St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Fort Worth TX

S T . D E M E T R I O S G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H

METROPOLITIAN ISAIAH’S ENCYCLICAL Beloved in the Lord,

This morning, on June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States of

America declared, in a five to four decision, that same-sex marriage in our

country is now legal in all fifty states. This decision was based on the

freedom and equal rights of all citizens. There was no mention of God in any

part of the decision.

This is one more ramification in the evolving laws of our nation which

stresses the paramount rights and freedoms of our citizens. However, we

know from our ancient, holy and cultural teachings and traditions that rights

and freedoms cannot exist without the necessary responsibilities and

accountability which should accompany them. Otherwise, such rights and

freedoms would lead to anarchy, the next lower step from democracy.

This slippery slope which we as a nation have continued to travel, from the

Roe v. Wade decision over forty years ago, has ignored the basic teaching of

the science of sociology which states that the very first society in this world

is the human family. Unfortunately, our Supreme Court began to attack this

primary society by legalizing the deaths of unborn infants, who as children

contribute to the concept of the primary family. Although there is the

question of morality in putting to death helpless, unborn human infants —

almost sixty million by now — we, as Americans, have been conditioned not

to feel any guilt or remorse because this genocide is “legal.”

Aside from these thoughts which have to do with human behavior, we as

members of the Church of the New Covenant, which history records as the

Orthodox Christian Church, continue to preserve our Judeo-Christian

principles which place Almighty God as the supra-intellectual Creator of

heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. This is the teaching

of the Church that was clearly recognized by the first Ecumenical Council in

Nicea in A.D. 325.

Returning to this morning’s Supreme Court decision pertaining to same-sex

marriage, we know that as members of the Church we have no right to

ST. DEMETRIOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

THE ORATOR Presiding Priest:

Fr. Nicholas Hadzellis

Cell: 617.530.0885

Parish Assistant:

SamiaShiber

Office: 817.626.5578

Fax: 817.626.5073

Parish Council Members

Elias Shiber, President

John Sempeles, V. President

Matt Lee, Treasurer

Georgia Sparto, Secretary

Magda Fleming

Marina Katzianis

Lisa Kelly

Terry Kouris

Artemis Moon

Elaine Reidl

George Vardakis

Office email:

[email protected]

Orator:

[email protected]

Web: www.stdemetrios.net

Parish Office Hours:

Monday - Friday

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

criticize or to condemn any human person regarding his or her lifestyle. The Apostle Paul says it best

when he states, “Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?” (Romans 14:4). We, of

course, are not speaking of persons per se, but of human lifestyles which are contrary to the moral

behavior exercised by one’s free will in harmony with Holy Scripture.

Practically speaking, the question will arise from some in our canonical Orthodox Christian parishes

regarding the sacrament of holy matrimony, for persons of the same gender. There is no confusion in

this matter because our holy services of matrimony are not contracts as in all other religious bodies, but

they are sacraments or mysteria. This means that we the clergy are not the celebrants of our sacraments,

but the Holy Spirit is. This is why, for all of the sacraments of the Church, they are celebrated by the

clergy in the third person. We never use the pronoun “I” because it is the Holy Spirit Who is the

celebrant, through the priest or bishop. In our sacrament of holy matrimony, one of the prayers states,

“Blessed are You, O Lord, Who are the celebrant of mystic and hallowed marriage...”

In all of the sacraments, we, the clergy, say, “the servant of God is baptized” in baptism, or “the servant

of God is crowned” in holy matrimony. Another prayer said by the celebrant in the marriage ceremony

is “O Master, send down now Your hand from Your holy dwelling place and unite Your servants...”

None of the holy sacraments of the Church are considered contracts which can be broken; but, in all of

them, it is our Triune God Who, through the canonical priest or bishop, gives a lasting blessing to the

participants in the holy sacrament.

The fact that the First Amendment of our United States Constitution prohibits our government from

interfering with the free exercise of religion means that no human law on the part of any of the three

branches of government can negate or nullify or rise above the teachings and dogmas of our Judeo-

Christian history of more than two thousand years. Any attempt by our government to do this would

totally fail, as it did in Communist Russia and in Nazi Germany.

Consequently, my hierarchical instructions to all the clergy who belong to this Metropolis, and to the

military chaplains under my oversight, are to react pastorally in denying any and all who may seek the

Sacrament of Holy Matrimony for a same-sex marriage. You are to inform them that by doing so you

would be betraying the holy priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who established the Church through

His death and resurrection; and that, if you were to do so, you would be defrocked from the holy

priesthood by an ecclesiastical tribunal.

I am confident that all of our holy clergy in this Metropolis will continue to honor our holy vocation and

will remain faithful to the teachings of the Church. In this way, all of us — clergy, monastics, and laity

— will continue to live our lives as best as we can, in harmony with the life-giving teachings of our

Lord Jesus Christ which will lead us into His everlasting Kingdom.

With Paternal Blessings,

✠ Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver


Service to our church Date Parish Council Ushers Orthros Readers

July 5

Georgia Sparto

Lisa Kelly

Ken George - Chanter

Ken George - Reader

Greek-Open

Jamileh Shiber

July 12 Magda Fleming

John Sempeles

Ellyn Ponton - Chanter

Ellyn Ponton - Reader

Greek-Open

Grace Beasley

July 19

Matt Lee

George Vardakis

Phil Hieger - Chanter

Phil Hieger - Reader

Greek-Open

Lexi Vardakis

July 26 Terry Kouris

Artemis Moon

Phil Hieger - Chanter

Phil Hieger - Reader

Greek-Open

Katherine Kallinikos

If you would like to be a St. Demetrios Usher, please speak to a Parish Council Member. If you would like to be

a Reader (Youth and Adult), please see Cathy Xydas or Ali Winters.

PLEASE VOLUNTEER TO BE AN ORTHROS READER OR CHANTER

WEEKLY SERVICES

Sunday, July 5 5th Sunday of Matthew 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy Sunday, July 12 6th Sunday of Matthew

7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy Sunday, July 19 Sunday of the Holy Fathers 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy

Sunday, July 26 8th Sunday of Matthew 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy

FELLOWSHIP HOUR

Date Hosts July 5 Open

July 12 Open

July 19 Open

July 26 The Kime Family Witnessing the love of Christ to our parishioners and guests alike, Fellowship Coffee Hour is a ministry

that generously provides care and kindness by building up our community through refreshments after

the Divine Liturgy on Sundays.

Contact Leeann Hieger(817.295.3704 / 817.556.1963 or [email protected])or Artemis Moon

(817.800.6407 or [email protected]) to host the next Fellowship Hour.

The sign-up sheet is on the wall opposite the doors to the fellowship hall.


ORTHODOX TRADITIONS

On the Insert tab, the galleries include items that are designed to coordinate with the overall look of your

document. You can use these galleries to insert tables, headers, footers, lists, cover pages, and other document

building blocks.

You can easily change the formatting of selected text in the document text by choosing a look for the selected

text from the Quick Styles gallery on the Home tab. You can also format text directly by using the other controls on

the Home tab. Most controls offer a choice of using the look from the current theme or using a format that you

specify directly.

To change the overall look of your document, choose new Theme elements on the Page Layout tab. To change

the looks available in the Quick Style gallery, use the Change Current Quick Style Set command. Both the Themes

gallery and the Quick Styles gallery provide reset commands so that you can always restore the look of your

document to the original contained in your current template.

Stewardship

The Divine Liturgy, and especially the Anaphora (the offering) are filled with hymns and prayers that

speak directly to thanksgiving and gratitude, from which spring our tithes and offerings.

… [T]hanksgiving (Greek eucharistia) reveals the essence of Christian faith. As Fr. Alexander Schmemann said

in his final sermon, “Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy,” for Christians

find their fundamental calling in thanksgiving… [A]ny life not built upon the foundation of gratitude to God is

not authentic Christian life. Thanksgiving to God proves that we are truly alive: “The dead do not praise the

Lord, / Nor any who go down into silence” (Ps. 115:17). We rightly call the Divine Liturgy “the Eucharist”

(thanksgiving), for thanksgiving is the sign of the spiritual life, and the Eucharist keeps us alive.

From Let Us Attend: A Journey Through the Orthodox Divine Liturgy, by Fr. Lawrence Farley, Chapter 13,

The Anaphora (the offering).

For more information on stewardship and tithing visit: www.Everygoodandperfectgift.org

ALPHA OMEGA

Please join us on Tuesday, July 14th at 11:30 a.m. at:

1051 W Magnolia Ave., Ft. Worth 76104 (817.926.2116)

Hope to see you there!!!…..Mary Galanis


PHILOPTOCHOS ST. BARBARA CHAPTER

ST. DEMETRIOS GOC SUPPER CLUB NEEDS YOU!

Our friends at Samaritan House are continuing to rave about our food during our monthly Supper

Club. If you are interested in helping, please contact Megan at 817-556-1964 or

[email protected] to be a part of this growing outreach ministry. ALL ARE WELCOME.

Our next Supper Club will take place on Thursday, July 2nd. Please arrive no later than 4:30 pm.

Service and clean-up should conclude by 6pm.

AHEPA

AHEPA FORT WORTH CHAPTER 19

AWARDS $1000 SCHOLARSHIP

AHEPA Fort Worth Chapter 19 is pleased to announce that

Madeline Haratsis is the recipient of the 2015 AHEPA scholarship

program. She will receive a $1000 scholarship to support her studies in the

2015/2016 academic year.

Madeline is 3rd from the right with proud parents Paul and Jayne to her right.

Also shown are Fr. Nicholas Hadzellis, George Vardakis (AHEPA President), and

Chris Xydas (AHEPA Scholarship Chairman).

Madeline is a 2015 graduate of the Hill School in Fort Worth. She is a member

of National Honor Society and received the 2015 President’s Award for

Outstanding Academic Achievement. Madeline is active in school and is a

member of the varsity cheerleading squad, runs track & field, and is on the

student council. She volunteers regularly at the St. Demetrios Greek Food

Festival and also at the Union Gospel Mission, Boys & Girls Club, and Fort Worth

Art Festival. She plans on attending Texas Tech University in the fall and is

pursuing a degree in Education in preparation for a career as an elementary

school teacher.

Thank you Madeline for your contributions to the community, congratulations

on you academic achievements, and best of luck in the coming school year.

We’re all very proud of you. Keep up the great work!

North Texas Orthodox Mission (NTOM)

SAVE THE DATES!

NTOM MEETING – Tuesday, August 4, following Paraklesis, at 7 pm, at Holy Trinity GOC, Dallas

Light Lenten Meal will be offered.

The September meeting will be held on September 1 at 6:30 pm with the usual Pot-Luck dinner.

The location needs to be verified; St. Seraphim’s will be contacted. Missionary Jeffrey McDonald will join us!!

God bless, Presv. Alexandra,

tel:817-556-1964

mailto:[email protected]


NTOM Secretary

BOOKSTORE

Click here to enter text.

Community Needs

St. Demetrios needs You!

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Interested in helping St. Demetrios on a spiritual level? We are in search of a

dedicated and organized member to direct the Religious Education program. This position is vital to the life of

our parish.Please contact Father Nicholas for more information.

BOOKSTORE: We are in need of someone to manage our St. Demetrios Bookstore. Please contact Father

Nicholas for more information.

GROUNDS: Summertime brings additional seasonal needs. Please see George Vardakis about volunteering a

few hours every other week to help mow and weedeat the lawn. We have a lot of property that needs your

attention. Showing a nice landscaped property helps reduce crime and vandalism! We need two additional

people to help minimize the time and work needed to make the outside beautiful.

BUILDING: Your Church Home needs you too! Please see Eilas Shiber about volunteering a few hours a

month to give some loving care to our facilities. Providing a clean and cared for environment becomes

welcoming to guest and visitors and creates a sense of pride for members.

ONE HARVEST

SCHEDULE Saturday, July 18th 9AM-10AM St. Demetrios One Harvest*

*For One Harvest, we will need to be at the St. Demetrios Hall by 8:30am to prepare. One volunteer will need to go to the distribution center (300 Belmont Street, Saginaw, TX) by 7:30am to pick up the kits. Please contact John Sempeles (682.215.3151 [email protected]) if you want to volunteer for the One Harvest events.

Saturday, June 25th 9AM-12PM Tarrant County Food Bank Sorting** **Next available Food Bank dates is August

29th. Please contact John Sempeles (682.215.3151 or [email protected]) if you are interested in volunteering for any Food Bank events. On Food Bank days we will meet at St. Demetrios parking lot and leave for the Food Bank by 8:30am .


Orthodox Christian Mission Center: News from the Mission Field

On June 7th, 2015, an OCMC Mission Team

helping to construct a school in the village of

Loupwala, in northern Kenya, was blessed with the

opportunity to also participate in the consecration of

the newly- completed St. Nicholas Church in the

nearby village of Lokichar. Both of these villages

are located in the Turkana region of

Kenya. The church, under the pastoral

care of Fr. Zechariah Echeme, was

built with the help of another OCMC

team the previous year and was

sponsored by Nick and Diane Chronos

of Mandeville, Louisiana. Three of the

team members, Fr. Vladimir Aleandro, Mat. Susan

Aleandro, and Dean Franck, had participated on

the previous year’s team. They felt especially

privileged to be able to witness the consecration of

the church, during which His Eminence Makarios,

Archbishop of Kenya, praised the Chronos family

for “participating in the building of Christ’s Church”,

along with thanking many of the other benefactors

who have helped and given to the church. OCMC

Teams Director Andrew Lekos, who led the

construction team, was moved by the experience:

“There were hundreds of people who were able to

witness the consecration of the church.” Mr. Lekos

also notes “how moving it was to see

the names of the sponsors and team

members' family and friends,

specifically the Chronos family, being

placed in the altar with the relics of St.

Nicholas.” Following the Devine

Liturgy, the team and the members of

the St. Nicholas community took time to enjoy

fellowship and celebration through presentations,

song, and dance. Not only the men and women in

attendance gave praise, but also the children were

giving thanks. The celebration concluded with an

agape meal.

For more information go to www.ocmc.org

Internation Orthodox Christian Charities: News and Information

Baltimore, MD (IOCC) — Summer is the height of tourist season in the Greek isles, but Amina, 35, isn't on the island of Chios with her husband and three young sons for a vacation. The Syrian refugee family is in flight from Damascus. Their long and arduous trek took them through Lebanon and into Turkey, where they hiked a grueling 200 miles across the country to reach a boat that would carry them to safety in Greece. Also part of their group were several Syrian youth under 18 traveling alone or with distant relatives, like Sahir, 17, a member of Amina's extended family. They travel at great risk with the hope to reach

Western Europe and register as underage refugees, which would allow their parents to join them. The eastern Aegean isles have been inundated by the flow of Syrian refugees arriving by sea.

The island of Chios, which lies just four miles from Turkey, has received more than 7,000 newcomers since last March. The influx of refugees has overwhelmed local authorities on this small island of only 32,000 inhabitants as they struggle to register refugees and provide basic shelter and food to the men, women, and

children who arrive daily at Chios' small and outdated immigrant reception center.

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) with its local partner, Apostoli, the humanitarian arm of the Church of Greece, is responding to the dire needs of the refugees by improving poor hygiene and health conditions in the crowded reception centers. Newly installed portable showers along with renovated plumbing and sewage systems provide the travel weary refugees with a place to take care of their personal hygiene in privacy and with dignity. IOCC is also providing 1,700 personal hygiene kits customized to meet the needs of men, women, or infants, and reinforcing good hygiene practices through bilingual posters in English and Arabic and one-on-one awareness talks with refugees of all ages.

In addition, school kits filled with writing and coloring supplies, will be distributed to 200 school-aged children including Amina's three boys, Bayas, 11; Abdurrahmal, 6; and Aymullah, 4. "I just want my children to be safe and happy," said the tearful and exhausted mother. "There was nothing we could do in Syria, with our lives in danger all the time." In spite of her tired state, Amina and her husband were already eager to move their family on to the next step of the journey – to a new country where their children can receive a good education and grow up far from the memories of war.

IOCC, an ACT Alliance member, is providing immediate and ongoing humanitarian assistance to families in need who have endured four years of Syria's brutal civil war. Since 2012, IOCC has provided relief to 3 million people displaced inside Syria, or living as refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Armenia, and Greece.

HOW YOU CAN HELP You can help the victims of poverty and conflicts around the world by making a financial gift to the IOCC International Emergency Response Fund which will provide immediate relief, as well as long-term support through the provision of emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a gift, please visit iocc.org or call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, P.O. Box 17398, Baltimore, MD 21297.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has delivered $534 million in relief and development programs to families and communities in more than 50 countries. IOCC is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of more than 140 churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy, and a member of InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.–based secular and faith-based organizations working to improve the lives of the world's most poor and vulnerable populations. To learn more about IOCC, visit iocc.org.

Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry Prisoners Among Us

You don’t need to be behind bars to be imprisoned… In this reflection, our brother in Christ Fr George Tsahakis reminds us that at some point in our lives, we all find

ourselves in chains–prisoners to things that bind and enslave us. If we are to truly help others be set free, we may

need to first free ourselves.

Imagine walking in the forest and seeing four men chained to trees in the darkened woods. These prisoners appear

to be hungry, heartsick, and discouraged.

Now, visualize yourself springing to their rescue…. Indeed, you possess the means to free them. You realize you

know the combination to their locks which bind together their chains, and you now call upon your talents to set the

prisoners free. You unlock the chains of the first man, and then he goes to the second man and frees him. In turn, the

http://www.iocc.org/giving/giving_donatemain.aspx

http://www.iocc.org/giving/giving_donatemain.aspx

http://www.iocc.org/


second man cares for the third man, but to his dismay, the third man fails to be able to loosen the bonds of the fourth

captive.

Sadly, the fourth prisoner is left in chains with the combination to

his lock unknown. Upon your return home, everyone rejoices at your

heroic rescue, but deep inside, you remain unsatisfied that the fourth

man continued to be a prisoner.

Now let’s ask several questions: Why were these men prisoners?

Who had chained them? What had brought them freedom from

bondage?

The first man’s chains were caused by terror of God, and up until

his release, he had sought to deny any religion or any relationship to

God. The sins of fear and doubt kept him chained in the forest of hate and ignorance. The second man’s chains were

made up of prejudice, and he thought himself superior to those of another color or race. He was imprisoned in the

forest of hate and ignorance. The third man was chained with a self-righteous attitude, thinking he could do no

wrong, that he was superior to others, and he didn’t need to offer mercy. He was lost through his self-imposed

loneliness and chained in the forest of hate and ignorance.

As the rescuer of these three men, let me recap how positively you offered to them God’s Word as the means to

set these prisoners free. In speaking with the first prisoner, you offered him the encouragement found in John

3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish

but may have eternal life.” With the second captive, you witnessed to him the testimony found in Acts 17:24-

26: “The God who made the world and everything in it, He who is Lord of heaven and earth, … From one ancestor

He made all nations to inhabit the whole earth…” And your choice of Holy Scripture to free the third prisoner was

St. Paul’s counsel in 1 Corinthians 8:8: “Food will not bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat,

and no better off if we do.”

You and for that matter, others, cannot liberate the fourth prisoner from his chains and home in darkness, for he

has no faith, and he continues to not believe you, me, or God. For those reading this parable, let me ask, “Have you

any chains? Are you in a forest? Would you like to hear the ‘Good News’ to free you from your bondage and live

life as God intended for all of us?”

If the answer is yes, after you finish reading these words, open your Bible and read God’s plan for your life. It’s

yours for the taking.

“For this purpose He called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of

our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:14)

www.ocpm.org for more inormation

http://www.ocpm.org/


CHALLENGE QUESTIONS

1. How many books are in the Bible? (Old

Testament?) (New Testament?)

2. What was the name of the shepherd boy who

became the second king in Israel?

3. How many brothers did Joseph have?

4. Who were the parents of Cain and Abel?

5. Noah sent out 2 different kinds of birds from the

Ark. What were they?

6. After the flood, what sign did God give that He

would not destroy the earth with a flood again?

7. Who did Boaz marry?

8. Abraham traveled with his nephew. What was his

nephew’s name?

9. What was the name of Joseph’s baby brother?

10. Who found baby Moses in the river?

1. 66 (39) (27) 2. David 3. 11. He also had 1 sister. 4. Adam and Eve

5. Raven and Dove 6. Rainbow 7. Ruth 8. Lot 9. Benjamin

10. Pharaoh’s daughter

COMMUNITY IN PICTURES

Vacation Church School


Thank you to all our volunteers for another great VCS!

GOYA Pool party

Thank you to the Beasley for opening their home to us!

JULY 2015 Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Strict Fast

Fish allowed

Dairy, Eggs, and Fish allowed

Wine and Oil allowed

1 2 5pm Supper Club at Samaritan House

3

4 Independence Day

5 5th Sunday of Matthew 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy Mary Dieb Memorial

6

7 7pm Parish Council Meeting

8

9

10

11

12 6th Sunday of Matthew 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy

13

14 11:30am Alpha Omega: Shaws

15

16

17

18

19 Sunday of the Holy Fathers 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy

20

21

22

23 24

25

26 8th Sunday of Matthew 7:45am Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy

27

28 29 30

31

Pray of Thanksgiving

Jesus Christ, my Lord and God, I give You thanks for Your loving kindness and all the blessings You have richly bestowed upon me. I fall down in worship and adoration before You, the King of glory. I praise You, I glorify You, I bless You and I give thanks to You for Your great goodness and tender mercy. To You I come, my sweet Lord and loving Master. Shine in my heart the light of Your grace. Enlighten my mind, that I may walk uprightly all my life by keeping Your commandments. Glorified and exalted is Your holy name, now and forever. Amen


Sunday Readings for July 2015

July 05 5th Sunday of Matthew

Epistle: Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2

Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1

July 12 6th Sunday of Matthew Epistle: Romans 12:6-14

Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8

July 19 Sunday of the Holy

Fathers

Epistle: Titus 3:8-15


July 26 8th Sunday of Matthew Epistle: Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5



2020 NW 21st St.

Fort Worth, Texas 76164

www.stdemetrios.net

T H E M O N T H L Y N E W S L E T T E R O F S T . D E M E T R I O S G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H

T H E F I R S T G R E E K O R T H O D O X P A R I S H I N T E X A S

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Fort Worth TX

Documents

Transcript of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Fort Worth TX