Holy Apostles Orthodox Christian
Church E-Tidings
November 2008
Consecration Review. On Saturday, October 4th the Chapel of St. Matthew was formally consecrated by his Eminence Archbishop DMITRI of Dallas. Members and guests of Holy Apostles attended two days of events that included a Friday evening vespers service followed by a reception and the consecration service and Divine Liturgy Saturday morning. The services were solemn and joyful, beginning with Great Vespers and Litya on Friday evening served by Archimandrite Jonah, auxiliary bishop‐elect of the Diocese of the South. Saturday morning His Eminence and concelebrating clergy constructed the altar, sealed in the relics of one of the martyrs Probus, Tarachus, or Andronicus, and completed the consecration of the Chapel. The Saturday services were followed by an outdoor luncheon featuring Mediterranean dishes and desserts. The events were very well attended with a variety of nationalities represented including those with Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, Lebanese and America heritage. Clergy in attendance included His Eminence Archbishop DMITRI, Archimandrite and Bishop‐elect Jonah, Archimandrite Raphael of Jones Oklahoma, Father Ambrose Arrington of the Holy Apostles parish, Father George Eber of the St. Antony parish of Tulsa and Fathers Joseph Fester, Justin Fredrick, Seraphim Hipsh, Michael Storozuk and Basil Zebran all of Texas. Additionally, the Archbishop was escorted from Dallas by two deacons and two sub‐deacons.
Consecration of Bishop Elect Jonah. The Diocese of the South is making final preparations for the consecration of Bishop‐elect Jonah (Paffhausen) November 1st and 2nd at St. Seraphim Cathedral in Dallas. Orthodox clergy and faithful from across the North America will descend on Dallas with over 300 people expected to be in attendance for the historic event in the life of the Diocese. On Friday, October 31, the Great Vespers with the Rite of Election will take place. During this service the bishop‐elect will profess his faith in Christ and the teachings of the Orthodox Church. Also Friday evening Archpriest Alexander Garklavs, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America will read the decree of the Holy Synod of Bishops electing Archimandrite Jonah as bishop‐elect of Fort Worth and Auxiliary to His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri and the Diocese of the South. On Saturday, November 1st, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy led by His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri and concelebrated by His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia, His Grace, Bishop Alejo of Mexico City and His Grace, Bishop Benjamin of San Francisco will perform the Laying on of Hands making the Archimandrite Jonah a bishop of the Orthodox Church. The consecration weekend festivities will include a wine and cheese reception after the Friday vespers and a Texas‐style BBQ on Saturday after the Divine Liturgy. The weekend will conclude on Sunday, November 2nd with the celebration of His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri’s 85th birthday after the Divine Liturgy. The St. Seraphim Cathedral address in Dallas is 4208 Wycliff Avenue, 75219.
November 1st Weekend Service Changes. Father Ambrose and many Holy Apostles members will be in Dallas for the consecration of Bishop Elect Jonah the weekend of November 1st. As a result a Reader’s Vespers will be held on Saturday, November 1st at 5:00pm while a Typica service will be held Sunday morning at 9:30am. There will be no church school held on Sunday. (Note: The liturgical service known as the Typica (Slavonic: Ezobrazítelniya, Obednitsa) is appointed to be read whenever the Liturgy is not celebrated. This may be either because the Typicon does not permit the celebration of the Liturgy (as occurs on weekdays during Great Lent) or that the priest is unavailable to celebrate the Liturgy.)
Youth Group(s) Activities. The Holy Apostles High School Youth Group will be visiting Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Hartshorne, Oklahoma the weekend of November 8th. The group will assist the parish to establish a web site while on the visit and will be attending vespers and Divine Liturgy services. For more information about the trip please contact Kelly Williams. During November the Junior Youth Group will be participating in the Festival of Tables at the Philbrook Museum. The group’s table will be decorated with a replica of Holy Apostle’s St. Matthew chapel. For more information on this activity please contact Tami Yates.
Food and Clothing Closet. The youth of Holy Apostles will be collecting donations for the newly established St. Martin’s Closet. The youth will accept food and clothing donations for distribution to area residents in need. The closet will be organized over the next few weeks and will work with the Glenpool school system to meet the needs of the community.
New Parish Directory. The parish directory was distributed during October with a few inaccuracies. An updated version of the directory will be available within a few weeks.
New Divine Liturgy Booklet still in the Works. Work continues to update our parish Divine Liturgy booklet to match the translations used in the service. The booklet will also include the resurrection troparia and kontakia as well as the troparia hymns for major feast days. Be looking for the booklet within a few weeks.
New Icons Arrive. The icons of St. Moses the Ethiopian, St. Elizabeth the New Martyr and St. Ambrose of Milan have arrived and have been placed in the chapel icon shrines. Additionally the icons above the deacon doors were installed in time for the consecration. We hope to have the new deacon doors within the next few weeks. Many thanks to all those that have contributed to the purchase of the icons.
Alms Box. As Father Ambrose has mentioned following recent services, the parish keeps an “Alms Box” in the narthex of the church to financially assist those in need. As one can imagine, we do have people within our own community that can use assistance from time‐to‐time. Please consider cash or check donations to the alms box as your heart moves you.
Parish Sexton Volunteer. The parish has been blessed with Travis (Nicholas) Byrd stepping forward as our volunteer parish sexton. We welcome Travis and his experience in property management and genuinely thank him for his commitment.
New Door for Father’s Office. Many thanks to Steven Hughes and his father Frank for gathering the materials and installing the new door for Father’s office in the community building. The addition of the door is a positive development for the use of the building.
Parish Ladies Meet. Woman of the parish met at the home of Amy Chiconas on the evening of Tuesday, October 21st for an informal gathering. The ladies enjoyed refreshments and camaraderie while talking about the church and their journey to Orthodoxy. The group plans to gather again to formalize a meeting schedule and to consider general topics for discussion. For more information about the ladies group please contact Amy Chiconas at (918) 510‐4786.
Parish Financial Reports Available. The monthly parish financial reports are being posted on the bulletin board in the Community Building. Anyone with questions about parish finances can contact parish Treasurer Phil Dunbar or Father Ambrose.
Christmas Love for Local Orphanage (Report from Elaine Sames). Holy Apostles will once again provide Christmas gifts to the Realations Group Home this year. At any given time there are 36 children that reside at the home ranging in ages from 8 ‐ 18. Many of the children at the home come from extremely difficult situations with the home as their last hope. Most of the management of the home have worked together for many years and came from the Children’s Hospital that was previously located on Skelly Drive. Love just seems to exude from the management team and it is obvious that the children love and respect them all greatly.
This will be the fourth year that Holy Apostles has supported the home at Christmas. The true blessing of our involvement over the years has been that we get to spend time with all of the children. Details of this year’s arrangement are still being worked out. In the past we have filled individual gift bags for all the kids and take them to the home. While at the home we have interacted with the children while watching a talent show and helping the kids make gingerbread houses.
The gift of our support for the orphanage is truly ours because these children are just so precious. In the coming weeks there will be two opportunities to donate to this cause as a tray will be passed following Divine Liturgy. You may also at any time write a check to Holy Apostles with “Realations” on the memo line. Please prayerfully consider a donation for this most worthy cause.
November Feast Days. November 8: Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Others; November 13: St. John Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople; November 14: Holy Apostle Phillip; November 16: Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew; November 21: Entry of the Most‐Holy Theotokos into the Temple; November 30: Holy Apostle Andrew the First‐Called.
Word of the Month: “EPITRAHELION” (ἐπιτραχήλιον). From the Greek “around the neck.” The second fundamental vestment for Orthodox Christian clergy is the stole or “epitrachelion” which goes around the neck and shoulders. It is the sign of the pastoral office and was originally made of wool to symbolize the sheep – that is, the members of the flock of Christ – for whom the pastors are responsible. Both bishops and priests wear this vestment when they are exercising their pastoral office, witnessing to the fact that the ministers of the Church live and act solely for the members of Christ’s flock.
If you would like to contribute information or photos to the Holy Apostles E-News monthly newsletter please send information to jsames@trinitytulsa.org. Submissions should be received by the 20th of each month.
