SEPTEMBER 2006 Volume 36 Issue 9 ΑΓΙΑ ΤΡΙΑΣ Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Wilmington, Delaware

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1 HOLY TRINITY SEPTEMBER 2006 Volume 36 Issue 9 ΑΓΙΑ ΤΡΙΑΣ Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Wilmington, Delaware

2 The Official Publication of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 808 N. Broom Street, Wilmington, Delaware Telephone: (302) Fax: (302) Editor-in-Chief Rev. Dr. Costa G. Christo, Ph.D. Protopresbyter Susan Kelleher, Church Secretary Anargyros Liparos, Protopsaltis 2006 PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS George Tsavalas, President - (302) Christopher Grivas, First Vice President Sophia Fotakos, Second Vice President - (302) Spiros Mantzavinos, Parish Council Secretary - (302) Virginia Karablacas, - Parish Council Treasurer - (302) Constantine Caras Tia Gianakis Minella George Chambers John Pennias Michael Kirifides Tony Skoutelas John Koninis II Catherine Stathakis Angelina Lempesis Nicholas Vouras Mailing Coordinators Philoptochos GOYA Sunday School Greek School HOPE/JOY Club YAL Altar Boys Terpsichorean Dance Troupe St. Elpida Choir Altar Guild AHEPA Daughters of Penelope Hellenic University Club The Young at Heart Club Vacation Bible School Editorial Staff - Ayia Trias Web Site CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS Betty & Bill Athan & James Michael & Crew Yvonne Vassilatos, President William Raisis, President Presbytera Georgia Christo John Pennias, Director Mersina Kopatsis George Tsakataras, Coordinator Michael Sanford, Director Christina Lazopoulos George Righos Anthony Pantelopulos, Director Helen Doukakis, President Dimitri Dandolos, President Kathy Kehagias, President Georgia Pyrros, President Nick Zographos, President Sophia Fotakos, Director Costas Fountzoulas George Righos Church Office Address: greekorth@comcast.net Fr. Costa G. Christo s Church Address: frguschristo@comcast.net For pastoral emergencies only - you may call Fr. Christo Holy Trinity Website Address: ALL ARTICLES & ANNOUNCEMENTS MUST BE IN THE OFFICE BY THE 15TH OF EACH MONTH. THESE ARTICLES & ANNOUNCEMENTS CAN BE DROPPED OFF, ED, FAXED OR U. S. MAIL.

3 The Pastor s Letter September 2006 Σεπτέµβριος 2006 Dear Parishioners: WELCOME BACK!!! No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God (Luke 9:62). Our Lord s words remind us clearly, that as we commence a new ecclesiastical year on September 1 st, to cast aside anything that will inhibit us from seeking and finding the Spiritual Paradise of the Father. This place is the Church of God. This mystical reality is the Eucharistic setting where God the Son permeates our beings in the form of His Sacred Body and Blood. Allow the Spirit of Truth and Righteousness to bind you indissolubly to the context of the Church, and to enable you to do all things unto the glory of God. For, the human being was created by God for the sole purpose of glorifying Him. Let all our endeavors in this life be to this end and to the service of our fellow human being. Again, Welcome Back! The Lord s Servant, Αγαπητά µέλη της Κονότητας: ΚΑΛΩΣ ΟΡΙΣΑΤΕ!!! Είπε δε ο Ιησούς πρός αυτόν ουδείς επιβαλών την χείρα αυτού επ άροτρον και βλέπων προς τα οπίσω εύθετός έστιν εις την βασιλείαν του Θεού (κατά Λουκάν Θ :62). Τα λόγια του Κυρίου µας, µας υπενθυµίζουν µε σαφήνεια, καθώς ξεκινάµε το νέο εκκλησιαστικό έτος την 1 ην Σεπτεµβρίου, να παρεµερίσουµε οτιδήποτε µας εµποδίζει να αναζητήσουµε και να ανεύρουµε τον Πνευµατικό Παράδεισο του Πατέρα. Αυτός ο τόπος είναι η Εκκλησία του Θεού. Αυτή η µυστική πραγµατικότητα είναι το σκηνικό της Ευχαριστίας, όπου ο Θεός Υιός διαπερνά την υπαρξή µας µε την µορφή του Ιερού Σώµατος και Αιµατός Του. Επιτρέψατε το Πνεύµα της Αληθείας και ικαιοσύνης να σας προσδέσουν για πάντα µε τον περιεχόµενο της Εκκλησίας και να σας κατστήσουν ικανούς να κάνετε όλα τα πράγµατα προς δόξαν του Θεού. ιότι, ο άνθρωπος δηµιουργήθηκε από τον Θεό µε µοναδικό σκοπό τον δοξασµό Του. Ας έχουν όλες οι προσπάθειες της ζωής αυτό τον σκοπό και την εξυπηρέτηση του συνανθώπου µας. Και πάλι, Καλώς Ορίσατε! Ο Υπηρέτης του Κυρίου + Protopresbyter Costa G. Christo, Ph.D. Proistamenos +Πρωτοπρεσβύτερος ρ. Κώστας Γ. Χριστοφής, Προϊστάµενος

4 September 2006 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 The Feast of the Indiction or the Ecclesiastical New Year. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am. 2 3 The Twelfth Sunday of St. Matthew. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am. The celebration of the 27 year memorial for Chrysanthe Mandakas and the 13 year memorial for Epaminondas Mandakas. 4 Office closed in observance of Labor Day. 5 Office resumes normal working hours The Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am. 9 11am the celebration of the Popescu Baptism. 12:30pm the celebration of the Pappoulis Baptism. 10 The Sunday before the Universal Elevation of the Holy Cross. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am. The induction of the GOYA officers before the Holy Altar. The Annual Church Picnic to be held on Church grounds after the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Sunday School, Greek School and All Youth Ministries registration available The Feast of the Universal Elevation of the Holy Cross. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am. Lity with the Holy Cross and special service included :30am-12noon Altar Boy Workshop and Lunch at the Church. 17 The Sunday after the Universal Elevation of the Holy Cross. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am. Youth sermon offered. The celebration of the one year memorial for Maria Sinani. The celebration of the Artoclasia by Philoptochos to honor its Patron Saints: The Holy Martyrs Sophia and her daughters Faith, Hope and Love. The celebration of the Agiasmo Service to bless the new Sunday School and Greek School academic year. The second tray passed by Philoptochos in support of Hellenic College/ Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Sunday School Classes begin and registration continues The Apodosis of the Feast Day of the Holy Cross The First Sunday of St. Luke. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am. Anargyros Liparos 50th Anniversary Luncheon immediately after the Divine Liturgy in the Community Center The Feast of the Translation of St. John the Apostle and Theologian. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am

5 Σεπέµβριος 2006 Κυριακή ευτέρα Τρίτη Τετάρτη Πέµπτη Παρασκευή Σάββατο 1 Της Ινδίκτου, ή Εκκλησιαστικό Νέο Έτος. Όρθρος 9 π.µ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10 π.µ η Κυριακή του Ματθαίου. Όρθρος 9 π.µ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10 π.µ. 27 χρόνια µνηµόσυνο της Χρυσάνθης Μανδάκας και 13 χρόνια µνηµόσυνο tou Επαµρινώνδα Μανδάκα 4 Ηµέρα Εργατών. Γραφείον Εκκλησίας θα παραµείνη κλειστό. 5 Γραφείο Εκκλησίας ανοικτό, κατά τις συνήθεις ώρες Εορτή Γεννήσεως της Θεοτόκου. Όρθρος 9 π.µ. Θ. Λειτουργία 10 π.µ. 9 11π.µ. Βάπτισις Ποπέσκου 12:30 µ.µ. Βάπτισις Παπούλη 10 Κυριακή πρίν της Υψώσεως του Τιµίου Σταυρού. Όρθρος 9 π.µ. Θ. Λειτουργία 10 π.µ. Εγκαθίδρυσις και ορκωµοσία αξιωµατούχων ΓΚΟΓΙΑ Ετήσιο πίκνικ της κοινότητας στο προαύλιο της εκκλησίας µετά τή λειτουργία. Εγγραφή Ελληνικού Σχολείου και Κατηχητικού. Εκκλησιασµός και άλλων δραστηριοτήτων Η Ύψωσις του Τιµίου και Ζωοποιού Σταυρού. Όρθρος 9 π.µ. Θ. Λειτουργία 10 π.µ. Ειδική ακολουθία και ύψωσις του Τιµίου Σταυρού :30 π.µ.-12 Εργαστήριο των αγοριών του Ιερού και γεύµα στο Κοινοτικό Κέντρο 17 Κυριακή µετά την Ύψωση του Τιµίου Σταυρού. Όρθρος 9 π.µ. Θ. Λειτουργία 10 π.µ. Κήρυγµα για νέους. Ετήσιο µνηµόσυνο µαρίας Σινανής. Αρτοκλασία, προσφορά της Φιλοπτώχου πρός τιµή των προστατών αγίων της: Ιεροµαρτύρων Σοφίας και των θυγατέρων της Πίστεως, Ελπίδας και Αγάπης. Αγιασµός για την έναρξη του Νέου Έτους του Κατηχητικού και Ελληνικού Σχολείου. εύτερος δίσκος από την Φιλόπτωχο προς ενίσχυσιν του Ελληνικού Κολλεγίου/της Ελληνικής Θεολογικής Σχολής Τιµίου Σταυρού. Έναρξις Κατηχητικού και συνέχεια εγγραφών Απόδοσις της Ιεράς Ηµέρας του Τιµίου Σταυρού η Κυριακή του Λουκά. Όρθρος 9 π.µ. Θ. Λειτουργία 10 π.µ. Εορτασµίος 50 ετών υπηρεσίας του Ανάργυρου Λιπαρού. Γεύµα αµέσως µετά την Θεία Λειτουργία στο Κοινοτικό Κέντρο Μετάστασις του Ευαγγελιστού Ιωάννου του Θεολόγου. Όρθρος 9 π.µ. Θ. Λειτουργία 10 π.µ

6 Presidents Column September 2006 Σεπέµβριος 2006 Dear Parishioners, The summer is coming to its end and so is my brief vacation in my birth place in Greece. September is the start of all our parish activities and we hope this coming year will be filled with health, joy, and happiness for all our parishioners, but especially for our youth. Following are some brief highlights of our plans for our parish: It appears we have a great candidate for the position of Youth Director for our community. Dino comes from Worcester, Mass. and has served his 750-family parish as their Youth Director, Dance Instructor and Coordinator for their youth dancing groups, Youth Advisor for the Ionian village in Greece, Treasurer, Vice President, and Co-Chairman for the Greek Festival. We have arranged for an extended interview on August 30th and we expect that he will meet and exceed our expectations. On Sunday September 10th, immediately following the service, we will have our annual Youth picnic for the enjoyment of our youth and their registration to the Sunday and Greek schools, etc. Sophia and Leon Fotakos are in charge of this special event and I am sure it will be a great success. On Sunday September 24th we will celebrate Anargyros' 50-years of continuous service for our church and parish. We have arranged for a complimentary luncheon for the entire community to honor Anargyros and celebrate this special event. Please mark this date on your calendar. As always, we solicit your ideas and recommendations on how best we can serve our parish. Please share your ideas with us. With my best wishes, Αγαπητά µέλη της Κοινότητας, Το καλοκαίρι, και µαζί µε αυτό οι λίγες διακοπές µου στην γενέτειρά µου την Ελλάδα, τελειώνουν. Ο Σεπτέµβριος είναι η αρχή των δραστηριοτήτων της κονότητας, και ελπίζουµε ότι η νέα χρονιά θα είναι γεµάτη µε υγεία, χαρά και ευτυχία για όλους µας, αλλά ειδικά για την νεολαία µας. Μία συνοπτική περιγραφή των κυριοτέρων νέων της κοινότητας είναι η ακόλουθη. Φαίνεται ότι υπάρχει ένας πολλά υποσχόµενος υποψήφιος για την θέση του Συντονιστού της Νεολαίας της κοινότητας. Ο Ντίνος κατάγεται από του Γούστερ της Μασσαχουσέτης. Έχει υπηρετήσει στην κοινότητα του αποτελουµένη από 750 οικογένειες σαν Συντονιστής Νεολαίας, χοροδιδάσκαλος και συντονιστής χορού, Σύµβουλος της Νεολαίας του Ιωνικού χωριού στην Ελλάδα, ταµίας, αντιπρόεδρος, και βοηθός υπευθύνου του φεστιβάλ. Έχουµε κανονίσει µία εκτεταµένη συνέντευξη µαζί του στις 30 Αυγούστου και αναµένουµε ότι τα προσόντα του θα ξεπεράσουν τις προσδοκίες µας. Την Κυριακή, 10 ην Σεπτεµβρίου, αµέσως µετά την λειτουργία, θα λάβη χώρα στον περίβολο της εκκλησίας το ετήσιο πίκνικ της νεολαίας προς τέρψιν των όλων µας οπότε και θα λάβει χώρα και η εγγραφή στο Κατηχητικό και Ελληνικό Σχολείο, και σε άλλες δραστηριότητες. Η Σοφία και Λεωνίδας Φωτάκου είναι οι συντονιστές αυτής της εκδηλώσεως, η οποία όπως αναµένεται θα στεφθή µε επιτυχία. Την Κυριακή, 24 ην Σεπτεµβρίου, θα τιµήσουµε τον Ανάργυρο για τα 50 χρόνια συνεχούς υπηρεσίας στη εκκλησία και την κοινότητα. Επίσης. θα παρατεθεί γεύµα πρός τιµήν του για όλη την κοινότητα. Παρακαλώ να συµµετάσχετε στον εορτασµό. Όπως πάντοτε αναµένουµε τις ιδέες, προτάσεις και καλόπιστη κριτική σας για την βελτίωση της κοινότητάς µας. Σας εύχοµαι να είθε καλά, George Tsavalas Parish Council President Γεώργιος Τσαβάλας, Πρόεδρος της Κοινότητας

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8 ECCLESIASTICAL NEW YEAR September 1 Apolytikion in the Second Tone Creator of the universe, setting times and seasons by Your sole authority, bless the cycle of the year of Your grace, O Lord, guarding our rulers and Your nation in peace, at the intercession of the Theotokos, and save us. Kontakion in the Fourth Tone You who created all things in Your infinite wisdom, and set the times by Your own authority, grant Your Christian people victories. Blessing our comings and goings throughout this year, guide our works according to Your divine will. Reading: For the maintenance of their armed forces, the Roman emperors decreed that their subjects in every district should be taxed every year. This same decree was reissued every fifteen years, since the Roman soldiers were obliged to serve for fifteen years. At the end of each fifteen-year period, an assessment was made of what economic changes had taken place, and a new tax was decreed, which was to be paid over the span of the fifteen years. This imperial decree, which was issued before the season of winter, was named Indictio, that is, Definiton, or Order. This name was adopted by the emperors in Constantinople also. At other times, the latter also used the term Epinemisis, that is, Distribution (Dianome). It is commonly held that Saint Constantine the Great introduced the Indiction decrees in A.D. 312, after he beheld the sign of the Cross in heaven and vanquished Maxentius and was proclaimed Emperor in the West. Some, however (and this seems more likely), ascribe the institution of the Indiction to Augustus Caesar, three years before the birth of Christ. Those who hold this view offer as proof the papal bull issued in A.D. 781 which is dated thus: Anno IV, Indictionis LIII -that is, the fourth year of the fifty-third Indiction. From this, we can deduce the aforementioned year (3 B.C.) by multiplying the fifty-two complete Indictions by the number of years in each (15), and adding the three years of the fifty-third Indiction. There are three types of Indictions: 1) That which was introduced in the West, and which is called Imperial, or Caesarean, or Constantinian, and which begins on the 24th of September; 2) The socalled Papal Indiction, which begins on the 1st of January; and 3) The Constantinopolitan, which was adopted by the Patriarchs of that city after the fall of the Eastern Empire in This Indiction is indicated in their own hand on the decrees they issue, without the numeration of the fifteen years. This Indiction begins on the 1st of September and is observed with special ceremony in the Church. Since the completion of each year takes place, as it were, with the harvest and gathering of the crops into storehouses, and we begin anew from henceforth the sowing of seed in the earth for the production of future crops, September is considered the beginning of the New Year. The Church also keeps festival this day, beseeching God for fair weather, seasonable rains, and an abundance of the fruits of the earth. The Holy Scriptures (Lev. 23:24-5 and Num. 29:1-2) also testify that the people of Israel celebrated the fest of the Blowing of the Trumpets on this day, offering hymns of thanksgiving. In addition to all the aforesaid, on this feast we also commemorate our Saviour's centry into the synagogue in Nazareth, where He was given the book of the Prophet Esaias to read, and He opened it and found the place where it is written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for which cause He hath anointed Me..." (Luke 4:16-30). It should be noted that to the present day, the Church has always celebrated the beginning of the New Year on September 1. This was the custom in Constantinople until its fall in 1453 and in Russia until the reign of Peter I. September 1 is still festively celebrated as the New Year at the Patriarchate of Constantinople; among the Jews also the New Year, although reckoned according to a moveable calendar, usually falls in September. The service of the Menaion for January 1 is for our Lord's Circumcision and for the memorial of Saint Basil the Great, without any mention of its being the beginning of a new year. Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press

9 THE ELEVATION OF THE VENERABLE AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS September 14 Apolytikion in the First Tone Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross. Kontakion in the Fourth Tone Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard. Reading: Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place. Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be. Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press Icon courtesy of Athanasios Clark

10 THE FALLING ASLEEP OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST AND THEOLOGIAN September 26 Apolytikion in the Second Tone Beloved Apostle of Christ our God, hasten to deliver a people without defense. He who permitted you to recline upon His bosom, accepts you on bended knee before Him. Beseech Him, O Theologian, to dispel the persistent cloud of nations, asking for us peace and great mercy. Kontakion in the Second Tone Who can tell thy mighty works, O virgin Saint? For thou pourest forth miracles, and art a source of healings, and thou dost intercede for our souls, as the Theologian and the friend of Christ. Reading: This Apostle was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of James the elder. First a fisherman by trade, he became an Apostle and the beloved Disciple of Christ. Only he of all the Disciples followed Him even to the Cross, and was entrusted with the care of our Saviour's Mother, as it were another son to her, and a brother of Christ the Teacher. After this, he preached throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. When the second persecution against the Christians began in the year 96 during the reign of Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, and there was cast into a vat filled to the brim with boiling oil. Coming forth therefrom unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Returning again to Ephesus after the death of the tyrant, he wrote his Gospel (after the other Evangelists had already written theirs) and his three Catholic Epistles. In all, he lived ninety-five years and fell asleep in the Lord during the reign of Trajan in the year 100. He was called Theologian because he loftily expounded in his Gospel the theology of the inexpressible and eternal birth of the Son and Word of God the Father. It is for this cause that an eagle-a symbol of the Holy Spirit, as Saint Irenaeus says-is depicted in his icon, for this was one of the four symbolic living creatures that the Prophet Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:10). Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Icon courtesy of Theologic Systems

11 Our Holy Church needs fresh Basil (Basilikov) for the Celebration of the Universal Elevation of the Holy and Life-giving Cross of Christ on September 14th and For the Celebration of the Agiasmo Service to Inaugurate the new Sunday School and Greek School academic year on September 17th. Your thoughtfulness and generous donation is much appreciated. Crovnia Pollav!!! Many Years of Good Health!!! Respectfully, + Fr. Costa

12 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS Welcome Back and Happy New Year! September 1st marks the beginning of the Ecclesiastical or Church New Year. This event is also referred to as The Indiction. The Church s faith allows us to make resolutions in September after the lazy days of summer. These lifestyle changes focus on our spiritual life or our life in Christ. As Orthodox Christians, we rely on the Church as the vehicle of our spiritual growth. When we adults and parents are on a spiritual journey, our children are not far behind. During this Ecclesiastical New Year, let us all make it a priority to regularly attend the Divine Liturgy and Sunday School. And let us make a concerted effort to be on time. When we consistently prepare to participate in the Divine Liturgy we show our children by example that God is important and the Church is vital to our spiritual growth and development. As good and responsible parents we must take the lead for our children s spiritual and religious upbringing. St. John Chrysostom once wrote: God has invited us to heaven, to the Table of the great and wonderful King, and yet we shrink and hesitate, instead of hurrying and running to be there! What then is the hope of our salvation? We cannot accuse our sinful nature for God invites us as we are. It is laziness and nothing else that makes us unworthy. Church School registration will take place on Sunday, September 10th following the divine services and during our annual picnic. Sunday School classes begin on Sunday, September 17th following an Agiasmo service that will be celebrated after Holy Communion in the Church. On this day, Fr. Costa will also offer a Youth Sermon, and all students and teachers are asked to sit together in the reserved front pews. I look forward to the new Sunday School Year I hope you do, too! Respectfully submitted by Presbytera Georgia

13 Ελληνικό Σχολείο ρ. Κώστας Γ. Φούντζουλας Το τέλος του καλοκαιριού σηµατοδοτεί την έναρξη της νέας σχολικής χρονιάς. Η εγγραφές του Ελληνικού Σχολείου θα γίνουν τη Κυριακή, 10 ην Σεπτεµβρίου, κατα την διάρκεια του ετησίου πίκνικ της νεολαίας στο προαύλιο της εκκλησίας µας. Όπως έγράψα στο τεύχος του Αυγούστου, η έγκαιρη ειδοποίηση µας για την πρόθεση να γράψετε το παιδί σας, ή τα παιδιά σας στο Ελληνικό Σχολείο έιναι ανεκτίµητη. Ευχαριστούµε εκ βάθους καρδίας τους πολύ λίγους γονείς που µας έχουν καταστήσει γνωστή την πρόθεσή τους να γράψουν τα παιδιά τους στο σχολείο. Για µια ακόµη φορά σας ζητούµε να µας ειδοποιήσετε το συντοµώτερο δυνατό, αν προτίθεσθε να γράψετε τα παιδιά σας στο Ελληνικό Σχολείο. Παρακαλούµε να λάβετε µέρος στην συνάντηση µεταξύ γονεών και συντονιστών του σχολείου, η ηµεροµηνία της οποίας θα καθορισθεί µετά την 10 ην Σεπτεµβρίου. Θέµατα που θα συζητηθούν θα είναι το βάθος του εκπαιδευτικού µας πρόγραµµατος και οι εκδηλώσεις το νέας σχολικής χρονιάς. Επίσης θα είναι ωφέλιµο να συζητήσουµε τις εντυπώσεις και τις εµπειρίες σας από την χρήση της Ελληνικής γλώσσας όσων παιδιών πέρασαν τις διακοπές τους στην Ελλάδα. Χάρις στην ευγενική και γενναιόδωρη προσφορά κάποιων µελών της κοινότητάς µας από εφέτος, ΟΛΕΣ οι τάξεις του σχολείου µας θα κλιµατίζωνται! Η νέα σχολική χρονία αρχίζει την ευτέρα, 18 ην Σεπτεµβρίου. εν υπάρχει µεγαλλίτερη προσφορά και καλλίτερη επένδυση µιάς κοινότητας από ένα σχολείο που λειτουργεί σωστά. Όπως λέιε και η παροιµία, «όπου ανοίγει ένα σχολέιο κλέινει µιά φυλακή!». Εύχοµαι σέ όλους µιά ΚΑΛΗ ΚΑΙ ΕΠΙΤΥΧΗ ΝΕΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΆ! Greek School Dr. Costas G. Fountzoulas The end of the summer means the beginning of the new school year. The registration for the Greek School will take place on Sunday, 10 th September, during our Annual Youth Picnic at the premises of our church. Once more, I will kindly request from all parents who have decided to register their children to the Greek School to let us know as soon as possible. This will help our efforts and it will result in a smoother beginning of the new school year. I wholeheartedly thank the few parents who have let us know about their decision to register their children to the Greek School of the community. Also we would like to ask you to participate in the meeting between parents and school coordinators. The date of the meeting will be defined after Sunday, September 10th. The agenda of that meeting will include the academic program of our school, your expectations, and the cultural and other events of the new school year. It would also be beneficial to let the rest of us know about the facility of the use of the Greek language of your children who spent their vacation in Greece. Sharing that experience would be very didactic for all of us and it will help to the shaping of our program. This year, due to the generous and kind offer of some members of our community ALL the classrooms of our school will be air conditioned! The new school year will start on Monday, September 18 th. A correctly and effectively functioning school is the best investment for the future of a community. As a Greek proverb says, where ever a school opens a jail shuts down! I wish you all, A NICE AND SUCCESFUKL NEW YEAR!

14 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS SEPTEMBER 2006 PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY _ ST. AGAPE CHAPTER Dear Philoptochos Members and Friends, I hope that you and your families are well and had an enjoyable summer. It really went by quickly and once again we are ready for our Philoptochos activities for September. Our annual church picnic will be held on September 10 and it will be nice to see everyone and catch up on all the news of the community. The following Sunday, September 17, is the Feast Day of Saint Sophia. As you know, Saint Sophia had three daughters, Faith, Hope and Love (Agape) and all icons of Saint Sophia always depict her with her daughters. The name of our Philoptochos is St. Agape and on September 17 we celebrate the name day of our Chapter. Our 2 nd vice-president, Sophia Psaltis, will bake the arto (bread) for the artoclasia. Thank you, Sophia, and Hronia Polla for your name day. Philoptochos will host the coffee hour, so please bring something for the pastry table. On September 19 at 6:30 pm we will have our traditional Covered Dish Supper. Every one is invited for an evening of fellowship. So bring your favorite covered dish or salad and join us. We ll have a very brief meeting to discuss the year s activities. On September 24 our Parish will honor Mr. Anargyros Liparos on his 50 th anniversary as our Church s cantor. On behalf of the Philoptochos Society, I would like to congratulate him for his devoted service to our Church and wish him good health and God s blessings. Me agape, Yvonne Vassilatos G.O.Y.A. NEWS Welcome back to a new year of GOYA! We have big plans for this year and we hope to make it one of the most productive ever. I d like to start off by announcing the new GOYA Officers for President: Will Raisis Vice President: Jamie Kostas Treasurer: Ian Chambers Corresponding Sec.: Artemis Kalogiros Recording Sec.: Adrian Chambers We feel we have a great Board of Officers to start off the new GOYA year. The induction for the GOYA Officers will take place on Sunday, September 10th at the closing of the Church service. Following the service will be the Church Picnic at which we will accept registrations for GOYA members. Our first Board meeting will be September 12th at 6:00 pm which will be followed by a general meeting and a Beginning of the Year Party for all members of GOYA. We already have a number of activities planned for this year and we are ready to get started. I hope to see everybody at the Church Picnic so we can accept registrations for old and new GOYA members. Will Raisis GOYA President

15 Prayers for Health... September Coffee Hours Below is the schedule for the month of September. Coffee Hour will resume on the 17th and will be hosted by the Philoptochos. On September 10th the Parish Council will host the Annual Church Picnic and then on the 24th they will host a luncheon for Anargyos celebrating his 50 years of service to the church, both of which the entire Holy Trinity Community is invited. Regular Coffee Hours will resume October 1st with Costa s Restaurant as the host. We hope to see you there. September 10 ~ Church Picnic September 17 ~ Philoptochos September 24 ~ Anargyos Liparos 50th Celebration Luncheon October 1 ~ Costa s Restaurant Alex Anastasia Anna Bill Chris Constance Diane Irene Marianthi Michael Paraskevi Rebecca Robert Prosforon Offerers for September September 3 Maria Papanicolas Mary Anagnostou September 10 Sophia Psaltis Maria Kramedas September 17 Klairy Karas Vasiliki Kromedas September 24 Ioanna Tsaganos Dimitra Lempesis If you cannot meet your scheduled date please contact Dimitra Holy Trinity Registry August 2006 Churching's: Linda Semos & Baby Nicholas ~ August 20 Baptisms: Panos Alexandros Yiannos ~ August 26 Memorials Celebrated: Emmanuel Kountourzis ~ 3 year ~ August 13 Loula McLaughlin ~ 2 year ~ August 20 Demetrios Hadjimallis ~ August 20 Penelope Kledaras ~ 1 year ~ August 27 Serving this month... Epistle Readers: September 3 ~ Yianni Kaliakin September 10 ~ Jamie Kostas September 17 ~ George Pantelopulos September 24 ~ Jamie Kostas Narthex Duty: September 3 ~ Group 2 September 10 ~ Group 3 September 17 ~ Group 1 September 24 ~ Group 2

16 News from the Heart: The next Heart Meeting will be September 21, 2006 at 11:30am in the AHEPA Room. Hope to see you there! Lunch will be provided. DON T FORGET... Join us for the Celebration of Anargyos Liparos Service of 50 years! On September 24, 2006 we plan to celebrate this special anniversary of 50 years of continuous service and we want the entire community to join us to celebrate and thank Anargyos and wish him good health for many years to come. So save the date...and come celebrate! Terpsichorean Dance Troupe News The Dance Troupe Meeting & Elections originally scheduled for September 10 will be held September 17, immediately following Divine Liturgy. A short note from Susie: I am trying to make sure that the Holy Trinity data base is accurate and up-to-date. Please notify me as soon as possible if you move, change phone numbers, or if any of your personal information changes. Please contact me also if any mail you get from the church does not have the correct spelling of your name, and /or address. Thanks so much for your help in this matter.

17 Reminder The Church Dome Fund The donations for this very worthy cause continue to come in and we are very appreciative of your generosity. In the monthly Church Bulletin we will acknowledge and thank all the donors and we will continue to do so until, as we hope, all the parishioners have participated. You can use the form below to send with your donation. As of today we have received approximately $43,000 of donations out of the $80,000 total needed. Adamopoulos, Christos Anastassiades, Andreas & Aglaia Apostolakis, Nicholas & Irene Apostolatos, Evaggelos Apostolatos, Arkontoula Athan, William & Betty Bacchieri, Gregg & Stacey Burpulis, Costa & Maria Burpulis, John & Mary Caras, Constantine & Maria Caras, George & Chris Chambers, George & Kathy Christou, Vasilios & Alexandra Congalidis, John Cusanelli, Valentini Daughters of Penelope Davis, Christopher Demourtzidis, Joseph & Irini Desirey, Steve & Sandy Dianastasis, Ernie & Jennifer Doukakis, Helen Evlom, Tena Fikioris, Dimirios & Margaret Ganakis, Stella Ganiaris, Fr. Stamatios & Joanna George, Demosthenes & Mary Gianniaris, Fr. George & Mary Graham, Alton & Catherine Gregory, Helen Grivas, Chris & Michelle Issaris, Katherine Kalaitzoglou, Apostolos & Niki Kalmer, Mary Kalmer, Matena Kapordelis, Luloula Karablacas, Virginia Karakasidis, John & Vickie Keros, Georgia Keros, Helen King, Mary Kirifides, Michael & Kerry Kogamihalis, Jimmy Kostas, Helen Kotanidis, Stathis & Linda Lazare, John & Sandra Lazaridis, Anastasis & Christina Lempesis, Tom & Dimitra Liarakos, Evelyn Marinis, Kalliope Markatos, Harry & Susan Michell, Constantine & Elaine Minella, Charles & Tia Giannakis Mistras, Antonios & Vasiliki Nannas, Theodore & Alexandra Ney, Bruce & Marina Pandelakis, Denis & Mary Pappas, Sandra Papantinas, Stephen & Elaine Raisis, Leo & Irene Ruhl, David & Athena Sagredo, Anthony & Themis Sanford, Mike & Andrea Savopoulos, Basil & Despina Schillinger, Robert & Karen Terris, Costas & Clara Terss, Robert & Eugenia Tsaganos, Anthony & Joanne Tsavalas, George & Yvonne Tsionas, Tim Vassilatos, George & Yvonne Visvardis, Socrates & Ruth Vlahos, Peter & Eugenia Voultsis, Petros & Catherine Whealton, Evangeline Yiannos, Peter & Stella Zographos, Nicholas & Katherine To: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Dome Fund Enclosed please find a check for $ or my pledge for the Dome Fund drive Sincerely, Donation for $10, Donation for $5, Donation for $2, Donation for $1, Donation for $ (please specify) (Signature) (Name)

18 Emmanuel Dining Room-East 24 Years of Continuous Service Summer saw many more children coming to Emmanuel Dining Room-East to eat a hot nourishing meal. It could be their only meal for the day, but they know that Emmanuel Dining Room- East is open 12 noon to 1:00pm everyday. On the 12 th of each month, Holy Trinity s day of service, you will always find a group of devoted parishioners ready to feed and serve anyone who walks through the doors. Why not join them by giving just one hour a month of your time to this very Christian cause? Reporting for the months of June, July, & August: June 12 th Petro and Bessie Contompasis were the hosts and 137 people were served that day, including 11 children. Nikki Tsakataras assisted them in the kitchen. July 12 th Tony & Lauren Diamond were the hosts for July. 134 people were served that day, including 9 children. Nikki Tsakataras helped in the kitchen. August 12 th Hosting in August was an anonymous donor who wanted to feed the hungry in loving memory of family members. Serving and helping in the kitchen were Bessie Contompasis, her visiting cousin Dana Kalil, and also Nikki Tsakataras. 128 people were served, including 8 children. On September 12 th, Mary Manolakis will be hosting our day of obligation. She welcomes your help. Give her a call at and volunteer and hour of your time to this very worthwhile Christian Program. Emmanuel Dining Room-East is in the Old Asbury Methodist Church at 3 rd and Walnut Streets. We hope to see you there! Holy Trinity Food Pantry We want to thank all parishioners who continually drop off food in our two church locations: one in the Narthex and one by the office. When awe find these bins filled, we deliver the food to one of the four locations we service: Salvation Army, Claymont Community Center, The Samaritan House and St. Stephen s Church. That this food is needed and appreciated is evidenced by the many Thank You letters we receive. The latest one is from the Samaritan House, which is run by the Ministry of Caring. This facility is set up to meet the many needs of the poor. By providing food, furniture, and clothing. We share with you portions of this letter from the Director, Eugene J. McLaughlin: I want to thank you for remembering the Samaritan House of the Ministry of Caring. Donations like yours continue to enable us to provide necessities for a host of people. Your generosity of thought and deed brings abundant blessings for others. Thank you. Our last delivery of five bags was to St. Stephen s Church, which is on the list given to us by the food bank of Delaware. They operate a food closet that is open 9am-12noon every week day. The needy come to locations like St. Stephen s to get enough food to make a meal or two. That is why a variety of food items are always needed and our continued support helps this food closet to be well stocked. When you come to church bring with you canned food and when you do your food shopping, please remember to buy and extra can or two of any food item that will not spoil, such as: Baby Food, Peanut butter, cereals, pastas, pasta sauces, canned meat, canned fish, canned vegetables, soups, sugar, flour, rice, vegetable oils, juices, etc. ANY FOOD ITEM THAT WILL NOT SPOIL. We can all be a part of this Christian Program by sharing abundant blessings with those in need. We welcome aboard Tena Evlom who has volunteered to help us in the delivery of this food. She joins John Lazare, Tina Ganiaris King, Effie Halakos, and Nikki Tsakataras, who make up this committee. We thank you for your continued Generous support.

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20 Attention: Delaware Greek-American Veterans of Military Service in the Armed Forces of the United States. Please submit the following: Name in Full: Date of Birth: Dates of Military Service: Branch of Service & Rank: Also include deceased family members who served in the United States Armed Forces. Please include Branch of Service, Era Served, and date deceased. Please fill out and send this form to: George or Chris Caras 213 W. 21st Street Wilmington, DE Save the date ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ October 5, 6, 7, & 8! for St. George s 27th Annual Greek Festival Media, PA For more information go to their website: stgeorgefestival.com or call their church office at (610) Come and enjoy the food, fun, & fellowship! September 2006 ~ Bulletin Arrival For the next few months I will place a mail date on the bulletin by the mailing label. Please note that date, and if you do not receive your bulletin within 5-15 days from that date, please fill out the form below and send it to me at the church office. You can also call the office at (302) to let me know the date you receive it. Please remember to include your September Bulletin Receive Date: zip code, as this is how they will track its Name: process. In Christ, Date Received: Susie Kelleher Church Secretary Zip Code: