Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their children Ps. 90:16

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1 64 Schemerhorn Street Brooklyn, NY Vol. 3 No. 3 fatherjohn@afantis.org t Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their children Ps. 90:16 he Advent Period is the spiritual preparation for the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to take place pragmatically in the manger of a person s soul. A major theme behind the event of our Lord s birth is the example of servitude. By reflecting on the servitude of God and the main characters surrounding the birth of Jesus one may respond to woes of the modern world with a perspective guided by the example of the Lord Himself. During an interaction with His disciples on the issue of prominence, leadership and authority Jesus teaches His disciples the following, Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mt. 20:28 From the very moment of the incarnation (The 2 nd Person of the Holy Trinity taking on flesh) of the Lord Jesus Christ, the sense of servitude is prominent. First, just that the Son of God, the second Person of the Holy Trinity would self-empty (kenosis) Himself to become fully and one hundred percent human is in itself and act of servitude. Second, the whole birth sequence is one continual act of service. While still in His holy mother s womb, the holy fetus endures a journey on a donkey to Bethlehem to appease the distorted human pride represented by the Caesar of Rome. While being born, being rejected by most of the people in Bethlehem, the Lord and King of the universe, out of extreme humility, accepts a manger for His birthplace. Seeing the image of the Byzantine icon of the Nativity, Jesus is wrapped in a white swaddling cloth and laying in the cave, already prefiguring His purpose in life, which is to die for the sins of the people. Out of servitude, the infant Christ even tolerates an attempt on His life by the tyrant and depraved king Herod. At an early age, the Lord Jesus is forced to travel to Egypt to escape infanticide. Jesus Christ as a true rabbi, as a true teacher, lives and exemplifies the virtue of servitude. It is not only the Lord who serves but also His faithful. Surrounding the sequences of Jesus birth, the example of service is presented by all the main characters of the Nativity scene. The Panagia, when she receives the word from the Archangel Gabriel that she would bare a son by the Holy Spirit, responds with complete freedom, Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word. Lk 1:38 The angels of the Lord serve by offering hymns to the revelation of the birth of the Son of God. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men! Lk. 2:13-14 Joseph accepts his role as the protector of the Virgin Mother when he was confronted with trying to comprehend by what means Mary conceived the Holy Child. Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS Mt.1:24-25 The supporting cast of the birth of Jesus Christ all respond to the outpouring of God s love with the offering of service. In an age that is described by Nobel literature laureate Mario Vargas Llosa who states, the entertainment industry [has created] what he calls a culture of "banalization, frivolization and superficiality." The beauty and entertainment of service is becoming more and more difficult to attain. In the examples given by Christ Himself, the angels and the saints, this type of service is contrary to the modern world s sense of progression and success. Social network systems are often misconstrued and used for the purpose of self-gratification and for personal gain. Servitude in Christ is about sacrifice and suffering which ultimately brings complete joy and satisfaction into a person s heart. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Mt.5:11-12 In the life of the church, service takes place daily within the local parish. Members elected to the parish council find joy in serving their church with their God given talents graced upon them. Philoptochos ladies strive with creativity to help the lonely, the sick and the deprived. Teachers and youth leaders serve with gladness countless hours to help the youth come closer to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. There are countless activities and ministries that may take place by the grace of God in the local church which also reaches throughout the world as an expression of the Nicene Creed which states, In One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Ending, there was a conversation that took place with a parishioner and the parishioner stated, I serve the church with my family for Christ and [His representative in the church] the priest. This is what brings joy into my life and this is what I want to imbue to my children. Fr. John K. Lardas Page 1

2 Board Of Trustees His All Holiness Bartholomew His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Archbishop of Constantinople, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch in America Rum Patrikhanesi Fener-Halic 10 East 79th St Istanbul, Turkey New York, NY Tel , (212) Fr. John K. Lardas Presiding Priest Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral 64 Schermerhorn St. Brooklyn, NY (718) Board of Trustees Executive Board Iraklis Argyriou President Constantinos Paravalos Vice-President Panagiotis Papadopoulos 2nd Vice-President George Papadakos Treasurer Zeno Gavales Asst. Treasurer Andrew Poulos Asst. Treasurer John Anestis Greek Secretary Ted Dikeakos English Secretary Board Members Athanasia Apostolakos, John Athanitis, Steve Bacas, Andreas Chrysostomou George Fanourakis, Anthony Kammas, Matthew Mirones, Angelo Papadakos George Poulon, Peter Rogakos, Chris Sofronis, Peter Stratigakis Jim Tampakis, Alex Vanech, Konstatinos Varelis, Peter Yatrakis Board Committees Church Order: Peter Vlitas Maintenance and Security: Dean Paravalos Real Estate: Jim Tampakis Church Dance: Dean Paravalos Church Name Day: Konstantinos Varelis and Dean Paravalos Technology: Ted Dikeakos Bonds: 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 School Board Chairlady: Dr. Kathryn Yatrakis Church Secretary Effie Katsenis Philoptochos Executive Board President Georgeann Papadakos 1st Vice-President Fevronia Soumakis 2nd Vice-President Lucy Bounas Treasurer Stelene Argyriou Secretary Katerina(Phyllis) James Advisors Evangelia Apostolakos and Betty Xanthos Board Members Cleo Athanitis, Pauline Apostolakis, Margie Bacas, Efrosini Ekonomakos, Popi Gavales, Soula Kastanis, Connie Lambros, Presbytera Eleni Lardas, Pitsa Tampakis, Catherine Vasilakos, Betty Xanthos, Vaso Xekardakis A. Fantis Parochial School of SS. Constantine and Helen School Board Chairlady: Dr. Kathryn Yatrakis Principal: Dr. Alice Farkouh School Board Committee: John Adelaide, John Athanitis, Anna Chrysostomou, Jeannine Harris, Anthony Kammas, Angela Papadopoulos, Vincenta Papas, Dean Paravalos, Peter Rogakos, Jim Tampakis, Dr. Kathryn Yatrakis, Dr. Alice Farkouh Sunday School Director: Pauline Apostolakis Choir Director: Paulette Hios Chanter: Panagiotis Delicaris Kantelinautis: Panagiotis Masourides Koliva: Evangelia Masourides Prosforo: Efrosoni Economakos Acolytes: Andrew Poulos News Letter: Fr. John Lardas Website: Nicholas and Maria (Mao) Soulakis Affiliates and Organizations of the Cathedral of SS. Constantine and Helen Goya Advisors: Taki Papadopoulos and Leya Tropodas Joy Monthly Meetings: Maria Vlitas Goya Girl s Basketball: Calliopi Athanasakos and Agatha Apostolakis Goya Boy s Basketball: Jimmy Papaspyrou, Adam Hotzoglou and John Stathakis Joy Coaches: Angelo Koutsidis, Angelo Papadakos, Taki Papadopoulos, John Athanites, Andrew Poulos, Foti Karantonis Adult Greek Language: Vasiliki Partiglou Dance Instructor: Despina and Aspasia Hotzoglou Micro Ellinaki: Sylvia Molibos Young at Heart: Katerina James OPA (Orthodox Paidea Association): Fotis Karantonis Editing Staff Fr. John Lardas Editor Theokli Hatzoglou Greek Editor Catherine Economakis Copy Editor Patterson Graham, Taso Gementzopoulos, Andrew Yannakos Photography and Alumni Special Thanks Mr. Tony Barsamian and the Queen Gazette for publishing the News Letter Page 2

3 ΕΟΡΤΟΛΟΓΙΟΝ ΤΩΝ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ THE FEAST DAY CALENDAR OF CHRISTMAS AND EPIPHANY DECEMBER Κυρ. 19 Δευ. 20 Τετ. 22 Παρ. 24 Σαβ. 25 Κυρ. 26 Δευ. 27 ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ Σαβ. 1 Κυρ. 2 Τετ. 5 Πεμ. 6 Παρ. 7 Κυρ. 9 Κυρ. 16 Δευ. 17 Τρι. 18 Κυρ. 23 Κυρ. 30 Πρό της Χριστού Γεννήσεως Η εορτή του Αγίου Ιγνατίου Η εορτή της Αγίας Αναστασίας της Φαρμακολυτρίας Η Βασιληκές Ωρες των Χριστουγέννων, 4:30 μμ ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΗ ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΥ 6:00 μμ Η ΚΑΤΑ ΣΑΡΚΑ ΓΕΝΝΗΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ Θα χοραστατήσει ο Θεοφιλέστατος Επίσκοπος Μελόης κ. Φιλόθεος Η Σύναξις της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου Η Εορτή του Αγίου Στέφανου Η ΚΑΤΑ ΣΑΡΚΑ ΠΕΡΙΤΟΜΗ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ και μνήμη του εν Αγίοις Πατρός ημών Βασιλείου του Μεγάλου, Αρχιεπισκόπου Καισαρείας της Καππαδοκίας Προ Των Φώτων Προεόρτια των Φώτων Βασιληκές Ωρες: 4:30 μμ Ο ΜΕΓΑΣ ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ ΜΕΤΑΤΗΣ ΘΕΙΑΣ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΥ 6:00μμ ΤΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΩΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ Όρθρος: 8:00 πμ Θεία Λειτουργία: 9:00 πμ Η Σύναξις του Τιμίου Ενδόξου Προφήτου, Προδρόμου και Βαπτιστού Ιωάννου Μέτα Τα Φώτα Η ΙΒ Λουκά (των Δέκα Λεπρών) Η εορτή του Αγίου Αντωνίου Η εορτή των Αγίων Αθανασίου και Κυρίλλου ΙΔ Κυριακή του Λουκά(του Τυφλού) Η Εορτή Των Τρίων Ιεράχων Όρθρος: 9:30πμ Sun. 19 Mon. 20 Wed. 22 Fri. 24 Sat. 25 Sun. 26 Mon. 27 JANUARY Sat. 1 Sun. 2 Wed. 5 Thur. 6 Fri. 7 Sun. 9 Sun. 16 Mon. 17 Tue. 18 Sun. 23 Sun. 30 The Sunday Before Christmas The Feast of St. Ignatios The Feast of St. Anastasia, the Deliverer of Potions The Fore feast of Christmas The Royal Hours of Christmas 4:30 PM The Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Christmas 6:00 PM The Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ celebrated by His Grace Bishop Philotheos of Meloa Orthros: 9:30AM The Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM The Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos The Feast of St. Stephen The Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Feast of St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea of Cappadocia Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 10:30AM The Sunday Before Epiphany The Fore feast of Epiphany The Royal Hours 4:30 PM The Great Vesper of Epiphany and Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 6:00 PM The Feast of Epiphany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Orthros 8:00 AM Divine Liturgy 9:00 AM The Gathering of the honorable and glorious forerunner John the Baptist Orthros 8:30 AM Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM The Sunday after Epiphany The 12 th Sunday of Luke (Ten Lepers) The Feast of St. Anthony The Feast of SS. Athanasios and Cyril The 14 th Sunday of Luke (The Blind Man) The Feast of the Three Hierarchs Orthros 9:30 AM The Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM Page 3

4 SACRAMENTS BAPTISMS June 26 Nora Elizabeth, daughter of John and Maria Maher Godparents: George and Maria Lambros Eleni Alexandra, daughter of John and Maria Maher Godparents: George and Maria Lambros Christopher Nicholas, son of John and Maria Maher Godparents: George and Maria Lambros June 29 Kirk (Kyriakos), son of Antonio and Gertudis Ceballos Godfather: Dimitrios Giannoudis July 24 Shawn (Anthony), son of Earl and Yvonne Stephenson Godparents: Angelo and Tina Papadakos Oct. 29 Hector Abel, son of Anastasios and Lorena Kyriakopoulos Godparent: Frangisko Kyriakopoulos Nov. 6 Allison (Irene) Zerbe, daughter of Michael and Leigh Zerbe Sponsors: Christina Zanetos and John Zanetos Nov. 7 Demitri Efthemios, son of Efthemios and Areti Argiropoulos Godparent: Christina Poulos Nov. 14 Angelina Misha, daughter of Ioannis and Tatiana Tsikis, WEDDINGS July 2 Richard Jones and Helen Haritos Koumbara: Anastasia Paraskevas July 3 Kirk (Kyriakos) Ceballos and Annette Denise Stamatelatos Koumbaro: Dimitrios Giannoudis July 17 Aaron V. Lemons and Lara M. Posner Koumbare: Jason Harper Lemons and Jennie DiPietro July 24 hawn (Antonios) Stephenson and Panagiota Kapanika Koumbara: Georgeta Teodoresco Aug. 21 Nicholas Katehis and Holly Bollig Koumbara: Penelope Iordanidis Aug. 22 Andreas Tsavaris and Diana Villarreal Koumbaro: James Tsavaris Sept. 25 Efthemios Argiropoulos and Areti Andrea Noulas Koumbara: Christina Poulos Oct. 10 Matthew Demitri Turner and Emily Hope Grant Koumbaro: Dr. William Turner Nov. 6 Jonathan Buba and Allison Zerbe Koumbaro: Stephan Buba FUNERALS June 5 +Nicholas Nomikos June 29 +Alice Sakellar July 15 +Theofanis Kaparos Aug. 21 +Catherine Tragas Sept. 9 +Eleftherios Baroudos Nov. 8 +Sparta Nicholoudis Page 4 UPCOMING EVENTS Jan 9: The Blessings of the Water at Battery Park Jan. 16: Joy Ice Skating at Prospect Park Jan : 5 Borough Goya Winter Weekend Jan. 23: Annual Litorhoretes Celebration of St. Dionysios of Olympos Jan. 30: Greek Letter Celebration and Philoptochos Vasilopita Celebration Feb 4: Vigil of St. Parthenios Feb 6: AHEPA Chapter 41 Super Bowl Party Feb. 26th: 1st Saturday of the Souls March 5th: The Apokreatiko Glendi March 7th: The Great Lent Begins March 8th: The 5 Borough Goya Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at St. Nicholas, Flushing March 13th: The Sunday of Orthodoxy March 18th: Joy Salutation Service at The Ronald McDonald House March 27th: Godparent Sunday April 9th: PTO Auction at Thalassa April 24th: Pascha April 30th: 5 Borough Goya Sports Day

5 Ιερά Προσκυνήματα Αγία Γεθσημανή Περιληπτική παρουσίαση Τὸ ὄνομα Γεθσημανὴ παράγεται ἀπὸ τὰς Ἐβραϊκὰς λέξεις Γκάτ-Σέμεν, αἱ ὁποῖαι σημαίνουν ἐλαιοτριβεῖον. Ὁ χείμαρρος, εἰς βάθος τοῦ ὁποίου τοποθετεῖται ἡ Γεθσημανὴ, ὀνομάζεται «Χείμαρρος τῶν Κέδρων» ὅπου εἰς τὰς χριστιανικὰς παραδόσεις συνδέεται μὲ τὸν τόπον, εἰς τὸν ὁποῖον θὰ λάβει χώρα ἡ τελευταία θεϊκὴ κρίσις. Μία ἄλλη ὀνομασία τοῦ χειμάρρου εἶναι γνωστὴ ὡς «Κοιλάδα τοῦ Ἰωσσαφάτ». Τὸ ὄνομα Ἰωσσαφὰτ προέρχεται ἀπὸ τὰς ἐβραϊκὰς λέξεις Γιαχβὲ - Σαφὸτ, αἱ ὁποῖαι σημαίνουν: «ὁ Θεὸς κρίνει», ὡς τοπωνύμιον ἀπὸ τὸν προφήτην Ἰωὴλ 3,2. Συμφώνως πρὸς τὴν Καινὴν Διαθήκην ἀπὸ τὴν Γεθσημανὴν Ο Ναός της Παναγίας στον Τάφο της Γεθσημανής ἤρχισε ὁ δρόμος τοῦ μαρτυρίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ (Ματθ.26,36, Μάρκ.14,32, Λουκ.22,39, Ἰωάν.18). Εἰς τὴν Γεθσημανὴν ἐπροσευχήθη ὁ Χριστὸς πρὶν τὸ πάθος Του, ἐκεῖ ἐδέχθη τὸ φίλημα τῆς προδοσίας τοῦ Ἰούδα καὶ ἐκεῖ συνελήφθη ὑπὸ τῶν στρατιωτῶν τοῦ Πιλάτου, τοῦ ὄχλου καὶ τῶν ὑπηρετῶν τῶν Φαρισσαίων. Ἤδη ἀπὸ τὸν 4ον μ.χ. αἰῶνα, τὰ γεγονότα αὐτὰ τῆς Καινῆς Διαθήκης ἐταυτίσθησαν τοπογραφικῶς καὶ οἱ χῶροι τους ἀνεδείχθησαν ὡς ἱερὰ καὶ λατρευτικὰ Χριστιανικὰ Προσκυνήματα. Ἡ Γεθσημανὴ δὲν συνδέεται μόνον μὲ τὴν ἀγωνίαν καὶ τὸ πάθος τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἀλλὰ καὶ μὲ τὴν Ταφὴν τῆς Παρθένου Μαρίας. Ὁ καθορισμὸς τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Παναγίας ἀνάγεται εἰς τὸ μέσον τοῦ 1ου αἰῶνος. Τὴν ἰδὶαν σχεδὸν ἐποχὴν ἐκτίσθη ἡ πρώτη Ἐκκλησία τῆς Κοιμήσεως τῆς Θεοτόκου, πιθανῶς εἰς τοὺς χρόνους τοῦ αὐτοκράτορος Μαρκιανοῦ, τὸ μ.χ. καὶ τοῦ πρώτου Πατριάρχου τῆς Ἱερουσαλὴμ Ἰουβεναλίου. Τὸ πάνσεπτον καὶ Θεομητορικὸν μνῆμα ἐν Γεθσημανῇ Εἰς τὰς καρδίας τῶν πιστῶν τέκνων τῆς Ὀρθοδοξίας πάλλει ὁ σεβασμὸς καὶ ἡ ευλάβεια ἡ ὀφειλoμένη πρὸς τὴν πάναγνον Μητέρα τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ Σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς ἀρχαιοτάτης ἐποχῆς ἡ ὀρθόδοξος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἐκκλησία ἐτίμησε τὴν Θεομήτορα καὶ τιμᾶ δεόντως, ἡ δὲ μήτηρ τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν κατέχει ὡς πολυτιμότατον μαργαρίτη εἰς τοὺς κόλπους αὐτῆς τὸν θειότατον καὶ ἁγιώτατον Τάφον αὐτῆς μετὰ τῶν ἄλλων πανσέπτων καὶ θεοτιμήτων Τόπων τῆς Χριστιανοσύνης καὶ ὡς ἀτίμητον θησαύρισμα διακρατεῖ ὡς κόρην ὀφθαλμοῦ αὐτὸν καὶ διαφυλάττει. Ἐπ αὐτοῦ δὲ ἀπὸ ἀρχαιοτάτων ἐτῶν ἀνηγέρθη σταυροειδὴς ναὸς ἐν τῷ μέσῳ τοῦ ὁποίου ὑψοῦται σεμνὸν καὶ ἀπέριττον κουβούκλιον τοῦ θεομητορικοῦ καὶ πανσέπτου Μνήματος ἐν ᾧ οἱ Ἱεροὶ Ἀπόστολοι ἐκ τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς μετρίως φερόμενοι καὶ κηδεύσαντες πιστῶς ἐκ τῆς Ἁγίας Σιὼν ἐνεταφίασαν τὸ πανάχραντον τῆς Θεοτόκου καὶ Ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας σῶμα ἐν Γεθσημανῇ τῷ χωρίῳ. Ὁ πάνσεπτος οὗτος Ναὸς τῆς Θεοτόκου εὑρίσκεται ἐν Γεθσημανῇ καὶ ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι τοῦ Ἰωσαφὰτ ἢ χειμάρρῳ τῶν Κέδρων, μεταξὺ τοῦ λόφου Μωρία καὶ τοῦ Ὄρους τῶν Ἐλαιῶν, ἐγγὺς τοῦ τόπου τοῦ λιθοβολισμοῦ τοῦ Πρωτομάρτυρος καὶ Ἀρχιδιακόνου Στεφάνου καὶ τοῦ τόπου τῆς προσευχῆς τοῦ Κυρίου, ἐν ᾧ συνελήφθη καὶ ἐπροδόθη ὑπὸ τοῦ Ἰούδα. Κατερχόμενος τὶς διὰ κλίμακος τεσσαράκοντα καὶ ὀκτὼ βαθμίδων εὑρίσκεται ἐν ὑπογείῳ Ναῷ σταυροειδεῖ καὶ ὑπενθυμίζοντι ἀρχαίαν κατακόμβην, ἐν τῷ μέσῳ τοῦ ὁποίου ὀρθοῦται ὁ Θεομητορικὸς Τάφος λελαξευμένος ἐντὸς μονολίθου βράχου καὶ περιβαλλόμενος ὑπὸ κουβουκλίου ἔχοντος δυὸ εἰσόδους, ἐκ δυσμῶν καὶ βορρᾶ, ὁδηγούσας πρὸς τὸ ἐσωτερικὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν εὐλαβῆ προσκυνητήν. Τὸ σεμνὸν τοῦτο καὶ σεβάσμιον ἱερὸν προσκύνημα, ἀνεγερθὲν κατὰ τοὺς χρόνους τῆς παλαιᾶς ἀρχαιότητος, ἐφ οὗ θέματος καὶ θὰ ἀσχοληθῶμεν κατωτέρω, ὑπενθυμίζει τὰς κατακόμβας τῆς διωκομένης Ἐκκλησίας τῶν μαρτύρων τῆς πίστεως καὶ διὰ μέσου τῶν αἰώνων μᾶλλον διετηρήθη ἀνέπαφον, ἐκτὸς τῶν ἐλαχίστων ἀνακαινίσεων καὶ μεταβολῶν, ἃς ὑπέστη ὑπὸ τῶν Σταυροφόρων τῷ Τὸ Ἱερὸν αὐτὸ προσκύνημα εὑρίσκεται ὑπὸ τὴν κυριότητα τῶν ὀρθοδόξων Ἑλλήνων Ἁγιοταφιτῶν, ἐν αὐτῷ δὲ καθημερινῶς τελεῖται ἡ θεία Λειτουργία ἐντὸς τοῦ Ἱεροῦ Κουβουκλίου τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Θεομήτορος, κατὰ δὲ τὴν παραμονὴν τῆς θεομητορικῆς ἑορτῆς (14 Αὐγούστου) πρωτοστατοῦντος τοῦ Ἑλληνορθοδόξου ἡμῶν Πατριάρχου τελεῖται ἡ ἀκολουθία τοῦ ἐπιταφίου τῆς Θεοτόκου, ψαλλομένων καὶ τῶν ἐγκωμίων Αὐτῆς, εἰς ἀνάμνησιν τῆς ὑπὸ τῶν ἁγίων Ἀποστόλων κηδεύσεως τοῦ παναχράντου Θεομητορικοῦ σώματος... Λίαν ἐνδιαφέρουσαι ὅμως τυγχάνουσιν αἱ διιστάμεναι γνῶμαι περὶ τοῦ κτήτορος τῆς ἐπὶ τοῦ πανσέπτου καὶ θεομητορικοῦ Τάφου ἱδρυθείσης περικαλλοῦς ἐκκλησίας καθ ὅτι ἀνάγονται αὖται εἰς ἐκκλησιαστικοὺς ἱστορικοὺς συγγραφεῖς τῆς ἀρχαιότητος. Καὶ ἐπὶ τῇ βάσει αὐτῶν αἱ γνῶμαι τῶν τὲ συγχρόνων ἀρχαιολόγων καὶ τῶν παλαιοτέρων, περὶ τῆς ἀρχικῆς προελεύσεως τῆς ἐν λόγῳ ἐκκλησίας, διχάζονται ἄχρι τῆς σήμερον. Καὶ τινὲς μὲν ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐπιδέχονται τὰς ἐν τῷ καταλόγῳ τοῦ Βατικανοῦ πληροφορίας, ὡς καὶ τὰς τοῦ νικηφόρου Καλλίστου, καθ ἃς καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου ἐκκλησία ἀνάγεται εἰς τοὺς χρόνους τοῦ Μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου, ἕτεροι δὲ ἀνάγουσιν ταύτην εἰς τοὺς μετὰ αὐτῶν χρόνους, ἄχρι τοῦ αὐτοκράτορος Μαρκιανοῦ ( ). Ἐφεξῆς δ ἐκθέτομεν τὰ ἐπὶ τοῦ θέματος τούτου ἱστορικὰ δεδομένα, ἐξ ὧν καὶ θὰ ἐξάγομεν τὰ συμπεράσματα ἡμῶν. Ἐκ τῶν ὑπὸ τοῦ ἐκκλησιαστικοῦ ἱστορικοῦ συγγραφέως τοῦ ΙΔ αἰῶνος Νικηφόρου Καλλίστου - Ξανθοπούλου συμφραζομένων διαπιστοῦται ἀπόλυτος συμφωνία αὐτοῦ μετὰ τοῦ ἐν τῷ Βατικανῷ Βυζαντινοῦ χειρογράφου τοῦ ΙΑ αἰῶνος, καθ ὃ ὁ κτήτωρ καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ θεομητορικοῦ Τάφου ναοῦ τυγχάνει ὁ μέγας Κωνσταντῖνος, περὶ τούτου δὲ λέγει τὰ ἑξῆς «Ὑπερφυῆ δὲ τίνα ἕτερον ἐν τῷ χωρίῳ Γεθσημανὴ ναῶν τῇ Θεοτόκῳ ἐγείρει, ἔωδον θυσιαστηρίου τὸν ζωηφόρον ἐκείνης τάφον ἀσφαλῶς περιστείλασα. Κατωφεροῦς δ ὄντος τοῦ τόπου ἀναβαθμοὺς ἐκ μαρμάρων ποιησαμένη τὸν βουλόμενον ἐκ τῆς ἁγίας πόλεως πρὸς ἀνατολάς κατάγει». Καὶ ἀλλαχοῦ λέγει «Πολλὰς δὲ καὶ ἄλλας ἐκκλησίας τοῖς ἁγίοις ἐκείνοις τόποις κατασκευάσασα οὔσας ὑπὲρ τριάκοντα, ἡ θεοφιλὴς βασιλὶς Ἑλένη, πρὸς τὸν φίλον ταύτης υἱὸν ἐπανέστρεψε, τοῖς ἐσπερίοις μετὰ τὴν Σύνοδον διάγοντα μέρεσιν». Ἄξιον ἰδιαιτέρας ἐξάρσεως τυγχάνει τὸ γεγονός, ὅτι τόσον αἱ ἄνω εἰδήσεις τοῦ Νικηφόρου Καλλίστου, ὅσο καὶ αἱ τοῦ Βατικάνειου καταλόγου, περὶ Γεθσημανῆς, ὅτι ἡ περὶ τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Θεοτόκου ἐκκλησία τυγχάνει ἔργον τοῦ Μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου, ἐλέγχονται ἀνακριβεῖς ὑπὸ πλείστων νεωτέρων Παλαιστινολόγων, ὡς προείρηται, καθ ὅτι οἱ ἀρχαῖοι ἐκκλησιαστικοὶ ἱστορικοὶ συγγραφεῖς τοῦ Δ αἰῶνος, Εὐσέβιος, Σωκράτης καὶ Σωζόμενος, οὐδεμίαν μνείαν ποιοῦνται περὶ ἀνεγερθείσης ἐν Γεθσημανῇ, ἐκκλησίας ἐπὶ τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Θεοτόκου, ὅπερ καθ ἡμᾶς εὐσταθεῖ. Κατὰ ταῦτα, τὸν χρόνον τῆς ἱδρύσεως τῆς ἐπὶ τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Θεομήτορος περικαλλοῦς ἐκκλησίας θὰ πρέπει νὰ ἀναζητήσωμεν οὐχὶ πρὸ τοῦ 339, ὅτε καὶ ἀπέθανε ὁ μηδεμίαν μνείαν ποιούμενος ἱστορικὸς Εὐσέβιος, ἡ εἴδησις τοῦ ὁποίου πολὺ θὰ ἐβάρυνεν λόγῳ τῆς ἀρχαιότητος, αὐτοῦ, εἰς πιστοποίησιν καὶ βεβαίωσιν ἑνὸς τοιούτου γεγονότος, σχέσιν ἄμεσον ἔχοντος μὲ τὴν ἐποχὴν καὶ τὰ ἔργα τοῦ μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου, διὰ τοὺς μεταγενεστέρους αὐτοῦ. Ἐξ ἄλλου ἡ ἐπὶ τοῦ θέματος τούτου παρατηρουμένη σιωπὴ τοῦ Εὐσεβίου οὐδέποτε θὰ ἠδύνατο νὰ ἐκληφθῇ ὡς ἀδιαφορία καθ ὅσον οὗτος ὁμιλεῖ καὶ δι ἄλλα ἔργα τῆς βασιλομήτορος ἁγίας Ἑλένης συντελεσθέντα ἐν Παλαιστίνῃ, ἐκτὸς τῆς ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου τάφου βασιλικῆς, ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις, καὶ τῆς ἐπὶ τοῦ Page 5

6 Ιερά Προσκυνήματα Ἁγίου Σπηλαίου, ἐν Βηθλεέμ. Ἀποκλείεται ὅθεν, ὁ Μέγας Κωνσταντῖνος, ὡς ἱδρυτὴς τῆς ἐν Γεθσημανῇ ἐκκλησίας τῆς Θεοτόκου, κατὰ τὴν σιωπὴν τοῦ Εὐσεβίου. Μετὰ τὰ ἀνωτέρω, ἀνάγκη, ὅπως ἀλλαχοῦ ἀναζητήσωμεν τὰ ἱστορικὰ δεδομένα, ἅτινα θὰ ρίψωσιν ἄπλετον φῶς ἐπὶ τοῦ θέματος τούτου καὶ θὰ δώσωσιν θετικὴν ἀπάντησιν εἰς τὸ ἐρώτημα, πότε καὶ ὑπὸ τίνος ἱδρύθη ὁ Ναὸς τῆς Θεοτόκου ἐν Γεθσημανῇ. Οὕτω ἡ πρώτη καὶ ἀρχαιοτέρα πληροφορία περὶ τούτου εὑρίσκεται ἐν τῷ Β Ἐγκωμιαστικῷ Λόγῳ τοῦ ἱεροῦ Δαμασκηνοῦ πρὸς τὴν Ὑπεραγίαν Θεοτόκον ἐν τῇ Κοιμήσει Αὐτῆς, ἐξ οὗ θὰ προσδιορισθῇ, κατὰ προσέγγισιν, τὸ χρονικὸν διάστημα, ἐντὸς τοῦ ὁποίου ἀνηγέρθη τὸ πρῶτον ἡ ἐκκλησία τῆς Θεοτόκου ἐν Γεθσημανῇ, ὡς καὶ ὁ κτήτωρ αὐτῆς. Ἐν τῷ εἰρημένῳ Ἐγκωμιαστικῷ Λόγῳ αὐτοῦ, ὁ ἱερὸς Δαμασκηνὸς ἀντλεῖ ἐκ τῆς λεγομένης «Εὐθυμιακῆς ἱστορίας», ἵνα πιστοποιήσῃ καὶ βεβαιώσῃ τὰ περὶ τῆς ταφῆς καὶ μεταστάσεως τῆς Θεοτόκου, περὶ ὧν λέγει τὰ ἑξῆς: Μετακαλεσάμενοι (δηλ. ὁ αὐτοκράτωρ Μαρκιανὸς καὶ ἡ Πουλχερία) Ἰουβενάλιον τὸν Ἱεροσολύμων Ἐπίσκοπον, καὶ τοὺς ἀπὸ Παλαιστίνης ἐπισκόπους τότε ἐν τῇ βασιλευούσῃ ἐνδημοῦντας πόλει διὰ τὴν ἐν Χαλκηδόνι γενομένην σύνοδον, λέγουσιν αὐτοῖς: «Ἀκούομεν εἶναι ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις τὴν πρώτην καὶ ἐξαίρετον τῆς Παναγίας Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας Ἐκκλησίαν ἐν χωρίῳ καλουμένῳ Γεθσημανὴ ἔνθα τὸ ζωηρὸν αὐτῆς σῶμα κατετέθη ἐν σορῷ. Βουλόμεθα τοίνυν τοῦτο τὸ λείψανον ἀναγαγεῖν ἐνταῦθα εἰς φυλακτήριον τῆς βασιλευούσης ταύτης πόλεως». Ὑπολαβὼν δὲ Ἰουβενάλιος ἀπεκρίθη: «Τῇ μὲν ἁγίᾳ καὶ θεοπνεύστῳ Γραφῇ οὐκ ἐμφέρεται τὰ κατὰ τὴν τελευτὴν τῆς ἁγίας Θεοτόκου Μαρίας, ἐξ ἀρχαίας δὲ καὶ ἀληθεστάτης παραδόσεως παρειλήφαμεν, ὅτι ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τῆς ἐνδόξου Κοιμήσεως αὐτῆς, οἱ μὲν ἄλλοι σύμπαντες ἀπόστολοι ἐν καιροῦ ροπῇ μετάρσιοι συνήχθησαν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα τὸ δὲ θεοδόχον αὐτῆς σῶμα μετ ἀγγελικῆς καὶ ἀποστολικῆς ὑμνωδίας παυσαμένης παρόντες οἱ ἀπόστολοι ἑνὸς αὐτοῖς ἀπολειφθέντος Θωμᾶ, καὶ μετὰ τὴν Τρίτη ἡμέραν ἐλθόντες, καὶ τὸ θεοδόχον σῶμα προσκυνῆσαι βουληθέντος, ἤνοιξαν τὴν σωρόν. Καὶ τὸ σῶμα αὐτῆς τὸ πανύμνητον οὐδαμῶς εὐρεῖν ἠδυνήθησαν, μόνα δὲ αὐτῆς τὰ ἐντάφια κείμενα εὑρόντες... ἠσφαλίσαντο τὴν σωρόν». Ἐκ τῶν ἀνωτέρω συνάγεται, καὶ ὅπερ εἶναι ἡλίου φαεινότερον, ὅτι ἕτερος τὶς θὰ πρέπει νὰ εἶναι ὁ κτήτωρ τῆς ἐν Γεθσημανῇ ἐκκλησίας τῆς Θεομήτορος, ὅστις ἀμφιβόλως, θὰ ἤκμασε πρὸ τῶν αὐτοκρατόρων Μαρκιανοῦ καὶ Πουλχερίας, διότι ἐὰν οὗτοι ἦσαν οἱ κτήτορες, δὲν θὰ ἔλεγον: «Ἀκούομεν εἶναι ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις», ὅπερ καὶ προδίδει αὐτοῦ ὡς μὴ γενομένους κτήτορας αὐτῆς. Κατὰ ταῦτα, τὸν κτήτορα καὶ ἱδρυτὴν τῆς ἐν λόγῳ ἐκκλησίας ἐν Γεθσημανῇ θὰ πρέπει νὰ ἀναζητήσωμεν εἰς τὸ μεταξὺ τῶν ἐτῶν 339 καὶ 450 χρονικὸν διάστημα, ἤτοι μετὰ τὸν θάνατον τοῦ Εὐσεβίου, ὡς προελέχθη καὶ πρὸ τοῦ Μαρκιανοῦ ( ). Οὕτω, σπουδαίως συμβάλλει εἰς τὸν ἀκριβέστερον καθορισμὸν τῆς ζητουμένης χρονολογίας τὸ ἐξαγόμενον ἱστορικὸν δεδομένον ἐκ τοῦ Λόγου τοῦ ἁγίου Ἱερωνύμου εἰς τὴν Κοίμησιν τῆς Θεοτόκου κατὰ τοῦτον τὸν Λόγον, λεχθέντα κατὰ τὸ ἔτος 386, ἐπὶ παρουσίᾳ καὶ τῆς ἁγίας Παύλας, μέχρι τῶν καθ ἡμᾶς χρόνων δείκνυται ὁ τάφος αὐτῆς (τῆς Θεομήτορος) ἐν μέσῳ τῆς κοιλάδος τοῦ Ἰωσαφάτ, κειμένης μεταξὺ Σιὼν καὶ ὄρους τῶν Ἐλαιῶν. «Σὺ δέ, ὦ Παύλα, εἶδες τὸν τόπον, ἐν ᾧ πρὸς τιμὴν αὐτῆς ἔκτισαν Ἐκκλησίαν δι ὡραίων λίθων. Πάντες κηρύττουσιν (ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ), ὅτι ἡ Μαρία ἐτάφη ἐν αὐτῇ, ἀλλὰ τὸ μαυσωλεῖον αὐτῆς εἶναι κενόν». Η Αγία Βηθλεέμ Βηθλεὲμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας. Πόλις ἡ ὁποία ἐχάραξε ἀνεξιτήλως τὴν πορείαν τῆς ἀνθρωπότητος. Τὸ ὄνομά της, εἰς τὴν ἑβραϊκὴν Bethlehem, σημαίνει οἶκος τοῦ ἄρτου, τοῦ Ἄρτου τῆς ζωῆς. Ὅπως ἀναφέρεται εἰς τὸ Εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ Ματθαίου (κεφ.β,1) καὶ τοῦ Λουκᾶ (κεφ Β 1-15) εἶναι ὁ τόπος τῆς γεννήσεως τοῦ Ἰησοῦ. Ἡ Βηθλεὲμ ἔχει ἐπίσης καὶ τὴν ὀνομασίαν Ἐφραθά, καθὼς καὶ Βηθλεὲμπόλις Δαυΐδ διὰ νὰ διακρίνεται ἀπὸ τὴν ὁμώνυμον πόλιν Βηθλεὲμ νοτίως τῆς Γαλιλαίας. Ἀλλάζει ριζικῶς τὸν 4ον αἰῶνα ὅταν ἡ Ἁγία Ἑλένη, ἔκτισε τὸ ἐπάνω εἰς τὸ Σπήλαιον τῆς Γεννήσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦ μεγαλοπρεπῆ Βασιλικήν, συντελοῦσα εἰς τὴν μετατροπήν τοῦ μικροῦ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀσημάντου χωριοῦ εἰς σπουδαῖον προσκυνηματικὸν κέντρον. Τὸ ἐσωτερικόν τῆς Βασιλικῆς σώζεται εἰς τὴν ἀρχικήν του μορφήν. Εἶναι πεντάκλιτος βασιλικὴ καὶ τὰ κλίτη χωρίζονται διά τεσσαράκοντα μονολίθους κίονας κορινθιακοῦ ρυθμοῦ. Οἱ κίονες ἀπεικονίζουν διαφόρους Ἁγίους τῆς ἀνατολικῆς Ἐκκλησίας. Τὸ μεγαλύτερον μέρος τοῦ Σπηλαίου τῆς Γεννήσεως εἶναι ἐσκαλισμένον εἰς τὸν φυσικὸν βράχον ἐνῶ τὸ ὑπόλοιπον εἶναι κτιστόν. Γενικὴ ἄποψη τῆς αὐλῆς τῆς Βασιλικῆς τῆς Γεννήσεως στὴν Βηθλεὲμ Συμφώνως πρὸς τὰ εὑρήματα αὐτὰ τὸ Σπήλαιον, ὅπου ἐγεννήθη ὁ Χριστὸς ἦτο ἐσκεπασμένον μὲ ὀκταγωνικὸν κτίσμα καὶ οἱ προσκυνηταί ἠδύναντο νὰ δοῦν μέσα ἀπὸ ἕν ἄνοιγμα, τό ὁποῖον ὑπῆρχε εἰς τὸ κέντρον. Τὰ δάπεδα τῆς Βασιλικῆς καὶ τοῦ ὀκταγώνου ἦσαν ἐστρωμένα μὲ πολύχρωμα μωσαϊκά. Τὸ ὀκτάγωνον διεδέχθη τρίκογχον Ἱερὸν βῆμα ὑπὸ τοῦ ὁποίου εὑρίσκεται τὸ Σπήλαιον. Εἰς τὸν δυτικὸν τοῖχον τοῦ Νάρθηκος ὁ ὁποῖος ἔβλεπε πρὸς τὴν αὐλήν, ὑπῆρξε ψηφιδωτὸν μὲ τὴν παράστασιν τῆς Γεννήσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ τῆς Προσκυνήσεως τῶν Μάγων. Συμφώνως πρὸς τὴν παράδοσιν οἱ Πέρσαι ὅταν ἐπέδραμαν τὸ 614 εἰς τὴν Παλαιστίνην μὲ τὸν Χοσρόην, ἐσεβάσθησαν τὸν Ναὸν τῆς Γεννήσεως ἀναγνωρίζοντες εἰς τὸ ψηφιδωτόν του Νάρθηκος τοὺς Τρεῖς Πέρσας Μάγους νὰ προσφέρουν τὰ δῶρα τους εἰς τὸ Θεῖον Βρέφος. Μετὰ τὴν κατάκτησιν τῆς χώρας ὑπὸ τῶν Ἀράβων τὸ 638 καὶ τὴν συνθήκην τοῦ Ὀμάρ, Χριστιανοὶ καὶ Μουσουλμάνοι ἔζησαν ἁρμονικῶς εἰς τὴν Βηθλεέμ, καθὼς οἱ τελευταῖοι ἐτίμων τὸν Χριστὸν ὡς προφήτην καὶ ἐσέβοντο τὴν Παναγίαν. Τὸ 1250 τὴν δυναστείαν τῶν Ἁγιουβιδῶν εἰς τὴν Αἴγυπτον διαδέχονται οἱ Μαμελοῦκοι. Ἐπακολουθεῖ πλῆθος διωγμῶν καὶ ταλαιπωριῶν τοῦ χριστιανικοῦ πληθυσμοῦ τῆς πόλεως, ἐνῶ κατὰ τὴν διάρκειαν τῆς ὀθωμανικῆς κατοχῆς ξεκινάει σφοδρὸς ἀγὼν Λατίνων καὶ Ἑλληνορθοδόξων διὰ τὴν κυριότητα τοῦ Ναοῦ τῆς Γεννήσεως καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Σπηλαίου. Τὸ 1757 μὲ διάταγμα τοῦ σουλτάνου Ὀσμᾶν Γ τὸ Ἑλληνορθόδοξον Πατριαρχεῖον Ἱεροσολύμων ἀνακτᾶ πλήρως τὸν Ναὸν καὶ τὸ Σπήλαιον τῆς Γεννήσεως καὶ προσπαθεῖ νὰ τὰ διατηρήσῃ εἰς τὴν δικαιοδοσίαν του μέσα ἀπὸ ἀντιξόους συνθῆκας. Page 6

7 My Hero is.. by Paulina Noufrios My hero is Anna Chrysostomou. She is my hero because she is a very strong woman in my eyes. Anna is also warm hearted. I am very good friends with her children. They are wonderful children. Anna Chrysostomou has a child with autism. He is a very bright boy. She, too, is a very smart woman. She cares for and loves her family. The main reason she is my hero is because she fought breast cancer and now she looks as good as new. I idolize her because she proves that women can do anything. She is a great teacher, a wonderful mother, and a perfect friend. She is a special person and we are lucky to be close to her. When I grow up to become a woman, I would like to like her. My Hero is.. by Eva Fexy My hero is my sister, Hope, even though I only knew her for less than five seconds. Hope was supposed to be a stillborn baby, but she fought like no one has fought before, for her last and only breath. This part I will never forget: she looked at me, then my mom; she did not cry. Then, she closed her eyes forever. Hope has taught me more than any one else has. She taught me to try, no matter what. She taught me that sometimes life does not go the way we would like. She taught me that your best is always good enough, and that when you are sad, you always have your family to lean on. She taught me all these things in less than five seconds. May she rest in peace. OXI Day at A. Fantis By Tasos Papadopoulos In the Greek language the word οχι (ohi) means no. On October 28, 1940, the Greek prime minister, Ioannis Metaxas, received a message from the Italians. The message asked if the Italian army could march through Greece. Metaxas instantly answered ΟΧΙ (ΟΗΙ). On October 28, 2010 grades 5-8 of A. Fantis put on a play. It was modeled after the 1940s movie The Germans Strike Again. The play was practiced for weeks prior to the day of the show. The play was about a man named Theodore Ginopoulos who has a dream about the Germans striking again. The characters were Theodore Ginopoulos- played by Tasos Papadopoulos, The Crazy Guy- played by Spiro Haliotis Ourania Ginopoulos- played by Lia Fanourakis, Keti Ginopoulos- played by Evie Vlitas, Lefteris- played by Philipp Steimann, Zisi- played by Mark Plimakis, Marigo- played by Joanna Zoulis, Prodoti (traitor)- played by Lefteris Gementzopoulos, German soldiers- played by George Rogakos and Peter Steimann, News Paper boys- played by Hunter Arbeeny and Christopher Birney, Person A and Person B- played by Hunter Arbeeny and Jasper Johnson, Doctor- played by Paulina Noufrios, Doctor A and Doctor B- played by Constantine Athanitis and Adam Chrysostomou, Woman Doctor- played by Athena Styron, Patrioti (patriot)- played by George Manguravdos, Sotiri- played by Nicholas Paravalos, civilians- played by Tatiana Welka, Julia Trifan, and Emily Rassmann, and the person that sells fruit, played by Brikena Prendaj. We thank the cast for this great production. A Fantis School Pre-School Program The Time Has Come to Say Farewell and Good Luck. INTERVIEW WITH MS. ERIN By Tasos Papadopoulos Q: What year did you first start working at A. Fantis? A: The year. Q: What was your first job at this school? A: A UPK Teacher. Q: How did you find working at this school? A: I loved every second of it. I loved working with Mrs. Patty, Ms. Jenny, and Ms. Evelyn. Q: How did you go from being a UPK teacher to becoming the Assistant Principal? A: Dr. Farkouh gave me an amazing opportunity to work under her guidance so I looked into School Administration programs and got started right away. Q: What did you accomplish at this school? A: Going from teacher to Assistant Principal, creating great working relationships, and overall positive relationships with teachers, students and families. Q: What was your favorite part of working at A. Fantis? A: All the great people I have met and worked with through the years. Q: Why are you leaving? How do you feel about leaving? A: I was offered a position as Assistant Principal at a public school in Long Island, close to my home. I will miss everyone at A. Fantis very much and plan on staying in touch and at least celebrating with everyone at the Greek Festival. Page 7

8 The Ring Day Ceremony Every year the class of the eighth grade has a Ring Day Ceremony. This delightful ceremony is to honor the eighth graders for coming this far. They are almost at the finish line. They worked hard throughout the years to reach the position they are in. This year the Ring Day Ceremony was dedicated to a really funny and smart class. The class has only one beautiful, young girl named Dominique Thorne and eight handsome young men named Demetrios Koutsidis, Mark Plimakis, Phillipp Stienmann, Gregory Poulon, Elefterios Gementzopoulos, Spiro Haliotis, and Anastasios Papadopopulos. At the ceremony two 7th graders named Nicholas Paravalos and Evangelia Fanourakis were giving out the programs. After the blessing and the presentation of the rings, Anastatios Papadopoulos said a touching Greek speech about the day they have always been dreaming of. Then, Spiro Haliotis, said a really excellent English speech. When the two intelligent men finished their wonderful speeches, happy tears came out of their parents eyes when they placed the ring on their child s finger. When did the children grow up? some parents announced at the brunch the church hosted for the eighth graders. Many people pitched in to help with the delicious brunch. They served pancakes with a variety of fruit and muffins. When everybody finished eating it was time for cake. The cake was made and well designed from Mrs. Tampakis. It was delicious. Many of you might of even seen her on the cooking channel. As you have noticed your children grow up really fast, so enjoy them when they are young! Evangelia Fanourakis 7th grade Interview with Mrs. Fatema Hossain By Elefterios Gementzopoulos 1- What do you like about this school? There are wonderful and creative children in this school. 2- Have you always taught 3rd graders? This is my first time teaching third graders. Last year I had taught second grade. 3- What school did you teach before this one? I taught in a public elementary school. 4- When did you finish college? I finished college last year, December Where did you grow up? I was born and raised in Brooklyn. 6- Why did you become a teacher? I love to work with children and help them grow academically. 7- Is this 3rd grade the best class in your teaching career? Yes, they are a class of hardworking students. 8- What is your favorite subject teaching? I like teaching all the subjects especially Math because you can relate it to real life experiences. The New School Activity FENCING By Christopher Birney and Vageli Vasilakos The new school activity is fencing. Fencing is a great activity to learn. There are only two instructors buth they make sure that all the students understand the techniques from early America to modern times. One of the instructors was in the Olympics and is very well trained. They teach everything from the stands to all the great fencing things you will need to know to be an amazing fencer. The fencing program is divided into tow groups. One group goes with one instructor and the other group goes with the other instructor. You would fist start with the warm ups. After that you would play fun fencing games like a fencing version of Simon Says. Finally, your group would have fencing matches. Some people think that fencing is dangerous, but it is very safe. The instructors bring armor, masks and other equipment. The instructors also make sure you are not hurt everytime you have a match. The instructors make sure no one hurts anyone. Everyone is nice and respectful to their friends. The program is the best program the school ever had! Page 8