August 2015

TTTHEHEHE MMMESSENGERESSENGERESSENGER Newsletter of All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox ChurchNewsletter of All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

Who among us is born Orthodox? None, Orthodoxy does not come from DNA, but through water and the Holy Spirit.

True Christianity is Worlds Apart from Everything Else

There has been much talk about faith in America lately. One misconception about the Christian faith is that it is like Judaism and

Islam. While it is true that Christianity was birthed out of the teachings of Jesus who sought to bring greater revelation to his fel-

low Jews of what God desired for His creation, it is distinct in one unique way. Judaism and Islam are deeply entrenched in cul-

ture and heritage because they are born into it. All you need to truly be a Jew or a Muslim is to be born. Yes, you can convert, but

Jews and Muslims are born Jews and Muslim.

Christianity is not something you’re born into. Yes, you can be born into a household that lives Christian principles and doctrines,

but you are not automatically Christian simply because your family is Christian. Christianity is a faith whereby you must be born

again. This precept was set when Jesus presented to a Pharisee seeking Nicodemus what the Kingdom was and how one may en-

ter it. Jesus let him know that “unless a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3).”

The word “see” has two distinct implications in this verse. The first implication is that a person is not able to perceive or under-

stand the Kingdom. The second implication that this word presents is that it the Kingdom cannot be experienced apart from the

second birth. Both of these implications perplexed and frustrated Nicodemus because he could not fathom how it was possible to

be born again. Yet Jesus explained further that it was not a natural birth that was required, but a spiritual one.

The reality of a Christian life is as foreign to the world as would the life of an Eskimo be to someone from Brazil. Paul told the

Corinthians that the life of a Christian is so divergent from how the world operates, that it seems foolishness to them, and that

same foolishness is confounding to them. You cannot hope to make it make sense to the world until or unless they have come to a

place where they have heard the truth of the gospel that speaks uniquely to them. The good news is that the Gospel is for everyone

who has an ear to hear it. The bad news is that not everyone has their ears tuned to receive it.

When true Christians begin to focus attention on presenting the gospel in places and to people who truly and genuinely have an

ear to hear it, the less burdensome it will be trying to deal with people who have no interest in hearing or desire in seeing or experi-

encing the Kingdom. Darkness is incapable of perceiving the light. However, darkness can be overcome by light if light would

simply be the light.

So while Christianity may not be like Judaism and Islam in the sense that you simply are one by birth,

there great gospel truth of the matter is that anyone can be born again; even Jews and Muslims. Those

who are as foreigners to the reality of the Christian faith don’t have to remain foreigners. The require-

ments for becoming a citizen of the Kingdom are truly simple and the King is not one desiring to de-

port. If you already are a Kingdom citizen, remember who you called to reach and disciple. Do not be

discouraged by those who have no perception or desire to experience the Kingdom. You can only pray

for them and be a light unto the until the time that they can perceive it.

-Brian Taylor

frmilovan.wordpress.com

December 2013 2

PARISH INFOMATION Address:

9012 “Q” Street ,

Omaha, NE 68127

Office Hours:

Monday—Friday:

10am—5pm

Phone:

402-934-3688

Website:

www.allholyspirit.com

Email:

Church:

AHSoffice@allholyspirit.com

Fr. Alexander Lukashonok:

FrAlexander@allholyspirit.com

Services:

Each Sunday

Morning Prayers 8:30 am

Divine Liturgy 9:30 am

2 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

SOCIAL HOUR

We still have many openings for

social hour. A chart is posted in the

fellowship hall if you would like to

donate treats for a special Sunday. Let

the office know if you are

going to bring your own treats. If not,

donuts will be picked up and the cost

is $30. Please Make checks out to All

Holy Spirit.

Thank you to Spiro & Mary

Moustakis, Adrian & Alina Dozsa,

Knox & Anastasia Jones,

and Joe & Kiki Papke

for sponsoring coffee hour in July. Thank you to Chris & Nadine Saklar for picking up donuts, making coffee, setting up and

cleaning for the Sunday Morning Social Hour.

PROSPHORA

It’s a great honor to offer

the bread that will

become the body and blood of

Christ during Divine Liturgy. We

still have a few openings. A

Prosphora chart is posted in the

fellowship hall. If you would like to

offer Prosphora please sign on the

Sundays you prefer.

Thank you to Mary Moustakes,

Joanne Sgourakis, and

Voula Kotrotsios for providing

Prosphora in July.

ALTAR FLOWERS

Would you like to

beautify the Altar for a

special occasion? We still have

openings on the chart.

Please sign up in the fellowship

hall on the Sunday you would like

and contact Nikki Moravec at

402-502-2384 for more infor-

mation.

Thank you to

Andy & Sandy Karavas

for providing flowers in July.

Memorial

A 40 day memorial was offered on June 10th for

Boulos (Paul) Ishak Boulos Father of Matt Boulos

MAY HIS MEMORY BE

ETERNAL

BAPTISMS We have several fellowship

events coming up in the next few months. If you are interested in

sponsoring an event, please contact

Tammy Gill at 402-578-9719. Thank you all for your

continued support!! It is greatly appreciated.

Thank you to Voula Kotrotsios

for making the Artoklasia on July 26 Paraskevi the Righteous Martyr of Rome

Xronia Polla (Many Years) Voula Kotrotsios Darcy Jackson Vivian Kokkalas

*NOTE PARAKLESIS ON MONDAY

AUGUST 10TH WILL BE AT 6:00 DUE TO THE PARISH

COUNCIL MEETING

August 2015 3

Congratulations to

Adrian & Alina Dozsa

on the baptism of their son

Daniel Dozsa

Daniel’s baptismal name isDaniel

Godparents: Candin & Christina Jurca

BAPTISMS

Congratulations to

Kyle and Melissa Darling

on the baptism of their daughter

Stella Evangeline

Stella’s baptismal name is Stavroula

Godparent: Stephanie Diamantis Myracle

AXIOS

Katherine Krug was received into the

Orthodox Church through the

Sacrament of Chrismation on July 19th

She took the name Macrina

CHRISMATION

FASTING

As we fast from food, let us abstain also from every passion. . .Let us observe a fast acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.

True fasting is to put away all evil,

To control the tongue, to forbear from anger,

To abstain from lust, slander, falsehood and perjury.

If we renounce these things, then is our fasting true and acceptable to God

Let us keep the Fast not only by refraining from food, but by becoming strangers to all the bodily passions.

The reason for fasting, then, is precisely this: Fasting is a way of emptying ourselves from the cares and concerns of this

world—A means of preparation and conditioning, which will enable us serve God and grow closer to Him.

Dormition Fast August 1—14

4 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

Mark your calendars!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th

> Beginning of the new church year

> Liturgy on the land (180th & Harney)

>Beginning of Sunday School 2015-2016

> Family Picnic

Check your weekly bulletin

for more details!

DORMITION FEAST CELEBRATION

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14 (Outdoors weather permitting) Vesperal Divine Liturgy 6:30 Dinner to follow The Fellowship Committee will need help with set up, clean up and coordinating miscellaneous activities . Please contact Tammy Gill 402-578-9719 The Parish Council will be grilling Souvlakia and we are asking everyone to bring food. If your last name begins with : A - H bring a side dish I -P bring a salad R - Z bring a dessert BYOB

Join the choir for the start of the new ecclesiastical year!

Monday, August 31st 6:00— Pizza provided, BYOB 7:00-8:00—Rehearsal All parishioners welcomed and encouraged to attend! Contact Pete Wilger 402-699-6576

Apostle to the Dead

August 2015 5

On August 29 the Church remembers the Beheading of John

the Baptist.

John dared to reprove a powerful man, King Herod. Her-od knew John to be a just and holy man, and even bene-fited from listening to John's words. But his awareness of his own moral weakness also made him fear this bluntly truthful preacher.

John reproved Herod for unlawfully marrying his brother's wife, Herodi-as. Furious at this insult, she con-vinced Herod to imprison John. She really wanted him executed, but Herod hesitated, because John was revered as a prophet among the people.

But her chance came at Herod's birthday celebration. Herodias used her daughter Salome to entice Her-od with a sensuous dance, knowing he would lavishly promise to grant any request the girl made. Her re-quest startled and saddened him, but he couldn't lose face in front of his important guests. John's sev-ered head, which Herodias had told her daughter to ask for, was deliv-ered on a charger, or large plate.

How did Jesus react to the news of His cousin John's death? Matthew 14: 13 tells us that He went into a "lonely place apart" but was soon followed by a crowd. He did not take time alone to grieve, but compassionate-ly began healing the sick among them.

Saint Justin Popovich, along with other commentators on John's beheading, asks this question: Why didn't Jesus raise John from the dead, as He had raised, for instance, the daughter of Jairus? Why not bring this man back to life to continue his important work?

Saint Justin answers the question by saying that among John's many titles—Baptizer of the Lord, Holy Forerunner, Seal of All the Prophets, God-Sent Mes-senger—there is another he might be given, and that is Apostle to those in Hades, the Dead. Father Justin writes:

"The Forerunner had to become the Forerunner in Hades as well, in death's kingdom, so that he might preach there as well: Lo, the One whom all you Right-eous Ones have been awaiting...is work-ing signs and wonders such as you, all of you taken together, have never seen. And lo, I go before Him to preach to you as well this best of all news: He will come down here to us as well...the king-dom of death will be destroyed when, in a little while, the Lord appears here, and you will be led out of this horror and into heavenly joy, into the Kingdom On High."

Those in Hades had to be prepared for something new: a Messiah who could lead them to eternal life. On this same day we read Mark 2: 18-22, which calls

us to be ready for something new. Christ compares His saving message to new wine, which requires new wineskins, because old ones can't expand enough to hold it.

Can we "expand" our minds to receive Christ's mes-sage? John the Baptist was willing to give his life to preach the Good News to those in Hades. We, still having our lives, can honor him by hearing it and rejoic-ing in it.

6 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

All Holy Spirit was given a wonderful opportunity to express God's love for all people. Through our

Lutheran Family Services and Family in Need outreach program, we were able to help a refugee family

begin a new life in the United States.

**Sadly millions of people are forced to flee their homes each year to escape political, religious or ethnic

persecution. Those who can never go back have few options. Some spend decades in policed tent camps.

Their dream is to be granted special refugee status so they can start over in a new country, like the United

States.

In 2014 LFS welcomed 605 adults and children to Nebraska, they estimate welcoming 1200 adults and

children in 2015.

We are humbled and so very grateful to everyone at All Holy Spirit for your help in making this very

meaningful project a success.

Each and everyone of us somewhere in the history of our genealogy had someone immigrate to the United

States for a better life. For our Orthodox community to play a small part in this families journey,

transition and success will be a connection to their history and All Holy Spirit for generations to come,

what a blessing.

We can not begin to list all the names of parishioners that exhibited such generous acts of kindness toward

this refugee family. This was a community effort in every way, thank you.

All for His Glory,

Brenda Denich

Debbie Birge (** from Lutheran Family Services literature )

August 2015 7

8 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

- Fr. Andrew Anglorus http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. From the row of icons of the Twelve Great Feasts on the icon-screen, we see that the very last one on the right has been taken down and placed in the middle of the church. With the Feast of the Dormi-tion, the Falling-Asleep of the Most Holy Mother of God, we come to the ending of the Church's Year. And we are reminded that the Church's Year begins in September with the Birth of the Mother of God, as we see from the icon of that Feast to the extreme left of the screen. Today's Feast also explains to us the origin of the hymn that we sing to the Mother of God: 'More hon-ourable than the cherubim, beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim'. These are not simply elegant words that a pious hymnographer sat down and wrote, they have an origin in a spiritual reve-lation, as all that is in the Church.

For this Feast reminds us of how our Lord from the Cross entrusted the care of His Mother to the Apostle John the Divine. It reminds us of how the Holy Virgin, then aged about sixty, was visited three days before her falling-asleep by the Archangel Gabriel, who long before had announced to her the conception of Christ in her womb. We recall how the Apostles were miraculously brought to Jerusalem to make their farewells. We recall how the Virgin gave away all her earthly possessions to poor widows as she made ready for her burial in Gethsemane, next to her parents Sts Joachim and Anne and also her kinsman Joseph. We recall how she comforted the grieving, how her house was filled with light, her face shone and her body was fragrant, as Christ came with the angels to take her soul, as we can see from the icon of this Feast. We are reminded how her soul was taken up by Her Son, together with the cherubim and the seraphim, and now we understand the origin of our hymn: 'More honourable than the cherubim, more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim'. We remember how the Apostles, singing in procession, took her body to the tomb which then they sealed. We recall how the Apostle Thomas arrived, delayed for three days, and wanted too to make his fare-well; and so the tomb was unsealed and found empty except for the burial clothes and the wonderful fragrance. And from the very beginning we Orthodox have piously taken this to mean that the body of the Holy Virgin was so pure that it too had been taken up to Heaven, and that is why we have no-where any bodily relic of the Mother of God. And we understand by this that the first in the Kingdom of Heaven after Christ is the Holy Virgin. We understand by this that even given the weakness of human nature it is possible for our bodies to at-tain to utmost holiness. The Mother of God is, after Christ, the first-fruit of the Resurrection and shows us the way to the life of the Resurrection. Of course there are people who will tell you that none of this is written in the Bible. But for us Ortho-dox the Holy Scriptures are only part of the ongoing Revelation of the Holy Spirit, which we call the Tradition. We are not dead to the Spirit, the Spirit speaks to us still, with ever more revelations about the life of the Coming Kingdom. I began by saying that with this Feast we come to the ending of the Church's Year. In it we also come

to the ending of human life on earth. It is a tradition with us that our cemetery churches are mainly dedicated either to the Resurrection or else to the Dormition. It is a privilege for Orthodox to die on one of these Feasts. For it is indeed our destiny to die; it is the only certain thing in this life; every day that passes we draw one day nearer to our deaths. However, whatever our destiny, our ambition is not to die, but rather to fall asleep, in the manner of the Virgin, and have our souls taken to heaven by the holy angels, that death might become a mere passage from mortal life to immortality, from this death-ly life to deathlessness in the Everlasting Kingdom of Christ and all His saints. Most Holy Mother of God, Save us! Amen.

August 2015 9

Congratulations to Jordan Fox

on his promotion

on July 11, 2015 to Lieutenant Commander

in the U.S. NAVY!

Thank you for your dedication

and service to our country.

May God bless you always!

AHS GOYA

Going Back To School Fundraiser

August 2015

Throughout the month of August your GOYANS

will be holding their first annual fundraising sales drive.

Please stay tuned for more information!!!

AHS GOYA PLEASE SUPPORT

We are the future of AHS… TODAY!

10 All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church

The Blind See

June 2015 by Fr. Milovan Katanic

A Blind Woman’s Sight is Restored

“We always tend to rely on a miracle in our faith. But the Lord

works miracles precisely in the

moments when we really need

them,” – says Hieromonk Joseph, head of the delegation from Mt. Athos who is guarding the

reliquary, reports AgionOros.ru. “Having venerated the hand of St.

George the Victory-Bearer, a blind woman with a cane left the

church. In the street she opened her eyes and exclaimed in joy and tears: ‘I can see! O God, I can

see!’—although for the past ten years she was virtually blind. Doz-

ens of believers, including our-selves, were eyewitnesses of this

miracle”. Fr. Joseph adds that the Athonite monks do not pay too much attention to cases of physical healings and do not keep records of them.

“The most important miracle is the rebirth, the eternal salvation of a human soul. And we have seen such miracles in St. Petersburg more than once. We have seen this in eyes of the faithful, in their smiles, their tears.”

According to the hieromonk, the faithful in St. Petersburg feel with all their heart that Holy Great Martyr

George revives and blesses all the people who call upon him.

“Even if we leave the testimonies of physical cures which are not always recorded, we can definitely bear witness to the presence of a special, unusual grace inside the church. Volunteers and all the worshippers

alike notice this. A relief in difficult situations comes at once. Those who come here with their sorrows, with a heavy heart, leave the temple absolutely transformed,” relates Priest Dmitry Dmitriyev, head of the

volunteer service at the St. Petersburg Diocese’s youth department.

USHER SCHEDULE If you are unable to usher on your assigned Sunday please find a replacement within your group.

September 9/6 John & Elaine Berger,

John Birge, & Matt Boulos

9/13 Brian & Sheila Zachariae, Dora Bitsos, & Joe Carter

9/20 Mike Bouzis & Jim McDonnell Chris Hoegemeyer, & Nikki Diamantis

9/27 George Poullos, Paul Bitsos,

Andy Karavas, & Jason Gill

9/30 Mike & Nikki Moravec, Nick Petrow, & Zach Hennings

August 2015 11

August 8/2 Josh Busch , Jim McDonnell,

Chris Hoegemeyer, & Shelly Reiling

8/9 Bill & Cindy Lambert, Andy Karavas, & Steve Thomson

8/16 Mike & Nikki Moravec, Nick Petrow, & Chris Bakke

8/23 Mike & Sandi Kriha,

John Sgourakis, & Phil Bitzes

8/30 George Poullos, Paul Bitsos, John & Kathy Treantos

August 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9:30 Divine Liturgy-

Holy Cross

2

9:00 Matins

9:30 Divine Liturgy

3

6:30 Paraclesis

4

5

6:30 Vespers

6

TRANSFIGURATION

9:30 Divine Liturgy

7

8

9

9:00 Matins

9:30 Divine Liturgy

106:00 Paraclesis

7:00 Parish

Council /Ministry

Leadership

Meeting

11

12

6:30 Paraclesis

13

6:30 Vesperal

Divine Liturgy

Dinner to follow

14

15

16

9:00 Matins

9:30 Divine Liturgy

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

9:00 Matins

9:30 Divine Liturgy

24

25

26

27

28

29

5:00 Vespers

30

9:00 Matins

9:30 Divine Liturgy

31

6:00 Choir Kick off

All Holy Spirit Greek

Orthodox Church 9012 “Q” Street

Omaha, NE 68127-3549 (402) 934-3688 office www.allholyspirit.com

PRESORT

STANDARD

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 1830

Omaha, NE

“Who among us is born Orthodox?”….1

Community Activity ………….…….2&3

Upcoming Events ……………………..4

Meet the Church Fathers……………...5

Outreach- Refugee Family…………..6&7

The Dormition………….…….…….….8

Community Activity…………..…….….9

Fr. Milovan Katanic…. …………….....10

August Calendar………………….…...11

SAVE THE DATE! FRIDAY, AUGUST 14th

DORMITION FEAST CELEBRATION