MARCH 19, 2017

Saint Sophia

Axiologa

“worth mentioning”

Sunday of the Holy Cross

Saint Sophia Cathedral 1324 S. Normandie Ave Los Angeles, CA 90006

FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE OFFICERS George E. Preonas, President; Dr. James A. Demetriou, Vice President & C.F.O.; Gig Kyriacou, 2nd Vice-President; Constantine M. Boukidis, Secretary; Tina Callas, Treasurer MEMBERS V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas, Timi Loomos Freshman, Alek Haidos, Steve Hanna, Diane Sakellaris Lapa, Tony Natsis, Brent Noyes, John Peterson, Jean Paul Wardy, Jim Zaferis PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS Andrew J. Demetriou, Foundation General Counsel John G. Marakas III, Sr. Advisor to the Board ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT Anthony Demetriou TRUSTEES EMERITUS Andrew Evangelatos, Nicholas Bissias and John T. Pappas PARISH COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Brent A. Noyes, President; George Rizkalla, Vice President; Anna Yallourakis, 2nd Vice President; Jeanine Hanna, Co-Treasurer; Peter Cosfol, Co-Treasurer; Dinah Wellington, Recording Secretary MEMBERS Angela Ananias; Bertha Angels; Bill Striglos; Costa Bargeliotes; Glenn Lianos; Jonas Metin; Karen Sarames; Maria Baltazzi; Mauro Metini; Paris Yatskar, Associate Member BOARD OF AUDITORS: Jim Ananias; Anthony A. Demetriou; Tom Moore

Office: 323.737.2424 Fax: 323.737.7029

www.stsophia.org/bulletin

When you write your will or update it, won’t you please remember Saint

Sophia Cathedral? Such a gift will live forever as our church ministers to

our spiritual needs. It’s an investment in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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MINISTRY NEWS

1. Today: Philoptochos General Assembly

2. Tuesday, March 21: Prayer of the Heart Meditation

3. Thursday, March 23: Philoptochos V.I.P Cougar Winery Trip in Temecula.

4. Saturday, March 25: Hellenic Independence Celebration

5. Sunday, April 9: Dance Group Annual Easter Bake Sale

SPECIAL THANK YOU

Salutation Icon of the Holy Virgin Mary has been donated

by Dr. John and Mrs. Niki Korbakis and family.

BIBLE STUDIES

Bible Studies led by Fr. John S. Bakas will resume after

Easter.

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER DONATIONS

Are now being accepted for all floral pieces, flowers, icons,

candles, wreaths and banners. Donations may be given

towards any of these in blessed memory of loved ones. For

additional information please contact Jessica in the office

323-737-2424 ext 103.

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PRAYER OF THE HEART MEDITATION WORKSHOPS

You are invited to join Parish Council Member and Meditation Teacher, Maria Baltazzi, as she continues to lead group sessions on an inward journey, using the Prayer of the Heart. Discover how contemplative prayer meditation can benefit both you and the world around you. The Prayer of the Heart is based on the Jesus Prayer. Each week begins with a short discussion on how to cultivate happier, more spiritual lives. Then followed by a guided meditation. These sessions are for anyone interested in meditation; all levels are welcomed. You are encouraged to bring friends and

family members. Schedule permitting, these workshops will be held every two weeks throughout the coming year.

Next Session’s Topic: Letting Go, Mar. 21

Upcoming dates: Apr. 4 and Apr. 18

*SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 1 will be another half-day Prayer of the Heart Meditation Retreat. Please RSVP Maria with your interest at happy@pixhappiness.com.

Location: Huffington Center Saint Sophia Cathedral, Maria Maniatakos Room

Time: 7:30pm – 9pm

Cost: None, this is Maria’s Community Gift

Recap Mar. 7 Session: Get Your “Inner” Game On

Thoughts and Suggestions

One. Inner Game is what happens in your mind when the perceived obstacles of fear, doubt, limiting beliefs, lack of focus are seen as surmountable! You have got that eye of the tiger and the will to win at everything in life. Some are born with it; others have to cultivate it.

Two. Let go of the past; it is done. Instead, spend your mental real estate on constructive thoughts that are here, in the present, as well as looking forward. Continuing to rehash past mistakes and regrets only keep you stuck and feeling bad about yourself.

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Three. Celebrate your uniqueness. Why would you want to be like anyone else? Make a list of how you are different than those around you. Pick your top three, accept, love and embrace them. This is what makes you, you. This is why people love you, want to be around you.

Four. Be your best coach versus toughest critic. Schedule some personal coaching time in front of your mirror. Yes, the mirror. Look yourself square in the eyes and tell yourself everything that is great about you. Start with "I am (fill in the blank)." Go to the next quality and the next. This might be hard and feel awkward at first, just do it. You will get the hang of it. It will pay dividends in supporting your inner game.

Five. Know it is possible. Whatever ‘it’ is, it is possible. Of course, it is. You are created in the image of God. All the resources you need reside within. “From now on we live in a world where man has walked the moon. It's not a miracle; we just decided to go.” ~Tom Hanks

Six. Always, always try. It saves on regret later. If you seemingly fail, look at it as a life lesson, and a great opportunity to try again. Disney was turned down 302 times before he was able to finance Disneyland.

Seven. Be impeccable with your word—even, and especially, when others are not. Why? Because it gives you integrity and that integrity gives you confidence, which is monumental and foundational to your inner game.

Eight. Resolve to be calm in the eye of the storm because like all storms, "this too shall pass." When needed, use the Centering Ocean Breath Meditation. Choose a single word that is meaningful to you -- love, peace, God -- and say it as you slowly breathe in. Slightly constrict your throat muscles, slowly breathing out as you release your word. Keep repeating until the storm inside you resides. This breath practice calms your nervous system.

Bible Quote

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. ~Philippians 4:13

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PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING ~ MARCH 19 —

TODAY Guest speaker John McKinney, Los Angeles Hiking

Columnist and author of 30 books on hiking, will share an

amazing story and talk about his new book, Hiking the Holy

Mountain; Tale of Monks and Miracles on the Trails of Mount

Athos, Greece. We will meet in the Maniatakos Ballroom

because we expect a large crowd. (see flier)

Please help us get a more accurate count by calling in your

reservations for lunch to Dorothea Ales (661) 678-0641.

EASTER FLOWERS~Philoptochos would like to have the

names of members who are homebound or convalescent so we

can order flowers to deliver. Please contact Pauline Evangelatos

at (818) 784-5178.

HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN TO PAY YOUR 2017

PHILOPTOCHOS MEMBERSHIP?

Please help us increase our membership over 200 so we can

expand our charitable work. Ladies of all ages are encouraged to

join our Philoptochos chapter. We welcome gentlemen as

associate members as well. We will have membership packets at

our Philoptochos table on Sundays or you may contact Jan

Pastras at janpastras@gmail.com for more information. IN

ORDER TO VOTE IN OUR ELECTIONS IN MAY, YOU

MUST HAVE PAID YOUR MEMEBRSHIP BY APRIL and

be in good standing with the church. However, associate

members are not eligible to vote.

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PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

EASTER FLOWERS ~Philoptochos would like to have

the names of members who are homebound or convalescent

so we can order flowers to deliver. Please contact Pauline

Evangelatos at (818) 784-5178.

MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON AND FASHION

SHOW~ Saturday, May 13, 2017

Virginia Noyes, a most dedicated woman of Philoptochos,

will be honored as Mother of the Year. The event will be

held at Saint Sophia Cathedral in the Huffington Center.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS! (see flier)

PHILOPTOCHOS BOARD ELECTIONS ~ Sunday,

May 21st

If you are interested in getting involved in Philoptochos by

joining the board, please note the following: PLEASE

DON’T MISS ANOTHER GENERAL ASSEMBLY

MEETING! In order to be eligible to run for the board one

must be a member in good standing with the Philoptochos

chapter and the church. Also, one must have attended at

least 4 meetings during the year. There will be a general

meeting each month in 2017 from January - April, so please

attend our meetings, especially if you are interested in being

on our Board of Directors. Please contact President Judith

Christopoulos at judie.christopoulos@gmail.com for more

information.

We need your help and involvement!

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PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

SAINT NICHOLAS NATIONAL SHRINE at the

World Trade Center In New York

This is our church. It is as much a part of our past as it is

our present and it will represent our future. The Saint

Nicholas Shrine will become a shining beacon of our faith,

of peace and of love. Each Metropolis Board Member has

been challenged to raise $5000. Please help our Philoptochos

Metropolis of San Francisco fulfill our commitment by

donating to this worthy project. We will be accepting

donations in any amount on Sundays after Holy Divine

Liturgy or you may contact Judie

at judie.christopoulos@gmail.com.

Dates to Mark on your calendar:

March General Assembly ~ Sunday, March 19th

Easter ~ Sunday, April 16th ~Saint Sophia Easter Picnic

April General Assembly ~ Sunday, April 30th

Mother’s Day Luncheon ~ Saturday, May 13th

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PHILOPTOCHOS VIP NEWS

I would like to wish you all a blessed Lenten season. Kali Sarakosti! By the time you read this report, we had already celebrated Clean Monday or Kathara Deftera. We had a wonderful luncheon attended by 100 people. We were honored with the presence of Metropolitan Gerasimos, Father John Bakas, the president of Parish Council Brent Noyes and president of Philoptohos Judie Christopoulos.

The luncheon was prepared by the VIP chefs under the guidance of Mary Kezios. I would like to thank Irene Metropetros and her committee for all their hard work (Ourania Giagtzoglou, Mary Morrison, Anne Dres, Sophia Kapogiannis, Vickie Deryiades, Vivi Demopoulos, Angela Ananias, Jayne Poullos, Faye Demetriou for reservations, C & K for donating the Tarama, and especially Kosta Metropetros and his strong arms for lifting those heavy pans). Thursday March 23, your board has planned a trip to Temecula to visit one of their famous wineries (Cougar Winery). Be sure to arrive at St. Sophia by 8:30 am. We need to make sure that everybody is present before we depart. We will be leaving St Sophia at 9:00 am and should return by 5:30 pm. At the winery we will take a tour of the winery and then we will a have buffet lunch prepared for us. It will include gourmet ciabatta sandwiches, salad and dessert. Wine tasting is optional. It will be an additional $12.00 for 6 different kinds of wine. For Reservations, please call Angela Ananias at 562-695-7234. Donation for the trip is $35.00. We are sorry that we could not get you a better price but the busses are very expensive. Deadline for reservations is March 18.

Tuesday May 23 will be our Senior Citizen of the Year Luncheon. At this time, I am delighted to announce that our Honoree will be Fotine O’Connor. Fotine’s family has roots back to the original members of the church of the Annunciation. Her father was the treasurer at the time St Sophia was built. Fotine has supported St. Sophia her whole life and has participated in all of our VIP events. More details for the event to follow. Make sure to read the Axiologa weekly and the Herald for any changes and further details. Your board works very hard to organize these events, so please make the effort to make your reservations as soon as possible. In His service Mersy Loukaris

The St. Sophia Girls Basketball Teams.

If you would like to participate this year in

Outside of the Sunday School Classrooms!

2042, Nicolas 2377, Jeanine Dalis Klima 310-

3017 if

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The Mission of Saint Sophia Cathedral

1. Proclaim and teach the Gospel according to the Orthodox Christian Faith

2. Sanctify and enhance the spiritual life of the faithful through Orthodox Christian worship.

3. Receive persons into the Church through instruction, baptism and/or chrismation.

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