Pastor's Message

Are We Worshipping the Pagan God of Sports?

Reflecting on the precipitous drop in regular Church attendance all across Europe and from sea to shining sea in the USA, one can certainly argue that we are no longer as a people and as a nation worshipping the "One true God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent." It is then that we receive Life Eternal. (John 17:3) We seem to be spending most of our energy and time transporting our children from one sports activity to another, from one tournament to the next level of competition in cities and towns far from home and even in distant states. We are doing this to protect our children from the dangers that surround them: spoiled children, illicit sex, drugs, violence and the "rotten apples" of society. These are all noble reasons and while we are sparing no money and maximizing our time wisely, there is still something that nags at us. Are we doing all we can? Is there something that we are missing?

Perhaps we should revisit the story of Mary and Martha recorded in the Gospel according to St. Luke, the tenth chapter verses 38-42. These were dear friends of Jesus. He would stay at their home along with their brother Lazarus. Our Lord could relax there, and get his "batteries recharged." But even in this poignant, idealized environment that stands out like a Norman Rockwell painting something is missing. While our Lord Jesus was visiting, Martha was busy doing the "good things," the "important things, being a perfect hostess, preparing a delicious supper, setting a beautiful table, etc. while Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to Him, enjoying His company, thrilled to be in His presence. And then Jesus said these profound, important and startling words: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42

We are doing so many good things, but we must not neglect the most important things, the good part that will not be taken away from us. Jesus needs to be first in our lives. Your children need to know this. Show them by sitting with them at the Savior’s feet. Come to worship Him regularly. Come to be a part of His body and enjoy the fellowship of those who trust in Him, not in the material gains of this world. Elevate yourself and your family to the higher ground where there is no "slippery slope."

We know from experience that the hour before Church is filled with a multitude of Devil laid traps. He is at his adroit best. It is the time for the kids to act up, your spouse to get mad at you, the car not to start, or the tire to be flat. You feel tired and exhausted from six days of nonstop work and responsibilities and the bed looks good and the lakes are appealing; the grass needs cutting and the neighbor has invited you to his cottage and there you are struggling to get unappreciative children to accompany you to worship and Sunday School. Well, it is worth the effort not to let any obstacle stop us. And even if we arrive late, don’t worry, the victory is ours for we will be at Christ’s feet listening to His message of hope, receiving Him into your lives in Holy Communion and allowing His Grace to grant us the "heavenly" peace that only He can transmit.
Let us strive to give our children the best. Sports and athletics are important, so is a good education and traveling to have edifying experiences, but let us not neglect the most important ingredient of a holy, happy and blessed life. His name is Jesus. He is the Son of God. He is our Savior. He is the "Alpha and the Omega," the Eternal God. Let us not lay our treasures at the altar of modern day idols of sports, fitness, recreation, sex, looking young and money, etc. Let us place our children at the feet of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to Whom belongs all glory and honor and worship, now and ever and to the ages of ages! Amen.

Parish Life

The “Son” Shone On the 38th Greek American Festival

What a beautiful week-end seeing all of our guests enjoying themselves at our annual Greek American Festival. The weather was great, any rain showers came when we weren’t open, the crowds were phenomenal, we ran out of food and had the second best Saturday. The preliminary figure are not in, as of the writing of this article, but it is safe to say we made a nice profit, the second largest in the history of our festivals.

We thank every member and friend of our community who volunteered to make this years festival one that will be remembered. As always our Lord showered us with His abundant blessings.

We are also enthusiastic that our new cook book; “Olives, Feta, Phyllo and More!” made its debut. The reaction has been positively overwhelming. In fact, someone in Iowa saw the article in the Blade and emailed the Church to purchase a book!
In addition, our new ad book promises to generate extra revenue for our community. Thank you to everyone who contributed to these two new endeavors. We will have a report of the Festival at our Fall Parish Assembly.

Moreover, I enjoy the festival on many fronts but what really inspires me is that this one major event brings together our parish family and friends, young and mature to work for a common cause, our beloved Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

So to everyone who helped in some capacity, thank you, thank you, thank you, for making this festival a success.

Finally, we offer our profound thanks to George Sares and Chris Theodorou our two chairmen. Thank you for your commitment and love for Christ and the Church.

The reality is that when we keep Christ and our Church first in our lives, there is no telling of all the blessings we will receive. So as we say, kai tou cronou –ke to chrono-to next year’s festival.

Festival Wrap Up Meeting - Monday, October 6th, 6:00pm

All chair people are asked to attend and give a written report of their experience this year and suggestions for next year.

Get Your Tickets for the 9th Car Raffle

The holder of the winning ticket will have the choice of:
1st Prize* 08 Pontiac Solstice or Buick La Cross
2nd Prize Prize $250.00
3rd Prize $250.00
Drawing is Sunday, December 7, 2008

Ticket donation is $100.00. Only 500 Tickets have been printed. Don’t let the ticket price scare you away. Be creative and find ten friends and pay $10.00 each or four individuals and split the ticket four ways at $25.00 each or two people each paying $50.00. For tickets contact a Parish Council member or call the Cathedral office.

*If fewer than 300 tickets are sold, the Grand Prize will be a 50/50 drawing. $20,500 can be substituted for the Auto prizes. Auto prizes $23,500 voucher toward any vehicle.

Monthly Luncheons Proved to be Successful.

We held our last monthly luncheon is August and will suspend operations until spring. We are pleased because the extra income generated really helped get us through the slow summer months. We thank those individuals who helped at both the July and August meals; Jerry and Chris Biernacki, Fr. Chris and Pres. Ann Hadgigeorge, Richard and Barb Hartford, Angelo Gangas, Chris Grevis Faye Grevis, Denny and Kathy Lawrence, Helen Matthews, Andrea and Stephany MacVay, Ann and George Mulopulos, Connie Mynihan, Despina Pelphrey, Andy and Maria Petros, Demetra Petros, Chris, Anastasia and Alexandra Reder, Toni Tom, Barb and John Veronie, Jim and Irene Veronie and Ted Voudouris.

Please Help Us Stay Safe by...

...not propping the doors open, we do not want our toddlers to run out into the street.
...respecting the fire alarm. If the fire alarm sounds by law everyone is required to evacuate the building and not re-enter until an all clear has been given. Thank you for your help and cooperation.

Community Outreach

“Pillars of Hope” Benefit - Saturday, November 1st

Sponsored by the Flower Hospital Auxiliary and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the program honors community members who have set themselves apart through their generosity, dedication and willingness to give of themselves for the future, cherishing the belief that a cancer-free tomorrow is possible.

The evening will have a Greek theme and one-of-a-kind silent auction items. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the renovation and expansion of the Hickman Cancer Center on the campus of Flower Hospital. Please reserve the date and more information will be forth coming. This event will take place: Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008 6:30 Social Hour 7:30 Dinner at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Donation $100.00 per person.

Candy Needed For Neighborhood Safe Night

Sponsored by the Vistula/North River Halloween Safe Night. Please help in providing this opportunity for the children in our neighborhood to enjoy a fun, safe, time. Please bring candy in before October 19.

Pan Orthodox News

Orthodox Christian Council Donates Books on the Eastern Orthodox Faith.

Nine sets, with 12 volumes each will be located at the Main Library and the following locations throughout Lucas County; Main Branch, Sylvania, West Toledo, Maumee, Oregon, Heatherdowns, Reynolds Corner, Washington, Holland and Perrysburg.

This program was established to allow residents of Northwest Ohio, the opportunity to learn about the beliefs and tenets of the Orthodox Church. Thank you to everyone who donated to this cause.

Pan Orthodox Christian Council Meeting October 2nd
6:30 pm at St. Elias.

Adult Christian Education

Orthodoxy 101 Begins Wednesday, October 1st at 10:00am

Please join us each week as we discuss various aspects of the Orthodox faith. We will look at a variety of feast of the Church and explore the Scriptures, hymnology, iconology, and spirituality found in the services of the particular commemoration. There also will be time for Q & A. In addition, if there is an interest, we will add an evening class.

Topics to be discussed in October Nativity of the Theotokos, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary, St. Demetrios and SS Cosmos and Damianos. Please contact Fr. Ari if you would be interested in having an evening session.

Thank you…
- Mike Zink for welding a part for our riding lawn mower and filling in the sinkhole at Theo’s.
- Stan and Dena Grevis Smith for donating a new fax machine.
- Mr. and Mrs. Robert Martin for their generous donation of refurbishing the Church doors.
- Terry Irmen for cutting and pruning trees on the Cathedral grounds.
- Erich Deason for arranging the brush removal from the Cathedral grounds.
- George Mulopulos for fixing a latch on one of the office doors.
- Frank Reder for repairing one of the Altar Boy lanterns.
- Nick Kountouris for repairing all the deep fryers.
- Nafsika Proestou for donating incense to the Church.
- Costa Christides for donating t-shirts to the Festival.
- Deputy Greg Matthews who donated all his earned monies from the Festival back to the Church in honor of the six month memorial of his beloved uncle Jim Ntakos.
- Deputy Larry Damas for donating part of his earnings from the Festival back to the Church.
- Anthony and Jeanne Sartes for donating an icon of the Virgin Mary to the Church.
- Michael Karniotis for donating binders and office supplies to the Church.
- Roula Manton who represented our Faith and spoke at Monroe Street United Methodist Church.
- Seasonal Design for donating the 3 new flags, thanks to Terry Irmen.
- to everyone who brought vasiliko for Sept. 14th

Congratulations to…
- Mary Ann Dionyssiou who received the 2008 Outstanding Volunteer Honorable Mention Award from the Medical Mutual of Ohio. Mary Ann has been volunteering for 32 years.

Important Reminders

Please Call the Church For Pastoral Visits
If a loved one has been admitted into the hospital, and you would like Father Ari to visit them, please call the Church immediately. Due to privacy laws, the hospitals do not call the Churches on a regular basis. Or if they do, many times the patient has already been discharged. So please call the Church office so a pastoral visit can be made.

Please Do NOT Schedule Weddings & Baptisms
Without first consulting with the priest, this will avoid any scheduling conflicts and unnecessary misunderstandings.

Sponsor Guidelines For Church Sacraments
According to Greek Orthodox Archdiocese the Sponsor, koumbaros or koumbara must provide a current certificate of membership proving to be an Orthodox Christian in good standing with the Church. A person who does not belong to a parish, or who belongs to a parish under the jurisdiction of a bishop who is not in communion with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, or who, if married, has not had their marriage blessed by the Orthodox Church, if divorced, has not received an ecclesiastical divorce, cannot be a sponsor. Non-Orthodox persons may be members of the wedding party, but may not exchange the rings or crowns.

Guidelines for Memorial Services
As you prepare for the Memorial Service, I offer the following thoughts. Please be in Church at 10:00 am and sit in the front two rows on the right side of the Church.

As a family, please prepare and receive Holy Communion that day. It is through the Eucharist that we meet our loved ones as they are still living in God’s Kingdom.

If you will be making the Prosforo, the Eucharist Offering Bread, please have it at the Church by 9:00 am on Sunday morning. It is customary that you provide a list of names of the living and the dead to be commemorated (offered in prayer) during the Divine Liturgy. If you are not making a Prosforo you still can submit names to be commemorated.

If you will be offering of a bottle wine along with the Prosforo please submit only Mavrodaphne or St. John Commadorie. Please do not send in oil. If you have any questions please feel free to call Fr. Ari.

Orthodoxy: What We Are & What We Aren’t

The Orthodox Church is evangelical but not Protestant. It is Orthodox but not Jewish. It is Catholic but not Roman. It is not non-denominational it is pre-denominational. It has believes, taught, preserved, defended and died for the Faith of the Apostles since the Day of Pentecost 2000 years ago.