iEcclesia Season II

Episode 35:

For the Life of the World: The True meaning of Christmas

 

 

iEcclesia  ...From Canada to the World

 

 

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!


Everyone at iEcclesia would like to wish all of our listeners a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, blessed by our Lord! May the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, grant us all peace, prosperity and every blessing from Above!

 

 

Program Information

 

 

Broadcast date: Friday December 26th, 2008
 

Our thirty-fifth broadcast features host Tim Prattas and guest Rev. Fr. Konstantine Chatzis, along with  members of the Metropolis Youth Board Patricia Rakopoulos and Vicky Nikolaos as they discuss what the true meaning of Christmas is.

 

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Episode Summary

Called “The Winter Pascha”, the Great Feast of Christmas is a time when Christians all over the world celebrate the Nativity of Christ in the flesh, the Birth of Jesus in a humble cave in Bethlehem. With this Great Feast around the corner, we find Churches and homes decorated with Christmas trees, poinsettias, wreaths and Christmas lights aplenty. In Canada, the snow is falling; in Australia, they’re in the midst of summer. Wherever in the world one might find themselves, one thing is clear: everyone is waiting to celebrate Christmas in their own unique way. And yet, as everyone celebrates Christmas in their own unique way, there is a common thread for all Christians: that Christ brings life and hope to a fallen world. He did it 2000 years ago, and continues to do so today.

In the first half of the program, host Tim Prattas and guest Rev. Fr. Konstantine Chatzis begin the discussion with recounting the "Christmas Story" and it's meaning and importance for us. Christmas has many symbols attached to it, such as the Christmas tree, giving presents and Christmas lights. Fr. Konstantine describes and explains their significance and meaning as well as how these symbols help us to appreciate Christmas more. Fr. Konstantine concludes by telling us how Christians and non-Christians should prepare to welcome Christ.

 

In the second half of the program, guests Patricia Rakopoulos and Vicky Nikolaos continue the discussion with Host Tim Prattas beginning by asking the panel how they celebrate Christmas. Next, along with the symbols of Christmas the panel gives us their thoughts on what the birth of Christ means for our society today. Also the panel comment on what they believe both regular faithful and the Church should do to educate people – both believers and non-believers alike – about Christmas and the Christian faith. The program concludes with the panel commenting on how Christians and non-Christians should prepare to welcome Christ.

 

So, join us for this week's program, For the Life of the World: The True Meaning of Christmas

 

 

Guest Information

 

 Tim Prattas, Host

 

- National Youth Director, Metropolis Youth Board (Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada))

- B.Th. (Valedictorian), Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy

- M.Div., Tyndale Seminary

 

 

Fr. Konstantine Chatzis

 

- Professor of Liturgics, Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy (Toronto, Ontario)

- Graduate and first Valedictorian, Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy (Toronto, Ontario)

- Graduate, St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)

- Parish Priest, Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Community (Kitchener, Ontario)

- Married to Presbytera Stamatia

 

 

Patricia Rakopoulos

 

- Treasurer, Metropolis Youth Board

- Former Youth Director, Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Cathedral (Toronto, Ontario)

- Currently studying at the University of Ottawa

 

 

 

 

Ms. Vicky Nikolaos

 

- Member, Metropolis Youth Board

- Parishioner and Sunday School teacher, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church (Toronto, Ontario)

- Currently studying for her Bachelor’s in Sociology, York University (Toronto, Ontario)

- Represented the Youth Board at the 2nd International Orthodox Youth Conference in Constantinople.