Presbytera Mary Kristof (St. Nicholas — Ukrainian)

1. The St. Panteleimon Ministry:
An Introduction
April 2013
By Gerald Largent
Ministry Coordinator
St. Panteleimon Orthodox Christian Outreach

2. Mission Statement
"St. Panteleimon Orthodox Christian Outreach
is a Pan-Orthodox ministry that displays
Christian love, mercy and compassion
to the individuals, families and facilities it serves."

3. July 2010 – The Beginning
St. Panteleimon Orthodox
Christian Outreach was
incorporated on July 6, 2010
Photo at left: Icon of St.
Panteleimon before Vespers on
July 26 at St. Nicholas in
Lakewood.
The Ministry’s Patronal Feast Day is July 27.

4. Scriptural Rationale
• Matthew 25:31-46
• "And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as often
as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it
to Me.'" --Matthew 25:40

5. "The Least of These"
• This expression has two levels:
– literal
• "the least important among you"; those who are
"unwanted" or "worthless" in the eyes of society;
those who are abandoned by family or
condemned to prison
– spiritual
• blessedness; opportunity to pray for the world;
prayer warriors; a sort of "monastic" calling

6. Christ's Examples of the Least
• hungry
• thirsty
• strangers/foreigners
• naked
• sick
• imprisoned

7. St. Panteleimon serves the Least
• typically people in nursing homes, assisted/independent living
facilities; but could be other places as well
– could adapt ministry to group homes, psychiatric
hospitals, jails, etc.; wherever the need may be
• many times the people we serve are sick, feel like they are in
prison, or both

8. Inspiration for the
St. Panteleimon Ministry
Julia Hendrick (1921-2009)
My “Baba” (Ukrainian word for
“grandma”)
Resident of Westlake Health
Care Center from 2006-2009

9. Why this ministry?
• Christ commands us to love our neighbor and to care for “the
least of these”
• There is a great hunger for spiritually-oriented programs at
nursing facilities and other similar institutions
• If other Christian groups can do it... why can't we?

10. Choice of a Patron Saint
• St. Panteleimon's name
means "all-merciful"
• The goal of this ministry is
to emulate the mercy and
love of God, as St.
Panteleimon did, and to
display them to the people
we serve.
The Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon was martyred on July 27, 305.

11. Aspects of the Ministry *
• Typically we offer a combination of the following:
– group prayer (corporate worship)
– individual prayer
– one-on-one visits
– liaison to residents’ home parishes
• Bible studies and/or support groups available upon request
• * – Our programs can be tailored to meet the specific spiritual needs
of an individual or nursing facility, but they will always be within the
Orthodox Christian tradition.

12. Some Frequent Questions
• Whom does the ministry serve?
– Our primary purpose is to visit with and minister to
Orthodox Christians who are unable to attend services
and programs at a local parish.
• Is this ministry open to Orthodox Christians only?
– No. We visit and minister to people of all faith
backgrounds who desire to worship the Holy Trinity,
however we minister from an Orthodox Christian
perspective.

13. What if you lived here?
• Many people we serve live in
spaces the size of a hospital
room
• Some live alone; others have
roommates, which cuts their
space in half
• Cannot leave facility unless
relatives/friends “sign them
out” for a few hours... or if
they “escape”

14. Some Common Themes
• “God loves you”
• “You have a purpose”
– Most important: pray for the world!
• “We have to take up our crosses and follow Christ”
• “We have hope in Christ for eternal life”

15. At the Facilities…

16. Overview of a Sunday Program
• 2:00pm - 2:40 -- Typica service
– prayer requests and announcements
– distribution of weekly devotional
– distribution of Antidoron that was blessed by Fr. Dennis
at that morning's Liturgy
– distribution of other seasonal items (i.e. eggs at Pascha,
Jordan water at Theophany, fruit at Transfiguration,
flowers at Dormition, and so on)
• 2:45 - 3:15 -- coffee hour social with residents
• 3:20 - 3:45/4:00 -- one-on-one visits with those who are
confined to their room or bed

17. Where services are held
(suburb and number of facilities)
• Lakewood: 1
• Medina: 4
• Middleburg Hts.: 2 (1 facility has services, another Bible study)
• North Olmsted: 1
• Parma Hts.: 1
• Rocky River: 3
• Westlake: 3

18. St. Panteleimon by the Numbers
• Prayer services held in 2012: 240
• Resident contacts in 2012: 600 (approximate)
• Facilities with Orthodox contacts: 23
• Facilities with regular Orthodox prayer services scheduled: 14
• Facilities with regular Orthodox Bible studies scheduled: 2
• Parishes represented: 12
Data accurate as of April 2013

19. What the Residents are saying...
• "We have a little family here when we get together and pray on
Sunday."
• "I'm Catholic, but I like the Orthodox service better than the
Catholic one. They have Communion but that's about it. Theirs
is only 10 or 15 minutes. Yours has more hymns and readings
and a sermon. It's more like Mass."
• "Time for church!"
• "I'm Baptist but I enjoy learning about the Orthodox Church."

20. Reflection by Angie Giallourakis
Picture this scenario: Your mother has Alzheimer’s disease and lives in
a respectable Assisted Living Facility, where all her physical needs are
being met. In fact, you ask the Activities Director to include her in any
Christian Programs that become available during the day. The
programs are very nice and wholesome, but:
•Your mother is a Greek Orthodox Christian
•She cannot communicate her feelings but can still recite the prayers
of the church
•She can still sing the hymns of the church
•Sometimes has Evangelical Christians asking if my mother is a “true
Christian” (whatever that means).
This was my mother’s story.

21. Angie Giallourakis (Slide 2)
My mother did have visitations from our wonderful parish priest,
which were always very spiritually uplifting. Unfortunately our priest,
like many other Orthodox Christian Priests, had many people like my
mother to tend to during a typical week of visiting shut-ins. When my
mother lay dying in her bed I played a CD of Greek Orthodox
Christian Hymns for her to listen to in hopes of experiencing a more
peaceful ending to her life. It was all I knew to do.
Witnessing my mother going through the tribulations of Alzheimer’s
disease was very difficult for me. I felt very alone. The entire time I
wished there was a ministry, similar to other Christian groups that
provided support to shut-ins within the context of the Orthodox
Christian Faith!!!

22. Angie Giallourakis (Slide 3)
Two years ago my aunt suffered a severe stroke and was undergoing
rehabilitation in a facility where the St. Panteleimon Ministry was
being made available to residents. Imagine my delight in knowing that
a loving family member would be able to participate in an Orthodox
Christian prayer service while going through rigorous rehabilitation. I
attribute my aunt’s recovery to the loving support of the St.
Panteleimon community.
By the Grace of God, we have a ministry available to individuals in
the NE Ohio area designed to address the needs of Orthodox
Christian’s living in Nursing Facilities. Now members of the
Orthodox Christian community can participate in regularly scheduled
prayer services without having to leave their residence. This is
particularly important for individuals who have health issues that
require them to remain “in-house”.

23. Angie Giallourakis (Slide 4)
It is an honor to be a Board Member of the St. Panteleimon Ministry. I
am hopeful that you will consider being a supporter of this important
ministry.
Thank you.
Angie Giallourakis

24. Reflection by Mary Grechny
Until two years ago, I gave only an occasional thought to those
confined to a nursing home. Life certainly can change quickly.
My mother is a devout Orthodox Christian who attended church
services regularly and had an active life in her parish. As her age
advanced and she was no longer able to drive, I made sure that she
attended her church every Sunday, feast days, and stayed connected to
her church family. After almost nine years, this came to an abrupt
end....she fell and broke her hip.

25. Mary Grechny (Slide 2)
Mom endured sudden hospitalization, surgery, and was now confined
to a skilled nursing facility. She told me that she felt like she was in
jail. For almost three months, I spent many hours, every day, at the
facility, keeping an eye on her medications, meals, physical therapy,
and more. The staff was encouraged that someone cared and visited
regularly. This gave me the opportunity to interact with both,
permanent residents and those who were there for rehabilitation. Very
few had visitors, even on weekends. I felt their loneliness. Thank God
that Mom's priest visited her weekly and helped to lift her spirits.
Other residents became curious about her faith, so she often talked
with them about Orthodoxy and why her priest took the time to visit
and pray with her. She explained how he made her feel loved and still
connected to her church.

26. Mary Grechny (Slide 3)
Weeks went by and with daily physical therapy, Mom worked hard at
being able to walk again. But her biggest fear was “will I ever go to
my church again?” Her heart would sink every Friday morning when
she would hear volunteers knocking on residents' doors announcing
that a Catholic prayer service would soon begin. And, each time that I
heard this, I wondered why we “Orthodox” didn't do something like
this. Well, now we do!

27. Mary Grechny (Slide 4)
Almost a year and a half ago, I attended my first prayer service held
by St. Panteleimon Orthodox Christian Outreach. It didn't take long
for me to realize that praying with and serving the residents blessed
me! So much appreciation lights up their faces through their smiles.
They are so happy to share their own church backgrounds and family
life. This special time helps them feel loved and connected to their
church. Often, there are questions about our faith. A new Bible Study
class at one of the facilities was well attended.

28. Mary Grechny (Slide 5)
To continue this important work, we need your help. Please give
prayerful consideration to supporting this ministry. Please help those
who cannot attend their church any longer. Volunteering is easy!
Come when you can. Come and visit. You can help at a service by
setting up the table, icons, lights, pass out folders so that those
attending can follow, join in singing, reading the epistle, and pass out
the bulletins. Or most of all, just come and pray with us. Come and
experience the joy of serving. We welcome all ages, all help, all
talents (yes, a real “Talent Show” earlier this year entertained
residents). We will gladly work around your work and school
schedules. For students, we'll be happy to provide documentation for
your time spent volunteering.

29. Mary Grechny (Slide 6)
If you would like to learn more or have any questions, please contact
me.
Thank you,
Mary Grechny

30. “How can I get involved?”
• Let us know if you have relatives and friends who would like us
to visit them.
• Volunteer at our programs, events, or as a parish contact person.
• Spread the word at your home parish.
• Support our fund-raisers.
• Next one: Bowling Fundraiser at Yorktown Lanes in Parma
Heights
• 6/7/13 from 6pm-8:30
• Make a tax-deductible donation.

31. Volunteers Needed
• We would be happy to have more volunteers.
• Some of our greatest needs are for individuals
to:
– conduct one-on-one visits
– lead Bible studies at nursing homes
where they are requested
– assist with singing, reading and
hospitality at prayer services
– visit with those residents who have
special language needs

32. However...
There are ways for you to serve with St. Panteleimon's
regardless of your schedule, talents, interests, age, etc.
ALL ARE WELCOME!!!

33. Invitation
• Come and join us in visiting and praying with the poor in spirit.
• You will learn many lessons from them about the Christian life.
• It can be a very “humbling” experience.
• Call 440-941-4850 for more information.

34. To close...
Kontakion of St. Panteleimon
“You emulated the Merciful One,
and received the grace of healing.
O Passion-bearer and healer Panteleimon;
by your prayers heal the diseases of our souls
and continually drive away the temptations of the enemy
from those who cry out in faith: Save us, O Lord.”

35. Our Team
• Spiritual Adviser: Very Rev. Fr. Dennis Kristof (St. Nicholas —
Ukrainian)
• President/Ministry Coordinator: Gerald Largent (St. Nicholas —
Ukrainian)
• Vice President: Presbytera Kathy Babich (Ss. Peter and Paul/Lakewood
— OCA)
• Corresponding Secretary: Angie Giallourakis (St. Demetrios — Greek)
• Recording Secretary: Natalie Walsh (St. Nicholas — Ukrainian)
• Treasurer: Joanne Hendrick (St. Nicholas — Ukrainian)
• Fundraising Coordinator: Marie Wislocki (Holy Trinity — OCA)
• Volunteer Coordinator: Mary Grechny (Holy Trinity — OCA)