Parish News
2008 Parish Council Members Take Affirmation of Office
The 2008 Parish Council members took their Affirmation of Office following the Divine Liturgy on January 6, 2008. Council officers are: President, Fred Fowler; Vice President, Lennie Sulley; Treasurer, Nikki Blackburn; and Secretary, Molly Holen. The other members are: Aileen Bowman, Cindy Cyphers, Pete Cyphers, Tristram Frost, Chris Jouflas, Georgann Jouflas, Peter Jouflas, and Dina Neujahr.
January 2008
Feast of Saint Nicholas, December 6, 2007
We celebrated our patronal Feast Day on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, December 5 and 6, respectively. Archimandrite Makarios Mannos from Saint Katherine Monastery in Sinai and Archimandrite Christodoulos Papadeas from Archangel Michael Monastery at Tharri on Rhodes, were our guests. Father Makarios was ou celebrant and homilist at Vespers and again at the Divine Liturgy. Great Vespers on Wednesday evening featured a procession with the icon of Saint Nicholas containing a relic from his bones followed by the Artoklasia (blessing of loaves).
December 2007
Parish Holiday Bake Sale, Saturday, November 17, 2007 (10 am to 2 pm)
Parishioners are preparin delicious baked goods for the Holiday Bake Sale. Koulourakia, baklava, kourambiethes, and paximadia will be offered for sale, both individually and in prepared gift baskets. During the day Greek coffee and loukoumades will be available for those who visit the parish.
September 2007
Feast of the Dormition, Tuesday, August 15, 2007
Saint Nicholas parish celebrated the Feast of the Dormition of the Most-Holy Theotokos and Virgin Mary with special beauty this year. The celebration began with Great Vespers and Artoklasia (Blessing of the Loaves) on Monday evening. The Engomia to the Virgin mary were also chanted at this service. Tuesday morning the church was filled by the faithful, and flowers were blessed at the end of the Divine Liturgy.
August 2007
Holy Week and Bright Week 2007
Christ is Risen!
Holy Week at Saint Nicholas was beautiful! We celebrated the full cycle of Holy Week services, PLUS we also celebrated Vespers, Matins and the Divine Liturgy every day during Bright Week. Services were well attended, and beautiful!
XPICTOC ANECTH!
April 2007
"Feed the Hungry" on Thursday, March 29, 2007
Parishioners prepared the meal and fed the hungry on Thursday, March 29, 2007. We again thank Dena Neujahr for organizing this regular activity of our parish.
March 2007
2007 Parish Council Members Take Affirmation of Office
The 2007 Parish Council members took their Affirmation of Office following the Divine Liturgy on January 7, 2007. They are: President, Fred Fowler; Vice President, Lennie Sulley; Treasurer, Nikki Blackburn; and Secretary, Cindy Cyphers. The other members are: Aileen Bowman, Pete Cyphers, Tristram Frost, Molly Holen, Chris Jouflas, Georgann Jouflas, Peter Jouflas, and Dina Neujahr.
January 2007
Feast of Saint Nicholas, December 6, 2006
We celebrated our patronal Feast Day of Saint Nicholas, the Archbishop of Myra in Lycia on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, December 5 and 6, respectively. Archimandrite Makarios Mannos, a priest-monk ("hieromonk") from the historic Saint Katherine Monastery in the Sinai Desert (the oldest continuously operating monastery in Christendom) and Father Jon Emanuelson, pastor of Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Ogden, Utah, were our guests. Father Jon was our homilist at Vespers and again at the Divine Liturgy. Great Vespers on Tuesday evening featured the procession with an icon of Saint Nicholas containing a relic from his bones followed by the Artoklasia (blessing of loaves).
December 2006
Parish General Assembly, December 3, 2006
Our Autumn General Assembly on Sunday December 3, 2006 was well attended. With a luncheon provided by the parish, our assembly was a "working lunch."
We emphasized that 100% of our operating budget (priest compensation, utilities, altar supplies, religious supplies, etc.) comes from personal stewardship. The festival funds are used exclusively (100%) for infrastructure maintenance and growth - such as the iconography, stained glass windows, bell tower, new kitchen ovens, etc. No festival funds are used for our regular, routine operating expenses. Our personal stewardship goal is to individually attain the 10% tithing goal.
The next "growth" project will be the remodeling of the kitchen, office, and bathrooms, which was planned for this past year but was deferred because of the iconography installation.
December 2006
Fifth Annual Greek Festival, Saturday, October 14, 2006
Parishioners spent many days and evenings during August and September preparing all the special foods associated with our Annual Greek Festival. The Festival itself was a resounding success, despite a old rain that fell throughout the day. We opened the festival with an Agiasmo (Holy Water service), during which Father Luke blessed all the workers, guests, food, and activities. Tours of the church held every hour drew in well over 500 individuals. The Greek dancers from Holy Trinity-Prophet Elias parishes in Salt Lake City were stupendous, and brought joy to all who watched them. Opa!
The profit from our one-day festival was over $26,000. In accordance with our commitment, 10% of our profit was given to local charities: 5% ($1,300) to the Catholic Outreach Center, and 5% ($1,300) to Habitat for Humanity. All remaining profits were used to pay for our new iconography.
Note: No fundraiser income is used to pay for the operating expenses of our parish; these are covered 100% by the free-will stewardship of our faithful. All fundraiser income is used exclusively for capital improvements of our parish.
October 2006
"Feed the Hungry" on Wednesday, May 30, 2006
Parishioners prepared the meal and fed the hungry on Wednesday, May 30, 2006. We thank Dena Neujahr for organizing this regular activity of our parish.
May 2006
Holy Week and Bright Week 2006
Christ is Risen!
Holy Week at Saint Nicholas was beautiful! We celebrated the full cycle of Holy Week services, PLUS we also celebrated Vespers, Matins and the Divine Liturgy every day during Bright Week. Services were well attended, and beautiful!
XPICTOC ANECTH!
May 2006
Sanctuary Remodeling Complete
Thanks to All Who Have Helped Beautify Our Church!
A lot of hard work went in to renovating our beautiful village church. Thanks to all who carried, cleaned, repaired, restored, and reinstalled the furnishings in the church.
We have new tile in the Holy of Holies that very much looks like travertine marble. The tile layers arranged the pattern so that three very distinct liturgical areas are delineated: the Holy of Holies proper, the Prothesis (area of preparation of the Gifts), and the Diakonikon (the area for storage of holy items such as the small kolymvithra, the kouvouklion, etc.
Beautiful, high quality Persian carpets are provided around the Altar and at the table of oblation.
We also have new carpeting in the nave which really brightens up our church.
A great deal of hard work was involved; thanks to all who helped!
April 2006
Parish "Work Day" on Saturday, April 8, 2006
Parishioners gathered at the church following the Divine Liturgy for the saturday of the Akathist to swep, mop, clean, pull weeds, wash windows, etc., etc., etc. in preparation for Holy Week.
April 2006
Iconography Project Phase 2 Completed
After completing the beautiful Platytera icon of the Virgin Mary in the apse behind the Holy Altar last May (2005), our iconographer, Mr. Athanasios ("Tom") Clark, has returned to complete Phase Two of our parish Iconography Project.
Altar: Communion of the Apostles.
The icon of the heavenly Liturgy is located in the apse behind the Holy Altar. It shows six Apostles receiving the Body from Christ on the left side and six other receiving the Cup on the right side. The inscription over the right side reads in Greek "I Metadosis" which means "The Giving" (of the Body of Christ). On the right it reads "I Metalipsis" which means "The partaking" (of the Cup). Through this icon the faithful understand that the Divine Liturgy taking place at our humble altar in our modest village church is a participation in the eternal celestial Liturgy.
Pantokrator.
A magnificent icon of Christ the Pantokrator ("Almighty") was mounted on a disc, and attached to the ceiling beams. The effect has been stunningly beautiful.
Ceiling: Evangelists & Prophets.
On all four sides of the ceiling the four evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are depicted seated with their respective symbol (an angel, lion, ox, and eagle - as described in the first Book of Ezekiel) behind them.
On either side of the evangelists are the prophets:
East: Isaiah and David on the left and right, respectively, of Saint John
North: Moses and Jeremiah on the left and right, respectively, of Saint Matthew
West: Elias and Daniel on the left and right, respectively, of Saint Mark
South: Jonah and Ezekiel on the left and right, respectively, of Saint Luke.
April 2006
Iconography Project Phase 2 Begun
Our iconographer. Mr. Athanasios ("Tom") Clark has returned to Saint Nicholas. At present he is installing the Pantokrator icon, as well as the four Evangelists and eight Prophets in the ceiling area. He will also install the Communion of the Apostles icon in the apse behind the Holy Altar. The iconography is stunningly beautiful, and was featured in the local newspaper, the Free Press, in Grand Junction.
February 2006
2006 Parish Council Members Take Affirmation of Office
The 2006 Parish Council members took their Affirmation of Office following the Divine Liturgy on December 18, 2005. They are: President, Fred Fowler; Vice President, Lennie Sulley; Treasurer, Nikki Blackburn; and Secretary, Loes Krane. The other members are: Cynthia Cyphers, Pete Cyphers, Chris Jouflas, Georgann Jouflas, Peter Jouflas, Lee Kreidler, Tony Nassour, and Dina Neujahr.
December 2005
Feast of Saint Nicholas, December 6, 2005
Our annual celebration of the Feast Day of our patron Saint - Saint Nicholas, the Archbishop of Myra in Lycia - was a beautiful event. Father Makarios Mannos, a priest-monk ("hieromonk") from the historic Saint Katherine Monastery in the Sinai Desert (the oldest continuously operating monastery in Christendom) was our guest celebrant and homilist. Great Vespers on Monday evening began with the magnificent chanting of the Anoixantaria. After the petitions we had a procession with an icon of Saint Nicholas containing a relic from his bones. The Artoklasia (blessing of loaves) followed, and Father Makarios delivered a very moving sermon. Matins and the Divine Liturgy on Tuesday morning were beautiful and compunctionate, and again Father Makarios delivered an inspiring homily.
December 2005
Parish General Assembly, December 4, 2005
Our Autumn General Assembly on Sunday December 4, 2005 was well attended. This year we prepared a luncheon for all, and our assembly was a "working lunch." The most important point made was that our growth has been remarkable this past year, with a 20% increase in families or individuals who have joined the parish. Such growth always brings joy and also challenges, the most significant being that we must improve our communication so no one is left out.
Ms. Nikki Blackburn our treasurer, assisted by Ms. Georgann Jouflas our parish council secretary, made an excellent presentation, illustrating and explaining that 100% of our operating budget (priest compensation, utilities, altar supplies, religious supplies, etc.) comes from personal stewardship. Our personal stewardship goal is to individually attain the 10% tithing goal. The festival funds are used exclusively (100%) for infrastructure maintenance and growth - such as the iconography, stained glass windows, bell tower, new kitchen ovens, etc.
December 2005
Greek Festival 2005
Our Fourth Annual Greek Festival was a wonderful success. Well over 2,500 people visited Saint Nicholas, enjoyed the food, the dancing, and the conviviality. Many thanks to all the faithful and friends who cooked, prepared, served, and assisted in a hundred different ways to make the weekend such a wonderful event. We are especially grateful to Georgann Jouflas who once again coordinated everything. Also, thanks to the Greek Dancers from Salt Lake City who joined us and provided a superb exhibition of folk dances.
Over 500 people attended the tour of the church presented by Father Luke. This has been a wonderful way to introduce the Orthodox faith to our neighbors in Mesa County. Mutual respect and tolerance of one another are hallmarks of our American freedom, and these presentations make it possible for our fellow citizens to learn a little about us. In addition, a number of our recent converts first encountered Orthodox Christianity through these tours.
October 2005
Iconography Project Platytera Icon Completed
Mr. Athanasios ("Tom") Clark from Athens, assisted by his son Constantine, has completed the beautiful Platytera icon for our church. The Platytera icon is the second-largest icon in an Orthodox Church, and features the Theotokos with arms outstretched and the Christ child. The icon shows that the Virgin Mary gives our humanity to God. The term "platytera" means "more spacious" than the heavens, for she held within her womb the God Whom the heavens cannot contain.
Mr. Clark is a very well-known iconographer whose work is often featured by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He is very much in demand by large churches throughout the United States, and we are privileged to have had him with us.
May 2005
Beautiful Holy Week Services!
Christ is Risen!
We celebrated the full cycle of Holy Week services at our beloved parish. Every service was very well attended, and they were beautiful! The highlight, of course, was the proclamation of "Christ is Risen!" accompanied by the joyous ringing of our church bells as everyone gathered outside the church in the cool of the midnight. As has been customary, many visitors, including many non-Orthodox, joined us for the Agape Vespers. Nick Mahleres and Tommy Patsantaras roasted two lambs on a spit outside, and all those attending enjoyed a wonderful and delicious lamb dinner. We wish you had been here with us!!
XPICTOC ANECTH!
May 2005
Sunday School Youth Receive Mystery of Holy Repentance (Sacrament of Holy Confession)
Our Sunday School youth gathered in the parish church with Father Luke on Saturday, April 9, 2005 at 11:00 am to make their Confession in preparation for Holy Week. After reading the general prayers for the group, each child had time to make his private Confession. God bless our youth!
April 2005
Palm Sunday Luncheon, April 24, 2005
Parishioners enjoyed a delicious fish luncheon after the Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday. Nick Mahleres prepared the salmon, and everybody brought a side dish.
April 2005
Youth and Adults Gather to make Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday
Parishioners gathered at noon on Saturday, April 23, 2005 following the Divine Liturgy of Saint Lazarus to make palm crosses in preparation for the Palm Sunday celebration the following day.
April 2005
"Feed the Hungry" on Thursday, April 21, 2005
Parishioners prepared the meal and fed the hungry on Thursday, April 21, 2005. We thank Dena Neujahr for organizing this regular activity of our parish.
April 2005
Parish "Work Day" on Saturday, April 16, 2005
Parishioners gathered at the church on Saturday, April 16, 2005 at 9:00 am to pitch in and clean up the church and grounds in preparation for Holy Week.
April 2005
+Lou Lepinotes ("Uncle Lou") Falls Asleep in the Lord
Our beloved "Uncle Lou" fell asleep in the Lord peacefully on Friday morning, February 11, 2005. His Funeral and internment took place on Tuesday, February 15, 2005. A life-long resident of Grand Junction, Lou was a founding member of Saint Nicholas parish and served on the very first parish council in 1953. May his memory be eternal!
April 2005
2004 Parish Council Members Take Oath of Office
The 2004 Parish Council members took their Affirmation of Office following the Divine Liturgy on December 19, 2004. They are: President, Fred Fowler; Vice President, Lennie Sulley; Treasurer, Nikki Blackburn; and Secretary, Georgann Jouflas. The other members are: Cynthia Cyphers, Pete Cyphers, Chris Jouflas, Peter Jouflas, Loes Krane, Lee Kreidler, Tony Nassour, and Dina Neujahr.
December 2004
Parish Feast Day - Monday, December 6, 2004
Monday morning the Very Reverend Archimandrite, Father Makarios of Saint Katherine Monastery in the Sinai was our guest during Matins and the Divine Liturgy. A large number of people took time off from work and school -- yes, school children were excused from classes for several hours -- to attend this feast day Liturgy and to receive Holy Communion.
The celebration of the Feast of Saint Nicholas began with Great Vespers and Artoklasia on Sunday evening, December 5. The Very Reverend Archimandrite, Father Christodoulos, of the Saint George Monastery in Denver was our guest celebrant and homilist. Father Vicente, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic church attended the service as well. Great Vespers was truly beautiful, and those attending were inspired by this ancient church service.
December 2004
Stained Glass Windows Installed!
All four panels of our stained glass windows are now installed. The stained glass windows represent the six-winged Seraphim, the highest of the nine orders of the angelic powers. The Seraphim are sing-winged creatures; "with two wings they fly with two they cover their faces and with two they cover their feet."
The word Seraph (singular, or Seraphim plural) is derived from the Hebrew word for "fiery ones" or "burning ones"; they are therefore painted iconographically with red wings. The Seraphim are attendants before God's throne, they are in direct communication with Him and are the closest to Him. The Seraphim cry out unceasingly "Holy, Holy, Holy!" to God in worship. They inspire man to love God and to worship Him; they are therefore the angels of love, light and fire.
The Prophet Isaiah beheld the Seraphim before God's throne in a vision, and described them for us. It was also a Seraphim that brought a burning coal from heaven to cleanse Isaiah's lips. Because Isaiah saw the faces and feet of the Seraphim, they can be painted iconographically with faces. At Saint Nicholas the center pane on each of the four panels shows a face surrounded by six wings. The two side panes each show merely a six-winged Seraphim, hiding its face and feet.
These four windows are immediately below the top of the ceiling, so as to preserve the correct iconographic placement of the angels. We plan to install a Pantokrator (Christ the Almighty) at the top of the ceiling during the coming year.
June 2004
