosecutors claims by
explaining
ldquoI cut people to save them You Mr Public
Prosecutor why do you cut their heads offrdquo
Certainly the charges were never proven but since the Party
had to be infallible Fr Valentine was convicted to sixteen
years imprisonment
Doctor Scientist Bishop Imprisonments
Noting Fr Valentinersquos spiritual gifts prior to his departure
from Tashkent (arrest and exile to Siberia) in 1923 Bishop
of Ufa Andrew (Ukhtomsky) administered monastic
tonsure and facilitated his consecration as Bishop[note 2]
Almost immediately Saint Luke was sent to the first of his
three imprisonments
Due to his talent as a surgeon there would always be
placement at a remote medical facility where the attending
colleagues would be astounded that a professor with such
impeccable academic credentials would be subservient to
the whims of the local civil authorities Despite the
criticisms of lesser surgeons Saint Luke would practice his
medical skills With the grace of God he amazed his
colleagues with excellent medical outcomes in
ophthalmologic and surgical cases that others deemed
incurable
In 1926 Bishop Luke returned to Tashkent but in 1930
was again arrested and sentenced to three years of exile
Upon his release he once again returned to Tashkent and
spent his time in medical practice As a physician and
professor he trained many students and colleagues in the art
of surgery and as a scientist he found the time to publish
many articles A fruit of this work was the appearance in
1934 of his book Notes on Purulent Surgery[note 3] which
laid the foundation for an entire medical specialty For that
work Bishop Luke was awarded the degree of Doctor of
Medical Science in 1936 and his work continues to be used
in medicine to this day This monograph and the
subsequent revisions was the ldquogold standardrdquo reference for
his colleagues at the time
As a capable hierarch he strengthened the parishes and
supported priests and church councils As Saint Lukersquos
surgical and pastoral popularity would increase the
communist authorities would transfer him When blatant
injustices would be committed against Christians and
fellow political prisoners he would initiate hunger strikes
In 1937 Vladyka was arrested and spent more than two
difficult years undergoing tortuous interrogation and
humiliation[note 4] Nonetheless resting his hope in the Lord
he courageously endured those trials not only refusing to
agree to false accusations against him but engaging in
active protests ndash refusing to eat and sending complaints to
the highest authorities against the prosecutorsrsquo illegal
actions He would say to his fellow prisoners
ldquoThey demand that I remove my ryassa I will never do so
It my ryassa will be with me to my very deathhellip I help
people as a physician and I help them as a servant of the
Churchhelliprdquo
The people who met him during his ordeals bore witness to
his true character As a physician he was Unmercenary and
never asked for money treating all his patients with
immense love He shared his patientsrsquo pain and anguish for
he saw each person as an image of God unique and
unrepeatable
In 1940 Bishop Luke was sentenced to five years of exile
in the Krasnoyarsk area At the beginning of the Great
Patriotic War (World War II) Bishop Luke offered the
authorities his services as a doctor and in 1941 was
appointed consultant to the hospitals of Krasnoyarsk
In 1942 Vladyka was elevated to the rank of Archbishop
and appointed to the Krasnoyarsk kathedra which at the
time did not have a single church Through Archbishop
Lukersquos efforts in 1943 a church was opened in a suburb of
Krasnoyarsk He wrote to Patriarch Sergius
ldquoAll of Eastern Siberia from Krasnoyarsk to the Pacific
Ocean gave no sign of church lifehellipIf churches in various
parts of the Krasnoyarsk area are not opened in the near
future there is a risk that the people will lapse into reli-
gious savageryrdquo
In 1944 the archbishop was appointed to the kathedra in
Tambov In 1946 for outstanding scientific work in the area
of medicine he was awarded the ldquoStalin Awardrdquo for all his
scientific publications He donated almost all of the money
to help children who had suffered as the result of the War
Also in 1946 Vladyka was appointed to the kathedra of
Crimea where at first he combined archpastoral service
with medical assistance to the people but later dedicated
himself to Church service zealously working to build up
Christrsquos vineyard something that under the conditions of
life under Communist authorities then demanded great
courage and faith
As a Bishop he preached incessantly not only about the
need to live Orthodoxy but against the perils of the ldquoLiving
Churchrdquo httpsorthodoxwikiorgLuke_(Voino-Yasenetsky)_of_Simferopol_and_Crimea
6
2019
Father
of the
Year
Byron Magafas
Fatherrsquos Day
On June 16 we announced our Father and Man of Year Congratulations to
Byron Magafas Father of the Year and
Dr Demetrios Lappas Man of the Year
May God grant them many years After the presentations we were able to
personally congratulate the recipients at a very nice reception prepared by Pete
Regopoulos and Chris Tsoubanos
2019
Man
of the
Year
Dr Demetrios
Lappas
7
Spiritual Aspects of Fatherhood
By Al Rossi PhD
A conference participant once asked the speaker ldquoWhat is
the best way for a father to love his childrenrdquo The speaker
replied ldquoThe best way for a father to love his children is to
love their motherrdquo I reflect often upon that superbly
accurate statement And I think the reverse is equally true
the best way a mother can love her children is to love their
father
More than anything else in the world children need a
loving family and parents who support each other even if
the parents are apart through separation or divorce Christ
challenges us to love one another and that challenge
becomes even more compelling within our own families
Even in the best of families there is brokenness And that is
why the manrsquos call to fatherhood is so important We
fathers are called to show our families strong manly love
and forgiveness virtues modeled powerfully in the father of
the prodigal son (Lk 1132)
This father is stable loving and generous In his fairness
he avoids violating the freedom of either of his sons When
the prodigal demands his inheritance and decides to leave
the father does not attempt to withhold the money He does
not pressure the son to stay by trying to make him feel
guilty And the father is wise enough not to send care
packages to relieve the sonrsquos distress The father allows
both of his adult sons to make their own mistakes and to
learn from their failures an appropriate form of discipline
for older adolescents and young adults
The prodigalrsquos father demonstrates manly leadership by
taking loving initiatives and he takes many such initiatives
He maintains a thriving business to provide the generous
inheritance He creates and supports a loving family for the
prodigal to run from and for the older son to remain with
And there is his last generous joyful initiative as he runs
out to embrace the returning son kiss him and put on him
the best robe ring and shoes He celebrates the return of
his son with a feast And in a scene all of us fathers can
recognize he opens up the conversation with the sulking
older son
The father takes the initiative in bringing about forgiveness
and reconciliation in the whole family He is a model for us
in responding to our call to follow the Spirit of Jesus in
taking many initiatives in our families especially that of
boundless forgiveness for our children
When a father takes responsibility for his own spiritual
life for the way he prays goes to church and practices
virtue in the family he gives good example Then his
leadership in the family is authentic based on his own
solid relationship with God and he is less likely to be
concerned about any resistance his children may give him
He can lead family prayer When I suggest that we stand in
the living room and pray before a trip or that we pray in a
restaurant I often feel an initial resistance in my children
But quiet cooperation and peacefulness soon follow
Sometimes the children will even tell me that they prayed
in a restaurant when I wasnrsquot there
At times the fatherrsquos role of leading the family to great
forgiveness and prayerfulness is an unpopular one But as
a man grows in his own spiritual life he becomes more
sturdy and willing to accept responsibility Although all
this is impossible for us fathers to do alone God can do all
things God can even bestow the awesome spiritual power
of fatherhood upon us
httpsocaorgthe-hubthe-church-on-current-issuesspiritual-aspects-
of-fatherhood
Our Churchrsquos feast day celebration
Panagiarsquos Panegyri
Sunday August 18 2019
Immediately following
Divine Liturgy
More information to follow
8
Philoptochos Corner The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos
Society
Happy July Half of our summer vacation is almost over
Hope you are making the best of it Your new Philoptochos
Board has been busy planning out the rest of their 2019
calendar We know that many of you are traveling to
Greece or other exciting places Please be smart be safe
Check in with us during coffee hour wersquoll be waiting for
you when you get back
Our Chapter
We had our 2019-2021 Executive Board Elections on June
2nd and here are the results
President ndash Flora Dimitriou
1st Vice President ndash Helena Brown
2nd Vice President ndash Keve Gialouris
Recording Secretary ndash Rose Harpole
Corresponding Secretary ndash Patricia Aaron
Treasurer ndash Angie Koulouriotis
Assistant Treasurer ndash Diane Sieckmann
Adviser ndash Soula Marcou
Board Members Yvonne Alexopoulos Dessie Bellos
Popi Deros Amalia Karakasis amp Bessie Theodorou
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Board Member Diane Sieckmann
and friends for serving coffee hour for the month of July
Thank you to everyone who made a jewelry donation to us
for our May Festival Sale All proceeds will benefit the
National Childrenrsquos Medical Fund Luncheon chapter
expenses and sponsorship programs
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund
We have RAFFLE TICKETS FOR SALE Check out the
amazing prizes you could win 1 ticket for $10 or 3 tickets
for $25 find a Philoptochos member during coffee hour to
purchase your chance to win
Please support our youth ndash National Philoptochos
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund ldquoKids Helping Kidsrdquo at our
Panagia Panegyri Sunday August 18th Our youth will be
behind the bar selling punch iced tea amp lemonade All
proceeds will benefit the CMF SponsorshipGrant Program
We need your support in order to help our Chicago Diocese
host this most worthy event
A Look Ahead
Weekend of August 16th 17th amp 18th Bring a friend and
work a shift Sign up for The Festival of the Little Hills St
Charles See Helena Brown for more information
Dont see Downton Abbeyrdquo without us We are making
plans to rent a movie theatre at the Marcus Des Peres Cine
for a private screening of the movie Ticket sales will start
in August The ticket price is $1500 per person More in-
formation to follow regarding date and time
Sunday September 8th ndash Annual Gyro Luncheon
Sunday November 3rd - Philoptochos Name Day
Artoclassia
Saturday November 16th ndash National Childrenrsquos Medical
Fund Luncheon hosted by the Metropolis of Chicago
Sunday December 1st - Philoptochos Christmas Party
Evelynrsquos House ndash BJC Hospice
We are stocking the snack pantry at the hospice house If
you would like to make a donation please see Flora
Dimitriou for a list of items needed Also Evelynrsquos House
continues to need of more crocheted lap blankets or pillow
cases If you have any interest in making the blankets or
pillow cases please let us know There is a size requirement
for these items If you would like any more information on
this project please see Flora Dimitriou or Diane Sieckmann
2019 Meeting Dates
No Meeting in July August 4 September 15 October 6
November 10 No Meeting in December
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
Flora Dimitriou
Philoptochos President
fedimitriougmailcom
636-795-4602
9
Fanari 2019 Our Fanari campers left on June 16 for a week of learning and
fellowship on the grounds of the St Iakovos Retreat Center in
Kansasville Wisconsin Fanari is wonderful experience Ask
any of our campers who went
Congratulations to our area AHEPA 53 2019
Scholarship Recipients
The awards were given out this past Sunday June 2 at
the AHEPA 53 Apartments The St Louis AHEPA
Chapter has been awarding scholarships since 1950 to hone
the recipients for their outstanding academic achievements
This year AHEPA 53 awarded 15 scholarships Receipents
from the Assumption were
Demetri Case
Athena Stamos
George Sakelis
The ceremony was emceed by Chapter President Mi-
chael Kontominas and the scholarship awards were
presented by Basil Pappas
AHEPArsquos goal is to see these young students
succeed to the highest degree possible and not to forget their
Hellenic heritage
Applications for both Chapter and District level schol-
arships can generally be picked up in February from the
Church offices or online
10
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Corner The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis
The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis works to nurture an awareness within our local churches of the
need to evangelize catechize and support missionary efforts and programs globally
As always if you have any questions would like to be part of the Mission Team St Louis or if you would like to help our
missionaries please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley 618-447-9688
Thank you for your continued support
Celebrating 10 Years Since the Dedication of OCMCs Headquarters by Niko Birbilis
This May OCMC was thrilled to celebrate our 10-year-anniversary since the dedication of our current
missionary training and administration building May 21 2009 marked a great day not only for us at OCMC
but for Orthodoxy around the world The roots of OCMC go all the way back to Athens Greece in the 1950s
and to the influence of two young theologians Fr Deacon Anastasios Yannoulatos and Fr Deacon Demetrios
Trakatellis Deacon Anastasios would eventually go on to become His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of
Albania and Deacon Demetrios would soon go on to become His Eminence Archbishop Geron Demetrios of
America
Inspired by the missionary fervor and vision of these brilliant young men the Mission Center would begin as a
committee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) of America As it continued to grow and develop
however the GOAs mission center soon moved to its own location in St Augustine Florida and Fr Dimitrios
Couchell (now His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos) was appointed as its first Executive Director In 1987
the mission center sent the first short-term mission team to Kenya and these teams would continue into the
present day as some of the most fruitful ministries of the mission center
By 1994 the GOA graciously handed its mission center over to become the pan-Orthodox mission center
representing the combined missionary efforts of all Orthodox jurisdictions in the US At this point it was finally
labeled the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
Fr Martin Ritsi took over as Executive Director in 1998 and by the late 2000s OCMC was already involved in
thirty countries around the world OCMC continued growing and soon it was time to expand to a new location
It was at this point that due to many incredibly generous supporters OCMC was able to construct its current
home the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Training and Administration Building This new
OCMC headquarters building was dedicated on May 21 2009 Since then it has increasingly been the source of
countless ministries striving to carry out Christrsquos great commission and spread the Gospel to the ends of the
earth
In the past 10 years since the dedication OCMC has sent a total of 1181 team members on 159 mission teams to
18 different countries This past year alone OCMC
Has continued to support 375 indigenous clergy worldwide through the SAMP program
Has continued to support 23 long-term missionaries
Provided medical care to 1199 people
Reached 815 children
Catechized 1400 people
Sent 4 healthcare and counseling teams
Built a church in Indonesia
Carried out 7 projects for students and orphans
Wersquove had a wonderfully exciting and fruitful history and we thank you all for walking this journey with us
With your support we are enabling countless people around the world to know the Gospel of Christ and to expe-
rience His love Please continue to keep our work in your prayers to volunteer your time and talents on our mis-
sion trips and to donate to our ministries Now we look forward to all that the next 10 years will bring
11
Births - Congratulations to
George and Melinda Abuqubou on the birth of their son
Christopher who was born on August 26 2018
Baptisms - Many Years to
Isabella Mavra Xenos Zewki daughter of Shivan and
Tatiana Zewki Isabella was baptized on May 19 2019
and her Godparents are Antonios Xenos and
Anastasia Mezinis
Anna Sophia Theodoropulos daughter of Fr Anastasios
and Presvytera Elizabeth Theodoropoulos Anna was
baptized on June 1 2019 at Saints Peter and Paul in
Glenview IL and her Godmother is Julie Stefanski
Peirce James Farmakis son of Mike and Shannon
Farmakis Pierce was baptized on June 1 2019 and his
Godfather is Kostantinos (Dino) Deros
Eleni Polixeni Psara daughter of Spiro and Colleen Psara
Eleni was baptized on June 2 2019 and her
Godparents are are Panteli Pappas and Alona
Teliatnykova
Sophia Shea Hayden daughter of Bob and Natalie
Hayden Sophia was baptized on Saturday June 22 at
Saints Pete and Paul in Glenview IL and her Godgather is
Peter Sparacio
Funerals - Memory Eternal
Anastasia ldquoAnnierdquo Markovich reposed on June 5 2019
The funeral was June 10 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox
Church with interment Mt Hope
Dorothy Nancy Graeff reposed on June 6 2019 The
funeral was on June 11 with interment at St Mathews
Cemetery
Nick Niarchos of Palos Hills Ill brother of Eugenia
(Alex) Pavlopoulos reposed on June 6th The funeral was
June 10 at Saints Constantine amp Helen Greek Orthodox
Church Palos Hills Il Interment at Evergreen Cemetery of
Evergreen Park in Il
Lehman Bennett grandfather of Jenny Bennett passes
way on June 15 The funeral and burial were on June 19
in Dallas TX
Memorials - Memory Eternal
June 2
5-year Haralambos Pelekanos
5-year Fr Constantine Regopoulos
June 9
9-mon Van (Evangelos) Evangelopoulos
1-year Tom (Athanasios) Dubis
1 year Mike Labis
1-year Elaine Scott
2 year Danica Mandrapa
8 year Ljubica Terzic
10-year Kostando Liakata
13-year Fr Gerasimos Annas
24-year Andrea Liakata
July 28
1-year Despina Zeriss
2-year Chris Zeris
August 4
21-year Athanasios Stratos
October 13
Departed Members Brotherhood of Alexander the Great
Important Please inform either Fr Joseph or Fr Anastasios
immediately when you or any member of your family is
sick or hospitalized so that appropriate prayer and
visitation may be scheduled Hospitals do not notify
clergy of patients even if you list yourself as a Church
member
In Our Prayers Nora (Elaine) Bangert Seraphima Henderson
Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris Dean Kases
Janie (Zafera) Kyramarios George Lambos
College Addresses In an effort to keep in touch with and minister to our
college students we ask anyone with a daughter or son in
college to contact the Church office with the address
phone amp email
12
Extra Virgin Olive Oil $20bottle
Missouri Flag $9600
Patriarchal Flag $28900
Holy Water bottleshelliphelliphelliphellip$30800
Icon of St Porphyrios
Icon of the Annunciation
Icon of Elder Amphilochios Makris
Icon of Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia
Dimitri and Rebecca Kagaris
Please call the church office if you would like to donate
any of these items
Womenrsquos Summer Book Study
Our plans for our Summer Book Study session are
complete
The book we are reading is
Everyday Wonders
Stories of Gods Providence
By V Rev Michael J Oleksa
and we will meet for our summer pot luck lunch and
book discussion
Saturday August 17
1100 am to 200 pm
Hosted by Keve Gialouris
17828 Greyabbey Ct
Chesterfield MO
If you have any questions please contact
Presvytera Laura Morton at 314-303-1784
Hellenic Culture Camp 2019 July 15-19
Open to all children entering 2nd grade through 8th grade in Fall 2019
Monday ndash Thursday 845 am - 300 pm
St Nicholas Family Life Center (Please bring a lunch and drink Monday-
Wednesday Greek lunch will be provided on Thursday)
Friday
845 am ndash noon Vetta Sports Manchester
Hellenic Culture Camp is a
wonderful opportunity to expose our children and grandchildren to culturally
enriching activities and friendships within our community
Activities include
Greek Cooking History
Geography Greek Dancing
Greek Language Greek Arts and Jewelry Making
Sports
Cost $100 for one child $90 for second child $80 for third child (Financial Assistance
Available)
For questions please contact Barbara Corrigan at
btcstlyahoocom or 3149606258 visit
httpswwwsngocorgnewshellenic-culture-camp
13
But I say to you the Lord says love your enemies do
good to those who hate you pray for those who
persecute you Why did he command these things So
that he might free you from hatred sadness anger and
grudges and might grant you the greatest possession of
all perfect love which is impossible to possess except
by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God
St Maximus the Confessor
Περί εἰδώλων Αγ Ἰουστίνου Πόποβιτς
Τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος δοκιμάζει καθημερινῶς στόν
κόσμο μας τήν ἐμπειρία νά ὁδηγοῦνται οἱ ἄνθρωποι
στήν ἀπώλεια εἴτε λόγῳ τῆς ἄγνοιας εἴτε τῆς μή
ἀναγνωρίσεως τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ Θεοῦ καί
Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ Μέ ἄλλα λόγια ἐκπίπτουν
ἐξαιτίας εἴτε τῆς ἀθεΐας εἴτε τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας
Αὐτή ἡ ἄγνοια ἤ ἡ μή ἀναγνώριση τοῦ Κυρίου
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιφέρει τήν ἄγνοια ἤ τήν μή
ἀναγνώριση τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ ἀγαθοῦ σέ αὐτόν
τόν κόσμο τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ Αὐτοί οἱ
ἄνθρωποι ζοῦν laquoἐν ἀσελγείαις ἐπιθυμίαις
οἰνοφλυγίαις κώμοις πότοις καί ἀθεμίτοις
εἰδωλολατρείαιςraquo Ναί laquoἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαιςraquo
γιατί ἡ εἰδωλολατρεία εἶναι πάντοτε σέ πληθυντικό
ἀριθμό Ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ὁποῖος δέν ἀναγνωρίζει τόν
μόνο ἀληθινό Θεό θέλοντας καί μή ἀναγνωρίζει
ἕνα ἀναρίθμητο πλῆθος ἄλλων μικρότερων
θεοτήτων ψευδῶν θεῶν εἰδώλων Πρόκειται γιά τίς
ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη πού δέν ἔχουν οὔτε ἀριθμό
οὔτε τέλος Ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος δελεάζεται ἀπό μία
τέτοια μικρή μικρή θεότητα τότε αὐτή τόν
παρασύρει στίς ὑπόλοιπες ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη καί
τότε εἶναι πού τόν κατακομματιάζουν καί τόν
κατασπαράζουν οἱ ἀναρίθμητοι ψευδεῖς καί
ἀδηφάγοι θεοί Καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέν εἶναι σέ θέση
νά ἀμυνθεῖ σέ αὐτήν τήν ἀγέλη τῶν τρομερῶν
θηρίων καί τῶν δελεαστικῶν πειρασμῶν Τό
μικρότερο πάθος ὁδηγεῖ σέ μεγαλύτερο καί ἔτσι
σταδιακά βυθίζεται σέ ὅλο καί μεγαλύτερα πάθη
ὥσπου ἐν τέλει δέν μπορεῖ νά ἀναδυθεῖ ἀπrsquoαὐτά
Καί κάθε πάθος ἐμπεριέχει ἀναρίθμητα εἴδωλα καί
κάθε ἐπιθυμία φέρει ὅλο καί περισσότερα εἴδωλα
πού δέν ἔχουν τελειωμό Τά εἴδωλα εἶναι σάν τή
δυνατή φωτιά μέσα της κατακαίγονται καί ἡ
συνείδηση καί ἡ ψυχή καί ἡ καρδιά καί τό θέλημα
τοῦ ἀνθρώπου Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος τῆς
ἀγάπης παρακαλεῖ τούς χριστιανούς laquoΤεκνία
φυλάξατε ἑαυτούς ἀπό τῶν εἰδώλωνraquo Ἀπό τά
εἴδωλα προέρχονται ὅλα τά κακά καί τά μικρά καί
τά μεγάλα Καί κάθε ἄνθρωπος εἶναι εἰδωλολάτρης
ἐφrsquoὅσον δέν πιστεύει στόν μόνον Ἀληθινό Θεό
στόν Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Διότι ὁπωσδήποτε σέ
κάτι πιστεύει εἴτε ὄν εἶναι αὐτό εἴτε πράγμα εἴτε σέ
ὁρατά εἴτε σέ ἀόρατα εἴδωλα ὅπως εἶναι ὁ ἥλιος ἡ
σελήνη οἱ ἀστέρες οἱ ἄνθρωποι ὁ πολιτισμός ἡ
τεχνολογία ἡ φυλή ἡ κοινωνική τάξη τά πάθη οἱ
ἡδονές καί [hellip] τό ὄνομά τους laquoΛεγεώνraquo Ἀπό τό
πρῶτο ὥς τό τελευταῖο ὅλα τά παραπάνω εἶναι
εἰδωλολατρία Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀμφιβολία ὅτι τό καθένα
ἀπrsquoαὐτά φονεύει ὅτι κάνει ἄνθρωπο τόν ἄνθρωπο
φονεύει δηλαδή ὅτι θεοειδές θεονοσταλγικό
ἀθάνατο θεῖο αἰώνιο Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος
νουθετεῖ καί ἐντέλλεται στούς χριστιανούς laquoΔιόπερ
ἀγαπητοί μου φεύγετε ἀπό τῆς εἰδωλολατρείαςraquo Οἱ
ἄνθρωποι διά τῶν ποικιλόμορφων εἰδωλολατρειῶν
ἔμμεσα ἤ ἄμεσα θυσιάζουν τούς ἑαυτούς τους στὀν
διάβολο προσφέρονται ὡς θυσία στόν διάβολο Σέ
τελευταία ἀνάλυση κάθε εἰδωλολατρία εἶναι
σατανολατρία καί κάθε εἰδωλο-διακονία εἶναι σατανο-
διακονία Μήπως δέν λατρεύει δέν διακονεῖ δέν
προσφέρει θυσία τήν ψυχή του στόν διάβολο ἐκεῖνος
πού ζεῖ στά πάθη καί στήν ἡδονή ὅποιος ὑπηρετεῖ
ὁποιονδήποτε καί ὁτιδήποτε ἐκτός ἀπό τόν μόνον
ἀληθινό Θεό καί Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Αὐτό εἶναι
τόσο ξεκάθαρο γιά κάποιον πού μπορεῖ μέ φρόνηση
νά κρίνει Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ θεόσοφος Ἀπόστολος λέγει
στούς πρώην εἰδωλολάτρες Κορινθίους laquoὡς
φρονίμοις λέγωhellipοὐ θέλω δέ ὑμᾶς κοινωνούς τῶν
δαιμονίων γίνεσθαι Οὐ δύνασθε ποτήριον Κυρίου
πίνειν καί ποτήριον δαιμονίων οὐ δύνασθε τραπέζης
Κυρίου μετέχειν καί τραπέζης δαιμονίωνraquo
Ἀναμφίβολα ὁλόκληρο τό Εὐαγγέλιο τοῦ Σωτῆρος
ἔγκειται στό ὅτι laquoτό σῶμα τῶ Κυρίῳ καί ὁ Κύριος τῶ
σώματιraquo Ἔτσι γνωρίζουμε τό αἰώνιο μυστήριο τοῦ
ἀνθρωπίνου ὄντος πώς ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός
εἶναι ὁ Σωτήρας ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὄχι μόνο
τῆς ψυχῆς ἀλλά καί τοῦ σώματός του Γιrsquoαὐτό καί τό
σῶμα τοῦ χριστιανοῦ ὀφείλει νά εἶναι ναός ἅγιος στόν
ὁποῖο ζεῖ ἡ ἁγία ψυχή στόν κόσμο μας καί στόν ὁποῖο
πρόκειται νά ζήσει καί μετά τήν κοινή ἀνάσταση τῶν
νεκρῶν Τά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν διά τοῦ ἁγίου
Βαπτίσματος τῆς Θείας Μεταλήψεως καί τοῦ
εὐαγγελικοῦ τους βίου ἔγιναν ἀναπόσπαστα μέρη τοῦ
Θεανθρώπινου σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Τά σώματα
αὐτά δέν ἀνήκουν πλέον στούς ἴδιους ἀλλά σέ
Ἐκεῖνον Ὅτι ἔγινε μέ τό ἅγιο σῶμα Ἐκείνου
πρόκειται νά συμβεῖ στά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν Για την αντιγραφή Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης
14
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Old Testament prophet Elijah the Tishbite lived during
the time when King Ahab ruled Israel Ahabs wife Jezebel
was a foreigner who did not worship the One True God of
Israel but the false god Baal She persecuted prophets and
deceitfully tried to force the people of Israel to turn away
from God and worship Baal Elijahs fiery personality often
brought him into conflict with Ahab and Jezebel because he
was absolutely determined that the people would stay
faithful to God God rewarded Elijahs devotion with the gift
of prophecy Once when Elijah knew a serious drought was
coming soon God instructed him to leave his home and go
east of the Jordan River promising that he would be fed by
a raven Just as God promised the raven
brought Elijah food and he was able to
drink from a stream When the stream ran
dry God told him to go to the city of
Zarephath In the city he met a widow
who was gathering sticks He asked her
for bread but she replied I have no
bread baked and there is only a small
amount of flour and oil left for my son
and me There was not enough she said to share with
another person Saint Elijah told her not to worry or be
afraid but to make the bread and give him a little loaf She
did so and a great miracle occurred The widow had enough
flour and oil to last a whole year Sometime later when her
son died Elijah prayed over his body and the boy came
back to life The widow was overjoyed and said to Elijah
Now I know that you speak Gods word After many years
of drought God sent Elijah to see King Ahab By this time
there was famine as well as drought in the land While
searching for food and water Ahabs advisor Obadiah met
Elijah on the road He told King Ahab that the prophet was
back and Ahab went out to meet him He said to Elijah Is
it you you troubler of Israel Saint Elijah told King Ahab
that he the king was the one who was troubling Israel
because he was not living his life according to Gods laws
and should not be following the false god Baal Then he said
to the king Tell the people of Israel and the four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal to meet me on Mount Carmel When
everyone had arrived Saint Elijah told the people If the
Lord is God follow him but if Baal is then follow him
He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest He told
them to put their sacrifice on one altar and he would put his
on another altar Neither one would start a fire to burn their
sacrifice but would call on God and Baal to start the fire
The false prophets of Baal hopped around and yelled to their
god to come and light the sacrifice Saint Elijah laughed and
said that maybe Baal was napping and needed to be
awakened The false prophets yelled even louder and still
nothing happened Elijah calmly made a large trench around
the dirt and all the water Saint Elijah had shown them all
the true and only God When King Ahab told his wife
Jezebel what Elijah had done she angrily promised to kill
the prophet Fearing for his life Elijah fled to Beer-sheba in
the land of Judah There he sat down under a broom tree
so miserable and fearful that he asked God to take his life
Instead God sent an angel to encourage him and to prepare
him for a long journey Following the angels instructions
he walked for forty days and forty nights until he came to a
cave There God spoke to him in a gentle breeze telling
him to bless helpers who would spread the true faith One
of those Elijah blessed was Elisha who was plowing his
fathers field When Saint Elijah saw him he threw his
cloak over him and soon Elisha was accompanying Elijah
as his helper As Saint Elijahs earthly life neared its end
God sent him to Bethel Jericho and the Jordan When he
came to the Jordan Elijah rolled up his cloak and touched
the water The water immediately parted and Saints Elijah
and Elisha crossed over on dry land As they continued to
walk a fiery chariot driven by fiery horses came and took
Saint Elijah in a whirlwind up into the sky Elisha took up
the great prophets cloak Elijahs story doesnt end there
He was one of two Old Testament saints who appeared with
Jesus at His Transfiguration Saint Elijah was there to
represent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the
coming of the Son of God He is a wonderful example of
someone who loved God with all of his soul all of his heart
and all of his mind In some churches on the feast of Saint
Elijah the priest blesses cars bicycles roller skates scoot-
ers (chariots) and any other method of transportation with
wheels httpdceocaorgassetsfilesresourcesSaints-Animalspdf
Troparion (Tone 4)
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets
The second forerunner of the coming of Christ Glorious
Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha To dispel diseases
and to cleanse lepers Therefore he pours forth healings on
those who honor him
Quote
I have been very zealous for the Lord Almightyhellip
- Elijah about himself 3 Kingdoms 1910
Date Born
Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the
Incarnation of Christ
Date Died
Elijahs death is described in 2 Kings 2 9-13 (4 Kingdoms
2 9-13 OSB) The date is not certain
Commemoration Date
July 20 and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
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Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
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s
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
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ine
Lit
urg
y
2
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
3
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m K
afen
io
4 I
nd
ep
en
den
ce D
ay
5
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IDA
Y L
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EO
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Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
7
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
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m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
8
9
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0 p
m V
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ph
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m O
rth
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90
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m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
12
St
Pais
ios
of
Mt
Ath
os
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
15
1
6
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
17
Gre
at
Marty
r
Ma
rin
a
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
18
19
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
21
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
25
Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
28
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
29
3
0
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
3
New Archbishop of Thyateira
and Great Britain
On Wednesday June 12 the Holy
Synod of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate filled the vacancy of
the Archbishop of the Holy
Archdiocese of Thyateira and
Great Britain Metropolitan Nikitas (Lioulias) of
Dardanelles Director of the Patriarch Athenagoras
Orthodox Institute (PAOI) in Berkeley California was
voted unanimously after three candidates were proposed
by the vote of the members of the Holy Synod held in the
Patriarchal Church
At the same time the Holy Synod decided to express its
delight to the former Archbishop of Thyateira and Great
Britain Gregory for his many years of ministry and
offering to the faithful people of this important
ecclesiastical Province of the Mother Church
Metropolitan Nikitas (Lulias) of Dardanelles Exarch of All
Hellespont was born in Tampa Florida United States in
1955
He studied at the University of Florida from which he
received his degree in Religion (1976) He then attended
the Theological School of the Holy Cross of Boston where
he graduated in 1980 and then completed postgraduate
studies at the Theological School of the Aristotle University
of Thessaloniki (1982)
He was ordained a Deacon in 1985 by Archbishop Jacob of
America and in the same year he became a Presbyter
He served in Saints Constantine and Helen (Merriville IN)
Church and in 1987 in the Holy Diocese of Chicago as
Secretary [Chancellor]
In 1988 he received the Archimandritersquos officium and
became a Protosyncellus at the same Bishopric
In St Petersburg Russia he completed his studies in
History and Russian language
He taught selected courses on Orthodoxy at the Loyola
University of Chicago
On December 2 1996 he was unanimously elected as
Metropolitan of Hong Kong and ordained on the 14 of the
same month at the Patriarchal Church of St George
His enthronement took place at St Luca Cathedral in Hong
Kong on January 12 1997 and became the first regular
priest of the newly-established Hong Kong Metropolis and
then he was appointed at the Dardanelles Metropolis in
2007
It is finally worth mentioning that Metropolitan Nikitas is
the Director of the Berkeley USA Patriarchal Orthodox
Institute ldquoPatriarch Athenagorasrdquo in Berkeley USA
Celebration
Happy Birthday
To Fr Joseph who celebrates his birthday on
July 2
and
Happy Anniversary
to
Fr Joseph and Presvytera Ranae
who celebrate their
wedding anniversary
July 12
Ask the Elders -On
Serving God and
Neighbor But it is so hard to find that peace
in my crazy busy life
Our plans and interests often
interfere with our lives We make
all these plans believing that we
will never succeed in anything
unless we arrange everything meticulously We truly must
try to do everything as our conscience tells us but we must
not do anything in haste It is when we are in a hurry that
the enemy traps us In haste we cannot be aware of
whether we have ignored him because we have no time to
think of him we are too busy with plans inside our head
In this manner it is easy to sin against our neighbor And
when we sin against our neighbor we are actually sinning
against God for God is everywhere He dwells in the soul
of each and every one of us Our relationship toward our
fellow men defines our relationship toward God
It seems that we do not understand one thing it is not good
when we return the love of those who love us yet hate
those who hate us We are not on the right path if we do
this We are the sons of the light and love the sons of God
His children As such ewe must have His qualities and His
attributes of love peace and kindness toward all
4
Archbishop Luke
of Simferopol and
Crimea Officially
Canonized by the
Ecumenical
Patriarchate
Although Archbishop
Luke of Simferopol and
Crimea popularly known
as Saint Luke the
Surgeon was canonized
by the Russian Orthodox
Church on Mary 25 1996
following the exhumation
of the his sacred relics he
was not officially listed among the Saints by the
Ecumenical Patriarchate despite his popular veneration
among the Greeks in Greece with churches and shrines
dedicated to him there This is a common custom as each
independent Church has its own list of saints and calendar
for commemoration Since canonizations only take place
after a request has been made by a Bishop Archbishop
Luke of Simferpol and Crimea was officially canonized on
June 13 2019 after a request was made by the newly
enthroned Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kiev and All
Ukraine Therefore he is now officially listed among the
Saints by decision of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate
The Life of St Luke Bishop of Simferopol
and Crimea the Blessed Surgeon
Saint Luke Bishop of Simferopol and Crimea the Blessed
Surgeon was born Valentin Felixovich Voino-Yasenetsky
(Валентин Феликсович Войно-Ясенецкий polish
spelling Wojno-Jasieniecki April 14 1877 and died June
11 1961
Doctor of Medicine Professor and State Prize winner
since 1944 he was the Archbishop of Tambov and
Michurinsk and later of Simferopol and the Crimea While
he was serving the church as an Archbishop he was also
practicing as a surgeon and taught and published many
books and articles on regional anesthesia and surgery He
is now known to be a world-famous pioneering surgeon
In November of 1995 he was announced as a Saint by the
Ukrainian Orthodox Church and was officially glorified
by the Patriarchate of Russia May 25 1996 He is
commemorated by the church June 11 the anniversary of
his falling asleep in the Lord
Life
Born with the name Valentine Felixovitch
Voino-Yassentsky on April 27 1877 in Kerch (east
Crimea) his family members were civil servants to
Lithuanian and Polish Kings The family was
impoverished over time but Saint Luke remembers that he
received his religious inheritance from his pious father His
first true understanding of the Christian faith came from the
New Testament given to him at his high school graduation
by his principal
Education
He had an outstanding secular training Having exceptional
drawing abilities he graduated the Kiev Academy of Fine
Arts[note 1] He decided however against pursuing art in favor
of a career where he could help people who suffer and
chose to be a physician
In 1903 at the age of 26 he graduated from Great Prince St
Vladimir Medical School at the University of Kiev and for
a long time worked as a local district physician An
extraordinary medical student he excelled at anatomy His
superior knowledge of anatomy served him throughout his
surgical career
Out of compassion to the blindness that beggars were
experiencing due to trachoma Saint Luke studied
ophthalmology at the Kiev ophthalmologic clinic In a very
short time he acquired a significant amount of
ophthalmologic training His knowledge of this subspecialty
helped him treat not only his trachoma patients but many
other serious eye conditions as well
Marriage
Another important event in Valentinersquos life was the
marriage to his wife Anna a nurse They had four children
The family was transferred frequently to various regional
health care facilities and from the very beginning Valentine
never requested funds from his patients nor would he turn
anyone away because of his ethnic background or personal
beliefs When his wife died God in setting the path for
Valentinersquos Sainthood provided the family with Sofia
Sergeevna who would be the joyful surrogate mother of his
children during the harsh times ahead Valentine never
remarried
Career
During his early career he published many scientific
treatises and eventually became the head surgeon and pro-
fessor of surgery at the hospital in Tashkent in March 1917
In October Lenin took over the government and civil war
erupted in Tashkent in January 1919 Leninrsquos government
disfavored any religious witness Valentine was under
constant threat especially when treating party members but
he refused to operate under any circumstances without the
Icon of the Mother of God His results were outstanding
ldquoI ought to tell you that what God did to me as amazing and
incomprehensibleMy pursuing surgery completely satis-
fied the goal I always had to serve the poor and the suffer-
ing to dispose all my strength for the comfort of their pains
and to help them in their needsrdquo
These are some of the introductory comments from the
memoirs of Saint Luke that were kept by his secretary EP
Leikfeld His words are not vainglorious but a commentary
on how Gods plan was fulfilled through the life and
5
PARTY
February
3 2019
AT 400 PM
example of Saint Luke Living in the Ukraine during the
oppressive period of communism St Luke stood out
among his fellow physicians both as a surgeon and as a
Christian Even the communists coveted his talents for
healing the body
Ordination and Persecution
Despite the dangers from the Lenin regime he fearlessly
attended theological discussions arranged by Archpriest
Mikhail Andeev During this period when clergymen and
pious people would prove their faith in blood providence
led the Archpriest to invite Valentine to the priesthood
Thus in 1921 at the age of 44 Valentine was ordained a
priest For two years this exceptional individual was active
not only in his pastoral work but in public and scientific
activity
Eventually Fr Valentine was arrested and put on trial
falsely accused of giving inappropriate surgical care to
injured Red Army soldiers At his trial in his characteristic
fearless way he denounced the prosecutors claims by
explaining
ldquoI cut people to save them You Mr Public
Prosecutor why do you cut their heads offrdquo
Certainly the charges were never proven but since the Party
had to be infallible Fr Valentine was convicted to sixteen
years imprisonment
Doctor Scientist Bishop Imprisonments
Noting Fr Valentinersquos spiritual gifts prior to his departure
from Tashkent (arrest and exile to Siberia) in 1923 Bishop
of Ufa Andrew (Ukhtomsky) administered monastic
tonsure and facilitated his consecration as Bishop[note 2]
Almost immediately Saint Luke was sent to the first of his
three imprisonments
Due to his talent as a surgeon there would always be
placement at a remote medical facility where the attending
colleagues would be astounded that a professor with such
impeccable academic credentials would be subservient to
the whims of the local civil authorities Despite the
criticisms of lesser surgeons Saint Luke would practice his
medical skills With the grace of God he amazed his
colleagues with excellent medical outcomes in
ophthalmologic and surgical cases that others deemed
incurable
In 1926 Bishop Luke returned to Tashkent but in 1930
was again arrested and sentenced to three years of exile
Upon his release he once again returned to Tashkent and
spent his time in medical practice As a physician and
professor he trained many students and colleagues in the art
of surgery and as a scientist he found the time to publish
many articles A fruit of this work was the appearance in
1934 of his book Notes on Purulent Surgery[note 3] which
laid the foundation for an entire medical specialty For that
work Bishop Luke was awarded the degree of Doctor of
Medical Science in 1936 and his work continues to be used
in medicine to this day This monograph and the
subsequent revisions was the ldquogold standardrdquo reference for
his colleagues at the time
As a capable hierarch he strengthened the parishes and
supported priests and church councils As Saint Lukersquos
surgical and pastoral popularity would increase the
communist authorities would transfer him When blatant
injustices would be committed against Christians and
fellow political prisoners he would initiate hunger strikes
In 1937 Vladyka was arrested and spent more than two
difficult years undergoing tortuous interrogation and
humiliation[note 4] Nonetheless resting his hope in the Lord
he courageously endured those trials not only refusing to
agree to false accusations against him but engaging in
active protests ndash refusing to eat and sending complaints to
the highest authorities against the prosecutorsrsquo illegal
actions He would say to his fellow prisoners
ldquoThey demand that I remove my ryassa I will never do so
It my ryassa will be with me to my very deathhellip I help
people as a physician and I help them as a servant of the
Churchhelliprdquo
The people who met him during his ordeals bore witness to
his true character As a physician he was Unmercenary and
never asked for money treating all his patients with
immense love He shared his patientsrsquo pain and anguish for
he saw each person as an image of God unique and
unrepeatable
In 1940 Bishop Luke was sentenced to five years of exile
in the Krasnoyarsk area At the beginning of the Great
Patriotic War (World War II) Bishop Luke offered the
authorities his services as a doctor and in 1941 was
appointed consultant to the hospitals of Krasnoyarsk
In 1942 Vladyka was elevated to the rank of Archbishop
and appointed to the Krasnoyarsk kathedra which at the
time did not have a single church Through Archbishop
Lukersquos efforts in 1943 a church was opened in a suburb of
Krasnoyarsk He wrote to Patriarch Sergius
ldquoAll of Eastern Siberia from Krasnoyarsk to the Pacific
Ocean gave no sign of church lifehellipIf churches in various
parts of the Krasnoyarsk area are not opened in the near
future there is a risk that the people will lapse into reli-
gious savageryrdquo
In 1944 the archbishop was appointed to the kathedra in
Tambov In 1946 for outstanding scientific work in the area
of medicine he was awarded the ldquoStalin Awardrdquo for all his
scientific publications He donated almost all of the money
to help children who had suffered as the result of the War
Also in 1946 Vladyka was appointed to the kathedra of
Crimea where at first he combined archpastoral service
with medical assistance to the people but later dedicated
himself to Church service zealously working to build up
Christrsquos vineyard something that under the conditions of
life under Communist authorities then demanded great
courage and faith
As a Bishop he preached incessantly not only about the
need to live Orthodoxy but against the perils of the ldquoLiving
Churchrdquo httpsorthodoxwikiorgLuke_(Voino-Yasenetsky)_of_Simferopol_and_Crimea
6
2019
Father
of the
Year
Byron Magafas
Fatherrsquos Day
On June 16 we announced our Father and Man of Year Congratulations to
Byron Magafas Father of the Year and
Dr Demetrios Lappas Man of the Year
May God grant them many years After the presentations we were able to
personally congratulate the recipients at a very nice reception prepared by Pete
Regopoulos and Chris Tsoubanos
2019
Man
of the
Year
Dr Demetrios
Lappas
7
Spiritual Aspects of Fatherhood
By Al Rossi PhD
A conference participant once asked the speaker ldquoWhat is
the best way for a father to love his childrenrdquo The speaker
replied ldquoThe best way for a father to love his children is to
love their motherrdquo I reflect often upon that superbly
accurate statement And I think the reverse is equally true
the best way a mother can love her children is to love their
father
More than anything else in the world children need a
loving family and parents who support each other even if
the parents are apart through separation or divorce Christ
challenges us to love one another and that challenge
becomes even more compelling within our own families
Even in the best of families there is brokenness And that is
why the manrsquos call to fatherhood is so important We
fathers are called to show our families strong manly love
and forgiveness virtues modeled powerfully in the father of
the prodigal son (Lk 1132)
This father is stable loving and generous In his fairness
he avoids violating the freedom of either of his sons When
the prodigal demands his inheritance and decides to leave
the father does not attempt to withhold the money He does
not pressure the son to stay by trying to make him feel
guilty And the father is wise enough not to send care
packages to relieve the sonrsquos distress The father allows
both of his adult sons to make their own mistakes and to
learn from their failures an appropriate form of discipline
for older adolescents and young adults
The prodigalrsquos father demonstrates manly leadership by
taking loving initiatives and he takes many such initiatives
He maintains a thriving business to provide the generous
inheritance He creates and supports a loving family for the
prodigal to run from and for the older son to remain with
And there is his last generous joyful initiative as he runs
out to embrace the returning son kiss him and put on him
the best robe ring and shoes He celebrates the return of
his son with a feast And in a scene all of us fathers can
recognize he opens up the conversation with the sulking
older son
The father takes the initiative in bringing about forgiveness
and reconciliation in the whole family He is a model for us
in responding to our call to follow the Spirit of Jesus in
taking many initiatives in our families especially that of
boundless forgiveness for our children
When a father takes responsibility for his own spiritual
life for the way he prays goes to church and practices
virtue in the family he gives good example Then his
leadership in the family is authentic based on his own
solid relationship with God and he is less likely to be
concerned about any resistance his children may give him
He can lead family prayer When I suggest that we stand in
the living room and pray before a trip or that we pray in a
restaurant I often feel an initial resistance in my children
But quiet cooperation and peacefulness soon follow
Sometimes the children will even tell me that they prayed
in a restaurant when I wasnrsquot there
At times the fatherrsquos role of leading the family to great
forgiveness and prayerfulness is an unpopular one But as
a man grows in his own spiritual life he becomes more
sturdy and willing to accept responsibility Although all
this is impossible for us fathers to do alone God can do all
things God can even bestow the awesome spiritual power
of fatherhood upon us
httpsocaorgthe-hubthe-church-on-current-issuesspiritual-aspects-
of-fatherhood
Our Churchrsquos feast day celebration
Panagiarsquos Panegyri
Sunday August 18 2019
Immediately following
Divine Liturgy
More information to follow
8
Philoptochos Corner The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos
Society
Happy July Half of our summer vacation is almost over
Hope you are making the best of it Your new Philoptochos
Board has been busy planning out the rest of their 2019
calendar We know that many of you are traveling to
Greece or other exciting places Please be smart be safe
Check in with us during coffee hour wersquoll be waiting for
you when you get back
Our Chapter
We had our 2019-2021 Executive Board Elections on June
2nd and here are the results
President ndash Flora Dimitriou
1st Vice President ndash Helena Brown
2nd Vice President ndash Keve Gialouris
Recording Secretary ndash Rose Harpole
Corresponding Secretary ndash Patricia Aaron
Treasurer ndash Angie Koulouriotis
Assistant Treasurer ndash Diane Sieckmann
Adviser ndash Soula Marcou
Board Members Yvonne Alexopoulos Dessie Bellos
Popi Deros Amalia Karakasis amp Bessie Theodorou
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Board Member Diane Sieckmann
and friends for serving coffee hour for the month of July
Thank you to everyone who made a jewelry donation to us
for our May Festival Sale All proceeds will benefit the
National Childrenrsquos Medical Fund Luncheon chapter
expenses and sponsorship programs
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund
We have RAFFLE TICKETS FOR SALE Check out the
amazing prizes you could win 1 ticket for $10 or 3 tickets
for $25 find a Philoptochos member during coffee hour to
purchase your chance to win
Please support our youth ndash National Philoptochos
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund ldquoKids Helping Kidsrdquo at our
Panagia Panegyri Sunday August 18th Our youth will be
behind the bar selling punch iced tea amp lemonade All
proceeds will benefit the CMF SponsorshipGrant Program
We need your support in order to help our Chicago Diocese
host this most worthy event
A Look Ahead
Weekend of August 16th 17th amp 18th Bring a friend and
work a shift Sign up for The Festival of the Little Hills St
Charles See Helena Brown for more information
Dont see Downton Abbeyrdquo without us We are making
plans to rent a movie theatre at the Marcus Des Peres Cine
for a private screening of the movie Ticket sales will start
in August The ticket price is $1500 per person More in-
formation to follow regarding date and time
Sunday September 8th ndash Annual Gyro Luncheon
Sunday November 3rd - Philoptochos Name Day
Artoclassia
Saturday November 16th ndash National Childrenrsquos Medical
Fund Luncheon hosted by the Metropolis of Chicago
Sunday December 1st - Philoptochos Christmas Party
Evelynrsquos House ndash BJC Hospice
We are stocking the snack pantry at the hospice house If
you would like to make a donation please see Flora
Dimitriou for a list of items needed Also Evelynrsquos House
continues to need of more crocheted lap blankets or pillow
cases If you have any interest in making the blankets or
pillow cases please let us know There is a size requirement
for these items If you would like any more information on
this project please see Flora Dimitriou or Diane Sieckmann
2019 Meeting Dates
No Meeting in July August 4 September 15 October 6
November 10 No Meeting in December
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
Flora Dimitriou
Philoptochos President
fedimitriougmailcom
636-795-4602
9
Fanari 2019 Our Fanari campers left on June 16 for a week of learning and
fellowship on the grounds of the St Iakovos Retreat Center in
Kansasville Wisconsin Fanari is wonderful experience Ask
any of our campers who went
Congratulations to our area AHEPA 53 2019
Scholarship Recipients
The awards were given out this past Sunday June 2 at
the AHEPA 53 Apartments The St Louis AHEPA
Chapter has been awarding scholarships since 1950 to hone
the recipients for their outstanding academic achievements
This year AHEPA 53 awarded 15 scholarships Receipents
from the Assumption were
Demetri Case
Athena Stamos
George Sakelis
The ceremony was emceed by Chapter President Mi-
chael Kontominas and the scholarship awards were
presented by Basil Pappas
AHEPArsquos goal is to see these young students
succeed to the highest degree possible and not to forget their
Hellenic heritage
Applications for both Chapter and District level schol-
arships can generally be picked up in February from the
Church offices or online
10
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Corner The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis
The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis works to nurture an awareness within our local churches of the
need to evangelize catechize and support missionary efforts and programs globally
As always if you have any questions would like to be part of the Mission Team St Louis or if you would like to help our
missionaries please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley 618-447-9688
Thank you for your continued support
Celebrating 10 Years Since the Dedication of OCMCs Headquarters by Niko Birbilis
This May OCMC was thrilled to celebrate our 10-year-anniversary since the dedication of our current
missionary training and administration building May 21 2009 marked a great day not only for us at OCMC
but for Orthodoxy around the world The roots of OCMC go all the way back to Athens Greece in the 1950s
and to the influence of two young theologians Fr Deacon Anastasios Yannoulatos and Fr Deacon Demetrios
Trakatellis Deacon Anastasios would eventually go on to become His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of
Albania and Deacon Demetrios would soon go on to become His Eminence Archbishop Geron Demetrios of
America
Inspired by the missionary fervor and vision of these brilliant young men the Mission Center would begin as a
committee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) of America As it continued to grow and develop
however the GOAs mission center soon moved to its own location in St Augustine Florida and Fr Dimitrios
Couchell (now His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos) was appointed as its first Executive Director In 1987
the mission center sent the first short-term mission team to Kenya and these teams would continue into the
present day as some of the most fruitful ministries of the mission center
By 1994 the GOA graciously handed its mission center over to become the pan-Orthodox mission center
representing the combined missionary efforts of all Orthodox jurisdictions in the US At this point it was finally
labeled the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
Fr Martin Ritsi took over as Executive Director in 1998 and by the late 2000s OCMC was already involved in
thirty countries around the world OCMC continued growing and soon it was time to expand to a new location
It was at this point that due to many incredibly generous supporters OCMC was able to construct its current
home the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Training and Administration Building This new
OCMC headquarters building was dedicated on May 21 2009 Since then it has increasingly been the source of
countless ministries striving to carry out Christrsquos great commission and spread the Gospel to the ends of the
earth
In the past 10 years since the dedication OCMC has sent a total of 1181 team members on 159 mission teams to
18 different countries This past year alone OCMC
Has continued to support 375 indigenous clergy worldwide through the SAMP program
Has continued to support 23 long-term missionaries
Provided medical care to 1199 people
Reached 815 children
Catechized 1400 people
Sent 4 healthcare and counseling teams
Built a church in Indonesia
Carried out 7 projects for students and orphans
Wersquove had a wonderfully exciting and fruitful history and we thank you all for walking this journey with us
With your support we are enabling countless people around the world to know the Gospel of Christ and to expe-
rience His love Please continue to keep our work in your prayers to volunteer your time and talents on our mis-
sion trips and to donate to our ministries Now we look forward to all that the next 10 years will bring
11
Births - Congratulations to
George and Melinda Abuqubou on the birth of their son
Christopher who was born on August 26 2018
Baptisms - Many Years to
Isabella Mavra Xenos Zewki daughter of Shivan and
Tatiana Zewki Isabella was baptized on May 19 2019
and her Godparents are Antonios Xenos and
Anastasia Mezinis
Anna Sophia Theodoropulos daughter of Fr Anastasios
and Presvytera Elizabeth Theodoropoulos Anna was
baptized on June 1 2019 at Saints Peter and Paul in
Glenview IL and her Godmother is Julie Stefanski
Peirce James Farmakis son of Mike and Shannon
Farmakis Pierce was baptized on June 1 2019 and his
Godfather is Kostantinos (Dino) Deros
Eleni Polixeni Psara daughter of Spiro and Colleen Psara
Eleni was baptized on June 2 2019 and her
Godparents are are Panteli Pappas and Alona
Teliatnykova
Sophia Shea Hayden daughter of Bob and Natalie
Hayden Sophia was baptized on Saturday June 22 at
Saints Pete and Paul in Glenview IL and her Godgather is
Peter Sparacio
Funerals - Memory Eternal
Anastasia ldquoAnnierdquo Markovich reposed on June 5 2019
The funeral was June 10 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox
Church with interment Mt Hope
Dorothy Nancy Graeff reposed on June 6 2019 The
funeral was on June 11 with interment at St Mathews
Cemetery
Nick Niarchos of Palos Hills Ill brother of Eugenia
(Alex) Pavlopoulos reposed on June 6th The funeral was
June 10 at Saints Constantine amp Helen Greek Orthodox
Church Palos Hills Il Interment at Evergreen Cemetery of
Evergreen Park in Il
Lehman Bennett grandfather of Jenny Bennett passes
way on June 15 The funeral and burial were on June 19
in Dallas TX
Memorials - Memory Eternal
June 2
5-year Haralambos Pelekanos
5-year Fr Constantine Regopoulos
June 9
9-mon Van (Evangelos) Evangelopoulos
1-year Tom (Athanasios) Dubis
1 year Mike Labis
1-year Elaine Scott
2 year Danica Mandrapa
8 year Ljubica Terzic
10-year Kostando Liakata
13-year Fr Gerasimos Annas
24-year Andrea Liakata
July 28
1-year Despina Zeriss
2-year Chris Zeris
August 4
21-year Athanasios Stratos
October 13
Departed Members Brotherhood of Alexander the Great
Important Please inform either Fr Joseph or Fr Anastasios
immediately when you or any member of your family is
sick or hospitalized so that appropriate prayer and
visitation may be scheduled Hospitals do not notify
clergy of patients even if you list yourself as a Church
member
In Our Prayers Nora (Elaine) Bangert Seraphima Henderson
Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris Dean Kases
Janie (Zafera) Kyramarios George Lambos
College Addresses In an effort to keep in touch with and minister to our
college students we ask anyone with a daughter or son in
college to contact the Church office with the address
phone amp email
12
Extra Virgin Olive Oil $20bottle
Missouri Flag $9600
Patriarchal Flag $28900
Holy Water bottleshelliphelliphelliphellip$30800
Icon of St Porphyrios
Icon of the Annunciation
Icon of Elder Amphilochios Makris
Icon of Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia
Dimitri and Rebecca Kagaris
Please call the church office if you would like to donate
any of these items
Womenrsquos Summer Book Study
Our plans for our Summer Book Study session are
complete
The book we are reading is
Everyday Wonders
Stories of Gods Providence
By V Rev Michael J Oleksa
and we will meet for our summer pot luck lunch and
book discussion
Saturday August 17
1100 am to 200 pm
Hosted by Keve Gialouris
17828 Greyabbey Ct
Chesterfield MO
If you have any questions please contact
Presvytera Laura Morton at 314-303-1784
Hellenic Culture Camp 2019 July 15-19
Open to all children entering 2nd grade through 8th grade in Fall 2019
Monday ndash Thursday 845 am - 300 pm
St Nicholas Family Life Center (Please bring a lunch and drink Monday-
Wednesday Greek lunch will be provided on Thursday)
Friday
845 am ndash noon Vetta Sports Manchester
Hellenic Culture Camp is a
wonderful opportunity to expose our children and grandchildren to culturally
enriching activities and friendships within our community
Activities include
Greek Cooking History
Geography Greek Dancing
Greek Language Greek Arts and Jewelry Making
Sports
Cost $100 for one child $90 for second child $80 for third child (Financial Assistance
Available)
For questions please contact Barbara Corrigan at
btcstlyahoocom or 3149606258 visit
httpswwwsngocorgnewshellenic-culture-camp
13
But I say to you the Lord says love your enemies do
good to those who hate you pray for those who
persecute you Why did he command these things So
that he might free you from hatred sadness anger and
grudges and might grant you the greatest possession of
all perfect love which is impossible to possess except
by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God
St Maximus the Confessor
Περί εἰδώλων Αγ Ἰουστίνου Πόποβιτς
Τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος δοκιμάζει καθημερινῶς στόν
κόσμο μας τήν ἐμπειρία νά ὁδηγοῦνται οἱ ἄνθρωποι
στήν ἀπώλεια εἴτε λόγῳ τῆς ἄγνοιας εἴτε τῆς μή
ἀναγνωρίσεως τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ Θεοῦ καί
Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ Μέ ἄλλα λόγια ἐκπίπτουν
ἐξαιτίας εἴτε τῆς ἀθεΐας εἴτε τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας
Αὐτή ἡ ἄγνοια ἤ ἡ μή ἀναγνώριση τοῦ Κυρίου
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιφέρει τήν ἄγνοια ἤ τήν μή
ἀναγνώριση τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ ἀγαθοῦ σέ αὐτόν
τόν κόσμο τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ Αὐτοί οἱ
ἄνθρωποι ζοῦν laquoἐν ἀσελγείαις ἐπιθυμίαις
οἰνοφλυγίαις κώμοις πότοις καί ἀθεμίτοις
εἰδωλολατρείαιςraquo Ναί laquoἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαιςraquo
γιατί ἡ εἰδωλολατρεία εἶναι πάντοτε σέ πληθυντικό
ἀριθμό Ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ὁποῖος δέν ἀναγνωρίζει τόν
μόνο ἀληθινό Θεό θέλοντας καί μή ἀναγνωρίζει
ἕνα ἀναρίθμητο πλῆθος ἄλλων μικρότερων
θεοτήτων ψευδῶν θεῶν εἰδώλων Πρόκειται γιά τίς
ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη πού δέν ἔχουν οὔτε ἀριθμό
οὔτε τέλος Ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος δελεάζεται ἀπό μία
τέτοια μικρή μικρή θεότητα τότε αὐτή τόν
παρασύρει στίς ὑπόλοιπες ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη καί
τότε εἶναι πού τόν κατακομματιάζουν καί τόν
κατασπαράζουν οἱ ἀναρίθμητοι ψευδεῖς καί
ἀδηφάγοι θεοί Καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέν εἶναι σέ θέση
νά ἀμυνθεῖ σέ αὐτήν τήν ἀγέλη τῶν τρομερῶν
θηρίων καί τῶν δελεαστικῶν πειρασμῶν Τό
μικρότερο πάθος ὁδηγεῖ σέ μεγαλύτερο καί ἔτσι
σταδιακά βυθίζεται σέ ὅλο καί μεγαλύτερα πάθη
ὥσπου ἐν τέλει δέν μπορεῖ νά ἀναδυθεῖ ἀπrsquoαὐτά
Καί κάθε πάθος ἐμπεριέχει ἀναρίθμητα εἴδωλα καί
κάθε ἐπιθυμία φέρει ὅλο καί περισσότερα εἴδωλα
πού δέν ἔχουν τελειωμό Τά εἴδωλα εἶναι σάν τή
δυνατή φωτιά μέσα της κατακαίγονται καί ἡ
συνείδηση καί ἡ ψυχή καί ἡ καρδιά καί τό θέλημα
τοῦ ἀνθρώπου Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος τῆς
ἀγάπης παρακαλεῖ τούς χριστιανούς laquoΤεκνία
φυλάξατε ἑαυτούς ἀπό τῶν εἰδώλωνraquo Ἀπό τά
εἴδωλα προέρχονται ὅλα τά κακά καί τά μικρά καί
τά μεγάλα Καί κάθε ἄνθρωπος εἶναι εἰδωλολάτρης
ἐφrsquoὅσον δέν πιστεύει στόν μόνον Ἀληθινό Θεό
στόν Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Διότι ὁπωσδήποτε σέ
κάτι πιστεύει εἴτε ὄν εἶναι αὐτό εἴτε πράγμα εἴτε σέ
ὁρατά εἴτε σέ ἀόρατα εἴδωλα ὅπως εἶναι ὁ ἥλιος ἡ
σελήνη οἱ ἀστέρες οἱ ἄνθρωποι ὁ πολιτισμός ἡ
τεχνολογία ἡ φυλή ἡ κοινωνική τάξη τά πάθη οἱ
ἡδονές καί [hellip] τό ὄνομά τους laquoΛεγεώνraquo Ἀπό τό
πρῶτο ὥς τό τελευταῖο ὅλα τά παραπάνω εἶναι
εἰδωλολατρία Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀμφιβολία ὅτι τό καθένα
ἀπrsquoαὐτά φονεύει ὅτι κάνει ἄνθρωπο τόν ἄνθρωπο
φονεύει δηλαδή ὅτι θεοειδές θεονοσταλγικό
ἀθάνατο θεῖο αἰώνιο Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος
νουθετεῖ καί ἐντέλλεται στούς χριστιανούς laquoΔιόπερ
ἀγαπητοί μου φεύγετε ἀπό τῆς εἰδωλολατρείαςraquo Οἱ
ἄνθρωποι διά τῶν ποικιλόμορφων εἰδωλολατρειῶν
ἔμμεσα ἤ ἄμεσα θυσιάζουν τούς ἑαυτούς τους στὀν
διάβολο προσφέρονται ὡς θυσία στόν διάβολο Σέ
τελευταία ἀνάλυση κάθε εἰδωλολατρία εἶναι
σατανολατρία καί κάθε εἰδωλο-διακονία εἶναι σατανο-
διακονία Μήπως δέν λατρεύει δέν διακονεῖ δέν
προσφέρει θυσία τήν ψυχή του στόν διάβολο ἐκεῖνος
πού ζεῖ στά πάθη καί στήν ἡδονή ὅποιος ὑπηρετεῖ
ὁποιονδήποτε καί ὁτιδήποτε ἐκτός ἀπό τόν μόνον
ἀληθινό Θεό καί Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Αὐτό εἶναι
τόσο ξεκάθαρο γιά κάποιον πού μπορεῖ μέ φρόνηση
νά κρίνει Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ θεόσοφος Ἀπόστολος λέγει
στούς πρώην εἰδωλολάτρες Κορινθίους laquoὡς
φρονίμοις λέγωhellipοὐ θέλω δέ ὑμᾶς κοινωνούς τῶν
δαιμονίων γίνεσθαι Οὐ δύνασθε ποτήριον Κυρίου
πίνειν καί ποτήριον δαιμονίων οὐ δύνασθε τραπέζης
Κυρίου μετέχειν καί τραπέζης δαιμονίωνraquo
Ἀναμφίβολα ὁλόκληρο τό Εὐαγγέλιο τοῦ Σωτῆρος
ἔγκειται στό ὅτι laquoτό σῶμα τῶ Κυρίῳ καί ὁ Κύριος τῶ
σώματιraquo Ἔτσι γνωρίζουμε τό αἰώνιο μυστήριο τοῦ
ἀνθρωπίνου ὄντος πώς ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός
εἶναι ὁ Σωτήρας ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὄχι μόνο
τῆς ψυχῆς ἀλλά καί τοῦ σώματός του Γιrsquoαὐτό καί τό
σῶμα τοῦ χριστιανοῦ ὀφείλει νά εἶναι ναός ἅγιος στόν
ὁποῖο ζεῖ ἡ ἁγία ψυχή στόν κόσμο μας καί στόν ὁποῖο
πρόκειται νά ζήσει καί μετά τήν κοινή ἀνάσταση τῶν
νεκρῶν Τά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν διά τοῦ ἁγίου
Βαπτίσματος τῆς Θείας Μεταλήψεως καί τοῦ
εὐαγγελικοῦ τους βίου ἔγιναν ἀναπόσπαστα μέρη τοῦ
Θεανθρώπινου σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Τά σώματα
αὐτά δέν ἀνήκουν πλέον στούς ἴδιους ἀλλά σέ
Ἐκεῖνον Ὅτι ἔγινε μέ τό ἅγιο σῶμα Ἐκείνου
πρόκειται νά συμβεῖ στά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν Για την αντιγραφή Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης
14
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Old Testament prophet Elijah the Tishbite lived during
the time when King Ahab ruled Israel Ahabs wife Jezebel
was a foreigner who did not worship the One True God of
Israel but the false god Baal She persecuted prophets and
deceitfully tried to force the people of Israel to turn away
from God and worship Baal Elijahs fiery personality often
brought him into conflict with Ahab and Jezebel because he
was absolutely determined that the people would stay
faithful to God God rewarded Elijahs devotion with the gift
of prophecy Once when Elijah knew a serious drought was
coming soon God instructed him to leave his home and go
east of the Jordan River promising that he would be fed by
a raven Just as God promised the raven
brought Elijah food and he was able to
drink from a stream When the stream ran
dry God told him to go to the city of
Zarephath In the city he met a widow
who was gathering sticks He asked her
for bread but she replied I have no
bread baked and there is only a small
amount of flour and oil left for my son
and me There was not enough she said to share with
another person Saint Elijah told her not to worry or be
afraid but to make the bread and give him a little loaf She
did so and a great miracle occurred The widow had enough
flour and oil to last a whole year Sometime later when her
son died Elijah prayed over his body and the boy came
back to life The widow was overjoyed and said to Elijah
Now I know that you speak Gods word After many years
of drought God sent Elijah to see King Ahab By this time
there was famine as well as drought in the land While
searching for food and water Ahabs advisor Obadiah met
Elijah on the road He told King Ahab that the prophet was
back and Ahab went out to meet him He said to Elijah Is
it you you troubler of Israel Saint Elijah told King Ahab
that he the king was the one who was troubling Israel
because he was not living his life according to Gods laws
and should not be following the false god Baal Then he said
to the king Tell the people of Israel and the four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal to meet me on Mount Carmel When
everyone had arrived Saint Elijah told the people If the
Lord is God follow him but if Baal is then follow him
He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest He told
them to put their sacrifice on one altar and he would put his
on another altar Neither one would start a fire to burn their
sacrifice but would call on God and Baal to start the fire
The false prophets of Baal hopped around and yelled to their
god to come and light the sacrifice Saint Elijah laughed and
said that maybe Baal was napping and needed to be
awakened The false prophets yelled even louder and still
nothing happened Elijah calmly made a large trench around
the dirt and all the water Saint Elijah had shown them all
the true and only God When King Ahab told his wife
Jezebel what Elijah had done she angrily promised to kill
the prophet Fearing for his life Elijah fled to Beer-sheba in
the land of Judah There he sat down under a broom tree
so miserable and fearful that he asked God to take his life
Instead God sent an angel to encourage him and to prepare
him for a long journey Following the angels instructions
he walked for forty days and forty nights until he came to a
cave There God spoke to him in a gentle breeze telling
him to bless helpers who would spread the true faith One
of those Elijah blessed was Elisha who was plowing his
fathers field When Saint Elijah saw him he threw his
cloak over him and soon Elisha was accompanying Elijah
as his helper As Saint Elijahs earthly life neared its end
God sent him to Bethel Jericho and the Jordan When he
came to the Jordan Elijah rolled up his cloak and touched
the water The water immediately parted and Saints Elijah
and Elisha crossed over on dry land As they continued to
walk a fiery chariot driven by fiery horses came and took
Saint Elijah in a whirlwind up into the sky Elisha took up
the great prophets cloak Elijahs story doesnt end there
He was one of two Old Testament saints who appeared with
Jesus at His Transfiguration Saint Elijah was there to
represent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the
coming of the Son of God He is a wonderful example of
someone who loved God with all of his soul all of his heart
and all of his mind In some churches on the feast of Saint
Elijah the priest blesses cars bicycles roller skates scoot-
ers (chariots) and any other method of transportation with
wheels httpdceocaorgassetsfilesresourcesSaints-Animalspdf
Troparion (Tone 4)
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets
The second forerunner of the coming of Christ Glorious
Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha To dispel diseases
and to cleanse lepers Therefore he pours forth healings on
those who honor him
Quote
I have been very zealous for the Lord Almightyhellip
- Elijah about himself 3 Kingdoms 1910
Date Born
Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the
Incarnation of Christ
Date Died
Elijahs death is described in 2 Kings 2 9-13 (4 Kingdoms
2 9-13 OSB) The date is not certain
Commemoration Date
July 20 and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
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90
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m O
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83
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are
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pro
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Fa
st D
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st D
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are
Bo
xed
July
20
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A
ssu
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n G
reek
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hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
4
Archbishop Luke
of Simferopol and
Crimea Officially
Canonized by the
Ecumenical
Patriarchate
Although Archbishop
Luke of Simferopol and
Crimea popularly known
as Saint Luke the
Surgeon was canonized
by the Russian Orthodox
Church on Mary 25 1996
following the exhumation
of the his sacred relics he
was not officially listed among the Saints by the
Ecumenical Patriarchate despite his popular veneration
among the Greeks in Greece with churches and shrines
dedicated to him there This is a common custom as each
independent Church has its own list of saints and calendar
for commemoration Since canonizations only take place
after a request has been made by a Bishop Archbishop
Luke of Simferpol and Crimea was officially canonized on
June 13 2019 after a request was made by the newly
enthroned Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kiev and All
Ukraine Therefore he is now officially listed among the
Saints by decision of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate
The Life of St Luke Bishop of Simferopol
and Crimea the Blessed Surgeon
Saint Luke Bishop of Simferopol and Crimea the Blessed
Surgeon was born Valentin Felixovich Voino-Yasenetsky
(Валентин Феликсович Войно-Ясенецкий polish
spelling Wojno-Jasieniecki April 14 1877 and died June
11 1961
Doctor of Medicine Professor and State Prize winner
since 1944 he was the Archbishop of Tambov and
Michurinsk and later of Simferopol and the Crimea While
he was serving the church as an Archbishop he was also
practicing as a surgeon and taught and published many
books and articles on regional anesthesia and surgery He
is now known to be a world-famous pioneering surgeon
In November of 1995 he was announced as a Saint by the
Ukrainian Orthodox Church and was officially glorified
by the Patriarchate of Russia May 25 1996 He is
commemorated by the church June 11 the anniversary of
his falling asleep in the Lord
Life
Born with the name Valentine Felixovitch
Voino-Yassentsky on April 27 1877 in Kerch (east
Crimea) his family members were civil servants to
Lithuanian and Polish Kings The family was
impoverished over time but Saint Luke remembers that he
received his religious inheritance from his pious father His
first true understanding of the Christian faith came from the
New Testament given to him at his high school graduation
by his principal
Education
He had an outstanding secular training Having exceptional
drawing abilities he graduated the Kiev Academy of Fine
Arts[note 1] He decided however against pursuing art in favor
of a career where he could help people who suffer and
chose to be a physician
In 1903 at the age of 26 he graduated from Great Prince St
Vladimir Medical School at the University of Kiev and for
a long time worked as a local district physician An
extraordinary medical student he excelled at anatomy His
superior knowledge of anatomy served him throughout his
surgical career
Out of compassion to the blindness that beggars were
experiencing due to trachoma Saint Luke studied
ophthalmology at the Kiev ophthalmologic clinic In a very
short time he acquired a significant amount of
ophthalmologic training His knowledge of this subspecialty
helped him treat not only his trachoma patients but many
other serious eye conditions as well
Marriage
Another important event in Valentinersquos life was the
marriage to his wife Anna a nurse They had four children
The family was transferred frequently to various regional
health care facilities and from the very beginning Valentine
never requested funds from his patients nor would he turn
anyone away because of his ethnic background or personal
beliefs When his wife died God in setting the path for
Valentinersquos Sainthood provided the family with Sofia
Sergeevna who would be the joyful surrogate mother of his
children during the harsh times ahead Valentine never
remarried
Career
During his early career he published many scientific
treatises and eventually became the head surgeon and pro-
fessor of surgery at the hospital in Tashkent in March 1917
In October Lenin took over the government and civil war
erupted in Tashkent in January 1919 Leninrsquos government
disfavored any religious witness Valentine was under
constant threat especially when treating party members but
he refused to operate under any circumstances without the
Icon of the Mother of God His results were outstanding
ldquoI ought to tell you that what God did to me as amazing and
incomprehensibleMy pursuing surgery completely satis-
fied the goal I always had to serve the poor and the suffer-
ing to dispose all my strength for the comfort of their pains
and to help them in their needsrdquo
These are some of the introductory comments from the
memoirs of Saint Luke that were kept by his secretary EP
Leikfeld His words are not vainglorious but a commentary
on how Gods plan was fulfilled through the life and
5
PARTY
February
3 2019
AT 400 PM
example of Saint Luke Living in the Ukraine during the
oppressive period of communism St Luke stood out
among his fellow physicians both as a surgeon and as a
Christian Even the communists coveted his talents for
healing the body
Ordination and Persecution
Despite the dangers from the Lenin regime he fearlessly
attended theological discussions arranged by Archpriest
Mikhail Andeev During this period when clergymen and
pious people would prove their faith in blood providence
led the Archpriest to invite Valentine to the priesthood
Thus in 1921 at the age of 44 Valentine was ordained a
priest For two years this exceptional individual was active
not only in his pastoral work but in public and scientific
activity
Eventually Fr Valentine was arrested and put on trial
falsely accused of giving inappropriate surgical care to
injured Red Army soldiers At his trial in his characteristic
fearless way he denounced the prosecutors claims by
explaining
ldquoI cut people to save them You Mr Public
Prosecutor why do you cut their heads offrdquo
Certainly the charges were never proven but since the Party
had to be infallible Fr Valentine was convicted to sixteen
years imprisonment
Doctor Scientist Bishop Imprisonments
Noting Fr Valentinersquos spiritual gifts prior to his departure
from Tashkent (arrest and exile to Siberia) in 1923 Bishop
of Ufa Andrew (Ukhtomsky) administered monastic
tonsure and facilitated his consecration as Bishop[note 2]
Almost immediately Saint Luke was sent to the first of his
three imprisonments
Due to his talent as a surgeon there would always be
placement at a remote medical facility where the attending
colleagues would be astounded that a professor with such
impeccable academic credentials would be subservient to
the whims of the local civil authorities Despite the
criticisms of lesser surgeons Saint Luke would practice his
medical skills With the grace of God he amazed his
colleagues with excellent medical outcomes in
ophthalmologic and surgical cases that others deemed
incurable
In 1926 Bishop Luke returned to Tashkent but in 1930
was again arrested and sentenced to three years of exile
Upon his release he once again returned to Tashkent and
spent his time in medical practice As a physician and
professor he trained many students and colleagues in the art
of surgery and as a scientist he found the time to publish
many articles A fruit of this work was the appearance in
1934 of his book Notes on Purulent Surgery[note 3] which
laid the foundation for an entire medical specialty For that
work Bishop Luke was awarded the degree of Doctor of
Medical Science in 1936 and his work continues to be used
in medicine to this day This monograph and the
subsequent revisions was the ldquogold standardrdquo reference for
his colleagues at the time
As a capable hierarch he strengthened the parishes and
supported priests and church councils As Saint Lukersquos
surgical and pastoral popularity would increase the
communist authorities would transfer him When blatant
injustices would be committed against Christians and
fellow political prisoners he would initiate hunger strikes
In 1937 Vladyka was arrested and spent more than two
difficult years undergoing tortuous interrogation and
humiliation[note 4] Nonetheless resting his hope in the Lord
he courageously endured those trials not only refusing to
agree to false accusations against him but engaging in
active protests ndash refusing to eat and sending complaints to
the highest authorities against the prosecutorsrsquo illegal
actions He would say to his fellow prisoners
ldquoThey demand that I remove my ryassa I will never do so
It my ryassa will be with me to my very deathhellip I help
people as a physician and I help them as a servant of the
Churchhelliprdquo
The people who met him during his ordeals bore witness to
his true character As a physician he was Unmercenary and
never asked for money treating all his patients with
immense love He shared his patientsrsquo pain and anguish for
he saw each person as an image of God unique and
unrepeatable
In 1940 Bishop Luke was sentenced to five years of exile
in the Krasnoyarsk area At the beginning of the Great
Patriotic War (World War II) Bishop Luke offered the
authorities his services as a doctor and in 1941 was
appointed consultant to the hospitals of Krasnoyarsk
In 1942 Vladyka was elevated to the rank of Archbishop
and appointed to the Krasnoyarsk kathedra which at the
time did not have a single church Through Archbishop
Lukersquos efforts in 1943 a church was opened in a suburb of
Krasnoyarsk He wrote to Patriarch Sergius
ldquoAll of Eastern Siberia from Krasnoyarsk to the Pacific
Ocean gave no sign of church lifehellipIf churches in various
parts of the Krasnoyarsk area are not opened in the near
future there is a risk that the people will lapse into reli-
gious savageryrdquo
In 1944 the archbishop was appointed to the kathedra in
Tambov In 1946 for outstanding scientific work in the area
of medicine he was awarded the ldquoStalin Awardrdquo for all his
scientific publications He donated almost all of the money
to help children who had suffered as the result of the War
Also in 1946 Vladyka was appointed to the kathedra of
Crimea where at first he combined archpastoral service
with medical assistance to the people but later dedicated
himself to Church service zealously working to build up
Christrsquos vineyard something that under the conditions of
life under Communist authorities then demanded great
courage and faith
As a Bishop he preached incessantly not only about the
need to live Orthodoxy but against the perils of the ldquoLiving
Churchrdquo httpsorthodoxwikiorgLuke_(Voino-Yasenetsky)_of_Simferopol_and_Crimea
6
2019
Father
of the
Year
Byron Magafas
Fatherrsquos Day
On June 16 we announced our Father and Man of Year Congratulations to
Byron Magafas Father of the Year and
Dr Demetrios Lappas Man of the Year
May God grant them many years After the presentations we were able to
personally congratulate the recipients at a very nice reception prepared by Pete
Regopoulos and Chris Tsoubanos
2019
Man
of the
Year
Dr Demetrios
Lappas
7
Spiritual Aspects of Fatherhood
By Al Rossi PhD
A conference participant once asked the speaker ldquoWhat is
the best way for a father to love his childrenrdquo The speaker
replied ldquoThe best way for a father to love his children is to
love their motherrdquo I reflect often upon that superbly
accurate statement And I think the reverse is equally true
the best way a mother can love her children is to love their
father
More than anything else in the world children need a
loving family and parents who support each other even if
the parents are apart through separation or divorce Christ
challenges us to love one another and that challenge
becomes even more compelling within our own families
Even in the best of families there is brokenness And that is
why the manrsquos call to fatherhood is so important We
fathers are called to show our families strong manly love
and forgiveness virtues modeled powerfully in the father of
the prodigal son (Lk 1132)
This father is stable loving and generous In his fairness
he avoids violating the freedom of either of his sons When
the prodigal demands his inheritance and decides to leave
the father does not attempt to withhold the money He does
not pressure the son to stay by trying to make him feel
guilty And the father is wise enough not to send care
packages to relieve the sonrsquos distress The father allows
both of his adult sons to make their own mistakes and to
learn from their failures an appropriate form of discipline
for older adolescents and young adults
The prodigalrsquos father demonstrates manly leadership by
taking loving initiatives and he takes many such initiatives
He maintains a thriving business to provide the generous
inheritance He creates and supports a loving family for the
prodigal to run from and for the older son to remain with
And there is his last generous joyful initiative as he runs
out to embrace the returning son kiss him and put on him
the best robe ring and shoes He celebrates the return of
his son with a feast And in a scene all of us fathers can
recognize he opens up the conversation with the sulking
older son
The father takes the initiative in bringing about forgiveness
and reconciliation in the whole family He is a model for us
in responding to our call to follow the Spirit of Jesus in
taking many initiatives in our families especially that of
boundless forgiveness for our children
When a father takes responsibility for his own spiritual
life for the way he prays goes to church and practices
virtue in the family he gives good example Then his
leadership in the family is authentic based on his own
solid relationship with God and he is less likely to be
concerned about any resistance his children may give him
He can lead family prayer When I suggest that we stand in
the living room and pray before a trip or that we pray in a
restaurant I often feel an initial resistance in my children
But quiet cooperation and peacefulness soon follow
Sometimes the children will even tell me that they prayed
in a restaurant when I wasnrsquot there
At times the fatherrsquos role of leading the family to great
forgiveness and prayerfulness is an unpopular one But as
a man grows in his own spiritual life he becomes more
sturdy and willing to accept responsibility Although all
this is impossible for us fathers to do alone God can do all
things God can even bestow the awesome spiritual power
of fatherhood upon us
httpsocaorgthe-hubthe-church-on-current-issuesspiritual-aspects-
of-fatherhood
Our Churchrsquos feast day celebration
Panagiarsquos Panegyri
Sunday August 18 2019
Immediately following
Divine Liturgy
More information to follow
8
Philoptochos Corner The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos
Society
Happy July Half of our summer vacation is almost over
Hope you are making the best of it Your new Philoptochos
Board has been busy planning out the rest of their 2019
calendar We know that many of you are traveling to
Greece or other exciting places Please be smart be safe
Check in with us during coffee hour wersquoll be waiting for
you when you get back
Our Chapter
We had our 2019-2021 Executive Board Elections on June
2nd and here are the results
President ndash Flora Dimitriou
1st Vice President ndash Helena Brown
2nd Vice President ndash Keve Gialouris
Recording Secretary ndash Rose Harpole
Corresponding Secretary ndash Patricia Aaron
Treasurer ndash Angie Koulouriotis
Assistant Treasurer ndash Diane Sieckmann
Adviser ndash Soula Marcou
Board Members Yvonne Alexopoulos Dessie Bellos
Popi Deros Amalia Karakasis amp Bessie Theodorou
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Board Member Diane Sieckmann
and friends for serving coffee hour for the month of July
Thank you to everyone who made a jewelry donation to us
for our May Festival Sale All proceeds will benefit the
National Childrenrsquos Medical Fund Luncheon chapter
expenses and sponsorship programs
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund
We have RAFFLE TICKETS FOR SALE Check out the
amazing prizes you could win 1 ticket for $10 or 3 tickets
for $25 find a Philoptochos member during coffee hour to
purchase your chance to win
Please support our youth ndash National Philoptochos
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund ldquoKids Helping Kidsrdquo at our
Panagia Panegyri Sunday August 18th Our youth will be
behind the bar selling punch iced tea amp lemonade All
proceeds will benefit the CMF SponsorshipGrant Program
We need your support in order to help our Chicago Diocese
host this most worthy event
A Look Ahead
Weekend of August 16th 17th amp 18th Bring a friend and
work a shift Sign up for The Festival of the Little Hills St
Charles See Helena Brown for more information
Dont see Downton Abbeyrdquo without us We are making
plans to rent a movie theatre at the Marcus Des Peres Cine
for a private screening of the movie Ticket sales will start
in August The ticket price is $1500 per person More in-
formation to follow regarding date and time
Sunday September 8th ndash Annual Gyro Luncheon
Sunday November 3rd - Philoptochos Name Day
Artoclassia
Saturday November 16th ndash National Childrenrsquos Medical
Fund Luncheon hosted by the Metropolis of Chicago
Sunday December 1st - Philoptochos Christmas Party
Evelynrsquos House ndash BJC Hospice
We are stocking the snack pantry at the hospice house If
you would like to make a donation please see Flora
Dimitriou for a list of items needed Also Evelynrsquos House
continues to need of more crocheted lap blankets or pillow
cases If you have any interest in making the blankets or
pillow cases please let us know There is a size requirement
for these items If you would like any more information on
this project please see Flora Dimitriou or Diane Sieckmann
2019 Meeting Dates
No Meeting in July August 4 September 15 October 6
November 10 No Meeting in December
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
Flora Dimitriou
Philoptochos President
fedimitriougmailcom
636-795-4602
9
Fanari 2019 Our Fanari campers left on June 16 for a week of learning and
fellowship on the grounds of the St Iakovos Retreat Center in
Kansasville Wisconsin Fanari is wonderful experience Ask
any of our campers who went
Congratulations to our area AHEPA 53 2019
Scholarship Recipients
The awards were given out this past Sunday June 2 at
the AHEPA 53 Apartments The St Louis AHEPA
Chapter has been awarding scholarships since 1950 to hone
the recipients for their outstanding academic achievements
This year AHEPA 53 awarded 15 scholarships Receipents
from the Assumption were
Demetri Case
Athena Stamos
George Sakelis
The ceremony was emceed by Chapter President Mi-
chael Kontominas and the scholarship awards were
presented by Basil Pappas
AHEPArsquos goal is to see these young students
succeed to the highest degree possible and not to forget their
Hellenic heritage
Applications for both Chapter and District level schol-
arships can generally be picked up in February from the
Church offices or online
10
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Corner The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis
The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis works to nurture an awareness within our local churches of the
need to evangelize catechize and support missionary efforts and programs globally
As always if you have any questions would like to be part of the Mission Team St Louis or if you would like to help our
missionaries please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley 618-447-9688
Thank you for your continued support
Celebrating 10 Years Since the Dedication of OCMCs Headquarters by Niko Birbilis
This May OCMC was thrilled to celebrate our 10-year-anniversary since the dedication of our current
missionary training and administration building May 21 2009 marked a great day not only for us at OCMC
but for Orthodoxy around the world The roots of OCMC go all the way back to Athens Greece in the 1950s
and to the influence of two young theologians Fr Deacon Anastasios Yannoulatos and Fr Deacon Demetrios
Trakatellis Deacon Anastasios would eventually go on to become His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of
Albania and Deacon Demetrios would soon go on to become His Eminence Archbishop Geron Demetrios of
America
Inspired by the missionary fervor and vision of these brilliant young men the Mission Center would begin as a
committee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) of America As it continued to grow and develop
however the GOAs mission center soon moved to its own location in St Augustine Florida and Fr Dimitrios
Couchell (now His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos) was appointed as its first Executive Director In 1987
the mission center sent the first short-term mission team to Kenya and these teams would continue into the
present day as some of the most fruitful ministries of the mission center
By 1994 the GOA graciously handed its mission center over to become the pan-Orthodox mission center
representing the combined missionary efforts of all Orthodox jurisdictions in the US At this point it was finally
labeled the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
Fr Martin Ritsi took over as Executive Director in 1998 and by the late 2000s OCMC was already involved in
thirty countries around the world OCMC continued growing and soon it was time to expand to a new location
It was at this point that due to many incredibly generous supporters OCMC was able to construct its current
home the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Training and Administration Building This new
OCMC headquarters building was dedicated on May 21 2009 Since then it has increasingly been the source of
countless ministries striving to carry out Christrsquos great commission and spread the Gospel to the ends of the
earth
In the past 10 years since the dedication OCMC has sent a total of 1181 team members on 159 mission teams to
18 different countries This past year alone OCMC
Has continued to support 375 indigenous clergy worldwide through the SAMP program
Has continued to support 23 long-term missionaries
Provided medical care to 1199 people
Reached 815 children
Catechized 1400 people
Sent 4 healthcare and counseling teams
Built a church in Indonesia
Carried out 7 projects for students and orphans
Wersquove had a wonderfully exciting and fruitful history and we thank you all for walking this journey with us
With your support we are enabling countless people around the world to know the Gospel of Christ and to expe-
rience His love Please continue to keep our work in your prayers to volunteer your time and talents on our mis-
sion trips and to donate to our ministries Now we look forward to all that the next 10 years will bring
11
Births - Congratulations to
George and Melinda Abuqubou on the birth of their son
Christopher who was born on August 26 2018
Baptisms - Many Years to
Isabella Mavra Xenos Zewki daughter of Shivan and
Tatiana Zewki Isabella was baptized on May 19 2019
and her Godparents are Antonios Xenos and
Anastasia Mezinis
Anna Sophia Theodoropulos daughter of Fr Anastasios
and Presvytera Elizabeth Theodoropoulos Anna was
baptized on June 1 2019 at Saints Peter and Paul in
Glenview IL and her Godmother is Julie Stefanski
Peirce James Farmakis son of Mike and Shannon
Farmakis Pierce was baptized on June 1 2019 and his
Godfather is Kostantinos (Dino) Deros
Eleni Polixeni Psara daughter of Spiro and Colleen Psara
Eleni was baptized on June 2 2019 and her
Godparents are are Panteli Pappas and Alona
Teliatnykova
Sophia Shea Hayden daughter of Bob and Natalie
Hayden Sophia was baptized on Saturday June 22 at
Saints Pete and Paul in Glenview IL and her Godgather is
Peter Sparacio
Funerals - Memory Eternal
Anastasia ldquoAnnierdquo Markovich reposed on June 5 2019
The funeral was June 10 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox
Church with interment Mt Hope
Dorothy Nancy Graeff reposed on June 6 2019 The
funeral was on June 11 with interment at St Mathews
Cemetery
Nick Niarchos of Palos Hills Ill brother of Eugenia
(Alex) Pavlopoulos reposed on June 6th The funeral was
June 10 at Saints Constantine amp Helen Greek Orthodox
Church Palos Hills Il Interment at Evergreen Cemetery of
Evergreen Park in Il
Lehman Bennett grandfather of Jenny Bennett passes
way on June 15 The funeral and burial were on June 19
in Dallas TX
Memorials - Memory Eternal
June 2
5-year Haralambos Pelekanos
5-year Fr Constantine Regopoulos
June 9
9-mon Van (Evangelos) Evangelopoulos
1-year Tom (Athanasios) Dubis
1 year Mike Labis
1-year Elaine Scott
2 year Danica Mandrapa
8 year Ljubica Terzic
10-year Kostando Liakata
13-year Fr Gerasimos Annas
24-year Andrea Liakata
July 28
1-year Despina Zeriss
2-year Chris Zeris
August 4
21-year Athanasios Stratos
October 13
Departed Members Brotherhood of Alexander the Great
Important Please inform either Fr Joseph or Fr Anastasios
immediately when you or any member of your family is
sick or hospitalized so that appropriate prayer and
visitation may be scheduled Hospitals do not notify
clergy of patients even if you list yourself as a Church
member
In Our Prayers Nora (Elaine) Bangert Seraphima Henderson
Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris Dean Kases
Janie (Zafera) Kyramarios George Lambos
College Addresses In an effort to keep in touch with and minister to our
college students we ask anyone with a daughter or son in
college to contact the Church office with the address
phone amp email
12
Extra Virgin Olive Oil $20bottle
Missouri Flag $9600
Patriarchal Flag $28900
Holy Water bottleshelliphelliphelliphellip$30800
Icon of St Porphyrios
Icon of the Annunciation
Icon of Elder Amphilochios Makris
Icon of Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia
Dimitri and Rebecca Kagaris
Please call the church office if you would like to donate
any of these items
Womenrsquos Summer Book Study
Our plans for our Summer Book Study session are
complete
The book we are reading is
Everyday Wonders
Stories of Gods Providence
By V Rev Michael J Oleksa
and we will meet for our summer pot luck lunch and
book discussion
Saturday August 17
1100 am to 200 pm
Hosted by Keve Gialouris
17828 Greyabbey Ct
Chesterfield MO
If you have any questions please contact
Presvytera Laura Morton at 314-303-1784
Hellenic Culture Camp 2019 July 15-19
Open to all children entering 2nd grade through 8th grade in Fall 2019
Monday ndash Thursday 845 am - 300 pm
St Nicholas Family Life Center (Please bring a lunch and drink Monday-
Wednesday Greek lunch will be provided on Thursday)
Friday
845 am ndash noon Vetta Sports Manchester
Hellenic Culture Camp is a
wonderful opportunity to expose our children and grandchildren to culturally
enriching activities and friendships within our community
Activities include
Greek Cooking History
Geography Greek Dancing
Greek Language Greek Arts and Jewelry Making
Sports
Cost $100 for one child $90 for second child $80 for third child (Financial Assistance
Available)
For questions please contact Barbara Corrigan at
btcstlyahoocom or 3149606258 visit
httpswwwsngocorgnewshellenic-culture-camp
13
But I say to you the Lord says love your enemies do
good to those who hate you pray for those who
persecute you Why did he command these things So
that he might free you from hatred sadness anger and
grudges and might grant you the greatest possession of
all perfect love which is impossible to possess except
by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God
St Maximus the Confessor
Περί εἰδώλων Αγ Ἰουστίνου Πόποβιτς
Τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος δοκιμάζει καθημερινῶς στόν
κόσμο μας τήν ἐμπειρία νά ὁδηγοῦνται οἱ ἄνθρωποι
στήν ἀπώλεια εἴτε λόγῳ τῆς ἄγνοιας εἴτε τῆς μή
ἀναγνωρίσεως τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ Θεοῦ καί
Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ Μέ ἄλλα λόγια ἐκπίπτουν
ἐξαιτίας εἴτε τῆς ἀθεΐας εἴτε τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας
Αὐτή ἡ ἄγνοια ἤ ἡ μή ἀναγνώριση τοῦ Κυρίου
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιφέρει τήν ἄγνοια ἤ τήν μή
ἀναγνώριση τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ ἀγαθοῦ σέ αὐτόν
τόν κόσμο τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ Αὐτοί οἱ
ἄνθρωποι ζοῦν laquoἐν ἀσελγείαις ἐπιθυμίαις
οἰνοφλυγίαις κώμοις πότοις καί ἀθεμίτοις
εἰδωλολατρείαιςraquo Ναί laquoἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαιςraquo
γιατί ἡ εἰδωλολατρεία εἶναι πάντοτε σέ πληθυντικό
ἀριθμό Ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ὁποῖος δέν ἀναγνωρίζει τόν
μόνο ἀληθινό Θεό θέλοντας καί μή ἀναγνωρίζει
ἕνα ἀναρίθμητο πλῆθος ἄλλων μικρότερων
θεοτήτων ψευδῶν θεῶν εἰδώλων Πρόκειται γιά τίς
ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη πού δέν ἔχουν οὔτε ἀριθμό
οὔτε τέλος Ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος δελεάζεται ἀπό μία
τέτοια μικρή μικρή θεότητα τότε αὐτή τόν
παρασύρει στίς ὑπόλοιπες ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη καί
τότε εἶναι πού τόν κατακομματιάζουν καί τόν
κατασπαράζουν οἱ ἀναρίθμητοι ψευδεῖς καί
ἀδηφάγοι θεοί Καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέν εἶναι σέ θέση
νά ἀμυνθεῖ σέ αὐτήν τήν ἀγέλη τῶν τρομερῶν
θηρίων καί τῶν δελεαστικῶν πειρασμῶν Τό
μικρότερο πάθος ὁδηγεῖ σέ μεγαλύτερο καί ἔτσι
σταδιακά βυθίζεται σέ ὅλο καί μεγαλύτερα πάθη
ὥσπου ἐν τέλει δέν μπορεῖ νά ἀναδυθεῖ ἀπrsquoαὐτά
Καί κάθε πάθος ἐμπεριέχει ἀναρίθμητα εἴδωλα καί
κάθε ἐπιθυμία φέρει ὅλο καί περισσότερα εἴδωλα
πού δέν ἔχουν τελειωμό Τά εἴδωλα εἶναι σάν τή
δυνατή φωτιά μέσα της κατακαίγονται καί ἡ
συνείδηση καί ἡ ψυχή καί ἡ καρδιά καί τό θέλημα
τοῦ ἀνθρώπου Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος τῆς
ἀγάπης παρακαλεῖ τούς χριστιανούς laquoΤεκνία
φυλάξατε ἑαυτούς ἀπό τῶν εἰδώλωνraquo Ἀπό τά
εἴδωλα προέρχονται ὅλα τά κακά καί τά μικρά καί
τά μεγάλα Καί κάθε ἄνθρωπος εἶναι εἰδωλολάτρης
ἐφrsquoὅσον δέν πιστεύει στόν μόνον Ἀληθινό Θεό
στόν Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Διότι ὁπωσδήποτε σέ
κάτι πιστεύει εἴτε ὄν εἶναι αὐτό εἴτε πράγμα εἴτε σέ
ὁρατά εἴτε σέ ἀόρατα εἴδωλα ὅπως εἶναι ὁ ἥλιος ἡ
σελήνη οἱ ἀστέρες οἱ ἄνθρωποι ὁ πολιτισμός ἡ
τεχνολογία ἡ φυλή ἡ κοινωνική τάξη τά πάθη οἱ
ἡδονές καί [hellip] τό ὄνομά τους laquoΛεγεώνraquo Ἀπό τό
πρῶτο ὥς τό τελευταῖο ὅλα τά παραπάνω εἶναι
εἰδωλολατρία Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀμφιβολία ὅτι τό καθένα
ἀπrsquoαὐτά φονεύει ὅτι κάνει ἄνθρωπο τόν ἄνθρωπο
φονεύει δηλαδή ὅτι θεοειδές θεονοσταλγικό
ἀθάνατο θεῖο αἰώνιο Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος
νουθετεῖ καί ἐντέλλεται στούς χριστιανούς laquoΔιόπερ
ἀγαπητοί μου φεύγετε ἀπό τῆς εἰδωλολατρείαςraquo Οἱ
ἄνθρωποι διά τῶν ποικιλόμορφων εἰδωλολατρειῶν
ἔμμεσα ἤ ἄμεσα θυσιάζουν τούς ἑαυτούς τους στὀν
διάβολο προσφέρονται ὡς θυσία στόν διάβολο Σέ
τελευταία ἀνάλυση κάθε εἰδωλολατρία εἶναι
σατανολατρία καί κάθε εἰδωλο-διακονία εἶναι σατανο-
διακονία Μήπως δέν λατρεύει δέν διακονεῖ δέν
προσφέρει θυσία τήν ψυχή του στόν διάβολο ἐκεῖνος
πού ζεῖ στά πάθη καί στήν ἡδονή ὅποιος ὑπηρετεῖ
ὁποιονδήποτε καί ὁτιδήποτε ἐκτός ἀπό τόν μόνον
ἀληθινό Θεό καί Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Αὐτό εἶναι
τόσο ξεκάθαρο γιά κάποιον πού μπορεῖ μέ φρόνηση
νά κρίνει Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ θεόσοφος Ἀπόστολος λέγει
στούς πρώην εἰδωλολάτρες Κορινθίους laquoὡς
φρονίμοις λέγωhellipοὐ θέλω δέ ὑμᾶς κοινωνούς τῶν
δαιμονίων γίνεσθαι Οὐ δύνασθε ποτήριον Κυρίου
πίνειν καί ποτήριον δαιμονίων οὐ δύνασθε τραπέζης
Κυρίου μετέχειν καί τραπέζης δαιμονίωνraquo
Ἀναμφίβολα ὁλόκληρο τό Εὐαγγέλιο τοῦ Σωτῆρος
ἔγκειται στό ὅτι laquoτό σῶμα τῶ Κυρίῳ καί ὁ Κύριος τῶ
σώματιraquo Ἔτσι γνωρίζουμε τό αἰώνιο μυστήριο τοῦ
ἀνθρωπίνου ὄντος πώς ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός
εἶναι ὁ Σωτήρας ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὄχι μόνο
τῆς ψυχῆς ἀλλά καί τοῦ σώματός του Γιrsquoαὐτό καί τό
σῶμα τοῦ χριστιανοῦ ὀφείλει νά εἶναι ναός ἅγιος στόν
ὁποῖο ζεῖ ἡ ἁγία ψυχή στόν κόσμο μας καί στόν ὁποῖο
πρόκειται νά ζήσει καί μετά τήν κοινή ἀνάσταση τῶν
νεκρῶν Τά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν διά τοῦ ἁγίου
Βαπτίσματος τῆς Θείας Μεταλήψεως καί τοῦ
εὐαγγελικοῦ τους βίου ἔγιναν ἀναπόσπαστα μέρη τοῦ
Θεανθρώπινου σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Τά σώματα
αὐτά δέν ἀνήκουν πλέον στούς ἴδιους ἀλλά σέ
Ἐκεῖνον Ὅτι ἔγινε μέ τό ἅγιο σῶμα Ἐκείνου
πρόκειται νά συμβεῖ στά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν Για την αντιγραφή Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης
14
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Old Testament prophet Elijah the Tishbite lived during
the time when King Ahab ruled Israel Ahabs wife Jezebel
was a foreigner who did not worship the One True God of
Israel but the false god Baal She persecuted prophets and
deceitfully tried to force the people of Israel to turn away
from God and worship Baal Elijahs fiery personality often
brought him into conflict with Ahab and Jezebel because he
was absolutely determined that the people would stay
faithful to God God rewarded Elijahs devotion with the gift
of prophecy Once when Elijah knew a serious drought was
coming soon God instructed him to leave his home and go
east of the Jordan River promising that he would be fed by
a raven Just as God promised the raven
brought Elijah food and he was able to
drink from a stream When the stream ran
dry God told him to go to the city of
Zarephath In the city he met a widow
who was gathering sticks He asked her
for bread but she replied I have no
bread baked and there is only a small
amount of flour and oil left for my son
and me There was not enough she said to share with
another person Saint Elijah told her not to worry or be
afraid but to make the bread and give him a little loaf She
did so and a great miracle occurred The widow had enough
flour and oil to last a whole year Sometime later when her
son died Elijah prayed over his body and the boy came
back to life The widow was overjoyed and said to Elijah
Now I know that you speak Gods word After many years
of drought God sent Elijah to see King Ahab By this time
there was famine as well as drought in the land While
searching for food and water Ahabs advisor Obadiah met
Elijah on the road He told King Ahab that the prophet was
back and Ahab went out to meet him He said to Elijah Is
it you you troubler of Israel Saint Elijah told King Ahab
that he the king was the one who was troubling Israel
because he was not living his life according to Gods laws
and should not be following the false god Baal Then he said
to the king Tell the people of Israel and the four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal to meet me on Mount Carmel When
everyone had arrived Saint Elijah told the people If the
Lord is God follow him but if Baal is then follow him
He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest He told
them to put their sacrifice on one altar and he would put his
on another altar Neither one would start a fire to burn their
sacrifice but would call on God and Baal to start the fire
The false prophets of Baal hopped around and yelled to their
god to come and light the sacrifice Saint Elijah laughed and
said that maybe Baal was napping and needed to be
awakened The false prophets yelled even louder and still
nothing happened Elijah calmly made a large trench around
the dirt and all the water Saint Elijah had shown them all
the true and only God When King Ahab told his wife
Jezebel what Elijah had done she angrily promised to kill
the prophet Fearing for his life Elijah fled to Beer-sheba in
the land of Judah There he sat down under a broom tree
so miserable and fearful that he asked God to take his life
Instead God sent an angel to encourage him and to prepare
him for a long journey Following the angels instructions
he walked for forty days and forty nights until he came to a
cave There God spoke to him in a gentle breeze telling
him to bless helpers who would spread the true faith One
of those Elijah blessed was Elisha who was plowing his
fathers field When Saint Elijah saw him he threw his
cloak over him and soon Elisha was accompanying Elijah
as his helper As Saint Elijahs earthly life neared its end
God sent him to Bethel Jericho and the Jordan When he
came to the Jordan Elijah rolled up his cloak and touched
the water The water immediately parted and Saints Elijah
and Elisha crossed over on dry land As they continued to
walk a fiery chariot driven by fiery horses came and took
Saint Elijah in a whirlwind up into the sky Elisha took up
the great prophets cloak Elijahs story doesnt end there
He was one of two Old Testament saints who appeared with
Jesus at His Transfiguration Saint Elijah was there to
represent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the
coming of the Son of God He is a wonderful example of
someone who loved God with all of his soul all of his heart
and all of his mind In some churches on the feast of Saint
Elijah the priest blesses cars bicycles roller skates scoot-
ers (chariots) and any other method of transportation with
wheels httpdceocaorgassetsfilesresourcesSaints-Animalspdf
Troparion (Tone 4)
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets
The second forerunner of the coming of Christ Glorious
Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha To dispel diseases
and to cleanse lepers Therefore he pours forth healings on
those who honor him
Quote
I have been very zealous for the Lord Almightyhellip
- Elijah about himself 3 Kingdoms 1910
Date Born
Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the
Incarnation of Christ
Date Died
Elijahs death is described in 2 Kings 2 9-13 (4 Kingdoms
2 9-13 OSB) The date is not certain
Commemoration Date
July 20 and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
s
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
2
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
3
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
4 I
nd
ep
en
den
ce D
ay
5
NO
FR
IDA
Y L
UN
CH
EO
N
Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
7
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
8
9
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
10
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
11 G
rea
t M
arty
r
Eu
ph
em
ia
80
0 a
m O
rth
ros
90
0 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
12
St
Pais
ios
of
Mt
Ath
os
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
15
1
6
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
17
Gre
at
Marty
r
Ma
rin
a
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
20
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m K
afen
io
18
19
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
21
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
25
Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
28
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
29
3
0
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
5
PARTY
February
3 2019
AT 400 PM
example of Saint Luke Living in the Ukraine during the
oppressive period of communism St Luke stood out
among his fellow physicians both as a surgeon and as a
Christian Even the communists coveted his talents for
healing the body
Ordination and Persecution
Despite the dangers from the Lenin regime he fearlessly
attended theological discussions arranged by Archpriest
Mikhail Andeev During this period when clergymen and
pious people would prove their faith in blood providence
led the Archpriest to invite Valentine to the priesthood
Thus in 1921 at the age of 44 Valentine was ordained a
priest For two years this exceptional individual was active
not only in his pastoral work but in public and scientific
activity
Eventually Fr Valentine was arrested and put on trial
falsely accused of giving inappropriate surgical care to
injured Red Army soldiers At his trial in his characteristic
fearless way he denounced the prosecutors claims by
explaining
ldquoI cut people to save them You Mr Public
Prosecutor why do you cut their heads offrdquo
Certainly the charges were never proven but since the Party
had to be infallible Fr Valentine was convicted to sixteen
years imprisonment
Doctor Scientist Bishop Imprisonments
Noting Fr Valentinersquos spiritual gifts prior to his departure
from Tashkent (arrest and exile to Siberia) in 1923 Bishop
of Ufa Andrew (Ukhtomsky) administered monastic
tonsure and facilitated his consecration as Bishop[note 2]
Almost immediately Saint Luke was sent to the first of his
three imprisonments
Due to his talent as a surgeon there would always be
placement at a remote medical facility where the attending
colleagues would be astounded that a professor with such
impeccable academic credentials would be subservient to
the whims of the local civil authorities Despite the
criticisms of lesser surgeons Saint Luke would practice his
medical skills With the grace of God he amazed his
colleagues with excellent medical outcomes in
ophthalmologic and surgical cases that others deemed
incurable
In 1926 Bishop Luke returned to Tashkent but in 1930
was again arrested and sentenced to three years of exile
Upon his release he once again returned to Tashkent and
spent his time in medical practice As a physician and
professor he trained many students and colleagues in the art
of surgery and as a scientist he found the time to publish
many articles A fruit of this work was the appearance in
1934 of his book Notes on Purulent Surgery[note 3] which
laid the foundation for an entire medical specialty For that
work Bishop Luke was awarded the degree of Doctor of
Medical Science in 1936 and his work continues to be used
in medicine to this day This monograph and the
subsequent revisions was the ldquogold standardrdquo reference for
his colleagues at the time
As a capable hierarch he strengthened the parishes and
supported priests and church councils As Saint Lukersquos
surgical and pastoral popularity would increase the
communist authorities would transfer him When blatant
injustices would be committed against Christians and
fellow political prisoners he would initiate hunger strikes
In 1937 Vladyka was arrested and spent more than two
difficult years undergoing tortuous interrogation and
humiliation[note 4] Nonetheless resting his hope in the Lord
he courageously endured those trials not only refusing to
agree to false accusations against him but engaging in
active protests ndash refusing to eat and sending complaints to
the highest authorities against the prosecutorsrsquo illegal
actions He would say to his fellow prisoners
ldquoThey demand that I remove my ryassa I will never do so
It my ryassa will be with me to my very deathhellip I help
people as a physician and I help them as a servant of the
Churchhelliprdquo
The people who met him during his ordeals bore witness to
his true character As a physician he was Unmercenary and
never asked for money treating all his patients with
immense love He shared his patientsrsquo pain and anguish for
he saw each person as an image of God unique and
unrepeatable
In 1940 Bishop Luke was sentenced to five years of exile
in the Krasnoyarsk area At the beginning of the Great
Patriotic War (World War II) Bishop Luke offered the
authorities his services as a doctor and in 1941 was
appointed consultant to the hospitals of Krasnoyarsk
In 1942 Vladyka was elevated to the rank of Archbishop
and appointed to the Krasnoyarsk kathedra which at the
time did not have a single church Through Archbishop
Lukersquos efforts in 1943 a church was opened in a suburb of
Krasnoyarsk He wrote to Patriarch Sergius
ldquoAll of Eastern Siberia from Krasnoyarsk to the Pacific
Ocean gave no sign of church lifehellipIf churches in various
parts of the Krasnoyarsk area are not opened in the near
future there is a risk that the people will lapse into reli-
gious savageryrdquo
In 1944 the archbishop was appointed to the kathedra in
Tambov In 1946 for outstanding scientific work in the area
of medicine he was awarded the ldquoStalin Awardrdquo for all his
scientific publications He donated almost all of the money
to help children who had suffered as the result of the War
Also in 1946 Vladyka was appointed to the kathedra of
Crimea where at first he combined archpastoral service
with medical assistance to the people but later dedicated
himself to Church service zealously working to build up
Christrsquos vineyard something that under the conditions of
life under Communist authorities then demanded great
courage and faith
As a Bishop he preached incessantly not only about the
need to live Orthodoxy but against the perils of the ldquoLiving
Churchrdquo httpsorthodoxwikiorgLuke_(Voino-Yasenetsky)_of_Simferopol_and_Crimea
6
2019
Father
of the
Year
Byron Magafas
Fatherrsquos Day
On June 16 we announced our Father and Man of Year Congratulations to
Byron Magafas Father of the Year and
Dr Demetrios Lappas Man of the Year
May God grant them many years After the presentations we were able to
personally congratulate the recipients at a very nice reception prepared by Pete
Regopoulos and Chris Tsoubanos
2019
Man
of the
Year
Dr Demetrios
Lappas
7
Spiritual Aspects of Fatherhood
By Al Rossi PhD
A conference participant once asked the speaker ldquoWhat is
the best way for a father to love his childrenrdquo The speaker
replied ldquoThe best way for a father to love his children is to
love their motherrdquo I reflect often upon that superbly
accurate statement And I think the reverse is equally true
the best way a mother can love her children is to love their
father
More than anything else in the world children need a
loving family and parents who support each other even if
the parents are apart through separation or divorce Christ
challenges us to love one another and that challenge
becomes even more compelling within our own families
Even in the best of families there is brokenness And that is
why the manrsquos call to fatherhood is so important We
fathers are called to show our families strong manly love
and forgiveness virtues modeled powerfully in the father of
the prodigal son (Lk 1132)
This father is stable loving and generous In his fairness
he avoids violating the freedom of either of his sons When
the prodigal demands his inheritance and decides to leave
the father does not attempt to withhold the money He does
not pressure the son to stay by trying to make him feel
guilty And the father is wise enough not to send care
packages to relieve the sonrsquos distress The father allows
both of his adult sons to make their own mistakes and to
learn from their failures an appropriate form of discipline
for older adolescents and young adults
The prodigalrsquos father demonstrates manly leadership by
taking loving initiatives and he takes many such initiatives
He maintains a thriving business to provide the generous
inheritance He creates and supports a loving family for the
prodigal to run from and for the older son to remain with
And there is his last generous joyful initiative as he runs
out to embrace the returning son kiss him and put on him
the best robe ring and shoes He celebrates the return of
his son with a feast And in a scene all of us fathers can
recognize he opens up the conversation with the sulking
older son
The father takes the initiative in bringing about forgiveness
and reconciliation in the whole family He is a model for us
in responding to our call to follow the Spirit of Jesus in
taking many initiatives in our families especially that of
boundless forgiveness for our children
When a father takes responsibility for his own spiritual
life for the way he prays goes to church and practices
virtue in the family he gives good example Then his
leadership in the family is authentic based on his own
solid relationship with God and he is less likely to be
concerned about any resistance his children may give him
He can lead family prayer When I suggest that we stand in
the living room and pray before a trip or that we pray in a
restaurant I often feel an initial resistance in my children
But quiet cooperation and peacefulness soon follow
Sometimes the children will even tell me that they prayed
in a restaurant when I wasnrsquot there
At times the fatherrsquos role of leading the family to great
forgiveness and prayerfulness is an unpopular one But as
a man grows in his own spiritual life he becomes more
sturdy and willing to accept responsibility Although all
this is impossible for us fathers to do alone God can do all
things God can even bestow the awesome spiritual power
of fatherhood upon us
httpsocaorgthe-hubthe-church-on-current-issuesspiritual-aspects-
of-fatherhood
Our Churchrsquos feast day celebration
Panagiarsquos Panegyri
Sunday August 18 2019
Immediately following
Divine Liturgy
More information to follow
8
Philoptochos Corner The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos
Society
Happy July Half of our summer vacation is almost over
Hope you are making the best of it Your new Philoptochos
Board has been busy planning out the rest of their 2019
calendar We know that many of you are traveling to
Greece or other exciting places Please be smart be safe
Check in with us during coffee hour wersquoll be waiting for
you when you get back
Our Chapter
We had our 2019-2021 Executive Board Elections on June
2nd and here are the results
President ndash Flora Dimitriou
1st Vice President ndash Helena Brown
2nd Vice President ndash Keve Gialouris
Recording Secretary ndash Rose Harpole
Corresponding Secretary ndash Patricia Aaron
Treasurer ndash Angie Koulouriotis
Assistant Treasurer ndash Diane Sieckmann
Adviser ndash Soula Marcou
Board Members Yvonne Alexopoulos Dessie Bellos
Popi Deros Amalia Karakasis amp Bessie Theodorou
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Board Member Diane Sieckmann
and friends for serving coffee hour for the month of July
Thank you to everyone who made a jewelry donation to us
for our May Festival Sale All proceeds will benefit the
National Childrenrsquos Medical Fund Luncheon chapter
expenses and sponsorship programs
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund
We have RAFFLE TICKETS FOR SALE Check out the
amazing prizes you could win 1 ticket for $10 or 3 tickets
for $25 find a Philoptochos member during coffee hour to
purchase your chance to win
Please support our youth ndash National Philoptochos
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund ldquoKids Helping Kidsrdquo at our
Panagia Panegyri Sunday August 18th Our youth will be
behind the bar selling punch iced tea amp lemonade All
proceeds will benefit the CMF SponsorshipGrant Program
We need your support in order to help our Chicago Diocese
host this most worthy event
A Look Ahead
Weekend of August 16th 17th amp 18th Bring a friend and
work a shift Sign up for The Festival of the Little Hills St
Charles See Helena Brown for more information
Dont see Downton Abbeyrdquo without us We are making
plans to rent a movie theatre at the Marcus Des Peres Cine
for a private screening of the movie Ticket sales will start
in August The ticket price is $1500 per person More in-
formation to follow regarding date and time
Sunday September 8th ndash Annual Gyro Luncheon
Sunday November 3rd - Philoptochos Name Day
Artoclassia
Saturday November 16th ndash National Childrenrsquos Medical
Fund Luncheon hosted by the Metropolis of Chicago
Sunday December 1st - Philoptochos Christmas Party
Evelynrsquos House ndash BJC Hospice
We are stocking the snack pantry at the hospice house If
you would like to make a donation please see Flora
Dimitriou for a list of items needed Also Evelynrsquos House
continues to need of more crocheted lap blankets or pillow
cases If you have any interest in making the blankets or
pillow cases please let us know There is a size requirement
for these items If you would like any more information on
this project please see Flora Dimitriou or Diane Sieckmann
2019 Meeting Dates
No Meeting in July August 4 September 15 October 6
November 10 No Meeting in December
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
Flora Dimitriou
Philoptochos President
fedimitriougmailcom
636-795-4602
9
Fanari 2019 Our Fanari campers left on June 16 for a week of learning and
fellowship on the grounds of the St Iakovos Retreat Center in
Kansasville Wisconsin Fanari is wonderful experience Ask
any of our campers who went
Congratulations to our area AHEPA 53 2019
Scholarship Recipients
The awards were given out this past Sunday June 2 at
the AHEPA 53 Apartments The St Louis AHEPA
Chapter has been awarding scholarships since 1950 to hone
the recipients for their outstanding academic achievements
This year AHEPA 53 awarded 15 scholarships Receipents
from the Assumption were
Demetri Case
Athena Stamos
George Sakelis
The ceremony was emceed by Chapter President Mi-
chael Kontominas and the scholarship awards were
presented by Basil Pappas
AHEPArsquos goal is to see these young students
succeed to the highest degree possible and not to forget their
Hellenic heritage
Applications for both Chapter and District level schol-
arships can generally be picked up in February from the
Church offices or online
10
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Corner The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis
The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis works to nurture an awareness within our local churches of the
need to evangelize catechize and support missionary efforts and programs globally
As always if you have any questions would like to be part of the Mission Team St Louis or if you would like to help our
missionaries please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley 618-447-9688
Thank you for your continued support
Celebrating 10 Years Since the Dedication of OCMCs Headquarters by Niko Birbilis
This May OCMC was thrilled to celebrate our 10-year-anniversary since the dedication of our current
missionary training and administration building May 21 2009 marked a great day not only for us at OCMC
but for Orthodoxy around the world The roots of OCMC go all the way back to Athens Greece in the 1950s
and to the influence of two young theologians Fr Deacon Anastasios Yannoulatos and Fr Deacon Demetrios
Trakatellis Deacon Anastasios would eventually go on to become His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of
Albania and Deacon Demetrios would soon go on to become His Eminence Archbishop Geron Demetrios of
America
Inspired by the missionary fervor and vision of these brilliant young men the Mission Center would begin as a
committee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) of America As it continued to grow and develop
however the GOAs mission center soon moved to its own location in St Augustine Florida and Fr Dimitrios
Couchell (now His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos) was appointed as its first Executive Director In 1987
the mission center sent the first short-term mission team to Kenya and these teams would continue into the
present day as some of the most fruitful ministries of the mission center
By 1994 the GOA graciously handed its mission center over to become the pan-Orthodox mission center
representing the combined missionary efforts of all Orthodox jurisdictions in the US At this point it was finally
labeled the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
Fr Martin Ritsi took over as Executive Director in 1998 and by the late 2000s OCMC was already involved in
thirty countries around the world OCMC continued growing and soon it was time to expand to a new location
It was at this point that due to many incredibly generous supporters OCMC was able to construct its current
home the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Training and Administration Building This new
OCMC headquarters building was dedicated on May 21 2009 Since then it has increasingly been the source of
countless ministries striving to carry out Christrsquos great commission and spread the Gospel to the ends of the
earth
In the past 10 years since the dedication OCMC has sent a total of 1181 team members on 159 mission teams to
18 different countries This past year alone OCMC
Has continued to support 375 indigenous clergy worldwide through the SAMP program
Has continued to support 23 long-term missionaries
Provided medical care to 1199 people
Reached 815 children
Catechized 1400 people
Sent 4 healthcare and counseling teams
Built a church in Indonesia
Carried out 7 projects for students and orphans
Wersquove had a wonderfully exciting and fruitful history and we thank you all for walking this journey with us
With your support we are enabling countless people around the world to know the Gospel of Christ and to expe-
rience His love Please continue to keep our work in your prayers to volunteer your time and talents on our mis-
sion trips and to donate to our ministries Now we look forward to all that the next 10 years will bring
11
Births - Congratulations to
George and Melinda Abuqubou on the birth of their son
Christopher who was born on August 26 2018
Baptisms - Many Years to
Isabella Mavra Xenos Zewki daughter of Shivan and
Tatiana Zewki Isabella was baptized on May 19 2019
and her Godparents are Antonios Xenos and
Anastasia Mezinis
Anna Sophia Theodoropulos daughter of Fr Anastasios
and Presvytera Elizabeth Theodoropoulos Anna was
baptized on June 1 2019 at Saints Peter and Paul in
Glenview IL and her Godmother is Julie Stefanski
Peirce James Farmakis son of Mike and Shannon
Farmakis Pierce was baptized on June 1 2019 and his
Godfather is Kostantinos (Dino) Deros
Eleni Polixeni Psara daughter of Spiro and Colleen Psara
Eleni was baptized on June 2 2019 and her
Godparents are are Panteli Pappas and Alona
Teliatnykova
Sophia Shea Hayden daughter of Bob and Natalie
Hayden Sophia was baptized on Saturday June 22 at
Saints Pete and Paul in Glenview IL and her Godgather is
Peter Sparacio
Funerals - Memory Eternal
Anastasia ldquoAnnierdquo Markovich reposed on June 5 2019
The funeral was June 10 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox
Church with interment Mt Hope
Dorothy Nancy Graeff reposed on June 6 2019 The
funeral was on June 11 with interment at St Mathews
Cemetery
Nick Niarchos of Palos Hills Ill brother of Eugenia
(Alex) Pavlopoulos reposed on June 6th The funeral was
June 10 at Saints Constantine amp Helen Greek Orthodox
Church Palos Hills Il Interment at Evergreen Cemetery of
Evergreen Park in Il
Lehman Bennett grandfather of Jenny Bennett passes
way on June 15 The funeral and burial were on June 19
in Dallas TX
Memorials - Memory Eternal
June 2
5-year Haralambos Pelekanos
5-year Fr Constantine Regopoulos
June 9
9-mon Van (Evangelos) Evangelopoulos
1-year Tom (Athanasios) Dubis
1 year Mike Labis
1-year Elaine Scott
2 year Danica Mandrapa
8 year Ljubica Terzic
10-year Kostando Liakata
13-year Fr Gerasimos Annas
24-year Andrea Liakata
July 28
1-year Despina Zeriss
2-year Chris Zeris
August 4
21-year Athanasios Stratos
October 13
Departed Members Brotherhood of Alexander the Great
Important Please inform either Fr Joseph or Fr Anastasios
immediately when you or any member of your family is
sick or hospitalized so that appropriate prayer and
visitation may be scheduled Hospitals do not notify
clergy of patients even if you list yourself as a Church
member
In Our Prayers Nora (Elaine) Bangert Seraphima Henderson
Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris Dean Kases
Janie (Zafera) Kyramarios George Lambos
College Addresses In an effort to keep in touch with and minister to our
college students we ask anyone with a daughter or son in
college to contact the Church office with the address
phone amp email
12
Extra Virgin Olive Oil $20bottle
Missouri Flag $9600
Patriarchal Flag $28900
Holy Water bottleshelliphelliphelliphellip$30800
Icon of St Porphyrios
Icon of the Annunciation
Icon of Elder Amphilochios Makris
Icon of Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia
Dimitri and Rebecca Kagaris
Please call the church office if you would like to donate
any of these items
Womenrsquos Summer Book Study
Our plans for our Summer Book Study session are
complete
The book we are reading is
Everyday Wonders
Stories of Gods Providence
By V Rev Michael J Oleksa
and we will meet for our summer pot luck lunch and
book discussion
Saturday August 17
1100 am to 200 pm
Hosted by Keve Gialouris
17828 Greyabbey Ct
Chesterfield MO
If you have any questions please contact
Presvytera Laura Morton at 314-303-1784
Hellenic Culture Camp 2019 July 15-19
Open to all children entering 2nd grade through 8th grade in Fall 2019
Monday ndash Thursday 845 am - 300 pm
St Nicholas Family Life Center (Please bring a lunch and drink Monday-
Wednesday Greek lunch will be provided on Thursday)
Friday
845 am ndash noon Vetta Sports Manchester
Hellenic Culture Camp is a
wonderful opportunity to expose our children and grandchildren to culturally
enriching activities and friendships within our community
Activities include
Greek Cooking History
Geography Greek Dancing
Greek Language Greek Arts and Jewelry Making
Sports
Cost $100 for one child $90 for second child $80 for third child (Financial Assistance
Available)
For questions please contact Barbara Corrigan at
btcstlyahoocom or 3149606258 visit
httpswwwsngocorgnewshellenic-culture-camp
13
But I say to you the Lord says love your enemies do
good to those who hate you pray for those who
persecute you Why did he command these things So
that he might free you from hatred sadness anger and
grudges and might grant you the greatest possession of
all perfect love which is impossible to possess except
by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God
St Maximus the Confessor
Περί εἰδώλων Αγ Ἰουστίνου Πόποβιτς
Τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος δοκιμάζει καθημερινῶς στόν
κόσμο μας τήν ἐμπειρία νά ὁδηγοῦνται οἱ ἄνθρωποι
στήν ἀπώλεια εἴτε λόγῳ τῆς ἄγνοιας εἴτε τῆς μή
ἀναγνωρίσεως τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ Θεοῦ καί
Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ Μέ ἄλλα λόγια ἐκπίπτουν
ἐξαιτίας εἴτε τῆς ἀθεΐας εἴτε τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας
Αὐτή ἡ ἄγνοια ἤ ἡ μή ἀναγνώριση τοῦ Κυρίου
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιφέρει τήν ἄγνοια ἤ τήν μή
ἀναγνώριση τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ ἀγαθοῦ σέ αὐτόν
τόν κόσμο τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ Αὐτοί οἱ
ἄνθρωποι ζοῦν laquoἐν ἀσελγείαις ἐπιθυμίαις
οἰνοφλυγίαις κώμοις πότοις καί ἀθεμίτοις
εἰδωλολατρείαιςraquo Ναί laquoἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαιςraquo
γιατί ἡ εἰδωλολατρεία εἶναι πάντοτε σέ πληθυντικό
ἀριθμό Ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ὁποῖος δέν ἀναγνωρίζει τόν
μόνο ἀληθινό Θεό θέλοντας καί μή ἀναγνωρίζει
ἕνα ἀναρίθμητο πλῆθος ἄλλων μικρότερων
θεοτήτων ψευδῶν θεῶν εἰδώλων Πρόκειται γιά τίς
ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη πού δέν ἔχουν οὔτε ἀριθμό
οὔτε τέλος Ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος δελεάζεται ἀπό μία
τέτοια μικρή μικρή θεότητα τότε αὐτή τόν
παρασύρει στίς ὑπόλοιπες ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη καί
τότε εἶναι πού τόν κατακομματιάζουν καί τόν
κατασπαράζουν οἱ ἀναρίθμητοι ψευδεῖς καί
ἀδηφάγοι θεοί Καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέν εἶναι σέ θέση
νά ἀμυνθεῖ σέ αὐτήν τήν ἀγέλη τῶν τρομερῶν
θηρίων καί τῶν δελεαστικῶν πειρασμῶν Τό
μικρότερο πάθος ὁδηγεῖ σέ μεγαλύτερο καί ἔτσι
σταδιακά βυθίζεται σέ ὅλο καί μεγαλύτερα πάθη
ὥσπου ἐν τέλει δέν μπορεῖ νά ἀναδυθεῖ ἀπrsquoαὐτά
Καί κάθε πάθος ἐμπεριέχει ἀναρίθμητα εἴδωλα καί
κάθε ἐπιθυμία φέρει ὅλο καί περισσότερα εἴδωλα
πού δέν ἔχουν τελειωμό Τά εἴδωλα εἶναι σάν τή
δυνατή φωτιά μέσα της κατακαίγονται καί ἡ
συνείδηση καί ἡ ψυχή καί ἡ καρδιά καί τό θέλημα
τοῦ ἀνθρώπου Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος τῆς
ἀγάπης παρακαλεῖ τούς χριστιανούς laquoΤεκνία
φυλάξατε ἑαυτούς ἀπό τῶν εἰδώλωνraquo Ἀπό τά
εἴδωλα προέρχονται ὅλα τά κακά καί τά μικρά καί
τά μεγάλα Καί κάθε ἄνθρωπος εἶναι εἰδωλολάτρης
ἐφrsquoὅσον δέν πιστεύει στόν μόνον Ἀληθινό Θεό
στόν Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Διότι ὁπωσδήποτε σέ
κάτι πιστεύει εἴτε ὄν εἶναι αὐτό εἴτε πράγμα εἴτε σέ
ὁρατά εἴτε σέ ἀόρατα εἴδωλα ὅπως εἶναι ὁ ἥλιος ἡ
σελήνη οἱ ἀστέρες οἱ ἄνθρωποι ὁ πολιτισμός ἡ
τεχνολογία ἡ φυλή ἡ κοινωνική τάξη τά πάθη οἱ
ἡδονές καί [hellip] τό ὄνομά τους laquoΛεγεώνraquo Ἀπό τό
πρῶτο ὥς τό τελευταῖο ὅλα τά παραπάνω εἶναι
εἰδωλολατρία Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀμφιβολία ὅτι τό καθένα
ἀπrsquoαὐτά φονεύει ὅτι κάνει ἄνθρωπο τόν ἄνθρωπο
φονεύει δηλαδή ὅτι θεοειδές θεονοσταλγικό
ἀθάνατο θεῖο αἰώνιο Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος
νουθετεῖ καί ἐντέλλεται στούς χριστιανούς laquoΔιόπερ
ἀγαπητοί μου φεύγετε ἀπό τῆς εἰδωλολατρείαςraquo Οἱ
ἄνθρωποι διά τῶν ποικιλόμορφων εἰδωλολατρειῶν
ἔμμεσα ἤ ἄμεσα θυσιάζουν τούς ἑαυτούς τους στὀν
διάβολο προσφέρονται ὡς θυσία στόν διάβολο Σέ
τελευταία ἀνάλυση κάθε εἰδωλολατρία εἶναι
σατανολατρία καί κάθε εἰδωλο-διακονία εἶναι σατανο-
διακονία Μήπως δέν λατρεύει δέν διακονεῖ δέν
προσφέρει θυσία τήν ψυχή του στόν διάβολο ἐκεῖνος
πού ζεῖ στά πάθη καί στήν ἡδονή ὅποιος ὑπηρετεῖ
ὁποιονδήποτε καί ὁτιδήποτε ἐκτός ἀπό τόν μόνον
ἀληθινό Θεό καί Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Αὐτό εἶναι
τόσο ξεκάθαρο γιά κάποιον πού μπορεῖ μέ φρόνηση
νά κρίνει Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ θεόσοφος Ἀπόστολος λέγει
στούς πρώην εἰδωλολάτρες Κορινθίους laquoὡς
φρονίμοις λέγωhellipοὐ θέλω δέ ὑμᾶς κοινωνούς τῶν
δαιμονίων γίνεσθαι Οὐ δύνασθε ποτήριον Κυρίου
πίνειν καί ποτήριον δαιμονίων οὐ δύνασθε τραπέζης
Κυρίου μετέχειν καί τραπέζης δαιμονίωνraquo
Ἀναμφίβολα ὁλόκληρο τό Εὐαγγέλιο τοῦ Σωτῆρος
ἔγκειται στό ὅτι laquoτό σῶμα τῶ Κυρίῳ καί ὁ Κύριος τῶ
σώματιraquo Ἔτσι γνωρίζουμε τό αἰώνιο μυστήριο τοῦ
ἀνθρωπίνου ὄντος πώς ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός
εἶναι ὁ Σωτήρας ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὄχι μόνο
τῆς ψυχῆς ἀλλά καί τοῦ σώματός του Γιrsquoαὐτό καί τό
σῶμα τοῦ χριστιανοῦ ὀφείλει νά εἶναι ναός ἅγιος στόν
ὁποῖο ζεῖ ἡ ἁγία ψυχή στόν κόσμο μας καί στόν ὁποῖο
πρόκειται νά ζήσει καί μετά τήν κοινή ἀνάσταση τῶν
νεκρῶν Τά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν διά τοῦ ἁγίου
Βαπτίσματος τῆς Θείας Μεταλήψεως καί τοῦ
εὐαγγελικοῦ τους βίου ἔγιναν ἀναπόσπαστα μέρη τοῦ
Θεανθρώπινου σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Τά σώματα
αὐτά δέν ἀνήκουν πλέον στούς ἴδιους ἀλλά σέ
Ἐκεῖνον Ὅτι ἔγινε μέ τό ἅγιο σῶμα Ἐκείνου
πρόκειται νά συμβεῖ στά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν Για την αντιγραφή Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης
14
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Old Testament prophet Elijah the Tishbite lived during
the time when King Ahab ruled Israel Ahabs wife Jezebel
was a foreigner who did not worship the One True God of
Israel but the false god Baal She persecuted prophets and
deceitfully tried to force the people of Israel to turn away
from God and worship Baal Elijahs fiery personality often
brought him into conflict with Ahab and Jezebel because he
was absolutely determined that the people would stay
faithful to God God rewarded Elijahs devotion with the gift
of prophecy Once when Elijah knew a serious drought was
coming soon God instructed him to leave his home and go
east of the Jordan River promising that he would be fed by
a raven Just as God promised the raven
brought Elijah food and he was able to
drink from a stream When the stream ran
dry God told him to go to the city of
Zarephath In the city he met a widow
who was gathering sticks He asked her
for bread but she replied I have no
bread baked and there is only a small
amount of flour and oil left for my son
and me There was not enough she said to share with
another person Saint Elijah told her not to worry or be
afraid but to make the bread and give him a little loaf She
did so and a great miracle occurred The widow had enough
flour and oil to last a whole year Sometime later when her
son died Elijah prayed over his body and the boy came
back to life The widow was overjoyed and said to Elijah
Now I know that you speak Gods word After many years
of drought God sent Elijah to see King Ahab By this time
there was famine as well as drought in the land While
searching for food and water Ahabs advisor Obadiah met
Elijah on the road He told King Ahab that the prophet was
back and Ahab went out to meet him He said to Elijah Is
it you you troubler of Israel Saint Elijah told King Ahab
that he the king was the one who was troubling Israel
because he was not living his life according to Gods laws
and should not be following the false god Baal Then he said
to the king Tell the people of Israel and the four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal to meet me on Mount Carmel When
everyone had arrived Saint Elijah told the people If the
Lord is God follow him but if Baal is then follow him
He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest He told
them to put their sacrifice on one altar and he would put his
on another altar Neither one would start a fire to burn their
sacrifice but would call on God and Baal to start the fire
The false prophets of Baal hopped around and yelled to their
god to come and light the sacrifice Saint Elijah laughed and
said that maybe Baal was napping and needed to be
awakened The false prophets yelled even louder and still
nothing happened Elijah calmly made a large trench around
the dirt and all the water Saint Elijah had shown them all
the true and only God When King Ahab told his wife
Jezebel what Elijah had done she angrily promised to kill
the prophet Fearing for his life Elijah fled to Beer-sheba in
the land of Judah There he sat down under a broom tree
so miserable and fearful that he asked God to take his life
Instead God sent an angel to encourage him and to prepare
him for a long journey Following the angels instructions
he walked for forty days and forty nights until he came to a
cave There God spoke to him in a gentle breeze telling
him to bless helpers who would spread the true faith One
of those Elijah blessed was Elisha who was plowing his
fathers field When Saint Elijah saw him he threw his
cloak over him and soon Elisha was accompanying Elijah
as his helper As Saint Elijahs earthly life neared its end
God sent him to Bethel Jericho and the Jordan When he
came to the Jordan Elijah rolled up his cloak and touched
the water The water immediately parted and Saints Elijah
and Elisha crossed over on dry land As they continued to
walk a fiery chariot driven by fiery horses came and took
Saint Elijah in a whirlwind up into the sky Elisha took up
the great prophets cloak Elijahs story doesnt end there
He was one of two Old Testament saints who appeared with
Jesus at His Transfiguration Saint Elijah was there to
represent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the
coming of the Son of God He is a wonderful example of
someone who loved God with all of his soul all of his heart
and all of his mind In some churches on the feast of Saint
Elijah the priest blesses cars bicycles roller skates scoot-
ers (chariots) and any other method of transportation with
wheels httpdceocaorgassetsfilesresourcesSaints-Animalspdf
Troparion (Tone 4)
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets
The second forerunner of the coming of Christ Glorious
Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha To dispel diseases
and to cleanse lepers Therefore he pours forth healings on
those who honor him
Quote
I have been very zealous for the Lord Almightyhellip
- Elijah about himself 3 Kingdoms 1910
Date Born
Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the
Incarnation of Christ
Date Died
Elijahs death is described in 2 Kings 2 9-13 (4 Kingdoms
2 9-13 OSB) The date is not certain
Commemoration Date
July 20 and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
s
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
2
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
3
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
4 I
nd
ep
en
den
ce D
ay
5
NO
FR
IDA
Y L
UN
CH
EO
N
Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
7
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
8
9
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
10
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
11 G
rea
t M
arty
r
Eu
ph
em
ia
80
0 a
m O
rth
ros
90
0 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
12
St
Pais
ios
of
Mt
Ath
os
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
15
1
6
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
17
Gre
at
Marty
r
Ma
rin
a
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
18
19
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
21
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
25
Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
28
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
29
3
0
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
6
2019
Father
of the
Year
Byron Magafas
Fatherrsquos Day
On June 16 we announced our Father and Man of Year Congratulations to
Byron Magafas Father of the Year and
Dr Demetrios Lappas Man of the Year
May God grant them many years After the presentations we were able to
personally congratulate the recipients at a very nice reception prepared by Pete
Regopoulos and Chris Tsoubanos
2019
Man
of the
Year
Dr Demetrios
Lappas
7
Spiritual Aspects of Fatherhood
By Al Rossi PhD
A conference participant once asked the speaker ldquoWhat is
the best way for a father to love his childrenrdquo The speaker
replied ldquoThe best way for a father to love his children is to
love their motherrdquo I reflect often upon that superbly
accurate statement And I think the reverse is equally true
the best way a mother can love her children is to love their
father
More than anything else in the world children need a
loving family and parents who support each other even if
the parents are apart through separation or divorce Christ
challenges us to love one another and that challenge
becomes even more compelling within our own families
Even in the best of families there is brokenness And that is
why the manrsquos call to fatherhood is so important We
fathers are called to show our families strong manly love
and forgiveness virtues modeled powerfully in the father of
the prodigal son (Lk 1132)
This father is stable loving and generous In his fairness
he avoids violating the freedom of either of his sons When
the prodigal demands his inheritance and decides to leave
the father does not attempt to withhold the money He does
not pressure the son to stay by trying to make him feel
guilty And the father is wise enough not to send care
packages to relieve the sonrsquos distress The father allows
both of his adult sons to make their own mistakes and to
learn from their failures an appropriate form of discipline
for older adolescents and young adults
The prodigalrsquos father demonstrates manly leadership by
taking loving initiatives and he takes many such initiatives
He maintains a thriving business to provide the generous
inheritance He creates and supports a loving family for the
prodigal to run from and for the older son to remain with
And there is his last generous joyful initiative as he runs
out to embrace the returning son kiss him and put on him
the best robe ring and shoes He celebrates the return of
his son with a feast And in a scene all of us fathers can
recognize he opens up the conversation with the sulking
older son
The father takes the initiative in bringing about forgiveness
and reconciliation in the whole family He is a model for us
in responding to our call to follow the Spirit of Jesus in
taking many initiatives in our families especially that of
boundless forgiveness for our children
When a father takes responsibility for his own spiritual
life for the way he prays goes to church and practices
virtue in the family he gives good example Then his
leadership in the family is authentic based on his own
solid relationship with God and he is less likely to be
concerned about any resistance his children may give him
He can lead family prayer When I suggest that we stand in
the living room and pray before a trip or that we pray in a
restaurant I often feel an initial resistance in my children
But quiet cooperation and peacefulness soon follow
Sometimes the children will even tell me that they prayed
in a restaurant when I wasnrsquot there
At times the fatherrsquos role of leading the family to great
forgiveness and prayerfulness is an unpopular one But as
a man grows in his own spiritual life he becomes more
sturdy and willing to accept responsibility Although all
this is impossible for us fathers to do alone God can do all
things God can even bestow the awesome spiritual power
of fatherhood upon us
httpsocaorgthe-hubthe-church-on-current-issuesspiritual-aspects-
of-fatherhood
Our Churchrsquos feast day celebration
Panagiarsquos Panegyri
Sunday August 18 2019
Immediately following
Divine Liturgy
More information to follow
8
Philoptochos Corner The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos
Society
Happy July Half of our summer vacation is almost over
Hope you are making the best of it Your new Philoptochos
Board has been busy planning out the rest of their 2019
calendar We know that many of you are traveling to
Greece or other exciting places Please be smart be safe
Check in with us during coffee hour wersquoll be waiting for
you when you get back
Our Chapter
We had our 2019-2021 Executive Board Elections on June
2nd and here are the results
President ndash Flora Dimitriou
1st Vice President ndash Helena Brown
2nd Vice President ndash Keve Gialouris
Recording Secretary ndash Rose Harpole
Corresponding Secretary ndash Patricia Aaron
Treasurer ndash Angie Koulouriotis
Assistant Treasurer ndash Diane Sieckmann
Adviser ndash Soula Marcou
Board Members Yvonne Alexopoulos Dessie Bellos
Popi Deros Amalia Karakasis amp Bessie Theodorou
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Board Member Diane Sieckmann
and friends for serving coffee hour for the month of July
Thank you to everyone who made a jewelry donation to us
for our May Festival Sale All proceeds will benefit the
National Childrenrsquos Medical Fund Luncheon chapter
expenses and sponsorship programs
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund
We have RAFFLE TICKETS FOR SALE Check out the
amazing prizes you could win 1 ticket for $10 or 3 tickets
for $25 find a Philoptochos member during coffee hour to
purchase your chance to win
Please support our youth ndash National Philoptochos
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund ldquoKids Helping Kidsrdquo at our
Panagia Panegyri Sunday August 18th Our youth will be
behind the bar selling punch iced tea amp lemonade All
proceeds will benefit the CMF SponsorshipGrant Program
We need your support in order to help our Chicago Diocese
host this most worthy event
A Look Ahead
Weekend of August 16th 17th amp 18th Bring a friend and
work a shift Sign up for The Festival of the Little Hills St
Charles See Helena Brown for more information
Dont see Downton Abbeyrdquo without us We are making
plans to rent a movie theatre at the Marcus Des Peres Cine
for a private screening of the movie Ticket sales will start
in August The ticket price is $1500 per person More in-
formation to follow regarding date and time
Sunday September 8th ndash Annual Gyro Luncheon
Sunday November 3rd - Philoptochos Name Day
Artoclassia
Saturday November 16th ndash National Childrenrsquos Medical
Fund Luncheon hosted by the Metropolis of Chicago
Sunday December 1st - Philoptochos Christmas Party
Evelynrsquos House ndash BJC Hospice
We are stocking the snack pantry at the hospice house If
you would like to make a donation please see Flora
Dimitriou for a list of items needed Also Evelynrsquos House
continues to need of more crocheted lap blankets or pillow
cases If you have any interest in making the blankets or
pillow cases please let us know There is a size requirement
for these items If you would like any more information on
this project please see Flora Dimitriou or Diane Sieckmann
2019 Meeting Dates
No Meeting in July August 4 September 15 October 6
November 10 No Meeting in December
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
Flora Dimitriou
Philoptochos President
fedimitriougmailcom
636-795-4602
9
Fanari 2019 Our Fanari campers left on June 16 for a week of learning and
fellowship on the grounds of the St Iakovos Retreat Center in
Kansasville Wisconsin Fanari is wonderful experience Ask
any of our campers who went
Congratulations to our area AHEPA 53 2019
Scholarship Recipients
The awards were given out this past Sunday June 2 at
the AHEPA 53 Apartments The St Louis AHEPA
Chapter has been awarding scholarships since 1950 to hone
the recipients for their outstanding academic achievements
This year AHEPA 53 awarded 15 scholarships Receipents
from the Assumption were
Demetri Case
Athena Stamos
George Sakelis
The ceremony was emceed by Chapter President Mi-
chael Kontominas and the scholarship awards were
presented by Basil Pappas
AHEPArsquos goal is to see these young students
succeed to the highest degree possible and not to forget their
Hellenic heritage
Applications for both Chapter and District level schol-
arships can generally be picked up in February from the
Church offices or online
10
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Corner The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis
The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis works to nurture an awareness within our local churches of the
need to evangelize catechize and support missionary efforts and programs globally
As always if you have any questions would like to be part of the Mission Team St Louis or if you would like to help our
missionaries please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley 618-447-9688
Thank you for your continued support
Celebrating 10 Years Since the Dedication of OCMCs Headquarters by Niko Birbilis
This May OCMC was thrilled to celebrate our 10-year-anniversary since the dedication of our current
missionary training and administration building May 21 2009 marked a great day not only for us at OCMC
but for Orthodoxy around the world The roots of OCMC go all the way back to Athens Greece in the 1950s
and to the influence of two young theologians Fr Deacon Anastasios Yannoulatos and Fr Deacon Demetrios
Trakatellis Deacon Anastasios would eventually go on to become His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of
Albania and Deacon Demetrios would soon go on to become His Eminence Archbishop Geron Demetrios of
America
Inspired by the missionary fervor and vision of these brilliant young men the Mission Center would begin as a
committee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) of America As it continued to grow and develop
however the GOAs mission center soon moved to its own location in St Augustine Florida and Fr Dimitrios
Couchell (now His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos) was appointed as its first Executive Director In 1987
the mission center sent the first short-term mission team to Kenya and these teams would continue into the
present day as some of the most fruitful ministries of the mission center
By 1994 the GOA graciously handed its mission center over to become the pan-Orthodox mission center
representing the combined missionary efforts of all Orthodox jurisdictions in the US At this point it was finally
labeled the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
Fr Martin Ritsi took over as Executive Director in 1998 and by the late 2000s OCMC was already involved in
thirty countries around the world OCMC continued growing and soon it was time to expand to a new location
It was at this point that due to many incredibly generous supporters OCMC was able to construct its current
home the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Training and Administration Building This new
OCMC headquarters building was dedicated on May 21 2009 Since then it has increasingly been the source of
countless ministries striving to carry out Christrsquos great commission and spread the Gospel to the ends of the
earth
In the past 10 years since the dedication OCMC has sent a total of 1181 team members on 159 mission teams to
18 different countries This past year alone OCMC
Has continued to support 375 indigenous clergy worldwide through the SAMP program
Has continued to support 23 long-term missionaries
Provided medical care to 1199 people
Reached 815 children
Catechized 1400 people
Sent 4 healthcare and counseling teams
Built a church in Indonesia
Carried out 7 projects for students and orphans
Wersquove had a wonderfully exciting and fruitful history and we thank you all for walking this journey with us
With your support we are enabling countless people around the world to know the Gospel of Christ and to expe-
rience His love Please continue to keep our work in your prayers to volunteer your time and talents on our mis-
sion trips and to donate to our ministries Now we look forward to all that the next 10 years will bring
11
Births - Congratulations to
George and Melinda Abuqubou on the birth of their son
Christopher who was born on August 26 2018
Baptisms - Many Years to
Isabella Mavra Xenos Zewki daughter of Shivan and
Tatiana Zewki Isabella was baptized on May 19 2019
and her Godparents are Antonios Xenos and
Anastasia Mezinis
Anna Sophia Theodoropulos daughter of Fr Anastasios
and Presvytera Elizabeth Theodoropoulos Anna was
baptized on June 1 2019 at Saints Peter and Paul in
Glenview IL and her Godmother is Julie Stefanski
Peirce James Farmakis son of Mike and Shannon
Farmakis Pierce was baptized on June 1 2019 and his
Godfather is Kostantinos (Dino) Deros
Eleni Polixeni Psara daughter of Spiro and Colleen Psara
Eleni was baptized on June 2 2019 and her
Godparents are are Panteli Pappas and Alona
Teliatnykova
Sophia Shea Hayden daughter of Bob and Natalie
Hayden Sophia was baptized on Saturday June 22 at
Saints Pete and Paul in Glenview IL and her Godgather is
Peter Sparacio
Funerals - Memory Eternal
Anastasia ldquoAnnierdquo Markovich reposed on June 5 2019
The funeral was June 10 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox
Church with interment Mt Hope
Dorothy Nancy Graeff reposed on June 6 2019 The
funeral was on June 11 with interment at St Mathews
Cemetery
Nick Niarchos of Palos Hills Ill brother of Eugenia
(Alex) Pavlopoulos reposed on June 6th The funeral was
June 10 at Saints Constantine amp Helen Greek Orthodox
Church Palos Hills Il Interment at Evergreen Cemetery of
Evergreen Park in Il
Lehman Bennett grandfather of Jenny Bennett passes
way on June 15 The funeral and burial were on June 19
in Dallas TX
Memorials - Memory Eternal
June 2
5-year Haralambos Pelekanos
5-year Fr Constantine Regopoulos
June 9
9-mon Van (Evangelos) Evangelopoulos
1-year Tom (Athanasios) Dubis
1 year Mike Labis
1-year Elaine Scott
2 year Danica Mandrapa
8 year Ljubica Terzic
10-year Kostando Liakata
13-year Fr Gerasimos Annas
24-year Andrea Liakata
July 28
1-year Despina Zeriss
2-year Chris Zeris
August 4
21-year Athanasios Stratos
October 13
Departed Members Brotherhood of Alexander the Great
Important Please inform either Fr Joseph or Fr Anastasios
immediately when you or any member of your family is
sick or hospitalized so that appropriate prayer and
visitation may be scheduled Hospitals do not notify
clergy of patients even if you list yourself as a Church
member
In Our Prayers Nora (Elaine) Bangert Seraphima Henderson
Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris Dean Kases
Janie (Zafera) Kyramarios George Lambos
College Addresses In an effort to keep in touch with and minister to our
college students we ask anyone with a daughter or son in
college to contact the Church office with the address
phone amp email
12
Extra Virgin Olive Oil $20bottle
Missouri Flag $9600
Patriarchal Flag $28900
Holy Water bottleshelliphelliphelliphellip$30800
Icon of St Porphyrios
Icon of the Annunciation
Icon of Elder Amphilochios Makris
Icon of Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia
Dimitri and Rebecca Kagaris
Please call the church office if you would like to donate
any of these items
Womenrsquos Summer Book Study
Our plans for our Summer Book Study session are
complete
The book we are reading is
Everyday Wonders
Stories of Gods Providence
By V Rev Michael J Oleksa
and we will meet for our summer pot luck lunch and
book discussion
Saturday August 17
1100 am to 200 pm
Hosted by Keve Gialouris
17828 Greyabbey Ct
Chesterfield MO
If you have any questions please contact
Presvytera Laura Morton at 314-303-1784
Hellenic Culture Camp 2019 July 15-19
Open to all children entering 2nd grade through 8th grade in Fall 2019
Monday ndash Thursday 845 am - 300 pm
St Nicholas Family Life Center (Please bring a lunch and drink Monday-
Wednesday Greek lunch will be provided on Thursday)
Friday
845 am ndash noon Vetta Sports Manchester
Hellenic Culture Camp is a
wonderful opportunity to expose our children and grandchildren to culturally
enriching activities and friendships within our community
Activities include
Greek Cooking History
Geography Greek Dancing
Greek Language Greek Arts and Jewelry Making
Sports
Cost $100 for one child $90 for second child $80 for third child (Financial Assistance
Available)
For questions please contact Barbara Corrigan at
btcstlyahoocom or 3149606258 visit
httpswwwsngocorgnewshellenic-culture-camp
13
But I say to you the Lord says love your enemies do
good to those who hate you pray for those who
persecute you Why did he command these things So
that he might free you from hatred sadness anger and
grudges and might grant you the greatest possession of
all perfect love which is impossible to possess except
by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God
St Maximus the Confessor
Περί εἰδώλων Αγ Ἰουστίνου Πόποβιτς
Τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος δοκιμάζει καθημερινῶς στόν
κόσμο μας τήν ἐμπειρία νά ὁδηγοῦνται οἱ ἄνθρωποι
στήν ἀπώλεια εἴτε λόγῳ τῆς ἄγνοιας εἴτε τῆς μή
ἀναγνωρίσεως τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ Θεοῦ καί
Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ Μέ ἄλλα λόγια ἐκπίπτουν
ἐξαιτίας εἴτε τῆς ἀθεΐας εἴτε τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας
Αὐτή ἡ ἄγνοια ἤ ἡ μή ἀναγνώριση τοῦ Κυρίου
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιφέρει τήν ἄγνοια ἤ τήν μή
ἀναγνώριση τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ ἀγαθοῦ σέ αὐτόν
τόν κόσμο τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ Αὐτοί οἱ
ἄνθρωποι ζοῦν laquoἐν ἀσελγείαις ἐπιθυμίαις
οἰνοφλυγίαις κώμοις πότοις καί ἀθεμίτοις
εἰδωλολατρείαιςraquo Ναί laquoἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαιςraquo
γιατί ἡ εἰδωλολατρεία εἶναι πάντοτε σέ πληθυντικό
ἀριθμό Ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ὁποῖος δέν ἀναγνωρίζει τόν
μόνο ἀληθινό Θεό θέλοντας καί μή ἀναγνωρίζει
ἕνα ἀναρίθμητο πλῆθος ἄλλων μικρότερων
θεοτήτων ψευδῶν θεῶν εἰδώλων Πρόκειται γιά τίς
ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη πού δέν ἔχουν οὔτε ἀριθμό
οὔτε τέλος Ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος δελεάζεται ἀπό μία
τέτοια μικρή μικρή θεότητα τότε αὐτή τόν
παρασύρει στίς ὑπόλοιπες ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη καί
τότε εἶναι πού τόν κατακομματιάζουν καί τόν
κατασπαράζουν οἱ ἀναρίθμητοι ψευδεῖς καί
ἀδηφάγοι θεοί Καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέν εἶναι σέ θέση
νά ἀμυνθεῖ σέ αὐτήν τήν ἀγέλη τῶν τρομερῶν
θηρίων καί τῶν δελεαστικῶν πειρασμῶν Τό
μικρότερο πάθος ὁδηγεῖ σέ μεγαλύτερο καί ἔτσι
σταδιακά βυθίζεται σέ ὅλο καί μεγαλύτερα πάθη
ὥσπου ἐν τέλει δέν μπορεῖ νά ἀναδυθεῖ ἀπrsquoαὐτά
Καί κάθε πάθος ἐμπεριέχει ἀναρίθμητα εἴδωλα καί
κάθε ἐπιθυμία φέρει ὅλο καί περισσότερα εἴδωλα
πού δέν ἔχουν τελειωμό Τά εἴδωλα εἶναι σάν τή
δυνατή φωτιά μέσα της κατακαίγονται καί ἡ
συνείδηση καί ἡ ψυχή καί ἡ καρδιά καί τό θέλημα
τοῦ ἀνθρώπου Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος τῆς
ἀγάπης παρακαλεῖ τούς χριστιανούς laquoΤεκνία
φυλάξατε ἑαυτούς ἀπό τῶν εἰδώλωνraquo Ἀπό τά
εἴδωλα προέρχονται ὅλα τά κακά καί τά μικρά καί
τά μεγάλα Καί κάθε ἄνθρωπος εἶναι εἰδωλολάτρης
ἐφrsquoὅσον δέν πιστεύει στόν μόνον Ἀληθινό Θεό
στόν Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Διότι ὁπωσδήποτε σέ
κάτι πιστεύει εἴτε ὄν εἶναι αὐτό εἴτε πράγμα εἴτε σέ
ὁρατά εἴτε σέ ἀόρατα εἴδωλα ὅπως εἶναι ὁ ἥλιος ἡ
σελήνη οἱ ἀστέρες οἱ ἄνθρωποι ὁ πολιτισμός ἡ
τεχνολογία ἡ φυλή ἡ κοινωνική τάξη τά πάθη οἱ
ἡδονές καί [hellip] τό ὄνομά τους laquoΛεγεώνraquo Ἀπό τό
πρῶτο ὥς τό τελευταῖο ὅλα τά παραπάνω εἶναι
εἰδωλολατρία Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀμφιβολία ὅτι τό καθένα
ἀπrsquoαὐτά φονεύει ὅτι κάνει ἄνθρωπο τόν ἄνθρωπο
φονεύει δηλαδή ὅτι θεοειδές θεονοσταλγικό
ἀθάνατο θεῖο αἰώνιο Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος
νουθετεῖ καί ἐντέλλεται στούς χριστιανούς laquoΔιόπερ
ἀγαπητοί μου φεύγετε ἀπό τῆς εἰδωλολατρείαςraquo Οἱ
ἄνθρωποι διά τῶν ποικιλόμορφων εἰδωλολατρειῶν
ἔμμεσα ἤ ἄμεσα θυσιάζουν τούς ἑαυτούς τους στὀν
διάβολο προσφέρονται ὡς θυσία στόν διάβολο Σέ
τελευταία ἀνάλυση κάθε εἰδωλολατρία εἶναι
σατανολατρία καί κάθε εἰδωλο-διακονία εἶναι σατανο-
διακονία Μήπως δέν λατρεύει δέν διακονεῖ δέν
προσφέρει θυσία τήν ψυχή του στόν διάβολο ἐκεῖνος
πού ζεῖ στά πάθη καί στήν ἡδονή ὅποιος ὑπηρετεῖ
ὁποιονδήποτε καί ὁτιδήποτε ἐκτός ἀπό τόν μόνον
ἀληθινό Θεό καί Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Αὐτό εἶναι
τόσο ξεκάθαρο γιά κάποιον πού μπορεῖ μέ φρόνηση
νά κρίνει Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ θεόσοφος Ἀπόστολος λέγει
στούς πρώην εἰδωλολάτρες Κορινθίους laquoὡς
φρονίμοις λέγωhellipοὐ θέλω δέ ὑμᾶς κοινωνούς τῶν
δαιμονίων γίνεσθαι Οὐ δύνασθε ποτήριον Κυρίου
πίνειν καί ποτήριον δαιμονίων οὐ δύνασθε τραπέζης
Κυρίου μετέχειν καί τραπέζης δαιμονίωνraquo
Ἀναμφίβολα ὁλόκληρο τό Εὐαγγέλιο τοῦ Σωτῆρος
ἔγκειται στό ὅτι laquoτό σῶμα τῶ Κυρίῳ καί ὁ Κύριος τῶ
σώματιraquo Ἔτσι γνωρίζουμε τό αἰώνιο μυστήριο τοῦ
ἀνθρωπίνου ὄντος πώς ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός
εἶναι ὁ Σωτήρας ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὄχι μόνο
τῆς ψυχῆς ἀλλά καί τοῦ σώματός του Γιrsquoαὐτό καί τό
σῶμα τοῦ χριστιανοῦ ὀφείλει νά εἶναι ναός ἅγιος στόν
ὁποῖο ζεῖ ἡ ἁγία ψυχή στόν κόσμο μας καί στόν ὁποῖο
πρόκειται νά ζήσει καί μετά τήν κοινή ἀνάσταση τῶν
νεκρῶν Τά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν διά τοῦ ἁγίου
Βαπτίσματος τῆς Θείας Μεταλήψεως καί τοῦ
εὐαγγελικοῦ τους βίου ἔγιναν ἀναπόσπαστα μέρη τοῦ
Θεανθρώπινου σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Τά σώματα
αὐτά δέν ἀνήκουν πλέον στούς ἴδιους ἀλλά σέ
Ἐκεῖνον Ὅτι ἔγινε μέ τό ἅγιο σῶμα Ἐκείνου
πρόκειται νά συμβεῖ στά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν Για την αντιγραφή Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης
14
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Old Testament prophet Elijah the Tishbite lived during
the time when King Ahab ruled Israel Ahabs wife Jezebel
was a foreigner who did not worship the One True God of
Israel but the false god Baal She persecuted prophets and
deceitfully tried to force the people of Israel to turn away
from God and worship Baal Elijahs fiery personality often
brought him into conflict with Ahab and Jezebel because he
was absolutely determined that the people would stay
faithful to God God rewarded Elijahs devotion with the gift
of prophecy Once when Elijah knew a serious drought was
coming soon God instructed him to leave his home and go
east of the Jordan River promising that he would be fed by
a raven Just as God promised the raven
brought Elijah food and he was able to
drink from a stream When the stream ran
dry God told him to go to the city of
Zarephath In the city he met a widow
who was gathering sticks He asked her
for bread but she replied I have no
bread baked and there is only a small
amount of flour and oil left for my son
and me There was not enough she said to share with
another person Saint Elijah told her not to worry or be
afraid but to make the bread and give him a little loaf She
did so and a great miracle occurred The widow had enough
flour and oil to last a whole year Sometime later when her
son died Elijah prayed over his body and the boy came
back to life The widow was overjoyed and said to Elijah
Now I know that you speak Gods word After many years
of drought God sent Elijah to see King Ahab By this time
there was famine as well as drought in the land While
searching for food and water Ahabs advisor Obadiah met
Elijah on the road He told King Ahab that the prophet was
back and Ahab went out to meet him He said to Elijah Is
it you you troubler of Israel Saint Elijah told King Ahab
that he the king was the one who was troubling Israel
because he was not living his life according to Gods laws
and should not be following the false god Baal Then he said
to the king Tell the people of Israel and the four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal to meet me on Mount Carmel When
everyone had arrived Saint Elijah told the people If the
Lord is God follow him but if Baal is then follow him
He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest He told
them to put their sacrifice on one altar and he would put his
on another altar Neither one would start a fire to burn their
sacrifice but would call on God and Baal to start the fire
The false prophets of Baal hopped around and yelled to their
god to come and light the sacrifice Saint Elijah laughed and
said that maybe Baal was napping and needed to be
awakened The false prophets yelled even louder and still
nothing happened Elijah calmly made a large trench around
the dirt and all the water Saint Elijah had shown them all
the true and only God When King Ahab told his wife
Jezebel what Elijah had done she angrily promised to kill
the prophet Fearing for his life Elijah fled to Beer-sheba in
the land of Judah There he sat down under a broom tree
so miserable and fearful that he asked God to take his life
Instead God sent an angel to encourage him and to prepare
him for a long journey Following the angels instructions
he walked for forty days and forty nights until he came to a
cave There God spoke to him in a gentle breeze telling
him to bless helpers who would spread the true faith One
of those Elijah blessed was Elisha who was plowing his
fathers field When Saint Elijah saw him he threw his
cloak over him and soon Elisha was accompanying Elijah
as his helper As Saint Elijahs earthly life neared its end
God sent him to Bethel Jericho and the Jordan When he
came to the Jordan Elijah rolled up his cloak and touched
the water The water immediately parted and Saints Elijah
and Elisha crossed over on dry land As they continued to
walk a fiery chariot driven by fiery horses came and took
Saint Elijah in a whirlwind up into the sky Elisha took up
the great prophets cloak Elijahs story doesnt end there
He was one of two Old Testament saints who appeared with
Jesus at His Transfiguration Saint Elijah was there to
represent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the
coming of the Son of God He is a wonderful example of
someone who loved God with all of his soul all of his heart
and all of his mind In some churches on the feast of Saint
Elijah the priest blesses cars bicycles roller skates scoot-
ers (chariots) and any other method of transportation with
wheels httpdceocaorgassetsfilesresourcesSaints-Animalspdf
Troparion (Tone 4)
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets
The second forerunner of the coming of Christ Glorious
Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha To dispel diseases
and to cleanse lepers Therefore he pours forth healings on
those who honor him
Quote
I have been very zealous for the Lord Almightyhellip
- Elijah about himself 3 Kingdoms 1910
Date Born
Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the
Incarnation of Christ
Date Died
Elijahs death is described in 2 Kings 2 9-13 (4 Kingdoms
2 9-13 OSB) The date is not certain
Commemoration Date
July 20 and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
s
90
0 a
m O
rth
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10
00
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Div
ine
Lit
urg
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2
63
0 p
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esp
ers
3
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m K
afen
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4 I
nd
ep
en
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ce D
ay
5
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IDA
Y L
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EO
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Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
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7
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ivin
e L
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8
9
63
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esp
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10
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m K
afen
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11 G
rea
t M
arty
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Eu
ph
em
ia
80
0 a
m O
rth
ros
90
0 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
12
St
Pais
ios
of
Mt
Ath
os
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
15
1
6
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
17
Gre
at
Marty
r
Ma
rin
a
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
18
19
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
21
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
25
Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
28
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
29
3
0
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
7
Spiritual Aspects of Fatherhood
By Al Rossi PhD
A conference participant once asked the speaker ldquoWhat is
the best way for a father to love his childrenrdquo The speaker
replied ldquoThe best way for a father to love his children is to
love their motherrdquo I reflect often upon that superbly
accurate statement And I think the reverse is equally true
the best way a mother can love her children is to love their
father
More than anything else in the world children need a
loving family and parents who support each other even if
the parents are apart through separation or divorce Christ
challenges us to love one another and that challenge
becomes even more compelling within our own families
Even in the best of families there is brokenness And that is
why the manrsquos call to fatherhood is so important We
fathers are called to show our families strong manly love
and forgiveness virtues modeled powerfully in the father of
the prodigal son (Lk 1132)
This father is stable loving and generous In his fairness
he avoids violating the freedom of either of his sons When
the prodigal demands his inheritance and decides to leave
the father does not attempt to withhold the money He does
not pressure the son to stay by trying to make him feel
guilty And the father is wise enough not to send care
packages to relieve the sonrsquos distress The father allows
both of his adult sons to make their own mistakes and to
learn from their failures an appropriate form of discipline
for older adolescents and young adults
The prodigalrsquos father demonstrates manly leadership by
taking loving initiatives and he takes many such initiatives
He maintains a thriving business to provide the generous
inheritance He creates and supports a loving family for the
prodigal to run from and for the older son to remain with
And there is his last generous joyful initiative as he runs
out to embrace the returning son kiss him and put on him
the best robe ring and shoes He celebrates the return of
his son with a feast And in a scene all of us fathers can
recognize he opens up the conversation with the sulking
older son
The father takes the initiative in bringing about forgiveness
and reconciliation in the whole family He is a model for us
in responding to our call to follow the Spirit of Jesus in
taking many initiatives in our families especially that of
boundless forgiveness for our children
When a father takes responsibility for his own spiritual
life for the way he prays goes to church and practices
virtue in the family he gives good example Then his
leadership in the family is authentic based on his own
solid relationship with God and he is less likely to be
concerned about any resistance his children may give him
He can lead family prayer When I suggest that we stand in
the living room and pray before a trip or that we pray in a
restaurant I often feel an initial resistance in my children
But quiet cooperation and peacefulness soon follow
Sometimes the children will even tell me that they prayed
in a restaurant when I wasnrsquot there
At times the fatherrsquos role of leading the family to great
forgiveness and prayerfulness is an unpopular one But as
a man grows in his own spiritual life he becomes more
sturdy and willing to accept responsibility Although all
this is impossible for us fathers to do alone God can do all
things God can even bestow the awesome spiritual power
of fatherhood upon us
httpsocaorgthe-hubthe-church-on-current-issuesspiritual-aspects-
of-fatherhood
Our Churchrsquos feast day celebration
Panagiarsquos Panegyri
Sunday August 18 2019
Immediately following
Divine Liturgy
More information to follow
8
Philoptochos Corner The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos
Society
Happy July Half of our summer vacation is almost over
Hope you are making the best of it Your new Philoptochos
Board has been busy planning out the rest of their 2019
calendar We know that many of you are traveling to
Greece or other exciting places Please be smart be safe
Check in with us during coffee hour wersquoll be waiting for
you when you get back
Our Chapter
We had our 2019-2021 Executive Board Elections on June
2nd and here are the results
President ndash Flora Dimitriou
1st Vice President ndash Helena Brown
2nd Vice President ndash Keve Gialouris
Recording Secretary ndash Rose Harpole
Corresponding Secretary ndash Patricia Aaron
Treasurer ndash Angie Koulouriotis
Assistant Treasurer ndash Diane Sieckmann
Adviser ndash Soula Marcou
Board Members Yvonne Alexopoulos Dessie Bellos
Popi Deros Amalia Karakasis amp Bessie Theodorou
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Board Member Diane Sieckmann
and friends for serving coffee hour for the month of July
Thank you to everyone who made a jewelry donation to us
for our May Festival Sale All proceeds will benefit the
National Childrenrsquos Medical Fund Luncheon chapter
expenses and sponsorship programs
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund
We have RAFFLE TICKETS FOR SALE Check out the
amazing prizes you could win 1 ticket for $10 or 3 tickets
for $25 find a Philoptochos member during coffee hour to
purchase your chance to win
Please support our youth ndash National Philoptochos
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund ldquoKids Helping Kidsrdquo at our
Panagia Panegyri Sunday August 18th Our youth will be
behind the bar selling punch iced tea amp lemonade All
proceeds will benefit the CMF SponsorshipGrant Program
We need your support in order to help our Chicago Diocese
host this most worthy event
A Look Ahead
Weekend of August 16th 17th amp 18th Bring a friend and
work a shift Sign up for The Festival of the Little Hills St
Charles See Helena Brown for more information
Dont see Downton Abbeyrdquo without us We are making
plans to rent a movie theatre at the Marcus Des Peres Cine
for a private screening of the movie Ticket sales will start
in August The ticket price is $1500 per person More in-
formation to follow regarding date and time
Sunday September 8th ndash Annual Gyro Luncheon
Sunday November 3rd - Philoptochos Name Day
Artoclassia
Saturday November 16th ndash National Childrenrsquos Medical
Fund Luncheon hosted by the Metropolis of Chicago
Sunday December 1st - Philoptochos Christmas Party
Evelynrsquos House ndash BJC Hospice
We are stocking the snack pantry at the hospice house If
you would like to make a donation please see Flora
Dimitriou for a list of items needed Also Evelynrsquos House
continues to need of more crocheted lap blankets or pillow
cases If you have any interest in making the blankets or
pillow cases please let us know There is a size requirement
for these items If you would like any more information on
this project please see Flora Dimitriou or Diane Sieckmann
2019 Meeting Dates
No Meeting in July August 4 September 15 October 6
November 10 No Meeting in December
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
Flora Dimitriou
Philoptochos President
fedimitriougmailcom
636-795-4602
9
Fanari 2019 Our Fanari campers left on June 16 for a week of learning and
fellowship on the grounds of the St Iakovos Retreat Center in
Kansasville Wisconsin Fanari is wonderful experience Ask
any of our campers who went
Congratulations to our area AHEPA 53 2019
Scholarship Recipients
The awards were given out this past Sunday June 2 at
the AHEPA 53 Apartments The St Louis AHEPA
Chapter has been awarding scholarships since 1950 to hone
the recipients for their outstanding academic achievements
This year AHEPA 53 awarded 15 scholarships Receipents
from the Assumption were
Demetri Case
Athena Stamos
George Sakelis
The ceremony was emceed by Chapter President Mi-
chael Kontominas and the scholarship awards were
presented by Basil Pappas
AHEPArsquos goal is to see these young students
succeed to the highest degree possible and not to forget their
Hellenic heritage
Applications for both Chapter and District level schol-
arships can generally be picked up in February from the
Church offices or online
10
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Corner The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis
The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis works to nurture an awareness within our local churches of the
need to evangelize catechize and support missionary efforts and programs globally
As always if you have any questions would like to be part of the Mission Team St Louis or if you would like to help our
missionaries please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley 618-447-9688
Thank you for your continued support
Celebrating 10 Years Since the Dedication of OCMCs Headquarters by Niko Birbilis
This May OCMC was thrilled to celebrate our 10-year-anniversary since the dedication of our current
missionary training and administration building May 21 2009 marked a great day not only for us at OCMC
but for Orthodoxy around the world The roots of OCMC go all the way back to Athens Greece in the 1950s
and to the influence of two young theologians Fr Deacon Anastasios Yannoulatos and Fr Deacon Demetrios
Trakatellis Deacon Anastasios would eventually go on to become His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of
Albania and Deacon Demetrios would soon go on to become His Eminence Archbishop Geron Demetrios of
America
Inspired by the missionary fervor and vision of these brilliant young men the Mission Center would begin as a
committee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) of America As it continued to grow and develop
however the GOAs mission center soon moved to its own location in St Augustine Florida and Fr Dimitrios
Couchell (now His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos) was appointed as its first Executive Director In 1987
the mission center sent the first short-term mission team to Kenya and these teams would continue into the
present day as some of the most fruitful ministries of the mission center
By 1994 the GOA graciously handed its mission center over to become the pan-Orthodox mission center
representing the combined missionary efforts of all Orthodox jurisdictions in the US At this point it was finally
labeled the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
Fr Martin Ritsi took over as Executive Director in 1998 and by the late 2000s OCMC was already involved in
thirty countries around the world OCMC continued growing and soon it was time to expand to a new location
It was at this point that due to many incredibly generous supporters OCMC was able to construct its current
home the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Training and Administration Building This new
OCMC headquarters building was dedicated on May 21 2009 Since then it has increasingly been the source of
countless ministries striving to carry out Christrsquos great commission and spread the Gospel to the ends of the
earth
In the past 10 years since the dedication OCMC has sent a total of 1181 team members on 159 mission teams to
18 different countries This past year alone OCMC
Has continued to support 375 indigenous clergy worldwide through the SAMP program
Has continued to support 23 long-term missionaries
Provided medical care to 1199 people
Reached 815 children
Catechized 1400 people
Sent 4 healthcare and counseling teams
Built a church in Indonesia
Carried out 7 projects for students and orphans
Wersquove had a wonderfully exciting and fruitful history and we thank you all for walking this journey with us
With your support we are enabling countless people around the world to know the Gospel of Christ and to expe-
rience His love Please continue to keep our work in your prayers to volunteer your time and talents on our mis-
sion trips and to donate to our ministries Now we look forward to all that the next 10 years will bring
11
Births - Congratulations to
George and Melinda Abuqubou on the birth of their son
Christopher who was born on August 26 2018
Baptisms - Many Years to
Isabella Mavra Xenos Zewki daughter of Shivan and
Tatiana Zewki Isabella was baptized on May 19 2019
and her Godparents are Antonios Xenos and
Anastasia Mezinis
Anna Sophia Theodoropulos daughter of Fr Anastasios
and Presvytera Elizabeth Theodoropoulos Anna was
baptized on June 1 2019 at Saints Peter and Paul in
Glenview IL and her Godmother is Julie Stefanski
Peirce James Farmakis son of Mike and Shannon
Farmakis Pierce was baptized on June 1 2019 and his
Godfather is Kostantinos (Dino) Deros
Eleni Polixeni Psara daughter of Spiro and Colleen Psara
Eleni was baptized on June 2 2019 and her
Godparents are are Panteli Pappas and Alona
Teliatnykova
Sophia Shea Hayden daughter of Bob and Natalie
Hayden Sophia was baptized on Saturday June 22 at
Saints Pete and Paul in Glenview IL and her Godgather is
Peter Sparacio
Funerals - Memory Eternal
Anastasia ldquoAnnierdquo Markovich reposed on June 5 2019
The funeral was June 10 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox
Church with interment Mt Hope
Dorothy Nancy Graeff reposed on June 6 2019 The
funeral was on June 11 with interment at St Mathews
Cemetery
Nick Niarchos of Palos Hills Ill brother of Eugenia
(Alex) Pavlopoulos reposed on June 6th The funeral was
June 10 at Saints Constantine amp Helen Greek Orthodox
Church Palos Hills Il Interment at Evergreen Cemetery of
Evergreen Park in Il
Lehman Bennett grandfather of Jenny Bennett passes
way on June 15 The funeral and burial were on June 19
in Dallas TX
Memorials - Memory Eternal
June 2
5-year Haralambos Pelekanos
5-year Fr Constantine Regopoulos
June 9
9-mon Van (Evangelos) Evangelopoulos
1-year Tom (Athanasios) Dubis
1 year Mike Labis
1-year Elaine Scott
2 year Danica Mandrapa
8 year Ljubica Terzic
10-year Kostando Liakata
13-year Fr Gerasimos Annas
24-year Andrea Liakata
July 28
1-year Despina Zeriss
2-year Chris Zeris
August 4
21-year Athanasios Stratos
October 13
Departed Members Brotherhood of Alexander the Great
Important Please inform either Fr Joseph or Fr Anastasios
immediately when you or any member of your family is
sick or hospitalized so that appropriate prayer and
visitation may be scheduled Hospitals do not notify
clergy of patients even if you list yourself as a Church
member
In Our Prayers Nora (Elaine) Bangert Seraphima Henderson
Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris Dean Kases
Janie (Zafera) Kyramarios George Lambos
College Addresses In an effort to keep in touch with and minister to our
college students we ask anyone with a daughter or son in
college to contact the Church office with the address
phone amp email
12
Extra Virgin Olive Oil $20bottle
Missouri Flag $9600
Patriarchal Flag $28900
Holy Water bottleshelliphelliphelliphellip$30800
Icon of St Porphyrios
Icon of the Annunciation
Icon of Elder Amphilochios Makris
Icon of Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia
Dimitri and Rebecca Kagaris
Please call the church office if you would like to donate
any of these items
Womenrsquos Summer Book Study
Our plans for our Summer Book Study session are
complete
The book we are reading is
Everyday Wonders
Stories of Gods Providence
By V Rev Michael J Oleksa
and we will meet for our summer pot luck lunch and
book discussion
Saturday August 17
1100 am to 200 pm
Hosted by Keve Gialouris
17828 Greyabbey Ct
Chesterfield MO
If you have any questions please contact
Presvytera Laura Morton at 314-303-1784
Hellenic Culture Camp 2019 July 15-19
Open to all children entering 2nd grade through 8th grade in Fall 2019
Monday ndash Thursday 845 am - 300 pm
St Nicholas Family Life Center (Please bring a lunch and drink Monday-
Wednesday Greek lunch will be provided on Thursday)
Friday
845 am ndash noon Vetta Sports Manchester
Hellenic Culture Camp is a
wonderful opportunity to expose our children and grandchildren to culturally
enriching activities and friendships within our community
Activities include
Greek Cooking History
Geography Greek Dancing
Greek Language Greek Arts and Jewelry Making
Sports
Cost $100 for one child $90 for second child $80 for third child (Financial Assistance
Available)
For questions please contact Barbara Corrigan at
btcstlyahoocom or 3149606258 visit
httpswwwsngocorgnewshellenic-culture-camp
13
But I say to you the Lord says love your enemies do
good to those who hate you pray for those who
persecute you Why did he command these things So
that he might free you from hatred sadness anger and
grudges and might grant you the greatest possession of
all perfect love which is impossible to possess except
by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God
St Maximus the Confessor
Περί εἰδώλων Αγ Ἰουστίνου Πόποβιτς
Τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος δοκιμάζει καθημερινῶς στόν
κόσμο μας τήν ἐμπειρία νά ὁδηγοῦνται οἱ ἄνθρωποι
στήν ἀπώλεια εἴτε λόγῳ τῆς ἄγνοιας εἴτε τῆς μή
ἀναγνωρίσεως τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ Θεοῦ καί
Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ Μέ ἄλλα λόγια ἐκπίπτουν
ἐξαιτίας εἴτε τῆς ἀθεΐας εἴτε τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας
Αὐτή ἡ ἄγνοια ἤ ἡ μή ἀναγνώριση τοῦ Κυρίου
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιφέρει τήν ἄγνοια ἤ τήν μή
ἀναγνώριση τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ ἀγαθοῦ σέ αὐτόν
τόν κόσμο τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ Αὐτοί οἱ
ἄνθρωποι ζοῦν laquoἐν ἀσελγείαις ἐπιθυμίαις
οἰνοφλυγίαις κώμοις πότοις καί ἀθεμίτοις
εἰδωλολατρείαιςraquo Ναί laquoἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαιςraquo
γιατί ἡ εἰδωλολατρεία εἶναι πάντοτε σέ πληθυντικό
ἀριθμό Ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ὁποῖος δέν ἀναγνωρίζει τόν
μόνο ἀληθινό Θεό θέλοντας καί μή ἀναγνωρίζει
ἕνα ἀναρίθμητο πλῆθος ἄλλων μικρότερων
θεοτήτων ψευδῶν θεῶν εἰδώλων Πρόκειται γιά τίς
ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη πού δέν ἔχουν οὔτε ἀριθμό
οὔτε τέλος Ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος δελεάζεται ἀπό μία
τέτοια μικρή μικρή θεότητα τότε αὐτή τόν
παρασύρει στίς ὑπόλοιπες ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη καί
τότε εἶναι πού τόν κατακομματιάζουν καί τόν
κατασπαράζουν οἱ ἀναρίθμητοι ψευδεῖς καί
ἀδηφάγοι θεοί Καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέν εἶναι σέ θέση
νά ἀμυνθεῖ σέ αὐτήν τήν ἀγέλη τῶν τρομερῶν
θηρίων καί τῶν δελεαστικῶν πειρασμῶν Τό
μικρότερο πάθος ὁδηγεῖ σέ μεγαλύτερο καί ἔτσι
σταδιακά βυθίζεται σέ ὅλο καί μεγαλύτερα πάθη
ὥσπου ἐν τέλει δέν μπορεῖ νά ἀναδυθεῖ ἀπrsquoαὐτά
Καί κάθε πάθος ἐμπεριέχει ἀναρίθμητα εἴδωλα καί
κάθε ἐπιθυμία φέρει ὅλο καί περισσότερα εἴδωλα
πού δέν ἔχουν τελειωμό Τά εἴδωλα εἶναι σάν τή
δυνατή φωτιά μέσα της κατακαίγονται καί ἡ
συνείδηση καί ἡ ψυχή καί ἡ καρδιά καί τό θέλημα
τοῦ ἀνθρώπου Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος τῆς
ἀγάπης παρακαλεῖ τούς χριστιανούς laquoΤεκνία
φυλάξατε ἑαυτούς ἀπό τῶν εἰδώλωνraquo Ἀπό τά
εἴδωλα προέρχονται ὅλα τά κακά καί τά μικρά καί
τά μεγάλα Καί κάθε ἄνθρωπος εἶναι εἰδωλολάτρης
ἐφrsquoὅσον δέν πιστεύει στόν μόνον Ἀληθινό Θεό
στόν Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Διότι ὁπωσδήποτε σέ
κάτι πιστεύει εἴτε ὄν εἶναι αὐτό εἴτε πράγμα εἴτε σέ
ὁρατά εἴτε σέ ἀόρατα εἴδωλα ὅπως εἶναι ὁ ἥλιος ἡ
σελήνη οἱ ἀστέρες οἱ ἄνθρωποι ὁ πολιτισμός ἡ
τεχνολογία ἡ φυλή ἡ κοινωνική τάξη τά πάθη οἱ
ἡδονές καί [hellip] τό ὄνομά τους laquoΛεγεώνraquo Ἀπό τό
πρῶτο ὥς τό τελευταῖο ὅλα τά παραπάνω εἶναι
εἰδωλολατρία Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀμφιβολία ὅτι τό καθένα
ἀπrsquoαὐτά φονεύει ὅτι κάνει ἄνθρωπο τόν ἄνθρωπο
φονεύει δηλαδή ὅτι θεοειδές θεονοσταλγικό
ἀθάνατο θεῖο αἰώνιο Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος
νουθετεῖ καί ἐντέλλεται στούς χριστιανούς laquoΔιόπερ
ἀγαπητοί μου φεύγετε ἀπό τῆς εἰδωλολατρείαςraquo Οἱ
ἄνθρωποι διά τῶν ποικιλόμορφων εἰδωλολατρειῶν
ἔμμεσα ἤ ἄμεσα θυσιάζουν τούς ἑαυτούς τους στὀν
διάβολο προσφέρονται ὡς θυσία στόν διάβολο Σέ
τελευταία ἀνάλυση κάθε εἰδωλολατρία εἶναι
σατανολατρία καί κάθε εἰδωλο-διακονία εἶναι σατανο-
διακονία Μήπως δέν λατρεύει δέν διακονεῖ δέν
προσφέρει θυσία τήν ψυχή του στόν διάβολο ἐκεῖνος
πού ζεῖ στά πάθη καί στήν ἡδονή ὅποιος ὑπηρετεῖ
ὁποιονδήποτε καί ὁτιδήποτε ἐκτός ἀπό τόν μόνον
ἀληθινό Θεό καί Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Αὐτό εἶναι
τόσο ξεκάθαρο γιά κάποιον πού μπορεῖ μέ φρόνηση
νά κρίνει Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ θεόσοφος Ἀπόστολος λέγει
στούς πρώην εἰδωλολάτρες Κορινθίους laquoὡς
φρονίμοις λέγωhellipοὐ θέλω δέ ὑμᾶς κοινωνούς τῶν
δαιμονίων γίνεσθαι Οὐ δύνασθε ποτήριον Κυρίου
πίνειν καί ποτήριον δαιμονίων οὐ δύνασθε τραπέζης
Κυρίου μετέχειν καί τραπέζης δαιμονίωνraquo
Ἀναμφίβολα ὁλόκληρο τό Εὐαγγέλιο τοῦ Σωτῆρος
ἔγκειται στό ὅτι laquoτό σῶμα τῶ Κυρίῳ καί ὁ Κύριος τῶ
σώματιraquo Ἔτσι γνωρίζουμε τό αἰώνιο μυστήριο τοῦ
ἀνθρωπίνου ὄντος πώς ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός
εἶναι ὁ Σωτήρας ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὄχι μόνο
τῆς ψυχῆς ἀλλά καί τοῦ σώματός του Γιrsquoαὐτό καί τό
σῶμα τοῦ χριστιανοῦ ὀφείλει νά εἶναι ναός ἅγιος στόν
ὁποῖο ζεῖ ἡ ἁγία ψυχή στόν κόσμο μας καί στόν ὁποῖο
πρόκειται νά ζήσει καί μετά τήν κοινή ἀνάσταση τῶν
νεκρῶν Τά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν διά τοῦ ἁγίου
Βαπτίσματος τῆς Θείας Μεταλήψεως καί τοῦ
εὐαγγελικοῦ τους βίου ἔγιναν ἀναπόσπαστα μέρη τοῦ
Θεανθρώπινου σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Τά σώματα
αὐτά δέν ἀνήκουν πλέον στούς ἴδιους ἀλλά σέ
Ἐκεῖνον Ὅτι ἔγινε μέ τό ἅγιο σῶμα Ἐκείνου
πρόκειται νά συμβεῖ στά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν Για την αντιγραφή Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης
14
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Old Testament prophet Elijah the Tishbite lived during
the time when King Ahab ruled Israel Ahabs wife Jezebel
was a foreigner who did not worship the One True God of
Israel but the false god Baal She persecuted prophets and
deceitfully tried to force the people of Israel to turn away
from God and worship Baal Elijahs fiery personality often
brought him into conflict with Ahab and Jezebel because he
was absolutely determined that the people would stay
faithful to God God rewarded Elijahs devotion with the gift
of prophecy Once when Elijah knew a serious drought was
coming soon God instructed him to leave his home and go
east of the Jordan River promising that he would be fed by
a raven Just as God promised the raven
brought Elijah food and he was able to
drink from a stream When the stream ran
dry God told him to go to the city of
Zarephath In the city he met a widow
who was gathering sticks He asked her
for bread but she replied I have no
bread baked and there is only a small
amount of flour and oil left for my son
and me There was not enough she said to share with
another person Saint Elijah told her not to worry or be
afraid but to make the bread and give him a little loaf She
did so and a great miracle occurred The widow had enough
flour and oil to last a whole year Sometime later when her
son died Elijah prayed over his body and the boy came
back to life The widow was overjoyed and said to Elijah
Now I know that you speak Gods word After many years
of drought God sent Elijah to see King Ahab By this time
there was famine as well as drought in the land While
searching for food and water Ahabs advisor Obadiah met
Elijah on the road He told King Ahab that the prophet was
back and Ahab went out to meet him He said to Elijah Is
it you you troubler of Israel Saint Elijah told King Ahab
that he the king was the one who was troubling Israel
because he was not living his life according to Gods laws
and should not be following the false god Baal Then he said
to the king Tell the people of Israel and the four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal to meet me on Mount Carmel When
everyone had arrived Saint Elijah told the people If the
Lord is God follow him but if Baal is then follow him
He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest He told
them to put their sacrifice on one altar and he would put his
on another altar Neither one would start a fire to burn their
sacrifice but would call on God and Baal to start the fire
The false prophets of Baal hopped around and yelled to their
god to come and light the sacrifice Saint Elijah laughed and
said that maybe Baal was napping and needed to be
awakened The false prophets yelled even louder and still
nothing happened Elijah calmly made a large trench around
the dirt and all the water Saint Elijah had shown them all
the true and only God When King Ahab told his wife
Jezebel what Elijah had done she angrily promised to kill
the prophet Fearing for his life Elijah fled to Beer-sheba in
the land of Judah There he sat down under a broom tree
so miserable and fearful that he asked God to take his life
Instead God sent an angel to encourage him and to prepare
him for a long journey Following the angels instructions
he walked for forty days and forty nights until he came to a
cave There God spoke to him in a gentle breeze telling
him to bless helpers who would spread the true faith One
of those Elijah blessed was Elisha who was plowing his
fathers field When Saint Elijah saw him he threw his
cloak over him and soon Elisha was accompanying Elijah
as his helper As Saint Elijahs earthly life neared its end
God sent him to Bethel Jericho and the Jordan When he
came to the Jordan Elijah rolled up his cloak and touched
the water The water immediately parted and Saints Elijah
and Elisha crossed over on dry land As they continued to
walk a fiery chariot driven by fiery horses came and took
Saint Elijah in a whirlwind up into the sky Elisha took up
the great prophets cloak Elijahs story doesnt end there
He was one of two Old Testament saints who appeared with
Jesus at His Transfiguration Saint Elijah was there to
represent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the
coming of the Son of God He is a wonderful example of
someone who loved God with all of his soul all of his heart
and all of his mind In some churches on the feast of Saint
Elijah the priest blesses cars bicycles roller skates scoot-
ers (chariots) and any other method of transportation with
wheels httpdceocaorgassetsfilesresourcesSaints-Animalspdf
Troparion (Tone 4)
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets
The second forerunner of the coming of Christ Glorious
Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha To dispel diseases
and to cleanse lepers Therefore he pours forth healings on
those who honor him
Quote
I have been very zealous for the Lord Almightyhellip
- Elijah about himself 3 Kingdoms 1910
Date Born
Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the
Incarnation of Christ
Date Died
Elijahs death is described in 2 Kings 2 9-13 (4 Kingdoms
2 9-13 OSB) The date is not certain
Commemoration Date
July 20 and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
s
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
2
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
3
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
4 I
nd
ep
en
den
ce D
ay
5
NO
FR
IDA
Y L
UN
CH
EO
N
Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
7
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
8
9
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
10
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
11 G
rea
t M
arty
r
Eu
ph
em
ia
80
0 a
m O
rth
ros
90
0 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
12
St
Pais
ios
of
Mt
Ath
os
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
15
1
6
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
17
Gre
at
Marty
r
Ma
rin
a
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
18
19
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
21
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
25
Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
28
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
29
3
0
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
8
Philoptochos Corner The Assumption Ladies Philoptochos
Society
Happy July Half of our summer vacation is almost over
Hope you are making the best of it Your new Philoptochos
Board has been busy planning out the rest of their 2019
calendar We know that many of you are traveling to
Greece or other exciting places Please be smart be safe
Check in with us during coffee hour wersquoll be waiting for
you when you get back
Our Chapter
We had our 2019-2021 Executive Board Elections on June
2nd and here are the results
President ndash Flora Dimitriou
1st Vice President ndash Helena Brown
2nd Vice President ndash Keve Gialouris
Recording Secretary ndash Rose Harpole
Corresponding Secretary ndash Patricia Aaron
Treasurer ndash Angie Koulouriotis
Assistant Treasurer ndash Diane Sieckmann
Adviser ndash Soula Marcou
Board Members Yvonne Alexopoulos Dessie Bellos
Popi Deros Amalia Karakasis amp Bessie Theodorou
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Board Member Diane Sieckmann
and friends for serving coffee hour for the month of July
Thank you to everyone who made a jewelry donation to us
for our May Festival Sale All proceeds will benefit the
National Childrenrsquos Medical Fund Luncheon chapter
expenses and sponsorship programs
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund
We have RAFFLE TICKETS FOR SALE Check out the
amazing prizes you could win 1 ticket for $10 or 3 tickets
for $25 find a Philoptochos member during coffee hour to
purchase your chance to win
Please support our youth ndash National Philoptochos
Childrenrsquos Medical Fund ldquoKids Helping Kidsrdquo at our
Panagia Panegyri Sunday August 18th Our youth will be
behind the bar selling punch iced tea amp lemonade All
proceeds will benefit the CMF SponsorshipGrant Program
We need your support in order to help our Chicago Diocese
host this most worthy event
A Look Ahead
Weekend of August 16th 17th amp 18th Bring a friend and
work a shift Sign up for The Festival of the Little Hills St
Charles See Helena Brown for more information
Dont see Downton Abbeyrdquo without us We are making
plans to rent a movie theatre at the Marcus Des Peres Cine
for a private screening of the movie Ticket sales will start
in August The ticket price is $1500 per person More in-
formation to follow regarding date and time
Sunday September 8th ndash Annual Gyro Luncheon
Sunday November 3rd - Philoptochos Name Day
Artoclassia
Saturday November 16th ndash National Childrenrsquos Medical
Fund Luncheon hosted by the Metropolis of Chicago
Sunday December 1st - Philoptochos Christmas Party
Evelynrsquos House ndash BJC Hospice
We are stocking the snack pantry at the hospice house If
you would like to make a donation please see Flora
Dimitriou for a list of items needed Also Evelynrsquos House
continues to need of more crocheted lap blankets or pillow
cases If you have any interest in making the blankets or
pillow cases please let us know There is a size requirement
for these items If you would like any more information on
this project please see Flora Dimitriou or Diane Sieckmann
2019 Meeting Dates
No Meeting in July August 4 September 15 October 6
November 10 No Meeting in December
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
Flora Dimitriou
Philoptochos President
fedimitriougmailcom
636-795-4602
9
Fanari 2019 Our Fanari campers left on June 16 for a week of learning and
fellowship on the grounds of the St Iakovos Retreat Center in
Kansasville Wisconsin Fanari is wonderful experience Ask
any of our campers who went
Congratulations to our area AHEPA 53 2019
Scholarship Recipients
The awards were given out this past Sunday June 2 at
the AHEPA 53 Apartments The St Louis AHEPA
Chapter has been awarding scholarships since 1950 to hone
the recipients for their outstanding academic achievements
This year AHEPA 53 awarded 15 scholarships Receipents
from the Assumption were
Demetri Case
Athena Stamos
George Sakelis
The ceremony was emceed by Chapter President Mi-
chael Kontominas and the scholarship awards were
presented by Basil Pappas
AHEPArsquos goal is to see these young students
succeed to the highest degree possible and not to forget their
Hellenic heritage
Applications for both Chapter and District level schol-
arships can generally be picked up in February from the
Church offices or online
10
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Corner The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis
The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis works to nurture an awareness within our local churches of the
need to evangelize catechize and support missionary efforts and programs globally
As always if you have any questions would like to be part of the Mission Team St Louis or if you would like to help our
missionaries please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley 618-447-9688
Thank you for your continued support
Celebrating 10 Years Since the Dedication of OCMCs Headquarters by Niko Birbilis
This May OCMC was thrilled to celebrate our 10-year-anniversary since the dedication of our current
missionary training and administration building May 21 2009 marked a great day not only for us at OCMC
but for Orthodoxy around the world The roots of OCMC go all the way back to Athens Greece in the 1950s
and to the influence of two young theologians Fr Deacon Anastasios Yannoulatos and Fr Deacon Demetrios
Trakatellis Deacon Anastasios would eventually go on to become His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of
Albania and Deacon Demetrios would soon go on to become His Eminence Archbishop Geron Demetrios of
America
Inspired by the missionary fervor and vision of these brilliant young men the Mission Center would begin as a
committee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) of America As it continued to grow and develop
however the GOAs mission center soon moved to its own location in St Augustine Florida and Fr Dimitrios
Couchell (now His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos) was appointed as its first Executive Director In 1987
the mission center sent the first short-term mission team to Kenya and these teams would continue into the
present day as some of the most fruitful ministries of the mission center
By 1994 the GOA graciously handed its mission center over to become the pan-Orthodox mission center
representing the combined missionary efforts of all Orthodox jurisdictions in the US At this point it was finally
labeled the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
Fr Martin Ritsi took over as Executive Director in 1998 and by the late 2000s OCMC was already involved in
thirty countries around the world OCMC continued growing and soon it was time to expand to a new location
It was at this point that due to many incredibly generous supporters OCMC was able to construct its current
home the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Training and Administration Building This new
OCMC headquarters building was dedicated on May 21 2009 Since then it has increasingly been the source of
countless ministries striving to carry out Christrsquos great commission and spread the Gospel to the ends of the
earth
In the past 10 years since the dedication OCMC has sent a total of 1181 team members on 159 mission teams to
18 different countries This past year alone OCMC
Has continued to support 375 indigenous clergy worldwide through the SAMP program
Has continued to support 23 long-term missionaries
Provided medical care to 1199 people
Reached 815 children
Catechized 1400 people
Sent 4 healthcare and counseling teams
Built a church in Indonesia
Carried out 7 projects for students and orphans
Wersquove had a wonderfully exciting and fruitful history and we thank you all for walking this journey with us
With your support we are enabling countless people around the world to know the Gospel of Christ and to expe-
rience His love Please continue to keep our work in your prayers to volunteer your time and talents on our mis-
sion trips and to donate to our ministries Now we look forward to all that the next 10 years will bring
11
Births - Congratulations to
George and Melinda Abuqubou on the birth of their son
Christopher who was born on August 26 2018
Baptisms - Many Years to
Isabella Mavra Xenos Zewki daughter of Shivan and
Tatiana Zewki Isabella was baptized on May 19 2019
and her Godparents are Antonios Xenos and
Anastasia Mezinis
Anna Sophia Theodoropulos daughter of Fr Anastasios
and Presvytera Elizabeth Theodoropoulos Anna was
baptized on June 1 2019 at Saints Peter and Paul in
Glenview IL and her Godmother is Julie Stefanski
Peirce James Farmakis son of Mike and Shannon
Farmakis Pierce was baptized on June 1 2019 and his
Godfather is Kostantinos (Dino) Deros
Eleni Polixeni Psara daughter of Spiro and Colleen Psara
Eleni was baptized on June 2 2019 and her
Godparents are are Panteli Pappas and Alona
Teliatnykova
Sophia Shea Hayden daughter of Bob and Natalie
Hayden Sophia was baptized on Saturday June 22 at
Saints Pete and Paul in Glenview IL and her Godgather is
Peter Sparacio
Funerals - Memory Eternal
Anastasia ldquoAnnierdquo Markovich reposed on June 5 2019
The funeral was June 10 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox
Church with interment Mt Hope
Dorothy Nancy Graeff reposed on June 6 2019 The
funeral was on June 11 with interment at St Mathews
Cemetery
Nick Niarchos of Palos Hills Ill brother of Eugenia
(Alex) Pavlopoulos reposed on June 6th The funeral was
June 10 at Saints Constantine amp Helen Greek Orthodox
Church Palos Hills Il Interment at Evergreen Cemetery of
Evergreen Park in Il
Lehman Bennett grandfather of Jenny Bennett passes
way on June 15 The funeral and burial were on June 19
in Dallas TX
Memorials - Memory Eternal
June 2
5-year Haralambos Pelekanos
5-year Fr Constantine Regopoulos
June 9
9-mon Van (Evangelos) Evangelopoulos
1-year Tom (Athanasios) Dubis
1 year Mike Labis
1-year Elaine Scott
2 year Danica Mandrapa
8 year Ljubica Terzic
10-year Kostando Liakata
13-year Fr Gerasimos Annas
24-year Andrea Liakata
July 28
1-year Despina Zeriss
2-year Chris Zeris
August 4
21-year Athanasios Stratos
October 13
Departed Members Brotherhood of Alexander the Great
Important Please inform either Fr Joseph or Fr Anastasios
immediately when you or any member of your family is
sick or hospitalized so that appropriate prayer and
visitation may be scheduled Hospitals do not notify
clergy of patients even if you list yourself as a Church
member
In Our Prayers Nora (Elaine) Bangert Seraphima Henderson
Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris Dean Kases
Janie (Zafera) Kyramarios George Lambos
College Addresses In an effort to keep in touch with and minister to our
college students we ask anyone with a daughter or son in
college to contact the Church office with the address
phone amp email
12
Extra Virgin Olive Oil $20bottle
Missouri Flag $9600
Patriarchal Flag $28900
Holy Water bottleshelliphelliphelliphellip$30800
Icon of St Porphyrios
Icon of the Annunciation
Icon of Elder Amphilochios Makris
Icon of Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia
Dimitri and Rebecca Kagaris
Please call the church office if you would like to donate
any of these items
Womenrsquos Summer Book Study
Our plans for our Summer Book Study session are
complete
The book we are reading is
Everyday Wonders
Stories of Gods Providence
By V Rev Michael J Oleksa
and we will meet for our summer pot luck lunch and
book discussion
Saturday August 17
1100 am to 200 pm
Hosted by Keve Gialouris
17828 Greyabbey Ct
Chesterfield MO
If you have any questions please contact
Presvytera Laura Morton at 314-303-1784
Hellenic Culture Camp 2019 July 15-19
Open to all children entering 2nd grade through 8th grade in Fall 2019
Monday ndash Thursday 845 am - 300 pm
St Nicholas Family Life Center (Please bring a lunch and drink Monday-
Wednesday Greek lunch will be provided on Thursday)
Friday
845 am ndash noon Vetta Sports Manchester
Hellenic Culture Camp is a
wonderful opportunity to expose our children and grandchildren to culturally
enriching activities and friendships within our community
Activities include
Greek Cooking History
Geography Greek Dancing
Greek Language Greek Arts and Jewelry Making
Sports
Cost $100 for one child $90 for second child $80 for third child (Financial Assistance
Available)
For questions please contact Barbara Corrigan at
btcstlyahoocom or 3149606258 visit
httpswwwsngocorgnewshellenic-culture-camp
13
But I say to you the Lord says love your enemies do
good to those who hate you pray for those who
persecute you Why did he command these things So
that he might free you from hatred sadness anger and
grudges and might grant you the greatest possession of
all perfect love which is impossible to possess except
by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God
St Maximus the Confessor
Περί εἰδώλων Αγ Ἰουστίνου Πόποβιτς
Τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος δοκιμάζει καθημερινῶς στόν
κόσμο μας τήν ἐμπειρία νά ὁδηγοῦνται οἱ ἄνθρωποι
στήν ἀπώλεια εἴτε λόγῳ τῆς ἄγνοιας εἴτε τῆς μή
ἀναγνωρίσεως τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ Θεοῦ καί
Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ Μέ ἄλλα λόγια ἐκπίπτουν
ἐξαιτίας εἴτε τῆς ἀθεΐας εἴτε τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας
Αὐτή ἡ ἄγνοια ἤ ἡ μή ἀναγνώριση τοῦ Κυρίου
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιφέρει τήν ἄγνοια ἤ τήν μή
ἀναγνώριση τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ ἀγαθοῦ σέ αὐτόν
τόν κόσμο τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ Αὐτοί οἱ
ἄνθρωποι ζοῦν laquoἐν ἀσελγείαις ἐπιθυμίαις
οἰνοφλυγίαις κώμοις πότοις καί ἀθεμίτοις
εἰδωλολατρείαιςraquo Ναί laquoἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαιςraquo
γιατί ἡ εἰδωλολατρεία εἶναι πάντοτε σέ πληθυντικό
ἀριθμό Ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ὁποῖος δέν ἀναγνωρίζει τόν
μόνο ἀληθινό Θεό θέλοντας καί μή ἀναγνωρίζει
ἕνα ἀναρίθμητο πλῆθος ἄλλων μικρότερων
θεοτήτων ψευδῶν θεῶν εἰδώλων Πρόκειται γιά τίς
ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη πού δέν ἔχουν οὔτε ἀριθμό
οὔτε τέλος Ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος δελεάζεται ἀπό μία
τέτοια μικρή μικρή θεότητα τότε αὐτή τόν
παρασύρει στίς ὑπόλοιπες ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη καί
τότε εἶναι πού τόν κατακομματιάζουν καί τόν
κατασπαράζουν οἱ ἀναρίθμητοι ψευδεῖς καί
ἀδηφάγοι θεοί Καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέν εἶναι σέ θέση
νά ἀμυνθεῖ σέ αὐτήν τήν ἀγέλη τῶν τρομερῶν
θηρίων καί τῶν δελεαστικῶν πειρασμῶν Τό
μικρότερο πάθος ὁδηγεῖ σέ μεγαλύτερο καί ἔτσι
σταδιακά βυθίζεται σέ ὅλο καί μεγαλύτερα πάθη
ὥσπου ἐν τέλει δέν μπορεῖ νά ἀναδυθεῖ ἀπrsquoαὐτά
Καί κάθε πάθος ἐμπεριέχει ἀναρίθμητα εἴδωλα καί
κάθε ἐπιθυμία φέρει ὅλο καί περισσότερα εἴδωλα
πού δέν ἔχουν τελειωμό Τά εἴδωλα εἶναι σάν τή
δυνατή φωτιά μέσα της κατακαίγονται καί ἡ
συνείδηση καί ἡ ψυχή καί ἡ καρδιά καί τό θέλημα
τοῦ ἀνθρώπου Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος τῆς
ἀγάπης παρακαλεῖ τούς χριστιανούς laquoΤεκνία
φυλάξατε ἑαυτούς ἀπό τῶν εἰδώλωνraquo Ἀπό τά
εἴδωλα προέρχονται ὅλα τά κακά καί τά μικρά καί
τά μεγάλα Καί κάθε ἄνθρωπος εἶναι εἰδωλολάτρης
ἐφrsquoὅσον δέν πιστεύει στόν μόνον Ἀληθινό Θεό
στόν Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Διότι ὁπωσδήποτε σέ
κάτι πιστεύει εἴτε ὄν εἶναι αὐτό εἴτε πράγμα εἴτε σέ
ὁρατά εἴτε σέ ἀόρατα εἴδωλα ὅπως εἶναι ὁ ἥλιος ἡ
σελήνη οἱ ἀστέρες οἱ ἄνθρωποι ὁ πολιτισμός ἡ
τεχνολογία ἡ φυλή ἡ κοινωνική τάξη τά πάθη οἱ
ἡδονές καί [hellip] τό ὄνομά τους laquoΛεγεώνraquo Ἀπό τό
πρῶτο ὥς τό τελευταῖο ὅλα τά παραπάνω εἶναι
εἰδωλολατρία Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀμφιβολία ὅτι τό καθένα
ἀπrsquoαὐτά φονεύει ὅτι κάνει ἄνθρωπο τόν ἄνθρωπο
φονεύει δηλαδή ὅτι θεοειδές θεονοσταλγικό
ἀθάνατο θεῖο αἰώνιο Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος
νουθετεῖ καί ἐντέλλεται στούς χριστιανούς laquoΔιόπερ
ἀγαπητοί μου φεύγετε ἀπό τῆς εἰδωλολατρείαςraquo Οἱ
ἄνθρωποι διά τῶν ποικιλόμορφων εἰδωλολατρειῶν
ἔμμεσα ἤ ἄμεσα θυσιάζουν τούς ἑαυτούς τους στὀν
διάβολο προσφέρονται ὡς θυσία στόν διάβολο Σέ
τελευταία ἀνάλυση κάθε εἰδωλολατρία εἶναι
σατανολατρία καί κάθε εἰδωλο-διακονία εἶναι σατανο-
διακονία Μήπως δέν λατρεύει δέν διακονεῖ δέν
προσφέρει θυσία τήν ψυχή του στόν διάβολο ἐκεῖνος
πού ζεῖ στά πάθη καί στήν ἡδονή ὅποιος ὑπηρετεῖ
ὁποιονδήποτε καί ὁτιδήποτε ἐκτός ἀπό τόν μόνον
ἀληθινό Θεό καί Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Αὐτό εἶναι
τόσο ξεκάθαρο γιά κάποιον πού μπορεῖ μέ φρόνηση
νά κρίνει Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ θεόσοφος Ἀπόστολος λέγει
στούς πρώην εἰδωλολάτρες Κορινθίους laquoὡς
φρονίμοις λέγωhellipοὐ θέλω δέ ὑμᾶς κοινωνούς τῶν
δαιμονίων γίνεσθαι Οὐ δύνασθε ποτήριον Κυρίου
πίνειν καί ποτήριον δαιμονίων οὐ δύνασθε τραπέζης
Κυρίου μετέχειν καί τραπέζης δαιμονίωνraquo
Ἀναμφίβολα ὁλόκληρο τό Εὐαγγέλιο τοῦ Σωτῆρος
ἔγκειται στό ὅτι laquoτό σῶμα τῶ Κυρίῳ καί ὁ Κύριος τῶ
σώματιraquo Ἔτσι γνωρίζουμε τό αἰώνιο μυστήριο τοῦ
ἀνθρωπίνου ὄντος πώς ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός
εἶναι ὁ Σωτήρας ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὄχι μόνο
τῆς ψυχῆς ἀλλά καί τοῦ σώματός του Γιrsquoαὐτό καί τό
σῶμα τοῦ χριστιανοῦ ὀφείλει νά εἶναι ναός ἅγιος στόν
ὁποῖο ζεῖ ἡ ἁγία ψυχή στόν κόσμο μας καί στόν ὁποῖο
πρόκειται νά ζήσει καί μετά τήν κοινή ἀνάσταση τῶν
νεκρῶν Τά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν διά τοῦ ἁγίου
Βαπτίσματος τῆς Θείας Μεταλήψεως καί τοῦ
εὐαγγελικοῦ τους βίου ἔγιναν ἀναπόσπαστα μέρη τοῦ
Θεανθρώπινου σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Τά σώματα
αὐτά δέν ἀνήκουν πλέον στούς ἴδιους ἀλλά σέ
Ἐκεῖνον Ὅτι ἔγινε μέ τό ἅγιο σῶμα Ἐκείνου
πρόκειται νά συμβεῖ στά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν Για την αντιγραφή Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης
14
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Old Testament prophet Elijah the Tishbite lived during
the time when King Ahab ruled Israel Ahabs wife Jezebel
was a foreigner who did not worship the One True God of
Israel but the false god Baal She persecuted prophets and
deceitfully tried to force the people of Israel to turn away
from God and worship Baal Elijahs fiery personality often
brought him into conflict with Ahab and Jezebel because he
was absolutely determined that the people would stay
faithful to God God rewarded Elijahs devotion with the gift
of prophecy Once when Elijah knew a serious drought was
coming soon God instructed him to leave his home and go
east of the Jordan River promising that he would be fed by
a raven Just as God promised the raven
brought Elijah food and he was able to
drink from a stream When the stream ran
dry God told him to go to the city of
Zarephath In the city he met a widow
who was gathering sticks He asked her
for bread but she replied I have no
bread baked and there is only a small
amount of flour and oil left for my son
and me There was not enough she said to share with
another person Saint Elijah told her not to worry or be
afraid but to make the bread and give him a little loaf She
did so and a great miracle occurred The widow had enough
flour and oil to last a whole year Sometime later when her
son died Elijah prayed over his body and the boy came
back to life The widow was overjoyed and said to Elijah
Now I know that you speak Gods word After many years
of drought God sent Elijah to see King Ahab By this time
there was famine as well as drought in the land While
searching for food and water Ahabs advisor Obadiah met
Elijah on the road He told King Ahab that the prophet was
back and Ahab went out to meet him He said to Elijah Is
it you you troubler of Israel Saint Elijah told King Ahab
that he the king was the one who was troubling Israel
because he was not living his life according to Gods laws
and should not be following the false god Baal Then he said
to the king Tell the people of Israel and the four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal to meet me on Mount Carmel When
everyone had arrived Saint Elijah told the people If the
Lord is God follow him but if Baal is then follow him
He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest He told
them to put their sacrifice on one altar and he would put his
on another altar Neither one would start a fire to burn their
sacrifice but would call on God and Baal to start the fire
The false prophets of Baal hopped around and yelled to their
god to come and light the sacrifice Saint Elijah laughed and
said that maybe Baal was napping and needed to be
awakened The false prophets yelled even louder and still
nothing happened Elijah calmly made a large trench around
the dirt and all the water Saint Elijah had shown them all
the true and only God When King Ahab told his wife
Jezebel what Elijah had done she angrily promised to kill
the prophet Fearing for his life Elijah fled to Beer-sheba in
the land of Judah There he sat down under a broom tree
so miserable and fearful that he asked God to take his life
Instead God sent an angel to encourage him and to prepare
him for a long journey Following the angels instructions
he walked for forty days and forty nights until he came to a
cave There God spoke to him in a gentle breeze telling
him to bless helpers who would spread the true faith One
of those Elijah blessed was Elisha who was plowing his
fathers field When Saint Elijah saw him he threw his
cloak over him and soon Elisha was accompanying Elijah
as his helper As Saint Elijahs earthly life neared its end
God sent him to Bethel Jericho and the Jordan When he
came to the Jordan Elijah rolled up his cloak and touched
the water The water immediately parted and Saints Elijah
and Elisha crossed over on dry land As they continued to
walk a fiery chariot driven by fiery horses came and took
Saint Elijah in a whirlwind up into the sky Elisha took up
the great prophets cloak Elijahs story doesnt end there
He was one of two Old Testament saints who appeared with
Jesus at His Transfiguration Saint Elijah was there to
represent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the
coming of the Son of God He is a wonderful example of
someone who loved God with all of his soul all of his heart
and all of his mind In some churches on the feast of Saint
Elijah the priest blesses cars bicycles roller skates scoot-
ers (chariots) and any other method of transportation with
wheels httpdceocaorgassetsfilesresourcesSaints-Animalspdf
Troparion (Tone 4)
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets
The second forerunner of the coming of Christ Glorious
Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha To dispel diseases
and to cleanse lepers Therefore he pours forth healings on
those who honor him
Quote
I have been very zealous for the Lord Almightyhellip
- Elijah about himself 3 Kingdoms 1910
Date Born
Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the
Incarnation of Christ
Date Died
Elijahs death is described in 2 Kings 2 9-13 (4 Kingdoms
2 9-13 OSB) The date is not certain
Commemoration Date
July 20 and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
s
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
2
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
3
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
4 I
nd
ep
en
den
ce D
ay
5
NO
FR
IDA
Y L
UN
CH
EO
N
Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
7
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0 a
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rth
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5 a
m D
ivin
e L
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rgy
8
9
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
10
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m K
afen
io
11 G
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t M
arty
r
Eu
ph
em
ia
80
0 a
m O
rth
ros
90
0 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
12
St
Pais
ios
of
Mt
Ath
os
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
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rgy
15
1
6
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
17
Gre
at
Marty
r
Ma
rin
a
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
20
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m K
afen
io
18
19
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
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m G
reat
Ves
per
s
21
83
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m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
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rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
25
Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
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m G
reat
Ves
per
s
28
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
29
3
0
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
9
Fanari 2019 Our Fanari campers left on June 16 for a week of learning and
fellowship on the grounds of the St Iakovos Retreat Center in
Kansasville Wisconsin Fanari is wonderful experience Ask
any of our campers who went
Congratulations to our area AHEPA 53 2019
Scholarship Recipients
The awards were given out this past Sunday June 2 at
the AHEPA 53 Apartments The St Louis AHEPA
Chapter has been awarding scholarships since 1950 to hone
the recipients for their outstanding academic achievements
This year AHEPA 53 awarded 15 scholarships Receipents
from the Assumption were
Demetri Case
Athena Stamos
George Sakelis
The ceremony was emceed by Chapter President Mi-
chael Kontominas and the scholarship awards were
presented by Basil Pappas
AHEPArsquos goal is to see these young students
succeed to the highest degree possible and not to forget their
Hellenic heritage
Applications for both Chapter and District level schol-
arships can generally be picked up in February from the
Church offices or online
10
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Corner The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis
The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis works to nurture an awareness within our local churches of the
need to evangelize catechize and support missionary efforts and programs globally
As always if you have any questions would like to be part of the Mission Team St Louis or if you would like to help our
missionaries please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley 618-447-9688
Thank you for your continued support
Celebrating 10 Years Since the Dedication of OCMCs Headquarters by Niko Birbilis
This May OCMC was thrilled to celebrate our 10-year-anniversary since the dedication of our current
missionary training and administration building May 21 2009 marked a great day not only for us at OCMC
but for Orthodoxy around the world The roots of OCMC go all the way back to Athens Greece in the 1950s
and to the influence of two young theologians Fr Deacon Anastasios Yannoulatos and Fr Deacon Demetrios
Trakatellis Deacon Anastasios would eventually go on to become His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of
Albania and Deacon Demetrios would soon go on to become His Eminence Archbishop Geron Demetrios of
America
Inspired by the missionary fervor and vision of these brilliant young men the Mission Center would begin as a
committee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) of America As it continued to grow and develop
however the GOAs mission center soon moved to its own location in St Augustine Florida and Fr Dimitrios
Couchell (now His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos) was appointed as its first Executive Director In 1987
the mission center sent the first short-term mission team to Kenya and these teams would continue into the
present day as some of the most fruitful ministries of the mission center
By 1994 the GOA graciously handed its mission center over to become the pan-Orthodox mission center
representing the combined missionary efforts of all Orthodox jurisdictions in the US At this point it was finally
labeled the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
Fr Martin Ritsi took over as Executive Director in 1998 and by the late 2000s OCMC was already involved in
thirty countries around the world OCMC continued growing and soon it was time to expand to a new location
It was at this point that due to many incredibly generous supporters OCMC was able to construct its current
home the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Training and Administration Building This new
OCMC headquarters building was dedicated on May 21 2009 Since then it has increasingly been the source of
countless ministries striving to carry out Christrsquos great commission and spread the Gospel to the ends of the
earth
In the past 10 years since the dedication OCMC has sent a total of 1181 team members on 159 mission teams to
18 different countries This past year alone OCMC
Has continued to support 375 indigenous clergy worldwide through the SAMP program
Has continued to support 23 long-term missionaries
Provided medical care to 1199 people
Reached 815 children
Catechized 1400 people
Sent 4 healthcare and counseling teams
Built a church in Indonesia
Carried out 7 projects for students and orphans
Wersquove had a wonderfully exciting and fruitful history and we thank you all for walking this journey with us
With your support we are enabling countless people around the world to know the Gospel of Christ and to expe-
rience His love Please continue to keep our work in your prayers to volunteer your time and talents on our mis-
sion trips and to donate to our ministries Now we look forward to all that the next 10 years will bring
11
Births - Congratulations to
George and Melinda Abuqubou on the birth of their son
Christopher who was born on August 26 2018
Baptisms - Many Years to
Isabella Mavra Xenos Zewki daughter of Shivan and
Tatiana Zewki Isabella was baptized on May 19 2019
and her Godparents are Antonios Xenos and
Anastasia Mezinis
Anna Sophia Theodoropulos daughter of Fr Anastasios
and Presvytera Elizabeth Theodoropoulos Anna was
baptized on June 1 2019 at Saints Peter and Paul in
Glenview IL and her Godmother is Julie Stefanski
Peirce James Farmakis son of Mike and Shannon
Farmakis Pierce was baptized on June 1 2019 and his
Godfather is Kostantinos (Dino) Deros
Eleni Polixeni Psara daughter of Spiro and Colleen Psara
Eleni was baptized on June 2 2019 and her
Godparents are are Panteli Pappas and Alona
Teliatnykova
Sophia Shea Hayden daughter of Bob and Natalie
Hayden Sophia was baptized on Saturday June 22 at
Saints Pete and Paul in Glenview IL and her Godgather is
Peter Sparacio
Funerals - Memory Eternal
Anastasia ldquoAnnierdquo Markovich reposed on June 5 2019
The funeral was June 10 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox
Church with interment Mt Hope
Dorothy Nancy Graeff reposed on June 6 2019 The
funeral was on June 11 with interment at St Mathews
Cemetery
Nick Niarchos of Palos Hills Ill brother of Eugenia
(Alex) Pavlopoulos reposed on June 6th The funeral was
June 10 at Saints Constantine amp Helen Greek Orthodox
Church Palos Hills Il Interment at Evergreen Cemetery of
Evergreen Park in Il
Lehman Bennett grandfather of Jenny Bennett passes
way on June 15 The funeral and burial were on June 19
in Dallas TX
Memorials - Memory Eternal
June 2
5-year Haralambos Pelekanos
5-year Fr Constantine Regopoulos
June 9
9-mon Van (Evangelos) Evangelopoulos
1-year Tom (Athanasios) Dubis
1 year Mike Labis
1-year Elaine Scott
2 year Danica Mandrapa
8 year Ljubica Terzic
10-year Kostando Liakata
13-year Fr Gerasimos Annas
24-year Andrea Liakata
July 28
1-year Despina Zeriss
2-year Chris Zeris
August 4
21-year Athanasios Stratos
October 13
Departed Members Brotherhood of Alexander the Great
Important Please inform either Fr Joseph or Fr Anastasios
immediately when you or any member of your family is
sick or hospitalized so that appropriate prayer and
visitation may be scheduled Hospitals do not notify
clergy of patients even if you list yourself as a Church
member
In Our Prayers Nora (Elaine) Bangert Seraphima Henderson
Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris Dean Kases
Janie (Zafera) Kyramarios George Lambos
College Addresses In an effort to keep in touch with and minister to our
college students we ask anyone with a daughter or son in
college to contact the Church office with the address
phone amp email
12
Extra Virgin Olive Oil $20bottle
Missouri Flag $9600
Patriarchal Flag $28900
Holy Water bottleshelliphelliphelliphellip$30800
Icon of St Porphyrios
Icon of the Annunciation
Icon of Elder Amphilochios Makris
Icon of Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia
Dimitri and Rebecca Kagaris
Please call the church office if you would like to donate
any of these items
Womenrsquos Summer Book Study
Our plans for our Summer Book Study session are
complete
The book we are reading is
Everyday Wonders
Stories of Gods Providence
By V Rev Michael J Oleksa
and we will meet for our summer pot luck lunch and
book discussion
Saturday August 17
1100 am to 200 pm
Hosted by Keve Gialouris
17828 Greyabbey Ct
Chesterfield MO
If you have any questions please contact
Presvytera Laura Morton at 314-303-1784
Hellenic Culture Camp 2019 July 15-19
Open to all children entering 2nd grade through 8th grade in Fall 2019
Monday ndash Thursday 845 am - 300 pm
St Nicholas Family Life Center (Please bring a lunch and drink Monday-
Wednesday Greek lunch will be provided on Thursday)
Friday
845 am ndash noon Vetta Sports Manchester
Hellenic Culture Camp is a
wonderful opportunity to expose our children and grandchildren to culturally
enriching activities and friendships within our community
Activities include
Greek Cooking History
Geography Greek Dancing
Greek Language Greek Arts and Jewelry Making
Sports
Cost $100 for one child $90 for second child $80 for third child (Financial Assistance
Available)
For questions please contact Barbara Corrigan at
btcstlyahoocom or 3149606258 visit
httpswwwsngocorgnewshellenic-culture-camp
13
But I say to you the Lord says love your enemies do
good to those who hate you pray for those who
persecute you Why did he command these things So
that he might free you from hatred sadness anger and
grudges and might grant you the greatest possession of
all perfect love which is impossible to possess except
by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God
St Maximus the Confessor
Περί εἰδώλων Αγ Ἰουστίνου Πόποβιτς
Τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος δοκιμάζει καθημερινῶς στόν
κόσμο μας τήν ἐμπειρία νά ὁδηγοῦνται οἱ ἄνθρωποι
στήν ἀπώλεια εἴτε λόγῳ τῆς ἄγνοιας εἴτε τῆς μή
ἀναγνωρίσεως τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ Θεοῦ καί
Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ Μέ ἄλλα λόγια ἐκπίπτουν
ἐξαιτίας εἴτε τῆς ἀθεΐας εἴτε τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας
Αὐτή ἡ ἄγνοια ἤ ἡ μή ἀναγνώριση τοῦ Κυρίου
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιφέρει τήν ἄγνοια ἤ τήν μή
ἀναγνώριση τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ ἀγαθοῦ σέ αὐτόν
τόν κόσμο τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ Αὐτοί οἱ
ἄνθρωποι ζοῦν laquoἐν ἀσελγείαις ἐπιθυμίαις
οἰνοφλυγίαις κώμοις πότοις καί ἀθεμίτοις
εἰδωλολατρείαιςraquo Ναί laquoἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαιςraquo
γιατί ἡ εἰδωλολατρεία εἶναι πάντοτε σέ πληθυντικό
ἀριθμό Ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ὁποῖος δέν ἀναγνωρίζει τόν
μόνο ἀληθινό Θεό θέλοντας καί μή ἀναγνωρίζει
ἕνα ἀναρίθμητο πλῆθος ἄλλων μικρότερων
θεοτήτων ψευδῶν θεῶν εἰδώλων Πρόκειται γιά τίς
ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη πού δέν ἔχουν οὔτε ἀριθμό
οὔτε τέλος Ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος δελεάζεται ἀπό μία
τέτοια μικρή μικρή θεότητα τότε αὐτή τόν
παρασύρει στίς ὑπόλοιπες ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη καί
τότε εἶναι πού τόν κατακομματιάζουν καί τόν
κατασπαράζουν οἱ ἀναρίθμητοι ψευδεῖς καί
ἀδηφάγοι θεοί Καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέν εἶναι σέ θέση
νά ἀμυνθεῖ σέ αὐτήν τήν ἀγέλη τῶν τρομερῶν
θηρίων καί τῶν δελεαστικῶν πειρασμῶν Τό
μικρότερο πάθος ὁδηγεῖ σέ μεγαλύτερο καί ἔτσι
σταδιακά βυθίζεται σέ ὅλο καί μεγαλύτερα πάθη
ὥσπου ἐν τέλει δέν μπορεῖ νά ἀναδυθεῖ ἀπrsquoαὐτά
Καί κάθε πάθος ἐμπεριέχει ἀναρίθμητα εἴδωλα καί
κάθε ἐπιθυμία φέρει ὅλο καί περισσότερα εἴδωλα
πού δέν ἔχουν τελειωμό Τά εἴδωλα εἶναι σάν τή
δυνατή φωτιά μέσα της κατακαίγονται καί ἡ
συνείδηση καί ἡ ψυχή καί ἡ καρδιά καί τό θέλημα
τοῦ ἀνθρώπου Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος τῆς
ἀγάπης παρακαλεῖ τούς χριστιανούς laquoΤεκνία
φυλάξατε ἑαυτούς ἀπό τῶν εἰδώλωνraquo Ἀπό τά
εἴδωλα προέρχονται ὅλα τά κακά καί τά μικρά καί
τά μεγάλα Καί κάθε ἄνθρωπος εἶναι εἰδωλολάτρης
ἐφrsquoὅσον δέν πιστεύει στόν μόνον Ἀληθινό Θεό
στόν Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Διότι ὁπωσδήποτε σέ
κάτι πιστεύει εἴτε ὄν εἶναι αὐτό εἴτε πράγμα εἴτε σέ
ὁρατά εἴτε σέ ἀόρατα εἴδωλα ὅπως εἶναι ὁ ἥλιος ἡ
σελήνη οἱ ἀστέρες οἱ ἄνθρωποι ὁ πολιτισμός ἡ
τεχνολογία ἡ φυλή ἡ κοινωνική τάξη τά πάθη οἱ
ἡδονές καί [hellip] τό ὄνομά τους laquoΛεγεώνraquo Ἀπό τό
πρῶτο ὥς τό τελευταῖο ὅλα τά παραπάνω εἶναι
εἰδωλολατρία Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀμφιβολία ὅτι τό καθένα
ἀπrsquoαὐτά φονεύει ὅτι κάνει ἄνθρωπο τόν ἄνθρωπο
φονεύει δηλαδή ὅτι θεοειδές θεονοσταλγικό
ἀθάνατο θεῖο αἰώνιο Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος
νουθετεῖ καί ἐντέλλεται στούς χριστιανούς laquoΔιόπερ
ἀγαπητοί μου φεύγετε ἀπό τῆς εἰδωλολατρείαςraquo Οἱ
ἄνθρωποι διά τῶν ποικιλόμορφων εἰδωλολατρειῶν
ἔμμεσα ἤ ἄμεσα θυσιάζουν τούς ἑαυτούς τους στὀν
διάβολο προσφέρονται ὡς θυσία στόν διάβολο Σέ
τελευταία ἀνάλυση κάθε εἰδωλολατρία εἶναι
σατανολατρία καί κάθε εἰδωλο-διακονία εἶναι σατανο-
διακονία Μήπως δέν λατρεύει δέν διακονεῖ δέν
προσφέρει θυσία τήν ψυχή του στόν διάβολο ἐκεῖνος
πού ζεῖ στά πάθη καί στήν ἡδονή ὅποιος ὑπηρετεῖ
ὁποιονδήποτε καί ὁτιδήποτε ἐκτός ἀπό τόν μόνον
ἀληθινό Θεό καί Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Αὐτό εἶναι
τόσο ξεκάθαρο γιά κάποιον πού μπορεῖ μέ φρόνηση
νά κρίνει Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ θεόσοφος Ἀπόστολος λέγει
στούς πρώην εἰδωλολάτρες Κορινθίους laquoὡς
φρονίμοις λέγωhellipοὐ θέλω δέ ὑμᾶς κοινωνούς τῶν
δαιμονίων γίνεσθαι Οὐ δύνασθε ποτήριον Κυρίου
πίνειν καί ποτήριον δαιμονίων οὐ δύνασθε τραπέζης
Κυρίου μετέχειν καί τραπέζης δαιμονίωνraquo
Ἀναμφίβολα ὁλόκληρο τό Εὐαγγέλιο τοῦ Σωτῆρος
ἔγκειται στό ὅτι laquoτό σῶμα τῶ Κυρίῳ καί ὁ Κύριος τῶ
σώματιraquo Ἔτσι γνωρίζουμε τό αἰώνιο μυστήριο τοῦ
ἀνθρωπίνου ὄντος πώς ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός
εἶναι ὁ Σωτήρας ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὄχι μόνο
τῆς ψυχῆς ἀλλά καί τοῦ σώματός του Γιrsquoαὐτό καί τό
σῶμα τοῦ χριστιανοῦ ὀφείλει νά εἶναι ναός ἅγιος στόν
ὁποῖο ζεῖ ἡ ἁγία ψυχή στόν κόσμο μας καί στόν ὁποῖο
πρόκειται νά ζήσει καί μετά τήν κοινή ἀνάσταση τῶν
νεκρῶν Τά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν διά τοῦ ἁγίου
Βαπτίσματος τῆς Θείας Μεταλήψεως καί τοῦ
εὐαγγελικοῦ τους βίου ἔγιναν ἀναπόσπαστα μέρη τοῦ
Θεανθρώπινου σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Τά σώματα
αὐτά δέν ἀνήκουν πλέον στούς ἴδιους ἀλλά σέ
Ἐκεῖνον Ὅτι ἔγινε μέ τό ἅγιο σῶμα Ἐκείνου
πρόκειται νά συμβεῖ στά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν Για την αντιγραφή Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης
14
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Old Testament prophet Elijah the Tishbite lived during
the time when King Ahab ruled Israel Ahabs wife Jezebel
was a foreigner who did not worship the One True God of
Israel but the false god Baal She persecuted prophets and
deceitfully tried to force the people of Israel to turn away
from God and worship Baal Elijahs fiery personality often
brought him into conflict with Ahab and Jezebel because he
was absolutely determined that the people would stay
faithful to God God rewarded Elijahs devotion with the gift
of prophecy Once when Elijah knew a serious drought was
coming soon God instructed him to leave his home and go
east of the Jordan River promising that he would be fed by
a raven Just as God promised the raven
brought Elijah food and he was able to
drink from a stream When the stream ran
dry God told him to go to the city of
Zarephath In the city he met a widow
who was gathering sticks He asked her
for bread but she replied I have no
bread baked and there is only a small
amount of flour and oil left for my son
and me There was not enough she said to share with
another person Saint Elijah told her not to worry or be
afraid but to make the bread and give him a little loaf She
did so and a great miracle occurred The widow had enough
flour and oil to last a whole year Sometime later when her
son died Elijah prayed over his body and the boy came
back to life The widow was overjoyed and said to Elijah
Now I know that you speak Gods word After many years
of drought God sent Elijah to see King Ahab By this time
there was famine as well as drought in the land While
searching for food and water Ahabs advisor Obadiah met
Elijah on the road He told King Ahab that the prophet was
back and Ahab went out to meet him He said to Elijah Is
it you you troubler of Israel Saint Elijah told King Ahab
that he the king was the one who was troubling Israel
because he was not living his life according to Gods laws
and should not be following the false god Baal Then he said
to the king Tell the people of Israel and the four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal to meet me on Mount Carmel When
everyone had arrived Saint Elijah told the people If the
Lord is God follow him but if Baal is then follow him
He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest He told
them to put their sacrifice on one altar and he would put his
on another altar Neither one would start a fire to burn their
sacrifice but would call on God and Baal to start the fire
The false prophets of Baal hopped around and yelled to their
god to come and light the sacrifice Saint Elijah laughed and
said that maybe Baal was napping and needed to be
awakened The false prophets yelled even louder and still
nothing happened Elijah calmly made a large trench around
the dirt and all the water Saint Elijah had shown them all
the true and only God When King Ahab told his wife
Jezebel what Elijah had done she angrily promised to kill
the prophet Fearing for his life Elijah fled to Beer-sheba in
the land of Judah There he sat down under a broom tree
so miserable and fearful that he asked God to take his life
Instead God sent an angel to encourage him and to prepare
him for a long journey Following the angels instructions
he walked for forty days and forty nights until he came to a
cave There God spoke to him in a gentle breeze telling
him to bless helpers who would spread the true faith One
of those Elijah blessed was Elisha who was plowing his
fathers field When Saint Elijah saw him he threw his
cloak over him and soon Elisha was accompanying Elijah
as his helper As Saint Elijahs earthly life neared its end
God sent him to Bethel Jericho and the Jordan When he
came to the Jordan Elijah rolled up his cloak and touched
the water The water immediately parted and Saints Elijah
and Elisha crossed over on dry land As they continued to
walk a fiery chariot driven by fiery horses came and took
Saint Elijah in a whirlwind up into the sky Elisha took up
the great prophets cloak Elijahs story doesnt end there
He was one of two Old Testament saints who appeared with
Jesus at His Transfiguration Saint Elijah was there to
represent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the
coming of the Son of God He is a wonderful example of
someone who loved God with all of his soul all of his heart
and all of his mind In some churches on the feast of Saint
Elijah the priest blesses cars bicycles roller skates scoot-
ers (chariots) and any other method of transportation with
wheels httpdceocaorgassetsfilesresourcesSaints-Animalspdf
Troparion (Tone 4)
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets
The second forerunner of the coming of Christ Glorious
Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha To dispel diseases
and to cleanse lepers Therefore he pours forth healings on
those who honor him
Quote
I have been very zealous for the Lord Almightyhellip
- Elijah about himself 3 Kingdoms 1910
Date Born
Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the
Incarnation of Christ
Date Died
Elijahs death is described in 2 Kings 2 9-13 (4 Kingdoms
2 9-13 OSB) The date is not certain
Commemoration Date
July 20 and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
s
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
2
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
3
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
4 I
nd
ep
en
den
ce D
ay
5
NO
FR
IDA
Y L
UN
CH
EO
N
Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
7
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5 a
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ivin
e L
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8
9
63
0 p
m V
esp
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10
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m K
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io
11 G
rea
t M
arty
r
Eu
ph
em
ia
80
0 a
m O
rth
ros
90
0 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
12
St
Pais
ios
of
Mt
Ath
os
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
15
1
6
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
17
Gre
at
Marty
r
Ma
rin
a
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
18
19
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
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50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
21
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
25
Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
28
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
29
3
0
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
10
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Corner The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis
The Orthodox Mission Team of St Louis works to nurture an awareness within our local churches of the
need to evangelize catechize and support missionary efforts and programs globally
As always if you have any questions would like to be part of the Mission Team St Louis or if you would like to help our
missionaries please feel free to contact Rosie Hartley 618-447-9688
Thank you for your continued support
Celebrating 10 Years Since the Dedication of OCMCs Headquarters by Niko Birbilis
This May OCMC was thrilled to celebrate our 10-year-anniversary since the dedication of our current
missionary training and administration building May 21 2009 marked a great day not only for us at OCMC
but for Orthodoxy around the world The roots of OCMC go all the way back to Athens Greece in the 1950s
and to the influence of two young theologians Fr Deacon Anastasios Yannoulatos and Fr Deacon Demetrios
Trakatellis Deacon Anastasios would eventually go on to become His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of
Albania and Deacon Demetrios would soon go on to become His Eminence Archbishop Geron Demetrios of
America
Inspired by the missionary fervor and vision of these brilliant young men the Mission Center would begin as a
committee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) of America As it continued to grow and develop
however the GOAs mission center soon moved to its own location in St Augustine Florida and Fr Dimitrios
Couchell (now His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos) was appointed as its first Executive Director In 1987
the mission center sent the first short-term mission team to Kenya and these teams would continue into the
present day as some of the most fruitful ministries of the mission center
By 1994 the GOA graciously handed its mission center over to become the pan-Orthodox mission center
representing the combined missionary efforts of all Orthodox jurisdictions in the US At this point it was finally
labeled the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
Fr Martin Ritsi took over as Executive Director in 1998 and by the late 2000s OCMC was already involved in
thirty countries around the world OCMC continued growing and soon it was time to expand to a new location
It was at this point that due to many incredibly generous supporters OCMC was able to construct its current
home the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Training and Administration Building This new
OCMC headquarters building was dedicated on May 21 2009 Since then it has increasingly been the source of
countless ministries striving to carry out Christrsquos great commission and spread the Gospel to the ends of the
earth
In the past 10 years since the dedication OCMC has sent a total of 1181 team members on 159 mission teams to
18 different countries This past year alone OCMC
Has continued to support 375 indigenous clergy worldwide through the SAMP program
Has continued to support 23 long-term missionaries
Provided medical care to 1199 people
Reached 815 children
Catechized 1400 people
Sent 4 healthcare and counseling teams
Built a church in Indonesia
Carried out 7 projects for students and orphans
Wersquove had a wonderfully exciting and fruitful history and we thank you all for walking this journey with us
With your support we are enabling countless people around the world to know the Gospel of Christ and to expe-
rience His love Please continue to keep our work in your prayers to volunteer your time and talents on our mis-
sion trips and to donate to our ministries Now we look forward to all that the next 10 years will bring
11
Births - Congratulations to
George and Melinda Abuqubou on the birth of their son
Christopher who was born on August 26 2018
Baptisms - Many Years to
Isabella Mavra Xenos Zewki daughter of Shivan and
Tatiana Zewki Isabella was baptized on May 19 2019
and her Godparents are Antonios Xenos and
Anastasia Mezinis
Anna Sophia Theodoropulos daughter of Fr Anastasios
and Presvytera Elizabeth Theodoropoulos Anna was
baptized on June 1 2019 at Saints Peter and Paul in
Glenview IL and her Godmother is Julie Stefanski
Peirce James Farmakis son of Mike and Shannon
Farmakis Pierce was baptized on June 1 2019 and his
Godfather is Kostantinos (Dino) Deros
Eleni Polixeni Psara daughter of Spiro and Colleen Psara
Eleni was baptized on June 2 2019 and her
Godparents are are Panteli Pappas and Alona
Teliatnykova
Sophia Shea Hayden daughter of Bob and Natalie
Hayden Sophia was baptized on Saturday June 22 at
Saints Pete and Paul in Glenview IL and her Godgather is
Peter Sparacio
Funerals - Memory Eternal
Anastasia ldquoAnnierdquo Markovich reposed on June 5 2019
The funeral was June 10 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox
Church with interment Mt Hope
Dorothy Nancy Graeff reposed on June 6 2019 The
funeral was on June 11 with interment at St Mathews
Cemetery
Nick Niarchos of Palos Hills Ill brother of Eugenia
(Alex) Pavlopoulos reposed on June 6th The funeral was
June 10 at Saints Constantine amp Helen Greek Orthodox
Church Palos Hills Il Interment at Evergreen Cemetery of
Evergreen Park in Il
Lehman Bennett grandfather of Jenny Bennett passes
way on June 15 The funeral and burial were on June 19
in Dallas TX
Memorials - Memory Eternal
June 2
5-year Haralambos Pelekanos
5-year Fr Constantine Regopoulos
June 9
9-mon Van (Evangelos) Evangelopoulos
1-year Tom (Athanasios) Dubis
1 year Mike Labis
1-year Elaine Scott
2 year Danica Mandrapa
8 year Ljubica Terzic
10-year Kostando Liakata
13-year Fr Gerasimos Annas
24-year Andrea Liakata
July 28
1-year Despina Zeriss
2-year Chris Zeris
August 4
21-year Athanasios Stratos
October 13
Departed Members Brotherhood of Alexander the Great
Important Please inform either Fr Joseph or Fr Anastasios
immediately when you or any member of your family is
sick or hospitalized so that appropriate prayer and
visitation may be scheduled Hospitals do not notify
clergy of patients even if you list yourself as a Church
member
In Our Prayers Nora (Elaine) Bangert Seraphima Henderson
Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris Dean Kases
Janie (Zafera) Kyramarios George Lambos
College Addresses In an effort to keep in touch with and minister to our
college students we ask anyone with a daughter or son in
college to contact the Church office with the address
phone amp email
12
Extra Virgin Olive Oil $20bottle
Missouri Flag $9600
Patriarchal Flag $28900
Holy Water bottleshelliphelliphelliphellip$30800
Icon of St Porphyrios
Icon of the Annunciation
Icon of Elder Amphilochios Makris
Icon of Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia
Dimitri and Rebecca Kagaris
Please call the church office if you would like to donate
any of these items
Womenrsquos Summer Book Study
Our plans for our Summer Book Study session are
complete
The book we are reading is
Everyday Wonders
Stories of Gods Providence
By V Rev Michael J Oleksa
and we will meet for our summer pot luck lunch and
book discussion
Saturday August 17
1100 am to 200 pm
Hosted by Keve Gialouris
17828 Greyabbey Ct
Chesterfield MO
If you have any questions please contact
Presvytera Laura Morton at 314-303-1784
Hellenic Culture Camp 2019 July 15-19
Open to all children entering 2nd grade through 8th grade in Fall 2019
Monday ndash Thursday 845 am - 300 pm
St Nicholas Family Life Center (Please bring a lunch and drink Monday-
Wednesday Greek lunch will be provided on Thursday)
Friday
845 am ndash noon Vetta Sports Manchester
Hellenic Culture Camp is a
wonderful opportunity to expose our children and grandchildren to culturally
enriching activities and friendships within our community
Activities include
Greek Cooking History
Geography Greek Dancing
Greek Language Greek Arts and Jewelry Making
Sports
Cost $100 for one child $90 for second child $80 for third child (Financial Assistance
Available)
For questions please contact Barbara Corrigan at
btcstlyahoocom or 3149606258 visit
httpswwwsngocorgnewshellenic-culture-camp
13
But I say to you the Lord says love your enemies do
good to those who hate you pray for those who
persecute you Why did he command these things So
that he might free you from hatred sadness anger and
grudges and might grant you the greatest possession of
all perfect love which is impossible to possess except
by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God
St Maximus the Confessor
Περί εἰδώλων Αγ Ἰουστίνου Πόποβιτς
Τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος δοκιμάζει καθημερινῶς στόν
κόσμο μας τήν ἐμπειρία νά ὁδηγοῦνται οἱ ἄνθρωποι
στήν ἀπώλεια εἴτε λόγῳ τῆς ἄγνοιας εἴτε τῆς μή
ἀναγνωρίσεως τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ Θεοῦ καί
Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ Μέ ἄλλα λόγια ἐκπίπτουν
ἐξαιτίας εἴτε τῆς ἀθεΐας εἴτε τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας
Αὐτή ἡ ἄγνοια ἤ ἡ μή ἀναγνώριση τοῦ Κυρίου
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιφέρει τήν ἄγνοια ἤ τήν μή
ἀναγνώριση τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ ἀγαθοῦ σέ αὐτόν
τόν κόσμο τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ Αὐτοί οἱ
ἄνθρωποι ζοῦν laquoἐν ἀσελγείαις ἐπιθυμίαις
οἰνοφλυγίαις κώμοις πότοις καί ἀθεμίτοις
εἰδωλολατρείαιςraquo Ναί laquoἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαιςraquo
γιατί ἡ εἰδωλολατρεία εἶναι πάντοτε σέ πληθυντικό
ἀριθμό Ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ὁποῖος δέν ἀναγνωρίζει τόν
μόνο ἀληθινό Θεό θέλοντας καί μή ἀναγνωρίζει
ἕνα ἀναρίθμητο πλῆθος ἄλλων μικρότερων
θεοτήτων ψευδῶν θεῶν εἰδώλων Πρόκειται γιά τίς
ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη πού δέν ἔχουν οὔτε ἀριθμό
οὔτε τέλος Ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος δελεάζεται ἀπό μία
τέτοια μικρή μικρή θεότητα τότε αὐτή τόν
παρασύρει στίς ὑπόλοιπες ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη καί
τότε εἶναι πού τόν κατακομματιάζουν καί τόν
κατασπαράζουν οἱ ἀναρίθμητοι ψευδεῖς καί
ἀδηφάγοι θεοί Καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέν εἶναι σέ θέση
νά ἀμυνθεῖ σέ αὐτήν τήν ἀγέλη τῶν τρομερῶν
θηρίων καί τῶν δελεαστικῶν πειρασμῶν Τό
μικρότερο πάθος ὁδηγεῖ σέ μεγαλύτερο καί ἔτσι
σταδιακά βυθίζεται σέ ὅλο καί μεγαλύτερα πάθη
ὥσπου ἐν τέλει δέν μπορεῖ νά ἀναδυθεῖ ἀπrsquoαὐτά
Καί κάθε πάθος ἐμπεριέχει ἀναρίθμητα εἴδωλα καί
κάθε ἐπιθυμία φέρει ὅλο καί περισσότερα εἴδωλα
πού δέν ἔχουν τελειωμό Τά εἴδωλα εἶναι σάν τή
δυνατή φωτιά μέσα της κατακαίγονται καί ἡ
συνείδηση καί ἡ ψυχή καί ἡ καρδιά καί τό θέλημα
τοῦ ἀνθρώπου Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος τῆς
ἀγάπης παρακαλεῖ τούς χριστιανούς laquoΤεκνία
φυλάξατε ἑαυτούς ἀπό τῶν εἰδώλωνraquo Ἀπό τά
εἴδωλα προέρχονται ὅλα τά κακά καί τά μικρά καί
τά μεγάλα Καί κάθε ἄνθρωπος εἶναι εἰδωλολάτρης
ἐφrsquoὅσον δέν πιστεύει στόν μόνον Ἀληθινό Θεό
στόν Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Διότι ὁπωσδήποτε σέ
κάτι πιστεύει εἴτε ὄν εἶναι αὐτό εἴτε πράγμα εἴτε σέ
ὁρατά εἴτε σέ ἀόρατα εἴδωλα ὅπως εἶναι ὁ ἥλιος ἡ
σελήνη οἱ ἀστέρες οἱ ἄνθρωποι ὁ πολιτισμός ἡ
τεχνολογία ἡ φυλή ἡ κοινωνική τάξη τά πάθη οἱ
ἡδονές καί [hellip] τό ὄνομά τους laquoΛεγεώνraquo Ἀπό τό
πρῶτο ὥς τό τελευταῖο ὅλα τά παραπάνω εἶναι
εἰδωλολατρία Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀμφιβολία ὅτι τό καθένα
ἀπrsquoαὐτά φονεύει ὅτι κάνει ἄνθρωπο τόν ἄνθρωπο
φονεύει δηλαδή ὅτι θεοειδές θεονοσταλγικό
ἀθάνατο θεῖο αἰώνιο Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος
νουθετεῖ καί ἐντέλλεται στούς χριστιανούς laquoΔιόπερ
ἀγαπητοί μου φεύγετε ἀπό τῆς εἰδωλολατρείαςraquo Οἱ
ἄνθρωποι διά τῶν ποικιλόμορφων εἰδωλολατρειῶν
ἔμμεσα ἤ ἄμεσα θυσιάζουν τούς ἑαυτούς τους στὀν
διάβολο προσφέρονται ὡς θυσία στόν διάβολο Σέ
τελευταία ἀνάλυση κάθε εἰδωλολατρία εἶναι
σατανολατρία καί κάθε εἰδωλο-διακονία εἶναι σατανο-
διακονία Μήπως δέν λατρεύει δέν διακονεῖ δέν
προσφέρει θυσία τήν ψυχή του στόν διάβολο ἐκεῖνος
πού ζεῖ στά πάθη καί στήν ἡδονή ὅποιος ὑπηρετεῖ
ὁποιονδήποτε καί ὁτιδήποτε ἐκτός ἀπό τόν μόνον
ἀληθινό Θεό καί Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Αὐτό εἶναι
τόσο ξεκάθαρο γιά κάποιον πού μπορεῖ μέ φρόνηση
νά κρίνει Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ θεόσοφος Ἀπόστολος λέγει
στούς πρώην εἰδωλολάτρες Κορινθίους laquoὡς
φρονίμοις λέγωhellipοὐ θέλω δέ ὑμᾶς κοινωνούς τῶν
δαιμονίων γίνεσθαι Οὐ δύνασθε ποτήριον Κυρίου
πίνειν καί ποτήριον δαιμονίων οὐ δύνασθε τραπέζης
Κυρίου μετέχειν καί τραπέζης δαιμονίωνraquo
Ἀναμφίβολα ὁλόκληρο τό Εὐαγγέλιο τοῦ Σωτῆρος
ἔγκειται στό ὅτι laquoτό σῶμα τῶ Κυρίῳ καί ὁ Κύριος τῶ
σώματιraquo Ἔτσι γνωρίζουμε τό αἰώνιο μυστήριο τοῦ
ἀνθρωπίνου ὄντος πώς ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός
εἶναι ὁ Σωτήρας ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὄχι μόνο
τῆς ψυχῆς ἀλλά καί τοῦ σώματός του Γιrsquoαὐτό καί τό
σῶμα τοῦ χριστιανοῦ ὀφείλει νά εἶναι ναός ἅγιος στόν
ὁποῖο ζεῖ ἡ ἁγία ψυχή στόν κόσμο μας καί στόν ὁποῖο
πρόκειται νά ζήσει καί μετά τήν κοινή ἀνάσταση τῶν
νεκρῶν Τά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν διά τοῦ ἁγίου
Βαπτίσματος τῆς Θείας Μεταλήψεως καί τοῦ
εὐαγγελικοῦ τους βίου ἔγιναν ἀναπόσπαστα μέρη τοῦ
Θεανθρώπινου σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Τά σώματα
αὐτά δέν ἀνήκουν πλέον στούς ἴδιους ἀλλά σέ
Ἐκεῖνον Ὅτι ἔγινε μέ τό ἅγιο σῶμα Ἐκείνου
πρόκειται νά συμβεῖ στά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν Για την αντιγραφή Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης
14
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Old Testament prophet Elijah the Tishbite lived during
the time when King Ahab ruled Israel Ahabs wife Jezebel
was a foreigner who did not worship the One True God of
Israel but the false god Baal She persecuted prophets and
deceitfully tried to force the people of Israel to turn away
from God and worship Baal Elijahs fiery personality often
brought him into conflict with Ahab and Jezebel because he
was absolutely determined that the people would stay
faithful to God God rewarded Elijahs devotion with the gift
of prophecy Once when Elijah knew a serious drought was
coming soon God instructed him to leave his home and go
east of the Jordan River promising that he would be fed by
a raven Just as God promised the raven
brought Elijah food and he was able to
drink from a stream When the stream ran
dry God told him to go to the city of
Zarephath In the city he met a widow
who was gathering sticks He asked her
for bread but she replied I have no
bread baked and there is only a small
amount of flour and oil left for my son
and me There was not enough she said to share with
another person Saint Elijah told her not to worry or be
afraid but to make the bread and give him a little loaf She
did so and a great miracle occurred The widow had enough
flour and oil to last a whole year Sometime later when her
son died Elijah prayed over his body and the boy came
back to life The widow was overjoyed and said to Elijah
Now I know that you speak Gods word After many years
of drought God sent Elijah to see King Ahab By this time
there was famine as well as drought in the land While
searching for food and water Ahabs advisor Obadiah met
Elijah on the road He told King Ahab that the prophet was
back and Ahab went out to meet him He said to Elijah Is
it you you troubler of Israel Saint Elijah told King Ahab
that he the king was the one who was troubling Israel
because he was not living his life according to Gods laws
and should not be following the false god Baal Then he said
to the king Tell the people of Israel and the four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal to meet me on Mount Carmel When
everyone had arrived Saint Elijah told the people If the
Lord is God follow him but if Baal is then follow him
He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest He told
them to put their sacrifice on one altar and he would put his
on another altar Neither one would start a fire to burn their
sacrifice but would call on God and Baal to start the fire
The false prophets of Baal hopped around and yelled to their
god to come and light the sacrifice Saint Elijah laughed and
said that maybe Baal was napping and needed to be
awakened The false prophets yelled even louder and still
nothing happened Elijah calmly made a large trench around
the dirt and all the water Saint Elijah had shown them all
the true and only God When King Ahab told his wife
Jezebel what Elijah had done she angrily promised to kill
the prophet Fearing for his life Elijah fled to Beer-sheba in
the land of Judah There he sat down under a broom tree
so miserable and fearful that he asked God to take his life
Instead God sent an angel to encourage him and to prepare
him for a long journey Following the angels instructions
he walked for forty days and forty nights until he came to a
cave There God spoke to him in a gentle breeze telling
him to bless helpers who would spread the true faith One
of those Elijah blessed was Elisha who was plowing his
fathers field When Saint Elijah saw him he threw his
cloak over him and soon Elisha was accompanying Elijah
as his helper As Saint Elijahs earthly life neared its end
God sent him to Bethel Jericho and the Jordan When he
came to the Jordan Elijah rolled up his cloak and touched
the water The water immediately parted and Saints Elijah
and Elisha crossed over on dry land As they continued to
walk a fiery chariot driven by fiery horses came and took
Saint Elijah in a whirlwind up into the sky Elisha took up
the great prophets cloak Elijahs story doesnt end there
He was one of two Old Testament saints who appeared with
Jesus at His Transfiguration Saint Elijah was there to
represent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the
coming of the Son of God He is a wonderful example of
someone who loved God with all of his soul all of his heart
and all of his mind In some churches on the feast of Saint
Elijah the priest blesses cars bicycles roller skates scoot-
ers (chariots) and any other method of transportation with
wheels httpdceocaorgassetsfilesresourcesSaints-Animalspdf
Troparion (Tone 4)
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets
The second forerunner of the coming of Christ Glorious
Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha To dispel diseases
and to cleanse lepers Therefore he pours forth healings on
those who honor him
Quote
I have been very zealous for the Lord Almightyhellip
- Elijah about himself 3 Kingdoms 1910
Date Born
Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the
Incarnation of Christ
Date Died
Elijahs death is described in 2 Kings 2 9-13 (4 Kingdoms
2 9-13 OSB) The date is not certain
Commemoration Date
July 20 and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
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0 a
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nd
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ay
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Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
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St
Pais
ios
of
Mt
Ath
os
90
0 a
m O
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10
00
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Div
ine
Lit
urg
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11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
m O
rth
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94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
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17
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at
Marty
r
Ma
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a
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Lit
urg
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19
11
00
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Fri
day
Lu
nch
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20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
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10
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Div
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Lit
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94
5 a
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e L
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22
2
3
63
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esp
ers
24
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afen
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Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
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rth
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00
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Div
ine
Lit
urg
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26
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90
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at
Marty
r
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29
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afen
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urg
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imes
are
Ap
pro
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ate
Fa
st D
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are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
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are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
11
Births - Congratulations to
George and Melinda Abuqubou on the birth of their son
Christopher who was born on August 26 2018
Baptisms - Many Years to
Isabella Mavra Xenos Zewki daughter of Shivan and
Tatiana Zewki Isabella was baptized on May 19 2019
and her Godparents are Antonios Xenos and
Anastasia Mezinis
Anna Sophia Theodoropulos daughter of Fr Anastasios
and Presvytera Elizabeth Theodoropoulos Anna was
baptized on June 1 2019 at Saints Peter and Paul in
Glenview IL and her Godmother is Julie Stefanski
Peirce James Farmakis son of Mike and Shannon
Farmakis Pierce was baptized on June 1 2019 and his
Godfather is Kostantinos (Dino) Deros
Eleni Polixeni Psara daughter of Spiro and Colleen Psara
Eleni was baptized on June 2 2019 and her
Godparents are are Panteli Pappas and Alona
Teliatnykova
Sophia Shea Hayden daughter of Bob and Natalie
Hayden Sophia was baptized on Saturday June 22 at
Saints Pete and Paul in Glenview IL and her Godgather is
Peter Sparacio
Funerals - Memory Eternal
Anastasia ldquoAnnierdquo Markovich reposed on June 5 2019
The funeral was June 10 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox
Church with interment Mt Hope
Dorothy Nancy Graeff reposed on June 6 2019 The
funeral was on June 11 with interment at St Mathews
Cemetery
Nick Niarchos of Palos Hills Ill brother of Eugenia
(Alex) Pavlopoulos reposed on June 6th The funeral was
June 10 at Saints Constantine amp Helen Greek Orthodox
Church Palos Hills Il Interment at Evergreen Cemetery of
Evergreen Park in Il
Lehman Bennett grandfather of Jenny Bennett passes
way on June 15 The funeral and burial were on June 19
in Dallas TX
Memorials - Memory Eternal
June 2
5-year Haralambos Pelekanos
5-year Fr Constantine Regopoulos
June 9
9-mon Van (Evangelos) Evangelopoulos
1-year Tom (Athanasios) Dubis
1 year Mike Labis
1-year Elaine Scott
2 year Danica Mandrapa
8 year Ljubica Terzic
10-year Kostando Liakata
13-year Fr Gerasimos Annas
24-year Andrea Liakata
July 28
1-year Despina Zeriss
2-year Chris Zeris
August 4
21-year Athanasios Stratos
October 13
Departed Members Brotherhood of Alexander the Great
Important Please inform either Fr Joseph or Fr Anastasios
immediately when you or any member of your family is
sick or hospitalized so that appropriate prayer and
visitation may be scheduled Hospitals do not notify
clergy of patients even if you list yourself as a Church
member
In Our Prayers Nora (Elaine) Bangert Seraphima Henderson
Thekla (Rebecca) Kagaris Dean Kases
Janie (Zafera) Kyramarios George Lambos
College Addresses In an effort to keep in touch with and minister to our
college students we ask anyone with a daughter or son in
college to contact the Church office with the address
phone amp email
12
Extra Virgin Olive Oil $20bottle
Missouri Flag $9600
Patriarchal Flag $28900
Holy Water bottleshelliphelliphelliphellip$30800
Icon of St Porphyrios
Icon of the Annunciation
Icon of Elder Amphilochios Makris
Icon of Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia
Dimitri and Rebecca Kagaris
Please call the church office if you would like to donate
any of these items
Womenrsquos Summer Book Study
Our plans for our Summer Book Study session are
complete
The book we are reading is
Everyday Wonders
Stories of Gods Providence
By V Rev Michael J Oleksa
and we will meet for our summer pot luck lunch and
book discussion
Saturday August 17
1100 am to 200 pm
Hosted by Keve Gialouris
17828 Greyabbey Ct
Chesterfield MO
If you have any questions please contact
Presvytera Laura Morton at 314-303-1784
Hellenic Culture Camp 2019 July 15-19
Open to all children entering 2nd grade through 8th grade in Fall 2019
Monday ndash Thursday 845 am - 300 pm
St Nicholas Family Life Center (Please bring a lunch and drink Monday-
Wednesday Greek lunch will be provided on Thursday)
Friday
845 am ndash noon Vetta Sports Manchester
Hellenic Culture Camp is a
wonderful opportunity to expose our children and grandchildren to culturally
enriching activities and friendships within our community
Activities include
Greek Cooking History
Geography Greek Dancing
Greek Language Greek Arts and Jewelry Making
Sports
Cost $100 for one child $90 for second child $80 for third child (Financial Assistance
Available)
For questions please contact Barbara Corrigan at
btcstlyahoocom or 3149606258 visit
httpswwwsngocorgnewshellenic-culture-camp
13
But I say to you the Lord says love your enemies do
good to those who hate you pray for those who
persecute you Why did he command these things So
that he might free you from hatred sadness anger and
grudges and might grant you the greatest possession of
all perfect love which is impossible to possess except
by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God
St Maximus the Confessor
Περί εἰδώλων Αγ Ἰουστίνου Πόποβιτς
Τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος δοκιμάζει καθημερινῶς στόν
κόσμο μας τήν ἐμπειρία νά ὁδηγοῦνται οἱ ἄνθρωποι
στήν ἀπώλεια εἴτε λόγῳ τῆς ἄγνοιας εἴτε τῆς μή
ἀναγνωρίσεως τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ Θεοῦ καί
Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ Μέ ἄλλα λόγια ἐκπίπτουν
ἐξαιτίας εἴτε τῆς ἀθεΐας εἴτε τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας
Αὐτή ἡ ἄγνοια ἤ ἡ μή ἀναγνώριση τοῦ Κυρίου
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιφέρει τήν ἄγνοια ἤ τήν μή
ἀναγνώριση τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ ἀγαθοῦ σέ αὐτόν
τόν κόσμο τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ Αὐτοί οἱ
ἄνθρωποι ζοῦν laquoἐν ἀσελγείαις ἐπιθυμίαις
οἰνοφλυγίαις κώμοις πότοις καί ἀθεμίτοις
εἰδωλολατρείαιςraquo Ναί laquoἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαιςraquo
γιατί ἡ εἰδωλολατρεία εἶναι πάντοτε σέ πληθυντικό
ἀριθμό Ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ὁποῖος δέν ἀναγνωρίζει τόν
μόνο ἀληθινό Θεό θέλοντας καί μή ἀναγνωρίζει
ἕνα ἀναρίθμητο πλῆθος ἄλλων μικρότερων
θεοτήτων ψευδῶν θεῶν εἰδώλων Πρόκειται γιά τίς
ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη πού δέν ἔχουν οὔτε ἀριθμό
οὔτε τέλος Ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος δελεάζεται ἀπό μία
τέτοια μικρή μικρή θεότητα τότε αὐτή τόν
παρασύρει στίς ὑπόλοιπες ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη καί
τότε εἶναι πού τόν κατακομματιάζουν καί τόν
κατασπαράζουν οἱ ἀναρίθμητοι ψευδεῖς καί
ἀδηφάγοι θεοί Καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέν εἶναι σέ θέση
νά ἀμυνθεῖ σέ αὐτήν τήν ἀγέλη τῶν τρομερῶν
θηρίων καί τῶν δελεαστικῶν πειρασμῶν Τό
μικρότερο πάθος ὁδηγεῖ σέ μεγαλύτερο καί ἔτσι
σταδιακά βυθίζεται σέ ὅλο καί μεγαλύτερα πάθη
ὥσπου ἐν τέλει δέν μπορεῖ νά ἀναδυθεῖ ἀπrsquoαὐτά
Καί κάθε πάθος ἐμπεριέχει ἀναρίθμητα εἴδωλα καί
κάθε ἐπιθυμία φέρει ὅλο καί περισσότερα εἴδωλα
πού δέν ἔχουν τελειωμό Τά εἴδωλα εἶναι σάν τή
δυνατή φωτιά μέσα της κατακαίγονται καί ἡ
συνείδηση καί ἡ ψυχή καί ἡ καρδιά καί τό θέλημα
τοῦ ἀνθρώπου Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος τῆς
ἀγάπης παρακαλεῖ τούς χριστιανούς laquoΤεκνία
φυλάξατε ἑαυτούς ἀπό τῶν εἰδώλωνraquo Ἀπό τά
εἴδωλα προέρχονται ὅλα τά κακά καί τά μικρά καί
τά μεγάλα Καί κάθε ἄνθρωπος εἶναι εἰδωλολάτρης
ἐφrsquoὅσον δέν πιστεύει στόν μόνον Ἀληθινό Θεό
στόν Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Διότι ὁπωσδήποτε σέ
κάτι πιστεύει εἴτε ὄν εἶναι αὐτό εἴτε πράγμα εἴτε σέ
ὁρατά εἴτε σέ ἀόρατα εἴδωλα ὅπως εἶναι ὁ ἥλιος ἡ
σελήνη οἱ ἀστέρες οἱ ἄνθρωποι ὁ πολιτισμός ἡ
τεχνολογία ἡ φυλή ἡ κοινωνική τάξη τά πάθη οἱ
ἡδονές καί [hellip] τό ὄνομά τους laquoΛεγεώνraquo Ἀπό τό
πρῶτο ὥς τό τελευταῖο ὅλα τά παραπάνω εἶναι
εἰδωλολατρία Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀμφιβολία ὅτι τό καθένα
ἀπrsquoαὐτά φονεύει ὅτι κάνει ἄνθρωπο τόν ἄνθρωπο
φονεύει δηλαδή ὅτι θεοειδές θεονοσταλγικό
ἀθάνατο θεῖο αἰώνιο Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος
νουθετεῖ καί ἐντέλλεται στούς χριστιανούς laquoΔιόπερ
ἀγαπητοί μου φεύγετε ἀπό τῆς εἰδωλολατρείαςraquo Οἱ
ἄνθρωποι διά τῶν ποικιλόμορφων εἰδωλολατρειῶν
ἔμμεσα ἤ ἄμεσα θυσιάζουν τούς ἑαυτούς τους στὀν
διάβολο προσφέρονται ὡς θυσία στόν διάβολο Σέ
τελευταία ἀνάλυση κάθε εἰδωλολατρία εἶναι
σατανολατρία καί κάθε εἰδωλο-διακονία εἶναι σατανο-
διακονία Μήπως δέν λατρεύει δέν διακονεῖ δέν
προσφέρει θυσία τήν ψυχή του στόν διάβολο ἐκεῖνος
πού ζεῖ στά πάθη καί στήν ἡδονή ὅποιος ὑπηρετεῖ
ὁποιονδήποτε καί ὁτιδήποτε ἐκτός ἀπό τόν μόνον
ἀληθινό Θεό καί Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Αὐτό εἶναι
τόσο ξεκάθαρο γιά κάποιον πού μπορεῖ μέ φρόνηση
νά κρίνει Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ θεόσοφος Ἀπόστολος λέγει
στούς πρώην εἰδωλολάτρες Κορινθίους laquoὡς
φρονίμοις λέγωhellipοὐ θέλω δέ ὑμᾶς κοινωνούς τῶν
δαιμονίων γίνεσθαι Οὐ δύνασθε ποτήριον Κυρίου
πίνειν καί ποτήριον δαιμονίων οὐ δύνασθε τραπέζης
Κυρίου μετέχειν καί τραπέζης δαιμονίωνraquo
Ἀναμφίβολα ὁλόκληρο τό Εὐαγγέλιο τοῦ Σωτῆρος
ἔγκειται στό ὅτι laquoτό σῶμα τῶ Κυρίῳ καί ὁ Κύριος τῶ
σώματιraquo Ἔτσι γνωρίζουμε τό αἰώνιο μυστήριο τοῦ
ἀνθρωπίνου ὄντος πώς ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός
εἶναι ὁ Σωτήρας ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὄχι μόνο
τῆς ψυχῆς ἀλλά καί τοῦ σώματός του Γιrsquoαὐτό καί τό
σῶμα τοῦ χριστιανοῦ ὀφείλει νά εἶναι ναός ἅγιος στόν
ὁποῖο ζεῖ ἡ ἁγία ψυχή στόν κόσμο μας καί στόν ὁποῖο
πρόκειται νά ζήσει καί μετά τήν κοινή ἀνάσταση τῶν
νεκρῶν Τά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν διά τοῦ ἁγίου
Βαπτίσματος τῆς Θείας Μεταλήψεως καί τοῦ
εὐαγγελικοῦ τους βίου ἔγιναν ἀναπόσπαστα μέρη τοῦ
Θεανθρώπινου σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Τά σώματα
αὐτά δέν ἀνήκουν πλέον στούς ἴδιους ἀλλά σέ
Ἐκεῖνον Ὅτι ἔγινε μέ τό ἅγιο σῶμα Ἐκείνου
πρόκειται νά συμβεῖ στά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν Για την αντιγραφή Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης
14
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Old Testament prophet Elijah the Tishbite lived during
the time when King Ahab ruled Israel Ahabs wife Jezebel
was a foreigner who did not worship the One True God of
Israel but the false god Baal She persecuted prophets and
deceitfully tried to force the people of Israel to turn away
from God and worship Baal Elijahs fiery personality often
brought him into conflict with Ahab and Jezebel because he
was absolutely determined that the people would stay
faithful to God God rewarded Elijahs devotion with the gift
of prophecy Once when Elijah knew a serious drought was
coming soon God instructed him to leave his home and go
east of the Jordan River promising that he would be fed by
a raven Just as God promised the raven
brought Elijah food and he was able to
drink from a stream When the stream ran
dry God told him to go to the city of
Zarephath In the city he met a widow
who was gathering sticks He asked her
for bread but she replied I have no
bread baked and there is only a small
amount of flour and oil left for my son
and me There was not enough she said to share with
another person Saint Elijah told her not to worry or be
afraid but to make the bread and give him a little loaf She
did so and a great miracle occurred The widow had enough
flour and oil to last a whole year Sometime later when her
son died Elijah prayed over his body and the boy came
back to life The widow was overjoyed and said to Elijah
Now I know that you speak Gods word After many years
of drought God sent Elijah to see King Ahab By this time
there was famine as well as drought in the land While
searching for food and water Ahabs advisor Obadiah met
Elijah on the road He told King Ahab that the prophet was
back and Ahab went out to meet him He said to Elijah Is
it you you troubler of Israel Saint Elijah told King Ahab
that he the king was the one who was troubling Israel
because he was not living his life according to Gods laws
and should not be following the false god Baal Then he said
to the king Tell the people of Israel and the four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal to meet me on Mount Carmel When
everyone had arrived Saint Elijah told the people If the
Lord is God follow him but if Baal is then follow him
He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest He told
them to put their sacrifice on one altar and he would put his
on another altar Neither one would start a fire to burn their
sacrifice but would call on God and Baal to start the fire
The false prophets of Baal hopped around and yelled to their
god to come and light the sacrifice Saint Elijah laughed and
said that maybe Baal was napping and needed to be
awakened The false prophets yelled even louder and still
nothing happened Elijah calmly made a large trench around
the dirt and all the water Saint Elijah had shown them all
the true and only God When King Ahab told his wife
Jezebel what Elijah had done she angrily promised to kill
the prophet Fearing for his life Elijah fled to Beer-sheba in
the land of Judah There he sat down under a broom tree
so miserable and fearful that he asked God to take his life
Instead God sent an angel to encourage him and to prepare
him for a long journey Following the angels instructions
he walked for forty days and forty nights until he came to a
cave There God spoke to him in a gentle breeze telling
him to bless helpers who would spread the true faith One
of those Elijah blessed was Elisha who was plowing his
fathers field When Saint Elijah saw him he threw his
cloak over him and soon Elisha was accompanying Elijah
as his helper As Saint Elijahs earthly life neared its end
God sent him to Bethel Jericho and the Jordan When he
came to the Jordan Elijah rolled up his cloak and touched
the water The water immediately parted and Saints Elijah
and Elisha crossed over on dry land As they continued to
walk a fiery chariot driven by fiery horses came and took
Saint Elijah in a whirlwind up into the sky Elisha took up
the great prophets cloak Elijahs story doesnt end there
He was one of two Old Testament saints who appeared with
Jesus at His Transfiguration Saint Elijah was there to
represent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the
coming of the Son of God He is a wonderful example of
someone who loved God with all of his soul all of his heart
and all of his mind In some churches on the feast of Saint
Elijah the priest blesses cars bicycles roller skates scoot-
ers (chariots) and any other method of transportation with
wheels httpdceocaorgassetsfilesresourcesSaints-Animalspdf
Troparion (Tone 4)
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets
The second forerunner of the coming of Christ Glorious
Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha To dispel diseases
and to cleanse lepers Therefore he pours forth healings on
those who honor him
Quote
I have been very zealous for the Lord Almightyhellip
- Elijah about himself 3 Kingdoms 1910
Date Born
Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the
Incarnation of Christ
Date Died
Elijahs death is described in 2 Kings 2 9-13 (4 Kingdoms
2 9-13 OSB) The date is not certain
Commemoration Date
July 20 and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
s
90
0 a
m O
rth
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10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
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63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
3
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m K
afen
io
4 I
nd
ep
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ce D
ay
5
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Y L
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py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
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reat
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per
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St
Pais
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of
Mt
Ath
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90
0 a
m O
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10
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ine
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day
Lu
nch
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13
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m G
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per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
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83
0 a
m O
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m D
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at
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a
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ine
Lit
urg
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m K
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19
11
00
am
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day
Lu
nch
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20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
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10
00
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Div
ine
Lit
urg
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50
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m G
reat
Ves
per
s
21
83
0 a
m O
rth
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94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
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rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
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m K
afen
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25
Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
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00
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Div
ine
Lit
urg
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hte
ou
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ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
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10
00
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ine
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11
00
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Lu
nch
eon
27
Gre
at
Marty
r
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nte
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90
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m O
rth
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10
00
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Div
ine
Lit
urg
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50
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m G
reat
Ves
per
s
28
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m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
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rgy
29
3
0
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
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imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
12
Extra Virgin Olive Oil $20bottle
Missouri Flag $9600
Patriarchal Flag $28900
Holy Water bottleshelliphelliphelliphellip$30800
Icon of St Porphyrios
Icon of the Annunciation
Icon of Elder Amphilochios Makris
Icon of Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) of Evia
Dimitri and Rebecca Kagaris
Please call the church office if you would like to donate
any of these items
Womenrsquos Summer Book Study
Our plans for our Summer Book Study session are
complete
The book we are reading is
Everyday Wonders
Stories of Gods Providence
By V Rev Michael J Oleksa
and we will meet for our summer pot luck lunch and
book discussion
Saturday August 17
1100 am to 200 pm
Hosted by Keve Gialouris
17828 Greyabbey Ct
Chesterfield MO
If you have any questions please contact
Presvytera Laura Morton at 314-303-1784
Hellenic Culture Camp 2019 July 15-19
Open to all children entering 2nd grade through 8th grade in Fall 2019
Monday ndash Thursday 845 am - 300 pm
St Nicholas Family Life Center (Please bring a lunch and drink Monday-
Wednesday Greek lunch will be provided on Thursday)
Friday
845 am ndash noon Vetta Sports Manchester
Hellenic Culture Camp is a
wonderful opportunity to expose our children and grandchildren to culturally
enriching activities and friendships within our community
Activities include
Greek Cooking History
Geography Greek Dancing
Greek Language Greek Arts and Jewelry Making
Sports
Cost $100 for one child $90 for second child $80 for third child (Financial Assistance
Available)
For questions please contact Barbara Corrigan at
btcstlyahoocom or 3149606258 visit
httpswwwsngocorgnewshellenic-culture-camp
13
But I say to you the Lord says love your enemies do
good to those who hate you pray for those who
persecute you Why did he command these things So
that he might free you from hatred sadness anger and
grudges and might grant you the greatest possession of
all perfect love which is impossible to possess except
by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God
St Maximus the Confessor
Περί εἰδώλων Αγ Ἰουστίνου Πόποβιτς
Τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος δοκιμάζει καθημερινῶς στόν
κόσμο μας τήν ἐμπειρία νά ὁδηγοῦνται οἱ ἄνθρωποι
στήν ἀπώλεια εἴτε λόγῳ τῆς ἄγνοιας εἴτε τῆς μή
ἀναγνωρίσεως τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ Θεοῦ καί
Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ Μέ ἄλλα λόγια ἐκπίπτουν
ἐξαιτίας εἴτε τῆς ἀθεΐας εἴτε τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας
Αὐτή ἡ ἄγνοια ἤ ἡ μή ἀναγνώριση τοῦ Κυρίου
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιφέρει τήν ἄγνοια ἤ τήν μή
ἀναγνώριση τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ ἀγαθοῦ σέ αὐτόν
τόν κόσμο τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ Αὐτοί οἱ
ἄνθρωποι ζοῦν laquoἐν ἀσελγείαις ἐπιθυμίαις
οἰνοφλυγίαις κώμοις πότοις καί ἀθεμίτοις
εἰδωλολατρείαιςraquo Ναί laquoἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαιςraquo
γιατί ἡ εἰδωλολατρεία εἶναι πάντοτε σέ πληθυντικό
ἀριθμό Ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ὁποῖος δέν ἀναγνωρίζει τόν
μόνο ἀληθινό Θεό θέλοντας καί μή ἀναγνωρίζει
ἕνα ἀναρίθμητο πλῆθος ἄλλων μικρότερων
θεοτήτων ψευδῶν θεῶν εἰδώλων Πρόκειται γιά τίς
ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη πού δέν ἔχουν οὔτε ἀριθμό
οὔτε τέλος Ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος δελεάζεται ἀπό μία
τέτοια μικρή μικρή θεότητα τότε αὐτή τόν
παρασύρει στίς ὑπόλοιπες ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη καί
τότε εἶναι πού τόν κατακομματιάζουν καί τόν
κατασπαράζουν οἱ ἀναρίθμητοι ψευδεῖς καί
ἀδηφάγοι θεοί Καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέν εἶναι σέ θέση
νά ἀμυνθεῖ σέ αὐτήν τήν ἀγέλη τῶν τρομερῶν
θηρίων καί τῶν δελεαστικῶν πειρασμῶν Τό
μικρότερο πάθος ὁδηγεῖ σέ μεγαλύτερο καί ἔτσι
σταδιακά βυθίζεται σέ ὅλο καί μεγαλύτερα πάθη
ὥσπου ἐν τέλει δέν μπορεῖ νά ἀναδυθεῖ ἀπrsquoαὐτά
Καί κάθε πάθος ἐμπεριέχει ἀναρίθμητα εἴδωλα καί
κάθε ἐπιθυμία φέρει ὅλο καί περισσότερα εἴδωλα
πού δέν ἔχουν τελειωμό Τά εἴδωλα εἶναι σάν τή
δυνατή φωτιά μέσα της κατακαίγονται καί ἡ
συνείδηση καί ἡ ψυχή καί ἡ καρδιά καί τό θέλημα
τοῦ ἀνθρώπου Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος τῆς
ἀγάπης παρακαλεῖ τούς χριστιανούς laquoΤεκνία
φυλάξατε ἑαυτούς ἀπό τῶν εἰδώλωνraquo Ἀπό τά
εἴδωλα προέρχονται ὅλα τά κακά καί τά μικρά καί
τά μεγάλα Καί κάθε ἄνθρωπος εἶναι εἰδωλολάτρης
ἐφrsquoὅσον δέν πιστεύει στόν μόνον Ἀληθινό Θεό
στόν Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Διότι ὁπωσδήποτε σέ
κάτι πιστεύει εἴτε ὄν εἶναι αὐτό εἴτε πράγμα εἴτε σέ
ὁρατά εἴτε σέ ἀόρατα εἴδωλα ὅπως εἶναι ὁ ἥλιος ἡ
σελήνη οἱ ἀστέρες οἱ ἄνθρωποι ὁ πολιτισμός ἡ
τεχνολογία ἡ φυλή ἡ κοινωνική τάξη τά πάθη οἱ
ἡδονές καί [hellip] τό ὄνομά τους laquoΛεγεώνraquo Ἀπό τό
πρῶτο ὥς τό τελευταῖο ὅλα τά παραπάνω εἶναι
εἰδωλολατρία Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀμφιβολία ὅτι τό καθένα
ἀπrsquoαὐτά φονεύει ὅτι κάνει ἄνθρωπο τόν ἄνθρωπο
φονεύει δηλαδή ὅτι θεοειδές θεονοσταλγικό
ἀθάνατο θεῖο αἰώνιο Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος
νουθετεῖ καί ἐντέλλεται στούς χριστιανούς laquoΔιόπερ
ἀγαπητοί μου φεύγετε ἀπό τῆς εἰδωλολατρείαςraquo Οἱ
ἄνθρωποι διά τῶν ποικιλόμορφων εἰδωλολατρειῶν
ἔμμεσα ἤ ἄμεσα θυσιάζουν τούς ἑαυτούς τους στὀν
διάβολο προσφέρονται ὡς θυσία στόν διάβολο Σέ
τελευταία ἀνάλυση κάθε εἰδωλολατρία εἶναι
σατανολατρία καί κάθε εἰδωλο-διακονία εἶναι σατανο-
διακονία Μήπως δέν λατρεύει δέν διακονεῖ δέν
προσφέρει θυσία τήν ψυχή του στόν διάβολο ἐκεῖνος
πού ζεῖ στά πάθη καί στήν ἡδονή ὅποιος ὑπηρετεῖ
ὁποιονδήποτε καί ὁτιδήποτε ἐκτός ἀπό τόν μόνον
ἀληθινό Θεό καί Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Αὐτό εἶναι
τόσο ξεκάθαρο γιά κάποιον πού μπορεῖ μέ φρόνηση
νά κρίνει Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ θεόσοφος Ἀπόστολος λέγει
στούς πρώην εἰδωλολάτρες Κορινθίους laquoὡς
φρονίμοις λέγωhellipοὐ θέλω δέ ὑμᾶς κοινωνούς τῶν
δαιμονίων γίνεσθαι Οὐ δύνασθε ποτήριον Κυρίου
πίνειν καί ποτήριον δαιμονίων οὐ δύνασθε τραπέζης
Κυρίου μετέχειν καί τραπέζης δαιμονίωνraquo
Ἀναμφίβολα ὁλόκληρο τό Εὐαγγέλιο τοῦ Σωτῆρος
ἔγκειται στό ὅτι laquoτό σῶμα τῶ Κυρίῳ καί ὁ Κύριος τῶ
σώματιraquo Ἔτσι γνωρίζουμε τό αἰώνιο μυστήριο τοῦ
ἀνθρωπίνου ὄντος πώς ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός
εἶναι ὁ Σωτήρας ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὄχι μόνο
τῆς ψυχῆς ἀλλά καί τοῦ σώματός του Γιrsquoαὐτό καί τό
σῶμα τοῦ χριστιανοῦ ὀφείλει νά εἶναι ναός ἅγιος στόν
ὁποῖο ζεῖ ἡ ἁγία ψυχή στόν κόσμο μας καί στόν ὁποῖο
πρόκειται νά ζήσει καί μετά τήν κοινή ἀνάσταση τῶν
νεκρῶν Τά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν διά τοῦ ἁγίου
Βαπτίσματος τῆς Θείας Μεταλήψεως καί τοῦ
εὐαγγελικοῦ τους βίου ἔγιναν ἀναπόσπαστα μέρη τοῦ
Θεανθρώπινου σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Τά σώματα
αὐτά δέν ἀνήκουν πλέον στούς ἴδιους ἀλλά σέ
Ἐκεῖνον Ὅτι ἔγινε μέ τό ἅγιο σῶμα Ἐκείνου
πρόκειται νά συμβεῖ στά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν Για την αντιγραφή Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης
14
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Old Testament prophet Elijah the Tishbite lived during
the time when King Ahab ruled Israel Ahabs wife Jezebel
was a foreigner who did not worship the One True God of
Israel but the false god Baal She persecuted prophets and
deceitfully tried to force the people of Israel to turn away
from God and worship Baal Elijahs fiery personality often
brought him into conflict with Ahab and Jezebel because he
was absolutely determined that the people would stay
faithful to God God rewarded Elijahs devotion with the gift
of prophecy Once when Elijah knew a serious drought was
coming soon God instructed him to leave his home and go
east of the Jordan River promising that he would be fed by
a raven Just as God promised the raven
brought Elijah food and he was able to
drink from a stream When the stream ran
dry God told him to go to the city of
Zarephath In the city he met a widow
who was gathering sticks He asked her
for bread but she replied I have no
bread baked and there is only a small
amount of flour and oil left for my son
and me There was not enough she said to share with
another person Saint Elijah told her not to worry or be
afraid but to make the bread and give him a little loaf She
did so and a great miracle occurred The widow had enough
flour and oil to last a whole year Sometime later when her
son died Elijah prayed over his body and the boy came
back to life The widow was overjoyed and said to Elijah
Now I know that you speak Gods word After many years
of drought God sent Elijah to see King Ahab By this time
there was famine as well as drought in the land While
searching for food and water Ahabs advisor Obadiah met
Elijah on the road He told King Ahab that the prophet was
back and Ahab went out to meet him He said to Elijah Is
it you you troubler of Israel Saint Elijah told King Ahab
that he the king was the one who was troubling Israel
because he was not living his life according to Gods laws
and should not be following the false god Baal Then he said
to the king Tell the people of Israel and the four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal to meet me on Mount Carmel When
everyone had arrived Saint Elijah told the people If the
Lord is God follow him but if Baal is then follow him
He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest He told
them to put their sacrifice on one altar and he would put his
on another altar Neither one would start a fire to burn their
sacrifice but would call on God and Baal to start the fire
The false prophets of Baal hopped around and yelled to their
god to come and light the sacrifice Saint Elijah laughed and
said that maybe Baal was napping and needed to be
awakened The false prophets yelled even louder and still
nothing happened Elijah calmly made a large trench around
the dirt and all the water Saint Elijah had shown them all
the true and only God When King Ahab told his wife
Jezebel what Elijah had done she angrily promised to kill
the prophet Fearing for his life Elijah fled to Beer-sheba in
the land of Judah There he sat down under a broom tree
so miserable and fearful that he asked God to take his life
Instead God sent an angel to encourage him and to prepare
him for a long journey Following the angels instructions
he walked for forty days and forty nights until he came to a
cave There God spoke to him in a gentle breeze telling
him to bless helpers who would spread the true faith One
of those Elijah blessed was Elisha who was plowing his
fathers field When Saint Elijah saw him he threw his
cloak over him and soon Elisha was accompanying Elijah
as his helper As Saint Elijahs earthly life neared its end
God sent him to Bethel Jericho and the Jordan When he
came to the Jordan Elijah rolled up his cloak and touched
the water The water immediately parted and Saints Elijah
and Elisha crossed over on dry land As they continued to
walk a fiery chariot driven by fiery horses came and took
Saint Elijah in a whirlwind up into the sky Elisha took up
the great prophets cloak Elijahs story doesnt end there
He was one of two Old Testament saints who appeared with
Jesus at His Transfiguration Saint Elijah was there to
represent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the
coming of the Son of God He is a wonderful example of
someone who loved God with all of his soul all of his heart
and all of his mind In some churches on the feast of Saint
Elijah the priest blesses cars bicycles roller skates scoot-
ers (chariots) and any other method of transportation with
wheels httpdceocaorgassetsfilesresourcesSaints-Animalspdf
Troparion (Tone 4)
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets
The second forerunner of the coming of Christ Glorious
Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha To dispel diseases
and to cleanse lepers Therefore he pours forth healings on
those who honor him
Quote
I have been very zealous for the Lord Almightyhellip
- Elijah about himself 3 Kingdoms 1910
Date Born
Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the
Incarnation of Christ
Date Died
Elijahs death is described in 2 Kings 2 9-13 (4 Kingdoms
2 9-13 OSB) The date is not certain
Commemoration Date
July 20 and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
s
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
2
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
3
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
4 I
nd
ep
en
den
ce D
ay
5
NO
FR
IDA
Y L
UN
CH
EO
N
Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
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83
0 a
m O
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5 a
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ivin
e L
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8
9
63
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m V
esp
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Eu
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80
0 a
m O
rth
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90
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m D
ivin
e L
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rgy
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St
Pais
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of
Mt
Ath
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90
0 a
m O
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10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
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11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
m O
rth
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94
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m D
ivin
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63
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esp
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17
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at
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r
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a
90
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Lit
urg
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19
11
00
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day
Lu
nch
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20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
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10
00
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Div
ine
Lit
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Ves
per
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83
0 a
m O
rth
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94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
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rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
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m K
afen
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Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
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Div
ine
Lit
urg
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11
00
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Fri
day
Lu
nch
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27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
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10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
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50
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m G
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Ves
per
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28
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m O
rth
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94
5 a
m D
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e L
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29
3
0
63
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m V
esp
ers
31
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0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
13
But I say to you the Lord says love your enemies do
good to those who hate you pray for those who
persecute you Why did he command these things So
that he might free you from hatred sadness anger and
grudges and might grant you the greatest possession of
all perfect love which is impossible to possess except
by the one who loves all equally in imitation of God
St Maximus the Confessor
Περί εἰδώλων Αγ Ἰουστίνου Πόποβιτς
Τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος δοκιμάζει καθημερινῶς στόν
κόσμο μας τήν ἐμπειρία νά ὁδηγοῦνται οἱ ἄνθρωποι
στήν ἀπώλεια εἴτε λόγῳ τῆς ἄγνοιας εἴτε τῆς μή
ἀναγνωρίσεως τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ Θεοῦ καί
Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ Μέ ἄλλα λόγια ἐκπίπτουν
ἐξαιτίας εἴτε τῆς ἀθεΐας εἴτε τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας
Αὐτή ἡ ἄγνοια ἤ ἡ μή ἀναγνώριση τοῦ Κυρίου
Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπιφέρει τήν ἄγνοια ἤ τήν μή
ἀναγνώριση τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ ἀγαθοῦ σέ αὐτόν
τόν κόσμο τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ Αὐτοί οἱ
ἄνθρωποι ζοῦν laquoἐν ἀσελγείαις ἐπιθυμίαις
οἰνοφλυγίαις κώμοις πότοις καί ἀθεμίτοις
εἰδωλολατρείαιςraquo Ναί laquoἀθεμίτοις εἰδωλολατρίαιςraquo
γιατί ἡ εἰδωλολατρεία εἶναι πάντοτε σέ πληθυντικό
ἀριθμό Ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ὁποῖος δέν ἀναγνωρίζει τόν
μόνο ἀληθινό Θεό θέλοντας καί μή ἀναγνωρίζει
ἕνα ἀναρίθμητο πλῆθος ἄλλων μικρότερων
θεοτήτων ψευδῶν θεῶν εἰδώλων Πρόκειται γιά τίς
ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη πού δέν ἔχουν οὔτε ἀριθμό
οὔτε τέλος Ὅταν ὁ ἄνθρωπος δελεάζεται ἀπό μία
τέτοια μικρή μικρή θεότητα τότε αὐτή τόν
παρασύρει στίς ὑπόλοιπες ἐπιθυμίες καί τά πάθη καί
τότε εἶναι πού τόν κατακομματιάζουν καί τόν
κατασπαράζουν οἱ ἀναρίθμητοι ψευδεῖς καί
ἀδηφάγοι θεοί Καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος δέν εἶναι σέ θέση
νά ἀμυνθεῖ σέ αὐτήν τήν ἀγέλη τῶν τρομερῶν
θηρίων καί τῶν δελεαστικῶν πειρασμῶν Τό
μικρότερο πάθος ὁδηγεῖ σέ μεγαλύτερο καί ἔτσι
σταδιακά βυθίζεται σέ ὅλο καί μεγαλύτερα πάθη
ὥσπου ἐν τέλει δέν μπορεῖ νά ἀναδυθεῖ ἀπrsquoαὐτά
Καί κάθε πάθος ἐμπεριέχει ἀναρίθμητα εἴδωλα καί
κάθε ἐπιθυμία φέρει ὅλο καί περισσότερα εἴδωλα
πού δέν ἔχουν τελειωμό Τά εἴδωλα εἶναι σάν τή
δυνατή φωτιά μέσα της κατακαίγονται καί ἡ
συνείδηση καί ἡ ψυχή καί ἡ καρδιά καί τό θέλημα
τοῦ ἀνθρώπου Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος τῆς
ἀγάπης παρακαλεῖ τούς χριστιανούς laquoΤεκνία
φυλάξατε ἑαυτούς ἀπό τῶν εἰδώλωνraquo Ἀπό τά
εἴδωλα προέρχονται ὅλα τά κακά καί τά μικρά καί
τά μεγάλα Καί κάθε ἄνθρωπος εἶναι εἰδωλολάτρης
ἐφrsquoὅσον δέν πιστεύει στόν μόνον Ἀληθινό Θεό
στόν Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Διότι ὁπωσδήποτε σέ
κάτι πιστεύει εἴτε ὄν εἶναι αὐτό εἴτε πράγμα εἴτε σέ
ὁρατά εἴτε σέ ἀόρατα εἴδωλα ὅπως εἶναι ὁ ἥλιος ἡ
σελήνη οἱ ἀστέρες οἱ ἄνθρωποι ὁ πολιτισμός ἡ
τεχνολογία ἡ φυλή ἡ κοινωνική τάξη τά πάθη οἱ
ἡδονές καί [hellip] τό ὄνομά τους laquoΛεγεώνraquo Ἀπό τό
πρῶτο ὥς τό τελευταῖο ὅλα τά παραπάνω εἶναι
εἰδωλολατρία Δέν ὑπάρχει ἀμφιβολία ὅτι τό καθένα
ἀπrsquoαὐτά φονεύει ὅτι κάνει ἄνθρωπο τόν ἄνθρωπο
φονεύει δηλαδή ὅτι θεοειδές θεονοσταλγικό
ἀθάνατο θεῖο αἰώνιο Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ ἅγιος Ἀπόστολος
νουθετεῖ καί ἐντέλλεται στούς χριστιανούς laquoΔιόπερ
ἀγαπητοί μου φεύγετε ἀπό τῆς εἰδωλολατρείαςraquo Οἱ
ἄνθρωποι διά τῶν ποικιλόμορφων εἰδωλολατρειῶν
ἔμμεσα ἤ ἄμεσα θυσιάζουν τούς ἑαυτούς τους στὀν
διάβολο προσφέρονται ὡς θυσία στόν διάβολο Σέ
τελευταία ἀνάλυση κάθε εἰδωλολατρία εἶναι
σατανολατρία καί κάθε εἰδωλο-διακονία εἶναι σατανο-
διακονία Μήπως δέν λατρεύει δέν διακονεῖ δέν
προσφέρει θυσία τήν ψυχή του στόν διάβολο ἐκεῖνος
πού ζεῖ στά πάθη καί στήν ἡδονή ὅποιος ὑπηρετεῖ
ὁποιονδήποτε καί ὁτιδήποτε ἐκτός ἀπό τόν μόνον
ἀληθινό Θεό καί Κύριο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό Αὐτό εἶναι
τόσο ξεκάθαρο γιά κάποιον πού μπορεῖ μέ φρόνηση
νά κρίνει Γιrsquoαὐτό καί ὁ θεόσοφος Ἀπόστολος λέγει
στούς πρώην εἰδωλολάτρες Κορινθίους laquoὡς
φρονίμοις λέγωhellipοὐ θέλω δέ ὑμᾶς κοινωνούς τῶν
δαιμονίων γίνεσθαι Οὐ δύνασθε ποτήριον Κυρίου
πίνειν καί ποτήριον δαιμονίων οὐ δύνασθε τραπέζης
Κυρίου μετέχειν καί τραπέζης δαιμονίωνraquo
Ἀναμφίβολα ὁλόκληρο τό Εὐαγγέλιο τοῦ Σωτῆρος
ἔγκειται στό ὅτι laquoτό σῶμα τῶ Κυρίῳ καί ὁ Κύριος τῶ
σώματιraquo Ἔτσι γνωρίζουμε τό αἰώνιο μυστήριο τοῦ
ἀνθρωπίνου ὄντος πώς ὁ Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός
εἶναι ὁ Σωτήρας ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὄχι μόνο
τῆς ψυχῆς ἀλλά καί τοῦ σώματός του Γιrsquoαὐτό καί τό
σῶμα τοῦ χριστιανοῦ ὀφείλει νά εἶναι ναός ἅγιος στόν
ὁποῖο ζεῖ ἡ ἁγία ψυχή στόν κόσμο μας καί στόν ὁποῖο
πρόκειται νά ζήσει καί μετά τήν κοινή ἀνάσταση τῶν
νεκρῶν Τά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν διά τοῦ ἁγίου
Βαπτίσματος τῆς Θείας Μεταλήψεως καί τοῦ
εὐαγγελικοῦ τους βίου ἔγιναν ἀναπόσπαστα μέρη τοῦ
Θεανθρώπινου σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Τά σώματα
αὐτά δέν ἀνήκουν πλέον στούς ἴδιους ἀλλά σέ
Ἐκεῖνον Ὅτι ἔγινε μέ τό ἅγιο σῶμα Ἐκείνου
πρόκειται νά συμβεῖ στά σώματα τῶν χριστιανῶν Για την αντιγραφή Δημήτρης Κάγκαρης
14
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Old Testament prophet Elijah the Tishbite lived during
the time when King Ahab ruled Israel Ahabs wife Jezebel
was a foreigner who did not worship the One True God of
Israel but the false god Baal She persecuted prophets and
deceitfully tried to force the people of Israel to turn away
from God and worship Baal Elijahs fiery personality often
brought him into conflict with Ahab and Jezebel because he
was absolutely determined that the people would stay
faithful to God God rewarded Elijahs devotion with the gift
of prophecy Once when Elijah knew a serious drought was
coming soon God instructed him to leave his home and go
east of the Jordan River promising that he would be fed by
a raven Just as God promised the raven
brought Elijah food and he was able to
drink from a stream When the stream ran
dry God told him to go to the city of
Zarephath In the city he met a widow
who was gathering sticks He asked her
for bread but she replied I have no
bread baked and there is only a small
amount of flour and oil left for my son
and me There was not enough she said to share with
another person Saint Elijah told her not to worry or be
afraid but to make the bread and give him a little loaf She
did so and a great miracle occurred The widow had enough
flour and oil to last a whole year Sometime later when her
son died Elijah prayed over his body and the boy came
back to life The widow was overjoyed and said to Elijah
Now I know that you speak Gods word After many years
of drought God sent Elijah to see King Ahab By this time
there was famine as well as drought in the land While
searching for food and water Ahabs advisor Obadiah met
Elijah on the road He told King Ahab that the prophet was
back and Ahab went out to meet him He said to Elijah Is
it you you troubler of Israel Saint Elijah told King Ahab
that he the king was the one who was troubling Israel
because he was not living his life according to Gods laws
and should not be following the false god Baal Then he said
to the king Tell the people of Israel and the four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal to meet me on Mount Carmel When
everyone had arrived Saint Elijah told the people If the
Lord is God follow him but if Baal is then follow him
He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest He told
them to put their sacrifice on one altar and he would put his
on another altar Neither one would start a fire to burn their
sacrifice but would call on God and Baal to start the fire
The false prophets of Baal hopped around and yelled to their
god to come and light the sacrifice Saint Elijah laughed and
said that maybe Baal was napping and needed to be
awakened The false prophets yelled even louder and still
nothing happened Elijah calmly made a large trench around
the dirt and all the water Saint Elijah had shown them all
the true and only God When King Ahab told his wife
Jezebel what Elijah had done she angrily promised to kill
the prophet Fearing for his life Elijah fled to Beer-sheba in
the land of Judah There he sat down under a broom tree
so miserable and fearful that he asked God to take his life
Instead God sent an angel to encourage him and to prepare
him for a long journey Following the angels instructions
he walked for forty days and forty nights until he came to a
cave There God spoke to him in a gentle breeze telling
him to bless helpers who would spread the true faith One
of those Elijah blessed was Elisha who was plowing his
fathers field When Saint Elijah saw him he threw his
cloak over him and soon Elisha was accompanying Elijah
as his helper As Saint Elijahs earthly life neared its end
God sent him to Bethel Jericho and the Jordan When he
came to the Jordan Elijah rolled up his cloak and touched
the water The water immediately parted and Saints Elijah
and Elisha crossed over on dry land As they continued to
walk a fiery chariot driven by fiery horses came and took
Saint Elijah in a whirlwind up into the sky Elisha took up
the great prophets cloak Elijahs story doesnt end there
He was one of two Old Testament saints who appeared with
Jesus at His Transfiguration Saint Elijah was there to
represent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the
coming of the Son of God He is a wonderful example of
someone who loved God with all of his soul all of his heart
and all of his mind In some churches on the feast of Saint
Elijah the priest blesses cars bicycles roller skates scoot-
ers (chariots) and any other method of transportation with
wheels httpdceocaorgassetsfilesresourcesSaints-Animalspdf
Troparion (Tone 4)
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets
The second forerunner of the coming of Christ Glorious
Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha To dispel diseases
and to cleanse lepers Therefore he pours forth healings on
those who honor him
Quote
I have been very zealous for the Lord Almightyhellip
- Elijah about himself 3 Kingdoms 1910
Date Born
Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the
Incarnation of Christ
Date Died
Elijahs death is described in 2 Kings 2 9-13 (4 Kingdoms
2 9-13 OSB) The date is not certain
Commemoration Date
July 20 and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
s
90
0 a
m O
rth
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10
00
am
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ine
Lit
urg
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2
63
0 p
m V
esp
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3
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
4 I
nd
ep
en
den
ce D
ay
5
NO
FR
IDA
Y L
UN
CH
EO
N
Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
7
83
0 a
m O
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5 a
m D
ivin
e L
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9
63
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m V
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m K
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t M
arty
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Eu
ph
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ia
80
0 a
m O
rth
ros
90
0 a
m D
ivin
e L
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rgy
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St
Pais
ios
of
Mt
Ath
os
90
0 a
m O
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10
00
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Div
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urg
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11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
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94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
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1
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63
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Gre
at
Marty
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a
90
0 a
m O
rth
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00
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Lit
urg
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20
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19
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
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10
00
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Div
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Lit
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50
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5 a
m D
ivin
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2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
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24
20
0 p
m K
afen
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Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
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10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
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11
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Fri
day
Lu
nch
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27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
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10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
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50
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m G
reat
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per
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28
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m O
rth
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94
5 a
m D
ivin
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29
3
0
63
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m V
esp
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31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
14
Prophet Elias (Elijah)
The Old Testament prophet Elijah the Tishbite lived during
the time when King Ahab ruled Israel Ahabs wife Jezebel
was a foreigner who did not worship the One True God of
Israel but the false god Baal She persecuted prophets and
deceitfully tried to force the people of Israel to turn away
from God and worship Baal Elijahs fiery personality often
brought him into conflict with Ahab and Jezebel because he
was absolutely determined that the people would stay
faithful to God God rewarded Elijahs devotion with the gift
of prophecy Once when Elijah knew a serious drought was
coming soon God instructed him to leave his home and go
east of the Jordan River promising that he would be fed by
a raven Just as God promised the raven
brought Elijah food and he was able to
drink from a stream When the stream ran
dry God told him to go to the city of
Zarephath In the city he met a widow
who was gathering sticks He asked her
for bread but she replied I have no
bread baked and there is only a small
amount of flour and oil left for my son
and me There was not enough she said to share with
another person Saint Elijah told her not to worry or be
afraid but to make the bread and give him a little loaf She
did so and a great miracle occurred The widow had enough
flour and oil to last a whole year Sometime later when her
son died Elijah prayed over his body and the boy came
back to life The widow was overjoyed and said to Elijah
Now I know that you speak Gods word After many years
of drought God sent Elijah to see King Ahab By this time
there was famine as well as drought in the land While
searching for food and water Ahabs advisor Obadiah met
Elijah on the road He told King Ahab that the prophet was
back and Ahab went out to meet him He said to Elijah Is
it you you troubler of Israel Saint Elijah told King Ahab
that he the king was the one who was troubling Israel
because he was not living his life according to Gods laws
and should not be following the false god Baal Then he said
to the king Tell the people of Israel and the four hundred
fifty prophets of Baal to meet me on Mount Carmel When
everyone had arrived Saint Elijah told the people If the
Lord is God follow him but if Baal is then follow him
He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest He told
them to put their sacrifice on one altar and he would put his
on another altar Neither one would start a fire to burn their
sacrifice but would call on God and Baal to start the fire
The false prophets of Baal hopped around and yelled to their
god to come and light the sacrifice Saint Elijah laughed and
said that maybe Baal was napping and needed to be
awakened The false prophets yelled even louder and still
nothing happened Elijah calmly made a large trench around
the dirt and all the water Saint Elijah had shown them all
the true and only God When King Ahab told his wife
Jezebel what Elijah had done she angrily promised to kill
the prophet Fearing for his life Elijah fled to Beer-sheba in
the land of Judah There he sat down under a broom tree
so miserable and fearful that he asked God to take his life
Instead God sent an angel to encourage him and to prepare
him for a long journey Following the angels instructions
he walked for forty days and forty nights until he came to a
cave There God spoke to him in a gentle breeze telling
him to bless helpers who would spread the true faith One
of those Elijah blessed was Elisha who was plowing his
fathers field When Saint Elijah saw him he threw his
cloak over him and soon Elisha was accompanying Elijah
as his helper As Saint Elijahs earthly life neared its end
God sent him to Bethel Jericho and the Jordan When he
came to the Jordan Elijah rolled up his cloak and touched
the water The water immediately parted and Saints Elijah
and Elisha crossed over on dry land As they continued to
walk a fiery chariot driven by fiery horses came and took
Saint Elijah in a whirlwind up into the sky Elisha took up
the great prophets cloak Elijahs story doesnt end there
He was one of two Old Testament saints who appeared with
Jesus at His Transfiguration Saint Elijah was there to
represent the Old Testament prophets who foretold the
coming of the Son of God He is a wonderful example of
someone who loved God with all of his soul all of his heart
and all of his mind In some churches on the feast of Saint
Elijah the priest blesses cars bicycles roller skates scoot-
ers (chariots) and any other method of transportation with
wheels httpdceocaorgassetsfilesresourcesSaints-Animalspdf
Troparion (Tone 4)
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets
The second forerunner of the coming of Christ Glorious
Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha To dispel diseases
and to cleanse lepers Therefore he pours forth healings on
those who honor him
Quote
I have been very zealous for the Lord Almightyhellip
- Elijah about himself 3 Kingdoms 1910
Date Born
Tishba of Gilead into the Levite tribe 900 years before the
Incarnation of Christ
Date Died
Elijahs death is described in 2 Kings 2 9-13 (4 Kingdoms
2 9-13 OSB) The date is not certain
Commemoration Date
July 20 and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
s
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
2
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
3
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
4 I
nd
ep
en
den
ce D
ay
5
NO
FR
IDA
Y L
UN
CH
EO
N
Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
7
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
8
9
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
10
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
11 G
rea
t M
arty
r
Eu
ph
em
ia
80
0 a
m O
rth
ros
90
0 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
12
St
Pais
ios
of
Mt
Ath
os
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
15
1
6
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
17
Gre
at
Marty
r
Ma
rin
a
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
18
19
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
21
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
25
Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
28
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
29
3
0
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
15
Jr Olympics Wrap Up Thank you to Alki Lappas Case for coordinating our team at the 2019 Metropolis of Chicago Jr Olympics hosted by Saints
Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
in Palos Hills IL over the Memorial Day
Weekend
The medal results for our team were
9 gold (10k individual and relay swimming)
9 silver (table tennis individual and
relay swimming) and
2 bronze (individual swimming) Congratula-
tions to all
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
s
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
2
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
3
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
4 I
nd
ep
en
den
ce D
ay
5
NO
FR
IDA
Y L
UN
CH
EO
N
Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
7
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
8
9
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
10
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
11 G
rea
t M
arty
r
Eu
ph
em
ia
80
0 a
m O
rth
ros
90
0 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
12
St
Pais
ios
of
Mt
Ath
os
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
15
1
6
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
17
Gre
at
Marty
r
Ma
rin
a
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
18
19
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
21
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
25
Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
28
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
29
3
0
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
16
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
s
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
2
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
3
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
4 I
nd
ep
en
den
ce D
ay
5
NO
FR
IDA
Y L
UN
CH
EO
N
Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
7
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
8
9
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
10
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
11 G
rea
t M
arty
r
Eu
ph
em
ia
80
0 a
m O
rth
ros
90
0 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
12
St
Pais
ios
of
Mt
Ath
os
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
15
1
6
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
17
Gre
at
Marty
r
Ma
rin
a
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
18
19
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
21
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
25
Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
28
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
29
3
0
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
17
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 1755 Des Peres Rd Town amp Country MO 63131
(Just north of Des Peres 14 Cine)
July 2019 FRIDAY LUNCHEONS
Menu subject to change
1100 am - 200 pm Kitchen Phone 314-966-6720
Web Site httpwwwassumptiongocorgfriday-lunch Cash Checks and Credit Cards accepted
Master Card VISA Discover American Express
NO LUNCHEON
JULY 5th
Have a Safe and Healthy
4th of July Weekend
July 19
Shrimp Saganaki over Rice $9
Baked Fish with Stewed Green Beans $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Lobster BisquehelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $4Lg $6
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 12
Lamb Shank over Rice $14
Baked Fish with Macedonia Peas $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Chicken Avgolemono SouphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3Lg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
July 26
Baked 12 Chicken over Rice 8
Baked Fish with Roasted Brussel Sprouts $8
Pastitsio (ground beef macaroni casserole) $7
Gyro Sandwich $5
(seasoned beef and lamb served on pita bread with
tomatoes onions and tzatziki sauce)
Split Pea SouphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipSm $3hellipLg $5
2 Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves)helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2 for $3
Spanakopita (spinach pita) $3
Tyropita (cheese pita) $3
Greek Salad with olive oil dressing $5
Dessert $3
(Baklava Galatobouriko Kataifi Walnut Cake
Cheesecake)
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
s
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
2
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
3
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
4 I
nd
ep
en
den
ce D
ay
5
NO
FR
IDA
Y L
UN
CH
EO
N
Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
7
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
8
9
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
10
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
11 G
rea
t M
arty
r
Eu
ph
em
ia
80
0 a
m O
rth
ros
90
0 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
12
St
Pais
ios
of
Mt
Ath
os
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
15
1
6
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
17
Gre
at
Marty
r
Ma
rin
a
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
18
19
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
21
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
25
Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
28
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
29
3
0
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
19
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
e W
ed
Th
u
Fri
S
at
1
Un
mercen
arie
s
Ko
sma
s amp
Da
mia
no
s
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
2
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
3
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
4 I
nd
ep
en
den
ce D
ay
5
NO
FR
IDA
Y L
UN
CH
EO
N
Hap
py 4
th o
f Ju
ly W
eek
end
6
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
7
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
8
9
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
10
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
11 G
rea
t M
arty
r
Eu
ph
em
ia
80
0 a
m O
rth
ros
90
0 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
12
St
Pais
ios
of
Mt
Ath
os
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
13
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
14
Fa
thers
of
the 4
th
Co
un
cil
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
15
1
6
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
17
Gre
at
Marty
r
Ma
rin
a
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
18
19
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
20
Pro
ph
et
Eli
as
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
21
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
22
2
3
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
24
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
25
Rep
ose
of
St
An
na
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
26
Rig
hte
ou
s P
ara
skeve
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
11
00
am
Fri
day
Lu
nch
eon
27
Gre
at
Marty
r
Pa
nte
leim
on
90
0 a
m O
rth
ros
10
00
am
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y
50
0 p
m G
reat
Ves
per
s
28
83
0 a
m O
rth
ros
94
5 a
m D
ivin
e L
itu
rgy
29
3
0
63
0 p
m V
esp
ers
31
20
0 p
m K
afen
io
Div
ine
Lit
urg
y T
imes
are
Ap
pro
xim
ate
Fa
st D
ays
are
Sh
ad
ed
Fea
st D
ays
are
Bo
xed
July
20
19
A
ssu
mp
tio
n G
reek
Ort
ho
do
x C
hurc
h
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99
20
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
1755 Des Peres Road
Town and Country MO 63131-1405
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG US Postage
PAID St Louis MO
Permit No 4628
20
From the Orthodox Study Bible 1 John 4 12-16 20-21
No one has seen God at any time If we love one another God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us By
this we know that we abide in Him and He in us because He has given us of His Spirit And we have seen and testify
that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God God abides in
him and he in God And we have known and believed the love that God has for us God is love and he who abides in
love abides in God and God in him
If someone says ldquoI love Godrdquo and hates his brother he is a liar for he who does not love his brother whom has seen
how can he love God whom he has not seen And this commandment we have from Him that he who loves God
must love his brother also
Scripture taken from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc
For Consideration
The greatest teachers of the Church endeavored to teach great truths to men not only by words but also by visual examples Thus
Abba Isaiah in order to teach the monks that no-one would receive a reward from God who did not toil in this life for Him led his
disciples to a threshing floor where a labourer was gathering the threshed wheat lsquoGive me some of that wheatrsquo Isaiah said to the
labourer lsquoHave you been reaping as well Fatherrsquo lsquoI havenrsquotrsquo replied the elder lsquoThen yoursquove got a hope of some wheat if yoursquove
not gathered itrsquo To this the elder said lsquoTherersquos no wheat for him who has not gathered itrsquo lsquoNorsquo replied the labourer Hearing
this reply the elder went away in silence When his disciples asked him to explain his actions to them he said lsquoI did that
deliberately in order to show you that no-one will receive the reward from God who has not labored in asceticismrsquo
The Prologue from Ochrid Lives of the Saints and Homilies for Every Day in the Year vol 3 by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic Translated by Mother Maria Lazarica
Press Birmingham 1986 p99