April 2015 The Crucifixion & Resurrection John 19 19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. 2 The soldiers made a crown out of thorny branches and put it on his head; then they put a purple robe on him 3 and came to him and said, “Long live the King of the Jews!” And they went up and slapped him. 4 Pilate went back out once more and said to the crowd, “Look, I will bring him out here to you to let you see that I cannot find any reason to condemn him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Look! Here is the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the Temple guards saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “You take him, then, and crucify him. I find no reason to condemn him.” 7 The crowd answered back, “We have a law that says he ought to die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid. 9 He went back into the palace and asked Jesus, “Where do you come from?” But Jesus did not answer. 10 Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Remember, I have the authority to set you free and also to have you crucified.”1 Jesus answered, “You have authority over me only because it was given to you by God. So the man who handed me over to you is guilty of a worse sin.”12 When Pilate heard this, he tried to find a way to set Jesus free. But the crowd shouted back, “If you set him free, that means that you are not the Emperor's friend! Anyone who claims to be a king is a rebel against the Emperor!”13 When Pilate heard these words, he took Jesus outside and sat down on the judge's seat in the place called “The Stone Pavement.” (In Hebrew the name is “Gabbatha.”) 14 It was then almost noon of the day before the Passover. Pilate said to the people, “Here is your king!”15 They shouted back, “Kill him! Kill him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Do you want me to crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “The only king we have is the Emperor!” 16 Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. 4 Appleton Street ■ Arlington, MA 02476 ■ church 781.646.0705 continued on Page 10 Fr. Kastanas Emergency Voicemail Pager 781.673.2002 ■ fax 781.641.4700 ■ www.saint athanasius.org Office E-Mail Address: stathanasiusgoc@gmail.com “ASKISIS” OFFICIAL Publication of the Saint Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church 4 Appleton Street, Arlington, MA 02476 Sunday Worship Schedule Winter: Orthros 8:45 AM Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM Summer: Orthros 8:00 AM Divine Liturgy 9:15 AM Rev. Fr. Nicholas M. Kastanas Rev. Dn. Markos Nickolas Publication is the first of each month. Twelve issues are published yearly. Deadline for notices is the 15 th of the prior month. Saint Athanasius the Great is a parish under the spiritual and ecclesial oversight of His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of the Metropolis of Boston of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America under the jurisdiction of The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church in Arlington, Massachusetts strives to be a living witness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Our mission as a Parish is to "Practice Hospitality" (Romans 12:13), as St. Paul so exhorts...... Thus, it is our rich blessing to strive and bring the Light of Christ to all of God's people, through Orthodox Christian tradition, education, and philanthropy. We seek to serve the spiritual needs of our faithful parishioners through the sacramental life of the Church. By means of outreach and faith in God, we continue our growth as a living Church by inviting others into the Orthodox faith through Baptism and/or Chrismation, and educating them through the establishment of our Christian ministries, programs, schools, and philanthropic activities. Church Directory Parish Office Hours: Monday-Thursday: 9:00A.M. - 7:00 P.M., Friday: 9:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. Parish Administrative Assistants…....Stella Kazantzas & Dimitrios Loucagos Parish Office……...................................781-646-0705 Fax:......................................................781-641-4700 E-mail............................stathanasiusgoc@gmail.com Website:............... ..............www.saintathanasius.org Fr. Nick Kastanas (Emergency Pager).781-673-2002 Metropolis of Boston...........................617-277-4742 Metropolis Website..............www.boston.goarch.org Archdiocese Website........................www.goarch.org Parish Council Officers Paul Tsitsopoulos --------------------------------------President Ted Speros ----------------------------------- 1st Vice President Maria Tsaousidis ---------------------------- 2nd Vice President S. Nicholas Kriketos ----------------------------------Secretary Bill Karras -----------------------------Associate Secretary #1 Stefanos Bouboulis------------------------------------Treasurer Nikitas Splagounias-------------------Associate Treasurer #1 Dean Ioakimidis----------------------- Associate Treasurer #2 George Katsarakes-------------------- Associate Treasurer #3 Parish Council Members Athanasios Arvanitis, David Bowling, John Ioakimidis, Peter Ladas, Vassilios Pantazopoulos, Charlie Pappas, Eleanor Profis, Mark Ypsilantis Parish Ministries and Organizations Agape Care Team (ACT)---------------Dn. Markos Nickolas Choir Director:---------------------------------Stella Pathiakis Sunday School Directors---------------- Ioannis Moutstatsos Cassandra Chamallas (Associate) Altar Boys (Acolytes):-----------------Fr. Nicholas Kastanas Parish Council: Stewardship Chair---------Maria Tsaousidis Philoptochos: President----------------Kathy VanKuilenburg Protopsaltis------------------------------------Demetrios Katos Protopsaltis Emeritus------------------------------Nikos Pithis Cantors:-----------------------------------Dimitrios Manolakis, Spyros Prois, Dimitrios Loucagos Greek School Teachers-----------------------Popi Moustakas, Eleni Kosmidis, Vaia Siarkos G.O.Y.A.: President-----------------------Demi Tsitsopoulos J.O.Y. & H.O.P.E: Team Members----------Loula Boretos, Angie Tsiaras, Olga Patoucheas, Jane Awad, Sofia Loyack, Anastasia Roukliotis Little Halos: Director----------------------Kaiti Galanopoulos Fifties Plus: Committee-----------------------Tina Caramanis, Aphrodite Darris, Katina Ioakimidis, Irene Paleologos, Dorothy Zevitas, Katherine Zevitas Pine Street Inn----------Randy Fassas, Merope Kapetanakis Gardening Ministry -------------------- S. Nicholas Kriketos Young Adults------------------------------Dimitrios Loucagos 2 Easter Oration of St. Gregory the Theologian Yesterday I was crucified with Christ; Today I am glorified with Him. Yesterday I died with Him, Today I am made alive with Him. Yesterday I was buried with Him, Today I am raised with Him. Let us become like Christ, Since Christ became like us. Let us become divine for His sake, Since for us He became man. He assumed the worse, That He might give us the better. He became poor, that by His poverty We might become rich. He accepted the form of a servant, That we might win back our freedom, He came down that we might be lifted up. He was tempted, that through Him We might conquer. He was dishonored, that He might glorify us. He died, that He might save us. He ascended, that He might draw to Himself us, Who lie prostrate, having fallen into sin. Let us give all, offer all, to Him who gave Himself; A ransom and reconciliation for us. 3 “” “” “” “ ” 4 THE FEAST OF FEASTS SELFLESS vs. SELFISH The great celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has been classified -justifiably- as the “Feast of Feasts.” It is what we live for as Orthodox Christians! Pascha/Easter is that day of renewal whereby we can truly identify with Christ's Passion and Resurrection after preparing for well over 40 days to proclaim “Christ is Risen” with passion and joy. As we continue on the journey and pilgrimage to that holy occasion, the centerpiece of our faith on the road to salvation, it is significant to appreciate our Lord's Ultimate Humility under the umbrella of selfless offering. The weighty story as presented by Dostoyevsky highlights this imagery of the battle between selfishness and “selflessness.” He narrates the following: “Once upon a time, there was a peasant woman who was a very wicked person dying, and leaving not a single good deed behind. The devils caught her upon her death and plunged her into the lake of fire. The guardian angel, however, found that she had once pulled an onion from her garden and had given it to a beggar woman. God told her guardian angel to take the onion, let her take hold of it, and be pulled out. HE said, 'if you can pull her out by the onion, let her take hold and be pulled out. If she can be pulled out by the onion, let her come to paradise. But if the onion breaks, she must stay where she is.' The angel did this and cautiously began to pull the woman out. Then other sinners in the lake of fire, seeing her get out, caught hold of her so as to get out with her. But she was wicked and began kicking them saying, 'I'm to be pulled out! Not you! It's my onion! Not yours!' As soon as she said this, the onion broke, the woman fell back into the lake of fire, and she is there to this day.” If only that old woman had said “our onion” instead of “my onion”... As Christ so proclaims, “He who has ears to hear, let them hear!” Mark 4:9 A Blessed Pascha/Easter to all! +Father Nicholas Michael Kastanas 5 Holy and Great Friday Family Lenten Retreat April 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. All families are welcome! Sponsored by the Parents and Teachers Of the Catechetical Sunday School and the JOY and Greek School Ministries The schedule is as follows: 11:00 am - Retreat begins with instruction and reflection 11:30 pm - The Real Meaning of Easter-Participatory activity for all ages 12:30 pm - Pot luck Lenten lunch will be served (no dairy, fish, or meat) 1:10 pm – Age appropriate activities, crafts, and discussions 3:00 Retreat ends (3:00pm-4:30pm) Families are encouraged to participate in The ‘Removal of Christ from the Cross’, Αποκαθήλωση service For online electronic registration and additional information visit: http://tinyurl.com/HGF2015 Or contact Doxi Stefanidis at doxi@orfeas.com , Ioannis Moutsatsos at imoutsatsos@gmail.com or the Church Office at (781)646-0705 This is a family retreat that requires parent participation. Pre-registration by Friday, April 3rd is MANDATORY. Please use the online registration or email us to register 6 Parish Council News Dear Parishioners, Holy Week and Pascha are coming! Please join us for worship and fellowship as we prepare for Pascha and to celebrate the life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our schedule for Holy Week services is listed in the bulletin and on our website; come celebrate with us throughout the week. Palm Sunday Fish Dinner The Parish Council is offering our annual Palm Sunday Fish Dinner, Sunday April 5th, immediately following Divine Liturgy. Seats are limited and reservations are highly recommended. Tickets are available by contacting the Parish office during the week. Additionally, you can contact Maria Tsaousidis (617 448 7931) and Eleanor Profis (781 646-7957). Our dinner menu includes fresh baked fish, rice, peas, salad, a glass of wine and a Lenten desert. Pizza is available for children. Tickets are $25; Children having pizza are gratis. Come join us! Greek Festival 2015 – Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday - June 4, 5, 6 & 7 Big changes are coming to our Festival! This year, we are trying something new and opening on Thursday! The plan is to start on Thursday evening with Gyro Night ... offering a limited menu focused on our terrific gyros and souvlaki wraps, fresh salads and delicious loukoumades. Spread the word and join us!! Planning has been underway for several months but there is still much to do. We need more help to make this happen and would love your assistance with festival planning, preparations and coordination. Help is needed in all areas including cooking and baking, table/chair set-up, marketing, clean-up, service, salad, booths, putting up signs and posters, and in the kitchen and on the grills. This is our biggest event of the year and is everybody’s festival … let’s all help in advance of the festival to make it a success. Please contact our Parish Office or one of our chair people (Thanasi Arvanitis, Tasos Georgacopoulos, Dean Ioakimidis, Kathy VanKuilenburg and Mark Ypsilantis) and let us know how you can help. This a great opportunity for you and your family to get involved at St. Athanasius ... don’t miss out! Technology improvements at St. Athanasius In recent weeks, we organized a new team to improve the use of technology in our Parish. Our Technology Team is working on upgrading existing systems as well as introducing new technology to help us communicate with our parishioners more efficiently and effectively. One of the first projects is upgrading our rudimentary phones to a VOIP system with integrated voicemail. Other projects will include improved wifi, a video bulletin board, a wiki/document management system and an improved security system with video cameras. One of the most exciting projects we’re investigating is live video streaming of worship services and other parish events. If you have any cool ideas or experience with these technologies, please contact Vassili Pantazopoulos (zop1997@gmail.com) or Peter Ladas (ladaspeter@gmail.com) and join the team. Greek Independence Parade in Boston, April 26 The annual Greek Independence Parade in Boston takes place this year on Sunday April 26th. Once again, our Parish will participate with our ministries marching alongside a beautiful float. Building the float and participating in the parade is always a fun time for young and old! If you can use a screw gun or a paint brush or even a stapler, you can help build the float. Please contact John Ioakimidis (john.ioakimidis@yahoo.com) and Bill Karras (316billka@gmail.com) to learn more. Additionally, bus transportation from our parking lot to the parade will be available. Reservations are required; contact the Parish Office to reserve your seat. Faithfully, Apostolos Paul Tsitsopoulos, Parish Council President 8 St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church HOLY WEEK PROGRAM-2015 Saturday, April 4, 2015-SATURDAY OF THE RAISING OF LAZARUS Orthros 8am; Divine Liturgy 9-10:15am All the children should prepare to receive Holy Communion P.T.O. hosts communion breakfast and Palm making; Vespers 4:30 Sunday, April 5, 2015-PALM SUNDAY Orthros 8:45am;Divine Liturgy 10-11:30am The traditional Fish Dinner will be served following The Divine Liturgy;(Reservations required) $25; gratis pizza for the children THE NYMPHIOS(Christ the Bridegroom) SERVICE 7:-8:15pm The Nymphios(Christ the Bridegroom) Service Monday, April 6, 2015-HOLY & GREAT MONDAY 7-8:15pm The Nymphios (Christ the Bridegroom) Service Tuesday, April 7, 2015-HOLY & GREAT TUESDAY 7:-8:15pm The Nymphios(Christ the Bridegroom)Service The hymn/troparion of the nun Kassiane is chanted Wednesday, April 8, 2015-HOLY & GREAT WEDNESDAY 8-9:45am The Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 3-4:15pm The Sacrament of Holy Unction 7-8:15pm Nymphios/The Sacrament of Holy Unction Thursday April 9, 2015-HOLY & GREAT THURSDAY 5:15-6:40 am St. Basil’s Vesperal Liturgy (The Mystical Supper) HOLY COMMUNION ONLY IN THE SETTING OF THE DIVINE LITURGY and UNTIL 7am 7-10pm THE PASSION AND CRUCIFIXION OF OUR LORD The reading of the Twelve Gospel Passages April 10, 2015 HOLY & GREAT FRIDAY 8-9:45am The Service of the Royal Hours (Epitaphios decoration 10:30am) 3-4:15pm The Removal of Christ From the Cross (The Apokathelosis Service) 7-9:45pm The Burial, Funeral, and Epitaphios Service of our Lord (outdoor procession 8:30pm) April 11, 2015-HOLY & GREAT SATURDAY 5:15-6:35am The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil HOLY COMMUNION IN THE LITURGY AND UP TO 7:45am ONLY 11pm The Resurrection Service Midnight:The Resurrection of Christ; Orthros&Liturgy 12:25am-2am April 12, 2015-EASTER SUNDAY/PASCHA 11am-12Noon The Vespers Service of Love(Agape) Friday, April 17, 2015 THE LIFE-GIVING FOUNTAIN Orthros 9am D. Liturgy 10-11 Luncheon sponsored by the Fifties Plus for all A BLESSED AND HOLY EASTER/PASCHA TO ALL! +Fr. Kastanas 9 Continued from Front Cover Jesus is Crucified So they took charge of Jesus. 17 He went out, carrying his cross, and came to “The Place of the Skull,” as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called “Golgotha.”) 18 There they crucified him; and they also crucified two other men, one on each side, with Jesus between them. 19 Pilate wrote a notice and had it put on the cross. “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” is what he wrote. 20 Many people read it, because the place where Jesus was crucified was not far from the city. The notice was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. 21 The chief priests said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am the King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written stays written.” 23 After the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier. They also took the robe, which was made of one piece of woven cloth without any seams in it. 24 The soldiers said to one another, “Let's not tear it; let's throw dice to see who will get it.” This happened in order to make the scripture come true: “They divided my clothes among themselves and gambled for my robe.” And this is what the soldiers did.25 Standing close to Jesus' cross were his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, “He is your son.”27 Then he said to the disciple, “She is your mother.” From that time the disciple took her to live in his home. The Death of Jesus 28 Jesus knew that by now everything had been completed; and in order to make the scripture come true, he said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A bowl was there, full of cheap wine; so a sponge was soaked in the vinegar, put on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted up to his lips. 30 Jesus drank the wine and said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Jesus' Side Is Pierced 31 Then the Jewish authorities asked Pilate to allow them to break the legs of the men who had been crucified, and to take the bodies down from the crosses. They requested this because it was Friday, and they did not want the bodies to stay on the crosses on the Sabbath, since the coming Sabbath was especially holy. 32 So the soldiers went and broke the legs of the first man and then of the other man who had been crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they did not break his legs. 34 One of the soldiers, however, plunged his spear into Jesus' side, and at once blood and water poured out. (35 The one who saw this happen has spoken of it, so that you also may believe.[a] What he said is true, and he knows that he speaks the truth.) 36 This was done to make the scripture come true: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And there is another scripture that says, “People will look at him whom they pierced.” The Burial of Jesus 38 After this, Joseph, who was from the town of Arimathea, asked Pilate if he could take Jesus' body. (Joseph was a follower of Jesus, but in secret, because he was afraid of the Jewish authorities.) Pilate told him he could have the body, so Joseph went and took it away. 39 Nicodemus, who at first had gone to see Jesus at night, went with Joseph, taking with him about one hundred pounds of spices, a mixture of myrrh and aloes. 40 The 10 two men took Jesus' body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices according to the Jewish custom of preparing a body for burial. 41 There was a garden in the place where Jesus had been put to death, and in it there was a new tomb where no one had ever been buried. 42 Since it was the day before the Sabbath and because the tomb was close by, they placed Jesus' body there. John 20 The Empty Tomb 20 Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the entrance. 2 She went running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!”3 Then Peter and the other disciple went to the tomb. 4 The two of them were running, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and saw the linen cloths, but he did not go in. 6 Behind him came Simon Peter, and he went straight into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there 7 and the cloth which had been around Jesus' head. It was not lying with the linen cloths but was rolled up by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in; he saw and believed. (9 They still did not understand the scripture which said that he must rise from death.) 10 Then the disciples went back home. Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene 11 Mary stood crying outside the tomb. While she was still crying, she bent over and looked in the tomb 12 and saw two angels there dressed in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 “Woman, why are you crying?” they asked her. She answered, “They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have put him!”14 Then she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 “Woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who is it that you are looking for?”She thought he was the gardener, so she said to him, “If you took him away, sir, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned toward him and said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (This means “Teacher.”)17 “Do not hold on to me,” Jesus told her, “because I have not yet gone back up to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am returning to him who is my Father and their Father, my God and their God.”18 So Mary Magdalene went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and related to them what he had told her. Jesus Appears to His Disciples 19 It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Then Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 11 News and Announcements Sunday Catechetical School The cold days of the snowiest Boston winter season ever (with a total of 108.6 inches of snow) will soon be a distant memory! Spring has arrived and we are all looking forward to the glorious celebration of the biggest of all Orthodox feasts, the feast of the Holy Pascha/Easter and the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As the warm rays of the sun feel better after a long and cold winter, so does the celebration of Easter after a long, quiet, prayerful and spiritually reflective Lenten period. We hope that families had an opportunity to participate together in the many unique services of Lent and the disciplines of fasting, prayer, charity and repentance. In the classroom, we frequently discussed Great Lent as a ‘Journey’, and offered ideas on how we can make it more meaningful by participating and better understanding the Church services and the changes we make in our way of life during this time. On the first Sunday in Lent the children participated in the icon procession as we celebrated Sunday of Orthodoxy. It was so heart-warming to see the children proudly hold their icons on their chests and then lift them over their heads as high as they could! This is a memorable event for all of the students and reminds us of the proper place the icons hold in our Orthodox worship. On March 28th, our parish celebrated the annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival that provides a unique opportunity for our children to speak about their faith in a supportive and educational environment. The younger grades presented topics of their choosing, while children in the junior and senior divisions presented from an official list of topics. First and second place winners from our parish will compete at the District and Metropolis competitions. We again thank Mrs. Tina Bowling for her tireless efforts in coordinating this very important event as in many years past. Throughout Lent, the 2nd grade sponsored our Annual Lenten Food Drive. The donated nonperishable food will be blessed by Father Nick on Palm Sunday and delivered on Good Friday to the Arlington Food Pantry. Please, make sure your students contribute in all of these activities and that you take some time to discuss with them their significance. 12 News and Announcements Sunday Catechetical School - continued Finally, the annual Holy and Great Friday family retreat will take place on April 10th. The retreat is sponsored by the St. Athanasius PTO, the JOY ministry, and the Catechetical School staff. Look for additional retreat details in a special flier inside this bulletin. Follow this link for online electronic registration and additional information or visit: http://tinyurl.com/HGF2015. Please, continue to bring your students to Church regularly during Holy Week and prepare them for a better understanding of the services by discussing them before hand. The Department of Religious education has many online resources including the brief but informative ‘Journey through Holy Week’ (http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/religioused/holyweekguide) The next staff meeting is scheduled for Sunday April 26th, immediately after the end of classes. ____ SAINT ATHANASIUS THE GREAT LENTEN FOOD DRIVE To benefit the Arlington Food Pantry In observance of Great Lent, we ask everyone to please bring in canned or other non-perishable foods to church. Please bring in your donations by Palm Sunday. There are containers in the church hall. Thank you! Sponsored by the 2nd grade class of the Sunday Church School Please contact Parish Office for information 13 News and Announcements St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival On Saturday, March 28th, 2015, the St. Athanasius Greek Orthodox Church hosted the annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. Congratulations to all of the participants! Junior Division (7th Grade – 9th Grade): Gabriella Awad, Luke Eriksson, Sophia Meimaris. All Juniors who place (first, second and third) are eligible for the Chrysostom Scholarship to Hellenic College. Gabriella and Luke will represent St. Athanasius at the District Oratorical Festival on April 25th in Somerville, MA. Elementary Division (4th Grade- 6th Grade): Georgina Awad, Margo Awad, Antonis Ioakimidis; Raliya Mavrokostidis; Katerina Meimaris; George Pantazopoulos, Alex Perhanidis; Yianni Stefanidis and Pauline Tsiaras. GOYA Hello all! This month GOYA will be selling lambathes every Sunday until Easter. We will be selling them in the front entrance of the church from 10:30 to 12:30 each Sunday. On March 14th we got together and went laser tagging at LaserCraze in Woburn. We had a lot of fun! Thank you to the chaperones and GOYAns who attended. Additionally, GOYA has donated $300 to the family of Fr. Baker and $500 to the IOCC to go towards emergency aid in Greece. Upcoming events include the Walk for Hunger in Boston, which will be on May 3rd. GOYA will be starting a team that will raise money and walk for the cause. All members of the congregation are welcome to donate or to walk with us! 14 News and Announcements Philoptochos Sunday, April 5, 2015 - Palm Sunday - St. Barbara's Annual Tsourekia Bake Sale Place your orders early, please call; Crystal Iakovou (781) 862-7136 or Katina Ioakimidis (781) 643-5971 Tsourekia, Koulourakia, and Gift Wrapped Egg Baskets for sale! Holy Week Preparations for Easter for the entire parish All Invited. Please join us. We need many hands! Please confirm times with the church office, (781) 646-0705 EGG BOILING ~ Wednesday, April 8 ~ early a.m. ~ church kitchen EGG WRAPPING ~ Thursday, April 9 ~ 9:00 a.m. ~ church auditorium EPITAPHIO Decorating ~ Good Friday, APRIL 10 ~ 10:00 - 1:00 p.m. Who is Graduating this year? Being a paid steward of this church brings you many benefits. St. Barbara's Philoptochos is honored to celebrate the high school and college graduates each year. Graduates are presented with a gift on Graduation Sunday each May. Every year, we ask parents to inform St. Barbara's their graduates. We strongly urge graduates and their families to be present in order to receive their gift. Please call 978-663-3936 or email Kathy VanKuilenburg (email below) with your graduate's name and where they are graduating from. * * * Graduate submission deadline is APRIL 30, 2015 * * * We are happy to prepare and present these gifts, therefore, we respectfully decline any submissions after April 30. Thank you for your understanding Next General Assembly - Thursday, May 21, 2015, 7:00 p.m. - ELECTIONS Please feel free to reach Kathy VanKuilenburg at (978) 663-3936 or by email at, k.vankuilenburg@comcast.net 15 April 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Strict Fast Fast Free Fish Allowed………………. Sunday Orthros 8:45 am Divine Lit.10 -11:30 Sunday Catechetichal School 10am Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon 12:30 Adults $25 Free Pizza for the children 7:-8:15pm The Nymphios/ Christ the Bridegroom Service Pascha/Easter Sunday 11am-12Noon The Vespers Service of Love (Agape) Christ is Risen! 12 19 Sunday of Thomas Orthros 8:45am D. Liturgy 10-11:30 SundayCat.Ch. Sch 10 16 26Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women Orthros 8:45am D. Liturgy 10-11:30 SundayCat.Ch. Sch 10 Memorial:+Frances +Michael Bouboulis Lambrou GREEK PARADE IN BOSTON 1 Bus leaves At 11:30 2 Little Halos 8:30-3 Pre-Sanctified Liturgy (Evening)5:45-7:30pm Parish Council Meeting 7:30 pm Philoptochos General Assembly 7pm Holy & Great Monday Little Halos 8:30-3 No Greek School No Greek Dancing The Nymphios Christ the Bridegroom Service 7-8:15pm 7 Holy & Great Tuesday Little Halos 8:30-12 No Greek School The NymphiosChrist the Bridegroom Service 7:-8:15pm 8 13 Little Halos 8:30-3pm Greek School K1 and K2 4-6pmGreek Dancing for the children 6-8pm No Adult Rel.Ed.and Bible Study in Greek Adult Grk Dancing 8pm 14 15 Happy Patriots’ Day! School Vacation Spring Break No Bible Study Office Closed 21 27 Little Halos 8:30-3pm Greek School K1 and K2 4-6pmGreek Dancing for the children 6-8pm Adult Rel.Ed.and Bible Study in Greek 28 6 20 7:15-8:30pm Adult Grk Dancing 8pm Little Halos 8:30-3 Greek School 4-6:30 Grades 1 and 4 No Bible Study in English Public Schools Spring Break No Bible Study in English Little Halos 8:30-3 Greek School 4-6:30 Grades 1 and 4 Bible Study in English 7:15-8:30pm Thursday 1 Little Halos 8:30-3 Greek School 4-6:30 Grades 2 and 5 Wine/Oil Allowed 5 Palm Wednesday Holy&Great Wednesday 8-9:45am The PreSanctified Liturgy 3-4:15pm The Sacrament of Holy Unction 7-8:15pm Nymphios/The Sacrament of Holy Unction Little Halos 8:30-3 Greek School 4-6:30 Grades 2 and 5 Parish Council Meeting 7pm 22 Public Schools Spring Break 29 Little Halos 8:30-3 Greek School 4-6:30 Grades 2 and 5 Greek School 4-6:30 Grades 3 and 6 9 Holy & Great Thursday 5:15-6:40am St. Basil’s Liturgy (The Mystical Supper) HOLY COMMUNION ONLY IN THE SETTING OF THE DIVINE LITURGY and UNTIL 7am 7-10pm THE PASSION AND CRUCIFIXION OF OUR LORD 16 Little Halos 8:30-3 Greek School 4-6:30 Grades 3 and 6 23 St. George The Great Martyr Orthros 8-9 Divine Liturgy 9-10am Public Schools Spring Break 30 Little Halos 8:30-3 Greek School 4-6:30 Grades 3 and 6 Little Halos Pot Luck Supper 6-8:30pm Friday 3 Little Halos 8:30-3 10 Holy & Great Friday 8-9:45am The Service of the Royal Hours-Epitaphios decoration 10:30 Sunday Catechetical Church School Retreat 11:30am/ 3-4:30pm The Removal of Christ From the CrossThe Apokathelosis Service The Burial,Funeral& Epitaphios Service 7-10pm 17 Zoodochos Pigi The Life-Giving Fountain Orthros 9am Divine Liturgy 10-11am Luncheon for all sponsored by the Fifties Plus after Liturgy Little Halos 8:30-3 24 Public Schools Spring Break Saturday 4 Saturday of Lazarus Orthros 8am D.Lit.9-10:15 All the children should prepare to receive HolyCommunion-PTO hosts communion breakfast & Palm making Vespers 4:30 11 Holy & Great Saturday 5:15-6:35am The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil HOLY COMMUNION IN THE LITURGY AND UP TO 7:45amONLY 11pm The Resurrection Service Midnight: The Resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Orthros&Liturgy 12:25am-2am 18 Great Vespers Service 4:30pm 25 St. John Chrysostom District Oratorical Festival in Somerville 9am Great Vespers Service 4:30pm May 1st, 2015 Απρίλιος 2015 Κυριακή Δευτέρα Τρίτη Τετάρτη 1 5 Μηχαλης Μπουμπουλης 6 7 8 Παρασκευή Σάββατο 2 3 4 9 10 11 Άγιος Γεώργιος Μεγαλομάρτυς Πέμπτη 17 18 News and Announcements Little Halos March was a very excited and full month of learning. Children joined the “Read Across America” on Dr. Seuss’s birthday by reading his stories and reflecting them with a variety of art projects. They also enjoyed bringing nursery rhymes to life. For an entire week, they were singing, reading, or acting them out along with creating relevant crafts. At the end of the week, the children voted for their favorite nursery rhyme, "Hickory Dickory Dock". This month, the children learned about a special tree that blooms in Greece early in spring, the almond tree. Our curriculum for this month ended with the Feast of the Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos that commemorates the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would become incarnate and enter into this world through her womb. On the same date we also remembered and celebrated Greek Independence Day. All the children recited a poem and sang patriotic songs. Registration for the 2015-2016 school year has now begun. New Flexible Schedule Options for the current and 2015-2016 school year include: 8:30am-12:00noon OR 8:30am-3:00pm For more information and registration materials, please call the school at 781-646-1322 or 781-354-9232. 19 ee k ook P kC ee wi kM Gr a ee k C •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • G r e e k F oo G d• r a ek D ncin g e r • Ch •G u s ic il dr fen • e n io iv ’s C r n a tries • L i as D e m ing • ne A • g a o r al rc • C hu • presents its annual Gr e e To u r s • rE ic • Gr us EK St. Athanasius The Great Greek Orthodox Church h Greek M e v os • g Arlington Greek Festival ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• June 4,5,6 & 7 Thursday 5-9pm Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm Sunday 11am-8pm • HOMEMADE GREEK FOOD and PASTRIES LIVE GREEK MUSIC CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES & GAMES Bring your Family & Friends GREEK WINE & BEER and Share the Fun FAST FOOD LINES the Greek Way! CHURCH TOURS GREEK CAFENIO Free Admission (Coffee House) Rain or Shine AGORA under a Large Tent • • (MARKET PLACE) GREEK DANCING www.arlingtonfestival.com accepted 4 Appleton Street - Arlington, Mass 20 ANASTASIA (ANN) AND GEORGE C. DIMITRAKIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP The Anastasia (Ann) and George C. Dimitrakis Memorial Scholarship was established in 2008 at the St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church with a generous gift of $100,000 by the late Ann Dimitrakis, in loving memory of her spouse, George C. Dimitrakis. George and Ann Dimitrakis have long been faithful stewards and communicants at the St. Athanasius Church. The first scholarships were awarded in June 2010. St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church has established the Scholarship Awards Committee for the purpose of administering this scholarship. The Awards Committee, in its discretion, will award a scholarship(s) to that high school graduating senior(s) who achieve(s) exemplary rankings according to criteria established by the Awards Committee. The amount of the award(s) will be based on the scholarship fund’s return on investment, as determined by October of each year, and as distributed by the Trustees of the Scholarship Fund. Please visit the parish website at (www.stathanasius.org) for all application materials and application instructions. Application information is only available online. Eligible applicants must meet all of the following requirements: (1) be in their senior year of high school; (2) complete in full all application forms (typed) and provide all requested information; (3) family must be stewards of St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church for three successive years (if one year has been missed, applicant’s family has the opportunity to become current for that year); (4) must have been accepted to a full-time course of study at an accredited 4-year college or university. Applications will not be reviewed if each of the aforementioned requirements has not been met. Applications are available on-line (www.saintathanasius.org) and must be submitted in full by Friday, May 15, 2015. Only complete typed application packages will be reviewed by the Awards Committee; it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all materials have been mailed to the Awards Committee. Please mail complete application packages to the Anastasia (Ann) and George S. Dimitrakis Memorial Scholarship, c/o St. Athanasius Greek Orthodox Church, 4 Appleton St., Arlington, MA 02476. The awarding of the scholarship(s) will take place on a Sunday, June 14, 2015. The disbursement will take place after October 17, 2015, and only after the student(s) has provided to the Awards Committee an official confirmation of enrollment from the Registrar’s Office of the university/college. Awards Committee Dennis P. George, Jr. Emmanuel V. Meimaris, Esq. Christine Pavlakis Bowling, LICSW Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou Kyrou Dr. Valerie Relias Rev. Dr. Nicholas M. Kastanas (ex officio) 21 St. Athanasius Stewardship Roll of Honor for 2015 Contributions as of March 15, 2015 THANK YOU! Your continued Love and Support make our many ministries possible ΣΑΣ ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΟΥΜΕ! Η αγάπη και η υποστήριξη σας στηρίζουν τις πολλές διακονίες της εκκλησίας μας Elizabeth Afouxenides Mr. & Mrs. Elias Christopoulos Mrs. Denise Miserlis Hoyle Mr. & Mrs. George Afouxenides Mr & Mrs C. Courduvelis Crystal Iakovou Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Aggouras Mr. & Mrs. Roger Daigel Mr. & Mrs. Iakovos V. Iakovou Elaine M. Alexis Elaine Dalaklis John & Althea Ioakimidis Mr. & Mrs. Charles Anamateros Mr. & Mrs. Mark Dalaklis Stavros & Katina Ioakimidis Mr. & Mrs. Harry Anamateros Mr. & Mrs. Menelaos Dalaklis The Ioakimidis Family Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Anargirou Mr. & Mrs. Anthony DeLellis John & Martha Jefferson Mr. & Mrs. Peter Antonakas George & Joanne Delyani Mr. & Mrs. George Kaliontzis Mr. & Mrs. George Antonopoulos Angela Denison James & Courtney Kaloyanidis Nick & Sophia Aronis Robert & Stephanie Devasto Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kanellias Athanasios & Angela Arvanitis Dimitrios & Potoula Dimopoulos Elizabeth Karagianis Jonathan & Thea Athanas Anthony & Renata Duros John Karagianis Pavlos & Danielle Athanasiadis Christos& Maria Eliopoulos Mrs. Katherine Karagianis Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Athanasiou Kathryn G. Elios Atha & Stephanie Karasoulos Mr. & Mrs. John G. Athanasopoulos Carolyn & Mark Finocchiaro Bill & Jessica Karras Betty Athanasoulas Andrew & Pelagia Fotopulos Mr. & Mrs. Nick Karras Mr. & Mrs. George Baltatzidis John & Joanne Francis Fr. Nicholas and Presv.Litsa Kastanas Ms. Janet Barbas Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Galanopoulos Mr. Mikael Kastanas Mr. & Mrs. Antonis Biliardis H. Galanopoulos & M. Dardati Demetrios & Christina Katos Mr. & Mrs. Drew Bililies Mr. & Mrs. Thomas & Marilyn Gamber Steven & Shara Katsos Mihail S. Bouboulis Kosta and Fotini Gavrielidis Katsos-Dorow Family Mr. & Mrs. Stefanos Bouboulis Mr. & Mrs. James Geanakos Alice Kefalas Mr. Georgios I. Bouboulis Mr. & Mrs. Harry Gennis Mr. & Mrs. Robert Kefalas Dr.David & Tina Bowling Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Gennis Christopher & Nicky Kokoras Ms. Katina Caramanis Mr. & Mrs. Steven Georgopoulos Mr. Dimitrios Kolokithas Mariela Castillo Mrs. Maria Olga Georgopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Konstantina Kondilis Mr. & Mrs. James Chalapatas Mrs. Garyfallia Georgoulis Mr. & Mrs. Perikles Kontalipos Cassandra Chamallas Mrs. Evangeline Gianocostas John & Evdoxia Korovilas Charles & Lynne Chamallas Mr. & Mrs. James Giosmas Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios & Eleni Kosmidis Mrs. Kiki Chrisafis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Hatzikostanti Alexandria Kostopoulos Anastasios&Eleni Christophilos Barbara & Leonard J. Henson Ms Susan L. Koulouris 22 Evangelos & Athena Koutroukas Mr. & Mrs. Edward Moussouris Mr.&Mrs. N. Splagounias Family Katherine Kriketos Dr.Ioannis & Angela Moutsatsos Mr. & Mrs. Stefanos Stamides Mr. S. Nicholas Kriketos II Mrs. Katina Muksuris Mrs. Urania Stangas Evmorfilli Kyridis Thomas & Aglaia Nanopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Stanitsas Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Leonardos Theofanis & Christine Orfanos Ms. Georgia Stathopoulos N. Leonardos & R. Chandonnet Mrs. Irene Paleologos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Stavropoulos Ellen Leotsakos William Pananos Dimitrios & Fotini Stefanis Mr. & Mrs. Christos Lianos Mr. & Mrs. George Panitsidis George & Rodanthi Stratakis Ms. Amalia Loucopoulos George & Georgia Pantazopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Marko Stratakis Alexander & Loula Loukeris Nicholas Pantazopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Alex & Heather Taoultsides John Macaris Mr.Costa Papadimitris Stratos&Spyridoula Taoultsides John G. Maidonis Arthur Papas Ms Diane M. Tashjian Charles & Despina Makredes Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Pappas Christos Terzakis George & Leona Makredes George & Panagiota Paras Mr. & Mrs. Michael Terzakis Joseph and Maryanne Senna Elias & Olga Patoucheas Mr. & Mrs. Michael Theodore Mr. Gary Makredes John & Maria Pavlidis Mr. & Mrs. Paul Theodoulou Panagiotis & Kalliopi Mamounas George Perhanidis Mr. & Mrs. Maria Theophilis Zannis & Angeliki Mamounas Constantinos Philips Mrs. Jorgette Theophilis-Sperry Athina Mantzouranis Joanne E. Piandes Paul & Elaine Tilly Ms.Julie Mantzouranis & Austin Barthuly Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Pithis Mr. John W Toulopoulos Mrs. Eleanor Profis Stefanos & Maria Tourkomanolis Mr. Steven Prois Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Trefon Spyridon Prois Anastasia Tsakirgis Zoi & Gaetano Pucci Mr. & Mrs. George Tsakirgis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Raftelis Maria Tsaousidis John Rogaris & Margaret Baratta Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Tsaousidis Crystal Roussos Vasilios & Argyro Tsiaras John & Paula Seremetis Mr. & Mrs. James Tsihlis Anthony & Elaine Sgouros Mr. & Mrs. Apostolos Tsitsopoulos Mrs. Betty Shushan Mr. & Mrs. George Tsitsopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Steve Silipigni Drs. James T. Ubertalli Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Skourides Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Underwood Mr. & Mrs. Panagiotis Sofronas Mr. & Mrs. Theophilos Vallas Andreas & Ioanna Spalaris Mr. & Mrs. John Vankuilenburg Evangelos & Despina Maradianos Melanie I. Marken Mr. & Mrs. Maria Matos Anthoula & Georgio Meimaris Emmanuel & Eleni Meimaris Pavlos & Eleni Meimaris Vasilios & Sonia Meimaris Lori & Mim Minichiello Margaret Mitropoulos Tessie Mitropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Moisakis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Moisakis Anastasios Moshonisiou Mr. & Mrs. Leo & Niki Mourmoutis Anthony & Despina Speros 23 Στην Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία, σύμφωνα με το τηρούμενο Μηναίο ή Μηνολόγιο, καθεμιά απ' τις μέρες της Μεγάλης Εβδομάδας είναι αφιερωμένη και σε κάποιο ή κάποια επιμέρους περιστατικά των Παθών. Η Μεγάλη Δευτέρα είναι αφιερωμένη στη μνήμη του ΙΩΣΗΦ, του γιου του ΙΑΚΩΒ, που αναφέρεται στη Παλαιά Διαθήκη και στην άκαρπη συκιά, που την καταράστηκε ο Χριστός και ξεράθηκε μ' ένα του λόγο. Η Μεγάλη Τρίτη είναι αφιερωμένη στην παραβολή των Δέκα Παρθένων. Η παραβολή αυτή συμβολίζει την πίστη και την προνοητικότητα. Ψάλλεται το τροπάριο που έγραψε η μοναχή Κασσιανή. Η Μεγάλη Τετάρτη είναι αφιερωμένη στη μνήμη της αμαρτωλής γυναίκας που μετανόησε, πίστεψε στο Χριστό και άλειψε τα πόδια του με μύρο. Η Μεγάλη Πέμπτη είναι αφιερωμένη στο Μυστικό Δείπνο, στην προσευχή στην Γεσθημανή, στην προδοσία του Ιούδα, στη σύλληψη του Ιησού, στην ανάκριση από τον Άννα, στην Άρνηση του Πέτρου και στην καταδίκη του Χριστού από τον Καϊάφα. Η Μεγάλη Παρασκευή είναι αφιερωμένη στα Άγια Πάθη και στη Σταύρωση. Γίνεται η περιφορά του ΕΠΙΤΑΦΙΟΥ. Το Μεγάλο Σάββατο είναι αφιερωμένο στην Ταφή του Χριστού και στην Εις Άδου Κάθοδο. Ιερές Ακολουθίες - Τροπάρια Το απόγευμα προς βράδυ της Κυριακής των Βαΐων, της Μεγάλης Δευτέρας και της Μεγάλης Τρίτης ψάλλεται η Ακολουθία του Νυμφίου και ο Όρθρος της επόμενης μέρας και το Μεγάλο Απόδειπνο λίγο νωρίτερα τις πρώτες απογευματινές ώρες, ενώ τα πρωινά η προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία. Τα τροπάρια που ψέλνονται είναι το του Νυμφίου Ἰδοὺ ὁ Νυμφίος ἔρχεται και το Τὸν Νυμφῶνὰ σου βλέπω ενώ τη Μεγάλη Τρίτη το βράδυ ψάλλεται το τροπάριο της Κασσιανής, Κύριε, ἡ ἐν πολλαῖς ἁμαρτίαις. Το πρωί της Μεγάλης Τετάρτης τελείται η προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία και το απόγευμα γίνεται η Ακολουθία του Ευχελαίου και η τελετή του Νιπτήρος, που είναι και ο Όρθρος της Μεγάλης Πέμπτης που αναφέρεται στο Μυστικό Δείπνο και ψάλλεται το Κοντάκιο Ὅτε οἱ ἔνδοξοι μαθηταί. Το πρωί της Μεγάλης Πέμπτης τελείται η Θεία Λειτουργία του Μεγάλου Βασιλείου και στο τέλος οι πιστοί μεταλαμβάνουν της Αγίας Κοινωνίας, το απόγευμα προς βράδυ γίνεται η Ακολουθία των Αγίων και Αχράντων Παθών ή Δώδεκα Ευαγγελίων στην οποία αναγιγνώσκονται 12 περικοπές από τα 4 Ευαγγέλια, του Ματθαίου, του Μάρκου, του Λουκά και του Ιωάννη σχετικά με τα Άγια Πάθη του Χριστού από το Μυστικό Δείπνο μέχρι την Ταφή, παράλληλα γίνεται και η έξοδος του Τιμίου Σταυρού με τον Εσταυρωμένο από την Αγία Τράπεζα και η περιφορά του σε όλο το χώρο του ναού ενώ ψάλλεται το Σήμερον κρεμᾶται ἐπὶ ξύλου. Το πρωί της Μεγάλης Παρασκευής αποτελεί την κορύφωση του Θείου Δράματος με την Ακολουθία των Μεγάλων Ωρών και τον Εσπερινό της Αποκαθήλωσης όπου ο ιερέας κατεβάζει τον Εσταυρωμένο από τον Σταυρό και τον τυλίγει σε καθαρό σεντόνι ενώ από αργά το βράδυ έχει ετοιμαστεί ο Ιερός Επιτάφιος έτσι ώστε να τοποθετηθεί το Άγιο Σώμα του Κυρίου και το βράδυ οι πιστοί παρακολουθούν με κατάνυξη τον όρθρο του Μεγάλου Σαββάτου και την Ακολουθία του Επιταφίου και ψάλλονται τα Εγκώμια σε τρεις στάσεις: Ἡ ζωὴ ἐν τάφῳ α' στάση, Ἄξιόν ἐστί β' στάση, και Αἱ γενεαὶ πᾶσαι γ' στάση μετά τα οποία και πραγματοποιείται η περιφορά του Επιταφίου στους δρόμους της πόλης ή του χωριού. Το πρωί του Μεγάλου Σαββάτου ψάλλεται ο Εσπερινός της Ανάστασης, λεγόμενη και "Πρώτη Ανάσταση" και το τροπάριο Ἀνάστα, ὁ Θεός. Το μεσημέρι στον Πανάγιο Τάφο πραγματοποιείται η αφή του Αγίου Φωτός όπου και διανέμεται σε όλο τον Ορθόδοξο κόσμο και το βράδυ ακολουθεί η Τελετή της Αναστάσεως με το Δεῦτε λάβετε φῶς και το Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη που συνοδεύεται από τους χαρμόσυνους ήχους της καμπάνας, τους ασπασμούς της αγάπης και τη ρίψη πυροτεχνημάτων, βεγγαλικών και βαρελότων. 24 Four Words That Change Every Situation Stephen Altrogge Have you ever had one of those, “Woah, wait a minute!” times when reading the Bible? You’re slowly meandering your way through a chapter, trying to clear your sleepfogged head, when suddenly a verse jumps out and slaps you in the face. I had one of those moments this morning. I was making my way through Psalm 54, trying to shake off a slight headache, when I read verse 4: “Behold, God is my helper…” Bam! Bible verse to the face (in a good, sweet way). The words “God is my helper” are astonishing. Think about them for a moment. They literally change every situation. God, the God of the universe, the omnipotent, all-wise, all-loving, righteous, true, angel terrifying, sinner saving, God is MY HELPER. Woah. Woah! I am really not feeling well, and I’m really tempted to complain… but God is my helper! He can heal me, or give me the power not complain, or both. My child is not doing well spiritually, and I’m at my wits end… but God is my helper! He can melt my child’s hard heart and give me wisdom to navigate the every sticky situation. My partner on this school project is doing nothing, and I want to punch him in the face… but God is my helper! He can give me diligence, patience, and love. My kids are running around the house, peeing on the floor, and generally driving me insane… but God is my helper! He can give me an otherworldly love for these high speed children. I’ve sinned in the same way again and again and again…but God is my helper! He promises that sin will not have dominion over me. He will give me power to overcome this sin. There is no situation too great for God. There is no heart too hard for God. There is no budget too tight for God. There is no boss too difficult for God. God is your helper! He is my helper! Those four words change every situation. Do you need wisdom today? God is your helper. Do you need strength today? God is your helper. Do you need patience today? God is your helper. If God is your helper, that changes everything. 25 Sai ntAt hanasi usGr eekSchoolPTO pr esent s: Pai ntNi ght LedbyGr eekAr t i stKat er i naDel egas J o i nusa ndc r e a t et hi sbe a ut i f ul pa i nt i ngo fSa nt o r i nit ot a k eho me ! Da t e :Ma y1 s t Ti me :6: 30-1 0: 00p. m. Pl a c e :St . At ha na s i usAudi t o r i um 4Appl e t o nSt . Ar l i ngt o n $40pe rpe r s o n* . I nc l ude sa l ls uppl i e s , wi nea nda ppe t i z e r s . Li mi t e ds pa c ebo o ky o urs e a tt o da y ! Topur c ha s et i c k e t sg ot o :www. g r e e kbo s t o n. c o m/ Ar l i ngt o nPa i nt Ni g ht o rc a l lTa ny a :7 81 . 25 4. 1 661o rBe t t y :7 81 . 367 . 65 1 2 26 * Al lpr o c e e dswi l lg ot os uppo r tt hes t . At ha na s i usGr e e ks c ho o lpr o g r a m SAINT ATHANASIUS FAMILY PICNIC Calling all families and kids of our: P.T.O / Hope-Joy / GOYA / Sunday School When: Saturday, Where: May 30th from 5 P.M. to 10 P.M. (Rain or shine) Kimball Farm: 400 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA 01886 (Meet at the farm and look for the tent labelled “St. Athanasius Family Picnic”) Cost: Adults $14.50, ages 4 to GOYA age: $26.50, Under 4: Free Includes for everyone: Choice of: hot dog, cheeseburger, hamburger, or veggie burger Served with potato chips, soda and kiddie ice cream cup (2) Bumper Boat Rides, (1) bucket of balls at driving range Unlimited use of the mini-golf, sand volleyball, horseshoes, and tug of war pit Please R.S.V.P by: May 13, 2015 ADVANCED PAYMENT required. No walk-ins and no R.S.V.Ps after deadline. GOYA: Demi Tsitsopoulos – demitsitsopoulos@gmail.com Hope-Joy: Angie Tsiaras -chios1greece@gmail.com Greek School PTO: Betty Dakopoulos –bettydak@gmail.com Sunday School: Ioannis Moutsatsos – imoutsatsos@gmail.com Online registration and information: http://tinyurl.com/regFamPicnic2015 http://tinyurl.com/infoFamPicnic2015 27 Ενα πρόγραμμα Ελληνικής μουσικής και κίνησης για παιδιά ηλικίας από 6 μηνών έως 3 ετών με συνοδεία γονέων. Little Halos Preschool & Prekindergarten Dayschool, Αρχίζουμε ένα νέο πρόγραμμα Ελληνικής μουσικής και κίνησης για παιδιά από 6 μηνών έως 3 ετών με συνοδεία γονέων. Τα μαθήματα είναι διαρκείας 8 εβδομάδων και προσφέρουν την εξοικείωση των παιδιών με τον ρυθμό την κίνηση και την κουλτούρα των Ελληνικών παιδικών τραγουδιών. Το πρόγραμμα διδάσκει η Ελληνίδα πτυχιούχος εκπαιδευτικός της μουσικής κ. Νεκταρία Μπούστρη. Η κ. Νεκταρία έχει διδάξει μουσική επί σειρά ετών στα δημόσια σχολεία του Νήνταμ, και για τα 3 τελευταία χρόνια στο ημερήσιο σχολείο της ενορίας μας Λίττλ Χάλος. Τα μαθήματα θα παραδίδονται τις Παρασκευές το πρωί στις 10, και αρχίζουν Φεβρουάριος 27/2015, έως Μαίος 1/2015. Let’s sing together in Greek!!! Every Friday morning starting at 2/27/15 ending 5/1/15. This is an 8 week music program for children ages 6month to 2.9 years old. Registration for: Ας τραγουδήσουμε μαζί Ελληνικά: Child’s Name: __________________________________Birth Date______________ 2nd Child’s Name: ______________________________ Birth Date_______________ Parents Name:______________________________________________________ Home Phone:__________________________Cell Phone________________________ Street Address:_______________________City:_________________Zip:________ E-Mail Address:_____________________________________________________ Person accompanying child if not parent:_____________________________________ I will be bringing a sibling under 3 months (circle) Yes__No, Name and DOB:__________ Class Fee: $__________________ (+Sibling Fee:$_______) Total$_____________ *Younger siblings under 3 months are free, Little Halos Families: $ 120 for 8 sessions Call 781-646-1322 or 781-354-9232 for more information. Location: Four Appleton Street (corner of Massachusetts Ave.) Arlington, Massachusetts 02476 Tel: (781) 646-1322 Fax: (781) 641-4700 littlehalospreschool@gmail.com 28 29 St. Athanasius Stewardship Goal Based on 2015 Budget 515 families contributing an average of $1,000 per family will cover nearly all our variable operating expenses $800,000 $700,000 $600,000 $500,000 $400,000 What does this mean? 2015 Stewardship Goal to Support your Church and its Ministries, $520,126 Ministries, $232,500 Church Payroll, $48,000 Operating Expense, $83,200 Property Expense, $111,500 Mortgage - Extra Principal Pmts, $48,000 $300,000 Mortgage - Principal Pmts, $90,115 $200,000 Net Rental Income, $268,789 $100,000 Mortgage - Interest Pmts, $175,600 $0 30 Cash In Cash Out St. Athanasius Ministries we Support Sacraments, Visitation ministry, JOY, GOYA & Youth Athletics ministries, Catechetical Education, Bible Study, Greek Language and Cultural Education, Altar Servers, Choir & Chanting ministries, Local outreach for homeless and needy, Clergy payroll & benefits (Priest & Deacon) Metropolis Ministries we Support Summer, Winter and Family Camp (MBC), Philoxenia House, Greek Education, Orthodox Christian Religious Education, Youth & Young Adult Ministries, Youth Greek Dance & Athletic Ministries, Orthodox Christian Fellowship Archdiocese Ministries we Support Hellenic College/Holy Cross, Ecumenical, Patriarchate, World Orthodoxy, Outreach, Military Bibles, Missions and Evangelism Church Payroll Church Administrative Assistants, Bookkeeper, Cantor, taxes & expense. note: Clergy payroll included in Ministries Operating Expenses Church & Religious Supplies, Telecom, Office Supplies & Equip, Auto Expenses Property Expenses Utilities, Building Maintenance & Repairs, Property & Liability Insurance Mortgage Includes Interest & Principal. Extra Principal payments to be made as finances allow Net Rental Income AHNS School, House, Parking & Hall rental SAINT ATHANASIUS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH CONFIDENTIAL FAMILY INFORMATION FORM Please complete and return this form to the Church Office 4 Appleton Street, Arlington, MA 02476 Name: (preferred way of seeing your name) Address: City: State: Zip: ________ Home Telephone: I want to receive my month bulletin via US post mail ______ Your First Name via email Spouse Children / Age Name: / Mobile Tel: / E‐mail: / Occupation: / Work Tel: / Please check those items in which you or a member of your family has some expertise or interest. Place name or initials of the specific family member after each item checked. Bible Study Teaching Greek School/Little Halos Visitation of Elderly/Infirm Philoptochos Festival Outreach to Community Soup Kitchen Computer – Hardware/Systems Computer ‐ software Web Design Youth Ministry Sunday School Church Choir Reader (in liturgy) Ushering / Welcome Evangelism New parents Scouting Youth Work Gardening Publishing/Marketing Office Work Medical/Nurse Art/Design Services Legal Finance Architecture Real Estate Management Electrical Construction Mechanical / Plumbing Other STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE / DONATION Family Name Envelope No.: I understand it takes approximately $1,010 per active Stewardship family to operate and support the ministries and facility of the St. Athanasius Parish in 2015. We would like to pledge $ Weekly (approx. $20/week) We would like to pledge $ Monthly (approx. $85/month) We would like to pledge $ Yearly You can also pledge at http://www.saintathanasius.org/stewardship/ 31 Ver. 03-2015 FOOD FOR THOUGHT To be a member of the Church is not the same as being a member of a club or civic group. The Church is the “Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12). Therefore, to be a member of the Church is to be a part of the living body of Christ. Just as every member has a different function in the human body, so do we each have a specific function or calling in His Church. God did not create each of us to do the same thing. If a member of the human body is missing or not functioning, the entire body does not reach its full potential. In the same way, without all the members of the Church participating and working together, our ministries do not reach their full potential. Each of us is called to offer our gifts as we have been blessed and serve according to the task that God has placed before us in service to His Church. - Stewardship Ministries - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America The secret to happiness is freedom. And the secret to freedom is courage. — Thucydides “Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working." ~ Pablo Picasso “You can either fold or stand up and be counted. That attitude is inbred in all of us." ~ Andy Goode Positive anything is better than negative nothing. — Elbert Hubbard "Give whatever you are doing and whoever you are with the gift of your attention." ~ Jim Rohn The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. — Christopher McCandless "A few observation and much reasoning lead to error; many observations and a little reasoning to truth."~ Alexis Carrel “Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others. ”― Barbara Bush Volume Twenty-Six, Number Eight, April 2015
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