HOLY TRINITY December 2012 Volume 43 Issue 12 The Nativity of our Lord, Great God, and Savior Jesus 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. Protopresbyter Dean Nastos, Proistamenos, fr.dean@holytrinitywilmington.org Rev. Fr. Nick Rafael II, Associate Pastor, fr.nick@holytrinitywilmington.org For pastoral emergencies - you may call Fr. Dean @ 750-4336 or Fr. Nick @ (609)805-5674 Susan Kelleher, Church Secretary 384-7805 (home) Anargyros Liparos, Protopsaltis 654-4446 2011 PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS Georgia Halakos, President - (302) 379-4335 Demetri Karakasidis, First Vice President - (302) 898-6049 George Tsavalas, Second Vice President - (302) 345-5832 James Maravelias, Parish Council Treasurer - (302) 388-0873 Tom Karas, Assistant Treasurer - (302) 234-9090 George Rassias, Parish Council Secretary - (610) 322-3200 593-6433 Constantine Caras Spiros Mantzavinos 584-2846 562-3850 Tom Diamanty John Pennias 530-1517 354-0768 Nick Karavasilis Catherine Stathakis 750-9381 897-9429 Michael Kirifides Yvonne Tsavalas 540-2891 535-1344 John Koninis II Parish Council Meetings - 3rd Wednesday of every month @ 7PM CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS 478-0261 Philoptochos Katy Geanopoulos, President (856)678-4924 Sunday School Maroula Haralambidis, Co-Director 293-1127 Sunday School Amalea Rassias, Co-Director (609) 805-5674/731-5253/367-8132 GOYA Fr. Nick, Foula Karavasilis, Maria Kotanidis (609) 805-5674 Jr. GOYA Fr. Nick, Roula Pappoulis (609) 805-5674/475-1955/998-2949 HOPE/JOY Fr. Nick, Julie Tsakumis, Melissa Kontomaris 478-7864 Choir Anthony Pantelopulos, Director 562-5151 The Young @ Heart Club Peter Xarhoulakos, President (610) 388-2093 Altar Boys Michael Sanford, Director 530-1517 Greek School John Pennias 798-3052 St. Elpida George Righos (609) 456-3206 Terpsichorean Dance Troupes Harry Malapetsas (609) 805-5674 Vacation Bible School Fr. Nick 475-7672 Altar Guild Helen Doukakis, President 633-1112 Editorial Staff Dr. Costas Fountzoulas 322-0430 Web Site Nikoletta Klezaras 764-1824 Adult Bible Study (Wed. PM) Fr. Ganiaris 834-3428 Adult Bible Study (Thurs. PM) Basil Savopoulos 655-2252 / 764-2183 Emmanuel Dining Room East Nikkie Tsakataras & Tina Ganiaris King 897-1029 Holy Trinity Food Pantry Steve Nicholas AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS 740-1242 AHEPA Manny Kanas, President 998-9284 Daughters of Penelope Anthoula Anagnostou, President 652-1779 Hellenic University Club Stephen Karakasidis, 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.
THE PASTOR S LETTER Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord, your God, which He has given to you. Deuteronomy 16:17 As Orthodox Christians we don t ever have to stop believing in Santa Claus. We don t ever have to get serious or grow up or stop believing in fairy tales. You see, we have the great blessing of knowing the real story, the True Story. We actually get to know the real St. Nicholas. We know that he didn t wear a furry red outfit; instead he wore a Bishop s robe. And we know that he didn t live at the North Pole at all but in Myra, a city far away from here. But Myra wasn t all that different from our city it had houses and schools and markets. There were rich and there were poor. There were people who cared and people who didn t. And St. Nicholas was one who cared. In fact, his life of caring made a difference which was so profound that over 1,500 years later we still tell stories about him in every country of the world. Imagine that that s like people telling stories about how huge our love is but in the year 3505! Of course, St. Nicholas didn t set out to be remembered. He wasn t looking for his 15 minutes of fame, he didn t have a video or line of shoes; he wasn t on the cover of People magazine. He wasn t good so that he would be noticed being good. As a matter of fact, he sneaked around in the middle of the night. You see, St. Nicholas cared for people loved people for one reason alone. He loved them because our Christ loved him. St. Nicholas followed the example of his Hero, the example of Christ. So when St. Nicholas heard Matthew 25:31-46 he set out to care for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned because that s what Jesus asked him to do. So we must try to do the same. We must live as a rule of faith we practice what we preach so that our actions reflect our words; as an example of meekness we control our emotions so that they don t get angry or prideful, or humiliate and abuse anyone; as a teacher of temperance we control our appetites so that we do everything in moderation and avoid addictions. And, by God s grace as we live our lives like this we will acquire greatness through humility the greatness of being a follower of Christ; and spiritual wealth through poverty the spiritual wealth of being an example of love in a world hungering for kindness. I pray that as we all celebrate the Birth of our Lord that He will enter into our entire being so we may continue to care for all in all ways. CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM! In Christ s Service, Fr. Dean Αγαπητοί Αδελφοί και Αδελφές εν Χριστώ, «Έκαστος θέλει δίδει κατά την δύναμιν αυτού, κατά την ευλογίαν Κυρίου του Θεού σου, την οποίαν σοι έδωκε.» Δευτερονόμιον 16:17 Σαν Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί δεν πάψαμε ποτέ να πιστεύουμε στον Σάντα Κλός. Ποτέ δεν σταματούμε να «είμαστε σοβαροί», ή να «μεγαλώνουμε» ή να «σταματούμε να πιστεύουμε στα παραμύθια». Βλέπετε, έχουμε την μεγάλη ευλογία να γνωρίζουμε την πραγματική ιστορία, την Αληθινή Ιστορία. Πραγματικά ας γνωρίσουμε τον Άγιο Νικόλαο. Γνωρίζουμε ότι δεν φορούσε αστεία κόκκινα ρούχα αντιθέτως φορούσε την ρόμπα ενός Επισκόπου. Και ξέρουμε ότι δεν ζει στον Βόρειο Πόλο αλλά στην Μύρα, μια πόλη πολύ μακριά από εδώ. Αλλά η Μύρα δεν διέφερε καθόλου από την πόλη μας - είχε σπίτια και σχολεία και αγορές. Υπήρχαν πλούσιοι και φτωχοί. Υπήρχαν άνθρωποι που ενδιαφερόνταν και άνθρωποι που δεν ενδιαφερόνταν. Και ο Άγιος Νικάλαος ήταν ένας από αυτούς που ενδιαφερόνταν. Στην πραγματικότητα, το δια βίου ενδιαφέρον του έκανε τη διαφορά η οποία ήταν τόσο προφανής ώστε ακόμη και 1.500 χρόνια αργότερα εξακολουθούμε να μιλάνε γι αυτόν σε όλες τις χώρες του κόσμου. Φανταστείτε ότι... είναι σαν οι άνθρωποι να λένε ιστορίες για το πόσο τεράστια είναι η αγάπη μας... αλλά το έτος 3505! Φυσικά, ο Άγιος Νικόλαος δεν ενεργούσε έτσι για να τον θυμώμαστε. Δεν έψαχνε για 15 λεπτά φήμης του, δεν είχε ένα βίντεο ή μία σειρά υποδημάτων δεν ήταν στο εξώφυλλο του περιοδικού People. Δεν ήταν καλός, μόνο για να εντυπωσιάση με την καλώσύνη του. Στην πραγματικότητα ενεργούσε κρυφά μέσα στην νύχτα. Βλέπετε, ο Άγιος Νικόλαος νοιαζόταν για τους ανθρώπους - αγαπούσε τους ανθρώπους - για ένα και μόνο λόγο. Τους αγαπούσε γιατί ο Χριστός μας τον αγαπούσε. Ο Άγιος Νικόλαος ακολούθησε το παράδειγμα του Ήρωά του, το παράδειγμα του Χριστού. Έτσι, όταν ο Άγιος Νικάλαος άκουσε το κατά Ματθαίον 25:31-46 ο ίδιος έθεσε ως στόχο να νοιάζεται για τον πεινασμένο, διψασμένο, ξένο, γυμνό, άρρωστο, και τον φυλακισμένο, επειδή αυτό είναι που ο Ιησούς του ζήτησε να κάνη. Γι αυτό πρέπει να προσπαθήσουμε να κάνουμε το ίδιο. Πρέπει να ζούμε σαν τον κανόνα της πίστης να κάνουμε πράξη αυτά που κηρύττουμε, έτσι ώστε οι ενέργειές μας αντανακλούν τα λόγια μας Ως ένα παράδειγμα πραότητας - θα ελέγχουμε τα συναισθήματα μας, έτσι ώστε να μην θυμώνουμε ή να κάνουμε υπερφίαλο,, ή εξευτελίζουμε και να κακομεταχειριζώμαστε κανένα σαν δάσκαλοι εγκράτειας - θα ελέγχουμε τις ορέξεις μας, ώστε να κάνουμε τα πάντα με μέτρο και να αποφεύγουμε τους εθισμούς. Και με τη χάρη του Θεού, καθώς θα ζούμε τη ζωή μας με αυτόν τον τρόπο, θα αποκτήσουμε μεγαλείο δια μέσου της ταπεινότητας - το μεγαλείο του να ακολουθούμε τον Χριστό και πνευματικό πλούτο μέσα στη φτώχεια - ο πνευματικός πλούτος του να είμεθα ένα παράδειγμα αγάπης σε έναν κόσμο πεινασμένο για καλοσύνη. Προσεύχομαι για να εορτάσουμε την Γέννηση του Κυρίου μας, ώστε Αυτός να εισέλθη σε ολόκληρη την ύπαρξή μας, για να μπορέσουμε να συνεχίσουμε να φροντίζουμε όλους με κάθε τρόπο. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΓΕΝΝΑΤΑΙ! ΔΟΞΑΣΤΕ ΤΟΝ! Στην Υπηρεσία του Χριστού,
Father Nick s Letter Dear Parishioners, But you, O Bethlehem Ephratha, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me, One Who will be Ruler over Israel. (Micah 5:2) It is most appropriate that from small things and places, great events occur. I wonder why Jerusalem, the Holy City of God, was not chosen as the birthplace of the Messiah? It was big and famous throughout the world. It had a long history and was sophisticated. In addition, the Temple of the Lord was there. All this mattered little. In fact, because of these worldly considerations, Jerusalem was chosen as the place where He would die. God did not need a place of destruction. He needed a place of warmth, a place of simplicity, a place of poverty. And so the little town of Bethlehem was picked from the ancient days, as the prophesy of Micah tells us. The prophecy was meant to teach us, even three thousand years later. Bethlehem was the home of David the King. Our hearts and souls must be the home of David s successor, Jesus Christ the King of all. We do not have to be wealthy and/or sophisticated to make a place for Jesus. We do not have to be world-famous to greet the King of the creation, the Prince of Peace. We can be small in importance as Bethlehem was, but we too offer the cave of our heart. No matter how small and insignificant Bethlehem was, Bethlehem will stand out, today and for all time, as the place where the Savior brought salvation to the world. That is our destiny, to stand out among all people as a shining example of Christ s love; to be filled with importance because the Lord has found a home with us and in us. It can, will and must happen for us to truly celebrate the awesome birth of God in the flesh. Dear friends, my prayer is that Christ finds His place in the manger of your soul. May you be tender and loving to Him as were Mary and Joseph. May you be awestruck as the poor shepherds. And may you be as determined to worship the Lord as the Wisemen were. May you also remember to be as generous as they were to Christ the King, bringing Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. May you and your loved ones have the holiest and happiest Christmas. Christ Is Born! Glorify Him! In Anticipation of His Birth, I remain, Father Nick «ΚΑΙ σύ, Βηθλεέμ, οίκος του Εφραθά, ολιγοστὸς εi του είναι εν χιλιάσιν Ιούδα εκ σου μοι εξελεύσεται του είναι εις άρχοντα εν τω Ισραήλ.» (Μιχαίας 5:2) Είναι πλέον κατάλληλo ότι από μικρά πράγματα και χώρους, συμβαίνουν μεγάλα γεγονότα. Αναρωτιέμαι γιατί Ιερουσαλήμ, την Αγία Πόλη του Θεού, δεν επιλέχθηκε ως η γενέτειρα του Μεσσία; Ήταν μεγάλη και διάσημη σε ολόκληρο τον κόσμο. Είχε μια μακρά ιστορία και ήταν καλλιεργημένη. Επιπλέον, εκεί ήταν ο Ναός του Κυρίου. Όλα αυτά είχαν λίγη σημασία. Στην πραγματικότητα, εξαιτίας αυτών των κοσμικών θεωρήσεων, η Ιερουσαλήμ επιλέχθηκε ως ο τόπος όπου Αυτός θα πέθαινε. Ο Θεός δεν χρειάζοταν ένα τόπο καταστροφής. Χρειαζόταν ένα τόπο ζεστασιάς, ένα τόπο απλότητας, ένα τόπο φτώχειας. Και έτσι, η μικρή πόλη της Βηθλεέμ επιλέχτηκε από τα αρχαία χρόνια, όπως η προφητεία του Μιχαία μας λέει. Η προφητεία είχε ως στόχο να μας διδάξη, ακόμη και τρεις χιλιάδες χρόνια αργότερα. Η Βηθλεέμ ήταν το σπίτι του Βασιλιά Δαυίδ. Καρδιές και τις ψυχές μας πρέπει να είναι το σπίτι του διαδόχου του Δαβίδ, ο Ιησούς Χριστός, ο Βασιλέας των όλων. Δεν χρειάζεται να είναι πλούσιος ή/και καλλιεργημένος για να κάνη μια θέση για τον Ιησού. Δεν χρειάζεται να είμαστε παγκοσμίως γνωστοί για να χαιρετήσουμε τον Βασιλέα της δημιουργίας, ο Πρίγκιπας της Ειρήνης. Μπορούμε να είμαστε μικρή σημασία ως Βηθλεέμ ήταν, αλλά προσφέρουμε επίσης το σπήλαιο της καρδιάς μας. Δεν έχει σημασία πόσο μικρή και ασήμαντη ήταν η Βηθλεέμ, η Βηθλεέμ θα ξεχωρίση, σήμερα και για πάντα, ως ο τόπος όπου ο Σωτήρας έφερε τη σωτηρία του κόσμου. Αυτό είναι το πεπρωμένο μας, να ξεχωρίσουμε ανάμεσα σε όλους τους ανθρώπους ως ένα λαμπρό παράδειγμα της αγάπης του Χριστού να πληρωθούμε με σημασία, διότι ο Κύριος έχει βρει ένα σπίτι μαζί μας και μέσα μας. Μπορεί, πρέπει και θα συμβή και για μας για να εορτάσουμε πραγματικά την θαυμάσια γέννηση του ενσαρκωμένου Θεού. Αγαπητοί φίλοι, η προσευχή μου είναι να βρή ο Χριστός τη θέση Του στη φάτνη της ψυχής σου. Είθε να είσθε τρυφεροί και να δείχνετε αγάπη προς Αυτόν, όπως η Μαρία και ο Ιωσήφ. Μπορεί να είστε έντρομος όπως οι φτωχοί βοσκοί. Και είθε να είσθε αποφασισμένοι να λατρεύετε τον Κύριο, όπως οι Μάγοι. Είθε επίσης να θυμάσθε να είσθε τόσο γενναιόδωροι όσο ήταν στον Χριστό τον Βασιλέα, προσφέροντας Του σαν δώρα χρυσό, λιβάνι και σμύρνα. Είθε εσείς και τα αγαπημένα σας πρόσωπα να έχετε τα ιερότερα και πιο ευτυχισμένα Χριστούγεννα. Χριστός γεννιέται! Δοξάστε Τον! Εν αναμονή της γέννησης του, παραμένω, Πατέρας Νικόλαος
. My Dear Fellow Parishioners, The Presidents Page Αγαπητοί μου Ενορίτες, It is hard to believe we are almost at the end of the year! I would like to take a moment to thank those parishioners who have helped make this yet another fantastic year at Holy Trinity. Together we have accomplished much and we look forward to the new year and what it will bring to us as we continue to work together. As we celebrate this month, we remember some of the items on our to-do list that have been marked DONE!!... The newly renovated hall, with an alcove at the rear of the building; the entire building has been re-caulked, preventing further damage from the weather; and now the Memorial Garden Pavers have been placed and, as you will see as you arrive for services, is a welcoming addition to the front of our church building. Please note there is still time and plenty of room to add your paver! Call the church office if you are interested. I would like to thank Harry Malapetsas, our dance instructor for his work with our Terpsichorean Dancers and commend him for his work with our youth. Our GOYAns will be attending the Metropolis Folk Dance Festival in Annapolis. Please read his article in this bulletin. We thank you for your continued support of this ministry and our dancers. As we move into December there are many ministry Christmas programs, luncheons, dances, and get togethers planned and I hope you take the opportunity to attend as many as you are able. I also hope to see you in church for our Christmas Services and again at our annual New Year s Eve Gala! I pray that your family will be blessed through this Christmas Season and have a wonderful new year! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Georgia Halakos Είναι δύσκολο να πιστέψουμε ότι είμαστε σχεδόν στο τέλος του έτους! Θα ήθελα να λάβω μια στιγμή να ευχαριστήσω τους ενορίτες οι οποίοι εβοήθησαν να γίνη αυτή η χρονιά μία ακόμα μία φανταστική χρονιά για την Αγία Τριάδα. Μαζί πετύχαμε πολλά και προσβλέπουμε στο τι θα μας φέρη η νέα χρονιά, καθώς συνεχίζουμε να συνεργαζώμαστε και προσπαθούμε να γίνουμε ένα με τον Χριστό τον Κύριό μας. Καθώς εορτάζουμε αυτό το μήνα, ας θυμώμαστε μερικά από τα θέματα της λίστας μας του τι-πρέπει-να-κάνουμε που έχουν ήδη επισημανθεί σαν ΕΓΙΝΕ!! Η πρόσφατα ανακαινισμένη αίθουσα, με μια εσοχή στο πίσω μέρος του κτιρίου ολόκληρο το κτίριο έχει σφραγιστεί εκ νέου, για να αποτραπή η περαιτέρω ζημιά από τις καιρικές συνθήκες και τώρα τα τούβλα του Memorial Garden (Κήπου Μνήμης) έχουν τοποθετηθεί και, όπως θα δήτε φτάνοντας για τις ακολουθίες, αποτελεί μία προσθήκη καλωσορίσματος στο μπροστινό μέρος του κτιρίου της εκκλησία μας. Παρακαλώ σημειώστε ότι αν σας αρέση αυτό που βλέπετε, υπάρχει ακόμα χρόνος και άφθονος χώρος για να προσθέσετε το μνημόσυνο τούβλο σας! Καλέστε το γραφείο της εκκλησίας, αν σας ενδιαφέρει να δωρήσετε ένα. Θα ήθελα να ευχαριστήσω τον Χάρη Μαλαπέτσα, τον δάσκαλο του χορευτικού μας για το έργο του με Χορευτές Τερψιχόρης και να τον συγχαρώ για το έργο του με τη νεολαία μας. Οι νέοι της GOYA μας θα συμμετάσχουν στο Λαογραφικό Φεστιβάλ Χορού της Μητρόπολεως στην Αννάπολη. Παρακαλώ να διαβάσετε το άρθρο του σε αυτό το δελτίο. Σας ευχαριστούμε για την υποστήριξή σας για την υπηρεσία τους και τους χορευτές/ριες μας. Καθώς εισερχώμαστε στο Δεκέμβριο έχουν σχεδιασθεί πολλές Χριστουγεννιάτικες εκδηλώσεις, γεύματα, χοροί, και "συναντήσεις" και ελπίζω να δράξετε της ευκαιρίας να παρακολουθήσετε όσα από αυτά μπορείτε. Ελπίζω επίσης να σας δούμε στην εκκλησία για τις Ακολουθίες των Χριστουγέννων και πάλι στην Χοροεσπερίδα του Νέου Έτους! Προσεύχομαι ώστε η οικογένειά σας να είναι ευλογημένη αυτήν την περίοδο των Χριστουγέννων και να έχετε ένα όμορφο νέο έτος! Σας ευχώμαστε Καλά Χριστούγεννα, Γεωργία Halakos
A meaningful way to remember your Church is through the ENDOWMENT FUND Its purpose is to insure the long term growth and financial stability of our Parish. This is a separate Fund which is not used for the operating expenses of the Parish. You may donate now or remember it in your will. Gifts of any size are welcomed and appreciated. What is important is not the size of your gift, but your commitment to the Church. Virtually anything of value may be donated to the Endowment Fund: cash, appreciated securities (stocks and bonds), appreciated real estate, bequests (remembering the Church in your will), life insurance policies, life income plans. By planning your gift you can maximize the tax benefit to you. Find out more about it now. Do not postpone it for later. For more information call any of the trustees: Costas Caras (302-652-6242), Georgia Halakos (302-777-0162), Demitri Halakos (302-777-0162), Ted Michell (302-429-6934), Antonis Mistras (302-498-0752), Dean Pappas (856-935-4439), Nick Psaltis (302-478-5715), George Vassilatos (302-478-4870), Nick Vouras (302-658-5991).
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER The Sunday School students and staff hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to our Thanksgiving Canned food drive. The donated food was taken to the Sunday Breakfast Mission. December is a busy time for the Sunday School. On Sunday, December 16, 2012, the whole Sunday School will take Holy Communion together. We ask that parents help their children prepare. If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Dean or Fr. Nick. After Holy Communion, we will proceed to the Community Center where the Philoptochos will offer breakfast. We thank the ladies of the Philoptochos Society for the Communion Breakfast that they offer every year. After the coffee hour, we will hold our annual Christmas Pageant. Please join us; the children enjoy this event very much. In last month s bulletin, we started telling you about out very talented staff. This month we focus on the two teachers who teach the Pre-kindergarten class. They are Eleni Katapodi who has taught for three years and Effy Thomas who has taught for about six in different grades. The following is what they do in class. The Sunday School lesson is very important at this age (3 to 5) because it is an introduction of our religion. The children start to learn that we are Orthodox Christians and they learn how to do their cross. We start by introducing Jesus and His mom Mother Mary. We read stories about Jesus life and throughout the year, the children begin to recognize Jesus and The Virgin Mary in icons. We talk about guardian angels, saints, how to pray, what we celebrate during our Holy and Feast days. We also do arts and crafts that are carefully chosen in order to familiarize the children with Orthodox and Byzantine agiografia. It is important that the children understand and love Sunday School from this age because this will continue throughout their Sunday School experience. Our biggest effort is to present God in simple ways and make children love and trust God. The Sunday School wishes all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. See you in 2013! Maroula Haralambidis and Amalea Rassias Co-Directors The Terpsichorean Dance Troupe has been expanding rapidly these past few years. Our practice attendance has nearly doubled. I am very happy about our progress thus far and would like to see the group continue to grow. Upon entering the group as Instructor we have begun to perform at competitions and annual events representing Holy Trinity, Wilmington. For this years upcoming competition, we are trying to purchase new costumes from Thrace. We are seeking help from our parish to purchase 18 costumes at a total cost of $5000. If you would like to make a contribution please email the dance group at terpsichoreans@holytrinitywilmington.org or contact Susie Kelleher at the church main office. Sincerely, Harry Malapetsas
PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS It is with the greatest of pleasure to wish our entire community a joyful and wondrous Christmas season. However, we must keep in our thoughts and prayers the victims of the most recent disaster, Hurricane Sandy. With this mind we would encourage the entire community to support the Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos Disaster Relief Fund. Donations via Gift cards from Acme, Shoprite, Wal-Mart, and Walgreens would be greatly appreciated. Numerous families have been so severely affected and our support is very necessary. Please submit all donations to Father Dean. The Saint Agape chapter was pleased to donate $2000 to the Disaster Relief Fund and a further $2000 was donated to support the charity KIVOTOS TO KOSMOU. This charity is based in Greece and provides food, clothing, etc to needy families. To celebrate the wonderful occasion of our Saviour s birth, The Philoptochos Society is holding a number of events for us all to enjoy this wonderful time of year. On the 8 th of December we cordially invite the entire community to join us for a Christmas Luncheon. The event will be held at the Mendenhall Inn commencing at 12:00 pm. Ticket price $35. Please call Maria Grigorakakis for reservations. We very much hope that many members of the community will join us on the day. We are planning to conduct the annual Christmas Bread/Tsoureki bake sale on the 12 th and 13 th of December. If interested, please notify Alexandra Tsaganos with your order. On the 16 th of December we cordially invite the entire community to join us for a Community Breakfast. The event will be held in the Church Hall immediately after the Sunday service. We very much hope that many members of the community will join us on the day. On January 13 th we will be cutting the Vassilopita. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. With love in Christ, Katy Geanopulos
2012 Community Christmas Card Dear Parishioners, As the Christmas Season is approaching, the Philoptochos Society once again is asking you to express Holiday Greetings to each other by including your name in our Community Christmas Card. This card will be sent to everyone in our parish. Your contribution of $25.00 per person or family will go towards Philoptochos charities. For your convenience, the Philoptochos ladies will be available in the community hall every Sunday during November, or you may complete and mail the form below. We thank you and wish you a very Merry Christmas! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I/We wish to add my/our name(s) to the Community Christmas Card. Name(s): Address: Zip Telephone: Deadline: Monday, December 3, 2012 Please make checks payable to: Philoptochos Society Mailto: Alexandra Tsaganos 4626 Weldin Road Wilmington, DE 19803 Phone: 302.762.5292
Serving in December... Epistle Readers: December 2 ~ Dimitri Kaliakin December 9 ~ Jamie Kostas December 16 ~ Larry Kirifides December 23 ~ Yanni Kaliakin December 30 ~ Larry Kirifides Narthex Duty: December 2 ~ Group 2 December 9 ~ Group 1 December 16 ~ Group 2 December 23 ~ Group 1 December 30 ~ Group 2 Coffee Hours: December 2 ~ AHEPA December 9 ~ Greek School December 16 ~ Philoptochos December 23 ~ Parish Council December 30 ~ Parish Council If you would like to be added to the list of Prosforon Offerers, please call Loula at the number listed below, or, if at any time you wish to offer the Prosforon without being added to the list, please feel free to bring it in on any Sunday that you wish. Prosforon Offerers for December December 2 December 9 December 16 December 23 December 30 Vasiliki Kromedas Niki Karaoglanis Vickie Karakasidis Maria Papanicholas Maria Kramedas Sophia Regas Dimitra Lempesis Litsa Anestos Eugenia Zerefos Joanna Tsaganos If you cannot meet your scheduled date please contact Loula Kapordelis @ 354-5383 ST BASIL TEAM 12/9 & 12/23 Dimitri Kaliakin, Captain (610) 274-2247 Steven Constantinou Theodore Fessaras Constantinos Fournaris Nicholas Gianelos Larry Kirifides Andrew Rafael Markos Zerefos Holy Trinity Altar Boys 2012-2013 Rev. Fr. Dean Nastos, Pastor Rev. Fr. Nick Rafael II, Associate Pastor Mr. Michael Sanford, Director ST. CHRYSOSTOM TEAM 12/2 & 12/16 & 12/30 Antonio Fessaras, Captain (302) 836-9173 Chris Coulaloglou Alex Hristopoulos Lazarus Kirifides Constantine Krikelis Niko Marinis Panagiotis Tzinoudis Yianni Zerefos When you are scheduled to serve you should be in the Altar Area ready to serve by 9:45AM. The latest you can come into the Altar Area is 10:30AM. Please wear appropriate attire long pants, shirt, tie, black or brown shoes (NO SHORTS OR GYM SHOES ALLOWED). Your hair must be combed, teeth brushed, and hands washed. When you enter the Altar Area, please have your robe blessed by Fr. Dean and then put it on. During the service, please remember that people are watching you. Please do not talk unnecessarily or make unnecessary movements. Listen directly to your Captain, Fr. Dean or Mr. Sanford. Please follow the service with the book provided in the Altar Area. When you leave, please hang up your robe in the Altar Boy Closet. If you have any questions, first speak with the Captain. If you need further information, please speak with Fr. Dean or Mr. Sanford.
Διάφορα Δρ. Κώστας Γ. Φούντζουλας Πως να το εξηγήσης στα παιδιά; «Να σας ζήση», «Ζωή σ εσάς», «Να ζήσετε», «Χρόνια Πολλά», «Και του χρόνου», είναι μερικές από τις συνηθισμένες εκφράσεις που χρησιμοποιούμε σε διάφορες κοινωνικές εκδηλώσεις της ζωής μας που τις κουβαλήσαμε μαζί μας από την Ελλάδα. Πως να εξηγήσης στα παιδιά μας μέ λίγες λέξεις το νόημα «Να ζήσετε» ότι αυτό σημαίνει για εμάς «να ζήσετε ευτυχισμένοι μέχρι τα γεράματα και καλούς απογόνους». Ακόμη και οι λέξεις «καλούς απογόνους» δεν σημαίνει μόνο «να μην είναι κακοί άνθρωποι», αλλά υγιείς, χρήσιμοι στην κοινωνία, επιτυχημένοι στην ζωή, πατριώτες, άνθρωποι με αρχές. Δύο λέξεις που κρύβουν το απόσταγμα αιώνων, που πέρασαν στο ΔΝΑ μας και δεν χρειαζόμαστε επεγηγήσεις. Πως να εξηγήσης στα παιδία γιατί συγκινήσαι και ίσως δακρύζεις κάθε φορά που ακούς «Τη Υπερμάχω Στρατηγώ τα νικητήρια»; Τι να τους πής ότι αυτές οι στίχοι είναι συνδεδεμένοι με την ιστορία της Βασιλεύουσας, της πρωτεύουσας της μεγαλύτερης Χριστιανικής αυτοκρατορίας, της Ανατολικής Ρωμαϊκής Αυτοκρατορίας, που είναι γνωστή σαν Βυζάντιο, ένα απο τα σημεία αναφοράς του Ελληνισμού; Πως να τους εξήγήσης ότι λέξεις της γλώσσας τους, όπως πατριώτης, σε κάνουν υπερήφανο γιατί κουβαλάνε στους αιώνες την ιστορία σου. Πως να εξηγήσης στα παιδιά ότι σου έφερνε δώρα ο Άη Βασίλης την παραμονή της πρωτοχρονιάς και όχι ο Άγιος Νικόλαος, γνωστός και σαν Σάντα Κλός στην Δύση, και όχι μόνο; Αν και φθηνά δώρα σε έκαναν ευτυχισμένο γιατί ήταν από το υστέρημα της οικογένειάς σου, γι αυτό ήταν τόσο πολύτιμα, και δακρύζεις γιατί η ευτυχία σου ήταν η ζεστασιά και αγάπη της οικογένείας σου αυτές τις γιορτινές ημέρες; Πως να τους εξηγήσης ότι ο Άγιος Νικόλαος είναι ο προστάτης άγιος των ναυτικών μας; Τι να τους πής, ότι ο Έλληνας ιεράρχης της ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας μας, ο Μέγας Βασίλειος, ό Άη Βασίλης μας. ο οποίος καταγόταν από την Καισάρεια της Καππαδοκίας του Πόντου, είναι ντυμένος με φτωχά ρούχα και όχι με κόκκινη ρόμπα, χωρλις κόκκινα μάγουλα, αλλά αδύνατος από την άσκητική ζωή και νέος σε ηλικία, αφού εκοιμήθη μόλις 48 ετών. Δεν πρόλαβαν τα γένια του να γίνουν κάτασπρα. Δεν έλεγε «χο, χο χο» όταν επέστρεψε τα χρυσαφικά τους στους κατοίκους της Καισαρείας αφού είχε σώσει την πόλη από την λεηλασία του Ρωμαίου Επάρχου. Πως μπορείς να τους εξηγήσης τους αιώνες της ιστορίας των ηθών και εθίμων προγόνων τους με λίγες λέξεις; Ας είναι τουλάχιστον ευτυχισμένα! Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Έτος! Various Dr. Costas G. Fountzoulas How can you explain to the kids? "Na sas Zissi (Let he/she stay alive)," "Life in you (Zoi se esas)", Na zisete (You all to stay alive), Many years or returns (Xronia Polla), "Ke tou xronou (Also next year)", are some of the usual expressions we use at various social events of our lives, which we carried with us to the New Land from Greece. How to explain to our children in few words the meaning of "To live", which for us means "to live happily until old age and to obtain good offspring." Even the words "good offspring" mean not only "not bad people," but healthy, useful to society, successful in life, patriots, people with principles as well. Two words that enclose the distillate of the centuries, that has passed in our DNA and we do not need to hear further explanation to understand their meaning. How to explain to your children why you are moved, and maybe shed tears, every time you hear the verses of the Akathist Hymn, "O Champion General, we your faithful inscribe to you the prize of victory? How to tell them, I am in tears because these verses are connected with the history of Constantinople, the capital of the largest Empire of Christianity, the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as Byzantium, one of the points of reference of Hellenism? How to explain to them, that words of their language, such as patriot, make you proud because they carry throughout the centuries your history. How to explain to your children that Saint Basel (Ai Vasilis) brought to us gifts the New Year's Eve and not Saint Nicholas, known as Santa Claus in the West and beyond? Although those gifts were cheap compared to today s ones, they made you happy. They were so valuable because they were bought for you despite the poor finances of your family. You cry because your happiness was the warmth and love of your family those festive days, all enclosed in a cheap gift. How to explain that St. Nicholas is for you the patron saint of our sailors? How to tell them, that the Greek Hierarch of the Orthodox Church, Saint Basil the Great, our Ai Vasilis, who came from Caesarea of Cappadocia Pontus, is not fat dressed in a red outfit, he had no rosy cheeks, but he was skinny from his ascetic life, who passed away very young, just 48 years. His beard had no time to turn white. He was not singing "ho, ho ho" when he was returning the gold to the residents of Caesarea after having saved the city from the sacking of the Roman Prefect. How can you explain to them the centuries of history of the customs and traditions of their ancestors in a few words? At least, you wish them to be happy! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Holy Trinity 2012 Financial Stewards Adamopoulos, Angeliki & Anastasios Adamopoulos, Chris & Nancy Adamopoulos, Sotiere Al-Annouf, Nabil & Rabia Batah Alexandratos, Angelos Alexandridis, Thanos & Sharon Alexopoulos, John & Elena Amygdalos, Michael & Christine Anagnostou, AnaMaria Anagnostou, Anthoula Anagnostou, Mary Anastasakos, Georgia Anastassiades, Andreas & Litsa Andreadis, Cleopatra Andreadis, Evan & Theone Andrianopoulos, Faith Annos, Elaine Annos, William & Irene Anton, Anthony & Lucille Antony, Michael Apessos, Spyros & Maria Apostolakis, Nicholas & Irene Apostolatos, Arkontoula Apostolatos, Evaggelos Arvanitis, Argyrios & Lisa Atsidis, Kostas & Eutichia Bacchieri, Gregg & Stacey Bambacus, Meropi Battas, Stephanie Belitsas, Athanasios & Antonia Boines, Daniel & Dale Boines, Georgia Bouloukos Harry & Anastasia Brostoff, Seth Brown, Michael Brown, Sean & Maria Brown, James & Karen Burpulis, Costa & Maria Burpulis, John & Mary Burpulis, Stamatis Caras, Christina Caras, Constantine & Maria Caras, George & Chris Caras, Harry & Susan Carros, Demo & Helyn Chahalis, James & Maria Chambers, George & Katherine Chappel, Jane Chilimidos, Dennis & Effie Chilimidos, Jerry & Amy Chris, Alexander & Edith Christou, Christos Christou, Demetra Christou, Vasilios & Alexandra Ciabattoni, Olga Coates, Eftihia & George Colborn, Brian & Nicole Colyvas, Amanda Congalidis, John Constantinou, George Constantinou, John & Carol Contompasis, Petros & Bessie Cooke, Charles Costalas, Alexandra Costis, Gus & Patsy Coulaloglou, Michele & Costas Courtis, Harry & Sophia Coustenis, Robert & Katherine Cozamanis, Olympia Creedon, Mary Cubeta, Jamie & Tina Cusanelli, Patrick Dalbow, Katerina & Edward Dalianis, John & Vicky Dandolos, Dimitrios & Carol Degermentzidis, George & Polyxeni Demetriou, Spyros & Anna Demourtzidis, Joseph & Erini Demourtzidis, Nikolaos & Daphne Demourtzidis, Steven Diamanty, John & Kathy Diamanty, Thomas & Sue Diamond, Anthony & Lauren Diamond, John & Susan Dickey, Irene Dignam, Agnes Donald, Maria & Bill Doukakis, Helen Drimones, Clara Drimones, Nicholas Dumel, John & Evangeline Eliades, Sophie Evangelatos, Speros & Emily Evlom, Martena Fafalios, Mary Faller, James & Catherine Fanandakis, George & Helen Fanos, George Ferentinos, Peter Ferentinos, Spero & Joan Fessaras, Costas & Anna Fessaras, Zaharias & Irene Fikioris, Dimitrios & Margaret Fotakos, Leonidas A. & Sophia Fotakos, Toula Fountzoulas, Costas & Audrey Fournaris, Emmanuel & Evanthea Fournaris, George & Aspasia Frangakis, Andrew Frangakis, John & Christine Frangia, Stephen Frangos, Theone Galanakis, Ekaterini Galanis Nick & Agnes Galaris, James & Katherine Ganiaris, Fr. Stamatios & Pres. Joan Ganoudis, Dean & Joanna Gargalas, Thomas Gatos, George Gatos, Paula Gattuso, Jean & Michael Geanopulos, Georgiean Geanopulos, Katy George, Mary Georgiou, Gus Geralis, Loula Gerassimakis, Nick & Connie Gianakis, Charles & Ioanna Gianelos, James & Stacie Giannaris, Fr. George & Pres. Mary Giannatos, Gerry & Anna Gotides, Virginia Graham, Alton & Catherine Graham, Christine Gregory, Helen Grigorakakis, Maria Grivas, Christopher & Michell Grivas, Demetrios & Helen Guajardo, Evangelina Guardascione, Lou & Shelly Hadjipanayis, George & Voula Halakos, Billy Halakos, Demetrios & Georgia Halakos, Evangelos & Donna Halakos, Joannis & Eftihia Haldas, Harry Haldas, Nicholas & Rodie Haldas, Thomas & Prudy Haldas, William & Shirley Haldas-Ross, Melissa & Christopher Hall, Philip & Eleni Hann, Eugenia & Gary Hantzandreou, George Hantzandreou, Katerina Hantzandreou, Theodore & Labrini Hantzopoulos, George Hantzopoulos, Kostas Hatzis, Nicholas & Katherine Hatzis, Tom & Georgia Hondry, Bill Hondry, Joan Hondry, Steve Iliadis, Tina & Dimitrios Ioannou, Ida Issaris, Katherine Joannides, Joseph & Alice Johnson, Margo Joseck, Fred & Xanthy Kalaitzoglou, Apostolos & Niki Kalfas, Caroline Kaliakin, Victor & Elizabeth Kalampakas, Athanasios & Joanna Kalmer, Mary Kamenakis, George & Effie Kamenakis, Peter Kanas, Larry Kanas, Manny Kapordelis, Loula Karablacas, Helen Karablacas, Stelios Karablacas, Virginia Karagiannis, Peter & Tina Karakasidis, Demetrios & Eleni Karakasidis, John & Vicki Karakasidis, Stephanos & Evagelia Karamihalis, Dean Karaoglanis, Eleftherios & Niki Karas, George Karas, Tom Karas, Yianny Karavasilis, Nick & Foula Katsanos, Stella & Jack Katsimbris, Dennis & Angela Kehagias, John & Katherine Keros, Georgia Kertiles, Paul & Marietta Kimbiris, George & Beatriz Kirifides, Alexander & Kathy Kirifides, Lazarus M. & Helen Kirifides, Michael & Kerry Kirifides, Vasil & Elefteria Kirtses, Petros & Athy Kledaras, George & Ann Kledaras, Olympia Klezaras, Nikoletta Klezaras-Lurz, Marina Kollias, Basil & Dimitra Kollias, Georgia Kollias, Polly Koninis, Christina Koninis, John & Anastasia Koninis II, John Kontis, Gus & Cindy Kontomaris, Kostas & Melissa Kostas, James Kostas, John & Gale Kostas, Lynn Kostas, Nicholas Kostoulas, Evangelos Kotanides, Anastasia Kotanidis, Antonios & Roula Kotanidis, Christos & Maria Kotanidis, Efstathios & Linda Kourpas, Elias & Chrystallo Mouza Koutoufaris, John & Marlene Kramedas, Gregory & Matoula Kramedas, Maria Kramedas, Nina & Theodore Kramedas, William & Genie Krikelis, Helene Krikelis, Basil & Jamie Krikelis, Peter & Susan Kromedas, Constantinos & Vasiliki Kusumi, Jeff & Robin Kyranakas, John Kyriakakis, Anthony Laletas/Brockett, Ernest & Barbara Laskaris, Johanna Laws, Brian & Vasiliki Lawson, Michael & Victoria Lazare, John & Sandra Lazaridis, Anastasis & Christina Lazopoulos, John & Christina Lazopoulos, Melissa Lemper, Anthony & Diana Lempesis, Anastasios & Dimitra Leounes, Thomas & Helen Liarakos, Evelyn Liarakos, George & Ann Liparos, Anargyros Little, Mary Livaditis, John & Marisa Lomis, Dean & Toula Long, Irene MacKewiz, W. Lee & Irene Maidanos, Emily Makis, Gus & Anthi Manis, Voula & John Manolakis, Mary Manolakos, Nick & Paula Manoloudis, Michael & Kandi Manos, Philip & Voula Mantzavinos, Chris & Mary Mantzavinos, Spiros & Megan Maravelias, Angelique Maravelias, James & Diana Marini, Irene Marinis, Jaclyn Marinis, Kalliope Markatos, Harry & Susan Markozanis, Maria & Michael Matulas, Anagnostis & Angela Matulas, Apostolas & Georgia Mavridis, Maria & Prodromos Mayew, G. Michael & Charlotte McFarland, Antoinette & Steve McManus Ryan & Theodora McVaugh, Eugenia & Andrew Melisaris, Anastasios & Diane Mentis, Constantia Mesogianes, Barbara Metaxotos, Nicholas Michell, Constantine & Elaine Michell, Theodore & Catherine Michell, Vasili & Megan Milionis, Constantine Minella, Tia & Charles Misogianes, Milt & Carol Mistras, Antonios & Soula Mistras, Theodora Mistras, Michael Moutsatsos, George & Alexia Nannas, Theodore & Alexandra Nastos, Fr. Dean & Pres. Carolyn Ney, Bruce & Marina Nicholas, Steve Nicholas, William Nicholson, Matina Novakis, Louis Ohlemacher, Leo & Evangeline O'Neal, Brian & Christine Pagonis, Carrie Pagonis, Marcus & Cheryl Panagiotidis, Athanasios & Elizabeth
Financial Stewards continued... Pandelakis, Denis & Anna Pantelopulos, Anthony & Daphne Pantsos, Christina Papachrysanthou, Christos & Penelope Papachrysanthou, George & Laura Papademetriou, Kyriakos & Amber Papantinas, Stephen & Elaine Pappanicholas, Demetrios & Maria Pappanicholas, Evan Pappas, Elizabeth Pappas, Helen Pappas, John & Lois Pappas, Sandra Pappoulis Christina Pappoulis Roula Pastis, Jackie Pennias, John & Stavroula Pettaris, George & Stavroula Pettit, Stacie & Jim Phalangas, Charalambos & Mary Phillips, Ernest & Iris Phillips, Pauline Pispitsos, Pantelis Pittaoulis, Steve Pittas, John Popescu, Sabastian & Manuela Poulos, Marika Poulos, Vasilios & Eulampia Psaltis, John Psaltis, Nickolas & Sophia Psaltis, Thomas & Cindy Psihalinos, George & Athina Psihalinos, Nikos Pyrros, Georgia Rafael II, Rev. Nick & Pres. Olga Raisis, Leonidas & Irene Raisis, Spiros Ranalli, Anthony & Marie Rassias, Dion & Gina Rassias, George & Amalea Rassias, Peter Rayias, Peter & Kathryn Regas, Constantinos Regas, Petros & Christine Regas, Sofia Riggins, Margaret Righos, George & Elaine Roustopoulos, Theodoros & Alexia Ruhl, David & Athena Saffos, John & Karla Saitis, Mary Sakiadis, Byron & Alice Sanford, Mike & Andrea Sapunas, Areti Saridakis, Christopher & Penelope Sarmousakis, Marika & Chris Sartin, Nimrah & Deborah Savopoulos, Basil & Despina Savopoulos, Virginia Schillinger, Karen & Robert Skiadas, Peter & Stavroula Snell, Bryan & Pauline Souleles, Nicholas & Alexis Spanos, John & Carol Sparks, Everett & Alexandra Staikos, Dimitri Stathakis, Catherine Stavru, Nicholas & Maria Stavru, Sophia Stevens, Richard & Penny Stout, Bob & Voula Tangalidis, Dimitrios & Maria Tarabicos, Anastasia Tarabicos, James & Sophia Tarabicos, John & Joanne Tawfik, Emad & Soultana Tektonopoulos, Diamantis Terris, Costas A. & Clara Terss, Eugenia & Robert Theodorakis, Stamatis & Lisa Thomas, Angelina & Richard Triantafyllou, Athanasios & Valentina Trikaliotis, Kostas Troumounis, Antonio Tsaganos, Anthony & Joanne Tsaganos, George & Alexandra Tsaganos, Nicholas & Joanna Tsaganos, Robert & Popi Tsaganos, Tina Tsakataras, George Tsakataras, Nikki Tsakiris, Konstantine & Denise Tsakiris, Tony & Jessica Tsakumis, George & Julia Tsakumis, Theodore Tsaldaris, Nicholas & Bonnie Tsavalas, George & Yvonne Tsionas, Constantine & Foula Tsionas, Efthimios & Anna Tsiouplis, Vasilis & Matina Tsoukalas, George & Frideriki Tsoukalas, Harry & Niki Tsugranes, George & Penny Turley, Steve & Akiko Tzidras, Tanya Tzinoudis, Konstantinos & Demetra Valko, Regina Vance, Nicholas & Irene Vande Poele, A. David & Anne Vassilatos, George & Yvonne Vassiliou, Kleoniki Vassos, Barbara Velitskakis, Steve & Karen Vice, Billy L. & Elaine Vlamis, Nicholas & Peggy Vore, Mary Elizabeth & Roy Voultsis, Petros & Catherine Vouras, Nicholas Wilkinson, Clifford L. & Suzanne Wissman, Charles & Vaya Wissman, Charles Wolcott, Josiah & Paraskevi Wright, Douglas & Alexandra Xarhoulakos, Peter Yiannos, Peter & Stella Zaloga, Paul & Joann Zambetis, Paul & Zoe Zerefos, Demetri & Tina Zerefos, Markos & Eugenia Ziccarelli, Lou & Cathy Zinna, Anthony & Nina Zographos, Nicholas & Katherine As of November 20, 2012 Stewardship Amount Pledged: $247,687.50 Total Number of Pledging Families: 439 Total Number of Eligible Stewards: 560 Average Pledge: $564.00 Amount of Pledge needed for budget: $1,300.00 As of November 20, 2012 If you have not sent in your 2012 pledge yet, there is still time. Please use the card below and mail to the church office or drop in the offering plate on Sunday. 2012 STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Wilmington, Delaware 2012 stewardship pledge card I/We glorify God for all the blessings He has given me/us and as an offering of thanks I/We make the following Financial commitment to the Stewardship Program of Holy Trinity Church: * I/We pledge to give a TOTAL of $ for the year 2012 * I/We will make donations: (check one) Weekly (by envelope) Monthly In Full (by March 1 st ) NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP AREA CODE & TELEPHONE Note: This is not a contract but a pledge of intentions. It can be changed at any time by contacting Fr. Dean.
Order Form for Christmas Bread (Christopsomo) Now is the time to order. The Philoptochos Ladies will be making this wonderful, traditional bread on Wednesday, December 12 and Thursday, December 13. This makes a wonderful gift for a friend or family member ~ or ~ a lovely addition to any meal during the Christmas Season. Please use this form for your order. Bread can be picked up between 3:30 to 5:00pm on Wednesday and Thursday, or Sunday, December 16 th, after the Divine Liturgy. Cost: $12.00 Name: Phone #: # of Breads Amount enclosed: Make checks payable to Philoptochos Society and mail to: Alexandra Tsaganos ~ 4626 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE 19803 ~ (302) 762-5292 2012FLOWERS FOR FEAST DAY ICONS Flowers always add beauty to whatever they adorn. It has always been a tradition among our Orthodox Churches to decorate Holy Icons with flowers when the Feast Day is being celebrated. Please contact Helen Doukakis @ 475-7672 and donate towards the flowers you would like as soon as possible. As always, this will be done on a first come, first serve basis. The names of those who donate the flowers will be listed in the Monthly Bulletin the month after the Feast Day is celebrated. Thank you for your support in this project and may our Lord continue to bless you. Please make your check payable to: HOLY TRINITY ALTAR GUILD Flowers for St. Barbara Icon - Dec. 4 th $35.00 Flowers for St. Nicholas Icon - Dec. 6 th $35.00 Flowers for St. Spyridon Icon - Dec. 12 th $35.00 Flowers for Nativity of Christ Icon - Dec. 25 th $35.00 Flowers for St. Stephen Icon - Dec. 27 th $35.00 40-Day Blessings of Mother & Child The Rite of Churching Together with being baptized and chrismated, the newborn child is also "churched." The rite of churching imitates the offering of male children to the temple according to the law of the Old Testament, particularly the offering of Christ on the fortieth day after his birth (Luke 2:22). Because of this fact, baptism in the Orthodox tradition came to be prescribed for the fortieth day or thereabouts. In the New Testament Church both male and female children are formally presented to God in the Church with special prayers at this time. Valentina & Athanasios Triantafillou with baby Demetri October 28, 2012
ALTAR GUILD We are now in the beautiful Christian season of Advent and soon will be celebrating the birth of our Lord. The Altar Guild will once again be decorating our Church with beautiful poinsettias and other decorations for Christmas. If you would like to make a donation for the purchase of the poinsettias, please fill in the form below and mail it to the Altar Guild. The Altar Guild wishes to thank the following parishioners for their donations in November: Karablacas Family Wreath in honor of the feast day of St. Nektarios (November 9): Prayers for the continued health of our family. Elizabeth S. Pappas Altar Flowers on November 11 Remembering my mother, Pauline Pappas Jenkins, on her birthday on November 9; and in loving memory of my nephew, Philip Peter Kamenakis, on the second anniversary of his passing. Helen L. Doukakis Wreath in honor of the feast day of St. Andrew (November 30): In memory of a loving mother, Andronike Liacouras, on her nameday, and best wishes for my daughter, Andrea Niki Koutures on her nameday. ***** Members on Duty in November: Helen Doukakis, Catherine Faller, Joan Ganiaris, Catherine Graham, Tina Ganiaris King, Stacey Koninis, Mary Kountourzis, Steve Nicholas, Mary Mantzavinos, Sofia Regas, Barbara Vassos and Mary Beth Vore ***** 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 or for the purchase of poinsettias for the Christmas holiday, please advise the president (Helen Doukakis, 475-7672) any member of the Altar Guild or use the form below. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name Telephone Reserve date Special occasion Enclosed: $ Make checks payable to Holy Trinity Altar Guild Mail to: Katherine Coustenis, 62 Springer Court, Hockessin, DE 19707 May we publish this in our monthly listings? Yes No -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ICON BOOTH The Altar Guild will be opening the Icon Booth on December 2 and December 16 for the convenience of the Community. We have many items that might make interesting gifts for Christmas: A selection of icons, cookbooks, The Orthodox Study Bible, "A Guide to Greek Traditions and Customs in America", book on the Greek War for Independence and a book Battle of Crete. We also have children's books available; mugs- I Love YiaYia, I Love Papou and others. In addition, we have charcoal and livani. Please keep these dates in mind: December 2 and December 16. And the best gift idea for the holidays a beautiful ornament of our Church! *****WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED GENEROUS SUPPORT***** POINSETTIAS Poinsettias will soon be decorating our Church for Christmas. To make this purchase, donations are needed and would be appreciated. Please contact Helen Doukakis (475-7672) or any other member of the Altar Guild to make a donation. We thank you for your continued support.
SAVE THE DATE for the AHEPA Chapter #95 Cordially invites you to attend our annual Christmas Dinner Dance Saturday, December 8, 2012 6:00-11:00 pm at with Greek Entertainment D. J. Leo $45.00 per person
Be sure to stop by the WE ARE FAMILY TABLE in Fellowship Hall and see some of the Religious Education Families photos. A great way to get to know who s who in our Church Family. We d like to thank Cindy and Maria Kontis for taking the fantastic photos and Presvytera Olga and Presvytera Carolyn for setting up the display. Stop outside the Religious Education classrooms to see the group pictures with their Teachers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WELCOME MINISTRY starts with you. Your help is needed! Blue Visitor cards are set in the pews. One member of our Welcome Ministry Team will remain in the Narthex to assist visitors or potential new members who come to worship for the first time and ask them to fill out a BLUE VISITOR card for information. Visitors will receive a Holy Trinity pin to wear, helping to identify them at Fellowship Hour. Blue cards with your guests information needs to be returned to our Greeter so they can get it to Fr. Dean or Fr. Nick before Holy Communion for announcements. Join us in welcoming and sharing your Faith with those visiting with us! Ministry members include: Nia Charalambides, Evie Fournaris, Presvytera Carolyn, Andrea Sanford, Presvytera Olga. NEWCOMERS last month: Alexandra Colello, originally from Andover, Massachusetts, has moved here to work for Gore & Associates. Dr. Kristen Brownell, originally from Worcester, Massachusetts, has moved here from California and works for Dow Chemical. Candy-Cane Lore The stockings that I found as a child next to my bedroom door on the morning of December 6 th St. Nicholas Feast day and tucked under the tree on Christmas morning were always overflowing with goodies: oranges and apples, walnuts and pecans still in the shell and candy, candy, candy! But each candy meant something. There were always gumdrop bells in the stocking to represent the songs of the angels sang to the shepherds about Christ s birth, and chocolate coins for the bundles of gold coins Bishops Nicholas left for the poor family with three daughters. Finally the big candy cane slipped over the cuff of the stocking was a symbol of the staff that Bishop Nicholas carried, every bishop carries one just like it, too, because the bishops are responsible for watching over the Lord s flock. My mother taught me to say an extra prayer for my bishop whenever I crunched a candy cane, or hung one on a wreath or tree branch, so he d do his job well. I just knew him as a kind, older man with a long white beard and a bright purple cape who visited our parish several times a year; I had no other understanding of his duties. Now, as an adult, I know how much my bishop travels so that he can watch over, teach, and reassure the flock building and strengthening the Church and I know why my mother told me what she did! (Candy cane season doesn t seem like enough anymore, so I have extended this personal tradition to be applied for all types of mints. Silly, I know, but a great reminder to pray ) Here is another bite of modern candy cane lore you might enjoy sharing with your children, adapted from ACSI Ohio River Valley Regional News, November/December 2000: Many years ago, a pious old candy maker decided to make a special candy for Christmas, to remind people how important this holiday was and what it really meant. He started with pure white mint candy, to remind those who tasted it of the sinless nature of Christ and the way He came into the world; born of a pure virgin. He made the candy hard, so those who broke off pieces would remember the rock on which Christ build His church, the statement of the Apostle Peter that He was indeed the only Son of God. The candy maker shaped the stick of candy into a crook, to remind those who saw it that Jesus Christ is both the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God. When He hears even one stray sheep calling, He will find him and return him to the flock, and He offered himself as a sacrifice to bring salvation to all mankind. Thinking that his candy creation was very plain, for all it symbolized, the candy maker added a thick red stripe to it, for the blood that He shed on the Cross, along with three thin stripes, for the scourging and humiliation He suffered on their behalf. The candy cane tells the story of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Please join us for The Hellenic University club s Annual Scholarship Christmas Dinner Dance When: Saturday, December 15, 2012 Where: Wilmington Country Club Ballroom 4825 Kennett Pike / Wilmington, Delaware Time: Cocktails ~ 6:00-7:30pm Dinner & Dancing ~ 7:30-11:00pm Dancing Only ~ 9:00-11:00pm Cost: $100.00 per person $30.00 per person - Dance Only Contributions to Scholarship Fund ~ unlimited!!! Please RSVP by Thursday, December 1 st to: George Tsavalas, 24 Withers Way, Hockessin, DE 19707 with your check made out to the Hellenic University Club, the names of those participating, plus your separate contribution to the Hellenic University Club Scholarship Fund! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please detach and include with your check the names of those who will attend.
!! HOPE JOY PIE BAKE & SALE A SUCCESS!! The pie baking was a success. We had 23 children attend. They had fun making pies, decorating signs, and playing games with Father Nick!! Thanks for supporting HOPE/JOY! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HOPE/JOY wishes all of you a Merry Christmas!
F. for Y. your I. information Q. Where did we get the Christmas fast and how should we observe it? A. The Christmas Fast is one of the 4 fasts on the Orthodox liturgical calendar. It came into existence much later than the Great Lent preceding Pascha. The first positive historical mention of it in the Eastern Church is in a 7 th century writing by the Archbishop of Sinai, Anastasios. It is designated as a 40 day fast, and meat is not supposed to be eaten during it. Since Christmas is a feast on the fixed liturgical cycle of the Church and is celebrated on December 25 th each year, the Christmas fast begins on November 15 annually. The purpose of the Christmas fast is to spiritually prepare us to celebrate Christmas. We should first focus on our Orthodox Faith, what it teaches us, what we read in the Bible and at the same time seek to deepen our spiritual life. The Christmas fast is not as strict as the Great Lent period. Throughout the entire 40 days meat should not be eaten but fish, oil and dairy products may be eaten except on Wednesdays and Fridays. We should increase our reading of the Holy Bible and other appropriate books. We should participate in the Sacraments of Holy Confession and Holy Communion. This fast period allows us another opportunity to participate in Holy Confession, either for the first time or more times. Holy Confession allows us to be forgiven of the sins we have committed and allows us to follow the path towards our Lord with a new outlook and spiritual joy. Holy Confession does not hurt or is not painful, does not cost anything and brings the love of Christ to us even more meaningfully through His forgiveness. Holy Confession try it, you will like it! We our also called to give of ourselves, today we call it Stewardship. Offer your Stewardship by increasing what you are already doing now. Giving of ourselves is simple and again does not hurt or is not painful and will only benefit our spiritual life in all aspects. The Christmas fast should become important to us and not only about thinking what presents we will be receiving at Christmas. Our spiritual life must become or continue to be our number one priority. Remember it is a matter of life (with Christ) or death (a life without Christ). If you would like to participate in Holy Confession, please contact either Fr. Dean or Fr. Nick and make an appointment. God is with us Soon we will hear the singing of God is with us. These words are found in the book of Isaiah and are sung at services for the Nativity and Theophany as a refrain to words chanted from the prophecy of Isaiah. God is with us! Simple words insistently conveying a profound meaning. Our lives are very busy. Though there are many labor-saving and time-saving technologies in our lives, our lives actually seem busier than ever. This is true about our personal and family life. It is also true about life in the Church. Wherever we turn, our calendars are full of commitments and activities and responsibilities. In the midst of this round of time-consuming activity we habitually lose sight of deeper meaning. In the flow of details we are no longer aware of the goal and purpose of our lives. In our preoccupations we forget God. And then, in the winter celebrations of the Nativity and Theophany, Jesus Christ is revealed as the presence of God in our midst, God is with us! As we chant in Matins services throughout the year, God is the Lord, and has revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord! As we hear during Great Lent in the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the light of Christmas illumines all! The message of the Church at all times is that God is present. Not only in this message, it is a wonderful reality and a beautiful gift. Let our labors and prayers and lives as Orthodox Christians be such that the presence of God is made evident in our churches and our homes, in our parish communities and our families. God is with us, therefore no fears or anxieties can overcome us. God is with us, therefore we have a gift to share with humanity. God is with us, therefore we are given the grace to love God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. God is with us, therefore light overcomes darkness and Christ is our joy. Father Leonid Kishkovsky
GOYA Christmas Project Put a smile on a needy child s face this Christmas! Adopt a Child by purchasing a warm piece of clothing and a toy! Please visit the GOYANs table in the Church Hall right after Liturgy for further instructions OR contact Maya Kaliakin at mkaliakin@gmail.com All gifts must be collected by DECEMBER 9, 2012 THANK YOU! JR GOYA Christmas Project Our Jr. GOYAn s will be collecting nonperishable food & clothing (jackets, gloves, scarves, sweatshirts, jeans, women s and children s clothing) for the needy and homeless. Cardboard boxes will be displayed on the balcony for your convenience.!!!! Please Be Generous!!!!
HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE $500 DEPOSITS & APPLICATIONS ~ EXTENDED TO DECEMBER 7TH, 2012 CHOICE #1 HOLY LAND ~ CAPPADOCIA ~ CONSTANTINOPLE ~ May 10-25, 2013 $3795 double occupancy-$4955 single occupancy plus $510 air and fuel tax CHOICE #2 HOLY LAND ~ May 10th-19th, 2013 $2535 double occupancy - $3235 single occupancy plus $460 air & fuel tax EXTENSIONS TO AND FROM GREECE AVAILABLE Business Class Flight Upgrades Available ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Join Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Wilmington, DE for an unforgettable Spiritual Odyssey through Israel and Turkey including Cappadocia THE HOLY LAND: Visit the most important sites in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth and Tiberias! See the Church of St Anne and the pools of Bethesda, Mt. Zion, the Garden of Agony, the House of St. John the Theologian, The Tomb of the Virgin Mary, the Prison of Christ (Praitorion), the Church of the Nativity, the Monastery of St. Gerasimos Iordanitis, Mt. of Temptation, The Church of the Apostolos, the Mt. of Beatitudes, the Church of Tabgha, Capernaum, the Church of the Transfiguration on Mt. Tabor, Cana and the Church of the Annunciation. Visit the Tomb of St. Lazarus and Via Dolorosa. Attend midnight Liturgy at the Holy Sepulcher. Enjoy a boat-ride on the Sea of Galilee and Experience a spiritual baptism in the River Jordan. Private audience with the Patriarch of Jerusalem (subject to confirmation)! CAPPADOCIA: Area of refuge for persecuted early Christians and home to many important saints such as St. Basil. See the rocky moonscape of Cappadocia where early Christians carved out caves and churches decorated with coned ceilings, graceful columns and impressive frescoes. See the Zelve Valley and the Goreme Open Air Museum with its world famous Dark Church. Descend into the incredible underground city of Kaymaki. Visit Sinassos with its many churches such as St. Nicholas and the Church of Constantine & Eleni. CONSTANTINOPLE: You will visit important Greek Orthodox sites including Agia Sophia, the Ecumenical Patriarchate & the Cathedral of St George, the Church of the Holy Savior, ianagia Vlacherna and Baloukli Monastery with the Zoodochos Pegee. Enjoy shopping at the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar! Attend a private audience with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (subject to his availability and confirmation). YOUR TOUR WILL INCLUDE: *Round trip air JFK / Tel Aviv /Kayseri/IST/JFK on Turkish Airlines *Israel: Two nights in Tiberias at the Gai Beach Hotel (4*sup), five nights in Jerusalem at the Dan Panorama (4*sup) *Turkey: Three nights in Cappadocia at the Double Tree Hilton (4*sup) and three nights in Constantinople at the Elite (5*) *All hotel tax, service fees, daily breakfast & dinner in Israel & Cappadocia, breakfast and two dinners in Constantinople *Eleven days of private sightseeing in air-conditioned motor coach with English speaking guide specializing in the Orthodox sites. Entrance fees included. *Private Audience with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (subject to confirmation) *Private audience with the His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem (subject to confirmation) *All private arrival and departure transfers with English-speaking guide FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT : LOCAL COORDINATOR & GROUP LEADER: YVONNE: yvonne.tsavalas@prufoxroach.com / 302 540 2891 or Cloud Tours Inc. 31-09 Newtown Ave. Long Island City, NY 11102 Tel: 718-721-3808 Toll Free 800-223-7880 Fax: 718-795-4356. Email: stephen@cloudtours.com
Breakfast With Santa Sponsored by the Families of the Greek School Sunday, December 9 th Please join us in the community hall following liturgy for a full breakfast, a visit from Santa Claus, and Christmas fellowship! Donations Appreciated. Kids, bring your wish list so Santa can take it with him! Call the church office with any questions. Time for Kalanta! Open to all children Save the Date: Sunday, December 23rd (Following Liturgy, carpool in main lot) Please join the Greek school for this yearly tradition of song as we visit local businesses. Please contact Alexia Moutsatsos at amoutsatsos@hotmail.com Save the Date for: Greek School s "Winter Wonderland" Community Dance Saturday, January 26, 2013 Food and Live Music by Zephyros from 7pm-? Doors open at 6:30pm Enjoy Greek Food, Cash Bar, Live Greek and American Music, and our famous Raffles!! All community members and their friends are invited! All proceeds benefit the Holy Trinity Greek School and its improvement programs. Adults: $40 Kids 15 and Under: $10 Under 5 years old: Free Please contact Alexia Moutsatsos for tickets. Advance Table Reservations suggested. amoutsatsos@hotmail.com or 302-654-5611
HOLY TRINITY FOOD PANTRY For whatever we do, let it be with Love in our hearts ~ Let us only wish each other well. We offer thanks for the generosity of over forty of our parish family members who donated non-perishable food items in November which were gratefully accepted by the very stressed food pantries in the Wilmington area, especially the Sunday Breakfast Mission who conducts an annual Thanksgiving Food distribution to the needy, and informs us that donations are down this year by one third. Our food drive is obviously on-going all year, but we think of those in need particularly during the Lenten season when we are reminded to give to those who have less than us. This Christmas Season, the Holy Trinity Food Pantry again offers to receive larger donations of frozen food items such as Turkeys, hams, or other meats to complete the holiday feasts at the homes of those who we probably will never meet, but who none the less are our brothers and sisters. We will truly sit down with them together in Peace and Joy as we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! To donate frozen perishables, either bring these items to the church office, or to schedule a home pick up by a Food Pantry Member, call Susie at the Church Office (302) 654-4446. We would like to make HONORABLE MENTION to the children of our Sunday School and their families. We have been taking food that they have collected over the past few weeks to the Sunday Breakfast Mission. We commend them for starting to support our Food Pantry and remind them that their reward in heaven is great! Good Job ~ Thy good and faithful servants! We pray you will continue to help us as we endeavor to feed those who are in need. Wishing you a blessed Christmas full of love, joy, and everything good! Nikkie, John, Tina & Steve November 12th at the Emmanuel Dining Room Through the charitable contribution of Katherine Issaris, 190 men, women and children enjoyed a warm meal on Monday, November the 12th. Catherine hosted the day and was joined in the kitchen by her friend Elizabeth, and by Bessie Contompasis, Evie Fournaris and Nikkie Tsakataras. We extend our sincere thank you to Katherine for her generous sponsorship again this November and we thank all her help for their many years of charitable service to this worthy ministry! Vickie and John Karakasidis and family will sponsor our day on Wednesday, December 12th. All are welcome to join in as we serve lunch on the 12th from noon to 1p.m. at 3rd and Walnut Streets in downtown Wilmington. Various groups and individuals generously donate the food and host the luncheon meal 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. The Young @ Heart Our next gathering will be on Thursday, December 13, at 1:00pm We meet in the AHEPA ROOM Refreshments will be served! Merry Christmas!
Poinsettia Legend A poor little girl by the name of Aleta stood at the door of an Adobe hut weeping because Christmas was at hand and she had nothing to take to the Christ Child to show her love. She knew others would come to the church on Christmas Eve bringing flowers to place around the crib built upon the altar. An angel appeared and asked her why she was crying. Aleta told her. The angel told her to gather some weeds at the roadside. But Aleta said she did not want to take weeds but she agreed to do as the angel wanted. The church was ablaze with the light that Christmas Eve. She placed the weeds among the flowers. They became a bower of beautiful scarlet flowers. Ever since these flowers are known as (Flor de la Noch-Buena) the flower of the Nativity or the Poinsettia, and red and green became the Christmas colors. Can I Be A Christian Without Working in the Church in Some Capacity? Yes it is as possible as being A student who will not go to school A soldier who will not join the army A citizen who does not pay taxes or vote A salesman with no customers An explorer with no base camp A businessman on a deserted island An author without readers A tuba player without an orchestra A parent without a family A football player without a team A politician who is a hermit A scientist who does not share his feelings M I S S I N G Please note that someone from the community took an old picture of past Greek School from the wall outside the Church Office to make a copy of it. IT WAS NEVER RETURNED. If you are the one who took this picture, please bring it back ASAP! ALSO An Icon donated by Agnes Galanis is missing from the Narthex. If you took this Icon ~ Please bring it back to the church NO QUESTIONS ASKED... HOLY TRINITY REGISTRY for November 2012 Churchings: Konstantinos, the son of Yiannis & Panayiota Kytiziridis received his 40 day Church blessing on November 15th. We congratulate the family and pray the Lord will bless them as they prepare for baptism. Scarlet, the daughter of Jonathan & Christina Hoddinott, received her 40 day Church blessing on November 25th. We congratulate the family and pray the Lord will bless them as they prepare for baptism. Baptisms: Alicia Vincent, was baptized on November 18th in our Church. The sponsors were Fred & Xanthy Joseck. We congratulate her and her sponsors and welcome Alicia into the Orthodox Faith. Weddings: Nicholas Psihalinos & Aristea Douroupis were united in Marriage on November 18th in our Church. Their sponsor was Stathis Zafiratos. We congratulate the newly united in Christ and pray our Lord will bless them always. Memorials: Sophia Marilyn Nicholas ~ 1 Year ~ November 25 Vi Nicholas ~ 3 Year ~ November 25 Nick Nicholas ~ 32 Years ~ November 25 An Artoclasia was offered on November 11th by Nektarios Kapetanakos in honor of St. Nektarios. An Artoclasia was offered on November 18th by the Daughters of Penelope in honor of their founders day.
Wilmington Philoptochos Honors Presvyteres The Saint Agape Philoptochos Society of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church held a wonderful event in the newly renovated Hellenic Community Center on October 20, 2012. The event was A Celebration Honoring Our Presvyteres Past and Present. All the Presvyteres that ever served Holy Trinity were honored. All the Presvyteres of the Delaware Valley churches were also invited to this event and those who attended were recognized and honored. The presvyteres are the Unsung Heroines of our Greek Orthodox Church and the evening was dedicated to them. The community of Holy Trinity came to support Philoptochos in thanking these women who made a lifetime commitment to the church. The president of the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres (NSP), Presvytera Alice Noplos, sent a beautiful letter that was printed in the evening s Program and we thank her for her support. The proceeds from this event will be donated to the NSP Benevolent Fund which provides support for presvyteres, clergy and their families in time of crisis or need. We were fortunate to have as our guest speaker the Reverend Father Demetrios Costantelos, Ph.D., D.D., who is an esteemed professor (emeritus), a well known author and a highly regarded and respected theologian and scholar of Byzantine Civilization and Hellenism. Fr. Constantelos offered a scholarly, thoughtful and at times humorous talk on the meaning of the word presvytera. He wrote it in verse and as he delivered it, you could hear a pin drop in the hall. He received a well deserved standing ovation. Fr. Costantelos was introduced by his niece, Cathy Ziccarelli. Biographies and photographs of the honored presvyteres were in the beautiful program prepared by Tina Ganiaris King. The biographies of the presvyteres showed that our presvyteres are women of faith who not only support every aspect of the church and church community, but they are also professional women that are counselors, teachers, scientists, book-editors, community leaders, business women, organizers as well as wives, mothers and grandmothers. There was a raffle of three wonderful prizes. Our resident artist, Presvytera Joan Ganiaris, donated a beautiful water color of a scene in the Berkshires. A beautiful icon of Christ in gold and hammered silver was donated by Vickie Karakasidis. The third prize was a big basket filled with Greek delicacies. The lucky winners were overjoyed! Our own George Tsavalas, a fabulous photographer, was using his magic camera all evening to save memories of this wonderful event. Our amazing chef Demitri Halakos prepared an elegant dinner that received raves. Our Philoptochos pastry experts made a mouth watering galactoboureko that was a big hit. Our committee was co-chaired by Vickie Karakasidis and Yvonne Vassilatos. Pauline Snell handled all the reservations and tickets. Georgia Halakos, our Parish Council President, and Katie Geanopulos, our Philoptochos President, were also involved in the planning of this event. Susie Kelleher was a great help with the publicity of the event. We would like to thank the church organizations and individuals for their donations. We of the Saint Agape Philoptochos are proud of all our Presvyteres, past and present. We took just a moment in our lives to say thank you ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ to these amazing women, our Presvyteres. Yvonne Vassilatos
ΤΙ ΝΑ ΣΕ ΠΩ; Πώς θέλεις νά σέ πώ, καί τί νά σέ ονομάσω,παπαδιά ή κυρά παπαδιά; Παπαδιά σέ είπανε κι ακόμη σήμερα πολλοί Χριστιανοί παπαδιά σέ λέγουν Τιμή σού αποδίδουνε, μάνα τής Εκκλησιάς σέ θεώρησαν καί μάνα σέ λογίζουν Μά μού φαίνεται πώς πρεσβυτέρα προτιμάς, ή μήπως πρεσβύτιδα Οπως ο Απόστολος τού Χριστού σέ λέγει, μαζί καί οι αρχαίοι χριστιανοί Γερόντισα ιεροπρεπή καί καλοδιδασκάλα, τίς νέες στήν αρετή νά οδηγή Προσθέτουν οι ιεροί πατέρες Πρεσβύτιδα σέ ονόμαζαν καί οι Ελληνες, αρχαίοι καί βυζαντινοί «Tήν τού θεού πρεσβύτιδα» εκάλουν οι πρόγονοι τήν ιέρεια τών ναών των Μά σήμερα σέ καλούμε πρεσβυτέρα, σύζυγο τού ιερέα πρεσβυτέρου. Δηλαδή, όπως λέμε τήν γυναίκα τού προέδρου προεδρίνα,τού γιατρού γιατρίνα, τού δάσκαλου δασκάλα, τού δικηγόρου δικηγορίνα,τού δικαστή δικαστίνα, ονομάζουμε τήν σύζυγο τού ιερέα πρεσβυτέρου πρεσβυτέρα. Ετσι δέν είναι; Κι όταν ο πρεσβύτερος έχει οφφίκιο τού οικονόμου θά τήν λέμε οικονόμα, τού πρωτοπεσβυτέρου πρωτοπρεσβυτέρα. Η μήπως κάμνω λάθος; Στήν ελληνική γλώσσα, σέ όποια τής ιστορίας περίοδο κι αν πάμε, τό πρεσβυτέρα εννοεί γερόντισσα. Μά νεαρό κορίτσι εσύ,παντρεμένη σέ ιερέα, γερόντισσα δέν είσαι,πώς πρεσβυτέρα θέλεις νά σέ πώ; Στά τριάντα σου καί στά σαράντα σου, στά εβδομήντα σου ακόμη πρεσβυτέρα νά σέ πώ δέν σού ταιριάζει Μά καί στά ογδόντα σου, τό βλέπω, γερόντισσα δέν είσαι. Πλούσια είναι η Ελληνική μας Γλώσσα, πού πρέπει νά σώσουμε καί νά μιλάμε Παπαδιά καί πρεσβυτέρα ονόματα τιμητικά είναι, καί σεβασμό εννοούν Στήν Ελληνοχριστιανική Ορθοδοξία πρεσβυτέρα είναι η σεβαστή γερόντισσα Σεβαστή ως σύζυγος, διακόνισσα ιερωμένη, όπως τήν θέλει η Γραφή Ο τίτλος πρεσβυτέρα καθιερώθηκε καί έγινε πιά σεβαστή παράδοσις Καί τί δέν είναι η πρεσβυτέρα, συνεργάτης τού συζύγου ιερέα Ιέρια καί διακόνισσα στό σπίτι της, στήν «κατ οίκον Εκκλησία» Μέτοχος σέ χαρές καί αποκούμπι σέ πόνους καί σέ θλίψεις Καθρέπτης καί παράδειγμα γιά άλλες τής εκκλησιάς μητέρες Αστέρι, μέ φώς δικό της γιά να φωτίζει όπου βρεθεί Μέ αρετή, υπομονή, μητέρα υποδειγματική η πρεσβυτέρα Μέ αγάπη, στοργή καί κατανόησι στό έργο τού συζύγου ιερέα Tίς πρεβυτέρες πού εγνώρισα τά τελευταία εξήντα χρόνια Ετσι τίς πιό πολλές εγνώρισα, γεμάτες αγάπη καί υπομονή, Σταθερές στήν πίστι, ακλόνητες στίς δοκιμασίες, άκαμπτες στήν ελπίδα, επίμονες στήν σιωπηλή προσευχή στό σπίτι Παράδειγμα στήν Κοινοτική λειτουργική καί κατηχητική ζωή Τί περισσότερα νά πώ καί τί νά μολογήσω γιά τίς πρεσβυτέρες Πού διδάσκουν τήν ελληνική κληρονομιά μας, γλώσσα καί ιστορία, ύμνους καί τραγούδια στά κοινοτικά σχολεία, Πού οργανώνουν καί διεθύνουν τής Εκκλησιάς τήν χορωδία, πού εθελοντικά υπηρετούν δημόσια νοσοκομεία, γηροκομεία, πτοχωκομεία καί άλλων ειδών φιλανθρωπικά ιδρύματα, οταν αγόγγυστα φέρουν σταυρό όταν κάποιος στό σπίτι μέ χρόνια αρρώστεια υποφέρει. Η ελπίδα καί υπομονή τής πρεσβυτέρας δέν έχουν όρια! Ερωτώ, πόση υπομονή νά χουν οι πρεσβυτέρες πού τιμάμε απόψε; Μή ρωτάτε εμένα! Μέ στοργή γιά τήν υγεία τών παιδιών καί τήν αγωγή των Τά παιδία ά μοί έδωκε οθεός» όπως λέγει η Γραφή, Πρεσβύτερος καί πρεσβυτέρα συνεργοί είναι τού Δημιουργού Θεού Διάκονος τού Χριστού εκείνος, μάνα τής Εκκλησιάς εκείνη, Ολιγαρκείς καί οι δυό, δυνατοί στήν πίστι, τήν αγάπη καί τήν υπομονή Δύο σώματα καί μιά ψυχή στήν διακονία Θεού καί ανθρώπου. Μά τί νά πρωτοκάνει καί ποιόν να πρωτακούσει η αφοσιωμένη πρεσβυτέρα Μαγηρεύει, πλύνει, καθαρίζει καί τό τηλέφωνο στό σπίτι κάθε τόσο απαντά Τηλεφωνήματα γιά τόν ιερέα από νοσοκομεία καί γηροκομεία, επισήμους καί ασήμους,προέδρους Συμβουλίων καί Φιλοπτώχων Αδελφοτήτων πρωτοσυγκέλλους καί συμπρεσβυτέρους,συμμαθήτριες καί συμπρεσβυτέρες Πόσες φορές νά έκαψε τό βραδυνό φαγητό σέ τηλέφωνα νά απαντήση! Μή ρωτάτε εμένα! Μά ο σύζυγος διπλωματικά τό φαγητό πάντα νοστιμότατο τό λέγει! Ευτυχής είναι ο ιερέας όταν τέτοια αγάπης σύζυγο πρεσβυτέρα έχει. Τήν ευγνωσύνη του εκφράζει καί τόν Θεό δοξολογεί Τέτοια σύντροφο ευδόκησε στήν ιερή του διακονία ν άχη. Λοιπόν, τήν γνώμη σας- πώς νά ονομάσουμε τήν σύζυγο τού ιερέα παπαδιά, δηλαδή μάνα ή μανούλα, όπως λέγαν οι παληοί, ή πρεσβυτέρα, δηλαδή γερόντισσα, αλλά χωρίς ρυτίδες στό πρόσωπο καί πόνους στίς κλειδώσεις; Ή μήπως πιό ταιριαστά ηρωϊδα πίστης,αγάπης,ελπίδας, υπομονής καί παράδειγμα αρετής; Ετσι εγνώρισα καί τήν δική μου πρεσβυτέρα! π. Δ.Ι.Κωνσταντέλος What shall I call you? (Presented by Fr. Demetrios J. Constantelos the main speaker at the celebration to honor the prebyteres, pst and present, of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Wilmington, DE - October 20, 2012) What shall I call you and how shall I address you? Papadia or kyra papadia as they knew you in years past? Many Greek Orthodox Christians call you papadia even today It is an honorable name, as Mother of the Church think of you And the Community s First Lady they consider you But I think that presbtera is the name you prefer Perhaps presbytida, as St Paul and early Christians used to say Presbytida or presbytera is a priest s wife, an elderly and pious lady A divinely elected person of virtue for young women to follow A model of piety and motherhood, as Church fathers write For the ancient Greeks Presbytida was called a priestess in god s temple Presbytida and presbytera are synonyms used by the Bible and early Church Whatever they called you in the past, presbytera is the name we use today An honorable name that has become an established and respected tradition Presbytera, elderly lady, is the wife of a clergyman in the rank of presbyteros But how is it that a young woman married to a priest should be called old? Even in her 30s, 40s, and 70s I do not dare to call her old woman Not even in her 80s a presbytera dislikes to be called old lady But papadia or kyra papadia, presbytida or presbytera all mean the same Rich is the language of our forefathers, fathers and mothers, in synonyms What is a presbytera that deserves to be honored as we are doing tonight? Admirable and creative, a silent and unknown, modest and unassuming Housewife and mother, telephone operator and always alert and busy A presbytera is all things to her family, and always present in the Church Community Her husband s helpmate, her children s guide, a servant at home and the Church Always at good and sad times, an example for other mothers to imitate A presbytera is a star in her own right, with a light of her own to shine Presbytera said so we hear, it is the presbytera s opinion, the faithful women say Patient and tolerant, a listener and understanding of human thought and behavior Never giving up when adverse circumstances besiege her husband s ministry, or her family s life and the Church s problems. Faith and commitment sustain her Compassion and understanding support her husband s difficult diakonia The prebyteres I have known for the last sixty years are in that way In different times and in various places, small or large communities All are commendable, women of love, patience and strong in faith What else can I add here for those presbyteres who volunteer and serve Sunday and Community Schools, teaching our faith and ancestral language The language of the Bible, the Greek classics and of our immigrant parents Others that train and direct choirs, volunteer in hospitals and philanthropies Who with patience and compassion care at home for handicapped loved ones A presbytera s patience has no equals dare I ask how much patience presbyteres that we honor tonight have? No offence is intended to husbands present! Fortunate is the presbyter to have such a loving and understanding wife Certainly he appreciates and thanks his presbytera for her love and help In gratitude he thanks God for the blessing he has received to have such a wife Both with love and cooperation for the good upbringing of their children the children that God has given them as the Scriptures say Presbytera and presbyteros become co-creators with God the Creator One is the minister of God in Christ, the other mother of God s people Frugal in their way of life, content with what they have, strong in faith In difficult times they never give up hope love is able to endure all things They are two bodies but one soul and one mind in the service of God s people Now your advice please: What shall we call a presbyter s wife? Papdia, mother as called in times past, or presbytera elderly old lady, but without wrinkles and painful joints? It seems to me that more appropriately we should consider a presbytera A heroine, the epitome of many virtues and various tasks Strong and sincere faith, hope that sustains, and sacrificial love that rewards That is how I, too, knew my own presbytera. (Translated from the original Greek by Presbytera Ioanna Ganiaris)
2013 HOUSE BLESSING INFORMATION The Feast of Holy Epiphany (January 6 th ) is one of the many joyous Holy Days in the Orthodox Church. The Holy Epiphany commemorates the Baptism of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan River. Woven within the traditions of the Orthodox celebration of the Feast is the blessing of the homes of the faithful. The purpose of blessing homes is to show our acceptance of God s sanctification and to reveal the home as what it was created by God to be: a way to His Kingdom. It also shows that the church in the home, the family, is a reflection of the Church. By blessing the home, we consecrate it and all activities therein to God. This year Fr. Dean and Fr. Nick will be blessing from Jan. 8 th thru Jan. 31 st. Listed below are the days and times Fr. Dean and Fr. Nick will be able to bless your home. Please complete the form below and return it to the Church Office or to Fr. Dean or Fr. Nick personally NO LATER THAN JANUARY 4th. Please be flexible with your schedule on that day. You will be notified a day or two before the approximate time of one of the Father s visit. If you are unable to be home for Father s visit because of conflicts or illness, please call the Church Office and reschedule. When Fr. Dean or Fr. Nick comes to your home, the following should be observed: 1. Have as many family members there as possible. 2. Set a place either in the dining room or kitchen with the following items: A. An Icon B. A medium sized bowl with water filled a quarter way in it C. A white dish towel D. A candle E. Incense (optional) 3. Print the FIRST NAMES of all family members on a sheet of paper 4. Please remember that since Fr. Dean and Fr. Nick will be making many visitations, a social visit may not always be possible at this time. 5. PLEASE TURN ALL LIGHTS ON IN THE ROOMS TO BE BLESSED. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Please CIRCLE the day and time you wish Fr. Dean or Fr. Nick to come to home: DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY SATURDAY TIME - 9:00am 12 Noon 1:30pm 4:30pm 6:00pm 9:00pm NAME ADDRESS HOME PHONE
& Save the Date... New Years Eve Party December 31, 2012 Holy Trinity Community Center Watch the ball, Live by~ Stavros Theodorou & Orchestra Bose Portable Sound Dock Raffle Children s Entertainment in AHEPA Room Adults $70.00 New Years Eve Menu to include: Prime Rib Whole Roasted Pig Mykonos Shrimp Pastitsio Roasted Potatoes Greek Desserts Soup after midnight! Ages 12-25 $35.00 11 and under $15.00 Questions or Reservations call: Church Office 302-654-4446 Georgia Halakos @ 379-4335 Vickie Karakasidis @ (856)217-6133 Amalea Rassias @ 293-1127 Yvonne Tsavalas @ 540-2891 Send your check marked New Years Eve to the church office @ 808 N. Broom Street ~ Wilmington, DE 19806
December 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 10am Parish Council Seminar FAST 2 14th Sunday of Luke 9am Orthros 10am Divine Liturgy 10am Sunday School Parish Council Elections in the Community after Worship 3 5pm Greek School 7pm Orthodoxy 101 FAST 4 6pm Philoptochos Board Meeting 6pm Girls BBall Practice 7pm AHEPA Board Meeting 7:15pm Boys BBall Practice FAST 5 12:30 Bible Study 5pm Greek School 6pm Choir Practice FAST 6 St Nicholas 9am Orthros 10am Divine Liturgy 7pm GOYA 7pm Bible Study 8pm Dance FAST 7 7pm JR GOYA FAST 8 11am Baptism 12pm Philoptochos Christmas Luncheon (offsite) 6pm AHEPA Christmas Dinner Dance (off site) FAST 9 10th Sunday of Luke 9am Orthros 10am Divine Liturgy 10am Sunday School Greek School Breakfast with Santa after worship 10 5pm Greek School FAST 11 6:30pm AHEPA Meeting 6pm Girls BBall Practice 7:15pm Boys BBall Practice FAST 12 St Spyridon 9am Orthros 10am Divine Liturgy 12:30 Bible Study 5pm Greek School 6pm Choir Practice PC XMAS Dinner FAST 13 1pm Young @ Heart 7pm Bible Study 8pm Dance FAST Philoptochos Baking 14 FAST 15 6:30pm HUC Christmas Dinner Dance (off site) FAST 16 11th Sunday of Luke 9am Orthros 10am Divine Liturgy 10am Sunday School Sunday School Pageant and Philoptochos Communion Breakfast 17 5pm Greek School 18 6pm Philoptochos Meeting 6pm Girls BBall Practice 7:15pm Boys BBall Practice 19 12:30pm Bible Study 5pm Greek School 6pm Choir Practice 20 7pm GOYA 8pm Dance 21 7pm JR GOYA 22 FAST FAST FAST FAST FAST FAST 23 Sunday before the Nativity 9am Orthros 10am Divine Liturgy Family Worship 24 Nativity of our Lord Eve 10am Royal Hours 6pm Vespers & Liturgy Greek School Christmas Break Starts 25 Nativity of our Lord 9am Orthros 10am Divine Liturgy Merry Christmas NO FAST 26 NO FAST 27 NO FAST 28 NO FAST 29 NO FAST 30 Sunday after the Nativity 9am Orthros 10am Divine Liturgy Family Worship 31 9pm New Years Eve Dance NO FAST
Δεκέμβριος 2012 Κυριακή Δευτέρα Τρίτη Τετάρτη Πέμπτη Παρασκευή Σάββατο 1 ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 2 14η Κυριακή του Λουκά. Όρθρος 9 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10 π.μ. 10π.μ. Κατηχητικό 3 5 μ.μ. Ελληνικό Σχολείο 4 6μμ Συνεδρίαση Διοικ. Συμβ. Φιλοπτώχου 6μμ Πρόπόνηση Μπ.Μπ. Θηλέων 7μμ Συν. Διοικ. Συμβ. ΑΧΕΠΑ 7:15μμ Προπόνηση Μπ.Μπ. Αρρένων 5 5 μ.μ. Ελληνικό Σχολείο 6 μμ Πρακτική Χορωδίας ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 6 Αγίου Νικολάου, Επισκόπου Μύρων, Λυκίας, Θαυματουργού Όρθρος 9 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10 π.μ. 7μμ ΓΚΟΓΙΑ 7μμ Μελέτη Βίβλου 8 μμ Πρακτική Χορού 7 7μμ ΓΚΟΓΙΑ Ελάσσων ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 8 11πμ Βάπτισις 12μμ Γεύμα Χριστουγέννων Φιλοπτωχου (εκτός κοινότητος) 6 μμ Χοροεσπερίδα ΑΧΕΠΑ (εκτός κοινότητος) 9 10η Κυριακή του Λουκά. Όρθρος 9 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10 π.μ. 10π.μ. Κατηχητικό Πρωϊνό με τον Άγιο Βασίλη μετά την ακολουθία από το Ελληνικό Σχολείο 10 5 μ.μ. Ελληνικό Σχολείο 11 6:30 μμ Συνάντηση ΑΧΕΠΑ 6μμ Πρόπόνηση Μπ.Μπ. Θηλέων 7:15 μμ Προπόνηση Μπ.Μπ. Αρρένων 12 Αγ. Σπυρίδων Όρθρος 9 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργ. 10 π.μ. 5 μ.μ. Ελληνικό Σχολείο 6 μμ Πρακτική Χορωδίας PC Δείπνο Χριστουγέν. ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 13 1μμ Αειθαλείς Νέοι 7μμ Μελέτη Βίβλου 8 μμ Πρακτική Χορού 14 ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 15 6:30 μμ Χοροεσπερίδα HUC (Πανεπιστημική Ομάδα) (εκτός κοινότητος) 16 11η Κυριακή του Λουκά. Όρθρος 9 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10 π.μ. 10π.μ. Κατηχητικό Παρέλαση και Πρωϊνό Μεταλήψεως της Κοινότητας 17 5 μ.μ. Ελληνικό Σχολείο 18 6μμ Συνεδρ Φιλοπτώχου 6μμ Προπόν. Μπ.Μπ. Θηλέων 7:15 μμ Προπόνηση Μπ.Μπ. Αρρένων 19 5 μ.μ. Ελληνικό Σχολείο 6 μμ Πρακτική Χορωδίας ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 20 7μμ ΓΚΟΓΙΑ 8 μμ Πρακτική Χορού 21 7μμ ΓΚΟΓΙΑ Ελάσσων ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ 22 23 Κυριακή πριν τα Χριστούγέννα Όρθρος 9 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10 π.μ. Οικογενειακή Λατρεία 24 Χριστούγεννα Παραμονή Χριστουγέννων 10πμ. Βασιλικές Ώρες 6μμ Εσπερινός & Λειτουργία Αρχή Διακοπών Χριστουγέννων Χριστουγέννων 25 Χριστούγεννα Όρθρος 9 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10 π.μ. Καλά Χριστούγεννα! ΑΡΤΗΣΙΜΗ 26 ΑΡΤΗΣΙΜΗ 27 ΑΡΤΗΣΙΜΗ 28 ΑΡΤΗΣΙΜΗ 29 ΑΡΤΗΣΙΜΗ 30 Κυριακή μετά τα Χριστούγέννα Όρθρος 9 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10 π.μ. Οικογενειακή Λατρεία 31 9:00 μμ ΧΟΡΟΕΣΠΕΡΙΔΑ ΝΕΟΥ ΕΤΟΥΣ
Handbags Jewelry Gifts & So Much More! Talleyville Towne Shoppes 4001 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE 19803 P - 302.478.7202 Monday - Saturday 10am-6pm www.christinaballas.com Gift Certificates Available Over 50 Locations We Cater Any Size Party Please support our Advertisers Their ads support the cost of the monthly bulletin. You can help by supporting them ~ or by placing an ad for your business here!!! Call the office 654-4446 to find out how.
744 Hertford Road Wilmington, DE 19803 Cell 302-545-0189 Office 302-477-0400 tagg0319@aol.com Fax 302-342-9614 Wilmington & Hockessin (302) 478-7100 www.chandlerfuneralhome.com Spiros Mantzavinos spiros@tmgpublicaffairs.com www.tmgpublicaffairs.com 302.584.2846 Public Relations Marketing
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 808 N. Broom Street Wilmington, DE 19806 Non-Profit Org. U. S. Postage PAID Permit No. 283 Wilmington, DE Current Resident or TO: DATED MATERIAL, PLEASE DELIVER PROMPTLY Mail Date: November 27