Monthly Church Bulletin Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 247 Washington Street Norwich, CT 06360 Telephone: 860-887-1458 trinitynorwich@yahoo.com Webpage: www.holytrinitynorwich.org Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America MARCH 2016 Metropolis of Boston Welcome Fr. Aaron Walker A Blessed Great Lent Καλή Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστής 1
March 2016 Parish Priest Fr. Aaron C. Walker walkeraaronclay@gmail.com Parish Council 2016 President: Maria Valkanos 860-984-6282 valkanosmaria@sbcglobal.net Vice President: Anna-Helene Grossomanides Secretary: George Grossomanides Treasurer: John Grossomanides yianni7@yahoo.com 401-741-7453 Members: Peter Argiros Amy Constantinou Eleftherios Mastorakis Stacy Bellas Violette Kostas Zaboutsis Assistant Treasurer Joe Hominski Church Office Office Hours: M W F- -1PM Sunday School Stacy Violette Choir Director Organist Taso Dionisopoulos Cantors Steve Patsouris John Mastorakis Costas Zarboutis Order of AHEPA Peter Argiros; President Daughters of Penelope Chrysanthi Mangafakis; President Philoptochos Geri Grossomanides; President Grecian Festival Chair Maria Valkanos Stewardship Dr. John Grossomanides Webmasters Paul and Deena Heely Upcoming Events Saturday, March 5, 2016 1st Saturday of Souls Sunday, March 6, 2016 Meat Fare Sunday Monday, March 14, 2016 Great Lent Begins; Kathara Defthtera Palm Sunday April 24, 2016 Message from the Parish Council Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This year the Orthodox Pascha is May 1. The Parish Council and I would like to invite all our families to partake in all the events scheduled for this Lenten period. We are working on coordinating a priest to cover as many of the services as possible. Please make the effort to attend (see our web page for dates and times). On Sunday, February 28, 2016, our parish held the one year memorial for +Father Matthew Baker. It is difficult to accept that it has been one year already. I traveled with Nellie Rodriguez to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Cranston, RI for the memorial to represent our parish. The family of Father Baker were in attendance and Metropolitan Methodios officiated the along with memorial service. Presbytera Katherine would like for me to thank everyone from our parish for EVERYTHING that each one of you has done for her. She apologized for not being able to return to our parish. Presbytera and the children have all been living at St. Basil's Academy since May. St. Basil's has been able to help the Baker family through this difficult time. Presbytera hopes that she will have the strength and heart to return to our parish sometime in the future. We completed our library renovations in honor of Father Matthew Bakers Memory. The project was sponsored by the Ladies Philoptochos Society-Agape Chapter. Our General Assembly meeting was not completed due to snow. We discussed the improvements to the doom. The parish council and I are reaching out to our families to support this project, cost estimated at $15,000. We have had very positive feedback with our start for financial support, THANK YOU!!! It is very inspiring to know that we all are working towards the future of our parish. Many families need Holy Trinity for different reasons in times of joy and in times of sadness. I hope to see you in church soon. May God always bless you and your good works. Your sister in Christ, Maria Valkanos Αγαπητοί ενορίτες και φίλοι, Φέτος, το Ορθόδοξο Πάσχα πέφτει Μαΐου 1, 2016. Το Ενοριακό Συμβούλιο και εγώ θα θέλαμε να σας προσκαλέσουμε να λάβετε μέρος σε όλες τις εκδηλώσεις που έχουμε προγραμματίσει για την Σαρακοστή. Προσπαθούμε να κανονίσουμε ώστε να έχουμε παπά για να καλύψει όσο πιο πολλές υπηρεσίες γίνετε. Σας παρακαλούμε να προσπαθήσετε να παραβρεθείτε σε αυτές (δείτε την ιστοσελίδα μας για ημερομηνίες και ωράρια). Την Κυριακή 02/28, η ενορία μας πραγματοποίησε το μνημόσυνο ενός χρόνου απο την κοιμηση του πάτερ Matthew Baker. Μου ειναι δύσκολο να αποδεκτω ότι έχει περάσει ήδη ένας χρόνος. Πήγα στην εκκλησία του Ευαγγελισμου της Θεοτόκου στο Cranston, RI μαζι με την Nellie Rodriguez ως εκπρόσωποι της ενορίας μας. Η οικογένεια του πάτερ Baker ήταν παρών όπως και ο Μετροπολιτης Μεθόδιος ο οποίος έπραξε την Θεία Λειτουργία και το μνημόσυνο. Η πρεσβυτέρα Κατερίνα μου ζήτησε να ευχαριστήσω τους πάντες στην ενορία μας για όλα αυτά που ο καθένας σας έχει κάνει για εκείνη. Θα ήθελε να ζητήσει συγνώμη που δεν μπορεσε να επιστρέψει ακόμα στην εκκλησία μας. Η ίδια και τα παιδιά ζούνε στην Ακαδημία του Αγειου Βασίλη απο τον Μαΐο του 2015. Η Ακαδημία συνεισφέρει στην οικογένεια Baker όλη αυτήν την δύσκολη περίοδο. Η πρεσβυτέρα ελπίζει να έχει την δύναμη και την καρδιά για να έρθει στην ενορία μας κάποια στιγμή στο μέλλον. Πραγματοποιήσαμε την ανακαίνιση της βιβλιοθήκης προς τιμήν του πάτερ Matthew Baker. Η ανακαίνιση ήταν 2
χρηματοδοτημένη απο τον γυναικείο Σύλλογο Φιλόπτωχος, κεφάλαιο Κοινωνιας και Αγάπης. Η Γενική Συνέλευση δεν πραγματοποιήθηκε λόγω άσχημων καιρικών συνθηκών. Συζητήσαμε όμως την βελτίωση του δωματίου. Το Συμβούλιο και εγώ προσπαθούμε να προσεγγίσουμε τις οικογένειες μας για την υποστηριξη του σχεδίου, το οποίο θα κοστίσει γύρω στις $15,000. Είχαμε πολυ θετική ανταπόκριση έως τώρα για οικονομική υποστήριξη απο όλους σας. ΣΑΣ ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΟΥΜΕ ΠΟΛΥ. Ειναι έμπνευση να βλέπω ότι δουλεύουμε όλοι προς ένα κοινό στόχο για το μέλλον της ενορίας μας. Πολλές οικογένειες εξαρτώνται απο την Αγία Τριάδα για διάφορους λόγους, σε στιγμές χαράς και λύπης. Ελπίζω να σας δω σύντομα στην εκκλησία. Ο Θεός παντα να ευλογεί εσας και τις καλές σας πράξεις. Η αδερφή εν Κυρίω Μαρία Βαλκανος 3 March 2016 The Sacrament of HOLY UNCTION After the Sacrament of HOLY COM- MUNION and BAPTISM the Sacrament of Holy Unction is one of the oldest Sacraments of the Church. In the early Church the faithful were performing this Sacrament as a medicine to their different sicknesses. Saint James, the first Bishop of Jerusalem and, brother of the Lord composed it. The oil is used in the service also seven candles, and flour. The service has two parts. The prayers or hymns for the health and asking the Saints also to intercede and the blessing of the oil. The second part is 7 epistles, 7 Gospels, petition where the names for health is read and 7 prayers for health and remission of sins. Every time the one epistle is read the one candle is little on the bowl, which is filled with flour and at the center is the vigil lamp with pure oil lit and around the vigil lamp are the seven candles. After the Seventh prayer the priest with a peace of cotton gets oil from the vigil light and anoints in the sign of the cross the four parts of the face of the faithful and the both sides of the hands. Usually this sacrament should be performed at each Christian family's home once a year for the health. Also is performed when some body is seriously sick. In the Greek Orthodox Church, this service is performed on Holy Wednesday afternoon for all the parishioners. The anointment service also was used in the times of the Old Testament. A person who is orthodox in faith can be anointed at the end of this service. The priests when they visit the hospital also anoint the sick from this oil, which was prepared on Holy Wednesday. The Annunciation Of The Theotokos (March 25th) Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden. According to the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most high overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38). Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55) Rev. George Mastrantonis THE MEANING OF THE FEAST DAYS OF LENT There are institutes and symbols adopted by nations, churches or groups of men which represent certain ideals accumulated in the past. These institutes, that is precepts recognized as authoritative, and symbols represent the thoughts and feelings of those who created or adopted them and put in them all the experience of the past, often through struggle and sacrifice. A few feet of ribbon for instance, red, blue and white in color, have little value as is. But if one puts them in a certain pattern of stripes and stars, they become the flag of the United States and represent the ideals and unity of the people of America. The flag reminds us of the people's struggle for liberty. It represents the national unity which attained for them their rights as a people. The same could be said for the institutes of a nation, army or any group of people. These institutes are created by the people and are used by them in certain ways for certain aims. Some of these institutes are the means for achieving certain values and ideals. In the life of the Church of Christ there are many institutes created and maintained to meet the needs of the people - the Ecclesia. Among these is the Great Lent which falls within the year-cycle of the life of the Church before Pascha-Easter. Lent is the period of time for self-examination by the believer; of putting on the spiritual armor of the Militant Church; of applying the riches of prayers and almsgiving; of adopting deeply the meaning of repentance; of atonement and reconciliation with God Almighty. This great period of Lent before Easter is called by the Orthodox Church Tessaracoste (Quadragesimal), which comes from the word forty (the 40 days of "fasting"). This Institute of the 40. days of Lent precedes the
4 March 2016 Resurrection of Christ. The celebration of the Resurrection of Christ does not fall on the same date each year, but according to the determination of the position of the moon and spring equinox, which is based on the original setting during the last Events of the life of Christ on earth. This 40-day period of Lent is a period of "abstinence" from foods, but primarily from personal iniquities. Abstinence from foods (fasting) alone is a means of attaining virtue; it is not an end in itself. During the period of fasting one makes a special attempt to evaluate his calling as a Christian; to listen to the voice of the Gospel and heed its commandments; to accept the constant invitation to enter Christ's Kingdom. It is an open invitation to everyone willing to enter; who believes in Christ and repents his iniquities; who makes an "about face" directly to Christ. To accomplish this - Which is a yearround concern - the Christian Church, dating back many years, out of experience and according to the nature of man instituted certain days of prayer and fasting as steps in a ladder to help those who need guidance to reach this spiritual plateau. All of these steps must have genuine personal meaning to avoid becoming merely a habit and routine. Fasting encompasses the entire pious life of the Christian, as Christ proclaimed, that symbolizes a deep acceptance of His admonition to "repent". This can be achieved not so much in terms of time, but in deeds in love of God and one's fellow man. During the period of the Great Lent the awakening of the spirit of man comes about through inspiration from the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ. It is a time of selfexamination and preparation, and of taking an inventory of one's inner life. He and Christ know his exact condition. At this time one sees himself in the mirror of the Gospel - how he looks. One finds the means and ways to correct and improve himself. Lent is a period of time when one delves into himself with the light of the Holy Spirit in order to rid himself of the impediments which hold him back. It is a period when one strengthens his faith by more prayer and devotional life. Let us then examine the meaning of fasting, which became an Institute of the Church. Fasting means the total abstinence from foods, as the original Greek word in the Bible, nesteia, literally means. The word fasting today is used for selection of foods and a limiting of their quantity. Fasting also can mean eating once a day bread, salt and water, after sunset. Although the period of Lent appeals to the function of man as a whole in repentance, self-examination, almsgiving, relationship with people with whom one is at odds, attitudes toward life, the abstinence from foods plays a vital role in the life of the Christian. The quantity and kinds of foods selected for this period of Lent help control carnal desires and develop discipline and a pious life. Fasting from foods is not a virtuous activity in itself, but a means for its achievement. But it has a distinct place in the life of the Christian, especially during the Great Lent. MARCH NAME DAYS March 1 - Marias Aigyptias, Efdokias / Tis Tyrofagos March 2 - Efthalias March 3 - Kleonikos March 5 - Kononos March 7 - Laurentios (Laurens, Laura) March 8 - Theofylaktos March 16 - Xristodosios March 17 - Alexios, Alexia, Alexis (Alex) March 18 - Kyrillos March 19 - Xrysanthos, Chrisantos March 21 - Iakovos (Jacob) March 25 - Evangelismos tis Theotokos, Evangelos, Eva, Vangelis March 27 - Ilarionos, Lydia March 31 - Ypatios Volunteers Needs!!!! Sunday School Teachers Singers for our Choir Please call the Church Office for further information. In Memoriam Mrs. Louise Farrah wife of George of Norwich, CT, passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2016. Ms. Madeline Koulbanis of Westerly, RI, Passed away on March 2, 2016. May their Memory be Eternal News, news, news- As always if you have any news please email it to us. Please send any news engagements, marriages, new babies, promotions, moved, retirement, let us know, forward it via email to: trinitynorwich@yahoo.com PLEASE EMAIL US YOUR PHONE NUMBER A PARISHIONER Every person who is baptized and chrismated according to the rites of the Orthodox Church is a parishioner. The religious, moral and social duties of a parishioner are to apply the tenets of the Orthodox Faith to his/ her life and to: adhere to and live according to the tenets of the Orthodox faith; faithfully attend the and other worship services; participate regularly in the holy sacraments; respect all ecclesiastical authority and all governing bodies of the Church; be obedient in matters of the Faith, practice and ecclesiastical order; contribute towards the progress of the Church's sacred mission; and be an effective witness and example of the Orthodox Faith and Traditions to all people. Being a "parishioner in good standing" sacramentaly with the church also requires a responsibility to financially sustain our parish: A parishioner in good standing practices all the religious and moral duties as described above. At a minimum, a parishioner in good standing must: be 18 years of age or over; be current in his or her stewardship and other financial obligations to the Parish, abide by all the regulations herein stated and the Parish Bylaws; and cooperate in every way towards the welfare and well being of the Parish. A gift that God gave us, THE JESUS PRAYER is a good one to use in the New Year. "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Or simply "Lord have mercy," Τά νέα March Happy Birthdays to Nikos Alevras, Charlie Christodlous, Steve Patsouris, Foti Anastasiou, Dimitri Valkanos (Feb), Yanni Valkanos, Tasos Kilimos, Tony Petros, and Ted Phillips. Get Well Soon to Helen and Roland Laramie, Kay Booth, Milan Kukich, Mary Botchis, AHEPA NEWS SIX Years ago. The Order of AHEPA Chapter #110 donated $3800 of the proceeds from their Pickup Truck Raffle to Holy Trinity. Also, the AHEPA chapter made their fifth and final installment ($2000) of a five year $10,000 commitment for the Church Rectory Project. Daughters of Penelope NEWS Spring Luncheon and Slater Museum Grand Tour Saturday, April 16, 2016 For more information contact: Anna-Helene Grossomanides anna-helene@cox.net
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America / Metropolis of Boston 247 Washington Street - Norwich, CT 06360-3517 Phone/ FAX (860) 887-1458; (860) 885-0402 email trinitynorwich@yahoo.com ORDER FORM 2016 Philoptochos 14 th Annual Pascha Bake Sale Name: Phone: Email: Number of Breads : X Number of Koulourakia : X $8.00 PER BREAD = $5.00 PER DOZEN = TOTAL : Order Deadline is April 17, 2016. Delivery Date is April 24, 2016 (Palm Sunday) To order call Maria Valkanos at home 860-537-4995 or cell 860-984-6282 Please make Check Payable to Ladies Philoptochos 5
6 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 First Saturday of Souls 10:00 A.M. 6 Judgement/ Meatfare Sunday Coffee Hour Ladies Philoptochos 7 8 9 10 11 12 No Divine Liturgy 15 16 17 18 19 13 Forgiveness Sunday Coffee Hour - Daughters 20 Sunday of Orthodoxy Coffee Hour AHEPA 40 Days Memorial Service Mrs. Louise Farrah 27 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas Coffee Hour Parish Council Lenten Sunday Divine Services: Orthros 9AM Liturgy March 14 Kathara Dethtera Great Lent Begins 21 22 AHEPA Chapter Mtg 7PM 28 29 30 31 2016 Strict Fast until PASCHA May 1 1st Salutations 6PM Bible Study 7PM No Divine Liturgy 23 24 25 Feast of the Annunciation 2nd Salutations 6PM 26 Strict Fast until PASCHA May 1 Strict Fast until PASCHA May 1 APRIL 1 3rd Salutations 6PM Bible Study 7pm VISIT OUR NEW WEBPAGE www.holytrinitynorwich.org!!!!!! APRIL 2