June - July 2013 Volume 16 - Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

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