Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Metropolis of New Jersey 7004 Ridge Avenue & Mill Road, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey Holy Trinity Herald January 2015 Description of Theophany About the beginning of our Lord's thirtieth year, John the Forerunner, who was some six months older than Our Saviour according to the flesh, and had lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and came into the parts of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins. Then our Saviour also came from Galilee to the Jordan, and sought and received baptism though He was the Master and John was but a servant. Whereupon, there came to pass those marvellous deeds, great and beyond nature: the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized and the voice was heard from the Heavens hearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:1-22). From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. It is also from this that the present feast is called "Theophany," that is, the divine manifestation, God's appearance among men. On this venerable day the sacred mystery of Christian baptism was inaugurated; henceforth also began the saving preaching of the Kingdom of the Heavens. d e s s e l yaB o j n E l l A e W May Page 1 r! a e Y New CHURCH SERVICES January 1, Thursday Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am The Circumcision of Our Lord 1 Éávïõáñßïõ, ÐÝìðôç Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá 9:00, 10:00 ðì ÐåñéôïìÞò ôïõ Êõñßïõ / Áãßïõ Âáóéëåßïõ 5 Éávïõáñßïõ, ÄåõôÝñá Ïñèñïò, ÌåãÜëåò Ùñåò, Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá 9:00 ðì ÈÅÏÖÁÍÅÉÁ ÔÏÕ ÊÕÑÉÏÕ January 5, Monday Orthros, Great Hours, Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil Great Agiasmos, 9:00 am. January 6, Tuesday Orthros, Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and Great Agiasmos 9:00 am. EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD 6 Éávïõáñßïõ, Ôñßôç Ïñèñïò, Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá 9:00, 10:00 ðì: ÈÅÏÖÁÍÅÉÁ ÔÏÕ ÊÕÑÉÏÕ 7 Éávïõáñßïõ, ÔåôÜñôç Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá 9:00, 10:00 ðì January 7, Wednesday Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am St. John the Baptist 16 Éávïõáñßïõ, ÐáñáóêåõÞ ÂñÜäé ÌÝãáò Åóðåñévüò óôï Vineland Áãßïõ Áíôùíßïõ January 16, Friday Evening Great Vespers 7:00 pm., at Vineland St. Anthony 17 Éávïõáñßïõ, ÓáââÜôïv Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá 9:00, 10:00 ðì Áãßïõ Áíôùíßïõ January 17, Saturday Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am (here) St. Anthony 20 Éávïõáñßïõ, Ôñßôç Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá 9:00, 10:00 ðì January 20, Tuesday Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am St. Euthymios 27 Éávïõáñßïõ, Ôñßôç Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá 9:00, 10:00 ðì January 27, Tuesday Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am Removal of the Relics of John Chrysostom 30 Éávïõáñßïõ, ÐáñáóêåõÞ Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá 9:00, 10:00 ðì January 30, Friday Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs 2 Öåâñïõáñßïõ, ÄåõôÝñá Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá 9:00, 10:00 ðì ÕÐÁÐÁÍÔÇÓ ÔÏÕ ÊÕÑÉÏÕ February 2, Monday Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Parish Council Update The parish council held its final meeting of the year. I’d like to thank the members of the council for all of their work and dedication during this past year. Beginning in January, the new council will have the following members: Vicky Georges, Christ Georges, Michael Kent, Rami Nassar, Caitlin Papastemelos, Walter Mularz, Nick Kafkalas Jr., Anthony Panetta, Athena Sacco, Haitham Dib, Scott Salkeld, Jacqui Salkeld, Maria Lianidis, George Efstatos, and Brian Sacco. Our next meeting will be on January 5th. At that meeting, the parish council will elect officers for the upcoming two year term. There is much to do in the upcoming year. We especially are looking forward to working together as a community on the Church renewal projects. Our Greek WinterFeast will take place on January 23rd, 24th, and 25th. Preparations are underway and we look forward to everyone’s participation to make this event a success. We have some entertainment lined up for the event but we could use more. If you have a special talent – singing, musical, dance, etc. and would like to participate then please contact me or any member of the parish council. Sights and Sounds takes place in March, so perhaps those who participate would be willing to showcase their talents at the WinterFeast. The ever popular Mardi Gras dinner dance will take place on February 7th. We wish everyone a safe, healthy, and happy new year! Brian Sacco, Parish Council President PATRIARCH JOHN X OF ANTIOCH VISITS ARCHDIOCESE Page 6 PHILOPTOCHOS PAST PRESIDENT’S LUNCHEON HONORING DEMI ZALMAN Page 7 39 & SOMETHING CHRISTMAS PARTY Page 8 39 & SOMETHING CHRISTMAS PARTY Page 9 PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS PARTY Page 10 ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES Shoprite Gift Cards The Philoptochos is selling Shoprite Gift Cards and would appreciate your support. For every $100.00 dollars we sell, we get $5.00. Cards are available in $50 increments. Demi Zalman, our chairperson, will be at church on Sundays after the service with the cards for anyone to buy. Write your check to "Holy Trinity Philoptochos" or use cash. If you do not see Demi in church any Philoptochos sister will be able to help you find out who has the cards that day. We are excited to announce a new way to give your Business or Service a face in our church community. We are opening up the opportunity to advertise your place of business in our church bulletins. The most important aspect of this opportunity is that not only will it enhance and promote your business but ALL of the money collected for advertising will go to the church. We are confident that this advertising opportunity will improve the exposure and revenues of your business. If you have an interest in obtaining more details we encourage you to speak to Athena Sacco [email protected] or 609-653-6775) or any other parish council member. We thank you in advance for your participation and support. As the needs of our community are rising, the Philoptochos is hoping that this initiative will provide added funds to help meet our ever-growing charitable requests. Please consider buying these cards and help us raise money to help others. PARISH WEB SITE Our new web site has now been activated. www.holytrinityeggharbor.com Please visit the site often for updated information. Group leaders should submit their group’s information to the church office ASAP so that all the tabs can be activated. Scheduling Meetings and Events In order to avoid scheduling conflicts all parish ministries and organizations must call the church office to schedule all meetings and events. Phone Directory for Holy Trinity The church phone number is: 609-653-8092 The extensions are: Father George: #12 Church Office: #16 TLC Front Desk: #13 Fellowship Hall Kitchen: #28 Commercial Kitchen: #29 LET US KNOW YOUR EMAIL SO YOU CAN BE UP-TO-DATE ON THE LATEST NEWS AT HOLY TRINITY SEND YOUR EMAIL TO: [email protected] Page 11 PARISH NEWS BIBLE STUDY PARISH REGISTRY Our Bible Study group will meet on Tuesday, January 20th & 27th at 7:00 pm. There is no Bible Study on the 6th or 13th. All parishioners are strongly encouraged to share in this wonderful experience. BAPTISM: On November 25th, Jana Ona Petranova daughter of Martin & Vaiva Petranov was baptized. Her Godmother is Eugenia Kramvis. We pray that Jana enjoys a life of spiritual growth, joy, and blessedness. FUNERAL: On December 3rd funeral services were held for Antonios Georgiou, husband of Olga Georgiou. May our Lord grant him eternal rest and peace in his heavenly kingdom. STEWARDSHIP UPDATE All parishioners are reminded to send in their 2014 stewardship cards and/or pledges, even if this means sending them in during the beginning of January. We thank the 176 families who have sent in their stewardship cards for the year 2014. Stewardship packets for the year 2015 will be available in early January. Let us strive to give more generously than last year so that we can continue to strengthen this wonderful program. COME RECEIVE THE LIGHT PROGRAM If anyone is interested in donating $50 a week or $200 a month so that the Come Receive the Light program can stay on the air, please contact the church office or Demi Zalman. VASILOPITA CELEBRATION On Sunday, January 4th, we will have the annual cutting of the Vasilopita as we ask God to bless each and every one of us during the upcoming year. PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING There will be a Philoptochos meeting on Sunday, January 18th, immediately following the Divine Liturgy. RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION Gamblers Anonymous will be meeting on Tuesday nights from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm at the church. Holy Communion is offered to those baptized Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves for the reception of the Sacrament by prayer and fasting. Blessed Bread is available for all our visitors at the very end of the Divine Liturgy. GREEK SCHOOL COFFEE HOUR GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS If you would like to host the coffee hour on a Sunday please call or email Faten Dib. (609-226-2691 or [email protected]) . If you are hosting the coffee hour please make sure that all products are nut free. We have children with severe nut allergies. Thank you! There will be no Greek School during Christmas break. Classes resume on Monday, January 5th. PARISH COUNCIL There will be a Parish council meeting on Monday, January 5th at 6:00 pm NAR-ANON FAMILY GROUP MEETING GREEK WINTER FEAST Our 5th annual Greek Winter feast will be held January 23rd, 24th & 25th. Please see Brian Sacco to volunteer. THREE HIERARCHS / GREEK LETTERS PROGRAM On Sunday, January 25th, our Greek School students will present the parish with a program in commemoration of the Three Hierarchs and Greek Letters. This program will take place immediately after the Divine Liturgy. The Nar-Anon Family Groups are a worldwide fellowship for those affected by friend or family member’s drug addiction. As a Twelve-Step Program, they offer help by sharing experience, strength, and hope in a safe and anonymous forum. If you are or know someone who is impacted by someone else’s drug addition, please let them know about this meeting. Meetings are held every Thursday at 6:30pm. WEB PAGES FOR ORTHODOX BOOKS & RADIO REGIONAL THREE HIERARCHS PROGRAM A Regional Three Hierarchs Program will be held on Saturday evening, January 31st at St. Thomas in Cherry Hill. More details to follow as they become available HOUSE BLESSINGS Those who would like to have their homes blessed should call Lisa Mitoulis at 653-8092 ext. 5 to set up a convenient time. (After January 5th). Conciliar Press: www.conciliarpress.com Light & Life: www.light-n-life.com Holy Cross Press: www.holycrossbookstore.com St. Vladimir’s Press: www.svspress.com The link for Ancient Faith Radio and Ancient Faith Talk: http://ancientfaith.com/ GODPARENTS SUNDAY It is not too early to contact your Godparents or Godchildren in order to remind them that our annual Godparents Sunday will take place on February 1st. We hope to have lots of Godparents and Godchildren worshipping in church that day. Page 12 J A N U A R Y 2 015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 1 Divine Liturgy 9:00am 10:00am The Circumcision of Our Lord 4 Divine Liturgy 8:15 am 9:30 am Vasilopita Sunday GOYA mtg. 5 Orthros Great Hours, Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil & Great Agiasmos 9:00 am 6 Orthros DL of St. John Chrysostom & Great Agiasmos 9:00 am 7 Divine Liturgy 9:00am 10:00am St. John the Baptist Greek School 8 Friday 2 Saturday 3 GOYA Ski Trip 9 10 Gym Rental PB&J Club 5:30-7:00 pm Greek School 11 Divine Liturgy 8:15 am 9:30 am Philoptochos Mtg. Greek School Parish Council Mtg. 6:00 pm No Bible Study 12 13 Greek School Greek School Modern Greek 7:30 Gym Rental 14 15 16 Greek School Greek School Plateia Night 6:00-7:00 Biblical Greek 7:30 No Bible Study 18 Divine Liturgy 8:15 am 9:30 am Philoptochos Open House Sunday School Teachers Mtg. 19 20 Divine Liturgy 9:00am 10:00am St. Euthymios 17 Divine Liturgy 9:00am 10:00am St. Anthony F.H. Rental Vespers Vineland 21 22 23 24 Greek School Modern Greek 7:30 Winter Food Festival Winter Food Festival 28 29 30 31 Greek School Greek School Bible Study 7:00 25 Divine Liturgy 8:15 am 9:30 am 26 Greek Letters Program 27 Divine Liturgy 9:00am 10:00am Removal of the Relics of John Chrysostom Greek School Winter Food Festival Divine Liturgy 9:00am 10:00am Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs Greek School Greek School JOY Bowling Bible Study 7:00 Page 13 Greek Letters Program In Cherry Hill Page 14 Plateia Night One or two hours per week of Greek School is not enough. Add to the task of learning the language the fact that there are games, songs, dances and foods which round-out the Greek experience we would like the kids exposed to, and it seems impossible to make any meaningful progress. So, we will continue a Plateia Night ('a night in village square'), where many of these things are learned by young visitors to Greece. It is open to all students and their parents, and will feature a variety of activities, with the goal of giving the kids a venue to use some of the Greek they are learning. We will do songs, games, cartoons, dances, and may even have some Greek sweets. Ask the children what they have enjoyed the most over the last few years of Greek School, and your answer will likely include some of the extra-curricular things. January’s Plateia night will be on Thursday, January 15th from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. MODERN GREEK Many people have lamented missed opportunities to learn the Greek language. Others often want to learn, but have no recourse but to use little more than Rosetta Stone. Still others have children learning the language, and would like to keep pace with them. This course is designed for anyone and everyone in those categories; specifically those with little or no experience with Greek. We will be starting from 'alpha;' a total beginner's course. Our objective is to be increasingly able to speak, write and read. There is currently no textbook required. Please see the monthly Herald and weekly newsletter for the upcoming days that this class is offered. BIBLICAL GREEK Have you ever looked at the Liturgy books in church, and wondered what was written on the Greek pages on the left? Or tried listening to the choir, chanters or gospel, only to tune out the Greek parts? Most of us have and do. To better understand the Greek used in church and the Bible, there will be a Biblical Greek class offered at church. The goal of the class is to focus on the language used, and not the content/message (we have Bible Study for that). Koine /kee NEE/. This form of Greek is not only the language of the New Testament, the Church Fathers and most of the Divine, it was widely spoken by Greeks and non-Greeks alike throughout the Greek and Roman worlds; the lingua franca of its day. The hope is to demystify this Greek, and to make more accessible both the language and , through it, the church experience. The class will be taught under the assumption that students know little to nothing of Greek (though all are welcome). Please see the monthly Herald and weekly newsletter for the upcoming days that this class is offered. For more information, please contact: George Plamantouras– Teacher: 609-573-5592 Lisa Mitoulis – Parish Administrator: 609-653-8092, ext. 5 Page 15 THE CHRISTMAS SHOW Page 16 THE CHRISTMAS SHOW Page 17 THE CHRISTMAS SHOW Page 18 How to Host the Coffee Hour SAVE THE DATE! Mardi Gras Dance Saturday February 7, 2015 More information Coming soon! Requirements: Desserts, Milk 1 gallon, Orange Juice Set up in coffee room: 1. Prepare coffee urn with # of cups and amount of water. Instructions are pasted inside the door of one of the cabinets. Switch on the coffee. 2. Place coffee cups, plates napkins, forks, spoons on the counter and milk jugs, basket of sugars. Everything is in the drawers. 3. Take out the money box and place it on the counter. After coffee is served: Please clean up everything. Empty urn and clean. Count money. Place in envelope marked PHILOPTOCHOS COFFEE HOUR, DATE, NAME OF VOLUNTEER AND AMOUNT. Money is either given to Niki Burlotos or slipped under the Father George's office door. Donuts can be picked up free at Minos if you call at 6pm on Saturday evening to request donuts to be put aside. Minos opens at 7.00am on Sunday, pick up any time after that. Coffee hour need not be an elaborate affair. It is NOT a competition as to who serves the best spread. Some ladies love to bake, others do not have the time. We are thankful to anyone who volunteers just to host a simple coffee hour. St. Stephen the Deacon Service Project Volunteer Opportunity Join the PB&J Club! Come One, Come All! Help us make peanut butter and jelly Sandwiches for Sister Jean’s Kitchen. Come to the church’s commercial kitchen on Thursday, January 8th 5:30 pm. RSVP to Georgia Psilopoulos at [email protected] Donations of peanut butter and jam are appreciated. Pizza will be served! Page 19 Philoptochos Sponsored Coat Drive We are also collecting NEW packaged socks and underwear (for men and PLUS size for women) We are collecting through mid– January. All donations will go to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. Drop off boxes will be placed in hallways of our church and community center. For information please contact: Linda Haviland at 609-652-7817 Page 20 Basil the Great Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia Saint Basil the Great was born about the end of the year 329 in Caesarea of Cappadocia, to a family renowned for their learning and holiness. His parents' names were Basil and Emily. His mother Emily (commemorated July 19) and his grandmother Macrina (Jan. 14) are Saints of the Church, together with all his brothers and sisters: Macrina, his elder sister (July 19), Gregory of Nyssa (Jan. to), Peter of Sebastia (Jan. 9), and Naucratius. Basil studied in Constantnople under the sophist Libanius, then in Athens, where also he formed a friendship with the young Gregory, a fellow Cappadocian, later called "the Theologian." Through the good influence of his sister Macrina (see July 19), he chose to embrace the ascetical life, abandoning his worldly career. He visited the monks in Egypt, in Palestine, in Syria, and in Mesopotamia, and upon returning to Caesarea, he departed to a hermitage on the Iris River in Pontus, not far from Annesi, where his mother and his sister Macrina were already treading the path of the ascetical life; here he also wrote his ascetical homilies. About the year 370, when the bishop of his country reposed, he was elected to succeed to his throne and was entrusted with the Church of Christ, which he tended for eight years, living in voluntary poverty and strict asceticism, having no other care than to defend holy Orthodoxy as a worthy successor of the Apostles. The Emperor Valens, and Modestus, the Eparch of the East, who were of one mind with the Arians, tried with threats of exile and of torments to bend the Saint to their own confession, because he was the bastion of Orthodoxy in all Cappadocia, and preserved it from heresy when Arianism was at its strongest. But he set all their malice at nought, and in his willingness to give himself up to every suffering for the sake of the Faith, showed himself to be a martyr by volition. Modestus, amazed at Basil's fearlessness in his presence, said that no one had ever so spoken to him. "Perhaps," answered the Saint, "you have never met a bishop before." The Emperor Valens himself was almost won over by Basil's dignity and wisdom. When Valens' son fell gravely sick, he asked Saint Basil to pray for him. The Saint promised that his son would be restated if Valens agreed to have him baptized by the Orthodox; Valens agreed, Basil prayed. the son was restored. But afterwards the Emperor had him baptized by Arians, and the child died soon after. Later, Valens, persuaded by his counsellors, decided to send the Saint into exile because he would not accept the Arians into communion; but his pen broke when he was signing the edict of banishment. He tried a second time and a third, but the same thing happened, so that the Emperor was filled with dread, and tore up the document, and Basil was not banished. The truly great Basil, spent with extreme ascetical practices and continual labours, at the helm of the church, departed to the Lord on the 1st of January, in 379. at the age of 49. His writings are replete with wisdom and erudition, and rich these gifts he set forth the doctrines concerning the mysteries both of the creation and of the Holy Trinity. Because of the majesty and keenness of his eloquence, he is honoured as "the revealer of heavenly things" and "the Great." Saint Basil is also celebrated on January 30th with Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John Chrysostom. Page 21 Page 22 HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7004 Ridge Avenue, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey Mailing Address: P.O. Box 769, Northfield, NJ 08225 Phone: 609-653-8092 Fax: 609-653-0375 PARISH PRIEST Father George Liacopulos 609- 653-3107 Priest Emeritus: Father Demetrios Constantelos 927-5383 PARISH COUNCIL President: Brian Sacco 609-412-2305 Vice President: Yianni Kyriakou Treasurer: Anthony Panetta Recording Secretary: Caitlin Papastamelos Haitham Dib, Christ Georges, Vicky Georges, Nick Kafkalas Jr., Nick Karpathios, Michael Kent, Joseph Martin, Walter Mularz, Rami Nassar, George Pappadopoulos, Athena Sacco OUTREACH MINISTER Eugenia Kramvis 609-344-2967 PHILOPTOCHOS President: Georgia Psilopoulos 609-287-3179 Vice President: Elaine Thanasoulis 609-927-4502 Treasurer: Nikki Burlotos 609-457-1356 Recording Secretary: Donna Efstatos 609-641-6542 Corresponding Secretary: Athena Sacco 609-653-6775 SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR Athena Coste 609-391-9838 Kelly Kyriakou 609-677-0003 CHANTER Pavlos Kafetzis 609-485-0648 CHOIR DIRECTOR Presv. Voula Liacopulos 609-653-3107 Greek School George Plamantouras 609-573-5592 STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE Caitlin Papastamelos CHILD CARE COMMITTEE President: Michael Kent 609-927-2320 BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE Dorrie Papademetriou, Walter Mularz, Athena Sacco DANCE GROUPS Vicky Georges 609-345-2487 (Sr. Group) BASKETBALL Boys: Anthony Panetta Girls: George Efstatos 39 AND SOMETHING GROUP Father George Liacopulos 609-653-3107 FESTIVAL CHAIRPERSON GOYA President: John Liacopulos 609-350-9637 Advisors: Kelly Kyriakou 609-677-0003 Lia Bairaktaris Faten Dib Donna Efstatos JOY /HOPE ADVISORS Antonia Ballias 609-513-4063 Katerina Christakos 609-576-6767 Yianni Kyriakou 609-677-0003 ST STEPHEN THE DEACON SERVICE PROJECT Athena Coste 609-391-9838 AUDITING COMMITTEE Faten Dib, Nick Mamalou & Richard Haviland PARISH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM Richard & Linda Haviland ARCHIVES Eleni Stamelos Holy Trinity Herald Deadline is the 21st of each month. Please submit all copy or photos to Lisa Mitoulis at 653-0719 or [email protected] Page 23 HTH Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church P.O.Box 769 Northfield, NJ 08225 UPCOMING EVENTS January 6: January 23-25: January 25: January 30: January 31: February 1: February 7: February 23: March 22: March 25: March 29: April 12: May 2: June 4-7: Epiphany Greek Winter Feast Greek Letters Program JOY Bowling Regional Greek Letters Program Godparents Sunday Mardi Gras Dance Lent Begins Greek Independence Day Parade Annunciation of the Theotokos Greek Independence Day Program Resurrection Ocean City Block Party Greek Festival One is your teacher, the Christ. Matthew 23:10 Page 24
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