A PUBLICATION OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURC

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1 May- June The Fountain A PUBLICATION OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ZOODOHOS PEGHE, PELHAM BAY, BRONX, NY VISIT US ON THE WEB AT: SCHOOL: From our Pastor After the intensity of Lent and Holy Week there is a certain psychological "let down" after Easter. We know it because the season leading up to Pentecost Sunday is one of the most neglected of the church calendar. No doubt there are a variety of reasons for this neglect. There is the simple practical fact that after forty days of concerted effort invested in special emphases and activities from Lent to Easter, both priests and parishioners may simply be mentally and emotionally exhausted. Whatever the reason for its neglect, such sacred times have value and provide, not only opportunities to instruct in theology, but also new and varied opportunities for spiritual renewal, nurture, and growth. So, to give us a boost and put us back on track, the church presents us with the feast of the Pentecoste. By the early New Testament period, it had gradually lost its association with agriculture and became associated with the celebration of God s creation of His people and their religious history. By the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, the festival focused exclusively on God s gracious gift of Torah (the "Law") on Mount Sinai. It continues to be celebrated in this manner in modern Judaism. While there are other references to Pentecost in the New Testament (e.g. 1 Cor 16:8), it is most significant in Acts 2 and the familiar scene of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on those in the "upper room." The New Testament writers associate the events of Acts 2 with Pentecost, and relate it to the prophecies of Joel 2 and promises of Jesus (Acts 1:8). In both, the emphasis is on an empowerment through the Holy Spirit to enable the people of God to witness to Jesus the Christ. The altar color for Pentecost Sunday is red, the color of the church. Technically, red is used for the Sundays between Easter and Pentecost Sunday. The red symbolizes the fire of Pentecost as well as the apostles and early followers of Jesus who were gathered in the Upper Room for the empowerment from God to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world. Pentecost Sunday is a day to celebrate hope, a hope evoked by the knowledge that God through His Holy Spirit is at work among His people. It is a celebration of newness, of recreation, of renewal of purpose, mission, and calling as God s people. It is a celebration of God s ongoing work in the world. Yet, it is also a recognition that His work is done through His people as He pours out His presence upon them. Pentecost was originally an Old Testament festival, since the time of Josephus calculated as beginning on the fiftieth day after the beginning of Passover. In the Christian calendar, it falls on the seventh Sunday after Easter. It was called the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), and in the Old Testament was originally an agricultural festival celebrating and giving thanks for the "first fruits" of the early spring harvest (Lev 23, Exod 23, 34). ΤHE SUMMER LITURGICAL SCHEDULE BEGINS SUNDAY, JUNE 21 SUNDAYS: Liturgy 8:30-10:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Liturgy 8:30:-10 a.m. ΤΟ ΚΑΛΟΚΑΙΡΙΝΟ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΩΝ ΑΡΧΙΖΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ, ΙΟΥΝΙΟΥ 21 ΚΥΡΙΑΚΕΣ: Θ. Λειτουργία 8:30-10:30 π.μ. ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΕΣ: Λειτουργία 8:30-10 π.μ.

2 PLEASE DO YOUR SHARE! We are grateful to those who have submitted and increased their 2014 pledges. But the job isn't finished. SCHEDULE OF SERVICES We need everyone to join us in laboring, shoulder to shoulder with one another, to maintain Zoodohos Peghe as the shining beacon - for Orthodoxy and Hellenism. We all want the Church to be there for us. If our church is to remain vibrant we each need to contribute our fair share, understanding that the expenses and work of the Church go on regardless of whether or not we are in attendance. More importantly, demonstrating thanksgiving to God in a concrete way is the best way of going through life with an attitude of gratitude for all that He has given us. Please prayerfully and soberly consider how you and your family can become part of the army of dedicated Christians that supports our Church. And don t wait for someone to tap you on the shoulder! ΑΝΑΝΕΩΣΑΤΕ ΤΗΝ ΣΥΝΔΡΟΜΗ ΣΑΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΜΑΣ; ΑΝ ΟΧΙ ΠΑΡΑΚΑΛΟΥΜΕ ΝΑ ΤΟ ΠΡΑΞΕΤΕ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ. Η ΚΟΙΝΟΤΗΤΑ ΘΑ ΚΤΡΑΤΗΘΗ ΕΥΡΡΩΣΤΗ ΜΟΝΟΝ ΟΤΑΝ ΟΛΟΙ ΜΑΣ ΦΡΟΝΤΙΖΟΥΜΕ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΕΠΙΒΙΩΣΙ ΤΗΣ. ΤΟ ΦΕΣΤΙΒΑΛ ΤΗΣ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΗΤΟΣ θά γίνη εφέτος από τίς Ιουνιου. Θά σάς περιμένουμε όλους. Αν μπορείτε νά βοηθήσετε σέ οποιοδήποτε πόστο θά τό εκτιμήσουμε. ΓΙΝΕΤΕ ΠΑΤΡΟΝΕΣ ΤΟΥ ΦΕΣΤΒΑΛ Είναι ένας ωραίος τρόπος γιά να βοηθήσετε στά έξοδα γιά τό φέστιβαλ. Τό κόστος είναι $100 καί τό όνομάσας θά τοποθετηθή σέ περίοπτη θέση στόν χώρο τού Φεστιβάλ. Τηλεφωνήστε στό γραφείο γιά τίς φόρμες συμμετοχής. Η ΛΑΧΕΙΟΦΟΡΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΦΕΣΤΒΑΛ Εφέτος τά τρία πρώτα δώρα είναι σέ ρευστό. Ο 1 ος Λαχνός είναι $10.000, ο 2 ος $5000 καί ο 3 ος είναι $2000. Επίσης θά κληρωθούν καί πολλά άλλα ηλεκτρονικά δώρα. Αγοράστε τά λαχεία σας καί βοηθήστε μας νά πουλήσουμε στούς συγγενείς καί φίλους σας. Τιμή λαχνού: $ Month of May Thursday, May 21- Feast of the Ascension Feast of Sts. Constantine & Helen Saturday, May 30- Saturday of Souls ---- Kollyva Month of June Monday, June 29- Feast of Apostles Peter & Paul Month of July No weekday liturgies- Fr. Sylvester's retreat time. Please call the local area churches to inquire if there are services on the feast days of this month so you can attend. Μάιος Μήνας Πέμπτη, Μαίου 21- ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ Τής Αναλήψεως Αγ. Κωνσταντίνου & Ελένης Σάββατο, Μαίου 30 - Ψυχοσάββατο / Κόλλυβα Ιούνιος Μήνας Δευτέρα, Ιουνίου 29- Αποστόλων Πέτρου & Παύλου Μήνας Ιούλιος Δέν θά έχουμε καθημερινές Λειτουργίες. Ο π. Σύλβεστρος θά λείπει γιά πνευματική περισυλλογή. Τηλεφωνήστε σέ πλησιέστερες εκκλησίες γιά νά μάθετε εάν λειτουργούν στίς καθημερινές εορτές του μηνός Ιουλίου γιά νά εκκλησιασθήτε.

3 GREEK AMERICAN INSTITUTE Dear Members of the Zoodohos Peghe and GAI Community, This is the time of year when thoughts of sand castles, ocean waves and picnics fill our minds. It is a time we begin to think of languishing on the beach and basking in the glistening sun. It is also the time when commencement exercises beckon and new chapters for our 8 th graders begin. The Class of 2015 was a compassionate, nurturing, caring class. They were modest in their actions and humble in their achievements. They took care of each other and for them parting will be difficult. They managed to achieve without negating the humanness of themselves. The Class of 2015 was accepted into highly academic schools such as American Studies at Lehman College, Brooklyn Latin High School, Townsend Harris, The Ursuline School, The Montfort Academy, Fordham Preparatory School, Salesian High School, Archbishop Stepinac, and Xavier High School where they amassed a total of over $110,000 in scholarships. The Class of 2015 will be attending: Dean Alfaro-Goggin Salesian High School Kosta Argyros Salesian High School Tatiana Balasenowich Preston High School Olivia Braun Preston High School Louis DeRespiris III Salesian High School Sonia Dobronravov American Studies at Lehman College Elias Germanakos St. Francis Preparatory School Nicholas Germanakos Mentoring Law at Cardozo High School Natalie Gonzalez Maria Regina High School Niki Katechis Cardinal Spellman High School Zaaron Morvan Fordham Preparatory Julia Pabafikos Preston High School Nicoleta Papavasilakis Maria Regina High School Seva Perselis Maria Regina High Joseph Ramos Salesian High School Panayiota Siskos Preston High School On behalf of the faculty and staff at the Greek American Institute, I congratulate the Class of Anne Prokop Principal PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Dear Fellow Parishioners, XRISTOS ANESTI! I don't think I need to tell anyone how full of life the church was during our Pasha Season. This energy continued into the feast Zoodohos Peghe. It was beautiful to see the amount of people that streamed through our doors to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and our Parishes Feast Day. As we have done in the past the entire community came together and worked side by side to clean, polish and prepare our sanctuary for the highest of holy days. Our visitors were impressed and they were quick to verbalize words of praise to me. Thank you, to Father Sylvester and his tireless efforts. Thank you to the parish council as well and to all of the volunteers that took time away from their families to help ensure a prayerful and flawless week. Over the last year we have completed many projects to improve our community, however, our work is never done and many more projects and repairs must still be accomplished. As Fr. Sylvester brought to your attention, the main project for the next few months is to replace the roof of the gym and church. In the past we repaired many portions of the roof but we now find ourselves in a position where no repairs can be made and the roof must be replaced. During Holy Week, generous contributions to the replacement of the roof were made but the cost associated with this venture is quite large. We as a community must come together and do what is needed in order to get this project underway and completed before the start of the new school year at the Greek American Institute. The Annual Grecian Festival is now upon us and we must once again come together and work side by side to make this our most successful festival yet. Many of you, without a single complaint spent days and nights at the festival without sitting down and knowing only that your reward will come in heaven and not in the form of earthly praise. With this said, and as I have done in the past, I thank you for your love, support, hard work and dedication and I invite those who may have not in the past joined us as a working family to join and see just how fulfilling this type of volunteer work can be and help make this year's festival as successful as past festivals. In closing I would also like to congratulate the graduating Greek American Institute Class of We are all proud of you and all that you have accomplished in your years at GAI. Graduation doesn't mean you leave your family at the Greek American Institute or Zoodohos Peghe. It means that you will now as young adults take on different roles within the community to insure that we go on for another 100 years. I pray you all have a restful and joy filled summer and I look forward to welcoming you all back to our community on your safe return. In Christ's service, Spyro D. Dimitratos, Parish Council President

4 GENERAL ASSEMBLY Γενική Συνέλευσις SUNDAY, MAY 17TH, 2015 On Sunday, November 9th, 2014, we will hold our annual General Assembly immediately following the church services. At this meeting, reports will be presented on the progress of the various projects presently underway in our parish Needless to say, your presence at this assembly is of great importance to us since it affords you the opportunity to be informed about the works of the parish and to also voice your concerns and ideas for the progress of our community. According to the Archdiocese Uniform Parish Regulations, only active members of the Church can make motions and vote. Please make sure you activate your stewardship for the year 2015, prior to the meeting. We look forward to seeing you at this General Assembly. Agenda Opening Prayer Minutes of the last General Assembly Financial Report for the School Financial Report for the Festival Church Interior Committee Report Principal s School Report Parish Renovations Report Old Business New Business Parish Priest s Report Benediction Κυριακή, Μαίου 17, 2015 Την Κυριακή, 17 Μαίου, 2015, αμέσως μετά την Θ. Λειτουργία θα λάβη χώρα η ετήσια Γενική Συνέλευσι της κοινότητός μας. Στην συνέλευσι αυτή, μέσω των εκθέσεων των υπευθύνων επιτροπών, πληροφορούμεθα όλοι τόσο για την παρούσα κατάσταση όσο και για τους μελλοντικούς οραματισμούς της κοινότητος μας. Σύμφωνα μέ τούς κανονισμούς τής Αρχιεπισκοπής μας, μόνο τά εγγεγραμένα μέλη εχουν δικαίωμα νά συμμετάσχουν καί νά ψηφίσουν. Γιά τόν λόγο αυτό είναι αναγκαίο νά αννανεώσετε τήν συνδρομή σας γιά τό έτος 2015 πρίν τήν συνεδρίασι. Δεν είναι ανάγκη να σας επισημάνουμε την σπουδαιότητα της παρουσίας σας στην συνέλευσι. Θα είναι η απουσία σας πού θα μας λυπήσει διότι θα μας λείψει μια υπολογίσιμη γνώμη στόν αγώνα μας να κρατήσουμε τις Ελληνικές Ορθόδοξες παραδόσεις μας και το ποιόν της κοινότητός μας σε επίπεδα σεβαστά και αξιοζήλευτα απο όλους. Σας περιμένουμε όλους. ΗΜΕΡΗΣΙΑ ΔΙΑΤΑΞΗ Εναρκτήριος Προσευχή Πρακτικά Προηγουμένης Γενικής Συνελεύσεως Οικονομική Εκθεσις για τό Σχολείο Οικονομική Εκθεσις γιά τό Φεστιβαλ Εκθεσις Επιτροπής Εξωραισμού τής Εκκλησίας Εκθεσις Διευθυντρίας τού Σχολείου Εκθεσις Ανακαινίσεων στήν Κοινότητα Επαναφορά παλαιών Θεμάτων Τοποθέτησις Νέων Θεμάτων Αναφορά ιερέως τής Κοινότητος Κατακλείδιος Προσευχή

5 Philoptohos of Zoodohos Peghe Please, Join our Philoptochos! The Philoptochos of Zoodohos Peghe is asking you to embrace its mission to lessen the burden of the less fortunate. Become a member today and show that you care for others. It will give you immense satisfaction. We all need people. ZOODOHOS PEGHE NAMEDAY LUNCHEON: April 17, 2015 The Greek Orthodox Easter holidays here at Zoodohos Peghe Church of the Bronx culminated with the Feast of our Panagia of Zoodohos Peghe on April 17, The celebrations started the day before with hierarchical Vesper Services with bishop Andonios presiding and in the morning of the Feast Day we were blessed to have Archbishop Demetrios to lead a hierarchical Eucharist Service. Following the Services, over 100 guests - members of Philoptochos, parishioners and friends of our communityjoined our ZP Philoptochos for their traditional annual Nameday luncheon at the Green Tree Club in New Rochelle. Among the attendees were the president of Archdiocesan District Philoptochos, Jennifer Constantin, the president of our parish council, Spyros Dimitratos and his wife, Fr. Ierotheos from St. Anargyroi church in Manhattan with a group of their own Philoptochos, Anne Prokop, the principal of our GAI and our own beloved priest and spiritual advisor to our Philoptochos, The Very Reverend Sylvester Berberis. We spent a relaxed afternoon in a very festive atmosphere enjoying delicious food, homemade tsourekia, Easter eggs and good company. After brief remarks by invited guests, the affair ended with the raffle drawing of beautiful prizes. All attended seemed very happy and left with the sense of contributing with their presence and monetary donations to the Philoptochos mission which is to help the needy in the community and at large. Also the leadership of Philoptochos was very happy too and satisfied that everything went well and thanked all who attended and all the members who worked very hard and together they contributed to the success of this luncheon. Please fill out the bottom part and give this page to any officer of the Philoptochos. First Name Last Name Address City State Zip Code Telephone # Annual Dues $30.00 Philoptochos Board Helen Karasakalides President Stavroula Drivas 1st Vice President Eleftheria Chionis 2nd Vice President Mary Xikis Treasurer Lefkothea Karagianni Asst. Treasurer Eftihia Nikopoulos Recording Secretary Vickie Kourtelis Corresponding Secretary Mary Paraskevaides Board Advisor Members But our biggest thanks and praises go to our Honored Panagia of Zoodohos Peghe on her Special Day for all her blessings. We pray that she continues to bless us with good health and happiness. Christos Anesti! Ke tou chronou! Zoe Aslanidis Vlasia Gretsas Catherine Kaganis Frederiki Pertsinides Mary Vlahos Penelope Eugenides Despina Hantsis Spyridoula Katechis Helen Vellios

6 Archdiocese Olympics, which occur during Memorial Day Weekend. On Palm Sunday, our youth joined Father Sylvester in a procession around the church with their palms. From the beginning of the Ecclesiastical year, both our JOY and GOYA have remained very busy. Zoodohos Peghe Youth Ministry continues to bring our children closer to each other and Orthodoxy, all while having fun. In early November, the JOY and GOYA community held a POT Luck fellowship meal where about 200 parents and youth shared a meal, sang and danced together, and enjoyed a bouncy castle in the church s gym. Around Thanksgiving, our youth joined the students of the Greek American Institute to collect canned and dry foods, as well as clothing, for those less fortunate. GAI graciously delivered the collected goods to the local Loves Kitchen, which then distributed the food to those in need. During the Christmas season, we celebrated our annual Breakfast with Santa. Parents prepared and shared a meal with the church s entire community, while joyously watching our youth tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas and take pictures with him. In January, the JOY and GOYA community prepared for our annual Feed the Homeless midnight run. The JOY and their parents prepared and packed over four hundred sandwiches, snacks, and beverages. This food was kindly donated by George Kolitsopoulos and family, Louie Pavlounis and family, and PJ Mechanical Corp. The GOYA and their parents personally distributed all the prepared meals to those in need at the NY Port Authority and Penn Station. Any sandwiches left over were delivered to the Bowery Mission, which houses hundreds of homeless men every night. This event in particular leaves many of our GOYA youth speechless as they feel extremely humbled when a homeless individual sincerely thanks them for their generosity and heart-warming gestures. Throughout the year, we held many open-gym-nights, an activity our youth seems to enjoy greatly because they can simply spend time together. During the Lenten season, the GOYA participated in our annual Lock-In Retreat. Our own church member, Christian Siskos and his classmate Boris from the Holy Cross Orthodox Seminary in Brookline, MA. led a retreat for 26 GOYA youth. This retreat consistently leaves our youth feeling nurtured, yet inspired to delve deeper into their Orthodox faith. Most recently, on the Saturday of Lazarus our Youth Ministry prepared the church for Palm Sunday and Holy Week by tidying and decorating Zoodohos Peghe. Our youth made hundreds of palm cross that were distributed, after service, on Palm Sunday. During Saturday s events, our JOY youth also started try-outs for the annual Greek Orthodox As the end of our Youth Ministry season quickly approaches, our youth has already begun practices for the Olympics and they look forward to achieving the gold medals that they diligently work for every year. On May 29th, we will close the season with our annual end of the year party. This is always a blast and our youth always looks forward to this event. Theodore Germanakos Z.P. BASKETBALL NEWS Our ZP basketball season concluded in April. It was an outstanding success. Our small but very energetic community was able to field ten basketball teams in the Archdiocesan basketball league. We were fortunate to have been able to play in our newly refurbished gym thanks to the tireless efforts of Fr Sylvester and our Church board led by our current president Spyro Dimitratos and recent past president John Korres. The ages ranged from 7 to 18 and we were able to enlist the participation of nearly 100 athletes. Our community is greatly indebted to our coaches as they generously gave their time and energy during the basketball season. Please when you see our coaches thank them for their efforts. They are John Trantos, Chris Stilianesis, Aggie Skreli, George Georgioudakis, Maria Maris, Mike Ellinikos, Chris Daskalakis, Bobby Geogioudakis, Stathi Raptis, Jimmy Mano, Johm Argyros, Despina Papavasilakis and Billy Seremetis. Thanks also to Teddy Germanakos for his leadership and his experience as he continues to guide our youth ministry. A special thanks to Saki Doulalas who is everyone's right hand as he is always present at all our games and assists in everything from coaching to coordinating and helps to make everyone's job much easier. Our season was highlighted by three of our teams making it to their respective finals. They were our G3 team which were represented by our 11 and 12 year old girls and out Jr girls and boys teams which were represented by our 13, 14 and 15 year old athletes. Regardless of how they did this year a great time was had by all as our older athletes reinforced their bonds with each other and new ones were being formed by our youngest. Many new friends were also made with the athletes of the other communities with who our teams competed against. We are all anxiously awaiting our next season and look forward to having even more children join us next year. Dr. Nicholas Germanakos

7 You can help with the expenses of the festival by sponsoring the 5-day event. The cost of the sponsorship is $ JOIN US FOR THE Z.P. FESTIVAL JUNE 17 th thru JUNE 21st 2015 The Pelham Bay Greek Festival celebrates the best of Greek food, music, dancing and culture. Experience authentic Greek foods and homemade Greek pastries; Signs bearing the logo and name of each business and sponsor is displayed around the festival grounds. This is a perfect way to show your love for your parish and at the same time advertise your business. Please look for the sponsorship application in your mail or pick one up at the church office and send it with your payment to the church. Tell a friend also! Raffle Prizes traditional Greek dancing by the Greek American Institute students and Greek music; prizes! This year, we are pleased to offer many prizes with over $17,000 in cash and many more electronic an outdoor and indoor marketplace full of vendors, a flea market, 1st Prize: $10, Cash 2 nd Prize: $ Cash and area for kids with carnival rides & games and other children s activities, and much more. 3 rd Prize: $ 2, Cash Tickets are $25.00 a chance. Event Info: Wednesday- : 6pm -11pm The drawing will be held on Sunday, June 21st, at 10:00pm. Thursday- : 6pm -11pm Friday-: 6pm -11pm Saturday: 6pm -12am Sunday: 6pm-10pm Each raffle costs only $25.00 a piece! Your parish is asking for your help. We are asking that you purchase some raffles and to sell some to your neighbors, business associates and contacts and to your friends. The success of this festival depends on everyone s help and personal efforts.

8 Saturdays of Souls From the early times, our Church dedicated Saturday to the souls. It is primarily the day of those who have fallen asleep. And Christians always took care, with memorial services and charitable acts done especially on Saturdays, to stay close to their dead and ask God for their repose and salvation. Even today one will see more people in graves on Saturdays than on any other day. But why is Saturday the day of the souls? There are many explanations. The most likely explanation why Saturday was set apart for the departed appears to be that the word "Saturday" coming from the Hebrew word Sabbath means rest. And on this day we are praying for the repose of the souls. Starting from this point of view, it is worth our expressing a few thoughts so that we of today may remember again great truths concerning the Saturday of the Souls. Properly speaking, there are only two Saturdays of the Souls, the one on Saturday before Meat-fare Sunday and the other on Saturday before Pentecost. Yet Saturday generally as the day for those basic and saving truths: 1. That the world does not end in whatever we see and count, but also extends in the space of the spirit, which also exists, coexists together with us. In this place the souls of our departed beloved are encamped. 2. That the Church is a continuous intercommunion between those of its members that are still struggling on earth and those that have already slept in the Lord. 3. That amidst the fever of action and the struggle of daily life we must remember that the natural terminus of every effort, which is rest in the Lord, since there is nothing more certain than death and nothing more uncertain than the hour of death. Memorial Services During requiem (memorial) services, the family or friends of the departed will often prepare a koliva which is placed in front of the memorial table before which the service is chanted. Memorial services are served on the third, ninth, and fortieth days after the repose of an Orthodox Christian, as well as on the one-year anniversary. In addition, there are several Soul Saturdays during the church year, mostly during Great Lent, and before Pentecoste. This year's Saturday of Soul's before Pentecoste is on Saturday, May 30th. Enclosed you will find the list of Intentions. Fill the form out and bring it to the priest, so the names of your loved ones may be included during the memorial service. Ψυχοσάββατο Στον εβδομαδιαίο λειτουργικό κύκλο, η προσευχή της Εκκλησίας κάθε Σάββατο είναι αφιερωμένη στους κεκοιμημένους, σε ανάμνηση της εις Άδη καθόδου του Χριστού κατά το Μ. Σάββατο. Ψυχοσάββατο όμως θεωρείται κυρίως το Σάββατο πριν την Κυριακή των Απόκρεω και το Σάββατο πριν την Κυριακή της Πεντηκοστής, οπότε και τελούνται επίσημα μνημόσυνα της Εκκλησίας υπέρ των κεκοιμημένων "των επ' ελπίδι αναστάσεως ζωής αιωνίου, [...] ευσεβώς ορθοδόξων, βασιλέων, πατριαρχών, αρχιερέων, ιερέων, ιερομόναχων, ιεροδιακόνων, μοναχών, μοναζουσών, πατέρων, προπατόρων, πάππων, προπάππων, γονέων, συζύγων, τέκνων, αδελφών και συγγενών ημών εκ των απ' αρχής και μέχρι των εσχάτων". Η καθιέρωση του Ψυχοσάββατου είναι μια υπόμνηση ότι το σώμα θα αναστηθεί κατά την Δευτέρα Παρουσία του Κυρίου, για να ενωθεί με την αθάνατη ψυχή σύμφωνα με τη διδασκαλία της Ορθόδοξης Εκκλησίας. Όλοι μας έχουμε πρόσωπα αγαπητά που έφυγαν από την ζωή. Συνεχίζουμε όμως να τους θυμόμαστε και να προσευχόμαστε γι αυτούς, ιδιαίτερα σε ημέρες αφιερωμένες σ αυτούς όπως είναι τα Ψυχοσάββατα. Εφέτος τό Ψυχοσάββατο πρίν τήν Πεντηκοστή είναι τό Σάββατο, Μαίου 30 Η Θ.Λειτουργία καί τό μνημόσυνο θα γίνεται από τις 9 έως 10:30 τό πρωί. Εσωκλείουμε τό ανάλογο ψυχοχάρτι. Γράψτε τα ονόματα των αγαπημένων σας και φέρτε το πρίν τό μνημόσυνο για να μνημονευθούν.

9 V. Rev. Sylvester Berberis Parish Priest THE LAY LEADERSHIP AT ZOODOHOS PEGHE The Parish Council 2015 Parish President: Spyro Dimitratos 1st Vice President : Constantine Casvikes Personel Victoria Thanasias Executive Assistant to the Pastor Stamatios Gikas Megas Protopsaltis/Cantor/Assistant to the Pastor Eleni Traganas Organist, Choir & Music Director/Assistant to the Pastor Roland Dule -Neokoros/Sexton/Assistant to the Pastor 2nd Vice President: John Korres Parish Secretary: Mike Pappas Parish Treasurers: Harry Vlahopoulos & Dennis Zervos Parish School School Board Presidents: Sophie Zarvos & Demos Lorentzos Secretary : George Germanakos Treasurer: Jordan Siskos Members of the Parish Council Angie Avitabile Kosta Karounos Parish Ministries Greek American Institute Anne Prokop, Principal Alexandra Lacas- Executive Assistant to the Principal Anna Mamaes- GAI Secretary GAI PTO Kathy Argyros GAI ALUMNI Sophie Zarvos Fellowship Helen Karasakalides Youth Ministry Theodore Germanakos Paris Karounos Photis Savvides Dorina Stefan John Sarris George Magriples Theodosios Siskos Christopher Stilianesis Youth Ministry Sports Dr. Nick Germanakos Stewardship Demos Lorentzos Sunday School Olympia & Stefanos Daskalakis Golden Circle Stephanie Karounos AHEPA- Bronx Chapter #175- Yiannis Kaltsas

10 CONGRATULATIONS! The faithful gathered on the Feast Day of Zoodohos Peghe on April 17, 2015 and witnessed His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios honor Mr. Spyro Dimitratos, the Parish Council President with the medal of St. Paul, the highest honor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Epitafio Service Mr. Dimitratos surrounded by the Archbishop and his family Holy Week at Z.P. Palm Sunday Vespers of Zoodohos Peghe Apokathiklosis

11 CHURCH AND GYM ROOF RENOVATIONS CAMPAIGN Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us -- our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord." Yes, that's what we do. That is how we have made it through all these years. We remain mindful of God's goodness and seek to lend a hand "with joy and thanksgiving" to divine causes. It might be a humble thing to build a roof, but we need that roof. Our church needs it, our school needs it and this parish helps keep faith in Christ alive. There is no better purpose. THIS SUMMER! Dear Parishioners and Friends: Since our School Gymnasium doors opened in 1977 and our beautiful church building first opened its doors in 1992, each generation of congregants, whether by choice, by challenge, or both, has found a way to make a contribution to their health, sturdiness and future. We find ourselves no different. In recent years, much has been done in good stewardship of the buildings, with blessed renovations and repairs and the ongoing maintenance upon which all school and church activities depend. We do believe our Gym and church roofs are in need of urgent repairs. They both naturally required repair at various times during their lifespan. Two years ago, holes were patched which had allowed raindrops to fall into the gymnasium and in some parts of the church. We have been advised, however, that such patchwork repair will grow increasingly counterproductive as time continues to pass. We were advised then that we should look towards replacing the roof in its entirety. So our campaign goal is for the cost of what we believe we will need for this job: $250,000. We think that this is attainable and we believe that it should be enough. Our roofs have served us well through all these many decades, through all the changes that have come to our parish and school. So we seek to replace them with another sturdy roof that can last the best part of another century. We want these to be a gift to future generations here at Zoodohos Peghe. They will not then need to worry about our church or the gymnasium being damaged, nor about any such injury from the elements. We ask those who are able, to pledge a gift. Such pledges will enable us to finish the work by September of this year. We know that these are tough times, and we know that individual financial resources vary a great deal. No gift is too small. We will count each gift, large or small, as a high honor and blessing for our Zoodohos Peghe Church. This campaign is also an important opportunity to remind ourselves that our stewardship, accompanied indeed by "joy" and "thanksgiving," is a key part of our response to the amazing grace and goodness of God. Over the course of this campaign, in mailings, in inserts within our Sunday worship folder and in gatherings, there will be more information on our goals and answers to your questions. V. Rev. Sylvester Berberis Parish Presbyter Spyro Dimitratos Parish Council President The title of our roof campaign resonates well here at Zoodohos Peghe: "With Joy and Thanksgiving." It comes from a beautiful prayer :