The Christian Way – The Original PDF

PDF is a term most people recognize as a term for a document that has been prepared to share over the internet. Long before computers or even paper and pencil, Jesus Christ established the original PDF when He said, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” He also said, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8.34-36) The Gospel of Christ is meant to be shared with everyone who desires to know about God and how He wants us to live.

We cannot live in communion with God AND the world. We must make a choice. Either we chase after wealth and prestige which the world teaches, or we follow Christ. The way of the world is selfish and dedicated to pleasing our bodies. The way of Christ is dedicated to pleasing God. The best part is that God doesn’t force us to follow Him. It’s our choice. It’s our freedom. But we must make a choice. Do we choose wealth and prestige now or heaven later?

If you choose heaven, then it’s easy to remember….PDF

P – Pick up your cross. Every time you struggle to do the will of God you are picking up your cross. With the cross comes suffering, but the suffering is nothing compared to the joy God has waiting for us in Heaven. We learn to embrace the suffering by prayer.

D – Deny yourself. Every time you give up your will to God and His Church you come closer to understanding that life isn’t about pleasing yourself but pleasing God. We learn this by fasting.

F – Follow Me. Following Christ means ACTION. We cannot just watch Christ if we are following Him. We must be doing as He does and living as He lives. We learn this by treating others as Christ would treat them – with love and respect. This is almsgiving.

Once we embrace our Cross and follow Christ, then we must remember we do so for God’s sake “and the Gospel’s”. The internet world created the PDF technology so information and graphics could easily be shared throughout the world. The same is true for Christ and His Church. The Church (that’s us) is expected to share the Gospel with the entire world through the Cross. Nobody creates a PDF to keep it to themselves. The Gospel isn’t for us to keep to ourselves. The Gospel is to be shared with the world. I think it is time we share it.

Dear St. Nicholas Cathedral Family, 

March 25^th Greek Independence Day

  First off, I want to welcome all our visitors who came to join us today from all over to celebrate in our Greek Independence Day festivities. Since today we have the Greek Independence Day Parade, there will be no catechism on the Ecumenical Councils. However, we will take the opportunity to learn why Greek Independence Day is recognized throughout many of our communities by singing the Doxology and most importantly, why it is associated with the Feast of the Annunciation

 For almost 400 years Greece was under the Ottoman Empire. It was not until 1821, Greeks vigorously rose up against the oppressive Ottoman Empire. A pivotal moment inspired many to fight, embarking on the ultimately successful war of independence. Bishop Germanos of Patras boldly raised the Greek flag at the monastery of Agia Lavras, and by crying out the phrase“Freedom or death” incited the beginning of the revolution against the oppressors. While the exact date probably was not March 25th, it did occur in late March and it was gradually associated with the religious feast of the Annunciation which occurs on the same date. 

The Church on many occasions throughout the year calls us to a Doxology service such as today on Greek Independence Day, OXI Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, American Independence Day. We hold Doxology services at any time we need to give glory to God for something as well, such example is after the recent Hurricane Irma we held a special Doxology service with a prayer of Thanks to God for giving us the strength needed to endure the Hurricane and thanks for being spared from a direct hit. As we chant the doxology we sing: “We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give thanks to you for your great glory.” In all instances it is a time where the Church gets to be involved in our lives, which in today’s example, includes many of our parishioner’s Hellenic heritage.

 This is not just for those who are Greek to participate in the Doxology. The Church is inclusive of all of our different cultures as we have the same doxology for other cultural celebrations. We need to remember what our focus is: We are coming together to pray and give glory to God as a St. Nicholas Cathedral Family. 

 With Love in the Lord,

Rev. Fr. Sampson N. Kasapakis

Memorials

8:15 AM Divine Liturgy (Greek) 

11:00 AM Divine Liturgy (English)

Memorial & Artoklasia Service Planning