Newsletter of St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church
1000 Spruce, Pueblo, CO 81004 PO Box 3011, Pueblo, CO 81005
May God keep everyone well and keep St. John the Baptist Church alive and vibrant for future generations to embrace and enjoy.
AUGUST 2022
Dormition Fast - August 1-14
Holy Transfiguration on August 6th
Feast of the Dormition on August 15th
8/3 – (Wednesday) Paraklesis Service– 6:00 p.m.
(This special service will be at Brendan Pardue’s house-Lenten foods and fellowship will follow)
8/6 – (Saturday) Holy Transfiguration
Orthros at 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
8/7 – 8th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
8/10 – (Wednesday) Paraklesis Service at the Church – 6:00 p.m.
8/14 – 9th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
8/15 – (Monday) Dormition of the Theotokos
Orthros at 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
8/21 – 10th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
8/28 – 11th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
8/29 – (Monday) Beheading of St. John the Baptist
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
Prosforo:
August 6 – Pres. Ashley
August 7 – Penny
August 14 – Lynnette
August 15 - Pres. Ashley
August 21 - Kathy
August 28 – Fran
August 29 – Kathy
Holy Transfiguration on August 6th
Feast of the Dormition on August 15th
8/3 – (Wednesday) Paraklesis Service– 6:00 p.m.
(This special service will be at Brendan Pardue’s house-Lenten foods and fellowship will follow)
8/6 – (Saturday) Holy Transfiguration
Orthros at 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- 2 Peter 1:10-19
- Matthew 17:1-9
8/7 – 8th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
- Matthew 14:14-22
8/10 – (Wednesday) Paraklesis Service at the Church – 6:00 p.m.
8/14 – 9th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- 1 Corinthians 3:9-17
- Matthew 14:22-34
8/15 – (Monday) Dormition of the Theotokos
Orthros at 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Philippians 2:5-11
- Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28
8/21 – 10th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- 1 Corinthians 4:9-16
- Matthew 17:14-23
8/28 – 11th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- 1 Corinthians 9:2-12
- Matthew 18:23-35
8/29 – (Monday) Beheading of St. John the Baptist
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
- Acts 13:25-33
- Mark 6:14-30
Prosforo:
August 6 – Pres. Ashley
August 7 – Penny
August 14 – Lynnette
August 15 - Pres. Ashley
August 21 - Kathy
August 28 – Fran
August 29 – Kathy
church news
Florina Caprita received news that her father in Florida was not well and has gone to be with him. We have not heard yet how he is doing.
Pam Wilson is well and sends thanks to all who helped her and also for the many prayers on her behalf.
Nonie Vlahavas sends the following note to Father Stephen, Presbytera Ashley and to the Parishioners of St. John’s:
“We are finally getting to the period where we can start unpacking. The kitchen is still a mess. The counter tops will be installed this coming week and the cooktop will also be here. We are all tired of eating out. On behalf of Erica, Sam, and Constantin, I want to thank all of you for the wonderful BBQ. I do miss all of you and I do miss St. John’s. Thank you also for keeping St. John’s alive and well. May God bless you and be with you all always.” ~ Nonie
As most of you know, Natalia Dziuba-Kovbel’s mother and sister are still living in Ukraine in the city of Ternopil. Please remember them as well as the Ukraine situation in your prayers.
Dr. Bill Mehos of Salida passed away recently. He was a long time steward, supporter of Saint John’s, and an example of a good Orthodox man for others to follow. May His Memory Be Eternal.
In both the church and the house are boxes labeled “Ask Yiayia”. If you have any questions or concerns about Orthodoxy and/or our own church, write your question on a piece of paper and deposit it there. The answer/explanation will be found and quite likely appear in The Messenger. If one person has that question, it’s likely others do too.
Pam Wilson is well and sends thanks to all who helped her and also for the many prayers on her behalf.
Nonie Vlahavas sends the following note to Father Stephen, Presbytera Ashley and to the Parishioners of St. John’s:
“We are finally getting to the period where we can start unpacking. The kitchen is still a mess. The counter tops will be installed this coming week and the cooktop will also be here. We are all tired of eating out. On behalf of Erica, Sam, and Constantin, I want to thank all of you for the wonderful BBQ. I do miss all of you and I do miss St. John’s. Thank you also for keeping St. John’s alive and well. May God bless you and be with you all always.” ~ Nonie
As most of you know, Natalia Dziuba-Kovbel’s mother and sister are still living in Ukraine in the city of Ternopil. Please remember them as well as the Ukraine situation in your prayers.
Dr. Bill Mehos of Salida passed away recently. He was a long time steward, supporter of Saint John’s, and an example of a good Orthodox man for others to follow. May His Memory Be Eternal.
In both the church and the house are boxes labeled “Ask Yiayia”. If you have any questions or concerns about Orthodoxy and/or our own church, write your question on a piece of paper and deposit it there. The answer/explanation will be found and quite likely appear in The Messenger. If one person has that question, it’s likely others do too.
Baptisms & chrismations
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On June 15, 2022, Florina Caprita’s son, Matthew, was baptized. Presbytera Ashley is his sponsor.
Lucia Thalia Meyer was chrismated on June 26, 2022. Her sponsors are Sarah Kathy Clayton and Paul Clayton.
Lucia Thalia Meyer was chrismated on June 26, 2022. Her sponsors are Sarah Kathy Clayton and Paul Clayton.
Who Are the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America?
An Archon is an honoree by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his outstanding service to the Church, and a well-known distinguished, and well-respected leader of the Orthodox Christian Church. It is by the grace of God that the Archon has been able to offer his good works and deeds of faith. Further, it is the sworn oath of the Archon to defend and promote the Orthodox Christian faith and tradition. His special concern and interest is to serve as a bulwark to protect and promote the Sacred See of St. Andrew the Apostle and its mission. He is also concerned with the human race’s inalienable rights wherever and whenever they are violated – and the well-being and general welfare of the Christian Church.This honor extended by the Ecumenical Patriarchate carries with it grave responsibilities, deep commitments, and sincere dedication. Consequently, it is of utmost importance that this honor of obligation be bestowed upon individuals of proven Orthodox Christian character, who conform faithfully to the teachings of Christ and the doctrines, canons, worship, discipline, and encyclicals of the Church.
Those selected to serve as Archons have demonstrated a commitment greater than average toward the stewardship of time, talent and treasure for the betterment of the Church, Parish, Diocese/Metropolis, Archdiocese and the community as a whole.
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Dear Brother Archons and Friends of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle:
Thank you for your continued prayers for Ukraine, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, and all the Orthodox faithful in our sister Church, the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine. His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has been speaking out in a firm and consistent prophetic voice, calling for a cessation of hostilities in wise and powerful words that we would all do well to ponder carefully and heed with all our hearts.
Let us join our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch in his prayers for peace, earnestly beseeching our loving God to restore that peace in Ukraine in a manner that will safeguard the dignity and autonomy of the great and noble Ukrainian people. Yours in prayer for Ukraine and in service of our Holy Mother Church,
Anthony J. Limberakis, MD
Archon Aktouarios
National Commander
Those selected to serve as Archons have demonstrated a commitment greater than average toward the stewardship of time, talent and treasure for the betterment of the Church, Parish, Diocese/Metropolis, Archdiocese and the community as a whole.
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Dear Brother Archons and Friends of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle:
Thank you for your continued prayers for Ukraine, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, and all the Orthodox faithful in our sister Church, the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine. His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has been speaking out in a firm and consistent prophetic voice, calling for a cessation of hostilities in wise and powerful words that we would all do well to ponder carefully and heed with all our hearts.
Let us join our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch in his prayers for peace, earnestly beseeching our loving God to restore that peace in Ukraine in a manner that will safeguard the dignity and autonomy of the great and noble Ukrainian people. Yours in prayer for Ukraine and in service of our Holy Mother Church,
Anthony J. Limberakis, MD
Archon Aktouarios
National Commander
St. John's council
The Parish Council met recently for installation, election of officers, and a brief business meeting.
Paul Clayton has joined the council to replace Sam Vlahavas who recently moved to Oklahoma.
Pam Jacobsen is our President, Kathy Clayton is Vice President, Fran Marsh is Secretay, and Marge Lindskog is Treasurer. Paul Clayton, Lynnette Goldy, and Sig Seitzinger make up the rest of the council.
Father Stephen is our mentor and spiritual leader.
The group discussed some ideas for St. John’s and as/if they come to fruition, everyone will be informed. Please feel free to let council know of your ideas and thoughts.
Paul Clayton has joined the council to replace Sam Vlahavas who recently moved to Oklahoma.
Pam Jacobsen is our President, Kathy Clayton is Vice President, Fran Marsh is Secretay, and Marge Lindskog is Treasurer. Paul Clayton, Lynnette Goldy, and Sig Seitzinger make up the rest of the council.
Father Stephen is our mentor and spiritual leader.
The group discussed some ideas for St. John’s and as/if they come to fruition, everyone will be informed. Please feel free to let council know of your ideas and thoughts.
Three Institutions Agree to Return Stolen Manuscripts
In 1917, a small monastery in the north of Greece, Monastery of the Theotokos the Eikosiphoinissa, was vicitimized by an invading force of Bulgarian soldiers. The monastery had been highly regarded for its extensive collection of sacred manuscripts. On March 27, during WWI, the monastery suffered a terrible atrocitiy at the hands of Bulgarian guerillas who stormed the library, assaulted the monks, and stole the most valuable manuscripts. The stolen manuscripts were thereafter disseminated to dealers, book sellers, and auction houses across Central Europe . Many were kept by Bulgarians, but several found their way to the United States.
Today, the Order is pleased to announce that three institutions have agreed to return those stolen manuscripts in their collections that originated from the Monastery. They are: (1) The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago which returned a rare (9th century manuscript that is the oldest complete miniscule manuscript (written in cursive script) of the Greek New Testament in the world. (2) The Museum of the Bible which has agreed to return a 10th century manuscript that contained the four Gospels. (3) The Morgan Library & Museum which has agreed to return a 12th-century Greek manuscript containing the New Testament’s Epistle to the Hebrews and Book of Revelation.
However – the fight continues. Two of the nation’s most prestigious universities possess several of the Monastery’s manuscripts in their collections: Princeton and Duke. Duke has yet to respond to the request to return them while Princeton refuses to return the four manuscrips it has. There is active litigation against Princeton supported by the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America.
