Quote for the Week
“The purpose of the advent of the Savior, when He gave us His life-giving commandments as purifying remedies in our passionate state, was to cleanse the soul from the damage done by the first transgression and bring it back to its original state. What medicines are for a sick body, that the commandments are for the passionate soul.” (St. Isaac the Syrian)

Scripture of the Week: Prophecy from the Prophet Isaiah
“Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a Virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” which means: God is with us. (Isaiah 7:14)

Question for the Week
Inarguably, we Orthodox adhere to the Ten Commandments. How do I “remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy”? How do I extend my keeping of the Sabbath beyond attending Liturgy? Is this an area in which I would like to challenge myself this Advent?

Sacred Hymn to Ponder
“Today the Virgin is on her way to the cave where she will give birth in a manner beyond understanding to the Word who is, in all eternity. Rejoice, therefore, universe, when you hear it heralded; with the angels and the shepherds, glorify Him who chose to be seen as a new-born Babe, while remaining God in all eternity.” (Kontakion of the Preparation of the Nativity)

Thought for the Week: Whole House Clean Up
Do you ever feel like a librarian, but instead of shelving books, you are shelving your family’s possessions? If every member of your family takes out and does not put away even a dozen items (an underestimation), that’s 60 items to “re-shelf”! Add to this the Advent Season with all the commitments and pressure it can bring, the challenge of Lenten cooking, and before you know it, this pot is going to blow its lid!

Let us, rather, set ourselves up for success this Advent season. Have a “whole house cleanup” today or ASAP. This means everybody pitches in and helps put everything back in its place, gets the laundry going, does team dusting, vacuuming, and a five minute bathroom rescue for each bathroom. If you can get your husband on the same page with you, this task will be a breeze. Promise that you will bring out Christmas decorations this week if they will help do this today (or if this is too stressful an idea–think of another appropriate reward–they help!).

Then (here comes the hard part), be unwaveringly ruthless in monitoring and holding people accountable for putting away their own things. Out of place items become more apparent on a cleared counter or empty floor. Require the children to leave their rooms with a made bed and toys put away each morning. It’s a worthy goal and one that will serve them well throughout life. Get it kick started with a reward system. Accent the positive!

A group effort at reducing/eliminating clutter that stems from bad habits will give you one of the best boosts you can ask for this season. Remember to reward yourself, too, with the things that are important and bring warmth and joy to our lives–a nice meal, Christmas programs, and Church attendance with a peaceful, loving attitude. A “Whole House Clean Up” will provide a homey springboard for your family to really enjoy this special, holy season. Amen!

By David W. Dunlap

For the 91st year, members of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox parish in Lower Manhattan gathered on the day in the liturgical calendar that honors the namesake of their church. For the seventh year, they had no church in which to gather.

Instead, they worshiped in a white tent pitched on the south edge of ground zero. It was as close as possible to the site at 155 Cedar Street where their tiny church stood until it was crushed by the collapsing 2 World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

*Hung from support poles within the tent was a large-scale photographic reproduction of the icon screen, or iconostasis, that once stood in St. Nicholas Church. Standing before the screen this afternoon, Archbishop Demetrios, the primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, presided over a memorial service and the breaking of bread in the hope of prosperity, health and peace.

The secular half of the ceremony began with a bagpipe prelude by Police Officer Tom DuBois of the Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Band (and the 33rd Precinct in Manhattan), playing “Minstrel Boy,” “Amazing Grace” and “Going Home” — not normally featured in Eastern Orthodox liturgical music.

Emphasizing the commitment of government to help rebuild St. Nicholas, the ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler and Anthony E. Shorris, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, who thanked his hosts on behalf of a boy whose mother’s family came from Salonika and who grew up eating grape leaves and drinking Greek coffee.

St. Nicholas Church also presented to the nearby Tribute WTC Visitor Center a framed copy of a stunning photograph by Eric O’Connell that shows the church in its final moments on 9/11, with both towers aflame behind it.

“It says something in the background of what hatred can do, but it says something in the foreground of what love and faith can do,” said Lee Ielpi, a founder of the visitor center, as he accepted the print.

No one was bold enough during the ceremony to predict when construction would begin, but Archbishop Demetrios expressed his simple hope: “May we be deemed worthy soon to celebrate not under a tent but in the new church of St. Nicholas.”

Archbishop Demetrios, holding a golden staff, led a memorial service followed by the breaking of bread and the distribution of loaves among members of the St. Nicholas parish. *In the background is a reproduction of the icon screen that once stood in the church. The priest on the archbishop’s left is the Rev. John Romas of St. Nicholas parish. (Photo: David W. Dunlap/The New York Times)

~Who Was St. Nicholas?~

Happy Name Day to my Dad, Nicholas and my son, Nicholas! Xronia Poula! May God Grant you Many Years!

This afternoon, we had a little name day celebration for our Nicholas.  Fr. read the life of St. Nicholas from The Prologue From Ohrid and then we enjoyed the bread that a parishioner gave us at the Liturgy this morning. I surprised the boys with chocolate gold St. Nicholas coins that I bought from  at Paidea Classics. The coins come with at little card that has the  Kontakion of St. Nicholas.  Nicholas also enjoyed receiving money for his name name day!

Everybody loves Santa Claus. He embodies holiday cheer, happiness, fun, and gifts—warm happy aspects of the Christmas season. How do Santa Claus and St. Nicholas differ?

Santa Claus belongs to childhood;
St. Nicholas models for all of life.

Santa Claus, as we know him, developed to boost Christmas sales—the commercial Christmas message;
St. Nicholas told the story of Christ and peace, goodwill toward all—the hope-filled Christmas message.

Santa Claus encourages consumption;
St. Nicholas encourages compassion.

Santa Claus appears each year to be seen and heard for a short time;
St. Nicholas is part of the communion of saints, surrounding us always with prayer and example.

Santa Claus flies through the air—from the North Pole;
St. Nicholas walked the earth—caring for those in need.

Santa Claus, for some, replaces the Babe of Bethlehem;
St. Nicholas, for all, points to the Babe of Bethlehem.

Santa Claus isn’t bad;
St. Nicholas is just better.

—J. Rosenthal & C. Myers

Santa & St. Nicholas: What’s the Difference? for kids

~Piggytails!~

(photo taken on my cell phone)