Spring 2011 - St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church

Transcription

THE MINISTRY
saint barbara greek orthodox church
Spring 2011
volume 15, number 3
Christ
is Risen!
Truly
He Is
Risen!
Table of Contents
Father Peter’s Message.............................................................. 2
Journey Toward the Kingdom (Part 2: The Great Litany)... 3
Journey Toward the Kingdom (Part 3: The Antiphons)...... 4
‘Teaching’ Divine Liturgy......................................................... 6
Camp Saint Paul......................................................................... 6
Ο Ακάθιστος Υμνος. ............................................................. 7
Ο 'Αγιος Αλέξιος - Ο 'Ανθρωπος του Θεού..................... 8
Living in the Light of the Resurrection................................10
Mount Athos.............................................................................13
Building Fund Stewards..........................................................14
Reflections From Our Youth.................................................18
GOYA Bears From the Heart................................................20
GOYAns Lend a Hand at the Community Dining Room...22
GOYA Christmas Caroling.....................................................24
GOYA Christmas Retreat.......................................................24
Sunday School Christmas Pageant.........................................26
The Lights of Saint Barbara: Holiday House Tour............28
Annual Taverna Night............................................................ 31
Lecture at Fairfield University................................................32
Philoptochos Hosts Lecture...................................................32
Annual Golf Classic................................................................33
Godparent Sunday...................................................................34
Saint Barbara Family Retreat..................................................36
Robert Krantz Visits the Saint Barbara Parish....................39
Saint Barbara Church 2011 Stewardship List......................40
Philoptochos Thanks our Parishioners.................................43
Celebrating Greek Independence Day..................................44
Greek Language School Celebrates Greek Independence Day....48
Greek Independence Day Luncheon....................................51
Greek Independence Day Parade in NYC...........................52
Greek Independence Day Celebration in Hartford................54
Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival..........................54
GOYA Ski Trip.........................................................................56
Scavenger Hunt........................................................................58
PTO Children’s Fair................................................................60
Saint Barbara Senior Men’s Team Wins League Championship....62
Connecticut Eastern Orthodox Basketball League............64
Connecticut Eastern Orthodox Volleyball League.............65
Saint Barbara Volleyball Team...............................................65
Saint Barbara Junior Basketball Team...................................66
Athletic Teams Go To YALE................................................66
Saint Barbara Summer Camp.................................................67
Presbytera’s Paragraph............................................................68
Luminaria..................................................................................68
Letters to the Saint Barbara Parish........................................69
Sponsors....................................................................................70
Father Peter's Message
The M inistry
The Official Publication
of
Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
480 Racebrook Road, Orange, CT 06477 (203) 795-1347
web site: www.saintbarbara.org
e-mail: church@saintbarbara.org
Rev. Peter J. Orfanakos
Rev. Joel McEachen
church office hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, and Sunday following Services
Secretary: Lea Loussides
SERVICES
Orthros (Matins) 8:30 am
Divine Liturgy 9:45 am
Sunday School 9:45 am
Fellowship 11:30 am
Weekday Services 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Summer Hours 8:15 am - 10:45 am
parish council officers
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer
Peter Ellis
Ann Meehan
Valentine Lott
Gus Melanidis
Evans Mountzouris
Andrew Stefanou
Theodore Nicolakis
Larisa Feliciano
Dennis Kerames
Eugene Esares
parish council members
William Cambras
Angelo Karakolidis
Nota Koutroumanis
Michael Wachter
Lou Loukides (Emeritus)
Parish Ministries and organizations
Parish Council
Andrew Stefanou
Philoptochos Society Oly Hadjimichael
Religious Education
Dr. Maria Diamantis
Bible Study
Rev. Joel McEachen
Summer Camp
Presbytera Vangie Orfanakos
PTO
Marcy Winkel
PATCHES
Tina Sanfilippo
JOY
Vasilia Kaouris, Stepanie Loo
GOYA
James Maccone
YAL
George Loussides
Athletic Organization George Loussides
Saint Barbara Fellowship Chrisanne Burr
Greek School
Irene Milas, Tina Berner
Adult Greek School Nick Loussides
Choir
Stacy Grimaldi, Harry Pappas,
Stephanie Halepas, Jane Hadjimichael
Psalti
Peter Proestakis, Efstathios Simos
Theo Jenetopoulos
Golden Years Club
Louis and Marie Basel
A.H.E.P.A.
George Scarveles
Outreach
Elaine Johnson
Bookstore
Bobby Chaltas, Flo Sarigianis
I.O.C.C.
Tony Delos
Endowment Fund
Dr. Vagos Hadjimichael
Scholarship Committee Dr. Elias Lolis
Web Site
Shaun Berner, Stacy Moran,
Deborah Zafiropoulos
www.saintbarbara.org
Χριστός Ανέστη !
Father Peter’s Message
“It is the day of Resurrection! O people, let us be radiant.
It is Pascha, the Lord’s Passover; for Christ God has carried
us over from death to life, from earth to heaven, as we sing
a victory hymn.”
“Come, let us partake of a new drink: not one miraculously
brought forth from barren rock, but a spring of immortality,
welling up from Christ’s tomb, from which we draw
strength.”
From the Paschal Canon
My dear friends,
Christ is Risen! The beautiful and most triumphant hymns
quoted above are the First and the Third Ode of the Paschal
Canon. They call us to celebrate the day of Resurrection;
to be radiant; to be glad! For the universe has been born
anew by the Love of God and Paradise has once again been
opened for all of us!
We are called to live our life in the Light of the Resurrection
of Christ; to understand what it means to be truly free!
We are called to be clothed in God’s Light and comforted
by His welcoming, loving and protective embrace. We are
called to praise His Name unceasingly unto to the ages of
ages!
I invite you to continue your prayerful participation in the
services and sacraments of the Church. I encourage you to
continue your life’s journey in faith; volunteering your time
and bringing forth the fruits of your talents as an offering
to Christ.
+ Father Peter
Spring 2011 / The Ministry • 2
Journey Toward the Kingdom - part 2
Journey Toward the Kingdom:
An Explanation of the Divine Liturgy
Part 2: The Great Litany
Part 1 can be found in the Winter 2010-2011 Edition of The Ministry
Having declared our defiance of the world in the opening
exclamation of the Divine Liturgy, we now take our first
step together in the journey toward the Kingdom. The
Great Litany contains the opening petitions of the Divine
Liturgy. It is referred to as the ‘Great’ Litany, not just
because of its length, but also because it sums up the
totality of our needs. Through these prayers, the Church
“sweeps up the whole world in its great and loving arms,
and offers it up to God to be blessed and sanctified and
saved.”1
We have peace with God, with whom we are now
reconciled (Roman 5:1) and peace with each other as well.
In fact, the more we enter into this peace the closer we
draw to God, and the more powerfully He dwells within
us.4 “Saint Seraphim of Sarov said, ‘Acquire the spirit of
peace, and thousands will be saved around you.’”2
At the beginning of the Divine Liturgy the priest calls the
people to prayer for he is appointed to this office and it
is for this reason that he is placed before the people. He
is also there as their representative and mediator, so that
his prayer may be effectual as the apostle James says: “the
effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
(James 5:16)
At the same time, those for whom he is making
supplication (the congregation - the λαός), contribute all
they can through their good behavior, prayers, gentleness,
justice and anything else which they know to be pleasing
to God.
“In peace let us pray to the Lord.” The Church begins
by inviting all to pray “in peace,” invoking first of all “the
peace from above” and the “salvation of our souls.” It is
for this reason that sometimes this litany is referred to as
the litany of peace. Peace is fundamental not only to this
prayer but to all prayer and in fact to a Christian life itself.
Without internal peace we cannot know God much less
come before Him and offer Him prayers of intercession.
Peace is the great and parting gift of Christ to His Church.
On His final night with the apostles the Lord said, “Peace
I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world
gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Before Christ, warfare raged in the cosmos and in our
hearts as well. His saving death on the Cross and the
shedding of His precious blood, brought peace to all.
(Colossians 1:19-2.) By repentance and faith,we enter
into this saving peace.
So, before we begin this litany, we are called to enter again
into the peace of Christ “casting out from our hearts any
distraction, all turmoil and anxiety, and focusing only on
Christ. Only then can we stand aright before Him and
offer supplication for the needs of all.”3
In this Great Litany the Church also prays for “the peace
of the whole world,” and “the stability of the Churches
of God.” It prays for “this holy house and for those who
enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God.” It
prays for the local bishop by name, “for the honorable
priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and
the people.” In this petition, we see the saving synergy
(cooperation) of the Church in action.
The Church also prays for the physical world on which
we all depend. We pray for “seasonable weather, for
abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for temperate
seasons,” to harvest these gifts.
The Church continues by praying for those in special
distress and danger: for “travelers by land, by sea and by
air.” (in ancient times travel was especially dangerous),
for “the sick and the suffering,” for “captives and their
salvation.”
In fact, the Church prays for our deliverance from “all
affliction, wrath, danger and distress.” To each of these
petitions and needs the faithful lift up the cry, “Lord, have
mercy!” (Κύριε ελέησον).
Rev. Lawrence Farley, in his book about the Divine Liturgy
explains, though the English word ‘mercy’ has a rather
juridical feel (recalling the plea of a condemned man for
mercy and pardon from a judge), the Greek has a wider
meaning. In this repeated response, the Church prays
not only for pardon but for blessing, strength, rescue,
the total outpouring of God’s generosity. “The ‘mercy’
we beg is the equivalent of the Hebrew term hesed, which
is translated not simply as ‘mercy’ but also ‘steadfast
love,’ or ‘loving kindness.’ When we pray over and over
again, ‘Lord, have mercy!’ We are beseeching the God
of our Fathers to lift us up from all the pits into which
we stumble.”4
_____
1
Let Us Attend: A Journey Through the Orthodox Divine Liturgy,
Rev. Lawrence Farley, p. 17.
2
Ibid., p. 18.
3
Ibid., p. 18.
4
Ibid., p. 20.
Journey Toward the Kingdom:
An Explanation of the Divine Liturgy
Part 3: The Antiphons
After concluding the prayers of the Great Litany the
gathered assembly of the faithful takes three more steps
toward its destination of the Kingdom by singing the
three antiphons. The antiphon is a hymn originally sung
with alternating voices or choirs (antiphonally). It is now
used to designate the three opening hymns of the Divine
Liturgy.
These antiphons have a fascinating history. Unlike today,
when each parish in a city functions separately like a selfcontained unit, in the days of Saint John Chrysostom (4th
century) in cities like Constantinople, all of the Orthodox
Churches formed a single integrated whole.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the main Church on
Sundays and all of the people of the city traveled to that
Church to participate in the service. The people of the
city belonged to the main Church, but also went to other
smaller churches together when called to do so, such as
on feast days.
View a recording of the Teaching Liturgy
On our Parish Web Site:
http://www.saintbarbara.org/live_services.cfm
On the feast day of Saint John the Baptist for example,
the people would form a procession to go from the
main Church to the Church of Saint John to celebrate
the Liturgy there. They would sing hymns as they went.
These hymns were the antiphons. In the days of Saint
John Chrysostom the cantor would chant a verse or two
of the psalm and the people would sing the refrain. The
cantor would chant the next few verses of the psalm,
and the people would sing the refrain again, and so on.
The people came to like these hymns so much that they
eventually became a fixed part of the Liturgy, even when
there was no procession on the way to Church.
The antiphons sung in Church in the 8th century included
Psalm 92 with the refrain “Through the prayers of the
Theotokos, Savior, save us!,” Psalm 93 with the refrain
“Save us O Son of God… Alleluia!,” and Psalm 95 with
the hymn “Only-begotten Son,” written by Emperor
Justinian in the 6th century, as its refrain.
Everything that is alive continues to grow and develop.
This includes the living
liturgical tradition of the
Church. Thus the way
that the Church sang
the antiphons continued
to develop as well. In
the 12th century some
monks in Constantinople
began the innovative
(at that time) custom
of substituting Psalms
103 and 146 and the
Beatitudes for the normal
antiphons at the Sunday
Liturgy.
Today some churches follow this custom while others
follow the original custom of singing the Psalms 92, 93 and
95 as antiphons. Whichever hymns are used, all liturgies
today begin with the singing of three antiphons.
The exuberant praise of God that forms our early liturgical
steps into the Kingdom is no accident, for our spiritual
life consists of praise. Christ recreated us for this very
purpose, to “proclaim the praises of Him who called you
out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
“Praising God is not simply one thing we do; it is
everything. All that we do must be an act of praise, for
God calls us to offer ourselves to Him as a doxology of
living flesh and blood. The psalmist sings, “Let every
breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6) and as disciples of
Christ we strive to fulfill this, making our every action,
every thought and intention an offering of praise to our
God.”1
Between the antiphons of praise the priest offers prayers.
Originally, when the people sang the antiphons in
procession on the way to Church, the deacon introduced
each prayer by saying, “Let us pray to the Lord!” after
which the priest said a prayer and the people responded
by saying, “Amen.”
As time went on, the priests began saying their prayers
silently and the deacon expanded his invitation to prayer
by including other petitions as well to give the priest time
to say his prayer quietly. Thus the small litany was born,
with the deacon chanting the intoning petitions, “In
peace let us again pray to the Lord,” then “Help us, save
us, have mercy on us and
keep us O God, by Your
grace.” And then finally,
“Commemorating our
most holy, pure, blessed
and glorious lady, the
T heotokos and ever
Virgin Mary....” After the
deacon finished the small
litany, the priest would
intone the final exultation
of his prayer so that the
people could respond
with the “Amen!”
The prayers offered after the first and second antiphons
are not simply “filler,” but a cry to God from His children,
asking Him to preserve us and accept us as we draw closer
to Him. We ask Him to save us and bless us and preserve
the fullness of the Church by filling us with Himself and
His glory. We ask Him to sanctify us since we love the
beauty of His house and come there to worship Him.
As we place our hope in Him, we ask that He abide in us
forever, remembering that Christ promised to be “present
when two or three are gathered in My Name” (Matthew
18:20). These prayers reveal why we dare to draw near to
God and dare to “walk in procession right into His holy
presence: since we are no mere collection of ordinary
people, but the Church of the living God, His inheritance,
His joy, His covenant people.”2
Finally, during the third antiphon the clergy and their
attendants (Altar Boys) make a procession with the
Gospel. This is a carryover of the original practice of
"Teaching" the Divine Liturgy - Camp Saint Paul
the clergy entering the church for the first time at the
beginning of the Divine Liturgy, bringing the Gospel
with them.
In the days of St. John Chrysostom, the clergy would
enter the church with the Gospel book and go straight
into the altar so that the service proper could begin. Rev.
Lawence Farley notes that the “Gospel book was carried
for a practical purpose only - the deacon (who kept the
Gospel book in his home for safekeeping) brought it with
him to church so that he could read it during the service.”
direct archdiocesan district summer camp program
Camp St. Paul 2011
sleep over camp
Now that the Church keeps the Gospel on the altar table,
the carrying of it in procession has a deeper meaning: it
shows that Christ is among us, and we venerate the Gospel
book as we would Christ, carrying it reverently, with joy,
in high triumph, with an honor guard of lights.
We sing the antiphons and all the hymns of the Divine
Liturgy not in memory of one who is dead and parted
from us, but rather as an expression of joy at finding Christ
alive in our midst. The Gospel procession during the third
antiphon reveals what our thunderous singing is all about.
_____
1
Rev. Lawrence Farley, p. 24.
2
Ibid., p. 26.
_____
Resources:
A Commentary on the Divine Liturgy, Nicholas Cabasilas.
Rev. Lawrence Farley.
The Byzantine Rite: A Short History. American Essays in
Liturgy, Robert F. Taft.
The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Holy Cross Orthodox Press.
The Eternal Liturgy, Rev. Theodore Stylianopoulos.
Week 1: July 4 - July 10
All Three Weeks - Sold Out!!
“Teaching” the Divine Liturgy
Father Peter recently led the community through a prayerful, instructive “Teaching” Divine Liturgy. He paused at
points throughout the service to offer in depth explanations of various parts of the Divine Liturgy.
Ο Ακάθιστος Υμνος
την Δογματικήν θέσιν της Θεοτόκου εις την
Ορθόδοξο Εκκλησία.
Ο Υμνος αυτός ωνομάζεται και “Χαιρετισμοί”
από το Χαίρε του Αρχαγγέλου Γαβριήλ κατά τον
Ευαγγελισμόν. Επεκράτησε δε να ψάλλεται κατά
τας Παρασκευάς την Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστής
εις Τέσσερες στάσεις, έξι Οίκους κατά κάθε
Παρασκευή. Την τελευταίν Παρασκευή ψάλλονται
όλοι οι Οίκοι μαζύ.
Ο Ακάθιστος Υμνος
Υπο Πρωτοπρεσβυτέρου Παναγιώτου Ι. Ορφανάκου
Το ιστορικόν της συγγραφής του Ακαθίστου Υμνου,
πού η Αγία μας Εκκλησία ψάλλει κατά το διάστημα
της Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστής, είναι ότι το έτος 650
μ.χ. οι Πέρσοι ήσαν έτοιμοι να εισέλθουν εις την
Κωσταντινούπολιν. Ο τότε αυτοκράτωρ Ηράκλειος
με τον στρατόν του ευρίσκετο εις την Παλαιστίνην
καί μόνον ολίγοι υπερασπισταί είχαν μείνει εις την
Πόλιν.
Ο Πατριάρχης Σέργιος ευρισκόμενος προ τού
κινδύνου, διέταξεν όπως όλος ο λαός να λιτανεύσει
γύρω από τα τείχη της πόλεως με τας εικόνας
του Χριστού και τής Παναγίας επικαλούμενοι την
βοήθεια του Θεού.
Ξαφνικά μία μεγάλη κατοιγίς εξηγέρθει και
κατέστρεψε τον στόλον του εχθρού. Ετσι θαυμαστώς
η Παναγία επενέβει και έσωσε την Πόλιν.
Εις έκφρασιν ευχαριστίας και ευγνωμοσύνης
προς την Πολιούχον τής Πόλεως, την Παναγίαν,
εψάλησαν διά πρώτην φοράν οι χαιρετισμοί, καθ’
όλην την νύκτα εις τον ναόν των βλαχερνών χωρίς
ο λάος να καθίσει, δι’αυτό και ο Ευχαριστήριος
αυτός Υμνος ωνομάσθηκεν Ακάθιστος.
Ο Υμνος αυτός είναι ένα θαυμάσιο θρησκευτικόν
ποιήμα προς την Μεγαλόχαρη. Αποτελείται δε
από 24 τροπάρια, Οίκους, τα οποία περιγάφουν
την ζωήν του Χριστού οπως την είδεν η Παναγία
Μητέρα Του. Τα τροπάρια “Τη Υπερμάχω”, “Την
Ωραιότητα”, και “Το Πρασταχθέν” περιγράφουν
Εις τον Ακάθιστον Υμνον περιγράφεται εν
ολίγοις, είς την πρώτην στάσιν ο Ευαγγελισμός, αι
αμφιβολίαι της Μαρίας, η επίσκεψις της Ελισάβετ
και το όνειρον του Ιωσήφ. Εις την δευτέραν στάσιν
εξιστορείται η Γέννησις τού Κυρίου, η προσκύνησις
των Μάγων, των ποιμένων, η φυγή εις Αίγυπτον
και η ευλογία του Συμεών. Είς την τρίτην στάσιν
αναφέρεται η νέα εν Χριστώ ζωή εν ουρανοίς,
η παρουσία τού Θεού μεταξύ των ανθρώπων, η
αδυναμία των αγγέλων και των ανθρώπων να
εννοήσουν το Μυστήριον της Θείας Οικονομίας.
Εις την τετάρατη στάσιν περιγράφεται η Παναγία
ως Μήτηρ Θού, το Φώς πού οδιγεί εις τον Χριστόν
και η προστασία όλων των Χριστιανών.
Εν ολίγοις, ο Ακάθιστος Υμνος εμπέει εις τον
χριστιανόν την ευσέβειαν προς το Ιερόν Πρόσωπον
της Παναγίας Θεοτόκου.
Άγγελος πρωτοστάτης, ουρανόθεν επέμφθη,
ειπείν τή Θεοτόκω τό, Χαίρε καί σύν τή ασωμάτω
φωνή, σωματούμενόν σε θεωρών, Κύριε, εξίστατο,
καί ίστατο κραυγάζων πρός αυτήν τοιαύτα
Χαίρε, δι’ ής ή χαρά εκλάμψει
χαίρε, δι’ ής ή αρά εκλείψει.
Χαίρε, τού πεσόντος Αδάμ η ανάκλησις
χαίρε, τών δακρύων τής Εύας ή λύτρωσις.
Χαίρε, ύψος δυσανάβατον ανθρωπίνοις λογισμοίς
χαίρε, βάθος δυσθεώρητον, καί Αγγέλων
οφθαλμοίς.
Χαίρε, ότι υπάρχεις Βασιλέως καθέδρα
χαίρε, ότι βαστάζεις τόν βαστάζοντα πάντα.
Χαίρε, αστήρ εμφαίνων τόν Ήλιον
χαίρε, γαστήρ ενθέου σαρκώσεως.
Χαίρε, δι’ ής νεουργείται ή κτίσις
χαίρε, δι’ ής βρεφουργείται ό Κτίστης.
Χαίρε, Νύμφη ανύμφευτε.
Ο 'Αγιος Αλέξιος - Ο 'Ανθρωπος του Θεού
Ο 'Αγιος Αλέξιος
Ο 'Ανθρωπος του Θεού
Υπο Πρωτοπρεσβυτέρου Παναγιώτου Ι. Ορφανάκου
Ο Οσιος Αλέξιος γεννήθηκε στην Ρώμη. Ο πατέρας
του Ευφημιανός ήταν ο πρώτος της Συγκλήτου.
Ηταν άνθρωπος συνετός πλούσιος και ενάρετος.
Η μητέρα του Αγλαία ήταν γυναίκα ευλαβής και
ενάρετος. Είχαν όμως μία λύπη, γιατί δεν είχαν
αποκτήσει παιδί. Παρακαλούσαν, λοιπόν, τον
Χριστό με πολλή πίστη να τούς δώσει παιδί. Ο Κύριος
άκουσε την προσευχή τους
καί η Αγλαία γέννησε υιόν
τον οποίον ωνόμασαν
Αλέξιον.
Ο
μικρός
Αλέξιος
μεγάλωσε
μέσα
σε
ένα
περιβάλλον
πού
πλημμύριζε από αγάπη,
χριστιανική αρετή και
καλωσύνη.
Ανεδείχθει
ένας
υποδειγματικός,
ταπεινός
και
σεμνός
νέος.
Εσπούδασε όχι
μόνον τα Εκκλησιαστικά
συγγράμματα, αλλά και
την
κοσμική
παιδεία.
Απ’ όλη την μελέτη
κατάλαβε ο Αλέξιος την
ματαιότητα του κόσμου,
και ότι η ψυχή είναι
αθάνατη.
Αποφάσισε,
λοιπόν, να απαρνηθεί
τα παρόντα αγαθά της
ζωής
σάν πρόσκαιρα,
για να κληρονομήσει τα
άφθαρτα και αιώνια.
Οταν ο Αλέξιος έφθασε σε κατάλληλη ηλικία, οι
γονείς του επέμεναν να τον νυμφεύσουν. Τότε
ο Οσιος πέρασε μιά μεγάλη κρίση καί δύσκολη
στιγμή. Ο Θεός όμως οικονόμησε τα πράγματα
και βγήκε απο το αδιέξοδο. Βρέθηκε μία κόρη πού
και αυτή ήθελε να μείνει άγαμος και επιέζετο απο
τούς γονείς της να παντρευτεί, και συνεφώνησαν
να στεφανωθούν αλλά να μείνουν παρθένοι και να
εκπληρώσουν την κατά Θεόν επιθυμία τους.
Ηρθε η ημέρα των γάμων τους. Εγινε το Μυστήριο,
οι χοροί και η διασκέδαση. Κανένας όμως δεν
ήξερε το μυστικό τους. Την ίδια νύχτα, λένε οι
Συναξαρισταί, οι δύο νέοι αφού έμειναν μόνοι,
προσευχήθηκαν και έπειτα με σύμφωνη γνώμη της
ευσεβούς νέας ο Οσιος έφυγε να πάη μακρυά από
την Ρώμη σε ξένο τόπο. Ντύθηκε όσο μπορούσε
πιό φτωχικά και κατέβηκε στην παραλία. Με την
βοήθεια του Θεού βρήκε πλοίο που έφευγε γιά
την Συρία. Μπήκε μέσα και όταν έφθασε στην
Λαοδικία, ο Οσιος κατέβηκε γιά να συνεχίσει το
ταξίδι του διά ξηράς. Στην Εδεσσα της Συρίας βρήκε
έναν Ναόν όπου υπήρχε η αχειροποίητη εικόνα του
Χριστού. Εκεί αφού εμοίρασε στούς φτωχούς ότι
είχε μαζύ του, έμεινε φτωχικά ντυμένος και ζητούσε
ελεημοσύνη, την οποίαν έδιδε εις τούς φτωχούς
και κρατούσε λίγα μόνον
για το ψωμί του. Ολη
την νύχτα προσευχόταν.
Από την πολύ εγκράτεια
και
σκληραγογία
εξαφανίσθηκε η ομορφιά
τού
προσώπου
του,
μαύρισε η όψις του,
ξεράθηκε το δέρμα και τα
μάτια του και εφαίνοντο
τα κόκκαλά του.
Εν τω μεταξύ οι γονεις,
συγγενείς,
η
άμοιρη
νύμφη φόρεσαν μαύρα και
θρηνούσαν τον χαμό του
αγάπημένου παιδιού τους.
Εστειλαν ανθρώπους σε
διάφορα μέρη και πόλεις
γιά να τον βρούν. Ηλθαν
και εις την Εδεσσα, είδαν
τον φτωχό και κουρελιάρη
πού ζητούσε βοήθεια και
του έδωσαν ελεημοσύνη.
Ο Αλέξιος τούς εγνώρισε,
συγκινήθηκε και δόξασε
τον Θεό πού τον αξιώσε
να δεχθεί ελεημοσύνη από τούς δούλους του.
Ο Αλέξιος έμεινε στο νάρθηκα τού ναού εκείνου
δέκα επτά ολόκληρα χρόνια. Οι κάτοικοι τού τόπου
τον τιμούσαν σάν Αγιο. Επειδή φοβήθηκε την
φήμη, μήπως εξ αιτίας της επιγείου δόξας χάσει την
ουράνια δόξα, σκέφτηκε να φύγει σε άνγωστο τόπο.
Επείρε πλοίο να πάει στην Τάρσο της Κιλικίας στον
Ναό τού Αποστόλου Παύλου. Καθώς όμως έπλεαν,
σηκώθηκε αντίθετος άνεμος καί πηγαίνοντας εδώ
και εκεί έφθασαν στη Ρώμη. Ο Αγιος κατάλαβε ότι
αυτό ήταν οικονομία Θεού. Γιά να μην επιβαρύνει
κανένα σκέφτηκε να πάει να μείνει ως άγνωστος
στο σπίτι του μέχρι το τέλος της ζωής του.
Ο 'Αγιος Αλέξιος - Ο 'Ανθρωπος του Θεού
Αφού πρώτα προσευχήθηκε στο Θεό να τον
βοηθήσει να μείνει άγνωστος, ήλθε εις το σπίτι τού
πατέρα του και του είπε: «Παρακαλώ την ευγένειά
σου να με ελεήσης και να με αφήσης να καθήσω
σε μιά γωνιά του παλατιού σου να τρέφωμαι απο
τα ψίχουλα οπού θα πέφτουν απο το τραπέζι των
δούλων σου, γιατί είμαι ξένος και φτωχός, και ο
Θεός να σε ευλογήσει γι’ αυτή την καλωσύνη σου,
και αν έχεις κανένα συγγενή σου στα ξένα να σε
αξιώσει να τον δείς όπως επιθυμείς».
Ο άρχοντας θυμήθηκε τον γιό του, εδάκρυσε και
τον παρέδωσε σε ένα δούλο να τον φροντίζει σε ότι
χρειάζεται. Τού έστελνε καθημερινά φαγητά από
το τραπέζι του, αλλά ο Αγιος έτρωγε λίγο ψωμί και
λίγο νερό μόνον κάθε Κυριακή. Ημέρα και νύχτα
επροσεύχετο.
Εμεινε στο πατρικό του σπίτι έτσι φτωχός,
άγνωστος, και ταλαιπωρημένος με πολέμους απο
τον διάβολον για δέκα επτά ολόκληρα χρόνια,
οπότε ο Κύριος του φανέρωσε ότι την επομένην
Παρασκευή επρόκειτο να αναπαυθεί απο τούς
πόνους και τα βάσανα. Ζήτησε τότε από τον δούλον
πού τον υπηρετούσε να τού φέρει χαρτί και μελάνι
και έγραψε σε αυτό όλα όσα του είχαν συμβεί και
ποιός ήταν. Αφού έγραψε αυτά ο Αγιος έμεινε
προσευχόμενος μέχρι την ώρα πού έφυγε γιά τον
ουρανό.
Εν τω ματαξύ ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Ιννοκέντιος
ιερουργούσε στον Ναό των Αγίων Αποστόλων της
Ρώμης. Τότε ακούστηκε φωνή από τον Ουρανό
πού έλεγε: Την Παρασκευή ο «άνθρωπος τού
Θεού» βγένει από το σώμα του. Ζητήσατε του
να παρακαλέσει γιά την πόλη για να μείνετε
ανενόχλητοι.
Την Πέμπτη το βράδυ έγινε ολονύκτιος αγρυπνία
στον Ναό των Αγίων Αποστόλων, και παρακαλούσαν
τον Θεό να τους υποδείξει να βρούν τον δούλον
Του, τον «άνθρωπον του Θεού» όπως τον ωνόμασε
η ουρανία φωνή. Στην αγρυπνία ήσαν παρόντες
ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος, ο Βασιλεύς, ο Ευφημιανός και
πλήθος πιστών. Κατά τα ξημερώματα ακούστηκε
πάλι φωνή από τον Ουρανό πού έλεγε: «Στό σπίτι
τού Ευφημιανού υπάρχει ο «άνθρωπος του Θεού».
Τότε κατάλαβε ο Ευφημιανός ότι επρόκειτο γιά
εκείνον τον άγιο πού είχε κοντά του. Ετρεξαν όλοι
και βρήκαν τον Αγιο ξαπλωμένον με το πρόσωπο
σκεπασμένο ενώ στο δεξί του χέρι κρατούσε
το χειρόγραφο, πού προσπάθησε να το πάρει ο
Ευφημιανός, αλλά δεν μπορούσε. Ξεσκέπασαν το
πρόσωπό του και είδαν ότι έλαμπε σάν άγγελος.
Γονάτισαν, ασπάσθηκαν το Αγιο Λείψανο του με
μεγάλη ταπείνωση και τον παρακαλούσαν να τούς
δώσει το χαρτί. Ο Αγιος τότε άφησε το γράμμα, το
διάβασαν δυνατά και άκουσαν όλοι ότι αυτός ήταν
ο Αλέξιος.
Επακολούθησε μεγάλη χαρμολύπη.
Επρεπε
να πενθήσουν τον θάνατον η να πανηγυρίσουν
την εύρεση.
Πολλά θαυμαστά γεγονότα
επακολούθησαν.
Κωφάλαλοι εμίλησαν και
άκουσαν, δαιμονισμένοι γιατρεύτηκαν, λεπροί
καθαρίστηκαν και πολλές άλλες αρρώστιες
εξαφανίζοντο μόλις οι ασθενείς ασπάζοντο το
ιερό λείψανό του. Μιά εβδομάδα παρέμεινε σε
προσκύνηση το ιερό λείψανο και εν συνεχεία το
έθαψαν εις τον Ναό του Αγίου Πέτρου. Απο τον
τάφο του ανάβλυσε ευωδιαστό μύρο με το οποίο
γιατρεύτηκαν πολλοί.
Ο Οσιος Αλέξιος εκοιμήθει στις 17 Μαρτίου του 410
και την ημέρα αυτή εορτάζομε την μνημη του.
Ανθρωπόν σε έγνωμεν Θεού, κλήσει τε καί
πράγματι ταίς αρεταίς γάρ διέλαμψας, πτωχείαν
άμετρον, καί στενοχωρίαν, επί γής κτησάμενος,
καί θαύμασι πιστούς πιστωσάμενος διό ικέτευε,
δωρηθήναι ταίς ψυχαίς ημών, τήν ειρήνην, καί
τό μέγα έλεος.
Ερωτι δροσίζοντι σαρκός, έρωτας φλογίζοντας,
εναποσβέσας Αλέξιε, θαλάμου θάλαμον,
ευσεβώς ηλλάξω, ηδονής τε σώματος, τήν
θείαν τών Αγγέλων ομοίωσιν μεθ' ών ικέτευε,
δωρηθήναι ταίς ψυχαίς ημών, τήν ειρήνην, καί
τό μέγα έλεος.
We know you to be a man of God both in name
and in deeds; for you did shine forth in virtues while
possessing on the earth poverty unbounded with all
straitness and distress; and through your signs and
wonders, the faithful were persuaded of the truth. O
Alexios, intercede with Christ that He grant peace and
great mercy to our souls.
With love which refreshed you like the dew, you did
quench all burning fleshly love, exchanging in piety
the bridal chamber here for that bridal chamber,
trading bodily delights for the divine resemblance of
Angels. Hence, Alexios, with their choirs, intercede
with the Lord our God that He grant peace and great
mercy to our souls.
Saint Alexios - Man of God
Living in the Light of the Resurrection
belonged and it was also a lot of fun!
We need Christ in our homes because it is here where we
learn about life and relationships. We learn how to love,
how to be patient, and how to forgive. In our homes we
learn what to expect from others and what to do when
people don’t meet our expectations. We learn what to
value in the world and how to live in it. Our homes are
where our souls our shaped in the day-to-day activities
of life. The light of Christ needs to be in that place as
that is happening - illuminating all.
The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall
I fear. The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom
shall I be afraid. Psalm 27:1
But what do we do with this light when we bring it into
our house? How do we bring the light of Christ into our
homes, into our families? Where do we put it? Does it
have a place in our homes? Does it have a place in our
hearts? First, let’s talk about physically bringing the light
of Christ home.
Living in the Light of the Resurrection
By Dr. Philip Mamalakis
One of the beautiful traditions we have in the Orthodox
Church is our Paschal Resurrection service. With the
church darkened, the priest comes out with the light of
Christ, proclaiming, “Come receive the light, the Light of
Christ, who illumines those in darkness.” The altar boys
and parish council members swarm forward and the light
slowly makes its way throughout the church, filling it
with brightness. This is such a powerful experience that
many people who do not set foot in church all year will
still be present at this one service.
I remember this well as a child. After the service,
exhausted and wired, we would try to see if we could
bring the light home. Sometimes it would be windy or
rainy and our goal would be just to get the light to the car.
Once in the car, we tried to get the light home without
burning anyone’s hair. Sometimes, we were successful!
Weary-eyed, holding an open flame in the car, (which I’m
sure was a fire hazard) we were determined to bring the
light of Christ into our homes. Why? Because our homes
are the places where we live our lives, spend most of our
days, and we knew that this is where the light of Christ
Where do we place this candle in our home? The light
came from the altar of the Church and belongs at the
altar area, or prayer area, of the home. Does your home
have a space, part of a room or maybe in the hallway, that
is set apart for family prayer? Do you gather as a family
for prayer? Do you have a place to keep a candili—a
vigil light—that can be lit with the Paschal light? In that
place you might hang your icons, maybe keep a censer,
some holy water, a palm from Palm Sunday, a bible, a
prayer book, and maybe a book of hymns. This place is
set apart to come together as a family to pray, read the
Bible, and to sing on a regular basis. We need to prepare
a special place in our homes to receive the light of Christ.
We weren’t always successful bringing the Paschal light
home. Some years the light blew out—sometimes from
the wind, and sometimes from a sibling, who worked
diligently to extinguish the other’s light. So, what
happened when the light is extinguished? Do we ever
blow out the light of Christ? Absolutely not! We know
that as Christians, we don’t just carry the light of Christ,
we are the light of Christ. And on Pascha, we bring that
light of Christ into our homes as we carry the light of
Christ in our hearts. Does the light of Christ have a place
in our hearts? The purpose of the external traditions and
practices of the Church is to nurture the internal reality
of living with Christ in our homes by living with Christ
in our hearts.
Practical Strategies for Living the Light of the Resurrection
“You are the
light of the
world.”
Matthew 5:14
For fifty days we
live in the light of
the Resurrection.
That is, we receive
the light of Christ
in our hearts by
living according
to the Light, as
children of God,
according
to
the values and
virtues of the
Kingdom of God,
according to His
commandments,
which are lights that guide us. We live in the light of
the resurrection by living as peacemakers (James 3;18),
nurturing forgiveness (Matthew 6:12-16), learning to
love (Matthew 22:35-40; I Corinthians 13:3), being slow
to anger and quick to listen (James 1:19), hungering and
thirsting after righteousness (Matthew 5:6), being patient,
kind, longsuffering, gentle (I Corinthians 13:4)—OK,
that doesn’t sound much like mealtime at my home.
That’s because we are still working towards this goal—or
rather—Christ is still working towards this goal in us as
we walk in the light of His resurrection.
As we receive Christ into our hearts, by striving to live
as Children of God in our homes, we experience that
warmth and peace in our homes that comes from the
Light of Christ—from the love of Christ that shines
forth on Pascha. We are invited on Pascha night to take
home the light in our cars, that we may take it home in
our hearts.
Christ is Risen!
Dr. Philip Mamalakis and his wife, Georgia live in Boston
Massachusetts with their seven children (ages 3-17). Dr.
Mamalakis is the Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care at Holy
Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, where he also helps
coordinate the Field Education Program. He has a Master of
Divinity from Holy Cross, and a PhD in Child Development and
Family Studies, with a specialization in marriage and family from
Purdue University.
Practical Strategies for Living the Light
of the Resurrection
This issue we ask parents: How do you keep the light of
the Resurrection alive after Pascha?
“We really focus on the fact that the Resurrection doesn’t
end on Pascha—the Church gives us 40 days to celebrate
it. We add “Christ is Risen” to our daily prayers and we
light our Pascha candle as a physical reminder of Christ’s
coming out of darkness.” – Lia and Dean, parents of seven
children ages 10-21
“Bringing the Light of Christ home means continuing
all the good habits we have established through Lent
and giving the “light” out to others. By continuing to
pray, serve the needy, and witness to others in our daily
activities, we keep the light of Christ bright.” –Tammy,
mother of two teenage daughters
“We have a special lantern that we take to church to bring
the light home. The lantern goes with us everywhere after
the Resurrection. If we go to a restaurant, it is with us. If
we go to someone’s house the next day, we take it with
us. We keep this lantern lit the entire 40 days following
Pascha.” – Margo, mother of a 15-year-old son
From the Resurrection Service
It is the Day of Resurrection! Let us shine forth in
splendor for the Festival, and embrace one another. Let
us say, “O brethren, even to those, who do not love us; let
us forgive all things in the Resurrection, and thus, let us
exclaim: ‘Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death
by death, and bestowing life to those in the tombs.’”
Doxastikon
Family Activity Corner: Share the Light
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill
cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it
under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to
all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good works and glorify your
Father in heaven.”- Matthew 5:14-16
What are some ways we as a family can share our light
with others? Here are a few things that you and your
family can do to celebrate and spread the light to all you
come across.
Live the Faith - Sharing the light mean proclaiming the
Gospel of Christ. This has less to do with what you say
Practical Strategies for Living the Light of the Resurrection
and more about what you do. Read the Bible as a family
and discuss God’s commandments for our lives. Use the
sacraments of the Church as tools to bring you closer to
Christ and participate in them regularly.
Challenge - Each week before the Divine Liturgy read
that Sunday’s Gospel reading as a family. Discuss how
you can take the lesson of the Gospel and apply it to
your daily life that week. At the end of the week, discuss
how this impacted your life and how you will continue
to live the Gospel in your life. Use the Family Gospel
Lesson at www.family.goarch.org to assist your family in
this challenge.
Pray for Others - Teaching children to pray is a critical
tool for their spiritual development. As they grow, teach
them to pray for people in poverty, pain, and those who
have never learned about Christ.
Challenge - Create your own family and individual
prayer books. Include favorite prayers (patron saints, feast
days, morning and evening prayers, communion prayers,
confessional prayers, etc) as well as prayer lists. Let each
person decorate their prayer book. For younger children
who are not yet reading, use pictures to assist them in
their prayers. Include icons of Christ, the Theotokos,
their patron saint and a guardian angel, to remind them
to pray for their intercession. Additionally, add pictures
of people that they wish to pray for (family members,
friends, people in need, etc.). Add to your prayer books
regularly.
Reach Out - Involve your children in charity projects
both in your local community and globally. Make charity
and serving others a regular part of your family life.
Challenge - Find a local or global charity project that
your children can support. Some ideas to get started:
volunteer at a food kitchen, raise money for mission
priest (www.ocmc.org), or put together a school kits for
children in impoverished countries (www.iocc.org).
Did you miss the 60 Minutes Feature on Mount Athos?
View the entire episode and bonus features on-line.
The link below that allows you see the entire 60 Minutes feature on-line.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/21/60minutes/main20056101.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody
Also you can view some behind the scenes footage at:
http://www.cbsnews.com/60minutesovertime
Mount Athos
impression was made perhaps by the Athos peninsula’s
pristine nature: “People come for the beauty, tranquility
and isolation.”
Simon and his colleagues understood the heartbeat
of the monks: “Their sole purpose is to get closer to
Christ every day,” he said. The place is built for that,
both in what it contains: some of the most ancient and
holiest relics and icons on earth and magnificent chapels
and churches where the Divine Liturgy is performed
1000 times per day, and what is excluded: cell phone,
newspapers, radio and televisions.
Mount Athos
From the 60 Minutes web site
On Easter Sunday evening, the news show 60 Minutes
focused its cameras on Mount Athos. If you missed
seeing the original episode, I encourage you to follow the
links on the previous page and watch the episode on-line.
As the story was being covered, CBS correspondent
Bob Simon noted, they ‘run on Byzantine time’ as the
new day begins at sunset. The program was presented
with reverence and awe. Simon began by intoning: “It’s
a remote peninsula in northern Greece that millions
believe to be the most sacred spot on Earth. It’s called
Mount Athos and prayers have been offered there every
day, with no interruption, for more than a thousand years.
CBS must have felt they waited at least that long to get
in: “For more than two years, we’ve been corresponding,
negotiating and, frankly, pleading, for an invitation, but
ran into one monastic wall after another. Then, much to
our surprise, and delight, a few months ago, the monks
invited us to visit. “Fr. Iakovos, described as one of the
few Americans at Athos, told Simon, “Your persistence
convinced us.”
The monks go there “not just to isolate themselves from
the world today, but to let go of all memories of their
past life,” the show noted. After Fr. Iakovos quoted St.
Paul’s urging Christians to “pray unceasingly” there was
a brief introduction to the Jesus Prayer and its place in
Orthodox spirituality, which he said monks recited until
it became like breathing.
Slowly the visitors began to grasp why Mount Athos,
offering Divine Wisdom and spiritual knowledge,
receives more applicants per year than Harvard. Simon,
watching the monks chanting marveled, “Some of these
voices, especially the basses, could have made it at the
Metropolitan Opera.” He said: “The depth of their
devotion defies description.”
At another point in the show, Simon made a most
profound statement, “Athos has probably changed less in
the past 1000 years than anyplace else on earth.” Simon,
deeply moved, concluded by saying, “It’s a Spartan way
of life, but all the monks we talked to said they never
want to leave, not even for a day.”
The content of the program naturally reflected a modern
American outlook: the guests were fascinated by the
health and longevity credited to the monastic kitchens –
Mediterranean diet in overdrive. They were very curious
about how ancient builders could suspend eight, nine,
and ten story buildings on sheer cliffs – “It’s a miracle
it hasn’t fallen into the sea,” Simon noted. The greatest
Building Fund Stewards
Total
Amount
Pledged
Number of Pledges: 332
Total Pledged: $2,078,737
Total Collected: $1,140,670
as of May 1, 2011
2,500,000
2,400,000
2,300,000
2,200,000
2,100,000
2,000,000
1,900,000
1,800,000
1,700,000
1,600,000
1,500,000
1,400,000
1,300,000
1,200,000
1,100,000
1,000,000
900,000
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
AHEPA Chapter #98
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Albanis
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Alessio
Mr. Alex Alexiades
Elia Alexiades
Mr. & Mrs. Antonios I. Amoratis
Mr. Iakovos (Mike) Amoratis
Mr. Ioannis (John) Amoratis
Anasson-Waskiewicz Family
Mrs. Christine Anastasion
Mr. & Mrs. Damon Anastasion
Mr. & Mrs. George Anastasion
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Anastasion
Mrs. Evelyn Anastasiou & Gregory
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Anderson
Miss Elise Andreas
Miss Ellen Andreotis
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Andrews
Mrs. Cally Angeletti
Anonymous A
Anonymous B
Anonymous C
Anonymous D
Anonymous E
Anonymous F
Anonymous "Little Angels"
Mr. & Mrs. George Anthis
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Antonakis
Vasiliki Anton
Mr. & Mrs. George Antonellis
Mr. Theodore Antonellis
Mrs. Asimina Antonellis
Stephen and Ioanna Anzenberger
Mrs. Catherine Aportria
Mr. & Mrs. William Arabolos
Nick and Maria Aretakis
Mr. & Mrs. George Arnaoutis
Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Athanasiadis
Mr. & Mrs. Ernie Athan
Adam & Dina Bajko
Steven & Debbie Baklas
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Bakoussis
Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Baledes
Christine & Gerald Baldino
Mr. & Mrs. James Ballas
Mrs. Lisa Ballas
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Ballas
Miss Petrina Ballas
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Banores
Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Barakis
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Basel
Mr. & Mrs. Louis Basel
Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Belales
Mr. & Mrs. James Benas
Mr. & Mrs. John Benham
Mr. & Mrs. Shaun Berner
Mr. & Mrs. James Bitzonis
The Buzelle Family
Sophie Caloutas
Mr. & Mrs. William Cambras
Miss Conella P. Chagares
Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Chagares
Basil G. Chaltas, Jr., Anne Abramson
Mr. & Mrs. Basil Chaltas
Mr. & Mrs.Thano Chaltas
Mr. George Chatzopoulos
Child of God
Mrs. Christine Choban
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Chomiak
Mr. & Mrs. James Chow
Mr. John Christopher
Mr. & Mrs. Aquiles Constantinidi
Mr. & Mrs. George Contopoulos
Mrs. Melissa Papantones Corradino
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Cosmas
Carolyn Rambus & Shawn Cowper
Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Cox
Mr. Leroy G. Dabakis
Mr. & Mrs. A. Paul Dalakas
Mrs. Elsie K. Dambakelis
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Daniel
Dr. Lycurgus Davey
Mr. & Mrs. Peter DeBassio
Mr. George Delegorges
Fred & Reneé Del Percio
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Demetropoulos
Mr. & Mrs. Fotios Diamantes
Mr. & Mrs. Ilias Diamantis
Persefone Dikegoros
Mr. & Mrs. Richard DiMeola
Mr. & Mrs. Pantelis Efthymiou
Dr. & Mrs. John Elefteriades
Miss Chrisanne Eleftheriou
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Ellis
Mr. & Mrs. Stelios Emmanouil
Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Esares
Mr. & Mrs. David Esposito
Evero Corporation
Mr. & Mrs. George Faraclas
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Feliciano
Feola-Prentiss Family
Mr. & Mrs. Augoustis Fifis
Miss Maria Galanakis
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Gekas
Miss Claire Genetos
Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Gerakelis
Mr. & Mrs. Georgios Giambanis
Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Giannopoulos
Building Fund Stewards
Mrs. Dorothea Giatrelis
Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Gionteris
Miss Elaine Goumas
Miss Lucy Goumas
Great Lakes Telecom
Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Grigoriadis
Dimitrios & Renie Groumousas
Nikki & Nontas
Mr. & Mrs. George Guiliotis
Mr. & Mrs. Gregg K. Guiliotis
Christos & Jane Hadjimichael
Evangelos & Olympia Hadjimichael
Dr. & Mrs. Harry Hajedemos
Miss Mara L. Halepas
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Halepas
Miss Stephanie Halepas
John N. Haskos
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas J. Haskos
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas P. Haskos
Mr. & Mrs. Neil Hathaway
Peter & Michele Hatzidimitriou
Mr. & Mrs. Theodoros Hatzigiannis
Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Heonis
Mrs. Despina Heonis
Ms. Anastacia H. Herbert
Mr. & Mrs. Nikolaos Hionis
Robyn Alexandra Hoffman
Mark & Eleni Hojnowski
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Hoxsie
Mr. & Mrs.Thomas W. Hubbard
Miss Sophia Iosifidis
Mr. & Mrs. Panagiotis Iosifidis
Theodore N. Iosifidis
Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. John Kaiser
The Kambas Family
Mr. & Mrs. Tasos Kanakis
Mr. & Mrs. George Kaouris
Mr. & Mrs. Stelios Kapernaros
Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Karakolidis
Mrs. Stavroula Kariofyllis
Mr. & Mrs. Manos Katevatis
Aphrodite Katramados
Nicholas & Sophia Kattis
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Kefalas
Mrs. Elizabeth Kerantzas
Ms. Barbara Kieslich
Mrs. Anna Kirtopoulos
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kittleman
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Klarides
Mr. & Mrs. John Kokenos
Mr. & Mrs. John J. Kollias
Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Konstantino
Mr. & Mrs. Stan Kontogiannis
Mr. & Mrs. Konstantine Kostas
Mr. & Mrs. John Koukos
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Koutroumanis
Mr. Constantinos Koutroumanis
Mr. & Mrs. George Koutroumanis
Mr. Peter Koutroumanis
Mr. & Mrs. Peter V. Koutroumanis
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Kovlakas
Mrs. Harriet Kral
Mr. & Mrs. George Kydes
Mr. & Mrs. William Kyrtopoulos
Nicholas G. Laggis
Haralambos Laopodis
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Laskos
Mrs. Christine Lavey
Mr. & Mrs. Elias Lolis
Cindy & Fred Lord
Mr. & Mrs. Michael P. Losh, Sr
Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Loskant
Mr. & Mrs. Bradford Lott
Dr. & Mrs. John Loucopoulos
Mr. & Mrs. James Loukakes
Mrs. Poppy Loukakes
Mr. Louis Loukides
Miss Kiki Loussides
Mr. George Nicholas Loussides
Mr. & Mrs. Nick Loussides
Maccone Family
Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Maniatis
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Maniatis
Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Maniatis
Mr. Alexander Marathas
Mrs. Catherine Marathas
Mr. & Mrs. Patric Marchitto
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Marnerakis
Mrs. Mary Mattie
Mr. William Mavrides
The Mayor Family
Mr. & Mrs. Harold McGrath
Miss Anastasia Meehan
Mr. & Mrs. Ioannis Melanidis
Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Melanidis
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Melanidis
Mr. & Mrs. John Mihalakos
Mr. & Mrs. Gino Milani
Mr. & Mrs. Nicolaos Milas
Mr. & Mrs. Vic Mitchell
Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Monaco, Jr.
Brian, Stacy & Darin Moran
Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Moriatis
Mr. George Moriatis
Miss Maria Moriatis
Mrs. Linda Morris
Philip & Mary Morris
Mr. & Mrs. William Morris
Mr. & Mrs. Evans Mountzouris
Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Mouratidis
Mr. & Mrs. George Myzithras
In memory of George Necklas
George & Georgia Necklas & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Necklas
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Niarchos
Mr. & Mrs. Nelson Nicholson
Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Nicolakis
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Nuzzo
John-Peter Iakovos Orfanakos
Rev. & Mrs. John P. Orfanakos
Rev. & Mrs. Peter J. Orfanakos
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Overbye
Mr. & Mrs. John Palavra
Pete and Brenda Pantelis
Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Papadopoulos
Mr. & Mrs. Kyriacos Papadopoulos
Mr. & Mrs. Matheos Papadopoulos
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Papadopoulos
Mr. & Mrs. George Pappas
Mr. & Mrs. Harry Pappas
Mr. & Mrs. John Pappas
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Pappas
Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Pavlou
Mr. & Mrs. George Pavlou
Mr. & Mrs. James Perrone
Evan & Regina Petrakis
Mr. & Mrs. George Poulos
Ms. Irene Pournaras
Helen Proestakes
In Memory of Constantine P. Proestakes
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Proestakes
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Proestakis
Mr. & Mrs. John Raho
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Redding
Mr. & Mrs. William Redding
Mrs. Mary Reed
Ms. Robyn Reilly
Mr. & Mrs. Chad Rogers
Gregory & Robin M. Romanovsky & Sons
Dr. & Mrs. Gary Rothrock
Isidro & Stavroula Rueda
Tracey & Greg Russo
Saint Barbara Golden Years
Saint Barbara GOYA
Saint Barbara Greek School
Saint Barbara Philoptochos Society
Saint Barbara PTO
Dr. & Mrs. Louis Sanfilippo
Miss Soultana Saoulidis
Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Saoulidis
Mr. & Mrs. James Sarigianis
Mr. & Mrs. John Sarris
Building Fund Stewards - Architectural Rendering of Saint Barbara Gymnasium
Miss Argyro Nikoletta Scarlatis
George J. Scarveles & Family
George & Christine Sellas
Dr. & Mrs. Kirk Shelley
Mario & Arhonti Simmons
Efstathios & Demitra Simos
Mr. & Mrs. Tim Simoulis
Mr. & Mrs. John Skitzis, Sr.
Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Soennichsen
Mr. & Mrs. Vasilius Sofokleous
Mr. Frank Soter
Mr. John Soterakos
In memory of Konstantinos & Sofia
Sousoulas
Dr. & Mrs. Paris Spanolios
Mrs. Paris Stamos Heath & Family
Mrs. Lisa Stamos Heerdt & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Gregory J. Stamos
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Stamos
Mr. Peter Stamos
Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Stavrides
Mr. Andrew Stavrides
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Stavrides
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Stefanou
Mr. & Mrs. William Talnose & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Tambis
Mr. & Mrs. James J. Terzakis
Mr. & Mrs. Carl Testo
Mr. & Mrs. George Theodos
Mr. Paul Theodos
Drs. Paul & Yota Tjimis
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Tomaszek
Alex & Madeline Trasacco & Family
Paul & Corine Tsakonas & Family
Mr. John Tsilfoglou
Mr. & Mrs. Timmy Tsopanides
Mr. & Mrs. Basile Tzovolos
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Tzovolos
UI-Energy Incentive
Mr. & Mrs. George Vagenas & Family
Virginia Valaki
Mr. Jonathan Vartelas
Mr. Paul Vartelas
Mr. Theodore Vartelas
Mr. & Mrs. Gregg Vautrin
In memory of Anastasia Viola
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Viola
Mr. & Mrs. Panagiotis Vlahos
Mr. & Mrs. Elias Vlandis
Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Wachter
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Wachter
Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Wagner
Mr. Roger Wm. Wheeler
Mr. & Mrs. James Winkel
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Yates
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Yorgakaros
Mr. Fredrick Yost
Mr. & Mrs. Dionisios Zafiropoulos
Mr. & Mrs. Panagiotis Zafiropoulos
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Zaino
Mr. & Mrs. George Zikos
Mr. & Mrs. Nikolas Zikos
Mr. & Mrs. Manoli Zorgias & Family
"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for
evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all."
1 thessalonians 5:14-15
The requirements of harmonious life in community include the honoring of sacramental leadership, pursuit of good works,
continual prayer and thanksgiving in worship, and proper regard for the prophetic gift and spiritual discernment.
This passage and commentary is from The Orthodox Study Bible, p. 1627.
Basketball/Volleyball Court - Exercise Room - Locker Rooms with Showers
Youth Room/Office - Snack Bar - The AHEPA Room
The above is an architectural rendering of the Saint Barbara Gymnasium
Growing in Faith and Commitment: The Commitment of Our Children
Growing In Faith and Commitment:
The Commitment Of Our Children
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he
will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
All of the members of our Sunday School and Greek
Language School Programs were given small banks in the
spring of 2007 to assist them in making their stewardship
commitment to the building drive of our Church.
The children were encouraged to offer a portion of their
allowance or consider doing 'special chores' around the
house and offer a portion of this money, which they
earned, for the continued growth of their church. On the
last Sunday of each month, the Sunday School children
have been asked to bring in the monies collected during
that month in a bag, with their name on it, to the Church
where it will be collected and counted.
Please take time to notice the special poster that has been
set up in the education center highlighting the names of
the participating children and marking a running tally of
the total amount raised by all of our children. At the
end of the fund drive, the names of these participating
children, will be honored in a unique and permanent way
in the new building.
Each child received a special bank to contain their church donation
contribution.
We thank the following children for thier participation:
Sozon Albanis
Marianna Albanis
Preston Alessio
Sara Alessio
Alexandra Alexiades
Amelia Andrews
David Andrews
Julia Andrews
George Antonellis
Stephanie Antonellis
Sylvia Antonellis
Alexander Baklas
Chris Benham
John Benham
Kallista Berner
Luke Berner
Zachary Berner
Elena Bielesz
Jacob Bielesz
Elias Bitzarakis
Samantha Buzelle
Veronica Buzelle
Emma Cowper
Matthew Cristiano
Paul DeBassio
Peter DeBassio
Tennyson Delos
Philip Ellis
Elli Emmanouil
Anthony Esposito
Katie Esposito
Allison Faraclas
Kristen Faraclas
Benj Feola
Evangelos Feola
Hari Halepas
Sophia Halepas
Anna Kaiser
Caliope Kaiser
Eleni Kaiser
Maria Kaouris
Peter Kaouris
Barbara Kefalas
Diamantis Kefalas
Nicholas Kokenos
Stephanie Kokenos
Sotirios Korosiotis
Niko Koutroumanis
Gabriel Lawrence
Maria Legatos
Andreas Lolis
Costa Loucopoulos
Georgia Loucopoulos
Christen Maccone
John Maccone
Ashley Mitchell
Caity Mitchell
Ephemia Nicolakis
Kassiani Nicolakis
John-Peter I. Orfanakos
Kristin Pantelis
Elias Papadimitriou
Alex Perrone
Angie Perrone
Nick Perrone
Anjelika Servetas
Michael Servetas
Katerina Spanolios
Alessandra Sperry
Zachary Sperry
Alexandria Stefanou
Theo Stefanou
Jason Talnose
Chelsea Tambis
Taylor Tambis
Alexander Terry
Gabriella Terry
Annie-jorden Tomaszek
Zachary Tomaszek
Aubrie Velleca
Krystina Velleca
Eleni Wagner
Robbie Wagner
Christopher Winkel
Patrick Winkel
Alex Yates
Reflections From our Youth
The following speech was delivered by James Maccone, the President of
the Saint Barbara GOYA, during our Youth Sunday celebration.
I have been a member of GOYA since the age of 12,
and am currently president. Through my involvement in
GOYA I have attended numerous dances, retreats and
outreach activities. Each year Saint Barbara’s GOYA
sponsors an annual day at Holiday Hill for the surrounding
Orthodox communities in New England and participates
in other social gatherings such as our annual Ski trip and
outing to Six Flags. In addition,
GOYA proudly participates in
many community benefiting
events including volunteering at
the Branford Community Dining
Hall, donating Build-a-Bears to
the Ronald McDonald House, and
building scarecrows for charity.
My personal favorite is our annual
fall weekend retreat to the YMCA
Camp Jewel. The purpose of this
retreat is not only to have fun,
but to become closer with one
another. From the moment we
arrive Friday night, we spend every
second of the weekend together
participating in unifying activities,
staying up late and watching
movies. On Saturday we travel
around the camp doing various team-building activities.
Every year we amaze the staff with how merged our
group is as we break their latest team-building exercise
records. In the evening, we have discussions about our
Greek Orthodox faith with Father Peter and followed by
s’mores and a movie.
The mood on Sunday morning is always melancholy as
everyone packs for the trip back, remembering about
“real world” awaiting us at home. During this time I
begin to notice how we have grown, individually and
as a whole over the years. We have had new members
join and old members move on to college and some
are even starting their own families and beginning to
send their children to GOYA events. Over the years
we have all developed this sense of being a family, and
we treasure these moments together. As my presidency
slowly comes to a close and this year ends, I am gradually
accepting the fact that I too will soon have to move on.
But no matter where I move on to, GOYA will always
be a favorite part of my past that will continually guide
my future. The sense of family that GOYA gives me
provides tranquility and peace amongst all the hustle and
bustle of the everyday life.
My GOYA family has enabled me to take a step back
from the rest of the world, take a deep breath and then
move forward. As president I have had the privilege of
teaching the next generation how to do the same. Enjoy
the time you are given and share
it with the ones you love.
On that note today is Godparent
Sunday. It is similarly a day
in which we take the time to
express our gratitude and love
for our Godparents and extended
members of our church families.
Godparents are another way of
sharing our faith and bringing
loved ones closer to our hearts.
They create ties that strengthen
distance family relationships
beyond
culture,
expanding
our knowledge of faith and
continually help in the formation
of our basic beliefs. With that in
mind, I would like to end with an
expression from an anonymous
writer, “Fragrance always stays on the hand that gives the
rose”. So remember to always share that love and you
will never be without it. Thank you.
Saint Barbara Scholarship Applications
are now available
in the Church Narthex or online at:
www.saintbarbara.org/news/scholarships/index.cfm
Scholarship Deadline: June 15, 2011
The following speech was delivered by Georgia Loucopoulos, one of the
two Vice-Presidents of the Saint Barbara GOYA.
As a senior in high school, I have about five months left
until my graduation. This is also about the same amount
of time I have left as a GOYAn. Since seventh grade, I
have been a happy participant in our GOYA community.
We have many events and one of the most loved is our
annual ski trip at Ski Sundown, which I have had the
pleasure of going to every year.
I will never forget my first ski trip.
There I was, a little twelve-year-old,
without a lot of skiing experience.
After my beginner’s lesson I continued
skiing down the bunny slopes with a
little more confidence. I eventually
decided to go inside the lodge and,
as I approached our tables, I was
suddenly surrounded by worried
parents. I soon found, with much
embarrassment, that not only was I
the last person to check in by about
an hour, but I was also suppose to be
skiing with a buddy. So they took me
outside to find a buddy. Naturally, I
was nervous because I didn’t know if
anyone would want to stay with me on
the bunny slopes. I didn’t want to go
all the way to the top of the mountain.
However, before I knew it, that’s exactly where I was
going because all the GOYAns were up there. Needless
to say, I was petrified as we were going up the ski lift.
We took the easiest slope down, but I was still scared
because I was going so fast and I kept falling. We finally
reached the bottom and I was still recovering from shock
when I found some of my friends heading towards the
bunny slopes. I joined them without a second thought
and the rest of my day was great.
It took three years for me to gain enough courage and
skill to willingly go down that slope again, and it was
only with the help and encouragement of my friends.
Often times, when the trail of life seems overburdened
by “moguls” like homework, extracurricular activities,
sports, and now college applications, it feels good to be
able to come to church, sit down with my friends and
talk it out and relieve the stress. In a community as close
and as busy as ours, it’s impossible not to make many
strong and lasting friendships. We are all united by our
faith and culture, which form special bonds that can’t
be made everyday at school. Despite the fact that we
only see each other about once or twice a week, I feel
like we’re all one big family and GOYA helps bring us
even closer. My friends here have made GOYA events
and other events like Odyssey, extremely fun, which
has enabled me to grow as an Orthodox Christian.
Learning about our faith with friends has shown me the
importance of being an Orthodox
Christian in a world where religion
is seen as another hobby. Thanks
to the help of my GOYA friends, I
will be able to use the strength and
faith I acquired maneuvering around
moguls to overcome the bigger hills
further along the trail.
I’m ever so grateful that my friends
were able to convince me to go down
that big slope, because now it’s not
so scary anymore. In fact, that’s the
slope we go down the most. This
Saturday, my fellow seniors and I
will be going on our last ski trip. For
me personally, it’s very sad because
it only shows us how much closer
we are to being done with GOYA.
Next year we will be in college and,
although the internet will help us stay in contact with our
friends here, we won’t see each other as often. Five years
ago I started that ski slope, and now, too soon, I will
reach the end of it. I won’t be going on the ski lift back
to the top, as much as I will want to. That seat has already
been reserved for a new GOYAn. Next year, I know that
GOYA will continue to help preach God’s word and be
just as unifying, just as fun, and just as supportive as it
was when I first joined. I will always feel very fortunate
and blessed to have been a part of it and I can’t wait to
see what future generations will add. Thank you.
GOYA - Bears From the Heart
GOYA Bears From the Heart
by Matthew Redding
A teddy bear is like a friend, there for you whenever you
need it and always ready to listen, cuddle and keep you
company. On February 22nd our GOYA went to the
Build-a-Bear workshop at the Trumbull Mall and created
teddy bears for the children at the Ronald McDonald
House in New Haven who are battling various illnesses.
On March 12th the GOYAns delivered 22 bears and
three cases of baby formula to the Ronald McDonald
House. It was heartwarming to see the joy on the kids
faces when they received their special bears.
Our GOYA participated as part of a Direct Archdiocesan
District wide event with other GOYAns throughout
New York and Connecticut. In all, over 150 bears were
delivered to the Ronald McDonald House in New York
City and New Haven. Our GOYA has enjoyed doing
this event for the past three years and hopes to continue
doing this every year.
The pictures on pages 28 and 29 depict some of the
GOYAns and their creations from the Build-A-Bear
Store, as well as a group picture from our trip to the
Ronald McDonald House in New Haven and our visit
with a few of their residents.
GOYA Visits Ronald McDonald House in New Haven
GOYAns Lend a Hand at the Community Dining Room
GOYAns Lend a Hand at the
Community Dining Room
Several groups of members of the Saint Barbara GOYA
together with their parents volunteered their time and
talent several times over the past few months at the
Community Dining Room in Branford.
The GOYA has worked many times this past year in
support of the Community Dining
Room, helping with their Scarecrow
fund raiser in the fall, and cooking
and serving meals several times in
the both the fall and winter.
Founded in 1985, the Community
Dining Room is a private, notfor-profit organization providing
food, support and companionship
to our shoreline neighbors. With
the assistance of its volunteers the
Community Dining Room serves
over 3,500 meals each month, serves
hot lunches daily in their dining
room, and hosts special dinners at
Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Letter of Thanks to the GOYA - GOYA Lenten Retreat
Dear friends of the Community Dining Room,
It is my great pleasure to thank you for your
generous support of the Community Dining room
in 2010. Your contribution to the success of our
14th Annual ‘Make Your Own Scarecrow’ event, at
Bishop’s Family Orchards helped raise more than
$9,000. As a result of this event our Fund Raising
efforts for 2010 totaled $37,016.26.
GOYAns Participate in Lenten Retreat
Members of our GOYA participated in the annual Lenten
Retreat that took place at Saint George in Hartford,
Connecticut, together with nearly fifty other teenagers
from the State, the retreat was led by His Grace Bishop
Savas and was entitled: ‘Faith and Film.’ His Grace
examined and discussed many Christian images found in
various modern and popular films. This page contains
pictures of our GOYAns who participated in the retreat.
We could not have done this without you.
The Community Dining Room offers a new program to
help stretch food budgets: “Wednesday Night Take
Out” for those recently affected due to job loss or
had hours cut back. We have served over 49,000
meals in 2010. The number of meals we are serving
is continually increasing during the present economic
downturn.
The Community Dining Room also offers academic
support for our elementary and middle school
students every Tuesday from 3:30 – 5:30 provided
by LEAD, Learning Center’s community outreach
program called Homework Helpers. The CDR has
recently added “Health over Easy” a nutritional
program coordinated by the East Shore District
Health Department.
Best of the New Year,
Jayne Nunziante - Director, Fundraising
GOYA Christmas Caroling - GOYA Christmas Retreat
GOYA Christmas Caroling
by: Andrianna Papadimitriou
There’s nothing better than going Christmas caroling with
your closest friends to help get you into the Christmas
spirit! On December 17, 2010 our GOYA brought
Christmas cheer to many people. We visited places such
as Chip’s Restaurant, Laurel Gardens Nursing Home,
and the homes of various parishioners. Whether we were
giggling when we lost our place in a song, messing up the
words or belting out the lyrics to “Sleigh Ride” there was
a smile on everyone’s face.
Christmas provides an opportunity to gather together,
be thankful, and make memories with the ones you love.
That’s precisely what happened that night. We made
other people happy, as well as ourselves, and can all look
back and think about what a wonderful thing we had
done and would continue to do in the future. No matter
how off-key we might have been at times, everyone
enjoyed themselves and we all learned how simple it is to
do something good for our community.
GOYA Christmas Retreat
Several members of the Saint Barbara GOYA attended
the district retreat at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox
Church in Bridgeport. Following a brief morning
prayer, Seminarians from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox
School of Theology in Brookline, MA, divided us into
groups by age, and led us in an in depth discussion
regarding the Feast of the Nativity of Christ. We
discussed the “commercialization” of Christmas
and how our attention is being distracted from truly
celebrating the Birth of Christ. All in all, the retreat was
very fulfilling and a great way to prepare for Christmas!
GOYA Christmas Caroling
Sunday School Christmas Pageant
Students of the Saint Barbara Sunday School
Catechetical Program presented their annual
Christmas Pageant on the Sunday before the
celebration of the Nativity of Christ.
The pageant depicts the events surrounding the
birth of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ,
and always reminds us of the Love that God has
for humankind.
This year's pageant was no exception. As the
students prayerfully participated and sang carols
praising God, they provided us all with an
opportunity to lift up our voices in hymns and
song honoring the newborn King.
The Lights of Saint Barbara: Holiday House Tour
The event, co-chaired by Paris Stamos Heath and Elaine
Johnson, brought proceeds totaling over $4,000 to the
Community of Saint Barbara. We would like to thank
them both for introducing a new and unique holiday
activity to our community.
We would also like to thank all of the homeowners who
so graciously opened their homes for this event. They
are as follows: Greg and Susan Stamos, Paris and Terry
Heath, Nota and George Koutroumanis, Alex Alexiades,
Paris and Evelyn Spanolios, and Andrew and Dee
Stefanou.
The Lights of Saint Barbara:
Holiday House Tour
If you missed Saint Barbara's first holiday house tour
you missed out on seeing some magnificently decorated
homes. Six of our parishioners opened their homes for
the tour not only to the community of Saint Barbara but
to the general public as well.
The after church event began with a luncheon reception
at the Lightle Community House. Most of us were
expecting a glass of wine and a piece of cheese...what we
got was baked ham and turkey, gourmet cheeses, baked
breads and salad. Following our lunch, we began our
tour of the six homes. Each time we left a house we
thought, "It couldn't get better," and it did! Themed
trees, collections of carolers, ornate mantle decorations
and 20 foot trees were just a few of the treats we had the
pleasure of viewing.
The feedback from both community members and
residents of Woodbridge, Orange and the surrounding
towns was extremely positive, everyone wondering how
could you top it next year?
Dear Father Peter,
This letter is to personally thank you and your parishioners
for opening their hearts and homes for the spectacular
“Lights of Saint Barbara” holiday event.
In a time of economic uncertainty and worldwide concerns,
it was truly a pleasure to escape for a day and feel the
magic of the holiday season in each beautifully decorated
home. The people who volunteered to open their doors,
greet perfect strangers with the warmth of good friends
truly showcased the spirit and love of the Christmas
season.
In light of the difficult circumstances within your own
parish, it takes a community to join together for a cause
to triumph over adversity. I say, job well done! I hope
you will share my gratitude with all!
Happy Holidays from an Irish, Catholic woman in Milford.
K. Gilhuly
Annual Taverna Night
Στήν υγειά μας
5th Annual
Taverna
Night
Saturday, June 11, 2011
6:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
at the Saint Barbara Community Center
480 Racebrook Road - Orange, CT
(Space is Limited)
ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT MENU
Featuring:
Lamb
Pork & Chicken Souvlaki - Potatoes & Rice
Fosolakia Lathera (Greek String Beans) - Horiatiki Salata (Salad)
Mezedakia - Appetizers
Fried Calamari - Spanakopita - Tyropsomakia
Dolmadakia, Tarama, Loukaniko, Olives, Feta
Beer & Wine
Fruit, Coffee & Dessert
Tickets:
Adults:
$50
Students:
$35 (ages 12-21)
Children:
$15 (ages 6-11)
Children up to 5 years old: Free
R.S.V.P. by June 6 at the Church Office - 203-795-1347
sponsored by the saint barbara greek language school
Lecture at Fairfield University - Philoptochos Hosts Lecture - Orthodox Study Bible
Lecture at Fairfield University
The Administration of Fairfield University recently
invited Dr. Perry Hamalis the Associate Professor of
Religious Studies at North Central College in Naperville,
IL, to deliver a lecture as part of its on going lecture
series. The talk entitled “An Orthodox Perspective on
Global Citizenship – The Politics of Personhood,” was
both thought provoking and educational.
Dr. Hamalis, offered a well documented and historically
accurate perspective on the development of the
Orthodox Church’s position of Global Citizenship and
how oftentimes the Church’s “Praxis’ and Theoria”
(Practice and Teachings or Theory) were often at odds.
In Orthodox thought we see all of humanity united as
one; we share a familial relationship to each other as
children of God. As such, we have a responsibility to
the well-being of not only each other as humans who
have been created in God’s Image and Likeness, but to
the environment and world ‘resources’ that have been
placed under our care.
This theological outlook demands that we forego
nationalistic interests and cultural superiorities and
realize all humans are equally created in the image of
God. It is all too easy to see how we as humanity fall far
short of this Christian responsibility and goal.
The Orthodox Study Bible
The first ever full-length Orthodox Study
Bible in English presents the Bible of the
early church and the church of the early
Bible.
Philoptochos Hosts Lecture
Following the Philoptochos General Meeting held on
Wednesday March 23, Elaine Johnson, a Professional
Organizer, gave a talk on How to De-Clutter Your Home.
Elaine presented an entertaining and familiar talk about
how we tend to accumulate our possessions in a spare
room, guest room or other location in our homes, awaiting
that perfect time to organize and purge. Alas, many
of us never make that time. But after hearing Elaine's
suggestions many were motivated and armed with the
know-how and inspiration to start some necessary decluttering projects... just in time for spring cleaning!
Orthodox Christianity is the face of ancient
Christianity to the modern world and embraces
the second largest body of Christians in the world.
In this first-of-its-kind study Bible, the Bible is
presented with commentary from the ancient
Christian perspective that speaks to those Christians
who seek a deeper experience of the roots of their
faith. The Orthodox Study Bible, created by The
Orthodox Study Bible Old Testament Project and
published by Thomas Nelson, uses the New King
James version of the Bible as the basis for a fresh
translation of the Septuagint text. The Septuagint
is the Greek version of the Bible used by Christ,
the Apostles, and the early church.
Available at the Saint Barbara Book Store
Price: $50.00
Annual Golf Classic
Annual Golf Classic
Friday, June 17, 2011
Orange Hills Country Club
389 Racebrook Road Orange, Connecticut
Registration
Shot Gun Start
7:00 a.m.
8:00 a.m. sharp
Hot Dog & Hamburger Cookout at the end of the Tournament
Space is limited to 144 players!
All reservations must be paid by June 10, 2011
$100 per player
Includes: Greens Fee, Golf Cart & Cookout
To Register Please Call:
Mike Wachter: 203-281-6078 or the Church Office: 203-795-1347
Sponsorships are also available:
$300 Green Sponsor
Have your own Fairway with two flags, one on the tee box and one on the green
$75 Tee Sponsor
A flag with your choice of wording
$60 Sponsor
Business/Name displayed at golf course.
Godparent Sunday
Godparent Sunday
The Community of Saint Barbara recently celebrated
Godparent Sunday. It was wonderful to see so many of
our parishioners attend the Divine Liturgy and receive
Holy Communion together with their Godparents
and/or Godchildren. The Saint Barbara PTO hosted
a luncheon following the Divine Liturgy in the
Community Center. Everyone had an opportunity to eat
a wonderfully prepared meal and then meet others who
travelled from various communities in Connecticut, as
well as from other states.
Godparent Sunday
Saint Barbara Family Retreat
Yiayias, Papous, Moms, Dads, teenagers and even young
children and their Nounas of all ages gathered on a sunny
Saturday morning for a Family Retreat on Prosforon
making. Many church goers don't even realize that the
prosforon used during the celebration of the Divine
Liturgy, is an offering prepared by dedicated parishioners
prior to each and every service.
The sixty-five enthusiastic participants at this retreat were
given step-by-step instructions by Marie Basel and her
daughter Claudia on how to mix the ingredients, knead,
shape, imprint (with the seal) and bake this holy bread.
The participants prayed, kneaded, baked and patiently
waited for the end result.
While the 55 loaves baked Father Peter explained the
meaning of imprints on the seal and then the participants
enjoyed a meal prepared by Helen Wachter. Following
lunch, the participants wrapped up their breads and took
them home with instructions on how to bring them back
to church (with the names of living and dead) as their
own prayerful offering for a future Divine Liturgy.
Above: The Prosforon Seal
Prosforon Recipe
Ingredients:
Prosforon Recipe
2 tsp yeast (1 pkg)
1 tsp sugar
¼ cup warm water
5 cups pre-sifted, unbleached flour
preferred)
(King Arthur
1 tsp salt
1 ½ cup warm water
Procedure:
Place yeast and sugar in a small bowl. Add ¼ cup warm
water and whisk to mix well. Cover with plastic wrap
to allow yeast to rise for approximately 10 minutes.
Place flour and salt in a mixing bowl, add yeast, add
1 ½ cup warm water slowly mixing to form dough.
Dough should be soft but not sticky. Place dough on
floured surface and knead to make a smooth round ball.
Place in pan and press down. Sprinkle flour on a clean,
dry surface and press with seal to make an imprint on
the dough. Remove seal carefully keeping seal in tact.
Bake in 350 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes.
While baking 20 minutes spray bread with water and
allow to continue baking.
Robert Krantz Visits the Saint Barbara Parish
Robert Krantz Visits the Saint Barbara Parish
Robert Krantz, author of Falling in Love with Sophia and
Guide to the Divine Liturgy recently made a stop at Saint
Barbara Church as part of his national book signing tour.
He was invited to an event hosted by the Saint Barbara
GOYA. He held a well attended lecture at the Lightle
Community Center.
Mr. Krantz spoke about his own spiritual journey,
explaining how he has always felt God working in his
life. It was his faith in God that allowed him to navigate
through all that life has to offer.
In addition to being a bestselling author, Krantz has
acted in numerous films and television shows. He has
also written screenplays for major motion picture studios
including Sony, Fox and Columbia Pictures.
Mr. Krantz graduated from the University of Southern
California's Film and Television program, also wrote,
produced, and acted in the movie Do You Wanna Dance?
He owns his own production and distribution company,
Ellinas Multimedia which is the largest producer and
distributer of Greek multimedia products in the United
States. He currently lives with his wife Tricia and their
three sons Chris, Nick and George in Aliso Viejo,
California.
Many thanks to Michele Papadimitriou for her work in
coordinating Robert's visit and lecture.
Saint Barbara Church 2011 Stewardship List
Gather My People To My Home
Come and See
ΕΡΧΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΙΔΕ
Philip brings Nathaniel to Christ telling him "Come and See."
See the world as God's Gift to you.
See what the Church Can Become.
See God work through You.
Come and See.
join us for sunday services
Saint Barbara Church Stewardship 2011
In 2011 we received 448 Stewardship Pledge Cards. These 448 stewards pledged a total of $199,532 towards our
2011 goal of $285,000.
Thank you to those who have made and completed your stewardship pledge for 2011. If you have not done so to date,
please call the Church Office or simply send in your Stewardship donation. Remember to give dedicated and sacrificial
attention to your Stewardship donation, keeping an eye toward helping your church reach its Stewardship goal. In
preparation for the great opportunities that lie ahead in the life of this community, the Stewardship Committee is asking
everyone to continue that trend and pitch in by increasing your pledge from last year at least 10% or $50, whichever
is greater. As always, we are grateful for your love and support of our parish. If there are any omissions or errors in
the list below, we ask that you please call the office and speak to our secretary. Thank you for your continued support.
Agapiou, John
Agapiou, Bessie
Aldi, Anthony & Kostoula
Alessio, Anthony
Alessio, Pamela
Alexiades, Alex
Alexiades, Elia
Amigdalos, Steven & Erika
Amigdalos, Anna
Amoratis, Antonios
Amoratis, Vasiliki
Amoratis, Mike
Anasson-Waskiewicz, Charles
Anasson, Cynthia
Anasson-Waskiewicz, Eleni
Anastasion, George
Anastasion, Nita
Anastasion, Peter
Anastasion, Maria
Anastasopoulos, Angelo
Anastasopoulos, Maria
Anderson, Peter
Anderson, Lorraine
Andrews, Gary & Melanie
Andriotis, Demetra
Andriotis, Sophia
Andriotis, Christina
Angeletti, Calliope
Angelopoulos, Athanasios
Anthis, George
Anthis, Irene
Anthis, Nicholas
Anthis, Georgette
Anton, Vasiliki
Antonak, Mary
Antonakis, Anthony & Anna
Antonellis, Asimina
Antonellis, George
Antonellis, Donna
Antonellis, Theodore
Anzenberger, Ioanna and Steven
Aportria, Catherine
Apotria, Cleo
Arabolos, Michael
Aretakis, Nick & Maria
Armetta, Philip & Antonia
Athanas, Dale
Athenson, John & Mary Jane
Bakousis, Dennis
Bakousis, Despoina
Baledes, Theodore & Carol
Ballas, James
Ballas, Demetra
Ballas, Lisa
Barakis, Stanley
Barakis, Florence
Basel, Edward
Basel, Lillian
Basel, Louis
Basel, Marie
Basel, Claudia
Benas, James
Benas, Marina
Benham, John & Elizabeth
Bitzarakis, Mary
Borelli, Andrew & Cornelia
Burr, Kevin
Burr, Chrisanne
Buzelle, Bruce
Buzelle, Avenya
Cambras, William & Elizabeth
Canevari, Daniel
Canevari, Petrina
Cargos, Sophie
Chadderton, Kevin & Stacey
Chagares, Conella P.
Chagares, Constantine
Chagares, Helen
Chagares, Dorothea
Chaltas, Basil
Chaltas, Efthalia Barbara
Chekas, Pauline
Chow, James
Chow, Theodora
Coclin, James
Coclin, Ellen
Constantinidi, Aquiles
Constantinidi, Mary
Contaxis, William
Contaxis, Joanne
Contopoulos, George
Contopoulos, Joanne
Corradino, Melissa
Cosmas, Michael & Dawn
Cox, Edwin
Cox, Sharon
Dabakis, Cathy
Dabakis, L. Greg
Daskalakis, Elias
Daskalakis, Sophie
DeBassio, Bessie
Delcos, William & Marianne
Delos, Tony & Stacy
DelPercio, Fred & Renee
Diamantes, Fred
Diamantes, Antigoni
Diamantis, Ilias
Diamantis, Maria
DiBianco, John & Angela
DiGrazia, Christine
Dikegoros, Persefone
DiMeola, Richard & Joanne
Dimos, Christos & Melissa
Dinyovszky, Helen
Drakonakis, Andrew
Drakonakis, Jane
Drenkhahn, Peter
Drenkhahn, Thedora
Dykas, Joseph & Elena
Efthymiou, Pantelis
Efthymiou, Renee
Elefteriades, John
Elefteriades, Peggy
Eliopoulos, Paris
Eliopoulos, Virginia
Eliopoulos, Konstantinos
Eliopoulos, Jimmy
Ellis, Peter
Ellis, Patricia
Emmanouil, Stylianos
Emmanouil, Kaliope
Esposito, David & Susanna
Faraclas, Anne
Faraclas, Paul
Faraclas, Jacqueline
Feliciano, Donald
Feliciano, Larisa
Fifis, Augoustis
Fifis, Maria
Fifis, Demetrios
Frangenes, Jason
Galanakis, Despina
Galanakis, Maria
Gallagher, Nicki
Ganacoplos, Pamela
Genetos, Claire
Genetos, Clara
Giambanis, George
Giambanis, Maria
Giatrelis, Dorothea
Ginieres, Alexandra
Glaras, Danny & Donna
Golub, Stephanie
Goodrich, James
Goodrich, Anastasia
Gorecki, Edward & Betsy
Goumas, Elaine
Goumas, Lucy
Guarnieri, Michael & Erin
Guartazaca, C. Michael & Irene
Guiliotis, George
Guiliotis, Dorothy
Guiliotis, Gregg
Guiliotis, Barbara
Gust, Christopher
Gust, Maria
Hadjimichael, Christos
Hadjimichael, Jane
Hadjimichael, Evangelos
Hadjimichael, Olympia
Hajedemos, Harry
Hajedemos, Jane
Halepas, Mara
Halepas, Stephanie
Halepas, Peter & Juanita
Haskos, Helen
Haskos, Koula
Haskos, Nicholas J.
Haskos, Lizabeth
Hathaway, Wendy
Hatzigiannis, Theodore
Hatzigiannis, Mary
Heath, Terry & Paris
Heerdt, John & Lisa
Heffernan, Evelyn
Heonis, Despina
Hionis, Nikolaos & Margaret
Hojnowski, Mark
Hojnowski, Eleni
Hoxsie, Frederick & Barbara
Hrampanis, Gregory
Hrampanis, Maria
Hubbard, Thomas & Stephanie
Ikonomou, Mihail
Ikonomou, Helen
Johnson, Scott & Andreanne
Jordanides, George & Marcy
Kakalow, James
Kambas, William
Kambas, Ariadne
Kanakis, Tasos
Kanakis, Kathy
Kaoud, Abraham
Kaoud, Aida
Kaoud, Maurice
Karakolidis, Angelo
Karakolidis, Maria
Kariofyllis, Roula
Katevatis, Manos
Kattis, George
Kattis, Anastasia
Kavathas, Paula
Kefalas, Nicholas
Kefalas, Beverly
Keramas, Evangelia
Kerames, Dennis
Kerames, Karen
Kerantzas, Elizabeth
Kitsos, Evangeline
Klarides, Peter
Klarides, Theodora
Klarides, Theodore
Klarides, Mary
Kokenos, John & Rodanna
Komlos, Jeanette
Komninakas, Meni
Korosiotis, Nikolaos
Korosiotis, Stavroula
Kostas, Demetrios and Heather
Kostas, Konstantine
Kostas, Valentina
Koukos, Marietta
Kourounis, Kay
Kovlakas, Paul
Kovlakas, Lisa
Kral, Harriet
Krist, Vede
Kydes, George
Kydes, Joanne
Kyriakides, Tassos & Kristen
Kyrtopoulos, William and Diane
Laggis, Nicholas
Laskos, Peter and Jeanet
Laskos, Monica
Lavey, Christine
Lawrence, Joshua and Andrea
Lazos, Athanasios & Susan
Lillios, Antonios
Limanni, Tom & Chryssanthe
Loo, Steven & Stephanie
Losh, Michael and Peggy
Losh, Michael and Victoria
Loskant, Robert
Loskant, Patricia
Lott, Bradford
Lott, Valentine
Loucopoulos, John
Loucopoulos, Fotini
Loukakes, James & Halina
Loukides, Louis
Loukides, Terry
Louloudis, Demetra
Loussides, Nick
Loussides, Hariklea
Loussides, George N.
Loussides, Angeliki
Madigosky, Ioanna
Magoulas, Spiro
Magoulas, Anastasia
Maniatakis, Irene
Maniatis, Konstantinos
Maniatis, Anastasia
Maniatis, Peter
Maniatis, Zoi
Maniatis, Theodore
Maniatis, Eleftheria
Mantzaris, Adam
Marathas, Catherine
Marchitto, Patric
Marchitto, Georgia
Markakis, Eleni
Marnerakis, Anastasios &Francesca
Martin, Nick & Eileen
Matarese, Matthew & Stephanie
Mattie, Mary
Mavrides, William
Mavromatis, Nicholas
Harold and Evelyn
Meehan, Anne
Melanidis, Konstantinos
Melanidis, Helen
Menegatos, Spyros
Menegatos, Maria
Milani, Gino & Christine
Milas, Nicolaos
Milas, Irene
Mitchell, Joy
Mitchell, Victor and Penelope
Monaco, Ralph and Melba
Moran, Brian & Stacy
Morris, Diana
Morris, Philip
Morris, Mary
Mountzouris, Evans
Mountzouris, Christina
Mouratidis, Gregory
Mouratidis, Elizabeth
Mulhall, Christopher & Andrea
Namnoum, Ken & Anna
Necklas, Barbara
Necklas, Georgia
Necklas, Michael & Antoinette
Necklas, Socrates & Elaine
Nichols, Mathew and Dani
Nicholson, Nelson and Carole
Nicolakis, Theodore
Nicolakis, Clio
Nuzzo, Joseph and Maria
Orfanakos, Rev. Peter J.
Orfanakos, Presbytera Vangie E.
Overbye, Michael
Overbye, Jeannie
Pacelle, Richard & Pat
Palavra, John
Palavra, Penny
Pandajis, James
Pandajis, Florence
Pantelis, Peter
Pantelis, Brenda
Papadimitriou, George
Papadimitriou, Michele
Papadopoulos, Nicholas
Papadopoulos, Niki
Papageorgiou, Harry
Papageorgiou, Elizabeth
Pappas, Catherine
Pappas, Vivian
Pappas, Harry
Pappas, Aspasia
Pappas, John
Pappas, Eleni
Pappas, John
Pappas, Lella
Pappas, Michael & Gail
Peccerilli, Anna
Perakos, Sperie
Perakos, Nikki
Perretta, Philip & Irene
Perretta, Carmen
Perrone, James & Stacy
Petrakis, Evan
Petrakis, Regina
Piperas, Helen
Piperas, George
Poulmas, James
Poulmas, Lillian
Poulmas, John
Proestakes, Helen
Proestakis, George & Marla
Proestakis, Peter
Proestakis, Florence
Psaltis, Emmanuel
Redding, Helen
Redding, Paul
Redding, Barbara
Reilly, Robyn
Renda, Al & Christina
Rioja, Virginia
Robalino, Ed & Katina
Rogers, Chad & Alexis
Russo, J. Greg & Tracey
Russo, Ralph & Evelyn
Sakkas, Dionisios
Sakkas-Lalioti, Maria
Sarigianis, James
Sarigianis, Florence
Sarris, John
Sarris, Theodora
Savvidis, Chris
Savvidis, Eva
Savvidis, Savva
Saint Barbara Church 2011 Stewardship List - Philoptochos Thanks our Parishioners
Scafariello, John & Mercy
Sciaraffa, David & April
Sekas, Mary
Sellas, George
Sellas, Christine
Simmons, Mario & Arhonti
Skalkos III, Nicholas
Skitzis, John & Eleanor
Soboslai, Helyn
Soennichsen, Ryan
Soennichsen, Despina
Sofokleous, Peggy
Soteropoulos, Catherine
Spanolios, Paris
Spanolios, Eugenia
Stamos, Gregory & Susan
Stamos, Paul & Karen
Stamos, Peter
Stardellis, Sofia
Stavrides, Andrew
Stavrides, Joanna
Stavrides, Steven
Stavrides, Joann
Stefanis, Louis
Stefanis, Marianne
Stefanou, Andrew
Stefanou, Diane
Stournaras, Dana
Tambis, Penny
Tambis, Thomas
Tambis, Christine
Teodosio, Joseph
Teodosio, Maria
Terzakis, James
Terzakis, Angeliki
Testo, Carl & Cynthia
Theodos, George
Theodos, Antonia
Timms, Angelnia
Tjimis, Yota
Tobias, Christopher
Tobias, Anastasia
Tomaszek, Frank
Tomaszek, Laurie
Tsialas, Gregory
Tsialas, Elaine
Tsionis, George
Tsionis, Paula
Vamvakides, Kirk & Judite
Vartelas, Theodore
Vasil, Helen
Vasilas, Mary
Vautrin, Gregg & Eleni
Verinis, Marie
Vetrano, Todd & Ariana
Vincelette, Catherine
Vlandis, Elias
Vlandis, Calliopi
Wachter, Herbert
Wachter, Helen
Wheeler, Roger
Winkel, James & Marcy
Yates, Steven
Yates, Helene
Yost, Fredric
Zikos, George
Zikos, Christina
expenses: Chris Stefanis from The Athena Dinner
in North Haven, the Anthis family from Georgie’s
Diner, the Antonakis family from the Greek Olive,
Angelo Giannopoulos from Nick’s Place in Madison,
Chip’s Restaurant, Penny Palavra, Paris Eliopoulos,
Kostas Eliopoulos, James Bitzonis, Tony and Maria
Koutroumanis, John and Anna Mihalakos, Dr. Yota
Tjimis, Mrs. Linda Morris, the Haritos Family from
Guilford, and Mrs. Vaso Melanidis. Because of their
generosity, Philoptochos has been in a much better
position to carry out its mission.
We are looking forward to an even more successful
future for our Society.
Maria Koutroumanis preparing the Tsourekia for Pascha
Thank you to all,
Philoptochos Thanks our Parishioners
Oly Hadjimichael, Philoptochos President
We are deeply grateful to our parishioners for supporting
our efforts at Easter time in raising funds for charity.
Our mission is to help the poor, the destitute, the
hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed; the victims
of disasters, and to anyone who may need the help of
the Church. We help those in need locally, nationally,
and internationally.
At this time, we would like to thank in addition, those
who have made donations that reduce the cost of our
Above: Some of the participants in the Philoptochos Cooking Class
Celebrating Greek Independence Day
Foreign rulers changed through the years, but Greece
never ceased to be the center of scientific, cultural and
religious quests and development. It was in Greece that
Christianity found its first foothold in Europe. The fusion
of the Gospel message, with the reason and humanity of
the Greeks, helped to form the early Christian Church.
It was through Greece that teachings of Jesus Christ
spread into Europe. The spread of the ‘Good News’
was facilitated through the use of the Greek language
that served as the international language at the time and
its association with the Byzantine Empire, which finally
adopted Christianity as the official state religion.
The blessing of the flag of Freedom at Aghia Lavra.
Theodoros Vryzakis, 1856 - Athens National Gallery.
The Byzantine Empire started out as the eastern part
of the Roman Empire but slowly transformed to a
state primarily based on the Greek mainland ruled by
Emperors that used Greek as the official state language.
During its lengthy eleven century life (A.D. 330-1453)
the Byzantine state showed a particular interest in the
preservation of ancient Greek culture. Champion of that
cause was the Orthodox Church, who helped preserve
the classical heritage through the centuries. Although
the Byzantine Empire housed within its borders many
peoples from various nations, it was the people of Greece
that constituted its main body. And it was on that very
land of Greece that Byzantium left its final breath.
After fighting desperately for its life Greece fell victim
to the force of the expanding Ottoman Empire in 1453.
The fall of Constantinople, the capital of once mighty
The country of Greece, located in the southeastern part
of the European continent is easily recognizable by its
wild mountainous terrain and its golden coastline. Greece
has been described as both the passageway of nations and
the birthplace of democracy. It is revered for the gifts
it has presented to humankind in the times of Pericles
and the Golden Age of Athens. Epic poetry, art, drama,
history, philosophy, mathematics and the formulation of
the principles of a democratic government all can trace
their origin to Greece.
Since the end of the Classical Era, the Greek nation saw
their military power falter, and the citizens of Greece had
to become accustomed to foreign rule. Greece however,
continued to shine its lights on to the rest of the world.
Even her very conquerors, as in the case with the Roman
Empire, once they were acquainted with Greek culture,
were in turn, conquered by it.
A War Scene.
Byzantium, brought to an end the history of a state that
shone gloriously for over 1,100 years. This ultimate
defeat signaled for the Greek Orthodox Church and the
Greek nation the start of a long period of subjugation to
a ruthless Turkish rule.
In many ways the Greeks were treated like second class
citizens. They were forced to wear distinctive clothing,
given the poorest of land to cultivate, and were at the
mercy of whatever overlord happened to be in the
general vicinity.
For the next four centuries the Greeks attempted to
gain their freedom several times, but every attempt
failed for lack of organization and wider support. Every
unsuccessful attempt however, galvanized the spirit
of the people and reaffirmed the intense feeling of
nationhood that prevailed among Greeks of all classes.
This feeling derived from their common language, their
common Christian faith, and from the consciousness of
being under an alien and repressive rule. It also derived
from the Church the initiated clandestine educational
efforts that helped preserve the ancient heritage as well
as the cultural and linguistic unity of the nation.
honors the Virgin Mary who received the call from the
Archangel to become the representative of humanity in
the great Economy of God. She willingly agreed to bear
the Christ, and in doing so began the process of events
that would bring about the ‘re-birth’ of humankind in
Paradise.
Although military operations had started on March 21st,
and historians point out the assembly in the monastery
actually took place a fortnight before, it is the 25th day
of March that by tradition is celebrated as the beginning
of the Greek Revolution. This date parallels the
Annunciation of the Birth of Christ and the ‘re-birth’ of
the Greek nation.
At the same time the messages of the Enlightenment that
embodied brotherhood, intellectual and scientific life and
reason among men that started arriving from Western
Europe (Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau) intoxicated the
Greeks with a growing desire for national freedom.
Rhigas Feraios, an 18th century Greek activist who was
trying to raise awareness in Europe about the Greek
cause, expressed the feelings of every enslaved Greek
when he wrote his marshal hymn: «Καλύτερα μίας
ώρας ελεύθερη ζωή παρά σαράντα χρόνια σκλαβιά
και φυλακή.» “It is better to live for just one hour as a
free man, rather than live a slave for forty years.”
Folk legend has it that the revolution started in the
monastery of Agia Lavra, in the northern part of the
Peloponnese peninsula. According to the legend,
Metropolitan Germanos, the Bishop of Patras, raised the
flag of the revolution in front of the assembled primates
and chieftains of the area and urged them to pledge
their loyalty to the sacred fight for the freedom of their
nation. The ultimate goal was set, “Freedom or Death!”
The date was March 25, 1821.
It is on that very same day that the Greek Orthodox
Church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation and
The camp of Georgios Karaiskakis
From the outbreak of the revolution, the different
chieftains used various flags and banners to lead their
men in battle. A common motif prevailed - the cross,
in different sizes, shapes and colors served as a reminder
of the Greek’s common faith and a sign of divine
intervention for the fulfillment of their goals.
In 1822 however, the newly formed Greek parliament
adopted the official flag of the country. This new flag of
Greece would have nine equal horizontal stripes of blue
alternating with white. The white stripes symbolized
peace and honesty and the white color of the Greek
waves. The blue stripes symbolized vigilance, truth
loyalty, perseverance, justice and the blue of the Greek
sea. A blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bears a
white cross that symbolizes the Greek Orthodox Faith,
the established religion of Greece. This was the ultimate
recognition by the Greek state of the importance of
their faith to the outcome of their fight.
Eight years of bitter and bloody battles followed.
Eight years that produced a new pantheon of heroes,
who would eventually take their place in Greek legend
alongside the place of Hercules, Aquiles, and Eulicies.
The dance of Zaloggo or the Souliotisses
Claude Pinet
had been killed in battle. They were clergymen, like
the Patriarch of Constantinople, Gregorios the 5th,
who was murdered by the Turks as a punishment and
warning to the Greeks who wanted to join the fight. Or,
like the priest, Grigorios Papaflessas, who served as a
revolutionary in the Greek government and eventually
gave his life in the trenches fighting for the freedom of
his country. And they were the Philhellenes, friends of
Greece, who came from far away lands and joined in the
fight for Greek Independence.
The Exodus from Messolonghi
They were kleftes like Theodoros Kolokotronis and
Odysseus Androutsos and Georgios Karaiskakis. They
were noblemen like the Ypsilantis brothers, Alexandros
and Dimitrios, who abandoned their high offices in
Russia to go and fight for the homeland. They were
merchants like Constantine Kanaris and Andreas
Miaoulis who turned their ships over to the revolution
becoming inspirational naval leaders.
They were
anonymous heroes like the women of Souli, who chose
death before dishonor; they held their children tightly
and jumped off the cliffs of Zaloggo, after their men
Alexandros Ypsilantis crosses the river Pruth
P. von Hess - Athens, Benaki Museum.
And musing there an hour alone,
I dreamed that Greece might still be free;
For standing on the Persians' grave,
I could not deem myself a slave.”
The Greek state that emerged from the war of 1821
declared March 25th a national holiday. Celebrations
commemorating Greek Independence Day are celebrated
in every city and village of Greece and every corner of
the world, where Greeks are to be found.
March 25th holds for the Greeks the same significance
July 4th holds for us as Americans. Both dates mark
the declaration of Independence and the birth of two
nations who fought passionately for their freedom; two
nations, who shared the same convictions about man’s
inalienable rights on earth.
When a young America and its people fought for
democracy, self-determination and freedom of
expression, they felt very close to the people that
presented these very same concepts to the world. In a
letter sent to celebrated scholar and patriot, Adamantios
Koraes, Thomas Jefferson expressed the feelings of
Americans on the Greek Revolution:
Lord Byron welcomed in Messolonghi
Theodoros Vryzakis - Athens National Gallery.
The most famous Philhellene was Lord Byron, an
English poet and satirist who first visited Greece in 1809
and instantly fell in love with the land that inspired his
Grecian poems. After the outbreak of the revolution,
Byron returned to Greece in 1824 to work with the
division leaders and unify the diversion Greek forces.
He unfortunately fell ill, contracted a fever and died in
Messolonghi later that same year. Until the time of his
death, Byron was held in such great respect in Greece
that the revolutionary government had even invited him
to become Governor General of the Country.
Lord Byron’s involvement in the Greek Independence
War helped awaken the opinion of Europeans in favor
of the fighting Greeks, who mourned sincerely the loss
of a true friend of their nation.
In one of his poems, titled The Isles of Greece, Lord Byron
writes:
“The mountains look on Marathon
And Marathon looks on the sea;
“…no people sympathize more feelingly than
ours with the suffering of your countrymen;
and no one offers more sincere and ardent
prayers to heaven for their success…”
Encouraged by the achievements of the American people
since the declaration of their independence, the newly
born Greek parliament appealed to the American nation
in the name of their shared love for liberty, requesting
their assistance in the struggle they had just begun.
Following in the steps of their ancestors, modern
Americans do not forget to pay tribute to Greek
Independence Day. In 1987 President Ronald Reagan
proclaimed the 25th of March a National Day of
Celebration of Greek and American Democracy:
“I am particularly pleased that this Resolution
communicates our lasting debt of gratitude to
the people of Greece and all people of Greek
heritage for the democratic ideals which inspired
the founding of our own nation.”
President Ronald Regan
Greek Language School Celebrates Greek Independence Day
During the brief period since the rebirth of its nation,
Greece and her people have participated in the world’s
fights for freedom and democracy, often paying a heavy
price. It is however, perceived as their duty and their
destiny, for they have always carved their path in history,
motivated by their ultimate ideal – liberty.
H EQNIKH
EORTH inspired
The Greeks’
struggle MAS
for freedom
GREEK INDEPENDENCE
DAYwritten
their national
anthem, which was
Celebration
at
the
State
Capitol
by Greece’s first modern-day poet laureate,
Dionysios Solomos:
Tuesday, March 25th
Trivth, 25h
Martivou
Σε γνωρίζω
από
την κόψη
State Capitol Building in Hartford
του σπαθιού την τρομερή,
On March 25th Greek Independence Day Celebration at the State Capitol Building in
Hartford from 4:00-5:30pm. The festivities will begin promptly in the Hall of Flags at 4:00
pm and followed by music and refreshments. The program continues with Doxology at Saint
George Cathedral in Hartford at 6:00 pm and will be followed by dinner and music.
(Donation of $10/adult are requested for the dinner and dance. Students and children are
free.)
σε γνωρίζω από την όψη
που με βια μετράει την γη.
Απ’ τα κόκκαλα βγαλμένη
Ethvsia Eqnikhv Eorthv th" Apeleuqerwvsew" stov Hartford thvn Trivth, 25h Martivou. To
provgramma sunecivzete me Doxologiva ston Ierov Naov Agivou Gewrgivou kai wvra 6:00
mm kai qa akolouqhqeiv me geuvma kai mousikhv.
των Ελλήνων τα ιερά,
και σαν πρώτα ανδρειωμένη,
χαίρε, ω χαίρε, Ελευθεριά!
“We knew thee of old,
Oh, divinely restored,
By the lights of thine eyes,
And the light of thy Sword,
From the graves of our slain,
Shall thy valor prevail.
As we greet thee againHail, O Hail o Liberty.”
At Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
The students of our Greek Language School led the
parish of Saint Barbara in an inspirational celebration
of Greek Independence Day. Elias Bitzarakis set the
‘tone’ of the event as he began to sing the solemn song
‘Δώδεκα Ευζωνάκια’ as his fellow students, accompanied
by their teachers, processed onto the solea.
Chrissy Chow and Katie Esposito served as the
student narrators of the program deftly navigating the
parishioners from poem to song to poem. Each of the
students recited a poem highlighting the Greeks’ fight
for Independence that began in 1821. They also sang
various traditional songs including ‘Τα Κλεφτόπουλα’ led
by Manolis Mastromanolis.
At the conclusion of this presentation the students led
the entire congregation in the singing of the Greek
National Anthem and its beautiful words of freedom.
We congratulate the staff of our Greek Language School
for the tremendous work that they continue to do
teaching our children the Greek Language and traditions.
Irene Milas, Director; Tina Valaouras-Berner, Assistant
Director; Mike Albanis, Anna Avgoulas, Mary Bitzarakis,
James Chow, Theodore Dogani-Chow, Kaliope
Emmanouil, Maria Fifis, Maria Giambanis, Nomiki
Kanakis, Sotiria Koniditsiotis, Fotini Loucopoulos,
Theodora Maccone, Anita Maniatis, Zoi Maniatis, Maria
Paridis, Eugenia Spanolios, Calliope Vlandis.
Greek Language Scool Celebrates Greek Independence Day
Greek Language School Celebrates Greek Independence Day
Greek Independence Day Luncheon
Greek Independence Day Luncheon
The teachers and parents of the children of the Saint
Barbara Greek Language School hosted a luncheon
celebrating Greek Independence Day! The Church’s
community center was decorated beautifully for the
occasion as we paid homage to those who fought
heroically for Greece’s freedom. The following pages
contain just some of the pictures highlighting the
wonderful time shared by all.
Greek Independence Day Parade in New York City
Greek Independence Day Parade In New York City
Thousands of Greeks and Greek-Americans traveled
to New York City to participate in the annual Greek
Independence Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. As in the
past, the children of our Greek Language School together
with their parents and teachers, rode on a float specifically
designed by our Greek School Staff. This year’s Saint
Barbara float honored the ‘secret schools’ that were led
by Orthodox Priests during the 400 years of Ottoman
Occupation. Our own James Maccone, depicted ‘the
priest’ teaching his young students in the caves about
philosophy, the Greek language and the Orthodox Faith.
These ‘schools’ played a virtual role assisting the Greeks
in maintaining their Hellenic and Orthodox identity even
under harsh and threatening conditions.
Greek Independence Day Parade in New York City
St. John Chrysostom
Greek Independence Day Celebration in Hartford - Oratorical
Festival
Oratorical Festival
2011
Greek Independence Day Celebration in Hartford
Over two hundred Greeks and Phil-Hellenes from
throughout the State of Connecticut gathered in the
Hall of Flags at the State Capitol to celebrate Greek
Independence Day. Greg Stamos, President of the
CT Hellenic Bar Association (and Saint Barbara
parishioner) led off the celebration eloquently
speaking on the importance of this day for all Greeks
throughout the world.
The Honorable Susan Bysiewicz, former Secretary of
the State of Connecticut spoke of her own Hellenic
background and served as the Master of Ceremonies.
Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman welcomed all to the
Capital and then those in attendance were honored to
hear various poems celebrating Greek Independence
Day as recited by the Greek School students from
Hartford, Waterbury and Orange, CT.
Our Church was beautifully represented by young
men and women of our Greek Language School who
handled themselves with much grace and dignity.
Seven Saint Barbara Orators Impress
at Parish Oratorical Festival
TOPICS, TIPS, AND RESOURCES
By Steven Yates
On Saturday March 19, the Saint Barbara parish held its
annual Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. This
festival promotes public speaking on topics of faith
among the Orthodox Christian youth. This year seven
young people from our Sunday School committed to
write and deliver a speech on one of the topics provided
by the Archdiocese Department of Education. This
is really quite extraordinary. When do you hear about
school-aged kids voluntarily writing essays? And public
speaking is consistently ranked as people’s #1 fear. Why
do these young people do this?
Department of Religious Education
(800) 566-1088 | religioused@goarch.org
It was evident to all in attendance that these extraordinary
young people were brimming with their Faith. Every
speech was thoughtful and passionately delivered. It
made me so proud to be a member of this parish. First
to speak were the three Elementary Division (Grades
4-6) students. Annie-Jordan Tomaszek, Maria Kaouris
and Barbara Kefalas gave speeches that many considered
the highlight of the festival. The Junior Division (Grades
7-9) had three excellent speeches that were of such high
quality they would have been well received in the Senior
Division (Grades 10-12)! Peter Kaouris, Diamantis
Kefalas and Emma Cowper competed in the Junior
Division for prizes and the privilege of participating in
the District Festival at Holy Trinity in Bridgeport, CT.
They finished in the order listed. Irene Antar was our
lone Senior Division speaker and won a cash prize and
the right to participate in the District Festival.
Instrumental in the success of the Oratorical Festival were
Elias Lolis, Stacey Grimaldi and Valerie Papanikolaw, who
comprised a panel of expert judges, Jim Sarigianis, who
acted as timekeeper, and Lea Loussides, who coordinated
the room setup and refreshments for the event.
Please congratulate and encourage these young people
and their parents when you see them. It is my hope that
next year’s parish oratorical festival will have even greater
participation.
Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
St. John Chrysostom
Oratorical Festival 2011
Participants in the Saint Barbara
Oratorical Festival
Top Row: Barbara Kefalas, Annie-Jordan Tomaszek,
Maria Kaouris, Diamantis Kefalas
Second Row: Emma Cowper, Peter Kaouris, Irene
Antar, Steven Yates and the Elementary Division
Participants
Below: Steven Yates and the Junior Division
Participants
The Saint Barbara Community hosted the Direct
TOPICS, TIPS, AND RESOURCES
Archdiocesan District
Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical
Festival Finals on Saturday, May 7, 2011. Twenty students
from NY, CT and Washington, DC participated. The two
finalists, pictured below, chosen to represent our D.A.D.
District at the Archdiocesan Level Finals in Houston, Texas,
are both from the Saint George Cathedral in Hartford, CT.
Department of Religious Education
(800) 566-1088 | religioused@goarch.org
Senior Division
Junior Division
GOYA Ski Trip
GOYA Ski Trip
by: Andrianna Papadimitriou
Whether a beginner, an intermediate, or an expert skier
everyone enjoyed the GOYA ski trip that took place on
February 19th. The group took a bus to Ski Sundown
early in the morning and when we arrived everyone
suited up and it was off to the slopes.
As we rode up in the chairlift and sped down the trails
everyone had a huge grin on their face. Whether it was
racing a friend down the mountain or taking it slow and
enjoying the surroundings, each GOYAn was having a
fun filled day… even though our noses were red from
the cold!
snack or some hot chocolate to warm ourselves. Then
we got back up ready to head back out to the slopes!
When it was time to leave we could not believe that the
day was over. We left in high spirits because we each got
to spend the day doing something we enjoyed with some
of our best friends.
It was a day that we’ll all remember! As the seniors said,
they had a blast and would miss GOYA. The younger
ones anticipated the trips to come. In the end, although
our bodies were cold, our hearts were very warm!
Each of us took a break whenever we needed a quick
GOYA Ski Trip
Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger Hunt
On a brisk Saturday morning (March 26), GOYANS
from our church, together with chaperons took a coach
bus heading south on I-95 to NYC’s Central Park, for the
annual scavenger hunt, sponsored by the Office of Youth
and Young Adult Ministries of the Direct Archdiocesan
District.
Participating GOYANS from eleven churches (CT,
NY) divided into twelve teams of about 10 GOYANS
plus team leaders and assistants. An extensive checklist,
including a digital camera was provided to each team.
Task completion required team members to search out
clues using Park landmarks such as statues, ecologicalminded activities, singing, imagery, etc. to earn points.
A point tally was completed while a GOYA Lenten
Lunch was enjoyed at the ballroom of the Holy Trinity
Cathedral on East 74th Street.
Final scores from the Picture Safari Hunt were announced
and prizes to the top three winning teams were received.
The outing made for a fun, action packed day that
allowed GOYANS to enjoy each other’s company, work
together and broaden their friendships with GOYANS
from other parishes!
Scavenger Hunt
PTO Children's Fair
PTO Children's Fair
The Saint Barbara Community Center was filled with the
sounds of delighted children as they raced around the
hall. This was no ordinary coffee hour, but the PTO
Children's Fair held on February 27 and chaired by PTO
VP Sophia Papastathis Talnose.
The young children of Saint Barbara's JOY and
PATCHES groups played ring toss, fishing, basketball,
dug for candy decorated cupcakes, sat for tattoos, face
painting and nail polish. They also created handmade
prayer tryptichs or a "stained glass" cross with glue,
seashells and colored rocks.
Before, during and after, the children and their parents
and even some coffee hour visitors enjoyed the delicious
grilled cheese and hot dog lunch so graciously prepared
by our friend Paris Eliopoulos and the baked goods
prepared by our PTO parents.
The children ran back and forth between the games and
prize redemption area, excited to turn in their tickets
for even more fun. Some of the parents found respite
while helping to bag up items for the 100 hygiene kits for
the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities),
organized by Tony Delos and with toothbrushes, towels,
soap, nail clippers, combs and Band-Aids donated by all
the children of our Sunday School, the PTO and Dr. and
Mrs. Gary Rothrock.
As the Children's Fair started winding down, the ten
themed raffle buckets were awarded and our special
guests, Critter Caravan, arrived to dazzle the remaining
children with the sights and sounds of a snake, guinea pig,
cockroaches, chinchilla and some other small mammals.
Many thanks to the GOYAns who helped manage the
games, the parents who helped bake for the bake sale and
cupcake booth and the other volunteers who organized
and ran the events.
PTO Children's Fair
Saint Barbara Senior Men's Team Wins League Championship
Senior Men’s Team Wins Championship
By: Jim Bitzonis, Senior Team Coach
After a disappointing 2009-10 season, which was beset
with injuries, the Saint Barbara Senior Basketball Team
approached this new season with a sense of urgency.
The team’s goal was to get back to the championship
game, as it did in 2008-09 season, and, unlike then, win
the Championship trophy for Saint Barbara.
With most of the players back, and the key addition of
two big men, Kevin Chadderton and Jay Laudano, our
team was one to be feared on the court. After an 8-2
regular season, good enough for second place, we began
our playoff run by beating Saint George of Norwalk in
the Quarterfinals, the Archangels of Stamford in the
Semifinals and were set to face Holy Trinity of New
Rochelle in the new format of a one game Final (as
opposed to best of three).
losses during the regular season. Nonetheless, the team
was focused, prepared and ready to play.
I am pleased and proud to say that we won the game and
brought the championship to Saint Barbara. The team
played great defense and with a balanced scoring attack,
dominated three quarters of the game. It was a pleasure
coaching these fine young men and my thanks to each
of them: George Pavlou, Chris Vagenas, Paul Vartelas,
Gus Papadopoulos, Greg Wachter, Nick Aretakis, Mike
Gekas, Kevin Chadderton and Jay Laudano. Let's do it
again next year.
The game was a significant game for us, one of our two
The Saint Barbara Senior Men's Team Wins League Championship
Connecticut Eastern Orthodox Basketball League
Connecticut Eastern Orthodox
Basketball League
Intermediates – Final Regular Season Standings
RankTeam
WinsLoses
Midgets – Final Regular Season Standings
1
Holy Trinity (Waterbury)
12
2
Holy Trinity (New Rochelle) 9
RankTeam
WinsLoses
0
3
1
0
3St. Barbara (Orange)
8
4
2
St. John (Bridgeport)
9
2
4
Holy Trinity (Bridgeport)
8
4
3
Archangels (Stamford)
8
4
5
St. George (Norwalk)
4
8
4
7
5
3
Assumption (Danbury)
3
9
5
Annunciation (Stamford)
5
7
7
St. Nicholas (Bridgeport)
3
9
6
4
8
8
1
11
1
10
8
0
10
St. George (Hartford)
Holy Trinity (Waterbury) #1 vs. Holy Trinity (Bridgeport) #4
Holy Trinity (New Rochelle) #2 defeated St. Barbara (Orange) #3
Midget Division Playoffs:
Archangels (Stamford) #3 defeated St. John (Bridgeport) #2
Holy Trinity (New Rochelle) #1 defeated Holy Trinity (Waterbury) #4
Championship Game:
Holy Trinity (New Rochelle) defeated Archangels (Stamford)
Midget Division League Champion: Holy Trinity (New Rochelle)
Juniors – Final Regular Season Standings
RankTeam
WinsLoses
9
2
2
2
3
9
3
4
6
4
5
4
8
6
St. George (Hartford)
1
9
7
1
11
Junior Division Playoffs:
St. Barbara (Orange) # 1 defeated Holy Trinity (Bridgeport) #4
Holy Trinity (New Rochelle) #2 defeated Holy Trinity (Waterbury) #3
Championship Game:
Holy Trinity (New Rochelle) defeated St. Barbara (Orange)
Junior Division League Champion: Holy Trinity (New Rochelle)
Intermediate Division Playoffs:
Championship Game:
Holy Trinity (Waterbury) defeated Holy Trinity (New Rochelle)
Intermediate Division League Champion: Holy Trinity (Waterbury)
Seniors – Final Regular Season Standings
RankTeam
1
WinsLoses
2
8
2
3
8
2
4
Holy Trinity (A) (Waterbury) 7
3
5
St. George (A) (Norwalk)
6
4
6
Holy Trinity (A) (Bridgeport) 6
4
7
St. George (B) (Norwalk)
4
6
8
Holy Trinity (B) (Bridgeport) 2
8
9
Holy Trinity (B) (Waterbury) 1
9
10
Church of Our Saviour (Rye) 1
9
Senior Division Playoffs:
Holy Trinity (New Rochelle) #1 defeated Holy Trinity (A) (Waterbury) #4
St. Barbara (Orange) #2 defeated Archangels (Stamford) #3
Championship Game:
St. Barbara (Orange) defeated Holy Trinity (New Rochelle)Senior
Division League Champion: St. Barbara (Orange)
Connecticut Eastern Orthodox Volleyball League
Connecticut Eastern Orthodox
Volleyball League
Volleyball – Final Regular Season Standings
RankTeam
WinsLoses
1
9
0
2
9
2
8
3
4
5
6
5
4
8
6
Holy Trinity (New Rochelle) (A) 3
8
7
Holy Trinity (New Rochelle) (B) 0
11
Volleyball Playoffs:
Holy Trinity (Bridgeport) #1 vs. Archangels (Stamford) #4
Holy Trinity (Waterbury) #2 defeated St. Barbara (Orange) #3
Championship Game:
Holy Trinity (Waterbury) defeated Holy Trinity (Bridgeport)
Volleyball League Champion: Holy Trinity Waterbury
Saint Barbara Volleyball Team
Saint Barbara’s volleyball team faced its fair share of ups
and downs this year, finally finishing in third place in the
league with an 8-4 record. Unfortunately, our season
came to an end after a hard fought loss to eventual
champion Waterbury in the league semi-finals.
Undersized compared to some of our counterparts,
the team pulled together with a team-first philosophy
and had some great success with contributions from all
of our players. With a smaller team than we’ve had in
years past, we will severely miss Georgia Loucopoulos &
Penelope Papanikolaou to graduation, but we hope some
new young players will join us for the 2011-12 season.
Saint Barbara Intermediate Basketball Team: (back row left-right)
Milton Savakis Head Coach, Nicholas Laskos, Taylor Tambis, Matthew
Redding, Paul Redding Assistant Coach, Steven Antonellis, Niko
Koutroumanis Front row left-right: TJ Redding, Costa Loucopoulos,
Michael Antonellis, Ben Feola Not pictured: Elias Papadimitriou
Saint Barbara Volleyball Team: (front row left-right) Penelope
Papanikolao, Eva Karakolidis, Maria Bakoussis Back row leftright: Georgia Loucopoulos, Ryan Soennichsen Head Coach, Nina
Waskiewicz, Chelsea Tambis, Stephanie Simoulis, Andrianna
Papadimitriou, Alexandria Stefanou, Despina Soennichsen Head
Coach Not pictured: Elli Emmanouil, Irene Antar
Saint Barbara Junior Basketball Team - Athletic Teams Go To YALE
Saint Barbara Junior Basketball Team
By Elias Alexiades, Junior Team Coach
The Saint Barbara Junior Basketball Team completed
another successful season in the Connecticut Eastern
Orthodox Basketball League, finishing in second place
in the year-end league championship tournament in
Bridgeport on March 6th and 7th.
We played a thrilling final game against Holy Trinity of
New Rochelle, falling behind early but going on a 13 - 2
run to close within four points at halftime. In the second
half, our boys tied the game and even took a two point
lead, but ultimately fell short 59 - 54.
This year the team was led by four players who are moving
up to the Intermediate team next year. Ben Feola led all
scorers with 263 points, followed by T.J. Redding with
147 points and Elias Papadimitriou who contributed 120
points and a strong inside presence. Zachary Tomaszek
paced us with his quickness, rebounding and steals. We
look forward to competing again next year with returning
players Nick Alexiades, Theo Stefanou, Nick Savakis,
Elis Feola and George Antonellis.
We finished the regular season tied for first place with
Holy Trinity of New Rochelle with ten wins and two
losses. We won the first playoff tournament game
against Holy Trinity of Bridgeport in a game that was
close until the end. Our boys were down by two points at
halftime but finished strong to win 61 - 49. Our overall
record including the playoffs was 11 - 3. Our boys all
played hard and represented the parish well.
Saint Barbara Athletic Teams Take in a Game at the Payne Whitney Gymnasium
Members of the Saint Barbara Basketball Teams together with their parents, gathered in New Haven recently to kick
off an evening of fun and excitement. The night began at Yorkside Restaurant, a popular eatery for Yale students
since 1969, where everyone enjoyed a wonderfully prepared meal. The group then proceeded toYale's historic Payne
Whitney Gymnasium where Yale was
playing host to the Ivy League leading
team from Harvard University.
The Yale/Harvard rivalry is one of
legend and our group was treated to a
spectacular game as the Yale Bulldogs
toppled Harvard's basketball team
in a thrilling 70-69 victory before a
raucous crowd of 2,249.
Saint Barbara Summer Camp
summer Camp 2011
Monday - Friday
June 27 - July 1
Open to all Children Ages 4-13
Open to counselors Ages 14 and up
pre-school children (ages 4-5)
attend from 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
children who have completed kindergarten - 7th grade
attend from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Staff & counselor positions available
Registration fee:
1 child. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $185.00
2 Children. . . . . . . . . . . $350.00
3 Children. . . . . . . . . . . $500.00
Non-stewards. . . . .. . . $250.00 (per child)
Early bird special
Register by may 15, 2011 and save 10% per camper!
registration fee covers expenses for session supplies, t-shirt, arts & crafts, athletics, snack & Lunch
Registration form Available on the Parish Web site: www.saintbarbara.org
Presbytera's Paragraph - Luminaria
Presbytera’s Paragraph
By: Vangie Ellen Orfanakos
A written column of comfort for the weary soul.
May these writings refresh your determination to grow in the knowledge of our Lord.
God speaks in sentences in our hearts, all we need to do
is to de-code these heartfelt messages with prayer. As we
pray, we are illumined with a firm faith, as inwardly, we
stand on the Rock of Salvation with our enduring hope
in Christ Our Savior, we hear His whispers, as we sing
His praise.
heights let us raise our prayer, where the Queen of Heaven shines
in glory, there let our songs and prayer proceed. Hearken unto us,
oh living Christ, Lord have mercy. Oh help us, ye holy Saints of
Heaven, oh lend your aid, ye lovers of our God, by your prayers you
purify our prayers, and present them to almighty Christ. Hearken
unto us, oh living Christ, Lord have mercy. Oh help us, the Queen of
all the heavens, pure Virgin, the hope of all the ailing, with thy tears
purify our tears, and bring them to thy son, our God. Hearken unto
us, oh living Christ, Lord have mercy.
The following prayerful words are from the hymn
entitled “Prayer On The Resurrection” from the Nuns
of Saint Paisius Monastery in Safford, Arizona. This CD,
“A Treasury Of Spiritual Songs” can be purchased at our
Saint Barbara bookstore or on the monastery website:
www.stpaisiusmonastery.org
Luminaria
Come let us, lift up our eyes to heaven, where the stars above tell us of
our God, where Christ reigns eternally in glory, and where holy souls
abide in love, hearken unto us, oh living Christ, Lord have mercy.
Come let us, lift up our hearts far higher, where the smell of death
approaches no longer, where the holy sweetness is eternal, where the
saints abide now with the angels, hearken unto us, oh living Christ,
Lord have mercy. Come let us, yearn inwardly for heaven, and to the
A special thank you to all parishioners and friends of
Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, who generously
supported the Luminaria as part of the Holy Friday
evening service.
Father Peter led the congregation in a prayerful pilgrimage
around the grounds of our Church as the path was lit by
memorable Luminaria - each one hand-scripted with the
name of a loved one.
As those gathered, sang the thrice holy hymn of Ayios O
Theos, the remembrance of our Lord and Savior was first
and foremost on each persons mind and heart.
The Luminaria reminded us all of the on-going Light of
Christ unto eternity.
We thank the support of each person who participated
in the services of Holy Week and in all the preparations
for Pascha!
Over 975 Luminaria were lining the path around the
church on Holy Friday. We acknowledge a heartfelt thank
you for the generous donation of all of the supplies
for the Luminaria by a family from our Saint Barbara
Community, and for the many people who assisted in
making this fund raiser a beautiful way to grow in faith,
give to the Church, and remember those we love.
Letters to the Saint Barbara Parish
Letters to the Saint Barbara Parish
Regarding our On-Line Services:
candle and prayed and sang along with your choir during
the Lamentation Service on Good Friday. I will do the
same tomorrow during the Resurrection Service.
From Grand Rapids, Michigan
From an On-Line Parishioner
Christ is Risen!
Unfortunately, I could not attend
Holy Friday services at our parish, Holy Trinity Greek
Orthodox Church here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My
husband went but I stayed home with our two-year-old
daughter.
I was thrilled to find through the Archdiocese website
that your church was live streaming. Father Peter
celebrated such a beautiful service. It made me feel
like I was actually at church and not missing one of my
favorite services of the year. Thanks again! May God
bless all of you!
From Aspen, Colorado
Thank you very much for your live broadcasts. I am in
Aspen, Colorado and the closest church is hours away. I
am very grateful to be able to go to church every Sunday
- through your broadcasts. Thank you again.
From Toronto, Canada.
Thank you for your live broadcast of the Holy Thursday
service. Both my son and I have been ill this week and
unable to attend services. I enjoyed watching part of this
evening's service both on my laptop and on my i-phone.
The connection and clarity was excellent. Thanks to
you and your church for providing this ministry. We are
hoping to get the technology in our church up and going
soon. Kali Anastasi!
From an On-Line Parishioner
I am getting married to someone who is not Greek
Orthodox. So, I was trying to find a way for him to
understand what we do during Holy Week and the
meaning behind it. The first website that came up on
my search was yours. I think it is wonderful and found
it very helpful to me and my fiancé. Thank you and Kali
Anastasi!
From Oakland, California
I am most thankful and grateful to you for providing
live Holy Week services. I recently had surgery and
regretted having to miss the services at my church, but
was delighted to discover your web site with live services.
I have sung in my church choir many years and regretted
having to miss out this year, but thanks to you, I lit my
Thank you for making it possible for me to partake in
the Holy Friday services via my computer. I was not
able to attend church this year, and I was so grateful for
the online service that St Barbara offered. It worked
very well on my computer. I hope the Parish and the
Archdiocese will continue this program. Thank you.
From Frankford, Kentucky
I have been watching your services online and have
enjoyed them so much! My husband and I are not able
to attend our Greek church in Lexington for Easter
services. You have helped fill that absence for me.
Thank you so much!
From Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
Many thanks for providing the live on-line Resurrection
service. We were able to sing and celebrate with you in
our home while our little ones slept. Our best to you and
Presvytera Vangie, from her hometown.
From Fort Worth, Texas
My wife and I are Orthodox Christians who live in the
Fort Worth, Texas area. We are members of St. Demetrios
Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Saturday
evening we were not able to attend Pascha services at
our local church do to inclement weather in the area.
After doing some research on the Internet I located your
website and saw that you were providing live coverage of
your church’s Pascha liturgy. I just wanted to tell you that
we really enjoyed the opportunity to participate in that
service even though we were not physically within the
brick and mortar confines of your church! The service
was beautiful and we felt totally emerged in the ceremony
itself. Thank you again for providing this service to the
community. We intend to visit your website more often
to take advantage of other opportunities to broaden our
faith.
From Virginia Beach, Virginia
I have enjoyed and benefited by hearing the theme of
‘we are not alone, we stand together’ in several of your
sermons we have watched in recent months. I think our
first Granddaughter is getting this message when we
Skype with her and her mommy, singing, “This Little
Letters to the Saint Barbara Parish - Sponsors
Light of Mine”, as we all circle our index finger around
as light! It’s a very encouraging message.
Thank you for offering the broadcast of your services.
We recently graduated from Yale, and have since moved
to Virginia, where we attend St. Nicholas in Virginia
Beach, and Sts Constantine and Helen in Newport
News. Truly, you are a blessing on days such as this,
when the weather is inclement, or for other reasons we
are unable to attend church services here. Thanks again.
We had one daffodil in the yard, so we picked it and will
place the icons nearby, as you have suggested. Blessings
and Joy to you.
From Shreveport, Louisiana
Christos Anesti! We have enjoyed watching your services
now for several months. We especially appreciated your
Holy Week services from Thursday night through the
service of the Resurrection on Saturday night. Your
reverence, respect, dignity and your Christian love
is shown throughout the services for all to see. Your
chanters and your choir are outstanding. We wish you
continued success and may God Bless all of you - priest,
chanters, choir and altar boys (here we must include the
young ladies who attended the epitafio) for making such
a beautiful presentation.
Regarding Nashville Relief Fund
From the Metropoilis of Detroit
Dear Father Peter and Faithful of the Saint Barbara Parish,
We pray that this letter finds you well and enjoying the
blessings of the Lord.
We would like to thank you for your donation of $500 for
the Nashville Relief Fund. Your generous donation has
helped in our efforts as a Metropolis and Archdiocese to
aid the people of Nashville in their time of need.
Conveying to you the prayers and blessings of His
Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, I remain
We thank the following professionals for their support.
PEDIATRIC REHAB & FITNESS
A New Comprehensive Facility Designed For Children
We specialize in treating children with:
Phyical challenges, neurological conditions
Speech and language delays and autism
Fitness and Exercise Programs
18 years of experience
917 Bridgeport Avenue Shelton,CT 203-225-7514
www.pedirehab.com
CEMETERY PLOTS AVAILABLE
Saint Barbara Church has several grave plots
at Beaverdale cemetery available for purchase.
Parishioners who are interested
in more information
are asked to contact the Church Office
203-795-1347
CONNECTICUT FURS, INC.
OF NEW BRITAIN
LEO STILIDES
111 West Main Street
New Britain, CT 06051
860-229-2078
Est. 1923
FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY
ANNA RAHO, DDS
White Fillings - Implants - Veneers - Crowns/Bridges - Dentures
Emergencies Seen Promptly
New Patients Always Welcome
70 Cherry Street, Milford
203-877-0377
www. MyMilfordDentist.com
In His Service,
Harriet Stoukas, Metropolis of Detroit
National Day of Prayer
May 5, 2011
Father Peter participated in a prayer ceremony in honor
of the National Day of Prayer. The event was held at
the Orange Community Center on a crisp Spring day.
Space Available
Call the Church Office for Information
Fall 2010 / The Ministry • 70
Sponsors
We thank the following professionals for their support.
INTERNAL MEDICINE OF MILFORD, P.C.
OB GYN PHYSICIANS, P.C.
PARIS SPANOLIOS, M.D.
KAY KOUROUNIS DOHR, M.D.
40 Commerce Park, Milford, CT 06460
Hours by Appointment
203-878-3531
309 Seaside Avenue
Fluent in Greek
Milford, CT 06460
Most Insurance Accepted - Please Call for Appointment
CHIP'S RESTAURANT
George Chatzopoulos
Serving famous pancakes & omelets
lunch and dinner since 1966
321 Boston Post Road (Route 1)
Orange, CT 06477
203-795-5065 203-799-0827 (fax)
www.chipsrest.com
203-877-5634
203-876-1840 (fax)
YORKSIDE PIZZA RESTAURANT
Tony & Maria Koutroumanis
George & Nota Koutroumanis
Come and Experience Yale's Most Popular
Restaurant for over 30 years!
203-787-7471 203-787-7472
288 York Street, New Haven
GREGORY J. STAMOS
ACE CARTING, LLC
200 Main Street
P.O. Box 166
Ansonia, CT 06401-0166
203-735-9293 (phone)
203-734-5056 (fax)
Residential - Commercial
Owner Operated
Quality Service at a Reasonable Price
Dumpster/Roll-Off Containers 8-40 yards
Orange, CT
203-795-3797
AEGEAN FLORIST
DR. ESTELL PAPPAS
ATTORNEY AT LAW
Flowers for all occasions at wholesale prices
Holidays are here, send some cheer!
Maria Fifis
203-795-9051 or 203-435-1734
Aegean will donate 6% of your total order to the Saint Barbara Pantocrator Fund
CHRISTINE & GERALD BALDINO
SHAKLEE DISTRIBUTORS SINCE 1982
203-410-6604 christinebaldino@comcast.net
Natural Food Suppliments, Health Wealth Management
Anti-Aging Skin Care, Makeup & Program
Natural Pain Maagement, Non-Toxic Household
Products, Air & Water Purification
www.commensensehealth.myshaklee.com
BBB, Accedited Business
John Vasil
DISEASES AND SURGERIES OF
THE FOOT AND ANKLE
136 Sherman Ave.
3851 Whitney Ave.
New Haven, CT 06511
Hamden, CT 06518
203-624-9991
203-248-6543
Most Insurance Accepted
BUFFALO WILD WINGS
GRILL & BAR
1201 Boston Post Road
Milford, Connecticut 06460
at
Westfield Connecticut Post Mall
Phone: 203-877-WILD Fax: 203-877-WINGS
Fall 2010 / The Ministry • 71
Presorted First Class
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
New Haven, Conn.
Permit No. 1108
Saint Barbara
Greek Orthodox Church
480 Racebrook Road, Orange, CT 06477
Tel. (203) 795-1347 • Fax: (203) 795-1348
www.saintbarbara.org • church@saintbarbara.org

Spring 2011 - St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church

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