St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of the highlights of our recent Pilgrimage to the Holy Land this past spring was a climb up Mt. Tabor, to the location of our Lord’s Transfiguration. Mt. Tabor is a strange, natural phenomenon. Springing out of the ground, with nothing resembling it anywhere in sight, it rises straight up in the air, defined by awe and mystery. In fact, a fantastic miracle still takes place every year upon Mt. Tabor. On the Feast of the Transfiguration, a great cloud still descends upon the top of the mountain, as the Holy Spirit continues to witness the glory of what took place on that day.

The event of the Transfiguration is recorded in three of the four Gospels: Matthew 17: 1-9, Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36. Jesus took the Apostles Peter, James, and John with Him up upon a mountain, and while they were on the mountain Jesus was transfigured. His face shone like the sun, and His garments became glistening white.

Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ, talking to Him. Peter declared how good it was for them to be there and expressed the desire to build three altars for Moses, Elijah, and Christ. This reference to the booths could imply that this occurred during the time of the Feast of Tabernacles when the Jews would be camping out in the fields for the grape harvest; for this Feast had acquired other associations in the course of its history, including the memory of the wanderings in the wilderness recorded in the Old Testament book of Exodus.

While Peter was speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them. A voice came from the cloud saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this they fell on their faces filled with awe. Jesus came to them and told them to not be afraid. When the three looked up they saw only Jesus.

As Jesus and His disciples came down the mountain, He told them not to speak of what they had seen until He had risen from the dead.

This biblical account, like Theophany (the Baptism of Christ) is significant because of  the divine and complete presence of the Holy Trinity: The Father through His voice, The Son by His physical participation and the Holy Spirit in the form of the cloud.

Christ’s purpose for taking his Disciples up the mountain (we drove, they walked) was to allow them a glimpse…a slight, subtle glimpse…of the bright, brilliant and absolute radiance of His divine nature. Up to this point, the Disciples sensed it, anticipated it, even enjoyed hints of it. But on this day, there was no question, especially as they were violently tossed over, that the Disciples were in the midst of God Himself. Glory to Him who transfigured before them!

This incredible Feast (One of the Feasts of our Lord) is celebrated next Monday, August 6th. In the past, I’ve explained the custom of blessing grapes on this day. The ripening cycle is complete at this time and the vine is prime for harvest. And just as the Disciples desired to erect special booths in connection to the Feast of Tabernacles, we too, offer the first fruits of our labor to Him.

Of course, Salt Lake City does not share a climate with the Near East or the Mediterranean. So whatever grapes you bring, will likely come from Smith’s or Harmon’s. I’ll be purchasing the grapes for the Church from Fresh Market. My Yiayia (grandmother) grew grapes in her yard. But they were sour, little balls of gross. I think she just kept the vine for the leaves. For us, cultivating a vineyard and harvesting the fruit is not the point. We bless the fruit of the vine as a symbol of fulfilled potential and the pinnacle of a season, and the sweetness of God.

I look forward to your participation in this service. May the blessings of His Transfiguration enlighten our path towards salvation. May He take us, also, to high places. May He appear to us as radiant light.

With Much Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony

“And the Survey Says…”
– Steve Harvey

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Though it’s been many years since I worked as a professional in the advertising and marketing business, I still find it completely fascinating how highly effective communications can yield desired results. Before attending the Seminary, I was charged with the creating and execution of advertising campaigns for both local and national companies. People paid great sums of money for our firm to deliver targeted and measurable results for their advertising dollars spent.

But even though the movies and TV shows simply give the impression that days spent at work in an advertising agency are spent in creative bliss, catering to the whims of deep-pocketed clients, the reality is actually quite different. More time, for me, anyway, was spent in research than the actual design of a campaign.

Before an advertising can do it’s job of selling something, it must first be heard, seen, or read. And if people are going to take time out of their busy schedules to dedicated 30 seconds to your message, you better capture their attention in a hurry. And this is accomplished, only after you’ve done your homework on your audience, your product and your means of communication. Everything has to be in sync, or the message is lost in the clutter and white noise of daily living.

One of the most dependable forms of obtaining such information is the conducting of a survey. Not the kind of survey found on gameshows that are designed to entertain and get a laugh, but the data-driven, scientific, “boring” survey that requires preciseness in its creation and attention when taken. Surveys give us insights into how elections may play out (like a poll), they tell us how we feel about customer service, they provide useful information that well help with the improvement of literally every industry on the planet.

People who serve people want to know how to better serve those people. And the best way to find out how, is to ask those people.

Our St. Anna parish has embarked on just, such a process. Your Parish Council has gone through the process of creating, writing and delivering a survey to our Stewards in order to find out how best we can serve you in the capacity of planning for our future needs when it comes to a permanent church home. When properties around the Valley become available that might be attractive options for us, the Parish Council, together with the Real Estate Ministry Team, our Long Range Planning Ministry Team and the Capital Campaign Committee, needs to consider the needs, wants and climate of our parish. We need to know the individual thresh holds, limits, desires and opinions of those whom we serve. So, we sent out a survey.

If you are a Steward of St. Anna, and have filed and email address with us, you have received this survey. It will close on August 1, 2018 and I, together with the committee that created it, and the parish council who commissioned it, ask that you take the time and fill it out. It will take no more than about ten minutes. The questions are simple and they are important.

The future goals and direction of our parish require that the parish chime in on the important details where our future is concerned.

The questions are designed not to lead you down any path. Your input and your honest participation is all that is required. It is anonymous. So please don’t think someone will approach you at Sunday Fellowship and inquire about your opinion on this or that.

The conducting of this survey is the most active step we have made towards the eventual purchase of a property since last year. Knowing the most basic desires of the parish will help us to gain traction and prioritize our efforts. Seriously, please, fill out the survey.

On another point entirely, I would like to offer my sincere blessings and gratitude for all who participated in any way, in our Feast Day Celebrations this past week. Our picnic was electric. Great Vespers and the inaugural veneration of the Relic of St. Anna (please read His Eminence’s comments in the Bulletin) was an historic evening full of Grace. And the Divine Liturgy in commemoration of the Dormition of St. Anna was a blessed and inspired service; for the Relic remained for the veneration and adoration of the faithful in attendance.

We welcome Fr. Ambrose back with us, as he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy this Sunday. I will be with the participants of our Parish Fishing Trip up at Strawberry Reservoir. We will celebrate Sunday Services in the marina’s outdoor pavilion.

My final reminder is a continued call for volunteers for our Vacation Bible School. It’s right around the corner. Fun for all who participate. Fun for those who volunteer and contribute.

This has been and continues to be a very active summer for our parish and parishioners. I pray that the remaining days are filled with countless blessings and safe activities. By the time I greet you again with my Thursday/Friday message, the Fast for the Dormition of the Theotokos will have begun. Enjoy a blessed and fruitful Lent.

With Love in Christ,
Fr. Anthony Please-Fill-Out-Your-Survey Savas

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:13-16

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In his collectively-known “I Am” statements, Christ described Himself in many ways, such as “The Good Shepherd, The Door, The Vine, The Resurrection, The Bread of Life, The Way, The Truth, The Life. He also stated and mystically illustrated that He is “The Light.” I love this one. The Light! It’s special. It’s unique. It involves us in a collaborative way.

In the great “I Am’s,” Jesus gave us imagery that we could better understand His ministry and His divinity. They help us relate to Him and give us concrete explanations about our relationship with Him. If He is the Good Shepherd, we are His Sheep. If He is the Door, we are the ones who walk through that door. If He is the Vine, we (as He clearly states) we are the branches. If he is the Light…

We are not darkness. We are not shadows. We are not the sunrise. We are, in fact, like Him…the Light.

Jesus never called us Doors, Vines, Shepherds, or the Resurrection. He reserved all of the “I Am’s” for Himself, except for the “Light.”

Like a Paschal candle that lights another, then another, then so on until the sanctuary is filled with the Light of Christ, the joy of the Resurrection and the anticipation of Pascha; the Light is shared and passed along. Though the “I Am” statements of Christ are primarily found in the Gospel of John, the above passage, from Matthew are some of, I suppose you can call them the “You Are” statements. Salt, nice. Light; yesss!

Light sources illumine pathways for others to safely follow. They shine warm radiance, they reveal hidden obstacles, they allow us to function in otherwise darkness. This is our calling for the others around us. That is to shine a spotlight on Christ, His Church, His Gospel and His ways. And who are the brightest lights? The children, of course.

Thus far, this message has been a long introduction to the theme of this year’s Vacation Bible School.

Be the Light!

From August 8th to the 10th, the preschoolers through 5th graders of St. Anna’s will gather at church to learn how to be little sources of radiant light. Barbara Hillas and Kim Mallas have worked hard to lead an outstanding program for our children. Even though the summer is beginning to wind down (God forbid) and our sights are set on squeezing out the last drop of vacation time, IK ask and encourage you to make time to have your kids with us at VBS. Bible lessons, crafts, songs, sports, nutrition…it’s all there for your beautiful kids.

We would also like to remind you that staging such a ministry as VBS requires the assistance of several adult and older-kid volunteers. If you would like to help teach a class, assist with crafts, sponsor a lunch, underwrite a craft project, or just be around with an extra set of hands, please contact Barbara Hillas at bhillas@q.com.

VBS is one of my most favorite times of year. The classrooms, hallways and our sanctuary are filled with laughter, singing and joy. You don’t want your kids to miss out. Hey, I don’t want your kids to miss out!

Even though there are quite a few happenings in the parish before VBS begins: our Feast Day services and Picnic, the receiving of the Relic of St. Anna, the Fishing Trip, the beginning of the Dormition Fast, the chanting of the Paraklesis services and the Feast of the Transfiguration, to name a few. However, we need to shout out loud that VBS is around the corner!

I pray that through the inspiration of our little ones, we may also be vibrant luminaries. Please enjoy the remaining weeks of summer and continue, as you so faithfully have, to be with us for Sunday Worship with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. If you really want to see you friends during the remaining Sundays before Fall’s arrival, come see them in Church!

With Much Love in Christ,

Fr. Anthony Savas