November/December «Φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, Ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου» (Ματθ. Γ:3)

Transcript

1 November/December 2016 Page 1 «Φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, Ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου» (Ματθ. Γ:3) A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRIEST In This Issue Priest s Message Stewardship 100th Dinner Dance Philoptochos News GOYA News PTO News Greek School News Sunday School News Our Faith Announcements Happy Thanksgiving Merry Christmas Dear faithful and friends: We praise you, we bless you, we give thanks to you, and we pray to you, Lord our God. At every Liturgy, we sing these words of praise and thanksgiving. God deserves our praise and thanksgiving at all times. He created us, He provides for us. He saved us after the fall into sin. He restores us to Himself. He promises us an eternal home in heaven. Always and for everything give thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the father. The Bible says (Ephesians 5:20) Giving thanks when all goes well is easy. Should we give thanks in adversity? God whispers to us in our prosperity. He speaks to us in our comfort. He shouts to us in our adversity. A sophist wrote. Thank you prison. You taught me much! writes Alexander Solzynitsin, the former Nobel writer, who attributed his spiritual insight to years he spent in a communist prison. As we face the dangers of our time, with war in the Middle East, the famine and starvation in Africa and elsewhere, the threat of nations acquiring a nuclear arsenal and for that they may sell them, to warring nations, and God forbid to terrorists, we must never cease in thanksgiving and prayer. We need spiritual grace and wisdom, as do the leaders of nations confronted with world changing decisions. We need guidance to avoid the arrogance associated with power. We need to pray and give thanks with humility. Thanksgiving reminds us that God alone is omnipotent, God alone is omniscient and aware of all the sides in every dispute. Therefore, God is our highest and final hope. It is never r ight to kill and be violent. It may be lesser of two evils at a given time. Yet, as long as we can, as long as it may be possible, we need first to seek peaceful solutions to our problems and God s wisdom. Αγαπητοί Πιστοί και Φίλοι, «Σε ανυμνούμε, σε δοξολογούμε, σε ευχαριστούμε και προσευχόμαστε σε Σε, Κύριε και Θεέ μας». Σε κάθε λειτουργία, ψέλνουμε αυτά τα λόγια ύμνησης και ευχαριστίας. Δικαίως υμνούμε και ευχαριστούμε το Θεό ανά πάσα στιγμή. Αυτός μας έπλασε. Μας παρείχε όλα τ αγαθά. Μας έσωσε από το πρωπατορικό αμάρτημα. Μας έφερε πίσω σ Aυτόν. Μας υπόσχεται την αιώνια ζωή στους ουρανούς. «Πάντοτε, και για το κάθε τι, δίνετε ευχαριστίες εις το όνομα του Ιησού Χριστού προς τον πατέρα και Θεό μας», μας λέει η Αγία Γραφή (Εφεσίους 5:20). Το να δίνουμε ευχαριστίες όταν όλα πάνε καλά, είναι πολύ εύκολο. Πρέπει να δίνουμε ευχαριστίες και όταν ακόμα αντιμετωπίζουμε αντιξοότητες; «Ο Θεός μας ψιθυρίζει σην ευτυχία μας. Μας μιλάει στην άνεσή μας. Μας φωνάζει σε στιγμές απελπισίας», έγραψε ένας σοφιστής. «Ευχαριστώ την φυλακή. Με δίδαξε πολλά», μας γράφει ο Αλέξανδρος Σολζενίσκιν, ο Ρώσος Νομπελίστας συγγραφέας, ο οποίος αποδίδει την πνευματικότητά του στα χρόνια που έζησε στη φυλακή. Ενώ αντιμετωπίζουμε τους σημερινούς κινδύνους με τον πόλεμο στη Μέση Ανατολή, την πείνα στην Αφρική και αλλού, την απειλή της εξάπλωσης των πυρηνικών όπλων από τρομοκράτες, δε θα πρέπει να διακόψουμε τις ευχαριστίες μας και τις προσευχές μας. Έχουμε ανάγκη πνευματικής φώτισης και σωστής γνώσης, τόσο εμείς όσο και οι αρχηγοί κρατών που παίρνουν σοβαρές και κρίσιμες αποφάσεις. Έχουμε ανάγκη καθοδήγησης, έχουμε ανάγκη προσευχής και ευχαριστίας με ταπείνωση. Η Ημέρα των Ευχαριστιών μας υπενθυμίζει ότι ο Θεός είναι ο μόνος Παντοδύναμος και ο πανταχού Παρόν, ώστε να γνωρίζει όλες τις φάσεις του κάθε προβλήματος. Γι αυτό, ο Θεός είναι η μόνη μας ελπίδα. Η βία δεν είναι ποτέ η απάντηση σ ένα πρόβλημα. Ίσως μερικές φορές να φαίνεται σαν το λιγότερο από δύο κακά, αλλά πρώτα θα πρέπει ν αποζητούμε την ειρηνική λύση στα προβλήματά μας... και την σοφία του Θεού. Rev. Fr. Nicholas Pastrikos

2 Page 2 November/December 2016 ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ Parish Ministries Reverend Father Nicholas Pastrikos, Priest Parish Council President George Zalokostas Vice President / Administration Lampros Ε. Bourodimos, PhD, PE Vice President / Operations George Athanasopoulos Secretary Dimitra Bairaktaris Treasurer Maria Kaouris-Christodoulatos Members Demetrios Anastasatos Constantine Apostolakis Frank Araps, Esq. Peter Combates Nicholas Koumarianos John Mellos John Millas Jerry Moschonas Stephanie Sgourakis Dean Solomos The Voice of St. George Published bi-monthly by the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1101 River Rd, Piscataway, NJ Tel.: Fax: stgeorge@gocnj.org Editor in Chief: Alexandra Avgitidis Committee Members: Katina Kehayas, Katerina Makridaki-Rompos. Periodical postage paid at Kilmer, NJ 08817, Permit # 379. The Voice of St. George is produced entirely in-house. Past issues can be found on the internet at Subscription is free for the members of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to St. George GOC, 1101 River Road, Piscataway, NJ Philoptochos Society - St. Barbara Virginia Theokas, President Maggie Stavrianidis, Vice President Eleni Andronikou, Rec. Secretary Kanella Anastasatos, Cor. Secretary Georgia Kouridakis, Treasurer Evangelia Manolakis, Asst. Treasurer Sunday School Lemonia Malahias Miko, Paul Stevens, Maggie Stavrianidis Greek School Panos Georgopoulos, Superintendent Toula Karamarkos, Principal Sofia Amaxopoulos, Teacher Katerina Kourti, Teacher Chrisoula Plias, Teacher JOY/HOPE & Love & Faith Christina Heiden, Anna Lorino Church Organizations Parent Teacher Organization Athinoulla Bizos, Co-President Lefkie Hadjiloucas, Co-President Irene Kehayas Drakopoulos - Vice President Sophia Georges Voudouris, Secretary Maria Kavouras, Treasurer GOYA Jason Stavrianidis, President Kristina Doninger, Vice-President Anastasia Kantilierakis, Corresp. Secr. Angela Polos, Rec. Secretary Alexandra Jennings, Treasurer Alexia Kostis, Historian GOYA Advisors Fotini Mangafas, Head Advisor Rita Polos, Peter Sirimis, George Kostis Aliki Doninger, Sandy Kalogridis Effie Vlahos, Chrisoula DeLaurentis Eleni Apostolakis Church Committees GET INVOLVED We need your help! Sign Up, Make a Difference, Have Fun! Call the Church Office Annual St. George Dinner Dance Bookmobile Capital Improvements Choir Elections Events/Fund Raising Greek Festival Greek Independence Day Parade Greek School Historic Committee House & Grounds To Our St. George Parishioners Insurance Library Memorial Fund Parking Rutgers New Parking Lot Public Relations Religious Artifacts Stewardship Sunday School Technology Services Voice of St. George The above ministries are the lifeblood of our parish and perform many activities to promote the growth of our church. Your participation in these organizations makes our community more spiritually complete.

3 November/December 2016 Page 3 ECCLESIASTICAL SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Matins 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. Weekday Services 9 a.m. NOVEMBER Tuesday 1 Saints Kosmas & Damian Sunday 6 7th Sunday of Luke Tuesday 8 Synaxis Michael, Gabriel Sunday 13 8th Sunday of Luke Sunday 20 9 th Sunday of Luke Monday 21 Entrance of the Theotokos Thursday 24 Thanksgiving Liturgy Friday 25 Saint Catherine Sunday th Sunday of Luke Wednesday 30 Saint Andrew DECEMBER Sunday 4 Saint Barbara/10th Sunday of Luke Tuesday 6 Saint Nicholas Sunday 11 11th Sunday of Luke Monday 12 Saint Spyridon Sunday 18 Sunday before the Nativity of Christ Saturday 24 Christmas Eve Sunday 25 Nativity of Christ Tuesday 27 Saint Stephanos ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΟ ΕΟΡΤΟΛΟΓΙΟ Όρθρος 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ. Καθημερινές ώρες 9 π.μ. ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ Τρίτη 1 Κοσμά & Δαμιανού των Αναργύρων Κυριακή 6 Η Κυριακή του Λουκά Τρίτη 8 Σύναξις Ταξιαρχών Μιχαήλ καί Γαβριήλ Κυριακή 13 Θ Κυριακή Λουκά Κυριακή 20 Ι Κυριακή Λουκά Δευτέρα 21 Εσόδια της Θεοτόκου Πέμπτη 24 Ημέρα Ευχαριστιών Παρασκευή 25 Αγίας Αικατερίνης Κυριακή 27 ΙΓ Κυριακή Λουκά Τετάρτη 30 Αγίου Ανδρέα ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ Κυριακή 4 Αγίας Βαρβάρας Τρίτη 6 Αγίου Νικολάου Κυριακή 11 ΙΑ Κυριακή Λουκά Δευτέρα 12 Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος Κυριακή 18 Κυριακή προ της Χριστού Γεννήσεως Σάββατο 24 Παραμονή Χριστουγέννων Κυριακή 25 Η Γέννησις του Χριστού Τρίτη 27 Αγίου Στεφάνου ST. GEORGE MEMORIAL FUND All donations to the Memorial Fund are greatly appreciated. As we all know, we have a beautiful Memorial Tree located in the Memorial Room of the Community Center. Anyone wishing to purchase a leaf ($350), a dove ($2,000), or a stone ($1,500) in memory of a loved one, May their memory be eternal, please contact either John Stroumtsos or Fr. Nick Pastrikos by calling the church office Baptisms OUR PARISH OUR PEOPLE Weddings September 4 Δανιήλ Son of Efstathio & Danielle Eleftheriou Godparents: George & Eleni Papadakis September 25 Νικόλαος Αντώνιος Son of John & Irene Saia Godparents: Katerina & Elias Manolakis October 1 John Francis Lalley, III & Kristy Danielle Karas Koumbaroi: James & Nikki Karas October 1 October 29 Ευαγγελία Ειρήνη Daughter of Emmanuel & Manal Serviou Godparent: Maria Arhontoulis Σταματία Daughter of Ken & Pagona Topolewski Godparent: Costantina Afionis October 22 October 27 Funerals May Their Memory Be Eternal Konstantinos Manolas Efthymia Carzis

4 Page 4 November/December 2016 ALTAR BOYS GROUPS FORMED The Altar Boy groups for have been formed, but not closed! If your son would like to serve in the Altar and he is 10 years old or older, please let Fr. Nicholas know as soon as possible. Altar boys are required to be in the Altar on the Sundays that they are scheduled, no later than 10:10 a.m. All Captains are asked to be in the Altar a little earlier, by 10:00 a.m. to make sure that everything is ready and to set instructions from Fr. Nicholas as to what will be happening for that day. As always, the appropriate dress code for all Altar boys that are serving, without exception is recommended: dress shirt, tie, dress socks and dress shoes. No one will be admitted in the Altar with a polo shirt, jeans, sneakers or boat shoes. All Altar boys, if they are not serving in the Altar, are required to be in Sunday School. This rule will be strictly adhered to, because attendance will be taken every Sunday for All Altar Boys. GROUP A Apostoli Petsanas (Captain) George Bizos (Co-Captain) George DeLaurentis Seraphim Sirimis Iacovos Georgiou Andreas Hadjiloucas Andreas Bizos GROUP B Jason Stavrianidis (Captain) Michael Gianoukakis (Co- Captain) Kyriakos Sirimis Andreas Apostolakis Julius Bourodimos Evangelos Kambitsis Dimitri Hirshman GROUP C Dino Zalokostas (Captain) Vasilis Petrou (Co-Captain) Konstantinos Stavrianidis Gabriel Sirimis Tasos Chronis Yiannis Petrakis GROUP D Nicholas Koutsoubis (Captain) Konstantinos Hantsoulis (Co- Captain) John Kavouras Demetrios Gad Antonis Kalogridis Demetri Kalogridis Markos Hantsoulis ALTAR BOYS SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2016 Sunday, November 6 Group A Sunday, December 4 Group A Sunday, November 13 Group B Sunday, December 11 Group B Sunday, November 20 Group C Sunday, December 18 Group C Sunday, November 27 Group D Saturday, December 24 Group D (Christmas Eve) Sunday, December 25 Group A (Christmas Day) FOOD FOR THOUGHT - CULTURE AND HERITAGE "Food For Thought" is a project of the Middlesex County Office of Culture and Heritage to document and celebrate the lives, traditions, and myriad rituals that tell the history of the people of New Jersey. By interviewing new immigrants and 1st/2nd generation Americans, the project captures original oral histories before these disappear from memory or yield to the pressures of contemporary society. Rooted in the commonality of food, the stories are a social history that tell the experience of assimilation into American society and preservation of traditions. You are invited to share your memories and recollections of arriving in America, growing, gathering, or shopping for food with parents or grandparents, stories of celebrations, holidays, festive banquets and cultural or religious traditions in which foods were an important component. We are also collecting recipes of "grandma s" special treats and from immigrant groups that have added to the American palette. If you would like to share your family story please contact Arete Bouhlas-Tzovolos to set up an interview: ; abouhlas@yahoo.com.

5 November/December 2016 Page 5 STEWARDSHIP $tewardship or S+ewardship? by Father Harry Pappas Pastor of Archangels Greek Orthodox Church, Stamford, CT Unfortunately, when most of us hear or read the word Stewardship, we instinctively think of it spelled as $tewardship, a code word for giving money to church. It may be politely asked for. It may be clothed in pious language. It may be linked to giving of time and talents. But, in the end, stewardship still means, for most of us: I must give some of my money so that we can operate the church. However, we may have not yet learned to spell this key word as S+ewardship. The Bible from beginning to end identifies what we now call stewardship as a way of life centered on God. And for Christians, this means discipleship centered on Jesus Christ as Crucified and Risen Lord. The cross thus dramatically signifies both our identity as disciples of Christ and our calling to a life of sacrificial giving directed toward God, others, and all creation. Many people know how to raise money. There are professional experts who work full time. There are more opinions and ideas than parishes know what to do with. And, in fact, raising funds has become a favorite American pastime for public and private schools, political parties, charitable organizations, and legions of athletic and recreational activities. Who needs another fund-raising campaign when we are already inundated with them! But while there are legions of experts, opinions, and efforts, how many of us are genuinely committed to Christ and the Church and have learned a sound teaching about stewardship based upon Holy Scripture? Jesus Christ sets the true standard of Christian stewardship by which we can measure ourselves. Our stewardship of the good news of salvation should be shown in the following ways: Creation - joyful appreciation for the wonder and beauty of nature; protection and preservation of the environment; bringing the gifts of creation to the Church for blessing (altar bread, wine, fruits, oil, incense, etc.); development of the material world through holy work (physical labor, professions, arts and sciences); respect for and protection of the sanctity of human life from conception to death. Vocation - fulfillment of our God-given calling in life as married or single people, adult or child, working or retired, clergy or laity, to extend the love and truth of God in Christ to those around us. Church - becoming active participants in working out our salvation as members of the Orthodox Church through the Christian nurture of children, regular worship and fellowship; spiritual formation through on-going education; service to one another and to the poor, sick, and needy; cooperating to make our parish a vibrant source of faith and work; and supporting Metropolitan, Archdiocesan, and international ministries that link us to the worldwide Church. In a culture that frequently encourages us to focus on ourselves, Jesus Christ challenges us to re-orient our priorities according to the Kingdom of God breaking into this world. The antidote to greed and selfishness, even when it is masked by religious piety, is genuine repentance and conversion toward Christian steward-ship as a new way of living. And what joy there is now for those who turn toward God, learning and living as stewards of the manifold grace that has been offered to us through Christ in the Church! During this Holiday season and all year, remember your Church is always here for you. If you have not joined us for Sunday services in a while, please consider coming to Church and becoming a member. STEWARDSHIP REQUIREMENTS Any person can give any amount for Stewardship. However, to be considered a member in good standing, to participate in the sacraments of Baptism or Wedding, and to have one vote in the General Assembly, the following minimums must be met: $350 for single adult or husband and wife (age 18-64): one vote (if both the husband and wife pay $350); ($700 total, both can vote) $250 for a married senior couple (Age 65+): one vote (if both the husband and wife pay $200); ($400 total, both can vote) $200 for single senior and college student (age 18-24, must show proof of attending college full time) Greater than the required contributions: those who have been blessed financially, should consider a greater contribution. ΑΠΑΙΤΗΣΕΙΣ ΕΚΟΥΣΙΑΣ ΕΙΣΦΟΡΑΣ Ο καθένας μπορεί να προσφέρει ό,τι μπορεί. Όμως, για να θεωρηθείτε κανονικό μέλος, να μπορείτε να πάρετε μέρος στα Mυστήρια της Βάπτισης και του Γάμου και να έχετε δικαίωμα μίας ψήφου στην Γενική Συνέλευση, απαιτούνται οι κάτωθι ελάχιστες εισφορές: $350 ανά ανύπαντρο άτομο ή οικογένεια (18-64 ετών): μία ψήφος (εάν ο σύζυγος και η σύζυγος πληρώσουν $350 έκαστος (σύνολο $700) ψηφίζουν και οι δύο) $250 ανά ηλικιωμένο ζευγάρι (άνω των 65 ετών): μία ψήφος (εάν ο σύζυγος και η σύζυγος πληρώσουν $200 έκαστος (σύνολο $400), ψηφίζουν και οι δύο) $200 για μόνους ηλικιωμένους και φοιτητές (18-24 ετών, πρέπει να αποδείξουν ότι είναι φοιτητές): μία ψήφος Πέραν του καθορισμένου ποσού: όσοι έχουν ευλογηθεί με οικονομική ευχέρεια, θα πρέπει να προσφέρουν περισσότερο από ό,τι καθορίζεται ανωτέρω.

6 Page 6 November/December 2016 November th Anniversary Committee Honoring our Legacy, Today and Forever On behalf of the 100 th Anniversary Committee, I wish to thank everyone who participated in the Anniversary Celebration Week, from October 15 22, With your participation and support, we had successful events commemorating our 100 th Anniversary. Saturday, October 15th, Celebration of Life, Honoring our Legacy, Today and Forever Our program at the Highland Park High School had over 200 attendees. The program began with proclamations and resolutions provided by federal and local government. We also had the award winners of the art contest and two dance performances from our G.O.Y.A and Cretan Society. We had two highlights during our program, the first being the honoring of our past presidents of the St. George Community. 23 past presidents and/or their family representatives received a plaque recognizing their efforts. Our second highlight was a video-documentary commemorating the growth of our community in the past 100 years. Sunday, October 16th, Anniversary Divine Liturgy Sunday, October 16 th commemorated the 100 th year anniversary of our first liturgy. The community was blessed to have His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey officiate the Divine Liturgy, followed by a luncheon in the AHEPA Hall. Saturday, October 22nd, Anniversary Gala Celebration Over 400 members and friends of St. George, Piscataway, NJ community celebrated the 100 th anniversary of the annual dance at the Pines Manor. All in attendance enjoyed a program with a few remarks, a beautiful meal and entertainment through out the evening. The highlight of the dance was the honoring of Mrs. Mary Kuklakis, by His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey. Mrs. Kuklakis is the eldest member of the community. As we come to the close of the 100 th Anniversary, I wish to share with the community how proud I am to be a member of the St. George community and being part of a hard working committee. I wish to thank each of the members personally for their time and efforts over the past year and a half. Your commitment and dedication to St. George is appreciated by all. Committee: John Lyssikatos, Reverend Father Nicholas Pastrikos, George Zalokostas, Sophia Albanese, George Athanasopoulos, Eleni Banis, Arete Bouhlas-Tzovolos, Lampros E. Bourodimos, Evangeline Emanuel, Jimmy Exarchakis, Sophie Exarchakis, Irene Frangos, James W. Karamanos, Vassilis Keramidas, Yvonne Lyssikatos, Fotini Mangafas, Emmanuel Manioudakis, Pauline Ploussiou, Maggie Stavrianidis, Viveca Sulich, Charlie Theokas. On a final note, the committee will be working to finalize the ad journal and a DVD commemorating our 100 th Anniversary. The ad journal will be a hard covered book, providing the history of the church, our priests, organizations/societies and achievements during the past 100 years. A free copy will be provided for each commemorative ad placed in the journal. The committee will also be selling a copy of the ad journal for those who did not purchase an ad. The DVD will have the documentary-video, video from our celebration week and photos captured during the past 100 years. This will also be available for purchase to all of our members. Our goal will be to have the two items available before the end of the year. God Bless, John Lyssikatos, Committee Chairman jlyssikatos@mac.com We look forward toward celebrating the church s next 100 years!

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8 Page 8 November/December 2016 LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY ST. BARBARA Congratulations to our Saint George Greek Orthodox Church on the celebration of its 100th Anniversary, which was celebrated with many activities and events, culminating with a wonderful Gala! Also, many thanks and congratulations to the 100th Anniversary Committee, who for over a year and a half, met, organized, and brought to fruition the wonderful events that took place. We are also proud that Mrs. Mary Kuklakis, the oldest member of the church and the Saint Barbara Philoptochos was honored and recognized during the Gala, with many generations of her family present! The collection of the Community Christmas card will continue to take place after church in the AHEPA Hall until the end of November. Thank you to the ladies who organize and work for this to happen and be so successful. On Sunday, November 13th, the Philoptochos along with volunteers from our community, will prepare and deliver 200 sandwiches, fruit and snacks to Elijah s Promise in New Brunswick. This activity is in continuation with our 100th Anniversary Celebration and part of our mission of Philoptochos. Thank you to all the ladies who coordinated this wonderful and important event. The ladies will be baking trays of baklava, to be sold for the Thanksgiving holiday, on Saturday, November 19th and Sunday, November 20th. Please make sure you place your order for this delicious dessert. Thank you to all the ladies who shop, prepare, bake and sell the baklava. On Sunday, December 4th we will celebrate the patron Saint Barbara of our Philoptochos with an Artoklasia after the Divine Liturgy and then enjoy a luncheon at Carpaccio s, a local restaurant. Please join us for an afternoon of good food and company. Thank you to the ladies who are planning and organizing this event. Saturday, December 17th and Sunday, December 18th we will be selling Christmas Bread for the holidays. Thank you to the ladies who plan and organize this sale. The annual Vasilopita Celebration and Luncheon will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2017 in the AHEPA Hall. At that time we will cut the Vasilopita for all the organizations and members of the community. All the donations will be sent to Saint Basil Academy to benefit and help the wonderful children, who are so blessed to have Father Costa Sitaras as their mentor and spiritual father. Thank you to all the ladies who plan, organize and prepare for this wonderful event. We invite all the ladies of our community who are not yet members of our Philoptochos Society to join us. Our next meetings are scheduled for Saturday, November 12th and Saturday, December 17th at 11 a.m. Hope to see you there! The Ladies Philoptochos Society invites you to attend ST. BARBARA S LUNCHEON Sunday, December 4, 2016 Συγχαρητήρια στην Εκκλησία του Αγίου Γεωργίου επί τη ευκαιρία της επετείου των 100 χρόνων της, η οποία εορτάστηκε με πολλές δραστηριότητες και γεγονότα και ολοκληρώθηκε με την διοργάνωση μίας πολύ πετυχημένης δεξιώσεως! Επίσης, πολλές ευχαριστίες και συγχαρητήρια αρμόζουν στην Επιτροπή των 100 χρόνων, η οποία για ένα και πλέον χρόνο, συναντιόταν, οργάνωνε και ολοκλήρωσε όλα αυτά τα γεγονότα που έλαβαν μέρος. Είμαστε επίσης υπερήφανες για την κα Μαίρη Κουκλάκη, το γηραιότερο μέλος της Εκκλησίας και Φιλοπτώχου μας η οποία τιμήθηκε και αναγνωρίστηκε κατά τη δεξίωση, έχοντας δίπλα της πολλά συγγενικά της πρόσωπα! Η συλλογή ευχών για τις Χριστουγεννιάτικες κάρτες θα συνεχίσει μετά το πέρας της Θείας Λειτουργίας, στην αίθουσα ΑΧΕΠΑ, έως το τέλος Νοεμβρίου. Ευχαριστούμε τις κυρίες που διοργανώνουν αυτό το εγχείρημα. Την Κυριακή 13 Νοεμβρίου η Φιλόπτωχος μαζί με εθελοντές παροίκους θα προετοιμάσει και θα παραδώσει 200 σάντουϊτς, φρούτα και εδέσματα στο Elijah s Promise στο New Brunswick. Η δραστηριότητα αυτή συνάδει με την επέτειο των 100 μας χρόνων και είναι μέρος των σκοπών της Φιλοπτώχου. Ευχαριστούμε όλες τις κυρίες που διοργάνωσαν αυτό το υπέροχο και σημαντικό γεγονός. Οι κυρίες θα ψήσουν ταψιά μπακλαβά για την εορτή της Ημέρας των Ευχαριστιών το Σάββατο 19 και την Κυριακή 20 Νοεμβρίου. Παρακαλούμε σιγουρευτείτε ότι δώσατε την παραγγελία σας για αυτό το νόστιμο γλυκό. Ευχαριστούμε όλες τις κυρίες που αγοράζουν, προετοιμάζουν, ψήνουν και πωλούν τον μπακλαβά. Την Κυριακή 4 Νοεμβρίου θα εορτάσουμε τη μνήμη της Προστάτιδος Αγίας Βαρβάρας με αρτοκλασία μετά τη Θεία Λειτουργία και ακολούθως θα απολαύσουμε ένα γεύμα στο εστιατόριο Carpaccio s. Σας προσκαλούμε όλους να έρθετε για ένα μεσημέρι καλού φαγητού και παρέας! Ευχαριστούμε τις κυρίες που διοργανώνουν αυτή την εκδήλωση. Το Σάββατο 17 και την Κυριακή 18 Δεκεμβρίου θα πουλάμε Χριστουγεννιάτικο Ψωμί για τις γιορτές. Ευχαριστούμε τις κυρίες που διοργανώνουν αυτή την πώληση. Η Ετήσια Κοπή της Βασιλόπιτας και Γεύμα θα πραγματοποιηθεί την Κυριακή 8 Ιανουαρίου 2017 στην αίθουσα ΑΧΕΠΑ. Θα κοπεί η βασιλόπτια για όλους τους οργανισμούς και μέλη της κοινότητάς μας. Όλες οι δωρεές θα αποσταλούν στην Ακαδημία του Αγίου Βασιλείου για να βοηθήσουν αυτά τα υπέροχα παιδιά που είναι τόσο τυχερά που έχουν τον πατέρα Κώστα Σιταρά ως μέντορα και πνευματικό πατέρα τους. Ευχαριστούμε όλες τις κυρίες που οργανώνουν και σχεδιάζουν αυτό το υπέροχο γεγονός. Προσκαλούμε όλες τις κυρίες της κοινότητά μας που δεν έχουν γίνει ακόμα μέλη της Φιλοπτώχου να έρθουν να μας συναντήσουν. Οι επόμενες συναντήσεις μας έχουν προγραμματιστεί για το Σάββατο 12 Νοεμβρίου και το Σάββατο 17 Δεκεμβρίου στις 11 π.μ. Ελπίζουμε να σας δούμε όλες εκεί! BAKLAVA SALE November 19th & 20th Place your orders early! Koula Athanasopoulos, or Niky Gerondelis, Christmas Bread & Vasilopites sold Dec. 17 & 18

9 November/December 2016 Page 9 COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD 2016 Dear St. George Parishioners: We are rapidly approaching that time of the year when the Philoptochos will prepare the St. George Community Christmas Card which will be mailed to ever y member of our par ish and which will car r y our holiday greetings to all our parishioners. This Community Christmas Card becomes possible through your donations. However, not only does your donation extend holiday greetings to all but, more importantly, it is used for the much needed assistance to the needy of our community. Your contribution truly represents the Christian spirit of helping those in need. And so we ask you, once again, to give your donation to the Needy Cases Fund. In so doing, you will be helping those in need and you will be assuring that your name will be included on the Community Christmas Card. You may give your donation by filling in the for m below and br inging it to the church or by mailing it to PHILOPTOCHOS, c/o St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1101 River Road, Piscataway, NJ Please make checks payable to the ST. GEORGE NEEDY CASES FUND. To assure that your name is included on the Christmas Card, your contribution must be received no later than November 20, The names of contributors received after November 23rd will be listed in the January church bulletin. In addition, if you are employed by a company that participates in a Gift Matching Program, please bring the necessary forms so we may benefit from this program. Obtain a gift matching form from your personnel office, complete the employee s section and bring the form to us. We ll do the rest. Thank you and God Bless you always, NEEDY FUND COMMITTEE Detach and return the form below with your donation no later than Sunday, November 20, 2016 ============ ========================================================================== I would like to participate in the ST. GEORGE NEEDY CASES FUND. Enclosed you will find my donation for $. Please list my name on the Christmas Card as follows: Name: Address: Telephone Number: PARTICIPATE IN THE UNITED WAY PROGRAM! It s that time of the year when corporate management will be asking their employees to participate in the 2016/2017 United Way program. Consequently, since our parishioners are participants in that program, we ask that they and their many friends consider our St. George Needy Cases Fund be earmarked for their contribution. In the past several years the St. George Needy Cases Fund has benefited dramatically and this has allowed the Philoptochos to assist those in need. The Ladies Philoptochos Society extends its appreciation and thanks to our many St. George parishioners who have taken the initiative to arrange for their United Way deductions to be sent to the St. George Needy Cases Fund. We are most grateful to all for their continued support. Remember to direct your United Way donation to the St. George Needy Cases Fund United Way Reference Number VAS I LO PI TA C E LE B RAT I O N Following the Divine Liturgy on January 8, 2017, the annual luncheon and cutting of the Vasilopita will take place in the AHEPA Hall. We will be honored with the presence of the children of Saint Basil Academy. Let us all attend this traditional event as a family and make it a special and beautiful day for the children of the academy. You may also make a donation by mailing a check payable to: Saint Barbara Philoptochos Society with a notation Vasilopita. Mail to: Saint Barbara Philoptochos Society - Vasilopita 1101 River Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854

10 Page 10 November/December 2016 G.O.Y.A. GREEK ORTHODOX YOUTH ASSOCIATION Welcome back, and I hope everyone had an enjoyable and restful Summer. This GOYA year will be full of many religious experiences, and enjoyable moments! We look forward to seeing all of you and we welcome our new Goyans! On Sunday, September 11th, our new GOYA board was sworn in. Serving this year, we welcomed Jason Stavrianidis as President, Kristina Donninger as Vice President, Alexandra Jennings as Treasurer, Anastasia Kantilierakis as Corresponding Secretary, Angela Polos as Recording Secretary, and myself, Alexia Kostis, as Historian. I am looking forward to keeping our community informed about what our Goyans are involved in throughout the year and what we all have to look forward to with upcoming events. On Sunday, September 18th, four of our Goyans represented Saint George Piscataway at the annual cross diving celebration in Asbury Park, NJ. This year, our senior divers were Angela Polos and Andreas Apostolakis. Our junior divers were Sophia Polos and Gabriel Sirimis. Congratulations to all of our divers for their participation and their efforts! On Sunday, September 25th, our GOYA participated in the annual Heel to Heal Walk for the Embrace Kids Foundation in Johnson Park, benefiting families of children with cancer, blood, and other disorders. Thank you to this year s participants for coming out to support such an important cause. Our calendar is starting to fill up! Our weekly GOYA practices are underway, with junior boys basketball on Mondays, girls volleyball on Tuesdays, senior boys volleyball on Wednesdays, and dance practice on Thursdays. It is very important that we all make every attempt to attend as many practices as possible. Our annual gyro sale took place on Sunday, October 2nd. Many thanks to all of the advisors and volunteers who helped make our delicious gyros, and who make this a successful fundraiser every year! Thank you to our community also for always supporting our fundraisers! Charity nights have begun! This is an opportunity for our Goyans to help those less fortunate by coming out and preparing, packing, and taking food to Elijah s Kitchen in New Brunswick, NJ. It is also a great way for our Goyans to spend some fun time together as we often plan an activity of some kind afterwards. Our first one took place on Friday, October 7th. One is hosted every couple of months, and the date is given in advance, so please make every effort to come out and help! On Sunday, October 9th, the annual Mr. & Miss GOYA pageant was held at the Pines Manor. Representing our church this year, was Mr. Apostolis Petsanas and Miss Artemia Savvas. Additionally, at the pageant each year, two graduates from our GOYA are selected to receive the annual GOYA Scholarship. Receiving it this year, were two graduates, both currently attending Rutgers University, Nicolette Polos and Yianni Apostolakis. Congratulations to all of you for your participation, hard work, and dedication. On Saturday, October 15 th our dance group performed for our St. George s 100 th Anniversary event that took part in Highland Park High School. It was a great honor to be part of the 100 years. Congratulations St. George! Our GOYA is also in the process of planning our annual trip to Boston, MA., where we visit the Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. On this trip we always have a wonderful time bonding and creating memories with one another. It is a great time and we encourage your participation in this and all events. We look forward to a fun, exciting, and successful year! Respectfully Submitted, Alexia Kostis - Historian

11 November/December 2016 Page 11

12 Page 12 November/December 2016 P.T.O. PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION The PTO is a parent volunteer organization that supports the school by organizing volunteers for various programs and by providing financial assistance through fundraising to support the Greek School, Sunday School and GOYA. Please consider volunteering your time and talent to the PTO. If each St George family volunteered for one event or activity it would spread the work load of this wonderful organization and make it more manageable, enjoyable and successful for everyone. Upcoming Events: Bake Sale- The annual PTO is hosting their annual bake sale on Sunday, November 6 th following the Divine Liturgy in the AHEPA Hall. Please show your support by stopping at our table and purchasing boxes of pastries for your home or office! Volunteers are needed to bake, pack pastries on the day of the sale, and selling of pastries. To volunteer or for more information, please send an to stgpto@optonline.net. Christmas Communion Breakfast and Christmas Tree Lighting We invite everyone to our annual Christmas Communion Breakfast and Christmas Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 11 th following the Divine Liturgy, in the AHEPA Hall. The children will be completing a craft and decorating the tree. Also, there will be a surprise guest as well. Volunteers are needed to help aid the children with the craft and tree decorating, setting up and serving on the day of the event. In addition, donation of fruit juice, and fresh cut fruit would be greatly appreciated. To donate, volunteer or for more information, please send an to stgpto@optonline.net. New ideas, suggestions and new members are always welcome! Teach your children by example - be involved! We can't do it without you! Thank you St. George PTO Board - stgpto@optonline.net PTO Christmas Communion Breakfast and Christmas Tree Decoration The St. George PTO invites you to a morning of joy with our families. Please join us in the AHEPA Hall for our annual lighting of the tree and breakfast on Sunday, December 11, 2016 following the Divine Liturgy. Join us for a festive morning featuring: The PTO will help all the children decorate the St. George Christmas Tree. Join us to make decorations for our Christmas Tree as well as other holiday crafts with Joy and Hope, Love and Faith. Professional photographer will be available to take your pictures. Part of the proceeds will go to PTO. Also the PTO will be collecting unwrapped new toys or $5 gift cards for under privileged families in the area. A special surprise guest for all the children!

13 November/December 2016 Page 13 SUNDAY SCHOOL Dear Parents and Members of our St. George Community, On behalf of Father Nicholas and the Catechism staff, we would like to thank you for your support in providing an Orthodox Christian foundation of faith and values to our children. We are very proud of our Catechism program, and our volunteer staff. We want to express our deep gratitude to all staff members for their efforts, dedication and perseverance. Timothy 4:12 Don t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Respectfully in Christ St. George Catechism Staff The curriculum we follow each Sunday was developed by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Department of Religious Education. It is accompanied with our participation in the Divine Liturgy and liturgical hymnology, and with our involvement in charity projects that are organized throughout the year. I would like to inform you that we held our Open House on October 10, 2016 for this ecclesiastical year. We thank the many parents that attended; we hope that your experience with us was positive and we appreciate all feedback received. If you are interested in volunteering your time or talents, you may us at lmalahias@yahoo.com or speak to any one of us on Sunday morning. Please know that you do not have to be a teacher nor have an expertise in our Orthodox faith; you just need a loving heart, a love for God and a love of children. I would like to present you our Catechism staff. Photograph of the St. George-Piscataway Catechism Program Cradle Responsible Open First Grade Mary Christodoulou Marigoula Keller Assistants Evangelia Makropoulos Fifth Grade Maria Petrou Georgia Papanastasiou Assistant Open 10 th, 11 th and 12 th Peter Combates Meropi Martini Nursery : Chrisoula Kalogridis Anna Kalogridakis Assistant Syndie Vaskopoulos (Nursery/Pre- K) Second Grade Georgia Preite Zoe Makropoulos Louisa Sirimis Sixth Grade Maggie Stavrianidis Theodore Vaskopoulos Assistant Evangelia Hantsoulis Music Teacher Louise Lambros Pre-Kindergarten Naomi Bourodimos Helen Sirimis Assistant Open Kindergarten Georgia Lambros Lea Petsanias Assistant Ellie Patsakou Nicolette Polos Third Grade Irene Rompos Evangelia Kontos Assistants Kyra Sirimis Fourth Grades Sandy Kalogridis Eleni Apostolakis Assistant Grace Robas Seventh Grade Maria Boyiadjis Athinoula Bizos Assistant Open Eighth and Ninth Grades Maria Demos Lemonia Malahias Miko Support Staff Overall Administrator Paul Stevens Treasurer Georgia Peterson Administration Ted Lambros Safety Peter Sirimis Scholarships Malvina Wilkins Georgia Peterson Substitute Teacher Maria Regina Caputo

14 Page 14 November/December 2016 On behalf of our hard working and dedicated Sunday School Teaching Staff, I would like to welcome back all of our Sunday School children, and we are looking forward to having you with us to a new exciting year. The success of our Sunday School program will be to a large extent based on the parents good Christian example and on the students willingness to be involved in our Church School Activities. We truly want this year to be much improved from last year, and we will need your cooperation. Once again, PARENTS, your GOOD EXAMPLE OF REGULAR SUNDAY WOR- SHIP at the Divine Liturgy gives the best sermon to your children, no matter how old they are! The program for our Sunday School began on Sunday, September 11th here at St. George. Please, let us not neglect our children s religious education. HERE IS HOW YOU AS A PARENT CAN HELP DEVELOP THE SPIRITUAL LIFE AND MORAL UPBRINGING OF YOUR CHILDREN 1. Bring them to Church regularly and on time. 2. Stay and worship together as a Family. 3. Be positive about Church. TO THE PARENTS AND SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS OF ST. GEORGE ΣΤΟΥΣ ΓΟΝΕΙΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΑ ΠΑΙΔΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΑΤΗΧΗΤΙΚΟΥ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ 4. Give your personal example of Christian living. 5. Emphasize regular partaking of Holy Communion. 6. Put Church before any other activity on Sunday. 7. Let your love of our Lord Jesus Christ radiate. Εκ μέρους των αφοσιωμέων και σκληρά εργαζομένων Κατηχητών- Κατηχητριών, σας καλωσορίζω όλους στο Κατηχητικό σχολείο, και εύχομαι φέτος να έχουμε μία χαρούμενη και αποδοτική χρονιά. Η επιτυχία του Κατηχητικού στηρίζεται στο καλό Χριστιανικό παράδειγμα των γονέων και στην επιθυμία των μαθητών να παρακολουθήσουν το Κατηχητικό σχολείο. Θέλουμε φέτος να έχουμε μεγαλύτερη επιτυχία από τον προηγούμενο χρόνο και ζητούμε την συνεργασία σας. Για μια ακόμη φορά, αγαπητοί γονείς, τονίζω πως το καλό παράδειγμά σας και ο τακτικός σας εκκλησιασμός είναι το σπουδαιότερο κήρυγμα στα παιδιά σας, οποιασδήποτε ηλικίας. Τα μαθήματα του Κατηχητικού άρχισαν στις 11 Σεπτεμβρίου. Σας παρακαλούμε, μην αμελείτε την θρησκευτική μόρφωση των παιδιών σας. ΠΩΣ ΩΣ ΓΟΝΕΙΣ ΘΑ ΒΟΗΘΗΣΕΤΕ ΤΗΝ ΠΝΕΥΜΑΤΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΗΘΙΚΗ ΑΝΑΤΡΟΦΗ ΤΩΝ ΠΑΙΔΙΩΝ ΣΑΣ 1. Φέρετε τα παιδιά σας κάθε Κυριακή στο Κατηχητικό και στην ώρα τους. 2. Να παραμείνετε στην εκκλησία και να προσευχηθείτε μαζί σαν οικογένεια. 3. Να είστε θετικοί για την Εκκλησία. 4. Δώστε καλό Χριστιανικό παράδειγμα. 5. Τονίστε την τακτική συμμετοχή στη Θεία Κοινωνία. 6. Να θέσετε την Εκκλησία πάνω από κάθε άλλη Κυριακάτικη ασχολία. 7. Αφήστε την αγάπη σας προν τον Χριστό να ακτινοβολήσει. Thanksgiving Day Liturgy on Thursday, November 24th Dear Faithful, Thursday, November 24th, Thanksgiving, is a day especially set aside to thank our most gracious and generous Lord for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us as a Nation. God has blessed us with a wondrous country, to which we should be very appreciative and thankful for. And for us Greeks and our background, we should be grateful and very thankful for the many blessings and opportunities God has given us here in America, knowing fully well that none of these opportunities would have been possible for us if we were still living in Greece. And so again, we will be celebrating a Divine Liturgy on Thanksgiving Day, beginning with a 9:00 a.m. orthros and 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy, to praise God and to give Him our heartfelt thanks for what He has done for us.

15 November/December 2016 Page 15 ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ GREEK SCHOOL Αγαπητοί Γονείς, Καλωσορίσατε και φέτος στο σχολείο μας. Ευχόμαστε σε όλα τα παιδιά καλή σχολική χρονιά και καλή πρόοδο. Τα μαθήματα του Ελληνικού Σχολείου άρχισαν στις 12 Σεπτεμβρίου. Την ημέρα αυτή, ο πάτερ Νικόλαος έκανε αγιασμό για τα παιδιά, τις δασκάλες και τους γονείς και αφού μίλησε για την σημασία του Ελληνικού σχολείου και των ελληνικών γραμμάτων και φώτισε όλους τους παρευρισκόμενους, στην συνέχεια αγίασε όλες τις τάξεις του σχολείου. Παρ όλο που τα μαθήματα έχουν αρχίσει, υπάρχει καιρός ακόμη να γράψετε τα παιδιά σας στο σχολείο μας και να τους δώσετε την ευκαιρία να μάθουν την ωραία ελληνική μας γλώσσα, τα ήθη, τα έθιμα, την ένδοξη Ιστορία και τον πολιτισμό της Ελλάδας. Θα χαρούμε πάρα πολύ έστω και λίγο αργά να δούμε αυτά τα παιδιά στο σχολείο μας. Το σχολείο λειτουργεί από Δευτέρα έως Παρασκευή από τις 4:30 μ.μ μέχρι τις 6:30 μ.μ και οι μαθητές κάθε τάξης παρακολουθούν μαθήματα μόνον μια μέρα την εβδομάδα. Επίσης το σχολείο μας λειτουργεί κάθε Τρίτη από 6:30 μ.μ μέχρι 8:30 μ.μ για τα Regents. Εφέτος το βραβείο από την Αρχιεπισκοπή για τα Regents το πήρε η Στέλλα Πέτρου. Της ευχόμαστε συγχαρητήρια και εις ανώτερα. Τώρα ετοιμαζόμαστε να γιορτάσουμε την 28η Οκτωβρίου και την γιορτή του Αγίου Δημητρίου με σχετικά μαθήματα, εργασίες και απαγγελίες ποιημάτων από μαθητές και μαθήτριες στην εκκλησία μας μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. Θα θέλαμε να ευχαριστήσουμε όλους τους γονείς, που με κόπους και θυσίες φέρνουν τα παιδιά τους στο σχολείο για την ωραία συνεργασία που έχουμε μαζί τους. Επίσης, θα θέλαμε να ευχαριστήσουμε τις ακούραστες κυρίες του P.T.O που μας είχαν έτοιμο όλο το υλικό του σχολείου. Ευχόμαστε και πάλι σε όλα τα παιδιά υγεία και καλή πρόοδο στην καινούργια σχολική χρονιά. Με τον ερχομό της γιορτής των Ευχαριστιών και των Χριστουγέννων, σας ευχόμαστε να περάσετε αυτές τις μεγάλες γιορτές με υγεία, χαρά και ευτυχία. Με εκτίμηση, Οι Δασκάλες του Ελληνικού Σχολείου Dear Parents, Welcome to the new school year! We wish everyone a productive and successful school year. Classes in our Greek School began on September 12. On this day, Father Nicholas blessed the children, the teachers and the parents and after he talked about the importance of Greek School and Greek letters, and he blessed all the classrooms. Although classes have already started, there is still time to enroll your children in our Greek School and give them the opportunity to learn the Greek language, traditions, customs and the glorious history of Greece. We will be happy to see them enrolled in our school. Classes are held in our school Monday to Friday from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The students of each grade attend class only once a week. Please, note that every Tuesday from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Prep class is held for the Regents Exam. This year s winner of the Archdiocese Regents award is Stella Petrou. We congratulate her for her success and wish her the best in her future endeavors. We would like to take the opportunity to thank all the parents for the time and effort to bring their children to school and for their cooperation. Furthermore, we would like to express our gratitude to the members of the P.T.O for providing us with the necessary school supplies. Once again, we wish all our children every success for the new school year. With the coming of Thanksgiving and Christmas, we wish everyone to enjoy these great Holidays with Health, Joy and Happiness. Sincerely, The of the Greek School

16 Page 16 November/December 2016 PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY - NOVEMBER 21 PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY On November 21st, our Church celebrates the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Τα Εισόδια της Παναγίας). How many of us know the names of the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary? Their names are Joacheim and Anna. They were very devout people who loved God very much. Because they were getting old in age and were not blessed with children, they were most unhappy. Anna prayed very sincerely to Almighty God that she would one day have the high honor of becoming the mother of a young child whom she would pledge to the Holy Temple. Many years passed and Anna retained her faith and hope that the Lord would answer her prayers. At last, God did grant her request. Anna became the mother of a little girl whom she named Mary. In accordance with the traditions of that time, Mary was presented to the Temple of God as soon as she reached the age of three. Joacheim and Anna brought her to the priest of the Temple, where she remained for twelve years until the age of 15. She was presented to God s Holy Temple on November 21st. During the time of the Blessed Mary, all children who were dedicated to the Temple were taken by the holy men of the Temple and given the finest education possible. After their education, the children were returned to their homes. In accordance with the writings of the Church Fathers, Mary was received into the Temple by Zacharias, the High Priest who later became the father of St. John the Baptist, who prepared the way for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. After Mary was returned to her parents she received the visit or Archangel Gabriel who told her that she is going to be the Mother of the Son of God. Joacheim and Anna, Mary s parents, are also Saints of our Church and we celebrate their memory of September 9th. They are also known as Patron Saints of Religious Education because of the education their daughter received from the best teachers of her era. If you have the opportunity to travel to the Holy Land one day, you must definitely visit the grounds that are dedicated to Mary and her parents. On the Gethsemane Garden you will see this beautiful temple. You will enter the temple and you will go down a few steps. After you walk for about 50 feet you will see to your right the grave for Joacheim and Anna. You will continue for another 50 feet and you will see the temple that is devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is where she was buried on August 15th. According to the Orthodox Tradition, Mary descended into heaven the same moment. For this reason you will see an empty grave. The Presentation of the Blessed Mary, which we celebrate on November 21st, is a very important day in our Church. Let s all celebrate together with our families and let s receive communion for the Grace of our Virgin Mary. ΤΑ ΕΙΣΟΔΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ Στις 21 Νοεμβρίου η Εκκλησία μας εορτάζει τα Εισόδια της Παναγίας. Πόσοι από εμάς γνωρίζουν τα ονόματα των γονέων της Παναγίας; Οι γονείς της Θεοτόκου λέγονταν Ιωακείμ και Άννα. Ήταν θεοφοβούμενοι άνθρωποι που αγαπούσαν τον Κύριο πάρα πολύ. Επειδή γερνούσαν και δεν είχαν ευλογηθεί με παιδιά, ήταν πολύ δυστυχείς. Η Άννα προσευχόταν με βαθειά πίστη στον Παντοδύναμο Θεό να της χαρίσει ένα παιδάκι το οποίο θα αφιέρωνε στο Ναό. Πολλά χρόνια πέρασαν και η Άννα δεν έπαψε να ελπίζει πως ο Θεός θα εισάκουγε τις προσευχές της. Στο τέλος ο Θεός της χάρισε ένα κοριτσάκι που το ονόμασε Μαρία. Σύμφωνα με την παράδοση της εποχής εκείνης, παρουσίασαν την Μαρία στο Ναό του Θεού μόλις έγινε τριών ετών. Ο Ιωακείμ και η Άννα την έφεραν στο Ναό και την έδωσαν στους ιερείς. Εκεί παρέμεινε για δώδεκα χρόνια, μέχρις ότου έγινε 15 χρόνων. Την παρουσίασαν στο Ναό στις 21 Νοεμβρίου. Κατά την εποχή της Παναγίας όλα τα παιδιά που ήταν αφιερωμένα στο Ναό, ελάμβαναν από τους σοφούς ιερείς την καλύτερη διαπαιδαγώγηση που υπήρχε. Η διαπαιδαγώγηση των παιδιών διαρκούσε 12 χρόνια και με την συμπλήρωσή της επέστρεφαν στους γονείς τους. Σύμφωνα με την Αγία Γραφή, την Μαρία παρέλαβε στο Ναό ο Ζαχαρίας που ήταν ο Αρχιερέας και που αργότερα έγινε ο πατέρας του Αγίου Ιωάννου του Βαπτιστή, ο οποίος ετοίμασε τον δρόμο για τον Σωτήρα μας Ιησού Χριστό. Η Μαρία επεστράφη στους γονείς της όταν έγινε 15 ετών. Αμέσως μετά, δέχτηκε την επίσκεψη του Αρχαγγέλου Γαβριήλ ο οποίος της ανήγγειλε πως σύντομα θα γίνει η Μητέρα του Υιού του Θεού. Ο Ιωακείμ και η Άννα, οι γονείς της Θεοτόκου, είναι επίσης άγιοι της Εκκλησίας και την μνήμη τους εορτάζουμε στις 9 Σεπτεμβρίου. Είναι επίσης γνωστοί ως «Προστάτες Άγιοι της Θρησκευτικής Εκπαιδεύσεως» εξαιτίας της μορφώσεως που έλαβε η Μαρία από τους καλύτερους διδασκάλους της εποχής της. Εάν έχετε καλή τύχη να ταξιδέψετε στους Αγίους Τόπους μία μέρα, θα πρέπει οπωσδήποτε να επισκεφτείτε το Ιερό που είναι αφιερωμένο στην Παναγία και τους γονείς της. Στη βάση του κήπου της Γεσθημανής θα δείτε αυτό το υπέροχο Ιερό. Θα μπείτε στο Ιερό και θα κατεβείτε μερικά σκαλιά κάτω. Αφού προχωρήσετε για περίπου 10 μέτρα θα διακρίνετε στα δεξιά σας τον τάφο του Ιωακείμ και της Άννας. Θα συνεχίσετε για 10 ακόμα μέτρα και θα δείτε το ιερό αφιερωμένο στην Παναγία. Εδώ έγινε η ταφή της στις 15 Αυγούστου. Σύμφωνα με την Ορθόδοξη Παράδοση, η Θεοτόκος ανελήφθη εις τους ουρανούς την ίδια στιγμή. Γι αυτό θα δείτε εκεί έναν κενό τάφο. Τα Εισόδια της Θεοτόκου, τα οποία εμείς οι Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί τα εορτάζουμε στις 21 Νοεμβρίου, είναι μία σημαντική εορτή της Εκκλησίας μας. Ας την εορτάσουμε λοιπόν, όλοι μαζί, με τις οικογένειές μας, και ας κοινωνήσουμε στην Χάρη της Θεοτόκου μας.

17 November/December 2016 Page 17 OUR FAITH Η ΘΡΗΣΚΕΙΑ ΜΑΣ FASTING AND PRAYER What are the benefits of fasting and prayer? We become more aware of God. We focus attention on God s will. We learn personal discipline. We gain time to read the Bible. The will of God becomes urgent. We increase our love for the gospel. Forgiveness and love enters our hearts more deeply. Jesus once taught that we will be powerless to overcome certain evils that demonize our lives unless we fast and pray. Throughout the centuries the Orthodox Church has taught fasting and prayer. For example, we fast from certain foods every Wednesday and Friday. We do it to remember our God s betrayal and crucifixion. This small discipline reminds us that we belong to Jesus Christ and are prepared to suffer with Him for Him. THE CHRISTMAS FEAST BEGINS NOVEMBER 15TH Four times a year we fast to observe certain great events in the history of our faith. On Tuesday, November 15th until Christmas we will once again observe the forty day fast as we anticipate the birth of Christ. Let us make it a daily rule to pray the Jesus prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner), regularly and to read the Bible. Let us examine ourselves courageously, confess our sins, and seek God s forgiveness. The Sacrament of Confession helps us make a full confession. Call Fr. Nick and make an appointment with him. He will help you ask the right questions as you examine your spiritual journey. Fasting, prayer and confession prepare us spiritually to receive Holy Communion.

18 Page 18 November/December 2016 ANTICIPATING THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR - ΑΝΑΜΕΝΟΝΤΑΣ ΤΗ ΓΕΝΝΗΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ Looking forward to the arrival of a special guest in our homes is always a time of careful preparation. There are so many things to do, cleaning and dusting, getting ready our best clothes, making sure we have prepared the best possible accommodations to show our guest that we are honored by his or their presence. During this season of Advent, the Church alerts us to get ready for the arrival of the most special Guest of all. His divine nature cannot be contained by the whole world, and His heavenly glory is beyond all human understanding. But at Christmas, He empties, as He always does, Himself of His divine glory, and as an infant of the Ever-Virgin Theotokos, He looks for a place to be Περιμένοντας κάποιον σημαντικό επισκέπτη στο σπίτι μας, born in the manger of our hearts. προβαίνουμε σε μία εντατική προετοιμασία: καθάρισμα και There is a depressing feeling among many people today that the στολισμό του σπιτιού μας, ειδική ενδυμασία και τα καλύτερα human race cannot extricate itself from the many complex social, φαγητά για να δείξουμε στον επισκέπτη μας πόσο μας τιμά η economic, and environmental problems that plague the nations of επίσκεψή του. the world. However, both the fullness of God s time and the living experience of the Church in the Holy Spirit reassures us that Σ αυτή την περίοδο της Νηστείας, η Εκκλησία μας προτρέπει να προετοιμαστούμε για τον ερχομό του πιο σημαντικού Επισκέπτη. Jesus is indeed our God and Savior, the only true hope of the Η Θεϊκή του φύση δε δύναται να χωρέσει σ ολόκληρη την world. οικουμένη και η ουράνιά του δόξα είναι για εμάς ακατανόητη. Κι From the realm of God s unapproachable glory, more remote from our sinfulness than are the ends of our galaxy. The Divine Word came to save our souls and bodies from every affliction and death. We could not have asked for anything better, than a glorious King to destroy the devil and free us from the fear of death. For He came to us not as an alien being, but as the One in whose image and likeness we were created. So then, the question arises, what must we do to prepare ourselves properly to receive the King of Glory within us? My beloved faithful, the answer is that we must receive our dear Savior with a contrite heart and an enlightened conscience! For none of us is worthy of His love, but all of us are called to accept Him as God s greatest Gift to the world. We need to shake off spiritual laziness; to recognize our sins and the good deeds we fail to do: and seek out our priest s guidance through the sacrament of Holy Confession. The Son of God did not come into the world to visit us, but rather to save us from Satan and sin. This year especially, when we are experiencing such tragedies with terrorism and shootings, we need to bring and keep Christ in our hearts and homes even more. We need to strengthen our faith even more, and not with mere words. We need to draw near to our Church by attending the divine liturgy on Sundays and receiving regularly the Lord through the Divine Eucharist. And let s make Christmas a Blessed and Holy Christmas for you and your loved ones. όμως, τα Χριστούγεννα αποβάλλει την Θεϊκή του δόξα και σαν βρέφος της Παρθένου Θεοτόκου, αναζητεί μια γωνιά μέσα στο στάβλο, για να γεννηθεί. Ένα δυσάρεστο συναίσθημα επικρατεί ανάμεσα στους ανθρώπους σήμερα, πώς η ανθρωπότητα δε δύναται να απελευθερωθεί από τα πολύπλοκα κοινωνικά, οικονομικά, πολιτικά και περιβαλλοντιστικά προβλήματα που την διακατέχουν. Εντούτοις, η πληρότης του Θεού και η ζωντανή εμπειρία της Εκκλησίας με το Άγιο Πνεύμα μας διαβεβαιούν ότι ο Χριστός είναι όντως ο Θεός και Σωτήρας μας, η μόνη Ελπίς για την ανθρωπότητα. Από το βασίλειο της απρόσιτης Θεϊκής δόξης, πιο μακρυνό από την αμαρτωλή μας υπόσταση και απ αυτό ακόμα το τέλος του Γαλαξία, ο Θείος Λόγος ήρθε για να μας σώσει από το κακό και να μας ελευθερώσει από τον φόβο του θανάτου. Και αυτό γιατί ήλθε όχι σαν εξωγήινη οντότητα, αλλά σαν ο Ένας και Μοναδικός στην ομοιότητα του οποίου έχουμε δημιουργηθεί. Τότε, δημιουργείται το ερώτημα, γιατί να προετοιμαστούμε για την υποδοχή του Βασιλέως της Δόξης; Αγαπητοί μου πιστοί, η απάντηση είναι ότι πρέπει να υποδεχτούμε τον Σωτήρα μας με μετάνοια και ανανεωμένη συνείδηση, διότι κανείς από εμάς δεν είναι άξιος της Αγάπης Του, αλλά όλοι μας καλούμεθα να τον δεχτούμε σαν το μεγαλύτερο Δώρο του Θεού προς τον άνθρωπο. Θα πρέπει να αποβάλουμε την πνευματική μας οκνηρία, να παραδεχτούμε τις αμαρτίες μας, καθώς και την αποτυχία μας εις το να πράττουμε αγαθά έργα. Επιβάλλετε να αναζητήσουμε πνευματική κατεύθυνση από τον ιερέα μας μέσω της εξομολόγησης. Ο Υιός του Θεού δεν ήρθε στον κόσμο απλώς σαν επισκέπτης, αλλά για να μας σώσει από τον Σατανά και την αμαρτία. Ειδικά αυτό τον χρόνο, με τις τραγικές εμπειρίας από άποψη τρομοκρατίας, χρειάζεται να φέρουμε και να φυλάξουμε τον Χριστό στις καρδιές και τα σπίτια μας περισσότερο από κάθε άλλη φορά. Θα πρέπει να ενδυναμώσουμε την πίστη μας και όχι μόνο με λόγια. Πρέπει να συσσωρευθούμε γύρω από την Εκκλησία μας, παρακολουθώντας τις Θείες Λειτουργίες της Κυριακές και λαμβαίνοντας συχνά την Θεία Κοινωνία. Τέλος, ας κάνουμε αυτά τα Χριστούγεννα, Θεία και Ευλογημένα Χριστούγεννα για μας και όλα τα αγαπητά μας πρόσωπα.

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20 Page 20 November/December Non-Profit Org U.S. POSTAGE Paid New Brunswick, N.J. Permit No. 379 S A I N T G E O R G E G R E E K O R T H O D O X C H U R C H 1101 River Road Piscataway, NJ ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Phone: stgeorge@gocnj.org WE RE IN COLOR ON THE WEB! Have a Wonderful Holiday Season Καλές Γιορτές We keep trying to improve The Voice of St. George and we welcome your comments and suggestions. We cannot do it without your help. Our is voicestgeorge@optonline.net. The Voice is produced entirely by volunteers but, still, we are responsible and apologize for any omissions, delays, and imperfections associated with this and any other issue. Please help us make the next one better. Συνεχίζουμε τις προσπάθειες μας για συνεχή βελτίωση του δελτίου μας. Προτάσεις και υποδείξεις, για το πως να κάνουμε αυτό το δελτίο πιο χρήσιμο είναι πάντα ευπρόσδεκτες. Το δελτίο αυτό είναι μεν αποτέλεσμα εθελοντικής εργασίας, είμαστε όμως υπεύθυνοι και ζητούμε συγγνώμη για όποιες καθυστερήσεις, παραλείψεις, ή λάθη αναπόφευκτα γίνονται. Ζητούμε την κατανόηση σας και την βοήθεια σας να κάνουμε το επόμενο τεύχος καλύτερο. Το ηλεκτρονικό μας ταχυδρομείο είναι voicestgeorge@optonline.net. If you want your business and/or professional skills to be seen by hundreds of families in your area as well as online at our Church website, don t wait: Call now at and place your advertisement! Catherine Pastrikos Kelly, Esq. Attorney ADVERTISE WITH US stgeorge@gocnj.org PRICE LIST ckelly@meyner.com BUSINESS CARD: $ ISSUES CONTRACT: $ ISSUES CONTRACT: $ /4 OF A PAGE: $ ISSUES CONTRACT: $ ISSUES CONTRACT: $ /2 OF A PAGE: $ ISSUES CONTRACT: $ ISSUES CONTRACT: $ FULL PAGE: $ ISSUES CONTRACT: $ ISSUES CONTRACT: $1,350.00