OVER $100,000 RAISED FOR ARIANA’S CURE!

Parishioners and friends of the Cathedral and of the Kallas family—some 550 in all—attended a gala dinner at the Cathedral Saturday, June 2 and helped raise over $100,000 for Ariana’s cure. The money came from the dinner proceeds, a silent auction, which featured over 120 items(!), a raffle, donations received through the Annunciation Cathedral’s web site, annunciation.org, as well as monies sent from area churches and organizations. All expenses for the event were covered by donations. Therefore, whatever was raised is being sent directly for Morquio research. Morquio Syndrome is a rare disorder which affects children, causing abnormal physical development, and leading to premature death. Only about 350 children in America are affected by this disease. Steps, however, are being taken to reverse the abnormal growth. Research has shown that the disease is caused by a missing enzyme. If that enzyme could be introduced at the earliest possible age, argues Dr. S. Tomatsu, the researcher at St. Louis University Medical School who has isolated the enzyme, the abnormality could be arrested and the skeletal system can grow in a normal fashion. Dr. Tomatsu presented a power point presentation, which the guests watched attentively (one could hear a pin drop during the presentation). A clinical trial phase of the research, funding permitting, will go into effect in 2008. Also attending were Mary Smith, President of the International Morquio Organization and her daughter, Carol Ann Smith, for whom a foundation is named. Additional information may be obtained by going to arianascure. com. Meanwhile, Ariana’s devoted dad, George Kallas, has forward liks to two segments, which were aired by local television stations, and which one may view on line. These are:

DR. TOMATSU WRITES

Following what was surely a most memorable evening, when we all banded together, in faith, to raise funds for Ariana’s Cure, Dr. Tomatsu sent us the following letter. We would like to share it with you:

Thanks for organizing the Morquio event. I really appreciate your efforts. To raise over $100,000 is not easy at all.

I have enjoyed the event a lot with the atmosphere at the the Greek Church. This is quite awesome to have such a big event in San Francis- co. I strongly thank you, your family, the many volunteers, and the local community.

Especially, it is a big surprise that Tom Hanks now has known Morquio and our research activity. I hope more people are aware of Morquio and the importance of the develop- ment of the drug.

Thanks again!
Dr. T

MICHAEL CANELLOS PROCLAIMED FATHER OF THE YEAR!

On, Sunday, June 17—Father’s Day—the Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos offered a wonderful brunch to honor all fathers and scholarship recipients. A gift of the Philoptochos, the brunch was prepared by Ted Leventis and his dedicated volunteers, and featured mimosas, fresh fruit, pastries, and many breakfast items. As the event got underway, Father Stephen went to the microphone and, on behalf of the Cathedral family, proclaimed Michael Canellos 2007 Father of the Year.

Michael was born in San Francisco on May 27, 1947 to John and Mary Canellos. They had a daughter, Joanne and, with the birth of Michael, their family was complete. Michael was baptized at the Annunciation Cathedral, and went on to attend Sunday School and to participate in its basketball program. His grandparents, Maria and Nicholas Saribalis, were among the founders of the original Cathedral.

Growing up in Lakeside Village, Michael attended Commodore Sloat Grammar School, where he was elected Athletic Manager. He went on to Aptos Junior High School, where he lettered in track and in baseball. Unknown to most, he not only sang in the school choir, but was also selected to be a member of the San Francisco Boys Choir. In his senior year, he was elected Vice President of the Aptos Student Council. In 1962, Michael placed first in the 50 yard dash and third in the brad jump in the San Francisco City Finals for 15-year olds. In 1963 he attended Lowell High School, where he lettered in track, baseball, and football. In 1964, he received the most valuable offensive player award in football and , in 1965, he was a finalist in the Northern Califronia Greek Athlete of the Year Award. During this period, he participated in numerous baseball and softball leagues throughout the area, a passion that lasted into his 40s.

Upon graduating from Lowell, Michael attended City College and, later, transferred to Golden Gate University, where he lettered in baseball, majored in economics, and minored in history. While at Golden Gate, he also made the dean’s list. Upon graduation, he attended the Golden Gate University School of Law, but chose not to pursue a career in law. In 1976, Father Theophilos’ daughter, Joanna, asked Michael to consider coaching basketball for three weeks, just until they could find a permanent coach. At the time, Mike was coaching little league baseball and assisting the blind to play baseball. Thirty-one years later, Mike is still at the Annunciation, coaching basketball. They original group of youngsters now have children of their own, and Mike is coaching some of them. Those who know Michael well, know he is a kid at heart: he still plays with children and is so loved by them. Children have kept him young—he can recall every game and every child he ever coached.

If children come first, then his love for the Ladies Philoptochos comes a very close second. All he ever talks about, according to his wife, Ellen, is the hard work and the good that the Philoptochos does. Getting back to life’s turns, when Mike graduated from law school, he purchased a 7-11 in San Bruno. A few years later, a young woman with a child (who, he thought, was her little brother) walked in to buy the little boy a slurpy. The rest is history. Mike and Ellen were married. Ellen always jokes that she walked in for a slurpy and walked out with a husband. And, in all this, the little boy, George, walked out with a dad. The couple were blessed with their first daughter, Mary. Seven years later, they were again blessed with a second daughter, Kimberly. To his family, Michael is arguably the best father in the world. In their view, and in ours, Mike is a perfect choice for Father of the Year. Axios!

CONGRESS SPEAKS OUT IN SUPPORT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN TURKEY

Tom Lantos, Chairman of the Congressional Committee on Human Affairs, recently sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Turkey deploring the plight of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and, specifically: 1. Turkey’s “longstanding unwillingness to recognize the Ecumenical Patriarchate as ecumenical,” 2. Turkey’s “continued involvement in the process of selecting the Ecumenical Patriarch and by…continued insistence that he be a Turkish citizen,” and 3. Turkey’s “expropriation of lands belonging to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.” The letter was co-signed by an additional forty-one members of the U. S. House of Representatives.

The plight of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, well-known to us, affects us directly, inasmuch as we are under its direct jurisdiction. It also affects the entire Orthodox Christian world, inasmuch as the Ecumenical Patriarch is considered the “first among equals” within the 350-million member Orthodox Church. Additionally, it affects Christianity, in particular and people of all religions, in general, insofar as it curtails the freedom of religious practice. Parishioners of the Annunciation Cathedral are asked to write a letter to Congressman Lantos, thanking him for his defense of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Letters should be addressed: The Honorable Tom Lantos, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515.

AUGUST: A SACRED MONTH

Those who have been to the Mediterranean in August know it is the hottest month. People seek the shelter of the shade to shield them from the scorching heat. It is not simply coincidence, therefore, that the Church, since its inception, designated August a sacred month, which includes three of its most holy days: Metamorphosis (or Feast of the Transfiguration), Koimisis (or Feast of the Dormition), and the Beheading of John the Baptist.

The Feast of the Transfiguration, August 6th, commemorates the event described in the Gospels which was witnessed by a few of the disciples: they saw Jesus, who had taken them up a mountain in order to pray, “transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.” (Matthew 17:2-3) An event they could not comprehend until after the Resurrection, when they understood it to be a theophany: Jesus was becoming known to them in his true nature, as God.

The Feast of the Dormition commemorates the death of Mary, the Theotokos (God-bearer) and Ever-Virgin. The word “dormition” comes from the Latin “dormire” which means “to sleep.” It is a translation of the Greek “koimisis” which means “falling asleep.” This is still how Orthodox describe the dead: as those who are asleep. Why? Because we believe, as we are assured in the Scriptures, that our bodies will be raised up at the General Resurrection. Although, sometimes, the word “assumption” is used to describe the death of Mary, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin, Orthodox theology insists on dormition. The notion of her being assumed, that is, taken up bodily into heaven, although widely accepted, is not a dogma of the Church. A dogma is something the belief of which is necessary to salvation. In fact, the apolytikion for the Feast of the Formition speaks of metastasis, or “crossing over.” It says she, as Mother of Life (that is, of Jesus Christ), “crossed over” into [eternal] life. Yet, she continues to watch over that which belongs to her Son, that is, the world. The full-text of the apolytikion is as follows:

In giving birth, O Theotokos, thou hast retained thy viginity, and in falling asleep thou hast not forsaken the world. Thou who art the Mother of Life hast passed over into life, and by thy prayers thou dost deliver our souls from death.

The Beheading of John the Baptist is a day of strict fastingas we do on the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross, on September 14, and as we do on Great and Holy Friday (and every Friday) when we recall what Jesus Christ did for us, when He died on the Cross. John, as last of the Prophets, was the one who baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. At that time, the first theophany took place: God became manifest as Trinity. On August 29, the Beheading of John the Baptist, we remember the event of his beheading by Herod (who, we recall did so at the bidding of Salome and her mother, Herod’s brother’s wife, whom he, in turn, married). We also remember the evil which human beings inflict upon other human beings and, especially, upon those who are righteous. It is a day of seeking repentance and forgiveness. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the Cathedral on all three Feasts—Metamorphosis (August 6), Koimisis (August 15), and the Beheading of John the Baptist (August 29). In preparation for August 15, the first 14 days of August are a time of fasting. On each of the designated days, we will celebrate the Paraclesis Service and, on August 14, the Eve of the Feast, we will celebrate the Great Vespers.

FOOD FESTIVAL: FRIDAY-SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28-30

During the summer, everyone at the Cathedral is busy planning for our Food Festival, which will take place on our grounds at 245 Valencia Street, San Francisco, Friday through Sunday, September 28-30. A wonderful three-day celebration is being planned. New this year are expanded children’s activities, under the oversight of Grace Koutoulas and her committee. In fact, this year, the entire parking area will be used for festival purposes (there will no parking on the back part of the lot). A third of the lot will be used for children’s activities, and vendors will be spaced throughout, with the band and dancing along the Valencia Street side of the lot, where music will mingle with the aroma of gyros and, also new this year, calamari. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds (the entire income from the Festival’s raffle) will go to Ariana’s Cure.

Two mailings will go out during the summer: the first will consist of a contract for the souvenir album, giving parishioners and friends the opportunity to support the Festival by taking out an ad in memory of a loved one, to honor a graduate or celebrate an anniversary or the birth of a child or, in the case of a business, the opportunity to promote your business. Also included in the first mailing will be a form inviting you to sponsor one or more of the food items will be featured at the Festival. The second mailing will consist of the fliers and free admission cards, which parishioners are asked to share with their neighbors and friends, as well as two books of raffle tickets. Look for the mailings the beginning part of July as well as the beginning part of August.

Foula Vasilogiorgis will, once again, serve as overall chairman, along with Michael Canellos, who has taken on the additional responsibilities of procurement and the cooking schedule; Manuel Pappas, licensing, permits and parking; Darrell and Tula Chase, set-up and décor; Angie Leventis / Philoptochos, pastries, Loula Vriheas, (along with Popi Zakis and Despina Kokalis) kitchen, Tessie Calligeros, tents, vendors; Angie Leventis and Presbytera Aliki Kyriacou, souvenir book; Susan McLaughlin, promotion, Grace Koutoulas, Children’s activities, Yvonne and John Stamatakis, Pastitsio and Mousaka, and Caroline Pappajohn and Jim Dariotes, volunteers. Other food chairmen include: Athena Stavrakaras, Gyro, Katherine Dermitzakis, Koulourakia; Rose Sogotis, Spanakopita, Rizogalo and Fasolakia; Effie Makras, Baklava prep., Pat Destein, Galaktoboureko; Angie and Ted Leventis, Bell Peppers; Spiridoula Stavropoulos, Dolmades, John Panomitros, Souvlakia; Soteria Panagiotopoulos, Kataifi; and Tessie Calligeros, Tiropites.

We invite you to participate in the preparation as well as the enjoyment of our wonderful Food Festival. For further information, please call the Cathedral office at 415 864-8000.

A BLUE AND WHITE BALL

As we announced in the June Herald, an additional celebration is being planned in connection with the Feast of the Annunciation. March 25th is the Cathedral’s feast day. We celebrate it with Great Vespers and, of course, the Divine Liturgy. Following the Liturgy, we hold a luncheon and name a Woman of the Year. Typically, since March 25th falls within the Great and Holy Lent, we refrain from any other kind of celebration. However, it is time we change all that. And this is because, given the unique role of the Cathedral as the ecclesiastical center for the Metropolis, as well as the fact that we will be embarking on a building program, we need to draw attention to it and to its undertakings. Therefore, beginning in 2008, and in view of the fact that Pascha will fall later in April (April 27, to be exact), we will hold a spring ball. A stroke of genius, expressed at our May 24th Philoptochos meeting, that it be known as the Blue and White Ball settles it. (Why not? After all, blue and white are the colors of the Greek flag, and they are our parish colors!) We are planning to hold the Blue and White Ball every year. While the ball will be known as the Blue and White Ball, each year we will do something different, like launch a building program, or burn a mortgage, or honor individuals, or families, and their services to the community. We will begin, in 2008, by honoring the Ladies Philoptochos. Established in 1934, the Philoptohcos (literally, “friend of the poor”) has played a vital role in the development and maintenance of the Cathedral. It was even in the forefront of the Cathedral’s rebuilding efforts, by raising and contributing the first $1 million. So, we ask you to save the date. The date is Sunday, March 9, 2008. The Cathedral’s Blue and White Ball will take place at Westin Hotel, Burlingame.

COMMUNITY LINK

Community Link, now in its third year, is a Cathedral ministry, which consists of monthly visitations by volunteers to seniors, shut-ins and folks in distress. Community Link invites you to be a part of its “team.” It meets at the Cathedral the third Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m. Following prayer and visit arrangements, we begin our visits by 10:00 a.m., and we conclude by noon. A few hours, well spent! To become a part of Community Link, or for further information, please contact Caroline Pappajohn at cpappajohn @yahoo.com. Our next visitation will take place on Saturday, July 21, 9 a.m. to noon. For the remainder of 2007, we will meet on August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17, and December 15. Thank you for keeping in touch, through Community Link.

THE CATHEDRAL’S ON LINE DONATIONS LINK IS UP AND RUNNING

The on-line donations feature of our web site, which we call e donations, has been utilized extensively in connection with donations to Ariana’s Cure, which helped raise over $100,000 for Morquio research. Thanks to the efforts of Nick Rally, who set up the program, making contributions to the Cathedral and to its various ministries has been greatly simplified. To donate to the Cathedral electronically, simply log on to our site (www.annunciation. org). Then, click on “Donations.” A page comes up which invites you to: --donate to the General Fund, --make a Stewardship Payment, - -donate to the Youth Fund, --donate to the Community Outreach/Ministries Fund, --make a Memorial Donation, -- donate to the Food Festival Fund

After clicking on the appropriate button, you will be asked for additional information, including your credit card number, your name and address, and the amount you would like to contribute. The information you provide will go through a secure processor. The processor (PayPal) will then see to it that the funds are transferred, as you direct. The Cathedral, in turn, will receive a report from the processor and credit your account accordingly. Of course, you may continue to make your contributions in the traditional method, by check or by Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

Now, with the addition of the e donations feature to our web site, parishioners and friends of the Cathedral have additional options for expressing their financial support.

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH OUR DANCE PROGRAM?

As reported in our June Herald, our junior groups, Seizmos and Ta Angelakia, will be hosting workshops for the purpose of developing styling as well as becoming better acquainted with some of the dances they will be learning in preparation for their various performances during the year, such as the Cathedral’s annual Food Festival, as well as for next year’s FDF. The initial workshop will take place on Thursday, July 5. Joe Graziozi, who has taught Greek dance for many years and has served as one of the judges at FDF (Folk Dance Festival), will lead the workshop. For further information about the workshop, as well as the Cathedral’s dance program, please E mail Athena Stavrakaras, haniotisa@hotmail.com. The groups will continue to practice during the course of the summer.

Sacraments & Services

C H R I S M A T I O N

Bonnie Grampsas was received into the Orthodox Church through the Sacrament of Holy Chrismation on June 24. Her Sponsor is EFFIE VELLIS.

B A P T I S M S

Alexander Mariano, son of Dustin and Chrisoula Novo, was baptized at the Cathedral on June 23. His Godparents are Nick and Angela Loxas. Da'liah Leah, daughter of Delwan Blazer and Helen Woldemicael, was baptized at the Cathedral on June 24. Her Godparent is Helen Andy.

Na maz zisoun! (Long life)

F U N E R A L

Gus Cusulos, who fell asleep in the Lord on June 8, was buried on June 20. He is survived by his wife, Nan Cusulos, and their children, Stacy, Vicky, and Tim and their families.

Aionia I mnimi. Eternal memory.

P E R A S T I K A ( G E T W E L L )

The Cathedral extends heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Father Theophilos P. Theophilos, Dean Emeritus of the Cathedral. Father Theophilos is recovering, in Palm Desert, California, from a fractured hip.

July/August 2007 Herald
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.