Ecclesiastical New Year September 1

For the maintenance of their armed forces, the Roman emperors decreed every fifteen years their subjects are to be taxed. This same decree was reissued every fifteen years since the Roman soldiers were obliged to serve for fifteen years. At the end of each fifteen-years, an assessment of economic change had taken place, and a new tax decreed, was paid over the span of the fifteen years. This Imperial decree, issued was before the season of winter and named Indictio, that is Definition or Order. This name was adopted by the emperors in Constantinople also. At other times, the latter also used the term Epinemisis, that is Distribution (Dianome). Saint Constantine the Great introduced the Indiction decrees in A.D. 312 after he beheld the sign o the Cross in heaven and vanquished Maxentius and proclaimed Emperor in the West.

The Indiction begins on the 1st of September with a special ceremony in the Church. In ancient times the harvest considered the completion of the year. It was the time for sowing the seeds for the new year for the production of future crops, September is considered the beginning of the New Year. The Church keeps festival this day, beseeching God for fair weather, seasonable rains, and abundance of the fruits of the earth. In Holy Scriptures (Lev. 23:24-5 and Num. 29:1-2) also testify that the people of Israel celebrated the feast of the Blowing of the Trumpets on this day, offering hymns of thanksgiving.

We also commemorate our Savior’s entry into the synagogue in Nazareth, when the book of the Prophet Esaias in which he was given to read, and He opened, and He quoted “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for which cause He hath anointed Me…”(Luke 4:16-30).

The Church has always celebrated the beginning of the New Year on September 1. The service of the Menaion for January 1 is for our Lord’s Circumcision and the memorial of Saint Basil the Great, without any mention of its being the beginning of a new year.

In Christ Service,
Fr. John

Parish News

Handicap Accessibility to Our Church

Our church in now accessible to all our parish members in need of assistance with negotiating the stairs. Our outside lift has been repaired and there has been a new rail chair installed in the hallway leading from the outside to the social hall. We are very thankful to George Pryich and George Gaviotis for organizing this project and ensuring that it was completed so quickly!

Fundraising

Our parish has participated in two fundraisers since the last newsletter. Rod’s & Rails netted $1,339.00 and International Day netted $7,114.00. We would like to thank everyone who participated in these two events! It is your participation that made both fundraisers such a success!

Thanksgiving Bake Sale

It is crazy how fast the summer has flown and even crazier to realize that the time to begin baking for the Thanksgiving Bake Sale is around the corner. Our bakers will be organizing and begin baking in September. Please contact Christine Faigl (307-354-8283) and she can give you information on helping with this event. As we all know, it takes the entire community to make this bake sale a success. Last year we were, once again, supported by just a few key bakers. We ask everyone to please, please, find time to lend a hand in some respect.

Church Vandalism

One of the outer windows on the south side of the church has been broken. Fortunately, only the outer pane of the double paned window was breeched and the stained glass was not harmed. The repair will cost approximately $500.00. We have received a donation from Howard and Joy Walker and a pledge of a donation from the family of Katherine and Beaky Pryich to cover the rest of the cost of the repair. Thank you to both families for their generosity.

It has been proposed to the board to replace all the outer windows on the south side of the church with an upgraded window to enhance the protection of our stain glass windows. We will address the proposal at the next board meeting.

Our Condolences

Our deepest condolences are extended to Father John Cusulos and his family. Father John’s brother, Stephen, has passed away. This is the link to the obituary. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/argusleader/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=186236781 May his memory be eternal.