A Great Greek Festival

Transcript

1 Ss. Nicholas, Constantine & Helen tt tt THE CROSS October-November 2012 A Great Greek Festival

2 Your Parish Administration V. Rev. Fr. Seraphim Poulos, Proistamenos Executive Board Father s mobile: President, James Sumas 1 st Vice President, Pantelis Athanasiou 2 nd Vice President, Douglas Rosa Secretary, Mary Kakos Asst. Secretary, Nina M. Konstantakis and Education Committee Treasurer, Gina Xanthos Asst Treas. Oper., Stella Thompoulos Asst Treas. Bldg., Gus Theodos PC Members Andreas Antoniou, Insurance Laison John Chambous, Real Estate Nicholas Churus, Building Committee James Dalianis, Communication Chairperson Efthymios Daniskas, Narthex John Epitropakis, Maintenance Chairperson Demetra Gautieri, Events Chairperson Tom Loucopolos, Security/Safety Coordinator Angelo Kontogiannis, Stewardship Chairperson and Fund Raising Committee Michael Miltiades, Narthex Milton Pantazis, Narthex Evans Roupas, Choir Liaison Peter Sergiou, Finance Church Office Staff Church Secretary, Helen Janulis Off: Fax: Asst. Secretary, Mary Theodos Custodian, Aldo Tapia The Cross Editor V. Rev. Seraphim Poulos The next Submissions to the Cross are due by the 1st of Nov. Please be on time. Please send to ssnchnj@comcast.net Ministries Narthex: Welcoming Committee Philoptochos: G.O.Y.A. Religious Education P.T.O. Greek School: Choir: Festival Stitch & Knit Bible Study Pg 3 Church Etiquette Pg 3 Rites & Sacraments Takis Dionisos New Religious Director Dorothy Rosa Vivian Pagoulatos, President Christina Daniskas, President Athie Daniskas, Advisor Vicky Kantanas, Directors Stella Thomopoulos, President Rita Fitanidou, Principal James Vardakis, Choir Master Doug Rosa, Chairman Loula Stathakis In This Issue Pg 4 Pg 4 The Shepard Pg 5 G.O.Y.A. Pg 6 Greek Festival Pg 7 Miracle of Theotokos Pg 8 Philoptochos Pg 9 Car Raffle Pg 10 Book Review Pg 11 Church News Pg 12 Knit & Stitch Pg 13 Calendar Insert 2

3 i Orthodox Bible Study Reading Forum All are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Ever wanted to learn more and/or understand the Bible? Are you looking for an opportunity to fellowship and share the Word of God with people? When was the last time you really studied and prayed for understanding about your reading s in the Bible? Do you have questions, fears, concerns and/or doubts about the truth and/or history of the Bible? Please join us as Father Seraphim leads us in and through the Bible as well as help us in answering these and/or similar questions. Bring your Bible. Beginning November 7, When: Each Wednesday 10:00 AM Where: Sumas Library Church Etiquette Entering Late The time to arrive at Church is before a service starts. For some unknown reason, however, it has become customary - for some individuals and families to come late. If you arrive after a service begins, try to enter the temple quietly and observe what is happening. If a scripture passage is being read, or an entrance is taking place, censing and Consecration of the Gifts wait until it is finished to find a seat. If the priest is delivering a sermon, stay in the back of the temple until he has finished. If in doubt, check with one of the ushers to see if it is a good time to seat yourself. Try not to interrupt a service by your entrance. Please do not walk to the front of the Church once Services have began Lighting Candles There are also times when candles should not be lit. It is not proper to light candles during the Scripture readings, during the entrances, during the sermon, and most of the times when the faithful are standing. Standing When should you definitely stand? Always stand during the Gospel reading, the Little and Great Entrances, the Anaphora, the distribution of Communion, the special services for a Memorial or the Artoklasia, whenever the priest gives a blessing, and during dismissal. (The above article was printed at the direction of His Eminence, Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver) 3

4 Weddings: Rites and Sacraments On September 1 st, Robert Haney and Maria Konstas, sponsors were Nicholas and Evangelia Pittas. On September 23 rd, Daniel Figueiredo and Marika Kakounis, sponsor was Maria Vayas. Buerrosse. Sophie Kostakis, beloved aunt of Mary Vasilios and Penelope Burns. Antonio Stathis, Beloved husband of Eleni Stathis. Stamatia (Toula) Kovas, beloved wife of Antonis Kovas and beloved mother of Maria Kovas. On September 30 th, George Baroulakis and Irene Halkias, sponsors were Andreas and Konstantina Boutsikakis. Our condolences to the families and may the Lord rest their souls in a place of peace and green pastures. On October 7 th, Constantina Tsihlas and Mark Lubischer, sponsor was John Tsihlas. May their memory be eternal! On October 14 th, John Jelis and Styliani (Stala) Michael, sponsors were Elias Jelis and Christiana Krimitsos. Baptisms: CONGRATULATIONS! On July 7 th, the twins of John G. & Michelle Maselli were baptized and were named John George, sponsor was Angela Demetriou and Athena Hope, and sponsors were Constantine and Andrea Kalliaras. On August 12 th, the daughter of William J. and Ariadne Bender was baptized and was named Katerina Faith, sponsor was Apostolia Mamos. NA SAS ZISOUN! Death Announcements: With deep regret we announce the deaths of: Veronica Karafel, beloved mother of William Karafel and Kathleen Slater Grandmother of Eric Slater and sister of Norma Bruno.. George James Andresakes, beloved father of Mary OUR NEW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DIRECTOR Beginning on October 15th, Vicky Kantanas will become the new director of our Religious Education Program. Victoria is married to her husband Nick and they have two children, Kalliope and Stratos. Vicky graduated from Kean University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. For several years, she worked with her father in their family restaurant as a manager. During that time, she received a Teacher of the Handicap certification from Felician College. Soon after, she obtained a position as a special education teacher at a high school in Bergen County where she has enjoyed her career there for fifteen years. She recently completed a Master of Arts in Education Leadership from Montclair University. Vicky is also a member of the Board of the Greek School P.T.O. where both Kalliope and Stratos are students. Our Parish wishes to thank Vasilki Fotinis and Antigone Lukowiak for their tireless dedication to the Religious Education Program for the past many years. We remember them for keeping focused and remaining faithful to the mission of teaching the Faith of our Lord. Vasiliki will continue to serve the Church in our new Bookstore and Antigone will continue to teach in the higher classes. ( We wish you well as our new Religious) 4

5 Ο βοσκός, ο ηγούµενος και ο "Νεωκόρος"!!! απάντησε πως φοβάται να κατέβει µήπως το µάθει ο Ηγούµενος και τον τιµωρήσει. Ο απλός όµως και πάλι επέµενε και τότε του φάνηκε πως κατέβηκε και έτρωγαν και συνοµιλούσαν µαζί. Αυτό συνέβαινε κάθε βράδυ (ω της πολλής σου φιλανθρωπίας Χριστέ) και ενώ οι άλλοι µοναχοί άκουαν οµιλίες στο ναό, όταν έµπαιναν µέσα έβλεπαν µόνο τον απλό που τους βεβαίωνε πως ήταν µόνος. Τότε έβαλαν ένα µοναχό πολύ αγαπητό στο νεωκόρο ο οποίος κατόρθωσε και έµαθε από τον απλό πως κάθε βράδυ κατεβαίνει ο φαινόµενος κατάδικος και συντρώγουν και του υπόσχεται πως γι αυτό του το δείπνο, θα τον φιλεύση πλουσιοπάροχα στο σπίτι του πατέρα του. ιηγήθηκε ένας από τους Αγίους Πατέρες την ακόλουθη ιστορία που άκουσε στην έρηµο της Θηβαΐδος. Συνέβηκε κάποτε και πέρασε από την έρηµο ένας µεγάλος πνευµατικός και στην αρετή περιβόητος. Τότε πολλοί από τους Πατέρες έτρεχαν και εξοµολογούντο σ αυτόν, µεταξύ τους δε πήγε και ένας απλός και άκακος άνθρωπος βοσκός στο επάγγελµα, που δεν ήξερε τι θα πει αµαρτία, µόνη του δε επιθυµία ήταν πως να κερδίσει το παράδεισο. Ο πνευµατικός τότε του είπε να κρατεί τον ίσιο δρόµο και θα φθάσει στο παράδεισο. Άκακος όπως ήταν ερµήνευσε κατά γράµµα τα λόγια του πνευµατικού και περπατώντας τρεις µέρες έφτασε σ ένα µοναστήρι και εξοµολογήθηκε στον ηγούµενο τον πόθο του. Από τα λόγια του ο ηγούµενος εννόησε την απλότητα και ακεραιότητα του, τον δέχτηκε στο µοναστήρι και αφού τον έκαµε µοναχό τον έβαλε να «φιλοκαλή» την Εκκλησίαν, δηλαδή τον έκαµε νεωκόρο. Μια µέρα όταν τον επισκέφτηκε ο Ηγούµενος και τον νουθετούσε τα αναγκαία για τη σωτηρία του, πήρε και αυτός θάρρος και τον ρώτησε ποιός είναι αυτός που είναι κρεµασµένος πάνω από το εικονοστάσιο και είναι συνέχεια νηστικός και διψασµένος, µη γνωρίζοντας ότι είναι ο εσπότης Χριστός. Αστεϊζόµενος τότε ο Ηγούµενος του είπε πως αυτός ήταν νεωκόρος πρωτύτερα και επειδή αµελούσε το «διακόνηµα» του (υπηρεσία) τον ετιµώρησε να κρέµεται επάνω στο σταυρό. Ο απλός τότε δεν είπε τίποτε, το βράδυ όµως σαν πήρε το φαγητό του, αφού έκλεισε της Εκκλησίας τις πόρτες άρχισε να παρακαλεί τον κρεµασµένο να κατεβεί να φάνε µαζί. Έβαζε µάλιστα µάρτυρα τον Θεό πως αν δεν κατέβει ούτε αυτός τρώει. Τότε ο πράος και ταπεινός Κύριος αυτός που κάθεται στις καρδιές των πραέων του Όταν έµαθε ο ηγούµενός αυτά, κάλεσε τον απλό και αφού τον έπεισε να του πει αυτά που συµβαίνουν, τότε του είπε το επόµενο βράδυ να παρακαλέσει τον φαινόµενο και για τον ηγούµενο και να τον φιλεύση και αυτόν στο σπίτι του πατέρα του. Πράγµατι ο απλός παρακάλεσε το επόµενο βράδυ για τον ηγούµενο αλλά πήρε απάντηση πως αυτό δεν γίνεται και έτσι να µην τον ενοχλεί γιατί ο ηγούµενος δεν είναι άξιος ούτε για τα ψίχουλα που πέφτουν απ εκείνο το τραπέζι. Σαν άκουσε το πρωί ο ηγούµενος την απόφαση λυπήθηκε άµετρα, ελπίζοντας όµως στο έλεος και τη φιλανθρωπία του Θεού µε κλάµατα παρακαλούσε τον απλό να επιµένει και να βιάζει τον αβίαστο να τον δεχθεί και αυτόν στο ουράνιο τραπέζι. Ο απλός συνέχισε να παρακαλεί το επόµενο βράδυ το εσπότη Χριστό αλλά ο Κύριος του είπε να µην επιµένει γιατί δεν γίνεται. Τότε η άπλαστη εκείνη ψυχή αποκρίνεται και του λέγει: «καλώς λέγεις ότι δεν είναι άξιος ο Ηγούµενος δια την άνωθεν τράπεζα, αλλά δια το ψωµί όπου µας έθρεφε τόσας ηµέρας, όπου αν έλειπεν θα απεθάναµεν από την πείναν, καν δια ταύτην την καλοσύνη του δεν τον δέχεσαι;» Και ο εσπότης Χριστός «ας είναι είπε δια την αγάπη σου, και µόνον δια να µη σε λυπήσω, επειδή και τόσην αγάπη και φροντίδα έχεις και µεριµνάς πολύ δια τον πλησίον σου, ειπέ του λοιπόν να διορθωθεί καλώς και µετά οκτώ ηµέρας να έλθητε αµφότεροι εις την ητοιµασµένη χαράν.» Αφού έµαθε αυτά ο Ηγούµενος χάρηκε, έκαµε την πρέπουσα µετάνοια και αφού κοινώνησε των αχράντων µυστηρίων, αρρώστησε λίγο και παρέδωσε την ψυχή του στο Θεό µετά από οκτώ µέρες. Ο δε απλός εκεί που συνοµιλούσε κατά τη συνήθεια µε τον αγαπηµένο του εσπότη πέταξε η µακαρία του ψυχή και µετέβησαν και οι δύο σ εκείνη την ευτυχισµένη και ατελεύτητη ζωή, την οποία είθε και εµείς «χάριτι Θεού» να απολαύσουµε. Αµήν. 5

6 G.O.Y.A. Appeal for New Costumes Over the past four years, our G.O.Y.A. has tripled in size for which we are very excited. Our community is getting lots of exposure within our Metropolis and we are also trying to make a presence in our local community by being available to participate in local events. We want to make sure we look our best. With that said, we are asking if anyone wishes to support our G.O.Y.A. in their efforts to purchase new dance costumes for their upcoming competitions, it would be greatly appreciated. The current costumes are a collection from Newark and Orange and are almost 40 years old. We realize that most fundraisers aren t designed to raise such a large amount so quickly and it was suggested that this appeal may be an alternative. The costs of these costumes are quite expensive. They range from $150-$400+. We are hopeful that we would get costumes in the $300 range to ensure that they are strong enough to sustain a long term life. We want to purchase 30 $300 each. Total $9,000. Future G.O.Y.A, Even ts If you would like to discuss with any of the advisors, please find us after church services or feel free to call us at our homes. Our deadline for ordering new costumes will be year end. Please remember that any contribution you make to our church is tax deductible. With gratitude, Ss Nicholas, Constantine & Helen G.O.Y.A. Advisors Upcoming Events: November 2012: Nov. 3 rd : Bowling Tournament & Dance in Fairview Nov. 4 th : Singing Practice after Church Nov. 9 th & 10 th : Religious Retreat/Sleepover Nov, 11 th : Youth Sunday Nov. 11 th : Singing Practice after Church Fr. Seraphim, Athie Daniskas, Gerry Dendrinos, Antigone Lukowiak, Dorothy Rosa, December 2012: Dec. 1 st : Dance Practice 9:30am Dec. 2 nd : Singing Practice after Church Dec. 8 th : Dance Practice 9:30am Dec. 9 th : Singing Practice after Church Dec. 15 th : Dance Practice 9:30am Dec. 16 th : Singing Practice after Church 6

7 GREEK FESTIVAL Doug Rosa, Festival Chairman Our church s inaugural Greek Cultural Festival took place the week of Sept and proved to be a great success. We were well supported by the surrounding communities and especially the Borough of Roseland. We had at least 5,000 adults attend and probably another 2,000 children over the course of three days. Everyone who came seemed to enjoy themselves and was shocked to see how beautiful our church complex is. We repeatedly heard how proud we should be as a church community for having accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. The Festival committee plans on having an all inclusive report in the next issue of the Cross, but for now, I d like to thank all those that helped make the event the exciting success that it was. We were able to surpass the monetary goal set by last year s Parish Assembly budget but more importantly, we were able to create invaluable amount of Goodwill for our church. Furthermore, we were able to support three other local non-profits which include the Roseland Volunteer First Aid Squad, the Roseland Volunteer Fire Department and St. John s Soup Kitchen located in Newark. above and beyond the call of duty and helped carry this event to the finish line: Roseland Police Chief, Richard McDonough, Roseland Fire Chief, Kent Yates, Mary Kakos, Dorothy Rosa, Lia Diamandas, Stephanie Sumas, Sharyn & Jim Hanzimanolis, Gerry Dendrinos, Stacy Miltiades, Kathy Frangoulis, Demetra Gautieri, Nick Bistis, Sophia Athanasiou, Vicky Glock, Elizabeth & Alex Rosa and Aldo Tapia. Hope Of all the forces that make for A better world, none is so powerful With hope, one can think, one can Work, one can dream. If you have hope you have everything. Full time Greek-Speaking Nanny needed. Seeking a Nanny to care for infant son starting March, A special thank you to all the Festival Committee members, to all our sponsors and donors, to the many non-parishioners who extended their help to us, to all people who came during the preceding months and weeks to volunteer/shop/bake/cook/ clean/paint and to all those who staffed the festival stations over the three days. This undertaking was massive and without all the volunteers it would have never been executed. Finally, I must thank the following people who for many months went Location: Mountainside, NJ (Prefer someone who can drive to and from our home.) Hours: Monday-Friday from 8:30am-6:30pm Contact: Call/ Maria at or airam11@aol.com 7

8 Θαῦµα τῆς Παναγίας Ήταν παραµονή του Ευαγγελισµού, 24 Μαρτίου του 1942, και ήµασταν στη ράµα, στην ιδιαιτέρα µου πατρίδα. Η ξένη κατοχή ήταν βουλγάρικη. Οι στερήσεις, οι αρρώστιες και η πείνα είχαν πάρει τροµακτικές διαστάσεις και ο θάνατος θέριζε κάθε µέρα µικρούς και µεγάλους και ιδιαιτέρως τα παιδιά. Μεταξύ των συγγενών µου είχα και µία µακρινή θεία, χήρα µε πέντε παιδιά. Τον άνδρα της τον είχαν σκοτώσει οι κατακτητές πριν από έξι µήνες στις σφαγές της 29ης Σεπτεµβρίου τού1941. Από τρόφιµα της είχαν αποµείνει ένα δάκτυλο ελαιόλαδο και µία χούφτα καλαµποκάλευρο. Εκείνο, λοιπόν, το απόγευµα σκέφθηκε ότι αύριο, του Ευαγγελισµού, είχε έστω και κάτι λίγο για τροφή στα παιδιά: εκατό δράµια αλευράκι κι ένα δάκτυλο λαδάκι. Ξαφνικά τα µάτια της έπεσαν πάνω στο σβησµένο καντήλι, που ήταν κρεµασµένο µπροστά στο εικονοστάσι. Και τότε µπήκε στο δίληµµα: Το λαδάκι στα νηστικά παιδιά της ή στο εικονοστάσι µε την εικόνα του Ευαγγελισµού; Αποφασιστικά όµως έκαµε τον σταυρό της και είπε στην Παναγία: "Παναγία µου! Εγώ θα Σου ανάψω το καντήλι, γιατί η µέρα που ξηµερώνει είναι πολύ µεγάλη για την πίστη µας, αλλά και Σύ όµως ανάλαβε να µου θρέψης τα παιδιά". Πήρε το λιγοστό λαδάκι και µ' αυτό άναψε το καντήλι της Παναγιάς. Το ιλαρό του φως φώτισε το φτωχικό σπίτι και η καρδιά της γέµισε από γαλήνη. Αυτό τους συνόδευσε στη βραδινή τους προσευχή και στον ύπνο τους όλο εκείνο το αξέχαστο βράδυ. Την άλλη µέρα, µετά τη Θεία Λειτουργία, η θεία µου άνοιξε το ντουλάπι, για να πάρει το λιγοστό αλεύρι, και έµεινε άφωνη. Τί βλέπει; Το "λαδερό" γεµάτο λά δι µέχρι πάνω, και δύο σακούλες γεµάτες αλεύρι και µακαρόνια!. Σταυροκοπήθηκε η γυναίκα πολλές φορές, δοξάζοντας και ευχαριστώντας τον Θεό και την Παναγία για το µεγάλο θαύµα, αλλά δεν είπε σε κανέναν τίποτα. Για δύο χρόνια ούτε το λάδι άδειαζε από το µπουκάλι, ούτε και το αλεύρι "σώθηκε" ποτέ, παρά την καθηµερινή τους χρήση για έξι στόµατα, για ανταλλαγή µε άλλα τρόφιµα και για κρυφή ελεηµοσύνη. Αλλά και το καντήλι παρέµεινε από τότε µέρανύχτα αναµµένο, µαρτυρώντας µε το άσβεστο φως του τη ζωντανή πίστη αυτής της ευλογηµένης γυναίκας. 8

9 Philoptochos News Presentation $11,000 in Grants to Parish and Philoptochos Chapter Charities I was fortunate enough to be able to work with these charities on behalf of our chapter and church to submit grant proposals that met the criteria for each Fund, resulting in $11,000 worth of funding. On Sunday, September 23, 2012, our parish was blessed to host a formal grant presentation at the conclusion of church service. National Board and Philoptochos Metropolis of NJ President Anne Michaels and Metropolis Board and Past President, St Andrews Philoptochos, Eleni Constantinides, presented the grant checks. Anne Michaels noted that National Philoptochos disburses millions of dollars to assist those in need and has a special program to support those in medical crisis, The Children s Medical Fund. The Alex Marcou Research Fund/dravet.org was awarded $10,000. This came from the 2011 Children s Medical Luncheon fund (restricted to medical purposes/research) raised at the luncheon we attended in December in Old Greenwich. Dina Marcou was present to receive the grant with her 6 year old son Alex who is afflicted by this rare form of epilepsy and her middle son, Chris. She spoke movingly of Alex s challenges and the need to find a cure for him and the many other children who suffer from this disease. Information on Alex s backstory can be found on the website September Philoptochos Activities: This September, our chapter baked glyka for the festival and sponsored the cooking demonstration by Chef Dean on the first day of the festival. Chef Dean has helped our chapter raise thousands of dollars through annual cooking demonstrations. For his recipes, check his blog Our very own Stacy Militiades demonstrated making tzatziki dip and Sharyn Hanzimanolis demonstrated the art of marking stuffed grape leaves for YaYa s Kouzina. I thank the many Philoptochos ladies, their families and their friends for their volunteerism in making our first Roseland Greek Fest a success! Thank you to Katie Loucopolos for being the Pastry Station chair and organizing the scheduling and work all three days! The $1,000 grant from the Philoptochos Autism Assistance Fund for Mom2Mom was awarded to the organization (non-profit providing services to those with autism spectrum disorders and special needs). Cherie Castellano, the founder and our neighbor on Thackery Drive and her colleague, Annette Evans, received the grant. Often we are asked where does the money go that our Philoptochos chapter raises; here is one answer: We support people/charity at the local level as well as the archdiocese charities. Monies raised for National and Metropolis charities return via the grant program for example. 9

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11 Book Review DIAMONDS ON THE BOSPHORUS An Historical Novel by Aliki Katetzopoulou Constantinople in AD. 400 is the greatest city of its era the throne of the Roman Empire with streets of marble and churches adorned in gold. But not all is right in the imperial capital: the empress Eudoxia has begun a persecution of the city s great pastor and preacher, St. John Chrysostom. Diamonds on the Bosphorus an historical novel for young people is the story of the choice made by Christians throughout the centuries: to follow the path of Christ or the path of worldly glory. Stewardship Report As of Oct. 9, 2012 Total Pledged members Paid $ 221, Not paid Total Members not Stewards Paid $69, Not Paid We are all part of the Church. We must give a fair-share to support the Church. Please, do not allow our Church to suffer financial stress. There are many wonder- Ful ministries that we could be doing if we had financial stability. Be a good Steward. OUR HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD - All Saints Greek Orthodox Monastery, Calverton, NY Through the poetic beauty of Orthodox hymnography and original illustrations inspired by traditional Byzantine iconography, the sisters of All ts Greek Orthodox Monastery introduce the story of the Dormition of the Mother of God for children of all ages to enjoy. This humble offering will inspire every reader to honor and praise our Creator and His beloved Mother, the Theotokos. Visit our website Please let us know if you move or change phone numbers 11

12 We Extend a Warm Welcome to our New Stewards. Wanted Parlimentarian Costeas, Constantinos & Sophia Halkias, Andres & Adriana Kales, Katerina Kazan John & Marietta Kazan Rose Lento, Anthony & Marydee Maragos, Panayiotis Pritsiolas, Dimitrios & Kristie Pritsiolas, Leonidas & Melissa Ruzika, Scott & Laila Salamandrakis, Christos Sassone, Joseph & Eleni Shizas, Consantine & Dorian Verdis, Demetrios & Vasiliki Verdis, Michael The Parish Council would like to have a Parliamentarian for the interpretation of Robert s Rules on a volunteer basis, in addition to, having some knowledge of Archdiocese Regulations and Parish Bylaws for the fall Parish Assembly Parish Assembly Plan now for our annual Parish Assembly being held on Sunday Nov. 4, 2012 following Church Liturgy in the Sumas Community Center. 12

13 Stitch and Knit News We wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone who visited the Stitch and Knit booth at our first Roseland festival. The response to the items that the ladies have been knitting throughout the summer was absolutely overwhelming. The monies from the sale are going toward the eventual purchase of an icon for our lovely chapel. Any additional sales receipts will be added to this fund. The ladies of the Stitch and Knit Organization of our Church meet every Friday from 10:00 in the morning to around 1:00 pm. This is a fun, social, group who enjoy getting together and knitting various items. We knit in the morning, take a lunch break, and knit for a while in the early afternoon. The camaraderie among all of the women is what has made this organization such a fun group and all of us look forward to getting together and spending a few hours with each other. The ladies have been knitting baby hats and booties for the newborn infants in our Church as well as for newborn infants in local area hospitals. We also knit hats and scarves for the veterans at the local Veterans Administration hospital. Our projects also include knitting afghans for our housebound parishioners, afghans for nursing home residents as well as hats for cancer patients undergoing therapy. Won t you come and join us on Friday mornings if you are an experienced knitter, we can use your help we have many knitting orders to fill for Christmas. If you don t know how to knit, we will be happy to teach you. Vandalism It is most unfortunate that we must inform you that we are experiencing vandalism in our school area. To all our parents help us to stop this practice before it becomes a serious matter. The Church is no place for graffiti or jammed closets. Again we ask you to inform your young people to stop this practice immediately. Thank you. The Parish Council Byzantine Concert Our Church was host to the Byzantine Choir on Saturday, October 16th They presented The musical Legacy of the Holy Fathers in the Orthodox Christian Church Approximately 100 people attended the concert dedicated to "The Musical Legacy Of The Holy Fathers In The Orthodox Christian Church." Many who attended were from neighboring Orthodox parishes, as well as, some guests from other Orthodox churches based in New Jersey. Mike Miltiades chaired the event and the Philoptochos hosted the reception after the event serving the guests with delicious fruits, baklavas, eliopittes, other desserts and coffee. 13

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17 CONSTANTINA KOULOSOUSAS ATTORNEY AT LAW MANDELBAUM, SALSBURG, LAZRIS & DISCENZA 155 PROSPECT AVENUE DIRECT (973) WEST ORANGFE, NEW JERSEY FAX (973) TEL (973)

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