St Gerasimos Fellowship

there is always something being made

2012-02-08T22:20:00.001+11:00

more beautiful...

As you might of noticed, there has been a lot of work being done to the church's interior lately. Last week, the new doors that were put in late last year, were stained to match the pews of the body of the church.

Unfortunately with the rain last week, the ongoing problem with the leak in the ceiling (and now ceiling damage) became much worse. We are hoping that we will soon be able to find out how the water is getting in and also find a permanent solution for St Gerasimos Parish.

all done

2012-01-29T15:32:00.000+11:00

and you can see (and feel!) the difference

who God brings...

2012-01-27T19:51:00.000+11:00

a generous donation

When attending this Sunday's Liturgy you will see the new addition to St Gerasimos.

God brings people the Church's way, who see Her beauty and want to help. The carpet occupying the center aisle, leading up to the altar and within the altar, has been uncleanable for some time. The marks and the wear and tear of its history showed. The picture below, is a work in progress, of someone donating their time to measure, cut, overlock, place the new cherry red carpet donated and organised for our Church.

You really have to sit back and say "wow" at people's generosity and kindness.

The work in progress - 2nd day

a new year

2012-01-01T22:47:00.000+11:00

of hope

2011 seemed like a very tough year for many of my friends and for myself. If there was nothing going on personally, the world offered its own sadness. This time last year the rains of Queensland were starting a disaster, that I wonder if we remember in our busy lives, since the media coverage died. Starting on home soil, it triggering a domino effect throughout the year of human suffering from nature.

While the 12 minutes of fireworks introduced it, a single prayer caught my hope for the new year. Father read it today at the end of service, the 1st January 2012 and I thought about all the promises I didn't keep since hearing it exactly one year ago. I thought about how quickly I forgot that the Lord governs and is beside us in all things. But I remembered a feeling, and that was of a fragile hope of the heart, that our loving Father can only know and hold in His hands. Here is the prayer that reminded me, I have a new page I can start on from today:

"O Lord our God, who have placed times and seasons under your own authority; Who, in your infinite compassion and goodness, have counted us worthy to enter a new year of your loving kindness, bless it and keep us in peace.

Loose, remit and forgive any sins that we have commited during the year that is past, and keep us free from sin in the new year.

Enlighten us with the light of your truth and your divine commandments.

Establish in our souls your holy will, and guide us to every work that is good and pleasing to you.

Guard well our holy Church with your divine grace.

Remember, Lord, our nation; train up the youth; protect the elderly; encourage the faint-hearted; gather the scattered; bring back those who have gone astray, and reunite them to your holy Church.

Overshadow our land with your might, and grant it gentle rain and abundance of the fruits of the earth.

Speak of goodness in the hearts of your rulers; support and strengthen them, together with our armed forces by land, sea or air.

Let your kingdom come upon us, O Lord; the kingdom of love, goodness, peace and justice; and make us worthy to praise and glorify, with one mouth and one heart, your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Amen. "

the doors the doors!

2011-10-25T18:38:00.000+11:00

in wisdom let us attend.

Anyone who visited our church for the feast day of Saint Gerasimos on October 20th would of noticed the new wooden doors that have been built and put in place. The yet to be varnished doors, have replaced the old glass wall and doors that have been there ever since I remember (and therefore the very noisy slamming door was replaced too)! Bishop Seraphim commented himself upon his visit, that every time he comes, something has been added, done or improved to the church, proving that at St Gerasimos there is love for the beauty of God's house.

feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos

2011-09-05T20:15:00.000+10:00

our side chapel celebrates

We invite you to come and join us on September 7th Vespers @ 7pm and September 8th @ 8am, when our side chapel dedicated to Panagia Iamatiki (Healing Mary) and the Birth of the Theotokos celebrates.

"Today the Bridge of Life is born. Through her mortal men, fallen into hell, find their way up again, and they glorify in song Christ the Giver of life."
(taken from Matins hymn on this day)

children's resources

2011-09-05T20:06:00.001+10:00

online and interactive

In our previous post we shared the trial that is online of the 'Children's Bible' @ http://cbr.goarch.org/. But did you know there was more out there on the world wide web? Yes, there sure is...

Saints Alive is another resource by the American Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. You have a helpful host and three sections to explore with puzzles and games. It explores stories from the Old Testament, the Church and New Testament. There are different levels for each game to meet to each child's ability.

There is also (for the older kids) a interactive site on

Environmental Balance: Learning to become stewards of God's World. It is set up by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and challenges the players to think about how they can be responsible for the world they live in.

Build a world, a sustainable community, learn about God's intention for the earth and then what is currently the situation in the world.

Have a browse and play and let us know what you think!

Enjoy!

cruising the harbour

2011-08-30T22:14:00.001+10:00

a night out organised for Orthodox youth

Click image for larger view

work @ Church

2011-08-06T18:59:00.000+10:00

paint job, additions and progress...

online bible children's learning resource

2011-08-03T20:58:00.000+10:00

thought we might share

We came across this great initiative by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the department of Internet ministries. We don't know if you have all seen it already, but for those who haven't, this is a great and fun way for our kids to learn the works, words and life of our Lord!

Jammed packed with different topics, kids can choose their own level in each game and activity. The interactive games include, colouring-in pictures, puzzles, find a words, quizzes, picture book stories and more.

The site initiative is currently under a testing period, but invites everyone to test the site by exploring the many sections and then leaving feedback to make this effort more improved. The address to go and check it out on is: http://cbr.goarch.org/

Let us also know what you think! And enjoy!

enlighten my five simple senses

2011-07-23T21:35:00.001+10:00

sunday july 24th: matthew 9:1-8

Jesus heals the paralytic man and some of those who saw this miracle said, "This Man blasphemes!" What Jesus says next is very important in our Tradition, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?"

Jesus for the first time brings thinking to the heart and feeling to the brain. Our bodies is our freedom. We must use all our facilities to approach God: our eyes, our mouth, our taste, our smell, our hearing, our thinking, our feeling. That is why in the baptismal service we bless the body and its faculties.

If you don't feel with your brain and think in your heart, our Tradition says, you're not human. You are not who you are meant to be. There is a saying in society, "that person is self-absorbed" or "self- centered." But in reality, when you lose your "self", you are absorbed. You are human, with the right mind. Those who are self-centered are in fact the opposite of who they are meant to be.

In an age where we identify with soul less objects, we must seek to identify and become more human with God. This movement towards your humaneness, is found in the Liturgy. In the life of Jesus Christ.

the HOW TO follow Jesus

2011-07-04T21:30:00.000+10:00

Sunday 26^th June: Gospel Mt 4:18-23

The Gospel tells us that there were fishermen who were casting nets when Jesus Christ walks by and says, “Follow Me”. In Greek this is “Ακολοúθει μοι”. This word still applies to us and how we understand it.

Like the fishermen, whatever our work is, whatever our life is, wherever we find ourselves, whatever crosses our path, if in a shop, in whatever industry, hospitality or healing practice: find God there. Follow Him.

How do we follow Christ? Our spirituality would say three things:

“Ακολουθíα ” means service (a prayer service), a church service, therefore it follows, αt some point that there has to be a decision made: that I want church as part of my life.

We have to say our prayers. This means: we can say them anywhere, at any time, in any place, in any environment. Not to say our prayers to show off or so that other people will know. Our prayer could be one sentence or one little word.

Don’t forget God. Remembrance of God. “Μνημη Θεοú". The remembrance of God, is a term that saturates orthodox spirituality. ~ fr Leslie

rwanda collection

2011-06-08T21:14:00.000+10:00

educational resources

Most children in Rwanda receive one pencil for the entire year.

St Gerasimos Church will be collecting resources that will help and provide an opportunity for these children to learn to write and further their education. Something that we take for granted here in Australia.

If you would like to help, please purchase any of the below items and bring them to the Church before Wednesday 15th June, between 8.30am and 11.30am. Please ensure the items are new. They will be distributed in Rwanda by a local pastor to the children in local schools.

* lead pencils

* coloured pencils

* coloured markers

* packet of erasers

* ruler

* packet of pencil sharpeners

* thin exercise book

Thank you.

update and thank you

2011-06-03T20:18:00.000+10:00

Gosford Draft LEP 2009

a message...

"Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are pleased to report that in place of the prohibition of places of public worship, Gosford City Council, in support of the monasteries’ submission, voted unanimously to place the lands containing our two Monasteries in a Special Purposes Zone. This will ensure that the monasteries can continue to carry out their sacred task and to develop without the threat of being a “prohibited use”.

We would like to thank all those who assisted in this matter and pray that our Lord bless them abundantly. Over 3,000 people used the automatic protest letter which sent letters to each Councillor and several Ministers. This equates to a total of 48,000 letters. An extra 1,900 people downloaded the letters and sent them direct to Councillors and Ministers. A great number of people, known and unknown to us, including many politicians and journalists, lobbied directly. We extend our deep gratitude and appreciation to all.

An important step forward has been achieved, but the process is by no means complete. The draft LEP will now be sent to the Hon. Bradley Hazzard, MP, Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, for final approval; this process could take months.
We ask all the faithful to join us in prayer so that the next important step in the process can also be successful. We may need your support again. Please allow us to keep in contact with you and provide you with important updates over the next few months. If you are willing to allow us to send you updates on this important matter please here or visit our website from time to time.

Prayerfully Yours,
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
Pantanassa Monasteryand Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Holy Cross Monastery"

Correspondence to Fr Eusebios of Pantanassa Monastery (taken from their site) from Regional Director, Hunter & Central Coast Region NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure:

"Dear Father Eusebios

I refer to the many email submissions we have received concerning 'places of public worship' in the Gosford draft LEP 2009. Given the large number of submissions it will not be possible to respond to each individually, so I would appreciate you making this available to your community.

We are aware of the many public submissions the Council has received, and the high level of community interest in this issue.

This is an important issue that the Council will need to consider in their review and response to public submissions. This is scheduled for a Council Meeting on 31 May 2011, and a link to the Council's business paper follows - http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/council/council_meetings/agenda_reports/2011/05/31

Once the Council has considered the issues raised in the public submissions, they will submit their draft plan to our Department, asking for it to be finalised. When we receive the plan we will review how the Council has responded to major issues with the plan, including the issues raised by the Greek Orthodox community.

Thank you for your interest in this issue and I suggest you make your views known to the Council, if you haven't already.

regards

Michael Leavey

Regional Director, Hunter & Central Coast Region "

our monasteries in nsw

2011-05-26T23:33:00.000+10:00

need your help

"Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We need your assistance - action is needed prior to Tuesday 31 May 2011!

After many years of hard work and fund-raising, and with the support of all the Greek Orthodox Australian faithful of NSW and other States, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has been developing two Monasteries on the Central Coast of NSW: Pantanassa Monastery at Mangrove Creek and Holy Cross Monastery at Mangrove Mountain. At the time of acquiring these lands, the construction of a monastery, including a church was permissible within the current zones, and on this basis the lands were acquired and the monasteries planned.
NOW, Gosford Council is proposing to eliminate "places of public worship" from the zones on which the Monasteries are located under its "Gosford Draft LEP 2009". This means that future development and expansion of the monasteries, including construction of new churches, is threatened and may not be permissible on monastery lands.
We have:

made detailed submissions to Council opposing the proposed change to the zoning - these have been rejected! and

asked Council to acknowledge the monasteries future development needs by placing the monasteries in the SP1 'Special Activities Zone' which would allow for development of the monasteries with Council consent based on merit considerations - this too was rejected!

On Monday 23 May 2011 we were informed that Council plans to consider the adoption of the "Gosford Draft LEP 2009" on Tuesday 31 May 2011!
You can help by sending letters we have prepared for you to the Councillors and Ministers at the click of one button. We have less than one week to let Councillors and NSW State Government Ministers know that we are very upset and disappointed with this whole matter! We must act before Tuesday 31 May 2011.

CLICK HERE TO ACT NOW!

We thank you in advance for your support and pray that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ bless you and your families. We will email you further developments if needed.

Prayerfully Yours,
Pantanassa Monastery
&
Holy Cross Monastery"

a bit of a parking problem

2011-05-26T23:20:00.000+10:00

police command centre proposition

Those who attended the Easter services would of noticed protest signs in and around the houses of Henry street. These signs were in regards to a proposal made for a Leichhardt local area police command centre for 29 Derbyshire Road (the street behind the church, beside the bus depot and Pioneers park). The implications of such a proposal on the St Gerasimos Parish and community has caused some concern. The list below are just some of the effects the command centre will cause:

- There will be no additional parking made for staff (100 staff on shift 24/7)
- Access will be via William street only (an already dangerous area with buses coming in and out of the depot)
- Footpath removal from Pioneers Park
- Criminals from Glebe, Balmain and Newtown will be transported to the Command centre for lock up, bail etc.

As part of St Gerasimos community, there is still time to have your concerns and voices heard, as community and council meetings are still taking place. A more creative resolution to the traffic and parking problem should be considered with such a proposition (i.e building under/upper ground parking) rather than making a current problem for the local community worse.

A way you can voice your concern and/or support, is by picking up a petition letter or by downloading it here, signing and returning it to Fr. Leslie at the church. More information on this proposal can be found at Church and this page will also be updated shortly.

allow Him

2011-05-05T16:08:00.001+10:00

to enter your life.

"Once again we have come together on this Easter night to proclaim and confess our fundamental belief in the Resurrected Person that we call Jesus Christ. And all our faith, all our belief, all our convictions, all our teachings is based not on a theory, not on a philosophy, not on a hypothesis, not on an idea or on abstract thinking...but on a person. A human being.

That is why we are here: to proclaim, to confess, to underline this human being. Everything that Jesus Christ taught, lived and died for depended upon His Resurrection. Not a dictum or ideology, but a historical fact in time and space. We have to ask ourselves: How is this human being different? How is He distinct? How can we "tell Him apart"?Just notice and just think...
In the world everything can be taken from us. They can take our possessions away. They can take our ownership away. They can take our money away and our titles away. Everything we have can be taken away, except, our death.

No one can take our death away.
No one.
No person.
No guru
No prophet.
No idol.
No polytheistic gods.
No holy person.
No religious leader.
No political leader.
No prime minister.
No pop star.
No movie star.

Except one person: Christ. Except, Jesus Christ.
Only Jesus Christ has made the claim and conviction that He takes away death. That is why we can sing, "Death where is your sting?", "Death where is your victory?". Jesus Christ has taken it away and destroyed Death by His death. Don't we chant, "Life in the tomb.."?

So tonight it's a message of hope, of confidence, of faith, of assurance.Life is not gloom and doom, like others teach.It's not a message of despair, of emptiness, of sadness. The world has given us that, with what we have all been experiencing and hearing in the last 5 months.With the Resurrection we are not dealing with something that's different or differs from earthly life. The Resurrection is not a different life, but it is this lived, loved and mortal life, which becomes different, healed, reconciled and perfected. Life lived on earth in love can offer inspiration to evoke life in God.

Therefore with Christ, with the Resurrected Christ, the person we celebrate tonight:
Allow Him to enter our life.
Allow Him to enter our pain.
Allow Him to enter our wounds.
Allow Him to enter our emptiness.
Allow Him to enter our being.
Allow Him to enter our death.

And everyone who has experienced death in the family, of a loved one, a friend, a family member, a child, a god parent, parent, wife or husband...whoever, whether here or overseas...tonight He gives comfort, hope, assurance. No person stops with the shovel of a grave digger. He has overcome death and no more are we in bondage. That is why we hold our lit candles tonight and we take them to our homes.

Xristos Anesti!"

~ Rev Fr Leslie

Xristos Anesti

2011-04-29T15:02:00.001+10:00

to all our readers!

As we now stand in the bask of the joy of our Lord's Resurrection, we thought that we would return to that night where we saw His Cross standing before us. This is a sermon given by Rev. Fr Leslie Kostoglou on Holy Thursday last year, that we thought would be a good reflection to re post.

"When one reflects on the services so far this week, one cannot help in underlining the amount of times there is references to trees and to wood. It is not a coincidence. These are not casual sentences or descriptions. But this reference to trees, root us into a deep understanding of what tonight is about.

The cross that you see before you tonight is the center of the Church. On it hangs all our faith. Hanging on the cross is all our theology, all our spirituality. But to understand this lets go back a bit…

We started Triodion with the gospel reading of Zacchaeus who climbed up a sycamore tree[1]. And in that sycamore tree was revealed – who Jesus Christ is. The presence of God was made real. (Like in the mamre trees of the Old Testament when Abraham felt the presence of God).

In the first Salutations (heretismi) to the Virgin Mary, again a reference to the Tree of the vineyard: Christ is the vine and we are His branches.

3^rd Sunday of Lent: The Cross is venerated. The Cross occupies the center of Lent. Christ makes a proclamation about this - “Whoever wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me”[2].

Sunday night of Holy Week: the striking gospel reading of the withered fig tree. The fig tree that has all these leaves, its leafy…but has no fruit[3]. The parallel is that humans are all show, but no fruit, no content. That is why all the other days are about hypocrisy and remembering Jesus Christ’s words - “…you will know them by their fruits”[4].

There are many other references to trees, but tonight I want to draw your attention to: ‘The Tree of the Cross’. Before you, is all the convictions, all the Truth about our Orthodox Tradition.

When you think about it - in the 1^st century Roman Empire – there was no glory in public crucifixion. If you and I had stood near the Cross we would not have gained comfort from Jesus’ suffering and death. We would not have walked away confidently declaring – “Jesus has died for our sins and saved us on that Tree”. Something else had to have happened that removed the despair from the disciples’ hearts and replaced this with faith, hope and love.

Only because we know the surety of the Resurrection can we confess the Cross. And the Cross has this understanding that will unfold in the services from now on. All the things we say about Him…Jesus as:

“the Alpha and Omega”,

“the Resurrection and the Life”,

“You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”,

“You saved us from sin and death”.

These meanings are not comprehended yet. The Resurrection is the culmination. The Resurrection is the fulfillment of all this and everything else. He Who is crucified - is He Who is resurrected. He who truly died- is the same Who is ever living. And we read that beautiful verse of God: “By this we know love, because he laid his life down for us”[5].

To phrase this in the context of our church language:

“The person on the Cross is crucified LOVE.

The person on the Cross is crucifying LOVE.

The person on the Cross is LOVE VICTORIOUS”.

This is the meaning of tonight.

Allow me to draw our some theology here…

We are not here just because of the act of Golgotha, processions, dim lights…it’s not just a ritual here (and sadly this is when all people start to come – but the beauty started before). In our early history we commemorated a Saint from Syria, St Ephraim the Syrian and we are familiar with him because of his prayer that is read everyday during Lent (“Lord and Master of my life, give me not a spirit of idleness, meddling, love of power and idle talk…”)[6]. But in one of his books he gives this beautiful imagery in poetry (the Syrians, their theology is very poetical, the Greeks are very philosophical). After the Transgression of Adam and Eve – the Tree of Life was subsumed into the earth only to sprout again on Calvary…(a quote):

“ The Tree of Life

sank down into the virgin ground and was hidden – to burst forth and reappear on Golgotha;

humanity, like birds that are chased, took refuge in it

so that it might return them to their proper home.

The chaser was chased away, while the doves that had been chased,

now hop with joy in Paradise…”

The Tree of Life that was forbidden in the garden manifests itself fully at the Crucifixion. That is why when one looks at the icon of the crucifixion – at the bottom is a skull, which is Adam’s. Christ now is the second Adam. Easter night is known as the first Day of the new Creation and Christ is the New Tree of Life and all can now therefore partake of Him.

The Cross and He who was crucified on it are inseparable. Christ and the Cross, his body and the wood, Himself and the tree are bonded as one and yield the fruit of eternal Life…Christ is the Tree of Life. The Blood is the sap of the tree and his body is the wood. The Resurrection is the fruit of the Tree of Life.

The power of the cross is the Resurrection, because in Love crucified we find out what it means to be human and what is not loved is not saved. And nothing can stop the love of God for us.

Your cross O Lord is Life and resurrection to us and from the Cross came the New Testament commandment:

“Love one another as I have loved you”[7].

The crucifixion is understood not as an extreme sacrifice, but rather as Ultimate Love. And Ultimate Love – renews us, restores us and heals us. Amen."

[1] Luke 19:1-10

[2] Mark 8:34

[3] Matthew 21:19

[4] Matthew 7:16

[5] 1 John 3:16

[6] Recited in Great Lent, with a prostration after each verse:

“Lord and Master of my life,

give me not a spirit of idleness, meddling, love of power and idle talk.

But grant me, your servant, a spirit of soberness, humility, patience and love.

Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults, and not condemn my brother;

For blessed are you, to the ages of ages. Amen.”

[7] John 15:12

pencils ready

2011-04-11T23:01:00.000+10:00

learning about holy week

The traffic is great on Parramatta Road because school holidays are here! I am sure the kids are wanting to go to the Easter show and have their eyes fixed on the chocolate eggs sold in every shop window. But here is a way to prepare them for next week: Great and Holy Week.
They will enjoy colouring in these icons and learning from you (the parents!) what happened in the life of our God Jesus Christ in this week: His Passion and what they will see and experience in Church next week.
(A great resource for Holy Week is: http://lent.goarch.org)

Enjoy! And please send any finished artworks in!

Panagia Iamatiki Chapel

2011-04-06T21:12:00.000+10:00

building update

Many parishioners and visitors to St Gerasimos, would have noticed the work proceeding on our side chapel dedicated to Panagia Iamatiki.
The structure of the archways have been made for the main entrance and the side windows.
It is exciting to imagine what the church will look like upon completion!

Children's countdown calendar

2011-03-29T20:31:00.000+11:00

to Easter..starting today!

Please feel to download the below calendar for your children this Lenten period. They can colour it in and put it up on their wall, so that they can cross off the days to the day we all proclaim "Christ is risen!"

"Truly He has risen!"

what's happening on Feb 20?

2011-01-20T21:43:00.000+11:00

our first born Aussie bishop

Very Reverend Archimandrite Iakovos Tsigounis (pictured) will now become Bishop Iakovos of Militoupolis. This historic ordination of Very Rev Fr Iakovos of Oakleigh Victoria, will take place on February 20th 2011, during the Divine Liturgy at the the Cathedral of the Annunciation Redfern (Archdiocese grounds).

A graduate of St Andrew's Theological College, Very Rev. Fr Iakovos was elected unanimously by the Holy Synod in Constantinople, in the same year that the college celebrates its 25th anniversary.

I personally have not seen a bishop been ordained before and I'm not quite sure that I will have the opportunity again. So I will be making my way on that Sunday to be a part of this 2nd century service, along with all the other Greek Orthodox pilgrims nation-wide.(hint...don't try and park on the archdiocese's grounds that day!)

A Blessing for the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia!

why water?

2011-01-07T13:51:00.000+11:00

Epiphany 2010

We bring so many elements of creation into our services, but why is water chosen today? For one, it can not be made by humans. But it is also where we were born from and what we are made of.
This water we use to bless, serves to remind us of the sacrament of our baptism. To go back , revisit and read the prayers that were once said over us. There you will find the answer to the question I often get asked: How can I be a good Christian? ~ fr Leslie

Read the prayers once said over you and the answer: here.

This Sunday the traditional blessing of the Sydney waters (and therefore creation) with the Holy Cross takes place at Yarra Bay, 9th January at 12.30pm. The celebrations, with music, food and rides proceed until 6pm in the evening.

our example of dedication

2010-12-12T21:37:00.000+11:00

Sermon given on the 21^st Nov:

Entry of the Theotokos sermon

~ by Rev Fr Leslie Kostoglou

We are in the close of the year and from the 15th we began the fast of Christmas. The lent of Christmas, just like the lent of Pascha, but not as strict.

Today we celebrate the entry of the Theotokos into the temple. The fact that we call her ‘Theotokos’ (God-bearer) makes us aware of what is to come at Christmas. Her entry into the temple, as our example, makes us think of how we enter the temple? How do we enter the church?

At thirteen years old the Virgin Mary conceived God. But at three, her parents presented her to the Jewish temple, where she would become the veil weaver. We have kept this in our icons, for you will see that she holds knitting needles and a deep cherry wool in her hands. This was the colour of the veil surrounding and separating the Holy of Holies. This is the veil that is referenced to at Easter, at the crucifixion, when "the veil was torn in two". But there is a lot of interpretations about that.

The Theotokos, with her knitting needles, occupies the royal gates to the altar in our church. This is because, through her, God came to earth. She is that bridge. That same bridge that we too make when we come to church and pray.

How do we enter the church? How do we come to church?

With what body do you come to church? With what mind do you come to church? With what heart do you come to church? With what soul do you come to church? These are the questions we must ask ourselves.

We are not to be perfect. I often get, "Fr, when I have it altogether...I'll come to church". But they have it all wrong.

You can not heal yourself, one hundred percent. You can not help yourself, one hundred percent. You can not get it together by yourself. If you excuse the terminology, that is God's "job". Our "job" is to come to church in whatever stage and reality of your life that you find yourself in. If you feel you are in the pigpen like the prodigal son. Or if you feel like you are wearing the best robe in the mansion. If you feel you are at negative one hundred. Or if you feel you are at positive one hundred: you bring that to the church.

Whatever you are going through. Whatever is going through your head or your heart - bring it to church. We tend to be too hard on ourselves. There is also a tendency that we have a false humility and an authentic pride. We come to church even if, we knowingly or unknowingly, have a false humility or authentic pride - and God makes them right. He will work on you, so that those things are reversed and you have an authentic humility and false pride. He puts us in our right mind and the prayers in the Liturgy speak of this.

The Theotokos, is our example in three ways:

One: She said "yes". Without hesitation, she said "yes" to the Archangel Gabriel to bear God.

Two: Is that she had the freedom to say "no". If she had said "no", it would have been accepted. There would not have been any questions. The angel would have gone somewhere else to complete God’s plan.

3. Her freedom. And this is where you can tell the difference between those who are sincere or false, between those who have an authentic humility or an authentic pride. Cults are those who restrict freedom and take it away.

When every year closes, we think about how the years have passed and how they fly by faster and faster. And just when we think we have worked things out in our thoughts, our bodies make us stop and say "enough is enough". From next week you will notice that the hymns will change to that of Christmas, preparing us for that big and great day of Dec 25^th: of the Incarnation of our God. Today, the Theotokos points us to this day of Christmas. She is at the beginning of our journey as our example. The Theotokos was dedicated to the temple and so must we also be.

falalalala...

2010-12-08T12:13:00.001+11:00

lalalala

There will be a lot of singing going on at the Archdiocese grounds on December 19th! It's a good evening out with the family or friends, so get into the Christmas spirit and check it out...

christmas community appeals

2010-12-06T22:00:00.000+11:00

two to mention...

First is run by the Greek Welfare Centre, collecting the following on Wednesday 15th December, 9am-4.30pm at Marrickville Town Hall, 303 Marrickville Road, Marrickville.

- Clothing (new and used)

- Cans or packets of food items

- Household items (new and old)

- Games/ toys, presents (for kids and adults)

- Donations/ money vouchers

All items collected will be donated to various families and charitable organisations.

St Gerasimos Parish is also collecting toys for the orphanage it helps it Nigeria. The church is collecting until the 31st December, so it is a perfect opportunity to donate any unwanted or excess toys from Christmas. Any items can be brought from now, in the mornings 8.30-10.30am.

Have a look around the house, there is most likely something you don't need and that someone else does.

field trip

2010-10-10T19:18:00.001+11:00

to the monastery of the holy cross

On Tuesday November 2nd, the parishioners of St Gerasimos have been invited to the monastery of the Holy Cross (with chapel dedicated to St Irene Chrysovalantou) on Mangrove Mountain.
A bus will be departing Leichhardt's church grounds at 7.30am to make the trip up (and arrive at 9am), for a Divine Liturgy led by Fr Leslie Kostoglou.

A lunch at nearby Gosford will follow the visit. It is a unique opportunity to get out of the city and visit the grounds of the nunnery.

Please express your interest in joining us on this day by emailing us your name and contact phone number.
The cost of the bus is $20.

australian byzantine choir performance

2010-09-29T09:48:00.000+10:00

fundraising concert

Just a quick announcement as to what our nearby church parish of St Nicholas Marrickville has planned for Sunday 17th October!

The Australian Byzantine Choir will be performing on Sunday afternoon at 4pm, as part of a fundraising concert.

Where is the money going to? All proceeds will be donated to St George Monastery, Yellow Rock.

What does it cost? It's entry by donation.

So if you are not at the retreat, come and listen to the ancient mystical sounds of the byzantine music tradition.

update

2010-09-12T18:35:00.000+10:00

panagia iamatiki chapel renovations

Everyone who took part of the feast of the birth of the Theotokos (September 8th) in our chapel celebrating this day, would of seen with their own eyes the changes that have already been made. As you will see in the picture below, the glass doors that use to occupy the entrance of the chapel and the glass separating it from the main body of the church, have now been removed.

Last week before the feasts, fundraising had totalled $16000 from $45000 needed to complete the project.

my retreat experience

2010-08-30T20:57:00.001+10:00

by Hellen P.

Initially on finding out about the retreat it caught my attention as something different. I thought to myself, "that sounds really interesting and I would really like to go"... then my second, third and fourth thoughts were:

"can't go", " don't know anyone", "don't really want to go alone"..."so better forget it!!!"

To make a long story short, I wanted to know more about it, so I struck up a conversation with one of the youth from our parish. From there we attended the retreat and the state youth conference together and are now great friends.

I am so pleased that I went and I got so much out of it. As this was my first year attending (2009) I only went for the one day. I thought I could check it out and maybe bring my family along the following year. On arrival everyone was very friendly and welcoming. To be part of the Liturgy in such a different location was a wonderful experience, as I've always only known the Liturgy inside the actual Church.

The talks were informative and question time at the end of each talk was always welcomed. Breaking off into groups for discussion was interesting, and the enthusiasm was good. I was really glad I attended the Retreat, and will hopefully be able to attend again. The archery was so much fun! I would never ordinarily think of doing that, however it was heaps of fun.

I recommend the retreat - well organised, enjoyable, and nice to be with like minded people who have a keenness to further explore their faith.

(This year's retreat is being held at Stanwell Tops, October 15th-17th.

Do what Hellen did from our parish and ask someone next to you! You can find an application form here. You can bring your application form and money to church on Sunday where it will be collected after Liturgy.)

hear yee hear yee!

2010-08-08T18:40:00.000+10:00

click to enlarge

"Panagia Iamatiki" chapel renovations

2010-08-03T20:11:00.000+10:00

"Sanctify those who love the beauty of your house"

As part of a long plan for the Church at St Gerasimos Leichhardt, a lot has been completed so far: the altar, the ceilings, the hall, restrooms, kitchen and now the next step is our chapel of Panagia Iamatiki (of healing - which you find on your left when you enter St Gerasimos church)

chapel at St Gerasimos

The chapel will be installed with microphones and new lighting, but besides these modern day requirements, the doors and entrance of the chapel will also change. The overall aim is for the chapel to be a reflection of the Mother Church in Arakapa, Cyprus. No matter the distance between the nations - we are one community and unity.

new church

old church

Fundraising for this project has now begun, but we are calling out to anyone who would like to help. There is a lot of talent in our community and God brings help that is needed. Just some of the work that will be required is in electrical, plastering and cabinet making. If you think you could help or would like to ask if your services could be used, please ring Fr Leslie at the Church.

There is a prayer in the Liturgy, that we hear read every Sunday:

"Sanctify those who love the beauty of your house".

Beautifying the Church is not only for the uplifting of our senses, but also for the generations to come.

Icon of Panagia Iamatiki

our response

2010-07-30T20:52:00.001+10:00

to the wonderful acts of God

The Central Youth Committee's retreat is set for 2010. Now you may think, "how will I know what I am doing in October from now? Something better may come up!"
But in actual fact: why not plan and book in a weekend or day out of town at Stanwell Tops?

"I don't know anyone to go with!", you may reply.
Well that is why most people go to the retreat, to meet like minded Orthodox youth. Or why not ask someone you see at church to come along with you. Try it out.

"I'm too old..."
If you are between the ages of 18-40 years - you are the youth of the Australian Orthodox church.

"It's too expensive".
There are packages available. The retreat is catered and has great deals for families.You can stay for the full weekend or just do a day visit to check out what goes on at a retreat.

Many last year who attended the Youth Conference asked for a retreat and had no idea there was one that actually was held annually
.
This year's topic is 'Miracles, and our response to the wonderful acts of God.'
Be the response to this invitation and be the miracle of youth coming together, as part of this retreat.

October 15th-17th
Applications close 16th September

For an application form click here
or please contact us with any other questions.

may's kids corner

2010-05-30T18:51:00.002+10:00

a new section to our parish blog.

thank you Adriana and Maria!

blame game

2010-05-22T20:21:00.001+10:00

it's your fault.

The Gospel tells us that as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. His disciples asked Him: Rabbi, who sinned "this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

And Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him".

If we search deeper into this particular scene from St John's gospel reading, one can see that many levels and themes are weaved together into one central culminating theme.

The disciples asked Jesus a pertinent question. A striking question. A disturbing question. It's disturbing in two ways: (a) if we don't know how to approach this properly and rightly, and (b) it reveals the human condition, that when it comes to some form of sickness, we want to put the blame on someone, somewhere or sometime.

That eternal cry of people in their wounds and suffering confess to me, "Father, what have I done wrong for this to happen, what sin have I done...it feels like God is punishing me. Is there some generational curse?"

"Who sinned?", they asked concerning the blind man, "him or his parents?"

A question: who is to blame? (this is a human condition- to put blame. This was the sickness in paradise - Adam blamed Eve). And there is no easy answer - on a human level. But Christ answers in a different way- he brings it to another level, he takes it out of the earthly human condition. He doesn't blame and doesn't judge. He says neither the man nor his parents are to blame or have sinned "but the works of God should be revealed in him": We are on a spiritual level.

It is the understanding in our spirituality that sickness, suffering, hurt, brokenness, wounds and death - are not the natural created condition of this world. But health, healing, being whole, being sane is the condition we are created for - we were created for God and whatever God is, we are to become. But somewhere, at sometime, at some place, things have gone wrong, misdirected or have missed the target. When you have the fallen condition (sickness and suffering), someone is to blame. It doesnt just happen.

If I can fill in the backdrop: it is a teaching of the church, it is also a teaching of the Bible, and is expanded in today's Gospel reading- that we are all born in a world that is sick. Sickness and suffering is around us and attached to us. None of us asked to be born in a time of wars, nuclear threats and terrorist fears. We live in a fallen world and everything participates in this brokenness, fallen state, disease and sickness. This is the meaning of Original sin - we inherit, just by being born in this world- a broken, fragmented, corrupted, demon-riddled, death bound humanity. We don't even have a choice of who our parents are.

But because we are born in a world that is sick and sinful (note: sin means to be off target, to miss the mark and be off track. We are born off the track - no one is born in paradise), we are to some extent preconditioned in who and how we are by our parents. Each person biologically, physically, emotionally and spiritually, inherit these things from their parents This sickness one inherits, is specifically their own and not anybody else's...but the blessings they receive, is their own also. If they are sick - we are sick. If you have a hysterical Greek mother, someone in the family is going to be hysterical. If you are born in HIV parents - someone will have HIV.

Now its not my fault in a sense, but the fault of a lot of people within the context of their particular choices, with a whole lot of behaviour and a whole lot of activity that comes together when a child is born. Now by nature we are born in a a sick world, by nurture this sickness is compounded...in our church we call this: inheritance and imitation.

On the issue of inheritance: there is no choice, I didn't ask for the parents I have - what ethnicity, language and religion. In a sense we are victimized emotionally, physically, mentally by whatever particular situation we are born into. This is what the gospel reading is about. Not so much about the story of the blind man, but its about the seeing people that are blind through their actions and behaviour - their own inheritance and imitation. The sickness is not about the one who is blind. The sickness is about the ones who are healthy and that includes the religious personalities from the gospel reading. Just because we can see and hear, it doesn't necessarily equate to that we are not blind or deaf. Just read the sick behaviour and dialogue and actions in the gospel reading.

The culminating central theme is this: what do we do with the actual humanity that we have received, the nurture and nature, the inheritance and imitation, that has been ours? How do we not add ourselves to the sickness, not to become ourselves an agent of greater sin, so that we don't pass on to those around us more sickness? How can we become a healing presence rather than a person culmination the sickness?

For the sickness to stop. For the healing to occur. For the suffering to be alleviated...we need to be re-created. At least that is the understanding of our church. That is why Jesus heals this particular blind man, not with a command like that we read in other accounts, "you're healed", "your faith has made you well", "get up and walk", but he recalls and reacts the whole accounts of the creation story. Listen to how he heals the blind man: "He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva and He annointed the yes of the blind man with the clay, and said to him, 'Go and wash in the pool of Siloam'. So he went and washed and came back seeing."

The whole healing act of the whole person, is to the measure that we are re-created. And to the measure we are healed ourselves, we become a healing presence to others. We then break the chain and the power of disease and sickness and evil that is ours and are able then to overcome it. We are called to do this - to work on becoming holy, to work on becoming healthy, to undo the madness into which we are born. To have the mind of Christ and the power of the Holy spirit and the heart of The Trinity. To allow God to come into the deepest recess of our being and abide is us and clean out the rubbish and the garbage. To bring God into contact with the wound.

Therefore, like the blind man - SEE:

See the sickness - see your sickness.

See the reality - see your reality.

See what is happening (physically, emotionally, bodily and invisibly).

See the Truth of things.

To be in the reality of things...that is what heals.

The church always appeals to this. What does it always say?

be healed

be saved

be illumined

be transformed

be renewed

be transfigured

be enlightened

Healing is to put things in the right direction and on target.

When it's Truth, in reality and in wanting to be healed, with no generalizations, no beating around the bush, no cover ups, no secrets (we are as sick as our secrets) - but we face it, we concrete it, say it with your mouth and say it exactly how it is to another human being...this is healing. If not- you will get more sick and more sick. Don't pass it to your children. You will see your own traits, hang ups, complexities in your children (if a child can scream- there is hope).

Therefore at some point, we have to talk about mum and dad. We have to talk about family. We have to talk about me and what happened to us. We have to talk about alcoholism, drugs, sexual, migration experiences...and we have to break that chain of disfunction, addiction, denial, lying, delusion - because in the midst of all this: we can be healed, can be whole and can really have freedom. Truth heals and as long as we are lying about the reality we will never be healed.

Deal with the reality you have been dealt with. Either deal with it healthily or unhealthily, redemptively or neurotically, sanely or insanely. One has to face all this, let yourself feel what you know with your brain. Accept the Life you have. Say YES to your life. Fix up the relationship with God. Fix up the communion with God and in that way: one is free to handle what they have been dealt with in a multitude of ways. The key is not resignation but transformation. Not revolt but rejuvenation.

With God you can change yourself and therefore you can transfigure anything that is given to you. All sickness and suffering is because we have raptured the proper relationship with God. We are not God centered anymore - we are self centered. We are in a ME society, with MY agendas.Richard Neber, a Protestant theologian in America captured it perfectly in a prayer. A prayer that leads

to healing:

"Lord give me the peace to accept what i cannot change.

The courage to change what i can

and the wisdom to know the difference."

From our Tradition three things are involved that we need to do to be healed, sane, holy and have it all together:

1. Deal with your reality, with your actual reality and your actual environment

2. Get rid of the excuses, hinderences, generalizations, cover ups that stops you from realising your reality.

3. Question..Who is your God? Make sure its the real One.

Don't be blind to this.

Amen.

~fr leslie

returning home...

2010-04-12T21:27:00.005+10:00

the tree of life.

We are very fortunate to be able to post the sermon that we were privileged to hear on Holy Thursday. It was given to us that night by Rev Fr Leslie Kostoglou and we wanted to share it with you here...

"When one reflects on the services so far this week, one cannot help in underlining the amount of times there is references to trees and to wood. It is not a coincidence. These are not casual sentences or descriptions. But this reference to trees, root us into a deep understanding of what tonight is about.

The cross that you see before you tonight is the center of the Church. On it hangs all our faith. Hanging on the cross is all our theology, all our spirituality. But to understand this lets go back a bit…

We started Triodion with the gospel reading of Zacchaeus who climbed up a sycamore tree[1]. And in that sycamore tree was revealed – who Jesus Christ is. The presence of God was made real. (Like in the mamre trees of the Old Testament when Abraham felt the presence of God).

In the first Salutations (heretismi) to the Virgin Mary, again a reference to the Tree of the vineyard: Christ is the vine and we are His branches.

3^rd Sunday of Lent: The Cross is venerated. The Cross occupies the center of Lent. Christ makes a proclamation about this - “Whoever wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me”[2].

Sunday night of Holy Week: the striking gospel reading of the withered fig tree. The fig tree that has all these leaves, its leafy…but has no fruit[3]. The parallel is that humans are all show, but no fruit, no content. That is why all the other days are about hypocrisy and remembering Jesus Christ’s words - “…you will know them by their fruits”[4].

There are many other references to trees, but tonight I want to draw your attention to: ‘The Tree of the Cross’. Before you, is all the convictions, all the Truth about our Orthodox Tradition.

When you think about it - in the 1^st century Roman Empire – there was no glory in public crucifixion. If you and I had stood near the Cross we would not have gained comfort from Jesus’ suffering and death. We would not have walked away confidently declaring – “Jesus has died for our sins and saved us on that Tree”. Something else had to have happened that removed the despair from the disciples’ hearts and replaced this with faith, hope and love.

Only because we know the surety of the Resurrection can we confess the Cross. And the Cross has this understanding that will unfold in the services from now on. All the things we say about Him…Jesus as:

“the Alpha and Omega”,

“the Resurrection and the Life”,

“You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”,

“You saved us from sin and death”.

These meanings are not comprehended yet. The Resurrection is the culmination. The Resurrection is the fulfillment of all this and everything else. He Who is crucified - is He Who is resurrected. He who truly died- is the same Who is ever living. And we read that beautiful verse of God: “By this we know love, because he laid his life down for us”[5].

To phrase this in the context of our church language:

“The person on the Cross is crucified LOVE.

The person on the Cross is crucifying LOVE.

The person on the Cross is LOVE VICTORIOUS”.

This is the meaning of tonight.

Allow me to draw our some theology here…

We are not here just because of the act of Golgotha, processions, dim lights…it’s not just a ritual here (and sadly this is when all people start to come – but the beauty started before). In our early history we commemorated a Saint from Syria, St Ephraim the Syrian and we are familiar with him because of his prayer that is read everyday during Lent (“Lord and Master of my life, give me not a spirit of idleness, meddling, love of power and idle talk…”)[6]. But in one of his books he gives this beautiful imagery in poetry (the Syrians, their theology is very poetical, the Greeks are very philosophical). After the Transgression of Adam and Eve – the Tree of Life was subsumed into the earth only to sprout again on Calvary…(a quote):

“ The Tree of Life

sank down into the virgin ground and was hidden – to burst forth and reappear on Golgotha;

humanity, like birds that are chased, took refuge in it

so that it might return them to their proper home.

The chaser was chased away, while the doves that had been chased,

now hop with joy in Paradise…”

The Tree of Life that was forbidden in the garden manifests itself fully at the Crucifixion. That is why when one looks at the icon of the crucifixion – at the bottom is a skull, which is Adam’s. Christ now is the second Adam. Easter night is known as the first Day of the new Creation and Christ is the New Tree of Life and all can now therefore partake of Him.

The Cross and He who was crucified on it are inseparable. Christ and the Cross, his body and the wood, Himself and the tree are bonded as one and yield the fruit of eternal Life…Christ is the Tree of Life. The Blood is the sap of the tree and his body is the wood. The Resurrection is the fruit of the Tree of Life.

Tonight is only understood in ‘a process’ to the Resurrection…the Cross that leads to the Resurrection. The process is our grafting on to the wood of the Tree of Life, because after Christ’s Cross comes my cross. Therefore we are reminded that my death, my cross, is rather my coming to life – my resurrection.

The power of the cross is the Resurrection, because in Love crucified we find out what it means to be human and what is not loved is not saved. And nothing can stop the love of God for us.

Your cross O Lord is Life and resurrection to us and from the Cross came the New Testament commandment:

“Love one another as I have loved you”[7].

The crucifixion is understood not as an extreme sacrifice, but rather as Ultimate Love. And Ultimate Love – renews us, restores us and heals us. Amen."

[1] Luke 19:1-10

[2] Mark 8:34

[3] Matthew 21:19

[4] Matthew 7:16

[5] 1 John 3:16

[6] Recited in Great Lent, with a prostration after each verse:

“Lord and Master of my life,

give me not a spirit of idleness, meddling, love of power and idle talk.

But grant me, your servant, a spirit of soberness, humility, patience and love.

Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults, and not condemn my brother;

For blessed are you, to the ages of ages. Amen.”

[7] John 15:12

Xristos Anesti!

2010-04-10T20:21:00.001+10:00

christ is risen.

We hope that anyone who bought holy week books during Holy Week enjoyed following the services. And we hope that every one of our readers had a safe and joyful easter!

A big thank you goes out to all who donated koulouria to be distributed to the prisons.

We were fortunate this year (and next) to have Easter at the same time as the Western faith. An example of why this is a good thing is that the public holiday allowed more people to come along and decorate the epitaphios on Holy Friday. It was wonderful to have so many children, parents, grandparents and families involved. The finished result was beautiful. Here are some pictures.

Anyone wishing to contribute any photos/stories/reflections from their experiences during Lent, Holy Week and Easter can email us any time. We are all here to share.

programme for holy week

2010-03-28T12:13:00.000+11:00

@ st gerasimos

GREAT AND HOLY WEEK SERVICES
(click on titles for more information on the service)

SUNDAY 28TH MARCH

8.00AM – ENTRY OF OUR LORD INTO JERUSALEM (PALM SUNDAY)

MATINS - DIVINE LITURGY (Php 4:4-9, Jn 12:1-18)
EVENING 7.00PM – SERVICE OF THE BRIDEGROOM

HOLY MONDAY 29TH MARCH

8.00AM – SERVICE OF PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS
EVENING 7.00PM – SERVICE OF THE BRIDEGROOM

HOLY TUESDAY 30TH MARCH

8.00AM – SERVICE OF PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS
EVENING 7.00PM – SERVICE OF THE BRIDEGROOM

HOLY WEDNESDAY 31ST MARCH

8.00AM – SERVICE OF PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS
4.00PM – SERVICE OF HOLY UNCTION
EVENING 7.00PM – MATINS OF HOLY THURSDAY

HOLY THURSDAY 1ST APRIL

6.00AM – VESPERS AND DIVINE LITURGY OF ST BASIL
Holy Communion will be given at the end of the divine liturgy

EVENING 6.30PM – SERVICE OF THE HOLY PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (THE 12 GOSPELS)

HOLY FRIDAY 2ND APRIL

8.00AM – SERVICE OF THE GREAT HOURS AND DECORATION OF THE EPITAPHIOS
The decorating od the epitaphios is open to all ages and families. Please come along and help out!
3.00PM – GREAT VESPERS OF THE APOKATHELOSIS

EVENING
7.00PM –SERVICE OF THE EPITAPHIOS
9.00PM – PROCESSION OF THE EPITAPHIOS

HOLY SATURDAY 3RD APRIL

6.00AM – VESPERS AND DIVINE LITURGY OF ST BASIL
Holy Communion will be given at the end of the divine liturgy

EVENING 11.00PM – THE RESURRECTION SERVICE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST

EASTER SUNDAY 4TH APRIL

11.00AM – VESPERS OF LOVE HELD AT THE ARCHDIOCESE, REDFERN

koulouria

2010-03-28T12:00:00.035+11:00

for the inmates

Every year Rev Fr Leslie and St Gerasimos Parish collects and distributes koulouria and tsourekia, sharing in the celebration of our Lord's resurrection with the 350 Orthodox inmates in NSW. As Fr. Leslie explained today, if anyone is wishing to contribute with any that can be spared, or on the other hand made specifically for this, they can be brought to the church on Saturday morning April 3rd. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

holy week service books

2010-03-26T18:34:00.001+11:00

on sale

...from Palm Sunday after Liturgy, near were the candles are sold.

If you don't have one, it is thoroughly recommended. This book has every service of Holy Week including the Vespers of Love on Sunday afternoon. It is in English and Greek and is easy to follow.

bring picnic blanket

2010-03-19T10:05:00.000+11:00

if you have one...

We have heard that the Central Youth Committee NSW has organised a picnic for Bright Monday 5th April. Lucky we are all on a public holiday that day...

You can rock up at anytime from 10am and bring your favourite pass time/ park activity and of course any left over food from the day before (perfect picnic food!). There might also be an Easter egg cracking competition. The competition may be fierce in that one.

Have a look at the ad here.

hand out

2010-03-10T21:06:00.000+11:00

download

We thought we would post up the handout that was provided during last year's 'Step by step through Great Lent and Holy Week' course. Please just visit our scribd page and download from there.

book companion.

2010-02-18T14:56:00.001+11:00

for our journey to Pascha

During last year's 'Step by Step through Great Lent and Holy Week' course, the book 'Great Lent - Journey to Pacha' by Fr Alexander Schmemann was a recommended read by Fr. Leslie Kostoglou and was available for purchase at our book stand.

As we begin our journey of Lent 2010, we are again recommending this book... but this time here on this blog. For those who read it last year, it opened a lot of eyes and minds to this the most important period in our Greek Orthodox Church...and for the world.

If you have a yahoo or google account you can read a preview of this book here.

And can be purchased online at the following bookstores: Crossroads and Booktopia.

forgive me.

2010-02-17T20:37:00.000+11:00

Forgiveness Sunday (Sun 14th Feb)

(Mat 6:14-21)

At the threshold of Lent, we deal with the human person: the mind, the gut and the heart.

Forgiveness is a repentance and involves a changing of everything about you that is off the mark and bringing it back to be Christ centered. Changing your attitude and your mind.

Fasting involves the whole of you. Your eyes, your ears, your mouth and your gut.

Jesus Christ says today, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

We are given these 3 things and are ushered into Lent, to work out how to be a human being, in reference to God.

mailing list

2010-02-16T09:00:00.002+11:00

st gerasimos leichhardt church

Just a reminder that you can join st gerasimos parish's monthly mailing list by sending your email here. You will receive the monthly programme with online information links and other news and events we want to tell you about!
You can also subscribe to this blog by adding your email to the left. You will receive the latest post straight to your inbox.

you did it to Me.

2010-02-15T12:00:00.002+11:00

Judgment Sunday (Sun 7th Feb)

(Mat 25:31-46)

I love therefore I am.

We will be judged according to His love.

Not our idea of love...but according to the love we have had in His image.

ermine.

2010-02-15T01:00:00.001+11:00

3rd saturday of souls, kolyva & pure week

You might be wondering what this picture is all about? We found this sermon on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America's website and enjoyed it thoroughly...so we decided to share it here as we enter the first week of lent.

by Tim Alikakos

If you ever happen to go hiking on the hills of New England you might run into a very peculiar animal called the ermine. Most likely you have never heard of this creature. I wanted to bring an ermine here for you to see tonight but I didn’t think bringing a furry creature of the wild in this chapel would be the wisest thing to do. I wanted you to see an ermine because it is famous for its beautiful white fur. I wanted you to see that if you let the ermine run free in this chapel it would not go anywhere near places where there is dust or grease or anything that might stain its fur. The ermine takes great pride in that fur and it has developed a very strong instinct to keep itself extremely clean. Infact, so strong is that instinct that the ermine will suffer capture rather than defilement. Hunters who know of this will smear filth over the paths that the ermine would normally choose to escape by and it falls into their trap. The result, is the death of an innocent little animal; a flaw of nature one might say. But at the same time, by such a death the ermine wins its battle of trying to keep itself clean. It has managed to preserve the purity of its fur as its final offering to this world. It is because the ermine engages itself in a life-long battle of preserving its purity that such a death translates into the ultimate victory.

There is something to be learned from this little creature of God. We learn that there is a definite connection between purity and the way we view death. The tradition of the Church hints to this connection by placing on the commemoration of the dead on the seventh day of this week we call the Pure Week. The small tradition of sprinkling white sugar powder on the kolyva offering for the dead is no accident. The Third Saturday of Souls serves to remind us that the connection between preservation of purity and death is as close for us Christians as it is for the ermine. For the ermine which is captured because it keeps its fur clean, death means victory, the end of a battle well fought. In the same way, our Christian life is a battle to preserve the purity we received at baptism. In a battle well fought, we can also view death as the ultimate victory.

Preserve the purity of your baptismal garment and death will become your victory. Since when did purity take on such a crucial role? We always hear of fasting, prayer, alms-giving to be the means to holiness. But at Matins we hear that to be holy in the way that God is Holy means to be pure and undefiled in the way that by nature God is pure and undefiled. Therefore, the preservation of purity is exactly the goal of fasting, and the goal of prayer, and the goal of alms-giving. By fasting we purify our bodies from rich foods,and by prayer we purify our minds by constantly thinking about God. By alms-giving we purify our hearts from every attachment to worldly possessions. But ultimately, because of the Fall, man could never entirely preserve his purity from sin and thus deliver himself from the bondage of death. Complete purification for sins and deliverance from death could have only been brought about by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself .
According to the author of the Letter to the Hebrews in this Saturday’s epistle, purification for sins encompasses all of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The incarnation of the Word, the rushing in of the Kingdom of God, the miracles, the Cross, the Resurrection, the gift of eternal life, all these events collapse into one deed: the purification for sins. Christ’s work as a man was to deal decisively with the problem of human sin. He made purification for sins in order for us through baptism to be reconciled to God, in order for us to be able to approach God, in order for us to be able to see God and live eternally. This He promised in the Sermon on the Mount when He said: “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God”. This purity of heart becomes possible only through Jesus Himself, His cross and resurrection, His making Himself purification for sins.

Christ, through His Church, continues the work of purification which only He can bring about for us. The miracle which we commemorate on the Saturday of Souls attests to that very fact that Christ continues to intervene in human history in order to keep the purity of His faithful unspotted and their salvation intact. History tells us that in the year 362, emperor Julian the Apostate tried to defile the faithful of the city of Constantinople by replacing all the foods in the market place with his own foods that were sprinkled with the blood from sacrifices. His plan entailed that since Christians would not bow down to idols they would unwillingly defile themselves by partaking of the sacrifices to idols. In order to prevent this defilement, St. Theodore of Tyron appeared to the then Patriarch Eudoxios and instructed him to boil wheat - in his country they called kolyva - and to give it to the faithful to eat instead. Patriarch Eudoxios did as he was told, and all the Christians of the city were kept undefiled in their Lenten fast.

The intervention of Saint Theodore was instigated by the Lord Himself. His task of purification for our sins will continue until His Second Coming. In our baptism we were given a completely pure, white baptismal garment, yet the battle of the preservation of its purity and of its effectiveness over death, will continue until we depart from this temporal life. Through the sacrament of confession Christ continues His work in the cleansing of our sins. Through the gift of tears we call upon Jesus to wash away our iniquities and to create in us a clean heart. Through Holy Communion He purges away our sins and grants us eternal life. We are given the purity purchased for us by the very blood of our Savior. Preserve this purity and death will indeed be your victory.

The gospel reading for the Third Saturday of Souls tells us that the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. Jesus through His cross and resurrection stands as Lord of the eternal day that lies beyond death. At the same time He is Lord over every temporal institution like the day of the Sabbath. He is Lord of every country, every culture, every institution, every circumstance of life and death. In all walks of life He is busy clearing by His own blood a path that leads to Him. In the seemingly most desperate situations, Christ is there to point the clear way through the filth that may surround us or the obstacles that are placed in our way. He is there to take us out of despair, to cleanse us once again, and to lead us on His path of purity so that His sacrifice on the Cross will not go in vain.

No longer can our fallen nature stand as an excuse to prevent us from loving God, or from keeping His commandments, or from maintaining the purity of our body and soul. No longer can we make excuses that in this kind of world we are not able to remain true to our pure Orthodox Christian identity. Merely the fact that the Son of God accepted to die on the Cross in order to bring about the purification of sins makes the availability of a clear path all too important. In fact, the abundance of filth that we claim to be in the world especially today, only makes it easier to point out that one path that is truly clear. Follow that path, and unlike following all others, you will start seeing that death is no longer the inevitable tragedy of our fallen nature, but the victory in a battle well fought.
It is certainly not an easy path to take. All of us here know this very well. Following the purifying path of Christ means sacrifice as it did for the ermine, and as it did for Jesus Himself. Even if we do not suffer physical death as they did, we might have to nail on the cross our pride, our passions, our weaknesses, and our comfort.. But with every strike of the nail Jesus is there cleansing us from all the stains that those nails might cause. Having carried His Cross first He carved the clear path for us. And at the end of time He will turn around, and show His life-giving face to all of us who have followed Him. We only need to have the purity of heart to be able to see Him. It would indeed be terrible if besides all our efforts we never got to see the face of our Creator because of our uncleanliness. St. John Chrysostom expresses this fear best when he says: “I would not mind the fires of hell as much as I would mind not seeing the sweet face of Jesus”.

Remember the ermine as it escapes the filth that the hunter smears in its regular paths. It falls into the hunter’s hands thus realizing by being captured, the purpose of its life: to keep itself clean and unspotted. Christ has given us our own spotless pure garment at baptism washed by His own precious blood. He Himself continues to cleanse each one of us through His Church. By being Lord of the Sabbath He has assured that in there is no place in either side of death where a clear path will not be available for us in order to preserve our purity until the end. In the battle of this Pure week, we look to the Saturday of the souls and see that death is nothing more but the ultimate victory. We should pray that the purity of the ermine will decorate the souls of those who have left us behind. We should also pray that our own offering to Christ will be as pure and spotless as the offering we received from Him at baptism, so that on that eternal day, with the clear vision of a pure and contrite heart we too shall see God and live. Amen.

Anastasis.

2010-02-14T17:04:00.000+11:00

Sunday of the Prodigal Son (Sun 31st Jan)

(Lk 15:11-32)

We are all given the riches of His Kingdom and we go and waste it in the mud. Yet even in this mud God is with us, where we come to our senses and repent.

We are heredity sons and daughters of God. The father's treasure wasn't found when the son left, but when he returned to his Father.

parent talk

2010-01-31T21:43:00.001+11:00

@ St Ioannis Parish

We like to support and make mention of courses being held at other parishes.
For 4 weeks in the month of March the topic of Parenting will be discussed at St Ioannis Church in Parrammatta.
We have admittedly been a bit slack in posting this message to our readers, as the course started last week... but rest assured late comers are welcome!
Held on Tuesdays at 7pm - For more information, please visit St Ioannis site.

water.

2010-01-30T20:38:00.001+11:00

Sunday of the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Sun 24th Jan)

"The Pharisee and the tax collector Sunday, unfolds the adventure of humility and the dead end of pride.

The former sails the seas in the geography of ones heart.
The latter is the shipwreck.
Further to this is the attitude and 'method' of prayer. Prayer is the wind for the sails in ones adventure."

~ fr leslie

thirst.

2010-01-29T18:43:00.001+11:00

in the month of water

Our approach to Lent and Pascha has begun. Last year we had the 'Step by Step through Lent and Holy Week' course. This year we hope to blog some words as we together walk slowly towards the great Passion of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Every week is another step in this journey.

We begin with the Sunday of Zaccheus (Sun 17th Jan)

"Seek, search, want God - everything is dependent on this. No matter what the condition of your life, your circumstances, the context or what place...just desire God.
One cannot reach God with ones brain. That is impossible. One reaches God with ones desire. That is possible.
The place where ones desire is met, is in the Liturgy. In the liturgy ones thirst for God is quenched."

~ fr leslie

blog contribution

2010-01-28T22:58:00.001+11:00

a belated happy new year!

Yes it is nearly the end of January (can you believe it?!), but we hope that everyone had a good break.

For our first post of the year, and quite fitting, we have a contribution made by one of our parishioners. A reflection of maybe a new year a couple of years ago.

We invite anyone (you don't have to be a part of any "group") who wishes to contribute an experience, a story, a reflection, to feel free and email us at stgerasimosmail@yahoo.com.au with what you want to say. This is most assuredly a place where people can talk.

“What does the song ‘Hristos Anesti’ say and mean?”

I remember my mother’s face when I asked her this question.

I have been flicking through some old keepsakes and I came across my best friend’s published testimony of her return to her Catholic faith. I kept it because it was inspiring and looking back at her story, I felt lucky (or should I say blessed) to have been a first hand witness. It made me reminisce.

We were and remain interstate friends. Finding we were both on a parallel path back to God, we constantly surprised each other. Learning about the religions we were baptized into we had similar discoveries, experiences, fears and confusion. We had no one else that we felt we could talk to.

Thirty minutes was all I could spare (in my busy twenty year old life!) to go to church for the Easter midnight service. My annual effort had allowed me to work out that this was the right timing needed to secure a good standing position outside the church.

How did I get to be on this journey alongside my friend? Standing in my prime position spot, I heard what I know now as the Easter sermon. I listened to the priest speak about Light, while he himself shone. That was the last Easter service I would spend outside. I wanted to spend it inside the Church here on.

My question to my mother that night had a response of shock (as you can imagine!). It was assumed I had learned these things a long time ago, although never having understood the language it was spoken in.

I made a new year’s resolution that for ’06 I would try and go to church on Sundays. To the building that God lived in. For no other reason other than – it just felt necessary.

The weekly sermon was the only thing I could understand. I spent the rest of the time just looking at everything around me. Just listening to the sounds. Thinking it was beautiful. But at the same time I sat, bewildered and with ever-growing feelings of being left behind from something amazing.

In the world we live in, there is a common saying that ‘practice makes perfect’, ‘keep at something and you’ll get it’ for all aspects of our lives. I was starting from scratch and I knew that although I felt left behind, left out and that I had a lot of catch up to do – my baby steps were ok. It was the only way I could walk.

It was during these Sunday church services that I heard my first gospel reading. I stopped being scared and bought a bible to start reading. Not knowing where to begin…I read it front (and eventually) to back cover. I discovered what familiar words I heard meant. I found out about the Trinity and the Holy Eucharist was revealed to me. I hid many tears. It was also where I heard about a course given about “liturgy”.

Normally I would have run a mile or two, in the other direction at even a suggestion to me like this course. I’d pull out every excuse under the sun, to get out of breaking my regular (albeit lazy) daily routine. I was anxious, stressed and nervous, but I went and found out that I had been part of liturgy all along. It was for me: mind blowing.

At the course’s end, I left with the most valuable book in my hands. ‘The Divine Liturgy’ that would now teach, carry and inspire. A guide for all my new first times, within the church and outside its walls. Most of all, it made me feel as a part of a mystery… I’m discovering to be heaven on earth.

It meant the world to me to take my best friend on a tour of my church, while she was in town for Christmas holidays. I was able to share with her where my parallel journey led to and looked like. My friend who inspired me to continue my baby steps, towards The Inspiration. To the Heart of where I finally heard God knocking within the walls of my heart. Where He had been all along.

going going...gone!

2009-12-02T22:19:00.003+11:00

the year of 2009

I am sure the cliche line of "where did the year go?", is being said more and more now as the year of 2009 draws to a close. We of Leichhardt fellowship would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a safe and healthy 2010. And to also say a big thank you to our readers out there in Australia and abroad. We look forward to continuing this blog and our mailing list in 2010.

Most importantly December 25th is the day that our God, "who for us and for our salvation, came down from heaven...and became human". We pray that everyone has a merry Christmas and that we come together (as the word "Christmas" suggests) to say a big thank you to God.

Before we go for the year, and as a side note: we had an overwhelming reply to our poll of 'why you didn't attend the State Youth Conference'. It seems with the result, that not only did people forget the conference was on...but forgot to poll their vote as well (thank you to the 3 people who voiced their reasons)! Maybe we'll just stick to the theory that everyone who reads this blog, attended the conference...and we'll stay away from the polls in future...

From St Gerasimos Fellowship,

Merry Christmas everyone!

something in common

2009-10-31T21:29:00.002+11:00

our youth conference report

Sitting in the Crows Nest hall listening to the "youth" of NSW making their final presentations, a thought crossed many minds: "...its a good turn out...but is this all the youth of NSW?"
If not in these words and at that moment, the question was whispered to the person sitting close by at some point during the day.

At the 9th State Youth Conference held on 9th -11th October this year, the youth that did attend were a blessing. Firstly, if there was any more who decided to attend, the lunch hall could not have been any more intimate. But most importantly the youth were a blessing to each other. A month has nearly gone by, but that percentile of youth walked away energised (if that is the right word to capture the feeling of the day). So much so that the request for an annual youth conference was raised!

We have fellow Leichhardt parishioners who attended the day, contributed to this blog entry (see below post) with what they had to say about their experience at the conference.

Did you attend the conference?
What were your feelings from the day?
Was it your first time? And would you go again?
Comment with your thoughts.

To quench our curiosity, youth to youth (by no means will any reports be made), we have set up a poll on the right side bar to ask:

What kept you away?

Please tell us. It will definately be interesting to see the results next month. Until then...

God Bless.

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your say...

2009-10-31T21:24:00.006+11:00

contributing bloggers

"I have to admit I wasn't quite sure I really wanted to go to the State Youth Conference, even when it came to be a day before the event.

I had never heard of the CYC 12 months ago and never heard of a conference for youth in the Orthodox Church (only Catholic ones from friends).

It was my curiosity more than anything that got me to Crows Nest that Saturday morning. I had reviewed the schedule, but wanted to know what would come from all this?

Cutting a long story short - I am glad I did go. The talks were good (although I did feel a bit too smart for me), so was the organisation and food (talking definitely makes me very hungry!). But it was the people met or met again, that did it for me. The discussion groups were the highlight, when in my preconceptions they were going to be the complete opposite! It was the contributions made from such a variety of feelings, experiences, understandings, journeys and faces...

I'm still not sure what the intention and intended outcomes of the conference(s) were supposed to be or what they are not supposed to be...and that frustrates me. But if there is another conference next year (as requested by the youth on the day), I will be there. Maybe simply because of the shared enthusiasm, enjoyment of the day, and even more importantly the good ideas put forth and courageous questions - were uplifting above any frustration."

~ Valan

"If I were to single out just one moment of the conference, it would have to be when His Grace said how lovely it was that we 'Just spend time with one another'. That simple statement reminded me of a love of a father to his children and a shining example of all things good in Christ. These moments are subtle, and pass by quickly, however if noticed much can be gained from them.

Having listened to so many viewpoints, I came away with a sense of "what can I do to make a difference". To suggest that we didn't need to conclude with any answers, in my opinion, was a soft option. If we constantly seek to glorify God in all that we do, and truly love and have a concern for each other, we can help so many people. We cannot do this fairly with some of the questions not answered, as this clearly illustrates the void that so many are trying to fill. Often it is within the awkward questions that so many of the issues lie, to take ourselves out of our comfort zone for one another, is the building block for change and something that is obviously desperately needed.

The majority of youth want to be loved and accepted and will go to great lengths to achieve this, and if it means not attending church to 'fit in', they'll do it. Lets add in relaxed forums that the youth can freely ask questions about the Liturgy, relationships, life and any other topic on their minds. Lets take the unknown out of it as much as we possibly can and who knows we may just have some fun along the way!!!

Through this and most importantly by the Grace of God, they may then begin to see the vital importance of the Liturgy within their lives. I think so much can be done in prevention of things BEFORE they go wrong, rather than painfully picking up shattered lives after the event.

Conferences are vital, however lets not limit this to lipservice, lets dig through and DO SOMETHING."

~ Hellen

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no one has seen God at any time

2009-10-23T20:55:00.013+11:00

(John 1:18)

Admittedly we waited to post this entry so that Rev. Fr Leslie's sermon on St Gerasimos's scroll could be right at the top while we celebrated his feast day last Monday with Vespers and Tuesday (20/10) with Divine Liturgy, with bishop Seraphim in attendance. Xronia Polla!

In a recent sermon on the 7th Ecumenical Council (Sunday 11/10/09), Fr Leslie spoke about icons and one in particular that has always brought a lot of confusion. Even when explained before, it seems to not sink in...just flying overhead.

Can we depict God Th e Father? The answer has always been no. Yet why is there an icon with a throned Jesus Christ and an elderly man beside him? If it isn't God the Father, then who could it be?

His identity is in fact of the Ancient of The Days (Old Testament - Daniel 7). You might ask: what is the 'Ancient of the Days'?

It is in fact Jesus Christ. The Fathers make it clear in the Vespers service of the meeting of the Lord (February 2nd):

"The Ancient of Days, who in times past gave Moses the Law of Sinai, appears this day as a babe. As Maker of the Law He fulfills the Law, and according to the Law He is brought into the temple and given over to the Elder. Simeon the righteous receives Him, and beholding the fulfillment of the divine ordinance now brought to pass, rejoicing he cries aloud: 'Mine eyes have seen the mystery hidden from the ages, made manifest in these latter days, the Light that disperses the dark folly of the Gentiles without faith and the Glory of the newly-chosen Israel. Therefore let Thy servant depart from the bonds of this flesh to the life filled with wonder that knows neither age nor end, O Thou who grantest the world great mercy."

"The Ancient of Days, a young child in the flesh, was brought to the temple by His Mother the Virgin, fulfilling the ordinance of His own Law. Receiving Him, Simeon said: 'Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, O Lord."

Other proofs are in the comparisons of Old Testament to New Testament as follows:

Daniel says the Ancient of Days is "coming with the clouds."

Christ says He is "coming on the clouds with great power and glory." (Mt. 24:30)

Daniel says the Ancient of Days comes to "utterly destroy the dominion of the beast who will wear out the saints and prevail against them."

Christ says He is "cutting short the days and coming for the sake of the elect or no flesh would be saved." (Mt.24:22)

Daniel says the Ancient of Days presides at the judgment.

Christ says, "the Father hath committed all judgment to the Son." (Jn.5:22)

Daniel says, the "wild beast was slain and given to the fire" by the Ancient of Days.

St. Paul says Christ "will slay the lawless one with the breath of His mouth," (2Thes.2:8) and raise him up and the false prophet, and "cast them alive into the lake of fire to be tormented with Satan day and night forever and ever." (Rev.19:20; 20:l0)

Daniel says, "thousands of thousands ministered to Him [Ancient of Days], and ten thousands of myriads attended upon Him."

St. John says (referring to the worship of the lamb, Christ), "and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands saying, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain..." (Rev.5:ll, 12)

Christ Jesus is depicted in many forms: Pantokrator, Good Shepherd, High Priest, to name a few. Jesus Christ as the Ancient Of The Days is another one to add to this list.

So why is he depicted like this? Daniel saw him this way. The white hair is a traditional symbol of venerability, showing us he is the Lord - the Alpha and Omega, not aged but ageless (Rev 22.13). Fr Stephen Ritter writes: "Alpha because He is from before the ages and before all time, and Omega because His Second Coming will mean the end of the seventh day, the end of time, and the dawning of the eternal Eighth Day.

You will see the same nimbus (halo) and inscription (IC XC) as you would on any image of Christ. This is because the two are one and the same, and should be designated as such. The Ancient of Days, our Lord Jesus Christ, who was the sole divine person to appear to anyone at anytime in the Old Testament, is also the one who is worshiped forever in heaven."

We hope that this helps everyone who has been a bit confused regarding the depiction of this icon...or maybe this has brought forth a new icon that some have yet to see.

Resources:

ishmaelite.blogspot.com

Fr Stephen Ritter on the Ancient Of The Days

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the cure

2009-09-28T21:19:00.001+10:00

as prescribed by St Gerasimos There is not much information about the life of St Gerasimos, who we celebrate on the 20th October and which our church is dedicated to. He is also patron saint of the island of Cephalonia and the Cephalonians throughout the world. We do know that he was born in Trikala in the Peloponnesus and in his adult life traveled throughout various lands (to Zakynthos, Mt Athos - where he learnt ascetic life, to Mt Sinai, Antioch, Alexander, Egypt, to Jerusalem and there he was ordained a priest by Patriarch Germanos. Eventually he settled on the island of Cephalonia and there he restored an old church, building a convent around it where it still stands to this day at Omala Valley.

His sacred relics, which remain incorrupt are kept there for the edification and sanctification of the faithful til this day. He reposed, fell asleep on the 15th August 1579, but we celebrate it on 16th August and the 20th of October occupies his feast day.

What we know about his personhood can be gleaned from the church hymns that are attributed to him. He is: ...the protector of Orthodoxy ...a God bearing miracle worker ...an incarnate angel ...he had a discipline of asceticism (solitude, silence, fasting, vigil, prayer) ...tree planting ...a healer, and over-flowing divine grace that strengthened those with diseases and healed those with demons and unclean spirits. He pours healing for all. We are all honoured and blessed to be a part of this church and graced that this church is dedicated to him.

Now... I'd like to draw your attention to his icon and draw out the meaning behind the words in the scroll that he is holding. It's not only that he is famous for healing, making people better, but it is these words that is the cure. These words are the cure throughout the centuries, but especially the cure for us now. Because they capture the conviction of our spirituality, of our biology, of our behaviour, of our thinking, of our intentions, of our disposition, of our personhood - at a time, and place, and society where everything seems to be haywire, madness, crazy (there is no one without some complaint).

It is not just our society that is crazy, pathological - but in the time of Jesus as well. The gospel reading of Luke 8:26-39 brings this out: Jesus arrived at a country called Gardarene and there met a man from the city who was possessed and was extremely fierce (he wore no clothes/lived among the tombs). When he saw Jesus Christ he fell down before him and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" Jesus heals him. He casts out the demons. The man is now clothed. Sitting at the feet of Jesus. In his right mind.

When the people from the city came to see this...what did they do? "Then all the people asked Him to depart from them for they had great fear." What's the madness, the sickness? The demon possessed confessed Christ as God - a confession of faith - "Jesus, Son of the Most High God". (But it didn't do him much good - because it was lip service). The city dwellers saw someone healed, made whole, cured...and they asked Him to leave. They had God...and rejected Him. Who is the sane and who is the insane?

The words that are captured on the scroll that St Gerasimos is holding in the icon prescribes the cure...the medicine. Not medicine that we take orally, a tablet, cream or intravenously (needles). Not lip-service or affirmations or rituals or habits. But a way of life. St Gerasimos is the example of this way of life. A way of thinking and perceiving things.

His words in the scroll: "ΤΕΚΝΑ ΕΙΡΗΝΕYΕΤΕ ΕΝ ΕΑΥΤΟΙΣ ΚΑΙ ΜΗ ΤΑ ΨΗΛΑ ΦΡΟΝΗΤΕ"

The translation: "Children have peace within yourselves - be at peace and don't forget the high, Do, gain the above - the heavenly (and don't be in fantasy)" and (it has a double meaning) "Humble and don't think highly of yourself/proud. Be planted on ground"

All this craziness, madness to pathological proportions (just look at our families, our societies, our cultures), is because we don't have the real God. We have the affirmative God. We have the negative God. We have the self-made God. We have the tailor-made God. We have the smorgasbord God. We have the crystal gods. But...we don't have the real God, as God is.

Now the doing of our medicine, is done every Sunday - in the Liturgy. That is what the words of St Gerasimos means. How do we start off in the liturgy? With God. How many times do we say "peace"?

"In peace let us pray to the Lord"

"Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord"

The Liturgy is the cure. The Liturgy is the medicine. St Gerasimos led everyone to the Liturgy.

"In peace let us pray to the Lord" - what peace?

"For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord" "For the peace of the whole world"

The peace descends... "For this holy house and those who enter it with faith..."

"For our Archbishop and honourable priesthood..."

"For this land, its civil authorities..."

"For this city, and every city and country and the faithful who live in them..."

"For seasonable weather, the abundance of fruits of the earth and peaceful times..."

"For this who are traveling by land, sea or air, the sick and suffering, for captives...

"For our deliverance from all affliction, anger , danger and distress..."

"Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace..."

Everything is in Liturgy. Everything stems from Liturgy. Everything concaves back to Liturgy. One has to be involved in Liturgy...it is the doing of the medicine. The liturgy is the biography of Jesus Christ's life, our God - in the doing. This is what St Gerasimos reminds us of...this is his example. This should be our example in the Liturgy. This is the blessing and task for us being part of this church. So when we venerate his icon, we receive his blessing...to be responsible to his words. Amen.

~ Fr Leslie

our chapel

2009-08-31T20:32:00.000+10:00

celebrates its feast day on September 8th

The Nativity of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary - Panagia Iamatiki (Healing Mary). "This is the day of the Lord: rejoice, ye people. For lo, the Bridal Chamber of the Light, the Book of the Word of Life, has come forth from the womb, and the East Gate, newly born, awaits the entrance of the Great Priest. She alone brings into the world the one and only Christ, for the salvation of our souls." ..........................................................................................................................................................................

known but to God

2009-07-31T19:56:00.000+10:00

St. Phanourius, August 27th

The life of St. Phanourius is told through the one icon that was found of him on Aug 27th, around 1500 A.D. "Phanourius" comes from the Greek word, "fanerono" (I reveal), so it is that from this one unblemished icon that the Archbishop Milos of Rhodes officially proclaimed him a saint...

"He concluded that the unblemished icon was itself a testimony enough to prove that Phanourius was a man of divine grace, and he petitioned the Patriarch to convene a synod which would officially proclaim Phanourius a saint, after which there was erected in the saint's memory a cathedral which enshrined the holy icon. Phanourius, lost for centuries in the ruins of a church, became the patron saint of things lost. To this day his name is invoked when prayers are asked for the recovery of things lost items."*

Original icon of St. Phanourius of Rhodes

"The original icon is quite large. In the center is a portrait of the saint holding a candle in his right hand and around this are 12 smaller images showing the each stage of his martyrdom.

The portrayal of each illustration is as follows:
i. The saint is standing in front of a Roman magistrate and defending his Christian faith.
ii. Soldiers beat the saint on the head and mouth with rocks to force him to deny his faith.
iii. The saint remains patient which angers the soldiers. They are shown in this illustration, throwing him to the ground and beating him with sticks and clubs in a further attempt to force him to deny his faith.
iv. The saint is now in prison. He is illustrated completely naked with the soldiers ripping his flesh apart with some sort of iron implement.
v. The saint is still in prison. In this station, he is shown praying to God, perhaps to give him strength to endure his tortures.
vi. Next, the saint is standing in front of the Roman magistrate again defending his position. The expression on the face of the saint is calm.
vii. In this image, it is obvious that the Roman magistrate has sentenced the saint to the executioners for remaining unmoved in Station 6. The saint is again shown naked with executioners torching (burning) his body.
viii. At this station, the executioners are now using mechanical means to torture the saint. He appears tied to an apparatus that rotates to crush his bones. Though his body is truly suffering intensely for God, the look on his face is peaceful and patient."**

Interior of church St. Phanourius, Rhodes

St. Phanourios has become famous for assisting the faithful in revealing lost or hidden spiritual matters of the heart, objects, directing or revealing actions that should be taken, restoring health and similar situations. He is then honoured by the faithful through a symbolic cake, called the "Phanouropita" which can be brought to the church, at any time, put in particularly on his feast day for a blessing.

You might of received a piece at the end of service in the past. This year, why not try your hand at baking one of these cakes? If wanting to give it a go, here is the the recipe. (*Excerpts taken from www.saintfanourios.org, ** excerpts and images taken from orthodoxwiki.org) ..........................................................................................................................................................................

Embrace Difference!

2009-07-30T22:48:00.001+10:00

'The Holy Trinity and The Human Person' Retreat

We are created not different from each other, but different for one another."

We would like to take the opportunity to thank the CYC for organising such a great retreat this year at the Collaroy Centre, June 17th-19th. Finding our way there and driving through the big gates, we had no idea that this tucked away "centre" would be a resort! Our thanks also go to Mr Philip Kariatlis for his talk and answering all our questions so well. And to Fr. Constantine Varipatis (who showed us all how to shoot a bulls eye in archery... ahem...on your first turn!) The ocean view sunrise, during morning liturgy was breathtaking and the day was exactly what the doctor ordered. Looking forward to next year... ..........................................................................................................................................................................

Where sin abounds...Grace super abounds!

2009-07-29T21:52:00.004+10:00

Run into life!
week three & four

A big thank you for all who attended the short course: 'Desert Community the prescription to city aloneness'. We hope you enjoyed the talks and hope to see you again. By popular demand....

The 12 steps (rungs) in desert spirituality For healing to occur we need to do certain things, at least from our Tradition.

step i - Realising a loss of vision. Brokenness, fragmentation, powerless, surrender, honesty.

In the beginning we were created with an undivided brain, heart and all are actions were united. Come to terms and be honest about your life, your brokenness, your vision (or lack of), your fragmentation...Am I sick? Yes, and you stink!

step ii - Only God can. God comes through wounds. I am powerless. Involves a decision to let God in our lives (therefore: hope, faith & love). "Brokenness is everywhere, but so is endurance, and so is the help of God".

step iii - Reality/ Realisation - us & the world. Therefore no despair.

"Seeing yourself as you are is a greater miracle than raising the dead." St Isaac What is your reality? Say yes to your life and all that you have been dealt with. "What is truth?" (John 18:38) "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

step iv - Community, church, liturgy, relationship - not alone.

Where can I take part in community? In the divine liturgy - the biography of Jesus Christ. When I am sick, I go to hospital. God's house (the Church) is the hospital.

Seek a spiritual father or mother, so that one person knows everything that is about you (the good and the bad).

step v - Internal self-examination (prodigal son pig pen). An inner transformation. Free will, choice, desire, will, courage, searching, seeking, struggle, wounds, repentance, tears, peace with ourselves.

Am I like the prodigal son in the pig pen? What are the obstacles you place between you and God? Rise, get rid of the dirt and shine!

step vi - Internal curing/ healing. Inner transformation. Αναστα! You need to talk - so that you can be internally healed. What happens to wounds that are opened? "He who confesses pain is nearer to health. He who doesn't is nearer to hell." St Isaac

step vii - Allowing God to act: He grants, gives, bestows, trust. Allowing God to redirect - healing is the presence of God inside us. Trust in Him. I can't. He can. And I will let Him.

step viii - Allowing God to heal: ourselves/ society - therefore making amends with others. With God's Grace I can change and anything in my way.

step ix - Discernment - to know, wisdom. Examine, guard, watch and be alert - of all your movements, thoughts, feelings and words. It's a gift. Pray for it.

step x - Contemplation, prayer, stillness, meditation. Take time out for oneself, be still...and pray (remember Him). Prayer is a mirror, measure and proof of everything. "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy upon me a sinner." "Lord have mercy." "Lord!"

step xi - Action (faith/ works) maintaining ministry. Συνεργεια/ co-operation. Real faith is shown in action. Prayer leads and faith is shown in action. Live in faith, hope and most of love. We are not static - we are different to who we were yesterday. (Thank you Jesus!)

step xii - Mystery of the prosopon. Adopt humanity, be human and do all things in reference to God. Our relationship with God is expressed in our baptismal grace and the prayers once said upon us.

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Books... Holy Baptism - Service book by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Available from the Archdiocese book store (bookcentre@greekorthodox.org.au).

the 13th step.. 'I Love, Therefore I am: The Theological Legacy Of Archmandrite Sophrony'- by Nicholas V. Sakharov If you have a yahoo account you can log into google books and view pages from the book here. Bookstore availabilities: Booktopia, Crossroad Books or The Nile Bookstore.

from week three... 'The Panarion Of Epiphanius Of Salamis' Books I, II & III- Brill Publishing These are the books that were kindly brought in and shown to us. Epiphanius of Salamis was the first to introduce the term "Orthodoxy" and his writings were against the heresies of the church. Look them up at your library and if possible have a browse through. Otherwise you can view pages in your google account here.

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square or round?

2009-07-15T19:30:00.000+10:00

get ready for the stench! - week two

"The road of cleansing goes through that desert, it shall be named the way of holiness." (Isaiah Ch 35:8)

Saying of Abba Poemen...

"Some old men came to see Abba Poemen and said to him, 'When we see brothers who are dozing at the synaxis, shall we rouse them so that they will be watchful?' He said to them, 'For my part when I see a brother who is dozing, I put his head on my knees and let him rest.'"

Books... 'Sacrament Of Love'- by Paul Evdokimov If you have a yahoo account you can log into google books and view pages from the book here. Bookstore availabilities: Archdiocese*, Fishpond, Christianbook Australia or The Nile Bookstore. 'The Fathers Of The Church - Barsanuphius and John', Vol I & Vol II Bookstore availabilities: Fishpond 'Letters From The Desert - Barsanuphius and John' - translated by John Chryssavgis This is a less expensive version of the above letters. Bookstore availabilities: Archdiocese*, Fishpond, Christianbook Australia or The Nile Bookstore.

'The Philokalia' - by St Nikodimos If you have a yahoo account you can log into google books and view pages from the book here. This is the paperback versions - volumes I, II, III & IV. Bookstore availabilities: Fishpond, Shearer's Bookshop or The Nile Bookstore.

Books by James Cowan: 'Desert Father' Bookstore availabilities: Fishpond, Shearer's Bookshop or The Nile Bookstore. 'Francis: A Saint's Way', 'Journey to the Inner Mountain' and 'Messengers of the Gods'. (These books are harder to find for purchase. Berkelouw can order them in (9560 3200/ leichhardt@berkelouw.com.au) or please check your local library).

'Death Sentence' - by Don Watson Measure your speech. This book talks about how language has emptied itself of it's meaning in today's society. Bookstore availabilities: Fishpond or Shearer's Bookshop.

* Archdiocese book store (email: bookcentre@greekorthodox.org.au) ..........................................................................................................................................................................

the desert: the flight from the world

2009-07-10T19:42:00.000+10:00

to return to the world - week one introduction

The first lesson in our course began last Tuesday (7/7) with a great introduction to what we will be learning about in the upcoming weeks. We have put together a list below of reading, that we will build on as the weeks progress. 'The Sayings of the Desert Fathers - The Alphabetical Collection' translated by Benedicta Ward / Preface by Metropolitan Anthony This book is a great introduction and starting point in the readings of our desert fathers and mothers. If wanting to purchase this book, it is available at the following: Archdiocese book store (email: bookcentre@greekorthodox.org.au) Shearers Bookshop online Fishpond Seekbooks There is also another online introductory resource : 'The Ancient Fathers Of The Desert', which can be downloaded, printed and found here. ..........................................................................................................................................................................

I have brought these from paradise

2009-06-27T20:59:00.000+10:00

"eat these in fulfillment of the desire of her soul" St Irene Chrysovalantou June 28th

A teenager. Wealthy. Beautiful. St Irene - denied herself, took up her cross and followed Christ. And since she became abbess of the convent of Chrysovalantou in the 9th century she has performed many miracles. A many only known to those whom she has blessed. When visiting a church dedicated to St Irene Of Chrysovalantou, it is common that apples are blessed and distributed among the faithful on her feast day. She is usually easily identifiable in icons by the holding of her three apples, the bowing of the cypress trees or by the monastery she so loved in the background. These are the most well known accounts from St Irene's life, but only an element of her works to the glory of God.

"...during the watch guard of the night, our holy mother heard a mystical voice say to her, "Receive the sailor who will bring you fruit today and eat this fruit rejoicing in your soul." During the Orthros, St. Irene called two nuns to her and said to them, "Go to the convent's gate and you will find a sailor waiting outside. Bring him into the convent. On meeting, the sailor our venerable mother exchanged greetings and asked him from where he was and how it was that he happened to come to the convent. He replied in this manner: "My lady, I am a sailor from the island of Patmos. I had embarked on a voyage with my crew to come here to Constantinople for a certain service I had to perform. When we were passing by the far end of my island we saw on the land a most pious and handsome looking old man. This old man yelled out to us to wait for him. However we were close to the land and there were many rocks there. We had a good wind behind us and we continued to speed along farther and farther away. The old man yelled again louder and at that moment the ship came to a complete stop and this old man began to come towards us while walking on the waves. At that point, he took out of his shirt three apples and gave them to me saying, "When you arrive in the capitol, give these apples to the patriarch and tell him that God sent them to him from paradise by way of His servant John." Taking out three other apples he said to me, "Give these three to the abbess of Chrysovalantou whose name is Irene. Tell her to eat these in fulfillment of the desire of her soul because now I have brought these from paradise." The old man then gave thanks to God and blessed us and immediately the ship began to move and the old man disappeared. I gave the three apples to the patriarch and now 1 am bringing you the other three." Our venerable mother hearing this began to cry from joy and gave thanks to the beloved Disciple and Apostle of Christ. Then the sailor took the apples out of a silk and gold embroidered handkerchief in which he had kept them as divine possessions and he gave them to St. Irene with much reverence. These three worldly and incorruptible apples were so large and so beautiful in their shape and so fragrant that in their physical nature alone they were an amazing sight. The only explanation for the beauty of these apples is that they were from paradise.
Whenever St. Irene would eat a piece of this apple a fragrance would exude from her mouth so strong that all the nuns of the convent could smell it. The entire convent smelled as if it had been washed with a most costly perfume and it truly smelled like paradise."

She died at her convent at the age of 103 saying the following words:

"Master, Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Good Shepherd, who saved us with Your all-holy and precious blood, into Your hands do I give over Your small flock. Protect it in the shelter of Your wings and guard it against the snares of the devil, for You are our Sanctification and our Salvation and to You do we send up thanks and glory to all ages."

The Holy Monastery of The Holy Cross (Gosford, NSW) has a chapel dedicated to St. Irene the Righteous of Chrysovalantou. To read more about St Irene - her gift of foreknowledge, her strength under the physical attacks of demons and her life in dedication to Jesus Christ, visit this site. (Excerpts above have been taken from The Monastery Of St Irene Chrysovalantou, www.stirene.org) ..........................................................................................................................................................................

july course

2009-06-05T20:40:00.000+10:00

Desert community: the prescription to city aloneness We are happy to announce the 2nd short course of 2009 to run every Tuesday evening at 7pm, for the month of July (7th, 14th, 21st & 28th). Talks will be by Father Leslie Kostoglou and will be held at the church. Interested? Please come along - all are welcome. ..........................................................................................................................................................................

what were those books again...?

2009-06-05T19:40:00.000+10:00

from the Step by Step through Great Lent and Holy Week course Here are the books that were referenced during our first course this year: The Ladder Of Divine Ascent by St John Climacus Ages of the Spiritual Life by Paul Evdokimov Great Lent - Journey to Pascha by Fr Alexander Schmemann These books can be read all year round and are available from the Archdiocese book store. (email: bookcentre@greekorthodox.org.au) Click the below images to be sent to a preview of the book.

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so he went and washed, and came back seeing

2009-05-30T20:56:00.000+10:00

Jn 9:1-38 the blind man

There is a lot of hope in this photo of a blind woman washing her face for the first time.

And a joy indescribable.

Dr Ruit tests 78-year old Pemasumta's eye after his operation. Pemasumta walked two days from Chhuksang. The father of two said after the removal of his eye patch: "I feel like the sun".

"One thing I know : that though I was blind, now I see." "Do you believe in the Son Of God? ...You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you". Photos are from Dr Fred Hollow's work in Nepal. ..........................................................................................................................................................................