Message from Father Demetri

Transcript

1 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Norwich The Trinity Tribune June 2017 Edition Message from Father Demetri My Beloved family, This month we will celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world, the completion of Jesus promise, and the fulfilment of the hope of the sacred disciples. Pentecost is the final feast of the great mystery and dispensation of God's incarnation. On Pentecost, the unlearned fishermen who were Jesus Apostles, were made wise by the Holy Spirit. They spoke clearly and with divine authority on the truths of the Lord. They were ordained and began their apostleship, becoming heralds of the truth and teachers of the whole world. Saint Cyril of Alexandria says that "Our Lord Jesus Christ herein ordained the instructors and teachers of the world and the stewards of His divine Mysteries... showing together with the dignity of Apostleship, the incomparable glory of the authority given them... Revealing them to be splendid with the great dignity of the Apostleship and showing them forth as both stewards and priests of the divine altars... they became fit to initiate others through the enlightening guidance of the Holy Spirit" (PG 74, ). Furthermore, we are taught by St Gregory Palamas that the distributed grace of the Divine Spirit came through the ordination of the Apostles upon their successors" We also understand the Apostles to be High Priests, as indicated by St Sophronios of Jerusalem and St. John Chrysostom. Also we learn that on this day commenced the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by which we become "partakers of the Divine Nature" (II Peter 1:4). If we examine the book of Acts; before Pentecost, it says that the Apostles and disciples only abode in "prayer and supplication" (Acts 1:14); it is only after the coming of the Holy Spirit that they persevered in the "breaking of bread," that is, the communion of the Holy Mysteries-"and in prayer" (Acts 2:42). As we celebrate the great Feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the Apostolic Succession of our Church. We celebrate the priesthood of grace and with that the Apostles proclaimed the good tidings "in country and town," preaching and baptizing and appointing shepherds, imparting the priesthood to them whom they judged were worthy to minister, as Saint Clement writes in his first Epistle to the Corinthians (I Cor. 42). I pray we all open our hearts to the All-Holy Spirit, in order for those proclamations of God s love to be made firm within us and that we may also have the courage to go forth in the world and proclaim the Gospel of our Lord. With love in the Risen Christ, Fr Demetrios Αγαπητή μου οικογένεια, Αυτόν τον μήνα γιορτάζουμε τον ερχομό του Αγίου Πνεύματος στον κόσμο, την ολοκλήρωση της υπόσχεσης του Χριστού και την εκπλήρωση της ελπίδας των ιερών μαθητών. Η Πεντηκοστή ειναι η τελευταια γιορτή του φοβερού μυστηρίου και διανομής της ενσαρκωσης του Θεου. Την Πεντηκοστή, οι αμαθής ψαράδες που γίνανε οι Απόστολοι του Χριστού, εγιναν σοφοί μεσω την επιφοίτηση του Άγιου Πνεύματος. Μιλαγανε καθαρά και με θεϊκή εξουσια για την αλήθεια του Κυρίου. Χειροτονηθηκαν και άρχισαν την Αποστολή τους, έγιναν κήρυκες της αλήθειας και δάσκαλοι του κόσμου. Ο Άγιος Κυριλλος Αλεξανδρείας είπε: ο Κύριος μας Ιησούς Χριστός, χειροτονησε τους εκπαιδευτές, τους δάσκαλους και τους διευθυντές του κόσμου στα Θεϊκά Μυστήρια και ταυτόχρονα τους έδειξε και την τιμιότητα του να εισαι Απόστολος, την ασύγκριτη δόξα της εξουσίας αυτής που έχει κανείς όταν ειναι παπάς του ιερού βωμού. Με αυτο το χάρισμα μπόρεσαν να μυήσουν και άλλους υπό την οδηγία του Αγίου Πνεύματος. κεφάλαιο 74, Ο Άγιος Γρηγόριος ο Παλαμας μας δίδαξε οτι η κατανεμημένη χάρη του Αγίου Πνεύματος κατέφθασε μέσω την χειροτόνηση των Αποστόλων προς τους διαδόχους τους. Οι Αποστολοι ειναι και Ανώτεροι Ιερείς κατα τα λεγόμενα του Αγίου Σόφρων της Ιερουσαλήμ και τον Αγιο Ιωάννη τον Χρυσοστομο. Παρεπιπτόντως, μαθαίνουμε πως αυτή ήταν η πρώτη μέρα που καθιερώθηκε η γιορτή της Θείας Ευχαριστιας όπου γινόμαστε συμμετέχοντες της Θειας Φύσης (ίνα δια τούτων γένησθε θείας κοινωνοί φύσεως- Β. Επιστολή Πέτρου 1.4). Άμα διαβάσετε τις Πράξεις των Αποστόλων, πριν την Πεντηκοστή, λέει οτι οι Αποστολοι και μαθητές ζούσαν μεσα σε προσευχές και δέηση (ούτοι πάντες ήσαν προσκαρτερουντες ομοθυμαδον τη προσευχή και τη δεήσει-πράξη 1.14). Μόνο κατόπιν τον ερχομό του Αγίου Πνεύματος μετελαμβαναν στο μυστήριο της θείας Ευχαριστιας και προσεύχονταν (Πράξη 2.42). Καθώς γιορτάζουμε την γιορτή της Θείας Ευχαριστιας, γιορτάζουμε την Αποστολική Διαδοχή στην Εκκλησία μας. Γιορτάζουμε την Ιεροσύνης χάριτος που με αυτην οι Αποστολοι διακήρυξαν σε χωριά και πόλεις τα νέα, βαπτίζοντας και χειροτονοντας βοσκούς, δίνοντας τον τίτλο ιεροσύνης σε αυτούς που θεωρούσαν άξιους να οδηγήσουν αλλους στον δρόμο του Χριστού (Αγ. Κλημεντος, Επιστολή Α προς Κορινθιους 42). Προσεύχομαι να ανοίξουμε όλοι μας τις καρδιές μας στο Πανάγιο Πνεύμα, ώστε να θεμελιώσουν καλα μέσα μας οι προκηρύξεις αγάπης του Θεου και να έχουμε το κουράγιο να προωθήσουμε το Ευαγγέλιο του Κυρίου μας σε όλο τον κόσμο. Με αγάπη, Πάτερ Δημήτριος 1

2 June 2017 Edition 1, Ιούνιος, Πέμπτη Απόγευμα Parakelesis 6:00 P.M. Church Services June 1st, Parakelesis 6:00 P.M. 3, Ιούνιος, Σάββατο Πρωί, Ψυχοσάββατον Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτοθργία 8:30πμ 4, Ιούνιος, Κυριακή της Πεντηκοστή Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτοθργία 8:45πμ 5, Ιούνιος, Πρωί, Δευτέρα του Αγίου Πνεύματος Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτοθργία 8:30πμ 11, Ιούνιος, Κυριακή των Αγίων Πάντων Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτοθργία 8:45πμ 18, Δεύτερη Κυριακή του Ματθαίου Ημέρα του πατέρα (Οι απόφοιτοι και οι πατέρες) Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτοθργία 8:45πμ *24, Ιούνιος, Σάββατο Πρωί Γέννηση του Αγίου Ιωάννη του Βαπτιστή Γειτονικές κοινότητες μόνο 25, Ιούνιος, Τρίτη Κυριακή του Ματθαίου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτοθργία 8:45πμ 29, Ιούνιος, Πέμπτη Πρωί, Άγιος Αποστόλων Πέτρου και Παύλου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτοθργία 8:30πμ June 3rd, Saturday of Souls Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:30 am June 4th, Sunday of Penetecost Divine Liturgy, 8:45 am June 5th, Holy Spirit Monday Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:30 am June 11th, Sunday of All Saints Divine Liturgy, 8:45 am June 18th, Second Sunday of Matthew Father s Day (Grads & Dads) Divine Liturgy, 8:45 am *June 24th, Saturday Morning, Nativity of St John the Baptist * Services at Neighboring Communities June 25th, Third Sunday of Matthew Orthros & Divine Liturgy 8:45 am June 29th, Thursday Morning, Apostles Peter & Paul Divine Liturgy, 8:30 am Please Donate to the GOYA Toiletry Drive Last month we were able to make 180 Angel Bags of Toiletries to aid the needy of Norwich. Please donate items such as: Toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, and bar soap. Our goal is to fulfill the monthly need of the community which is 320 Angel Bags. St Basil the Great Hardship Fund We have now helped out our families with this wonderful fund. Please consider this if you are running into small financial difficulties. Examples include: Heat Oil Gas Car insurance Groceries To apply, please contact Fr. Demetrios. To donate to it and to keep helping our brothers and sisters in need (as this will have its own standing balance that can be increased with donations) please specify on the form of payment and contact either Fr. Demetri, Amy Constantinou, or Peter Argiros. **Please note: This fund will not be given in cash. Every attempt will be to pay directly to the source of the bill, then appropriately distributed from there** 2

3 JUNE 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Parakelsis 6:00P.M. Final Bible Study of Year 7pm 2 The Apodosis of Holy Ascension Lecture Series and Dinner 6 pm 3 Saturday of the Souls Divine Liturgy 8:30AM 4 Pentecost Divine Liturgy 8:45AM Fellowship Hour Sponsored by Philoptochos and DOP 11 The Sunday of All Saints Divine Liturgy 8:45AM 5 Monday of the Holy Spirit Divine Liturgy 8:30AM 12 Apostles Fast Begins Today Final JOY/HOPE of Year 2 pm :00 P.M. Open Confession 6:00 Great Vespers Fellowship Hour Sponsored by Parish Council *General Assembly* 18 2nd Sunday of Matthew Dads and Grads Divine Liturgy 8:45AM Fellowship Hour Sponsored by AHEPA Nativity of the Forerunner John the Baptist Philoptochos Tag Sale 10 am 3pm 25 3rd Sunday of Matthew Divine Liturgy 8:45AM Fellowship Hour Sponsor Needed Peter and Paul, the Holy Apostles Divine Liturgy 8:30AM 30 Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles Dairy, Eggs, and Fish Allowed Fish Allowed Strict Fast 3 Wine and Oil

4 June 2017 Edition Presiding Priest Fr. Demetrios Panteloukas (609) Parish Council President: Maria Valkanos (860) Vice President: Peter Argiros Secretary: George Grossomanides Treasurer: Dr. John Grossomanides Anna-Helene Grossomanides Amy Constantinou Eleftherios Mastorakis Stacy Bellas Violette Kostas Zarboutis Hon. Assistant Treasurer Joe Hominski Church Office Volunteers: Managing Volunteer: Anna-Helene Grossomanides Cantors Steve Patsouris John Mastorakis Costas Zarboutis Philoptochos President: Geri Grossomanides St. Nicholas Ministry Gayle Selvidio Connie Farrah Stewardship Committee Chair: Peter Argiros Outreach Committee: Grecian Festival Committee Chair: Maria Valkanos AHEPA President: Peter Argiros Daughters of Penelope President: Anna-Helene Grossomanides Youth Ministries Director: Stacy Violette Co-Director: Kristine Huber GOYA Advisors: Christos Stravroravdis GOYA Officers: President: Jesse Huber Vice-Pres: Noah Violette Secretary: Jamie Violette Treasurer: Joshua Huber Sgt at Arms: Ethan Grabill JOY Advisors: Virginia Argiros Stacy Violette HOPE Advisors: Marianne Ghattas Sunday School: Stacy Violette Kristine Huber Anna-Helene Grossomanides Niki Provatas Altar Group Advisors: Larry Wyland John Grossomanides Anthony Neigel Choir Director: Taso Dionisopoulos Library / Bookstore Ministry: Nellie Rodriguez Kay Booth Web Master Deena Patsouris Heely Paul Heely Please contact us on our new HTGOCNorwich@gmail.com Please share all your photos of our events with us. Please all photos to: trinitynorwichphotos@yahoo.com 4

5 June 2017 Edition Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On May 21 I was standing in the Narthex listening to the Gospel and my thought was, how can I possibly learn everything that our rich faith has to teach me in 52 Sundays a year? Only 52 Sundays at two hours for me to witness my Orthodox faith and confirm my love for Christ. I for one need more than 100 hours a year. It is my daily goal to live my faith. I had a customer at the restaurant tell me "you live your faith" based on our conversation about life and religion. I had to think about her words. I know in my heart I love Christ, but I also know in my heart that I let temptations take over my days. At least I know that for 365 days a year I try my best to be a sister in Christ. I pray you all are able to "live your faith." I pray God's peace and teachings be with all of us, Amen. Maria Parish Council News Αγαπητοί αδελφοί και αδελφές, Στής 21 Μαΐου, στεκόμουν στον Ναρθηκα ακούγοντας το Ευαγγελιο και αναρωτιόμουν πως γίνετε να μαθαίνω όλα αυτά που μπορεί να μου παρέχει η πλουσιότατη θρησκεία μας μέσα σε 52 Κυριακές κάθε χρόνο; Μόνο 52 Κυριακές για 2 ώρες την κάθε φορά για να είμαι μάρτυρας στην Ορθόδοξη πίστη και να επιβεβαιώσω την αγάπη μου για τον Χριστό. Εγώ πάντως έχω πολυ μεγαλυτερη ανάγκη απο 100 ώρες μόνο. Έχω βάλει καθημερινό στόχο να ζω την πίστη μου. Είχα μια πελάτισσα στο εστιατόριο που μου είπε: "Ζήσε την πίστη σου" κατόπιν μιας συζήτησης μας περί ζωής και πίστης. Έπρεπε να εμπεδώσω τα λόγια της. Ξέρω στην καρδιά μου οτι αγαπώ το. Χριστό, αλλα ξέρω επίσης οτι δέχομαι πολλούς πειρασμούς καθημερινώς. Τουλάχιστον ξέρω οτι για 365 μέρες, προσπαθώ να είμαι σωστή απέναντι στον Κύριο. Προσεύχομαι για ολους σας να μπορέσετε να "ζητε την πίστη σας". Σας εύχομαι του Θεού η ειρηνη και τα λόγια να ειναι κοντά μας. Αμήν. Μαρία Βαλκανου Graduation Day is Sunday, June 18th, Please Fr. Demetri at frdemetriosp@gmail.com by June 1st, 2017 to notify him of all those graduating High School and College this year. A Message for Ladies Philoptochos Society AGAPE 3005 Seeking New MEMBERS Please consider joining the Holy Trinity Ladies Philoptochos Society The next Philoptochos Meeting will be held Thursday, June 8th, 2017 at 3:00 P.M. **************************************************************** TAG SALE June 24, 2017 (10AM - 3PM) 5

6 June 2017 Edition Thank you to all the Stewards who have Pledged and Contributed to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church for 2017 Fr. Demetrios & Pres. Tammy Panteloukas Mr. & Mrs. Christos Alevras Mr. & Mrs. Zisis Alevras Mr & Mrs. Fotis Anastasiou Mr. & Mrs. Kosta Anastasiou Mr. & Mrs. Peter Argiros * Mr. & Mrs. Socrates Athanasiadis Mrs. Yannoula Ballassi Mr. Fotios Banushi Ms. Elaine Billias * Mr. & Mrs. George Billias Mr. Nicholas Billias * Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Bisbikos Mr. & Mrs. James Booth * Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Botchis Mr. & Mrs. Oliver Bony Mr. & Mrs. Maynard Brown * Dr. Clarence Calder * Mr. & Mrs. Ron Chester * Mr. & Mrs. Charles Christodlous Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Clancy Mr. Angelo Colonis Mr. & Mrs. Paul Constantinou Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Contos Mrs. Evdoxia Costas Mr. & Mrs. Kimon Dafoulas * Mr. & Mrs. Christos Dalardha * Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Delisio* Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dimas Mrs. Bertha Duff * Mr. & Mrs. George Efthimou Mrs. Omorphia Efthimiou Ms. Connie Farrah * Mr. & Mrs. George Farrah * Ms. Margarita H. Galey * Mrs. Veronica Gatrousis * Mrs. Cleon George * Ms. Marianne Ghattas * Mr. & Mrs. Dimitri Giatrakis Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Gitsis* Mr. & Mrs. Troy Grabill* Mr. & Mrs. George Grossomanides * Mr. & Mrs. John G. Grossomanides * Dr.& Mrs. John Grossomanides * Mrs. Nicholas Haidous * Mr. & Mrs. Eric Hall * Mrs. Lee Hancin (Olympia) * Mr. & Mrs. Paul Heely * Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Hominski * Mr. Jon Hominski * Mr. and Mrs. Richard Huber * Mrs. Mary Kalams Mr Christopher Kapiliotis * Mr. Dino Kapilotis* Mr. Nicholas Kapilotis * Ms. Mary E. Karpetas * Mr. & Mrs. Niko Kilimos * Mrs. Persephone Knowles * Mr. Charles Kostelos * Mr. & Mrs. John Koulbanis * Mr. & Mrs. Milan Kukich * Mr. & Mrs. Chris Labonne * Mr. & Mrs. Michael Lamons * Mr. & Mrs. Theo Lampos Mr. Michael Lewis * Mr. & Mrs. Charles Loree * Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Louziotis* Mr. & Mrs. John Louziotis * Mr. & Mrs. Dean Macris Mr. & Mrs. George Maistrelis * Mrs. Bess Makris * Mr. & Mrs. Ioannis Marasiotis * Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Marasiotis * Mr. & Mrs. Savvas Marasiotis * Efthia Markantonakis & Pedro Costa Mr. & Mrs. Antonio Markantonakis * Mr.&Mrs.Elephtherios Markantonakis * Ms. Maria Markantonakis * Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Mastorakis Mr. & Mrs. Eleftherios Mastorakis Mr. & Mrs. John Mastorakis * Mr. and Mrs. Peter Matsas Mr. John Melonopoulos Negulescu, Mihaela Olivia* K Miller Mr. Anthony Neigel Mrs. Stella Panagakos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Pappas * Mrs. Priscilla Papatones * Mr. & Mrs. Steve Patsouris* Mr. Peter Patsouris Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Petros * Atty. & Mrs. Theodore Phillips Ms. Toni Phillips Mrs. Mary Pilling * Mr. Ernest Pool * Mr. & Mrs. Anastasios Provatas * Mr. & Mrs. David Sabourin * Mr. & Mrs. James Quigley Mr. & Mrs. Armando Rodriguez Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Roth Mrs. Ann Sakellarides Ms. Helen Sakallerides Mr. Ulysses Sakellarides Mr. & Mrs. Robert Selvideo Ms. Anastasia Seurferling * Mr. & Mrs. Austin Shogren Mr. Christos Stravoravdis Mr. Robert & Dr. Athena G. Thayer Mr. & Mrs. Dean Thomas* Mr. & Mrs. Michael Thresher Mr. Gregory Topalis Mrs. Joyce Topalis* Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Topalis * Ms. Eleni Lubenski -Toromanides * Mr. & Mrs. Haralambos Toromanides * Mrs. Lemonia Toromanides Mr. & Mrs. Peter Trantalis Jr Mr. Peter Trantalis Sr. Mr. & Mrs. George Trabakoulos * Andrianna Bouchet & Mr. Stephen Trabakoulos * Mr. & Mrs. Christos Valkanos * Mrs. Asimo Ververis * Mr. & Mrs. Brian Violette* Mrs. Georgia Vokolos Mr. & Mrs. David Waterman* Mr. and Mrs. Larry Wyland * * = Submitted Pledge Forms 6

7 We have had a wonderful year of Sunday School. We would like to announce that the Sunday School Graduation will be held on Sunday, June 18, Please, come and congratulate our kids on a great year and encourage them for next year. June 2017 The Lenten season is over and as a much needed retreat from the fasting season our JOY group headed out on May 6th to the Norwich Ten Pin Bowling alley for a fun afternoon bowling and in the arcade! The following meeting was back to normal on May 20th were we discussed the meaning of each day of the week as follows: Monday - Day honoring the Angels; Tuesday - The day honoring the forerunner, Saint John the Baptist; Wednesday - Jesus betrayal remembered; Thursday - the day honoring the Holy Apostles; Friday - The day honoring the Cross; Saturday - the day honoring those who have fallen asleep; Sunday - The day of the Resurrection. Please note that the next and final meeting for the season will be held on Saturday, 6/10/17 at 2:00pm. Activities are up in the air at this time so please watch your for any changes. AHEPA Sunday May 21,

8 Irene s Family Restaurant and Café 58 Town Street Norwich, CT (860) Irenesfamilyrestaurant.com Kostas and Irene Marasiotis and Family Great Oak Pizza 704 West Thames Street Norwich, CT (860) Kilimos Family Sunset Pizza 425 Laurel Hill Avenue Norwich, CT (860) Christos, Maria, Dimitri & Yianni Valkanos Dimas Family Dr. John & Anna-Helene Grossomanides Town Pizza II A Family Restaurant 18 Kingstown Rd. Richmond, RI (401) Dafoulas Family AHEPA Rose of New England Chapter #110 Norwich, CT Daughters of Penelope Lysandros Chapter #181 Norwich, CT 8

9 Fotios Anastasiou Account Executive WB-Mason ( ) Ext Manny s Pizza and Family Restaurant 724 Boswell Ave Norwich, Connecticut, CT (860) Come to Manny's and enjoy a great meal..can't stay in? order take out..open 7 days a week! Hours 11:00AM - 10:00PM AHEPA Chapter # 110, Inc. Senior Housing Buildings I,II & III 370 Hamilton Avenue NORWICH, CT Our beautifully appointed senior affordable housing has 50 apartments in three buildings situated within this community. AHEPA 110 I Apartments have a community room, a computer technology room for residents, and beautifully landscaped grounds for relaxing outside or taking a leisurely stroll. Our onsite team of company-employed professionals includes property manager, and maintenance and janitorial staffs to ensure that the comfort and security that is expected by you and your loved ones, is unmatched elsewhere. Holy Trinity Bookstore Our Bookstore now has special orders available beyond what is available in store. Please contact the office or Fr. Demetri to order. Librarians: Kay Booth Nellie Rodriguez Please consider supporting our Monthly Newsletter. Please consider supporting our Monthly Newsletter. Please consider supporting our Monthly Newsletter. 9

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