The Voice of Saint George

Transcript

1 November/December 2009 Volume 7 Issue 6 A publication of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George The Voice of Saint George The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the LORD. (Matt.3:3) «Φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, Ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου» A Message From Our Pastor Do not be afraid, believe and you will be saved (Luke 8: 50). Many times in the Gospel we see the power of faith performing miracles. The truth is that wherever there is strong, full, and true faith in the Lord, it has such power that can make miracles. Real miracles! The faith in Christ is the greatest strength in the world. During the many difficult times in our lives, faith in Christ gives us strength and makes us perform miracles as He did to the daughter of Jarius, and to the woman who was bleeding for many years, and on other occasions, like the two blind men. (Math. 9:27-30). In This Issue PTO Information Stewardship Report United Way Reminder Upcoming Feast Days Cretan Dance Annual GOYA Taverna Night In Every Issue Pastor s Message President s Message Church Calendar Sunday School News G.O.Y.A. News Philoptochos News Voice of St. George Submission Dates Always, we need faith, especially during difficult situations and times of our lives. Its strength appears when sicknesses, catastrophes, and difficult times visit us or our family members and friends. When death visits our people and sorrow surrounds our heart, then our own strength leaves us and we are weak. When there is faith, the weakness disappears, and thanks to faith we can face the most difficult situations in our lives in peace and calmness. Faith is the absolute proof of the love that God has towards mankind. The abundant love of God is demonstrated to mankind, like the blind man in Luke: 18: Faith leads mankind closer to Christ, makes him pray to God. Faith makes him ask and beseech His help with humility. Faith also makes man know that God listens to him, comes to his rescue, answers his prayers and takes him under His protection. This happened with the woman who had a bleeding issue for years, and with many other miracles mentioned in the Gospels. The woman who had the bleeding issue believed if she touched the garment of Jesus Christ she would be healed. Jesus assured her by saying: YOUR FAITH HAS SAVED YOU (Math. 15:28). The same happened to Jarius, the Roman commander, whose daughter was resurrected; and the Paralytic, who being lowered from the roof, was healed by Christ due to the faith of his friends. In 1940, during the Second World War, little Greece conquered its giant enemies with faith, prayer and heroism. With faith in Christ and the Protection of the Virgin Mary, in 1913, and in 1914, the city of St. Demetrios, Thessaloniki and the regions of Macedonia and Thrace were freed from the 400-year Turkish yoke; and in 1940, from the German and Italian occupation. The Greek Nation asked God s help and was freed; the miracle took place! Faith conquered the enemies who were at their full strength and made heroes of the Greek soldiers. In order to have a spiritual life, which will bring salvation to man, faith is needed. This faith has the strength to bring salvation. Whoever hears my words and believes in Him who sent me has eternal life (John 5:24-25). The Lord again said, Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. (Mark 16:16). And in Philippi when the jailer asked Sts. Paul and Silas, What must I do to be saved? and they answered him, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved; you and your Family. So, my beloved, faith has strength, leads us, and empowers us.

2 Page 2 The Voice of St. George GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAINT GEORGE The Very Reverend Alexander Kile, Pastor Parish Council President Emmanuel Manioudakis Vice President / Administration Perry Petsanas Vice President / Operations George Athanasopoulos Evangeline Emanuel, Secretary Michael Sirimis, Treasurer Katerina Leftheris, Comptroller Members Lampros Bourodimos James Exarchakis Basil Fottis Demetrius Kambitsis Vassilis Keramidas Nicholas Koumarianos George Petrantonakis George Rodoussakis Peter Sirimis Special Thanks to the Voice of St. George Volunteers Very Rev. Alexander Kile Board of Trustees Arete Bouhlas Daughters of Penelope Eftihia Karayiannidis Kay Kehayas Georgia Peterson Polly Ploussiou Evelyn Tsiadis, Editor Church Organizations Philoptochos Society - St. Barbara Pegi Zajac, President Cantors and Choir Yiorgos Bilalis, Director Sunday School Lemonia Malahias Miko, Paul Stevens, Maggie Stavrianidis Greek School Panos Georgopoulos, Superintendent Toula Karamarkos, Principal Sofia Amaxopoulos, Katerina Kourti, Angeliki Papasavas, Chrisoula Plias, Iro Mavrianos, Parent Teacher Organization Athinoulla Bizos, President Helen Sirimis, Vice President Nicki Makrelis, Secretary Kathy Catanzaro, Treasurer GOYA Nicholas Albanese, President Advisors Eleni Banis, George Hadjiloucas, Nellie Tsipoura, Jim Exarchakis, Fotini Mangafas, Costas Makrelis, Roseanne Rexines, Mike Sirimis, Annie Sullivan, Evie Georgopoulos JOY/HOPE Helen Sirimis Moms & Tots Sonia Petinatos Senior Citizens Nicki Kopanakis, President Focus Nicholas Kambitsis Church Committees Events/Fundraising Nicholas Kambitsis Festival John Lyssikatos Mike Dimitrakis House and Grounds George Athanasopoulos Memorial Dr. John Stroumtsos Parking Lot Nicholas Kambitsis Lampros Bourodimos Stewardship Katerina Leftheris Web-Site Bill Fottis To Our St. George Parishioners We invite all our parishioners to join and support our many church organizations and committees and become an active part of the success and progress of our beloved St. George community. Very Rev. Alexander Kile St. George Parish Council

3 November/December 2009 Page 3 ECCLESIASTICAL SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Matins 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:15 a.m. Weekday Services 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. NOVEMBER Sunday 1 st 2 nd Sunday of Luke Saints Cosmas and Damian the unmercenary Epistle: 1 Cor. 12:27-13:8, Gospel: Matt. 10:1, 5-8 Sunday 8 th 7th Sunday of Luke Synaxis of Archangels Michael & Gabriel Epistle: Hebrews 2:2-10, Gospel: Luke 10:16-21 Monday 9 th St. Nektarios Friday 13 th St. John Chrysostom Saturday 14 th St. Phillip Sunday 15 th 8 th Sunday of Luke Nativity Fast Begins Epistle: Ephesians 2:4-10, Gospel Luke 10:25-37 Monday 16 th Apostle and Evangelist Matthew Saturday 21 st Entry of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos into the Temple Sunday 22 nd 9 th Sunday of Luke Epistle: Ephesians 2:14-22, Gospel: Luke 12:16-21 Wednesday 25 th Great martyr Catherine the All Wise Thursday 26 th Thanksgiving Divine Liturgy 6pm Sunday 29 th 13 th Sunday of Luke Epistle: Eph. 4:1-7, Gospel: Luke 18:18-27 Monday 30 th Saint Andrew the First called Apostle Patron Saint and Feast Day of the Apostolic Throne Of the Ecumenical Patriarchate DECEMBER Friday 4 th St. Barbara the Great Martyr Sunday 6 th 10 th Sunday of Luke St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Epistle: Hebrews 13:17-21, Gospel: Luke 6:17-23 Wednesday 9 th Conception of Saint Anna, Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos Saturday 12 th St. Spyridon the Wonderworker Sunday 13 th 11 th Sunday of Luke Epistle: Colossians 3:4-11, Gospel: Luke 14:16-24 Tuesday 15 th Ηηeromartyr Eleutherius and His Mother Anthia Sunday 20 th Sunday Before the Nativity Epistle: Hebrews 11:9-10; 11:32-40 Gospel: Matthew 1:1-25 Thursday 24 th Eve of the Nativity of our Lord Matins 9:00 a.m. Great Hours 10:00 a.m. Great Vespers of Christmas 5:30 p.m. D. Lit. Of St. Basil the Great 6:30 p.m. Holy Communion 8:00 p.m. Friday 25 th Nativity of our Lord (Christmas Day) Matins 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. Sunday 27 th Sunday after the Nativity St. Stephen the First Deacon and Martyr Epistle: Acts 6:8-15, Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23 ** No weddings are permitted December 13 th -25 th and January 5 th & 6 th Baptisms are not permitted from December 25 th Through January 6 th EΚΚΛΖΗΑΣΗΚΟ ΔΟΡΣΟΛΟΓΗΟ Οξζξνο 9:00 π.κ. Θεία Λεηηνπξγία 10:15 π.κ. Καζεκεξηλέο 9:00 π.κ. - 11:00 π.κ. ΝΟΔΜΒΡΗΟ Κυριακή 1 η Ε Κυριακή Λουκά Αγίσλ Κνζκά θαη Γακηαλνύ ησλ Αλαξγύξσλ Απνζη: Κνξ.12:27 13:8 Δπαγ. Μαηζ. 10:10 1,5-8 Κυριακή 8 η Ε Κσριακή Λοσκά ύλαμηο Αξρηζηξαηήγσλ Μηραήι θαη Γαβξήι Απνζη. Δβξ.2:2 10 Δπαγ. Λνπθά 10:16 21 Δευτέρα 9 η Αγ. Νεθηαξίνπ Παρασκευή 13 η Ισάλλνπ Υξπζνζηόκνπ Σάββατο 14 η Απνζηόινπ Φηιίππνπ Κυριακή 15 η Ζ Κσριακή Λοσκά Νηζηεία Χριζηοσγέννων Απνζη. Δθεζ. 2:4-10 Δπαγ. Λνπθά 10:25-37 Δευτέρα 16 η Μαηζαίνπ Απνζηόινπ θαη Δπαγγειηζηνύ Σάββατο 21η Σα Δηζόδηα ηεο Τπεξαγίαο Θενηόθνπ Κυριακή 22 η Θ Κσριακή ηοσ Λοσκά Απνζη. Δθεζ. 2:14-22, Δπαγ. Λνπθά 12:16 21 Τετάρτη 25 η Αγίαο Αηθαηεξίλεο ηεο Παλζόθνπ θαη Μεγαινκάξηπξνο Πέμπτη 26η Θεία Λεηηνπξγία γηα ηελ Ηκέξα ησλ Δπραξηζηηώλ 6 κ.κ. Κυριακή 29 η ΗΓ Κσριακή ηοσ Λοσκά Απνζη. Δθεζ. 4:1-7 Δπαγ. Λνπθά 18:18-27 Δευτέρα 30 η Αγίνπ Αλδξένπ ηνπ Πξσηνθιήηνπ Θξνληθή Δνξηή ηνπ επηνύ Οηθνπκεληθνύ Παηξηαξρείνπ ΓΔΚΔΜΒΡΗΟ Παρασκευή 4 η Αγίαο Βαξβάξαο Μεγαινκάξηπξνο Κυριακή 6 η I Κσριακή ηοσ Λοσκά Αγίνπ Νηθνιάνπ ηνπ Θαπκαηνπξγνύ Απνζη. Δβξαίνπο 13:17-21, Δπαγ. Λνπθά 6:17-23 Τετάρτη 9 η ύιιεςηο ηεο Αγίαο Άλλεο Σάββατο 12 η Αγίνπ ππξίδσλνο Θαπκαηνπξγνύ Κυριακή13 η ΙΑ Κσριακή ηοσ Λοσκά Απνζη. Κνι. 3:4-11, Δπαγ. Λνπθά 14:16-24 Τρίτη 15 η Αγίνπ Διεπζεξίνπ Ιεξνκάξηπξνο θαη Αλζίαο ηεο Μεηξόο απηνύ Κυριακή20 η Κσριακή προ ηης Χριζηού Γεννήζεως Απνζη. Δβξαίνπο 11:9-10; 11:32-40 Δπαγ. Μαηζ.1:1-25 Πέμπτη 24 η Παξακνλή Υξηζηνπγέλλσλ (αξρή ηνπ 12εκέξνπ) Όξζξνο 9:00 π.κ., Μεγάιαη Ώξαη 10:00 π.κ. Μέγαο Δζπεξηλόο 5:30 κ.κ. Θεία Λεηηνπξγία Αγ. Βαζηιείνπ ηνπ Μεγάινπ 6:30 κ.κ. Θεία Κνηλσλία 8:00 κ.κ. Παρασκευή 25 η Ζ Καηαζάρκα Γέννηζις ηοσ Κσρίοσ Ζμών Ηηζού Χριζηού ( Χριζηούγεννα) Οξζξνο 9:00 π.κ. Θεία Λεηηνπξγία 10:00 π.κ. Κυριακή 27 η Κσριακή μεηά ηοσ Χριζηού Γέννηζιν Πξσηνκάξηπξνο ηεθάλνπ Απόζη. Πξαμ. 6:8-15, Δπαγ. Μαηζ. 2:13-23

4 November/December 2009 Page 4 This faith empowered the Holy Fathers of the Ecumenical Councils when they expressed the true Dogma of the faith. This faith empowered the millions of martyrs of our Holy Church who shed their blood for their faith in Christ. This faith established the Church which was persecuted by many atheist tyrants during the course of history. These tyrants disappeared into the depths of history, but the Church, which was established on the Holy Blood of the Church and is empowered by the Holy Faith, exists and preaches the Word of God and leads its faithful to salvation, like the Great Church of Christ, our mother Church that we belong to. The Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Church of Constantinople, was established by Saint Andrew, the first called Apostle whose memory we celebrate on November 30 th. In the year of 37 A.D. on the shores of the Bosphorus, he ordained the first bishop of Byzantium, St. Stachys, in the town of Argyroupoli. From that date to the present, with great faith, dedication and no break in Apostolic succession, the Word of God has been spread in glorious times; in times of persecution, famine, fear, and has maintained its great responsibility as the first among equals among the Eastern Orthodox Churches. Because the Church was established upon the Apostolic Faith and despite the great martyrdoms, the blood shed by its Patriarchs, bishops and priests, its temptations that it has experienced during the course of history, and today due to the politics of the local government where its Holy See has been located for centuries, the Patriarchate preaches in humility the Great Faith in Christ, the Word of God that strengthens mankind and leads to ever lasting life. There the true faith, the Apostolic Faith, the strength of the Holy Spirit and its miraculous powers can be seen. Despite the Ecumenical Patriarchate being fought by people of the same race and same faith, foreign dark powers, by people from other religions, and Christian denominations, the Mother Church is dedicated to its Christian and Apostolic responsibility, and continues to preach the faith in Christ and oversee all the Orthodox Churches with love in Christ and the spirit of Motherhood as the First among Equals. Faith performs miracles to the Body of Christ, which is the Church and its members, who we all are through Baptism. The mother Church of Constantinople every day lives the Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Christ in Its Holy Mission. The wonder of the Christian faith its witness there, through her humble and important mission of unity and salvation. Science acknowledges and recognizes prayer as an alternate way of healing, together with medical healing. Faith in God and prayer also heals, as it healed the blind man (Luke: 18:35-43) and on other occasions in the Gospel we witness the power of prayer in healing. Great are the doings of the Faith, my beloved. The church, despite its enemies, continues to preach the True Faith in Christ, and the power of prayer strengthens us which leads us to the road of salvation. With faith and prayer we can conquer every evil spirit. We win the victory over the world by means of our faith. (I Peter 5:5). Faith in Christ conquers all; Faith in Christ heals; Faith in Christ empowers the faithful; Faith strengthens those who believe in God. Do not be afraid, your faith has saved you (Luke 8:48). As your Pastor, now that we are approaching the celebrations of Thanksgiving and the Nativity of our Savior Jesus Christ, I thank you for your Christian faith which you express in different ways and as a demonstration of thanksgiving to the Lord for what He has given to you and to yours, by supporting our community of St. George with your vital participation in the ecclesiastical and social events. To you and your families, Happy Thanksgiving, a healthy and blessed Christmas, and a Happy New Year!! With paternal love and in His service, Archimandrite Alexander Kile

5 The Voice of St. George Page 5 «Με θνβνύ, κόλνλ πίζηεπε θαη ζσζήηεηαη» Λνπθά 8: 48 ην Ιεξόλ Δπαγγέιηνλ, πνιιέο θνξέο βιέπνπκε ηελ δύλακηλ ηεο πίζηεσο πνπ θάλεη ζαύκαηα. Σν γεγνλόο είλαη όηη όπνπ ππάξρεη ηζρπξά αιεζηλή πίζηηο εηο ηνλ Κύξηνλ, έρεη ηόζελ δύλακηλ, ώζηε γίλνληαη κε απηήλ έξγα ζαπκαζηά. Πξαγκαηηθά ζαύκαηα. Γηόηη ε πίζηηο εηο ηνλ Υξηζηόλ είλαη ε κεγαιπηέξα δύλακηο εηο ηνλ θόζκνλ. Δηο ηηο δηάθνξεο δπζθνιίεο ηεο δσήο καο ε πίζηηο εηο ηνλ Υξηζηόλ καο δίλεη δύλακηλ θαη θάλεη ζαύκαηα, όπσο ηελ θόξε ηνπ Ιαξείνπ ηελ αλάζηεζε, ηελ αηκνξξαγνύζα γπλαίθα θαη ησλ δύν ηπθιώλ(μαηζ. 9:27-30) Πάληνηε καο ρξεηάδεηαη ε πίζηηο, ηδηαηηέξσο όκσο εηο ηαο δπζθόινπο πεξηζηάζεηο ηεο δσήο καο. Σόηε δε θαλεξώλεηαη θαη ε δύλακηο ηεο. Όηαλ αζζέλεηεο, θαηαζηξνθέο θαη πεξηπέηεηεο ππάξρνπλ θαη απεηινύλ ηελ δσήλ καο θαη ηελ δσήλ ησλ ηδηθώλ καο αλζξώπσλ. Όηαλ ν ζάλαηνο καο επηζθέπηεηαη θαη ν πόλνο πιεκκπξίδεη ηελ ςπρήλ καο δηα ηνλ ρσξηζκόλ από πξόζσπα πξνζθηιή. Σόηε πνπ ιπγίδνπλ νη δπλάκεηο καο θαη αηζζαλόκαζηε αδύλαηνη, όπσο ην άρπξνλ, όηαλ ππάξρεη ε πίζηηο, ε αδπλακία καο εμαθαλίδεηαη θαη κπνξνύκε ράξηο εηο ηελ πίζηηλ λα αληηκεησπίζνπκε θαη ηα ρεηξόηεξα πεξηζηαηηθά, ήξεκα, κε εηξήλε. Γηόηη ε πίζηηο είλαη απόιπηνο βεβαηόηεο εηο ηελ παληνδπλακίαλ ηνπ Θενύ ε νπνία «ηα αδύλαηα παξα ηνηο αλζξώπνηο, ηα θάλεη δπλαηά θαη εύθνια. Δίλαη αθόκε απόιπηε βεβαηόηεο εηο ηελ αγάπελ ηνπ Θενύ πξνο ηνλ άλζξσπνλ, ε νπνία πάληνηε εθδειώλεηαη πινύζηα. Όπσο ηνλ ηπθιόλ ζην θαηά Λνπθάλ Δπαγγέιηνλ (18:35-43). Η πίζηηο νδεγεί ηνλ άλζξσπνλ θνληά εηο ηνλ Υξηζηόλ. Σνλ θάλεη λα πξνζεύρεηαη εηο Απηόλ. Σνλ παξαθαιεί λα δεηήζεη ηελ βνήζεηάλ Σνπ κε ηαπείλσζηλ θαη ζπληξηβήλ θαξδίαο. Γίλεη αθόκε ηελ βεβαηόηεηα όηη ν Κύξηνο αθνύεη θαη έξρεηαη εληζρπηήο θαη παίξλεη ηνλ άλζξσπνλ ππό ηελ πξνζηαζίαλ Σνπ. Απηό δελ έγηλε κε ηελ αηκνξξαγνύζα; Δπίζηεπε όηη θαη κόλνλ αλ άγγηδε ην έλδπκα ηνπ Κπξίνπ ζα εζώδεην. Καη ν Κύξηνο εβεβαίσζε «Η ΠΙΣΙ ΟΤ ΔΩΚΔ Δ». (Μαηζ.15:28) ηεο είπε. Σν ίδην ζπλέβε θαη εηο ηνλ Ιάξεησλ. Καη εηο ηνπο πνιέκνπο ηνπ Διιεληθνύ έζλνπο κε ηελ πίζηε θαη ηελ πξνζεπρή θαη ηελ αλδξεία, ε κηθξή Διιάο ελίθεζε ηνπο γηγαληηαίνπο ερζξνύο ηελ 28 ελ Οθησβξίνπ ηνπ Με ηελ πίζηε εηο ηνλ Υξηζηόλ θαη ηελ θέπελ ηεο Παλαγίαο ειεπζεξώζεη ην 1913 θαη ε Θεζζαινλίθε από ηνλ Σνπξθηθόλ δπγόλ ησλ 400 σλ ρξόλσλ θαη νιόθιεξε ε Μαθεδνλία θαη ε Θξάθε. Με πξνζεπρέο ζεξκέο ηζρπξήο πίζηεσο, δελ εδήηεζε ην έζλνο ηόηε ηελ βνήζεηαλ ηνπ Θενύ; Καη ην ζαύκα έγηλε! Η πίζηηο ελίθεζε ηνλ θνβεξόλ θαη παλίζρπξνλ ερζξόλ. Η πίζηηο έθαλε ήξσεο ηνπο ζηξαηηώηεο ηεο Διιάδνο. Καη αξρήλ δηα λα ππάξρεη πλεπκαηηθή δσή, πνπ ζα θέξεη ζσηεξίαλ εηο ηνλ άλζξσπνλ είλαη αλάγθε λα ππάξμεη πίζηηο. Η πίζηηο απηή έρεη ηελ δύλακηλ λα θέξεη ηελ ζσηεξίαλ. «Παο ν πηζηεύσλ εηο Απηόλ» δελ ζα απνιεζζεί. (Ισαλ.5:24-25). Ο Κύξηνο πάιηλ εηόληζε «Ο πηζηεύζαο θαη βαπηηζζήο ζσζήζεηαη» (Ισάλ. 3:15 _ Μάξθ. 16:16). Καη εηο ηνπο Φηιίππνπο, όηαλ ν δεζκνθύιαμ εξώηεζελ ηνλ Απόζηνινλ Παύινλ «Σί κε δεη πνηείλ ίλα ζσζώ» έιαβε ηελ απάληεζηλ» πίζηεπζνλ επί ηνλ Κύξηνλ Ιεζνύλ Υξηζηόλ θαη ζσζήζε ζπ θαη ν νίθνο ζνπ»...16:30-31). Η πίζηηο ινηπόλ έρεη ηελ δύλακηλ θαη καο νδεγεί θαη καο ελδπλακώλεη. Απηή ε πίζηηο ελδπλάκσζε ηνπο ζενθόξνπο παηέξεο ησλ Οηθνκεληθώλ πλόδσλ θαη εδνγκάηηζαλ. Απηή ε πίζηηο ελεζάξξπλελ ηνπο εθαηνκκπξίνπο κάξηπξεο ηεο εθθιεζίαο. Απηή ε πίζηηο εζηεξέσζε ηελ εθθιεζίαλ θαη εδνθηκάζζεη από πνιινύο ηπξάλνπο ηεο ηζηνξίαο, αιιά δεη θη αλζεί ν Λόγνο ηνπ Θενύ. Όπσο ε Μεγάιε ηνπ Υξηζηνύ Δθθιεζία, ε κεηέξα Δθθιεζία πνπ αλήθνπκε, ηδξύζεθε από ηνλ Απόζηνινλ Αλδξέα ην 37 κ.υ. πνπ ενξηάδνπκε ηελ κλήκελ ηνπ ζηηο 30 Ννεκβξίνπ θαη ρεηξνηόλεζε ηνλ πξώηνλ Δπίζθνπνλ Βπδαληίνπ ηνλ Άγηνλ ηάρπλ ζηελ Αξγπξνύπνιηλ ηνπ Βπδαληίνπ, θαη από ηόηε κε κεγάιε πίζηηλ θαη αθνζίσζε δεη ηελ Απνζηνιηθή δηαδνρή ρσξίο δηαθνπή κέζα ζηνπο αηώλεο, κέζα ζηελ δόμα, θαη κέζα ζηελ πείλα, κέζα ζε δησγκόλ θαη κέζα ζε θόβνλ θαη κέζα ζηελ επζύλε ηεο Πξσηόζξνλεο Δθθιεζίαο, αιιά δηόηη είλαη ζηεξεσκέλε ζηελ Απνζηνιηθή Πίζηε παξά ηηο κεγάιεο ζπζίεο, πεηξαζκνύο θαη αίκαηα πνπ έρνπλ ρύζεη νη κάξηπξεο ηεο ζήκεξα Παηξηάξρεο, Αξρηεξείο, θαη Ιεξείο, θαη θαζεκεξηλά δεη ηελ ηαύξσζε θαη Αλάζηαζε θαη επηβιέπεη κε κεγάιε επζύλε σο πξώηε Δθθιεζία ζηνλ Οξζόδνμν θόζκν παξά ηα παζήκαηά ηεο, παξά ηνπο δησγκνύο θαη ηηο δπζθνιίεο επηβίσζεο ηεο. Αιιά ηί ηελ θξαηάεη; Η Απνζηνιηθή πίζηηο, ε Θεία Υάξηο πνπ γίλεηαη δσληαλό παξάδεηγκα θαη εηο ηνπο νκνγελείο θαη αιινγελείο, νκνζξήζθνπο θαη αιινζξήζθνπο ερζξνύο ηεο. Η πίζηηο ηειεί ζαύκαηα θαη ζην ζώκα ηνπ Υξηζηνύ πνπ είλαη ε Δθθιεζία, αιιά θαη ζηα κέιε ηνπ ζώκαηνο ηνπ Υξηζηνύ πνπ είκαζηε εκείο νη Υξηζηηαλνί. Η επηζηήκε ιέεη θαη αλαγλσξίδεη κία άιιε ζεξαπεία ησλ αζζελεηώλ είλαη ε πίζηηο ζηνλ Θεόλ θαη ε πξνζεπρή πνπ ζεξαπεύεη. Μεγάια ηα ηεο πίζηεσο θαηνξζώκαηα αδειθνί. Καη απηνί πνπ γηα ηόζνπο αηώλεο θπλήγεζαλ κε θαλαηηζκό ηελ πίζηε, εμαθαλίζηεθαλ θαη ε Δθθιεζία δεη θαη θεξύηηεη ηελ αιήζεηα θαη ηελ πίζηε. Δηο ηελ αιεζηλή πίζηε. Με ηελ πίζηε θαη ηελ πξνζεπρή κπνξνύκε λα πνιεκνύκε θάζε θαθό. «Σίο εζηίλ ν ληθώλ ηνλ θόζκνλ εη κε ν πηζηεύσλ όηη ν Ιεζνύο εζηίλ ν Τηόο ηνπ Θενύ;» (Α Ισάλ.5:5). Η πίζηηο εηο ηνλ Υξηζηόλ ζώδεη, ε πίζηηο ζαπκαηνπξγεί, ε πίζηηο πξνζηαηεύεη. Η πίζηηο επινγεί. Η πίζηηο εληζρύεη ηνπο πηζηεύνληεο εηο ηνλ Θεόλ. Με θνβνύ, κόλνλ πίζηεπε θαη ζσζήζεηαη. (Λνπθα. 8:48). Ωο Ιεξαηηθώο Πξντζηάκελνο ελώπηνλ ησλ Αγίσλ εκεξώλ ηεο Θείαο Δλζαξθώζεσο ηνπ Τηνύ θαη Θενύ θαη σηήξνο εκώλ Ιεζνύ Υξηζηνύ, επραξηζηώ δηα ηελ Υξηζηηαληθή ζαο πίζηε πνπ ηελ εθδειώλεηε κε ηελ ππνζηήξημή ζαο ζηελ θνηλόηεηά καο, ηνπ Αγίνπ Γεσξγίνπ θαη ηελ δσληαλή ζπκκεηνρή ζαο ζηηο εθθιεζηαζηηθέο θαη θνηλνηηθέο ηεο εθδειώζεηο. ε ζαο θαη ζηα κέιε ηεο νηθνγελείαο ζαο, Καιά Υαξνύκελα Υξηζηνύγελλα θαη επινγεκέλν παξα Θενύ έλα Νεν, σηήξηνλ Έηνο. Μεηά παηξηθήο αγάπεο Αιέμαλδξνο Κπιέ. Μήνσμα ηοσ Ηεραηικώς Προϊζηαμένοσ

6 November/December 2009 Page 6 President s Message Dear Parishioners: In this season of giving thanks, there is much which fills our hearts with gratitude. We are fortunate to have a community that has survived and prospered for almost a century, in spite of the healthy differences in approaches and opinions that we may have between us. Our forefathers came here from Greece with a few dollars in their pockets. They did not know the language and many had no trade; yet, they persevered and endured. Many worked in the coal mines of Pennsylvania and West Virginia; others worked building the railroads westward to Utah. They all worked hard under very adversarial conditions with the dream of raising a family in this, their adopted homeland and of giving their children a better life than they had. After putting a roof over their heads, their next priority was to build a house of worship in order to preserve a religion that had survived over four-hundred years of oppression under the Ottoman Empire. In this particular community, our forefathers first rented space in the Eagles Hall in New Brunswick in order to conduct religious services. In 1919 they built their first church at 9 River Road in Highland Park. In 1962 the present edifice we built. We have truly benefited from the fruits of their work, sweat and tears. We are forever indebted to them for their foresight, their commitment and their dedication to this community My generation took up the baton and assumed the responsibility that was passed down to us. Our facilities have been substantially expanded and our Greek and Sunday schools flourish. However, I ask you, what lies ahead for the St. George Community? Who will create their own legacy of commitment and involvement so that this already vital community will continue to thrive? I charge you, the younger generation, to also accept this baton of accountability that is being passed on to you. Now it s your turn at bat. As an active member of the community, it is the responsibility of each and every one of you to perpetuate that which you have inherited. Running this church is a Herculean task. It costs over $800 per member each year just to keep the doors open. Without our two major fundraisers, the Festival and the parking of cars for the Rutgers football games, our church would not be able to operate. The administration of the church and the schools requires constant vigilance. For the St. George Community to endure, yes, your Community, you must not ask the question of should I participate but how can I participate? To paraphrase a famous President: Ask not what your Community can do for you, but what can you do for your Community. We need young and energetic people to take over. I know that you re out there: I see your business cards that show that there are a lot of talented people in our community. I beg of you to take up this challenge and to serve your Community. You owe it to your children and the future generations that are sure to follow. Don t let your forefathers down. On behalf of the entire Board, I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving. United We Stand Αγαπήσωμεν Αλλήλους Sincerely, Emmanuel Manioudakis President

7 The September Voice of 2008 St. George Page 7 Μήνσμα ηοσ Προέδροσ Αγαπεηνί ελνξίηεο, Απηή ηελ πεξίνδν πνπ είλαη αθηεξσκέλε ζηηο επραξηζηίεο, ππάξρνπλ ηόζα πνιιά πνπ γεκίδνπλ ηελ θαξδηά καο κε επγλσκνζύλε. Δίκαζηε ηπρεξνί πνπ έρνπκε κηα θνηλόηεηα πνπ επέδεζε θαη επεκέξεζε γηα ζρεδόλ έλαλ αηώλα, παξά ηηο δηαθνξέο ζηηο πξνζεγγίζεηο θαη ζηηο απόςεηο πνπ ίζσο έρνπκε κεηαμύ καο. Οη πξόγνλνη καο ήιζαλ εδώ από ηελ Διιάδα κόλν κε ιίγα δνιάξηα ζηελ ηζέπε ηνπο. Γελ ήμεξαλ ηε γιώζζα θαη πνιινί δελ γλώξηδαλ θακία ηέρλε, αιιά επέκελαλ θαη άληεμαλ. Πνιινί εξγάζηεθαλ ζηα αλζξαθσξπρεία ηεο Πελζπιβαλίαο θαη ηεο Γπηηθήο Βηξηδίληαο, άιινη εξγάζηεθαλ ζηελ δνκή ησλ ζηδεξνδξόκσλ δπηηθά ζηε Γηνύηα. Όινη ηνπο εξγάζηεθαλ ζθιεξά θάησ από πνιύ ηξνκεξνύο όξνπο κε ην όλεηξν λα κεγαιώζνπλ κηα νηθνγέλεηα ζε απηή, ηελ ζεηή ηνπο παηξίδα θαη γηα λα δώζνπλ ζηα παηδηά ηνπο κηα θαιύηεξε δσή από απηή πνπ είραλ. Μεηά πνπ έβαιαλ κηα ζηέγε πάλσ από ην θεθάιη ηνπο, ε επόκελε ηνπο πξνηεξαηόηεηα ήηαλ λα ρηίζνπλ έλα θηίξην όπνπ ζα εθθιεζηαδόηαλ γηα λα δηαηεξήζνπλ ηελ ζξεζθεία ηνπο πνπ επέδεζε πάλσ από ηεηξαθόζηα ρξόληα ππό ηελ θαηνρή ηεο Οζσκαληθήο Απηνθξαηνξίαο. ε απηήλ ηελ ηδηαίηεξε θνηλόηεηα, αξρηθά νη πξόγνλνί καο ελνίθηαδαλ ρώξν ζηελ Αίζνπζα Eagles ζην Νηνύ Μπξνύλγνπηθ πξνθεηκέλνπ λα θάλνπλ ηηο ζξεζθεπηηθέο ηνπο ιεηηνπξγίεο. Σν 1919 έρηηζαλ ηελ πξώηε ηνπο εθθιεζία ζηε 9 River Road ζην Highland Park. Σν 1962 ρηίζακε ην ζεκεξηλό θηίξην. Έρνπκε πξαγκαηηθά σθειεζεί από ηελ ζθιεξή ηνπο εξγαζία, ηα δάθξπα ηνπο θαη ηνλ ηδξώηα ηνπο. Δίκαζηε γηα πάληα επγλώκνλεο γηα ηελ πξνλνεηηθόηεηα ηνπο, ηελ αθνζίσζε ηνπο θαη ηελ αθηέξσζή ηνπο ζε απηήλ ηελ θνηλόηεηα. Η γελεά κνπ κεηά πήξε ηε ζθπηάιε θαη αλέιαβε ηελ επζύλε πνπ απηνί καο κεηαβίβαζαλ. Σν θηίξην καο έρεη επεθηαζεί ζεκαληηθά θαη ην Διιεληθό θαη Καηερεηηθό καο ρνιείν αθκάδεη. Δληνύηνηο όκσο, ζαο ξσηώ, πνην ζα είλαη ην κέιινλ ηεο Κνηλόηεηαο ηνπ Αγίνπ Γεσξγίνπ; Πνηνη ζα αθήζνπλ ηελ δηθή ηνπο θιεξνλνκηά αθηέξσζεο θαη ζπκκεηνρήο έηζη ώζηε απηή ε ήδε δπλακηθή θνηλόηεηα λα ζπλερίζεη λα αλαπηύζζεηαη; Αλαζέησ ζε ζαο, ηε λεώηεξε γελεά, επίζεο λα δερηείηε ηε ζθπηάιε ηεο ππεπζπλόηεηαο πνπ ζε ζαο κεηαβηβάδεηαη. Σώξα είλαη ε ζεηξά ζαο γηα πξσηνβνπιία. αλ ελεξγά κέιε ηεο θνηλόηεηαο, είλαη ε επζύλε ηνπ θαζελόο ζαο λα απαζαλαηίζεηε απηό πνπ έρεηε θιεξνλνκήζεη. Η δηαρείξηζε απηήο ηεο εθθιεζίαο είλαη έλαο Ηξάθιεηνο άζινο. Κάζε ρξόλν θνζηίδεη πάλσ από 800 δνιάξηα αλά κέινο γηα λα θξαηεζνύλ νη πόξηεο αλνηθηέο. Υσξίο ηνπο δύν ζεκαληηθνύο εξάλνπο, ηνπ θεζηηβάι θαη ηνπ πάξθηλγθ ησλ απηνθηλήησλ ζηα πνδνζθαηξηθά παηρλίδηα ηνπ Παλεπηζηεκίνπ Rutgers, ε εθθιεζία καο δελ ζα ήηαλ ζε ζέζε λα ιεηηνπξγήζεη. Η δηνίθεζε ηεο εθθιεζίαο θαη ησλ ζρνιείσλ απαηηεί ηε ζπλερή επηηήξεζε. Γηα λα αληέμεη ε Κνηλόηεηα ηνπ Αγίνπ Γεσξγίνπ, λαη, ε Κνηλόηεηά ζαο, εζείο δελ πξέπεη λα ξσηάηε «πξέπεη λα πάξσ κέξνο» αιιά πώο κπνξώ λα πάξσ κέξνο; Παξάθξαζε ελόο δηάζεκνπ Πξνέδξνπ: Ρσηήζηε όρη ηη ε Κνηλόηεηά ζαο κπνξεί λα θάλεη γηα ζαο, αιιά ηη κπνξεί εζείο λα θάλεηε γηα ηελ Κνηλόηεηά ζαο. Υξεηαδόκαζηε λένπο θαη ελεξγεηηθνύο αλζξώπνπο λα αλαιάβνπλ. Γλσξίδσ όηη είζηε εδώ: Βιέπσ ηηο επαγγεικαηηθέο θάξηεο ζαο πνπ δείρλνπλ όηη ππάξρνπλ πνιινί ηαιαληνύρνη από ζαο ζηελ θνηλόηεηά καο. αο ηθεηεύσ ιάβεηε απηή ηε πξόθιεζε θαη ππεξεηήζεηε ηε Κνηλόηεηά ζαο. Σν νθείιεηε ζηα παηδηά ζαο θαη ηηο κειινληηθέο γεληέο πνπ είζηε βέβαηνη αθνινπζήζνπλ. Μελ απνγνεηεύζεηε ηνπο πξνγόλνπο ζαο. Δθ κέξνπο νιόθιεξνπ ηνπ Γηνηθεηηθνύ πκβνπιίνπ, εύρνκαη ζαο θαη ζηνπο δηθνύο ζαο κηα πνιύ επηπρηζκέλε εκέξα ησλ επραξηζηηώλ. Ενωμένοι επιβιώνουμε «Αγαπήσωμεν αλλήλους» Δηιηθξηλά, Μαλώιεο Μαληνπδάθεο

8 November/December 2009 Page 8 Ladies Philoptochos Society - St. Barbara The first Philoptochos meeting of the 2009 ecclesiastical year took place on Saturday, September 26, in the Memorial Room. President Pegi Zajac presided. Fr. Alex led the ladies in the opening prayer and wished them a good, successful year. The Philoptochos Oath for the newly elected officers and Board of Governors took place October 4, following the Divine Liturgy. President of the St. George Board of Trustees, Mr. E. Manioudakis asked for a few minutes to speak to the organization. He thanked the ladies for all they do for the community. He updated the group on the status of some of the projects undertaken by the Board, i.e. the rental property, the repaving of the parking lot, the repair of the roof, etc. The meeting continued with the reading of the minutes by prior secretary Malvina Wilkens, the Treasurer s report by Georgia Peterson, the fulfillment of this month s annual obligations to the Retired Clergy Association Benevolent Fund and to the Hellenic College/Holy Cross Scholarship Fund. In addition, donations were made to St. Michael s Home Dance Journal, St. Basil Academy back to school expenses, the St. Basil Academy Fashion Show basket, the Mr. & Miss GOYA Pageant, the St. George Dance Journal, and the St. George Dance Mezedakia. Reports were given by the various committees (Cooking for the Homeless, Warming of America, Remembrance Cards, and the St. George Christmas Card). Our members are advised that a Knitting/Crocheting Bee has been organized. This takes place every Thursday in the Memorial Room at 10:00 am. Those interested are welcomed to attend. Our St. Barbara Luncheon is scheduled for December 6. The annual Vasilopita for the community will take place on January 3, Because of an early Lenten Season and an early Lenten Luncheon, the Membership Tea has been rescheduled for January 31, Also, the June Luncheon will be held on June 13, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ B A K L A V A S A L E The Ladies Philoptochos Society will be selling baklava and kourampiedes for the holidays All baklava must be preordered by November 15, 2009 it will be sold November 22, 2009 Place your order early! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ***Christmas Bread and Vasilopites will be sold December 19 and 20*** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DO YOU HAVE A UNITED WAY DEDUCTION IN YOUR PAYROLL CHECK? CONSIDER HAVING YOUR EMPLOYER SEND YOUR UNITED WAY CONTRIBUTION TO THE ST. GEORGE NEEDY CASES FUND -- UNITED WAY ID #

9 The Voice of St. George Page 9 United Way Reminder for 2009/2010 Contributions! It s that time of year when corporate management will be asking their employees to participate in the 2009/2010 United Way program. Consequently, since our parishioners are participants in that program, we ask that they once again consider our St. George Needy Cases Fund be earmarked for their contribution. In the past several years the St. George Needy Cases Fund has benefited dramatically and this has allowed the Philoptochos to assist those in need. The Ladies Philoptochos Society extends its appreciation and thanks to our many St. George parishioners who have taken the initiative to arrange for their United Way deductions to be sent to the St. George s Needy Cases Fund. We are most grateful to all for their support. Therefore, we are reminding all our parishioners who are asked to contribute to the United Way Fund at their place of employment to direct their donation to our Philoptochos St. George Needy Cases Fund. Our United Way Reference Number is ! For further information you may contact Mary Boulegeris at ========================================================= The Ladies Philoptochos Society Invites you to attend ST. BARBARA S LUNCHEON Sunday, December 6, 2009 (More information will follow!) =================================================================== V A S I L O P I T A C E L E B R A T I O N The annual cutting of the Vasilopita will take place on Sunday, January 3, 2010, immediately after the Divine Liturgy in the AHEPA Hall. Let us all attend this traditional event as one family and give our annual donation for the children of St. Basil s Academy! You may also make your donation by making your check payable to Ladies Philoptochos Society and mailing it to: Ladies Philoptochos Society--Vasilopita 1101 River Road Piscataway, NJ

10 November/December 2009 Page 10 Sunday School News Dear Parents and Members of our St. George Community, St. George Greek Orthodox Church-Piscataway, NJ Sunday School Program On behalf of Father Alex, the teachers and staff, we would like to thank everyone for the support and trust you have placed in us in providing an Orthodox Christian foundation of faith and values to your children. We are very proud of our religious education program and of the many committed volunteers. Our Sunday School program is proceeding as planned for the ecclesiastical year, and as always our goal is to improve upon the past. We have revised the curriculum of some classes to further enrich the children s religious education; we have revamped Teen Rap; we are in the midst of organizing several seminars by prominent theologians that will be offered to both our students and their parents, etc. We are all aware that we live in a secular society where the only place we can obtain knowledge of our faith is in our church. Consequently, we would like to encourage all parents to please bring your children to us each Sunday. Each lesson of a given week builds on that of the following week, and thus the importance of your children s presence must be noted. If you pass by our hallways, you will note some new faces to our teaching and support staff; we are so grateful to all our staff members for their efforts, dedication and perseverance. If you are interested in volunteering your time or t a l e n t s, y o u m a y e - m a i l m e a t lmalahias@yahoo.com, or you may place a note in the Sunday School mailbox located in the Main Office. At this time, we continue to have the following open positions: Cradle Responsible Dimitra Kambitsis Nursery Chrisoula Kalogridis Naomi Bourodimos Maria Exarchakis Eleni Velmahos First Grade Elizabeth George Helen Gargalidis Pre- Kindergarten Maria- Regina Caputo Helen Sirimis Joy Mangafas Miranda Sirimis Second Grade Stacey Alphas Georgia Preite Sveltana Spry Chrissa Sulich Third Grade Marianna Bunce Irene Rompos Elena Georgopoulos Maria Lymberis Fifth Grade Maria Makropoulos Eleftheria Fiotakis Christina Sullivan Veronica Spry Sixth Grade Viveca Sulich Argie Kantilierakis Andrea Savva Nicole Stevens Seventh Grade Maria Boyiadjis Kay Kehayas Sindy Yu Vaskopoulos Alex Savadelis Ninth Grade Maggie Stavrianidis Maria Demos Stilianos Cambilis Teen Rap Paul Stevens Philip Miko Support Staff Treasurer Georgia Peterson Music Louise Lambros Administration Ted Lambros Georgia Peterson Attendance Flora Savva Administrative support on Sunday mornings. Support with Sunday School projects (i.e., Christmas Pageant, St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, Holiday Food Drives, End of the Year Awards, etc.) May God Bless, St. George Sunday School Staff Kindergarten Georgia Lambros Eleni Lyssikatos Liza George Fourth Grade Evaggelia Dib Maria Kantilierakis Louisa Sirimis Theodore Cambilis Eighth Grade Anna Kalogridakis Lemonia Malahias-Miko Nicole Hadjiloucas Scholarships Helene Pappas Malvina Wilkins Mary Boulegeris Georgia Peterson Safety Peter Sirimis Book Mobile (Fund Raiser) Irene Kehayas Drakopoulos

11 The Voice of St. George Page 11 Parent Teacher Organization - PTO We look forward to the upcoming year and all the wonderful events that we have planned for everyone. The PTO events sponsored through your membership and fundraisers are vital in order to continue and promote our religious heritage. PTO forms are available through the Greek School and our Sunday School. The present membership is $20.00 per family and it includes a free copy of St. George Friend Finder directory. Your participation and your endless support throughout the year are always wholeheartedly appreciated. Through the kindness and dedication of all our parishioners, the PTO events will continue to be a great success. We wish all our parishioners God s blessings today and always. PTO Calendar for upcoming Events: December 6 th : Communion Breakfast/Christmas Holiday Celebration January 24 th : Three Hierarchs Luncheon Don t miss out on all the fun of the December 6th Communion Breakfast where Santa will be making his annual appearance and show your appreciation to the Greek School and Sunday School teachers on January by coming to the luncheon! PTO Meetings for : Meetings will take place on the third Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm at St. George church. The next meetings will be on: November 19 th, 2009 December 17 th, 2009 January 21 st, 2010 St. George Parent Teacher Organization: Athinoulla Bizos, President Helen Sirimis, Vice President Nicki Makrelis, Secretary Kathy Catanzaro, Treasurer Contact for PTO Athinoulla Bizos (908) PTO address: sgpto@optonline.net

12 November/December 2009 Page 12 COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD September/October 2009 Dear St. George Parishioners: We are rapidly approaching that time of the year when the Philoptochos will prepare the St. George Community Christmas Card which will be mailed to every member of our parish and which will carry our holiday greetings to all our parishioners. This Community Christmas Card becomes possible through your donations. However, not only does your donation extend holiday greetings to all but, more importantly, it is used for the much needed assistance to the needy of our community. Your contribution truly represents the Christian spirit of helping those in need. And so we ask you, once again, to give your donation to the Needy Cases Fund. In so doing you will be helping those in need and you will be assuring that your name will be included on the Community Christmas Card. You may give your donation by filling in the form below and bringing it to the church or by mailing it to PHILOPTOCHOS, c/o St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1101 River Road, Piscataway, NJ Please make checks payable to the ST. GEORGE NEEDY CASES FUND. To assure that your name is included on the Christmas Card, your contribution must be received no later than November 22, The names of contributors received after November 22 will be listed in the January church bulletin. In addition, if you are employed by a company that participates in a Gift Matching Program, please bring the necessary forms so we may benefit from this program. Obtain a gift matching form from your personnel office, complete the employee s section and bring the form to us. We ll do the rest. God Bless you always, NEEDY FUND COMMITTEE Detach and return the form below with your donation no later than Sunday, November 22, *************************************************************************** I would like to participate in the ST. GEORGE NEEDY CASES FUND. Enclosed you will find my donation for $. Please list my name on the Christmas Card as follows: Name: Address: Telephone Number:

13 Page 13 The Voice of St. George Stewardship Report - September 2009 Variance vs >> 24 (3,140) (20.87) (3,929) Variance vs >> 0 1, ,174 History by Month thru 2009 Number Amount Amount Summary as of: of Pledges Pledged Average Collected >> September 30, , , << December 31, , , September 30, , , << December 31, , , September 30, , , << Above is the Stewardship Report as of September 30, In summary, we received 612 pledges totaling $232,820 for an average pledge of $380. The 612 pledges compare favorably to the 588 pledges we had as of September, Of the total pledges, $213,463 has been collected. Although we have more pledges this year, the amount pledged compares unfavorably to September, 2008 when he had $235,960 pledged, however compares favorably to 2007 when we had $230,969 pledged. The average pledge of $380 as of September, 2009 compares unfavorably to the $401 average pledge as of September, 2008, however compares favorably to the $377 pledge for September, 2007.

14 November/December 2009 Page 14 Greek Orthodox Youth Association - G. O. Y. A. The GOYA year has officially begun! The final day to register is November 1. If interested contact any advisor. The registration forms can be downloaded from It s not too late!! To kick off the new year, on September 13 an Artoklasia was held for the GOYA, followed by the swearing in of the new officers, and by our first meeting of the year. All practices have begun (Basketball, Volleyball, and Greek dance). Our GOYA also kicked off a new fundraiser on September 19th and October 10 th by selling food at our church during Rutgers Football games. Monies raised by this fundraiser will go towards offsetting the cost of JR Olympics for our Youth Group. All are welcomed to sign up and help. On September 20 th our GOYAns attended the blessing of the waters and the throwing of the Cross by the Metropolitan in Asbury Park. We are very proud of our divers: Jr Boys, Joe Sullivan; Sr Boys, Yianni Frangos; Jr Girls, Katerina Albanese; Sr Girls, Chrissa Sulich. A gyro sale took place on September 27 th as another Youth fundraiser. This season approaching us is filled with fun and exciting events. Starting it all off was a Charity night on October 2 nd, with Icebreaker activities afterwards. At the meeting on October 4 th there were sign-ups for the S&S singing group, and bowling tournament. On the same day many of our GOYAns participated in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer walk. The Mr. & Ms. GOYA pageant was held on Sunday, October 11 th and our GOYA was well represented by our nominees, Markos Kantilierakis and Louisa Sirimis! In Wycoff a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and a Bible Bowl took place. On the 23 rd, the Bible Bowl finals were held followed by the annual Kickoff dance. Our St. George Dance group performed at the Annual Church Dance on October 24. Great job everyone! November and December will be very busy months for our Youth group! The Bowling Tournament will be held on November 7 th. The following weekend our Youth will attend a Religious Retreat in Boston at the Holy Cross Seminary. Then on November 21 st we will be hosting our 7 th Annual Taverna Night. This year all proceeds will benefit the The Smile Train, a non-profit organization that helps poor children around the world receive free surgery for cleft lip and palate ( At Taverna Night there will be special performances by the Hellenic Dancers of NJ ( and the band Apollonia ( For a third year our Youth will participate with Bridges Outreach, in December. For more information, read our flyer on suggested monetary and clothing donations. Please visit our web page, for our full calendar, and for more information on upcoming events such as Christmas Caroling, Charity Night, and a Religious Discussion with Father Alex. Respectfully submitted, Maria Exarchakis Historian Important Dates! 11/7 - Bowling Tournament 11/14 - Boston Religious Retreat 11/21-7 th Annual Taverna Night 12/12 - Bridges Outreach Katerina Albanese,Yianni Frangos Joseph Sullivan, and Chrissa Sulich represent St. George at the Holy Cross Ceremony in Asbury Park, NJ, September 2009.

15 Page 15 The Voice of St. George Bridges Outreach Program - 12/12/09 Our Youth will be participating in the Bridges Outreach Program, hosted by St. George, Trenton. This is a charity that was started 21 years ago by delivering basic necessities such as food, clothing and toiletries to homeless men, women and children living under bridges in New Jersey and Manhattan. The program is run strictly by volunteers and all donated goods are delivered directly to the streets or shelters, and distributed directly to the homeless. Over the course of the next few months, the Youth Groups will be collecting donations after church services on Sundays that will be donated to homeless people living in Newark, NJ. Please support their efforts by donating any gently used and clean clothing such as jeans, tee shirts, sweatshirts, coats, jackets, boots and sneakers. The Youth will also be making 300 toiletry kits and collecting toiletries (travel size is best) such as soap, shampoo/conditioner, washcloths, deodorant, lotion, tissues, hand cream, razors, shaving cream, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash and chap-stick. The New Jersey Greek Orthodox State Youth Program has chosen to promote this charity as one of this year s philanthropic endeavors, fourth year running. It is a way for homeless people to know that they are cared for and valued as individuals, and for house people to understand the realities of homelessness and a way to promote alternatives for positive change. On December 12, 2009, our Youth, along with Trenton, Flemington and Asbury Park will be delivering all collected items, as well as 300 bagged lunches to the homeless with representatives from the Bridges Outreach Program. For more information on the Bridges Outreach Program, a NJ non-profit corporation 501 (3) nonprofit organization, please visit Thank you for your support of this worthy cause!

16 November/December 2009 Page 16 Feast Days in November & December During these two months, our church Calendar is adorned with many feast days and most of them are popular Saints of our Church. The commemoration of the lives and Feast Days of the Saints in the Orthodox Church is a unique opportunity for us, the faithful, to study their lives and imitate their patience, their faith, their teachings, and their great sacrifices for their faith. It is hoped that this knowledge of the Saints will lead and help us reach Eternal Life. On the 21 st of November, we have a Feast Day that is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Presentation of Virgin Mary to the Temple. This Feast Day teaches us dedication and great faith and trust in God. At age three, her parents brought her and dedicated her to the Temple. The Great Priest Zacharias received her, and she stayed at the Holy of Holies until the age of 14. By growing up in the Holy of Holies, she became a vessel of the Holy Spirit. She was chosen by God from among all women to bring salvation to all mankind, by giving birth to His only begotten Son. This Feast teaches us dedication and gratitude to God for His gifts to us. In the month of December, we celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the proof of God s love towards mankind which is demonstrated by making His heavenly Son man in nature and making Him dwell among us. Jesus Christ, through his teachings, leads us to salvation, and makes us inheritors of eternal life. This is one of the greatest Feast Days of the Church calendar. In the months of November and December, we celebrate the memories of the following famous Saints of the church: November 1 st : Sts. Cosmas and Damian, the Unmerceneries. They were born in Asia; raised in faith by their mother, Theodota, and healed the sick for free, in the name of Christ. November 8 th : We commemorate all the angelic powers: the Hosts; Seraphim; Cherubim; and the chief Archangels, Michael and Gabriel, based on the account in the Old Testament that Jesus mentions in the Gospel. (Isaiah 6:2-3); (Luke 15:7); (Heb. 1:14). November 9 th : We celebrate the Feast Day of the Saint of the 20th century, St. Nectarios of Aegina, the Wonder Worker. His life teaches us humility despite false accusations, as well as patience. He is the most popular saint, and performs miracles in different ways. He passed away in 1920 AD. November 11 th : Sts. Menas, Victor and Vincent were soldier - martyrs of the early centuries of Christianity. Their dedication to their faith is celebrated. St. Menas was Egyptian. He was martyred in Phrygia in the year 296 AD. Victor, also called Stephanis, was martyred in Rome in 160 AD. Vincent was martyred in Spain in 235 AD. Also, on this day we celebrate a great ascetic figure, St. Theodore of the Studite Monastery in Constantinople who was born in 759 AD. He fought all those who were iconoclasts. He was exiled three times and passed away November 11, 826 AD. He wrote many books about the Faith. November 13 th : We celebrate the memory of one of the greatest fathers of the Church, St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople. A man of humility, wisdom and righteousness, author of the Divine Liturgy, and 20 tomes of interpretation of the Old and New Testaments, St. Chrysostom was born in 344 AD in Antioch and became a priest in 383 AD. He was elevated to the throne of Constantinople as its Archbishop on December 15, 397 AD. Because he was condemning the unrighteousness of Queen Eudoxia, he was exiled in 402 AD by Emperor Arcadius and Queen Eudoxia. He came back from exile, but after eight months he was again exiled. In exile, due to hardships, he passed away on September 14, 407 AD at the age of 63. He was Golden Mouth by the people. He wrote many sermons. Today we have 1447 sermons and 240 letters. Twenty-two fathers of the Church wrote highly of him. He is an essential subject of study in the schools of Theology worldwide. November 14 th : We celebrate the memory of one of the twelve disciples, St. Philip. He was born in Bethesda, in Galilee. He studied law and the Books of the Prophets. He preached Christianity in Asia Minor and brought Christianity to Ethiopia. He suffered greatly for Christ and was crucified, head down, in Herapolis in Phrygia.

17 Page 17 The Voice of St. George November 16 th, : We celebrate the memory of St. Matthew, the Evangelist, one of the four authors of the Gospel. He wrote the Gospel in Aramaic, the language that Jesus Christ spoke. He was a Levite from Galilee and a tax collector. He wrote the Gospel eight to 15 years after the Ascension of the Lord to Heaven. December 4 th : St. Barbara was from Nicomedia, and the daughter of Dioscoros, who was an idolater. He tortured her because she insisted in believing in Christ. In the end, he beheaded his daughter Barbara in 290 AD. On this day, we also commemorate a famous father of the Church, St. John the Damascene, who was famous for writing and composing well-known hymns, especially for Easter and Christmas. He was born in 675 AD in Damascus, Syria. He became a great philosopher, having studied with famous teachers of the time. Later, he became a monk at the monastery of St. Sava. The Muslims highly respected him. He fought against the supporters of iconoclasm, and wrote many articles about the true Orthodox Faith. He became the father of Scholastic and Systematic Theology. He died at the age of 84 in 760 AD. December 5 th : We commemorate St. Sava, the Ascetic Father of the Desert. He was born in 439 AD in Cappadocia, Asia Minor. With fervent prayer, he became a vessel of the Holy Spirit. He attended the 4 th Ecumenical Synod in Chalcedon, and passed away at the age of 94 in 533 AD. December 6 th : We commemorate the memory of a very popular saint, St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra, who experienced the last years of the great persecution of Christianity. While in jail, the Virgin Mary and Christ appeared. Christ gave him a golden Gospel, and the Virgin Mary bestowed the pallium (omoforion). He was the bishop of the poor, the needy, orphans, and the defender of sailors. Many miracles are attributed to him and he is also the historical base for Santa Claus due to his philanthropy to the poor. He met Constantine the Great; he attended the First Ecumenical Synod in Nicea in 325 AD, and passed away in 330 AD in Myra, Asia Minor. December 9 th : We commemorate the meeting of the elderly St. Anna and her aged husband Joachim, the parents of the Virgin Mary, who were unable to have children. With the appearance of an Angel of the Lord, and upon his directions, Anna became pregnant at the age of 82 by her husband. We celebrate the loyalty to the will of God and the saying things impossible by man are possible by God. December 12 th : We celebrate the memory of St. Spyridon, a humble shepherd from Cyprus. He became the Bishop of Trymithunda in Cyprus. He attended the First Ecumenical Synod in Nicea where, with his simplicity and great faith, explained to the Council the meaning of the Holy Trinity. The Church bestowed upon him the title Wonder Worker due to the miracles that he performed during his lifetime and after his death. He passed away in 350 AD. His entire body is still intact and is kept on the island of Kerkyra, where he was brought from Constantinople with the relics of Queen Theodora in 1460 AD. In Kerkyra, today, as well as in other places around the world, thousands of miracles are performed by this saint. December 15 th : We commemorate the feast day of St. Eleftherios, a humble priest of the first century from Rome, who at a young age became Bishop of Illyrium. He fought fervently against the dark forces of evil. He and his mother were beheaded during the Christian persecution in 226 AD. December 27 th : We commemorate the memory of the first Archdeacon and first Great Martyr, Stefan, who saw and witnessed the Holy Trinity before the Jewish Council which cost him his life. Based on the account in the Acts of the Apostles, 6:7, in the year 36 AD. These are the popular saints and our Church solemnly celebrates their memories during these two months. These celebrations and feast days continue until February 10 th and then restart on April 23 rd the feast day of St. George, and continue all the year long. The purpose of these commemorations is to imitate their faith and their dedication to Christ, and to be vivid examples to all Christians throughout the ages. May their blessings be on us and strengthen us in our Faith.

18 ATTENTION ALL ORGANIZATIONS A FRIENDLY REMINDER The Board of Trustees has no objections to any organization having fund raisers on any given Sunday; however, any and all organizations must have prior Board approval. Many times organizations start their fund raising activities before the end of church services, which I m sure you will agree, is not proper. We are asking that all organizations refrain from holding any fund raisers in the Community Center foyer as EXIT doors are being blocked which is a fire hazard. Please utilize the AHEPA Hall; however, if the hall is in use, the Board will advise what space can be used. REMEMBER, TO SCHEDULE A FUND RAISER, ALL ORGANIZATIONS MUST GET PRIOR BOARD APPROVAL AND EVERYONE MUST CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE TO CHECK THE CALENDAR. During Lent all fund raisers must be curtailed. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Board of Trustees St. George Greek Orthodox Church

19 Featuring the Nintendo Wii; 32 inch Flat Screen HDTV; Restaurant Gift Certificates & Theater Tickets

20 Cretans Fraternity The White Mountains P.O. Box 623 New Brunswick, New Jersey Ο Σύλλογος Κρητών Τα Λευκά Όρη Προσκαλεί την Ομογένεια στο Σάββατο, 7 Νοεμβρίου 2009 Saturday, November 7, :00 το Βράδυ (PM) Στην Εκκλησία του Αγίου Γεωργίου 1101 River Road Piscataway, New Jersey Θα είναι μια βραδιά γεμάτη αυθεντική Κρητική μουσική με τον Κωστή Κορδατζάκη και το συγκρότημά του, συνοδευόμενη με το πλέον παραδοσιακό κρητικό φαγητό το πιλάφι, όπως και άλλους μεζέδες, καφέ και γλυκά!!!!! Donation/Προσφορά $45.00 Kids/Παιδιά απο 12 μέχρι και 18 ετών ως και φοιτητές, Donation/Προσφορά $30.00 Kids/Παιδιά μέχρι και 11 ετών Δωρεάν Πληροφορίες/Information και Κρατήσεις/Reservations Σούλα Καντηλιεράκη Γιώργος Παπαδάκης

21 The St. George Piscataway Youth Group proudly invites you to our 7 th annual Greek Night November 21, :30 pm -12:00 am St. George AHEPA Hall Community Center Live Music by Apollonia Band with George Manioudakis on Clarinet & DJ Tommy Karas Mezedakia & Full Buffet Dinner - BYO Wine & Beer Special Performance by The Hellenic Dancers of NJ All proceeds will benefit the The Smile Train a non-profit organization that helps poor children around the world receive free surgery for cleft lip and palate.

22 Thomas Vastardis, CPA AICPA Member Tax Planning & Preparation Accounting Services Financial Check-Up 41 Jensen Street Phone John Abadiotakis Vice President Financial Advisor 100 Franklin Corner Road P. O. Box 1573 Morgan Stanley Princeton, NJ Smith Barney tel direct Fax toll free CREATIVE COLOR LITHOGRAPHERS, INC. 611 South Avenue Garwood, NJ Tel : (908) Fax: (908) Quality printing, Personal Service Zenon & Zachy Christodoulou

23 ADVERTISE WITH THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE PRICE LIST BUSINESS CARD: 6 MONTH CONTRACT: 12 MONTH CONTRACT: $30.00 $ $ /4 OF A PAGE: 6 MONTH CONTRACT: 12 MONTH CONTRACT: $60.00 $ $ /2 OF A PAGE: 6 MONTH CONTRACT: 12 MONTH CONTRACT: $ $ $ FULL PAGE: 6 MONTH CONTRACT: 12 MONTH CONTRACT: $ $ $1, OUR NEWSLETTER REACHES OVER 1000 FAMILIES OF OUR ST. GEORGE COMMUNITY For more information you can call the church office at: or send in your signed contract and check to: St. George Greek Orthodox Church 1101 River Road Piscataway, NJ Attention: Voice of St. George Name: Tel.# Address: Please print message or attach business card: Advertisements will only be printed upon submission of signed contract and monies Signature: Date:

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