T H E G O O D N E WS

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1 ST. ATHANASIOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΟΥ T H E G O O D N E WS 51 Paramus Road, Paramus, New Jersey Tel: Fax: Emergency Tel: info@stathanasiosnj.org OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1 Jan / Dear Parishioners, Rev. Protopresbyter Anargyros Stavropoulos Ieratikos Proestamenos Parish Council 2019 Tony Emmanouilidis Jason Fink Nick Gagis Joanne Glavas Andy Hios Manny Jouvanis Othon Katechis Emmanuel Kavrakis Spero Leakas Konstantinos Menegatos Peter Paizis Sam Poulis George Siamboulis Dean Tomaras Chuck J. Tsocanos Chuck K. Tsocanos Paul Venizelos Tonia Yiangou In a few days, we will celebrate the beginning of the new year In giving us a new year, God is giving us a new chance to do His will in the world. The beginning of a new year is a good time to ask some questions of ourselves and our family. But before we begin to question ourselves and families, we should stop and think of our many blessings and say our prayers of thanksgiving to God. Some might think they have little for which to be thankful, but with reflection they will find, many reasons for thanks. Thankful people are the happiest people in the world. These people consistently practice gratitude towards God and others. The attitude of thanksgiving is practiced daily, not just one day each year. It is funny and sad at the same time, to see that during the time of Christmas and New Year we set aside time for thanksgiving, and often fill the rest of the year with complaining and criticism. Instead, we should set one day aside for complaining and fill the rest of the year with thanksgiving. How can we keep a thankful heart, my dear Christians? First, we must keep the habit of daily thanksgiving. This is the key to a thankful heart. We should give daily thanks to God for our life, our health, children, family, home, friends, nation, spiritual blessings, earth, beauties of nature and all God s creation. We must worship regularly and attend church services. Thankful people, my dear friends, worship because worship, prayer, and hymns of praise to God sustains a spirit of thanksgiving. We must express gratitude to others. Expressing true grati-

2 tude to others reinforces the thankful heart. Others need to be encouraged by our thanks, and we need to say it. Unfortunately Jesus experience with the ten lepers, is too common. Only one returned to give thanks! Our families are excellent places in which to express appreciation for one another. Mutual appreciation builds up our true Orthodox Christian families. We must stop complaining and criticizing. Constant complaining, criticizing and gossip, destroy the spirit of gratitude and makes everyone present miserable. Complaining is, being blind to the positives of life. We must accept hard times, misfortune and trouble in a right spirit. We cannot expect that life will always be bountiful and good. Some of the most thankful people are people who have had great sufferings, like Jesus, Job of the Old Testament, St. Paul and many others. When we are accepting our troubles, we receive help and grace from God. My dear friends, we must remember that everything we have is a gift from God. Our life and all that is in it, has been a gift from God. Our salvation is a gift from God. As we receive the gift of love and thanksgiving, it becomes even more precious as we share it, or give our love and thanks in return. As we enter the New Year, my dear Christians, let us remember all these examples that will help us be thankful. A thankful heart assures spiritual health and growth. Let us all begin the New Year with the gift of love, kindness, forgiveness and most of all thanksgiving, for it is so easy, for God to bless His grateful children and nation. May the gift of the New Year 2019 and Blessings of our Lord be with all of you. With love in Christ Father Anargyros Αγπητοί Ενορίτες, Ένας ακόμη καινούριος χρόνος σε λίγο θα ανατείλει και πάλι στη ζωή μας. Είναι κι αυτός ένα δώρο Θεού. Ο ερχομός του γίνεται και θα γίνει δεκτός με δοξολογίες, ύμνους, τραγούδια, χορούς, κέφι και χαρά και με πολλές πολλές ευχές. Και αυτό, γιατί στον νέο χρόνο, ο καθένας μας στηρίζει τα όνειρά του, τις επιδιώξεις του, τα σχέδιά του, τις ελπίδες του. Πολλοί μάλιστα, αυτουπόσχονται ν αρχίσουν κάτι καλό ή να σταματήσουν κάτι άσχημο. Πραγματικά αδερφοί μου, πόσα και πόσα δε στηρίζουμε στον καινούριο

3 χρόνο! Και εκείνος μπαίνει γελαστός, χαρούμενος, δίνοντας υποσχέσεις, σκορπίζοντας παντού γέλιο και χαρά. Τι είναι όμως ο χρόνος για τον οποίο τόσο πολύ πανηγυρίζουμε; Είναι, όπως είπαμε, ένα δώρο του Θεού και πρέπει να το δεχθούμε με χαρά κι ευχαριστίες. Αλλά όπως και κάθε δώρο, είναι παροδικός και ασταθής. Τρέχει σαν το νερό της πηγής, που δεν γυρνά πίσω. Παρέρχεται γρήγορα και καμιά φορά τρέχουμε και δεν το προφταίνουμε. Γι αυτό ο άνθρωπος, αγαπητοί μου, πρέπει να είναι πάντοτε έτοιμος να μην αφήνει ούτε ένα λεπτό του χρόνου να φεύγει ανεκμετάλλευτο. Όταν το εκμεταλλεύεται, γίνεται κτήμα του και γράφεται στο ενεργητικό του. Όταν το αφήνει και φεύγει, είναι μια απώλεια γι αυτόν και καταλογίζεται στο παθητικό του. Πόσοι και πόσοι άνθρωποι δεν κοιτούν πίσω με παράπονο που άφησαν ένα μεγάλο μέρος του πολύτιμου χρόνου τους να φύγει ανεκμετάλλευτο ή έκαναν κακή χρήση τούτου, που ήταν επιζήμια γι αυτούς και για το μέλλον τους! Εμείς αδελφοί μου, δεν πρέπει να το κάνουμε αυτό. Ας πάρουμε κι ας δεχθούμε τον καινούριο χρόνο, που ο καλός Θεός θα μας δώσει κι ας τον χρησιμοποιήσουμε για το καλό των συνανθρώπων μας και το καλό το δικό μας προς δόξαν Θεού. Ας γίνουμε και σ αυτό το δώρο του Θεού, καλοί οικονόμοι. Κάποιος σπουδαίος άνθρωπος, είπε κάποτε πως όταν έρχεται ένας καινούριος χρόνος, είναι σαν να μας δίνεται ένας καθαρός μαυροπίνακας. Κάθε μέρα που περνάει, με τη ζωή μας και τις πράξεις μας, ζωγραφίζουμε πάνω σ αυτόν τον πίνακα. Το τέλος του χρόνου, θα δείξει τι εικόνα και τι φωτογραφία ο καθένας θα έχει σχηματίσει πάνω σ αυτόν. Έτσι κι εμείς, αδελφοί μου, σε λίγο με την αρχή του νέου χρόνου, θ αρχίσουμε τη ζωγραφική. Τι ζωγραφιά, άραγε θα βγει στο τέλος; Εμείς θα είμαστε οι ζωγράφοι! Επομένως από εμάς εξαρτάται. Καλή και Ευλογημένη Χρονιά 2019! Με αγάπη Χριστού Πατήρ Ανάργυρος

4 Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia Saint Basil the Great was born at the end of the year 329, in Caesarea of Cappadocia, to a family renowned for their learning and holiness. His parents names were Basil and Emmelia. They were both noble and rich with a most flourishing Christian belief. His mother Emmelia and his grandmother Macrina are Saints of the Church, together with all his brothers and sisters: Macrina, his elder sister, Gregory of Nyssa, Peter of Sebastia, and Naucratius. Basil studied in Constantinople under the sophist Libanius, then in Athens, where also he formed a friendship with the young Gregory, a fellow Cappadocian, later called «the Theologian». He studied philosophy, rhetoric, grammar, astronomy, and medicine. From Athens, he returned to Caesarea and taught the rhetorical art. Through the good influence of his sister Macrina, he chose to embrace the ascetical life, abandoning his worldly career. He visited the monks in Egypt, in Palestine, in Syria, and in Mesoppotamia, and upon returning to Caesarea, he departed to a hermitage on the Iris River in Pontus, not far from Annesi, where his mother and his sister Macrina were already treading the path of the ascetical life; Here he also wrote his ascetical homilies. About the year 370, when the bishop of his country reposed, he was elected to succeed to his throne and was entrusted with the Church of Faith, showed himself to be a martyr by volition. Modestus, amazed at Basil s fearlessness in his presence, said that no one had ever so spoken to him. «Perhaps», answered the Saint, «you have never met a bishop before». The Emperor Valens himself was almost won over by Basil s dignity and wisdom. When Valen s son fell gravely sick, he asked Saint Basil to pray for him. The Saint promised that his son would be restated if Valens agreed to have him baptized by the Orthodox; Valens agreed, Basil prayed, and later the son was restored. But afterwards, the Emperor had him baptized by Arians, and the child died soon after, Valens, persuaded by his counselors, decided to send the Saint into exile because he would not accept the Arians into communion; But his pen broke when he was signing the edict of banishment. He tried a second time and a third, but the same thing happened, so that the Emperor was filled with dread, and tore up the document, and Basil was not banished. The truly great Basil, spent with extreme ascetical practices and continual labors, at the helm of the church, departed to the Lord on the 1st of January, in 379. He was forty-nine. His writings are replete with wisdom and erudition, and rich are these gifts he set forth the doctrines concerning the mysteries both of the creation (see his Hexaemeron) and of the Holy Trinity (see On the Holy Spirit). Because of the majesty and keenness of his eloquence, he is honored as «the revealer of heavenly things» and «the Great». Saint Basil s memory is celebrated on January 1st, on January 30th with Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John Chrysostom. Saint Basil is considered one of the three great leaders of the church, along with Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John Chrysostom. The three share the title of patron saint of education. During his lifetime in the 300 s, Saint Basil was both an intellectual driving force behind the formation of the Greek Orthodox religion and a living example of faith and kindness in his everyday dealings with people. The custom of New Year Cake-Vassilopita During the reign of Julian the Apostate, when Byzantium declared war on Persia, Julian went with his army through Caesarea. He ordered to tax throughout the province and take the collected money on his way back to Constantinople.

5 Thus, residents were forced to pay what everyone had, such as gold coins, jewelry etc. But Julian died ingloriously in a battle during the war with the Persians, and did not go back to Caesarea. Then Saint Basil ordered to give back to the poor, half of the gathered gold, keeping only a small portion that was reserved for the needs of charitable institutions of Vassiliada, and the rest distributed to residents with a novel way: ordered to bake breads and in each bread to put a gold coin or jewelry, then distributed them to all houses, so when the people eat the bread will find something inside. Thus was born the tradition of pie called vassilopita. APOLYTIKION IN THE FIRST TONE Your voice resounded throughout the world that received your word by which, in godly manner, you taught dogma, clarified the nature of beings, and set in order the character of people. Venerable father, Royal priesthood, intercede to Christ God to grant us great mercy. KONTAKION IN THE FOURTH TONE For the Church art thou in truth a firm foundation, granting an inviolate lordship unto all mortal men and sealing it with what thou hast taught. O righteous Basil, revealer of heavenly things. Βίος και Πολιτεία του Αγίου Βασιλείου του Μεγάλου ( ) Ο Άγιος Βασίλειος, γεννημένος το 330 μ.χ. στη Νεοκαισάρεια του Πόντου από γονείς ευγενείς με δυνατό χριστιανικό φρόνημα, έμελλε να γίνει Μέγας πνευματικός διδάσκαλος και κορυφαίος θεολόγος και Πατέρας της Εκκλησίας, αφού η χριστιανική του ανατροφή και η πνευματική του πορεία τον οδήγησαν στη Θεία θεωρία του Αγίου Ευαγγελίου και στην αυστηρή ασκητική ζωή, παράλληλα με το ποιμαντικό, παιδαγωγικό και φιλανθρωπικό του έργο. Ο πατέρας του Βασίλειος ήταν καθηγητής ρητορικής στη Νεοκαισάρεια και η μητέρα του Εμμέλεια απόγονος οικογένειας Ρωμαίων αξιωματούχων. Στην οικογένεια εκτός από τον Βασίλειο, υπήρχαν άλλα οκτώ παιδιά. Μεταξύ αυτών, ο Άγιος Γρηγόριος Νύσσης, ο Όσιος Ναυκράτιος ασκητής και θαυματουργός, η Οσία Μακρίνα και ο Άγιος Πέτρος, Επίσκοπος Σεβαστείας. Τα πρώτα γράμματα, τού τα δίδαξε ο πατέρας του. Συνέχισε τις σπουδές του στην Καισαρεία της Καππαδοκίας, στην Κωνσταντινούπολη και στην Αθήνα. Εκεί σπούδασε γεωμετρία. αστρονομία, φιλοσοφία, ιατρική, ρητορική και γραμματική. Οι σπουδές του διήρκησαν τεσσεράμισι χρόνια. Η ασκητική του ζωή ξεκίνησε ήδη από τα χρόνια όπου φοιτούσε στην Αθήνα. Ο σοφός δάσκαλός του, Εύβουλος, εντυπωσιασμένος από την αυστηρή νηστεία του Αγίου, και μετά την παραίνεσή του, λέγεται ότι έγινε Χριστιανός. Συμφοιτητές του ήταν και δύο νέοι, που έμελλε να διαδραματίσουν σπουδαίο ρόλο στην ιστορία. Ο ένας, ο Άγιος και Μέγας Πατέρας της Εκκλησίας, ο Θεολόγος Γρηγόριος και ο άλλος μελανό στον αντίποδα, προδότης του Ιησού, ειδωλολάτρης και διώκτης των Χριστιανών, ο Ιουλιανός ο Παραβάτης. Κατά τη διάρκεια αυτών των ετών, ο Άγιος Βασίλειος και ο Άγιος Γρηγόριος ο Θεολόγος, ανέπτυξαν μεγάλη και ισχυρή φιλία. Ταυτόχρονα με τις σπουδές τους, είχαν ιεραποστολική δράση. Διοργάνωναν χριστιανικές συγκεντρώσεις, στις οποίες ανέλυαν θρησκευτικά ζητήματα. Ίδρυσαν επίσης και τον πρώτο φοιτητικό χριστιανικό σύλλογο.

6 Επέστρεψε στην Καισάρεια το καλοκαίρι του 356 μ.χ. και συνεχίζοντας την παράδοση του πατέρα του, έγινε καθηγητής της ρητορικής. Το 358 μ.χ. επηρεασμένος από τον θάνατο του αδερφού του μοναχού Ναυκρατίου, καθώς και με την παρότρυνση της αδερφής του, Μακρίνας, βαπτίζεται Χριστιανός και αποφασίζει να αφιερώσει τον εαυτό του στην ασκητική πολιτεία. Αποσύρθηκε λοιπόν σε ένα κτήμα της οικογένειας του, στον Πόντο. Χαρακτηριστικό της μεγαλοψυχίας του είναι ότι μετά τη βάπτισή του, δώρισε στους φτωχούς και στην εκκλησία το μεγαλύτερο μέρος της περιουσίας του. Το φθινόπωρο του ίδιου έτους, ξεκινά ένα οδοιπορικό σε γνωστά κέντρα ασκητισμού της Ανατολής, Αίγυπτο, Παλαιστίνη, Συρία και Μεσοποταμία, επιθυμώντας να συναντήσει πολλούς ασκητές και μοναχούς, για να γνωρίσει τον τρόπο ζωής τους. Όταν γύρισε στον Πόντο, από το ταξίδι αυτό, μοίρασε και την υπόλοιπη περιουσία του και αποσύρθηκε στο κτήμα του, επιθυμώντας να ζήσει πλέον ως μοναχός. Εκεί έγραψε τους: «Κανονισμούς δια τον Μοναχικόν βίον», κανόνες που ρυθμίζουν τη ζωή στα μοναστήρια, μέχρι τις μέρες μας. Με την υψηλή του κατάρτιση στην Ορθόδοξη Πίστη και τον ασκητικό, θαυμαστό του βίο, η φήμη του Αγίου Βασιλείου, εξαπλώθηκε με τον καιρό σε όλη την Καππαδοκία. Έτσι και ο Μητροπολίτης της Καισαρείας, Ευσέβιος, πραγματοποιώντας τη Θεία Βούληση αλλά και αυτή των χριστιανών της περιοχής, χειροτόνησε το 364 μ.χ. τον Άγιο Βασίλειο, πρεσβύτερο. Το 370 μ.χ. μετά τον θάνατο του Ευσεβίου και σε ηλικία 41 ετών, τον διαδέχθηκε ο Άγιος Βασίλειος στην επισκοπική έδρα, με τη συνδρομή του Ευσεβίου, επισκόπου Σαμοσάτων και του Γρηγορίου, επισκόπου Ναζιανζού. Επίσκοπος πλέον, ο Άγιος Βασίλειος, αντιμετώπισε την προσπάθεια του Αυτοκράτορα Ουάλη να επιβάλει τον Ομοιανισμό (ρεύμα του Αρειαωισμού), επικοινωνώντας μέσω επιστολών με τον Μέγα Αθανάσιο, Πατριάρχη Αλεξανδρείας και τον Πάπα Ρώμης Δάμασο. Στον τόπο του, στην περιφέρεια της δικής του ποιμαντικής ευθύνης, είχε να αντιμετωπίσει την έντονη παρουσία του αρειανικού στοιχείου και άλλων κακοδοξιών. Από τις επιστολές του φαίνονται οι προσπάθειες που κατέβαλε για την καταπολέμηση της σιμωνίας των επισκόπων, για την ανάδειξη άξιων κληρικών στο ιερατείο, καθώς και για την πιστή εφαρμογή των ιερών κανόνων από όλους τους πιστούς και φανερώνεται επίσης η ποιμαντική φροντίδα στα αποκομμένα και περιθωριοποιημένα μέλη της Εκκλησίας. Στην οικουμενική Εκκλησία, ο Μέγας Βασίλειος ουσιαστικά αναλαμβάνει τα πνευματικά ηνία από τον Μέγα Αθανάσιο, ο οποίος γηραιός πλέον, αποσύρεται από την ενεργό δράση. Εργάζεται συνεχώς για την επικράτηση των ορθόδοξων χριστιανικών αρχών και υπερασπίζεται με σθένος το δογματικό προσανατολισμό της Οικουμενικής Συνόδου της Νίκαιας. Ο Άγιος Βασίλειος, βοηθούσε πάντοτε τους αδικημένους και κουρασμένους, τους πεινασμένους και τους άρρωστους, ανεξάρτητα από το γένος, τη φυλή και το θρήσκευμα. Έτσι το όραμά του το έκανε πραγματικότητα, ιδρύοντας ένα πρότυπο και για τις μέρες μας κοινωνικό και φιλανθρωπικό σύστημα, τη «Βασιλειάδα». Ένα ίδρυμα που λειτουργούσε νοσοκομείο, ορφανοτροφείο, γηροκομείο και ξενώνας για τη φροντίδα και ιατρική περίθαλψη των φτωχών αρρώστων και ξένων. Τις υπηρεσίες του τις πρόσφερε το ίδρυμα δωρεάν, σε όποιον τις είχε ανάγκη. Το προσωπικό του ιδρύματος αυτού, ήταν εθελοντές, που προσφέρανε την εργασία για το καλό του κοινωνικού συνόλου. Ήταν ένα πρότυπο και σε άλλες επισκοπές και στους πλούσιους ένα μάθημα να διαθέτουν τον πλούτο τους, με ένα αληθινά χριστιανικό τρόπο. Πραγματικά είναι άξιο θαυμασμού η έμπνευση που είχε ο Άγιος Βασίλειος, τον 4 ο αιώνα μ.χ. να ιδρύσει και να λειτουργήσει ένα τέτοιο ίδρυμα-πρότυπο.

7 Καταπονημένος από τη μεγάλη δράση που ανέπτυξε, σε τόσους πολλούς τομείς, εναντίον των διαφόρων κακοδοξιών και ειδικά της αιρέσεως του Αρειανισμού, μη διστάζοντας πολλές φορές να αντιταχθεί με την εκάστοτε πολιτική εξουσία, με όπλα του την πίστη και την προσευχή, με τα κηρύγματα και τους λόγους του, με τα πολλά ασκητικά και παιδαγωγικά συγγράμματα, καθώς και την ασκητική ζωή του, ο Άγιος Βασίλειος, ο Μέγας, παραδίδει το πνεύμα στον Θεό, την 1 η Ιανουαρίου του 379 μ.χ. σε ηλικία 49 ετών. Ο θάνατός του βυθίζει στο πένθος όχι μόνο το ποίμνιό του, αλλά και όλο το χριστιανικό κόσμο της Ανατολής. Στην κηδεία του συμμετέχει και ένα πλήθος ανομοιογενές, από άποψη θρησκευτικής και εθνικής διαφοροποιήσεως. Το υψηλής σημασίας θεολογικό και δογματικό του έργο, καθώς και η λειτουργική και πρωτότυπη ανθρωπιστική του δράση, είναι η μεγάλη παρακαταθήκη που μας άφησε. Η μνήμη του τιμάται από την Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία, την 1 η Ιανουαρίου. Από το 1081 μ.χ., ο Πατριάρχης Κωνσταντινουπόλεως Νέας Ρώμης, Ιωάννης Μαυρόπους (ο από Ευχαΐτων) θέσπισε έναν κοινό εορτασμό των Τριών Ιεραρχών, Βασιλείου του Μεγάλου, Ιωάννη του Χρυσοστόμου και Γρηγορίου του Θεολόγου, στις 30 Ιανουαρίου, ως προστατών των γραμμάτων και της παιδείας. Με σοφία, στο απολυτίκιό του αναφέρεται η φράση: «...τα των ανθρώπων ήθη κατεκόσμησας...». Και ο Άγιος Γρηγόριος, ο Θεολόγος, στον Επιτάφιο, για τον καλό και Μέγα φίλο του, Άγιο Βασίλειο, αποδίδει σ αυτόν, με την ποιητική και βαθιά στοχαστική ματιά του, τον χαρακτηρισμό: «παιδαγωγός της νεότητας». Ο Μέγας Βασίλειος, εκτός των άλλων θαυμάσιων και Θείας εμπνεύσεως έργων του, έγραψε και την εκτενή και κατανυκτική Θεία Λειτουργία, που μετά την επικράτηση της συντομότερης Θείας Λειτουργίας του Αγίου Ιωάννη του Χρυσοστόμου, τελείται 10 φορές τον χρόνο: την 1 η Ιανουαρίου (όπου γιορτάζεται και η μνήμη του), τις πρώτες πέντε Κυριακές της Μ. Τεσσαρακοστής, τις παραμονές των Χριστουγέννων και των Θεοφανείων, την Μ. Πέμπτη και το Μ. Σάββατο. Το έθιμο της Βασιλόπιτας Στα χρόνια του Ιουλιανού του Παραβάτη, όταν το Βυζάντιο κήρυξε τον πόλεμο στην Περσία, ο Ιουλιανός πέρασε με τον στρατό του από την Καισαρεία. Τότε διέταξε να φορολογήσουν όλη την επαρχία και τα χρήματα αυτά θα τα έπαιρνε επιστρέφοντας για την Κωνσταντινούπολη. Έτσι, οι κάτοικοι αναγκάστηκαν να δώσουν ό,τι είχε ο καθένας, χρυσαφικά, νομίσματα κλπ. Όμως ο Ιουλιανός σκοτώθηκε άδοξα σε μια μάχη στον πόλεμο με τους Πέρσες, έτσι δεν ξαναπέρασε ποτέ από την Καισάρεια. Τότε ο Άγιος Βασίλειος, έδωσε εντολή και από τα μαζεμένα χρυσαφικά, τα μισά να δοθούν στους φτωχούς, ένα μικρό μέρος κράτησε για τις ανάγκες των ιδρυμάτων της Βασιλειάδας, και τα υπόλοιπα τα μοίρασε στους κατοίκους, με έναν πρωτότυπο τρόπο: έδωσε εντολή να ζυμώσουν ψωμιά και σε κάθε ψωμί, έβαλε από ένα νόμισμα ή χρυσαφικό μέσα. Κατόπιν τα μοίρασε στα σπίτια. Έτσι τρώγοντας οι κάτοικοι τα ψωμιά, όλο και κάτι έβρισκαν μέσα. Έτσι γεννήθηκε το έθιμο της πίτας, που ονομάστηκε «βασιλόπιτα».

8 ΓΙΑΤΙ ΔΕΝ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΖΟΜΑΣΤΕ Έχω πένθος: Παράξενη δικαιολογία αυτή. Και όμως υπάρχουν Χριστιανοί που έχουν μήνες, χρόνο, η και χρόνια να εκκλησιαστούν,με την δικαιολογία ότι έχουν πένθος. Πώς να πάω; Τι θα πεί ο κόσμος πού θα με δεί; Αυτό αδέλφια μου είναι καθαρή πρόληψη και δεισιδαιμονία. Είναι μεγάλη αμαρτία. Μα ακριβώς επειδή έχουμε πένθος πρέπει να εκκλησιαζόμαστε πιό τακτικά. Ἐχουμε ανάγκη τον εκκλησιασμό. Εκεί στον ναό θα προσευχηθούμε, θα παρηγορηθούμε, θα ηρεμήσουμε, θ ξεκουραστούμε σωματικά και ψυχικά. Εδώ ταιριάζουν τα λόγια της Αγίας Γραφής: «Δεύτε πρός με πάντες οι κοπιώντες και πεφορτισμένοι κ αγώ αναπαύσω υμάς». Όσοι είστε κουρασμένοι, ταλαιπωρημένοι, βασανισμένοι, ελάτε κοντά μου να σας ξεκουράσω, να σας αναπαύσω. Έχει μεγάλη ανάγκη ο κεκοιμημένος μας από τις προσευχές μας. Θα πάμε τα δώρα μας στον ναό. Το πρόσφορο, το νάμα, το λιβάνι, το λαδάκι μας. Θα μνημονεύσει ο ιερέας στην προσκομιδή, θα βγάλει μερίδα για τους κεκοιμημένους. Οι ψυχές ξεκουράζονται, βρίσκουν χαρά. Και ειδικά όταν κοινωνείς κατά περιόδους: Στα τρίμηνα, εξάμηνα, 40ήμερα, χρόνο, συναπαντήματα. Χαίρονται οι ψυχές όταν παίρνουμε το σώμα και το αίμα του Χριστού. Αγαπητοί μου, Οι άνθρωποί μας μας περιμένουν στον ναό, και εμείς απουσιάζουμε. Το ξέρετε πόσο λυπούνται, πόσο στεναχωρούνται οι ψυχές με την απουσία μας από τον ναό; Λέμε ότι αγαπούμε τον άνθρωπο που έφυγε από κοντά μας. Αν πραγματικά και ειλικρινά τον αγαπούσαμε, δεν θα λείπαμε ούτε μία Κυριακή από την εκκλησία.

9 Fr. Anargyros, Ladies and Gentlemen: Presented by: Peter C. Paizis, Parish Council President on STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY December 9, 2018 About 2 months ago, Dean Tomaras, Treasure of the Parish Council stood here to give you our stewards an update on the financial status of the parish and continued this discussion at our fall General Assembly Meeting. Today I want to reinforce those needs and talk about the financial needs of our parish for Now I do realize that this is not a complete financial report, but the main objective is to focus on one of the key aspects of the income of the parish, our stewards. For fiscal year 2018, we are running at shortfall of approximately, $65, Now I could spend a good amount of time on why this is the case, but what is more important is how we bring the parish back to stable financial condition. Paramount for 2019 is what we receive from Stewardship. Yes, we do have income from several sources, but those sources are subject to several factors, for example the Festival, good weather, we do very well, poor weather, like this past year, well, has a dramatic impact on the net income. What we need for The numbers are simple: 2019 Budget - $568,000 Per Stewards at 340 = $ we need to operate the parish Take out what we estimate from other income What we need per steward on average is $ This is our suggested minimum The average now is about $ We need all of our stewards to step forward and meet this target. We do have individuals who give more, much more, and we understand the challenges of some who give what they can. And we are grateful for both. Grateful for those who with prayer, dedication and the understanding that they are contributing to the support of the church, our place of worship and second home. On a positive note and in closing, if you need that little extra spark, look no further than the younger generation that is already serving our church. We have in our youth programs: Over 50 teens registered in GOYA 40 in Hope and Joy 77 Students in Dance Over 125 in Greek and Sunday School We who support the church at present, must continue to meet the challenge, so we have the resources to prepare for the next generation, who is active now and growing within our Orthodox Faith. Thank you for your time today, and please when you receive your stewardship card form 2019, complete it, and return it to us as soon as you can, and if possible no later than January 31, Thank you, and Happy Holidays Peter C. Paizis Parish Council President PARISH COUNCIL

10 PHILOPTOCHOS Dear Fellow Parishioners: On behalf of St. Irene s Philoptochos Society, we extend to you and your families our wishes for a very Happy New Year. We hope that your lives are blessed with an abundance of health and good cheer. Our first meeting of the year will be January 8, 2019 at 7:30 pm. Philoptochos first kickoff activity in the New Year is to sponsor the Annual Vasilopita, which will be held Sunday, January 13 th. At that time we will be passing a tray to benefit Saint Basil s Academy. Saint Basil s Academy is a residential school for at-risk students run by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in Garrison, NY. The academy provides a loving Christian environment where resident children are nurtured to adulthood. Please keep in mind that Philoptochos will also be hosting receptions directly following Saint Athanasios Vesper Services on January 17 th, and a luncheon following the Divine Liturgy held on January 18 th for the Feast Day of Saint Athanasios as well. We will be circulating the community seeking donations of sweets and bake goods to serve after vespers. January is the start of our annual Membership Drive. As always we are seeking new members. Membership is open to all Greek Orthodox Parishioners over the age of 18. Our meetings are the first Tuesday of every month. We welcome you to join us! Sincerely, Vasiliki Panagopoulos President, St. Irene s Philoptochos Society

11 Dear Parents, On behalf of the Sunday school Teachers, Advisors and Volunteers, I would like to wish you a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year 2019! We had a busy month in December. This year s Christmas Lenten Retreat was scheduled on December 22 nd and was on: "Understanding the Diving Liturgy and Symbols in Church". I would like to thank all of the Sunday School Teachers for taking the time to prepare for the retreat and especially Stella Dimatos, Evy Apostolatos and Elizabeth Piteo for coordinating this event. The Christmas Play program was on December 23 rd and included the reenactment of nativity along with live animals on stage accompanied by the church choir, the cherubs youth choir and the Greek school students choir. I would like to thank all of the Sunday School Teachers and volunteers who are helping and especially, the choir director, Mr. Ryan Kiel, who coordinated all the musical efforts. Lastly, our parish s visit to St. Michael s was scheduled on December 28 th, the giving tree had been decorated by angels made by 5-7 th graders under the guidance of Mrs. Dugan and Mrs. Yannitsadis. Many thanks to both for coordinating this effort on behalf of SS and to our Philoptochos for co-coordinating this special visit. We are looking forward to continuing our activities along with the rest of the ministries of St. Athanasios and promoting our faith to our children. On January 27 th we will be having a celebration of Greek Letters in church and on February 3 rd, Sunday School will be hosting its annual Godparent Sunday Breakfast after the Divine Liturgy. Please mark your calendars for this special day, so that we can all attend and show our appreciation and respect to all of the godparents in our lives. Lastly, in preparation for the 2019 Oratorical Festival, please encourage your children to participate, either in the Junior Division (7-9) or Senior Division (10-12). The topics, along with guidelines, will be presented in SS classes by the Chairperson of the Oratorical, Mrs. Cleo Yannitsadis in early January. The following are the upcoming Sunday Church School Events: Celebration of Greek Letters - January 27 th Godparent Sunday - February 3 rd Preparations for 2019 Oratorical Festival Respectfully, SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL Eliana Antoniou, Ph.D. Sunday School Director

12 GREEK SCHOOL Αγαπητοί γονείς, Καλή Χρονιά! Τα μαθήματα του Ελληνικού σχολείου, θα αρχίσουν και πάλι την Τετάρτη 2 Ιανουαρίου Στις 9 Ιανουαριου θα δοθούν οι έλεγχοι του πρώτου εξαμήνου. Το Σάββατο 26 Ιανουαρίου, θα τιμήσουμε την ημέρα των Τριών Ιεραρχών, και η εκκλησία μας θα φιλοξενησει την γιορτή "Των Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων", που οργανώνει η Ιερά Μητρόπολη, με τις ευλογίες του Σεβασμιωτάτου Μητροπολίτη κ.κ. Ευαγγέλου. Στην γιορτή αυτή θα συμμετέχουν διάφορα σχολεία της περιοχής, και θα παρουσιάσουν ένα ποικίλο εορταστικό πρόγραμμα. Η παρουσία σας και η στήριξή σας θα εκτιμηθούν πολύ, σε αυτήν την σημαντική ημέρα της κοινότητας μας. Την επόμενη ημέρα Κυριακή 27 Ιανουαρίου, οι μαθητές του Ελληνικού και Κατηχητικού σχολείου, θα παρουσιάσουν την γιορτή των Τριών Ιεραρχών, (της ενορίας μας) μέσα στον χώρο της εκκλησίας. Σας παρακαλούμε πολύ να φέρετε τα παιδιά σας στην γιορτή αυτή, επιβραβεύοντας έτσι την προσπάθειά τους, αλλά και συνεισφέροντας στην καλύτερη ομαδική απόδοση του προγράμματος! Στις 13 Φεβρουαρίου ο Σύλλογος Γονέων θα παρουσιάσει ένα Αποκριάτικο πρόγραμμα για τους μαθητές του σχολείου μας. Στις 18 Φεβρουαρίου το σχολείο θα παραμείνει κλειστό λογω της εορτής των Προέδρων (President's Day). Dear Parents Happy and blessed year! Our Greek school students will return to their classes on the 2nd day of January The report cards of the first semester, will be given the 9th of January. On Saturday January 26th, our Church will host an event in honor of the Three Hierarchs, under the auspices of His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos. Various parishes of the Metropolis will participate. The event will feature poetry recitals, songs, theatrical skits. We urge all parents to attend this event, and enjoy our students presentation! The next day, January 27th, the students of Church and Greek schools, will present a short program in the church after the divine liturgy. Your presence will be greatly appreciated. It encourages our children, and makes them feel proud! On February 13th, PTO will present a festive program for the Apokries. On February 18th, the Greek school will remain closed, due to the celebration of President's Day. Sincerely, Sophia Stamatiou Greek School Principal

13 P.T.O Dear Greek School Families, Happy New Year and welcome back to school! January marks not only the beginning of the new year but also the celebration of Greek Letters with the feast of the Three Hierarchs. This celebration is dedicated to both the preservation of Orthodox Christian ideas and Hellenic education. It is also a time to honor the staff of our school who so faithfully teach our children. The PTO is proud to help support the children, teachers and families of Saint Athanasios and be part of a community which encourages Orthodox Christian and Hellenic education. Saint Athanasios PTO Executive Board Important Dates: January 9th - PTO Meeting January 13th - PTO Coffee Hour January 16th - Box Tops Due January 23th - Chocolate Fundraiser Begins January 26th - Three Hierarchs Celebration February 6th - PTO Meeting February 10th - PTO Coffee Hour February 13th - Box Tops Due February 13th - Apokreatiko

14 G.O.Y.A. Dear Parishioners, As winter quickly approaches, our GOYA continues to learn more about our faith and take part in amazing experiences. On November 3rd, we had the opportunity to participate in the AHEPA History Tournament, which takes place in Connecticut. St. Athanasios was very well-represented by 3 teams: Yanni Leakas, Fanourios Tsatalios, Stelios DiSilvio, Evan Zanakis, Billy Zanakis, Christina Salemme, Markianna Lekkas, George Tsatalios and Thodoris Costa-Aganthelou. This was a wonderful experience for our GOYAns and we are proud of their strong performance! We would like to thank the AHEPA Alexander Hamilton Chapter Number #54 for sponsoring us. We hope to participate again next year! Our GOYA held a Coat Drive during the month of November. We would like to thank all those who supported us and donated winter coats. In total we collected thirty-six coats that have been distributed to those less fortunate in the streets of the Newark area. At the end of November we took an overnight team-building trip to Frost Valley, which is a retreat located in Claryville, NY. Without the distraction of cell phones, we spent our time hiking in the wilderness (at night!), took part in team-bonding activities, and enjoyed games/ conversation/singing by the fire in our lodge. We will all cherish this trip for bringing us closer together as one Saint Athanasios GOYA family! The month of December was full of joy for all of us, as we celebrated the Nativity of Jesus Christ. It is very heartwarming to see our community come together at the Lenten Retreat and at the Christmas pageant. We hope you and your families enjoyed a Merry and Blessed Christmas! Looking ahead, our Parish will be hosting the Bridges Retreat on Friday January 11, All the Greek Orthodox Churches in northern New Jersey are invited to join us in making sandwiches. These sandwiches will be distributed to the needy in the streets of the Newark. On Saturday February 23, the highly-anticipated GOYA Beefsteak Dinner will be held in our Community Hall. Our GOYA looks forward to this yearly event because the proceeds allow us to give back to our Church for all our Church has done for us. The night is filled with fun as we enjoy the all you can eat steak along with dancing and other surprises. We invite everyone to attend this event!! With Love in Christ, George Makris GOYA President

15 H.O.P.E / J.O.Y.

16 BAPTISMS November 24th Michael, son of Michael and Aglaia Feliz The Godparent was George Alexandris WEDDINGS November 4th Patricia Hatziorfanos and Robert Tropea The Koubaroi were Tina & Jimmy Nicholas NA ZISETE! FUNERALS November 19th - Olympia Molfetas November 21st - Nicholas Papalambro OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILIES IN MEMORIAM It has become an accepted practice that at the death of a family member, the family requests donations in memory of the departed, be made to St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church. The following donations have been made in memory of: IN MEMORY OF NICHOLAS PAPALAMBROU Ms. Marie Paulicelli IN MEMORY OF NICHOLAS ASTRAS Ms. Marigo Frangetis Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Gregoras IN MEMORY OF JOHN ANASTASOPOULOS Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Exarchos Ms. Ellen Lipschitz Mrs. Stella Megariotis Theodorakos Associates IN MEMORY OF PANAGIOTIS SOTIRHOS Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Fikaris Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Papamichael IN MEMORY OF OLYMPIA MOLFETAS Mrs. Artie Gagis Mr. & Mrs. Athanase Gouliamos Mr. & Mrs. Chris Haramis Mr. & Mrs. James Kourgelis Mr. & Mrs. John Kourkoulakos Mr. & Mrs. George Skordilis Ms. Denise Vulpone MAY THEIR MEMORY BE ETERNAL Above represents donations made from 10/18-12/7/18

17 GREETINGS! Fr. Anargyros, Fr. John, the President of the Parish Council and its members, the President of the Philoptochos and its members, the PTO President and its members, the teachers of the Greek and Sunday Church School and the entire staff of St. Athanasios Parish wish everyone. A HAPPY NEW YEAR! ΕΥΧΕΣ Ο πατήρ Ανάργυρος, ο πατήρ Ιωάννης, ο πρόεδρος και τα μέλη του Εκκλησιαστικού Συμβουλίου, η πρόεδρος και τα μέλη της Φιλοπτώχου Αδελφότητος, η πρόεδρος και τα μέλη τού Συλλόγου Γονέων και Διδασκάλων, οι Διδάσκαλοι των Σχολείων μας, Ελληνικού και Κατηχητικού, και ολόκληρο το προσωπικό της ενορίας του Αγίου Αθανασίου, εύχονται σε όλους...ευτυχισμενο ΤΟ ΝΕΟ ΕΤΟΣ 2019! HOUSE BLESSINGS: Fr. Anargyros will be blessing homes the week after the Theophany. Anyone wishing to have their home blessed should contact the church office. FLOWERS FOR ST. ATHANASIOS: If anyone is interested in donating towards the flowers for the adornment of the icons for the Feast Day of St. Athanasios, please contact the Church office. VASILOPITA CELEBRATION: The Community Vasilopita Celebration will be on Sunday, January 13, 2019 after the Divine Liturgy. We ask that all parishioners and friends to join us for this very special beginning of the New Year Celebration. CALENDARS: If you have not already done so, we ask the parishioners of Saint Athanasios to please stop upstairs after the Divine Liturgy to pick up your 2019 Church calendars. Each calendar is clearly labeled with each parishioner s name. ΑΓΙΑΣΜΟΣ ΟΙΚΩΝ: Ο πατήρ Ανάργυρος θα αγιάζει σπίτια την εβδομάδα μετά τά Θεοφάνεια. Εάν θέλετε να έλθει να αγιάσει και το δικό σας σπίτι, παρακαλείσθε να επικοινωνήσετε με το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. ΛΟΥΛΟΥΔΙΑ ΓΙΑ ΣΤΟΛΙΣΜΟ: Εάν θέλετε να δώσετε χρήματα για την αγορά λουλουδιών προς στολισμό της Εκκλησίας μας για των εικόνων για την εορτή του Αγίου Αθανασίου, παρακαλούμε να επικοινωνήσετε με το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. ΚΟΨΙΜΟ ΒΑΣΙΛΟΠΙΤΑΣ: Το κόψιμο της Κοινοτικής Βασιλόπιττας. θα γίνει την Κυριακή 13 Ιανουαρίου 2019 αμέσως μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. Παρακαλούμε όλους τους ενορίτες και φίλους να παραβρεθούν στο κόψιμο της Βασιλόπιττας. ΗΜΕΡΟΛΟΓΙΑ: Εάν δεν έχετε ήδη παραλάβει το ημερολόγιο του 2019, παρακαλείσθε μετά τη Θεία Λειτουργία της Κυριακής, να ανεβείτε επάνω, για να το παραλάβετε. Κάθε ημερολόγιο φέρει ετικέτα με το όνομα κάθε ενορίτη.

18 STEWARDSHIP We thank the following 355 parishioners who made their stewardship contribution for to St. Athanasios Church for ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ EΚΟΥΣΙΑΣ ΕΙΣΦΟΡΑΣ 2018: Ευχαριστούμε τις 355 οικογένειες πού εκπλήρωσαν την υπόσχεσή των για το Mr. & Mrs. Adam & Sunita Adams Μrs. Katina Agaliotis Mr. K. Agathangelou/Mrs. T. Yiangou Mr. & Mrs. Khaled Ahmad Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Alexandris Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Alexiades Mrs. Helen Alexoudis-Valdez Paul Anagnostakos/Eva Tsomos Mrs. Pamela Anastasopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Andreou Mrs. Silvia Andros Mr. Cristopher Androulakis Mr. Evan Androulakis Drs. E. Antoniou/E. Vassiliou Mrs. Flora Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Sotiris Antonopoulos Mrs. Ubaldina Antonopoulos Mr. Michael Arotis Mr. Mike Axiomakaros Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Backos Mrs. Bella Baker Mrs. Eleni Barbagiannis Mr. & Mrs. Antonios Barbagiannis Mr. & Mrs. George Barkouras Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Belegrinos Mrs. Litsa Berenberg Mrs. Audrey Betts Mr. James Betts Mr. Robert Blake Mr. & Mrs. Chris & Stamatia Brandt Mr. & Mrs. James Burke Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Calandrino Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Careri Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Cevallos Mr. & Mrs. Tim Cherba Dr. & Mrs. George Christolias Mr. & Mrs. George Christopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Nikos Christopoulos Dr. & Mrs. George Christoudias Mr. & Mrs. Chris Chucalas Ms. Alexandra Cocchiara Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Cocchiara Mr. & Mrs. Girolamo Colella Ms. Evangeline Comodromos Mr. Marios Comodromos Dr. & Mrs. Theodore Constandelis Mr. Thomas Contos Mr. & Mrs. Alex Cormas Mrs. Eve Cravits Mr. Nickolas Decicco Mr. & Mrs. Peter Decicco Mr. & Mrs. Peter Dedes Mr. Speros Dedes Mr. Constantinos Deligiannis Dr. & Mrs. Aristidis Delis Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Demetrakis Mrs. Maria Diacakis Mrs. Cleo Diamantes Mr. & Mrs. Vasilis Diamantopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Dimatos Mr. Michael Dimitrelis Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Disilvio Mr. & Mrs. Panagiotis Dorizas Mr. & Mrs. Stefanos Doulos Mrs. Marianthi Doundas Mr. & Mrs. Angelo & Maria Drosos Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Economou Mr. & Mrs. John Economou Mr. & Mrs. Elias Ekonomidis Mrs. MaryEllen Eliopoulos Mr.& Mrs. Tony Emmanouilidis Mr. & Mrs. Harry Emmanouilidis Mr. & Mrs. John A. Emmanouilidis Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Evangelou Mr. & Mrs. Sofoclis Fasitsas Mr. & Mrs. Michael Feliz Mr. & Mrs. Ricardo Ferreira Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Fikaris Mr. & Mrs. Zannis Fikaris Mr. Jason Fink Mrs. Eleni Floris Mrs. Artemis Gagis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Gagis Mr. & Mrs. Antonios Galianos Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuil Galifos Mr. Nicholas Gatanas Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Georgiou Mr. Loucas Georgiou Mrs. Athena Georgotas Mr. & Mrs. Victor & Maria Giamos Mr. & Mrs. James & Athena Giunchi Mr. & Mrs. George Glavas Mr. & Mrs. Savas & Eleni Glavas Mr. & Mrs. Athanase Gouliamos Mr. & Mrs. Dino Gourmos Mr. & Mrs. Efstratios Grammatas Ms. Magdalena Grigoropoulou Mr. & Mrs. Kriss Hadjistavrinos Mr. & Mrs. Chris Haramis Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Hartofilis Ms. Maria Hasterlis Ms. Paraskevi Hatziorfanos

19 Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Hios Mr. & Mrs. George Hios Ms. Stephanie M. Hios Mr. & Mrs. Sotiris Hondros Mr. & Mrs. George Hrissikos Mr. & Mrs. Louis Hunter Mr. & Mrs. Christos Ignatiou Mr. & Mrs. Nikolas Joannidis Mr. & Mrs. Agamemnon Jouvanis Mr. & Mrs. Stefanos Kalabakas Mr. & Mrs. Stelios Kalogeras Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Kalogirou Mr. Alexis Kamvosoulis Mr. & Mrs. Chris Kamvosoulis Mr. & Mrs. Damon Kamvosoulis Mr. Michael Kamvosoulis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kamvosoulis Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Kamvosoulis Mr. & Mrs. Frank Kanakaris Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kantaris Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Kapsaskis Ms. Christina Karounos Mr. & Mrs. George Karounos Mr. & Mrs. Panagiotis Karounos Mr. & Mrs. Othon Katechis Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Kavrakis Ms. Eleftheria Keane Mrs. Magdalene Keen Mr. & Mrs. Kalliopi Kesoglou Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Kesoglou Mr. & Mrs. Tom Kesoglou Mr. & Mrs. John Kiriakakis Mrs. Tonia Kirkham Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kolaros Mr. & Mrs. Eleftherios Kolovos Mr. & Mrs. Nick Konstantinakos Mr. George Konstantinidis Mrs Mary & Eva Konstantinidis Dr. Dora Kontogiannis Mr. & Mrs. Ioannis Koumoulos Mr. & Mrs. James Kourgelis Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Kourgelis Mrs. Kiki Kourgelis Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kourgelis Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Kourgelis Mr.& Mrs. John Kourkoulakos Ms. Sophia Kourliouros Mr. & Mrs. Anastasios Kousis Mr. & Mrs. George Koutris Mr. & Mrs. Christos Koutsis Mr. & Mrs. Ioannis Koutsoumbis Mr. Gus Koutsouris Mr. Sam Koutsouris Mr. & Mrs. K. Kouvatsos Mr. & Mrs. Petros Kouvatsos Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kovoros Mr. & Mrs. Sotirios Laios Mr. & Mrs. Kleidji Lamo Mrs. Toula Langas Mr. & Mrs. Louis Laoudis Mrs. Virginia Laoudis Mr. & Mrs. Antione Larosiliere Mr. & Mrs. Spero Leakas Mr. & Mrs. Ted & Voula Leakas Mrs. Eugenia Leemans Fr. & Mrs. Panagiotis Lekkas Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Leou Mrs. Froso Levas Mrs. Mary Lignos Mr. & Mrs. Stathis Loukas Mr. Eleftherios Lymbouras Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Makris Mr. & Mrs. James Makris Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Makris Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Makris Mr. & Mrs. James Malamas Mr.& Mrs. J. Malandruccolo Mrs. Helen Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Marcopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Jason Marcus Mr. & Mrs. Dean Mastrojohn Mr. & Mrs. Petros Matthews Mr. & Mrs. C. Mavrianos Mr. & Mrs. M. McGinnity Mr. & Mrs. Brian McMillan Mrs. Stella Megariotis Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Melidoneas Mr. & Mrs. K. Menegatos Mrs. Vasilia Mereos Dr. John Merianos Mr. & Mrs. Dimitris Miaoulis Mr. & Mrs. George Michalakis Mrs. Aphrodite Micholas Mr. & Mrs. Robert Mitchell Mitsakos Family Mr. & Mrs. Harry Molfetas Mrs. Olympia Molfetas Mr. & Mrs. Renan Morada Mr. & Mrs. Mihalis Morakis Mrs. Maria Moshouris Mr. & Mrs. Mike Moshouris Mr. & Mrs. Leo Mourikes Mrs. Stephanie Mouzakis Smith Mr. Ignatius Mumtzis Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Nakopoulos Mrs. Jordana Nicholas Mr. & Mrs. Tom Nikolaidis Ms. Elpida Nissirios Mr. & Mrs. James Nissirios Mr. & Mrs. John Nissirios Mr. & Mrs. Themostoklis Nissirios Mr. & Mrs. Chris Nolan Mr. & Mrs. John Oberle Mr. & Mrs. E. Pagonis Mrs. Kiki Pagonis Mr. & Mrs. Louis Pahountis Mrs. Joanne Paissidis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Paizis Mr.& Mrs.Vassos Pallikaropoulos Mr. & Mrs. G. Panagiotopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Gus Panagiotopoulos Mr. & Mrs. George Panagiotou Dr. & Mrs. Nicholas Panagiotou Ms. Pollytia Panagiotou Mr. & Mrs. Antonios Panagopoulos Mrs. Vaso Panagopoulos Ms. Niki Panaretos Mr. & Mrs. Dino Panayiotarakos Mr. & Mrs. John Pangis Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Papademas Mrs. Konstantina Papademas Mrs. Androniki Papadopoulos

20 Mr. & Mrs. C. Papamichael Mr. & Mrs. N. Papamihail Mr. & Mrs. George Papanester Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Papas Mr. Nektarios Papathanasopoulos Mrs. Maria Paschalis-Xanthos Mrs. Eleftheria Pashalis Ms. Maria Pashos Mr. & Mrs. Charles Patterson Mr. & Mrs. Menelaos Pavlou Mr. George Pepines Mr. & Mrs. John & Maria Peponias Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Perides Mr. & Mrs. Ioannis Petrou Mrs. Eleni Pettas Mr. & Mrs. John Phillips Mr. & Mrs. Nick Pispitos Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Piteo Mr. & Mrs. Ciro Pizzolato Mrs. Eleni Pollatos Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Portelos Mrs. Ann Pouletsos Mr. John Pouletsos Mr. & Mrs. San & Despina Poulis Mr. & Mrs. John Psarianos Mr. & Mrs. John & Sofia Psarianos Mr. & Mrs. John Psarros Ms. Athena Remolina Mr. & Mrs. Peter & Maria Rinaldi Mr. & Mrs. Georgios Rodas Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Rodetis Ms. Dimitra Daskaris Mrs. Despina Ropa Mr. Paul Iraklis Roumantzas Mrs. Penelopi Roumantzas Mr. Spiros Roumantzas Mr. & Mrs. John Roussos Mr. & Mrs. Frank Salemme Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Samoilis Drs. Leonidas & Alexandra Samouilidis Ms. Sophia Savva Mr. & Mrs. Vinny Schiraldi Mr. & Mrs. William Scoullos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Sekas Mr. & Mrs. George Seretis Mr. & Mrs. William Seretis Ms. Stacey Seretoudis Mr. & Dr. Peter Shikar Mr. & Mrs. Stergios Siabanis Mr. & Mrs. George Siamboulis Mr. & Mrs. George M. Siderias Mr. & Mrs. George S. Siderias Mr. & Mrs. Georgios Siderias Mr. & Mrs. Steve Siderias Mr. William Siderias Ms. Maria Sidirokastritis Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Sitounis Ms. Katherine Skiadas Mr. & Mrs. Antonios Skoulariotis Mr. & Mrs. John Skoutakis Mrs. & Mrs. Brian Slattery Mr. & Mrs. Steve Sofos Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Sogotis Mr. & Mrs. Panagiotis Sotirhos Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Sousa Mr. & Mrs. Steve Spirou Mr. & Mrs. Alex & Angela Staikos Mr. & Mrs. Petros Stamaterakis Mr. & Mrs. George Stamatiou Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Stamelos Mr. & Mrs. Thouki Stavris Fr. & Pres. A. Stavropoulos Ms. Maria Stavropoulos Ms. Sotiria Stavropoulos Mr. Patroklos Stavrou Mr. & Mrs. Antonios Stergiou Mr. & Mrs. T. Stogianoglou Mr. & Mrs. Christakis Stylianou Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Tevletidis Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Tolis Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Tomaras Mr. & Mrs. George Trahanas Ms. Anastasia Traitses Mr. & Mrs. Christos Triantafillakis Mrs. Evelyn Triantos Mr. Niciforos Tsamasiotis Mr. & Mrs. Michael Tsentas Mrs. Sophia Tsiklidis Mr. & Mrs. Chuck K. Tsocanos Mr. & Mrs. Chuck J. Tsocanos Mr. & Mrs. John Tsocanos Mrs. Panagiota Tsongas Mrs. Efthymia Tsoukalas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Tsoukalas Mr. & Mrs. Stamatios Tsoukalas Mr. & Mrs. Stan Umowski Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Vanikiotis Mr. & Mrs. George Vathianakis Mrs. Ethel Venetos Mr. & Mrs. Richard Venezia Mr. & Mrs. Paul Venizelos Mrs. Irene Veros Mr. & Mrs. Jerry & Emily Vlachos Mr. & Mrs. Robert Voorhis Mr. & Mrs. John Wain Mr. & Mrs. Randall Williams Mr.& Mrs. Louie Yannitsadis Mrs. Paula Yannitsadis Mr. Steve Yannitsadis Mr. & Mrs. George Zanakis Mr. & Mrs. Peter & Anna Zervas Mr. & Mr. Telly Zervoudis Mr. & Mrs. Michael Zigarelli Mr.s Irene Zisa Mr. & Mrs. Haralambos Zizikas Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Zodiatis

21 PRAYER FOR THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR O Lord our God, who have placed times and seasons under your own authority; who, in your infinite compassion and goodness, have counted us worthy to enter a New Year of your loving kindness, bless it and keep us in peace. Loose, remit and forgive any sins that we may have committed during the year that is past, and keep us free from sin in the New Year. Enlighten us with the light of your truth and your divine commandments. Establish in our souls your holy will, and guide us to every work that is good and pleasing to you. Guard well our Holy church with your divine grace. Remember, Lord, our nation; train up the youth; protect the elderly; encourage the fainthearted; gather the scattered; bring back those who have gone astray, and reunite them to your Holy Church. Overshadow our Land with your might, and grant it gentle rain and abundance of the fruits of the earth. Speak of goodness in the hearts of our rulers; support and strengthen them, together with our armed forces by land, sea and air so that in their tranquility we may lead our life in every piety and dignity. Let your kingdom come upon us, O Lord; the kingdom of love, goodness, peace and justice; and make us worthy to praise and glorify, with one mouth and one heart, your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

22 FOS MINISTRY BOOKSTORE OF ST. ATHANASIOS

23 ΙΕΡΑ ΠΑΝΗΓΥΡΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΟΥ Μέγας Εσπερινός Πέμπτη, 17 Ιανουρίου στις 7:00 μ.μ. Μέγας Εσπερινός με Αρτοκλασία Εορταστική δεξίωσις κατόπιν των Ιερών Ακολουθιών από την Φιλόπτωχο Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία Παρασκευή, 18 Ιανουαρίου στις 8:30 π.μ. Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία με Αρτοκλασία Εορταστική δεξίωσις κατόπιν των Ιερών Ακολουθιών FEAST DAY OF OUR PATRON SAINT ATHANASIOS Thursday, January 17th - 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers and Artoklasia Friday, January 18th - 8:30 a.m. Orthros, Divine Liturgy and Artoklasia Reception to follow after the Services, hosted by our Philoptochos. SAINT ATHANASIOS THE GREAT, PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA Born in Alexandria, Egypt in A.D. 297, Athanasios was associated with the Alexandrian chancery at an early age, having been ordained deacon in the year 319 and subsequently priest. His brilliance was shown in his Sermon Against the Arians, written to answer the widely spreading heresy of Arianism, which had been condemned in 318 by a synod. According to Arius, an elderly priest of Alexandria, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were three separate essences or substances, which is contrary to Orthodox teaching. The spread of Arianism prompted Emperor Constantine to convene the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea (A.D. 325), where Athanasios brilliantly opposed the false doctrine of Arius. He wrote a series of works in defense of the faith proclaimed in Nicaea, that is, the doctrine of the true deity of God the Son. Nevertheless, the controversy lasted for another two centuries. The conciliatory tone of the Council of Nicaea was not enough to put an end to the heresy; Arius would not comply with its decisions and thus fled to Palestine.

24 While still in his twenties, St Athanasios wrote two short treatises of which the second one is the famous On the Incarnation. In this treatise he expounds how God, the Logos, by His union with Manhood restored to the fallen man the image of God in which he had originally been created (Genesis 1:27); and how by His death and Resurrection He met and overcame death which is the consequence of sin. St. Athanasios proved to be the greatest and most consistent theological opponent of Arianism. He convened the Synod of Alexandria in 362 which did much to clear up misunderstandings of the terms Person (hypostasis) and substance (ousia). He also did much to uphold the deity of the Holy Spirit and the full Manhood of Christ against contemporary heretical tendencies. At the age of thirty, Athanasios was made Bishop of Alexandria. Although Arius assured the Emperor that he accepted the creed of Nicaea, the suspicious Athanasios defied the Imperial order for Arius reinstatement. For this he was banished, taking refuge in Treves, France, the place of his first exile, from which he returned in 337 after Constantine s death. The same year though, his enemies conspired to have him again banished by a synod in Antioch. Athanasios, eluded those who would have him imprisoned, traveled to Rome to plead his case before the Pope, Julius I. Although a council at Sardica favored Athanasios, he did not return from exile until 345, after the death of usurper Bishop Gregory. Once again, his enemies sprang into action and at a council in Milan in 355, Athanasios was deposed. Thus, after ten years of fruitful rule, he took refuge with the monks of the Egyptian desert whom he greatly admired and whom he had befriended. While with the monks he wrote the History of the Arian Heresy, which displays his vehemence and ironic humor. In 361 Athanasios was again restored as Bishop of Alexandria and immediately resumed his struggle against Arianism. After a series of lengthy and complicated discussions, councils, synods, and other forms of debate, a credal formula was adopted which satisfied those whose middle view led them to be called Semi-Arians. Peace had hardly arrived when another storm came in the form of the regeneration of paganism under the Emperor Julian the Apostate. In the autumn of 363, Athanasios was again put to flight, only to return a short time later after the death of the Emperor. He enjoyed a comparative calm until he was removed by Emperor Valens during another resurgence of paganism. Four months later, the aging Bishop was recalled and allowed to live out his life in comparative peace. Greatly admired by the Orthodox, St. Athanasios stirred the emotions of the Christians as perhaps no other Father of the Church. His theological doctrine is clear and uncomplicated in the strictest Orthodox tradition, and his encouragement of monasticism was a labor of love. He greatly aided the ascetic movement in Egypt. Also, St. Athanasios was the first to introduce knowledge of monasticism to the West. He died on May 2, 373. The Feast Day of St. Athanasios is celebrated on January 18th (also on May 2nd). May his blessings and prayers be with us as we aspire to serve the same Lord as St. Athanasios did centuries ago.

25 Love in Action This year St. Athanasios will continue the Homeless Outreach Program to bring much needed food and care to men, women, and children in our area who are in need. As many of you already know, last year we began an effort to collect food for donation in a Food Collection Box at the rear entrance of our church. This effort has already been a big success in helping to feed low-income families, and this year we would like to give even more. We will be putting our desire to help into action by partnering with a homeless shelter in Northern NJ to help prepare and serve warm meals for the needy. We hope to make this a community-wide effort, with every age group involved in some way - whether through food donation, meal preparation, driving, serving, or some other facet. We are still at the early stages but before we can begin this fruitful work, we are looking for volunteers who are interested in helping to develop and sustain this new program. If you would like to get involved, please contact the church office. This is a time of great need for many people. For anyone who has ever felt a call to give back, this is an opportunity to really make a difference in someone's life. COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY We wish to thank all our parishioners and friends of St. Athanasios for remembering our Food Pantry for Thanksgiving. Our Food Pantry helps families that have a need for assistance. It is very important that we keep our food Pantry filled at all times. Please remember the bank for the needy is at the entrance of the Community Center. ΑΠΟΦΗΚΗ ΤΡΟΦΙΜΩΝ: Η Εκκλησία μας παρέχει τρόφιμα σε οικογένειες που έχουν ανάγκη. Ζητούμε συσκευασμένα τρόφιμα, επί καθημερινής. Βάσεως. Το νέο ενοριακό αυτό πρόγραμμα θα συνεχίση μόνο με την βοήθεια σας. Θά θέλαμε να ευχαριστήσουμε όλους τους δωριτές, με τα τρόφιμα για την ημέρα των Ευχαριστιών. Η γενναιοδωρία τους προς τους συνανθρώπους μας που βρίσκονται σε υλική ανάγκη είναι αποτέλεσμα της αγάπης τους προς τον Κύριο και Θεό μας. WESTWOOD FAMILY DENTAL John Nicholas, DDS Elite Associates Dina Burke Sales Associate 313 Broadway Westwood, NJ Office: (201) ext Cell: (201) Fax: (201) General & Cosmetic Dentistry For Adults & Children Full Range of Restorative Services, State of the Art Equipment Cosmetic Bonding, Bleaching 231 Kinderkamack Road Westwood, NJ Phone: Fax: Office hours by appointment

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27 St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church 51 Paramus Road Paramus, NJ NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE P A I D Paramus, NJ Permit No. 121 OR CURRENT RESIDENT SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL GREEK SCHOOL PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY P.T.O. CANTOR CHOIR DIRECTOR ALTAR BOYS H.O.P.E. (ages 4-7) J.O.Y. (ages 8-11) THE MINISTRIES OF ST. ATHANASIOS: Eliana Antoniou - Director Sophia Stamatiou - Principal Vaso Panagopoulos - President Angela Menegatos - President Chris Haramis Ryan Kiel Sotirios Karabetsos Ellainy Christopoulos Ellainy Christopoulos GOYA (ages 12-18) George Makris, President - Anthi Kesoglou / Reina Phillips, Advisors ATHLETIC CO-ORDINATORS: FOS (Outreach Parish Ministry) HELLENIC SENIORS BIBLE STUDY & CATECHISM GREEK DANCING EPISKEPSIS (Visitations) DIAKONIA AGAPES (Help the needy-food Pantry) Peter Paizis / Andy Hios Karen Scoullos Helen Manztouranis Fr. Anargyros Joanne Glavas - Co-ordinator Mia Petrou - Group 1 (ages 5-7) - Group 2 (ages 8-11) Angela Tsocanos - (ages 12 & up) Fr. Anargyros Presbytera Christina