HOLY TRINITY. September Volume 46 Issue 9. The Universal Elevation of the Holy and Life-giving Cross of Christ

HOLY TRINITY September 2015 Volume 46 Issue 9 The Universal Elevation of the Holy and Life-giving Cross of Christ ΑΓΙΑ ΤΡΙΑΣ Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Wilmington, Delaware

The Official Publication of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 808 N. Broom Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19806 / Telephone: (302) 654-4446 Fax: (302) 654-4204 Church Office Email Address: greekorth@holytrinitywilmington.org Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm His Eminence Metropolitan EVANGELOS of New Jersey, Hierarch Rev. Fr. Christos Christofidis, Proistamenos, fr.christofidis@holytrinitywilmington.org For pastoral emergencies - you may call Fr. Christos @ (717) 701-1971 Susan Kelleher, Church Secretary 384-7805 (home) Anargyros Liparos, Protopsaltis 654-4446 2015 PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS George Rassias, President - (610) 322-3200 Georgia Halakos, First Vice President - (302) 379-4335 Tom Hatzis, Second Vice President - (302) 764-2223 Tom Karas, Parish Council Treasurer - (302) 234-9090 John Pennias, Recording Secretary - (302) 530-1517 Yvonne Tsavalas, Corresponding Secretary - (302) 540-2891 593-6433 Constantine Caras Michael Kirifides 897-9429 562-3850 Tom Diamanty John Koninis II 535-1344 478-2322 Leon Fotakos Louis Novakis (610) 358-3544 475-5035 Emmanuel Fournaris Peter Xarhoulakos 562-5151 (856) 678-3169 Vickie Karakasidis Parish Council Meetings - 3rd Thursday of every month @ 7PM CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS 379-4335 Philoptochos Georgia Halakos, President (856)678-4924 Sunday School Maroula Haralambidis, Co-Director 293-1127 Sunday School Amalea Rassias, Co-Director 266-7471 GOYA Sophia Kotanidis, President 475-1955 JOY Julie Tsakumis 384-2405 HOPE Hillary Raptis 478-7864 Choir Anthony Pantelopulos, Director 562-5151 The Young @ Heart Club Peter Xarhoulakos, President 530-1517 Greek School John Pennias, Director 798-3052 St. Elpida George Righos (609) 456-3206 Terpsichorean Dance Troupes Harry Malapetsas 475-7672 Altar Guild Helen Doukakis, President 633-1112 Editorial Staff Dr. Costas Fountzoulas 655-2252 / 764-2183 Emmanuel Dining Room East Nikkie Tsakataras & Tina Ganiaris King 897-1029 Holy Trinity Food Pantry Steve Nicholas 798-3052 / 239-6140 Adult Bible Study George Righos & John Lazare 654-4446 Bible Study Class Fr. Christos Christofidis AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS 897-9429 AHEPA Michael Kirifides, President 764-7278 Daughters of Penelope Gale Kostas, President 652-6242 Hellenic University Club Maria Caras, President Holy Trinity Website Address: www.holytrinitywilmington.org ALL ARTICLES & ANNOUNCEMENTS MUST BE IN THE OFFICE BY THE 15TH OF EACH MONTH. THESE ARTICLES & ANNOUNCEMENTS CAN BE DROPPED OFF, EMAILED, FAXED OR U. S. MAIL.

From the desk of Father Christos "A TRUE CHRISTIAN DOES NOT LOVE THE EVIL SPIRIT OF THIS WORLD" Here s a picture of what is happening in the world. This is developed in four stages. As we all know the whole world is DEMORALIZED. We have removed the foundation which is the absolute truth, GOD. We have made everything equal and relative. Governments have contributed to this demoralization of the nations with their various anti-christian laws. We fight through the courts to eliminate the word, God, the Ten Commandments, prayer, and anything that reminds us of the Creator. When demoralization comes about in the lives of citizens, the effect is DESTABILIZATION within the fabric of the families, politics, institutions, even in the Church. There is no ONE MIND. All ideas now become absolute truth. There is no stable, concrete thinking. A spiritual earthquake has shook the foundations. When that takes hold, what follows is CHAOS. What happens after a strong earthquake? Civil unrest, crime increase, even local wars, and conflicts of every kind. Chaos is not a good thing even for the ones who promoted it. Therefore, it needs to be fixed, to come under control by the ones who introduced it, and the fourth stage NORMALIZATION is developed. Who is going to normalize things? The big government will be the savior. The big government will fix everything. They will take everything under their control in order to 'save' mankind. There is no need to tell you that such a 'helping hand' will not be helpful at all to the citizens. It reminds me of the TV show/movie Get Smart. We will need to hide under the glass bubble in order to discuss in secret our strategy on how to overcome the evil plans of chaos. Now, what have all these things to do with our lesson? Let us read 1John 2:15-17 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." Of course here the Apostle John does not speak of the world as the created universe but about the worldly mind set of the people who live on it. He speaks about the world that goes against God's will. In the Orthodox study Bible we find this commentary for the same verses."the world distorts every realm of God's good creation. There are (1) sensual pleasures of the flesh (physical passions), (2) intellectual attainments and capacities of the eyes (the soul's passions), and (3) inordinate possessions, power, and honors of life (the pride of human spirit)." This is exactly what the world wants us to do and follow. We called it before stage one, DEMORALIZATION. There is also another term for it, SECULARIZATION. The focus on the self, man. Leave God out of His creation; He is resting now. Lets ignore the world for a moment and concentrate on the Church. Is the Church today in a secularized condition? (by the Church we mean the baptized members of the Church). Do we love the spirit of the world even as we are involved in the life of the Church-sacraments, ministries, services? That depends on how we see the Church. You mean there are various views on what the Church is about? Yes, there are three basic wrong views about the Church and they may reveal a sad situation, secularized Christians. A) We can say that the Church becomes secular when it is considered by her baptized members as one religious organization. There is a tremendous difference between Church and religion. Religion speaks about a God without a face-impersonal-someone who lives somewhere far away out of reach, and from there governs the world, and man with certain religious activities and services tries to appease this God and to come into some kind of communication with him. The Church on the other hand is God incarnate. A personal God who took flesh in order to be with His people and united them to Him. A God who speaks to His people; A God who died for them... A secular church simply satisfies the religious feelings of the people and nothing more. It is distinguished for her elaborate services and ignores the therapeutic treasure that the Church provides. (B) Also the church becomes secular when it is considered as an ideological system or organization that has nothing to do with life-now and after-.but the Church does not preach ideas. She is not here to battle and rebut ideologies. The Church does not follow the ways of some social and philosophical systems and that she needs to change her old and stale ways to the new wave of ideas. The Church is here to reveal the Truth. Something that Pontius Pilate could not understand when Christ told him, "I am the truth." (C) The Church cannot be considered just another social organization (yes she deals with people but with their relation with God) like all the other social organizations that exist in society nor as an exclusively philanthropic organization. The Church is a living organism, not a human organization. Some consider the Church as a necessary organization, useful to society and her role/ worth is counted according to her social usefulness. Then what is the true role of the Church? To heal the people of God so they can have healthy communion with their creator; To help her people attain sainthood; To preach the truth about Jesus Christ and guide the people of God out of Egypt and into the promised land, heaven. Whoever sees the Church in any other way has been taken over by the world. Not everything in the world is evil. But whatever is not good and profitable to our souls is of the world and we need to stay away from it. This is a very serious subject. So serious that John the Evangelist and Apostle ends his first Epistle with the words, "Little children keep your selves from idols. Amen." Idols are anything that keeps us away from God. Yes, the greatest danger for the Church is the secularization of her members. When the members do not behave as heirs of the Kingdom, as sons of the Most High God, but as sons of the evil one, the Church is not authentic. A secular Church is totally powerless, and weak to transfigure the world. And secular Christians are unsuccessful in all levels. Many concrete examples were given that Sunday and all past Sundays for years now on what is of the world and what is of God. We will not repeat them in this outline. What do I need to do in order to overcome the world? Christ said, "This kind by prayer and fasting is destroyed", and also by imitating the Good Samaritan. Amen. Father Christos

ΕΝΑΣ ΑΛΗΘΙΝΟΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΟΣ ΔΕΝ ΑΓΑΠΑ ΤΟ ΚΑΚΟ ΠΝΕΥΜΑ ΑΥΤΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΚΟΣΜΟΥ Αυτή είναι μια εικόνα του τι συμβαίνει στον κόσμο. Αναπτύσσεται σε τέσσερα επίπεδα. Όπως όλοι γνωρίζουμε ότι όλος ο κόσμος είναι ΑΝΗΘΙΚΟΣ. Έχουμε αφαιρέσει το θεμέλιο το οποίο είναι η απόλυτη αλήθεια, ο ΘΕΟΣ. Έχουμε κάνει τα πάντα ίσα και σχετικά. Οι κυβερνήσεις έχουν συμβάλει σε αυτήν την εξαχρείωση των εθνών με διάφορες αντιχριστιανικές νομοθεσίες τους. Παλεύουμε μέσω των δικαστηρίων να εξαλείψη τη λέξη Θεός, οι Δέκα Εντολές, η προσευχή, και οτιδήποτε μας υπενθυμίζει τον Δημιουργό. Όταν η εξαχρείωση λαμβάνει χώρα στις ζωές των πολιτών, το αποτέλεσμα είναι ΑΠΟΣΤΑΘΕΡΟΠΟΙΗΣΗ της οικογένειας, της πολιτικς, των θεσμών, ακόμη και της Εκκλησίας. Δεν υπάρχει ΜΙΑ ΣΚΕΨΗ. Όλες οι ιδέες γίνονται πλέον η απόλυτη αλήθεια. Δεν υπάρχει σταθερή, δυνατή σκέψη. Ένας πνευματικός σεισμός συγκλόνισε τα θεμέλια. Όταν αυτό λαμβάνει χώρα, ακολουθεί το ΧΑΟΣ. Τι συμβαίνει μετά από έναν ισχυρό σεισμό; Κοινωνικές αναταραχές, αύξηση της εγκληματικότητας, ακόμη και οι τοπικοί πόλεμοι και οι συγκρούσεις κάθε είδους. Το χάος δεν είναι ένα καλό πράγμα, ακόμη και για αυτούς που το προωθούν. Ως εκ τούτου, θα πρέπει να διορθωθή, να τεθή υπό έλεγχο από αυτούς που το εισήγαγαν, και το τέταρτο στάδιο, ΚΑΝΟΝΙΚΟΤΗΤΑ αναπτςύσεται. Ποιος θα ομαλοποιήση τα πράγματα; Η μεγάλη κυβέρνηση θα είναι ο σωτήρας. Η μεγάλη κυβέρνηση θα καθορίση τα πάντα. Θα πάρουν τα πάντα υπό τον έλεγχό τους, προκειμένου να «σώσουν» την ανθρωπότητα. Δεν χρειάζεται να σας πω ότι μια τέτοια «χείρα βοηθείας» δεν θα είναι καθόλου χρήσιμη για όλους τους πολίτες. Μου θυμίζει την εκπομπή/ταινία «Γίνε Έξυπνος» (Get Smart). Θα χρειασθή να κρύφθούμρ κάτω από την φυσαλίδα του γυαλιού, προκειμένου να συζητήσουμε με μυστικότητα την στρατηγική μας για το πώς να ξεπεράσουμε τα κακά σχέδια του χάους. Αναρρωτιέσθε, ποιά είναι η σχέση όλων αυτών των πραγμάτων με το μάθημά μας; Ας διαβάσουμε τον Ιωλανη 2: 15-17 "Μην αγαπάτε τον κόσμο, ούτε τα πράγματα στον κόσμο Αν κάποιος αγαπάει τον κόσμο, η αγάπη του Πατρός δεν είναι εις αυτόν. Γιατί στον κόσμο είναι όλα αυτά-η επιθυμία της σάρκας, την επιθυμία των οφθαλμών και η αλαζονεία του βίου- δεν είναι εκ του Πατρός, αλλά των εγκωσμίων. Και ο κόσμος παρέρχεται και η επιθυμία αυτού, αλλά αυτός που κάνει το θέλημα του Θεού παραμένει για πάντα ". Φυσικά εδώ ο απόστολος Ιωάννης δεν μιλάει για τον κόσμο ως το δημιουργηθέν σύμπαν, αλλά για τον εγκόσμια νου του συνόλου των ανθρώπων που ζουν σε αυτό. Μιλάει για τον κόσμο που έρχεται σε αντίθεση με το θέλημα του Θεού. Στην Ορθόδοξη μελέτη της Αγίας Γραφής θα βρούμε αυτό το σχόλιο για τους ίδιους στίχους. "Ο κόσμος διαστρεβλώνει κάθε σφαίρα της καλής δημιουργίας του Θεού. Υπάρχουν (1) αισθησιακές απολαύσεις της σάρκας (φυσική πάθη), (2) πνευματικά επιτεύγματα και ικανότητες των ματιών (πάθη της ψυχής), και (3) υπέρμετρη κατοχές, τη δύναμη, και τιμητικές διακρίσεις της ζωής (η υπερηφάνεια του ανθρώπινου πνεύματος). " Αυτό είναι ακριβώς αυτό που ο κόσμος θέλει να κάνουμε και να ακολουθήσουμε. Το έχομε ονομάσει προηγουμένως στάδιο στάδιο, ΑΝΗΘΙΚΟΤΗΤΑ. Υπάρχει, επίσης, ένας άλλος όρος για αυτό, ΕΚΚΟΣΜΙΚΕΥΣΗ. Η εστίαση στον εγωκεντρικό άνθρωπο. Αφήστε τον Θεό εκτός της δημιουργίας Του? Εκείνος αναπαύεται τώρα. Ας αγνοήσωμε τον κόσμο για μια στιγμή και ας επικεντρωθούμε στην Εκκλησία. Είναι σήμερα η Εκκλησία σε μια εκκοσμικευμένη κατάσταση; (με τον όρο Εκκλησία εννοούμε τα βάαπτισμένα μέλη της). Μήπως αγαπάμε το πνεύμα του κόσμου, καθώς μετέχουμε στη ζωή της Εκκλησίας, τα μυστήρια, τα προγράμματα, και τις υπηρεσίες; Αυτό εξαρτάται από το πώς βλέπουμε την Εκκλησία. Εννοείς ότι υπάρχουν διαφορετικές απόψεις για το τι είναι η Εκκλησία; Ναι, υπάρχουν τρεις βασικές λανθασμένες απόψεις για την Εκκλησία που μπορούν να αποκαλύψουν μια θλιβερή κατάσταση, εκκοσμικευμένοι Χριστιανοί. Α) Μπορούμε να πούμε ότι η Εκκλησία γίνεται κοσμική όταν θεωρείται από τα βαπτισμένα μέλη της ως μια θρησκευτική οργάνωση. Υπάρχει μια τεράστια διαφορά μεταξύ της Εκκλησίας και της θρησκείας. Θρησκεία μιλά για ένα Θεό χωρίς ένα πρόσωπο απρόσωπο-κάποιον που ζει κάπου μακριά, απροσπέλαστος και από εκεί κυβερνά τον κόσμο, και ο άνθρωπος προσπαθεί να εξευμενίση αυτόν τον Θεό με ορισμένες θρησκευτικές δραστηριότητες και υπηρεσίες και να πικοινωνήση με κάποιον τρόπο με αυτόν. Η Εκκλησία όμως είναι ο Θεός ενσαρκωμένος. Ένας προσωπικός Θεός που πήρε σάρκα για να είναι με το λαό Του και να τους ενώση με Αυτόν. Ένας Θεός που μιλά στους ανθρώπους Του? Ένας Θεός που πέθανε γι' αυτούς... Μια κοσμική εκκλησία ικανοποιεί απλώς τα θρησκευτικά συναισθήματα των ανθρώπων και τίποτα περισσότερο. Διακρίνεται για τις περίτεχνες αολουθίες της αλλά αγνοεί τους θεραπευτικούς θησαυρός που η Εκκλησία προσφέρει. (Β) Επίσης η εκκλησία γίνεται κοσμική όταν θεωρείται ως ένα ιδεολογικό σύστημα ή οργάνωση που δεν έχει τίποτα να κάνει με τη ζωή τώρα και μετά. Αλλά η Εκκλησία δεν κηρύττει ιδέες. Δεν είναι εδώ για να παλέψη και να αντικρούση τις ιδεολογίες. Η Εκκλησία δεν ακολουθεί τους τρόπους ορισμένων κοινωνικών και φιλοσοφικών συστημάτων και ότι πρέπει να αλλάξη τους παλιούς και ξεπερασμένους τρόπους της στο νέο κύμα των ιδεών. Η Εκκλησία είναι εδώ για να αποκαλύψη την αλήθεια. Κάτι που ο Πόντιος Πιλάτος δεν μπορούσε να καταλάβη, όταν ο Χριστός του είπε, «Εγώ είμαι η αλήθεια». (Γ) Η Εκκλησία δεν μπορεί να θεωρηθή απλώς ως μια άλλη κοινωνική οργάνωση (ναι ασχολείται με τους ανθρώπους, αλλά με τη σχέση τους με τον Θεό) όπως και όλες οι άλλες κοινωνικές οργανώσεις που υπάρχουν στην κοινωνία, αλλά ούτε σαν αποκλειστικά φιλανθρωπικός οργανισμός. Η Εκκλησία είναι ένας ζωντανός οργανισμός, όχι ένας ανθρώπινος οργανισμός. Ορισμένοι θεωρούν την Εκκλησία ως αναγκαία οργάνωση, χρήσιμη για την κοινωνία και το ρόλο της / η αξιά της υπολογίζεται σύμφωνα με την κοινωνική χρησιμότητα της. Τότε ποιός είναι ο πραγματικός ρόλος της Εκκλησίας; Να θεραπεύη τους ανθρώπους του Θεού, ώστε να μπορούν να έχουν υγιή επικοινωνία με τον δημιουργό τους να βοηθά τους ανθρώπους να επιτύχουν την αγιότητα να κηρύττη την αλήθεια για τον Ιησού Χριστό και να καθοδηγή τον λαό του Θεού έξω από την Αίγυπτο και στην γη της επαγγελίας, τον ουρανό. Όποιος βλέπει την Εκκλησία με οποιοδήποτε άλλο τρόπο έχει εκκοσμικευθεί. Δεν είναι όλα στον κόσμο είναι κακό. Αλλά ό, τι δεν είναι καλό και κερδοφόρο για τις ψυχές μας είναι εκκοσμκευμένο και πρέπει να μένουμε μακριά από αυτό. Αυτό είναι ένα πολύ σοβαρό θέμα. Τόσο σοβαρό, ώστε ότι ο Ιωάννης ο Ευαγγελιστής και Απόστολος τελειώνει την πρώτη επιστολή του με τις λέξεις, "Μικρά παιδιά κρατήστε τον εαυτό σας μακρυά από τα είδωλα. Αμήν." Είδωλα είναι οτιδήποτε μας κρατάει μακριά από τον Θεό. Ναι, ο μεγαλύτερος κίνδυνος για την Εκκλησία είναι η εκκοσμίκευση των μελών της. Όταν τα μέλη της δεν συμπεριφέρονται ως κληρονόμοι της Βασιλείας, όπως οι υιοί του Υψίστου Θεού, αλλά ως υιοί του πονηρού, η Εκκλησία δεν είναι αυθεντική. Μια κοσμική Εκκλησία είναι εντελώς ανίσχυρη και αδύναμη να μεταμορφώση τον κόσμο. Ένας κοσμικό Χριστιανός είναι πλήρως ανίσχυρος και αδύναμος να μεταμορφώση τον κόσμο σε όλα τα επίπεδα. Πολλά συγκεκριμένα παραδείγματα δόθηκαν ότι την Κυριακή και όλες τις προηγούμενες Κυριακές για χρόνια και ανήκει στο κόσμο και στον Θεό. Δεν θα τις επαναλάβω σε αυτό το περίγραμμα. Τι πρέπει να κάνω για να υπερνικήσω τον κόσμο; Ο Χριστός είπε: «Αυτό το είδος με προσευχή και νηστεία έχει καταστραφεί», καθώς επίσης και με τη μίμηση του Καλού Σαμαρείτη. Αμήν. Πατήρ Χρήστος

Dear Fellow Parishioners, I hope you had a relaxing summer. The new Ecclesiastical Year is upon us and your Parish Council will be hosting the Welcome Back Picnic on Sunday, September 13, 2015. Won t you please take advantage of this opportunity to come together and reconnect after the summer season? It is also the time to register or volunteer your time for various church ministries. Keep in mind that our youth ministries commence with the resumption of Sunday School where it is the parents who play the most vital role having your child in church in a timely fashion every Sunday. Parental guidance and dedication is key to the success of all youth programs and participation. We are the driving force behind their attendance. Let s start the year focusing on arriving in church for the Divine Liturgy. I would like to thank all those who participated in the Vacation Church School, including our hardworking volunteers, Steve Nicholas and Nia Charalambides. One of the children s activities involved planting the garden in the corner of the north parking lot where a grape vine has taken hold along with a variety of vegetables and flowers. Thanks to Steve Nicholas, Tom Diamanty and Kostas Atsidis for their help in assembling the garden. In August, we were inspired by the chanting of a visiting cantor, John Katsoulis from Xanthi, Greece who joined together with our dedicated Psalti of many years, Anargyros Liparos and Anastasios Lazaridis, for the services of the Paraklesis, Transfiguration and Dormition of the Theotokos. We are grateful for all of their contributions to our church experience during these services. Finally, this coming year will see us embark on major renovations to our Bell Tower. In a short time, you will receive information regarding a Capital Campaign to ensure we are fiscally prepared to manage the restoration and preservation of our Church building without encumbering our budget. The restoration and preservation of our beautiful church building is a significant undertaking but, with everyone working together, there is no doubt we will accomplish our goals. Looking forward to the coming year, George Rassias The President s Message Αγαπητά Μέλη της Ενορίας, Ελπίζω να είχατε ένα ξεκούραστο καλοκαίρι. Το νέο Εκκλησιαστικό έτος είναι προ των πυλών και το Ενοριακό Συμβούλιο σας θα διοργανώση το πικ-νικ Επιστροφής την Κυριακή, 13 ην Σεπτεμβρίου, 2015. Δεν θα εκμεταλλευθήτε μεταξύ σας αυτή την ευκαιρία να και να επανασυνδεθήτε μετά την καλοκαιρινή περίοδο; Αυτή είναι επίσης η στιγμή για να εγγραφήτε ή να προσφέρετε εθελοντικά το χρόνο σας στα διάφορα προγράμματα της εκκλησίας. Λάβετε υπόψη σας ότι τα προγράμματα της νεολαίας μας αρχίζουν με την έναρξη του Κατηχητικού, όπου οι γονείς παίζουν τον καοριστικό ρόλο - έχοντας το παιδί σας στην εκκλησία εγκαίρως κάθε Κυριακή. Η γονική καθοδήγηση και αφοσίωση είναι το κλειδί για την επιτυχία όλων των προγραμμάτων και συμμετοχής της νεολαίας. Είμαστε η "κινητήρια" δύναμη της συμμετοχής τους. Ας ξεκινήσουμε τη χρονιά με επίκεντρο την έγκαιρη άφιξη στην εκκλησία για τη Θεία Λειτουργία. Θα ήθελα να ευχαριστήσω όλους όσοι συμμετείχαν στο Εκκλησιαστικό Σχολείο Διακοπών, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των σκληρά εργασθέντων εθελοντών μας, Σταύρου Νικολάου και Στεφανία Χαραλαμπίδη. Μία από τις δραστηριότητες των παιδιών που συμμετείχαν ήταν η φύτευση του κήπου στη γωνία του βόρειου πάρκινγκ όπου ένα αγιόκλημα κια διάφορα λαχανικά και λουλούδια. είχαν καταλάβει τον χώρο. Ευχαριστούμε τον Σταύρο Νικολάου, Θωμά Διαμαντίδη και Κώστα Ατσίδη για τη βοήθειά τους στην διευθέτιση του κήπου. Τον Αύγουστο, εμπνευστήκαμε από την ψαλμωδία του επισκέπτη ψάλτη Ιωάννη Κατσούλη από την Ξάνθη, ο οποίος συνόδευσε τον αφοσιωμένο για πολλά χρόνια ψάλτη μας Ανάργυρο Λιπαρό και τον Αναστάσιο Λαζαρίδ στην Ακολουθία της Παρακλήσεως της Μεταμορφώσεως του Σωτήρος και Κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου. Είμαστε ευγνώμονες για το σύνολο των προσφορών τους στο γίγνεσθαι της Εκκλησίας μας κατά τη διάρκεια αυτών των ακολουθιών. Τέλος, το επόμενο έτος θα ξεκινήσουν σημαντικές ανακαινίσεις στο καμπαναριό μας. Σε σύντομο χρονικό διάστημα θα λάβετε πληροφορίες σχετικά με έρανο πως θα είμαστε δημοσιονομικά έτοιμοι να διαχειριστούμε την αποκατάσταση και τη διατήρηση του κτιρίου Εκκλησίας μας χωρίς να επιβαρύνουμε τον προϋπολογισμό μας. Η αποκατάσταση και διατήρηση του όμορφου κτιρίου της εκκλησίας μας είναι ένα σημαντικό έργο, αλλά με την συνεργασία όλων, δεν υπάρχει καμία αμφιβολία ότι θα επιτύχουμε τους στόχους μας. Προσβλέποντας στο επόμενο έτος, Γιώργος Ρασσιάς

GREEK LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY St. Agape Chapter Dear Philoptochos Members and Fellow Parishioners, We hope everyone had an enjoyable summer and are refreshed and energized to begin our Ecclesiastical year here at Holy Trinity. We begin with our first Board Meeting on Tuesday, September 8 th at 4pm. On Sunday, September 13 th at the annual Welcome Back Picnic we welcome new members and will have information on our Philoptochos Ministry. On Tuesday, September 15 th we will hold our first general meeting of the new year at 6pm in the Community Center. We will host a wonderful meal prepared by Demitris Halakos. Please plan to attend. On Sunday, September 20 th we will have an Artoclasia and take the Oath of Office following the Divine Liturgy. We will also host our Philoptochos Sunday Coffee Hour in the Community Center. Please come and learn more about joining and participating in the Philoptochos Ministry. We will be visiting Agia Skepi Monastery on Thursday, October 1 st. This is the Monastery s Feast Day and is sure to be a wonderful experience. We hope you can join us for this pilgrimage. Reservations are being taken by Alexandra Tsaganos. Seats are limited see flyer in this bulletin. Last, but certainly not least, we will be hosting our annual Bid N Buy Luncheon on Saturday, October 24th in the Community Center. We hope that you plan on attending this important fund raiser to help our Philoptochos Chapter with our philanthropic endeavors in the coming year. In Christ s Service, Georgia Halakos ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kollyva for Memorials Our Philoptochos Society would like to thank two of its members, Vasiliki Kromedas, for her generous offer to prepare the kollyva for any family of our community and donate the money for our Philoptochos charities, and Loula Kapordelis for helping her. The cost will be $100 which will include the Prosforon and the wine. Please allow at least a week and call Alexandra Tsaganos at 302-762 -5292 who will contact Vasiliki. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Ladies Philoptochos Society ~ St. Agape Chapter cordially invites you to join us for our Annual Fall Luncheon & Bid n Buy (a fundraiser to benefit various Philoptochos Charities) Saturday, October 24, 2015 @ 12pm Come spend a fun-filled afternoon with friends or create new ones while helping our Philanthropic causes. Holy Trinity Community Center @ 808 N. Broom Street, Wilmington DE Tickets: $35 Children (under 12) $10 Luncheon will include Mediterranean Surf and Turf Greek Dessert & Signature Cocktail! For information, call Georgia Halakos@379-4335, Yvonne Vassilatos @ 478-4870, or the Church Office @ 654-4446 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please return this portion with your reservations and payment by October 16th with checks payable to: PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY & mail reservations to Alexandra Tsaganos @ 4626 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE 19803 Phone# 302-762-5292 Name: Telephone: # Of Reservations: adults: Children: Amount enclosed $ **Tickets include full meal *I cannot attend, however I wish to contribute in supporting the Philoptochos Charities. Enclosed is my donations of $ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please join our Ladies Philoptochos Society for a pilgrimage to Agia Skepi Monastery Thursday, October 1, 2015 COST: $35 per person Itinerary: Leaving the Holy Trinity parking lot at 6:30am SHARP! Visiting the Holy Protection Monastery in White Haven, PA for their Name Day Celebration Lunch and a visit at the Monastery (If time permits we will visit St. George Catholic Church) Returning to church parking lot approximately 5:30pm. We hope you will join us for this exciting pilgrimage. For more information or to reserve your seat on the bus contact: Georgia Halakos @ 302-379-4335 Alexandra Tsaganos @ 302-762-5292 or the Church Office @ 302-654-4446 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Or fill out and send this form with your check written out to Philoptochos to: Name(s): Phone # No. attending Amount enclosed: Alexandra Tsaganos 4626 Weldin Road Wilmington, DE 19803

The Work of Philoptochos in our Community Please consider joining the Philoptochos here at Holy Trinity. All women 18 years old & above can join! ~ Men can also become Associate Members! For more information please come down and join us for Coffee Hour on Philoptochos Sunday, September 20th. The name Philoptochos means Friend of the Needy Its mission is: To offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church. To support the philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. To preserve and perpetuate Orthodox Christian concepts and the Greek Orthodox Family, and through them, to promote the Greek Orthodox Faith, traditions and customs. To encourage the participation in the activities of the Greek Orthodox community. Not only do we support local, national, and international ministries within the Orthodox Community, over the past 10 years here are a few things that our Philoptochos Chapter has donated to help our own parish here in Wilmington DOME ICONS 30,000.00 New Windows in Library 8,000.00 Greek School Computers 3,500.00 Roof Repairs Contribution 1,000.00 Cleaning of Church Icons 10,000.00 Refrigerator for Prosfora 600.00 Hall Renovations Donation 5,000.00 Philoptochos Room Renovations 8,700.00 $64,800.00 We need your help to continue to meet the needs of others and our community! We hope you will join us now! We had our elections in June for the 2015-2016 Board: The Young @ Heart President: Peter Xarhoulakos Vice President: Angela Tsionas Secretary: Mary George Treasurer: Chris Papachrysanthou Please join us at our next Gathering on Thursday, September 10th @ 1pm in the AHEPA Room We hope to see you there!

HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Sunday School Registration is September 13th. Religious education classes will begin September 20th. If your child misses registration, please complete this form and bring to the Religious Education office. Children are placed in our Religious Education classes according to the grade they will be attending in public/private school. Pre-School students must be three years old and Kindergarten students must be five years old by September 1, 2015. The Agiasmos service (blessing the children and teachers) will be held on September 20th. ****************************************************************************************************************************** REGISTRATION FORM Student s Name Birthdate: Address City, State, Zip Code Student Home Phone & Cell Phone Family E-mail Address Student s Email Address Grade attending in Regular School Parents Names Parent Cell Phone ******************************************************************************************************************** SUNDAY SCHOOL USE ONLY Grade in Sunday School Added to Sunday School Directory SIGN UP at the Church s Annual Welcome Back Picnic & Ministry sign-up on September 13th!! We hope to see you there!

September 2015 Dear Parents, Greetings in the name of the Holy Trinity, A new Ecclesiastical Year has begun in the life of our youth. Here at Holy Trinity we take very seriously the Spiritual Life of your children. For this reason we try to have a vibrant Sunday School Program and a healthy Youth Ministry. One part of the Youth Ministry is the Basketball league overseen by the DVYC (Delaware Valley Youth Commission). This year our Parish is blessed to have a boy's and girl's teams. The Basketball league is not an independent ministry to children apart from Church life and Church School. We are not a county or state league; we are a Church sponsored league that provides Christian fellowship through it. Therefore, every child that wants to participate in this league MUST be registered by his/her parents to the: A) Sunday School Program B) GOYA ministries. (Please see Amalea Rassias or Maroula Haralambidis for registration next time you come to Church) Needless to point out that Parents MUST be supporting Stewards of our Parish, (If you have not yet sent in your Stewardship Card with your payment please call the Church office). The Basketball League opens October 4th and Stewardship obligation must be met by October 30th. One thing that we do not want to sound like is, 'legal'. But certain rules must exist in the life of the Church just as you parents have rules in your homes. Therefore let us repeat these simple rules for your child's benefit so there will be no misunderstandings in the future. A) Parents of children in the Holy Trinity BB Teams must be current Stewards of our Parish. B) Children that want to play on the team must also be registered in Sunday School and GOYA because BB is an extension of Sunday School and GOYA ministry. C) The very Sunday that a game is scheduled to be played all players must attend Church Services and be present at their Sunday School class. (Please do not take your children directly to the game) D) A reminder: For your children's safety, No GOYA age child, even if licensed, is allowed to drive alone to any of the GOYA events. This is an Archdiocesan rule. Parent or advisor must be the driver. Parents please do not place us in the very difficult position as not to allow your child to enjoy fellowship with other Orthodox Christians on any scheduled Sunday/Saturday BB game. Let us not forget the admonition of the Lord Jesus, "Bring your children to Me" "Put Me first and all other will be added to you". As guardians of our Holy Orthodox Tradition we Priests in all good conscience cannot separate Church and basketball. We cannot divorce your children from the Sacraments and the learning of the Word of God. It is my hope that you will fully understand what we are trying to accomplish and your positive participation will be unwavering. Let us pray for a great and successful year as we come closer to God in His Church and enjoy His blessings. In Christ's service, Father Christos

August 12th at the Emmanuel Dining Room East Over 190 men, women and children enjoyed a warm meal through the generous charitable giving of Lauren and Tony Diamond. They hosted and sponsored the meal again this August, as they have done for many years. Lauren and Nikkie worked the kitchen that day. We sincerely thank them for their continuing commitment and support to this dining room! We will welcome a new host and sponsor for the meal in September, on Saturday the 12th. All are welcome to help that day and on the 12th of every month. We greatly appreciate all who generously serve and give to this charitable cause! Various groups and individuals generously donate the food and host the luncheon meal at this dining room, located at 3rd and Walnut, on the 12th of every month throughout the year. New sponsors are needed to fill a few months, so if you would like to become a part of this worthy service project with your family, friends or church organization, please contact Nikkie Tsakataras at 655-2252 or Tina Ganiaris at 764-2183 for more information. Hello everyone, GOYA News Welcome back! I hope everyone had a great summer vacation. For our 2015-2016 GOYA, we are going to have an eventful year ahead of us. First, I would like to introduce our 2015-2016 GOYA executive board: Vice President Panos Tzinoudis, 1st Vice President Dia Halakos, Treasurer Dino Matulas, Recording Secretary Sophia Mantzavinos, Corresponding Secretary Despina Kotanidis, and Historian Andrianna Tzinoudis. We are looking forward to participating in basketball tournaments, the Delaware Valley basketball league, Sights and Sounds, charity events, fundraisers, GOYA trips, dances, and many more activities. However, for our youth ministry to grow, we need all of you! GOYA is a great organization for all young Orthodox Christians to come together and enjoy themselves, while having multiple opportunities to explore their faith and to grow spiritually as well. GOYA helps create many friendships and bonds too, as we have the opportunity of meeting many other Orthodox teens from the Delaware Valley and New Jersey Metropolitan area. With that said, we welcome members of our church ranging between the ages of 12-18 to come to GOYA sign ups on September 13 th and to join us in bringing in the new GOYA year! I look forward to seeing all of you there! Sophia Kotanidis GOYA President

The AHEPA 9th Annual Olympic 5K Run/Walk Saturday, September 26, 2015 NEW Location Odyssey Charter School 4319 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington DE 19805 Race time 8:00 AM Registration 7:00 AM Benefit Run/Walk for Odyssey Charter School of Wilmington Adults $20 Pre-registration, $25 race day Student 18-under $12, $15 race day Compete in the Ancient Olympic Spirit and Have Fun with Greek Food and Festivities! T-shirts to the first 250 participants, refreshments, prizes, complimentary authentic Greek lunch and pastries Olympic Style Activities and Games For Children of all Ages On line Registration at www.races2run.com By mail registration: A.H.E.P.A. 5K Run Odyssey Charter School 4319 Lancaster Pike Wilmington, DE 19805-1512

Narthex Duty: September 6 ~ Group 2 September 13 ~ Group 1 September 20 ~ Group 2 September 27 ~ Group 1 Serving in September Coffee Hours: September 6 ~ Coffee Hour begins next week September 13 ~ Annual Welcome Back Picnic September 20 ~ Philoptochos September 27 ~ Altar Guild Prosforon Offerers September 6 ~ Niki Karaoglanis September 13 ~ Katina Zographos September 20 ~ Maria Kramedas September 27 ~ Katina Galanakis If you cannot meet your scheduled date for Prosfora please contact Loula Kapordelis @ 354-5383 Altar Servers / Epistle Readers September 13 ~ Panagiotis Tzinoudis September 20 ~ John Zerefos September 27 ~ Markos Zerefos If you cannot meet your scheduled date please notify Fr. Christos to find another reader. ST. BASIL & ST. CHRYSOSTOM TEAM LEADERS Matthew Christofidis & Panagiotis Tzinoudis Athanasios Bodine Chris Coulaloglou Theodore Fessaras Constantinos Fournaris Nicholas Gianelos MEMBERS: Larry Kirifides Constantine Krikelis Niko Marinis Markos Zerefos Yianni Zerefos

Holy Trinity Food Pantry There is no off-season for the nearly 15% of people in this country facing hunger. Although demand remains high all year round, many of the nation s food banks experience a major decline in donations during the summer months. There are millions people suffering from hunger. More people die each year from hunger-related causes than from AIDS, malaria and TB combined. Approximately 25,000 die each day from hunger. There is enough food in the world to feed everyone 4.3 pounds of food every day. {this information was quoted from the Food Bank of DE webpage for more information on how you can help them visit their website www.fbd.org} In August, 40 Bags of food were taken to various Food Closets throughout the city. We can help the hungry in our surrounding Communities. I am just one person. ~ How can I help? By taking a bag filling it with food and bringing it back to church! Do this as often as you are able! If you are unable to bring food in and would like to help ~ you can make a monetary donation to the food pantry and they can pass your donation along or shop for you! There are three drop-off locations for your convenience: one by the church office, one in the Narthex and one on the balcony in the hall. Make it a habit to share with the less fortunate. Thank you!!! The Food Pantry Committee Για την εξυπηρέτησή σας υπάρχουν τρείς θέσεις αποθέσεως μία στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας, μία στον Νάρθηκα, και μία στην Κοινοτική Αίθουσα. Προσπαθήτε πάντοτε να μοιράζεσθε την τύχησ ας με τους λιγότερο τυχερούς. Σας ευχαριστούμε!!! Η Επιτροπή Κελαριού Τροφίμων HOLY TRINITY REGISTRY Baptisms: Paul Morgan, son of Sophia Xarhoulakos & Matthew Morgan, was baptized in our church on August 30th. The sponsor was Demetrios Xarhoulakos. We congratulate him and his parents and sponsor and welcome Paul into the Orthodox faith. Funerals: Evangelos Daskalakis fell asleep in the Lord on July 15. His funeral services were held at the church of Koimisi of Theotokos at Mati, Attica, Greece and the burial in Akrata, Peloponnisos where he was laid to rest next to his beloved wife. He is survived by his daughter, Eirini Daskalaki Staikos, her husband Nicholas Staikos, and his granddaughter Eleni of Wilmington, siblings of his wife, and many other relatives and friends. May his memory be eternal. Memorials: Peter Yiannos ~ August 9 Costa Gus Burpulis ~ August 23

ALTAR GUILD The summer has passed, the children have returned to school and September is the beginning of many activities in our Church year. The Altar Guild welcomes you and invites you to join us in our continued efforts to enhance our beautiful church with flowers. The Altar Guild would like to acknowledge and thank the following who donated wreaths for the Feast of the Dormition of our Lady the Theotokos and the Transfiguration of Christ. Altar Guild Wreath in honor of the Transfiguration of Christ (August 6): Prayers for the health and well-being of our members. Helen Liacouras Doukakis Wreath in honor of the Theotokos (August 15): Remembering my dear brother, Peter S. Liacouras, on his nameday and birthday (August 15). ***** Members on Duty: Helen Doukakis, Catherine Faller, Steve Nicholas ***** Our efforts are supported totally by donations from the parishioners. If you wish to share your memorable events with our Church Community by donating for the purchase of flowers on your special days, please advise a member of the Altar Guild (Helen Doukakis, 475-7672) or use the form below. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name Telephone Reserve Date Enclosed $ Make checks payable to "Holy Trinity Altar Guild". Mail to: Katherine Coustenis, 62 Springer Court, Hockessin, DE 19707 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ICON BOOTH For the convenience of the parishioners, the Icon Booth will be open on September 20. Many gift ideas: Icons, cookbooks, children s books, flash cards for Greek School, mugs, a beautiful ornament of our church. *****WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED GENEROUS SUPPORT*****

Sunday, September 13, 2015 immediately after worship There will be... FUN & FUN & more!!fun!! Sign up for... Sunday School & Greek School & all Youth Ministries WE NEED YOUR HELP... The following items are needed for the church s Welcome Back Picnic. If you are able to donate an item, please call the church office to let us know. If you cannot donate an item but can contribute towards the cost of an item, please send a check to the church office and mark picnic in the memo line As always, any donation made to the church is tax deductable and will be included on your quarterly statement. Thank you for your continued support! Hamburgers Hotdogs Water Bottles Rolls Fruit Paper Products Salads Soda Charcoal Desserts Juice Ice

Financial Stewards of holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 2015 Adamopoulos, Chris & Nancy Adamopoulos, Demetrios Agriantonis, Demetrios & Saori Al-Annouf, Nabil & Rabia Batah Alexandratos, Angelos Alexandridis, Thanos Alexopoulos, Demetrios & Lauren Alexopoulos, John & Elena Almasou, Elias & Rasha Anagnostou, AnaMaria Anagnostou, Anthoula Anagnostou, Mary Anastasakos, Georgia Anastassiades, Andreas & Litsa Andreadis, Evan & Theone Andrianopoulos, Faith Angeletakis, Christos & Christina Anton, Anthony & Lucille Apessos, Spyros & Maria Apostolakis, Nicholas & Irene Aslaouridis, Eleni & Nick Atsidis, Kostas & Eutichia Baker, Stephanie Bambacus, Meropi Bauman, Stephanie Boines, Georgia Bouloukos, Harry & Anastasia Brown, Stacy & Mark Burpulis, John & Mary Burpulis, Maria Busby, Evee & William Chahalis, Maria Chambers, George & Katherine Chappel, Jane Chilimidos, Dennis & Effie Chilimidos, Jerry & Amy Christofidis, Fr. Christos & Pres. Ioanna Christou, Christos Christou, Vasilios & Alexandra Coates, Eftihia (Evie) & George Colborn, Brian & Nicole Colyvas, Peter Constantinou, John & Carol Costalas, Alexandra Costis, Gus & Patsy Coulaloglou, Michele & Costas Courtis, Harry & Sophia Coustenis, Robert & Katherine Cozamanis, Olympia Cusanelli, Patrick Dalianis, John & Vicky Daskalopoulos, Jimmy & Anroniki Demetriou, Spyros & Anna Diamanty, Thomas & Sue Diamond, Anthony & Lauren Diamond, John & Susan Dickey, Irene Dorian, Paul & Amanda Doukakis, Helen Drimones, Clara Drimones, Nicholas Drossos, Peter Dunkelberger, Penelope & Keith Efelis, Michael Efelis, Nicholas Eliades, Sophie Evangelatos, Speros & Emily Fafalios, Mary Faller, James & Catherine Ferentinos, Joan Fotakos, Leonidas & Sophia Fountzoulas, Costas & Audrey Fournakis, Kathleen Fournaris, Anna Fournaris, Constantine Fournaris, Emmanuel & Evanthea Fournaris, George & Aspasia Frangakis, John & Christine Galanakis, Ekaterini Galanis, Agnes & Nick Ganiaris, Pres. Joan Ganoudis, Joanna Gatanis, Theodore Gatos, Paula Geanopulos, Georgiean George, Anastasia George, Mary Georgiou, Gus Geralis, Loula Gianelos, James & Stacie Giannatos, Christian Giannatos, Gerry & Anna Gotides, Virginia Graham, Alton & Catherine Gray, David & Eugenia Grivas, Demetrios & Helen Guajardo, Evangelina Guardascione, Lou & Shelly Hadjipanayis, George & Voula Halakos, Demetrios & Georgia Halakos, Evangelos & Donna Halakos, Joannis & Eftihia Haldas, Harry Haldas, Nicholas & Rodie Haldas, Thomas & Prudy Hall, Elena & Phillip Hann, Eugenia & Gary Hantzandreou, George & Diane Hantzandreou, Katerina Haralambidis, Maroula & Niko Hatzis, Nicholas & Katherine Hatzis, Thomas & Georgia Hernjak, Nicholas Hondry, Bill Humphrey, Caroline Ioannou, Ida Issaris, Katherine Jannelli, Richard & Eva Joannides, Joseph & Alice Johnson, Margo Joseck, Fred & Xanthy Kalaitzoglou, Apostolos & Niki Kapordelis, Loula Karakasidis, Demetrios & Eleni Karakasidis, John & Vicki Karaoglanis, Eleftherios & Niki Karas, George Karas, Tom Karas, Yianny Karavasilis, Nick & Foula Kehagias, Basil & Irene Keros, Georgia Kimbiris, George & Beatriz Kirifides, Alexander & Kathy Kirifides, Eleni Kirifides, Lazarus Kirifides, Lazarus & Helen Kirifides, Maria Kirifides, Michael & Kerry Kirifides, Vasil & Elefteria Kirtses, Eugenia Kirtses, Evan Kirtses, Petros & Athy Kledaras, Nicholas & Antonia Kledaras, Olympia Klezaras, Michael & Kathy Klezaras III, Michael Klezaras-Lurz, Marina Kollias, Basil & Dimitra Kollias, Georgia Koninis, Christina Koninis, John & Anastasia Koninis, II, John Kontis, Gus & Cindy Kontomaris, Kostas & Melissa Kostas, John & Gale Kotanidis, Anthony & Roula Kotanidis, Christos & Maria Kountourzis, Maria Kramedas, Gregory & Matoula Kramedas, Maria Kromedas, Constantinos & Vasiliki Kyranakis, John Laletas/Brockett, Ernest & Barbara Lazare, John & Sandra Lazaridis, Anastasis & Christina Lazopoulos, John & Christina Lempesis, Dimitra Liarakos, George & Ann Liparos, Anargyros Little, Mary Lomis, Dean & Toula Long, Irene MacKewiz, W. Lee & Irene Makis, Gus & Anthi Manis, Voula & John Manolakis, Mary Manolakos, Nick & Paula Manoloudis, Michael & Kandi Mantzavinos, Chris & Mary Mantzavinos, Spiros & Megan Maravelias, James & Diana Marini, Irene Markatos, Harry & Susan Mavrantonis, Christina Mavridis, Prodromos & Maria McFarland, Antoinette & Steve McManus, Theodora & Ryan Mentis, Constantia Michell, Constantine & Elaine Michell, Theodore & Catherine Mihok, Amy & Timothy Milionis, Chris & Bryna Milionis, Constantine Misogianes, Milt & Carol Moutsatsos, George & Alexia Nagle, Stephanie Nannas, Theodore & Alexandra Ney, Bruce & Marina Nicholas, Steve Nicholas, William Novakis, Louis Ohlemacher, Leo & Evangline Oikonomou, Georgios & Lena Pagonis, Carrie Pandelakis, Denis & Anna Pantelopulos, Anthony & Daphne Papachrysanthou, Christos & Penelope Papachrysanthou, George & Laura Papanicolas, Maria Papettas, Vasilis & Christina Pappas, Dean & Zoe Pappas, Elizabeth Pappas, Helen Pappoulis, Demetra Parker, Joe & Anastasia Pastis, Jackie Perna, Kevin & Elpida Pettaris, George & Stavroula Phalangas, Charalambos & Mary Phalangas-Stroud, Anna & Sean Phillips, Pauline Pierson, Vetta & Charles Pittaoulis, Steve Pittas, John Pittas, Michael Popescu, Chris & Viktorya Poulos, Marika Poulos, Vasilios & Eulampia Psaltis, John Psaltis, Nickolas & Sophia Psaltis, Thomas & Cindy Raisis, Leonidas & Irene Raisis, Spiros Ranalli, Anthony & Marie Rassias, Dion & Gina Rassias, Peter & Julie Rayias, Peter Riggins, Margaret Righos, George & Elaine Roussalis, Valerie & John Roussos, Michael & Anna Saitis, Mary Sarmousakis, George & Anastacea Sartin, Nimrah & Deborah Savopoulos, Basil & Despina Shaer, Issa & Nuha Skiadas, Nicholas Spanos, John & Carol Staikos, Nicholas & Eirini Stathakis, Catherine Stavropoulos, John & Xanthy Stavru, Nicholas & Maria Stevens, Richard & Penny Stout, Bob & Voula Tangalidis, Dimitrios & Maria Tarabicos, Christina Tarabicos, James & Sophia Tarabicos, John & Joanne Tawfik, Emad & Soultana Terris, Costas & Clara Terss, Eugenia Theodorakis, Stamatis & Lisa Thomas, Angelina & Richard Thomas, Donald & Effy Trikaliotis, Kostas Tsaganos, Anthony & Joanne Tsaganos, George & Alexandra Tsaganos, Nicholas & Joanne Tsaganos, Robert & Popi Tsakataras, George Tsakataras, Nikki

Financial Stewards of holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 2015 (continued) Tsakumis, George & Julia Tsakumis, Theodore Tsaldaris, Nicholas & Bonnie Tsavalas, George & Yvonne Tsionas, Angela Tsionas, Efthimios & Anna Tsoukalas, George & Frideriki Tsoukalas, Harry & Niki Tsoukalas, Stavroula Tsugranes, George & Penny Turley, Steve & Akiko Tzinoudis, Konstantinos & Demetra Valko, Regina Vande Poele, David & Anne Vassilatos, George & Yvonne Velitskakis, George Velitskakis, Steve & Karen Vice, Billy & Elaine Visvardis, Socrates & Ruth Vlamis, Nicholas & Peggy Voultsis, Petros & Catherine Vouras, Connie + Vouras, Nicholas Wallace, Charles & Olga Wilkinson, Clifford & Suzanne Wissman, Charles & Vaya Wissman, Charles Woodward, Georgia & Robert Xarhoulakos, Peter Xarhoulakos, Sofia Yiannos, Stella Zambetis, Paul & Zoe Zerefos, Demetri & Tina Zerefos, Markos & Eugenia Zinna, Anthony & Nina Zographos, Nicholas & Katherine If you have not sent in your pledge for 2015, please take this opportunity to do so now! Name Address SHARING City State Zip Your stewardship number: Your weekly 2014 pledge was: Please increase my pledge by 10% to: Please increase my pledge by 20% to: My weekly 2015 commitment is: $500.00 ($42month or $10/week) $1,000.00 ($84month or $20/week) $1,500.00 ($125month or $29/week) $5,000.00 ($415/month or $96/week) $OTHER ($ /month or $ /week) (above figures are rounded) I/We understand that by completing this good faith estimate, and by committing my/our Time, Service and Sharing section of this Stewardship Card, I/We shall be steward(s) in good standing of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church during 2015. As of August 20, 2015 Stewardship...as of August 20, 2015 Amount Pledged: $183,940.00 Amount Paid: $165,289.00 Total Number of Pledging Families: 307 Total Number of Eligible Stewards: 600 Average Pledge: $538.00 Signature P r oportion a te Sh a rin g Date Our operating budget for 2015 will be $500,000. We offer you this giving guide to assist you in determining your 2015 pledge. Please use the enclosed envelopes and give according to what God has blessed you. PLEASE RETURN SIGNED CARD TO THE CHURCH OFFICE Annual Income 2% Weekly 5% Weekly $15,000 $6 $14 $28 $25,000 $10 $24 $48 $35,000 $13 $34 $68 $45,000 $17 $43 $86 10% Weekly $65,000 $25 $64 $128 $100,000 $38 $96 $192 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10

Απόσπασμα από τον Επιτάφιο του Περικλέους Δρ. Κώστας Γ. Φούντζουλας Η οικονομική κατάσταση των Ελλήνων τα τελευταία πέντε χρόνια, και ειδικά εφέτος έχει επιδεινωθεί πολύ. Παρά την οικονομική δυσχέρεια οι Έλληνες και Ελληνίδες δείχνουν έναν θαυμάσιο χαρακτήρα και μία συμπεριφέρονται πολιτισμένα. Δεν υπάρχει πανικός και δεν παρατηρούνται ακρότητες όπως περμεναν πολλοί ξένοι να συμβή, και ειδικά οι Β. Ευρωπαίοι. Ατενίζοντας την Ακρόπολη των Αθηνών από μακρυά, εκεί όπου περπάτησαν οι δημιουργοί του Δυτικού πολιτισμού μας, κατάλαβα ότι η ιστορία μας είναι η κύρια αιτία της πολιτισμένης συμπεριφοράς μας. Το φαγητό είναι νοσιτμώτατο και το Ελληνικό τοπίο συναρπαστικό. Βλέποντας αυτό το δημιούργημα τω Αθηναίων, που παραμένει όρθιο παρά τις λεηλασίες και καταστροφές μου ήλθε στον νού ο περίφημος και διαχρονικός Επιτάφιος του Περικλέους. O περίφημος Επιτάφιος του Περικλέους αναγράφεται στην «Ιστορία του Πελοποννησιακού Πολέμου» του Θουκυδίδη. Η ομιλία εκφωνήθηκε από τον Περικλή, έναν επιφανή Αθηναίο πολιτικό, στο τέλος του πρώτου έτους του Πελοποννησιακού Πολέμου (431-404 π.χ.) ως μέρος της ετήσιας δημόσιας κηδείας τψβ νεκρών του πολέμου. 37. Έχουμε λοιπόν πολίτευμα που δεν αντιγράφει τους νόμους των άλλων, αλλά πολύ περισσότερο είμαστε εμείς παράδειγμα σε μερικούς, παρά μιμητές τους. Και ονομάζεται το πολίτευμά μας δημοκρατία, επειδή η εξουσία δε βρίσκεται στα χέρια των ολιγαρχικών, αλλά του δήμου. Και μπροστά στους νόμους, ως προς τις ιδιωτικές τους διαφορές, όλοι οι πολίτες έχουν τα ίδια δικαιώματα, ενώ για την προσωπική τους ανάδειξη, καταπώς ξεχωρίζει ο καθένας σε κάτι προτιμάται στα δημόσια αξιώματα, όχι τόσο για τη σειρά του, όσο περισσότερο για την προσωπική του ικανότητα ούτε πάλι κάποιος, εξαιτίας της φτώχειας του, και ενώ μπορεί να κάνει κάτι καλό στην πόλη, εμποδίζεται από την ασημότητα της κοινωνικής του θέσης. Τις σχέσεις μας με την πολιτεία τις διέπει η ελευθερία, αλλά και στις καθημερινές μας ενασχολήσεις είμαστε απαλλαγμένοι από την καχυποψία μεταξύ μας, δίχως να αγανακτούμε με τον γείτονά μας, αν κάνει κάτι που τον ευχαριστεί, ούτε παίρνουμε απέναντί του το ύφος του πειραγμένου, πράγμα που μπορεί βέβαια να μην τον βλάπτει, σίγουρα όμως τον στενοχωρεί. Και ενώ στις ιδιωτικές μας σχέσεις δεν ενοχλούμε ο ένας τον άλλο, στη δημόσια ζωή δεν παρανομούμε πολύ περισσότερο από εσωτερικό σεβασμό, υπακούοντας σε αυτούς που κάθε φορά διοικούν την πόλη και στους νόμους, ιδιαίτερα σε εκείνους από αυτούς που ισχύουν για την προστασία των αδικημένων και σε όσους, παρότι άγραφοι, προκαλούν αναμφισβήτητη ντροπή (στους παραβάτες). Excerpt Pericles Epitaph (Funeral Oration) Dr. Costas G. Fountzoulas The economic situation of the Greeks over the last five years, but especially this year, has worsened a lot. Despite the economic difficulties the Greeks, men and women, show a wonderful nature and civilized behavior. Up-to-date, there is no panic and there is no increase of the crime, as many foreigners, especially the N. Europeans, were anticipating to happen. The food is as tasty as ever and the Greek landscape is breathtaking. Overlooking the Acropolis of Athens from afar, where the creators of our Western civilization walked once, I understood that our history is the main cause of civilized behavior Seeing this creation of ancient Athenian, which remains upright despite the looting and destruction through then eons, the famous and timeless Epitaph of Pericles, came to my mind. Pericles' Funeral Oration is a famous speech from Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War. The speech was delivered by Pericles, an eminent Athenian politician, at the end of the first year of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC) as a part of the annual public funeral for the war dead. 37. Our constitution does not copy the laws of neighboring states; we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves. Its administration favors the many instead of the few; this is why it is called a democracy. If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences; if to social standing, advancement in public life falls to reputation for capacity, class considerations not being allowed to interfere with merit; nor again does poverty bar the way, if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his condition. The freedom which we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life. There, far from exercising a jealous surveillance over each other, we do not feel called upon to be angry with our neighbor for doing what he likes, or even to indulge in those injurious looks which cannot fail to be offensive, although they inflict no positive penalty. But all this ease in our private relations does not make us lawless as citizens. Against this fear is our chief safeguard, teaching us to obey the magistrates and the laws, particularly such as regard the protection of the injured, whether they are actually on the statute book, or belong to that code which, although unwritten, yet cannot be broken without acknowledged disgrace.

Ελληνικό Σχολείο Hellenic School Κοινότης Αγία Τριάδος Parish of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Wilmington, DE 808 N. Broom Street Wilmington, DE 19806 Tel: (302) 654-4446 FAX: (302) 654-4204 Director: John Pennias Εγγραφή Registration 2015-2016 1. Όνομα Name: Επίσημο-Βαπτιστικό-Official-Baptismal Καθημερινό- Everyday 2. Διεύθυνση Address: 3. Τηλ./Tel.: Κινητό/Cell: 4. E-mail: 5. Βάλτε ένα X στην αντίστοιξη τάξη/mark with X at the proper class: Εγγραφή στη τάξη: [4-5 years old by 31 st August] Pre-K ( ) Registration for class: [5-6 years old by 31 st August] Kindergarten ( ) 1 st ( ); 2 nd ( ); 3rd ( ); 4th ( ); 5th ( ); 6th ( ); Adult ( ) 4. Ημερομηνία Γεννήσεως Date of Birth: 5. Τάξη Ημερησίου Σχολείου/Grade in Public/Private School: 6. Όνομα Γονέων /Κηδεμόνων Parents/Guardians Name: 7. Εγγραφή/Tuition: ( ) Πρώτο Παιδί/First Child ( ) Δεύτερο/Second ( ) Τρίτο/Third $500 $300 $200 8. Υπογραφή γονέως/κηδεμόνα Parent/Guardian Signature: 9. Member of the Holy Trinity Community: ( ) YES ( ) NO ********************************** Διευθυντής Director (Yπογραφή/Signature) Ιερεύς Priest (Yπογραφή/Signature)

SAVE THE DATES Saturday, September 12 at 7:30 PM Dr. Constantine Kotropoulos from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki will discuss: "The Greek Financial Crisis: a Personal Perspective Holy Trinity Community Center- free of charge Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 PM Dr. Michael Soupios from the Long Island University will discuss: How Greco-Roman thought and Judeo- Christian Ethics Made America Great! Holy Trinity Community Center- free of charge Saturday, December 12, 2015 Hellenic University Club 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner Dance at the Wilmington Country Club Sunday, January 31, 2016 Greek Letters Day Speaker: Dr. Thomas Papademetriou, Stockton College Holy Trinity Church 2015-2016 Officers President: Maria Michell Caras Vice President: Demi Kollias Recording Secretary: Nina Lazaridis Corresponding Secretary: Yvonne Tsavalas Treasurer: Tom Diamond Past President: Stephen Karakasidis Board Members: Nicole Colborn Pauline Snell Gus Georgiou George Tsavalas Antonios Kypreos Cathy Ziccarelli 2015 Hellenic University Club of Wilmington Scholarship Recipients Kelly Kollias, Pauline Raisis, Nicholas Spyropoulos 2015 Dr. George and Alice Gatos Achievement Award Recipients Corina Bourantas, Elefteria Zerefos

WE HAVE A NEW CHURCH DATABASE SOFTWARE & WE NEED THIS INFORMATION TO ENSURE WE HAVE YOUR FAMILY INFORMATION CORRECT and TO UPDATE INFORMATION WHERE NEEDED. Please take a moment to fill out this form and send it back to the church office ASAP! Please enter all fields to the best of your knowledge. PLEASE NOTE: This information is CONFIDENTIAL and will not be shared with anyone outside the church office. Parishioner Profile / Membership Information Form (Please Print Clearly) Name: Account # Spouse s Name: Wife Maiden Name: Address: Phone: (Home) Email address: (Cell) (Work) (Spouse s Cell) 2 nd Email address: Birth Date: Birth Place Baptism Date: Spouse s Birth Date: Birth Place Baptism Date: Date of Marriage: Place of Marriage: Church Name: Emergency Contact: Occupation: Spouse Occupation: Children Name: Date of Birth: Date of Baptism: Place of Birth: Name of School / Grade Name: Date of Birth: Date of Baptism: Place of Birth: Name of School / Grade Name: Date of Birth: Date of Baptism: Place of Birth: Name of School / Grade Name: Date of Birth: Date of Baptism: Place of Birth: Name of School / Grade Name: Date of Birth: Date of Baptism: Place of Birth: Name of School / Grade Please list the Church Ministries and Church Organizations you are involved in: Please send to church office as soon as possible

ECCLESIASTICAL NEW YEAR / September 1 Reading: For the maintenance of their armed forces, the Roman emperors decreed that their subjects in every district should be taxed every year. This same decree was reissued every fifteen years, since the Roman soldiers were obliged to serve for fifteen years. At the end of each fifteen-year period, an assessment was made of what economic changes had taken place, and a new tax was decreed, which was to be paid over the span of the fifteen years. This imperial decree, which was issued before the season of winter, was named Indictio, that is, Definiton, or Order. This name was adopted by the emperors in Constantinople also. At other times, the latter also used the term Epinemisis, that is, Distribution (Dianome). It is commonly held that Saint Constantine the Great introduced the Indiction decrees in A.D. 312, after he beheld the sign of the Cross in heaven and vanquished Maxentius and was proclaimed Emperor in the West. Some, however (and this seems more likely), ascribe the institution of the Indiction to Augustus Caesar, three years before the birth of Christ. Those who hold this view offer as proof the papal bull issued in A.D. 781 which is dated thus: Anno IV, Indictionis LIII -that is, the fourth year of the fifty-third Indiction. From this, we can deduce the aforementioned year (3 B.C.) by multiplying the fifty-two complete Indictions by the number of years in each (15), and adding the three years of the fifty-third Indiction. There are three types of Indictions: 1) That which was introduced in the West, and which is called Imperial, or Caesarean, or Constantinian, and which begins on the 24th of September; 2) The so-called Papal Indiction, which begins on the 1st of January; and 3) The Constantinopolitan, which was adopted by the Patriarchs of that city after the fall of the Eastern Empire in 1453. This Indiction is indicated in their own hand on the decrees they issue, without the numeration of the fifteen years. This Indiction begins on the 1st of September and is observed with special ceremony in the Church. Since the completion of each year takes place, as it were, with the harvest and gathering of the crops into storehouses, and we begin anew from henceforth the sowing of seed in the earth for the production of future crops, September is considered the beginning of the New Year. The Church also keeps festival this day, beseeching God for fair weather, seasonable rains, and an abundance of the fruits of the earth. The Holy Scriptures (Lev. 23:24-5 and Num. 29:1-2) also testify that the people of Israel celebrated the feast of the Blowing of the Trumpets on this day, offering hymns of thanksgiving. In addition to all the aforesaid, on this feast we also commemorate our Saviour's entry into the synagogue in Nazareth, where He was given the book of the Prophet Esaias to read, and He opened it and found the place where it is written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for which cause He hath anointed Me..." (Luke 4:16-30). It should be noted that to the present day, the Church has always celebrated the beginning of the New Year on September 1. This was the custom in Constantinople until its fall in 1453 and in Russia until the reign of Peter I. September 1 is still festively celebrated as the New Year at the Patriarchate of Constantinople; among the Jews also the New Year, although reckoned according to a moveable calendar, usually falls in September. The service of the Menaion for January 1 is for our Lord's Circumcision and for the memorial of Saint Basil the Great, without any mention of its being the beginning of a new year. Apolytikion in the Second Tone Creator of the universe, setting times and seasons by Your sole authority, bless the cycle of the year of Your grace, O Lord, guarding our rulers and Your nation in peace, at the intercession of the Theotokos, and save us. Kontakion in the Fourth Tone You who created all things in Your infinite wisdom, and set the times by Your own authority, grant Your Christian people victories. Blessing our comings and goings throughout this year, guide our works according to Your divine will. Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press / Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press

THE NATIVITY OF OUR MOST HOLY LADY THE THEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY September 8 Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone Your birth, O Theotokos, brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Freeing us from the curse, He gave us His blessings. Abolishing death, He granted us eternal life. Kontakion in the Fourth Tone In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life." Reading: According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife. THE ELEVATION OF THE VENERABLE AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS September 14 Apolytikion in the First Tone Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross. Kontakion in the Fourth Tone Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard. Reading: Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place. Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be. Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex Press Kontakion courtesy of Narthex Press / Icon courtesy of Athanasios Clark& Theologic Systems

PASTORAL GUIDLINES CHURCH POSITIONS REGARDING THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE Rev. Dr. Stanley S. Harakas Archbishop Iakovos Professor of Orthodox Theology, Emeritus, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology The Sanctity of Human Life A major and overarching concern of the Church arises with its commitment to the God-given sanctity of human life. Some of the developments of the biological manipulation of human life, though promising and amazing therapeutic achievements, may also be understood as undermining respect for the integrity of human existence. Others may be seen as providing new means of healing human illness. Discerning the difference is the challenge the Church faces in developing its teaching on these newly appearing issues. Human Life The Church s teaching about human life is based on Holy Tradition, including the Scriptures as a primary resource and the ongoing teaching and interpretation of the Orthodox Faith. Life is a gift of God in the formation of the created world. All life is precious, but human life is uniquely created by God in the image and likeness of God. Human life as such deserves deep respect and individual human beings are to be treated in accordance with their inherent human dignity. Thus, racism, unjust prejudicial treatment of men and women, genocide, forms of sexual exploitation, domestic violence, child abuse, rape, theft or destruction of private property, deceptions and deceit, environmental plunder and other such unethical behaviors violate the human dignity of others. Human life as a gift of God should be respected. Some specific issues are the following: Donation of Organs Although nothing in the Orthodox tradition requires the faithful to donate their organs to others, nevertheless, this practice may be considered an act of love, and as such is encouraged. The decision to donate a duplicate organ, such as a kidney, while the donor is living, requires much consideration and should be made in consultation with medical professionals and one s Spiritual Father. The donation of an organ from a deceased person is also an act of love that offers the recipient a longer, fuller life. Such donations are acceptable if the deceased donor had willed such action, or if surviving relatives permit it providing that it was in harmony with the desires of the deceased. Such actions can be approved as an expression of love and the self-determination of the donor. In all cases, respect for the body of the donor should be maintained. Organ transplants should never be commercialized nor coerced nor take place without proper consent, nor place in jeopardy the identity of the donor or recipient, through, for example, the use of animal organs. The death of the donor should never be hastened in order to harvest organs for transplantation to another person. Cremation Because the Orthodox Faith affirms the fundamental goodness of creation, it understands the body to be an integral part of the human person and the temple of the Holy Spirit, and expects the resurrection of the dead. The Church considers cremation to be the deliberate desecration and destruction of what God has made and ordained for us. The Church instead insists that the body be buried so that the natural physical process of decomposition may take place. The Church does not grant funerals, either in the sanctuary, or at the funeral home, or at any other place, to persons who have chosen to be cremated. Additionally, memorial services with kolyva (boiled wheat) are not allowed in such instances, inasmuch as the similarity between the kernel of wheat and the body has been intentionally destroyed. Medical Developments and the Church With high frequency, new developments in the area of the life sciences appear in our technologically advanced culture. The Church welcomes efforts and innovations that contribute to the healing of human diseases. Yet, many of these advances raise moral questions. Some of the Church s responses to these developments are based on older issues for which the Church has clear and unambiguous guidelines. Other responses are not so evident. Thus, many of these developments pose challenges to Orthodox Christian spiritual concerns and moral values. In numerous cases, the Church is still in the process of clarifying its response. The following serve to indicate the general positions and direction of thought in the Orthodox Church: Sexuality The Orthodox Church recognizes marriage as the only moral and spiritually appropriate context for sexual relations. Thus, all other forms of sexual activity such as fornication, adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, pornography, all forms of prostitution, and similar forms of behavior are sins and as such are inappropriate for the Orthodox Christian. Marriage is only conducted and recognized in the Orthodox Church as taking place between a man and a woman. Same sex marriages are a contradiction in terms. The Orthodox Church does not allow for same-sex marriages. Abortion The Church from the very beginning of existence has sought to protect the life in the womb and has considered abortion as a form of murder in its theology and canons. Orthodox Christians are admonished not to encourage women to have abortions, nor to assist in the committing of abortion. Those who perform abortions and those who seek them are committing an immoral deed, and are called to repentance. Suicide Suicide, the taking of one s own life, is self-murder and as such, a sin. More importantly, it may be evidence of a lack of faith in our loving, forgiving, sustaining God. If a person has committed suicide as a result of a belief that such an action is rationally or ethically defensible, the Orthodox Church denies that person a Church funeral, because such beliefs and actions separate a person from the community of faith. The Church shows compassion, however, on those who have taken their own life as a result of mental illness or severe emotional stress, when a condition of impaired rationality can be verified by a physician. Autopsy When a person dies for reasons that are uncertain, a qualified medical examiner may, with the permission of the next of kin, perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death. In some states, this is required by law. In all cases, however, the Orthodox Church expects that the body of the deceased be treated with respect and dignity. WEDDINGS For the union of a man and woman to be recognized as sacramentally valid by the Orthodox Church, the following conditions must be met: 1. The Sacrament of Matrimony must be celebrated by an Orthodox Priest of a canonical Orthodox jurisdiction, according to the liturgical tradition of the Orthodox Church, in a canonical Orthodox Church, and with the authorization of the Archbishop or Metropolitan. 2. Before requesting permission from the Archbishop or his Metropolitan to perform the marriage, a Priest must verify that: a) neither of the parties in question is already married to another person, either in this country or elsewhere; b) the parties in question are not related to each other to a degree that would constitute an impediment; c) if either or both parties are widowed, they have presented the death certificate(s) of the deceased spouse(s); d) if either or both of the parties have been previously married in the Orthodox Church, they have obtained ecclesiastical as well as civil divorce(s); e) the party or parties who are members of a parish other than the one in which the marriage is to be performed have provided a certificate declaring them to be members in good standing with that parish for the current year; and f) a civil marriage license has been obtained from civil authorities. 3. No person may marry more than three times in the Church, with permission for a third marriage granted only with extreme oikonomia. 4. In cases involving the marriage of Orthodox and non-orthodox Christians, the latter must have been baptized, in water, in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Church cannot bless the marriage of an Orthodox Christian to a non-christian. 5. The Sponsor (koumbaros or koumbara) must provide a current certificate of membership proving him or her to be an Orthodox Christian in good standing with the Church. A person who does not belong to a parish, or who belongs to a parish under the jurisdiction of a bishop who is not in communion with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, or who, if married, has not had his or her marriage blessed by the Orthodox Church, or, if divorced, has not received an ecclesiastical divorce, cannot be a sponsor. Non-Orthodox persons may be members of the wedding party, but may not exchange the rings or crowns. Days When Marriage Is Not Permitted Marriages are not performed on fast days or during fasting seasons or on the feasts of the Church, specifically: September 14 (Exaltation of the Holy Cross), December 13-25 (Nativity), January 5 and 6 (Theophany), Great Lent and Holy Week, Pascha (Easter), Pentecost, August 1-15 (Dormition Fast and Feast), and August 29 (Beheading of St. John the Baptist). Exceptions can only be made with the permission of the respective hierarch.

Inter-Christian Marriages It is a fact that, the more a couple has in common, the more likely they are to live together in peace and concord. Shared faith and traditions spare couples and their children, as well as their extended families, many serious problems, and help to strengthen the bonds between them. Even so, the Orthodox Church will bless marriages between Orthodox and non- Orthodox partners, provided that: 1. The non-orthodox partner is a Christian who has been baptized, in water, in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; and 2. The couple should be willing to baptize their children in the Orthodox Church and raise and nurture them in accordance with the Orthodox Faith. A baptized Orthodox Christian whose wedding has not been blessed by the Orthodox Church is no longer in good standing with the Church, and may not receive the Sacraments of the Church, including Holy Communion, or become a Sponsor of an Orthodox Marriage, Baptism or Chrismation. A non-orthodox Christian who marries an Orthodox Christian does not thereby become a member of the Orthodox Church, and may not receive the Sacraments, including Holy Communion, or be buried by the Church, serve on the Parish Council, or vote in parish assemblies or elections. To participate in the Church s life, one must be received into the Church by the Sacrament of Baptism or, in the case of persons baptized with water in the Holy Trinity, following a period of instruction, by Chrismation. Inter-religious Marriages Canonical and theological reasons preclude the Orthodox Church from performing the Sacrament of Marriage for couples where one partner is Orthodox and the other partner is a non-christian. As such, Orthodox Christians choosing to enter such marriages fall out of good standing with their Church and are unable to actively participate in the life of the Church. While this stance may seem confusing and rigid, it is guided by the Orthodox Church s love and concern for its member s religious and spiritual well-being. Prohibited Marriages The following types of relationships constitute impediments to marriage: 1. Parents with their own children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren. 2. Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. 3. Uncles and aunts with nieces and nephews. 4. First cousins with each other. 5. Foster parents with foster children or foster children with the children of foster parents. 6. Godparents with godchildren or godparents with the parents of their godchildren. DIVORCE The parish priest must exert every effort to reconcile the couple and avert a divorce. However, should he fail to bring about reconciliation, after a civil divorce has been obtained, he will transmit the petition of the party seeking the ecclesiastical divorce, together with the decree of the civil divorce, to the Spiritual Court of the Archdiocesan District or Metropolis. The petition must include the names and surnames of the husband and wife, the wife s surname prior to marriage, their addresses, the name of the priest who performed the wedding, and the date and place of the wedding. The petitioner must be a member of the parish through which he or she is petitioning for divorce. Orthodox Christians of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese who have obtained a civil divorce but not an ecclesiastical divorce may not participate in any sacraments of the Church or serve on the Parish Council, Archdiocesan District Council, Metropolis Council or Archdiocesan Council until they have been granted a divorce by the Church. BAPTISMS A person who wishes to sponsor a candidate for Baptism or Chrismation must be an Orthodox Christian in good standing and a supporting member of an Orthodox parish. A person may not serve as a godparent if the Church has not blessed his or her marriage or, if civilly divorced, he or she has not been granted an ecclesiastical divorce, or for any other reason he or she is not in communion with the Orthodox Church. Baptisms may not be performed during Holy Week. FUNERALS Funeral services are permitted on any day of the year, except for Sundays and Holy Friday, unless permission is granted by the Archbishop or Metropolitan. MEMORIALS Memorial services may not be chanted from the Saturday of Lazarus through the Sunday of Thomas, on any Feastday of the Lord or any Feastday of the Theotokos. FASTING Just as there are times for feasting, there are also times set aside for fasting. During these periods, certain foods are prohibited. These are, in order of frequency of prohibition, meat (including poultry), dairy products, fish, olive oil and wine. Fruits, vegetables, grains and shellfish are permitted throughout the year. Of course, the Orthodox Church never reduces the practice of fasting to a legalistic observance of dietary rules. Fasting, that is not accompanied by intensified prayer and acts of charity, inevitably becomes a source of pride. The Church also recognizes that not everyone can fast to the same degree, and assumes that individual Christians will observe the fast prescribed for them by their Spiritual Fathers. The following are fasting days and seasons: 1. All Wednesdays and Fridays, except for those noted below; 2. The day before the Feast of Theophany (January 5); 3. Cheesefare Week (the last week before the Great Lent, during which meat and fish are prohibited, but dairy products are permitted even on Wednesday and Friday); 4. Great Lent (from Clean Monday through the Friday before Lazarus Saturday, olive oil and wine are permitted on weekends); 5. Great and Holy Week (note that Great and Holy Saturday is a day of strict fasting, during which the faithful abstain from olive oil and wine), 6. Holy Apostles Fast (from the Monday after All Saints Day through June 28, inclusive); 7. Fast for the Dormition of the Mother of God (August 1-14, excluding August 6, on which fish, wine and olive oil are permitted); 8. Beheading of St. John the Baptist (August 29), 9. Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14); and 10. Nativity Lent (November 15-December 24, although fish, wine and olive oil are permitted, except on Wednesdays and Fridays, until December 17). The following are fasting days on which fish, wine and olive oil are permitted: 1. The Feast of the Annunciation (March 25, unless it falls outside the Great Lent, in which case all foods are permitted); 2. Palm Sunday; 3. The Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6); and 4. The Feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Mother of God (November 21). On the following days, all foods are permitted: 1. The first week of the Triodion, from the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee through the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, including Wednesday and Friday; 2. Diakainisimos (or Bright) Week, following the Sunday of Pascha, 3. The week following Pentecost; and 4. From the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord (December 25) through January 4. POLICY ON SEXUAL MISCONDUCT BY CLERGY Sexual misconduct by clergy has devastating consequences, not only for the individuals involved, but for their communities as well. The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America regards this matter with extreme seriousness, and has adapted a national policy on the investigation and resolution of complaints of sexual misconduct by clergy, as well as to promote healing for the victims of misconduct. This policy includes a carefully planned procedure designed to ensure that allegations of sexual misconduct by clergy are taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and adjudicated justly. Responsibility for administering the process is assigned to the Chancellor of the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese also cooperates with applicable civil authorities when the charge involves a minor. To assist in the investigation process, a telephone hotline (877) 554-3382 has been established to answer questions regarding the policy and to accept complaints relating to sexual misconduct by clergy. All calls with questions or complaints will be taken seriously and allegations will be investigated fully and impartially. Callers can ask to speak with either a male or female volunteer, in either Greek or English. Calls may also be made directly to the Archdiocesan Chancellor s Office, (212) 570-3513. Persons staffing the hotline are all lay volunteers and come from a variety of backgrounds including psychology, social work and human resources. Hotline staffers attempt to return calls as quickly as possible, and generally within 48 hours. The Church s policy was developed by working groups that included hierarchs, clergy, lay leaders, lawyers and clinical and academic experts. The policy is also evaluated periodically by an advisory board.

September 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year /Blessing of the Waters 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 6:30pm AHEPA Board Meeting 2 3 4 5 Dora Olivera Baez /Hall Rental 5-10PM 6 14th Sunday of Matthew 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 7 Church Office Closed for Labor Day 8 Nativity of Theotokos 8:45am Orthros 9:45am Divine Liturgy 4pm Philoptochos Meeting 6:30pm AHEPA Meeting 9 10 1pm Young @ Heart 11 12 12pm Serving @ Emmanuel Dining Room 13 Sunday before the Holy Cross 8:45am Orthros 9:45am Divine Liturgy Annual Welcome Back Picnic & Ministry Sign-ups Philoptochos will pass tray for Holy Cross Seminary 2pm Tarabicos Baptism 14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross 8:45am Orthros 9:45am Divine Liturgy 15 6pm Philoptochos Meeting & Dinner in the Hall 16 12:30pm Adult Bible Study 6pm Choir Practice 7pm St Sophia Vespers @ Jeffersonville, PA 17 St. Sophia, Faith, Hope, & Love @ Jeffersonville, PA 10am Divine Liturgy 7pm Parish Council Meeting 18 19 20 Sunday after the Holy Cross 8:45am Orthros 9:45am Divine Liturgy 10am Sunday School begins Philoptochos Oath Of Office Philoptochos Name Day Celebration with Artoclasia 21 7pm Bible Class Book of Revelation 22 6pm Girls Basketball Practice 7:15pm Boys Basketball Practice 6pm Daughters of Penelope Meeting 23 Conception of St. John the Baptist 8:45am Orthros 9:45am Divine Liturgy 12:30pm Adult Bible Study 6pm Choir Practice 24 25 5pm Greek School (Agiasmos In Church) 26 Falling Asleep of St. John the Theologian 8:45am Orthros 9:45am Divine Liturgy HUC Welcome Back (off-site) 27 1st Sunday of Luke 8:45am Orthros 9:45am Divine Liturgy 10am Sunday School 28 7pm Bible Class Book of Revelation 29 6pm Girls Basketball Practice 7:15pm Boys Basketball Practice 30 12pm St. Elpida Serving @ Emmanuel Dining Room 12:30pm Adult Bible Study

Σεπτέμβριος 2015 Κυριακή Δευτέρα Τρίτη Τετάρτη Πέμπτη Παρασκεύή Σάββατο 6 14th Κυριακή τουματθαίου 8:30πμ Όρθρος 9:30πμ Θεία Λειτουργίσ 7 Γραφείο της Εκκλησίας Κλειστό για την Ημέρα Εργασίας 1 Έναρξη Εκκλησιαστικού Έτους 8:30πμ Όρθρος 9:30πμ Θεία Λειτουργίσ 1Έναρξις Εκκλησιαστικ. Έτους, Αγιασμός των Υδάτων 6:30μμ ΑΧΕΠΑ Συνάντηση Συμβουλίου 8 Γέννησις Θεοτόκου 8:45πμ Όρθρος 9:45πμ Θεία Λειτουργίσ 4pm Συνάντηση Φιλοπτώχου 6:30μμ Συνάντηση ΑΧΕΠΑ 2 3 4 5 9 10 1 μμ Αειθαλείς Νέοι Dora Olivera Baez / Ενοικίαση Χώλ 5-10ΜΜ 11 12 12μμ Σερβίρισμα @ Emmanuel Dining Room 13 Sunday before the Holy Cross 8:45am Όρθρος 9:45πμ Θεία Λειτουργίσ Ετήσιο πικνικ Καλωσορίσματος Επιτροφής & Εγγραφή Προγραμμάτων Ηδίσκος Φιλοπτώχου δια την Θεολογική Σχολή του Τιμίου Σταυρού Εορτασμός 2μμ Βάπτιση Ταραμπίκου 14 Ανύψωσις Τιμίο Σταυρού 8:45am Όρθρος 9:45πμ Θεία Λειτουργίσ 15 6μμ Συνάτηση Φιλοπτώχου & Δείπνο στο Χώλ 16 12:30μμ Τάξς Βίβλου 6μμ Πρακτική Χορωδίας Αγίας Σοφίας @ Jeffersonville. 17 Άγία Σοφία, Πίστις, Ελπίδα & Αγάπη@ Jeffersonville, PA 10πμ Θεία Λειτουργίσ 7μμ Συνάντηση Κοινοτικού Συμβουλίου 18 19 20 Κυριακή μετά τον Τίμιο Σταυρό 8:45π.μ Όρθρος 9:45πμ Θεία Λειτουργίσ 10πμ Έναρξη Κατηχητιού Ονομαστικής Εορτής Φιλοπτώχου με Αρτοκλασάι 21 7μμ Τάξς Βίβλου 22 6μμ Προπόνηση Μπ. Μπ. Θηλέων 7:15μμ Προπόνηση Μπ. Μπ. Αρρένων 6μμ Συνάντη Θυγ. Πηνελόπης 23 Σύλληψις Ιωάννου του Προδρόμπυ 8:45πμ Όρθρος 9:45πμ Θεία Λειτουργίσ 12:30μμ Τάξς Βίβλου 6μμ Πρακτική Χορωδίας 24 25 5μμ Ελληνικό Σχολείο (Αγιασμός στην Εκκλησία) 26 Κοίμησις Αγίου Ιωάννου του Θεολόγου 8:45πμ Όρθρος 9:45πμ Θεία Λειτουργίσ HUC Καλωσόρισμα (εκτός Εκκλησίας) 27 1st Κυριακή τουλουκά 8:45am Όρθρος 9:45πμ Θεία Λειτουργίσ 10πμ Κατηχητικό 28 7μμ Τάξς Βίβλου 29 6μμ Προπόνηση Μπ. Μπ. Θηλέων 7:15μμ Προπόνηση Μπ. Μπ. Αρρένων 30 12μμ Σερβίρισμα Serving @ Emmanuel Dining Room 12:30μμ Τάξς Βίβλου

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