ST. ATHANASIOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΟΥ. 51 Paramus Road, Paramus, New Jersey 07652

ST. ATHANASIOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΟΥ T H E G O O D N E WS 51 Paramus Road, Paramus, New Jersey 07652 Tel: 201-368-8881 - Fax: 201-368-9195 - Emergency Tel: 201-925-6994 www.stathanasiosnj.org email: info@stathanasiosnj.org July / August Summer Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. VOLUME 14, ISSUE 6 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015 Dear Parishioners, Rev. Protopresbyter Anargyros Stavropoulos Ieratikos Proestamenos Parish Council 2015 President: Demetrios Xanthos Vice President: Paul Venizelos 2nd V. President: Andy Hios Treasurer: Tony Emmanouilidis Secretary: Peter Paizis Vasilios Fikaris Jason Fink Nicholas Gagis George Glavas Panagiotis Karounos Othon Katechis Emmanuel Kavrakis John Kiriakakis Kostas Lahanas Irini Mentakis Gus Panagiotopoulos George Siamboulis Chuck Tsocanos To Orthodox Christians, August is a very sacred month a month that brings with it a feeling of reverence. It is the month of the Blessed Theotokos. On the fifteenth of August our Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the most solemn of feasts related to the Mother of God, her repose or falling asleep, but during this month we also celebrate the tremendous love the Virgin had for God. Special prayer services are held during the first fifteen days of the month and it is a period of special fasting and spiritual preparation similiar to the great Lent. Our Orthodox Church, honors the Mother of God above all saints because the incarnation, meaning God becoming man in the person of Christ, was not only the work of the Father, by His power and by His spirit, but it was also the work of the will and faith of the Virgin. Without the consent of Mary, without the agreement of her faith, the plan was as unreal as it would have been without the intervention of the three Divine Persons Themselves. It was only after having instructed her and persuaded her that God took Mary for His Mother and borrowed from her the flesh that she so greatly wished to lend Him. Just as He became incarnate voluntarily, so He wished that His Mother should bear Him freely and with her full consent. This why, we honor the Virgin so greatly. It was in the person of the Virgin that humanity gave its consent to the Word becoming flesh, to God becoming Man and coming to dwell among us and save us. The Blessed Mother said yes to God. She said yes for all of us. And God came down to earth to live in your life and mine. Our Holy Theotokos opened the door to a dark house and let the radiant light come in. My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we will celebrate this Joyous Feast of the Theotokos, let us prepare ourselves physically and spiritually by following the fifteen day fast period. During this time, dedicated to our Beloved Mother of God, let us all follow the Orthodox fast, let us turn away from temptation and sin and focus on the love she gave to this world. Let us all strengthen our will power and enrich our prayer life, as we prepare ourselves to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. As the month of the Theotokos approaches us, let us all surrender all that we are, to the Spirit of Love, just as Panagia did, in order that our lives may bear Christ into our world. With love in Christ Fr. Anargyros

Αγαπητοί μου, Ο μήνας Αύγουστος είναι ο μήνας της Παναγίας. «Η υψηλοτέρα των Χερουβείμ και ενδοξοτέρα ασυγκρίτως των Σεραφείμ» δεσπόζει σ όλο αυτό τον όμορφο, τον πλούσιο μήνα του καλοκαιριού, και γεμίζει την Oρθόδοξη ψυχή από τη χάρη της. Οι Παρακλήσεις των δεκαπέντε πρώτων ημερών του Αυγούστου αντηχούν από το «Υπεραγία Θεοτόκε, σώσον ημάς»και τα γεμάτα μυστικό γλυκασμό και ανέκφραστη ευφροσύνη τροπάρια του Παρακλητικού Κανόνα Μεγάλου και Μικρού. Όλα τα απογεύματα (εκτός από τους εσπερινούς του Σαββάτου και την παραμονή της Μεταμορφώσεως του Σωτήρος, οι Ορθόδοξοι ναοί γεμίζουν από τις ικετήριες φωνές μας. Όρθιοι ή γονατιστοί, πάντα όμως με παιδική απλότητα και υιική οικειότητα, μιλάμε στην Παναγία μας «την χαράν των θλιβομένων». Με ένα βαθύ σεβασμό στη Μητέρα του Κυρίου μας, οι Χριστιανοί λέμε την παράκλησή μας με ύμνους και δοξολογίες ζυμωμένες με το δάκρυ της μετανοίας μας. «Κοιμήθηκε η Άχραντη και μείς κάναμε την άγια κοίμησή της, γιορτή, πανηγύρι, χαρά, ύμνο, δοξολογία. Διότι «εν τη κοιμήσει ου κατέλιπε τον κόσμον»! Αναχωρώντα;ς από τούτη τη ζωή για να καθήσει στα δεξιά του Υιού της σαν «βασίλισσα περιβεβλημένη, πεποικιλμένη»με θεία δόξα, δεν εγκατέλειψε ούτε στιγμή τον κόσμο. Μένει με μας τα παιδιά της, το λαό της και πρεσβεύει για το νέον Ισραήλ της Χάριτος, τους «υιούς του Θεού»(Εβρ.Β 10), τους οποίους ο Υιός της και Υιός του Θεού οδήγησε στη δόξα του ουρανού με τη σταυρική θυσία, την Ανάσταση και την Ανάληψή του. Είναι τόσο δεμένη η Ορθόδοξος ψυχή μας με την Θεοτόκο, ώστε πέρα από τους ύμνους και τα μαγαλυνάρια, που της αναπέμπομε κάθε μέρα, σε κάθε Θ.Λειτουργία, σε κάθε ακολουθία, σε κάθε προσευχή, ξεχώρισε τον Αύγουστο, το μήνα και τον αφιέρωσε στην Παναγία, στην μητέρα πάντων των Χριστιανών, και την μεσίτριά μας στον φιλάνθρωπο Θεό. Έτσι τον Αύγουστο καλούμεθα και πάλι αγαπητοί μου να υμνήσωμε ιδιαίτερα «τον τόπον αγιάσματος της δόξης», δηλαδή την Παναγία, στην οποία κατοίκησε η θεότητα και περιχωρήθηκε με τρόπο ακατανόητο ο αχώρητος Θεός. Να ψάλλουμε καλούμεθα με βαθιά ευγνωμοσύνη, ότι η Πάναγνη κόρη, το υπόδειγμα της ταπεινώσεως «ανεδείχθη Ουρανός και ναός της Θεότητος». Έγινε, κατοικητήριο του Ηλίου, που δε δύει ποτέ. Αυτού, που έκτισε και όρισε τους «μεγάλους φωστήρες»για να φωτίζουν το στερέωμα του Ουρανού. Αγαπητοί μου Χριστιανοί, όλοι εμείς, οι δούλοι της, τα παιδιά της, πνιγμένοι μέσα στη μέριμνα της ζωής, κυκλωμένοι από πλήθος ερωτηματικά και προβληματισμούς, πιεσμένοι από τις αφροσύνες, αιχμάλωτοι των παθών μας μικρών ή μεγάλων. Ανήμποροι να αντιμετωπίσουμε από μόνοι μας την πολυκέφαλη λερναία ύδρα της αμαρτίας ας τρέξουμε προετοιμασμένοι, με νηστεία, προσευχή και Ιερά Εξομολόγηση, ας τρέξουμε κοντά της τα βραδινά του Δεκαπενταυγούστου και ας της ψάλλουμε κατανυκτικά: «Είς σέ καταφεύγομεν, την κεχαριτωμένην, ελπίς απηλπισμένων». «Άλλην ούκ έχομεν» εμείς οι αμαρτωλοί στους κινδύνους τους ατομικούς, τους οικογενειακούς και στις θλίψεις, πρεσβεία θερμή προς τον Θεό. «Υπεραγία Θεοτόκε, πρέσβευε υπέρ ημών». Και ο γλυκασμός των Αγγέλων, η Παναγία μας με τις πρεσβείες της προς τον Πανάγαθο Θεό, θα προσφέρει στην πονεμένη μας καρδιά χίλιων ειδών χαρές και απερίγραπτη, γλυκιά παρηγοριά. Με αγάπη Χριστού π. Ανάργυρος

AUGUST 6TH THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD & SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them to a high mountain. While praying there He was transfigured. His face shone as the sun. Jesus had many times shown His disciples His Divine Power, but now He showed them His Divine Nature. Moses and Elijah appeared with Him to dispel the Jewish fallacy that Jesus was one of the prophets. He revealed Himself to be King over the Prophets who were His servants. If Jesus, the Head of the Body, was transfigured, then we who are members of His Body will also be transfigured with Him. The dazzling light that shown through Christ on Mount Tabor is not just something that happened in the past. It is a window through which we can look to see the reality of the Kingdom of God not only in Christ but also in us. As we are incorporated into Christ through faith and the Sacraments, we are gradually transformed into His likeness. This is our personal transfiguration in Christ. We are not just Earthen vessels of clay subject to the universal law of death and corruption. These earthen vessels bear a great treasure as St. Paul states. They can become not only spirit-bearing, but God-bearing, pervaded by God s presence. They are called to share in the eternal glory of God. It was our own human nature which was filled with divine glory at the Transfiguration. It was our own human nature which was made God-like and partook of God s glory. Consider this against the background of people who claim that life is meaningless. The divine light did not merely shine around Christ, His very flesh was aflame with it. The image of God in us, which had been darkened by the sin of Adam, was once again glowing in the human nature of Jesus. Transfigured and sanctified by the grace of God, this human body of ours can indeed become an icon of man deified, transfigured and glowing with the light of the Holy Trinity. It is for this reason that many Orthodox Theologians consider the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration as the day of the celebration of the deification (theosis) of human nature in Christ.

PARAKLESIS (SUPPLICATION) SERVICES During the Fast in honor the Most Holy Theotokos, August 1-15, which is one of the major fast periods in the Church, there will be Paraklesis (Supplication) services in the evenings marked on the calendar at 7:00 p.m. Please bring or send in names of persons who would like to pray for during these services, for health or general well-being. Why not utilize this period as an opportunity to more fervently worship our Lord, through the prayers of His Most Holy Mother. HOLY CONFESSION Holy Confession will be held on Friday, August 7th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, August 12th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. =========================================== ΓΙΟΡΤΑΖΕΤΑΙ Ο ΘΑΝΑΤΟΣ Γιά πρώτη φορά στην ιστορία τού κόσμου, γιορτάζεται ο θάνατος. Και αυτό συμβαίνει μέσα στο χριστιανισμό, γιατί, ακριβώς το θάνατο τον θεωρεί όπως και είναι μετάβαση στη ζωή, στην όντως ζωή, στην αληθινή ζωή. Γι αυτό και η εκκλησία μας, την ημέρα της Κοίμησης της θεοτόκου πανηγυρίζει ψάλλοντας: <<... Τάφος και νέκρωσις ούκ εκράτησεν ως γάρ ζωής Μητέρα πρός ζωήν μετέστησεν...>> (από το κοντάκιο της εορτής). Η Μητέρα της ζωής πήγε στη ζωή. << Κλίμαξ πρός ουρανόν ο τάφος γίνεται >>. Και μόνον αυτό το μήνυμα γιά το ανθρώπινο γένος αποτελεί το δυνατότερο μήνυμα της ιστορίας. Ολα τα πλάκωνε ο θάνατος. Ηρθε ο υιός της Παρθένου και με την ανάστασή του έφερε τη ζωή. Ολα ζωοποιήθηκαν. Και τον Υιό αυτό τον γέννησε η Θεοτόκος. Να γιατί είναι << Μήτηρ Ζωής >>. Νά γιατί << αι γενεαί πάσαι μακαρίζομεν την Θεοτόκον >>. Ακόμη και η φύση αγάλλεται και χαίρει πού << νικήθηκαν οι όροι της >> και ο θάνατος έγινε ζωή. Αν θέλαμε νά πούμε ποιό είναι το πρώτο καί το τελευταίο μήνυμα της Κοίμησης της Θεοτόκου, θα λέγαμε, μαζί με το Φώτη Κόντογλου, η << ΕΟΡΤΗ ΤΗΣ ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΑΣ >>. Αυτό είναι το μήνημα της Ορθοδοξίας.

Γι αυτό, << άπας γηγενής σκιρτάτω >>. Ας χαρεί κάθε πιστὸς << νυν και αεί >>. Τώρα και πάντα. Ο θάνατος νικήθηκε. Να γιατί το δεκαπενταύγουστο ο πιστός λαός το άποκαλει << το μικρό πάσχα του Καλοκαιριού >>. Είναι το Πάσχα της Παναγίας μας. Είναι η παρηγοριά μας και το στήριγμά μας, μέσα στο χάος του σημερινού κόσμου. Του κόσμου που θανατώνεται καθημερινά, σωματικά και ψυχικά, χωρίς την αληθινή ελπίδα πού άκτινοβολεί η θεοτόκος μέσα στην ιστορία τού κόσμου. Ο Κόσμος Θαμπώνεται από πράματα ψεύτικα. Γι αυτό και παραπαίει. Μόνο αν στραφεί πρός την Μητέρα της ζωής θα βρεί ζωή αληθινή. Καλό Δεκαπενταύγουστο! =================================================== September 1st - Feast Day of the Indiction Beginning of the Orthodox Church Calendar Year September 1st is the first day of the Orthodox Ecclesiastical Year. It is called the beginning of the indiction. The word indiction is a Latin word meaning impose (to make somebody do something). It was first applied in imposing taxes in Egypt. The Roam Emperor Diocletian extended the system of taxing conquered people to the whole Roman Empire. The first official worldwide indiction originated with the emperor Constantine in 312 A.D. when he saw a miraculous vision of the sign of the Cross in the skies. The Church picked this day to begin its calendar year for various reasons. 1. Before the Julian calendar, the Romans began their year on September 1st. 2. According to Holy Tradition, it was on September 1st that our Blessed Lord entered the Jewish synagogue (Luke 4) to preach his mission to men. Jesus quoted from the 61st chapter of the book of Isaiah: The spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek, he has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the openings of the prison to them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourn. 3. Tradition also tells us that it was during the month of September that the Hebrews finally entered the Promised Land. 4. It has always been accepted within the church community that the month of September was the time to gather all the fruits of the summer months and prepare for the beginning of the winter months ahead. At the start of the news year hymnographers also prepared beautiful hymns to be chanted during Church Services. The hymns were offered to Almighty God so that we might receive His divine blessings throughout the coming year.

THE MINISTRIES OF OUR ST. ATHANASIOS PARISH We would like to inform you of the various Parish programs that are available at our community, which we may all support and participate accordingly. SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL: Sunday Church school is held during the regular school year. Grade levels are Little Angels through 12th grade. Registration will be held on Sunday, September 8th. Please see enclosed registration form. We ask all parents to enroll their children in Sunday Church School and have them attend on a regular basis so that they may become close to the Church and learn more about their faith. The first day of Sunday Church School will be September 6th. GREEK SCHOOL: Greek School is held twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m, for pre-k(3) through 6th grades. In order for students to attend the pre-k (3) class, they must have reached their 3rd birthday by October 1, 2015. We will continue to offer this class, if enough children register. The first day of Greek School will be September 9th. The curriculum encompasses the Greek Language, Reading, Writing, Speaking, History, Religion, Ecclesiastical Hymns, and Geography of Greece. If enough families register, we will also offer grades 7 th & 8 th which will be held on Fridays from 4:30-6:30 p.m., and will prepare students for the NY Regents Exam in Modern Greek and the Certificate of attainment in Greek. ADULT GREEK SCHOOL: Adult Greek School classes have been available for our St. Athanasios Community. If you are interested in learning the Greek Language, please sign up. Classes will be held on Fridays from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., if enough people register. BIBLE STUDY AND CATECHISM: This group gets together and studies various Books from the Holy Bible under the direction of the Parish Priest. Classes meet every other Monday at 7:00 p.m. beginning September 21st. PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY: The Philoptochos Women s Society of St. Athanasios is an organization whose primary purpose is aimed toward philanthropic endeavors and programs. All men and women in our parish may become members of this society, which provides for the disadvantaged and assists the church in many ways. The first meeting will be on September 8th, and then every first Tuesday of the month. FOS (Light) is a Parish Ministry (organization) within the Saint Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church. The purpose of FOS is to promote the Orthodox Faith within and outside the parish. The FOS operates in cooperation with and under the direct supervision of the parish priest. ALTAR BOYS: Boys ages 9-17 are able to serve as Altar Boys. Along with their duties, monthly meetings and programs are also held. Anyone who would like to participate in Altar duties should contact Fr. Anargyros. H.O.P.E. / J.O.Y. : Boys and girls between the ages of 4-7 are invited to join H.O.P.E., and ages 8-11 for J.O.Y. These programs give the children the opportunity to learn about their faith, their church and the social world around them. Meetings are held once a month on Fridays.

G.O.Y.A.: Boys and girls between the ages of 12-18 are welcome to join the G.O.Y.A. Various athletic, social and religious activities are held as well as other programs. The G.O.Y.A. meets once a month on Thursdays or Fridays. CHOIR: The choir chants hymns during the Divine Liturgy and other Church services throughout the year, except for the summer months of July and August. Practice is held on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Both men and women are invited to join the choir. DANCE GROUPS: Greek Ethnic and cultural dances are taught to the children of our community. Classes will be held on Fridays from 5:00 8:00 p.m., beginning September 18th. There are two levels. Time varies depending on each level. HELLENIC SENIORS OF ST. ATHANASIOS: Parishioners may join the Hellenic Seniors group. Spiritual and social gatherings are held. The Seniors meet every third Thursday of the month at noon in the Community Center. P.T.O. Parent Teacher Organization : This organization consists of the teachers and parents of the Greek School students, and parishioners who are interested in the education of our students. The purpose of the P.T.O. is to help and support the different programs of our school. We ask everyone to please become members and active supporters of our P.T.O. EPISKEPSIS (Visitations): In cooperation with the Philoptochos. The purpose and goal is to visit and comfort our Orthodox Christians that are confined to nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and homes. DIAKONIA AGAPES (St. Athanasios Food Pantry): St. Athanasios church has been supporting local Food Pantry s and assisting needy families of our parish for many years. As a result of seeing a need in our parish and community, we have formed a new parish ministry: St. Athanasios Food Pantry. The Food Pantry will be an ongoing parish ministry to serve families in need from our community, sister parishes, neighbors and friends. Together as one Christian family, we can help those in need live a better quality of life as God s children. When anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, we want our hand always to be there. For that we are responsible. Together we can make a change, we can make a difference! If anyone has any questions or wants more information on our food Pantry, please feel free to contact Fr. Anargyros or Presbytera Christina. WELCOME AND OUTREACH: The purpose to welcome new members to the Church / Parish, and promote the Greek Orthodox Faith within and outside the Parish. ΙΕΡΑ ΕΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΗΣΗ: Ο πατήρ Ανάργυρος θα εξομολογή τη Παρασκευή, 7 Αυγούστου 5:00-7:00 μ.μ., και την Τετάρτη, 12 Αυγούστου, 5:00-7:00 μ.μ. ΘΕΙΑ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ: Εάν έχετε συγγενείς ή γνωστούς πού ευρίσκονται σε Γηροκομία, Νοσοκομεία η είναι κατάκοιτοι στο σπίτι και θέλετε τον πατέρα Ανάργυρο για να τους κοινωνήση για το Δεκαπενταύγουστο, παρακαλούμε τηλεφωνείστε στο Γραφείο μας και ενημερώστε τόν Ιερέα μας. ΕΞΕΤΑΣEΙΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΚΑΤΗΧHΤΙΚΟΥ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟΥ: Συγχαίρουμε τά παιδιά και των δύο Σχολείων μας πού με επιμέλεια τάξιν και πειθαρχία παρακολούθησαν τά μαθήματα των Σχολείων μας καθ όλην την διάρκεια του Σχολικού Έτους 2014-15. Ευχαριστούμε το διδασκαλικό προσωπικό και των δύο Σχολείων διά την καλή των συνεργασία καθ όλη την διάρκεια του Σχολικού έτους. Επίσης ευχαριστούμε τον Σύλλογο Γονέων και Διδασκάλων πού εργάστηκαν τόσο σκληρά και συνεργάσθηκαν πολύ καλά μαζί μας.

The Importance of Sunday School Let the children come to me, so not to hinder them; for to such belongs the Kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. Mark 10: 14-15 Christian education is a challenge to the work of the Church. Not only did our Lord and Savior continuously teach the word of God during His early mission, but the Church as well from the earliest times looked upon Christian education as one of its essential ministries. As the first Christians joined the Church they devoted themselves to the apostle s teaching and fellowship to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42 The greatest gift, the most precious inheritance that we have to give to our children is our Greek Orthodox Faith. Jesus makes it clear that He wants children to come to know Him, and the He considers it a grave offence for an adult to hinder this process or lead child astray: whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Matt 18:6 The Central aim of Christian education in our Church is to evoke and nurture faith in Jesus Christ according to the Orthodox phronema (vision) out of which issues a genuine Orthodox way of life. The Church nurtures a living awareness of the risen Christ in our midst, who is the true Celebrant of Sacraments and the true Teacher of His people, and makes Himself known to use by the grace of the Holy Spirit. The whole range of Orthodox educational material- books, filmstrips, visuals, Bible Studies, lives of saints contemporary discussion of Christian values- becomes effective to the degree that communicates the love and sprit of Christ. The focus of our efforts to educate our beloved children in the Orthodox Christian Faith must remain in our Sunday School program. When we bring our children regularly to Sunday School we provide them with a gift of knowledge that has lifelong value and significance. The need of Christian education is as immediate as when the disciples first appealed to Jesus: Teach us to pray. Luke 11:1 Christian education is an essential and abiding ministry in the Church. As other important ministries, it is never finished. It can be as vital and meaningful as the whole body of the Church makes it through provision of adequate personal, spiritual and financial resources. The validity of Christian education is demonstrated by the truth that a well informed Christian is a spiritually committed Christian within the greater body of the Church. The commission of Christian education comes from the Lord Himself: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and lo I am with you always, to the close of the age. Matt 28: 19-20 Our St. Athanasios Sunday Church School Program begins on September 6 th at 10:00 A.M. Parents: Bring your children to Sunday School. Your personal example and involvement in the religious education of your children are extremely important. The priest and teachers can not do the job alone. Here is how you can help develop the spiritual life and moral upbringing of your children. Register your child to our Sunday Church School Program. Bring them to Church on time. Stay and worship at the Divine Liturgy in the Church. Be positive about Church. Discuss with them what they learned each Sunday. Teach them to bring their weekly stewardship offering. Give your personal example of Christian living. Emphasize regular repentance and Holy Communion. Put Church before every other activity on Sunday. Avoid criticism of others. Let your love for Our Lord Jesus Christ radiate.

SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL Dear Parents, At the close of the Sunday Church School year in June, we celebrated our annual Graduation Day program with the distribution of promotional certificates and diplomas to 7 of our seniors, followed by a fun filled barbecue on our Church lawn. The lawn was filled with games, a petting zoo, and pony rides! We thank the graduation committee, all the teachers who assisted for the set up, and the PTO who jointly sponsored the petting zoo and provided the food for the barbecue. Our graduation picnic is becoming a community tradition in our Church and we thank all of those who made it possible. On behalf of the Sunday Church School staff, we welcome Dr. Eliana Antoniou as the new Sunday Church School Director and Mrs. Stella Dimatos as the Assistant Director for the 2015-2016 school year. Our Church school couldn t be in more capable hands. Dr. Antoniou and Mrs. Dimatos have both served professionally in education and related services and will be bringing new enthusiasm and ideas to grow this very important ministry of the Church. With 128 students registered last year, we expect this trend will continue in the coming years as new families enter our community. Welcome and congratulations to Eliana and Stella! In closing, I would like to thank Father Anargyros, for his spiritual guidance and for the opportunity to serve the Church School ministry. I would also like to thank the Sunday School teachers for their hard work and support, and the children and families of our community for their dedication and commitment to religious education. Athena Georgotas Dear Parents, As the newly appointed Sunday Church School Director at St. Athanasios Church, I would like to welcome you to the new academic year, 2015-2016, filled with an enriching religious curriculum, as proposed by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. It promises to be an educational and exciting year filled with activities that pertain to our religion and traditions. Your involvement and commitment make this educational experience possible, after Holy Communion every Sunday. Each year we strive to make our program better and insure that all our children have a positive experience, in a creative teaching environment. From the moment children become part of the St. Athanasios community, it becomes our responsibility to educate them about Greek Orthodoxy and make sure they understand the beauty of our faith. Our Sunday Church School teachers are personally invested in each student, encouraging their growth, individual skills, and talents. We appreciate our teachers volunteerism and commitment to this Sunday School. Students in each grade will be taught lessons that will strengthen their faith, and at the same time present to them the countless Christian values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. We have an exciting year in front of us and are grateful and humbled for you trusting us with your children s religious education. It is without a doubt, a worthy commitment and a blessing to experience the teachings of our Greek Orthodox faith. I would like to thank you in advance for your support and participation in the activities planned for the year. I anticipate that you and your children will have a productive Sunday School year filled with the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am happy to answer any of your questions. Please contact me at antonioue@wpunj.edu. Respectfully, Eliana Antoniou, Ph.D. Sunday Church School Director

As another successful Sunday Church School year comes to an end, it is only fitting to thank Athena Georgotas, our Sunday Church School Director for her dedication, commitment and untiring service to our children and parish for the past several years. After much thought and prayer, Athena has decided to retire from her position as Sunday Church School director and professional position to spend time with her children and family. Words can not express our gratitude for all that Athena has done for our children, parents in order to better understand and come closer to their Orthodox Church and faith. From her true Christian example to her love for her Church, Athena is a role model for all to follow and exemplify. We will truly miss her wisdom, guidance, knowledge and loving kindness. We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ grant her many years of good health and zeal to continue His work for the good of His Holy Church. PHILOPTOCHOS The Ladies of Philoptochos Society of St. Irene greets you with love. We hope that you are enjoying your summer vacations. We would like to thank you for your continued support of Philoptochos and our efforts. We are most proud to recognize the winner of our annual achievement based scholarship for $1,000, which was awarded to Mr. Elias Marcopoulos. Elias graduated from Park Ridge High School and he will be attending Tufts University in the fall. Elias is the son of Jerry and Tina Marcopoulos. Congratulations to Elias and his family. We pray for your continued success, and that your love of learning inspires you to do great things. We are in the midst of finalizing our fall schedule, and have planned many exciting events. Our monthly meetings are usually held the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 7:30 pm. Membership is open to all Orthodox Christian women over age 18, who are inspired to assist those in need. Please save the dates for our annual Philoptochos fashion show, which will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 6:30 pm at The Venetian. At this event we will be sponsoring a 50/50 raffle which will benefit the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church at the World Trade Center in NY. As always, we thank you for your support, and look forward to seeing you at our events. Sincerely, Karen Scoullos President

G.O.Y.A. The advisors, board and all the members of the St. Athanasios GOYA would like to wish our entire St. Athanasios family a fun-filled and healthy summer! We thank everyone who helped us throughout the year. Our many achievements would not be possible without your help! Congratulations to our winners for Indoor and Outdoor Olympics: Elias Marcopoulos (great way to end GOYA!) 1st place: Checkers 1st place: 800M Run 2nd place: Senior Boys Mile Run 3 rd place: 5K Marathon Emmanuel Garcia 1st place: Senior Boys Mile Run 2nd place: 5K Marathon Anna Tsapelis 1st place: Junior Girls Shot-put Alex Miras 1st place: Junior Boys 400M Run 3rd place: Junior Boys 100M Run Alec Garcia, Emmanuel Garcia, Alex Jouvanis, Elias Marcopoulos 2nd place: Senior Boys 4x400 Relay Charlotte Joannidis 3rd place: Junior Girls Mile Run OUR VOLLEYBALL TEAM CAME IN 2nd PLACE!!! (Thank you for all the excitement!! The fans almost got kicked out because we were cheering so loudly!) THE TEAM: Dina Christopoulos, Stefo Hunter, Alex Jouvanis, Joe Jouvanis, Chris Lekkas, Alex Miras, Katherine Scoullos, Eleni Stavris, Anna Tsapelis Evidently we acquired a new nick name at this Olympics - Go BLUE CREW!!! Please join us in welcoming next year s GOYA board! Co-Presidents - Stefo hunter & Dina Christopoulos Vice President Joe Jouvanis Treasurer Eleni Stavris Recording Secretary Demos Backos Corresponding Secretary George Makris We will miss our graduating seniors, but look forward to seeing all the new faces joining our group in the fall!! Best Wishes to our seniors: Emmanuel Garcia Christina Georgatos Alexios Jouvanis Alexandra Katechis Stella Kovoros Elias Marcopoulos Eleni Mitchell