April 2018 Beloved in Christ,
It doesn’t seem that long ago when Easter seemed like Easter, as we know it in the Orthodox Church. Growing up in San Francisco in the 60’s, I clearly recall when Western Easter still had to do with the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Yes, there were Easter bunnies back then, but that wasn’t the central part of the celebration. A hill near our house had a cross made of lights that was lit for Western Holy Week and Easter week. On Western Palm Sunday, Holy Friday, and Easter Sunday, Christians of various denominations dressed up in their best church clothes and went to church with their families. Even though it wasn’t our Holy Week, my mother would tell us that we should respect what other Christians were doing, especially on Holy Friday. I even remember a television station on Holy Friday during “station identification,” displaying the Cross surrounded by flowers on a purple background. In addition, during Holy Week a variety of biblical movies where aired. Where has all that gone now? What has changed with Christians today? Are we Orthodox also affected by today’s attitudes? One thing I believe has led to the demise of a more religious celebration of Easter, is the overshadowing of the Christmas season. Even though Easter is the most important and holiest Christian holiday, Christmas has become a much more visibly recognizable and celebrated feast. Of course, we know what has happened to the Christmas holiday season, which is an entirely separate topic! Therefore, it’s only logical that Easter has also taken the path of secularization as did Christmas. Other reasons for the loss of the spiritual significance of Easter are more complicated sociological issues which go beyond our purpose in this article. As Western Easter approaches, you begin to see familiar items appearing in the stores – Easter baskets, fake grass, plastic eggs, lots of candy, and Easter bunnies. These things constitute a colorful and fun diversion for small children, having no real religious significance. The general focus is obviously on children, as if adults have somehow “outgrown” Easter. In our politically correct world, we talk about spring break, not Easter break. In many circles, any discussion of Easter takes on a vague theme of renewal – a “safe” theme that can apply to various cultures and religions. Continued on Page 3
St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church 4 Appleton Street ■ Arlington, MA 02476 ■ 781.646.0705 ■ www.saintathanasius.org ■ email: [email protected] SAINT ATHANASIUS THE GREAT GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
Metropolis of Boston 4 Appleton Street, Arlington, MA 02476
ASKISIS PARISH COUNCIL OFFICIAL Publication of St. Athanasius the Great Constandinos Ioakimidis ...... President Greek Orthodox Church A. Paul Tsitsopoulos ...... 1st Vice President nd Arlington, MA 02476 Mark Ypsilantis ...... 2 Vice President S. Nicholas Kriketos ...... Secretary SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Ted Speros ...... Associate Secretary Stefanos Bouboulis ...... Treasurer Winter: Orthros 8:45 am Divine Liturgy: 10:00 am Nikitas Splagounias ...... Associate Treasurer #1 Summer: Orthros 8:00 am Divine Liturgy: 9:15 am Peter Stanitsas ...... Associate Treasurer #2
Proistamenos: Fr. Anthony Evangelatos Parish Council Members: ...... Assistant Priest: Fr. Aaron C. Walker Antonios Dakopoulos, Vassilios Karras, St. Athanasius the Great is a parish under the spiritual and Vicki Konstandakis, Alexandros Kyrou, Charlie Pappas, ecclesial oversight of His Eminence Metropolitan and Michael Terzakis Methodios of the Metropolis of Boston, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, under the jurisdiction of The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
The St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church in PARISH MINISTRIES & Arlington, Massachusetts strives to be the living witness of ORGANIZATIONS our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our mission as a parish
is to “practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13), as St. Paul so exhorts. Thus it is our rich blessing to strive and bring the Altar Boys (Acolytes) ...... Fr. Aaron Walker Light of Christ to all of God’s people, through Orthodox Cantors/Psaltes…….Dimitrios Manolakis and Spyros Prois Christian tradition, education and philanthropy. We seek to Choir Director ...... Stella Pathiakis serve the spiritual needs of our faithful parishioners through Greek School Principal ...... Eleni Giannaki the sacramental life of the Church. By means of outreach Greek School PTO………………………………….OPEN and faith in God, we continue our growth as a living Church Little Halos Director………..…………..Argyro Nikoletos by inviting others into the Orthodox faith through Baptism and/or Chrismation, and educating them through the Fellowship Hour Ministry ...... Vicki Konstandakis establishment of our Christian ministries, programs, Gardening Ministry ...... S. Nicholas Kriketos schools and philanthropic activities. GOYA President ...... Thanos Arvanitis CHURCH DIRECTORY HOPE & Joy…..…..…Eleni Pesiridis & Eleni Splagounias Parish Administrative Assistants P.E.A.C.E. Ministry ...... Althea Ioakimidis Stella Kazantzas & Kathy VanKuilenburg Philoptochos President ...... Crystal Iakovou Pine Street Inn Ministry ...... Randy Fassas Parish Office Hours Stewardship…………...... Michael Terzakis Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm Sunday School Interim Coordinator……..George Makredes Friday: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm Young at Heart Seniors…………………Combined Efforts Main Office: (781) 646-0705 FAX: (781) 641-4700 Metropolis of Boston website ...... www.boston.goarch.org EMAIL: [email protected] Website: www.saintathanasius.org Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website ...... www.goarch.org Fr. Anthony’s Office Hours Fr. Anthony Email: [email protected] During Great Lent, I will generally be in the office from Fr. Anthony Phone: (Temporary) (401) 662-5259 10 am – 3 pm. I will be out of the office on Thursdays. Fr. Aaron Email: [email protected] After office hours, call (401) 662-5259 Fr. Aaron Cell: (617) 733-1045
2 From Fr. Anthony Continued
Because the Orthodox Church has maintained its clear emphasis on the preparation for, and celebration of Easter, the actual theme is not at all lost in an ambiguous cloud of empty, “feel good” talk. We Orthodox worship and celebrate Christ crucified and risen. This Feast of Feasts is of such importance that exactly 18 weeks are related to the celebration of Easter, or Pascha, as we refer to this greatest of feasts. This includes the 3-week pre-Lenten period, Great Lent, Holy Week, the forty-day celebration of Pascha ending with the Ascension, the 10-day preparation for Pentecost, plus the week of celebrating Pentecost, which brings us to the Sunday of All-Saints. This equates to 4-1/2 months of the year! This amount of time itself demonstrates the centrality of the feast of Pascha in the life of the Church, and in our own spiritual lives. Beloved in Christ, let us make it a point to keep our children well connected and involved with the true, complete, and grace-filled celebration of the “New Passover” – Pascha, which is derived from the Hebrew word Pesach, or Passover. Let them be clear on what we celebrate as Orthodox, and why. I’m not insinuating that having Easter egg hunts and buying a child an Easter bunny are wrong things to do. These things can be done as supplements to the Orthodox celebration of Pascha. The point is not to let the influence of a “de-Christianized” Easter permeate our homes and spiritual lives. A personal habit of mine is never referring to Orthodox Easter by that name; I prefer calling it Pascha, instead of a name whose origin has nothing to do with the feast, but a pagan spring festival. The bottom line is that we should always strive to keep the Orthodox celebration of Pascha unique and deeply meaningful, as it should be. Of course, if we want our children to come to love and appreciate Holy Pascha, we need to bring them to as many Holy Week services as possible. Children truly love and connect with our beautiful and meaningful rituals. The time to plant these seeds is while they are still young – little “spiritual sponges” soaking in the grace of the Holy Spirit. Everything we Orthodox do related to the celebration of Pascha, from the Church’s venerable traditions down to the symbolic traditions kept in our homes, will be in our children’s hands to perpetuate throughout the coming generations. Let us all assist in preserving and passing on these venerable traditions, that have become so much a part of who we are as Orthodox Christians.
In the love of the Crucified and Risen Lord,
+Fr. Anthony
3 Holy and Great Friday Family Lenten Retreat April 6, 2018 at 11:30 AM All Families are Welcome!
Sponsored by the Parents and Teachers of St. Athanasius Sunday School, and the JOY and Greek School Ministries
The Schedule for the Good Friday Retreat follows:
11:30 AM Retreat begins with Instructions and Reflections / Pascha: The Joy of the Resurrection 12:30 PM Pot Luck Lenten lunch for everyone
Please bring a pot‐luck Lenten item to share. (NO fish, meat, dairy or oil)
1:15 PM Age appropriate crafts, activities and break‐out sessions 3:00 PM Families are encouraged to attend the service of The Removal of Christ from the Cross (Apokathylosis).
This is a family retreat that requires parent/guardian participation. Registration requested by Friday, March 30, 2018
To register, please email Fr. Aaron Walker at [email protected] or call the church office at (781)646‐0705.
4 Reflections on Pascha
(The following is taken from Great Week and Pascha in the Greek Orthodox Church, by Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Calivas, Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 1992)
The death of Christ is the greatest miracle as well as the ultimate manifestation of God’s boundless love for the whole creation. It is no mere man who died. The One who was laid in the tomb is none other than the eternal and deathless Word of God, who taking on flesh humbled Himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross (Phil 2.8). Pascha has nothing to do with romanticism and sentimentalities. Someone put it in these bold, vivid terms: “Easter is not about the return of the robin in spring or crocuses or a butterfly coming out of the cocoon or any of that pagan drivel. It’s about a Body that somehow got loose. The Gospel accounts strain to describe what happened, but don’t make any mistake about it, they’re trying to describe something unearthly: death working backwards. So I can’t talk about ‘the eternal rebirth of hope’ or ‘Jesus living on in our hearts.’ We’re talking about a dead Jew, crucified, who came back to life…This is God we’re talking about, a real God, people, not some projection of our ego.” It is not without significance that the icon of the Resurrection in our Church is the Descent of Christ into Hades, the place of the dead. This icon depicts a victorious Christ, reigned in glory, trampling upon death, and seizing Adam and Eve in His hands, plucking them from the abyss of hell. This icon expresses vividly the truths resulting from Christ’s defeat of death by His death and resurrection… The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the fundamental truth and absolute fact of the Christian faith. It is the central experience and essential kerygma of the Church. It confirms the authenticity of Christ’s remarkable earthly life and vindicates the truth of His teaching. It seals all His redemptive work: His life, the model of a holy life; His compelling and unique teaching; His extraordinary works; and His awesome, life-creating death. Christ’s resurrection is the guarantee of our salvation. Together with His ascension it brings to perfection God’s union with us for all eternity…
Spiritual Wisdom
Keep in mind the existence of your ego; it causes every evil. Humble yourself; strangle your ego, which comes like a venomous serpent to poison your soul. Do not allow any proud thoughts to remain within you; only thus will you foil every activity of Satan. (Elder Ephraim of the Holy Mountain)
Even when your body does nothing, sin can be active in your mind. When your soul inwardly repulses the evil one’s attack by means of prayer, attention, remembrance of death, godly sorrow and mourning the body, it too, takes its share of holiness, having acquired freedom from evil actions. This is what the Lord meant by saying that someone who cleans the outside of the cup has not cleansed it inside, but clean the inside and the whole cup will be clean (cf. Mt. 23:25-26). (St. Gregory Palamas)
Be true to God always and in everything. If you say the prayer, “Our Father…” pronounce each word sincerely with reverence, fixing your mind and heart upon God alone, not paying attention to anything or anybody around you. If you say any other prayer, say it also with all your soul, not with your heart divided, not paying undue attention to anything or anybody…be always, every moment, with God, especially when you pray to Him. (St. John of Kronstadt)
5
Grade 10 Sunday Religious Ed Class Notes
Life Everlasting
Christ is Risen!!! Our class topic one Sunday was about death and our souls.
Tears of loss and love come when someone near us passes on, as we will dearly miss them. Thus, when we mourn, we mourn for ourselves too, realizing that person will no longer be in our midst, nor will we be able to embrace them as before.
As Christians, one essential factor which comforts us is knowing our souls live on in peace with God. This point recalls something once expressed by my grandfather, following a funeral of one of his friends. He wondered aloud, “Where do all of the souls go, and what are they doing for all of these many years, and centuries, waiting for Christ’s return?”
Years later I found that God provides answers to such questions, right before us everyday, ’hidden in plain sight’.
6
Grade 10 Sunday Religious Ed Class Notes
For example, when we sleep, our sense of time is gone. We are unaware of hours as they pass by. In some cases people have awakened from a coma to find several years have gone by, but thinking they’d been asleep for only one night! So, just as sleep provides a timeless realm, so too must souls be resting in peace, awaiting Christ’s return.
The Paschal hymn proclaims Christ’s resurrection trampled down upon death, granting life to those in the tombs, and providing a spiritual Passover to a life ever after. Thus, we have faith in the knowledge our souls will live on, upon exiting our bodily hosts.
Skeptics find this hard to believe, (along with other spiritual matters). To them, a body’s physical death is the end of all existence, period. They believe mankind is merely some cosmic accident of the universe, (which happens to possess spirit, personality, talent, abilities and intellect, somehow).
To them we ask to consider brightly colored balloons, bobbing about in the breeze. The mere appearance of them says, “fun”, and evokes happiness.
Now, as time passes, these cheerful balloons will start to age, and to deflate a little bit here and there, losing their sheen, with one or two maybe even popping, along the way.
The metaphor here of the deflated balloons, with what happens to the soul, prompts this question for the skeptic:
The air that once animated the lively balloons, . . . do you believe it also no longer exists?
Each person’s soul lives on, but with one important difference, as taught by the church: Everyone’s soul will experience a preview or foretaste of its final destination. Based on how we lived our lives, it will be to either, before the judgment seat of God, or onto a heavenly rest, where there is no pain, sorrow or suffering, but a life everlasting.
(From Teen Class Notes - George Makredes)
7
Fasting Guidelines for Holy Week
Beloved in Christ, for those who are able, strict fasting during Holy Week should be kept by all Orthodox Christians. The basic guidelines are the same as the weekdays of Great Lent, with the exception of Palm Sunday.
Palm Sunday: Strict fast from all animal products. Fish, wine (all alcoholic beverages), and olive oil permitted.
Holy Monday through Holy Saturday: Strict fast from all animal products including fish, all alcoholic beverages, and olive oil (vegetable/seed oil permitted); shellfish also permitted. Note: The quantity of food consumed should be reduced as much as possible, barring any hardships.
Remember that the Church always modifies the fast for various health reasons, for growing children, and other special situations. Most importantly, our fasting must be accompanied by intensified prayer, increased church attendance, and charitable works, in order to be a fast pleasing to God.
Holy Confession
During Holy Week Fr. Anthony will be available to hear confessions as follows:
After each evening service through Holy Thursday During office hours by appointment on Holy Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Please take advantage of this most healing mystery (sacrament) of love and forgiveness, as you make your spiritual journey toward Holy Pascha.
Note: As a newer priest, Fr. Aaron has not yet received the blessing from His Eminence to hear confessions.
Readers Needed For Agape Vespers
In the blessed tradition of the Orthodox Church, the resurrectional Gospel proclaimed at the Agape Vespers of Pascha is read in various languages. This is done to emphasize the universality of the message of Christ’s resurrection. Anyone interested in assisting, please contact Fr. Anthony or Fr. Aaron as soon as possible.
8 Liturgical Book Donations
As mentioned in the March bulletin, we are seeking donors for an English set of the Menaia – the monthly service books for the entire liturgical year. We are pleased to report that some volumes have already been donated, as well as the volume of the Pentecostarion – the service book for the season of Pascha, Ascension, and Pentecost.
Please consider donating one or more of the Menaia at $100 per volume, so that we may cover the entire cost of this much needed addition to our collection of liturgical books. May it be a blessing to all our donors!
January Menaion – Betty Athanasoulas May Menaion – Navikonis Family August Menaion – Nicholas and Stella Kazantzas September, October, November, and December Menaia - For the health and well-being of Sophia, Dimitri, and Andreas Evangelatos, and Fr. Nicholas and Presvytera Nikoletta Livingston. Pentacostarion – Dimitri and Anna (Jasonides) Manolakis
Donations
Carpentry Projects in Altar – Stavros Ioakimidis
Great Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha Donations 2nd Friday – Icon Dressing for Salutations Teddy and Maria Tsaousidis 3rd Friday – Icon Dressing for Salutations Drizos Families 5th Friday – Icon Dressing for the Salutations Demetra Zacharakis Palm Strips for Palm Sunday crosses Nick and Stella Kazantzas Palm Arrangements for the Iconostasis George and Leona Makredes Bay Laurel Leaves Palm Sunday Joanne Piandes Icon of Nymphios Harry and Vicky Katis Icon of Mystical Supper for Holy Thursday Anonymous Wreath for Cross for Holy Thursday Anonymous Winding Sheet for Body of Christ Crystal Iakovou Black and White Shrouds for the Iconostasis Vicky Konstandakis Aristea Tsitsopoulos
Funerals
3/2 - Stratis Axiotis 3/29 - Chrisanthe Hamizides 3/12 - Charles Kostopoulos 3/29 - George Vizaniaris
9 GOYA News
March has been a very exciting month! We kicked off the beginning of the month by going on our annual ski trip. Everyone skied at Pat’s Peak in Concord, NH; we had an amazing turnout with 30 GOYAns attending! We stayed at the Best Western hotel in Concord. Everyone swam several times at the hotel’s pool and had such a fun time bonding and socializing. On Friday night, we had a small service with Father Aaron, praying and learning about the importance of Orthodoxy Sunday.
GOYA provided pizza for dinner on Friday night; we would like to give a huge thanks to Mrs. Arvanitis for paying Saturday night’s dinner! Everyone was greatly appreciative for the amazing group of chaperones who came along! We were happy to see the chaperones and GOYAns have so much fun, it was so hard to leave Sunday afternoon! On Saturday, we spent all day skiing. We had many experienced skiers as well as beginners who took lessons. The perfect temperature made it so hard to leave the mountain! Although we were exhausted by the end of the day, all of us had a wonderful time.
We give countless thank yous to all the chaperones who drove us and were so flexible throughout our stay. Without them, this trip wouldn’t have been possible, and we are very grateful. We also thank all of the GOYA officers and advisors who spent months working hard to coordinate this trip! We truly felt like a family on this fantastic trip, and we look forward to partaking this trip again!
10 GOYA News
Easter is just around the corner and we have already begun selling Lambathes! Thank you to all the GOYAns and chaperones who helped decorated them! We started our sales on March 11th and will be continuing them until Palm Sunday, so please, come and get one!
We thank everyone who has supported the GOYA by purchasing one and always supporting us!
In the future months, GOYA will be participating in the Walk for Hunger on May 6th. We will be walking 20 miles throughout Boston to raise money for Project Bread. GOYA will also be helping the church prepare for Easter on Good Friday.
Sincerely, Joanna Kandaras
11 Parish Updates
Children’s Chapel: The old carpet was removed along with old tack strips. The floors were deep cleaned and honed with diamond pads naturally polishing the floors. There is now a new area rug and several icons that were hung, all of which has been donated.
BEFORE AFTER
The Rear Narthex Floors: The floors were stripped of all wax and honed with special diamond pads. The floors no longer are waxed and are all naturally polished. No chemicals are now used on the terrazzo floors providing an earth friendly green approach to floor care.
12 St. Barbara’s Philoptochos Philoptochos Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ, we bow our heads before You, and with humble hearts we give thanks to You for the abundant blessings, which You have poured forth upon us. We praise You for gathering us together as members of the Ladies Philoptochos Society in the service to Your Holy Church. We bless You for the selfless sacrifice of countless generations of women who have faithfully fulfilled the philanthropic mission entrusted to them. Through Your ineffable wisdom and Your Divine power, You have enabled us to minister to those who are in need of Your love, Your comfort, and Your care. Make us instruments of Your peace and of Your hope, O Lord. Where there is pain and suffering, may we bring Your healing and comfort. Where there is loneliness and isolation, may we bring the fellowship of Your Holy Church. Where there is despair and discouragement, may we inspire hope and faith in You. Where there is hatred and strife, may we be peacemakers producing the fruits of love and reconciliation. We also ask You, O Lord, to guide our deliberations, our decisions, our fellowship, and all our labors, so that in all we do, or say, we may bring glory to Your Holy Name, of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. ****************************** March has been a very busy month with preparations for Easter and our Annual Easter Bake Sale. A very big Thank You to our devoted Philoptochos for their love and their hard work. Your commitment to our beautiful St. Athanasius, The Orthodox Faith, and to our culture is truly an inspiration. Anyone who entered our hall was intoxicated with the beautiful aromas of our baking.
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14 We are building HOPE with
Partner with us! Even if you can't make the trip this year, you CAN be part our team by: • Praying for our team • Praying for the family whose house we are building • Making a tax deductible donation to: St. Athanasius Home-Building Team 2018 Building hope for boys without families & families without homes Join our team of supporters and get a color photo booklet documenting our trip!
Donate Today!
Pay by credit card at: https:// volunteer.projectmexico.org/ fundraising/group/st- athanasius-arlington-ma OR Project Mexico provides safe, secure, permanent homes for Pay by check: poor families in Baja, California. Our mission provides sturdy structures St. Athanasius Church, and a foundation for families to build a better future. With the help of "Project Mexico" in the memo line thousands of volunteers, we have made a diference by building homes for DEADLINE: May 31, 2018 families in Tijuana, Mexico, signifcantly impacting the lives of those who give as well as those who receive! Will you join us this summer? For more information: projectmexico.org/ homebuilding/ P.O. Box 120028, Chula Vista, CA 91912 | (619) 426-4610 | www.project mexico.org 15 APRIL 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 PALM SUNDAY 2 HOLY MONDAY 3 HOLY TUESDAY 4 HOLY 5 HOLY THURSDAY 6 HOLY FRIDAY 7 HOLY SATURDAY Orthros 8:45am; WEDNESDAY Vesperal Divine Liturgy of The Great Hours 9am Vesperal Divine th th Divine Liturgy 10am 9 Hour & Liturgy of 9 Hour & Liturgy of St. Basil 7am Liturgy of St. Basil Philoptochos Bake Sale Pre-Sanctified Gifts 9am Pre-Sanctified Gifts 9am Great Vespers 3pm 9am 11:30am Orthros of the Passion Mystery of Holy Unction (Apokathelosis) PALM SUNDAY of Christ 7pm 3pm (Efhelaion) Great Saturday Night LUNCHEON The Nymphios Service The Nymphios Service Orthros of Epitaphios Vigil of Resurrection 12 NOON 7pm 7pm Orthros of the Mystical Lamentation 77 pm 11pm The Nymphios Service Supper (includes Holy Orthros & Div. Liturgy 7pm Unction) 7pm 12 am
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 HOLY PASCHA Holy Martyrs of Zoodochou Pigis At Stop & Shop Pantocrator Monastery & Service “Project Mexico” Agape Vespers Sts. Rafael, Nicholas, and Orthros 8am Fundraiser 11 am Irene Div. Lit. 9 am 10am Adult Grk Dancing Orthros 8am followed by Coffee 8-10pm Divine Liturgy 9am Hour Fellowship Great Vespers 6 pm 15 SUNDAY OF 16 17 18 19 20 21 THOMAS PATRIOTS DAY NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL Orthros 8:45am; NO SCHOOL Great Vespers 6 pm Divine Liturgy 10am OFFICE CLOSED Memorial: +Alexandros Reissis
Adult Grk Dancing 8-10pm 22 SUNDAY OF 25 26 27 28 MYRRHBEARING WOMEN Orthros 8:45am; Divine Liturgy 10am Adult Grk Dancing Auditorium Use 6:30pm Greek Independence 8-10pm Little Halos Potluck Great Vespers 6 pm Parade 1 pm Boston 7pm (leave church 11 am) Pine Street Inn 5pm
29 SUNDAY OF 30 Strict Fast THE PARALYTIC Orthros 8:45am; Wine/Oil Allowed Divine Liturgy 10am Adult Grk Dancing Fast Free 8-10pm Fish Allowed
Little Halos Pre-School in session– Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 3 pm; No School April 16 – 20. Greek School Grades 1 & 2 in session Tuesday and Grades 3 & 6 in session Thursday, 4 – 6:30 pm; No School April 16 – 20. Adult Greek Dancing Practice Monday Evenings, 7 -9 pm; Goya Basketball at Ottoson Gym 5 – 7 pm every Friday Evening except April 20. Catechetical Sunday Church School every Sunday, 10 am except April 8, Holy Pascha 16
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1K 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 “” Orthros of the Mystical Supper (includes Holy Unction) 7pm
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 25 26 27 28 “" 7
29 30 Strict Fast Wine/Oil Allowed Fast Free Fish Allowed
17 Little Halos News
During the month of March children were introduced to Great Lent. They got to try a variety of Lenten food such as halva, tarama, olives and vegetables. They also made their own lagana which tasted really good!
Furthermore we celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2nd, read a variety of his book and made fun crafts.
On March 25th we celebrated the Greek Independence day were the Little Halos children recited the poem Διπλή Γιορτή and sung the song Φεγγαράκι μου λαμπρό.
18 Little Halos News
A sample of our 25th of March celebration
Learning about the Greek Flag
Trying on the traditional costumes of a tsolia and Ellinopoula.
Important Dates:
Little Halos will be closed on Holy Thursday and Holy Friday in
observance of Holy Week.
4/16-4/20- No school April Vacation
Registration for the 2018-2019 is ongoing. For further about our program please contact Argyro Nikoletos, Director at (781) 646-1322 or at [email protected]
19 April 2018 V.O.I.L.A. ~ (Variety of Information Listings Added)
2018-2019 School Year is Open for Registration If you would like information about the program, have questions, or would like to schedule a visit, please contact
Argyro Nikoletos, Director
(781) 646-1322 or at May 31, June 1, 2, and 3, 2018 [email protected]
NEXT Meeting:
Thursday, April 12, 7:00 p.m.
James Bouboulis Auditorium Office Volunteers Needed Everyone is invited to be a part of our A couple of times a year, we have large biggest community fundraiser! mailings and special projects to be
done in the office. If you are interested
in helping a few times a year, please call the Church Office (781) 646-0705 and let us know.
20 April 2018 V.O.I.L.A. ~ (Variety of Information Listings Added)
Fellowship/Coffee Hour Sponsors
Always Welcome
Please consider contributing to our
Fellowship Hour after Liturgy on Sundays. We are looking for individuals, families, or ministries to donate baked We are here to support our parish goods, snacks, or any coffee-related items Office Hours any Sunday you wish that works for you. 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday If you are able to contribute, please reach 9:00-2:00 p.m. on Friday out to Vicky Konstandakis, at (617) 901- 2743 or leave your name(s) with Kathy We follow the Arlington Public Schools School Calendar and Snow Cancellation VanKuilenburg, in the Parish Office, Policy. If schools are closed, then we will (781) 646-0705. be closed.
When booking your meetings and events, kindly call the office at (781) 646-0705
or email your information to [email protected] or [email protected]. Summer Camp 2018 Information is best confirmed when we Session 1 July 9 - July 15 receive it on the phone during office Session 2 July 16 - July 22* hours. Lastly, when you are finished Session 3 July 23 - July 29 using the auditorium and/or classrooms in Session 4 July 30 - August 5 the evening, lease turn off the lights.
*Olympiacos FC Soccer Camp held during Session 2 Special Announcements If you are celebrating any milestones that REGISTER AT: you would like to share, please send a picture and a few words to be included in www.metropolisofbostoncamp.org the monthly bulletin. Email [email protected].
21 SAINT ATHANASIUS THE GREAT GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH presents its annual GREEK FESTIVAL
MAY 31 & JUNE 1–3 THURSDAY: 5–9 PM (GYRO & PASTRY NIGHT) FRIDAY & SATURDAY: 11 AM–10 PM • SUNDAY: 11 AM–8 PM
BRING YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS AND SHARE THE FUN GREEK STYLE!
FREE ADMISSION • RAIN OR SHINE UNDER THE BIG TENT LIVE GREEK MUSIC CHURCH TOURS CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES GREEK KAFENIO GREEK WINE & BEER AGORA FAST FOOD LINES GREEK DANCING
For more information, call 781-646-0705.
22
April 2018
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Please always call church office before you attend to help (781) 646-0705
Schedule subject to change, and we appreciate your time. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Easter Holy Week Holy Week Holy Week Holy Week Good Friday Holy and Great Bake Sale Egg Dying 6:00 a.m. Epitaphio Decorating Saturday Egg Wrapping 10:30-2:00 Palm Sunday Family Lenten Retreat 11:00 p.m. Fish Dinner Egg Boiling 9:00 a.m. 11:30-2:45 5:00 p.m. Everyone Welcome Everyone Welcome 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Holy Pascha Zoodoghou Pigis Liturgy Coffee Hour 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 School Vacation School Vacation School Vacation School Vacation School Vacation Finikia Workshop Koulourakia 9:00 a.m. Workshop Parish Office Closed 6:30 p.m. 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Philoptochos 29 General Assembly 30 7:00 p.m.
Updated 3/30/2018
23 The Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos Invites You to Attend an Evening with Author and Emmy Award Winning Journalist/EXTRA26 2018 Producer
57YvetteThursday, Manessis April Corporon, Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox6:00 Church Brown Street • Weston, Massachusetts7:30 Reception/Wine Tasting:$50 p.m. Author Presentation and Book Signing: p.m. (617) 519-5010 @ Donation: For more information, contact Theresa Nibi at or theresanibi gmail.com Tickets Online: https://metropolis-boston-philoptochos.eventbrite.com Proceeds to Benefit the Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos Charities
24 This Event is Sponsored in Loving Memory of Fotini Tournas
Please Note:
Date Church Music Ins tute Change For all Clergy, Choir Members, Psaltai, Youth Directors, Religious Educators Saturday, April 28, 2018 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston Center 162 Goddard Avenue Brookline, MA 02445
“Vocal Health and Hygiene: Surviving the Lenten and Paschal Seasons” Nicolas E. Maragos, M.D.
“From the Springs of Israel: The Judaic Roots of Orthodox Worship” Rev. Protopresbyter Demetrios E. Tonias, Ph.D Dean of the Annuncia on Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England Adjunct Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Hellenic College
Con nental Breakfast and Luncheon is included for all CMI par cipants.
Please note: There is NO Registra on Fee to a end. However, we ask that you RSVP to [email protected] so that we can plan for our catering needs.
The Church Music Ins tute is co‐sponsored by the Na onal Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians and the Metropolis of Boston Federa on of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians.
For more informa on contact Cynthia Alex at [email protected]
25 26 27 Greek Message
Ἀριθμός Πρωτοκόλλου: 33 / 18
25 Μαρτίου 2018 Ἑορτή Εὐαγγελισμοῦ τῆς Θεοτόκου Ἡμέρα Ἑλληνικῆς Ἀνεξαρτησίας
Πρός τούς Σεβασμιωτάτους καί Θεοφιλεστάτους Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί Διακόνους, τούς Μοναχούς καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέδρους καί Μέλη τῶν Κοινοτικῶν Συμβουλίων, τά Ἡμερήσια καί Ἀπογευματινά Σχολεῖα, τίς Φιλοπτώχους Ἀδελφότητες, τήν Νεολαία, τίς Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκληρο τό Χριστεπώνυμον πλήρωμα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς.
Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ,
Στήν εὐλογημένη καί λαμπροφόρο Ἑορτή τοῦ Εὐαγγελισμοῦ, ἑορτάζουμε ἕνα πραγματικό θαῦμα τό ὁποῖο ἐπιβεβαιώνει ὅτι οὐκ ἀδυνατήσει παρά τοῦ Θεοῦ πᾶν ῥῆμα (Λουκ. 1:37). Συγκεντρωνόμεθα λατρευτικά καθώς τιμοῦμε τήν ἐμφάνιση τοῦ Ἀρχαγγέλου Γαβριήλ στήν Παρθένο Μαρία γιά νά ἀναγγείλῃ τήν Σάρκωση τοῦ Κυρίου μας. Μέ ἀγαλλίαση ἀκοῦμε τήν διακήρυξη τῆς Θεοτόκου, καθώς ὁ Θεός ἀποκαλύπτει τό θεϊκό σχέδιό Του γιά τή λύτρωσή μας ἀπό τήν ἁμαρτία καί γιά τήν σωτηρία μας ἀπό τόν θάνατο. Θαυμάζουμε τήν πίστη της σέ Ἐκεῖνον καί τήν ὑπακοή της στή θεϊκή βούληση.
Στήν Ἑορτή αὐτή, ἐκφράζουμε τόν θαυμασμό μας καθώς διακηρύσσουμε ὅτι μέσῳ τῆς πίστεως στό Θεό ὅλα εἶναι δυνατά. Μέ τήν ἀποκάλυψη τῆς δυνάμεως καί τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Παντοδυνάμου Θεοῦ, διερωτώμεθα ὅπως καί ἡ Παρθένος Μαρία, πῶς ἔσται τοῦτο; (Λουκᾶ 1:34) Πῶς ὁ Ἔχων θρόνον οὐρανόν καί ὑποπόδιον τήν γῆν ἐν μήτρᾳ χωρεῖται γυναικός! (Ὑμνος Ἑσπερινοῦ). Ὁ Ἀρχάγγελος ἀπαντᾶ, πνεῦμα ἅγιον ἐπελεύσεται ἐπί σέ καί δύναμις Ὑψίστου ἐπισκιάσει σοι· διό καί τό γεννώμενον ἅγιον κληθήσεται υἱός Θεοῦ (Λουκᾶ 1:35, 37).
Ὅπως φάνηκε καί στήν περίπτωση τῆς Παρθένου Μαρίας, τά πάντα εἶναι δυνατά γιά ἐκείνους οἱ ὁποῖοι πιστεύουν στήν ἀποκάλυψη καί τίς ὑποσχέσεις τοῦ Θεοῦ. Πρό τοῦ Εὐαγγελισμοῦ, ζοῦσε μέ πίστη, βέβαιη πώς οἱ ὑποσχέσεις Του θά ἐκπληρώνονταν. Μέ τήν ἀποκάλυψη τῆς Σαρκώσεως, ἡ πίστη της ἑδραιώθηκε καί δυνάμωσε καθώς ἄκουσε τήν ἀναγγελία τοῦ Ἀρχαγγέλου, ὅτι ἰδού συλλήψῃ ἐν γαστρί καί τέξῃ υἱόν καί καλέσεις τό ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν. Οὕτος ἔσται μέγας καί Υἱός Ὑψίστου κληθήσεται καί δώσει αὐτῷ Κύριος ὁ Θεός τόν θρόνον Δαυίδ τοῦ Πατρός Αὐτοῦ ... καί τῆς βασιλείας Αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔσται τέλος (Λουκᾶ 1:31-33).
28 Greek Message
Σήμερα, ὅπως ἑορτάζουμε τήν ἀποκάλυψη τοῦ Θεοῦ γιά τήν σωτηρία μας, χαιρόμεθα γνωρίζοντας ὅτι τά πάντα εἶναι δυνατά διά τῆς πίστεώς μας στόν Θεό. Ἀπεκάλυψε καί συνεχίζει νά ἀποκαλύπτῃ τόν Ἑαυτόν Του σέ μᾶς μέ μεγάλους καί θαυμαστούς τρόπους. Ἔτσι ὅπως ἐξεπλήρωσε τήν ὑπόσχεσή Του γιά σωτηρία, συνεχίζει νά ἐκπληρώνῃ τίς ὑποσχέσεις Του στούς ἀνθρώπους Του. Διά τῆς πίιστεώς μας σ’ Ἐκεῖνον, εἴμεθα σέ θέση νά ἐπιτύχουμε αὐτό πού φαίνεται ἀκατόρθωτο. Διά τῆς δεσμεύσεώς μας στό θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ, συμμετέχουμε στό θαῦμα, καί κινούμεθα πέραν τῶν ὁρίων τῶν ἀνθρωπίνων δυνατοτήτων εἰσερχόμενοι στό ἀπεριόριστο δυναμικό τῆς πίστεως καί τῆς δυνάμεως τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ὅπως ζοῦμε σέ κοινωνία μαζί Του, ὅπως προσφέρουμε μαρτυρία χάριτος στούς ἄλλους, καί ὅπως λατρεύουμε καί διακονοῦμε ἐν τῷ Ὀνόματί Του, ἀκοῦμε καί ἐκστομίζουμε τούς λόγους τοῦ Χριστοῦ, πάντα δυνατά τῷ πιστεύοντι (Μᾶρκ. 9:23).
Στόν ἑορτασμό μας αὐτῆς τῆς Ἑορτῆς, τιμοῦμε ἐπίσης τόν νικητήριο ἀγώνα γιά ἀνεξαρτησία τόν ὁποῖον ἐνέπνευσε ἡ πίστη καί ἰσχυροποίησε ἡ ρήση οὐκ ἀδυνατήσει παρά τοῦ Θεοῦ πᾶν ῥῆμα. Σήμερα, ἡ Ἡμέρα Ἑλληνικῆς Ἀνεξαρτησίας τιμᾶ τή γενναιότητα τῶν προγόνων μας οἱ ὁποῖοι διψοῦσαν γιά ἐλευθερία καί πολέμησαν γιά ἀνεξαρτησία. Τήν ἡμέρα αὐτή ἑορτάζουμε τήν ὑπέροχη κληρονομιά καί τά ἰδανικά μας τά ὁποῖα ὁδήγησαν τόν λαό τῆς Ἑλλάδος νά πιστέψῃ ὅτι μποροῦσε νά ἐπιτύχῃ τό ἀδύνατο – νά ἀποτινάξῃ τήν καταπίεση αἰώνων καί νά ἐλευθερωθῇ. Μέσα ἀπό τήν πίστη στόν Θεό καί τήν ἐλπίδα γιά ἕνα καλύτερο μέλλον, τό ἀδύνατο ἔγινε δυνατό. Μέσα ἀπό ἀγῶνες καί θυσίες, οἱ Ἕλληνες κέρδισαν τήν ἐλευθερία καί τίς ἀπεριόριστες δυνατότητες τῆς ἀνεξαρτησίας καί αὐτο- διαθέσεως.
Σήμερα, καθώς τιμοῦμε τή μνήμη των, καθώς ἀπολαμβάνουμε τήν ἐλευθερία ὡς στοιχεῖο τῆς κληρονομιᾶς τῆς Ἑλλάδος καί τῆς Ἀμερικῆς, καί καθώς ἐμπνεόμεθα ἀπό τήν πίστη τῶν προγόνων μας, ἄς δοξάσουμε καί εὐχαριστήσουμε τόν Θεό γιά τήν ἀποκάλυψή Του γιά τή σωτηρία μας καί γιά τήν ὁμολογία τῆς πίστεως τῆς Θεοτόκου. Στήν ἐλευθερία πού ἔχουμε διά τοῦ Χριστοῦ καί διά τῆς πίστεώς μας καί μέ τή δύναμη τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Θεοῦ, οἱ δυνατότητες εἶναι ἀπεριόριστες. Διά τῆς δεσμεύσεώς μας στό θέλημά Του, ζωές μεταμορφώνονται καί σώζονται, πολλοί θά βροῦν ἵαση καί ἐλπίδα καί οἱ θαυματουργές καί ἄφθονες εὐλογίες τοῦ Θεοῦ θά ἀποκαλυφθοῦν σέ ὁλόκληρο τόν κόσμο.
Μετά πατρικῆς ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπης, † ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος
29 ANASTASIA (ANN) AND GEORGE C. DIMITRAKIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Anastasia (Ann) and George C. Dimitrakis Memorial Scholarship was established in 2008 at the St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church with a generous gift of $100,000 by the late Ann Dimitrakis, in loving memory of her spouse, George C. Dimitrakis. George and Ann Dimitrakis have long been faithful stewards and communicants at the St. Athanasius Church. The first scholarships were awarded in June 2010.
St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church has established the Scholarship Awards Committee for the purpose of administering this scholarship. The Awards Committee, in its discretion, will award a scholarship(s) to that high school graduating senior(s) who achieve(s) exemplary rankings according to criteria established by the Awards Committee. The amount of the award(s) will be based on the scholarship fund’s return on investment, as determined by October of each year, and as distributed by the Trustees of the Scholarship Fund.
Please visit the parish website at (www.stathanasius.org) for all application materials and application instructions. Application information will only available online.
Eligible applicants must meet all of the following requirements: (1) be in their senior year of high school; (2) complete in full all application forms (typed) and provide all requested information; (3) family must be stewards of St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church for three successive years (if one year has been missed, applicant’s family has the opportunity to become current for that year); (4) must have been accepted to a full-time course of study at an accredited 4-year college or university. Applications will not be reviewed if each of the aforementioned requirements has not been met.
Applications are available on-line (www.saintathanasius.org) and must be submitted in full by Friday, May 11, 2018. Only complete typed application packages will be reviewed by the Awards Committee; it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all materials have been mailed to the Awards Committee. Please mail complete application packages to the Anastasia (Ann) and George S. Dimitrakis Memorial Scholarship, c/o St. Athanasius Greek Orthodox Church, 4 Appleton St., Arlington, MA 02476.
The awarding of the scholarship(s) will take place on a Sunday, June 17, 2018. The disbursement will take place after October 21, 2018, and only after the student(s) has provided to the Awards Committee an official confirmation of enrollment from the Registrar’s Office of the university/college.
Awards Committee
Eleni Carayannopoulos Betty Paganis Dennis P. George, Jr. Alexa (Zevitas) Adams Melanie Marken Rev. Fr. Anthony Evangelatos
30 SAINT ATHANASIUS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH CONFIDENTIAL FAMILY INFORMATION FORM Please complete and return this form to the Church Office 4 Appleton Street, Arlington, MA 02476
Name: Home Telephone:
Address: City: State: Zip:
I am a new steward: My previous parish was?
I would like to receive my monthly bulletin via U.S. mail: or via email:
Member Spouse Children /Age
Name: /
Mobile Tel: /
E‐mail: /
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Work Tel: /
2018 STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE / DONATION
Family Name
I understand it takes approximately $1,000 per active Stewardship family to operate and support the ministries and facility of the St. Athanasius Parish in 2018.
We would like to pledge $ Weekly (approx. $20/week)
We would like to pledge $ Monthly (approximately $85/month) We would like to pledge $ Yearly You can also pledge at http://www.saintathanasius.org/stewardship/
Please check those items in which you or a member of your family has some expertise or interest. Place name or initials of the specific family member after each item checked.
Bible Study Youth Ministry Office Work Teaching Sunday School Medical/Nurse Greek School/Little Halos Church Choir Art/Design Services Visitation of Elderly/Infirm Reader (in liturgy) Legal Philoptochos Ushering / Welcome Finance Festival Evangelism Architecture Outreach to Community New parents Real Estate Management Soup Kitchen Scouting Electrical Computer – Hardware/Systems Youth Work Construction Computer ‐ software Gardening Mechanical / Plumbing Web Design PR / Marketing Other
Ver. 01-2017 31 FOOD FOR THOUGHT
THE WEAPONS OF SALVATION FOR MANKIND
Repentance, Confession, Fasting, Prayer, Church Attendance, Holy Communion
Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me!
If you would like to be removed from this mailing, please notify the church office, (781) 646-0705 or [email protected]
Volume Twenty-Nine, Number Eight, April 2018
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