December 2015 - Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

December 2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ dwell within
us and always turn our hearts towards His love,
mercy and forgiveness.
MERRYCHRISTMAS!

+Fr. Nick
On Wednesday, December 4th, a cool and partially dry day, over eighty
parishioners plus the GOYAns manned five locations from noon to 8 p.m. to
help the Salvation Army raise funds to help those in need Christmas season.
Our groups were joyful, smiling and friendly. Many danced and sang
Christmas carols, which earned extra donations in the kettles. Many thanks
to the following volunteers!
Nick & Helen Stamos, George Kokales, Nektarios Georgiadis. Martha Theros, Angela Stamoulis, Cynthia
Kokkales, Joanne Cranford, Thelma & Gordon Steers, Helen Hadden, Helen Evangelides, James Carras, Matina
Morris, Peter and Zorene Kussurelis, Stella & Angelo Theros, Sophia Radwanski, Eva Mikhail, Oleg & Emilie
Michajlenko, Holly Polopolos, Presvytera Eva Paul, Tom Roumanis, Christina Vlahopoulos, Elaine Karam,
Costas & Ioanna Boutsikakis, Fr. Nick Kotsis and Harry Kotsis, Theanne Ballios, Vangie Kolokithas, Christine
Kerry, Michael Kapetan, Laura Kokkales, Jack Fry, Clevie & Tony Daniels, Carolyn Bartle, John & Fofie
Pappas, Antonis & Despina Eleftheriou, Petros & Silvana Papagerakis, Michael & Kelly Theros, Chris & Perry
Katsikas, Alex, Carolyn and Evan Roopas, Michael Garris, Zachary Garris, Jacalen Garris, Dimitri & Pauline
Tzavaras and family, Steve Garris, Eric Cazepis, Avraam Piniatoglou, Costas Boutsikakis, Pam Petropoulos,
Georgia Porikos, Elizabeth Bairactaris, Craig & Hongyun Theros, Jennifer, Chris, Zoe, Chrysanthe and Julianna
Patselas, Vicky Masters, Katerina Roumanis, Nellie Guibert, Julie Skrettas, Demetra & David MitropoulosRundus, Jim Prokos, Chris Bekiares, Stephan & Katie Kolokithas, Joy & Steve Melzian.
A Merry Christmas greeting earned one ringer a $20 bill. We did have a few pre-ringing problems
and a few on site, but overall it was a great, feel good day. Thanks to everyone who helping raise
alms for those in need.
-- Helen Garris, Chairperson
A Message from the Parish Council President
Our mortgage has been paid off! OPA!
Parish Council presents a check signifying the last payment on the church mortgage!
As of our last parish council meeting (December 10, 2015), we are at 78% attainment of our 2015
Stewardship goal.
Work has been completed on installing name plates to our New Building Donor Board plaques. Next
will be Iconography board.
Wolverine Door in Ann Arbor has received the drawings from their sub-contractor to start putting
together an official quote to have doors built. Once this has been finalized, we will be required to
submit payment of 50%. At this writing we are estimating the project to cost between
$18,500~$20,000 (in which we have the funds earmarked for this project). The new doors will have
tempered glass windows. Once we install the lighting for the Iconography, it will be nice to stop by
our Church at night and look through the doors to see our Iconography.
Planning has started for the New Year’s Eve celebration. Net income raised from this event will go
toward the St. Nicholas Shrine in New York City.
(continued on next page….)
(…continued from previous page)
Planning has also started on the 10th anniversary of our Ya’ssoo Greek Festival. Within the last nine
years, this wonderful committee along with our family of parishioners has worked to provide a net
income of $670,000. Thank you to everyone on the Greek Festival committee and our family
members who helped launch and run this three day event. Dates for the festival is June 10-12, 2016.
During our last council meeting, parish council approved to have new door mechanisms installed on
the large interior door. Both doors will have new mechanisms. Total cost to complete this work is
$1,077. When opening the door, it will no longer make that large annoying sound.
In the coming year, we will be implementing a new Parishioner Directory. We have a couple of
companies in mind. More information will be forthcoming.
The Parish Council held a special meeting on Sunday, November 29 to have an open discussion on
Phase II of approving our Iconographer in Greece to start drawing. We did not approve this because
we are still short of the necessary capital ($49,000). We do believe the capital will be raised in the
upcoming New Year. We are also in the beginning stages of incorporating our Church dome into this
phase. There is necessary planning/studies that needs to be accomplished first. More information
will be forthcoming in the upcoming New Year.
Our St. Nicholas Dance was a huge success. This event garnished a net income close to $13,000.
How this was a success is that we all worked together (just like our festival). We asked all committee
members to take charge on their required deliverables. Each committee member took the charge and
got things done. All of you deserve a big thank you. And thank you to the parishioner’s that
supported this event.
Calendar year 2016 will be a new year in our long history of our Church (no more mortgage
payments). We still need to stay focused on our Stewardship cash flow. Stewardship pays the
salaries, electrical and heat. If we keep the wheels in motion, our church will have a nice nest egg of
deposits in our Operating Budget (Stewardship, Greek Festival net revenue, etc.).
This will be my last article written as President of our beloved St. Nicholas Church. I would like to
provide a thank you to a special person, Mrs. Michos. I think it is absolutely amazing of how she
and her wonderful family work to make the Pastitsio every year for our Festival. She and her family
still carried on making it two years ago when Mr. Michos passed way. Amazing! And, she has been
a wonderful person/supporter of helping me through difficult times.
Lastly, I would like to thank Father Nicolaos, Demetra and all council members for their hard work
this year. On January 3, Parish Council will elect a new President. We also welcome back Mrs.
Christine Kerry to the 2016 St. Nicholas Parish Council.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all of you and your families!
Christopher Bilakos
2015 Parish Council President
Stewardship
St. Nicholas Greek
OrthodoxReport
Church of Ann Arbor
2014
Operating
Fund
December
2015
Budget versus Actual Revenue and Expense
Your commitment
to the Stewardship
Program
of this parish
as of 8/10/2014
(preliminary
60.82%)
is critical to our continued operation and ministries.
For those who need to complete a 2015 pledge, please do so as soon as possible. Percent of
You may find information and forms on Stewardship at www.stnickaa.org
Budget
Budget
Variance
Actual
Actual to
Budget
REVENUE
Stewardship
Pangare and Trays
Other
406,954
51,000
43,950
184,627
31,901
14,364
222,327
19,099
29,586
45.37%
62.55%
32.68%
Total Revenue
501,904
230,892
271,012
46.00%
65,756
7,906
1,489
4,413
54,537
13,627
60.08%
61.05%
84.49%
64.98%
20.17%
69.03%
18,000
8,261
60,592
5,029
2,017
7,157
60.87%
73.35%
20.80%
54.29%
59.66%
44.30%
248,784
50.43%
EXPENSES
Salaries and Fringe Benefits
164,734
98,978
Office Costs
20,300
12,394
Church Related Costs
9,600
8,111
Youth and Education Expenses
12,600
8,187
Pledge Distribution 2015, 2014 and 2013
Repairs and Maintenance Costs
68,320
13,783
Utilities
44,000
30,373
Archdiocese Related Costs
80
Archdiocese Fair Share
46,000
28,000
71
Clergy Benefits
31,000
22,739
68 69
70
65
Mortgage
76,500
15,908
60
11,000
5,972
57
60 Insurance
52
53
53
Other Outlays
5,000
2,983
52
49
50 Miscellaneous
12,850
5,693
45
37
40
Total Expenses
30
18%20%
22%21%
39
501,904
253,120
29
17 18 17
20
24
18
(22,228)
Operational Surplus (Deficit) for 2014 as of 8/10/2014
16
17 17
11ENDING
19%
NOTE - THIS IS CURRENT
YEAR12%
OPERATIONS
ONLY
- IT 16%
DOES NOT REFLECT PRIOR YEARS
14%15%
12%
16%
17%
10
BALANCES
16%
6% 5%
22%
5%
9%
0
$1 $250
$251 $500
$501 $750
$751
- 2014$1001
2015
2013 $1000
$1,500
$1,501 $2,000
6%
5% 7%
$2001 $3000
5%5% 3%
more than
$3,000
GOYA
Please place your order for Easter Bread by April 6.
Our GOYA enjoyed participating
in the Holiday Hoops Basketball Tournament in November.
December has been a busy and productive month with Salvation Army Bell Ringing, cutting and
The price is $10 per one pound loaf and it is plain, without the red egg.
decorating our GOYA Christmas
tree, caroling at Saline Evangelical, American House and Huron
The order forms are in the hallway near the church office.
Woods facilities, volunteering at St. Andrew's
Breakfast
Program and enjoying a night at a UofM
Pickup date
is April 13.
basketball game.
For questions, please call Perry at (734) 995-4766. Thank you!
2016 will begin with our Annual GOYA Brunch on Sunday, January 10th. We hope you all can
join us for a delicious meal!
Our calendar of events can be accessed on our Shutterfly site. Parents and GOYANs can request
access by creating a Shutterfly account and then sending a request via the site. You may always
email any questions or suggestions to stnickaagoya@gmail.com or speak with one of the officers or
advisors for assistance.
Philoptochos
Please place your order for Easter Bread by April 6.
Thank you everyone for all of your help with our numerous projects throughout
this
past
year.
The price is $10 per one pound loaf and
it is
plain,
without the red egg.
The order forms are in the hallway near the church office.
As we look
ahead
please remember
Pickup
datetois2016,
April 13.
these dates:
For questions, please call
Perry at10—Vasilopita
(734) 995-4766. Thank
you!
January
Cutting
January 13—Monthly Philoptochos meeting at 11 am at church
The Ladies Philoptochos wishes all of our parishioners a very Blessed Christmas
and a prosperous New Year.
Ya’ssoo Festival Update
Please place your order for Easter Bread by April 6.
Mark your calendar for our 10th festival on June 10, 11, 12, 2016!
The price is $10 per one pound loaf and it is plain, without the red egg.
The order forms are in the hallway near the church office.
datewelcome
is April 13.your input in
this our best festival Pickup
ever, we
In an effort to make
planning yet another successful event. As always, we value your ideas so
For questions, please call Perry at (734) 995-4766. Thank you!
please submit your suggestions
in the “Ya’ssoo 2016 Suggestion Box”
located on the table in the hallway. Names are optional.
Our Festival Committee wishes everyone a Blessed Christmas and
Healthy, Happy New Year!
Church School
Please place your order for Easter Bread by April 6.
Directors: Katherine Phan and Photios G. Ioannou
The price is $10http://churchschool.stnickaa.org
per one pound loaf and it is plain, without the red egg.
The order forms are in the hallway near the church office.
Pickup date
April not
13. yet registered their children to please do
We would like to remind Church School Families
thatishave
so. The forms and instructions are available at the Church School website (see above). To register for
questions,
call(1)
Perry
(734) 995-4766.
Thank
Church School each familyFor
needs
threeplease
things:
oneatRegistration
Form
for you!
the entire family, (2) a
separate Emergancy Card for each child and (3) a Registration Fee of $20 for each child.
The Thanksgiving Food Drive to assist SOS Community Services of Ypsilanti concluded on November
15, 2015. Thank you to all our Church School students and their families for their donations of
nonperishable food donations. We also thank our teachers for their assistance in the collection of the food
items.
This year’s Christmas Pageant will take place on Sunday, December 20, 2015 following the Divine
Liturgy. This year’s Christmas Pageant is titled “The Unknown Wiseman”. Students have been assigned
their roles. There will be two mandatory rehearsals, Saturday, November 21st at 12:00 noon and
Saturday, December 19th at 10:00 am.
Our Church School’s annual fundraiser, Coin Collection for St. Basil, begins on Sunday, December 6,
2015 and concludes on Sunday, January 10, 2016, with the traditional cutting of the Vasilopita. The coin
drive assists our Philoptochos to raise money for St. Basil’s Academy, which is the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese Home serving children in need. Our Church School students will assist with this fundraiser
by collecting coins and putting them in the designated coin box in their classrooms.
As is our annual tradition, on Sunday January 10, 2016, each Church School class will have its own
cutting of the Vasilopita since the Church School students are not in church during the cutting of the
Vasilopita for our entire parish. We ask Church School families to please consider volunteering to bake
the Vasilopites for the Church School Classes. Volunteers are asked to contact the Church School
Director, Katherine Phan at kapsule@sbcglobal.net or 734-971-0813.
The topics for the 2015 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival have been announced by the
Archdiocese. Our parish St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will take place on Sunday, March 13,
2016. The topics and details about the Oratorical Festival are available on the Church School website: (see
above). Dr. Vicki Kiningham (vakiningham@gmail.com) is chairing the Oratorical Festival. She is
available to assist students with any questions they have in preparing for the Oratorical festival.
Participation in our parish Oratorical Festival is a requirement of all Church School students. Preschool
thru 5th Grade are given age appropriate assignments by their teachers. Students in 6th thru 9th Grade
write an essay on one of the Junior Division topics and students in 10th thru 12th Grades write an essay
on one of the Senior Division topics. Students in 6th thru 12th Grades are encouraged to present their
speeches before a panel of judges on Sunday, March 13, 2016.
All Oratorical Festival assignments and essays are reviewed and commented on by Fr. Nick. Our Church
School Library is located in the bookcase next to the door leading from the Church Office to the
Conference Room. It contains books and resources relating to the topics of the Oratorical Festival.
Resources are also available on the Archdiocese website: http://www.goarch.org
The Church School directors and teaching staff wishes our St. Nicholas Parish
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Iconography
ICONS
A presentation by Tony Daniels to the Parish, after Liturgy Service on October 25, 2015
My name is Tony Daniels, and I am a parishioner. I don’t belong to any boards, committees, Church
groups, or ethnic organizations. I’m just a parishioner, like all of you. I have asked Father Nick to let me
speak to you about our Icon program.
We have completed Phase I. Look at what we have done together! It has increased the beauty and
spiritual blessings of our Church.
The Icon committee has a table in the Social Hall where you can see all the icons in Phase II and our
progress. For month, after month, after month, I have seen no change. The project is stagnant.
There are 39 icons in Phase II. 13 have not been sponsored in full. Some of these are partially sponsored.
The Community Icon is the largest and the most expensive. It will be located in the choir area. It is as
large as the angels and Theotokos. The idea was that everyone, children, teenagers, young adults,
families, Church groups, ethnic organizations, and businesses would be able to participate in sponsoring
this icon. Any amount could be pledged. How many of you know about the Community Icon? It is not
surprising that it is less than 10% funded. This particular icon can be included in any of the phases.
The remaining 12 icons need sponsors and pledges.
Mark, one of the 4 Gospel writers who provided the cornerstones of Christian belief, is not sponsored.
He goes there. Like Matthew and John up front—a pillar of the Church.
Next are the 4 apostles across the back, like the 4 in front. They will be the same size and style as Paul.
Phillip, one of the twelve is still not sponsored. Then there is Barnabas, one of the seventy. This icon is
partially sponsored. Barnabas was from Cyprus. Perhaps some of you wish to honor your ties to Cyprus
by sponsoring this icon.
There are 4 large panels of the life of the Theotokos, showing her major feast days. One is fully sponsored;
2 are partially sponsored; one has not been sponsored at all. I find this surprising. The Theotokos is
central to our Orthodox faith. We celebrate her feast days. We light candles to her, and ask that she
intercede with her Son for us.
The Old Testament prophet, Jonah with the Big Fish goes in that corner. I remember when I was a child
in Greece. My Yiayia would point out that icon to me in Agias Fotinis and tell me the story. I have told
the story to my children and grandchildren. There are important life and spiritual lessons in the story of
Jonah.
The icon of Christ healing the daughter of a woman from Canaan is not sponsored. Perhaps some of our
medical professionals would be interested in sponsoring this icon.
In the nursery all 4 icons need sponsors or partial sponsors. During my Air Force years we lived in many
places. I would have loved to have had icons that would have appealed to my children, such as Noah’s
Ark or the Creation.
When we were younger and had small children, money was tight. Now that we are older, okay, old--we
do have more money available to give. Perhaps we grandparents and Godparents should be sponsoring
the nursery icons. The future of our Church is in the nursery.
(continued on next page….)
(continued from previous page….)
I know that you are thinking, Tony this is not the time to be asking for money. We have the AHEPA
lamb dinner, the spaghetti dinner, the St. Nicholas Dinner-Dance, the St. Nicholas Shrine, Thanksgiving,
Christmas. I am not asking you to pull out your checkbook and write a check. I know that the Icon
Committee would not mind, but that is not why I am here. I want you to discuss the icons in the Church
with your children, your spouse, your family, your relatives, your Church groups, ethnic groups, business
associates, and most of all with fellow parishioners who are not here today.
Money! The good news is this: we have enough sponsors and pledges today to have the icons written.
Nothing is stopping us. The bad news is that we do not have the money to get the icons up on the walls
after they are written.
If we tell our icon writer to begin today, it will take about 6 months before they will be ready. So, if we
can get sponsors and pledges for the remaining 12 icons now, the money does not have to be paid
immediately. We can finish paying for the icons after the first of the year.
Please, get the word out that we are so close. We need everyone’s help to start this phase moving again.
Thank you for your time and support. -- Tony Daniels
ICONOGRAPHY
A presentation by Angeliki Evangelinos to the Parish, after Liturgy Service on November 1, 2015
I stand before you this morning grateful to each of you for embracing me so warmly when I came to St.
Nick’s a few years ago. You gave me a gift I truly cherish, the opportunity to become a member of your
parish and to participate in the life of this vibrant community. I stand here acutely aware that I owe a debt
of gratitude to you and those who came before you whose hard work, commitment, and sacrifice have
built this beautiful building.
But much work remains to complete this building, to transform it into a true traditional Orthodox church.
And that is the reason why I was asked to speak. As Orthodox Christians we are blessed with a rich
tradition of worship that has been passed down intact from ancient times, and we are all aware of the great
treasure we possess in our liturgical inheritance. Our liturgy elevates our thoughts from this world to the
heavenly realm through every one of our senses. As we enter the church, fragrance of incense awakens
our sense of smell. We hear the word of God through the scriptures, the magnificent language of our
petitions, the haunting sound of Byzantine hymns. We are touched by the Lord himself as we partake of
Holy Communion. And we see so much: candles, vestments, liturgical objects, especially holy icons that
communicate in silence what scriptures and hymns communicate by sound. I invite you to join me in
focusing on the walls above and behind me. Take a minute—allow your eyes to feast upon this
magnificent iconography. Imagine the possibility of such magnificence, of such inspiring splendor, on
every wall of this glorious space. Visualize the impact. Imagine—imagine. . .
My fellow parishioners, we are well on the path toward converting into reality what we have just imagined
together. We are on our way to transforming this building into a traditional Orthodox church. Now, by
contributing to the iconography fund, we each have an opportunity to participate in something with true
purpose and meaning, an opportunity to be part of something greater than ourselves, a unique chance to
leave a lasting, precious legacy. And so, on this first day of November 2015, with prayerful devotion,
loving spirit, and generous heart, let us resolve to demonstrate our passion for and commitment to holy
tradition. Today, let us resolve to reach the goal of total funding for west iconography before the end of
this year. By doing so, our parish will begin the New Year having taken a major step forward, a necessary
step toward transforming this beautiful building into a traditional, consecrated Orthodox church.
May God light and bless our path. -- Angeliki Evangelinos
Milestones
Please place your order for Easter Bread by April 6.
This changing of seasons brings with it recognition of the works and achievements of our parishioner’s
The price
is $10
per oneSeveral
pound loaf
and ithave
is plain,
without
the this
red egg.
personal events and those
of our
Church.
events
taken
place
fall and many hours of
The
order
forms
are
in
the
hallway
near
the
church
office.
work was done by the various ministries.
Pickup date is April 13.
Last month’s October 12,For
2015
issue of “THE MICHIGAN DAILY” featured an article about our
questions, please call Perry at (734) 995-4766. Thank you!
fellow parishioner Mary Stewart, having been honored with a Scholarship Fund named in her honor.
“THE MARY STEWART SCHOLARSHIP FUND” will help students in need for many years to
come. This honor was proclaimed during a gathering at the Michigan Union on the occasion of the
official launching of the scholarship, which is directed to help Black Students attending the university.
The scholarship is part of the Alumni Association’s LEAD SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM to
increase student body diversity. Mary is a University of Michigan retiree and former event services
coordinator for the Michigan Union. Congratulations for a job well done!
On November 15th, parishioner and choir member Diane Hall came to church wearing a beautiful
DAR honor ribbon on a blazing red jacket. She proudly proclaimed “I am a DAR (Daughters of the
American Revolution) member “. Diane submitted to me pages of proven patriots as direct ancestors
which begins with sixth generations past grandfathers Nash Glidewell (1721-1795) who served in the
14th and 10th Virginia Regiments, and James J Standiford (1715-1807) a revolutionary whose service
of offering the Continental Troop Guard, wagons of fodder and corn and food rations. He was
recognized as a great aid and service to the fight for freedom. A list of direct descendants followed
and it made me proud to just read it.
Another Parishioner, Jeffery Stokes, gave me an account of his forebears, and again I was taken
aback. This article, from the book “PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY” on
pages 539-543, gives a detailed history of the establishment of the County of Washtenaw and the City
of Ypsilanti, of whom Jeffery Stokes’ ancestor was a principal active founder. This article is very dear
to me for Jeffery’s roots are traced back to the founding of the City of Ypsilanti, my home town. Col.
Gabriel Godfroy, described in the article as ”a man of means”, is a 5th generation great grandfather
through Jeffery’s father’s father. His paternal grandfather, with the last name of Broderick, was born
in Detroit. Col. Godfroy succeeded Judge Augustus Woodward (who was responsible for the naming
of the City of Ypsilanti) as Colonel of the 1st Michigan Regiment. In 1813 Col. Godfroy’s house, in
which American prisoners were bring confined and was burned by the Huron Indians tribe “may have
been the first house in Ypsilanti”. The article also describes Col. Godfroy’s role in the founding the
County of Washtenaw. Today at the corner of Pearl and Huron streets there is a plaque on the former
Detroit Edison Building which marks the site of the aforementioned home.
Samantha Stokes, daughter of Jeffery (choir member) and Teresa Stokes (assistant choir director) was
sworn into the ROTC, Navy’s Officer Candidate School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Congratulations and AXIOS TO ALL!
Yours in Christ,
Nicholas S. Stamos
H.O.P.E (Hellenic Orthodox Primary Education)
J.O.Y. (Junior Orthodox Youth)
Our next meeting is scheduled for January 10, 2016 from 12:30-2:00pm.
The last two meetings the children have been learning about parables. In November Father spoke to the
children about the Prodigal Son. He explained that God is always waiting for us to come back to Him, no
matter what. If we stray we just have to turn back to Him in heartfelt repentance, and He will embrace us
as our loving Father. The children made a project with the swine reminding us that God will always take
us back even when we are in the slop of the pigs. In December, Father taught the children about the
parable of the hidden treasure and of the hidden pearl. He taught them that a treasure is something that
is special and valuable to a specific person. Our treasure may be an object, but it may be a family member
or friend. Our Orthodox Faith, the Church, is our treasure here on earth. We need to hold true to it and
cherish It as the greatest treasure that we have, always. The children made a treasure box filled with
chocolates and also in the spirit of giving, made Christmas cards for the forget-me-nots of our church.
Next meeting the children will be learning about the parable of the sower. Have a wonderful Christmas
and blessed New Year!
For more information, please contact our HOPE and JOY advisors:
Sophia Grias-Radwanski -sgrias@mhsi.us
Margarita Bekiares – pappas@med.umich.edu
Vasilia Tsilimingras - vtsilimingras@yahoo.com
Eva Mikhail - evamikhail@yahoo.com
The Story of the Vasilopita
The Greek word Vasilopita is directly translated as “Sweet Bread of
Basil”. When the Vasilopita is prepared, a coin is baked into the ingredients.
Sweet flavoring is added to the bread which symbolize the sweetness and joy
of life everlasting. It also symbolizes the hope that the New Year will be
filled with the sweetness of life, liberty, health, and happiness for all who
participate in the Vasilopita Observance.
When the observance begins, usually on New Years Day, the bread is traditionally cut by the senior
member of the family, and the individual who receives the portion of the Pita which contains the coin is
considered Blessed for the New Year.
Each portion of the Vasilopita are distributed as follows: The first portion is cut in remembrance of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The second is for the Holy Mother of our Lord, The Virgin Mary. The
third is for St. Basil the Great, the other portions are cut for the members of the family beginning with
the eldest. Portions may also be cut for the Church, the house, the traveler, the visitor and the poor.
Church Registry 2015
Births
4-22-15
8-10-15
9-25-15
11-20-15
Magdalena, daughter of Robert and Andrea Ashley
Atlas Paulus, son of Yannis & Penelope Paulus
Konstantinos, son of Tony & Cleo Mihalopoulos
Arjun Chengia, son of Benjamin and Maya Curtis
Baptisms
1-3-15
1-24-15
3-22-15
3-22-15
4-25-15
4-25-15
8-15-15
8-15-15
8-16-15
8-22-15
8-22-15
8-22-15
Steven, son of Jana Staron - Nona: Kerri Dixon
Vera, daughter of Steven & Alysia Dendrinos – Nono: Michael Dendrinos
Alexander, son of Nektarios & Heather Georgiadis – Nono: Serafim Georgiadis
Matthias, son of Nektarios & Heather Georgiadis – Nono: Serafim Georgiadis
Stella, daughter of Athanasios & Amber Bardis – Nona: Christina Pagalos
Luca, son of Cristian & Andreea Dersidan – Nonoi: Rada and Mihai Burzo
Imad Chmeissani – Sponsor: Ronnie Allen
Shadin Atiyeh – Sponsor: Ronnie Allen
Ev, daughter of Imad Chmeissani & Shadin Atiyeh – Nono: Ronnie Allen
Emma, daughter of Grant & Lauren Toth – Nonoi: Ted & Mary Beth Chianakas
Magdalena, daughter of Rob and Andrea Ashley-Nona: Cleopatra Mihalopoulos
Robin Bruno – Sponsor: Irina Bruno
Chrismations
1-4-15
Jeffrey Stokes – Sponsor: Peter Petropoulos
3-29-15
Kaitlyn Collins-Theodore: Teresa Stokes
5-31-15
Thomas Buxton- Sponsor: Eva Mikhail
Weddings
5-2-15
6-19-15
9-19-15
10-3-15
Costa Poyiadji and Elizabeth Hancock – Koumbaro: Neo Poyiadji
Nicholas Vlisides and Julia Easson – Koumbara: Marilyn Corsianos
Peter Vlachos and Colleen Dreher – Koumbaro: Andrew Vlachos
James Kales and Monica Patino – Koumbara: Kelly O’Brien
Fallen Asleep in the Lord
1-1-15
Steven Nestor (Funeral: 1-6-15: Fairview Cemetery, Brighton)
2-2-15
Anne Hulce (Funeral: 2-6-15: Bethlehem Cemetery)
2-14-15
Amira Sabbagh (Funeral: 2-19-15: Dormition of the Mother of God cemetery,
Rives Junction, MI)
2-22-15
Esther Rupas (Funeral: 2-26-15: Bethlehem Cemetery)
2-25-15
Christina Giouroukos (Funeral: 3-3-15: Bethlehem Cemetery)
6-16-15
Harry Tselios (Funeral: 6-19-15: Bethlehem Cemetery)
7-30-15
Angelica Stageman (Funeral: 07-31-15: Bethlehem Cemetery)
8-19-15
Vera Politis (Funeral: 08-24-15: Forest Hill Cemetery)
9-16-17
George Marketos (Funeral: 9-21-15: North Hamburg Cemetery, Hamburg, MI)
11-11-15
Termachos (Terry) Patzias (Funeral: 11-14-15: Bethlehem Cemetery)
(If there are any mistakes or omissions, we apologize. Please contact the office so that we may correct it. Thank you.)
GOYA
Annual Brunch 2016
Sunday
January 10
St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Adults - $11
Children under 10 - $6
Children under 2 – free!
ADVERTISING IN THE COMPASS
If you would like to advertise in The Compass,
please contact Demetra Mitropoulous-Rundus
at the church office at 734-332-8200
or send an email to secretary@stnickaa.org
RATES:
Business Card
$25.00/month
Quarter Page
$35.00/month
Half Page
$55.00/month
Full Page
$100.00/month
Parish Ministries
PARISH COUNCIL
President
Chris Bilakos
JOY:
Eva Mikhail
HOPE:
Dr. Sophia Grias-Radwanski
GREEK SCHOOL:
Ioanna Ioannou, Principal/Teacher
Vice-President
Chris Webber
Secretary
Dr. Michael Kasotakis
Controller
Patricia Douglas
Treasurer
Christos Kitromelides
Asst. Treasurer
Elizabeth Mitropoulos
Corresponding Secretary
Christina Vlahopoulos
Members: Robert J. Ashley Jr., Christopher A.
Bekiares, George Kokales, Lambrini Lagos, George
Michos, Eva Mikahil, Lana Panagoulia, Nicholas
Stamos
AHEPA:
Costas Boutsikakis
DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE:
Perry Katsikas
OCF (UM Campus Ministry):
Ian Savas
HSA (UM Hellenic Student Association):
Maria Pliakas
YOUTH ENRICHMENT COMMITTEE:
Sam Roumains, Dr. Anthony Kales
BOOKSTORE:
Aggeliki Evangelinos, Dr. Artemis Leontis, Joy Melzian,
Dr. Sophia Roumanis
COMPASS EDITOR:
Panagiota Stamoulis Kloumasis
PSALTES:
Zannis Res (Protopsaltis)
COMPASS COMMUNICATION:
TheCompassAnnArbor@gmail.com
ALTAR BOYS:
Dani Nadra
CHURCH SECRETARY:
Demetra Mitropoulos-Rundus
Email: secretary@stnickaa.org
MUSIC MINISTRY:
Dr. Jon Wardner, Teresa Stokes
PHILOPTOCHOS:
Vangie Kolokithas
ST. NICHOLAS SENIORS: Diane Geczi
CHURCH SCHOOL:
Katherine Phan, Dr. Photios Ioannou
GOYA:
Niko Hayes
OUTREACH & EVANGELISM:
Robert J. Ashley Jr.
PARISH PRIEST
FR. NICOLAOS KOTSIS
Email: frnick@stnickaa.org
For emergencies: (734) 604-3214
If you would like to contribute to the content of The
Compass please forward all communication to our email
at: TheCompassAnnArbor@gmail.com by the 17th of
each month. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
reserves the right to edit, change or omit content as
deemed appropriate.
Visit us on the WEB!
www.stnickaa.org/Publish/Newsletter/Monthly_Newsletter.htm
© Copyright 2015
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
3109 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103  (734) 332 – 8200  www.stnickaa.org