Father s Message. Αγαπητοί μου Χριστιανοί,

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1 Dear Parishioners, Father s Message Many are the feasts in honor of the Theotokos as observed by the Orthodox Church. An Orthodox Christian considers the Theotokos not only as the mother of God, but also as the loving Mother of all Christians. Of all the Saints and Angels in the church, the Theotokos is venerated over and above all of them. This veneration and honor attributed to the Theotokos is due to her unique role in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Once she became the Mother of God, she never ceased being the Mother of God. Blessed is the Virgin Mary, for she was humble, obedient and faithful to God and His will. For did not the Virgin Mary say Behold, the servant of the Lord, let it be unto me according to your word. (Luke 1:38). Even though she did not always understand the meaning of Jesus' sayings, the Virgin Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19). At the wedding at Cana, she said to the servants, Do whatever He tells you. (John 2:5). Here we see the role played by the Theotokos as the intercessor. The nature of the Theotokos intercession is to plead on our behalf and to win consent. Indeed, in order for Jesus Christ to dwell in us, we must be humble like the Virgin Mary. Therefore, let us seek to develop the virtue of humility, so as to be able to say as did the Virgin Mary, Behold, the servant of God. Are you and I willing and ready to do God s will now, tomorrow and all tomorrows thereafter? Ponder this question on this Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, August 15th, and see if you can answer as did the Virgin Mary, Behold, the servant of God. In seeking a role model, let us turn to the Virgin Mary and emulate her dedication and commitment to God. Then and only then, will we experience spiritual renewal, spiritual growth and spiritual rebirth in our lives. Have a Blessed Dekapentavgousto With Love in Christ, Fr. Anargyros Αγαπητοί μου Χριστιανοί, Στις 15 Αυγούστου η Αγία μας Εκκλησία εορτάζει και πανηγυρίζει την ένδοξο κοίμηση της υπερενδόξου δεσποίνης ημών Θεοτόκου και αειπαρθένου Μαρίας. Δύο Άστρα στον ουρανό βλέπουμε λαμπρότερα, τον ήλιο και τη σελήνη, «τον φωστήρα τον μέγα» και «τον φωστήρα τον ελάσσω» κατά την έκφραση της Γενέσεως (1-16). Ήλιος στο στο πνευματικό στερέωμα είναι ο Χριστός. Σελήνη είναι η Παναγία. Ο πρώτος μετά τον Ένα, είπαν γιά τον Παύλο. Η πρώτη μετά τον Ένα, πρέπει να πούμε γιά την Παναγία. Το καύχημα του κόσμου και η κορυφαία ύπαρξη όλης της ανθρωπότητας. Καί αυτών των Σερεφίμ και των Χερουβίμ η Θεοτόκος ευρίσκεται τιμιωτέρα και ενδοξοτέρα

2 ασυγκρίτως. Καυχέτε ο σύγχρονος άνθρωπος γιά τις επιστημονικές του επιτυχίες. Όσω μεγάλα όμως και αν είναι τα κατορθώματα της επιστήμης δεν ξεπερνούν σε μέγεθος εκείνα τα πνευματικά. Το μεγαλύτερο δε πνευματικό κατόρθωμα της γής, με την βοήθεια του Ουρανού δηλ. Του Θεού, είναι η Παναγία. Η κατάκτηση της σελήνης έδειξε, που μπορούμε να φθάσουμε με την γνώση και την επιστήμη. Η Παναγία έδειξε που μπορούμε να φθάσουμε με την αγιότητα. Χωρίς δε αμφιβολία, το ύψος της αγιότητας είναι πάνω από όλα. Η αισθητή σελήνη μιά μέρα θα αμαυρωθή και θα πέση, και το ύψος της επιστήμης θα ταπεινωθή. Αλλά η αγιότητα μένει και οι Άγιοι υψώνοντε πάνω από όλα και ιδιαίτερα, η Παναγία Παρθένος, η Βασίλισσα των Ουρανών. Γιά αιώνες περίμενε ο Θεός να παρουσιασθή στο κόσμο η Παναγία, γιά να πάρη απ αυτήν σάρκα και να γεννηθή σαν άνθρωπος. Η Παναγία υπήρξε το αγνότερο καί αγιώτερο πλάσμα της γής. Σε κανένα άλλο πλάσμα το «κατ εικόνα Θεού και ομοίωσιν» δεν εφαρμόζεται τόσο, όσο στήν Παναγία. Γι αυτό και ο Άγιος Ανδρέας Κρήτης, χρησιμοποιεί γι αυτή την έκφρασι «η μετά ο Θεόν θεός» ενοώντας ασφαλώς την θέση της στό Ουράνιο στερέωμα. Γι αυτό καί κανένα άλλο πλάσμα δεν αγαπήθηκε τόσο πολύ από τους πιστούς, όσο η Παναγία. Τήν μητέρα του Θεού αισθανόμεθα όλοι και σαν δική μας μητέρα, και τρέχουμε σ αυτή γιά βοήθεια, και προστασία. Και είναι πραγματικά η Θεοτόκος η πνευματική μητέρα των Χριστιανών, όπως η Έυα είναι η σαρκική μητέρα των ανθρώπων. Και στόν ουρανό συνεχώς παρακαλεί η Θεοτόκος γιά μας τους αμαρτωλούς. Παρακαλεί γιά την σωτηρία και αυτών ακόμη που βλασφημούν το τίμιο όνομά της καθώς και του Υιού της. Και η Μεσίτρια διαρκώς μεσιτεύει στο γιό της και σωτήρα του κόσμου, γιά τη σωτηρία του κόσμου. Πραγματικά αδελφοί μου πόσες και πόσες φορές δέν έχει σώση, η Παναγία μας, με τις μεσιτείες της τον κόσμο όλο αλλά και τον κάθε μας ξεχωριστά. Ο Θεός παρατείνει το έλεος του πάνω μας χάριν τών αγίων του, και ιδικά χάριν της Παναγίας μητέρας Του. Εμείς άραγε τι κάνουμε; Πως απαντούμε στο έλεος του Θεού; Νά μιά ευκαιρία, ο φετινός εορτασμός της κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου, μιά ευκαιρία και μιά ευλογία, που θα πρέπει να γίνουν αφορμή γιά έλεγχο, αυτοκριτική, καί μετάνεια. Μία ευκαιρία να αποκτήσουμε πρός τήν Παναγία την ευλάβεια και την αγάπη που έχει το μικρό παιδί πρός την μητέρα του. Ας επανέλθουμε στό αυθόρμητο συναίσθημα της απλοϊκής εκείνης γυναίκας, που όταν άκουσε τα σωτήρια λόγια του Χριστού μας, μέσα από το κόσμο είπε δυνατά: μακαρία η κοιλία που σε βάσταξε και οι μαστοί, τους οποίους εθήλασες. Μακαρία η μητέρα, που σε εγέννησε και σε έθρεψε Καλό Δεκαπενταύγουστο! Με αγάπη Χριστού Πατήρ Ανάργυρος

3 AUGUST 6TH THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD & SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them to a high mountain. While praying there He was transfigured. His face shone as the sun. Jesus had many times shown His disciples His Divine Power, but now He showed them His Divine Nature. Moses and Elijah appeared with Him to dispel the Jewish fallacy that Jesus was one of the prophets. He revealed Himself to be King over the Prophets who were His servants. If Jesus, the Head of the Body, was transfigured, then we who are members of His Body will also be transfigured with Him. The dazzling light that shown through Christ on Mount Tabor is not just something that happened in the past. It is a window through which we can look to see the reality of the Kingdom of God not only in Christ but also in us. As we are incorporated into Christ through faith and the Sacraments, we are gradually transformed into His likeness. This is our personal transfiguration in Christ. We are not just Earthen vessels of clay subject to the universal law of death and corruption. These earthen vessels bear a great treasure as St. Paul states. They can become not only spirit-bearing, but God-bearing, pervaded by God s presence. They are called to share in the eternal glory of God. It was our own human nature which was filled with divine glory at the Transfiguration. It was our own human nature which was made God-like and partook of God s glory. Consider this against the background of people who claim that life is meaningless. The divine light did not merely shine around Christ, His very flesh was aflame with it. The image of God in us, which had been darkened by the sin of Adam, was once again glowing in the human nature of Jesus. Transfigured and sanctified by the grace of God, this human body of ours can indeed become an icon of man deified, transfigured and glowing with the light of the Holy Trinity. It is for this reason that many Orthodox Theologians consider the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration as the day of the celebration of the deification (theosis) of human nature in Christ. PARAKLESIS (SUPPLICATION) SERVICES During the Fast in honor the Most Holy Theotokos, August 1-15, which is one of the major fast periods in the Church, there will be Paraklesis (Supplication) services in the evenings marked on the calendar at 7:00 p.m. Please bring or send in names of persons who would like to pray for during these services, for health or general well-being. Why not utilize this period as an opportunity to more fervently worship our Lord, through the prayers of His Most Holy Mother. HOLY CONFESSION Holy Confession will be held on Wednesday, August 8th from 5-7:00 p.m. and on Monday, August 13th from 5-7:00 p.m.

4 September 1st - Feast Day of the Indiction Beginning of the Orthodox Church Calendar Year September 1st is the first day of the Orthodox Ecclesiastical Year. It is called the beginning of the indiction. The word indiction is a Latin word meaning impose (to make somebody do something). It was first applied in imposing taxes in Egypt. The Roam Emperor Diocletian extended the system of taxing conquered people to the whole Roman Empire. The first official worldwide indiction originated with the emperor Constantine in 312 A.D. when he saw a miraculous vision of the sign of the Cross in the skies. The Church picked this day to begin its calendar year for various reasons. 1. Before the Julian calendar, the Romans began their year on September 1st. 2. According to Holy Tradition, it was on September 1st that our Blessed Lord entered the Jewish synagogue (Luke 4) to preach his mission to men. Jesus quoted from the 61st chapter of the book of Isaiah: The spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek, he has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the openings of the prison to them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourn. 3. Tradition also tells us that it was during the month of September that the Hebrews finally entered the Promised Land. 4. It has always been accepted within the church community that the month of September was the time to gather all the fruits of the summer months and prepare for the beginning of the winter months ahead. At the start of the news year hymnographers also prepared beautiful hymns to be chanted during Church Services. The hymns were offered to Almighty God so that we might receive His divine blessings throughout the coming year. THE MINISTRIES OF OUR ST. ATHANASIOS PARISH We would like to inform you of the various Parish programs that are available at our community, which we may all support and participate accordingly. SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL: Sunday Church school is held during the regular school year. Grade levels are Little Angels through 12th grade. Registration will be held on Sunday, September 9th. Please see enclosed registration form. We ask all parents to enroll their children in Sunday Church School and have them attend on a regular basis so that they may become close to the Church and learn more about their faith. The first day of Sunday Church School will be September 9th.

5 GREEK SCHOOL: The afternoon Greek School is held twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Grade levels are pre-k through the 6th grade. The curriculum encompasses the Greek Language, Reading, Writing, Speaking, History, Religion, Ecclesiastical Hymns, and Geography of Greece. In addition, we offer the Continuous Greek Education Class for children years of age. This class is offered once a week on Fridays from 4:00-6:00 p.m.. We ask all parents to enroll their children so that our youth will keep in their hearts and minds our Greek Heritage our Greek language and our Greek customs and Traditions. The first day of Greek School will be September 12th. ADULT GREEK SCHOOL: Adult Greek School classes have been available for our St. Athanasios Community. If you are interested in learning the Greek Language, please sign up. Classes will be held on Fridays from 6:15-8:30 p.m., beginning September 21st. BIBLE STUDY AND CATECHISM: This group gets together and studies various Books from the Holy Bible under the direction of the Parish Priest. Classes meet every Monday at 7:00 p.m. beginning September 24th. This year, we will study The Acts of the Apostles. PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY: The Philoptochos Women s Society of St. Athanasios is an organization whose primary purpose is aimed toward philanthropic endeavors and programs. All men and women in our parish may become members of this society, which provides for the disadvantaged and assists the church in many ways. The first meeting will be on September 11th, and then every first Tuesday of the month. FOS (Light) is a Parish Ministry (organization) within the Saint Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church. The purpose of FOS is to promote the Orthodox Faith within and outside the parish. The FOS operates in cooperation with and under the direct supervision of the parish priest. ALTAR BOYS: Boys ages 9-17 are able to serve as Altar Boys. Along with their duties, monthly meetings and programs are also held. Anyone who would like to participate in Altar duties should contact Fr. Anargyros. H.O.P.E. / J.O.Y. : Boys and girls between the ages of 4-7 are invited to join H.O.P.E., and ages 8-11 for J.O.Y. These programs give the children the opportunity to learn about their faith, their church and the social world around them. Meetings are held once a month on Fridays. Attn: Parents...If anyone is interested in being a H.OP.E. / J.O.Y. advisor, please contact Fr. Anargyros

6 G.O.Y.A.: Boys and girls between the ages of are welcome to join the G.O.Y.A. Various athletic, social and religious activities are held as well as other programs. The G.O.Y.A. meets once a month on Thursdays. CHOIR: The choir chants hymns during the Divine Liturgy and other Church services throughout the year, except for the summer months of July and August. Practice is held twice a month. Both men and women are invited to join the choir. DANCE GROUPS: Greek Ethnic and cultural dances are taught to the children of our community. Classes will be held on Fridays from 5:00 7:30 p.m., beginning September 21st. There are two levels. Time varies depending on each level. We also offer adult dance classes from 8:00-9:00 p.m.. HELLENIC SENIORS OF ST. ATHANASIOS: Parishioners may join the Hellenic Seniors group. Spiritual and social gatherings are held. The Seniors meet every third Thursday of the month at noon in the Community Center. P.T.O. Parent Teacher Organization : This organization consists of the teachers and parents of the Greek School students, and parishioners who are interested in the education of our students. The purpose of the P.T.O. is to help and support the different programs of our school. We ask everyone to please become members and active supporters of our P.T.O. EPISKEPSIS (Visitations): In cooperation with the Philoptochos. The purpose and goal is to visit and comfort our Orthodox Christians that are confined to nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and homes. DIAKONIA AGAPES (St. Athanasios Food Pantry): St. Athanasios church has been supporting local Food Pantry s and assisting needy families of our parish for many years. As a result of seeing a need in our parish and community, we have formed a new parish ministry: St. Athanasios Food Pantry. The Food Pantry will be an ongoing parish ministry to serve families in need from our community, sister parishes, neighbors and friends. Together as one Christian family, we can help those in need live a better quality of life as God s children. When anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, we want our hand always to be there. For that we are responsible. Together we can make a change, we can make a difference! If anyone has any questions or wants more information on our food Pantry, please feel free to contact Fr. Anargyros or Presbytera Christina. WELCOME AND OUTREACH: The purpose to welcome new members to the Church / Parish, and promote the Greek Orthodox Faith within and outside the Parish.

7 ΙΕΡΑ ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΣΗ: Ο πατήρ Ανάργυρος θα εξομολογή τη Τετάρτη, 8 Αυγούστου 5:00-7:00 μ.μ., και την Δευτέρα 13 Αυγούστου, 5:00-7:00 μ.μ. ΘΕΙΑ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ: Εάν έχετε συγγενείς ή γνωστούς πού ευρίσκονται σε Γηροκομία, Νοσοκομεία η είναι κατάκοιτοι στο σπίτι και θέλετε τον πατέρα Ανάργυρο για να τους κοινωνήση για το Δεκαπενταύγουστο, παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνείστε στο Γραφείο μας και ενημερώστε τόν Ιερέα μας. ΕΞΕΤΑΣEΙΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΚΑΤΗΧHΤΙΚΟΥ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟΥ: Συγχαίρουμε τά παιδιά και των δύο Σχολείων μας πού με επιμέλεια τάξιν και πειθαρχία παρακολούθησαν τά μαθήματα των Σχολείων μας καθ όλην την διάρκεια του Σχολικού Έτους Ευχαριστούμε το διδασκαλικό προσωπικό και των δύο Σχολείων διά την καλή των συνεργασία καθ όλη την διάρκεια του Σχολικού έτους. Επίσης ευχαριστούμε τον Σύλλογο Γονέων και Διδασκάλων πού εργάστηκαν τόσο σκληρά και συνεργάσθηκαν πολύ καλά μαζί μας. Dear Parents, SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Father Anargyros and the Sunday Church School staff greet everyone as the summer soon draws to a close and we enter the beginning of the new ecclesiastical year. We pray that the summer months have been a time of physical and spiritual renewal for our children and our families; a time that bonds families together in a joyful way. We had a great year last year and we are excited about planning for the upcoming Sunday Church School year. Along with Father Anargyros, the teachers are busy reviewing books and curriculum and new ways to teach children about our Greek Orthodox Faith. As parents, let us renew our own commitment to our Faith so that it will become truly alive for our children this year. Church School Classes First Day of Sunday Church School Classes is September 9. The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 16, will be celebrated in Asbury Park. Classes will resume Sunday September 23. Please remember that the Divine Liturgy is the focus of the Sunday Church school experience. Church begins at 10:00 A.M promptly. Bring children on time so that they can experience the Divine Liturgy from the beginning through Holy Communion. Little Angels will remain with their parents during worship services until Holy Communion. All other students (k-12) will be seated in the left side pews with their designated class. Church School classes will begin for everyone immediately following Holy Communion. Registration This year Sunday Church School Registration will take place on Sunday September 9 and Sunday September 23 immediately following Church services in the coffee hour Registration Forms will be available at the bulletin board, in the church office, and will be ed to parents who are on the list. Please complete the Registration

8 Forms in advance whenever possible, to expedite the registration process. Please take the time to fill out all of the required information clearly and accurately because this information will serve as the data and communication base for you for the entire year. Bring the completed form with you on Registration Sunday. The Registration fee will remain the same, $35 per student, and will cover the cost of books and supplies for the year. There will be two Parent Sign-up sheets. We urge all parents to volunteer for at least one activity during the school year and one Sunday Snack Day. The parent activity sheet will be attached to the Registration Form. The Snack Sign-up sheet will be available at the Registration tables. Students can earn Perfect Attendance by not missing more than 5 classes, Excellent Attendance for not missing more than 8 classes during the year. Pin awards will be distributed to students with perfect and excellent attendance. Special recognition certificates will be given to students with Excellent Attendance at graduation. At registration all students will be given a set of stewardship envelopes that we ask your children to use as a gift to God. Our program teaches that stewardship is a response to God s generosity to us. Please encourage your children to put aside some money each week and to place it in their stewardship envelopes each Sunday. ****We are in need of Parent Volunteers to be classroom aides and substitutes. Please see or contact Athena Georgotas or Thea Portelos. (AGeorgotas@aol.com, thea.portelos@morganstanley.com) I wish everyone a Blessed Ecclesiastic year. Athena Georgotas Sunday Church School Director The Importance of Sunday School Let the children come to me, so not to hinder them; for to such belongs the Kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. Mark 10: Christian education is a permanent challenge to the work of the Church. Not only did our Lord and Savior continuously teach the word of God during His early mission, but the Church as well from the earliest times looked upon Christian education as one of its essential ministries. As the first Christians joined the Church they devoted themselves to the apostle s teaching and fellowship to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42 The greatest gift, the most precious inheritance that we have to give to our children is our Greek Orthodox Faith. Jesus makes it clear that He wants children to come to know Him, and the He considers it a grave offence for an adult to hinder this process or lead child astray: whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Matt 18:6 The Central aim of Christian education in our Church is to evoke and nurture faith in Jesus Christ according to the Orthodox phronema (vision) out of which issues a genuine Orthodox way of life. The Church nurtures a living awareness of the risen Christ in our midst, who is the true Celebrant of Sacraments and the true Teacher of His people,

9 and makes Himself known to use by the grace of the Holy Spirit. The whole range of Orthodox educational material- books, filmstrips, visuals, Bible Studies, lives of saints contemporary discussion of Christian values- becomes effective to the degree that communicates the love and sprit of Christ. The focus of our efforts to educate our beloved children in the Orthodox Christian Faith must remain in our Sunday School program. When we bring our children regularly to Sunday School we provide them with a gift of knowledge that has lifelong value and significance. The need of Christian education is as immediate as when the disciples first appealed to Jesus: Teach us to pray. Luke 11:1 Christian education is an essential and abiding ministry in the Church. As other important ministries, it is never finished. It can be as vital and meaningful as the whole body of the Church makes it through provision of adequate personal, spiritual and financial resources. The validity of Christian education is demonstrated by the truth that a well informed Christian is a spiritually committed Christian within the greater body of the Church. The commission of Christian education comes from the Lord Himself: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and lo I am with you always, to the close of the age. Matt 28: Our St. Athanasios Sunday Church School Program begins on September 9 th at 10:00 A.M. Parents: Bring your children to Sunday School. Your personal example and involvement in the religious education of your children are extremely important. The priest and teachers can not do the job alone. Here is how you can help develop the spiritual life and moral upbringing of your children. Register your child to our Sunday Church School Program. Bring them to Church on time. Stay and worship at the Divine Liturgy in the Church. Be positive about Church. Discuss with them what they learned each Sunday. Teach them to bring their weekly stewardship offering. Give your personal example of Christian living. Emphasize regular repentance and Holy Communion. Put Church before every other activity on Sunday. Avoid criticism of others. Let your love for Our Lord Jesus Christ radiate. Philoptochos News On behalf of the Ladies Philoptochos Society of St. Irene, I hope that you are enjoying your summer vacations. Our Philoptochos Board has been busy putting together our fall schedule, and have planned many exciting events. Our monthly meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 7:30 pm Membership is open to Orthodox Christian Women over age 18, who are inspired to assist those in need. We will be participating once again in the Lord & Taylor Annual Charity Benefit Bash,

10 which will be held on October 4, The cost of admission to this event is $5.00, which will benefit our various Philoptochos Charities.. Please save the dates for our annual Philoptochos Retreat to St. Basils Academy on October 27, We are also planning for our fashion show, which will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 6:30 pm. At this event we will be sponsoring a 50/50 raffle which will benefit Tomorrow Children Fund at Hackensack University Medical Center. As always, we thank you for your support, and look forward to seeing you at our events. Sincerely, Thea Portelos Αγαπητοί γονείς, Greek School News Η ξένοιαστη και αγαπημένη εποχή του καλοκαιριού πέρασε, και με ενθουσιασμό και πολύ χαρά, οι δασκάλες του Ελληνικού μας σχολείου περιμένουν τα παιδιά σας, να συνεχίσουν τις σπουδές τους για την εκμάθηση της Ελληνικής μας γλώσσας, και του πολιτισμού μας. Η 10η Σεπτεμβρίου, έχει ορισθεί ως η ημέρα των εγγραφών των μαθητών, από τις 4:30 έως τις 6:30μμ. Εγγραφές επίσης θα γίνονται στην κοινοτική αίθουσα της εκκλησίας μετά το τέλος της Θείας λειτουργίας στις 9 Σεπτεμβρίου. Η πρώτη μέρα του Ελληνικού μας σχολείου θα είναι η 12η Σεπτεμβρίου, όπου θα τελεσθεί και ο αγιασμός της έναρξης της σχολικής χρονιάς. Το διδακτικό προσωπικό αποτελείται από τις κάτωθι δάσκάλες: Κα Αγγελική Ντιλάνυ, προνήπιο Κα Χρύσα Καρρά, νηπιαγωγείο Κα Σταυρούλα Μουτάφη, Α τάξη Κα Ρίτα Ευαγγέλου, Β1 τάξη Κα Θεοδώρα Ασπρά, Β2 τάξη Κα Μαρία Αμανεζή, Γ τάξη Κα Αμαλία Αρμενάκη, Δ τάξη Κα Θέα Σογώτη, Ε τάξη Κα Πόπη Ζανάκη, ΣΤ τάξη Κα Σοφία Σταματίου, 7η, 8η τάξη, και τάξη ενηλίκων Οι δεσποινίδες Έμη Ασπρά, Αλεξάνδρα Κατέχη, Ελένη Μπακογιάννη και Καλλιόπη Δ. Ζανάκη, θα είναι οι βοηθοί μας. Το σχολείο μας λειτουργεί κάθε Δευτέρα και Τετάρτη 4:30-6:30μμ για τους μαθητές 4-12 ετών, και κάθε Παρασκευή 4:00-6:00μμ, για τους μαθητές 12 ετών και άνω. Σας καλωσορίζουμε, και σας ευχόμαστε μία χαρούμενη και δημιουργική χρονιά! Σοφία Σταματίου Διευθύντρια Dear parents, We hope you had an enjoyable and restful summer. We welcome you again to the new Greek school year, which officially will start, the 12th day of September. On Sunday 9th of September

11 though -after the Divine Liturgy-and on Monday from 4:30-6:30 p.m., we will have registration.we urge to register kindly you children on these two days, instead of the first day of school! Our faculty consists of the following teachers: Mrs. Aggeliki Delaney pre-k Mrs. Chrysa Karras, kindergarten Mrs. Stavroula Moutafis, 1st grade Mrs. Rita Evangelou, 2nd grade Mrs. Theodora Aspras, 2nd grade Mrs. Maria Amanezis, 3rd grade Mrs Amalia Armenakis 4th grade Mrs Thea Sogotis 5th grade Mrs Popi Zanakis 6th grade Mrs Sophia Stamatiou 7th & 8th grades and adult classes Our assistants are: Miss Emmie Aspras, Miss Alexandra Katechis, Miss Eleni Bakoyiannis, and Miss Kalliopi D. Zanakis. Our classes meet twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30-6:30 p.m., for students 4-12 years old, and on Fridays 4:00-6:00 p.m. for students 12 years old and older. We also offer adult classes on Fridays from 6:00-8:00 p.m. We wish you a healthy and productive year! Sophia Stamatiou Greek School Principal Dear St. Athanasios Families, PTO News I hope you are all having a relaxing and restful summer! The entire PTO Executive Board is excited to begin a new year working with all of you to enrich our children s Greek School Education and to build a strong sense of community. Our commitment to support Greek School will be successful with everyone s input and help. We welcome and are looking forward to all your ideas so we can gain a fresh perspective as to how we can improve our Greek School Program! Please come to our meetings, that are usually scheduled for the second Monday each month, to offer us your valuable impute! KNOW YOUR PTO BOARD President: Eleni Karounos Vice President: Treasurer: Secretary: Parish Council Education Liaison: Please marks your calendars: Maria Xanthos Maria Salemme Reina Phillips Vasilios Fikaris Thursday, September 6th: Parent Youth Ministries Meeting at 7pm!

12 Sunday, September 9th: Registration Day for ALL Organizations following Divine Liturgy Monday, September 10th: WELCOME BACK DAY & Registration Wednesday, September 12th: First Day of Greek School Classes & Agasmio Service Monday, September 17th: First PTO Monthly Meeting at 5pm! Wednesday, October 15th: PTO Monthly Meeting at 5pm! Sunday, October 28th: OXI Day Celebration Program, following Divine Liturgy, plus our Annual PTO Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) Sale & Pre-orders for Thanksgiving! Thank you in advance for all your help and support! We look forward to seeing and speaking to you at the PTO Meetings! With love in Christ, Eleni Karounos St. Athanasios PTO President & the Executive Board ST. ATHANSIOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH HELLENIC FOLK DANCE PROGRAM Our purpose is to continue the positive experiences of camaraderie and fellowship under the umbrella of our Greek Orthodox Church. DANCE CLASSES WILL START ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 21st, COME AND JOIN US! Beginners: (ages 5-11): Fridays 5:00-6:00 p.m. Cost: $150 Contact Helen hdanas@yahoo.com Intermediate: (7th -12th grades): Fridays 6:00-7:30 p.m. Cost: $200 Contact Athena athee3@msn.com

13 Adults: Fridays 8:00 9:00 p.m. Cost $150 Contact: Joanne Registration will take place on Sunday, September 9th after Divine Liturgy SAVE THE DATE!!!!!! ST. ATHANASIOS - FAMILY GLENDI Saturday, October 20, 2012 Come and join us in the Community Center for a fun-filled evening of great food, dancing, entertainment and much more! Additional Information will be available soon! Saint Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church Iconography / Phase I and II SANCTIFY THOSE WHO LOVE THE BEAUTY OF THY HOUSE ΑΓΙΑΣΟΝ ΤΟΥΣ ΑΓΑΠΩΝΤΑΣ ΤΗΝ ΕΥΠΡΕΠΕΙΑΝ ΤΟΥ ΟΙΚΟΥ ΣΟΥ CAMPAIGN FOR THE ADORNMENT OF OUR CHURCH We would like to thank the parishioners who have already committed to the Iconography project of our church. As of July 17, 2012 the following icons are still available:

14 St. Ignatius $4,500 St. Joachim $4,500 St. Paul $5,500 SS. Kosmas and Damian $11,000 SS. Mary of Egypt and Zosimas $11,000 SS. Sophia (Faith-Hope-Love) $13,500 Jesus and the Samaritan Woman $19,000 Moses and the Burning Bush $20,000 The Sacrifice of Isaac $20,000 St. Athanasios Teaching 23,000 The Nativity of the Theotokos $23,000 The Presentation of the Theotokos $23,000 Kimisis of the Theotokos $23,000 For additional information and to discuss your family s donation, please contact Fr. Anargyros Stavropoulos.