ARK - ΚΙΒΩΤΟΣ Μ ΗΝΙ ΑΙΟ ΔΕΛ ΤΙΟ ΤΗ Σ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΟΡΘΟΔ ΟΞΗ Σ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙ ΑΣ ΤΗ Σ ΚΟΙΜΗΣΕ ΩΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟ ΚΟ Υ

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1 JUNE & JULY / 2018 VOLUME 13, 6&7 The H ARK - ΚΙΒΩΤΟΣ M ONTHL Y BULLE TIN OF THE ASS UM PTION OF OUR MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS GREEK ORTHODOX CH U RCH Μ ΗΝΙ ΑΙΟ ΔΕΛ ΤΙΟ ΤΗ Σ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΟΡΘΟΔ ΟΞΗ Σ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙ ΑΣ ΤΗ Σ ΚΟΙΜΗΣΕ ΩΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟ ΚΟ Υ Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 111 Island Pond Road Manchester NH Phone: (603) Fax: (603) info@assumptionnh.org Facebook: ASSUMPTIONgocNH Links and Resources Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Boston Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople 1 Saints Peter & Paul, June 29 th Αγίων Πέτρου & Παύλου, 29 Ιουνίου

2 Reverend Father Gregory Trakas Office Hours Tuesday & Thursday 1-4 PM or by appointment Parish Council 2018 President... Costa Georgopoulos Vice President. James Folopoulos Treasurer... Peter Xintaras Secretary... Arthur Bakolas Harold Guidicelli Stathis Kapellakis Nick Karagianis Kathy Papakostas Penny Papastathis Kerrie Poplin Helen Rainey Anthony Tsekrekas Philoptochos Board 2017 President...Lucie Skouteris Vice President...Maria Chronas Treasurer.. Helen Rainey Recording Secretary..Michelle Kapos Corresponding Secretary..Andrea Moutsioulis Natl. & Local Boards Liaison...Mariana Gasis Advisor... Nancy Mardanes Martha Galanis Evangelia Gregorious Staff Artemis Lazos Secretary...Janet Malin Chanter.Vasilios Rokas Choir Director.Karen Brook YOUTH MINISTRIES Directors GOYA & Jr. GOYA Stavroula Bakolas JOY....Julie Karagianis Mommy & Me..Ranya Karatzoulidis PARISH SCHOOLS Sunday School Co- Directors...Theohare Kapellakis Ranya Karatzoulidis Greek School Director George Kitsis Teacher.Alexandra Bruttaniti Advisor.Connie Stamoulis Dance Instructor Angela Bourassa Fr. Gregory Trakas Sophia Annas James Folopoulos Ellen Healy Nick Karagianis Newsletter Editors Janet Malin Nancy Mardanes Kathy Papakostas Helen Rainey Address Changes Please notify the Church Office if you are moving so that we may update our database. Thank you! Pastoral Home Visitation If a loved one is in the hospital, a nursing home, or house-bound for any reason, please contact Fr. Gregory Trakas at the Church office to arrange a visit. The Ark is published monthly by the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 111 Island Pond Road, Manchester, NH

3 Parish Priest In our Orthodox Tradition, there are four major fast periods throughout the year: the Nativity Fast which begins on November 15 th, Great Lent which begins on Clean Monday, the Dormition Fast which begins on August 1 st, and the Holy Apostles Fast which begins on the Monday after All Saints Sunday (which this year is on June 4 th ), and ends on June 29 th, the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul. From all the fasts mentioned above, the Holy Apostles Fast is unique. Whereas the other three fasts last a specific number of days, the Holy Apostles Fast varies in length. In some years it can be as long as five weeks and in other years it may only be one or two days. It can even not occur at all! This is because this fast depends on the Sunday of All Saints. Now, the Sunday of All Saints is the first Sunday after Pentecost, which in itself is a movable feast (it is celebrated on a different Sunday every year). Another characteristic of the Holy Apostles Fast, which distinguishes it from the other three, is that this fast is not as strict. Fish, wine and oil can be consumed throughout the fast, except on Wednesdays and Fridays which are the only strict fast days. Because we are allowed to eat fish, this fast is also called white fast. The origin of the Holy Apostles fast has both a Holy Tradition and a Holy Scripture basis. As the disciples were preparing to leave Jerusalem in order to spread Christ s message, Holy Tradition tells us they were praying and fasting, asking for God s help with their endeavor. But in Holy Scripture also, when the disciples were accused by the Pharisees that they were not fasting, the Lord replied on their behalf Can the attendants of the Bridegroom mourn while he is still with them? But when the Bridegroom will be taken away from them, then they will fast (Matthew 9:15). Also praying and fasting is mentioned before Barnabas and Saul left the Church of Antioch, following instructions from the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:3). To understand the purpose of the Apostles Fast we should remember that both Saints Peter and Paul worked diligently to establish our Lord s Church. The focus of the Book of Acts is on the ministry of these two saints who preached our Lord crucified and resurrected, putting their own lives in peril and finally paying the ultimate price for Christ - St. Paul by getting beheaded and St. Peter by getting crucified. Hence, the Orthodox Church has always acknowledged Saints Peter and Paul as pillars of the Church, the first among the Apostles, and especially Saint Paul, as a stellar example of what it means to be a missionary. Therefore, during the Holy Apostles Fast we should honor and remember in prayer the missionaries of our Church - those who following the example of the Holy Apostles work night and day to establish Churches in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, under conditions that are often very difficult. As they may frequently have little food and plenty hardship, we should share in their toils from a distance by limiting the abundance of our table. This period of fasting also reminds us that we too have an obligation to be missionaries for Christ. Jesus may have empowered only the Holy Apostles when He said go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), but He has asked all of us to be His witnesses when He said "Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:32). During the Holy Apostles Fast we should remember that each of us can be a disciple for our Lord through our witness. As St. Peter says, Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Peter 3:15). So, we should not only pray for our missionaries overseas, but we should also pray and beseech the Lord that we may also be alert and ready to share the joy of our faith with others. All around us are people who need Christ: our families, our friends, our neighbors, the people we work with. Through our witness, not only is our own faith strengthened, but also the salvation of others can be realized. It is our very witness that transforms us into Christ s light into the world so people may see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16). Parish News We are looking for a Greek School Teacher (please see ad in this bulletin). Please contact us if you are interested or if you can suggest someone. 3

4 In addition, we are looking for Stewardship Committee Volunteers to help with a variety of tasks and help coordinate the Stewardship Program. Stewardship is the main source of income for our church and one of its most crucial ministries. We would love your insight, input and assistance. The next parish council meeting will be on Monday, June 11 th at 7:00 PM. Our half-year General Assembly meeting will be on Sunday, June 24 th after the coffee hour. Summer hours go into effect on Sunday, July 1 st Please come one (1) hour earlier that day! Philoptochos News The next Philoptochos meeting is on Wednesday, June 6 th at 6:30 PM. There will be no meeting in July. Remember that we are accepting donations for the flowers that we need for the services commemorating the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, held between August 1 st and August 15 th. This includes the Paraklesis services as well as the Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy. If you would like to donate money for the flowers, please complete the form below and either give your donation to a Philoptochos Board member, or mail it in the enclosed envelope. Thank you for your support. The Philoptochos Society will host the reception following the Great Vespers service on August 14 th. Please join us in the church hall following the service. We wish everyone a good summer! Lucie Skouteris, President Please cut here and include the bottom portion with your donation in the enclosed envelope FLOWER DONATION NAME: AMOUNT: New Horizons Soup Kitchen The two next New Horizons Soup Kitchen visits will be Sunday, June 24 th and Sunday, July 22 nd, from 4:00-6:00 PM. We are looking for new volunteers to join our group. This is such a rewarding experience; please join us for less than two hours of fellowship with the group from the Assumption Church. If you have any questions, please call the Church Office. Thank you! Choir We are looking for volunteers to join our talented choir. All ages are welcome! Don t be shy if you don t have experience. All that is required is your passion and love for our church! During the summer the choir is not singing but it will be practicing. 4

5 Youth Ministry News Once again, we were thrilled to see our children completing another successful year at both Sunday School and Greek School! Also we wish Zoe Stamoulis, our only High School graduate this year, a great transition to college and a blessed first academic year in Arizona. We will miss her! HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE Zoe Stamoulis, daughter of Alkis & Joni Stamoulis, will be graduating from Manchester Memorial High School and will be attending Arizona State University. She will be majoring in Nursing. COLLEGE GRADUATE Demetri Papakostas, son of Tim and Kathy Papakostas, graduated Suma Cum Laude from Villanova University with a double degree in Physics and Statistics. He will be continuing for a PhD in Statistics and Data Analysis. Congratulations graduates! Blessings to all our children and families! Have a safe and fun summer. We look forward to seeing you during Sunday Divine Liturgy throughout the summer months! Once again, thank you to our Youth directors, teachers, advisors and to all our volunteers who helped make this past year a tremendous success for our children! Our Youth Ministry events require a lot of planning and effort. We are grateful to all of you for a job well done! More help is needed, however. We ask that anyone interested in joining our Youth Team, please contact Fr. Gregory, Stavroula Bakolas or a Youth Team member today. Be part of planting the seeds of the future of our Church and help it to grow! IMPORTANT DATES PANAGIA BE WITH ALL OF YOU! June 3 rd - Graduate Sunday: Sunday School, High School and College graduate recognition June 3 rd - Godparent Sunday. It is a Sunday designated to honoring and fostering the relationship between Godparents and Godchildren. Godparents and Godchildren are encouraged to invite each other to attend the Divine Liturgy and receive Holy Communion together. This way they can renew their love for and devotion to the Lord and thank Him for each other. We also encourage Godparents to attend Sunday School with their Godchildren. Classes begin at 10:15 in the School Building. Following the Divine Liturgy, there will also be a special coffee hour for all to enjoy in the Church Hall. If the Godparents live far away, Godchildren are encouraged to invite a favorite aunt, uncle or close family friend to stand in as their special guest for the day. June 17 th - Father s Day: Please join us for our festive brunch! Happy Father s Day to all dads! 5

6 GREEKFEST: Saturday, August 25 th & Sunday, August 26 th Youth Ministry at Greekfest Everyone can help at the Kids Corner during Greekfest. Please come by and help out with the children s craft table and other fun things we have planned. More specifically, we need the help of the following: Adult family members to organize the Kid s Corner and supervise the kids. Altar boys and other youth boys to collect and clean trays. JOY children to help in the arts and craft table. We need you to help the children who come to our booth. GOYANS and other young adults to help at the snack and soda area. PLEASE CONTACT A YOUTH DIRECTOR TO BE PART OF THE FUN. SEE YOU ALL THERE! Time for Kid s Summer Camp at Contoocook, NH Register your youth to one of the sessions above and Youth Ministry will contribute to the cost! This is a wellworth it and fun opportunity for your youths to make new friends and have a memorable week by the lake! 6

7 GREEKFEST 2018 CALLING ALL PARISHIONERS!!! Our 2018 Greekfest will be held on Saturday August 25 th and Sunday August 26 th Festival hours: Saturday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM / Sunday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Putting this event together is a massive undertaking requiring over 100 volunteers each hour the festival is open! This is our largest fundraiser of the year and we need your help! Many of you have worked for years to make this event a success. But, we need more help and new blood to renew our energies. Please don t be shy! We welcome your assistance, ideas and time. The following are specific needs we have at the moment. Please call if you can offer something or know a source for us to pursue. Right now we are in need of: Donations of all kinds including: monetary, supplies, food, beverage, your time and talents Donations of money and/or prizes for the Penny Sale Table Cooks to join the women of the Philoptochos on designated days to prepare specific Greek foods prior to the Festival Sounds like a lot of work and it certainly is, but the more help we have, the fewer hours each one of us needs to work! This is a great way to meet new people! It is a lot of fun and a very gratifying way to give back to the Church. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE ALREADY HARD AT WORK ON FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES! If you have questions, please contact the Church Office or Costa Georgopoulos at If you like to participate, please fill out the following pledge form and return it to the Church Office Kitchen Loukoumathes Booth Gyro Booth Food Line (servers) Pastry Booth PLEDGE FORM - GREEKFEST 2018 Salad Station Bar Tray pick-up Penny Sale Table Raffle Table Any station Kids Crafts Kids Games Setting up tables-friday afternoon 8/24 Taking down tables-sunday evening 8/26 Trash pick-up Name: Address: City/State: Phone Number: Cell Number: Days I can help Friday, August 24 th Saturday, August 25 th Sunday, August 26 th Hours I can help From: To: From: To: From: To: 7

8 PENNY RAFFLE ITEMS NEEDED! ΧΡΕΙΑΖΟΜΑΣΤΕ ΔΩΡΕΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΗ ΛΑΧΕΙΟΦΟΡΟ ΑΓΟΡΑ Gift Certificates to Restaurants, Home Depot, Dunkin Donuts, Barnes & Noble, Massages, Spa Kitchen Appliances Bakeware CoffeeMaker/Keurig Watch or FitBit Electronics Jewelry Cookware Kids Toys/Games Outdoor Items Power Tools Purse or Wallet Bicycles Please drop off items to the church hall by August 19 th, Monetary donations can also be made to help purchase gift certificates or larger items. Παρακαλούμε να φέρετε τα διάφορα προϊόντα και τις δωρεές σας στο χώλ της εκκλησίας μέχρι τις 19 Αυγούστου, Ευχαριστούμε πολύ για την υποστήριξή σας σε αυτή τή τόσο σημαντική εκδήλωση της εκκλησίας μας! Thank you for supporting your church in this very important fund raising event! 8

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10 Sacraments & Services When planning a baptism or wedding, please check church availability BEFORE booking your reception hall. Thank you! Baptisms May 6 th - Sophia, daughter of Chrysoula & Andreas Miti May 20 th - Agoritsa, daughter of Stephanie Kotromanos & Miguel DeJesus Funerals May 8 th - Anthie Alexiou May 21 st - James Tournidis June 4 th - Mary Argeropoulos Memorial Services May 6 th - Elias Pliakos 3 Years Planning Memorials When planning for a memorial, please contact the Church Office at There is a particular altar wine and incense we use. Please call for details! PLANNED GIVING is a gesture that comes from the heart! Leave a legacy! As you plan your financial future, please remember your Parish. There are several types of planned donations to consider. Here are a few of them to consider. In all cases, please consult your financial advisor for more information. Charitable Bequests: Once you secure the well-being of your family, you may choose to include in your will a significant donation to your church. Gifts of Life Insurance: Using a life insurance policy makes it possible to make a major gift while protecting the inheritance of one s heir(s). Gifts of Listed Securities: The gift of publicly listed securities, bonds, mutual fund units or other similar securities is one of the most fiscally advantageous ways to make a substantial donation to a charitable organization because the donor will avoid paying tax on capital gains. The gift of shares or other securities will give rise to a tax credit. It is more advantageous to transfer the securities directly rather than to donate the proceeds collected from selling the securities. This type of donation is advisable to those who wish to make a substantial donation without encroaching on their liquid assets, or to those who own shares or other securities which have significantly increased in value since their acquisition. Charitable Annuities: A charitable gift annuity consists of a donation of money or other assets to a charitable organization in exchange for guaranteed earnings for life or for a determined period of time RECOGNITION It is with much love and appreciation we have received a considerable bequest made to our parish which we feel should be recognized. This benefactor is Margaret Spanos. Her thoughtfulness is a tribute to her caring and desire for our parish to prosper and grow for generations to come. May her memory be eternal. 10

11 April Stewardship Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Apostolos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Ash Alketa Bardho Mr. & Mrs. Christos Chalogias Mr. & Mrs. John Costes Mr. & Mrs. Richard Dryer Mrs. Christos Georgopoulos Evangelia Gregorious Gjergji Grosi Mr. & Mrs. Harold Guidicelli Ellen Healy Lazarus Kalamplikis Arthur Kamberis Demetrios Kamberis Mr. & Mrs. Stathis Kapellakis Mr. & Mrs. John Karagianis Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Kostakis Mr. & Mrs. David Labore Mr. & Mrs. Scott MacDonald Essie Manelas John Manelas Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Matteo Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Meimetis Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Miti Panagiota Papastathis Paraskeve Pelky Efthalia Peters Mr. & Mrs. Christos Petrakos Mr. & Mrs. Mark Piet Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Poplin Helen Rainey Mr. & Mrs. George Tingos Fr. Gregory Trakas Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Tsekrekas Mr. & Mrs. Yianni Tsihlis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Xintaras BE GREEN! SAVE PAPER, PRINTING & MAILING COSTS. This bulletin can be sent paperless. us at and sign up for bulletin delivery! What is Christian Stewardship? Christian Stewardship is: * learning how to be a responsible and concerned caretaker of Christ s Church * learning how to enjoy Church life and be happy in Church work, for in Her dwells the fullness of the Spirit of God * our active commitment to use all our time, talent and treasure for the benefit of humankind in grateful acknowledgment of Christ s redeeming love * caring for the needs of others * offering one s self to God as He offered Himself to us * what a person does after saying I believe as proof of that belief * devotion and service to God and His Church as persons, as families, as diocese & metropolis, as national Church and as Church universal. As Christian Stewards we are called to give back to God from the first fruits of our labor. We support our parish and its ministries in a deliberate way and not with only what is left over after everything else has been taken care of! Easter Donations Sophia Annas Voula Annas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Chronas Mrs. Christos Georgopoulos Ellen Healy Mr. & Mrs. Elias Kalampalikis Arthur Kamberis Mr. & Mrs. David Labore Mr. & Mrs. Robert Leuchs Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Moutsioulis Mr.& Mrs. Demetrios Nakos Helen Rainey Lucie Skouteris Mr. & Mrs. John Stergioulis Olga Sysyn Mr. 11 & Mrs. Yiannis Voyiatzakis Donations in Memory of Shirley Camberis Niky O Neil Pauline Pappas Elias Pliakos Theodosia Liolios James Tournidis Fuel Fund Donations Mr. & Mrs. Scott MacDonald Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Pashos Todd Vanderheyden Business Ad for Bulletin Cain & Janosz Funeral Home $ Connor Healy Funeral Home $ Easter Flowers Mr. & Mrs. David Labore 2018 Frederika Kalampalikis Nicholas Koustas METROPOLIS MINISTRY AWARD RECIPIENT Ad book Donations: $1,265.00

12 2018 METROPOLIS MINISTRY AWARD RECIPIENT MARIANA BAKOLAS GASIS We congratulate Mariana Bakolas Gasis who will receive the Metropolis of Boston Ministry Award from Metropolitan Methodios at the annual awards banquet on Sunday, June 10 th. For over 50 years, Mariana has been a dedicated steward of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Manchester NH. Over this period, Mariana has served as a Sunday School teacher and Director, and in many other Youth Ministry advisory and teaching positions. She has also been a member of the Building Committee, the Friends of the Assumption Church Fundraising Committee and the Elections Committee. Mariana has also served on a number of Dinner and Dance committees, including those for our church s 75 th Anniversary in Mariana has also been an active member of our Philoptochos Soteria Society for over 25 years, serving as secretary and treasurer in years past. Currently, she serves as the National & Local Board Liaison. Through Philoptochos, Mariana has helped at Bazaars, Bake Sales and many other fundraising and community events. She also works tirelessly for our annual Greekfest, which takes place late August. Mariana was born in Avgerinos, Kozanis, Greece. In early 1967, she traveled to the United States with her parents Dimitrios and Vasiliki Bakolas and settled in Manchester NH. It was in that year her family jointed the Assumption Church. Mariana graduated from Manchester Central High School and received a BA in Education from Notre Dame College in Manchester NH. In 1982, Mariana married George Gasis. They are proud parents of their two daughters, Polixeni and Stergiani, both of whom were raised active members of our church s Youth Ministries. Now, they have graduated college and have gone on to their own successful careers. In 2016, Polixeni married Brendan Mulcahy, making Mariana the proudest Yiayia when Natalia Vasiliki was born in Mariana works for the Manchester School District in Special Education. Her greatest joy is spending time with her granddaughter Natalia Vasiliki. She also enjoys cooking and reading. 12

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14 Pamphlet/Brochure display case: $250 Two (2) Wooden Icon stands: $2,000 each (est.) One Hundred (100) Div. Liturgy Pew Books: $20 each (est.) Church Wish List - Donations Wanted Three (3) Holy Table, Gospel & Holy Gifts cloth covers: $2,000 each (est.) Eight (8) Wooden Chairs for Holy Altar: $800 each (est.) Granite platform for our historic bell in the rotary: $10,000 (est.) Greek School Teacher Wanted The candidate should be fluent in speaking, reading, and writing Greek. He or she should have some experience in teaching and motivating classroom interaction. He or she should also be able to handle children with different knowledge levels within the same class environment. The right candidate should also be: active in the liturgical life of the parish; comfortable with children & a good role model for them; dependable, flexible, punctual, conscientious, honest, trustworthy & selfmotivated; a team-player willing to share knowledge & assistance; open to learning & applying new skills/knowledge; able to work well under pressure & to handle multiple tasks; able to communicate effectively & diplomatically, and a good problem solver & decision maker. BUSINESS CARD ADVERTISING If you would like to advertise your business card in our monthly bulletin, please contact the Church Office. A business card format, about 2 ½ x 1 ½ will run for a period of 12 months for one set fee of $ a year. This will help us defray the ever-increasing costs of printing and mailing these bulletins to our homes and at the same time you will be advertising your business to our parishioners and through word of mouth to their friends. 14 This is a great opportunity for all!

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16 Road NH NON-PROFIT O G. US POSTAGE PAID MANCHESTER, PERMIT NO Sunday School Graduation