Matthew 5:13-20

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Adult Bible Study Class

Study Guide

Rev. Christopher T. Metropulos

November 3, 2013

Matthew 5:13-20

 1.    You are the salt of the earth

Just as salt that loses its savor becomes insipid and useless, so the disciples who become foolish is also useless.

 2.    You are the light of the world

A city atop a mountain is not able to be hidden, let your light shine before men.

 3.    Christ and the Law

Matthew is concerned to show to his Jewish audience how Christ’s interpretation of the Law though different from that of the Pharisee’s, nonetheless fulfills the inner and the true demands of God’s Law.

 4.    Where heaven and earth remain, God’s Word will abide

 Christ is saying that the Scriptures are authoritative and divine down to the least part of each letter. 

 5.    Following and not following the teachings of Christ

Being called least in the Kingdom.

Being called great in the Kingdom.

Weekly Sunday Bulletin – 5th Sunday of Luke

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Synaxis of the Archangels

O Commanders of the Heavenly Host, we the unworthy beseech you, that through your entreaties you will fortify us, guarding us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently bow before you crying: “Deliver us from all danger, as Commanders of the Powers on high! “

Synaxis of the Archangels– November 8

Parish Council on duty:

John Ioannou, Jr., John Argiropoulos, James Carras, Anna Merkel, Demetri Rapanos, Peter Synoyannis,Kathy Ziegler

Matthew 4:23-25; 5:1-12

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Adult Study Class

Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 4:23-25; 5:1-12

Rev. Christopher T. Metropulos

 Summary of Jesus’ Ministry – Pg. 12

  1. Jesus ministers to the crowds:
    1. Matthew’s report of Jesus Christ astounding success finding a welcome everywhere.
    2. Healing every disease and malady among the people – no affliction beyond his reach.  No wonder so many followed him.

The Beatitudes: The Blessing of True Disciples – pg. 12

 1st  Discourse – The Sermon on the Mount

    1. A God spoke from the Mountain in Moses’ time so now He speaks from the mountain with Christ.  He was expounded the truth!
    2. Beatitudes stand at the head of the Sermon on the Mount.
    3. Beatitudes are Christ’s promise to the disciples.
    4. Despised state of His disciples form the background to the Beatitudes.  Christ’s followers were despised by the Pharisees.  They denounce the followers of Jesus Christ as hapless and pathetic of men.
    5. Christ therefore counters this saying – those who have chosen to follow Him are blesses (Gr. Makarios)
    6. Meaningful and ninefold description of His true followers.  Indication of the reversal of their current position to one of Glory in the Kingdom.
    7. They are not commendations for certain virtues or state of mind.
    8. Blessed are the ___________________ for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven

Poor in spirit

Those who mourn

The meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

The merciful

The peace makers

Those who have been persecuted

Next Class – You are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)

Weekly Sunday Bulletin – 7th Sunday of Luke

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The Holy Protection of the Theotokos

Let us the faithful hasten to the Theotokos now and venerate her sacred veil, as we chant unto her, singing hymns to praise and honour her, as is fitting; for she shelt’reth with her shelter and all her faithful flock and preserveth them unharmed from all calamities, as they cry to her: Rejoice, Protection most radiant

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

The Holy Protection of the Theotokos October 28

Parish Council on Duty:

George Georgakakis, Manny Daskos, Medon Michaelides, Delcho Ogorelkoff, Eleni Varvoutis

National Leadership 100 Sunday

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

October 27, 2013

National Leadership 100 Sunday

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7)

 To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America.

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On this Sunday, October 27, following the Feast of Saint Iakovos on October 23, we give thanks to God for the faithful and steadfast members of Leadership 100 and celebrate the great achievements of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, which for over 29 years since its founding by Archbishop Iakovos of Blessed Memory, has continuously provided assistance to the ministries of our Church for the glory of God.  Through the expression of faith of the many members of Leadership 100 who have walked in the way of Our Lord, manifold gifts have been given to individuals and institutions with thanksgiving, rooting and building up lives in Him whom we serve.

Surely, Leadership 100 has demonstrated its establishment in the faith by the precious gifts to men called to the Holy Priesthood through scholarships offered at our beloved Holy Cross School of Theology, by the assistance provided to active clergy in relieving the burden of student loans and to retired clergy and their presvyteres. It has revealed the fruits of this faithfulness through the love and good works that have been given to our youth and young adults and families through ministries in the care centers of our Church and in our summer camps across the nation. Leadership 100 has also made manifest its faith through resources for more and more people through the preparation and publication of quality resources that broaden the work of the parishes and ministries of our Archdiocese. This steadfast confession of faith, rooted and built up in Christ, has generated persistence in a philanthropic spirit that has overcome many barriers in being carried around the world through Leadership 100’s generous gifts to relief efforts and missions.

We cherish with all who share through our Orthodox faith and Hellenic heritage the mission of Leadership 100 in appreciation of three decades of service. Leadership 100 will continue to witness to the essential role of our faith and the Church in meeting the needs of others. Through their love of God, the members of Leadership 100 will rightly abound in thanksgiving to God for their collective philanthropic efforts.

On this fifth commemoration of National Leadership 100 Sunday, I ask all of our parishes to honor Leadership 100’s faithful legacy of service and to recognize its members.  In celebrating the Feast of Saint Iakovos, may we recognize the blessings of God through their precious offerings. May we also highlight the accomplishments and mission of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund and give thanks to God for its vision and commitment for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and the promotion of His Holy Gospel.

With paternal love in Christ,

†DEMETRIOS

Archbishop of America

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for OXI Day- October 28,2013

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Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for OXI Day – October 28, 2013

 

What does the Lord seek from you but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

 

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On this day of October 28, we give thanks to God and we remember our valiant forbearers for their stand against the forces of tyranny in 1940.   For the people of Greece, their love of freedom after centuries of occupation helped them to recognize the heinous nature of the expansion of the Axis powers and to support heroically the “NO” given in reply by the prime minister when asked to surrender.  In the midst of overwhelming threats of violence and destruction, they also relied on their faith in God and on their affirmation of all that is just and true.

Certainly, the people of Greece knew that the attempt to occupy their beloved land was unjust.  The forces of the totalitarian regimes of the Axis had already taken life, liberty, and property in other countries, and the onslaught of fascism continued.  In response our ancestors sought to defend our homeland, to meet injustice with honor, and to support the response of “NO” with a willingness to sacrifice all for the cause of freedom.  They knew their character, identity, and faith would not allow them to step aside quietly and acquiesce to the demands of tyranny.

The response of the Greeks to the Fascist and Nazi Axis forces and the resistance to occupation was just, for it was a firm and bold recognition of evil.  They knew that ultimately this was a confrontation with powers that sought to strip people of their freedom, their dignity, and even their lives.  This just cause was also motivated by a love of family, of sacred and ancestral lands, and of the blessings of freedom.  Further, the stand of the people of Greece was not characterized by arrogance, disdain, and conceit.  These attributes of the Axis leaders and forces were met by a strong and humble people whose love of God and each other led them to act justly, seeking to uphold what was good and noble and placing their hope and future in the promises of God.

On this day the “NO” of October 28, 1940, and the heroic stand of the people of Greece inspires us and offers a witness to the world of the priority and character of justice in the face of great threats and adversity.  Throughout the world there are many struggles for power as well as movements against tyranny and injustice.  Through our faith in God and in our recognition of our cherished inheritance, we must discern what is just and what is not.  As Orthodox Christians, we are called to live and do justly, to confront the machinations of evil, and to do so in the grace of God with a love for life and for others who are created in His image and likeness.  Our just and holy ways should also be characterized by dignity and humility.  True, decent humility is not a sign of weakness, but of great strength and faith, revealing a deep and abiding trust in the sacredness of the human person and in the power and promises of God.  It is in this way that we will not only honor the legacy of our Greek forbearers, but we will also bring honor and glory to God as we allow His grace to prevail and as we bear witness to the truth of life and salvation in Him.

May His abundant blessings be upon all of our commemorations of this day, and may we continue to offer a bright witness of the sacrificial and just stand made by the people of Greece!

 

With paternal love in Christ,

†DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

GOYA in November

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Hello everyone. As all our programs started at Church we are at full swing. Last month in September we held our elections and attended our first District GOYA retreat down in Kendall. We had a blast and thank you to all that hosted the event. We all had fun!!!!

The first weekend of October, we decided to have a GOYA social night at one of our advisor’s home. They set up back to back play counsels, on one side, we had the PlayStation 3 and the other side XBOX 360. We had pizza and all the deserts you could think of along with a  fireplace to make smores. It was a great event and we are committed to having a social at least every other week.

GOYA will be having a Turkey Raffle.  Please support the GOYANs by purchasing a ticket.  The drawing will be Sunday, November 17th. 

As part of our Southeast District GOYA event schedule, all South Florida youth groups are invited to attend our Advent Retreat hosted by Saint Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton. Registration is due by November 1, 2013, complete with a check made out to Saint Mark Church for $75. Registration fees will cover all food, activities and lodging at the Deerfield Beach Embassy Suites.

Upcoming Events:

  • Sunday November 10th, GOYA Meeting
  • Turkey Raffle Drawing Sunday, November 17th
  • Saturday and Sunday November 23rd & 24th, District GOYA Overnight Advent Retreat In Boca

Dancers Prepare

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All of our students are continuing to work hard at mastering all of the dances that our dedicated instructors have been teaching our children.  It’s hard to believe that the festival is 17 short weekends away!  With the introduction of many new dances, as well as students moving up in their groups, we do ask that parents make every effort to have your children attend practices on a regular basis.  Some groups have up to 20 students, but many Sundays, less than 10 students are in attendance.  Please remember that Junior Palazakia and Palazakia practices are from 1:30 – 2:30pm, and Senior Palazakia and Kamaria, at ArtServe are from 1:45-2:45pm. 

After our recent elections, and Dance Advisory Committee Board Meeting, we are happy to share that the DAC Board for 2013-2014 are:

Practice

President:  Erin Ryan
Vice President:  Maggie Barlow
Treasurer:  Lea Planakis
Secretary:  Teri Foskolos

Board Members:
Nicole Angelakos
Tracy Hogan
Toni Anastasiou

Language & Culture in November

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The Embassy of Greece in Washington, D.C. moved their Education Department to the Consulate of Greece in New York City. As a result of this move, they offered gratis a list of books to the Greek Schools in the United States. Malvina Protogerou Currie saw this invitation on the Internet and compiled a wish list for our Program. She called repeatedly the number on the website but she was unable to make contact with the Embassy personnel. Enter Fr. Christopher Metropulos. As soon as he heard of the difficulty at his monthly meeting with the teachers of the Program, he sent an email to Fr. Steven P. Zorzos, Dean of the Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Washington, D.C., asking for his help. Within hours, Fr. Steven contacted the office manager of his church who in turn spoke to the appropriate person at the Embassy. Two boxes of books and dictionaries arrived at Saint Demetrios within a few days!!! All we had to do was to pay the postage. Thank you Fr. Christopher!

Petros Tsingelis has prepared his part of the presentation for the OXI Day celebration and Malvina Protogerou Currie has videotaped the other part that features several of our students reenacting some of the events of that fateful day, October 28, 1940! The reenactment required that some children dress in costumes from Epirus and the Dance Youth Ministry graciously provided the costumes. We thank Erin Ryan, the Head of Dance and Maggie Barlow, curator of the Dance extensive and beautiful wardrobe. This was cooperation at its best for the benefit of our children.

Five children are learning to intone the Prayer to the Panagia and the Prayer to the Lord. They are: Natalia Cerna, Xenya Currie, Nikita Legakis, Dimitri Selimos and Athena Tsingelis. It is hoped that, God willing, they will delight the parishioners with their angelic voices during Lent.