STS. MARY MAGDALENE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH APRIL 2017 NEWSLETTER AND MARKELLA

Σ Σ Γ Ω Σ Γ Λ Σ ΛΛ Σ STS. MARY MAGDALENE AND MARKELLA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH APRIL 2017 NEWSLETTER Ἀγαπητοὶ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἀδελφοί, Καθὼς ἤδη πλησιάζομεν τὴν Μεγάλην καὶ Ἁγίαν Ἑβδομάδα καὶ τὸ λαμπρὸν Πάσχα, ἀξίζει νὰ θυμηθῶμεν τὴν πορείαν ποὺ θὰ συνοδεύσωμεν τὸν Κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν τὶς ἑπόμενες ἡμέρες. Ἡ Μεγάλη Ἑβδομὰς ἀρχίζει μὲ ΤΟ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΝ ΤΟΥ ΛΑΖΑΡΟΥ τοῦ Τετραημέρου, κατὰ τὸ ὁποῖο γευόμεθα τὴν ἀπαρχὴν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως ποὺ θὰ προσφέρει ὁ Κύριος εἰς ὅλους. Ὁ Χριστὸς ἤγειρε τὸν φίλον Του Λάζαρον ἐκ νεκρῶν καὶ ἀπέδειξε τὴν δύναμίν Του ἐπὶ τοῦ θανάτου. Τῇ ἑπομένῃ, ΤΗ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΒΑΪΩΝ, ἐρχόμεθα μὲ τὸν Κύριον εἰς τὴν Ἰερουσαλήμ, ὅπου ὁ λαός, ποὺ ἐντὸς ὁλίγων ἡμερῶν θὰ τὸν καταδικάσῃ εἰς θάνατον, Τὸν δέχεται πανηγυρικῶς ὡς βασιλέα. Κατὰ τὶς ἑπόμενες τρεῖς βραδυὲς ἐπιτελοῦμεν τὴν κατανυκτικοτάτην ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΑΝ ΤΟΥ ΝΥΜΦΙΟΥ, κατὰ τὴν ὁποίαν ἀναμένομεν τὰ Πάθη ποὺ θὰ φανερώσουν τὸν Κύριον, ὅπως οἱ σοφὲς παρθένες τῆς παραβολῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἀνέμεναν τὸν ἐρχομὸν τοῦ Νυμφίου. Ἀπ αὐτὲς τὶς τρεὶς βραδυὲς τὴν πιὸ ἀγαπημένην ἀποτελεῖ ἡ Μεγάλη Τρίτη, ὅταν ψάλλεται τὸ περίφημον ΤΡΟΠΑΡΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΚΑΣΣΙΑΝΗΣ. Τῇ Τετάρτῃ τὸ Βράδυ εὐλογούμεθα μὲ ΤΟ ΘΕΙΟΝ ΜΥΣΤΥΡΙΟΝ ΤΟΥ ΕΥΧΕΛΑΙΟΥ, ποὺ μᾶς προετοιμάζει νὰ κοινωνήσωμεν τῇ Πέμπτῃ τὸ πρωῒ στὴν ΑΝΑΜΝΗΣΙΝ ΤΟΥ ΜΥΣΤΙΚΟΥ ΔΕΙΠΝΟΥ. Τῇ Μεγάλῃ Πέμπτῃ τὸ βράδυ ἀρχίζει τὸ Πασχαλινὸ Τριήμερον μὲ ΤΑ 12 ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΑ ποὺ μᾶς παριστάνουν τὰ φρικτὰ Πάθη καὶ τὸν ζωοποιὸν θάνατον τοῦ Σωτῆρος. Κατὰ τὴν ἀκολουθίαν αὐτὴν γίνεται καὶ ἡ περιφορὰ τοῦ Σταυροῦ γιὰ νὰ τὸν προσκυνήσουν οἱ πιστοί. Στὸν ἑσπερινὸν τῆς Μεγάλης Παρασκευῆς γίνεται Η ΑΠΟΚΑΘΗΛΩΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ καὶ ἡ κατάθεσις τοῦ Ἐπιταφίου στὸ Κουβούκλιον, ποὺ θὰ λιτανεύσωμεν ἐκεῖνο τὸ βράδυ, ἀφοῦ ψάλωμεν μὲ χαρμολύπη ΤΑ ΕΓΚΩΜΙΑ τοῦ Ἐσταυρομένου. Τὸ Μέγα Σάββατον τὸ πρωὶ ἑορτάζομεν ἤδη ἐν ἀναμονῇ τὴν ἀνάσταστιν τοῦ Κυρίου στὴν ΠΡΩΤΗΝ ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΙΝ. Παρόλο ποὺ ὁ Χριστὸς κεῖται στὸν τάφον, οἱ Πιστοὶ ξερόμεν ὅτι ἔχει ἤδη νικήσει τὸν θάνατον καὶ κατεβεῖ στὸν Ἅδην νὰ ἐλευθερώσῃ τοὺς ἀνὰ τοὺς αἰῶνας δούλους τοῦ Θεοῦ, καί Τον ἱκετεύομεν, «Ἀνάστα, ὁ Θεός, κρῖνον τὴν γῆν!» Τέλος, δὲν περιγράφεται ἡ χαρὰ καὶ ἀγαλλίασις μὲ τὴν ὁποίαν ἑορτάζομεν την ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΙΝ ΤΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ τὰ μεσάνυχτα τοῦ Πάσχα ὅταν διακηρύσσομεν τὴν περίληψιν τῆς πίστεώς μας, «Χριστὸς ἀνέστη!» Σᾶς παρακαλῶ ὅλους νὰ ἔλθετε νὰ συνοδεύσωμεν ὅλοι μαζὶ τὸν Χριστὸν σ αὐτὴν τὴν ἁγίαν πορείαν διὰ τῶν Παθῶν πρὸς τὴν ἔνδοξον Ἀνάστασιν. Μὲ πατρικὴν στοργὴν διατελῶ ἐν Χριστῷ, ὁ π. Γρηγόριος Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, Αs we are already approaching Holy Week and Pascha, it is worthwhile recalling the journey that we will be taking with Christ in the coming days. Holy Week begins with LAZARUS SATURDAY, when we enjoy a foretaste of the Resurrection that the Lord will someday offer to us all. Christ raised His friend Lazarus from the grave after four days and thereby proved His power over death. The next day, PALM SUNDAY, we travel with the Lord to Jerusalem, where the people, who in but a few days will condemn Him to death, receive Him with great pomp as king. For the next three evenings we celebrate the most solemn service of BRIDEGROOM MATINS, in which we await the Lord s Passion, just as the wise virgins of Christ s parable awaited the arrival of the Bridegroom. Of these three evenings the most beloved is Holy Tuesday, when the famous HYMN OF KASSIANI is chanted. On Holy Wednesday evening we are blessed with the SACRAMENT OF HOLY UNCTION, which prepares us for communion on Holy Thursday morning at the COMMEMORATION

OF THE MYSTICAL SUPPER. On the evening of Holy Thursday we begin in earnest the Three Days of Pascha with the TWELVE GOSPELS, which present to us the Savior s terrible Passion and lifegiving Death. During this service we carry His Cross in procession into the Church so that the faithful might venerate it. At the Vespers of Holy Friday afternoon takes place the UNNAILING OF CHRIST FROM THE CROSS and the placement of the EPITAPHIOS (the embroidered icon of Christ s burial) in Christ s tomb, which we will carry in procession that evening after chanting the LAMENTATIONS in joyful sadness. On Holy Saturday morning we celebrate, already in anticipation, the the so-called FIRST RESURRECTION. Although Christ lies in the tomb, we the faithful know that He has already conquered death, descended into Hades, and freed those who were in chains there, and we entreat Him, Arise, O God, judge the earth! Finally, with unspeakable joy we celebrate Christ s Resurrection at midnight on PASCHA, when we proclaim for the first time the essence of our faith: Christ is Risen! I ask you all to join us as we journey with Christ through the Passion to His glorious Resurrection. With fatherly love I remain in Christ, Fr. Gregory We thank those who have pledged as stewards for 2017! Alatzas, George & Rene Alatzas, Triffon & Stacia Allen, James & Rodica Alsup, Andrew & Vasilia Andreyev, Andrei & Maria Argyros, Olympia Athanasiou, Ioannis & Miriam Babiak, Christopher & Leslie Batis, Nikolaos & Maria Bilis, Emily Bilis, George & Tina Bontzos, Stylianos & Kalliopi Boutilier, Lisa Butterworth, Greg & Kallia Caprinolo, Lee & Mary Cioloca, Bogdan & Anca Conway, Joseph & Jennifer Demedis, Olympia Demedis, Stephanie Dermatis, Minas & Panagiota Deselnicu, Mihaela Diamandaras, Helen Fafalios, Ava Fokianos, Konstantinos & Maria Geer, Joan Giannaras, Chris Giannas, Apostolos & Maria Giannas Stylanos & Maria Giannas, Yianni Gilbert, Fr. Gregory & Pres. Catherine Jaghab, Danny & Delmy Kafkakis, George & Vlitchika Kaitis, Dr. Angela Kaminaris Gus & Fotini Kanaras, Louis & Eleni Kanaras, Thomas & Penny Karalekas, Alexandra Karalekas, George S. Karas, John & Belinda Karas, Michael & Linda Karas, Peter & Kim Kinder, William & Michelle Konstant Eugenia Konstant, Gus Koukounaras, Kostas & Christina Lasio, Giovanni & Jelena Latgis, Deanna Logothetis, Nikolaos & Maria Maenner, Justin & Ellie Makris, Alexander & Despina Mavroulis, Kyriakos Mojarrad, Navid & Deanna Nikas, George & Diane Pappas, Basil & Linda Pikounis, Emmanuel & Helen Prapas, Spiros Rahaniotis, Takis & Ioanna Rajewski, Leonard & Anastasia Roros, Bill & Mary Roros, Nicholetta Sarris, Sam Stakias, Stellios & Tina Steber, Christopher Steber, Paula Stillwell, Bill & Pauline Sudeck, Virginia Tillman, Ezra Trikoglou, Carole Tsambikos, Irene Vasilios, Tom & Linda Walters, Herbert & Demetra Wilcox, Garry & Elizabeth Yiannouris, Ioannis & Shawn Total 2017 Stewards: 71 New Stewards for 2017: 13 Average Stewardship Pledge: $717

GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY ΙΕΡΑ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΣ ΝΕΑΣ ΙΕΡΣΕΗΣ ΠΟΙΜΑΝΤΟΡΙΚΗ ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΕΩΣ 2017 Πρός τόν εὐλαβέστατον Ἱερόν Κλῆρον, Τούς Ἐντιμοτάτους Ἄρχοντας τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου, Τούς Προέδρους καί τά Μέλη τῶν Ἐκκλησιαστικῶν Συμβουλίων, Τάς Προέδρους καί τά Μέλη τῶν Φιλοπτώχων Ἀδελφοτήτων, Τούς διδάσκοντας καί διδασκομένους τῶν Κατηχητικῶν καί Ἑλληνικῶν Σχολείων, Τάς Ὀργανώσεις τῆς Νεολαίας καί ἄπαν τό Χριστεπώνυμον πλήρωμα τῶν εὐσεβῶν Ὀρθοδόξων Χριστιανῶν τῆς Ἱερᾶς Μητροπόλεως Νέας Ἰερσέης. «Θανάτου ἑορτάζομεν νέκρωσιν, ἄδου τήν καθαίρεσιν, ἄλλης βιοτῆς τῆς αἰωνίου ἀπαρχήν, καί σκιρτῶντες ὑμνοῦμεν τόν αἴτιον» (Τροπάριον Κανόνος Ἀναστάσεως) Ἀγαπητοί μου ἀδελφοί, Μέ συγκίνηση, χαρά καί ἐλπίδα μέσα στίς καρδιές μας, ὑποδεχόμαστε γιά μία ἀκόμη φορά στό διάβα τῆς ἐπιγείου ζωῆς μας τό σωτήριο μήνυμα τῆς Ἀναστάσεως τοῦ Κυρίου. Δοξολογοῦμε τόν Ἅγιον Θεόν, ὁ ὁποῖος μᾶς ἀξίωσε νά διανύσουμε τό στάδιο τῆς Μέγάλης Τεσσαρακοστῆς καί νά φθάσουμε στήν Ἁγίαν Ἀνάστασιν. Καί τούτη τήν ἁγία ὥρα, πανηγυρίζουμε τό μεγάλο γεγονός τῆς νίκης τῆς ζωῆς ἐπί τοῦ θανάτου. Ἑορτάζουμε τήν κατάργηση τοῦ σκότους πού σκέπαζε τόν κόσμο μετά τήν πτώση τῶν Πρωτοπλάστων, καί τήν ἔλευση τοῦ φωτός τοῦ μόνου ἀληθινοῦ φωτός, πού πηγάζει ἀπό τό κενό μνημεῖο τοῦ Ἀναστημένου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Ἑορτάζουμε τήν καθαίρεση τοῦ Ἅδου, ὁ ὁποῖος δέν μπορεῖ πλέον νά κρατᾶ δέσμιο τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος. Ἑορτάζουμε τό ξεκίνημα, τήν ἀπαρχή μιᾶς καινούριας ζωῆς, μιᾶς ζωῆς ἐλπιδοφόρας, πού μᾶς ὑπόσχεται συγχώρηση, καθότι: «συγγνώμην ἐκ τοῦ τάφου ἀνέτειλεν». Ὡς ἐκ τούτου, σκιρτοῦμε ἀπό χαρά καί πνευματική εὐφροσύνη καί ὑμνοῦμε τόν «αἴτιον», τόν Κύριον ἡμῶν Ἱησοῦν Χριστόν, μέ ὅλη τήν δύναμη τῆς ὑπάρξεώς μας. Ἄν πραγματικά ἐπιθυμοῦμε νά ἑορτάσουμε τήν Ἀνάσταση τοῦ Κυρίου σωστά καί ὀρθόδοξα, ὀφείλουμε νά κάνουμε πράξη στην ζωή μας τήν ἀγάπη Του. Αὐτήν τήν ἀγάπη, ἡ ὁποία ἔγινε ἡ συνεκτική δύναμη οὔτως ὥστε νά ἐνανθρωπήσει ὁ Υἱός καί Λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ, νά διέλθει τήν γῆν «εὐεργετῶν καί ιώμενος» (Πράξ. ι 38), νά ὑποστεῖ τό Θεῖον Πάθος καί νά ἀναστηθεῖ ἐκ νεκρῶν. Ἐκεῖνος, ὁ Ὁποῖος εἶναι τό ἀνυπέρβλητο πρότυπο κάθε Χριστιανοῦ, πρέπει νά γίνει ὁ δικός μας πνευματικός ὁδοδείκτης πού θά μᾶς ὁδηγήσει διά τῆς ἀγάπης στήν δική μας Ἀνάσταση. Στήν Ἀνάσταση τοῦ σώματος ἀλλά καί τοῦ πνεύματος. Ἡ Ἀνάσταση τοῦ δικοῦ μας σώματος θά γίνει κατά τήν ἡμέρα 215 East Grove Street, Westfield, NJ, 07090-1656 Tel: (908) 301-0500 Fax: (908) 301-1397 Web: www.nj.goarch.org E-mail: metropolis@nj.goarch.org

τῆς κοινῆς ἀναστάσεως, τήν φρικτή ὥρα τῆς δευτέρας τοῦ Κυρίου ἐλεύσεως, ὅπως δηλώνουμε εὐθαρσῶς στό Σύμβολον τῆς Πίστεως: «προσδοκῶ ἀνάστασιν νεκρῶν καί ζωήν τοῦ μέλλοντος αἰῶνος». Ἡ ἀνάσταση ὅμως τοῦ δικοῦ μας πνεύματος, μπορεῖ νά γίνει ἀνά πᾶσα στιγμή, κατά τήν διάρκεια τῆς ἐπιγείου παρουσίας μας. Καί αὐτή ἐπιτυγχάνεται μόνον μέσω τῆς μετανοίας, τῆς ἐξομολογήσεως τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν μας καί τῆς συγχωρήσεως τῶν ἀδελφῶν μας. Ἄλλωστε, αὐτό ἀκριβῶς εἶναι τό μήνυμα τῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἀναστάσεως ἀγάπη καί συγχώρηση πρός ὅλους ἀνεξαιρέτως. Ἀγαπητοί μου ἀδελφοί, Ὡς ὁ Πνευματικός σας Πατέρας, χαίρομαι σήμερα καί μοιράζομαι μαζί σας τήν χαρά τῆς Ἀναστάσεως. Χαίρομαι διότι βλέπω τούς Ἱερούς μας Ναούς νά κατακλύζωνται αὐτήν τήν ὥρα ἀπό ὅλους ἐσᾶς, τά «φωτόμορφα τέκνα τῆς Ἐκκλησίας», πού προσήλθατε ὄχι γιά νά τηρήσετε ἕνα ἔθιμο καί μία παράδοση, ἀλλά γιά νά λατρεύσετε τό Θεανδρικό Πρόσωπο τοῦ Κυρίου, νά λάβετε τό ἅγιον Φῶς, πού συμβολίζει τήν νίκη τῆς ζωῆς, νά ψάλλετε το ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ, νά δώσετε τόν ἀσπασμόν τῆς ἀγάπης καί τῆς συγχώρησης, μά πάνω απ ὅλα, νά συμμετάσχετε στήν Ἀναστάσιμη Θεία Λειτουργία, τήν λαμπροτέρα τοῦ ἔτους, καί νά μεταλάβετε τῶν Ἀχράντων Μυστηρίων, τοῦ Σώματος καί τοῦ Αἵματος τοῦ Κυρίου. Κατά τήν λαμπράν καί φωταυγῆ αὐτήν νύκτα τῆς Ἀναστάσεως, ἀς παρακαλέσουμε τόν Κύριον, ὅπως χαρίζῃ εἰρήνη στόν κόσμον, ἀγάπη στίς καρδιές μας, πρόοδο στά παιδιά καί τούς νέους μας, καθώς καί κάθε εὐλογία σέ ἐσᾶς καί τίς οἰκογένειές σας. Ὁ Θεός νά εὐλογεῖ καί νά προστατεύει τήν Ὁμογένειαά μας, καί σύντομα νά εὐδοκήσει ὥστε νά ἀναστηθεῖ καί ἡ Πατρίδα μας, ἡ Ἑλλάδα, ἀπό τά πολλαπλά πρόβλήματα πού τήν ταλαιπωροῦν τά τελευταῖα χρόνια. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΑ ΚΑΙ ΕΥΛΟΓΗΜΕΝΑ! Μετά πατρικῆς ἀγάπης καί ἀναστασίμων εὐχῶν, Ο ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ ὁ Νέας Ἰερσέης ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΟΣ 081006

GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY ΙΕΡΑ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΣ ΝΕΑΣ ΙΕΡΣΕΗΣ PASCHA 2017 The Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy, Honorable Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Esteemed Members of the Metropolitan Council, Esteemed Members of the Parish Councils, Philoptochos Sisterhood, Faculty and Students of the Catechetical and Greek Afternoon Schools, Directors and Participants of all of the Youth Organizations, and all devout Orthodox Christians of the Greek Orthodox Communities of our Holy Metropolis of New Jersey My Beloved, ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!!! CHRIST IS RISEN!!! The Christian faith is life, which is Christ Himself. As our Savior Himself said: I am the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6) Today, on the day of the Resurrection, these words are more powerful than ever. Life has become one person. The source of life has conquered death in a mystical battle recapitulating the whole of creation. However, to approach life, we must walk along the path of Christ. Along this path, we have seen temptation, despair, hatred, solitude, and weakness, to the point that every good seemed impossible, to the point that evil seemed to be victorious over life. But no! In the silence of the grave in which life reposed for three days, Christ was victorious, risen from the dead, celebrating the triumph of life. The Lord has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His Love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14) Pascha celebrates life. Let us sing, rejoice, be happy, love one another, and bear on ourselves the gracious seal of the Holy Spirit, thus becoming true disciples of Christ. Bearing witness to life is our primary mission. During the days of Holy and Great Lent, we struggled and prayed to God to grant us the virtues, as the symbols of the new life we receive today. During the Resurrection Service, we sing: Resurrection Day! O peoples, let us brilliantly shine! Pascha, the Lord's Pascha! For Christ our God has out of death passed us over into life, and likewise from earth to heaven, as we now sing unto Him a triumphal hymn. 215 East Grove Street, Westfield, NJ, 07090-1656 Tel: (908) 301-0500 Fax: (908) 301-1397 Web: www.nj.goarch.org E-mail: metropolis@nj.goarch.org

Our mission today is to offer the world everything that we received today. Our mission today is to make the experience of Christ s resurrection the horizon of our daily life. Our mission today is to embody what we proclaim with Saint Paul and sing during the sacrament of baptism: You who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ, Alleluia. In other words, how can we change our life into a life in Christ? Through Christ s Resurrection, the spiritual and the material worlds were reconciled. The Christian communities did not oppose the material world; they embraced the world and offered it to the Lord with thanksgiving. As Christians, we are fully aware of the life of the world for which Christ has given His life. The early Christian Epistle to Diognetus beautifully reflects on this original experience: In a word, what the soul is in a body, this the Christians are in the world. The soul is spread through all the members of the body, and Christians through the divers cities of the world. In today s world, where we are surrounded by an unhealthy fascination for sin and evil, the message of life we carry to the world is profoundly important. The spiritual strength we receive during these joyful days should be nourished by our participation in Holy Communion, during which we participate in the source of life and receive the Holy Body and Blood of Christ as the most precious gifts. For Saint Nicholas Cabasilas, the fourteen-century Saint, there is no life in Christ without the sacraments of the Church. They reactivate in us the mystery of the events we witnessed this past week: Christ s betrayal, passion, crucifixion, death and resurrection. This is how our union with God has been realized and is still realized in the Church waiting for the Kingdom to come, because Christ: is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. (Mark 12:27) ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!!! CHRIST IS RISEN!!! With Paternal Love and Blessings, 81006 E V A N G E L O S Metropolitan of New Jersey

From the Parish Council Holy Week is already upon us. As your Parish President, I invite you and your family to come and experience the full program of services the Church offers us. You will be transformed and renewed by the experience of Holy Week and the great and holy day of Pascha with greater faith and understanding of God s will and purpose for you and your life. This Pascha, let us serve as witness for others of our Orthodox faith and enjoy the endless possibilities we have with God in our lives. Let us pray to put aside the sins of anger, false pride, self-pity so that we can seek a closer relationship with God. Let s walk with Him through his Crucifixion and Resurrection. Let s ask our Lord to bring peace and forgiveness to our souls, and let s celebrate the most holy day of Pascha with joy and thanksgiving. I look forward seeing you in church and praying alongside of you. On behalf of the Parish Council, I wish everyone Kali Anastasi!!! With Love in Christ, Fotini Kaminaris, Parish Council President Philoptochos Corner Philoptochos and Mrs. Irene Tsambikos will sponsor 2 College Scholarships for seniors in our parish. Application and essay due May 15th. Applications at the pangari. See Maria Giannas for more information. We will be hosting the Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon on April 9th immediately after liturgy to benefit our beloved church. Please join us for fellowship and to show your support. Easter breads will be available for purchase starting April 8th. Membership Dues are due soon. Everyone has a special gift that can be utilized to support the needy and our parish. For additional information contact Maria Giannas. Membership forms are at the pagari. We recently donated a gift card to someone in need that contacted Father Gregory. If anyone knows of another person or family struggling please let us know so we can help. Donation letter and envelope for Epitaphios Flowers and Easter Lilies were sent to all parishioners. Extra copies will be at the pagari. We will be Decorating the Epitaphios Holy Friday, April 14 at 10am. Please come and join us as we get ready for the beautiful services of Apokathelosis and Lamentations. Silver Stars - Our next meeting will not be until May, after Pascha. - We donated the Lilies for the foot of the Cross in memory of past members and family - We will also host a breakfast after Liturgy on Lazarus Saturday (Apr. 8) for Palm folding. DONATIONS OF COMMUNION WINE & OIL FOR THE ALTAR LAMP IreneTsambikos in memory of Pete & Bill Tsambikos & for health & salvation of George Pavlidis George & Renee Alatzas for health and salvation of our family To make a donation please speak to Fr. Gregory. You may also make a monetary donation for ALTAR CANDLES.

1 8. 3 0. :..00 1 / 0 / 1. 8 :,GSPBG /D NU GHO 1@ :@RSPC@V OPH & @ L D HMTHRD @ NSP VNSRG RN INHM S @ERDP HRSPFV NM @W@PS :@RSPC@V ENP APD@JE@ R F@LD @M.@ RDP.FF 1SMR @MC RN GD O EN C O@ L BPN D ENP 8@ L :SMC@V N : 8 NP ENP LNPD HMENPL@RHNM BNMR@BR D HD @AH@J @R LA@AH@J V@GNN BNL THE RAFFLE FOR THE FESTIVAL HAS BEGUN! First Prize: An Apple iwatch Second Prize: A Sharp 50 Smart TV Third Prize: An Amazon Echo See Paula Steber or Renee Alatzas for tickets ($5 each). Please help us sell as many tickets as we can! Greek Dance is starting up again Sunday, April 23! Practices will be after Sunday liturgies in the Pavilion. Contact Despina Giannas (443-567-9345) for more information. A member of the Baltimore Greek community is suffering from kidney disease and is need of a kidney transplant. If you or anyone you know can help in any way, please speak to Fr. Gregory, who will put you in contact with the family.

You are cordially invited to a Palm Sunday Luncheon after Liturgy on Sunday, April 9, 2017 A Traditional Fish Luncheon will be served. Donations accepted. Take-out orders available at the door. Calling all Georges & Georgias! For once your namesday falls outside Lent and on a Sunday! Join us Sun., April 23, to celebrate the feast of St. George. At the end of liturgy we will pray a memorial service for all our departed fathers and brothers George. Some of our Georges will offer the coffee hour.

ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΟΣΙΑΣ ΜΑΡΙΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΑΙΓΥΠΤΙΑΣ Κυριακή, 2 Ἀπρ. 9.00 π.μ. Ὄρθρος 10.00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία Δευτέρα, 3 Ἀπρ. 6.00 μ.μ. Μέγα Ἀπόδειπνον Τετάρτη, 5 Ἀπρ. 6.30 μ.μ. Λειτουργία Προηγιασμένων Δώρων Η ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΚΑΙ ΑΓΙΑ ΕΒΔΟΜΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΑΣΧΑ Σάββατον, 8 Ἀπρ. Κυριακή, 16 Ἀπρ. Βλ. Πλῆρες Πρόγραμμα Ἀκολουθιῶν στὴν ἑπόμενη σελίδα ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΟΥ ΘΩΜΑ, ΑΓΙΟΥ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΤΡΟΠΑΙΟΦΟΦΟΥ Κυριακή, 23 Ἀπρ. 9.00 π.μ. Ὄρθρος 10.00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΜΥΡΟΦΟΡΩΝ Κυριακή, 30 Ἀπρ. 9.00 π.μ. Ὄρθρος 10.00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία SCHEDULE OF SERVICES FOR APRIL SUNDAY OF ST. MARY OF EGYPT Sun., 2 Apr. 9.00 a.m. Orthros 10.00 a.m. Divine Liturgy Mon., 3 Apr. 6.00 p.m. Great Compline Wed., 5 Apr. 6.30 p.m. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts GREAT & HOLY WEEK & PASCHA Sat., 8 Apr. Sun., 16 Apr. SEE FULL SERVICE SCHEDULE ON NEXT PAGE SUNDAY OF THOMAS; ST. GEORGE THE TROPHYBEARER Sun., 23 Apr. 9.00 a.m. Orthros 10.00 a.m. Divine Liturgy SUNDAY OF THE MYRRHBEARING WOMEN Sun., 30 Apr. 9.00 a.m. Orthros 10.00 a.m. Divine Liturgy

ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ ΜΕΓΑΛΗΣ ΕΒΔΟΜΑΔΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΑΣΧΑ 2017 Η ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΛΑΖΑΡΟΥ Σάββατον, 8 Ἀπρ. 9.00 π.μ. Ὄρθρος 10.00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΒΑΪΩΝ 9.00 π.μ. Ὄρθρος Κυριακή, 9 Ἀπρ. 10.00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 7.00 μ.μ. Α Ὄρθρος τοῦ Νυμφίου ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ 9.00 π.μ. Λειτουργία τῶν Προηγιασμένων Δώρων Δευτέρα, 10 Ἀπρ. 7.00 μ.μ. Β Ὄρθρος τοῦ Νυμφίου μὲ τὸ Τροπάριον τῆς Κασσιανῆς ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΤΡΙΤΗ 9.00 π.μ. Λειτουργία τῶν Προηγιασμένων Δώρων Τρίτη, 11 Ἀπρ. 7.00 μ.μ. Γ Ὄρθρος τοῦ Νυμφίου ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΤΕΤΑΡΤΗ 9.00 π.μ. Λειτουργία τῶν Προηγιασμένων Δώρων Τετάρτη, 12 Ἀπρ. 6.30 μ.μ. Ἀκολουθία τοῦ Εὐχελαίου ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΠΕΜΠΤΗ 7.30 π.μ. Ἑσπερινὴ Λειτουργία Ἁγ. Βασιλείου Πέμπτη, 13 Apr. εἰς ἀνάμνησιν τοῦ Μυστικοῦ Δείπνου 7.00 μ.μ. Ὄρθρος τῶν Παθῶν τοῦ Κυρίου (12 Εὐαγγέλια) ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ 9.00 π.μ. Ἀκολουθία Βασιλικῶν Ὡρῶν Παρασκευή, 14 Ἀπρ. 10.30 π.μ. Στολισμὸς τοῦ Ἐπιταφίου 3.00 μ.μ. Ἑσπερινὸς τῆς Ἀποκαθηλώσεως 7.00 μ.μ. Ὄρθρος τοῦ Ἐπιταφίου Θρήνου (Ἐγκώμια) μὲ περιφοφὰν τοῦ Ἐπιταφίου ΜΕΓΑ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΝ 9.00 π.μ. Ἑσπερινὴ Λειτουργία Ἁγ. Βασιλείου Σάββατον, 15 Ἀπρ. (1η Ἀνάστασις) 11.00 μ.μ. Ὄρθρος τοῦ Πάσχα ΜΕΓΑ ΚΑΙ ΑΓΙΟΝ ΠΑΣΧΑ 12.00 π.μ. Ἀκολουθία Ἀναστάσεως μὲ Θεία Λειτουργία Κυριακή, 16 Ἀπριλίου 10.30 π.μ. Ἑσπερινὸς τῆς Ἀγάπης

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES FOR HOLY WEEK & PASCHA 2017 STS. MARY MAGDALENE & MARKELLA LAZARUS SATURDAY Sat., 8 Apr. 9.00 a.m. Orthros 10.00 a.m. Divine Liturgy PALM SUNDAY 9.00 a.m. Orthros Sun., 9 Apr. 10.00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 7.00 p.m. First Orthros of the Bridegroom GREAT & HOLY MONDAY 9.00 a.m. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts Mon., 10 Apr. 7.00 p.m. Second Orthros of the Bridegroom GREAT & HOLY TUESDAY 9.00 a.m. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts Tues., 11 Apr. 7.00 p.m. Third Orthros of the Bridegroom with the Hymn of Kassiani GREAT & HOLY WEDNESDAY 9.00 a.m. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts Wed., 12 Apr. 6.30 p.m. Service of Holy Unction (Evchelaion) GREAT & HOLY THURSDAY 7.30 a.m. Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great in Thur., 13 Apr. Commemoration of the Mystical Supper 7.00 p.m. Orthros of the Passion of Christ (12 Gospels) GREAT & HOLY FRIDAY 9.00 a.m. Royal Hours Fri., 14 Apr. 10.30 a.m. Decoration of the Kouvouklion 3.00 p.m. Vespers of the Unnailing (Apokathelosis) 7.00 p.m. Orthros of the Lamentations at the Tomb with the Procession of the Epitaphios GREAT & HOLY SATURDAY 9.00 a.m. Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great Sat., 15 Apr. (1st Resurrection) 11.00 p.m. Midnight Office of Pascha GREAT & HOLY PASCHA 12.00 a.m. Service of the Resurrection followed by Sun., 16 May Divine Liturgy 10.30 a.m. Agape Vespers

MEET OUR CHANTER FOR HOLY WEEK Ο Γεράσιμος Παπαδόπουλος γεννήθηκε στην Αθήνα τον Οκτώβριο του 1988, αλλά έζησε μέχρι την ηλικία των 20 στην Κύπρο. Εκεί πήρε τα πρώτα μαθήματα Βυζαντινής Μουσικής και έκανε τα πρώτα ψαλτικά του βήματα ψέλνοντας στην ενορία που ιερουργούσε ο πατέρας του στη Λευκωσία. Το 2008 ήρθε στην Αθήνα όπου σπούδασε Φιλολογία, ενώ παράλληλα πήρε δίπλωμα Βυζαντινής Μουσικής υπό την καθοδήγηση του Γρηγορίου Αναστασίου. Υπηρέτησε στο ψαλτήρι δύο ενοριών της Αθήνας για πέντε έτη, ενώ το 2015 ολοκλήρωσε τις μεταπτυχιακές του σπουδές στη Γλωσσολογία. Σήμερα βρίσκεται σε διαδικασία εκπόνησης διδακτορικής διατριβής στη Βυζαντινή Μουσικολογία. Παράλληλα τραγουδά παίζοντας ούτι ή μπουζούκι ρεμπέτικα και παραδοσιακά τραγούδια σε διάφορους καλλιτεχνικούς χώρους, ενώ περιστασιακά ψέλνει σε διάφορους ναούς της Αθήνας. Gerasimos Papadopoulos was born in Athens in October 1988, but grew up in Cyprus until age 20. There he received his first lessons in Byzantine Music and first began chanting at the analogion of the parish in Lefkosia (Nicosia) where his father served as priest. In 2008 he came to Athens, where he studied Philology, and at the same time earned the Diploma in Byzantine Music under the guidance of master chanter Grigorios Anastasiou. He served as the chanter at two parishes in Athens for five years, while pursuing graduate studies in Linguistics, which he completed in 2015. Currently he is working on his doctoral dissertation in Byzantine Musicology and chants at various parishes in Athens. As a singer and accomplished outi and bouzouki player, he also performs rembetika and traditional songs in several artistic venues.

ANNUAL BANQUET BENEFITTING S U N D A Y, A P R I L 3 0, 2 0 1 7 G U E S T S P E A K E R V E R Y R E V. F R. M A R T I N R I T S I, E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R O F O C M C MISSIONS IN TODAY'S WORLD GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS - MATTHEW 28:19 S P O N S O R E D B Y M E T R O P O L I T A N D C O R T H O D O X C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N & O U T R E A C H C O M M I T T E E Vespers 4:30 pm Tickets $60 $500 Table of Ten $30 under 22 years of age Children Under 12 Free Checks Payable: St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church Memo: OCMC Banquet Hors d'oeuvres & Silent Auction 5:00 pm Dinner Guest Speaker 6:00 pm Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church 3149 Glen Carlyn Rd Falls Church, VA 22041 To RSVP or for Further Information Contact: Dr. John Demakis demakis9931@gmail.com Betty Slanta slanta@verizon.net

Ἡ ζωὴ ἐν τάφῳ κατετέθης, Χριστέ, καὶ Ἀγγέλων στρατιαὶ ἐξεπλήττοντο, συγκατάβασιν δοξάζουσαι τὴν σήν. In the tomb they laid you, O Christ, who are Life; in amazement angel armies lift up their song as they glorify your selfabasement, Lord. STS. MARY MAGDALENE & MARKELLA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 3714-16 Dublin Road Darlington, MD 21034 PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE The Rev. Gregory Gilbert Presiding Priest Phone: (410) 457-0303 Email: info@stsmm.org