Promise. 50 th. The. St. Athanasios the Great JANUARY 18 Athanasios was born in Alexandria. Wait for the promise of the Father 1

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1 Promise The 50 th HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ANNIVERSARY January 2017 ^ Volume 41, Issue 1 holytrinity@htgocnj.org holytrinitywestfield.org To the reverend clergy and dear laity of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield, New Jersey, our beloved in the Lord: May God's grace and peace be with you. It is with great paternal joy that we greet all of you on the momentous occasion of your community's fiftieth anniversary. The Christ-centered piety and devotion of your parishioners over the years has, indeed, developed into a spiritually prosperous Christian presence and witness. During the past half-century, the outpouring of their ardent love for heavenly wisdom became a nourishing source for all the people living near or visiting your region, and like gushing rivers of living water it poured out from there in due course and spread throughout the holy Metropolis and Archdiocese. The festive celebrations organized to mark this significant milestone will certainly commemorate all of your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord and, at the same time, honor all of the collective work you have graciously offered over the years. We commend you for all that you have achieved together and for bearing throughout an apostolic phronema centered upon encouraging the loving ministry of your shepherds. As "you are our glory and joy" borrowing the words of the Apostle Paul this new chapter in the history of your community has brought to us much heartfelt gladness, most especially to our brother hierarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey. Thus, congratulating all of you, we convey to you and your families our Patriarchal blessings and prayers. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. At the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the second of October, 2016 Your fervent supplicant before God, BARTHOLOMEW Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch St. Athanasios the Great JANUARY 18 Athanasios was born in Alexandria in the year 296 A.D. and from his early childhood had an inclination to the spiritual life. He was a deacon to Archbishop Alexander and accompanied him to the First Ecumenical Council [Nicaea, 325 A.D.]. It was at this Council that Athanasios became renowned for his learning, devotion to and zeal for Orthodoxy. He contributed greatly to destroy the heresy of Arius and to strengthen Orthodoxy. He wrote the Symbol of Faith [The Creed] which was adopted at the Council. Following the death of Alexander, Athanasios was elected Archbishop of Alexandria. In his Continued on page 4 Wait for the promise of the Father 1

2 Dates in the Life of Our Church January / February 2017 JANUARY 1 Naming of the Lord/St. Basil the Great 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy No Sunday School 3 4:00 PM Greek School 5:30 PM Vasilopita 5 Paramoni of Theophany 8:30 AM Orthros & Royal Hours of Epiphany 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy with the Lesser Blessing of Waters 4:00 PM Greek School 5:30 PM Vasilopita 7:30 PM Choir 6 Holy Theophany 8:30 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy with the Greater Blessing of Waters 7 St. John the Baptist 8:45 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 8 8:15 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 10 4:00 PM Greek School 7:00 PM Philoptochos Board Meeting 7:30 PM Parish Council 12 9:30 AM TOTS 4:00 PM Greek School 7:30 PM Choir 15 8:15 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 17 St. Anthony the Great 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 11:00 AM Trinity Circle 4:00 PM Greek School 7:00 PM Great Vespers in Paramus 18 St. Athanasios the Great 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 19 4:00 PM Greek School 7:30 PM Choir 21 11:00 AM Baptism 6:30 PM Greek Dance at Galloping Hill 22 St. Timothy the Apostle 8:15 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 11:45 AM Philoptochos Vasilopita 23 8:00 PM NNJYC 25 St. Gregory the Theologian 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 26 9:30 AM TOTS 4:00 PM Greek School 7:30 PM Choir 28 6:00 PM Metropolis of NJ Greek Letters Celebration 29 8:15 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 30 The Three Hierarchs 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 31 4:00 PM Greek School FEBRUARY 2 Presentation of the Lord into the Temple 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 4:00 PM Greek School 7:30 PM Choir 4 8:00 AM Metropolis of NJ Religious Ed. Seminar 5 8:15 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 7 4:00 PM Greek School 7:00 PM Philoptochos Board Meeting 8 St. Theodore the Commander 8:30 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 9 9:30 AM TOTS 4:00 PM Greek School 7:30 PM Choir 11 5:30 PM JOY/HOPE Apokriatiko Glendi 12 8:15 AM Orthros; 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy 12:00 PM Trinity Circle Bake Sale 2 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey

3 Opiate Addiction On Sunday, December 4, 2016, Father Peter delivered a sermon about opiate addiction. Parishioners asked for it to be published in the next addition of The Promise. Below is an edited version of the sermon s notes providing some additions for clarity. A SERMON BY REV. FR. PETER DELVIZIS Like many Greeks, I grew up in a household where a parent smoked. My dad from an early age began the habit of smoking that continues even to this day. When I was a bit older, I began referring to smoking as, to liba vni tou diabovlou, or the incense of the devil. My father is a very faithful man who is committed to the Orthodox faith and to his credit all five of his sons and their families continue to be weekly church-going individuals who are active in a local Orthodox parish. When going to church, my father taught us, like every Orthodox Christian, we were not to eat any snacks or have breakfast. This really was not a big deal to the family; it was simply what an Orthodox Christian did before receiving Holy Communion. It did, however, create a bit of an enigma within me thinking: If we can t have anything by mouth before church on Sunday, how can my father be smoking a cigarette on our way to church. My dad is a bit of a pragmatist. In response to my questioning of his habit, especially on Sunday morning, he would plainly state, I m addicted to cigarette smoking. To his credit and comfort to the family he tried stopping on many occasions. Unfortunately, he has never met with success. I open with this story about smoking as a way of introduction to another silent drug epidemic, much more sinister and hideous than cigarette smoking. Opiate addiction is sweeping our nation and is affecting every town and community in America, and both parent and teenager need to be aware of this. Opiate-based drugs are drugs like OxyContin, oxycodone, morphine, opium, and heroin. Of these, heroin is the deadliest since it is the most readily available, cheapest, and most potent of all the opiates. As with any addiction, opiate addiction knowns no age, gender, community or religious restriction. It can impose itself on anyone. If smoking is the incense of the devil, then heroin is the communion of the devil. If smoking is the incense of the devil, then heroin is the communion of the devil. This substance is the utmost manifestation of the devil on the streets today. The devil will grab and hold on to things for a lifetime. He will mimic that which is good offering to us in its place something whose truth and reality has been twisted. He enjoys the manipulation of the mind from its present reality, always adding in the end some type of euphoria or excited mental state just to maintain control over you. His distortions of that which is God-given are ominous paths leading to obsession, addiction, and finally to death. Holy Communion is God-given. It is exceptionally potent in that one small drop or one morsel is all that is needed for a beneficial outcome. It brings to the partaker life and union with God. Heroin is also very potent. In similar fashion, one trivial plunge can thoroughly change the course of a life by creating a lifetime addict. If we shed some light upon the subject, we may understand why heroin can be called the communion of the devil. Holy Communion is celebrated openly, majestically, and together amongst a community of believers. It leads to an increase of faith and a self-surrendering to God. Heroin hastens an unhealthy withdrawal from family and community; it creates an obsessive and then criminal nature within a person. Holy Communion uplifts the believer and lightens the soul, while heroin seizes a person out rightly making him a prisoner of the nefarious substance. Along with this, it captures the soul and makes it a plaything for the devil. Holy Communion is the pathway to salvation and eternal life. Heroin seeks to destroy everyone!! Not only the user through death, but also the family who is left behind to mourn. With so many being susceptible to the charms of Hollywood, One thing is certain: drug addiction is not glamourous. My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this epidemic can affect us too and has indeed touched many in our own parish. This coming week, I will preside over the funeral of a 25-yearold. In addition to this, parents have spoken to me about their struggles and sufferings caused by opiate addition within their own family. With so many being susceptible to the charms of Hollywood and the drug scene found in multimedia, there is one thing that is certain: drug addiction is not glamourous. Society may attempt to trick us into believing that one can manage drug use. Case in point is the current positioning of legalized marijuana. This posture is seriously jeopardizing since it teaches that one can actually manage drug use. The Department of Health and Human Services has already corroborated the fact that cigarette smoking is harmful. There is a direct relationship between cigarette smoking and diseases such as lung cancer and emphysema. Yet, current advocates of marijuana use overlook these links and the fact that smoke from marijuana contains over 20% more toxins than tobacco. Toxins like hydrogencyanide, ammonia, nitric oxide are found abundantly in marijuana smoke. The altered state or escape from reality found in the high cannot be overlooked as incongruent with Christian life. A responsible modern society would hasten the scientific field to study the extraction of any beneficial compounds found in marijuana to be used in pill or tablet form so as to avoid smoke inhalation and the associated toxins. The fundamental problem and cardinal mistake comes from the mind of the person who thinks he can manage drug use. That same mind will continue to assume that he can as easily manage opiates as he does marijuana use. Trouble begins not so much with the drug of cannabis but within the mind of an individual. Opiates are insidious in that the addiction is twofold. Upon use, both physiological and psychological dependencies occur. These are impossible to break. Continued on page 4 The Promise ^ January 2017 ^ Volume 41, Issue 1 3

4 Continued from page 3 Because we rely heavily upon the English translation of Scripture, we oftentimes miss the nuanced differences found in the Greek language. One case in point is the denunciation of drug use in Holy Scripture. The word Farmakeiva (pharmakia)- is a rehabilitated word in English. We translate this word as pharmacy today. Yet the use of this word in Scripture indicates a relationship between the use of drugs and mystic incantations. The English translation is sorcery which is o.k. but not fully accurate. A related word found is Scripture is Farmakeu v~ (pharmakevs) which is not a pharmacist but rather the drug dealer. Scripture makes clear that which we already know - drug use is demonic. The use of the word pharmakia and its condemnation is found in Exodus 7:22; Galatians 5:20; Revelation 9:21. Of these passages, Revelation 18:23 offers a forewarning to those who deal and use drugs. It speaks of our separation with God and the Church. When reading, one must keep in mind the imagery of light and a lamp, and who the Bridegroom and Bride are. The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of the Bridegroom and Bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for in your drugs, potions and spells all the nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on earth. Rev. 18:23 I end with reference to today s Gospel reading, Luke 13: Satan had bound a woman for 18 years, a period of time longer than some of you have been alive. In the end, her suffering was loosened by Christ. As she lived with her condition, she wrestled with it, she battled it, and through Christ became victorious over it. Addiction is a type of possession and a sign of our weakened human nature. It is therefore evident that our connection to Christ is of utmost importance so that those foreign elements of this world do not enter and corrupt the holy image that is planted within us. It is by far best for us to remain sober and to flee the hideous temptations of Satan. Once we allow Satan to create an addictive nature within us, then we allow a host of other demons to enter. So as the Righteous Joseph once did, we run away {Genesis 39:7} from the outward delights of sin and drug use. Always allow the image of Jesus, the One who frees from all types of bondage, to be within the heart and mind. v St. Athanasios the Great Continued from page 1 calling as Archbishop of Alexandria, he remained for forty years, although not for the entire time on the archepiscopal throne of the archbishopric. With few exceptions, throughout his life he was persecuted by heretics. Of the emperors, he was persecuted mostly by Constantius, Julian and Valens; of the bishops, by Eusebius of Nicomedia and many others; and by the heretic Arius and his followers. Athanasios was forced to hide from his persecutors, even in a well, in a grave, in private homes and in the deserts. Twice he was forced to flee to Rome. Only before his death, did he live peacefully for a while as the good shepherd among his good flock who truly loved him. Few are the saints who were so mercilessly slandered and so criminally persecuted as St. Athanasios. His great soul patiently endured all for the love of Christ and, in the end, emerged victorious from this entire, terrible and long-lasting struggle. For counsel, for comfort and for moral support, Athanasios often visited St. Anthony in the desert, whom he respected as his spiritual father. For a man who formulated the greatest truth, Athanasios had much to suffer for that truth until in the year 373 A.D., the Lord gave him repose in His kingdom as His faithful servant. A Reflection From His Theology On the Incarnation To the question: Why did the Son of God appear on earth in a human body and not in another form of creation?, the brilliant St. Athanasios replied in this manner: If they ask why did He not appear in some other better form of creation, for example: as the sun or the moon, or the stars or fire, or the wind but just as a man? Let them know that the Lord did not come to show Himself but to heal and teach sufferers. For, to reveal Himself only to amaze the viewers would mean to come for a show. It was necessary for the Healer and the Teacher, not only to come, but to serve for the benefit of the suffering ones and to reveal Himself as such so that this revelation would be bearable for the sufferers. Not one single creature was in error in the eyes of God, except man alone: neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the sky, nor the stars, nor water, nor wind did betray their ranks but, on the contrary, knowing their Creator and their King - The Word [The Logos], they all remained as they were created; only human beings separated themselves from good and replaced truth with deceit, and the honor belonging to God, as well as the knowledge about Him, they transferred to devils and to men carved out of stone [idols]. What is, therefore, so unbelievable in this, that the Logos [The Word - The Son of God] appeared as a man to save mankind? Indeed, even as we ask the unbelievers of our day: In what form would you wish God to appear, if not as a man? v 4 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey

5 Sacraments &Rites October 10 December 9, 2016 BAPTISMS 11/12/16 Nikolas Stephen, son of Lisa and Christos Pappas, Godparent Mia Pappas Piluso 11/27/16 Charlie Nicholas, son of Sofia and Scott Foster, Godparent is Nicholas McCaffery WEDDINGS 10/23/16 Helen Silverman and James Biniaris 10/29/16 Para Taggart and Panagiotis Tsilios FUNERALS 11/18/16 +Barbara Kikidakis 12/7/16 +William Paul Jacobs CHURCHINGS 10/16/16 Tyler Joseph, son of Christina and Brandon Young NEW MEMBERS Joshua and Christine Cierski 26 Grand View Ave West Orange, NJ Antonios and Petroula Delfinopoulos 1 Bruce Ct. Edison, NJ Ronnie Filippatos 97 Main St. Apt. 2 Millburn, NJ Epiphany House Blessings One of the most beautiful traditions in Orthodox Christianity is the blessing of homes during the Epiphany Season. Just as the entire church is sprinkled with Holy Water on Epiphany Day, our homes are blessed in like manner. The home is seen as a reflection of the parish and is dubbed the little church or mikrh v e jkklhsi va. By blessing the space that we occupy and live in, we dedicate it to God and reaffirm His lordship in our lives. The house blessing is seen as the surrendering of our material possessions and spiritual lives to Christ. The faithful should bless their homes annually during the celebration of Epiphany when the holy water bottles are distributed in church. Periodically, the priest should be invited to bless the home. Fr. Peter would be honored to bless your home. If you would like him to visit and bless your home, please fill out the House Blessing Form and return it to the church office. Alternatively, you may contact the church office to make arrangements. Fr. Peter will bring the Holy Water (agiasmo) and all necessary items. Please have prepared the family icons, incense, and candles, to use if available. v The Promise ^ January 2017 ^ Volume 41, Issue 1 5

6 Parish Council President Report January 2017 BY PETER TARHANIDIS, PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT Philoptochos 2017 Is The Time BY PENNY PEFANIS 6 Having commemorated our 50th Anniversary and celebrated the Nativity of our Lord, we are now in the joyous time of New Years. As we enjoy the festivities and activities and it beckons a time to reflect on our accomplishments and ponder resolutions. During the last Parish Assembly, we reviewed many items of our 2016 parish accomplishments. Some key highlights include, the parish successfully recreated the sacramental life and ministry participation experiences for over 500 parishioners. Over 200 youth members participated in GOYA, Religious and Greek School Education. The annual festival netted approximately $45, Our dome restoration project came in below initial forecast at $30, We announced our new Planned Giving program highlighting a new stewardship pathway for legacy giving. The annual stewardship contribution average rose to $1, to continue to work toward closing our $100, budget shortfall. We celebrated our 50th Anniversary where we shared our emotions and reflections of a vibrant and dynamic parish. We recognized the effort of so many over the years to deliver on our founders' vision to build a church and a community. We have emerged through Thanksgiving renewing our stewardship journey and our commitment to our Holy Trinity family. One activity that extends beyond our Holy Trinity parish is our great acts of charitable giving and donations. Through our ecumenical activities, our acts of giving unify us across interfaith and secular groups that transcend to a higher moral. The Orthodox Christian Church has taken up humanitarian efforts to create platforms to raise awareness for poverty, social injustice, relief aid, crisis reaction and environmental sustainability. These platforms recognize all humans needs. Throughout the Orthodox Christian history, the world has benefited from new structures of philanthropy such as hospitals, orphanages, housing, and schools. Our parish supports humanitarian efforts by contributing to over 90 global organizations and donating $190, Approximately, 65 organizations rely on our support at the parish, Metropolis, Archdiocese and Patriarchate to achieve underfunded Christian Orthodox ministries. Over 25 Global Humanitarian Aid, Health and Medical Services organizations rely on the support we render along with others to achieve their humanitarian efforts. Below is a snapshot of organizations Holy Trinity has assisted. Every year our parish commits to a high level of charitable giving! With your support and God s grace, our hope is to continue to increase these great acts of love. The Parish Council extends its gratitude to all stewards, parishioners and friends of Holy Trinity. We wish each of you a most happy, healthy, and spiritually rewarding New Year! Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:14). v Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey On Sunday, January 1, 2017, we awake to a New Year and are reminded of the essence of the fourth dimension, TIME. In the book of Ecclesiastes, the text describes life that is lived in relationship with God where there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens (Ecc.3:1). And so we continue in faith to look for the Light of Christ in all we endeavor. January also ushers in the service of Theophany. The waters are blessed, verifying that mankind and all of creation was created to be filled with the sanctifying presence of God. Orthodox Christians celebrate the Theophany (the appearance of God to man) of Jesus Christ as the holy day of Epiphany, one of the Great Feasts, commemorating the baptism of Christ by St. John the Baptist. This Great Feast is also referred to as the Feast of Lights. We all light candles in prayer. The light of a candle always pierces the darkness. In church, the candles we light expend themselves during burning as Christ expended Himself in His love for mankind. The Ladies Philoptochos Society continues to focus efforts to help those in need with the renewed strength of the Light of Christ. Throughout the Metropolis of New Jersey and on shores beyond, many Orthodox Christians suffer the basic necessities of life. Food, medical supplies, and clothing are lacking. Physical and emotional illnesses create broken and dysfunctional families that are in dire need of support and assistance. In part, these maladies are addressed with the loving support received from the Holy Trinity Family. As our homes are blessed during the Epiphany Season, as we come together to break bread as one family at the Vasilopita Celebration on Sunday, January 22, 2017, may we re-commit ourselves to the mission of mercy by volunteering our Philoptochos Stewardship so that others may be unburdened. It is always a time to mend and a time to heal (Ecc. 3:7a,3a). Always remember your Philoptochos Stewardship is a beacon of light that pierces the darkness of suffering, helping many in need. v Themis Ganifas, Avi Kiriakatis, Demi Chergotis, Joanne Kallerges, and Marina LoAlbo decorating the parish Christmas Tree

7 The Ladies Philoptochos Society VASILOPITA LUNCHEON & STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY January 22, 2017 immediately following Divine Liturgy The Bouras Center proceeds to benefit the Saint Basil Academy Reserved seating Reservations Deadline January 15th, 2017 Adults - $20 Children 16 & under - $7 Choice of Shrimp Scampi over Pasta Roasted Greek Chicken & Potatoes includes Mezethes, Salad, Wine & Dessert Please mail, the Philoptochos table or your reservation at: Vasilopita2017@gmail.com Checks payable to The Ladies Philoptochos Society HTGOC Name: Phone: #Adults #Children Amount Enclosed: Check # Cash Select one table of 8/10 -list names on the back seat me Please mark your envelope Attn. V 2017 Vasilopita Committee Nitsa Bruno & Janet O Sullivan, Chairs Debra Vlahakis, Reservations Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 250 Gallows Hill Road, Westfield, NJ Godparent/Godchild Sunday with Communion Breakfast Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church February 26, 2017 Sponsored by Holy Trinity Religious Education Godchildren are encouraged to invite their Godparents to receive Communion with them and to attend the Breakfast. Orthros 8:15 AM; Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM Breakfast in the Bouras Center after Sunday School classes Reservations during Fellowship Hour on February 5th, 12th and 19th $12.00 for adults $6.00 for children under 12!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NAME: Number of adults: Number of children (12 & under): Total: $ Cash / Check # Please volunteer to help Saturday 2/25 and/or Sunday 2/26 by calling the chairperson, Andrea Cerini at (908) or ing at Andreacerini3@hotmail.com. Church Book Store Start the New Year off right with a special gift for all the children in your life! Throughout the years, what family member or friend does not love to see a child s eyes light up to see any special gift at any time? Yet there is a much greater gift you can give these children: The true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. John 1:9. SINCE GOD LOVES YOU AND YOU KNOW IT SING OUT LOUD! Fun and Instructional Songs about Church Time Basics, God s Love and Bible Stories for Orthodox Christian Children: Original Lyrics set to Traditional Tunes by Christina Romas Connant, Illustrated by Kristen Bannister" The Table of Contents includes: Welcome [for Educators and Parents: note that this book is specifically for Orthodox Children, other editions are for Catholic and Christian children], Church Time Basics [entering the Church quietly and respectfully [teaching the children that quiet is a way of giving them Peace, which is so often repeated by the Priest, during the Divine Liturgy], The Holy Trinity, The Sign of the Cross, Listening Joyously, Holy Communion, etc., God Loves Us, Bible Stories, Bible Stories Old Testament, Bible Stories New Testament, Lent and Easter / Pascha, Helpful Hints, Sample Circle Time Lessons, About the Author, and How It Started. There is an old saying among all those who sing the Divine Liturgy: the Priest, the Psalters, and the Choir: He / she who sings prays twice! So what was the inspiration for this book? Christina Romas Connant was teaching children about religion. She found that the children were quite attentive during snack time. But after the snacks were finished so was their attention. That is when Christina decided to set religious education to music that was attractive to young children. This wonderful book is the result! Please stop by the Book Store table during the fellowship hour. If you don t see what you want, we can order it for you. Please support the Book Store! v The Promise ^ January 2017 ^ Volume 41, Issue 1 7

8 GOYA BY GEORGE KONIARIS, GOYA PRESIDENT Hello everyone! GOYA has been at full speed these past couple of months! It has been very exciting to watch our youth grow and support each other. During these past few months, we have done some very special things together. Firstly, and most importantly, we had our annual Christ Encounter Retreat on the weekend of November 11-12th. Our youth spent the weekend at Camp Mason in Hardwick, New Jersey, talking about the importance of spiritual athleticism in our daily lives. It was an amazing experience, and we really grew closer as a GOYA family. I d like to especially thank Father Peter, the seminarians from Holy Cross, our advisors, and our parent chaperones, Mr. George Colonias, Mr. Peter Tarhanidis, and Mr. Chris Vasilopoulos for spending such a fun-filled weekend of activities and fellowship with us. The next big event was the Harvest Dance on November 18th, hosted by the Paramus Goya. Myself, along with a few other Goyans, attended and had a fun night of dancing and talking with friends from other parishes. At our last youth meeting, the youth of Holy Trinity discussed ways to raise money for the badly damaged Ionian Village, since many of our Goyans, both present and past, have attended this wonderful camp. This camp is special to us in that it has made our faith as Orthodox Christians grow stronger and developed strong bonds with other youth from all over the United States. This past summer, Ionian Village suffered through a series of tornados that virtually destroyed the entire camp. Since then, the Archdiocese has been asking for help to restore the camp. Westfield GOYA decided to support this endeavor by hosting two events that would raise money for Ionian Village. Our first event was the Harvest Bread sale and then during decided on Youth Sunday to donate the proceeds from the annual loukoumades sale. GOYA raised $1,000 dollars to donate to Ionian Village! Thank you to Mrs. Arida, Mrs. Angelides, Mrs. Kallinosis, Mrs. Karsos, Mrs. Anastasiou, and Mrs. Savorgiannakis and our advisors for all of your help to make these two events so successful. We could not have done this without your assistance! It was a great experience and team building exercise for our GOYA, and I m excited to see what we come up with next! I hope to see everyone soon in the coming weeks at more GOYA events! For additional information on the Goya Youth Program at Holy Trinity please YHTGOYA@aol.com for more information or stop by the Goya table during fellowship hour after church. v 8 GOYAns enjoying fellowship Chris Vasilopoulos, Peter Tarhanidis, George Colonias, Yianna Leichtling, Kathy Maglaras, and Sandy Boutsikaris Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey Ropes Course

9 Christ Encounter Weekend, Fr. Peter with the GOYAns Save The Date The 11th Annual Family Dance Saturday jan 21, :30-10:30 PM Galloping Hill Caterers 1085 Galloping Hill Road Union NJ Please stop by the Greek School Table during Fellowship Hour for more information and to make your reservation! GOYA Banners with retreat title: Spiritual Athleticism The Promise ^ January 2017 ^ Volume 41, Issue 1 9

10 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church CLASSIFIEDS Contact the Church Office if you would like to advertise in the next issue of The Promise! 5FINGERS FITTING5KEYS PIANO INSTRUCTOR & WEDDING ORGANIST PHYLLIS A. VERENES 9 SAND HILL ROAD, MORRISTOWN, NJ TEL: CELL: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey

11 The Promise ^ January 2017 ^ Volume 41, Issue 1 11

12 Non Profit Org. US postage PAID Rahway, NJ Permit No. 654 Metropolis of New Jersey Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Contact Information Office Staff Ministries Mailing Address 250 Gallows Hill Rd. Westfield, NJ Phone Fax Web site holytrinitywestfield.org Presiding Priest Rev. Fr. Peter Delvizis Office Manager Admin. Assistant Worship Caretaker Lead Psaltis Choir Director Organist Head Acolyte Diana R. Waltsak E. Joy Daniledes Ocione Nunes Pascalis Kuvalakis Kathryn Athanasoulas Phyllis Verenes Nicholas John Parish Council Philoptochos Religious Education Greek School Greek School PTO Youth (GOYA) JOY / HOPE TOTS Bookstore Peter Tarhanidis Penny Pefanis Chris Economides Anna Mikros Alexis Kiriakatis George Koniaris Iris Love Joanne Paras & Jenny Stellakis Sandy Mouratoglou Schedule of Services The Promise: Volume 41, Issue 1 Cultural Trinity Circle Barbara Manos Hellen Kiriakatis Sundays Weekdays Orthros 8:15 AM 8:30 AM Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM 9:30 AM 10 issues published annually. No subscription fee. Article deadline - 10 th of the preceding month Fellowship Lauren Karanikolas 12