First, I want to apologize that Dionysia had to pull me out of class early today.  She had to me a classmate at the library to work on their research paper.  Let's hope this does not happen again.

Second, I want to congratulate Costas and Maria from our class as well as the rest of the Division 2 team for a wonderful Basketball season.  They worked so hard this season.  The season is over and we are all looking forward to you playing again next season.

Third, today was the Sunday of Orthodoxy.  For those who were in class today, what is the significance of this special day?  Please write what you remember about today's class.

For those who were not in class, please let me know what the Sunday of Orthodoxy is and where it originated.

This is one of the "History" lessons for the year. 

Remember, today is the first Sunday of the Great Lent.

I really hope you all come more often until the end of the school year in May.  Always remember how important our Faith is in our daily lives and how much God has given us and continues to give us even in these very troubled times.

Is there anything you would like to learn about the key events during the Iconoclastic period?

Thank you for coming today.

Mike

On Sunday we had a great class where we discussed the dangers of words.  Words can be worse than a sword.  How many of us have said things to friends by mistake and hurt someone's feelings?

Can you post a situation where that has happened?  What was the result?  How did you resolve the situation?

If the conflict has not resolved itself yet, what have you tried to do to resolve it?

This Sunday is Meatfare Sunday.  I am sure we are all aware of the luncheon after Church in our social hall.  Lent is around the corner.  The following Sunday will be Cheesefare Sunday followed by Kathari Deftera and the Great Lent. 

How many of you actually fast for the 40 days?  When I say, "Fast," I mean no meat, dairy, and oils.  This means basically fruits, vegitables, and penut butter and jelly.  Please be honest.

If you have not in the past, are you going to try this year?

We can have a nice discussion about this as well.

Mike

Approximately, three years ago, I read an essay written by R. Monk Hilarion regardng both European and American football.  I received a phone call because a parent thought I was attacking the sport.  Let's try this again ONLY AS AN EXERCISE IN CRITICAL THINKING.  I am a big NASCAR fan as well as Basketball.  I AM NOT SAYING TO AVOID WATCHING SPORTS.  PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS POINT!  By the way, congratulations to the New York Giants on their narrow victory.  I believe this was an evenly matched Super Bowl 46.  We can discuss this on Sunday if you wish! ! !

How many of you know people who are obsessed or adicted with anything that lead them astray?  If you do, what sort of effect does that person have on his/her family as well as those around him/her?

The monk who wrote this artical, "On Football" made an argument that seems to have relevance today as it did when he wrote it.

"Herein lies the demonic element in football-be it American football or soccer.  The hypnotic effect of these games is seen in the consequences it has for the psyche of its devotees.  They become obseed with the game.  They are mesmerised not only while watching the matches on television or in the stadium but also at other times.  Their lives and their thoughts become focused on soccer or football...they hypnosis that the devil casts over football's devotees makes them incapable of anything spiritual.  When the matches are on, such people are willing to give up the most important things in their lives in order to see them.  And when the games are over, they continue to live their obsession [through the] magazines, newspapers, and television...while the cult surrounding the lives of the game's heroes approaches that of pagan worship. 

This essay is longer and it contains statistics of how many people died during riots at these games.  If you are ever interested, I can make a copy of the monk's essay.

What is the point the monk is making?  Do you agree with it?  Do you know anyone who is consumed by sports?  What do you say to him/her/them? 

What was the monk's goal in wriring this essay?  Do you see the same effect in our own Cathedral in Hartford?   Look at yesterday's numbers to help answer this. 

Did they really have an excuse not to show up in Church?  What time is Church over?  What time was the game last night?

To the five in my class yesterday, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Mike Hatzikostantis
7th/8th grade teacher

In ancient Greece, Homer once said that money can make the most sainted person into an evill person.
Matthew 6:24 says, "No onoe can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon (money).

What does Jesus mean that you cannot have two masters...God and Money?   Why not?

What does it mean to serve money as a master?

How can you tell if money is a master to you?

Why do you think that countries like the United States ignore the teachings of Jesus when it comes to money?  Think about who controls the money and the media.  Is it the top, middle, or bottom of society?   

REMEMBER, THIS BLOG IS TO BE KEPT CLEAN.

Questions taken from DARE FROM JESUS 2 by Maark Oestreicher 2003.   Page 26. Youth Specialties books published by Zondervan.

Matthew 7:7-11 states "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; and he who seeks finds, and to him who knoxks it will be opened.  Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good things to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Father George spoke about prayer again in Church on Sunday.  How often do you pray at home?

What do you pray for?  Things that you want or need?  Please be honest.

How can God hear our prayers?  To answer, think about God's infintie nature.  What must we do as humans to have our prayers reach God?

"ιδου ερχομαι ως κλεπτης μακαριος ο γρηγορων και τηρων τα ιματια αυτου ινα μη γυμνος περιπατη και βλεπωσιν την ασχημοσυνην αυτου."  (Translation)  Behold, I am coming as a thief.  Blessed is he who watches,a nd keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." Revelation 16:15

We began discussing how the Bible describes the Afterlife in both the New Testament as well as the Old Testament. 

Please take some time and post your thoughts about the afterlife.  When you think of Heaven, what feelings and images come to mind?  When you think about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, what thoughts, feelings, or images come to mind?

Please feel free to express yourself openly.  You can and should respond to your classmates as well. 

Byzantine Greek copied from http://biblos.com/revelation/16-15.htm.