ISSUE

45
DEC
2014

Monthly Newsletter for

Stewards of
Holy Anargyroi
Sts. Kosmas & Damianos
Greek Orthodox Church

Box & Spoon

2014 Standing
Committees
PARISH COUNCIL
Aaron Biedermann-President
Halina Woroncow-Vice Pres.
Tim Kelly
Andru Peters-Secretary
Don Jenkins
Erline Holman
Robert Lytle
Jacob Petersen Treasurer
Maria Thomas
STEWARDSHIP /
OUTREACH
John Maragos Chair
Halina Woroncow
Ari Kolas
Diana Orbelo
ICONOGRAPHY
Diana Orbelo Chair
Andru Peters
Fr. Mark Muoz
BUILDING
Tim Kelly- Chair
Ari Kolas
BUDGET
Jacob Petersen
Fr. Mark Muoz
AUDIT
Jacob Peterson
Amy Franquiera
John Maragos
PHILOXENIA HOUSE
Brad Holman Chair
GREEK FESTIVAL
Tia Maragos Chair
John Mangouras-coordinator
Denise Mangouras-coordinator

The Nativity Icon Explained...

Orthodox Christians do not celebrate the
birth of baby Jesus, we celebrate the
Incarnation. What?, you say. What is the
Incarnation? This is an important word as it
means God becomes Man. This is what we
celebrate. The birth of Jesus was that
moment in history when God sent His only
begotten Son to become like us, taking on
human flesh for our healing. This miracle of
miracles took place though the ascent of
Mary whom we call the Theotokos, Birthgiver of God. God with His divine will
became man, taking on a human will in
human flesh so Man could unite his human
will with Gods divine will. From the time of
Adam and Eve, man was separated from
God ,unable to follow Gods law. The
Incarnation is the beginning of the
transformation of mankind so we can be
reunited with God.
Nativity Icon
Above you can see the icon of the Nativity.
Lets look at each element of this icon to
learn what it communicates to us.
The Star
In the top center you see a bluish light, which
represents the star which guided people to
witness the Incarnation. Was this a real star?
Probably not. It was most likely a spiritual
sign not seen by everyone. You can see that
it points to Christ who is lying in a manger.

The birth place

Christ was born in a cave, which is shown as a
dark place. This was a reality as well as
symbolic. Christ came to bring the light of
knowledge to overcome the darkness of our
ignorance. The star symbolizes this as well. It
brings bright light to the dark cave, showing us
the way to Christ. It is a light pointing us to the
Truth. In the area where Christ was born, it
was common to have a stable in caves carved
in the hills of that region.
But why did he choose a stable? Stables are
where animals are kept and you can see the
animals looking at the Christ child in the
icon. Where animals are it is also smelly and
not the normal place anyone would choose to
bear a child. This shows us the great humility
of Christ. He could have chosen to be born in
a palace if he wanted to, but he chose the
most humble of places, a stable. This is a
message for us, to be humble like Him.
Christs clothing
What kind of clothes is Christ wearing? He
is wrapped in linen. This is how a person
was wrapped in those day for burial after his
death. This is showing us that He is
destined to the same fate after His
Crucifixion where He was able to claim
victory over death in His Resurrection.

A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you to be a master of temperance.

St. Nicholas of Myra, Dec 6th

Mary, The Theotokos.

She is shown in the center of the icon to show her importance in this event. She was the instrument of God to bring about His
incarnation. She gave her ascent to bear the Son of God. Surely an awesome responsibility. She is looking away to show her
humility and wonder at this wondrous event.
Joseph and the devil
In the lower left corner of the icon you will see two men. An old man and one with a cane. The old man with the halo is Joseph.
He was old because he was appointed as a mature man to protect Mary so she could remain a virgin. Some say he was 70 - 80
years old. Since he was not the father of the baby, he is being tempted by the man with the cane who is Satan. He is trying to
raise Josephs doubts about the possibility of a virgin birth. This shows how difficult it is for all of us to accept things that are
beyond our reason.
Angles
Near the top you can see angles. Angels are from heaven and they glorify God. You see them here to glorify the Christ Child
and herald the good news to all the world, because it is not just a child that has been born, but God himself who has become man.
Shepherds
On the upper right you can see two shepherds with their sheep below. An angel is telling them about this miraculous birth calling
them to come and glorify Him. Why shepherds? Would you go to college to become a shepherd? Of course not. Shepherds are
among the simplest of people. This indicates that God did not become Man for those who are privileged, but for the simplest of
people. He calls all to follow Him so all people can be united with God in eternal life.
One shepherd is playing a reed flute, which shows that human music is also appropriate for the glorification of God.
The wise men or Magi
To the left you will find three men on horses. These were men who came all the way from Persia following the star. They were
probably astronomers, scientists of their day. They saw the star which was a symbol for them of a great cosmic event. They
followed it to find the Incarnation of God. Knowing how important this was they brought gifts of the highest value in
appreciation of what God had done. They came some time after the birth, so you can see that in an icon we can have many
events that happen even at different times being shown to tell the complete story.
Midwives
In the lower right we have the women who are preparing the font for the cleansing of the baby after it was born. This shows the
humanity of Jesus. This too is symbolic of the baptism we are to undergo, to be united with Christ, cleansing us of our sins and
receiving a transformation in our heart with the Holy Spirit, which is sealed with our Chrismation.
Biblical Story
The story of the Nativity of Christ is beautifully told in the Holy Scriptures. The story is found in Matthew 1:18-25 and in Luke 2:120.

Feast of the Nativity Liturgical Schedule

Wednesday, December 24th: Nativity Royal Hours with
theVesperal Liturgy of St. Basil 8:00am
Merry Christmas!

!

Craciun Fericit!
Hristos de rodi!
Feliz Navidad!
God Jul!
Joyeux Noel!

Wednesday, December 24th: Nativity of Our Lord, God, and

Savior Jesus Christ Orthros-9pm/Divine Liturgy 10pm

Thursday, December 25th: No Services!

Today the Virgin gives birth to Him who is above all being, And the
earth offers the Cave to Him whom no one can approach; Angels with
Shepherds give glory, And Magi journey with a star; For us there has
been born A little Child: God before the ages.

Today, the Virgin bears Him who is transcendent, and the earth presents the cave to Him who is beyond reach.

The Nativity of our Lord, Dec 25th

Calendar for December 2014

Monday

December 1st

Orthodoxy 101 Class

6pm

Monday

December 1st

Adult Choir Rehearsal for Christmas Odyssey

7pm

Wednesday December 3rd

Paraklesis of Healing to St. Nektarios

6pm

Thursday

December 4th

Philoxenia Meeting

6pm

Friday

December 5th

Vigil for Feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

7pm

9th Hour, Great Vespers, Artoklasia, Orthros, Divine

Liturgy Celebrated Consecutively
Saturday

December 6th

A Christmas Odyssey Concert

Sunday

December 7th

60th Anniversary of Holy Anargyroi Parish

Tuesday

December 9th

3pm

Orthros/Hierarchal Liturgy

8:30am

Reception @ Johnny Mango's

5pm

Banquet @ Johnny Mango's

6pm

Conception of the Holy Theotokos

8:30am

Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Wednesday December 10th

GOYA Faith Night

7pm

Thursday

December 11th

JOY Faith Night

5:30pm

Friday

December 12th St. Spyridon the Wonderworker

8:30am

Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Sunday

December 14th

Parish Council Elections after Divine Liturgy

Wednesday December 17th

Building Committee Meeting

5pm

Wednesday December 17th

Parish Council Meeting

6:30pm

Thursday

December 18th St. Sebastian the Martyr of Rome

8:30am

Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Saturday

December 20th Forefeast of the Nativity/St. Ignatios of Antioch

8:30am

Orthros/Divine Liturgy
Saturday

December 20th

Youth Caroling

Sunday

December 21st

Youth Christmas Pageant

2pm

Wednesday December 24th NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS

CHRIST

Thursday

Royal Hours/Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil

8am**

Orthros/Divine Liturgy

9pm**

December 25th NO SERVICES

Today, the Virgin bears Him who is transcendent, and the earth presents the cave to Him who is beyond reach.

The Nativity of our Lord, Dec 25th

OUR 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Honoring our Past, Embracing our Future
Sts. Kosmas & Damianos Church

Saturday December 6th at 3pm

A Christmas Odyssey concert presented by
the Singers of Holy Anargyroi & Friends,
directed by Connie Maragos
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 with Mayo I.D., $5 for children 12 and under,
$5 for seniors 62 and over. Doors open at 2:30pm. Tickets available at the door or online
at: http://rochesterorthodoxchurch.org/give-online/

Sunday December 7th at 8:30am

Hierarchal Orthros & Divine Liturgy
Sunday December 7th at 5pm
60th Anniversary Dinner Celebration
at Johnny Mangos
Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for children

A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you to be a master of temperance.

St. Nicholas of Myra, Dec 6th

Youth Team
Greetings of the Season!
We are in the period of the Nativity Fast as the Church helps us to
prepare for the Birth of Christ, God Incarnate! We have had a
busy few weeks already, and its not even December.
With the Nativity Fast underway, both JOY and GOYA
participated in activities directed at those in need, as we ready
ourselves for the coming of Christ by fasting, prayer, and
almsgiving.
At their Faith Night this month, GOYA reflected on the Orthodox
view of death as the threshold to eternal life which is made
possible by Christs Resurrection. We use our Free Will to
cultivate a healthy body and a healthy spirit. Our lives on earth
set the stage for our lives in eternity as we strive to be holy,
repentant, and worthy of Gods mercy for life ever after in His
Heavenly Kingdom.
JOY Faith Night theme for this month was Christmas and Christian giving with the Bible reading
of Matthew 25:35-40. As a special activity for this month (going along with the topic of giving) we made fleece
tied blankets for project linus (http://www.projectlinusrochmn.org/) Thanks to the many helping hands that
participated in making the blankets they will warm up the hearts of a few in need this winter.

GOYA gathered to assist our St. Philothei Project in the

preparation of a weeks worth of meals for guests at the
Womens Shelter.
Trevor and Laura Hamlen have been steadfast stewards of this
worthy endeavor!
The GOYAns displayed deft culinary skills and great
teamwork in the kitchen to create some delicious dishes in
record time!

Today, the Virgin bears Him who is transcendent, and the earth presents the cave to Him who is beyond reach.

The Nativity of our Lord, Dec 25th

Youth Team
~continued~
GOYA held a food drive at church this month and drove the donations to a food pantry in Minneapolis which also
serves hot meals to all who enter through their door. As has become our tradition, students and parents drove up to
help serve their Thanksgiving meal. The dining room was packed with families, friends, strangers who came together
to enjoy kindness and a hot meal. Our mission: to express the love of Christ through the hospitality that was offered.

Let us continue to shift our focus away from ourselves and, instead, toward others and toward God, as the Feast of the
Nativity approaches. Here is an excellent resource for families seeking to maintain an Orthodox spirit as we anticipate
the holiday: http://www.antiochian.org/content/nativity-resources-orthodox-christian-families. Let us be ready to sing
out with the angels: "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men"!
Wishing you many blessings this holiday season!
Youth Team Coordinators,
Loredana Jerghiuta, Halina Woroncow and Mike Brekke

Learning To Trust
We have a light fixture over our front door that glints in the sun and is attractive to birds. Every year without fail, a bird tries to
build its nest on that light. Because I know that any nest that is built there is bound to fall, I always break up the nests just as the
birds begin to make them. After several frustrating attempts, they move to a large maple tree in our garden, and there safely build
their seasonal home far from any danger of falling.
Like those unknowing feathered creatures, we too, often times find that our dreams and plans are
frustrated and lead to failure. We cannot help but wonder why God allows the earthly nests that we
struggle so hard and work to build to fall apart and crumble before us. But the fact is that we cannot
see as God does; if we too could judge events from the perspective of eternity, we would come to
understand that God seeks for us a higher destiny, and a place of true serenity and provision for our
deepest needs.
Scripture teaches us that God led his people of Israel out of Egypt and into a forty-year journey of hardship in a lonely and
forbidding wilderness. And yet, at the end of that journey, they were led from bondage to a glorious land that flowed with milk
and honey. From down trodden slaves, He transformed them into a mighty nation envied by others.
How wonderful it would be if we could each learn to trust God in those times when we too experience the dark passages that
enter our lives. How reassured we would be if we never questioned Gods wisdom and goodness, even at those times when we
find him disturbing the nests that we try to build.
When we come to accept the providential care of God with childlike simplicity we soon discover that the barriers we encounter
in our lives, can in retrospect, come to be numbered among our greatest blessings.
Fr.. Andrew Demotses

A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you to be a master of temperance.

St. Nicholas of Myra, Dec 6th

Philoxenia House
The Philoxenia House Ministry does not have a lot of news this month, but the news that we do have is very exciting.
You will recall from last report that the Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos
hosted its annual fundraiser luncheon and that this years proceeds were being
donated to the Philoxenia House Ministry. I am happy to inform readers that last
week the ministry received a check for $10,000 from the Philoptochos women.
What a blessing from this group of caring women.
The ministry was also blessed this month by our friends Bill and Jan Kartsonis of
Kansas City, MO. The Philoxenia House Ministry received from Bill and Jan five
huge boxes full of bedding, towels and pillows. This is not the first time that they
have done this for the ministry. It is important that we keep these items fresh and
in good condition at all times, so this is a real blessing for us.
Thank You Bill and Jan.

2014 Metropolis of Chicago

Philoptochos fundraiser

The 2014 edition of the Philoxenia House Newsletter is complete and

ready to be sent both traditionally and via email thanks to the hard work
of the newsletter editor Calli Kelly, all contributors and Tulip Tree
Studios.
Be sure to look for it and enjoy the yearly articles and news of the
Philoxenia House Ministry.
In Christ,
Bradley Holman
President-Philoxenia House Ministry
Christmas came early to the Philoxenia
House Ministry thanks to Bill and Jan
Kartsonis of Kansas City, MO

ST. ANTHONY THE GREAT

I saw the snares that the enemy
spreads out over the world and I said
groaning, "What can get through
from such snares?" Then I heard a
voice saying to me, "Humility."

Today, the Virgin bears Him who is transcendent, and the earth presents the cave to Him who is beyond reach.

The Nativity of our Lord, Dec 25th

Stewardship & Outreach

The Rich Mans Mistake
Fr. Angelo Artemas
In the parable of the Rich Man/Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21)
Jesus tells of the man who tears down his barns to build
bigger ones. This sounds quite a bit like our days. Many
cities and towns across our country are experiencing massive homes being built and older homes being torn down
in favor of huge new ones. In addition to homes, witness
the numerous Walmarts, Targets, Costcos, Home Depots,
supermarkets and fitness clubs (ironically) being raised to
resemble airports.
But that's not all. Although there is some backlash lately,
watch out for all those Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) on
the road that seem to be getting bigger and bigger, and
faster and faster. These vehicles are accommodating children and adults who are bigger than in previous generations. Mc Donald's may have done away with their "Super
-Size" option, but Americans have not.
Even so, it may not be the desire for more crops and bigger barns that are the rich man's undoing. When it is all over
and done with, God asks him one simple question - "Fool, this night your soul is required of you, and all these things
you have prepared, whose shall they be?" It is not the abundant crops and big barns that condemn the rich man, it is
that they are not being shared and passed on to others. Being rich is not a sin, being selfish is. It can be argued that we
have an obligation to maximize the fruits of the earth so that we may feed and provide for our children and for others.
Working hard to provide for others is a virtue sometimes lost on a generation wishing to accumulate more cars, houses, jewelry and toys.
Everything we have built, earned or amassed has come
from God, and is a blessing. If we think everything we
have has come from our own efforts, our possessions will
be a curse. Sharing God's blessings is not only one of our
obligations, it is one of the greatest joys in life. Not
enough people today experience this joy.
There is nothing wrong with wealth, as long as God is
thanked and glorified, and the wealth is shared. There is
nothing wrong with big homes, as long as they are filled
with children and family members, and God is at the center of the home. There is nothing wrong with amassing
crops and goods, as long as they are used to feed and provide for God's children.
We are brothers and sisters in communion with each other. All that we have is from God, and intended to be shared with each other. The difference between a Philanthropist and a Rich Fool is the
desire to share, and the desire to do for others and not for oneself.

Today, the Virgin bears Him who is transcendent, and the earth presents the cave to Him who is beyond reach.

The Nativity of our Lord, Dec 25th

Philoptochos Society
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Thank you to all of you who have baked, purchased, packaged, and/or sold items towards our Holiday Bake Sale. It is
truly our love and work for God that sustains us within the Society. I thank God for all of the faithful, hard working
women in our Society. Our Society will have pastries for sale during coffee hour on Sunday, Dec 14th for those of you
who missed the order deadline or have decided that you would like more goodies. All the proceeds go directly into our
Philoptochos account in which we give away to others in need. Thank you so much for your orders.
Recent Philoptochos donations include: $425 given each to the Womens Shelter, The Gift
of Life Transplant House, the GOYAns, and Father Marks Discretionary Fund from the
Fashion Show. We sent $505 in a second tray passing for Father Neophytos Kongai in
Kenya. We donated over 1,000 store bought cookies to the Ronald McDonald House and
Hope Lodge. We sent 45 hygiene kits from parishioners plus a $100 donation from George
Yogi Kereakos to IOCC for displaced people in Iraq and Syria. We also donated a large
stash of toothbrushes and toothpastes to the Dorothy Day House. The toothbrushes were
donated by Dr Nick Psimos. As you can see our Society is actively helping those in need
within our Rochester community and around the world.
In December, we will host the Saint Philothei Project and give $200. Please come to the
church kitchen on Thursday Dec 18th at 6pm to help prepare 450 weekend meals for the
women and children at the Womens Shelter. We will work with St Philothei chef, Trevor
Hamlen, as he guides us through the steps. It takes about 1.5 hours.it is a quick, fun and
easy way to help those in need.

Penny Kolas with

IOCC Kits
Our December meeting will be on December 2nd at 6pm in the church library. This is an important meeting because
we vote on which charities to give our remainder funds in our account. We truly give away what we receive just as
Christ asks of us in Matthew 10:8. Answering Christs call of freely you have received, freely give is what
Philoptochos is all about.
My daughter, Anastasia, was named in honor of our Lord and His Resurrection
however we also pay reverence to a very special Saint Anastasia on Dec 22nd. She
is known as Saint Anastasia the Pharmakolitria or the deliver from potions the
Healer and the Great Martyr. She was raised in faith by a Christian mother who
died when she was young. After her mother died; Saint Anastasia was given away
in marriage to a pagan named Publius, who beat and enslaved his wife, only to
soon drown at sea on a voyage.
Saint Anastasia never remarried and devoted her life to caring and uplifting other
Orthodox Christians and the disenfranchised. Her main charity was to visit,
encourage in the faith and heal those in prison, placed there unjustly because of
their Christian beliefs. She is also known to heal those who suffer from the effects
of potions, poisons, spells or other harmful substances.
She and her faithful companions, brothers and sisters in the faith, worked tirelessly
to help those in need. In the end, after many tortures and some escapes, only to be
tortured again, Saint Anastsia and her Christian followers were all martyred. Her
holy relics are placed in a Monastery, dedicated to her, near Thessaloniki, Greece.
With sisterly love in CHRIST+
Calli Kelly
Philoptochos President

A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you to be a master of temperance.

St. Nicholas of Myra, Dec 6th

Philoptochos

Roman Holiday Fashion Show

A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you to be a master of temperance.

St. Nicholas of Myra, Dec 6th

Quotes From The Fathers

The Lord says to His disciples, 'Let your light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven' (Matt. 5:16). He does not say this to urge them to show off, but to
urge them to organize their lives as is pleasing to God. Just as light effortlessly attracts people's gaze, so a way of life pleasing to God draws their
minds along with their eyes. We do not praise the air which shares in the
brilliance of the sunlight, but the sun which is the source of this brilliance
and bestows it on us. Even if we do praise the air for its brightness, we
praise the sun much more. So it is when someone makes the brilliance of
the Sun of righteousness (Mal. 4:2) visible through his virtuous deeds. As
soon as anyone looks at him, they are immediately led towards the glory of
the Father in heaven of Christ, the Sun of righteousness.
~St. Gregory Palamas
Take heed, then, often to come together to give thanks to God, and show forth His praise. For when ye
assemble frequently in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and the destruction at which
he aims is prevented by the unity of your faith.
~St. Ignatius of Antioch
It is not wise for anyone to know how to converse masterfully. Wisdom is to know when to talk and what to say. Appear to be ignorant, in order to save yourselves many pains. He who thinks himself very learned has many fruitless
worries. Do not boast of great learning, for the things which you do not know are more than those which you have
learned. ~Abba Isaias the Anchorite
However good prayer, fasting, vigil, and all the other Christian practices may be, they do
not constitute the aim of our Christian life. Although it is true that they serve as the indispensable means of reaching this end. The tru aim of our Christian life consists of the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God. As for fasts, and vigils, and prayer, and almsgiving,
and every good deed done for Christs sake, are they only means of acquiring the Holy
Spirit of God. Mark my words, only good deeds done for Christs sake brings us the fruits
of the Holy Spirit. All that is not done for Christs sake, even though it be good, brings
neither reward in the future life nor the grace of God in this life.the acceptability to God
of good deeds not done for Christs sake is this: the Creator gives the means to make them
living (cf. Hebrews. 6:1). It rests with man to make them living or not If a man like
Cornelius enjoys the favor of God for his deeds, though not done for Christs sake, then
believes in His Son, such deeds will be imputed to him as done for Christs sake Acquiring the Spirit of God is the true aim of our Christian life, while prayer, fasting, almsgiving and other good works done for Christs sake are merely means for acquiring the
Spirit of God. ~St. Seraphim of Sarov
The mysteries of our Faith are unknown and not understandable to those who are not repenting.
~Archpriest Nicholas Deputatov
Let us not render evil for evil, and we shall not receive our due for our sins. For we find the forgiveness
of our trespasses in the forgiving of our brothers; and the mercy of God is hidden in mercifulness to our
neighbor. Therefore the Lord said, "Forgive, and you shall be forgiven," and, "With what measure you
mete, it shall be measured to you again." See how the Lord bestowed on us the method of salvation and
has given us eternal power to become sons of God!
~St. Maximus the Confessor

Today, the Virgin bears Him who is transcendent, and the earth presents the cave to Him who is beyond reach.

The Nativity of our Lord, Dec 25th

PARISH ETHNIC
POTLUCK
Saturday, January 31st 2015, 6:00PM
FELLOWSHIP HALL

Its that time again!!!

Celebrate our unique, multicultural parish family by
sharing a favorite dish from your heritage.
Hot or cold, spicy or sweet.
Beverages, utensils, and paper ware will be provided.

Bring family and friends for a gastronomical treat!!