Around the Town
Bridgeport Art Trail- Thu, Nov 7, 2024 at 5:30 City Lights, 265 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport-The 16th annual city-wide open studios art celebration weekend, Nov 7-10, 2024 is Bridgeport’s biggest art party.
A Night of Music -Sat, Nov 23, 2024 at 6:30 PM Fairfield Theater Company , a night of music, dancing and community to support Swim Across the Sound and local cancer patients.
Thanksgiving, while widely celebrated as a secular holiday in the United States and Canada, holds deeper spiritual significance, especially within the Orthodox Christian tradition.
For Orthodox Christians, Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude to God for His blessings and mercy throughout the year. This gratitude is rooted in the belief that all good things come from God, and it emphasizes a relationship of thankfulness and dependence on Him.
service. It is a reminder to share blessings with others, particularly the less fortunate, reflecting the teachings of Christ about love and compassion.
She doesn’t know it’s a statue. She just wants to help. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
The celebration often includes special prayers and liturgical services, where the faithful come together to offer thanks, reflecting on the gifts of life, health, family, and community. The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is central to this practice, symbolizing the ultimate act of gratitude through the remembrance of Christ's sacrifice.
Moreover, Thanksgiving encourages believers to cultivate a spirit of generosity and
In summary, Thanksgiving for Orthodox Christians is not only a time for feasting and family but also a profound spiritual practice of giving thanks to God and fostering a sense of community and charity.
Let us give thanks to our Lord for His church and one anoth-
A friendly reminder that in December's vision we will be sending out a list of paid stewards for 2024.
Happy and blessed Thanksgiving!
Michael Milkin
If you've ever had the privilege to serve in one of our Church Family's Organizations, Ministries, or projects, then you know how true that is! "One can not help but respect the invaluable service rendered by the various Church Organizations over the years, and the myriad of ethnic and fraternal societies..."
In this new
The following text has been taken from A Century of Faith: The First 100 Years of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Bridgeport:
sion of one of our organizations and ministries, followed by an interview. As our Ladies Philoptochos Society celebrates their Patron Saints , Saints Cosmas and Damianos, on November 1st , it is apropos that they are our very first featured organization. For your contributions to our Church and to society, we thank you!
Vicky Andriotis, Editor
In 1944, the Mother's Club of Holy Trinity became a chapter of the National Philoptochos Society organized by His Eminence Archbishop Patriarch of Constantinople.
Mrs. Nathalia Bochanis served as the first President of the Ladies Philoptochos Society of Holy Trinity. At the time, Philoptochos was very active with the Greek War relief.
The very name of Philoptochos, meaning "Friend of the Poor," reflects this organization’s mission. It is dedicated to projects for the benefit of the community, and serves
various causes both on a local and national level in every aspect of community and civic service. Its mission is to aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, and victims of disasters and poverty all over the world. On a national level, it supports Saint Michael’s Home for the Elderly, Hellenic College/ Holy Cross, the Children’s Medical fund, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Philoptochos of Holy Trinity was among the first chapters to sponsor a child from Saint Basil Academy.
The Philoptochos Society is considered and referred to as the "Right Hand of the Church." Over the years, it has undertaken many projects to improve the life of Holy Trinity’s parishioners and facilities, as well as the local, surrounding community.
Within the Parish, the Philoptochos helps families during difficult times by preparing Makarias (memorial meal) and making Kolyva (boiled wheat). They also bake Artos (leavened loaf) and Prosphora (offering gift/altar bread), and have dyed Easter eggs by the thousands. They also
help to decorate the Kouvouklion (the carved, wooden canopy), that stands over the Epitaphio (tomb).
The contributions of the tireless Philoptochos members, along with the support of the entire Holy Trinity Family, enable the organization to continue to heed the words of Jesus Christ Himself:
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ “ Matthew 25:35-36
What is your organization’s most successful program/project and why?
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter bake sales. Our traditional food and dessert items are very popular with both our community members, as well as outside the community non-Greek population. Our bake sales are our stronger fundraisers that enable us to fund our programs.
How do you fund your missions and projects?
By our fundraisers and individual donations from our community members. Every donation, big or small, helps in the long run, and the support of the community to our various fundraisers.
What do you want people to know the most about your organization?
Philoptochos is an integral part of the Holy Trinity Community. Our group works tire-
lessly throughout the year to fulfill the commitments of our National and District Philoptochos, as well as helping in any capacity with the needs of our church. Some of our activities include baking for our bake sales and our church’s festival, making koliva for memorials, makaria services for our parishioners, memorial coffee hours, bake sales, shut in visits, food collection and distribution to the needy. We are also here to help with Holy Week expenses, kitchen repairs, if needed, Altar needs, as well as any requests for help from Father George.
What are your organization’s goals for this year?
We would love to help as many needy families or individuals both inside and outside the Holy Trinity community. Whether it’s through canned food collection, or blanket and toiletries drives. After all, Philoptochos in Greek means “friend of the poor,” and we strive to live up to that name.
Aswe move into a season of gratitude and celebration, our youth programs are full of energy and excitement. From enriching lessons and activities to community-building events, we’re dedicated to helping our young members grow in faith and fellowship. Here’s a look at what’s been happening and what’s coming up!
October has been a busy and exciting month at Greek School! Our students have started Greek folk dance practice every Wednesday, and we’re seeing some great moves already. They’ve also begun choir practice with Miss Joanna, filling the halls with beautiful melodies that are sure to shine at future performances.
In the classroom, the students are diving into history, learning about ancient Greece and the civilizations that shaped different regions of our homeland. Their curiosity and enthusiasm for this rich history are inspiring! Looking ahead, don’t miss our upcoming
Karagiozi show in the church hall after services sometime in November. It’s sure to be a fun and entertaining afternoon for the children and the whole family! More information to come.
At Holy Trinity, our Sunday School program is centered on nurturing our children’s spiritual growth and helping them become active participants in the life of the Church. Our mission has always been to encourage youth to engage in the liturgy and develop a deeper connection to their faith.
In support of this mission, we’re excited to offer kid-friendly Gospel readings and easyto-follow liturgy books each week in the Sunday School pews. These resources are designed to help our children not only understand the Gospel but also actively participate in the service, making their experience more meaningful and enriching.
Donations
We’re always grateful for the generosity of our community! If you have
any gently used toys, puzzles, or board games, we would love to welcome them into our Sunday School program for use in our morning sessions. Please ensure they’re clean and ready for our eager little hands!
We also gladly accept craft supplies and healthy snacks these thoughtful contributions help make our time together even more fun and engaging. Thank you in advance for helping us create a warm and joyful space for our children to learn and grow!
Also, please stay tuned for upcoming service project events and information.
Mark your calendars for our annual Friendsgiving Celebration, organized by GOYA and PTO jointly, on Wednesday November 13th in the church hall! It’s a wonderful time to gather together as a church family, share a delicious meal, and give thanks for our blessings. Bring your favorite dish, your families, and your gratitude make this a truly special evening!
A10
big thank you to everyone who supported GOYA’s recent pie fundraiser it was a tremendous success! Your generosity helps us continue our youth programs, and we’re so grateful.
Up next, we’re gearing up for two exciting holiday fundraisers! Starting November 3, we’ll kick off our Christmas card fundraiser a perfect way to spread some holiday cheer while supporting GOYA. We’ll also be launching our Christmas ornament fundraiser, just in time to decorate your tree with something meaningful and festive.
Looking ahead to December, we are excited to announce that we are organizing a fun outing for the kids to see Santa Story 2 at the Bridgeport Downtown Cabaret! It promises to be a festive way to get into the holiday spirit. Tickets will be available for purchase soon, so stay tuned for more details!
On a fun note, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Waterbury will be hosting the next GOYA dance on Friday, November 8th. We hope to see all our youth there for a night of music, dancing, and fellowship!
Our recent Hope and Joy group outing to Jones Family Farm was a day full of fun, fellowship, and beautiful memories! Families came together to enjoy the sunshine, as the children had a blast picking pumpkins, taking hay rides, and capturing pictures that will be cherished for years to come. It was a perfect day to celebrate our time together as a church family, making unforgettable moments.
Stay tuned for more exciting events with the Hope and Joy group in the coming months! We have more opportunities for fun and fellowship planned, so keep an eye on
upcoming announcements.
Our youth programs are thriving, with exciting activities, events, and opportunities for our children and teens to grow both spiritually and socially. From Sunday School and Greek School to GOYA fundraisers and special outings, there’s something for everyone! As we enter the holiday season, we look forward to seeing our young people deepen their faith, build lasting friendships, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Stay tuned for all the latest updates on our upcoming events and initiatives!
Wishlist Alert
In the spirit of giving, we invite parishioners to generously donate to our Greek School and Sunday School programs’ wishlists on Amazon. Your contributions will help us provide essential resources and enrich
our programs. Stay tuned for all the latest updates on our upcoming events and initiatives!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ ls/3G5U6MJ31N2LQ?ref_=wl_share
Important Upcoming Dates:
Wednesday, November 13th: Friendsgiving (RSVP information to come)
Friday, November 8th: GOYA dance, Waterbury Karagiozi Show TBD
Please “Like” us on Facebook!
For info and updates:
@Holy Trinity Bridgeport Sunday School
@Holy Trinity PTO
@GOYA of Holy Trinity Church
Follow us on Instagram!
@goyaholytrinitybpt
@holytrinitypto
cious sites instead of IRS.gov.
• Impersonators don’t let you ques-
or appeal the amount of tax Know your taxpayer
s how to know it’s really the IRS contacting you: We email you only with your permission. Typically, we contact you first by U.S. mail. Most IRS letters include a letter or number. To verify it’s us, search for a letter or notice. Some letters might IRS-assigned private debt collection agencies.
Social media - You can follow us, but we never contact you about your taxes on social media. Check with a trusted tax profes-
• Text message - We only send you text messages with your per-
mission.
• Website - Our official web address is IRS.gov.
Our purpose is to make connections within our Holy Trinity Church through our bimonthly meetings, which occur on the second and last Wednesdays of the month. As we age, our lives can become more isolating or limited and we encourage any and all senior members who are in our faithful community to join us for our activities.
• Phone call - Typically, we mail you first. We might call about an audit or to verify information.
Written by: LINDA BELLAS ELF
John Spyrou. May his Memory Be Eternal Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη.) Thank you as well to our Hostess, Ann Marie Anderson for her faithful service to our seniors in overseeing and serving our lunch-
There has been a change to our meeting area. We want to let the Seniors know that we will be meeting in the large classroom from this time forward instead of the Church Hall.
With November coming upon us, we know that on November 8th, we will be celebrating the Synaxis of the Angels. We continue to pray that all of our Seniors and Parishioners are protected by their angels.
We would like to thank the Papageorge family for sponsoring a lovely luncheon at the end of September in memory of their mother and former Senior member, Bessie Papageorge. May her Memory be Eternal (Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη.)
We also would like to thank Eleni Spyrou and family for sponsoring a delicious luncheon in October in memory of Eleni’s son ,
es.
We would like to offer prayers for Van Hatzis for a speedy recovery as well as Elefteria Kastanaras. We keep them in our thoughts and prayers for God to restore their health and wellness.
It is with sadness that we say goodbye to our former Senior Member, Elefteria Fatsi who passed away on October 4, 2024. May her Memory be Eternal. (Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη.)
We’d like to wish any Senior members who have an upcoming Birthday in November, namely Miranda Baker, a Happy Birthday (Χρόνια Πολλά!) We look forward to the coming month of our upcoming meetings. Please consider our group if you are a Senior and are interested, you may contact Linda Bellas at 203-731-1382 or Miranda Baker at 203-365-0028 to let us know you are interested in attending.
Our choir sponsored Coffee Hour on Sunday, October 6th, which National Church Music Sunday, and celebrated by all churches in our Archdiocese. Thank you to all who made a donation on that day! We raised $325 for National Forum of Greek Orthodox Musicians and the funds will go toward:
• Developing resources to inspire participation of young people in parish church music ministries·
• Development of a hymnology program and curriculum guide to accompany Church School materials
•Working on our breathing and breath control during warm ups.
• Practicing increasing our vocal ranges during warm ups.
Reviewing special hymns to sing periodically through the year and on
Reviewing weekly Apolitikia (and other weekly hymns) that give us a challenge every now and then. Learning new musical arrangements of our hymns and responses.
• Learning the notes and nuances of the pieces we sing.
• Working with Holy Cross School of Theology to provide resources and programs for seminarians
· And much more!
We now meet on Mondays at 6:00 pm to rehearse, up in the Choir Loft. During our rehearsals we work on practicing the special hymns of the week or month, but also so much more! Lately we have been:
As always, ALL are welcome to join us! No experience necessary and no need to read Greek either as our music is in phonetics. Reminder that our Youth choir will be meeting weekly, directly after church on Sundays for about 45 minutes.
If your child would like to sing and is interested, please contact our Director, Joanna Bogardus. She can be reached at djbogardus@att.net or at 203-650-4204.
We are stronger when we sing together! So together let’s #filltheloft!
Just for Laughs… Question: How many altos does it take to change a light bulb? Answer: None. They can’t get up that high!
Written by: HELEN YEOTSAS
Hello to all! Hoping everyone is healthy, happy and feeling blessed! Time keeps marching on! We are heading towards the end of October with the holidays fast approaching!
Daughters of Penelope have started off our new season with what we do best; bringing a little good to a few needy people. Our latest but not newest drive was to collect new, much needed socks to be handed out to area shelters. This drive ran through the end of October. Our next collection drive will be announced.
DOP donation box is in the back entrance of the church as you enter on the right. Thank you in advance for donating. Any little bit counts!
ideas to introduce to you, in return helping us to continue with our philanthropic projects! As if our mum sale wasn’t enough, our DOP sponsored a delicious coffee hour which we plan to do again throughout the year. Thank you very much to all who support us!
Written by: THEODORA FATIBENE DOP PRESIDENT
We had our very first mum sale in September. We wanted to bring something different to our community, and it was an amazing success. The support from all of you was beautiful. We sold over 130 plants, and if we had more, they would have been purchased as well. We are hoping to make this an annual event. Our group continues to think of
Our Christmas raffle fundraiser is coming together. Proceeds from this fundraiser, as well as the others, contribute to our scholarship fund. Once again, we will be raffling off ten (10) Christmas planters on December 1, after church. Each ticket will be $10 for a chance to win a festive Christmas planter. Look out for our raffle soon.
Holy Trinity hosted the fall AHEPA/DOP conference this year. This is a district conference where members from several chapters gather to discuss new happenings in each organization. Also, chapters share ideas on how we can help our communities. It is a nice way to meet other chapters and see that we are all experiencing the same issues.
(Continued on page 15)
We continue to emphasize noteworthy discussions at our meetings. October is breast cancer awareness, anti-bullying and domestic violence awareness month. We plan to have information on these topics at our next meeting which is on October16. Our meetings are on the third Wednesday of the month. Please join us.
Our knitting club is becoming very popular with new members joining bi-weekly. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn and create
etc to help keep people warm. And as a bonus, we have fun! We laugh a little, talk a little, and enjoy some delicious snacks. Come see in person what it’s about, and of course, if at any time you would like to donate or contribute to our yarn fund, it would be most appreciated. The way some ladies (ie Eleni Spyrou;) effortlessly turn out knitted items, we are always in need of yarn. Enjoy the fall season. Looking forward to seeing new faces join our group.
On November 8th, we commemorate the synaxis of Archangels.
There are different groups of angels that have different jobs. These are archangels they are messengers for God’s prophesies, and important events. Each of them also has an important job. Archangel Micheal is the Commander, he is in charge. Gabriel announces mysteries. Raphael heals. Uriel enlightens minds. Selaphiel prays for us (mankind). Jehudiel glorifies God. Barachiel gives out God’ blessings. Jeremiel raises things (like prayers) to God.
REVEREND GEORGIOS LIVADITIS
Dear Holy Trinity Family,
As we approach the end of the year and look forward to the opportunities that 2024 holds for our church community, I want to take a moment to express the importance of your stewardship commitments and extend my heartfelt gratitude to those who have already fulfilled their obligations.
Your stewardship is vital to the life and mission of Holy Trinity Church. It enables us to maintain our facilities, enhance our worship experiences, and support various ministries that serve both our congregation and the wider community. Each year, your contributions allow us to create a welcoming environment where faith can flourish, and lives can be transformed.
For those who have already submitted their stewardship commitments for 2024, thank you! Your dedication and generosity reflect the love and commitment we share as a community. Your support not only sustains our church but also inspires others to take part in our mission. We are deeply grateful for your commitment and the trust you place in our leadership to use these resources wisely.
For those who have yet to submit their stewardship pledge, I encourage you to reflect on the blessings in your life and consider how you can contribute to our shared mission. Your timely commitment is essential for us to plan effectively for the coming year. Every gift, regardless of size, makes a difference and helps us to fulfill our calling as a church.
Thank you for being an integral part of the Holy Trinity family. Together, let us enter 2025 with renewed energy and purpose, committed to serving God and one another.
In Christ's Love and service,
Course: Light meal, Lunch, Salad, Snack
Cuisine: Greek
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 658kcal
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
1 medium sauce pot
Ingredients
3-4 medium size potatoes (we prefer yellow flesh)
1 teaspoon salt
1 fennel bulb, cut into slivers
2 oranges, cut into segments with the pith and membrane removed
1/2 cup red onion slices
1 tbsp capers
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted, and cut in half
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
1 tbsp chopped up fennel fronds
For the dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
3 teaspoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons orange juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste
Peel the potatoes and cut them in half. Place the potatoes in a large pot and add enough water to cover them. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to medium-low and boil for about 20 minutes, until you can easily pierce them with a fork.
Drain, and let the potatoes cool. Once they have cooled, cut them into bite-sized cubes.
In a bowl large enough to hold all of your salad ingredients, combine the potatoes, fennel, oranges, red onion, capers, olives, parsley and fennel fronds.
1 fennel bulb, cut into slivers,2 oranges, cut into segments with the pith and membrane removed,1/2 cup red onion slices,1 tbsp capers,1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted, and cut in half,1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped,1 tbsp chopped up fennel fronds
Combine all of your dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine. Alternatively, place all dressing ingredients in a jar and shake to combine. 1/4 cup olive oil,3 teaspoons red wine vinegar,2 teaspoons orange juice,1/4 teaspoon salt,pepper to taste
Pour the dressing over the salad and using a rubber spatula toss gently to ensure that all ingredients are coated with the dressing.
This salad is best served shortly after preparing it.
Submitted by Vicky Andriotis.
"Sad" has 3 letters but so does "Joy" "Fall" has 4 letters but so does "Rise" "Curse" has 5 letters but so does "Bless" "Ignore" has 6 letters but so does "Listen" "Enemies" has 7 letters but so does "Friends" "Immature" has 8 letters but so does "Maturity" "Ignorance" has 9 letters but so does "Knowledge" "Negativity" has 10 letters but so does "Positivity"
You have two realities to choose from. It's up to you to decide which one you want to live.
One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a "battle" that goes on inside people.
He said, "My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all. One is Evil. It is angry, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other is Good. Is is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
4070 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
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