THE SPYRIDON VOICE MARCH 2019

Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church P.O. Box 427 Newport, RI 02840 tel: (401) 846-0555, fax: (401) 841-0960

PAGE 2 THE SAINT SPYRIDON VOICE SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH www.stspyridonchurch.org Reverend Fr Aaron Walker [email protected], (617) 733-1045

Fr. Aaron’s Office Hours Tuesday 11am-4pm, Thursday 11am-4pm, Friday 11am-2pm We can always set an appointment, if these office hours do not work for you. Other Visits: Visits to shut-ins and businesses 9:30-10:30am on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Please let me know if you would like a visit, house blessing, or to meet at the church I am reachable by cell phone.—I check messages throughout the day. I am always available for emergencies. Church Secretary, Kathy Lewis Saleh: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:30 to 5:30 , Friday 11 to 3

Parish Council President: Dr. Cosmo Greek School: Loula Eliopoulos & Eleni Haralambidis Anagnostopoulos Chanters: TBD Festival: Debbie Amarant Choir Director: Zoe Adamedes VOICE: Organist: Mike Savignac Editor—Aliki Cooper ([email protected])

Religious Education: Marianne Menas Affiliated Organizations Stewardship: Marianne Pyliotis Fox and AHEPA President: Michael Sisak Valerie St Peter Daughters of Penelope President: Philoptochos President: Zinovia Canale Ellen Anagnostos Acolytes: Andrew Wingert Island of Skiathos Organization: JOY Advisor: Sandy Giannopoulos Christina Logothets Soup Kitchen: Elaine Brown GOYA Advisor: Toula Mellekas

S ERVICE TIMES Sunday Winter Hours, Weekday Services Matins 8:45 am Divine Liturgy 10 am

The Saint Spyridon Voice is a monthly publication of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, 390 Thames St., Newport, RI 02840

MARCH 2019 PAGE 3 F ROM THE PRIEST’S DESK Dear St. Spyridon Church Family,

Great Lent is upon us. What a blessed time to get back to the basics of our faith, to renew our connection with God - by turning away from the empty distractions of the world - and turning towards Christ. In forty days comes Holy Week and after that the glorious resurrection of our Lord. The joy of this feast is like no earthly joy, if we prepare ourselves through a struggle of repentance, using the tools of prayer, fasting, and sacrificing for others.

Let us remember throughout Lent that our home is a little church, a gathering of disciples seeking to live “in Christ.” If we live alone, let us stay connected with our brothers and sisters in our Church family. Let us recite together each day the Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim:

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Let us prepare for the upcoming theme each Sunday, by reading the description on page 6. Or create a shortcut on your smartphone home screen to the Orthodox Calendar here: https://www.goarch.org/chapel/calendar for links the all the readings of the day! May we enter more deeply into the spirit of Lent by attending more of the services than we did last year. If you are homebound, I will be happy to help you find ways to participate in the Lenten season. Please reach out to me.

Have a blessed, fruitful Lenten Journey and Joyous Resurrection.

Yours with Love in Christ,

PAGE 4 THE SAINT SPYRIDON VOICE

P HILOPTOCHOS NEWS Thank you to Philoptochos Members who helped with February's Soup Kitchen. We thank Father Aaron for his participation in our February meeting and for his inspirational ideas. We look forward to continued discussions. High school seniors , please note that Philoptochos offers a scholarship in the amount of $1000.00 and we encourage you all to apply. Elaine Brown has the applications and she may be contacted by phone at 849-3480 or email at [email protected]. The deadline for completed applications is May 15, 2019. Please contact Loula Eliopoulos at 847-7746 to spread a little sunshine for community members who are ill or otherwise restricted. As always dues ($25.00) may be mailed to Ionna Bairos-Moreau at 25 Seafare Lane, Portsmouth , RI.

RI O RTHODOX C LERGY FELLOWSHIP SERVICES FOR 2019 Sunday March 17 - Orthodoxy Sunday – St Mary’s- 5PM 249 High St Pawtucket / 401-726-1202 = Preacher – Fr Aaron Walker Sunday March 24 – Festal Vespers Annuciation – Cranston 6:15PM, 175 Oaklawn Ave / 401-942-4188 = Preacher – Fr Shnork Souin Sunday March 31 - St John's Parish – Woonsocket- 5PM 501 East School Street / 401-766-3343 = Preacher – Fr George Economou Sunday April 7 - St Michael’s Parish – Woonsocket- 5PM 74 Harris Ave / 401-401-762-3939 = Preacher – Fr Elie Estephan Sunday April 14 - St Mary/Mena - (Hope) Cranston- 5PM 2433 Scituate Avenue / 401-864-7111 = Preacher – Fr Boris Korner

MARCH 2019 PAGE 5

P RE-SANCTIFIED L ITURGY& P OT-L UCK D INNERS 5:30pm: THE PRE-SANCTIFIED LITURGY, is an opportunity to receive the life-giving and spiritually nourishing Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the middle of the week. 7-8pm: We will also hear a reflection to educate and inspire us in our Lenten journey. Following the Liturgy enjoy a delicious LENTEN DINNER AND FELLOWSHIP, along with a talk. These Wednesday evenings of WORSHIP, EDUCATION and FELLOWSHIP will bless our spiritual journeys during Lent.

March 13: Reflection by Fr. George Economou March 20: Reflection by Despina Prassas March 27: Reflection speaker to be announced

LIST OF ITEMS FOR GREAT LENT, HOLY WEEK AND EASTER During Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha (Easter) our Church appeals to her parishioners for donations for various items needed. Your response in the past has always been generous and we thank you for your generosity. Once again this year our Church appeals for your support. Please consider making a donation for the items listed below. You may call the church office at (401) 846-0555 or see Fr. Aaron after the Sunday Divine Liturgy. Thank you. May our Lord God from whom all blessings flow, bless you abundantly.

1. Flowers for decorating the for the Salutations ( Fridays) $50 each 2. Flowers for the Feast of of the Holy Cross (Mid-Lent) $75. 3. : 6 Palm trees - $150, Vayia (bay leaves-$150), Palms for Palm Sunday Crosses. $100 4. Holy Wednesday: Holy Unction items (olive oil, Qtips, cotton balls)—$25 5. Holy Thursday: 12 Candles for 12 Gospels. $30, 12 Candles for the Cross $30, Crown of Thorns $50 6. Holy Friday: Flowers to decorate the Epitaphio.(An envelope will be enclosed in the April Newsletter). 4 Candles for the Epitaphio. $20 7. Holy Saturday: Lilies for Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday—18 plants@$10 each, Paschal Candle. $50. Flowers for the decoration of: the Resurrection Banner- $50, and for the Resurrection Icon- $75.

PAGE 6 THE SAINT SPYRIDON VOICE

S UNDAYS OF LENT Each of the Sundays of Great Lent has its own special theme.

Sunday of Orthodoxy The first Sunday is called the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. It is a historical feast commemorating the return of the to the churches in the year 843 after the heresy of iconoclasm was overcome. The spiritual theme of the day is first of all the victory of the True Faith. “This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith” (1 Jn 5.4). Secondly, the icons of the bear witness that man, “created in the image and likeness of God” (Gen 1.26), becomes holy and godlike through the purification of himself as God’s living image.

Saint Gregory Palamas The Second Sunday of Lent is the commemoration of Saint Gregory Palamas. It was Saint Gregory (d.1359) who bore living witness that men can become divine through the grace of God in the Holy Spirit; and that even in this life, by prayer and fasting, human beings can become participants of the uncreated light of God’s divine glory.

Veneration of the Cross The Third Sunday of Lent is that of the Veneration of the Cross. The cross stands in the midst of the church in the middle of the lenten season not merely to remind men of Christ’s redemption and to keep before them the goal of their efforts, but also to be venerated as that reality by which man must live to be saved. “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Mt 10.38). For in the Cross of Christ Crucified lies both “the power of God and the wisdom of God” for those being saved (1 Cor 1.24). MARCH 2019 PAGE 7

Saint John of the Ladder The Fourth Sunday of Lent is dedicated to Saint John of the Ladder (Climacus), the author of the work, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. The abbot of Saint Catherine’s on Mount Sinai (6th century) stands as a witness to the violent effort needed for entrance into God’s Kingdom (Mt 10: 12). The spiritual struggle of the Christian life is a real one, “not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the rulers of the present darkness . . . the hosts of wickedness in heavenly places . . .” (Eph 6.12). St John encourages the faithful in their efforts for, according to the Lord, only “he who endures to the end will be saved” (Mt 24.13).

Saint Mary of Egypt The Fifth Sunday recalls the memory of Saint Mary of Egypt, the repentant harlot. Mary tells us, first of all, that no amount of sin and wickedness can keep a person from God if he truly repents. Christ himself has come “to call sinners to repentance” and to save them from their sins (Lk 5.32). In addition, Saint Mary tells us that it is never too late in life— or in Lent—to repent. Christ will gladly receive all who come to him even at the eleventh hour of their lives. But their coming must be in serious and sincere repentance.

Humble people have no needless or petty quarrels with others, because they have no egocentric desires to always have their own way. They are not self-seeking; for they know that it is God’s will, not their own, that they should strive for. Therefore, humility naturally brings with it unity, both with God and with our fellows.

- His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

PAGE 8 THE SAINT SPYRIDON VOICE H ELLENIC F EST 2019 Hellenic fest will be held July 26-28, 2019

The next festival meeting will be on Tuesday March 19th at 5pm.

St. Spyridons Hellenic Fest 2019 is off to a great start. We are looking for volunteers leading up to and during the festival please contact Debbie Amarant [email protected] or [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering. Sub-committees that need leadership include Fundraising, Raffle, Workshops, Marketing etc.

The Great Tent Banner Initiative allows you to showcase your personal or business logo to the hundreds of visitors that walk throulgh our tent during the Hellenic Fest. There are limited spots available if you are interested in a new sponsorship or renewing your sponsorship, please contact [email protected].

S OUP KITCHEN NEWS Dear Friends, Please call or email Elaine Brown to sign up to help at this month's soup kitchen—the next soup kitchen is on Monday, March 11th— (401 849-3480 / [email protected]). For those who are interested in volunteering , the workers are asked to come at anytime between 4 and 5 in order to set up, the meal is promptly at 5pm and we are done by 6pm. Please notify Elaine if you are planning to come so that they can plan according to what help they will have. They will send an email to the list of volunteers as to what they are serving and what they need for that meal. If anyone would like to sponsor a month or make a monetary donation for ingredients, it would be much appreciated. Please notify Elaine. Thank you for your help in our Ministry, St. Spyridon Soup Kitchen Team Rose Apostal and Elaine Brown

MARCH 2019 PAGE 9

The kids enjoyed learning about forgiveness and confession with Spiro the puppet at our Youth and Families Retreat on February 10th. Thank you to all who joined us and donated time - especially our wonderful puppeteers—to this wonderful gathering!

PAGE 10 THE SAINT SPYRIDON VOICE

S TEWARDSHIP

In January of 2019 our St. Spyridon community collected a record amount of stewardship with a giving amount of $11,225. This is 250% greater than the month of January, 2018. Our community is so grateful for the generous ongoing support. Let’s keep the wonderful momentum going!

Freely You Have Received. Freely Give Matthew 10:8 This time of year we often hear people around the church talking about stewardship and we generally understand this to mean making our offering to help support the church. There is a lot of talk about the treasures and talents we have received and the importance of giving back to God. One of the greatest treasures we have received is our Orthodox Christian Faith and Tradition that guides our worship and our entire life. In the parable of the talents, the master gives parts of his treasure to three of his servants and goes away on a long trip. Upon his return, he asks each of his servants to account for what they have done with their part of his treasure. To those who took the treasure and multiplied it, the master said, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

MARCH 2019 PAGE 11

At the end of the parable, Jesus says, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded (Luke 12:48).” We have received the great treasure of Orthodox , and we are not supposed to hide our treasure, but rather to share it with others. One way Orthodox Christians share their faith is to go on foreign missions to foreign countries where we teach people about our faith and help them to build churches, orphanages, schools, hospitals and more. These missions can be for a few weeks and sometimes for years. Maybe some of you will become missionaries some day, going to Guatemala, Mexico, Africa, China, or some other place to share the treasure of Orthodox Christianity. We can also be missionaries here in our own church, our school, our work and every place we go in our daily lives. And it doesn’t mean that we talk about our faith all the time. It means that we live according to what Jesus taught, and set a Christian example to people in our lives. Don’t be afraid or force yourself to do something that is difficult for you. God has blessed you with many gifts. He will put people in your path. And if you let Him, he will use you in ways you never imagined to share your faith. Our duty, as we read in the First Epistle of Peter, is to “always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls us to account for the hope and faith that is in us.” You can say this prayer to ask God to help you to serve Him: “Dear Lord Jesus, I put my life in your hands. Use me in whatever way you see fit. Use the talents with which you have blessed me. I will always give the glory for my accomplishments to you, the source of all my blessings.” In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus says, “Freely you have received. Freely give.” We have all received many gifts from God -- abilities, special talents, material comforts. As Orthodox Christians it is our responsibility to offer them back to God for his purposes. And if we do, then we can expect that when the time comes for Jesus, the Master, to return, He will say to us, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Taken from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website Stewardship Sermons

PAGE 12 THE SAINT SPYRIDON VOICE

MARCH 2019 Sunday Winter Hours

SUN MON TUE WED THU

31.Sun.of Holy Cross In Case of Emergency, Matins 8:45 am Divine Liturgy 10 am Please call 11:30am Sun. Sch Teacher Fr. Aaron's Meeting 5pm Pan-Orthodox Vespers Mobile Phone: & Fellowship Meal, St. 617-733-1045 John’sWoonsocket

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Sunday of the Last 7pm Parish Council Judgment Fr. Aaron at clergy lenten retreat at Matins 8:45 am Metropolis of Boston Camp Divine Liturgy 10 am

10. Sunday of 11. Clean Monday - 12. 13. 5:15pm Service of 14. Forgiveness First Day of Lent 6-6:30pm, Small Vespers the Ninth Hour Fr. George Matins 8:45 am 10am Matins 6:30—7:30pm 5:30pm Liturgy of the Soup Kitchen Introduction to the Pre-Sanctified Gifts Economou Divine Liturgy 10 am Setup: 4pm, Meal: 5pm 6:45pm Lenten Meal Project Mexico Orthodox Church class to offer 6pm Great Compline w/ with Presentation on reflection Meeting after Liturgy Canon of St. Andrew Spiritual Topic 17. Sun. of Orthodoxy, 18. 19. 20. 5:15pm Service of 21. Matins 8:45 am, 5pm Festival Meeting the Ninth Hour Divine Liturgy 10 am 5:30pm Liturgy of the Despina 5pm Pan-Orthodox Pre-Sanctified Gifts Vespers & Fellowship 6:45pm Lenten Meal Prassas Meal, St. Mary's with Presentation on to offer Pawtucket Spiritual Topic reflection 24. Sunday of St. 25. 26. 27. 5:15pm Service of 28. Gregory Palamas Matins 8:45 am Greek Independence Day the Ninth Hour Greek School Program Celebration 5:30pm Liturgy of the Divine Liturgy 10 am 4:30pm State House Pre-Sanctified Gifts 5pm Pan-Orthodox 6:45pm Lenten Meal Vespers & Fellowship 6pm Reception at with Presentation on Meal, Annunciation Cranston Church Hall Cranston Spiritual Topic MARCH 2019 PAGE 13

Upcoming Events Sunday Winter Hours: Matins 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10 am March 9th—Hellenic Dancers Glendi, Appetizers at 5pm, Dinner at 6pm, Dancing to follow March 10th—Oratorical Festival THU FRI SAT. March 10th—Project Mexico meeting, 1. 2. 1pm, after Oratorical Festival 10:30am Bible Study Saturday of Souls March 11th—Soup Kitchen, Setup 4pm, 8:45am Matins 10am Divine Liturgy Meal 5pm March 19th—Festival meeting, 5pm March 24th—Protulis Greek School 8. 9. Greek Independence Day Program at 7pm Parish Council 10:30am Bible Study Saturday of Souls church, following Liturgy 8:45am Matins 6pm Service of the 10am Divine Liturgy March 26—Greek Independence Day Salutations to the Mother 5pm Hellenic Dancers celebration at the State House, 4:30pm, of God Glendi Reception to follow at Cranston Church Hall, 6pm 15. 16. 10:30am Bible Study Saturday of Souls Fr. George 8:45am Matins Economou 6pm Service of the 10am Divine Liturgy to offer Salutations to the Mother reflection of God Regular Events 22. 23. 10:30am Bible Study Adult Sermon—Immediately after Despina Gospel Reading Prassas 6pm Service of the to offer Salutations to the Mother Children’s Sermon—Before Holy reflection of God Communion 29. 30. Religious Education—Sundays, 10:30am Bible Study immediately after Holy Communion

6pm Service of the Children’s Greek School— Salutations to the Mother Monday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m. of God PAGE 14 THE SAINT SPYRIDON VOICE TOOLS TO USE FOR GREAT LENT OUR JOURNEY TOWARDS PASCHA Fr. Luke Veronis of Sts. Constantine and Helen GOC in Webster, MA Great Lent is a time for self-examination and self-denial – a time for taking control of our lives and our bodies. The purpose of the Fast is to give us a greater awareness of our dependence on God. It is a time to improve ourselves and our relationship with God. Lent is a time for greater works of mercy and charity for those less fortunate than us. It is a time for visitation of the sick and assistance to the poor, and generally a more joyful relationship with those who are close to us – our family and friends. Most of all, Lent is a time of JOY and NEW BEGINNINGS. We cleanse ourselves – mind, body and soul – through the physical and spiritual fast, keeping a Christian attitude in all that we do. All this is done to prepare us for the Great Feast of Pascha – the Resurrection of Christ. It is important for all Orthodox Christians to understand the “TOOLS” that we use to help us on this blessed spiritual journey. Some spiritual tools include 1) Fasting, 2) Prayer, 3) Good Deeds & Charity, 4) Repentance & Confession, 5) Bible reading and 6) Worship and regular Holy Communion. REPENTANCE & CONFESSION Repentance has its roots in the times of the apostles. In the Book of Acts the Apostle Peter says, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:37-38) When we fall away from God, we have removed ourselves from His communion – with Him and with other Christians. We have excommunicated ourselves. To re-enter communion with God is the on-going activity of all Christians. We fall away daily in some way or another. No one is exempt. Often, when children play in competitive games, one will call out “that’s a do over!” Haven’t we all wished for that chance to undo the past and start over? Repentance offers us this new beginning. We are telling God that we have changed our mind about our past direction and want to be back in communion with him. The Greek work for repentance, metanoia, implies a very deep change in the way we see ourselves, our world, and our relationship to God. To change the direction of our lives, and to change our mind in repentance, is the starting point in our Lenten journey. We leave behind regret as we move toward hope. Repentance is not a single action but a new attitude, a frame of mind, and an ongoing action! Think back over your life of things which you regret having said or done – hurtful, inconsiderate, selfish, deceitful. Think also of those things which you have done which may not have directly affected others, but which you know to be wrong according to the teachings of the Church. Bring them to mind as if they were occurring right now. Think of how it would have been if you had acted differently. Take this regret and turn it into repentance. Acknowledge that you have offended another person or the Church, and in doing so you have offended God. FEBRUARY 2019 PAGE 15 For God to forgive us, He asks us to also forgive one another. For many of us, this is the most difficult aspect of repentance and confession. Yet we say it each time we pray the Lord’s prayer, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Just as God’s love for us is personal, so must ours be for Him. As the Christian grows from child to adult, his or her personal response to God becomes crucial. This personal response is the act of confession. One other aspect of repentance and confession may include preparing and participating in the SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION. This requires you to reflect upon your life, prepare yourself, and then go to your priest and have a confession. It is expected for an Orthodox Christian to go to the Sacrament of Confession during this holy time of the year. If you have never gone to Confession, or have not gone in a long time, make an appointment with your priest and decide to go to Confession this Lenten Season! FASTING “The purpose of Lent is not to force on us a few formal obligations,” Fr. Alexander Schmemman notes, “But to soften our heart so that we may experience the hidden ‘thirst and hunger’ for communion with God.” Thus, we can say that a primary aim and purpose of fasting is first to make us conscious of God. True fasting involves real hunger. It means denying ourselves food during times of hunger. The fathers of the Church recommended that we should always rise from the table feeling that we could have eaten more. During these times of sacrifice and struggle, we are called to turn our minds toward God and remind ourselves of our utter dependence on Him. All the blessings of life -- food, drink, and health -- come from Him. He is our provider, our sustainer, and our source of life. Fasting make us abundantly aware of our utter dependence on God. Another purpose of fasting is to help us develop self-discipline in our lives. The mentality of the world is to satisfy your desires whenever you can. However, the Christian life presents a radical reversal of such thinking. The Church calls us to discipline our minds, bodies and spirits. Until we learn to control all our habits, our actions and our thoughts, and place our whole being under the power of Christ, we can never properly grow in the Christian life. A third purpose of fasting is to act as a source and time of illumination in our lives. If fasting is combined with increased prayer and acts of mercy, then Great Lent becomes a period of revelation and discovery. Throughout history, God has spoken to those people who have fasted and focused their whole being on Him. In the life of Jesus, as well as in the life of many Biblical characters and saints of the Church, we see that periods of fasting were times when they encountered God. Finally, fasting helps us free ourselves from the dictatorship of flesh over spirit. Don’t look at fasting as a personal punishment or as something negative, but as something positive. If guided by the Holy Spirit, fasting should produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which involves most notably the gift of JOY! This is what the hymns at the beginning of Lent remind us, “With joy let us enter the beginning of the Fast, let us not be of sad countenance… There are 40 days in the Fast and let us keep them all with joy.”

PAGE 16 THE SAINT SPYRIDON VOICE GUIDELINES FOR FASTING Each of us should try to struggle with our fast. It’s not supposed to be easy. Yet each of us should fast in a manner appropriate to our own spiritual maturity. A Strict Fast is to avoid all meat, milk or dairy products, and even foods cooked with oil. According to one’s health and situation, maybe an adjustment to the fast is appropriate - possibly not eating meat for 40 days, but only abstaining from milk and dairy products on Wednesdays and Fridays. Or maybe your situation might require a greater adjustment. Talk with your priest or spiritual father about this. In our day and age, fasting should also include abstinence from noise and meaningless chatter. This can include fasting from TV, Music, internet, Facebook, texting, excessive cellphone usage, video games, etc. Maybe you can abstain from some of these during the first week of Lent and during Holy Week. If you can, try for 40 days! The whole “spirit” of fasting is related to changing our lifestyles for a period of time, as a means to help us focus more on our pursuit for the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, along with giving some things up, why don’t we try to add more spiritually edifying activities. 1. Be disciplined in saying your prayers every morning and evening. 2. Come to Church every Sunday, and even attend one of the extra Lenten services through -out the week. 3. Read the Bible every day. 4. Pray the Jesus Prayer daily, and sit in silence and meditation for 10 minutes each day. 5. Free up your schedule so you are not so busy. Make time to think about what is truly essential in life. 6. Talk less, gossip less, control your speech, don’t participate in inappropriate talk or joking, and instead, fill your mind with what is meaningful and positive.

JESUS ON “FASTING” "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to others to be fasting. Assur- edly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to others to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will re- ward you openly.” (Matthew 6:16-18)

MARCH 2019 PAGE 17 PRAYER One key to a more fulfilling Lent is prayer. For Orthodox Christians, the aim of prayer is to enter into conversation with God. Prayer is sometimes referred to as dialogue with God. Often it is a waiting on God in silence. In the church it is defined as the lifting of the mind and heart to God, and also as walking in the presence of God. We turn our mind and thoughts toward Him. We mentally gaze at Him and speak with Him in reverence, fear, and hope. At times we speak to Him with words and at other times we stand in reverent silence, saying nothing, but being aware of His presence. In this dialogue with God we praise Him and thank Him. We ask Him for what we need. Our minds and our hearts are opened to Him. Prayer is not only repeating words, it is trusting in God that He hears and directs us in His Way involving spiritual growth and development. One of the most beautiful prayers that we recite daily throughout Lent is the Prayer of St. Ephraim. (This prayer is on the back page of the bulletin.) Try to reflect upon this prayer, and say it each morning and night throughout Lent: READING THE BIBLE Reading Holy Scriptures brings inspiration, guidance and strength. What better witness for the truth of the Christian faith than a solid Christian life nourished by Holy Scripture and radiating true Christian love at home, at Church and at work? The Christian's own life becomes a kind of gospel, a living Bible, in which other people observe, read and experience the truths of God in action Set aside a regular time for daily reading. Don't read too much or too fast. One chapter a day is sufficient. Let what you read sink in slowly. Start with one of the Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Read with the faith and the expectation that God will really and truly speak to you through what you read. Don't worry about the passages you do not understand. Concentrate on what you do understand. The more you read, the more you will understand. Lent is also a good time to join one of our Church’s Bible Study group, either on Wednesday at 10:30am or Saturday at 6:30am. CHARITY & GOOD DEEDS Our Prayer, Fasting, Repentance, Confession, and Bible Reading should all naturally lead us to the final essential element of Great Lent - that of Charity and Good Deeds. Our entire spiritual struggle should cultivate within us a great love for God, which naturally should lead to a greater love for our neighbor, for the other, especially for those in need. Lent is a season when we make the time for good deeds. Be careful not to say we are too busy, because Lent is precisely when we rearrange our hectic schedules and create the time for God and for others!!! This discipline will take as much, if not more effort, than all our other spiritual disciplines. Two Sundays before Lent, we listen to the Gospel of the Last Judgment, when Jesus so clearly says, “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and imprisoned and you visited me… Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me.” Let us act upon this lesson and visit someone who is sick or alone, make a special donation to a needy charity, volunteer at a homeless shelter, comfort someone in morning, and bring God’s love to another in a concrete way.

PAGE 18 THE SAINT SPYRIDON VOICE

P ARISH COUNCIL UPDATE Dear St. Spyridon Community,

We are so blessed to start the new year with so many new faces on the council! To say we have some real talent on the council will be an understatement. I am humbled by this amazing new team of:

Gia Mellekas Harrigan (Secretary) Despina Prassas (Corresponding Secretary) Maria Stefanopoulos Johnson (Treasurer) Leah Kazianis Liolet (Vice President) Chris Christopher Maria Holder.

We will be working really hard to bring our Church and its vision of a “Beacon of Greek Orthodox Christianity” to the community around us and to all those from our founding families to new visitors (and hopefully converts), tourists and guests.

We have as our goals to improve access to our Church both in parking, in handicap access, and to the welcoming environment both internally and externally. We hope that our community will look to help our council and all the committees of the Church looking to achieve our common vision. Through our mutual stewardship of time, talent and financial support, we will be able to grow and create what will be truly amazing.

With love in Christ and our Community,

Dr. Cosmo Haralambidis Parish Council President St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church MARCH 2019 PAGE 19

S MARAGDE A. E LIOPOULOS G REEK HERITAGE AWARD All high school seniors who attended the St Spyridon Protulis Greek School program are eligible to apply for the annual Smaragde A. Eliopoulos Greek Heritage Award. Please contact Loula Eliopoulos for an application at 847-7746. The deadline for submission is May 10th.

R ELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS Dear families, We now enter into a wonderful period of Great Lent. On March 10th, the students in Mr. Mike's class will be presenting their speeches for the Oratorical Festival. On March 17th, all children will bring in their icons to church for the Sunday of Orthodoxy. They will be walking around the church with their icons. Also, OCMC boxes will be passed out to each family. On March 24th, there will be no classes due to the Greek School program for Greek Independence Day. On March 31st, it is the Veneration of the Cross. Children will stay upstairs for the . Looking to a future date, please note that our School Picture Day will be April 7th. Thank you, Sunday School staff

Goyans from the Rhode Island parishes enjoyed attending the Metropolis of Boston Camp’s Winter Camp. A wonderful chance for fellowship and fun! PAGE 20 THE SAINT SPYRIDON VOICE

P ROTULIS GREEK SCHOOL N EWS Community Church Hall – Sunday, March 24nd after Divine Liturgy the Protulis Greek School will present a program for the 198th Anniversary of the Greek Independence Day. Everyone is invited to attend. The Parents of the Students with their Teachers have prepared food for lunch with desserts, coffee and refreshments. Newport City Hall – A proclamation commemorating Greek Independence Day will be read at Newport City Hall on date TBD at 12 noon by the Mayor of Newport. We hope to see many of you to attend. Please bring your child(ren) dressed in traditional Greek Costumes to celebrate the day and see the flag of Hellas flying over the City Hall. Rhode Island State House – Everyone in our community is invited to March 25th Celebration. It will be held on March 26th in the Governor’s State Room, Room 222 at the Rhode Island State House from 4:30 to 5:30 PM. Parents and Children of all ages, and every Greek person of Newport, Cranston and Pawtucket are welcomed as they gather with our State Officials and other guests to commemorate this special day in our history. The Protulis Greek School Students and the students of the other two Greek Schools will be dressed in traditional Greek costumes, recite poems, sing patriotic songs and dance Greek Ethnic Dances honoring the heroes of 1821. Following the event at the State House, a reception at 6 PM will be held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church at 175 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church will be hosting this year’s reception. We hope that many of our community members will be able to attend to help celebrate this day with the whole family. On Sunday, January 27 at 3:30 pm all Schools of New England celebrated the Three Hierarchs and the Greek Letters at the Maliotio Politistikon Center, 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA. The students presented a program consisting of poems, songs and dances. Eleni Haralambidis participated from our Protulis Greek School and recited the poem «Το Δισκοπότηρον της Αγιάς Σοφιάς=The Chalice of Hagia Sophia ». She also received her A1 Certification of Ellinomatheia, with excellent success from the Greek Ministry of Education and we all wish her «Αἰέν Ἀριστεύειν = Ever to Eleni Haralambidis recites a poem at New Excel». England’s Three Hierarch celebration and receives her A1 Certification of Ellinometheia. MARCH 2019 PAGE 21 Ellinomatheia Exam Dear Parents, Students and Graduates of the Greek Language School St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church, is the examination center for the Ellinomatheia test, appointed by the Greek Ministry of Education (number of certification is: 10112/30/11/07). St. Nectarios address is: 39 Belgrade Avenue, Roslindale, MA 02131, The Ellinomatheia test for the levels A1, A2 and B1 will take place on Tuesday, May 21 and for the levels Β2, Γ1 and Γ2 on Wednesday, May 22. The dead line for registration is March 18, 2018. A1 elementary knowledge of the Greek Language for children age 8-12 years old. A2 elementary knowledge of the Greek Language for adolescents and adults over 12 years of age. B1 medium knowledge of the Greek Language for adolescents and adults over 12 years of age. B2 good knowledge of the Greek Language for adolescents and adults over 12 years of age. Γ1 very good knowledge of the Greek Language for adults of any age. Γ2 excellent knowledge of the Greek Language for adults of any age. Children of any ethnicity can participate in the Ellinomatheia test as long as they have completed the 8th year of their age by May 31 for A1 level, and all the other levels. Children may be registered from February 1st to March 18th electronically at: www.greeklanguage.gr/certification/application/index.html To participate in the test please deposit directly the amount of $100.00 to the bank number: 211070230-1515526234 or you may write a personal check of the same amount per child and mail it to St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church. Please write in the memo area “for the Ellinomatheia Examination”. This registration fee is not refundable in case a student misses the test. The content of the examination and the grading of the tests are done directly from the Center of the Greek Language in Salonica under the aegis of the Greek Ministry of Education. The candidates for the levels Β2, Γ1 and Γ2 is recommended to be over 16 years of age in order to have a good grasp of the Greek Language. For more information you may contact: 1. Mr. John Katsaro, responsible for the test, at (508) 333-8414 2. Fr. Basil Bebis, Priest of St. Nectarios, or Mrs. Theodora Chronopoulou, at (617) 327-1983, Fax (617) 327-9841 General information exists on the website: www.greeklanguage.gr/certification. Attached please find the appropriate form to complete, include the examination fee $100.00 per student and mail it to St. Nectarios Church on time. PS: This translation was prepared by Mrs. Eleni Anagnostopoulos, certified Greek Language Teacher from the Greek Ministry of Education. If you have any questions please call me at (585) 200-8405

PAGE 22 THE SAINT SPYRIDON VOICE

A HEPA FAMILY NEWS (MAUD HOWE ELLIOTT CHAPTER 245) MISSION: The mission of the AHEPA Family is to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting of the local AHEPA Chapter will take place on (the Second) Monday, the 11th of March at 7:00 pm at the AHEPA Apartments Clubroom, 3rd Floor, 87 Girard Avenue, Newport, RI, USA. INVITATION: All are invited to join the AHEPA and Daughters of Penelope local chapters! (See a member of AHEPA or Daughters of Penelope for more information.) WINE TASTING: The Wine Tasting event has been scheduled for the 3rd of March 2019. MEMOROBILIA PROJECT: AHEPA-245 collects old photographs and other historical material of our Community. The material can be donated to AHEPA or loaded to be scanned and returned. For more information either talk to or call (401) 848-6487 or email to Basile Panoutsopoulos at: [email protected] ELLHNOMATHEIA Examination: The local AHEPA Maud Howe Elliott Chapter 245 will support FREE lessons for the preparation for the Ellinomatheia examination to take place on May 2019 (see page 21 for more information) The Students can take the Examination for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek. A certificate is issued for successful candidates at six levels: A1 (A1 for children 8 to 12 years old and A1 for adolescents and adults), A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 as these have been determined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The examination at levels A1, A2 and B1 covers four language skills: candidates are examined in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The skills examined at levels B2, C1 and C2, apart from the above mentioned, also include the use of language, which focuses on grammar (morphology and syntax) and vocabulary. For more information call (401) 848-6487 or email to Basile Panoutsopoulos at: [email protected]

MARCH 2019 PAGE 23 Please turn in your Stewardship pledge for 2019.

St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church Thames & Brewer Streets – P.O. Box 427 – Newport, RI 02840 Tel. 401.846.0555 Christian Stewardship Commitment Card

I/We ______Phone______

Address ______Email ______

City ______State______Zip ______

Commit to Stewardship in the amount of $ ______to Christ and His Church for January through December of the year _____, in gratitude for the gifts he has bestowed upon us. Our commitment will be paid in installments of $______on a (please circle one) weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis.

Signed: ______

Καλή Σαρακοστή! Kali Sarakosti! Good Lent!

Order of AHEPA In loving memory of Maud Howe Elliott Mel’s Cafenio Gredo Vincent Chapter 245 25 Broadway

Volpicelli Daughters of Penelope Newport Ares Chapter 49 849-6420

In loving memory of Aquidneck Pizza In loving memory of Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner 27 Aquidneck Avenue Stelios and Frangoula Susan T. Middletown Diomandes Take out orders: 849-3356 Christopher Daily 7am-12am, Fri & Sat 7am-2am

Compliments of In loving memory of CODDINGTON Island of Skiathos BREWING COMPANY Organization Estelle Parkos Antonio 210 Coddington Highway Established 1967 Thomas S. Antonio Middletown 847-6690

Flo’s Drive-In A-1 Pizza Rhea’s Bed & Breakfast Accommodations with Portsmouth 306 Broadway Flo’s Clam Shack jacuzzis available! Newport 120 West Main Road Middletown Free Delivery Middletown Voted Best in Rhode Island! 849-2213 841-5560

Debbie Amarant In loving memory of In loving memory of TERI DEGNAN REAL ESTATE & CONSULTING Gregory Parkos Anthony & Dorothea [email protected] John T. Parkos Rozes 203-434-5196 www.teridegnan.com

In loving memory of In loving memory of Thomas and Bessie Capt. George Alexander 236-2020 Christy and Vasio www.atlanticbeachhospitality.com Anagnostos Petropoulos