The Voice of the Greek Community
JAN/FEB 2014 1 CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF COMMUNITY NEWS AND HISTORY
VOL. 74 • NO. 537
HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL • 600 EAST BLVD • CHARLOTTE, NC 28203 • 704-334-4771
www.htgo.org
JAN/FEB 2014
Our Vision: With the Grace of God, to provide a loving and caring Community where all belong to Christ,
through worship, sacramental life, everyday spiritual discipline, sanctification, education, witness and fellowship.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to
become faithful
followers of Christ
and thus active Greek
Orthodox Christians
by accepting and
submitting to the Will
of our Lord so that we
may realize salvation
and enter into the
Kingdom of God.
WHAT’S INSIDE THIS ISSUE....
Remarks from Father Michael - I lost my Son (in-law)... 3
Message from the President John Tsumas...................... 4
Articles on Repentance by Father Tommy........................ 7
Preschool News............................................................... 14
Philoptochos News ......................................................... 15
Greek School News.......................................................... 18
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JAN/FEB 2014
The Voice of the Greek Community
Voice Editorial and Business Staff
A Message From The Editor
Voice Committee Members:
Angelo Pete Politis, Editor; Lucy
Pappadakes, Co-Editor; Effie Dounis,
Despina Kaltsounis, Stephanie
Kaltsounis, George Andrews
Hello again everybody,
Once again, Happy New Year to
everyone. At the time of this writing,
Spring weather is among us after that
cold Winter. In the front picture of The
Voice will be our Future. With your help,
we will bring Holy Trinity into the 21st
century. The walls have been repainted,
the carpet has been replaced and we have
many talented young ladies doing many
updates in the education wing.
In the next issue of The Voice, we will
feature Easter and offer several pictures
from Holy Week.
Until next time,
Be safe, Angelo Pete Politis
Official printer of The Voice
Mullen Publications Inc.
www.MullenPublications.com
Charlotte, NC • 704-527-5111
Contributing Writers
Fr. Michael Varvarelis, Dean of the
Cathedral
Fr. Tommy Vlahos, Priest – Religious
Reflection
George Karres - P.C. Presidents Message
www.htgo.
org
Visit
today!
Ministry Writers:
Effie Fotopoulos – Sunday School
Larry Peroulas – Greek School
Maria Kleto – Preschool
Viola Weber – Philoptochos
Olga Yamalis – Choir News
Cathy Chicklistas – Forever Young
Tom Ganatsios – GOSA
Georgia Georgoulakos – Around
Charlotte Town
Johnny Couchell – Athletic Program
John Georgopoulos – GOYA-HOPE/JOY
Loula Kontoulas – Heritage Preservation
Committtee
Gloria Kontoulas – Education, Culture
and Youth Diakonia, Around Charlotte
Town
Helen Beleos – Community Profiles
Andrew Karras – Spiritual
Dr. Taki Hondros – Health
George Politis – Professional Services
– Daughters of Penelope
N. Markos Kontos – AHEPA
Number of Parish Families – 875
Clergy/Staff:
Rev. Fr. Michael Varvarelis, Dean of
the Cathedral; Helen Karras, Office
Manager/Secretary; Angelo Tatsis,
Building Assistant; John Georgopoulos,
Youth Director/Building Supervisor;
Larry Peroulas, Greek School Director;
Maria Kleto and Cindy Balatsias,
Preschool Directors; Lucy Pappadakes
Choir Director; Toni Karnazes, First
Sevice Choir Director; : Dr. Philip
Thevaos, Baritone Choir Director;
Irina Monzolevskaya, Organist; George
Politis, Effie Fotopoulos, Sunday School
Directors.
2013 Parish Council:
George Karres, President; John
Karagiannis, Vice President; George
Andrews, Treasurer; Spero Koufaliotis,
Assistant Treasurer; John Tsumas,
Secretary; Peter Thomopoulos, Assistant
Secretary; Dr. Takie Hondros, Member;
Dino Pappas, Member; Margaret Nixon,
Member; Caleb Russell, Member; Angelo
Kefalas, Member; Dimitri Dounis,
Member; Jimmy Georgiou, Member;
George Limbanovnos, Member; Angelo
Spero, Member.
Cathedral Foundation:
Harry Stathopoulos, Chairman; , Nickolas
Ballas Vice-Chairman; Mathew Karres,
Secretary; Chris Karres Tresurer; Nick
Kantsios, Assistant Sec./Tres; George
Watson, Nick Nixon, Members.
H o l y Tr i n i t y G re e k O r t h o d o x
Cathedral bi-monthly publication is
published 6 times per year. Church
Telephone: 704/334-4771; Preschool:
704/333-4961
Check out the latest news and photos on the web
w w w. h t g o . o r g
The Voice of the Greek Community
Remarks From
Father Michael
by Father Michael Varvarelis
Dean of the Cathedral
I lost my Son (in-law)
On Saturday, January 25th, 2014, I received a phone
call from Presvytera telling me that our son-in-law,
Angelo, was taking his last breaths and he was on his
way to the next life. I felt the pain of losing my dear
child and a feeling of numbness overtaking my entire
entity, while at the same time I was encouraged to know
that he was going to His Creator and Savior.
We left as soon as it was possible to get to Bethlehem,
PA. It was a nine-hour trip that became more than 10
hours because in Virginia we had a bad snow storm.
It was not easy. Aggeliki, when she realized that her
husband turned for the worse, called her siblings, his
mother and his siblings and they all sat next to Angelo
praying the whole time till he left this life. Angelo left
that evening at 6:30pm. We made it to his home at
4:00am on Sunday morning. My daughter at the time
was calm but very exhausted. My grandchildren were
sleeping except for the youngest, the two year old, who
was in his crib chanting along during the Trisagion that
we offered, and as we finished, we overheard in the
baby monitor, little Mihali saying, “Daddy, daddy..!!”
It seemed that he was happy. My other children were
also still there. Our daughter for the moment was in
JAN/FEB 2014 3 control; crying, praying, sad, but in control.
then Middle School and High School he would ask me
I went to the Church for the Sunday Divine Liturgy to permit him to come into the Church and iconograph
and after the Service I returned back to my daughter’s the Saints depicted on the walls. He was very talented
home. We made the arrangements. We talked and in this area and iconography was his hobby. He was
reminisced about the life and many strengths of my pious and spiritually structured and was strict with
himself with all the disciplines of our Orthodox spiritual
son-in-law.
life; prayer, reading of the Bible, reading the lives of
I tried to reflect on his life at the funeral and while I the Saints, fasting, having strong sacramental life and
was unable to hold my composure at times, I will share participating in the Sunday School which was offered to
here a few points of
the students after
his life. I do this
“Mom, God honored us with a cross. Are we not going to joyHoly Communion.
because from the
fully receive it? Are we going to complain about it? He wants
W h e n
h e
Parish Council to
to save us. He wants to take us to His Kingdom. Isn’t this
graduated from
the Philoptochos
College, I asked
cross, this illness, a blessing? I thank the Lord!!”
and all the dear
him to help with
members of our
Sunday School. He was always smiling, friendly, joking
Holy Trinity Cathedral Parish-Family, I received strong, and loved being with the students. Therefore, indeed, he
thoughtful and incredible support of prayers, comfort was a very effective Sunday School Teacher until the
and love. Presvytera along with Aggeliki, our daughter, year 2012-2013 when because of his condition was not
and our whole family are very grateful to each and every able to get to the classroom and teach.
one of you.
You may remember that three years ago he lost his
Angelo, who passed to the next life at the age of 34 father from cancer. His mother is hurting very much.
was born, raised, educated and lived in Bethlehem, PA In fact while Angelo was diagnosed with cancer,
all his life. He was the oldest of the three siblings and an as well, and while receiving treatments, his mother
intelligent, diligent, kind, caring and devoted Orthodox would ask him the difficult question “why?” I found
Christian. He graduated from Lehigh University in his position and understanding of his condition very
Bethlehem, as an electrical engineer and the School powerful, meaningful and comforting. He responded
(Lehigh) paid for his graduate work because of his to his mother, “Mom, God honored us with a cross. Are
excellent grades, earning his Masters Degree in the we not going to joyfully receive it? Are we going to
same field. He worked at “Lutron” Company located in complain about it? He wants to save us. He wants to
Coopersburg, PA in Lehigh Valley only 20 minutes away take us to His Kingdom. Isn’t this cross, this illness, a
from his home. He loved his work and his co-workers. blessing? I thank the Lord!!”
I was so impressed to see the owner, administrators, and
From the very beginning when Angelo was diagnosed
a huge number of co-workers who came to the Church
with
biliary (ampullary) cancer, he let Aggeliki know
for the Viewing and the Funeral.
that his journey in this life perhaps was near the end
I knew Angelo since I was assigned to St. Nicholas and made all the necessary arrangements for the family
in Bethlehem back in 1989. He was only 10 years old to be prepared when it was his time to depart. He took
at that time. He served in the Holy Altar, attended the good care of himself to be treated by specialized medical
Altar Boys’ monthly meetings and attended weekly institutions and doctors. He was diagnosed in the month
Monday Bible studies I had for the children/youth at of October 2012 and on November 20, 2012 he had
St. Nicholas. His entire family; parents, siblings were an (Whipple procedure) operation at “Sloan-Kettering
coming regularly to Church, for confession and received
Continued on page 4
Holy Communion. When he was in Elementary School,
Μας έφυγε το παιδί μου (ο γαμπρός μου) ακούγαμε την φωνή του που έλεγε , «Μπαμπά,
Το Σάββατο στις 25 Ιανουαρίου 2014 , έλαβα
ένα τηλεφώνημα από την Πρεσβυτέρα μου
που μου είπε ότι ο γαμπρός μας, Ευάγγελος,
έπαιρνε τελευταίες αναπνοές του και ήταν
στο δρόμο του για την αιώνια ζωή. Ένιωσα
ένα σφίξιμο στην καρδιά και τον πόνο της
απώλειας του αγαπητού παιδιού μου και ένα
αίσθημα μουδιάσματος πέρασε σε όλο το είναι
μου, ενώ ταυτόχρονα την ίδια στιγμή έπαιρνα
δύναμι από την βεβαιότητα ότι επήγαινε στον
Δημιουργό και Σωτήρα του .
Φύγαμε το συντομότερο δυνατό να πάμε
στη Βηθλεέμ , PA . Ήταν εννέα ώρες ταξίδι που
έγινε σε περισσότερο από 10 ώρες, επειδή στη
Βιρτζίνια βρήκαμε μια άσχημη χιονοθύελλα
. Δεν ήταν εύκολο. Η Αγγελική, όταν
συνειδητοποίησε ότι ο σύζυγός της γύρισε προς
το χειρότερο, τηλεφώνησε στά αδέλφια της, στη
μητέρα του και στα αδέλφια του και όλοι ήταν
παρόντες δίπλα στον Ευάγγελο προσευχόμενοι,
μέχρι που άφησε αυτή τη ζωή ο Ευάγγελος.
Εφυγε από αυτή τη ζωή εκείνο το βράδυ στις
6:30 μ.μ. . Εμείς φθάσαμε στο σπίτι στις 4:00
το πρωί της Κυριακής . Η κόρη μου εκείνη την
ώρα ήταν ήρεμη, αλλά πολύ εξαντλημένη.
Τα εγγόνια μου κοιμόντουσαν εκτός για τον
νεότερο, που είναι δύο ετών, ο οποίος ήταν
στην κούνια του, μιλώντας κατά τη διάρκεια του
Τρισαγίου που κάναμε, ενώ όταν τελειώσαμε
μπαμπά .. !» Φαινόταν ότι ήταν χαρούμενος.
Τα άλλα παιδιά μας ήταν ακόμα εκεί . Η κόρη
μας προς το παρόν είχε τον έλεγχο, έκλαιγε,
προσευχόταν, ήταν λυπημένη, αλλά είχε τον
έλεγχο στον εαυτό της.
Πήγα στην εκκλησία για την Κυριακάτικη Θεία
Λειτουργία και μετά την ακολουθία επέστρεψα
πίσω στο σπίτι της κόρης μου. Κανονίσαμε για
τα της κηδείας. Μιλήσαμε αναπολώντας τη
ζωή και τα χαρίσματα του γαμπρού μας.
Προσπάθησα να αναφερθώ στα σχετικά
σχετικά με τη ζωή του στην κηδεία αν και ήτο
δύσκολο να συγκρατήσω την ψυχραιμία μου
και την συγκίνησή μου. Εδώ θα μοιραστώ μαζί
σας μερικά σημεία της ζωής του . Το κάνω
αυτό γιατί από το Ενοριακό Συμβούλιο μέχρι
την Φιλόπτωχο και όλα τα αγαπητά μέλη της
Ενορίας του Καθεδρικού, δέχθηκα ισχυρή
, στοχαστική και αμέριστη στήριξη από τις
προσευχές, την παρηγοριά και την αγάπη όλων.
Η πρεσβυτέρα μαζί με την Αγγελική, την κόρη
μας, και ολόκληρη η οικογένειά μας είμαστε
πολύ ευγνώμονες στον κάθε έναν από εσάς .
Ο Ευάγγελος, ο οποίος πήγε στην αιώνια
ζωή στην ηλικία των 34 ετών γεννήθηκε,
μεγάλωσε , μορφώθηκε και έζησε στη Βηθλεέμ
, PA όλη του τη ζωή . Ήταν το μεγαλύτερο
από τα τρία αδέλφια και ήτο έξυπνος,
Continued on page 5
www.htgo.org
4
JAN/FEB 2014
The Voice of the Greek Community
The President’s Message
by John Tsumas
Parish Council
President
Dear Holy Trinity Community,
Χριστός Ανέστη!
It is with great pleasure that I am
writing you today. I feel honored to be
able to serve our Holy Trinity community
and look forward to doing my part to
help Holy Trinity grow as a family. This
church and community means a great deal
to me, as I am sure it does to you. Being
part of our community has helped me
personally grow as a Christian, Father,
Husband and Friend. I owe a great debt
to all of those who have come before me
and to everyone that forms Holy Trinity
today. It is in that spirit that I approach
my responsibilities to all of you.
As I think back over the years to what
Holy Trinity has meant to me, there
are many areas that I love and have
fond memories of. The one area that
really stands out to me is the sense of
community that I was fortunate to be able
to grow up in. Holy Trinity has always
been the place where as a child, then an
adult, I felt like I was part of a greater
family. It is a place that has always given
me a sense of love and support. I hope
that all of you feel that Holy Trinity has
been that rock in your life, just as it has
been in mine.
I would like to encourage you to
make Holy Trinity a central part of your
life. As a community, we need support
in every area imaginable. For those of
you that are part of the future of Holy
Trinity, please consider getting more
involved. For those of you that have been
the backbone of our family for so many
years, please continue to be involved and
mentor those that will lead Holy Trinity
into the next generation. It is important
that all of us work together to reach a
common goal of making Holy Trinity
the beacon of love and support that our
Father expects it to be. Please remember
that for us to build a greater sense of
community, that it requires your time,
effort and commitment. This is not an
area where things such as money matter.
We need you and all the great things that
you can bring. We need you present at
the Church services and the events that
our community puts time and effort into.
We need your wisdom and talents to help
shape the future path of Holy Trinity. We
have a dynamic community and if we all
pull together we can be a shining example
of what a solid Christian community
can be.
Thank You,
John Tsumas
President
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
www.htgo.org
Living the Orthodox Life:
Putting Christ first in
our lives through prayer,
worship and partaking
in the Sacraments thus
building and growing
spiritually, His Kingdom
on earth.
Continued from page 3
Memorial Hospital” in New York. When
chemotherapy was no longer working he
made an appointment and seeked help
at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in
Houston, TX and with the advice of both
institutions and specialized physicians,
started clinical trials at John Hopkins in
Baltimore in the Fall of 2013. The second
week in January of 2014, John Hopkins
Hospital told him that the clinical trials
were not working, the cancer had spread
even more, and advised him to go home
and be in the care of Hospice.
When during his illness and treatments,
I asked him how he was feeling spiritually
with this entire ordeal he told me “Dad,
whatever the will of God is, I feel fine.
He knows what is best for us.” I could not
expect anything more powerful coming
from a dedicated Christian than that.
When some of our parishioners who were
kind enough to ask me how my son-inlaw felt and how we were looking at this
situation I was saying: “It doesn’t make
any sense with our rationale for a 34 year
old husband and father of three children
to have this horrible and fatal disease.
But I know that what does not make any
sense here to us on this earth and in this
world, it will make perfect sense in the
next life, when we will understand the
answer(s).”
When we last visited him in midJanuary of this year, his liver had
expanded and was protruding visibly
outside of his body. We had a Holy
Unction Service. Afterwards I asked him
if his liver was problematic or hurting.
He said, “both, difficult to manage and
very painful.” No complaints, no why, no
need to see this go away. He was at peace.
In all these very difficult conditions, he
would go to Church and receive Holy
Communion. About ten days before he
passed away, he took a trip and saw his
spiritual father for his last confession.
The last Sunday that he went to Church,
it was impossible for him to walk. He was
in a wheel chair. That is how he went
to receive Holy Communion! It amazed
me his deep desire and commitment to
receive the Lord! The last of his days,
the Priest would go to his home and give
him Holy Communion there. I mentioned
in the Funeral that perhaps one of the
reasons he left this life is what we find
in the Scriptures (Wisdom of Solomon
4:11) “Speedily was he taken away, lest
that wickedness should alter his mindset,
or deceit entice his soul.”
My daughter was saying to me how
much they loved each other and during
their entire married life they did not
have an argument! They never fought.
She has been able to keep focus on her
children and maintain the household,
but she experiences moments that are
difficult. Some days and nights are almost
unbearable. I believe that your prayers
help sustain her and her children.
As my Presvytera and I express our
most sincere appreciation for all you
have done for us and our daughter and
the children, we would like to once more
request to please continue having them
and us in your prayers. Thank you. May
his memory be eternal.
All the latest news and photos are now on the web.
www.htgo.org
Visit today!
The Voice of the Greek Community
Continued from page 3
JAN/FEB 2014 5 μητέρα του είναι πληγωμένη πάρα πολύ.
Στην πραγματικότητα, ενώ ο Ευάγγελος είχε
επιμελής, ευγενής, νοιαζόταν για τον άλλο
διαγνωστεί με καρκίνο, καθώς επίσης, και
και ήτο αφοσιωμένος Χριστιανός Ορθόδοξος .
ενώ ελάβαινε χημοθεραπείες , η μητέρα του
Αποφοίτησε από το Πανεπιστήμιο Lehigh στη
τον ερώτησε με το δύσκολο ερώτημα «γιατί;»
Βηθλεέμ , ως ηλεκτρολόγος μηχανικός και το
Βρήκα τη τοποθέτηση και την κατανόηση της
Σχολείο του (Lehigh University) κατέβαλλε
κατάστασης του πολύ δυνατή , ουσιαστική
τα δίδακτρα για τις μεταπτυχιακές σπουδές
και παρήγορη. Εκείνος απάντησε στη μητέρα
του λόγω της εξαιρετικής του απόδοσης,
του, «Μαμά, ο Θεός μας τίμησε με ένα
παίρνοντας το πτυχείο του στον ίδιο τομέα
σταυρό. Δεν θα Τον δεχθούμε με χαρά; Θα
. Εργάστηκε στην εταιρεία «Lutron» που
διαμαρτυρηθούμε γι’ αυτόν; Ο Θεός θέλει να
βρίσκεται στο Coopersburg , Πενσυλβάνιας
μας σώσει. Θέλει να μας πάει στή Βασιλεία
στο Lehigh Valley μόλις 20 λεπτά μακριά από
Του . Δεν είναι αυτός ο σταυρός , αυτή
το σπίτι του . Αγαπούσε τη δουλειά
η ασθένεια, μια ευλογία; Ευχαριστώ τον
«Μαμά, ο Θεός μας τίμησε με ένα σταυρό. Δεν θα Τον
του και τους συναδέλφους του .
Κύριο!»
δεχθούμε με χαρά; Θα διαμαρτυρηθούμε γι’ αυτόν; Ο Θεός
Ήμουν τόσο εντυπωσιασμένος που
θέλει να μας σώσει. Θέλει να μας πάει στή Βασιλεία Του .
Από την αρχή, όταν Ευάγγελος είχε
είδα τον ιδιοκτήτη, τους Διοικητικούς
Δεν είναι αυτός ο σταυρός , αυτή η ασθένεια, μια ευλογία;
διαγνωστεί
με χοληφόρο ( ampullary
Υπαλλήλους, και ένα τεράστιο αριθμό
Ευχαριστώ τον Κύριο!».
) καρκίνο , μίλησε με την Αγγελική
των συναδέλφων του που ήρθαν στην
γνωρίζοντας ότι το ταξίδι του σε αυτή
Εκκλησία για την κηδεία του.
και συμμετοχή στο Κατηχητικό Σχολείο που
τη ζωή, ίσως ήταν κοντά στο τέλος και έκανε
Ήξερα τον Ευάγγελο από τότε που διορίσθηκα λειτουργούσε μετά τη Θεία Κοινωνία . Όταν
όλες τις απαραίτητες προετοιμασίες για την
στην Ενορία του Αγίου Νικολάου στη Βηθλεέμ
αποφοίτησε από το Κολέγιο, τον παρεκάλεσα
οικογένεια ώστε να είναι έτοιμη όταν ήρθε η
το 1989 . Ήταν τότε μόλις 10 ετών. Υπηρέτησε
να βοηθήσει με το Κατηχητικό Σχολείο . Ήταν
ώρα του να αναχωρήσει . Πρόσεξε από την
στην Αγία Τράπεζα, και συμμετείχε στις
πάντα χαμογελαστός , φιλικός, αστειευόμενος
αρχή τον εαυτό του να ζητήσει και να βρεί
μηνιαίες συναντήσεις των παιδιών του Ιερού
και αγαπούσε να είναι με τους μαθητές. Ως εκ
εξειδικευμένους γιατρούς και Νοσοκομεία.
ενώ ταυτόχρονα παρακολουθούσε ανελλιπώς
τούτου, πράγματι , ήταν πολύ αποτελεσματικός Είχε διαγνωσθεί με καρκίνο τον μήνα Οκτώβριο
τις εβδομαδιαίες συναντήσεις μελέτης της
Δάσκαλος τού Κατηχητικού Σχολείου μέχρι το
τού 2012 και στις 20 Νοεμβρίου του 2012 είχε
Αγίας Γραφής που είχα για το παιδιά / την
έτος 2012-2013, όταν, λόγω της κατάστασής
εγχείρηση (Whipple ), στο « Sloan -Kettering
νεολαία τού Αγίου Νικολάου . Όλη η οικογένειά του, δεν ήταν σε θέση να πάει στην τάξη και να
Memorial Hospital « στη Νέα Υόρκη . Όταν
του, οι γονείς και τα αδέλφια του έρχονταν
διδάξει .
η χημοθεραπεία δεν απέδιδε πλέον έκανε
τακτικά στην εκκλησία , στην εξομολόγηση
Ίσως να θυμάστε ότι πριν από τρία χρόνια
ένα ραντεβού και αναζήτησε βοήθεια στο
και ελάβαιναν Θεία Κοινωνία . Όταν ήταν
Continued on page 8
έχασε τον πατέρα του από καρκίνο . Η
στο Δημοτικό Σχολείο, καθώς και μετά στό
Γυμνάσιο και Λύκειο μού ζητούσε να του
επιτρέψω να εισέλθη στην Εκκλησία για να
αγιογραφήσει τους Αγίους πού απεικονίζονται
στους τοίχους . Ήταν πολύ ταλαντούχος σε
αυτόν τον τομέα και η εικονογραφία ήταν
το χόμπι του . Ήταν ευσεβής και πνευματικά
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6
JAN/FEB 2014
Angelo John Forlidas CHARLOTTE
- Mr. Forlidas, 86 years of age, passed
away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 27,
2014, at the Levine & Dickson Hospice
House at Southminster after a brief
illness. Angelo was born Aug. 26, 1927,
in Monroe, La. After graduating from
high school in Baton Rouge, La., he
briefly enrolled at Texas A&M University
before joining the Navy at the age of 17,
near the close of World War II, serving
in the Pacific theater. After the war, he
transferred to the University of South
Carolina, graduating second in his class
with degrees in civil and structural
engineering. During his six-decade-long
career as an architect, Angelo worked
for Odell Associates on the team that
designed the uptown branch of the
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library on Tryon
Street and the main campus of Garinger
High School, among other projects. In his
private architectural practice, he designed
more than a dozen Belk department
stores throughout the southeast, as well
as several notable drive-in restaurants. In
his partnership with his brother, Philip,
Angelo designed and built numerous
commercial buildings, five multi-family
apartment communities, and more than
100 single-family homes in and around
Charlotte. A lifelong member of the Holy
Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, where
he once taught Sunday School, Angelo
was also a member of: the American
Institute of Architects; the Charlotte
Apartment Association; the Home
Builders Association of Charlotte; the
American Legion of Veterans; Excelsion
261 Lodge of Freemasons; and the Order
of AHEPA, where he was a past president.
Angelo was preceded in death by his
The Voice of the Greek Community
parents, John Evagelos and Cornelia
Pappas Forlidas, and his brothers Nick
John Forlidas (wife Hazel of Sunset
Beach) and Marion John Forlidas. He
is survived by his brother Philip John
Forlidas (wife Betty) of Charlotte;
his nephews John Roy Forlidas (wife
Cindy) of Augusta, Ga., and John Evans
Forlidas of New York City and Charlotte;
his nieces Karen Forlidas Gaskins
(husband Steve) of Wilmington, Leigh
Anne Forlidas and Constance Marion
Forlidas, both of Charlotte; and four
great-nieces and -nephews. The Trisagion
and funeral service for Mr. Forlidas
was held 11 a.m. Monday, March 3,
2014, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox
Cathedral with the Reverend Michael
Varvarelis officiating. Interment followed
in Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers,
the family asks that donations be made
to the Order of AHEPA Foundation,
c/o Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox
Cathedral, 600 East Blvd., Charlotte,
NC 28203. Arrangements are in the
care of Hankins & Whittington Funeral
Service, 1111 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC.
Please share condolences online at www.
hankinsandwhittington.com.
the old Charlotte highway. Costas was a
member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox
Cathedral for over 50 years and had
formerly served as a board member.
Because of his love and passion for the
church, he was one of the best chanters
with an exceptional voice that the church
was honored with. He was also a member
of Velouchi, Evrytania Association. The
Trisagon service was held 7:00 PM,
Sunday, the 19th of January 2014, at
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Funeral services were held 11:30 AM,
Monday, the 20th of January 2014, at
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery.
Ironically, after 50 years of marriage to
a most special and loving wife, Katerini,
whom God took from us much too soon
and exactly three months earlier, Costas
wanted to be with her so he left us on
January 16, 2014. Costas leaves his two
sons: Tony (Antonios) Panou and Sam
(Serafim) Panou who will mourn both
parents in such a short time; his motherin-law, Eleni Nikopoulos of Greece
and many loving and caring nieces
and nephews here and also in Greece.
In addition to his parents and wife, he
was preceded in death by sisters: Fotini,
Sophia, Maria, Vasiliki and Panagiota all
of Greece. In lieu of flowers, memorials
may be made to Holy Trinity Greek
Orthodox Cathedral Foundation, 600
East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203, or
Panagia Prousiotissa Chapel at Elatos
Park, Weddington, NC, c/o Holy Trinity
Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Notes
of encouragement and condolences
may be made to the family by visiting
www.ellingtonfuneralservices.com.
The Panou family is being served by
Ellington Funeral Services, “The Historic
Morehead St. Chapel”, 727 E. Morehead
St., Charlotte, NC 28202. 704.334.6700.
Constandinos A. Panou
CHARLOTTE - Constandinos A. Panou,
80, of Charlotte, NC, passed away
Thursday, the 16th of January 2014, at
Novant Medical Center. He was born the
5th of March 1933, in Viniani, Evrytania,
Greece to the late Antonios Panou
and Spyrydoula Tsolias. Costa served
in the Greek Air Force as an airplane
electrician. In 1956 he came to the United
States and worked for the Presto Grill
in Charlotte and eventually became a
partner and owner. After a visit back to
his beloved Greece in 1962, he returned
with his bride Katerini. He then became
a partner with Tom Nixon in the old Fish
Net fish camp which was in Matthews,
Fotini Loukas Rhodes CHARLOTTE
NC. His last restaurant he worked was - Mrs. Rhodes, 88, of Charlotte, NC
The Union Station in Monroe, NC, on and Athens, Greece, passed away
Tuesday, the 21st of January 2014, at
www.htgo.org Visit today!
the Harris Hospice of Novant Health
Medical Center. She was born the 17th of
December 1925, in Athens, Greece, one
of seven children to the late John Loukas
and Katherine Papageorge Loukas. Fotini
was a member of Holy Trinity Greek
Orthodox Cathedral and was a dedicated
wife, mother and grandmother. She spent
part of her time in Athens, Greece and
in Charlotte, NC, the last several years
she remained here with her daughter.
Mrs. Rhodes is survived by her daughter,
Stella Mae Rhodes and her husband, Nick
Drossopoulos of Charlotte, NC and two
grandsons: Peter and Billy Drossopoulos
and many family and friends in Greece.
Funeral services were held 2:00 PM,
Saturday, the 25th of January 2014, at
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be
made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox
Cathedral Building Fund, 600 East
Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. Notes
of encouragement and condolences
may be made to the family by visiting
www.ellingtonfuneralservices.com.
The Rhodes family is being served by
Ellington Funeral Services, “The Historic
Morehead St. Chapel”, 727 E. Morehead
St., Charlotte, NC 28202. 704-334-6700.
S o p h i a K o s t a n t i n o n Ta t s i s
CHARLOTTE - Sophia Kostantinon
Tatsis fell asleep in the Lord on January 3,
2014, surrounded by her beloved family.
She was born in Xioniades, Greece on
November 16, 1945. Sophia married her
husband of 47 years, Anastasios “Tasos”
Tatsis, on January 16, 1966, and they
emigrated to Charlotte. She worked in
the family business, Tasos Restaurant,
in uptown Charlotte for many years.
Mrs. Tatsis later worked at Harris-Teeter
and most recently worked at Ardrey
Kell High school. Sophia was a loving
mother and grandmother and enjoyed
spending time with her immediate and
extended family. She loved flowers
and every year planted beautiful red
geraniums. Sophia is survived by her
husband, Tasos, daughter, Anna Shinas
and her husband Aristotle, son Steve
Tatsis, and her granddaughter, Efthimia
“Mia” Shinas, all of Charlotte, and
her brother Takis Zografos, of Athens,
Greece. The funeral service was held on
Monday, January 6, 2014, at 1:00pm at
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral,
600 East Boulevard, Charlotte. Burial
took place at Evergreen City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be
made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox
Cathedral Ministry Fund at 600 East
Boulevard, Charlotte, NC, 28203 Online
condolences may be addressed towww.
carolinafuneral.com. Carolina Funeral
Service & Cremation Center is entrusted
with the arrangements.
Get up
to date
news and events at:
www.htgo.org
The Voice of the Greek Community
JAN/FEB 2014 7 WHAT IS REPENTANCE?
Fr. Tommy D. Vlahos
MAY REPENTANCE BE
FOREVER!
Fr. Tommy D. Vlahos
All the
latest news
and photos
are now
on the web
www.htgo.org
Visit
today!
8
JAN/FEB 2014
The Voice of the Greek Community
Continued from page 5
MD Anderson Cancer Center
στο Χιούστον, Τέξας και με τη
συμβουλή των δύο Νοσοκομείων
και τών εξειδικευμένων γιατρών,
ξεκίνησε τις κλινικές δοκιμές
στο John Hopkins στη Βαλτιμόρη
το φθινόπωρο του 2013 .
Την δεύτερη εβδομάδα , τον
Ιανουάριο του 2014 , στού John
Hopkins Hospital του είπανε ότι
οι κλινικές μελέτες δεν δούλευαν,
ο καρκίνος είχε εξαπλωθεί
ακόμη περισσότερο , και τον
συμβούλεψαν να πάει στο σπίτι
του και να είναι στη φροντίδα του
Hospice.
Όταν κατά τη διάρκεια της
ασθένειας και των χημοθεραπειών
του, τον ρώτησα πώς αισθανόταν
πνευματικά με όλη αυτή τη
δοκιμασία μου είπε : «Μπαμπά,
είμαι αναπαυμένος με το να γίνει
το θέλημα του Θεού , νιώθω μια
χαρά . Εκείνος, γνωρίζει τι είναι
καλύτερο για εμάς.» Δεν θα
ημπορούσα να περιμένω τίποτε
πιο δυνατό να προέρχεται από
ένα χριστιανικό σαν και αυτόν.
Όταν μερικοί από τους ενορίτες
μας, που είχαν την καλοσύνη να
με ρωτήσουν πώς ο γαμπρός σας
αισθάνεται και πως εκτιμούμε
αυτή την δύσκολη κατάσταση
απήντησα: «Δεν έχει κανένα
νόημα με την λογική μας για έναν
34χρονο σύζυγο και πατέρα τριών
παιδιών να έχει αυτή θανατηφόρα
ασθένεια . Αλλά ξέρω ότι αυτό που
δεν έχει κανένα νόημα εδώ για
μας σε αυτή τη γη και σε αυτόν τον
κόσμο, θα έχει τέλειο νόημα στην
επόμενη ζωή, όταν θα έχουμε την
απάντηση.»
Όταν τον επισκέφθηκα την
τελευταία φορά στα μέσα
Ιανουαρίου του τρέχοντος έτους
, το συκώτι του είχε μεγαλώσει
και προεξείχε εμφανώς έξω από
το σώμα του. Κάναμε Ευχέλαιο .
Μετά τον ρώτησα αν το συκώτι
του τον ενοχλούσε από το μέγεθος
η είχε πόνο. Μού είπε, «και τα
δύο, και τον εμπόδιζε και είχε
πολύ πόνο.» Δεν έκανε παράπονο,
ούτε είπε γιατί, όχι, ούτε είπε να
φύγει αυτό το κακό μακριά. Ήταν
σε ειρήνη . Μέσα σε όλες αυτές
τις πολύ δύσκολες συνθήκες,
πήγαινε ανελλιπώς στην Εκκλησία
και λάβαινε τη Θεία Κοινωνία .
Περίπου δέκα μέρες πριν πεθάνει
, πήγε και είδε τον πνευματικό
του πατέρα για την τελευταία
του Εξομολόγηση. Την τελευταία
Κυριακή που πήγε στην Εκκλησία,
ήταν αδύνατο γι› αυτόν να
περπατήσει . Ήταν σε αναπηρική
καρέκλα. Με αυτό τον τρόπο πήγε
να λάβει τη Θεία Κοινωνία! Με
κατέπληξε ο βαθύς πόθος του να
λαβαίνει τον Κύριο! Στις τελευταίες
ημέρες του, ο Ιερέας πήγαινε στο
σπίτι του για να του δώσει τη Θεία
Κοινωνία εκεί . Ανέφερα στην
κηδεία που ίσως ένας από τους
λόγους που έφυγε από αυτή τη ζωή
είναι αυτό που βρίσκουμε στην
Αγία Γραφή ( Σοφία Σολομώντος
4:11 ) «Γρήγορα έφυγε, μήπως
η κακία τού αλλάξει την σύνεσή
του.»
Η κόρη μου μού έλεγε πόσο
πολύ αγαπούσε ο ένας τον
άλλον και ότι σε όλη τη διάρκεια
του έγγαμου βίου τους, δεν
αντάλλαξαν ποτέ ένα πικρό λόγο!
Ποτέ δεν τσακώθηκαν. Η Αγγελική
έχει συγκεντρώσει την προσοχή της
στα παιδιά της και στο νοικοκυριό.
Ομως βιώνει στιγμές που είναι
δύσκολες. Μερικές μέρες και
νύχτες είναι σχεδόν αφόρητες.
Πιστεύω ότι οι προσευχές σας την
βοηθούν καθώς και τα παιδιά της .
Καθώς η Πρεσβυτέρα μου και
εγώ εκφράζομε την βαθειά μας
ευγνωμοσύνη για όλα όσα έχετε
κάνει για μας και την κόρη μας
και τα παιδιά, θα ηθέλαμε να σας
παρακαλέσομε να συνεχίσετε να
τους έχετε στις προσευχές σας . Σας
ευχαριστώ. Να είναι η μνήμη του
να είναι αιωνία.
All the latest news and photos are now on the web.
www.htgo.org
Visit today!
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The Voice of the Greek Community
JAN/FEB 2014 9 Έντυπη Έκδοση
Κυριακάτικη Ελευθεροτυπία, Κυριακή 1 Δεκεμβρίου 2013
Πήρε την Ελλάδα
μαζί της στην
Αμερική
Η γιαγιά από την Ευρυτανία έγινε
μετανάστρια στα 95 της
Υπεύθυνος: ΦΩΤ.: ΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ ΓΙΑΝΝΑΚΟΠΟΥΛΟΣΣυνέντευξη στη
ΓΕΩΡΓΙΑ ΛΙΝΑΡΔΟΥ g.linardou@eleftherotypia.net
Η γιαγιά ξυπνά χαράματα. Ταΐζει, αρμέγει
τα ζωντανά, μαζεύει τ› αβγά από τις κότες.
Παίρνει την τσάπα, σκαλίζει. Βάζει στην ποδιά
τους καρπούς της γης, υψώνει το βλέμμα, λέει
«δόξα τω Θεώ» και στέλνει μία καλημέρα στην
Ελλάδα.
Η 95χρονη Ελένη Χολέβα, από το χωριό
Μουζίλο της Ευρυτανίας, ίσως να ‘ναι
η μεγαλύτερη σε ηλικία Ελληνίδα που
εγκατέλειψε τον τόπο και μετανάστευσε στη
Βόρεια Καρολίνα των ΗΠΑ.
Οταν πριν χρόνια τα παιδιά της, ο Κώστας, ο
Γιάννης, η Κατερίνα, έφυγαν για μια καλύτερη
ζωή στην Αμερική, εκείνη έμεινε πίσω με το
γέροντα. Του ‹λεγε: «Να πάω κι εγώ;» Της
απαντούσε: «Τον κακό σου τον καιρό, κάτσ› εδώ
που ‘σαι». Του ξανάλεγε: «Μία εβδομάδα θα
πααίνω στο ένα μου παιδί, μια στο άλλο και μια
στο τρίτο μου παιδί». Ξανά: «Τον κακό σου τον
καιρό».
Εφυγε ο γέροντας απ’ τη ζωή και τα παιδιά
την πήραν μαζί τους. «Στο Καρπενήσι δεν έχω
κανέναν. Ντιπ, πάνε όλοι», λέει η γιαγιά που
ήξερε μια ζωή να δουλεύει. Παιδί έπαιρνε το
μουλάρι, έδενε τα δοχεία με το γάλα απ’ τις
κατσίκες και το πούλαγε στους τουρίστες που
επισκέπτονταν το χωριό. «Εδειχνα στον πατέρα
μου τα λεφτά που έπαιρνα και μου ‹λεγε: Ασ› τα
κι ας βρίσκονται».
Πώς θα μπορούσε να ζήσει η γιαγιά
κλεισμένη σ› ένα σπίτι; Είδε κι απόειδε ο
γιος της ο Κώστας Χολέβας και για χάρη της
«μετακόμισε» το χωριό στη Βόρεια Καρολίνα.
Της έφτιαξε μια στάνη τριάντα στρεμμάτων με
κατσίκες, πρόβατα και κότες και την ονόμασε
«Φάρμα Μουζίλο».
Οπως και στην Ελλάδα, ταΐζει τις κατσίκες τραβώντας
το κλωνάρι από το δέντρο
Η γιαγιά λες και ξαναγεννήθηκε.
«Δεν μπορώ να καθίσω, στεναχωριέμαι».
Καλύτερα στο Καρπενήσι ή στην Αμερική;
«Πού να ‘βρω τέτοιο καλό στην Ελλάδα; Αν το
‘χα αυτό το καλό που ‹χω εδώ, θα γέραγα; Δε
θα γέραγα. Εκατόν πενήντα χρόνια θα πάγαινα
με το νερό και τον αέρα που ‹χει. Εδώ είναι
άλλος τόπος, άλλος κόσμος. Γλώσσα δε ξέρω να
κρίνω. Κουβεντιάζω μόνον με τους Ελληνες και
τα παιδιά μου».
Ολες τις δουλειές με τη μαγκούρα τις κάνει.
Της φωνάζει το παιδί της να ξεκουράζεται, η
νύφη της το ίδιο. Αγύριστο το κεφάλι. «Αμα δε
με πονάγανε τα γόνατα θα ‘φτανα μπροστά
απ’ αυτούς στη δουλειά, αλλά τώρα δε μπορώ,
τώρα με περιποιούνται. Γεννάνε δυο φορές τα
κατσίκια, αλλά δεν το θέλουν το γάλα τούτο,
θέλουν το γάλα που ‘ναι εδώ, της Αμερικής».
Η γιαγιά πίνει ένα κρασάκι κερασμένο από την εγγονή
της
Σταυροκοπιέται, κοιτάζει στον ουρανό και
λέει: «Τις κότες, να ‹χα τις κότες που γεννάνε
εδώ, θε να ‘μουν πλούσια εκεί. Δόξα τω Θεώ και
την Παναγιά, τίποτες άλλο δε θέλω».
Θέλει να επιστρέψει;
«Μου λέει ο γιος μου, να σε πάρω, μάνα, να
πάμε. Οχι, δε θέλω. Ασε με ‹δω που ‘μαι. Τότε
ήμουν νιότερη, πάγενα κι ερχόμουν, αλλά τώρα
έχει ταλαιπωρία, γεράματα. Πέρασαν τα χρόνια,
δε μπορώ. Θα βρω και το νερό, θα βρω και τον
καφέ, θα με νίψουν, θα με πλύνουν, πλυμμένη
είμαι, μ’ έχουν κάθε μέρα, αλλά τα ποδάρια μου
ποιος θα τα φτιάξει στο Καρπενήσι;»
Την παρακολουθώ να τραβάει το κλωνάρι από
ένα δέντρο, να φωνάζει τις κατσίκες να φάνε
και ακούω την Ελλάδα που χάνεται. Οχι μόνον
αυτήν που σκορπά τους νέους για δουλειά,
στο από δω κι από κει του πλανήτη, αλλά τη
χώρα όπου παραβιάστηκε και η πλέον τρυφερή
«συμμαχία» των παλιών με τους νέους. Τη χώρα
όπου πια στα σχολικά βιβλία δεν υπάρχει η
γιαγιά δίπλα στο τζάκι που ‹χει κοντά το εγγόνι
και αφηγείται ιστορίες.
Η γιαγιά πίνει ένα κρασάκι που την τρατάρει
η εγγονή της και η ψυχή της γαληνεύει.
«Μου αρέσει που έχω τη γιαγιά εδώ, την
αγαπώ πολύ, μαθαίνω κι εγώ απ’ τις δουλειές
που κάνει. Παγαίνω πέρα δώθε και μιλάμε όπως
στα χωριά».
Η εγγονή της η Ελένη μιλά ελληνικά με
αμερικανική προφορά, ανεκτίμητα μπερδεμένη
με αυτήν από το χωριό Μουζίλο. Ναι,
ανεκτίμητο.
«Θες βοήθεια γιαγιά; Οϊ δε θέλω. Γιαγιά,
να το κάνουμε μαζί. Οϊ, δεν ξέρεις πώς να το
κάνεις»...
Κάποτε στα χωριά τούτης της χώρας που
μάλλον σε λίγο θα ‘ναι έρημα (πολλά ήδη είναι),
μια ξεχωριστή γνώση γεννήθηκε που δεν τη
βρίσκεις σε κανένα σχολειό: την ξεγέννησε
μαία και την έθρεψαν οι κακουχίες αλλοτινών
χρόνων. Αντεξε και μεταδόθηκε από γιαγιάδες
και παππούδες στα εγγόνια τους.
Κάποτε, στα έρημα χωριά αυτού του τόπου,
παλιές ιστορίες να διηγηθεί κανείς δε θα
υπάρχει. Ούτε και γιαγιάδες να μονολογούν:
«Ντιπ, πάνε όλοι...».
Fellowship:
Recognizing that the Church is a
unified body of Christ, we value
our Community being renewed and
transformed, producing the fruits
of the Holy Spirit: Love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol.
Get up to date
news and
events
at
www. htgo .org
Visit today!
greek school
2013- 2014
win
you
r a l
20
nter
uth
l ly
013
hellenic dance
festival 2014
12 JAN/FEB 2014
The Voice of the Greek Community
GOYA-HOPE/JOY News By John Georgopoulos
Winter Youth Rally 2013
Coming from a first timer’s experience,
Winter Youth Rally 2013 was an
unforgettable experience. The experience
was filled with church services, basketball
games, championships, Bible Bowl
competitions, dances, and memorable
moments. I was one of the few GOYA
members who had never been to Winter
Youth Rally in the past, and I am glad
I made the right decision to come the
year of 2013. Many of my fellow GOYA
members from church have always told
me Winter Youth Rally is a blast, I had
to come, it is memorable, I will meet so
many new people, I will make so many
new friends, and it would be a mistake
not to attend- especially my senior year.
I finally decided to take matters into my
own hands and experience Winter Youth
Rally myself. I had high expectations
due to all of the great things I heard
about Winter Youth Rally, and I must
say, my experience definitely beat those
expectations. I had the most enjoyable,
enriching, and engaging time of my life.
The annual Winter Youth Rally was
held in Atlanta, Georgia, from December
27th to December 29th. The first day we
arrived in Atlanta at our hotel, Charlotte
GOYA members were eager to set foot
off the bus and enter the hotel in order
to greet and mingle with their friends
they have not seen in months or even
years. They met these other Goyans
through previous Winter Youth Rallies,
St. Stephens Camp, Hellenic Dance
Festival, etc. On the other hand, to me,
the lobby was filled with many unfamiliar
faces. At first, I was quite intimated and
nervous because I did not know anybody.
I was a complete stranger. Everyone was
mingling with each other, playing pingpong, playing air hockey, and playing
the Wii. Throughout the day, I was
introduced to so many new people from
different cities. Towards the end of the
night, I was on the opposite end of the
spectrum from where I was hours ago. I
made so many new friends, exchanged
many numbers, and followed many
people on Instagram and Twitter. It was
amazing to break my Charlotte GOYA
border and meet and interact with people
I share the same faith and heritage with.
Not only was meeting other Goyans one
of the highlights of my trip, but watching
the Boys and Girls Basketball play was
entertaining. All of the Charlotte teams
impressed me by playing a great game
with full effort and heart. Charlotte had
five basketball teams playing at Winter
Youth Rally, and two of them made it
to the championship- the Senior Girls
and the Junior Boys Division. Towards
the end of both of those championship
games, I nearly had no voice from the
intensity of the games. I was constantly
jumping up and down and cheering
Charlotte on. Later those nights, Bible
Bowl competitions were held and dances
occurred. On Saturday night, there was
an American dance. On Sunday night,
there was a Greek dance. Both of these
dances were bursting in energy. After the
dances, Charlotte held a massive floor
party. A large amount of people from
other cities visited our floor to dance
with us. It was great to break the tensions
between cities and join together as one,
dance together, and just have fun.
Winter Youth Rally was the grand
way to end 2013 and start 2014. To this
day, I keep in touch with all of the new
friends I made at Winter Youth Rally, and
I am looking forward to the next event
so I can see them again. Not only did I
make new friends, I became closer and
bonded with my current GOYA friends
from Charlotte. Ever since Winter Youth
Rally, my bond, connection, and love
with Charlotte GOYA has grown to be
so much stronger. But most importantly,
my relationship, faith, and love with
God have developed. With every event,
occasion, and experience at Winter Youth
Rally, God was always a part of it. I am
blessed to have had the opportunity to
attend Winter Youth Rally 2013. All of
the friendships, memories, and lessons I
have learned and made will follow me in
my continuing journey of life, and they
will forever mark my heart for many
years to come.
Amelia Pantazis
W
HDF is one of the many events that our
GOYA looks forward to every year and
I can honestly say that this year was one
of the most exciting competitions that
I have ever been to. From the 10-hour
bus drives, to the amazing fun everyone
had at Universal, this trip was a journey
we took together that I am sure we will
always cherish and remember. Through
our experience we were able to sing,
dance, worship together and grow closer
to our Greek heritage and to Christ.
After a week of studying and exams,
we all gathered promptly to leave for a
10-hour drive to Orlando. Most would
dread such an adventure, but it turned out
to be much more fun than we thought.
We watched movies, listened to music,
sang, and when all else failed, slept.
Refreshed, we arrived about midnight
and rushed to practices. Early the next
morning, we began our performances.
In addition to the performances, we
went to the Hard Rock Cafe, attended a
spiritual workshop, explored the hotel,
and attended a Divine Liturgy together.
Personally, I enjoyed watching our Adult
group, Thrylos, perform. Their sets, as
always, were incredible and they truly
deserved the Diamond Award that they
won.
The weekend quickly came to an
end with an award ceremony. During
this ceremony, it was announced that
next year’s HDF competition will be
hosted by our community in Charlotte.
Though I can definitely say that, as hosts,
Orlando did a great job, I am confident
that Charlotte will be phenomenal hosts
and will give our guests an experience
of a lifetime. As we boarded the bus
for our return in the morning, our
adventure was not over. We were going
to Universal Studios. We want to thank
our community for treating us to a day at
Universal Studios for all our hard work.
The weather was perfect and the rides
left us breathless. Harry Potter World
was indescribable. Every little detail
was perfect and the rides were out of
this world. Seuss Landing was just as
amazing and I really enjoyed the trolley
ride that over looked the whole park.
Exhausted, we began our trip back to
our home.
We arrived in Charlotte a little after
one in the morning. Though cold and
tired, we lingered in the parking lot of
the church for our final goodbyes. We
just did not want the weekend to end.
I believe we had such an amazing time
at HDF, not only because it was a break
to relax and have fun, but also because
we were able to spend time together as
a community. I am proud to say that we
represented our community well. We
took an amazing group of Goyans and
chaperones to give HDF a glimpse of
the best Charlotte has to offer and what
to expect next year.
Lea Holevas
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The Voice of the Greek Community
JAN/FEB 2014 13 GOYA-HOPE/JOY News Continued
As you all know, I recently traveled
to Washington, DC for four days with
my school. I must say that it was one
of the best experiences of my life and
something that my classmates and I will
never forget. I saw and learned so much
about our nation and its government!
We were definitely being watched over;
our bus blew a tire on the way back to
Charlotte but our bus driver maintained
total control and kept us safe! I was
also able to participate in the Wreath
Laying Ceremony at Arlington National
Cemetery by being one of four winners
of an essay-writing contest at school. It
was definitely the highlight of my trip;
especially since my Godparents came
to watch.
Eliana Davis
HDF 2014: A Weekend of Fun,
Friends and Paradosi
Charlie Kleto
Each year the Metropolis of Atlanta
holds the Hellenic Dance Festival (HDF)
in a different parish, this year being
Orlando. The weekend started off on
Friday with opening ceremonies and live
music practices. In between practices,
there was plenty of time to catch up with
friends from all over the Metropolis.
The night died down relatively early in
preparation for Saturday’s competition.
Saturday began early in the morning
with the youngest groups in each division
and the day continued with each group
performing twice, except the advanced
senior and adult groups. With teaching
a group in the advanced senior category
and dancing in the adult category, I was
one of the last ones to be done with the
first day of competition. Saturday moved
to the Hard Rock Café, with live music
provided by Dromeno, a band from
Seattle. They played traditional music
from all over Greece, which provided
for a full night of dancing and fun with
friends from all over the country. After
the dance, to end the night, a small group
of people joined together in the lobby
of the hotel to enjoy a post Hard Rock
glendi played by different musicians
that were at HDF. As the night wound
down, it was time to get a couple hours
of sleep to prepare for another busy day
of competition.
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Sunday morning started off with
Divine Liturgy, breakfast, and before we
knew it, it was time for Charlotte’s two
groups in the advanced senior category
to perform. After that category finished,
our adult group was up next in the adult
category. We were one of the last groups
to perform, and that suite was among
the best of the weekend. Sunday night
began with the awards ceremony, and
two out of four of Charlotte’s groups
received recognition. The 11th grade
group, Thorivos, directed by myself and
Renee Fragakis received 4th place in the
advanced senior category, and the adult
group, Thrylos, directed by Sarantos
Kaperonis and Evelyn Karras got the
highest award out of all the groups at
HDF. After the award ceremonies, HDF
ended with a final paradosiako glendi at
the hotel and it went on into the early
morning. The late night glendi is always a
great ending to an even greater weekend.
Overall, I feel that Orlando’s HDF
was a very successful weekend, two of
Charlotte’s groups placed and friendships
were made over a connection to our
Greek heritage and paradosi. I always
look forward to HDF weekend every year
and I am excited to see what next year
will hold in Charlotte.
Kai tou xronou!
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are now on the web
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14 JAN/FEB 2014
The Voice of the Greek Community
Preschool By Preschool Staff
Whooo’s in
the News at
the Preschool?
Happy New Year and many blessings
in 2014! We hope that everyone enjoyed
their Christmas holiday as we celebrated
the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. It was
great to have all of our children back at
the preschool after the holiday break.
January and February have been busy
months at the preschool. We started the
month with our annual “Doughnuts for
Dads” on January 14th and 15th. All of
the Dads and Papous were invited to
come and have doughnuts and coffee
with their children and grandchildren.
In February, we kicked off the month
with the opening of registration for the
2014-2015 school year and our annual
World’s Finest Chocolate Candy Bar
fundraiser. Each of the classes enjoyed
their individual Valentine’s Day parties
that took place on February 12th-14th.
We wrapped up the month with a teacher
workday on the 20th and the beginning
of the Parent/Teacher conferences for our
two-, three- and four-year-old classes.
Our preschoolers are continuing to bring
in their spare change drive for “The Owl
Outreach” which is the preschool’s part of
the KIDS CARE Courtyard Fundraising
effort. This money will be applied to the
handicapped ramp for the office area
and Fr. “C” Hall. What a great way for
the youth of our community to help out
our senior citizens and handicapped
parishioners. We are proud that the
preschool has raised over $140.00 so far.
Thank you for your support and please
continue to send in your spare change.
For those of you who are not familiar
with Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox
Preschool, we are a half-day program
open from 9:15 am to 1:15 pm. We have
classes for children ages 18 months old
to 4/5-year-olds. Since we are a Greek
Orthodox preschool, your child will have
the unique opportunity to be exposed
to the Orthodox faith and the Greek
language. Preschool registration is now
open for the 2014-2015 school year. In
order to guarantee a spot for your child,
you will need to complete and return
the registration forms along with the
non-refundable $100.00 registration fee.
Registration forms are available in the
preschool office or can be downloaded
from the church website. We invite
you to come by and take a tour of our
preschool. To register your child or for
more information, contact the preschool
office at 704-333-4961 or preschool@
htgo.org, or by calling the co-directors
Cindy Balatsias at 704-502-3859 or
Maria Kleto at 704-564-5842.
Please enjoy reading a brief summary
from our teachers to see what has been
happening in each of their classes.
M-F 4’s – The Little Explorers – Mrs.
Angelina Korinis & Mrs. Athina Politis
We hope that 2014 is healthy, fulfilling
and exciting for everybody.
Let us all go back to school January 6th
with a fresh and positive attitude, ready
to work and achieve our goal, which is
nothing else but to prepare your children
for kindergarten as well as possible, in a
safe and loving environment. Learning
can be fun and in our little society, our
classroom, we meet our classmates, we
make new friends, we socialize, we play
and we learn new things every day.
The more often your children are
at school, the smoother their learning
and their transition from Preschool to
Kindergarten. Preschool and any kind
of school can be fun and games, but
ultimately it is a discipline and we must
take it seriously for the children’s benefit.
In our class, we’ll be reading and
listening to several books pertaining to
doctors, the human body, vets, polar
bears, penguins, snowmen and winter
animals. We’ll learn about the hexagon
(εξάγωνο) and we’ll mix black and white
to make grey. Most importantly though,
we’ll be doing a lot of testing on many
things we have covered and are still
trying to master. So, stay healthy and
keep coming!
Although January is one of the “long”
months (31 days), it is going fast as
February is pushing its way in! Since
there is snow in our area, the kids look
forward to having fun. One day, during
circle time, some of them were telling
me they have never seen snow before,
therefore, hooray for the snow and the
new experience!!!!
February is the month when we
learn about groundhogs and, of
course, shadows. We also learn about
the difference between shadow and
reflection. We will be talking a lot about
our five senses (πέντε αισθήσεις) and
we will be checking how many we can
use at the same time, which could be
only one or all five. February is Dental
Health month and, you guessed it; our
little hygienists will be brushing, flossing,
making, fixing or.... ruining teeth at our
Science center! We will talk about food
that is or is not good for our bodies and
teeth, we’ll talk about some good habits
that we must have, such as brushing our
teeth every day, keeping our body clean,
sleeping enough and exercising. Our
Community Center will be transformed
into a Post Office (ταχυδρομείο) as
we learn about sending letters and the
importance of making someone feel
good by receiving a letter or a card. It
may sound somewhat old-fashioned
nowadays with computers and iphones,
but we believe that “old-fashioned” is
still good and still in business! Love and
caring is another subject. Jesus taught us
to love one another and we’ll talk how
much He loved children. We’ll be mixing
red with white and blue to make pink and
purple. Math wise, we’ll be working on
various patterns (μοτίβα), such as AABB
and we’ll do some work on symmetry
(συμμετρία).
In other words, we will be busy, busy,
busy! We are still testing the children
trying to get ready for the parentteacher conferences, but at this point,
we cannot promise we’ll finish on time
due to numerous absences. Please try to
be in class (if not sick), be on time and
discuss any problems or any issues with
the teachers; after all, we are trying hard
to make your children’s transition to
Kindergarten as smooth as possible.
MWF 3’s – The Cuddly Kittens – Mrs.
Athina Politis & Mrs. Anna Koufaliotis
Happy New Year 2014 to All!!!
We hope your holidays were full of
joy, wonder, love and much needed
rest. January is a busy month. Our
themes are winter, cold, snow, winter
animals, penguins, bears, doctors and
vets. Through our winter books and our
hands-on activities, we will try to give
our kids a feeling of what this (brrr!!!)
cold month of January has to offer.
The Parent-Teacher Conferences
will start in February. Evaluation of
our children will take place this month
because it takes some time to complete
this process. Parents, please set aside
some school time at home with your
children. It would be so beneficial to
them and would help us greatly if you
could reinforce at home what we are
teaching the children in class. Please
practice holding scissors & markers
correctly, cutting with scissors and puzzle
assembly (minimum of 8 pieces) with
your children at home. Also review the
colors, shapes in both Greek and English,
rote counting the numbers 1-15 in English
and the numbers 1-10 in Greek. Thank
you in advance. Your cooperation and
understanding is so much appreciated.
The collaboration between us would only
have a positive impact in our children’s
progress, academic development and
social growth. We are already so pleased
with their progress.
Our Bible verse this month is: “God
made us what we are” Ephesians 2:10.
For more details, please refer to our class
calendar.
And now enjoy a small, cold, winter
poem…
I made myself a snowball
Just as perfect as can be.
I thought I’d keep it as a pet
And let it sleep with me.
I gave it some pajamas
And a pillow for its head.
Then last night it ran away.
But first it wet the bed! Gotcha!!
“Love one another” John 4:7. That’s
what Jesus taught us…Love each other,
Love our friends, Love our families.
Throughout the month of February
our main theme will be love, with the
highlight being our Valentine’s Day class
party on February 14th.That day, the
kids need to bring in Valentine’s cards to
exchange with their friends in our class.
Please also include an empty tissue box
so we can put the card (decorate it if you
would like). Also, we will be discussing
dentists, health and nutrition, and what
we need to do to take care of our bodies.
Like brushing our teeth, staying clean,
eating healthy foods, and getting rest
and exercise.
R e m i n d e r … P a r e n t - Te a c h e r
Conferences are this month.
Here are few ways to say I love you: S’
agapo (Greek); Ti amo (Italian); Je t’aime
(French); Teano (Spanish)
TTH 2’s – The Leaping Frogs – Mrs.
Continued on page 15
HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX PRESCHOOL
FALL 2014-2015
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
registration forms and a non-refundable registration fee are due at the time of registration
$100.00 for the first child and $75.00 for each additional child
Preschool Hours: 9:15 am – 1:15 pm
CLASSES
AVAILABLE
Toddlers (18 months)
2 Year Olds
3 Year Olds
4 Year Olds
NUMBER
OF DAYS
2 Days
2 Days
3 Days
5 Days
TUITION
ORTHODOX
$150.00
$150.00
$205.00
$300.00
TUITION
NON-ORTHODOX
$175.00
$175.00
$230.00
$325.00
For more information contact:
Preschool Office: 704-333-4961 or preschool@htgo.org
Cindy Balatsias: 704-502-3859 or Maria Kleto: 704-564-5842
REGISTER YOUR CHILD TODAY!
The Voice of the Greek Community
Continued from page 14
Vicki Exarhos & Mrs. Vickie Koskinas
Happy New Year 2014 to all! We
are back in full swing after a restful
Christmas break. January is a busy month
for the “leaping frogs”. Our themes
include everything having to do with
winter, cold weather and snow. We will
discuss the climate, arctic animals, such
as penguins and polar bears and how to
dress for the changing seasons. We will
also focus on our bodies and how God
made us special. We will learn about the
five senses and how very important they
all are. Our colors for this month are
white and black and our shapes are the
star and snowflake. We look forward to
seeing those of you who can make it on
January 14th for “Donuts with Dad”. The
children really enjoy this special time!
Also, as a little reminder, please continue
to check your child’s folder for any news,
events or progress reports.
February is an exciting an eventful
month for the two-year-olds. Our themes
include Valentine’s Day, dental health,
visiting the doctor, and everything
Circus! We will focus on the color pink,
and our shape, the heart. We will discuss
friendships and being kind to one another,
and celebrate Valentine’s Day with a class
party. We will continue our lesson with
the importance of good dental hygiene,
and the proper way to brush our teeth. We
will discuss visiting the doctor’s office
for our check-ups and how important it
is to stay healthy. Lastly, we will explore
different aspects of the circus through
our crafts and activities.... We have a
fun-filled and busy month ahead!
MW – The Toddling Turtles – Mrs.
Maria Beall & Mrs. Mahe Politis
Happy New Year! Welcome back. We
are so excited to see all of your smiling
faces! In January, we settle back into our
routine and discuss the winter season, our
body parts and our five senses. Some fun
activities regarding winter are painting
with ice and painting snowflakes. We
will have fun using our five senses to
experiment with cookies and cool whip.
Maybe we’ll even get a snow day this
month!
Brrrr! Winter is here but in February,
we will warm loved ones’ hearts with
Valentines! A few things we will learn
about are heart shapes and the colors
pink, white and red. We will discuss
friendships, things we love, sharing and
caring. Our Valentine’s party will be
filled with laughter, love and, of course,
sweets!
Get up
to date
news and events at:
www.htgo.org
JAN/FEB 2014 15 Philoptochos By Viola Weber
Happy New Year. We would like to
remind everyone that the Philoptochos
means “Friend of the Poor”, aiding
the ones in need, caring for the sick,
and helping the hurting. We want to
extend our deepest gratitude to our
parishioners and friends who participated
in and supported our various fundraising
efforts last year. Your stewardship to
Philoptochos is gratefully appreciated
and allows us to help many charitable
of the various organizations who were
to receive a piece of the Vasilopita were
cause. On February 23rd, the Clergy
Education Fund Tray was passed.
On March 8, a Philoptochos Area
Meeting will be held at Holy Trinity in
Raleigh. The Metropolis Philoptochos
President, Dee Nicolaou, will preside
announced. Thank you to the ladies for
baking the Vasilopita.
The Philoptochos Membership Tea
and meeting was held on Sunday,
over the meeting. Our next local meeting
will be held at noon on March 18th
and will include a Lenten cover-dish
luncheon. The Philoptochos Retreat will
be at the Diakonia Center on March 21st-
February 2nd. This was a time to recruit
new members and explain the role that
Philoptochos plays in the community and
the Church. Thank you to Mr. Katsoudas
organizations as well as those in need in
our church community.
The Vasilopita cutting was on Sunday,
January 12th. The photos in this article are
from this event. A tray was passed during
and Mr. Kalevas for preparing the meal
and to our committee chairs of that event:
Diane Ramsey, Lucy Pappadakes, Maria
Nickolopoulos, and Mena Nixon.
both Divine Liturgies and all money
collected went to Saint Basil’s Academy.
Refreshments were served by our Board
afterward. The presidents/representatives
On Saturday, February 15th, the
Daughters of Penelope sponsored their
Queen of Hearts Tea at the Carmel
Country Club to raise money for
the Levine Cancer Center. Our local
Philoptochos donated $500 to this worthy
23rd. The Attic Sale will be on March
29th. The proceeds from this event will
go to fund our charities. Finally, over
the next several months, we will be
working on making more blankets for
the Philoptochos challenge.
Please consider joining and offering
your Stewardship today. The Metropolis
deadline for Stewardships to be counted
for the membership award given at the
2014 National Clergy-Laity Congress
is April 30.
All the latest news and photos are now on the web
www.htgo.org Visit today!
16 JAN/FEB 2014
The Voice of the Greek Community
Order of AHEPA Marathon Chapter No. 2
Choir News By Olga Yamalis
Happy New Year! The HTC Choirs are
enjoying their slowdown time following
the busy Christmas season and are getting
ready to kick it into high gear for the
Lenten season. With Pascha being earlier
this year, that time will start before we
know it!
On January 19 and February 23, our
Romanos Baritone Choir and St. John
Koukouzelis Youth Choir were both
featured as they sang during 1st and 2nd
Divine Liturgies, respectively. Hopefully,
the congregations are enjoying the
unique sound provided by each of these
specialized choirs. The Youth Choir will
only be singing one more time this year
and that’s at the Divine Liturgy on the
Saturday of Lazarus, however, alumni of
the Youth Choir are ALWAYS welcomed
to participate in any of the adult choirs
whenever they are in the Cathedral.
Now it’s time for the Byzantine
Choir to prepare another set of hymns
to chant after Liturgy, as they did before
Christmas!
With all these choirs, surely there is
something for everyone! If you can carry
a tune and have a love of singing praises
to God, please consider joining one (or
more) of our HTC Choirs. You may get
contact information for the appropriate
choir director by calling the church
office.
The Marathon Chapter No.2 of
Charlotte is off to a great start for the
2014 calendar year. The chapter has been
responsible for funding needs at both the
local and national level for several years.
Most recently was recognized by the
Boy Scouts of Mecklenburg County as
a sponsor of their programs. The chapter
welcomed Supreme Vice President Philip
Frangos in February, as he visited with
members of the Charlotte chapter. In
March, an initiation of new members
All the latest news and photos are now on the web.
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was held with AHEPA District No. 3 Lt.
Governor – Jim Stasios in attendance.
Applications for scholarships are now
available to the children of chapter
members. Scholarships will be awarded
in mid-May and the application deadline
is April 15th . Additionally, there are
also scholarships available at both the
district and national level. Information
is available on the AHEPA website at
ahepa.org. AHEPA day will be held on
May 18th with a luncheon to celebrate the
day and recognize students who receive
the scholarships. The chapter meets on a
monthly basis and continues to promote
Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy,
Civic Responsibility, and Family and
Individual Excellence. If you have an
interest in joining the Charlotte chapter
of AHEPA, please contact the chapter
president, George Kokalis or any of the
chapter officers; Khalil Kardous, Tom
Cavalaris and Mark Kontos.
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The Voice of the Greek Community
JAN/FEB 2014 17 All the latest news and photos are now on the web www.htgo.org
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remarkable care. Our board-certified physicians can care
for every member of your family – from newborns to seniors.
Your entire family can count on us for:
Newborn, infant and pediatric care
Adolescent, adult and geriatric care
Routine gynecological care and post-menopausal care
Same-day sick appointments • Treatment of minor injuries
School, sports and employment physicals
On-site laboratory, X-ray, ultrasound and bone density testing
Cardiovascular testing – echo and stress testing
Make an appointment today
by calling 704-384-1260.
“ΑΝΟΙΞΗ” 5η ΕΤΗΣΙΑ
ΧΟΡΟΕΣΠΕΡΙΔΑ
Το Σάββατο στις 10 Μαΐου
2014 στην Κοινοτική αίθουσα
“Fr C Hall” της Αγίας Τριάδας, η
“ΑΝΟΙΞΗ” θα παρουσιάσει και
πάλι μία αξέχαστη Δημοτική
Βραδιά. Ολοι είναι ευπρόσδεκτοι
να έλθουν και να διασκεδάσουν
μαζί μας με ζωντανή μουσική,
χορό, μεζεδάκια, αναψυκτικά και
ποτά. Οπως και στα προηγούμενα
χρόνια, έτσι και εφέτος θα έχουμε
την ευκαρία να διασκεδάσουμε
με το συγκρότημα “ΕΝΤΑΣΗ” που
αποτελείται από τους εξαιρετικούς
μουσικούς Γιάννη Θεμελή, Νίκο
Σοφό, Δημήτρη Παπαδημητρίου,
και στο κλαρίνο ο Δημήτριος
Δάλλας. Θα απολαύσουμε
παραδοσιακή μουσική από την
Στερεά Ελλάδα, Πελοπόννησο,
Νησιά, Κρήτη, Ήπειρο, Μακεδονία,
και Θράκη.
Είσοδος $15 το άτομο και παιδιά
κάτω των 12 ετών $5
Αναψυκτικά και ποτά Cash Bar
Σας περιμένουμε όλους για ένα
όμοφρο γλέντι.
On Saturday, May 10th, the 5th
Annual ANOIXI Demotiki Vradia Dance
will be held in the Fr. C Hall here
at Holy Trinity Cathedral. For those
that have not attended the ANOIXI
Dance in the past, this year is a great
opportunity to come out and enjoy a
night full of dancing, food, parea, and
LIVE MUSIC! We will enjoy music
by ENDASI who consists of: Dimitrios
Dallas, Yianni Themelis, Nikos Sofos,
and Dimitri Papadimitriou. They will be
playing music from throughout Greece
including Sterea Ellada, Peloponnesos,
the islands, Epirus, Kriti, Makedonia,
and Thraki, using none other than LIVE
KLARINO! In addition to lots of dancing
and great music, hors d’ oeuvres will be
provided alongside a cash bar. This dance
is open to everyone in the Holy Trinity
community and we encourage ALL
AGES to attend. Tickets are only $15 and
kids 12 and under are $5. We hope to see
everyone on the night of May 10th as it
will be a night to remember!
www.htgo.org
Service:
As believers we like to
fulfill our commitment to
serve others within and
outside our Community.
We do this by sharing our
time, talent and treasures
for the ministry and the
glory of the Lord.
9101 Monroe Road, Suite 155 • Charlotte, NC 28270
www.CrownPointFamilyPhysicians.com
Jeffrey
Hutchings,
MD
Jaime
Wise, MD
Dimitrios
Hondros,
MD
M. Mark
Hester, MD
Marshall
McMillan, MD
John
Crawford, MD
Kate
Lowe,
MSN, RN,
FNP
Authentic Greek Restaurant
Located in Southend
200 East Bland St.
Charlotte, NC 28203
Lunch: Sun - Fri 11:00am - 2:30pm
Dinner: Mon - Thur 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Dinner: Fri & Sat 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Available for Private Parties
on Sundays
Call for Reservations
704-444-9000
www.greekislesrestaurant.com
18 JAN/FEB 2014
The Voice of the Greek Community
ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑ ΤΩΝ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΠΛΗΘΟΥΣ ΚΟΣΜΟΥ ΕΓΙΝΑΝ ΤΑ ΕΓΚΑΙΝΙΑ ΤΟΥ
ΥΠΕΡΣΥΓΧΡΟΝΟΥ ΚΤΙΡΙΟΥ ΔΕΥΤΕΡΟΒΑΘΜΙΑΣ ΕΚΠΑΙΔΕΥΣΗΣ ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΟΑΜΕΡΙΚΑΝΙΚΟΥ
ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟΥ «ΑΚΑΔΗΜΙΑ ΣΩΚΡΑΤΟΥΣ»
==Συνέχεια από το προηγούμενο τεύχος==
Ξεχωριστή τιμή στην εκδήλωση αποτέλεσε η
παρουσία ευεργετών και πολλών υποστηρικτών
της Ακαδημίας, όπως του ζεύγους Θεοδώρου
και Ερρικας Σπυροπούλου από το Σικάγο,
των αδελφών Γεωργίου και Παναγιώτη
Κουτσόγεωργα, του προέδρου του τοπικού
Τμήματος της AHEPA Marathon Chapter 2,
κ Γεωργίου Κόκαλη και του προέδρου του
Ιδρύματός του, κ. Δημητρίου Καβαλάρη, της
πρυτάνεως του Κολεγίου Εκπαίδευσης του
Πανεπιστημίου της Β. Καρολίνας, κ. Μαίρης Λυν
Καλχούν, του προϊσταμένου του Καθεδρικού
Ναού Αγίας Τριάδος, π. Μιχαήλ Βαρβαρέλη,
και πολλών άλλων αντιπροσώπων τοπικών
οργανισμών και συλλόγων όπως της Ένωσης
Ευρυτάνων Αμερικής «Το Βελούχι» και του
Πανγκριγκόριαν.
Ο Ιωάννης
Κουτσόγεωργας
(συνιδρυτής της
Ακαδημίας) και
ο Πρόεδρος του
Ιδρύματος του
Τμήματος της
ΑΗΕΠΑ στο Σάρλοτ με τις θυγατέρες τους.
Με ιδιαίτερη χαρά έγινε αποδεκτό το ζεύγος
Σπυροπούλου τόσο κατά την επίσκεψή του στην
Ακαδημία όσο και στην ελληνική κοινότητα
του Καθεδρικού Ναού Αγίας Τριάδος. Στον
Καθεδρικό Ναό, την Κυριακή το πρωί της
24ης Νοεμβρίου, το ζεύγος Σπυροπούλου
αναγνωρίσθηκε από τον π. Μιχαήλ και δόθηκε
η ευκαιρία στον κ. Σπυρόπουλο ν’ απευθύνει
χαιρετισμό στο πολυπληθές εκκλησίασμα. Στη
συνέχεια, το ζεύγος, προσκλήθηκε στο γεύμα
στη μεγάλη αίθουσα της κοινότητας, όπου
με εγκαρδιότητα έγινε δεκτό από πολλούς
ομογενείς της Σάρλοτ και είχαν την ευκαιρία
να συναντηθούν με γνωστούς, να συνάψουν
νέες φιλίες με ανθρώπους που αγαπούν και
προάγουν ελληνόγλωσση παιδεία και ελληνικό
πολιτισμό.
Οι κ.κ. Δημ. Τάσιος,
Αθαν. Νικόπουλος,
Θεόδ. Σπυρόπουλος
και Νίκος
Αποστολόπουλος
Ο εκ των ιδρυτών και πρόεδρος του Δ.Σ. της
Ακαδημίας Ελευθέριος Περούλας διατηρεί
εξαιρετική συνεργασία, επί μακρά σειρά ετών,
με τον κ. Θεόδωρο Σπυρόπουλο. Η Ακαδημία
και οι μαθητές της είναι ευγνώμονες στον κ.
Σπυρόπουλο διότι από την πρώτη μέρα της
ίδρυσης του σχολείου βρίσκεται στο πλευρό
τους, παρέχοντας ενθάρρυνση και οικονομική
βοήθεια. Το περασμένο καλοκαίρι, 20 μαθητές,
εκπαιδευτικοί και γονείς επισκέφθηκαν την
Ελλάδα για τρεις εβδομάδες και όλα τα έξοδά
τους καλύφθηκαν από τον κ. Σπυρόπουλο. Οι
μαθητές επισκέφθηκαν πρώτα την Ακρόπολη
και στη συνέχεια πήγαν στην Πελοπόννησο απ’
όπου, με άλλα παιδιά από τη Γαλλία και άλλες
χώρες, είχαν την ευκαιρία να επισκεφθούν
αρχαίους τόπους και μνημεία, να κάνουν
μπάνια, να διασκεδάσουν μαζί, να βελτιώσουν
τα Ελληνικά τους, να μάθουν ελληνικούς χορούς
και να επιστρέψουν γεμάτα από αγάπη για την
Ελλάδα. Η υποδοχή και φιλοξενία των μαθητών
εκ μέρους της πολυβραβευμένης για το
φιλανθρωπικό της έργο στην ευρύτερη περιοχή
της Πελοποννήσου κ. Μαρίας Μασσαρά και του
άοκνου συνεργάτη της με μεγάλη προσφορά
στον Ελληνικό Προσκοπισμό, χημικού
μηχανικού, καθηγητή του Πανεπιστημίου
Πατρών Βίκτωρος Στιβανάκη ξεπέρασε κάθε
προσδοκία της Ακαδημίας. Επίσης, στην
επιτυχία αυτή τεράστια ήταν και η συμβολή
του Παγκαλαβρυτινού Πολιτιστικού Συλλόγου
με τα εξαιρετικά χορευτικά του. Θερμότατα
συγχαρητήρια για την άψογη οργάνωση και τον
συντονισμό του ταξιδιού αυτού εκφράζονται
στην γονέα του σχολείου κ. Αφροδίτη Ντέιβις.
Οι εντυπώσεις, η αγάπη και οι αναμνήσεις των
μαθητών από την επίσκεψή τους στην Ελλάδα
θα είναι για πάντα στην καρδιά τους. Του
χρόνου προγραμματίζονται νέες επισκέψεις.»
Η ευρύτερη ελληνοαμερικανική κοινότητα
του Σάρλοτ έχει αγκαλιάσει από την ίδρυσή
της την Ακαδημία και είναι πολύ υπερήφανη
για την εξαιρετική επιτυχία που σημειώνει
αλλά και το αξιέπαινο έργο που επιτελεί
στη διδασκαλία της ελληνικής γλώσσας και
την προαγωγή του ελληνικού πολιτισμού σε
παιδιά όλου του κόσμου. Γι’ αυτό, κατά τη
διάρκεια του επίσημου δείπνου τιμήθηκαν
εκ μέρους της Ακαδημίας οι ευεργέτες της, οι
οποίοι συνέβαλαν στην επιτυχία της, τόσο από
οικονομικής πλευράς, όσο και ακαδημαϊκά
στη δημιουργία ποιοτικών εκπαιδευτικών
προγραμμάτων και στην εν γένει επέκτασή της,
προσφέροντας άλλοι πάνω από 100.000, άλλοι
από 50.000 και άλλοι πάνω από 10.000. Ομάδες
μαθητών κάλεσαν τους τιμώμενους στη σκηνή
και αναφέρθηκαν στο έργο και τη συμβολή τους
στην επιτυχία της Ακαδημίας.
Ο πρόεδρος της Ακαδημίας Ελευθ. Περούλας
λίγο πριν την επιβράβευση των τιμηθέντων και
απευθυνόμενος στους προσκεκλημένους είπε
τα εξής:
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Socrates
Academy and thank you for honoring with your presence
our Ribbon Cutting ceremony of our new building.
A lot of things have to go right for a school to be
as successful as Socrates Academy has been so far;
- students, who love to come to school, ready and
eager to learn; dynamic Leadership Team that inspires
excellence to all; outstanding teachers who teach an
exciting and unique Greek-American curriculum, as
well as dedicated and hard working volunteer Board
of Directors and Foundation Board of Trustees who
provide effective management and fiscal stewardship.
However, strong parental involvement, academic
national and international partnerships and financial
support are also very valuable components of our
students’ academic excellence.
The individuals we are honoring tonight are a beacon
of partnership, collaboration, and achievement of
common goals. They have given from their heart and
we continue to work to make them feel proud of the
work that we do, the students that we serve, and the
community that we are building.
We believe that your investment in our scholars’
quality education is the most productive investment
ever. Hope you will never be disappointed you did and
you will continue to do so.
George & Pete
Couchell: Recognized in appreciation of their
significant financial
contributions, strong
commitment and great interest in Socrates scholars’
continued academic excellence and the fulfillment of the
school’s mission.
AHEPA Marathon
Chapter #2 Foundation: Recognized in
appreciation of their
outstanding donation to fully equip
the state-of-the-art
Greek Language Lab and for the support of the scholars’ Hellenic-American academic excellence and the
fulfillment of Socrates Academy’s mission.
Mr. Theodore &
Mrs. Erika Spyropoulos: Recognized
in appreciation of
your outstanding
financial support,
and the incredible
trip of our scholars
to Greece, an amazing experience of a lifetime with lasting memories and lifelong friendships.
Dr. Mary Lynne Calhoun: Recognized
in appreciation
of her exemplary
academic leadership, her dedicated
service to Socrates
scholars, staff and
the Board as Founding Board Member and Advisory
Board Chair.
Continued on page 19
The Voice of the Greek Community
Continued from page 18
(From left): Dr. Paul
& Mrs. Lea Tsahakis: Recognized in
appreciation of their
generous financial
contribution and
continued interest
towards the fulfillment of Socrates
Academy’s mission.
Mr. John & Mrs. Tina Peroulas (receiving the plaque
on behalf of their son and daughter Dean and Stacy):
Recognized in appreciation of their generous financial
contribution that made a dream playground a reality
much to Socrates scholars’ daily delight and enjoyment.
Mr. Tom & and Mrs. Laura Nixon: in appreciation of
their generous financial gifts and continued sponsorship
of Socrates Multilingual Choir.
ΣΥΓΧΑΡΗΤΗΡΙΑ ΣΤΟΥΣ
ΕΠΙΤΥΧΟΝΤΕΣ ΣΤΙΣ ΕΞΕΤΑΣΕΙΣ
ΕΛΛΗΝΟΜΑΘΕΙΑΣ 2013
Η ΕΠΙΤΥΧΙΑ ΤΟΥΣ ΞΕΠΕΡΑΣΕ ΚΑΘΕ
ΠΡΟΣΔΟΚΙΑ ΜΑΣ
ΑΠΟ ΤΟΥΣ 35 ΣΥΜΜΕΤΕΧΟΝΤΕΣ
ΠΕΤΥΧΑΝ ΟΙ 30
ΤΟΥΣ ΕΥΧΟΜΑΣΤΕ. ΚΑΙ ΣΕ ΑΝΩΤΕΡΑ!
AGARWAL RISHAB * APOSTOLOU NIKINICOLE * ATHENS CHRISTINA * ATHENS
GEORGIA * AVRAM BIANCA * CHOATE
ALYSSA ELAINE * CHRISTENBURY MARIA
* CHRISTODOULIAS ANGELINA * COLLINS
LUCAS * DAVIS ELIANA MARIA * DEAN
ISABELLE * DIAMANTIS JONATHAN *
EVANS REYNA * GEORGOULIAS DESPINA *
HUNT DIMITRIOS * INGRAM MARY-OLIVIA
* ISLAM LEVI JAMES * IVANOV SARGIS
MAIS * KAKAVITSAS ELENA * KANELOS
MELINA ANNA * KENDRICK LIANA * LEICHT
EKATERINA * LIMBERAKIS AMELIA * MABON
JACKSON * NIXON MARIANNA * PALAMARIS
OLYMBIA * PATTON MYLON * SKENTERIS
MERSINI SIDNEY * VICKERS KAITLYN *
WEBER KATHRYN MARIE
Στιγμιότυπο από την απονομή των
Πιστοποιητικών Ελληνομάθειας στους
επιτυχόντες μαθητές της Ακαδημίας Σωκράτη, η
οποία έλαβε χώρα κατά τη διάρκεια της γιορτής
των Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων στις 30 Ιανουαρίου
2014.
ΑΙΕΝ ΑΡΙΣΤΕΥΕΙN
JAN/FEB 2014 19 Κοσμοσυρροή στη Μαθητική
Γιορτή των Τριών Ιεραρχών και των
Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων
Την Κυριακή 26 Ιανουαρίου, μαθητές,
γονείς, φίλοι και επίσημοι προσκεκλημένοι του
Ελληνικού Απογευματινού Σχολείου και του
Κατηχητικού Σχολείου του Καθεδρικού Ναού
Αγίας Τριάδος πλημμύρισαν με την παρουσία
τους το κοινοτικό μας κέντρο για να τιμήσουν,
όπως κάνουν κάθε χρόνο, την μνήμη των
Τριών Ιεραρχών, να γιορτάσουν τα Ελληνικά
Γράμματα, να συγχαρούν τους επιτυχόντες
στις Εξετάσεις Ελληνομάθειας 2013 και να
επιδώσουν τα ελληνοαγγλικά λεξικά στους
μαθητές της Δευτέρας τάξης του Ελληνικού
Σχολείου.
Αμέσως μετά το θαυμάσιο γεύμα, έγινε η
έναρξη των εκδηλώσεων με προσευχή, και
στη συνέχεια όλοι μαζί ψάλαμε το απολυτίκιο
των Τριών Ιεραρχών. Ακολούθησε ενός λεπτού
σιγής στη μνήμη του αείμνηστου και μεγάλου
ευεργέτη του Ελληνικού μας Σχολείου Νικολάου
Γουδέ.
Διπλή ήταν η λύπη του προϊσταμένου μας
π. Μιχαήλ που δεν μπόρεσε να παραβρεθεί
στη γιορτή γιατί έπρεπε να φύγει εκτάκτως για
την Πανσιλβάνια, όπου όλη η οικογένειά του
θρηνούσε τον πρόορο χαμό του αγαπημένου
τους γαμβρού. Όμως, έδωσε εντολή να τον
εκπροσωπήσει ο π. Γρηγόριος.
Τη διπλή αυτή τρανή γιορτή τίμησαν
επίσης με την παρουσία τους και απηύθηναν
χαιρετισμούς ο νέος πρόεδρος του Κοινοτικού
Συμβουλίου του Καθεδρικού μας Ναού
κ. Ιωάννης Τσούμας, η διευθύντρια και
υποδιευθύντρια του σχολείου τσάρτερ
«Ακαδημίας Σωκράτη» κυρίες Κρίστεν Πριγκάνς
και Αθανασία Σμιθ.
Σύντομους χαιρετισμούς απηύθυναν και
η εκπρόσωπος του Συλλόγου Γονέων και
Διδασκάλων του σχολείου κυρία Κάθι Πίττμαν
και ο διευθυντής του Ελληνικού Σχολείου
και του Εξεταστικού Κέντρου Ελληνομάθειας
Ελευθ. Περούλας, ο οποίος έκανε και την όλη
παρουσίαση του προγράμματος, ευχόμενος
στους μαθητές η ακτινοβολία των λόγων και
των αρετών των Τριών Ιεραρχών να φωτίζουν
την ψυχή τους και να καθοδηγούν τις σκέψεις
και τις πράξεις τους.
Στη συνέχεια, οι μαθητές της 5ης και 6ης
τάξης χόρεψαν θαυμάσιους παραδοσιακούς
χορούς, μαθητές του Κατηχητικού Σχολείου
διάβασαν αποσπάσματα από τα αξεπέραστα
συγγράμματα των Τριών Μεγάλων Πατέρων
και Οικουμενικών Διδασκάλων, επιτυχόντες
μαθητές στις εξετάσεις ελληνομάθειας
απάγγειλαν στροφές από το αθάνατο ποίημα
του εθνικού μας ποιητή Διονυσίου Σολωμού
«Ύμνος εις την Ελευθερίαν» και οι μαθητές της
2ας τάξης παρέλαβαν τα ελληνοαμερικανικά
λεξικά που η κοινότητα τους δωρίζει κάθε
χρόνο.
Κάτω από τα παρατεταμένα χειροκροτήματα
όλων, ακολούθησε η απονομή των
Πιστοποιητικών Ελληνομάθειας στους
30 επιτυχόντες μαθητές στις περσινές
εξετάσεις πιστοποίησης ελληνομάθειας του
Κέντρου Ελληνικής Γλώσσας του Ελληνικού
Υπουργείου Παιδείας, Δια Βίου Μάθησης και
Θρησκευμάτων.
Ο κ. Περούλας δεν παρέλειψε να
ευχαριστήσει θερμά, ως ελάχιστο δείγμα
αναγνώρισης, το γιό του Κώστα που έκανε
προσφορά το γεύμα και τους πάντα πρόθυμους
μαγείρους με επικεφαλής το κ. Σπύρο Καλύβα,
οι οποίοι διέθεσαν τον πολύτιμο χρόνο και
το ταλέντο τους για να μαγειρέψουν τα
νοστιμότατα φαγητά.
Επίσης τον διευθυντή Νεολαίας κ. Ιωάννη
Γεωργόπουλο, τον κ. Ευάγγελο Τάτση, τις
άοκνες κυρίες του Συλλόγου Γονέων και
Διδασκάλων και τις δασκάλες του σχολείου για
τις απαραίτητες προετοιμασίες στην αίθουσα
των εκδηλώσεων καθώς και για την αγάπη τους
και ενθάρρυνση των μαθητών μας.
Perpetuation of our Hellenic Heritage and Culture. In
appreciation of the language in which all the books of the
New Testament have been written, the language in which
the Theology, Dogmas, and Canons of our Christian Church
have been expressed, the language of our immigrant
parents and grandparents we proudly are committed to
perpetuate and promote through the Greek School, lectures,
celebrations, and other appropriate ways.
•Compassionateheartsprovidingqualityserviceata
sensibleprice
•Specialistsinshippingandreceivinglovedones
•Traditionalfuneralarrangementsmadewiththecareand
certaintythattheserviceselectedproperlymemorializes
yourlovedone
•Pre-arrangementplanningand
transferofexistingpre-arrangements
Make the HeritageChoice
Charlotte/Ballantyne
16151 Lancaster Hwy.
Charlotte, NC 28277
704-714-1540
Indian Trail
www.htgo.org
4431 Old Monroe Road
Indian Trail, NC 28079
704-821-2960
Weddington/Matthews
3700 Forest Lawn Dr.
Matthews, NC 28104
704-846-3771
if you are considering
a move or wouLd Like
to keep up with the
reaL estate activity in
your neighborhood with
automatic emaiL updates,
pLease Let me know!
Jerry O’Keefe
704-502-4259
jerry@hmproperties.com
Licensed in nc & sc
www.jerryokeefe.com
All the latest news and photos
are now on the web
www.htgo.org

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