July 2013
Page
Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
HERALD
JULY 2013
CELEBRATING 100
YEARS OF GREEK
ORTHODOXY IN
LOS ANGELES
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
Dean’s Message
2
President’s Message
3
Philoptohos News
4
Stewardship
6
Choir News
7
Philanthropia News
8
Philoptohos VIP
8
Graduations
9
Ministries List
10
Sacrament/Memorials
11
Greek Fest 2013 Needs
12 & 13
Orthodox Calendar
15
Deadline for August Herald
Monday, July 15 2013
Submit to:
[email protected]
Saint Sophia Greek
Orthodox
Cathedral
V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas,
Dean
Rev. Fr. Allan Boyd,
Assistant Priest
1324 S. Normandie Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90006
Tel. 323-737-2424
Fax. 323-737-7029
www.stsophia.org
Prophet elias icon, saint Catherine’ s
monastery. Mount sinai
Sunday of the Holy fathers
July 14
July 2013
Page 2
DEAN’S MESSAGE
The Idolatry of Hollywood
Some months ago I celebrated the baptism of a little boy
whose father is a major powerhouse in Hollywood and known
worldwide in the industry. The one hundred or so guests in
attendance included stars and celebrities recognized by all
movie goers to one degree or another; from the big screen to
the pews of Saint Sophia Cathedral. It is my custom for most
baptisms to preach a very short sermon on the meaning of
the sacraments and the importance of Christ in the formation
of the spiritual life of the child and indeed the entire family,
including the Godparents.
At the elegant reception in West L.A., a few guests huddled
around me asking questions about the baptism and the
church in general. In the presence of all the quarterbacks in
the huddle, a famous director proclaimed that as charming
and ethnically flavored as the ceremony was, he was an
atheist. He enjoyed the baptism in the context of a National
Geographic or History Channel production. Some politely
chuckled, acknowledging his status in the film industry. They
then looked at me to see if I would respond. “Well” I said, “I
have never met an atheist in all my life, and I don’t think you
are an atheist. Oh, you many not bow down to God in the
context of the Holy Trinity but you bow down to your own
gods, worshipping and adoring them!!” All eyes were now on
the director. “I think religion is a man-made superstition made
up of mumbo jumbo retreats to keep people anesthetized to
the realities of life” he stated politely but firmly. Smiles all
around. “Actually”, I said, “next to Jerusalem, the Vatican and
Salt Lake City, Hollywood is the most religious city on the
planet!!” “Come on father, you must have been tipping the
communion wine bottle to be making such a statement!” “No,
no really,” I responded. “Everyone bows down to something
or someone, a god of their own making. Some bow down to
money and wealth.
Others bow down before fleshly
pleasures and lusts. Others bow down to power and control
and others bow down before the icon. They see themselves
in the mirror their gods are very demanding. Hollywood
churches and temples are called studios. The high priests
are called producers and directors, and the lower clergy are
the actors and performers who kiss their rings in veneration.
And those rings are often in their back pockets.” Stunned
silence followed by nervous laughter. “Give me your card
father, let’s do lunch. You’re a real character!!”
Needless to say, I never heard from him and I wasn’t about to
call him or “kiss his ring”. Listening to follow-up conversations
in the banquet hall, I overheard conversations that revealed a
thirst for something more than this world can provide that
ultimately no wealth, no power, no contrived external beauty
at the hands of a plastic surgeon or any last flexible pleasure
can satisfy the thirst of the soul. “What does it profit a man to
gain the whole world, and looses his own soul.”
All of us humbled and then exalted wake up in the middle of
the night from time to time staring at the ceiling and in the
darkness contemplating our inner thirst for God, our
emptiness, frustrations and true need for the love and security
that only God our creator can meet.
I sometimes wonder what St. Paul would think if he visited
Hollywood today the world center of film entertainment, as he
visited Athens, the proud and intellectual center of the world
then. Paul looked around Athens and did not find too much
good in the city, with its pantheon full of older gods and silver
deities. His eyes fell on one grown image after another.
Finally, he hit upon a common denominator with Christ. It
was only an encryption carved at the base of an altar but
enough to supply the inspiration for his ... as he began. “Men
of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious,
for when I went about and observed the objects of your
worship, I found among other things an altar upon which was
the inscription: To an Unknown God. “That God whom you
know not, is the God whom I preach to you” (Acts, 17:22)
In this spirit St. Paul, the true lover of God may well say to our
Hollywood friends, “I perceive you are a religious people, for
walking down your avenues I find them called Avenue of the
Stars. On Hollywood Avenue there are over 2,000 “golden
stars” engraved with celebrity names. You call it The
Hollywood Walk of Fame. I strolled by your Grauman’s
Chinese Theater and observed dozens of your star struck
fans…priests of the gods of Hollywood touching their
footprints and placing your mortal hands over your hearts in
seemingly ecstatic adoration!! If St. Paul came to Hollywood
he might also tell the tinsel town pilgrims; “You know not. You
are looking for gods that promise fairy dust and childish
dreams never to be realized. I will show you a Savior God
who can bring you peace of heart and mind and who can
provide you with the love and assurance of purpose that can
never be found in this world. I will show you the Known God,
the Fatherhood of God and the redemption from Idolatry
provided on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas, Dean
July 2013
Page 3
PARISH COUNCIL MESSAGE
Music and Worship
"Speaking to one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord."
Ephesians (5:19).
In discussing the planning of the 2013 Church Music
Conference (which was held at Saint Sophia on June 27-30),
Father Bakas, John Kopatsis and I engaged in a very
proactive dialogue about the importance of music within the
Church. From these discussions and some personal
reflections and research, I would like to offer the following:
Music is an integral part of worship in the church today and a
great part of many lives. Music is like an unspoken and
sometimes unnoticed force that touches emotions, influences
moods and brings people together. It is because of these
kinds of attributes that musical worship is important in the
church.
No words can properly set forth for the deep blessedness of
genuine worship. When human beings sing with the Spirit
and the understanding, heavenly musicians take up the strain,
and join the song of thanksgiving. The ability to sing is the gift
of God; let it be used to His glory.
Music is of heavenly origin. There is great strength in music.
Music should have beauty, pathos, and power. It is in music
that our praises rise to Him who is the embodiment of purity
and harmony.
Music is made to serve a holy purpose, to lift the thoughts to
that which is pure, noble, and elevating, and to awaken in the
soul devotion and gratitude to God. Music is gospel centered,
based on the word of Christ. Music is to teach and admonish.
Music is to God, specifically in thankfulness to God.
Originally singing was done by the entire congregation,
however this rapidly became cumbersome and a select group
of singers was selected to represent the congregation. Since
then Orthodox church music has expanded and has become
more elaborate. The Church uses eight 'tones' or 'modes,'
which are broad categories of melodies. Within each of these
tones are many small more precise melodies. All of these
tones and their melodies rotate weekly so that during each
week a particular tone is used for singing music. Singing
naturally developed from chanting but, unlike in the west,
Orthodox music developed from a Greek musical background.
Even though Orthodoxy has spread and its music adapted to
its various regions, still Orthodox music is distinctive from
European music. Singing is used in place of chanting on
important occasions thus some things which are chanted at
minor services are sung at more important services. Singing
is as varied and multi-faceted in its forms as chanting and
vestments; it changes with the Church 'seasons' of
commemoration thus singing during Great Lent is always
somber and during Holy Week nearly becomes a sorrowful
dirge while during Pascha (Easter) and the Paschal season
the notes are high and quick and as joyful as they were sad
during Lent. The power of music is not lost on the Orthodox
and it is used to its full effect to bring about spiritual renewal
in the listeners. (Wikipedia)
What Our Hymns Can Teach Us by Vicki Pappas 1990
1. Hymns as Prayers- Sung instead of spoken, we use them
to speak to God, to supplicate Him, to praise Him, to give
thanks to Him, and to seek His mercy.
2. Hymns as Vehicles of Participation- In the Divine Services,
the priest and the laity enter into a dialogue between
themselves and God. Singing is not just for the priest and the
psalti (chanter).
The hymnody of the Greek Orthodox Church has been
handed down through the ages in a complete form, consisting
of thousands of texts that include Psalms, prayers, praises,
poems, sermons, and histories. The language of these texts
in their original Greek is of a very high literary quality
containing much poetic description, imagery, and power.
These carefully constructed texts are accompanied by a
specifically-formulated musical system for their oral
expression by appointed chanters and choirs of the Church
who lead the congregation in hymn singing and responses.
3. Hymns as Instruction- They teach us about spiritual and
historical events. The apolytikia teach us aspects about the
Resurrection. “Ti Ipermakho” teaches us about the saving
power of Theotokos in Constantinople.
Words not chanted in Orthodox worship are sung by a choir.
Continued on Page 4
4. Hymns as Carriers of Orthodoxy- They not only expose us
to the sounds and phrases of Orthodoxy, but they tie the
sounds and phrases together. Music is an excellent tool for
memory.
At Saint Sophia we are very fortunate to have our beloved
July 2013
Page 4
PHILOPTOHOS NEWS
As we are now in the ‘summer’ season, everyone starts to
think of vacations and ‘time off’. Notice how empty church is
in the summer once Sunday school ends? So many people
stop attending church, as if it only runs from September
through June and then think it’s ‘vacation time’. Well that’s
not true, of course, and Philoptohos does not take vacations
either. There is no vacation for the sick and the poor, no
vacation for the victims of domestic abuse and no vacation for
the unemployed who need work. We are always here if
people need us. You may contact us by leaving a note at the
church office. We always help our outreach cases throughout
the year.
We hope you will join us at our first meeting of the new
ecclesiastical year after church. This has been designated
National Philoptohos Day by the National Philoptohos. Our
speaker, Tina Russek from the Los Angeles Mission is a very
enthusiastic speaker who informs us of what has been going
on at the Mission and what they do. We plan to hold another
“Cheerios and Coffee Drive” for the Mission in the month of
October. This has been very successful and the Mission is
very grateful for the help. Mornings for breakfast and coffee
are very busy times because of the people who have been
out on the street all night long. They are adults and children
who are very cold, tired and hungry.
I would like to take this moment to thank all of the women on
the Board of Directors, and everyone in the community, for
your support these last two years. We’re on a path that
involves new projects and there is something for everyone!
We have some new ideas for this upcoming fall as well, so
please be ready to join in. Philoptohos is work but it is also
fun and very rewarding! There will be a new project for sick
children this fall and of course, our Christmas gift project as
well. Come to our meetings and hear what we are doing. If
you are new to the church or to Philoptohos we would love to
meet you.
The Mission Statement of Philoptohos “ To aid the poor, the
destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the
orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the
victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished
persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the
help of the church through fund raising efforts…” this is what
we do and this is why we put on fundraisers throughout the
years. “For the poor you always have with you, but you do
not always have me” John 12:8.
Operation Lace Up:
Our Philoptohos chapter is
spearheading a new project starting this month. We are
joining with the FOCUS group to get a new pair of tennis
shoes – twice a year – to every homeless student registered
in the Los Angeles Unified School District. There are 60,000
students registered as ‘homeless’, in LAUSD, more than any
other city in the United States. These children suffer from
fatigue/lack of sleep, poor physical health and hunger. We are
looking for volunteers who may wish to help sort the shoes at
the warehouse, for distribution to the schools. Please see the
flyer enclosed in this bulletin if you are interested in helping.
You may contact Judie Christopoulos at 626-840-7508 for
further information. We will be having other events and
fundraisers for this project throughout this coming year.
Virginia Noyes and the Philoptohos Board of Directors
Fall Meeting Schedule for General Assembly meetings:
mark your calendars
Sunday, September 22nd – Speaker, Tina Russek
Sunday, October 20 – Speaker on breast cancer
Sunday, November 17 - Thanksgiving Luncheon. Be sure
to look for the reservation flyer that will be in the
September Herald and weekly church bulletins. Don’t
miss out!
With love in Christ’s service,
Continued from Page 3
spiritual leaders, Father Bakas and Father Boyd leading us
through the spiritual teachings of the Church. Through them,
we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, hear the Word
of God and then we receive the Lord Himself in Holy
Communion. With our chanters, Demetris and Michael, our
choir director, Jim Kollias, organist and assistant director,
Chris Yokas and our magnificent choir, we carry the prayer
and praise and illuminate the proclamation of the Word. We
illuminate the text that allows us to see Christ and the action
of God in our lives. Music helps us to make common things
holy, link our faith to the communal life of the assembly and
moves us to embrace the Church at all times and in all places.
May our voices always be lifted in songs of praise and
devotion. “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: sing
forth the honour of his name:
make his praise
glorious.” (Psalm 66: 1-2)
Brent A. Noyes
Parish Council President
July 2013
Page 5
July 2013
Page 6
STEWARDSHIP
Summer is Here and the Time Is Right
When I was an elementary school student, I was often given,
at the start of the school year, an assignment to write a paper
entitled, “How I Spent My Summer Vacation.” I dreaded the
thought of having to write that paper.
As a kid, summers were long and for those of you who are
parents, I don’t have to tell you, we were busy from the last
day of school, ‘till they first day back the following semester.
For me the term “Lazy Days of Summer” did not apply. I must
confess, I was much lazier after I returned to school in the fall.
During the summer though, I was a bundle of energy. With so
much energy to burn, I needed every extra minute of those
long summer days. I was up and at ‘em early in the morning
and didn’t have to be home until after the street lights came
on and was grateful that the days are longer in the summer.
Busy, busy, busy, doing what? That was the problem, when it
came time to write that paper. Are you kidding me. A whole
summer has just gone by and I don’t have anything to write
about. How did I spend my summer vacation? For me,
summer was great. First of all, no school assignments; you
just don’t know how happy that made me. I mean, think about
it. There I was, back on the first day of school hating the very
first assignment being handed out to me.
My summer days, were easy to explain, up in the morning, on
my bicycle and off to the park for a long day, playing baseball
with my friends, exhaust myself, return home and repeat the
following day. Why didn’t I just submit in the same paper I
turned in last year? Sometimes the teacher would ask us to
read our papers out loud before the class and I couldn’t
believe the stories that some of the other students would
share. Little children, gallivanting around the globe for weeks,
sometimes even months at a time to far off places, some,
where they didn’t even play baseball. What a way to spend
your summer.
Many of them would travel to visit family, quite often their
grand parents. I would visit my grand parents as well, every
day. My Yiayia and Papou lived right across the street from
me and I had aunts, uncles and cousins that lived right down
the block. I tell you they don’t make neighborhoods like that
anymore, those were the days. I had everyone and everything
I needed, a mere bike ride away from my door step. Still, I
couldn’t possibly tell my simple summer vacation story after
my classmates had shared their stories of visits to exotic,
faraway places.
Summer’s here again and the time is right to get out of town.
Most kids are out of school and many parents plan their
vacations from work during the summer months so that the
whole family can travel together. Schools out and the kids
couldn’t be happier, a break from work is just what the parents
need. As we give ourselves, young and old, a much deserved
break during these summer months, let us be mindful and
remember that the good work of our Lord Jesus Christ, by our
hands, the stewards of His church, St. Sophia Cathedral,
through its ministries is ongoing and never rests. As the
Apostles were selected by Christ we, too, were also selected
to be “God’s fellow workers, you are God’s field, you are
God’s building. (1st Corinthians 3:9). In God’s building the
lights are always left on and His good work is always ongoing.
No matter where we may be this summer, Christ is there and
we can always remain connected to His church if we keep the
good works of St. Sophia in our hearts and in our mind. We
are blessed with many talents and gifts and the resources that
connect us and permit us to contribute to this good work from
anywhere in the world. Our great minds receive from you
prophetic insights into your laws, and reveal to us the depth of
your creative wisdom... Glory to you for the inventiveness of
the human mind, Glory to you for the invigorating effort of
work. (From An Akathist Hymn in Praise of God's Creation by
Metropolitan Tryphon of Turkestanov.)
Some of us will not travel at all this summer and may remain
to carry on the good work of the many ministries of St. Sophia,
while others may travel for a time but are sure to pick up and
contribute upon their return.
These days it seems like traveling itself requires a great deal
of work. So, much preparation and effort are required that
many of us say we need a vacation from our vacation. Before
we break away, and while we plan and prepare let’s
remember to add St. Sophia to our “to do list.” Let’s make
sure that if we haven’t yet filled out our stewardship pledge
card to do so and if we have already filled it out, let’s make
sure that we are current with our pledge status.
We can even remain current while we are away. Thanks to
our beautiful, interactive website that permits us to make
stewardship pledges and payments online, one time single
payments as well as reoccurring payments. If you haven’t yet
explored the St. Sophia website I strongly encourage you to
do so. In addition to the interactive stewardship page, it will
also keep you abreast of the many ministry activities that are
ongoing throughout the coming dog days of summer.
Christina and I would like to wish you all a blessed and joy
filled summer. Thank you for your continued efforts and
contributions to the many ministries of St. Sophia that permit
us, guided by our spiritual fathers, Father John, Father Allan
and Father Peter, to do the good work that Christ has called
each of us to do.
If any of you happen to be traveling this summer we look
forward to seeing you upon your return. Let us wish you ‘Kalo
Taxidi.’ Have a safe and wonderful trip and if I may, please
permit me to quote from American humorist, author and radio
personality, Tom Bodett, his most famous tag line, “We’ll
leave the lights on for ya’.”
I hope to have a chance to hear all about it when you return.
You can tell me about your summer and I’ll tell you about
mine. Who knows, I just might surprise you and have an
interesting story to share.
Thank you,
Dean & Christina Peratsakis
July 2013
Page 7
STEWARDSHIP
Believe and Belong through Christian Stewardship
STEWARDSHIP FAMILIES MAY 2013
$4,000 To $5,999
Perris, Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas
Dagres-Palomares, Mrs. Sophia+
Sarames, Ms. Karen
Stathatos, Mr. & Mrs. S. Jerry
Sehremelis, Mr. & Mrs. Andy
Matheou, Mr. Georgios & Christodoulidou, Mrs. Andri
Matinas, Mr. & Mrs. Stratton
Mullins, Mr. & Mrs. Michael
Waldron, Mr. & Mrs. William
$2,000 To $3,999
Papavasiliou, Mr. & Mrs. Sotirios
Zalavras, Dr. Charalampos
Evangelis, Ms. Theane
Mastor, Dr. & Mrs. Anthony*
$500 To $999
Mellos, Mr. & Mrs. Anthony L.*
Begakis, Mr. Nicholas
Panagis, Ms. Ritsa
Bougoukalos, Ms. Cynthia
Pappas, Mr. & Mrs. George
Bozonelis, Ms. Lia
Anonymous (1)
Caras, Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Chris W.*
Stefanidis, Dr. Nikolaos
Valaskantjis, Mr. & Mrs. Perry
Veys, Mr. & Mrs. Pandelly
Windisch-Graetz, Mr. & Mrs. Charles
Anonymous (2)
Other
Chagares, Ms. Kiki
$1,000 To $1,999
Bornstein, Dr. & Mrs. Robert
Defterios, Mrs. Georgia*
Beckley, Ms. Alexis
Cook, Mr. & Mrs. Martin
Kontes, Mr. & Mrs. Nickolas
Evangelatos, Mr. & Mrs. James
Loisides, Mr. & Mrs. Michael
Gianoukakis, Dr. & Mrs. Andrew
Gilman, Mr. & Mrs. Brian
Mars, Mrs. Irene
Kostas, Mr. & Mrs. Jerry
Johnson, Mr. Noah
Paziouros, Mrs. Petroula
Kruger, Mr. & Mrs. Michael
Kouros, Dr. & Mrs. Philip
Ranger, Mr. & Mrs. Tony
Kyriacou, Mr. & Mrs. Charalambos
Lianos, Mr. & Mrs. Glenn
Tassop, Mrs. Gus
Maniatis, Mrs. Mary
Manders, Ms. Constance
Pappas, Mr. & Mrs. John T.*
Topetzes, Ms. Joanna
Mastor, Ms. Andriana
* Life Members Endowment Fund
+Blessed Memory
CHOIR NEWS
The Saint Sophia Cathedral Choir is
proud to announce its latest CD, Come
Receive the Light!
which is now
available for sale in the Saint Sophia
Bookstore or Saint Sophia Narthex.
Photo: Courtesy of George Themelis
The CD features choral excerpts from
Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter
transcribed, composed and arranged
by Dr. Frank Desby. During Holy
Week some of the most beautiful
pieces of Orthodox hymnology are
chanted and sung. Included in this
recording is a small portion of this vast
hymnology that has been part of our
music ministry at Saint Sophia for over
60 years.
This recording would not have been
possible without the sponsorship of our
most generous benefactor, Constance
Manders who dedicates this recording
to her children, Alexandria and
Nikolas, and to the memory of her
parents, Gloria and William Manders.
July 2013
Page 8
PHILANTHROPIA NEWS
PHILOPTOHOS VIP
Upcoming projects: “Thank you” to all of you for supporting
Philanthropia’s projects year-round and on a consistent basis
together with your prayers and well wishes.
On behalf of the Philoptohos VIP I would like to wish you all a
"Happy Summer" - "Καλο Καλοκαιρι" and for those that will be
traveling to have a great and safe vacation.
In October we sponsor:
Nami Walks: The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Los
Angeles County will hold its 10th Annual Nami Walks on
Saturday, October 5th at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa
Monica. For more information, please contact our own Jean
Harris, Vice-President at [email protected].
There will be no activities for the months of July and August.
We'll resume in September with the one and only activity to
be our St.Sophia Festival.
In His Service,
Mary Morrison, VIP President
In November we sponsor:
AIDS Walk Los Angeles (AWLA): Barbara Kappos is the
Executive Director. Additional information will be forthcoming
in the August Herald.
City of Hope: Pediatric Booklet and Service: Dr. Randi
McAllister is our liaison and will keep us abreast of date and
times.
Used Clothing and Canned Goods: Thank you for all the
generous donation of used clothing during this year-long
project. Please continue your donations as there are still
many we need to reach. Please identify all clothing donations
on the outside of the bags by indicating whether they are for
men, women or children. The two new receptacles for "used
clothing" and "canned goods" are working great. They are
located side by side, in the general area of the nursery.
Thank you!
Get on the Bus: Statistics on the number of buses and
children transported this past Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day
will be relayed as soon as we receive them. Your responses
to our request for donations to sponsor a bus were
heartwarming! Thank you.
The wall-Las Memorias Project: We continue to support
Richard Zaldivar, Executive Director, in their quest to
achieve the same goals we have for continued AIDS
education, awareness and prevention.
Street Outreach: Thank you to everyone who has donated
so far. To date, more than $1,200.00 worth of items have
been collected and distributed to the abandoned children in
the outreach for the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Dr.
Nikos Stefanidis, Ph.D. a Staff Psychologist at Children’s
Hospital, L.A., is the Clinical Director of this High Risk
Program. Your continued help will assure that these children
are cared for year round by purchasing new items such as the
following: T-Shirts (M-L); Boxers (M-L); White Socks;
Blankets; Sleeping Bags; Sweatshirts; Snacks;
Water/
Juices; Bus Tokens; Sneakers; Hygiene Items (Travel Size);
Tooth Brushes & Toothpaste; Shampoo; Deodorant; Sun
Screen -- be sure to label them for Dr. Nikos Stefanidis and
leave them by the clothing bins. We will make sure that he
comes to pick them up. Thank you.
Annual Appeal Letters: The response from the Annual
Appeal letters mailed prior to Christmas is awesome! Thank
you for your support and contributions thus far. Please send
in your donation, if you have not already done so, in order that
we may honor our commitments to our projects. Thank you
so much!
Philanthropia Website:
The “Winter” issue of the
Philanthripia Newsletter was mailed recently and will be on
the website shortly at: www.philanthropiaministry.org. We
thank Perry Lambert who is coordinating our website. (Note:
We are in the midst of preparing a “Spring-Summer”
combined issue of the newsletter this year while we get our
office “back to normal” after the repairs. Thank you for your
understanding.)
God bless you!
With love,
Father Peter
July 2013
Page 9
2013 GRADUATES
Congratulations to all the graduates!!! Well done. We wish you great success.
Stephanie Rose Ellis
Daughter of loyelle and Tasos Ellis
Beloved Niece of Helen Ellis
Graduating from Bonita High School
Joseph Michael Kremer
Son of Tricia Ballas Kremer and Max Kremer
Graduating with high honors as a Chancellor’s Scholar from
the University of Santa Barbara
Global and International Studies major
Accepter a position with Oracle Corporation
Photo: Courtesy of Jonathan Farrer
Nicholas D. Haraden
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Haraden
Grandson of Mr. and Mrs. William Dres
Graduating from California State University, Northridge
Communications major
Eleni Venetos
Daughter of Tina and Paul Venetos
Graduating with high honors as a member of the International
Cum Laude Society from the Marymount High School
Global and International Studies major
Accepted to Boston College
July 2013
Page 10
MINISTRIES
Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Very Reverend Father John S. Bakas, Dean
Reverend Father Allan (Gabriel) Boyd
Jim Kollias, Choir Director Dimitris Liogris , Protopsaltis Michael Kontaxis, Assistant Psaltis
Christopher Yokas, Organist
James Karatsikis, Sexton
FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Executive Officers
George E. Preonas, President
Andrew Evangelatos, Executive Vice President
Dr. James A. Demetriou, Vice President & C.F.O.
Constantine Boukidis, Secretary
Tina Callas, Treasurer
PARISH COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Officers
Brent Noyes, President
John Kopatsis, Vice President
Irene Andreadis, Recording Secretary
Karen Sarames, Corresponding Secretary
Michael Kraios, Treasurer & C.F.O.
Members
V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas Nicholas Bissias
Timi Loomos Freshman Alek Haidos Steve Hanna
Michael Huffington Gig Kyriacou Brent Noyes
John T. Pappas Jim Zaferis
Presidential Appointments
Anthony A. Demetriou, Presidential Assistant
John G. Marakas III, Sr. Advisor to the Board
PHILOPTOHOS SOCIETY
Executive Officers
Virginia Noyes, President
Marianna Politis, 1st Vice President
Helene Ballas, 2nd Vice President
Mary Gallanis, Recording Secretary
Lola Gialketsis, Corresponding Secretary
Scarlett Billis, Treasurer
Dina Oldknow, Advisor
Honorary Life Members
Jennie Doumak
Christine Peratis
Members
Frances Bissias Judith Christopoulos Connie Cooper
Pauline Evangelatos Olga Jordan Tricia Ballas Kremer
Constance Manders Sophie Mastor Jan Pastras
Christina Peratsakis Diane Pruett Sonia Stathes
Mary Tassop Maria Toczek
OFFICE STAFF
Helen Ellis, Office Administrator Ann Pappas, Events Admin.
Noah Johnson, Admin. Assist. Chris Halekakis, Facilities Director
Leonard Hart
CUSTODIAL STAFF
Miguel Rosales
Mauricio Mira
Members
Bertha Angels Eleni Constantine Manolelis
Jeanine Hanna Glenn Lianos Loula Moschonas
Kouji Nakata Alex Oxyzolou Peter Pallas
Dean Peratsakis Dorothy Spirus
Auditing Committee
Anthony Demetriou
ALTAR BOYS
Chris Halekakis
BASKETBALL
Gig Kyriacou & Paul Cooper
BIBLE STUDY
Very Rev. Father John Bakas
Rev. Father Allan Boyd
BOOK STORE
William Striglos
CAMP ZOE
Very Rev. Father John Bakas
CHILD CARE
Kathy & Marsha Zagorianos
CHOIR
Jim Kollias
COFFEE HOUR
Ann Pappas
Georgia Vasila
DOCENTS
Faye Demetriou
EASTER PICNIC
Ted Pappas
GREEK DANCE GROUPS
Barbara Kappos
GREEKS in HOLLYWOOD
Dina Demetrius
Tom Moore
HELLENIC ACADEMY
Andri Christodoulidou
HOSPITALITY
Niki Korbakis
Maria Pelargos
L.A. GREEK FEST
John Boudouvas and
Eleni Constantine Manolellis
MR. & MRS. CLUB
Dean & Christine Peratsakis
ODOS “The Way”
Helen Lambros
PARENTING
Nick Stefanidis
Barbara Kappos
PHILANTHROPIA
Rev. Father Peter Lambert
PHILOPTOHOS V.I.P.
Mary Morrison, President
SAINT SOPHIA CAMP
Melanie O’Regan
Jack Stumpus (Golf Event)
Tony Mastor (Tennis Event)
Mary-Kay Demetriou (Tennis
Event)
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Eleni Yokas
YOUTH
Rev. Father Allan Boyd
July 2013
Page 11
JULY SACRAMENTS & MEMORIALS
BAPTISMS
Sunday 7
Alexander Aeton Patrick
Son of Julia Dadakaridis and Michael Connolly
Godparent: Kay Maria Daskarolis
Saturday 13 Niko Rocco
Son of Tiffanie and Rodney Rinks
Godparent: Nicole Arsenis
Dimitrios Dominic
Son of Sophia Rumanes and Gordon Kernes
Godparent: Michael Helms
BIRTHDAYS
Sam Konugres
Mr. James A. Demetriou
Sophia Konugres
Nick Alexopoulos
Christine Peratis
Michael Kyriacou
Louis Choumas
Dr. George Konugres
Liza Pyle
Scott Ayers
Elizabeth Pouridis
Mrs. Varta Schartz
Ms. Bessie Gavrilis
Mr. David Manpearl
Mr. Peter Vasilion
Mr. Vas Aronis
Mr. Vikentios Korkos
Nicholas Kyriacou
Maria Kolovos
Mrs. Mary Asteriou Ligar
Leo Sirakides
Bruce Chistolini
Mr. Ted Spears
Alexandra Chistolini
Gig Kyriacou
Ms. Charlean White
Anthony Nicholas Brooks
Helen Lambros
Mrs. Georg Fenady
Ms. Dinah Wellington
Mr. Chris Stavaridis
Mr. Georg Fenady
Mrs. Dana Manpearl
Donald J. Lapa
WEDDINGS
Saturday 6
Julia Ann Palenzuela and Cristos Kiuftis
Koumbaros: George Trihas
Friday 12
Georgyna Ortiz and Daniel S. Suarez, Jr.
Sponsors: Kristina and Nicholas Cosfol
Sunday 28
Sheri Gabra and Sherif Hanna
MEMORIALS
July 7
EPISTLE READERS
July 7
July 14
July 21
July 28
John Kopatsis
Bill Striglos
Bertha Angels
Allison Stavaridis
Thomas Judge
Peter Judge
Maria Pappas
Peter Pappas
Lefteri Pappas
Emmanuel Drakakis
Hrisanthi Drakakis
Irini Drakakis
Elefterios Drakakis
Kathy Morse
George Morse
Andrew Mitchell
Catina Mitchell
Lucas Mitchel
Irene Drikas
John Drikas
Martha Robbins
Mary Popoff
July 14
Lulu Kappas
July 21
Demetrios Limneos
Euphrosyne Limneos
Joseph Boltinghouse - 3 years
July 28
Pattie Andrews - 6 months
Page 12
July 2013
July 2013
Page 13
July 2013
Page 14
Prophet elias hagiography
By John Kopatsis
The prophet Elias is one of the Old Testament prophets who
lived in 9th century BC, during the reign of the King Ahab, who
had brought the worship of the Phoenician god Baal in Israel.
Elias, Eliahu in Hebrew, means “God is My Lord” that
expresses the main idea of prophet Elias’ mission to zealously
advocate the worship of the one God and to prove His power
with raising the dead, bringing fire down from the sky, and
being taken up in a whirlwind riding in a chariot of horses and
flames. Many references to Elias appear also in the New
Testament, the Talmud, and the Qur’an.
The depictions of the prophet Elias in hagiography are as
popular as those of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, St.
George the Dragon-Slayer and the Glorious St. Demetrios of
Thessaloniki. The iconography of Elias combines the symbolic
elements which reflect his importance as a participant of the
major events in the history of the divine administration. In the
Christian art not only his personal images are represented but
various scenes of his hagiography have been painted due to
their importance and these scenes became the source of
other subject matters. Prophet Elias is often depicted with his
tousled hair and a beard, clothed in a chiton and mantle. The
representation of the prophet in the wilderness being fed by a
crow is common in Byzantine icons, illustrating an episode in
the prophet's life that is recounted in the Old Testament, as it
also is the representation of being carried to heaven in a
chariot of fire, seen on the magnificent mural in our Cathedral
above the choir balcony.
There are few one-image portrayals of the prophet Elias. A
marvelous icon depiction from the St. Catherine’s Monastery
of Mount Sinai was done in encaustic wax painting in the 13th
century. The prophet is standing with his arms upraised in
prayer and supplication while a raven, sent by God, is flying
towards him carrying bread to feed the prophet in a cave in
the wilderness of the wadi halfway from Jerusalem to
Jericho. This cave is now a chapel in the Monastery of St.
George the Chozebite, and the hole where the raven flew in is
still visible. This icon shows a remarkable dynamic livelihood
in the asymmetrical
form which is still
balanced
in
the
position of the feet,
hips, shoulders, hands
and
head.
The
prophet is looking
intently upward toward
God and is in a state
of Divine vision and
St. Cathenine’s Monastery icon detail
understanding
that
transfigures his heart and mind. This is quite an unusual
depiction, hard to show in visible form. God has sent a raven
to feed him in the wilderness, but the prophet sees God’s
Love and Providence even more than the raven. This is truly
great Byzantine iconography. However, according to the
explanatory texts of the Church Fathers, the bread, which is
usually depicted as a round loaf, is "heavenly" bread, "of
salvationary knowledge and word". Consequently, this
episode is interpreted as a prefiguration of the Holy
Communion. Another early icon of the late 12th century
period is in the Byzantine Museum of Kastoria, Greece.
According to N. H. Baynes in Byzantium, An Introduction to
East Roman Civilization, such was the influence of Byzantine
art in the 12th century, that
Russia, Venice, Southern Italy and
Sicily
all
virtually
became
provincial centers dedicated to its
production. The prophet, who is
also venerated in Kastoria as the
protector of furriers, is depicted in
the severe Komnenian style in a
knee-length
frontal
portrayal
against the blue background,
attired in a red chiton with a blue
belt and a mantle holding in his
left hand a semi-unfolded scroll.
New Testament depictions of the
prophet Elias in hagiography have
been in the Transfiguration of
Christ on Mount Tabor. One of the
great
masterpieces
is
The
Kastoria Museum icon
Transfiguration, the last painting
by the Italian Renaissance master Raphael that exemplifies
his development as an artist and the culmination of his career.
Raphael's painting depicts two consecutive, but distinct,
biblical narratives from the Gospel of Matthew, also related in
the Gospel of Mark. In the upper register, the Transfiguration
of Christ itself, Moses and Elias appear before the
transfigured Christ with Peter, James and John looking. In the
lower register, the Apostles fail to cure a boy from demons
and await the return
of Christ. The upper
register of the painting
with the transfigured
Christ is floating in
front of illuminated
clouds, between the
prophets Moses, on
the right representing
the Law, and Elias, on
the left representing
the prophets, with
Detail of The Transfiguration by Raphael
whom
Christ
is
conversing. God spoke from a cloud: "This is my son, listen to
him." James, Peter and John, traditionally read as symbols of
faith, hope and love; hence the symbolic colors of green, blue
-yellow and red for their robes.
July 2013
Page 15
JULY 2013
Sun
Mon
Tue
1
Wed
Thu
2
Fri
3
Sat
4
5
6
12
13
Church Office
Closed for
Memorial Day
7:30pm OT Bible
Study w/Fr. Allan
7:30pm Catechism w/Fr. Allan
7
8
9
10
11
2nd Sunday of
Matthew
8:15am Orthros
9:15am FaithStudies
9:45am Memorials
7:30pm Cate10am Divine Liturgy chism w/Fr. Allan
14
7:30pm OT Bible
Study w/Fr. Allan
16
15
17
18
19
Sunday of
The Holy Fathers
8:15am Orthros
9:15am FaithStudies
7:30pm Cate9:45am Memorials
10am Divine Liturgy chism w/Fr. Allan
21
20
The Prophet Elias
7:30pm OT Bible
Study w/Fr. Allan
23
22
24
25
8:30am Orthros
9:30am Liturgy
26
4th Sunday of
Matthew
27
Saint Panteleimon
8:15am Orthros
9:15am FaithStudies
7:30pm Cate9:45am Memorials
10am Divine Liturgy chism w/Fr. Allan
28
7:30pm OT Bible
Study w/Fr. Allan
29
30
8:30am Orthros
9:30am Liturgy
31
4th Sunday of
Matthew
8:15am Orthros
9:15am FaithStudies
7:30pm Cate9:45am Memorials
10am Divine Liturgy chism w/Fr. Allan
Strict Fast
Fish Allowed
Wine and Oil
Allowed
Dairy, Eggs,
and Fish
Allowed
Fast Free
July 2013
Page
16 Greek Cathedral
Saint Sophia
Greek Orthodox Community
1324 South Normandie Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90006
VE
NS
E
I
IT
SE
M
TI
Place address label here
Phone
323 737 2424
Fax
323 737 7029
E-mail
[email protected]
We’re on the Web!
www.stsophia.org
SAVE
THE DATE
FOR THIS YEAR’S
BIGGEST
BLOCKBUSTER
LA’s world-famous Greek festival at Saint Sophia Cathedral is back this September with a fresh
look and an incredible line up of food, beer, wine, live music, dancing and more. Mark your
calendars for September 6, 7 & 8 and help us make it a year to remember. For donations or
volunteer inquiries, email: [email protected]