PHILOPTOCHOS CORNER. Our warmest wishes as you join our St. Nicholas Family. January 2018 DATES TO REMEMBER JANUARY NEWS BRIEFS WELCOME, DEACON ALEX!

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1 PHILOPTOCHOS CORNER January 2018 St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 3109 Scio Church Road Ann Arbor, Michigan JANUARY NEWS BRIEFS A new year is just beginning, and our Philoptochos has already started planning activities and projects for DATES TO REMEMBER SUNDAY, JANUARY 7 Annual Vasilopita WELCOME, DEACON ALEX! Our Philoptochos welcomes Deacon Alexandru Radulescu and his family to our St. Nicholas parish and community. Deacon Alex will begin serving our parish on January 15 followed by his ordination on January 20. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 General Meeting More information to follow * * * SATURDAY, JANUARY a.m. IN SYMPATHY We wish to express our deepest condolences to Father Vasili and his family on the passing of his father, Demetrios, in Greece. May his memory be eternal Αἰωνία του ἡ μνήμη Ordination to the Priesthood Deacon Alexandru Radulescu Our warmest wishes as you join our St. Nicholas Family

2 HEALTH TIPS! GET MOVING! STRESS LESS! The holidays are over, and everyone enjoyed all of the goodies that went along with the wonderful holiday get-togethers. Now it s time to get moving so keep these tips in mind as you make your New Year s Resolutions. Here are a few non-gym moves to help you get fit. Know the Ropes Jumping rope is one of the most effectives calorieburning exercises. Just 10 minutes can burn anywhere from calories. Kitchen Counter Push-Ups Lean forward at an angle and place your hands on the edge of the counter. Bend your elbow to lower your body toward the counter and then push back up to straighten arms. Walk It Off! Keep it simple and just start walking, but be sure to have the proper walking shoes with good support. Sneak in extra steps throughout the day and take a brisk 15-minute walk a few times a week to get your heart pumping. You ll feel the difference! Many of us have a lot going on in our lives, but we need to remember to use some stress relievers. Some suggestions are... Create Me Time Long for a few moments that are just for you? Once a week wake up a little earlier and enjoy a few moments of solo, quiet time with your coffee or tea. Take Time to Breathe Deep breathing can slow your heart rate and reduce your stress level. How to: Breathe in slowly through your nose, then exhale through your mouth. Repeat until you feel yourself start to relax. Clear Your Mind Before going to bed, make a quick to-do list for the next day. Making a plan will help you relax and leave the stress of your day behind you leading to a good night s sleep. And a few more... Play your favorite song Power off phone, TV, computer especially a couple of hours before bedtime Eat healthy meals Offer and accept help Close your eyes Visualize something positive Make time for exercise Go for a walk Say no when you need to Celebrate when things go well!

3 SAINT BASIL THE GREAT Feast Day--January 1 VASILOPITA One of the most beautiful, inspiring traditions and customs of the Greek Orthodox Church is the observance of the Vasilopita. It is this annual family observance, together with many other traditions of our Church, which joins our Orthodox Faith and heritage with the history of the Christian religion itself. The word Vasilopita is a compound Greek word meaning the sweet 'bread of Basil. The name Basil also means royal or kingly from the Greek word Basileios. During the 4th century, one of the greatest Fathers of the Christian Church appeared on the spiritual horizon of the Orthodox Faith. His name was Basil and he was Bishop of Caesarea, Cappadocia (Asia Minor). He was born four years after the First Ecumenical Council held in the year 325 A.D. Saint Basil was one of the three Cappadocian Fathers of the Church (the others were Gregory of Nazianzus, his best friend, and his brother, Gregory of Nyssa). Saint Basil was the first person in human history to establish an orphanage for little children. He also founded the first Christian hospital in the world. His fame as a Holy Man spread like wildfire throughout the Byzantine world. He was considered one of the most wise and compassionate clergymen in the entire history of the Church. The Church, therefore, in respect for his many contributions to the Church and to mankind in general, combined the joy and happiness of the New Year with the glory of the birth of Christ and the Epiphany into what is known in the Orthodox Church as the Vasilopita Observance. We would like to wish a Happy Name Day and Χρόνια Πολλά to Father Vasili and to everyone with the name Vasili or Vasiliki CUTTING OF THE VASILOPITA Once Father Nick blesses the Vasilopita that has been prepared by a parishioner, he then proceeds to cut and distribute each piece as follows: 1 st piece for Christ 2 nd piece Holy Theotokos 3 rd piece St. Basil 4 th piece St. Nicholas 5 th and remaining pieces for the organizations and various people in our community The person who receives the piece containing the coin is traditionally considered to blessed and to have good luck during the new year. This age-old tradition commenced in the 4th century when Saint Basil the Great, who was a bishop, wanted to distribute money to the poor in his Diocese. He commissioned some women to bake sweetened bread in which he arranged to place gold coins. Thus, the families, in cutting the bread to nourish themselves, were pleasantly surprised to find the coins. Sweets are added to the bread that symbolize the sweetness and joy of life everlasting. It also symbolizes the hope that the New Year will be filled with the sweetness of life, liberty, health, and happiness for all who participate in the Vasilopita Observance.

4 RECIPE OF THE MONTH Vasilopita LOOKING AHEAD IN 2018 PROMISE YOURSELF To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind Preheat oven to 350 degrees Grease 10 round pan 2 sticks unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 3 eggs Grated rind of 2 oranges and 2 lemons 1/2 tsp. mahlepi OR 2 tsp. mastiha OR 1 tbsp. anise flavoring 4 cups flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup milk 1 egg yolk blended with 1 tbsp. milk Sesame seeds and blanched almonds A clean coin Cream butter and sugar until light/fluffy Add eggs one at a time; beat well after each Add orange/lemon rind/spices Sift together 3 cups flour, baking powder, salt Gradually add flour to creamed mixture and mix on low speed alternately with milk; batter will be thick Using wooden spoon, gradually blend in remaining flour Spread batter in pan Press coin in batter and cover well Brush with egg/milk mixture and sprinkle with sesame seeds Press almonds into top to make a Cross Bake for 45 minutes until golden brown and cool 10 minutes before slicing To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet To make all of your friends feel that there is something of importance in them To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and expect only the best To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and greet every living creature you meet with a smile To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble WHO WILL BE THE LUCKY PERSON TO FIND THE COIN?

5 ANNUAL ST. NICHOLAS DINNER DANCE What a FUN evening! Our Philoptochos sponsored the annual St. Nicholas Dinner Dance that was held at the Polo Fields Golf and Country Club on December 2, Our two-year Chapter Challenge continues to be the focus of our fundraisers. Proceeds from the dance were earmarked for helping to build a playground at Creating Brighter Futures a center for autistic children in Ann Arbor. As you can see, the event was well attended with everyone enjoying one another s parea and dancing the night away. Our President Vangie Kolokithas welcomed guests and introduced Metropolitan Nicholas, Deacon Alexandru Radulescu, and the representatives from Creating Brighter Futures who joined us for the festivities. Many thanks to Co-Chairs Cerene Boudrie and Katerina Roumanis for a most splendid evening!

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