The Orthodox Post

Vol. 15 Issue 2 St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church

February, 2005

A Message from Father David

I came to bless their home, or rather, I came so that somehow, through me, God would bless their home. Their home was beautiful, not because it was big or fancy, but because of the way they prepared for their priest. The Fathers say that, as an icon of Christ (in order to remind all that they too are icons of Christ), the priest must be prepared to receive the respect and also the abuse that Christ received. This family had offered their best to their priest and through him, to Christ: the best food (it kept coming!), the best wine, the best dessert.

I brought The Holy Water, blessed at Theophany, on the day we celebrated Jesus’ Baptism. Everyone in the home—children, grandmother, parents—was holding something, an icon of the Theotokos, a candle, the Epistle book, an icon of St. Nicholas. We lit candles and began to sing our prayer: Mir shiro, O Zot! Heal me, O God! Through all the effort I put into this blessing, through my prayers, through the prayers of our patron Saints and our Holy Angels, through the prayers of our priest and our bishop, Meshiro, O Zot!

And then I sprinkled Holy water throughout their home, on the walls that had received their tears and their laughter, on the doors that had opened to bitter words and to apologies, on the pictures of family they had left, or who had been taken from them, on their new wide screen t.v., on the tiles the husband had worked hard to put down, on the beds in which they laid their children each night, on the furniture that gave comfort to guests…

And then we drank this water filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ Baptismal water, water restored to its original purpose: to offer us communion with God who became flesh for us.

Then the Mother told me the story of her son’s baptism, years before in Albania (the daughter in law helped translate):

Back then it was illegal to be baptized. If the government found out, they would put you in jail. So I had our priest come and we baptized my son without anyone knowing it, in a tub in the house.

When we were finished, I took him to have his name registered. I changed his Christian name just a little bit, so that the authorities would not suspect he was a Christian. But the clerk said to me, “you cannot name him that, that is a Christian name!” “Christian name?” I responded. “No, I just like this name.” “Somehow,” the mother told me, “the clerk let me have this Christianized name. And that is how our son was baptized, how he got his name!”

They sent me off with warm coffee in their best portable cup, to warm me on my way home. As I drove off and watched their lighted windows become smaller, I remembered what Father Schmemann wrote, upon passing the windows of homes, that every home is like a Church., if even for a moment. Blessing this home opened my eyes to the presence of God in this family, in their love and hospitality, and their desire for Christ. Their home had become a Church.

+Fr. David

President's message

As we begin a New Year, we are filled with optimism that this will be a better year than last year. Although the Tsunami hit Southeast Asia last year, the full impact and devastation only became apparent in the beginning of the year. Not only did the US Government make a major financial pledge but also committed major military and other resources to help in the relief and rebuilding effort. The St. Nicholas community also did its share by gathering $850 from parishioners, $500 from the church funds and $300 from the Daughter’s of St. Nicholas. One of our major fund raisers is the icon presentation, done traditionally the first Sunday after Theophany, was held on January 11th. It was very successful and we had pledges of over $3900. For those of you that could not be there, you can still participate by making a donation honoring a specific Saint that may be important to your family.

Unfortunately, due to the blizzard, no services we held on Sunday, January 23rd. We apologize if we inconvenienced any one. Last but not least, we are starting the second half of the Church School program and I would like to encourage all the parents to make a special effort to bring your children.

Lou Foundos,

President

Parish Council Message

Memory Eternal!

Sunday, January 30th is the forty-day memorial for Alice “Elsie” Kasuli. May her memory be eternal!

On Sunday, January 30th, the Llupa’s remembered the birthday of their departed daughter, Anna Arba (1/21). May her memory be eternal!

Church School

After learning about their saints, moving into new classroom space, and presenting a Christmas pageant in the fall, the Sunday School teachers will be meeting soon with a professional Christian educator, who will help with new curricula, and who will be coming to speak to our parents about the importance of a Christian education. We are looking forward to an active spring for the Sunday School. The Sunday School teachers love to see your children, so please make every effort to attend each Sunday.

Prayers

Please give names to Fr. David if you would like someone to be remembered by the community in Church's prayers.

Thank You

To Alexandra Liolin, Barbara Duggan, and our Sunday School children, who presented us their Christmas Pageant on December 19th.

To Viola Kallinikos, Eli Troja and Christina Liolin, who have made bread for the Liturgy ("Meshe" or "Prosphora").

Daughters of St Nicholas_Message

The Daughters had a very busy December, first helping with the St. Nicholas Luncheon serving and cleaning up. This was immediately followed by the traditional Christmas Pancake Breakfast after the Pageant. Tina Peters did a great job again making her delicious pancakes and everyone enjoyed the day. The Daughters have made several contributions for Christmas to various organizations. After Christmas, the IOCC made an appeal for assistance in the tsunami disaster and the Daughters sent a check for $300 to aid the survivors.

The next meeting of the Daughters is February 14 after Liturgy. I hope to see all the ladies attend the meeting!

Youth Corner

Summer comes by slowly day by day you sit and work
just waiting for a break summer comes by slowly
but when it ends it seems like all your memories
for three months are rolled up in to one day.

Enea Topore

Copyright ©2005 Enea

Do you know a youth in our congregation who has written a short poem or song? We would love to see it!