Category: Pastoral Letters

“We may study as much as we will, but we shall still not come to know the Lord unless we live according to His commandments, for the Lord is not made known through learning but by the Holy Spirit.”
– St. Silouan the Athonite

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The other day, I was following, then driving alongside a car marked “STUDENT DRIVER.” This proclamation, or perhaps warning was prominently placed on the back and both sides of the car. I am not sure whether this sign is placed there to caution other drivers, or to put us on our best behavior, as to not introduce bad road habits to the nervous driver behind the wheel of his or her mobile, teaching laboratory.

This young person was driving very slowly and very deliberately. I caught myself counting the seconds between his signal, and the actual lane change. He looked both directions before entering into the intersection with a clear and obvious green light. He did not go a hair over the speed limit and stopped at the next yellow light. I impatiently thought to myself, “I don’t remember driving that slow. “C’mon. Move!”

Isn’t that a shame on my part?

Why should years of driving erode my attention to detail, commitment to caution and unhurried movement? To be sure, human nature contributes to the differing behaviors of those who possess a license to operate a vehicle, and those who are still in the process of obtaining one. Sad, right?

Traffic laws are the same for all people who use the roads. There are not two sets of rules: strict guidelines for new drivers and diluted, casual suggestions for experienced drivers. This is not the case at all. So why are there two sets of rules in my mind? Shouldn’t I observe the strict letter of every law just as the new driver?

Bright red stop signs are not invitations to slow down and proceed. Rather, they are commands to do what is plainly and clearly stated: stop. Something my kids are continually reminding me as I drive in our neighborhood. The information that the new motorist receives before beginning to drive, is the same information I must recall, process and put into use today and every day.

But becoming a bit lax in that which is common, comfortable or familiar is not limited to our driving habits. Often times, we can also take our spiritual lives for granted. We begin to cut corners in our prayers, fasting, readings and church attendance so slowly, that we don’t even realize what we are doing. The knowledge we gained in Sunday School, sitting around our grandmother’s table, or listening to the sermons of our childhood are relegated to distant memories, rather than active contributions to the well-being of our souls. Therefore, I thoroughly enjoy people who are active learners in matters of faith. Especially those who are new to Orthodoxy; approaching every detail like a student driver mastering the art of parallel parking.

Just this evening, we began our fall session of Orthodox Spirituality Classes. The class was filled with cradle Orthodox Christians, who have been exposed to our church for their entire lives; and people who have only, recently been introduced to the tenants, practices, traditions and teachings of the world’s most ancient, Christian Confession.

Just like driving, there are things to learn before we “hit the road” of practicing our faith. Where are the boundaries? What are safe practices? How fast should we move? And in in what direction?!? The Faithful who take the time to learn good habits from the beginning, and who develop the strength and maturity to maintain them, are those who will share in the Kingdom. Of course, let’s also celebrate those who have been raised in the Faith, but who are aware that it’s good to refresh, renew and re-acquaint.

Please pray for the students of our Spirituality Class. Pray that the information they receive will help them acquire the blessedness of the saints, and that they will always hold dear, even years from now, the enthusiasm and fervor they now feel. While the Gospel is new to them today, let it breathe new life into them tomorrow. And also, pray for yourselves, that you may approach the Altar, the Chalice, and your personal place of devotion with the same commitment and conviction.

Keep, always in your hearts, the words of St. Silouan, reminding us that no matter how much we study, no matter how much information we receive or how many books we read, it is the Holy spirit that keeps us in the presence of the Lord. It is one thing to read about God. It is yet another to experience Him. Those who study the Faith for the first time are simultaneously accomplishing both. Let us be led by their example. Even if it is a bit more deliberate than we are accustomed to moving. Because that’s a good thing!

With Love in Christ,
Fr. Anthony

“Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive.” – Book of Acts 36-41

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have cherished the above-referenced portion of Scripture for many years. Within context, it helps to paint a vivid picture of the early Church, and bears witness to the power of God as expressed through the work of the disciples. Just before Peter came to Joppa and raised Tabitha from her death bed (just after she had been ritually cleansed and prepared for burial), he had performed another miracle; healing a man who had been paralyzed for some, eight years.

To be sure, the excitement of the embryonic Church, as She began to emerge on the world scene, alter the course of history and influence countless cultures throughout the world was self-evident in size and scope. But as thousands were baptized, the saints engaged in missionary journeys, the Gospel was preached and the news of the Resurrection was spread in every known language, all of these dynamic realities came down to personal relationships. Nations were converted, but individuals were saved. The Church grew in numbers, only because each of those numbers, in reality, were people who heard the Word of God and responded to their newly-received gift of salvation.

And one of those people: mentioned in Scriptures, but lost in the masses is St. Tabitha (who actually celebrates her Feast on October 25^th). She was a woman who was continually working to serve the needs of the poor. Her mission in life was to engage in acts of charity and perform good works unto the glory of God. Scripture tells us specifically that she made clothes for the poor. By her own hands, she labored for the sake of God’s kingdom as she crafted, knitted and sewed.

We know that she was much-loved. Upon her death, her partners in kindness, her sisters in ministry, summoned the Apostle Peter, in order that he might perform a mighty miracle of resurrection. I understand this to mean that her companions recognized that there was no one on earth that could possibly serve the needs of the poor as she did. They saw her ministry as unrepeatable, and simply could not bear to have her acts of kindness cease to exist. It would seem that the Lord would agree with their plan!

St. Tabitha represents the dedication, kindness, empathy, generosity and love that can only come from the Lord. And through her person, and her God-crowned and precious soul, we have an example to lift up, and a life to emulate. There is no doubt in my heart, that the ladies of our St. Anna’s Women’s Ministry Team have channeled the actions of this great saint, and continue her legacy of service, sacrifice and most especially love.

When there is a need, we call upon the Women’s Ministry. When there is suffering or despair, we call upon the Women’s Ministry. When the tender hand of God is required to provide comfort, offer dignity, ease a pain or round and edge; we have, by God’s grace our Women’s Ministry, ready and available.

There function in the parish is not to bake or to serve. Theirs is a ministry; a ministry in the truest and fullness of any understanding of the word. They are generous with their time, their energies, their emotions and their resources.

But, as is always the case in any organizations which strives to serve the greater good, resources are never in abundance and always highly sought-after. This is where we all come into the picture. While St. Tabitha made the tunics, she needed others to assist her in funding her projects, perhaps organizing their distribution and weighing the needs. She couldn’t do it all alone. She, and all the women and widows gathered around her, needed support.

So it is with our own Women’s Ministry.

Saturday evening, October 15^th, you will have the opportunity to help them in their mission. Their Stifatho (you’ve seen it spelled differently, this is my preference) Cook Off will be held in the foyer of St. Thomas More’s Meyer Hall. A few men, myself included, will square off in the spirit of healthy competition to battle over the adoration of your taste buds. My recipe is not an ancient, family treasure, but rather the combination of what two, favorite cookbooks have to share. Please join us…

THIS IS THEIR PRIMARY FUND RAISING EVENT OF THE YEAR.

You may not like Stifatho, that’s OK, come anyway for the pilaf and the company.

You may not like onions, that’s OK, pick around them, and join the aforementioned individuals around the pilaf table.

You may not have ever even heard of this dish (a savory meat ragout served with/over rice), but be adventurous! Pretend it’s a County Fair Chili Cook Off and join the festivities. Did I mention?…

THIS IS THEIR PRIMARY FUND RAISING EVENT OF THE YEAR.

There is still plenty of space available and there will be plenty of food, wine and laughter. St. Tabitha needed supporters and sponsors. Our women are no different. Read the flyer in the Bulletin, please participate and pretty please, be generous. I believe that we are blessed with at least one “St. Tabitha’s” in our midst. Let’s not let our ladies go at it alone. I remain,

With Much Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony

 

Orthodox Married Life (OML) Begins Friday, October 14, 2016 at 7:00 pm. Married and Engaged Couples, Please Join Us!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Given the enormity of details concerning the visit of His Eminence and the preparations for the Ordination that will take place this blessed Sunday, I ask your forgiveness for not providing a proper, pastoral message this week.

I do, however ask that you pray most earnestly for the servant of God, Gregory Jerry Floor, his family, their well-being, Godly protection and salvation. May He also, and always bless his ministry. Please keep in mind a few thoughts…

There will NOT be Sunday School Classes this weekend due to the Ordination and the presence of His Eminence.

Due to the enthusiasm of your participation in our weekly Bible Study, we have moved the class to the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday evenings. We busted out of two classrooms! Now, even more of you can participate! Please join us as we study St. John’s Apocalypse, also known as
The Book of Revelation.

Support our Women’s Ministry Team with your participation in the Stifado Cook-Off next Saturday, October 15th. Our women are able to be generous to those in need if we are generous towards their efforts. Let’s be partners in bringing comfort, joy, and assistance to those in need.

Please keep in mind that our Introduction to Orthodox Spirituality Class will begin Thursday, October 20th. Please invite your friends, family members who have fallen away from the Church, and anyone you know that is interested in Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Let us continue to grow this parish through the natural means of Orthodox Christian evangelism and love for the Lord. Bring someone to St. Anna’s!

Well, there you have it; announcements, rather than a sermon. God is good!

With Much Love in Christ,
Fr. Anthony

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thursday afternoon was a special time for the people of Cottonwood Heights, the state of Utah and our St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church. After twelve years of municipal incorporation, nearly three years of planning, the purchase of eight, separate, residential properties and the excitement/stress of a massive, building project, the city held the Ribbon Cutting Program for its new City Hall Building.

Our parish cannot cease to express thanksgiving and gratitude to the fine people of St. Thomas More; their clergy, leaders and parishioners who continue to embrace St. Anna’s with Christian love, support, fellowship and general enthusiasm. And really, both of our communities are blessed to be located in this beautiful city.

Several weeks ago, I was asked to give the Invocation at the Cottonwood Heights Police Department Awards Banquet. It was a lovely evening. The city reached out to our parish once again, and asked that I give the Invocation at their Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. To be sure, any time we can offer an Orthodox presence, witness the love we have for our Savior, Jesus Christ, or thankfully oblige the request of the police chief or mayor, we begin to be contributors to our surrounding area. We can be counted on for doing good things with, and for our neighbors.

Following is the prayer which was offered to the people of Cottonwood Heights on the occasion of their City Hall’s opening:

“Let us Pray to the Lord. Lord Have Mercy.

God Almighty, who made the heavens in wisdom and set the foundations of the earth firmly in place, who through our Lord, Jesus Christ, establishes us, unshaken upon the rock of faith, do You, the same Lord, the benevolent creator, the imaginative Architect, the master Builder, the generous Provider, the ultimate Sustainer of this world and the entire universe…look down and bless these grounds, this building, those whose hands shaped and formed it, those who will work here, and those who will be served here – the citizens of Cottonwood Heights, Utah.

Let the pathways that lead to this City Hall be paved with the purest of intentions to fulfill the needs of the people. Let the doorways that lead into this building be portals of humility and dignity. Let the walls of this building support the ideals of a model municipality. Let the windows of this building allow us to look upon the picturesque and formidable mountains which define our lovely city, and allow these same windows to serve as symbols of transparent practice, clear vision and honest government.

Good and gracious Lord, allow this building not to have been built upon the sand, but upon You, the ever-stable and steadfast rock. If the rains should pour, if the rivers overflow, if the snow weighs down, if the wind blows, if the earth trembles, may it never fall or be disturbed in any way. For this land was not acquired by fire or the sword, but rather through the peaceful undertakings of a city whose purpose is to serve, inspire, protect and promote. You have richly blessed, and bestowed great trust in your faithful Stewards… the mayor, council, executives, employees, officers, firefighters, citizens, community volunteers and all associated with the City of Cottonwood Heights.

This is their building. This is their legacy. This is the work of their hands.

Bless, Oh Lord, this work, for to You belong all glory…our Father who is in Heaven, Your only-begotten Son and creative Word, together with your holy and life-giving Spirit. Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.”

I gratefully crafted this prayer with the intention of imparting God’s blessing upon their efforts, hoping that those who work there will always be safe, and those who are in need of the city’s services will always be attended to with joy and humility. I also wanted the people of our city to hear how we pray. To understand the Lord’s presence in our lives, the way we do. To give Him the praise, credit, honor and glory for any accomplished task; great or small. It was also a prayer of anticipated joy.

Anticipation of what?

I truly believe, that it was no small coincidence, that in one hour I was blessing the completion of a municipal building project, then nearly the next hour, I was blessing the first steps of our own aspirations, dreams and goals. Last night, for the first time, our joint committees of Capitol Fund Raising, Long Range Planning and Real Estate came together to plot our course for the future.

By God’s grace, I believe that we will continue to grow, that the spiritual hunger of our parish will continue to rise, the pastoral needs of our people will continue to increase, and that God will demand more of us in terms of outreach, Orthodox evangelism and service to the greater community.

It is one thing to pray for the completion of a secular building (as beautiful as it is). How much more, must we pray for our own house of worship? Can we hope to sustain our vision? Can we count on continued enthusiasm? Will we acquire an even greater sense of sacrificial awareness and commitment? The answer to these questions is, of course, “yes” of we are with God, doing it for God and wishing to serve God.

Pray for our efforts. As specific plans, goals and needs arise, please get intimately involved. This blessed task will most certainly take the dedication of every one of us who are blessed to call St. Anna our Matron Saint, and who lift her up in prayer as our great Intercessor.

The Cottonwood Heights City Hall is a most spectacular building. Today we prayed for its success. Let us continue to pray for the safety of the police officers who are dispatched from there, and the firefighters who are attached to there.

Let us also pray for ourselves. Let us pray for our endeavors. Let us pray for our blessed future.

With Much Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony

“Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.” (Acts 6:1-6)

Dearly Beloved in the Lord,

Think back to when you were a child. What did you want to be when you grew up? A doctor? A lawyer? A quarterback? An astronaut? The President, perhaps? The manager at Red Robin?

When children start playing with specific toys and gain roleplaying experience, and then link these two things together realizing that their moms and dads go off to work everyday, they then begin to “decide” what they want to be when they grow up. There are many exciting and well known professions which draw the attention of children; the kinds of jobs which ignite their imaginations at elementary school career days.

Big trucks. Shiny badges. Sharp uniforms. All this gets the kids’ consideration. And many people grow up to choose these jobs for their livelihood. Some jobs or careers, or specifically vocations, choose us. We don’t choose them.

Such it is with the Orthodox priesthood.

To be sure, maybe young boys watch and listen to their priests and want what they do for themselves. Ornate vestments, swinging the censer (not just holding it), chanting, talking to people, baptizing babies, marrying people, it all probably looks, and I’ll use this word specifically – glamorous. I am here to say, that even on the absolute worst day in ministry, it is profoundly more rewarding than any advertisement I ever produced, wrote, directed or pitched. The priesthood is not glamorous, but it is glorious.

As humbling, yet rewarding, as my work is, I firmly believe that I was chosen to serve; I did not choose to serve. I accepted God’s calling. I bring my few strengths and my innumerable weaknesses to serve the flock entrusted to my care.

I am privileged to share in your dreams, joys, accomplishments and celebrations. I am honored to walk with you in your darkest hours, moonless nights, frightening ordeals and (God forbid) catastrophic events. I don’t like it when my phone rings in the middle of the night, because I know that someone who suffers is on the other end. But the priest is there to answer, to bless, to comfort and to share. The people reach out, and the Church responds – that is Christ responds.

As priests, all we were ever promised at our ordination was a cross. The Cross. His Cross. But by God’s grace, and through the love of you, His people, ministry is more rewarding than can possibly be imagined. And soon, our parish will experience the joy of ministry in its inaugural form – the holy Diaconate.

On Sunday, October 9th, our own Gregory Floor will be ordained to the Diaconate by His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver here at St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church. God gave Gregory many talents. He could have chosen any direction on life’s pathway. Ultimately, and after many prayerful years of contemplation, he ended choosing nothing at all. God took over. He chose for Gregory.

I truly pray that we appreciate the magnitude of the honor bestowed upon our church by this blessed sacrament taking place here. The Floor and Georgelas families have long and rich ties to Orthodoxy in the Valley. And though our parish is but two short years old, Gregory says that “The people I love and the people who raised me attend St. Anna’s, so naturally that is where I want to be ordained.”

From now, I ask that you pray for Gregory and his dedicated wife, Cassandra, and their two children, Sophia Constantina & Luke Gregory. Gregory’s loving wife and children will be deeply involved in the ministry of their husband and father. Pray that the Lord will bless them with faith, strength, trust, discernment and above all, love. Pray that as Gregory continues his work as the director of admissions for Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, he will inspire the next generation of college students who wish to infuse their higher education with Orthodox practice, as well as graduate students who, themselves, feel called to serve at the Lord’s pleasure and for His purpose.

Surely, Gregory will one day pastor a Greek Orthodox parish. Pray that his flock is as kind, grounded, motivated, faithful and loving as the parish who will proclaim him “Axios” (that is worthy) at his Diaconate Ordination.

To me, Gregory epitomizes the finest of what the Church lifts up within the ranks of Her clergy, and you, the cohesive and Spirit-filled people of St. Anna’s, who always strive to do what is honorable before God, are the finest example of a Greek Orthodox community. Naturally, the day in which Gregory’s ordained service begins, will bring us together, gathered in this special church.

The Luncheon that is being offered in his honor, together with his family and His Eminence, is filling up quickly. The purpose of the Luncheon is to offer a place where we can gather, break bread, and joyfully celebrate the blessed events of the day. A day where Gregory and Cassandra’s family become one with our wider, church family.

We also intend to gift Gregory with an appropriate gesture of our love for him and the trust we have that his ministry will be one of dignity and holiness. I ask that you be generous in supporting our efforts to that end. The day of Gregory’s ordination will not only define his future, and the future of the universal Church, it will be recorded as an historical event in the life of St. Anna’s. This mirrors our Christian walk in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church: Christ ministers to the individual through the service of the masses. Everything revolves around the Liturgy and the Eucharist. On October 9th, His Eminence will offer consecrate the divine Gifts for the people, and the newly-ordained deacon will help distribute them. God’s grace will be upon us all.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Who does God want us to be, as we grow up?

Let Hiss will be done, as we grow together.

With Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony

Also, please pray for our Fr. Jimi Foreso. He is back in the hospital as they search for the reason he is experiencing small seizures. I spoke to him tonight. He sends his love and asks for your prayers.

“I have not seen a beast or a living being ever since I came into the desert. I never learned from books. I have never even heard anyone who sang and read from them. But the word of God which is alive and active, by itself teaches a man knowledge.” – St. Mary of Egypt

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Please pay special attention to the above quote from St. Mary of Egypt. I believe that we know her story well, for the fifth and final Sunday of Lent is dedicated to her unique and glorious story. But in case anyone has not had the opportunity to learn from her life, I offer this admittedly-brief synopsis of her story.

St. Mary was a woman of surpassing beauty and charm. Rather than glorifying for her renowned physical gifts, she turned her back on her Creator by living a life of excessive vulgarity and debauchery. She fell into every carnal sin imaginable in her “professional life” as a prostitute and in her personal time as someone who lived only to please herself.

One evening, a festal procession was entering a church, and as she attempted to follow the crowd, she found herself physically barred from passing through the door. The Mother of God was prohibiting her from defiling this holy place with her mere presence. Recognizing this mystical scorn, St. Mary repented and immediately thrust herself into the desert where she remained for over 40 years, living in complete isolation while constantly begging God for forgiveness of her countless sins.

The only way we even know she existed is because a sojourning priest by the name of Fr. Zosimos fell upon her in the wilderness, quite by accident. He gave her the holy Eucharist (the one and only time she ever received in her life), recorded her story, learned from her experiences and returned to visit her the following year, only to have found her lifeless remains where he had last seen her alive. She demonstrates one of the most dynamic and transformative conversions of the known Christian world. We give thanks to God for the lessons learned from St. Mary of Egypt’s life of excesses turned to virtues and perversion turned to absolute holiness.

So, why the Lenten lesson in September? As I stated previously, pay special attention to St. Mary’s words. She lived an entire, young life without ever knowing God, or even attempting to draw near to him. She matured into an adult, a fully-rational being, living as far from God as possible. But through her own efforts, and the Lord’s long-suffering patience, and her personal encounters, she drew more closely to His feet than few ever have.

During the month of September, most of our St. Anna Youth Ministry activities begin in earnest. Last Sunday, we blessed the beginning of our Sunday School year with over 75 students registered (not bad for our “little” parish). This Saturday, our Fall Altar Boy Retreat will take place, engaging our 18 boys and young men in team-building exercises, fellowship and processional rehearsals. You might not think it takes practice to serve in the Altar, but it does if we are to serve with dignity and grace.

And to inaugurate our JOY and GOYA ministries, we will have our Kick-Off BBQ next Sunday. If your kids are planning on participating, please be forewarned that they are coming home very, very, very messy.

I mention these things because unlike St. Mary of Egypt, our children have every opportunity to know God. As a youth, she had no relationship with Him, and that manifested in a life full of departures, declines and decay.

As the adults in our households, if we can prayerfully commit to engaging our children in matters of faith, we will give them a fighting chance to emerge victoriously over a world that will continually strive to break them down. If there is a service, bring your kids whenever possible. If there is an activity, allow them to participate. Their lives are filled with distractions and other responsibilities, but by making their spiritual lives a priority, they will have advantages that no other entity can offer.

They will be strong and vibrant Christians. They will have access to the Kingdom. They will be disciples and apostles. They will be inspired leaders. They will be the Body of Christ.

St. Mary of Egypt did not have GOYA or Sunday School. She did not have the Divine Liturgy or Lenten Retreats. She had to figure it out on her own after the Theotokos literally and physically kicked her out of the church. I am grateful that our children have a church that was literally created, by God’s grace, through the efforts, sacrifice and faith of their parents.

St. Mary had no companions, no books, no hymns, no teachers, no programs.

She is a most-revered saint and an example of complete transformation.

Imagine what our young people can and will accomplish!

With Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony

“For You are the resurrection, the life and the repose of your departed, servant Matthew the Presbyter, our Erstwhile Brother and Co-Celebrant, O Christ our God, and to You we give glory, as to Your Father Who is Everlasting, and Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today, my message to you is a message of hope in a world filled with questions. Questions without answers, mysteries without discoveries and puzzles without solutions. It’s a message of joy in the face of sorrow. It’s a message of love because “love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (I Corinthians 13:4-7). Love never ends.

Love does not end when we breath our last breath. It does not cease when our heart pumps its final beat. It does not fade with time. It cannot just disappear.

And through Christ and the glory of His resurrection, and through the power of His redemption and by the gift of His forgiveness, we, like love, do not disappear. At the conclusion of this earthly life, we proceed, transfigure, await and glorify. Those of us left behind feel a void or absence when our loved ones depart this world. But please remember that the souls of those who return to the hands of their Maker, are active, vibrant, and, well…alive. They are alive!

The above, italicized caption from the Orthodox Funeral Service is in reference to Fr. Matthew Gilbert. But I also call your prayerful attention to Fr. Vasilios Thanos, a priest, friend, mentor and affectionate father-figure I enjoyed working with for nearly a decade, while ministering to the flock of St. Nicholas in Northridge, CA. Fr. Thanos passed away only days before Fr. Matthew. Their funerals will be celebrated simultaneously though one service is in California while the other in Arizona.

One priest lived a long, rich life. The other was taken from this world, far too soon. Fr. Thanos was born in Greece while Fr. Matthew was an American-born convert to Orthodoxy. Fr. Thanos was a priest for nearly as many years as Fr. Matthew lived, though Fr. Matthew was able to know the joy of grandchildren. Neither of Fr. Thanos’ lovely daughters are married. Fr. Thanos spent his entire, 50-year, priestly ministry in one parish while Fr. Matthew and his family were able to explore and meet amazing, new people through the course of his ministry.

Different lives. Different circumstances. Different departures. Both, however departed this world having preached the same Gospel, partaken from the same chalice and ministering to the one, same, Body of Christ. His Bride. His Church.

Please pray for the comfort of their families. Please pray for the salvation of their souls. Please recognize in their sudden deaths (yes, even at age 85, death can befall us suddenly) that life, though cliché, is short. Forgiveness is imperative; that is to say, giving and receiving it. Being thoughtful, gracious, generous and kind is the pattern of a joyful tenure. Minister to others. It’s not only the privilege of the priest to serve, for we are all ministers. We are all Christ-like servants.

The reason the Weekly Bulletin and this message is coming to you a day early, is because tomorrow evening, I will be at the viewing and Trisagion Service for Fr. Thanos, then participating in his funeral on Friday morning. How I wish I could be in two places at one time.

I suppose, in the end, I’m asking for your prayers, not only for the priest you know, but also for the one that you don’t.

May Their Memories be Eternal.

With Blessings of Love and Life,

Fr. Anthony

And always remember…that is, to never forget…the victims and families of the tragedy of September 11th, 2001.

“The Priest asked, ‘Teddy, do you say prayers before eating?’
‘No Father,’ little Teddy replied, ‘I don’t have to. My mom is a good cook.’”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I know, I know. But I couldn’t resist.

I am dedicating this message, completely to last week’s celebration of our Parish Name Day Picnic, so why not begin with a prayerful tribute to good cooks? It is no small or insignificant feat to bring together, provide for, and entertain a couple hundred people on a Sunday afternoon.

But that is exactly what happened when we departed from a beautiful Divine Liturgy and drove to Canyon Rim Park to honor our Matron St. Anna, give thanks to God for the goodness He has showered upon our parish, and to spend some more time together. The afternoon was a true testament to the love we have for each other and the presence of the Holy Spirit Who binds us together. Really, is there a more beautiful community of which to belong?

Of course the hundreds of people who attended the Picnic would just be standing in a park were it not for the many people who assisted and provided in several ways to the success of our gathering. I would love to gratefully identify the following people for their acts of generosity in time, talents and donations.

Our Picnic Leaders are as follows:

Elaina Simos was the Picnic Chair and she did a remarkable job.

Our Food Co-chairs were – Mary Feotis & Sophie Wondolowski. Thanks, ladies!

Kids Games Chair – Pres. Andrea Savas. Fun was had by all!

Pilafi – Chuck Karpakis. Have Dutch ovens, will travel!

Salads and baked beans Chair – Pat Daskalas. Thanks, Pat!

Cookies – Donated by Phil & Liberty Mudrock. As if the dinner wasn’t good enough!

Melons – Donated by Gerard & Klea Gallegos. Nothing better on a warm summer afternoon.

Rolls – Donated by Barb & Harry Hillas. Good carbs, not bad carbs!

Music – Donated by Mike Varanakis. Also provided the microphone for a pre-meal prayer!

Drinks Chair- Carolyn Leitko. Thank you, Carolyn!

Soft Drinks – Donated by Beverly Bartell. “Bev,” short for beverage and you provided tons!

“Other” Drinks– Donated by and provided from his home barrels, Chuck Karpakis. Cheers!

Set up/clean up – Men’s Ministry team. No easy task, but it’s gotta get done. Thanks, guys!

Who brought salads? I’ll tell you, who brought salads: Connie Floor, Mae Georgelas, Denise Hoyle, Colette Khoury, Penny Mills, Elaine Petrogeorge, Tanya Smirnov, Elaine Zambos and Sandra Zoolakis. Thank you!

And who brought beans? Saunee Cairo, AnnaSophia Clark, Pauline Jensen, Liberty Mudrock, Bunnie Varanakis and Heidi Varechok brought beans! Tons and tons of beans!

Joanne Dokos picked up the chicken. Can’t have a fried chicken picnic without fried chicken, so much appreciated!

Sports equipment provided by Gerard Gallegos. Actually, Gerard provides smiles and laughter above everything else.

If there is anyone else who contributed in any way, I humbly ask your forgiveness for not mentioning you. Thank you for all you’ve done in secret.

The picnic was a tremendous opportunity to celebrate the end of the summer and bring us back into the fold of our church community. You may recall, a few months ago I gave you my “Top Ten Reasons not to come to Church during the Summer.” I think my flippant point was made in that last week, and for the past three months, our church has been nearly full almost every Sunday. You are a faithful people who don’t just come together for picnics and parties.

I am humbled by your desire to draw near to the Lord, feast at His heavenly Banquet and partake of His Mysteries. Though the timing may not have been intentional, our Name Day Picnic yielded the perfect opportunity to close out our vacation season and time of rest so that we can return, full-force, back to church and resume our normal schedule of ministries and activities.

Please pay attention to the accompanying flyers that will be distributed in the coming days which concern our calendar and schedule of events.

If you are out of town during this long Labor Day Weekend, please return safely to your homes, places of work and place of worship – St. Anna’s! If you are home this weekend, I trust we’ll see each other on Sunday. Where else would you possibly be?

And once again, thank you Picnic People! You truly gave us a day to remember.

With Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony
(I was the chairman of just showing up, eating too much, walking around and talking to people)

“On Sundays and feast days come to church, and falling down with reverence before God, be mindful of all the mercies you may ever have received from Him. Thank Him for them with all your heart, and as a sign of your thankfulness, promise to live as He has commanded you. This is a sacrifice most pleasing to God.” – St. Theophan the Recluse

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I love the above quote by St. Theophan in that he calls the faithful to action in our walk with Christ. Be mindful of God’s blessings, be thankful for His mercies, be attentive to His actions and fulfil your promises towards Him. And how do we accomplish this? Come to church!

“On Sundays and on feast days, come to church…”

Our divine services, most especially the Liturgy, are our blessed opportunities to encounter the living God who continually pours out His indescribable mercies upon us. Our very salvation was earned on the Cross of Christ, and sacredly perpetuates in the bloodless sacrifice of each Eucharistic celebration. And it is a celebration.

As Orthodox Christians, we mark time and construct the actions of our faith around a sacred calendar. Time is divided into hours, days, festal periods, seasons and annual commemorations. In God’s time (Kairos) there is no confined understanding of time. There is no past, present, or future, just…God. In our time (Chronos) we look back on the past, realize the present and contemplate the future. Our understanding of time is circular, yet linear. It operates in cycles, yet races past us, as a speeding train on an infinitely long, straight track. A mystery to be sure.

Although that speeding train never slows, it does have stops along the way. In the Orthodox Calendar, all expressions of the human condition are exercised and piqued along the way. The sorrows and the joys; the fasting and the feasting; sunrise and sunset; death and life. We live these realities simply by observing our Sacred Calendar, and actualizing what the calendar says on any particular day. How?

“On Sundays and on feast days, come to church…”

Consider the events of this week’s end and the beginning of the next. This Sunday afternoon, we will come together as a Christian family in celebration of our parish Name Day and Matron Saint Anna, the mother of the most holy Theotokos. As you’ve heard me mention several times before, it is a unique set of circumstances (all involving the calendar) that requires us to celebrate our parish Feast a month after the actual day. Between Pioneer Day (the secular calendar) and the fast/feast of the Theotokos in August (the sacred calendar) the scheduling of our events, and the living of our lives are affected.

And when we do come together for our parish picnic, the calendar says it’s a day of celebration. Fried chicken, carnival games, laughter, social interaction and multiple family gatherings will define the day. I am so looking forward to an afternoon in honor of St. Anna and the Greek Orthodox parish which God established in her name. Joy. Happiness. Fun.

Then, my Beloved in the Lord, the calendar flips – the page is torn off; the new day is tapped. It’s no longer August 28th. It’s August 29th. The church picnic is wrapped up, and we move onto one of the most sorrowful days in the course of the year. The calendar informs us of this day, the Beheading of St. John the Baptist.

“On Sundays and on feast days, come to church…”

Phyllis Meshel Onest thusly describes this solemn day: “In Matthew 14:1-12 we read about the cruel death of John the Baptist. John had publicly reprimanded Herod for taking his brother’s wife as his own, so Herod had him imprisoned. Although Herod really wanted John dead, he feared the many people who believed John to be a prophet. [Indeed, we in the Orthodox Church consider him to be the last of the Old Testament prophets.]

During his riotous birthday party, Herod was so pleased with the dancing of his wife’s daughter Salome that he promised her anything she wanted. Her mother prompted her to say, “the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” Even though Herod regretted his promise, he had to abide by it because his guests had heard him. So he commanded that John be beheaded and that the head be given to Salome, who in turn, gave it to her mother.”

On Sunday morning, the Day of the Lord, we will celebrate the Divine Liturgy commemoration of the Resurrection. A heavenly Banquet.

On Sunday afternoon, still the Day of the Lord, we will joyfully gather at Canyon Rim Park at 3:00 pm for our Name Day Picnic. Please don’t miss out on this opportunity to participate in our family day.

The calendar, the Sacred Calendar turns.

On Monday, August 29th, Orthros is at 9:30 am and the Divine Liturgy is at 10:30 am. We remember the unjust and violent death of the Baptizer. One of the three, strictest fast days of the Orthodox Church. How do we know this?

Check your calendar.

With Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony

“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

By God’s grace and generosity, it has already been one year since I, together with our family, arrived in Salt Lake City to be with you, not as a visiting, home-town priest, but assigned to pastor the most dynamic and Spirit-filled community under His creation.

Two years ago, the Lord planted a Vineyard that would become St. Anna’s. We have been on a steady process of growth, ministry and service ever since. The Lord, through your diligent and prayerful efforts, has accomplished wondrous things through the establishment of this faithful parish – a parish which I feel will always be defined by…

The love of Christ and the love to others;

The service of Christ and the service to others;

The witness of Christ, and the witness to others;

The ministry of Christ and the ministry to others.

With these precepts as the backdrop of our collective purpose, I would like to highlight, as I’ve also presented within our Weekly Bulletin, the ministerial activities of our parish, as we begin the New Ecclesiastical Year in September.

As mentioned elsewhere, this list is not meant to be representative of all activities, ministries and organizations, here at St. Anna’s. It’s really a reminder of the ministries that we began a year ago, and went mostly dormant during the summer, has begun again in earnest. Take a look at what’s coming up on the St. Anna Calendar:

Altar Server Retreat (Boys in 3rd Grade through 12th Grade): An altar server retreat will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2016, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Join us for service training, altar server Olympics, dinner and an evening at the Rocky Mountain Raceway. Further details to come. Please contact Fr. Anthony if your son, who is of proper age, is interested in altar service.

St. Anna Youth Ministry Kick-Off Celebration: The St. Anna Youth Ministry Kick-Off Celebration will be held on Sunday, September 25, 2016, at 3:00 p.m., at the home of the Zoumadakis/Savas family, 2009 Waldo Drive, Holladay. Join us for a BBQ dinner, fun and planning for the 2016-17 activities!

JOY Ministry (1st Grade – 5th Grade): Our first JOY meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 25, 2016, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., in the fellowship hall. Remember that JOY generally meets the last Tuesday of the month, with additional service projects, parties, and outings.

GOYA Ministry (Jr. GOYA, 6th Grade – 9th Grade, Sr. GOYA, 10th Grade – 12th Grade): Please watch for announcements concerning the GOYA calendar and activities. GOYA will consist of home Bible Studies, service projects, outings, retreats and parties.

Sunday School: As previously noted, Sunday School classes begin Sunday, September 11, 2016. Please note, however, that students will remain in the church following Communion for the Appreciation Acknowledgement of our Teachers and the Blessing of the New School Year and the Sunday School Classrooms. Contact Fr. Anthony at franthony@stannagocutah.org or Kim Mallas at kmallas22@gmail.com with questions.

Orthodox Married Life (OML): The first meeting of OML of the 2016-17 season will be held on Friday, September 9, 2016, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. OML generally meets the second Friday of each month.

Parish Family Nights: The first Parish Family Night of the 2016-17 season will be held on Friday, September 23, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. Details to come. Parish Family Nights are generally held the fourth Friday of the month.

Adult Bible Study: The first Adult Bible Study class of the 2016-2017 season will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at 7:00 p.m., in classrooms 8 and 9. Watch for further announcements.

Orthodox Christian Men’s Morning Prayer Breakfasts (OCM): The inaugural meeting of OCM will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2016, from 7:00-8:00 a.m. This group will generally meet the second Thursday morning of each month for prayer, inspiration, fellowship, spiritual growth and heightened awareness of leading the families of Orthodox Christian homes. We will soon announce the location, as we are identifying a facility located in the central Salt Lake Valley. This group will be the gathering point and communications hub for our St. Anna Men’s Ministry.

In the coming days, I will be meeting with the leadership of our Young Adult Ministry in order to further-develop our purpose, goals and objectives. Please know that we will be working conscientiously to:

Create a Seniors Ministry at St. Anna’s
Create a Byzantine Youth Choir
Redesign our Parish Website
Redefine, Repurpose and Energize our Men’s Ministry Group

There is something for everyone at St. Anna’s Greek Orthodox Church.

Get involved!

With Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony Savas