The Trophy-Bearer A monthly publication of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church

New Castle, Pennsylvania June & July 2018 Volume II, Issue 6&7

Saint Julitta and Kyrikos July 15th

Holy Martyrs Alexander and Antonina

June 10th

ΙΕΡΟΣ ΝΑΟΣ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ SAINT GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

315 W. Englewood Avenue - New Castle, PA 16105 Church: (724) 654–8521 - www.stgeorgenewcastle.org

Fr. Michael A. Gavrilos - Parish Priest FrMichael@stgeorgenewcastle.org

Parish Council Members President—Helen Ritchie

Vice-President—Artie Christou Treasurer—Nicholas Ligerakis

Secretary—Melissa Sotiriou Flossie Foukas Nik Foukas Eric Karmecy Christina Raineri Elias Tsiris

Service Times Please Check the Monthly Calendar for Services

Services Times—Unless Otherwise Noted Sunday Orthros 8:15 a.m. Sunday Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Mon-Sat Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:30 a.m. Evening Services 6:00 p.m.

Confession: By Appointment

The Trophy-Bearer If you would like an article, or photos in The Trophy-Bearer, submit them electronically to

Fr. Michael (FrMichael@stgeorgenewcastle.org) no later than the 15th of the month.

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” -James 5:14

If you or your loved one is sick, in the hospital, or need a priest, please contact Fr. Michael so that he will be able to visit them.

Fr. Michael’s Message Christ is in our Midst!

Summertime is already here. Pascha and its accompanying season has passed, the days are getting warmer and longer, the school year has finished or is nearly

completed, vacation plans are being finalized, weddings, baptisms, graduations are happening. In the Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1, it states that “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”

Every year when the summer months begin, certain activities seem to slow down significantly, and during the rest of the year, we often times find ourselves so busy that we sometimes cannot even seem to find time to rest. With a lot of “free time” in the summer, we are able to take advantage of the much needed rest, both of the mind (from school and work) as well as from body with all of the constant running around. For a few months every year, we get to take a break from the hustle and bustle of life. In many ways, this is a very good and necessary thing to do.

The one thing that we all need to be very cautious of is that we do not get lazy and begin to take breaks from our life in the Church. When we begin taking breaks from church, we are beginning to take a break from our relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church. When we take breaks from Church, we are getting the opposite of rest in our souls. It is from that true relationship with Christ, a relationship that is 24/7, 365, that we can find the TRUE rest, and can be truly refreshed.

True rest and peace comes through finding time to dedicate and build our relationship with Christ in our lives. Throughout the entire year, I am sure that all of us hear people say that they are way too busy to go to Church, or to pray, or to read the Holy Scripture or other religious books. As we are entering summertime, and our schedules generally slow down and our schedules tend to lighten up, we can all take advantage of the opportunity to bring rest and peace to our souls.

With the extra time that we have this summer to focus on personal and family time, let us not fall into the temptation of slowing down our times for Christ and his Church. Each summer when we find this free time, we can take this as a gift and use it as an opportunity to grow closer to our Lord!

We need to prioritize and find every opportunity to draw closer to Christ. We need to go to every Sunday Liturgy and spend the beautiful summer months in the presence of our Lord. Let’s spend more time in the quiet and peace of personal prayer and spiritual reading. Let’s visit a fellow parishioner who could use some company. And certainly, let’s make it a point to visit another Orthodox Church while away on vacation.

We must utilize this beautiful summer season to draw closer to Christ and thus renew our souls. Let’s use every opportunity of the extra time afforded us this summer to find true peace and rest in Christ.

With Love in Christ, Fr. Michael A. Gavrilos

Saint Antonina was a modest and holy woman from the village of Kardamos (or Krodamos),

adorned with outer and inner beauty. Arrested for being a Christian in 313, she was brought before

Governor Festos, who was unable to persuade her to renounce Christ and worship the idols of demons.

Rather, she invited the governor to repent and accept Christ. Seeing that Antonina was modest and

strongly held to her virginity, the Governor forced her to enter a house of prostitution, where she

remained for three days in fasting and prayer.

Then, during the night, a heavenly light appeared to her and there was an earthquake.

Whereupon, the doors of the brothel were opened to her, and a voice from heaven exhorted her to rise

and eat bread. After the maiden requested bread and ate, the other women of the brothel sent her away

out of fear following the earthquake. Being brought before the governor, who again was unable to

convince her to sacrifice to idols, she was cast to the ground and beaten with broad wooden blades. She

was then sent to another brothel.

There was a young Christian named Alexander who received a revelation through a divine

angel to go to the brothel. Being twenty-eight years old, it was assumed he entered the brothel to fulfill

his lusts and commit a shameful act. However, he went straight for Antonina, gave her his cloak, and

secretly told her to go outside, covering her head with his cloak. Meanwhile, he remained inside the

brothel.

Within a short time it was realized Antonina was missing from the brothel, since certain soldiers

came to dishonor the holy virgin, and they found Alexander in her place. They questioned Alexander

why he played them false, and Alexander did not deny his actions, but confessed it. For this they

thrashed him with broad wooden blades.

The soldiers apprehended Antonina as well by order of the governor, and they severed both of

their hands and feet. Then the pagans smeared them with pitch and cast them into a fiery pit. Thus the

two blessed martyrs received the crowns of martyrdom from the Lord.

Their joint commemoration was celebrated in the Monastery of Maximinos in Constantinople,

where their honorable and wonderworking relics were located.

Apolytikion in the First Tone

Let us praise the two holy Martyrs, renowned Alexander and noble Antonina; in their holy contests they

shone with love, faith and healing, for those who cry out together: Glory to Him Who has strengthened

you; glory to Him Who has crowned you; glory to Him Who through you works healings for all.

Kontakion in the Second Tone

Let us bless godly-minded Alexander and Antonina, the spiritual kinsmen in Christ, who were of one

mind in the paths of godliness; for in His good pleasure, He that glorified them hath received their

struggles and wounds as fragrant myrrh.

SOURCE: https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2015/06/saints-alexander-and-antonina-martyrs.html

COVER ICON—Holy Martyrs Alexander and Antonina June 10th

The Synaxaria of our Church are a blooming garden with various flowers large and small, each of which, however, emitting their own spiritual fragrance. That is, in the Synaxaria there are saints of all ages, from infants and young children to centenarians over a hundred years old. There are, for example, the infants slaughtered by Herod "from the age of two and under", as well as the Holy Hieromartyr Haralambos, who was martyred at 113 years of age. Saint Kyrikos, whose life we are studying, was only 3 years old. He was martyred on the same day as his mother Julitta and for this reason they are celebrated together. Saint Julitta was from Iconium. After the repose of her husband she undertook the full upbringing and education of her son Kyrikos. When persecution broke out during the reign of Diocletian, Julitta fled with three-year-old Kyrikos to Seleucia and then to Tarsus of Cilicia. There they were both arrested and brought before the pagan Governor. Saint Julitta confessed her faith with admirable courage, and three-year-old Kyr-ikos was not afraid, but calmly he also confessed in his own way his faith, since he was constantly mumbling the name of Christ. When the Governor urged Saint Julitta to deny Christ and sacrifice to idols, young Kyr-ikos kicked him with his foot, as much as physically possible, and then he in a rage took the child from his mother's arms and threw him hard against the steps of the stairs, resulting in his martyric death. Despite the great pain Saint Julitta experienced, she did not lose her serenity and peace and she again confessed her faith in Christ with more courage. She rebuked the Governor for his cowardly act and then he full of rage ordered her beheading, and so mother and son dance together in heavenly dwellings and rejoice together with all the saints. Their life and disposition give us the opportunity to highlight the following: The Apolytikion of the Martyrs says the following: The beautiful martyr of Christ Julitta, with holy Kyrikos her three-year-old offspring, stood at the judgment seat and with authority and great boldness they proclaimed the true Faith of the Christians. In no wise were they afraid of the threats of the tyrants; and now in Heaven, wearing precious crowns, they both rejoice as they stand before Christ our God. In other words, the Martyrs who appeared before the judgment seat of the pagan Governor were not sad, scared or frightened, but peaceful and joyful and they proclaimed their faith in Christ with boldness. Be-sides, cowardice is not a characteristic of the true disciples of Christ, but rather bravery is and this is what will always distinguish them, especially in difficult moments of their lives. That is, when difficulties take place in our lives and tragic events such as the death of loved ones, and all seems black, life seems not worth living and desperation stands at the door, they do not lose courage, do not despair, but through prayer they turn towards God, and they receive strength from Him, courage and true consolation. The pain of a mother who sees her child killed before her eyes is truly unbearable and can lead to tragic situations, if they are not ready or prepared to accept strength from on high and consolation, that is, if they have not learned to pray, by which they are open to God and ready to accept His Grace, which can strengthen her and console her. For the one who truly believes in the existence of Paradise and eternal life, as well as the promises of God to us for the enjoyment of eternal goods, things become simpler and easier. The thought does not occur that they will never see their loved ones again, because they know very well they will meet again and will rejoice and be glad together with the saints and the angels. Basil the Great exhorts us in this matter: "May we achieve this, after purifying ourselves of our passions." There is nothing worse in life as discomforting pain due to our lack of faith, and nothing higher than perfect faith which drips the hope of eternal goods in the soul and truly consoles it. "Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse the brevity and/or typographical errors."

SOURCE: https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2014/07/saints-julitta-and-kyrikos-as-models.html

COVER ICON—Saints Julitta and Kyrikos July 15th

June 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

3 All Saints Orthros & Divine Liturgy

4 5 6 Festival Baking—

Macaroons & Amygdolota 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

7 8 9

10 2nd Sunday of Matthew Orthros & Divine Liturgy

Festival Meeting

11 12 Festival Baking—

Tsoureki 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

13 14 15 16

17

3rd Sunday of Matthew Orthros & Divine Liturgy

Baptism

18 19 Festival Baking—

Dolmades 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

20 21 22 23

24 Nativity of John the Baptist Orthros & Divine Liturgy

Parish Council Meeting

25 26 27 28 29 Sts. Peter & Paul Orthros & Divine Liturgy

30 Synaxis of the Holy Apostles Orthros & Divine Liturgy

~~~Father Michael will be at Summer Camp at Camp Nazareth (2nd—4th Grades)~~~

~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~

~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~

~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~

~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~ Apostles Fast ~~~

July 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

5th Sunday of Matthew Orthros & Divine Liturgy

2 3 4 5 6 7

Wedding

8

6th Sunday of Matthew Orthros & Divine Liturgy

9 10 11 12 13 14

15

Sunday of the Holy Fathers Orthros & Divine Liturgy

16 17 18 19 20 Prophet Elias Divine Liturgy at Saxonburg Monastery

21

22

8th Sunday of Matthew Orthros & Divine Liturgy

23 24 .

Greek Day at Kennywood

25 26

St. Paraskevi Orthros & Divine Liturgy

27

St. Panteleimon Orthros & Divine Liturgy

28

29

9th Sunday of Matthew Orthros & Divine Liturgy

30 31

~~~Fr. Michael will be in Boston at the National Clergy-Laity Congress~~~

~~~ Fr. Michael on vacation ~~~Fr. Michael on vacation ~~~

~~~ Fr. Michael on vacation ~~~Fr. Michael on vacation ~~~

Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 315 W. Englewood Avenue New Castle, PA 16105