The Voice of Saint George

Transcript

1 January/February 2016 The Voice of Saint George Page 1 A PUBLICATION OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAINT GEORGE, PISCATAWAY, NJ ΔΙΜΗΝΙΑΙΟ ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗΣ ΚΟΙΝΟΤΗΤΑΣ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ January - February 2016 ~ Volume 14, Issue 1 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the LORD. (Matt.3:3) «Φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, Ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου» (Ματθ. Γ:3) A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRIEST In This Issue Priest s Message President s Message 100th Year Anniversary History of St. George Philoptochos News GOYA News PTO News Greek School News Sunday School News Our Faith Cretans Dance St. George Angels Announcements Happy New Year 2016 My Dear Faithful of St. George, Time is the most precious thing we can ask for. In time we find hope; hope to grow, hope to change into a better individual than before. As we find ourselves at the very beginning of a brand new year, we will once again, by the grace of God, be given more time on our behalf. We will, once again, have yet another clean page of time in our book of life. The question though is, what will we do with this gift of time from God? As we sit down to think about this, and reevaluate ourselves and the relationships that surround us, we are better able to make resolutions in reaching our goals. Mother Teresa, one of the world s most giving persons of time, talent and resources, states: beginning with our families, let us love each other with a most tender and personal love, the same love that God loves each and everyone of us. Indeed, our families are our strength, our support as we go through life. We must resolve to spend more quality time with our family. We must resolve to forgive and heal old wounds. As our Lord instructs too, we must resolve to love not only with words, but with our heart and above all, with actions. Having used our gift of time to reach this goal, then we can better see where we start within our St. George Church family. If we are to become a more productive, more loving community, then we must resolve to use our time in 2016 to be more faithful in our church attendance. We must teach by example. Once again, I urge all of our young people to start taking initiative and a more active role in the Church and parish. Their involvement is crucial in the life and the future of our St. George. Please come forward, YOU ARE THE FUTURE OF THIS PARISH, and the future is NOW!!! HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!! With paternal love, Rev. Fr. Nicholas Pastrikos Αγαπητοί Πιστοί του Αγίου Γεωργίου, Ο χρόνος είναι το πιο ακριβό αγαθό που μπορούμε να ζητήσουμε. Με τον χρόνο αναζωογονείται η ελπίδα μας για καλυτέρευση, η ελπίδα για αλλαγή της ζωής μας προς το καλύτερο. Ενώ βρισκόμαστε και πάλι στην ανατολή ενός νέου έτους, με τη χάρη του Θεού μας δίνεται χρόνος. Για ακόμα μια φορά μας δίνεται μία λευκή σελίδα στο βιβλίο της ζωής μας. Το ερώτημα είναι «πως θα γεμίσουμε τη σελίδα αυτή που είναι δώρο του Θεού». Ενώ σταματάμε για να εξετάσουμε τον εαυτό μας σε σχέση με τους γύρω μας, θα μπορέσουμε να πάρουμε αποφάσεις για το μέλλον μας. Η Μητέρα Τερέζα, ένας από τους πλέον γενναιόδωρους ανθρώπους του κόσμου, μας λέει: «αρχίζοντας από την οικογένειά μας, ας αγαπήσουμε ο ένας τον άλλο με στοργική και ειλικρινή αγάπη, όπως ο Θεός αγαπά τον καθένα από εμάς». Πραγματικά, η οικογένειά μας είναι η δύναμή μας, και ο μοχλός που μας θέτει σε κίνηση. Θα πρέπει να περνάμε περισσότερο χρόνο με τις οικογένειές μας. Πρέπει να επουλώσουμε όλες τις πληγές, όπως μας υπαγορεύει ο Κύριος. Πρέπει να αγαπήσουμε όχι μόνο με λόγια αλλά και με πράξεις. Ας χρησιμοποιήσουμε το δώρο του χρόνου για να φτάσουμε στο σκοπό αυτό και ας σκεφτούμε από που θ αρχίσουμε σε σχέση με την εκκλησία μας. Για να γίνουμε μία πιο εποικοδομητική κοινότητα, θα πρέπει να ξοδέψουμε περισσότερο χρόνο για την εκκλησία μας, με τον εκκλησιασμό μας και τη συμμετοχή μας στα ποικίλα προγράμματά της. Και ειδικά οι νέοι θα πρέπει να λάβουν πιο ενεργό μέρος στη ζωή της κοινότητας. ΕΣΕΙΣ ΕΙΣΑΣΤΕ ΤΟ ΜΕΛΛΟΝ και το μέλλον είναι ΤΩΡΑ! ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΑ ΣΕ ΟΛΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΥΤΥΧΕΣ ΤΟ ΝΕΟ ΕΤΟΣ!!! Με πατρική αγάπη, Πατήρ Νικόλαος Παστρικός

2 Page 2 January/February 2016 ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ Parish Ministries Reverend Father Nicholas Pastrikos, Priest Parish Council President George Zalokostas 1st Vice President / Administration Lampros Ε. Bourodimos, PhD, PE 2nd Vice President / Operations George Athanasopoulos Secretary Dimitra Bairaktaris Treasurer TBA Comptroller Peter Combates Members Demetrios Anastasatos Constantine Apostolakis Nicholas Koumarianos John Mellos John Millas Jerry Moschonas Perry Petsanas Mona Sarafoglu Dean Solomos The Voice of St. George Published bi-monthly by the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1101 River Rd, Piscataway, NJ Tel.: Fax: sggoc@optonline.net Editor in Chief: Alexandra Avgitidis Committee Members: Katina Kehayas, Katerina Makridaki-Rompos. Periodical postage paid at Kilmer, NJ 08817, Permit # 379. The Voice of St. George is produced entirely in-house. Past issues can be found on the internet at Subscription is free for the members of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to St. George GOC, 1101 River Road, Piscataway, NJ Philoptochos Society - St. Barbara Virginia Theokas, President Maggie Stavrianidis, Vice President Eleni Andronikou, Rec. Secretary Kanella Anastasatos, Cor. Secretary Georgia Kouridakis, Treasurer Evangelia Manolakis, Asst. Treasurer Cantors and Choir Dimitrios Fousteris, Director Sunday School Lemonia Malahias Miko, Paul Stevens, Maggie Stavrianidis Greek School Panos Georgopoulos, Superintendent Toula Karamarkos, Principal Sofia Amaxopoulos, Teacher Katerina Kourti, Teacher Angeliki Papasavas, Teacher Chrisoula Plias, Teacher JOY/HOPE & Love & Faith Christina Heiden, Anna Lorino Church Organizations Church Committees GET INVOLVED Parent Teacher Organization Helen Sirimis, President Maria-Regina Caputo, Vice President Irene Drakopoulos, Treasurer Maria Kavouras, Secretary GOYA Nicollette Polos, Co-President Yiannis Apostolakis, Co-President Alexis Mangafas, Vice President Anastasia Kantilierakis, Corresp. Secr. Jason Stavrianidis, Rec. Secretary Gerasimos Georgopoulos, Treasurer Kristina Doninger, Historian GOYA Advisors Fotini Mangafas, Head Advisor Chrisoula DeLaurentis, Aliki Doninger, Evie Georgopoulos, Sandy Kalogridis, George Kostis, Rita Polos, Peter Sirimis, Effie Vlahos We need your help! Sign Up, Make a Difference, Have Fun! Call the Church Office Annual St. George Dinner Dance Bookmobile Capital Improvements Choir Elections Events/Fund Raising Greek Festival Greek Independence Day Parade Greek School Historic Committee House & Grounds To Our St. George Parishioners Insurance Library Memorial Fund Parking Rutgers New Parking Lot Public Relations Religious Artifacts Stewardship Sunday School Technology Services Voice of St. George The above ministries are the lifeblood of our parish and perform many activities to promote the growth of our church. Your participation in these organizations makes our community more spiritually complete.

3 January/February 2016 Page 3 ECCLESIASTICAL SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Matins 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. Weekday Services 9 a.m. ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΟ ΕΟΡΤΟΛΟΓΙΟ Όρθρος 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ. Καθημερινές ώρες 9 π.μ. Friday 1 Sunday 3 Tuesday 5 Wednesday 6 Thursday 7 Sunday 10 Sunday 17 Monday 18 Sunday 24 Monday 25 Saturday 30 Sunday 31 JANUARY Saint Basil Sunday before Theophany Eve of Theophany Holy Theophany Synaxis John Baptist Sunday after Theophany Saint Anthony Saint Athanasios 14th Sunday of Luke Saint Gregory Theologian Three Hierarchs 15th Sunday of Luke Παρασκευή 1 Κυριακή 3 Τρίτη 5 Τετάρτη 6 Πέμπτη 7 Κυριακή 10 Κυριακή 17 Δευτέρα 18 Κυριακή 24 Δευτέρα 25 Σάββατο 30 Κυριακή 31 ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ Αγίου Βασιλείου Κυριακή πριν τα Θεοφάνεια Παραμονή Θεοφανείων Θεοφάνεια Αγίου Ιωάννη Βαπτιστή Κυριακή μετά τα Θεοφάνεια Αγίου Αντωνίου Αγίου Αθανασίου 14η Κυριακή του Λουκά Αγίου Γρηγορίου του Θεολόγου Τριών Ιεραρχών 15η Κυριακή του Λουκά Tuesday 2 Sunday 7 Wednesday 10 Sunday 14 Sunday 21 Sunday 28 FEBRUARY Presentation of Lord 16th Sunday of Matthew Saint Haralambos Canaanite Woman Publican & Pharisee Prodigal Son ΦΕΒΡΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ Τρίτη 2 Υπαπαντή του Κυρίου Κυριακή 7 16η Κυριακή του Ματθαίου Τετάρτη 10 Αγίου Χαραλάμπους Κυριακή 14 Οσίων Αυξεντίου, Μάρωνος και Αβραάμ Κυριακή 21 Τελώνου και Φαρισαίου Κυριακή 28 Κυριακή του Ασώτου ST. GEORGE MEMORIAL FUND All donations to the Memorial Fund are greatly appreciated. As we all know, we have a beautiful Memorial Tree located in the Memorial Room of the Community Center. Anyone wishing to purchase a leaf ($350), a dove ($2,000), or a stone ($1,500) in memory of a loved one, May their memory be eternal, please contact either John Stroumtsos or Fr. Nick Pastrikos by calling the church office November 1 Baptisms Σταυρούλα Ιωάννα Daugther of Spyridoula & Steven Riley Godparent: Evanthia Amodio November 29 Μιχαήλ Κωσταντίνος Son of Katheryn & Joshua Jacobs Godparent: Gerasimos Siliverdis December 6 Γεώργιος Νικόλαος Son of Tatianna & Elias Psyllos Godparents: George & Megan Tsivelekidis December 19 Μιχαήλ Δημήτριος Son of Fotine & Michael Urbanski Godparents: Theodore & Stamatia Kappas OUR PARISH OUR PEOPLE Weddings September 19 Michael Peter Theokas & Edwige Paul Koumbaros: Andrew Theokas October 11 Theodore Vaios Adamos & Maria Nikki Banis Koumbaroi: Chris & Maroulla Dallas November 15 George F. Tsivelekidis & Megan Louise Papera Koumbaros: Iordanis Markou November 22 Sotirios Apostolopoulos & Alice Abadiotakis Koumbara: Ada-Maria Rodamis December 27 Nick Manis & Ioanna Petrou Koumbara: Maria Vrentzou November 21 December 10 Funerals May Their Memory Be Eternal Kostas Schadas Savvas Christodoulides

4 Page 4 January/February 2016 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE ΜΥΝΗΜΑ ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟΥ Dear Parishioners, I hope that everyone had a beautiful holiday season with their families, and that the Birth of Jesus filled your hearts with love and kindness. May 2016 be a peaceful and beautiful year for the whole world is a very important year for our community, since, as you all are aware, this year we are celebrating 100 years since the founding and establishment of one of the biggest communities in the Metropolis of New Jersey, with dynamic and worthy parishioners, who, during all these years, have worked hard to promote the St. George community with each and every way they can. Everyone s participation, regardless of age, for the preservation and promotion of the Greek traditions, customs and etiquette, as well as the effort for the improvement and conveyance of new elements, ideas and activities, so as to make St. George even bigger and better, is evident throughout the years. The 100th year anniversary is a good opportunity for the new generations to learn, and the older ones to remember the history of this dynamic community, and it will also allow us to travel back in time, in order to learn all those things that our ancestors did, and for us to build an even stronger foundation for the future. Everyone s participation is necessary! We are all proud of our community and we must all work together in unity for its sake! Show your interest in the programs of St. George, support its organizations, participate in the activities, come to Church on Sunday, watch the Youth games, volunteer to help in our Sunday school, help our Greek school! Our community needs you, and I hope that everyone will be well and around to help for the next 100 years! Have a Great New Year and here s to many more St. George! George Zalokostas, President HAPPY NEW YEAR Αγαπητοί Πάροικοι, Εύχομαι να είστε όλοι καλά και να περάσατε όμορφες γιορτές με τις οικογένειές σας, και η Γέννηση του Χριστού μας να γέμισε τις καρδιές σας με αγάπη και καλοσύνη. Είθε το 2016 να είναι μία ειρηνική και όμορφη χρονιά για όλη την ανθρωπότητα. Το 2016 είναι μία σημαδιακή χρονιά για την κοινότητά μας, καθώς, όπως όλοι γνωρίζετε, φέτος συμπληρώνονται 100 χρόνια από την ίδρυσή της και τη δημιουργία μίας από τις μεγαλύτερες κοινότητες στη μητρόπολη της Νέας Ιερσέης με δυναμικούς, και αξιόλογους παροίκους, οι οποίοι καθ όλη τη διάρκεια των ετών εργάζονται σκληρά για να αναδείξουν την κοινότητα του Αγίου Γεωργίου με όσους και όποιους τρόπους μπορούν. Η συμβολή όλων μας, ανεξαρτήτως ηλικίας, στη διατήρηση και ανάδειξη των ελληνικών παραδόσεων, εθίμων και εθιμοτυπικών, καθώς και η προσπάθεια για την καλυτέρευση και μεταλαμπάδευση νέων στοιχείων, ιδεών και δραστηριοτήτων, προκειμένου να κάνουμε τον Άγιο Γεώργιο ακόμα μεγαλύτερο και καλύτερο, είναι εμφανής όλα αυτά τα χρόνια. Η επέτειος των 100 χρόνων μας θα είναι μία καλή ευκαιρία προκειμένου να μάθουν οι νέοι, και να θυμηθούν οι παλαιότεροι την ιστορία αυτής της δυναμικής κοινότητας, και θα επιτρέψει σε όλους μας να κάνουμε μία βόλτα στο παρελθόν προκειμένου να μάθουμε καλύτερα όλα όσα έκαναν οι πρόγονοί μας, καθώς επίσης, θα μας επιτρέψει να «χτίσουμε» τις βάσεις για ένα ισχυρό μέλλον! Η συμμετοχή όλων είναι απαραίτητη! Είμαστε όλοι περήφανοι για την κοινότητά μας και όλοι πρέπει να εργαζόμαστε μονιασμένοι για το καλό της! Ενδιαφερθείτε για τα προγράμματα του Αγίου Γεωργίου, υποστηρίξτε τους οργανισμούς μας, συμμετάσχετε στις δραστηριότητες, ελάτε στην εκκλησία την Κυριακή, παρακολουθήστε τους αγώνες της Νεολαίας, βοηθήστε το Κατηχητικό μας, ενεργοποιηθείτε στο Ελληνικό μας σχολείο. Η κοινότητά μας σας χρειάζεται, και εύχομαι να είμαστε όλοι μας καλά για να συνεχίσουμε και στα επόμενα 100 χρόνια! Χαρούμενο το Νέο Έτος και Χρόνια Πολλά και καλά Άγιε μας Γεώργιε! Γεώργιος Ζαλοκώστας, Πρόεδρος ALTAR BOYS SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2016 Sunday, January 3 Group A Sunday, February 7 Group B Sunday, January 10 Group B Sunday, February 14 Group C Sunday, January 17 Group C Sunday, February 21 Group D Sunday, January 24 Group D Sunday, February 28 Group A Sunday, January 31 Group A

5 January/February 2016 Page 5 EPIPHANY 2016 ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ 2016 Question: What is the tradition about house blessings? It is the normal practice for Orthodox Christians to bless their homes and businesses. It is also the annual tradition to bless homes and businesses during the epiphany season in early January. In Greece, the priests bless homes and businesses on January 6, Epiphany Day, immediately after the morning liturgy is concluded. They carry a metal bucket of Holy Water from church and enter homes and businesses, sprinkling the walls of the building. They may say a prayer but they do not socialize; they are into a home or business for a few minutes singing the hymn of epiphany, they sprinkle Holy Water and leave. In America, however, we do not have door to door blessings because there is no longer a parish neighborhood. Houses and businesses have to be arranged in advance. When I go into a home or business, I read a special prayer pertaining to the home or business, then I make it a point to spend time socializing with the family or individual that I am visiting. This is one of the best opportunities that I get to know my parishioners better. Why a blessing? Because at the heart of the blessing service is the idea of offering to God what is our own. When we bless our homes and businesses, we are dedicating them to God and to works of righteousness. It is a beautiful tradition and it would be wonderful and very meaningful if more of our parishioners would make arrangements to have their homes or businesses blessed. It would mean that as an Orthodox Christian, you are bringing and establishing God in your home and putting God first in your life. Rev. Fr. Nicholas Pastrikos Ερώτηση: Ποιό είναι το έθιμο για τον αγιασμό των σπιτιών; Είναι συνήθεια για τους Ορθόδοξους Χριστιανούς να αγιάζουν τα σπίτια και τις επιχειρήσεις τους. Κάθε χρόνο, κατά την περίοδο των Φώτων, ο ιερέας πηγαίνει από σπίτι σε σπίτι και ραντίζει με το αγιασμένο νερό. Εδώ στην Αμερική, όπως γνωρίζετε, οι αποστάσεις είναι μεγάλες και ως εκ τούτου οι επισκέψεις μου στα διάφορα σπίτια και επιχειρήσεις πρέπει να προγραμματιστούν εκ των προτέρων. Επίσης, με την επίσκεψή μου αυτή για αγιασμό, μου δίνεται η ευκαιρία να γνωριστώ καλύτερα και εκ του σύνεγγυς με τους πιστούς της ενορίας μας. Γιατί γίνεται ο αγιασμός; Διότι στην ουσία, ο αγιασμός είναι ένα αφιέρωμα στο Θεό. Είναι μία όμορφη συνήθεια και θα ήταν πολύ όμορφα αν περισσότεροι από τους πιστούς του Αγίου Γεωργίου έπαιρναν την απόφαση ν αγιάσουν το σπίτι ή το μαγαζί τους. Αυτό θα σήμαινε πως σαν Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί, καλείτε και καθιδρύετε τον Θεό στο σπίτι σας, δίνοντάς του πρωταρχική θέση στη ζωή σας! Πατήρ Νικόλαος Παστρικός HOUSE BLESSINGS 2016 Father Nicholas will visit you to bless your home and your family the days following Epiphany. Please call the Church Office at for an appointment. When Father Nicholas comes to your home, all the family members are encouraged to gather in a room of your home with an icon, a candle and a small censer (optional). When Father Nicholas finishes with the prayers and begins to sprinkle the house with the Holy Water, he will ask for a member of the family to guide him around the house so that every room may be blessed. ΑΓΙΑΣΜΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΟΙΚΩΝ 2016 Ο Πατήρ Νικόλαος θα επισκεφτεί τα σπίτια σας για τον καθηερωμένο αγιασμό τις μέρες μετά τα Θεοφάνεια. Παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνήστε στο Γραφείο της Εκκλησίας για να κλείσετε ραντεβού. Όταν φτάσει ο Πατήρ Νικόλαος, θα πρέπει να έχετε έτοιμο τον κατάλογο με τα ονόματα όλων των μελών της οικογενείας. Όλα τα μέλη της οικογενείας προτρέπονται να είναι παρόντα και να συγκεντρωθούν σε ένα δωμάτιο του σπιτιού με μια εικόνα, ένα κερί και ένα θυμιατό πάνω στο τραπέζι. Όταν ο Πατήρ Νικόλαος τελειώσει τις προσευχές και αρχίσει να ραντίζει το σπίτι με τον αγιασμό, θα ζητήσει να τον οδηγήσετε σε όλα τα δωμάτια του σπιτιού.

6 Page 6 January/February TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY - CALL FOR PHOTOS The St. George 100th Anniversary Committee needs your help! Please us any photos that reflect our beautiful community over the last 100 years. These photos will be used to enhance the 100th Anniversary activities through an exhibition for our community to enjoy and reminisce, as well as for the 100th Anniversary Dance Journal and the 100th Anniversary DVD. Please send your photos as JPG's to stgeorge1916@gmail.com. Please DO NOT mail any hardcopy photos to the church. Please scan them and send by . Photos are due by April 1, Thank you! Χορωδία 1935 / Choir 1935 Η Επιτροπή για την επέτειο των 100 χρόνων του Αγίου Γεωργίου χρειάζεται τη βοήθειά σας! Παρακαλούμε στείλτε μας με ο,τι φωτογραφίες έχετε σχετικές με τον Άγιο Γεώργιο (Φέστιβαλ, Μυστήριο, κοινωνική εκδήλωση κ.α.) προκειμένου να παρατεθούν σε μία φωτογραφική έκθεση καθώς και στο αναμνηστικό λεύκωμα και DVD για τα 100 χρόνια. Παρακαλούμε όπως οι φω τ ο γρα φίε ς σ τ α λο ύν στο stgeorge1916@gmail.com σε μορφή JPEG. Τελευταία ημέρα υποβολής η 1η Απριλίου Σας ευχαριστούμε! Sunday School Κατηχητικό Σχολείο 1996 U.S. ARMED FORCES As part of the 100th anniversary of our community, St. George Greek Orthodox Church is seeking to recognize and honor past/present people from our community who served in the U.S. armed forces. If you are among those, or are aware of anyone, please contact: Manny Manioudakis St. George Church Office emanioudakis@verizon.net sggoc@optonline.net Phone: Phone:

7 January/February 2016 Page 7 100th Anniversary Committee Honoring our Legacy, Today and Forever This year our community will be celebrating its 100 th Anniversary. I wish to share a little history, which you may or may not know. On Sunday, the 15th of October 1916, families from Greece organized the Greek Orthodox Community of New Brunswick Saint George. On that historic Sunday, on the third floor of Eagles Hall, at the corner of Church and Neilson streets, New Brunswick, NJ our community had its first Divine Liturgy. Today, we must remember and always honor the great sacrifices of all those who gave so much to us and for all that is around us today. We thank them and we are grateful to them. On behalf of the committee, we are very excited in celebrating this significant milestone in our community s history. Throughout the year we will be hosting a number of events to commemorate our anniversary and to share with our community the long history of St. George. These events will be communicated to the community on a monthly basis. The highlight of our year long celebration will be an Anniversary Celebration Week from October 15 th through 22 nd, at which time we will be hosting a one-day program, the 100 th Anniversary of our first Sunday Divine Liturgy and ending the week with a gala celebration as part of our annual church dance. In an effort to capture and share the history of our community, the committee will be organizing a video documentary along with a commemorative album. We will be asking everyone s help to support these initiatives, as there is so much history we wish to capture and share. As with the 75 th year celebration, we will be capturing family photographs for the commemorative album. This will be in addition to the advertisements we secure for our annual journal. Separate communications will be provided in an effort to have as many families as possible participating in the commemorative album. One final item will be a DVD, which will provide the documentary and photographs throughout the last 100 years. Communications have already been sent and we look forward to your support to provide a chronological history of our community. In closing, I look forward to everyone s support for this once in a lifetime event. Please support St. George and the committee in Please see the Sunday morning announcements and the community bulletin board for continued updates. We are always looking for committee members and volunteers. Don t wait, please see me if you wish to help out within a certain area. In addition, I will also be reaching out to YOU for your support. God Bless, John Lyssikatos Committee Chairman jlyssikatos@mac.com

8 Page 8 January/February th ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAINT GEORGE COMMUNITY In celebration of the 100 th year anniversary of our Community, we will present to you the history and interesting stories of our members who worked towards making St. George one of the biggest communities in NJ. Our first issue will focus on the founding years, from 1916 up to 1940 with the start of WWII. When our fathers and grandfathers first settled in the New Brunswick area, they planned to make a few dollars and go back to their homes in Greece. They little dreamed that their small community would thrive and expand in the future. The community of New Brunswick grew steadily. The first generation of Greek immigrants realized after a short time that they were not going to return to their motherland in Greece. Thus, in 1916, they started to meet and talk about organizing a Greek Orthodox Community. A general meeting was held on June 2, 1917, at which time the following men were elected to the first Board of Trustees: Mr. Gregory Konstantakos (Costas), Mr. John D. Stroumtsos, Mr. Nicholas Moundrakis, Mr. Athanasios Kolokotronis, Mr. Orestes Giannopoulos, Mr. Zaharias Zaharakis, and Mr. Demetrios Karamalis. The Greek Orthodox Community of New Brunswick, became incorporated on July 19, 1917, and they began having church services at the corner of Neilson and Church Str., the Eagles Hall, on the 2 nd floor (over Mr. Tom Kehayas store- Tom s Busy Corner a clothing store), with a different priest officiating every Sunday. Mr. Gregory Konstantakos was president of the first Board of Trustees. However, this board only lasted about a year; services stopped completely, and everything was at a standstill. During this period when there were no church services, a group of determined men with but one thought in mind got together and started talking about building a church. These men, the forerunners of that time who headed the first St. George building fund drive around 1918, were Mr. Nicholas D. Chilakos, Mr. John D. Stroumtsos, the Rev. Father Vasilios Daskalakis, and Mr. Nicholas D. Costas (Konstantakos), who served as the Treasurer. These dedicated men, paying expenses out of their own pockets, and with a Daily Home News article and picture of the proposed church in hand, spent countless hours travelling far and wide, trying to raise funds. They not only solicited funds from the surrounding communities, but also established areas, as far away as Virginia and Baltimore. Mr. James Plaganis, a resident of New York at the time, joined and aided this group in covering the New York area. Interestingly enough, the group was nearly jailed on one of their soliciting trips to New York. Lacking a permit and since they relied on their relatives and any other Greek contacts through these relatives, they encountered one fellow Greek restaurant owner, an atheist, who impulsively called the police. By sheer luck and through the grace of God, one of the policemen who answered the call was a former New Brunswick policeman who recognized one person from the group, Mr. Costas, as an honest businessman from his old beat. Hence, the day was saved and the group was released! After that incident, nothing could deter their cause they felt the Lord would always be with them. While they were planning and trying to raise funds for this project, impromptu church services were started at the Christ Episcopal Church, which location was also the site of the first Greek School classes. Mr. John Skourlas was president of the Board of Trustees at this time.

9 January/February 2016 Page 9 It must be noted that because of the internal dissension in Greece during the early 1920s, our people were also affected in many ways. They formed two groups, taking sides in the political issues in Greece, and forgot that their Church and community was to be their prime concern. During the period from 1921 to 1928, no records are available; there were two Greek schools and two different congregations holding religious services at the same time. Many priests have come and gone since the early days of our community. Up until the start of WWII the priests who served were the following: The first priest of this community, the Rev. Father George Spyridakis, was here in 1918 when the church lot was bought and plans started. After his reassignment to Newark, our second priest, Father Daskalakis took over. Third to be assigned to the community was the Rev. Father Stephanos Lavriotis. Fourth in line to serve here was the Rev. Father Germanos Polizoides, who was ordained here. Some of the other priests whom we recall serving our community later, are as follows: Rev. Father Papakeltsos, Rev. Father Damaskenos Kesses, Rev. Father Dionysios Papadatos, Rev. Father Eftyhios Tsanetos, Rev. Father Economos Sarantides, Rev. Father Vasilios Papanikas, and Rev. Father Papastefanou. With the advent of Rev. Father Nicholas Triantafillou in 1930, all types of church records were started and kept in a fairly accurate condition. Rev. Father Kanellos Kanellopoulos served from 1934 up until The lot on River Road in Highland Park, where our first church stands, was bought in 1918, and the church itself was built in That lot and church were sold in 1962 and is now occupied by the Russian Orthodox Church. Imbedded in the cornerstone on the right-hand side of the church is a bottle containing a listing of the first board members, and other pertinent information. Father Daskalakis was the priest at that time and he had to make a trip to New York to pick out the necessary essentials to outfit the Agia Trapeza so that the first service could be held. Parishioners many times had to pay for church essentials out of their own pockets during the early days of the church, because treasury funds were so low. For example, Mr. George Mackaronis paid for the first paint job the church needed after it was built. Mr. Chilakos would run over to the church with his tool box in hand to take care of something that needed repairing. They all gave gladly, because they wanted the church to be strong. There were many sincere and conscientious parishioners who worked, volunteered, chanted, and taught in our Church as it slowly grew year after year, and every effort on their part, large or small, has made our Church that much stronger, to what we are today.

10 Page 10 January/February 2016 LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY ST. BARBARA The Ladies Philoptochos Society St. Barbara hopes that the blessings and joys of the Christmas H o l i d a y s c o n t i n u e throughout the New Year With the New Year come many activities, not only for the Philoptochos, but also for our beloved St. George Church which is celebrating 100 years as a very active church community. Together, we hope to make this year 2016 a most special and memorable one. T h e P h i l o p to c h o s continues to be very active and busy. In 2015 we accomplished our goals of meeting our National and Metropolis Philoptochos obligations, knitting and sewing of hats, scarves, gloves, blankets and baby gowns, cooking for a Women s Shelter, baking and selling baklava, as well as Christmas Bread and Vasilopites. Ladies of the Philoptochos visited the members of our community who can no longer leave their homes and brought them goodies and spent time with them. We also assisted monetarily four (4) Food Banks in the area. We distributed food baskets to needy families and provided assistance through the Needy Cases Fund. Thank you to all the ladies who participated and helped make these worthwhile causes successful. On December 4, the Philoptochos celebrated our patron Saint Barbara with a liturgy and Artoklasia. On December 6, we held our annual St. Barbara Luncheon at Pithari Restaurant which was very successful and delicious. Thank you to the Chairladies for arranging this lovely event. Activities beginning the New Year 2016: Sunday, January 10 We will host our annual Luncheon for the cutting of the Vasilopita. We are honored this year to have the children of Saint Basil Academy attend and we hope you will join us in welcoming them and making them feel at home. Donations will benefit the Academy. Sunday, March 20, Orthodox Sunday We will have a Memorial Service to honor and remember our deceased members. Following the Divine Liturgy, our Lenten Luncheon will be held in the AHEPA Hall. Donations from the Lenten luncheon will benefit the Hellenic College Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline, MA. Our next Philoptochos meetings will be held on Saturday, January 23 and Saturday, February 13, both at 11:00 am. Please attend our meetings so that we can share in the many activities and worthwhile charities and obligations that we support.. Η Φιλόπτωχος Αδελφότητα της Αγίας Βαρβάρας εύχεται οι χαρές της Εορταστικής περιόδου να συνεχιστούν καθ όλη τη διάρκεια της νέας χρονιάς. Με τη νέα χρονιά έχουμε και πολλές δραστηριότητες, όχι μόνο για τη Φιλόπτωχο, αλλά και για την κοινότητα του Αγίου Γεωργίου που φέτος συμπληρώνει 100 χρόνια από την ίδρυσή της. Μαζί, μπορούμε να κάνουμε το 2016 ξεχωριστό και αλησμόνητο. Η Φιλόπτωχός μας συνεχίζει το σημαντικό της έργο. Το 2015 επιτεύξαμε τους στόχους μας τόσο σε εθνικό επίπεδο όσο και όσον αφορά τις υποχρεώσεις μας προς τη Μητρόπολη. Πλέξαμε διάφορα πράγματα, μαγειρέψαμε για ένα Σύλλογο Προστασίας Γυναικών, ψήσαμε και πουλήσαμε μπακλαβά, Χριστόψωμο και Βασιλόπιτες. Οι Κυρίες της Φιλοπτώχου επισκέφτηκαν μέλη της κοινότητάς μας που βρίσκονται σε οίκους ευγηρίας, Συνεισφέραμε οικονομικά σε τέσσερις (4) Τράπεζες Τροφίμων και διανείμαμε καλάθια με φαγητά σε άπορες οικογένειες Ευχαριστούμε όλες τις κυρίες που συνείσφεραν το χρόνο τους και βοήθησαν στην επίτευξη των στόχων αυτών. Στις 4 Δεκεμβρίου εορτάσαμε τη μνήμη της προστάτιδός μας Αγίας Βαρβάρας με Θεία Λειτουργία και αρτοκλασία. Στις 6 Δεκεμβρίου είχαμε το πατροπαράδοτο γεύμα μας στο εστιατόριο Πιθάρι, το οποίο ήταν ιδιαιτέρως επιτυχημένο. Ευχαριστούμε τις υπεύθυνες κυρίες για τη διοργάνωση ενός επιτυχημένου γεγονότος. Δραστηριότητες για το ξεκίνημα του 2016: Κυριακή 10 Ιανουαρίου: Κοπή της Βασιλόπιτας και παροχή γεύματος. Είναι τιμή μας που φέτος θα μας επισκεφτούν τα παιδιά από την Ακαδημία του Αγίου Βασιλείου, και ελπίζουμε να παρευρεθείτε όλοι και να τα υποδεχτείτε όπως τους αρμόζει. Κυριακή 20 Μαρτίου: Την Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας θα έχουμε επιμνημόσυνη δέηση για όσα μέλη δεν είναι πια μαζί μας. Μετά το πέρας της Θείας Λειτουργίας θα ακολουθήσει Νηστίσιμο Γεύμα στην αίθουσα ΑΧΕΠΑ. Οι δωρεές από το Νηστίσιμο Γεύμα θα δοθούν για την ενίσχυση του Ελληνικού Κολλεγίου και της Θεολογικής Σχολής του Τιμίου Σταυρού στο Brookline, MA. Οι επόμενες συναντήσεις της Φιλοπτώχου θα πραγματοποιηθούν το Σάββατο 23 Ιανουαρίου και το Σάββατο 13 Φεβρουαρίου, στις 11:00 π.μ. Παρακαλούμε όπως παρευρεθείτε στις συναντήσεις μας προκειμένου να δραστηριοποιηθείτε στις δραστηριότητες και φιλανθρωπίες που υποστηρίζουμε. VASILOPITA CELEBRATION Following the Divine Liturgy on January 10, 2016 the annual luncheon and cutting of the Vasilopita will take place in the AHEPA Hall. The children of St. Basil Academy will be attending. Please come and support them to show how much we care! Let us all attend this traditional event as one family and give our annual donation for the children of St. Basil Academy! If you are unable to attend, please consider making a donation by mailing your check payable to St. Barbara Philoptochos Society (notation Vasilopita ) to: St. Barbara Philoptochos Society-Vasilopita 1101 River Road, Piscataway, NJ

11 January/February 2016 Page 11 CHRISTMAS CARD/NEEDY CASES FUND The Saint Barbara Philoptochos Society Needy Cases Fund Committee extends its heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation to the parishioners and organizations of the St. George Community for their generous donations to the Needy Cases Fund through their participation in the community Christmas Card of In addition, we thank those parishioners from our community who took the time to investigate their company s Gift Matching Program and/or their United Way Program which resulted in a substantial benefit to the Needy Cases Fund. As a result, we strongly encourage those parishioners of the St. George community who may be eligible to help us through their company s Gift Matching Program, or their United Way Program, to utilize this wonderful opportunity. Indeed, the needy of the St. George Community will reap the benefits. Again, we thank you one and all, and pray the new year will bring to your hearts and homes the Blessings of the Christ Child! The following names were not listed on our Christmas Card and we apologize for the omission. Thank you for your donations. NIKI KOPANAKIS JIM KARAMANOS PAUL & ELSIE THEODOROU DR. & MRS. STAMATIS & PAULINE ARKOULAKIS You are invited to attend the LENTEN LUNCHEON Sunday, March 6, 2016 After the Divine Liturgy in the AHEPA Hall Sponsored by The Ladies Philoptochos Society `St. Barbara Donations Will Benefit Hellenic College/Holy Cross Seminary PARTICIPATE IN THE UNITED WAY PROGRAM! It s that time of the year when corporate management will be asking their employees to participate in the 2015/2016 United Way program. Consequently, since our parishioners are participants in that program, we ask that they and their many friends consider our St. George Needy Cases Fund be earmarked for their contribution. In the past several years the St. George Needy Cases Fund has benefited dramatically and this has allowed the Philoptochos to assist those in need. The Ladies Philoptochos Society extends its appreciation and thanks to our many St. George parishioners who have taken the initiative to arrange for their United Way deductions to be sent to the St. George Needy Cases Fund. We are most grateful to all for their continued support. Remember to direct your United Way donation to the St. George Needy Cases Fund United Way Reference Number

12 Page 12 January/February 2016 G.O.Y.A. GREEK ORTHODOX YOUTH OF AMERICA We hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and wish everyone and their families a Happy & Healthy New Year. The past couple of months have been busy mostly with volleyball and basketball games. On Friday and Saturday, November 27th & 28th our Goya participated in the Bridges Outreach Program where they helped with the preparation of 300 toiletry bags and 300 lunch bags that were delivered to the homeless in Newark. After the holidays, it s always difficult to get back into the swing of things. But as responsible young adults, we GOYAns seem to make time for pretty much everything. The new year will bring many more fun events and responsibilities that we need to fulfill as a community. At our first meeting of the new year, which is January 3rd, Sights and Sounds literature must be handed in. All Sights & Sounds practices start this month in preparation for the March 12th competition in Westfield. On January 8th, we are having Charity Night. Every GOYAn is encouraged to come help prepare food for the less fortunate. In the month of January we also have our athletics play-offs. Another favorite day for our GOYAns is the gyro sale fundraiser, which we will have on January 17th after church. Please come and support our youth group and enjoy a delicious gyro at the same time! Fast forwarding to another busy month, February. On February 5th, we will have another Charity Night. On February 7th, we will have a GOYA meeting; all sights that you would like entered for Sights and Sounds must be handed in by this day. After the meeting we will have a Super-bowl Bake Sale Fundraiser. Come and buy some sweets so you can sit back with a wonderful snack while watching your favorite football team take on another team. GOYA isn t just about doing work; there are also fun things we do like dances. On February 12th, we will be going to Holmdel church for the Valentine s Dance. After long and tiring practices, finally on February 28th we will be holding the Sights and Sounds show at our church. It is a great way to view all the amazing and talented youth in our community. Respectfully submitted, Kristina Doninger, GOYA Historian

13 January/February 2016 Page 13 P.T.O. PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION As we start the New Year, the Saint George P.T.O. board wishes a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Year to all the parishioners. We would like to thank everyone who helped and supported the P.T.O Christmas Communion Breakfast by donating and/or helping. Special thanks to Perkins and the Savva family for donating pancake mix and syrup and also to Jim Polos and others for preparing the food. It is with your support and contributions that we can offer our children events that celebrate our Orthodox faith, culture and heritage. Thank you to Sophia Voudouris for organizing the Yankee Candle Fund raiser and all those who purchased candles. It was a great success. You can purchase until Jan 13th On Sunday January 30th after the Divine Liturgy, the P.T.O will host a lunch to celebrate the Three Hierarchs and honor the Greek and Religious Education (Sunday) School teachers. Our Greek School will recite poems. We are asking everyone, to honor our teachers by attending this event. Please send an to the official St. George P.T.O. address stgpto@optonline.net for more information and reservations. On Sunday February 21st, the P.T.O will celebrate Godparents day. Come to church with your Godparent or Godchild and enjoy a day dedicated to this blessed bond. The P.T.O will be selling Lambades and Corsages. Order forms will be distributed to all students and at the church. You must place an order in advance to secure a lambada or a corsage for that day. The P.T.O. Board Officers Helen Sirimis, President Maria Regina Caputo, Vice-President Maria Kavouras, Secretary Irene Drakopoulos, Treasurer PTO address: stgpto@optonline.net Thank You!!

14 Page 14 January/February 2016 SUNDAY SCHOOL Dear Parents and Members of our St. George Community, We hope you had a wonderful celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and your New Year will be filled with hope, joy and love. On behalf of Father Nicholas and the teaching staff, we would like to thank you for your support in providing an Orthodox Christian foundation of faith and values to your children. We would like to express our deep gratitude to our volunteer organization for all their efforts, dedication and perseverance. Some highlights of the activities conducted these past two months follow. Approximately 60 of our students from grades 8-12 participated in the Religious Retreat held at St. George at the end of October. Among the many activities, our children watched the movie God Does Exist. In addition, the pastoral assistant Nick Lanzourakis explained the Divine Liturgy to them and to all community members in attendance. We would like to share with you that once again we had a very successful Thanksgiving Food Drive. All collected food items (60 bags) and the artwork of our children were provided to the Piscataway FISH Hospitality program. FISH is a nondenominational Christian organization that serves homeless families and others experiencing financial difficulties. Our annual Christmas Pageant was once again a great success and we thank the many participants for all their efforts. The 8 th -9 th grade students presented the The Birth of Jesus, our little ones were our perfect angels, our students of grades 4-6 th served as some of our shepherds and all our children sang beautifully Christmas Carols in both English and Greek. We know that we live in a secular society and our church serves as one of the few places to gain knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ and our Christian faith. In each issue of the Voice of Saint George we present a summary of the curricula followed by several grades. Today we will present the curriculum of Grades Grade 8: History of the Church from its birth (at Pentecost) to today - the life and struggles of early Christians including that of many saints; the teachings and 4 journeys of Saint Paul; the Seven Ecumenical Councils; the rise and fall of Constantinople; the Great Schism; Orthodoxy under Turkish occupation; Orthodoxy under communism, Orthodoxy in America in the 20 th Century, etc. Grade 9: Connecting the Bible to our everyday lives Jesus Christ as the Way, the Shepherd, the Good News, the Truth, the Life of the World, the Resurrection, etc. Also discussed is the fulfillment of the many prophesies found in the Old Testament of the coming of Jesus Christ. Grades 10-12: This class uses the teaching of the Bible to relate to everyday life, and it provides the tools needed to face every day challenges and temptations. Guest speakers from our church community are invited to share their journeys of their Orthodox faith. All students of these grades attend Divine Liturgy once a month, participate in hymnology classes (as appropriate) as well as discuss the lives of Saints celebrated that week. We encourage all parents to bring your children to us each Sunday. Each lesson of a given week builds on that from the following week, and thus the importance of your children s presence must be emphasized. The set curriculum developed by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Department of Religious Education, the liturgical hymnology, the participation in the Divine Liturgy, and the many projects carried out throughout the year provide a complete picture of our Catechism Program. For your valuable feedback, please contact me at lmalahias@yahoo.com Respectfully in Christ St. George Catechism Staff Photograph of our Pre-Kindergarten class at Open House Photograph of our class of Grades students with guest speaker Mr. Theokas

15 January/February 2016 Page 15 ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ GREEK SCHOOL Αγαπητοί γονείς και πάροικοι της ενορίας μας, Ευχόμαστε σε όλους σας υγεία, χαρά και ευτυχία για τον καινούργιο χρόνο 2016 και στα παιδιά ευχόμαστε καλή πρόοδο στα μαθήματά τους. Όπως κάθε χρόνο, έτσι κι εφέτος, κάναμε μαθήματα και σχετικές εργασίες και μιλήσαμε στα παιδιά για την μεγάλη σημασία που έχει η εθνική μας εορτή της 28ης Οκτωβρίου1940, όχι μόνο για εμάς αλλά και για όλη την ανθρωπότητα. Όλα ένοιωσαν πολύ περήφανα για την Ελλάδα και όπως όλος ο κόσμος τότε, έτσι και αυτά τώρα θαύμασαν την Ελλάδα για την μεγάλη αυτή νίκη της. Επίσης την Κυριακή, στις 25 Οκτωβρίου μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία, μαθητές και μαθήτριες του σχολείου απήγγειλαν ποιήματα σχετικά με την εθνική μας εορτή με μεγάλη επιτυχία. Την δεύτερη εβδομάδα του Δεκεμβρίου, όλα τα παιδιά του σχολείου, εκτός από τις μικρές τάξεις, έγραψαν το πρώτο διαγώνισμα και την επόμενη εβδομάδα οι γονείς είχαν την ευκαιρία να μιλήσουν με τις δασκάλες σχετικά με την πρόοδο των παιδιών τους. Όλες οι δασκάλες θέλουμε και προσπαθούμε να έχουμε συνεργασία και συνεχή επικοινωνία με όλους τους γονείς, ούτως ώστε να μπορούμε να βοηθούμε όσο το δυνατόν καλύτερα όλα τα παιδιά. Θέλουμε να δώσουμε ένα μεγάλο ευχαριστώ στις ακούραστες κυρίες του PTO οι οποίες μας βοήθησαν κι εφέτος να γιορτάσουμε την ημέρα των Τριών Ιεραρχών και την ημέρα των Γραμμάτων και επίσης να τις ευχαριστήσουμε θερμά για όλα όσα κάνουν για τις ανάγκες του σχολείου μας. Ευχόμαστε ο Θεός να τις έχει πάντα καλά και να τους δίνει δύναμη για να συνεχίσουν αυτό το αξιόλογο έργο τους. Με εκτίμηση, Οι Δασκάλες του Ελληνικού Σχολείου Dear parents and parishioners, We wish you health, joy and happiness for the New Year 2016 and to all the children we wish continued success and progress in their studies. As in every year, this year as well, we dedicated lessons and we talked to the children regarding the meaning and the significance of our national holiday, the 28th of October They all realized the importance of this day not only for Greece but for all humanity and they felt pride and admiration for the victory of Greece. On Sunday, the 25th of October after the Divine Liturgy, students of the Greek School recited,with great success, poems regarding the National Holiday of the «OXI» day, the 28th of October During the second week of December, all students of our school, except for the lower grades, took their first exam and the following week the teachers held parent-teacher conferences to discuss the progress of their children. We, all the teachers, appreciate the cooperation of the parents as we all try to help the children the best way possible. We would like to thank the ladies of the PTO who helped us celebrate the day of the Three Hierarchs, which is also the day of the Letters and we would also like to extend to them our gratitude and appreciation for their help with all the events and the needs of the school. May God give them health and strength to continue their valuable work and service. Sincerely, The Teachers of the Greek School Ευτυχισμένος ο Νέος Χρόνος Happy New Year

16 Page 16 January/February 2016 OUR FAITH Η ΘΡΗΣΚΕΙΑ ΜΑΣ THE THREE HIERARCHS, January 30 The Three Hierarchs, also known as the Great Fathers of the church, who lived during the 3rd century AD, are recognized as the proponents, the protectors, and the preservers of the Greek language and the Greek Letters in the largest dimension. But in greater sense, they were also the great theologians and the educators of their time. In order to commemorate their accomplishments, on Sunday, January 31, following the Divine Liturgy, the Greek School has organized a short event which will take place in church. Our Greek Orthodox Church has many glorious bishops. January 30, was set aside for the common commemoration of the Three Hierarchs; St. Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom (Golden Mouthed). Each saint has his own personal feast day in the month of January: St. Basil on the 1st, St. Gregory on the 25th, and St. John Chrystostom on the 27th, but all three are celebrated together on January 30th because of their main common traits. They lived a simple life without luxuries. They devoted their lives to helping the poor and the unhappy. They loved literature and the culture of the ancient Greeks. The Three Hierarchs were great men, who were not only defenders of Orthodox Christianity, but also supporters of Greek learning. Greeks regard this feast, not solely as a religious celebration, but also as their greatest scholastic holiday. The past teachings of the Three Hierarchs are lessons that continue to guide us in our lives today and will certainly carry on into the future. St. Basil said: As the bees choose the nectar from flowers, so too can you choose what you read. Keep only the good and useful. St. Gregory said: How can we live with ourselves having leftover scraps, when others go hungry. St. John said: One man with divine fire in the heart, can repair the whole city. ΟΙ ΤΡΕΙΣ ΙΕΡΑΡΧΕΣ, 30 Ιανουαρίου Π ο λλο ύ ς με γ άλ ο υ ς Ιεράρχες έχει η εκκλησία μας. Ξεχωριστά όμως γιορτάζει τρεις: Το Μέγα Βασίλειο, το Γ ρ η γ ό ρ ι ο Θ ε ο λ ό γ ο (Ναζιανζινό) και τον Ιωάννη το Χρυσόστομο. Καθένας έχει τη δική του γιορτή, αλλά και τους τρεις μαζί τους γιορτάζουμε στις 30 Ιανουαρίου, γιατί έχουν πολλά κοινά γνωρίσματα: Ζούσαν απλή ζωή χωρίς πολυτέλειες. Αφιέρωσαν τη ζωή τους στους φτωχούς συνανθρώπους τους και στους δυστυχισμένους. Ήταν και οι τρεις σοφοί. Αγάπησαν τα γράμματα και τον πολιτισμό των αρχαίων Ελλήνων. Έγιναν πολύ μεγάλοι δάσκαλοι - πραγματικοί φωστήρες. Αλλά και σπουδαίοι ρήτορες. Για τη σοφία και την καλοσύνη τους, ο λαός τους εκτιμούσε και τους αγαπούσε. Η γιορτή των Τριών Ιεραρχών είναι γιορτή των δασκάλων και των μαθητών, των σχολείων και των γραμμάτων, των βιβλίων και της μάθησης. Ο Μέγας Βασίλειος είπε: «Όπως οι μέλισσες διαλέγουν το νέκταρ από τα λουλούδια, έτσι κι εσείς να διαλέγετε αυτά που διαβάζετε. Να κρατάτε τα καλά και τα ωφέλιμα». Ο Γρηγόριος ο Θεολόγος είπε: «Πως το καταλαβαίνετε, να έχετε εσείς περίσσευμα και ο άλλος να πεινά;» Ο Ιωάννης ο Χρυσόστομος είπε: «Ένας και μόνο άνθρωπος με θεϊκή φωτιά στην καρδιά μπορεί να διορθώσει ολόκληρη πόλη». Τι κι αν πέρασαν τόσα χρόνια από τότε που έζησαν; Το παράδειγμά τους είναι πάντα νέο, πάντα φωτεινό για να μας δείχνει το δρόμο. WHILE IN CHURCH Church for us, Orthodox Christians, is the holiest of all places. It is the place where we come face to face with our Lord, thereby demanding the utmost respect and conduct. While in Church, we DO NOT chew gum, candy or the like; WE DO NOT cross our legs or move around and carry on a conversation, especially in the Narthex of our Church. All these activities tend to distract those around us and lead our soul away from the mystical experiences of Divine Liturgy. Our movements about the Church, at their appointed times, should be done with the utmost respect for the place in which the Lord dwells. As we are entering God s home, we must always keep in mind that WE MUST NOT ENTER THE NAVE of our Church, or WE MUST NOT COME TO THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH AND PLACE A VOTIVE CANDLE, during the following times: 1. During the Small Entrance (when the procession with the Gospel takes place). 2. During the EPISTLE Reading. 3. During the GOSPEL Reading. 4. When the priest is censing and is facing the Congregation. 5. During the GREAT Entrance (when the procession with the Holy Gifts takes place). 6. When the priest is blessing the Congregation. 7. During the recitation of the Nicene Creed. 8. During the Consecration of the Holy Gifts. 9. During the recitation of the Lord s prayer.

17 January/February 2016 Page 17 OUR FAITH Η ΘΡΗΣΚΕΙΑ ΜΑΣ THE FEAST OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT, JANUARY 1 Very few of us realize that the beginning of the Church calendar does not start on January 1st. Actually, our Church calendar begins on September 1st. In our daily living however, with our friends and neighbors and our society, our year begins on January 1st, a very important date in our Church since it marks the Feast Day of one of our greatest saints, St. Basil. St. Basil was born in the year 330 AD in the city of Caesarea, Asia Minor. He was one of six children who all became saints in our Church. His brothers and sister became priests, bishops and a nun. His parents were very devoted to the faith and gave their children a great spiritual heritage which they cultivated in their lifetime. The family of St. Basil was the greatest Christian family of the 4th century. St. Basil studied with his best friend, St. Gregory, in the cultural centers of the world. St. Basil was one of the greatest writers and speakers of the Christian Church. Although his fame was spread over the entire Christian world of his day, he returned to his own home town and was ordained Bishop of Caesarea on June 14, 370 A.D. St. Basil was an authority on the monastic life. He formulated the rules and regulations for the monks of his day, and these rules still prevail in most of the Christian monasteries of the world. St. Basil prepared the Divine Liturgy which we love and know so well. Although the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is used 42 Sundays a year in our church, it is based on the slightly longer Divine Liturgy of St. Basil. St. John merely shortened the lengthy prayers and made minor alterations in other prayers. The Liturgy of St. Basil is celebrated ten times each year: during the Lenten period, Christmas Eve, and on January 1st, the anniversary of his death. St. Basil was indeed one of the greatest pillars of the Church. He loved children and always assisted the sick and the homeless. He was the first bishop to establish orphanages and hospitals and old age homes. He first directed the attention of the Church to these unfortunate victims of society. Why was St. Basil given the name Great? Only a few people in the world were even given the magnificent title Great! Alexander the Great was so-called because he conquered the world, but St. Basil was called Great because he conquered the hearts and souls of men for Jesus Christ. His whole life was dedicated to Jesus and the message of Christianity. He had the humility of Moses, the zeal of Elijah, the piety of Peter, the eloquence of John the Theologian, and the dedication of Paul. He died in the Lord on January 1st, 397 A.D. A TRADITION FOR OBSERVING THE FEAST OF ST. BASIL AT HOME In many Greek homes, a special cake is baked on the eve of St. Basil s day with a gold or silver coin hidden inside. In the evening, just before midnight strikes and the new year begins, all lights are turned off for a minute to signify the dawning of a New Year. The family gaily exchanges wishes for a Happy New Year and the cake is cut: one slice for St. Basil, one for each family member, one for each of the pets, and then the largest slice of all is cut for the poor of the world. In one of these slices is hidden the coin, which brings blessings to its recipient throughout the year. The tradition of the Vasilopita began long ago in the days when St. Basil was the Archbishop of Caesarea in the province of Cappadocia. The Emperor Valens of Cappadocia belonged to a group known as Arians. The Arians were very much against the Orthodox teachings of St. Basil and tried hard to destroy him and his people. In order to do this, the Emperor sent a very stern soldier to warn St. Basil that all the people in his district would soon have all their earthly belongings taken from them and their city would be completely stricken with poverty and starvation. He further warned that St. Basil himself would have to make a choice between Orthodoxy and death. St. Basil, a true friend of the poor, could not bear to see his people destroyed by the wicked Emperor, and so he called a meeting of all the kind and rich men in his district. He persuaded them to contribute money and jewels to be given to the Emperor so that the poor and needy would not be robber. This was done, and on New Year s Eve, St. Basil again met with the Emperor s soldier. He presented to him the wonderful gifts of the good people of Caesarea. At the same time St. Basil also answered the threat against his own life by saying: Fire, death by the sword and the beasts that tear our flesh with their long nails, give us joy rather than fear. You may insult; you may threaten; you may do whatever you like to enjoy power, but let the Emperor know that even his worst threats will not persuade us to compromise with impiety. When the soldier heard this, he was so moved that he promised never to bother St. Basil again. Even more surprising, he refused to accept the money that St. Basil had collected for the Emperor.

18 Page 18 January/February 2016 PRE-LENT: A TIME FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL The Sundays of Preparation Before Great Lent begins this year (on Monday, March 14, 2016), our Holy Orthodox Church tries to prepare us for this time of spiritual renewal. For four Sundays prior to the Great Fast, we are prepared for this great spiritual experience. The Church, through the Gospel lessons, guides us along the path of repentance. The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee (Feb. 21) The first Sunday of the Triodion is the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee (February 8th). From this parable we learn the power of humble prayer and humility. The Sunday of the Prodigal Son (February 28) The second Sunday of Triodion offers us the Parable of the Prodigal Son, perhaps better titled the Parable of the Loving Father. It is a picture of repentance (the younger son), of love, of forgiveness, and of envy (the older son). From this parable we learn that for the repentant soul, spiritual joy is never too late to be found; the Church always welcomes those who sincerely repent of their evil ways and seek to walk the path of righteousness again. Meat fare Sunday (March 6th) The lesson from the third Sunday of the Triodion, Meat Fare Sunday, is the Last Judgment. It reminds us of the terrible day of Last Judgment when all who have lived from the beginning of man will face the righteous Kind and Judge. We are also reminded of our need to perform acts of virtue, to be compassionate, merciful and charitable. Cheese fare Sunday (March 13th) On the fourth Sunday of the Triodion, Cheese fare Sunday/Forgiveness Sunday and the last Sunday before the Great Lent, the theme is the lost paradise and ways to regain it: to forgive, to observe the laws of fasting humbly and to lay up treasures in heaven and not on earth. A Call for Renewal This pre-lenten period of four Sundays is a time of invitation to each of us. The Church calls each of us to make good use of the coming time for spiritual renewal. The Church offers us these Gospel lessons as examples of God s great mercy. The Church encourages us to be repentant and implores us to obey God s commandments if we desire to be reconciled with Him. Let us accept humbly the invitation which the Church extends to us. Let us deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him, as He commanded us to do thus we will receive from Him the Divine Grace which He has in store for those who are faithful to Him and His Holy Church. How can we prepare ourselves? 1. Set a Goal First of all, set a goal for yourself - a spiritual goal. Then, through daily prayer, fasting, repentance, confession, Holy communion and continuing thoughtfulness, strive to reach this goal. 2. Attend Services What else can we do during this period of preparation? To reach your spiritual goal, resolve to participate in the services of the Church. The Divine Liturgy on Lord s Day is a solemn obligation. 3. Pray Pray and meditate daily. Prayer and meditation are food for the soul. Read the Holy Scriptures and think about what you have read. Also, read other spiritual books. You will find inspiration and spiritual uplifting in reading religious books. 4. Give Give of yourself and of your material resources. How can you give of yourself? Visit the sick, the aged and the lonely. Volunteer to undertake Church projects: with God s help they are easy and rewarding. 5. Resolve Resolve to raise your contributions, your Sunday offering to the Church. Give up a pleasure or an entertainment so that you can do this. Every Orthodox Christian is called upon to prepare himself for the Great Lent, which this year begins on Monday, March 14th. Amen.

19 January/February 2016 Page 19 ST GEORGE COMMUNITY ATHLETICS - BASKETBALL St. George Angels Girls Junior Basketball Team St. George Community Athletics recently experienced an exciting time for junior girls. After 43 years, girls athletics were successfully expanded to include girls junior basketball! Since 1970, a boys junior basketball team existed for the ages of about 8-13 but there was no athletic team for girls in the same age group. A flyer was circulated in October 2013 announcing the formation of the team and with the response of about 15 girls, the St. George Angels began to take shape as an actual team. On November 8, 2013, the first practice of the St. George Angels Girls Junior Basketball Team was held at AHEPA Hall with girls of different skill levels in basketball. The team was founded by parents Lambro and Naomi Bourodimos, who wanted a team for the junior girls (including their daughter Maria) of the St. George Community for fun, exercise, and teamwork. Weekly practices were held that first season ( ) as the girls learned the rules of basketball, sharpened ballhandling skills, and combined their techniques to play as a team. Efforts have been made to locate girls junior teams to play against both through the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey as well as local religious communities and schools. The Angels are coached by Lambro Bourodimos, with assistant coaches Naomi Bourodimos and Dionisi Bourodimos. On January 11, 2014, the St. George Angels, their coaches, and their parents attended a Rutgers women's basketball game at the Rutgers Athletic Center. After the game, they got to shoot baskets in front of about 5,000 people. They met some of the Rutgers players and the famous Rutgers coach, Vivian Stringer. St. George Board member Thomas Kalanekos was instrumental in getting tickets and posters for the Angels, their coaches, and their parents. The 2nd season began well, with many new girls joining the team. In the season, the Angels improved as a team, with better defense, greater passing, and superior shooting. Close friendships between the Angels were developing as the Angels see themselves as sisters and try to help each other out. Of course, some Angels are actually sisters or cousins. Since the Angels team still was unable to find and schedule other teams to play, it was decided by the coaches that a real scrimmage in front of the St. George Community would be a good start. The team would play under real conditions, and there were enough Angels to play a full court game against each other, and still have players for each bench. Head Youth Advisor Fotini Mangafas was supportive and provided the Angels with extra St. George basketball uniforms to use, as well as arranging for a referee to officiate the game. The 1st St. George Angels Scrimmage was held at AHEPA Hall on Sunday, November 23, 2014, in front of many spectators, including the visiting teams of the Kimisis Tis Theotokou Community of Holmdel. The St. George Angels Purple Team was coached by Lambro Bourodimos, and the St. George Angels Gold Team was coached by his oldest son, Dionisi Bourodimos. The teams played with the same rules as the St. George boys junior basketball team, including the total time for the game. The fans cheered on whichever team they wished, since the winner was a St. George Community Team! Some families made signs and had to support both teams since there were family members and friends playing against each other. After the end of the 2nd season, the St. George Angels and their parents attended a Rutgers women's basketball game at the Rutgers Athletic Center. The Angels 3rd season began with expectations of more fun and development for the players, (old and new), as well as their coaches. The team began with even more new players, and the practices remained exciting and fun. The 2nd Annual St. George Angels Scrimmage was held at AHEPA Hall on Sunday, November 15, 2015, in front of many spectators, including the visiting teams of the St. Barbara Community of Toms River whose teams and supporters were present. The teams played exciting basketball and it was a close game until the very last seconds. In the season, the Angels are developing their own style of play, and the more reserved players are now more confident. The improvement of the team is evident and the Angels see it themselves. The Angels now have a team referee, John Kastanis, who makes the calls during practice games, and is the father of three Angels. The Angels hold their practices during the season (September to January) on most Fridays, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at AHEPA Hall. The families of the Angels are sometimes present at the practices to support the players and their efforts. We thank the families of the Angels, and the entire St. George Community for their support of our team effort since For any girls (ages about 7-13) interested in playing, please contact the coaches at magyaranyu3@yahoo.com or by telephone at (732) If you wish to have fun and excitement Come Fly with Us! Naomi Bourodimos

20 Page 20 January/February Χρόνια! «Λευκά Όρη» Ο Σύλλογος Κρητών Τα Λευκά Όρη Cretans Fraternity The White Mountains Προσκαλεί την Ομογένεια στον ΕΤΗΣΙΟ ΧΟΡΟ Annual Dinner Dance Σάββατο 6 Φεβρουαρίου 2016, 7:00 μ.μ. Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Pines Manor 2085 Route 27, Edison NJ Ελάτε όλοι μαζί να γιορτάσουμε τα 88 χρόνια προσπάθειας διατήρησης της Ελληνικής μας Κληρονομιάς στην Κοινότητά μας. Θα είναι μία βραδιά γεμάτη με άφθονα φαγητά ελληνικής κουζίνας και ζωντανή αυθεντική κρητική και λαϊκή μουσική. Come and celebrate with us our 88 years of great efforts to maintain and disseminate our Hellenic Heritage in our Community. There will be a night of live authentic Cretan and Greek popular music and food based on our famous Greek cuisine. Your attendance and support will greatly honor our chapter. Admission $85, Open bar Children 6 11 years old: $40 Πληροφορίες και κρατήσεις - Information and Reservations John Kalogridis (732) Takis Psarakis (908)

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22 Page 22 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT January/February 2016

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