ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 5761 E. Colorado St. Long Beach, CA 90814 NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID LONG BEACH, CA PERMIT NO. 344 THE PANAYIA Assumption Of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church Long Beach, CA Worship Services Regular Schedule Orthros 8:45 AM Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM NOTE: Sunday Divine Liturgy starts at 10:00AM year-round. See enclosed calendar for dates and times of other services this month. MARCH 2016
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church 5761 East Colorado Street, Long Beach, CA 90814-1954 Phone (562) 494-8929 - Fax (562) 985-1379 Email office@assumptionlb.org Rev. Fr. Christos Kanakis, Proistamenos Evagelos Karantonis, Pastoral Assistant Voula Michail - Kitsios, Office Administrator Jorge Rivera, Custodian PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS Jimmy Eleopoulos - President Nick Monios - Vice President Savvas Roubanis - Recording Secretary Sam Platis - Corresponding Secretary Athena Mantas - Treasurer Board members George Demos, Chris Dolas, Angelo Karapoulios, George Karidakis, Max Lofton, Tasos Papas, Jerry Polychrones, George Stavros, Page 2 AHEPA Tasos Papas - President Bookstore Zoe Falley - Administrator Bulletin Coordinator Voula Michail - Kitsios Choir Costa Kourtis Karen Fic Church School Yota Batsaras - Principal Daughters of Penelope Sofie Batshoun Family Night Sam Platis GOYA Presidents - George Sehremelis & Thanasi Dalkos Vice President - Penny Bacol Eleni Dalkos & Christina Gillotti - Advisors Greek Cultural Arts and Dance Patty Ladas - President Dina Lioulias - Vice President Greek School Kathryn Condaras - Principal Hope/Joy/VBS Maria Georgakopoulos - Advisor Panagia s Liitle Lambs Elizabeth Syrengelas PHILOPTOCHOS Karen Fic - President Mary Lofton - 1st Vice President Lia Kakaris - Secretary Sophie Batshoun - Corres. Secretary Angela Watkins - Treasurer Bobbie Soupos - Advisor. Public Relations Jimmy Eleopoulos Senior Christians Nick Monios - President Stewardship Ministry Kathy Bastas (Chair) Max & Mary Lofton, Trisagio Ministry Max & Mary Lofton, Vickie Hennig, Yiota Beckas Web Site Evan Karantonis Welcome Ministry Kathy Bastas (Chair), Camille Dolas, Kay Platis, Young Adults Eleni Demos, Olivia Varonos Page 11
Announcements WITH SYMPATHY To Missios family for the loss of Vasili Missios on 02/14/16. May his memory be eternal. Bookstore Due to my injury of my ankle, I will be out of commission for awhile. If you need anything from the bookstore please contact Voula at the church office. Thank you, Zoe Falley. GOYA: Basketball Practices & Games We will be having practices every Friday evening in the gym as we have been doing in past years from 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm all the way through to April 1. Home Games Our home games are : Saturday 4/2 vs. St. George Sunday 4/3 vs. St. Katherine Away Games Sunday 3/6 at St. Sophia Sunday 3/13 at St. Nicholas Sunday 3/20 at St. Anthony Sunday 3/27 at St. Basil March s Prosforo Is donated by Costa & Cecilia Kourtis. Thank you. If you would like to donate the Prosforo please call the office. GENERAL ASSEMBLY SUNDAY, MARCH 6TH, 2016 AFTER CHURCH SERVICES ASSUMPTION CULTURAL CENTER GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY Sunday, March 20, 20156 Come celebrate with the, Greek School of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church! The Greek School Students will be reciting poems and performing plays and dance. Please join us, a luncheon will be served right after church service. Adults: $15.00 Children $8.00 Dear parishioners, President s Message On behalf of Father Christos, the Parish Council and myself, we would like to wish all of you a Happy and Prosperous New Year! A big Thank You to the outgoing officers Dave Matty, Jimmy Mentas and Dino Syrengelas for a job well done as parish council members. My 2 main goals as your president is to further the progress of our community, as all of our past presidents have done, and to bring our ministries closer together. Every ministry plays an important role in our community. Congratulations to all our Dance Groups who participated at this year s FDF at Anaheim Hilton. Each and all of our dance groups from our Greek Cultural Arts and Dance Ministry did just an excellent and fabulous job. Congratulations to all of the award winning groups. Reminder: General Assembly will meet on Sunday, March 6, 2016 right after church services in our cultural center. More to follow in my next article as I'm still in the process of getting my feet in the ground. 2016 PC officers: Jimmy Eleopoulos - President Nick Monios - Vice President Athena Mantas - Treasurer Savvas Roubanis - Recording Secretary Sam Platis - Corresponding Secretary As your Parish President, I will be always available to all parishioners for any questions, or comments pertaining to our community. In God's service, Jimmy Eleopoulos, President Page 10 Page 3
Philoptochos February was a busy month! Philoptochos would like to congratulate our wonderful Greek dancers, their instructors and parents for making Long Beach shine. We are proud of you! Thank you to Denise Manos and her daughter Katie for the fantastic display and information on woman's heart health for GO RED SUNDAY. Philoptochos was presented with VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION AWARD for FOR THE CHILD on February 4, 2016 at their Hearts & Hands Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. This was in appreciation for all the backpacks and Thanksgiving dinners that you and Philoptochos continue to give with love to those who are in need. Those who attended were Bobbie Soupos, Mary Lofton, Kathy Bastas and Karen Fic. A special award was given to Kathy Bastas as she was inducted into a special group of those who have given 10,000 hours of service. Thank you all who joined us in our annual Philoptochos membership luncheon THROUGH THE DEC- ADES...As usual, it was a fun event. At the luncheon, Philotpochos paid special honor to Mrs. Stamata Buzas, Nick Karidakis, Tom Soupos and Amelia Ladas for the exceptional work and kindnesses they have made over the years to bring our Long Beach Philoptochos to the level it is at today. THANK YOU! If you haven't sent in your membership for 2016, now is the time to do it! We have been asked by Metropolis Philoptochos to increase our membership 5%. We can do that but not without your help. There is no reason why every person at our church is not a Philoptochos member. If you have not received your renewal envelope see Mary Lofton, membership chair, or any board member. Let's do better than 5% increase let's reach for the top! Please join us March 13 th for our first Philoptochos general meeting of 2016. Our guest speaker will be Constance Constant. Connie is the author of AMERICAN KID, the story of Nazi occupied Greece through the eyes of a child. Constance will speak about her book and have a book signing where a portion of books sales will be donated to our Philoptochos chapter. If you like to read, come join us. Look for the flyer in the hall at the Philoptochos table. Monday, March 14 th is CLEAN MONDAY. It is a time to cleanse our heart and souls in preparation for Easter. Join us for Koulouma in the Betty Reckas Center. Bring your favorite Lenten dish to share in fellowship with others. Assumption Philoptochos is happy to be a part of KIDS N' CANCER and Camp Agape. We will be accepting donations for this very worthy cause for the grand event to be held at Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach on April 10 th. You all should have received your donation letter. For the past 2 years, with donations from Long Beach we were able to send 44 children afflicted with cancer and their families to camp for 5 days at one of the 6 Camp Agape locations in San Francisco Metropolis. We are hoping, once again that we can depend on you and your generous donations. If you would like to make a donation please contact Karen at 562-416-5565. Once again Philoptochos will be baking delicious tsourekia for Easter. We will be in need of ladies to help bake. Look for additional information for the baking date and for orders. Thank you all for you support! Karen Fic, President Page 4 Αποστάγματα Σοφίας Το να αγαπιέσαι πολύ από κάποιον σου δίνει δύναμη, ενώ το να αγαπάς πολύ κάποιον σου δίνει θάρρος. Το να ξέρεις τους άλλους είναι ευφυΐα. Το να ξέρεις τον εαυτό σου είναι σοφία. Το να κυριαρχείς στους άλλους είναι ισχύς. Το να κυριαρχείς στον εαυτό σου είναι η πραγματική δύναμη. Αυτός που μιλάει δεν ξέρει. Αυτός που ξέρει δεν μιλάει. Τα ειλικρινή λόγια δεν είναι ωραία. Τα ωραία λόγια δεν είναι ειλικρινή. Το να μην κάνεις τίποτα είναι καλύτερο από το να είσαι πολυάσχολος κάνοντας τίποτα. Όσο πληθαίνουν οι νόμοι, πολλαπλασιάζονται οι παράνομοι. Το να ξέρεις τους άλλους είναι σοφία. Το να ξέρεις τον εαυτό σου είναι φώτιση. Αντιμετώπιζε το δύσκολο όσο είναι εύκολο. Το να ξέρεις ότι δεν ξέρεις είναι το καλύτερο. Το να υποκρίνεσαι ότι ξέρεις, ενώ δεν ξέρεις, είναι αρρώστια. Αλλοίμονο σ εκείνον που αξίζει καλύτερη τύχη και περιμένει να τη λάβει από άνθρωπο,που δεν την αξίζει. Η καλοσύνη όταν μιλάς δημιουργεί εμπιστοσύνη. Η καλοσύνη όταν σκέφτεσαι δημιουργεί βάθος. Η καλοσύνη όταν δίνεις δημιουργεί αγάπη. Όποιος έχει στενό νου δεν έχει πλατειά καρδιά. Ο σοφός δεν κάθεται επάνω στους θησαυρούς του. Όσα περισσότερα δίνει στους άλλους τόσα περισσότερα παίρνει. εν υπάρχει μεγαλύτερη δυστυχία από το να είσαι δυσαρεστημένος με την τύχη σου. Η φύση δεν βιάζεται ποτέ, κι όμως τα πάντα γίνονται στην ώρα τους. Ο καλός ταξιδευτής δεν έχει σταθερά σχέδια και δεν έχει καμιά πρόθεση να φτάσει κάπου. Το λασπωμένο νερό καθαρίζει όταν μείνει ακίνητο. Η αποτυχία είναι το θεμέλιο της ευτυχίας και το μέσο με το οποίο την πετυχαίνουμε. Greek Column by Voula Michail Μην αγχώνεσαι και άσε τα πράγματα να πάρουν τον δρόμο τους, και το κακό στο τέλος θα ηττηθεί. Page 9
Alexiou Demi Andros Nick Alvertos Yianni & Georgia Amarantos Harriet Argyros Dionisios & Irene Argyros Phillip & Amy Awad John & Litsa Bacol Penny Bacol Pete & Rea Bacol Sina Batshoun Christina Batshoun Emil & Matoula Batshoun Sofie Bahos Kanella Bastas Nikolaos & Kathy Batsaras Ilias & Yota Beckas Yiota Berovinos Antonios & Bonnie Bouras Peter Bratkic Jure & Demetra Breres Zenovia Brilliakis Gus & Nicki Chelekis Louis & Vicki Chenes Charles Choullis Manolis & Sotiria Colazas Xenophon & Mila Confrey John & Katina Contos Angeliki Contos Vasilis & Voula Cornwell Caryle & Demetra Coroneus John & Xanthipe Cyprus Brandon Cyprus Brett & Jane Cyprus Kayla Demos Christa Demos Eleni Demos George & Vickie Demos Joanna Deneff Alkisti Deneff Peter & Diane Deralas Dean Desalvernos Stephen & Stefanie Dimas Michael & Maria Dogris Alex & Peggy Dolas Chris Dolas Jim & Camille Donlou Gordon & Maria Edwards Nickolas & Pamela Etchepare Anna Exacoustos Stella Falley Zoe Fattaleh Raja Flynn Matthew Panagia s Stewardship Family as of February 15, 2016 Georgedes Ekaterini Galanis Jerry & Marian Ghilarducci Walt & Laura Giannoulis Anastasia Gioulatos Athanasios & Joanne Gutierrez Ivan & Esther Hadjimarkos Nicholas & Stemma Hanches Fotini Haririan Alka Hatziris anna Hennig Vickie Hoatua Patuarai & Evangelia Hourigan Joseph & Nickie Hourigan Sophia Jordanides Dennis & Giselle Jordanides Timothy & Ria Jovicic Goran & Alexandria Kakaris Telis & Lia Kallins George & Bettina Kallins James & Virginia Kaltcheva Vili Kanakis Fr. Christos & Pres. Jessica Kanakis Peter & Evangelia Karthas Nicholas Kastanas Bill & Paris Konstantinidis Byron & Kaite Korakis Michael Kostallas Tony & Cathy Kouris Gregory Kourtis Costa & Cecilia Kyriakos Spiro & Lainie Liarakos Dimitrios & Voula Liarakos George & Dezi Liarakos John & Tesi Lofton Max & Mary Loizides George & Rodoula Lovejoy Jeremy & Nectaria Makas Diane & Natalie Mangoutas John & Barbara Manos Dr. Andrew & Pam Mantikas Nick & Katherine Marinow Atanas & Elena Markouizos George & Argyro Markouizos Karolos & Georgia Markouizos Markella Markouizos Nektarios & Lisa Matty David & Barbara Matty Thelxe McMillan James & Angela Mentas Ann Michel Erik & Jennifer Milonas Dina Missios Demitrios & Nelly Greek School Greek Dance & Cultural Arts School Monios Nick & Linda Moreno Russ & Stephanie Greek School is in full swing, the students are Congratulations to our dance ministry on so many Morgan Valerie getting ready for our Greek Independence Day achievements at FDF. Alex Alvertos received the Nicolaou Alexande & Reese celebration which will be celebrated on Sunday Dean S. Phillips Memorial Scholarship. Ta Patriotakia Palencia Emerson Papadakis Christina March, 20th 2016 right after church services. gave a delightful performance and danced with his Papadakis Michael & Janel Students will be reciting poems and participating in a play. Please come and join us for a lent Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos in Division III. PapadopoulosEvangelos & Loraine Mikra Asteria received First Place in Advanced Primary, Ta Angeloudakia took Third Place in Junior Papas Tasos & Georgia luncheon and celebrate with the Greek School. Pappas Dino & Catherine Pappas Mark & shari Everyone is welcomed. We would also like to Category, Junior Olympians received Third Place in Pappas Victor & Christina congratulate all the dance groups for the excellent performances at FDF. Intermediate, Nea Ellas won First Place in Senior Paulos Mary Category, and Olympians received Sweepstakes for Philips Mark & Crystal Division I. A fantastic reunion performance was given Ragias Pete & Maria Thank you, by many of the FDF founders, dancers, and musicians Reed Richard & Kyriaki Rembuskos Panayiotis & Valerie Kathryn Condaras, Principal including George Demos, Diane Karidakis, George Roumeliotis George & pamela Karidakis, and Jerry Thermos. Thankful to Spiro Sehremelis Andy & Leslie Beckas, Michael Syrengelas, George Demos, Vickie Silva Robert & Nicolette Demos, and Voula Contos for their dedication and Simitian Richard & Anna leadership to the FDF Board of Trustees as well as Siouris Chris & Panayota Shweiri Cathy & George Stelio Zoumberakis for his time served as an FDF Skourtas Tony & Angelique Judge. Toni-Marie Koulos worked on the Management Team in coordinating wonderful workshops and Sotiriou Panagiotis & Vasiliki Soultanakis Trudith Christine Alexopoulos for her logistical support and Soupos Tom & Barbara Spiropoulos Troy & Gina Little Lambs wisdom. Our dance board and dance families stood by Stathis Robert & Josefa the program at every step along the way. Grateful to Stavros Andy & Amber Our class is growing! Not only is each child our musicians who blessed us with their gift of music. Stavros George & Donna Syrengelas Soteria growing and learning but our attendance has Appreciative of our talented team of directors who Stavros Tom also. We are so excited to have so many cute, helped our dancers shine. Very grateful to Max and Sullos James & Vickie smiley faces each week. The children love singing, especially the "sailboat" song! They love cians. George Karidakis did a marvelous job recording Mary Lofton for their hospitality to our guest musi- Talaganis Ernest Talaganis John & Kathleen Talaganis Nick & Amy the crafts, especially coloring and glueing! They and uploading all performances. Thankful to Father Tavlarides Angelo & Mary love playing, especially when we take out the Christo and his Presvytera Jessica as well as our Pastoral Assistant Evan and wife Lia who guided us spiri- Terzis Con/nos & Suzanna parachute! This last month we had our first Thermos Jerry & Elli Outing. We met at the mall and the kids enjoyed tually throughout the weekend. Thanks be to God for Ticknor Chris & Crystal Toulios Spyros & Eleni playing in the play area while the parents got making this FDF journey possible! Toumasis Gerasimos & Kyriaky some time to chat. We also had a very festive Tsakoumakis Stan & Debora Valentine's Day celebration. Upcoming News: PLEASE SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, April 24 - Palm Sunday Luncheon immediately Valaskantjis Nikiforos & Georgia Varzak Darlene The connections between the children and parents made each week are priceless. It is so great Vasilomanolakis Dr. Mike & Niki following liturgy. More details to follow. Vasilomanolakis Francine to be a part of this growing ministry and we encourage all who have little ones to join us every Vlachos Dino & Helen Xeros Nicholas & Anna Zambos Angie Wednesday 10:30-11:30. Zarifes Angie Zoolakis Anthony & Kari Elizabeth Syrengelas Zoumberakis Stelio & Stacy Page 8 Page 5
In the year of the Lord - March 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 6 ΑΠΟΚΡΕΩ Judgement Sunday (Meatfare) Spring General Assembly 13 ΤΥΡΙΝΗΣ Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare) Philoptochos General meeting 20 Α Νηστειών (Ορθοδοξίας) Sunday of Orthodoxy Greek school Independence Day 27 Β Νηστειών (Γρ. Παλαμά) Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas 7 8 14 ΚΑΘΑΡΑ ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ Philoptochos Koulouma, Compline Service 6:00 pm Lenten Supper 6:30 pm Great Lent/Σαρακοστή Senior Christians Potluck 11:30 am P. C. Meeting 7:00 pm 15 21 22 28 29 Προηγιασμένη Λειτουργία Pre-sanctified Liturgy 6 pm Προηγιασμένη Λειτουργία Pre-sanctified Liturgy 6 pm 9 16 23 30 Greek School 5:30 pm - 7 pm Προηγιασμένη Λειτουργία Pre-sanctified Liturgy 6 pm 10 11 Metropolis GOYA Lenten Retreat Overnight @ Assumption 17 18 A ΧΑΙΡΕΤΙΣΜΟΙ 1st Salutation 7pm 24 25 Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου Annunciation of the Theotokos Orthros 9:30 am, D. Liturgy 10am 31 B ΧΑΙΡΕΤΙΣΜΟΙ 2nd Salutation 7pm 5 Ψυχοσάββατο 1st Saturday of Souls Orthros 9:30 am Orthodoxy 101: 1 pm - 2 pm 12 Ψυχοσάββατο 2nd Saturday of Souls Orthros 9:30 am Metropolis GOYA Lenten Retreat Overnight @ Assumption 19 Ψυχοσάββατο (Θαύμα Κολλύβων Αγ. Θεοδώρου) 3rd Saturday of the Souls Orthros 9:30 am Orthodoxy 101: 10 am - 11 am 26 Page 6 Events are subject to change without notice; please refer to weekly bulletin for current schedule Page 7