September 2014 ¨1645 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 ¨ (850) 878-0747 ¨ Rev. Fr. Robert J. O’Loughlin¨ http://www.hmog.org

God’s Love for Us ~ A Message from Fr. Robert All the teachings of the Church are based on love. Christ taught us that we should love God with all our heart, all our mind, all our strength, which means with all the power we have to love, and our neighbor as ourselves. What can prevent each of us from loving our neighbor is our concentration on our own selves. Learning to love anyone involves letting go of some selfish ways. We can look into other people’s circumstances, and into their needs, and also their joys. The more we take the time to look and see and care for the needs and lives of others, the more we will understand their needs, share their sorrows and share their joys. We can often keep our world very small in a tight circle. However, the more we learn about each other, the more we are able to give and provide the love for them. The source of love, Divine Love is within us as we were created in God’s image and likeness. The true mark of a follower of Christ is to love all people with a divine love, with a love that includes even our enemies. We are to love, not because we will receive something in return. It may seem impossible to love those who have hurt us. It is important to understand, though, that when God calls us to love, he is talking about agape love. Agape love means that no matter what a person does to us we are to never allow ourselves to desire anything but the best for others and we are to go out of our way to be good and kind to them. We may not want to do it, but we are to always try to do it, and God will help us. We receive the ability to love when the grace of Christ dwells in us and can always stop and think about God's love for us. God never stops hoping for the change of the most hardened sinner; always keeps his arms open wide to embrace whoever comes to Him. Christ came and died for the salvation of all people and this the divine love He wants us to have. God calls us to love which can transform us to forgive, heal and renew our love for one another. We are to always remember that even in the worst of people, the image of God still abides and for us is to see how the image of God is in all. When we imitate Christ in our lives, then we can be able to find the power and strength to follow the commandments of Christ to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us ask God to enable us to be an encouragement to those around us by our love, hospitality, joy, and service to His Church. Wishing you a blessed 2014-15 Liturgical Year, Fr. Robert

Page 2

If an emergency or special need should arise, please contact Fr. Rob immediately at 850-559-8184.

Our next ECHO Sundays are September 7th and October 5th. Please drop off your nonperishable food donations into the bins located in the Hellenic Center and Patmos Hall.

Celebration of the Feast Day of our Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church with Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy of The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos

Dear Parishioners, I hope you had a wonderful summer. Many thanks to those who stayed and carried out our church's ministries and needs including work on food items for the 2014 Greek Food Festival. We are grateful for their dedication and services during this period and always. Looking ahead, the Greek Food Festival is only a little over a month away. There are many things, which we have to do in order to be ready in a relatively short time. I believe that everything will fall in place if every member of our church contributes a few hours a week. The Parish Council and a handful of talented volunteers will try to complete certain capital projects before the event. Of course, our grounds and buildings will be spiffed-up for the occasion. In the meantime, baking is scheduled in most weeks. During this period, our church counts on every member to volunteer for multiple tasks. Some of the dedicated individuals, who used to pull hard and did great portions of the work in the past, either are not any longer with us or cannot contribute as much. It is, therefore, imperative that others step up and carry their share. We may have to postpone some things that we like to finish now or spend lesser time on our favorite hobby/activity but all would be for a well-deserved and worthwhile cause. The Annual Greek Food Festival is an essential ministry for our Parish and needs time and work commitments from everyone! Thanking you for your dedication and support. Yours in Christ, Pete Koikos

Parish Directory We are in the process of making a new non-pictorial Parish Directory. If you have any changes or additions to your home address and telephone number, email address, or cell phone number, please call or email the church office with your information as soon as possible 850-878-0747 or [email protected]. Thank you.

Youth Ministry Registration ECHO Sunday

Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m.

8

1

9 am

Divine Liturgy

Nativity of the Theotokos

Office Closed

Labor Day

MON

Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m.

Youth Sunday Church School

Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m.

29

22

5:30 pm

30

23

16

9

2

Catechetical Class

+

+

+

6 pm

Choir Practice

9am

FRI +

26

s

= Dairy & eggs allowed

= Fish Allowed

= Wine and Oil allowed

= Strict Fast

Calendar Symbol Key

+

9am

Festival Baking

09/07 - Koikos*/Eudy/Joanos(c) 09/14 - Perrigan*/Branch/Gorb(c) 09/21 - Mathes*/Manias/Poulos(c) 09/28 - Joanos*/Gorb/Perrigan(c) 10/05 - Poulos*/Mathes/Eudy(c) 10/12 - Manias*/Branch/Koikos(c)

27

*Denotes a 9:30 start time

Festival Baking 9am

5pm-9pm

5 p.m.

20

Great Vespers

+

13

Thomasville, GA

+

5 p.m.

Great Vespers

9am

Festival Baking

6 KOULOURAKIA

SAT

Philoptochos “A Taste of Greece”

19

12

Spaghetti Dinner 11:00 am—7:00 pm

5

Pangari Schedule for September

Fr. Rob will be attending Metropolis Clergy Meeting.

BAKLAVA

25

Festival Baking

+

18

6 pm

Philoptochos Mtg.

11

4

THU

6 pm

24

6 pm

Orthodox Life Class

17

6 pm

(Newcomers/Inquirers)

10

3

WED

Choir Practice

6 pm

Choir Practice

6 pm

Choir Practice

6 pm

Choir Practice

TUE

September 2014

28

Church School Blessing of Classrooms

21

AHEPA Luncheon GOYA Mtg.

Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m.

14 + 15 Exaltation of the Holy Parish Council Cross Orthros 9:30 a.m. & Meeting

7

SUN

Page 3

Page 4

Youth Ministry Registration Registration for Church School, GOYA, JOY, OCF, and Greek Dancing will be held following the Divine Liturgy on: Sunday Sept. 7th in the Hellenic Center.

Church School We look forward to the first day of Church School Sunday Sept. 21st. Students will meet their teachers, Fr. Rob will bless the classrooms, and ice-cream sundaes will be served.



Sunday, Sept. 14 – First GOYA meeting of the new ecclesiastical year



Sunday, Sept 28– Youth Sunday

The OCF is the official collegiate campus ministry program under the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. The Mission of OCF is to support fellowships on college campuses, whose members experience and witness to the Orthodox Christian Church through community life, prayer and service to others and study of the Faith. We look forward to welcoming new and returning students

“For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink…” Matthew 25:35,36

Holy Mother of God Monthly Community Outreach Wednesday, Sept. 10th 11:00 am - 1:00 pm If you want to make a difference and help fight hunger, join us for our monthly outreach in serving others at America’s Second Harvest warehouse facility which supports numerous agencies in the Big Bend are. If you are interested in assisting in this effort for one or two hoursor have any questions please contact: Fr. Rob@850-559-8184 or Presv. Joy @850-320-1101.

Page 5

September 6th

Koulourakia

September 25th, 26th, & 27th

Baklava

October 4th

Kourambiedes

Thank you to the 2014 Booth Chairmen: Dinner Sales A La Carte Facilities Gyro T-Shirts/Gifts Kitchen Kitchen Facilitators Kitchen Souvlaki Outside Souvlaki Ice Cream Outside Taverna Inside Taverna Pepsi Wagon Pastries Inside Kafenion Outside Kafenion

Dorothy Downing Nick Joanos/Stephanie Joanos Harold Branch Chris Myers Stamie Joanos Richard Allen Pete Koikos Johnnie Patronis Manny Joanos Joanna Erickson/Becky Pettijohn Stelios Manias Jim Garland Sara Hill Mary Anne Joanos/Liz Sipfle Sally Pappageorge Tommy and Amber Kiger

Preparations for the festival are underway. Please come and assist with the festival cooking which begins at 9 am. Even if all you can give is a small amount of time it is greatly appreciated. Catherine Branch, Harriett Kanelidis, Jeff Phipps, and Richard Allen.

AHEPA Luncheon

Sunday, September 14th For the observance for the Elevation of the Cross and beginning the new school year! ADULTS ... $8.00 For STUDENTS and CHILDREN is FREE Fried Shrimp & Chicken, French Fries, Cole slaw, Bread, Coffee, Tea and Dessert

Page 6

For September 2014 Email: [email protected] Visit us also On Facebook @ Holy Mother of God Philoptochos Society of Tallahassee, Florida

Mark your calendars . . .  

First Meeting: September 4th at 6:00 pm in the Patmos Hall

First Event: “A Taste of Greece” Friday September 19th in Thomasville, GA (see below) 

Philoptochos Membership Brunch - October 5th following Divine Liturgy

A TASTE OF GREECE (Flaunt 2014; Pop It Up! supporting the Thomasville Center for the Arts and City of Thomasville GA) AN EVENING WITH GREEK FOOD, GREEK DANCING & LIVE GREEK MUSIC BY MIKE MENEXIS “COME FOR THE FOOD, LEAVE WITH THE CULTURE” FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 5 PM – 9 PM 217/219 WEST JACKSON STREET, THOMASVILLE, GEORGIA 31792 To reserve tickets go to: http://HMOG.ORG/atatasteofgreece

Statement by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the Present Violence in Iraq Aug 13, 2014

The recent wave of violence against innocent families and children in Iraq has rendered the world shocked and horrified. We will not remain indifferent or silent before such irrational persecution, cultural intolerance and appalling loss of life, especially when it is caused by religious hatred and racial hostility. The targeting of tens of thousands of Christians (including Arameans, Chaldeans, and Assyrians) and other religious minorities (including Turkmens, Yazidis, and Kurds) can never be justified in the name of any religious creed or conviction. What we are witnessing before our eyes in Iraq is the uprooting not simply of a religious minority – in this case the Yazidis, whose very existence is being threatened – but of an entire civilization. The victimization and extermination of women and children, as well as of the elderly and disabled, for any reason whatsoever – much more so in the supposed name of religious conviction – is a repudiation of our own future. Such calamity and cruelty of adherents to one religion can never be defended by cowardly and falsely invoking another religion. Such brutal acts are categorically unacceptable and unjustifiable before both God and humankind. Violence never is pacified by violence, and hatred is only overcome by tolerance. Knowing that true and lasting peace only comes to pass through genuine encounter and dialogue, we call upon religious leaders and political authorities in this wounded region to promote conversation to resolve dispute, and to support peaceful means to overcome conflict. We implore the same of all leaders in other parts of the world, especially in Gaza and Israel, in order that those conflicts, too, may not further escalate at the expense of more human life. It is precisely for this reason that, at the invitation of Pope Francis, we gathered in Rome for an interfaith summit of peace with Presidents Peres and Abbas last June. The situation in Iraq is especially critical. The humanitarian predicament is more urgent than ever. Our response must be immediate and tangible. Therefore, we appeal to every responsible organization and every person of good will – beyond any support through perpetual and persistent prayer – to assist with material and humanitarian resources so that these innocent victims may no longer endure hunger, suffering, and death. It is our wholehearted hope and fervent prayer that the God of love – worshipped by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike – may prevail over the false idols of fanaticism and prejudice. May the compassionate Lord grant peace to all.

Page 7

Holy Mother of God 2014 Stewardship/Membership The following parishioners have submitted commitments for 2014 with a total collected as of August 14th being $80,515. Our goal for this year is $150,000. If you have not yet stewarded for 2014, please do so as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact the Parish Council Treasurer Glen Perrigan at [email protected] or (850) 294-2798. Andris, Mr. Steve and Mrs. Jackie

Gonatos, Michael

Mookas, Thomas and Deborah

Andros, Bessie

Gorb, Jorge and Carol

Nesterenko, Anna

Andros, James

Hadoulis, Peter and Kathy

Nichols, Iphigenia

Arbulu, Marianne

Harris, Larry and Christina

O’Loughlin, Fr. Robert & Presv. Joy

Atayants, Armen and Irina Grigoryan

Hodges, Maria

Papageorge, Mike and Sally

Balogh, Andrew A. and Cynthia P.

Ilin, Yuri and Larisa Kuleshova

Pappas, Nicholas A.

Bowyer, Layla

Joanos, Emanuel and Laura

Pappas, Paul and Eugenia

Buford, Georgia H. and Lewis

Joanos, George and Tonya

Patronis, Johnnie and Mari

Burmester, Michael & Rodamanti

Joanos, Stamatia

Perrigan, Glen and Dianne

Buzyna, George and Helen

Joanos, Theo and Maryanne

Pevnitskaya, Svetlana

Camechis, Pat and Johnnie

Joanos, Zachary and Lucia

Poulos, Andrew & Koula

Caspary, Nadya

Johnson, Alexis

Reeves, Corinna

Catsimpiris, George and Vicki

Kalinska, Svitlana

Rozes, Anna and George

Chikas, Dena

Kasjaniuk, Grelrgorz and Karen

Sgouros, Demetri and Canli

Collins, Catherine and Frank

Katopodis, John and Evi

Sgouros, Stephanie and Vincent Russo

Costa, Barbara

Klonis, Nicholas and Mary

Strosnider, Siham

Demetrelis, Elpis

Koikos, George N. and Karen

Talantis, Kathleen

Downing, Dorothy

Koikos, Jimmy and Anastasia

Tsiklistas, John and Helen

Drake, Margaret A.

Koikos, Pete and Zografia

Valentine, Tom and Angela

Drzewiecki, Olibia and Gary

Langston, Sophia

Vlandis, John and Tula

Enis, Carl and Angela Drzewiecki

Lapointe, Leonard & Corinne

Webb, Dorothy Deanna

Erickson, Don & Joanna Angelos

Leftheris, James and Julie

Wernke, Deborah and Michael

Eudy, Michael & Lynette

Lockwood, Yvonne

Wynot, Ed and Colleen Smith

Evans, Maryelen

Manias, Stelios

Fetzko, Ronnie

Mantzanas, Catherine

Garland, James and Sophia

Markovich, Martin and Elizabeth

Gavalas, Michael and Vicky

Mathes, George and Connie

Gavalas, Nic and Janet

Mathes, George and Kathy

Gavalas, Victor and Mary

Mayernick, Frank and Tracy

Ghirmay, Hanna

Milatos, Emmanuel

Gill, Bob and Athena

Milatos, Irene

Parish Council Candidates Seminar Saturday, November 15th at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church, Jacksonville, FL

Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, Florida 32308

Return Service Requested

Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, FL 32308

Office: 850-878-0747 Hall: 850-877-2501 Fr. Rob’s Cell:

850-559-8184

Website: www.hmog.org

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Email Addresses: Father Rob: [email protected]

Celebrated September 14th

Church Secretary: [email protected] Secretary Hours:

Mon./Wed./Fri. 9am-2pm