THE PROMISE
DECEMBER 2009
DATES TO REMEMBER:
DECEMBER 13
THE LAST DAY TO DONATE TO
WOMEN & CHILDREN FIRST
DECEMBER 20
PARISH CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
2010 STEWARDSHIP CARDS ARE DUE
GOYA CHRISTMAS PARTY
DECEMBER 24
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
6:00PM
DECEMBER 25
FEAST OF THE NATIVITY LITURGY 9:30AM
DECEMBER 31
NEW YEAR’S EVE ST. BASIL LITURGY 6:00PM
JANUARY 5 & 6
THEOPHANY CELEBRATIONS
Divine Liturgy 9:30am
“Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
A Message from our Pastor.....................2
The Ladder of Marriage..........................3
Mission Teams ........................................5
Save The Date.........................................6
Making History........................................8
Holiday Services....................................10
News & Notes........................................14
Not For Lightweights.............................17
A Visit To St. Nicholas.........................21
Halloween Memories............................26
December Calendar..............................28
PAGE 1
THE PROMISE
PASTORAL MESSAGE
Whenever we see or do something often enough, we
eventually become so accustomed it that we lose sight
of that familiar thing's original meaning and significance.
Recognizable customs, no matter how beautiful or
substantial initially will quickly fade from focus and
ostensibly become invisible, whenever we are not vigilant.
This is especially true with regards to practically every one
of our most beloved and familiar Christmas traditions.
For nearly every traditional Christmas decoration and
custom is in one way or another intrinsically rooted to
conveying faith in the truth of
Jesus Christ. They may now be
commonplace, and in some
segments of our society they
may even be considered “politically
correct and sanitized” expres-
CHRISTMAS
sions of Christmas (seemingly
devoid of any Christian meaning)
- but in truth, many of the most
familiar and beloved Christmas
expressions in the world today
(certainly to the chagrin of the
secular humanists who are so
TRADITIONS
quick to dismiss Christianity’s
impact on the human race) are
indeed beautiful and timeless
expressions of ardent faith in
Jesus Christ as the Incarnate
Son of God.
To begin with, even the ever present familiar
Christmas tree is a very basic Christian symbol. The
evergreen tree, especially in Northern Europe, was
for the longest time considered an apt symbol of
strength and hope. The tree’s ability to survive the bitter
winter and stay green amazed the pagan Vikings and
led them to consider it as a sign of life and good fortune.
Well before the Vikings ever received the Good News
of Christ, they would chop down a fir tree and put it
in the middle of their hut in order to fortify the family’s
spirit during the long and harsh winter months. But as
the Christian faith moved its way north, this basic
pagan symbol was transformed as ancient associations
with fir trees were imbued with even greater significance.
It is said that in the 7th century St. Boniface went into
PAGE 2
modern day Germany in order to proclaim the Gospel
and establish the Church when he came across some
men who were preparing to sacrifice a child to the
pagan god of Thor. St. Boniface stopped the murder of
the child and pointed to a small fir tree saying: “This
tree does not die in winter like others but lives and it
symbolizes the eternal life offered to all through Jesus
Christ.” He then went on to explain how even the very
shape of the fir tree (a triangle), beautifully represents
the Holy Trinity. The men were so moved by the
courage and wisdom of St. Boniface that they repented,
spared the life of the child and
became Christians. Soon thereafter,
throughout that region, especially
during the winter celebration of
Christmas, the fir tree became a
‘converted’ symbol of the enduring
life and strength of Jesus Christ.
Eventually, many throughout
Christendom began to appreciate
how “a Christmas tree” could serve
as a potent sign of life-giving
power of Christ and His sacrifice
on a tree for the salvation of the
world. Inspired by faith and the
Grace of God, it bears remembering
that the Christmas tree is NOT
really a commercial tool, but a
rather striking symbol of Jesus
Christ and His sacrificial love for
humanity. While our secular society may think that it has
found a politically safe way to undermine and dismiss the
religious significance of the season, we can instead look at
all of the Christmas trees around us and relish in their true
significance as we recall the words of St. Peter in his First
Epistle (ch. 2: 24): “He Himself bore our sins in His body
on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteous-
ness. By His wounds, you have been healed.”
Then there is the Christian symbolism that permeates
the use of that ole favorite - mistletoe. Here again,
mistletoe was first used as a form of decoration in people’s
homes because of its natural ability to thrive when
everything else seemed to be dead and barren. Christians
in many parts of the world saw in the plant a reminder
(Continued on page 4)
 THE PROMISE
THE ANNUNCIATION THE LADDER OF DIVINE
BOOKSTORE IS OPEN FOR ASCENT FOR MARRIAGE
BUSINESS! by Fr. George Morelli

You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly

Just in time for the Christmas season the parish book- Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48).
store is open for business. We have many new items
with more coming in the next couple of weeks. There Some who are called to salvation through the vocation
are beautiful new Icons in stock as well as new books, of marriage may consider it inferior to the monastic
music and spoken word cd's, crosses, pendants, and life. In part this attitude is shaped by descriptions that
other gift items. There are many great possibilities for compare the monastic vocation to angelic life, particularly
giving Orthodox gifts this holiday season. Many items the abstinence from sexual relations. "Moreover the
are marked down in price. Christmas ornaments are renunciation of the monk… includes not only these but
on sale at 50% off! Leather bound editions of “The in accordance with the strictest teaching of Jesus all sexual
Orthodox Study relations or emotion arising therefrom. The monastic
Bible - Old & idea of chastity is a life like that of the angels".
New Testament”
are coming soon.
FOCUS: DEPARTURE FROM "THE WORLD"
MARRIED OR MONASTIC?
TheParish book-
store is open
Marriage was considered to be a secondary vocation by
during the
spiritual writers of both East and West following St.
Fellowship hour
Paul's instruction to the Corinthians, "So that he who
every Sunday
marries his betrothed does well; and he who refrains
after the Divine
from marriage will do better" (1 Cor 7:38).
Liturgy or by special appointment.
The description arises from the central focus of
WE WANT TO HELP AS A ONE STOP SOURCE FOR ANY
monastic life: the voluntary renunciation of "worldly"
OF YOUR CHURCH RELATED NEEDS. We can special
preoccupations. Before St. John Chrysostom matured
order Icons for specific saints, events, or feast days.
into the great pastor he became, he too recommended
We can help with finding assistance in preparing
monastic over married life. He wrote to his friend
kolyva for memorial services or in obtaining wedding
Theodore who was contemplating leaving monasticism,
crowns or baptismal items. We can also help to find
"…it is no longer possible for thee to observe the right
and order specific books or Orthodox related gift
conditions of marriage. For if he who has been
items. Please refer any questions or needs to
attached to a heavenly bridegroom deserts him…"
Christopher Huckabay at 501-563-8726 or at
chiros116@hotmail.com.
FOCUS: PERFECTION IN CHRIST: IN HARMONY
WITH HIS TEACHINGS IN THE WORLD

Later on, however, St. John's attitude changed. After

more experience and greater contact with godly people,
(Continued on page 11)
PAGE 3
THE PROMISE
PASTORAL MESSAGE
“flowers of the Holy Night”. Thus, in a land without many
(Continued from page 2)
fir trees, Christians found yet another way with which to
highlight the birth of the Savior. Ultimately the plant's
Christ-centered association was brought to the United
of Christ's presence even in the midst of the cruelest of
States in1824 by the American Ambassador to Mexico -
circumstances. Furthermore, in places like Scandinavia,
Dr. Joel Poinsett - hence their English name “Poinsetta”.
the plant was also seen as a symbol for the Lord's peace.
It is said that Scandinavian warriors would actually not
Even the traditional colors used at Christmas are instilled
fight under any tree with mistletoe on its branches.
with Christian meaning. Stores may not care, secular
Because they believed that to fight under such a “God
humanists may be oblivious, but it is good for our soul to
given plant of life” was an affront to the Lord. Building
remember the underlying meaning behind the colors that
off of such sentiments, in Great Britain, the use of
we so intimately (and casually) associate with the Christmas
mistletoe further evolved into a useful symbol of the
season. For when the Church and her people started to use
Lord’s blessings. It was thought that whenever a couple
red, green and gold during this period it was with a blessed
kissed under mistletoe, the kiss would be seen by God
purpose. The color RED is considered symbolic of the
and He in turn would bless them with everlasting love.
blood that Jesus shed on the Cross for us and our sake.
Today, many may try to bury mistletoe message of
GREEN is said to represent eternal life in Christ, and the
Christ’s peace and love under layers of commercialism
color GOLD is regarded as an apt way to highlight the Glory
and debauchery. But as Christian men and women,
of God and the joy of Heaven. So with every Christmas
every time we hear mistletoe mentioned in songs, see it
ornament, package or house adorned in red, green, and or
decorating clothes and packages or hanging over doors,
gold, we as faithful Christians can recognize and glorify the
we can enjoy it as a symbol of the sustaining faith, hope
One who took our flesh, sacrificed Himself on the Cross
and love in Christ that it is.
and rose from the dead; thereby enabling us to find eternal
life in Him.
Then then there is the religious significance of another
seasonally popular plant, the Poinsettia. A common plant
Needless to say, this list of meaningful Christmas traditions
in South America, it is said that at some point a very
is by no means complete. But it hopefully serves to highlight
poor Mexican girl named Pepita went into a Church to
the fact that every thing we do at Christmas can and should
look at the Nativity that was displayed and began to cry.
point to that Jesus is the Son of God. Only in the birth of
When concerned adults asked her what was wrong, she
Christ, can a fir tree become reminder of Cross and an apt
explained that she had no gift by which to honor the
symbol of the Holy Trinity. Only in the birth of Christ, can
birth of Christ. Someone knelt beside the little girl, and
mistletoe become an enduring sign of the peace, hope and
told her that any gift given in love would indeed be well
love that flows from the Lord. Only in the birth of Christ,
received by the Lord at Christmas. Not knowing what
can an innocuous and strange plant like a poinsettia become
else to do, Pepita left the mission grounds and desperately
a reminder of the Holy Night when God Himself took on
searched for something to honor the Lord on His birthday.
flesh, let alone an indication of the faithful gifts that truly
In the dead of winter, she eventually came across some
please the Lord. Only in the birth of Christ, can the colors
common looking weeds - green plants growing along the
red, green and gold represent the holy and eternal Good
side of the road. She carefully picked them, fashioned
News of Jesus Christ.
them into a small bouquet and humbly returned to the
Church that Christmas Eve to place them at the foot of
In a world so eager to dash peoples hopes and squash
the Nativity scene. When to everyone's surprise, the
people's faith, how good it is to know that no matter what,
green plant she had placed before the manger turned
the Christian faith at Christmas will always find ways to
into a vivid red - leading everyone to believe that they
shine.
were witnessing a Christmas miracle. The priest came
forward, studied the plant and declared that Pepita had HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
in fact discovered the “flores de Noche Buena” or the
Rev. Dr. Nicholas J. Verdaris
PAGE 4
 THE PROMISE
OCMC INVITES FAMILIES TO All of the 2010 Family Teams have been carefully
chosen to allow youth to develop relationships with their
EXPERIENCE AN ORTHODOX Orthodox peers and learn about new cultures. Language
barriers melt and horizons are broadened as families put
MISSION TEAM their faith into action and share their Orthodox faith.
by Pres. Renee Ritsi
An Orthodox Mission Team can be a life-changing
experience. Family Teams are perfect if you have teens
For the first time, OCMC who love Christ and helping others and if your family is
is offering families the seeking spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of
opportunity to participate the universality of the Orthodox faith. An OCMC
together on Orthodox Family Mission Team is a
Mission Teams. Four great way to begin a journey
2010 OCMC Mission that will have a profound
Teams are open to par- impact on your lives and the
ents and youth who are lives of others.
prayerfully seeking expo-
sure to the important For more information or to
work of making disciples. apply for one of these
Family Teams log on to
Family Teams allow www. teams.ocmc.org, or
youth (13 and above) to contact OCMC by phone at
travel with a parent to
1-8877-G
GO-FFORTH or by e-
offer their time and tal-
mail at teams@ocmc.org.
ents as living witnesses to the Orthodox Christian Faith.
If you want your teen to have an opportunity to serve
others around the world and to be involved in missions, MINISTRY
then consider joining a 2010 Orthodox Family Mission
Team. This year's Family Team destinations are: OPPORTUNITY
Eklutna and Old Harbor, Alaska; Shen Vlash, Albania;
and Cluj, Romania. With the Orthodox Christian
calling to serve the Lord
The Eklutna Team will travel to the oldest continuously through His Church of the
inhabited Athabaskan Indian settlement to work on Annunciation, we are continually challenged to per-
light general maintenance to the church of St. Nicholas sonally discover ways to personally better serve Christ,
(cutting shrubs, trimming grass, painting the cemetery, His Church and His world. And the more people
and fence and walkway repairs,) and by offering historic directly involved in the work of the Lord, the greater
tours of the Church. The Albania Team will assist in the outpouring of God’s love and grace.
the daily activities and ministries of the Children's
Home of Hope in Albania. The Romania Team will It is with that in mind that our parish continues to look
join ASCOR (the Student Association of Orthodox for an individual to come forward and serve as a FOREIGN
Christians in Romania) in offering a Youth Camp MISSIONS LIAISON. This position will work with Father
outside of Cluj to middle school-aged youth. The Team Nicholas to help put into motion opportunities for our
to Old Harbor will participate in the annual Family Church family to be even more involved in spreading
Camp offered to youth and adults on Sitkalidak Island. the Good News of Christ around the world. If
The theme of the camp will be "Christ in the Eucharist, someone is interested in expanding our involvement in
Truly a Subsistence Food." foreign missions, please contact Father. Nicholas.

PAGE 5
THE PROMISE
SAVE THE DATE!
On Sunday, January 24th
we will be celebrating the
40th anniversary of the ordination of
Father. Pierre Delfos.
The entire Church family is invited to
attend this special event so that together
we may herald this wonderful milestone
and thank God for the very special
shepherd He called to serve within His
vineyards.
Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit
will be visiting in order to lead the festivities
and all that will be missing is
YOU!
SAVE THE DATE
Parish Assembly
Sunday,
December 6th
PAGE 6
OUR STEWARDSHIP OF THE
ANNUNCIATION
As we prepare to soon
herald the birth of our
Savior, let us merrily
manifest our abiding
faith in the Incarnation
of our Lord by joyously
"giving" our time, talent
and treasure, to this
His Holy Church at
the Annunciation. Let
us continue to manifest
the light of Christ
through our prayers,
our presence, our gifts
and our service. Working
together and personally
striving to help make
sure that the Annunciation
meets its 2009 Stewardship goal is not only a noble
task, but a blessed calling.
In that same vein, it is also important for us as a
Church family to look ahead to 2010 and our
Stewardship commitment to help ensure that our
friends and neighbors may “Come & See” Christ at
the Annunciation. Please make your contributions for
this year, and prayerfully consider your commitment
to Christ and His Church for 2010. We ask that
everyone in our Church family please submit their
2010 Stewardship card to the Annunciation by
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20TH.
Ultimately, no matter what the year, our stewardship
of the Annunciation is our response to God’s love as
well as the means by which we personally help to
bring others to the light and new life in Christ through
this His Church in Little Rock.
WE CAN MEET OUR 2009 STEWARDSHIP GOAL!
AND ON DECEMBER 20TH,
LET US RENEW OUR
STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT TO CHRIST
AT THE ANNUNCIATION FOR 2010

WISDOM OF THE
FATHERS ON MARRIAGE:
“Tell her that you love her more than
your own life, because this present life is
nothing, and that your only hope is that
the two of you pass through this life in
such a way that in the world to come,
you will be united in perfect love.
Say to her, "Our time here is brief and
fleeting, but if we are pleasing to God,
we can exchange this life for the
Kingdom to come. Then we will be per-
fectly one both with Christ and with each
other, and our pleasure will know no
bounds. I value your love above all
things, and nothing would be so bitter or
painful to me as our being at odds with
each other. Even if I lose everything,
any affliction is tolerable if you will be
true to me."
Show her that you value her company,
and prefer being at home to being out.
Esteem her in the presence of your
friends and children. Praise and show
admiration for her good acts; and if she
ever does anything foolish, advise her
patiently. Pray together at home and go
to church; when you come back home,
let each ask the other the meaning of the
readings and the prayers….If your
marriage is like this, your perfection will
rival the holiest of monks.”
ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM,
HOMILY 20
THE PROMISE
ATTENTION DALLAS
TRAVELERS
Please note that the final travel fee for all those regis-
tered to attend the Dallas, Texas, Basketball
Tournament is $150. The fee includes hotel rooms for
three nights and all of our transportation needs. Because
of all of the GOYAns hard work in conjunction with the
commitment of the entire parish, the travel fee for this
year trip are fairly reasonable. A check made payable
to the ANNUNCIATION GOYA IS DUE NO LATER THAN
SUNDAY, JANUARY 3RD .
We will meet at the Church
to depart for Dallas on
Friday, January 15th at
4:30pm sharp and returning
on Monday, January, 18th
in the evening. Travelers,
you will be getting specific
details shortly - stay tuned. In
the meantime, make plans
for a great time!!!
Father Nicholas,
The Parish Council,
The Annunciation Staff,
and ALL of the
Ministries of the Annunciation
Wish you and yours
a Most Blessed Christmas
and a Happy New Year!
PAGE 7
THE PROMISE

PAGE 8
 THE PROMISE
WITH FAITH IN
ACTION,
DREAMS COME TRUE
On Sunday, November 22nd, the
Annunciation Church family gathered
together to thank God in the true spirit
of Thanksgiving and to formally retire
its 1.3 million dollar mortgage for the
Vision 2000 expansion project. With
confidence in the Lord’s will and every
one in our church family embracing the
task at hand, we were able to do much
to the glory of God. We transformed
the entrance to the Church, added
Sunday School classrooms, added
offices & meeting rooms, remodeled &
updated our kitchen, created a gym and
bookstore, built a Fellowship hall along
with a beautiful Ballroom that has been
a blessing to many within, as well as
outside of our Church family. All of
these things serve to glorify the pres-
ence of the Lord in West Little Rock.
Then, in a manifestation of faith, dedication
and a lot of hard work, our parish was
able to retire this debt years ahead of
schedule. This historic occasion does
not mark the end of our story, but only
the close of one chapter and the beginning
of a new one. Thank God for days such
as this! Thank God for our many blessings;
and Thank God for the Annunciation
Church family in Little Rock!

PAGE 9
THE PROMISE

NEW YEAR’S SERVICE

The Annunciation family will
welcome the dawn of a New Year and celebrate
the feast day of St. Basil the Great with the
ANNUNCIATION
DIVINE LITURGY CHRISTMAS
ST. BASIL FOR THE NEW YEAR on
OF
LUNCHEON
WEDNESDAY & PROGRAM
DECEMBER 31ST AT 6:00PM.
LET US EMBRACE THE LORD TOGETHER The Annunciation will be hosting
AND its annual Christmas Luncheon on
WELCOME2010 December 20th immediately
WITH HYMNS OF PRAISE following the Divine Liturgy. You
& yours are warmly invited!!!
& HOLY COMMUNION
During this very special luncheon
our Sunday School students will
also be presenting their annual
Christmas Program - you will not
want to miss it. Rumor has it that a
very jolly fellow may even pop in
for a visit. Please join us!!!
Lets Have A Merry
WISH A MERRY CHRISTMAS Christmas
Together at the
TO YOUR ANNUNCIATION
Annunciation!
FAMILY
Help support the ministries of the Annunciation as
well as share your Christmas love with your Church
family by including your family name in the
ANNUNCIATION COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD.

For $15.00 you can support the work of the parish and
spread some love. Sign up and you can rest assured that
everyone in our Church family
receives your loving Christmas
wishes. The LAST DAY to
sign up for the Card is
Sunday,, December 13th - see
Anna Clift or Eva Sargent.

PAGE 10
 THE PROMISE
THE LADDER FOR MARRIAGE THE FEAST OF THE
(Continued from page 3)
NATIVITY SERVICES
especially the holy widow Olympias, we see a new
recognition in St. John's writings that marriage is also an The sacred and
esteemed path to salvation. blessed essence
of Christmas is
In a letter to Olympias about the raising of children St. far greater than
John wrote: "Bring him up in the chastening and admonition any conceivable
of the Lord. Never deem it an unnecessary thing that he tradition or gift.
should be a diligent hearer of the divine Scriptures. For For In these holy
there the first thing he hears will be this, 'Honor thy days we celebrate
father and thy mother;' so that this makes for thee. and proclaim the
Never say, this is the business of monks. Am I making fact that the
a monk of him? No. There is no need he should Lord God Himself
become a monk". has miraculously
condescended to
The Golden-Mouthed saint understood why Olympias take on our flesh
was able to lead a holy life in Christ, while in the world. in order for us,
He wrote, "But you know how to dwell in great and pop- (His creation), to know Him better, draw closer to
ulous cities as if they were uninhabited, spending the Him and be saved by Him. Hence, the celebration
whole of your time in quietness and rest, and treading of Christmas naturally calls us together into His
worldly ambitions under foot… the perfect training Holy House in order to sing His praises, confirm
which renders you insensible to any terror at the hands our love and faith in Him and partake of His life-
of any one, the power of standing on a rock in the midst giving Body and Blood at Holy Communion.
of mighty billows of tribulation, and sailing in a calm with There simply is no Christmas without wor-
a favorable breeze when the sea is raging around you." shiping Jesus Christ. There is no Christmas
joy without assembling in prayer within His
Standing up to the afflictions and tribulations of the Holy Church. We at the Annunciation, will have
world produces virtue. St. John continued, "For such is the great and high privilege to herald the
the nature of affliction—when it lays hold of a brave and birth of our Saviour together as follows:
noble soul, this is what it is wont to effect. And as the
fire makes the piece of gold, when it is applied to it, of
better proof: so also affliction when it visits golden characters
THURSDAY DECEMBER 24TH -
renders them purer and more proven. Wherefore also Christmas Eve
Paul said 'affliction worketh patience, and patience pro-
bation…More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, Candlelight Service
knowing that suffering produces endurance, and Vesperal Liturgy - 6:00 pm
endurance produces character, and character produces
hope…" 
PERFECTION: HARMONY WITH CHRIST DECEMBER 25TH -
CONTINUED
Clearly St. John came to the point of view that whether
The Feast Day of the Nativity
a person is married or a monastic, both paths can lead Divine Liturgy - 9:30 am
(Continued on page 12)
PAGE 11
THE PROMISE
THE LADDER FOR MARRIAGE For all will have a reverence for him from these words,
when they see him in the fire without being burnt, and not
(Continued from Page 11)
desirous of power. But power he will then obtain, when he
least desires it, and will be a still higher object of respect to
the king; for it is not possible that such a character should
to holiness. He wrote, "I shall therefore quote you
be hid.
examples from the saints of the ancient times. How
many, who had wives to keep and children to bring
Amongst a number of healthy persons, indeed, a healthy
up, were inferior in no respect…But would you know
man will not be noticed; but when there is one healthy
why it was? It was for his hospitality, for his contempt
man amongst a number of sick, the report will quickly
of riches, for his chastened conduct. For what, tell
spread and reach the king's ears, and he will make him
me, is the duty of a philosopher [one committed to
ruler over many nations. Knowing then these things,
Christ]? Is it not to despise both riches and glory? Is
“bring up your children in the chastening and admonition
it not to be above both envy and every other passion?”
of the Lord."
He also warned all his readers, "Do not imagine that
the monk alone stands in need of these lessons from
Scripture. Of all others, the children just about to
DESERT IN THE CITY
enter into the world specially need them"
St. John gives us a monastic ethos while living in the world
– a desert in the city so to speak. It's a model we see prac-
ticed elsewhere. St. Paul, for example, was directed to ven-
A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE
ture into cities, "(R)ise and enter the city and you will be
told what you are to do" (Acts 9:6). In fact, in early
Would St. John feel at home in our world 1700 years
Christianity, the first Churches were home churches, and
later? Most likely he would – and this does not speak
although not properly a "Eucharistic assembly", it certainly
well of us. It does, however, make his teachings all the
is the center of sanctification of a man and woman in
more relevant. In his letter to Olympias, St. John
blessed married and their children.
spoke of the "court," by which he meant the ruling
courts of Emperors and Empresses and their legates.
A prayer that is read for the couple during the wedding
We could replace the reference today with government
service affirms the inherent importance and dignity of
leaders such as legislators or judges, or even business
Christian parenting. "Unite them in one mind and one
and cultural leaders. Most important, we can still
flesh, and grant unto them fair children for education in
apply the moral imperatives to the relationships we
the faith and fear ..." the prayer reads. This prayer reveals
have with others. St. John wrote: “Thus the more
that the vocation of marriage and parenthood must be
distinguished he is in the present life, so much the more
Christ-centered and thus marriage and parenting is God-
he stands in need of this education. If he passes his life
ordained.
in courts, there are many Heathens, and philosophers,
and persons puffed up with the glory of this life. It is like
a place full of dropsical people. Such in some sort is the
court. All are, as it were, puffed up, and in a state of
MARRIAGE AND THE DOMESTIC CHURCH: A
inflammation. LADDER OF DIVINE ASCENT IN THE WORLD

There is then every need of much discipline of this sort
to those that are to mix in the present world, because
such an one has a stronger temptation to sin than the
other. And if you have a mind to understand it, he will
further be a more useful person even in the world itself.
If the writings of St. John Chrysostom reveal that the ethos
of the married and monastic vocations are similar in that
both offer opportunities for sanctification, we can look to
monasticism for guidelines on how to apply personal
(Continued on page 15)

PAGE 12

ATTENTION ANNUNCIATION
CHURCH FAMILY:
Under the guidance of Father Nicholas we are begin-
ning an ongoing series of home mission projects in our
local area. It is the goal of Annunciation Home
Missions to spread the love of our Lord Jesus Christ in
our local community through the work and shared
resources of His Holy Church. If you know of a local
charity that could benefit from our help, please contact
Fr. Nicholas or Christopher Huckabay with details.
Our Home Missions project for November
/December 2009 will be a collection to benefit
Women and Children First. The mission of WCF is to
empower women and their children to live independently
and free from domestic violence by providing crisis
intervention, safe shelter, social/legal advocacy, transi-
tional housing, and support and prevention services.
WCF has served women and children in Little Rock
for over 30 years and serves over 400 women and chil-
dren annually. They operate a 44 bed shelter as well as
16 transitional housing apartments and assist their
clients with financing for up to two years after moving
from the shelter.
To try and help this important cause Annunciation
Church family is invited to embrace
the challenge of donating 409
CLEANER and or WAL-MART,
TARGET OR KROGER GIFT
CARDS. Until Sunday,, December 13,,
2009 a box will be set up in the
Fellowship Hall for the 409 Cleaner
and the gift cards will collected in
bookstore. This is our opportunity to
share with families in crisis in the
name of our Lord and Savior - let us
make our love and our faith shine!
In the months to come we will be developing new
home mission projects to benefit local charities and
causes. Your generosity and care in serving our com-
munity in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ is greatly
appreciated. May you all have a joyous and blessed
Christmas!
THE PROMISE
FROM THE WORD OF THE
LORD:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope
we profess,
for he who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how we may spur
one another on toward love and good
deeds.
Let us not give up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing,
but let us encourage one another -
and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.”
- HEBREWS 10:23-25
TIME IS RUNNING OUT
Sunday is the Lord’s Day! It is therefore incumbent
on us as not to allow the stress, distractions and
temptations of life to interfere with our punctual and
faithful attendance of the Liturgy. If the Lord our God
is not a top priority NOW, when will He be? Because
our time is precious and life is all too short,, let us all
redouble our efforts to gather here at 10:00am at the
latest in order to worship Him. Let us attend the
Divine Liturgy together on Sunday as if it were our
first or last.
SUNDAY SERVICES:
MATINS, 9:00AM /
DIVINE LITURGY, 10:00AM
PAGE 13
THE PROMISE
HOUSE BLESSINGS!
SERVICES FOR THE
FEAST OF EPIPHANY AND If you would like your home to be blessed for the New
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST Year... this announcement is for you! As is the tradition
of the Church following the feast of Theophany,
Orthodox Christians may ask to have their homes
blessed by the priest with holy water. Beginning
EVE OF EPIPHANY: December 6th and ending
Tuesday, January 5th December 27th, a sign-up
9:30am sheet will be posted in
Gabriel Hall for all those in
a Church family who would
EPIPHANY: like to have their home
Wednesday, January 6th blessed the New Year.
9:30am
PLEASE HELP MAKE THIS
ENORMOUS UNDERTAKING
FEAST OF ST. ORDERLY BY REGISTERING
JOHN: DURING THE MONTH OF
Thursday, January 7th DECEMBER. All those who
- 9:30am kindly register their name
by December 27th will then
be contacted by Father Nicholas
THANK YOU!!! after the feast of Epiphany
to make arrangements for a
blessing.
The Annunciation Church family extends its heartfelt
thanks to all those who offered their time and talent
to ensure that our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon ,
Stewardship Presentation & Mortgage Burning was a GOYA CHRISTMAS PARTY
beautiful historic moment for all to enjoy. The abid-
ing manifestation of Christian love, faithfulness and
creativity always make such nice gatherings possible. We are going to get
As a Church family we must also take this opportu- together on evening
nity to offer our pro- of SUNDAY ,
found thanks to the
Wilcox family, who in
DECEMBER 22ND!
their love for the
Annunciation graciously Details will be provided in upcoming
donated the dinner so Sunday Bulletins, but in the
that the proceeds of meantime, keep the night free for
this event may further some good ole GOYA fashion fun!
the ministries of this
parish. United in Let share some Christmas cheer together!
Christ, we give all
thanks to God.
PAGE 14
 THE PROMISE
THE LADDER FOR MARRIAGE activity "insofar as is humanly possible." We are not God,
but the creation is such that even human actions find
(Continued from page 12)
some congruence with the divine activity of God. One
example is child bearing. A man and woman joined in
blessed marriage become "one flesh" out of which a new
discipline in the world. St. John Climacus' "The Ladder
person is created.
of Divine Ascent" is considered one of the classics of
Orthodox spiritual teaching. Unknown to many howev-
This example of creative love continues after the birth of
er, is that St. John was asked by married couples how
the child. The parents are commissioned to bring the
they could apply his teachings if they were not monks.
child into "Godliness" as the prayers of the marriage serv-
He responded: “Some people living carelessly in the
ice exhort. This should also extend from the family – the
world put a question to me: "How can we who are mar-
domestic church – to all people to whom they come in
ried and living amid public cares aspire to the monastic
contact, thereby fulfilling the commandment of Christ
life?" I answered: "Do whatever good you may. Speak
that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. This is
evil of no one. Rob no one. Tell no lie. Despise no one
accomplished through kenosis (self-sacrifice, emptying
and carry no hate. Do not separate yourself from the
oneself) for the good and welfare of others.
church assemblies. Show compassion to the needy. Do
not cause scandal to anyone. Stay away from the bed of
another, and be satisfied with what your own wives can
provide you. If you do all this you will not be far from
PRAYER
the kingdom of heaven.”
Another primary element is prayer. "Prayer is by nature a
In the introduction to the book Metropolitan Kallistos dialog and a union of man with God…Its effect is to hold
pointed out that people do not necessarily ascend the the whole world together." Our Lord and Savior Jesus
steps in order. The ladder is not to be taken literally; but Christ taught us to pray. He told his disciples, "Our
sets "a standard and model for the whole Church." In Father, who art in heaven…" Jesus also told his disciples
our case, we can see the book as a guide to living a that, "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the
Godly life in the domestic churches – the families who Father may be glorified in the Son" (John 14:13).
live in the world.
Prayer is a critical block in the foundation of the
domestic church. Reflect on the words of Christ: Every
one then who hears these words of mine and does them
THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF GODLINESS LOVE
will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock"
(Matthew 7:24). Prayer holds a family together. Prayer
St. John Climacus ("Of the Ladder") structured his
unifies people with God.
instruction as a ladder that he called the "divine ascent."
They are steps that, if practiced, can lead us to God.
A daily cycle of prayers can be performed including
The pinnacle of the ascent is love. Love is what fills life
morning prayer, mealtime prayers, evening prayer, read-
with meaning because, as the Holy Scriptures teach us,
ing of the epistle and gospel of the day, as well as spiritu-
"God is love" ( 1 John 4:8). When we strive for love, we
al reading. Of course, all these practices are the "overflow"
strive for God, and we become aware of how God "fills
of sharing in the Eucharistic banquet on Sunday and Feast
all in all"
Days of the local parish. They have their origin to early
Christian practice, "…they devoted themselves to the
St. John used the image of a ray of light to describe
breaking of bread…and they sold their possessions and
God. The ray (God) makes all things, light: mercy encir-
goods and distributed them to all, as any had need" (Acts
cling the ray, and a disk that represents love's unceas-
2: 42,45).
ingness which appears as a "single radiance and a single
splendor." In a sense we emulate or replicate this divine (Continued on page 18)

PAGE 15
THE PROMISE

OUTREACH COMMITTEE  FELLOWSHIP HOUR 

MEET & GREET SCHEDULE WE NEED SPONSORS FOR
THE COMING MONTHS ! ! !

December 6th. . . . . . . . . . . . Carole Hawkins
December 13th . . . . . . . . . . . Jeannie Newton
December 20th . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick Newton
December 27th . . . . . . . . . . . Jack Weatherly
If you or your family would like to commemorate
a special event, honor the memory of a loved one
or would simply like to offer a gift to the
Annunciation family. . . you too can sponsor a
Fellowship Hour!

January 3rd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Hunter PLEASE CHECK THE BULLETIN

January 10th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robin Jones B O A R D A N D S I G N U P T O D A Y!
January 17th . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sharon Johnson
January 24th . . . . . . . . Christopher Huckabay
January 31st . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carole Hawkins

T HE P ROMISE : J AN . 2010
Please note that articles and
information for the Jan. 2010
edition of The Promise are due
no later than DECEMBER 10TH!

This bulletin is the primary means

of communication within our
Church family:

T OGETHER , WE
MAKE IT S H I N E ! ! !
DID YOU KNOW?

You can always read

the current issue of
The Promise online at the
Annunciation’s website!

orthodoxchurch.com/parish/promise

Page 16

NOT FOR LIGHTWEIGHTS
By Gordon Atkinson
(Baptist minister of the “Covenant Baptist” Parish in
San Antonio, Texas)
Last Sunday was the 4th of 13 in my sabbatical time. Each
of them is precious to me. Each week I am choosing a
place and a way to worship. I’m not a church tourist,
hoping to see new things. I’m seeking spiritual experi-
ences. I want to worship. Saturday night Jeanene and
I still hadn’t decided where to go. I experienced something
common to our culture but new to me. The “Where
do you want to go to church? - I don’t know, where do
YOU want to go to church?” conversation. I found the
Saint Anthony the Great website. It’s an Orthodox
church that has beautiful Byzantine art in the sanctuary.
We decided to go there.
Shelby and Lillian went with us. On the way we warned
them that this was going to be different. “They might not
have changed their worship service much in a thousand
years or so,” I told the girls.
That was an understatement.
Saint Anthony the Great isn’t just old school. It’s “styli
and wax tablets” old school. We arrived 10 minutes early
for worship and the room was already filled with people
lighting candles and praying. There was one greeter. I
said, “We don’t know what to do.” She handed me a
liturgy book and waved us inside.
Pews? We don’t need no stinking pews! Providing seats
for worshippers is SO 14th century. Gorgeous
Byzantine art, commissioned from a famous artist in
Bulgaria. Fully robed priests with censors (those swing-
ing incense thingies). Long, complex readings and
chants that went on and on and on. And every one of
them packed full of complex, theological ideas. It was
like they were ripping raw chunks of theology out of
ancient creeds and throwing them by the handfuls into
the congregation. And just to make sure it wasn’t too
easy for us, everything was read in a monotone voice
and at the speed of an auctioneer.
I heard words and phrases I had not heard since seminary.
Theotokos, begotten not made, Cherubim and Seraphim
THE PROMISE
borne on their pinions, supplications and oblations. It
was an ADD kid’s nightmare. Robes, scary art, smoking
incense, secret doors in the Iconostas popping open
and little robed boys coming out with golden candle-
sticks, chants and singing from a small choir that rolled
across the curved ceiling and emerged from the other
side of the room where no one was singing. The acoustics
were wild. No matter who was speaking, the sound came
out of everywhere. There was so much going on I couldn’t
keep up with all the things I couldn’t pay attention to.
Lillian was the first to go down. After half an hour of
standing, she was done. Jeanene took her over to a pew
on the side wall. She slumped against Jeanene’s shoulder
and stared at me with this stunned rather betrayed look
on her face. “How could you have brought us to this
insane place?”
Shelby tried to tough it out. We were following along in
the 40-page liturgy book that was only an abbreviation
of the service we were experiencing. I got lost no less
than 10 times. After 50 minutes, Shelby leaned over and
asked how much longer the service would be. I was trying
to keep from locking my knees because my thighs had
gotten numb. I showed her the book. We were on page
15. I flipped through the remaining 25 pages to show
her how much more there was. Her mouth fell open.
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah. And I think there’s supposed to be a sermon in
here somewhere.”
“They haven’t done the SERMON yet? What was that
guy doing who said all that stuff about… all that stuff?”
“I don’t know?” I said.
I have to go to the bathroom,” she said. I looked around
and saw the door at the back of the sanctuary swinging
shut. And then there was one.
I made it through the entire 1 hour and 50 minutes of
worship without sitting down, but my back was sore.
Shelby came back toward the end. When it came time for
communion I suggested that we not participate because
I didn’t know what kind of rules they have for that. We
(continued on page 20)
PAGE 17
THE PROMISE
THE LADDER FOR MARRIAGE
(Continued from page 15)
WORK
Work too is an indispensable to creating the domestic
church. We at least know about two works of the Holy
Trinity. One is the active relationship of love that the
three Persons of the Holy Trinity have among themselves.
Another is the individual work of each Person of the
Trinity – what we call in theological terms the Divine
Economy.
For example, the Father creates and upholds the creation.
The work of the Son is to mediate the Father to the
believer, and the believer to the Father – a work
accomplished through His Divine Incarnation. He
reveals the Father during his sojourn on earth where he
worked as a carpenter in Nazareth (c.f. Matthew 13:55),
preaching in the synagogues and countryside (c.f. Luke
4: 14-15), and finally through his passion, crucifixion,
and resurrection. The work of the Holy Spirit is to rest
on the Son, "For in Him all the fullness of God was
pleased to dwell…" (Colossians 1: 19).
The domestic church also must be engaged in work.
The work of running a household – the cooking, cleaning,
study, employment, etc. – must in some measure emulate
the work of the Holy Trinity, which means it must be
done in love. But love flows forth only where God is,
and one must pray to come into the presence of God.
Here too St. John offered invaluable practical counsel,
"Pray in all simplicity. The publican and the prodigal
son were reconciled to God by a single utterance…
heartfelt thanksgiving should have first place in our
book of prayer."
SILENCE
Silence is considered a jewel of the spiritual life but one
difficult to achieve in the domestic church often because
of the press of schedules and responsibilities. Nevertheless
PAGE 18
silence must be cultivated. St. John taught that, "The lover
of silence draws close to God. He talks to him in secret
and God enlightens him."
The good saint links lack of silence to vainglory and passing
judgment on others. We measure people and events
from our own prideful viewpoint instead of listening to
God who told us: "Judge not, that you be not judged. For
with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and
the measure you give will be the measure you get"
(Matthew 7: 1-2). By holding our tongues, we can listen to
what God tells us. So how do we achieve silence in our
world of sensory overload and the unrelenting demands
on our time? When I counsel families I frequently tell
them they must start making recreation a priority. They
often respond with a quizzical stare. Not until I explain
what recreation is for do they begin to comprehend why
recreation is necessary.
Look at the word, I tell them. The term "recreation"
means to "re-create" — to make new. Parents in particular
must renew their relationship in order for the family to be
healthy. Think of the flight attendant when she gives the
safety instructions to the passengers. "Parents traveling
with young children should put on their masks before
putting on their child's." Why? Because if the parent is
not healthy, the child cannot be cared for. We all need
re-creation. We all need time out from the outer and
inner distractions. I instruct family members to "set time
each day to be in silence. Say a simple prayer, become
aware of the presence of God, and let go of even this and
stare off as if focusing on nothing around you." These
practices are favored by monastics and others schooled in
the discipline of silence. I have discovered that these sim-
ple instructions are sufficient for the blessed members of
the domestic church in today's society.
St Isaac the Syrian wrote, " … there is no end to wisdom's
journey. Wisdom ascends even till this: until she unites
with God him who follows after her. And this is the sight
that the insights of wisdom have no limit: that wisdom is
God himself." St. Peter taught, "Let not yours be the
outward adorning … but let it be the hidden person of the
heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet
spirit, which in God's sight is very precious" (1 Peter 3:3-4).

HOSPITALITY
At first it might seem strange to consider hospitality a
step in the Divine Ascent. Remember however, the
example of Abraham. Genesis recounts the visit of the
Lord to Abraham and the hospitality accorded to the
visitors: "And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of
Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the
day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three
men stood in front of him. When he saw them, he ran
from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to
the earth, and said, "My lord, if I have found favor in
your sight, do not pass by your servant" (Genesis 18: 1—
33). In Orthodox iconography this is depicted as the
"Hospitality of Abraham."
This sharing comes from the sharing that God shows us.
God shared his only begotten Son with us, "Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count
equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied
himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the
likeness of men" (Philippians 2: 5-7). Is it surprising then
St. Paul would instructed us to, "Welcome one another,
therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of
God" (Romans 15:7).
St. John of the Ladder affirmed the directive "When
people visit you, offer them what they need for body and
spirit. If they happen to be wiser than we are, then let
our own silence reveal our wisdom." St. Paul told the
Ephesians be hospitable "…with all lowliness and meekness,
with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to
maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace"
(Ephesians 4: 2-3).
In this spirit St. John reminded his readers that when
serving others be sure to avoid self-centeredness as "vain-
glory induces pride." With this in mind we — the little
church in the home — can exercise hospitality, giving to
others motivated by the love of Christ. Family members
can keep in mind St. Paul's words, "What have you that
you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you
boast as if it were not a gift" (1 Corinthians 4:7)?
In hospitality, let not the poor be forgotten. Our Lord
told us: "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the
maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed,
THE PROMISE
because they cannot repay you" (Luke 14: 13-14). How we
can accomplish this can be the subject of a family spiritual
discussion and project.
For example, several years ago during Thanksgiving season
I was completing a family counseling session and asked,
"How are you going to spend Thanksgiving? With other
members of your family"? "Oh no", they answered. "We go
to our local soup kitchen and cook and serve the homeless."
Here in San Diego, I know of families that show the same
hospitality serving the Project Mexico mission that helps
the poorest of the poor. Such is the hospitality of God.
"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives
me receives him who sent me" (Matthew 10: 40).
GOD THE SOURCE OF MARITAL GRACE
In its Divine Ascent all the members of the domestic
church can meditate on the words of Isaiah the Prophet:
"I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who
leads you in the way you should go" (Isaiah 48:17). The
family has to be the source of "newness of life" in Christ,
and not conformed to the world. Once again the teaching
of St. Paul, "Do not be conformed to this world but be
transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may
prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable
and perfect" (Romans 12:12).
This commitment to have an Orthodox Christian household
is enlivened by the grace of baptism. As we joyfully sing in
the Paschal Season: "For as many of you as were baptized
into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal 3: 27). As is read in
the epistle of the Orthodox Marriage Service: "For this
reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be
joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it
refers to Christ and the church". (Eph 5: 31-32). A blessed
marriage is also enlivened by a special grace prayed for in
the marital service: that "Thou [God] be present here [in
the marriage] with Thine invisible protection."
(Continued on page 24)
PAGE 19
THE PROMISE
NOT FOR LIGHTWEIGHTS
(continued from page 17)
stayed politely at the back. A woman noticed and
brought some of the bread to us, bowing respectfully as
she offered it. Her gesture of kindness to newcomers
who were clearly struggling to understand everything was
touching to me.
Okay, so I started crying a little. So what? You would
have too, I bet.
After it was over another woman came to speak with us.
She said, “I noticed the girls were really struggling with
having to stand.”
“Yeah,” I said. “This worship is not for lightweights.”
She laughed and said, “Yes;” not the least bit ashamed
or apologetic.
So what did I think about my experience at Saint
Anthony the Great Orthodox Church? I LOVED IT!
Loved it loved it loved it loved it loved it. In a day
when user-friendly is the byword of everything from
churches to software, here was worship that asked
something of me. No, DEMANDED something of me.
“You don’t know what Theotokos means? Get a book
and read about it. You have a hard time standing for 2
hours? Do some sit ups and get yourself into worship
shape. It is the Lord our God we worship here, mortal.
What made you think you could worship the Eternal
One without pain?”
See, I get that. That makes sense to me. I had a hard time
following the words of the chants and liturgy, but even
my lack of understanding had something to teach me.
“There is so much for you to learn. There is more
here than a person could master in a lifetime. THIS IS
BIGGER THAN YOU ARE. Your understanding is
not central here. These are ancient rites of the church.
Stand with us, brother, and you will learn in time. Or
go and find your way to an easier place if you must.
God bless you on that journey. We understand, but
this is the way we do church.”
Page 20
I’m going back again on Sunday. I started to write, “I’m
looking forward to it.” But that’s not right. I’m feeling
right about it. And feeling right is what I’m looking for.
UPDATE: This was actually written on May 26th or 27th.
I went back to Saint Anthony the Great on Sunday. I
found I was following along a little better. I am REALLY
getting a lot out of Orthodox worship.
THE BIBLE AND A HAIRCUT
A teenage boy had just gotten his driver’s permit
and inquired of his father if they could discuss his
use of the car. His father said he’d make a deal
with his son.
“You bring your grades up
from a C to a B average,
study your Bible more,
get your hair cut and
we’ll talk about the car.”
The boy thought about that
for a moment, decided
he’d settle for the offer
and they agreed on it.
After about six weeks his father said, “Son, I’ve
been real proud. You brought your grades up
and I’ve observed that you have been studying
your Bible, but I’m very disappointed you
haven’t gotten your hair cut.”
The teenager paused a moment then said, “You
know, Dad, I’ve been thinking about that, and
I’ve noticed in my studies of the Bible that
Samson had long hair, John the Baptist had long
hair, Moses had long hair and there’s even a
strong argument that Jesus had long hair.”
To this his father replied, “Did you also notice
they all walked everywhere they went?”

CHRISTMAS IN TURKEY;
A VISIT TO ST. NICHOLAS
Twas the night before Christmas, and rather than wait
for St. Nicholas to visit us, my husband, son and I were
visiting him instead - in a warm, dusty town called
Demre on Turkey's southern shore.
Demre is the site of the ancient city of Myra, once a
prosperous port in Lycia, a province in Asia minor that
was settled by Greeks. According to tradition and the
church, the original St. Nicholas was bishop of Myra in
the fourth century. His church and sarcophagus are still
there, though his bones have been scattered from
France to Flushing. We spent last Christmas Eve at the
church of this holy man renowned for selfless charity
centuries before he was transformed by legend, custom
and commerce into the overgrown elf called Santa Claus.
We left Antalya, Turkey's major Mediterranean resort,
on the morning of December 24 in a rented Anadol, a
Turkish Ford. The coastal road to Finike the largest
town near Demre, is incomplete, so we had to take a
120-mile detour inland through the mountains.
Isolated Moslem villages were scattered wherever the
land was arable. In the fields, the men wore the caps
with which they outwitted Ataturk's edict against the fez;
the women were in baggy pants, their faces concealed
by the shawls that have replaced the veil in rural Turkey.
About 20 miles from Finike it was still cold enough in
the mountains for the road to be frosted. Then we
passed through a forest and began to descend rapidly.
As we neared the coast, we could see the oranges,
bananas, figs and olives that grow there all year long.
About noon, we checked into a small hotel on the
beach in Finike, and then set out for our visit to St.
Nicholas. There are no signs to Demre, but any man or
child will point the way: 10 miles on a rocky, rutted road
that winds precariously along the shore of the deep blue
Mediterranean, always threatening to tip you in.
Eventually, the road heads inland and abruptly there is
a gas station. You have reached the outskirts of Demre.
THE PROMISE
We drove slowly through the town, past the inevitable
shop where only men sat drinking small glasses of bitter
tea. Beside us a woman with a young boy harnessed to her
back led a camel. Since both hands held the reins, she
kept her face covered by clenching her shawl between her
teeth. Behind the camel strolled her husband, his hands
clasped thoughtfully behind him.
Myra was an important city, but Demre is no more than
a tight cluster of one and two-story shops and buildings
which service the local farmers. Artisans line both sides of
the main street. At the first and only intersection we asked
for directions and were pointed left. A very short distance
down the road there is a hand-painted wooden sign that
reads, "Saint Nicholas."
The first thing you see is barbed wire; a fence has been
put up to keep looters out, although the gate is wide open,
and there is very little left to loot. Within the barbed wire
enclosure are a caretaker's cottage and a small shed.
Down a steep incline, some 15 or 20 feet below ground
level, stands Hagios Nikolaos, the Church of St. Nicholas.
In the centuries since Nicholas served as bishop here, silt
carried down from the mountains buried the city of Myra
and formed a new coastline. The church was buried along
with the city and the work of digging out the church is not
yet complete. In the 19th century the Czarist Russians, for
whom Nicholas was a patron saint, came to Demre to
excavate and restore the church. Eventually the Turks
took over the task. We were told that a team of archeologists
from the University of Ankara works at St. Nicholas
intermittently; the problem is not lack of interest but a
shortage of funds. There is also competition from more
exciting digs. Within walking distance of the church are a
Roman theater and an extraordinary Lycian necropolis
with tombs carved directly into the face of a cliff.
Part of the left side of the church of St. Nicholas is still
buried under silt, and the original entrance is inaccessible.
Access now is down the incline, past fallen columns and
other archeological rubble, through an arch in the right
wall. Inside, the church looks as though it was accreted
rather than built; one can only guess what it might have
looked like in the fourth century.
(Continued on page 22)
PAGE 21
THE PROMISE
A VISIT TO ST. NICHOLAS
(Continued from page 21)
The original roof is gone except for one small dome,
and a new brick roof covers most of the building. It
would appear that the original church had a lofty nave,
or center aisle, flanked by two side aisles. There were
later additions to both sides of the church which have
left it architecturally and esthetically unbalanced.
The mosaic tiles on the floor are broken, filthy or missing;
the frescoes that remain on the walls arc faded and
decayed; interior columns and capitals lie where they
have fallen. The altar is a plinth with a tall stone mounted
atop it. Behind the altar is a series of 10 steps which rise
in a semi-circle from the floor to the curved wall, giving
the impression of a miniature amphitheater, although
the steps are so narrow it is difficult to imagine anyone
sitting on them.
After we had prowled around the church for a while, the
caretaker or guide entered. In three trips to Turkey we
have found bilingual and multilingual Turks in the most
remote areas, but at the major Christian shrine in
Anatolia the guide speaks only Turkish.
Anxious to help, however, he took us to the sarcophagus
which we had already recognized as the one usually
identified as the original tomb of St. Nicholas. The guide
pointed to it and spoke the only English he knew, "Senta
Klos."
Though as bishop of Myra, Nicholas was undoubtedly
buried in the church, no one knows exactly where. This
particular sarcophagus has been chosen because it has a
gaping hole in its side, and when men from Bari stopped
at Myra in 1087 to steal St. Nicholas's body they
smashed open his tomb. However, an early account sug-
gests the tomb the Barians broke into was beneath the
floor of the church and that they shattered the lid "to
dust." The sarcophagus identified as St. Nicholas's is not
only above ground but has been smashed in at the side
rather than the top. In fact it is the only sarcophagus in
the church that still has a lid, and the lid adds to the mys-
tery of who was buried within because it has two figures on
PAGE 22
it, not one. The head of the larger figure rests on a pillow
and the head of the smaller figure seems to rest on the
shoulder of the larger one. Both faces have been chipped
away.
The Venetians sailed to Myra in 1116 and not only
brought back what they said were the true bones of St.
Nicholas but the body of his uncle as well. When the
Russians arrived centuries later to restore the church, they
looted another sarcophagus and sent the bones to St.
Petersburg as the real St. Nicholas. The French claim a
part of one of his fingers, and the Turks not to be outdone
on their own territory, have a reliquary with some of St.
Nicholas's bones in their new museum in Antalya. In
1972, in an ecumenical gesture, the Archbishop of Bari
presented a few fragments from the skull in Bari to the
Greek Orthodox community in America. Some of these
fragments were placed in a reliquary in the Greek
Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas at 196th Street and
Northern Boulevard in Flushing, N.Y.; the rest are in a
reliquary in the Greek Archdiocesan Cathedral of the
Holy Trinity at 319 East 74th Street in Manhattan.
We counted six sarcophagi in the church at Demre, plus
one in the courtyard. It seems likely that as each raiding
party arrived, it cracked open another sarcophagus and
claimed St. Nicholas's bones. Who was correct and which
tomb was his is impossible to say.
After showing us the smashed sarcophagus, the guide led
us to a steep staircase on the left side of the church. At the
top of the stairs he unlocked a door and we walked onto
a balcony within the church that is being used for storage.
A Roman frieze was propped against the wall. A bell with
a Greek inscription dated 1876 rested atop a small
Byzantine sarcophagus.
Sitting on the ledge of the balcony was a skull. I pointed to
it. "Senta Klos," said the guide helpfully. We examined the
next item on the ledge, a pile of broken dishes in the pat-
tern known as English willow, a pattern we recognized
instantly. Years ago every Jewish household had two sets:
red pattern for meat, blue for dairy. These were blue for
dairy. I pointed to the dishes. "Senta Klos," said the guide.
We went back down to the nave of the church. It was dim
(Continued on page 24)
 THE PROMISE
THE STORY BEHIND
THE PHOTO You are Invited to

In early October 2009, Dr. Nick Paslidis, physician and A Very Special
CEO of the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, was
invited as Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe’s personal
guest to represent him and Arkansas at a meeting with
Christmas Program
President Obama in Washington, DC. As you see, a few
presented and performed by
meeting participants were given a photo opportunity
with the President. Regardless of our individual political The Annunciation Sunday School
leanings, it is important to recognize that President
Obama was elected to serve us all, and holds one of the Sunday, December 20th
most important and perhaps most difficult jobs in the
world. During his time with President Obama and others (immediately following
at the luncheon, Dr. Paslidis had the opportunity to partic- the Christmas Luncheon)
ipate in an open discussion of health care reform and
shared a table with Governor Purdue of North Carolina
and Governor Switzer of Montana. Spirited and lively
discussions occurred throughout the afternoon.

“After the meeting,” Paslidis reflected, “I was struck

by the intellectual and communication gymnastics that
the Office of The President of The United States must
develop and maintain in order to keep all the plates
spinning. They must continually hone skills to seek
out, receive, integrate, impact and sustain information
in an incredibly demanding environment. And, I thought
my job was complex!”

SUNDAY SCHOOL CALENDAR

December 20th . . . . . Annual Christmas Program
December 21st . . . . . Christmas Break Begins
January 3rd . . . . . . . . Classes Resume
January 3rd . . . . . . . . Staff meeting immediately
following class in the 4th/5th
grade room

PAGE 23
THE PROMISE
THE LADDER FOR MARRIAGE A VISIT TO ST. NICHOLAS
(Continued from page 19) (Continued from page 22)

THE PARISH CHURCH:
THE CHANNEL OF SANCTIFICATION, THE
LADDER TO SALVATION
The family as the domestic church cannot foreclose on
its obligation to be Christ-centered. Parents cannot
assign their obligation to others, be it the parish priest,
teachers, or youth workers. Christ must be present in
the home from marriage, conception, birth, growth,
until all fall sleep unto the Lord in the hope of eternal
salvation.
Furthermore, the family cannot be Christ-centered
unless it is also actively connected to the local parish
community. Christ meets us in the Church. He feeds us
with His heavenly and immortal Mysteries so that our
paths may be straight, our lives guarded, and our steps
firm[ii] in all we do especially in the domestic church.
Father,, I desire that they also,, whom thou hast given
me,, may be with me where I am,, to behold my glory
which thou hast given me in thy love for me before
the foundation of the world
(John 17: 24).
WORDS TO PONDER
and desolate. Carved into the walls in Greek are graffiti
dating back to 1870. On the floor were orange peels,
chicken feathers, cigarette butts, film boxes, and other
signs of indifference and neglect.
Centuries ago people came here to seek St. Nicholas’
intercessions; now they go to Macy's to see Santa Claus.
Yet there is a link.
Nicholas was born in Patara, another important Lycian
port, about the year 270 or 280. Although many miracles
would be attributed to him, his most enduring deed was
done before he became holy; when he was merely good.
His parents died in a plague, leaving Nicholas a very
wealthy young man. He felt he should give his money to
the needy, but he also felt it should be done anonymously.
In Patara lived an impoverished nobleman who, unable to
provide dowries for his three daughters, had decided to
sell them into prostitution. Nicholas was horrified. One
night he came silently to the nobleman's house and tossed
some gold wrapped in a cloth through the window. The
grateful father used the gold to marry off his eldest daughter.
Nicholas came a second night and threw in another bag of
gold, which become the dowry for the second daughter.
By this time the father wondered who his mysterious
benefactor was. Every night he waited and when the third
bag of gold came through the window he rushed outside
and saw Nicholas.

Later, Nicholas went on a pilgrimage to Palestine. When

he returned, he settled in Myra, where he was bishop until
The only real he died around the year 350. In the centuries after his
blind person at death his fame spread from Lycia through Byzantium and
then into Europe. He was taken as patron by such
Christmas-time is he disparate groups as virgins (the three bags of gold), thieves
who has not Christmas (because he was imprisoned by Diocletian), students (for
in his heart. restoring to life three students who had been murdered,
dismembered and pickled in brine), and sailors (for calming
seas in storms). Possibly because Nicholas was bishop in
- Helen Keller a major port, sailors often prayed to him and those who
(Continued on page 25)

PAGE 24

A VISIT TO ST. NICHOLAS
(Continued from page 24)
survived brought word of his miracles wherever they
traveled.
The church at Myra became a famous shrine and the
object of many pilgrimages, and thousands of other
churches were dedicated to St. Nicholas. In much of
Europe the Christmas celebration was a month-long festival
beginning with St. Nicholas Day on Dec. 6 and ending
on Jan. 6 with Epiphany, which marks the visit of the
three wise men. It was on Dec. 5, St. Nicholas Eve, rather
than on Christmas Eve, that many European children
hung up their stockings.
The Reformation attempted to curtail the cult of saints,
and the giving of gifts was moved to Christmas Eve
because the Protestants said that all good things came
from the Christ child, the Christkind or Christkindel.
But whatever St. Nicholas lost in reverence he gained in
folklore, and Christkindel somehow became Kris
Kringle, another name for St. Nicholas.
St. Nicholas probably came to America with the first
Dutch colonists, but Washington Irving's tales of his
being patron saint of New Amsterdam and the object of
public celebrations are dismissed by scholars as spoofs.
In the course of centuries the name of St. Nicholas has
been twisted by many tongues into such variations as
Santiklos, Samiklaus and Sinterklaes. In America it
found its final distortion as Santa Claus.
Clement Moore's "The Visit of St. Nicholas" has no trace
of the Anatolian ascetic but does distill many elements of
European folklore. Illustrator Thomas Nast took
Moore's description of St. Nicholas and created the Santa
Claus we know today. The jolly old man immediately
caught on, because he filled the need of commerce for a
Christmas symbol - someone who could push the
merchandise. St. Nicholas was benevolent but holy;
Santa Claus is benevolent but secular. Yet in his own way
Santa Claus continues the spirit of anonymous giving
embodied by St. Nicholas 16 centuries ago.
THE PROMISE
It was evening when we left the church of St. Nicholas -
Christmas Eve. Millions of children were waiting for
Santa Claus to bring them gifts, joy and laughter. In
Demre, we had been the only visitors to the church. The
guide locked the barbed wire gate behind us and, except
for the distant sound of a muezzin calling the Moslems to
prayer, the church of St. Nicholas was as silent as his
empty tomb.
Lord,, we pray,, that the celebration
Of the birth of Your only-b begotten
Son may ease our struggles;
Whose heavenly mystery is our
Food and drink
CHRISTMAS THOUGHT:
“Since You came into the world for all,
O Savior, therefore You came for me, for I
am one of all. You came into the world to
save sinners, therefore You came to save me
also, for I am one of the sinners.
Listen, my soul: God has come to us;
Our Lord has visited us. For my sake He was
born of the Virgin Mary, He Who is born of
the Father before all time.
For my sake He was wrapped in swaddling
clothes, He who covers heaven with the
clouds and vests Himself with robes of light.
For my sake He was placed in the lowly
manger, He Whose throne is in the heavens
and Whose feet rest upon earth.
For my sake He was fed with His mother's
milk, He Who feeds all creatures.
For my sake He was held in His mother's
arms, He who is borne by the Cherubim and
holds all creatures in His embrace. [...]
Thus I stand before You, I for whose sake
You came to earth. Beholding in me nothing
but my need of salvation,
You have come to seek me."
- ST. TIKHON OF ZADONSK
PAGE 25
THE PROMISE

Halloween Fun

PAGE 26
THE PROMISE

PAGE 27
THE PROMISE
ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
1100 NAPA VALLEY DRIVE, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72211
REV. DR. NICHOLAS J. VERDARIS, PASTOR

DECEMBER 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12
10th Sunday of Luke
Matins 9:00 am
Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

Parish Assembly Parish Council Meet

6:00pm

13 14 15 16 17 18 19
11th Sunday of Luke
Matins 9:00 am
Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

Last Day for Women &

Children First Collection

20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Sunday Before Nativity
Matins 9:00 am Christmas Services
Divine Liturgy 10:00 am 9:30am
Christmas Eve
Parish Christmas Luncheon Vesperal Liturgy
& Stewardship Cards Due 6:00pm

27 28 29 30 31 Jan. 1st 2
Sunday After the Nativity
Matins 9:00 am
Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
2010
New Year’s Eve
Liturgy 6:00pm

3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Sunday Before Epiphany
Matins 9:00 am Eve of Theophany Feast of Theophany Feast of St. John the
Divine Liturgy 10:00 am Liturgy 9:30am Liturgy 9:30am Baptist Liturgy
9:30am

PAGE 28