MARCH 15, 2015

Saint Sophia

Cathedral Communiqué

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; James A. Demetriou, PhD, Vice President; Constantine M. Boukidis, Secretary; Tina Callas, Treasurer

MEMBERS V. Rev. Fr. John S. Bakas; Timi Loomos Freshman; Alek Haidos; Steven C. Hanna; Gig Kyriacou; Brent A. Noyes; John T. Pappas; Jim Zaferis

PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS Anthony A. Demetriou, Presidential Assistant; John G. Marakas III, Sr. V.P. of Wells Fargo, Advisor to the Board; Andrew J. Demetriou, Foundation General Counsel

PARISH COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Brent A. Noyes, President; Dean Peratsakis, 1st Vice President; Glenn Lianos, 2nd Vice President; Irene Andreadis, Recording Secretary; Jeanine Hanna, Corresponding Secretary; Tom Ward, Treasurer

MEMBERS Bertha Angels; Costa Bargeliotes; Peter Cosfol; Mauro Metini; George Rizkalla; Karen Sarames; Dorothy Spirus; William “Bill” Striglos, Dr. Anna Trilas Yallourakis

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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PHILOPTOHOS NEWS

GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Please join us on Sunday, March

22nd for our next general assembly meeting. Dr. John

Anastasatos, M.D. FACS, is a plastic surgeon that will be

speaking to us. Dr. John is a member of the American Society

of Plastic Surgeons and a Fellow of the American College of

Surgeons. He graduated from Brown University with his

Bachelors degree and then from the School of Medicine. Dr.

Anastasatos did his general surgical training at the Columbia-

Presbyterian Hospital, New York. He is an active supporter

of children’s charities and Victims Assistance Organizations in

Los Angeles and Orange County. In April 2014, he was

awarded the Certificate of Congressional Recognition for his

work in plastic surgery and philanthropy. Dr. Anastasatos

does all types of plastic surgery including reconstructive

surgery. Please join us!!

MOTHER’S DAY: The Philoptohos Board of Directors has

selected TINA VASILA CALLAS as our 2015 MOTHER OF

THE YEAR! We are also happy to announce that Christina

Peratsakis and Maria Toczek are the chairmen for our

Mother’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show! They are

planning a wonderful day. Join us on Saturday, May 9 in our

Saint Sophia Maniatakos Pavilion and Ballroom! Save the

date! Solicitation letters are out in the mail giving you an

opportunity to put a message or greeting in the program

book. If you do not receive a letter and you would like one,

please leave a message for Philoptohos at the church office

and we’ll see that you get one.

CONTINUED

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PHILOPTOHOS NEWS

DONATION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: We are

starting our collection of NEW plain tee-shirts, socks and

underwear for the women and children in the Domestic

Violence “safe houses”. As Easter approaches it is time to

give these women and children some hope for a new start.

They need to look forward to the promise of new beginnings

and know that there are people who care about them. The

situation for these victims is so unpredictable and usually

violent as they try to escape their abusers. Please bring your

donations to our next Philoptohos meeting on March 22 or

bring it in a bag and leave it in the Narthex at church marked

for Philoptohos. Donations should be delivered to church no

later than Palm Sunday.

COMMISSION FOR ORTHODOX MISSIONS AND

EVANGELISM: This project from National and Metropolis

Philoptohos, is known as “Pennies ‘n Prayer”. However, this

year they’ve chosen a new theme, “Mochas for Missions”. In

order to raise funds for our mission churches and priests,

Philoptohos is asking people to give up their ‘coffee’ drinks

and save the money to donate towards this commitment. If

you don’t drink coffee, they ask that you choose something

else, say smoothies, ice cream, etc. You may donate cash or if

you choose to write a check please make it out to Saint Sophia

Philoptohos, because the Metropolis asked that we send one

check with the total of money we collect. Look for us in

coffee hour after liturgy or you may send us your donation.

CONTINUED

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PHILOPTOHOS NEWS

EASTER LILLIES: We are now putting together our list of

shut-ins, the lonely and the sick that should receive an Easter

Lilly plant from Philoptohos. If you know of someone to

put on our list, please contact Helene Ballas at 818-642-8011.

Plants will be available for pick-up after church in the coffee

hour on Palm Sunday.

EASTER PICNIC PASTRY BOOTH: Before you know it,

Holy Week and Easter will be here! Easter is Sunday, April

12, in case you did not know. We are starting to collect names

of people who would like to sign up and help serve pastry at

the Easter picnic this year! Philoptohos always handles the

pastry booth. Yes, you can still have time to visit and eat with

your family while giving a couple of hours to help our

Cathedral. Please call Jan Pastras at 323-848-9988 or email

her at janpastras@gmail.com to sign up.

“For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have

me”

John 12:8.

With love in Christ’s service,

Virginia Noyes and

The Philoptohos Board of Directors

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PHILOPTOHOS V.I.P

Thursday, March 26: The V.I.P’s of Saint Sophia are

planning a trip to the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley on

Thursday, March 26, 2015. The event chairperson is Angela

Ananias 562-695-7234, and the co-chair is Mary Morrison 818

-500-0904. The cost is $26 per person and lunch is on your

own. Reservations are a must. Please make your check payable

to Philoptohos V.I.P and mail it to Angela Ananias, 4017

Overcrest Drive, Whittier, CA 90601. Please be at the church

parking lot at 8:30 am on the day of the trip. The chartered

bus will leave promptly at 9 am. Return time to Saint Sophia is

approximately 3 pm.

In His Service

Athina Lolonis, VIP

EASTER FLOWERS

If you are interested in underwriting any flower arrangements

for Holy Week and Easter in memory of a loved on, please

contact Ann Pappas or Jessica Benitez at 323-737-2424 for

available dates. Thank you!

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MINISTRY NEWS

SAVE THE DATE

1. Sunday, March 22: Philoptohos General Assembly

2. Thursday, March 26: The Reagan Presidential Library

Trip by the Philoptohos V.I.P

3. Saturday, March 28: Presentation of Louis Anastas’

“Heaven” Original Screenplay at the Huffington Center

THE WHY’S OF ORTHODOXY FR. ALLAN BOYD

The Why’s of Orthodoxy class is suspended during the

Lenten season and will resume after Pascha.

LIFE IN FAITH STUDIES FR. JOHN BAKAS

Men and Women's Faith Studies class is suspended during

the Lenten season and will resume after Pascha.

OLD TESTAMENT FR. Allan Boyd

The Old Testament class is suspended during the Lenten

season and will resume after Pascha.

With the many additional services offered during the

Lenten Season all participants are urged to put their

faith into action an attend all the beautiful services.

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MINISTRY NEWS

ATTENTION MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!

The first Sunday of each month has been officially

named Youth Sunday. In addition to a Sunday School student

reading the Epistle, the Parish Council of Saint Sophia

Cathedral invites middle and high school students to

volunteer in the Narthex during Divine Liturgy. Besides

helping out with the candles and ushering, you may also assist

in passing the baskets to the parishioners to collect their

monetary donations. You'll be paired with a seasoned Parish

Council member to train you. If you'd like to volunteer in the

Narthex and/or pass the baskets, please sign up by contacting

L.A.GreekChurchLady@gmail.com. Send your name, phone

number, age and what day you'd like to volunteer. Please

arrive at church at 9:45 a.m. so you may be

trained. Upcoming dates: April 5, May 3, and June 7

The Parish Council

ATTENTION BAKERS!

We are in need of more prosforo for our Lenten Liturgies.

Please bring your offering to Jimmy the Narthex.

Ζητείται ελληνόφωνη κοπέλα για φύλαξη ή/και δημιουργική

απασχόληση παιδιών ηλικίας 6 και 10 ετών στη περιοχή Pacific

Palisades (90272). Προϋπηρεσία και συστάσεις απαραίτητες.

Ευέλικτο ωράριο. Τηλέφωνο επικοινωνίας 310 699 3358 or

email: alexpea@yahoo.com

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MINISTRY NEWS

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA) 12-STEP PROGRAM

Meetings are every Saturday at 2 pm in the Huffington Center.

AA is a fellowship of men and women whose primary

purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve

sobriety. The scope of AA's program is to bring recovery

from alcoholism through a spiritual awakening and it is

completely in accordance with Orthodox principles and

teachings. The format will be a 15 minute speaker followed by

45 minute sharing.

THE HELLENIC ENTERTAINMENT COOPERATIVE

The Hellenic Entertainment Cooperative, a ministry of Saint

Sophia Cathedral, presents the reading of Louis Anastas'

original screenplay "Heaven" at the Huffington Center,

Saturday, March 28 from 1pm to 4 pm. Hors d'oeuvres will

be served and a good will offering will be accepted. To RSVP

contact hellenic.entertainmentcoop@gmail.com.

ATTENTION SUNDAY SCHOOL FAMILIES

You have special seating reserved for you right up front in the

Cathedral every Sunday. Reserved are the first two pews on

the left side. Do take advantage of this beautiful view of the

Divine Liturgy. Your children will likely be more engaged in

the service.

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MINISTRY NEWS

TALENT SHOW FOR ALL AGES!

Calling all performers! We’re seeking talent for our upcoming show in the Huffington Center on Saturday night, April 25. Singers, actors, jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists, poets, comedians, musicians, hula-hoopers and more! Participation is open to all ages. No judges, no prizes. Just for fun! Please contact Dorothy Spirus to sign up or for more information: L.A.GreekChurchLady@gmail.com

This event is sponsored by the Saint Sophia Parish Council.

PLANNING AHEAD

April 12: Easter Picnic at Brookside Park, Pasadena

April 25: Super Fun Everybody Come Together Talent Show Night! in the Huffington Center, sponsored by the Parish Council

May 9: Philoptochos Mother’s Day Fashion Show & Luncheon in the Huffington Center

BASKETBALL IN OUR GYM

EVERY MONDAY NIGHT: Basketball in our Gym 7:30

p.m. to 10 p.m. Shoot the hoops or shoot the breeze, either

way, it's a good time. Hope to see you. Drop by for pick-up

basketball games every Monday night in our gym. Boys and

girls, men and women, ages 13 to 40.

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MINISTRY NEWS

JOY OF PARENTING CLASSES IN THE HUFFINGTON

CENTER

Join your fellow parishioners in a lively discussion of

parenting children of all ages. Classes are held in the Work/

Study Room in the Huffington Center,upstairs, near the left-

side staircase, immediately following Holy Communion and

concluding at 12:15 p.m. Today’s topic: “Responsibility.”

Come with your concerns and questions or just listen; there

is no pressure to speak to the class. It’s a wonderful way to

become acquainted with other parents. There is no fee to

attend. The Joy of Parenting Ministry is facilitated by

Barbara Kappos, LCSW and Dr. Nik Stefanidis, Ph.D.

Upcoming classes: March 29, “Monitoring Your Children,"

April 19 “Are You Raising a Brat?” and April 26 “Family

Time.” To be added to the mailing list, contact

L.A.GreekChurchLady@gmail.com

THE FORUM: ORTHODOX YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Saint Sophia hosts a vibrant gathering of young

professionals in the General Assembly room every

Tuesday night at 7:00pm.

The Forum meets to eat, learn, and pray together; growing

in Christ-centered fellowship.

It’s a great place to meet new people for those young

professionals new to the Los Angeles area.

Get connected on Facebook by liking the page:

facebook.com/cwla.forum

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Supervisor Hilda L. Solis Honors Barbara Kappos as

“Woman of the Year” in the First District

The selection was announced at the Los Angeles County

Commission for Women 30th Annual “Women of the Year”

Luncheon, held in the Grand Hall of the Music Center in

Downtown Los Angeles.

“Barbara Kappos has devoted her life to establishing

pioneering services for women and their families and assisted

tens of thousands of the most vulnerable members of our

communities” said Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “She works

daily to provide a lifeline of comprehensive services for

women and their families impacted by sexual assault,

domestic violence, and HIV/AIDS.”

She was raised in San Francisco, CA by a single mother who

immigrated to the United States from Greece. Although

Kappos remembers the family having its share of hardships

in those years she says her mother was always optimistic and

taught her kids how to persevere and full embrace life.

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MINISTRY NEWS

“Whatever you have done for the least of these you have done for Me” -Jesus Lenten Love begins with offering to those in need. As usual,

Saint Sophia Cathedral is teaming up with Saint Thomas Catholic

Church to help fill their food pantry for those in need. We’re

asking you to bring a grocery bag back on Holy Friday, filled

with all the items listed below (about $50-$60 worth).

Otherwise, simply use your credit card and call Jessica in our

office 323-737-2424 ext 103 to offer a $50 donation, or see Pres

Danita Boyd or Eleni Yokas during Coffee Hour before

Lazarus Saturday (April 4th), so that we have time to shop on

your behalf.

We will deliver these items to our neighbors on Holy Friday,

April 10th.

Dry Rice

Dry Beans (pinto, black)

Dry Lentils

Dry Pastas

Oat Meal (old fashioned,

or quick cooking)

Cereal (cornflakes, Cheeri-

os, etc)

Top Ramen noodles (or

Cup of Noodles)

Dry Boxes of Macaroni &

Cheese

Cooking Oil

Sugar

Coffee

Laundry Detergent

Tooth Paste

Bath Soap

Disposable Diapers

(assorted sizes are needed)

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MINISTRY NEWS

EASTER PICNIC VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

If you would like to volunteer to help set up at Brookside

Park on Saturday, April 11th, please call Ted at 818.515.4095

If you would like to volunteer to work a 90-minute shift at

the picnic on Sunday April 12th, please see Jan Pastras at

Coffee Hour after church on Sundays, or call Jan

323.459.4006 or Stephanie 909.860.4333

If you have any other questions regarding the 2015 Easter

Picnic, please call Ted Pappas 818.515.4095 or Stephanie

Lubian 909.860.4333

DOCENTS NEEDED

Serve the church and grow spiritually by volunteering as a

weekday docent in the Cathedral. We need committed

individuals to greet guests and keep watch during visiting

hours from 10 am to 12 pm, Tuesday through Friday.

We understand you may not be available to stay the whole

session but your participation will be a blessing to the church,

to our guests, and to your soul as you spend more time in our

holy Cathedral.

Please call the office if you would like to volunteer 323-737-

2424.

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MINISTRY NEWS

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