THE BEACON ASSUMPTION. September Your Cross, O Lord, we venerate, O Master; and Your Holy Resurrection, we glorify!

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1 ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY Attract, Serve, Illuminate THE BEACON September 2017 The Exaltation of the Holy Cross September 14 th Your Cross, O Lord, we venerate, O Master; and Your Holy Resurrection, we glorify!

2 Assumption Calendar of Events 13 th Sunday of Matthew Orthros 8:45am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Family Worship Coffee Hour Sunday Monday Tuesday WorldFest on the Belvedere Sunday Before Holy Cross Orthros 8:45am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 1st Day of Sunday School Blessing of the Backpacks Coffee Hour Greek School Sunday After Holy Cross Orthros 8:45am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour Greek School 1:00pm Youth Park Outing (Hounz Lane Park) st Sunday of Luke Orthros 8:45am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour Greek School 5:00pm Youth Greek Dance Practice (Lyndon Baptist) Holy Confession is done by appointment and may be scheduled by calling Fr. Jon at the Church Office: (502) Labor Day WorldFest on the Belvedere GOGO Meeting 6:30pm AHEPA Meeting 6:30pm Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free Deadline for Submissions to The Beacon September 2017 Wednesday Thursday Friday Vesperal Divine Liturgy of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross 6:00pm 1 st Bible Study 6:00pm-7:30pm Strategic Planning Committee Meeting 7:30pm No Bible Study Eve of the Nativity of the Theotokos Great Vespers 6:00pm (At Holy Mother Queen of All in Lexington, KY) Men s Club Kick-Off Meeting & Lamb Dinner 6:30pm 28 Metropolis of Detroit Clergy-Laity Congress in Buffalo, NY WorldFest on the Belvedere 1 8 Nativity of the Theotokos Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am (At Holy Mother Queen of All in Lexington, KY) Saturday WorldFest on the Belvedere No Great Vespers Daughters of Penelope Meeting 10:30am Great Vespers 5:00pm Philoptochos at Speliotis Home 11:00am-1:00pm Great Vespers 5:00pm Great Vespers 5:00pm Texas Hold em Building Fund Benefit 7:00pm 30 LOVE (for ages 0-3ish) at the Roussis Home 10:00am No Great Vespers

3 Pastoral Message Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption, According to modern wisdom, it takes 21 days to make or break a habit. In such a short period of time, one can change the momentum of one s direction by instituting an exercise routine or embracing a healthy diet; one could stop having that evening bowl of ice cream or even stop smoking. A beneficial change is only 21 days in the making but so is a bad habit one could stop exercising or embrace an unhealthy diet. Attending weekly Divine Liturgy and Bible Study are likewise choices that in 21 days can become routine. When we don t come to church in the summer, it is hard to begin again just as it is hard to stop when we regularly attend. Fasting, praying, tithing are also examples of choices that we make that become part of our way of being (in 21 days). Why is this so important to be said right now? It is because we have come to the start of a new Ecclesiastical year! Regardless of what our momentum was before, we are now entering a new year of Sunday School, Bible Study, youth activities, fellowship, etc. Whether, in this last year, we were merely participating or completely committed doesn t matter the clock has been reset. For each of us, this means that we decide what we want to be this year. We need to sit down and determine what is important to our families and ourselves. Then, commit to 21 days of making it a reality. Is it easy? Not really. Is it worth it? Absolutely! It is our daily habits that define the health of almost everything that we can control about ourselves: physical fitness, weight, scholastic performance and financial health. Why would our spiritual health differ? The new year starts today so can your new (or renewed) you! I remain, In His Service, Rev. Father Jon Boukis Proistamenos Attract, Serve, Illuminate

4 Parish Council Corner Fellow Parishioners, Last month, I wrote to you in my message asking for help because we had no one to chair the WorldFest. We, the parish council, met and decided to give it up - which was a very painful decision since it is the parish s third largest fundraising event. Thanasi was out of town when he heard about the decision. He called me and said: "Being on parish council (means) to me, and from what I've seen the many years my father was on it, the council steps up. I've reached out to (someone) and told him we need a chair. If he is not willing to chair, but only work, then I will chair it. I believe we need the $10k of revenue for the church and I'm not sure how we could make it up. So I think we have to do the WorldFest and pray that God provides us workers and an abundance of income." That is a great example of a son s dedication to his church and community - who has learned by example from his father throughout the years. In Christ, Ramsey Attract, Serve, Illuminate 2017 Parish Council Ramsey Nassar, President John Harris, Vice President Cosmin Schenk, Treasurer Steven Taylor, Secretary Athanasi Agamemnonos Michael Balakos Charles Blackford Daniel Cupkovic Ryan Leathers Contact Information Priest s priest@assumption.ky.goarch.org Parish Council President s president@assumption.ky.goarch.org Office Administrator's office@assumption.ky.goarch.org Church Website: Church Phone: (502) Administrator s Office Hours: 9:00am-1:00pm Monday 930 Ormsby Lane, Louisville, Kentucky 40242

5 Philoptochos Philoptochos News!!! Have you joined Philoptochos yet? Who? All members of the parish who are 18 years and older. Please pay $35 dues to Lori Balakos, treasurer. Become an associate member. Associate members are spouses of members. Show your support and become an associate member today! Philoptochos Annual Welcome Tea/Brunch Saturday, Sept. 16, 11:00am - 1:00pm At Evanthia's house: 1805 Tyler Parkway, Louisville Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend current members, past members, prospective new members! September Birthdays & Namedays BIRTHDAYS 1 st Michael Mann 2 nd Gerasimos Stavens 6 th Dean Dimitropoulos 6 th Penny Masterson 7 th Kalista Buono 8 th Melanie Fadel 8 th Louie Falconburg 9 th Spyrangelos Stavens 10 th Christina Kapsalis 10 th Karla Katakis 13 th Nick Panaretos 14 th Lori Balakos 14 th Stephanie Cox 14 th Jason Willman 16 th Eleni Fischer 18 th Johanna Geftos 18 th Lucas Taylor 19 th Kinsley Stephens 19 th Jared Whelan 20 th Ron Fadel 23 rd Pat Blackford 25 th Dawson Willman 26 th Tom Karageorge 28 th George Digenis 28 th Helen Digenis 28 th Kristina Fredriksson 29 th Pop Cornel 29 th Deborah Harris 29 th Jeanie Kallis 29 th Dimitri Kapsalis Just a few of the Saints (Namedays) commemorated in September... 5 th Zacharias & Elizabeth 14 th Stavros, Stavroula 17 th Sophia, Faith, Hope, Love

6 Sunday School First Day of Sunday School Blessing of the Backpacks On September 10 th, we will hold a special Agiasmos Service (Blessing of the Water) for the Blessing of the classrooms and the school year. The children are invited to come up on the solea with their backpacks, school books or just themselves to be blessed for a healthy and prosperous year of education. Don t miss it!!! Sunday School Raffles Every time you come to Sunday School you will get a raffle ticket for an attendance award. It might happen every week, or every other week, or maybe once a month. The more you come, the more chances you have to win!!! But, you must be present to win!!! If your ticket is pulled and you re not there, we pull another!!! Be there!!! Youth Kick-Off The Year Has Begun!!!! Let us gather together as one youth family and begin this year s ministries with a day of Christian Fellowship and Fun!!! When: Sunday, September 17 th, at 1:00 PM Where: Hounz Lane Park (across from E.P. Tom Sawyer Park) Who: All Youth!!! Sunday School, Fellowship Groups and Dance!!!

7 Sunday School ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Religious Education Registration Form NAME BIRTHDATE GRADE / / / / / / / / / / Parent Information (Name, address, phone and please): Please return this form along with a $10.00 registration fee per child to our Sunday school directors, Elyse Allemang or Tia Reyna. Thank you!!! Church starts at 10am!!!

8 Greek Dance Division I (Ages 3-7) and Division II (Age 8-8 th Grade) will be practicing at Lyndon Baptist a few times each month. Our 1 st practice is Sunday, September 24 th!! Division I: 5:00pm-5:45pm; Division II 6:00pm-7:00pm If you are Age 18+ and would like to dance in the Adult Group, please Alexis Karageorge at doctoragk@gmail.com. Are you going to the Youth Kick-off on Sunday, September 17th, at Hounz Lane Park? Well, your dance leaders will be there also with a booth for you to sign up for dance! We may also dance a little... The 1st dance performance of the year (for Division II) will be at Lyndon Baptist s Octoberfest at 1:00pm on Saturday, October 14th! Our parish is encouraged to come and support our dancers. Bible Study Come and See!!! (Gospel According to St. John) Wednesday: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Bible Study is not just for adults. Families can and should come together to learn about the Faith!!! Fellowship Hour September 3 Not Yet Reserved September 10 Not Yet Reserved September 17 The Blackford Family September 24 Not Yet Reserved The Church is built on 4 legs: Worship (the most important), Fellowship, Evangelization and Service. Divine Liturgy without fellowship following is incomplete. When you host coffee hour you are promoting fellowship which feeds community, not only appetites. Sign up to host a coffee hour today!

9 2 nd Annual GOGO 2 nd Annual GOGO Greek Orthodox Golf Olympics Scramble Saturday, October 7, :00 a.m. Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start Early Registration $100; $125 after Sept. 15 Registration includes Greens Fees, Practice Range with Free Range Balls, Cart, Locker Room and Shower Facilities, Lunch, Prizes and On Course Events Sponsorship Opportunities: Lunch Sponsor ($1000) Breakfast Sponsor ($300) Beverage Cart Sponsor ($500) Cart Sponsor ($300) Door Prize Sponsor ($200) Hole/Green Sponsor ($100) GOGO to be held at: Covered Bridge Golf Club Covered Bridge Rd, Sellersburg, IN 47172

10 GOGO Registration Name: Company: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone: I am organizing a Foursome, attached is a check(s) For foursome(s) x $400 ($500 after Sept. 15) = (with 2 or more Foursomes you receive a free Hole Sponsorship!) I am golfing as an individual (Early registration $100; $125 after Sept. 15) I enjoy the Golf Outing and would like to be one of the sponsors: Company/Individual Name: Lunch Sponsor ($1,000) Breakfast Sponsor ($300) Beverage Cart Sponsor ($500) Golf Cart Sponsor ($300) Golf Hole/Green Sponsor ($100) Door Prize Sponsor ($200) I can t golf, but please accept my donation of $ Please return prior to September 15 th with payment to: AGOC (PUT GOGO IN THE MEMO) c/o: Tom Karageorge 2655 Drayton Drive, Louisville, KY For more information, contact Tom at (502) or tkarageorge@tilfordlaw.com or Tara at (502) or taralynnt@bellsouth.net Additional Golfers for Foursome Reservations Golfer #2 Golfer #3 Golfer #4

11 The Exaltation of the Holy The Elevation of the Venerable and Life- Creating Cross of the Lord: The pagan Roman emperors tried to completely eradicate from human memory the holy places where our Lord Jesus Christ suffered and was resurrected for mankind. The Emperor Hadrian ( ) gave orders to cover over the ground of Golgotha and the Sepulchre of the Lord, and to build a temple of the pagan goddess Venus and a statue of Jupiter. Pagans gathered at this place and offered sacrifice to idols there. Eventually after 300 years, by Divine Providence, the great Christian sacred remains, the Sepulchre of the Lord and the Life-Creating Cross were again discovered and opened for veneration. This took place under the Emperor Constantine the Great ( ). In 313 he had issued the Edict of Milan, by which the Christian religion was legalized and the persecutions against Christians in the Western half of the empire were stopped. The ruler Licinius, although he had signed the Edict of Milan to oblige Constantine, still fanatically continued the persecutions against Christians. Only after his conclusive defeat did the 313 Edict of toleration extend also to the Eastern part of the empire. The Holy Equal of the Apostles Emperor Constantine, having gained victory over his enemies in three wars with God's assistance, had seen in the heavens the Sign of the Cross, and written beneath: "By this you shall conquer." Ardently desiring to find the Cross on which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, St Constantine sent his mother, the pious Empress Helen (May 21), to Jerusalem, providing her with a letter to St Macarius, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Although the holy empress Helen was already in her declining years, she set about completing the task with enthusiasm. The empress gave orders to destroy the pagan temple and the statues in Jerusalem. Searching for the Life- Creating Cross, she made inquiry of Christians and Jews, but for a long time her search remained unsuccessful. Finally, they directed her to a certain elderly Hebrew by the name of Jude who stated that the Cross was buried where the temple of Venus stood. They demolished the pagan temple and, after praying, they began to excavate the ground. Soon the Tomb of the Lord was uncovered. Not far from it were three crosses, a board with the inscription ordered by Pilate, and four nails which had pierced the Lord's Body (March 6).

12 Cross Celebrated Sept. 14 th To discern on which of the three crosses Christ was crucified, Patriarch Macarius alternately touched the crosses to a corpse. When the Cross of the Lord touched the dead one, he came to life. Having beheld the raising of the dead man, everyone was convinced that the Life-Creating Cross was found. During the discovery of the Life-Creating Cross another miracle took place: a grievously sick woman, beneath the shadow of the Holy Cross, was healed instantly. The elder Jude and other Jews there believed in Christ and accepted Holy Baptism. Jude received the name Cyriacus and afterwards was consecrated Bishop of Jerusalem. The holy empress Helen journeyed to the holy places connected with the earthly life of the Savior, building more than 80 churches, at Bethlehem the birthplace of Christ, and on the Mount of Olives where the Lord ascended to Heaven, and at Gethsemane where the Savior prayed before His sufferings and where the Mother of God was buried after her death. St Helen took part of the Life-Creating Wood and nails with her to Constantinople. The holy emperor Constantine gave orders to build at Jerusalem a majestic and spacious church in honor of the Resurrection of Christ, also including under its roof the Life-Giving Tomb of the Lord and Golgotha. The temple was constructed in about ten years. St Helen did not survive until the dedication of the temple, she died in the year 327. The church was consecrated on September 13, 335. On the following day, September 14, the festal celebration of the Exaltation of the Venerable and Life-Creating Cross was established. During the reign of the Byzantine emperor Phocas ( ) the Persians defeated the Greek army, plundered Jerusalem and captured both the Life- Creating Cross of the Lord and the Holy Patriarch Zachariah ( ). The Cross remained in Persia for fourteen years and only under the emperor Heraclius ( ), who with the help of God defeated Khozroes and concluded peace with his successor and son Syroes, was the Cross of the Lord returned to the Christians. With great solemnity the Life-creating Cross was transferred to Jerusalem. Emperor Heraclius in imperial crown and royal purple carried the Cross of Christ into the temple of the Resurrection. With the emperor went Patriarch Zacharios. At the gates by which they ascended Golgotha, the emperor suddenly stopped and was not able to proceed farther. The holy Patriarch explained to the emperor that an angel of the Lord was blocking his way. The emperor was told to remove his royal trappings and to walk barefoot, since He Who bore the Cross for the salvation of the world from sin had made His way to Golgotha in all humility. Then Heraclius donned plain garb, and without further hindrance, carried the Cross of Christ into the church.

13 Building Fund Benefit Hosted By Tom Caneris, Ramsey Nassar & Barry Pecha Top Prize: Rare Bottle 2013 Parker s Heritage Bourbon Promise of Hope SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 FIRST ANNUAL CHARITY BOURBON & POKER TOURNAMENT 7:00 P.M. Donation $110 (includes snacks & refreshments) REBUY OPPORTUNITIES! RESERVE NOW! RSVP by 9/15 patricia.brattain@pharmerica.com Or call Patti Proceeds to Benefit Mockingbird Gardens Clubhouse 299 Mockingbird Gardens Drive Louisville, KY Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund If you are unable to join us, please consider making a tax deductible donation. Make check payable to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church and mail to Tom Caneris at Long Grove Way, Louisville, KY 40245

14 Men s Club You asked for it You got it!!! First Meeting of the Assumption Men s Club!!! On Thursday, September 21, at 6:30pm, the Men s Club will gather to discuss the upcoming year s activities. We will also celebrate our formation with a Lamb dinner! Through the survey last Spring, you have spoken now come and offer yourself to fellowship with your brothers of the Assumption!!! RSVP to office@assumption.ky.goarch.org or (502) today!!! Daughters of Penelope The newly installed officers of the Daughters of Penelope met in August to plan the year. Our first "official" meeting will take place in the church hall on Saturday, September 9 th, at 10:30 a.m. We'll go over our agenda for the upcoming year and discuss future fundraisers and projects. We had a successful year last year, and were honored to receive four District awards at the Buckeye District Convention in June, for our service and hard work for the Daughters. This year looks to be another exciting year, and we look forward to starting our new projects and recruiting new members. Anyone interested in joining us, please contact Nancy Anas or Madelon Zady for a membership application!

15 The Fruits of Devotion Taken from The Prologue from Ochrid (September 14 th ) Just as a candle is lighted from another candle, so also a good work is born from a good work. A patrician wanted to donate a gold cross to a church. He summoned a young but experienced goldsmith, gave him a great deal of gold that he weighed out, and told him to fashion whatever sort of cross he desired. The poor goldsmith, seeing what a large donation this patrician was making for the sake of his soul, became inflamed with love for God in his own heart, and decided that he would add his own ten pieces of gold to the amount of the patrician's gold. When the cross was completed, the patrician weighed it, and discovered that it was heavier than the gold that he had given to the young man. He immediately began to scold the young man as a thief, suspecting that he had taken some of the gold and replaced it with some other heavy metal. When the young man saw the patrician so angry, he confessed his deed. He said: ``I added from my gold, as the widow gave two mites, in order to receive Christ's reward with you.'' Hearing this, the patrician's heart was touched, and he said to the honorable young man: ``From this day, I take you as my son, and the heir of all my goods.'' The Prologue from Ochrid contains short accounts of the lives of major saints for each day, as well as homily, something "for consideration", and points to ponder from Old Testament readings. It is a most valuable addition to any Orthodox library. The contents of these volumes are online at or can be purchased in hardback from any good Orthodox bookseller.

16 2017 Pledge Cards Received Bill & Doris Abdallah Lara Abdallah Sam & Thelma Adams Athanasios Agamemnonos Michael & Vickie Agamemnonos Jason & Elyse Allemang Larry & Nancy Anas Chris & Connie Anggelis Alena Balakos Michael & Lori Balakos Areti & Jack Masero-Baldwin Charles & Patricia Blackford Fr. Jon & Presbytera Doreece Boukis Alexandra Brown Julia Burden Alexandra Caneris Tom & Joanna Caneris Joanne Caridis Susan Christoff & Louie Falconburg Gus & Alice Collis Ricky & Anne Collis Stanley & Maria Collis Stephanie Cox & John Hile Dan & Sarah Cupkovic Alexander Digenis George & Helen Digenis Dean & Hadley Dimitropoulos John Dobson David & Jeanne Doukas Ron & Melanie Fadel Michael and Lauren Flaherty Peter & Angelica Fotos Milton & Kelly Galanos Johanna Geftos George & Kendra Georgacopoulos Marcus & Nancy Geromes Thomas Gianacakes Dimitrios & Margie Gregoriades Anthony & Jennifer Griffin John & Julie Harris Michael & Deborah Harris Helen Hellen Elizabeth Johnson John Johnson John & Jean Kallis Peter Kambelos Alexis Karageorge & Rick Buono Rhonda Karageorge 95 Tom Karageorge Chris & Anita Kounnas Nick Kounnas Angeliki Kourelis Stephanos & Kristen Kyriacou Chad & Rose Leathers Phillip & Cheryl Leathers Ryan & Laura Leathers Daniel & Christina Lococo Lisa and Joseph Major Mary Makris Mark & Pamela Mann Penelope Masterson John and Frances Matsis Joanna Mikos Ramsey & Souha Nassar Georgia Panaretos Nicholas Panaretos Andreas & Jennifer Papapavlou Jennifer Paulk Barry & Angeliki Pecha Dennis & Chrisoula Peppas Demetra Raptis Efstratia & Ron Reyna Timon & Elizabeth Roussis Emily Digenis & Hunter Sattich Constantine & Julia Scordalakes Cosmin & Dana Schenk James & Marsha Serdenis Mary Sharish Chuck Shuff Jim & Christine Simatacolos Serban Smadici Evanthia Speliotis & Peter Vedder Katherine Speliotis Chris & Lisa Stavens Gerasimos & Donna Stavens John & Eve Stelter Robert Taylor & Linda Shapiro Melina Digenis & Steve Taylor Gregory & Pamela Theoharatos Dan & Connie Thomas Tara Tsioropoulos Penny VonAllmen Fr. Gregory C. Wingenbach Madelon Zady William Zhunga As the Father has sent me, so I send you. (John 20:21)

17 Philanthropic Opportunities Shop at Kroger? Your current shopping could be benefitting the Assumption! Kroger Community Rewards makes fund-raising easy...all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card! TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM: Go to krogercommunityrewards.com and register your Kroger Plus Card (if you are already registered, click Sign In instead of Create an Account. ) Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your address and creating a password. You will then get a message to check your inbox and click on the link within the body of the . Click on My Account and use your address and password to proceed. Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number. If you use your phone number at the register instead of a card, call , select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number. Update or confirm your information. Enter Assumption or our NPO number of and select us from the list and click on confirm. If enrollment is complete, you will see Assumption s name on the right side of your information page. That s it!!! Use your registered Kroger Plus card or phone number at the register and our parish benefits!!! By registering online, coupons can be electronically attached to your Plus Card. Not only do you help the Church, but you save money!!! AHEPA American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association In our own words. What AHEPA means to us. 95 years of community service, education, civic duty & more! Click on the link then go to the link shown to view this video - fb.me/smi7uxoe The Order of AHEPA - Often Imitated - Never Duplicated

18 Friends of the Metropolis We are truly blessed to have His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas as our Spiritual Father! Let us show our support for the ministries of the Metropolis and for our Spiritual Father by supporting the Friends of the Metropolis Program this month - not waiting until December. Let us be an example to our sister Parishes by having the greatest number of supporters in the next Shepard s Staff (Metropolis Newsletter). God Bless Your Offerings!!! To donate to the Friends of the Metropolis online, go to: and click here Philanthropic Opportunities Backpack Buddies Because Hunger Doesn t Take the Weekend Off Help feed 20 elementary age kids over the weekend! Make it a habit to bring in an item each week for those children who without help may go hungry. Offerings collected in a container in the back of the church! Please bring foods that are: Non-perishable Shelf-stable Single-serving Nutritious