Bi-monthly newsletter of Hellenic Orthodox Church Holy Trinity 62 Lewis Street – Lowell, MA 01854 Church Office: 978-458-8092 Fax: 978-970-0935 HAA School: 978-453-5422 Emergency phone: 781-632-3844 website: www.holytrinitylowellhoc.org email: holytrinity.lowell@gmail.com Rev. Father Nikolaos D. Pelekoudas Presbyter CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00-1:00 Secretary: Geraldine Themelis SERVICES –SUMMER HOURS Orthros 8:00 am Divine Liturgy 9:00 am PARISH COUNCIL OFFICERS President George Christopulos Vice President Joan Metropolis Secretary Nicholas Theokas Acting Treasurer George Pergakis SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR Joan Metropolis PRESIDENT OF THE PHILOPTOCHOS Florence (Dolly) Michaelides CHOIR DIRECTOR Eileen Crowell CHANTER George Fotopoulos THE COMMUNICATOR JUNE—JULY 2013 Volume 16 Co-editors: George and Susan Pergakis A message from Rev. Father Nikolaos… On the Holy Spirit strength; it means also “Him, who brings joy”. And these three meanings are important but He can be to us the Comforter in these various ways only if we are in need of His comfort. The Church of God is not an insti- What kind of consolation do we need? Most of us feel per- tution, it is a miracle and it is a fectly comfortable in our lives and indeed in our worship mystery. It is a miracle because and our spiritual life, and who of us is in a position to say how could we expect that close- with all the intensity and depth with which St. Paul spoke ness of God which is revealed to these words, “For me life is Christ, death would be a gain us in the Church. And it is also a mystery in the original because as long as I live in the body, I am separated from sense of the world, something which cannot be either ex- Christ”? Can we honestly say that for us life is Christ, that plained or conveyed in words; something that can be all that He stands for is life-giving, all that is contrary to known only through a spellbound communion with God. Him, to us is death? Can we say that we have died with The English word “God” comes from a Germanic root that Christ to everything which is alien to God? Can we say that means “him, before whom one prostrates in adoration”. we are alive only when the things of God come our way This is where our knowledge of God begins – the sense of prayer, deep meditation, the kind of understanding which the divine presence that forces us down to our knees, spell- the Spirit of God reveals to us? And so we must ask ourbound, silent, not with an empty silence that is ours at selves very sternly a first question: is Christ my life or not? times but with a silence which is nothing but intent worship- Would it be enough for me to feel that life is fulfilled, comful listening, listening to the presence, listening to that pres- plete to be at one with Christ in all things or do I feel that ence which is at the core of the silence. And he who there are so many things which I love and which I am not speaks to us within this silence is the Holy Spirit, who un- prepared to let go off even to be with Christ? veils before our minds and hearts what the words spoken And again, Christ is in the midst of us invisibly, mysteriousby God, revealed to us in the Gospel truly convey. It is only ly. Yes, but He is not with us in the way in which He was under the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we can both bewith the Apostles. We cannot say with St. John that we lieve and understand what Christ spoke because words in speak of what we have seen, what we have heard, what themselves are always equivocal, they may be clear or obour hands have touched. We know Christ in the spirit, no scure; they may be made to mean what they never meant. longer in the flesh, and yet Christ rose in the flesh, Christ And this is the role of the Holy Spirit - to make us underascended and is seated at the right hand of the Father in stand God’s word as it was born in the divine silence and His body glorified. Paul longed to be with Him in this comunfolded before us in words which we could understand. panionship full of veneration, of reverence, of love. He But these words are not a prison, they are an open door as wanted to be at one with Him without anything separating Christ is the door leading to the Father and leading to eterfrom Him. “Who shall make me free of this body of corrupnal life. It is the Holy Spirit who according to the promise of tion?” - of this body against which my thoughts and my our Lord unveils for us the meaning of the Scriptures, it is prayers and my best inclinations, and my most passionate not scholarship; it is worship and a worship that allows us impulses for good break down? Can we say that? Is death to commune with the mind of God and the heart of God. It what we expect longingly because it will unite us to Christ? is the Spirit of truth, Him whom the Scripture calls the ParaOr are we still pagan at heart and do we wish to flee from clete, a complex word as so many of the words of ancient death? And instead of saying, “Lord, Jesus, come and languages. It means “the Comforter”, Him who gives concome soon!” aren’t we prepared to say, “Tarry, o Lord, tarsolation. It means ‘Comforter’ in the sense that He gives us ry, give me time,” in the way in which Augustine prayed to And all our functions depend only on the Holy Spirit. the Lord after his conversion, me time,” in the way in Strength: St. Paul hoped for strength, he prayed for it and which Augustine prayed to the Lord after his conversion, the Lord answered him, “My grace suffices unto thee, my “Lord, give me chastity but not just now.” Isn’t it that our strength is made manifest in weakness.” And Paul rejoices condition - not concerning chastity alone but everything in in his weakness, so, he says, that all should be the power life: not just now, o Lord, the time will come when all my of God. Not the weakness of our slackness, of our lazienergies will be spent, when age will have come and made ness, of our timidity, of our cowardice, of our forgetfulness, life much less attractive or unpalatable - then take me. No, no, not that weakness but the frailty recognized, which is this is not it. And so when we think of the Holy Spirit as our given to God, the surrender of ourselves. Comforter, as one who consoles us from the absence of Christ by making us to commune with the essence of If I may use an image, it is that of the sail of a sailing ship. things, where do we stand? Is He our Comforter while we Of all the parts of the ship the sail is the frailest, the weakneed no comfort? est and yet filled with the wind, and the word “wind” in ancient languages is the same as “spirit” “ruah”, “pnevma” it And again, in our ministry how often do we feel that we are totally, ultimately helpless, that what we are called to do is simply beyond human possibilities? In the beginning of the Eucharistic celebration in the Orthodox Church, when the priest is vested, when he has prepared the Holy Gifts, when he is about to give the first liturgical exclamation, when in his naivety he may think, “Now I will perform miracles on earth,” the deacon turns to him and says, “And can carry the heavy structure of the ship to its haven. This is the kind of weakness, of frailty which we have got to offer to God, such frailty that He can use it freely, without resistance, and then our strength will be stronger than anything which the created world can possess. The martyrs were frail, as frail as we were, but they abandoned themselves to God and they lived and died in the power of the Spirit. We need that strength. now, father, it is for God to act.” All you could do, you have done, you have prayed and prepared yourself, made yourself open to God, you have vested yourself and become an image – but only an image, not the thing. You have prepared the bread and the wine and now what is expected of you is something which you cannot do, you cannot by any power including apostolic succession make this bread into the Body of Christ, this wine into the Blood of Christ, you have no power over God and you have no power over the created world. It is only Christ who is the only celebrant because He is the High Priest of all creation who sending the Holy Spirit can break through into time, open it up so that eternity can flow, indeed, make eruption into it and within this eschatological situation in which eternity fills time make possible the impossible, make bread into the Body of Christ crucified and risen, the wine into the Blood of Christ crucified and risen. And then the Paraclete is the one that gives joy, the joy of entering already now into eternity, the joy of being joined to Christ in the communion of the one body, the joy of giving our lives for Him and if necessary – our death, a joy which the world cannot give but which the world cannot take away. And when we come to the celebration of the Holy Mysteries, let us remember that we stand where no-one can stand but the High Priest of all creation, the Lord Jesus Christ and let us turn to the Holy Spirit calling Him to make the bread and the wine into the Body and Blood of Christ in an act Divine which we can only mediate by faith and in obedience to Christ’s own command. Amen. Ἀπὸ τὴν Ἀνάσταση στὴν Ἀνάληψη Ἡ περίοδος τοῦ Πάσχα ἔφτασε στὸ τέλος της. Ἡ ἡμερα τῆς ἀπόδοσης τοῦ Πάσχα εἶναι ἡ μέρα ποὺ ἀκούσαμε γιὰ τελευταία φορὰ τὶς πανηγυρικὲς Ἀναστάσιμες ψαλμωδίες. Τὸ Πάσχα ὅμως, τὸ θαῦμα τῆς Ἀνάστασης τοῦ Χριστοῦ θὰ παραμείνει μαζί μας. Ὅλα ἐκεῖνα ποὺ μᾶς χαροποίησαν τὴ βραδιά τοῦ Πάσχα, ἡ ἔκσταση γιὰ τὸ ἀδειανὸ μνημεῖο, γιὰ τὴ σωματικὴ ἔγερση τοῦ Χριστοῦ, γιὰ τὴν ἐμφάνισή Του στοὺς μαθητὲς - καὶ σ' ἐμᾶς - μέσα στὴ δόξα, τὴ νίκη καὶ τὸ θρίαμβο παραμένουν μαζί μας παρὰ τὸ ὅτι τώρα ὁ Κύριος ἀνεβαίνει στοὺς οὐρανούς. ( Ἰω. 16. 13, 15). Ὁ Παράκλητος εἶναι Ἐκεῖνος ὁ ὁποῖος ἔρχεται γιὰ νὰ μᾶς βεβαιώσει ἐμπειρικὰ ὅτι ὁ Ἀναστὰς καὶ Ἀναληφθεὶς Χριστὸς εἶναι πράγματι ὁ Κύριός μας καὶ ὁ Θεός μας ὅτι εἶναι πράγματι ἐνθρονισμένος στὰ δεξιὰ τοῦ Πατέρα, ταυτόχρονα ὅμως, σύμφωνα μὲ τὴ δική Του θαυμαστὴ ὑπόσχεση καὶ μαζί μας μέχρι τὰ τέλη τῶν αἰώνων. Τὸ Ἅγιο Πνεῦμα κατευθύνει τὴν ἱστορία τοῦ κόσμου φέρνοντας τὴ σωτηρία, τὴ μεταμόρφωση, ὁδηγώντας μας στὸν τελικὸ θρίαμβο, μερικοὶ διαισθάνονται τὴν παρουσία Του καὶ ἄλλοι δὲν Τὸν βλέπουν καὶ δὲν Τὸν γνωρίζουν. Καὶ ἡ νίκη τοῦ Θεοῦ εἶναι ἡ δική μας σωτηρία. Ἡ δόξα τοῦ Θεοῦ εἶναι ἡ ἀποκάλυψη τοῦ ἀνθρώπου μέσα σὲ ὅλη του τὴ δόξα. Ἡ Ἀνάληψη εἶναι μιὰ μυστηριώδης γιορτή: εἶναι μιὰ γιορτὴ στὴν ὁποία γιορτάζουμε ἕνα χωρισμό. Γιὰ νὰ ἔλθει ὅμως σ' ἐμᾶς τὸ Πνεῦμα τοῦ Θεοῦ σὰν ὁ Παράκλητος, πρέπει ἐμεῖς νὰ νιώθουμε θλιμμένοι καὶ Τὸ βράδυ πρὶν ἀπὸ τὸ Σταυρικό Του θάνατο ὁ Χριστὸς ὀρφανεμένοι μὲ τὴν ἀναχώρηση τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Εἶναι ἐπειδὴ εἶπε στοὺς μαθητές Του ὅτι θὰ τοὺς συνέφερε ἂν Ἐκεῖνος δὲ νιώθουμε μὲ ἀρκετὴ ἔνταση τὴ μοναξιά μας χωρὶς τὸ ἔφευγε, διότι τότε θὰ τοὺς ἔστελλε τὸν Παράκλητο, τὸ Χριστό, ποὺ ἡ ἀντίληψη τῆς θαυμαστῆς παρουσίας τοῦ Πνεῦμα τὸ ὁποῖο θὰ τοὺς ὁδηγοῦσε στὴν ἀλήθεια (Ἰω. 16.7 Πνεύματος εἶναι τόσο σπάνια, τόσο ἀσθενική, τόσο -16). Ἡ χαρὰ τοῦ χωρισμοῦ: χαρὰ γιὰ τὸ ὅτι ὁ Χριστὸς ξέβαθη. Ὁ Ἀπόστολος Παῦλος λέει: «Ἐμοὶ τὸ ζῆν Χριστὸς ἀνεβαίνει τώρα στὸν Πατέρα γιὰ νὰ καθίσει στὰ δεξιὰ τῆς καὶ τὸ ἀποθανεῖν κέρδος» (Φιλιπ. 1. 2.1). Ἔτσι θὰ 'πρεπε θεϊκῆς δόξας• χαρὰ καὶ γιὰ τοὺς ἑαυτούς μας διότι ἔχοντας νὰ νιώθαμε καὶ ἐμεῖς, καὶ νὰ χαιρόμαστε ποὺ μιὰ μέρα θὰ ὁ Χριστὸς ἀναστηθεῖ σωματικά, σωματικὰ καὶ θὰ φύγουμε ἀπὸ τὸν κόσμο αὐτὸ καὶ θὰ εἰσέλθουμε στὴν ἀναληφθεῖ καί, ὅπως λέει ὁ Ἅγιος Ἰωάννης ὁ αἰωνιότητα. Ἐκεῖ ποὺ βρίσκεται ὁ ἀγαπημένος μας Χρυσόστομος, ἂν θέλουμε νὰ γνωρίσουμε τὸ μεγαλεῖο τοῦ Σωτήρας Χριστὸς μέσα στὴ δόξα Του. Τότε πραγματικὰ ἡ ἀνθρώπου καὶ τὴ δόξα ποὺ ἔχει σπαρεῖ μέσα του θὰ παρουσία τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος θὰ ἦταν γιὰ μᾶς πρέπει νὰ κοιτάξουμε ψηλὰ στὸ θρόνο τοῦ Θεοῦ κι ἐκεῖ θὰ Παράκληση, ἀγαλλίαση, ἐλπίδα, ἕνα τρόπαιο ἤδη ἀπὸ δοῦμε καθισμένο στὰ δεξιὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ Πατέρα τὸν τώρα μέσα στὴν αἰωνιότητα ἡ ὁποία μᾶς ἔρχεται ἀήττη Ἄνθρωπο Ἰησοῦ Χριστό, τὸν ἐνσαρκωμένο Γιὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ. Μὲ τὴν Ἀνάσταση καὶ τὴν Ἀνάληψη τοῦ Κυρίου τὸ ἀνθρώπινο γένος ἔχει εἰσέλθει στὸ ἴδιο τὸ μυστήριο τῆς Ἁγίας Τριάδας. Ὁ ἄνθρωπος Ἰησοῦς εἶναι καὶ Θεός μας. Νὰ ὅμως ποὺ ἐνῶ χαιρόμαστε γιὰ τὸ τρόπαιο τοῦ Κυρίου, γιὰ τὸ δοξασμὸ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, παραμένουμε ταυτόχρονα σὰν ὀρφανοὶ πάνω στὴ γῆ ὅπως καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι μαθητές, ὅπως καὶ ὅλοι οἱ μαθητὲς κατὰ τὴ διάρκεια τῶν αἰώνων. Ὅσο καιρὸ εἴχαμε ἀνάμεσά μας τὸ Χριστό, ὅπως τὸ λέει καὶ τὸ σημερινὸ Εὐαγγέλιο, ἦταν Ἐκεῖνος τὸ Φῶς μας. Τώρα βρίσκουμε τοὺς ἑαυτούς μας στὸ ἡμίφως ἤ τὸ σκοτάδι τῶν προσωπικῶν μας ζωῶν· στὸ ζόφο τοῦ ἐπίγειου ἀνθρώπινου πεπρωμένου. Ὁ Χριστὸς ὅμως ὑποσχέθηκε ὅτι δὲ θὰ μᾶς ἄφηνε ὀρφανούς, ὅτι θὰ μᾶς ἔστελνε τὸ Ἅγιο Πνεῦμα, τὸν Παράκλητο, γιὰ νὰ μᾶς διδάξει τὴν πᾶσα ἀλήθεια παίρνοντάς την ἀπὸ τοῦ Χριστοῦ τὸ Λόγο καὶ τὴν Πράξη From our Parish Council President, George Christopulos chaired by our Vice President Joan Metropolis is alXpistos Anesti to all parishioners. As our East- ways looking for new voluner season closes I would like to thank all our teers. The Folk Festival fundparishioners for their attentive participation raiser, year after year generates much needed funding in all our Easter services and activities surrounding the resurrection of our savior. Spe- for our church activities. cial thanks to our priest Fr. Nikolaos and the Please be generous with your time and assistance by Fr. Anastios who performed the attendance this year. Another major fundraising event for our Hellenic American Academy numerous services in a very inclusive dual language manor to allow all our parishioners is the upcoming first annual dinner and auction. Tickets are an affordable $50 and can be to gather and pray in a comfortable and inpurchased by contacting the Academy office viting manor. Additional thanks goes to our at 978-453-5422. And on June 24th the Helchoir, chanters and altar boys who add so lenic American Academy Endowment Trust is much to the richness of our services. holding its 11th annual Golf Tournament at As we turn to the summer hours for our the Indian Ridge CC. church services, I remind all parishioners that Another major development to enhance the beginning June the 2nd, Orthos will start at Holy Trinity communication with all it’s pa8:00am with Divine Liturgy to follow at rishioners and to upgrade and update our 9:00am. church records in a digital format is the purOur church is proud to announce that Atty. chase of Church Windows Software for our Lewis and Niki Demetroulakos are the 2013 office. You will see a short form to submit Holy Trinity Church recipients of the Metropyour updated current information in this issue olis of Boston Ministry Award on June 9th. of the Communicator. Please take a few The summer season will be a busy one for our minutes to provide the requested information community. I encourage all our parishioners which will allow us to update our records, to step up their involvement with the major give us the ability to provide you end of the fundraising activities of our Parish. As reyear tax information of your records and quested by our community we have formed a better organize our parishioner database. Church Picnic Committee chaired by Mrs. In closing let me wish you a wonderful sumVoula Ioanidis. Voula will need assistance mer season and I look forward to seeing you from many parishioners. Please contact her at church. to volunteer. Also, our annual participation in the Lowell Folk Festival. The committee SERVICES FOR JUNE AND JULY 2013 SUMMER HOURS BEGIN ON SUNDAY—JUNE 2, 2013 Orthos 8:00 am, Divine Liturgy 9:00 am JUNE 2013 June, 13, Thursday Holy Ascension of our Lord June 22, Saturday Saturday of Souls June 23, Sunday Holy Pentecost June 23, Sunday 7:00pm Vesper Service June 24, Monday Day of the Holy Spirit (Feast Day of Our Church) June 29, Saturday Holy Apostles Peter & Paul July 2013 July 20, Saturday Elias the Prophet July 26, Friday Saint Paraskevi ΕΒΔΟΜΑΔΙΑΙΟΝ ΕΟΡΤΟΛΟΓΙΟΝ ΙΟΥΝΙΟΥ – ΙΟΥΛΙΟΥ 2013 ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2013. Πέμπτη, Ιουνίου 13 – Η Ανάληψις του Κυρίου Ημών Ιησού Χριστού. Σάββατο, Ιουνίου 22 – Ψυχοσάββατο Κυριακή, Ιουνίου 23 – Η Πεντηκοστή και 7.00 η ώρα Εσπερινός. Δευτέρα, Ιουνίου24 – Ημέρα του Αγίου Πνεύματος και η Εορτή της εκκλησίας μας. Σάββατο, Ιουνίου 29 – Των Αγίων Αποστόλων Πέτρου και Παύλου ΙΟΥΛΙΟΣ 2013. Σάββατο, Ιουλίου 20 – Του Προφήτου Ηλία. Παρασκευή, Ιουλίου 26 – Της Αγίας Παρασκευής. ΧΕΙΜΕΡΙΝΟΝ ΩΡΑΡΙΟΝ. ΄Ορθρος 9.00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10.00 π.μ. ΘΕΡΙΝΟΝ ΩΡΑΡΙΟΝ. ‘ Ορθρος 8.00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 9.00 π.μ. ΟΙ ΘΕΡΙΝΕΣ ΩΡΕΣ αρχίζουν την Κυριακή, 2 Ιουνίου 2013. SACRAMENTS BAPTISMS March 23, 2013 Skyla Sophia Noonan Daughter of Samantha Noonan Godparent: Zachary Noonan IN MEMORIAM March 28, 2013 March 30, 2013 April 11, 2013 April 17, 2013 April 23, 2013 May 21, 2013 Emmanuel Kakis Eileen Macheras Stama Ravanis Peter Gletzakos Nikolaos Hamourgas Marie Kozulak CHRISMATION May 12, 2013 Mary Hallissey Godparent: Yvonne Broufas WEDDINGS May 19, 2013 Georgio Broufas and Mary Hallissey Koumbara: Kosta Andromidas Sunday school News!  On Saturday April 27, the Sunday school held it’s annual Pancake and craft breakfast. The turnout wasn’t as great as we were expecting, never the less the saying “more for me” was fine with everybody, and the kids had triple helpings. The kids made pins, and dyed colored eggs - they had a great time. I want to thank Margaret Petropoulakos for her continued donation of the pancakes in memory of her dear husband Peter. I also want to thank the best pancake makers in the world - Mark and Evie Ivos - with help from Uncle George Ivos. Everything was wonderful!  On Good Friday the church had two services, I want to thank all the beautiful Myrofores who helped Father Nick at both services, you were all so beautiful.  On May 18, 2013, Jenn Hardy, our first grade Sunday school teacher organized a fun day at Max’s Country Golf. The Sunday school had a great turn out and the kids had a great time playing mini golf and riding the bumper water boats. It was quite a sight to see parents and their children getting off the boats soaking wet. Thanks Jenn.  The last day of Sunday school will be June 2, 2013. The Sunday school staff wishes everyone a safe and happy summer vacation. We hope that the enrollment increases this fall as we continue to teach your wonderful children about their Orthodox faith. We will also continue to have Fun events planned throughout the year. Thank you and God Bless Joan Metropolis Sunday School Gallery of Fun Dying Easter Eggs Myrofores! Thanks for helping with the chairs MOTHER’S DAY FLOWERS Max’s Golf Family Day Greek Independence Day Greek Independence Day was celebrated here at the Hellenic American Academy. Students participated in the Liturgy, parade, City Hall festivities, and program this past March. Special recognition goes to Mrs. Maria Booras and Ms. Voula Tsiantikos, our Greek teachers, for their organization and dedication to this important day in Greek heritage. Pictured here is first grader Perry Mourtzinos. The Academic Fair Display took place on Thursday, May 9 in our Hellenic Cultural Center. Certificates were awarded to all students. The subjects that were on display included Greek, ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Pictured here is second grader Ivana Danos with her presentation on the country Mexico. More of our students recently received medals for their participation in the Instructional Basketball league. It was our first year participating in this exciting league! The games took place on Friday evenings from the months of January thru March. Pictured here from left to right: (Back row: Abigail Machado, Sophia Gikas, Thano Danas, Alexios Tsiomplikas, Michael Arakelian, Arthur Quattrochi, David Arakelian, George Gikas, Demetra Danas, Nicholas Gikas.) (Front row: Elias Theofilopoulos, Perry Mourtzinos, Emmett Orfanedes, Konstantinos Tsiomplikas, Alexander Arakelian, Alexander Gendron.) FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE The Father Daughter Dance is an annual highlight here at the Hellenic American Academy. This year again saw proud fathers and their daughters dance the night away. Special thanks to Stacy Theofilopoulos and the PTA for organizing this wonderful event! Pictured here left to right are fifth graders Athena Durkin, Efthalia Pelekoudas and Nasia Theofilopoulos. State House Visit Students in grades 5-8 visited Boston City Hall on Friday, April 5th. The visit included a tour of the State House along with a memorable presentation of speeches and songs focusing on Greek Independence. ZITO E ELLAS! Our students recently received medals for their participation in the winter Ski Club. The club met on Wednesdays at Nashoba Valley in Westford, MA. Pictured here from left to right: (Back row: Andreas Kotsironis, Athena Durkin, Nicholas Nacopoulos, Elizabeth Hall, Sophia Zambakis, Vasilios Panagiotopoulos, Christina Panagiotopoulos, Lily Faulkner, Aphroditi Tziotziouras.) (Front row: Angelo Theokas, Alexios Tsiomplikas, Andreas Tziotziouras, Konstantinos Tsiomplikas.) Christos Anesti, The Holy Trinity Family thanks all who donated to the Flower and Religious Items Fund. The total received was $5,285. Note: If your name isn’t listed here, it is due to the fact that several of you sent your checks in the church offering envelope to my address. If checks were not made out to Flower Fund, I forwarded your check to the church. Thank You, Helen Themeles Epitaphio Donations - 2013 Mary and Peri Mourtzinos Penny and Chris Vurgaropoulos Mary Valcanas Harriet Anagnastopoulos Donna Vergados Elias Papadopoulos Stella Theokas Persiphoni Garas Elizabeth Economopoulos Kathy Economopoulos George Theokas Eve Soroken Bessie Bolianitis Helen Themeles Christine and Betty Themeles Paul and Lillian Panagopoulos Mary Zoghopoulos Gladys and Nick Economou Penny Rigopoulos Vasilios Giavis Angela Papandreou Arthur Contos Effkie Contos Nicholas Karas Catherine Kyriakos Athena Hayes Pauline Miamis Dorianne Doulames Bessie Kourkoulakos Rita Martakos Ruth Kosiavelon Fotene Vlahakis Lillian Pelekasis Mary Kotsios Thelma Themeles Eve and Fotis Relias Niki Zaharias Steve Papanotas Timothy Boutoures Kathy Chareas Mary Miserlis Donna And George Christopulos Cleanthe Thomas Tina Guarracino Frances Kane for Skrekas family Jennie Brunelas Olga Liakos Linda and Lawrence Rocha Christopher and Paul Genikos Kozombolis Family Thomas and Mary Themeles Aglaia Ploubides Charles and Vasiliki Hondras Mr. and Mrs. Dimitrios Mattheos Atty. Efthemios Bentas Dimitrios, Bette, Markos and George Zygouris John A. Kosartes Bruce Costos George and Nina Paul Demetroula and Bill Theokas Clara Vlahos and brother James Stella Maniatakos Villy Lerofonis Penelope Nichols Lynne Manisscalco Alice Koumpouras Frances Cassidy Niki Kanavas Athena Stamatakakos Hermine Limberopoulos Mr. Mrs.Vasilios Vergados Margaret Petropoulakos Stephen Lambroukos Niki Ladakos George Gianis Melanie Villaras Helen Palavras Chris Rizos John Lelos Alex and Penelope Lambroukos Helen Platanites Stephen and Lilly Ivos Nicholas Valcanas George Arseniou Niki Nikolopoulos Beatrice Belkakis Lewis Demetrolakos Georgia Neofotistos Vasiliki Spanos Peter Gickas Dr.and Mrs. M. Athanasoulas Amalia Stys Dorothea and Chris Zahos George Eliopoulos Louis and Sophia Tripodis Geraldine Themelis Xanthippe Samaras James Curtis Angelike Theokas George Contos Caneli Panas Melia Mahoney Margo Behrakis Georgia Vangos Helen Scarmeas Virginia Ray Kyriakoulis and Martha Mereves Nia and Dino Zografos Demetra Kaldis George Potamitis Family Olga Laganas Toula Laganas Theodora and Stathis Stathopoulos Stella Hantzes X.D. Michaels Peter Eliopoulos Chris and Iris Koumantzelis William and Vasiliki Poulios Effie Nikolopoulos James Georgacopoulis Bill and Christine Panagiotopoulos Elaine Demetroulakos Demetra Blanchette Maria Gakis George and Susan Pergakis Betty Blazonis Joan Michaels Loukia Panas Nicki Vurgaropoulos George and Joanne Zaharoolis Eileen Crowell Paula Gendron Louie Nikolakakis Panagiotis Bousios Gail Tsaffaras Androniki Angelopoulos Fotine Syrmopoulos Anthony and Theresa Gemmellaro Sophie and John Vasilakopoulos Anonymous Christine, Donna and William Zouzas Liza Koutroubas Melanie Shorrock Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Panas Helen Koules Stella and John Carolan Randy and Gayle Stevens Apollo and Bessie Cricones Patricia Karohl Anna Calavritinos Jennie Panagopoulos Robert and Bibi DeSerio Margaret Zoto Clementine Alexis Peter and Shirley Liakos Stavros Panagiotopoulos Dr. Gary Demetriou Stella Gavriel Charles Sarantos Alexandra Rivera Kleonike Bentas Olga and Randy Davis Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Anton Steve and Dolly Michalides and Family Charles Tsapatsaris Mary and Arthur Daiopulos Sophie Antonakos Joan Saxones Gormley From the desk of the Philoptochos President… Florence (Dolly) Michaelides Dear Parishioners, We’ve had a busy spring….Easter Vesper Service Coffee Hour, D’Youville Manor Easter Liturgy and Reception, shut-in and nursing home visits, Epitaphio decorating, collection for Catie’s Closet, Foxwoods Trip, Mother’s Day hibachi fun!. Thank you for supporting all of these events! Thank you, also, for your generous donations to the Flower Fund. None of these could have happened without you! Recently members from all five local Orthodox churches filled our Church Hall during a Fellowship Meal. You could hear a pin drop as guest speaker Dorcas Grigg-Saito, CEO of Lowell Community Health Center, spoke to the group about the programs she oversees. Another highlight of the evening was the recognition from the Council of Churches of Father Anastasios Coulouras’ retirement – Presbitera Helen, too! We wish them many blessings. Have you seen the beautiful new drapes in the Cultural Center? How about the planters of petunias in front of the church? These are part of our latest projects for our church community. Next, we hope to work with the landscaper to plan flower additions for the gardens in front of the church entry. We have extended our support beyond our community to the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH, also. Our donation of ten picnic tables was warmly received. Your support has allowed the Philoptochos to oversee these purchases. Along with a $2,000 donation from the Spaghetti Dinner to the Restoration Fund, we are pleased to say our spring contribution for these items alone was over $10,000! It can not be said often enough that because of YOU we are able, in addition, to support national and local charities, supply and / or oversee Sunday coffee hours, support the March 25 th celebration, contribute to the Hellenic Academy Golf Tournament and Silent Auction, and offer scholarships to high school seniors and Contoocook campers, too! We appreciate all of your help and look forward to your continued support. Wishing you and your family a happy and safe summer! Dear Father Nick, Philoptochos Members, Parish Council, and Parishioners, Thank you so much for all the support you have given to me over the last four years while I have been President of the Holy Trinity Philoptochos. It has been a true blessing to meet and work with so many wonderful people in our community. You have helped in so many ways – baking, decorating, cleaning, setting up, breaking down and/or attending events. It has not gone unnoticed by me. You made me believe that together we can accomplish anything! And have fun, too! It has been my great pleasure to have served in this capacity. Wishing you and your families continued blessings. With affection, Florence (Dolly) Michaelides Philoptochos Fellowship Meal Father Coulouras Retirement Speaker Dorcas Grigg-Saito Happy Birthday to Father Nikolaos who shares his birthday with George Christopoulos and Nick Potamitis CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES Christopher Rizos is graduating from The Derryfield School in Manchester, NH in June. While at the Derryfield, Christopher was a three-year player and two-year co-captain of the Boy’s Varsity Basketball team that went to two state championship games. He also started every game for three years on the Varsity Baseball team. Aside from his main athletic interests, Christopher also participated on the Varsity Cross Country team. Academically, Christopher has been an honors student at both Bishop Guertin and The Derryfield School. Having an early second language background from the Hellenic American Academy, he was able to excel in the Chinese language program in high school, even having a main role as narrator for a Chinese school play. Not only is Christopher inspired by academics and athletics, community service is also a passion of his. He has served on Habitat for Humanity, and has been a youth basketball referee and little league baseball umpire in their respective seasons. Christopher is sincerely devoted to the Breakthrough Manchester program outside of school. At Breakthrough, he is a two-year volunteer teacher for underprivileged eighth grade students in the city of Manchester. Balancing a rigorous course load with volunteer community service and a true dedication to athletics are skills Christopher will carry on with him to Trinity College (CT) in the fall of 2013. On May 3, 2013, Maria Elena Christopulos graduated from Northeastern University D'Amore McKim School of Business with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She completed her academic career a year early at an accelerated 4 year pace; with a concentration in Finance and a Minor in Spanish. Maria earned Deans List honors and was an active member of the Finance and Investment Club. She maintained part-time employment throughout her four years at Northeastern as an office assistant in the College of Professional Studies. Maria was chosen for 2 coveted co-op positions during her Junior and Senior years; MFS Investment Management as a Corporate Finance Analyst and Wellington Management Company,LLP as a Bond Forward Trade Specialist. As an active member of the Boston Community, Maria volunteered for "ABCD Parker Fenway" as a Translator for Spanish speaking clients and later on at "Oiste" she translated documents and used her Spanish speaking skills to interact with the Latino Community. Maria is a 2003 graduate of the Hellenic American Academy and 2009 graduate of Andover High School. She was a former member of the Holy Trinity GOYA and Junior Choir and is fluent in both Greek and Spanish and enjoys running for pleasure and charity events. She is currently seeking employment within the Investment Management Community. Helen Duros is a senior this year at Nashoba Regional High School in Bolton, MA. Helen and her family have been with Holy Trinity parish since Father Nick has arrived. . . they shared time together at Father Nick's former assigned church St. George, in Lynn. Helen will be attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst this coming Fall and will major in Dance. Blessings to all the graduates & happy summer! Christa Metropolis, daughter of Chuck and Joan Metropolis, granddaughter of Athena Hayes and goddaughter of Betty Themeles, graduated from Boston University on May 19, 2013. Christa received her B.S. in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations from the College of Communication. During her four years at Boston University, Christa was an Admissions Ambassador, V.P. of Student Government and a member of the Boston University Hellenic Association. She is also a feature writer for a Boston music blog. We wish her much success with her future endeavors. HELLENIC AMERICAN ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWS The Alumni Association recently sponsored breakfast for the staff of the Hellenic American Academy during Teacher’s Appreciation Week. The Alumni Association recognizes the dedication and hard work the teachers and entire staff do for the students of the Academy. We THANK YOU and wish you continued success. Congratulations to Leah Green of Lowell, Ma. who won this year’s raffle of a $500.00 gift card to Wentworth by the Sea in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The HAA Alumni Association will be participating in the Silent Auction Night, on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at the Four Oaks Country Club in Dracut, Ma. We are donating as a raffle prize, one month of tuition at the Hellenic American Academy for one student. The student must be enrolled in grade K - 6 to be eligible. We will announce the recipients of the two $1,000.00 scholarships in church on June 9 th, and the names will be posted in the next edition of the Communicator. As always, we will continue to make contributions to help make the Hellenic American Academy prosper. Mary Themeles, President Dear Parishioners thank you for supporting the two wonderful fish dinners we had in March and April. Both were very successful. A special thank you to, Randy Davis and his crew, who bake the best fish dinners! We hope to do it again next year. Parish Council HAPPY FATHER’S DAY Fathers have a special role in each young child’s life To mold and shape them to become a follower of Christ To show them the Father’s heart and help them understand How God’s love can be their guide As they take him by the hand. Copyright by MS Lowndes THANK YOU FOR THESE 2013 EASTER OFFERINGS CHRIS & PENNY VURGAROPULOS THEOFISTA AND ALEXANDER PERGAKIS GEORGE TSAPATSARIS LOS BEATRICE BELKAKIS JENNIE BRUNELAS ARTHUR AND MARY DAIOPU- NICHOLAS & VIRGINIA KARAS CHRIS & IRIS KOUMANTZELIS TOULA LAGANAS SOPHIE ANTONAKOS MR. & MRS. WILLIAM THEOKAS X. D. MICHAELS OLGA LIAKOS CHRIS & DOROTHEA ZAHOS MARY ZOGHOPOULOS MARY MISERLIS CHRIS KONDOS DONNA ZOUZAS APOSTLOS PSARRIS AMALIA STYS WILLIAM AND BESS POULIOS ANONYMOUS GLADYS & NICHOLAS ECONOMOU CHRISTOS AND DESPINA TASIOPOULOS THEODORA & STATHIS STATHOPOULOS HELEN PALAVRAS VASILIOS SPANOS PAULINE & JAMES MIAMIS JOHN LELOS GEORGE & SUSAN PERGAKIS JOAN SAXONES GORMLEY RUTH KOSIAVELON JOHN & CATHERINE SALIS GEORGE & DONNA CHRISTOPULOS BESSIE KOURKOULAKOS PATRICIA KAROHL JOHN & MARIA GAKIS EVE SOROKEN ROBERT & BIBI DI SERIO ALEXIA NACOPOULOS & JAMES VON DER LINDEN MR. & MRS. CHRISTOS DABEKIS PAUL BEBAS CHARLES TSAPATSARIS MARY VALCANAS BESSIE BOLIANITES MAUREEN VILLARAS CLEANTHE THOMAS ARTHUR CONTOS STEVEN &HELEN KOULES GERALDINE THEMELIS EFFIE CONTOS EVAN TASIOPOULOS TIMOTHY BOUTOURES DEMETRIOS & PANAGIOTA MIRAS THELMA NACOPOULOS LILLIAN PELEKASIS HARRIET ANAGNOSTOPOULOS FOTENE VLAAHAKIS LAMBROS ARSENIOU GEORGE THEOKAS FR. NIKOLAOS & PRESBYTERA LINDA PELEKOUDAS MR. & MRS. ANDREW CORAVOS GAIL TSAFFARAS LAWRENCE & LYNDA ROCHA NICHOLAS KEFALEAS JOHN KOSARTES PAUL & JENNIFER HARDY DEMETRA BLANCHETTE CHRISTOS LIMPERIS DEBORAH DETORA GEORGIA NEOFOTISTOS CHARLES SARANTOS DOLLY & STEVE MICHAELIDES VASSILIOS GIAVIS STELLA GAVRIEL LISA KOUTROUBAS BETTY BLAZONIS GARY DEMETRIOU POTA XIFARAS ATTY. LEWIS & NIKI DEMETROULAKOS DEMETRIOS & NIKI KANAVAS NIA & DINO ZOGRAFOS CHRIS YIANOPOULOS JOAN MICHAELS EFFIE NIKOLOPOULOS GEORGE & JENNY PANAGOPOULOS ANGELA PAPANDREAU WILLIAM SHORTSIANITIS THIA PLOUBIDES DEMETRA KALDIS FOTIS RELIAS PANAGIOTIS & ATHANASIA BOUSIOS DR. & MRS. MICHAEL ATHANASOULAS OLGA LAGANAS HELEN THEMELES ALEXANDRIA RIVERA NICHOLAS BASINAS CHRISTOS & NANCY PAPACHRISTOS HELEN TZANETEAS PETER LIAKOS GEORGE & THEDA TRIANTAFEL JAMES & ANITA VELANTZAS Saturday, July 27, 2013 Sunday, July 28, 2013 11:00 am—6:00 pm Holy Trinity Booth located at J.F.K. CENTER—CITY HALL WE NEED YOU!!! HOW CAN YOU HELP????  Volunteer 2 or 3 hours both on either day  Help prepare food at the Cultural Center  Setup or Cleanup  Donate $$$$$$ to help defray the cost of food. Donations may be sent to Holy Trinity Church  Students—by donating community service hours Chairperson, Joan Metropolis E-mail: metro0007@comcast.net or call Joan @ 978-996-3224 Church office # 978-458-8092 HELLENIC AMERICAN ACADEMY ENDOWMENT TRUST PO BOX 1252 Lowell MA 01853-1252 Those who register prior to May 31st will be entered in a drawing for a pair of sports tickets. The lucky registrant will be drawn at the luncheon. For more information, please contact Bill Theofilopoulos @ 978-815-4047 or Donna Christopulos 978-886-9439 or visit our web site: www.haaendowmentrust.org HOLE-IN-ONE Sponsored by: HERB CHAMBERS Our supporters will enjoy a fun filled day of golf, while raising funds to support the educational programs at the Academy. The HAA Endowment Trust has raised over 1 million dollars and has given back over $490,000 to the Academy. ALEXANDER’S PHARMACY 505 Nashua road Dracut ma 01826 978-957-0330 Εύχομαι σε όλους σας καλή υγεία. Great health to all who read this George Kontos - B.S., R. Ph. SPACE AVAILABLE FOR “your” Ad! SPACE AVAILABLE FOR “your” Ad! SPACE AVAILABLE FOR “your” Ad! We Offer Over 20 Years Experience Of Reliable Advice And Representation In Legal Matters ——————————ATTORNEY—————————— Lewis G. Demetroulakos —————————www.lawyer-lowell.com————— WE WILL GLADY REPRESENT YOU IN CASES REGARDING:  Small Claims Court  Personal Injury Law  Estate Planning & Probate Administration  Criminal Law Juvenile & Adult  Landlord/Tenant M.R. LAURIN & SON FUNERAL HOME 295 Pawtucket Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01854 Tel: (978) 452-0121 Fax: (978) 458-6460 Serving the Community Since 1930 Funeral Directors Louis M. Fazio, III M. Richard Laurin – Scott Laurin