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GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY & PARISH

OF PROPHET ELIAS NORWOOD & EASTERN

SUBURBS INC.

87 BEULAH RD. NORWOOD SA 5067 P.O. BOX 277, KENT TOWN SA 5071
ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO THE HON. SECRETARY

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: 8362 4139 . 8431 7789 . 0412 710 037

16-12-12
29 . 1430

WEEKLY MAGAZINE

THE WORD OF GOD

PHONES: 8362 4139 H. 8431 7789 M. 0412 710 037

DATE 16-11-12
YEAR 29TH NUMBER 1430
WEB PAGE: WWW.PROPHETELIAS.ORG.AU
ONLINE MAGAZINE & RADIO PROGRAM: WWW.PROPHETELIAS.BLOGSPOT.COM
EMAIL: PROPHETELIAS@ESC.NET.AU

(. 3, 4-11) 16 2012
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11th SUNDAY OF LUKE (Col. 3, 4-11) 16 December 2012

As we read and meditate on the letters that the Apostle Paul sent to the
newly-established Christian churches the reader or listener can become

immersed in the messages of salvation. Having in mind that these epistles

were written through the spirit of God and result in the salvation of souls,
the reader tries to bring the advice in the letters into his life and current
times. It is a justifiable and valuable effort that shows the living interest that
he has to learn more from the epistle. Today we will take part of the ninth
verse of the apostolic reading to examine more closely and attempt to
understand its spiritual message.

since you have put off the old man with his deeds
It is clear that Paul is talking in a commanding tone; therefore there is no
room for doubt that the recipients of his letter were indeed dressed in the
garments of the old man. The Apostle Paul is not asking whether they had
put on the old man, surely they had, he is simply telling them that they had
to remove it. Following this, the first thought that comes to mind is to work
out what the garments of the old man are, since it is not impossible that we
are wearing these without even knowing it. In the verse above we find the
words the old man, which means scoundrel or the devil. Even just naming
him brings embarrassment, so who would accept to be clothed in such an
ugly and filthy way? And yet dear brethren the clothes of the old man are
always in fashion. Or, rather it is the only fashion that has not lost its grip.
Despite its fickleness is seems that, especially in our times, it has
monopolised the marketplace; it is very rare to find someone today who has
not put on the garments of the old man.
Continuing with our inquiry into the garments of the old man we see that in
the beginning they were tailored with great care by the devil. With vivid
colour the Apostle describes some of the garments key features:

...fornication, uncleanliness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which

is idolatry anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy filthy language When the
cunning one striped man of the ornate garments, richly adorned with virtues
that God had dressed him with in Paradise, he immediately put on the ones
that the devil had prepared, the garment of disgust and everything filthy. It
is this satanic garment that that Paul is urging the Colossians to remove,
since with their baptism they had put on Christ. The aim of baptism in the
name of the Triune God, is not, and has never been a means to fulfil a
religious responsibility or develop new relationships. The aim of baptism is
and has always been to take off the garments of the old man, satan, and to
put on Christ For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on
Christ. (Gal. 3: 27) Having these things in mind we can understand why
the Apostle expresses his pain in such an intense way to the Church of the
Colossians. It is clear that he is not talking to people of other religions, but
to baptised newly enlightened Christians.
There is no doubt that todays Apostolic reading cause many of the faithful
amongst us to think. We reflect that even after 2000 years of Christian
teaching about the dirty garment of the old man and the pure white robes of
Christ we still do not know that which is best for us. I am at a loss to
explain why this is the case. That which is intensely apparent is that we
see our Christian brethren sometimes wearing the dirty and other times the
clean and even both at the same time. Of these people the Lord says in the
book of Revelation that He will vomit them out.

The Lord wants and

demands those who desire to follow Him, those who put on Christ, and
when they dirty their garments clean them through the Sacrament of
Confession. Others think that they can mix the dirty with the clean and are

constantly changing from one position to the other, for them it is preferable
and more honourable to wear the dirty. Why? Because if they show who
they really are, they will be ostracised by those who prefer the clean
Christian life. One of the greatest problems faced by the Orthodox Church
as the body of Christ is the flawed christianity of so-called Orthodox
Christians.
Todays Apostolic reading causes us concern because as we examine the
old man, it is with great sadness that we observe that neither fornication,
uncleanliness, evil desires,

greed,

wrath, anger, blasphemy, filthy

language, falsehood, and apathy towards the will of God have ceased.
And the saddest thing is that even though these things should have slowlyslowly disappeared and evil in this world decreased, we notice that exactly
the opposite is the case. No Orthodox Christian can remain an apathetic
observer of terrible and dangerous situation that threatens mankind. God
came to earth to release mankind form the bonds of sin and save us.
Brethren be blessed. The words that the Apostle Paul extended to the
Colossians over 2000 years ago, he also extends to us. If our Christian
sensitivity allows us to feel, even the slightest concern then we need to act
immediately.

We need to rush to our spiritual father and express our

personal concerns. To take of the garments of the old man with everything
that is unclean and put on the garment of Christ.
appropriate spiritual

And to take the

guidance to conserve the cleanliness of the new

spotlessly clean garment.

Honestly, in an age where we are constantly discovering new detergents
and soaps of every type to clean our bodies, our homes, and even our
yards, why is it that we leave our souls so dirty?

More so since we know

very well that Christ will judge us according to the cleanliness of our souls
and not our bodies. We think that the continuation of the dressing of the
youth of today in the dirty garments of the old man is the result of
ignorance. It is one more telling factor that baffles the youth when it comes
to their spiritual progress.

Just as the cunning devil has distorted the

virtues with which God adorned man from the beginning, he has also
managed to bring about this paradox: he has transformed fornication and all
of the passions of filth that we have referred to into a beautiful and clean
garment. Is it not such a shame, brethren, that the devil deceives us so
brazenly, as though we are spiritual midgets?

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News from our Community-Parish

Festival of St Nicholas

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The Festival of the Saint of the Seas was celebrated with magnificence. On
the Eve, the icons were beautifully decorated in readiness for Great
Celebratory Vespers with Anoixantaria and Artoklasia, homily, Holy Unction
with Supplicatory rite of St Nicholas and Vigil with teachings on his life. On
the Day of the Festival, there was Matins and Divine Liturgy with artoklasia
and procession of the canopy with the holy icon of St Nicholas in the church
grounds. Afterwards, we enjoyed fresh fried fish and delicious skordalia in
our Parish Hall. We thank very much Fr John Moraitis from the Church of
the Nativity for his participation in Vespers and Fr Michael from St Andrew
who officiated at Holy Unction, assisted by Fr Stavros.

Forty Days of Divine Liturgy

With the help of God, Divine Liturgy is being celebrated in our Church daily
until 1st January 2013, 7.30am 9am, apart from the major celebrations,
8am 9.30am, and Sundays, 8am 11am.

Christmas Service
This is a reminder that on Christmas Day, the service will begin at 6am,
finishing at 9 am approx., as in the previous 29 years.

The program of services for Christmas, New Year and Epiphany will be
printed separately.
Carol Singing Around the Parish
From tomorrow Monday, the children of our Parish will be coming around
the homes of our devoted parishioners, conveying the Christmas message
with the traditional Kalanda. Please receive them with the love of Christ.

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A talk by Mr Lawrence Johnson

This Wednesday 19th December, the writer Mr Lawrence Johnson, who
recently visited Mt Athos with introductions from Fr Stavros, will give us a
talk on his personal experiences. The talk will be on from 7-8pm in our
Parish Hall. Mr Johnson is an American author, now permanently resident
in Adelaide. He is not an Orthodox Christian and will speak from a neutral
perspective. Fr Stavros, who goes to Mt Athos nearly every time he visits
Greece, will speak on the spiritual benefit of the Mt Athos pilgrimage.
Discussion will be in English. Please come along on Wednesday night 19th
December at 7pm and hear what Mr Lawrence Johnson has to say about
his visit to the Holy Mount.

Christmas Carols Concert

This coming Sunday 23rd December, there will be the annual Christmas
Concert, starting at 6.30 pm. The first part of the event, with Byzantine
hymns, will be held in the Church of Prophet Elias. Afterwards, we shall
have loukoumades in the Hall, where the second part, with songs and
poems from the children, will take place. The program includes Christian
hymns, carols from different parts of Greece and Byzantine chanting from
our chanters and other members of the Byzantine choir John the
Damascene. Also, some of our students of Byzantine music will chant; our
ladieschoir of Prophet Elias will perform; Honouring our function by their
presence will be His Grace Bishop Nikandros of Dorylaion, His Excellency
the Consul-General, Mr John Kiosglou and other officials. The organizers
promise us a joyful Christmas program. Come and encourage the children

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in their endeavours to learn Byzantine music. We look forward to seeing

you there.

Youth Function
On behalf of our Youth, we announce that on 27 th December, the Central
Youth of our Holy Archdiocese, together with the Youth Group of Prophet
Elias and our Sunday School and Greek School, will be holding their annual
event in our Parish. Firstly, there will be Vespers in the Church of Prophet
Elias at 6pm, followed by the function in our Hall. All young people, not just
the members of the Youth Group, are welcome.

New Years Eve Dance

The New Years Eve Dance will follow the same programme as usual. DJ
Tsambikos

will entertain us; there will be a gold lira door-prize; not to

mention the most delicious food, sweets and drinks, vasilopita and family
atmosphere. All this is perhaps the reason why young heads of families are
choosing our annual event.There are places still available and tickets are
the same price as last year: $30 adults, $15 children 10 -15 years and free
for under 10s. Drinks extra.

Donations
Aspasia Michalakas (air-conditioning system)

$100

Kosmas and Irene Toutsis

$060

Diamantis Diamantopoulos (in memory of Anastasia Diakastergou)

$010

Many thanks to our devoted donors and may the Lord reward them for
every gift to His glory.

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GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA

COMMUNITY & PARISH OF PROPHET ELIAS NORWOOD
The Executive Committee, Ladies Auxiliary & our Youth, have organised
New Year Dinner Dance Night, welcoming 2013
Monday 31 December 2012 in Churchs Hall 87 Beulah Rd. Norwood
From 7.00pm until 1.30 am
Greek Music, Old & New Songs by the
D.J. Tsambikos
Door Prize Golden Lira, abundant Food, Ice Cream, Cakes, Bless & cut Vasilopita, Family
atmosphere,
Drinks extra, $30 Adults, $15 Children 10 years to 15 & free for children under 10 years

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31 2012 7.00.-1.30.
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