Transcript THE GOOD NEWS - St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church

ST. ATHANASIOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΟΥ
THE GOOD NEWS
Rev. Protopresbyter Anargyros Stavropoulos
51 Paramus Road, Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Tel: 201-368-8881 - Fax: 201-368-9195 - Emergency Tel: 201-925-6994
www.stathanasiosnj.org
• email: [email protected]
OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 3
APRIL / MAY 2016
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Rev. Protopresbyter
Anargyros Stavropoulos
Ieratikos Proestamenos
Parish Council 2016
President: Peter Paizis
Vice President: Andy Hios
2nd V. President: Demetr ios Xanthos
Treasurer: Tony Emmanouilidis
Secretary: Othon Katechis
Vasilios Fikaris
Jason Fink
Nick Gagis
George Glavas
Panagiotis Karounos
Emmanuel Kavrakis
John Kyriakakis
Gus Panagiotopoulos
George Siamboulis
Chuck J. Tsocanos
Chuck K. Tsocanos
Dean Tomaras
Paul Venizelos
The Great Lent, which began on Monday, March 14, 2016,
is truly a period of meditation for the soul and body. It is the
time for us to collect and to recall all our sinful deeds and to repent and ask forgiveness from God and to strengthen our ties
with Him. Great Lent serves as a preparation for the drama and
the true passion of the Holy Week which will soon be upon us.
There are many roads and avenues which lead to the spiritual edification of our souls with prayer, Bible reading, fasting,
Holy Confession and Holy Communion. No matter which path
we take, the Road of the Great Lent definitely plays a very essential role in the cultivation and growth of our religious life.
Fasting, Prayer and Repentance are essential elements for
the salvation of our souls and during the Great Lent we have the
opportunity to humble ourselves and ask forgiveness from our
Lord for our sins.
Moses in the book of Exodus fasted for forty days as his
preparation to receive the Ten Commandments from God. Daniel fasted for forty days awaiting God’s word. Our Lord, Jesus
Christ, fasted for forty days without anything after his baptism
by St. John the Baptist as he waited the ordeal of temptation by
the devil.
Our Lord tells us many times in his teachings to fast. Man
must fast in such manner making willingly and with all sincerity
and not ostentatiously to impress others. “When you do fast, do
not put on a sad face, as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure
their faces, so that they may see that they are fasting.” Jesus condemned “false fasting,” the wrong kind. He expected those who
love God, to execute a wise and proper fast. We should and we
must fast from certain foods, but equally we must fast from
wrongdoings. “What are mouths take in, it is also important
what comes out of our minds, and above all, out of our hearts.”
Our every thought should be such as to allow our souls to be filled with beauty, goodness, kindness, compassion, as God intended for us.
Christ wants us to make ourselves strong and able to resist every temptation by the devil,
who works forever, seven days a week and nights of each week of our lives. Fasting keeps us
from becoming slaves of habit. We need to take time from our daily lives and to prepare ourselves. Some of us develop cravings for certain foods, desires, needs, that instead of being a
pleasure, they become a necessity. If one practices a wise and disciplined fasting, no pleasure
would become a Cain and no habit would become “Our Master.”
Remember that the Lenten season continues until the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, May 1st. Remember that fasting and the Lenten Season demands of us to
consecrate our souls, our minds and our bodies to Jesus and His Church. The blessings that we
receive from observing the Great Lent depends on us. Come forth and receive His Precious Body
and His Precious Blood.
“Do I really have to fast for Great Lent?” You decide what is the best for your soul, for your
heart, for your body, and above all, for your eternal salvation.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I pray with my whole heart that our loving God will
receive our repentance and forgive our sins and may His holy resurrection be a fountain of health
and love for us.
I wish you a Happy Easter, Kalo Pascha, and when we say Christ is Risen, Xristos Anesti we
mean it from the depth of our souls.
With love in Christ,
Fr. Anargyros.
Αγαπητοί μου Χριστιανοί,
Δυστυχώς σήμερα η νηστεία έχει πολύ παραμεριστεί . Ελάχιστοι μάλιστα
δίδουν σημασία στήν κανονική νηστεία. Η αξία της όμως, όπως την τονίζει ο Μ.
Βασίλειος, είναι πολύ μεγάλη: «Η νηστεία έχει ηλικία ίση μέ τήν ανθρωπότητα,
διότι ενομοθετήθηκε στον Παράδεισο. Από τον καρπόν του δένδρου....δεν θά
φάγετε είπεν ο Θεός στους Πρωτοπλάστους. Και επειδή δεν τηρήθηκε η νηστεία
αυτή, εκδιωχθήκαμε από τον Παράδεισο... Ο Μωϋσής μετά από νηστεία
έλαβε τις πλάκες του Νόμου στό Σινά. Ο Ησαύ γιά λίγο φαγητό επώλησε τα
πρωτοτόκια στον Ιακώβ. Η νηστεία έκανε ακατανίκητο τον Σαμψών. Η νηστεία
γεννά Προφήτες. Κάμνει ισχυρότερους τους ισχυρούς. Κάμνει σοφούς τους
νομοθέτες. Η νηστεία αγιάζει τον αφιερωμένο στον Θεό και καθιστά τόν Ιερέα
ικανό να προσφέρει θυσίαν.
Η νηστεία έσβησε τη δύναμη του πυρός, έφραξε στόματα λεόντων,
αναβιβάζει την προσευχή στόν ουρανό.
Η νησεία είναι πρόοδος των οίκων,
μητέρα της υγείας, παιδαγωγώς των νέων, στολισμός των πρεσβυτέρων... Του
νηστεύοντος οι οφθαλμοί είναι ήρεμοι, το βάδισμα σεμνό, το πρόσωπο σοβαρό, οι
λόγοι του μετρημένοι, η καρδιά του καθαρά... Αν θέλεις να κάνεις ισχυρό το
πνεύμα σου, χαλιναγώγησε με νηστεία την σάρκα σου. Μην νομίζεις ότι η
νηστεία περιορίζεται στίς τροφές. Πραγματική νηστεία είναι η νηστεία των πέντε
αισθήσεων.
Τί το όφελος να νηστεύης απο τροφές και να ευρίσκεσαι σε
φιλονικίες η διαμάχες με τους δικούς σου, να κατατρώγεις τόν αδελφό σου με τήν
γλώσσα σου, να βλέπεις άσεμνα θεάματα, να ακούεις μουσική η πράγματα πού
σε βλάπτουν και να μεθά η ψυχή σου όχι μόνο με οίνο, αλλά με θυμόν!”» Αυτή
είναι η αξία της πραγματικής και αληθινής νηστείας. Νηστεία από τις τροφές,
αλλά και από τα πάθη.
Καλή Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή και Καλή Ανάσταση
π. Ανάργυρος.
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Let all pious men and all lovers of God rejoice in the splendor of this Feast. Let the wise
servants blissfully enter into the joy of their Lord. Let those who have borne the burden of
Lent now receive their pay, and those who have toiled since the first hour, let them now receive their due reward. Let any who came after the third hour be grateful to join in the Feast,
and those who may have come after the sixth hour, let them not be afraid of being too late, for
the Lord is gracious and He receives the last even as the first. Let no one fear death, for the
death of our Saviour has set us free. He destroyed death by enduring it. Hades is angered
because it has been mocked. It seized a Body, and lo, it discovered God. O Hades, where is
your victory? O death, where is your sting? Christ is risen, and you are abolished. Christ is
risen, and the demons are cast out. Christ is risen and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and
the tombs are emptied of the dead. For Christ, being risen from the dead, has become the
Leader and Reviver of those who had fallen asleep. To Him be glory and power, unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Excerpts from the Feast of Pascha Homily written by St. John Chrysostom.
What Jesus has done for His people
He descended to Earth that we might ascend to Heaven (John 6:38;14-3).
He became poor that we might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9; James 2:5).
He was born that we might be born again (John 1:14; 3:3).
He became a servant that we might be sons and daughters (Gal. 4:6-7; Phil. 2:7).
He had no home that we might have a home in Heaven (Matt. 8:20; John 14:2).
He was hungry that we might be fed (Matt. 4:2; John 6:50).
He was thirsty that we might drink of the springs of salvation (Isa. 12:3; John 19:28).
He was made weary that we may find rest (Matt. 11:29; John 4:6).
He was stripped that we might be clothed (Matt. 27:28; 2 Cor. 5:4).
He was forsaken that we might be accepted (Matt. 27:28; 2 Cor. 5:4).
He was sad that we might be glad (Isa. 53:3; Phil. 4:4).
He was bound so that we may go free (Matt. 27:2; John 8:32-36).
He died that we might live (John 5:24-25; 19:33).
He will come down that we may be caught up into Heaven (1 Thess. 4:16:17).
SATURDAY, APRIL 23RD
SATURDAY OF LAZARUS
All children are urged to come
and participate in the Divine Liturgy and receive Holy Communion. After the Divine Liturgy,
breakfast will be served and we
hope that after breakfast we will
be able to stay and make our traditional Palm Crosses for Palm
Sunday, at the retreat.
ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ, 23 ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΥ
ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ ΤΟΥ ΛΑΖΑΡΟΥ
Όλα τα παιδιά της ενορίας μετά
των γονέων των, παρακαλούνται
να έλθουν και να κοινωνήσουν
μαζί. Αμέσως μετά την Θεία
Λειτουργία, παρακαλούνται όλοι
να
παραμείνουν
γιά
ένα
νηστήσιμο πρωϊνό, και γιά να
φτιάξουμε τα Σταυρουδάκια για
την Κυριακή των Βαϊων.
CHILDREN AND HOLY WEEK AND THE RESURRECTION
All of us, Orthodox Christians are asked to fervently set aside this holiest of all weeks, Holy Week, and
to plan to spend it in worship as much as possible. It is also very important for all parents with children
to be a part of these services of Holy Week as well. These special services bring to life the events of Jesus’s last days on Earth prior to His Resurrection.
It is understandable that the smaller children may not be able to participate in some of the services
because of the lateness of the hour. However , par ents have the r esponsibility to br ing their children regardless of age to:
1. The Sacrament of Holy Unction on Holy Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
2. The Apokathilosis or the r emoval of J esus’ body on Holy Friday at 3:00 p.m.
3. The Holy Saturday Vesperal Divine Liturgy beginning at 8:30 a.m., whereby ALL children should be prepared to receive Holy Communion.
4. The Agape Services on Easter Sunday beginning at 11:30 a.m. and whereby
immediately following the Agape Service they will receive the Easter Baskets.
Parents, please keep these days of Holy Week in mind and please make it a point to
attend with your children to all of these very important Holy Week services. Excuse notes in order to
leave early from school to attend Holy Wednesday and Holy Friday Services are available upon request,
by contacting the Church Office.
PARENTS...IT IS UP TO YOU!!!!
AN INVITATION TO THE FEAST OF FEASTS
We fervently request all our parishioners to share fully in the Observance of Holy Week and in
the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. Note that the Service of the Resurrection is not
over until the completion of the Divine Liturgy - please do not deny yourself the full blessings of
the Feast by leaving before the end of the Service!
HOLY WEEK IN THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH
Holy Week in the Eastern Orthodox Church institutes the sanctity of the whole calendar year of
the Church. Its center of commemorations and inspiration is Easter wherein the glorified Resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated. Every Sunday is dedicated in the Eastern Orthodox Church to the
Resurrection of the Lord. One hundred days are dedicated to Easter, 50 before it for preparation, and
another 50 after it for commemorating the glorification of the Lord. Easter is considered the “Feasts
of Feasts”.
The services of Holy Week transform us into eyewitnesses and direct participants in the awesome events of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In readings taken from both the Old
and New Testaments, in hymns, processions, and liturgical commemoration, we see the fulfillment
of the Messianic prophecies, and the mighty acts by which God himself, in the person of Jesus
Christ, grants us forgiveness for our sins, and rescues us from the pain of eternal death.
Holy Week is the most important week of the year, because it brings us to the gates of God’s
Kingdom. Christ’s voluntary sacrifice on the Cross gives us access to the very presence of God. As
we remember the last days of Christ on earth, we relive the great moments of His passion through a
continuous liturgical drama.
SATURDAY OF LAZARUS
On Lazarus Saturday, we find that death is the enemy that Christ came to conquer and that
Christ is truly the giver of life! Lazarus, a friend of Jesus had been dead four days when Jesus went
to the tomb where he was buried. Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life”, and brought Lazarus back to life. This miracle led many to faith, but also to the chief priests decision to kill Jesus.
We, too, receive the promise of a new life. We celebrate the divine love that brought Lazarus back
to life - the same love that Christ offers to each one of us.
PALM SUNDAY
The Sunday before our Lord was crucified, He made a victorious entrance into the city of Jerusalem. We know that some of the people acknowledged Him as the Messiah. Bearing this in mind,
they sang the famous Hallel (Psalms 113-118), which commemorated the deliverance from the bondage in Egypt. This chant was usually reserved for harvest time, at the Feast of Tabernacles. But, because our Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem, indicated that the bondage (this time from the Romans)
would be over soon, they sang it at Passover time. Part of the Hallel rutual was to raise “lulabs”, or
palm foods, and wave them victoriously, as one would wave a pennant at a sports event today. Palm
Sunday ushers in Holy Week. In the background of triumphant joy stands the challenging shadow of
the Cross. Those who acclaim Christ as King will behold Him as the Crucified One.
Palm Sunday evening we celebrate the Bridegroom service. Following His entry into Jerusalem,
Christ spoke to His disciples about the signs that will precede the Last Day (Matthew 24 and 25); so
this forms the theme of the first part of Holy Week. The Troparion at Matins, “Behold the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night..” is based on the Parable of the Ten Virgins; the Exapostilarion, “I see Thy bridal chamber…”, reminds us of the man cast out from the feast because he had
no wedding garment. Here, presented in especially urgent terms, is the call that we have heard on
many occasion during Lent; the End is at hand, be watchful; repent while there is still time.
HOLY MONDAY
The Bridegroom service continues on Monday evening with the reading of the most moving
Gospel passages read during the year. They record the voice of our Lord castigating the Pharisees
of His time, and all those, for all time, who would distort and make a hypocritical sham of religion.
HOLY TUESDAY
This is the third of the Bridegroom services. We are presented with the story of the woman who
poured precious ointment on Jesus. Her action of love is contrast to that of Judas who betrayed the
Master. The beautiful hymn of Cassiani is also chanted during the service.
HOLY WEDNESDAY
The Sacrament of Holy Unction is offered for the healing of our physical and spiritual ills. We
are all encouraged to attend. This is one time of the year that every Orthodox Christian should
come to receive the Sacrament of Healing. “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of
the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the
prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins,
he will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15). The Orthros of Holy Thursday is also chanted this evening.
On Holy and Great Thursday, the Holy Fathers who have ordered all well, have given us interchangeably from the Apostolic and Gospel readings, the following four things to celebrate: The
Sacred Niptir (washing of the feet), the Mystical Supper, the Supreme prayer and the Treason itself.
HOLY THURSDAY
On Holy Thursday morning, we remember the words of our Lord at the Last supper to take,
eat, and drink of His Body and Blood. Some of the most beautiful Bible passages are read at this
service.
Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not
speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like the thief
will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
On the evening of Holy Thursday, the most dramatic service of all Holy Week services is conducted. Twelve Gospel passages are read which describe the Lord’s agony in Gethsmene, His arrest, trial, mockings, scourgings, march to Golgotha, crucifixion, and death on the Cross. The Crucifixion is acted out. Everyone gets a chance to worship at the foot of the Cross. The great humiliation of our Lord and His very obedience unto death are relived.
HOLY FRIDAY
In the morning, the service of the Royal Hours is read as the figure of Christ is seen still on the
Cross. In the afternoon, we witness the unnailing and taking down of Christ's body from the Cross
and His burial in the Epitaphios, a symbolic tomb richly decorated with beautiful flowers. That
evening, the worshippers enter the church seeing the tomb of Christ bedecked with flowers and are
able to come and worship Him who “Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might
die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.” (Peter 2:24)
HOLY SATURDAY
The Liturgy in the morning of Holy Saturday is one of the most glorious services conducted in
our Church. This blessed Sabbath is commemorated by the Church with a very special Vesperal
Divine Liturgy. Christ, the Son of God, through Whom all things were created, has come to restore humankind to communion with God, On the Blessed Sabbath, this has been completed. All
things are again as they should be. We move in transition from the crisis and sorrow of Holy Friday through the quiet rest and anticipatory brightness of Holy Saturday to what will follow late the
next day. It is within death that Christ transforms crisis to exaltation. The Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Holy Saturday inaugurates the Paschal Celebration of the Church. It is at this liturgy that
we make remembrance of the many victories of God in the Old Testament. It is at this Liturgy that
we dramatically change the colors within the Church building from black and purple to dazzling
white, an indication of what the final outcome of Christ’s Sabbath rest will be. It is here that we
experience the connection between the tomb of the Saviour and His Risen presence in the Eucharist. It is at this Liturgy that we are now made ready to greet the King of Kings and Lord of Lords,
Who has dealt a death-blow to death. Let all mortal flesh keep silent, and in fear and trembling
stand, pondering nothing earthly minded. For the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, come to be
slain, to give Himself as Food to the faithful
Holy Saturday evening the faithful assemble in anticipation of the celebration of the Resurrection. Shortly before midnight, the Church is darkened, and after a brief nighttime service, we light
our candles, join the angels in Heaven who sing of the glorious Resurrection of the Lord, and then
follows the Paschal Matins service and Resurrection Liturgy. This is the most joy-filled service of
the entire year.
EASTER SUNDAY AGAPE VESPERS
At noon we gather for the agape Vespers. The Easter message is proclaimed in as many languages
as possible, and we joyfully greet each other: “Christ is Risen” - Χριστός Ανέστι!
John 20:19-25. Christ’s Resurrection and victory is affirmed in this morning’s theme. The gospel
is read in several languages to illustrate the universality of the Good News of the Resurrection and
its proclamation to the very ends of the earth. Love, forgiveness, reconciliation, triumph and joythese ate the gifts which we receive because Christ lived and died and triumphed for our sake
FROM THE HYMNOGRAPHY OF OUR CHURCH
KATAVASIAI OF HOLY PASCHA
(A Poem of Saint John of Damascus, 8th century)
First Ode
(First Tone)
The day of the Resurrection! O people, let us be radiant. It is Pascha, the Lord’s Passover; for Christ
God has carried us over from death to life, from Earth to Heaven, as we sing a victory hymn.
Third Ode
Come, let us partake of a new drink: not one miraculously brought forth from barren rock, but a spring
of immortality, welling up from Christ’s tomb, from which we draw strength.
Fourth Ode
Let the God-prompted Habakkuk stand the Divine watch with us and point out the light-bearing angel
as in resounding voice he proclaims: “Today the world knows salvation, for in His surpassing power
Christ is risen.”
Fifth Ode
Let us arise at break of day, and instead of myrrh offer the Master a hymn. Thus shall we witness
Christ, the sun of righteousness, dawning over life.
Sixth Ode
You descended into the very bowels of the Earth. O Christ, and shattered the everlasting bonds of its
fettered captives. And on the third day, like Jonah from the whale, You emerged from the tomb.
Verse: Descending alone to grapple with Hades, Christ emerged with many spoils of victory.
To Him be the dominion to the endless ages. Amen.
Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. We
venerate Your Cross, O Christ, and Your Holy Resurrection we praise and glorify; for You are our
God, we know no other; it is Your name we invoke. Come, all you faithful, let us worship Christ’s
Holy Resurrection; for behold, through the Cross joy has come to al the world. Ever blessing the
Lord, let us praise His Resurrection. For in enduring the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death.
Seventh Ode
He who freed the youths from the furnace, becoming man, suffers as a mortal; and through the Passion
clothes mortal flesh in the comeliness of immortality, the only blessed of the fathers, God most glorious.
Eighth Ode
We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord.
This is the chosen Holy day, the first of all Sabbaths, their queen and sovereign; the feast of feasts and
festival of festivals, in which we bless Christ to the ages.
Σάββατο του Αγίου και Δικαίου Λαζάρου.
Ο Λάζαρος είχε πατρίδα τη Βηθανία της Ιουδαίας και ήταν φίλος του Ιησού. Και μαζί με τις αδελφές
του, πολλές φορές φιλοξένησαν και υπηρέτησαν τον Κύριο. Ο Λάζαρος λοιπόν, λίγες μέρες πρίν από το
Πάθος του Κυρίου, αρρώστησε και οι αδελφές του Μάρθα και Μαρία, έστειλαν να ειδοποιήσουν τον
Ιησού, που έμενε τότε στη Γαλιλαία. Αλλ΄ όταν έφθασε ο Ιησούς στην Ιουδαία, ο Λάζαρος ήδη είχε
πεθάνει και ήταν θαμμένος τέσσερις ημέρες. Τότε ο Κύριος διέταξε να σηκώσουν την πλάκα που έφραζε
τον τάφο και μετά από προσευχή φώναξε δυνατά: «Λάζαρε δεύρο έξω». Ο τεσσάρων ημερών νεκρός
Λάζαρος, αμέσως αναστήθηκε και σηκώθηκε τυλιγμένος στα σάβανα. Αυτό το υπερφυές θαύμα λοιπόν,
γιορτάζουμε την ημέρα αυτή. Λέγεται, ότι ο Λάζαρος ήταν τότε 30 χρονών και αφού έζησε άλλα 30 χρόνια,
τέλειωσε την επίγεια ζωή του στην Κύπρο το έτος 63. Το 890, ο αυτοκράτορας Λέων ο Σοφός, μετακόμισε
το ιερό λείψανο του Λαζάρου στην Κωνσταντινούπολη.
Κυριακή των ΒΑΪΩΝ.
Την ημέρα αυτή γιορτάζουμε την πανηγυρική είσοδο του Κυρίου Ιησού Χριστού στην Ιερουσαλήμ.
Τότε, ερχόμενος ο Ιησούς από τη Βηθανία στα Ιεροσόλυμα, έστειλε δύο απο τους Μαθητές του και του
έφεραν ένα γαϊδουράκι. Και κάθισε πάνω του για να μπει στην πόλη. Ο δε λαός, ακούγοντας ότι ο Ιησούς
έρχεται, πήραν αμέσως στα χέρια τους βάγια απο φοίνικες και βγήκαν να τον υποδεχτούν. Και άλλοι μεν με
τα ρούχα τους, άλλοι δε κόβοντας κλαδιά απο τα δένδρα, έστρωναν το δρόμο απ΄ όπου ο Ιησούς θα
περνούσε. Και όλοι μαζί, ακόμα και τα μικρά παιδιά, φώναζαν: «Ωσαννά, ευλογημένος ο ερχόμενος εν
ονόματι Κυρίου, ο Βασιλεύς του Ισραήλ». Άς σημειώσουμε, ότι η Εκκλησία μας την ημέρα αυτή δεν τελεί
μνημόσυνα.
Η Αγία και ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ.
Απο την ημέρα αυτή αρχίζουν τα Άγια Σωτήρια Πάθη του Κυρίου Ιησού Χριστού. Και σάν τύπος του
λαμβάνεται απο την Εκκλησία ο πάγκαλος Ιωσήφ. Αυτός ήταν ο 11ος γιός του Ιακώβ και τ΄ αδέλφια του,
αφού τον είχαν πετάξει μέσα σ΄ ένα λάκκο, στη συνέχεια τον πούλησαν στους αλλόφυλους. Αυτοί τον
πήγαν στην Αίγυπτο. Εκεί, για τη σωφροσύνη του συκοφαντήθηκε, καταδικάστηκε σε φυλάκιση, τέλος δε
βγήκε απο το δεσμωτήριο με δόξα πολλή και τιμήθηκε σάν βασιλιάς. Έγινε Κύριος όλης της Αιγύπτου και
σιτοδότης όλου του λαού. Μ΄ όλα αυτά ο Ιωσήφ, προεικόνισε στον εαυτό του τα Πάθη και τη μετέπειτα
δόξα του Κυρίου Ιησού Χριστού. Μαζί με τη μνήμη του Ιωσήφ αναφέρεται και η ιστορία με την άκαρπη
συκιά, που ο Κύριος καταράστηκε και ξήρανε. Αυτό δε απεικόνιζε τη συναγωγή των Ιουδαίων, που, επειδή
δεν είχε τον απαιτούμενο καρπό της αρετής και της ευσεβείας, γυμνώθηκε απο κάθε χάρη πνευματική, με
την κατάρα.
Η Αγία και ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΤΡΙΤΗ.
Την ημέρα αυτή τελούμε την ανάμνηση της παραβολής των Δέκα Παρθένων. Η παραβολή αυτή μας
διδάσκει ότι, κατορθώνοντας κάποιος το έργο της παρθενίας, να μήν αμελεί τα υπόλοιπα και ιδιαίτερα την
ελεημοσύνη, που η λαμπάδα της παρθενίας παίρνει φώς δυνατό. Το άλλο που μας διδάσκει είναι, να
είμαστε κάθε ώρα έτοιμοι για το τέλος της επίγειας ζωής μας, όπως οι φρόνιμες παρθένες για την υποδοχή
του νυμφίου, μήπως, ερχόμενος ξαφνικά αυτός και αφού κλειστεί η πόρτα του ουρανίου νυμφώνος, πή και
σε μας, όπως στις μωρές παρθένες, εκείνη τη φρικτή απόφαση: «Αμήν λέγω υμίν, ουκ οίδα υμάς».
Η Αγία και ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΤΕΤΑΡΤΗ.
Οι γυναίκες που άλειψαν με μύρο τον Κύριο, ήταν δύο. Η μεν μία τον άλειψε πολύ καιρό πρίν απο το
Πάθος του και ήταν πόρνη, η δε άλλη λίγες μέρες πρίν και ήταν φρόνιμη και ενάρετη. Αυτού του
ευλαβικού έργου τη μνήμη επιτελεί αυτή τη μέρα η Εκκλησία, αναφέροντας συγχρόνως και την προδοσία
του Ιούδα. Το πολύτιμο εκείνο μύρο, που η γυναίκα εκείνη άλειψε το κεφάλι και τα πόδια του Ιησού, και
στη συνέχεια τα σκούπισε με τις τρίχες της κεφαλής της, εκτιμήθηκε 300 δηνάρια. Απ΄ τους Μαθητές, ο
φιλάργυρος Ιούδας δήθεν σκανδαλίζεται, για την απώλεια τέτιου μύρου. Ο Ιησούς του κάνει παρατήρηση,
να μη ενοχλεί τη γυναίκα. Τότε ο Ιούδας πηγαίνει στους αρχιερείς, που ήταν συγκεντρωμένοι στην αυλή
του Καϊάφα και έκαναν ήδη συνβούλιο προκειμένου να θανατώσουν τον Ιησού. Και συμφωνεί μαζί τους
την προδοσία του διδασκάλου για 30 αργύρια και απο τότε ζητούσε ευκαιρία να τον προδώσει. Να
σημειώσουμε εδώ ότι, απο το γεγονός αυτό της προδοσίας καθιερώθηκε και η νηστεία της Τετάρτης,
ακόμα απο τα αποστολικά χρόνια.
Η Αγία και ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΠΕΜΠΤΗ
Το βράδυ της ημέρας αυτής, που ήταν η προ των αζύμων ημέρα, δηλαδή παραμονή του Εβραϊκού
Πάσχα, ο Ιησούς δείπνησε στην πόλη με τους Δώδεκα Μαθητές του. Ευλόγησε το ψωμί και το κρασί και μ΄
αυτό τον τρόπο παρέδωσε το μυστήριο της Θείας Ευχαριστίας. Έπειτα ένιψε τα πόδια των Μαθητών του
και το γεγονός αυτό της νίψεως των ποδιών των Μαθητών απο τον Κύριο λέγεται στην εκκλησιαστική
γλώσσα «Νιπτήρ». Ο Νιπτήρ μας διδάσκει ότι πρέπει να εκδηλώνουμε την αγάπη μας προς τους άλλους
ανθρώπους με ταπεινοφροσύνη.
Η Εκκλησία, θέλοντας να μας δείξει τη σημασία του γεγονότος αυτού, όρισε την ανάμνησή του την
ημέρα αυτή. Κατόπιν ο Ιησούς είπε καθαρά, ότι ένας απο τους Μαθητές του θα τον πρόδιδε. Και έδειξε τον
προδότη, δίνοντας στον Ιούδα ένα κομμάτι μουσκεμένου ψωμιού στο ζωμό του πιάτου. Ο Ιούδας έφυγε
αμέσως και ο Κύριος με τους μαθητές του αποσύρεται στο όρος των Ελαιών, όπου μόνος του προσεύχεται
γονατιστός και ο ιδρώτας του σαν κόμβοι πηκτού αίματος, πέφτουν στη γή. Μόλις τελειώνει την προσευχή,
φτάνει ο Ιούδας με τους στρατιώτες και πολύ όχλο. Αφού φίλησε τον Κύριο στο πρόσωπο, τον παραδίδει.
Συλλαμβάνεται λοιπόν ο Ιησούς και οδηγείται δεμένος στους αρχιερείς Άννα και Καϊάφα. Οι Μαθητές
σκορπίζονται και ο θερμόαιμος Πέτρος, που τον είχε ακολουθήσει μέχρι την αρχιερατική αυλή, τον
αρνείται και αυτός. Ο Κύριος οδηγείται μπροστά στο παράνομο συνέδριο και εξετάζεται για τους Μαθητές
του και για τη διδασκαλία του. Εξορκίζεται στον Θεό να πεί άν ο ίδιος είναι πράγματι ο Χριστός και
λέγοντας την αλήθεια, κρίνεται ένοχος θανάτου, επειδή δήθεν βλαστήμησε. Στη συνέχεια τον φτύνουν στο
πρόσωπο, τον χαστουκίζουν και τον εμπαίζουν με κάθε τρόπο όλη τη νύκτα μέχρι το πρωΐ.
Η Αγία και ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ.
Την ημέρα αυτή τελούμε την ανάμνηση των φρικτών και σωτηρίων Παθών του Κυρίου Ιησού Χριστού
και απ΄ αυτό το γεγονός καθιερώθηκε και η νηστεία της Παρασκευής. Αφού λοιπόν ο Ιησούς παραδόθηκε
στους στρατιώτες, τον γυμνώνουν, του φορούν κόκκινη χλαμύδα, του βάζουν αγκάνθινο στεφάνι και
καλάμι στο χέρι αντί σκήπτρου. Κατόπιν τον προσκυνούν χλευαστικά, τον φτύνουν και τον χτυπούν στο
πρόσωπο και το κεφάλι. Στη συνέχεια, αφού του φόρεσαν και πάλι τα ρούχα του, του δίνουν τον Σταυρό
και έρχεται στον τόπο της καταδίκης, τον Γολγοθά. Εκεί, σταυρώνεται ανάμεσα σε δύο ληστές,
βλασφημείτει απ΄ όσους περνούν μπροστά του και οι στρατιώτες τον ποτίζουν με χολή και ξίδι. Μετά απο
λίγο, ο Κύριος, φώναξε δυνατά: «Τετέλεσται» και έτσι εκπνέει «ο άμνος του Θεού ο αίρων την αμαρτίαν
του κόσμου». Κατά τον θάνατο του Κυρίου, τρέμει απο φόβο και αυτή η άψυχη κτίση. Έπειτα, λογχίζεται
απο τους στρατιώτες στην πλευρά του και τρέχει αίμα και νερό. Τέλος, κατά το ηλιοβασίλεμα, έρχεται ο
Ιωσήφ ο απο Αριμαθαίας και ο Νικόδημος μαζί του, κρυφοί μαθητές του Χριστού, αποκαθηλώνουν απο
τον Σταυρό το πανάγιο σώμα του διδασκάλου τους, το αρωματίζουν, το τυλίγουν σε καθαρό σεντόνι και το
θάβουν πάνω στο στόμιό του μεγάλη πέτρα.
Το Άγιο και ΜΕΓΑΛΟ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ.
Κατά την ημέρα αυτή, μαζεύτηκαν οι αρχιερείς και οι Φαρισαίοι στον Πιλάτο και τον παρεκάλεσαν να
ασφαλίσει τον τάφο του Χριστού μέχρι την τρίτη ημέρα, διότι, όπως έλεγαν , «έχουμε υποψία μήπως οι
μαθητές του κλέψουν την νύκτα το σώμα του Ιησού και κηρύξουν κατόπιν στο λαό ότι αναστήθηκε, όπως
προείπε ο πλάνος εκείνος, όταν ακόμα ζούσε. Και τότε η πλάνη αυτή θα είναι χειρότερη απο την πρώτη».
Ο Πιλάτος, αφού τους άκουσε, έδωσε την άδεια και πήγαν και σφράγισαν τον τάφο. Για ασφάλεια,
τοποθέτησαν και μία φρουρά απο στρατιώτες και αποχώρησαν. Και κατά τα γραφόμενα παλαιών
Εορτολογίων: «Το Μέγα Σάββατον, την εις Άδου Κάθοδον του Κυρίου και Σωτήρος ημών Ιησού Χριστού
εορτάζομεν, δι΄ ής της φθοράς το ημέτερον γένος ανακληθέν, προς αιωνίαν ζωήν μεταβέβηκε».
G.O.Y.A.
Dear Parishioners,
The last two months have been extremely busy ones for the GOYA of St. Athanasios. We returned
from Christmas vacation to make preparations to host the District 1 Churches at the volleyball tournament
on January 9th. Our Junior GOYA Girls Team made it to the final game, which was held in Wyckoff the
next day. Our entire GOYA as well as many members from our parish attended the game. The Juniors
played very well and won the 2nd place trophy. We are very proud of their effort and victory!! Many thanks
to Coach Stephanie Hios for teaching us to do our best!!!
On Sunday January 10th, we had the Community Vasilopita celebration. Members of the various St.
Athanasios ministries were invited to receive a piece of the vasilopita. Dina Christopoulos and Stefo Hunter
accepted the vasilopita on behalf of GOYA and Katherine Phillips received a piece on behalf of the GOYA
Dance Group.
Other events in January included the FDF (Folk Dance Festival) in Maryland, which was held from January 15-17th. Sadly, we were not able to attend, but will work towards participating next year. This endeavor will take commitment and our GOYA is up to the challenge!
The feast day of our patron Saint Athanasios (January 18th) was observed with Vespers services on January 17th. This celebration was attended by our Metropolitan and virtually all members of the clergy from
the Churches in our area. Members of our community and GOYA were also in attendance.
Our GOYA also had the opportunity to attend two dances recently. The Tenafly Whiteout Dance was
held on January 29th. Although not an event sponsored by GOYA, the Whiteout dance is attended by many
GOYAns and raises money for worthy causes. This year’s proceeds were earmarked for pediatric cancer
charities. The Valentine’s Dance, held on February 12th, was hosted in Holmdel this year. Our GOYA had a
great time.
We hosted an event of our own in the Community Hall on February 27th. Our first ever Beefsteak dinner was a huge success! We had over 260 people join us for a delicious filet mignon dinner (all you could
eat!), basket and 50/50 raffles, and dancing. Thanks to the efforts of our GOYAns and advisors, as well as
the generous donations from our families and parishioners, we were able to raise a large sum of money,
which will be used to fund the new St. Athanasios sign!
Throughout all of these religious and social events, we have also been preparing for the annual Sights
and Sounds competition, which is in its 45th year! Our GOYAns participated on March 12th in Westfield in a
wide range of sounds categories including: Band, Choral Speaking, American Play, Dance and various instrumental, acting, and singing solos. In addition, our group submitted 134 original works of art to be
judged as part of the sights competition. Our sights included paintings & drawings (in all mediums), sculptures, ceramics, mosaics, macramé, decoupage, among others. We had a lot of fun seeing what the other NJ
GOYAns showcased and presenting our own works, as well. We would like to give a HUGE thanks to Mrs.
Hunter for working tirelessly to prepare us for the competition!
On March 13th, we hosted our parishioners at our annual Sights and Sounds luncheon, where we displayed our artwork and performed all of our sounds performances. We also presented Parish Council President Peter Paizis with a check for the $7,500 we raised at our Beefsteak Fundraiser!! Thank you to all parishioners who supported us by attending!
Now we will turn our focus to Lent, Easter and the GOYA Olympics in May.
Kali Sarakosti
With Christ’s Love,
Dina Christopoulos and Stefo Hunter - GOYA Co-Presidents
GOYA
We are happy to share with you the results of our performances:
Literature
1st Place
Katherine Scoullos
Category
Junior Essay
Sights
1st Place
Maraea Garcia
Demos Backos
Zoi Larosilieri
Alicia Pallikaropoulos
Colored Pencil
Macrame
Original Ready Made Item
Pastels
2nd Place
Anna Makris
Nicholetta Venizelos
Maraea Garcia
Alicia Pallikaropoulos
Demos Backos
Decoupage
Molded Ceramics
Pen & Ink
Pencil
Scratchboard
Sounds
Joe Jouvanis
Play “Our Big Fat
Greek GOYA”
Mia Mitchell
Joe Jouvanis
Band
Best Actor
4th place
4th place – Jr. Instrument
Solo
4th place – Sr. Instrument
Solo
5th place
2nd Place
Pennie Papamichael
Junior Essay
3rd Place
Alicia Pallikaropoulos
Alicia Pallikaropoulos
Demos Backos
George Makris
Thomas Glavas
Computer Art
Mixed Media
Molded Ceramics
Scratchboard
Sculpture
Honorable Mention
Nicholetta Venizelos
Jennie Koutsouras
Dina Christopoulos
Decoupage
Molded Ceramics
Mosaics
Overall
6th place
SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL
Dear Parents,
As we are entering the Pre-Lenten season, which is the season that prepares us for Great and Holy
Lent, Stella Dimatos and I, would like to wish you "Kali Sarakosti". During this preparatory period the
Church 'walks us through' the necessary steps to go deeper into the Lenten and Pascal Season by designating specific readings each Sunday. Because learning about the lessons of Lent are so important, the
children will be discussing the Bible passages (in the upcoming Sunday school classes) that the Church
presents to us during this time while they are also preparing for their Oratorical presentations.
On February 1st we have hosted a successful Godparent / Godchild Sunday and this event would
have not been possible without the tremendous help we have received from our teachers and you, the
parents. A special thanks goes out to our sponsors, Arlington Diner, Daily Treat Restaurant, Magnolia
Beef Company, Nyack Hot Bagels, Saddle Brook Diner, Stateline Diner, Suburban Diner, Tom Sawyer
Diner and Woodstone Pizza Bar and Grill.
The following are the upcoming Sunday Church School Events:
Saturday-April 23rd: Lenten Retreat- Saturday of Lazarus - Palm Making
April 24th: Family Worship - Palm Sunday
May 1st: Holy Pascha – Family Worship.
During this Lenten season we are hoping that we can teach our children the true meaning of
Pascha and pay special attention to increased prayer and fasting; whether it's prayer at the dinner table,
in the mornings or in the evening before bed. Have a blessed Lent.
Respectfully,
Eliana Antoniou, Ph.D.
Sunday School Director
FOOD PANTRY MINISTRY
DIAKONIA AGAPE
As part of our parish ministry, “Diakonia Agape” Food Pantry Ministry “Feeding the Hungry”, we are collecting non-perishable items. This is an
on-going Parish Ministry. All donations can be placed in the designated
box as you enter the Community Hall. All food items will assist needy
families of our parish and food pantries of our neighborhood
ΝΕΑ ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟΥ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟΥ
Αγαπητοί Ενορίτες,
Το Σάββατο 30 Ιανουαρίου διοργανώθηκε στην εκκλησία του Αγίου Ιωάννου του Θεολόγου ατο
Τεναφλἀΐ της Νέας Ιερσέης από την Μετρόπολη της Νέας Ιερσέης, η γιορτή των Τριών Ιεραρχών-η
γιορτή των Γραμμάτων.
Ἠταν μία μεγαλοπρεπής εκδήλωση με την συμετοχή πέντε Ελληνικών σχολείων της περιφερείας της
Βορείου Νέας Ιερσέης, μεταξυ των οποίων ήταν και το δικόμας. Απολαύσαμε απαγγελίες ποιημάτων,
αφηγήσεις, θεατρικές παραστάσεις, μουσικές παρουσιάσεις. Όλα τα παιδιά ήταν έξοχα, και οι γονείς και
καλεσμένοι δεν σταμάτησαν να τα επευφημούν, και να τα χειροκροτοὐν.
Κατενθουσιασμένος ο Μητροπολίτης κος Ευάγγελος, συνεχάρηκε τους μαθητές, γονεἰς και
διδασκάλους, και εξέφρασε την αισιοδοξία του για το μέλλον του Ελληνισμού στην χώρα αυτή που ζούμε.
Την επομένη ημέρα Κυριακή 31 Ιανουαρίου, όλοι οι μαθητές του Ελληνικοὐ μας σχολείου παρουσίασαν
την γιορτή των Τριὠν Ιεραρχών, μέσα στον χώρο της εκκλησίας. Με άψογα Ελληνικά, τα παιδιά μας
απήγγειλαν ποιήματα, είπαν τραγούδια, και ενθουσίασαν τους παρευρισκομένους. Η συγκίνηση και η
χαρά, ήταν ζωγραφισμένη στα πρόσωπα όλων.
ΣΥΓΧΑΡΗΤΗΡΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΑ ΣΕ ΟΛΑ ΤΑ ΠΑΙΔΙΑ ΜΑΣ.
Την Τετάρτη, 17 Φεβρουαρίου, παρακολουθήσαμε μία πολύ ευχάριστη καλλιτεχνική-εκπαιδευτική
παρουσίαση, με την γνωστή ομογενή καλλιτέχνη Αφροδίτη Ντάνιελς. Οι μαθητές μας απόλαυσαν
τραγούδια του Γουὀλτερ Ντίσνεΰ, στην αγγλική και ελληνική γλώσσα.
Η ημέρα της Ελληνικής παρέλασης στην Νέα Υόρκη, έχει ορισθεί την 10η Απριλίου. Στόχος μας είναι
να παρελαύσαμε όσο πιό πολλοί είναι δυνατόν, γι΄αυτό σας παρακαλούμε να λάβετε μέρος.
Τα μαθήματα του Ελληνικού Σχολείοθ θα τελειώσουν στις 8 Ιουνίου και η αποόίτηση θα γίνει στις 11
Ιουνίου στις 5:00 μ.μ.
Για την κατάληλη λειτουργία του σχολείου μας, γιά το νέο σχολικό έτος, σας ενημερώνουμε ότι : Με
πρόταση της Εκπαιδευτικής Επιτροπής και απόφαση του Εκκλησιαστικού Συμβουλέιου, ΠΡΕΠΕΙ όλοι οι
μαθητές να γραφτούν μέχρει τις 30 Ιουνίου 2016. Οι μαθητές που δεν θα γραφούν μέχρι την ημέρα αυτή,
θα επιβαρυνθούν με το επιπρόσθετο ποσόν των 20 δολλαρίων.
Dear parents,
On Saturday January 29th, our Metropolis organized an event at St. John the Theologian, in Tenafly, NJ in
honor of the Three Hierarchs and the "Greek Letters". The event featured poetry recitals, songs, theatrical skits, from
various schools of the Metropolis. It was a wonderful event, and all the guests were delighted with the performance
of our children. His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos congratulated, students, teachers, and parents, as he expressed his enthusiasm and gratitude.
On Sunday, January 30th, the students of our Church and Greek schools celebrated the Three Hierarchs, and the
"Greek Letters" Day, reciting poems, and singing songs. All our students were magnificent, and all parents were
very happy and proud. Our congratulations for all of our students!!!
The Greek parade in New York will take place on April 10th, and we urge everyone to participate. We have a
big community, we have a large number of students, please come to show our pride, our gratitude to our heroes!!!!
The last day of classes will be on June 8th, with the Graduation taking place on June 11th at 5:00 p.m.
All Greek School registrations for the 2016-2017 must be completed by June 30, 2016. Any registrations after
this date will be subject to $20 per student late registration fee.
Happy and Blessed Easter to everyone!!
Sophia Stamatiou
Greek School Principal
P.T.O.
Hello Greek School families:
We hope everyone has had a safe winter and looking forward to some beautiful spring weather! As a
PTO, we continue to have such great support from our parents and we appreciate all of the volunteering and
feedback at our meetings. An important issue that was brought to us and the education committee was how to
protect our children who have allergies during snack time in Greek school. A subcommittee was formed and
unanimously agreed to make the Greek school a nut free and sesame free school. A letter and snack approved
list was sent to all Greek school parents. The list is also available in the church lobby.
The PTO hosted our Children's Apokreatiko Glendi and with the generous donations and help from our
great parents, it was a fantastic night and a huge success! Our children had an awesome night with our groovy
in-house DJ, Chuck Tsocanos playing songs for our kids to dance the night away! The kids also ate delicious
pizza from the Woodstone, participated in the freeze dancing and costume contest but most importantly were
being able to celebrate with their Greek School friends!
We have some fun events coming up and we encourage all of our parents to join and participate. One of
the events is the Greek Independence Day Parade which is going to be held on Sunday, April 10th. We would
like all of our Greek school children to attend and show their Greek pride as they will be on our church float
and marching in the parade! There will be a bus provided for parents who pre-register. There is no charge for
the children.
On May 6th, the PTO will be hosting a Paint & Pour night fundraiser! It is a first kind of an event but
we are very excited about it! The event will be held in the church gym, cost is $45; BYOB; appetizers will be
served and there will be tricky tray baskets to be won! The event will begin @ 7:30pm and painting will start
8:10pm. You may purchase tickets from any PTO officer. Please come with friends and enjoy a fun night out!
Our Greek festival will begin on May 12th and we will need volunteers to help prepare tiropites (cheese
triangles) prior to the festival. PTO will be notifying parents through email; class moms; or directly from PTO
officers as to when the preparations will begin! All preparations are done in the kitchen; no experience necessary; on the spot training! ! It's a fun time and at the same time helping out church for the festival!
During the last week of April 25th& 27th, Greek school will be closed in order to attend holy week
services. On Easter Day, there is the Agape service where at the end of the service, PTO will have Ester baskets for all the children in attendance. We encourage all of our parents to attend with their children all the
wonderful services during Holy Week.
The following are our calendar events for April and May:
April 6th: PTO meeting @5pm in the gym
April 10th: Greek Independence Day parade
April 20th: Greek school class pictures
April 25th &27th: NO GREEK SCHOOL CLASSES
May 2nd: NO GREEK SCHOOL CLASSES
May 4th: PTO meeting @5pm in the gym
May 6th: Paint and Pour fundraiser, 7:30pm, Cost: $45, in the gym
May 11th & MAY 16TH: NO GREEK SCHOOL
May 22nd: Greek school coffee hour /bake sale
May 30th: NO GREEK SCHOOL CLASSES
As noted, our PTO meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month @5pm in our gym.
always encouraged to attend and share ideas! We wish all of our families Kali Anastasi!
Warmest regards,
Rhoda Repousis
PTO President
Parents are
PARISH COUNCIL
Dear Parishioners,
This is my first letter to the community as the new Parish Council President. I am grateful to the entire
Council for trusting me with this position. I first and foremost have to acknowledge Demetrios Xanthos, for his
past 3 years of service as President. The past three years proved to be very challenging given all the repairs and
mechanical replacements that our complex needed. Thank you, Demetri for your dedicated service and for continuing to serve on the Executive Board as 2nd Vice President.
Thank you also to those who serve on the Executive Board, Andy Hios (Vice President), Antonios Emmanoulidis (Treasurer), Othon Katechis (Secretary)
and to all the members of the board for offering your Time, Talents and Treasures.
Since the beginning of the year we have continued the work from last year including the completion of the
roof replacement of the church. Within a short time after you receive this newsletter the roof will be completed
and the cross will be replaced at the top of the dome. Many upgrades to the roofing system have been made in
the course of this work including, repair of the dome, adding gutters around the dome, ice shield on the entire
roof and upgrade materials. Want to see pictures? Ask me, Demetri or Andy, we would be happy to show them
to you. As you enter the Gym, you will notice a new tile floor replacing the worn carpet. We will also be looking to change the carpet on the stairs with new carpeting after the festival.
Drive by the church at night and
you will see the new light polls that replaced the old ones at both entrances to the parking lot. Thank you to the
Maintenance Committee, and our electrician for your continued work.
We have several projects that we wish to work on this year, the main item that slows us down is financing.
At all times we have to do what is needed and at the same time keep within our operating budget. One item we
are looking to do this summer is to purchase a new sign for the front of the church. This is only possible because of our GOYA. The GOYA wanted to raise funds for a project for the Church, and a sign is something we
needed. This past February the GOYA held a Beef Steak Dinner. The event was a huge success, and on
March 13, 2016 the GOYA Co-Presidents presented the Church with a check of $7,500.00. What a wonderful
example of Stewardship, to have our youth and youth advisors worked so hard for the benefit of the church.
Good Stewardship is not limited to the GOYA. All of our organizations contribute Time, Talent and Treasure.
On behalf of the Board I want to thank all the organizations for the work they do and for the continued support and services they provide to the community.
Questions? Please ask me or any Executive Board Member, we are always open to talk.
Best wishes to all during this Great Lenten Season.
Yours,
Peter C. Paizis
Peter C. Paizis
Parish Council President
TSIPOUROVRADIA
On March 5th St Athanasios sponsored its 2nd Tsipourovradia. This was truly a night not to miss, ask any
of the 300 or so who attended if you have any doubts! The limitless Greek delicacies, the free flowing cheer, the
spectacular Greek music and transforming ambience where the right ingredients that resulted into a night of immeasurable “Kefi”, a true “Glendi”. All proceeds of the event - a sum of $32,000 was donated to St Athanasios General Fund to support the operating budget of our beloved church.
Thank you to all who contributed and helped make this event a huge success! Thank you to the chairpersons John Kourkoulakos and George Vathianakis and their committee members.
Truly yours,
PHILOPTOCHOS
Dear Parishioners,
On behalf of St. Irene Philoptochos Society, I send you our prayers for a blessed Lenten period,
Kali Sarakosti! As we look forward to this most holy time of year, we must continue to think of those
that are in need and remember to fulfill Christ’s teachings.
St. Irene’s Philoptochos will once again be awarding its Annual Scholarship. Graduating High
School Seniors of the St. Athanasios Community are invited to apply. The Philoptochos offers 1 single
scholarship of $1000 annually. This scholarship is an achievement based scholarship, the student and
his/her family must be active stewards at St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Paramus,
NJ. Applications may be obtained from the Church Office or by contacting Mrs. Thea Portelos. Deadline for all applications is May 1, 2016.
We held our Tricky Tray on Tuesday March 8th, we had excellent attendance, and it was a great
success. A general round of thanks to all of those who donated cash or gifts to offset the costs of this
event, as well as the Committee of Ladies who ran and worked the event.
Once again we will be hosting the Palm Sunday traditional bakaliaros luncheon immediately following Church Services on April 24th. Luncheon will include Fasolatha, Fish, and Salad and will have
Pasta for the children. Please call the church office to reserve your table or you can see any Philoptochos member.
We are also sponsoring our annual Tsoureki sale, please be sure to get your Tsoureki orders into
Vasiliki Panagopoulos or Ann Kamvosoulis no later than April 20th 2016. For your convenience the
order form is included in this mailing.
We are looking forward to attend our Metropolis Philoptochos’ annual visitation to St. Michael’s
Home for the Aged in Yonkers on Saturday, April 9, 2016. If you are interested in attending please see
a Philoptochos member or contact Thea Portelos.
The Metropolis of New Jersey Clergy Laity Assembly and Philoptochos Convention will be held
on May 16th through the 17th 2016, at The Venetian. The Grand Banquet and awards ceremony will
take place on Monday evening May 16th at 6:30 pm. If you are interested in attending please see a
Philoptochos member or call the church office.
Thank you for your continuous support of Philoptochos. Every time you support Philoptochos,
whether is buying a Tsoureki or a ticket to Lord & Taylor’s event the impact that your donations provide is immeasurable. Through your donations the quality of life for so many is greatly improved.
Kali Tessarakosti
With love in Christ,
Vasiliki Panagopoulos
President
CAMP GOOD SHEPHERD 2016
The Linwood-MacDonald YMCA Center Branchville, New Jersey
JOY (ages 8-12): July 10 - 16, 2016
GOYA #1 (ages 13-18): July 17-24, 2016
GOYA #2 (ages 13-18): July 24 - 30, 2016
GOYA Campers can register for one or both sessions.
For more information call the Metropolis Youth Office s @ 908-301-0500,
or e-mail [email protected]
IONIAN VILLAGE
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Office of Ionian Village
83 Saint Basil Road, Garrison, NY 10524
Phone: 646-519-6190
Summer Camp (ages 13-18)
Session 1: June 19 - July 8, 2016
Session 2: July 17 - August 5, 2016
Spiritual Odyssey (ages 19-24)
July 17 - August 5, 2016
Ionian Village Summer Camp offers excursions for Orthodox teens
to religious and cultural sites of Greece. For additional info visit:
www.ionianvillage.org
MEMORIAL DAY GRAVE BLESSINGS
Father Anargyros will conduct Memorial Day Grave Trisagia on
Monday May 30th, at area cemeteries.
Ο Πατήρ Ανάργυρος θα τελέσει Τρισάγια τη Δευτέρα 30Μαϊου,
στα κοιμητήρια της περιοχής.
9:00 - 10:00 A.M.
Laurel Grove Memorial Park in Totowa.
Father Anargyros will meet everyone at the cemetery entrance at 9:00 a.m.
10:30 - 11:30 A.M.
Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Paterson.
Father Anargyros will meet everyone at the cemetery entrance at 10:30 a.m.
12:00 - 2:00 P.M.
George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus.
Father Anargyros will meet everyone at the cemetery entrance at 12:00 noon.
Please be at the entrance of the cemetery on time
Tsoureki Sale
Sponsored by St. Irene Philoptochos Society
Small Braided $10.00
Large Round $15.00
Ready for pick-up at Church on Palm Sunday
Name:________________________________________
Phone #:______________________________________
Quantity
Cost
____________
Small @ $10.00
$___________
____________
Large @ $15.00
$____________
_____________
Total
$____________
Please mail your order form and your check made payable to St. Irene Philoptochos
Society to the Church office, Attention: Philoptochos.
You may also place an order with Ann Kamvosoulis or Vasiliki Panagopoulos after
church services,
or you may call Church Office at (201) 368-8881.
St. Irene Philoptochos Society
of St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church
is sponsoring
Palm Sunday Luncheon
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Immediately following Divine Liturgy
in our Community Center
Menu will include:
Fried Bakaliaro & Fasolatha
Beet Salad & Skordalia
Donation: Adults: $15.00
Children under 12: $10.00 (Pasta Dish)
For tickets and more information please contact:
Vasiliki Panagopoulos (201) 368-8223 or Xanthippi Nakopoulos (201) 391-8742
For takeout orders, please complete the order form below and return
the form to the church office no later than April 23rd.
Name: ______________________________Phone: _______________
Fried Bakaliaro, Fasolatha, Beet Salad & Skordalia: __________ Pasta: _________
FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS HAVE BEGUN!
If you are available and willing to assist in the festival preparations,
please contact the church office for
the schedule of preparations.
This year’s Festival is
May 12-15th, 2016
YOUR HELP
IS NEEDED!
THE SUCCESS OF OUR FESTIVAL DEPENDS ON ALL OF US!
ATTENTION GRADUATES
High School and College Graduation Sunday
will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2016
All High School and College graduates are asked
to submit their names to the Church Office.
All graduates will be honored on this day.
IN MEMORIAM
It has become an accepted practice that at the death of a family member, the family requests that donations in memory of the departed, be made to St. Athanasios Church. This
month, we wish to thank:
IN MEMORY OF
PETER GEORGE
Mr. & Mrs. Stefanos Doulos
Montvale P.B.A
Mr. & Mrs. Antonis Antoniou
Mr. Angelo Yannitsadis & Family
Mr. Constantinos Yannitsadis
Mr. Steve Yannitsadis & Family
IN MEMORY OF
ELIZABETH HENNESSY
Mrs. Vaso Panagopoulos
St. Irene’s Philoptochos
IN MEMORY OF
ANNA DEMAS
Mr. & Mrs. Stefanos Doulos
Mr. & Mrs. Dinos Gourmos
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Karounos
St. Irene’s Philoptochos
IN MEMORY OF
IN MEMORY OF
ARGYRO PORTELOS
SOPHIE KALIVAS
Dr. & Mrs. Theodore Constandelis St. Irene’s Philoptochos
Mrs. Stella Megariotis
IN MEMORY OF
SOTIRIOS MANETOS
IN MEMORY OF
Mr. & Mrs. John Betts
GIANIS MOSHOURIS
IN MEMORY OF
Mr. & Mrs. Mike Moshouris
IN MEMORY OF
THEODORA CONSTANDELIS
GREGORY EXARCHOS
IN MEMORY OF
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Berenzy
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Drivas
NIKOLAOS MOSHOURIS
Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Caravoulias
Ms. Aphrodite Kalamaras
Mr.
&
Mrs.
Mike
Moshouris
Mr. James Caravoulias
Mr. Michael Dimetrelis
IN MEMORY OF
IN MEMORY OF
Mrs. Helen Hasterlis
GEORGE HATZIMIHALIS
GEORGE KATOUROUS
Ms. Maria Hasterlis
St. Irene’s Philoptochos
Mr. & Mrs. Mike Moshouris
Mr. & Mrs. Alex Kalivas
IN MEMORY OF
Mr. & Mrs. Stojan Kotevska
ATHANASIOS
Mr. & Mrs. Mike Moshouris
GEORGOPOULOS
St. Irene’s Philoptochos
Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Exarchos
IN MEMORY OF
VASILIOS ANTONOPOULOS
Mrs. Flora Antonopoulos
IN MEMORY OF
Mr. & Mrs. Stefanos Doulos
ELENI BAHAS
IN MEMORY OF
Mrs. Vaso Panagopoulos
EVANGELOS YANNITSADIS
Above represents donations made from 1/23-3/10/16
N.Y.C. GREEK INDEPENDENCE
DAY PARADE - SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH
Buses will be available if enough people
register. Please contact the Church Office.
Deadline for registration is Friday, March 26th
BAPTISMS
February 20th - George, son of Erene and Haralambos Tsotsos
The Godparents were James and Maria Petrolekas.
February 27th - Marinos, son of Maria and Evangelos Drosos
The Godparent was Gerasimos Zapantis
March 6th - Theodore, son of Maria and John Peponias.
The Godparents were George and Athanasia Hrissikos
March 12th - Julian, son of Demetra and Daryn Binder.
The Godparent was Victoria Kantanas
Na sas zisoun!
WEDDINGS
January 31st - Catherine Mary Farr & Ilias Hantsoulis
The koumbara was Maria Avgitidis
February 28th - Lauren Michele Chambers and Peter Christopher
Grammatas. The koumbaro was Evangelos Grammatas
March 13th - Nicole C. Panzarella and Daniel J. Kiefte
The Koumbaro was Christopher Vallos
Na zisete
FUNERALS
January 15th - Evangelos Yannitsadis
January 29th - Gregory Exarchos
Our deepest sympathy to the families
HOSPITAL /
NURSING HOME
VISITATION
Please notify the Church office if
a family member is in the hospital, nursing home or a shut-in, so
that Fr. Anargyros may visit
them.
CHURCH
ORGANIZATIONS
All church organizations are
asked to submit their calendar,
meetings, articles, announcements and information to the
Church office by Friday, May
6th for the June / July issue.
MEMORIALS and
40 DAY BLESSINGS
We ask all parishioners to notify
the Church office at least one
week before a Memorial Service
or 40 Day Blessing. For 40 day
blessing of infants, memorials,
trisagia or artoclasies, please call
the Church Office in order to
make the necessary arrangements.
CHURCH WEBSITE
Visit our church website at
www.stathanasios.org for new
information, daily updates and to
learn more about our Greek Orthodox Faith.
ALTAR BOYS:
The Altar Boys serve our Lord
faithfully and reverently every Sunday and during the many special
Holy Days of our Holy Orthodox
Church. Monthly gatherings will
be held by the parish priest to instill within the Altar Boys the understanding of serving the Altar
with humility as well as the duties
and responsibilities that come with
it. All Altar boys are invited to the
next Altar boy Meeting on Saturday of Lazarus, April 23rd following the Divine Liturgy.
Michael J. Mentakis, M.D.
Diplomate American Board of
Internal Medicine
Diplomate European Board of
Cardiovascular Disease
Fellow European Society of Cardiology
Clinical Assistant Professor of
Medicine, UMD of New Jersey






Cardiovascular Disease Consultations
Internal Medicine Complete Physical Exams
Echocardiography
Nuclear Stress Testing
Ambulatory / Holter Monitoring
Pacemaker Implantation And Follow-up
Office Hours by Appointment
357 West Saddle River Road,
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
TEL: 201-327-2248 FAX: 201-327-3510
CHARLES TSAKRIOS, JR.,M.D.
Diplomate of American
Board of Ophthalmology
OPHTHALMOLOGY
EYE PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON
89 North Maple Ave.
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Telephone
201- 445-1991
Office hours by Appointment
Adult & Pediatric
Complete Eye Care
Parkview Plaza
1200 East Ridgewood Ave
West Wing, 2nd
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
(201) 447-3690
UNION
RUBENSTEIN, MEYERSON,
WHOLESALE
BERN P.A.
RESTAURANT
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
SUPPLY
ONE PARAGON DRIVE - SUITE
240
MONTVALE, NJ 07645
TEL: 201-802-9202
• Matrimonial Law • Guardian-
4 Lewis Street,
Paterson, NJ 07013
Ted Khalil
973-207-8382
STATE sTREET
GRILL
Allwood
DINER
Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
BREAKFAST• LUNCH• DINNER• OPEN LATE
30 West 60th Street, Suite 1Y
913 Allwood Road
Clifton, NJ 07012
973-365-2575
WWW.THEALLWOODDINER.COM
Office hours by appointment
EVELYN NISSIRIOS
The
Hours of operation
Mon.- Wed. 6:00 a.m.- 2:00 a.m.
Thurs. 6:00 a.m.- 3:00 a.m.
Fri. & Sat. open 24 hours
Diplomate American Board of
Family Medicine
Waterford Towers
190 River Road
Edgewater, NJ 07020
(201) 917-1117
122 Moonachie Road
Moonachie, NJ 07074
Telephone : (201) 939-9233
Fax: (201) 939-6118
www.the graycliff.com
NICHOLAS D. PANAGIOTOU, MD
No Stitch Cataract Surgery
Laser Surgery - Glaucoma
Contact Lenses - Optical Shop
FOX, MANCINELLI, CONTE &
FINE CATERING
New Jersey Keystone Physicians, PC
Dedicated to a Gold Standard
of Medical Care
9 State Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
973-748-3003
OPEN 24 HOURS - 7 DAYS
tel: 718-626-9400
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
fax: 973-748-3802
metroeyeMD.com
Dimitris & Nikitas Logothetis
Kostas & Christos Gallios
www.statestreetgrill.com
“SANCTIFY THOSE WHO LOVE THE BEAUTY OF THY HOUSE”
“ΑΓΙΑΣΟΝ ΤΟΥΣ ΑΓΑΠΩΝΤΑΣ ΤΗΝ ΕΥΠΡΕΠΕΙΑΝ ΤΟΥ ΟΙΚΟΥ ΣΟΥ”
Saint Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church
Iconography / Phase I and II
2016 Campaign for the Adornment of our Church
We would like to thank the parishioners who have already committed to the Iconography project of our church.
As of March 18, 2016 the following icons are still available:
For additional information and to discuss your family’s donation, please contact Fr. Anargyros Stavropoulos.
St. Ignatius
St. Nikitas
SS. Sophia (Faith-Hope-Love)
$4,500
$5,500
$13,500
Moses and the Burning Bush
The Sacrifice of Isaac
$20,000
$20,000
HIOS
Landscaping, LLC
& Snow Removal Services
Paramus, NJ
30 West 60th Street, Suite 1Y
ANDY HIOS
201-538-1975
www.Hioslandscaping.com
For all your Landscaping Needs & more
tel: 718-626-9400
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
fax: 973-748-3802
The Chateau
At Rochelle Park
A Sub Acute Rehabilitative Care Center that
Uses the latest techniques and equipment in
Physical, Occupational, Respiratory, Cardiac,
Orthopedic, Speech and Aquatic therapies
Unparalleled Care!
Assembled, at the Chateau, is a team
Of Highly recognized medical
professionals…
Dr. Stefanos Pantagis, MD
For more information,
Or to schedule a tour, please call…
Elaine Hios,
Director of Admissions
201 336-9317
96 Parkway, Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
Living Life to the Fullest
WESTWOOD
FAMILY DENTAL
John Nicholas, DDS
General & Cosmetic Dentistry
For Adults & Children
Full Range of Restorative Services
State of the Art Equipment
Cosmetic Bonding/Bleaching
231 Kinderkamack Road.
Westwood, NJ 07675
Serving the community
for over 25 years
Owner operated • NJ Licensed
Landscape Contractor
THE EMPIRE CLUB
FINE CATERING
E
Weddings
Christenings
Special Occasions
Corporate Events
Phone: 201-664-1454
Fax: 201-664-6158
136 Mehroff Road
Little Ferry, NJ 07643
201-642-2982
Office hours by appointment
WWW.THEEMPIRECLUB.COM
St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church
51 Paramus Road
Paramus, NJ 07652
OR CURRENT RESIDENT
THE MINISTRIES OF ST. ATHANASIOS:
SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL
Eliana Antoniou - Director
GREEK SCHOOL
Sophia Stamatiou - Principal
PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY
Vaso Panagopoulos - President
P.T.O.
Roda Repusis - President
CANTOR
Chris Haramis
NEOKOROS
Christophoros Sardelis
ALTAR BOYS
Sotirios Karabetsos
H.O.P.E. (ages 4-7)
J.O.Y. (ages 8-11)
GOYA (ages 12-18)
Stella Backos / Reina Phillips
ATHLETIC CO-ORDINATORS:
Peter Paizis / Andy Hios
FOS (Outreach Parish Ministry)
Karen Scoullos
HELLENIC SENIORS
Helen Manztouranis
BIBLE STUDY & CATECHISM
Fr. Anargyros
GREEK DANCING
Maria Xanthos (GOYA)
Mia Petrou (HOPE/JOY)
EPISKEPSIS (Visitations)
Fr. Anargyros
DIAKONIA AGAPES
(Help the needy-Food Pantry)
Presbytera Christina, Christina Georgotas
AHEPA
Chris Mavridis - Meets every 2nd Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
NON-PROFIT
ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Paramus, NJ
07652
Permit No. 121