Trans-a-Gram. Inside this issue. Fr. Demetri s message 2. Golf tournament Annual Benefit Tea Mortgage appeal... 7

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1 Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church November 2007 Monthly / Issue No. 10 Trans-a-Gram Rev. Demetrios T. Costarakis, Pastor Nicholas G. Pappas, Editor Inside this issue Fr. Demetri s message 2 We all know that Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the fourth Thursday in November, but Orthodox Christians have an opportunity to observe the spirit of thanksgiving each and every Sunday by participating in the Divine Liturgy. Golf tournament... 5 Forty parish golfers teamed up with their fellow golfers from the Annunciation Church in Woburn for a fundraising golf tournament on Oct. 1 at the Andover Country Club. When it was over, the parish had raised about $4,000 for its efforts. Annual Benefit Tea Tickets are now on sale for the Ladies Philoptochos Society s 54th-annual Benefit Tea on Sunday, Dec. 2, in the church hall. The theme of this year s tea is Tea, Bags and More. Mortgage appeal... 7 The chairman of the mortgage elimination program issues a strong appeal to all parishioners to work together in order to pay off the $534,000 building loan. Teaching Liturgy Father Demetri prepares Holy Communion on a small altar table while facing the parish during a Teaching Liturgy for both children and adults on Oct. 7. Over the course of the liturgy, Father Demetri took the time to stop and explain the symbolism behind his actions. More photos on Page 4. (Photo by Nick Pappas)

2 PAGE 2 Thanksgiving need not be once a year By FATHER DEMETRI COSTARAKIS Pastor If you were to count how many times the words thanks or thanksgiving appeared in the Bible, you would either get tired of counting or you would lose count and have to start all over. On one Thursday during the month of November, we remember and celebrate a day of Thanksgiving. We will all be sitting at one table, and we can t wait to have the turkey carved and to fill our plate full of the traditional thanksgiving food: stuffing, sweet potatoes, yams. And if you are of Greek descent, you have the παστίτσιο, μουσακά, και πατάτες. But is that all we think about on Thanksgiving Day? Food and more food? Some would argue of course not, it is a day to give thanks to God. But is this enough? A day to give thanks to God? Just a day, not even a week or a month? We as Orthodox Christians, though, have something very special that is offered to us. Every Sunday morning and at every Divine Liturgy, we are giving thanks to God. Let s think about it: The word thanks means what in Greek? Ευχαριστία! And what is another word for Holy Communion? Eucharist. Do you see the connection? The word comes from the Greek ευχάριστο, which means grateful and is now usually translated as thanksgiving. It now refers to the sacrament of the Lord s Supper, the Mystical Supper, in which bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Christ during the Divine Liturgy. The word Eucharist has been used to refer to the act of the breaking of the bread at least since the late 1st century. It came about because the words of institution are contained in a longer recitation, the Eucharistic prayer or prayer of Thanksgiving. The earliest written account of the institution of the Eucharist is contained in Paul s letter to the Corinthians, written in the spring of the year 55 A.D. The Didache, a church document from the end of the 1st century, refers to the Eucharist by name, gives explicit instructions for the form of the prayers and cautions: Let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist except those baptized in the name of the Lord. Even though Thanksgiving Day is recognized as a day of giving thanks and praise, we as Orthodox Christians have this opportunity each and every Sunday. We gather around one table (the Holy Altar Table), and we each have our place (either in the Altar, pews, choir or narthex). With the same excitement that we have when the turkey is carved in front of us, even more so we should feel that same spiritual excitement that we can t wait until the priest comes out and says: With the fear of God, faith and love draw near. This is Thanksgiving! So on the day that our nation remembers with its day of thanks, let us truly embrace the gratitude that we must have for our Lord, not only on that particular day, but each and every day of our life. + Father Demetri HOW TO REACH US WANTED Pastor: The Rev. Demetri Costarakis Secretary: Jeanne Brady Address: Father John Sarantos Way, Lowell, MA Telephone: Fax: Church transfig@hotmail.com Father Demetri demetric@imail.goarch.org Web page: Office hours: Secretary: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Priest: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Editor: Nick Pappas Telephone: npappas05@comcast.net Volunteers to help serve during the weekly coffee hour. Please call coordinator Susan Pappas at or smpappas16@yahoo.com. Volunteers to provide dinner to mothers and children once a month at the House of Hope. Please contact Lynne Karagianes at Anyone interested in placing an ad in the Transa-Gram to help offset the printing costs. Please contact Editor Nick Pappas at or npappas05@comcast.net for more information.

3 PAGE 3 Schedule of Services Sunday Orthros... 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy. 10 a.m. to noon Special Services Nov. 1 (Thursday)... Sts. Cosmas and Damian Divine Liturgy: 9 a.m. Nov. 9 (Friday). St. Nectarios Divine Liturgy: 9 a.m. Nov. 16 (Friday). St. Matthew Divine Liturgy: 9 a.m. Nov. 21 (Wednesday)... Entrance of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy: 9 a.m. Nov. 30 (Friday) St. Andrew Divine Liturgy: 9 a.m. Baptisms: Sacraments Madison Lynn Ann, daughter of John and Mindy Koufos. Godparent: Christian Monfet. (Sept. 29) Kendall Fay, daughter of Steven and Pamela Sintros. Godparents: Michael and Kate Sintros. (Oct. 6) Peter, son of Father Demetri and Presbytera Gloria Costarakis. Godparents: Presbytera Jenny Legakis and Nicholas Kamberidis. (Oct. 6) Evan John, son of John and Charlene Stoessel. Godparents: Jill Nestor and Justin Gagne. (Oct. 13) Na sas zisi! Monthly Trisagia Names of the deceased are read the first Sunday of each month. Please send the names to be read in advance, listing the month you would like them read. If you would like the name to be read in Greek, please include the Greek spelling along with the English. If you have any questions, please call Dyanne Mitropoulis at Church Services George Andricopoulos George Anastos Leo Anastos John Betses Nicholas Cakounes George A. Danas Stephen A. Danas Georgia Delazanos Anthousa Demetriou Neofitos Demetriou Anthony Dimitri Helen Faneros John Faneros Julia Georgeau Yianoula Georgeou Nicholas Gianes Anastasios Harikoplias Soultana Kapsouris John Karagianes Kalliope Karagianes Manuel Karatassos Evangelos Koniditsiotes Peter Koniditsiotes Stergios Koravos Maneline Koufogazos Mary Lellos Peter Lellos Stephanie Lombardo Yianni Manelas Paraskevi Manolis OCTOBER TRISAGIA Athena Logothetis Brophy NOVEMBER TRISAGIA Charles P. Manousos Vasiliki Marcopoulos Martin P. Martakos Cleopatra Matlis Athina Mavroudhis Thomas M. Nelligan Anna Neofotistos Steve Neofotistos Soultana Nicholas Helen Nikitopoulos Gus Pappas John Piazas Johnny Piazas Alexandra Skaperdas Cornelia Sigalos James Sigalos Anna Tournas Louie Tournas Jane Tournas Stella Tournas Anthoula Tzanetakos Mary Tzanetakos Peter Tzanetakos Daisy Wajda Steve Xifaris Nicholas Vlahakis Nicholas S. Zamanakos

4 PAGE 4 Father Demetri reads a prayer while preparing Holy Communion for the parish during the Teaching Liturgy on Oct. 7. Liturgy 101 There s much that can be learned at a Teaching Liturgy Photos by Nick Pappas Father Demetri takes a moment to explain a key part of the Divine Liturgy to parishioners. Conan Gill censes one of the Holy Gifts covers.

5 Forty golfers help to raise $4,000 By MARGO DiBENEDETTO Golf Tournament Co-chairperson It was a beautiful fall day to play golf at Andover Country Club! The Transfiguration Church teamed up with the Annunciation Church of Woburn for the fifth consecutive year. The committee members were Margo DiBenedetto, Ioannis Zaralidis, Bill Gochis, Wilma Thomas and the late Greg Thomas. PAGE 5 The Transfiguration Church had 40 golfers, including Father Demetri and his father-in-law, Anthony Ziagos. Several Parish Council members played, including Margo DiBenedetto, Jim Murphy, George Malliaros and Nick Manolis. Thank you to them and to the golfers who have supported this event every year, including Glenn Shanks, Chris Papadopoulos, Dave Malek and George Behrakis. The day started with a continental breakfast and a shotgun start at 11 a.m. There were several games along the course, as well as a chance to win $25,000 or a Cadillac for a holein-one. There was also a putting contest at the end of the day: $10,000 for sinking a 50-foot putt! The golfers and volunteers were then treated to a wonderful buffet of The parish was well represented at the Transfiguration-Annunciation golf tournament on Oct. 1 at the Andover Country Club, including the foursome of Father Demetri, Cesar de la Torre, Anthony Ziagos Jr. and Anthony Ziagos Sr. prime rib and chicken marsala. Dessert was a make-your-own sundae buffet, along with the truly incredible galatopoureko made by Eleni Stavrou. The winners of the tourney in the men s division were Dave Malek, Don Chamberlain, Peter Dolat and Eric Mongeau. The winners of the women s division were Kate Paquin, Maureen Bouchard, Lori Mitchell and Trish McNabb. The church raised approximately $4,000 due to the generosity of many raffle-prize donors and sponsors: Iris Mitropoulis, The Behrakis Foundation, Dr. Evan Coravos, Chris and Vito Selvaggio, Jim Murphy, George Blaisdell Insurance, James L. Cooney Insurance, Hub International Insurance, Ladies Philoptochos Society, Men s Guild, the Zaralidis family, Dracut House of Pizza, Dracut Funeral Home, Dyanne Mitropoulis, O Donnell Funeral Home, New Olympia Restaurant and A.N.G. Electric. Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, donated prizes or sponsored the event. It is truly appreciated. We are already planning next year s event, so mark your calendars for Oct. 6, 2008! New budget up for vote at Nov. 4 Parish Assembly By NICK PAPPAS Trans-a-Gram Editor The fall Parish Assembly will take place on Sunday, Nov. 4, after the Divine Liturgy in the church hall. Among the items on the agenda are a review of this year s budget to date, adoption of a budget for 2008 and reports from various parish organizations. Father Demetri and Parish Council President Margo DiBenedetto also will deliver their annual reports. Finally, parishioners will learn who has placed their names in nomination for six, two-year seats on the council in the December elections. If there is no quorum, the meeting will take place the following night at 6:30 p.m.

6 PAGE 6 Tea theme: Tea, bags and more By EVANTHEA VLAHAKIS Tea Publicity Co-chairperson Make plans now to join your Philoptochos sisters, friends and family for Tea, Bags and More our 54th annual Benefit Tea on Sunday, Dec. 2, from 3-5 p.m. in the church hall. Tickets are $25 for adults; $10 for children under 12. Visit our ticket table after church or contact Angela Hastings at Co-chairs Olivia Sintros and Pat Mahoney are thrilled to be spearheading this year s Tea, which is the Philoptochos most important fundraiser. It has been exciting to hear all the questions regarding our theme: Tea, Bags and More, Olivia says. What does it mean? The Tea promises to be full of bags, bags and more bags, as well as a toe-tappin afternoon. Pat said proceeds from the event will help support our parish needs, along with our local and metropolis ministries, and national commitments. We look forward to your continued enthusiastic support. While it always takes many hands to put on an event as complicated as the annual Philoptochos Tea, the committee members are happy to serve our church with a smile: (seated, from left) Patricia Mahoney and Olivia Sintros, co-chairs; Susan Pappas, president; Angela Hastings, reservations and publicity, with sons Edward and James; (standing, from left) Corrine Dubay, past president; Diane Ziagos, reception; Evanthea Vlahakis, publicity; Melanie Pappas, invitations, tickets and program; Sophia Quinn, raffle; Annmarie Tsitsipas, reception; Father Demetri; Elizabeth de la Torre, invitations and tickets, with daughter Sophia; Yiota Simoglou, raffle; Lynne Karagianes, hostesses; and Nancy Lane and Debbe Daley, decorations. Missing from photo are: Helen Gaudet, reservations; Cathy Economou, entertainment; Eleni Stavrou and Elizabeth Tsioulis, refreshments; Georgia Dristilliaris, lunch bag coordinator; Sandra Gulezian, hostesses; and Ann Tavoularis and Soula Spaziani, super raffle. (Photo by Nick Pappas) PHILOXENIA HOUSE VISIT Yiota Simoglou and Susan Pappas, far left and second from left, were among a dozen Philoptochos members who prepared a meal for residents of the Philoxenia House in Brookline on Oct. 14. (Photo by Melanie Pappas)

7 PAGE 7 Time to work together to reduce debt By JIM MURPHY Mortgage Elimination Chairman Every month I provide updated numbers on the mortgage elimination program. This month will be a little different. There has been some controversy regarding the building and the financing of the overall project. At this point in time, we need to put all that behind us and focus on retiring this debt as soon as possible. Whether you were in favor of the building or not, the fact of the matter is we now have a very large mortgage. Personality differences must be put aside; this parish needs everyone to help eliminate this debt. As a member of the Parish Council for the past three years, I have seen how expensive it can be to maintain the church. The council takes maintenance very seriously, and we have had to make many difficult decisions based on the availability of church funds. There are numerous projects that require attention, but as a council we cannot begin to address these preventative maintenance items until funds have been raised to cover our operating costs, including the mortgage. This program is quite simple: If everyone in the parish were to contribute an average of $300 annually, we would actually raise over $155,000 each year. Based on the current mortgage balance, we would be able to eliminate this mortgage in less than four years. We need everyone to help eliminate this debt. Remember: the key here is an average contribution of $300. No contribution amount is too small. I ask everyone to remember a $300 annual contribution is less than 83 cents per day. Commitments can be paid monthly, quarterly, semiannually and annually. I am asking if you haven t made a pledge, please do so. In closing, I have only been a member of the Parish Council for three years. The infighting within the church will not eliminate this debt; working together as the Transfiguration family will. We now have a beautiful building, we have thanked the committee members who took on such a monumental task, and we must now pay for what we have. Bylaw Committee wants to say thank you By FRANK STEVENS Bylaw Committee Chairman On Sept. 30, an estimated 75 parishioners attended a Special Parish Assembly to consider the revisions proposed by the Bylaw Committee elected in April. After approving three of four amendments offered by attendees, those assembled adopted the revised document on a voice vote estimated at 87 percent for approval. Beginning with the first meeting of the committee in May and through a series totaling 24 sessions including four information sessions and culminating with the special assembly the Bylaw Committee made every effort to keep the entire process open to parishioners. Bylaw Committee Chairman Frank Stevens makes a point during the Sept. 30 Special Parish Assembly. As chairman of this committee, I wish to take this opportunity to thank each of you who participated in and contributed to the success of this process. I will never forget the summer of 07 that I spent with Father Demetri and six parishioners Margo DiBenedetto, Martha Coravos, Daphne Zaralidis, Donna Spanos, Lynne Karagianes and Jim Murphy who put their personal concerns aside in order to make time to consider how they could best help their church. To our church office secretary, Jeanne Brady, we all owe our eternal gratitude. Without her tireless efforts, this project would never have been accomplished. And finally, our thanks to those office angels who prepared the mail so that we could all have it early. At this writing, the adopted revisions have been submitted to His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, and we are awaiting his response.

8 PAGE 8 Nectarios the Wonderworker Saint renowned for his healing of sick celebrated Nov. 9. S aint Nectarios was born in Selyvria of Thrace on October 1, After putting himself through school in Constantinople with much hard labour, he became a monk on Chios in 1876, receiving the monastic name of Lazarus; because of his virtue, a year later he was ordained deacon, receiving the new name of Nectarios. Under the patronage of Patriarch Sophronius of Alexandria, Nectarios went to Athens to study in 1882; completing his theological studies in 1885, he went to Alexandria, where Patriarch Sophronius ordained him priest on March 23, 1886, in the Cathedral of Saint Sabbas, and in August of the same year, in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, made him Archimandrite. Archimandrite Nectarios showed much zeal both for preaching the word of God, and for the beauty of God's house. He greatly beautified the Church of Saint Nicholas in Cairo, and years later, when Nectarios was in Athens, Saint Nicholas appeared to him in a dream, embracing him and telling him he was going to exalt him very high. On January 15, 1889, in the same Church of Saint Nicholas, Nectarios was consecrated Metropolitan of the Pentapolis in eastern Libya, which was under the jurisdiction of Alexandria. Although Nectarios' swift ascent through the degrees of ecclesiastical office did not affect his modesty and childlike innocence, it aroused the envy of lesser men, who convinced the elderly Sophronios that Nectarios had it in his heart to become Patriarch. Since the people loved Nectarios, the Patriarch was troubled by the slanders. On May 3, 1890, Sophronius relieved Metropolitan Nectarios of his duties; in July of the same year, he commanded Nectarios to leave Egypt. Without seeking to avenge or even to defend himself, the innocent Metropolitan left for Athens, where he found that accusations of immorality had arrived before him. Because his good name had been soiled, he was unable to find a position worthy of a bishop, and in February of 1891 accepted the position of provincial preacher in Euboia; then, in 1894, he was appointed dean of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School in Athens. Through his eloquent sermons, his unwearying labours to educate fitting men for the priesthood, his generous alms deeds despite his own poverty, and the holiness, meekness, and fatherly love that were manifest in him, he became a shining light and a spiritual guide to many. At the request of certain pious women, in 1904 he began the building of his convent of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina while yet dean of the Rizarios School; finding later that his presence there was needed, he took up his residence on Aegina in 1908, where he spent the last years of his life, devoting himself to the direction of his convent and to very intense prayer; he was sometimes seen lifted above the ground while rapt in prayer. He became the protector of all Aegina, through his prayers delivering the island from drought, healing the sick, and casting out demons. Here also he endured wicked slanders with singular patience, forgiving his false accusers and not seeking to avenge himself. Although he had already worked wonders in life, an innumerable multitude of miracles have been wrought after his repose in 1920 through his holy relics, which for many years remained incorrupt. There is hardly a malady that has not been cured through his prayers; but Saint Nectarios is especially renowned for his healings of cancer for sufferers in all parts of the world. * * * Courtesy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Web site. Advent Camp The first of the parish s five youth camps this year is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Advent Camp is open to children between the ages of Prekindergarten to Grade 8. Other youth camps scheduled this year are Lenten Camp (March 15, 2008), Saturday of Lazarus (April 19) Good Friday retreat (April 25) and Vacation Church Camp (July 28-Aug. 1). For more information, contact the church office during regular business hours at

9 PAGE 9 Parish Council Church News Stewardship 2007 By MARGO DiBENEDETTO Parish Council President The Parish Council discussed the following topics when it met on Oct. 10: Maintenance update: Acu-Bright Inc. of Exeter, N.H., will provide us with an estimate for cleaning the chandeliers in the church; John Gkolias will call the Lowell Water Department to ask that it flush the pipes due to an odor in the water; waiting for an HVAC maintenance estimate, as well as a response from EDM Contractors of Westford concerning work on the towers. Sound system: A motion was approved to purchase a new sound system for the church, since the old system cannot be repaired. Computer purchase: A motion was approved to purchase two hard drive backups for the computers. Book store: Father Demetri would like a book store set up before the holidays. Event schedules: All organizations should give Jeanne the dates for their events so there is no conflict with each other or with Father Demetri s schedule. Kitchen work: A motion was approved to do a preliminary investigation into a cosmetic improvement of the kitchen. Next meeting: The Parish Council will next meet on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. Treasurer s Report Here is a brief summary of income and expenses as of Sept. 30 and how they compare to the same period last year: Category Change Stewardship 133, , % Other income 103, , % Total Income 237, , % Expenses 201, , % Balance 35, , % By NICK PAPPAS Trans-a-Gram Editor It took nearly 11 months to get here, but the sizable Stewards gap between last year s (2006) 503 stewardship program and Cards has narrowed considerably both in the num- Returned ber of people who had returned stewardship cards Cards Outstanding 51 and the amount of money Return 90 percent raised or pledged through Rate mid-october. The 452 stewards to date represented 90 Average $ percent of those people who Pledge (-0.29) submitted stewardship cards last year, down only 10 from last year at this time, or 2 percent. Likewise, those 452 stewards had contributed or pledged $152, toward the parish s annual budget of $291, This figure is down about $3,500 from last year and also represents a drop of about 2 percent. That translates to an average pledge to date this year of $338.26, which is 29 cents less that last year s figure at this time. In order to meet the stewardship income goal of $160,000 set at last year s Parish Assembly, the parish still needs to raise another $7, during the final 10 weeks of the year. With 2008 stewardship cards being prepared to be sent out shortly, please make every effort to complete your 2007 pledge as soon as possible STEWARDSHIP , , ,000 COLLECTED PLEDGED BUDGET

10 PAGE 10 By SUSAN PAPPAS Philoptochos President Philoptochos Society October meeting: Thank you to Yiota Simoglou and Daphne Zaralidis for hosting the Oct. 15 meeting. Twenty-one members attended. During the business portion of the meeting, we voted to send $250 to the Retired Clergy Benevolent Fund and $200 to the National Philoptochos Emergency Fund, which are two of our national commitments. We also voted to donate $100 to Salvation Army, $250 toward the Dracut House of Pizza stuffing project and a toaster oven to the Philoxenia House in Brookline. After the closing prayer, Yiota, Daphne and Thea Zaralidis led the group in a round of Philoptochos Jeopardy. Everyone enjoyed the competition. Fall Calendar Raffle: Elizabeth de la Torre and Helen Gaudet will begin drawing the raffle tickets on Nov. 11 and continue on succeeding Sundays. One ticket will be drawn for each day of the month with the largest prize of $100 on Thanksgiving. Philoxenia House: Thanks to Yiota Simoglou for organizing the trip to Philoxenia House on Oct. 14. In addition to Yiota, Stephanie Gill, Patricia Mahoney, Mary Nicholaides, Melanie and Susan Pappas, Olivia Sintros, Eleni Stavrou, Annmarie Tsitsipas, and Daphne and Thea Zaralidis went and brought plenty of homemade food. Ellen Vercontaire sent a wonderful Greek salad along, too. We were greeted by Sophia Nibi, director, and met six of the current residents. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner and fellowship with them and even celebrated the 20 th birthday of one of the young men. We also toured the newly renovated house that can accommodate up to 33 people at one time. We brought afghans and sweaters that were donated by the Georgia Kostoulakos family. Oratorical Festival The St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival topics for 2008 are now available on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Web site ( under the Department of Religious Education. Students in Grades 7-8 (Junior Division) and Grades (Senior Division) are encouraged to begin early on their submissions. More information about the Transfiguration Oratorical Festival will be forthcoming. Rolling in Dough Ladies Philoptochos Society members Daphne Zaralidis, left, and Eleni Stavrou roll the dough for koulourakia that will be sold for Thanksgiving to benefit the Literacy Project and for the 54th-annual Benefit Tea on Dec. 2. (Photo by Nick Pappas) Feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian: On Sunday, Nov. 4, we venerate Sts. Cosmas and Damian, patron saints of Philoptochos. Members are reminded to sit together in the front pews for the memorial service of our deceased sisters. Annmarie Tsitsipas and Maria Tournas will be holding a basket for the Patriarchate collection, which is one of our national commitments. Christmas Card : Cathy Economou and Corrine Dubay have volunteered to chair this Transfiguration tradition. The deadline for getting your name in is Nov. 16. Don t miss out on wishing all your friends and relatives here at church holiday greetings. All proceeds from this fundraiser will help us continue to fulfill our philanthropic goals. Thanksgiving baskets: Eleni Stavrou and company are baking for the Thanksgiving holiday. Orders (only 50) are being taken during the coffee hour. The pastry is $15 and would make a great addition to your Thanksgiving table or to that of a friend. The proceeds will benefit our Literacy Project. Annual Benefit Tea: The 54 th -annual Benefit Tea, Tea, Bags and More, will be held Sunday, Dec. 2, at 3 p.m. in our church hall. The donation will be $25; $10 for children under 12. The afternoon promises to be one of surprises and entertainment for all. Your generous support is what enables our Philoptochos chapter to continue its philanthropic initiatives. Let s make this year a sellout. (Continued on page 11)

11 PAGE 11 (Continued from page 10) Tickets are on sale during the coffee hour or by calling Angela Hastings at Adopt-a-Family Project: Nancy Lane and Ellen Dobi will be organizing this year s project of collecting Christmas gifts for local shelters. There will be 70 to 80 mothers, fathers and children for whom we will be providing Christmas joy. Please pick up a name during the coffee hour all month and be generous while shopping. The gifts we provide will be the only things these people will receive. It can be fun to team up with a friend to shop. Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated. The deadline for returning the wrapped gifts is Sunday, Dec. 16. Nursing home/shut-in visitations: With the holiday season approaching, let us not forget our nursing home and shut-in parishioners. Christine Faneros, chairlady of the visitations to the sick and elderly, welcomes any parishioner who wishes to help. The Council of Churches also will be celebrating Divine Liturgy at D Youville Manor on Saturday, Dec. 8, where some of these parishioners reside. Please join us. Family Literacy Program: Our Literacy Outreach Program is in full swing. The goal is to provide a bag of books to the 475 Pre-K to Grade 4 children at the McAvinnue School in Lowell, which equals 1,425 books. As of mid-october, we had 700 books. The profit from the sale of the Thanksgiving pastry and the backpack sponsorship will go toward the purchase of books. Keep those books coming. Monetary donations will also be accepted. Next meeting: Our next meeting will be Monday, Nov. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Philoptochos room. Our hostesses for the evening will be Elizabeth de la Torre and Annmarie Tsitsipas. The outreach collection for the month will be cans of soup and spaghetti sauce. Watch your mail for our reminder postcards. By FRANK STEVENS Men s Guild President Men s Guild Passing of the Torch Ladies Philoptochos Society President Susan Pappas, left, presents outgoing President Corrine Dubay with a bouquet of flowers, a certificate and a past president s pin as a token of the organization s appreciation for her dedicated service. (Photo by Melanie Pappas) Veterans Day observance: Please submit names of living veterans to church secretary Jeanne Brady as soon as possible. Father Demetri will conduct a Veterans Day observance in honor of our living veterans on Sunday, Nov. 11. We would like all our veterans to attend the Divine Liturgy together, sitting in the front-right pews. The Men s Guild will sponsor the coffee hour on Nov. 11 in honor of our veterans. 125 Club: Many parishioners have already reserved their spots. Please see Marc Gulezian, John Gkolias or myself, or leave your entry at the church office so you will be counted in. Christmas raffle: Tickets for the Guild s famous Christmas raffle will be mailed out before Thanksgiving. More than 40 prizes were awarded last year. Your generosity in supporting this event allows the Guild to fund its many good works by contributing to our church and many area charities. We respectfully request your continued support. Past Presidents Dinner: Unfortunately, the dinner will have to be rescheduled for a third time. While many of the plans have been made, final details are yet in place. When everything is finalized, an announcement will be made in the Sunday Trans-Notes and in future Trans-a- Grams. October meeting: A sparse but well-fed group gathered on Oct. 16 to tend to Guild business. Vito Selvaggio, all packed to head for Florida, reported that 125 Club activity is brisk and reminded us to submit our entries early. Members adopted motions for donations to the Dracut House of Pizza Helping Hands Foundation, which last year fed 650 Thanksgiving meals to Lowell area needy families. Donations also were voted to the Philoptochos (Continued on page 12)

12 (Continued from page 11) Tea and for Halloween candy for our Sunday School children. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. in order to catch the Red Sox game. TRANS-A-GRAM By CONNIE GKOLIAS Sunday School Director Sunday School PAGE 12 Next meeting: The November meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 13. This is our nominating meeting. Any member interested in running for the Guild Executive Board should submit his name to me no later than Nov. 13. The election of officers is held annually at the December meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the Dracut House of Pizza. Last year, 40 members gathered for a wonderful Christmas celebration. Plan now to be with us on Dec. 11 for this great Guild event, featuring choice of menu and door prizes. Support Harry: Harry Stamas is spearheading a drive during the month of November to supply winter coats for Lowell s homeless shelter. You can support his efforts by bringing men s winter coats to the church hall you will see the coat rack across the hall as you enter. Remember This: When you re feeling in the dark, follow the Son! By MARGO DiBENEDETTO Parish Council President President s Message As we approach the holiday season, our busy lives get even busier! I hope we all take time out to come together and share fellowship at our church, whether it is a Sunday morning, Bible study, Greek School, the Philoptochos Tea, a Men s Guild meeting, or even visiting one of our seniors at a nursing home. What we all share is a love of our church. If you haven t been in a while, please join us. Parish Assembly: The major item for the Parish Assembly on Nov. 4 is the 2008 budget approval. With your help, we can reach our short-term and long-term goals for the church. Bylaw meeting: I would like to thank all the parishioners who attended the Special Parish Assembly on Sept. 30. I realize that it was a long day for everyone, but your attendance was greatly appreciated. The Bylaw Committee took its task very seriously and strived to achieve balance and fairness in the revised bylaws. Thank you to Nick Manolis for providing lunch and to GOYA members for providing child care. As always, please see me if you have any comments or concerns. As we welcome November, we remember that this is a time for thanks for our family and all we have. We give thanks all year through, but November is special, and we celebrate on Thanksgiving Day with our families the real meaning of thank you. Not too late to join: We have completed two months of Sunday School, and we are still seeing familiar faces coming back to Sunday School. If you haven t yet, please come and join us. New class: Graduates and young adults we have a new class just for you. Won t you come and join us for this most interesting and fun class. Annual brunch: The Sunday School will host its annual brunch on Nov. 18. Please come and enjoy with your families and support our Sunday School. Christmas pageant: Our annual Christmas pageant will be given for all to enjoy on Sunday, Dec. 23, after the Divine Liturgy. Volunteers needed: We are always looking for volunteers to help out if you are interested in helping the Sunday School Department. Please see Connie or Hariklia Zouzas on Sundays or call Connie at By LOUIS STAMAS Assistant Choir Director Choir Church Music Sunday: On Sunday, Oct. 7, we celebrated the Feast of St. Romanos, which has been designated by Archbishop Iakovos as National Church Music Sunday. Each year, on the first Sunday of October, we pause to honor the gifts and contributions of our church musicians, clergy, choir directors, psaltai, choir members, organists, and church school music educators. We thank them for their devotion to the Church through their ministry of music. Each member of our choir was presented with an icon of St. Romanos the Melodist. (Continued on page 13)

13 PAGE 13 (Continued from page 12) A musician and composer, Romanos composed hundreds of hymns celebrating the mysteries of the Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and of living a Christian life. He was a prolific genius, an artist, and one of the greatest dramatists of Christian poetry. He composed and accented thousands of kontakia. One of his most wellknown compositions is the Akathistos Hymnos (Akathist Hymn), which is chanted during Great Lent in the Orthodox Church to this day. He is also known for the Orthodox hymn (kontakion) celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord: Today the Virgin gives birth to the One who is above all living things. Romanos died on Oct. 1, 1510 AD. Some have called him the patron saint of all who sing for the Church. He made a profound contribution to the content of divine worship and deserves to be known by all who sing and listen to the music of the Church. New members wanted: As always, the choir invites and welcomes any prospective new members. Any parishioners who may be interested in joining the choir should see Donna Spanos, myself or any choir member, or just come up to the choir loft some Sunday morning and experience the joy of singing praises to Our Lord! By JIM MURPHY GOYA Adviser GOYA Apple pies/fall dance postponed: The GOYA apple pie baking and Fall Ball have been postponed. We hope to reschedule both of these events in the near future and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. In the meantime, please keep your eye on the weekly bulletin and monthly Trans-a-Gram for any updates. Next meeting: Our next GOYA discussion will be held on Nov. 2. Members wanted: The GOYA would like to extend and open invitation to all GOYA-aged youth. If you are in Grades 7 through 12 and are interested in becoming part of GOYA, please contact the church office with your phone number. By SANDRA GULEZIAN HOPE/JOY Adviser HOPE / JOY Future plans: In September, we met to fill more than 40 backpacks with school supplies for children in need. The Literacy Project Varvara Stanchev and her son Boris are busy counting some of the 700 books that have been donated thus far toward the Philoptochos Literacy Outreach Project. The goal of the project is to collect 1,400 books to be distributed to 475 students at the McAvinnue School in Lowell. children brainstormed about activities for the end of Some of the ideas were to have a movie night, go caroling at a nursing home (for JOY), and to have a gingerbread house-making family night. Other ideas, like going to see the Patriots and Red Sox, we ll consider in the future. Gingerbread night: Please save the date of Saturday, Dec. 8, from 6-8 p.m. for our gingerbread house-making family night. Pre-registration will be required for this event, and it is open to the entire parish. So, bring your moms, dads, yiayias and papous as all are encouraged to attend. list: If you would like to be added to the HOPE/ JOY distribution list, please msgulezian@comcast.net or call me at By SUSAN PAPPAS Coffee Hour Coordinator Coffee Hour Oct. 28: Sponsored in honor of Demetri Maxim by Mom and Dad. Volunteers needed: We are always looking for new people who are willing to help serve during the weekly coffee hour. If you would like to volunteer to serve, or if you would like to sponsor a coffee hour for any occasion, (Continued on page 14)

14 PAGE 14 (Continued from page 13) please call coffee hour coordinator Susan Pappas at , her at or see her any Sunday after the Divine Liturgy. Greek School Fundraising drive: During the months of November and December, students from our Greek School will be involved in fundraising activities. Please show them the same support you have for all of our other ministries within the parish. Christmas presentation: The Greek School is pleased to announce it will present a Christmas program on Dec. 16. during coffee hour. Slots still open: The school is still accepting students from Grade 1 and up and, as always, please keep you eye on the weekly bulletins for updates on Greek School events and programs. Tuesday Morning Group The Tuesday Morning Ladies Group would like to invite other ladies of the parish to come join them on Tuesdays from about 9:30 a.m. until noon. It s a great place to meet, socialize, enjoy a cup of coffee, bring your ideas for crafts or whatever and enjoy new or old friendships on Tuesday mornings. Newsletter Deadline Transfiguration organizations are asked to submit entries for this newsletter as early in the month as possible and no later than the 15th. If at all possible, please submit your material by to Editor Nick Pappas at npappas05@comcast.net. Entries also can be faxed to the church office at or dropped off in the office during normal business hours. It is important that all church organizations be represented in the Trans-a Gram, so please make an effort to participate. Correction In last month s report on the Special Parish Assembly, one of the amendments approved by parishioners inadvertently was omitted. The parish approved an amendment to the section governing Parish Council elections that set the Monday before Election Day as the deadline for candidates to withdraw their names from the ballot. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

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