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CHURCH SERVICES:
Sunday Orthros (Matins) 9:00am
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Sunday School after Holy
Communion
Weekday Holy Days:
Orthros and Divine Liturgy 8:00am
PARISH PRIEST:
Fr. Dionysios Listermann-Vierling
Church: 292-8013
Fax: 851-2800 COUNCIL OFFICERS:
Mike Dolianitis
President 286-9372
Hampton Culler
Vice-President 854-8235
Carl Colozzi
Treasurer 644-0615
Theodora Vaporis
Secretary 584-6020
Board Members:
Tony Bundros
Scott Graham
Matthew Pappas
Zack Touloupas
Kimmon Varsamis
Terry Woods
COMMITTEES:
Stewardship
Hamp Culler
Greek Festival
Mike Dolianitis
Finance
Carl Colozzi
Maintenance
Kimmon Varsamis
Religious Education
Zack Touloupas
Sick and Visitation
Brenda Miller
Bessie Sipsis
THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
Preparation
To prepare for Communion we must keep our minds and hearts on spiritual things. Prayer
When we come forward to receive, we should repeat the Communion prayer, which every Orthodox Christian should try to memorize. Reverence
We approach the Holy Communion 'with fear of God, faith and love', knowing that our bodies and souls will become one with Christ. Acceptance
We hold the red Communion cloth beneath our chin, using it to wipe our lips if necessary. We should open our mouth wide to receive the Holy Communion and not be afraid to close our lips upon the spoon. If there are acolytes holding the cloth, release the cloth and do not try to hand it to the next communicant. Turn toward the Consecrated
Bread (Antidoron), make your cross and take a piece of it. Return
Return to your seat, remain standing and say a prayer of thanksgiving
for this greatest gift of all on earth and in Heaven. Deadline: The Dormition of the Theotokos Monthly Newsletter deadline is the 20th of the previous month. Please submit your materials on time. Content: Articles, notes and other information of interest for our parish can be sent by mail. Church Attendance: A regular attendance of the church's services reflects how seriously you approach your salvation. Parents with Sunday School children: Children must sit with their families in the front pews, so they will be served Communion first. During the school year, after Communion, children will proceed directly to their classrooms. Please remember that coming to the church late teaches our children bad habits. Make it a point to bring them on time.
MEETINGS/EVENTS: Sun., Aug. 7,
Senior OPA Dance practice Sun., Aug. 14,
Senior OPA Dance practice;
Philoptochos Reception following
Vespers of the Dormition of the
Theotokos, His Eminence Metropolitan
Alexios will be with us. Tues., Aug. 16,
AHEPA meeting, 6:30pm Sun., Aug. 21,
Senior OPA Dance practice Mon., Aug. 22,
Parish Council meeting, 7:00pm Sun., Aug. 28,
Sunday School starts;
Senior OPA Dance practice;
GOYA meeting
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Meet Our New Priest Father Dionysios celebrated his first liturgy with us on July 27, 2005. Fr. Dionysios Listermann-Vierling
Fr. Dionysios was born July 27, 1955 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended college at the University of Cincinnati, where he graduated with a B.A. in History, B.S. in Education and a Masters in Teaching in History. Raised in the Roman Catholic Faith, Fr. Dionysios converted to Greek Orthodoxy in 1981. He studied at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, where he graduated in 1986 with a Masters in Divinity. He married Elena Monidis on January 10, 1987. The couple has one child Anthony (Maximilian).
Fr. Dionysios was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Iakovos on April 4, 1987 at the Church of the Assumption in Chicago. A week later, on April 11, 1987 he was ordained to the priesthood at St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago. Prior to coming to Greensboro, Fr. Dionysios served communities in Waterloo, Iowa (1987-1991), Lexington, Kentucky (1991-1997) and Tallahassee, Florida (1997-2005).
Fr. Dionysios is active in the Metropolis of Atlanta Prison Ministry and in Youth Ministry at the St. Stephens Summer Camp. In addition to writing two books on local church histories, Fr Dionysios has also authored a number of articles, principally for the Diakonia Magazine.
Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15)
With profound reverence Orthodox Christians gather in churches on August 15th to observe the Dormition of the Theotokos. This ancient feast, which marks the nameday of our parish, commemorates the falling asleep and bodily assumption into Heaven of the Virgin Mary. On this holy day the Faithful venerate the icon of the Dormition. Yet one wonders how many people realize the uniqueness of the icon they revere?
The icon of the Dormition is singular in many ways. In it the figure of the Holy Mother of God is shown not once, but twice. Our eyes are first drawn to the large image of the Theotokos lying on her death bed. The eyes on her serene face are closed in death while the distraught apostles are depicted gathered beside her. It is a scene of profound mourning. Yet there is more to the icon than just this sad, funeral image. For in the background, behind this first grouping, is another scene. There we see the image of Our Lord holding the soul of the Virgin Mary. She is clothed in white and appears no larger than a child. Often the tiny figure of the Theotokos has her hands clasped in prayer. Normally when we venerate an icon of the Theotokos, her image is shown as an adult, holding the figure of her divine Son. In this icon the slender hand of the Virgin gestures tenderly to the figure of her son, as if to say to us, "Don't look at me - Look to Christ - He is the path of salvation." But in the icon of the Dormition, this touching and familiar setting is reversed. Now Our Lord is shown holding His Mother as a child. He does not gesture to her, but rather, presents the Theotokos to the world as if to say to us, "Behold your mother." Our Lord Jesus Christ enriched the lives of all humanity with the treasure of His own mother. She is the new Eve, the new mother of us all. Since her blessed repose the Theotokos prays with maternal compassion and love for all of humanity from the lofty gates of Heaven. As the icon depicts, the Mother of God shines as a beacon of holiness. The sanctified image of her soul reminds all who gaze upon it that if we wish to draw closer to her Divine Son, we must strive to do so through purity, obedience to God, self-sacrifice, and sincere prayer. This is the path to holiness. It is a difficult road to follow. But our heavenly mother, the Theotokos, will be ever near us every step of our life to make sure that we don't stumble too hard as she leads us to a more perfect union with Her Son and the Holy Trinity. Let us take her into our hearts and minds. Let us turn to her in prayer and invoke her motherly intercession. She is our patroness. The Theotokos will nurture all of the members of our blessed community so that we too might grow into the full stature of Her Son, Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. In His Service, Fr. Dionysios
Dormition of the Theotokos Name Day Celebration Please join us during this time of preparation for, and celebration of, our Name Day; Monday- Thursday, August 1-4, we will have Paraklesis at 7:00 p.m. On Friday, August 5, we will have Vespers for the Transfiguration at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, August 6, we will celebrate Holy Transfiguration with Orthros and Divine Liturgy beginning at 9:00 a.m. Monday-Friday, August 8-12, we will have Paraklesis at 7:00 p.m. On Sunday, August 14, we will have Great Vespers for the Dormition of the Theotokos, at 7:00 p.m., His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios presiding, followed by a Reception prepared by Ladies Philoptochos. Then, on Monday, August 15, we will celebrate Orthros and a hierarchical Divine Liturgy beginning at 9:00 a.m. His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios presiding.
AHEPA
By Zack Touloupas (584-1213)
The General Greene Chapter # 257 of AHEPA is planning to hold a membership drive during the months of August and September. Our first event will be a cookout at the home of Brother Dimitrios Efstathiou on August 16, at 6:30 p.m. We would like to share with you our planned involvement with several projects, which include the Friends of Greek Art fundraising project, scholarships to St. Stephens Summer Camp, our college scholarships and our annual chicken dinner. Events to follow the dinner will be a trip to see the GSO Grasshoppers and a round of Par 3 golf. Come see how the AHEPANs are trying to improve our church and our community!! Contact Dimitrios Efstathiou or Zack Touloupas.
GOYA
By Peter Graham (643-7099)
In June, GOYA enjoyed a weekend of fun, food and fellowship. The weekend started off with a bang at Pump It Up. We were able to meet Father Dionysios and his family. His son, Max, joined us at Pump It Up, and it was great getting to know him. Saturday morning, we then went to Moses Cone Hospital to do some volunteer work. We had a great time. On Sunday, GOYA sponsored the Coffee Hour, and it was a huge success. Thanks to everyone who helped to make this weekend possible.
GOYA's regular meetings will resume in August, with our first meeting on Sunday, August 28. We will then try to keep our meetings to the fourth Sunday of every month, so go ahead and clear the dates. We look forward to seeing old and new faces alike in August. Have a safe summer!
SUNDAY SCHOOL
By Polly Anton (854-5065)
We will have "Welcome Back to Sunday School" on Sunday, August 28.
We still need teachers! We look forward to a great year.
PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
By Sheila Touloupas (584-1213)
The Ladies Philoptochos Society would like to take this opportunity to welcome Father Dionysios, Presbytera Elena, and their son Max to our Greensboro community.
Philoptochos would like to thank all members of our parish who donated items to our summer project - Back to School Supplies for Children in Need. Donations will be accepted until Sunday, August 7. On Monday, August 8, the collected items will be delivered to area Guilford County schools that are in desperate need of these supplies. If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Ciulei or Catherine Stuman.
Ladies Philoptochos will be hosting the Lenten Reception following the Vesper Service on Sunday, August 14. Members are asked to bring a Lenten appetizer, dessert or fruit item. Volunteers are needed for set up and clean up. If you can help, please contact Thalia Bundros, ph# 294-1592 or Titsa Dermatas, ph# 294-0189.
Non-perishable food items are needed for our Year Round Food Bank. Please consider making donations of the following items: breakfast items- Cheerios, oatmeal, or pancake and syrup; Lunch and Dinner items- canned meats (ham, turkey, chicken, tuna, salmon); canned vegetables and fruits; canned stews, chili; spaghetti sauce and dried pastas (noodles, boxed macaroni and cheese, rice). Miscellaneous items such as canned or powdered milk, saltine crackers, peanut butter and jelly, are also needed.
On Tuesday, September 13, at 6:30pm, we will have a work meeting in preparation for our Annual
Church Festival. (Check the Sunday Bulletin for which day) All members are encouraged to attend and to offer their time and talents to make this year's Festival a most successful event.
Our General meetings will resume on Monday, October 10, at 6:45pm.
Congratulations to our newly elected Officers and Board Members: Catherine Stuman -
President, Cheryl Ciulei - Vice-President, Sheila Touloupas - Secretary, Celia Sims - Treasurer, Lula Culler - Assist. Treasurer, and Toula Chininis - Advisor. Board Members: Thalia Bundros, Athena Constantinou, Soteria Dascalakis, Titsa Dermatas, Georgette Galloway, Maria Mandaleris, Edna Pappas, Minerva Ross and Doris Zaharias.
All Philoptochos members who have an e-mail address not listed with Philoptochos are asked to submit that information to Catherine Stuman at jstuman@triad.rr.com or Minerva Ross at pina1159@aol.com so that that may update our files and expedite communication of future events. Members without e-mail will be contacted by phone.
FESTIVAL NEWS
From Mike Dolianitis (Festival Chair)
Chairpersons are still needed for the Festival. The Agora needs people to lead the ordering efforts and coordinate setup, the 3 days of the Festival and consignment return. We are very near the deadline for ordering. Publicity is also open and help is needed in all areas generally. Call Mike Dolianitis (286-9372) or Brenda Miller (851-1415). From Brenda Miller (Festival Volunteer Coordinator)
I can hardly believe that the year has passed so quickly. Here we are again JUST SIX WEEKS away from Festival Time!
Last year you may remember that we had over 190 volunteers that assisted our 16 Festival Chairmen. Our Greek Festival is impossible to pull off successfully without all of us working together. That's why it is so very, very important that some of you call Mike (286-9372) and volunteer to head one of the committees that he has identified in his Festival update as still needing a chairman.
We will have Volunteer sign up boards in the Fellowship Hall for you to sign up on. There are lots of opportunities for all of us during the Festival. But also please remember that many of our volunteer needs are for the weeks immediately before and after the Festival. There is a lot of work that is being done getting the grounds ready for the Festival and, after the Festival putting everything back to normal.
Our Greek Festival is FUN, EXCITING, AND OUR MAJOR FUND RAISING SOURCE. I'm looking forward to talking with everyone and helping the Chairmen get all the volunteers they need. If we all work together, this can be our best Festival ever. OPA! Dancers The middle and high school OPA! Dance Troupe will begin practicing for the festival Sunday, August 7. Practice will begin immediately after church and run until 2:30. Dancers should wear sneakers! Practices will continue each Sunday until the festival. If you have not completed and turned in a registration form, please do so ASAP. Forms are available in the lobby of the Fellowship Hall. If you plan to dance, we expect to see you at each practice. If special circumstances arise, please contact us ahead of time, Mrs. Christa Graham (643-7099) or Mrs. Maria Mandaleris (288-4785). Friends of Greek Art
We are in the process of compiling the mailing list for the Friends of Greek Art fundraising event. Your cooperation in providing addresses of potential supporters will be greatly appreciated. Deadline for submitting the mailing list is August 8. A designated box will be available in the Fellowship Hall. You may also contact Helen Peterson at 632-1816.
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