The Edict. The god of Google. Vol.6 Issue 3

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1 The Edict The Edict of Milan was signed by St. Constantine in 313 AD as the first act of religious freedom SS Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral 64 Schermerhorn St. Brooklyn, NY Office: Fax: Website:stconstantinecathedral.org Table of Contents President s Message 2 A. Fantis School 3-5 Goya th Anniversary Gala 8-9 Holy Week 10 Greek Festival-11 Snap Shots- 12 Lives of the Saints-13 Sacraments 14 Advertisements 15 Cathedral Leadership-16 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what s the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge... Eph. 3:18-19 In an age where the knowledge of subject matter becomes easily accessible by simply completing an engine search on google or any other browser, does the knowledge of God matter anymore? This brief article will focus on the value of pursuing knowledge in God. It will suggest mechanisms that a Christian may you use to come to a greater knowledge of faith. Sometimes, I will play Words with friends on line. It is an electronic version of the game Scrabble. When I am stuck on a word (and yes this is a confession), I will pause the game and google on line words such as a five letter word that begins with the letter K. With answers to many questions made readily available at the push of a button, is God becoming extinct? Vol.6 Issue 3 The god of Google St. Paul in his letter to the Romans, describes a not so good scenario when people lost a true knowledge of God. People did not think it was important to have a true knowledge of God. So God left them and allowed them to have their own worthless thinking and to do things they should not do. RM1:28 There is no doubt that technology is here to stay. The wisdom of God is so infinite that through science and all disciplines the person has the great potential of the next generation of inventions and discoveries. This bring the article to it s second point. In today s modern world, Why does one stay connected to God? How does a person do a search engine of God s will? When a person is searching for God s will in their life will the great web be the source of discernment and divine inspiration. When a person is searching for forgiveness can safari or firefox be the divine power that restores a person s soul to health. St. Paul, speaking on the knowledge of God says the following: Yes, God s riches are very great, and his wisdom and knowledge have no end! No one can explain the things God decides or understand his ways. RM 11:33 The need, the desire, the reason to stay connected to God is even greater today than at any other time in the history of the world. How does one google God? How does a person stay connected to God s web? Here are some methods of maintaining a connection with God. The Holy Communion one receives during the Divine Liturgy, by God s grace, allows a faithful person to stay connected (in communion) with God. Reading the Bible, and yes, one may do it online,lol, keeps the information and knowledge of God coming forth at all times. Bowing down on one s knees and humbly praying is a great search engine for God s will in a Christian s life. A spiritual guide in one s life may surely make up for anything that Siri might say. The church is not interested in negating technology. Allow history to be a great teacher and do not, however, replace God with technology. Just for a point of information, this newsletter will be available on the church s website and someone may google it from anywhere around the world, lol! Fr. John K. Lardas

2 P A G E 2 The President s Message Dean Paravalos President of the Board of Trustees I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 5:15 Dear fellow Parishioners, I hope this message finds you well. Since my last update there are many new and exciting developments in our community and it is my pleasure to share them with you. First, I need to mention that this is the greatest community one can ever be a part of. It continually amazes me that together, we accomplish so much. As we all know, on any given weekend there are many events lined up at the same time and yet this small community, filled with the greatest people on earth, always find a way to make each one successful. Recently, we had our eighth grade graduation while the children from our school sang the National Anthem at Citi field. Both were a smashing successes. There are many more examples such as this. My point is that by working together, through commitment and dedication, our community reaps the rewards. In other news, in late May our GOYAns went on a weekend getaway to Washington DC. They visited several monuments, museums and the White House. They also went to St. Sophia s during their annual festival. Our GOYAns, in addition to eating well, beautifully danced to a live Greek band. Highlighting the trip was the priest mentioning their guests hailing all the way from BKLYN..NAK during Sunday services! During the Archdioceses Olympics, also in late May, all of our children performed extremely well. We received gold, silver, and bronze metals once again putting us at the top. Our children showed a great love for the games and played with heart. True Champions! Over the first week of June, we held our annual festival. I am pleased to announce that we broke all previous records grossing just over $136,000. BRAVO to all our volunteers and our festival committee for all the hard work and dedication. It was really special to have support from our GOYA, Philoptochos, past graduates, the PTO, and many others who stepped up to the plate to ensure the success of this event. Again I can only express a heartfelt thank you. Switching to news at A. Fantis, we had another successful school year. At this point, it is time to discuss the future. In order to strive for academic excellence, we must continue adhering to high standards and plan ahead. With this in mind, I am happy to announce Maria Perdik-Zolotas as the new, next-generation Principal of our beloved school. This appointment is the culmination of the work of a committee formed in search of a replacement for the evident day of Dr. Farkouh s retirement after many years of dedicated service. Dr. Farkouh will continue in her role as our School principal until the end of December at which point Mrs. Perdik-Zolotas will begin her tenure as the children return from the holiday break. I wish you all a healthy and happy summer. May God bless and keep you safe. Dean Paravalos President, Board of Trustee s T H E E D I C T

3 VOLUME V ISSUE 11I A. Fantis Parochial School PAGE 3 On Saturday, March 1st, 2014, A.Fantis participated in the Annual Science Olympiad, a state-wide competition where schools compete in different scientific events. This year s Olympiad was held at Grover Cleveland High School. Our students worked very hard, preparing for the different events they participated in. The results of the competition were as follows: Petros Gementzopoulos and Mark Mollo received the 1st place in the Wheeled Vehicle Event and 5th place in the Boomelever Event. Theodora Athanitis and Victoria Mollo received 3rd place in the Helicopter Event and 5th place in the Crime Buster Event.The following nine students participated in the competition: Lucas Christie, Andreas Tsiaras, Peter Steinmann, Eva Fexy, Paulina Noufrios, Madison Atherton-Graham, Angelique Paravalos, Christian Arbeeny, and Irene Chrysostomou. Overall, the students performed with a great deal of effort. We are all proud of them. Middle School Science teacher, Ms. Nertilja Canka is an outstanding teacher and has inspired our students. Mr. Tasos Gementzopoulos and Mrs. Kathy Noufrios assisted in the Science Olympiad along with other Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral community members. Special support and assistance were provided by Mr. Iraklis Argyriou, Mr. Christopher Argyriou, and Mr. Tasos Gementzopoulos.

4 The A Fantis Parochial School of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral Graduation Class of 2014 Olivia Battista LaGuardia Hisgh School-Dance Christopher Birney Poly Prep Country Day School Lucas Christie Brooklyn Technical High School Eva Fexy The Berkeley Carroll School Jasper Johnson HS of American Studies at Kiara Joyce LaGuardia High School

5 Hannah Kavanagh LaGuardia High School Drama Victoria Mollo St. Joseph Hill Academy Paulina Noufrios St. Joseph Hill Academy Agnes Palacios Frank Sinatra School of the Arts Fine Arts Sofija Radulovic Bronx High School of Science Peter Steinmann Fort Hamilton Honors Academy Andreas Tsiaras The Packer Collegiate Institute Evangelos Vasilakos Fort Hamilton Honors Academy For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; Proverbs 2:6

6 Winter Weekend G.O.Y.A of our Cathedral 180 Goyans of St. Nicholas Babylon, St. Markella, Wantagh; St. Paraskeve, Greenlawn; St. Paul, Hempstead, Archangel Michael, Port Washington; St. Nicholas, Flushing; St. Demetrios, Astoria; Sts. Constantine and Helen, Brooklyn, Kimisis, Brooklyn and Holy Cross Brooklyn had a great experience at the Split Rock Resort, at the Jack Frost skiing and at the Holy Protection Monastery on Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend.

7 Goya Trip to Washington D.C.

8 Under the then presidency of the Board of Trustees, Elias Seremetis, and with the dynamic chairmanship of Peter Vlitas and Jim Tampakis, the 100th Anniversary Gala of the Cathedral of SS Constantine and Helen was a tremendous success. Over 600 guests attended a truly memorable night. Alumni of the A Fantis School had the opportunity to enjoy the company of their classmates. May our great God, Jesus Christ, to the glory of His Father and by the power of the Holy Spirit, lay His benevolent hand upon the Cathedral, to guide and energize the Greek community into the next centennial. 100th Anniversary Gala Stage 6 at Steiner Studios November 9, 2013 Yannis Papastefanou and Orchestra Stelios Dionysiou and Kalomira

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12 Snapshots 1) Vasilopita Luncheon honoring His Grace Bishop Philotheos for over 60 years of ministry to the church 2) Philoptochos Combined Luncheon raising money for shelters in Greece 3) Greek Letters Celebration 4) Visit by famous Greek singer, Anna Vissi 5) A Fantis School performing the National Anthem at Citifield for Greek Heritage Day

13 Η Μεταμόρφωσης του Σωτήρος -Αγίου Λουκά Αρχιεπισκόπου Κριμαίας Η μεγάλη γιορτή της Μεταμορφώσεως του Κυρίου μας δίνει την αφορμή να θυμηθούμε τα λόγια του Κυ ρίου μας Ιησού Χριστού:«Ου πιστεύεις ότι εγώ εν τω πατρί και ο πατήρ εν εμοί εστι; τα ρήματα α εγώ λαλώ υμίν, απ' εμαυτού ου λα λώ. ο δε πατήρ ο εν εμοί μένων αυτός ποιεί τα έργα. Πι στεύετέ μοι ότι εγώ εν τω πατρί και ο πατήρ εν εμοί. ει δε μη, διά τα έργα αυτά πιστεύετέ μοι» (Ιωάν. 14, 10-11).Μεγάλα και αμέτρητα ήταν τα θαύματα του Κυρίου μας Ιησού Χριστού: με ένα μόνο λόγο του ανέστησε την κόρη του Ιαείρου, του αρχισυναγώγου, τον γιο της χήρας της Ναΐν, ακόμα και τον Λάζαρο, ο οποίος ήταν στον τάφο τέσσερεις ολόκληρες ημέρες. Με ένα λόγο του μόνο επιτίμησε τους ανέμους και τα κύματα της λίμνης Γεννησαρέτ και έγινε απόλυτη γαλήνη. Με πέντε ψωμιά και δύο ψάρια χόρτασε πέντε χιλιάδες ανθρώπους, χωρίς γυναίκες και παιδιά, και με τέσσερα ψωμιά τέσσερεις χιλιάδες.ας θυμηθούμε πως κάθε μέρα θεράπευε τους ασθενείς, γιατρεύοντας κάθε είδους ασθένεια, έδιωχνε τα πονηρά πνεύματα από τους δαιμονιζομένους. Πως ξαναέδινε την όραση στους τυφλούς και την ακοή στους κουφούς με ένα μόνο άγγιγμά του. Δεν φτάνουν αυτά;όλα αυτά όμως δεν ήταν αρκετά για τους ανθρώπους οι οποίοι τον ζήλευαν, για τους ανθρώπους για τους οποίους ο μέγας προφήτης Ησαΐας είπε:«ακοή ακούσετε και ου συνήτε, και βλέποντες βλέψετε και ου μη ίδητε. επαχύνθη γαρ η καρδία του λαού τούτου, και τοις ωσί βαρέως ήκουσαν, και τους οφθαλμούς αυτών εκάμμυσαν, μήποτε ίδωσι τοις οφθαλμοίς και τοις ωσίν ακούσωσι και τη καρδία συνώσι και επιστρέψωσι, και ιάσομαι αυτούς» (Ματθ. 13, 14-15). Σε όλα αυτά, τα οποία όμως δεν ήταν αρκετά για τους βαρήκοους ανθρώπους και με τα συσκοτισμένα μάτια, πρόσθεσε ο Κύριός μας Ιησούς Χριστός το μέγα θαύμα της Μεταμορφώσεώς Του στο όρος Θαβώρ. Σ' αυτόν, που έλαμψε με ένα εκθαμβωτικό θείο φως, εμφανίστηκαν οι προφήτες της Παλαιάς Διαθήκης, ο Μωυσής και ο Ηλίας και προσκύνησαν τον δημιουργό του νόμου. Με φόβο και τρόμο έβλεπαν το θαυμαστό αυτό θέαμα οι εκλεκτοί απόστολοι Πέτρος, Ιάκωβος και Ιωάννης. Και μετά από τη νεφέλη, που τους σκέπασε, ακούστηκε η φωνή του Θεού:«Ούτος εστιν ο Υιός μου ο αγαπητός, εν ω ευδόκησα. αυτού ακούετε» (Ματθ. 17, 5).Οι άγιοι απόστολοι κήρυξαν σ' όλο τον κόσμο, ότι ο Κύριός μας Ιησούς Χριστός είναι «αληθώς, του Πατρός το απαύγασμα».ο κόσμος ολόκληρος, όταν το άκουσε, θα έπρεπε να γονατίσει μπροστά στον Κύριο Ιησού Χριστό και να προσκυνήσει τον Αληθινό Υιό του Θεού.Θα έπρεπε η εμφάνιση στο Θαβώρ των δύο πιο μεγάλων προφητών της Παλαιάς Διαθήκης και η προσκύνηση του Κυρίου Ιησού Χριστού κατά την μεταμόρφωσή του, να κλείσει για πάντα τα βδελυρά χείλη των γραμματέων και των φαρισαίων, οι οποίοι μισούσαν τον Κύριο Ιησού και τον θεωρούσαν παραβάτη του νόμου του Μωυσή. Αλλά και μέχρι σήμερα δεν πιστεύουν οι Εβραίοι ότι Αυτός είναι ο Μεσσίας.Όχι μόνο οι Εβραίοι δεν τον πιστεύουν, αλλά και για πολλούς χριστιανούς όλο και περισσότερο θαμπώνει το θείο φως του Κυρίου μας Ιησού Χριστού. Ακόμα μικρότερο γίνεται το μικρό ποίμνιο του Χριστού για το οποίο το θείο φως του Χριστού λάμπει με την ίδια δύναμη με την οποίαν έλαμψε στους αποστόλους Πέτρο, Ιάκωβο και Ιωάννη τότε στο όρος Θαβώρ.Όμως να μην απελπιζόμαστε, επειδή ο Κύριός μας Ιησούς Χριστός είπε:«μη φοβού το μικρόν ποίμνιον. ότι ευδόκησεν ο πατήρ υμών δούναι υμίν την βασιλείαν» (Λκ. 12, 32).Η απιστία μεταξύ των λαών έλαβε ανησυχητικές διαστάσεις και το φως του Χριστού επισκιάστηκε από το σκοτεινό νέφος της αθεΐας. Σήμερα πιο συχνά από ποτέ ενθυμούμαστε το φοβερό λόγο του Χριστού:«Πλην ο Υιός του ανθρώπου ελθών άρα ευρήσει την πίστιν επί της γης;» (Λκ. 18, 8). Να μην απελπιζόμαστε όμως, επειδή Εκείνος, λέγοντας για τα σημεία της δευτέρας παρουσίας του, είπε:«αρχομένων δε τούτων γίνεσθαι ανακύψατε και επάρατε τας κεφάλας υμών, διότι εγγίζει η απολύτρωσις υ μών» (Λκ. 21, 28). Να είναι, λοιπόν, η ζωή σας τέτοια ώστε την φοβερή ημέρα της Κρίσεως να μπορέσουμε να σηκώσουμε το κεφάλι μας και όχι να το σκύψουμε βαθειά απελπισμένοι. Αμήν. Απολυτίκιον. Μετεμορφώθης εν τω Όρει, Χριστέ ο Θεός, δείξας τοις Μαθηταίς σου την δόξαν σου, καθώς ηδύναντο. Λάμψον και ημίν τοις αμαρτωλοίς, το φως σου το αΐδιον, πρεσβείαις της Θεοτόκου. Φωτοδότα, δόξα σοι.

14 SACRAMENTS Baptisms October Renee Nicole, daughter of Steven & Nicole Mono pioudis, Sponsor: Aspasia Dourakis & John Paviadakis 13 Steven Luis, son of Horacio & Catherine Mendez Sponsor: Irene Maropakis & John Paviadakis Jenna Isabella, daughter of Horacios & Catherine Mendez Sponsor: Emmanuel and Anna Volikakis 26 Lia Marie, daughter of Michael and Nicole Camelliti Godparent: Demetrious Gardelis 27 Elias Jake & Julina Sebastian, sons of Nicholas & Julie Papadopoulos, Sponsors: Anna Papadopoulos & Dimitrios Kourtoumpelides November Georgia, daughter of Zane Elizah and Dana Siomkos, Godparents: Peter & Jennie Ballas 23 Constantine, son of James and Lydia Madias, Sponsor: Elena Alexandra Avradopoulos December Joanna Grace, daughter of Benjamin & Anastasia DeSeta, Sponsor: Anastasia Whalen January Anthony, son of Evangelos and Alma Perdikogiannis, Sponsor: Kleoneke Masouridis February Dimitrios Vasilios, son of Demostenis & Aphrodite, Mouzakitis, Sponsor: Evangelia Davanos 22 Maxwell David, son of Mark and Meghan Graham, Sponsor: Michelle Keane March Cassia Dina, daughter of Spyros & Christy Edgos, Sponsor: Athena & Lou Langas Nicoletta, son of George & Garyfalia Smoudianos Sponsor: Steven Kakleas 22 Michael Paul, son of Anthony and Catherine DiRaimondo, Sponsor: Ethel Coffinas April Ourania, daughter of Michael and Kathryn Furtado, Sponsors: Mary Vouzonis-Lauriello & Maola Karasoula May Antony, son of Emmanuel and Marie Galanakis, Sponsor: Dimitri & Kelly Lilikakis 3 Emi Sofia, daughter of, and Cadmus, son of Dimitrios & Misa Efstathiou Sponsor: Alexandra Electris 4 Natalia, daughter of Shiu-Ming Chu & May- Wan Mui, Sponsor: Anna Chrysostomou 10 Alexia, daughter of Young Han Moon & Hyun Sook Lee, Sponsor: Panayiotis Theodorou Eva, daughter of Seong Chan Hong & Jung Ae Ha, Sponsor: Angeliki Karmina Eleni, daughter of Patrick Odunyemi Bamgboye & Subuola Omola Owodunni, Sponsor: Deana Baglanzis Athanasios & Demetrios, sons of George & Athena Lampropoulos, Sponsors: Athanasios & Katina Ziakos 11 Alexander, son of Peter & Lois Kanaris Sponsor: Alexandros Sofianos 31 Artemis, daughter of Leonaide & Katena Scarano Sponsor: Sofia Panagopoulos June Stefanos, son of Richard & Maria Polo Sponsor: Alexandros & Konstantinos Kouros 28 Dimitrios, son of Dennis & Meropi Zervos Sponsor: Anastasios & Margarita Zovas Wedddings October Demetre Louis Gardelis & Cynthia Calabretaa Sponsor: Christos Sofronis November Nicholas Neonakis & Christina Smoudianis Sponsor: Andrew Pantzatos June Anthony Paduano & Agatha Apostolakis Sponsor: Ioanna Devito 29 John Wetteland & Jacquelyn Harris Sponsor: Jeannine Harris Funerals November 2013 December Helen Dukas 21 +Denis Mafredas 29 +Michael Glezakos February 2014 March Eugenia Zacharias 4 +Maria Duke 22 +Fotini Sennis April John Katsos

15 Γιατί τιμάμε τους Αγίους; Τιμάμε τους Αγίους όχι ως θρησκευτικούς ήρωες, γιατί αυτό θα ήταν ειδωλολατρία, αλλά ως ζωντανά παραδείγματα βιώσεως της εν Χριστώ ανακαίνισης του ανθρώπου, ως «φώτα θεουργικά», ως φίλους αληθινούς του Θεού, ως κοινωνούς των παθημάτων και της δόξας του Χριστού, αλλά και ως οδηγούς των πιστών «εις πάσαν την αλήθειαν εν Πνεύματι Αγίω».

16 His All Holiness Bartholomew Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch Rum Patrikhanesi Fener-Halic Istanbul, Turkey Tel , His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America 10 East 79 th St New York, NY (212) THE CATHEDRAL OF STS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN Fr. John K. Lardas, Presiding Priest Board of Trustees Executive Board: Dean Paravalos President; Panagiotis Papadopoulos 1st. Vice-President; Andreas Chrysostomou 2nd Vice President; Dimitri Kostopoulos 1st Treasurer; Constantine Vassilakos 2nd Treasurer; Anthony Kammas English Secretary; John Athanitis Greek Secretary Board Members Athanasia Apostolakos Irakis Argyriou Steve Bacas George Fanourakis Athanasios Kampessis Maria Kastanis Jerry Matiatos Harry Paloumbis Angelo Papadakos Chris Sofronis Ismene Speliotis Peter Stratigakis Jim Tampakis Alex Vanech Peter Vlitas Peter Yatrakis Board Committees Church Order: Steve Bacas Maintenance and Security: Peter Stratigakis Real Estate: Jim Tampakis Church Name Day: Dean Paravalos Technology: Deano Vassilakos Church Fund Raising & Finance: Dimitri Kostopoulos Youth: Taki Papadopoulos Church Journal: Hercules Argyriou Church Dance & Apokreatiko: Panagiotis Papadopoulos Membership and Pledge: Deano Vassilakos Cultural and Religious Education: Ismene Speliotis Greek Festival: Maria Kastanis Insurance: Anthony Kammas Veterans & Seniors: Peter Stratigakis Philoptochos Executive Board: Presidents Marjorie Bacas; 1 st Vice-President Lucy Bounas;2 nd Vice-President Betty Xanthos; Treasurer Stelene Argyriou; Assistant Treasurer Peggy Panagopoulous; Corresponding Secretary Evangelia Apostolakos; Recording Secretary Katerina(Phyllis) James; Advisors Georgeann Papadakos Board Members Presbytera Eleni Lardas, Connie Lambros, Cleo Athanitis, Efrosini Ekonomakos, Pitsa Tampakis, Catherine Vasilakos, Pauline Apostolakis A. Fantis Parochial School of SS. Constantine and Helen School Board Chairperson: Katherine Tsamatsiros Principal: Dr. Alice Farkouh School Board Committee: Vasilia Lambridis, Dean Paravalos, Anna Chrysostomou, Danielle Makris, Angela Papadopoulos, John Athanitis, Constantinos Vasillakos, Kathryn Yatrakis, Jim Tampakis, Hercules Argyriou, Lauren Cramer, Diedra Robokos Church Secretary: Effie Katsenis; Sunday School Director: Pauline Apostolakis; Acolytes: Nicholas Paros; Choir Director: Maria Zollo; Chanter: Nicholas Paros; Kantelinautis: Panagiotis Masourides; Koliva: Evangelia Masourides; Prosforo: Efrosoni Economakos; News Letter: Fr. John Lardas & Nicholas Paros Affiliates and Organizations of the Cathedral of SS. Constantine and Helen Goya Advisors: Harry Paloumbis & Ismene Speliotis; Joy: Angela Papadopoulos and Anna Chrysostomou Joy & Goya Soccer: John Athanitis,, Dean Paravalos. Dance Instructor: Michelle Tsigaridas Weller; OPA (Orthodox Paidea Association): Nicholas Paros