ARK - ΚΙΒΩΤΟΣ ΜΗΝΙΑΙΟ ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΗ Σ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚ Η Σ ΟΡ ΘΟΔΟΞΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΤΗ Σ ΚΟ ΙΜΗΣΕ ΩΣ ΤΗ Σ ΘΕ ΟΤΟΚΟΥ

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1 APRIL / ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΣ 2014 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 4 the H ARK - ΚΙΒΩΤΟΣ MONTH L Y BULLE T IN OF TH E AS S U MP T ION OF OUR MOST HO L Y TH E OTOKOS GREEK ORTH ODOX CHURCH ΜΗΝΙΑΙΟ ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΗ Σ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚ Η Σ ΟΡ ΘΟΔΟΞΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΤΗ Σ ΚΟ ΙΜΗΣΕ ΩΣ ΤΗ Σ ΘΕ ΟΤΟΚΟΥ Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 111 Island Pond Road Manchester NH Phone: (603) Fax: (603) info@assumptionnh.org Join us on Facebook INSIDE THIS ISSUE Monthly Calendar (Greek)... 2 Ministries List... 3 Parish News... 4 Philoptochos News... 6 Youth News... 8 Stewardship Report Monthly Calendar (English). 19 1

2 ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΣ 2014 ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ ΤΡΙΤΗ ΤΕΤΑΡΤΗ ΠΕΜΠΤΗ ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ 1 2 Προηγιασμένη Θ. Λειτουργία 6:00µµ Σαρακοστιανός Pot Luck Δείπνο 3 Ελληνικό Σχολείο Ελληνικός Χορός 3:30-7:45µµ 4 Ακάθιστος Ύμνος 7:00 µµ 5 6 Κυριακή της Αγίας Μαρίας της Αιγυπτίας Ορθρος:9:00πμ Θεία Λειτ: 10:00πμ 7 8 Συνάντηση Συμβουλίου Φιλοπτώχου 6:30μμ 9 10 Ελληνικό Σχολείο Ελληνικός Χορός 3:30-7:45µµ Σάββατο του Λαζάρου Ορθρος: 8:30πμ Θεία Λειτ: 9:15πμ Τηγανίτα πρωινό και Palm Folding 13 Κυριακή των βαΐων Ορθρος: 9:00πμ Θεία Λειτ: 10:00πμ Ελληνικό Σχολείο Ελληνικός Χορός 3:30-7:45µµ Δ ε ί τ ε τ η ν Μ ε γ ά λ η Ε β δ ο μ ά δ α Π ρ ό γ ρ α μ μ α 20 Μεγάλη και Άγιο Πάσχα, 11 π.μ. 21 Συνάντηση Διοικητικού Συµβουλίου 7:00µµ Κυριακή του Θωμά Ορθρος: 9:00πμ Θεία Λειτ: 10:00πμ Συσσιτιο Απόρων (New Horizons) 3:45-6:30μμ 2

3 Reverend Father Athanasios Nenes (603) Parish Council 2014 President... Costas Georgopoulos Vice President... Nick Karagianis Secretary... Mike Rokas Treasurer... Ted Rokas James Folopoulos Dean Kacos Tasos Karatzoulidis Peter Lazos Charles Mardanes Vasilios Palaskas Penny Papastathis Louie Pliakos Philoptochos Board President... Esther Kereakoglow 1 st Vice President... Lucy Skouteris Recording Secretary... Andrea Moutsioulis Corresponding Secretary. Iris Belinsky Treasurer... Georgia Gancarz Advisor... Nancy Mardanes Martha Galanis Maria Chronas Georgia Palaskas Staff Evangelia Gregorious Artemis Lazos Secretary... Janet Malin Custodian... Paul Tsolakidis Chanter... Vasilios Rokas Choir Director.Joan Varga Office Hours for Fr. Athanasios Nenes Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Any other time or day with appointment. YOUTH MINISTRIES Coordinator... Stephanie Piet GOYA Advisor... Carol Georgopoulos President... Alexandra Yogas Vice President... Lily Hitchens Secretary... Despina Yogas Secretary... Demetri Stamoulis Treasurer... Efthemi Stamoulis JOY Advisors... Julie Karagianis Patty Tingos Soula Dunn Alexandra Demos Mommy & Me... Frieda Demetriou-Peters Fr. Athanasios Nenes PARISH SCHOOLS Sunday School Director... Stacy Kalampalikis Greek School Director... George Kitsis Teacher... Connie Stamoulis Teacher... Daphne Galatas Fr. Athanasios Nenes Sophia Annas Costas Georgopoulos Ellen Healy Newsletter Staff Carol Georgopoulos Newsletter Editors Janet Malin Nancy Mardanes Stephanie Piet ADDRESS CHANGES Please notify the Church office if you are moving so that we may update our database. Thank you. Pastoral Home Visitation If a loved one is in the hospital, in a nursing home, or is house-bound due to an illness, please feel free to contact Fr. Athanasios Nenes at the Church office to arrange a visit. Ark published monthly by Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 111 Island Pond Road, Manchester NH

4 Parish News Holy Week Meditation and Study Guide Fr. Andrew Demotses The services of Holy Week transform us into eyewitnesses and direct participants in the awesome events of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In readings taken from both Old and New Testaments, in hymns, processions, and liturgical commemoration, we see the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies, and the mighty acts by which God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, grants us forgiveness for our sins, and rescues us from the pain of eternal death. PALM SUNDAY EVENING - Matthew 21: This evening's service calls to mind the beginning of Jesus' suffering. The gospel describes the plotting of the priests and elders to trap Jesus into convicting Himself as a religious heretic. Through parables, Jesus tells us of His coming betrayal, trial, conviction and execution by crucifixion. The hymns of this service commemorate two things; the first, the prophetic figure of Joseph, who, while virtuous, nonetheless suffered unjustly at the hands of his brothers before being greatly rewarded, and the second, the parable of the fig tree, which in failing to bear fruit, became a symbol of fallen creation, and of our own lives, in which we also have failed to bear spiritual fruit. HOLY MONDAY EVENING - Matthew 22:15-46; 23:1-39. This evening's theme is the need for watchfulness and preparation, lest we be called unprepared before the awesome judgment seat of Christ to render an account of ourselves. The gospel reading contrasts the efforts of the Pharisees to trick and discredit Jesus, with the forceful resistance which Christ mounts against their evil. The hymns remind us of the parable of the Ten Virgins, in which the faithful Christian is exhorted to vigilance. HOLY TUESDAY EVENING - John 12: The need for true repentance is the concern of Tuesday evening's service. This transformation from the life of sin to a life of faith and obedience is exemplified for us in the person of the sinful woman who received the gift for forgiveness when she anointed Jesus with myrrh and washed His feet. The highlight of the service is the hymn written in honor of this woman by St. Kassiani. The Gospel meditation foretells of the coming suffering of Christ and recalls His inner struggles and agony. HOLY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING - Epistle readings: James 5:10-16, Romans 15:1-7, I Corinthians 12: :1-8, II Corinthians 1:8-11. Galatians 5:22-6:2, I Thessalonians 5: Gospel readings: Luke 10:25-37, Luke 19:1-10, Matthew 10:1 & 10:5-8, Matthew 8:14-23, Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 15:21-28, and Matthew 9:9-13. The primary theme of Holy Wednesday is our human need for the healing and forgiveness that comes into our lives when we establish a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We are reminded that the way to this relationship is to be found, above all else, through the life of prayer. In the Sacrament of Holy Unction, the faithful are anointed and thus, healed both physically and spiritually. They are also 4

5 reconciled to God and one another so that they might receive the gift of the Holy Eucharist instituted by Christ at the Last Supper. HOLY THURSDAY MORNING - Matthew 26:2-20, John 13:3-17, Matthew 26:21-39, Luke 22:43-45, and Matthew 26:40-27:2. On Holy Thursday morning, we ascend Mt. Zion with Christ and the Twelve, and enter into the upper room. Once there, we witness the awesome moment when, at the Last Supper, Christ abolishes the ritual practice of the Old Covenant and establishes the ritual of the New Covenant, prophesied by Jeremiah, through the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The faithful receive Holy Communion at that Holiest of Liturgies. HOLY THURSDAY EVENING - In this service, we commemorate the undeserved suffering of Jesus Christ, endured for our sake, so that we might be reconciled anew to God our Father. The Gospel readings witness for us the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, his trial and conviction, and finally his torture, crucifixion and death at the hands of a sinful humanity. This evening's service also includes the procession representing Christ carrying His own cross along the Via Dolorosa, and ends when we see before us the King of Glory crucified. The Gospels are as follows: 1. John 13:31-18:1 2. John 18: Matthew 26: John 18:28-19:16 5. Matthew 27: Mark 15: Matthew 27: : John 19: Mark 15: John 19: Matthew 27:62-66 HOLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON - I Corinthians 1:18-2:2, Matthew 27:1-38, Luke 23:39-43, Matthew 27:39-54, John 19:31-37, and Matthew 27: In this service, we are once again reverent witnesses to the undeserved suffering of Christ, to his terrible passion and death. What is remembered in a special way through liturgical commemoration and procession, is the faithfulness and love of Joseph of Arimathea who tenderly removed Christ's body from the cross, wrapped it in clean linen, and carried it to his own unused tomb for burial. HOLY FRIDAY EVENING - Ezekiel 37:1-14, I Corinthians 5:6-8, Galatians 3:13-14, Matthew 27: On Good Friday evening, the theme is Christ's descent into Hades during which the Gospel of repentance and reconciliation with God is shared with those who died before Christ's saving dispensation in the flesh. The service begins with lamentations sung as we stand before the tomb of Christ commemorating His unjust punishment and the shedding of His innocent blood. But the service ends on a note of joy and hope, with the reading of the Prophet Ezekiel in which he describes his vision of our resurrection yet to come; in the midst of despair, we are told there is hope, for not even death can separate us from the unfailing love and power of God. Death is about to be conquered and faithfulness rewarded. 5

6 HOLY SATURDAY MORNING - Romans 6:3-11, Matthew 28:1-20. On Holy Saturday morning we celebrate the theme of faithfulness receiving its reward. The crucifixion is over, Christ is buried, the twelve apostles and other disciples are scattered and defeated. And yet, three myrrhbearing women come in faithfulness to perform the last act of love--to anoint Jesus according to the Jewish burial custom. Their unwavering devotion is rewarded--they are the first to share in Christ's triumph over evil and death. They are the first witnesses to the Resurrection. This joy is commemorated through the scattering of bay leaves and rose petals by the priest. HOLY SATURDAY EVENING - EASTER SUNDAY MORNING - Mark 16:1-8. The lamentations of the previous night are repeated and the church is plunged into darkness to symbolize the despair and defeat experienced before the dawn of Christ's victory over the Enemy of our salvation. Precisely at midnight, a single light emerges from the altar representing the victory of Christ over death, the defeat of the Prince of Darkness by Jesus, the Light of the World. As the light is passed from person to person, it pushes back the darkness of the church and defeats it completely. The Resurrection is proclaimed in song and triumphant procession, and after the Liturgy, its light is carried into our homes so that they too might be filled with its light and warmth and triumph. EASTER SUNDAY MORNING - John 20: Christ's Resurrection and victory is affirmed in this morning's theme. The Gospel is read in several languages to illustrate the universality of the Good News of the Resurrection and its proclamation to the very ends of the earth. Love, forgiveness, reconciliation, triumph and joy--these are the gifts which we receive because Christ lived and died and triumphed for our sake. GLORY BE TO HIM FOR ALL THINGS, AND MAY YOUR EASTER BE BLESSED Special thanks to St. Vasilios for providing this Holy Week and Easter meditation. Copyright: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Department of Internet Ministries Source: Saint Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, Peabody, MA Philoptochos News Ladies Philoptochos News The Ladies Philoptochos will be collecting donations toward flowers for the Epitaphion for Holy Week services this year, culminating on Easter Sunday, April 20 th. Your donations assist in the purchase of flowers for Easter season, the Assumption of Panagia August You may offer your donation of any amount to any of the Philoptochos Board Members or mail your payment to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 111 Island Pond Road, Manchester NH 03109, ATTN: Philoptochos Flowers. Please be certain to indicate on your envelope Philoptochos Flowers, so that your payment will be properly routed. We the Ladies Philoptochos Soteria appreciate your donations toward the purchase of beautiful flowers for our Church. 6

7 The Ladies Philoptochos Soteria will have their yearly General Assembly on Sunday, May 18 th following church service during our coffee hour. We invite all parishioners to attend this meeting, our fiscal year-end presentation, so that we may share with you what we have accomplished during the 2013 fiscal year. Please note on your calendars that we are having our yard sale in the church hall on May 17 th from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The GOYA are also going to be selling gyros the same day along with choices in beverages. We also plan to sell pastries. Philoptochos Dues We will be collecting Philoptochos dues in the amount of $ You may give your payment to any Philoptochos Board Member. Daughters of Penelope News I would like to thank all parishioners who have generously donated items for Penelope's Place in Brockton, MA. Many thanks to Father Nenes and the Parish Council for allowing the collection to take place in the Narthex of our Church. This was a campaign run by the Daughters of Penelope Ilios Chapter of Manchester. Our President, Mrs. Nicole Wu, also sends her thanks as do the board members of our Chapter. A group of women from Ilios Chapter will be taking a trip to Penelope's Place in Brockton sometime in the spring to deliver all the items. God Bless all of you, Esther Kereakoglow Coffee Hours Please contact a Philoptochos Board member or the church office if you would like to sponsor a coffee hour. If you have a special date in mind, please reserve it early. Sanctification of Homes After Theophany If you would like Father Athanasios to perform the sanctification ceremony for your home, please contact the church office at # and provide your name, address and telephone number. New Horizons Soup Kitchen We ask you to bring three important things with you: a willingness to work hard, an open and positive attitude, and a smile! We can promise you that you will work hard, have some fun, and learn a great deal about yourself and your fellow human beings. We need approximately 12 servers each time we volunteer. If interested, please contact Stephanie Piet at Please volunteer with us on the fourth Sunday of every month. Join us, you will not be disappointed!!! 7

8 Various Scholarships There are various scholarships available for graduates or college students. Please contact the church office at (603) to obtain a copy of the applications. Youth News Lenten schedule--important dates to remember Saturday, April 12 th, Saturday of Lazarus Communion for all of our Youth. Liturgy is at 9:15 AM. Pancake Breakfast to immediately follow the Liturgy sponsored by the Youth Ministry. We will also be making the Palms for Palm Sunday. Please make every effort for your children to join us. Wednesday, April 16 th, Holy Unction Services are at 7:00 PM. We would love to see all the children in church to receive with their families. Thursday, April 17 th, Greek School & Sunday School will be held from 4:00 to 5:30 PM that day. We will dye eggs with Miss Julie and Miss Angeliki. A light spaghetti dinner will be served for those children that will be staying to attend church services at 7:00 PM. Friday, April 18 th, Good Friday Children are encouraged to participate in the decorating of the Epitaphion following services in the morning. This is a Lenten Retreat and something we are trialing this year. We will have a Lenten lunch and lesson with Father Athanasios. Children must be accompanied by a parent. We will distribute letters to be excused from school as it is a religious holiday and will not be held against them. Please let Miss Stephanie know if you will be attending so that we can have enough food for the children. Remember, children must be on their best church behavior as always. Friday, April 18 th, Good Friday Night Services We are looking for all girls to be Myrrh bearers. If your daughter would like to participate, please have them come in an all white dress or skirt and blouse. Please let Miss Stephanie know if your daughter will be attending. Raffle Calendars If you have not purchased one, please see a Youth Advisor so that you will not miss out. The cost is $10 per calendar and all monies raised will be used for end of the year events. Thank you to our generous donors, we greatly appreciate your support of the Youth Ministries. 8

9 Gyro Sale The GOYA will hold a Gyro Sale on Saturday, May 17, This will be done along with the Philoptochos Yard Sale. All proceeds of the Gyro Sales will go towards a graduation trip. We will also be selling the remainder of our candy bars to complete this fundraiser. Sunday School April school vacation is fast approaching there is no Sunday School on Sunday, April 27 th. Please join us in church for the Divine Liturgy as a family. We will see you on Sunday, May 3 rd! Greek School There is no Greek School on Thursday, May 1 st due to school vacation. See you on the 8 th with big smiles and tons of energy!! GOYA Car Wash The GOYANs are excited to announce their annual carwash at Mobil on the Run, at the corner of Weston and South Willow Streets here in Manchester on Saturday, May 10 th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Please support our GOYANs in their fundraising endeavors. 9

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11 Sacraments Blessing March day for Kayla, daughter of Christopher and Krista Comrie Chrismation March for Michelle Leonard Reminder Please do not forget to submit your 2014 Stewardship Pledge Card Stewardships are the greatest source of income for our church. FEBRUARY DONATIONS Hall Rental Mr. & Mrs. James Folopoulos - $ Bulletin Business Ad Anagnost Investments - $ Dryer Management - $ Roof Fundraiser Donations Evangeline Wilder - $25.00 Mr. & Mrs. Antonios Pliakos -$ Jean Vlangas - $ Fuel Fundraisers Barbara Garos Brown - $20.00 Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Liolios - $20.00 Mr. & Mrs. John Stergioulis -$20.00 Virginia Zarakostas - $25.00 Mr. & Mrs. Peter Camberis - $50.00 Lucie Skouteris - $50.00 Mr. & Mrs. John Stergiou - $50.00 Mr. & Mrs. Frank Tingos - $ Other Fuel Fund - $7.00 Memorial Donations In memory of Thomas Tsecaris - $ Additional Pledges Received for 2013 Penny Papastathis Additional Pledges in February Mr. & Mrs. John Costes Sandra Flynn Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Gallos Mr. Mrs. Ilias Kalampalkis Demetrios Kamberis Mr. & Mrs. John Karagianis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Karagianis Mr. & Mrs. John Karakostas Esther Kereakoglow Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Liolios Aspa Michalopoulos Tillie Papageorge Mr. & Mrs. Frank Papanicolau Helen Rainey George Tonas Eleni Younis 11

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13 EASTER BAKE SALE Sponsored By The Ladies Philoptochos Society Soteria of The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church SATURDAY, APRIL AM TO 3 PM PETA BAKLAVA KOURAMBIETHES KOULOURAKIA EASTER BREAD ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 111 ISLAND POND ROAD MANCHESTER, NH

14 GREEKFEST 2014 CALLING ALL PARISHONERS!!! Our 2014 GreekFest will be held on Saturday August 23 th and Sunday August 24 th. Festival Hours: Saturday 11:00 am to 9:00 pm; Sunday 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. Putting this event together is a massive undertaking requiring 100 volunteers each hour the festival is open! This is our largest fundraiser of the year and we need your help! Many of you have worked for years to make this event a success. But, we need more help and new blood to renew our energies. Please don t be shy! We welcome your assistance, ideas and time. The following are specific needs we have at the moment. Please call if you can do something or know a source for us to pursue. Right now we are in need of: Donations of all kinds including: monetary, supplies, food, beverage supplies and/or your time and talents. Donations of money and/or prizes for the Penny Sale Table. Cooks to join the women of the Philoptochos on designated days to prepare specific Greek foods prior to the Festival. Anything else you can think of! Sounds like a lot of work and it certainly is, but the more help we have, the fewer hours each one of us needs to work! This is a great way to meet new people! It is a lot of fun and a very gratifying way to give back to our Church. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE ALREADY HARD AT WORK ON FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES! If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact the church office at (603) If you would like to participate, please fill out the following Pledge Form and return it to the church office. 14

15 PLEDGE FORM GREEKFEST 2014 Booths: Kitchen Loukoumathes Booth Kids Crafts Kids Games Gyro Booth Food Line (servers) Pastry Booth Penny Sale Table Bar Raffle Tab le Setting up tables Friday afternoon 8/22/13 Taking down tables Sunday evening 8/24/13 Tray pick-up Trash pick-up Name: Address: City/State: Phone Number: Cell Number: Days I can help: Hours: Friday, August 22 nd From: To: Saturday, August 23 rd From: To: Sunday, August 24 th From: To: 15

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17 17 BUSINESS CARD ADVERTISING Anyone with a business that would like to advertise in our monthly bulletin, please contact the Church office. A business card format, about 2 ½ x 1 ½ will run for a period of 12 months for one set fee of $ a year. This will help to defray the ever-increasing costs of printing and mailing these bulletins to our homes as well as advertising your business to our parishioners and through word of mouth, to their friends. This is a great opportunity for all!

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19 APRIL 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 Presanctified Liturgy 6:00 PM Lenten Pot Luck Dinner 3 Greek School & Greek Dance 3:30 7:45 4 Akathist Hymn - 7:00pm 5 6 Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt Orthros: 9:00 AM Div. Lit: 10:00 AM 7 8 Philoptochos Meeting 6:30 PM 9 10 Greek School & Greek Dance 3:30 7: Saturday of Lazarus Orthros: 8:30 AM Div. Lit: 9:15 AM Pancake Breakfast and Palm Folding 13 Palm Sunday Orthros: 9:00 AM Div. Lit: 10:00 AM Greek School & Greek Dance 3:30 7: S e e H o l y W e e k S c h e d u l e 20 Great and Holy Pascha, 11:00 AM 21 Parish Council Meeting 7:00 PM Sunday of Thomas Orthros: 9:00 AM Div. Lit: 10:00 AM New Horizons Soup Kitchen 3:45 PM 6:30 PM 19

20 ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 111 Island Pond Road Manchester, NH NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID MANCHESTER, NH PERMIT NO