May - June 2005
year XXX
C H R I S T I S R I S E N!
What it means to be a
member of the
St Mary’s Romanian
Orthodox Parish
Rev. Doru Costache
According to our Church’s statute,
the members considered for the right
to vote are only those who are
registered in the members’ register –
those that carry out their moral and
material duties. The material duty
being the annual fee, however, this
small contribution represents a sense
of belonging in the community.
Nonetheless, for a true church to
exist and be properly organized, it’s
important to have the spiritual
progress of each and every one of
us, because that would really
constitute the true form and proof of
belonging.
It’s no secret the fact that some
registered members, with the right
to vote, attend church only
occasionally. A similar situation is
noticed also in the fact that some
people, that are not yet members,
joined our parish by mere curiosity,
after a christening or other rituals.
Most of us are often busy in our
private lives, at workplace or around
home, and as it is often the case not
many of us tend to refuse the
opportunity to go out even on
Sundays. However those of us who
truly belong to God’s nation, won’t
allow those activities to stand in the
way of God and the holy liturgy.
By not being part of the holy
Pray for Claudiu Alexandru!
liturgy – even though we might
think it is sufficient to pray
anywhere, shows denial towards our
brothers and sisters. It’s also a
denial to the true meaning of
membership, which you solicited
and was given to you by the church
committee, as a member of the
community.
I encourage all parish members
(even those who have yet to apply
for membership) who do not
participate to the holy liturgy, to
deeply meditate upon their life
options. I do not intend to scare
anyone, however I am merely
advising those in question, that they
are in grave spiritual danger. I am
not talking about punishments –
God is merciful. It’s about a
Letters to a child
question of spiritual standstill and
not achieving self -fulfillment in of the future: 1
Christ our Savior. Those of us that
Lily Strungaru
gather weekly and attend the holy
liturgy, young and old, we also pray My Dear Child,
for all those missing; however, we As a child, many years ago my
cannot do anything on their behalf. grandfather shared his philosophy
on life with me. He told me that the
According to the Orthodox
Church’ rules and guidelines, let it secret for a happy and fulfilling life
be known that the absentees from was to have someone to love,
the holy liturgy for longer than three something to do and something to
weeks, without proper justification, look forward to. These seemingly
simple, yet meaningful words, have
can have their membership
stayed with me ever since. I’ve
withdrawn (as per canon 80 from
synod 5-6 ecumenical and canon11 come to realize their true
from Sardica synod). No one can importance over the years, through
pretend to be part of the Church or the many encounters of my life’s
journey.
God’s nation, if they do not
I’ve come to understand that life
participate to the holy liturgy.
My words are also addressed to is constructed by many moments
those faithful who participate on a
) page 4 ) page 3
pag. 2
The Creed – the topic of our catechetical discussions
Those eager for prayer have enthu-
siastically welcomed the initiation of
the every-Friday night service,
which has also given us the opportu-
nity to inaugurate our catechetical
discussions about the Creed.
I have chosen the Creed as the
topic of our discussions thinking that
it will contribute to a better estab-
lishment of our community life, as it
is the main form of expressing our
faith. After all, we gather not only
because we are Romanians (there are
also heterodox Romanians and athe-
ist Romanians; and among us there
are some non-Romanians), but
mainly because we are orthodox.
Under these circumstances learning
about our common faith can become
a strong reason to meet one another
in front of our Lord.
The holy fathers (theologians and
bishops) of the Church officially
formulated this testimony of our
faith, the Creed, in the first two ecu-
menical synods. These ecumenical
synods (clerical meetings with repre-
sentatives of nearly all churches)
have taken place at Nicaea (in 325
AD) and Constantinople (in 381
AD), and their goal was to reject
those teachings that did not accept
the faith in the Holy Trinity.
The term catechism, used for the
Christian education in church, comes
from Greek and it means “to educate
orally” and “through dialog”.
The first statement of the Creed: I
believe in one God, Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, and of
all things visible and invisible.
I believe …The first words “I be- We can pray because he has revealed
lieve” or Credo, in Latin, gave the
title of this confession of the faith. Father. As Father he has the wisdom
They indicate that we are members to work in a different way with each
of the Church (in Greek “royal
house” and “gathering of the cho-
sen”) because God has spoken to us are never left without his care and
and has called us. We are God’s peo- the trials we have to endure in our
ple because we believe in his word, life are always measured to our
because we trust him. Our way of
life, the hope, our aspirations and
Rev. Dr. Doru Costache
our criteria do not come from con-
victions of the worldly wisdom but
from God, the one and only trust-
worthy.
In the past the Creed started more
adequately with the words “we be-
lieve”, indicating the fact that it is a
joint confession of what defines us.
In one God. In those days when
most of the religions were polytheis-
tic, the statement that there is only
one God was of great importance for
the establishment of the truth. Today
we can use this statement in a spiri-
tual way: we have to fight against
our tendencies to transform our pre-
occupations, pleasures or needs into
gods or idols. If we believe with all
our heart that there is only one God
we will never submit to things like
money, alcohol, not even to our own
vanity or any other earthly pleasure.
In comparison to the religions that
preach about a number of gods or
even only one god, Christianity
gives testimony about one God in
three persons: the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit. Although there
are three persons there are not three
Gods but one God. This is one of the
mysteries we have accepted through
our faith and we proclaim it during
our liturgy. The priest urges: “Let us
love one another that with one mind
we may confess” to which the Chris-
tians answer: “Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit, Trinity one in essence and
inseparable”.
The Father. God has not revealed
himself as an authoritative master or
as a tyrant. He is first of all a Father.
himself to us as a loving and a caring
of his children, according to their
possibilities and understanding. We
strength. The Son who was sent for
our salvation revealed his Father’s
love for us. By calling him “our Fa-
ther” we confess that we are his sons
and therefore brothers and sisters to
one another. This means that if we
pray together we have to accept each
other as sons of the same Father. For
not accepting and loving our
neighbour means not admitting to be
the Father’s sons.
The Almighty. The unmeasurable
power of God, through which he
created the universe, is revealed to-
gether with his care or providence. It
is new proof that God is a loving
Father. Nothing could exist if God
would not sustain the world and life.
He is everywhere present with the
power of his work (his energy), so
“in him we live and move and have
our being” (Acts of the Apostles
17:28). The fact that we exist is a
daily miracle to which we got used
to so much that we do not see it as a
miracle anymore. But if we exist it is
only through the mercy of the Al-
mighty.
Maker of heaven and earth, and
of all things visible and invisible.
The expression, referring to the first
divine revelation, that is the creation
of the world (God reveals himself
through the creation of all things, as
being the one who gives life), recalls
the language of the first verse of the
Bible. Only the expression “heaven
and earth” is not describing our
planet and the starry sky, the mate-
rial universe. These words have a
metaphoric role explained by the
association with the terms “visible
and invisible”. Thus, “the earth”
means “all that is seen”, the material
universe, and “heaven” means “all
that is unseen”, the spiritual universe
of the angels.
We therefore firstly confess our
belief that there is nothing outside
God’s power or that has gained its
existence in a different way but by
God’s creative action.
Secondly we confess that the seen
and unseen world is not eternal but
) page 3
Parochial Life | May - June 2005 |

The Creed… ( page 2
created by God in time, according
to the love (mark of the Father), the
wisdom (mark of the Son) and his
power (mark of the Holy Spirit).
Thirdly we confess that the world
is neither simply visible, as would
the materialists believe (in this case
there would be no spiritual exis-
tence) nor simply invisible, as
would the spiritualists believe (in
this case matter is an illusion), but
seen and unseen alike in the com-
plexity of its unity.
Fourthly we get to the conclusion
that man, who is also complex in its
unified being (soul and body), can
live neither a purely bodily exis-
tence nor a purely spiritual one. As
God himself has assumed the hu-
man body proves that we can live
bodily in the spirit and spiritually in
the body. This is why the Holy Fa-
thers of the Church recognise in the
Orthodox faith the recovery of the
natural and fulfilled life.
[English version by Cristina
Tănase]
Letters… ( page 1
that constantly alter one’s
perspective on the world. But, as I
learned, it is the way a person reacts
to different situations that really
make a difference. Life, my child, is
many things at many different times.
It can be interesting, exciting,
exhilarating, challenging,
discouraging, stressful or sad. There
may be times when you’ll wonder
why we have to go through grief or
sadness in our lives.
I remember my feelings as a
young teenager when my family
moved far away to a new country, a
new continent, and a land that
seemed so different to my original
birthplace. For a while I felt lonely
and intimidated by a culture that was
totally unfamiliar to me. I struggled
to accept and be accepted within a
society that seemed alien to me. But
as time passed and my new language
skills improved, I became more self
assured and confident. I gained a
better understanding of my new
adoptive country, its culture and its
Parochial Life | May - June 2005 |
THE CREED
(the official version of the
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
of Australia)
I believe in one God, Father Al-
mighty, maker of heaven and
earth, and of all things visible
and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of the Father
before all ages,
light from light,
true God from true God,
begotten not made,
of one essence with the Father;
through him all things
were made.
Who for us and for our salvation
came down from heaven,
and was incarnate
of the Holy Spirit
and the Virgin Mary,
and became human,
and was crucified for us under
people. I grew to love it more than I
thought possible.
I came to realize that whatever
changes, losses or grief, pain,
mistakes and heartaches we might
encounter in our lives, they are all
part of a person’s journey in life.
Everything we experience good or
bad serves a purpose and is meant to
teach us a lesson and help us become
wiser and stronger.
I have learned to live in the
moment, as each passing moment is
precious. I remember my dear
grandmother would praise the Lord
each day when she woke up. She
taught me to thank God for every
day of my life, because each day is a
new day, a new beginning, another
opportunity. My child, you have to
learn to count the blessings in your
life and to be filled with gratitude,
for your very existence is a miracle
in itself.
Cherish the people you love for
they may not be there tomorrow
when you wake up. Learn to
appreciate others and never take
anything or anyone for granted. Live
pag. 3
Pontius Pilate,
and suffered and was buried,
and rose on the third day ac-
cording to the Scriptures,
and ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand
of the Father,
and will come again in glory
to judge the living and dead,
and his kingdom will have no
end.
And in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father,
who together with the Father
and the Son
is worshiped and glorified,
and who spoke
through the prophets.
In one, holy, catholic and
apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for
the forgiveness of sins.
I expect the resurrection
of the dead,
and the life of the ages to come.
Amen.
a full life, a life of meaning and
purpose and never lose sight of your
dreams.
Learn to forgive others and not to
hold onto grudges because none of
us are perfect and we all make
mistakes. Try and look for the good
in people instead of trying to find
faults in them. Do not judge people
according to their social status
because it does not matter if one is
rich or poor. We are all individuals
with the same worth as every other
member of the human race. Learn to
accept people for who and what they
are without false expectations or
judgment.
Do not take life too seriously and
learn to laugh often at life or even at
yourself. Be true to yourself and do
not diminish your own worth by
comparing yourself with others. It is
our own uniqueness that makes each
of us special. Do not let your life slip
away by living in the past nor for the
future, instead live your life one day
at a time.
I will talk to you again soon.
pag. 4

THE SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY

Rev. Dr. Doru Costache
You do not need to think about of a of our life and hope… The tree on ogy, which represents mainly the
particular Sunday. Instead, my short the far horizon / might well be your feelings I experienced when reading.
essay will focus on a special & per- mother waiting. Everything is famil- After all, every book is the womb
manent feature of the Orthodox iar to us, like the womb of our where everyone may contemplate
Christendom – its poetic sensibility mother – and the womb is every- the wonder of budding life, the other
in expressing the experience of faith thing. And within the frame of the books that could be born of it… It is
and life. I called this essay The Sun- cosmos, of this humanised universe, extremely difficult to speak about a
day of Orthodoxy because for us Or- of this world made in our image, the volume of poetry; it is the reason
thodox Christians living the faith chaos of distance disappears… You why I choose to dream and sing to-
represents an act of celebration; and are no longer in wind and rain with- gether with the Archbishop, and not
celebration is full of joy, as are the out shelter, for our Lord is every- to critically analyse the marvellous
paschal liturgy and every Sunday where and the whole nature is texture of his metaphorical dis-
liturgy. This feeling of joy and our marked by a familiar touch. All is course.
propensity for poetic expression de- light. Even the words will support It is Sunday – the Sunday of Ortho-
rives from our very consciousness you during your lifetime obstinate doxy, the Sunday of Poetry.
that both space and time are no fight with the idols of your mind,
longer without orientation marks, with the gods and demons of your For Poetry was never alien to Or-
without cardinal points. shadow. During this struggle and at thodoxy.
The coming of our Lord, Logos the end of it, when liberated and full
and Redeemer of all creation, and of life, our hearts will become
most of all his praised resurrection, mountains – able to experience for
introduced necessary geodesics into ever the glory of the utter stillness…
the chaos of our consciousness, in In the end you will be victorious:
the middle of nowhere… Therefore, there is no risk of being twice dead,
everything in the world for us is defeated by decay and forgotten: you
meaningful and enlightened. We are will be remembered, you will be
living no more into the hasty point- alive.
less recurrent weekly cycle, but into The terms in italics are from the
a world of everyday Eucharistic book Mother – A Moving Reflection
miracle, into a real world, full of life. of God, poems by Archbishop Styli-
We are permanently and contempla- anos S. Harkianakis (ATF Press,
tively experiencing Sunday’s beauty Adelaide, 2005). Dedicated to all
and joy. Subsequently, our way of mothers in the world, the volume
experiencing Christianity is related displays the author’s complex sensi-
to poetry… bility towards all that is wonderful
What would become of us without and meaningful in our lives.
analogies! Everything around us I took the liberty of mixing all
represents a metaphor of ourselves, these poetical words into a phraseol-
What it means…( page 1 extent they might be right. But I pledging towards God the following
wonder if we know, young or old, facts: that they will forgive one
regular basis; a praised effort indeed! how to really carry on the fight for another as God forgives them… We
But let not confuse going to church Christ. What is the right way to will be judged by God in the same
with everything there is to do, in a fight, according to the rules of the way that we judge people.
Christian sense. In fact, even Christ game, when only few of us bother to We must ponder together at what
our Savior, teaches us that not one of attend the holy confession? Isn’t the we truly represent. We are God’s
us ever achieved everything asked of holy confession part of the rules of nation and humanity’s elites. We
us, but let alone pretend that we did the game? Or how can someone tell cannot become too complacent about
more... I am not referring to the fact me that they are true Christians, if this rotten world. If we think the way
that we are sinful people. We all they take revenge and hate their the world thinks then we do not
have sins. I am referring more to our close ones, for whom Christ died on belong to Christ. Even if we pay our
submissions in sin especially our the cross… How can we sing membership fee…
hatred toward people. “Forgive our sins, as we forgive [English version
Maybe some will tell me that they those who trespass against us”, by Lily Strungaru]
are fighting it. And perhaps to some without understanding that they are

Parochial Life | May - June 2005 |


A Tale of Two
Easters
by Liliana Strungaru
Easter is not only a movable
holiday but a multiple one: in most
years Western Christian churches
and Eastern Orthodox churches
celebrate Easter on different dates:
in 2005, for example, Easter is
celebrated on March 27 by Western
churches and May 1 by Orthodox
churches.
A Simple Formula, Complicated
Interpretations The formula for
Easter—"The first Sunday after the
first full moon on or after the vernal
equinox"—is identical for both
Western and Orthodox Easters, but
the churches base the dates on
different calendars: Western
churches use the Gregorian
calendar, the standard calendar for
much of the world, and Orthodox
churches use the older, Julian
calendar.
When is A Full Moon Full? The
two churches vary on the definition
of the vernal equinox and the full
moon. The Eastern Church sets the
The man – prayerful being
Alina Victoria Paraschiv
We pray in the Holy Liturgy, we pray at home, sometime at our job or
when we travel. But, how many are thinking that the prayerful attitude of
pure and humble hart (Psalm 51:18) must accompany all our thoughts
and deeds? It’s a long and difficult way until the prayerful disposition
will become the style of our life. Saints are our models, and more than
they, Jesus. Don’t you see how many times he retired for prayer, before
and after an action?
Parochial Life | May - June 2005 |
date of Easter according to the
actual, astronomical full moon and
the actual equinox as observed
along the meridian of Jerusalem,
site of the Crucifixion and
Resurrection.
Relation to Passover The Eastern
Orthodox Church also applies the
formula so that Easter always falls
after Passover, since the
Crucifixion and Resurrection of
Christ took place after he entered
Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. In
the Western Church, Easter
sometimes precedes Passover by
weeks.
Why One Faith and Two
Easters? The Western church does
not use the actual, or astronomically
correct date for the vernal equinox,
but a fixed date. And by full moon
it does not mean the astronomical
full moon but the “ecclesiastical
moon”, which is based on tables
created by the church. These
constructs allow the date of Easter
to be calculated in advance rather
than determined by actual
astronomical observances, which
are naturally less predictable.
Reconciling East and West A
meeting organized by the Council
of World Churches (in Aleppo,
Syria, March 5-10, 1997) proposed
a solution thought to be favorable to
both East and West: both methods
of calculation the equinox and the
paschal full moon would be
replaced with the most advanced
astronomically accurate
calculations available, using the
meridian of Jerusalem as the point
of measure. Since that meeting,
however, no further progress has
been made and the problem
remains.
pag. 5
THE SPIRIT OF ANZAC
by Coreena Cruceanu
The nightmare, the terror,
To what extent thy shall never
know;
However strict the naked eye
shall see,
The heart shall fill with love;
For those women who willingly
volunteered through the utmost
love in their hearts
Who shall be remembered
through history as a critical part
of the past.
Thou shall be honored for not
only work,
For the tears and sacrifices,
love and support.
For those who marched into
battlefields
With heads held high and
songs sung loud.
However terrible their lives must
have turned;
The diseases, starvation and
severe situations
Now brings honor upon their
names,
As they shall forever be our
heroes.
Even through the darkest of
times,
They brought up the courage
to keep on going.
Those who went through these
traumas and pain,
We pray for those scars so they
shall heal and fade away.
For their strength of spirit and
love of heart,
Which kept them going until
the end.
Their desires, hopes and spirits
are now profoundly lost
Within the fields of poppies,
Amongst the rows upon rows of
crosses;
Thou shall mark the place,
The place where our brave and
heroic soldiers’
Immortal souls shall linger in the
air,
And their weary and wounded
bodies shall forever rest in
peace.
pag. 6

tives. She gave an egg to each of countered the Saviour, took the cross
The Origin them saying “Christ has resur- from His shoulders and carried it up
of Painted eggs rected”. All of them answered: to his field. There he gave the cross
“Truly, he has resurrected”. This is a back to Jesus and started working his
by Simona Strungaru custom kept even nowadays. field. Because he was tired and hun-
There are a few legends that try to After the Resurrection of Christ a gry he opened his bag. To his
explain the origin of painted eggs. miracle happened. The apostles an- amazement he saw that the ordinary
When Jesus Christ was alive he nounced everywhere in Jerusalem bread had turned into (Easter) pound
was hit by his people with stones that the Saviour of the world has cake and instead of white eggs there
that turned into red eggs. risen from the dead. A woman that were beautiful red eggs. Simon told
While Jesus Christ had been sold eggs on the street wouldn’t be- this miracle to his woman and made
judged in front of Pillat, good lieve this and said: “As true is the her understand that it was a sign
hearted people gave red eggs to the fact that the eggs I sell are red, the from heaven and urged her to make
children and asked them to give same is the story about the resurrec- such sweet cake and red eggs for the
them, in turn, to their parents so that tion of Christ”. She hadn’t finished resurrection of Christ!!
they become more kind and thus to yet her sentence when suddenly all
save Jesus. In the memory of this the eggs from her basket became as
fact people paint eggs. red as blood and from that moment
On Easter eggs are painted red in she believed in the Resurrection. To
remembrance of the innocent blood remember this, red eggs are painted
of Christ, spilled for our sins (the on Easter.
sins of humanity). The first red eggs When a certain Simon went to cul-
have been made by Mary Magdalena tivate his field, he took some bread
to bring joy to her sisters and rela- and a few eggs. On his way he en-

the books we are reading Mordor to destroy the Ring of power.

With him went his faithful servant (and friend) Sam,
J.R.R. TOLKIEN another two Hobbits: Merry and Pippin, the wizard
Gandalf, a dwarf: Gimli son of Gloin, an Elf: Legolas
The Lord of the Rings: from Mirkwood, and two men: Boromir of Gondor and
The Fellowship of the Ring Aragorn son of Arathorn, heir to the throne of Gondor.
Together they set out to Mordor. They
by Ioana Maria Costache
passed through many adventures and
Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, in the dwarf city of Moria; Gandalf
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of was there slain by a Balrog, an
stone, ancient evil creature.
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, Then they passed through the
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne fair elven city of Loth-
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. lorien. There they were
One Ring to rule them all. One ring to find them, hosted by Lady Galadriel
One Ring to bring them all and in the and the lord of the Galadhrim
darkness bind them Celeborn. Each received a gift
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. from the Elves at their depar-
ture. They also received boats for their journey on
One of the best books I ever read is The Lord of the the great river. Finally they had to decide weather to go
Rings. Many had seen the movie, but they can trust me: to Minas Tirith with Boromir or to go through some
it is better to read the book! The story is wonderful and deserted lands to Mordor. Frodo then decided he will go
the characters very nice. Most of all, it is worthy to read alone to Mordor but he took Sam with him to and they
the book for learning how to figure out the difference went. But they were not alone…
between good and evil, and how to cherish friendship To Be Continued…
and life…
The dark fearsome Ringwraiths were searching for a DID YOU KNOW?!?!?
Hobbit. Frodo Baggins was his name, and they were Ŷ A dragonfly has a lifespan of 24 hours!
seeking for him and the Ring he had – the Ring of Ŷ A goldfish has a memory span of 3 seconds.
Power that would enable evil Sauron to destroy all that Ŷ Only one person in about 3 billion will live to be 116 years
was good in Middle-Earth. Frodo was going to the or over.
Elven city of Rivendell where he was sent by the wiz- Ŷ On average, people fear spiders more than death!
ard Gandalf the Grey. From there he and a small band Ŷ China has more people that speak English than the United
of companions had to go to Mount Doom in the land of States of America. (by Simona Strungaru)

Parochial Life | May - June 2005 |

 pag. 7

Romania’s warm, sunny east coast— PEOPLE

which borders the Black Sea—has More than 85 per cent of its people
ROMANIA dozens of sandy beaches and a huge are Romanians by ancestry.
by Robert Cruceanu wildlife preserve. Hungarians form the largest
Romania’s rural people hold minority group in Romania, making
Romania, also spelled Rumania, is festivals at which they dance to the up about 8 per cent of the
a country in Eastern Europe. Its lively sounds of Romanian folk population. Germans make up about
name means land of the Romans. music. 2 per cent. Smaller groups include
The country is so called because it Romania has a wealth of natural Gypsies, Jews, Turks, and
was part of the Roman Empire resources, including fertile soil, Ukrainians.
during ancient times. Bucharest is mineral deposits, and vast forests. About half of Romania’s people
Romania’s capital and largest city. Even so, it has always been one still live in rural areas. Each year,
Romania lies west of the Black Sea Europe’s least developed nations. however, many rural Romanians
and north of the Balkan Peninsula, Romania also suffered from an move to cities to take jobs in
Europe’s southeastern tip. Along overdependence on one economic industry. Bucharest is Romania’s
string of mountains curves through activity, agriculture. largest city by far. It has about 2
northern and central Romania. million people.

LANGUAGE
Romanian is the nation’s official
language and is spoken by almost all
the people. Many of Romania’s
Germans and Hungarians prefer to
speak their own ethnic languages
among themselves.
Romanian developed from Latin,
the language of the Romans who
ruled the country in ancient times.
Romanian is the only Eastern
European language that comes from
Latin. As a result, it is much
different from all the other French,
Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
These Western European languages
also developed from Latin.

want to be forgiven? giveness, even if we see ourself as

About Forgiveness
Dr Emil Eracovici
One of the most important teachings
we have from Jesus Christ is about
forgiveness. Sometimes it is easy to
forgive, especially when recognition
of wrong doing and an expression of
apology are offered. At other times a
policy of ‘agree to disagree’ is
adopted by both parties, hurtful ac-
cusations are left aside and recon-
ciliation is seek by everyone in the
name of Christian behaviour.
But what do we do when the push
towards a peaceful resolution is one
sided? What can we do when those
who upset us does not recognise
their wrong doing, as we see it, and
reject the idea of reconciliation? Can
we forgive someone who does not
There is so much we can learn on the
subject of forgiveness from our Lord
on the cross. He forgave one of the
malefactors who was crucified
alongside him, when he repented and
acknowledge his sins, even in the
twelfth hour. “And he said to Jesus:
remember me when you come into
your kingdom. Jesus answered him, I
tell you the truth, today you will be
with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-
43). Also He prayed for those who
were mocking and crucifying Him,
“Father, forgive them for they know
not what they do”. So the answer to
the question above is affirmative.
We can and it is our Christian duty
to forgive even when an apology is
not offered. More than that, in the
name of our Orthodox spirituality,
we should be the one to ask for for-
innocent… if our pride will allowed
us… because there is no innocence
as long there is no reconciliation.
What is forgiveness? Sparring our
foe from physical or verbal attacks?
Restraining ourself from any per-
sonal or professional malice? Re-
sponding to “Hello”s? Is this
enough? Close contemplation of the
New Testament will help us realise
that we are asked to do more than
that. Indeed it is important not to
give in to the instinct of revenge, but
this represents only the first step to-
wards forgiveness. Difficulties come
when we try to escape the darkness
and the burden of hatred that lay in
the depths of our soul; dealing with
the stomach cramp we feel at the site
) page 8

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pag. 8

Romania into the European Structures About forgiveness… ( page 7

Signing a paper: 25 April, 2005
of mention of the name of our foe.
Rev. Dr. Doru Costache How do we avoid the anxious look on
our faces when we try to be nice to
When addressing the subject Coandă, artist Constantin Brancuúi,
the ones we think we’ve forgiven, but
regarding Romania’s integration composer George Enescu, religious
haven’t yet forgiven. The difficulty
into the European Union, we have historian Mircea Eliade,
comes when we realise that to love
to be aware of both the economic philosopher Emil Cioran, writer
your neighbour as you love yourself,
and political aspects of this process Eugene Ionescu, and biologist and
also means to love your enemy, to
and long awaited event. While I am Nobel Prize winner George Palade,
love those who’ve upset you one way
not qualified to discuss such who will always be inscribed in the
or another, with or without intention,
matters as economics or politics, I memory of mankind.
whether they have asked for forgive-
am able to approach this topic from One may acknowledge that the ness or not.
a different point of view. I am political act of integration comes a
referring to the both spiritual and Love for your enemy is not some-
little late and only as recognition of
cultural aspects of Romania’s thing one can learn from a book. I
our previous contributions to the
contribution, of its presence in the think it can only be received as a gift
development of the European
context of the civilized world. from God, through persistent prayer
culture and society. However,
and fasting.
Even being the circumstances of Romanians are able to contribute
our institutional and economic slow much more the development of the We know we have forgiven only
motion, Romania obviously belongs modern world, if not economically after lifting the burden of our primary
to Europe. Romania is a Central then spiritually. Recovering their instinct of revenge and hatred from
European country, a land that dignity – which now becomes our soul, exposing it to the light and
geographically belongs to the Old possible as accepted into the warmth of our Father’s love. This will
Continent. It is also a gateway European Union and as Europeans allow us to see Jesus Christ in the
between East and West. Romanians –, Romanians could proudly eyes of every human being.
are an unusual people, of Western manifest their noble character. To forgive when an apology is of-
Latin origin and mentality, who Therefore, the political act of the fered; to apologise when we consider
share the spiritual heritage of the European integration could be seen ourself innocent; to love when our
Eastern Christendom. It seems that indeed as the chance for a wounded pride guides us towards ha-
not only geographically but also resurrection – and not only of tred… Difficult things are asked of us.
culturally, Romania represents the Romania, but of the spirit of Europe But what awaits us in return is beyond
crossroads between East and West. too. Within a dominant secular description. “Blessed the peacemak-
Romania may also be understood as society that disregards the inner life ers, for they shall be called sons of
a microcosmic historical model of of the human person, I know that God” (Matthew 5:9).
what today’s Europe is the people of Romania, as a
representing: a multicultural and predominant Christian Orthodox Astronomy
multilingual society, where nation, can bring back to modern
different nations are welcomed by Europe its lost soul. I am confident A new society hopefully will be established
the Romanian majority, and where that within the European Union or for people of all ages who share a com-
everyone can express his or her even here in Australia, Romanians mon interest in Astronomy, organised by
cultural and religious identity can retrieve their spiritual roots, in the St Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church
freely. Furthermore, Romania order to creatively participate to the in Sydney. The group will meet up once a
contributed to the development of global effort of building a better month mainly to view planets, constella-
civilization and of human spirit world. tions and galaxies. In addition we will also
with the likes of engineer Henry discuss current/past issues about similar
themes. Depending on the popularity we
Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. […] He will organise more frequent group meet-
assumed the worse that He might give us the better; He be- ings and excursions to various observato-
came poor that we through His poverty might be rich; He took ries and space related functions. Your
upon Him the form of a servant that we might receive back our own telescope isn’t required but would be
liberty; He came down that we might be exalted; He was welcomed.
tempted that we might conquer; He was dishonoured that He Location: Henley Park, Enfield
might glorify us; He died that He might save us; He ascended Time/Date: The first Friday of every new
that He might draw to Himself us, who were lying month at 7:30 pm
low in the Fall of sin.
For anyone interested please
(St Gregory the Theologian, contact Dragoú, by email on
First Paschal Oration) mofman@gmail.com

Parochial Life | May - June 2005 |

 pag. 9

MENS SANA during fermentation, fibre produces finish the day, 1-2 hours before bed-
short chain fatty acids that may time.
IN CORPORE SANO protect against bowel cancer. Gradual introduction of fibre into
Dr. Emil Eracovici There are other positive health ef- your diet is recommended to prevent
fects of fibre. It slows the digestion bloating in people who are not used
Fibre and bowel health
and absorption of sugar very helpful to consuming adequate amounts of it
One of the most important factors
in diabetes. I t also reduces the ab- on a daily basis.
for maintaining bowel health is fibre.
sorption of cholesterol, lowering Any change in bowel habit, espe-
Fibre comes from plants and good
blood levels, and increases the feel- cially after the age of 40 needs to be
sources of fibre are: wholemeal
ing of fullness after eating, helping assessed by your family doctor to
bread, fruit, vegetables, cereals, nuts
in maintaining a healthy weight. exclude bowel cancer.
and seeds.
Bran based cereals (Bran Plus, All- Drinking 2L of water daily and a
Fibre passes through the stomach
Bran) are very rich in fibre and can personalised exercise program
and small bowel unchanged, and it is
be served for breakfast with milk, (discuss with your doctor if you have
broken down through fermentation
sliced fruit and nuts. kidney or heart problems) alongside
in the large bowel making the stool
Vegetables, beans, lentils, chick- a good intake of fibre will go a long
easier and quicker to pass. This re-
peas or “al dente” cooked pasta way to keeping your gastrointestinal
duces the time of contact between
should accompany the main meal system and general health in good
possible cancer causing substances
and a fruit salad is a good way to order.
and the lining of the bowel. Also,
decision to migrate to the have her greatest wish come suffered with pulmonary fibro-
IN MEMORIAM “lucky country” – Australia. As true, a baby girl Marianne was sis, a major lung disease
ELENA SIOKOS Dad has always said: “the born, her 3rd child. Now the which caused her major suf-
best country in the world”. family was complete. fering.
Elena Siokos (nee Stoicescu) Elena and Harry both immedi- Over the years Elena and She was our mother, best
was born in Constantsa, Ro- ately adopted Australia as Harry had the opportunity to friend and loving wife to her
mania on 17th November their new home and assimi- travel overseas and revisit husband Harry. We will miss
1922. In 1947 she met a dash- lated very well into the country Romania and Greece. In the her immensely.
ing young man of Greek with their first priority to 80’s they decided to bring her Once in a lifetime an angel
descent named learn English and mother Maria to Australia so gives us guidance. Elena
Haralambos be part of the Aus- that she too could enjoy the was our angel. God Bless
(Harry) Siokos. tralian way of life. country her daughter had her and may she rest in
They wed in 1947, Elena was able to wrote to her about. peace.
and in 1948 their find work as a Mum’s dream was always to We love you Mum.
first son Demetrios seamstress in the see her 3 kids educated, hap- John, James and Marianne
(James) was born in fashion industry and pily married and have plenty
Bucharest. Due to political worked in this area for over of grandchildren. She was
tensions in Romania, Elena 20 years. These were very certainly blessed with six
and Harry decided to move hard years as an immigrant to grandchildren, Michael, Chris-
back to Greece where in 1954 a new country as she had to tina, Anthony, Gabriella, Elena
their second son John leave her kids with carers (named after her) and Si-
(Dionysios) was born. These while she worked fulltime. In mona, who all loved her dearly
were hard times and Greece these days she and her family and will forever cherish her
was also going through tough had many hardships, as things memories and strong-will.
political turmoil. were very different from today. She loved Australia and al-
In 1955 they made the brave In 1967 she was fortunate to ways felt at home. In 2003 she
providing the basic necessities of those who this undertaking, please contact me at the
Ladies and Gentleman, seek their assistance in their darkest hour. following:
I have recently learned about the amazing I am therefore appealing to you all that we as Lily Strungaru
deeds of a very special Christian man, father Christians, members or non-members of St Tel. (02) 4647 5294
Nicolae Tănase, who is the parish priest in a Mary’s parish, should unite, and in a joined Mobile: 0416 267 309
village in Romania (Valea Plopului, Prahova effort, initiate a plan that would constitute Email: strungaru@ozemail.com.au
county). Father Tănase has transformed his some sort of contribution that would help
You can also contact father Nicolae Tănase
parish as well as his village into a safe haven father Tănase and those he strives to aid.
on:
for the needy. He has given comfort, warmth Let us reach deeply into our hearts to find
Tel. 004-0244-280600
and shelter but above all hope to homeless the compassion we need to make a small
Mobile: 004-0722384794
women, children and orphans. Father difference in someone else’s life. Thanking
Email: asociatiaprovita@hotmail.com
Tănase together with his parishioners and you in anticipation.
his rural community work very hard at Yours faithfully, Lily Strungaru
For those who are interested in being part of

Parochial Life | May - June 2005 |

pag. 10

AFLĂM DE LA CONSULATUL
GENERAL AL ROMÂNIEI LA SYDNEY
84 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay, NSW 2011
secretariat: tel 9331 87 99; fax: 9357 15 65; secĠia consulară: 8354 02 68
email: consgrom@tpg.com.au

REDACTAREA ùI supralegalizării actelor PROCEDURA cazul în care nu există

AUTENTIFICAREA oficiale străine. REDACTĂRII ùI nici un astfel de act, este
PROCURILOR ùI Printre cele mai AUTENTIFICĂRII acceptat úi actul de
DECLARAğIILOR frecvent utilizate procuri UNUI MANDAT identitate străin, însoĠit
úi declaraĠii se numără: de dovada cetăĠeniei
Actele notariale procura generală, CetăĠenii români care române sub formă de
redactate în străinătate, procura specială pentru se află în Australia / adeverinĠă, eliberată de
pentru care legea română ridicarea pensiei din Noua Zeelandă în mod Ministerul
cere forma autentică România, procura temporar sau permanent, AdministraĠiei úi
pentru a produce efecte specială pentru pot fi reprezentaĠi în Internelor, sau de
juridice în România, deschiderea dosarului de România, în vederea adeverinĠa de
sunt luate în considerare pensionare, procura susĠinerii intereselor lor, redobândire a cetăĠeniei.
numai dacă au forma specială pentru emiterea prin intermediul unor Taxa consulară este de
actelor juridice úi eliberarea unui persoane împuternicite, 65 AUD, sumă care
româneúti úi sunt paúaport românesc, numite mandatari. În poate fi achitată cash sau
autentificate de misiunea procura specială pentru acest sens, persoanele printr-un australian
diplomatică sau emiterea úi eliberarea interesate vor completa money order adresat
consulară a României cărĠii de identitate, formularul de procură Ambasadei /
din Ġara în care se află procura specială pentru (pus la dispoziĠie de Consulatului. Nu se
titularul actului. vânzare, procura Ambasadă / Consulat) în acceptă plata cu cec
Pentru recunoaúterea specială pentru două exemplare, cu toate personal, cec de bancă
de către autorităĠile administrare, procura datele, iar după sau carte de credit.
române a valabilităĠii úi specială pentru autentificare vor Pentru a soluĠiona
efectelor unei procuri reprezentarea la transmite procura în cererea dumneavoastră
sau a unei declaraĠii succesiune, declaraĠie de România persoanei în regim de urgenĠă
redactate în străinătate, renunĠare la succesiune, împuternicite. (max 48 de ore), se va
legea prevede două declaraĠie de acceptare a Pentru îndeplinirea achita în plus suma de
proceduri distincte: succesiunii úi acestei proceduri, 10 AUD.
Autentificarea actului împuternicirea unei persoanele interesate vor
de către consul, sau persoane pentru trebui să prezinte act de
Certificarea reprezentarea la masa identitate valabil
SPONSORS
documentelor cu apostila succesorală, declaraĠie (buletin / carte de
Consulate General of
prevăzută de ConvenĠia pentru redobândirea identitate sau paúaport
Romania (Sydney)
de la Haga, din 1961, cu cetăĠeniei române. românesc valabil), în
Dr. Ovidiu Florică
privire la suprimarea original úi fotocopie. În
Mr. George Strungaru
EMBASSY OF ROMANIA Yesterday I was
CANBERRA crucified with Him;
4 Dalman Crescent, O'Malley, ACT 2606 the board:
tel (02) 6286.2343 - fax (02) 6286.2433 today I am glorified Rev. Doru Costache, PhD
e-mail: roembassy@roembau.org with Him; yesterday Prof. Cristina Tănase
home page: www.roembau.org I died with Him; to- Dr. Simona Eracovici
Dr. Emil Eracovici
Pentru ajutorarea victimelor inundaĠiilor din România, day I am quick-
Secretariatul General al Guvernului a deschis ened with Him; yes- layout design:
următoarele conturi la Banca Comercială Română - terday I was buried Ion Nedelcu (Bucharest)
sector 1, unde doritorii pot face donaĠii: with Him; today I address:
pentru ROL : RO65RNCB5010000138390083 rise with Him. 64 Linthorn Ave,
pentru EUR : RO38RNCB5010000138390084 (St Gregory the Croydon Park, NSW 2133.
Theologian, phone: (02) 9642 02 60
pentru USD : RO11RNCB5010000138390085
First Paschal Oration)

Parochial Life | May - June 2005 |