V O L U M E V I S S U E 1 F A L L

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1 S S C O N S T A N T I N E & H E L E N G R E E K O R T H O D O X C A T H E D R A L 6 4 S C H E R M E R H O R N S T. B R O O K L Y N N Y, T E L F A X E - M A I L : F A T H E R J O H A F A N T I S. O R G W E B. W W W. S T C O N S T A N T I N E C A T H E D R A L. O R G S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F I N T E R E S T M E S S A G E O F T H E P R O I S T A - M E N O I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : M E S S A G E O F T H E P R E S I D E N T O F T H E B O A R D O F T R U S T E E S A. F A N T I S S C H O O L C A M P S T. P A U L L I V E S O F T H E S A I N T S T H A N N I V E R- S A R Y A. Fantis School 3 Camp St. Paul 4 Lives of the Saints 5 Sacraments 8 Liturgical Calendar 9 Organizations 15 THE EDICT V O L U M E V I S S U E 1 F A L L Repetitio mater studiorum est I would like to welcome everyone back from their summer vacation and hope that you had a pleasant and relaxing summer. I also hope and pray that our children have a great start to their school year. Over the summer much work was done on the church and school The title of this article is the ancient Latin saying, Repetition is the mother of all learning! Once a person mentioned to a priest their belief that there is no need to come to church on Sundays because the same thing is repeated over and over again. In response, Bishop Velimirovic, the author of the Prologue of Ochrid, wrote a contemplation on this very subject. Indeed, does life not depend on a series of repetitive events? A person needs their heart to beat repetitively and their lungs to breathe rhythmically or life will not be sustained. Likewise, there are countless repetitive events that take place on this earth: the ebbs and flows of the ocean tides, the sowing and harvesting of fields, the annual cycle of the four seasons and the rising and setting of the sun to name just a few. During the Divine Liturgy, each small petition begins with, again and again, let us pray to the Lord. The repetitiveness of the Liturgy is an integral component of a Christian s salvation. It provides a per- President s Message P R E S I D I N G P R I E S T : F R. J O H N K. L A R D A S son pedagogical opportunities like memorizing hymns and learning the Holy Scriptures by heart. Even more importantly, the repetition of the Divine Liturgy speaks to the soul of a person. The repetitiveness strikes the consciousness of a person to practice in truth and sincerity the tenants of faith; the teachings of the Lord, Jesus Christ. The echo of again and again serves to help counteract one of the great weaknesses and spiritual illness of a person - - that of forgetfulness. With so many components important to life that are based on the concept of repetition, the continual act of prayer and the Divine Liturgy is truly fundamental to a spiritual life! Repetition is the mother of all learning! building in preparation for the 100 th Anniversary. I thank all the volunteers who assisted in these renovations. I invite you to visit and enjoy all the beautiful work that has taken place. One great and fantastic year awaits us! Beginning in 2013, we will be celebrating 100 th Anniversary of the Cathedral and the 50 th Anniversary of our A. Fantis School. We are waiting for you to honor us with your presence and participation for the very nice events that are being prepared. Once again, I welcome you and with much enthusiasm I await to greet you at our Cathedral. 100th Anniversary 16

2 V O L U M E V I S S U E 1 Repetitio mater studiorum est Ο ηίηινο απηνύ ηνπ άξζξνπ είλαη παξκέλνο απν έλα αξραίν ιαηηληθό ξεηό, «Δπαλάιεςηο εζηί κήηεξ πάζεο καζήζεσο» Μία θνξά, έλα πξόζσπν αλέθεξε ζε έλαλ ηεξέα όηη δελ ππάξρεη θακία αλάγθε λα έξζεη ζηελ εθθιεζία ηηο Κπξηαθέο επεηδή ην ίδην πξάγκα επαλαιακβάλεηαη θάζε θνξά. Απηό όκσο δελ είλαη πέξα γηα πέξα ζσζηό επεηδή ππάξρνπλ πξάγκαηα δηαθνξεηηθά ζηε θάζε Θεία Λεηηνπξγία. Δλ ηνύηνηο, έλα ζεκαληηθό κέξνο ηεο Θείαο Λεηηνπξγίαο εμαθνινπζεί λα είλαη ην ίδην ηελ θάζε εβδνκάδα. Απάληεζε ζε απηό ην δίιεκκα, δίλεη ν επίζθνπνο Velimirovic, ν εξαληζηήο θαη ζπγγξαθέαο ηνπ Πξνιόγνπ Ochrid. Γξάθεη γη απηό ην ζέκα: Ζ ίδηα ε δσή δελ εμαξηάηαη από κηα ζεηξά επαλαιακβαλόκελσλ γεγνλόησλ; Ο άλζξσπνο ρξεηάδεηαη ε θαξδηά ηνπ λα θηππά επαλαιακβαλόκελα θαη νη πλεύκνλέο ηνπ λα αλαπλένπλ ζπλερώο ξπζκηθά γηα λα ζηεξηρηεί ζηε δσή. Δπηπιένλ, ππάξρνπλ πάξα πνιιά επαλαιακβαλόκελα γεγνλόηα πνπ πξαγκαηνπνηνύληαη ζε ζεκαληηθέο πηπρέο ηεο δσήο θαη ηεο θνηλσλίαο: ε ξνή ηνπ ξεύκαηνο, ε επαλάιεςε ηεο θύηεπζεο ελόο αγξνύ, ε ιεηηνπξγία κηαο κεραλήο ε αλαηνιή θαη ε δύζε ηνπ ήιηνπ. Καηά ηε δηάξθεηα ηεο Θείαο Λεηηνπξγίαο, θάζε κηθξή αίηεζε αξρίδεη κε, «έηη θαη έηη ηνπ Κ π ξ ί ν π δ ε ε ζ ώ κ ε λ». Ζ επαλάιεςε ηεο Θείαο Λεηηνπξγίαο είλαη έλα αθέξαην ζπζηαηηθό P A G E 2 ζηνηρείν ηεο ζσηεξίαο ηνπ Φξηζηηαλνύ. Φαξίδεη ζην ρξηζηηαλν ηελ παηδαγσγηθή επθαηξία γηα ηελ απνκλεκόλεπζε ησλ ύκλσλ θαη ηελ εθκάζεζε ηελ Αγίαο Γξαθήο. Αθόκε πην ζεκαληηθό είλαη όηη ε επαλάιεςε ηεο Θείαο Λεηηνπξγίαο κηιάεη απ ε π ζ ε ί α ο ζ η ε λ ς π ρ ή η ν π Φξηζηηαλνύ. Ζ επαλάιεςε ζηνρεύεη ηελ ζπλείδεζε ηνπ Φξηζηηαλνύ ώζηε απηόο λα κάζεη λα δεη αιεζηλά, ππαθνύνληαο κε εηιηθξίλεηα ζηα δηδάγκαηα ηεο πίζηεο ζηνλ Ηεζνύ Φξηζηό. Τν άθνπζκα ηνπ «έηη θαη έηη» αληηδξά ζηε κεγάιε αδπλακία θαη πλεπκαηηθή αζζέλεηα ηνπ αλζξώπνπ, ηελ ακέιεηα Με ηόζα πνιιά ζεκαληηθά γηα ηε δσή ηνπ αλζξώπνπ ζηνηρεία, ε επαλάιεςε θαη ε ζπλερήο πξάμε ηεο πξνζεπρήο θαη ηεο Θείαο Λεηηνπξγίαο είλαη απαξαίηεηε ζε κηα πλεπκαηηθή δσή! «Ζ Δπαλάιεςηο εζηί κήηεξ πάζεο καζήζεσο»! +Π. Ησάλλεο Κ. Λαξδά Τν Μήλπκα ηνπ Πξνέδξνπ Θέισ λα ζαο θαισζνξίζσ θαη εύρνκαη λα πεξάζαηε έλα επράξηζην θαη μεθνύξαζην θαινθαίξη. Οη ζεξκέο κνπ επρέο ζηα παηδηά καο γηα κηα θαιή αξρή ζηελ ζρνιηθή ρξόληα. Δπραξηζηώ επίζεο ζε όινπο η ν π ο ε ζ ε ι ν λ η έ ο πν π βνήζεζαλ ζηελ αλαλέσζε ηνπ ζρνιηθνύ θηηξίνπ θαη ηελ εθθιεζία. Σαο παξαθαιώ λα καο επηζθεθζείηε λα δείηε ηηο αλαθαηλίζεηο πνπ έρνπλ γίλεη. Μηα πνιύ (ζαπκάζηα) ρξόληα καο πεξηκέλεη κε ηελ επέηεην ησλ 100ρξνληα ηεο εθθιεζίαο καο θαη ησλ 50 ρξόληα ηνπ ζρνιείνπ καο. Σαο πεξηκέλνπκε λα καο ηηκήζεηε κε ηελ παξνπζία ζαο θαη ηελ ζπκκεηνρή ζαο ζηηο πνιύ σξαίεο εθδειώζεηο πνπ έρνπκε εηνηκάζεη. Κ α η π ά ι η ζ α ο θαισζνξίδσ θαη αλππνκνλώ λα ζαο π π ν δ ε ρ η ώ ζ η ε λ ε θ θ ι ε ζ ί α. Ζιίαο Σεξεκέηεο Πξόεδξνο Γηνηθεηηθνύ Σπκβνπιίνπ Elias Seremetis

3 The 8th Grade Class on their 1st Day of School English Teacher Ms. Alsion Polizzi The A. Fantis Parochial School of SS Constantine and Helen started it s first day of school on Wednesday, September 5th, 2012 with an enrollment of 163 students. This historical and great parochial school educates students from the age of 3 through the 8th grade. Along with the core curriculum, the students receive instruction in the Greek Language, and on a weekly basis, they participate in religious education with Fr. John Lardas. With tremendous support from the PTO of A. Fantis, many renovations took place over the summer. When you walk into the school building, one will notice that the school office has been expanded. In the gymnasium the students now have changing rooms for the boys and the girls. There is also a new security gate installed in the entrance of the school building. Many volunteers of the Board of Trustees were instrumental in seeing these projects accomplished. The A. Fantis School welcomes aboard some new employees. Greeting each person in the school office is the new secretary, Eleni Salony. Instructing the upper grades in Math is Trisha Notaro, and the new UPK teachers is Kleanthie Lathourakis. Congratulations is also due to the English teacher Ms. Alison Polizzi along with the students of English and last year s editor of The Literary English Magazine, the Calliope. They earned a Silver Medalist Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Competition for the Calliope. Bravo for a job well done! Mrs. Eleni Solony Ms. Trisha Notaro

4 For the first time in eight years, Camp St. Paul expanded to a four week program. In the summer of 2005, with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and under the directorship of Fr. Elias Villis, forty seven campers attended for one week, Camp St. Paul. Eight years later, one hundred and thirty campers, each week, for four weeks, is a powerful statement in and of itself of the wonderful youth ministry taking place through this spectacular camping program. The setting of Camp St. Paul is on Lake Bantum in Litchfield, Ct. The campers, from ages of 8-17, enjoy a well balanced program of Orthodox worship; water sports such as, tubing, blobbing, jet skiing, swimming and a water slide; Greek culture; Orthodox Life Sessions; High Ropes Obstacle Course; sports, evening activities, and great parea! The Camp St. Paul Committee is now under the spiritual directorship of His Grace Bishop Andonios, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese and the Camp Director is Fr. Elias Villis. Each week two to three priest from churches of the Archdiocesan District also attend to work at the camp. The campers are under the loving and faithful care of trained counselors, whom along with the campers, make up the heart and soul of Camp St. Paul. Many of the youth from Brooklyn attended the 2nd week session with a few attending the 3rd session. From the Cathedral, Evie Vlitas with some cousins from Greece, along with Ari and Evi Paloumbis attended session two. Maria and Kemon Lardas along with Fr. John and Pr. Eleni attend session three. Camp St. Paul is truly a blessing for our youth during the weeks of summer!

5 Saint Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neocaesarea Ο Άγηνο Γξεγόξηνο γελλήζεθε πεξίπνπ ην 210 κε 215 κ.φ. Αξρηθά νλνκαδόηαλ Θεόδσξνο θαη νη γνλείο ηνπ ήηαλ Έιιελεο εηδσινιάηξεο θαη είραλ κεγάιε θνηλσληθή ζέζε ζηε Νενθαηζάξεηα ηνπ Πόληνπ (γλσζηή ζηελ αξραηόηεηα θαη σο Καβεξία, Γηάζπνιηο θαη Σεβαζηή, ην ζεκεξηλό Νηθζάξ). Μεηά ηε ζηνηρεηώδε εθπαίδεπζε ηνπ, ν Άγηνο Γξεγόξηνο καδί κε ηνλ αδειθό ηνπ Γξεγόξην ή Αζελόδσξν, πήγαλ ζηε Βεξπηό γηα λα ζπνπδάζνπλ λνκηθά. Ο Θεόο όκσο είρε άιια ζρέδηα γηα ην Γξεγόξην. Όηαλ πεξλνύζε από ηελ Καηζαξεία, άθνπζε ην δεηλό εξκελεπηή ησλ Γξαθώλ, Ψξηγέλε. Ο Γξεγόξηνο ηόζν πνιύ ελζνπζηάζηεθε καδί ηνπ, ώζηε άθεζε ηα λνκηθά θαη δηεηέιεζε επί ρξόληα καζεηήο ηνπ. Ολνκαζηόο είλαη ν απνραηξεηηζηήξηνο ιόγνο ηνπ κεηά ην πέξαο ησλ ζπνπδώλ ηνπ. Δθεί θαίλεηαη ε κεγάιε αμία ηνπ Ψξηγέλε, ζαλ δηδαζθάινπ θαη ε βαζεηά επγλσκνζύλε ηνπ Γξεγνξίνπ, ζαλ καζεηνύ. «Άπαζαλ πξνζήγε ηελ παξ' απηνύ ηέρλελ θαη επηκέιεηαλ θαη θαηεηξγάζαην εκάο», γξάθεη γηα ην δηδάζθαιό ηνπ. Καηόπηλ πήγε ζηελ Αιεμάλδξεηα, θαη από εθεί επέζηξεςε ζηε Νενθαηζάξεηα κε πιήξε ζενινγηθή κόξθσζε θαη άγην δήιν. Τόηε ν Μεηξνπνιίηεο Ακαζείαο Φαίδεκνο δηέθξηλε ηα ραξίζκαηα ηνπ θαη ηνλ έθαλε επίζθνπν Νενθαηζαξείαο ε νπνία είρε κόλν 17 ρξηζηηαλνύο! Ο Γξεγόξηνο, όκσο, δελ ην ζεώξεζε ππνηηκεηηθό. Βαζηδόηαλ πνιύ ζηε δύλακε ηεο ζείαο ράξηηνο θαη πάληα είρε ζην κπαιό ηνπ ηα ελζαξξπληηθά ιόγηα ηνπ ζείνπ Παύινπ: «Ἐλδπλακνῦ ἐλ ηῇ ράξηηη ηῇ ἐλ Φξηζηῷ Ἰεζνῦ» (Β' πξόο Τηκόζενλ, β' 1), δειαδή λα ελδπλακώλεζαη κε ηε ράξε πνπ καο δίλεηαη από ηε ζρέζε θαη ηελ έλσζε καο κε ηνλ Ηεζνύ Φξηζηό. Πξάγκαηη, κε ηε ράξε ηνπ Θενύ, ν Γξεγόξηνο έθαλε θαηαπιεθηηθό αγώλα θαη εθρξηζηηάληζε ζρεδόλ όιε ηελ πόιε. Καη ελώ είρε παξαιάβεη 17 ρξηζηηαλνύο, όηαλ πέζαλε εηξεληθά ζηα ηέιε ηνπ 270 κ.φ. είραλ απνκείλεη Σπλέρηα ζηελ επόκελε ζειίδα... Saint Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neocaesarea, was born in the city of Neocaesarea (northern Asia Minor) into a pagan family. Having received a fine education, from his youth he strived for Truth, but the thinkers of antiquity were not able to quench his thirst for knowledge. Truth was revealed to him only in the Holy Gospel, and the youth became a Christian. For the continuation of his studies St Gregory went to Alexandria, known then as a center for pagan and Christian learning. The youth, eager for knowledge, went to the Alexandrian Catechetical School, where the presbyter Origen taught. Origen was a famous teacher, possessing a great strength of mind and profound knowledge. St Gregory became a student of Origen. Afterwards, the saint wrote about his mentor: "This man received from God a sublime gift, to be an interpreter of the Word of God for people, to apprehend the Word of God, as God Himself did use it, and to explain it to people, insofar as they were able to understand it." St Gregory studied for eight years with Origen, and was baptized by him. The ascetic life of St Gregory, his continence, purity and lack of covetousness aroused envy among his conceited and sin-loving peers, pagans that they were, and they decided to slander St Gregory. Once, when he was conversing with philosophers and teachers in the city square, a notorious harlot came up to him and demanded payment for the sin he had supposedly committed with her. At first St Gregory gently remonstrated with her, saying that she perhaps mistook him for someone else. But the profligate woman would not be quieted. He then asked a friend to give her the money. Just as the woman took the unjust payment, she immediately fell to the ground in a demonic fit, and the fraud became evident. St Gregory said a prayer over her, and the devil left her. This was the beginning of St Gregory's miracles. Having returned to Neocaesarea, the saint fled from the worldly affairs into which influential townsmen persistently sought to push him. He went into the desert, where by fasting and prayer he attained to high spiritual accomplishment and the gifts of clairvoyance and prophecy. St Gregory loved life in the wilderness and wanted to remain in solitude until the end of his days, but the Lord willed otherwise. The bishop of the Cappadocian city of Amasea, Thedimos, having learned of St Gregory's ascetic life, decided to have him made Bishop of Neocaesarea. But having foreseen in spirit the intent of Bishop Thedimos, the saint hid himself from the messengers of the bishop who were- Continued on the following page

6 ζηελ επηζθνπηθή ηνπ πεξηθέξεηα κόλν 17 εηδσινιάηξεο! Υπήξμε δε ηόζν εγθξαηήο ζηε γιώζζα ηνπ, ώζηε δελ βγήθε απ' απηή θαλέλαο θαθόο, πεξηηηόο ή αξγόο ιόγνο. Γη' απηό θαη ν Θεόο ηνλ θόζκεζε θαη κε ην ράξηζκα ηεο ζαπκαηνπξγίαο. Σηνλ Γξεγόξην απνδίδεηαη ε θαζηέξσζε ενξηαζκώλ πξνο ηηκήλ ησλ καξηύξσλ, ησλ δηδαζθαιηώλ ζρεηηθά κε ηνπο αγίνπο θαη ε ηήξεζε ενξηώλ γηα ηνπο αγίνπο, πνπ απνηέιεζε επίζεο κέζν γηα λα πξνζειθύζεη εηδσινιάηξεο ζηελ εθθιεζία. Τνλ βίν ηνπ Αγίνπ Γξεγνξίνπ ηνπ ζαπκαηνπξγνύ ζπλέγξαςε ν Άγηνο Γξεγόξηνο ν Δπίζθνπνο Νύζζεο, αδειθόο ηνπ Μεγάινπ Βαζηιείνπ, ν νπνίνο απνηειεί ηελ πην αμηόπηζηε βηνγξαθηθή πεγή ελ κέζσ αζαθεηώλ θαη ζξύισλ. Σηνλ εγθσκηαζηηθό ηνπ ιόγν πξνο ηνλ Άγην, ηνλ νλνκάδεη Μέγα θαη ζεσξείηαη όηη ήηαλ ην πξώην άηνκν πνπ είλαη γλσζηό όηη έιαβε όξακα ηεο Παλαγίαο (καδί κε ηνλ Ησάλλε ηνλ Βαπηηζηή), βάζεη ηνπ νπνίνπ θαηέγξαςε κηα νκνινγία ζρεηηθά κε ην δόγκα ηεο Αγίαο Τξηάδαο. Δπίζεο, ν Άγηνο Γξεγόξηνο Δπίζθνπνο Νύζζεο αλαθέξεη όηη ν ίδηνο κεγάισζε αθνύνληαο δηεγήζεηο θαη πεξηγξαθέο πεξηζηαηηθώλ ηεο δσήο ηνπ Αγίνπ Γξεγνξίνπ ηνπ Θαπκαηνπξγνύ, θαζώο θαη ηνπο ζενπλεύζηνπο ιόγνπο ηνπ, από ηελ γηαγηά ηνπ Αγία Μαθξίλα ε νπνία ήηαλ καζήηξηα θαη πλεπκαηηθό παηδί ηνπ Αγίνπ Γξεγνξίνπ Νενθαηζαξείαο. Αιιά θαη ν Μέγαο Βαζίιεηνο ζ' έλα ηνπ ιόγν ιέεη γηα ηνλ Γξεγόξην ηνλ ζαπκαηνπξγό, όηη γηα ηα πλεπκαηηθά ηνπ ραξίζκαηα θαη ηελ ράξε ησλ ζαπκάησλ «δεύηεξνο Μσϋζῆο παξ αὐηῶλ ηῶλ ἐρζξῶλ ηῆο Ἐθθιεζίαο ἀλεγνξεύεην». Τα έξγα ηνπ Γξεγόξηνπ έρνπλ δηαζσζεί ζε ηδηαίηεξα απνζπαζκαηηθή θαηάζηαζε. Ολνκαζηόο παξακέλεη ν απνραηξεηηζηήξηνο ιόγνο ηνπ Δηο Ψξηγέλελ Πξνζθσλεηηθόο κεηά ην πέξαο ησλ ζπνπδώλ ηνπ, όπνπ εμπκλείηαη ε δηδαθηηθή δεηλόηεηα ηνπ Ψξηγέλε. Άιια έξγα ηνπ πνπ ζώδνληαη είλαη ε Δπηζηνιή Καλνληθή Πεξί ησλ ελ ηε Καηαδξνκή ησλ Βαξβάξσλ Δηδσιόζπηα Φαγόλησλ ή θαη Έηεξα ηηλά Πιεκκειεζάλησλ, Πξνο Ταηηαλόλ Πεξί Χπρήο Λόγνο Κεθαιαηώδεο, Λόγνη Δηο ηνλ Δπαγγειηζκόλ ηεο Παλαγίαο Θενηόθνπ θαη Αεί Παξζέλνπ ηεο Μαξίαο, Λόγνο εηο ηνπο Αγίνπο Πάληαο, Οκηιία Δηο ηνλ Δθθιεζηαζηήλ, απνζπάζκαηα από ζρνιηνιόγηα ζην Christmas Vigil November 16, 8:00PM In honor of St. Gregory the Wonderworker A great way to begin the Christmas Fast To be inspired by a great saint who did tremendous works of faith An opportunity to contrast the wisdom of the world vs. the Wisdom of God and His Gospel Great Vespers, Artoclasia, Orthros, Divine Liturgy Chanted by a Byzantine Choir entrusted to find him. Then Bishop Thedimos ordained the absent saint as Bishop of Neocaesarea, beseeching the Lord that He Himself would sanctify the unusual ordination. St Gregory perceived the extraordinary event as a manifestation of the will of God and he did not dare to protest. This episode in the life of St Gregory was recorded by St Gregory of Nyssa (January 10). He relates that St Gregory of Neocaesarea received the episcopal dignity only after Bishop Thedimos of Amasea performed all the canonical rites over him. During this time, the heresy of Sabellius and Paul of Samosata began to spread. They taught falsely concerning the Holy Trinity. St Gregory prayed fervently and diligently imploring God and His most pure Mother to reveal to him the true faith. The All-Holy Virgin Mary appeared to him, radiant like the sun, and with Her was the Apostle John the Theologian dressed in archepiscopal vestments. By the command of the Mother of God, the Apostle John taught the saint how to correctly and properly confess the Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. St Gregory wrote down everything that St John the Theologian revealed to him. The Mystery of the Symbol of the Faith, written down by St Gregory of Neocaesarea, is a great divine revelation in the history of the Church. The teaching about the Holy Trinity in Orthodox Theology is based on it. Subsequently it was used by the holy Fathers of the Church: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and Gregory of Nyssa. The Symbol of St Gregory of Neocaesarea was later examined and affirmed in the year 325 by the First Ecumenical Council, showing his enduring significance for Orthodoxy. Having become a bishop, St Gregory set off to Neocaesarea. Along the way from Amasea he expelled devils from a pagan temple, the priest of which he converted to Christ. The convert was witness to still another miracle of the saint, at his word a large stone shifted from its place. The preaching of the saint was direct, lively and fruitful. He taught and worked miracles in the name of Christ: he healed the sick, he helped the needy, he settled quarrels and complaints. Two brothers sharing an inheritance were not able to agree over the property of their dead father. There was a large lake over which they argued, for each of the brothers wanted the lake for himself. They both gathered their friends together, and were ready to come to blows. St Gregory persuaded them to delay their fight until the following day, and he himself prayed all night long at the shore of the lake which sparked the quarrel. When dawn broke, everyone saw that the lake had dried up or gone underground. Through the intense prayer of the saint, now there was only a stream, and its course defined the boundary line. Another time, during the construction of a church, he commanded a hill to move and make room at the place of the foundation. When a persecution against Christians began under the emperor Decius ( ), St Gregory led his flock to a faraway mountain. A certain pagan, knowing about the hiding place of the Christians, informed the persecutors. Soldiers surrounded the mountain. The saint went out into an open place, raised up his hands to heaven and ordered to his deacon to do the same. The soldiers searched the whole mountain, and they went several times right past those praying, but not seeing them, they gave up and went away. In the city they reported that there was nowhere Continued on the following page...

7 to hide on the mountain: no one was there, and only two trees stood beside each other. The informer was struck with amazement, he repented of his ways and became a fervent Christian. St Gregory returned to Neocaesarea after the end of the persecution. By his blessing church Feasts were established in honor of the martyrs who had suffered for Christ. By his saintly life, his effective preaching, working of miracles and graced guiding of his flock, the saint steadily increased the number of converts to Christ. When St Gregory first ascended his cathedra, there were only seventeen Christians in Neocaesarea. At his death, only seventeen pagans remained in the city.

8 Sacraments 2012 Baptisms Jan 28 Nicholas Constantine, son of Frank and Danae Piskopanis, Godmother: Olga Perakis Feb 4 Tracy Lynn (Christina), daughter of Al and Debra Johnson, Godmother: Sophia Nikolaou 18 Eva Lynn, daughter of Wilson and Christine Velasquez, Godmother: Carol Anagnostos 19 Angela, daughter of Nicholas Vayos and Betsy Mendez, Godfather: Thomas George Vayos 26 Elisavet, daughter of Diamantis and Alexandra Kakatsos, Godmother: Kathy Karadimos March 17 George, son of Matthew and Sophia Nikolaou, Godparents: Vasilios and Tracy Aidiniou April 28 Michael Anthony, son of Michael and Nicole Camellite, Godmother: Christina Sithiakakis May 12 Emmanuel, son of John and Kathleen Diaman takis, Godparent: Litsa Diamantakis June 2 Christina, daughter of Constandion and Eleny Sirakis, Godparent: Savina Romanos 17 Vasilios Elias, son of Armando Chiang and Eurdice Eleftheriou, Godparents: Stella Stenas, Maria Eleftheriou and Leah Grill 18 Sofia Eugenia, daughter of Eftermios and Areti Argiropoulos, Godparents: Paul and Antonia Bregianos 30 Luke Kirakos, son of Gregory and Kiriaki Daitsis, Godparent: Emmanuel Kazanas July 1 Alexandra Hope, daughter of Peter and Elpida Getschmann, Godparent: Eleni Ekonomakos Weddings May 25 Matthew Blaine Anarde & Vanessa Beth Hobson, Koumbaros: Alexander Hobson June 2 George Katehis & Maria Fletouris, Koumbaroi: Spyridon Fletouris & Spryidon Katehis 24 Vassilios Aidinou & Tracy Lynn Johnson, Koumbara: Sophia Nikolaou 25 George E. Melissinos & Emily Jennifer Rich, Koumbaros: Demetri Spanos July 7 Leonidas Chrisomalis & Joanna Katsaros, Koumbara: Athina Psaras 8 Soteres K. Kazoleas & Alisia Kovalensky, Koumbaros: George J. Legakis Funerals January 22 +Paulette Hios 27 +John E. Baroudos March 3 +Demetra Sklitsis April 15 +Aphrodite Lekacos 25 +Metaxoula Ioannou June 5 +Jerry Raftopoulos July 10 +Dimitrios Manguravdos 21 +Helen Johnson Confirmations February 26 Kathryn Messina, Sponsor: Maria Limberakis August 9 Ambrosia Correa, Sponsor: Nicholas Glantzis

9 Κσρ. 7 Κσρ. 14 Πεμ. 18 Κσρ. 21 Τρι. 23 Παρ. 26 Κσρ. 28 Πεμ. 1 Κσρ. 4 Πεμ. 8 Παρ. 9 Κσρ.11 +Τρι. 13 Τετ. 14 Πεμ.15 Παρ. 16 Κσρ. 18 Τετ. 21 Κσρ. 25 Παρ. 30 Κσρ. 2 Τρι. 4 +Πεμ. 6 Κσρ. 9 Τετ. 12 Πεμ. 13 Παρ. 14 Σαβ. 15 Κσρ. 16 Δεσ. 17 Τρι. 18 Τετ. 19 EORTOLOGION Οκτώβριος Γ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά Γ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά Ζ Δνξηή Τνπ Αγίνπ Απνζηόινπ Λνπθά (Σρνιηθή Λεηηνπξγία) ΣΤ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Ηαθώβνπ Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Γεκεηξίνπ Ε Λνπθα θαη ηεο Δνξηήο ηεο Αγίαο Σθέπεο Νοέμβριος Δνξηή ησλ Αγίσλ Αλαξγύξσλ θαη Μηξθόο Αγηαζκόο Δ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά Ζ Σύλαμηο ησλ Αξραγγέισλ Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Νεθηαξίνπ Ζ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Ησάλλνπ ηνπ Φξπζνζηόκνπ (Σρνιηθή Λεηηνπξγία) Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Απνζηόινπ Φηιίππνπ Αξρή ηεο Νεζηείο ησλ Φξηζηνπγέλλσλ Ζ Αγξππλία ηεο ενξηήο ηνπ Αγίνπ Γξεγνξίνπ 8:00κκ (Γηα ηελ θαιή αξρή ηεο Φξηζηνπγελάηηθεο Νεζηείαο) Θ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά Τα Δηζόδηα ηεο Θενηόθνπ Ζ Απόδνζηο ηεο Δνξηήο ησλ Δηζνδίσλ θαη Ζ Δνξηή ηεο Αγίαο Αηθαηεξίλεο Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Αλδξένπ Δεκέμβριος Ζ ΗΓ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά Ζ Δνξηή ηεο Αγίαο Βαξβάξαο Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Νηθνιάνπ Ζ Η Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά θαη Ζ Σύιιεςηο ηεο Αγίαο Αλλεο Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Σππξίδσλνο Τνπ Αγίνπ Δπζηξαηίνπ Τνπ Αγίνπ Θύξζνπ Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Διεπζεξίνπ Ζ ΗΑ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά Τνπ Αγίνπ Γαληήι Ζ Δνξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ Σεβαζηηαλνύ Τνπ Αγίνπ Βνληθαηίνπ Καθημερινές Θείες Λειτοσργίες Οξζξνο 8:30πκ Θεία Λεηηνπξγία 9:30πκ Κσριακάτηκες Θείες Λειτοσργίες Οξζξνο 9:15πκ Θεία Λεηηνπξγία 10:30 πκ ἐγὼ δὲ καὶ ἡ οἰκία μοσ λαηρεύζομεν Κσρίῳ, ὅηι ἅγιός ἐζηι. ΙΣ.24:15 Sun. 7 Sun. 14 Thur. 18 Sun. 21 Tue. 23 Fri. 26 Sun. 28 Thurs. 1 Sun. 4 Thur. 8 Fri. 9 Sun. 11 +Tue. 13 Wed. 14 Thur. 15 Fri. 16 Sun. 18 Tue. 21 Sun. 25 Fri. 30 Sun. 2 Tue. 4 +Thur. 6 Sun. 9 +Wed. 12 Thur. 13 Fri. 14 Sat. 15 Sun. 16 Mon. 17 Tue. 18 Wed. 19 The Feast Day Calendar October The 3rd Sunday of Luke The 4 th Sunday of Luke The Feast of St. Luke the Apostle The 6 th Sunday of Luke (School Liturgy) The Feast of St. James The Feast of St. Demetrios The 7 th Sunday of Luke and The Feast of The Holy Protection November The Feast of the Sts. Cosmas and Damianos and The Small Blessing of Water The 5 th Sunday of Luke The Synaxis of the Archangels The Feast of St. Nektarios The 8 th Sunday of Luke The Feast of St. John Chrysostom (School Divine Liturgy) The Feast of St. Philipp The Beginning of the Christmas Fast The Vigil for the Feast of St. Gregory 8:00pm (For the good start of the Christmas Fast) The 9th Sunday of Luke The Entrance of the Theotokos The Leaving of the Feast of The Entrance and The Feast of St. Katherine The Feast of St. Andrew December The 14 th Sunday of Luke The Feast of St. Barbara The Feast of St. Nicholas The 10 th Sunday of Luke and The Conception of the Theotokos by St. Anna The Feast of St. Spyridon St. Eustratios St. Thyrsos The Feast of St. Eleftherios The 11 th Sunday of Luke St. Daniel St. Sebastianos St. Bonifacε Weekday Liturgies Orthros 8:30 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am Sunday Divine Liturgies Orthros 9:15 am Divine Liturgy 10:30 am but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

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13 Membership and Pledge Program The art of supporting a church is always a discussion held by many with many different opinions and beliefs. Theologically and scripturally, from the beginning of time, the human person was gifted by God to have a proper stewardship of creation. God blessed Adam and Eve and said, Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it Gen 1:28 It is innate in the person to be responsible for creation and to have an accountability to God who graced the person with such a gift. Throughout the Old and New Testament, the person that made God his or her first priority became blessed. Abel s gifts to the Lord were not after thoughts or re-gifts. Abel always offered the first of his best to God. His brother Cain was the opposite. Chapter 4 of Genesis describes the reaction of God to their gifts. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. In the incredible stories of the prophet Elias (Elijah) found in 1Kings, during a famine, the prophet knocks on the door of a poor widow with one son, who was preparing her last meal before they would starve to death. Elijah asks the woman for a morsel of bread, which she had not. He told her not to fear. She prepared a cake of bread for the prophet and then the miracle took place according to the word of God, The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth. 1Kings17:14. In the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of Mark, Jesus uplifts a woman in poverty who gave two mites to the temple, teaching the disciples the following, Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had. Luke21:3-4 All these people of the Holy Scriptures have one common denominator, God is the first priority in their lives. Theologically, scripturally, and patristically the stewardship of worship and the offering of creation back to the Creator is an innate characteristic of a person. There is much care and concern that the believer should have for his or her church. Specifically for the Cathedral of SS Constantine and Helen, the following is some statistical information that acts as a measurement for the good stewardship of the church. As of mid-october, there are 220 families or individuals that fulfilled their membership with a mailing list of about 400 people 34 families or individual voluntarily participate in the pledge program The Cathedral operates at a deficit of about $160,000 On average, as one instrument of measurement, it takes $1,200/family to meet the operating budget of the Cathedral The membership of the church is not sufficient to cover the operating budget Participating in the stewardship or pledge program of the church is the best way to support the church because it is a free will offering, and all donations go directly to the church instead of paying overhead on events. For the majority of parishioners giving a large amount of money at once is very difficult. For this reason, the Cathedral also offers a voluntary pledge program, which allows a family to set aside on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis, a heartfelt offering, based on a freewill decision of love. As an example, setting aside $20/week, and placing this amount in the offering envelope is equivalent to an offering $1,040 for the year. $10/week equals $520 for the year and $30/ week equals $1,560 for the year. As the Cathedral quickly approaches a milestone in the year 2013 of a 100 year history, may each faithful member take the time to reflect and see about their membership and stewardship to SS Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Why the name The Edict for the newsletter? The Edict of Milan was signed by St. Constantine in the year 313 AD. This law tolerated the Freedom of Religion, which aloud the Christians to worship with freedom for the first time since the events of the Lord, Jesus will be the 1700th Anniversary of the signing of the Edict of Milan. Icon of Cain and Abel

14 Sat. 15th: Sun. 16th Mon. 17th: Tues. 25th: Jan. 1 Jan. 5 Jan. 6 Jan Jan. 20 Jan. 27 Breakfast with Santa Sunday School Christmas Pageant & Philoptochos Christmas Party Bible Study Christmas January New Year & The Feast of St. Basil Goya Event Brooklyn Nets vs Sacramento Kings The Feast of Epiphany & The Blessing of the Waters at Battery Park Pilgrimage to the Holy Lands Vasilopita Midnight Run Litohorian Celebration of St. Dionysios & Greek Letters Celebration Mon. 5th: Tue. 6th: Sun.4th: Sat. 10th : Sun. 11th: Mon. 12th: Thurs. 15th: Sat. 17th : Sun 18th: Mon. 19th: Thurs. 22: Sun. 25th Sat. 1st: Mon. 3rd: Tues. 4th: Fri. 14th Mon. 10th: November Bible Study Board of Trustees Meeting Marathon Sunday Church Dance Veterans Day Honoring James Poulos Bible Study Beginning of the Christmas Fast The Emmaus Lecture Series at SS Constantine and Helen Thanksgiving Food Drive PTO Thanksgiving Breakfast Elections of Candidates to the Board of Trus- Tees Bible Study Thanksgiving The Federations of Associated Laconian Sνcities December Parish Council Seminar Bible Study Board of Trustees Meeting Youth Christmas Party for the AABR Bible Study

15 The Cathedral of SS Constantine and Helen His All Holiness Bartholomew His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Archbishop of Constantinople, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch America Rum Patrikhanesi Fener-Halic 10 East 79 th St Istanbul, Turkey New York, NY Tel , (212) Fr. John K. Lardas, Presiding Priest Board of Trustees Executive Board: Elias Seremetis President; Jim Tampakis 1st Vice-President; Dean Paravalos 2 nd Vice-President; Andrew Poulos Treasurer; George Papadakos Asst. Treasurer; Ted Dikeakos English Secretary; Panagiotis Papadapoulos Greek Secretary Board Members Athanasia Apostolakos Irakis Argyriou John Athanitis Steve Bacas Andreas Chrysostomou George Fanourakis Angelo Koutsidis Matthew Mirones Angelo Papadakos George Poulon Chris Sofronis Peter Stratigakis Steve Soumakis Alex Vanech Peter Vlitas Peter Yatrakis Board Committees Church Order: Steve Bacas; Maintenance and Security: Dean Paravalos; Real Estate: Jim Tampakis; Church Dance: Dean Paravalos; Church Name Day: Konstantinos Varelis and Dean Paravalos; Technology: Ted Dikeakos; Youth: Taki Papadopoulos; Church Journal: Hercules Argyriou; 100 th Anniversary: Peter Vlitas and Jim Tampakis; Festival Chairperson: Michelle Tampakis; Human Resources: George Poulon; Membership and Pledge: Ted Dikeakos and Deano Vasilakos Philoptochos Executive Board: Presidents Marjorie Bacas; 1 st Vice-President Lucy Bounas;2 nd Vice-President Betty Xanthos; Treasurer Stelene Argyriou; Assistant Treasurer Peggy Panagopoulous; Corresponding Secretary Evangelia Apostolakos; Recording Secretary Katerina(Phyllis) James; Advisors Georgeann Papadakos Board Members Presbytera Eleni Lardas, Connie Lambros, Cleo Athanitis, Efrosini Ekonomakos, Pitsa Tampakis, Catherine Vasilakos, Pauline Apostolakis A. Fantis Parochial School of SS. Constantine and Helen School Board Chairperson: Peter Vlitas Principal: Dr. Alice Farkouh School Board Committee: John Athanitis, Angela Papadopoulos, Dean Paravalos, Jim Tampakis, Lauren Cramer, Danielle Makris, Kathy Tsamatsiros, Nia Soumakis, Maria Vlitas Church Secretary: Effie Katsenis; Sunday School Director: Pauline Apostolakis; Acolytes: Nicholas Paros; Choir Director: Dia. Vasilea Garinis; Chanter: Nicholas Paros; Kantelinautis: Panagiotis Masourides; Koliva: Evangelia Masourides; Prosforo: Efrosoni Economakos; News Letter: Fr. John Lardas Affiliates and Organizations of the Cathedral of SS. Constantine and Helen Goya Advisors: Harry Paloumbis & Ismene Speliotis; Joy: Angela Papadopoulos and Anna Chrysostomou Joy & Goya Soccer: John Athanitis,, Dean Paravalos. Adult Greek Language: Vasiliki Partiglou; Dance Instructor: Despina and Aspasia Hotzoglou, Michelle Tsigaridas Weller; OPA (Orthodox Paidea Association): Nicholas Paros

16 We are approaching the 100th year anniversary of our historic community next year. To think of how many thousands of Hellenes decided to leave their country in search of a better life, when things looked dismal at home. How our grandparents said farewell to their families and boarded a ship for four weeks, usually under dreadful conditions, to land in Ellis Island, and to have their names changed and then be discharged onto the streets of New York City. Some had a contact, an address or a society that would sponsor their arrival. Many did not. They then scattered though out the country, but some eventually situated themselves on the outskirts of Manhattan, only a short walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. They worked hard, long hours in difficult trades, but still needed to maintain their religion, ethnicity, and language. Their longing for their homeland drew them together, and they started meeting in a building on Lawrence Street in downtown Brooklyn. In August of1913 this band of immigrants received their charter from the Church of Greece to be allowed to build the first Greek Orthodox Church in all of Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island. They chose a Byzantine Architectural design and selected to honor Saint Constantine. This lovely church was elevated to the status of a cathedral in We are celebrating these pioneers along with all the parishioners who have passed through our community, whose sacrifices, helped to maintain and give the opportunity to the following generations to continue the Hellenic Orthodox legacy and enjoy the fruits of their hard work. We have had Kings, Princes, Prime Ministers, Archbishops, Mayors, and Judges, just to name a few of our guests, over the years. We have scheduled many wonderful events over the next year, to honor the struggle of our forefathers and continue our traditions. April 14 May 21 November 9 Some Dates to remember (more will come) th Anniversary Church Luncheon with the Archdiocese, past Priests, and dignitaries Name Day Celebration Annual Dance Steiner Studios "Brooklyn Navy Yard" Article by Jim Tampakis Picture on Left: The Groundbreaking for the building of the A. Fantis School, 1959 Picture Above: Divine Liturgy celebrated by the Late Archbishop Iakovos, assisted by Dn. Andonios Poulos, now Bishop Andonios and Chancellor of the Archdiocese.