MARCH 8, 2015

Saint Sophia

Cathedral Communiqué

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

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

FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS George E. Preonas, President; James A. Demetriou, PhD, Vice President; Constantine M. Boukidis, Secretary; Tina Callas, Treasurer

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

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

PARISH COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Brent A. Noyes, President; Dean Peratsakis, 1st Vice President; Glenn Lianos, 2nd Vice President; Irene Andreadis, Recording Secretary; Jeanine Hanna, Corresponding Secretary; Tom Ward, Treasurer

MEMBERS Bertha Angels; Costa Bargeliotes; Peter Cosfol; Mauro Metini; George Rizkalla; Karen Sarames; Dorothy Spirus; William “Bill” Striglos, Dr. Anna Trilas Yallourakis

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

Office: 323.737.2424 Fax: 323.737.7029

www.stsophia.org/bulletin

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

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

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

2

PHILOPTOHOS NEWS

GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Please join us on Sunday, March

22nd for our next general assembly meeting. Dr. John

Anastasatos, M.D. FACS, is a plastic surgeon that will be

speaking to us. Dr. John is a member of the American Society

of Plastic Surgeons and a Fellow of the American College of

Surgeons. He graduated from Brown University in three years

with his Bachelors degree and then from the School of

Medicine. Dr. Anastasatos did his general surgical training at

the Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, New York. He is an

active supporter of children’s charities and Victims Assistance

Organizations in Los Angeles and Orange County. In April

2014, he was awarded the Certificate of Congressional

Recognition for his work in plastic surgery and philanthropy.

Dr. Anastasatos does all types of plastic surgery including

reconstructive surgery. Please join us!!

MOTHER’S DAY: The Philoptohos Board of Directors has

selected TINA VASILA CALLAS as our 2015 MOTHER

OF THE YEAR! We are also happy to announce that

Christina Peratsakis and Maria Toczek are the chairmen for

our Mother’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show! They are

planning a wonderful day. Join us on Saturday, May 9 in our

Saint Sophia Maria Maniatakos Pavilion and Maniatakos

Ballroom! Save the date!

CONTINUED

3

PHILOPTOHOS NEWS

COMMISSION FOR ORTHODOX MISSIONS AND

EVANGELISM: This project from National and Metropolis

Philoptohos, is known as “Pennies ‘n Prayer”. However, this

year they’ve chosen a new theme, “Mochas for Missions”.

In order to raise funds for our mission churches and priests,

Philoptohos is asking people to give up their ‘coffee’ drinks

and save the money to donate towards this commitment. If

you don’t drink coffee, they ask that you choose something

else, say smoothies, ice cream, etc. You may donate cash or if

you choose to write a check please make it out to Saint Sophia

Philoptohos, because the Metropolis asked that we send one

check with the total of money we collect. Look for us in

coffee hour after liturgy or you may send us your donation.

EASTER LILLIES: We are now putting together our list of

shut-ins, the lonely and the sick that should receive an Easter

Lilly plant from Philoptohos. If you know of someone to put

on our list, please contact Helene Ballas at 818-642-8011.

EASTER PICNIC PASTRY BOOTH: Before you know it,

Holy Week and Easter will be here! Easter is Sunday, April

12, in case you did not know. We are starting to collect names

of people who would like to sign up and help serve pastry at

the Easter picnic this year!

CONTINUED

4

PHILOPTOHOS NEWS

Philoptohos always handles the pastry booth. Yes, you can

still have time to visit and eat with your family while giving a

couple of hours to help our Cathedral. Please call Jan

Pastras at 323-848-9988 or email her at

janpastras@gmail.com to sign up.

“For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have

me”

John 12:8.

With love in Christ’s service,

Virginia Noyes and

The Philoptohos Board of Directors

PHILOPTOHOS V.I.P

Thursday, March 26: The Reagan Presidential Library

Event Chairman; Angela Ananias 562-695-7234, Co Chair

Mary Morrison; 818-500-0904. Reservations are a must.

The cost is $26, it covers the bus transportation and entrance

to the library. Lunch will be on your own. Please make your

check payable to Philoptohos V.I.P and mail to Angela

Ananias at 4017 Overcrest Drive, Whittier, CA 90601.

Details will follow soon.

In His Service

Athina Lolonis, VIP

5

MINISTRY NEWS

SAVE THE DATE

1. Saturday, March 14: Hidden in Plain Site presentation Fr.

John Bakas at Saint Sophia Cathedral

2. Sunday, March 22: Philoptohos General Assembly

3. Thursday, March 26: The Reagan Presidential Library

Trip by the Philoptohos V.I.P

4. Saturday, March 28: Presentation of Louis Anastas’

“Heaven” Original Screenplay at the Huffington Center

THE WHY’S OF ORTHODOXY FR. ALLAN BOYD

The Why’s of Orthodoxy classes are suspended during the

Lenten season and will resume after Pascha.

LIFE IN FAITH STUDIES FR. JOHN BAKAS

Men and Women's Faith Studies classes are suspended

during the Lenten season and will resume after Pascha.

OLD TESTAMENT FR. Allan Boyd

The Old Testament classes are suspended during the Lenten

season and will resume after Pascha.

With the many additional services offered during the

Lenten Season all participants are urged to put their

faith into action an attend all the beautiful services.

6

MINISTRY NEWS

ATTENTION MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!

The first Sunday of each month has been officially

named Youth Sunday. In addition to a Sunday School student

reading the Epistle, the Parish Council of Saint Sophia

Cathedral invites middle and high school students to

volunteer in the Narthex during Divine Liturgy. Besides

helping out with the candles and ushering, you may also assist

in passing the baskets to the parishioners to collect their

monetary donations. You'll be paired with a seasoned Parish

Council member to train you. If you'd like to volunteer in the

Narthex and/or pass the baskets, please sign up by contacting

L.A.GreekChurchLady@gmail.com. Send your name, phone

number, age and what day you'd like to volunteer. Please

arrive at church at 9:45 a.m. so you may be

trained. Upcoming dates: May 3rd and June 7th

The Parish Council

BASKETBALL IN OUR GYM

EVERY MONDAY NIGHT: Basketball in our Gym 7:30

p.m. to 10 p.m. Shoot the hoops or shoot the breeze, either

way, it's a good time. Hope to see you. Drop by for pick-up

basketball games every Monday night in our gym. Boys and

girls, men and women, ages 13 to 40.

7

MINISTRY NEWS

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SITE

Come to the most magnificent Byzantine-inspired Cathedral

in Los Angeles, Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

Bring your cameras and your questions to this fascinating

exploration of an ancient branch of Christianity filled with

spiritual treasures hidden in plain sight.

Father John Bakas, Dean of Saint Sophia Cathedral and

Greek Orthodox Community and a renowned story-teller and

scholar, will lead us through the rites including Baptism,

Eucharist, and Chrismation, the ritual of how a priest

prepares for the worship service, and the differences and

similarities between Western and Eastern Orthodox

Christianity. Join us Saturday, March 14th from 2 - 4 pm.

ATTENTION BAKERS!

We are in need of more prosforo for our Lenten Liturgies.

Please bring your offering to Jimmy the Narthex.

EASTER FLOWERS

If you are interested in underwriting any flower arrangements

for Easter in memory of a loved on, please contact Ann

Pappas at 323-737-2424 for available dates. Thank you!

8

MINISTRY NEWS

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA) 12-STEP PROGRAM

MEETING

Meetings are every Saturday at 2 pm in the Huffington Center.

AA is a fellowship of men and women whose primary

purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve

sobriety. The scope of AA's program is to bring recovery

from alcoholism through a spiritual awakening and it is

completely in accordance with Orthodox principles and

teachings. The format will be a 15 minute speaker followed by

45 minute sharing.

ATTENTION SUNDAY SCHOOL FAMILIES

You have special seating reserved for you right up front in the

Cathedral every Sunday. Reserved are the first two pews on

the left side. Do take advantage of this beautiful view of the

Divine Liturgy. Your children will likely be more engaged in

the service.

THE HELLENIC ENTERTAINMENT COOPERATIVE

The Hellenic Entertainment Cooperative, a ministry of Saint

Sophia Cathedral, presents the reading of Louis Anastas'

original screenplay "Heaven" at the Huffington Center,

Saturday, March 28 from 1pm to 4 pm. Hors d'oeuvres will

be served and a good will offering will be accepted. To RSVP

contact hellenic.entertainmentcoop@gmail.com.

9

MINISTRY NEWS

“Whatever you have done for the least of these you have done for Me” -Jesus Lenten Love begins with offering to those in need. As usual,

Saint Sophia Cathedral is teaming up with Saint Thomas Catholic

Church to help fill their food pantry for those in need. We’re

asking you to bring a grocery bag back on Holy Friday, filled

with all the items listed below (about $50-$60 worth).

Otherwise, simply use your credit card and call Jessica in our

office 323-737-2424 ext 103 to offer a $50 donation, or see Pres

Danita Boyd or Eleni Yokas during Coffee Hour before

Lazarus Saturday (April 4th), so that we have time to shop on

your behalf.

We will deliver these items to our neighbors on Holy Friday,

April 10th.

Dry Rice

Dry Beans (pinto, black)

Dry Lentils

Dry Pastas

Oat Meal (old fashioned,

or quick cooking)

Cereal (cornflakes, Cheeri-

os, etc)

Top Ramen noodles (or

Cup of Noodles)

Dry Boxes of Macaroni &

Cheese

Cooking Oil

Sugar

Coffee

Laundry Detergent

Tooth Paste

Bath Soap

Disposable Diapers

(assorted sizes are needed)

10

MINISTRY NEWS

EASTER PICNIC VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

If you would like to volunteer to help set up at Brookside

Park on Saturday, April 11th, please call Ted at 818.515.4095

If you would like to volunteer to work a 90-minute shift at

the picnic on Sunday April 12th, please see Jan Pastras at

Coffee Hour after church on Sundays, or call Jan

323.459.4006 or Stephanie 909.860.4333

If you have any other questions regarding the 2015 Easter

Picnic, please call Ted Pappas 818.515.4095 or Stephanie

Lubian 909.860.4333

DOCENTS NEEDED

Serve the church and grow spiritually by volunteering as a

weekday docent in the Cathedral. We need committed

individuals to greet guests and keep watch during visiting

hours from 10 am to 12 pm, Tuesday through Friday.

We understand you may not be available to stay the whole

session but your participation will be a blessing to the church,

to our guests, and to your soul as you spend more time in our

holy Cathedral.

Please call the office if you would like to volunteer 323-737-

2424.

11

MINISTRY NEWS

12

13

14