the word On the occasion of our parish s 100th anniversary, and honoring our patron Saints and

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1 Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17 the word Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church BIBLE STUDIES THIS MONTH Pursuing our spiritual life Morning Meditations May 10: 10 am Bread for Life May 24: 7 pm Men s Ministry May 31: 7 pm Sts. Constantine & Helen Church Nameday - May 20, Vesper Service 7 pm May 21, Orthros 9 am Liturgy 10 am IMPORTANT DATES June 4- Senior Recognition (high school and college graduates) June 11 - Sunday School Graduation & Parish Picnic Metropolis Summer Camp See schedule on page 7 Get news of additional events and announcements via . Go to the church web site and sign up to be on our LISTSERV Andover, MA May 2017 The Story of Saints Constantine & Helen From Fr. Christopher On the occasion of our parish s 100th anniversary, and honoring our patron Saints and Church NameDay on Sunday, May 21, we offer the story of the Saints. The Church calls Saint Constantine ( ) the Equal of the Apostles, and historians call him the Great. He was the son of the Caesar Constantius Chlorus ( ), who governed the lands of Gaul and Britain. His mother was Saint Helen, a Christian of humble birth. At this time the immense Roman Empire was divided into Western and Eastern halves, governed by two independent emperors and their corulers called Caesars. Constantius Chlorus was Caesar in the Western Roman Empire. Saint Constantine was born in 274, possibly at Nish in Serbia. In 294, Constantius divorced Helen in order to further his political ambition by marrying a woman of noble rank. After he became emperor, Constantine showed his mother great honor and respect, granting her the imperial title Augusta. Constantine, the future ruler of all the whole Roman Empire, was raised to respect Christianity. His father did not persecute Christians in the lands he governed. This was at a time when Christians were persecuted throughout the Roman Empire by the emperors Diocletian ( ) and his corulers Maximian Galerius ( ) in the East, and the emperor Maximian Hercules ( ) in the West. After the death of Constantius Chlorus in 306, Constantine was acclaimed by the army at York as emperor of Gaul and Britain. The first act of the new emperor was to grant the freedom to practice Christianity in the lands subject to him. The pagan Maximian Galerius in the East and the fierce tyrant Maxentius in the West hated Constantine and they plotted to overthrow and kill him, but Constantine bested them in a series of battles, defeating his opponents with the help of God. He prayed to God to give him a sign which would inspire his army to fight valiantly, and the Lord showed him a radiant Sign of the Cross in the heavens with the inscription In this Sign, conquer. After Constantine became the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire, he issued the Edict of Milan in 313 which guaranteed religious tolerance for Christians. Saint Helen, who was a Christian, may have influenced him in this decision. In 323, when he became the sole ruler of the entire Roman Empire, he extended the provisions of the Edict of Milan to the Eastern half of the Empire. After three hundred years of persecution, Christians could finally practice their faith without fear. Renouncing paganism, the Emperor did not let his capital remain in ancient Rome, the former center of the pagan realm. He transferred his capital to the East, to the city of Byzantium, which was renamed Constantinople, the city of Constantine (May 11). Constantine was deeply convinced that only Christianity could unify the immense Roman Empire with its diverse peoples. He supported the Church in every way. He recalled Christian confessors from banishment, he built churches, and he showed concern for the clergy. The emperor deeply revered the victory-bearing Sign of the Cross of the Lord, and also wanted to find the actual Cross upon which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. For this purpose he sent his own mother, the holy Empress Helen, to Jerusalem, granting her both power and money. Patriarch Macarius of Jerusalem and Saint Helen began the search, (Continued on page 3) 1

2 Fr. Christopher Makiej, Parish Priest Dn. Sal Fazio Dn. Gary Kent Parish Deacons Buzz Stapczynski, President John Terzakis, Vice President Jim Panagas, Secretary Carol DiPietro, Treasurer Chris Alexandrou Dylan Archambault Voula Danas Sam Diamantis Bess Gorman John Karafilidis Nicholas Miminos David Murphy Peter Souhleris Anthony Warren George Xifaras Church Office Karen Davies Office Assistants Dorothy Mastromonico & Ann Paris Philoptochos Olga Pithis, President Chanter Telly Papanikolaou Choir Pres. Katerina Makiej, Director Organist David Harvey Altar Boy Co-Captains Kyros Vergados & Nicholas Makiej Sunday School Patty Trant, Director Greek School Voula Nikitas Christian Lending Library Patti George, Director GOYA Advisor Connie Vergados GOYA President Kyros Vergados JOY Advisor Patty Trant YouthChoir/Women sfellowship Pres. Katerina Makiej Book Store Manager Elaine Demetroulakos Internet Ministry Christopher Primes AHEPA Steven Pithis Daughters of Penelope Nancy Pantazopoulos College Fellowship Telly Papanikolaou Young Professionals Ministry Nicholas Miminos Facilities George Perakis Archons Arthur C. Anton James Lolos Telly Papanikolaou The Word - May 2017 Parish Council Notes Dear Parishioners, Christ is Risen, Truly He is Risen! Our Parish enjoyed a truly blessed Great Lent and Holy Week thanks to Fr. Chris and his spiritual leadership. His Orthodoxy Unplugged sermons were memorable, instructive and inspiring. Deacons Sal and Gary also provided us with their own special guidance. Chanter Telly Papanikolaou did an exceptional job as well as our Choir under the direction of Presvytera Katerina. Great Lent culminates with Holy Week and provides us with many opportunities to worship and meditate upon the events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are indeed fortunate to have these spiritual leaders in our Parish to guide us thru Lent and Holy Week. In early April, we had our Annual Lenten Luncheon which was sold out again this year. Our 100 th Anniversary Committee honored the memory and legacy of Fr. George Karahalios, who served our Parish for over 20 years. His widow, Presvytera Lee, was our special honored guest. To commemorate his dedication to our community, the Lenten Luncheon cooks prepared his delicious baked lima beans. Huge thank you to Ed George and his team for a wonderful Lenten Luncheon. Our 100 th Anniversary Committee continues Celebrating a Century of Faith with a very exciting Name Day program on the weekend of May 20 th and 21 st. On Saturday evening, there will be Vespers and on Sunday we are honored to have His Eminence, Metropolitan Methodios, officiating the Divine Liturgy. The Committee has a special coffee hour planned to recognize and thank Fr. Chris and Clergy, Parish Council Presidents and Philoptochos Presidents for their dedicated service to our Parish. The program to eliminate our mortgage is continuing. One hundred and sixteen families have made pledges and when all the pledged amounts are contributed, the mortgage will be reduced from $1.2M to less than $500K. The present mortgage is $660K. Thank you to all the families who have contributed. May Christ be with you and your families in this joyous season, Buzz Stapczynski Parish Council President The Word Elizabeth Xaros Bigelow, Editor 2

3 The Story of Saints Constantine & Helen (continued from page 1) and through the will of God, the Life-Creating Cross was miraculously discovered in 326. (The account of the finding of the Cross of the Lord is found under the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, September 14). The Orthodox Church commemorates the Uncovering of the Precious Cross and the Precious Nails by the Holy Empress Helen on March 6. While in Palestine, the holy empress did much of benefit for the Church. She ordered that all places connected with the earthly life of the Lord and His All-Pure Mother, should be freed of all traces of paganism, and she commanded that churches should be built at these places. The emperor Constantine ordered a magnificent church in honor of Christ s Resurrection to be built over His tomb. Saint Helen gave the Life-Creating Cross to the Patriarch for safe-keeping, and took part of the Cross with her for the emperor. After distributing generous alms at Jerusalem and feeding the needy (at times she even served them herself), the holy Empress Helen returned to Constantinople, where she died in the year 327. Because of her great services to the Church and her efforts in finding the Life-Creating Cross, the empress Helen is called the Equal of the Apostles. The peaceful state of the Christian Church was disturbed by quarrels, dissensions and heresies which had appeared within the Church. Already at the beginning of Saint Constantine s reign the heresies of the Donatists and the Novatians had arisen in the West. They demanded a second baptism for those who lapsed during the persecutions against Christians. These heresies, repudiated by two local Church councils, were finally condemned at the Council of Milan in 316. Particularly ruinous for the Church was the rise of the Arian heresy in the East, which denied the Divine Nature of the Son of God, and taught that Jesus Christ was a mere creature. By order of the emperor, the First Ecumenical Council was convened in the city of Nicea in bishops attended this Council. Among its participants were confessor-bishops from the period of the persecutions and many other luminaries of the Church, among whom was Saint Nicholas of Myra in Lycia. (The account about the Council is found under May 29). The emperor was present at the sessions of the Council. The heresy of Arius was condemned and a Symbol of Faith (Creed) composed, in which was included the term consubstantial with the Father, confirming the truth of the divinity of Jesus Christ, Who assumed human nature for the redemption of all the human race. One might possibly be surprised by Saint Constantine s grasp of theological issues during the discussions at the Council. The term consubstantial was included in the Symbol of Faith at his insistence. After the Council of Nicea, Saint Constantine continued with his active role in the welfare of the Church. He accepted holy Baptism on his deathbed, having prepared for it all his whole life. Saint Constantine died on the day of Pentecost in the year 337 and was buried in the church of the Holy Apostles, in a crypt he had prepared for himself. (from OCA website) The Word - May 2017 Philoptochos Xristos Anesti! Philoptochos is grateful for everyone that donated towards decorating our church and came to help during Holy Week. A special thank you to Elaina Berry and Sandra Johnson who coordinated the many changes of ribbons and flowers during the week. We look forward to seeing many of you at our next meeting on May 25th... this will be an end of year dinner meeting, location to be announced Yours in Christ, Olga Pithis President The Bookstore Dear Fellow Parishioners, Oh, Springtime in New England! One never knows what to expect when we awake to each new day. But there are a few constants that do occur in May. There is Mother s Day and graduations, Birthdays, yard-work and vacation planning, etc. The Bookstore may be of help with gift suggestions for these events. We are always open to your requests and advise. Stop by and say Hi. Xristos Anesti May we celebrate the glory of our Savior s resurrection. Sincerely, Elaine Demetroulakos Dotty Vlamis The Word Volume 19, Issue 5 Published monthly except August and January by Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 71 Chandler Road Andover, MA Phone vfax Periodicals postage paid at Andover, MA. Permit No POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sts. Constantine & Helen Church. Elizabeth Xaros Bigelow, Editor. exbigelow@aol.com 3

4 Sunday School Xristos Anesti! Christ is Risen! I hope you all had a blessed Pascha. It was such a blessing to have so many children participate in the faith and enrich their spiritual experience during Holy Week. Many students attended the Salutations to the Virgin Mary on Friday evenings and Holy Unction Service on Holy Wednesday. They made Palms on Saturday of Lazarus, attended the Saturday of Lazarus and Good Friday Retreats, were Myrofores on Holy Friday evening, were altar boys during Holy Week, prepared Easter Eggs, and attended the Sunday Agape Service. St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Congratulations to all the students who participated in our St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival this year! We are all so very proud of them. They are all amazing speech writers and presenters! At the Parish level we want to congratulate and thank our elementary participants Markos Petrakis and Theo Trant. At the Parish and District Level our Junior Finalists (grades 7-9) were Angelina Archambault and Eryn Trant, and Honorable Mentions were Soultana Tsaparlis and Petros Koster. Our Senior Finalists (grades 10-12) were Alexandra Trant and Kyros Vergados. Our Junior and Senior finalists will be participating in the Metropolis of Boston St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival on May 13th. Finalists from there will proceed to the National Oratorical Festival. We wish them all the best of luck! I would like to thank Dorothy Hatzikonstantis and Heidi Marino for coordinating the Oratorical Festival, and coaching all the kids. They both helped to make this festival a tremendous success! Sunday School Calendar: May 13 Metropolis of Boston Oratorical Festival, Metropolis Center, Brookline, MA. Please arrive at 9:30 a.m. for 10:00 a.m. start May 14 Mother s Day May 21 Saints Constantine and Helen Feast Day May 25 Ascension May 28 - No Sunday School, Memorial Day weekend June 4 Pentecost and Senior Day June 11 Sunday School Graduation June 18 Father s Day June 24 and June 25 Overnight Retreat and Liturgy at Metropolis of Boston Camp, Contoocook, NH JOY and Junior GOYA Xristos Anesti! I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! The month of April was a very busy month for us. It was such a blessing to have the JOY and Junior Goyans making palms for Palm Sunday on the Saturday of Lazarus. Many of the children also attended the Saturday of Lazarus and the Good Friday Retreats. It was so wonderful to see the church filled with children on Good Friday. More than 40 children attended the retreat and had a fun and spiritual experience! In addition to bible study, there were arts and crafts, games, and every child helped decorate the tomb of Christ (Kouvouklion) by placing a rose on it. I would like to thank Deacon Gary, Deacon Sal, Lea Kent, and Angela Fazio for teaching the sessions. I also want to thank the Goyans, Alexandra Trant, George Xenakis, Paulina Xifaras, Eryn Trant and Olga Gorman for assisting with the retreat. I would also like to thank the parents, Laurie Diamantis, Diana Koster, Tammy Tasiopoulos, and Kathy Papadopoulos that helped make and serve the Lenten lunch for the retreat. Your dedication and time is greatly appreciated! The next meetings/events planned are: JOY and Junior GOYA Church Meeting Sunday, May 7th from 12:00 1:15 p.m. following Sunday school dismissal in the lower, large level room. Pizza lunch will be served. JOY and Junior GOYA Ice Cream Social Sunday, June 4th immediately following Sunday School Dismissal. We will meet in the Church Courtyard for some ice cream sundaes and fellowship. This is the last meeting for the year. All children in grades 1-6 are welcome to attend all the meetings and events. If your child would like to attend, please feel free to come to the next meeting. Christ is Risen! Patty Trant Note: Submission deadline for scholarships for high school seniors is May 14th. Xristos Anesti! Patty Trant 4

5 Saturday of Lazarus Youth Retreat Daughters of Penelope Dear Sisters and Fellow Parishioners, The Daughters once again hosted the annual communion breakfast on the Saturday of Lazarus. It was very heartwarming to see the enthusiastic faces of our parish children as they enjoyed making their own pancakes with chocolate chips, fruits, and whipped cream as some of their choices. It was a very successful event and enjoyed by all who attended. We are pleased to announce that Not Your Average Joe s restaurant in Methuen, at the Loop, has offered our chapter the opportunity to be their Charity of the Month for June. Any customers who go to NYAJ s on a Tuesday in June, for either lunch or dinner, can bring a donation flyer with them, give it to their server and 15% of their food tab will be donated to our own Chapter 330! It s a great excuse to get together with friends or family, enjoy a great meal and help our cause at the same time! Please Nancy Pantazopoulos at napanta@comcast.net to get your flyers. Your support of this fundraiser will be much appreciated. In light of the fact that we are Charity of the Month at NYAJ s, our End-of-Year Dinner will be moved to Tuesday June 6 th, at 6:30 pm at NYAJ s in Methuen. All are welcome. Xristos Anesti, Cathy Gavriel 5

6 Thank you to all who helped with the Lenten Luncheon. 6

7 Greetings from the 100th Anniversary Committee! Christos Anesti! If you attended the Lenten Luncheon this year, we think you will agree it was a wonderful gathering of our parishioners, family and friends. Our GOYA navigated their way through a packed room to serve a delicious meal prepared by the best volunteers in town! Of course, the highlight of the Luncheon was hearing Presvytera Lee speak to us all, continuing to share her love and gratitude with the parish as we honored the memory of her beloved, Fr. George Karahalios. Very special thanks go to everyone involved who made this 100 th Anniversary edition of the Lenten Luncheon so memorable. The Anniversary Committee is busy planning for our Name Day Liturgy during which we will honor our Clergy as well as the Presidents of the Parish Council and Philoptochos. With Metropolitan Methodios celebrating with us, we hope you will also plan to attend. A Fellowship Hour reception will follow Liturgy, and we could use your help. Any contributions of desserts will be gratefully accepted. If you re able to share your baking talents and add to our dessert table, please let me know at npatsios@hotmail.com. Thanks very much in advance! A number of additional Anniversary Events and parish activities are scheduled as well, and you may have seen them in a Mark Your Calendar message. As we get closer to each of these event dates, more information will be available about how you can participate. Here s the lineup for the remainder of the year: As we May 21: Name Day Liturgy June 11: Sunday School Graduation and Clergy Laity Banquet June 24/25: Overnight Family Retreat and Picnic at MBC Camp September 9/10: Festival October 1: Choir Concert November 4: 100 th Anniversary Gala As we continue Celebrating a Century of Faith, our interviews with a parishioner who has distinguished her/himself in the interests of Saints Constantine and Helen Church, you will find this month s interviewees are known to many and need no introduction. Long time parishioners, Nick Varitimos and Elaine Kevgas, share some of their most special and historic memories as most active parishioners, in this month s edition of the WORD. Happy Anniversary! Nancy Patsios Youth Summer Camp is for persons ages 8-18 and offers a week of fun and fellowship connecting youth from throughout the Metropolis to each other and their faith. Registration has begun. For more information, go to Family Summer Camp is an opportunity for families and people of all ages to share in the camp experience together, strengthening their relationships with God and with each other. All ages are welcome. Campers under 18 years of age must by accompanied by an adult. Family Camp: June 29 - July 2* (All ages, campers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult) Session 1: July 3 - July 9, *Youth Session: Ages 8-18 Session 2: July 10 - July 16,*Youth Session: Ages 8-18 Session 3: July 17 - July 23, *Youth Session: Ages 8-18 Session 4: July 24 - July 30*Youth Session: Ages 8-18 Session 5: July 31 - August 6 *Youth Session: Ages 8-18(SOLD OUT) 7

8 An interview with Nick Vartimos and Elaine Kevgas (Fifth in a series of 100th Anniversary parishioner interviews conducted by Bessie Liponis.) Nick Varitimos BL: You have been a pillar of the church community for many years. Your accomplishments are known by many. Can you give our newer readers a précis of your contributions over the many years? NV: In the years 1970 and 71, we had some interesting years. The General Assembly voted the previous year to build a Community Center. Soon after the groundbreaking our Pastor was reassigned. We started to interview candidates; one of them was the Rev. Dr. George Karahalios. On May 16, 1976 at a dinner-dance of 200 parishioners, friends and guests, the mortgage was burned. BL: You have participated in many activities. What is your fondest memory? NV: I don t have much memory at my age any more but I do have some good moments. Festivals were always fun. It got us together and we socialized while we were working. Groundbreaking, just two that I have participated in. The one in Andover I am very proud of because of the upgrade we accomplished. I remember some of the Bishops joined us for name days, Easter or for a parental visit. I witnessed my first Thyranixia for the Andover Church led by our Metropolitan and past President Charles Liponis, the Koumbaro of the Andover church with his generous gift of $10,000. What a comparison of a time in 1936 when Panayiotis Mavrides gave $100 for the same service. BL: As one of our more senior members of the community, your seniority allows you to give advice to other parishioners. What would you suggest to others regarding maintaining Faith throughout their lives? NV: A great and difficult question appropriate for submission to the next Clergy/Laity Congress. Attend Church frequently; spend some time with friends during coffee hour. Pray. If you have an icon stand at home, stand facing it and communicate with our Creator. Thank Him for a visit during any illness you had. Ask for forgiveness and thank Him for our gifts. If you have a request list, leave it with our Redeemer. BL: We ve known each other a long time. Thank you for expressing your views. Seniors Rock! Elaine Kevgas BL: You did the research and writing of the first 75 years of our church history. How did you feel as you were documenting and reading something as glorious as the very beginnings the seeds of our future? EK: We started researching the history in Searching for an accurate membership list led to oral interviews with many of the older parishioners who gave us their recollections. I felt that I was re-walking the path of the community s founding fathers and mothers because as you know, the women played a major role. It was the women who raised the money to purchase the land at Essex and Gale Streets in Lawrence. BL: You have been honored by many accolades for your service to our church. These honors must make you feel very proud. But additionally, what do they actually mean to you? EK: These honors to me mean nothing as I have done what I have been put on this earth to do. I am glad that the early accomplishments put the little Lawrence Church on the map. Personally, I am humbled that they brought me across the ocean as far as the Patriarch. Although I was presented the St. Paul Medal and the Cross of Saint Andrew, whenever I wear them, I always tell everyone that they are for our Saints Constantine and Helen community. I and my parents have done more than we were put on earth to do to serve our Lord. BL: Your whole family was very active in the beginnings of our church. Your dedication surpasses many of us. Do you feel this was a direct result of your parents examples? EK: My involvement in the church and the AHEPA family is the direct result of Mom and Dad s being active in not only at Saints Constantine and Helen but also at the Diocese and Archdiocesan levels. Both sets of grandparents were active members of the church. They instilled in my parents the words of our Lord, I have come to serve not to be served. My parents raised us with these words as well. BL: Thank you, Elaine, from the bottom of my heart, for once again giving of yourself. Your 75-year narrative of our church s history was my inspiration for continuing it through the 25 years that followed. As I have said before, I used your information liberally and I thank you. 8

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11 May 2017 Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Greek School 4:30 p.m. 7 Orthros 9:00 Liturgy 10:00 Joy/Jr. Goya 12:00-1:15 p.m. Baptism (Caron) 1:00 p.m. 14 Orthros 9:00 Liturgy 10:00 Scholarship applications due. 21 CHURCH NAME DAY Orthros 9:00 Liturgy 10:00 Metropolitan Methodios & Special Coffee Hour GOYA Meeting 6:00 8:00 p.m. 28 Orthros 9:00 Liturgy 10:00 No Sunday School Greek School 4:30 p.m. Greek School 4:30 p.m. Parish Council Meeting 7:15 p.m. Greek School 4:30 p.m. Greek School 4:30 p.m. 10 Morning Meditations 10:00-11:30 a.m Bread for Life Bible Study 7:00-8:30 p.m. 31 Men s Ministry Dinner 7:00 p.m. 25 ASCENSION Orthros 9:00 Liturgy 9:30 Philoptochos Dinner/Meeting 6:00 p.m. Baptism (Eisnor) 11:00 a.m. St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival (Brookline) 9:30 a.m. Baptism (Stratigakis) 11:00 a.m. NAME DAY VESPERS 7:00 p.m

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