The Voice of Saint George

Transcript

1 January/February 2010 Volume 8 Issue 1 A publication of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George The Voice of Saint George 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» A Message From Our Pastor New Year s Message 2010 Dearly Beloved Parishioners of Saint George in Piscataway, This year has also gone, following previous years and joining them in the bottomless ocean of the past. Each and every one of these past years is decorated with events that have written human and world history, local history, as well as our family and personal history. In This Issue Pastor s Message President s Message Church Calendar Vasilopita Celebration House Blessing Schedule PTO News Sunday School News G.O.Y.A. News Philoptochos News Cretan Dance Voice of St. George Submission Dates On New Year s Day, we send wishes to each other and exclaim: Happy New Year! This beautiful tradition shows us how dedicated the human soul is to happiness and how this happiness is the common wish of all people. As midnight strikes, we all wish each other Happy New Year! Many gather in Time Square in New York City, many gather in their homes and many go out to celebrate the arrival of the New Year and to wish each other prosperity and happiness. The Holy Pulpit, a few hours after the celebration, will preach to us some infallible truths as a New Year s Day gift to its Christians. The first truth is that the length of our life is very short. All of us know that this truth is a common reality, and very important. Our life has not only a short length but also an uncertain end. One of our Church Fathers states that every baby that is born holds a candle, sometimes short, sometimes long, but every baby holds his or her candle. Every person that comes into the world starts a journey. Sometimes the journey is uphill, sometimes it is downhill, and some times the road is even. Also, the speed with which a person travels varies from time to time, so no human being ever knows when he or she is going to arrive at the end of this journey. For example, little children want to grow up fast, to become adults and they believe that the speed of life is very slow, but the adults and the elderly are not happy because they feel that the years have passed very quickly. Saint James compares the duration of life to smoke. He says: you don t even know what your life tomorrow will be! You are like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears (James 4:14). So, during our life we should be as creative as we can. In these difficult days that we live, a period of international financial difficulty, we are entering into a New Year, a new stage of our life with optimism, because as Christians, we have our Faith and the spirit of love. We wish happiness and prosperity to everyone. Continued, pg. 4

2 January/February 2010 Page 2 GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAINT GEORGE The Very Reverend Alexander Kile, Pastor Parish Council President Emmanuel Manioudakis Vice President / Administration Perry Petsanas Vice President / Operations George Athanasopoulos Evangeline Emanuel, Secretary Michael Sirimis, Treasurer Katerina Leftheris, Comptroller Members Lampros Bourodimos James Exarchakis Basil Fottis Demetrius Kambitsis Vassilis Keramidas Nicholas Koumarianos George Petrantonakis George Rodoussakis Peter Sirimis Special Thanks to the Voice of St. George Volunteers Very Rev. Alexander Kile Board of Trustees Arete Bouhlas Daughters of Penelope Eftihia Karayiannidis Kay Kehayas Georgia Peterson Polly Ploussiou Evelyn Tsiadis, Editor Church Organizations Philoptochos Society - St. Barbara Pegi Zajac, President Cantors and Choir Yiorgos Bilalis, Director Sunday School Lemonia Malahias Miko, Paul Stevens, Maggie Stavrianidis Greek School Panos Georgopoulos, Superintendent Toula Karamarkos, Principal Sofia Amaxopoulos, Katerina Kourti, Angeliki Papasavas, Chrisoula Plias, Iro Mavrianos, Teachers Parent Teacher Organization Athinoulla Bizos, President Helen Sirimis, Vice President Nicki Makrelis, Secretary Kathy Catanzaro, Treasurer GOYA Nicholas Albanese, President Advisors Eleni Banis, George Hadjiloucas, Nellie Tsipoura, Jim Exarchakis, Fotini Mangafas, Costas Makrelis, Roseanne Rexines, Mike Sirimis, Annie Sullivan, Evie Georgopoulos JOY/HOPE Helen Sirimis Moms & Tots Sonia Petinatos Senior Citizens Nicki Kopanakis, President Focus Nicholas Kambitsis Church Committees Events/Fundraising Nicholas Kambitsis Festival John Lyssikatos Mike Dimitrakis House and Grounds George Athanasopoulos Memorial Dr. John Stroumtsos Parking Lot Nicholas Kambitsis Lampros Bourodimos Stewardship Katerina Leftheris Web-Site Bill Fottis To Our St. George Parishioners We invite all our parishioners to join and support our many church organizations and committees and become an active part of the success and progress of our beloved St. George community. Very Rev. Alexander Kile St. George Parish Council

3 The Voice of St. George Page 3 ECCLESIASTICAL SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Matins 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:15 a.m. Weekday Services 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. JANUARY Friday 1: The Circumcision of our Lord Doxology for New Years Day, St. Basil the Great Sunday 3: Sunday before Epiphany Epistle: II Tim. 4:5-8 Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 Tuesday 5: Eve of the Epiphany Royal Hours 9:00 a.m. Great Vespers Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great 11:00 a.m., Blessing of the Waters 12:30 p.m. Wednesday 6: Baptism of Christ (Epiphany) Matins 9:00 a.m., Divine Liturgy 10:15 a.m. Great Blessing of the Waters 11:45 a.m. Thursday 7: St. John the Baptist Sunday 10: Sunday after the Epiphany Epistle: Ephesians 4:7-13 Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17 Procession and Service of the Blessing of the River waters at the banks of the Raritan River 11:45 a.m. Sunday 17: St. Anthony the Great Epistle: Hebrews 13:17-21 Gospel: Luke 19:1-10 Monday 18: Saints Athanasios & Cyrillos Patriarchs of Alexandria Sunday 24: Sunday Publican and Pharisee Triodion Begins Epistle: II Tim. 3:10-15 Gospel: Luke 18:10-14 Monday 25: St. Gregory the Theologian Saturday 30: The Three Hierarchs Sunday 31: Sunday of the Prodigal Son Saints Cyrus & John the unmercenaries Epistle: I Corinthians 6:12-1 Gospel Luke 15:11-32 FEBRUARY Tuesday 2: Presentation of Our Lord Into the Temple Saturday 6: 1 st Saturday of Souls Sunday 7: Meat Fare Sunday Epistle: I Cor. 8:8-13;9:1-2 Gospel: Matt. 25:31-46 Saturday 13: 2 nd Saturday of Souls Sunday 14: Forgiveness Sunday Epistle: Rom. 13:11-14:14:1-4 Gospel Matt. 6:14-21 Monday 15: Great Lent Begins Great Compline 6pm Wednesday17: Presanctified Liturgy Friday 19: 1 st Salutations 7:00 p.m. Saturday 20: 3 rd Saturday of Souls Saint Theodore Sunday 21: Sunday of Orthodoxy Epistle: Heb. 11:24-26, Gospel John 1:43-51 Procession of the Icons Monday 22: Great Compline 6 p.m. Wednesday 24: Presanctified Liturgy Friday 26: 2 nd Salutations 7:00 p.m. Sunday 28: St. Gregory Palamas Epistle: Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3 Gospel Mark. 2:1-12 EΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΟ ΕΟΡΤΟΛΟΓΙΟ Ορθρος 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:15 π.μ. Καθημερινές 9:00 π.μ. - 11:00 π.μ. ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ Παρασκευή 1: Περιτομή του Κυρίου, Αγίου Βασιλείου, Δοξολογία για την Αρχή Νέου Έτους Κυριακή 3: Κυριακή προ των Φώτων Αποστ. Β Τιμ. 4:5-8 Ευαγ. Μαρκ. 1:1-8 Τρίτη 5: Παραμονή Θεοφανείων Βασιλικαί Ώραι Θεοφανείων 9:00 π.μ. Εσπερινός μετά της Θ. Λειτουργία Μεγ. Βασιλείου 11:00 π.μ. Αγιασμός των Υδάτων 12:30 μ.μ. Τετάρτη 6: Η Βάπτισις του Χριστού (Τα Αγία Θεοφάνεια) Όρθρος 9 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:15 π.μ. Μέγας Αγιασμός των Υδάτων 11:45 π.μ. Πέμπτη 7: Αγίου Ιωάννου του Βαπτιστού Κυριακή 10: Κυριακή μετά τα Φώτα Αποστ. Εφεσ. 4:7-13 Ευαγ. Ματθαίου 4:12-17 Πομπή στο Ποταμό Raritan, Κατάδυσις του Τιμίου Σταυρού και Αγιασμός του Ποταμού Κυριακή 17: Αγίου Αντωνίου του Μεγάλου Αποστ. Εβρ. 13:7-21 Ευαγ. Λουκά 19:1-10 Δευτέρα 18: Αγίων Αθανασίου και Κυρίλλου Πατριαρχών Αλεξανδρείας Κυριακή 24: Τελώνου και Φαρισαίου Αρχή Τριωδίου Αποστ. Β Τιμ. 3:10-15 Ευαγ. Λουκά 18:10:14 Δευτέρα 25: Αγίου Γρηγορίου του Θεολόγου Σάββατο 30: Των Τριών Ιεραρχών Κυριακή 31: Του Ασώτου Υιού Αγίων Κύρου και Ιωάννου των Αναργύρων Αποστ. Ι Κορ. 6:12-1 Ευαγ. Λουκά 15:11:32 ΦΕΒΡΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ Τρίτη 2: Η Υπαπαντή του Κυρίου Σάββατο 6: Α Ψυχοσάββατο Κυριακή 7: Κυριακή της Αποκρέω Αποστ. Ι Κορ.8:8-13;9:1-2 Ευαγ. Ματθ. 25:31-46 Σάββατο 6: Β Ψυχοσάββατο Κυριακή 14: Κυριακή της Τυρινής Αποστ. Ρωμ.. 13:11-14:1-4 Ευαγ. Ματθαίου 6:14-21 Δευτέρα 15: Καθαρά Δευτέρα Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6μ.μ. Τετάρτη 17: Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία Παρασκευή 19: Α Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7 μ.μ. Σάββατο 20: Γ Ψυχοσάββατο Άγιου Θεοδώρου Κυριακή 21: Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας Λιτανεία Αγίων Εικόνων Αποστ. Εβρ. 11:24-26,32-40 Ευαγ. Ιωάννου 1:43-51 Δευτέρα 22: Μέγα Απόδειπνο 6μ.μ. Τετάρτη 24: Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία Παρασκευή 26: Β Χαιρετισμοί της Θεοτόκου 7 μ.μ. Κυριακή 28: Αγίου Γρηγορίου του Παλαμά Αποστ. Εβρ. 1:10-14; 2:1-3 Ευαγ. Μαρκ. 2:1:12

4 January/February 2010 Page 4 Always hoping for something better, always trying to succeed in God s path. Always trying to prosper in our personal life and always giving our best to our families and children. Always offering our best to our friends, and always doing our best for our society and community. As we start this New Year, we know that times are difficult and we should support each other. We are all aware that time flies very fast. The New Year is the time for resolution, for programming our life in every aspect. Especially, it is time to look into our spiritual life with Christ, by doing something good; something profitable to our soul that will lead us to goodness and peace. Our soul does not age, only our body ages. Our soul is the most beautiful, fullest fountain. Our existence is the greatest mystery. The Truth, the Good and the Beautiful must be the contents of our soul, so the path of our life will always be straight and even. The New Year is also the time to give thanks to the Lord for what we have and what we have achieved, to request His continuous benediction upon us and our families, granting health and prosperity in our life and to continue to respect God (Theosevia), which will bring real happiness and make us worthy to have a Happy New Year! With these thoughts I wish you, my beloved Parishioners, a Happy New Year 2010, blessed by God our Father, with health and prosperity in your life. Please continue your love and support of our historic Community. May our Patron Saint George also bless us all richly during this new decade that we start with the year 2010! God Bless us all! With love in Christ, The Pastor Very Rev. Alexander Kile Happy New Year!!! In our society, it s a time to start anew and make resolutions. Here s some wisdom of the Saints to guide you I have often repented for speaking, but I have never repented for keeping silent. Abba Arsenios Do not hate evils in others when they exist in yourself. Rather show hatred for the evils in yourself. Saint John the Solitary Expect nothing. Be thankful for everything. Archimandrite Sophrony Did you know??? It wasn t always a New Year on January 1 The new year has in the past begun at many different times. The ancient Egyptians began the year on September 21; the ancient Greeks, on December 21; and March 25 was the usual New Year s Day among Christians during the medieval days. The Gregorian calendar, which was introduced in 1582, put January 1 in the position of New Year s Day, and it was immediately accepted by Germany and Denmark, by Sweden about 1700, and by England in No matter when the new year began, it was a time to forget the past year and look forward to the coming year and plan for the future. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DANCE RAFFLE WINNERS 1 ST Prize Peter Litos 2 nd Prize Nicholas Emanuel 3 rd Prize Ozark Environmental Thank you to all who purchased tickets to support the St. George Community.

5 The Voice of St. George Page 5 Μήνυμα του Ιερατικώς Προϊσταμένου Αγαπητοί Πάροικοι, Πέρασε λοιπόν κι αυτός ο χρόνος, ακολούθησε κι αυτός τους χρόνους που επέρασαν και απετέλεσαν τον απύθμενο ωκεανό του παρελθόντος, ο καθένας στολισμένος με γεγονότα που έγραψαν την παγκόσμια ιστορία, την τοπική ιστορία, και την οικογενειακή και προσωπική ιστορία μας. Στις ευχές που στέλνουμε ο ένας στον άλλον ευχόμαστε «ευτυχές και αίσιον το Νέο Έτος.» Αυτό το ωραίο έθιμο μαρτυρεί πόσο ευαίσθητη είναι η ανθρώπινη ψυχή εις το συναίσθημα της ευτυχίας και πόσο κοινός είναι ο πόθος αυτός. Όλοι τα μεσάνυχτα ευχόμαστε «Καλή Χρονιά και Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Έτος.» Πολλοί μαζεύονται στο Times Square της Νέας Υόρκης, άλλοι παρακολουθούν και εορτάζουν στα σπίτια τους την έλευση του Νέου Έτους και όλοι εύχονται ευτυχία, χαρά και προκοπή. Ο Ιερός Άμβων, λίγες ώρες μετά τον εορτασμό της Πρωτοχρονιάς, θα μας εκφωνήσει μερικές αλήθειες αλάθητες, σαν πρωτοχρονιάτικο δώρο στους καλούς μας χριστιανούς. Η πρώτη αλήθεια είναι ότι η διάρκεια της ζωής μας είναι πολύ μικρή. Όλοι γνωρίζουμε, χωρίς έκπληξη, ότι η αλήθεια αυτή είναι πολύ κοινή αλλά και σπουδαία. Η ζωή μας δεν έχει μόνον πολύ μικρή διάρκεια αλλά και αβέβαιη διάρκεια. Κάθε άνθρωπος που έρχεται στον κόσμον διατρέχει έναν δρόμον του οποίου το μάκρος είναι άγνωστον. Καταλαβαίνει μόνο ότι ο δρόμος που διατρέχει άλλοτε μεν είναι ανηφορικός άλλοτε κατηφορικός και κάποτε ίσιος, αλλά δεν γνωρίζει που έχει τέρμα. Η ταχύτης με την οποίαν περνά ο χρόνος είναι επίσης σχετική. Τα μικρά παιδιά λ.χ. ανυπομονούν πότε θα γίνουν μεγάλοι και νομίζουν ότι ο δείκτης της ζωής περνά πολύ σιγά, ενώ οι μεγάλοι αντιθέτως λυπούνται διότι αισθάνονται ότι πολύ γρήγορα πέρασε ο χρόνος της ζωής. Ο απόστολος Ιάκωβος λέει: «ατμός όστις φαίνεται προς ολίγον, και έπειτα αφανίζεται» (Καθ. Επιστ. 4:14) παρομοιάζοντας την ζωή με καπνό. Έχοντας υπ όψιν όλα αυτά, μπαίνουμε σ έναν καινούργιον χρόνον, σε μία δύσκολη περίοδο παγκοσμίως, με αισιοδοξία ως χριστιανοί με πνεύμα αγάπης, με θέληση, με πνεύμα δημιουργικότητος και ευθύνης ελπίζοντες πάντα στο καλύτερο. Προσφέροντας το καλύτερο στις οικογένειες μας, στα παιδιά μας, στους φίλους, στην κοινωνία και στην Εκκλησία μας. Οι καιροί είναι δύσκολοι και πρέπει ο ένας τον άλλον να υποστηρίζει. Καταλαβαίνουμε όλοι ότι ο χρόνος πετά. Η Πρωτοχρονιά είναι καιρός συλλογισμού, είναι καιρός να σκεφτούμε εάν έχουμε κάτι καλό να κάνομε ή κάτι υψηλόν να εκπληρώσουμε ή ένα άγιο εργο να επιτελέσουμε. Τότε ίσως να βρούμε γαλήνη. Η ψυχή μας δεν γερνάει, το σώμα μας γερνάει. Η ψυχή μας είναι ο ωραιότερος και ορμητικότερος πίδαξ. Η ύπαρξις μας είναι το συναρπαστικότερον μυστήριον. Πρέπει αληθινά το αγαθόν και το ωραίον να είναι ίσα. Είναι επίσης καιρός να ευχαριστήσουμε τον Θεό γι αυτά που έχουμε και να ζητήσουμε το έλεος Του, να συνεχίζει να μας ευλογεί και να μας χαρίζει υγεία και προκοπή βίου και να τηρήσει επάνω μας και στα παιδιά μας την θεοσέβεια που θα μας φέρει την αληθινή ευτυχία που ευχόμαστε ο ένας στον άλλον την πρωτοχρονιά. Μ αυτάς τας σκέψεις εύχομαι σ όλα τα μέλη της αγαπητής κοινότητας, το 2010 να είναι ευλογημένο παρά Θεού με υγεία και προκοπή βίου σ όλους. Συνεχίστε την αγάπη σας και την υποστήριξη σας προς την κοινότητά μας και ο Άγιος Γεώργιος να ευλογεί πλουσιοπάροχα όλους εμάς. Μετά πατρικής αγάπης Αλέξανδρος Κιλέ.

6 January/February 2010 Page 6 President s Message Dear Parishioners: As most of you have noticed, we have finally paved our parking lot. This was a major and very expensive undertaking. Luckily, we found Tarheel Enterprises, Inc. a company that is owned by the Chrysanthopoulos brothers, who were born and raised in our community, to undertake this project. The three men, George, Alex and Mike are the sons of Tony and Vasso Chrysanthopoulos who are long time parishioners of St. George. Words cannot express the gratitude that I have for these men. Their company normally doesn t get involved in doing small jobs such as parking lots; they usually only work on the Turnpike and other interstate roads, but when I spoke to George and asked him to help our church, he checked with his two brothers and they graciously agreed to help us out. I shook George s hand, and that was it! No lawyers and no contract. When I asked George what it was going to cost us, he told me the price would be right, and I trusted him. In the end, the price turned out not only to be right but very right! Tarheel only charged us what they paid for the blacktop; they donated everything else! Tarheel not only paved our church parking lot, but they also graded and paved the three houses that we own on Riverview Avenue, they installed new concrete sidewalks on the side and the rear of the church and they installed Belgian block curbing adjacent to the school building. This contribution, which is over $80,000, is to the best of my knowledge, the largest contribution that anyone has ever given to our church; BRAVO! With the expanded parking that we now have in the church lot, and the parking area that is now available at the three homes, our parking needs for the immediate future have been solved. I would also be remiss if I did not acknowledge the efforts of Nick Kambitsis and Mike Dimitrakis, both of whom contributed a great deal in the parking lot project. Nick was very instrumental in dealing with the Township in gaining the necessary approvals. Mike and his ARCO Construction Co. also contributed much time and effort in performing the required site work at the Church and the three Riverview Avenue homes. It is truly a blessing that we have parishioners such as these individuals who help continue our mission of maintaining our Church. May St. George bless them and their families and grant them health and prosperity. This Church is our home; we must all contribute our part to keep it going. Whatever each parishioner can contribute in his own way, big or small, is greatly appreciated. The fifteen members of the Board just cannot handle it themselves. This is a big operation! If you don t believe it, just volunteer to serve on the Board and you ll see what I m talking about. One last bit of information I would like to present to you. We are soon going to install a new faux terra cotta roof on the church. This roof will not only last for your lifetime, but will also last for the life of your children and grandchildren. During this festive holiday season, we all go out and buy gifts for our family. I have one personal request to make of you: For this holiday season, how about giving a gift to your Church? If we each contribute just $125, the roof will be paid for. I promise you that we will not ask you, your children or your grandchildren to make another contribution in their lifetime in order to replace the Church roof. How s that for a deal? Come on, we can all afford to give our Church a Christmas present this year, can t we? In closing, I would like to extend my very best wishes to our Archdiocese, our Metropolis, our priest, all of our fraternal and Church affiliated organizations, and last but not least, to our faithful parishioners. I wish all of you a very Merry CHRISTmas and a joyous and HEALTHY Let s all come to St. George to pray in peace and harmony, just like one big happy family. We welcome all of you with open arms. I love you ALL, E. Manioudakis President United We Stand Αγαπήσωμεν Αλλήλους

7 The September Voice of 2008 St. George Page 7 Μήνυμα του Προέδρου Αγαπητοί ενορίτες, Όπως οι περισσότεροι από εσάς έχετε παρατηρήσει, επιτέλους επιστρώσαμε το πάρκινγκ μας. Αυτό ήταν μία σημαντική και πολύ ακριβή αποστολή. Ευτυχώς, βρήκαμε την επιχείρηση Τarheel Inc, μια εταιρεία που ανήκει στους αδελφούς Χρυσανθόπουλου, που γεννήθηκαν και μεγάλωσαν στην κοινότητά μας, για να αναλάβει αυτό το έργο. Τα τρία παιδιά, ο Γιώργος, ο Άλεξ και ο Μάικ είναι οι γιοι του Αντώνη και της Βάσως Χρυσανθόπουλου οι οποίοι είναι από χρόνια ενορίτες του Αγίου Γεωργίου. Δεν υπάρχουν λέξεις που μπορούν να εκφράσουν την ευγνωμοσύνη που έχω για αυτά τα άτομα. Η Επιχείρησή τους κανονικά δεν αναλαμβάνει μικρές εργασίες, όπως χώροι στάθμευσης, συνήθως κάνουν μόνο εργασίες για μεγάλους αυτοκινητόδρομους και άλλους διακρατικούς δρόμους, αλλά όταν μίλησα με τον Γιώργο και του ζήτησα να βοηθήσει την εκκλησία μας, το έλεγξε με τα αδέλφια του και συμφώνησαν να μας βοηθήσουν. Έσφιξα τότε χέρι του Γιώργου, και συμφωνήσαμε! Κανένας δικηγόρος και καμία σύμβαση. Όταν ρώτησα το Γιώργο τι επρόκειτο να μας κοστίσει, μου είπε η τιμή "θα είναι σωστή," και τον εμπιστεύτηκα. Στο τέλος, η τιμή αποδείχθηκε ότι όχι μόνο δεν είναι "σωστή" αλλά "πολύ σωστή!" Η εταιρεία Tarheel μας χρέωσε μόνο ότι πλήρωσε για την πίσσα, δώρισε όλα τα άλλα! Η εταιρεία Tarheel δεν επίστρωσε μόνο το πάρκινγκ της εκκλησία μας, αλλά επίσης ισοπέδωσε και επίστρωσε τον ιδιωτικό δρόμο στα τρία σπίτια που έχουμε στη λεωφόρο Riverview, τοποθέτησε νέα πεζοδρόμια με σκυρόδεμα στο πλάι και πίσω από την εκκλησία και τοποθέτησε κράσπεδο με βελγική πέτρα δίπλα στο σχολικό κτίριο. Αυτή η προσφορά η οποία είναι περισσότερο από $80.000, απ ότι γνωρίζω, είναι η μεγαλύτερη προσφορά που κάποιος έχει ποτέ προσφέρει στην εκκλησία μας ΜΠΡΑΒΟ! Με τον επεκτεινόμενο χώρο στάθμευσης που έχουμε τώρα στο πάρκινγκ της εκκλησίας, και το χώρο στάθμευσης που είναι διαθέσιμος στα τρία σπίτια, οι ανάγκες μας για πάρκινγκ για το άμεσο μέλλον έχει επιλυθεί. Θα ήμουν ασυνεπής αν δεν αναγνώριζα τις προσπάθειες του Νίκου Καμπίτση και του Μάικ Δημητράκη, οι δύο εκ των οποίων συνέβαλαν πολύ στο έργο του πάρκινγκ. Ο Νίκος έπαιξε αποφασιστικό ρόλο όσον αφορά την απόκτηση των απαραιτήτων εγκρίσεων από το Δήμο. Επίσης ο Μάικ και η εταιρεία του ARCO συνέβαλε μεγάλη προσπάθεια και χρόνο στην εκτέλεση της απαραίτητης εργασίας στο χώρο της Εκκλησίας και στα τρία σπίτια στη λεωφόρο Riverview. Είναι πραγματικά ευλογία που έχουμε τέτοιους ενορίτες όπως αυτούς, που βοηθούν να συνεχίσουμε την αποστολή μας για τη διατήρηση της Εκκλησίας μας. Ευχόμαστε ο Άγιος Γεώργιος να τους ευλογεί και τις οικογένειές τους και να τους δίνει υγεία και προκοπή. Η Εκκλησία αυτή είναι το σπίτι μας, πρέπει όλοι να προσφέρουμε το μέρος μας για να το διατηρήσουμε. Πολύ εκτιμάται οτιδήποτε μπορεί ο κάθε ενορίτης να συμβάλει με τον δικό του τρόπο, μεγάλο ή μικρό. Τα δεκαπέντε μέλη του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου δεν μπορούν να την χειριστούν οι ίδιοι. Αυτή είναι μια μεγάλη επιχείρηση! Αν δεν το πιστεύετε, απλώς εθελοντικά ελάτε να υπηρετήσετε στο Διοικητικό Συμβούλιο και θα δείτε γιατί μιλώ. Θα ήθελα να σας παρουσιάσω ένα τελευταίο μέρος των πληροφοριών. Πρόκειται σύντομα να εγκαταστήσουμε μια νέα στέγη faux κεραμίδια στην Εκκλησία. Αυτή η οροφή δεν θα διαρκέσει μόνο για τη διάρκεια ζωής σας, αλλά θα διαρκέσει και για τη ζωή των παιδιών και των εγγονών σας. Κατά τη διάρκεια αυτής εορταστικής περιόδου, όλοι βγαίνουμε να αγοράσουμε δώρα για την οικογένειά μας. Έχω μία προσωπική παράκληση από εσάς: Σ αυτή την εορταστική περίοδο, τι θα λέγατε να δίνατε ένα δώρο στην Εκκλησία σας; Αν ο καθένας μας συμβάλλει μόνο $125, η οροφή θα πληρωθεί. Υπόσχομαι ότι δεν θα ζητήσουμε από σας, τα παιδιά σας ή τα εγγόνια σας να κάνουν καμία άλλη συνεισφορά σε όλη τους την ζωή, για την αντικατάσταση της στέγης της Εκκλησίας. Πώς σας αρέσει αυτή συμφωνία; Ελάτε τώρα δεν μπορούμε; Όλοι μας έχουμε την οικονομική δυνατότητα να δώσουμε φέτος στην Εκκλησία μας ένα πρωτοχρονιάτικο δώρο. Κλείνοντας, θα ήθελα να επεκτείνω τις καλύτερες ευχές μου στην Αρχιεπισκοπή μας, στην Μητρόπολη μας, στον Ιερέα μας, όλες τις αδελφότητες και Εκκλησιαστικές οργανώσεις και τελευταίους αλλ εξ ίσου σημαντικούς τους πιστούς ενορίτες μας. Εύχομαι σε όλους σας Χαρούμενα Χριστούγεννα και ένα χαρμόσυνο και υγιές Ελάτε όλοι στον Άγιο Γεώργιο να προσευχηθούμε εν ειρήνη και αρμονία, σαν μια μεγάλη ευτυχισμένη οικογένεια. Σας καλωσορίζουμε όλους με ανοικτές αγκάλες. Σας αγαπώ ΟΛΟΥΣ, Μ. Μανιουδάκης Πρόεδρος Ενωμένοι επιβιώνουμε Αγαπήσωμεν Αλλήλους

8 January/February 2010 Page 8 Ladies Philoptochos Society - St. Barbara With this first article of the New Year, The Ladies Philoptochos Society St. Barbara wishes all our parishioners a very happy and healthy new year filled with all of God s Blessings! It was a busy and outstanding ending of year 2009, for the Philoptochos ladies! We met our many National Philoptochos obligations, completed the sewing and distribution of the baby blankets and baby smocks, prepared and mailed the Community Christmas Card, baked and sold pans of baklava, kourampiedes, sold Christmas Bread and Vasilopites, celebrated our St. Barbara s holiday with an artoklasia and our annual St. Barbara Luncheon ; visited the shut-ins of our community for both the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, continued the monthly cooking for the homeless and crocheting afghans for the Warming of America, delivered boxes of Christmas cookies to the children of Amanda Crossing (a home in Middlesex County for homeless mothers and their children), knitted hats, mittens, and scarves for the children at St. Basil Academy, fulfilled our National Literacy Obligation by donating over 100 books to United Way Somerset County and The Ronald McDonald House, and, in addition, donated linens, etc. to the Ronald McDonald House, assisted monetarily to four (4) Food Banks in the area, provided much needed assistance through the Needy Cases Fund, and participated and made donations to numerous St. George activities. Congratulations to all the chairladies of these many activities and all those who assisted for they did an outstanding job! We continue our busy schedule as we begin the year Our Vasilopita will take place on Jan. 3, 2010 with special guests representing St. Basil Academy. On January 31, our Membership Brunch will be held in the AHEPA Hall. This is an opportunity for the ladies who are not yet members to learn about the Philoptochos and become members. On February 21 (Orthodoxy Sunday) a Memorial Service for our deceased members will take place. On that same day, February 21, our Lenten Luncheon will also take place. The entire community is invited to this Lenten Luncheon immediately after the Divine Liturgy. The donations from the Lenten Luncheon will benefit Hellenic College/ Holy Cross. Our next 2 meetings will take place on January 23 and February 27. We encourage all our members to check their calendars for the dates of our monthly meetings and to attend all our meetings. Also, let s start the new year right by paying our dues! V A S I L O P I T A C E L E B R A T I O N J A N U A R Y 3, 2010 The annual cutting of the Vasilopita will take place on Sunday, January 3, 2010, in the AHEPA Hall immediately after the Divine Liturgy. Let us all attend this traditional event as one family and give our annual donation for the children of St. Basil s Academy! You may also mail your donation by making your check payable to Ladies Philoptochos Society and mailing it to: Ladies Philoptochos Society--Vasilopita 1101 River Road Piscataway, NJ *********************************** You are invited to attend the LENTEN LUNCHEON Sunday, February 21, 2010 After the Divine Liturgy in the AHEPA Hall

9 The Voice of St. George Page 9 HOUSE BLESSINGS FOR EPIPHANY 2010 As you all already know, it is tradition in the Greek Orthodox faith to have your home blessed in the beginning of the year. It is also a nice opportunity to get the family together and participate in a vital part of our Christian Faith. In order to facilitate this, the church office will be mailing cards to all parishioners informing them of when the priest will be in your area. Below you will find a tentative schedule. We hope that you make this beautiful tradition a part of your family s life. ΑΓΙΑΣΜΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΣΠΙΤΙΩΝ Όπως όλοι ξέρετε, η Ελληνορθόδοξη πίστη μας επιβάλει να αγιάζονται τα σπίτια μας την αρχή κάθε χρόνου. Είναι επίσης, μία όμορφη ευκαιρία να συγκεντρώσουμε την οικογένειά μας και να ζήσουμε από κοντά ένα κομμάτι της Χριστιανικής μας Πίστης. Με σκοπό να οργανώσει τους Αγιασμούς όσο γίνεται καλύτερα, το γραφείο της εκκλησίας μας θα στείλει κάρτες που γνωστοποιούν στους ενορίτες μας πότε θα είναι ο ιερέας στην περιοχή σας. Παρακάτω θα βρείτε το προκαταρκτικό πρόγραμμα. Ελπίζουμε κανείς να μην χάσει την όμορφη αυτή ευκαιρία και ευχόμαστε ο ετήσιος Αγιασμός να γίνει μέρος της ζωής κάθε Χριστιανικής οικογένειας. JANUARY Tuesday, 05 Businesses Wednesday, 06 Businesses Thursday, 07 New Brunswick (3-5) Friday, 08 Piscataway (3-5), Edison (6-8) Saturday, 09 Highland Park (1-6) Monday, 11 East Brunswick (11-1), Spotswood, Helmetta (5-7) Tuesday, 12 North Edison (4-6:30), Metuchen (6:30-7:30) Wednesday, 13 North Brunswick (4-8) Friday, 15 Manville (11-1), Bridgewater/Raritan (2-6) Saturday, 16 South River (3-7) Monday, 18 Bedminster, Bernardsville, Basking Ridge (12-2) Tuesday, 19 Kendall Park, Princeton, Franklin Park (3-7) Wednesday, 20 Somerset (2-6) Friday, 22 Dayton, Monmouth Junction (4-7) Saturday, 23 Bound Brook, Green Brook, Dunellen, Middlesex (3-7) Sunday, 24 Whitehouse Station, Lebanon, Branchburg (4-6) Monday, 25 Belle Mead, Hillsborough, Skillman (4-8) Tuesday, 26 North Plainfield, South Plainfield, Scotch Plains (4-7) Wednesday, 27 Manalapan, Englishtown (4-7) Thursday, 28 Somerville, Martinsville (12-5) Saturday, 30 Warren, Clinton, Flemington, Ringoes (2-7) Sunday, 31 Old Bridge, Parlin, Sayreville (4-7) FEBRUARY Monday, 1 Jamesburg, Monroe, Cranbury, Plainsboro (3-7) Tuesday, 2 Woodbridge, Fords, Iselin (5-7) If your town is not listed above please call the church office at or Father Alex at to make arrangements to have your home blessed. God Bless You!

10 January/February 2010 Page 10 Sunday School News 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 that your New Year will be filled with hope, joy and love. On behalf of Father Alex, the teachers and staff, we would like to thank our community for the support and trust you have placed with us in providing an Orthodox Christian foundation of faith and values to our children. Our Religious Education program is proceeding for the ecclesiastical year with vigor and enthusiasm. As mentioned in our last edition, we have revised the curriculum of some classes to further enrich the children s religious education; we have revamped Teen Rap and we have held three religious seminars for our students, teachers and parents by prominent educators and theologians. Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis, Ph.D., a recent Curriculum Coordinator of the Dept. of Religious Education at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, presented an outstanding seminar on the topic "Christ as Teacher to our Sunday School staff on the 5 th of November. Teen Rap and Grades 7-9 also had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Tsigas- Fotinis who presented an exceptional seminar on the topic R.U Ready? George S. Gabriel, Ph.D., a distinguished Greek American Theologian, presented a religious seminar Understanding the Lord s Prayer on Friday, December 4th to parents and Sunday School staff. Our Fourth Grade class held a very successful Food Drive for the Thanksgiving holiday. All collected food was given to the Piscataway FISH Hospitality program that serves homeless women and families within our community. Our annual Christmas Pageant was once again a great success and we thank the many participants for all their efforts. We are aware that we live in a secular society where our church serves as the only place we can obtain knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ and our Christian faith. We truly would like to encourage all parents to bring your children to us each Sunday. Each lesson of a given week builds on that of the preceding week, and thus the importance of your children s presence must be noted. Lastly, when passing by our bulletin board on the 1 st floor, please look at the display of our students original works. Each month we exhibit the works of a different grade on a theme appropriate for that month. We are very proud of our religious education program and of the many committed volunteers for their efforts, dedication and perseverance. May God Bless, St. George Religious Education Staff Dear Fellow Parishioners, Thank you for all of your help and words of encouragement during my re-election campaign. It was so comforting to have such wonderful support from all of you. Please always remember how much I appreciate all you did to help me to victory. I also want you to know that you can contact me anytime if I can ever be of assistance to you or your family. Best wishes for a healthy New Year.

11 The Voice of St. George Page 11 Parent Teacher Organization - PTO The Saint George P.T.O. Board wishes a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to all parishioners of St. George. In November, the PTO kicked off the year with our annual Bake Sale. In December we celebrated the Christmas Holiday with our Communion Breakfast and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. We would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You to all who contributed to both of these events by baking and/or buying desserts and donating food. It is through your support and contributions that the P.T.O. can offer our children events to celebrate our heritage and culture. We also hope that everyone who went to see A Christmas Carol at The McCarter Theater enjoyed the show. We start the New Year with a luncheon on Sunday, January 24 th, to celebrate and honor Three Hierarchs Day. On this day, we are also afforded the opportunity to wholeheartedly Thank all of our Greek and Sunday School teachers. We are asking everyone and all the families of our parish who partake in both the Greek School and Sunday School programs to honor our teachers by attending this very special event. Please call Evie Georgopoulos at or send an to the official St. George P.T.O. address sgpto@optonline.net for more information and reservations. The donation is only $10 per adult and free for children and youth under 18 years old. We hope to see you at the annual Apokreatiko Glendi on February 7 th, where we celebrate this holiday together as one family at St. George. This is our biggest fundraising event and we hope that you can join us for this wonderful dinner dance. Fliers and more information will be distributed at church and sent home with students. Mark your calendars so you will not miss this wonderful evening! On Sunday, February 28 th, the PTO will celebrate Godparents Day. Come to church with your Godparent or Godchild and enjoy a day dedicated to this blessed bond. On this day, we will be selling lambades and corsages. Check the PTO board in the church hallway for more information. Upcoming 2010 PTO Calendar Events: January 21 st : Monthly PTO meeting at 5:00 pm January 24 th : Three Hierarchs/Artoklasia and Luncheon February 7 th : Apokreatiko Glendi February 18 th : Monthly PTO meeting at 5:00 pm February 28 th : Godparents Day March 18 th : Monthly PTO meeting at 5:00 pm St. George Parent Teacher Organization Board Officers: Athinoulla Bizos, President Helen Sirimis, Vice President Nicki Makrelis, Secretary Kathy Catanzaro, Treasurer

12 January/February 2010 Page 12 Greek Orthodox Youth Association - G. O. Y. A. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas season. The GOYA has been keeping very busy. In the month of November, we participated in a variety of events. Early in the month our GOYA attended the Bowling Tournament in Fairview. We also had a successful Gyro sale. In the middle of the month we visited the Holy Cross Seminary in Boston for three days where we toured the Holy Cross College, had religious discussion sessions with a few of the seminarians, and enjoyed the city of Boston. On the 21 st we hosted our 7 th annual Greek Night and raised a total of $16,000 for the Smile Train, a non-profit organization helping children in third world countries with cleft lips and palates. This is enough money for 66 kids to receive free surgeries in developing countries! The entertainment was generously donated by the band Apollonia (apolloniaband.com), featuring George Manioudakis on the clarinet, DJ Tommy Karas, and the Hellenic Dancers of NJ (hellenicdancersofnj.org). Thank you to everyone who donated their time, money, and talent to make this such a successful event! Important Dates! 1/17 - Gyro Sale 1/30 - Sr Volleyball and Basketball Playoffs 2/5 - Valentine Dance 2/7 - Sights Due & St. George s Apokreatiko Glendi 2/28 St. George Community Sights & Sounds Program In early December we had a religious retreat with Father Alex. Then on December 12 th, we participated in the Bridges Outreach Program where we donated and delivered items to the homeless (bridgesoutreach.net). In December, we also visited St. Michael s Senior Citizen home in Yonkers, New York where the residents enjoyed our caroling and traditional Greek dancing. After spending time with the elderly, then the Goyan s went out to dinner in Astoria. On December 28 th, we had over 40 of our youth participate in the Christmas Dance held in Union. Sights and Sounds practices have begun! Please see any advisor or visit our web page for practice dates. All literature will be due at the first meeting of the New Year. Look for our Gyro sale on January 17 th and the Senior Basketball and Volleyball playoffs on January 30 th. Holmdel will be hosting a Valentines dance on February 5 th. All Sights are due on February 7 th. The Apokreatiko Glendi is the same day. The Sights and Sounds show for our community will be on the 28 th of February. For more information, or to see the full calendar of events, please visit our web page at The youth would like to extend their appreciation to the parishioners who have generously donated towards project Mexico. We wish everyone a happy healthy New Year! Respectfully submitted, Maria Exarchakis Historian The GOYA during December s Holy Cross/Boston trip.

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