HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

Transcription

1 the Official Newsletter Publication of HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH March 2014 Your undefiled icon we venerate, O Good One, asking for forgiveness of all our faults, O Christ our God; for willingly you accepted to ascend, in the flesh upon the Cross, to deliver those you created from the bondage of the foe. Wherefore in thanksgiving we cry out to you: You have filled all things with joy, O our Savior, now that you have come, the world to save. HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Hillcrest Road Dallas Texas Office Fax htgoc@holytrinity.info Web Site:

2 Holy trinity greek orthodox church Hillcrest Rd. * Dallas, Texas * * Clergy Reverend Protopresbyter Christopher Clergy Constantinides Reverend Presiding Protopresbyter Priest frchristopher@holytrinity.info Christopher Constantinides Presiding Priest Frchristopher@Holytrinity.info Reverend Presbyter Peter Kostakis, Assistant Priest Reverend Deacon Mark Pakes frpeter@holytrinity.info Reverend Deacon Mark Pakes Administration Reverend Deacon Clint Sharpley Priscilla Owens Church Administration Administrator powens@holytrinity.info Maureen Rakow Financial Maureen Assistant Rakow mrakow@holytrinity.info Financial Assistant mrakow@holytrinity.info Vickie Wells Executive Vickie Assistant Wells Executive vwells@holytrinity.info Administrative Assistant vwells@holytrinity.info Support Staff Basil Xeros, Neokoros bxeros@holytrinity.info Support Staff Torye Basil Morris, Xeros, Facilities Neokoros Manager Torye tmorris@holytrinity.info Morris, Facilities Manager Parish Council President Harry Tomisides Vice Vice President Christopher Tasos Kaiafas Canellos Treasurer Sam Paulos Sam Paulos Recording Secretary Dimitrios Horiates Jim Dolmas Corresponding Secretary Charles Pappas Corresponding Secretary Christopher Canellos Matt Naftis Members Members Max Nicholas Adams Cimino George Karahal James Chappel Monica Christina Arroyo Hochleutner John Jimmy Lymberopoulos Horiates Nic Peter Carayannopoulos Hronas Constantine Mary LeBrecht Mathas James Fotis Chappel Papanicolaou Frank Wade Mihalopoulos Stephens James Dolmas Michael Petridis Kerry Tassopoulos Mary Ann Trapalis Tasos Kaiafas Daniel Shaheen Alin Voicu Tina Yampanis Church Office Hours Monday Thursday 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Bookstore Hours Sunday after Divine Liturgy until 12:30 p.m. Wednesday 1 3 p.m. Holy Trinity Church is under the Jurisdiction of The Holy Metropolis of Denver 4550 E. Alameda Ave. * Denver, CO Tel. (303) Fax (303) The Holy Archdiocese of America 8 E. 79th St. * New York, NY Tel. (212) * Fax (212) and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople Ekfonesis March 2014 Sunday Bulletin All information to be included into the Sunday Bulletin is to be submitted to the office no later than Wednesday at noon. Please submit each article as an attachment to: vwells@holytrinity.info Memorial Service, Artoclasia Service & 40 Day Blessings All Memorials, Artoclasias, & 40 Day Blessings may be arranged by contacting Vickie Wells in the church office at or vwells@holytrinity.info Sunday Worship Service Orthros 8:15 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Weekdays Orthros 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. 2

3 Pastoral Reflections by Fr. Christopher Constantinides SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY By Fr. Evagoras Constantinides Today, the first Sunday of Lent is commonly known among the Orthodox as "The Sunday of Orthodoxy." It has been established by the Orthodox Church as the day on which to honor the memory of the myriads of martyrs and saints, clergymen and laymen, men and women, princes and commoners, who shed their blood in defense of what we today call, The Church of our Fathers. We also honor all those thousands of great teachers and propagators of the true teachings of Christ who, although they died natural deaths, they devoted their entire life and energy to the spreading of the Word of God so that you and I and our children and our children's children might receive the teachings and principles of the Redeemer, whole and unadulterated, a living inspiration now as they were then when they were first uttered. Yes, the faith needed martyrs and the Church needed defense against the persecutions, the heresies and the internal strife that shook and tormented the ship of the Church. Among the many victories of the Church against her enemies, we commemorate today the triumph of the true faith over the foes of the icons, the controversy that started in the beginning of the 8th century and culminated in the Schism between East and West some three centuries later. The Eastern Church always made use of icons which in the words of St. John of Damascus are to vision what speech is to hearing. They are the visual representation of revered persons, not excluding the person of Jesus, who sacrificed their all for the faith. Yet, in order to avoid any accusation of infringement upon the second commandment which forbids the worship of idols, the Eastern Church never allowed the use of statues and always frowned on this practice by the Western Church. In 716 Leo the Isaurus, who through his military talents had risen from a common soldier to the highest rank in the imperial army, was raised through the suffrages of the soldiers to the Throne as Leo III. For the first ten years Leo, himself a monophysite, abided by the ritual of the Orthodox Church. Then suddenly and unexpectedly in 726 AD, he issued an edict against the icons ordering them to be raised to such a height that the people could not kiss them and forbidding prostration before them. In 730 he issued a more severe edict, and at once came into a serious clash with Patriarch Germanos I. Leo was at first contented with the removal of icons and images from public places, or their being raised to a greater height. But when an imperial officer proceeded to cut in pieces an icon of the Savior over the Brazen Gate at Constantinople, the fury of the people knew no bounds. The women of the city overturned the ladder on which he was mounted, and he was beaten to death with clubs by the populace. The Emperor sent soldiers to quell the riot, and a terrible massacre was the consequence. Even though Pope Gregory II of Rome joined Patriarch Germanos in a vehement protest against the interference of the Emperor in the affairs of the Church, the tactics of the Emperor did not change until 90 year old Germanos, worn out with the struggle, resigned the Patriarchate in 731. Immediately the Emperor appointed his secretary, Anastasios, a foe of the icons, to fill the vacancy as Patriarch of Constantinople. When Leo died in 741 he was succeeded by his son Constantine V, surnamed "Kopronymos," who continued the fight that his father had started. One of the acts of the new Emperor was the calling of a council, wrongly styling itself as the Seventh Ecumenical Council, in the vicinity of Constantinople where the icons, or even the mere act of possessing them, was condemned and all supporters of the icons were anathematized. The monks were slaughtered and their monasteries were confiscated and converted into taverns, barracks or stables. The beautiful Church at Chalcedon, in which the Fourth Ecumenical Synod had been held and in which St. Euphemia was buried, was converted into a stable. The saint s coffin was rescued with difficulty from being thrown into the sea. The first ray of hope for the supporters of the icons appeared with the death of Constantine Kopronymos in 3

4 775 and the ascent to the throne of his son, Leo IV, and Leo's wife, Irene the Athenian, who upon the death of her husband, five years later, assumed the throne as the guardian of her 10 year old son, Constantine VI. Under Irene's guidance and through her efforts the Seventh Ecumenical Council was called at Nicaea, the site of the First Ecumenical Council, attended by 370 Eastern Bishops or their deputies and by two delegates of Pope Adrian of Rome. The Council met on September 24, 787, under the presidency of Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who had previously been elevated from Imperial Secretary to Patriarch. The council declared that, together with the venerable and life-giving Cross, icons of our Lord, His Mother, the Angels and the Saints might be set up, whether in colors, or mosaics, or any other material; that they might be depicted on sacred vessels or vestments; on the walls and on books in the Churches; in houses, and by the roadside; the oftener they were looked upon the more would people be stirred up in remembrance of the prototypes; that greeting and honorable reverence be paid them, but not actual worship which belongs exclusively to God. Incense and lights were to be burnt in their honor as had been with the ancients. Whoever does reverence to an image does reverence to the person whom it represents. This was subscribed to by Irene, the Emperor and 310 bishops with these words, This we believe, this is the faith of the Apostles, of the Fathers and of the Orthodox, believing in One God we salute the venerable icons. But the Seventh Ecumenical Council only weakened, it did not the stop fight against the icons. The struggle lasted for another 55 years under five Emperors, one approving and the other condemning the decrees of the Council. But the long and weary iconoclastic controversy came to an end in the victory of the friends of the icons when Theodora ascended the throne, upon the death of Theophilus, as guardian of her son Michael III in 843 AD. In the same year she convened a synod at Constantinople in which the decrees of the Seventh Ecumenical Council were reaffirmed and the icons restored to the Churches. The procession which takes place in all Orthodox Churches on this Sunday is only a micrography of the delirium that followed the restoration of the icons in Constantinople. Thousands of people carrying small and large irons and lighted candles, with Patriarch Methodios I at their head, paraded through the streets chanting hymns to God and praises to the revered icons, especially to the icon of the Lord: Your undefiled icon we venerate, O Good One, asking for forgiveness of all our faults, O Christ our God; for willingly you accepted to ascend, in the flesh upon the Cross, to deliver those you created from the bondage of the foe. Wherefore in thanksgiving we cry out to you: You have filled all things with joy, O our Savior, now that you have come, the world to save. A Note from Fr. Peter... Presvytera Athanasia and I have been married 7 years this July. Much of this time we have been in school, one way or another. When we first got married, we were both in between jobs. I was a Spanish teacher looking for a new high school, and Presvytera had just graduated from Holy Cross where she worked as a school ambassador. I found a new school and Presvytera became a teacher of life skills and sociology in a community college. We were both hired for those positions on the same day at the same hour after praying to St. Xenia to intercede to find a job. Shortly after, with the support of Presvytera who continued at the community college, I decided to make a change in careers. I had gotten another job as a proofreader. After a while I came to the joyous decision to go for more school at seminary. As most seminarians, we left our apartment, left our jobs and turned all upside down. I loved seminary. In my second year, Pres Athanasia was admitted to a Masters of Social Work/ Doctor of Ministry program at Boston University. Our seminary and social work degrees were finished at the same time with just the project thesis left for the doctorate We share these adventures with you to praise God who has brought us through everything with the help and inspiration of our loved ones. Our son Emmanuel is now 6 months and has been the inspirational bridge between our education and my ordained ministry. We feel very blessed to be with all of you who have been so good to us. We look forward to ministering with you in Christ's Church. 4

5 Stewardship Stewardship 2014 Give not out of your abundance, but out of your poverty. Mark 12:41-44 Olympians of Stewardship By Harry Yianitsas, Stewardship Chairman Miracle of Sharing...and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 Many of us watched the Winter Olympics. We found ourselves witnessing the amazing athletic abilities of the world s finest skiers, sleighers, skaters, snowboarders, and yes, curlers. I began to wonder. If our Holy Trinity stewards were Winter Olympians, what categories would we put them in? Let s take a look. Skiers - The ski-jumping steward starts off the year with a good, hard push and gives some at the beginning of the year, only to soon find himself sailing high above the crowd until he quickly sees the end of the year approaching. Realizing that he has only contributed time, talent and treasure at the year s beginning, he quickly scrambles to fulfill his commitments before the end of the year, or sometimes simply wipes-out before crossing the finish-line. The slalom-skier steward races from quarter to quarter making sure to contribute as each gate (quarter) approaches. If he misses a quarter, he has to work harder to fulfill his commitment. But, at the end, if he doesn t crash, he completes the race. The cross-country skier steward knows the race is long and he must pace himself. But, with careful planning and resource management, he finishes the race by contributing on a steady, reliable pace. During much of the race, he finds himself alone. No crowd cheering. No other racers to judge his progress by. His main motivation is a personal commitment to finish the race better than last time. He is a mature steward. Sleighing - The b ob sleighing stewards have a team to fulfill their stewardship commitments. Maybe it s a family where some members do the pushing, some do the braking, and someone else does the steering. But at the finish line, the team all contributes to stewardship success. The skeleton-race steward decides that he wants to see everything his stewardship contributions do. Up close. From 4 inches away at 70 miles per hour. No matter how fast the year goes by, he wants to see where every nickel goes so he can say he did so. It doesn t matter if in the process of sticking his nose out, it gets scraped or mashed. The poor guy doesn t realize that when we give we need to give our blessings freely. Skating - The figure-skating steward works hard to perfect the exquisitely-executed routine of giving in front of the audience. After completing the routine, he then waits for the approval of the audience. But in the end, it s only the score of the judge that counts. The speed-skating steward races around in circles. His contributions seldom change. He cruises pass the finish line many times with the same commitment and effort. He just wants to stay in the race. Barely. He figures that when he sees the real end of the race in sight, then and only then will he really perform. He carefully eyes the others around him, 5 (continued on Page 6)

6 to check his position. Each year he just barely finishes fulfilling the same pledge. Next year he ll line up to skate in circles with the same level of commitment. Does he ever get anywhere? Snowboarding - The snowb oarding steward is new to the game of stewardship. Up until now, someone else has been contributing for him. He figures he can give anyway he wants, whenever he wants, as much or as little as he feels at the time. He s not so sure about committing to anything, but will contribute as long as it s fun. We pray that someday he ll have a talk with the cross country skier. Curling - Okay. He scrubs the ice with a broom to keep a heavy stone moving to its point-scoring position. Even though there are more effective ways to fulfill his duties as a steward, he wants to do it the most difficult way possible. He figures if you exert yourself more, it will make you a more valuable steward. Just don t be disappointed if no one else sees it that way. Make your efforts count. Be an effective steward. Fortunately, our community is blessed with many mature, effective, Olympic medal-winning stewards. Although we may be different types of stewards, we should all have the same goal - to become a 100% stewardshipsupported community. If we all contribute a bit more time, a bit more talent, and a bit more treasure, we can achieve that goal and win for our Olympic Team. Go Team Holy Trinity! PAN-ORTHODOX VESPERS (Sundays during Great Lent 6 p.m.) March 9 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Dallas March 16 St. Peter s Antiochian Orthodox Church, Ft. Worth March 23 Sts. Constantine & Helen Antiochian Orthodox Church, Dallas March 30 St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Ft. Worth April 6 St. Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral, Dallas A Lenten meal is served after Vespers. Our St. Barbara s Philoptochos is organizing the meal at Holy Trinity. 6

7 CATECHETICAL CORNER Kali Sarakosti! Good Great Lent!! Sunday, March 2 Cheesefare & Forgiveness Sunday Sunday, March 9 1 st Sunday in Great Lent - Sunday of Orthodoxy (CS begins at 10 a.m.!) 40 Martyrs of Lake Sevaste Sunday, March 16 2 nd Sunday in Great Lent - St. Gregory of Palamas Sunday, March 23 3 rd Sunday in Great Lent Veneration of the Holy Cross Sunday, March 30 4 th Sunday in Great Lent - St. John Climacus SATURDAY OF THE SOULS There are three Saturdays during the Pre-Lenten period dedicated to commemorating our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who have fallen asleep in the Lord. Saturday, March 1 st, is the third Psychosavvato. The tradition is to prepare kolyva and/ or prosphoro to Divine Liturgy along with the list of those we want to be commemorated. These are important traditions to impart to our children and grandchildren. FORGIVENESS SUNDAY The Vespers on the eve of Clean Monday end with the Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness at which all present will bow down before one another and ask forgiveness. In this way, the faithful begin Lent with a clean conscience, with forgiveness, and with renewed Christian love. This is a wonderful spiritual preparation for the beginning of Great Lent. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you. CLEAN MONDAY (March 3 this year) The entire first week of Greek Lent is often referred to as Clean Week and begins with Clean Monday. It is customary to go to Confession during this week and to clean the house thoroughly. The theme of Clean Monday is set by the Old Testament reading appointed to be read at the Sixth Hour on this day (Isaiah 1:1-20), which says, in part: Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean. Put away the evil of your doings before My eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good: Seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, and plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them white as snow; and though they be red like crimson, I will make them white as wool. In Greece and Cyprus, Clean Monday is a public holiday celebrated with picnics, fasting foods (especially octopus, olives, fish roe, and shrimp), lagana (a special bread) and the flying of kites. SUNDAY MARCH 9, 1 ST SUNDAY IS GREAT LENT SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY Catechetical School begins at 10 a.m. on this Sunday ONLY. Students are to bring an icon from home for the procession of Icons that will take place toward the end of the Divine Liturgy. Students are NOT to use smart phones or tablets instead of carrying an Icon. Students will have a short lesson before coming to Church for Holy Communion and the procession. Students will return to their classes before being dismissed by their teachers. MARK YOUR CALENDAR and BRING YOUR FAMILY TO CHURCH! Saturday of Lazarus, April 12 th Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. Congregational singing led by our Youth! Lenten Breakfast following the Liturgy Making of Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday 7

8 U.S. Bureau of Engraving & Printing Fort Worth, TX Date: Tuesday March 18, 2014 Depart: 9:45 a.m. Return: 3:00 p.m. Cost: $10.00 (for transportation only) Entrance Fee: None Note: The tour is self-guided with an audio headset and takes approximately 45 minutes along a quarter mile elevated walkway. Everyone goes through a screening process before the tour. No electronic devices are allowed into the facility. You may bring a purse but no phones, cameras, etc. We will stop for lunch after the tour. The cost will be on your own. Reserve your seat by March 12 th! Please call Sophia Moschos at

9 You are invited to attend the annual MARCH 25 TH GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION Sunday, March 23, 2014 Luncheon immediately following Divine Liturgy Adults $12 Children $6 Buy your ticket and/or make your reservation today! Both are available during the Coffee Hour. You may also make reservations by contacting: Billy Karant or Presvytera Alexandra Poulos We would like to see many of our Holy Trinity families and friends at the luncheon. You will enjoy a wonderful meal and a short program presented by the students of our Holy Trinity Greek School. Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to support our Greek School as well as the George Nikolopoulos Endowment Fund which was established to promote and advance Greek education. Providing higher education scholarships* to students who attended the Holy Trinity Greek School is one of the worthy objectives of the Endowment Fund. *This scholarship program was established and made possible by past Greek School Director, Mr. George Nikolopoulos who recognized the importance of a Greek education. Your donation to the G. Nikolopoulos Endowment Foundation will assist worthy students who are continuing their education. Holy Trinity Greek School of Dallas The George Nikolopoulos Endowment Fund 2014 Scholarship Applications deadline is May 31 st (available at Holy Trinity Greek School of Dallas IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! Certificate of Attainment in Modern Greek The Holy Trinity Greek School of Dallas is functioning as a testing center for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Greek. The Certificate is equivalent to the English Lower and Proficiency diplomas of the Universities of Michigan and Cambridge. The examination for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek is organized by the Center for the Greek Language of the Aristotelian University of Greece by order of the Greek Ministry of Education. The examination will take place in our school on May 20, 21 and 22, The examination will be both oral and written at six different levels of difficulty. For info contact: Efrosini Georgiadou, or efrosini@peoplepc.com. Registration DEADLINE is March 20th. 9

10 HOLY TRINITY S HISTORY NEEDS YOU! When we think of our parish history, we usually think of mementos such as faded photographs, certificates, news clippings, and the like. But that is only part of the process. Mementos can be lost through fire, flood, or natural disasters. Holy Trinity s history is not only found in mementos. Our history lives in the memories of those who experienced it. Sadly, each time one of the founding members of Holy Trinity died, we lost part of our history. Each time one of our senior members dies, we lose a part of our history. Whether a person started out as part of the Hermes Society or at the Sanger Street address or at the Swiss Avenue address each member of Holy Trinity has important memories. Each member, whether of Greek background or not, enriches our Church. One day, we will all be gone and our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will want to know how this wonderful Church came to be. Let us not give them a mere list of names and dates. They will want to know about the people the members who made up this Body of Christ. If you are a member of a founding family we need you. If your family arrived in the 1920s or 1930s, we need you. If your family arrived in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, or even in the 21 st Century, you probably have some photos, clippings, or other items that will help us gather the information we need to write an accurate history. An old wedding photo might have been taken in one of the prior churches, giving us a glimpse of the inside of the church. A copy of a baptismal certificate might have been signed by one of our early priests. Some of you may have photos of your ancestors dressed in the clothing of their village or area of Greece. You might have old ticket stubs from dances or plays put on by some of the Greek fraternal organizations. You might have photos of your family who served in the military, discharge papers, telegrams. Items such as those along with your stories and memories can complete the mosaic of our Holy Trinity history. Please start now and check to see what you have in your possession. Everything you provide will be carefully cataloged and copied, and originals returned to you. We are also interested in keeping and preserving such artifacts for you should you no longer wish to keep them. The birth certificate shown here is dated February 12, 1926, from Ancestry.com. The daughter born to N. Zarafonetis and Bella Zarafonetis in Denton, Texas was shown as Zarafonetie probably because her name would not be given until her baptism and Zarafonetie in Greek indicates the child is of the Zarafonetis family. The Zarafonetis family later moved to Dallas. 10

11 Here is a sample list, which is not intended to limit the kinds of things we would like to obtain: Photographs and/or news clippings of weddings, baptisms, receptions, families in front of their businesses, church, homes, schools, college, etc. Old wedding invitations, party invitations, etc. Obituaries, funeral icon cards. Early photographs taken of graduations high school, college. Were you here when President Kennedy was shot? Any mementos or photos? How did Holy Trinity react? How did you react? Photographs and/or news clippings of any church member who was in politics in the Dallas area on the city council; a judge, police commissioner, Clerk of Court, etc. Copies of Church minutes, letters from the Church, priests, bishops, etc. Photos and mementos of visiting priests, bishops. Photos, mementos, and stories regarding the Patriarchal visit. Copies of brochures, programs, flyers, directories. Information or articles on Greek Festivals. Old ledgers or journals containing notes about the church, or church minutes if they are in Greek and need translations, please bring them and we will find out if they contain historical information. Any stories, news clippings, or personal letters or documents about how political strife in Greece may have affected the early church in Dallas. Military Service any type -- in Greece (or other homeland), U.S., WWI, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Gulf War, Desert Storm, Afghan War, etc. Old ticket stubs from Greece to U.S. Passports. Old books from 1800s, and early 1900s including service books. Pictures of the consecrations of the churches and any items relating to the same. Pictures and/or films of the services of Holy Friday, Holy Saturday, Pascha, etc. Pictures of priests and bishops. Pictures of businesses. Old letters from and to the old country. Fraternal Organization Photos photos of early AHEPA Chapter. Photos of the first or early Philoptochos members, group photos. Early Greek Schools pictures, what was taught; who were the teachers? How did 9/11/2001 affect you? How did it affect the parish? Obviously, this list is all about mementos or artifacts. We also need your memories to make the story of Holy Trinity come alive for our children and the generations to come. As you go through old boxes and files to find those artifacts, we also need to record the memories those artifacts signify, if possible. Help us preserve our parish s history and present it as a legacy to our future generations. Please contact Mary Sharpley at marydsharpley@gmail.com or at , or drop by the Centennial / Archive Committee table at the Coffee Hour after Liturgy on Sundays. 11

12 We're Here for Your Congregants At NDSM we're now feeding a thousand people each week. We've seen many seniors struggle to make ends meet. With secure investments paying almost no interest, many do not have the funds they anticipated to supplement Social Security and, if they're fortunate, a private pension plan. We're helping many individuals stretch their dollars through our Friday Food Basket. We provide a pre-packaged bag of groceries, including fresh produce and baked goods, a dozen eggs and a half-gallon of milk to those 60 and older who qualify. Want to Host a Food Drive? We go through about $1.6 million of groceries each year! While we purchase many items at a steep discount from North Texas Food Bank, Big Lots and wholesalers, we can always use more. Food Drives are a great way to introduce groups to NDSM and involve them in the work that we do. We've developed a poster/flyer with an upto-date list of current needs that you may use to publicize a food drive. To view and download the poster, please go to Thank you for your continued support! North Dallas Shared Ministries Judy Rorrie, Executive Director 12

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14 ATTENTION COLLEGE STUDENTS AHEPA SCHOLARSHIPS APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE There are three scholarship applications available from AHEPA for college students. To get your application for the National, District 16, Local Chapter 20, follow these instructions: For the National AHEPA applications go to: Under Programs tab click on Education & Scholarships and print the application. Application are due March 31, 2014 For the District 16 AHEPA applications go to: Applications are due May 31, 2014 For the Local Chapter 20 applications, send an to An application will be ed to you. Applications are due May 31, 2014 If you have any questions please contact Bill Lane at

15 WANTED! Vintage Photographs and Stories of Greeks in the Dallas Metroplex! Do you have archives of old photographs or vintage postcards? Are you knowledgeable about your family history? Would you like to help preserve your parish s fascinating history? The Holy Trinity Commemorative Album Committee is currently compiling a history of our church and its people and is looking for your help! We are assembling historic images, documents, news clippings, letters, journals, scrapbooks, etc., of Greeks in Dallas from about the 1890s through the present and the personal stories that go with them to include in an upcoming book to be published in celebration of our Church s 100 th Anniversary. To share your Photographs, please bring them to Church on Sunday. We will quickly scan them so you can take them home with you. Be sure to include your name on the back, along with the date taken, name(s) in the photo, and event. Also, please consider donating them to the Holy Trinity Permanent Archives in the Library. Or, you can contact Mary Sharpley at or marydsharpley@gmail.com as soon as possible, please. Help keep local history alive! In 1937 a Community Picnic in Clear Lake, Texas, was sponsored by the Patmian Society for the Annunciation Parish in Houston. The featured attraction was Chris Dixie, a young lawyer from Dallas who spoke at the picnic, and it was a source of pride for the hard-working immigrants to see one of their own, educated and successful in their new country. (Courtesy of the Houston Metropolitan Research Center) We are interested in documents, photographs, army service (U.S. or Greece), businesses, professions, pictures of events at the church, pictures of the early churches, weddings, baptisms, lectures, the visit of the Patriarch, WWI, WWII, Korea, the Gulf War, parish milestones, joys, sorrows, etc. If you aren t sure, just ask! Lastly, we will start requesting times to come and Video Record those with historical information and interesting stories, so let us know when you would be available. 15

16 General Interest March 2 March 9 March 16 March 23 March 30 The Parish Council values your feedback - Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions for how we can better serve the parish? Let us know at pcfeedback@holytrinity.info. Parish Registry Parish Council Schedule Chris Canellos, Christina Hochleutner, Jim Chappel, Sam Paulos, Peter Hronas, Mary LeBrecht Tasos Kaiafas, Wade Stephens, Matt Naftis, Alin Voicu, Mary Ann Trapalis, Fotis Papanicolaou Jim Dolmas, Nicholas Cimino, Kerry Tassopoulos, Jimmy Horiates, Tina Yampanis Chris Canellos, Christina Hochleutner, Jim Chappel, Sam Paulos, Peter Hronas, Mary LeBrecht Tasos Kaiafas, Wade Stephens, Matt Naftis, Alin Voicu, Mary Ann Trapalis, Fotis Papanicolaou Baptisms Caliope Kaisinger Emmanuel Kostakis Feryal Hassanpour Chasta Logan Vladimir Ballard Please note our practice for submitting names for prayers for health! Please us at htgoc@holytrinity.info or call the Church Office at ( ) before the 5th of the month. Each entry will be for a month duration and must be renewed each month. The Holy Trinity Bookstore/Library/Gift Shop Welcomes You! May the God of Hope fill you with all Joy and Peace as you trust in Him. Romans 15:13 Great and Holy Lent begins March 3, 2014, and we have many books for you to read during the Lenten Period. We have ordered two outstanding books, Great Lent and Wounded by Love, for you to read during Lent. The Holy Trinity Bookstore and Gift Shop has the perfect gift for the people on your gift list. Gifts for all occasions are available: Easter, Weddings, Baptisms, Birthdays, the list goes on and on! Come and check us out! We are also pleased to present the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church gift collection, available in the Holy Trinity Bookstore/Library/Gift Shop. Bob Munro is the photographic artist whose spiritually inspired artist-created gift collection features photographic art images of Holy Trinity s most sacred and treasured icons, stained glass windows and other church details. The Holy Trinity gift collection includes matted prints, triptych art, magnets and gift boxed porcelain ornaments. The perfect gift for any occasion, and a special way to take a piece of our church home to enjoy every day. Gift Certificates are available for you to purchase. Please ask a Bookstore Team Member to help you. We would love to see you, so come by, browse around, and visit for a while! Your Bookstore Team Mary Zotos, Betty Boyd & Alin Voicu Bookstore Hours: Wednesdays, 1 3 p.m. & Sundays after Divine Liturgy until 12:30 p.m. 16

17 General Interest March Sunday Coffees Sunday, March 2, 2014 Sunday, March 9, 2014 Sunday, March 16, 2014 Sunday, March 23, 2014 Sunday, March 30, 2014 NTOM Sons of Pericles AHEPA Greek Independence Day Celebration Available If your organization would like to sponsor a Sunday Coffee, please contact Presv. Alexandra Poulos at presvy@holytrinityacademy.com YOUTH & TEEN CHOIRS Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Greek School Room. March Rehearsals: 3/9, 3/16 & 3/30 PLEASE BE PROMPT! We are practicing for Lazarus Saturday. Please attend rehearsals! The Youth/Teen Choirs will sing with the Adult Choir on Sunday, March 2, 2014, the Sunday for Congregational Singing. For more information contact Mary LeBrecht at mary.lebrecht@gmail.com Caregivers Support Group Next Meeting March 8th after Divine Liturgy In the Boardroom of the Community Center We meet the 2 nd Saturday of the month in the Board Room, at 9:30 a.m. On days when there is a Divine Liturgy, we meet after the liturgy. Caregivers include parents of special needs children and spouses and children caring for adult family members. Our purpose is to provide an opportunity to address caregiving issues with those who have had or are having similar experiences. Confidentiality is a key component of our sessions. For more information, contact Steve Pakes, Bill Lane or Presv. Alexandra Poulos Law and short orders: Greek eatery serves Dallas courthouse Nick s cafeteria a courthouse staple Dallas Morning News See the video and read the news article on our very own Nick Dimoulakis. Nick runs the cafeteria at the George L. Allen Courts Building. 17

18 Holy Trinity Parish Finance Update STEWARDSHIP & FINANCIAL REPORT 2013 Report as of 12/31/2013 Actual Budget Stewardship $,806, ,000 Total Receipts 1,180,534 1,134,500 Expenditures 1,015,753 1,134,500 Difference $ 164,781 Fund Balances 100th Anniversary Fund 26,574 Funds for the celebration of Holy Trinity s 100th Anniversary in 2015 Babalos Fund 62,105 Provides financial assistance to young men training for the priesthood Rev. Peter Bithos Scholarship Fund 56,615 Provides scholarships to eligible theological students Permanent Endowment Fund 151,133 Accumulates funds for any unforeseen non-budgeted maintenance expense or budget shortfalls not covered by our General Operating Fund Memorial Fountain Maintenance Fund 14,139 Provides funds to be utilized for maintenance of the Memorial Fountain/Wall. Iconography Fund 357,469 Provides funds for expenses related to additional iconography for the Sanctuary St. John Kronstadt Fund 7,971 Established to benefit autistic children aid efforts Kumpuris Epitaphio Flowers Fund 24,986 Established to offset the cost of flowers to decorate the Epitaphio for Pascha Nikolopoulos Greek School Fund 70,945 Established to encourage and reward students who want to learn the Greek language and/or pursue Hellenic studies offered at the university level. Poor & Seminary Fund 93,479 Provides funds for charity work and matters relating to Holy Cross Seminary Benevolence Fund 19,119 Provides funds for assistance to needy families and individuals within our church community, in the larger Dallas area, and around the world. Building Fund 118,299 Provides funds for capital improvements, purchase of additional property, construction of additional buildings, or major repairs to facilities. Loan Balances Operating Loan Balance 200,000 18

19 March 2014 Date & Day Event 1 Saturday SATURDAY OF THE SOULS - Orthros 8:30am Div. L. 9:30am (S); GREAT VESPERS (C) 5:00 pm 2 Sunday Orthros 8:15 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am (S); C.S. and Faith E. (C) after Holy Com. about 11:00 am; Ministry Fair 11:00 am; Coffee hosted by NTOM following D. L.(A,D) 11:30 am; GOYA Meeting (BR) 12:15 pm; HTHD Pre-K - 5th Practice 12:15 pm - 1:30 pm; FORGIVENESS VESPERS 5:00 pm (C) 3 Monday Great Lent Begins - 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; GREAT COMPLINE (C) 6:00 pm; 4 Tuesday 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; Pickleball (Gym) 1:30-3:30 pm; Austin Street Cooking (K) 2:30 pm; HT Greek School (GS Classrooms) 5:00-8:30 pm; Austin Street-Volunteers leave church at 5:30 pm to serve dinner at 6:00 pm; GREAT COMPLINE (c) 6 pm; Choir Practice (Choir Loft) 7:00 pm-8:30pm 5 Wed. 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; HT Greek School (Children) 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm; PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY (C) 6:00 pm; JOY (A) 7:00 pm; Faith Enrichment (BR) 7:30 pm 6 Thurs. Adult Bible Study (BR) 10:45 am - 11:45 am; 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; HT Greek School (Children) 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm; GREAT COMPLINE (c) 6 pm 7 Friday PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY (C) 9:00 am; SALUTATIONS TO THE VIRGIN MARY (S) 7:00 pm 8 Saturday SATURDAY OF THE SOULS - Orthros 8:30am Div. L. 9:30am (S); Caregivers Support Group (BR) 11 am; GREAT VESPERS (C) 5:00 pm 9 Sunday Daylight Saving Time Begins-SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY-Orthros 8:15 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am (S); C.S. and Faith E. (C) after Holy Com. about 11:00 am; Coffee hosted by Sons of Pericles following D. L.(A,D) 11:30 am; HTHD Jr GOYA Practice 12:15 pm - 1:30 pm; PAN ORTHODOX LENTEN VESPERS - HOLY TRINITY 6:00 pm; Philoptochos Pan Orthodox Potluck (A,D,O) 7:00 pm 10 Monday Yarn Guild (BR) 11:00 am - 2:00 pm; 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; GREAT COMPLINE (C) 6:00 pm; PICKLEBALL (Gym) 7:00-9:00 pm 11 Tuesday 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; Sr. Fellowship Planning Meeting (BR) 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm; Pickleball (Gym) 1:30-3:30 pm; HT Greek School (GS Classrooms) 5:00-8:30 pm; AHEPA Mtg. (Gym) 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm; DOP General Mtg. (A) 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm; Choir Practice (Choir Loft) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm; HTA Board Meeting (D) 7:00 pm 12 Wed. 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; HT Greek School (Children) 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm; PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY (C) 6:00 pm; GOYA (Gym) 7:00pm; HOPE (GSR) 7:00 pm; Faith Enrichment Classes (BR) 7:30-8:15 pm 13 Thurs. Adult Bible Study (BR) 10:45 am - 11:45 am; 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; HT Greek School (Children) 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm; Philoptochos Board Mtg. (BR) 6:30 pm; 14 Friday PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY (C) 9:00 am; SALUTATIONS TO THE VIRGIN MARY (S) 7:00 pm 15 Saturday GREAT VESPERS (C) 5:00 pm 16 Sunday Orthros 8:15 am D. L.9:30 am (S); C.S. and Faith E. (C) after Holy Com. about 11:00 am; Breakfast/Brunch hosted by AHEPA immediately following D. L. (A,D,O) 11:30 am; GENERAL ASSEMBLY (Gym) 12:00 pm; PAN ORTHODOX LENTEN VESPERS 6:00 pm 17 Monday 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; GREAT COMPLINE (C) 6:00 pm; PICKLEBALL (Gym) 7:00-9:00 pm 18 Tuesday 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; Pickleball (Gym) 1:30-3:30 pm; HT Greek School (GS Classrooms) 5:00-8:30 pm; Parish Council Meeting (A) 6:30 pm; Choir Practice (Choir Loft) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm 19 Wed. 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; HT Greek School (Children) 5:00-6:30 pm; PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY (C) 6:00 pm; Faith Enrichment Classes (BR) 7:30-8:15 pm 20 Thurs. Sr. Fellowship (United States Federal Reserve in Ft. Worth) 9:00 am; Adult Bible Study (BR) 10:45-11:45 am; 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00pm; HT Greek School (Children) 5:00-6:30 pm; Philoptochos General Mtg. (A) 6:30 pm; Illumine Our Hearts Bible Study (BR) 7:00-8:00 pm; 21 Friday PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY (C) 9:00 am; SALUTATIONS TO THE VIRGIN MARY (S) 7:00 pm 22 Saturday GREAT VESPERS (C) 5:00 pm; 23 Sunday SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY PROCESSION OF THE CROSS Orthros 8:15 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am (S); C.S. at 10 am (today ONLY); Greek Independence Day Celebration (A,D,O) 11:30 am; PAN ORTHODOX LENTEN VESPERS 6:00 pm 24 Monday Yarn Guild (BR) 11:00 am - 2:00 pm; 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; ANNUNCIATION GREAT VESPERS (C) 6:00 pm; PICKLEBALL (Gym) 7:00-9:00 pm 25 Tuesday ANNUNCIATION LITURGY - Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am; 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; Pickleball (Gym) 1:30-3:30 pm; HT Greek School (GS Classrooms) 5:00-8:30 pm; Choir Practice (Choir Loft) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm 26 Wed. 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; HT Greek School (Children) 5:00-6:30 pm; PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY (C) 6:00 pm; Faith Enrichment Classes (BR) 7:30-8:15 pm 27 Thurs. Adult Bible Study (BR) 10:45 am - 11:45 am; 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; HT Greek School (Children) 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm 28 Friday PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY (C) 9:00 am; SALUTATIONS TO THE VIRGIN MARY (S) 7:00 pm 29 Saturday GREAT VESPERS (C) 5:00 pm; 30 Sunday Orthros 8:15 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am (S); BLOOD DRIVE (Gym) 10:30 am - 2:00 pm; C.S. and Faith E. (C) after Holy Com. about 11:00 am; Coffee hosted immediately following Div. Lit. (A,D) 11:30 am; PAN ORTHODOX LENTEN VESPERS 6:00 pm 31 Monday 6TH HOUR (C) 12:00 pm; GREAT COMPLINE (C) 6:00 pm; PICKLEBALL (Gym) 7:00-9:00 pm 19

20 EKFONESIS MARCH 2014 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Hillcrest Road Dallas, TX HOLY TRINITY CEMETERY LOTS AVAILABLE Cemetery plots are still available in the Orthodox Christian Garden at Restland. Prices in the funeral industry continue to rise, so please don't miss this opportunity to secure your family s burial needs. Please contact: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Office Pre-Purchase: $2, At Need: $2, EKFONESIS INFORMATION DEADLINE Please be reminded that all information to be included in the next Ekfonesis must be in the Church office no later than the 5th of the month. Please submit each article as an attachment to: vwells@holytrinity.info Editor-in-Chief: Father Christopher Constantinides Layout Editor: Vickie Wells 20