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The Monthly Newsletter of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Vallejo, CA Volume 23, Issue No. 2 | May 2019
A The fallen world drags human beings down to its fall-
s we celebrate the glorious resurrection of
our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ we
en level. It is a world full of darkness, where the Devil
can reflect on our spiritual growth and
and the demons continually influence human beings to
the progress we made in our repentance
and sanctification during Great Lent. How did we re- be hateful, prideful, violent and greedy. In the fallen
world, human beings are always feverishly trying to
spond to the time given us by the Church to dedicate achieve what they call “progress” and “freedom” and
ourselves more to prayer, fasting and good works? “rights.” They reject God’s existence, his authority
Each of us must ask that question and answer it hon- and his divine and natural law. They promote ideolo-
estly. But let us not gies which lead to
despair if we feel that unnatural, danger-
we didn’t respond as ous and absolutely
best as we could have. deranged social
Because the Orthodox experiments that
life is something that is are forcefully im-
dynamic and ongoing posed on everyone
and the discipline of else and punish
prayer, fasting and those who fail to
good works are always comply. Consider
available for us to un- the insane law re-
dertake. Repentance cently passed
can happen in a single which allows a
moment and the peace, grown man to enter
joy and love we feel bathrooms and
from Christ at that mo- changing rooms
ment is what motivates designated for
us to continual repentance, not out of fear of hell but young girls and women if he happens to “identify” as
out of love for Christ, saying with St. Paul that, “I a woman that day. Or the madness and evil of a law
have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, recently passed in New York which permits late-term
but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, abortions even up to birth. This is the ideology of the
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and fallen world in all its brokenness and confusion and,
gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) worst of all, it is being taught to our children in public
Great Lent offered us an opportunity to reflect schools.
on what really matters in life. In his epistles, St. Paul Then there is the risen Christ. And those who
speak to us, reminding us of how we as Christians are belong to Christ are able to see this fallen world for
to live in the world, how we are to understand the what it is. They are able to keep themselves and their
world, how we must change and who we must be- children and family from its seductive powers. They
come, every day in our lives. are able to remain vigilant and protect themselves and
He points out that there are two opposing forces that their children from its dangers. They are able to live in
compete for our lives, our hearts, our minds and our the world but not be of the world. Those who truly be-
souls. These are the fallen world and the risen Christ. long to Christ remain loyal to him and to His Church

and her teachings not only on the Orthodox lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Be-
worldview, doctrine, theology and spirituality but cause of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used
also on the Church’s teachings on morality, sexuali- to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But
ty, marriage and the sanctity of life. St. Paul goes on now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as
to say: these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy lan-
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells guage from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since
bodily, and you have come to fullness of life in him, you have taken off your old self with its practices and
who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also have put on the new self, which is being renewed in
you were circumcised with a circumcision made knowledge in the image of its Creator.
without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and
circumcision of Christ; and you were buried with dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
him in baptism, in which you were also raised with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with
him through faith in the working of God, who raised each other and forgive one another if any of you has a
him from the dead. grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord for-
Paul is reminding us of who we are and what gave you. And over all these virtues put on love,
we received at our baptism. We were united to which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Christ and we received his life, the Holy Spirit and Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
His grace which made our salvation possible. We since as members of one body you were called to
died when we entered the waters of baptism; our peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ
former nature died and we were resurrected from dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish
this death when we came out of the water. And at one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns,
that moment, our bodies and souls were consecrated and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with grati-
to Christ. We became temples of the Holy Spirit and tude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in
our bodies no longer belong to us, because we are word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
now all members of that One, resurrected body of giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Christ. As we celebrate this glorious Paschal season,
This is why Paul says that if we have re- let us not simply commemorate a historic event which
ceived such a great gift through our baptism and happened two thousand years ago and think we have
faith in Christ, how absolutely tragic and sinful it is satisfactorily fulfilled our religious obligation. God is
for us to turn our backs to Christ and live the life of not impressed. Instead, let us like Adam and Eve in
our former, fallen nature which is of the fallen world the icon of the resurrection, reach out and hold on to
and which died in the waters of baptism. the hands of the risen Christ, that he may pull us out
Further on in this same chapter, St. Paul of the fallen world and that he may help us cling to
elaborate on this point and tells us what really mat- our Christian identity and Orthodox way of life even
ters ultimately and how we as Christians are to live more deeply, no matter what comes our way, whether
in the world, how we are to understand the world, sadness or joy, struggle or blessings, life or death. Let
how we must change and who we must become, us remember how precious each day is, how loved we
each and every day in our lives. He writes: are by Christ and how valuable each person is in the
“Since, then, you have been raised with eyes of God.
Christ, set your hearts on things above, where
Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
minds on things above, not on earthly things. For
you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in With love in our risen Lord
God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then
you also will appear with him in glory. +Fr. Ninos
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to
your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity,

President’s Message Treasurer’s Report

I would like to thank everyone for attending our First let me thank all of you who voted to put me on

General Assembly on April 14th. We reported the Parish Council. I will try my best to live up to the
on on our financial status and the Goals and confidence you have imparted in me and the Council’s
confidence in voting me Treasurer.
Tasks for 2019. We are hoping that our Stew-
ards will step up and help us accomplish these In an effort to keep you informed of where our Church
Goals and Tasks with their Time, Talents, and is financially, I will be posting in the Hall Bulletin
Treasurers. Also mark your calendar for May Board at the General Assembly our income/expenses.
12th, Mother’s Day. We will be serving brunch I will also be writing an article for the Vine on all fund
after Liturgy. raisers BUT I need your help. Please submit to me any
bills from that fundraiser within 30 days of the event.
Please remember, this church is your Father’s
house where you are always welcome, loved, At our last Parish Council meeting, they voted that the
protected and nourished by his love, peace, 2019 Stewardship letter would contain Stewardship
grace and forgiveness. Take care of your Fa- payments, other monetary donations and in kind dona-
ther’s house so He can take care of you. tions with a receipt. To help me be as accurate as pos-
sible, please write in the memo line what the check is
for and give me your receipts clearly marked for your
In His service, in kind donations. Thank you. If you have questions,

Bob Vogt see me after Church or call me at (707) 255-7286.

Greek Independence Day Luncheon Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Glaros
I would like to thank everyone who attended
and worked on the March 24th luncheon. It was 2019 Crab Feed Report
lovely. Blue and white with bright blue Mylar
balloons set the stage for a delicious shrimp The Russel and Helen Kalis Memorial Crab Feed was a
rousing success. Thanks to Chairman George Kalis’ culi-
manestra, Greek salad, all the fixings with deli- nary talents, everything was homemade with love. My
cious desserts. Thanks goes to Magda for cousin’s girlfriend remarked that George’s fresh made clam
heading up the kitchen, Mac for heading up the chowder was the best she ever tasted. Russel and Helen
bar, Deme for decorations and all you angels started the crab feed as a church fundraiser. George has

who stayed and cleaned up. A BIG thank you continued the tradition keeping their memory alive in our
hearts and in our tummies. Additional appreciation goes to
to Philoptchos for donating the food and the Co-Chairman Deme Stall-Nash and all her helpers, Bar
ladies who donated the rest of the meal and des- Manager Gary McPherson with his helpers, everyone who
serts. All of the money collected went to our donated a raffle prize and all of you who purchased dinner
Church. We sold 54 luncheon tickets totaling tickets, raffle tickets, drinks and gave donations. This is our
$520 and received $35 in donations. I deposited second biggest fund raiser of the year, our Festival being
$555 clear profit into our Church account Sun- our biggest. As usual George did his parents and our
Church proud. Thank you and God bless you George.
day evening thanks to everyone.
Income: dinner tickets $11,266 , raffle $1,434 , Bar $944 ,
Respectfully submitted, donation $55 for a total income $13, 699
Expenses: food/supplies $5,102.64 , serving and clean up $385
Dorothy Glaros for total expenses of $5,487.64 Crab Feed clear profit of: $8,
211.36

1224 Alabama Street Vallejo, CA 94590


































SAVE THE DATE Twins Chapels Mortuary

“Our Family Serving Yours”
Philoptochos Meeting—Next meeting May 5
Mother’s Day Breakfast - Sunday, May 12 after Divine Liturgy Traditional Funerals * Memorial
Memorial Prayers for Bill Thomas - Sunday, May 19 Services. Proud to serve Sts. Constan-
Sts. Constantine & Helen Feastday Luncheon - Sunday May, 19 after Divine Liturgy tine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
for over 60 years. 1100 Tennessee St.
Great Vespers for the Feast of Sts. Constantine & Helen - Monday May 20
Vallejo, CA (707)552-6696
Our Parish Feastday Tuesday May 21—Orthros 8:30am - Divine Liturgy 10:00am



Food Booth May 24-27

Once again we have an opportunity to raise funds for our Church. We will be making our now famous breakfast
burritos for people camping at Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa who attend the BottleRock Music Festival. Last
year the Carneros Volunteer Fire Department created the Kitchen Sink Burrito, a food booth favorite. We are the
only food booth allowed in the Park. We open on the 24th-27th from 7:30 am to 1 pm. Easy to drive to and you
park free right next to the booth. If you wish to use the Park facilities/trails for the rest of the day, you are free to
do so. It is work but also fun. Help is needed for set up (23rd), clean up (27th), food prep, cooking, cashier,
food server, etc. You may also donate some Greek pastries or food items. Items needed are: eggs, tortillas,
cheese, potatoes, onions, milk, olives, salsa, tomatoes, sour cream, oil, margarine, coffee, drinks or paper prod-
ucts.. If you woulad like to donate, please call me AND keep your receipts so I can credit you with in kind dona-
tions on your year end Stewardship letter. Call (707) 255-7286. Let’s have some fun together and help our
church.
Thank you, - Dorothy Glaros