Promise The
HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH WESTFIELD ^ NEW JERSEY
HtgocWestfield@htgocnj.org
October 2013 ^ Volume 37, Issue 6
908-233-8533
holytrinitywestfield.org
Concerning Holy Communion Part one
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■ THE REVEREND PETER DELVIZIS
esus Christ has endowed His Church with a divine gift - participation in the Mystic Supper which is the highest privilege given to man. This special meal is known as the Eucharistic Banquet or Holy Communion. By participating in this meal, the faithful consume Christ’s hallowed Body and precious Blood. Holy Communion is both a mystery and a sacrifice left to the Church as a perpetual remembrance of Christ for man’s spiritual nourishment. Through Holy Communion, mankind communes with God making him a participant in Divine Life. The Saviour says, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.John 6:53 The only path to authentic life in this world and eternal life in the world to come is through Christ. The Eucharist was introduced by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who not only spoke of it but celebrated it on the eve of His Crucifi xion. After He had eaten with His apostles, He took bread and prayed to the Heavenly Father; and He blessed it and broke it and said, Take, eat, this is My Body.
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Then He took a cup, and after He had fi lled it with wine He gave it to His apostles and said, Drink of it, all of you, for this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this in remembrance of Me. “How should I prepare for Holy Communion?” As a Christian, you should prepare for Holy Communion through continuous action (effort). You should receive Communion as frequently as possible when you have labored to receive it and have asked Christ constantly for it. You should not receive merely out of custom, not because of holy day obligations, not “four” times per year, not out of fright, nor because of approaching death. Holy Communion should be an exercise and a “fi lling-up” of faith. When you are moved by faith and have a constant desire to be with Christ, when you seek His will and do it, when you have prayed in earnest for the forgiveness of sins, then you are on the road of acceptable preparation. Some remember a time when it was “taught” to receive Holy Communion just a few times per year. This was oftentimes preceded by a long and extensive fast. Today, we are “taught” to receive it every Sunday or whenever the Eucharist is offered Pag. 3
Matthew 9:27-35 (7th Sunday of Matthew)
BULLY M
uch attention has been drawn to bullying in recent years. A bully frightens and plays on the weakness or the inherent goodness of others. They will taunt, be verbally aggressive and even become physically violent. Their actions are usually done in secret – away from any authority figure.
AND THE Also more recently in the news is the debate about sports gures being role models. Case in point Major League ROLE fiBaseball is suspending a number of players, most notable, Alex Rodriquez for violating policy using illegal chemically MODEL enhancing substances such as human growth hormone.
Also reported is an alarming increase in the number of NFL players arrested for serious criminal offenses. Lost in this debate is the mention of the real role models in society: teachers, law enforcement officers, firemen, and I will add clergy members. The Gospel shows us that bullies and role models have lived among us for quite some time. In scripture, Christ (the ultimate role model) is always seen healing the broken nature of humanity by a word and with a touch. His mission of restoring the dignity of true personhood to those who are frail or exhausted by Pag. 5 sickness or whose spirit has failed them
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Dates in the Life of Our Church October - November
TUE
15
11:00 AM Trinity Circle 4:00 PM Greek School St. Luke the Evangelist
FRI
18
SUN
10
8:30 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
6:30 PM Greek Dance MON
8:15 AM Orthros
8:30 AM Orthros
TUE
4:00 PM Greek School
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
20
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
12
MON
7:30 PM NNJYC
WED
21
23
8:30 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
THUR
24
4:00 PM Greek School St. Demetrios 8:30 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 11:00 AM Baptism
SUN
27
8:15 AM Orthros
6:30 PM Greek Dance Lord & Taylor-Shop Smart. Do Good
WED
30 THUR
31
4:00 PM Greek School 7 / 7:30 PM Greek Dance / Choir
SAT
2:00 PM Wedding
SUN
8:15 AM Orthros
2 3
14 FRI
15
THUR
7
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
4:00 PM Greek School
7 / 7:30 PM Greek Dance / Choir Synaxis of the Archangels, Michael and Gabriel 8:30 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy St. Nektarios the Wonderworker
SAT
9
Nativity Fast Begins
SUN
8:15 AM Orthros
17
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy Youth Sunday and Brunch
MON
18 TUE
19 THUR
21
7:30 PM NNJYC 11:00 AM Trinity Circle 4:00 PM Greek School Entrance of the Theotokos 8:30 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 7 / 7:30 PM Greek Dance / Choir
SUN
24
8:30 AM Orthros
8:15 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 6:30 PM Greek Dance
MON
25
St. Katherine the Great Martyr 8:30 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
THUR
28
Thanksgiving Day
FRI
Office Closed
SAT
St. Andrew
29 30
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
2
4:00 PM Greek School
11:00 AM Baptism
4:00 PM Greek School
FRI
8
10:00 AM TOTs
SAT
16
6:30 PM Greek Dance
5
8:30 AM Orthros
4:00 PM Greek School
JOY/HOPE event TUE
St. John Chrysostom
7 / 7:30 PM Greek Dance / Choir
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy Philoptochos 50/50 Raffle
7:00 PM Philoptochos Board Meeting
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy THUR
10:00 AM TOTs
SAT
26
13
St. James, The Brother of The Lord
WED
Sts. Victor and Vikenzios, Menas
11
7:00 PM Harvest Dance – State Youth SUN
8:15 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
8:30 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
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Pag. 1 CONCERNING HOLY COMMUNION with hardly any preparation whatsoever. It does seem that there exists, then and now, a fuzzy understanding about how to properly prepare for Holy Communion. Over the decades the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction. This perceived change leaves many questioning how, or when did a change take place. Well, to reassure all, nothing has changed regarding the Orthodox understanding of the Eucharist. What may have changed is the approach, or mindset, of how one should prepare himself before receiving Holy Communion. “I’m all for frequent communion, but not casual communion.” A few years back, I attended a seminar with Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia (Timothy Ware) who was discussing Holy Communion preparation. This prominent Orthodox theologian and author stated with certainty that, “I am all for frequent communion, just not casual communion.” His Eminence’s statement should be taken to heart. Pastorally, I believe one should receive Holy Communion every Sunday and at every liturgy. The purpose of a Eucharistic celebration is for the faithful to participate in this banquet by eating and drinking of the Body and Blood of Christ. Wouldn’t it be rude to attend a dinner party and not eat anything offered to you by the host? How bad-mannered is it then not to eat at the Eucharistic Banquet. Holy Communion is offered for no other purpose than for you to consume it, to partake of it. Abstention from receiving Holy Communion is symptomatic of spiritual impediments. Therefore, you cannot fully participate in the Divine Liturgy without receiving Holy Communion. If you do not receive Holy Communion then you neither participate in the life of the Church or in the life Christ. However, great care must be taken as we approach Holy Communion. It is neither a “treat” that we award ourselves for being “good” throughout the course of a week; nor is it a “gift” owed to us. Without laboring for it, without desiring to receive it, without seeking divine mercy, we demean not the sacred gifts but rather ourselves. After its consecration by the descent of the Holy Spirit it becomes completely and truly the manifestation of Christ’s Body and Blood. It is God alone who makes this change and authenticates its sanctity through the faithful’s consent. We add nothing to it nor can we subtract from it. Holy Communion is what it is. The prayers of the Church teach that the Eucharist contains the power to generate a change within you. Holy Communion heals the believer and condemns the skeptic
and neither one can add to its holiness or desecrate its purity. In partaking of Communion, you are entering the moment of your sanctification, becoming holy. Your body and soul becomes an acceptable tabernacle of the divine Gifts. The Lord in this visible form enters you and abides in your whole being. This is your path to oneness with Christ. As you can see, Holy Communion is something extraordinarily unique. Therefore, special preparations help you to connect your life with its holiness. Most of us give no special significance to common foods. Common foods are quickly taken and abruptly swallowed. Do not treat Holy Communion as a common food. You must be aware of its supernatural nature. Watch the priest as he, with great care and caution, handles these sacred gifts. Not even a crumb may fall without his considering how to retrieve and consume it, even if it falls to the ground! Having introduced this topic, an Orthodox Christian is expected to follow the Sacred Canons and Holy Traditions concerning the reception of Holy Communion. The first and most important is a complete fast the day of receiving. In other words, nothing is to be taken by the mouth the morning of receiving Holy Communion. Pastoral exceptions are medications. But even this has limitations. If food is needed with medication, then the instructions on how to take the medication are followed but this rarely involves a whole breakfast with say, eggs and coffee! Such an act would take advantage of a pastoral exception (economia) and is dishonest (dishonesty cannot be associated with Holy Communion). This article will continue next month with more specifics on preparations. But I encourage you to read the prayers of Preparation for Holy Communion that are included also in this month’s The Promise. See page 4th. ^
The Bookstore
Find Orthodox Prayers for Every Need At the Church Book Store!
■ SANDY MOURATOGLOU & ANDREA BLASI
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his month we are featuring MY DAILY ORTHODOX PRAYER BOOK, compiled and edited by Anthony M. Coniaris.
This book explains the Orthodox Rule of Prayer and gives an ample definition of prayer. Other prayers, too numerous to mention, include those for before and after Holy Communion, for meals, for reading God’s Word, for various daily hours, written by various Saints, to one’s Patron
Saint and Guardian Angel, for hope, for light, guidance, strength in time of trouble, and the various intercessory prayers. Of special note are the various short prayers such as are suggested by Abba Macarius and John Climacus, to aid mediation: “The quiet repetition of a single word can help us to descend with the mind into the heart.” Browse our other offerings: if you don’t see what you want, we can order it for you! ^ The Promise ^ Ocotober 2013 ^ Volume 37, Issue 6
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Prayers Before Receiving Holy Communion
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s you are about to eat the Body of the Master, approach with fear lest you be burned, for it is fire. And before you drink in communion the Blood, be first reconciled with all those you have offended; then you may take courage to eat the mystic Food. Before you take part in the awesome sacrifice of the life-giving body of the Master, take care and pray with fear of God:
SaintÊ BasilÕ sÊ Prayer
Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, the source of life and of immortality, creator of everything visible and invisible, coeternal and co-everlasting Son of the Father without beginning; because of abundant goodness, You put on flesh and were crucified and buried for us unthankful and ungrateful people in these latter days, and have by Your own blood renewed our nature corrupted by sin. Accept, Immortal King, my repentance, that of a sinner, and turn towards me, and hear my words. I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned before heaven and before You, and I am not worthy to look upon the height of Your glory, for I have provoked Your goodness. I have transgressed Your commandments. I have disobeyed Your ordinances. But You, Lord, being long-suffering, and of great mercy, do not remember evil, and have not given me over to destruction because of my lawlessness, but have ever awaited my conversion. You who love all people, said by Your prophet, I do not desire the death of a sinner but that he should turn and live. For, Master, You do not wish that the work of Your hands should perish, nor do You take pleasure in the destruction of human beings, but desire that everyone should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Therefore, even I, although I am unworthy both of heaven and earth and of this temporary life, having wholly yielded myself to sin, and become the slave of pleasure and have defi led Your image, yet being Your creature and of Your shaping, I do not despair for my salvation in my wretchedness. But I am emboldened by Your infi nite compassion and I draw near. Therefore, O Christ, You who love all people, receive even me as the harlot, as the thief, as the publican, as the prodigal. Take away the heavy burden of my sins,
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You who take away the sin of the world, who heal the infirmities of all people, who call to Yourself the weary and burdened and give them rest, who came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. Do cleanse me from defi lement of the flesh and spirit, and teach me to fulfi ll holiness in Your fear, that in the pure testimony of my conscience, receiving my portion of Your holy gifts, I may be united to Your holy body and precious blood, and have You dwell and remain within me with the Father and your Holy Spirit. Yes, Lord Jesus Christ my God, grant that the communion of Your holy and life-giving mysteries may not be
to myself not discerning Your Body and Blood. Yet, emboldened by Your loving kindnesses, I come to You, who said, He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood, abides in Me and I in him. Take pity, therefore, Lord, and do not rebuke me, a sinner, but deal with me mercifully. Let these holy gifts give me healing and cleansing, enlightenment and protection, salvation and sanctification of soul and body. May they avert every fantasy, evil practice, and operation of the devil enacted in my members by design. May they give me confidence in and love for You; amendment of life and perseverance, increase of virtue and perfection, fulfi llment of Your commandments, fellowship of the Holy Spirit, provisions for the journey of eternal life, and an acceptable answer at the awesome judgment seat. But let them not be for judgment or condemnation. Amen.
JohnÊ ChrysostomÕ sÊ Prayer
to my condemnation. Do not let me be affl icted in soul and body by partaking of them unworthily. But grant that to the last breath of my life I shall partake of my share uncondemned of Your holy gifts, looking to the fellowship of the Holy Spirit for eternal life, and to a favorable answer at Your awesome judgment seat, that even I may also become a partaker with Your elect of Your incorruptible blessings which You have prepared for those who love You and in whom, Lord, You are glorified to the ages of ages. Amen.
SaintÊ BasilÕ sÊ Prayer
I know, Lord, that I partake unworthily of Your pure Body and precious Blood, and that I am guilty, my Christ and my God, as I eat and drink condemnation
Lord Jesus Christ my God, absolve, remit, forgive, and pardon me, Your sinful, unprofitable, and unworthy servant the errors, transgressions, and trespasses which I have committed from my youth to the present day and hour, whether in knowledge or in ignorance, in words, or deeds, or thoughts, or reasonings and pursuits, and in all my senses. And through the intercession of the all pure and ever-virgin Mary, Your Mother, who conceived You without sin, my only hope, protection, and salvation, count me worthy, uncondemned, to partake of Your pure and immortal and life-giving, awesome Mysteries, for the remission of sins, for eternal life, for sanctification and enlightenment, for strength, and healing and health of both soul and body, for the erasing and complete removal of my evil thoughts and recollections, superstitions and nocturnal phantasies brought by dark and evil spirits. For Yours is the kingdom, the power, the honor, and worship, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. To read the entire series of Prayers simply visit: http://www.goarch.org/chapel/liturgical_texts/ daily_prayers ^
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
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Parish Council President’s Message
■ AGAPIOS KYRITSIS, PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT Dear Holy Trinity Brothers and Sisters,
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he New Church Year has hit the ground running with all programs and ministries working at full steam. Sunday School, Greek School, and all the youth programs are still accepting membership and registration. Your Parish Council has been working all summer attending to several maintenance projects in order to maintain the integrity of our beautiful facilities. The classroom hallways have been freshly painted as well as new varnish put on the doors, our new and improved sound system is now installed. With it, many complements regarding improved sound quality has been made. Additionally, all kitchen equipment and
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refrigeration is being well maintained and the supplies are kept in an orderly fashion. Special thanks to Notis Kotsolios who has worked overtime this summer overseeing all the maintenance projects our church is undertaking so we may be ready to start the new Ecclesiastical year. I would like to personally thank Mike Savvorgianakis and Michael Savva for joining me in helping to establish new kitchen protocols so that all our ministries may get the benefit of our kitchen facilities. I would also like to thank Chris Vasilopoulos for his constant and unspoken contributions to our church. Chris helped provide for our Sept 8th first annual stewardship picnic to become a huge success. Kudos to the whole community for your participation and fellowship! There were an estimated 300 people in attendance.
Every Sunday as you attend liturgy, I would also like to mention that you will notice a different Parish Council member behind the Pangari. We are here to help and serve you any way possible as you enter the newly renovated exonarthex and narthex. Our departed and beloved brother Dino Genakos left behind a wonderful legacy which we honor. In closing, I would like to mention that Father Peter and I will be attending an Archdiocesan Family Ministry Conference in Minneapolis from September 25-28. At the conference we will share and discuss the successes of Holy Trinity with other priests and parish leaders from across America, as well as, learn how to enhance our own ministries. All this is done to help maintain our unique and truly special parish. ^
THE BULLY AND THE ROLE MODEL
is wondrous and miraculous. His ministry is as much alive today as it was then.
attempt to discredit Christ, the Church, the clergy, and that which is true and holy.
The true role model of today is the one who can heal with a word or action and bring those closer to God. Most of our so called “role models” of today are far from this.
The devil tries to confuse the mind by taking your attention away from that which is important and true. The devil knows something that we might not know: the soul innately needs someone else. We need a role model, we need a savior. So the devil tries to makes gods and role models out of that which is bad so that our human nature is lowered…. so that we are not helped….so that we remain blind and sick, and stupid….so that we perish.
If we look closely, we can see similarities between the bully of today and of yesterday. In the time of Christ, who was it that always discredits and attempts to humiliate Christ? The Pharisees are the bullies of yesterday since they were the ones who overlooked the goodness of divine actions. They take advantage of Christ’s gentle spirit and goodness by censure. They use their authority to subjugate people to their belief. Then they question Jesus’ motives ascribing demonic traits to His divine actions. (Matt. 9:34) Their reproach is unfounded and toxic. How absurd attributing evil to good. In other words, like Hollywood, the media or the so-called modern sensibility that which is sacred is trampled upon. There is an attempt to desecrate that which is good; to lower the sublime nature then label it as unholy. In a sickening twist, there is also an attempt to take that which is sinful, and by highlighting the decadence and pleasure it temporarily provides dubs it virtuous. The unfortunate thing is that many people buy into this notion…they drink the KoolAid of a modern world view.
Only God can save us. Therefore, a Christian must be Christ-centered. For when we fight a spiritual battle we must have Christ as our defense; truth as armor. What do the twisted so-called “role models” of today preach? Christians are bad and evil people; while druggies, harlots and the gangster mentality are good. Real role models are boring, stupid and bound to rules while saying that the ignorant, uneducated man is fun and free. In this twisted world, it’s the renegade who is smart since he can think outside the box. So as Fyodor Dostoevsky points out in Crime and Punishment the distorted mind thinks that such a person should be allowed to operate above laws since he provides a service to society. The sad thing about all of this is that many listen to these modern day bullies who
If we look at things from a sensible point of view, here’s something the modern world won’t tell you and the devil, that big bully, keeps secret from you: In the end, who actually wins the war? Is it one who’s doped up or the one who’s clean; the one who’s drunk or the one who’s sober; the one who’s insane or the one who’s sane; the one who’s warped or the who’s straight. The real answer is the one who is strong, good, holy and virtuous wins in the end… not the sinner! God wins! And those who are with Him will victoriously enter into His kingdom. Sermon given by Fr. Peter, August 11th, 2013 ^
The Promise ^ Ocotober 2013 ^ Volume 37, Issue 6
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Parish Life
HOLY CROSS CELEBRATION, ASBURY PARK
Sr. Diver, Elias Vitoroulis; Jr. Diver, Loukas Carayannopoulos.
Sr. Diver, Andriana Kanaras; Jr. Diver, Cipriana Christodoulou.
Holy Trinity Families at Asbury Park.
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
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Holy Trinity Families at Asbury Park.
The Promise ^ Ocotober 2013 ^ Volume 37, Issue 6
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Philoptochos ■ PENNY PEFANIS, PRESIDENT To aid the poor, the aged, the hungry, the needy, and the sick through charitable works performed with discretion, courtesy, and kindness. uman beings are the crowning jewel of creation, and we shine the brightest not when we see our own likeness reflected in others but when each of us performs the unique functions that God designed for us to do. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.” Rom. 12:6 Cynthia Ladas and Julie Exarhakos, cochairs, coordinated a mammoth effort and delivered a well-orchestrated sale of Vintage Treasures and Classic Collectables. Proceeds
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will augment the printing of our soon-to-be released cookbook. Kudos to you and your team of volunteers. We extend our deepest gratitude to all who helped in every way. Anna Savva will be chairing the Breast Cancer Awareness Table for the month of October. Marina LoAlbo has diligently coordinated the “Fifty/Fifty Raffle” that will be drawn in the Bouras Center on October 27. We are also partnering with Lord & Taylor in the Shop Smart. Do Good. Event in Westfield scheduled for October 30. See Debra Vlahakis to purchase your $5 coupon which L & T donates entirely back to us. On October 9 join us for coffee and the
first General Meeting. Stella Wacker will present photos and discussion of her trip to Constantinople in June 2013. Sophie Stappas is chairing the “Soles for Souls Annual Collection.” Please bring in any size new sneakers for those who are in dire need of their first pair of shoes. We invite you all to participate in a trip to Philadelphia to view exhibits at the Barnes Museum preceded with lunch. Details, unavailable at print time, will be communicated. See further info at the Philoptochos Table and Bulletin Board. JOIN US! Our door is always open to each and every one of you. ^
GOYA
FROM THE YHT PRESIDENT
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he 37th Christ Encounter weekend will take place on September 20-22nd at the YMCA Camp Bernie facility in Port Murray, NJ. Approximately 50 GOYANS will attend. This includes 15 fi rst timers! What a tremendous turnout! Two Holy Cross Seminarians, Cassandra Garibaldi and Thomas Manuel, will join us in leading the retreat sessions. The theme this year is 1 Timothy 4:12: Do not let them look down on you because you are you, but set an example to the believers through speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. Activities planned for the weekend include a guided hike, teambuilding games, zip lining, climbing tower, archery and candle making. The retreat is a time for faith, fellowship and fun and always a highlight of the year. The Holy Trinity GOYA is very excited to be hosting the fi rst GOYA dance of the year. The Harvest Dance, will be held on Friday, October 18th and we are expecting approximately 400 kids
with advisors to enjoy an evening of food, dancing and fellowship amongst the GOYAs in NJ. If you have a GOYAN between the ages of 12-18 and interested, please come by the Youth table during fellowship hour or visit our webpage. ATHLETICS UPDATE ■ BY CHRIS BOUTSAKARIS Hello fellow GOYANs, I am extremely excited to be your new athletic liaison. There are a few exciting activities we are planning this year. We are in the process of putting together a Jr. girls volleyball team. Also, we are planning on attending a New York Red Bulls soccer game some time in the fall. Lastly, for the Sr. and Jr. boys basketball team, and the girls Sr. and Jr. volleyball teams, we are in the process of setting a date to attend a college basketball game this winter as well as scheduling a college volleyball game this upcoming year. I’m looking forward to successful seasons from all of our teams. ^
Holy Trinity Choir Annual Conference at St. Katherine, Falls Church, Virginia
■ KATHRYN ATHANSOULAS number of our choir members will be attending the annual conference of the Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians (EFGOCM) at St. Katherine, Falls Church, Virginia from October 17 to October 20. As a result the choir will not sing on Sunday the 20. We are not abandoning our choir but rekindling our commitment to choir by learning new Liturgies, sharpening our singing skills, communicating with fellow choir members in wonderful fellowship and keeping our choirs alive and well. ^
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Male Vocal Workshop
For the first time, the District of New Jersey of the Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians is sponsoring a workshop with an emphasis on Male Voices including a Master Class. Yes, you heard right. It is time to give some serious thought to our men who would like to improve their voices including choir members, non-choir members, psalti and priests. Look around at your choirs (especially church choirs) and you will notice that men are among the missing. We need you “guys”. Our clinician will be Robert Osborne who has sung in the “Spirit of Lent” Concerts for several years as our professional bass. Those of you have sung in these concerts will remember him and how he energizes the men as well as the entire choir. Go to his website to see his accomplishments: www.RobertOsborne.net So please save the date, Saturday, Nov. 16 from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Hosted here at Holy Trinity, Westfield. Price is only $20, snacks included. Checks made to EFGOCM-NJ. See Kathryn Athanasoulas for a flyer and application. Encourage all of your male friends to come. Christmas music will be provided. Don’t miss this workshop.
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
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SignÊ upÊ forÊ HolyÊ TrinityÕ sÊ CommunityÊ ChristmasÊ Card Once again, we invite you to participate in this community expression of joy over our Lord’s birth. Every member and friend of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church mailing list will receive a copy of the COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD imprinted with the names of those who have donated. This year we will donate all of the proceeds to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation www.rettsyndrome.org. Please complete the form below and send it in with your check. The minimum donation is $10.00 per family. (Larger donations will be appreciated). New members and those not listed in the Parish Directory must include their address. For convenience in handling, please make your payment by check. DEADLINE - Return to the Church Office by Sunday, December 8, 2013. Names received after December 8th may not appear on the card. Please return the bottom portion along with your donation. Thank you.
If more information is desired, please contact Julie Exarhakos, 908-272-0623 or Mary Skiadas, 732-469-4988. Please print your name(s) clearly and as you wish it to appear on the “COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD.”
Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________City:____________________ZIP:_______ Tel.: ____________________________Check # ________ $________ Cash: $__________ Donation: $10.00. Please return by December 8, 2013 and make your check payable to: “Holy Trinity Ladies Philoptochos.” Thank you for your support. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 250 Gallows Hill Road, Westfield, NJ 07090-1109
The Promise ^ Ocotober 2013 ^ Volume 37, Issue 6
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SACRAMENTS & RITES BAPTISMS Sat., August 4 Justin Philip Son of Jamie & Kristin Soltys Sat., August 10 Alexandra Kirsten Daughter of George & Erica Koufakis
Sun., August 11 Ava Eleni & Autumn Sophia Daughters of Michael & Constantina Coppola CHURCHINGS Sun., July 21 Thomas Matthew Son of Matthew & Amber Santiago
Sun., July 21 Madison Joy Daughter of Michael & Lauren Joy Butler
Sun., Sep. 1 Georgios Aspromatis Son of Harilaos & Sevasti Aspromatis
Sun., Sep. 1 Evanthia Paone Daughter of Chris & Kathy Paone
WEDDINGS Sat., August 17 Andrea Yeager & Kevin Fontana
Sat., Sep. 28 Stephanie Padakis & John Yocca FUNERALS Sat., July 27 ^ Roseanne Stampoulos Thurs., Sep. 5 ^ George Cladis
NEW MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH Vincent Cavallaro 727 S. Middlesex Ave. Colonia, NJ 07067
Nicholas & Elizabeth Lentis 2326 Long fellow Ave. Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
George & Erica Koufakis 5 Castle Dr. Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Efthymios & Parthena Frantzeskakis 948 Willow Grove Rd. Westfield, NJ 07090
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey
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228 Saint Paul Street Westfield, NJ 07090
www.paularfandisdds.com
908-232-0074
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Agapios Kyritsis Apostolos Apostolou
Call me for your special occasion
Kostas Lymperopoulos 908• 370• 7149
Open 7 days, Lunch & Dinner, Catering, Wines & Spirits.
Restaurant & Tavern
www.marcopolonj.com Since 1934 527 Morris Ave., Summit, NJ 07901 908• 277• 4492 - email: marcopolo1934@aol.com
20 Claremont Ave. Colonia, NJ 07067
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340 Main Street Madison, NJ 07940 Tel.: 973-236-0100 Fax: 908-277-3050 Cell.: 201-681-5366
The Promise ^ Ocotober 2013 ^ Volume 37, Issue 6
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Wait for The
Non Profit Org. US postage PAID Rahway, NJ Permit No. 654
Promise
of the Father
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 250 Gallows Hill Road ^ Westfield, NJ 07090 Change Service Requested
Metropolis of New Jersey
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
Worship Psaltis Pascalis Kuvalakis Choir Director Kathryn Athanasoulas Organist Phyllis Verenes Head Acolyte Nik Karsos
E-mail FrPeter@htgocnj.org
Schedule of Services
The Promise: Volume 37, Issue 6
Sundays
Weekdays
Orthros
8:15 AM
8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy
9:30 AM
9:30 AM
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Accountant Diana R. Waltsak Caretaker Ocione Nunes Admin. Assistant E. Joy Daniledes
Ministries Parish Council Philoptochos Religious Education Greek School Youth (GOYA) JOY / HOPE TOTS Bookstore Cultural Greek School PTO Trinity Circle
Agapios Kyritsis Penny Pefanis Jenny Hantzios-Basis Rita Fitanidis Nik Karsos Julie Vagelos & Peggy Tsirigotis Joanne Paras Sandy Mouratoglou Barbara Manos Christina Warnick Antoinette Genakos
10 issues published annually. No subscription fee. Article deadline - 10th of the preceding month
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