JANUARY 2008 Volume 38 Issue 1 ΑΓΙΑ ΤΡΙΑΣ Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Wilmington, Delaware

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1 HOLY TRINITY JANUARY 2008 Volume 38 Issue 1 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) His Eminence Metropolitan EVANGELOS of New Jersey, Hierarch Rev. Fr. Costa G. Christo, Ph.D., Protopresbyter Dino Charalambides, Youth Director (cell) Susan Kelleher, Church Secretary (home) Anargyros Liparos, Protopsaltis PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS George Tsavalas, President - (302) Sophia Fotakos, First Vice President - (302) Christopher Grivas, Second Vice President - (610) Spiros Mantzavinos, Parish Council Secretary - (302) Tia Gianakis Minella, Parish Council Treasurer - (302) Constantine Caras Virginia Karablacas George Chambers Athena Ladas (410) Thomas Diamanty John Pennias Georgia Halakos Catherine Stathakis Michael Kirifides Nicholas Vouras CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS Mailing Coordinators James Michael & Crew (856) Philoptochos Maroula Haralambidis, President GOYA Ana George, President Sunday School Helene Krikelis, Director Greek School Costas Fountzoulas, Director HOPE/JOY Club Dino Charalambides Lil Angels Playgroup Penny McEntee YAL George Tsakataras, Coordinator (610) Altar Boys Michael Sanford, Director Terpsichorean Dance Troupe Dino Charalambides St. Elpida Anestis Logothetis Choir Anthony Pantelopulos, Director Altar Guild Helen Doukakis, President AHEPA Dimitri Dandolos, President Daughters of Penelope Anna Maria Anagnostou, President Hellenic University Club Georgia Pyrros, President The Heart Club Nick Zographos, President Vacation Bible School Sophia Fotakos, Director Editorial Staff - Ayia Trias Costas Fountzoulas Web Site Dino Charalambides Adult Bible Study (Tuesday AM) Fr. Stamatios Ganiaris Adult Bible Study (Thursday PM) Bill Savopoulos Church Office Address: greekorth@comcast.net Fr. Costa G. Christo s Church Address: frguschristo@comcast.net For pastoral emergencies - you may call Fr. Christo (cell) 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.

3 The Pastor s Letter My Beloved Parishioners: HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!!! January, 2008 I pray with all my heart and soul that the Lord of heaven and earth, Jesus Christ our true and risen God, Lord and Master, brings to you and to your families love, peace, joy, health and salvation. Where Christ is, there is His Church. The Church is an earthly heaven in which the supercelestial God dwells and walks about. It represents the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Christ. It is glorified more than the tabernacle of the witness of Moses, in which are the mercy-seat and the Holy of Holies. It is prefigured in the patriarchs, foretold by the prophets, founded in the apostles, adorned by the hierarchs, and fulfilled in the martyrs (St. Germanus of Constantinople). During this new year of our Lord, continuously seek refuge in the bosom of the Church of God. For, this Church is His Mystical Body, the Ark of Salvation, and the life of the Holy Consubstantial and Undivided Trinity in our very midst. No power in heaven, on earth or under the earth can subvert and overcome the Church. St. Athanasius says: True is the word, firm is the promise. The Church is insurmountable, even if hell itself were moved, and the rulers of darkness summoned turmoil. Her mission in this world to bring us into the tranquil harbor of heaven will not be denied. Because of this let us never separate ourselves from the Church. Let it be our constant enterprise to run to the Church in order to seek God s forgiveness, and learn to live a life worthy of our calling with all humility and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:2). Paternally yours, Protopresbyter Constantine G. Christofis Proistamenos Αγαπητοί µου Ενορίτες: Ιανουάριος, 2008 ΕΥΤΥΧΙΣΜΕΝΟ ΤΟ ΝΕΑΟ ΕΤΟΣ 2008!!! Προσεύχοµαι µε όλη την καρδιά και ψυχή µου στον Κύριο του ουρανού και της γής, Ιησού Χριστό τον αληθινό και αναστηθέντα Θεό, Κύριο και Αφέντη, να δώση σε εσάς και την οικογένειά σας αγάπη, ειρήνη, υγεία, υγεία και σωτηρία. Όπου είναι ο Χριστός, υπάρχει η Εκκλησία Του. Η Εκκλησία είναι ένας επίγειος ουρανός στον οποίον ο υπερουράνιος Θεός κατοικεί και περιπατεί. Αντιπροσωπεύει την σταύρωση, ταφή και ανάσταση του Χριστού. οξάζεται περισσότερο από την σκηνή της µαρτυρίας του Μωυσή, στην οποίαν ευρίσκονται ο θρόνος της ευσπλαχνίας και τα Άγια των Αγίων. Προεικονίζεται εις τους πατριάρχες, προελέχθη υπό των προφητων, εθεµελιώθη εις τους αποστόλους, εστολίσθηκε από τους ιεράρχες, και εξεπληρώθη στούς µάρτυρες (Άγιος Γερµανός της Κωνσταντινουπόλεως) Κατά την διάρκειαν αυτού του νέου έτους του Κυρίου, αναζητήσατε συνεχώς καταφύγιο στην αγκαλιά της Εκκλησίας του Θεού. ιότι, αυτή η Εκκλησία είναι το Μυστικό Του Σώµα, η Κιβωτός της Σωτηρίας, και η ζωή της Αγίας Οµοουσίας και Αδιαιρέτου Τριάδος εν τω µέσω ηµών. Καµµία δύναµις στον ουρανό, στη γή ή στα έγκατα της γής δύναται να ανατρέψη και να υπερισχύση την Εκκλησίαν. Ο Αγιος Αθανάσιος λέγει: Αλήθεια είναι ο λόγος,και σταθερή είναι η υπόσχεση. Η Εκκλησία είναι ανυπέρβλητος, ακόµη κι αν η κόλαση η ίδια µετκαινήτο, και οι άρχοντες του σκότους οχλαγωγούσαν. Η αποστολή της σ αυτόν τον κόσµο να µας φέρει σε ένα απήνεµο λιµάνι δεν θα απορριφθή. Ενεκα αυτού του λόγου ας µην αποχωριθούµε ποτέ την Εκκλησία. Ας είναι ο σταθερός στόχος µας να καταφεύγουµε στην Εκκλησία για να αναζητούµε την συγχώρεση του Θεού, και να µάθουµε να ζούµε µία ζωή αντάξια του καλέσµατος µετά πάσης ταπεινοφροσύνης και πραότητος, µετά µακροθυµίας, ανεχόµενοι αλλήλων εν αγάπη, σπουδάζοντες τηρείν την ενότητα του Πνεύµατος εν τω συνδέσµω της ειρήνης (Προς Εφεσίους 4:2) Πατρικώς δικός σας, +Πρωτοπρεσβύτερος Κωνσταντίνος Γ. Χριστοφής Προϊστάµενος

4 January 2008 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat We need Basil for the Epiphany Services on Jan. 5th & 6th. Please See Fr. Costa or leave a message at the Church Office with Susan if you have Basil to donate. 1 The Feasts of Christ s Circumcision and St. Basil the Great. Orthros 9:00am. Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great 10:00am. An Artoclasia and New Year s Day Doxology also offered. 2 5pm 7pm Beginner Dance lessons for Adults 3 4 6:30pm Goya/ Icarus Dance Practice 5 The Eve of Epiphany. Strict Fast observed. Orthros 9:15am. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom 10am. Blessing of the Waters (Agiasmos) Service JOY Apple Pie Baking Project noon-4pm 6 The Feast of the Epiphany or the Theophany. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great 10am. The celebration of the Great Agiasmos Service. Youth and Adult Sermons offered. Sunday School classes resume after the Agiasmo service. Hope/Joy Apple Pie Bake Sale Goya/Icarus Dance Practice No Pegasus/Atlantis Practice 7 The Feast of the Synaxis in Honor of St. John the Baptist. Orthros 9:00am. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom 10:00am. 5pm Greek School 8 6:30pm GOYA General meeting 9 5pm Greek School 5pm 7pm Beginner Dance lessons for Adults 10 1pm- Young@heart Movie Show 7pm Bible Study 11 6:30pm Pegasus Dance Practice 7:30pm Atlantis Dance Practice No Goya/Icarus practice 12 11am the celebration of the Krikelis Baptism 10am GOYA Emmanuel Dining Hall 13 : The Sunday after Epiphany. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am. The Blessing, Cutting and Distribution of the Annual Vasilopita. Philoptochos passes the second tray to support St. Basil s Academy. 1:30pm the celebration of the Karakasidis Baptism. 14 5pm Greek School pm Greek School 5pm 7pm Beginner Dance lessons for Adults 17 The Feast Day of St. Anthony the Great. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am 7pm Bible Study 18 The Feast Day of Sts. Athanasios and Cyril. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am The Twelfth Sunday of St. Luke. The Sunday of the Ten Lepers. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am. Goya/Icarus Dance Practice No Pegasus/Atlantis Practice 21 5pm Greek School 6:30pm Pegasus Dance Practice 7:30pm Atlantis Dance Practice No Goya/Icarus practice pm Greek School No Dance lesson Today 24 7pm Bible Study 25 The Feast Day of St. Gregory the Theologian. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am 26 10am DVYC Bible Bowl Trivia Challenge Media PA for 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th Grade Sunday School Students 27The Fifteenth Sunday of St. Luke. The Sunday of Zacchaeus. The Feast Day of the Translation of the Relics of St. John Chrysostom. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am. The celebration of the Annual Memorial for John and Charles (Constantine) Marinopoulos. The Greek Letters Day Program will be offered by our Greek School in the community center after the distribution of the andidoron. 28 5pm Greek School The Feast Day of the Three Hierarchs: Sts. Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy 10am. Greek Letters Day. St. Elpida Society Emmanuel Dining Hall 5pm Greek School 5pm 7pm Beginner Dance lessons for Adults 31 7pm Bible Study

5 Ιανουάριος 2008 Κυριακή ευτέρα Τρίτη Τετάρτη Πέµπτη Παρασκευή Σάββατο Χρειαζόµαστε ΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΌ για τον εορτασµό των Θεοφανείων, 5η και 6η Ιανουαρίου. Παρακαλείσθε να δήτε τον πατέρα Κώστα ή να τηλεφωνήσετε στο γραφείο της Εκκλησίας στη Σούζη, αν έχετε βασιλικό να δωρήσετε 1 Η περιτοµή του Ιησού Χριστού. Του Μεγάλου Βασιλείου. Αρτοκλασία και οξολογία του Νέου Έτους Όρθρος 9:00 π.µ. Θεία Λειτουργία, Μ. Βασιλείου 10:00 π.µ. 2 5 µµ. 7 µ.µ Πρακτική χορού για αρχάριους 3 4 6:30 µ.µ ΓΚΟΓΙΑ/ ΙΚΑΡΟΣ πρακτική χορού 5 Προεόρτια Φώτων. Αυστηρή Νηστεία. Όρθρος 9:15 π.µ. Θεία Λειτουργία Αγίου Ιωάννου Χρυσοστόµου 10:00 π.µ. Ακολουθία Αγιασµού των Υδάτων Ψήσιµο Μηλόπιτας από ΤΖΟΪ-12 µ.µ 4 µ.µ 6 Άγια Θεοφάνεια. Όρθρος 9:00 π.µ. Θεία Λειτουργία Μέγα Βασιλείου 10:00 π.µ. Μεγάλoς Αγιασµός των Υδάτων. Κήρυγµα Νέων και Ενηλίκων. Κατηχητικό αρχίζει µετα τον Αγιασµό. Πώληση Μηλόπιτας ΧΟΠΕ/ΤΖΟΪ Πρακτική χορού ΜΟΝΟ για ΓΚΟΓΙΑ/ ΙΚΑΡΟΣ. 7 Σύναξις Ιωάννου Προδρόµου του Βαπτιστού. Όρθρος 9:00 π.µ. Θεία Λειτουργία Αγίου Ιωάννου Χρυσοστόµου 10:00 π.µ. 5 µ.µ Ελληνικό Σχολείο 8 5:30 µ.µ. Γενική Συνέλευση ΓΚΟΓΙΑ 9 5 µ.µ Ελληνικό Σχολείο 5 µµ. 7 µ.µ Πρακτική χορού για αρχάριους 10 1 µ.µ.-ταινία για Αειθαλείς Νέους 7 µ.µ Μελέτη Βίβλου 11 Πρακτικές χορού: 6:30 µ.µ ΠΗΓΑΣΟΣ 7:30 µ.µ. ΑΤΛΑΝΤΙΣ πµ. Βάπτισις Οικογενείας Κρικέλη 10 π.µ. Σερβίρισµα από την ΓΚΟΓΙΑ στην Αίθουσα Εµµανουήλ 13 Κυριακή µετά τα Θεοφάνεια. Όρθρος 9:00 π.µ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.µ. Ευλογία και κόψιµο της Βασιλόπιτας. εύτερος δίσκος από την Φιλόπτωχο. Όλες οι προσφορές θα διατεθούν για την Ακαδηµία Παίδων του Αγίου Βσιλείου 1:30 µ.µ. Βάπτισις Οικογένειας Καρακασίδη 14 5 µ.µ Ελληνικό Σχολείο µ.µ Ελληνικό Σχολείο 5 µµ. 7 µ.µ Πρακτική χορού για αρχάριους 17 Αντώνιος ο Μέγας. Όρθρος 9:00 π.µ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.µ. 7 µ.µ Μελέτη Βίβλου 18 Αθανασίου και Κυρίλλου, Πατριάρ.Αλεξανδ ρείας.όρθρος 9:00 π.µ. Θεία Λειτουργία - 10:00 π.µ Η 12η Κυριακή τού Οσίου Λουκά. Των έκα Λεπρών. Όρθρος 9:00 π.µ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.µ. Πρακτική χορού ΜΟΝΟ από ΓΚΟΓΙΑ/ ΙΚΑΡΟΣ 21 5 µ.µ Ελληνικό Σχολείο Πρακτικές χορού: 6:30 µ.µ ΠΗΓΑΣΟΣ 7:30 µ.µ. ΑΤΛΑΝΤΙΣ µ.µ Ελληνικό Σχολείο Καµµία πρακτική χορού 24 7 µ.µ Μελέτη Βίβλου 25 Γρηγορίου Θεολόγου, Αρχιεπισκόπου Κων/πόλεως. Όρθ 9:00 π.µ. Θεία Λειτ. 10:00 π.µ π.µ. DVYC ιαγωνισµός Γνώσεων Βίβλου Μίντια, ΠΕ για Μαθητές της 3ης, 4ης, 5ης και 6ης τάξεως του Κατηχητικού 27 Η 15η Κυριακή τού Οσίου Λουκά. Κυριακή του Ζακχαίου. Εορτασµός Μεταφοράς Οστών Αγίου Ιωάννου Χρυσοστόµου. Όρθρος 9:00 π.µ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.µ. Ετήσιο µνηµόσυνο Ιωάννου και Κωνσταντίνου Μαρινόπουλου. Εορτασµός των Ελληνικών Γραµµάτων από το Ελληνικό Σχολείο µετά την Θεία Λειτουργία και την διανοµή του Αντίδωρου στην Κοινοτική Αίθουσα µ.µ Ελληνικό Σχολείο Των Τριών Ιεραρχών και Οικουµενικών ασκάλων Μέγα Βασιλείου, Γρηγορίου του Θεολόγου και Ιωάννου του Χρυσοστόµου Όρθρος 9:00 π.µ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.µ. Ηµέρα των Γραµµάτων. Σερβίρισµα από την ΓΚΟΓΙΑ στην Αίθουσα Εµµανουήλ 5 µ.µ Ελληνικό Σχολείο 5 µµ. 7 µ.µ Πρακτική χορού για αρχάριους 31 7 µ.µ Μελέτη Βίβλου

6 President s Column President s Column Στήλη του Προέδρου Dear Parishioners, Αγαπητοί Ενορίτες, The year 2007 is soon coming to a close and, with the Lord s blessing the New Year will bring all of us health and happiness. As you know, our church has planed a great New Year s Eve Gala Dinner/Dance and I hope most of you will make arrangements to attend this wonderful family function and join the rest of the Holy Trinity parish in celebrating the arrival of the New Year. We have many reasons to thank the Lord for His year 2007 blessings. Our community enjoyed a year filled with many enjoyable and diverse activities and functions. The Parish Council in 2008 will strive to offer to its parishioners more of the same and with even better diversity and quality. As always, the Greek School Santa Claus Sunday and the Sunday School/Greek School Christmas pageant was a huge success with great community participation. Kudos to all our Sunday School and Greek School teachers and especially to our youth, the super stars of our community. As the year comes to a close, I would like to thank all of you for the opportunity you have given me to serve you in the Parish Council as president for the past two years. It has truly been a privilege to serve you and I have truly appreciated your support and your trust I give all of you, your families and friends my warmest wishes for the coming Holidays and New Year. May the Lord always be by your side. Το 2007 φεύγει σύντοµα, και µε την ευλογία του Κυρίου το Νέο Έτος θα φέρη σε όλους µας υγεία και ευτυχία. Όπως γνωρίζετε, η εκκλησία µας έχει σχεδιάσει µία καταπληκτική Χοροεσπερίδα µετά είπνου για την παραµονή του Νέου Έτους και ελπίζω ότι οι περισσότεροι από εσάς θα καταβάλετε κάθε δυνατή προσπάθεια να έλθετε και να συνευρεθήτε µε τους άλλους ενορίτες της Αγίας Τριάδας για να εορτάσουµε όλοι µαζί το Νέο Έτος. Έχουµε πολλούς λόγους για να ευχαριστήσουµε τον Κύριο για τις ευλογίες Του το Η κοινότητά µας απήλαυσε ένα χρόνο µε πολλές και διαφορετικές δραστηριότητες και εκδηλώσεις. Το Συµβούλιο σας υπόσχεται ότι θα προσπαθήση το 2008 να ξεπεράση το 2007 µε καλλίτερες και περισσότερες δραστηριότες. Όπως πάντα το «Πρωϊνό µε τον Άγιο Βασίλη» του Ελληνικού Σχολείου και το Χριστουγεννιάτικο Πρόγραµµα από το Κατηχητικό/Ελληνικό Σχολείο είχαν µεγάλη επιτυχία και παρακολουθήθηκαν από πολλά µέλη της κοινότητας. Συγχαρηρτήρια σε όλο το διδακτκικό προσωπικοό του Κατηχητικού και Ελληνικού Σχολείου αλλά ειδικά στα αστέρια της κοινότητάς µας, την ΝΕΟΛΑΙΑ της! Καθώς το έτος πλησιάζει στο τέλος του, θα ήθελα να ευχαριστήσω όλους σας για την ευκαιρία που µου δώσατε να σας υπηρετήσω για τα τελευταία δύο χρόνια. Ήταν πραγµατικά µία τιµή για εµένα να σας υπηρετήσω και έχω εκτιµήσει την υποστήριξη και εµπιστοσύνη σας δεόντως. Sincerely, George Tsavalas Εύχοµαι ολοψύχως σε εσάς και στις οικογένειές σας τις καλλίτερες ευχές µου για το εορτές και το Νέο Έτος. Είθε ο Θεός να είναι πάντα κοντά σας. Ειλικρινά, Γεώργιος Τσαβάλας

7 Are you Hospitable ~ Cheerful ~ Friendly Do you Like to talk ~ like to listen ~ like to help If you answered yes to any of the above The Welcome Wagon Committee Needs You We are looking for parishioners to serve on this committee. We are trying to form a committee that will help us to greet & host new comers on any given Sunday at church. If you are interested in joining this committee please contact Sophia Fotakos at (302) for more information. EVENING CHURCH BIBLE STUDY THURSDAY NIGHTS ~@~ 7:00 PM Come join our Bible Study as we open the scriptures and learn to understand our faith. No experience required, just an inquisitive mind and a warm heart to fellowship. All of us have had questions about the Bible, which we ve thought about but never pursued. We all have fun learning from each other; and you ll even have a chance of meeting our resident historian. Our study is made up of the very young and very old so we know that this includes you! As good stewards of your time, we promise that we will start promptly. The study provides outlines which fairly well cover the material, and highlights the essential elements of the writer. We meet at seven in the evening and normally spend an hour in discussion and 20 minutes with refreshments. We like to turn off the lights at 8:30 PM and always seek to chaperone everyone when leaving. As we meet in the Philoptochos Room, it s always best to park on the right side parking lot as you face the church. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PLEASE NOTE... The Thursday Night Bible study will be taking a short break for the holidays. Bible Study will not meet December 20 & 27, and January 3. We will resume our study on Thursday, January 10th. We hope to see you there when we return. We wish you a Blessed New Year 2008!

8 Ms. Angeliki Adamopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Chris Adamopoulos Mr. Demetrios Adamopoulos Mr. Sotiere Adamopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Angelos Alexandratos Mr. & Mrs. T. Alexandridis Mr. & Mrs. John Alexopoulos Dr. & Mrs. Michael Amygdalos Ms. AnaMaria Anagnostou Ms. Anthoula Anagnostou Mr. & Mrs. Peter Anagnostou Mrs. Georgia Anastasakos Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Anastassiades Mr. & Mrs. Evan Andreadis Ms. Elaine Annos Mr. Anthony Anton Mr. & Mrs. Tom Antoniou Dr. Michael Antony Mr. & Mrs. Spyros Apessos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Apostolakis Miss Arkontoula M. Apostolatos Mr. Evaggelos M. Apostolatos Drs. Argyrios & Lisa Arvanitis Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Atsidis Mr. & Mrs. Bacchieri Mrs. Alexandra Baldivieso Ms. Chris Ballas Mr. & Mrs. James Bambacus Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Belitsas Dr. & Mrs. Anthony Beris Ms. Georgia Boines Ms. Valerie Bonak Mr. & Mrs. Harry Bouloukas Mr. & Mrs. Themis Bourogiannis Ms. Antonia Brizolakis Mr. George Brown Mr. & Mrs. Mark Brown Mrs. Catherine Burpulis Mr. & Mrs. Costas Burpulis+ Mr. & Mrs. John Burpulis Mr. Stamatis Burpulis Mrs. Christine Caras Mr. & Dr. Constantine Caras Mr. George & Chris Caras Mr. & Mrs. Demo Carros Mr. & Mrs. James Chahalis Mr. & Mrs. George Chambers Mrs. Jane Chappel Mrs. James Chappel-Flesch Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Chilimidos Mrs. Irene Chilimidos Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Chilimidos Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Chris Mrs. Soula Christopher Mr. & Mrs. Lazaros Christou Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Christou Ms. Olga Ciabattoni Mrs. Amanda Colyvas Dr. John Congalidis Mr. George Constantinou Mr. & Mrs. Petros Contompasis Mr. Charles Cooke III Mr. & Mrs. Gus Costis Mr. & Mrs. Costas Coulaloglou Mr. & Mrs. Harry Courtis Mr. & Mrs. Robert Coustenis Mrs. Olympia Cozamanis Mr. & Mrs. Fernando Cozza Stewards of Holy Trinity 2007 Mr. & Mrs. John Croom IV Mrs. Valentini Cusanelli Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Dandolos Mr. Christopher Davis Mr. & Mrs. George Degermentzidis Mr. & Mrs. Carlos Delgado Mrs. Paraskevi Demetriou Mr. & Mrs. Spyros Demetriou Mrs. Virginia Demitral Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Demourtzidis Mr. & Mrs. Nikolaos Demourtzidis Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Diamanty Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Diamond Mr. & Mrs. Anthony T. Diamond Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Diamond Mr. John A. Diamond Mrs. Thomas Diamond Mr. & Mrs. Spiro Diamond Ms. Irene S. Dickey Mrs. Agnes Dignam Mrs. Maria Donald Mrs. Helen Doukakis Ms. Clara Drimones Mr. Nicholas Drimones Mr. & Mrs. John Dumel Mrs. Sophie Eliades Mr. & Mrs. Speros Evangelatos Mrs. Martena C. Evlom Mr. & Mrs. Steve Fafalios Mr. & Mrs. James Faller Mr. & Mrs. George E. Fanos Mr. & Mrs. Spero Ferentinos Mr. & Mrs. Costas Fessaras Mr. & Mrs. Zaharias Fessaras Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Fikioris Mr. & Mrs. Franklin Fink Mr. & Mrs. Leonidas Fotakos Mrs. Toula Fotakos Dr. & Mrs. Costas Fountzoulas Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Fournaris Mr. & Mrs. George Fournaris Mr. Stephen Frangia Mr. & Mrs. John Galanakis Mr. Michael Galanis Mr. & Mrs. James Galaris Mrs. Stella Ganakis + Rev. & Pres. Stamatios Ganiaris Mr. Dean Ganoudis Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Gargalos Dr. George C. Gatos Ms. Paula L. Gatos Mr. M. and Dr. J. Gattuso Mr. & Mrs. Leon Geanopoulos Ms. Georgiean Geanopulos Mrs. Mary George Mr. & Mrs. Dusko Cvijic Mr. Gus Georgiou Mr. Mihalis Gerakios Mr. & Mrs. Sakelaris Gerakios Mrs. Loula Geralis Mr. & Mrs. Charles Giannakis Mr. & Mrs. James Gianelos Rev. & Pres. George Giannaris Mr. & Mrs. Gerry Giannatos Drs.Effie & George Giannoukos Miss Virginia Gotides Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Govatos Mr. & Mrs. Richard Govatos Mr. & Mrs. Alton Graham Ms. Christine Graham Mrs. Helen Gregory Mrs. Maria Grigorakakis Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Grivas Mr. & Mrs. Lou Guardascione Dr. & Mrs. George Hadjipanayis Mr. & Mrs. Richard Haines Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Halakos Mr. & Mrs. Joannis Halakos Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Halakos Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Haldas Mr. Harry Haldas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Haldas Mr. & Mrs. Thomas K. Haldas Mr. & Mrs. William N. Haldas Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Ross Mr. Moses & Kim Halkopoulos Mrs. Kristine Halulakos Mrs. Eugenia Hann Mr. George Hantzandreou Mr. & Mrs. V. Hantzopoulos The Haralambidis Family Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Hatzis Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Hawkins Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hayes Dr. Sylvia Henderson Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Hionis Mrs. Joan Hondry Mr. Steve Hondry Mr. & Mrs. James Hontz Mrs. Ida Ioannou Miss Katherine Issaris Dr. & Mrs. Richard Jannelli Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Joannides Mrs. Margo M. Johnson Mr. Todd Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Fred Joseck Mr. & Mrs. Laki Kalaitzoglou Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Kalampakas Mr. & Mrs. George Kalfas Mr. & Mrs. Victor Kaliakin Mrs. Mary Kalmer Mrs. Matena Kalmer Mr. & Mrs. Stilianos Kalogiros Mr. & Mrs. George Kamenakis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kamenakis Mr. Philip Kamenakis Mrs. Loula Kapordelis Mrs. Helen Karablacas Mr. Stelios Karablacas Ms. Virginia Karablacas Mr. & Mrs. Peter Karagiannis Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Karakasidis Mr. & Mrs. John Karakasidis Mr. Stephanos Karakasidis Dr. & Mrs. John Kays Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Moscharis Mr. & Mrs. Eleftherios Karaoglanis Mr. & Mrs. George Karas Ms. Maria Karas Mr. & Mrs. Tom Karas Mr. & Mrs. Nick Karavasilis Mr. Konstantinos Katsirmas Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Katsimbris Mrs. Ann Keffala Mr. & Mrs. Basil Kehagias Dr. & Mrs. John Kehagias Miss Georgia Keros Mrs. Helen Keros + Mr. & Mrs. Paul N. Kertiles Mrs. Mary King Dr. & Mrs. Alexander Kirifides Dr. & Mrs. Lazarus Kirifides Drs. Michael & Kerry Kirifides Mr. & Mrs. Vasil Kirifides Mr. & Mrs. Petros Kirtses Dr. & Mrs. George Kledaras Mr. Peter Kledaras Mr. & Mrs. William Kledaras Mr. & Mrs. Michael Klezaras Ms. Nikoletta Klezaras Mr. James Kogamihalis Dr. & Mrs. Anthony Kollias Mr. & Mrs. Basil Kollias Ms. Christina Koninis Mr. & Mrs. John A. Koninis Mr. John Koninis, II Ms. Christina Kontis Mr. & Mrs. Gus Kontis Mr.& Mrs. Kostas Kontomaris Mrs. Helen Kostas Mr. & Mrs. John Kostas Mr. & Mrs. Christos Kotanidis Mr. & Mrs. Stathis Kotanidis Mr. & Mrs. Konstantine Kountourzis Mr. & Mrs. John Koutoufaris Mrs. Sophia Koutoufaris Mr.& Mrs. George Kramedas Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Kramedas Mrs. Maria Kramedas Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Kramedas Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Kramedas Mr. & Mrs. William Kress Mr. & Mrs. Basil Krikelis Mr. & Mrs. Costas Krikelis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Krikelis Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Kusumi Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Kyranakis Mr. John Kyranakis Ms. Athena Ladas Mrs. Efterpi Ladas Mr. James Ladas Mr. Michael Ladas Mr. Edward Laskaris Ms. Johanna Laskaris Mr. & Mrs. Brian Laws Mr. & Mrs. John Lazare Mr. & Mrs. Anastasis Lazaridis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholaos Lazaridis Mr. Pete Lazaridis Mr. & Mrs. John Lazopoulos Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Lemper Mr. & Mrs. Anastasios Lempesis Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Lewis Miss Evelyn M. Liarakos Dr. & Mrs. George Liarakos Mr. Anargyros Liparos Mrs. Mary Littel Mr. & Mrs. John Livaditis Mr. & Mrs. Anestis Logothetis Mr. Christopher Loizides Mr. & Mrs. Dean C. Lomis Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Lurz Dr. & Mrs. W. Lee MacKewiz Mr. & Mrs. Gus Makis

9 continued... Dr. & Mrs. Malakasos Dr. & Mrs. George J. Mandas Mrs. Andreas Maniatakis Mr. & Mrs. John Manis Mrs. Katina Manolakis Mrs. Mary Manolakis Mr. & Mrs. George Manolakos Mr. & Mrs. Nick T. Manolakos Mr. & Mrs. Philip Manos Mr. & Mrs. Chris Mantzavinos Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Mantzavinos Mrs. Argero Marinakis Mrs. Irene Marini Mrs. Catherine Marinis Mr. & Mrs. Sotiere Marinis Mr. Sotirios Marinis Mrs. Alice Marinopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Harry Markatos Mrs. Stella Markatos Mr. & Mrs. Anagnostis Matulas Mr. & Mrs. Prodromos Mavridis Mr. & Mrs. Michael Mayew Mr. & Mrs. John Mazarakis Mr. & Mrs. Greg McEntee Mrs. Antoinette McFarland Mr. & Mrs. Anastasis Melisaris Mrs. Connie Mentis Mrs. Barbara Mesogianes Mr. Nicholas Metaxatos Mr. & Mrs. Nikos Michailidis Dr. & Mrs. Constantine Michell Dr. & Mrs. Theodore Michell Mr. Constantine Milionis Mr. & Mrs. Charles Minella Dr. Milt Misogianes Mr. & Mrs. Antonios Mistras Mr. L. Michael Moskovis Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Nannas Mr. & Mrs. Todd Narvell Mr. Stephen Nicholas Ms. Matina Nicholson Mr. Louis Novakis Mr. & Mrs. Leo Ohlemacher Mrs. Costas Pagonis Mr. & Mrs. Marcus Pagonis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Panagoplos Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Pantelopulos Mrs. Christina Pantsos Ms. Antonia Papachrysanthou Mr. & Mrs. C. Papachrysanthou Mr. & Mrs. G. Papachrysanthou Mr. Anthimos Papadopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Papanicolas Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Papantinas Mr. & Mrs. Dean C. Pappas Miss Elizabeth Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Pappas Mr. & Mrs. John Pappas Mrs. Mary Pappas Sotera & Helen Pappas Mrs. Tassos Pappoulis Mr. & Mrs. Joe Parker Ms. Jackie Pastis Mr. & Mrs. K. Pechlivanidis Mr. & Mrs. John Pennias Mr. James Peterson Mr. & Mrs. Louis Peterson + Mr. & Mrs. Jim Pettit Mr. & Mrs. C. Phalangas Mr. & Mrs. Phalangas-Stroud Mr. & Mrs. Pantelis Philippakos Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Phillips Mrs. Pauline Phillips Mr. & Mrs. Charles Pierson Mr. Steve Pittaoulis Mr. John Pittas Mr. & Mrs. Sabastian Popescu Mrs. Marika Poulos Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Poulos Dr. John Psaltis Mr. & Mrs. Nickolas Psaltis Mr. Thomas Psaltis Mr. Thomas Psihalinos Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Psihalinos Mr. & Mrs. George Psihalinos Drs. Leo & Irene Raisis Mr. Spiros Raisis Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Ranalli Mr. & Mrs. Dion Rassias Mrs. Charles Rayias Mr. Constantinos Regas Mrs. Sofia Regas Mrs. Christine Resine Mr. & Mrs. William M. Riggins Mr. & Mrs. George Righos Mr. & Mrs. Scott Roberts Mr. & Mrs. T. Roustopoulos Mr. & Mrs. David Ruhl Mrs. Mary P. Saitis Mr. & Mrs. Byron Sakiadis Mrs. Gogoula Saloustros Mr. & Mrs. Michael Sanford Mrs. Areti Sapunas Mr. & Mrs. William Sarigeorgiou Mr. & Mrs. George Sarmousakis Mrs. Marika Sarmousakis Mr. Chris Sarmousakis Mr. & Mrs. Nimrah Sartin Mr. & Mrs. Basil Savopoulos Dr. & Mrs. Vincent Schaller Mr. & Mrs. Robert Schillinger Ms. Chrisopi Schmitt Mr. Paul Semos Mr. & Mrs. Michael Sikoutris Mr. Michael Sikoutris, Jr Mr. & Mrs. Peter Skiadas Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Skoutelas Mr. & Mrs. John P. Spanos Mr. & Mrs. Everett Sparks Mr. Dimitri Staikos Mr. & Mrs. Ilias Stamatiadis Ms. Catherine Stathakis Mrs. Georgia Stavru + Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Stavru Mrs. Amelia Stergis Mr. & Mrs. Richard Stevens Ms. Jean Stewart Mr. & Mrs. Bob Stout, Jr Mrs. Etsa H. Stuart Mrs. Costas H. Tarabicos Mr. & Mrs. James H. Tarabicos Mr. & Mrs. John Tarabicos Mr. & Mrs. Larry Tarabicos Mr. Diamantis Tektonopoulos Dr. & Mrs. Costas Terris Mrs. Eugenia Terss Mr. Stamatis Theodorakis Mr. & Mrs. Richard Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Donald Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Stephanos Troumouhis Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Tsaganos Mr. & Mrs. George Tsaganos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Tsaganos Ms. Peggy Tsaganos Dr. & Mrs. Robert Tsaganos Mr. & Mrs. Robert Tsaganos Mr. George Tsakataras Mr. & Mrs. Renos Tsakataras Mr. & Mrs. Konstantine Tsakiris Mr. & Mrs. Tony Tsakiris Dr. & Mrs. George Tsakumis Mr. Andrew Tsaldaris Mrs. Steliany Tsaldaris Mr. & Mrs. George J. Tsavalas Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Tsionas Mr. & Mrs. Vasilis Tsiouplis Mr. & Mrs. George Tsoukalas Ms. Stavroula Tsoukalas Mr. & Mrs. Steve Turley Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Tzinoudis Miss Regina Valko Mr. & Mrs. David Vande Poele Mr. & Mrs. John Vanvures Mr. & Mrs. George Vassilatos Mrs. Kleoniki Vassiliou Mrs. Mary Vaughan Mr. George Velitskakis Mr. & Mrs. Steve Velitskakis Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Vermeychuk Mr. & Mrs. Billy Vice Mr. & Mrs. Socrates Visvardis Mrs. Katherine Vlahos Mrs. Anthony Vlamis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Vlamis Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Vore Mr. & Mrs. Petros Voultsis Mr. Nicholas Vouras Ms. Evangeline Whealton Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Wilkinson Mr. & Mrs. Charles Wissman Mr. & Mrs. Charles Wissman Ms. Sophia Xarhoulakos Ms. Stacey Xarhoulakos Mr. & Mrs. Michael Yallourakis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Yiannos Mr. & Mrs. Paul Zambetis Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Zdanowski Dr. & Mrs. Demetri Zerefos Ms. Evie Zerefos Mr. & Mrs. Markos Zerefos Mr. & Mrs. Louis Ziccarelli Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Zinna Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Zographos AS OF December 24, 2007 NOTE: + beside a name denotes that the member passed away in 2007 If your name is spelled incorrectly, or if you have a change of address or phone number, please contact Susie at the church office and let her know.

10 Youth Director News Resolutions...Resolutions... A new year has arrived, and I find myself reflecting much on many things in my life, and in the life of our youth here in the community. I ve live in this world for 36 years, and everyday I think society is losing it s grip on reality. The reality is that we get to preoccupied with the small details of everyday life, and miss the big picture. I can only imagine what Christ response would have been if someone s cell phone had gone off while he was preaching to the masses. We have to reflect on what is important, and for each of us it is slightly different. Our Community is a complex organization, with many needs and wants, some want dance, some want to celebrate our culture, some want to educate themselves and their children in our faith, heritage, and language. Some want fellowship, while others want order. We (Greeks) are famous for doing everything, but is doing it all at the loss of our soul or our children's innocents worth it?? The world today moves faster, gets more done in an hour than society did in a day 50 years ago, 30 years ago... Our children have every opportunity given to them, and they take them and excel even further than our own expectations, but there s a big question which faces every family, and that question is how do we prioritize the events, activities, commitments, responsibility and needs of our children and that of our family? St. Gregory of Sinai said Become what you already are, find Him who is already yours, listen to Him who never ceases speaking to you, own Him who already owns you. There are a few ways to interpret this, but I take it to mean that even though I think I have control over my own life, decisions I make, choices I choose, opportunities I take or squander, I am the person that I am meant to be. Now I don t imply that that is the only interpretation, but I believe that all things happen for a reason, and that reason may be unknown to me. It may not have been written for me to become President of the United States, but it was for me to become Youth Director here at Holy Trinity and effect some influence in the lives of our communities children. Now that can only happen if we spend time together, either here at church or out and about town in our own lives. Our younger children are doing a good job of attending our programs, so it is encouraging for the future, but our older youth are SUPER BUSY. Getting everyone together as a group for GOYA, Dance, Church etc.. is not as difficult as it seems, but a couple of things need happen. We need to place the opportunities offered by the church higher up on our to do list. We know GOYA meets on Tuesday, yet we schedule other classes, activities, at the same time. I understand that it is difficult to do, but we need to give it a solid effort to attend. Recently Fr. Costa and I have begun to offer a monthly session called Q.T. with Fr. C. which stands for Quality Time with Fr. Costa. It s a chance for our GOYAN s to meet on a more intimate basis with our clergy. It is impossible to get this kind of time and attention with Fr. on any given Sunday, so we offer this time once a month. Attendance has been sparse, but we will continue to hold the session in an effort to spend time with the few and hopefully it will grow. Another method of spending time with our youth is much more social. I plan on taking every GOYAN out to lunch or dinner this year. I will schedule Lunch or Dinner with a small group of GOYAN based on their age, friends, living location, and spend some time learning how they live. Let s see the reality of their lives. I haven t really focused on this aspect yet, because we needed to first offer them the chance to come on their own to the various programs the church has offered. But now, I plan on trying to get to know more about there life, so that the church can play a greater role in it. So as the New Year begins I will continue to work hard for our youth, and I hope improve the outlook for the future of our community. Sewing the seeds of goodwill, and creating fond memories of the church for our youth will go along way to mobilizing the Parish Councils, Philoptochos, Ahepa, and the such of the future. Your Humble Servant in Christ, Dino Charalambides Holy Trinity Youth Director.

11 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Wilmington, DE erpsichorean T D ance T roupe Donor Categories Supporter ($25.00 a year) Dance Patron ($50.00 a year) Benefactor ($ a year) Grand Benefactor ($ a year) Show your support for the Holy Trinity Terpsichorean Dance Troupe by becoming an Official Booster of the troupe. Your donation will support the Dance Troupe Ministry at Holy Trinity. This worthy program promotes the art of Greek Dancing to all the youth of our church. The 60+ dancers meet on a weekly basis to learn new dances and practice for upcoming performances. All Proceeds will be used by the Dance Troupe for costumes purchases, creation & maintenance, upgrade equipment, and the benefit of the entire Ministry. Your one (1) year commitment provides the following benefits: Your ad or name will be added to the official Dance Troupe Banner. Your patronage will be displayed at every Dance Troupe performance and event. You will receive a thank you letter in recognition of your donation from the Terpsichorean Dance Troupe. In the Spring of each year, all Benefactors and Grand Benefactors will receive an annual recognition plaque featuring the Dance Troupe members. Benefactors and Grand Benefactors are entitled VIP Status at all Dance Troup Events. All Donors will be invited to travel with Dance Troupe to future performances. (when possible) All Donors will also be allowed to purchase Dance Group merchandise at discount prices. Contact Name Business Address Phone The Dance Troupe Booster Campaign will in held January of every year. Please submit your one year commitment and advertisement, this form and payment to: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 808 N. Broom Street Wilmington, DE Supporter ($25.00 a year) Dance Patron ($50.00 a year) Benefactor ($ a year) Grand Benefactor ($ a year) Please make checks payable to: Design can be created for an additional fee, please contact the Dino Charalambides at Youth.directorholytrinitywilmington.org for info Credit Card Number: Exp. Date: Signature:

12 EPIPHANY SERVICES FOR THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2008 Kontakion You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to You: "You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light." 1. Tuesday, January 1st: The Feasts of Christ s Circumcision and St. Basil the Great. Orthros 9:00am. Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great 10:00am. An Artoclasia and New Year s Day Doxology also offered. 2. Saturday, January 5th: The Eve of Epiphany. Strict Fast observed. Orthros 9:15am. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom 10am. Blessing of the Waters (Agiasmos) Service. 3. Sunday, January 6th: The Feast of the Epiphany or the Theophany. Orthros 9am. Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great 10am. The celebration of the Great Agiasmos Service. Youth and Adult Sermons offered. 4. Monday, January 7th: The Feast of the Synaxis in Honor of St. John the Baptist. Orthros 9:00am. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom 10:00am.

13 NOTE: If you wish to have your homes blessed for the Epiphany Holiday, please call the Church Office ( ) and leave your name, address and a telephone number where you can be reached. Fr. Costa will call you and schedule the appointment. SHMEIWSIS: Eavn epiqumeivte na kavnete Agiasmov sto spivti sa~ ta Qeofavneia, parakalwv na thlefwnhvsete sto Grafeivo th~ Ekklhsiva~ ( ) kai na afhvsete to ovnomav sa~ kai evnan ariqmov thlefwvnou gia na evlqoume se epafhv maziv sa~. O Pathvr Kwvsta~ qa sa~ thlefwnhvsh gia na kanonivsete ti~ leptomevreie~ th~ episkevyew~.

14 THE THEOPHANY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST (January 6) Apolytikion in the First Tone Lord, when You were baptized in the Jordan, the veneration of the Trinity was revealed. For the voice of the Father gave witness to You, calling You Beloved, and the Spirit, in the guise of a dove, confirmed the certainty of His words. Glory to You, Christ our God, who appeared and enlightened the world. Kontakion in the Fourth Tone You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to You: "You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light." Reading: About the beginning of our Lord's thirtieth year, John the Forerunner, who was some six months older than Our Saviour according to the flesh, and had lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and came into the parts of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins. Then our Saviour also came from Galilee to the Jordan, and sought and received baptism though He was the Master and John was but a servant. Whereupon, there came to pass those marvellous deeds, great and beyond nature: the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized and the voice was heard from the Heavens hearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:1-22). From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. It is also from this that the present feast is called "Theophany," that is, the divine manifestation, God's appearance among men. On this venerable day the sacred mystery of Christian baptism was inaugurated; henceforth also began the saving preaching of the Kingdom of the Heavens. SYNAXIS OF JOHN THE HOLY GLORIOUS PROPHET, BAPTIST, & FORERUNNER (January 7) Apolytikion in the Second Tone The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner; for thou hast proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since thou was granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God hath appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy. Kontakion in the Plagal of the Second Tone The Jordan accepted Your presence in the flesh and reversed its course in fear. John, fulfilling the spiritual ministry, fell back in awe. The ranks of Angels, seeing You in the flesh, baptized in the river, were amazed, and all who were in darkness were filled with light, praising You who appeared and enlightened all. Reading: Today we celebrate the Synaxis in honour of the most sacred Forerunner, since he ministered at the Mystery of the Divine Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rest from labour. Fish allowed

15 ATHANASIOS & CYRIL, PATRIARCHS OF ALEXANDRIA (January 18) Apolytikion in the Third Tone Shining forth with works of Orthodoxy, ye quenched every false belief and teaching and became trophy-bearers and conquerors. And since ye made all things rich and with true piety, greatly adorning the Church with magnificence, Athanasius and wise Cyril, ye both have worthily found Christ God, Who doth grant great mercy unto all. Kontakion in the Fourth Tone O great Hierarchs of piety and brave champions of the Church of Christ, you watch over all who sing, "Save us who in faith honor you, O Compassionate. Reading: In the half-century after the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicea in 325, if there was one man whom the Arians feared and hated more intensely than any other, as being able to lay bare the whole error of their teaching, and to marshal, even from exile or hiding, the beleaguered forces of the Orthodox, it was Saint Athanasius the Great. This blazing lamp of Orthodoxy, which imperial power and heretics' plots could not quench when he shone upon the lampstand, nor find when he was hid by the people and monks of Egypt, was born in Alexandria about the year 296. He received an excellent training in Greek letters and especially in the sacred Scriptures, of which he shows an exceptional knowledge in his writings. Even as a young man he had a remarkable depth of theological understanding; he was only about twenty years old when he wrote his treatise On the Incarnation. Saint Alexander, the Archbishop of Alexandria, brought him up in piety, ordained him his deacon, and after deposing Arius for his blasphemy against the Divinity of the Son of God, took Athanasius to the First Council in Nicea in 325. Saint Athanasius was to spend the remainder of his life laboring in defense of this Holy Council. In 326, before his death, Alexander appointed Athanasius his successor. In 325, Arius had been condemned by the Council of Nicea; yet through his hypocritical confession of Orthodox belief, Saint Constantine the Great was persuaded by Arius's supporters that he should be received back into the communion of the Church. But Athanasius, knowing well the perverseness of his mind, and the disease of heresy lurking in his heart, refused communion with Arius. The heresiarch's followers then began framing false charges against Athanasius. Finally Saint Constantine the Great, misled by grave charges of the Saint's misconduct (which were completely false), had him exiled to Tiberius (Treves) in Gaul in 336. When Saint Constantine was succeeded by his three sons Constantine II, Constans, and Constantius, in 337, Saint Athanasius returned to Alexandria in triumph. But his enemies found an ally in Constantius, Emperor of the East, and he spent a second exile in Rome. It was ended when Constans prevailed with threats upon his brother Constantius to restore Athanasius (see also Nov. 6). For ten years Saint Athanasius strengthened Orthodoxy throughout Egypt, visiting the whole country and encouraging all: clergy, monastics, and lay folk, being loved by all as a father. After Constans's death in 350, Constantius became sole Emperor, and Athanasius was again in danger. On the evening of February 8, 356, General Syrianus with more than five thousand soldiers surrounded the church in which Athanasius was serving, and broke open the doors. Athanasius's clergy begged him to leave, but the good shepherd commanded that all the flock should withdraw first; and only when he was assured of their safety, he also, protected by divine grace, passed through the midst of the soldiers and disappeared into the deserts of Egypt, where for some six years he eluded the soldiers and spies sent after him. When Julian the Apostate succeeded Constantius in 361, Athanasius returned again, but only for a few months. Because Athanasius had converted many pagans, and the priests of the idols in Egypt wrote to Julian that if Athanasius remained, idolatry would perish in Egypt, the heathen Emperor ordered not Athanasius's exile, but his death. Athanasius took a ship up the Nile. When he learned that his imperial pursuers were following him, he had his men turn back, and as his boat passed that of his pursuers, they asked him if he had seen Athanasius. "He is not far," he answered. After returning to Alexandria for a while, he fled again to the Thebaid until Julian's death in 363. Saint Athanasius suffered his fifth and last exile under Valens in 365, which only lasted four months because Valens, fearing a sedition among the Egyptians for their beloved Archbishop, revoked his edict in February, 366. The great Athanasius passed the remaining seven years of his life in peace. Of his fifty-seven years as Patriarch, he had spent some seventeen in exiles. Shining from the height of his throne like a radiant evening star, and enlightening the Orthodox with the brilliance of his words for yet a little while, this much-suffering champion inclined toward the sunset of his life, and in the year 373 took his rest from his lengthy sufferings, but not before another luminary of the truth -- Basil the Great -- had risen in the East, being consecrated Archbishop of Caesarea in 370. Besides all of his other achievements, Saint Athanasius wrote the life of Saint Anthony the Great, with whom he spent time in his youth; ordained Saint Frumentius first Bishop of Ethiopia; and in his Paschal Encyclical for the year 367 set forth the books of the Old and New Testaments accepted by the Church as canonical. Saint Gregory the Theologian, in his Oration On the Great Athanasius, said that he was "Angelic in appearance, more angelic in mind;... rebuking with the tenderness of a father, praising with the dignity of a ruler... Everything was harmonious, as an air upon a single lyre, and in the same key; his life, his teaching, his struggles, his dangers, his return, and his conduct after his return... he treated so mildly and gently those who had injured him, that even they themselves, if I may say so, did not find his restoration distasteful." Saint Cyril was also from Alexandria, born about the year 376. He was the nephew of Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who also instructed the Saint in his youth. Having first spent much time with the monks in Nitria, he later became the successor to his uncle's throne in 412. In 429, when Cyril heard tidings of the teachings of the new Patriarch of Constantinople, Nestorius, he began attempting through private letters to bring Nestorius to renounce his heretical teaching about the Incarnation. When the heresiarch did not repent, Saint Cyril, together with Pope Celestine of Rome, led the Orthodox opposition to his error. Saint Cyril presided over the Third Ecumenical Council of the 200 Holy Fathers in the year 431, who gathered in Ephesus under Saint Theodosius the Younger. At this Council, by his most wise words, he put to shame and convicted the impious doctrine of Nestorius, who, although he was in town, refused to appear before Cyril. Saint Cyril, besides overthrowing the error of Nestorius, has left to the Church full commentaries on the Gospels of Luke and John. Having shepherded the Church of Christ for thirty-two years, he reposed in 444.

16 REMOVAL OF THE RELICS OF JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE (January 27) Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone The grace of your words illuminated the universe like a shining beacon. It amassed treasures of munificence in the world. It demonstrated the greatness of humility, teaching us by your own words; therefore, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede to Christ the Logos for the salvation of our souls. Kontakion in the First Tone The holy and august Church is mystically gladdened today on the translation of thy holy relics. And though she had kept them hid in concealment like precious gold, by thine intercessions she unceasingly granteth, unto them that praise thee, the divine grace of healing, O Father John Chrysostom. Reading: This event took place on this day in the year 438, when Saint Theodosius the Younger had been Emperor for thirty years; he was the son of Arcadius, and Eudoxia, who had exiled Saint John. The Archbishop of Constantinople at that time was Proclus, who had been the Saint's disciple. SYNAXIS OF THE THREE HIERARCHS: BASIL THE GREAT, GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN, & JOHN CHRYSOSTOM Apolytikion in the First Tone The three most great luminaries of the Three-Sun Divinity have illumined all of the world with the rays of doctrines divine and true; they are the sweetlyflowing rivers of wisdom, who with godly knowledge have watered all creation in clear and mighty streams: The great and sacred Basil, and the Theologian, wise Gregory, together with the renowned John, the famed Chrysostom of golden speech. Let us all who love their divinely-wise words come together, honouring them with hymns; for ceaselessly they offer entreaty for us to the Trinity. Kontakion in the Second Tone Receive, O Lord, the Sacred Heralds who preached God, the pinnacle of Teachers, unto the enjoyment of Your riches and rest. You have received their labors and their suffering as being above and beyond all fruitful offering. For You alone glorify Your Saints. Reading: This common feast of these three teachers was instituted a little before the year 1100, during the reign of the Emperor Alexis I Comnenus, because of a dispute and strife that arose among the notable and virtuous men of that time. Some of them preferred Basil, while others preferred Gregory, and yet others preferred John Chrysostom, quarreling among themselves over which of the three was the greatest. Furthermore, each party, in order to distinguish itself from the others, assumed the name of its preferred Saint; hence, they called themselves Basilians, Gregorians, or Johannites. Desiring to bring an end to the contention, the three Saints appeared together to the saintly John Mavropous, a monk who had been ordained Bishop of Euchaita, a city of Asia Minor, they revealed to him that the glory they have at the throne of God is equal, and told him to compose a common service for the three of them, which he did with great skill and beauty. Saint John of Euchaita (celebrated Oct. 5) is also the composer of the Canon to the Guardian Angel, the Protector of a Man's Life. In his old age, he retired from his episcopal see and again took up the monastic life in a monastery in Constantinople. He reposed during the reign of the aforementioned Emperor Alexis Comnenus ( ).