The Voice of Saint George

Transcript

1 September/October 2004 Volume 2 Issue 6 A publication of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George Piscataway, New Jersey The Voice of Saint George The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the LORD. (Matt.3:3) By Very Reverend Alexander Kile, Archimandrite Inside this Issue Priest Message 1 President s Message 4 Message from our Patriarch Message from our Metropolitan 5 6 Dear Parishioners On September 1 st our Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the Ecclesiastical New Year. Happy New Year to all the faithful! On behalf of the Parish Council and myself, I welcome you back from your vacation to your spiritual home. With your presence you will give life to the community center which was mute during the summer. All the beautiful programs are waiting for our youngsters, our Goyans, our Greek and Sunday School students, and our Altar boys to come alive again. As you have noticed in the church calendar, in October with God s blessings, I am going to start Bible Classes every Thursday. I invite everyone to attend in whatever language they want. We ask for your participation, not only in the Bible classes, but in every event of the community, and we emphasize how important your involvement is in all the church organizations. Love and concern for one another, as well as active participation in the Lord s work make us a proud family. We have a number of great events coming up: The memorial Concert; it will take place on Saturday September 11, Everybody is encouraged to attend. On Sunday September 19, 2004 we will have a common Divine Liturgy in Asbury Park with all the clergy of the Metropolis. There will be no church service here. Please try to be present at this historical event as it will be the first time celebrated with our new Metropolitan and all the clergy of New Jersey. This is a tradition we inherited from the late Archbishop Athenagoras, who later became the Ecumenical Patriarch. In October we are going to have our Annual Dinner Dance in Pines Manor. Everybody should support this beautiful and festive evening. We also ask you to put a generous ad to the special journal that we are trying to publish this year, which will remain a historical record book of our community. I also hope and pray that soon we are going to have good news about the construction of the much needed new Parking Lot of the church. For more information on the different events please consult the activity book. I pray that I will be seeing you in as many events as possible. (Continued on page 3) Message from Archbishop Demetrios Church Dance Information 7 10 Philoptochos News 12 7th Ecumenical Council 13 PTO News 15 Sunday School 16 Photos 18 Summer Olympics 21 Liturgical Schedule 22 Ο Ιερατικώς Προϊστάµενος Αρχιµανδρίτης Αλέξανδρος Κιλέ Αγαπητοί ενορίτες, Την 1η Σεπτεµβρίου, η αγία µας εκκλησία εορτάζει την εορτή της Ινδίκτου που είναι η αρχή της Νέας Εκκλησιαστικής χρονιάς. Εύχοµαι Καλή Χρονιά σ όλους τους πιστούς. Το εκκλησιαστικό συµβούλιο, αλλά και εγώ προσωπικά σας καλωσορίζουµε καθώς επιστρέφετε στο πνευµατικό σας σπίτι από τις καλοκαιρινές διακοπές. Με την όµορφη παρουσία σας θα δώσετε πάλι ζωή στην κοινότητά µας. Θα ζωντανέψουν οι διάδροµοι µε τις φωνούλες και το περπάτηµα των παιδιών και της νεολαίας µας. Όλα τα ωραία µας προγράµµατα περιµένουν να αρχίσουν Μπορεί να έχετε παρατηρήσει, από το πρόγραµµα που σας έστειλα τον Ιούλιο, ότι τον Οκτώβριο, µε την βοήθεια του Θεού, θα αρχίσουµε βιβλική µελέτη κάθε Πέµπτη το απόγευµα. Σας προσκαλώ όλους να συµµετάσχετε σε όποια γλώσσα επιθυµείτε. Σας προσκαλώ να συµµετάσεχετε ενεργά (Continued on page 3)

2 Page 2 The Voice of Saint George GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAINT GEORGE Very Reverend Archimandrite Alexander Kile Parish Ministries Parish Council President Demetrios Arhontoulis Vice President / Administration Katerina Leftheris Vice President /Operations Constantinos Theokas Secretary Petra Knox Treasurer George Psyllos Comptroller Nick Banis Members Constantine Apostolakis Lampros E. Bourodimos Maria Kaouris Christodoulatos Michael Dimitrakis Bill Fottis Panos Georgopoulos Anthony Kalogridis George Petrantonakis Dimitrios Zalokostas Special Thanks to all volunteers, Sunday School staff, Workers, Coaches, Greek Dance Instructors & Parents who support all of our church organizations, programs, and events. Special Thanks to the Bulletin Committee: Evie Georgopoulos, Mariea Kazantzis and Evellyn Tsiadis. Philoptochos Society St.Barbara Eleni Andronikou, President Choir Dimitrios Fousteris, Director Sunday School Helene Pappas, Director Greek School Panos Georgopoulos, Director Toula Karamarkos, Principal Sofia Amaxopoulos, Teacher Mrs.Katerina Kourti-Gavalas Angeliki Papasavas, Teacher Chrisoula Plias, Teacher Parent Teacher Organization Dorothy Koutsoras, President GOYA Aris Kalimanis, President GOYA Advisors Eileen Stellakis Diane Parais Sandy Stratoudakis Dimitrios Zalokostas Andriana Tolis George Papagrigorakis George Hadjiloucas We encourage all of our community organizations & ministries to post their events in The Voice of St. George. We remind you that events should be advertised a month in advance. Information should be submitted one month prior to issue in which it will appear. We thank you for your cooperation. FOCUS Nick Kambitsis Senior Citizens Dorothy Coniaris JOY/HOPE Sophia Exarchakis Maria Kantilierakis MOMS & TOTS Thomai Chronis Elaine Thermos Committee Chairpersons Stewardship Petra Knox, George Psyllos Church Festival John Lyssikatos Memorial Dolores Stroumtsos Web Design Bill Fottis Welcome/Hospitality Peter Alexander Have you visited the St. George website lately? Just go to: www. STGEORGEPISCATAWAY.ORG

3 September-October 2004 Page 3 By Very Reverend Alexander Kile Archimandrite (Continued from page 1) With your love and support, we are going to uplift this community, making the founders of this Holy Church that labored so hard to create this beautiful Christian community, very proud of their children and grandchildren. Even if we have just moved to the area, or we are new members of the community, we have the responsibility to preserve this Legacy, to continue this Holy tradition and give it to the generations who follow us. You may ask me: How? The answer is very simple: by supporting the Greek School, the Sunday School, the GOYA and by being present in all of the activi- ties of our church. Most importantly, we have to send in our Pledges so we can fulfill our duties as Parishioners. From these pledges we support all these programs and we keep our doors open. Your personal pledges are your expression of love and expression of gratitude to God for being so good to you. This is the real meaning of the pledge giving. God gives me different blessings and I return my pledge to His dwelling place, to His Church. So please, send in your pledges if you haven t done so. The church needs your support. Christ s work on earth needs your financial support. Around the middle of August you received a report from the stewardship committee informing you about our pledge status. If you have any questions, you can reach me at the office (732) , or you can call my residence (908) and leave a message. If it is an emergency or if you need to talk to me immediately, you call me at my cellular phone (732) As you can see, you can reach me everywhere. I am in God s and your service. May we have a wonderful Ecclesiastical Year. May the Blessings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, through the intercession of our patron Saint George be abundant upon you and upon the members of your beloved families. With much love in Christ The Pastor Very Rev. Alexander Kile Archimandrite Ο Ιερατικώς Προϊστάµενος Αρχιµανδρίτης Αλέξανδρος Κιλέ (Continued from page 1) σε όλες τις κοινοτικές εκδηλώσεις ανάλογα µε τον χρόνο και τα ενδιαφέροντά σας. Χρειαζόµαστε την συµµετοχή και την βοήθεια όλων. Αυτή η ενεργή συµµετοχή, η αγάπη και το ενδιαφέρον µας κάνουν να είµαστε µία υπερήφανη και ευλογηµένη οικογένεια Έχουµε προγραµµατίσει πολλές εκδηλώσεις γιά το Φθινόπωρο: Στις 11 Σεπτεµ βρίου θα έχουµ ε την επιµνηµόσυνη συναυλία της τραγικής επετείου. Στις 19 Σεπτεµβρίου θα έχουµε µονοεκκλησιά στο θέατρο του Asbury Park µε όλους τους ιερείς, προεξάρχοντος του Σεβασµιώτατου Μητροπολίτου κ.κ. Ευαγγέλου. Η µονοεκκλησιά αυτή είναι µία παλαιά παράδοση που κληρονοµήσαµε από τον αλησµόνητο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αµερικής Αθηναγόρα τον µετέπειτα Οικουµενικό Πατριάρχη. Όλες οι εκκλησίες θα είναι κλειστές και σας παρακαλώ να µεταβείτε εκεί γιά να εκκλησιαστείτε και να εορτάσουµε µαζί αυτό το ιστορικό γεγονός. Στις 16 Οκτωβρίου θα έχουµε τον ετήσιο χορό της κοινότητός µας στο Pines Manor, και ζητώ όπως η αγάπη σας υποστηρίξει αυτή την χοροεσπερίδα αγοράζοντας εισιτήρια συµµετοχής, και επίσης αγοράζοντας διαφηµιστική σελίδα στο αναµνηστικό λεύκωµα που φέτος θα τυπωθεί σε διαφορετική µορφή και θα µείνει ωραίο ενθύµιο της κοινότητος. Προσεύχοµαι και εύχοµαι σύντοµα να δούµε από την πολιτεία την έγκριση των σχεδίων και την αρχή των εργασιών του νέου χώρου στάθµευσης αυτοκινήτων που είναι τόσο απαραίτητος για την κοινότητά µας Γιά πληροφορίες σχετικά µε άλλες µελλοντικές εκδηλώσεις, σας παρακαλώ συµβουλευτείτε το ετήσιο πρόγραµµα που σας ταχυδροµήθηκε τον Ιούλιο. Εύχοµαι να σας βλέπω σε όλες τις εκδηλώσεις. Με την αγάπη που σας διακρίνει θα προχωρήσουµε και θα κάνουµε τους προγόνους µας, τους ιδρυτές αυτής της αγίας εκκλησιαστικής µας κοινότητος, και όλους όσους κοπίασαν για την προκοπή της, υπερήφανους. Γιά εµάς, ως παιδιά τους ή εγγόνια τους ή εστω και αν ήλθαµε πρόσφατα στην περιοχή, ο Άγιος Γεώργιος είναι ενορία µας και έχουµε ιερή υποχρέωση να γίνουµε συνεχιστές αυτής της παράδοσης των ιερών και οσίων της πίστης και του Γένους µας. Πρέπει να µεταλαµπαδεύσουµε τις αξίες αυτές στις νεότερες γενιές και να τους µάθουµε να τις κρατούν «ως κόρην οφθαλµού». Έτσι θα γίνουµε ζωντανά παραδείγµ ατα στην ελληνοαµερικανική και γενικά στην αµερικανική κοινότητα. Μπορεί να µε ρωτήσετε: «Πως µπορώ να συµµετάσχω;» Η απάντηση είναι απλή: Έχοντας πίστη, υποστηρίζοντας τα προγράµµατα της νοελαίας, παροτρύνοντας τα παιδιά σας να λαµβάνουν µέρος, και µε την ζωντανή συµµετοχή σας στις εκδηλώσεις της κοινότητος. Ο κυριώτερος τρόπος όµως είναι η συνδροµή σας (η λογία σας) προς την εκκλησία. Στέλνοντας την ετήσια συνδροµ ή µας εκπληρώνουµε το χρέος µας προς την εκκλησία, υποστηρίζουµε όλα τα προγράµµατά της και κρατάµε της πόρτες της εκκλησίας ανοιχτές. Η προσωπική σας συνδροµή είναι η έκφραση ευγνωµοσύνης προς τον Θεό που είναι τόσο καλός µαζί µας. Αυτή είναι η αληθινή έννοια της λογίας: Αναγνωρίζοντας τις τόσες ευλογίες που µου δίνει ο Θεός εγώ ανταποδίδω στην επίγεια κατοικία Του, στην εκκλησία Του. Παρακαλώ, αν δεν έχετε στείλει την συνδροµή σας, στείλτε την το (Continued on page 4)

4 Page 4 The Voice of Saint George ταχύτερο δυνατόν. Τον Αύγουστο πήρατε την ενηµερωτική έκθεση της επιτροπής. Αν έχετε κάποια ερώτηση µπορείτε να µου τηλεφωνήσετε στο γραφείο (732) ή στην κατοικία µου αφήνοντας µήνυµα στον αριθµό (908) Αν είναι µεγάλη ανάγκη ή θέλετε να επικοινωνήσετε απευθείας µαζί µου γιά κάποιο επείγον θέµα, τότε τηλεφωνήστε µου στο κινητό τηλέφωνό µου στον αριθµό (732) Όπως βλέπετε, µπορείτε να επικοινωνήσετε µαζί µου όποτε θέλετε. Είµαι στου Θεού και στην δικιά σας διάθεση. Είθε να έχουµε µία καλή χρονιά. Οι ευλογίες του Θεού και Σωτήρος ηµών Ιησού Χριστού διά των πρεσβειών του προστάτου µας Αγίου Γεωργίου να είναι πλουσιοπάροχες επάνω σας και στα µέλη της οικεγενείας σας. Μ εν Χριστώ αγάπη Ο Ιερατικώς Προϊστάµενος Αριµ. Αλέξανδρος Κιλέ A Message from our President Dear Parishioners and Friends, Welcome back! I hope that you had an enjoyable summer. On August 15 th, the day of the Dormition of the Theotokos, we had the procession of the epitaphio followed by a luncheon with music and dance (Panigiri tis Panagias). It was an exceptional day for all of us that attended the service and procession. I would like to thank Father Alex for putting this celebration together. With his efforts and the help of many of our parishioners, this was an unforgettable day. Thank you all. Now is time to think about the new ecclesiastical year. The Greek School classes will begin on Monday, September 13 th, and the Sunday school will begin on Sunday, September 26 th. On that Sunday our church will resume regular church hours. I would like to welcome the Greek School Teachers, Sunday School Teachers and Aides, Youth Advisors, and all the organizations. Our semi-annual General Assembly will be held on Sunday, September 26 th. (This is the second call). Financial statements will be available prior to the meeting. We are asking all of our parishioners to attend this meeting, to hear the progress of our community and to bring any other suggestion that they may have for the future of our community. A welcoming luncheon will be served to all. Our annual dinner dance will be held on Saturday, October 16 th at the Pines Manor. Please make an effort to attend and support this event for an unforgettable evening celebrating our heritage and honoring our past President, Mr. Thomas Kouridakis, for his dedication to the community of Saint George for more than 25 years. I also remind everyone to support this fundraising event by donating to the dance souvenir journal. I wish to all our parishioners, health and happiness as we begin this new ecclesiastical year and I hope to see a lot of old and new faces attending church and participating in the various programs that are offered to all. Sincerely, Demetrios Arhontoulis President Αγαπητοί ενορίτες και φίλοι, Εύχοµαι να περάσατε όλοι ένα όµορφο καλοκαίρι και σας καλωσορίζω στην καινούργια εκκλησιαστική χρονιά. Η κοινότητά µας γιόρτασε την ηµέρα της Κοιµήσεως της Θεοτόκου ( εκαπενταύγουστο), µε µεγαλοπρέπεια. Μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία, είχαµε λιτανεία της Εικόνας και του Επιταφίου της Παναγίας. Το πανηγύρι µας έληξε µε ένα πλούσιο γεύµα µε µουσική και χορό. Ευχαριστούµε τον Πατέρα Αλέξανδρο για την διοργάνωση, διότι µε τις προσπαθειές του και µε τις προσφορές πολλών ενοριτών µας, απολαύσαµε όλοι µία λαµπρή µέρα. Ένα µεγάλο ευχαριστώ σε όλους. Το Ελληνικό σχολείο αρχίζει στις 13 Σεπτεµβρίου και το Κατηχητικό σχολείο αρχίζει την Κυριακή 26 Σεπτεµβρίου. Εκείνη την Κυριακή (26/9) αρχίζει και το χειµερινό πρόγραµµα της εκκλησίας µας. Θα ήθελα να καλωσορίσω τις δασκάλες του Ελληνικού και Κατηχητικού σχολείου, τους βοηθούς, τους υπεύθυνους της νεολείας και τα µέλη όλων των οργανώσεων της εκκλησίας µας. Η ηµιετήσια συνέλευση των µελών της κοινότητάς µας θα γίνει την Κυριακή 26 Σεπτεµβρίου (δεύτερη πρόσκληση). Πριν την συνεδρίαση θα κοινοποιηθεί ο οικονοµικός απολογισµός. Παρακαλούµε όλους τους ενορίτες να έρθουν στην συνεδρίαση, να µάθουν τα νέα της κοινότητας, και να µας φέρουν καινούργιες ιδέες για την πρόοδο και το µέλλον της ενορίας µας. Θα παρατεθεί γεύµα σε όλους. Η ετήσια χοροεσπερίδα της κοινότητας µας θα γίνει το Σάββατο 16 Οκτωβρίου στο Pines Manor. Παροτρύνουµε όλα τα µέλη και τους φίλους της κονότητας να παρευρεθούν σ αυτή την όµορφη βραδυά, ώστε να διασκεδάσουµε όλοι µαζί και να τιµήσουµε τον απερχόµενο πρόεδρο της κοινότητάς µας κ. Ευστράτιο Κουριδάκη. Υπενθυµίζω επίσης, πως όλοι πρέπει να υποστηρίξουµε αυτό το γεγονός προσφέροντας γιά το αναµνηστικό λεύκωµα που εκδίδει η επιτροπή της χοροεσπερίδας. Με την ευκαιρία αυτή θα ήθελα να ευχηθώ σε όλους τους ενορίτες µας υγεία και ευτυχία και εύχοµαι να δούµε πολλά γνωστά και νέα πρόσωπα στην εκκλησία µας και στις πολλές εκδηλώσεις της κοινότητας µας. Καλή χρονιά! Ο πρόεδρος ηµήτριος Αρχοντούλης

5 Page 5 September 1, 2004 BARTHOLOMEW BY THE MERCY OF GOD ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE, NEW ROME AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO THE ENTIRE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH GRACE AND PEACE FROM THE CREATOR OF THE WHOLE OF CREATION OUR LORD, GOD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST Beloved Brothers and Children in the Lord, Fifteen years ago, our venerable predecessor, the late Patriarch Demetrios issued the first official decree for the preservation of the natural environment, an encyclical letter to the pleroma of the Church, formally establishing September 1st as a day of prayer for the protection of the environment. That historical proclamation emphasized the significance of the eucharistic and the ascetic ethos of our tradition, which provide a corrective for a consumer lifestyle and an alternative to the prevailing philosophy of our age. The Church Fathers have always insisted on the critical importance of self-examination as a pre-condition for spiritual growth. Echoing the classical oracle of Delphi, Clement of Alexandria exhorts: "Know yourself! If you know yourself, you will know all things." Evagrius of Pontus states: "He who knows himself knows God." And Isaac the Syrian claims: "To know oneself is to know one's failures, which leads to the resurrection of the dead." Therefore, let us consider what we have learned as a hurch over the last fifteen years. What knowledge have we gained? What failures have we experienced? And what direction should we now assume? In the five summer seminars that were held annually from at the Theological School on the Island of Halki, we learned about the close connections between environmental issues and education, ethics, communication, justice, and poverty. And in the five international symposia held biannually from 1995 to date, we have explored the impact of our wasteful lifestyle on the waters of the Aegean Sea, the Black Sea, the Danube River, the Adriatic Sea, and the Baltic Sea. Together with theologians, scientists, politicians and journalists, we recognized in a tangible manner the responsibility that we all bear - before one another, before our world, and before our God - for the destruction of our world's natural beauty, for the depletion of the earth's resources, and for the devastation of our planet's diversity. More especially, we have appreciated how the preservation of the natural environment is intimately related to the cessation of warfare, to the restoration of social justice and to the management of world poverty. We have learned how the way that we treat human beings is directly reflected in the way that we relate to the natural environment, as well as to the worship that we exclusively reserve for God. It should come as no surprise to us that we are able to misuse the natural and material creation when we are able to abuse our fellow-human beings. The Mother Church has been at the forefront of significant gatherings and agreements of world peace and welfare, of economic and social reform, of human rights and religious tolerance. When it comes to the appropriate response and the proper theological reflection, there is no doubt that our Orthodox Church has a great deal to contribute to the contemporary debate concerning ecology. We are able to draw upon the depth and ealth of our Scriptural and Patristic heritage in order to contribute positively and constructively to the critical issues of our time. Where, however, as Orthodox Christians we reveal the greatest vulnerability is in the practice of our theory. It is always the easier approach to lay blame on Western development and technological progress for the ills that we confront in our world. And it is always a temptation to believe that we hold the solution to problems that we all face today or else to ignore the imminent danger that we face globally. What is more difficult - and yet at the same time more noble - is to discern the degree to which we constitute part of the problem itself. Just how many of us examine the foods that we consume, the goods that we purchase, the energy that we waste, or the consequences of our privileged living? How often do we take the time to scrutinize the choices that we make on a daily basis, whether as individuals, as institutions, as parishes, as communities, as societies, and even as nations? More importantly, just how many of our Orthodox clergy are prepared to assume leadership on issues concerning the environment? How many of our Orthodox parishes and communities are prepared to materialize the knowledge that we have accumulated in recent years by practicing ecologically-sensitive principles in their own communities? How do the decisions of any local community and parish reflect on a practical and tangible level the experience that we have gained on a theoretical level? In an age when the information is readily available to us, there is surely no excuse for ignorance or indifference. To overlook is to shut our eyes to a reality that is ever-present and ever-increasing. Former generations and cultures may have been unaware of the implications of their actions. Nevertheless, today, more perhaps than any other time or age, we are in a unique position. Today, we stand at a crossroads, namely at a point of choosing the cross that we have to bear. For, today, we know fully well the ecological and global impact of our decisions and actions, irrespective of how minimal or insignificant these may be. It is our sincere hope and fervent prayer that in the years ahead, more and more of our Orthodox faithful will recognize the importance of a crusade for our environment, which we have so selfishly ignored. This vision, we are convinced, will only benefit future generation by leaving behind a cleaner, better world. We owe it to our Creator. And we owe it to our children. May we be strengthened by God to make the right decisions and may the grace and infinite mercy of our Lord and God Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

6 GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY August 11, 2004 Page 6 The Reverend Clergy Esteemed Members of the Parish Councils, Philoptochos Societies, Faculty and Students of the Catechetical and Greek Afternoon Schools, Directors and participants of all Youth Organizations, and all devout Orthodox Christians of the Greek Orthodox Commmunities of our Holy Metropolis in the State of New Jersey. My beloved Brothers, co workers and faithful Orthodox Christians, It is with much joy that I greet you in the name of the Lord and I pray that the summer months have been restful. With this letter, and with much spiritual gladness I take the opportunity to announce that the HOLY CROSS DAY CELEBRATION, instituted in 1947 by the then Archbishop of North and South America and later, Ecumenical Patriarch ATHENA GORAS, and which had since become a living tradition for the Diocese of New Jersey, shall continue. With the elevation of our Diocese to a Metropolis, and my Election, Consecration and Enthronement as the Metropolitan of New Jersey, and with the encouragement of both Clergy and Laity, it is a great honor for me to proclaim that THE FEAST OF THE ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS, will once again be celebrated in the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey. This celebration will take place at the PARAMOUNT THEATER AND CONVENTION HALL, 1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ on SUN DAY, SEPTEMBER 19, The Orthros shall begin at 9:00am followed by the Archieratical Divine Liturgy at 10:15am followed by the Service of the Sanctification of the Waters and the retrieval of the Holy Cross by the Members of G.O.Y.A. of the Greek Orthodox Communities of New Jersey. Please be advised that on the above stated Sunday, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated ONLY at the Paramount Theater and Convention Hall with the participation of all Clergy as my concelebrants, and the Faithful of all Parish/Communities of the State of New Jersey. If you wish to accommodate those Parishioners who can not travel to Asbury Park, you are encouraged to celebrate the Orthros and Divine Liturgy on the previous morning of Saturday, September 18, Let us gather together as one Orthodox Family and Community in prayer and celebration, and as we celebrate the Elevation of the Holy Cross, let us re commit and rededicate ourselves and our lives to Him Whose mission and purpose was and is our personal elevation and entrance into His Heavenly Kingdom. Furthermore, this Encyclical is to be read to your Congregations and published in your Community Bulletin beginning on Sunday, August 22, It shall be a beautiful event and celebration. Please encourage your faithful Parishioners, young and older, to attend. Further information pertaining to this celebration will be forthcoming under separate cover. Wishing upon you the faithful Communicants of your Parish all of God s blessings, I remain With paternal love and blessings E V A N G E L O S REMINDER: Metropolitan of New Jersey The Divine Liturgy of Sunday, September 19, 2004, with the participation of all Clergy and Parishioners of the Greek Orthodox Communities of the STATE OF NEW JERSEY will be Celebrated ONLY in the CONVENTION HALL IN ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY. 629 Springfield Road, Kenilworth, NJ, Tel: (908) Fax: (908) Web: metropolis@nj.goarch.org

7 Page 7 The following is Archbishop Demetrios speech at the 37 th Clergy-Laity Congress in NY, July 2004 To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, the members of our Parishes and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It is with great joy and thanksgiving to God that I greet you following the successful and edifying convening of the 37th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress, National Philoptochos Convention, and National Young Adult League of our Holy Archdiocese of America. Over 2000 delegates and participants gathered July in New York City for worship, fellowship, training, and meetings that were focused on strengthening and advancing the sacred ministry of each of our parishes and of the entire Church in America. This was a historic Congress for our Archdiocese due to the remarkable level of participation, the recognition and support of the progress made by our national ministries, and the high level of discussions and decisions made by this essential administrative body of clergy and laity. First, we had an increased participation of parishes, compared to previous gatherings, made possible by an effort that provided financial assistance to many of our smaller communities. In addition, attendance of the more than 70 workshops and educational sessions reached 2500, affirming the need and commitment of our faithful to growing parishes of faith and love that offer genuine and effective ministry. Reports from these sessions as well as complete information concerning the decisions made at this Congress will be available in the September issue of the Orthodox Observer. Second, this Congress gave us the opportunity to review the objectives and the accomplishments of the national ministries of our Church. As presented in the departmental, program, and institutional reports, remarkable progress has been made over the last few years in the extent and quality of every aspect of our work. More assistance and additional resources are now available in our Archdiocese, and our quality of leadership in these vital ministry areas will ensure that this level of offering will continue. Third, this Congress advanced the administrative uniformity and strength of our Archdiocese by revising and approving the regulations that will guide the work of our parishes. This was a monumental task for our Archdiocesan Council and for the Clergy-Laity Congress that was accomplished in an open and thorough manner, focused on the growth and progress of the Church in America. Our deliberations and decisions acknowledged that these issues are important, and our conduct and progress affirmed that such matters belong exclusively to the administrative and spiritual purview of the Church, not to courts of law. It is indicative that the very courts of law, by the recent decision of the New York State Supreme Court to dismiss the lawsuit against the Church, recognized this reality and re-enforced the fact that the courts should not intervene in the manner in which the Church is governed. All of these achievements of our 37th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress are truly a recognition of our unity in mission and witness as the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and to our commitment as Orthodox Christians to further the work of the kingdom of God. Both unity and commitment are critical for what God has called us to do at this time and in this country of America. As we approach the beginning of a new ecclesiastical year on September 1 and as we build on the accomplishments and blessings of this Congress, we must be united and committed to a strong and continuous mission that will focus on three objectives: a) the increasing and enhancing of educational opportunities and training in the faith for children, young people, and adults, b) the sustained effort to reach the unchurched and to bring people back to the Church and to Christ, and c) the offering of substantive assistance for the well-being of families, which are the real and vital elements of growing communities. As presented at the Congress, we will facilitate this work by providing more resources for outreach and education and through an intense, yearlong emphasis on the Family, the most fundamental element of strong communities. Within our parishes, our conscientious care for the Family should constitute a permanent activity. Our goal should be to make our families "Churches at home," "kat'oikon ekklesia" (Romans 16:5). Here is a principle for our sustained renewal and growth. Making our families "Churches at home" requires that we give added attention to the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of married couples, children, single-parent families and senior adults. Moreover, we will continue to make strong efforts to minister effectively to intermarried couples who constitute a significant part of our faithful. I call upon each of you to commit to building communities of faith and love through your participation in the worship and ministry of your parish. It is in the local parish, the community of believers, that true, enduring, and life-giving ministry is offered to all in need of truth and salvation. In turn, we promise the continuous efforts of our Archdiocesan ministries in accomplishing these objectives. May the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon each of you as He leads us as one family, one body, one Church, one people, united in faith and love, laboring together in serving the people and in honoring our God and Savior. With paternal love in Christ, +DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America

8 Page 8 ΣΤΑΥΡΟΣ ΠΙΣΤΩΝ ΤΟ ΣΤΗΡΙΓΜΑ Του Αρχιµ. Αλεξάνδρου Κιλέ Στίς 14 Σεπτεµβρίου ο Ναός µας είναι γεµάτος ευωδίαν. Προέρχεται άραγε η ευωδία αυτή από τα µοσχοµυριστά βασιλικά, που µε προθυµίαν προσφέρουν οί πιστοί γιά την πανίερη ακολουθία της Υψώσεως; Μάλιστα, αδελφοί µου. Αλλά όχι µόνον απ αυτά. Ούτε από το άφθονο µοσχολίβανο, που καίγεται εις το θυµιατόν καθώς προέρχεται, λιτανεύεται ο Τίµιος Σταυρός, (χερσί των ιερέων) εις το εσωτερικόν του Ναού µας, τον πάνσεπτον οίκον του Κυρίου. Η ευωδία, ευωδία πνευµατική, αγία και άρρητη, προέρχεται από τον ίδιον τον Σταυρόν, αφού επάνω του άπλωσε τας παλάµας Του και εσταυρώθη ο Λυτρωτής του κόσµου, το µύρον το εύοσµον, που εγέµισε από την ευωδίαν Του όλην την κτίσιν. Μέσα σ αυτήν την µεγάλην ηµέραν και υπό τόσον υποβλητικήν ατµόσφαιραν οι πιστοί, αυτήν την εύσηµον ηµέραν της Υψώσεως ασπάζονται το Τίµιον Ξύλον. Ασπαζόµενοι οι χριστιανοί τον Τίµιον Σταυρόν ανανεώνουν τις αποφάσεις τους να ακολουθήσουν τον Εσταυρωµένον και να νικήσουν την αµαρτίαν, αφού πανίσχυρον όπλον εις τον αγώνα τους έχουν τον Σταυρόν. Ψάλλει η Εκκλησία τον αρχαίον ύµνον ότι ο Σταυρός είναι ΠΙΣΤΩΝ ΤΟ ΣΤΗΡΙΓΜΑ. Πράγµατι ο Σταυρός είναι στήριγµα των ατόµων, των οικογενειών και γενικά των πιστών. Στήριγµα ενός εκάστου πιστού. Ο πολεµούµενος χριστιανός από την αµαρτίαν και τους πειρασµούς του πονηρού, έχοντας ελπίδα και στήριγµα εις τον Σταυρόν νικά όλες τις περιπλοκές που δηµιουργούνται εις την ζωή του ως πειρασµοί και δοκιµασίες, στηριζόµενος εις τον Σταυρόν του Κυρίου. Σε τέτοιες περιπτώσεις ο The Voice of Saint George χριστιανός ευρίσκεται εις εµπόλεµη κατάσταση. Ο πόλεµος που διεξάγει, είναι σκληρός, είναι πρός τας αρχάς, προς τας εξουσίας, προς τους κοσµοκράτορας του σκότους του αιώνος τούτου (Εφεσίους 6:13). Σε τέτοιες περιπτώσεις στρέφει τα µάτια του εις τον Σταυρόν και ενθυµείται τον ύµνον της εκκλησίας που λέει: «Κύριε, όπλον κατά του διαβόλου τον σταυρόν σου ηµίν δέδωκας, φρίττει γαρ και τρέµει, µη φέρων καθοράν αυτού την δύναµιν (Από την Υµνωδία του εσπερινού του Σαββάτου). Ποιός επεκαλέσθη τον Εσταυρωµένον και δεν έστησε τρόπαια εις τον αγώνα του; Νέοι, νέες και ολόκληρες οικογένειες την ώραν του σφοδρότερου πειρασµού και τών κρίσεων, µε την επίκλησιν του ακαταµάχητου όπλου εβγήκαν άτρωτοι από την δεινήν περίστασιν. Πλήθη πιστών και ευσεβών ορθόδοξων εθνών διά µέσου των αιώνων, µε την δύναµιν Του, επάτησαν επάνω όφεων και σκορπίων και επί πάσαν την δύναµιν του εχθρού ( Λουκά 10: 19 ). Λοιπόν, αδελφοί µου, ο Υψούµενος Τίµιος Σταυρός σήµερον µας προτρέπει να βροντοφωνάξουµε κι εµείς από τα βάθη της καρδιάς µας το ΚΥΡΙΕ ΕΛΕΗΣΟΝ και να ζητήσουµε δύναµιν, προστασίαν και στήριγµα απο το Ξύλον της ζωής. Ας αναστηθούµε από τα πάθη µας και τα λάθη µας και ας πάρουµε τον ιδικόν µας Σταυρόν, τον Σταυρόν των ευθυνών και ας ακολουθήσουµε τον δρόµον του Θεού που τον χάραξε ο ίδιος ο Αρχηγός της ζωής και της ιδικής µας σωτηρίας. Θανάτου δε διά του Σταυρού υπέµεινε δια να µας σώσει και να µας χαρίσει την ζωήν την αιώνιον. Ας αντλήσουµε κάθε ζωτική δύναµη από τον Τίµιον Σταυρόν και ας συνεχίσουµε την χριστιανική µας ζωή πάντα στηριζόµενοι σ αυτήν την θαυµατουργική και ανεξήγητη δύναµη που έχει. Ο Τίµιος και ζωοποιός Σταυρός είναι καύχηµα και στερέωµα κάθε ευσεβούς χριστιανού ιδιαιτέρως τώρα, που αρχίζει η νέα µας εκκλησιατική χρονιά. (1η Σεπτεµβρίου). Daughters of Penelope Tricky Tray Fundraiser Friday, November 19th Doors open 6:30 pm Prizes, Raffles, Baskets AHEPA Hall Admission $5.00 Come and have some fun Everyone is welcome! Goya News I would like to welcome everyone back! I hope you all had a great summer! I also want to extend a warm welcome to all the new goyans that have joined this year. I am glad to be the president of this fine Goya of St George. Please, note that the volleyball and basketball teams will be starting practices, as scheduled. Also remember the Kickoff and Bowling dance coming up. Furthermore, we can t forget about the diving of the cross, which will be held on Sept 19 th ; the representatives for this year are Ari Kalimanis and Poly Tolis. We re hoping to have a great year with our new priest; the possibilities are endless. Aris Kalimanis, GOYA President

9 September October 2004 Page 9 Η Παναγία συνενώνει και ο Ελληνισµός στη χάρη Της συνενώνεται. Της Νόρας Κωνσταντινίδου** Ανήµερα της εορτής της Κοιµήσεως της Θεοτόκου έχω εκκλησιαστεί στον ιερό Ναό του Αγίου Γεωργίου του Πισκαταγουέη της Νέας Ιερσέης. Εκεί σύµφωνα µε την καταχωρηµένη ανακοίνωση στην ελληνόφωνη εφηµερίδα «ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΗΡΥΞ» ο Ιερατικώς Προϊστάµενος Αρχιµανδρίτης Αλέξανδρος Κιλέ, ο Πρόεδρος της κονότητας κ. ηµήτηρης Αρχοντούλης και η οργανωτική επιτροπή ετοίµασαν καθ όλα λαµπρή τελετή για να τιµήσουν την Κοίµηση της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου. Ύστερα από την Θεία Λειτουργία στην οποία χοροστάτησε ο Πανοσιολογιώτατος Αρχιµανδρίτης Αλέξανδρος Κιλέ, την µεταλαβιά πολλών εκατοντάδων πιστών, την περιφορά του νεοαποκτηθέντος χρυσοκέντητου Επιταφίου σε ανάµνηση της θανής της Μητέρας του Θεανθρώπου Χριστού και της ιστορικής εικόνας της Παναγίας Σουµελά (ακριβές αντίγραφο), το ευσεβές εκκλησίασµα συµµετείχε και στην υπαίθρια αρτοκλασία που πραγµατοποιήθηκε. Ακολούθησε η ανάγνωση των ονοµάτων όσων προσέφεραν άρτους, όπου πλεόναζαν τα ονόµατα Μαρία, Παναγιώτα, Παναγιώτης, Παρθένα, Σιµέλα και έσποινα, ο ιερέας µοίρασε άρτο και µαζί τα λουλούδια του Επιταφίου και της εικόνας της Παναγίας. Ο πρωτοστατήσας ιερέας, πατήρ Αλέξανδρος, πιστός στην ελληνική παράδοση ως Κωνσταντινοπολίτης, ευλόγησε την «πόσιν και την βρώσιν» και απέδωσε ολιγόλογο χαιρετισµό µε εγκάρδιες ευχές στους συνεστιάζοντες. Η ολόγεµη αίθουσα πολλαπλών χρήσεων του ναού µε τους πολυπληθείς επώνυµους και ανώνυµους οικογενειάρχες γέµισε εγκάρδιες ευχές αγάπης. Στη συνέχεια γιορτάστηκε πανηγυρικά η ηµέρα µε τα καλοµαγειρεµένα και ευπαρουσίαστα φαγητά, γενναιόδωρη προσφορά του ενορίτη κ. Λεονταράκη. Ο χορός επισφράγισε το αποτέλεσµα. Στους κυκλωτούς ελληνικούς χορούς το άγγιγµα της παλάµης του διπλανού επιβεβαίωνε τη στέρεη πεποίθηση ότι κανένας δεν αισθάνεται µόνος, όσο βρίσκεται κάτω από τους θόλους της εκκλησίας και µέσα στην ανοιχτή αγκάλη της Παναγίας. Όπως ορίζει η µετάσταση της Αειπαρθένου Μαρίας από τη γη στους ουρανούς και όπως τιµάται από τους απανταχού Έλληνες, το Πάσχα του Καλοκαιριού, ο Ελληνισµός την ηµέρα αυτή που είναι αφιερωµένη στην Χάρη Της συνενώνεται µε ακατάλυτους δεσµούς. Γιά τον λόγο αυτό και γιά άλλους πολλόυς, όσοι παραβρέθηκαν στην εκκλησία του Αγίου Γεωργίου την ηµέρα του εκαπενταύγουστου, όχι µόνο κέρδισαν τη γαλήνη και την ευλογία που άφθονα προσφέρει η θλιµµένη Παναγία της Ορθοδοξίας, αλλά και µπόλιασαν τα παιδιά τους µε το µυστήριο του «Ελληνικός». Τι είναι «Ελληνικός»; Λέει ο ποιητής: «Ιδιότητα δεν έχει η ανθρωπότητα τιµιωτέραν - Εις τους Θεούς ευρίσκονται τα πέραν». **Η κ.νόρα Κωνσταντινίδου ανήκει στο ίκτυο Ελληνίδων ηµοσιογράφων της Ε.Ε. The Ladies Philoptochos Society will present its annual ST. BARBARA S LUNCHEON on Sunday, December 5, 2004 Please reserve this date and join us for an enjoyable afternoon. Details will be provided in the next bulletin! DO YOU HAVE A PAYROLL DEDUCTION FOR UNITED WAY? This is a reminder from the Ladies Philoptochos Society to all our parishioners who are employed and have a payroll deduction for the United Way Program. You may consider having your contribution given to the St. George s Needy Cases Fund. It is very simple. All you have to do is contact your payroll office and request to have your contribution forwarded to the St. George s Needy Cases Fund. Many of our parishioners have already made these arrangements. Our United Way Reference Number is If you have any questions please contact Mary Boulegeris at (908)

10 Page 10 The Voice of Saint George The Voice of Saint George St. George Greek Orthodox Church Piscataway, N.J. Annual Dinner Dance Honoring Tom Kouridakis Our past president of 25 years Saturday, October 16th, :00 pm The Pines Manor Route 27, Edison, NJ Live Greek Music Dinner Includes Hot Hors D Oeurves, Carving stations Fruit Cup, Greek Salad Prime Rib or Chicken Marsala 2 bottles of wine/table Dessert & Coffee Cash Bar Reservations & Pre-Payment are Required Ticket Price - Adults $65.00 Children 12 & under $35.00 Make checks payable to: St. George Greek Orthodox Church Mail to : St.. George Greek Orthodox Church - Dance Committee 1101 River Road, Piscataway, N.J For reservations & information please contact: Nick & Eleni Banis (908) Charlie Theokas (732) Michele Greberis (908) Dimitri Zalokostas (732) George Petrantonakis (732)

11 September-October 2004 Page 11 ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Piscataway, NJ Annual Dinner Dance Ad Journal Submit Your Ad by Friday, October 1, 2004 * Gold Page in Journal - $200 * Silver Page in Journal - $150 * Full Page in Journal - $100 * Half Page in Journal - $50 * Quarter Page in Journal - $25 All Donations are Tax Deductible Tax ID # Make checks payable to: St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Attention: Dance Committee Mail to: 1101 River Rd., Piscataway NJ I am enclosing the following donation in the sum of Print, Type or Enclose your Business Card/Picture below: Name Address City State Zip Code Signature

12 Page 12 The Voice of Saint George Philoptochos Corner Ladies Philoptochos Society St. Barbara We hope that everyone in our St. George community had an enjoyable summer season and that we re all ready to begin our new ecclesiastical year. On June 6, 2004, we, the Ladies Philoptochos Society St. Barbara had our annual June Luncheon. This year, not only did we host a very successful luncheon for our members, their families and friends, but at the same time we honored our Rev. Fr. John Theodosion who, after serving our community for nine years, was transferred to St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Randolph, NJ. On the dais honoring Fr. John, were Most Rev. Fr. Anthony Pappas, Pastor Emiritus; Rev. Fr. Alexander Kile, St. George, Piscataway; Dr. Antonia Tripolites, Professor of Byzantine Studies, Rutgers University; Mrs. Eleni Andronikou, Philoptochos President; and chairmen Evelyn Tsiadis and Georgette Boulegeris. It was a memorable event and the love and respect for Fr. John exhibited by all in attendance prevailed throughout the afternoon. We extend our love and best wishes to Fr. John, Presbytera Athena and their children and wish them much happiness in their new assignment. In July, our president, Eleni Andronikou and vice president, Evangelia Manolakis represented our Philoptochos at the National Philoptochos Conference in New York City. We look forward to their reports and impressions. During the month of August, we hosted the church coffee hour after the Sunday Divine Liturgy. We now await the beginning of the new Liturgical year and the very full schedule we have prepared for ourselves. Our next two meetings will take place on Saturday, September 25, and on Saturday, October 30, in the Memorial Room, at 11:00 a.m. In addition, if you haven t paid your 2004 dues--and any previous dues--please pay them immediately. Dear St. George Parishioners: In a few months we will be extending our holiday wishes to our friends and relatives. At that time, the Philoptochos will prepare the St. George community Christmas Card which will be mailed to every member of our parish. 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 NEEDY CASES FUND, c/o St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1101 River Road, Piscataway, NJ Please make checks payable to the PHILOPTOCHOS NEEDY CASES FUND. To assure that your name is included on the Christmas Card, your contribution must be received no later that November 28, The names of contributors received after November 28 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 matching gift 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 no later that Sunday, November 28, I would like to participate in the PHILOPTOCHOS NEEDY CASES FUND. Enclosed you will find my contribution for $. Please list my name on the Christmas Card as follows: Our dear and beloved member Athena Papagregorakis passed away on August 11, She will be greatly missed. May her memory be eternal. Our dear and beloved member Angeliki Karas passed away on August 17, She will be greatly missed. May her memory be eternal. Name: Address: Telephone Number: B A K L A V A S A L E The Ladies Philoptochos Society will be selling baklava for the holidays. The baklava will be sold for $25/pan. All baklava must be preordered by November 14, 2004; it will be sold November 20 and 21. Place your order early!

13 September-October 2004 Page 13 The History and background of the Seventh Ecumenical Council By Very Rev. Alexander Kile On October 17 th 2004, our church celebrates the anniversary of the 7 th and last Ecumenical Synod, which was convened in Nicea, in 787A.D., the same place the first Ecumenical Synod was convened in 325A.D. The Byzantine Emperor Leo Isavros III started the icon controversy. He was an emperor who liked to get involved in ecclesiastical affairs. At the 10th anniversary of this enthronement in 726AD, without the consent of the official church he launched a decree, which was strictly forbidding the veneration of the icons. All icons that were outside the churches were destroyed and the icons that were inside the churches were raised higher or were removed for destruction, upon the will of the local bishops. There was a great revolution among the people when it was time to execute the Imperial order. When the attempt was made to remove the icon of Jesus Christ from the main gate of the imperial palace, the people and clergy who were loyal to the icons called them antiphronites killing the head executor. Leo furiously punished all the upraising elements. The Pope of Rome Gregory II expressed his opinion that the emperor does not have the right to influence religious issues. He did not insist on his opinion though, and tried to have good relations with the Byzantine Emperor because he considered the Lombards a great threat. He wrote: not the dogma of the kings but the dogma of the archpriest is vacant in ecclesiastical affairs. Saint John the Damascene from the Lavra of Saint Savva in Palestine wrote his homily against the iconoclasts. The Patriarch Germanos I ( ) also contradicted the emperor s edict, and later was forced to resign from the Patriarchal throne. In 730 Leo gave an edict proclaiming the iconoclasm as a state law and with it he also forbade the veneration of the Holy relics. During these years, the churches were emptied from icons and relics. Many were burned and destroyed but many were hidden. Great uprisings took place among the people of Byzantium on this subject. After the death of Pope Gregory II in 731, the new pope of Rome Gregory III, kept the same policy towards the emperor but he called a synod in Rome in November of 731. At that synod he condemned all who were destroying the icons and the relics. Leo sent a great army to arrest the Pope Gregory III. The army was destroyed in the Adriatic sea from very bad weather conditions. The son of Leo III, Constantine V ( ), was more vengeful than his father. In 753, he started a very bad iconoclastic war. He tried with force to have a synod in the palace of Ieria in Bosporus in 754, trying to name it ecumenical. Under the presidency of the metropolitan of Ephesus Theodosius, three hundred and thirty eight bishops attended the synod. No bishops were present as representatives of other churches. The bishops were forced to deny the icons. The Patriarchs of the East did not accept these decisions and the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theodosius wrote a letter to the Pope of Rome Stephan III (Etienne III) who called a synod in Lateran in 769. There they condemned all the decisions taken by the false synod in the Ieria palace. Emperor Constantine dethroned the Patriarch of Constantinople Constantine and beheaded him. He appointed Nikita as Patriarch and also cancelled the feast days honoring the saints and Virgin Mary. Nobody was obeying his order though. He died on September 14 th 787. His son was Leo IV the Hazarian (Caspian). He was called so because his mother was from the Caspian Sea. He was friendly to the iconophiles and allowed them to come back from exile but in September of 780 he died. The throne passed to Irene the Athenian, who was a friend of the icons (iconophilos). The inheritor son of Constantine, was under her protection. She proclaimed the free veneration of the icons. She placed people who were for the icons (iconophiles) in important key positions. The Patriarch of Constantinople Paul resigned, and Tarasios who was well educated and a spiritual man, became Patriarch. For the return of the icons, Tarasios requested an Ecumenical Synod to convene. He sent letters to the Patriarchs and condemned iconoclasm and all the decisions taken in Ieria. Empress Irene called the Ecumenical Synod to convene in August 786 at the church of the Twelve Disciples in Constantinople. During the first session, the army got involved and tried to stage a revolution. The Synod had to be postponed but it reconvened in September 787, in Nicea of Bithynia. All the Patriarchal and the Papal representatives were present. The Ecumenical Synod had seven sessions. The last session took place in Constantinople under the presidency of Patriarch Tarasios while three hundred and fifty bishops attended from all over the world. The veneration of the icons was reinstituted, as well as the veneration of the relics, the Gospel, the Saints and Virgin Mary. The VII Ecumenical Synod concluded in October of 787 with the Emperor signing all the decisions. Our church commemorates this historical event. I thought it would be interesting and useful for all of us to know some of the history of the icons that we fill our church. They are the windows to heaven. They are not pieces of art but a piece of faith that has a great history.

14 Page 14 The Voice of Saint George A Message from former GOYA President Nick Parais As a recent graduate and former president of GOYA I had the privilege of being part of the first group from our parish to attend St. Innocents Orphanage in Tijuana Mexico. I went not knowing what to expect, although I knew the conditions would be challenging I decided the task at hand was worth sleeping in a crowded cabin on an air mattress and eating re-fried beans for every meal for a week. Although you found your self wanting to complain about the accommodations you were quickly distracted with the relationships you forming with the boys living at the orphanage. Attending morning and night church services, playing soccer, basketball, and taking turns holding the newborn puppies were just some of the daily activities we would participate in with them each day before and after our day at the work site. The building process consisted of four major steps where one goal was assigned to each day at the work site, laying the concrete foundation, constructing and placing the walls and roof in place, wrapping the house in chicken wire, and finally giving the outside of the house a stucco coat. While the concept behind the building of the house was as basic as it gets, the rough terrain, dusty air, and lack of power tools made the completed product an even greater achievement. However, the true realization of how strongly our week long visit impacted the people s lives as well as my own came with the blessing and the handing over of the key to the house to the family who would reside in it along with our final good bye to the boys at the orphanage. The strength of the emotions being expressed were clearly seen in everybody involved. I was amazed to see how one common goal could bring people so close together in such a short time. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to our fund raisers and helped make this trip possible and I encourage anyone and everyone to get involved somehow through our parish to help the St. Innocent s Orphanage as well as the people in Tijuana, Mexico. We are all so blessed! St. George Celebrates Little Easter A new tradition has begun at St. George. On August 15th following the Liturgy, the Assumption of the Theotokos service was chanted. Central to the observation was the beautifully carved epitafion which was filled with hundreds of flowers. The short service included the chanting of the Lamentation verses to the Theotokos by Father Alex, choir, psaltes and congregation. The entire congregation then processed around the church. Following the service, a delicious luncheon was served in the AHEPA Hall, compliments of the Leontarakis Family. We thank them for their generosity. Thank you also to the community at-large for contributing the funds which made possible the plethora of flowers present in the church and to all the volunteers who decorated the epitapfion and church. It was a beautiful service for a significant Orthodox holiday and we look forward to next year s Little Easter. AHEPA Monroe Chapter #75 Graduates Affair As we do every year, the AHEPA Monroe Chapter #75, organized and hosted the annual affair (the 37th) to honor the community s graduates from high schools, colleges and the Greek School. This year, commemorative plaques were given to nine high school graduates and to six college graduates who received bachelor s and master s degrees. The guest speaker of the affair was Professor Antonia Tripolitis, Director of Modern Greek Studies at Rutgers University who spoke to the graduates on the importance of our Greek Heritage in our lives. An important milestone of this year s event was the initiation and granting of the first scholarship in honor of Milton Marikakis. The annual Milton Marikakis AHEPA scholarship, in the amount of $4,500.00, was awarded to Ms. Maria Arhontoulis. The AHEPA Medal of Scholastic excellence was awarded to two outstanding Greek School students, Ms. Natasha Manolas and Ms. Danae Vokolos. The Daughters of Penelope presented an award to Ms. Kerianne Cassidy. As the graduates move on to the next phase of their lives we all extend to them our warmest wishes for every success.

15 September-October 2004 Page 15 PTO News Another beautiful summer has come to an end and we have all returned from our vacations refreshed and re-energized to kick off a fun and fruitful school year!!! On behalf of all the PTO officers, I would like to welcome everyone back to the School year and I hope that everyone enjoyed the summer with their family and friends. Please take note of some special events coming up: Greek School will begin on September 13 with a special blessing for all students by Father Alex. The first day of Sunday School will be September 26 with a special blessing for all students by Father Alex, as well. All the students, teachers and parents are welcome! On October 17, the PTO will be holding its annual Bake Sale. More information will be made available on this fundraiser at a later time. We pray that God gives us strength and guidance in all our efforts. Everything we do is for our children to continue to learn about our beautiful faith, traditions and heritage, while they enjoy friendships that last a lifetime. We look forward to meeting new members this year and working together for the many beautiful little faces of our community. Let s have a great year! For the PTO board Sophie Exarhakis, Secretary Night of Comedy Featuring Basile and Jimmy Santis - Ta Super Greeks Sponsored by the Daughters of Penelope Educational Foundation, Inc. Sunday, September 26, 2004 The Stress Factory Comedy Club 90 Church Street, New Brunswick, NJ Dinner and Show $65.00 Buffet begins at 5:00 pm Show begins promptly at 7:00 pm For information & reservations contact Kay Kehayas No tickets will be sold at the door Άλλο ένα καλοκαίρι ήλθε και πέρασε! Ευχόµαστε να περάσατε όλοι όµορφα και ξεκούραστα. Ο Σ.Γ.. σας καλωσορίζει στην καινούργια σχολική χρονιά του ! Η ηµεροµηνία έναρξης του Ελλήνικού Σχολείου είναι 13 Σεπτεµβρίου. Θα γίνει Αγιασµός από τον ιερέα µας Αρχιµανδρίτη Αλέξανδρο Κιλέ. Επίσης και το Κατηχητικό Σχολείο θα αρχίσει µε Αγιασµό στις 26 Σεπτεµβρίου. Όλοι οι µαθητές, οι δασκάλες και οι γονείς είναι ευπρόσδεκτοι. Στις 17 Οκτωβρίου, ο Σ.Γ.. θα έχει την ετήσια πώληση γλυκών. Αν ενδιαφέρεστε να βοηθήσετε στην πρώτη προσπάθεια της χρονιάς, αποτανθείτε σε ένα από τα µέλη του.σ. του Σ.Γ.., και µε χαρά θα δεχθούµε όποια βοήθεια θέλετε να προσφέρετε. Προσευχόµαστε ο Θεός να µας ευλογεί και να µας καθοδηγεί σε όλες µας τις προσπάθειες της χρονιάς αυτής. ουλεύουµε γιά το µέλλον των παιδιών της κοινότητάς µας, γιά να µάθουν περισσότερα γιά την όµορφη Ελληνορθόδοξη πίστη µας και την πλούσια παράδοσή µας. Οι φιλίες, οι παρέες και οι αναµνήσεις που δηµιουργούνται είναι πρόσθετο και καλοδεχούµενο αποτέλεσµα! Ανυποµονούµε να ξαναδούµε γνωστά και αγαπητά πρόσωπα στις εκδηλώσεις µας, αλλά θα χαρούµε ιδιαίτερα να γνωρίσουµε καινούργια. Ελάτε να εργαστούµε όλοι µαζί για τα µικρά και πανέµορφα προσωπάκια της κοινότητας µας! Καλή Χρονιά! Γιά το.σ. του Σ.Γ.. Εύη Γεωργοπούλου, Αντιπρόεδρος PTO MEETINGS Thursday September 23 - Sunday October 10 All meetings will take place at the library PTO EVENTS PTO is hosting the coffee hour during the month of September, Membership drive Monday September 13, First Day of Greek school (Agiasmos), Sunday September 26, First Day of Sunday school (Agiasmos) Sunday October 17, Bake Sale

16 Page 16 The Sunday School Corner The Voice of Saint George ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SEPTEMBER 2004 TO THE PARENTS OF OUR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION STUDENTS: Our St. George Religious Education Department will begin the school year on Sunday, September 26, 2004, and will end on Sunday, June 12, REGISTRATION AND FIRST DAY OF CLASSES: On September 26 NEW students only will be registered in the foyer. All other students will report directly to the Nave of our church for the Agiasmo Service. They will then be dismissed to report to their classroom (same grade as in public school system). PLACEMENT: We will have a Cradle Class in the Room 102 for parents and their infants. There is a changing table in the Handicapped Restroom on the first floor. We will provide toys. All children who cannot remain in Nursery without a parent are to be taken to the Cradle Class. The Nursery class will initiate our Religious Education curriculum with structured activities for children under four years of age. Children four years old will report to the Four-Year Old class. All other students report to the same grade as in public school. TIME: All students, Kindergarten through Ninth, will report to the Nave of the church at 10:15 a.m. with their teachers for Father s Youth Service. They will be seated in the rows on the left side of the church as you enter and may spread out to the window aisle, the back wall, or wherever else they can be accommodated. Following the completion of Father s Youth Service at 10:30, students will be dismissed to go to their classrooms. PICK-UP TIME: Parents are asked to pick up their children in Grades Nursery through Third prior to the Coffee Hour. All others will be dismissed from the classroom. CALENDAR: Religious Education classes will meet every Sunday except December 26 (the Sunday between Christmas and the New Year); Easter Sunday - May 1; Festival Sunday - May 15; and any other Sunday designated as having inclement weather. Cancellation of classes will be communicated via a telephone message at the church and a faculty telephone chain. ENVELOPES: The envelopes given to our students provide the school with the funds needed to maintain projects and to pay for supplies. Please have your child return the envelope on the date specified and help defray the initial cost of the envelopes with your first contribution. Please note: The PTO provides all other support of the school, including the purchase of books. All parents and teachers are encouraged to join the PTO and to participate in its activities. ATTENDANCE: In order for a student to be eligible for the successive year attendance pin, he or she must be present 60 percent of the total number of days classes are held. Thus, 40 sessions x 60% = 24 minimum number of days the student must be present. If the student has attended another church or service, a note to that effect will enable the student to receive credit for that Sunday. If you have missing pins or a question concerning an award of last year, please call Mrs. Ana Kontos at (908) COMMUNION: Students are encouraged to receive Communion after proper preparation. These are guidelines of our Holy Church for preparation: Children 10 years of age and older (l) should not eat meat for three days prior to receiving Communion and (2) should have no food or drink the morning of Communion. Children under 10 years of age should be encouraged to abstain for an age-appropriate time and especially the morning of Communion. Please remember: If a special PTOsponsored Saturday Communion followed by a Communion Breakfast is held for children prior to a holiday, it is expected that parents will have children receive Communion then. Teachers will not be responsible for taking classes into church for Communion the following Sunday (i.e. Palm Sunday). If a child did not receive Communion on Saturday, parents must come to the classroom and accompany their child to Communion. CHURCH ATTENDANCE: All grades except Cradle, Nursery, and 4-year olds will be scheduled for regular liturgy attendance during their religious education class period. ROOM ASSIGNMENTS: These will be posted throughout the church at the time of registration.! YOUNG ADULTS: The Teen Rap class encompasses Grades 10 through 12 and meets following Communion according to a schedule prepared and distributed by teachers Katerina Leftheris and Eileen Stellakis.

17 September-October 2004 Page 17 As the academic year of the St. George Sunday School commences, a brief reflection on the significant occurrences which took place on June 13, 2004, when the Awards Assembly was held, is in order. Each student in the Sunday School was recognized as a recipient of attendance pins. PER- FECT ATTENDANCE PINS WERE GIVEN TO: First Grade - Dimitri Demos; Second Grade - Stephen Susan; Third Grade - Nicole Demos, Zoe Makropoulos, Karise Varorakis; Fourth Grade - Christa Allen, Dionisios Bourodimos; Fifth Grade - Maria Exarchakis; and Sixth Grade - John Armstrong, Stylianos Cambilis, Louisa Sirimis, Veronica Spry. EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE PINS were presented to: Four-Year-Olds - Artemia Savva, Evan Afionis; Kindergarten - John Apostolakis, Christina Karsos, Alexia Kostis, George Wadsworth; First Grade - Ioanna Kantilierakis, Evangelia Makropoulos, Kosta Treantafellou; Second Grade - Irene Dib; Third Grade - John Dib, Niky Delguercio, Sawyer Warzybuk; Fourth Grade - Dean Rexines, Andreas Savva, Miranda Sirimis; Fifth Grade - Marcos Kantilierakis, Anna Maria Koutsoras, Steve Treantafellou; Sixth Grade - Alexander Savadelis, Sveltana Spry; Seventh Grade - George Banis, James Bruno, Demetrios Koutsoras, Marino Nicastro; Ninth Grade - Justin Miko, John Treantafellou. THE FOLLOWING NINTH GRADE STUDENTS COM- PLETED THE PRE-SCHOOL THROUGH NINTH GRADE ARCHDIOCESE CURRICULUM AND WERE AWARDED A DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS EDU- CATION DIPLOMA AND A BIBLE: Christine Alfaro, Steven Chick, Alexis Exarchakis, Eleftheria Fiotakis, Argie Kantilierakis, Kristy Karas, Constantine Kodersha, Justin Miko, Christina Roros, Benjamin Stevens, Dorianne Thayer, John Treantafellou, Nicholas Trohalides. Cited for EXCELLENT SERVICE IN THE ALTAR were: Philip Makrelis, Nicholas Albanese, George Banis, Jimmy Bruno, Marco Kantilierakis, and Stanley Stellakis. Teachers Tatiana Kika and Terry Solomos were given a TEN-YEAR SERVICE AWARD and Georgia Lambros was given a TWENTY-FIVE YEAR SERVICE AWARD. Achieving placement on the Diocesan Level in the 2004 Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival was Seventh Grader, George Banis. Also participating in the Oratorical Festival were Kathy Lee George, Dylan Stevens, Ryan Stevens, Maryanne Solomos, George Moutafis, and George Menon. St. George Directors of the Oratorical were Mrs. Maria Boyadgis and Mrs. Lemonia Malahias-Miko. Konstantinos Hantsoulis was presented with the FRIEND OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL AWARD for his spirituality, his humility, his dedication, his willingness, and his incomparable work ethic. Also presented this year was the PRESBYTERA FRANCES PAPPAS SCHOLARSHIP, which is awarded annually to a deserving Orthodox Christian Theological Student. The young man who received the scholarship was ALEX MAISTROS of Baltimore, Maryland, a student at Holy Cross. JOY/HOPE News Welcome back to all! We hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable summer. Our first JOY/HOPE meeting will be on Saturday, October 9 at 12:30 pm. We have a lot of fun activities planned this year and a new curriculum that has been put together by the Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries of our Archdiocese. The JOY/HOPE program provides children with an opportunity to participate in wholesome fellowship with peers and adult advisors. Our meetings are conducted in an informal, relaxed atmosphere that allows the children time to bond and have fun with their friends while learning more about their faith. The ages for JOY are 8-12 years old and for HOPE is for 4-7 years old. We can t wait to see all of our friends from last year and we hope to see many new ones this year. For further information, please call Sophie Exarchakis at (732) or Maria Kantilierakis at (732)

18 Page 18 Little Easter Celebration A day to remember!

19 Page 19 An evening honoring our Former and Present Clergy

20 Page 20 The Voice of Saint George CRABIEL FUNERAL DIRECTORS David B. Crabiel, Founder (NJ Lic. 2301) MILLTOWN The Crabiel Home for Funerals Paulette Crabiel Wahler, Mgr. (NJ Lic. 3875) 170 N. Main Street-at Riva Avenue Michael Theokas NEW BRUNSWICK Crabiel Parkwest Funeral Chapel Frank S. Facchini, Mgr. (NJ Lic. 3217) 329 Livingston Avenue NEW BRUNSWICK GOWEN FUNERAL HOME, LLC John Mezaros, Mgr. (NJ Lic. 2862) 1411 Stelton Road - Piscataway, NJ For Sale: 4 Cemetery Plots One above the other 2 upper 2 lower Clover Leaf Cemetery Woodbridge Wishing Well Section $ each Please call: Tina Alikas: ADVERTISE WITH THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE NEW PRICE LIST BEGINNING IN 2004 BUSINESS CARD: $ mos Contract: $ mos Contract: - $ /4 OF A PAGE: $ mos Contract - $ mos Contract: $ /2 OF A PAGE : $ mos Contract: E mos Contract:$ Call for more information Or send in your contract signed with your request and check to: St. George Greek Orthodox Church 1101 River Road Piscataway, NJ Attention: Voice of Saint George Name: Address City State Zip Code Telephone Number Please, print message or attach business card: