DECEMBER / ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2015 VOLUME 10, ISSUE 12 the H ARK - ΚΙΒΩΤΟΣ M ONTHL Y BULLE TIN OF THE ASS UM PTION OF OUR MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS GREEK ORTHODOX CH U RCH Μ ΗΝΙ ΑΙΟ ΔΕΛ ΤΙΟ ΤΗ Σ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΟΡ ΘΟΔΟ ΞΗ Σ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙ ΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΟΙΜΗΣΕ ΩΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟ ΚΟ Υ Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 111 Island Pond Road Manchester NH 03109 Phone: (603) 623-2045 Fax: (603) 232-6347 info@assumptionnh.org www.assumptionnh.org Join us on Facebook INSIDE THIS ISSUE Monthly Calendar (Greek)... 2 Ministries List... 3 Parish News... 4 Philoptochos News... 4 Youth News... 5 Stewardship... 15 Monthly Calendar (English).. 19 1
εκέμβριος 2015 ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ ΤΡΙΤΗ ΤΕΤΑΡΤΗ ΠΕΜΠΤΗ ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ 1 2 3 Ελληνικό Σχολείο Ελληνικός Χορός 3:30-7:30µµ 4 Βαρβάρας Μεγαλομάρτυρος Ορθρος: 8:30πμ Θεία Λειτ: 9:30πμ 5 Αγίου Νικολάου Εσπερινός Υπηρεσία 7:00 μμ στην εκκλησία του Αγίου Νικολάου 6 10η Κυριακή του Λουκά Ορθρος:9:00πμ Θεία Λειτ: 10:00πμ Τζιμόπουλος Memorial Λαχνός Εκλογές Ενορία Συμβούλιο Συνάντηση GOYA 13 11η Κυριακή του Λουκά Ορθρος:9:00πμ Θεία Λειτ: 10:00πμ Χριστουγενιάτικο Πάρτι Φιλοπτώχου Συνάντηση Διοικητικού Συµβουλίου 12:00µµ 7 8 9 10 Ελληνικό Σχολείο Ελληνικός Χορός 3:30-7:30µµ 14 15 16 17 Ελληνικό Σχολείο Ελληνικός Χορός 3:30-7:30µµ Πρόβα Χορωδίας 6:30µµ 11 12 Αγίου Σπυρίδωνα Όρθρος: 8:30 πμ Θεία Λειτ: 9.30 π.μ. 18 19 20 Κυριακή πριν Γεννήσεως Ορθρος:9:00πμ Θεία Λειτ: 10:00πμ Χριστουγεννιάτικη καλλιστεία νεολαίας 21 22 23 Μεγάλες και Βασιλικές Ωρες των Χριστουγέννων 9:30πμ 24 Παραμονή Χριστουγέννων Μεγάλος Εσπερίνος 8:30πμ Θεία Λειτ: 9.30 π.μ. Όρθρος: 6:45μμ Θεία Λειτ: 8:00μμ 25 Χριστούγεννα Όρθρος: 9:30πμ 26 Bake Sale νεολαίας 27 Κυριακή μετά Γεννήσεως Ορθρος:9:00πμ Θεία Λειτ: 10:00πμ 28 29 30 31 Παραμονή Πρωτοχρονιάς Εορτασμός 6:30μμ Συσσιτιο Απόρων (New Horizons) 4:00-6:00μμ 2
Parish Council 2015 President... James Folopoulos Vice President... Nick Karagianis Secretary... Mike Rokas Treasurer... Ted Rokas Peter Lazos Charles Mardanes Penny Papastathis Philoptochos Board 2015 President...Lucie Skouteris Vice President...Maria Chronas Recording Secretary...Andrea Moutsioulis Corresponding Secretary... Iris Belinsky Treasurer..Georgia Palaskas Assistant Treasurer..Nancy Mardanes Liaison to National & Metropolis Boards...Mariana Gasis Advisor...Esther Kereakoglow Martha Galanis Artemis Lazos Staff Evangelia Gregorious Secretary...Janet Malin Chanter.Vasilios Rokas Choir Director.Joan Virga YOUTH MINISTRIES DIRECTORS GOYA... Stavroula Bakolas JOY... Julie Karagianis Mommy & Me Ranya Karatzoulidis PARISH SCHOOLS Sunday School Director..Stacy Caron Teachers.Nicole Condodemetraky Stavroula Bakolas Angeliki Kalampalikis Theohare Kapellakis Greek School Director... George Kitsis Teacher... Connie Stamoulis Newsletter Editors Sophia Annas James Folopoulos Ellen Healy Janet Malin Nancy Mardanes ADDRESS CHANGES Please notify the Church office if you are moving so that we may update our database. Thank you. Ark published monthly by Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 111 Island Pond Road, Manchester NH 03109 3
Parish News The Annual George Tzimopoulos Memorial Raffle will be held in the church hall on Sunday December 6 th following church services. If you are interested in purchasing tickets please contact Georgia Tzimopoulos or the church office. Thank you for your continued support! It s hard to believe but 2016 is around the corner and we will once again be celebrating and welcoming the New Year at our church. We are very excited to have the live Greek band Ta Dilina playing for us. If you are interested in tickets please contact Tasos Karatzoulidis, Mike Rokas, Ted Rokas or the church office. Parish Council The monthly Parish Council meeting will be held on Sunday, December 13 th at 12 PM. Philoptochos News My heartfelt thanks to everyone who stepped in to help at our Autumn Bazaar. We couldn t have done it without you, and I sincerely appreciate the efforts of all. We are accepting donations for the flowers that will decorate the church for the Christmas season. Please contact a Philoptochos Board member if you want to contribute. The Philoptochos Christmas Party will be held Sunday, December 13 th, following the Divine Liturgy. All Philoptochos members and guests are welcome. The Christmas Party is a social event, but it s also the perfect time to join our Philoptochos chapter. We support our parish in many ways, but our mission is much broader. As part of the Metropolis of Boston and National Philoptochos Societies, we help the poor and sick, assist the victims of disasters, and support various institutions and ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Please consider joining this vital ministry of our church. Lucie Skouteris, President 4
New Horizons Soup Kitchen New Horizons Soup Kitchen is Sunday, December 27 th, 4-6 PM. We are looking for new volunteers to join our group. This is such a rewarding experience; please join us for less than two hours of fellowship with the group from the Assumption Church. If you have any questions, please call Stephanie Piet at 315-5026 or the church office at 623-2045. Thank you! Choir Calling all parishioners! We are looking for volunteers to join our talented choir. All ages are welcome; all that is required is your passion and love for our church! Please contact our Choir Director, Joan Virga at 603-553-9525 or the church office. Youth Ministry News On Sunday, December 20 th, our Youth Ministry will present its Annual Christmas Pageant, Christ is Born. It will take place in the worship area, immediately following the Divine Liturgy. We invite parish children of all ages to participate! If your child would like to take part in this year s Pageant, please contact our Sunday School director, Stacy Caron at skalampalikis@yahoo.com by December 5 th. Children will be assigned their acting parts on Sunday, Dec. 6 th. A Christmas Celebration Coffee Hour will follow the Pageant in our church hall. Festivities will include a special visit from Santa, who will gratefully accept the Gifts of Giving from our parish children to benefit the Philoxenia House (please see enclosed flyer). To collect these gifts, our Youth Ministry will be accepting donations throughout the month of December. Your donations can be either monetary or any of the items on the Wish List of the Philoxenia House. For the Wish List and details, please see the flyer on page 12. Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and a Joyous & Healthy New Year! Fr. Gregory and the Youth Ministry team IT S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN US! Although our school year is well under way, our teachers look forward to seeing new children join our classes. We welcome new students and encourage all families to bring their children to Sunday School and participate in all our Youth Ministries! 5
DATES TO REMEMBER All of December - PHILOXENIA HOUSE GIFTS OF GIVING COLLECTION DRIVE Sunday, Dec. 6 th - 12:30 PM - GOYA meeting. Sunday, Dec. 6 th & Dec. 13th 10 AM - Rehearsal for Youth Christmas Pageant in the School building. Saturday, Dec. 19 th - 12 PM - GOYA & JOY will bake pies for sale and will setup for Youth Christmas Celebration coffee hour in the church hall. Saturday, Dec. 19 th - 2:30 PM - Christmas Pageant Dress Rehearsal in church. Sunday, Dec. 20 th - Youth Christmas Celebration Sunday ~ 10 AM - All children will meet in the school building to prepare for the Pageant. ~ 11:30 AM - Christmas Pageant will begin, in church, following the Divine Liturgy. ~ 12:15 PM - Special coffee hour sponsored by the Youth Ministry families in the church hall. ~ Youth Christmas Celebration will take place during the coffee hour. Festivities will include holiday craft making, singing of Christmas carols, a visit from Santa and presentation of Gifts of Giving to Santa by our parish children. ~ A Holiday Pie Sale to benefit our Youth Ministries will also be held in the church hall. Thursday, Dec. 24 th, (Christmas Eve) - No Greek School Classes. Sunday, Dec. 27 th - Family Sunday / No Sunday School Classes. Thursday, Dec. 31 st (New Year's Eve) - No Greek School Classes. Sunday, Jan. 10 th - Sunday School classes resume. SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Update on Sunday School Classes - Grades 1 st thru 3 rd Our first, second and third graders have been off to a busy start. Together with their teachers, Mrs. Angeliki Kalampalikis and Mrs. Theohare Kapellakis, they have been reading and discussing Gospel lessons under the guidance of Fr. Gregory. Some of the other topics which they will review this year include: ~ The Nativity and the true meaning of Christmas ~ The Lord's Prayer ~ The Ten Commandments ~ The Seven Sacraments ~ Saints and Name Days 6
Χριστουγεννιάτικες Ακολουθίες Τετάρτη, 23 Δεκεμβρίου ~ Μεγάλες και Βασιλικές Ώρες των Χριστουγέννων 9:30-11 π.μ. Πέμπτη, 24 Δεκεμβρίου Παραμονή Χριστουγέννων Πρωί ~ Μεγάλος Εσπερινός 8:30 π.μ. ~ Θεία Λειτουργία Μεγάλου Βασιλείου 9:30-11 π.μ. Βράδυ ~ Όρθρος των Χριστουγέννων 6:45 μ.μ. ~ Θεία Λειτουργία Ιωάννου Χρυσοστόμου 8 μ.μ. ~ Χριστουγεννιάτικα Κάλαντα Παρασκεύη, 25 Δεκεμβρίου Χριστούγεννα ~ Όρθρος των Χριστουγέννων και Θεία Κοινωνία 9:30 11 π.μ. 7
Christmas Services Wednesday, December 23 rd ~Great Royal Hours of Christmas 9:30 11 AM Thursday, December 24 th Eve of the Feast of Nativity Morning ~ Great Vespers 8:30 AM ~ Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great 9:30 11 AM Evening ~ Orthros of Christmas 6:45 PM ~ Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom 8 PM ~ Christmas Caroling Friday, December 25 th Christmas Day ~ Orthros of Christmas & Holy Communion 9:30 11 AM 8
Περιγραφή Χριστουγεννιάτικων Ακολουθίων ~ Τετάρτη, 23 Δεκεμβρίου - Μεγάλες και Βασιλικές Ώρες των Χριστουγέννων Η ακολουθία των Μεγάλων και Βασιλικών Ωρών είναι μία από τις πιο όμορφες της Εκκλησίας μας. Αυτή η ακολουθία γίνεται μόνο 3 φορές τον χρόνο. Πριν από τα Χριστούγεννα, τα Θεοφάνεια και το Πάσχα. Αποτελείται από την 1 η, 3 η, 6 η, και 9 η ώρα. Κάθε Ώρα έχει μια προφητεία, ένα Αποστολικό ανάγνωσμα, ένα Ευαγγέλιο, ευχές και ύμνους. Ολα μιλούν για την γέννηση του Κυρίου. Σε αυτή την ακολουθία δέν λαμβάνουμε Θεία Κοινωνία. Είναι μία ακουθία γιά να προσευχηθούμε και να προετοιμαστούμε για την γέννηση του Κυρίου μας. Θα κάνουμε αυτή την ακολουθία στο φως των κεριών στις 23 Δεκεμβρίου, στις 9:30 το πρωί. Είναι ο πιό όμορφος και κατανυκτικός τρόπος γιά να μπούμε στο πραγματικό πνεύμα των εορταστικών ημερών των Χριστουγέννων! ~ Πέμπτη, 24 Δεκεμβρίου Παραμονή Χριστουγέννων Η εορτές των Χριστουγέννων, των Θεοφανείων και του Πάσχα έχουν πάντα τις Μεγάλες και Βασιλικές Ώρες την προπαραμονή και δύο Θείες Λειτουργίες. Μία το πρωί της παραμονής, την Θεία Λειτουργία του Μεγάλου Βασιλείου και μία το βράδυ ή το επόμενο πρωί, την Θεία Λειτουργία του Ιωάννου Χρυσοστόμου. Η πρωινή Θεία Λειτουργία της παραμονής ξεκινά με Εσπερινό που περιλαμβάνει θαυμάσιες προφητείες για τον ερχομό του Κυρίου μας. Η πρωϊνή Θεία Λειτουργία της παραμονής είναι κατάλληλη για να κοινωνήσουν τα παιδιά και όσοι δεν οδηγούν την νύχτα. Ο Μεγάλος Εσπερινός θα αρχίσει στις 8:30 το πρωϊ και η Θεία Λειτουργία 9:30 π.μ. Το βράδυ της παραμονής, ο Όρθρος των Χριστουγέννων θα αρχίσει στις 6:45 μ.μ. και η Θεία Λειτουργία στις 8 μ.μ. Ο Όρθρος των Χριστουγέννων μαζί με αυτόν της Αναστάσεως είναι οι δύο πιό όμορφοι όλης της χρονιάς! Θα πρέπει να έρθετε νωρίς για να μην τον χάσετε! ~ Παρασκεύη, 25 Δεκεμβρίου - Χριστούγεννα Το πρωϊ της ημέρας των Χριστουγέννων στις 9:30 π.μ., θα ψάλουμε τον Όρθρο των Χριστουγέννων. Όλοι οι πανέμορφοι ψαλμοί των Χριστουγέννων είναι σε αυτόν τον Όρθρο!. Στο τέλος του Όρθρου, περίπου στις 10:30 π.μ., δεν θα έχουμε Θεία Λειτουργία γιατί την κάναμε το προηγούμενο βράδυ. Για όσους όμως επιθυμούν να κοινωνήσουν, θα έχουμε Θεία Κοινωνία. Σας εύχομαι ευλογημένα, κατανυκτικά και χαρούμενα Χριστούγεννα! Πατήρ Γρηγόριος 9
Explanation of the Christmas Services ~ Wednesday, December 23 rd - Royal Hours of Christmas The service of the Great Royal Hours consists of Prayers, Hymns, Psalms and Old Testament prophecies that foretell the coming of Christ in the world. Also we read the Apostolic and Gospel passages of the feast of Christmas. There is no Holy Communion at this service. Rather, it is a service of quiet meditation in anticipation of the Nativity. We will hold this service at 9:30 AM December 23 rd. We will celebrate the entire service by candlelight. This will be a wonderful and peaceful way to usher in the Feast of the Nativity. ~Thursday, December 24 - Christmas Eve On the feast day of Christmas, Epiphany and Easter we always have the Great Royal Hours two days prior. Then we celebrate two Divine Liturgies. One on the eve and one in the morning of the feast. On December 24 th, in the morning, we will celebrate the Great Vespers of Christmas followed by the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. The Vespers of Christmas includes beautiful Old Testament Prophecy Readings. All those with young children and those who do not drive at night may take advantage of this morning Divine Liturgy on December 24 th, with Vespers at 8:30 AM and Divine Liturgy 9:30 11 AM On the evening of the 24 th, Orthros of Christmas will be celebrated at 6:45 PM, followed by the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom at 8 PM. The Orthros of Christmas and that of Easter are the two most beautiful of the entire year! I suggest you come early so you do not miss it! ~Friday December 25 th - Christmas Day On Christmas morning at 9:30 AM, we will chant the Orthros (Matins) Service of Christmas. All the beautiful hymns connected with Christmas are in this service. At 10:30 AM, we will not celebrate a Divine Liturgy, because we did so the previous evening. However, at the end of the Orthros, there will be Holy Communion available for those wishing to receive. Wishing you all a Blessed, Joyful and Merry Christmas! Fr. Gregory 10
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Sacrament Baptism December 6 th Preston Lee, son of Gregory and Brittany Swanson Reminder Please do not forget to submit your 2015 Stewardship Pledge Stewardship is the greatest source of income for our church. Donations Nicholas Papanikolaou - $100.00 Memorial Donations (October 1 st to October 31 st ) In memory of James Franggos - $25.00 In memory of Vasilios Palaskas $25.00 In memory of Julla Pournaras -$25.00 In memory of Demetrios Krideras $75.00 In memory of Napoleon Giavroutas - $165.00 In memory of Maria Chronas - $200.00 In memory of Chrysanthe Randos -$430.00 Donations made to the Philoptochos Society In memory of Vasiliki Bakolas - $495.00 Fuel Fund The Tingos Family - $100.00 October Pledges Sophia Annas Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Bakolas Amerisa Baryiames Iris Belinsky Barbara Brown Eleftheria Chronas Mr. & Mrs. Richard Dryer Mr. & Mrs. David Dzenis Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Gekas Mr. & Mrs. Harold Guidicelli Mr. & Mrs. Stathis Kapellakis Jane Lawson Mr. & Mrs. Charles Mardanes Penny Papastathis Faye Pliakos Mr. & Mrs. Leon Lampes Mr. & Mrs. Peter Predaris Mr. & Mrs. George Sideris Mr. & Mrs. Christos Stamoulis Mr. & Mrs. James Tournidis Michael Tsecaris Mr. & Mrs. John Xintaras 15
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Community Christmas Card Fundraiser 2015 As the Christmas Season quickly approaches, we are, once again, asking our parish community and friends of the Assumption Church to participate in our annual community Christmas Card. This year s donation remains at $15.00 per household. However, any amount you wish to contribute above this will be most welcomed. It s that time of year again to think about sending our Christmas and New Year s wishes to everyone. Our Christmas Card will be sent to more than 300 Assumption Church parish families and friends. Please complete the form below and return it, together with your check made payable to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, or to any Parish Council Member by Sunday, December 6, 2015. Thank you in advance for your participation, which is greatly appreciated. The Parish Council ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΗ ΚΑΡΤΑ Καθώς τα Χριστούγεννα πλησιάζουν, ζητάμε, για μιά ακόμα φορά, τα μέλλη της κοινότητάς μας και τους φίλους της Εκκλησίας μας, να συμμετάσχουν στην ετήσια Χριστουγεννιάτικη κάρτα της κοινότητάς μας. Η δωρεά είναι $15.00 ανά οικογένεια. Η Χριστουγεννιάτικη κάρτα θα σταλεί σε περισσότερες απο 300 οικογένειες της ενορίας μας, όπως επίσης και σε φίλους της κοινότητάς μας. Είναι πολύ καλός τρόπος, να στείλετε κι εσείς τις δικές σας ευχές, εξοικονομώντας πολύτιμο χρόνο και την δαπάνη της αγοράς και αποστολής των δικών σας καρτών. Αν θα θέλατε να συμμετέχετε και εσείς στην Χριστουγεννιάτικη κάρτα μας, παρακαλούμε να συμπληρώσετε την παρακάτω φόρμα και να την επιστρέψετε, μαζί με την δωρέα σας των $15.00, στο γραφείο της κοινότητάς μας ή στους Επίτροπους της Κοινότητας, μέχρι την Κυριακή 6 η Δεκεμβρίου. Ευχαριστούμε για την συμμετοχή σας εκ των προτέρων Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church 2015 Christmas Card Form (Please complete this form and return it with your $15.00 donation in the enclosed envelope) Please clearly print your name as you would like it to appear on the card. (Name) 16
BUSINESS CARD ADVERTISING Anyone with a business that would like to advertise in our monthly bulletin, please contact the Church office. A business card format, about 2 ½ x 1 ½ will run for a period of 12 months for one set fee of $150.00 a year. This will help to defray the ever-increasing costs of printing and mailing these bulletins to our homes as well as advertising your business to our parishioners and through word of mouth, to their friends. This is a great opportunity for all! 17
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December 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 Greek School & Greek Dance 3:30 7:30PM 4 Barbara the Great Martyr Orthros: 8:30 AM Div. Lit: 9:30 AM 5 St. Nicholas Vespers Service 7:00 PM at St. Nicholas Church 6 10th Sunday of Luke Orthros: 9:00 AM Div. Lit: 10:00 AM Tzimopoulos Memorial Raffle Parish Council Elections GOYA Meeting 13 11 th Sunday of Luke Orthros: 9:00 AM Div. Lit: 10:00 AM Philoptochos Christmas Party Parish Council Meeting 12:00 PM 7 8 9 10 Greek School & Greek Dance 3:30 7:30PM 14 15 16 17 Greek School & Greek Dance 3:30 7:30PM Choir Rehearsal 6:30PM 11 12 St. Spyridon Orthros: 8:30 AM Div. Lit: 9:30 AM 18 19 20 Sunday before Nativity Orthros: 9:00 AM Div. Lit: 10:00 AM 21 22 23 Great Royal Hours of Christmas 9:30 AM 24 Great Vespers 8:30 AM Div. Lit:9:30 AM 25 Holy Nativity Orthros: 9:30 AM 26 Christmas Pageant Nativity Eve Orthros: 6:45 PM Div. Lit: 8:00 PM Youth Ministry Bake Sale 27 Sunday after Nativity Orthros: 9:00 AM Div. Lit: 10:00 AM 28 29 30 31 New Years Eve Celebration 6:30 PM New Horizons Soup Kitchen 4:00-6:00 PM 19
ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 111 Island Pond Road Manchester, NH 03109 NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID MANCHESTER, NH PERMIT NO. 6249 20