Please note the following announcements for this upcoming Sunday, February 5:

1. In honor of Feast of the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple, this Sunday is Godparent & Godchild Sunday. I would like to encourage ALL godparents who are here to accompany their godchildren for Holy Communion. For godparents and children who do not live near each other, I encourage you to connect by telephone on Sunday, as we remember this beautiful feast.

2. IOCC Souper Bowl Sunday. As this is “Super” Bowl Sunday in America, IOCC focuses on their own “Souper” Bowl with an emphasis on caring for the need of the hungry here and throughout the world. Please bring non-perishable food items to church on Sunday, which we will collect and distribute locally. There will also be a collection basket at the back of the church for monetary support for the IOCC and their humanitarian work.

3. Philoptochos Child Abuse Awareness Sunday coincides also with the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple. Our Philoptochos annually endeavors to educate us about the grave problem of child abuse and our Christian responsibility to care for the most vulnerable. This Sunday, the Philoptochos will be offering ice cream novelties as part of coffee hour.

4. Scout Sunday: This Sunday, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Brownies nationwide are honored as a part of this beautiful scout tradition. Scouts will be assisting the Philoptochos in sponsoring coffee hour. We honor all of the scouts and those who volunteer their time with these organizations.

With our Lord’s Blessings,
Father Lou

Parish Council President – George Soulis
1st Vice President (Fellowship) – Stacey Gallanis
2nd Vice President (Stewardship) – Dr. Bill White
Secretary – Clemence Lubar
Treasurer – Maurice Nissim

Please keep them and our entire Parish Council in your prayers.

Please wish Deacon Andrew God’s blessings and say AXIOS!

The Sts. Joachim and Anna Ministry of the St. Catherine Philoptochos is hosting a special late weekday morning Divine Liturgy for our seniors and for those parishioners who may have difficulty getting to church on Sundays. This Liturgy is scheduled for Valentine’s Day Tuesday February 14th at 10am followed by a nice coffee hour. Please respond your attendance to Helen at the church office
(303.773.3411 ext. 106 or helen@stcatherinechurch.org.

The topics are available at: http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/religioused/sjcof/2012_topics_only.pdf

Festival information and registration forms are available from Helen Kretzmann at the church Office and are also available from church School teachers and Deacon Andrew.

A wedding in the Orthodox Church is a sacrament. Among other things, this means that in order for your service to take place in our parish, either the bride or the groom must be an Orthodox Christian in good standing in an Orthodox parish. In addition, the non-Orthodox spouse must be a Christian.

Wedding service. God has blessed and fortified innumerable marriages through the Orthodox Christian sacrament of Marriage and the same text and structure of the service has been used for many centuries. That said, please note that neither the text nor the structure of the service may be altered in order to suit individual preferences.

Koumbaro/a- While you may select whomever you wish to serve in your wedding party, it is necessary to have an Orthodox Christian in good standing serve as your koumbaro/a – official sponsor or witness- for your wedding. Please feel free to ask a priest if you have any additional questions about this.

Scheduling- Please make sure that your anticipated date of marriage is available from the standpoint of the Church and the priest(s) before you make other arrangements. Typically, weddings are performed on Saturday afternoons and rehearsals are conducted on the Friday before.

Rehearsal. It is highly recommended that a wedding rehearsal take place prior to your wedding. Please check with your priest to schedule a rehearsal and encourage all members of your wedding party to attend the rehearsal in a punctual manner.

Civil marriage license- Each couple must have a civil marriage license prepared prior to their wedding. It is highly recommended that the couple bring their civil license to the Church on the day of the rehearsal if not sooner.

Pre-marital sessions- Couples are required to participate in pastoral care/counseling sessions, prior to their marriage, with an Orthodox Priest.  In these sessions, the priest will primarily help to prepare the couple for marriage from a spiritual, theological and practical  standpoint. In addition, the priest will assist the couple with their questions about the service and help them fill out the required ecclesiastical paperwork. Please note, it is the couple’s responsibility to schedule their sessions with a priest. Couples are strongly encouraged to arrange for these sessions well in advance of the wedding, so as to have a goodly amount of time to prepare themselves for the wedding, as well as get everything in order.

Days When Marriage Is Not Permitted
Marriages are not performed on fast days or during fasting seasons; these include the Great Lent and Holy Week, August 1-15, August 29 (Beheading of St. John the Baptist), September 14 (Exaltation of the Holy Cross), and December 13-25. Nor are marriages celebrated on the day before and the day of a Great Feast of the Lord, including Theophany (January 5 and 6), Pascha, Pentecost, and Christmas (December 24 and 25). Marriages may be performed on these days only by permission of the diocesan Bishop.

Inter-Christian Marriages
It is a fact that, the more a couple has in common, the more likely they are to live together in peace and concord. Shared faith and traditions spare couples and their children, as well as their extended families, many serious problems, and help to strengthen the bonds between them. Even so, the Orthodox Church will bless marriages between Orthodox and non-Orthodox partners, provided that:

The non-Orthodox partner is a Christian who has been baptized, in water, in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; and

The couple should be willing to baptize their children in the Orthodox Church and raise and nurture them in accordance with the Orthodox Faith.

A baptized Orthodox Christian whose wedding has not been blessed by the Orthodox Church is no longer in good standing with the Church, and may not receive the Sacraments of the Church, including Holy Communion, or become a Sponsor of an Orthodox Marriage, Baptism or Chrismation. A non-Orthodox Christian who marries an Orthodox Christian does not thereby become a member of the Orthodox Church, and may not receive the Sacraments, including Holy Communion, or be buried by the Church, serve on the Parish Council, or vote in parish assemblies or elections. To participate in the Church’s life, one must be received into the Church by the Sacrament of Baptism or, in the case of persons baptized with water in the Holy Trinity, following a period of instruction, by Chrismation.

Inter-religious Marriages
Canonical and theological reasons preclude the Orthodox Church from performing the Sacrament of Marriage for couples where one partner is Orthodox and the other partner is a non-Christian. As such, Orthodox Christians choosing to enter such marriages fall out of good standing with their Church and are unable to actively participate in the life of the Church. While this stance may seem confusing and rigid, it is guided by the Orthodox Church’s love and concern for its member’s religious and spiritual well-being.

Prayer is doxology, praise, thanksgiving, confession, supplication and intercession to God. “When I prayed I was new,” wrote a great theologian of Christian antiquity, “but when I stopped praying I became old.” Prayer is the way to renewal and spiritual life. Prayer is aliveness to God. Prayer is strength, refreshment, and joy. Through the grace of God and our disciplined efforts prayer lifts us up from our isolation to a conscious, loving communion with God in which everything is experienced in a new light. Prayer becomes a personal dialogue with God, a spiritual breathing of the soul, a foretaste of the bliss of God’s kingdom. [Read More]

The Orthodox church building is nothing more (or less) than the architectural setting for the Liturgy. Originally, converted houses served the purpose. The history of the church as a conspicuous structure begins with the official toleration of Christianity by Constantine the Great in 313, although there is evidence that sizable churches existed before his time in some large cities. In the fourth and fifth centuries, buildings were erected to facilitate baptism (baptistries) and burial (mausolea) and to commemorate important events in the lives of Christ and the saints (martyria); but it was the building designed primarily to accommodate the celebration of the Eucharist that became the typical Christian structure – the church as we think of it today.  [Read More]

Christianity has always been unusually sensitive to the past; its enduring relevance has, in fact, never been in doubt. The basic reason for this sensibility is that Christian biblical revelation takes place in a historical context and is, quite simply, a revelation of historical data, of God’s activity in history. It is in time and human space that man’s salvation unfolds-God’s chosen way to redeem us. That Christian Scripture takes the form, more often than not, of a richly detailed historical narrative should come as no surprise. [Read More]

One of the best-known prayers of the Orthodox Church speaks of the spirit of God being “present in all places and filling all things.” This profound affirmation is basic to Orthodoxy’s understanding of God and His relationship to the world. We believe that God is truly near to us. Although He cannot be seen, God is not detached from His creation. Through the persons of The Risen Christ and the Holy Spirit, God is present and active in our lives and in the creation about us. All our life and the creation of which we are an important part, points, to and reveals God.  [Read More]

THE BIBLE – GREATEST MONUMENT OF MANKIND

There are distinguished persons and distinguished monuments which stand out in the annals of history. Their lives were full of adventure as they faced the tremendous opposition of their contemporaries as well as accepting enormous sacrifice in their own lives. One of the monuments, the greatest in the history of the world, is the Bible. It has met great challenges of its literal expression as well as its trials over its validity and accuracy. The critical scrutiny of the Bible is the most thorough effort and examination that has ever been made of a literary work from the beginning of time, an examination challenging its integrity, and meaning. Its words, thoughts and personalities have been the subject of controversial discussion and debate through the centuries, both in its original language and its translation. From approximately 12 centuries before the Christian Era through 20 centuries since (the former for the Old Testament and the latter for both the Old and New Testament), its construction, correction and restoration was achieved. The Bible is stronger today than ever before, despite the “scientific” effort to replace it with human elements of the laboratory and technology. The Bible is so different from other literary works of famous writers whose names are mentioned in the history of scientific findings that only a Superhuman Providence has kept it alive through its orbit of destiny. The Bible has been inscribed on stone, papyrus, lamb skin, in the memories of men and in the hearts of the people.  [Read More]

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;

And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created, of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made;

Who for us and for our salvation came down from the heavens and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man;

Crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, He suffered and was buried;

Rising on the third day according to the Scriptures,

And ascending into the heavens, He is seated at the right hand of the Father;

And coming again in glory to judge the living and the dead, His kingdom shall have no end;

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets;

In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church;

I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins;

I expect the resurrection of the dead;

And the life of the age to come. Amen.

English translation by Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, 1993

Orthodoxy believes that the supreme treasure which God wishes to share with us is His own life. Our faith begins with the affirmation that God has acted in history to permit us to participate in His love and His goodness, to be citizens of His Kingdom. This conviction is expressed so beautifully in the prayer of the Liturgy which says: “You have not ceased to do all things until You brought us to heaven and granted us the Kingdom to come.”

The fundamental vocation and goal of each and every person is to share in the life of God. We have been created by God to live in fellowship with Him. The descent of God in the Person of Jesus Christ has made possible the human ascent to the Father through the work of the Holy Spirit. Orthodoxy believes that each Christian is involved in a movement toward God which is known as theosis or deification. [Read More]

The word “orthodox” means “right belief” or “right praise.”

The “Orthodox Church” is also known as the “Eastern Orthodox Church.”

In the years after Jesus’ Resurrection, apostles and missionaries traveled throughout the known world spreading the Gospel. Soon five major locations were established as centers for the faith: Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome, Alexandria, and Constantinople. In the year 1054 the Roman church broke from this united Church, and five hundred years later Protestant churches began breaking away from Rome. But the original Church has remained united in the Apostolic Faith since the first century. This is Orthodoxy.[Read More]

By Conciliar Press

Consider:

• On the one hand, it is the oldest Church in Christendom. On the other hand, it’s new to most people in North America.
• It is the second largest body in Christendom with 225 million people worldwide. But in the U.S. and Canada there are less than six million.
• In the twentieth century alone, an estimated 40 million Orthodox Christians gave their lives for their faith, primarily under communism. So high is the commitment of many Orthodox Christians to Christ and His Church, she has often been called “the Church of the Martyrs.”
• She is the Church of some of history’s greatest theologians, scholars, and writers- people like John Chrysostom, Justin Martyr, Augustine, Dostoyevsky, and Alexander Solzehenitsyn.

[Read More]

Arranging Your Baptism
After reading this information, please contact the church office to arrange for a meeting with one of our priests pertaining to the needs and requirements of your baptism.

Setting the Date
An individual or a family desiring baptism should contact the church office before setting a date for the baptism so that scheduling conflicts can be avoided.  Please note that in addition to other scheduled events, there are certain days in the Orthodox Liturgical calendar on which baptisms are not permitted.

Spiritual Presuppositions
It is pre-supposed that the person to be baptized has not been baptized before since our Creed expressly states that we believe “in one baptism for the remission of sins.” On the other hand, since the Orthodox Church does not recognize the baptisms of every “Christian denomination” there are instances when re-baptism is necessary. If you or your child has already been baptized, your priest will determine whether or not another baptism is necessary, in accordance with the rules of the Metropolis of Denver.

If you or your child’s previous baptism is accepted , you will be received into the Orthodox Church through the sacrament of Holy Chrismation.

Prayer and Fasting
If you are twelve or older and in good health, you should also prepare for your baptism through prayer and fasting.  Remember, you will also be receiving the sacrament of communion (and chrismation) at your baptism. Ask your priest for his guidance regarding how to pray and fast prayer and fast to prepare for your baptism.

Godparents
The “nouno” or “nouna”  is the person who will serve as the sponsor of the child or adult, as they accept Christ and renounce Satan and participate in the sacrament. He/she will also serve the extremly serious and important role of being the spiritual “parent” of the person baptized throughout the course of their lives. That said, a sponsor must be an Orthodox Christian “In Good Standing” and a steward/member of his/her parish.    If one is not Orthodox, then this role cannot be fulfilled.

If the “nouno” or nouna”, is from another Orthodox parish, they must provide proof from his/her parish priest certifying his/her active stewardship/membership in the Church.

Visiting Clergy
Orthodox Christian clergymen are welcome to participate in the celebration of sacraments at the Annunciation with the approval of Metropolitan Isaiah and our priest(s).

Photography
Photographs of your baptism are permitted but should not impede or distract from the celebration of the sacrament.  Photographers should be quiet and respectful; the use of a flash is allowed.  If you using a professional photographer or videographer please ask them to arrive early at the Church so that the pries may explain guidelines to them.  Also, please ask guests to be respectful of the professional’s space, for your benefit.

Items Needed
Among the items necessary to celebrate one’s baptism in the Church are the following:
·    small bottle of olive oil
·    cross (necklace)
·    bar of soap
·    large, white bath towel
·    new white clothing (for the person to be baptized)
·    white hand towel
·    white candle (decorated with ribbon if desired)

After the Service
Due to the fact that Holy Oil tends to get on clothing and towels during a baptism, care must be taken when washing them after the service.  Clothes or towels that have Holy Oil on them should be washed in a bowl or basin- not a sink or washing machine that empties into a sewer. The water from the bowl or basin should then be carefully emptied around the foundations of your house, in a flower garden or any place outside where people do not step.

When one is ill and in pain, this can very often be a time of life when one feels alone and isolated. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, or Holy Unction as it is also known, remind us that when we are in pain, either physical, emotional, or spiritual, Christ is present with us through the ministry of his Church. He is among us to offer strength to meet the challenges of life, and even the approach of death.

As with Chrismation, oil is also used in this Sacrament as a sign of God’s presence, strength, and forgiveness. After the reading of seven epistle lessons, seven gospel lessons and the offering of seven prayers, which are all devoted to healing, the priest anoints the body with the Holy Oil. Orthodoxy does not view this Sacrament as available only to those who are near death. It is offered to all who are sick in body, mind, or spirit. The Church celebrates the Sacrament for all its members during Holy week on Holy Wednesday.

CREMATION

Cremation is not permitted for Orthodox Christians since it is considered intentional destruction of the body which is the temple of God. [Read More]

God is active in our lives. It is He who joins a man and a woman in a relationship of mutual love. The Sacrament of Marriage bears witness to His action. Through this Sacrament, a man and a woman are publicly joined as husband and wife. They enter into a new relationship with each other, God, and the Church. Since Marriage is not viewed as a legal contract, there are no vows in the Sacrament. According to Orthodox teachings, Marriage is not simply a social institution, it is an eternal vocation of the kingdom. A husband and a wife are called by the holy Spirit not only to live together but also to share their Christian life together so that each, with the aid of the other, may grow closer to God and become the persons they are meant to be. In the Orthodox Marriage Service, after the couple have been betrothed and exchanged rings, they are crowned with “crowns of glory and honor” signifying the establishment of a new family under God. Near the conclusion of the Service, the husband and wife drink from a common cup which is reminiscent of the wedding of Cana and which symbolized the sharing of the burdens and joys of their new life together.

MORE RESOURCES:

• A Short Summary of the Sacrament of Marriage by Rev. Fr. Charles Joanides, Ph.D., LMFT

The gift of God’s forgiveness is received through private prayer, corporate worship, the disciplines of prayer and fasting, penitential services and above all through the sacrament of Holy Confession.

The value of Holy Confession is twofold. First, through this sacramental act of the ordained priest and the Christian believer we have the assurance of divine forgiveness, according to the words of Christ (Jn 20:23). Secondly, Holy Confession provides the opportunity to talk about one’s deep concerns, to receive counsel and to be encouraged toward spiritual growth, all of which are universally recognized as extremely beneficial to personal life.  [Read More]

“Should I be baptized again” Many renewed Orthodox Christians have asked themselves and others whether they should be baptized as adults. I readily understand why this question is asked, for I myself must admit that I did not always feel comfortable about the Orthodox Church baptizing infants. I asked myself several other questions as well: “How can an infant ‘believe and be baptized’?” “Where in Scripture does it show an infant being baptized?” “Is not the baptizing of infants the reason why the contemporary Orthodox Church has a need for renewal and re-evangelization?” [Read More]

The Sacrament of Baptism incorporates us into the Church, the Body of Christ, and is our introduction to the life of the Holy Trinity. Water is a natural symbol of cleansing and newness of life. Through the three-fold immersion in the waters of Baptism in the Name of the Holy Trinity, one dies to the old ways of sin and is born to a new life in Christ. Baptism is one’s public identification with Christ Death and victorious Resurrection. Following the custom of the early Church, Orthodoxy encourages the baptism of infants. The Church believes that the Sacrament is bearing witness to the action of God who chooses a child to be an important member of His people. From the day of their baptism, children are expected to mature in the life of the Spirit, through their family and the Church. The Baptism of adults is practiced when there was no previous baptism in the name of the Holy Trinity.

OTHER RESOURCES

• Article by Fr. Anthony Coniaris on Baptism

By Macarius Notaras

To receive Communion the usual two or three times a year is good and helpful, but to receive Communion more frequently is far better. Remember, the nearer a person comes to the light, the more light he gets. The closer he draws to the fire, the warmer he is. The nearer he approaches sanctity, the more saintly he becomes.

In the same way, the more often one draws near to God in Communion, the more one receives light and warmth and holiness. My friend, if you are worthy to make your Communion two or three times a year, you are worthy of making it more often, as St. John Chrysostom tells us, by maintaining your own earlier preparation and worthiness. But what does stop us from taking Communion? The answer is our carelessness and laziness, and we give way to these faults so much that we are not sufficiently prepared to be able to receive Communion.  Read More

Friday, December 2, 2011 9:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday, December 3, 2011 9:00am – 3:30pm
5555 South Yosemite Street
Greenwood Village 80111

Admission $10 Includes Coffee & Greek Pastries
Greek Pastries Available for Purchase at Event

Contact the Church office for more details