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.
July 2024
HAPPY 4th of JULY!!
7/7 – 2nd Sunday of Matthew
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5
• Matthew 4:18-23Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Titus 3:8-15
• Matthew 5:14-19
7/21 – 4th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Romans 6:18-23
• Matthew 8:5-13
7/28 – 5th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Romans 10:1-10
• Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1
7/7 – 2nd Sunday of Matthew
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5
• Matthew 4:18-23Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Titus 3:8-15
• Matthew 5:14-19
7/21 – 4th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Romans 6:18-23
• Matthew 8:5-13
7/28 – 5th Sunday of Matthew
Orthros at 8:20 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.
• Romans 10:1-10
• Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1
Prosforo
July 7 - Corey
July 14 - Fran
July 21 - Robert L.
July 28 - Lynnette
July 7 - Corey
July 14 - Fran
July 21 - Robert L.
July 28 - Lynnette
Church News
Hot? Did you say hot? Yes, and yet the world around us is still busy with activity! Here are some things the St. John’s community is busy doing.
Paul and Kathy Clayton have moved to Florida. While it is certainly better for Paul’s health, they also have a son and his family there so there were multiple reasons to move. They found the right house right away and everything worked out amazingly well and easy. We certainly miss them but email, snail mail, and the phone are keeping us in touch.
So – when Paul and Kathy moved, that left a vacant house in Pueblo that needed to be filled by someone. That someone is Pam Wilson who then left Walsenburg. Pam had been thinking about moving and now she is here in Pueblo. Her new address is in your directory listed under Clayton.
St. John’s has been blessed with new members in recent months and we’re not done yet! On July 21, Kathleen Kennedy will be chrismated and coming home to Orthodoxy. Fr. Stephen will be reminding everyone closer to that time but now you know to “save the date”.
Kerry Barrett will also be chrismated soon but Fr. Stephen hasn’t set the date yet.
We’ll be notified when Fr. knows.
Ada Cheever (Debi Ferriter’s Mom) is moving to northern CO to be closer to her family. The housing crisis has really affected everyone and waiting lists are everywhere. Finally the housing of choice became available for her.
Who’s the new tall guy in the altar? Arin Hatfield, that’s who! Husband of Corey and father to Reagan and Grayson that you already know! He’s now home from working so much in Texas and we’re happy to have him here. I’m sure we’ll get to know the other Hatfield kids also.
On a “sad for us but good for them” note, Natalia, Andrej, and the kids – Veronika, Ilena, and Alexander – have moved to Washington state. It’s better for Andrej’s work but we surely will miss them. I know I always loved seeing them in their Ukranian colors on special occasions. We shared important family events with them and hold them dear. When we know their address, we’ll let you know.
The Tom Rougas family has been busy with several important events. Son – Dr. Sam – just got married, granddaughter Nonie just graduated high school and is headed to Brown University thinking of a medical future, and I heard that the whole family is planning a trip to Greece. If we’re lucky, we’ll get Nonie Vlahavas back here for a visit this summer. Whew!
Paul and Kathy Clayton have moved to Florida. While it is certainly better for Paul’s health, they also have a son and his family there so there were multiple reasons to move. They found the right house right away and everything worked out amazingly well and easy. We certainly miss them but email, snail mail, and the phone are keeping us in touch.
So – when Paul and Kathy moved, that left a vacant house in Pueblo that needed to be filled by someone. That someone is Pam Wilson who then left Walsenburg. Pam had been thinking about moving and now she is here in Pueblo. Her new address is in your directory listed under Clayton.
St. John’s has been blessed with new members in recent months and we’re not done yet! On July 21, Kathleen Kennedy will be chrismated and coming home to Orthodoxy. Fr. Stephen will be reminding everyone closer to that time but now you know to “save the date”.
Kerry Barrett will also be chrismated soon but Fr. Stephen hasn’t set the date yet.
We’ll be notified when Fr. knows.
Ada Cheever (Debi Ferriter’s Mom) is moving to northern CO to be closer to her family. The housing crisis has really affected everyone and waiting lists are everywhere. Finally the housing of choice became available for her.
Who’s the new tall guy in the altar? Arin Hatfield, that’s who! Husband of Corey and father to Reagan and Grayson that you already know! He’s now home from working so much in Texas and we’re happy to have him here. I’m sure we’ll get to know the other Hatfield kids also.
On a “sad for us but good for them” note, Natalia, Andrej, and the kids – Veronika, Ilena, and Alexander – have moved to Washington state. It’s better for Andrej’s work but we surely will miss them. I know I always loved seeing them in their Ukranian colors on special occasions. We shared important family events with them and hold them dear. When we know their address, we’ll let you know.
The Tom Rougas family has been busy with several important events. Son – Dr. Sam – just got married, granddaughter Nonie just graduated high school and is headed to Brown University thinking of a medical future, and I heard that the whole family is planning a trip to Greece. If we’re lucky, we’ll get Nonie Vlahavas back here for a visit this summer. Whew!
Denver Metropolitan Constantine at his enthronement
BIOGRAPHY
Metropolitan Constantine was born in 1966 in Baltimore, Maryland. He is the son of the late Petros (a refugee from Asia Minor born in Athens) and Sarah (of Mobile, Alabama), and isthe youngest of three children. From an early age, Metropolitan Constantine served as an acolyte at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in Baltimore, Maryland, under the late Fr. Constantine M. Monios, a mentor who encouraged him to pursue ordained ministry. In 1988, he began his studies at Hellenic College and graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1994. He was ordained to both the holy Diaconate and Presbyterate in 1996 by the late Metropolitan Silas of New Jersey, and was assigned to the Annunciation Cathedral in Baltimore, the same parish where he was baptized and raised. He was elevated to Archimandrite in 2002, at which time he was also installed as Dean of the Cathedral and served as its Proistamenos for 24 years. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Hellenic College.
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Upon the recommendation of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to the Holy and Sacred Synod of Constantinople, presided by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the unanimous election to the Episcopacy of the Very Reverend Constantine Moralis on July 22, 2022, was announced, with the title of the once renowned See of Sassima. The new Bishop Constantine of Sassima was appointed as the auxiliary Bishop for the Holy Metropolis of Denver, to serve under His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver. His ordination took place on October 15, 2022, at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City, New York, with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presiding, along with hierarchs and clergy from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. As the Auxiliary Hierarch, Metropolitan Constantine traveled to all the parishes within the Metropolis at least once, and more than once to multiple parishes to become familiar with their locations and meet the faithful parishioners of the Metropolis. His responsibilities will be to oversee the largest Metropolis geographically, which includes 13 states with 49 parishes.
May God Grant Him Many Years AXIOS!
Metropolitan Constantine was born in 1966 in Baltimore, Maryland. He is the son of the late Petros (a refugee from Asia Minor born in Athens) and Sarah (of Mobile, Alabama), and isthe youngest of three children. From an early age, Metropolitan Constantine served as an acolyte at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in Baltimore, Maryland, under the late Fr. Constantine M. Monios, a mentor who encouraged him to pursue ordained ministry. In 1988, he began his studies at Hellenic College and graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 1994. He was ordained to both the holy Diaconate and Presbyterate in 1996 by the late Metropolitan Silas of New Jersey, and was assigned to the Annunciation Cathedral in Baltimore, the same parish where he was baptized and raised. He was elevated to Archimandrite in 2002, at which time he was also installed as Dean of the Cathedral and served as its Proistamenos for 24 years. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Hellenic College.
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Upon the recommendation of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to the Holy and Sacred Synod of Constantinople, presided by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the unanimous election to the Episcopacy of the Very Reverend Constantine Moralis on July 22, 2022, was announced, with the title of the once renowned See of Sassima. The new Bishop Constantine of Sassima was appointed as the auxiliary Bishop for the Holy Metropolis of Denver, to serve under His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver. His ordination took place on October 15, 2022, at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City, New York, with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presiding, along with hierarchs and clergy from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. As the Auxiliary Hierarch, Metropolitan Constantine traveled to all the parishes within the Metropolis at least once, and more than once to multiple parishes to become familiar with their locations and meet the faithful parishioners of the Metropolis. His responsibilities will be to oversee the largest Metropolis geographically, which includes 13 states with 49 parishes.
May God Grant Him Many Years AXIOS!
We really should know more about the Greek Orthodox Church in America and where St. John’s fits into that framework. Did you know that there are 7 more Metropolis divisions in the USA? Of course you know Denver is one of them but can you name the other 7? They are the Metropolis of Boston, Metropolis of Atlanta, Metropolis of Detroit, Metropolis of Pittsburgh, Metropolis of Chicago, Metropolis of New Jersey, and the Metropolis of San Francisco. So there are 8 total and the overarching Archdiocese is in New York.
Not the cities I would have chosen – how about you?
Not the cities I would have chosen – how about you?
Here are some new prayers you can use in your daily devotions.
Prayer of Saint Basil Read daily except on Saturday
We bless you, O God, most high and Lord of mercy. You are always doing great and inscrutable things with us, glorious and wonderful, and without number. You grant us sleep for rest from our infirmities, and repose from the burdens of our much toiling flesh. We thank you, for you have not destroyed us with our sins, but have continued to love us; and though we were sunk in despair, you have raised us up to glorify your power. Therefore, we implore your incomparable goodness. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our minds from the heavy sleep of indolence. Open our mouth and fill it with your praise, that we may be able without distraction to sing and confess that you are God, glorified in all and by all, the eternal Father, with your only begotten Son, and your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Another Prayer Read on Saturday
Remember, Lord, our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection to eternal life, and all those who ended this life in piety and faith. Pardon their every transgression, committed voluntarily or involuntarily, in word, or deed, or thought. Place them in a place of light, a place of refreshment, a place of peace from which every ailment, sorrow, and lamentation are banished, and from which the light of your countenance shines and gladdens all your saints from all ages. Bestow on them and on us your kingdom. Grant to them the participation of your ineffable and everlasting blessings, and the enjoyment of your endless and blissful life. For you are the life, the resurrection, and the peace of your departed servants, Christ our God, and to you we give glory, together with your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer of Saint Basil Read daily except on Saturday
We bless you, O God, most high and Lord of mercy. You are always doing great and inscrutable things with us, glorious and wonderful, and without number. You grant us sleep for rest from our infirmities, and repose from the burdens of our much toiling flesh. We thank you, for you have not destroyed us with our sins, but have continued to love us; and though we were sunk in despair, you have raised us up to glorify your power. Therefore, we implore your incomparable goodness. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our minds from the heavy sleep of indolence. Open our mouth and fill it with your praise, that we may be able without distraction to sing and confess that you are God, glorified in all and by all, the eternal Father, with your only begotten Son, and your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Another Prayer Read on Saturday
Remember, Lord, our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection to eternal life, and all those who ended this life in piety and faith. Pardon their every transgression, committed voluntarily or involuntarily, in word, or deed, or thought. Place them in a place of light, a place of refreshment, a place of peace from which every ailment, sorrow, and lamentation are banished, and from which the light of your countenance shines and gladdens all your saints from all ages. Bestow on them and on us your kingdom. Grant to them the participation of your ineffable and everlasting blessings, and the enjoyment of your endless and blissful life. For you are the life, the resurrection, and the peace of your departed servants, Christ our God, and to you we give glory, together with your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Orthodoxy
Christians of the Eastern Churches call themselves Orthodox. This description comes to us from the fifth century and has two meanings which are closely related. The first definition is “true teaching.” The Orthodox Church believes that she has maintained and handed down the Christian faith, free from error and distortion, from the days of the Apostles. The second definition, which is actually the more preferred, is “true praise.” To bless, praise, and glorify God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the fundamental purpose of the Church. All her activities, even her doctrinal formulations, are directed toward this goal.
Occasionally, the word Catholic is also used to describe the Orthodox Church. This description, dating back to the second century, is embodied in the Nicene Creed, which acknowledges One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. From the Orthodox perspective, Catholic means that the Church is universal and also that she includes persons of all races and cultures. It also affirms that the Church has preserved the fullness of the Christian faith. It is not unusual for titles such as Greek, Russian, and Antiochian to be used in describing Orthodox Churches. These appellations refer to the cultural or national roots of a particular parish, diocese, or archdiocese.
The Orthodox Church in this country owes its origin to the devotion of so many immigrants from lands such as Greece, Russia, the Middle East, and the Balkans. In the great wave of immigrations in the 19th and 20th centuries, Orthodox Christians from many lands and cultures came to America in search of freedom and opportunity. Like the first Apostles, they carried with them a precious heritage and gift. To the New World they brought the ancient faith of the Orthodox Church.
Many Orthodox Christians in America proudly trace their ancestry to the lands and cultures of Europe and Asia, but the Orthodox Church in the United States can no longer be seen as an immigrant Church. While the Orthodox Church contains individuals from numerous ethnic and cultural backgrounds, the majority of her membership is composed of persons who have been born in America. In recognition of this, Orthodoxy has been formally acknowledged as one of the Four Major Faiths in the United States. Following the practice of the Early Church, Orthodoxy treasures the various cultures of its people, but it is not bound to any particular culture or people. The Orthodox Church welcomes all!
There are about 1 million Orthodox Christians in this country. They are grouped into nearly a dozen ecclesiastical jurisdictions. The largest is the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which has over 500 parishes throughout the United States. Undoubtedly, the Primate of the Archdiocese is chiefly responsible for acquainting many non-Orthodox with the treasures of Orthodoxy.
We have many new members of St. John’s and it’s good for everyone to know how we got here and how we are bound together.
Christians of the Eastern Churches call themselves Orthodox. This description comes to us from the fifth century and has two meanings which are closely related. The first definition is “true teaching.” The Orthodox Church believes that she has maintained and handed down the Christian faith, free from error and distortion, from the days of the Apostles. The second definition, which is actually the more preferred, is “true praise.” To bless, praise, and glorify God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the fundamental purpose of the Church. All her activities, even her doctrinal formulations, are directed toward this goal.
Occasionally, the word Catholic is also used to describe the Orthodox Church. This description, dating back to the second century, is embodied in the Nicene Creed, which acknowledges One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. From the Orthodox perspective, Catholic means that the Church is universal and also that she includes persons of all races and cultures. It also affirms that the Church has preserved the fullness of the Christian faith. It is not unusual for titles such as Greek, Russian, and Antiochian to be used in describing Orthodox Churches. These appellations refer to the cultural or national roots of a particular parish, diocese, or archdiocese.
The Orthodox Church in this country owes its origin to the devotion of so many immigrants from lands such as Greece, Russia, the Middle East, and the Balkans. In the great wave of immigrations in the 19th and 20th centuries, Orthodox Christians from many lands and cultures came to America in search of freedom and opportunity. Like the first Apostles, they carried with them a precious heritage and gift. To the New World they brought the ancient faith of the Orthodox Church.
Many Orthodox Christians in America proudly trace their ancestry to the lands and cultures of Europe and Asia, but the Orthodox Church in the United States can no longer be seen as an immigrant Church. While the Orthodox Church contains individuals from numerous ethnic and cultural backgrounds, the majority of her membership is composed of persons who have been born in America. In recognition of this, Orthodoxy has been formally acknowledged as one of the Four Major Faiths in the United States. Following the practice of the Early Church, Orthodoxy treasures the various cultures of its people, but it is not bound to any particular culture or people. The Orthodox Church welcomes all!
There are about 1 million Orthodox Christians in this country. They are grouped into nearly a dozen ecclesiastical jurisdictions. The largest is the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which has over 500 parishes throughout the United States. Undoubtedly, the Primate of the Archdiocese is chiefly responsible for acquainting many non-Orthodox with the treasures of Orthodoxy.
We have many new members of St. John’s and it’s good for everyone to know how we got here and how we are bound together.