PANAGIA COHASSET MARCH 2017 BULLETIN PLEASE JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON MARCH 5 AFTER THE CONLUSION OF LITURGY SEE DETAILS INSIDE

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1 PANAGIA COHASSET MARCH 2017 BULLETIN PLEASE JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON MARCH 5 AFTER THE CONLUSION OF LITURGY SEE DETAILS INSIDE NATIVITY ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN MARY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH FORMERLY THE POPE MEMORIAL CHURCH 811 nativity Jerusalem assumption Road, of Cohasset, virgin greek MA orthodox church road, cohasset, ma MARCH 2017

2 Orthodoxy is Life One must not talk about it, one must live it. Our Lady of the Life Giving Fountain Newsletter (Ζωοδόχος Πηγή ) The Life Giving Fountain Celebrated each year on Friday of Bright Week, the 1st Friday after Holy Pascha MARCH 2017 THE GREAT LENT Η ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ! The Orthodox Church has four Lenten Seasons during the year. These are the Lenten season of Advent, The Dormition Fast 15 days of August, The Fast of Sts Peter and Paul in June, and GREAT LENT FAST, the 7-week period before Easter. This last one is the most important Fast for Orthodox Christians. Lent is a time for self-examination and self-denial the purpose of which is to develop an increased awareness of God and the Christian Life. Spiritual and Bodily Fasting is necessary to attain this. The Church gives us the opportunity at this time to take a personal inventory of our Christian Living. It allows us to take a good and honest look at our inner-self and our relationship to God and to others and to make changes in our lives for the better. Lent is also a time for us to do more works of mercy and charity for those less fortunate, such as visitations to the sick, the elderly or to shut ins. These visitations and prayers are not reserved only for the priests, but are necessary for all Orthodox Christians to do. These include special prayers, for the sick, helpful acts of kindness, and reconciliation with those we have been estranged from and to have compassion on the poor and needy. It is also a time for us to be more pleasant, tolerant and forgiving to those closest to us. A time for personal reading of spiritual material on Lent and Pascha. There are a wealth of articles and books available on line at goarch.org as well as the Antiochian and OCA websites. Finally, Lent is a time for Joy! In Greek there is a term Harmonlypi which means joyful sadness because the sorrow of sin and our estrangement from God, turns to Holy Joy in the Resurrection. Lent is a time for new beginnings too. It affords us the opportunity to come to confession and cleanse ourselves in preparation for the Feast of Feasts, Holy Pascha/Easter. Come faithful people and let us serve the Master eagerly, for He gives riches to His Servants. Each of us according to measure we have received let us increase the talent of grace. Let one gain Wisdom through good deeds; let another celebrate the Liturgy with beauty. Let another share his faith by preaching to the uninstructed; let Page #2

3 another give a portion of his wealth to the poor. So we shall increase what has been entrusted to us, and as faithful stewards of His grace, we shall be counted worthy of the Masters Joy. Bestow this joy upon us Christ our God, in Your love for us. Amen (from the Orthros of Holy Tuesday) orthodoxy 101 March 25th The Annunciation & Greek Independace Day. Είναι θρησκευτική, γιατί γιορτάζουμε τον Ευαγγελισμό της Θεοτόκου και εθνική, γιατί η ημέρα αυτή σηματοδοτεί την έναρξη της ελληνικής επανάστασης ενάντια στην οθωμανική κυριαρχία το Great Lent Began on Monday Feb 27th Please Fast according to the rubrics of the Greek Orthodox Church but also to the best of your ability and teach our children also. I can assure you that if you put some effort into the fast and prayer life, your Holy Pascha will be a much more spiritually uplifting experience. Clean Monday - Καθαρά Δευτέρα The first Monday of Lent which is called Kathara Deftera and means Clean Monday, is a Public Holiday in Greece and Cyprus and marks the beginning of Lent. It is celebrated all over Greece and Cyprus with a picnic at the fields and mountains (or parks or nearby hills in the big cities). Open to me the Gates of Repentance, O Giver of Life Prayers during Lent - Personal and Family Orthodox Prayer of Lent. (To be said in the evening or at bedtime) O Lord and Master of my life, give me not the spirit of laziness, faintheartedness, lust for power, or idle talk. + (prostration) But grant me, your servant, the spirit of moderation, humility, patience, and love. + (prostration) Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brothers and sisters. For you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen + (prostration) Prayer: O God, who in past times, has spoken to our Fathers in the prophets and saints of Your Church, speak to us through Your Son Jesus. Open our hearts that we may have Your help in giving constant heed to His Word and doing His will. Amen Prayer: I have promised to serve You to the end! Help me by Your grace to keep this promise. Forgive me when I fail You, and be ever near, as my friend and my Master. Amen Page #3

4 Akathist Hymn -5th Friday of Lent - March 31st 2017 To you the Champion Leader do I your City ascribe Thanks Offerings in triumphant anthems as the tokens of my Gratitude, being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos.. «Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ στρατηγῷ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοι ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε. Ἀλλ ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων με κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοι Χαῖρε, Νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε». The Akathist Hymn is a beautiful poem of praise and devotion to the Mother of God. It was sung in 626 in the Church of the Theotokos in Constantinople on the occasion of the deliverance and freedom of Constantinople from the invaders. It is chanted in Greek Orthodox churches during the first five Fridays in Lent. It has 24 stanzas and each stanza begins with the letter of the Greek alphabet from Alpha to Omega. The hymn is divided into 4 parts. Each Friday 6 stanzas are sung. These are called Salutations. On the 5th Friday, all 24 stanzas are sung. This is called the Akathist Hymn because out of love, devotion and gratefulness to the Theotokos for her miracle and deliverance, stood during the chanting of the entire hymn. Hail you, through whom joy shall shine forth Hail, you, through whom the curse shall be blotted out. Hail, you, the restoration of fallen Adam Hail, you redemption of the tears of Eve. 1st Friday Salutations - Akathist Liturgical Services Orthros 9:00 am Sunday Divine Liturgy of St Basil the Great 9:45 am Friday March 3rd 1st Salutations to the Theotokos 7 pm. Sunday March 5th Sunday of Orthodoxy, Procession with Icons and reading of the Synodikon March 19th, Sunday of the Holy Cross, Procession with the Cross and special collection for the seminary. Note there will be no Liturgy for the Annunciation on Saturday March 25th 2017 at our Church, (Nativity Assumption/Panagia). Instead we will celebrate Liturgy with our brothers and sisters at the Annunciation Parish in Brockton, 457 Oak Street, Brockton, MA at 1000 am Saturday. March 25th, March 31st Akathist Hymn 7 pm. MAKE A SPECIAL DONATION DURING HOLY LENT IN HONOR OR MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE: Please see Fr. Constantine or our Church Treasurers to donate and dedicate your Page #4

5 offering to someone. Approximate Costs For donations for flowers and holy week items please see Kerri in Philoptochos, or Father Constantine. 5th Friday Salutations Flowers $30 3rd Sunday Lent Daffodils (Holy Cross Sunday) please see Faye- $25 see Faye for Details (daffodils needed) for Liturgy on 3/19/17. Palms for Palm Sunday - $50-$75 (see Kerri and Katina) for costs. Bridegroom Icon Flowers - $20 Holy Thursday Flower Crown - $40 see Kiki Booras or Faye) Holy Thursday, Friday and Saturday Cups/Candles - $75 ( see Ed Lofgren ) Holy Friday Eve, Saturday AM- Laurel Leaves &Rose Pedals - $40 Eggs for dying (see Philoptochos) Resurrection Candle - $30 (see Fr Constantine) Resurrection Icon Flowers - $50 Circular Resurrection (See Kiki Booras) Icon Flowers -$75 see Kiki Booras and Faye 10 White Lilies for Easter - $25/each If you are unable to offer the full amount of the cost of Lent and Holy Week items, contributing a partial amount is welcomed. Please be sure to provide the names of loved ones to Fr. Constantine for commemoration during Holy Week services with your your offering. Wisdom from the Fathers Lenten Reflections Let us fast a fast that is acceptable and agreeable to God. True fasting is alienation from evil, control of the tongue, avoidance of wrath, and the estrangement from sinful desires, slander, lie and perjury. -St Basil 4th century Speaking of fasting. I do not speak of the generally understood by the crowds but the specific fast, abstention not from food alone, but from sin as well. Do you fast? Show me with your works; what works? If you see a needy person help him; if you come across an enemy, reconcile yourself with him. If you see a person prospering, do not envy him. Do not fast your mouth alone, but your eye and your ear and your feet and your hands and all the members of your body. Fast your mouth as well from filthy utterances and abuse.. What is the benefit when we abstain from meat and fish but consume and devour our brothers and sisters? -St John Chrysostom Forgiveness stands at the very center of the Christian Faith and life because Christianity itself is above all a religion of forgiveness. God forgives us and His Forgiveness is in Christ His Son whom He sends to us so that by sharing in His humanity, we may share in His love and be reconciled to God. Indeed Christianity has no other content but love. And it is a renewal and growth and a return to that love that we seek in Great Lent in fasting and prayer. Forgiveness is both the beginning of and proper condition for Lenten Season. We must rediscover what it means to be Holy. The key to Holiness is repentance, continual repentance. Archbishop Anastasios of Albania Page #5

6 OUR JOAN (CARA DONNA) distance. Our Joan (Cara Donna) was born in Boston and grew up in West Roxbury. She credits her parents with giving her a peaceful, respectful, loving home. They provided a wonderful childhood and set her on the right path. She fell in love at 17, married at 18 and had four children in five years. When her marriage fell apart there were some self-described rough years, but her children became her reason for living and marching forward. Joan says of her children: they re the best thing that ever happened to me. I would do it all over again just to have them. She now has seven grandchildren ages 10 through 28, and as luck would have it, they all live within driving Her faith was a major factor in survival through the tough years raising four children by herself. She has always been a strong practitioner of her Greek Orthodox faith. She has served her church in many ways including serving on the Panagia Parish Council for many years and a strong involvement with Philoptochos, both locally and on the New England board. She was an early member of the St Catherine s Vision organization where the compassion of Christ is emphasized. Joan has also been a strong supporter of the My Brother s Keeper organization. Her volunteer work there helped her by a difficult interval at church where she had to back off (being involved) to figure it all out. The organization is made up of people with a strong desire to help others who may be in need. She said when the doors of My Brother s Keeper opened to her she felt this is where I belong. I felt the presence of Jesus there; it restored my faith that was flip-flopping a little. Back at Panagia Parish in 2008, she has been a stalwart on the Parish Council ever since, most often as Secretary. She truly loves the little church on Jerusalem Rd and especially the people. She is working diligently to restore and build Panagia Church. At home in Hingham, Joan has found s special friend in Tony Caruso. Trips to a common mailbox area at their condos led to a special friendship that has blossomed big time. And, Tony has learned to love our little church just as Joan does. He is a familiar Sunday attendee with a passion for commiserating at coffee hour. JOAN FACTS Favorite travel destination: Favorite Holiday: Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Favorite Music: Favorite Food: Europe. Christmas Maple Walnut Mozart & Dean Martin ALMOST EVERYTHING Favorite Quote: When the student is ready, the teacher will appear Page #6

7 philoptochos corner HAPPY SPRING!!! Well it looks like we survived another New England Winter. Now that a new season is upon us, one of renew & rebirth, do something nice for someone this month. Donate to a local charity, visit some one sick or shut in, they will truly appreciate it. SAVE THE DATES: SUNDAY APRIL 9TH: Annual Philoptochos Palm Sunday Bake Sale APRIL 30TH- SPRING FASHION SHOW Details Below If anyone would like to bake something for the Bake Sale, please let me know or If you would like to order a Tsourekia, please see sign up sheets in coffee area. NEXT MEETING WILL BE TUE March 14th Kerri Vallas Luisi - Philoptochos President Join Us for a lovely afternoon of New Spring Fashions & a Lovely The Philoptochos Ladies Spring Fashion Show Sunday April 30th 2pm-6pm with Fashions from Little House of Paula's in Hull Ma being held at the Beautiful Barker Tavern in Scituate Tickets $35 please see sign up sheet in for reservations Page #7

8 restoration committee meeting The Repair/Restoration Committee will meet with the key principal of CBI Consulting on the CBI proposal before us for repairs to the church. Purpose is basically questions & answers re: the proposal just prior to our Special General Assembly the following Sunday. Meeting is set for Thursday, March 2, 6 :00 p.m. at the community center around the corner from the church. Interested committee members are most welcome. Meeting with the consultant on his proposal to determine the scope of work on the church, send out bids, and help us in the selection of a repair firm or firms. Please note 6 p.m. sharp since the CBI principal has another meeting and needs to leave us by 7:15 p.m. IN ESSENCE, PANAGIA PARISH IS AT A CROSSROAD. OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE AVERAGED APPROXIMATELY ONE HUNDRED STEWARD FAMILIES, ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER PARISH FAMILIES WHO REMAIN NON PARTICIPANTS IN OUR STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM. WE HAVE QUITE A FEW YOUNG PEOPLE, BUT THEY ARE NOT OFTEN SEEN AT SUNDAY LITURGY. WE HAVE LOST SOME FAITHFUL STEWARDS WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE LORD OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. JUST A FEW FOUNDERS REMAIN AMONG OUR NUMBER. AND, THERE ARE MANY OF US WHO ARE GREYING OR EVEN WHITEING SIGNIFICANTLY. DOESN T TAKE TOO MUCH TO ADD IT ALL UP AND COME TO A CONCLUSION THAT OUR CROSSROAD IS EITHER A PATH WHERE WE ACCEPT WHERE WE ARE AND PRETTY MUCH SLIP AWAY --- OR --- A PATH WHERE WE GROW AND PROSPER. HOW??? President s message - a crossroad WE ENCOURAGE LOWER SOUTH SHORE ORTHODOX FAITHFUL TO JOIN US. WE ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO ATTEND OUR CHURCH AND BECOME PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE MAKE OURSELVES A PLEDGE TO MAKE THE ABOVE HAPPEN AND TO PLAY A ROLE IN MAKING IT HAPPEN. OUR PARISH COUNCIL NEEDS TO DISCUSS THIS ANEW AND FIND WAYS TO LEAD THE COMMUNITY TOWARDS GROWTH AND PROSPERITY AS A PARISH. THEY WILL NEED YOUR INPUT AND YOUR SUGGESTIONS. (President s Message continues on next page) Page #8

9 ALL STEWARDS MUST PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS; IT WILL TAKE EVERYONE. WE SHOULD EXPAND ON OUR TAVERNA SUCCESS TAVERNA WAS A WOW!!! WHY??? --- YOU DID IT! WE MUST BEGIN TO REPAIR AND RESTORE OUR EXISTING CHURCH BUILDING TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT IT FOR THE FUTURE. WE NEED TO BUILD OUR COMMUNITY CENTER. PRAYER. NEVER, EVER, UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF PRAYER! WILL YOU HELP??? President s message - a crossroad IN THE WEEKS AHEAD YOU WILL SEE EVIDENCE OF THE REPAIR/RESTORATION EFFORT WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY. IN THE WEEKS AHEAD YOU WILL HEAR OF THE PROGRESS WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY ON OUR COMMUNITY CENTER BUILD. YOUR PARTICIPATION IS ENCOURAGED: ON THE REPAIR/RESTORATION COMMITTEE. ON THE COMMUNITY CENTER BUILD COMMITTEE. BY HELPING TO PLAN AND PREPARE FOR TAEVERNA BY ATTENDING GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS INCLUDING SPECIAL ASSEMBLYS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR AND RESTORATION EFFORT AND THE COMMUNITY CENTER BUILD. AND, YES, BY ATTENDING LITURGY REGULARLY. WE HAVE A SISTER CHURCH IN MARLBORO (ST. ANARGRYOI) WHICH HAS FACED SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES JUST A FEW YEARS BACK. THEY VOWED TO PROGRESS AND BUILD THEIR COMMUNITY, JOINED TOGETHER, AND MADE IT HAPPEN. THEY BUILT A COMMUNITY CENTER. THEY PETITIONED FOR AND BROUGHT IN A FULL TIME PRIEST. THEIR STEWARDSHIP DOUBLED. THEIR SUNDAY SCHOOL GREW FROM 6 OR 8 KIDS ON A SUNDAY TO 35 OR 40 CURRENTLY. THEY HAVE A TAVERNA TO DIE FOR (BIG AND SUCCESSFUL). THEY ARE A SOLID AND SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTOR TO THEIR COMMUNITY, TO OUR METROPOLIS, AND TO OUR ARCHDIOCESE. WE ARE AT THIS CROSSROAD. AND, WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN SOME STEPS ON THE RIGHT PATHWAY. WILL YOU HELP??? With Love, and for the Parish Council, Ed Lofgren Page #9

10 MARCH 5, SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY LETTER Page #10

11 PROPOSAL FOR CHURCH EXTERIOR REPAIRS NOTE: For information on the preliminary architectural services proposal please refer to the next page. Page #11

12 PRELIMINARY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES PROPOSAL Page #12

13 STEWARDSHIP & ANNUAL BUDGET REPORTS STEWARDSHIP REPORT - MARCH BY GEORGE BELEZOS Status Date LAST YEAR THIS YEAR 2/19/2017 Stewards as of date Fulfilled pledge as of date Pledged as of date $27,159 $40,958 Received as of date $15,186 $14,801 Agonstino, Diane This report is updated as of Luisi, Kerri Alex, Thomas 2/19/2017. We apologize for any Lyons Anastos, Adrienne errors or ommissions. If you you Maginnis, Paul & Karen Anastos, Arthur & Stacey see any errors or ommissions, Martin, Cynthia & James Antoniadis Spiros & Barbara please contact George Belezos or Martin, Matthew Athanasiou, Lois Faye Papadopolous. Thank you. Martin, Thomas Barber, Maria (Argos) & James McDonald, Brian & Terry Belezos, George & Katina Paine, Kaitlin Bolio, Jason & Stephanie Panetsos, Lois Booras, Peter & Angeliki Papadonis, Paul & Mary Bourikas, Peter & Susan Papadopolous, George & Faye Brunelle, Catherine & Eric Papadopoulos, Michael & Cambas, Fr. Constantine & Marilou Polimenakos, Constantinos Caradonna, Joan Poulos, Peter & Lucy Caruso, Anthony Prasopoulos, Dimitri Cesario, Sal and Elena Reese, Philip Chamberlain, Douglas & Evelyn Rumble, Christina Costas, Charles & Sharon Rumble, Donna Daulous, James Sedell, Eva Dedes, James & Cindy Smith, Kevin & Joanne Desilets, Arianna and Bradford Smith, Rebecca Doku, Dr. Joanna Sofis, Ernie & Mary Emanuel, Mildred Styles, Al & Stacey Fyfe, Francis Theodoro, Nick & Susan Janus, Anastasia Theodorou, Efstratios & Angela Kelley, Joanne & Richard Theodorou, Nancy Kent, Richard & Marianne Valles, Michael Kimball, Theodora Verenis, Steven & Georgia Koutrobis, Christene White, Michael & Andrea Krause, Melanie & Alan Zotos, Fred Lofgren, Edwin & Angela Zotos, Freda PANAGIA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH BUDGET Actual Actual Actual Proposed Budget Income Candles 10, , , , Offering Tray 13, , , , Stewardship 58, , , , Events/ Donations/ Other 23, , , , Total Income 106, , , , Expenses Payroll / Payroll taxes 32, , , , Arch Dio. Clergy benefits - - 1, , Auto Allowance/ Priest other 5, , , , Arch Dio. Dues 12, , , , Rent Expense 10, , , , Candle Expense 2, , , , Insurance Expense 4, , , , Electric 2, , , , Gas Heat 7, , , , Water Waste/ Sewer assessments 1, , , , Telephone 1, , , , Maintenance / Repair of Church 2, , , , Religious Education Events Expense 4, , , Printing / Postage 3, , , , Restoration Payback 2, , , All other (supplies, bank fees, prof. fees) 3, , , , Total Expenses 97, , , , Net Operating Income 9, , , Page #13

14 sunday school Dear Families, Lent begins this month and we have many special lessons planned. All of our students will receive a Lenten Passport and a page of stickers to help them on their own personal journey through Lent. There will be a place to put stickers for the many different Lenten services, as well as places for praying, fasting and almsgiving. I hope you will join us at Sunday School to participate in this special activity, and carry it home to your family. March 5th is the Sunday of Orthodoxy We will be completing an icon project in class, children are also welcome to bring an icon from home for the icon procession at the end of Divine Liturgy. Throughout March,we will be learning about lent and preparing ourselves for Easter. In April we will have a retreat for the Saturday of Lazarus on April 8th. We would love to have the children join us and participate in the services throughout Holy Week. Please contact myself or Fr. Constantine to see how your family can participate. Sue Theodorou - suzantheodorou@gmail.com (781) MARCH - LENT BEGINS March 5 Sunday of Orthodoxy (Procession) March 12 Sunday School Class March 19 Sunday of the Holy Cross (Procession) March 26 Sunday School Class APRIL April 2 Sunday School Class April 9 Palm Sunday April 16 Easter Sunday Page #14

15 PARISH PRIEST: FR. CONSTANTINE CAMBAS Leave message at Emergency Cell Only: Orthros 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy 9:45 AM. PRESIDENT - Ed Lofgren erl@3amarine.com Phone: Work Home Summer Home Winter SECRETARY - Joan Cara Donna jb3806@hotmail.com TREASURER Susan Theodorou susantheodorou@gmail.com VICE PRESIDENT Michael Papadopoulos michaelpapadopoulos@verizon.net Phone: BOARD MEMBERS: OUR PARISH COUNCIL Eva Sedell evasedell@gmail.com Phone: Arianna Desilets Arianna.dedes@gmail.com Phone: BUILDING & GROUNDS: Ed Lofgren, George Papadopolous & Michael Papadopoulos COMMUNICATIONS/BULLETIN michaelpapadopoulos@verizon.net Phone: COMMITTEE MEMBERS Faye Papadopolous/Stewardship Home Faye Papadopolous Phone: Joanne Kelley kelley2000@comcast.net Phone: Home Donna Rumble donnadonna365@yahoo.com Terry McDonald bmacky4@aol.com Diane Agostino Phone: daskala@comcast.net STEWARDSHIP: George P. Belezos gpbelezos@bendongear.com OUTREACH Fr. Constantine Cambas Cynthia Dedes YOUTH GROUPS Presbytera Marilou Cambas mcambas@verizon.net Phone: SUNDAY SCHOOL: Susan Theodorou Kerri Vallas Luisi Phone: kluisi313@aol.com Nancy Theodorou Capt.nansea@gmail.com Phone: Page #15

16 THE NATIVITY OF THE VIRGIN MARY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 811 Jerusalem Road Cohasset, Massachusetts