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February 2018 ^ Volume 42, Issue 2 [email protected] 908-233-8533 holytrinitywestfield.org

BLESSEDHave !a

Καλη Σαρακοστη

 BY REV. centered so that the contemplation of FR. PETER DELVIZIS anything greater than this world eludes us. calls each and every one Lenten Liturgical Schedule he time for self- of us to a higher realm. We are to lift our awareness and souls in praise of God and understand FEBRUARY spiritual reflec- that without God we are nothing. T “I have been crucified with Christ”, tion is upon us. Great Lent is the 19 Monday First Day of Great Lent, mechanism by which we rid ourselves of St. Paul tells the faithful of Galatia 5:00 PM Great in Asia Minor. Great Lent calls us to those obstacles that keep us from having 20 Tueday 5:00 PM Lenten a fuller life in Christ. During this crucify our passions, to lay aside every 21 Wednesday 7:00 PM Presanctified period of time, the provides the worldly care so that “it is no longer I Liturgy tools of , , and almsgiving who live, but Christ [Who] lives in me”. 8:30 PM Theosis Program all working in cooperation to care for When Christ dwells within us, then we 23 Friday 7:00 PM First Salutation the soul by silencing and humbling the are able to align our lives to the true to the ego and focusing meditation on the of Jesus Christ and flee from 24 9:00 AM Last Saturday Lord. is the key to salvation. the false gospel and narratives of this of Souls The Lord will not unlock the gates of present age. 25 Sunday of heaven or open a person’s heart without As we embark on this spiritual odys- 9:30 AM an expression of humility. The acknowl- sey that we call Great Lent, let the doors 27 Tuesday 5:00 PM Great Compline edgment of personal sin coupled by a of our hearts swing wide open to allow movement towards reconciliation leads 28 Wednesday 7:00 PM Presanctified the King of Glory to enter. Liturgy us to repentance. Without repentance, 8:30 PM Theosis Program the soul remains haughty and self- Continued on page 2  Wait for the promise of the Father 1 Dates in the Life of Our Church  Continued from page 1

FEBRUARY 2018 23 7:00 PM Hymn 1 4:00 PM Greek School 24 Great Lent Begins 7:30 PM Choir 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy February 19 2 Presentation of our Lord 25 Sunday of Orthodoxy Few people today believe that they can lose their salvation. Even “reli- 8:30 AM 8:15 AM Orthros gious” people are very careless about 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy their souls, thinking that if they “just 3 6:00 PM Greek School Dance 27 4:00 PM Greek School believe” (whatever), they will “go to 4 8:15 AM Orthros 5:00 PM Great Compline heaven.” They have forgotten the many, many places in Holy Scripture 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 7:00PM Presanctified Liturgy 28 which speak of , God’s judgment, 6 4:00 PM Greek School 8:30 PM Theosis heaven, and hell, and especially they 8 St. Theodore the Commander have forgotten Christ’s own words 8:30 AM Orthros MARCH 2018 that the way to life is narrow and few find it! Let us cast off carelessness 4:00 PM Greek School 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 1 and a superficial attitude regarding 10:00 AM TOTS 7:30 PM Choir our salvation, and strive to find and 4:00 PM Greek School 2 7:00 PM Akathist Hymn follow the narrow way laid out in the Gospel!  7:30 PM Choir 3 Sights & Sounds 10 First Saturday of Souls 4 8:15 AM Orthros 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy ENGAGE your faith 11 MeatFare Sunday 5 5:00 PM Lenten Vespers 8:15 AM Orthros 6 4:00 PM Greek School > 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 7 7:00PM Presanctified Liturgy REPENT of your sins 12:00 PM Communion Breakfast 8:30 PM Theosis 13 4:00 PM Greek School 8 9:30 AM TOTS > 7:00 PM Philoptochos Board Meeting 4:00 PM Greek School 7:30 PM Parish Council 7:30 PM Choir GROW in Christ 4:00 PM Greek School 9 7:00 PM Akathist Hymn 15 > 7:30 PM Choir 8:30 PM Lenten Potluck Dinner 17 Second Saturday of Souls 10 Sights & Sounds snow date and be 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy 11 Sunday of the Holy Cross RENEWED! 11:00 AM 8:15 AM Orthros 18 CheeseFare Sunday 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy “Let us all make haste to humble the flesh 8:15 AM Orthros 13 4:00 PM Greek School by abstinence, as we set out upon the God- 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 7:00 PM Philoptochos Board Meeting given course of the holy fast; and with 19 GREAT LENT BEGINS 7:30 PM Parish Council and tears let us seek our Lord and Saviour. 5:00 PM Great Compline 14 7:30 PM Parish Council Laying aside all memories of evil, let us cry aloud: We have sinned against You, Christ 11:00 AM Circle 8:30 PM Theosis 20 our King; save us as the men of Nineveh 5:00 PM Lenten Vespers 15 4:00 PM Greek School in the days of old, and in Your compassion 21 7:00PM Presanctified Liturgy 7:30 PM Choir make us sharers in Your heavenly Kingdom.” 8:30 PM Theosis 16 7:00 PM Akathist Hymn – Hymn of Vespers, Introducing the 8:30 PM Lenten Potluck Dinner 22 9:30 AM TOTS Great Fast, Sunday 7:30 PM Choir

2 Holy Trinity ^ Westfield, New Jersey Lenten POTLUCK DINNER Fridays, March 9, 16, 23

Honoring the Panagia and Virgin Mary during Great Lent and for the continuation of fellowship, all parishioners of Holy Trinity are invited to the Parish Lenten Potluck Dinners. As one family in Christ, we will gather together, first to celebrate the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos at 7:00 PM, and then to break bread in the Bouras Cen- ter afterwards. Each parishioner is asked to bring A Lenten Prayer a Lenten cover dish (no meat, cheese, dairy, eggs, by St. Ephraim fish is permitted; oil and shellfish are permitted.) the Syrian

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

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yea, Lord and King, grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. Kali Sarakosti Have a blessed Lent

The Promise ^ February 2018 ^ Volume 42, Issue 2 3 The First Sunday of Great Lent

heThe Sunday (also of Orthodoxy knowns as the Sunday of Orthodoxy or the Triumph Tof Orthodoxy) is celebrated on the first Sunday of Great Lent (six Sun- days before Pascha) in the liturgical calendar of the . The Feast is kept in memory of the final defeat of and the restoration of the sacred to the churches. Despite the teaching about icons defined at the Seventh in 787 AD, the iconoclasts be- gan to trouble the Church again. After the death of the last iconoclast emperor, , his young son Michael III, with his mother the regent Theodora, and Patriarch Methodios, summoned the Synod of in 843 AD to bring peace to the Church. At the end of the first session, all made a triumphal from the Church honor of the true Faith in general. This for the Orthodox Church. They are of Blachernae to , restor- is shown by its special service. not optional devotional extras, but an ing the icons to the Church. This oc- After Orthros and Divine Liturgy, a integral part of Orthodox faith and curred on 11 March, 843 (which that procession is made with icons around devotion. The debate involved impor- year was the first Sunday of Lent). The the church. Once the procession ar- tant issues: the character of Christ's Synod decreed that a perpetual feast on rives at the place, the Synodicon (de- human nature, the Christian attitude the anniversary of that day should be cree of the Synod of Constantinople) towards matter, and the true meaning observed each year on the First Sunday is proclaimed aloud by the . This of Christian redemption. Icons are of Great Lent, and named the day, "the Synodicon begins with the memory of held by the Orthodox to be a necessary Sunday of Orthodoxy" (ἡ Κυριακὴ τῆς certain , and heroes of consequence of Christian faith in the Ὀρθοδοξίας). the Faith. Then follows a long list of Incarnation of the Word (John 1:14), The name "Orthodoxy" has gradu- heretics of all kinds, to each of which the Jesus Christ. Icons are considered by ally affected the character of the feast. answer is: "" once or thrice. In Orthodox Christians to have a sacra- Originally commemorating only the parish life this part is oftentimes sup- mental character, making present to the defeat of iconoclasm, the commemo- pressed. These heretics comprise all the believer the person or event depicted on ration has gradually come to be un- major opponents of the Orthodox Faith, them. However, the Orthodox always derstood in a more general sense as Arians, Nestorians, Monophysites, make a clear doctrinal distinction be- opposition to all heterodoxy. In this Monothelites, Iconoclasts, and so on. tween the () paid way, though its first occasion is not The name of this Sunday reflects the to icons and the (latria) which forgotten, the feast has become one in great significance which icons possess is due to God alone.

4 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey Parish Council Service - A Passion for God!

 BY A.J. KARANIKOLAS, PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 “There are diversity of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but the same God who works in all.”

assion is described as being acutely interested in some - thing, willing to put substan- tialP energy into promoting it, willing to sacrifice for it, and hardly able to keep from talking about it. How do we demonstrate our passion for God? Through service! As God’s fire stirs within us, it motivates and purifies us to do His work. This is extremely important for our community, as we continue to tend to our garden that our Lord has bestowed upon us, our blessed Holy Trinity! This “holy” pas- sion to serve God was exemplified by Richard Frigerio and Jim Fountas who both retired from the board in Janu- ary. The Parish Council would like to thank R ichard and Jim for their many years of service and leadership, from which we all benefited. Great Lent begins on February 19. It is a wonderful time to increase our commitment and service to the church. This journey during the Lenten season helps us to reflect, refine, and renew which would further benefit from these ministry leader to become engaged, our passion - just consider the Passion gifts of those in the community. Stew- and exemplify the desire to serve Holy of the Christ! ardship, Fellowship, Religious Educa- Trinity and God! As servants of the church, the Parish tion, and Youth are a few examples of As 2018 is in full swing, the Parish Council is entrusted to assist parish- ministries that would further benefit Council invites you join us in actively ioners who have certain gifts and help from increased engagement and par- demonstrating this passion for God, them do their work of ministry. Holy ticipation from the community - reach through becoming active in one of our Trinity offers a number of ministries out to a Parish Council member or various and diverse ministries!

The Promise ^ February 2018 ^ Volume 42, Issue 2 5 Stewardship  BY AGAPIOS KYRITSIS, STEWARDSHIP CHAIRMAN

oly Trinity Greek Orthodox God. Doesn’t this time really belong to mission. This includes proclaiming Church is one of the most the Lord instead of us? I challenge my- the Gospel message and engaging in important institutions I can self and all of you to be in church by 9:30 each other’s lives in a relaxed, peaceful, Hthink of. I say this because it affords us, AM moving forward. By arriving on secure, and loving environment in the as a family, a vehicle to express our love time when the liturgy starts we begin to name of our Lord. We should always and faith to the Lord. When we come appreciate the full impact of the liturgy, celebrate and share the our together in prayer, education, and fel- the Gospel lesson, Holy Communion, Lord has bestowed upon us. lowship we fortify ourselves as a family, and the . The church provides us Stewardship is the means to accom- build up our church, and do good things an opportunity to heal from the weekly plish all of this. It is an honor to be able in the name of the Lord. Stewardship stress that the secular world inflicts on to serve the Lord at Holy Trinity. Give is the means to accomplish these goals. us. Full participation in the Divine Lit- your time, talent, and treasure freely Stewardship is the careful and ac- urgy is by far the most important pillar and lovingly. Please consider that the countable supervision of something en- of an effective faith-based church. most important spiritual and faith- trusted to one's care. God has entrusted The second component of an effective based family events that transform our the care of our beautiful church to us. church is education. Holy Trinity has a lives, such as , , and There are many ways that we show our vibrant religious education program for are celebrated at church. The unconditional love to the Lord and His our children. Weekly by our rewards are great. church. A foremost goal of Stewardship priest that apply the Gospel to our every- Father Peter and the entire Holy is to encourage one’s spiritual growth day lives. We must continue to strive to Trinity Parish Council take very se- and strengthen one’s faith. The most become better educated in our traditions riously the financial stewardship of significant way is through prayer. How and faith even as adults. This way we organizing and perpetuating the gifts many times in a crisis, whether it’s can pass down our faith to our children that everyone provides. March 1 is an health, our family, emotional duress, thus insuring it for generations to come. important date to submit your stew- or financial, do we cry out to the Lord Although it is important to understand ardship card if you feel called to serve for His help and mercy? How about the native Greek language of our forefa- in this honorable capacity. Our church, the other side when times are good, do thers, it is even more important to learn including Philoptochos Society and we take time out to thank the Lord for the Orthodox language of love, hope, the youth, donate to over 40 outreach all His blessings? We can do that by and charity taught to us by Jesus Christ. programs every year. As we age, grow actively participating in the Divine Lit- Thirdly, fellowship binds us together older, become smarter, wiser, and more urgy and . Is it too much to ask as a family in Christ’s vineyard. Through financially secure, we must apply a simi- to surrender ourselves to the Lord from the various worship services, ministries, lar approach in expanding our commit- 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM every Sunday? social events, youth programs, festivals, ment to the Lord. Remember the Lord’s It is during this time that we gather as dances, and fundraisers, we are brought work is never done.  stewards and demonstrate our belief in together to work towards a common

6 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey Philoptochos 2017 Party

 MARINA LOALBO, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

n leaving the old year behind, there Philoptochos President, presided over ien, Executive Director of the YWCA comes a renewed sense of hope and our General Meeting and spoke about of Eastern Union County, who spoke excitement for the new year. We stewardship and key activities of our to the group and expressed her thanks areI then reminded of the optimism that chapter, we enjoyed a delicious din- and appreciation. comes with looking to the future with ner buffet, followed by socializing and It was indeed a heartwarming evening this verse from Jeremiah 29.11… “‘For I shopping at our jewelry and boutique of Christmas cheer, and we are blessed know the plans I have for you,’ declares tables. We thoroughly enjoyed singing to belong to such an outstanding group the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not Christmas carols, led by Ryan Kiel, who of ladies - The Ladies Philoptochos. to harm you, plans to give you hope and graciously gave of his time and piano May you and your families be blessed a future.’” playing talents, to lead us in a carol with joy, hope, health, love, and peace in As we keep an eye to 2018 with the sing-a-long to herald in the Christmas the New Year. With God as our guide, excitement and renewal that a new season. Our Philoptochos Board cre- may we be prepared to live another year year brings, we reflect back on a lovely ated a beautiful, warm, and charming under His loving guidance.  evening of good cheer and fellowship Christmas evening. enjoyed by all at our annual Christmas Continuing with our tradition of Party, which was held on December 6 generously giving gifts for the residents Happy New Year! in the Bouras Center. of the YWCA in Elizabeth, we were After Ellen Manos-Athenson, Ladies honored to have, as our guest, Janice Lil-

The Promise ^ February 2018 ^ Volume 42, Issue 2 7 The Book Store February: traditionally the month of the heart!

n many previous years the Book but the month of the nous! at Socrates’ decision. He told them, Store has featured cookbooks, Plato’s Allegory of the Cave provides “What they kill is not Socrates!” This telling Mom to warm the hearts an excellent comparison of the differ- sounds like an early belief in the soul! ofI her family, but not this year! Why? ence between the physical and spiritual Think again of the definition of the During His temptation, “Jesus an- worlds, as understood by Socrates and nous in the ORTHODOX STUDY swered him [Satan], it is written, ‘Man his students. During human life people BIBLE note on Romans 12:2. It is the shall not live by bread alone, but by are chained so that they can only see nous that will distinguish between every word of God.’ “ + [Luke 4:4] It the back wall of a cave. A few humans, shadow and substance of religion. Al- is interesting to note that the Greek philosophers, are able to break their though “our reasoning brain is a gift word used for “word” is remati. This chains and see into the spiritual world. from God, and we need not be afraid word comes from the verb rew, to flow. That world is illuminated by Socrates’ to use it to the utmost when reading [Liddell & Scott’s Greek-English Lexi- philosophical principle, The Good Scripture….. [We] continually …..need con, page 624]. The same word is used [like sunlight], whose characteristics to cleanse the doors of our perception in John 7:37-39: “On the last day, that are Goodness, Beauty, and Truth. In and to look with new eyes, in awe and great day of the feast, Jesus stood and the spiritual world are ideas or forms, amazement, at the miracle that is set cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let which pass back and forth in front of before us-the ever-present miracle of him come unto Me and drink. He who the mouth of the cave casting shadows God’s divine word of salvation, ex- believes in Me, as the Scripture has on the back wall, which are the only pressed in human language. As Plato said, out of his heart will flow rivers things which most humans see. It is remarked, “The beginning of truth is of living water.” [The fact that Jesus obvious that the characteristics of any to wonder at things.” “cried out” indicates an invitation much object are distorted by its mere shadow! If one truly wants one’s nous to more emphatic, than if he just “said”! The philosophers see the true ideas/ distinguish between shadow and Also, the fact that He “stood” also em- forms themselves. Ideas/forms have substance, ample help is given [in ad- phasizes the invitation, because sitting the basic characteristics of all things: dition to the Divine Liturgy, sermons, was the “traditional Jewish position for tables, chairs, etc. In the material world Sunday school, and theosis class] in teaching with authority.” there are many different tables and the ORTHODOX STUDY BIBLE. "A faithful relationship to God chairs which vary, but all have the same It is interesting to note that “For changes our relationship to the world. basic characteristics. But here is where John light is divine energy manifested To BE CONFORMED TO THIS Socrates got into trouble. He taught as truth [true doctrine, true behavior, WORLD is to stand for and pursue the his students about the ideas/forms of and true spirituality…..” In addition, world's values and pleasures. MIND virtues and vices, example truth, hon- the virtue of truth is very important [Greek nous] here is more than the in- esty, etc. The powers that be told him in 1 John 1:1-10! Make February the tellect; it is the highest faculty of human to stop teaching or die. He chose to month of the nous for yourself and nature, encompassing the mind and die because life without teaching was your loved ones! Only $32 will provide heart. With this faculty one sees and not worth living. Much of this sounds the ORTHODOX STUDY BIBLE: comprehends God." Thus, let us call like pre-Christian philosophy, espe- this treasure for your lifelong spiritual February, not the month of the heart, cially this: His students wept bitterly journey! 

8 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey GOYA Update

 BY NICHOLAS SAVORGIANNAKIS, GOYA PRESIDENT

hope everyone had a very Merry exchange. This was a great night full of with the girls placing first in volleyball. Christmas and a fantastic New Christmas spirit, and I hope this can th Year. GOYA has been busy the become an annual event. Greek dance Parathosi January 27 lastI month and the schedule is jam On Saturday the 27 th, the Greek th packed for January. Alumni game on December 27 dancers performed, for the first time, at Here are just some of the highlights The annual alumni basketball game the Parathosi Greek dance competition from December: was held. We had a great turnout and we in New York. The Greek dancers prac- thank all of our alumni for coming to ticed a lot to insure a great performance. st Hosting Bridges on December 1 play. It was a very close and high scor - rd This year Holy Trinity GOYA ing game as the alumni won 100 to 98 Sights and Sounds March 3 hosted Bridges in the Bouras Center. off a game winning layup by Jonathan Sights and Sounds is creeping up on The large crowd of GOYAns came Savorgiannakis. This is one of the best us. Now is the time to review the sight from several other churches including events of the year and I, personally, can’t categories and start working. There are Roseland, Union, Toms River, Holm- wait to play as an alumnus against the some new categories so now is a good del, Asbury Park/Ocean, Perth Amboy GOYAns next year. opportunity to work on those categories and Flemington, participated in making because there will be a better chance of th lunches and assembling toiletry bags for Christmas dance December 28 winning. All GOYAns are encouraged the needy. GOYAns engaged in fellow- Roseland hosted the GOYA Christ- to submit at least two sights and partici- ship preparing sandwiches and making mas dance. We took a bus to Roseland pate in one performance. This is a fun ornaments for Children’s Specialized and enjoyed a fun night of dancing. DJ event, and there is no better feeling than Hospital in Mountainside. The evening Taso played great music that included winning a trophy. We have won first culminated with pizza and dessert for some Christmas carols that we enjoyed place overall the last couple of years and all those who had gathered together for dancing to. Overall, we had a great time we hope everyone can contribute so we such a special night. and can’t wait for the Valentine’s Dance can try to win again! We would encour- next month. age everyone in our community to assist Christmas party on December 22nd st this important tradition in our church. On Friday night, the Carayannopou- Athletics January 20th and 21 los family hosted a Christmas party for On Saturday and Sunday of last month, I hope everyone is able to participate all of the GOYAns and their families. the athletic playoffs for basketball and in Sights and Sounds and other upcom- It was a lot of fun and we had an ugly volleyball was held in Toms River and ing events, and I wish good luck to those sweater contest and a white elephant gift Asbury Park. Our boys came in second taking midterms. 

The Promise ^ February 2018 ^ Volume 42, Issue 2 9 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church CLASSIFIEDS Contact the Church Office if you would like to advertise in the next issue of The Promise!

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10 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey Ioanna Tsolaki, DDS, DMD, MS Board Certified Periodontist

Rutgers School of Dental Medicine Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 135 Somerset Street, Suite A New Brunswick, NJ 08901 p. 732-235-5050 f. 732-220-0045 [email protected] rutgersdentists.org Permit #: 6526

The Promise ^ February 2018 ^ Volume 42, Issue 2 11 Non Profit Org. US postage PAID Rahway, NJ Permit No. 654

Contact Information Office Staff Ministries Mailing Address 250 Gallows Hill Rd. Office Manager Diana R. Waltsak Parish Council A.J. Karanikolas Westfield, NJ 07090-1109 Admin. Assistant E. Joy Daniledes Philoptochos Ellen Manos-Athenson Phone 908-233-8533 Caretaker Ocione Nunes Religious Education Chris Economides Fax 908-233-0623 Greek School Stavroula Mergoupis Worship E-mail [email protected] Greek School PTO Alexis Kiriakatis Web site holytrinitywestfield.org Lead Psaltis Pascalis Kuvalakis Youth (GOYA) Nicholas Savorgiannakis Choir Director Kathryn Athanasoulas Presiding Priest Rev. Fr. Peter Delvizis JOY / HOPE Kathy Drivas Organist Phyllis Verenes TOTS Joanne Paras E-mail [email protected] Head Acolyte Andreas Economides Bookstore Sandy Mouratoglou Cultural Barbara Manos Trinity Circle Helen Criares Schedule of Services The Promise: Volume 41, Issue 8 Fellowship Lauren Karanikolas Sundays Weekdays 10 issues published annually. Orthros 8:15 AM 8:30 AM No subscription fee. th Article deadline - 10 of the preceding month 12 Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM 9:30 AM