1. Art and Diseño

THE GOOD NEWS
Saint Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church - Monthly Bulletin
“I am not ashamed of the Good News because it
is the power of God for the salvation of everyone
who believes.“ (Romans 1:16)
February, 2015
Volume 79| Issue 159
WORSHIP SERVICES
Sundays
Morning Prayer 9am
Divine Liturgy 10am
Special Services
in February

Monday, February 2nd
The Presentation of
Christ to the Temple
Morning Prayer 9am
Divine Liturgy 10am

Saturday, February 14th
First Saturday of Souls
Morning Prayer 9am
Divine Liturgy 10am
Memorial Service 11:30am

Saturday, February 28th
The Saturday of Souls
Miracle of St. Theodore
Morning Prayer 9am
Divine Liturgy 10am
Blessing of Kollyva and
Memorial Service 11:30am

Lenten Services begin
on Pure Monday,
February 23rd
Monday Evenings
Great Compline 6pm
Wednesday Evenings
Pre-sanctified Liturgy
6pm
Friday Evenings
Salutation Services
to the Theotokos 7pm
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Saint Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church
4949 Alton Parkway, Irvine, California 92604-8606
Office Telephone: (949) 733-2366 ● Fax: (949) 733-0962
www.stpaulsirvine.org
Father Steven Tsichlis, Pastor — Father Theofanis J. Degaitas. Assistant Priest
Deacon Daniel Cunningham, Parish Deacon - Dean Langis, Pastoral Assistant
Marina Kookootsedes, Office Administrator
Joanne Petas, Administrative Assistant — Denise Oller, Administrative Assistant
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THE BEGINNING OF GREAT LENT: THE VESPERS OF FORGIVENESS
Sunday, February 22nd
In the Orthodox Church, the last Sunday before Great Lent is
called the Sunday of Forgiveness. During the reading of the
Gospel at the Liturgy that morning, the teaching of the Lord
Himself on forgiveness is made totally clear: “If you forgive
others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you; but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15). In other words, God does not forgive
us if we do not forgive others. It is that simple.
In our Church, there is a special service of forgiveness called the Vespers of Forgiveness, usually celebrated later that Sunday afternoon or early evening. At the conclusion of this service,
everyone present for worship has the opportunity to both ask for and receive forgiveness from
one another. It is this specific action of asking for forgiveness from others and our forgiving
others that marks the beginning of Great Lent in our Church.
We will pray an abbreviated form of this special service immediately after the celebration of the Liturgy when the majority of our parish family is present. We will then
have the blessed opportunity to ask and receive forgiveness from one another, thereby celebrating and sharing with one another the forgiveness offered to us by the
Cross of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
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THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION DURING GREAT LENT
Our Church teaches that Orthodox Christians
should participate in the Sacrament of Confession at the very minimum of once a year,
preferably three to four times a year during
the four great fasting periods of our Church
(Great Lent, before Easter; Advent, before
Christmas; the August 1-15 fast to honor the
Theotokos; and the Apostles' Fast, usually in
June). Just as we need a check-up with our
doctor even though we might not feel sick, so
we also need to have a regular spiritual check
-up for our spiritual health and well-being. The Church believes that Confession is a sacrament
indispensable for our salvation.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997) writes in her book, No Greater Love: “The other day a
man, a journalist, asked me a strange question: Even you, do you have to go to confession? I
said: Yes, I go to confession every week. Confession is a beautiful act of great love. It is a sacrament of love, a sacrament of forgiveness. Only in confession can we go as sinners with sin
and come out as sinners without sin. Confession is nothing but humility in action. Confession is
a place where I allow Jesus to take away from me everything that divides, that destroys.”
Some questions to ponder: Do you see the sacrament of confession as “a beautiful act of
great love?” Do you see yourself as a sinner in need of confession? Or, are you OK, a nice person? Mother Teresa went to confession once a week. How often do you go to confession?
Please make your appointment with Father Steve or Father Theofanis for the Sacrament of
Confession during Great Lent by calling the Church Office at 949-733-2366. Our Saint Paul’s
Bookstore has pamphlets and books to help our faithful understand and prepare for this vital,
healing and life-transforming sacrament!
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & SPIRITUAL FORMATION
THE WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY MEETS ON THURSDAYS AT 10AM
The Women’s Bible Study is focused on the Gospel of John, the last of the four
Gospels to be written. The Gospel of St John, following the prologue, may be
divided into two main parts. The first part is the book of “signs,” the record of a
number of Jesus’ miracles with detailed “commentary” about their significance
in signifying Him as Messiah and Lord (chapters 2-11). The latter half of St
John’s gospel concerns the passion and resurrection of Christ and its meaning
for the world. (chapters 11-21). Here most explicitly, in long discourses coming
from the Lord Himself, the teachings of Christ’s person and work are most deeply explained. The class is led by Eve Tibbs, and our discussions are informal
and congenial. No previous Bible study experience is required. Drop-ins and children are welcome. Please join us for a morning of fellowship and discussion!

THE WOMEN’S STUDY FELLOWSHIP MEETS ON MONDAYS AT 7PM DURING LENT!
Do you wonder how you might truly live your life as God created you to
live it? Do you long for a deep, fundamental change in your life with
God? Do you desire a greater intimacy with God? Our spiritual growth
develops: like an instrument, it must be played. Like a path, it must be
walked. As we journey together, we will become Companions in Christ.
Please join us as we as we support one another on our spiritual journey as Orthodox Christian
women. For more information, please phone Dorothea Love at 949-481-6288.

THE NEXT MEETING OF OUR ROMAN CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN BOOK
CLUB WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10th AT 7PM
Our Roman Catholic/Orthodox Christian book club now includes members from
three Churches here in Irvine: St. Paul’s, St. Paul’s Coptic Orthodox Church and
St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church. Our next meeting will be on
Tuesday, February 10th at 7PM here at St. Paul’s! We will be discussing
Thomas Merton’s Paradise Journey by William Shannon. Thomas Merton (19151968) was a Trappist monk and one of the most well known Roman Catholic
writers in America. Copies of Thomas Merton’s Paradise Journey are available
from Joanne Petas. Please give her a call in the parish office at 949-733-2366 or
e-mail her at [email protected] to purchase your copy. Please join us for an evening of prayer, study and ecumenical fellowship!

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY 101 MEETS ON WEDNESDAYS AT 7PM!
OC101, taught by Father Steve, is intended for those who wish only to explore Orthodoxy; for
those who wish to become members of the Church; and for those members of our parish family already Orthodox—perhaps even their whole lives—but
interested in broadening and deepening their faith. This
month the focus of all of our classes will be the Bible: what
is the role of the Scriptures in the Christian life? St. Jerome,
the 4th century desert father and translator of the Bible into
Latin said that “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of
Christ” - an ignorance that no Christian can afford!
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CHURCH MUSIC-SINGING PRAISES TO THE LORD
“
Our new Liturgy Hymnals are now in the pews, with melody music for the basic responses, such as “Lord have
mercy”, “To You O Lord”, “Amen”, etc. and simpler hymns, such as “Save Us O Son of God.” If you don’t read
music, don’t worry — the responses have been simplified, so it won’t be long before they become familiar to you.
If you are a singer interested in formally learning one of the four parts the choir
sings (bass, tenor, alto, soprano) (for Sunday Liturgies or the Lenten/Paschal special services) please phone the
church office at 949.733.2366 or send an email to [email protected].
Digital practice recordings are usually available for those who cannot regularly attend rehearsals.
In preparation for the extra hymns sung during Great Lent and Holy Week, Choir rehearsals are scheduled to take
place every Tuesday evening in February, from 7 until 8:30pm in the Father George Stephanides Library.
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OUTREACH-SERVING CHRIST BY SERVING OTHERS
ST. PAUL’S VISITS TO ELDERLY SHUT-INS AT THE CONCLUSION
OF THE DIVINE LITURGY ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1st!
All of our parishioners are invited to visit a few of our elderly shut-ins who cannot make it to
Church easily with Deacon Daniel Cunningham and Dean Langis. Please sign up at the activity
table in the Parish Center or you may also call Dean Langis at 949-733-2366. Many of these
elderly parishioners are very lonely and would greatly appreciate your love and concern.
Please join us as we go to bring them some cheer!

ST.PAULS’S/ST. MARY’S ROMANIAN CHURCH IN ANAHEIM SERVING MEALS
TO THE HOMELESS IN GARDEN GROVE ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4th!
We thank all our parishioners from St. Paul’s and from St. Mary’s who have donated their
money and their time to this wonderful ministry. The average cost of the meal is $250 for
about 70-80 people—the homeless we serve are men, women and children. We kindly ask for
donations and volunteers. The actual serving of meals is from 1:30 to 2:30 pm, but you are
encouraged to come earlier from 12:00 to 1:30 pm to help to prepare the food and to set up
and/or to stay afterwards to clean up from 2:30 to 3:00 pm. We feed the homeless at St. Anselm’s Episcopal Church at 13091 Galway Street in Garden Grove, CA 92844. For directions
and for any further information please don’t hesitate to call Elvira Opran at 714-828-0650 or
Dean Langis at 949-733-2366.

PHILOPTOCHOS (LOVE FOR THE POOR) IS SERVING MEALS TO THE HOMELESS
AT ISAIAH HOUSE ON PURE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd!
We invite you to help serve dinner to the homeless women and children
who reside at the Isaiah House. We serve on the 4th Monday of each
month from about 4pm to 6:30pm—this month on Pure Monday, February 23rd—the first day of Great Lent. The Isaiah House is a local ministry of the Catholic Worker movement founded by Dorothy Day (18971980) in 1933 to serve the poor and homeless in New York city during
the Great Depression. Today there are 185 Catholic Worker communities
in the US. Isaiah House offers formal meals for the homeless, shelter,
showers, bags of food, clothing, a listening ear and other emergency assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ. Isaiah House offers shelter to
homeless women—and often to their school age children as well. Please call Jeri Konopisos
at 949-731-4710 or Terry Maroutsos at 949-378-1719 if you would like to participate in this
ministry.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS MEETS ON MONDAY & TUESDAY EVENINGS AT 6:30PM!
St. Paul’s host three AA meetings each week: two on Monday evenings at 6:30 pm in the Education Building and one on Tuesday evenings, also at 6:30PM, in the parish hall. AA was started in 1935 by a New York stockbroker and an Ohio surgeon who had both been “hopeless
drunks.” The primary purpose of AA is sobriety in the face of addiction to alcohol. If you are
struggling or have struggled with alcohol addiction, it is time to get help. Please do not wait.
Come to the next meeting. Alcoholics Anonymous has helped millions of people get sober and
stay sober through their time-tested program that includes turning one’s life over to God.
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CHURCH SCHOOL MINISTRIES
‘SAY AMONG THE NATIONS THAT THE LORD REIGNS”
2015 Metropolis theme of the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
The Saint John Chrysostom Festival has traditionally been
limited to teens in Grades 7 - 12. But last year, our Oratorical Chairpersons, Andrea and Derick Fouts, decided
to invite our students in grades 4, 5 and 6 (Youth Level) to
join our 7th-12th graders in participating in our parish oratorical festival. Many 4th through 6th graders participated
and it proved to be such a wonderful opportunity for everyone, that we will continue to include a non-competitive
Youth Level, together with the Junior level (7th-9th
grades) and Senior Level (10th-12th grades) presentations. This year’s parish festival will be held on Sunday, March 22nd at 1 p.m. Representative speakers from
St. Paul’s in the Junior and Senior divisions will participate
in the District Festival at Saint John the Baptist in Anaheim on Sunday, April 19th, from which representatives
will move on to the Metropolis festival at St. Nicholas
Ranch on May 9th. The Oratorical Festival is an opportunity for our young people to learn more about their faith
and to be able to articulate that understanding. It involves
a minimal amount of time, but the rewards can last a lifetime! Teachers in our 4th, 5th and 6th grade classes will be assisting their students with the speech
topics and prompts. Additional assistance with grammar and pubic speaking tips will be offered to
students in grades 7-12. All the information for all three levels may be found on our parish Church
School website at: http://www.stpaulsirvine.org/churchschool. If you have ques- A glimpse into
tions or would like more information, please contact the parish chairpersons: our Senior High
Andrea and Derick Fouts by email at: [email protected] or by calling School class,
the church office at 949.733.2366.
(grades 11 -12)
with teachers
John Britigan,
Dorothea Love,
and
Jennifer
Hampson
(inset).
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PARISH ORGANIZATIONS, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
ST. PAUL’S DINNER AT OLIVE GARDEN AT 5:45 PM AND THEN FREE MUSIC NIGHT
ON THE BIG SCREEN WITH ONE OF THE GREATEST CONDUCTORS OF THE
20TH CENTURY, CARLOS KLEIBER, CONDUCTING THE BAVARIAN STATE ORCHESTRA
IN BEETHOVEN’S CORIALAN OVERTURE, MOZART’S SYMPHONY NO. 33
AND BRAHMS’ SYMPHONY NO. 4 ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 AT 7:30 PM!
Please come for either dinner or the concert or both on Friday, February 6—there is no fasting
at all this Friday evening because it falls during the week of the Publican and the Pharisee!
Please come at 5:45 pm for dinner at the Irvine Olive Garden at 3955 Alton Pkwy., Irvine, CA
92606; 949-263-8692 (in the Albertson's shopping complex just west of the corner of Culver
Dr. and Alton Pkwy.). After dinner at 7:30 pm please come to St. Paul’s to see this magnificent concert on the St. Paul’s big screen under the baton of one of the greatest conductors of
the 20th century—Carlos Kleiber. This performance by the Bayerisches Staatsorchester with
Carlos Kleiber conducting features the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms and was
recorded in Munich in 1996. It proved to be one of Kleiber's last performances. We plan to
serve free dessert and refreshments. Please bring the whole family for a beautiful evening of lovely and delightful music!

ST. PAUL’S AMBASSADORS’ TOUR OF ST. MARY’S ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN
ANAHEIM WITH LUNCH TO FOLLOW AT DUNAREA/DANUBE ROMANIAN
RESTAURANT IN ANAHEIM ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12 AT 9:30 AM!
We invite all our parishioners ages 50 and up to carpool with us at 9:30 am for our tour at
10:30 am of St. Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church at 555 S. Walnut St., Anaheim, CA 92802;
714-776-1972. We thank the pastor of St. Mary’s, Father Cornel Avramescu, for offering the
tour for us. After our tour of St. Mary’s we plan to have lunch nearby at the delightful
Dunarea/Danube Romanian Restaurant at 821 North Euclid St. Anaheim, CA 92801;
714-772-7233. Please come and bring a friend! For more info please call Dean Langis at
949-733-2366.

ST. PAUL’S STUDY/FELLOWSHIP IN LADERA RANCH WILL MEET ON MONDAYS,
FEBRUARY 9th AND 23rd AT 6:30PM AT THE HOME OF STEPANIE AND JASON ANGELOS
St. Paul’s has started small group study fellowships in
Irvine and Ladera Ranch this Fall for fellowship and the
deepening of our faith in Christ. Our meetings in Ladera
Ranch are held every other week, on Mondays, February
9th and February 23rd, 6:30-8PM at the home of
Stephanie and Jason Angelos: 9 Bryant Court, Ladera
Ranch, CA 92694. Over the past several months we have been discussing a variety of
questions about worship, moral values and teaching our children the faith. Where does our
worship come from in the Bible? Why is receiving the Body and Blood of Christ offered at each
Liturgy so important? What Bible verses should we begin having our children learn by heart?
What about homosexuality and sexuality in general? What are our views as a Church about all
this and how do we teach these values to our children? How do we as Orthodox Christians
understand the meaning of being “spiritual but not religious?” If you would like to attend
our Ladera Ranch fellowship, please RSVP to Stephanie by e-mailing her at
[email protected] .
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PARISH ORGANIZATIONS, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
ST. PAUL’S PILGRIMAGE TO THE LIFE-GIVING SPRING WOMEN’S MONASTERY
AT ST. NICHOLAS RANCH ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14th and 15th!
Please join us on our pilgrimage to the magnificent Life-Giving Spring Women’s Monastery located near Dunlap at St. Nicholas Ranch at 38526 Dunlap Road,
Squaw Valley, CA 93675; phone: 559-338-2103. We plan to
carpool from St. Paul’s at 8am on Saturday morning, February
14th and return on Sunday evening, February 15th. If you
would like to be one of our drivers or if we can use your van or
car, please call Dean Langis. We plan to stay overnight at St.
Nicholas Ranch where the rooms are only $35 for Saturday
night. Please call Dean Langis for further information and/or to
R.S.V.P. at 949-733-2366 as soon as possible! Please come
for a spiritually uplifting pilgrimage!
VISITING THE LIFE-GIVING SPRING WOMEN’S MONASTERY by Jennifer Hampson
As a convert to Orthodoxy, I found the idea of visiting a monastery to be both intimidating and
intriguing. I loved the idea of entering briefly into the monastic rhythm, but I had no idea about
the proper etiquette or even how to address monks and nuns. When St. Paul's offered a pilgrimage to the Life-Giving Spring Monastery a few years ago, I decided to
get my feet wet. After all, Mr. Dean was heading the trip, so I knew I could
ask any questions I had and follow his lead. My life was forever changed on
that trip. I thoroughly enjoyed the services and meeting Gerontissa Markella.
I found a quiet peace in my soul that carried on a while after our return. Visiting the monastery is a great opportunity to fellowship with other parishioners from St. Paul's as well. I hope to go on the pilgrimage again this year,
and I'm hoping the bring my family! Please join us!
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STEWARDSHIP– OUR OFFERING TO CHRIST
Stewardship means….Diving Inward
I recently had the chance to spend a few days scuba diving with some close friends. Each
time I enter the water, I am amazed at the beauty that lies below. The colors of the fish,
plants, and other sea life are almost indescribable. And yet one thing stands out over all: Jesus Christ, the one through whom all things were created (Colossians 1:16), the one whose
birth we recently celebrated, is Lord even in the deep. We now leave Christmas behind and
move towards Lent. As we do, we are asked do to a different kind of diving, not into oceans
of water, but rather into the ocean of our inner being. We are encouraged to look inward and
take inventory of our hearts and minds as we think about Christ’s journey to the cross.
The readings for three services at this time talk a lot about how God desires to
change what’s in our hearts, particularly with regard to the role of our possessions. We just celebrated Zacchaeus Sunday in which Zaccheaus, a wealthy
tax collector, has a radical change in heart after meeting Jesus. His life was
touched so deeply that he gave half his goods to the poor and offered to pay
back misappropriations fourfold (Luke 19:8).
A change in Zacchaeus’ heart
led to a change in his view of money.
We then move to the story of the Pharisee and the publican (another tax collector). In this
case, the Pharisee is doing the right things. He’s fasting and tithing! But his heart is in the
wrong place. The tax collector on the other hand came to realize who God was and asked for
mercy (Luke 18:13). Again, a change in the publican’s heart led to a change in his view of
his wealth.
We see this pattern again in the story of the Prodigal Son. A man’s son wanted his inheritance early and then ran off and squandered it only to realize his mistake and returned to his
father who then threw a celebration. The other son did all the right things and was angry.
What did the father say? “It was right that we should make merry and be glad for your brother was dead and is alive again….” (Luke 15:32). The prodigal son began by focusing on
wealth and then learned that his father’s love was truly what mattered. Again, a change in
the son’s heart led to a change in his view of wealth.
Three stories just before Lent about three different people with one message: God must be at
the center of our lives. Money and possessions are not bad things in themselves. Christ,
however, must be in control. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one
and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve
both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). As we begin our journey to Lent, let’s reexamine our
lives with regard to our time, our talents, and our treasures, particularly when it comes our
lives at St. Paul’s. In terms of our finances, if you haven’t completed a pledge card, now is a
great time. When it comes to our time, there are many opportunities such as Sunday School,
Missions, Focus, Isaiah House, Choir where you can lend a hand.
Let’s dive inward and look at the role of Christ in our lives. May His presence become more real to us as we look at His journey to the cross during this
Lenten season.
Jeff (Raphael) Levine
St. Paul’s Stewardship Committee
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PARISH COUNCIL MINISTRIES
Dear Parish members, friends and families of St. Paul’s,
As I sit down to write this month’s message, I find myself with so many thoughts to sort out,
due to the many blessings to speak to. To begin, I wish to thank God for His blessings on me
and my family and for you and your families; 2014 was an amazing year at St. Paul’s due to
His faith in us!
I have always been in wonderment at how God has presented His people with signs and symbols throughout the ages, only to make it easier to communicate to us all. For instance, in the
Old Testament, the Scriptures describe the Israelites under oppressive regimes and relegated
to the peasant work of shepherds, farmers and slaves – certainly not high status trades of the
time, but lowly, non-educated workers. In the Gospels, we find Jesus speaking of the mightiness and glory of God – an incomprehensible topic - in the most meager of terms. His simple
parables speak in descriptive terms that clearly communicate in the language and symbolisms
known to generations of shepherds and farmers. It seems so well planned!
As we recently celebrated Vasilopita (St. Basil’s Bread) Sunday (this past January 11th), I was
given a slice of bread along with so many others. And, having a new year’s resolution of cutting out carbohydrates, I reluctantly began to nibble on it while enjoying the rest of the festivities in the parish hall. I figured, I would take a small taste and probably do no harm to my
new diet. But the bread was so good, and so I nibbled on figuring, just one
more... When I looked down, there was a gold coin on my plate! My first
thought was that it was someone else’s. But no one around me took any notice.
Upon a closer look, this coin slipped out of a tiny slot inside the slice of bread – it
was mine. Had I not eaten the bread, what would the outcome have been? My
afterthoughts brought me to think about what this means - given that St. Basil’s
original actions were to secretly share and distribute wealth among those in need. It’s funny
how many Yia Yia’s around me hugged me and predicted good luck for me for this year. But
since this coin is more symbolic than it is real currency, I began to contemplate more about
what it may mean. And, certainly, why me? Well of course, the thoughts that came to me began to emerge as I continue preparing for the work at St. Paul’s for this year.
We will be undertaking our next major phase in the growth of our church’s mission by adding a
multipurpose building in the vacant area of our campus adjacent to the library. Certainly not a
simple undertaking, but it will involve every one of us to take part in it in some way, shape or
form. Many plans, many volunteers, many meetings, fundraisers, etc. But as we begin this
undertaking, I am reminded that this new building is more like the coin in the bread. It is
meant to share and distribute wealth - that is the wealth of the Good News of Jesus Christ. It
will undoubtedly give St. Paul’s the opportunity to advance our mission of spreading the Gospel to more around us and to glorify Him. No need to diet for this task – it is meant for us all
to take a piece without any reluctance because it will enable St. Paul’s to become a beacon to
others in need. Our mission begins – how sweet this bread is!
May Christ grant us all every grace in this New Year of serving and praising Him!
In His mercy I remain,
Ron Tedesco, parish council president
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After years of veneration by
the laity in Greece and a
thorough investigation of his
life and witness to Christ,
Father Paisios of Mt. Athos
(1924-1994) was canonized
as a saint of the Church by
the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at their
monthly meeting this past
Tuesday, January 13th.
The celebration of Father
Paisios’ memory each year
has been set for July 12th.
Born in Cappadocia, Turkey
during the time of the
“exchange of populations”
mandated by France and
Great Britain following the
Greco-Turkish War, Father
Paisios was baptized by St.
Arsenios of Cappadocia who
predicted that he would become a monk. Following his
military service during the
Greek civil war against communism, Father Paisios became a monk on Mt. Athos
in 1950 and ultimately became a hermit/monk of the
Koutloumousiou Monastery,
where many people sought
him out for spiritual counsel.
"Whether we pray for ourselves or for others, our prayer must be from the heart. The problems of others should become our problems. You have to prepare for prayer. Read a bit of the
Gospels or the Sayings of the Fathers and then pray. Prayer requires an attempt to take the
mind to the divine space. Study is like a gift which God gives us to direct us to an ever greater
and deeper spirituality.”
“When your children are still small, you have to help them understand what is good. That is
the deepest meaning of life.”
"If you want to help the Church, it is better to try to correct yourself, rather than be looking to
correct others. If you manage to correct yourself, one small part of the Church is immediately
corrected. Naturally, if everyone did the same, the body of the Church would be in good
health. You see, judging others is easy, whereas working on yourself takes effort."
16
Sunday, March 1st at 6 PM
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2015 MINISTRY LEADERS
2015 PARISH COUNCIL
AMBASSADORS (AGES 55 AND UP)
President: Ron Tedesco
Vice President: Jim Dargavel
Treasurer: Wayne House
Secretary: John Leventis
Mona Fahmy Almond, Greg Cladopulos,
Dean Conzaman, Jim Eckstaedt, George Ekizian,
Alex Gorbenko, Mark Hudoff, Jacob Lee, Lou Machos,
Dennis Thomas and Steve Tibbs
Coordinated by: Dean Langis
ST. PAUL’S FOUNDATION
President: Ted Konopisos
Vice President: Michael Kartsonis
Secretary: Chris Louis
Treasurer: Jim Eckstaedt
James Alexiou, Hugo Aviles, Mel Bowman,
Tykye Camaras, Dean Conzaman, Nick Davis,
Mark Hudoff, Alex Jianas, Anthony Kalomas, Jack Kouzelos,
Angelo Leara, Bill Lekas, Chris Louis, Tom Mallos,
Ron Matthews, Nick Speliopoulos, Steve Tibbs,
Father Steven Tsichlis
ST. PAUL’S STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
Coordinator: Mark Hudoff
Barbara House, Jeff Levine, Lou Machos, MaryAnne Smith
ST. PAUL’S PHILOPTOCHOS
(Love for the Poor)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Nanette Bowman
Advisor/Chaplain: Dorothea Love
First V.P.: Carol Sekeris
Second V.P. Ana Henning
Recording Sec.: Karen Ekizian
Corresponding Sec.: Catherine Korp
Treasurer: Diana Jianas
Kiki Anastopoulos, Kathy Gabriel, Linda Gorbenko,
Barbara House, Maria Elena Konugres, Marina Kookootsedes,
Helen Louis, Mary Manos, Jeanette Preketes
AGAPE OUTREACH
At Isaiah House: Terry Maroutsos & Jeri Konopisos
At St. Anselm’s Episcopal Church: Elvira Opran
FOCUS – Orange County
Jacob Lee, Director
MISSIONS COMMITTEE
(Mission is Possible)
Chairman: Alex Gorbenko
Secretary: Nadine Mwesigwa
Treasurer: Jennifer Schipsi
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BIBLE STUDY PROGRAMS
Women’s Bible Study: Eve Tibbs
Orthodox Koinonia Bible Study: Dean Langis
CHURCH CATECHETICAL SCHOOL
Executive Director: Eve Tibbs
Directors: Dorothea Love,
Joanne Petas, MaryAnne Smith, Steve Tibbs
ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Orthodox Christianity 101: Fr. Steve
Orthodox/Catholic Book Club: Fr. Steve
Women’s Study Fellowship: Dorothea Love
ST. PAUL’S BOOKSTORE
Joanne Lorton
ST. PAUL’S LIBRARY
Georgia Theodor
YOUTH MINISTRIES
GOYA (Grades 8-12): Carolyn Kouracos & Pita Dargavel
Acolytes: John Britigan & Dean Langis
CHOIR
Director: Eve Tibbs
President: Stephen Borchert
Treasurer: John Smith
Secretary: Stacy Gentry
BREAD FOR THE LITURGY
Coordinator: Deacon Daniel Cunningham
USHER COORDINATORS
Leo Lovato
Theresa Louis
ARCHONS OF THE
ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE
Tykye Camaras, Archon Lambadarios
Ron Matthews, Archon Hartophylax
GREEK LANGUAGE CLASSES
Adults: Nina Luke
Children: Loula Katalanos
February
In the Year of our Lord 2015
Sun
1
Triodion
Begins
Sunday of the
Publican and the
Pharisee—there is no
fasting all of this
coming week including
Wednesday and Friday
Regular Schedule
Morning Prayer, 9 am
Divine Liturgy, 10 am
St. Paul’s Visits to
Elderly Shut-ins
after Church
8
The Sunday of the
Prodigal Son
Regular Schedule
St. Paul’s Visits to
Elderly Shut-ins
after Church
Mon
2
Presentation of the Lord
to the Temple
Tue
3
Choir, 7 pm
Morning Prayer, 9 am
Divine Liturgy, 10 am
The Sunday
of Judgment
Regular Schedule
The Service for the
Making of
Catechumens 11:30 am
Adult Greek School,
6 pm
Women’s Study
Fellowship, 6:30 pm
Orthodox Christianity
101, 7 pm
9
Adult Greek School,
6:30 pm
Alcoholics Anon.,
6:30 pm
10
Orthodox/Catholic
Book Club, 7 pm
Choir, 7 pm
Women’s Study
Fellowship, 6:30 pm
Adult Greek School,
6 pm
Orthodox Christianity
101, 7 pm
Women’s Bible Study,
10 am
Irvine Study
Fellowship at Lee
Home, 6:30 pm
Orthodox Koinonia,
7:30 pm
12
19
President’s Day
Parish Council, 6 pm
Church Office Closed.
Children’s Greek
School, 3:30 pm
Women’s Bible Study,
10 am
Choir, 7 pm
Adult Greek School,
6 pm
Irvine Study Fellowship at Lee Home,
6:30 pm
Adult Greek School,
6:30 pm
Orthodox Christianity
101, 7 pm
Alcoholics Anon.,
6:30 pm
Lenten Mini-Retreat
10 am—1 pm
Adult Greek School,
6:30 pm
Alcoholics Anon.,
6:30 pm
Women’s Study
Fellowship, 7 pm
Ladera Ranch Study
Fellowhip, 6:30 pm
24
Choir, 7 pm
Fri
6
St. Paul’s Dinner at
Irvine Olive Garden at
5:45 pm and/or St.
Paul’s Free Music
Night on the Big
Screen with Carlos
Kleiber Conducting the
Bavarian State Orchestra in Beethoven’s
Corialan Overture,
Mozart’s Symphony
No. 33 And Brahms’
Symphony No. 4 at
7:30 pm
13
Women’s Bible Study,
10 am
Ambassadors’ Tour of
St. Mary’s Romanian
Orthodox Church with
Lunch to Follow at
Danurea/Danube
Romanian Restaurant
in Anaheim, 9:30am
Carpools
Irvine Study Fellowship at Lee Home,
6:30 pm
Orthodox Koinonia,
7:30 pm
18
Pure Monday
Great
Compline 6 pm
19
Children’s Greek
School, 3:30 pm
5
17
Cheesefare
GOYA Pancake
Breakfast
11
Thu
16
23
The Service of
Forgiveness 11:30 am
St. Paul's/St. Mary’s
Feeding the Homeless
in Garden Grove, 12-3
pm
Alcoholics Anon.,
6:30 pm
22
Regular Schedule
4
Children’s Greek
School, 3:30 pm
Adult Greek School,
6:30 pm
Ladera Ranch Study
Fellowhip, 6:30 pm
15
Wed
Sat
7
Women’s PreLenten Retreat with
Rita Madden MPH,
RD on “Caring for
Body and Soul Alike:
An Ancient Christina
Approach to Eating
and Fasting,”
10 am to 3 pm
14
Saturday of Souls
Morning Prayer,
9 am
Divine Liturgy,
10 am
Memorial
Service, 11:30 am
20
21
“Live at St. Paul’s:
Coffee with Sister
Vassa,”—Sister
Vassa (Larin), nun,
professor of Liturgy
and Worship at the
University of Vienna,
popular podcaster for
Ancient Faith Radio
and YouTube personality live at St. Paul’s!,
10 am to 2:30 pm
Orthodox Koinonia,
7:30 pm
25
26
27
28
Pre-sanctified
Liturgy 6 pm
Women’s Bible Study,
10 am
First
Salutations to the
Theotokos 7 pm
Miracle of the
Kollyva of
St. Theodore
the Recruit
Children’s Greek
School, 3:30 pm
Irvine Study Fellowship at Lee Home,
6:30 pm
Adult Greek School,
6 pm
Orthodox Koinonia,
7:30 pm
Orthodox Christianity
101, 7 pm
Morning Prayer,
9 am
Divine Liturgy,
10 am
Blessing of Kollyva
and Memorial
Service, 11:30 am
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
Address Service Requested2
PAID
IRVINE,CA
PERMIT #25
DATED MATERIAL PLEASE RUSH DELIVERY
20