The Word - March 2015
Faith
comes
by
hearing
and
hearing
by the
Word of
God.
Romans 10:17
the word
Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church
Andover, MA
March 2015
Being Separate in a Connected World
BIBLE STUDIES THIS MONTH
“Pursuing our spiritual life”
Women’s Faith & Fellowship
March 6: 9 am
Morning Meditations
March 11: 10 am
Bread for Life
March 25:: 7 pm
IMPORTANT DATES
March 8 - Godparents’ Sunday
March 13 - Lenten Family Night
March 15- New Familes’ Welcome
March 22 - Lenten Luncheon
Plan to attend and enjoy a
wonderful meal and the
fellowship of our church family.
B
eloved in Christ, we have to see ourselves as being different than the world around
us! As Christians we are called to be “in the world, but not of the world.” (John
15:19). The Bible says “come out and be separate….” (2 Cor. 6:17)
Yet this can be very difficult in a world that pressures us to conform to its ways and to be
connected to it at all times. We live in this age of the 24 hr news cycle, which most of the
time is not really true “news,” but entertainment, shock factor, blog/twitter commentary of
usually meaningless information. We live in the age of text, twitter, snap chat, facebook,
etc., etc. and we’re pressured to feel we have to be connected constantly or we’ll miss
something….
And yes, we are missing something–Jesus, and relationship with Him. We’re missing
quietness, prayer, stillness, reflection. And instead, we’ve become impersonal, impatient,
addicted, nervous if we don’t have our iphone “on us” at all times. Is this human
advancement? Is this progress of civilization?
Simply because Mark Zucherberg and Steve Jobs say this is the way we should live, think,
interact, then must it be so? Who are they–Prophets, Saints? Meanwhile, like the national
heroin epidemic, we have the smart phone addiction epidemic. Yet people are in denial as
their texting thumbs ache from carpel tunnel. Is all this natural? We’re all high on
information overload and our minds are not wired to handle it.
Yes, we need the technology. But how much have we allowed it to control us? Are we able
to take breaks, step away and separate –and make a connection…with God?
GREAT LENT
March 8
Now more than ever, Lent is a great way to feel some separation during these 40 days of
prayer and fasting; to feel that things are different; to slow down, put phone away, and be
within ourselves and in God’s presence. Rather than gaze at the icon apps on your computer
screen at home, come to Sunday Liturgies and to the Wednesday and Friday night beautiful
Lenten services and gaze at the Iconostasion (icon screen) and enter into true connection
and prayer.
Finally, we invite everyone to attend our Lenten Family Night on March 13, “In the world,
not of the world” (see details inside The Word). Metropolis Camp staff will conduct
sessions with our youth. And all adults/parents will enjoy an open forum discussion on the
topic. Please come and enjoy this wonderful evening!
May we all seek to master the art of disconnecting, so that we may truly connect with
Christ. Amen.
Fr. Christopher
Get news of additional events and
announcements via email. Go to
the church web site
www.andoverorthodox.org
and sign up to be on our
LISTSERV
1
The Word - March 2015
Parish Council Notes
Fr. Christopher Makiej,
Parish Priest
Dn. Sal Fazio
Dn. Gary Kent
Parish Deacons
Buzz Stapczynski, President
John Terzakis, Vice President
Jim Panagas, Secretary
Robert Trant, Treasurer
Chris Alexandrou
Dylan Archambault
Sam Diamantis
Jean Koulouris
Nicholas Miminos
David Murphy
Valerie Murphy
Tom Pantely
Peter Souhleris
Anthony Warren
George Xifaras
Church Office
Karen Davies
Office Assistant
Anita Stratigakis
Philoptochos
Sandra Spanos Johnson, President
Chanter
Telly Papanikolaou
Choir
Pres. Katerina Makiej, Director
Organist
David Harvey
Altar Boy Captain
Basil Vergados
Sunday School
Dorothy Hatzikonstantis, Director
Greek School
Voula Nikitas
Christian Lending Library
Patti George, Director
GOYA Advisors
Connie Vergados
GOYA President
Basil Vergados
JOY Advisor
Patty Trant
YouthChoir/Women’sFellowship
Pres. Katerina Makiej
Book Store Manager
Elaine Demetroulakos
Internet Ministry
Christopher Primes
AHEPA
Steven Pithis
Daughters of Penelope
Nancy Pantazopoulos
College Fellowship
Telly Papanikolaou
Young Professionals Ministry
Nicholas Miminos
Facilities
George Perakis
Archons
Arthur C. Anton
James Lolos
Telly Papanikolaou
Dear Parishioners,
The new year has gotten off to a grand start. We appreciate your attendance at Church and
participation in the sacraments despite one of the snowiest winters on record. Our
Apokreatiko Family Glendi in February was a wonderful event for young and old alike. We
all agreed that it was a terrific family gathering. The food and the music were enjoyed by
all. It was also fun to watch the youth dancing so enthusiastically. Opa! A huge thank you to
Olga Pithis and her committee for the wonderful job they did in putting on this family night.
Lent began on February 23rd. We all need to be mindful that we are entering the most holy
and prayerful time of the year. The Church Council is planning our annual Lenten luncheon
for Sunday, March 22. Please watch the Sunday bulletins for more details. Also, Father has
scheduled a Friday Family Night on March 13 for a spiritual message during Lent.
Our mortgage reduction project is well underway to eliminate our $1M mortgage. To date,
we have over $300,000 in pledges. We appreciate the sacrifices you are making to strengthen
our community and increase our outreach in the Merrimack Valley.
Just a reminder, please drive with care to Church this winter. Our snow removal contractor
has done a good job in opening up the driveways and clearing the snow from the parking
lots. Even so, please drive with caution on the Church grounds and walk with care on the
sidewalks. The Usher Teams should be notified if you find any ice or snow related problems
on our grounds.
Kali Sarakosti!
Buzz Stapczynski
Parish Council President
T i r e d o f s h o v e l i n g ? Wa n t t o l e a r n
how to bake something new?
Then join Gail Constantine on
March 7th from 10 until 2 in the
church hall and learn how to
make prosforo. Contact Sandra
Spanos Johnson at
[email protected]
for more information.
The Word
Elizabeth Xaros Bigelow, Editor
2
The Word - March 2015
Philoptochos
Sunday School
Need something to do besides shovel on a Saturday? Want to
learn how to bake something different? Then join Philoptochos on
March 7th from 10 am until 2 pm in the church hall and learn how
to make prosforo, the bread we receive after Liturgy. Gail
Constantine has offered to teach anyone who is interested how to
bake this. Details will be forthcoming in a Parish e-mail. Please
feel free to contact me if you have any questions in the mean time.
Sunday School Updates
We missed the students during some February classes due to
snow and winter vacation, but are looking forward to seeing
them as, hopefully, the weather improves! We have now entered
Lent and students are learning about our Lord’s journey to
Pascha. We hope you will all take this time to read the bible
together as a family and to increase your acts of charity during
this holy season.
Philoptochos, along with the other Parish ministries, will be
Sunday School Calendar Ahead:
helping to host Newcomers’ Sunday on March 15th. I hope you
will help us to welcome the new families into our Parish. We will March 1 – Sunday of Orthodoxy, Icon procession
also be helping at the annual Lenten Luncheon on March 22nd.
The Annunciation to the Virgin Mary:
Shoebox Recycling continues. As you clean out your closets, please Six months after John the Forerunner’s conception, the
Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of
think of donating your gently used shoes to this worthy cause.
Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the
The next scheduled meeting is March 19th at 7:00 pm. There will Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the
tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to
be a Board meeting prior starting at 6:00.
Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph’s house, the
Archangel declared: “Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is
I hope you are all managing well with this extreme winter
with thee: blessed art thou among women.” After some
weather. The start of Lent gives me hope that the snow will stop
consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this
and spring will come.
greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance
concerning God’s unsearchable condescension and the ineffable
With Sisterly Love,
dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing
Sandra Spanos Johnson
that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in
humility: “Behold the
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America called
handmaid of the Lord; be
Philoptochos, “an army of nobility and the jewel of our
it unto me according to thy
Church, Philoptochos must continue to do what God does
word.” And at this, the
by loving people.” (www.goarch.org)
Holy Spirit came upon
her, and the power of the
Most High overshadowed
her all-blameless womb,
and the Son and Word of
Hi All,
God, Who existed before
the ages, was conceived
Hope everyone is enjoying all the snow and all these days off
past speech and
from school!
understanding, and
became flesh in her
Although there wasn’t an official meeting this month we all had
immaculate body (Luke
a lot of fun at the Family Glendi. We had reserved several tables 1:26-38).
for GOYAns and were so excited to enjoy the evening with our
family and friends! Over 40 GOYAns attended the Glendi and it
Kali Sarakosti!
was so much fun to see everyone from our parish and also
Mrs. Hatzikonstantis
friends from other parishes as well!
The Word
We are looking forward to our tubing event, Family Friday
Volume 17, Issue 3
Night, Lock In and so much more in the coming months! Please
join our youth choir in church on Youth Sunday, which is the
Published monthly except August and January by
first Sunday of every month. Anyone who would like to read the
Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church,
Epistle or join our Usher team please contact any GOYA officer.
71 Chandler Road Andover, MA 01810
GOYA meetings are the 3rd Sunday of the month and all youth in
Phone 978-470-0919 vFax 978-470-0239
grades 7-12 are welcome to attend! Thank you all and see you
soon!
Periodicals postage paid at Andover, MA.
Permit No. 022-997. POSTMASTER: Send address changes
In Christ,
to Sts. Constantine & Helen Church.
Basil Vergados
GOYA President
Elizabeth Xaros Bigelow, Editor. [email protected]
GOYA
3
The Word - March 2015
“In the world,
but not of the world”
John 15:19
d o w e c o pe
s
w
e
w
o
it h
r
h
m
o
e
d
u
h
e
t
s
t
rn
h e pr es
wo
of
r ld?
FAMILY FRIDAY NIGHT
Friday, March 13th, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
5:00: Salutations Service, 6:30: Light Dinner
7:00: Youth Sessions and Adult/Parent Forum
Join your parish family for an
inspirational evening during Great
Lent.
Light dinner and refreshments
RSVP by Marc h 6 to the c hurc h offic e: offic [email protected]
4
The Word - March 2015
The Bookstore
JOY and Junior GOYA
Great Lent - the holy season of contemplation and searching. By
following Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, on his Lenten
journey, we may find guidance for living our lives according to
His teachings. Lent is a time of reflection and soul-searching as
we watch His drama unfold. There are many publications on our
Bookstore shelves for adults and children which guide us in this
journey to the Cross and to the life-affirming messages present
in the teachings of Jesus. Great Lent can be more meaningful by
reading and studying great Theologians who see the Way of the
Lord Jesus as we follow Him to His crucifixion and glorious
resurrection.
I hope everyone stayed safe and warm in February. It was a
very quiet month for JOY and Junior GOYA due to the winter
storms we had, but we have planned a fun-filled March and
April. The first Junior GOYA meeting has been rescheduled to
March 8th after Sunday school. All 5th and 6th graders are welcome to attend. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the
next meeting!
The next JOY and Junior GOYA meetings/events planned are:
·
·
Junior GOYA Church Meeting–Sunday, March 8th
from 12:00–1:15 pm following Sunday school in the
conference room. A pizza lunch will be served.
JOY Church Meeting–Sunday, March 15th from
12:00–1:15 pm following Sunday school in the large,
lower-level room of the church.
·
Easter Food Drive–Sunday, March 15th through
April 5th we will be collecting non-perishable food
items for the Lazarus House. All donations can be
placed in the Church Food Box located in the Atrium.
All food items should be boxed, canned or bagged.
Please, no glass. Thank you for your generosity!
·
JOY Saturday of Lazarus Retreat–Saturday, April
4th at the Church. Breakfast will be served following
the service in the community center and the retreat will
begin immediately after.
·
Junior GOYA Chunky’s Outing–Sunday, April 18th
at Chunky’s Cinema in Haverhill, MA. Please join
us for dinner and a movie. More details to follow.
·
Junior GOYA Church Meeting–Sunday, May 9th
from 12:00–1:15 p.m. following Sunday school in the
conference room.
·
Of particular interest is a booklet we have in stock, “The
Journey through Holy Week”, a day-by-day account of Jesus’
earthly travels to His fulfilled resurrection.
We at the Bookstore look forward to the start of Great
Lent…and to the melting of the snows….
Bookstore Staff,
Elaine Demetroulakos
Dotty Vlamis
Daughters of Penelope
Who’s ready for spring?
As of this writing the Daughters are eagerly looking forward to
celebrating a long-awaited spring with our friends and family.
We can’t wait to put this record-breaking winter behind us and
welcome spring at “An Evening with Michael” on March 5th.
JOY Kimball’s Outing Saturday, May 30th. More
details to follow.
All children in grades 1–4 are welcome to attend all the JOY
meetings and events. All children in the 5th and 6th grades are
welcome to attend all the Junior GOYA meetings and events. If
your child would like to attend, please feel free to come to the
next meeting.
The Daughters are also planning the annual Communion
Breakfast, served after Liturgy on Lazarus Saturday, April 4th.
We welcome everyone of the parish to attend Liturgy, enjoy a
fellowship breakfast and make palm crosses together. This is a
beautiful tradition for the families at Sts. Constantine & Helen
where the generations gather and begin preparations for Holy
Week. Please plan to participate.
In Christ,
Patty Trant
We are also looking forward to welcoming many new members
to the Daughters Pallas Chapter 330, with the traditional
initiation ceremony. If you are interested in becoming a member,
please speak with any current member.
With Sisterly Love,
Nancy Pantazopoulos
5
The Word - March 2015
MORTGAGE ELIMINATION UPDATE:
Our Goal
$1,000,000 - to be debt free in the year of our parish’s 100th Anniversary, 2017!
Pledged to Date:
70 Families Pledged!
$311,740 - as of February 18, 2015
·
If you have not yet made your 100th Anniversary Pledge, please prayerfully seek to do so during
this month of MARCH. Therefore you will have three years to contribute which makes it very easy
to give.....
·
For example, the "Leaf" category is a $1,000 pledge, but spread over three years its only about $6
per week... LESS THAN A DOLLAR A DAY!
·
The average pledge and most popular has been the "Fruit" category: $5,000
Pledge Card available in this edition of the Word.
This Month Testimony:
Twenty Five years ago we joined Saints Constantine and Helen parish in Andover. It was one of the best decisions we ever made.
We have raised two children through the many ministries of the church and we have all made many cherished friends here. We have
become better people through our Christian faith and continue to grow on a daily basis. We are proud that our daughter will be
marrying a young seminarian in August and we will have a priest and presbytera to help us stay grounded. We have always been
involved in different aspects of our church ministries which has given us our richness in life. We look forward to burning the
mortgage on the 100th anniversary of our parish so that all future funds can benefit the many ministries of the church which benefit
so many.
Steve and Olga Pithis
Families Pledged So Far
Thank you for your support!
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Anton, Sr., Archambault Family, Bajor/Liponis Family, Banos Family, Bassi Family, Margaret Bedrosian,
Berry Family, Antonia Boutselis, Budd Family, Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, Chris Christakos, Connor Family, Martha
Coravos, Coufas Family, Coufos Family, Danas Family, Elaine Demetroulakos, J. Demetroulakos Family, Kay Diamantas,
Diamantis Family, DiPietro Family, Fazio Family, Furman Family, Gavriel Family, E. George Family, Georgoudis Family,
Grillakis Family, Gudinas Family, Hatzikonstantis Family, A. Karafilidis Family, T. Karamouropoulos Family, J. Kiladis Family,
Kombouras Family, Koulouris Family, Krueger Family, Bessie Liponis, Loisou Family, Fr. Christopher Makiej Family, J. Makiej
Family, Dorothy Mastromonaco, P. Matzouranis Family, Andrea Mavroides, Athena Melucci, Nicholas T. Miminos, Nick and
Diane Miminos, T. Murphy Family, Pantazopoulos Family, Papanikolaou Family, Pastore Family, Patsios Family, Philoptochos,
Pithis Family, Plentzas Family, Robinson Family, Sheehan Family, Souhleris Family, Spanos Family, Splagounias Family,
Stapczynski Family, Stratigakis Family, Terzakis Family, Trant Family, Ullman Family, Vitale Family, Warren Family, Webster
Family, Xifaras Family, Xintaropoulos Family, Elaine M. Zollo
6
The Word - March 2015
7
The Word - March 2015
Apokreatiko Family Glendi
8
The Word - March 2015
The Great and Holy Lenten Season has begun. Below is a list of items needed for the additional services that are held during this
season. Should you wish to offer any of the items below “In Honor of” or “In Memory of” a loved one, please contact Karen at the
Church office at 978-470-0919.
SALUTATION SERVICES (five Fridays):
Checks made payable to STS. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.
2 Vases and Icon Frame − $60.00; 2 Vases only: $50.00; Icon only: $50.00
Friday, February 27:
Friday, March 6:
Friday, March 13:
Friday, March 20:
Friday, March 27:
SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY − March 1
Narthex Icon: $50.00
THIRD SUNDAY of LENT ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS – March 15
Narthex Icon: $50.00
700 Jonquils or Daffodils $150.00
SATURDAY of LAZARUS – April 4
Narthex Icon of Lazarus: $50.00
Daughters of Penelope sponsored Communion Breakfast
PALM SUNDAY − April 5
Palms: $500.00
Narthex Palm Sunday Icon $50.00
SUNDAY EVENING BRIDEGROOM SERVICE − Sunday, April 5: Monday April 6; Tuesday, April 7:
Bridegroom Icon: $50.00:
HOLY WEDNESDAY (Holy Unction) − April 8
Narthex Icon: $50.00
1 Bottle Extra Virgin Olive Oil
200 ziplock snack bags
200 Q-tips
200 cotton balls
HOLY THURSDAY – April 9
Narthex Icon: $50.00
Crown of Thorns: $35.00
Plant at foot of Crucifix: $30.00:
GREAT and HOLY FRIDAY− April 10
Morning Service – Nothing Needed
3:00 pm Service – Philoptochos sponsors a special floral appeal for the “Kouvouklion” decoration!
Rose Water:
Narthex Icon: $50.00
HOLY SATURDAY MORNING – April 11
Narthex Icon: $50.00
MIDNIGHT RESURRECTION SERVICE − PASCHA
Narthex Resurrection Icon: White Lilies $60.00
White Lily Resurrection Wreath: $75.00
25 Lily Plants:
600 Red Easter Eggs:Please make an extra dozen for the Church and bring to Thursday or Friday Services.
9
The Word - March 2015
10
The Word - March 2015
March 2015
Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church
Sunday
Monday
1
2
Sunday of
Orthodoxy
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
3
4
5
Greek School
4:30 pm
Pre-sanctified
Liturgy 6:00 pm
Friday
Saturday
6
7
Womens’ Faith
& Fellowship
9:00-10:30 am
Prosforo Baking
10:00-2:00 pm
2nd Salutations
to the Theotokos
7:00 pm
8
9
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
10
11
Greek School
4:30 pm
Morning
Meditations
10:00-11:30 am
3rd Salutations to
the Theotokos
7:00 pm
Pre-sanctified
Liturgy 6:00 pm
Lenten Friday
Family Night
Godparents/Godchilcren Sunday
12
13
14
Jr Goya 12 noon
GOYA Lock-in
Daylight Savings
15
17
18
19
20
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
16
Greek School
4:30 pm
Pre-sanctified
Liturgy 6:00 pm
Philoptochos
Mtg. 7:00 pm
New Families
Sunday
4th Salutations to
the Theotokos
7:00 pm
Parish Council
Mtg. 715 pm
24
25
26
Greek School
4:30 pm
Annunciation
Orthros 9:00 am
Liturgy 9:30 am
21
Joy 12 noon
Goya 6 pm
22
23
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
Lenten Luncheon
12:00 noon
Pre-sanctified
Liturgy 6:00 pm
Bread for Life
7:00 pm
29
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
30
31
Greek School
4:30 pm
Greek School
Independence
Day Celebration
11
27
5th Salutations to
the Theotokos
7:00 pm
28
The Word - March 2015
Periodical
12