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Newsletter November December 2012

Saint andreW’S FEAST DAY Sunday 2 DECEMBER 2012

chairman’s comment It will soon be time to celebrate the most important occasion on our calendar – the Feast Day of Saint Andrew, on Sunday 2 December 2012. Already our preparations for that day are in full swing and I must again appeal to all our parishioners to come forward to contribute in whatever way possible and help make the day the huge success that it normally is. We are asking for your assistance for the preparation of Koupes, Dactila, Loukoumades etc and the delicious Souvla on the day and also by attending with your families in big numbers and mixing with friends on Sunday. I regret to inform you that this year the main prizes will not include the customary motor

car previously generously donated by the Spar Group, and the air tickets to Athens usually donated by Emirates Airways. This year as a reflection of the severe financial and economic conditions, we have not been able to secure such prizes for our raffle and will instead be offering cash prizes of R20000, R10000 and R5000. Thus the funding of these prizes will come directly from our fundraising efforts. I am sure that we all understand that the main objective of our raffle is not the winning of a great prize, but that everyone has an opportunity to contribute and support our community’s fund-raising efforts. So more than ever this year we are appealing and look towards our parishioners to make an extra special effort to support us. The sale of raffle tickets is now ongoing and they are available from all members of the committee, so please contact us for your tickets. Our last function that we held was the Bingo Evening on 14 September which was a huge success and very well supported with the sales of over 205 tickets. A great evening was had by all with many valuable prizes having been won. The first two monthly complimentary lunches after the Sunday morning service have already been held and were well supported by the Sunday congregations. It is important for all our members to attend these occasions and communicate any suggestions that they may have to the governing committee which welcomes such input. We thank Andreas and Eleni Machos for graciously sponsoring the second of these functions in memory of their daughter Evanthia. The Greek National day,‘OXI’ D ay, was observed and commemorated by all Hellenes on Sunday 28 October.

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Questions and Answers with Father Evangelos

Does our church practice ‘Open’ Communion

In the strictest sense the Communion of the Orthodox Church is open to all repentant believers. That means we are glad to receive new members in the Orthodox Church. The Orthodox concept of "Communion" is totally holistic, and radically different from that of most other Christian groups. We do not separate the idea of "Holy Communion" from "Being in Communion," "Full Communion," "Inter-Communion" and total "Communion in the Faith."

In the Orthodox Church therefore, to receive Holy Communion, or any other Sacrament (Mystery), is taken to be a declaration of total commitment to the Orthodox Faith. While we warmly welcome visitors to our services, it is understood that only those communicant members of the Orthodox Church who are prepared by confession and fasting will approach the Holy Mysteries.

Why do we have all those ‘pictures’ in our church?

Icons are not pictures in the sense of naturalistic representations. They are rather stylized and symbolic expressions of divinized humanity. (See II Peter 1:4; I John 3:2.) Icons for the Orthodox are sacramental signs of God's Cloud of Witnesses (Hebrews 12:1). We do not worship icons. Rather, we experience icons as Windows into Heaven. Like the Bible, icons are earthly points of contact with transcendent Reality. In the original Greek of the New Testament Christ is called several times the icon (image) of God the Father. (See II Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3.) Man himself was originally created to be the icon of God (Genesis 1:27).

Which do we believe in, the Bible or Tradition?

A good short answer to this question is "Yes!" The question implies precisely a kind of polarity (i.e., "Bible versus Tradition") which is not found in the Orthodox Christian worldview. "Tradition" or in Greek paradosis, is used very often in the New Testament both as a verb and a noun. (See I Corinthians 11:23, where literally translating the original Greek, Paul says "for I received of the Lord that which I also have traditioned to you . . . ." See also I Corinthians 11:2, and II Thessalonians 2:15 and 3:6.) Tradition means "that which is handed over." The New Testament carefully distinguishes between "traditions of men" and The Tradition, which is the Faith handed over to us by Christ in the Holy Spirit. That same Faith was believed and practiced several decades before the New Testament Scriptures were set down in writing and given canonical (i.e., official) status. We experience the Tradition as timeless and ever timely, ancient and ever new. We distinguish between The Tradition ("with a capital T") which is the Faith/Practice of the Undivided

Church, and traditions ("with a little t") which are local or national customs. Due to changing circumstances, sometimes cherished traditions must be altered or respectfully laid aside for the sake of The Tradition. The New Testament Scriptures are the primary written witness to the Tradition. Orthodox Christians therefore believe the Bible, as the inspired written Word of God, is the heart of the Tradition. In the New Testament all basic Orthodox doctrine and sacramental practice is either specifically set forth, or alluded to as already a practice of the Church in the first century A.D. The Tradition is witnessed to also by the decisions of the Seven Ecumenical Councils, the Nicene Creed, the writings of the Fathers of the Church, by the liturgical worship and iconography of the Church, and in the lives of the Saints.

Cultural Talk Topic: In the October talk fr. Evangelos discussed the topic of Globalisation

and how it impacts on us in South Africans and as Orthodox adherents. Globalization lets countries

move closer to each other. People, companies and organizations in different countries can live and work

together. We can exchange goods easily , money and ideas faster and cheaper than ever before.

Modern communication and technology, like the internet, cell phones or satellite TV help us in our daily

lives. However unemployment, social degeneration and difficulty of competition are the killer

disadvantages on people’s lives that are based on globalization. In the opinion, of father Evangelos,

people must be aware of this exploitation. Globalization is a one-way tale where the rich get richer and

the poor get poorer.

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KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY - PERSONALITY PROFILE - steve savvides

Stavros (Steve) Savvides was born on the

25 August 1944 in Neo Chorio, Pafos,

Cyprus. He attended Primary School in his

village and High School in Polis,

Chrysochou. At the tender age of 16, with

a set determination that has become his

trademark, Stavros decided to immigrate to

South Africa as his father had died of

Leukaemia, leaving his mother with five

children. In this new country with the

help of his uncle who had arranged his

immigration papers, he was going to work

hard and make a name for himself and also

provide for his family in Cyprus. Stavros gained invaluable experience

in the business of retailing by working for his uncle and a tearoom in

Booysens. He worked very hard because he had a vision of owning his

own business.

At the age of twenty he bought his first business and named it

“Steve’s Mediterranean Delicatessen”. Then followed “The Food Giant”

in Delarey. In 1980 he became part of the Spar Group with a chain of

“Steve’s Spar Stores”. Steve served on the Spar Regional Committee and

the Spar Guild board. There were many highlights in his career, namely

when he was appointed Mr Spar Regional (1986) and Mr Spar National

(1990). The Greek Chamber of Commerce and Industries of South Africa

selected Steve as a finalist in 1992 for the “Man of the Year” award.

Steve served as chairman of the West Rand Hellenic Community in 1990-

1992 and 2005-2007. He received numerous acknowledgements for his

contribution towards Hellenic Communities. He also received a

prestigious accolade from the Rand Afrikaans University in conjunction

with the Ecumenical Hellenism Organization that represents all Greek

citizens worldwide. Stavros has donated the “Dimitrion Hall” at the

community grounds in memory of his late son Dimitri. He believes that

all of us come to this world with the purpose of creating and leaving

something beautiful for the next generation.

Steve enjoys travelling and especially to Europe, USA and the Greek

Islands. On these journeys he enjoys visiting Greek Orthodox

monasteries and Agios Rafael’s Monastery, Mytilini is very dear to

him. He loves reading, with the Bible and the work of Igoumeni Eugenia

Kleidara as his favourites for spiritual guidance. He enjoys Greek

Cypriot cuisine and especially Kleftiko and a lamb on the spit. He

loves Greek folk songs, dancing, a cigar and a glass of Meerlust

Rubicon wine. Steve loves watching soccer, rugby, cricket, athletics,

tennis and wrestling. He competed in various marathons and he also

took part in the Cape Argus (105km) cycling race. Steve is also a keen

hunter.

Steve says: “Father Evangelos and the people of the Hellenic Community

are very dear and special to “me”. My prayer is that the light of the

Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Andrew will always shine bright as the

beacon of Orthodoxy on the West Rand, that the youth will embrace our

religion and Greek culture, be proud of it and will take it from

strength to strength.”

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Community news

OUR CONGRATULATIONS go to:

To Anita and Charl Caprizario on the birth of their new baby daughter Anastasia. May she bring

them much happiness in the future.

To Panayiota Charitou now resident in Cyprus and Othonas Anastasi of Nicosia

Cyprus on their recent engagement. We wish them both a happy life together

ahead.

To George Smyrnios and Liezel Heyneke on their recent wedding.

To Frank and Alrina Teichert who baptised their twin boys Frank and Alexander.

To Harry and Christalla Charitou who baptised their daughter Paraskevi.

To Roy Raney and Eleni Englezakis who baptised their daughter Sophia Michaela. Our best wishes go:

To Jimmy Arvanitis on his recovery from major surgery recently.

To Andreas Machos who has recovered fully from a recent health ‘hiccup’.

OUR BINGO EVENING WAS A MOST SUCCESSFUL AND ENJOYABLE one!

Calendar of Community Events – balance of 2012

20 May, Sunday AGM Dimitrion Hall 9 June Saturday Greek Evening Dimtrion Hall 14 September, Friday Bingo Evening Dimitrion Hall 28 October, Sunday Greek National Day Church Service 25 November, Sunday School reports function Church Service 2 December, Sunday St Andrew’s Panigiri Community grounds 5 December, Wednesday Panigiri workers’ braai St Andrew’s hall

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL OF THE FEDERATION ON THE COMMEMORATION OF THE 28TH OCTOBER 1940

Hellenes have a history of heroism, determination and an ethos that speaks of a rich heritage and democracy. Just as in 1940 when Metaxas said OXI to the Italians, who arrogantly made demands of the Greeks that were in direct contrast with the independently minded people, we in today’s society and environment say OXI. OXI - To anyone who suggests that Greece’s demise cannot be overturned. OXI - To anyone who tries to remove the decision- making process of Greece’s future from the hands of the Greeks. OXI – To the detractors and opponents of reform that will stabilise the Hellenic determination and wellbeing. The Hellenes of South Africa have a proud history and tradition of being Hellenic and embracing in that spirit the spirit of South Africa. Just like our forefathers in 1940, we will overcome and be victorious and the Hellenic flame will continue to light the Hellenic ethos everywhere. ZITO – H 28 Oktovriou ZITO – O Ellinismos ZITO – H Eleftheria. The Federation of Hellenic Communities and Societies of South Africa

VISIT OF THE GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MR KOSTAS TSIARAS TO SOUTH AFRICA

Mr Kostas Tsiaras visited South Africa from Tuesday, 30 October to Wednesday 7 November 2012. His itinerary for his visit started in Johannesburg, where he met with Metropolitan H E Damaskinos of Johannesburg and Pretoria. He then visited SAHETI school and met with the Hellenic Orthodox Ladies’Association(HOLA). Mr Tsiaras also held meetings with the Federation of Hellenic Associations of South Africa and representatives of the Greek Communities at a cocktail function where the WRHC was represented. The Deputy Minister visited the Greek Studies Department at the University of Johannesburg and a school in Soweto, and met with the Metropolitan of the Cape of Good Hope. On 31 October, he held a press conference for Greek journalists in Germiston, South Africa where the main subject was the creation of the new World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), with the aim of forging it into a voice for all Hellenes abroad. Mr Tsiaras indicated that the new SAE will be self-funding, self-organized, and provide vertical representation. The primary role of the new SAE, Mr Tsiaras stressed, would be to promote issues of concern to global Hellenism and to revamp relations between Greeks abroad and the Greek homeland. On Friday, 2 November 2010, Mr Tsiaras met with representatives of the main South African financial institutions and business leaders in order to explain the many mutual investment opportunities currently open to both Greece and South Africa. As a result, a Greek-South African bilateral agreement on Economic Cooperation was signed aimed at enhancing and expanding the economic ties between the two countries, encouraging cooperation between enterprises, and promoting investments. Mr Tsiaras also took the opportunity of his visit to meet with the Gauteng Finance Minister Mr Mandla Nkomfe and the Prime Minister of Western Cape, Helen Zille. He attended a dinner at which former South African president Frederik de Klerk was present.

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Preparations for Saint Andrew’s panigiri

Production of Koupes and Dactila…more help needed from

our ladies on Wednesdays and also on the day!!

Our newsletter is again generously

sponsored by Demos Stephanou .

Contact us:

Street Address: 26 Amajuba Street,

Noordheuwel, Krugersdorp 1739

Postal Address: P O Box 1108,

Krugersdorp 1740 Tel: 011 954 1514 Fax: 011 954 1513

Our Parish Priest, Father Evangelos

082 2670523

The Chairman of the WRHC, Mr Mr Antonis Antoniades

0834123456

The Greek School teacher, (part time)

Mr Fotis Asimakopoulos 081 2327868

Editorial:

Hon Secretary, Peter Mammous

082 4424632 supremex@yebo.co.za

We’re on the Web!

www.westrandhellenic.co.za

(New website under construction)

West Rand Hellenic Community

Our Newsletter is again generously sponsored by Demos Stephanou

POST SCRIPT from father Evangelos: Vesper Services - ALL WELCOME:

1. Tuesday 20 November 7.00pm: ΕΙΣΟΔΕΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ, Entrance of the Theotokos into

the temple.

2. Friday 30 November 7.00pm: Saint Andrew Τhe First Chosen-Feast Day – Our Archbishop

H.E.DAMASKINOS will be officiating at the Vespers service as well as on the Sunday Service

on 2 December at 8.30am.

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ARCHDIOCESE OF JOHANNESBURG AND PRETORIA

WEST RAND

West Rand Hellenic Community

26 Amajuba Street, Noordheuwel, Krugersdorp, 1739 ● P.O.Box 1108, Krugersdorp, 1740

Tel: 011 954-1514 ● Fax: 011 954-1513

W R H C

ΜΗΝΙΑΙΟ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΟ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ - MONTHLY CHURCH PROGRAMME

ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ - NOVEMBER 2012

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 4 +Ε' ΛΟΥΚΑ, Ιωαννικίου, Νικάνδρου

08:30 - 11:30

SUNDAY 4 +5th Sunday of Luke, Ioannikos, Nicandros

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 11 +Η' ΛΟΥΚΑ, Μηνά μεγαλμ. Βικεντίου

08:30-11:30

SUNDAY 11 +Sunday of Luke, Bikentios

ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ 17 ΜΕΛΕΤΗ ΚΑΙ ΕΡΜΗΝΕΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΒΙΒΛΟΥ

13:00

SΑΤURDAY 17

BIBLE STUDY GROUP

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 18 +Θ' ΛΟΥΚΑ, Πλάτωνος μεγαλομ. Ρωμανού

08:30 - 11:30

SUNDAY 18 +Sunday of Luke, Plato, Romanos

+ΤΑ ΕΙΣΟΔΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ

19:00 - 20:30

WEDNESDAY 21

+THE ENTRY OF THE VIRGIN TO THE TEMPLE

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 25 +ΙΓ' ΛΟΥΚΑ, Αικατερίνης μεγαλομ.

08:30 - 11:30

SUNDAY 25 +Sunday of Luke, Catherine the great martyr

ΓΙΑ ΟΤΙΔΗΠΟΤΕ ΣΑΣ ΑΠΑΣΧΟΛΕΙ Ο ΙΕΡΕΑΣ ΘΑ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΣΤΗ ΔΙΑΘΕΣΗ ΣΑΣ ΟΠΟΙΑΔΗΠΟΤΕ ΩΡΑ

● COUNSELLING/ADVICE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY ● CONFESSIONS ON REQUEST

ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΟΣ: ΠΡΩΤΟΠΡΕΣΒΥΤΕΡΟΣ DR ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΟΣ ΝΙΚΟΛΑΙΔΗΣ 082 267-0523

Parish Priest: Protopresbyter Prof. Evangelos Nicolaides ● Cell 082 267-0523

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ARCHDIOCESE OF JOHANNESBURG AND PRETORIA

WEST RAND

West Rand Hellenic Community

26 Amajuba Street, Noordheuwel, Krugersdorp, 1739 ● P.O.Box 1108, Krugersdorp, 1740 Tel: 011 954-1514 ● Fax: 011 954-1513 W R H C

ΜΗΝΙΑΙΟ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΟ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ - MONTHLY CHURCH PROGRAMME

ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ - DECEMBER 2012

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 2 APOSTOLOU ANDREA, GIORTH

08:30 - 12:00

SUNDAY 2 FEAST DAY SAINT ANDREW

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 9 +Ι' ΛΟΥΚΑ, Σύλληψις Αγίας Αννης, μητέρα της Θεοτόκου 08:30-11:30

SUNDAY 9 + Sunday of Luke, Anna-mother of the Virgin

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 16 +ΙΑ' ΛΟΥΚΑ, Αγγαίου πτρ Μοδέστου 08:30 - 11:30

SUNDAY 16 +Sunday of Luke, Aggaios, Modestos

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 23 +ΠΡΟ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ ΓΕΝΝΗΣΕΩΣ 08:30 - 11:30

SUNDAY 23 +Sunday before the Nativity of Jesus Christ

TRITΗ 25 +ΓΕΝΝΗΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ 08:30 - 11:30

TUESDAY 25 +NATIVITY OF JESUS CHRIST

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 30 +ΜΕΤΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ ΓΕΝΝΗΣΕΩΣ 08:30 - 11:30

SUNDAY 30 +After the Nativity of Jesus Christ

ΓΙΑ ΟΤΙΔΗΠΟΤΕ ΣΑΣ ΑΠΑΣΧΟΛΕΙ Ο ΙΕΡΕΑΣ ΘΑ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΣΤΗ ΔΙΑΘΕΣΗ ΣΑΣ ΟΠΟΙΑΔΗΠΟΤΕ ΩΡΑ

● COUNSELLING/ADVICE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY ● CONFESSIONS ON REQUEST

ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΟΣ: ΠΡΩΤΟΠΡΕΣΒΥΤΕΡΟΣ DR ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΟΣ ΝΙΚΟΛΑΙΔΗΣ 082 267-0523

Parish Priest: Protopresbyter Prof. Evangelos Nicolaides ● Cell 082 267-0523