The National Herald a b

April 23 , 2011 Sponsored in part by: Angeliki Frangou/Navios Maritime www.thenationalherald.com 2 EASTER 2011 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 23 , 2011 Strategies to Help Intermarried Couples Celebrate Easter

By Rev. Fr. Charles around the holidays than cou - cially around many of the holi - Joanides, Ph.D., LM FT ples with a Christian spouse and days. Perhaps in time we’ll cre - a non-Christian spouse. One ate a hybrid experience, but Research indicates that holi - Christian spouse married to a thus far it seems we’ re still try - day seasons bring added chal - Hindu put it this way. “ It’ s not ing to figure things out.” lenges and stress into our lives. easy celebrating Christmas and The level of connection each Intermarried couples and their Easter…I yearn to celebrate a spouse has to his/her religious families, because of their differ - traditional Christmas and background can influence the ent religious and cultural back - Easter…. My husband tries to number and intensity of chal - grounds, are especially at risk understand, but I also know this lenges. Spouses with high levels when holidays come. The pur - need will never completely be of connection will experience pose of this article is twofold: 1 met…. It’ s okay, but it also more challenges around the hol - . to explore some of the reasons makes me feel sad.” idays than couples who have why intermarried couples face Similarly, the greater the dif - nominal connections to their re - NCL Capital Advisors additional challenges during the ferences in cultural back - ligious backgrounds. The fol - holidays. 2 . to provide some grounds, the greater the chances lowing observations illustrate useful suggestions to help them that challenges will emerge. For this point. “We’ re not particu - HAPPY EASTER! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! negotiate these challenges dur - instance, spouses from different larly religious, so the religious ing this year’ s Lenten and European backgrounds are holidays don’t necessary cause Paschal season. likely to encounter fewer chal - us many problems…. I imagine Commercial Financing Why do intermarried couples lenges than couples who have it’ s difficult for couples from face additional challenges dur - more varied cultural back - different religions if they both ing the holidays? The greater grounds. One newlywed spouse want to follow their religious the differences in religious back - with a Chinese background who traditions.” With over 20 years of lending experience, the Partners of grounds, the more potential was married to a second gener - Similarly, the level of connec - challenges couples may en - ation Greek-American offered tion each spouse has to his/her NCL Capital Advisors have helped commercial clients’ counter. For example, couples the following observation: “ We cultural background can influ - with two spouses from different are deeply in love with one an - ence the number and intensity purchase, refinance, construct and “expand their business”. Christian backgrounds are likely other, but there are some things of challenges. One spouse’s to encounter fewer challenges we can’t always share – espe - comments illustrate this point. Either owner-occupied or investment properties, we are “ We’ re both first generation – there to walk you through each step of the way. We view he has a Serbian background and I have a Mexican back - business owners as customers for life. ground. That means that we have strong feelings for our eth - nic backgrounds. This makes it hard for us. This is especially Specialize in true around the holidays.” De - spite these unique couple dy - SBA namics, most couples I’ve inter - viewed have successfully Multi-family worked through the special challenges holiday seasons bring Mixed-Use Properties into their lives. Here are some Retail of the strategies that have *** worked for them. Perhaps they Hotels will prove helpful to you. Our best wishes COMMUNICATION IS KEY Industrial Communicate with one an - to all Greek-Americans other. Before each holiday ar - Co-op rives, talk with each other about and, for the second consecutive year, your needs and expectations Start up Franchises surrounding your observance to those of other religious persuasions and celebration of the particular Medical Buildings holiday. One spouse stated, “ for Don’t assume that you’re always on the same page regarding the a Blessed Pascha decorations, ethnic traditions b and church services…. We Contact: found this out the hard way the *** first year we were married. We Andreas Panagos a failed to have much conversa - www.DiacrussiFamilyFoundation.yolasite.com tion and ended up arguing 201318/100 about almost everything. He P (347) 614-1904 | M (646) 398-0081 wanted to fast; I didn’t. He wanted to attend the Greek Or - [email protected] thodox Church; I didn’t. He ex -

201726/58 Continued on page 8

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Best wishes for a Blessed and Joyful Pascha

From a Friend

3169/ 528 4 EASTER 2011 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 23 , 2011 The Lament of the Fourth Cross: The ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ Theotokos at Golgotha

“They will look on me, the one may be revealed” (Luke 2:35). they have pierced, and they will One can only imagine Mary’s mourn for him as one mourns for reflection, having received such an only child, and grieve bitterly a fearful forecast. She had already for him as one grieves for a first - endured shame and reproach from the born son.” (Zechariah 12:10) when found to be with child be - fore her consummated marriage By Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos to Joseph. She bore the knowl - edge that countless innocent chil - There were four and not dren died while her family safely merely three crosses on Golgo - fled to Egypt. She would later feel tha. While Jesus was physically the anxiety of separation when crucified between two thieves, her son lectured her for not real - Peter A. Vlachos the heart of His beloved mother izing that He “must be about his Mary was being spiritually Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). As pierced on a cross of love. This is painful as all these experiences the reason why Orthodox Chris - must have been, however, it was tians choose to view the Passion not until she stood before her son of their Savior through the ma - hanging on a Cross, that she felt ternal lens of the Theotokos as the full climax of Simeon’s she embodies the collective sor - prophecy. Only then was her cru - Family rows, pain and heartaches of hu - cifixion complete – her heart manity. It is through her that the pierced like her Son. faithful ponder the “one that they Similar to every Friday have pierced” (Zach 12:10). throughout the year, Holy Friday The liturgical cycles of Great is dedicated to the crucifixion of Lent and Holy Week are replete Jesus and to the sorrow of Mary. with worship services, hymns and Consequently, Orthodox Chris - prayers that focus attention on tian parishes chant canticles the manner in which the called the “Lamentations of Theotokos viewed the holy Pas - Mary” during the Holy Friday sion of her son. In many ways, evening worship service. While she is portrayed as the eternal only a select number of hymns liturgical guide that tenderly are sung, the prescribed number leads the faithful down the diffi - of stanzas should, nonetheless, cult via Dolorosa journey. She is correspond to the length of Psalm the one who, from the start of 119, one of six important hymns her Son’s ministry, directs the of praise (Hallel) concerning the faithful to trust her Son’s timing Jewish Passover. Each of the 176 and to obediently execute “what - verses of Psalm 119, are to be al - ever He commands” (John 2:5). ternately sung between the Great Lent and Holy Week is verses of the Lamentations! Such a season of sorrow for it recalls a chanting of 352 verses (176 x the “taking away of the Bride - 2) underscores the importance groom” (Luke 5:35). There is no the Church places on Mary’s finer example of Orthodoxy’s joy - prophesied lament. It is through ful melancholy than the frequent her psalm of “joyful-sorrow” that hymn-based spiritual dialogues the faithful are to ponder the and inner conversations with Holy Pascha and “look upon” the which the faithful engage during Passover of the “One they have this most important liturgical cy - pierced.” cle. Worshipers are encouraged Mary’s spiritual motherhood to merge their respective feelings over mankind reaches its zenith of regret, sadness, and distress during humanity’s Passover on with that experienced by the Golgotha. Just as the Heart of Je - Holy Theotokos. sus poured out salvation over hu - Saint Luke is the first Gospel manity, the Heart of Mary, united writer to portray Mary as a co- spiritually to the piercing of Her sufferer with her son. Only 40 Son, embraces with maternal days after Jesus’ birth, she is in - love all those who accept the re -

R formed by the prophet Simeon demptive sacrifice of Her Son. that, like her son, she was des - The contemplation of Mary’s sor - tined for suffering. “A sword will rows is, therefore, our passage

W pierce even your own soul,” the into the schoolhouse of such Di - Jewish sage insists, “to the end 3918/332 that thoughts from many hearts Continued on page 22

“Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” ROMANS: 6:4

We wish you much joy as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Happy Pascha

r Dr. John and Helen Collis

e and family

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SAE USA COORDINATOR THEODORE G. SPYROPOULOS The role model of the crucified human, hero and God is a AND HIS FAMILY concept intertwined with Hellenism from ancient times until today. EXTEND BEST WISHES It is the sacrifice of the spirit descending in matter, purged through TO THE GREEK-AMERICAN COMMUNITY sacrifice. FOR A HAPPY EASTER The tragedy of Orpheus, Adonis, Persephone and Dionysus, the labors of Hercules, the crucifixion of Prometheus, the pain of Christ and as - cension to the heavens, symbolize the triumph of the soul over death, the triumph of the spirit over matter and the path of man towards higher spiritual planes. The crown of thorns of Christ is a symbol of the rays of the savior rising sun, the victory of light over darkness.

Resurrection Day remains the most important celebration of Hellenism and is associated with the rebirth of the nation and the spir - itual life of our past, present and future. Hope, faith and strength always helped us cope with hardships, on personal, collective and national level.

Let us commune once again, in the profound meanings of the Resurrection and let us walk towards this notional Golgotha, with perseverance. Walking the path of sacrifice and altruism, genuine love for our fellow humans, together we will build a better tomorrow for the future generations.

WORLD COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD (S.A.E.) On behalf of SAE Region USA, I wish you: USA REGION A Happy Easter, Revival, Love and Unity

801 W. Adams Str., Suite 235, Chicago, Illinois 60607 Wishing everyone the best Tel.: (312) 627-1821 • Fax: (312) 627-1943 E-mail: [email protected] www.saeusa.org Theodore G. Spyropoulos, Sponsored by TGS PETROLEUM CO., INC Coordinator SAE USA

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Drs. Spiro & Amalia Spireas and Sigmapharm Laboratories wish you Happy Easter

Sigmapharm Laboratories, LLC 3375 Progress Drive, Bensalem - PA 19020 Tel.: (215) 352-6655 - Fax: (215) 352-6644 www.sigmapharm.com

201520/425 8 EASTER 2011 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 23 , 2011 Strategies to Help Intermarried Couples Celebrate Easter

Continued from page 2 way, even though he’ s not very many beautiful rituals and tra - meaning and significance of The Easter Bunny comes to our work through a disagreement. religious, I’m aware of his reli - ditions. But as beautiful as they his/her spouse’s religious and home twice a year! That remark When lingering disagreements pected to be with his family; I gious and ethnic traditions and may be, they don’t speak to me cultural traditions. This ap - was the beginning of a new way exist that trigger counterproduc - expected to be with mine.” do my best to be respectful. like my own religious back - proach tends to diffuse potential for me to see our differences. As tive arguments, it is best to con - Respect and accept one an - Without this level of acceptance ground. So, we don’ t spend a misunderstandings and enrich time has passed, I no longer see sult your pastor or a profes - other. Mutual respect and accep - and respect I’m afraid conflict lot of time comparing and con - holiday celebrations. One things from a deficit perspective. sional couple counselor for help. tance are also important. One would replace the peace we’ve trasting whose background is spouse’s observation illustrates Today I see our differences as en - Waiting and hoping for circum - spouse’s remarks help explain found related to our religious better…. We spend our time cel - this point. “ I’m Southern Bap - riching our lives and the lives of stances to change is a strategy why. “ I’m Greek Orthodox... and ethnic differences.” ebrating what we share in com - tist, and my husband’s from our children. These days I try to that can often do more harm He’s Jewish. I don’ t expect him Emphasize your similarities. mon and leave the differences Greece…. It’s traditional for emphasize the positive.” than good. So, if issues related to understand what I’m feeling Intermarried spouses repeatedly alone.” many people in the south to Accept that disagreements to the holidays have remained and experiencing during Easter stated that they tend to empha - Educate one another. Some have black-eyed peas on New are part of the territory. Differ - unresolved and are threatening and the Christmas season, but I size their similarities and de-em - spouses have found the holidays Year’ s Day. But my husband did - ences that create conflict are your Paschal celebration once do expect him to be respectful, phasize their differences – espe - to be opportunities for sharing n’t care for black-eyes peas until part of the territory for inter - again, it is likely time to seek and he is. I think we’ d have to cially around the holidays. One their unique traditions with I told him it was a way that married couples. When differ - some outside help for a second live apart around religious cele - spouse from a Protestant back - each other in order to help each southerners expressed best ences surface and conflict fol - opinion. brations if we weren’t respectful ground stated, “ His Greek Or - respective partner deepen wishes to one another for the lows, couples should try and Regularly turn to God for toward one another…. By the thodox religious background has his/her understanding of the New Year. After that, he warmed remember that disagreements help. Thus far, I’ve talked about up to the tradition and even around holiday traditions are in - how intermarried couples can helps prepare them each year – evitable, and they do not neces - work together to ensure that the Greek style, of course.” challenges they face do not se - Work through extended-fam - “I encourage couples to riously unsettle their holiday ily challenges. Extended family celebrations. However, I’ve cho - can sometimes present chal - consider becoming single- sen to save the best suggestion To all Orthodox Christians lenges. The following illustrates church couples. This for last. In order to find some this point. “The first year we common ground during the hol - were married, we went to Spiro’ option removes a level of idays, almost without exception, s house for Easter Dinner…. I complexity that has the the couples I’ve met with have we wish decided to make a Jell-O mold stated that prayer and God’s shaped in the form of an Easter potential to create love often made a distinct posi - egg. It was always part of our challenges and problems” tive difference in their efforts to a Blessed Pascha Easter table…. When I pre - get beyond the kinds of chal - sented it to his mother, she sarily portend negative out - lenges addressed in this article. thanked me and placed it on the comes. In most cases, these So, this year, if you happen to Christos Anesti corner of the table, almost un - differences afford intermarried encounter challenges, don’t for - derneath the rolls. I was hurt, couples opportunities to shape get to turn to God regularly as and I told Spiro the next day. two very different backgrounds you look forward to celebrating He apologized and stated that into a common experience that the holidays. His life-giving, life- while Jell-O molds were not is mutually satisfying for both creating presence will make a part of his family’ s Easter Din - spouses and their family. difference. ner, my Jell-O mold would be One intermarried partner’s Whenever possible, I encour - in the center of our table in observations whose background age couples to consider becom - years to come…. I know this is is Caribbean illustrates these ing single-church couples. This Καλό Πάσχα silly, but his comments touched points nicely. “Before marriage option removes a level of com - my heart.” we failed to engage in any con - plexity that has the potential to Emphasize the positive. One versation related to our different create challenges and problems Χριστός Ανέστη Lutheran spouse I interviewed backgrounds. That changed for couples. However, for many described some of the struggles once we got married and we reasons which I will not detail she and her Greek Orthodox started trying to figure out here, this is often not an option. Χρόνια Πολλά partner were having around which traditions we would in - For those who are intermarried, Easter time. Her remarks high - tegrate into our holiday obser - this article has suggested that light a strategy that has proven vances. This created a lot of stress around the holidays can useful to most intermarried cou - drama and conflict. Fortunately, be further exacerbated when in - ples. In particular, she stated: at some point we both realized termarried couples underesti - George & Margo Chryssis “After getting married, I was sur - that the drama and conflict mate the issues that may surface prised to discover that Greeks weren’t getting us anywhere, surrounding their religious, eth - use the Old Calendar to establish and we were able to accept the nic and cultural differences. and Family a date for Easter. As a result, dur - fact that it would take some When these issues are underes - ing the first few years of mar - time for us to figure things out. timated and not worked Southborough, MA riage I resented the fact that I Fifteen years later things are through, family members at all had to revisit Easter with my hus - considerably better, and we’ve levels are disappointed, and band a month or so later. This figured things out. We believe emotional distance replaces the caused a great deal of unrest Be - our lives and our children’s lives festive, life-changing, life-sus - tween us, which lingered for sev - have been enriched by our ef - taining nature of a given holi - eral years. It wasn’t until our first forts to combine our two very day. Some of the strategies listed child arrived that I was able to different backgrounds in a com - in this article should help ame - acquire a different perspective. mon family experience.” liorate the stress and conflict

b One day, when I was preparing Seek help when you get that often emerge when couples

candy for the Easter bunny, my stuck. Sometimes intermarried from different religious and cul - son innocently remarked: “You couples will get stuck; no matter tural traditions celebrate the

a know mommy. I’ m really lucky. how hard they try, they cannot holidays. 3789/ 522

The TOM KOURKOUMELIS Family wishes everyone A Blessed and Happy Easter

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Best Wishes for a Blessed and Joyous Pascha

From The Founders of FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism

The core mission of FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism is to promote Hellenism and an understanding of the Greek Orthodox faith through a series of high quality educational programs and cultural initiatives for young people through an endowment for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

This Spring, the Founders of FAITH are pleased to announce the continuation and expansion of their annual scholarship programs through the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: 1. FAITH Scholarships for Academic Excellence - A series of merit-based and need-based scholarships awarded to graduating high school seniors for their uni - versity studies 2. FAITH Ionian Village Travel Scholarships - A series of need-based scholarships awarded to young people who wish to participate in the Ionian Village Summer Camp 3. FAITH St. John Chrysostom Festival Scholarship Awards - A series of scholar - ships awarded to the top ranked festival participants 4. FAITH sponsored US-Greece Fulbright Scholarships - Scholarship opportuni - ties for graduate students and/or professional scholars/lecturers to travel to Greece for research

For more information about these programs and the application process, please visit the FAITH website: www.faithendowment.org

201590/529 10 EASTER 2011 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 23 , 2011 Bright Week Celebrations In Greece

By John Sanidopoulos darkened altar and announces lage hurling insults and fire - were buried under the floor of that Christ has risen from the works at each other. In southern the main church. It wasn’t until Bright Week, otherwise dead by calling all the faithful Messenia people go to the main 1963 that the incorrupt relics of known as Renewal Week, begins to receive the light of the Res - squares to watch the saetapole - these holy martyrs were discov - on Pascha (i.e. Easter) Sunday urrection. In many places in mos, which are rockets without ered in a miraculous way, and and ends on the following Sun - Greece this light is in fact the sticks that the men hold while since then their feast is cele - day of Thomas. The name prob - Holy Light which was trans - the force of the explosions brated on Bright Tuesday. In ably originates from the fact ferred from Jerusalem. Soon an makes them jump as if they are 1904 the relics of St. Patapios that the newly baptized cate - amazing wonder takes place, dancing. In Corfu ceramic pots of Thebes were revealed in his chumens from Pascha are newly when it seems the entire country are thrown out of windows sym - monastery in Thebes in a mirac - illumined and bright. For them, is lit by this Holy Light as one bolizing the throwing out of ulous fashion, and since then as well as for all baptized Or - person passes on the flame to evil. The people of Leonidio in the discovery of his relics are thodox Christians, it is a time of another person greeting one an - Peloponnesos fill the sky with celebrated in Thebes on Bright regeneration and renewal. other with “Christ is risen!” and hot air balloons released by the Tuesday. On April 18, 1826 the Before the fall of Con - responding with “Truly he has faithful of each parish. Turks were devising a slaughter stantinople in 1453, this week risen!”, which will be the pri - The Paschal feast after the of the Christians in Herakleion, had special joy and was cele - mary greeting for the next forty midnight service, which offi - Crete on the feast of Pascha in brated with great pomp and days. Leaving the churches the cially ends the 48-day fast of the Church of Saint Menas. As splendor. The emperor would people carry this flame to their Great Lent and Holy Week, con - the Gospel was being read pro - call the newly-baptized and the homes for a blessing where they sists primarily of red eggs, richly claiming the Resurrection Feast, poor to a rich meal, while on will try to preserve this flame scented breads and magiritsa. On Bright Wednesday in the Municipal District of Eleutheron suddenly a gray haired man ap - Bright Thursday the Patriarch for the next forty days. The red eggs, which were west of Kavala there is an emotional and reverent custom peared and began running would have an honorary dinner During this midnight service painted on Holy Thursday, are called "Mazidia" ( Μαζίδια ) that takes place dating back to Ot - around the church holding a for the clergy. Rich gifts were on Pascha many unique events brought out and each person toman times. The faithful process with icons from the sword, and the faithful saw him distributed by the emperor and take place in certain areas of takes one and hits their end Byzantine Church of the Archangels, which is the oldest church chase away the Turks who were official visitations were made. Greece. One common theme is against someone else's until the in the region of Mazidia, to the picturesque Church of Sts. devising the slaughter. The peo - Prisoners with light offenses that fireworks are set off every - last person who has an un- Raphael, Nicholas and Irene. ple recognized this man to be were released as well. These tra - where making the fourth of July cracked egg is considered the St. Menas and every year since ditions are somewhat carried look tame in comparison. Some - lucky person for the year. Ma - tree and swing, while others Karyes hold litanies with their then this feast is celebrated on out today in Greece where state times even dynamite and guns giritsa is a soup with a variety may go out and pick flowers and miraculous icons and holy relics. Bright Tuesday in Crete. officials visit hospitals and mili - are used to symbolize the utter of chopped and sautéed animal form wreaths. In Thrace and The others do this on Bright Probably the most famous tary camps, and military sanc - destruction of death and the innards (mainly lamb), with Macedonia young women in tra - Tuesday. The most notable takes feast on Bright Tuesday takes tions are lifted. powers of evil by Christ’s Res - herbs and spices and avgole - ditional clothing called the place with the icon of the Pana - place in Mytilene at the Today Pascha for the Greek urrection. Probably the most mono (egg and lemon soup). Lazarins go around the villages gia of Axion Estin which departs Monastery of Sts. Raphael, people begins where it origi - well-known and dangerous fire - During the day another larger singing traditional Paschal Karyes and goes to all the sur - Nicholas and Irene. For cen - nated, on Holy Saturday after - work display takes place in feast takes place which songs. There seem to be as rounding monasteries, sketes turies the people of Lesvos noon at the empty tomb of Jesus Chios, where two rival churches features the famous paschal many varied traditions on this and cells until it returns to would go on Bright Tuesday to known as the Holy Sepulchre in fire thousands of rockets at each lamb roasted on a spit. In some day in Greece as there are towns Karyes on Bright Tuesday. the ruins of a monastery near the city of Jerusalem. Every year other as part of an annual fire - villages the priest will go from and villages. Places like Pilios, Lesvos and the village of Thermi. No one at this time a great miracle of work attle. In the town of Asine house to house and bless the In many parts of Greece the Samos save riding on swings for knew why they did this how - Orthodoxy takes place when the in Argolida they actually have a roasted lamb of the people. Af - festivities of Pascha continue this day. The dancing and fes - ever, as the tradition had been Patriarch of Jerusalem enters street battle with the men of the ter the meal in certain areas into Monday, with more feasts tivities will continue today in lost to time. It was not until the tomb of Christ in complete upper and lower parts of the vil - people will attach swings to a and dances. Some on this day many areas of Greece, as it will 1959 that Sts. Raphael, Nicholas darkness and emerges from the will visit dead relatives and throughout the week. and Irene started appearing in tomb moments later with fire friends and leave red eggs on In Kalyvia Limenaria of Thas - dreams and visions to the resi - literally sent from heaven. This their graves praying for them a sos, Bright Tuesday is called "For dents near Thermi revealing to fire is popularly known as “Holy good resurrection. In Giannitsa Rain In April" ( Για βρέξ΄ Απρίλη them their identity as well as Fire”, though Orthodox Chris - of Pella and other areas the peo - μ΄ ). It is an ancient custom to the location of their relics. Since tians prefer to call it “Holy ple will swing on this day. It is pray for spring rain. Residents of then this monastery has become Light” for its supernatural ori - believed that riding a swing is the communityand visitors cele - one of the most popular pilgrim - gin. News of this miraculous good for one's health and will brate with folk dances and large age destinations for Orthodox event is widely covered in the help bring an abundant harvest. pots of rice cooked with meat Christians in the world. Greek media, and is increasingly Often it happens that the that is distributed to everyone. On Bright Wednesday in the becoming popular news in the feast of St. George the Great On the same day in Ierissos of Municipal District of Eleutheron West as well. At the ceremony Martyr falls during Great Lent Halkidiki there is the tradition west of Kavala there is an emo - of the Holy Light there is always or Holy Week on April 23rd. Be - called in Greek " Του μαύρου νιου tional and reverent custom a delegation from Greece to re - cause no feasting is allowed on τ΄ αλώνι" or "the black threshing called "Mazidia" ( Μαζίδια ) that ceive this Holy Light and bring these days, the feast will be floor". This is a dance that takes takes place dating back to Ot - it to Greece with state honors transferred to Bright Monday. place in honor of Greeks killed toman times. The faithful pro - through a special flight. Arriving St. George is very popular in by Turks in the area in 1821. cess with icons from the Byzan - in Athens it is then distributed Greece and churcheseverywhere Many Saints who could not tine Church of the Archangels, on various aeroplanes to bring are named after him, so many be celebrated properly over the which is the oldest church in the the Holy Light throughout celebrations will take place on past few weeks during Great region of Mazidia, to the pic - Greece. Bright Monday in his honor. In Lent and Holy Week are cele - turesque Church of Sts. At 11p.m. on Holy Saturday Mikropoli of Drama an event brated throughout Bright Week Raphael, Nicholas and Irene. night pretty much the entire called "Celebration of God" and especially on Bright Tues - There is an artoklasia – the country is in church. The lights (Γιορτή του Θεού ) takes place day. In 1680 on Pascha Sunday blessing of the loaves service - are turned off in the churches On Bright Thursday in Kalis Vrysis of Drama the icon of the at the Chapel of St. George with after the midnight service in and holy water with prayers to at midnight as everyone holds Resurrection of Christ is processed around the farming areas to a dinner there. Ntaou Penteli Monastery outside the Risen Christ to bless the candles waiting to be lit. Soon protect the village from all evil, especially from the extremely On Bright Monday some Athens, 179 monks were slaugh - the priest emerges from the dangerous hail storms that could devastate the spring crop. monasteries on Mount Athos and tered by pirates and secretly Continued on page 20

ΝΙCHOLAS J. BOURAS 25 DeForest Avenue, Summit, N.J. 07902-0662

Wishing the entire Greek American community a Happy and Blessed Easter b

a 200 708 /581 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 23 , 2011 EASTER 2011 11

Best Wishes to All Greek-Americans for a Joyous and Blessed Easter

ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ ΚΑΛΟ ΠΑΣΧΑ b

a JOHN, MARGO, ANDREA, YIANNI CATSIMATIDIS AND CHRISTOPHER NIXON COX

3537/579 12 EASTER 2011 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 23 , 2011 The Aghio Fos of Pascha in Jerusalem: The Remarkable Miracle Continues to Happen

By Maria C. Khoury, Ed. D. only spoke Greek and got lost only with the eyes that we see.” from her group and stuck at one It is a sentence that I cannot JERUSALEM - A tremendous of the many pointless check - seem to forget as I promote non - miracle continues to happen ev - points. violence, a just peace, love for ery year at the same place and Holy Saturday is an exciting neighbor, coexistence and toler - at the same time in Jerusalem day where representatives of ance among people that cannot no matter how many of us many churches from all over the see the Light. Christians are disappearing Holy Land come to receive the Furthermore, with the ongo - from the Holy Land. The terri - Holy Fire and carry it back in ing violence, back and forth, be - ble conditions of the Israeli mil - small lanterns to their particular tween Palestinians and Israelis itary occupation and the fanati - churches for the Midnight Res - and all of the bloodshed cur - cism of extreme Israeli and urrection Service. Palestinians rently happening in the Middle Palestinian groups has con - are not allowed to enter East, surely we are still living in tributed to our Christian popu - Jerusalem without a special per - the darkness of all evil. In Egypt lation dropping way below 2% mit thus this year again many they said during the current rev - of the total Palestinian popula - Palestinian Christians will go the olution it was Egyptian against tion of four million people in extra trouble of getting permits Egyptian for freedom. Well, for Gaza and the West Bank. Even in order to partake in this cen - over two thousand years, it is inside Israel proper, the Chris - turies-old celebration that re - still, human being against hu - tian population is also less than flects our Christian heritage and man being because people 2%. Some days, I feel I am liv - deep roots in Palestine. Unfor - refuse to see the true Light of ing in a museum by answering tunately, in recent years, Israel Christ. "And the light shineth the same questions over and has encouraged more police in in darkness; and the darkness over to the few visitors that the Church of the Holy Sepul - comprehended it not." (John show support and solidarity by chre than faithful. Can you 1:5) God says “I love you with visiting not just the holy shrines imagine in one of the most holi - an everlasting love” and the Mir - but the living stones of the Holy est days of the year to see over acle of the Holy Fire is an an - Land, the Christian people in the one thousand stern police offi - nual powerful reminder. It is a communities like Taybeh where cers in the very area where remarkable way to find the truth I have lived for over sixteen Christ was resurrected? Pray for and walk by the true Light of years. Israel to see the Light and end Christ. I am so very sad that after the occupation. For once you In Luke 16:15 we read that our terrible experiences the last were in darkness, but now in Greek Catholic churches, Fr. Jesus said: "Go ye into all the few years with the army and the the Lord you are light. Live as Daoud, Fr. Raed and Fr. Jack world, and preach the gospel to police, my husband refuses to children of light…” (Eph 5:8) will lead the faithful with the every creature. He that believeth use his permit to enter The Miracle of the Holy Fire choir chanting to meet ten year and is baptized shall be saved." Jerusalem on Holy Saturday and is one of the most magnificent old Philip. I will be running in We witness the truth and receive join the entire Christian com - celebrations in the Holy Land the crowd to catch up to my the Holy Fire every year on Holy munity in witnessing the great - that has been overshadowed by husband David who is still the Saturday so that all who are not est of all miracles-the Miracle of the Arab-Israeli conflict. In the mayor and walks in front but suffering to live in the land of the Holy Fire. You need deep early 2000’s for several years, women in the Middle East al - Christ's Holy Resurrection can faith not to be bothered by the the boy scouts had not carried ways have last place. believe that Christ is the true soldiers, the police, the large on our regular tradition of re - On Holy Saturday, all faithful Light, which lighteth every man crowds, the noise, the drums of ceiving the Holy Fire to the beat will receive the Light that pro - that cometh into the world. the Boys Scouts and the Girl of the drums due to the blood - ceeded from the core of the (John 1:9) Scouts anxiously waiting to re - shed and violence. In the last stone that covers Christ's Life "And that repentance and re - ceive the Holy Fire from the Life few years it was refreshing for Giving Tomb and once again mission of sins should be Giving Tomb of Christ in the the Christian community to re - will celebrate the oldest unbro - preached in his name among all Holy Sepulchre. We live so joice in public by receiving the ken Christian ceremony that ex - nations, beginning at Jerusalem. close, just twenty-five minutes Holy Fire and celebrate widely manity. As we chant in our Mid - communities that cannot reach ists in the world. By the way, And you are witnesses of these away from Jerusalem but even that for us, all hope lies in Christ night Resurrection Service: the Holy City including not just many people make fun of me things." (Luke 24:47) though my husband had a per - our Savior. "Come ye and receive light from Taybeh, but Aboud, Birzeit, for participating in the cere - Our Christian community is mit to enter the Holy City, there It is on Great and Holy Sat - the unwaning Light, and glorify Jifna and Ein Arik. There will mony of the Holy Fire which in small and diminishing but with were so many other checkpoints urday that the Holy Fire comes Christ, Who arose from the be an amazing celebration of 2004 I personally experienced God's help and your prayers, we inside the Old City that we got down from Heaven and is re - dead." the entire small Christian com - in the Church of the Holy Sepul - can survive the terrible occupa - stuck outside the church of the ceived by the Greek Orthodox This Holy Saturday, we will munity in Ramallah marching chre but since as Christians we tion, dreadful checkpoints, the Holy Sepulchre too many times Patriarch as it has been done ev - wait until Philip our young the main streets until they get are not of this world, I really do collapsed economy, the terrible begging our way to pass without ery year on Holy Saturday in the cousin who is taking over the to the Orthodox Church of Holy not expect the world to compre - segregation wall and the daily the basic freedom to worship. afternoon, in the same manner, tradition of receiving the Mira - Transfiguration in the old center hend the eternal love and pres - hardships that make life unbear - One year, I especially felt sorry at the same time, at the same cle of the Holy Fire from his of Ramallah where the celebra - ence of God. It takes faith. able. In the last eleven years, for this lovely elderly Australian- holy place of Christ's Life Giving dad, Ibrahim, will bring the tion will conclude for the after - Great faith to fight the good nothing has changed on the Greek lady that probably had Tomb. This is the miracle that flame for us by 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. noon, but continue at the Mid - fight! Christ Himself said ground, the situation is worse paid more than $3,000 to get to allows us to know that Christ is to the village of Taybeh. Since night Resurrection service for all blessed are those who do not than ever especially with new Jerusalem for this once in a life - in our midst. This is the miracle it’s so difficult to get into the faithful. see yet believe. When I was illegal Israel settlements. How - time pilgrimage and I was beg - that allows us to feel that Christ Jerusalem, a Patriarchate rep - A wonderful ecumenical pa - fighting my way to be up front ever, in the Holy Land, we must ging the soldiers in English, Ara - is truly among us. This miracle resentative will bring the flame rade will celebrate the Holy Fire where only the diplomats are al - keep the undying hope and one bic, and the little Hebrew that I is another way that God com - from Jerusalem to Ramallah for entering Taybeh. The priests of lowed, the Greek monk said to must say every day, Truly the know to let her pass since she municates to us His love for hu - all the Palestinian Christian the Orthodox, Catholic and me in Greek “my child, it is not Lord is Risen!

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May the Radiant Light of the Risen Lord shine upon the Assembly of Bishops that will meet in Chicago after Pentecost. It is God's will for the Church in North America to be unified and self governing. It is the task of the Bishops to use the resources of all the People of God to work THE AMERICAN together to fulfill God's will. We pray that our bishops HELLENIC INSTITUTE show leadership. & IT’S AFFILIATES: Stay Informed: Visit the OCL web sites www.ocl.org The AHI Foundation and www.OrthodoxNew.com to read the essential documents pertinent to Assemby of Bishops The AHI Business Network The AHI Public Affairs Committee

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200107/198 www.ahiworld.com 3020/47 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 23 , 2011 EASTER 2011 15 A Practical Pascha Mystery: THE FEDERATION OF HELLENIC MEDICAL Calculating the Date SOCIETIES OF NORTH AMERICA

By Dr. Lewis J. Patsavos Ph.D. latter practice prevailed through - vent Christians from taking into out the Church universally; nev - account the calculation of For the second year in succes - ertheless, differences continued Passover in determining the date Dr. Spyros G. Ε. Mezitis, MD, PhD sion, Eastern and Western Chris - to exist. of Pascha. tians will celebrate Pascha on the In response to this ongoing Most Christians eventually same Sunday, April 24. Prior to problem, the First Ecumenical ceased to regulate the observance President 2010, this coincidence last oc - Council convened at Nicaea in of Pascha by the Jewish Passover. curred in 2004. Although the im - 325 took up the issue. It deter - Their purpose, of course, was to pression persists that this regu - mined that Pascha should be cel - preserve the original practice of larly occurs every four years, the ebrated on the Sunday which fol - celebrating Pascha following the fact of the matter is otherwise. lows the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Thus, the Council This is due to the complex con - vernal equinox - the actual be - of Nicaea sought to link the prin - sideration of variables which af - ginning of spring. If the full moon ciples for determining the date fect the determination of the date happens to fall on a Sunday, of Pascha to the norms for calcu - of Easter. In anticipation of this Pascha is observed the following lating Passover during our Lord's common observance by all Chris - Sunday. The day taken to be the lifetime. tians much was said and written. invariable date of the vernal Despite the intervention of What was stressed was the need equinox is March 21. Hence, the Nicaea, certain differences in the to keep alive the momentum of determination of the date of technicalities of regulating the the occasion. Unless we all un - Pascha is governed by a process date of Pascha remained even derstand the significance of this dependent on the vernal equinox thereafter. This resulted occasion - event, it will remain nothing and the phase of the moon. ally in local variations until, by more than a peculiarity of the the 6th century, a more secure calculations related to the date mode of calculation based on as - of Pascha. In one sense, that is The determination tronomical data was universally what it is. But in another sense, of the date of Pascha accepted. This was an alternative it is the convergence of all that is governed by a process to calculating Pascha by the we as Christians in the East and Passover and consisted in the cre - West profess regarding the cen - dependent on the vernal ation of so-called "paschal cycles." trality of the Resurrection of Je - equinox and the phase Each paschal cycle corresponded sus Christ as the cornerstone of to a certain number of years. De - our faith. of the moon pending upon the number of Nothing challenges the credi - years in the cycle, the full moon bility of this fact to non-believers Another factor which figures occurred on the same day of the more than the scandal of our di - prominently in determining the year as at the beginning of the wishes vision on this point of celebra - date of Pascha is the date of cycle with some exceptions. The tion. In the ardent desire to ad - Passover. Originally, Passover was more accurate the cycle, the less the Hellenic Community dress this problematic and celebrated on the first full moon frequent were the exceptions. In troubling reality, the following after the vernal equinox. Chris - the East, a 19-year cycle was contribution is offered..... tians, therefore, celebrated eventually adopted, whereas in a Happy and Healthy Easter Almost from the very begin - Pascha according to the same cal - the West an 84-year cycle. The ning of the existence of the Chris - culation - that is, on the first Sun - use of two different paschal cy - tian Church, the issue regarding day after the first full moon fol - cles inevitably gave way to dif - the date of our Lord's death and lowing the vernal equinox. The ferences between the Eastern and resurrection presented variations. correlation between the date of Western Churches regarding the Our mission is to strengthen Although the New Testament re - Pascha and the date of Passover observance of Pascha. lates these events to the Jewish is clear. Our Lord's death and res - A further cause for these dif - the network of Hellenic physicians Passover, the details of this rela - urrection coincided with ferences was the adoption by the tionship are not clear. On the one Passover, thereby assuring a se - Western Church of the Gregorian hand, the tradition of the synop - cure point of reference in time. Calendar in the 16th century. who serve our community tic gospels identifies the Lord's This assurance lasted, however, This took place in order to adjust last supper with His disciples as only for a short time. the discrepancy by then observed a passover meal. This would Events in Jewish history con - between the paschal cycle ap - place the death of our Lord on tributing to the dispersion of the proach to calculating Pascha and the day after Passover. On the Jews had as a consequence a de - the available astronomical data. New York Montreal/Quebec other hand, the tradition of the parture from the way Passover The Orthodox Church continues gospel of St. John situates the was reckoned at the time of our to base its calculations for the death of our Lord at the very Lord's death and resurrection. date of Pascha on the Julian Cal - Philadelphia Toronto/Ontario hour the paschal lambs were sac - This caused the Passover to pre - endar, which was in use at the rificed on the day of Passover it - cede the vernal equinox in some time of the First Ecumenical Chicago/Midwest Boston/New England self. This variation in the inter - years. It was, in fact, this anomaly Council. As such, it does not take pretation of the scriptures led to which led to the condemnation into account the number of days, two different practices. The one reflected in Canon 1 of Antioch which have since then accrued California Washington, DC observed Pascha on the day of (ca. 330) and Canon 7 of the due to the progressive loss of Passover, regardless of the day of Holy Apostles (late 4th century) time in this calendar. 200855/452 the week. The other observed it of those who celebrate Pascha Practically speaking, this on the Sunday following "with the Jews." The purpose of Passover. By the 4th century, the this condemnation was to pre - Continued on page 18 www. fedmed.weebly.com

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201099/ 127 3167/ 76 Happy Easter to all our friends and clients and to the Greek-Americans

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3609/546 18 EASTER 2011 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 23 , 2011 Easter Recipes

Maria Constantine of Tsoureki (Easter Bread) Mykonos Cafe and Taverna in Eubank, Nebraska describes This rich dough is tradition - how to make a traditional Greek ally eaten at Easter time. The Easter dinner. These recipes red egg symbolizes the blood of were featured on the Web site Christ. of KOB-TV's “Good Day New • 8 packages of active dry Mexico”. yeast • 20-21 cups of sifted all pur - Easter Salad Island pose flour Style • 6 cups of milk • 5 cups of sugar • 1 Romaine lettuce washed • 2 cups of butter and very finely sliced • 6 teaspoon of salt • 4-5 springs onions (scallions) • 12 eggs including steams finely sliced • Half a cup of orange rind. • 3 tbsp chopped fresh dill In a large mixing bowl com - • 3 tbsp olive oil bine yeast and 12 cups of flour. • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar In saucepan heat milk, sugar, • Season with salt and pepper. butter, salt until warm add to Put the finely sliced lettuce dry mixture, add the 12 eggs at in a salad bowl, add the spring low speed with electric mixer of onions, dill add olive oil, and for ½ a minute, scraping the seasoning with salt and pepper. bowl 3 minutes at high speed. Mix and serve immediately. Roast Leg of Lamb • 4-5 pound leg of lamb • Salt and fresh ground pepper • 2 cloves garlic, slivered • 2 tablespoons butter, melted or olive oil Christ is Risen • Juice of 1 lemon • ½ cup water Rinse and wipe dry leg of lamb, sprinkle with salt and Stir in remaining flour to make pepper, make slits in the meat soft dough. Kneed till smooth and insert the garlic slivers. place in grease bowl turning May the grace, the love and the light of the Combine melted butter or olive once to a grease surface. Cover oil, lemon juice, brush over the and let it rice in a warm place Resur rected Christ fill our hearts and our lives. lamb. Place meat on a rack in till double. Divide the dough shallow roasting pan, and add into three equal portions and water. Insert a meat thermome - make the braid. Form the braid ter in to the thickets portion of into a ring and pinch the seam the meat. Cover and bake in a together to seal. Press the red preheated oven at 350F for 1 ½ egg cover and place in a warm hours. Basting frequently. (Use place until double the size. Pre - P.J. Mechanical Corp. meat thermometer to determine heat oven to 375F. Bake for 40- desired temperature). Transfer 45 minutes or until done. meat to a heated platter. Wrap leg in heavy tinfoil and keep Koulourakia Peter J. Pappas warm. (Easter Cookies) Oven Roasted Potatoes • 2.2 pounds cake flour with olive oil and • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1 teaspoon baking soda oregano • 2 cups butter • 3 cups sugar • 5 pounds of potatoes • 2 eggs • 1 cup of olive oil • ½ teaspoon vanilla • Juice of 1 lemon • 5- 6 tablespoons milk • Oregano • 1 beaten egg with ½ tea - • teaspoon of chopped fresh spoon orange juice for glazing garlic Sift the flour with the baking b • teaspoon of chopped fresh or powder and baking soda. Beat 135 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011 dry oregano the eggs and vanilla into the Peel and wash potatoes, cut butter. While still beating add a Τel.: 212-243-2555 • Fax: 212-886-6605 into thick slice. Put them in a the flour little by little. Alternat - baking pan with the oregano, ing with the milk. Knead the 200789/489 salt, pepper, garlic, lemon juice, dough well and form into small olive oil mix well. Pour 2 ½ cups rings or fancy shapes. Place of water. Roast potatoes in a them on a butter baking sheet moderate oven for an approxi - and brush them with the beaten mately one hour or until done. egg mixer. Bake in a moderate oven for 15-20 minutes. POLES TUBLIN A Practical Pascha Mystery: POLES, TUBLIN, STRATAKIS & GONZALEZ, LLP Calculating the Date

46 Trinity Place, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10006 Continued from page 15 One of its conclusions was that the present differences are due Tel.: 212-943-0110 means that Pascha may not be to the calendars and lunar tables celebrated before April 3, which (paschal cycles) employed rather was March 21, the date of the than to differences in fundamen - vernal equinox, at the time of the tal theological outlook. In view First Ecumenical Council. In of the fact that both the Julian Best Wishes other words, a difference of 13 and Gregorian modes of calcula - days exists between the accepted tion diverge from the astronomi - date for the vernal equinox then cal data, it behooves us to return and now. Consequently, it is the to the norms determined by the for a Happy Easter combination of these variables Council of Nicaea. Although the which accounts for the different council did not itself undertake dates of Pascha observed by the a detailed regulation of the Orthodox Church and other paschal calculation, it did in fact Christian Churches. respect available contemporary If anything, this review of the science regarding the vernal complexities surrounding the is - equinox and the phase of the sue of the date of Pascha under - moon. We can do no less today. scores the compelling need to re - visit it with patience and Dr. Lewis J. Patsavos, is retired openness. This was the spirit Professor of Canon Law Holy which predominated at the most Cross School of Theology, but recent consultation on the matter he continues to teach at Holy held in Aleppo, Syria in 1997. Cross.

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By Constantine S. Sirigos enactment, perhaps a survival of lamentation, which includes the florists with fond memories of his They had a rule that any business lighten the dark mood of mourn - Special to TNH the same Hellenic impulses that figures of the Theotokos, Joseph family’s unique role on Good Fri - renting space in its facilities had ing, emotionally and spiritually, gave birth to theater and drama of Arimathea, Nikodemos, the day. His family’s story reminds us to adopt the Hearns name, so because although there is great For Orthodox Christians, Holy in ancient Athens, continue on Myrrh-bearers, and Angels. Dur - the now renowned Greek Amer - they became Olympia Hearns. spiritual value in meditating on Week culminates in Church ex - Friday in the service of the Great ing the latter part of the Vesper ican entrepreneurial spirit has They stayed there for 20 years the sacrifice Christ made for hu - periences of singular beauty and and Royal Hours sung on Holy Service of Holy Friday, the Epi - roots not just in the restaurant until Hearns closed, and then manity, a Christian’s thoughts emotional force. The beauty is Friday morning and especially in taphios is processed by the clergy business, but in the pioneering moved to their current location must not linger on His suffering manifested both in the moving the afternoon service of Great around the interior of Church florists. He told TNH records in - on another pat of 149th Street and the sadness it evokes. hymns of the Friday night Vespers which has become and often in the streets and lanes dicate his family’s business was near Lincoln hospital in 1980, not Throughout all of Lent, and Lamentation services and physi - known as the “Apokathelosis”. Fr. outside the Church.” incorporated in 1906 in the name far from the Yankee Stadium continuing into Holy Week,while cally in the flowered bier that is Calivas explains that it means “lit - Demetria and her brother of Gregory Tsougranis, his great whose renovation gradually there are signs pointing to the the center of attention of the con - erally the ‘Un-nailing’ which is Ernest were assigned by their fa - grandfather, who came to New helped the neighborhood recover joy of Christ’s resurrection, “From gregation in front of the sanctu - derived from the liturgical re-en - ther from the tender age of nine York around 1895 and was one to the point where some now call the earliest days of the Church, ary, and the flowers that each actment of the deposition of to decorate what was to be the of the many Greek pushcart it So-bro. Holy Friday and Great Saturday congregant takes home after the Christ from the Cross. The service focal point of the entire commu - flower vendors of that era. He Lou’s father Nicholas is a third have been observed as days of service. is characterized by two dramatic nity later that day. It was a great was from the village of Perista in generation florist, running the deep sorrow accompanied by a In the Orthodox tradition liturgical actions: the Deposition honor. The kouvouklion was Central Greece and he was one business with his uncle Gregory. strict fast. These two days direct Holy Week culminates in an ex - or Apokathelosis and the Proces - made of wood, and the flowers of four villagers who emigrated, The Chugranis family were mem - our attention to the trial, cruci - tended climax of the drama of sion of the Epitaphios. The Epi - had to be attached to it with maybe the very first from that re - bers and benefactors of Zoodohos fixion, death, and burial of our Christ’s self-sacrifice as the com - taphios is the icon depicting the wires. Her brother was in charge gion to come to the United Pigi for decades, but after moving Lord Jesus Christ. The Church re - memoration of the his Passion burial of Christ and is encased of the wires, a process which took States. They shared a furnished to Rockland Country they joined members the ineffable mystery begins on Holy Thursday within a large embroidered several hours. room – two worked during the the Church of St. Constantine of Christ's death. We are placed evening. It is one of the peculiar - cloth.” and Helen in West Nyack, NY. within the awesome mystery of ities of Orthodox tradition that Many Church members mis - Lou remembers as a little boy the extreme humility of our suf - the Ottoman occupation required takedy believe epitaphios refers of ten going to help his father fering God. These days are at shifts in the dates and timing of to the flowered bier or canopy decorate the epitaphion of once days of deep gloom as well the venerable practices of the that is placed over the table on Zoodohos Pigi, mainly observing as watchful expectation. The Au - conquered Byzantine Church. As which the epitaphios (literally: his dad but also helping to cut thor of life is at work transform - with numerous other Holy week that which rests upon the tomb) flowers. Most years his family ing death into life,” explained Fr. services, the Orthros or morning lay. The families who own florists would donate the flowers, while Calivas. He continued, saying Service of Holy Friday is “sung however, know that the canopy the decoration was undertaken “The sacred services of these two by anticipation” on Thursday is called the kouvouklion. by other members of the parish. days with the richness of their evening. It is the longest service The decoration of the flow - Lou noted that there are wooden Scripture lessons, superb hym - the Orthodox tradition, popularly ered bier is a special activity of a and Styrofoam kouvouklia, and nolgy, and vivid liturgical actions known as the Service of the handful of devoted families. Most explained that the ones faced bring the Passion of Christ and Twelve Gospels, where the ac - of the time they both donate the with Styrofoam could be more His descent into Hades into sharp counts of the Passion from each flowers and decorate the kou - densely packed with flowers but focus and tell of their cosmic sig - off the four gospels are read, the vouklion. They come to Church that they had to be very careful nificance.” longest passages at the beginning on Good Friday morning and be - not to scratch the finely carved “At the Orthros of Holy Sat - of the evening, and the last few gin their noble task of making wooded ones when they attached urday (sung on Holy Friday mercifully very short, just one ex - beautiful the tomb of Christ, hav - the wires for the flowers. Differ - evening) we sing the Encomia or ample of the deep psychological ing a hand in the Church’s mys - ent kinds of flowers were appro - Praises (also called lamenta - insights of the fathers of the tical transformation of the dour Her father would decide how day and two and night. Lou said priate to each setup – the ones tions). These are short poetic Church which permeate Ortho - and terrifying images of Christ’s it would be decorated each year. it was his grandfather, however, attached by wire have to be most verses lamenting the passion, dox thought and practice. crucifixion into images of hope During the big holidays, her who most established the busi - flexible, so they don’t snap. The death, and burial of Christ. There In the middle of the service and eternal life. mother worked as a cashier at ness. He was born in 1908 in tiny orchids called dendrobia are are 185 such verses divided into the Community experiences one James Daniels, the father of the shop, leaving the aesthetics Perista – as was sometimes the best he said. He has seen kou - three sections or stanzas, each of the most dramatic moments author and columnist Demetria to her husband and the children. case with Greek immigrants, his vouklia with white and red, and with its own melodic line. The in the entire Christian liturgical Daniels established Daniels Until the 70s, the Easter work of great grandfather went back and white and pink themes, but he Encomia are meant to be sung tradition. After the fifth Gospel Florist in the 20s in the Park florists was devoted not just to forth staying 6-7 months at a too prefers mainly white, perhaps after each verse of Psalm 118 is read, the clergy and altar boys Slope section of Brooklyn and ran the needs of the church and ar - time in each of his two countries. with small purple or lavender or - (119), the longest of the Psalms, take the cross upon which the it for about 70 years. He emi - rangements for the family dinner Gregory brought over Lou’s chids lining the fours columns of which is always part of the Sat - icon of the crucified Christ is at - grated from a village near table on Easter Sunday but to grandfather Elias around 1921 the canopy. urday Orthros. The full repertoire tached on procession around the Corinth, Greece, and sold flowers corsages for ladies, young and when he was about 13 years old. He explained to TNH that of the Encomia, however, is no Church as clergy and choir alter - on the corner before opening his old, decked out in their finest Elias changed the name from these days the entire world offers longer sung in parishes,” Father nate chanting the hymn with the store. The Daniels’ were mem - suits and bonnets, whether or not Tsougranis to Chugranis and flowers to the tomb of Jesus. Calivas said. In many parishes, vivid imagery describing Christ’s bers of the church of Kimisis tis they ever made it to the famed opened the first store, which was Once upon a time the industry the choirs are supplemented by crucifixion which begins: Theotokos and James was a big Easter Parade on New York’s Fifth at Westchester and Jackson Av - operated through the large special singers, often performing “Simeron krematai epi Xilou – donor there, giving the parish a Avenue. Demetria made the cor - enue in the now-infamous south flower markets in the 20s in Man - solo some of the more poignant Today is hung on the Cross...” beautiful silver icon of the sages and centerpieces while Bronx. At the time that part of hattan, and florists would wake and dramatic verses. Rev. Dr. Alcibiades Calivas, Theotokos, and every year he do - Ernest handled the plants. the Bronx was still farmland and up every day at 3 a.m. to go there Fr. Calivas added that “At the professor emeritus in Liturgics nated the flowers for the kou - Demetria prefers a simple epi - many Greek immigrants lived to select them and bring them to conclusion of the procession the and former dean of our Holy vouklion. taphion – a lot of whites, some - there. The Church of Zoodohos their stores. Now florists obtain epitaphios is carried into the Cross School of Theology, told Fr. Calivas explained that, times pure white, sometimes Pigi and its famous Greek Amer - flowers directly from places like Sanctuary by the clergy and The National Herald that “In our “The earliest version of the burial maily white with orchids, the ican Institute were originally es - Israel and Holland, from which placed on the Holy Table where liturgical language this Cross is icon of Christ, the Epitaphios, de - kind with rims of purple, the tablished nearby. they are delivered in 24 hours by it remains [for forty days] until called the Estavromenos - the picted only the dead body of the color of mourning. She recalls The store, called Olympia plane, thought there are still the Apodosis (Taking-leave of the Crucified One. The Cross is Lord with the Cross in the back - that in earlier years there were Florist was there for 50 years and huge greenhouses in the U.S. Feast) of Pascha, the day before placed in the middle of the ground. Gradually the icon be - black ribbons of mourning for Je - then they moved to 149 Street The exotic flowers such as the the Feast of the Ascension of our Church and is venerated by the came more complex in composi - sus. and 3rd avenue, into the one of Birds of Paradise and Anthuriums Lord.” faithful.” tion, evolving finally to its present High School teacher Lou the stores of the long-gone famed come From Hawaii. The commemoration as re- form depicting the "threnos" or Chougranis is also a child of Hearns department store chain. The beautiful flowers serve to [email protected]

Best wishes to all on the glorious and life giving Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Happy Easter Χριστός Ανέστη

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201434/542 a 20 EASTER 2011 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 23 , 2011 All About Easter Eggs Bright Week Liya Loyia yia ta Paskalina Avga Celebrations

Continued from page 10 An Excerpt from The Com - iary sells the dye, too.) One plete Book of Greek Cooking: package usually is sufficient to crops for a fruitful season. After The Recipe Club of Saint Paul's dye 18 to 20 eggs. the people venerate the icons, Greek Orthodox Cathedral* Dilute the egg dye powder in the procession returns to the ½ cup white vinegar. Add this Church of the Archangels. Easter is the most important mixture to enough warm water Then the big feast begins in celebration of the Greek Ortho - to cover eggs. Bring to a boil the village square. The dancing dox religion. Eggs are dyed red and simmer, stirring occasion - begins with the priest leading, to symbolize Christ’s blood. In ally, for about 5 minutes. Re - followed by the villagers. This general, the eggs are dyed on move pot from heat and add is a tradition that precedes Ot - Holy Thursday. After the mid - eggs. Te eggs should be at room toman times. On Bright Thurs - night Resurrection Service on temperature or they are apt to day in Kalis Vrysis of Drama the Holy Saturday, the fast is bro - crack. Return to heat and sim - icon of the Resurrection of ken, and the first thing people mer eggs for 45 minutes. Re - Christ is processed around the eat are these red eggs. Each per - move eggs, cool slightly, then farming areas to protect the vil - son cracks an egg with a relative rub each egg with an oiled cloth. lage from all evil, especially or friend, and says, “Christ has from the extremely dangerous risen.” The reply is “Truly He *The Complete Book of Greek hail storms that could devastate has risen.” In some areas a little Cooking: The Recipe Club of the spring crop. game is played when cracking Saint Paul's Greek Orthodox Many churches throughout the eggs: point to point, back to Cathedral is available at Ar - Greece are dedicated to the Vir - back, the object is to find the topolis Bake Shop (Agora Plaza gin Mary of the Life-Giving person with the strongest egg. 23 - 18 31 Street, 1-800-553- Spring (Zoodochos Pege). The one who has the uncracked 2270) as well as on line at Bright Friday is primarily set egg will have good luck in the Amazon and B&N, as well as by aside for this feast. In places like coming year. mail at Recipe Club of St. Paul, Larissa, Aigio, Argolida, Rhodes, Imported red dye packages Cathedral of St. Paul, 110 Naxos, Kerkyra and Telendou are sold at various Greek spe - Cathedral Avenue, Hempstead, special feasts take place in the cialty shops. (In some church NY. All earnings from the book churches dedicated to the Life- communities, the ladies’ auxil - sales goes to the Cathedral. Giving Spring.

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The Clergymen, the Parish Council, the Philoptochos and Wishing all our all Community Organizations customers & friends and the entire wishes you all a Blessed Easter Greek-American Community b Blessed Easter b ~~~ 201697/578 a 200638/ 289 a

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3039/537 22 EASTER 2011 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 23 , 2011 The Lament of the The Hellenic Fourth Cross: The Orthodox Church Theotokos at Golgotha

Continued from page 4 bloodied Cross, Mary’s sorrow- filled life reaches its crescendo! of Lowell vine Love. While the pierced Unlike Abraham, a surrogate for Heart of Christ provides salva - her Isaac, is not forthcoming. tion, liberation, and redemption, Here, unlike any liturgist, only the pierced Heart of Mary en - she is able to unequivocally chant dows the Church with powerful that what is offered is “her own,” Established 1900 Holy Trinity intercession and maternal medi - as the agonizing sword of the cru - Designated a National Historic Place in 1977 ation. cifixion literally enters what is ac - From what has been discussed tually her flesh and her blood. thus far, it is clear why Orthodox According to John of Damas - Christianity acknowledges a won - cus the Theotokos “escaped the der-working icon of the pains of childbirth yet suffered Theotokos known as "the Soften - greatly during the Passion of her ing of Evil Hearts," or "Simeon's son – enduring the rending of the Prophecy." The icon depicts the bowels from motherly sympathy.” Virgin Mary with her hands up - Theodore the Studite is in full raised in prayer, and seven agreement with Saint John, em - swords piercing her heart. While phasizing that, while Mary “did three swords enter her heart from not undergo the pain of child - each side of her chest, one pierces birth,” she was, nonetheless, her heart from below. Swords, filled with agony when her son ΚΑΛΗ HAPPY red roses, iris (sword-lily), and was nailed to the cross.” “Here,” cyclamen flowers are often found he says, “Mary suffering the nails in icons of Mary that depict the of the most bitter grief.” This, in - sorrow associated with Jesus’ Pas - deed, is the fourth cross and the ΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΗ EASTER sion. This particular iconographic fifth sorrow of Golgotha, to type, however, represents Mary's which the Holy Mother of God meditation on the entire life of rightly guides all generations that her Son, and has its origins in the chant her praises! Roman Catholic representations The sixth sorrow of Mary’s life of the “Mother of Seven Sorrows” is the deposition (taking down) (Lk 2:55). of her son’s lifeless body from the During the 17th Century, cross. The amphitheater of this Saint Dimitri, Metropolitan of lament has been the focus of nu - Rostov had a vision during which merous artistic ventures includ - the Holy Mother of God de - ing Michelangelo’s famous mar - scribed five of her greatest sor - ble Pieta. A mother cradles the rows. The tradition of Seven Sor - limp body of her dead son. Can Parish Priest rows adds to this list. any sorrow be more acute? And, Mary’s first experience of sor - yet, while it may appear that she row directly corresponds to her joins Nicodemos in preparing the Reverend Father Nikolaos D. Pelekoudas reception of Simeon’s prophecy Dead for burial, the lesson that (Luke 2:25-35). The hymns of is proffered is that it is actually President the Feast of the Presentation dur - Jesus, the Source of Life that is ing which this particular doing the indispensable anoint - prophetic scripture passage is ing! While we may rightly desire Louis G. Demetroulakos read, insist that Mary was able to serve the needs of others, we to overcome the troublesome must first learn to humbly receive news of her future only through anointing from Christ. Only in the exercise of courageous trust this fashion can our resources in God’s providence. Both Lamen - and energies remain true exten - tation canticles and Akathist sions of Christ’s Holy Work on hymns provide poetic theological b mirror images of Mary’s life, with The sixth sorrow of the Presentation of the Christ- Mary’s life is the

a child, actually foreshadowing Je - sus upon the Cross. In this fash - deposition (taking down) ion, the Holy Theotokos fulfills the role of sacrificial priest – of - of her son’s lifeless body fering her Son, her own flesh as from the cross the Bread of Life. Mary’s state - Hellenic American Academy - Established 1906 ment is acknowledged as being Golgotha and not the arrogant far superior to that of any priest: expansion of our own self-cen - 201062/531 “This is my body, this is my tered agendas. blood!” The heart of Mary was finally The second sorrow of Mary is pierced with the sorrow of burial, associated with the Holy Family’s whose silence resembles a sword flight into Egypt. In obedience to thrust deeply into her heart. Most the angelic directive, Joseph assuredly, such an experience of abandoned the safety of his grief can only be conquered by hometown, occupation and rela - faith in the earsplitting angelic ANTHONY J. BELDECOS, Esq tives and traveled to Egypt. Be - words of the Resurrection that cause of the obedience of His par - were later proclaimed from the ents, we are told: “like lightning, empty tomb. Copious are the ΕΛΛΗΝΟΑΜΕΡΙΚΑΝΟΣ ΔΙΚΗΓΟΡΟΣ the idols of the East were toppled benefits of sharing in Jesus’ Holy and refuted, and the darkness of Passion! This is the final and most falsehood cast out . . . through powerful lesson disclosed by the Lamp of Truth!” Christians Mary’s seven-fold lamentation on LEGAL SERvICES are likewise challenged to leave behalf of a crushed and suffering behind the safe and cherished humanity. Sorrow and heartache and to boldly witness the Light are common to us all. To pass • Real Estate • Personal Injury • Commercial Litigation • Liquor of Christ wherever we are called through life without feeling the to do so and to remain obedient hurt of disappointment, the sting Licenses to God’s Wisdom whenever un - of rebuke or the pain of unful - foreseen difficulties are experi - filled desires is impossible. Sor - enced. row is a part of life! • Estate Planning • Business Transfers • Corporations • Partnerships One of the most terrifying ex - While on the Cross, Jesus had periences of any parent is the ap - much to give that was not stolen parent loss or abduction of their or gambled away by the Roman child. The third sword in Mary’s soldiers. He gave His mother – heart, therefore, corresponds to the most precious of gifts – to the sorrow associated with the John, His beloved disciple! He three-day separation from her son gave John to His mother to fill (Luke 2:41-50). The eventual dis - the void that His crucifixion cre - covery of Jesus in the Temple, ated in her heart. In uniting John safe and diligently engaged with to Mary and Mary to John, the the study/explication of Holy Church was established. The Scripture, reveals the radical na - pierced heart of Mary established ture of the Gospel that often chal - the Church. The pierced side of lenges human relations and ex - Jesus provided its entry (Bap - pectations. Mary’s third sorrow tism) and nourishment (Eu - relates to the anxiety associated charist). with her son’s Divine calling. Speaking of Mary as the sym - “How is it that ye sought me?” bol of the Church, Saint Ephraim Jesus asks. “Did you not know the Syrian suggests that “Moses that I must be about my Father's entrusted his flock to Joshua, as business” (Luke 2:49)? His mes - Jesus entrusted Mary to John” sage to His mother is clear. The (Num. 28:22). Saint Ambrose de - Carpentry of Salvation and not velops Ephraim’s thesis by stating the wood of the world in Joseph’s that “like John, the youngest of shop would be His occupation. Christ’s disciples, the Church’s Like Mary, we too should under - first children are the Gentiles.” stand that only by developing an For Ambrose and other Church intimate companionship with an Fathers, Mary is, therefore, “the ever-present God can we hope to Mother of all Christian siblings stay the sword-thrusting sorrows of Christ.” of our respective spiritual voca - Throughout Great Lent and tions. Holy Week we have followed our The fourth sorrow of Mary is common Mother’s liturgical guid - the anguish experienced during ance and “looked upon the One her Son’s betrayal at the hands they have pierced” (Zach. 12:10). of the avarice of Judas. One can We have reverently touched and only imagine how she felt as her praised her Son who was cruelly Son was subsequently paraded beaten, scourged, mocked, spit through the Jerusalem streets. upon, and pierced for our sake. The crowd that once acclaimed We have gently removed His body him as king now extends the spit - from the cross, anointed it with tle of humiliations. The sharp spices, wrapped it in white linen, 450 North Narberth Avenue Five Greentree Center sword of such bitter treachery and placed it in a flower-clad Narberth, PA 19072-1822 Suite 302 and abandonment can only be tomb. Like Mary, we now wait Tel.: (610) 668-0770 • Fax: (610) 667-0552 Marlton, NJ 08053 - 3422 overcome by patient dependence and watch in silent expectation. on God. Eventually, everyone This is the lesson that all who suf - [email protected] Tel.: (856) 338-1300 • Fax: (856) 338-1288 will experience the heart-wrench - fer from sorrow, grief and distress ing Calvary of betrayal. During must receive with faith, hopeful such difficulties, we must learn, in the statement of Saint Paul like Mary, to trust in God’s wis - that, while the sorrow of the dom, love and abiding provi - world produces death, “godly sor - haPPY easteR dence. “I will never leave thee,” row produces repentance leading

R he promises, “nor will I forsake to salvation” (2 Cor. 7:9-10). thee” (Hebrews 13:5). to the Greek-American Community The crucifixion is Mary’s fifth Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos is the and most heart-wrenching sor - Dean of the Archdiocesan W 201026/ 273 row. Here, at the foot of Jesus’ Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 23 , 2011 EASTER 2011 23

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