STNGOC - Weekly Bulletin - June 7-09 by Nicholas Sialmas

Saint Nicholas Church Weekly Bulletin – June 7, 2009 Holy Pentecost – Trinity Sunday

Economos: Rev. Fr. Charles J. Joanides – Email: joanidesch@aol.com _____________________________________________________________________________________ PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS Memorial Service: June 21st: 15 Year Memorial for Demetrios Festa. May his memory be eternal. June 28th: 5 Year Memorial for Esther Pericles. May her memory be eternal. Baptism:

July 12th:

Georgios Fatsis, son of Konstantinos and Evangelia Fatsis

Churching: Chrismation: Wedding: Adult Eduction: June 24th:

Adult Education Class – final class until fall.

Sunday School: Graduation Sunday will take place on Sunday, June 21st. Please mark your calendars. Summer Sunday School will not be taking place this year. For more information, please send an email to info@stngoc.org or call the Church office at 561-2556. - Sincerely, The Sunday School Team Greek School: Graduation Sunday will take place on Sunday, June 21st. Please mark your calendars. Classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 4:30 PM 6:00 PM for 1st to 4th Grade and from 6:15 PM to 7:45 PM for 5th to 8th Grade. For more information, please send an email to gspto@saintnicholasonline.org or call the Church office at 561-2556. St. Nicholas Ladies Philoptochos: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” - Matthew 28:19. AHEPA: TBD Youth Programs: TBD Monthly Meetings: 3rd Mon of each month @ 6:30pm: Parish Council 1st Mon of each month @ 7:00pm: Philoptochos Society 3rd Thur of each month @ 7:00pm: AHEPA 1st Wed of each month @ 6:30pm: Stewardship Volunteers Are Needed: If you are interested in volunteering to assist your Church and Community, please see any Parish Council Member. Volunteers are needed. You may also call the Church at 845-561-2556 or by email at info@saintnicholasonline.org. Together we can accomplish great things. - Sincerely, The Parish Council Future Announcements & Events: To ensure future announcements/events are published in a timely manner, please contact Emily Clifford @ 914-369-7207. Membership Contact Information: If you have recently moved, changed your phone number or e-mail address, please send us your new information so you do not miss out on any important Community correspondence. Drop a note to any Council member or Jeanette Stylians (JeanetteStylian@aol.com) as soon as possible.

STEWARDSHIP If you have any questions concerning our Stewardship Program, please feel stop by the Church office. You may also call the Church at 845-561-2556 or send an E-mail to stewardship@saintnicholasonline.org. 2008 Pledge for 2009: 2009 Pledge for 2009: Total Pledges for 2009:

7 Families 107 Families 114 Families

-- Pledge = $ 2,010 – Received = $ 2,010 (Outstanding = $ 0) -- Pledge = $50,735 – Received = $36,162 (Outstanding = $14,572) -- Pledge = $52,7455 – Received = $37,172 (Outstanding = $14,572)

______________________________________________________________________________ 19-23 Fullerton Avenue / P.O. Box 2004 – Newburgh, NY 12550 Phone: (845) 561-2556 – Fax: (845) 622-3567 E-mail: info@saintnicholasonline.org - Website: www.saintnicholasonline.org -1-

Saint Nicholas Church Weekly Bulletin – June 7, 2009 Holy Pentecost – Trinity Sunday

Economos: Rev. Fr. Charles J. Joanides – Email: joanidesch@aol.com _____________________________________________________________________________________ The following are the suggested minimums for 2009.

Type Family Senior Family Senior Single Single

Annual $540.00 $300.00 $180.00 $360.00

Monthly $45.00 $25.00 $15.00 $30.00

Weekly $10.38 $5.77 $3.46 $6.92

WEEKLY FINANCIAL REPORT – January 1, 2009 – June 5, 2009 Month January: February: March: April: May: June: Total:

Income $11,576.00 $10,518.54 $15,394.00 $30,017.86 $ 9,150.31 $ 0.00 $77,966.71

Expense $12,823.77 $18,533.03 $13,608.14 $14,464.15 $15,829.62 $ 4,077.01 $79,335.72

Profit/(Loss) ($ 1,247.77) ($ 8,014.49) $ 1,785.86 $ 15,553.71 ($ 6,139.31) ($ 4,077.01) ($ 2,139.01)

As you can see we continue to run at a loss. Unfortunatly church attendance decreases over the summer months. The good news is tha over 75% of the families in our community have submitted their pledge card/form and have begun to give either on an annual, bi-annual, quarterly or weekly basis. You will notice that based on the pledge amount so far, we are over the $35,000 we brought in last year. As you know, this amount was not enough help us offset our expenses last year. So far this year the major areas that has sustained us this are Stewardship 48%, your Easter donatins 16%, candles 12%, memorials 7% and collection/tray 5%. Stewardship has been the major factor to helping us meet our Church’s monthly obligations. If you have not submitted your pledge card/form please considering doing so. Our church is supported by your contributions, donations, generosity through your willingness to give what you can. As you can see, we are currently running at a negative. Last year, as we stated at our General Assembly, we ended up having to utilize the reserved funds we had set aside for this purpose. Unfortunately over the past two years we have utilized all of these funds. Parishioners have asked to show the weekly and monthly income and expenses, therefore we will continue to post both the Stewardship and financial information on a weekly basis.

SERVICES AND INFORMATION Guidelines for Respectful Worship Whenever we enter the Church we should remember that we are in the house of God. Reverence and respect are required, partly because we are in God’s House and partly because we do not want to disturb those who are praying. This means that conversation should be kept to a minimum, either in the Narthex (the back of the Church) or in any other part of the Church. There are also several parts of the service when movement should be limited. These parts are as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

The procession of the priest and the altar boys with the Gospel The reading of the Gospel The Great Entrance when the gifts are transferred to the altar in procession The recitation of the Creed When the priest(s) is offering the prayers “Take, eat…Take drink…” The sermon When the priest is offering a blessing Special services like memorials and other prayer services

Saint Nicholas Church Weekly Bulletin – June 7, 2009 Holy Pentecost – Trinity Sunday

Economos: Rev. Fr. Charles J. Joanides – Email: joanidesch@aol.com _____________________________________________________________________________________

Calendar of Services in June, 2009 Sunday, June 14th

Orthros Divine Liturgy

9:30 AM 10:15 AM

Sunday, June 21st

Orthros Divine Liturgy

9:30 AM 10:15 AM

Sunday, June 28th

Orthros Divine Liturgy

9:30 AM 10:15 AM

Monday, June 29th

SS Peter and Paul Divine Liturgy

9:30 AM

Blessed are you, O Christ our God, who showed the fisherman wisdom by sending them the Holy Spirit. You used them to draw the entire world into your net. You love humankind, glory to you. - Hymn of Pentecost

HOLY PENTECOST - TRINITY SUNDAY For Your Information (for further information and resources visit www.family.goarch.org) Introduction The Feast of Holy Pentecost is celebrated each year on the fiftieth day after the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha (Easter) and ten days after the Feast of the Ascension of Christ. The Feast is always celebrated on a Sunday. The Feast commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, a feast of the Jewish tradition. It also celebrates the establishment of the Church through the preaching of the Apostles and the baptism of the thousands who on that day believed in the Gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Feast is also seen as the culmination of the revelation of the Holy Trinity. For more information go to: http://www.goarch.org/special/listen_learn_share/pentecost MATINS GOSPEL READING – June 7, 2009 Orthors Gospel The Reading is from John 20:19-23 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were gathered, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 21.19-23 Οὔσης οὖν ὀψίας τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῇ μιᾷ σαββάτων͵ καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων͵ ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς͵ Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἔδειξεν τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῖς. ἐχάρησαν οὖν οἱ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες τὸν κύριον. Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς πάλιν͵ Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν· καθὼς ἀπέσταλκέν με ὁ πατήρ͵ κἀγὼ πέμπω ὑμᾶς. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησεν καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς͵ Λάβετε πνεῦμα ἅγιον·ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἀφέωνται αὐτοῖς͵ ἄν τινων κρατῆτε κεκράτηνται.

Saint Nicholas Church Weekly Bulletin – June 7, 2009 Holy Pentecost – Trinity Sunday

Economos: Rev. Fr. Charles J. Joanides – Email: joanidesch@aol.com _____________________________________________________________________________________ GOSPEL AND EPISTLE READINGS – June 7, 2009 EPISTLE READING – June 7, 2009 The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11 WHEN THE DAY of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontos and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 2: 1-11 Ἐν τῷ συμπληροῦσθαι τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς πεντηκοστῆς ἦσαν πάντες ὁμοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἄφνω ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἦχος ὥσπερ φερομένης πνοῆς βιαίας καὶ ἐπλήρωσεν ὅλον τὸν οἶκον οὗ ἦσαν καθήμενοι· καὶ ὤφθησαν αὐτοῖς διαμεριζόμεναι γλῶσσαι ὡσεὶ πυρός͵ καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἐφ΄ ἕνα ἕκαστον αὐτῶν͵ καὶ ἐπλήσθησαν πάντες πνεύματος ἁγίου͵ καὶ ἤρξαντο λαλεῖν ἑτέραις γλώσσαις καθὼς τὸ πνεῦμα ἐδίδου ἀποφθέγγεσθαι αὐτοῖς. ῏Ησαν δὲ ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴμ κατοικοῦντες Ἰουδαῖοι͵ ἄνδρες εὐλαβεῖς ἀπὸ παντὸς ἔθνους τῶν ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανόν· γενομένης δὲ τῆς φωνῆς ταύτης συνῆλθεν τὸ πλῆθος καὶ συνεχύθη͵ ὅτι ἤκουον εἷς ἕκαστος τῇ ἰδίᾳ διαλέκτῳ λαλούντων αὐτῶν. Ἐξίσταντο δὲ καὶ ἐθαύμαζον λέγοντες͵ Οὐχ ἰδοὺ ἅπαντες οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ λαλοῦντες Γαλιλαῖοι; καὶ πῶς ἡμεῖς ἀκούομεν ἕκαστος τῇ ἰδίᾳ διαλέκτῳ ἡμῶν ἐν ᾗ ἐγεννήθημεν; Πάρθοι καὶ Μῆδοι καὶ Ἐλαμῖται͵ καὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὴν Μεσοποταμίαν͵ Ἰουδαίαν τε καὶ Καππαδοκίαν͵ Πόντον καὶ τὴν Ἀσίαν͵ Φρυγίαν τε καὶ Παμφυλίαν͵ Αἴγυπτον καὶ τὰ μέρη τῆς Λιβύης τῆς κατὰ Κυρήνην͵ καὶ οἱ ἐπιδημοῦντες Ρωμαῖοι͵ Ἰουδαῖοί τε καὶ προσήλυτοι͵ Κρῆτες καὶ Ἄραβες͵ ἀκούομεν λαλούντων αὐτῶν ταῖς ἡμετέραις γλώσσαις τὰ μεγαλεῖα τοῦ θεοῦ. GOSPEL READING – June 7, 2009 The Reading is from John 7:37-52; 8:12 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This is really the prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. The officers then went back to the chief priest and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!" The Pharisees answered them, "Are you led astray, you also? Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed." Nikodemos, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee." Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 7: 37-52: 8:12 Τῇ ἐσχάτῃ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ μεγάλῃ τῆς ἑορτῆς εἱστήκει ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἔκραξεν λέγων͵ Ἐάν τις διψᾷ ἐρχέσθω πρός με καὶ πινέτω. Ὁ πιστεύων εἰς ἐμέ͵ καθὼς εἶπεν ἡ γραφή͵ ποταμοὶ ἐκ τῆς κοιλίας αὐτοῦ ῥεύσουσιν ὕδατος ζῶντος. Τοῦτο δὲ εἶπεν περὶ τοῦ πνεύματος ὃ ἔμελλον λαμβάνειν οἱ πιστεύσαντες εἰς αὐτόν· οὔπω γὰρ ἦν πνεῦμα͵ ὅτι Ἰησοῦς οὐδέπω ἐδοξάσθη. Ἐκ τοῦ ὄχλου οὖν ἀκούσαντες τῶν λόγων τούτων ἔλεγον͵ Οὗτός ἐστιν ἀληθῶς ὁ προφήτης·ἄλλοι ἔλεγον͵ Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ Χριστός· οἱ δὲ ἔλεγον͵ Μὴ γὰρ ἐκ τῆς Γαλιλαίας ὁ Χριστὸς ἔρχεται;οὐχ ἡ γραφὴ εἶπεν ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος Δαυίδ͵ καὶ ἀπὸ Βηθλεὲμ τῆς κώμης ὅπου ἦν Δαυίδ͵ ὁ Χριστὸς ἔρχεται;σχίσμα οὖν ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὄχλῳ δι΄ αὐτόν. Τινὲς δὲ ἤθελον ἐξ αὐτῶν πιάσαι αὐτόν͵ ἀλλ΄ οὐδεὶς ἐπέβαλεν ἐπ΄ αὐτὸν τὰς χεῖρας. ῏Ηλθον οὖν οἱ ὑπηρέται πρὸς τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ Φαρισαίους͵ καὶ εἶπον αὐτοῖς ἐκεῖνοι͵ Διὰ τί οὐκ ἠγάγετε αὐτόν;ἀπεκρίθησαν οἱ ὑπηρέται͵ Οὐδέποτε ἐλάλησεν οὕτως ἄνθρωπος. Ἀπεκρίθησαν οὖν αὐτοῖς οἱ Φαρισαῖοι͵ Μὴ καὶ ὑμεῖς πεπλάνησθε;μή τις ἐκ τῶν ἀρχόντων ἐπίστευσεν εἰς αὐτὸν ἢ ἐκ τῶν Φαρισαίων;ἀλλὰ ὁ ὄχλος

Saint Nicholas Church Weekly Bulletin – June 7, 2009 Holy Pentecost – Trinity Sunday

Economos: Rev. Fr. Charles J. Joanides – Email: joanidesch@aol.com _____________________________________________________________________________________ οὗτος ὁ μὴ γινώσκων τὸν νόμον ἐπάρατοί εἰσιν. Λέγει Νικόδημος πρὸς αὐτούς͵ ὁ ἐλθὼν πρὸς αὐτὸν τὸ πρότερον͵ εἷς ὢν ἐξ αὐτῶν͵Μὴ ὁ νόμος ἡμῶν κρίνει τὸν ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν μὴ ἀκούσῃ πρῶτον παρ΄ αὐτοῦ καὶ γνῷ τί ποιεῖ;ἀπεκρίθησαν καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ͵ Μὴ καὶ σὺ ἐκ τῆς Γαλιλαίας εἶ; ἐρεύνησον καὶ ἴδε ὅτι προφήτης ἐκ τῆς Γαλιλαίας οὐκ ἐγείρεται. Πάλιν οὖν αὐτοῖς ἐλάλησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγων͵ Ἐγώ εἰμι τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου· ὁ ἀκολουθῶν ἐμοὶ οὐ μὴ περιπατήσῃ ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ͵ ἀλλ΄ ἕξει τὸ φῶς τῆς ζωῆς.

MESSAGE FROM ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS MESSAGE FROM FATHER CHARLES Greek Festival. It’s my hope that we will all support our Greek Festival this year which falls on Saturday June 13th and Sunday June 14th. Stewardship. As of May 26, 2009, 112 Stewards have submitted their Stewardship Forms and from these forms over $52K. This represents a dramatic increase from the amount of funding our dues system generated last year. It also testifies to the love and commitment that our membership/stewards have for St. Nicholas. As we continue to promote this program this year I believe these numbers will increase. I also believe that as more and more members/stewards of St. Nicholas understand the concept of stewardship this ministry will have a positive impact on our efforts to move forward and address many of our future challenges: to God’s glory and our salvation. Guidelines for Respectful Worship Whenever we enter the Church we should remember that we are in the house of God. Reverence and respect are required, partly because we are in God’s House and partly because we do not want to disturb those who are praying. This means that conversation should be kept to a minimum, either in the Narthex (the back of the Church) or in any other part of the Church. There are also several parts of the service when movement should be limited. These parts are as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Adult Education Class. The next Adult Education Class will take place at 7:00 PM on Wednesday June 24th in our Church Hall. St. Nicholas’ Apolytikion. A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you forth to your sheepfold to be a master of temperance. You obtained thus through being lowly, gifts from on high, and riches through poverty. Nicholas, our Father and our Hierarch, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls. Scheduling for Sacraments and Special Services. Always consult with Fr. Charles FIRST before making any plans related to baptisms, marriages, memorial services and other special services. Failure to do so may result in creating complications and disappointments. For example, if you book a hall on a date when Fr. Charles has other commitments, you may end up loosing the deposit. Attention Parents and Altar Boys. Altar boys should report for duty no later than 10:00 am. Your cooperation regarding this matter is appreciated. Sunday Church Breads. The church breads - prosphora – are baked and offered by the members of our community. If you have never made prosphora, and would like to consider doing so, you are encouraged to consult with Fr. Charles. Graduation Sunday. Graduation Sunday falls on June 21st after Divine Liturgy this year. High school and college grads will be acknowledged, as well as the children who have attended our Greek School and Sunday School programs.

Saint Nicholas Church Weekly Bulletin – June 7, 2009 Holy Pentecost – Trinity Sunday

Economos: Rev. Fr. Charles J. Joanides – Email: joanidesch@aol.com _____________________________________________________________________________________ Summer Church Attendance. Each summer we slow down. Slowing down is a good thing. It gives us all a chance to recharge our batteries and enjoy the fruits of our labors. In your efforts to recharge your batteries this summer, don’t forget to consider the importance of regular family worship. See you in church. Know Jesus. Know Peace. No Jesus. No Peace. Cell Phones. Please remember to turn off all cells phone before entering our sanctuary to worship. Your cooperation regarding this matter will be greatly appreciated by everyone in attendance. Our Children’s Well-Being. We have young children coming to church. Please watch for children when driving in and out of the parking lot. Your Time and Talents are Needed. Are you offering your time and talents to your church? St. Nicholas needs everyone’s help – especially the Baby Boomers (45 - 64) and “X”ers (30 - 44). Your help will ensure that St. Nicholas continues to grow and prosper. Please consider volunteering some of your God-given time to (a) church repairs, (b) church clean-up committee, (d) In Touch & the Weekly Bulletin, (e) Sunday School, and (f) Greek School PTO. Are you interested in donating one of these items? For more information, consult Fr. Charles or Basil. • • • • •

Hand Censor Chanter’s Stand Light Flower Vases Gold set of Altar Clothes Communion Wine

(THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS NEED YOUR HELP. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM USING OUR CHURCH HALL WHILE SUNDAY IS IN SESSION. YOUR COOPERATION WILL BE APPRECIATED.)

SAINTS AND FEASTS COMMEMORATED Pentecost - Trinity Sunday After the Saviour's Ascension into the Heavens, the eleven Apostles and the rest of His disciples, the God-loving women who followed after Him from the beginning, His Mother, the most holy Virgin Mary, and His brethren-all together about 120 souls returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem. Entering into the house where they gathered, they went into the upper room, and there they persevered in prayer and supplication, awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit, as their Divine Teacher had promised them. In the meanwhile, they chose Matthias, who was elected to take the place of Judas among the Apostles. Thus, on this day, the seventh Sunday of Pascha, the tenth day after the Ascension and the fiftieth day after Pascha, at the third hour of the day from the rising of the sun, there suddenly came a sound from Heaven, as when a mighty wind blows, and it filled the whole house where the Apostles and the rest with them were gathered. Immediately after the sound, there appeared tongues of fire that divided and rested upon the head of each one. Filled with the Spirit, all those present began speaking not in their native tongue, but in other tongues and dialects, as the Holy Spirit instructed them. The multitudes that had come together from various places for the feast, most of whom were Jews by race and religion, were called Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and so forth, according to the places where they dwelt. Though they spoke many different tongues, they were present in Jerusalem by divine dispensation. When they heard that sound that came down from Heaven to the place where the disciples of Christ were gathered, all ran together to learn what had taken place. But they were confounded when they came and heard the Apostles speaking in their own tongues. Marvelling at this, they said one to another, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" But others, because of their foolishness and excess of evil, mocked the wonder and said that the Apostles were drunken. Then Peter stood up with the eleven, and raising his voice, spoke to all the people, proving that that which had taken place was not drunkenness, but the fulfilment of God's promise that had been spoken by the Prophet Joel: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that I shall pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy" (Joel 2:28), and he preached Jesus of Nazareth unto them, proving in many ways that He is Christ the Lord, Whom the Jews crucified but God raised from the dead. On hearing Peter's teaching, many were smitten with compunction and received the word. Thus, they were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added to the Faith of Christ.

Saint Nicholas Church Weekly Bulletin – June 7, 2009 Holy Pentecost – Trinity Sunday

Economos: Rev. Fr. Charles J. Joanides – Email: joanidesch@aol.com _____________________________________________________________________________________ Such, therefore, are the reasons for today's feast: the coming of the All-holy Spirit into the world, the completion of the Lord Jesus Christ's promise, and the fulfilment of the hope of the sacred disciples, which we celebrate today. This is the final feast of the great mystery and dispensation of God's incarnation. On this last, and great, and saving day of Pentecost, the Apostles of the Saviour, who were unlearned fishermen, made wise now of a sudden by the Holy Spirit, clearly and with divine authority spoke the heavenly doctrines. They became heralds of the truth and teachers of the whole world. On this day they were ordained and began their apostleship, of which the salvation of those three thousand souls in one day was the comely and marvellous first fruit. Some erroneously hold that Pentecost is the "birthday of the Church." But this is not true, for the teaching of the holy Fathers is that the Church existed before all other things. In the second vision of The Shepherd of Hermas we read: "Now brethren, a revelation was made unto me in my sleep by a youth of exceeding fair form, who said to me, `Whom thinkest thou the aged woman, from whom thou receivedst the book, to be?' I say, `The Sibyl.' `Thou art wrong,' saith he, `she is not.' `Who then is she?' I say. `The Church,' saith he. I said unto him, `Wherefore then is she aged?' `Because,' saith he, `she was created before all things; therefore is she aged, and for her sake the world was framed."' Saint Gregory the Theologian also speaks of "the Church of Christ ... both before Christ and after Christ" (PG 35:1108-9). Saint Epiphanius of Cyprus writes, "The Catholic Church, which exists from the ages, is revealed most clearly in the incarnate advent of Christ" (PG 42:640). Saint John Damascene observes, "The Holy Catholic Church of God, therefore, is the assembly of the holy Fathers, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, and Martyrs who have been from the very beginning, to whom were added all the nations who believed with one accord" (PG 96, 1357c). According to Saint Gregory the Theologian, "The Prophets established the Church, the Apostles conjoined it, and the Evangelists set it in order" (PG 35, 589 A). The Church existed from the creation of the Angels, for the Angels came into existence before the creation of the world, and they have always been members of the Church. Saint Clement, Bishop of Rome, says in his second epistle to the Corinthians, the Church "was created before the sun and moon"; and a little further on, "The Church existeth not now for the first time, but hath been from the beginning" (II Cor. 14). That which came to pass at Pentecost, then, was the ordination of the Apostles, the commencement of the apostolic preaching to the nations, and the inauguration of the priesthood of the new Israel. Saint Cyril of Alexandria says that "Our Lord Jesus Christ herein ordained the instructors and teachers of the world and the stewards of His divine Mysteries ... showing together with the dignity of Apostleship, the incomparable glory of the authority given them ... Revealing them to be splendid with the great dignity of the Apostleship and showing them forth as both stewards and priests of the divine altars . . . they became fit to initiate others through the enlightening guidance of the Holy Spirit" (PG 74, 708-712). Saint Gregory Palamas says, "Now, therefore ... the Holy Spirit descended ... showing the Disciples to be supernal luminaries ... and the distributed grace of the Divine Spirit came through the ordination of the Apostles upon their successors" (Homily 24, 10). And Saint Sophronius, Bishop of Jerusalem, writes, "After the visitation of the Comforter, the Apostles became high priests" (PG 87, 3981B). Therefore, together with the baptism of the Holy Spirit which came upon them who were present in the upper chamber, which the Lord had foretold as recorded in the Acts, "ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence" (Acts 1:5), the Apostles were also appointed and raised to the high priestly rank, according to Saint John Chrysostom (PG 60, 21). On this day commenced the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by which we become "partakers of the Divine Nature" (II Peter 1:4). For before Pentecost, it is said of the Apostles and disciples only that they abode in "prayer and supplication" (Acts 1:14); it is only after the coming of the Holy Spirit that they persevered in the "breaking of bread,"that is, the communion of the Holy Mysteries-"and in prayer" (Acts 2:42). The feast of holy Pentecost, therefore, determined the beginning of the priesthood of grace, not the beginning of the Church. Henceforth, the Apostles proclaimed the good tidings "in country and town," preaching and baptizing and appointing shepherds, imparting the priesthood to them whom they judged were worthy to minister, as Saint Clement writes in his first Epistle to the Corinthians (I Cor. 42). All foods allowed during the week following Pentecost. - Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Theodotos, Bishop of Ankyra - June 7 This Martyr contested in Ancyra during the reign of Diocletian (284-305), when Theotecnus was Proconsul. After the martyrdom of the virgin Tecusa and her seven companions (the virgins Alexandria, Claudia, Phaeina, Euphrasia, Matrona, Julia, and Theodota; they are celebrated on May 18), Saint Theodotus recovered their holy relics and buried them. For this, he was seized by Theotecnus, tormented, and beheaded. - Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Melania the Righteous - June 8 Saint Melania was a lady of noble birth, most wealthy and renowned, a descendant of Roman consuls, and of Spanish origin. When her husband and two of her children died, she departed for Egypt to visit the monks living at

Saint Nicholas Church Weekly Bulletin – June 7, 2009 Holy Pentecost – Trinity Sunday

Economos: Rev. Fr. Charles J. Joanides – Email: joanidesch@aol.com _____________________________________________________________________________________ Mount Nitria. She distrubuted her wealth to those that were in need there, as well as to the confessors of the Faith who were being persecuted by the Arians. In three days alone, she fed some 5,000. Then, when these Orthodox Christians were exiled to Palestine, she also went to Jerusalem. There, at her own expense, she built a convent for virgins, and reposed therein in holiness about the year 410. Her granddaughter Melania the Younger is celebrated on December 31. - Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria - June 9 On this day we commemorate Saint Cyril's falling asleep. On January 18 we commemorate the occasion of the Saint's restoration to his see in Alexandria after he had suffered a brief exile because of the machinations of the Nestorians. Shortly thereafter the Third Ecumenical Council was convoked in Ephesus and the blasphemous doctrine of Nestorius was condemned. See January 18 for Saint Cyril's life and works. - Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Righteous Father Columba of Iona - June 9 After he established a number of monasteries and churches in his native Ireland, Saint Columba founded the renowned monastery of Iona, off the coast of Scotland. Having guided many in the path of salvation, he reposed in peace in 597. - Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Righteous Father Cyril of Belozersk - June 9 Saint Cyril of Belozersk, a Muscovite born in 1337, was tonsured in the Simonov Monastery in Moscow where he was later made abbot. Renouncing this position, at a revelation from the Mother of God he set out for the wilderness of Belozersk (White Lake) to live the life of a hermit. Later, when others desiring to lead the monastic life had gathered under his direction, he founded the Monastery of Belozersk. Throughout his life he had a very great reverence for the wonderworker, and was adorned with all the vitues, above all humility. Once, through the working of the enemy, one of his monks conceived an unendurable hatred for him; after being tormented by it for a whole year, he finally decided to reveal it to Cyril. When the monk was overcome with grief and shame at his malice towards such a venerable man, Cyril comforted him, affectionately telling him, "All the others are in error concerning me; only you have perceived my unworthiness," and forgiving him, sent him away in peace. Saint Cyril reposed on this day in 1427 at the age of ninety. - Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Alexander & Antonina the Martyrs - June 10 The holy Martyrs Alexander and Antonina were from the town of Cardamon (or Crodamon). Antonina was arrested by Festus the Governor and, because she refused to deny Christ, he had her placed in a brothel. But Alexander, sent by divine providence, came in unto her and gave her his cloak; with her head covered, she escaped without having been defiled. When Alexander was discovered, he was taken before Festus, and with Antonina was tortured and burned to death. - Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery The Holy Martyrs of China - June 10 The Holy Martyrs of China were native Chinese Orthodox Christians brought up in piety at the Russian Orthodox Mission in Peking, which had been funded in 1685. During the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 against the foreign powers occupying China, native Chinese Christians were commanded by the Boxers to renounce Christianity or be tortured to death. Two hundred and twenty-two members of the Peking Mission, led by their priest Metrophanes Tsi-Chung and his family, refused to deny Christ, and were deemed worthy of a martyric death. - Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Bartholomew and Barnabas the Holy Apostles - June 11 Saint Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles, and had Galilee as his homeland; this is all that is known of him for certain according to the history of the Gospels. Concerning his apostolic work, certain say that he preached in Arabia and Persia, and especially in India, bringing to them the Gospel written by Saint Matthew, which had been written originally in Hebrew, and which was found there one hundred years later by Pantaenus, formerly a stoic philosopher and later an illustrious teacher of the Christian school in Alexandria (see Eusebius, Eccl. Hist., 5: 10). Other accounts say that he went to Armenia. According to some, he ended his life by being crucified, or by being flayed alive, in Albanopolis (Urbanopolis) of Armenia. This also confirms an ancient tradition preserved by the Armenians. According to some, Bartholomew and Nathanael are the same person, because the Evangelists who mention Bartholomew do not mention Nathanael; and John, who alone mentions Nathanael as one of the Twelve, says nothing of Bartholomew. Indeed, Bartholomew is a patronymic, "son of Talmai," which means "bold, spirited" (see also Jesus of Navi 15:14; II Kings 3:3), and Nathanael could have had this as a surname. According to the Synaxarion of the Menaion on April 22, however, it is Simon the Zealot and Nathanael who are the same; the Evangelists who mention Simon the Zealot (or "the Cananite") do not mention Nathanael. Saint Barnabas, one of the Seventy, was from Cyprus, of the tribe of Levi, and a fellow disciple with Paul under Gamaliel. He was called Joses, but was renamed Barnabas, which means "son of consolation," perhaps to distinguish him from the Joses called Barsabas and surnamed Justus (Acts 1:23). Saint Barnabas had a field, which

Saint Nicholas Church Weekly Bulletin – June 7, 2009 Holy Pentecost – Trinity Sunday

Economos: Rev. Fr. Charles J. Joanides – Email: joanidesch@aol.com _____________________________________________________________________________________ he sold and brought the money to the Apostles (Acts 4:36-37). Before the conversion of Saul to Paul, it was Barnabas who was the leader of the Seventy Apostles, the first in preaching and chief spokesman. After Saul's vision on the road to Damascus, it was Barnabas who joined him to the Apostles when the others, because of Saul's reputation as a persecutor of the Church, still feared him (Acts 9:26-27); again it was Saint Barnabas who conscripted Paul as a preacher, bringing him from Tarsus to Antioch after the stoning of Stephen, to assist in spreading the Gospel (Acts 11:25-26). Saint Barnabas preached the Gospel in many places, traveled together with Paul, and finally was stoned to death by the Jews in his native Cyprus. During the reign of Zeno, in the year 478, his sacred relics were found, having on his chest the Gospel according to Matthew written in Greek by Barnabas' own hand. This Gospel was brought to Zeno. Because of this the Church of Cyprus received the right of autonomy, and its archbishop was given the privilege, like the emperor, of signing his decrees and encyclicals in vermilion. Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Revelation of the Hymn Axion Estin to a monk on Mt. Athos by the Archangel Gabriel - June 11 The Synaxis of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated today for the following reason: In 980, during the reign of Emperor Basil II, when Nicholas Chrysoberges was Ecumenical Patriarch, the holy Archangel Gabriel appeared in the guise of a monk to the disciple of a certain elder living in a hermitage belonging to the Monastery of Pantocrator on the Holy Mountain. During Matins, after the monk had chanted the customary hymn, "More honorable than the Cherubim . . . ," composed by Saint Cosmas the Hymnographer, the Angel chanted the same hymn, but with the following prelude: "It is truly meet to call thee blest, the Theotokos, the ever-blessed and allimmaculate and Mother of our God." Marveling at the hymn's beauty, the monk asked his visitor - who appeared also to be a monk - to record this new text in writing, which the Angel did by miraculously inscribing the words on a piece of slate, using only his finger, and straightway he vanished from sight. This slate was brought to the Church of the Protaton, and from thence to Constantinople, to the imperial court and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as evidence of the miracle. Henceforth, this version of the hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos began to be chanted in the Divine Liturgy in all the churches. The place where the miracle took place is now called Adein, from the Greek word which means "to sing." The icon itself, before which this hymn was first chanted, is called "the icon of the Axion estin" ("It is truly meet") and it is kept in the sanctuary of the Church of the Protaton on the Holy Mountain. - Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Onouphrios the Great - June 12 Saint Onuphrius flourished in the fourth century, first in the cenobium near Hermopolis of Thebes in Egypt, and later as a solitary in the desert, where he was discovered by Saint Paphnutius. When Paphnutius first encountered him deep in the desert, he was affrighted at the Saint's appearance, seeing him covered with hair like a wild beast and naked except for a garment sewn of leaves covering his loins. After relating his life and the bitter conflicts he had endured as a hermit, Onuphrius told Paphnutius that he was about to die, and that Paphnutius had been sent to bury him, which soon came to pass. Although Paphnutius desired afterwards to remain in the Saint's cave, as soon as he had buried him, the cave fell in and the palm tree, which had furnished the Saint with dates withered up, indicating that it was the will of God that Paphnutius return to his monastery and make Saint Onuphrius known to all. - Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Peter the Athonite - June 12 Saint Peter was born of noble parents in Constantinople in the ninth century. Sent forth with the Roman army against the Saracens, he was taken captive and shut up in the prison of Samarra in Syria; this is no doubt the same prison in which the Forty-Two Martyrs of Amorion were kept (see Mar. 6). Released from prison through the prayers of Saint Nicholas of Myra and Saint Symeon the God-receiver, he fled to Rome, where he became a monk, and later came to the peninsula of Athos, where he lived in a cave as a solitary, suffering many temptations from the evil one, but also enjoying the manifest help of the most holy Theotokos. After many years, he reposed in peace. - Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery Akylina the Martyr of Syria - June 13 This Martyr contested in Byblos of Syria during the reign of Diocletian, in 289. Because she taught other young maidens to turn from the idols to Christ, she was brought before the governor. Her ears were pierced with heated spits until blood ran from her nostrils; finally she was beheaded, at the age of ten or twelve. - Reading Courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery

APOLYTIKION AND KONTAKION HYMNS Holy Pentecost – Trinity Sunday Apolytikion for Pentecost - Trinity Sunday- Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who made fishermen all-wise, sending upon them the Holy Spirit and, through them, netting the world. O Loving One, glory to You. -Translation by Narthex Press

Saint Nicholas Church Weekly Bulletin – June 7, 2009 Holy Pentecost – Trinity Sunday

Economos: Rev. Fr. Charles J. Joanides – Email: joanidesch@aol.com _____________________________________________________________________________________ Εύλογητός εἶ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεος ἡμῶν ὁ πανσόφους τοὺς ἁλιεῖς ἁναδείξας καταπέμψας αὐτοῖς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ δι᾽ αὐτῶν τῆν οἰκουμένην σαγηνεύσας φιλάνθρωπε δόξα Σοι. Apolytikion of the Church - A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you forth to your sheep-fold to be a master of temperance. You obtained thus through being lowly, gifts from on high, and riches through poverty. Nicholas, our father and priest of priests, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls. -Translation by Narthex Press Κανόνα πίστεως καί εικόνα πραότητος, εγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ανέδειξέ σε τή ποίμνη σου, η τών πραγμάτων αλήθεια, διά τούτο εκτήσω τή ταπεινώσει τά υψηλά, τή πτωχεία τά πλούσια, Πάτερ Ιεράρχα Nicholas, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών. Kontakion - When the Most High came down and confounded tongues of men (Babel), He divided the Nations. When He dispensed the Tongues of Fire, He called all to unity, and with one voice we glorify the Most Holy Spirit. Translation by Narthex Press

WISDOM FROM THE CHURCH FATHERS Goings up, and advances and progress from glory to glory, the Light of the Trinity might shine upon the more illuminated. For this reason it was, I think, that He gradually came to dwell in the Disciples, measuring Himself out to them according to their capacity to receive Him, at the beginning of the Gospel, after the Passion, after the Ascension, making perfect their powers, being breathed upon them, and appearing in fiery tongues...You see lights breaking upon us, gradually; and the order of Theology, which it is better for us to keep, neither proclaiming things too suddenly, nor yet keeping them hidden to the end...He said that all things should be taught us by the Spirit when He should come to dwell amongst us. Of these things one, I take it, was the Deity of the Spirit Himself, made clear later on when such knowledge should be seasonable and capable of being received after our Saviour's restoration, when it would no longer be received with incredulity because of its marvellous character. For what greater thing than this did either He promise, or the Spirit teach. If indeed anything is to be considered great and worthy of the Majesty of God, which was either promised or taught...Look at these facts:--Christ is born; the Spirit is His Forerunner. He is baptized; the Spirit bears witness. He is tempted; the Spirit leads Him up. He works miracles; the Spirit accompanies them. He ascends; the Spirit takes His place. - St. Gregory the Theologian, 5th Theological Oration For as thirsty men, when they have taken a bowl, eagerly drain it and then desist, so too they who hear the divine oracles if they receive them thirsting, will never be weary until they have drunk them up. For to show that men ought ever to thirst and hunger, "Blessed," It said, "are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness" (Matt.5:6) - St. John Chrysostom, Homily 51 on John 7 - 4th Century For the grace of the Spirit, when it has entered into the mind and has been established, springs up more than any fountain, fails not, becomes not empty, stays not. To signify therefore at once its unfailing supply and unlimited operation, He has called it "a well" and "rivers," not one river but numberless. - St. John Chrysostom, Homily 51 on John 7- 4th Century

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS AND EVENTS Greek Version English Version Modern Greek Language Comprehensive Examination Scheduled for June 23 6/1/2009 This year’s Comprehensive Examination in Modern Greek will be administered on Tuesday, June 23rd, from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. NEW YORK – The Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education is pleased to announce that this year’s Comprehensive Examination in Modern Greek will be administered on Tuesday, June 23rd, from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Saint Nicholas Church Weekly Bulletin – June 7, 2009 Holy Pentecost – Trinity Sunday

Economos: Rev. Fr. Charles J. Joanides – Email: joanidesch@aol.com _____________________________________________________________________________________ The District Office of Education prepares the Comprehensive Examination in Modern Greek according to the New York State Regents Guidelines for comprehensive examinations in modern languages. The Office is also responsible for the administration of the Examination to public and nonpublic school students throughout the State of New York as well as to students in other parts of the country. In order to qualify for the Examination, students must be in the eighth grade or higher and have successfully completed three units of studies in the Modern Greek language. These specifications are in accord with the New York State requirements for Regents high school credits in a foreign language (New York State Syllabus: Modern Languages for Communication - Checkpoint B). For more information on The Comprehensive Examination in Modern Greek, please visit http://www.education.goarch.org. And for copies of the Examination, please contact Maria Makedon, director of the Archdiocesan District Office of Education. Tel. 212) 570-3553 - Fax (212) 774-0248 - Email mm@goarch.org.

Saint Nicholas Church -- Online Bookstore (Now available online! – Services provided by the Orthodox Marketplace)

Saints Alive! Beta - Interactive games and puzzles with an Orthodox theme suitable for kids from ages 5 on up. http://games.goarch.org/

WELCOME TO THE GOLD RUSH A NEW FUND RAISER FOR OUR ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH Do you have any old, unwanted or broken gold jewelry? Broken chains that cannot be fixed? Out of style bracelets that just won’t come back into style? Unmatched earrings? Gifts from ex-spouses, old boyfriends or girlfriends that you simply won’t wear anymore? Rings that lost a stone that you do not want to fix? A gold watch from a loved one that you want to donate in their memory?

PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING IT TO ST. NICHOLAS! We Are Looking for 50 Generous Donors to drop their unwanted gold into the "Treasure Chest" in the Church Hall. After you have made your "deposit" please write your name on the donor’s list so we can acknowledge your donation. We will gather all the donations, take them to a broker and all funds received will be given to the Church.

FUNDRAISER It will not cost you anything in addition to your regular shopping costs!!! Adams Fairacre Farms has offered our church the opportunity to purchase gift cards with the church making a 10% profit. The gift cards are $50 and can be used just like cash. Every card that you buy…our church makes $5. Buy for yourself and for gifts! Can be used anywhere in the store. A speacial thank you to those who have already participated in this fund raiser. Our Church as already received it's first return of $50, representing 10% of purchases. Thank you... For questions or purchases, ask Alexis Koudounas in church or call 845-913-8248. You may also send an E-mail to info@stngoc.org.

Saint Nicholas Church Weekly Bulletin – June 7, 2009 Holy Pentecost – Trinity Sunday

Economos: Rev. Fr. Charles J. Joanides – Email: joanidesch@aol.com _____________________________________________________________________________________

Upcoming Events Greek Festival

Saturday - June 13th 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM & Sunday – June 14th 12:00 PM (noon) – 5:00 PM

Graduation

Sunday - June 21st