STS. MARY MAGDALENE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH JANUARY 2017 NEWSLETTER AND MARKELLA

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1 Σ Σ Γ Ω Σ Γ Λ Σ ΛΛ Σ STS. MARY MAGDALENE AND MARKELLA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH JANUARY 2017 NEWSLETTER Ἀγαπητοὶ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἀδελφοί, Ἀφοῦ πολλοὶ σκέπτονται αὐτὲς τὶς πρῶτες ἡμέρες τοῦ νέου ἔτους πῶς μποροῦν νὰ ἀλλάξουν τὴν ζωήν τους πρὸς τὸ καλύτερον, νὰ προτείνω καὶ ἐγὼ μίαν ἁπλὴν ἀλλαγήν νὰ βάλωμεν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν στὸ κέντρο τῆς ζωῆς μας. Καθὼς ὁ κόσμος πηγαίνει τακτικὰ στὸ γυμναστήριο νὰ ἐνισχύσῃ τὸ σῶμα, καὶ ἡμεῖς οἱ Χριστιανοὶ πρέπει νὰ πηγαίνωμεν τακτικὰ στὴν Ἐκκλησίαν νὰ ἐνισχύσωμεν τὴν ψυχήν. Πολλὲς φορές, ὅμως, οἱ Ὀρθόδοξοι νομίζουν ὅτι φθάνει νὰ ἐκκλησιαζωνται ποῦ καὶ ποῦ, μόνον ὅταν βολεύει στὸ πρόγραμμά τους. Ἑπομένως δὲν προχωροῦμεν στὴν Χριστινικὴν ζωήν. Ὅποιος θέλει νὰ χάσῃ κᾄνα κιλὸ καὶ νὰ βγάλῃ μεγάλους μῦς δὲν πηγαίνει στὸ γυμναστήριο μόνον μίαν φορὰν τὸ δίμηνο. Παρομοίως, γιὰ νὰ ἐνισχυθῶμεν πνευματικῶς, πρέπει νὰ συχνάζωμεν στὴν Ἐκκλησίαν. Πολλοὶ ὅμως ῥωτᾶνε, «Πάτερ, ἔχει τόσες ἀκολουθίες. Πότε πρέπει νὰ ἔρθουμε;» Πρῶτον θὰ ἔλεγα ὅτι ἡ κυρίως ἡμέρα Χριστιανικῆς λατρείας εἶναι προφανῶς ἡ Κυριακή. Τοὺς πρώτους αἰῶνες τῆς Ἐκκλησίας ὁ Χριστιανὸς ποὺ ἔλιπε ἀπὸ τὴν λειτουργίαν τρεὶς κατὰ σειρὰν Κυριακὲς ἐθεωρεῖτο αὐτομάτως ἀφορισμένος, αὐστηρὰ ποινή, ποὺ δείχνει τὴν σημασίαν τῆς τακτικῆς συνάξεως. Ἐννοεῖται ὅτι ὁ Χριστιανὸς Ὀρθόδοξος θὰ εἶναι, μὲ λίγες ἐξαιρέσεις, στὴν Κυριακάτικην λειτουργίαν. Πέραν τούτου ὁ Χριστιανὸς Ὀρθόδοξος θὰ εὑρίσκεται στὴν Ἐκκλησίαν ἀνήμερα τῆς ὀνομαστικῆς του ἑορτῆς, τῶν μεγάλων Δεσποτικῶν καὶ Θεομητορικῶν ἑορτῶν (π.χ. τὰ Χριστούγεννα, τὰ Θεοφάνεια, τὸν Εὐαγγελισμόν, τὴν Μεγάλην Ἑβδομάδα καὶ τὸ Πάσχα, καὶ τὴν Κοίμησιν τῆς Θεοτόκου), καὶ ὅποιουδήποτε ἁγίου ἔχει μίαν ἰδιαίτεραν ἀγάπην. Ἐὰν ἡ δουλειὰ καὶ οἱ εὐθύνες δὲν μᾶς ἀφήνουν νὰ βρεθῶμεν σ αὐτὲς τὶς ἀκολουθίες, ἀκόμα πρέπει νὰ κάμωμεν ὅτι μποροῦμεν νὰ τιμήσωμεν τὴν ἑορτήν. Ἴσως πηγαίνωμεν στὸν ἑσπερινόν τὶς παραμονὲς μιᾶς μεγάλης ἑορτῆς ἐὰν εἶναι ἀδύνατον νὰ πᾶμε στὴν πρωϊνὴν λειτουργίαν. Αὐτὸ εἶναι τὸ προπονητικὸν πρόγραμμα ποὺ μᾶς βάζει ἡ Ἐκκλησία γιὰ τὴν ἐνίσχυσιν τῆς ψυχῆς μας. Φέτος ἂς πάρωμεν ἀπόφασιν νὰ τὸ ἀκολουθήσωμεν. Μὲ πατρικὴν στοργὴν διατελῶ ἐν Χριστῷ, ὁ π. Γρηγόριος Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, Since many are making their New Year s resolutions to improve their lives, let me suggest a simple one: that we put Christ and His Church at the center of our lives. Just as people go to the gym to strengthen the body, we Christians also need to go to Church regularly to strengthen the soul. Often, however, Orthodox Christians think that it is enough to go to Church every once in a while, only when it suits their schedule. No wonder we do not make much progress in the Christian life. Whoever wants to lose some weight or to build some muscle does not go to the gym only once every two months. In the same way, if we want to get spiritually stronger, we must frequent the Church often. But many ask me, Father, there are so many services. When do we need to come? My first answer is that Sunday is, of course, the main day of Christian worship. In the first centuries of the Church, any Christian that missed the liturgy for three weeks in a row was automatically

2 considered excommunicated, because he had removed himself from communion. This harsh penalty reveals how important regular Church attendance is. It is understood that an Orthodox Christian will be, with few exceptions, at the Sunday liturgy. Beyond this, an Orthodox Christian will be in Church for his namesday, the great feasts of the Lord and the Theotokos (e.g. Christmas, Theophany, Annunciation, Holy Week and Pascha, and the Dormition), and of any saint for which he has an especial love. If work and responsibilities keep us from these services, we should do whatever possible to honor the feast. Perhaps we attend the Vespers on the evening prior, if we cannot go to the morning liturgy. This is the Church s workout schedule, as it were, for our souls. This year, let s resolve to follow it. With fatherly love I remain in Christ, Fr. Gregory ALATZAS FAMILY: In Memory of James Tiedge, Michael & Artemis Kametses Triffon & Markella Alatzas BABIAK FAMILY: In Memory of Cecelia & Nicholas Vloyanetes AMALIA BILIS: In Memory of Athanasios Bilis HELEN DIAMANDARAS: In Memory of Angelo Diamandaras, Tasoula Hatjigeorgiou JOAN GEER: In Memory of Athena Konstant, James Konstant, Anthony Konstant COL. DANNY JAGHAB: In Memory of Shiffa Jaghab Spitzer DR. ANGELA KAITIS: In Memory of Nicholas Kaitis, Dorothy Kaitis KAMINARIS FAMILY: In Memory of Eleni Bontzos, Emmanuel & Despina Kaminaris LOUIS & ELENI KANARAS: In Memory of John, Mary & Denise Kanaras PETER & KIM KARAS: In Memory of Steve and Mary Karas NONI KECHAGIAS: In Memory of Stelios Hadjis MARKELLA MATHIOUS: In Memory of John Mathious, Markella Mathioudakis DEANNA MOJARRAD: In Memory of Steve Harris SPIROS PRAPAS: In Memory of Demetrios & Aggeliki Prapas STAMATIOS STAVROU: In Memory of Dianne Stavrou PAULA & CHRISTOPHER STEBER: In Memory of George & Stavroula Karalekas CAROLE TRIKOGLOU: In Memory of Tony Trikoglou IRENE TSAMBIKOS: In Memory of Pete & Bill Tsambikos

3 GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY ΙΕΡΑ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΣ ΝΕΑΣ ΙΕΡΣΕΗΣ December 5, 2016 The Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy, Esteemed Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils and the PTO/PTA, Directors/Principals and Teachers of the Afternoon Greek Schools of the Maryland/Northern Virginia Region of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey My Beloved in the Lord, I pray that my letter finds all of you well as we continue on our Advent Journey culminating in the Nativity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Once again, we will be celebrating next month Greek Letters and the Feast Day of the Three Hierarchs, St. Basil the Great, St. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory the Theologian, the Ecumenical Teachers of our Holy Orthodox Faith and profound supporters of Education. Furthermore, these Great Saints and Illuminators are the special Protectors of our Teachers, the educators who have devoted their life to the service of our Church and our children. This Metropolis Celebration will take place on SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2017, AT 4:00 PM AT THE ST. NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH IN BALTIMORE, MD. The beautiful program will include the students of the area Greek Schools, as they narrate various poems, sing songs, and Greek dance with great pride. Keynote Speaker will be the Rev. Protopresbyter Stefanos Alexopoulos. A Reception will follow. I look forward to seeing all of you as we gather together for this beautiful event to honor the Three Hierarchs, and to celebrate the work of our Greek School Educators and our Greek School Students. Please R.S.V.P. by contacting the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at no later than Monday, January 16, 2017 so that appropriate arrangements can be made. With Paternal Love and Blessings E V A N G E L O S Metropolitan of New Jersey 215 East Grove Street, Westfield, NJ, Tel: (908) Fax: (908) Web: metropolis@nj.goarch.org

4 GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY ΙΕΡΑ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΣ ΝΕΑΣ ΙΕΡΣΕΗΣ ΠΡΩΤΟΧΡΟΝΙΑ 2017 Πρός τόν εὐλαβέστατον Ἱερόν Κλῆρον, Τούς Ἐντιµοτάτους Ἄρχοντας τοῦ Οἰκουµενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου, Τούς Προέδρους καί τά Μέλη τῶν Ἐκκλησιαστικῶν Συµβουλίων, Τάς Προέδρους καί τά Μέλη τῶν Φιλοπτώχων Ἀδελφοτήτων, Τούς διδάσκοντας καί διδασκοµένους τῶν Κατηχητικῶν καί Ἑλληνικῶν Σχολείων, Τάς Ὀργανώσεις τῆς Νεολαίας καί ἄπαν τό Χριστεπώνυµον πλήρωµα τῶν εὐσεβῶν Ὀρθοδόξων Χριστιανῶν τῆς Ἱερᾶς Μητροπόλεως Νέας Ἰερσέης. «Βλέπετε οὖν πῶς ἀκριβῶς περιπατεῖτε, µή ὡς ἄσοφοι, ἀλλ' ὡς σοφοί, ἐξαγοραζόµενοι τόν καιρόν, ὅτι αἱ ἡµέραι πονηραί εἰσί.» (Εφεσ. ε 15-17) Ἀδελφοί µου ἀγαπητοί, Μέ τήν Χάρη τοῦ Τριαδικοῦ Θεοῦ καί τίς πρεσβείες τῆς Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου εἰσερχόµεθα στό νέο ἔτος. Τελοῦµε τήν Θεία Λειτουργία τοῦ ἑορταζοµένου σήµερα Ἁγίου Βασιλείου τοῦ Μεγάλου καί παραδειγµατιζόµεθα ἀπό τό ἁγία βιοτή του. Ὁ Μέγας Βασίλειος ἔκανε πράξη τό θέληµα τοῦ Θεοῦ στήν ζωή του καί ἔτσι δίδαξε τούς ἀνθρώπους. Γι αὐτό ὀνοµάστηκε «Μέγας» κατά τήν διδαχή του Κυρίου µας: «ὅς δ ἄν ποιήσῃ καί διδάξῃ οὗτος µέγας κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν» (Ματθ. ε 19). Παράλληλα, τιµοῦµε τήν Μεγάλη Δεσποτική ἑορτή τῆς Περιτοµῆς τοῦ Κυρίου, ἡ ὁποία συνετελέσθη κατά τήν ὄγδοη ἡµέρα ἀπό τῆς γεννήσεώς Του, γεγονός πού µᾶς ὑπενθυµίζει µεταξύ ἄλλων τήν ἄκρα συγκατάβαση καί ταπείνωση τοῦ Υἱοῦ καί Λόγου τοῦ Θεοῦ γιά τήν σωτηρία του κόσµου. Μαζί ὅµως µέ τίς ἑορτές τῆς Ἐκκλησίας µας, σήµερα ἑορτάζουµε καί τήν ἀπαρχή τοῦ νέου πολιτικοῦ καί κοσµικοῦ ἔτους τό ὀνοµάζουµε κοσµικό ἀφοῦ γιά τούς Ὀρθοδόξους Χριστιανούς ἡ νέα ἐκκλησιαστική χρονιά ἄρχεται τήν πρώτη Σεπτεµβρίου. Μᾶς δίνεται λοιπόν ἡ εὐκαιρία νά προσδώσουµε σέ αὐτήν τήν κοσµική ἑορτή πνευµατικό χαρακτήρα. Ὁ λόγος τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Παύλου πού ἀναφέρθηκε ἀνωτέρω θέτει στήν σωστή ὀρθόδοξη πνευµατική διάσταση τήν ἀλήθεια περί τοῦ «χρόνου». Ὁ χρόνος δέν εἶναι δικός µας, ἀλλά τοῦ Θεοῦ. Μᾶς δόθηκε ὡς δῶρο ὥστε νά ἐργαζόµεθα γιά τήν σωτηρία µας. Σύµφωνα µέ τόν Ἀπ. Παῦλο ὁ χρόνος ἀποτελεῖ τόν «καιρό» δηλαδή τήν «εὐκαιρία» καί µᾶς συµβουλεύει νά τόν ἀξιοποιοῦµε µέ σύνεση καί 215 East Grove Street, Westfield, NJ, Tel: (908) Fax: (908) Web:

5 φρόνηση «ἐξαγοραζόµενοι τόν καιρόν, ὅτι αἱ ἡµέραι πονηραί εἰσί». Νά µήν αφήνουµε νά περνᾶ ὁ καιρός χωρίς πνευµατική ἐργασία διότι οἱ ἡµέρες πού ζοῦµε εἶναι πονηρές. Αὐτό σηµαίνει πώς ὁ Διάβολος µᾶς στήνει παγίδες ἀνά πάσα στιγµή µέ σκοπό νά µᾶς παραπλανήσει καί νά µᾶς κάνει δικούς του. Πόσο ἐπίκαιρος ἀκούγεται σήµερα αὐτός ὁ θεόπνευστος λόγος τοῦ Ἀπ. Παύλου Ζοῦµε πράγµατι σέ ἡµέρες πονηρές. Στίς µέρες µας τό κακό κυριαρχεῖ. Καθηµερινά βλέπουµε ὅτι διαστρέφεται ἡ ἔννοια τοῦ καλοῦ, τοῦ ἠθικοῦ, τοῦ ὡραίου. Χρειάζεται λοιπόν ἰδιαίτερη προσοχή. «Βλέπετε πῶς ἀκριβῶς περιπατεῖτε, µή ὡς ἄσοφοι, ἀλλ ὡς σοφοί, ἐξαγοραζόµενοι τόν καιρόν», λέγει ὁ Ἀπόστολος Παῦλος. Ἀδελφοί µου ἀγαπητοί, Μέ τό ἄπειρο ἔλεος τοῦ φιλανθρώπου Θεοῦ ἄς προρευθοῦµε καί αὐτή τήν νέα χρόνια καί ἄς συνειδητοποιήσουµε ὅτι καθηµερινά ἐπιβεβαιώνεται ἡ ἀλήθεια τοῦ Κυρίου, ὅτι «χωρίς ἐµοῦ οὐ δύνασθε ποιεῖν οὐδέν» (Ἰω. 15, 5). Ἀς προσέξουµε λοιπόν Μήν παρασυρόµαστε ἀπό τό ρεῦµα τοῦ κόσµου. Μή σπαταλᾶµε τόν χρόνο µας σέ πράγµατα πού φθείρουν τήν ψυχή µας. Μήν ἀφήνουµε τόν ἑαυτό µας ἐκτεθειµένο στήν ἁµαρτία καί σέ ὁτιδήποτε µᾶς παρουσιάζουν οἱ ἄλλοι ὡς «καλό». Ἀς ἀξιοποιήσουµε τόν χρόνο µας συµµετέχοντας σέ ἔργα ἀγάπης πρός τόν συνάνθρωπο. Ἀς καλλιεργήσουµε τήν ψυχή µας µέ πνευµατική µελέτη καί προσευχή. Ἀς συµµετέχουµε πιό ἐνεργά, τακτικά καί πρόθυµα στά ἱερά Μυστήρια τῆς Ἐκκλησίας µας, στίς ἱερές Ἀκολουθίες καί κυρίως στήν Θεία Λειτουργία τῆς Κυριακῆς. Ἀς εὐχαριστήσουµε τόν Πανοικτίρµονα Κύριο γιά τήν εὐκαιρία πού µᾶς δίδει νά ἑορτάσουµε µέ τίς οἰκογένειές µας αὐτήν τήν ἡµέρα καί ἀς Τοῦ ὑποσχεθοῦµε πώς µέ ὅλες µας τίς δυνάµεις θά ἀγωνισθοῦµε ὥστε νά φανοῦµε ἀντάξιοι στίς πλούσιες δωρεές Του καί αὐτήν τήν νέα χρονιά καί θά ἐντείνουµε ὁλοένα τόν ὡραῖο ἀγῶνα γιά τήν σωτηρία τῆς ψυχῆς µας. ΚΑΛΗ ΚΑΙ ΕΥΛΟΓΗΜΕΝΗ ΧΡΟΝΙΑ 2017 Μετά πατρικῆς ἀγάπης καί διαπύρων εὐχῶν, Ο ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ ὁ Νέας Ἰερσέης ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΟΣ

6 GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY ΙΕΡΑ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΣ ΝΕΑΣ ΙΕΡΣΕΗΣ New Year 2017 The Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy, Honorable Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Esteemed Members of the Metropolitan Council, Esteemed Members of the Parish Councils, Philoptochos Sisterhood, Faculty and Students of the Catechetical and Greek Afternoon Schools, Directors and Participants of all of the Youth Organizations, and all devout Orthodox Christians of the Greek Orthodox Communities of our Holy Metropolis of New Jersey Holiness is proper to your House, O Lord, unto the length of days. (Psalm 92:5) My Beloved in the Lord, Happy New Year 2017 As we prepare to enter the year 2017, we should carry with us a spirit of prayer and thanksgiving for the many gifts God has granted us during the course of the past year. Each of us should also ask ourselves the question: during this year have I met the Lord? Have I given Him enough space to change me by His divine grace? Have I recognized the many prints He has left along the path of my life? We have tried, but it was not enough. We could have done more. We should do more, as our world has become a place of insecurity and uncertainty. But how? Saint Paul wrote that anyone who wishes to work for the Lord will face many difficulties. But as God said to him: My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) So let us look for that grace, and consider what our Church celebrates today as part of the answer. On January 1 st, our Orthodox Church commemorates the feast of the circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ and the feast of Saint Basil the Great. These two celebrations may seem unrelated, but they express the same spiritual truth: there is no spiritual life without sacrifice. Following the law of the Old Testament, Christ submitted Himself to the Jewish practice of circumcision, offering Himself as a sign of consecration. The Apolitikion of the feast reads: Fulfilling the Law, of Your own will You accepted circumcision in the flesh, to bring an end to the shadow, and to remove the passions that cover us. Christ s 215 East Grove Street, Westfield, NJ, Tel: (908) Fax: (908) Web: metropolis@nj.goarch.org

7 offering only increased during the time of His preaching, until His ultimate sacrifice on the Cross. And being found in appearance as man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the Cross. (Philippians 2:13) Life is given to us, as sacrifice turns it into the sacred mystery of love. Saint Basil the Great, who lived in the 4 th century, embodied this sacred mystery of love throughout his life, shaping our Orthodox Philanthropy by his monastic life and theological knowledge. His charitable program is expressed as a form of prayer in his Divine Liturgy: Free those who are held captive by unclean spirits; sail with those who sail; travel with those who travel; defend the widows; protect the orphans; liberate the captives; heal the sick For You, Lord, are the helper of the helpless, the hope of the hopeless, the savior of the afflicted, the haven of the voyager, and the physician of the sick. If we want this year 2017 to be worthy of God, of our Christian baptism, of the holy name of Orthodoxy, we must as a Church become to all, to each person who may need us, a vision of what mankind can be and what a community of people can hope for under God s love. May the gift of the New Year 2017 and the Grace and Blessings of our Lord be with all of you and your beloved families. With Paternal Love and Blessings, E V A N G E L O S Metropolitan of New Jersey

8 Thanks to our all who have pledged as Stewards in 2016 Alatzas, George & Rene Alatzas, Triffon & Stacie Alevras, Petros & Hrissa Alexandrou, Ioannis & Despina Allen, James & Rodica Argyros, Olympia Babiak, Christopher & Leslie Batis, Nikolaos & Maria Bilis, Emily Bonincontri, Raymond & Dimitra Bontzos, Stylianos & Kalliopi Boutilier, Lisa Byrne, Joshua & Evgenia Butterworth, Greg & Kallia Caprinolo, Lee & Mary Cioloca, Bogdan & Anca Conway, Joseph & Jennifer Demedis, Olympia Dermatis, Minas & Panagiota Diamandaras, Helen Englesson, Jeanette Fafalios, Ava Fokianos, Konstantinos & Maria Forakis, Nick & Athena Gallahue, Argie Geer, Joan Giannaras, Chris Giannas, Apostolos & Maria Giannas, Eirene Giannas, Yin Giannas, Stylianos & Maria Giannas, Despina Gilbert, Fr. Gregory & Pres. Catherine Harris, Christina Hyde, Michael & Maryann Jaghab, Danny Kaitis, Dr. Angela Kalamaras, Efstathios & Millicent Kaminaris, Gus & Fotini Kanaras, Louis & Eleni Kanaras, Thomas & Penny Karalekas, George G. & Lisa Karas, Aimee Karas, Andy Karas, Bethany Anne Karas, John & Belinda Karas, Katie Karas, Michael & Linda Karas, Peter & Kim Karas, Scott Kechagias, John & Noni Kinder, William & Michelle Konstant, Eugenia Konstant, Gus Koukounaras, Kostas & Maria Sorrells Lasio, Jelena Logothetis, Nikolaos & Maria Mathious, Markos & Cheryl Mavroulis, Kyriakos & Lauren Mavroulis, Vasilios Mimaros, Dimitrios & Argie Mimaros, George & Caitlin Mojarrad, Navid & Deanna Nikas, George & Diane Nikitaras, Christos & Angela Pappas, Basil & Linda Pikounis, Emmanuel & Helen Poneres, Elias & Alexandra Powers, Terry & Tasia Prapas, Spyros Rajewski, Leonard & Anastasia Raptis, Zacharias Roros, Bill & Mary Sarapis, Stavros & Marina Sarris, Sam Silwick, Vance & Jeanette Skleres, John & Helen Stakias, Steve & Tina Stavrou, George & Tina Stavrou, Stamatios Steber, Christopher Steber, Paula Stillwell, Bill & Pauline Sudeck, Virginia Tillman, Ezra Trikoglou, Carole Tsambikos, Irene Tsambikos, Lewis & Eugenia Chryssofos Tsirlis, Nikolaos & Chrysoula Tsomos, Filaretos & Allison Vasilios, Tom & Linda Walters, Herbert & Demetra Yiannouris, Ioannis & Shawn 2016 Stewards to Date: 93 Stewardship Pledges to Date: $66,549 Total Collected to Date: $60,229 Outstanding: $6,320 Average Stewardship Pledge: $716 It s time to make your 2017 pledge. TO FILL OUT A PLEDGE CARD ONLINE Click HERE

9 From the Parish Council Dear Beloved Parishioners, Happy New Year On behalf of the Parish Council, I wish you all a healthy and prosperous 2017, and look forward to seeing you at services and our community events. At the start of the new year, I ask you to remember our beloved Church and consider her basic needs. She always stands with open arms to welcome and embrace us. We should all think about how we can support her. Without your stewardship, the Church cannot meet the needs of the community. As expenses for utilities and upkeep have increased for our homes, so have they increased for our Church. It is imperative that each member of the parish consider increasing last year s pledge by 10 percent for The budget depends on your timely stewardship for the Church to function. Please consider our Church as you plan your budget for Of course, stewardship is not just a financial pledge. We must all give our time and talents so that the Church can function properly. Consider also how you can increase your involvement in our ministries in Our Church is a family, and just like in your family at home, everyone has to pitch in. Let s make 2017 a truly great year for our Church With Love in Christ Fotini Kaminaris, Parish Council President Philoptochos Corner - Sts. Mary Magdalene and Markella Philoptochos wishes everyone a Happy New Year. May 2017 be filled with personal and spiritual growth - We want to thank everyone that supported us last year. We couldn t have done it without your help and support. - Christmas Cookies and Vasilopitas sales were a success. Several Drives for Toiletries and Toys for Tots for the needy were also a success. - We also helped make one needy family s Christmas celebration a little nicer. - Philoptochos presented our church with a $3000 check made out to church s building fund. - Our yearly Christmas Party at the Laurrapin Restaurant and gift exchange 12/13/16 was a lot of fun. A special thanks go to our President Maria Giannas for coordinating all details - This is what Philoptochos is all about. Helping the needy, supporting our beloved church and the great fellowship among women of faith. Although anyone can join our group anytime, consider joining during Membership Drive through January If you need additional information please speak with our president, Maria Giannas.

10 ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΥ ΠΛΗΡΕΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΟΝ ΗΜΕΡΟΛΟΓΙΟΝ ΕΔΩ ΠΕΡΙΤΟΜΗ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ Κυριακή, 1 Ἰαν π.μ. Ὄρθρος π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία ΠΑΡΑΜΟΝΗ ΤΩΝ ΦΩΤΩΝ Πέμπτη, 5 Ἰαν π.μ. Ἀκολουθία Βασιλικῶν Ὡρῶν π.μ. Ἑσπερινὴ Λειτουργία τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου π.μ. Μέγας Ἁγιασμός ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝEΙΑ Παρασκευή, 6 Ἰαν π.μ. Ὄρθρος π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία π.μ. Μέγας Ἁγιασμός ΣΥΝΑΞΙΣ ΙΩΑΝΝΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΠΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΥ Σάββατον, 7 Ἰαν π.μ. Ὄρθρος π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία ΜΕΤΑ ΤΑ ΦΩΤΑ (Ἡ κοπὴ τῆς ἐνοριακῆς βασιλόπιτας ἀκολουθεῖ τὴν λειτουργίαν.) Κυριακή, 8 Ἰαν π.μ. Ὄρθρος π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία ΙΒ ΛΟΥΚΑ Κυριακή, 15 Ἰαν π.μ. Ὄρθρος π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία ΑΝΤΩΝΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ Τρίτη, 17 Ἰαν π.μ. Ὄρθρος π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία ΙΕ ΛΟΥΚΑ, ΖΑΚΧΑΙΟΥ Κυριακή, 22 Ἰαν π.μ. Ὄρθρος π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία ΓΡΗΓΟΡΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΘΕΟΛΟΓΟΥ Τετάρτη, 25 Ἰαν π.μ. Ὄρθρος π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία ΤΗΣ ΚΑΝΑΑΝΑΙΑΣ Κυριακή, 29 Ἰαν π.μ. Ὄρθρος π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία ΤΩΝ ΤΡΙΩΝ ΙΕΡΑΡΧΩΝ Δευτέρα, 30 Ἰαν π.μ. Ὄρθρος π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία Πάμε να γλεντήσουμε τις Απόκριες στις 19 Φεβρουαρίου Λεπτομέρειες θα ακολουθήσουν

11 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES FOR JANUARY FOR FULL CHURCH CALENDAR CLICK HERE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST; ST. BASIL THE GREAT Sun., 1 Jan a.m. Orthros a.m. Divine Liturgy EVE OF THEOPHANY Thur., 5 Jan a.m. Service of the Royal Hours a.m. Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great a.m. Great Blessing of the Waters HOLY THEOPHANY Fri., 6 Jan a.m Orthros a.m. Liturgy a.m. Great Blessing of the Waters SYNAXIS OF ST. JOHN THE FORERUNNER & BAPTIST Sat., 7 Jan a.m. Orthros a.m. Divine Liturgy SUNDAY AFTER THEOPHANY (Cutting of the Parish Vasilopita after Liturgy) Sun., 8 Jan a.m. Orthros a.m. Divine Liturgy 12TH SUNDAY OF LUKE Sun., 17 Jan a.m. Orthros a.m. Divine Liturgy ST. ANTHONY THE GREAT Tues., 17 Jan a.m. Orthros a.m. Divine Liturgy 15TH SUNDAY OF LUKE; SUNDAY OF ZACCHAEUS Sun., 22 Jan a.m. Orthros a.m. Divine Liturgy ST. GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN Wed., 25 Jan a.m. Orthros a.m. Divine Liturgy SUNDAY OF THE CANAANITE WOMAN Sun., 29 Jan a.m. Orthros a.m. Divine Liturgy THE THREE HIERARCHS: STS. BASIL THE GREAT, GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN, & JOHN CHRYSOSTOM Mon., 30 Jan a.m. Orthros a.m. Divine Liturgy Mark your Calendars for an Apokreatiko Glendi Sunday, February 19. Details coming soon

12 HOUSE BLESSINGS After the feast of Theophany (Jan. 6) Orthodox Christians traditionally have their houses blessed for the New Year. To schedule a blessing, fill out and return this form to the Church. Name: Address: Telephone: Preferred Day (Circle all that apply): Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Preferred Time (Circle all that apply): Morning (10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) Afteroon (1:00-5:00 p.m.) Evening (5:00-8:00 p.m.)

13 STS. MARY MAGDALENE & MARKELLA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Dublin Road Darlington, MD The Rev. Gregory Gilbert Presiding Priest Phone: (410) Ἡ θάλασσα εἶδε καὶ ἔφυγεν, ὁ Ἰορδάνης ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω. The Sea saw and fled, the Jordan turned back. PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE