Promise The
HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH WESTFIELD ^ NEW JERSEY
HtgocWestfield@htgocnj.org
April 2012 ^ Volume 36, Issue 4
908-233-8533
holytrinitywestfield.org
The Paschal Joy
CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY, HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!
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THE REVEREND PETER DELVIZIS
My dearest brothers and sisters in the Lord,
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! Χριστός Ανέστη! Αληθώς Ανέστη!
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ogether as a family of believers we fi nd ourselves in the midst of the Paschal celebration. For forty days, until May 23, we greet one another with this faithful address confessing the joys of Christ’s Resurrection. By sharing this unique greeting with another on a personal level, we bind ourselves together in the Orthodox faith by succinctly describing the glorious empty tomb from which our salvation has sprung. This faithful exchange also becomes an affirmation of faith, as it speaks loudly of God’s immeasurable love for us. These are not empty words but the very foundation of our faith summarized in a short phrase. When we
say, Christ is risen, we automatically think of Christ’s victory over death. Perhaps we see Him coming forth victoriously leaving the tomb. But the concept of Christ’s Resurrection is not fully understood unless we add ourselves to this event. If we look at the icon of the Resurrection, we see Christ not as an isolated man by Himself, but rather as the Lord who grants Resurrection to the fallen. We see Christ destroying the very gates of Hades and bestowing new life upon our first parents, Adam and Eve. This same gift is offered to the prophets, kings and people of the Old Testament. So too, at this present hour is the gift of Christ’s glorious Resurrection being offered to us. Let us picture ourselves as participants in Christ’s Resurrection. Upon seeing all, let us confession the belief of the Church and profess it to be ours by saying, Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen! Χριστός Ανέστη! Αληθώς Ανέστη! ^
THE GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA
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aster Sunday bursts forth with all its glorious and resplendent rays of light. The beauty emanating from the empty tomb dispels the darkness and fi lls the hearts of all believers. This is the most ancient and preeminent festival, Pascha, the Feast of Feasts! In these days, Death is swallowed up in victory and life is liberated. Pascha is the dawning of a new and unending day, as it constitutes the most radical and decisive deliverance of humankind. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the fundamental truth and absolute fact of the Christian faith. It is the central experience and essential kerygma (message) of the Church. It confirms the authenticity of Christ’s
remarkable earthly life and vindicates the truth of His teaching. Christ’s Resurrection is the guarantee of our salvation. For the faithful, we know that the Resurrection of Christ has not yet abolished the reality of death but it has revealed its powerlessness. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and released those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” – Hebrews 2:14-15. We continue to die but this physical death does not destroy our life of
Wait for the promise of the Father
Pag. 3
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Dates in the Life of Our Church April - May
GREAT & HOLY PASCHA-SUN
THE GREAT & HOLY PASCHA
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11:00 AM Agape Vespers
MON
Bright Monday
16 TUE
17 THUR
19 FRI
20
The church office closed 11:00 AM Trinity Circle 4:00 PM Greek School
SAT
SUN
22
1
7:00 PM Philoptochos Board meeting 4:00 PM Greek School
THUR
3
7:30 PM Choir practice Sunday of the Paralytic
SUN
6
8:15 AM Orthros
4:00 PM Greek School
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 12:45 PM Jr Greek Dance
The Life-giving Spring 8:30 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
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4:00 PM Greek School
TUE
9:00 AM District Oratorical Festival
1:00 PM Baptism 4:00 PM Greek School
THUR
8
7:30 PM Parish Council meeting Mid-Pentecost
WED
9
8:30 AM Orthros
Sunday of St. Thomas
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
8:15 AM Orthros
10:00 AM TOTS
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 12:45 PM Jr Greek Dance MON
23 TUE
24 WED
25
THUR
26 SAT
28 SUN
29
6:00 PM Philoptochos Fashion Show 4:00 PM Greek School
THUR
1:00 PM Baptism
10
8:00 PM NNJYC meeting
SUN
7:30 PM Choir practice Mother’s Day
13
8:15 AM Orthros
4:00 PM Greek School
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy Mother and Grandmother Presentations
10:00 AM TOTS
12:45 PM Jr Greek Dance Metropolis of New Jersey Clergy-Laity
4:00 PM Greek School 7:30 PM Choir practice
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12 Noon Baptism
TUE
3:30 PM Wedding
Metropolis of New Jersey Clergy-Laity
MON
15
6:00 PM Grand Banquet Metropolis of New Jersey Clergy-Laity 11:00 AM Trinity Circle
Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women 8:15 AM Orthros
4:00 PM Greek School THUR
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
17
12:45 PM Jr Greek Dance
FRI
1:00 PM Baptism
18
4:00 PM Greek School 7:30 PM Choir practice 7:30 PM Cultural Committee speaker
Sacraments & Rites CHURCHINGS Sun., March. 11 Andreas Constantine Son of Melissa & Constantine Krikos
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WEDDINGS Saturday, February 25, Aurora Brown & Constantine Galaris
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
FUNERALS Mon., February 13 ^ Irene Stampoulos
Parish Council - 2012 ■
THEODORE DEMETRIOU, PRESIDENT
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We are well into the year—every organization is humming with activity—youth: volley ball and basketball, sights & sounds; Joy/Hope and TOTS programs. Plenty of cultural events and even the ordination of a priest—Deacon Gregory became Reverend Father Gregory Rubis. Father Peter became Protopresbyter and the community gave him a Pectoral Cross in recognition of this honor. On May 31st we will hold our Greek Fest running through June 3rd, under the leadership of Peter Ladas and Michael Savva. I urge ALL parishioners to volunteer their time,
talent and treasure. This is an opportunity for you to work alongside your neighbors and to meet and make new friends. A major area of concern is the stewardship program. Traditionally we have sought to have our stewardship collection cover our entire normal operating expenses. Based on the pledge card totals received, to date, we are not reaching those levels. We are addressing this matter of concern at this time. Nevertheless, we are confident that we will meet this challenge. On behalf of the Parish Council I wish all of you a blessed Easter season, for this is the highlight of our ecclesiastical year. ^
Pag.1 THE GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA communion with God. Rather, we move from death to life; from this fallen world to God’s reign. For those on either side of death, Christ has become, to those that believe, Life. The miracle of Pascha, with its promise and gift of eternity and plenitude, is always accessible to everyone. Christ’s Resurrection discloses the condition and quality of this Resurrectional Life. In the age to come, the faithful will not be restored simply to his present state. The person of faith will be brought into a new mode of existence, into something better and more perfect. “So also is the Resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” – 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. Through His exemplary life on earth Christ revealed the value of our earthly life for the achievement of salvation. Through His Resurrection He disclosed the ultimate worth and value of creation and affi rmed its fundamental goodness. We are not saved from the material world but with it. The whole body of creation rises by anticipation in Christ’s body. Christ’s body was not merely resuscitated. At the Resurrection it was radically transformed and freed from all limitation. It was exalted and glorified. Thus, the Resurrection constitutes the token of the glorious transfiguration of the world, and not it negation. The age to come will reveal the comprehensive renovation and glorification of the whole of creation, and not its annihilation. The universe was created by Christ. It belongs to Him. It is His gift of life to us. Therefore, it belongs to us as well as coheirs of Christ. – Fr. Alkiviadis C. Calivas, Great Week and Pascha in the Orthodox Church. ^ The Promise ^ April 2012 ^ Volume 36, Issue 4
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Christian Stewardship
Everyone’s Responsibility ■ JAMES C. FOUNTAS, CHAIRMAN STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
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he following information describes the mechanics of giving and sheds more light on the Stewardship Program as it ought to be. Beyond this, however, we ask that you make a new commitment of yourselves as well as your fi nancial commitment. We need your help to both support our parish and to carry forth the message of salvation which comes from Christ our Lord. The concept of Christian giving is the very essence of Church support. Each of us should return to the Lord a portion of our blessings so that the Church may continue to grow and provide a spiritual haven for the faithful. This concept of Christian Stewardship is not new to us.
Church can be faithfully fulfi lled with care, dignity and equity. We must also believe it is our personal obligation as committed Orthodox Christians and communicants to meet the needs of the Church, and this infers not only our parish, but the ministries of the Metropolis, Archdiocese of America and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Christian Stewardship charges us with the responsibility of sustaining the Church. It places the responsibility where it belongs – in the hands of the parishioners. It is our responsibility. We should not have to rely on marketing our Church to others to be able to pay our operating expenses. After many years of outstanding and successf u l per forma nce from t he
The Christian Stewardship Program is the best means through which the needs of our
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Statistics show 54% or 337 of our Stewards contribute less than $520 annually - the equivalent of the 1985 Dues of $240. For the 496 Stewardship Commitments who pledged less than $1,000 annually, the average annual pledge is $419 or $8 per week.
There have been 93 Commitment increases and 50 pledges which decreased from their 2011 commitment. The net from both is a $5.00 increase.
Our desire at Holy Trinity is to provide such a spring of water so that the faithful who are part of our beloved Church family may experience the joy of Jesus Christ and His promised blessings.
Let’s start by stepping back to the year 1985: As we proceeded through 1984, it was evident the financial health of our parish was not good. There was a continuing financial deficit and it was getting larger. At that time we had a dues system which also incorporated a voluntary fair share pledge system. It was evident a change in the method of parishioners financial giving to Church was required.
The Stewardship budget for 2011 was $707,000 a mere 1.0% increase over the previous year of 2010. However, Stewardship income in 2011 decreased by $39,915 or 5.7% from the actual Stewardship income in 2010.
STEWARDSHIP STATISTICS: 2012 As of March 5, 2012 we have received 499 Stewardship Commitment Pledges with a pledged total of $517,697.
A Church is not mortar and bricks but rather a meeting place for the faithful to gather together and drink from the cup of Life. Christ said, “Whoever drinks from the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)
Twenty-six years ago in 1985 we adopted the program of Christian Stewardship Commitment as the vehicle of financial support for our parish. We know there are many of you who have lived this change, but as our community continues to grow there may be some who may have come from parishes where a “dues” system of fi nancial support existed.
on the annual Financial Statement as $696,883 includes contributions from parishioners who did not submit a Pledge commitment card and from cash donations in the collection trays.
The 2012 Budget is based on a $710,000 Income from Stewardship
Stewardship Program at Holy Trinity, we currently fi nd giving patterns indicate the biggest part of the Church’s’ ministries and work is supported by a relatively small percentage of the total membership. Consider the Following: In 1985, the parish of Holy Trinity was on a dues system of support. Family membership was $240 annually and $80 for Single membership. Now let’s jump forward some 17 years, the equivalent in today’s dollars is $520 and $175, respectively. STEWARDSHIP STATISTICS 2011 There were 626 Stewardship Pledge Commitments. The total of Stewardship Commit ment Pledges for 2011 wa s $665 ,739. We experienced an unpaid balance of $23,621, for a net of $642,118. Total Stewardship income for 2011 shown
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
It becomes clear, as a parish, we are not supporting fully the work of our Church and must consistently rely on major contributors and funds raised outside the parish. All this means that with costs increasing, we as Orthodox Christians, responsible for maintaining God’s home have to face up to that responsibility and provide the necessary funds. We have much to be thankful for: a unified community with a deep sense of purpose; Orthodox Christians with a faith deeply rooted in scripture and tradition; a church edifice which suggests to us the purpose of worship and prayer and much more which rounds out our relationships with fellow parishioners in social, athletic and cultural events. You now know the needs of your Church. You know what you can do. Be Faithful, Be Honest. Prayerfully and sincerely contribute to the Stewardship Program to the best of your ability. ^
Godparent & Godchild Sunday Communion Breakfast
Scenes from Godparent/Godchild Sunday.
â– ANDREA CERINI
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he annual Godparent/Godchild Communion Breakfast was held at Holy Trinity on February 12, the Sunday prior to Valentine’s Day. The church was over-flowing with godparents with their godchildren. It was a beautiful sight. After godparents and godchildren received Holy Communion together they enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the Bouras Center. Once again, sponsored by the Religious Education of Holy Trinity, Dino Genakos and his kitchen crew of Chris Kiriakatis, Greg Psomas and Ron Cerini outdid themselves preparing a delicious home cooked breakfast that included fresh fruit, perfectly scrambled eggs, ham, delicious bagels and pastry with many other wonderful treats. The sunny day seemed to shine directly on all the beautifully smiling faces of the friends and family of our Holy Trinity parish who gathered together for this lovely event. A special thank you is extended to all the volunteers who helped make this an extremely success day - Debbie and Megan Koutsaftes, Athena Vasilopoulos, Maya Djurasovic, Bill and Stacey Papalitskas and Michelle Kallinosis . Also thank you to the many beautiful and helpful children who helped clean up after the event. It was greatly appreciated. ^
Scenes from Communion Breakfast.
Kitchen Crew: Chris Kiriakatis; Dino Genakos; Greg Psomas & Ron Cerini.
New Members of the Church Ben & Stacey De Seta 20 Kline Blvd. New Providence, NJ 07974
Nick & Georgia Plevritis 31 Prescott Dr. Marlboro, NJ 07746
Nicholas Rentas 8100 River Rd. North Bergen, NJ 07047
Panagiotis & Raina Xythalis 101 King St. Fanwood, NJ 07023
The Promise ^ April 2012 ^ Volume 36, Issue 4
5
Parish Life
Deacon Gregory Rubis Ordained to Holy Priesthood
Deacon Gregory receiving the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos.
Father Peter receiving the blessing of His Grace Bishop Ilia.
O
n Sunday, February 19, 2012, in the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey and the faithful of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, His Grace Bishop Ilia of Philomelion ordained Deacon Gregory Rubis to the Holy Priesthood by the Laying on of Hands. This day of celebration began with Orthros and a hierarchical Divine Liturgy. The ordination of a priest happens after the Great Entrance at the conclusion of the Cherubic Hymn when the Holy Gifts are placed upon the Altar Table. Deacon Gregory was presented to Bishop Ilia by Rev. Fr. Peter Delvizis and Fr. Rev. Rev. David F. Garretson of Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in South River, NJ. At this point, the two priests escort the candidate around the Holy Altar Table. Here he bows with reverence before it kissing the four corners of the Table. After this was done three times,
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His Grace Bishop Ilia of Philomelion, Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America, under the Jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
His Grace Bishop Ilia cordially engaging the faithful during his sermon.
Deacon Gregory being lead to the solea by his brother, Deacon Andrew, just prior to ordination.
Deacon Gregory then knelt on both knees before the Holy Altar. With fear, placing his hands in the sign of the Cross, right upon left, he rests his head upon his hands on the Holy Altar Table. This signifies the candidate humbly surrendering himself to God. The hierarch then made the sign of the Cross upon the candidate and straightway laid his hands upon him who is to be ordained and called upon the Holy Spirit to descend upon him. The entire congregation also kneeling at this point asks the Lord to likewise make the candidate worthy to be a priest. After the concluding prayer, the hierarch presented the newly ordained presbyter to the people and proceeded to vest him in priestly garments. The hierarch proclaims the priest worthy by saying, AXIOS! There upon, the entire congregation gives ascent and confirms the bishop’s proclamation by also saying, AXIOS!
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
After ordin of Ph a set o
The Presv to con and f
AXIOS!, The newly ordained priest is given the Phelonion.
AXIOS!
The Laying on of Hands.
“Receive this Sacred Trust and guard it until the Second Coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, for which you will be held accountable.” Father Gregory holding the Lamb of God.
AXIOS!, His Grace presenting the newly ordained Father Gregory.
Deacon Gregory reverencing the right hand of Bishop Ilia.
After the services and a reception in the Bouras Center, an ordination luncheon was held. At the luncheon, the Ladies of Philoptochos of Holy Trinity presented Fr. Gregory with a set of new priestly vestments. The parish is very honoured to have Fr. Gregory and Presvytera Sharon here at Holy Trinity. We ask the Lord to continue to bless them in this ministry with much health and fervor. ^
His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos with His Grace Bishop Ilia at the conclusion of the Ordination. Presvytera Sharon receiving the blessing of His Grace.
Axios!
Άξιος Axios! The Promise ^ April 2012 ^ Volume 36, Issue 4
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The Sacrament of Holy Orders
J
ust as there were apostles at the time of Jesus, so we Thus ordination is defi ned as the laying on of hands of a have their successors today. We use different names for bishop, with prayer, that the grace of the Holy Spirit comes them. Instead of apostles, we call them deacons, priests upon the candidate for Orders sanctifying him to one of the (presbyters) and bishops. But they continue the work of the three orders of ministry, empowering him to be a shepherd apostles. Jesus ordained the apostles to be His co-workers and minister of Christ, to teach His Word, to administer the when He breathed the Holy Spirit on them: “Jesus said to them sacraments, to guide God’s people to salvation, and to govern again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you.’ His Church. And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Christ ordained the fi rst apostles. They in turn ordained Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven; if you retain others to succeed them as bishops, priests and deacons. the sins of any, they are retained.’” – Each generation of bishops was John 20:21-23. We see from “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins succeeded by another down to this passage that the Sacrament of any they are forgiven; if you retain the sins the present. This unbroken of Ordination was instituted chain of ordination can be by Christ Himself after His of any, they are retained.” traced directly back to the Resurrection. Apostles and Christ. Jesus chose special persons to continue the work of the Church through the ages; to preach the Word, to administer This continuity of descent is called Apostolic Succession. It is the sacraments, and to govern the Church. As this ministry important because it maintains a direct unbroken historical was to endure permanently, it needed to be transferable from link with the original Church established by Christ and the one person to another. This was provided by Jesus in the Apostles. It guarantees the unbroken continuity of the Church Sacrament of Ordination through which, by the laying on in origin as well as in doctrine with the early Apostles. It of hands and prayer, the special grace of God is bestowed on proves historically that the Church is authentically the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church founded by Christ. ^ those selected to serve as Christ’s apostles.
YHT
From the Advisors...
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VICKIE ZOURZOUKIS, GOYA PRESIDENT
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ongratulations to our Sights & Sounds participants and our coaches/directors! 6th place team ranking with 4 of our groups awarded the following places” 1st – American singing; 2nd – English Play; 4th – Religious Singing and 5th – Chorale Speaking. We also want to thank the youth and parents for all their assistance with set-up, volunteerism and clean-up for Sights & Sounds. The success of this day is a reflection of the many efforts from all of us. The participating communities appreciate this amazing event. The youth also treated our Holy Trinity family to an entertaining evening with a Post Show on Friday, March 9 after the Akathist Service. It was wonderful opportunity to showcase our Sights & Sounds presentations and to have our supporters view the productions. Kudos to all the performers! Congratulations to Debra Vlahakis. Our youth recognized her with the 2012 GOOD FRIEND Award at the Post Show. President Vickie Zourzoukis remarked that her kindness,
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willingness to assist and of course her picture taking make her a wonderful recipient for this award. Son, Gregory presented the award to his mother. Axia and thank you Debra for all your efforts! OUTREACH: Coordinators Evie Kyritsis and Stephanie John have announced that our March collection will be art supplies in conjunction with Sights & Sounds month. The collection will be donated to NJ Food Bank: Tools for Schools Division. Items requested include: construction paper, paintbrushes, color pencils, markers, crayons, and glue sticks. ATHLETICS: Olympics are now upon us. We have 3 different event days on the schedule: April 28th - is Indoor Soccer; May 12th - are the Indoor Events in Perth Amboy and of course May 26th-27th are the Outdoor track and field events at Monmouth University. Practices are held Sundays following Religious Education. Participants must be Rel. Ed. attendees and youth members. Stop by the youth table for practice dates, forms and registration deadlines. ^
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
Philoptochos ■ MARINA LOALBO, VICE PRESIDENT
To aid the poor, the aged, the hungry, the needy, and the sick through charitable works performed with discretion, courtesy, and kindness.
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he Ladies Philoptochos welcomes every woman in our Holy Trinity parish to become members of Philoptochos. As the second largest philanthropic women’s organization in the United States, we invite, embrace, and ask for your involvement. Your stewardship will enable us to continue to meet our many charitable commitments. Please sign up at the Sunday Fellowship hour or return your stewardship envelope that was mailed to each of your homes by April 1st. It would be wonderful if our parish had 100% participation! Our thanks to Themis Ganifas for chairing the annual Quilt-a-thon on Saturday March 31st. Many hands are needed to make quilts for these at-risk babies. Thank you to all who volunteer their time that day. Invitations to our annual fashion show, Mystique, have been mailed. This year’s fashion show will be held at Shackamaxon Golf & Country Club, Scotch Plains, NJ, on Wednesday, May 9th, and chaired by Janet O’Sullivan and Debbie Efthimion. Many gifts and prizes are being donated, and this year’s event is slated to be a wonderful evening. The proceeds of the Grand Raffle will be going to The
Michael J. Fox Foundation and Lupus Foundation of America. On Thursday, March 15, at our General Meeting at 7:00 pm in the Bouras Center, a “Tea Party” was held. No, this was not a political event but a real tea party. Each lady brought a favorite china teacup and was treated to the speaker, Maria Tisdale, owner of “Cheese Please”, who spoke to us about tea and cheese. Delicious refreshments were served, and it was a lovely “ladies night out.” We thank Cynthia Ladas for chairing this special meeting.
Calendar of Events Sunday, April 1 - Baking for Home Bound Wednesday, April 4 - Philoptochos/Trinity Circle bus trip to Holy Protection Monastery, White Haven, PA Friday, April 6 - “The Spirit of Lent” Concert, St. Athanasios Church, Paramus, 8:00 pm Sunday, April 8 - Philoptochos hosts Palm Sunday Fellowship Hour Tuesday, May 1 - Lord & Taylor’s “Shop Smart, Do Good” Saturday, May 5 - St. Basil Retreat, Garrison, NY Wednesday, May 9 - Annual Fashion Show, Mystique, at Shackamaxon Country Club, Scotch Plains, NJ. ^
e Date! Save t h ay 9, 2012 sday, M Wedne
T he Ladies Philoptochos Annual Fashion Show Shackamaxon Golf & Country Club, Scotch Plains, NJ Fashions will be presented by Noel Brogan Productions.
We only have a few weeks until it is spring-time to start thinking about the Ladies Philoptochos annual fashion show! The title of this year’s fashion show is “Mystique,” and the logo is deep blue eyes. Mystique is a fascinating aura of mystery within and surrounding a woman in her life’s journey. A woman who has mystique has a certain belief in her worth, potential, inner beauty, and talents, and recognizes them as gifts from God. By looking at herself and the world through Christian eyes, she learns truth and develops faith, hope, and love and discovers the courage to step into the adventure of sharing her gifts. The ladies of Westfield’s Philoptochos demonstrate this mystique. This year’s title is dedicated to those women and all women on their personal journeys.
Watch the mail in early March for your invitation! THE ANNUAL FASHION SHOW IS PHILOPTOCHOS’ MAIN FUNDRAISER. EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY CAN HELP MAKE THIS FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS: • Attend the fashion show •Place or solicit an ad in the Ad Journal • Place a Mother’s Day tribute in the Ad Journal • Donate cash or items for gift basket raffles • Purchase raffle tickets Proceeds of this year’s Grand Raffle will support The Michael J. Fox Foundation and The Lupus Foundation of America. All other proceeds will directly benefit the numerous service programs and charitable causes of Philoptochos. Particularly in these difficult times, your support is greatly appreciated.
It is a joy to be chairing this event and working with the lovely ladies of Philoptochos once again. T hank you for your support and encouragement. Janet O’Sullivan & Debbie Efthimion CO-CHAIRS 2012 SPRING FASHION SHOW The Promise ^ April 2012 ^ Volume 36, Issue 4
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Bookstore ■ SANDY MOURATOGLOU & ANDREA BLASI
If you missed the cultural committee’s presentation of LOST TO THE WEST: THE FORGOTTEN BYZANTINE EMPIRE THAT RESCUED WESTERN CIVILATION, now is your chance to get the book! Totally unlike a dry textbook style, this book is very easy to read and makes you feel that you are a part of history as it was happening in the Byzantine Empire! ^
Cultural Committee T
he Glories of Byzantium came alive on Friday, Feb.18th as a large crowd fi lled all the seats in the Bouras Center to hear Lars Brownworth discuss the book LOST TO THE WEST -THE FORGOTTEN BYZANTINE EMPIRE THAT RESCUED WESTERN CIVILIZATION. Constantinople; has been viewed as a mysterious place which somehow disappeared during the Middle Ages, but in reality the Roman Empire was kept alive here for over 1,000 years. When it fell in 1453 it became the catalyst for the emerging Renaissance. Save the date for the next Cultural event - Friday, May 18th. Our own Dr. Katherine Panagakos, Professor at Richard Stockton College, will lecture on the Olympic Games and Marathon. This lecture will dovetail neatly into our own Junior GOYA Olympics which are scheduled for the following weekend. ^
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Office Staff
Contact Information Mailing Address 250 Gallows Hill Rd. Westfield, NJ 07090-1109 Phone 908-233-8533 Fax 908-233-0623 E-mail HtgocWestfield@htgocnj.org Web site holytrinitywestfield.org Presiding Priest Rev. Peter Delvizis
Administrative Assistant Irene Panagakos Accountant Diana R. Waltsak Caretaker Ocione Nunes
Worship Psaltis Pascalis Kuvalakis Choir Director Kathryn Athanasoulas Organist Phyllis Verenes Head Acolyte Christopher Wolff
E-mail FrPeter@htgocnj.org Priest Rev. Gregory Rubis Schedule of Services
The Promise: Volume 36, Issue 4
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