ENCYCLICAL OF ARCHBISHOP ELPIDOPHOROS FOR HOLY AND GREAT LENT 2020

ENCYCLICAL OF ARCHBISHOP ELPIDOPHOROS FOR HOLY AND GREAT LENT 2020

Protocol Number 31/2020

March 2, 2020

The Beginning of the Holy and Great Lent 
“You may freely eat of every tree of the garden”
(Genesis 2:16)

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,

Today we commence our journey of the Great Lent that leads us inexorably to the Holy Passion of the Lord and the Pascha of unending joy. It is a time of determination and concentration, one in which we are encouraged to abstain from certain foods and drink, to practice more active charity and philanthropy, and to look within at the values and principles by which we live our lives.

Yesterday, on the last Sunday before the Fast, we commemorated the story of the “fall” of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Paradise. They were cast out because they ate of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil,” from which they had been forbidden by the commandment of God. Most of us know the story from our youth, but we often miss the verse before, that every other tree was theirs to enjoy. The denial of the one tree was not a punishment, but an opportunity. It was a calling for Adam and Eve to exceed themselves, and to give up something for the sake of love. Real love cannot be forced; it can only be offered freely. The seeming prohibition was in fact and invitation for them (and us!) to become truly free.

Therefore, as you fast for the next forty days, take time to offer whatever your strength allows in the freedom of love, always remembering every other “tree of the garden” with which you have been so richly blessed. Then, Lent will not be a season of deprivation, but one of abundance, an overflowing of the love, mercy, and forgiveness for which we journey to the Holy Resurrection of the Conqueror of death.

With paternal love in our Lord Jesus Christ,

† ELPIDOPHOROS
Archbishop of America

Summer Excavation at Hippos-Sussita

The discoveries Hippos-Sussita provides insight to Christian liturgical architecture and the coexistence of multiple Christian churches in the Decapolis city!

Hippos-Sussita, located near the Sea of Galilee, was an important Roman site during the first century. Located near this site is the ancient city of Tiberius, Tabgha- the location of the multiplication of Loaves and Fish, Capernaum- the location where Jesus visited and the site of Peter’s house that still has an active church, and Kursi- the location where Jesus cast the demons into the pigs. In this rich historical and theological landscape, we have an abundance of evidence of Christianity, but surprisingly, we have no mention of Hippos-Sussita in the New Testament!

Though we have no mention of this place in the New Testament, we have seven significant churches located on the site. Six churches were previously uncovered, but one remained left to be discovered. This was uncovered in 2019.

In 2005, the apse of this small church was discovered, but no further work was completed. However, once the excavation progressed, it was discovered that it was a Byzantine church, known as the “Burnt Church”, evidenced by an inscription and limestone reliquary within the apse. During the 2019 season, the building was completely uncovered, exposing the foundation of the church and the mosaic floor. On this floor, beautiful images were seen on the newly discovered mosaic scenes, detailed inscriptions with the name of a martyr, and special findings were found. We have now dated the church to the middle-late 5th century A.D.

This summer, I will go back to the “Burnt Church” and will supervise the work, under the supervision of the University of Haifa. We will continue uncovering the church, working in the adjacent room which has not been seen, cleaning and reading the mosaics, and various other tasks that arise.

The season will last for four weeks, 28th-July 23rd, but participants can come for two weeks if desired. No prior knowledge of the history, location, archaeology or experience is required – I will show you the ropes!

For those interested, please feel free to contact me with any questions! rentz@cua.edu. The official website: http://hippos.haifa.ac.il/index.php/join-the-dig

In Christ,

Jessica Rentz, PhD Candidate, Liturgical Studies/Sacramental Theology

Catholic University of America, Washington DC.

Parish Retreat (February 29)

Sanctuary Construction Update (February 2020)

If you’ve driven by our site, you will have noticed that the Sanctuary is not currently under construction. Shortly after our truly beautiful groundbreaking event in September of last year, final bids for our project were received and reviewed.  Much to our dismay, the construction costs for the project were significantly higher – almost $2 million more – than what we had expected.  The reasons for the increase were:

• robust economy in California.

• the rebuilding of sections of the State on account of devastating fires.

• too few workers for the amount of construction work. 

Our response to this financial challenge has been turning to our architect, our contractor, and our parishioners who work in or around construction, with the hopes of identifying further cost-saving measures.

Of course, it remains disappointing for all of us, not to mention that we desperately need room for our growing parish (we’re at capacity each and every Sunday). Thanks be to God, we continue to fundraise, to manage donated monies wisely, to seek solutions, and to communicate as transparently as possible with our parishioners and the greater community We also continue to pray, asking for God’s blessings through the intercessions of Saints Joachim and Anna!

If you are able to offer any guidance/assistance so that we may begin sooner-than-later, please contact our clergy or members of our Parish Council. At the least, we ask that you join us in prayer.

May it be blessed and unto God’s glory!

St. Baldrick's scheduled for February 29th!

Father Christopher, Father Seraphim, Bill Alexiou, Tim Burkhard and a few of our other beloved stewards are again honored to participate in the annual St. Baldrick’s fundraiser at the Westfield Galleria on February 29 at noon as members of “The Bald and Beautiful.” Last year their team and other stewards raised over $30,000!  This event hosted by Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance benefits childhood cancer research, while the Keaton's Child Cancer Alliance gives hope to every family who has a child with cancer, https://childcancer.org. Please keep these children, their families, and friends as well as physicians, nurses and researchers who provide care, healing, and hope in your prayers.

Now we need your help! Will you make a donation? Every dollar makes a difference for the thousands of infants, children, teens, and young adults fighting childhood cancers.  Please consider supporting us in our fundraising goals.

To donate towards Fr. Christopher’s goal: https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/1052228/2020
To donate toward Fr. Seraphim’s goal: https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/1052572/2020

To donate toward Bill Alexiou’s goal: https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/1053008/2020

To donate toward Tim Burkhard’s goal: https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/1053104/2020

To donate toward Nicholas Pasco’s goal:

https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/1053832/2020

St. Baldrick’s Bald and Beautiful Team 

o   Kyle Raphael, Keaton’s Child Alliance

o   John Allard, Mayor of Roseville

o   Bruce Houdesheldt, Roseville City Council Member

o   Dr. Tim Herman, Former Roseville City Council Member

o   Doug Wagemann, President of the Roseville Chamber of Commerce

o   Father Christopher Flesoras & Father Seraphim Ivey, St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church

o   Justin Clark & Jeremiah Smith, First Northern Bank and Jeremiah’s son Brady

o   Mike Isom & Mark Riffey, City of Roseville

o   Mark Riffey, Roseville Electric and his son Evan 

o   Aldo Pineschi, Tommy Apostolos Fund

o   Tim Burkhard, DT Engineering Associates Inc

Event: Westfield Galleria At Roseville Hosted by Keaton's Child Cancer Alliance

Feb 29, 2020 • 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

At: Westfield Galleria At Roseville

1151 Galleria Blvd., Roseville, CA US

Summer Camp Registration (Session One)

Although summer is months ahead, spaces for the Metropolis Summer Camping Program at Saint Nicholas Ranch are filling up.  As in past years and on account of our Feast Day being later in the month, we would ask that youth from our Parish attend the first session of Camp, July 12-18. This year, Fr. Christopher will be in attendance to assist with the Program.  Please go to http://gosfyouth.org/registration to complete the registration process. If your family has questions, please contact Fr. Seraphim or Fr. Christopher at your convenience.  

Festival Drawing Prize Requests

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

We are very excited and looking forward to another successful St Anna Greek Food and Wine Festival on May 22, 23, 24, 2020.  

We are building our sanctuary and your generous support for The Festival Drawing is needed with a donation of a prize(s) to be awarded.   Please tell us about any possible donors that you may know personally or local businesses and ask them if they can donate a prize for the drawing.  You may also get together with friends and purchase a prize to donate.

Prize donors will receive recognition of their generosity in our newsletter, website, printed on the drawing ticket itself, in the event program and live at the event.

Two of the prizes for this year have been identified:

·      Grand Prize:  Courtesy of Knoblich/Mabery (5) five night stay on the Big Island of Hawaii including airfare for two.

·      $250 Amazon Gift Card:  Courtesy of Elaine and Steve Pappas.

Some ideas of additional Prizes we need:

·      Winery Gift/tour/tasting party

·      A staycation at a home in Lake Tahoe

·      Photography Classes

·      Gym membership

·      Sport Event Tickets

·      Concert tickets 

·      Restaurant Gift Cards or Certificates

·      Gift Certicates from area merchants, such as Costco, Home Depot, etc. 

The goal is to make it fun and exciting for all, increasing possible ticket sales.  People spend more when there are more chances of scoring a good prize(s).

Please feel free to contact Judith Thompson if you can donate or have any questions.  Email: judiac2002@hotmail.com or by Phone: 650-520-7418.

With love in Christ, 

Judith and Mark Thompson

Drawing Co-Chairs

Three Hierarchs Academic Lecture

2020 Walk for Life schedule for Saturday, January 25

2020 Three Hierarchs Academic Lecture, Feb 8

We are pleased to announce that Rev. Fr. Duane Johnson will be the speaker at the 2020 Three Hierarch Academic Lecture, scheduled for Feb. 8 at 6:30pm. His topic for the evening will be “Justifying Galatians.” Please plan on joining us on Feb 8 as we welcome Fr. Duane and Presbytera Sandra to our Parish.

About Fr. Duane & Presbytera Sandra Johnson

Reverend Father Duane Johnson serves at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in Baltimore, MD. A native of Ohio, Fr. Duane served in the U.S. Army from 1975-1979.  By 1985 he earned both an undergraduate and a graduate degree in Anthropology from Ohio State University. He graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 1997 with an MDiv degree.   

He and his family returned to Maryland where he began his priestly ministry at the Orthodox Church of St. Matthew (OCA) in Columbia, MD. He was received into the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in 2014. In 2018 the Orthodox Center for the Advancement of Biblical Studies (OCABS) published his first book, “To the Galatians: A Translation and Commentary."  In his review of the book Creighton University Professor Dr. Nicolae Roddy writes that Fr. Duane “…reads St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians with close fidelity to the text, the result of which is to hear the text as Scripture, offering a hermeneutical advantage often missed in Pauline studies.” Fr. Duane is currently working on his second book.

Presbytera Sandra Stanar-Johnson has been an employee of the National Security Agency since 1986 where she is currently a senior executive leader. She was born in West Virginia, and she worked as a journalist in both international and domestic assignments before earning an M.A. degree in Islamic History. She has written a book "God's Child Andrew" (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1998), and it tells the story of their son Andrew who died in an automobile accident in 1993.

Father Duane and Presbytera Sandra have two children, both 27 years in age: their daughter, Ariana; and an adopted daughter, Maricela, who is from Guatemala.