HOLY TRINITY December 2018

Transcript

1 HOLY TRINITY December 2018 Volume 49 Issue 12 The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ December 25 ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ!! ΑΓΙΑ ΤΡΙΑΣ Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Wilmington, Delaware

2 The Official Publication of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 808 N. Broom Street, Wilmington, Delaware / Telephone: (302) Fax: (302) Church Office Address: greekorth@holytrinitywilmington.org Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm His Eminence Metropolitan EVANGELOS of New Jersey, Hierarch Rev. Fr. Christos Christofidis, Proistamenos, fr.christofidis@holytrinitywilmington.org For pastoral emergencies and confessions - please call Fr. (717) Susan Kelleher, Church Secretary (302) (home) 2018 PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS George Rassias, President - (610) Paraskevi Wolcott, First Vice President - (302) Spiros Mantzavinos, Second Vice President - (302) Stephanos Karakasidis, Parish Council Treasurer - (856) Tom Karas, Assistant Treasurer - (302) Nicholas Demourtzidis, Parish Council Secretary - (610) George Economou Steve Nicholas Georgia Halakos Tom Psaltis Tom Hatzis Yvonne Tsavalas Michael Kirifides Peter Xarhoulakos Jim Maravelias CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS (856) Philoptochos Vickie Karakasidis, President (856) Sunday School Maroula Haralambidis, Co-Director Sunday School Amalea Rassias, Co-Director GOYA Katherine Mantzavinos, President (610) JOY / HOPE Daphne Demourtzidis OCF (Orthodox College Fellowship) Fr. Christos Christofidis Cantors Grigorios Fotakis & Ilias Tikos Choir Anthony Pantelopulos, Director The Heart Club Chris Papachrysanthou, President Greek School Costas Fountzoulas, Director St. Elpida Gus Georgiou Terpsichorean Dance Troupes Spiridoula Gerakios / Altar Guild Evie Fournaris & Joanne Tarabicos Editorial Staff Dr. Costas Fountzoulas / Emmanuel Dining Room East Nikkie Tsakataras & Tina Ganiaris King Holy Trinity Food Pantry Steve Nicholas / Adult Bible Study George Righos & John Lazare Special Bible Courses and Fr. Christos Christofidis Marriage Seminars/Inquirers Classes AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS AHEPA Michael Klezaras III, President Daughters of Penelope Nikoletta Klezaras, President Hellenic University Club Dr. Michael Kirifides, President Holy Trinity Website Address: ALL ARTICLES & ANNOUNCEMENTS MUST BE IN THE OFFICE BY THE 15TH OF EACH MONTH. THESE ARTICLES & ANNOUNCEMENTS CAN BE DROPPED OFF, ED, FAXED OR U. S. MAIL. FOR ANY CHANGES TO THE CHURCH SERVICES OR PARISH EVENTS PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY BULLETIN

3 Every year around this time, I have a familiar experience. I m out shopping, and I ll go through the checkout line and pay for my stuff. When the cashier hands me back the change, they ll say, Happy Holidays or perhaps Merry Christmas. I realize that this comment is not always motivated by the cashier s genuine interest in whether or not I enjoy my holiday. I am aware that they may be saying this because they were told to. I can envision the memo from Kmart corporate headquarters directing cashiers when to switch from Have a nice day to Happy Holidays on the assumption that this will somehow help cement a lasting bond between the store and the customer that won t evaporate when a Wal-Mart opens across the street. I m aware of all that, and suspicious of the whole business. But at least once every year, I have a cashier who looks me in the eye and says, Merry Christmas and really means it, and it changes my whole day. There really is something genuine to this whole idea of Christmas cheer. As December 25 th draws near, people warm up just a bit. If you are out and around on Christmas Eve, you ll notice the people are friendlier than on any other day of the year. Folks warm up when they are mindful of the Christ Child s birth and make an extra effort to practice the virtues the angels sing of peace on earth, goodwill towards men. But consider this why do we notice this at Christmas? Why does this surge in warm-heartedness stand out? I think it s because, despite our best intentions, good will towards men can easily become a seasonal event rather than a standing policy. When Christ entered our world, he didn t come to brighten our Decembers, but to transform our lives. It can be hard work to practice good will towards one another. But John the Baptist s message was that as we prepare for Christ to come into our lives, we can change our ways. The Gospel accounts of Jesus ministry provide the blueprint for loving our neighbor in a busy and complicated neighborhood. Christ made a point of seeking out the broken and disenfranchised people of his day the lepers, prostitutes, and tax collectors and he saw the value in each one of them. And in doing so, he helped them recognize the value in themselves. This Christmas Season let us recognize that just as faith is a decision, good will towards people is a series of decisions that work themselves out not in temporary holiday cheer, but in the details of everyday life. There are times when we wonder whether we matter to God, whether he really knows who we are, or cares. God responds to our doubt and our feelings of inadequacy by saying this, Come live with me at my house. I have prepared a place for you! It s a great house too, and I m not talking about a two-week lease it s forever! And, not only that, you can invite all your friends too! I am the resurrection and the life. Do you believe this? Believe it. Switch seats with Mary s example, and make God the pilot of your life. Let go of the wheel, and grab hold of Christmas with all your strength.

4 A Message from the President Dear Holy Trinity Parishioners, The Christmas Season is upon us. As we reflect on 2018, the Parish Council is grateful for the contributions of the many parishioners that often go sight unseen and support the Church's mission with their volunteer efforts in teaching Sunday School and Greek School, advising our youth programs, decorating our Church, singing in the Choir, serving in the Altar and or simply carrying out the ministries of the many organizations and auxiliary groups of our Community. The collective effort of so many make our Church a strong Community. With Christmas, there are many activities planned and our youth programs will also be sponsoring events -- Greek School's Breakfast with Santa (Dec 9th) and the Sunday School's Christmas Pageant (Dec 16th) -- so please support our ministries and consult within the calendar and information contained in this Bulletin. Finally, let us remember those less fortunate in this time of excess. Food donations can be brought to the Church Office for those in need in the Community. Phase II fundraising has begun in earnest and we are encouraged, having raised nearly a half million dollars in pledges through the early returns on the Pledge Cards. Please submit your card as soon as possible. Finally, preparations have started for our annual New Year's Eve Dance so please see the enclosed flyer with information and make your reservations soon. I wish everyone a blessed Christmas and health and happiness in the New Year. Sincerely, George Rassias Η περίοδος των Χριστουγέννων πλησιάζει. Αναλογιζόμενοι το 2018, το Συμβούλιο της Κοινότητας εκφράζει την ευγνωμοσύνη του για τη συμβολή πολλών ενοριτώνν, που συχνά δεν έχουν την ανάλογη προβολή αλλά υποστηρίζουν την αποστολή της Εκκλησίας με τις εθελοντικές συνεισφορές τους στη διδασκαλία του Κατηχητικού και του Ελληνικού Σχολείου, συμβουλεύοντας τα προγράμματα της νεολαίας μας, στολίζοντας την Εκκλησία μας, συμμετέχοντας στην Χορωδία, υπηρετώντας στο Ιερό. ή απλά υλοποιώντας τις πολλές υπηρεσίες πολλών οργανώσεων και βοηθητικών ομάδων της Κοινότητας μας. Η συλλογική προσπάθεια τόσων πολλών καθιστά την Εκκλησία μας μια ισχυρή κοινότητα. Για τα Χριστούγεννα, προγραμματίζονται πολλές δραστηριότητες και τα προγράμματα της νεολαίας θα είναι επίσης χορηγοί εκδηλώσεωντο πρωινό του Ελληνικού Σχολείου με τον Άη Βασίλη (9 Δεκεμβρίου) και τη παρέλαση Χριστουγέννων του Κατηχητικού (16 Δεκεμβρίου) - επομένως, παρακαλούμε να υποστηρίξετε τις υπηρεσίας μας μας και να συμβουλευθείτε το ημερολόγιο και τις πληροφορίες του παρόντος Δελτίου. Τέλος, ας θυμηθούμε εκείνους τους λιγότερο τυχερούς σε αυτή την περίοδο της υπερβολής. Μπορείτε να φέρετε τις δωρεές τροφίμων στο Γραφείο της Εκκλησίας για όσους ενορίτεςω έχουν ανάγκη. Η χρηματοδότηση της φάσης ΙΙ έχει αρχίσει σοβαρά και μας ενθαρρύνει το γεγονός ότι, έχουμε δσμεύσεις για σχεδόν μισό εκατομμύριο δολάρια σύμφωνα με τις πρώτες επιστροφές των Καρτών Δεσμεύσεως. Υποβάλετε την κάρτα σας το συντομότερο δυνατό. Τέλος, έχουν ξεκινήσει οι προετοιμασίες για την ετησία της Πρωτοχρονιάτικης Χοροεσπερίδα, γι αυτό σας παρακαλούμε να δήτε το εσώκλειστο φυλλάδιο με τις πληροφορίες και κάντε σύντομα τις κρατήσεις σας. Εύχομαι σε όλους ευλογημένα Χριστούγεννα και υγεία και ευτυχία για το Νέο Ετος. Ειλικρινώς, Γιώργος Ρασιάς

5 Philoptochos Sisterhood of Holy Trinity St. Agape Chapter Dear Beloved Parishioners and Philoptochos Sisters, We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday spent with friends and family. We extend our Thanks to all parishioners who generously donated to our Thanksgiving Tray for the Needy Family Fund. Many families had a warm meal because of your generosity. December is always a busy month with many activities for everyone. Please be sure to make your reservations for our annual Christmas Luncheon on Saturday, December 8 th at Walter s Steakhouse. Use the form in this bulletin and join us for some fabulous Christmas Fellowship, fun and gifts! We also invite you to send your Christmas wishes to friends and family through our Community Christmas Card and there is still time to order your Vasilopita or Christopsomo for your holiday gatherings. (see the fliers for both on the next page) On December 14 th we will be baking the Christopsomo in the Community Center kitchen. If you would like to learn how to make this timehonored traditional bread, come and join us at 10am! To those ordering, bread will be ready for pick-up later that afternoon or if you prefer, Sunday, the 16 th! On Sunday, December 16 th our ladies will be serving breakfast to the community as our way of saying thank you for your generosity and participation in our ministry endeavors. Your continuous giving enables us to meet the needs of those who are helpless and hurting. Remembering this is the season of Love and Giving ~ let us be humble and generous. Looking forward to working together in the months ahead, our Philoptochos Sisterhood wishes you all a Merry Christmas and God s Greatest Blessings in the coming year. In His Love, Vickie Karakasidis Calendar of Events December 8 th Annual Christmas Walter s Steakhouse 14 th Christmas Bread Baking 16 th Community Breakfast 25 th Merry Christmas 31 st New Year s Eve Gala January 1 st Happy New Year 13 th Vasilopita Sunday 19 th General Lunch Meeting February 9 th Membership Tea and Raffle Drawing March TBD Easter Show in Lancaster, PA April 6 th Bid N 12pm May 14 th Meeting and 6pm 28 th Festival Baking 29 th Festival Baking SAVE THE DATES February 9, 12noon April 6, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kollyva for Memorials Our Philoptochos Society would like to thank two of its members, Vasiliki Kromedas & Loula Kapordelis for their generous offer to prepare the Kollyva for any family of our community and donate the money for our Philoptochos charities. The cost will be $100 which will include the Prosforon, oil, and wine. Please allow at least a week and call the church office and Susie will contact the Philoptochos.

6 Order Form for Christmas Bread (Christopsomo) Now is the time to order. The Philoptochos Ladies will be baking our wonderful Christopsomo for your Holiday s. This makes a wonderful gift for a friend or family member ~ or ~ a lovely addition to any meal during the Christmas Season. Please use this form for your order. Bread can be picked up on December 14th after 3pm or on Sunday, December 16th during Coffee Hour after the Divine Liturgy, or you may call the Church Office (Monday - Friday, 9am-4pm). Cost: $15.00 Name: Phone #: # of Breads Amount enclosed: Make checks payable to Philoptochos Society and mail to: Alexandra Tsaganos 4626 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE ~ Order Form for Vasilopita Now is the time to order. The Philoptochos Ladies will be selling delicious Vasilopita from Holy Protection Monastery for your 2019 New Year Celebration. Please use this form for your order. Bread can be picked up on December 16th during Coffee Hour after the Divine Liturgy, or you may call the Church Office (Monday - Friday, 9am- 4pm). Cost: $17.00 Name: Phone #: # of Breads Amount enclosed: Make checks payable to Philoptochos Society and mail to: Alexandra Tsaganos 4626 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE ~

7 2018 Community Christmas Card Dear Parishioners, As the Christmas Season is approaching, the Philoptochos Society once again is asking you to express Holiday Greetings to each other by including your name in our Community Christmas Card. Your contribution of $25.00 per person or family will go towards Philoptochos charities. For your convenience, the Philoptochos ladies will be available in the community hall every Sunday during November, or you may complete and mail the form below. We thank you and wish you a very Merry Christmas! I/We wish to add my/our name(s) to the Community Christmas Card. Name(s): Address: City & State Zip Telephone: Deadline: Monday, December 10, 2018 Please make checks payable to: Philoptochos Society Mail to: Joanne Tarabicos 5802 Stonepine Drive Wilmington, DE For Questions or Concerns call: Joanne Tarabicos: or Dimitra Pappoulis:

8 Please join the Ladies Philoptochos Society for their Annual Christmas Luncheon December 8, 2018 at 12noon at Walter s Steakhouse 802 N Union Street, Wilmington, DE $28 per person gratuity included Cash Bar available for Soda, Beer or Wine Enjoy Fellowship with Friends & Family Christmas Carols ~ Door Prizes ~ Small Raffle (proceeds to benefit Ministry of Caring s HOPE HOUSE 1) Questions call: RSVP ON or BEFORE December 3rd to: Alexandra Tsaganos Alexandra Tsaganos Popi Papachrysanthou Weldin Road Joanna Tsaganos Wilmington, DE Send checks (no cash please) Please use the form below and send it in with your check! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All Lunches come with Fresh Garden Salad w/balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Roasted Vegetables in a fresh tomato sauce, Dessert, Coffee or Hot Tea Please choose your Entrée & Dessert below Entrée Choices: Broiled Flounder Dessert Choices: Crème Brule Shrimp Parmesan w/linguini Cheesecake Name: How Many Attending Amount Enclosed

9 HOPE JOY NEWS Pie Baking ~ November 16, 2018 and celebrating a friends Birthday! Hronia Polla Christina Pennia! Come join us in the Community Center on Friday, Dec 6pm for cookie decorating, followed by a movie! KID MISSION November 17, 2018

10 Please bring your clothing donations to any of the following locations no later than December 23, 2018: DEADLINE Sunday, DECEMBER 23

11 S U N D A Y S C H O O L N E W S The following is the first in a year-long series of first-person articles from our Sunday School teachers personal information, how and why they became a teacher, their experiences in teaching and activities in their classroom. Our Teachers for the Sunday School Year Grade Pre K Kindergarten 1st Grade Second Grade Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade Sixth Grade Junior High High School I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 1 Corinthians 3.6 Parents are children s first and most important teachers in life. They are the ones who teach their children the importance of their faith and going to church. They do this through example. Once at church, Sunday School teachers reinforce this faith. As one of these teachers, I try to create a loving and joyful environment in my classroom. I teach my students about the saints and religious holidays. We read Bible stories together, do art projects, or act out short plays relating to the lesson of the day. My hope is that these early relationships students have with Jesus and their church will continue through their adulthood. When life becomes challenging, they will easily be drawn to their church and faith for comfort and answers. Jacqueline Pastis Third Grade Teacher Sunday School Directors: Amalea Rassias (302) & Maroula Haralambidis (609) If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call either one of us! Teacher Eleni Katapodi Marina Lurz Marina Lurz Angie Karakasidis Jackie Pastis Jackie Pastis Nia Charalambides Nikkie & George Tsakataras Costas Fountzoulas Steve Turley We thank them for their commitment towards the religious education of our children.

12 Ελληνικό Σχολείο της Αγίας Τριάδος Δρ. Κώστας Γ. Φούντζουλας Το Ελληνικό Σχολείο μας εόρτασε με λαμπρότητα την 78 η επέτειο της 28 ης Οκτωβρίου, Τα παιδιά του σχολείου με την καθοδήγηση των δασκάλων τους έψαλαν τους εθνικούς ύμνους της Ελλάδος και των ΗΠΑ, τραγούδησαν και χόρεψαν. Ως συνήθως, η γενναιοδωρία των γονέων έκανε την «Ώρα του Καφέ» ένα σχεδόν πλήρες γεύμα για όλα τε μέλη της κοινότητας. Εφέτος, η δοξολογία της ημέρας έλαβε χώρα μέσα στην εκκλησία. Δυστυχώς, ως συνήθως, πολλά μέλη της κοινότητας δεν είχαν την υπομονή να παρακολουθήσουν το πρόγραμμα του σχολείου. Έχει επικρατήσει η λανθασμένη άποψη ότι ο εορτασμός αυτού του ηρωἲκού αγώνα των συγχρόνων Ελλήνων αφορά μόνο το Ελληνικό Σχολείο, τους γονείς και συγγενείς των μαθητών και μαθητριών του. Κύριος ομιλητής του προγράμματος ήταν ο Διευθυντής του Σχολείου, Κώστας Φούντζουλας. Ο σύντομος λόγος του επικεντρώθηκε κυρίως στους άταφους και άψαλτους νεκρούς Έλληνες στρατιώτες, χωρλις την ππαρουσία ιερέως, στο μέτωπο της Αλβανίας. Υπάρχουν ακόμη πάνω από νεκροί στρατιώτες, θαμμένοι πρόχειρα, που περιμένουν ακόμη την επιστροφή στην πατρίδα τους, το «νόστιμον ήμαρ», «την ημέρα της επσιτροφής δηλαδή, όπως ακριβώς έλεγε και ο παππούς μας ο Όμηρος,. Μαθήματα χορού θα δίδωνται περιστασιακά και μόνο πριν από μερικές σημαντικές εκδηλώσεεις του σχολείου μας. Πρωταρχικό;ς στόχος μας είναι η διδασκαλία της Ελληνικής γλώσσας, ιστορίας και πολιτισμού μας. Οι υπολογιστές του εργαστηρίου έχουν αγορασθεί. Η δημιουργία «Εργαστηρίου Υπολογιστών» για όλους του μαθητές και μαθήτριες θα γίνη πλέον πραγματικότητα λίαν συντόμως. Κατ αυτόν τον τρόπο το σχολείο μας εισέρχεται στον 21 ο αιώνα! Τα παιδιά μας είναι το μέλλον της κοινότητάς μας, της Ορθοδοξίας και του Ελληνισμού στην Αμερική. Hellenic School of Holy Trinity, DE Dr. Costas G. Fountzoulas Our Hellenic School brilliantly celebrated the 78 th anniversary of October 28, 1940, aka OXI DAY. The pupils of the school, under the guidance of their teachers, chanted the national hymns of Greece and the United States, sang and danced. As usual, the generosity of the parents made the Coffee Hour an almost complete meal for all members of the community. This year, the Doxology of the day took place in the church. Unfortunately, as usual, many community members did not have the patience to attend the school program. The wrong belief and point of view has prevailed, that the celebration of this heroic struggle of modern Greeks concerns only the Greek School pupils, their parents and relatives,. The Keynote speaker of the program was the Director of the School, Costas Fountzoulas. In his brief speech, he focused mainly on the unburied and unsung dead Greek soldiers, without the presence of a priest, on the front of Albania. There are more than 10,000 dead soldiers, buried impromptu, still waiting for a return to their homeland, "Day of the return home" (NOSTIMON EMAR) as our grandfather Homer was calling it. Dance classes will be given occasionally, only prior to few important events of our school. Our primary goal is to teach our children the Greek language, history and culture. The computers for the "Computer Lab" have already been purchased. The creation of a "Computer Lab" for all pupils will be materialized very soon. In this way our school enters the 21st century! Our children are the future of our community, Orthodoxy and Hellenism in America. MERRY CHRISTMAS! ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ!

13 Greek School OXI Day Program

14 Altar Guild News The Altar Guild will once again, be decorating our Church with beautiful poinsettias and other donations for Christmas. If you would like to make a donation for the purchase of poinsettias, please fill out the form below and mail it back to the church, or contact Joanne Tarabicos at or Evie Fournaris at We will need many flowers to beautify our Church during this Advent Season. Please help with any donations! Donations for the month of November are: Donation on November 21st: The Ganiaris Family in Loving Memory of Presbytera Ioanna. MEMBERS ON DUTY IN DECEMBER: The entire Altar Guild will be on duty for the month of December. We will also be making wreaths on December 25th for The Nativity and January 7th for John the Baptist. The cost is $45.00 each. All donations will be posted in the January Bulletin. If you like to donate a wreath or flowers in celebration of your special event, contact Joanne Tarabicos at or Evie at or use the form below Name Special Occasion RESERVED DATE: PHONE NUMBER: MAY WE PRINT IT IN THE BULLETIN: YES NO Enclosed $ Make checks payable to "Holy Trinity Altar Guild". Mail to: Stacy Koninis, 2602 Brightwell Drive, Wilmington, DE The ICON BOOTH will be open on December 9th. We have many beautiful gifts for sale during the Christmas Holiday. Come see what we have! THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED GENEROUS SUPPORT Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

15 Χριστουγεννιάτιο Δένδρο ή Καραβάκι Δρ. Κώστας Γ. Φούντζουλας Το Xριστουγεννιάτικο δέντρο απoτελεί σήμερα ένα διεθνές Χριστουγεννιάτικο έθιμο. Ως Χριστουγεννιάτικο σύμβολο - έθιμο φέρεται από τον 8ο αιώνα, όταν ο Άγιος Βονιφάτιος θέλησε περί το 750 ΜΧ να εξαλείψη την μέχρι τότε αποδιδομένη ιερότητα των ειδωλολατρών (Δρυίδες) στην βελανιδιά, αντικαθιστώντας την με το έλατο, δηλαδή το δένδρο των Χριστουγέννων. Ο στολισμός του δένδρου είναι καθαρά συμβολικός της ευτυχίας των ανθρώπων και της φύσεως με τη Γέννηση του Θεανθρώπου. Σύμφωνα με διαφόρους ερευνητές, το πρώτο στολισμένο δένδρο εμφανίσθηκε στην Γερμανία το Τα πρώτα στολίδια ήταν συσκευασμένα φαγητά ή είδη ρουχισμού ή άλλα χρήσιμα είδη. Με το πέρασμα των χρόνων και με την άνοδο του βιοτικού επιπέδου εξελίχθηκαν μόνο σε διακοσμητικά αντικείμενα. Στην Ελλάδα το έθιμο αυτό του έλατου ως Χριστουγεννιάτικη διακόσμηση ήρθε για πρώτη φορά με τον Βαυαρό Βασιλιά Όθωνα το 1833, που σημαίνει ότι είχε ήδη καθιερωθεί ως έθιμο στους βασιλικούς οίκους της Βόρειας Ευρώπης. Το καραβάκι αποτελεί παράδοση των παλαιών εποχών της Ελλάδας, που τα παιδιά με αγάπη, χαρά και δημιουργικό νου κατασκεύαζαν τα παιχνίδια τους. Το καράβι συμβολίζει τον καινούργιο δρόμο του ανθρώπου στη ζωή, μετά τη γέννηση του Χριστού. Αν και αυτό το έθιμο υποχώρησε με το χρόνο σε σχέση με το δένδρο, όμως δεν ξεχάσθηκε. Επίσης, αποτελούσε ένα είδος τιμής και καλωσορίσματος στους ναυτικούς, που επέστρεφαν από τα ταξίδια τους. Ακόμη και πριν από 50 χρόνια, συναντούσαμε το καραβάκι σε πολλά ελληνικά σπίτια και στα χέρια των παιδιών που έλεγαν τα κάλαντα. Σήμερα, η παράδοση αυτή τείνει να εξαφανιστεί, μιας και έχει αντικατασταθεί από το ξενόφερτο έλατο. Αλλά, το στόλισμα του καραβιού είναι ακόμη ζωντανό σε ναυτικούς, ψαράδες και θαλασσοπόρους. Ακόμη, είναι μία μορφή τάματος στον Άγιο Νικόλαο, προστάτη άγιο των ναυτικών, ο οποίος εορτάζεται στις 6 Δεκεμβρίου. Christmas Tree or Ship Replica Dr. Costas G. Fountzoulas Today, the Christmas tree is an international Christmas custom. It appears as a Christmas symbolcustom, in the 8 th century. In 750 AD, Saint Boniface replaced the oak, which it was considered sacred by the pagans (Druids), with fir, thus making it the Christmas tree. The decoration of the Christmas tree is purely symbolic of the happiness of people and nature, due to the Birth of our Lord, Christ. According to various researchers, the first ornate tree appeared in Germany in The first ornaments were packed food or items of clothing or other useful items. With the passage of time and the rise of living standards, the ornaments have evolved only in decorative objects. In Greece, the custom of fir as a Christmas decoration, first came with the Bavarian King Otto in 1833, meaning that it had already been established as a custom in the royal houses of northern Europe. The ship replica is a tradition of the old times of Greece, where children, constructed their toys with love, joy and creative mind. The ship symbolizes the new path of man in life after the birth of Christ. Although this custom fell back in time with respect to the tree, it has not been forgotten. It was also a kind of honor and a welcome to the sailors, who returned from their journeys. Even 50 years ago, we could see the ship in many Greek homes and in the hands of children who were caroling. Today, this tradition tends to disappear, since it has been replaced by the foreign fir tree. However, the ship's decoration is still alive to sailors, fishermen and seafarers. It is also a form of an offering to Saint Nicolas, a patron saint of sailors, whose nameday is celebrated on December 6th. Especially the people in Chios, a particularly marine island, our folk tradition is kept alive! There, every New Year's Day, groups from various districts of Chios capital, represent their own district by constructing imitation of merchant and warships. Ειδικά στην Χίο, ένα κατ εξοχήν ναυτικό νησί, κρατούν ζωντανή τη λαϊκή μας παράδοση! Εκεί, κάθε Πρωτοχρονιά, ομάδες ατόμων εκπροσωπούν συνοικίες της πρωτεύουσας του νησιού κατασκευάζοντας απομιμήσεις εμπορικών και πολεμικών πλοίων. ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

16 November 12th at the Emmanuel Dining Room East The Ganiaris family sponsored and hosted the meal on Monday, November 12th in loving memory of their mother, Presvytera Joan Ganiaris. Dimitra, Evie, Jamie, Soula and Tina worked in the kitchen serving a nice warm meal to 135 men, women and children. The Karakasidis family will host and serve on Wednesday, December 12th. All are welcome to help serve that day and on the 12th of every month! We sincerely thank all the individuals and organizations who generously give of their time and charity to this dining room and ministry! *Please note this correction to the October article* The names for Dimitra Pappoulis should have read her husband, Annastasios Pappoulis and her brother, Stamatios Troumouhis. Various groups and individuals from our church donate the food and host the luncheon meal at the 3rd and Walnut St location. New sponsors are needed to fill a few months, so if you would like to become a part of this worthy service project with your family, friends or church organization, please contact Nikkie Tsakataras at or Tina Ganiaris at for more information. Merry Christmas to all Please Remember the Needy Always! Holy Trinity Food Pantry THANKGIVNG DRIVE A GREAT SUCCESS Thanks to you, the parishioners of Holy Trinity, our thanksgiving food drive was very successful. Many bags of food were delivered to the Sunday Breakfast Mission. If you contributed to last months food drive then you are responsible for feeding those who are less fortunate than you! This makes our Lord happy - as His word says in Matthew 25:35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; We here at Holy Trinity can ease this everyday need by putting food on the tables of the underprivileged, not only for Thanksgiving & Christmas but everyday as ~ HUNGER KNOWS NO DAYS OR HOLIDAYS Please continue to bring in any non-perishable foods such as: Soups, fish, vegetables, meat, fruit, (any canned item), cereals, sugar, rice, pasta, cranberry sauce, baby food, coffee, tea, gravies, etc. Especially needed this month : any food needed to prepare a Christmas Dinner will be greatly appreciated We thank you all for this wonderful response to this Christian Program of feeding the less fortunate, and we thank our Lord for His many continued blessings. Blessed Christmas to all!

17 A History of the Wilmington Greek Community Throughout the 1940s, everyone in the community was involved with fundraising for the construction of the church. All the organizations, including the AHEPA Family, Philoptochos, Laconian Society, and even the choir, raised money any way they could. In this month s photos, courtesy of Voula Manis, you see members of the choir performing a play, in Greek, at the New Century Club (now the Delaware Children s Theatre) on Delaware Avenue. She remembers that a lot of funds were raised and that even Americans were in the audience. Can you identify anyone? It s that time of year we dig up holiday memories to reminisce. If you come across any photos that would be of interest to the community, please reach out to me. Even family events like weddings and baptisms in the old church or our current sanctuary before interior construction was completed are interesting. Please contact me at or via at klezaras@gmail.com. We need old photos of your family s restaurants/businesses as well. If you are a college student looking for Independent Study credit, please reach out to me as we can help each other. Please visit our Facebook page (Growing Up Greek in Wilmington) where people have been sharing their stories and photos for years. It is a private group, so please ask to be added via Facebook or send me your so I can invite you to join the group.

18 Presented by the Holy Trinity Greek School December 9th Fun after Church Food in the Fellowship Community Center Family Free for children 13 and under Don t forget your camera!!! Kids: Bring your list with you so Santa can take it with him! For questions call the Church Office GOYA NEWS Hello Everyone! December is a very exciting month for us GOYAns as we begin preparations for our annual basketball tournament as well as Sights and Sounds planning! Last year we had a record amount of participation in Sights and Sounds for our GOYA and with increasing participation we hope to see the same enthusiasm this year. We also eagerly met and practiced with a new dance instructor, Mr. Steve Pilidis. We hope to be able to perform new and exciting dances for our community in the months to come! As a reminder, the dance practices are open to non GOYAns as well. This month our GOYA will also be hosting our second annual ice skating at the riverfront where we invite Delaware Valley GOYAns from every church to enjoy a fun night of ice skating with a homemade pasta dinner at the church afterwards. Basketball and dance practice will continue as usual this month and we hope to see everyone there! Respectfully Submitted, Katherine Mantzavinos GOYA WISHES YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS

19 Please check a box off and send in the ad information and payment. Make checks payable to Holy Trinity GOYA. Different types of ads may be accepted, for example: in remembrance ads, graduation ads, pictures, business ads, store ads, personal congratulatory ads, etc. Below are the prices per each different advertisements. Thank you for your support. Back Cover (full page): $175 Front Inside Cover (full page): $175 Back Inside Cover (full page): $175 Half-Page: B&W: $50, COLOR: $65 Full-Page: B&W: $100, COLOR: $115 Ads may be sent to greekorth@holytrinitywilmington.org as attachments, or write and submit a message and picture below and give to any GOYAn or send to the Church Office.

20 NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER, ARCHBISHOP OF MYRA/DECEMBER 6 Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, thou hast achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved. Kontakion in the Third Tone Saintly One, (St. Nicholas) in Myra you proved yourself a priest; for in fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, venerable One, you laid down your life for your people and saved the innocent from death. For this you were sanctified as One learned in divine grace. Reading: This Saint lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330, As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused. No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock... was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron of all travelers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time. 14,000 INFANTS (HOLY INNOCENTS) SLAIN BY HEROD IN BETHLEHEM December 29 Apolytikion in the First Tone Be entreated, O Lord, by the sufferings endured for You by the Saints, and we pray You, heal all our pain. Kontakion in the Plagal of the Second Tone When the King was born in Bethlehem, the Magi arrived from the East with gifts guided by a Star on high, but Herod was troubled and mowed down the children like wheat; for he lamented that his power would soon be destroyed. Reading: The infant-slaying Herod mentioned here is the same one that ruled at the time of Christ's Nativity. In those days, certain Magi, who were wise and noble men, perhaps even kings, set forth from the East, and came to Jerusalem, seeking the King of the Jews, Who had been born; and they said that in the East, where their homeland was, an unusual and strange star had appeared two years before, which, according to an ancient oracle (Num 24:17), was to signify the birth of some great king of the Jews. "For we have seen His star in the east," they said, "and have come to worship Him" (Matt. 2:2). Hearing these things, Herod was troubled, and the whole city together with him. Then, having inquired and been informed by the high priests and scribes of the people that, according to the prophecies, Christ was to be born in Bethlehem, he sent the Magi thither and ordered them that, when they would find the Child, to inform him, so that he also - as he affirmed - might go and worship Him. But the Magi, after they had worshipped, departed by another way to their own country by a divine command. Then Herod was wroth and sent men to slay all the infants of Bethlehem and the parts round about, from two years old and under, thinking that with them he would also certainly slay the King Who had been born. But this vain man who fought against God was mocked, since Jesus the Child, with Mary His Mother, under the protection of Joseph the Betrothed, fled into Egypt at the command of an Angel. As for those innocent infants, they became the first Martyrs slain in behalf of Christ. But their blood-thirsty executioner, the persecutor of Christ, came down with dropsy after a short time, with his members rotting and being eaten by worms, and he ended his life in a most wretched manner. Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery / Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press Kontakion courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery

21 GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY OF HOLY TRINITY ECCLESIASTICAL SCHEDULE FOR THE NATIVITY SEASON SCHEDULE of SERVICES DECEMBER Sunday 16 8:30am Friday 22 10am Sunday 23 8:30am Monday 24 MORNING 10am EVENING 7pm 8pm Sunday 30 8:30am JANUARY Tuesday 1 8:30am Saturday 5 8:30am Sunday 6 8:30am Monday 7 8:30am 11th Sunday of St. Luke ORTHROS AND DIVINE LITURGY. Nativity program by Sunday School & Philoptochos Bread Sale and Community Breakfast St. Anastasia of Rome Holy Unction Healing Sacrament Sunday before the Holy Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ORTHROS AND DIVINE LITURGY. Royal Hours of Christmas Great Vespers of Christmas ORTHROS AND DIVINE LITURGY OF CHRISTMAS NO SERVICES CHRISTMAS DAY Sunday before Epiphany ORTHROS AND DIVINE LITURGY The Circumcision of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Feast of St. Basil the Great ORTHROS AND THE DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT Forefeast of the Theophany of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ THE GREAT HOURS and GREAT VESPERS OF THEOPHANY DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL AND AGIASMOS / BLESSING OF WATERS (This is a day of strict fasting) The Holy Theophany of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ORTHROS AND THE DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM. GREAT AGIASMOS/BLESSING OF THE WATERS. Synaxis of the Holy Glorious Prophet, and Forerunner, John the Baptist ORTHROS AND DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

22 Thank you to following who have thus far pledged their financial commitment to the Phase II renovation project resulting in pledges of nearly half a million dollars. Please submit your donor cards as soon as possible. Atsidis, Kostas & Eftihia Burpulis, Maria Caras, Chris Dandolos, Dimitri & Carol Demourtzidis, Nicholas & Daphne Dignam, Agnes Drimones, Clara Drimones, Nicholas Economou, George & Lena Faller, James & Catherine Gotides, Virginia Grivas, Christopher & Michelle Halakos, Demetris, Georgia & Family Halakos, Evangelos, Donna & Family Halakos, Ioannis, Effie & Family Haldas Long, Irene Hatzis, Thomas & Bing Issaris, Katherine Karakasidis, Demetrios & Eleni Karakasidis, John & Vickie Karakasidis, Maria Karakasidis, Stavroula Karakasidis, Stephanos & Evaggelia Kayiaros, Joanna Lawson, Michael & Vickie Logothetis, Michael Maravelias, James & Diane Markatos, Harry & Susan Matulas, Anagnostis, Angela & Family Michell, Constantine & Elaine Michell, Theodore & Catherine Michell, Vasili & Megan Moutsatsos, George & Alexia Novakis, Louis Pat's Pizza Psaltis, Nickolas Psaltis, Thomas & Cindy Raisis, Leo & Irene Rassias, George & Amalea Rassias, Georgia X. Rassias, Jerry G. Rassias, Nicholas G. Roussalis, John & Valerie Souleles, Nicholas & Alexis Stout, Robert & Voula Tangalidis, Dimitrios & Maria Tarabicos, John & Joanne Tsavalas, George & Yvonne Tsionas Foula & Family Vassilatos, George & Yvonne Wolcott, Josiah & Paraskevi Add Your Name Here...

23 Phase II Building/Elevator Fund Your Capital Campaign pledge will be welcome and appreciated! Over $20,000 $20,000 $15,000 $10,000 $5,000 $2,500 $1,000 $500 Other Payable as follows with your check made payable to HTGOC Building Fund: 4th Quarter of 2018 $ 1st Quarter of 2019 $ 1st Quarter of 2020 $ 1st Quarter of 2021 $ Print Name: Pledges to Capital Campaign/Building Fund are separate and distinct from annual Stewardship. All Gifts are greatly appreciated and all Donors will be recognized on a permanent display in the new facility. Capital Campaign To contribute, please send your donation to: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ATTN: Capital Campaign 808 North Broom Street Wilmington, DE As of today, 39 families have pledged financial support for necessary improvements to our Holy Trinity facilities. Thank you for your commitment to our Community!

24 Financial Stewards of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 2018 Adamopoulos, Sotiere Alexandratos, Angelos Alexopoulos, Demetri & Lauren Alexopoulos, John & Elena Amygdalos, Michael & Christine Anagnostou, Anamaria Anagnostou, Anthoula Anastassiades, Litsa Andrianopoulos, Faith Angeletakis, Christos & Christina Annos, Elaine Anton, Anthony & Lucille Apessos, Spyros Apostolakis, Nick & Irene Archbell, Christopher & Marianne Atsidis, Kostas & Eftihia Baker, Stephanie Bambacus, Meropi Bouloukos, Harry & Anastasia Bouzoukis, James & Delores Burpulis, Byron & Kecia Burpulis, John & Mary Burpulis, Maria Burpulis, Stamatis Caras, Constantine & Maria Carros, Demo & Helen Chambers, George & Katherine Chappel, Jane Charalambides, Dino & Stephania Chilimidos, Dennis & Effie Chilimidos, Jerry & Amy Christofidis, Fr Christos & Pres Ioanna Christou, Christos & Evie Christou, Vasilios & Alecca Ciabattoni, Olga Colborn, Brian & Nicole Constantinou, George Coulaloglou, Costas & Michele Courtis, Harry & Sophia Coustenis, Robert & Katherine Cusanelli, Patrick Dalianis, John & Vicky Demetriou, Spyros & Anna Demourtzidis, Joseph & Eirini Demourtzidis, Nicholas & Daphne Demourtzidis, Stephen Diamanty, Thomas & Sue Diamond, Anthony & Lauren Diamond, John & Susan Diamond, Soula Diamond, Thomas Dickey, Irene Dignam, Agnes Donald, Maria & Bill Doukakis, Helen Drimones, Clara Drimones, Nicholas Drossos, Peter Dumel, John & Evangeline Eliades, Sophie Evangelatos, Speros & Emily Evlom, Martena Faller, James & Catherine Ferentinos, Joan Fotakis, Greg & Angeliki Fotakos, Leonidas & Sophia Fotakos, Toula Fountzoulas, Costas & Audrey Fournaris, Anna Fournaris, Constantine Fournaris, Emmanuel & Evie Fournaris, George & Soula Frangia, Stephen Gargalas, Thomas Gatanis, Theodore Gatos, Paula Geanopulos, Georgiean Geanopulos, Katy George, Mary Georgiou, Constantinos Gerakios, Michael Gerakios, Nikoletta Gerakios, Sakelaris & Spiridoula Geralis, Loula Gianakis, Charles & Joanna Gianelos, James & Stacie Giannatos, Anna Gotides, Virginia Graham, Alton & Catherine Gray, David & Eugenia Grigorakakis, Maria Grivas, Christopher & Michelle Grivas, Demetrios & Helen Grivas, Jamie & Benjamin Guajardo, Evangelina Haddadin, Malik & Lena Hadjipanayis, George & Voula Halakos, Evangelos & Donna Halakos, Demitris & Georgia Halakos, Ioannis & Efthia Haldas, Harry Haldas, Nicholas & Rodie Haldas, Thomas & Prudy Haldas-Long, Irene Hall, Phillip & Elena Hann, Christopher & Amber Hann, Eugenia Hantzandreou, George & Diane Hantzandreou, Katerina Hantzandreou, Theodore & Labrini Hantzopoulos, Bill & Lisa Hantzopoulos, George Haralambidis, Maroula Hatzis, Nicholas & Katherine Hatzis, Tom & Bing Hondry, Bill Hondry, Steve Humphrey, Caroline Ioannou, Ida Issaris, Katherine Johnson, Margo Joseck, Xanthy & Fred Kamenakis, Efthimia Kamenakis, Peter & Julie Kanas, Larry & Alicia Kapordelis, Loula Karablacas, Helen Karablacas, Stelios Karablacas, Virginia Karakasidis, Demetri & Eleni Karakasidis, John & Vickie Karakasidis, Stephanos & Evangelia Karaoglanis, Eleftherios & Niki Karapanagiotis, Athanasios Karas, Yianni Karavasilis, Nicholas & Foula Kayiaros, Joanna Kayiaros, Stephen Keros, Georgia Kimbiris, George & Beatriz Kirifides, Alexander & Kathy Kirifides, Elena Kirifides, Eleni Kirifides, Lazarus Kirifides, Lazarus M & Helen Kirifides, Maria Kirifides, Michael & Kerry Kirifides, Vasil & Rita Kirtses, Eugenia Kirtses, Petros & Athy Kledaras, Olympia Klezaras, Michael & Kathy Klezaras, Nikoletta Kolovos, Dimitrios & Effie Koninis, John & Anastasia Koninis II, John & Evdoxia Kontis, Gus & Cindy Kontomaris, Kostas & Melissa Kostas, John & Gale Kostas, Nicholas & Stephanie Kourpas, Jason & Chrystalla Koutras, George Koutsoukos, Yiannis Kramedas, Gregory & Matoula Kramedas, Maria Krikelis, Helene + Kromedas, Constantinos & Vasiliki Kyranakis, John Laletas, Earnest & Barbara Brockett Laskaris, Johanna Laws, Brian & Vasiliki Lawson, Michael & Victoria Lazare, John & Sandra Lazopoulos, John & Christina Lemper, Anthony & Diana Lempesis, Dimitra Liarakos, George & Ann Livaditis, John & Marisa Livizos, Tony & Michelle Logullo, Desponia & Francis Lomis, Dean & Toula MacKewiz, W. Lee & Irene Makis, Gus & Anthi Manis, Voula & John Manoloudis, Michael & Kandi Mantzavinos, Christodoulos & Marianthi Mantzavinos, Spiros & Megan Maravelias, James & Diane Marini, Irene Marinis, Kalliope Markatos, Harry & Susan Matulas, Anagnostis & Angela Matulas, Apostolis & Doretha Mavridis, Prodromos & Maria Mayew, Michael & Charlotte McEntee, Greg & Penny Metaxotos, Nicholas Michell, Constantine & Elaine Milionis, Constantine Minella, Charles and Tia Misogianes, Milton + Mistras, Antonis & Soula Moutsatsos, George & Alexia Nannas, Theodore & Alexandra Nicholas, Steve Novakis, Louis Ochlemacher, Evangeline Oikonomou, Georgios & Lena Pagonis, Marcus & Cheryl Pandelakis, Denis & Anna Pantelopulos, Anthony & Daphne Papachrysanthou, Christos & Popi Papachrysanthou, George & Laura Papanicholas, Evan Papanicholas, Maria Papettas, Vasilis & Christina Pappas, Elizabeth Pastis, Jaqueline Pennias, John & Stacey Pettaras, George & Stavroula Pettit, Jim & Stacie Phalangas, Charalambos & Mary Phillips, Pauline + Pierson, Georgia Piperis, Constantine Pittaoulis, Steve Pittas, John Poulos, Vasilios & Eulampia Psaltis, John Psaltis, Nicholas Psaltis, Thomas & Cynthia Psihalinos, George & Athina Raisis, Alisa Raisis, Leonidas & Irene Raisis, Pauline Raisis, Spiros Raisis, William Ranalli, Anthony & Marie Rassias, Dion & Gina Rassias, George & Amalea Rassias, Peter & Julie Regas, Constantinos Regas, Sofia Retzos, George Richardson, Robert & Stavroula Riga, Ekaterini & Jason Riggins, Margaret Righos, Christopher & Fotini Righos, George & Elaine Roussalis, John & Valerie Roussos, Michael & Anna Ruhl, David & Athena Saitis, Mary Sarmousakis, Chris Sarmousakis, Marika Savopoulos, Basil & Despina

25 Financial Stewards of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 2018 Schillinger, Robert & Karen Shaer, Issa & Nuha Snell, Areti Snell, Bryan & Pauline Souleles, Nicholas & Alexis Staab, Kristina Staikos, Nicholas & Eirini Stathakis, Catherine Stavropoulos, John & Xanthy Stavru, Nicholas & Maria Stevens, Richard & Penny Stout, Robert & Voula Tarabicos, Christina Tarabicos, James & Sophia Tarabicos, John & Joanne Tarabicos, Nicholas Tawfik, Emad & Soultana Terris, Costas Terss, Eugenia Theodorakis, Stamatis & Lisa Thomas, Richard & Angelina Tikos, Ilias Tsaganos, Anthony & Joanna Tsaganos, George & Alexandra Tsaganos, Nicholas & Joanna Tsaganos, Robert & Popi Tsaganos-McGee, Tina Tsakataras, George Tsakataras, Nikki Tsakumis, George & Julia Tsakumis, Theodore Tsavalas, George & Yvonne Tsionas, Angela Tsionas, Foula Tsoukalas, Frideriki Tsoukalas, Niki Tsugranes, George & Penny Turley, Steve & Akiko Valko, Regina Valvis, Jacob & Maria Vande Poele, A. David & Anne Vande Poele, Andrew & Caroline VanVures, John Vassilatos, George & Yvonne Vassiliou, Kleoniki Velitskakis, George Velitskakis, Steve & Karen Vice, Billy & Elaine Visvardis, Socrates & Ruth Vlamis, Peggy Voultsis, Evangeline Voultsis, Petros & Catherine Vouras, Nicholas + Wilkinson, Clifford & Suzanne Wissman, Charles Wissman, Charles & Vaya Wolcott, Josiah & Paraskevi Xarhoulakos, Peter Zaloga, Paul & Joann Zerefos, Demetri & Constantina Zerefos, Markos & Eugenia Zographos, Nicholas & Katherine As of November 30, 2018 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 If you have not sent in your 2018 Stewardship pledge, please use this form and send it in today! We thank you for your continual support of our Church and its many ministries. Name Address SHARING City State Zip Your stewardship number: Your 2017 pledge was: Please increase my pledge by 10% to: Please increase my pledge by 20% to: My 2018 commitment is: I/We understand that by completing this good faith estimate, and by committing my/our Time, Service and Sharing section of this Stewardship Card, I/We shall be steward(s) in good standing of Holy Trinity Signature Greek Orthodox Church during Date P r oportion a te Sh a rin g Our operating budget for 2018 will be $500,000. We offer you this giving guide to assist you in determining your 2018 pledge. Please use the enclosed envelopes and give according to what God has blessed you. PLEASE RETURN SIGNED CARD TO THE CHURCH OFFICE $ ($42month or $10/week) $1, ($84month or $20/week) $1, ($125month or $29/week) $5, ($415/month or $96/week) $OTHER ($ /month or $ /week) (above figures are rounded)

26 Please submit payment of $140 per guest for dinner and dancing or $40 for dance only on our website at via credit card through the link to Square or through our PO Box, at Hellenic University Club of Wilmington PO Box 3959 Greenville, DE 19807

27 The Heart wishes all a Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year 2019! HOLY TRINITY REGISTRY Baptisms: Nicholas Rassias, son of George & Amalea Rassias, was baptized in our Church on November 10. His sponsors were Chris & Evi Christou. We congratulate him and his sponsors and welcome Nicholas into the Orthodox faith. Chrismations: Juli Ann Ellis, was chrismated in our Church on November 1. Her sponsor was Thomas Psihalinos. We congratulate her and her sponsor and welcome Juli into the Orthodox faith. Weddings: Juli Ellis & Peter Kamenakis, were united in marriage on November 3. The Sponsor was Thomas Psihalinos. We congratulate the newly united in Christ and pray our Lord will bless them always. Tina Tsaganos & John McGee, were united in marriage on November 17. The Sponsor was Marianne Tsaganos Archbell. We congratulate the newly united in Christ and pray our Lord will bless them always. Funerals: Faye Pappas fell asleep in the Lord on November 17, Her funeral was held at Holy Trinity on November 30. She was predeceased by her husband Nicholas. She is survived by her nephews, Tony Livizos (Michelle) and Demetrios Livizos; great niece, Julianna, great nephew, Stavros, and sister-in-law Sophia Livizos. May her memory be eternal. Artoclasia s were offered by: Nektarios Kapetanakos on November 11 - in honor of St Nektarios and for the health and well being of his family. When you pray "THROUGH EVERY PRAYER AND ENTREATY REMAIN IN CONSTANT SUPPLICATION AT ALL TIMES IN THE SPIRIT BEING WATCHFUL IN THIS WORK FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL THE SAINTS." EPHESIANS 6:18 Prayers for Health Barbara Caroline Christa Christina Christine Chrysanthi Daphne Dimitrios Doug Elaine Eleni Emma Ethan Eugenia Evangelia Faye Gregg Jacob Jason Jeremy John Margaret Maria Marika Mary Matina Michael Misha Peter Rachel Samantha Sophia Spyros Stephanie Stephen Taylor Tena Theophania We ask that you give baptismal names only.

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32 Barbara the Martyr / December 4 Reading: Saint Barbara was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia and lived during the reign of Maximian. She was the daughter of a certain idolater named Dioscorus. When Barbara came of age, she was enlightened in her pure heart and secretly believed in the Holy Trinity. About this time Dioscorus began building a bath-house; before it was finished he was required to go away to attend to certain matters, and in his absence Barbara directed the workmen to build a third window in addition to the two her Father had commanded. She also inscribed the sign of the Cross with her finger upon the marble of the bath-house, leaving the saving sign cut as deeply into the marble as if it had been done with an iron too. (When the Synaxarion of Saint Barbara was written, the marble of the bath-house and the cross inscribed by Saint Barbara were still preserved, and many healings were worked there.) When Dioscorus returned, he asked why the third window had been added; Barbara began to declare to him the mystery of the Trinity. Because she refused to renounce her faith, Dioscorus tortured Barbara inhumanely, and after subjecting her to many sufferings he beheaded her with his own hands, in the year 290. Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone Let us honor the holy Barbara for, with the aid of the Cross as her weapon, she crushed the snares of the enemy, and was rescued from them like a bird. Kontakion in the Fourth Tone O noble Champion, following God who is reverently praised in Trinity, you abandoned the temples of idols. Struggling amid suffering, O Barbara, you were not overwhelmed by the threats of the tyrants, O brave One, even singing aloud, "I worship the Trinity, the one Godhead." The Conception by St. Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos/December 9 Reading: According to the ancient tradition of the Church, since Saint Anna, the Ancestor of God, was barren, she and her husband Joachim remained without children until old age. Therefore, sorrowing over their childlessness, they besought God with a promise that, if He were to grant them the fruit of the womb, they would offer their offspring to Him as a gift. And God, hearkening to their supplication, informed them through an Angel concerning the birth of the Virgin. And thus, through God's promise, Anna conceived according to the laws of nature, and was deemed worthy to become the mother of the Mother of our Lord (see also Sept. 8). Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone Against all hope, the bonds of barrenness are loosed today. For, God has hearkened unto Joachim and Anna clearly promising that they would bear a godly maiden. He who commanded the angel to cry out to her, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you," will be born of her, the infinite One Himself, becoming man. Kontakion in the Fourth Tone Today the world rejoices in the conception of Anna, wrought by God. For she bore the One who beyond comprehension conceived the Logos. Eleutherios the Holy Martyr, Bishop Illyria and his mother Anthia / December 15 Reading: This Saint had Rome as his homeland. Having been orphaned of his father from childhood, he was taken by his mother Anthia to Anicetus, the Bishop of Rome (some call him Anencletus, or Anacletus), by whom he was instructed in the sacred letters (that is, the divine Scriptures). Though still very young in years, he was made Bishop of Illyricum by reason of his surpassing virtue, and by his teachings he converted many unbelievers to Christ. However, during a most harsh persecution that was raised against the Christians under Hadrian (reigned ), the Saint was arrested by the tyrants. Enduring many torments for Christ, he was finally put to death by two soldiers about the year 126. As for his Christ-loving mother Anthia, while embracing the remains of her son and kissing them with maternal affection, she was also beheaded. Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone Adorned with flowing priestly vesture and with dripping streams of blood you at once went to your Lord Christ, O blessed wise Eleftherios, annihilator of Satan. Wherefore, do not cease to intercede for those who honor your blessed struggles in faith. Kontakion in the Second Tone O venerable One, we all praise and entreat you, Eleftherios, Priest-Martyr, comeliness of Priests and exaltation of champions. Deliver from diverse dangers those fervently honoring your memory, interceding unceasingly for us all.

33 Coffee Hours: December 2~ Hellenic University Club Serving in December December 9~ Greek School Breakfast with Santa December 16 ~ Philoptochos Community Breakfast December 23 ~ No Coffee Hour (Christmas) December 30 ~ No Coffee Hour (New Years) Narthex Duty: December 2~ Group 1 December 9 ~ Group 2 December 16 ~ Group 1 December 23 ~ Group 2 December 30 ~ Group 1 Prosforon Offeror's December 2~ Sophia Regas December 9 ~ Eugenia Zerefos December 16 ~ Vickie Karakasidis December 23 ~ Demi Kollias December 30 ~ Eleni Katapodi If you cannot meet your scheduled date for Prosfora please contact Loula Alexios Angeletakis Athanasios Bodine Matthew Christofidis Phillip Colborn Chris Coulaloglou Constantinos Fournaris Christopher Kontomaris Alexander Tsakumis Theodore Tsakumis Nicholas Turley Richard Turley Markos Zerefos Yianni Zerefos

34 2018 Youth Ambassadors Holy Trinity Church, Wilmington, DE Sofia Pennia ~ Ambassador of Faith Sofia is a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Wilmington, Delaware. She is a sophomore at Delaware Military Academy where she is at the top of her class. There she plays on the girls lacrosse and field hockey teams. This is Sofia s fourth year in GOYA and she has served as treasurer and secretary. She is also an active member of her church s basketball league and Terpsichorean dance group. She is deeply involved in her faith and even competed last year in the St. John Oratorical Festival where she made it to the Metropolis level. Yiannis C. Manginas ~ Ambassador of Hope Yiannis was born May 9, 2002 in Athens, Greece in the town of Kifisia. He enjoyed playing soccer while he was in Greece. He went to grade school there before moving to USA. Yiannis moved to Delaware in December of 2015 where he has fit right in. Yiannis is attending Concord High School in Wilmington Delaware. Yiannis enjoys playing soccer very much. His fist year on the team he made Blue and Gold All-Team Delaware. Yiannis also carries a 3.9 GPA where is taking all AP classes and is currently studying Italian. Yiannis is very involved in Church activities such as GOYA. He plays on the basketball team, is part of the Dance group and enjoys volunteering at not only our own festival, but a few other churches too. Alexandra Mavridis ~ Ambassador of Love Alexandra is a sophomore at Padua Academy in Wilmington, Delaware. She attended the Independence School in Newark, DE for eleven years. Alexandra is very involved in her community, as she has been recording secretary on the GOYA executive board for the past two years and takes part in many clubs and activities within her school. Alexandra was part of the graduating class of 2014 from the Holy Trinity Wilmington Greek School. Along with dancing in the Wilmington terpsichorean dance group, Alexandra is also a part of the Pontian Society Dance Group Akritai of Philadelphia and a new member of the Padua Academy Dance Team. Zoe Rigas ~ Ambassador of Peace Zoe is 16 years old and a member of the Holy Trinity, Wilmington DE community. She is Vice President of the GOYA and participates in the Youth Dance group and basketball. She is a Junior at Odyssey Charter High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Project Unify, Model UN and RHO Kappa. She also plays Volleyball and Soccer and was the Assistant Coach of the Middle School soccer team. In her spare time, she volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware.

35 2018 Adult Honorees Holy Trinity Church, Wilmington, DE Helen Doukakis ~ Parish Honoree Helen Liacouras was born and raised in Penns Grove, New Jersey; consequently, Holy Trinity has been her life time church. As a teenager, she started singing in the Choir. She then taught Sunday School for several years. While she was president of G.O.Y.A. (Greek Orthodox Youth of America) in 1960, the love of her life came to Wilmington, Harry W. Doukakis. They were married in 1962 and had three beautiful daughters. She also was president of Philoptochos Those years in Philoptochos were active, especially with the Bazaar. During this time, she made life-long friends in Philoptochos. She has been very active with the Festival from the very beginning, as she had been with the Bazaar for those many years before. In 1971 and 1972, with Harry, they were in charge of Jr. G.O.Y.A. Harry had been in charge of the Boys Basketball team for several years. In 1996, she became president of the Altar Guild, and remained president for 21 years. She is still active in the Altar Guild and now the Young at Heart Group. She loves her church and has all her life. She lost her Harry in 2004, and now she is blessed with seven grandchildren which she adores. Joanna Tsaganos ~ Philoptochos Honoree Joanna was born in Athens, Greece and settled in Wilmington, Delaware with her husband Nicholas. They have been married for over 50 years. Since coming to Wilmington, she has been a stalwart member of Holy Trinity, tirelessly serving the church for nearly 40 years as a member of the Parish Council and through Philoptochos where she has been a board member for 35 years! She has represented Philoptochos at the Outside Pastry Booth at our Annual Festival for 35years as well! She is also very active outside the church with her two children, Robert and wife Popi, and Gina and husband Dion Rassias. She has six grandchildren, Yianna, Nicole, Jerry, Joanna, Georgia, and Nicholas, who all speak and understand our native language, and for that she is very proud! Melissa Kontomaris ~ Religious Education Honoree Melissa graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Urban Childhood Education, where she received the University Outstanding Achievement Award. She served as a Sunday School teacher at St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall, Pennsylvania and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Wilmington, Delaware for 14 years. She was a Hope & Joy Youth-Group Co-Advisor. She worked as a Contract Administrator for Gap International and as a Finance Clerk for Odyssey Charter School; she is currently an Accounting Specialist with the State of Delaware. Melissa is the wife of Konstantinos and mother of Christophoros and Paraskevi. Stephania Charalambides ~ Youth Worker Honoree Stephania Charalambides lives in Hockessin, DE with her husband Dino and three young children Maximos, Athanasios, and Anastasia. She s been involved with educating Orthodox Christian youth for many years. She holds a certificate in Religious Education from Boston College, and has written zines and other materials for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese s Department of Religious Education. She now teaches fifth grade Sunday School at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, and second grade at Odyssey Charter School in Wilmington, DE. Nia loves to read, bake, play and explore with her family. After Christ, they are the light of her life.

36 2018 Ambassador Awards Banquet November 11, 2018

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38 We will be gathering for a Christmas Luncheon Walter s Steakhouse 802 N Union Street, Wilmington Cost: $27 per person (gratuity included) All lunches include choice of: Soup, Salad, Entrée, and vegetable; dessert, assorted rolls and fresh brewed coffee or tea Cash Bar available Starters (circle one of each 1 soup 1 salad) Garden Salad Caesar Salad / Tomato Basil Split Pea Minestrone Entrée (circle one) Chicken Marsala Broiled Flounder Shrimp Scampi Vegetables (circle one) Broccoli Green Beans Desserts (circle one) Black Forrest Chocolate Cheese Cake Cherry Topped Lemon Cheesecake Pie Creamy Caramel Flan Please RSVP by November 8, 2018 (our next meeting) to Dimitra or Catherine Please make your luncheon choices and give to Dimitra or Catherine with your check for $27 per person, made payable to Heart Fun will be had! Good food will be enjoyed! Fellowship will take place! Come and join us as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

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40 December 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 14th Sunday of Luke 8:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy Sunday School GOYA Meeting PC Elections FAST 3 FAST 4 St Barbara 8:30am Orthros/ Divine Liturgy 7pm UD Catholic Chapel 5 12:30pm Bible Study 5pm DV Clergy Meeting@ Atlantic City 5:30pm Greek School 6pm BBall Practice 6pm Choir Practice St Nicholas 7pm Vespers, Atlantic City, NJ FAST 6 St Nicholas 8:30am Orthros/ Divine Liturgy FAST 7 FAST 1 GOYA BAKING FAST 8 12pm Philoptochos Christmas Luncheon (off site) GOYA RETREAT, Cherry Hill, NJ FAST FAST 9 10th Sunday of Luke 8:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy Sunday School Greek School Breakfast with Santa after Divine Liturgy FAST 10 FAST 11 6:30pm Joint AHEPA & DOP Family Meeting 7pm UD Catholic Chapel FAST 12 St Spyridon 8:30am Orthros/ Divine Liturgy 12pm Emmanuel Dining Room 12:30pm Bible Study 5:30pm Greek School 6pm BBall Practice 6pm Choir Practice FAST 13 12pm Heart Christmas Luncheon 7:30pm DVYC Meeting, St Luke, Broomall, PA FAST 14 6pm GOYA Ice Skating, Wilmington FAST 15 St. Eleftherios 8:30am Orthros/ Divine Liturgy 6:30pm HUC Christmas Dinner Dance (off site) FAST 16 11th Sunday of Luke 8:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy Sunday School Sunday School Pageant and Philoptochos Bread Sale & Community Breakfast CHRISTMAS DRIVE ENDS FAST pm UD Catholic Chapel 19 12:30pm Bible Study 5:30pm Greek School Greek School Christmas Break Starts 6pm BBall Practice 6pm Choir Practice FAST 20 PC XMAS MTG FAST 21 FAST 22 St Anastasia 10am Holy Unction FAST 23 Sunday before the Nativity 8:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy Family Worship FAST 24 10am Royal Hours 7pm Great Vespers of Christmas 8pm Orthros and Divine Liturgy of Christmas 25 Merry Christmas Church Office Closed NO FAST (12/25 1/4) 26 NO Bible Study Greek School BBall Practice Choir Practice 27 Kalanda 28 GOYA Dance, Media, PA Sunday before Theophany 8:30am Orthros/Divine Liturgy Family Worship St. Elpida Emmanuel Dining Room 31 9pm Community New Years Eve GALA JAN 1, 2019 Circumcision of our Lord / St Basil the Great 8:30am Orthros and Divine Liturgy

41 Δεκέμβριος 2018 Κυριακή Δευτέρα Τρίτη Τετάρτη Πέμπτη Παρασκευή Σάββατο 1 ΨΗΣΙΜΟ ΕΔΕΣΜΑΤΩΝ ΑΠΟ GOYA ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 2 14η Κυριακή του Λουκά 8:30πμ Όρθρος/Θεία Λειτουργία Κατηχητικό Συνάντηση GOYA Εκλογές Κοιν. Συμβουλίου 3 ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 4 Αγίας Βαρβάρας 8:30πμ Όρθρος/ Θεία Λειτουργία 7μμ ΟΠΦ@ UD Catholic Chapel ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 5 12:30μμ Μελέτη Βίβλου 5μμ Συνάντησ Κλήρου Κ.ΝΤ.@ Atlantic City 5:30μμ Ελληνικό Σχολείο 6μμ Προπόνηση Μπ.Μπ. 6μμ Πρακτική Χορωδίας Αγίου Νικολάου 7μμ Εσπερινός, Atlantic City, NJ ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 6 Αγίου Νικολάου, Επισκόπου Μύρων, Λυκίας, Θαυματουργού 8:30πμ Όρθρος/Θεία Λειτουργία 7 ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 8 12μμ Χριστουγεννιάτικο Γεύμα Φιλοπτώχου (Εκτός κοινότητος) ΑΠΟΣΥΡΣΗ GOYA, Cherry Hill, NJ ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 9 10η Κυριακή του Λουκά 8:30πμ Όρθρος/Θεία Λειτουργία Κατηχητικό Πρωϊνό με τον Άγιο Βασίλειο του Ελληνικού Σχολείου μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 10 ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 11 6:30μμ Συνάντηση Θυγατέρων της Πηνελόπης και Οικογένεια ΑΧΕΠΑ 7μμ ΟΠΦ@ UD Catholic Chapel ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 12 Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος 8:30πμ Όρθρος/Θεία Λειτουργία 12μμ Σερβίρισμα@ Emmanuel Dining Room 12:30μμ Μελέτη Βίβλου 5:30μμ Ελληνικό Σχολείο 6μμ Προπόνηση Μπ.Μπ. 6μμ Πρακτική Χορωδίας ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 13 12μμ Γεύμα Χριστουγέννων Αειθαλών Νέων 7:30μμ Συνάντση DVYC, St Luke, Broomall, PA ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 14 6 Σκί επί Πάγου GOYA, Wilmington ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 15 Αγίου Ελευθερίου 8:30πμ Όρθρος/ Θεία Λειτουργία 6:30μμ Χοροεσπερίδα ΕΠΟ (HUC) (εκτός κοινότητος) ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 16 11η Κυριακή του Λουκά 8:30πμ Όρθρος/Θεία Λειτουργία Κατηχητικό Παρέλαση Κατηχητικού and Πώληση Άρτου Φιλοπτώχου & Πρωϊνό Κοινότητος ΤΕΛΟΣ ΕΡΑΝΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΩΝ ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ μμ ΟΠΦ@ UD Catholic Chapel 19 12:30μμ Μελέτη Βίβλου 5:30μμ Ελληνικό Σχολείο 6μμ Προπόνηση Μπ.Μπ. 6μμ Πρακτική Χορωδίας ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 20 ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝ ΝΙΑΤΙΚΉ ΣΥΝΑΝΤΗΣΗ ΚΟΙΝ. ΣΥΜΒ ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 21 ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 22 Αγίας Αναστασίας 10πμ Ευχέλαιον ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 23 Κυριακή προ Χριστουγέννων 8:30πμ Όρθρος/Θεία Λειτουργία Οικογενειακή Λατρεία ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 24 10πμ Βασιλικές Ώρες 7μμ Μέγας Εσπερινός των Χριστουγέννων 8μμ Όρορος και Θεία Λειτουργία Χριστουγέννων 25 ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕ ΝΝΑ Γραφείο Εκκλησίας Κλειστό ΑΡΤΗΣΙΜΗ (12/12 4/1) 26 ΟΧΙ Μελέτη Βίβλου Ελληνικό Σχολείο Προπόνησ Μπ.Μπ. Πρακτική Χορωδίας 27 Κάλαντα 28 Χορός GOYA, Media, PA Κυριακή προ Θεοφανείων 8:30πμ Όρθρος/Θεία Λειτουργία Οικογενειακή Λατρεία Σερβίρισμα Αγ. Ελπίδας@ Emmanuel Dining Room 31 9μμ Χοροεσπερίδα Κοινότητιος Παραμονής Νέου Έτους ΙΑΝ Περιτομή Κυρίου / Μέγα Βασιλείου 8:30μμ Όρθος και Θεία Λειτουργία

42 316 S Maryland Avenue, Wilmington, DE Handbags Jewelry Gifts & So Much More! Talleyville Towne Shoppes 4001 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE P Monday - Saturday 10am-6pm Gift Certificates Available Over 50 Locations We Cater Any Size Party

43 Full Line of Fresh Produce & Greek Groceries LOOKING FOR SPECIALTY GREEK ITEMS? LOOK NO FURTHER. Serving Local Businesses Since 1978! SMALL ENOUGH TO KNOW YOU, LARGE ENOUGH TO SERVE YOU ONLINE ORDERING AVAILABLE 915 S Heald Street Phone: Wilmington, DE Fax: Please support our Advertisers! Their advertising supports the mailing costs for this bulletin! Call the Church Office to place your ad

44 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 808 N. Broom Street Wilmington, DE Non-Profit Org. U. S. Postage PAID Permit No. 283 Wilmington, DE Current Resident or TO: DATED MATERIAL, PLEASE DELIVER PROMPTLY Mail Date: November 27