Church News. continued on pg. 3

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1 H o l y T r i n i t Volume 18 Issue 4 y G r e e k O r t h o d o x C h u r c April 2018 Church News pril starts, not foolishly, but with Holy Week when we remember Our Lord s final days on Earth. Let each of us prepare his or her soul to receive the light of life, which Jesus purchased for us for all eternity by his sacrifice and victorious resurrection. Be sure to read the about what happens each day of Holy Week A sincere thank you to Stella Gammatoni, Elizabeth Clifford, Dotty Moscovis and Doreen Cote for all their hard work to make the fellowship hall, classrooms and bathrooms which got a needed face lift. The parish council will set a date for a Spring General Assembly, in one of the first two Sundays in May, so make plans to be here. Congratulations to Olga Pas- tuchiv who has illustrated yet another book! The title is Fables of Town & Country (Fables des Villes et des Champs) by Pierre Coran, English Translations by Norman R. Shapiro, Illustrations by Olga Pastuchiv, the continued on pg. 3 Table of Contents Church News... 1 St George... 5 Be ye Holy as I am Holy... 7 Holy Week Services... 8 Easter Sermon of St. John Lilies in the Basement Stewardship Memorials Archbishop s Letter Calendar Pascha Greetings Remember you can see Bulletin on line at holytrinity.me.goarch.org under Resources, then Current Newletter h

2 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Council Members President John Kroger...(207) Vice President Roger Naous...(207) Treasurer Michael Pelletier...(207) Assistant Treasurer Doreen Cote...(207) Secretary Stella Gammaitoni...(207) John Carson...(207) Jack Clifford...(207) John Kesaris...(207) Tom Goodwin...(207) Peter Goranites...(207) Dina Medouris...(207) Jaye Mendros-Goulet...(207) Roger Park...(207) Jim Simones...(207) Committees Food for fellowhip time after church April 1...Palm Sunday 8...Pascha If you wish to host a memorial or sponsor food for after church fellowship please sign up. Bulletin of the Parish of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church April Hogan Road P. O. Box 1344 Lewiston, Maine Phone & Fax (207) Building & Addition: John Stass, Mike Pelletier Cemetery: Michael Pelletier Education: Chris Sirois Festival: Doreen Cote, Ray Goulet Finance & Endowment: Dorothy Moskovis, Mike Pelletier. Hellenic Heritage: Georgia Chomas Interior: John Rozos Maintenance: Jim Simones, Harry Simones, Stella Gammaitoni Parish Historical Society: John Kesaris Spiritual Enrichment: Ann Robinson Stewardship: Ann Robinson Librarian: Tom Goodwin Ladies Society: Melissa Simones Choir Directors: John Rozos, Chris Gianopoulos Sunday School Director: Stella Gammaitoni Readers: George Simones, David LeGloahec, John Rozos, Jaye Goulet Acolyte Guides: Roger Park, John Zimbis Book Store Manger: George Simones Visitation Committee: Margery Mars ( ) & Christine Sirois ( ) Other Members: Ann Pelletier, Dotty Moskovis, George Simones, Rosemary Goranites, Deserée Tanquay, and John Rozos. Photographers: David Le Gloahec Elizabeth Park Writers: David LeGloahec Margery Mars Elizabeth Park Light of Life is the monthly publication of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Lewiston, Maine under the Metropolis of Boston of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. It is intended for the communication and edification of the community of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and its friends. Publication created using: Adobe InDesign CS-5, Adobe Photoshop C.S.5, Art Explosion 750,000, Macromedia Freehand 9.0, IconGraphics Byzantine ClipArt on an Apple imac. fonts used: Palatino, Papyrus & Optima. See us on the web at holytrinity.me.goarch.org

3 April 2018 Church News Continued from pg. 1 cover of the book appears at right. It is an illustrated collection of fables by Belgian poet and fabulist, Pierre Coran. The fables have been translated in English by Norman Shapiro... and larking, lurking, and leaping amidst the stories are Olga s splendid illustrations, picturing Coran s cast in lovely and delicate colors. The book is available at all good bookstores and online book retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, et. al Scholarship Applications Available, deadline May 4, 2018 February 15, 2018 Press Office - Stavros Papagermanos, pressoffice@goarch.org. NEW YORK The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces that applications for the Scholarship and Fellowship programs administered by the Archdiocese are now available. Applications can be accessed by visiting goarch.org/. For more information, please scholarships@goarch. org or call The deadline for submitting an application for any of these scholarships is May 4, George & Naouma (Gioule) Gioles Scholarship Katina John Malta Scholarship Paleologos Scholarship Applications and instructions Got Church News? Send your text, your pictures, your inspirations, whatever it is, send it to: HTrinnews@gwi.net 3

4 4 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Church News Continued from pg. 3 for these three scholarships administered by the Department of Philanthropy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America are available for awards to be made for the academic year. The George & Naouma (Gioule) Gioles Scholarship and the Katina John Malta Scholarship are for undergraduate studies, and the Paleologos Scholarship is awarded for graduate work of a non-theological nature. Each of these scholarships was established through generous gifts from dedicated Greek Orthodox Christians who wanted to provide financial assistance towards the education of young people from our Orthodox Christian community. The Christos and Georgia Trakatellis Fellowship Applications are also available for a fellowship from The Christos and Georgia Trakatellis Fellowship Fund for the academic year. This Fund was established in 2011 by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and his brother, Prof. Antonios Trakatellis, in memory of their parents, Christos and Georgia. The Fund, overseen by the Chancellor s Office, offers fellowships to graduates of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology to study Greek language, Hellenic culture and liturgical practice. These studies can take place in the United States or, preferably, in Greece or at the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The study could be part of an established academic program (Doctoral or Master Levels) or part of a free program, which should be well structured and clearly defined in view of the above stated purpose of the Fund. Candidates shall be chosen based on merit and need. The amount of the fellowship is $3,000 per semester for up to two semesters. One or more full or partial fellowships will be awarded annually. The S. Gregory Taylor Scholarship The Taylor Scholarship Fund offers financial assistance to students pursuing a post-graduate degree in the areas of theology, religious studies, or pastoral training. The Chancellor s Office of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America oversees the Fund and awards scholarships on an annual basis. Awarding of scholarships will be determined based on program of study, financial need, previous academic work, recommendations, availability of funds and how the applicant intends to serve the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America after receiving this degree. Scholarships are awarded for actual course work being done towards a post-graduate degree (an initial graduate-level degree is required). As per the guidelines of the Fund, preference will be given to graduates of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. continued on pg. 5

5 April 2018 ery little is known about St. George the Megalomartyros, but he was one of the saints revered very early by the Church. He was born and lived in Cappadocia and was persecuted under the Emperor Diocletion. It is likely but not certain that he was a soldier and was renowned for his courage in the area, where he suffered various tortures, and was finally beheaded at Diospolis (Lydda) in Palestine Many soldiers were converted to Christianity by witnessing the martyrdom of St. George. It is not quite clear how St. George came to be specially chosen as the pa- St. George April 23 tron saint of England, but it seems likely this occurred during the English crusades late in the 11th century or the early part of the 12th century. In the Greek the name George is derived from a word meaning husbandman so in the texts for the day there are constant references to St George as a spiritual husbandman, scattering the seed of the Word and cultivating the barren ground. His feast day is 23 April. Church News Continued from pg. 4 Fare Thee Well George Costin! The Holy Trinity family was sad to have to say farewell to George Costin who attended our church for two months while he was working locally. He recently returned to be with his family in Romania. I had to do a little arm twisting to get him to agree to me writing up this short piece about him since George is naturally a humble individual who is not an attention seeker. So glad you said yes George! When I first George Costin outside of the home which is in the met George I process of being finished. could sense that has a strong, quiet faith. It was when I ing and there was an instant learned that he is a clinical connection regarding the intepsychiatrist that my inter- gration of God into the counest was stirred even more. I seling session. We even had a shared with him the fact that chance to talk a little shop from I am pursuing my Masters of my very limited perspective. Theology in Pastoral Counselcontinued on pg. 6 5

6 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Church News Continued from pg. 5 George was born in rural northeastern Romania. He studied medicine in Bucharest did a combined residency program in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry in Springfield, IL, between 2006 and He worked for West Virginia University and at the same time worked for the state hospital at an off-site campus for WVU. 6 After a few years George and his family went back to Romania to be closer to their families. He explained that it s better that their 3 kids are able to spend time with their grandparents, cousins and others in the family. Also he felt it was important for them to experience Romanian culture. Over the past 2 years he held temporary jobs, one in Michigan and one in Maine. We are so glad that you participated in the life of Holy Trinity, even if it was for just a short while. Please know that we would love to have you visit us any time and be sure to bring your lovely family too! By Elizabeth Park The Carpathian Mountains and a small river very close to his home. Holy Trinity Youth Group Happenings by Elizabeth Park Since January, the youth Prayer, Fasting, Making Choices, Outreach, and Repentance. group (ages 12-18) have been meeting regularly for Sunday The children all received School. They are a great group prayer books and prayer ropes of inquisitive and engaged a few weeks ago to assist young people who are excited them in their personal spiritual walks. In addition, prayer about their faith and putting it into action. We have been using the GOARCH Department cards were distributed of The Prayer of St Ephrem the Syrian of Youth and Young Adult which is said during Holy Lent ministries video series Be the at the Monday evening service. Bee as a backdrop for lively discussion and real-life examples of how to live in today s Outreach program within the We have plans to begin an world as an Orthodox Christian. Different topics have incal efforts, i.e. Habitat for Hu- Church that may involve locluded: Living Orthodoxy in manity, local aid to the needy everyday life, How to Refrain through an established agency, and or joining forces with from Judging Others, Taking a Stand against Bullying, IOCC. Stay tuned for more!

7 April 2018 Be Ye Holy As I Am Holy by Fr. Joseph and the Brotherhood of St. Gregory Palamas Monastery(excerpts from The Talaton: A newsletter of Saint Gergory Palamas Monastery, Feb 2018 edition: The Great Fast If we are to partake of the holiness of God that is, the life of exultant joy and freedom, it seems that the first challenge that we face is the challenge to shed the idea that we are individuals with independent rights and needs that are independent of God or our neighbor. We are not isolated individuals who are condemned to pursue life, liberty and happiness in whatever way we choose. We are persons, created by the Tri-personal God for communion with Him and our neighbor. We have been created in such a way, and the entire cosmos has been created in such a way, that it only works when we are turned toward the One who made us. The minute that Adam and Eve disobeyed that first command is the moment in which all of creation was thrown into disorder. The minute that we turn away from God and the minute that we imagine that our own personal choice of rebellion will win us happiness is also the minute in which everything is thrown into disarray. In Him we live and move and have our being. In Him we have life and hope for the future. In Him we have the pattern and instruction for everything that keeps us in this True Life. The sooner we quiet our life, spend time in prayer and in the services of the Church, the sooner that we get to know ourselves before God. With this knowledge of ourselves comes the knowledge of our own sinfulness and the knowledge of the mercy of God. It is so important for us to punctuate our days or weeks with some silence if only for 10 minutes; those 10 minutes can transform our day. When we go out of the monastery or travel by plane we are amazed by the observation that everyone is looking at their social device and no one speaks with his neighbor. Whatever takes us away from the present moment of here and now is a distraction that takes us away from the reality of our personhood. Created with a single, simple, and undivided consciousness, the fall shattered the integrity of the self into two conflicting activities, one drawn to divine realities, and the other dragged outward into the surface appearances of the visible world through sense perception and subject to a process of ongoing fragmentation. Having promised us a technological utopia, our ubiquitous and intrusive cyber culture has instead precipitated a spiritual crisis in which human experience has been systematically fragmented and the coherence of the self increasingly threatened. Living in a culture of organized distractions, our thoughts are isolated and disconnected, preventing us from seeing and experiencing the wholeness of life. Distraction and fragmentation have negative consequences for the organization of knowledge, they prevent us from engaging our spiritual depth, and render us incapable of engaging the spiritual depth of others, for having lost touch with our own personhood, we can receive neither the personhood of our neighbor nor God. We are called to be whole one complete person Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. That means that we are the same on the inside as we are on the outside. It means that we are the same behind closed doors with family and friends as we continued on pg. 12 7

8 8 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Lazarus Saturday The icon of the Saturday of Lazarus shows Christ calling His friend to come out of the tomb. Lazarus is coming forth from the tomb, still bound in the strips of burial cloth. His sisters, Mary and Martha are bowing before Christ, expressing both their sorrow in the death of their brother, but also their faith in Christ as the Messiah and Son of God. Next to them is someone who has followed the request of our Lord and removed the stone from the door of the tomb. Standing with Christ are his disciples who are witnesses of this miracle, a true manifestation of the power of God that would bring them assurance during the Passion of our Lord. In the center of the icon is a person who represents the crowd who also witnessed the miracle. Some believed, but others went and told the Pharisees and chief priests who continued their machinations to bring about the arrest of Christ and His death. The walled city of Jerusalem, where Christ will arrive in triumph the following day, is depicted in the background. Palm Sunday In the Icon of the Feast of Palm Sunday, Christ is the central figure, depicted seated upon the colt of a donkey as He enters Jerusalem, a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9. Christ is blessing with His right hand, and in His left hand is a scroll, symbolizing that He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Mes- Holy Week Services siah, the Anointed One who has come to redeem us from our sins and break the power of death. The colt, one of the animals that were considered unclean according to the Law, is symbolic of the inclusion of all peoples of all nations in the new covenant that will come through the death and Resurrection of Christ (Isaiah 62:10-11). It is also a sign that our Lord has revealed a heavenly and spiritual kingdom that offers true and enduring peace. On the right, the disciples accompany Jesus in His Triumphal Entry. Depicted on the left are the Jews who greet Him crying Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel! The word Hosanna means Save, I pray or Save now. Bridegroom Services The Orthros of each of these days is called the Service of the Bridegroom (Akolouthia tou Nimfiou). The name comes from the central figure in the well-known parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). The title Bridegroom suggests the intimacy of love. It is not without significance that the kingdom of God is compared to a bridal feast and a bridal chamber. The Christ of the Passion is the divine Bridegroom of the Church. The imagery connotes the final union of the Lover and the beloved. The title Bridegroom also suggests the Parousia. In the patristic tradition, the aforementioned parable is related to the Second

9 Holy Week Services Coming; and is associated with the need for spiritual vigilance and preparedness, by which we are enabled to keep the divine commandments and receive the blessings of the age to come. The troparion Behold the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night, which is sung at the beginning of the Orthros of Great Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, relates the worshiping community to that essential expectation: watching and waiting for the Lord, who will come again to judge the living and the dead. Holy Monday We commemorate Joseph the Patriarch, the beloved son of Jacob. A major figure of the Old Testament, Joseph s story is told in the final section of the Book of Genesis (chs ). Because of his exceptional qualities and remarkable life, our patristic and liturgical tradition portrays Joseph as tipos Christou, i.e., as a prototype, prefigurement or image of Christ. Also, on Great and Holy Monday the Church commemorates the event of the cursing of the fig tree (Matthew 21:18-20). In the Gospel narrative this event is said to have occurred on the morrow of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:18 and Mark 11:12). For this reason it found its way into the liturgy of Great Monday. The episode is also quite relevant to Great Week. Together with the event of the cleansing of the Temple this episode is another manifestation of Jesus divine power and authority and a revelation as well of God s judgment upon the faithlessness of the Jewish religious classes. April 2018 Holy Tuesday On Holy Tuesday the Church calls to remembrance two parables, which are related to the Second Coming. The one is the parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-3); the other the parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). These parables point to the inevitability of the Parousia and deal with such subjects as spiritual vigilance, stewardship, accountability and judgment. Holy Wednesday On Holy Wednesday the Church invites the faithful to focus their attention on two figures: the sinful woman who anointed the head of Jesus shortly before the passion (Matthew 26:6-13), and Judas, the disciple who betrayed the Lord. The former acknowledged Jesus as Lord, while the latter severed himself from the Master. The one was set free, while the other became a slave. The one inherited the kingdom, while the other fell into perdition. These two people bring before us concerns and issues related to freedom, sin, hell and repentance. Holy Thursday On Thursday of Holy Week four events are commemorated: the washing of the disciples feet, the institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the agony in the garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Christ by Judas. continued on pg. 10 9

10 10 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Commemorations of Holy Thursday The Institution of the Eucharist At the Mystical Supper in the Upper Room Jesus gave a radically new meaning to the food and drink of the sacred meal. He identified Himself with the bread and wine: Take, eat; this is my Body. Drink of it all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant (Matthew 26:26-28). The Washing of the Feet The events initiated by Jesus at the Mystical. Supper were profoundly significant. By teaching and giving the disciples His final instructions and praying for them as well, He revealed again His divine Sonship and authority. By establishing the Eucharist, He enshrines to perfection God s most intimate purposes for our salvation, offering Himself as Communion and life. The Betrayal By washing the feet of His disciples, He summarized the meaning of His ministry, manifested His perfect love and revealed His profound humility. Judas betrayed Christ with a kiss, the sign of friendship and love. The betrayal and crucifixion of Christ carried the ancestral sin to its extreme limits. In these two acts the rebellion against God reached its maximum capacity. The seduction of man in paradise culminated in the death of God in the Holy Week Services flesh. To be victorious evil must quench the light and discredit the good. In the end, however, it shows itself to be a lie, an absurdity and sheer madness. The death and resurrection of Christ rendered evil powerless. Great and Holy Friday On this day we commemorate the sufferings of Christ: the mockery, the crown of thorns, the scourging, the nails, the thirst, the vinegar and gall, the cry of desolation, and all the Savior endured on the Cross. The day of Christ s death is the day of sin. The sin which polluted God s creation from the breaking dawn of time reached its frightful climax on the hill of Golgotha. There, sin and evil, destruction and death came into their own. Ungodly men had Him nailed to the Cross, in order to destroy Him. However, His death condemned irrevocably the fallen world by revealing its true and abnormal nature. Holy Saturday On Great and Holy Saturday the Church contemplates the mystery of the Lord s descent into Hades, the place of the dead. Death, our ultimate enemy, is defeated from within. He (Christ) gave Himself as a ransom to death in which we were held captive, sold under sin. Descending into Hades through the Cross... He loosed the bonds of death (Liturgy of St. Basil). On Great Saturday our focus is on the Tomb of Christ. This is no ordinary grave. It is not a place of corruption, decay and defeat. It is lifegiving, a source of power, victory and liberation. The Liturgy held on the morning of Holy and Great Saturday is that of Saint Basil the Great. It

11 Holy Week Services April 2018 begins with Vespers. After the entrance, the evening hymn O Gentle Light is chanted as usual. Then the Old Testament readings are recited. They tell of the most striking events and prophecies of the salvation of mankind by the death of the Son of God. The account of creation in Genesis is the first reading. The sixth reading is the story of Israel s crossing of the Red Sea and Moses song of victory - over Pharaoh, with its refrain: For gloriously is He glorified. The last reading is about the Three Children in the fiery furnace of Babylon, and their song of praise with its repeated refrain: O praise ye the Lord and supremely exalt Him unto the ages. In the ancient church the catechumens were baptized during the time of these readings. The Epistle which follows speaks of how, through the death of Christ, we too shall rise to a new life. After the Epistle, the choir chants, like a call to the sleeping Christ: Arise, O Lord, Judge the earth, for Thou shalt have an inheritance among all the nations... The deacon carries out the Book of the Gospels, and reads the first message of the resurrection from Saint Matthew. Because the Vespers portion of the service belongs to the next day (Pascha) the burial hymns of Saturday are mingled with those of the resurrection, so that this service is already full of the coming Paschal joy. The Cherubic hymn of this day is: Let all mortal flesh keep silence and stand with fear and trembling..., a thoughtful hymn of adoration and exaltation. The Divine Liturgy ends with the Communion Hymn: So the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and He is risen to save us. Great and Holy Pascha On the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha, Orthodox Christians celebrate the life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This feast of feasts is the most significant day in the life of the Church. It is a celebration of the defeat of death, as neither death itself nor the power of the grave could hold our Savior captive. In this victory that came through the Cross, Christ broke the bondage of sin, and through faith offers us restoration, transformation, and eternal life. After the reading of the Epistle, the priest follows the custom of tossing of laurel, saying: Arise, O God, and judge Thou the earth: for Thou shall take all heathen to Thine inheritance. 11

12 12 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Be Ye Holy As I Am Holy continued from pg. 7 are out in society. It means that we say what we mean and mean what we say. As in the Old Covenant, we are called to be Holy Be Ye Holy as I Am Holy. This call to holiness is never better articulated than in the Divine Liturgy when we hear the priest exclaim, Holy Things are for the Holy. Our identity and being are imparted to us through communion with God. Health and wholeness occur when we overcome the fragmentation and splintering of our life with prayer, attention, worship and a life of virtue. Fragmentation in the Church happens when we add too many qualifications to what the Church truly is. The Church is the Body of Christ the Body of His Crucifixion and Resurrection. Period. The task of the Church is to make saints. Period. The Church is not a social club, even if a by-product of our common worship and communion extends to make us a society of Christ. The Church is not an educational institution, although the reading and study of the Sacred Scriptures and Holy Fathers raise our thoughts and allow us to pray with understanding. The Church is not a social service agency, although care for the poor inside and outside of our worshipping community is only an outgrowth of the mission of Him who came from heaven to enrich us with His life. The Church is not a political machine that aligns itself with whatever political ideology happens to be in fashion at the time, although we do have a responsibility to use our democratic and civil rights to work for the common good knowing full well that the best that any government can provide is that we are able to live our life and worship the One True God in peace and tranquility. The Church is not a business or a place of business that enables people to make contacts for business purposes. Metropolitan Anthony Bloom once said that if the donkey that carried Jesus Christ into Jerusalem had thought the cheers of Hosanna were for himself we would really laugh. But isn t that what we sometimes fall into when we lose sight of the fact that we are called to carry Christ in our hearts and lives? When we put our own programs, ideas and aspirations ahead of Christ, haven t we allowed our egotism to make fools of ourselves? This would be akin to a donkey who thought that the cheers were for him and not the Divine Savior. We have somehow lost the fire of holiness and godliness. This perhaps accounts for the woeful lack of mercy and good works that we perform. We have the One True Faith, we have the glory of our Liturgical life, we have the beauty and purity of the Saints, and we leave it in the church locked behind the doors and live our worldly, distracted, divided, impersonal lives in the world. In Christ our True God, Fr. Joseph and the Brotherhood of St. Gregory Palamas Monastery For the entire article go to: Monastery/?p=1606

13 April 2018 The Easter Sermon of John Chrysostom Pastor of Constantinople (~400 AD) s there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Is there anyone who is a grateful servant? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord! Are there any weary with fasting? Let them now receive their wages! If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their due reward; If any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the Feast! And he that arrived after the sixth hour, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. And if any delayed until the ninth hour, let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay. For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him that toiled from the first. To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows. He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor. The deed He honors and the intention He commends. Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the day! You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for the Table is richly laden! Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches of His goodness! Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it. He destroyed Hades when He descended into it. He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh. Isaiah foretold this when he said, You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below. Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with. It was in an uproar because it is mocked. It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed. It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated. It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive. Hell took a body, and discovered God. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see. O death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy victory? continued on pg

14 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Easter Sermon of John Chrysostom continued from pg. 13 Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated! Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is Risen, and life is liberated! Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen! Rendered in stanza format by Dn. Mark Baker 14 One day they praise Him and proclaim Hosana in the Highest The next the crowds shout Crucify Him!

15 April 2018 Lilies in the Basement Muted trumpets wait Shelved in stillness dark the promise of clarion call Stewardship 2018 As of March 11 On 3/11/18 took in $ needed $ and echoes pure quiet whispers holding Shimmering, shivering, lingering Yearly Budget 52weeks x $ = $89, They know the next move is up Mar 11 Up from the dungeon dark of death Lifted to the edge Their appointed duty Up, up from stillness and waiting in that black hole to stand erect no longer sequestered The time is now Rejoice you lilies Death can no more hold you in that place 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% He Lives! We Live! Stewardship 2018 Budgeted $89,960 Stewardship Collected as of March 11 $14, Percent to Goal Collected 16.3% For the last 3 months The collection met the weekly budget 3/9 times As shown by the graph above. by Elizabeth Park Holy Friday 2012 of waiting and hiding in the place of unknowing Your translucent petals claim Your brilliant stamens yellow blaring sirens attest and fear is no more an option and so it is and so it shall be and always and ever and Unto the Ages of Ages Amen Added note: Six years ago as we were processing around the church with the kouvouklion and singing Agios O Theos I caught a glimpse through the basement window of the tables laden with Easter lilies waiting for Holy Pascha to be brought upstairs. The metaphor was clear and that s how this poem came about. 15

16 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church M E M O R I A L S Theodore & Elizabeth Kleros Ervin & Virginia Pelletier May their memories be eternal May their memories be eternal Mary Samson James & Mary Goranites May her memory be eternal May their memories be eternal John Margarones May his memory be eternal Spiro & Antigone Bournakel May their memories be eternal Anthe James May her memory be eternal Charles Bournakel May his memory be eternal 16 Georgia Taxiarchis May her memory be eternal Nicholas & Evridice Merkouris May their memories be eternal

17 April 2018 M E M O R I A L S Lewis Kesaris May his memory be eternal Mary Vlacheas May her memory be eternal Spero & Jennie Vlacheas May their memories be eternal Steve & Loretta Karvelas May their memories be eternal Michel Prouchinsky May his memory be eternal Sophia Amfilio May her memory be eternal John & Viola Margarones May their memories be eternal Aliki Karagiannes May her memory be eternal Memorials If you wish to have a memorial in the bulletin, please see D. LeGloahec or to:htrinnews@gwi.net. Listed below is the name and the last bulletin. Amfilo... 12/2019 S. & A Bournakel...10/2018 Goranites...Perpetual James...Perpetual Karagiannes... 12/2017 Karvelas... 12/2018 Kesaris...Perpetual Kleros...Perpetual Margarones...Perpetual Merkouis...Perpetual Pelletier...Perpetual Samson...Perpetual Taxiarchis...Perpetual Vlacheas (2)... 12/

18 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Letter to the Churches of March 25, 2018 Feast of the Annunciation Day of Greek Independence To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On this blessed and glorious Feast of the Annunciation, we celebrate a miraculous event that affirms with God nothing will be impossible. (Luke 1:37) We gather to worship, as we commemorate the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary announcing the Incarnation of our Lord. We rejoice in the proclamation to the Theotokos, as God reveals His divine plan for our redemption from sin and our salvation from death. We marvel at her faith in Him and obedience to His will. On this Feast we express our amazement just as we proclaim that through faith all things are possible with God. With the revelation of the power and grace of Almighty God, we wonder as did the Virgin Mary, How shall this be? (Luke 1:34) How shall He whose throne is heaven and whose footstool is the earth be held in the womb of a woman? (Hymn of Vespers) The Archangel answers, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. For with God nothing will be impossible. (Luke 1:35, 37) As it was shown through the faith of the Virgin Mary, all things are possible for those who believe in the revelation and promises of God. Before the Annunciation, she lived in faith, trusting that His promises would be fulfilled. Upon the revelation of the Incarnation, her faith was affirmed and strengthened as she heard the announcement of the Archangel, You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great...and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David...and of his kingdom there will be no end. (Luke 1:32-33) Today, as we celebrate God s revelation for our salvation, we also find joy in knowing that all things are possible through our faith in God. He has and continues to reveal Himself to us in great and marvelous ways. Just as He fulfilled His promise of salvation, He continues to fulfill His promises to His people. Through our faith in Him, we are able to accomplish what seems impossible. Through our commitment to God s will, we are participants in the miraculous, and we move beyond the limits of human ability to the unlimited potential of faith and the power of God. As we live in communion with Him, as we offer a witness of grace to others, and as we worship and serve in His name, we hear and say the words of Christ, All things are possible to him who believes! (Mark 9:23) In our celebration of this Feast, we also commemorate a victorious struggle for independence that was inspired by faith and strengthened by the acclamation, with God nothing is impossible. Today, Greek Independence Day, honors the valor of our forbearers who longed for liberty and fought for freedom. It is a day that celebrates our cherished heritage and ideals that led the people of Greece to believe they could accomplish the impossible--throw off centuries of oppression and be free. Through faith in God and hope for a better future, the impossible became possible. Through struggle and sacrifice, the people of Greece achieved freedom and the unlimited possibilities of liberty and self-determination. Today, as we honor their memory, as we cherish liberty in the heritage of Greece and America, and as we are inspired by the faith of our forbearers, may we also give glory and thanksgiving to God for His revelation for our salvation and for the witness of faith offered by the Theotokos. In the liberty we have through Christ and through our faith and the power of God s grace, the possibilities are unlimited. Through our commitment to His will, lives will be transformed and saved, many will find healing and hope, and the miraculous and abundant blessings of God will be shown through all the world. With paternal love in Christ, DEMETRIOS 18 Archbishop of America

19 April April 2018 Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1 Palm Sunday Orthros 9:00 AM Liturgy 10:00 AM 8 2 Holy Monday 6:30 PM 3 Holy Tuesday 7:00 PM 4 Pre-Sanctified 8:30 AM Holy Unction 6:30 PM 5 Liturgy of St. Basil 7:00 AM Holy Thursday 6:30 PM 6 Royal hours 9:00 AM Vespers 3:00 PM Lamentations 7:00 PM Holy Saturday Liturgy 8:30 AM Holy Pascha Liturgy 11:30 PM Pascha Service 10:00 AM 15 Thomas Sunday Orthros 9:00 AM Liturgy 10:00 AM 16 Parish Council 6:30 PM Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women Orthros 9:00 AM Liturgy 10:00 AM Sunday of the Paralytic Orthros 9:00 AM Liturgy 10:00 AM Memorials Cost in the Bulletin 2 Months...$ Year...$ Perpetual (No Expiration)..$ If you need Koliva (wheat) for a memorial, please contact the Ladies Society who will prepare it. There is no cost. 19

20 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Pascha Greetings Orthodox Christians throughout the world greet one another with the following expressions during the forty-day period from Pascha to Ascension: Language Greeting / Response English Finnish Kristus nousi kuolleista / tortisesti nousi French Le Christ est Resucitée / Vraiment est Resucitée German Kristus ist Auferstanden / Sicherlich ist Auferstanden Swahili Kristo Amefufukka / Kweli Amefufukka Japanese Ha ri su tó su fuc Katsu / Jítsú ni fuc Kátsu Swedish Christus är uppstanden / Han är nerkligen uppstanden Christ is Risen! / Truly He is Risen! or Indeed He is Risen! Greek Christos Anesti / Alithos Anesti Slavonic Christos Voskrese / Voistinu Voskrese Romanian Hristos A înviat / AdevÚarat A înviat Albanian Krishti u ungjall / Gaelic Kriost Eirgim / Eigim Esperanto Kristos Levigis / Vere Levigis Nigerian Jésu Krísti Ébilíwõ / Ézia õ Bilíwõ Luganda Kristo Ajukkide / Kweli Ajukkide From: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church P.O. Box Hogan Road Lewiston, ME Indonesian KrÍstus télah Bangkit / Benár día têlah Bángkit Turkish Hristós diril-dí / Hakíkatén diril-dí Hawaiian Ua ala hou o kristo / Ua ala i o no oia Vërtete u ngjall Arabic To: Al masi h qam / hakan qam Spanish Christo ha resucitado / 20 en verdad ha resucitado