T H E G O O D N E WS

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 OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. VOLUME 14, ISSUE 11 Dec 2015 / Jan 2016 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 Saint Athanasios the Great, a marvelous fourth century writer and father of Christendom wrote a magnificent treatise called, On the Incarnation. He says, God became sarkophoros so that we could become pneumatophoros. God bore our flesh so that we could bear His spirit. In Orthodox liturgical theology Christmas and Epiphany go hand in hand. Christmas is the prelude. On Christmas God enters our world. On Epiphany He makes manifest His Plan of salvation for us. How can God make manifest His plan of salvation for us if we do not allow the Infant Baby Jesus to grow into full manhood? How can we grow into Christian maturity to recognize and receive the grace of God, if we remain at our infancy? St. John reminds us in his Gospel, But to all who receive Him (Jesus), who believed in His Name, He gave power to become Children of God. (1:12) Christmas is a joyous journey but it is also one of responsibility and commitment. This is why we must approach the whole Christ, not just bits and pieces of Him. St. Paul illustrates this point beautifully in I Corinthians 6:12. All things are lawful for me, but, not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything. St. Paul says he is free to do anything, but will let nothing master him. The greatest fact of the Christian message is not that it makes us free to sin, but that it makes us free not to sin. In order for us to learn the lessons that all things may be lawful for us but all things are not to our best interest as Children of God, we must allow Jesus to come to a full stature. St. Paul addresses the measure of stature of the fullness of Christ when he tells us in Ephesians, 4:14-16: So that we may no longer be tossed to and from and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love. We have a responsibility to grow up in every way into Christ. Else we will be subject to being tossed to and from by the deceitful wiles of those who have no faith, no hope and no expectation of eternal life. Our Teacher, our Master, our Saviour and Redeemer, our

Lord of Lords is that Infant Baby Jesus who grows into full manhood. We dare not keep the Lord at the Infant Baby Jesus manger, otherwise for us He will be a Jesus Christ unclaimed! A Jesus Christ unsought! A Jesus Christ unknown! The Wise Men who came to pay homage and adoration to Jesus teach us a very valuable lesson. Recall that once their purpose was accomplished, the Wise Men were instructed to leave Bethlehem by another way. Some of us come to our usual commemorative Christmas observance in a frenzy of spending and giving and getting. Some of us have strayed away from the Lord. Some of us bring the burden of prejudices, of the inability to forgive, to reconcile differences. Some of us perhaps have not spoken to loved ones for whatever reasons we employ to justify our silence. Perhaps ours is inappropriate Christian behavior. An indescretion. Infidelity. Deceit. Arrogant pride. There is a better way back for us, just as there was for the three Wise Men. How? The Wise Men brought their gifts of myrrh, gold and frankincense. We can bring far greater gifts to Jesus on Christmas Day. Let us bring our sinfulness, regardless of its variety, and divest ourselves of it at the Bethlehem Manger Scene. Surely we will depart by another way. For you see, it is no longer the Infant Baby Jesus in the Manger Scene. The Infant Baby Jesus grew up! He became a Man! He became the Living, Loving, Eternally Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ Who comes into the darkness of our life so that we can behold His glory. With Love in the Christ, Father Anargyros Αγαπητοί μου Χριστιανοί Εν μέσω των θλίψεων και των δοκιμασιών που μοιάζουν να απειλούν ακόμη και την φυσική επιβίωση του πλανήτη μας και των κατοίκων του, νοιώθω την επιθυμία να υπενθυμίσω σε όλους και στον καθένα προσωπικά, ότι ο Θεός μας αγαπά. Ο Θεός μας αγαπά όλους ανεξαιρέτως, και κανένας δεν στερείται του δικαιώματος στην ελπίδα. Η ακλόνητη βεβαιότης ότι ο Θεός είναι παρών στην ζωή μας και μας αγαπά δεν στηρίζεται σε υποθέσεις, θεωρίες και φιλοσοφικούς στοχασμούς. Η μεγάλη εορτή των Χριστουγέννων φανερώνει με τον πλέον κατηγορηματικό τρόπο την έμπρακτη και απέραντη αγάπη του Θεού για εμάς, διότι «έν τούτω εφανερώθη η αγάπη του Θεού εν ημίν, ότι τον Υιόν αυτού τον μονογενή απέσταλκεν ο Θεός εις τον κόσμον ίνα ζήσωμεν δι Αυτού» (Ιωαν. 4, 9). Η ενανθρώπηση του Υιού του Θεού αοκαλύπτει με τον πιο άμεσο, τον πιό ορατό, τον πιο φιλάνθρωπο και διαμφισβήτητο τρόπο ότι ὁ Θεός αγάπη εστίν (Ιωαν. 4, 8). Χριστούγεννα σημαίνει ότι ο Θεός έγινε άνθρωπος ίνα θεώση τον άνθρωπον. Σημαίνει ότι ο Θεός ήλθε να ενωθεί με την ανθρωπότητα και να είναι για κάθε άνθρωπο και για όλους ο Εμαννουήλ «ο εστί μαθερμηνευόμενον μεθ ημών ο Θεός». (Ματθ. 1, 23). Ήρθε να μοιραστεί τον πόνο και την αγωνία μας και να μας λυτρώσει απ αυτά και από όσα άλλα προσπαθούν να επιβάλλουν την εξουσία του θανάτου επί της ζωής. Ήρθε «και εσκήνωσεν εν ημίν» (Ιωαν. 1, 14) Ήρθε, έμεινε και θα παραμένει

μεθ ημών «πάσας τας ημέρας έως της συντελείας του αιώνος «(Ματθ. 28, 20). Χριστούγεννα σημαίνει ότι τίποτα πιά, καμιά θλίψη,καμιά δυσκολία, καμιά τραγωδία δεν μπορεἰ να αφανίσει την ελπίδα, δεν μπορεί να υπερνικήσει τη βεβαιότητα ότι στο τέλος θα επικρατήσουν η αλήθεια και η αγάπη στη ζωἠ του κόσμου. Τίποτα δεν μποορεί να νικήσει την ελπίδα που γεννά η επίγνωση ότι ο Χριστός γεννήθηκε για να μας λυτρώσει από την αμαρτία και τον θάνατο. Δεν είναι κρίμα λοιπόν το μήνυμα της ελπίδας που αναδύεται από τη φάτνη του νεογέννητου Χριστού να χάνεται μέσα σε πλαστικοποιημένες και κενές νοήματος τάχα γιορταστικές αποδράσεις; Δεν είναι κρίμα οι απανταχού της γης άρχοντες να αποφασίζουν για τη ζωή του κόσμου, αλλά και ο καθένας μας για τη δική του ζωή, σαν να μη γεννήθηκε ο Χριστός; Δεν έχουμε πια το δικαίωμα να ζούμε σαν να μην έχουμε δει να επαληθεύεται έμπρακτα και το γεγονός ότι, όπου εξορίζεται ο Χριστός από τη ζωή μας και περιφρονείται το Ευαγγέλιό Του, εκεί επικρατούν η αδικία, η αλαζονεία, η καταπίεση, η απληστία, η εκμετάλευση, η υποκρισία και η απαξίωση του ανθρώπου. Και τότε κάνουν την εμφάνιση τους οι ποικίλες τραγικές συνέπειες: τα μίση, οι πολέμοι, η εκμετάλλευση και εξουθένωση των φτωχών και των αδυνάτων, οι οικονομικές κρίσεις, οι οικολογικές καταστροφές, και άλλα πολλά, που υποδεικνύουν ότι η επικράτηση της αμαρτἰας δεν είναι άμοιρη συνεπειών για τον άνθρωπο. Χριστούγεννα σημαίνει ότι το σκοτάδι της αμαρτίας που γεννά την αδικία διαλύεται στο φως που ακτινοβολεί η ανατολή του «Ηλίου της Δικαιοσύνης». Σημαίνει ότι ο άνθρωπος μπορεί να ξαναβρεί τις αληθινές διαστάσεις της ανθρωπιάς και της αγιότητας. Σημαίνει ότι η δυνατότητα της χαράς, δεν έχει χαθεἰ από τον κόσμο. Επιτρέψτε μου λοιπόν να απευθύνω στην αγάπη σας τα ίδια λόγια που άκουσαν οι ποιμένες της Βηθλεέμ από τα χείλη του αγγέλου: «Μη φοβείσθε ιδού γαρ ευαγγελίζομαι υμίν χαράν μεγάλην, ήτις εσταί παντί τω λαώ, ότι ετέχθη υμίν σήμερον σωτήρ, ος εστίν Χριστός Κύριος, εν πόλει Δαυίδ. Και τούτο υμίν το σημείον ευρήσετε βρέφος εσπαργανωμένον, κείμενον εν φάτνη» (Λουκ. 2, 10-12). Μην αφήνετε λοιπόν τις δοκιμασίες και τους πειρασμούς να σας καταβάλλουν. Μη φοβείσθε! Χρόνια Πολλά και ευλογημένα Χριστούγεννα. Με αγάπη Χριστού Πατήρ Ανάργυρος

Η ΓΕΝΝΗΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ Τα Χριστούγεννα δεν είναι μόνο η αφετηρία της Χριστιανικής πίστης, έιναι και η αρχή θεϊκών πράξεων από τη ζωή του Χριστού ώς τα Πάθη και την Ανάσταση, που κατέγραψαν οι Απόστολοι και δίδαξαν οι Ευαγγελιστές, για να χαράξουν τη νέα πορεία της ανθρωπότητας. Ο ερχομός του Χριστού στον κόσμο, έφερε την αγάπη και τη δύναμη του Θεού στη γη μας. Ο Θεός που δε λυπήθηκε να προσφέρει τον Υιό Του για την σωτηρία των ανθρώπων, θα ήταν από τη γέννηση του Χριστού και μετά, ο Θεός στη διάθεση κάθε ανθρώπου. Πιστεύουμε ότι η γέννηση του Χριστού, είναι η μεγαλύτερη χαρά, αγάπη και δύναμη που ήρθε στην ανθρωπότητα. Ο γεννημένος από την Παρθένο Μαρία, Σωτήρας Χριστός είναι ο μόνος που μπορεί να σώσει τον άνθρωπο, να λύσει τα προβλήματά του, να ικανοποιήσει τις ανάγκες του, να θεραπεύσει τις αρρώστιες του και να κάνει τα αδύνατα δυνατά. Στη σημερινή εποχή που είναι οργανωμένη πολυσύνθετα και καταστρεπτικά, ζούμε συνειδητά ή ασυνείδητα μια συνεχή σταθερή και δυναμική διάβρωση του εσωτερικού κόσμου του ανθρώπου. Ποτέ ο άνθρωπος δεν ήταν τόσο ανήμπορος να διευθύνει τον εαυτό του. Η αφθονία των αγαθών, οι ανέσεις ή οι επιδιώξεις για να αποκτήσεις περισσότερα και προπαντός, οι επιθυμίες για πράγματα υπερβολικά, που δεν ικανοποιούνται από την διαρκή απληστία των υλιστικών προκλήσεων. Ο άνθρωπος και στις δύο περιπτώσεις, στην αφθονία και στην αγχωτική επιθυμία για υπρβολή, ζει το ίδιο δυστυχισμένος και νευρικός. Στην απελπιστική αυτή κατάσταση του σύγχρονου ανθρώπου, τα Χριστούγεννα, η γέννηση του Μοναδικού Σωτήρα, Του είναι η μόνη λύση. Ο Ιησούς Χριστός δεν ήλθε για να ιδρύσει μια θρησκεία ή για να μεταρρυθμίσει τον τότε κόσμο. Ήρθε με μοναδικό σκοπό να αλλάξει ριζικά τη ζωή του ανθρώπου. Το μαρτύριο του Χριστού πάνω στο Σταυρό, το αίμα που έχυσε για τον άνθρωπο, δεν ήταν πράξεις που θα χάριζαν στον κόσμο μια καλύτερη ζωή, αλλά ήταν πράξεις απαραίτητες, σύμφωνα με τη θεία αγάπη και δικαιοσύνη για μια καινούργια ζωή. Την ολοκληρωτικά αυτή νέα ζωή, που χαρίζει ο Ιησούς Χριστός σε κάθε έναν, που ειλικρινά μετανοεί και ζητάει με πίστη τη Σωτηρία του, οι Πατέρες της εκκλησίας, μας την παρουσιάζουν με πολλά και διαφορετικά ονόματα. Την αποκαλούν «ανάπλαση, αποκατάσταση, ανόρθωση, αναμόρφωση, ανακαίνιση, αναγέννηση, νέα και αληθινή ζωή.» Η γέννηση του Θεανθρώπου στον κόσμο, είναι και για μας, μια ευκαιρία τη χρονιά αυτή να αρχίσουμε μια καινούργια ζωή, αναγνωρίζοντας, ομολογώντας και ζητώντας με πίστη να έρθει στη ζωή μας ο Χριστός και να μας χαρίσει την εσωτερική γαλήνη, το φως της πίστης και την πανανθρώπινη αγάπη και ειρήνη. ΚΑΛΑ ΚΑΙ ΕΥΛΟΓΗΜΕΝΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ!

GREETINGS! Fr. Anargyros, Fr. John, the President of the Parish Council and its members, President of the Philoptochos and its members, PTO President and its members, the teachers of the Greek and Sunday Church Schools and the entire staff of St. Athanasios Parish wish everyone.merry CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!! ΕΥΧΕΣ Ο πατήρ Ανάργυρος, ο πατήρ Ιωάννης, ο πρόεδρος και τα μέλη του Εκκλησιαστικού Συμβουλίου, η πρόεδρος και τα μέλη της Φιλοπτώχου Αδελφότητος, η πρόεδρος καί τα μέλη τού Συλλόγου Γονέων καί Διδασκάλων, οι Διδάσκαλοι του Ελληνικού και Κατηχητικού Σχολείων και ολόκληρο το προσωπικό της ενορίας του Αγίου Αθανασίου, εύχονται σε όλους... ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ ΚΑΙ ΕΥΤΥΧΙΣΜΕΝΟ ΤΟ ΝΕΟ ΕΤΟΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΟ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ Την Κυριακή 20 Δεκεμβρίου, οι μαθητές του Κατηχητικού και του Ελληνικού Σχολείου θα παρουσιάσουν το Χριστουγεννιάτικο Πρόγραμμα της Γεννήσεως του Χριστού μας, μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. CHRISTMAS PROGRAM On Sunday, December 20th, our Sunday Church School and Greek School will present the Annual Christmas Pageant. Please come and watch the children of our community in this special presentation of the Nativity of Christ

ΓΙΑΤΙ ΔΕΝ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΖΟΜΑΣΤΕ Έχω πένθος: Παράξενη δικαιολογία αυτή. Και όμως υπάρχουν Χριστιανοί που έχουν μήνες, χρόνο, η και χρόνια να εκκλησιαστούν,με την δικαιολογία ότι έχουν πένθος. Πώς να πάω; Τι θα πεί ο κόσμος πού θα με δεί; Αυτό αδέλφια μου είναι καθαρή πρόληψη και δεισιδαιμονία. Είναι μεγάλη αμαρτία. Μα ακριβώς επειδή έχουμε πένθος πρέπει να εκκλησιαζόμαστε πιό τακτικά. Ἐχουμε ανάγκη τον εκκλησιασμό. Εκεί στον ναό θα προσευχηθούμε, θα παρηγορηθούμε, θα ηρεμήσουμε, θ ξεκουραστούμε σωματικά και ψυχικά. Εδώ ταιριάζουν τα λόγια της Αγίας Γραφής: «Δεύτε πρός με πάντες οι κοπιώντες και πεφορτισμένοι κ αγώ αναπαύσω υμάς». Όσοι είστε κουρασμένοι, ταλαιπωρημένοι, βασανισμένοι, ελάτε κοντά μου να σας ξεκουράσω, να σας αναπαύσω. Έχει μεγάλη ανάγκη ο κεκοιμημένος μας από τις προσευχές μας. Θα πάμε τα δώρα μας στον ναό. Το πρόσφορο, το νάμα, το λιβάνι, το λαδάκι μας. Θα μνημονεύσει ο ιερέας στην προσκομιδή, θα βγάλει μερίδα για τους κεκοιμημένους. Οι ψυχές ξεκουράζονται, βρίσκουν χαρά. Και ειδικά όταν κοινωνείς κατά περιόδους: Στα τρίμηνα, εξάμηνα, 40ήμερα, χρόνο, συναπαντήματα. Χαίρονται οι ψυχές όταν παίρνουμε το σώμα και το αίμα του Χριστού. Αγαπητοί μου, Οι άνθρωποί μας μας περιμένουν στον ναό, και εμείς απουσιάζουμε. Το ξέρετε πόσο λυπούνται, πόσο στεναχωρούνται οι ψυχές με την απουσία μας από τον ναό; Λέμε ότι αγαπούμε τον άνθρωπο που έφυγε από κοντά μας. Αν πραγματικά και ειλικρινά τον αγαπούσαμε, δεν θα λείπαμε ούτε μία Κυριακή από την εκκλησία.

PARISH COUNCIL The Inaugural St. Athanasios Golf Outing, hosted by the Parish Council took place at the Paramus Golf & Country Club on Monday, Oct. 26 th, 2015. The Golf Outing had over 100 Golfers playing in beautiful weather, a day full of warm sunshine, minimal clouds and colorful foliage. The buzz and excitement was definitely in the air as golfers arrived and registered. They received welcome bags and a hearty brunch inside the clubhouse. Before embarking on the links to play in the tournament there was a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the Inaugural Golf Outing, followed by a prayer from Father Anargyros and welcoming words by Golf Outing Chairman, Jason Fink. Seen in picture from left to right Parish Council Members: Paul Venizelos, Peter Paizis, Demitri Xanthos, Jason Fink, Father Anargyros, Nick Gagis, Andy Hios and Bill Fikaris Once the Golfers finished their day of fun and friendship on the course, it was off to St. Athanasios new gymnasium for the Awards dinner & Tricky Tray. The room was filled with nearly 200 people. There were high-quality gifts for golfers and all demographics alike. During the cocktail hour, the guests enjoyed drinks & h ordourves while they purchased tickets for the Tricky Tray. The guests also participated in silent auctions for the chance to win autographed sports memorabilia, dinners with professional athletes, and foursomes to local golf country clubs. The guests then all made their way to the dinner tables and the ceremonies began. Kicked off by Jason Fink (Chairman) & Nick Gagis (Co-Chairman), who reminded the audience of the cause being supported the building of the St. Nicholas National Shrine and the ministries of St. Athanasios Church. Father Anargyros once again offered a prayer and the delicious food was served. Food was generously donated by our faithful parishioners, Mike Siderias of the Suburban Diner, Steve Siderias of the RiverEdge Diner, and George Hrissikos of Magnolia Beef. Food was also generously donated by John Amoratis of Bacari Grill and Peter Hadjirou of Greek Taverna. After dinner, the Tricky Tray prizes were drawn and presented to the winners followed by the 50/50. The highlight of the evening was the live auction to drive a new 2015 Maserati Granturismo for the weekend. The Inaugural St. Athanasios Golf outing was a tremendous success made possible by our Sponsors, Food Donors, Gift Donors, Volunteers and Golfers. The golf outing committee extends a great thank you for their generosity, time and sport. We eagerly await our 2 nd annual golf outing in 2016.

PHILOPTOCHOS Dear Parishioners, Greetings! We hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving surrounded by family, friends, health, love and the spirit of Christ. First, and of utmost importance, we thank you for your continues and dedicated support. We are thrilled that our membership increased this year and are hopeful that all of you will become more involved. Our ability to achieve our mission and give back to the community is related to your hearts and generosity. Below is an update of our recent and upcoming activities: We held our Fashion Show November 12 th at the Venetian, we had excellent attendance, and it was a great success. A sincere thanks to all the businesses and individuals for their generous donations that helped offset the costs of this affair, as well as to all the Committees who helped organize and worked at the event. Our 50/50 proceeds this year were earmarked for Saint Nicholas Shrine at Ground Zero. As you all know St. Nicholas Church was completely destroyed during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. Together, we can assist to rebuild Saint Nicholas Shrine for all future generations, and for the many millions of people who will visit every year the new World Trade Center. St. Nicholas is the only house of worship at Ground Zero. As every year, we are having our Christmas Party at Season s on December 8 th at 6:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to come, bring a friend and have a wonderful evening with open bar and DJ Music. We are having our Loukoumades sale on Sunday December 20 th right after the Divine Liturgy we ask everyone to stay and to try our delicious Loukoumades and support our Philoptochos. Our ladies of Philoptochos once again will be visiting St. Michael s Home of the Elderly along with all the other organizations of our community, on Tuesday December 29 th. As part of our tradition, gifts will be given out to all the residents and we all going to participate with the singing the Christmas Carrols. This trip is open to the entire community. The bus will depart our church at 11:30 a.m. and will be returning at approximately 3:00 p.m. We will be hosting the Vasilopita cutting and coffee social on January 10, 2016. As every year,a special tray will be passed for the benefit of St. Basil Academy. Preparations are underway for the reception of the feast day of our Patron St. Athanasios. The Great Vespers is on Sunday, January 17 th and St. Athanasios Feast Day is January 18 th. Reception will be hosted after services on both days by St. Irene Philoptochos. All parishners and there friends are invited to attend this special celebration to honor the Patron Saint of our church. Our first fundraiser for 2016 is our Tricky Tray which will take place on Tuesday March 8 th at 6:30 pm in our community center. Please mark your calendars as more information will follow. Thank you again for your continuous support. I wish each and every one of you and your families a Merry Christmas and Happy and Healthy New Year! With love in Christ, Vasiliki Panagopoulos President

SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL Dear Parents, We give thanks to God for another successful opening of the Sunday Church School year. Our students, Little Angels through High School seniors, have had a busy fall season and are engaged in many different church school activities, including the Annual Plant Sale and the Thanksgiving Food Drive. Please continue to promote family worship as our children look up and model our behavior and actions. Let s all try to bring our children to church on time as it is an important step to teaching them about our faith. We appreciate all the help and guidance we have been receiving from you and we are looking forward to hearing more from you and implementing your recommendations. The following are the upcoming Sunday Church School Events: Christmas Lenten Retreat - December 5th Christmas Play Program - December 20th Celebration of Epiphany - January 6th Celebration of Greek Letters - January 31st Godparent Sunday - February 7th In preparation of the celebration of Christmas it is important that we prepare ourselves spiritually and we keep in mind the true reason for this celebration, which is nothing but the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Sunday Church School Staff wishes everyone a blessed and spiritually enriching Christmas Season and Joyous New Year! Respectfully, Eliana Antoniou, Ph.D. Sunday School Director GODPARENT / GODCHILD SUNDAY February 7th On Sunday, February 7th. Church Sunday School will be hosting Godparent Sunday. Invitations will be prepared for each child to send to their respective Godparent. This is a special day for Godchildren and Godparents to gather with family and friends for worship and fellowship. There will be a brunch following the Divine Liturgy. Additional information will be forthcoming.

To Eλληνικό μας Σχολείο γιόρτασε την επέτειο της 28 ης Οκτωβρίου ανήμερα, την Τετάρτη 28 Οκτωβρίου, στην κοινοτική αίθουσα της Εκκλησίας μας. Οι μαθητές με μεγάλο ενθουσιασμό και εθνική υπερηφάνεια, παρουσίασαν ένα θαυμάσιο πρόγραμμα, με ποιήματα και πατριωτικά τραγούδια της αξέχαστης Σοφίας Βεμπο, ενὠ διαλαλούσαν δυνατά «Ζήτω οι ήρωες του Σαράντα», «Ζἠτω η Ελλάδα»».Ὀλοι οι παρευρισκόμενοι καταχειροκρότησαν τα παιδιά μας, και ένοιωσαν στιγμές συγκίνησης. Οι εθνικές μας γιορτές, αποτελοὐν μέρος του εκπαιδευτικού μας προγράμματος, και μας θυμίζουν τις θυσίες και τον ηρωισμό των πεσόντων, για την ελευθερία της πατρίδας μας. Ευχαριστοὐμε τον Σύλλογο Γονέων για την βοήθεια και στἠριξη τους, και όλους τους παρευρισκομένους για την παρουσία τους. Παρακαλούμε να σημειώσετε τις κάτωθι ημερομηνίες: Οι διαγωνισμοί του πρώτου τριμήνου θα γίνουν στις 14 και 16 Δεκεμβρίου. Οι έλεγχοι θα δωθούν στις 21 Δεκεμβρίου. Την Κυριακή 20 Δεκεμβρίου, οι μαθητές του Ελληνικοὐ και Κατηχητικού Σχολείου, θα παρουσιάσουν το Χριστουγεννιάτικο πρόγραμμα της κοινότητας μας, και παρακαλείσθε όλοι οι γονείς, να φέρετε τα παιδιά σας στην εκκλησία, την ημέρα αυτή. Είναι μία υπέροχη παρουσίαση, και όλοι μικροί και μεγάλοι, την απολαμβάνουμε πολύ!!! Την Κυριακή 31 Ιανουαρίου, γιορτάζουμε την «Ημέρα των Τριών Ιεραρχών», -«Ημέρα των Γραμμάτων», και οι μαθητές του Ελληνικού και Κατηχητικού μας σχολείου, θα γιορτάσουν την ημέρα αυτή απαγγέλωντας ποιήματα, αφιερωμένα στην ημέρα αυτή. Στην γιορτή των Γραμμάτων, τιμούμε τους δάσκαλους, αλλά και όλους «τους τεχνήτες της πέννας». Είναι μία ιδιαίτερη και πολύ σημαντική ημέρα των Ελληνικών Σχολείων, και όλοι οι μαθητές πρέπει να είναι παρόντες. Αν υπάρχει κάποιο θέμα, κάποια πρόταση που να αφορά το σχολείο μας, μην διστάσετε να επικοινωνήσετε μαζί μας. Είμαστε όλοι μαζί μία μεγάλη οικογένεια, και στόχος μας είναι να κάνουμε τιω συνθήκες παρακολούθησης των μαθημάτων όσο πιο ευχάριστες γίνεται. On October 28 th, our Greek school celebrated the 28 th of October OXI- day, in the community hall of our parish. It was a wonderful event, and our students did an excellent job, reciting poems, and singing patriotic songs, with a lot of enthusiasm and ethnic pride. The community hall was filled with parents and guests, and every one enjoyed our children. The 28 th of October celebration, is the 2 nd greatest historical day of Greece, and it s our duty to remember such days and pay tribute to our heroes. I like to thank the PTO organization for their help and support, and every one who contributed to the success of this celebration. Please make these dates in your calendar: First semester tests: 14 th and 16 th of December Report cards: December 21 st On the 20 th of December, the Sunday Church School, along with the Greek School, will present the Christmas Pageant after the divine liturgy. It is a delightful presentation, and we would like all our students to be there, and enjoy this unique day. On Sunday, January 31 st, we celebrate the Day of the Three Hierarchs, The Day of the Greek Letters, and the students of Greek and Sunday Church School, will present a program, dedicated to that day, The presence of all students is mandatory!! We are here to assist you with any concerns, regarding our Greek School. Respectfully, Sophia Stamatiou Principal GREEK SCHOOL

P.T.O Dear Parishioners, Greetings from the PTO! We have had some wonderful events thus far and our fundraising efforts are in full swing! Our first mini bake sale that was held in October was a financial success! We thank all of our parents who baked such delicious treats! We will be continuing our bake sale every other month during the PTO coffee hour. Watch out for our next holiday baked desserts on December 13th! Our chocolate bar fundraiser was very successful as well! Our deepest thanks goes to co-chairs, Eleni Karounos and Ourania Pizzolato for organizing and collecting. Our spanakopita sale was another fundraiser that proved to be both fun and profitable! We thank all of our St. Athanasios family for supporting us! We had a great turnout of Greek School parents come to help prepare the trays and all of the ingredients were donated by our generous families! On a personal note, the new PTO board would like to thank Maria Saleme who walked us through the process of the donations and preparations of the spanakopites! We thank all of the parents who came to back to school night! It was such a pleasure getting to meet new faces and greet you all! The PTO encourages all parents to continue to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. Our OXI day celebrations was wonderful and our children did a wonderful job! AXIA PAIDIA! Our Greek School children also participated in making school kits for refugee children. Each class was asked to donate school supply items. We thank Philoptochos member, Mrs. Aspasia Panagiotopoulos for inviting us to participate. The children and parents had a great time and learned about an important cause! Our PTO meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in our gym. As always all parents are encouraged to attend and share ideas! Here are some of the upcoming events for December and January: December 4th...Movie night, 7-9:00 p.m. - Cost $10, refreshments will be served December 13th....PTO coffee hour/ Holiday bake sale December 20th...Christmas program with Sunday School December 21st...Christmas celebration December 23rd- January 3rd NO GREEK SCHOOL January 3rd...PTO coffee hour January 4th....Greek School resumes January 6th...PTO meeting at 5:00 p.m. January 31st...Greek letters day/ Three Hierarchs program On behalf of the PTO, I would like to wish all families a wonderful Merry Christmas and a glorious New Year! KALA XRISTOUGENNA KAI KALI XRONIA! Warmest regards Rhoda Repousis PTO President

Dear Parishioners, We have been busy in the last two months. The Bowling Tournament and Dance at Fairview Church on October 24 th was very well-attended by the area Churches and everyone had a great time. The Mr./Ms. GOYA Pageant, which was held on October 11th, was a huge success! Thank you to Eleni Stavris and Demos Backos for competing on behalf of our Church GOYA! We are VERY proud of both of you!! The GOYA buddy system has been reintroduced and many new GOYAns are being brought into the community successfully and happily. Our Greek Dance group continues to meet weekly to learn dances from various parts of Greece. Greek dance class is a fun way to end the week together and to practice for all of the dances we are invited to attend throughout the year. We encourage all GOYAns to join our dance group. The new GOYAns have taken their spots on the basketball (boys) and volleyball (girls) teams and are making us proud with their efforts on the court. On November 6 th, we were given the chance to get to know each other better at our lock-in (sleep-over in the gym). That night, we had our monthly meeting and kicked off our first Hour with Father. The purpose of the Hour with Father is to get his guidance on any questions/issues on our minds. We submitted various questions anonymously and Father spoke to us very openly and honestly. We appreciated his candor and look forward to the next time we can get together with him! The week after the lock-in found us at the Harvest Dance in Clifton. It was a great night! As everyone knows, GOYA needs funding to fulfill our goal for the 2015-2016 year. So far we have had a Yankee Candle fundraiser, which made us a nice profit. We, as a group, voted to raise the funds needed to pay for a beautiful new Church sign for outside. We still need to raise a significant amount of money and we intend to do this by conducting our VERY popular Vasilopita sale and Beefsteak dinner. Our vasilopites from Agia Skepi are very delicious and can be ordered through December 14 th. Coming on February 27 th, is our biggest fundraiser the Beefsteak Dinner. Mark your calendars, and let us enjoy the night as a community. We extend our appreciation to everyone for supporting the GOYA. We look forward to our upcoming events such as the decorating of our Christmas tree in the lobby on November 29 th, our annual Christmas party on December 11 th and the Lenten retreat on December 18th. Paramus GOYA will host all of the local area Churches on the 18th. One of the activities taking place at the retreat will be the assembling of health kits and sandwiches for the less fortunate. These items will be distributed in Newark on the 19 th as part of the Bridges Outreach program. On December 28 th we will have the opportunity to attend the district Christmas Dance at Tenafly and then on the 29 th, we will once again go to St. Michael's Home for the Aged to enjoy the company of the residents and hopefully bring them some cheer. The holidays are fast approaching and along with all of our fun events, there are certain things everyone should keep in mind during this time of year. It is important to come to Church for all the special services during the holidays, as well as to hold in one's heart the significance of the holidays: our Savior was born on this day, humbly and with only a stable for shelter. It is important to take some of what we have and give it to those who are not as fortunate. We are all equal in the eyes of the Lord. Let us love one another every day, but especially during this holy season. With Christ's love, Stefo Hunter & Dina Christopoulos GOYA Presidents G.O.Y.A.

BAPTISMS October 18th - Maximos, the son of Irene and Joseph Zisa Jr. The Godparent was Maria Sidirikastritis. October 31st - Kyriaki, the daughter of Soteria and Andreas Tsoukalas. The Godparent was Nikolaos Tsoukalas. November 7th - Dimitrios, the son of Georgia and Evangelos Stamelos The Godparent was Maria Boutsis & Taxiarchis Tsocanos November 8th - Dimitra, daughter of Kalliopi and Demetrios Tsilikas. The Godparent was Dimitrios Kalognomas. November 21st - Miles, the son of Sophia and Kevin Colantropo. The Godparent was Antonis Kourtesis November 21st - Savina (Argyro) the daughter of Stamatina and Joseph Careri. The Godparent was Stella Dimatos NA SAS ZISOUN!! WEDDINGS October 24th - Ashley Rose Debenedetto and Demetrios Nicodemou. The Koubaroi were Catherine Avgiris and Jerry Constantine Kavadias. November 1st - Amanda Lily Ann Eslinger and Thomas Troy Nikolaidis. Thr Koubaro was Apostolos N. Nikolaidis. November 15th - Theodora Hrissikos and Nicholas I. Kyriakakis. The Koubaro was John A. Emmanouilidis. NA ZISETE! FUNERALS October 5th - Achilleas Tzoulafis October - Peter George November 18th - George Polites OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILIES IN MEMORIAM It has become an accepted practice that at the death of a family member, the family requests that donations in memory of the departed, be made to St. Athanasios Church. This month, we wish to thank: IN MEMORY OF ELENI BACALAKIS St. Irene s Philoptochos IN MEMORY OF BILL MIRAS Mr. & Mrs. Peter DiGiacomo IN MEMORY OF EFSTATHIOS AGALIOTIS Mrs. Katina Agaliotis IN MEMORY OF PETER GEORGE Ms. Robin Borck Sturgis Carson Lu & Grace Malantic Mr. & Mrs. Athanase Gouliamos Mrs. Helen Hasterlis Ms. Maria Hasterlis Ms. Marilyn Horowitz Mr. & Mrs. Dale Leathers Mr. I. Mumtzis & Margie Russo St. Irene s Philoptochos Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Simon MAY THEIR MEMORY BE ETERNAL Above list represents memorial donations made from 9/21/15-11/17/2015

ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΗ ΚΑΡΤΑ: Για την συμμετοχή σας στην ετήσια Χριστουγεννιάτικη Κάρτα του 2015, παρακαλούμε συμπληρώσατε την φόρμα και μαζί με το δώρο σας, στήλετε αυτήν στο Γραφείο μας μέχρι 6 Δεκεμβρίου. ΛΟΥΛΟΥΔΙΑ ΓΙΑ ΣΤΟΛΙΣΜΟ: Εάν θέλετε να δώσετε χρήματα για την αγορά λουλουδιών προς στολισμό της Εκκλησίας μας για τα Χριστούγεννα η για τον στολισμό των εικόνων για την εορτή του Αγίου Αθανασίου, παρακαλούμε να επικοινωνήσετε με το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. ΑΠΟΦΗΚΗ ΤΡΟΦΙΜΩΝ: Η Εκκλησία μας παρέχει τρόφιμα σε οικογένειες που έχουν ανάγκη. Ζητούμε συσκευασμένα τρόφιμα, επί καθημερινής. Βάσεως. Το νέο ενοριακό αυτό πρόγραμμα θα συνεχίση μόνο με την βοήθεια σας. Θά θέλαμε να ευχαριστήσουμε όλους τους δωριτές, με τα τρόφιμα για την ημέρα των Ευχαριστιών. Η γενναιοδωρία τους προς τους συνανθρώπους μας που βρίσκονται σε υλική ανάγκη είναι αποτέλεσμα της αγάπης τους προς τον Κύριο και Θεό μας. ΚΟΨΙΜΟ ΒΑΣΙΛΟΠΙΤΑΣ: Το κόψιμο της Κοινοτικής Βασιλόπιττας. θα γίνει την Κυριακή 10 Ιανουαρίου 2016 αμέσως μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. Παρακαλούμε όλους τους ενορίτες και φίλους να παραβρεθούν στο κόψιμο της Βασιλόπιττας. ΑΓΙΑΣΜΟΣ ΟΙΚΩΝ: Ο πατήρ Ανάργυρος θα αγιάζει σπίτια την εβδομάδα μετά τά Θεοφάνεια. Εάν θέλετε να έλθει να αγιάσει και το δικό σας σπίτι, παρακαλείσθε να επικοινωνήσετε με το γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μας. CHRISTMAS CARD & APPEAL: Express your wishes for the Christmas Season to all parishioners and friends through the community Christmas Card. Donation for having your family included in the card is $20. Please submit your completed form with your check. The deadline is December 6th. We also kindly ask that you do not forget the church in your Christmas gift list. Please send your Christmas gift for the Parish to the Church Office. FLOWERS FOR CHRISTMAS / ST. ATHANASIOS: If anyone is interested in donating towards the purchase of poinsettias for Christmas or flowers for the adornment of the icons for the Feast Day of St. Athanasios, please contact the Church office. COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY We wish to thank all our parishioners and friends of St. Athanasios for remembering our Food Pantry for Thanksgiving. Our Food Pantry helps families that have a need for assistance. It is very important that we keep our food Pantry filled at all times. Please remember the bank for the needy is at the entrance of the Community Center. VASILOPITA CELEBRATION: The Community Vasilopita Celebration will be on Sunday, January 10, 2016 after the Divine Liturgy. We ask that all parishioners and friends to join us for this very special beginning of the New Year Celebration.

STEWARDSHIP Giving to the church is an opportunity to examine our priorities and values. It is an opportunity to express our thankfulness, to give of ourselves and to grow in grace. It is an opportunity to participate in the work of God. We thank the following 341 parishioners who have already made their Stewardship Pledge for 2015. Those who have not yet made their pledge, please do so today! ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ EΚΟΥΣΙΑΣ ΕΙΣΦΟΡΑΣ : Υπενθυμίζομε ότι έχουν ταχυδρομηθή στα σπίτια σας οι κάρτες Eκούσιας Εισφοράς για το 2015. Έχετε ανανεώσει την οικονομική σας προσφορά για το 2015; Εάν όχι, κατατάξατε το όνομά σας στήν κατάσταση των ενοριτών που έχουν τακτοποιήσει την οικονομική τους υποχρέωση προς την ενορία, συμπληρώντας την κάρτα καί επιστρέφοντάς την στο γραφείο μας, μαζί μέ το δώρο της αγάπης σας. Ευχαριστούμε τις 341 οικογένειες πού ήδη εκπλήρωσαν την υπόσχεσή των για το 2015. 2015 STEWARDSHIP LIST AS OF 11/20/15 Mr. & Mrs. Adam Adams Mr. Bill Adams Mrs. Katina Agaliotis Mr. K. Agathangelou/Ms. T. Yiangou Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Alectorides Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Alexiades Mr. & Mrs. George Alexiades Mr. & Mrs. Paul Anagnostakos Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Andreou Mrs. Silvia Andros Mr. Christopher Androulakis Mr. Evan Androulakis Mr. & Mrs. George Androulakis Ms. Renee Androulakis Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Antoniadis Mr. & Mrs. B. Antonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Sotiris Antonopoulos Mrs. Ubaldina Antonopoulos Mr. Michael Arotis Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Backos Ms. Bella Baker Mr. & Mrs. A. Barbagiannis Mr. & Mrs. George Barkouras Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Berenberg Mr. Andrew Berenberg Mr. Jason Berenberg Mr. & Mrs. John Betts Mr. & Mrs. Daryn Binder Mr. Allan Bittar Mr. Maryo Bittar Mr. & Mrs. Mark Boldrin Helen & Susan Boyas Mr. & Mrs. Chris Brandt Mr. & Mrs. James Burke Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Caravoulias Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Careri Mr. Carl Carfello Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Cevallos Dr. & Mrs. George Christolias Mr. & Mrs. G. Christopoulos Mr. & Mrs. G. Christopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Nikos Christopoulos Dr. & Mrs. George Christoudias Dr. & Mrs. Stavros Christoudias Mr. & Mrs. Chris Chucalas Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Clark Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Colantropo Mr. Marios Comodromos Dr. & Mrs. Ted Constandelis Mrs. Dot Constandelis Ms. Maria Constandelis Mr. Tom Contos Mr. & Mrs. Alex Cormas Mrs. Eve Cravits Mrs. Elaine Daoutis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Dedes Mr. & Mrs. Aristidis Delis Mr. & Mrs. Tom Demetrakis Mrs. Maria Diacakis Mrs. Maria Diakos Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Dimatos Mrs. Cleo Diamates Mrs. Christina Dimitrakopoulos Mr. Michael Dimitrelis Mr. & Mrs. Panagiotis Dorizas Mr. & Mrs. Stefanos Doulos Mr. & Mrs. A. Economou Mr. & Mrs. John Economou Mr. & Mrs. Elias Ekonomidis Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Eliopoulos Ms. Alexandra Maria Eliopoulos Mr. & Mrs. John A. Emmanouilidis Mr. & Mrs. Antonios Emmanouilidis Mr. & Mrs. E. Emmanouilidis Mr. John H. Emmanouilidis Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Evangelou Mr. & Mrs. Sofoclis Fasitsas Mr. & Mrs. Ricardo Ferriera Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Fikaris Mr. & Mrs. Zannis Fikaris Mr. Jason Fink

Mrs. Artemis Gagis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Gagis Mr. & Mrs. Emmanouil Galifos Mr. C. Gantalis / Mrs. G. Margariti Mr. Elias Gatoulis Mr. Sergio Gatoulis Mr. Metaxas Georgatos Mr. & Mrs. Peter George Mr. & Mrs. Panayiotis Georgiadis Mr. & Mrs. Andy Georgiou Mrs. Athena Georgotas Ms. Christina Georgotas Mr. George Geornaras Mr. & Mrs. Victor Giamos Mr. & Mrs. George Glavas Mr. & Mrs. Athanase Gouliamos Mr. & Mrs. Dino Gourmos Mr. & Mrs. Efsratios Grammatas Ms. Mary Gregoras Mr. & Mrs. A. Hadjistavrinos Mr. & Mrs. Chris Haramis Mrs. Helen Hasterlis Ms. Maria Hasterlis Ms. Paraskevi Hatziorfanos Mr. & Mrs. Tom Higgins Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Hios Mr. & Mrs. George Hios Mr. Panayiotis Hios Mr. George Hondros Mr. Paul Hourmouzis Mr. & Mrs. George Hrissikos Ms. Theodora Hrissikos Mrs. Madeline Jameson Mr. & Mrs. Nikolas Joannidis Mr. & Mrs. A. Jouvanis Mr. & Mrs. Stefanos Kalabakas Mrs. Sophie Kalivas Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Kalogirou Mr. Alexis Kamvosoulis Mr. & Mrs. Damon Kamvosoulis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kamvosoulis Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Kamvosoulis Mr. & Mrs. Frank Kanakaris Mr. Nick Kantaris Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Kapsaskis Mr. & Mrs. Elias Karantonis Mr. & Mrs. Panagiotis Kardasakis Mr. & Mrs. Panagiotis Karounos Mr. & Mrs. Emanuel Kavrakis Mrs. Magdalene Keen Mrs. Kalliope Kesoglou Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Kesoglou Mr. & Mrs. Tom Kesoglou Mrs. Tonia Kirkham Mr. & Mrs. Charles Koehler Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kolaros Mr. & Mrs. Anastasis Kollias Mr. & Mrs. Eleftherios Kolovos Mr. Nick Konstantinakos Mary & Eva Konstantinidis Ms. Irene Konstantinidis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholaos Kontogiannis Mr. & Mrs. James Kourgelis Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Kourgelis Mr. & Mrs. John Kourgelis Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kourgelis Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Kourgelis Ms. Pelagia Kourliouros Ms. Sophia Kourliouros Mr. & Mrs. Anastasios Kousis Mr. & Mrs. George Koutris Mr. & Mrs. Christos Koutsis Mr. & Mrs. Petros Kouvatsos Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kovoros Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Krikelis Mr. & Mrs. Mihail Kritikos Mr. Nicholas Kyriakakis Mr. & Mrs. John Kyriakakis Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Lahanas Mrs. Toula Langas Ms. Christie Laoudis Mr. & Mrs. Louis Laouidis Mrs. Virginia Laoudis Mr. & Mrs. Antoine Larosiliere Mr. Truong Le Mr. & Mrs. Spero Leakas Mr. & Mrs. Ted Leakas Mr. George Leles Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Leou Mrs. Froso Levas Mrs. Mary Lignos Mr. & Mrs. Stathis Loukas Mr. Andreas Louros Mr. & Mrs. Christos Loutroutzis Ms. Christina Lowery Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Makris Mr. & Mrs. James Makris Mr. & Mrs. James Malamas Mr. & Mrs. John Malandrucolo Mr. & Mrs. Kyriakos Mangafas Mrs. Helen Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Marcopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Jason Marcus Mr. & Mrs. Michael Mariano Mr. & Mrs. Dean Mastrojohn Mr. & Mrs. Petros Matthews Mrs. Vasiliki Matthews Mr. & Mrs. Constantinos Mavrianos Mrs. Stella Megariotis Drs. Michael & Irini Mentakis Mr. & Mrs. James Michaels Mr. & Mrs. George Michalakis Mr. & Mrs. Paul Micholas Mr. & Mrs. G. Mihalitsianos Mr. & Mrs. Bill Miras Mr. & Mrs. Peter Miras Mr. & Mrs. Robert Mitchell Mrs. Olympia Molfetas Mr. & Mrs. Renan Morada Ms. Maria Moshouris Mr. & Mrs. Mike Moshouris Mr. & Mrs. Leo Mourikes Mrs. Stephanie Mouzakis Smith Mr. Ignatius Mumtzis Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Nakopoulos Mrs. Jordana Nicholas Mr. Demetrios Nicodimou Mr. Tom Nikolaidis Mr. & Mrs. James Nissirios Dr. & Mrs. Themis Nissirios Mr. & Mrs. Chris Nolan Ms. Christina Notas Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Ntarlagiannis Mr. & Mrs. John Oberle Mr. & Mrs. Louis Pahountis Mr. & Mrs. Costas Paissidis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Paizis Mr. & Mrs. V. Pallikaropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Panagakos Mr. & Mrs. Gus Panagiotopoulos Ms. Ariadne Panagiotou Mr. & Mrs. George Panagiotou Mr. & Mrs. A. Panagopoulos Mrs. Vaso Panagopoulos

Mr. & Mrs. Dino Panayiotarakos Mr. & Mrs. John Pangis Mr. & Mrs. Costas Papademas Mrs. Konstantina Papademas Mr. Harry Papademas Mrs. Androniki Papadopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Papamihail Ms. Polixeni Papaioannou Ms. Klarida Papajani Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Papalambrou Mr. George Papanester Mrs. Eleftheria Pashalis Mr. & Mrs. Charles Paterson Mr. & Mrs. Tiago Patusco Mr. & Mrs. Menelaos Pavlou Mr. Angelo Payne Mr. George Pepines Mr. & Mrs. John Peponias Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Perides Mr. & Mrs. Ioannis Petrou Ms. Helen Pettas Mr. & Mrs. John Phillips Mr. & Mrs. Ciro Pizzolato Mrs. Stella Polites Mrs. Eleni Pollatos Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Portelos Mr. & Mrs. Laki Pothos Mrs. Ann Pouletsos Mr. John Pouletsos Mr. & Mrs. Sam Poulis Mr. & Mrs. George Protopappas Mr. & Mrs. John Psarianos Mr. & Mrs. John Psarros Mr. & Mrs. Zannis Raissis Mr. Anthony Rezitis Mr. & Mrs. Georgios Rodas Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Rodetis Mr. & Mrs. George Ropa Ms. Penelope Roumantzas Mrs. Eleanor Roumel Mr. & Mrs. John Roussos Mrs. Margie Russo Mr. & Mrs. Nikolas Sahlaras Mr. & Mrs. Frank Salemme Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Samoilis Drs. Leonidas & Alexandra Samoulidis Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Sarno Mr. & Mrs. Costas Savvas Mr. & Mrs. John Scaglione Mr. & Mrs. Vinny Schiraldi Mr. & Mrs. William Scoullos Ms. Stacey Seretudis Mr. & Mrs. Justin Shafron Mr. & Dr. Peter Shikar Mr. & Mrs. Stergios Siabanis Mr. & Mrs. George Siamboulis Mr. & Mrs. Georgios Siderias Mr. & Mrs. Steve Siderias Ms. Maria Sidirokastritis Mr. Stephen Sidirokastritis Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Sitounis Mr. & Mrs. John Skoutakis Mr. & Mrs. Brian Slattery Mr. & Mrs. Steve Sofos Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Sogotis Mr. & Mrs. Steve Spirou Mr. & Mrs. George Stamatiou Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Stamelos Mr. & Mrs. Thouki Stavris Fr. & Presbytera A. Stavropoulos Mr. Christos Stavropoulos Mr. & Mrs. N. Stefanopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Stogianoglou Mr. & Mrs. Cristakis Stylianou Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Tevletidis Mr. & Mrs. Dean Tomaras Mr. & Mrs. Paul Toronidis Mr. & Mrs. George Trahanas Mr. & Mrs. George Trakas Mrs. Evelyn Triantos Mr. & Mrs. George Tsapelis Mr. & Mrs. Vassilis Tsarouhas Mr. & Mrs. Michael Tsentas Mr. & Mrs. George Tsiklidis Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Tsilikas Mr. & Mrs. Charles Tsocanos Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Tsocanos Mr. & Mrs. John Tsocanos Mr. & Mrs. Gerasimos Tsongas Ms. Efthymia Tsoukalas Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Tsoukalas Mr. Nikolaos Tsoukalas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Tsoukalas Mr. & Mrs. Stan Umowski Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Vanikiotis Ms. Mariea Vanikiotis Mrs. Eugenia Varias Mrs. Catherine Varveris Dr. E. Vassiliou/Dr. E. Antoniou Mr. & Mrs. George Vathianakis Mrs. Ethel Venetos Mr. & Mrs. Richard Venezia Mr. & Mrs. Paul Venizelos Mrs. Irene Veros Mr. & Mrs. George A. Vlamis Mr. & Mrs. Petros Vlasidis Mr. & Mrs. John Wain Mr. & Mrs. Randall Williams Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Xanthos Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Yannitsadis Mr. & Mrs. Louie Yannitsadis Dr. & Mrs. Ignatius Zairis Mr. & Mrs. Telly Zervoudis Mr. & Mrs. Michael Zigarelli Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Ziotas Mrs. Irene Zisa Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Zodiatis

PRAYER FOR THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR O Lord our God, who have placed times and seasons under your own authority; who, in your infinite compassion and goodness, have counted us worthy to enter a New Year of your loving kindness, bless it and keep us in peace. Loose, remit and forgive any sins that we may have committed during the year that is past, and keep us free from sin in the New Year. Enlighten us with the light of your truth and your divine commandments. Establish in our souls your holy will, and guide us to every work that is good and pleasing to you. Guard well our Holy church with your divine grace. Remember, Lord, our nation; train up the youth; protect the elderly; encourage the fainthearted; gather the scattered; bring back those who have gone astray, and reunite them to your Holy Church. Overshadow our Land with your might, and grant it gentle rain and abundance of the fruits of the earth. Speak of goodness in the hearts of our rulers; support and strengthen them, together with our armed forces by land, sea and air so that in their tranquility we may lead our life in every piety and dignity. Let your kingdom come upon us, O Lord; the kingdom of love, goodness, peace and justice; and make us worthy to praise and glorify, with one mouth and one heart, your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen

LOVE IN ACTION Our St. Athanasios parish continue the Homeless Outreach Program to bring much needed food and care to men, women, and children in our area who are in need. As many of you already know, last year we began an effort to collect food for donation in a Food Collection Box at the rear entrance of our church. This effort has already been a big success in helping to feed low-income families, and this year we would like to give even more. We will be putting our desire to help into action by partnering with a homeless shelter in Northern NJ to help prepare and serve warm meals for the needy. We hope to make this a community-wide effort, with every age group involved in some way - whether through food donation, meal preparation, driving, serving, or some other facet. We are still at the early stages but before we can begin this fruitful work, we are looking for volunteers who are interested in helping to develop and sustain this new program. Thank you to everyone who has donated time, food, or supplies to our ministry! Let us keep the spirit of giving alive in our parish, for it is truly in giving that we receive. May the Peace of Christ be with everyone this holiday season! contact the church office. If you would like to get involved, please Season s greeting from the FOS Ministry! We are pleased to announce our latest inventory of resources and gift items available through the St. Athanasios bookstore. Dedicated to advancing Orthodox education and awareness, the volunteers of the St. Athanasios FOS Ministry have carefully researched and curated a rich selection of religious and cultural items including Bibles, icons, children s books, prayer books, stefanothikes, incense, prayer ropes and more. When looking for meaningful gifts, we offer many selections for all ages and stages of your faith journey. Popular selections include The New Orthodox Study Bible, containing the entire Old Testament of the Orthodox Church, New Testament and the Deuterocanonical books. Also in stock is the best-selling, A Guide to Greek Customs and Traditions in America, by Marilyn Rouvelas who captures the essence of religious traditions and culture practices for Greeks and Philhellenes looking to preserve their heritage. These editions, plus the many other items available, make wonderful Christmas, wedding, name day or birthday gifts. The bookstore is open Sunday following Divine Liturgy and at other times by appointment. For more information, to make a purchase or inquire about special orders, please contact Thea Portelos, Karen Scoullos or the church office.

SANCTIFY THOSE WHO LOVE THE BEAUTY OF THY HOUSE ΑΓΙΑΣΟΝ ΤΟΥΣ ΑΓΑΠΩΝΤΑΣ ΤΗΝ ΕΥΠΡΕΠΕΙΑΝ ΤΟΥ ΟΙΚΟΥ ΣΟΥ Saint Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church Iconography / Phase I and II 2015 Campaign for the Adornment of our Church We would like to thank the parishioners who have already committed to the Iconography project of our church. As of September 21, 2015 the following icons are still available: St. Ignatius $4,500 St. Nikitas $5,500 St. Paul $5,500 SS. Sophia (Faith-Hope-Love) $13,500 Moses and the Burning Bush $20,000 The Sacrifice of Isaac $20,000 Ads here...

St. Athanasios Feast Day PANIGIRI - DINNER DANCE January 23, 2016 in our Community Center Join us with your family and friends for a fun-filled evening of great food, dancing and parea! Additional information will be available soon!

ΙΕΡΑ ΠΑΝΗΓΥΡΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΟΥ Μέγας Εσπερινός Κυριακή, 17 Ιανουρίου στις 7:00 μ.μ. Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία Δευτέρα, 18 Ιανουαρίου στις 8:30 π.μ. Εορταστική δεξίωσις κατόπιν των Ιερών Ακολουθιών από την Φιλόπτωχο. FEAST DAY OF OUR PATRON SAINT ATHANASIOS Sunday, January 17th - Great Vespers 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 18th - Orthros and Divine Liturgy 8:30 a.m. Reception to follow after the Services, hosted by our Philoptochos. SAINT ATHANASIOS THE GREAT, PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA Born in Alexandria, Egypt in A.D. 297, Athanasios was associated with the Alexandrian chancery at an early age, having been ordained deacon in the year 319 and subsequently priest. His brilliance was shown in his Sermon Against the Arians, written to answer the widely spreading heresy of Arianism, which had been condemned in 318 by a synod. According to Arius, an elderly priest of Alexandria, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were three separate essences or substances, which is contrary to Orthodox teaching. The spread of Arianism prompted Emperor Constantine to convene the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea (A.D. 325), where Athanasios brilliantly opposed the false doctrine of Arius. He wrote a series of works in defense of the faith proclaimed in Nicaea, that is, the doctrine of the true deity of God the Son. Nevertheless, the controversy lasted for another two centuries. The conciliatory tone of the Council of Nicaea was not enough to put an end to the heresy; Arius would not comply with its decisions and thus fled to Palestine.