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GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY & PARISH

OF PROPHET ELIAS NORWOOD & EASTERN

SUBURBS INC.

87 BEULAH RD. NORWOO

NORWOOD SA 5067 P.O. BOX 277, KENT TOWN SA 5071
71
ALL CORRESPONDENCE T
TO THE HON. SECRETARY

O
24
: 8362
62 4139 . 8431 7789 . 0412 710 037

19-06-16
32 . 1613

WEEKLY MAGAZINE

THE WORD OF GOD

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

DATE 19-06-16
YEAR 32ND NUMBER 1613

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SUNDAY OF PENTECOST (Acts 2, 1-11) 19th June 2016
Dear brethren today we commemorate and celebrate the birthday of our Church
here on earth. We celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and
Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the fifty days following His Resurrection, our
God, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ appeared many times and on the day of
Pentecost the Third Person of the Trinity appeared. We read in the Acts of the
Apostles: When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were with one accord in
one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty
wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to
them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were
filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2, 1-4). In this way the promise our Lord made to
His disciples, shortly before His Passion was fulfilled: But when the Comforter
comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds
from the Father, He will testify Me. (Jn. 15, 26) Once again this year I think that it is

good to talk about this great and glorious celebration. Unfortunately, many people
are either ignorant of, or do not understand in depth the true importance of this
feast. Personally, I think that at least part of the reason for this ignorance of some
of the most fundamental issues of faith, falls with us the preachers. And this is
because so often we have to deal with too many secondary issues and other
questions, so the most basic and fundamental things that are to do with the
salvation of man are left unaddressed. Brothers and sisters, the Holy Spirit is not
simply some invisible power of God, or an action that proceeds from the Word of
God (Christ) as the heretics say with the Filioque (and from the Son) addition to the
Creed. Our Churchs teaching about the Holy Spirit is included in the Creed, that we
recite often, in the article that proclaims His Divinity: And in the Holy Spirit, the
Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father
and the Son, is worshiped and glorified, and who spoke through the Prophets. It is
in this verse that the Filioque heretical teaching was arbitrarily introduced by the
Papists. The teaching that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son is
not only an arbitrary innovation and heresy as we have already said, but was also
one of the key disagreements that lead to the Great Schism of 1054. The Holy
Spirit is God, He is the Third Person of the All-Holy and Life-giving Trilogy, True
God, consubstantial and equal to the Father and the Son. Therefore hypostatic
state of the Holy Spirt is that He proceeds from the Father. The Holy Spirit is
eternally present with the other two Persons of the Holy Trilogy, He was part of the
creation of the universe, spoke through the Prophets, and works together with the
Father and the Son for the salvation of mankind, and following Holy Pentecost
constitute the whole institution of the Church During baptism the Holy Spirit makes
us members of the Body of Christ, i.e. the Church, and speaks into our hearts about
Christ. The Holy Spirit enlightens and encourages man so that the redemptive
message and work of salvation that our Lord Jesus Christ began in the world

continues through the holy sacraments. This heretical teaching, this gravest of
errors, attacks the concept of unity of the Holy Trinity, and subverts everything that
the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ taught about the Holy Spirit
from the beginning. In simple terms the Filioque abolishes the unity of the three
hypostases of the God-head, it confuses the three Persons of the Holy Trinity, and
since it states heretically that One proceeds from the other Two, it serves to lower
the importance of the Holy Spirit as a subordinate hypostasis of God. This deception
has serious implications for mans salvation, and is unfortunately remains as one of
the major obstacles for the reunion of the Western Church to the Orthodox.
Following the Schism many Holy Fathers of the Church, such as Saint Gregory
Palamas, Saint Mark the Bishop of Ephesus, his student Gennadius Scholarius and
many others theologised and wrote about the Holy Spirit confronting head-on the
Papal falsehoods on the subject. A correct understanding of and faith in the Holy
Spirit is of fundamental importance, since the existence of the Church would not be
possible without the presence of the Third Person of the All-Holy Trinity. Saint John
Chrysostom in his characteristic manner wrote: This Holy Spirit also ordains priests,
consecrates churches, purifies altars, perfects sacrifices and cleanses people of
their sins.

(Homily on Pentecost St John Chrysostom)

And on the day of

Pentecost the hymnology of our Church proclaims: The Holy Spirit has always
existed, and exists now and will continue to exist.

The Holy Spirit is without

beginning and without end, but is eternally united with the Father and the Son. The
Holy Spirit is life and gives life, is light and gives light, is good in Himself and is a
source of goodness. Through the Holy Spirit we know the Father and the Son is
glorified and comprehensible to mankind. There exists one power, one unity one
worship, that of the Holy Trinity. Our Church emphasizes that it is through the Holy
Spirit that we develop unity, unity that is indispensable in our personal and social
lives. Unity with God, and unity with our fellow man. The kontakion of the feast

says: When the Most High came down and confused the tongues, he parted the
nations. When he divided out the tongues of fire, he called all to unity; and with one
voice we glorify the All-Holy Spirit. Today there is confusion in the world. Each
person has his own esoteric crisis and problems, and searching everywhere for a
solution to his own problems and the problems of society.

But without the

illumination and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit there can be no personal or social
unity and cohesion. Only those who live within the Church, the people of prayer,
spiritual struggle and sacramental life will understand in depth the mystery of unity
of the Holy Spirit as the Apostles and all of the Saints from the beginning and until
today experienced it. For this reason our Sunday and Greek Schools should always
begin with the following prayer to the Holy Spirit: Heavenly King, Comforter, the
Spirit of truth, present everywhere and filling all things, the treasury of good and
giver of life, come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our
souls Gracious One. The purpose of this prayer is for the Holy Spirit to enlighten
both pupils and teachers, so that the correct teaching and learning takes place.
Personally I feel that if within the houses of Greek Parliament, before any discussion
and debate, the speaker and the prime minister started each session with the prayer
Heavenly King then there would not be any crisis in Greece. The same can be
said for every Christian social group, beginning with the family unit, which today
especially if facing even more of an attack than any other time. Dear brethren lets
pray with all of our souls that the Holy Spirit enters our hearts, touching us,
illuminating us and leading us to redemption. Today when we kneel down in our
Holy Churches let us pray from the depths of our hearts to the Triune God for His
all- holy will to be done and His sanctifying grace come down upon us and our
families.

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News from our Community-Parish

Death-Funeral
Early on Monday, 6th June, Angelis Katis, known as Vangelis, of Fanaraki-Arcadia
passed away in hospital, aged 86 years. His funeral was held on Saturday, 11th
June at 10am. The interment was at Payneham Cemetery and the coffee of
condolence was served in our Church Hall. The Priest, President, Executive
Committee and Philoptohos extend their sincere sympathy to the widow, children,
grandchildren and relatives of the departed and pray they may have strength and

14

comfort from above. Warm thanks to those who donated to the Church in his
memory.

Church Services
Tomorrow, Monday Day of the Holy Spirit, Matins and Divine Liturgy, 8am 10am
approx..
Friday 24th June Birth of the Holy Forerunner, Matins and Divine Liturgy, 8am
9.30am.
Saturday evening, Vespers, 5.30pm 6pm.

Vigil for St. Paisios of Mt. Athos

On Monday, 11th July, there will be Vigil in memory of Monk Paisios of Mt. Athos,
from 9pm. Vigil comprises Mikro Apodeipno, the 24 verses of the Akathist Hymn,
Great Vespers, Prayer in the Narthex, blessing of bread, mnemosyno for the
departed, Matins and Divine Liturgy, concluding shortly after midnight with blessing
of the table in our Community Centre Hall. This is a lovely contritional service, where
every Christian can feel the living presence of God within. Present at this Vigil will
be the Very Reverend Fr. Demetrios Kokkinos with his family, as well as chanters of
the Byzantine Choir of the Christian Fellowship of Sydney. We look forward to
seeing you there.

Community-Parish Annual Raffle

The Community-Parish Annual Raffle is ready for distribution. We ask our devoted
parishioners, who recognize the financial needs of our Parish, to obtain for
themselves the $20 raffle-book. We are very happy that several devout parishioners
have asked for two and five books of ten raffle-tickets to give to their families and
neighbours. We dont think its an imposition to ask our parishioners to take a book
for $20 once a year, since we all enjoy the comforts that our blessed CommunityParish provides. We should help every time our Parish requests us to fulfil our share
of obligations, such as the annual raffle. The raffle will be drawn at the Dance on

15

Saturday 16th July. Please return the ticket-stubs by Friday 15th July so they can be
sorted in time.
Festival of our Patron Saint Prophet Elias the Thesvite
With the help of God and the intercessions of Prophet Elias, the time has come again for
us to celebrate and honour the Saint who knew not death. Our Church is the only one in
our Holy Archdiocese in Australia dedicated to Prophet Elias. Therefore, in this blessed
corner of the continent, we shall celebrate with every dignity.

Annual Dance
As part of the celebrations of our Patron Saint Prophet Elias the Thesvite, the Annual
Dance will be held on 16th July, 6.30pm. The tickets are available now. The band Trio
Zorba with Tsambika de George singing, will entertain us. A variety of delicious and
freshly-cooked food will be available. The ticket for full menu, door-prize, outstanding
musical program and family atmosphere, is only $30 for adults, $15 for children 12-18
years and free for under 12s. Drinks extra. Please obtain your tickets as soon as possible,
to help us in preparations. We look forward to seeing you there.

Festival Program
Tuesday 19th July Eve of the Glorious Prophet Elias the Thesvite, Great Celebratory
Vespers with anoixantaria and artoklasia. His Grace Bishop Nikandros of Doryleon will
officiate, assisted by the Clergy of our Holy Archdiocese and our sister Orthodox
Churches of Adelaide. After Vespers and light refreshment, there will be the service of
Holy Unction.
Wednesday 20th July Day of Prophet Elias, Episcopal Divine Liturgy with Procession of the
Holy Icon of the Saint around the Church grounds, officiated by His Grace Bishop
Nikandros of Doryleon, assisted by Clergy of our Holy Archdiocese. Afterwards, His Grace
will bless the feast in our Church Hall.

Bible Study
Every Wednesday evening, from 7pm to 8pm, in the rooms of the Community Centre of
Prophet Elias, there are interesting discussions about Orthodoxy, which can enrich the
spiritual knowledge of every faithful Orthodox Christian. The topics are presented in
English and there is opportunity for everyone to listen, ask questions and participate.

16

YOU ARE INVITED TO HEAR THREE RENOWNED SPEAKERS ON THE TOPIC OF:
SAME SEX MARRIAGE & SAFE SCHOOLS
THEIR IMPACT ON YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND CHILDREN
WHERE: THE SCHOOL HALL OF ST GEORGE COLLEGE JUNIOR CAMPUS | 15 DEW ST, THEBARTON
WHEN: THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 6:30PM

Dr David van Gend is a family doctor, president of the Australian Marriage Forum and a
frequent contributor to Australian debates on same sex marriage and bioethics in newspapers, radio and TV.

Dr James Athanasou is a Psychologist in private practice, Associate Professor at the

University of Sydney, author and Greek Orthodox representative on the Director-Generals Advisory Committee on
Special Religious Education.

Mr Christopher Brohier is a barrister, founder of Lawyers for the Preservation of the Definition
of Marriage and the Wilberforce Foundation. He is Chief Legal Counsel for the Human Rights Legal Alliance, published
numerous journal articles and conducts regular advocacy education seminars.

Closing Comments by Very Rev Fr Eusebios Abbot of Pantanassa

Monastery and Chairperson of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Marriage
Committee.
Brought to you by: The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Marriage
Committee.