Promise. Prayer is an indispensable and irreplaceable expression. Beginning on the evening of Palm. The. Behold the Bridegroom Comes. PrayerÊ Is...

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1 Promise The HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH WESTFIELD ^ NEW JERSEY March 2014 ^ Volume 38, Issue 3 HtgocWestfield@htgocnj.org holytrinitywestfield.org PrayerÊ Is... Prayer is an indispensable and irreplaceable expression of life and faith. From the absolutely superb moment when Jesus Christ, the incarnate God, prayed on earth, and taught us to pray, communication with God became synonymous with authentic, whole, creative, and vibrant human life. Prayer, viewed from the angle of its efficacy, is preservation of the world, reconciliation with God, mother and daughter of tears, forgiveness of sins, bridge over temptations, support in afflictions, extinction of wars, office of angels, food of all spiritual beings, the future jubilation, unlimited action, invisible progress, food for the soul, illumination of the mind, exterminator of despair, evidence of hope, overcoming of sorrow, herald of things to come, indication of glory. If we listen to the praying voices of the Fathers and the Saints, and try to be more and more in tune with them, we will experience the indescribable reality of prayer, we will see the gradual transformation of the wilderness within and around us; a transformation possible only through the action of the Holy Spirit, who helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words (Romans 8:26). Archbishop Demetrios of America Voices in the Wilderness, An Anthology of Patristic Prayers ^ Photo: Joe McNally Behold the Bridegroom Comes Beginning on the evening of Palm Sunday and continuing through the evening of Holy Tuesday, the Orthodox Church observes a special service known as the Service of the Bridegroom. Each evening service is the Matins or Orthros service of the following day (e.g. the service held on Sunday evening is the Orthros service for Holy Monday). The name of the service is from the figure of the Bridegroom in the parable of the Ten Virgins found in Matthew 25:1-13. The first part of Holy Week presents us with an array of themes based chiefly on the last days of Jesus earthly life. The story of the Passion, as told and recorded by the Evangelists, is preceded by a series of incidents located in Jerusalem and a collection of parables, sayings and discourses centered on Jesus divine sonship, the kingdom of God, the Parousia, and Jesus castigation of the hypocrisy and dark motives of the religious leaders. The observances of the Wait for the promise of the Father first three days of Great Week are rooted in these incidents and sayings. The three days constitute a single liturgical unit. They have the same cycle and system of daily prayer. The Scripture lessons, hymns, commemorations, and ceremonials that make up the festal elements in the respective services of the cycle highlight significant aspects of salvation history, by calling to mind the events that anticipated the Passion and by proclaiming the inevitability and significance of the Parousia. The Orthros of each of these days is called the Service of the Bridegroom. 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 Pag. 3 AÊ LentenÊ Prayer by St. Ephraim the Syrian O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yea, Lord and King, grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. ^

2 Dates in the Life of Our Church MARCH - APRIL MON 3 Great Lent Begins 5:30 PM Great Compline 12:00 PM YHT Parent/Advisor Meeting 1:00 PM Oratorical Festival WED 5 7:00 PM Presanctified Liturgy 8:30 PM Theosis MON 24 7:00 PM Great Vespers at Evangelismos in Jersey City FRI 7 7:00 PM Akathist Hymn TUE 25 The Annunciation 8:30 AM Orthros SAT 8 SUN 9 TUE 11 3 rd Saturday of Souls 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy Sunday of Orthodoxy 8:15 AM Orthros 6:30 PM Lenten Vespers 7:30 PM Parish Council Meeting 7:30 PM Philoptochos General Meeting WED 26 THUR 27 FRI 28 Independence Day Celebration 7:00 PM Presanctified Liturgy 8:30 PM Theosis 10:00 AM TOTs 7:30 PM Choir 7:00 PM Akathist Hymn WED 12 7:00 PM Presanctified Liturgy 8:30 PM Theosis SAT 29 Quilt-a-Thon THUR 13 FRI 14 SAT 15 SUN 16 10:00 AM TOTS 7:30 PM Choir 7:00 PM Akathist Hymn Art Show 2 nd Sunday of Lent /St. Gregory Palamas 8:15 AM Orthros 12:00 PM YHT Meeting, Room 101 Art Show SUN 30 TUE 1 WED 2 THUR 3 FRI 4 St. John Climacus 8:15 AM Orthros 9:30 PM Divine Liturgy 7:00 PM NNJYC 7:00 PM Presanctified Liturgy 8:30 PM Theosis Trinity Circle Trip to Sights & Sound 7:30 PM Choir / Sr. Greek Dance 7:00 PM Akathist Hymn MON 17 TUE 18 WED 19 THUR 20 FRI 21 SUN 23 5:30 PM Great Compline 11:00 AM Trinity Circle 7:00 PM Presanctified Liturgy 8:30 PM Theosis 7:30 PM Choir Practice 7:00 PM Akathist Hymn Holy Cross 8:15 AM Orthros SUN 6 TUE 8 WED 9 THUR 10 St. Mary of Egypt 8:15 AM Orthros 6:30 PM Lenten Vespers 7:00 PM Philoptochos Board Meeting 7:30 PM Parish Council Board Meeting 7:00 PM Presanctified Liturgy 8:30 PM Theosis 10:00 AM TOTs 7:30 PM Choir Holy Week & Paschal Schedule - See page 3 2 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey

3 Behold the Bridegroom Comes FROM PAGE 1 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 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 On 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 typos Christou, i.e., as a prototype, prefigurement or image of Christ. The story of Joseph illustrates the mystery of God s providence, promise and redemption. Innocent, chaste and righteous, his life bears witness to the power of God s love and promise. The lesson to be learned from Joseph s life, as it bears upon the ultimate redemption wrought by the death and resurrection of Christ, is summed up in the words he addressed to his brothers who had previously betrayed him, Fear not As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones. Thus he reassured them and comforted them (Genesis 50:19-21). The commemoration of the noble, blessed and saintly Joseph reminds us that in the great events of the Old Testament, the Church recognizes the realities of the New Testament. 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 Pag. 4 APRIL 12 SATURDAY OF LAZARUS 8:45 AM Orthros 10:45 AM Tying of Palms APRIL 13 PALM SUNDAY 8:30 AM Orthros 7:00 PM The Bridegroom Service APRIL 14 HOLY MONDAY 7:00 PM The Bridegroom Service APRIL 15 HOLY TUESDAY 9:00 AM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts 7:00 PM The Bridegroom Service & Hymn of Kassiani APRIL 16 HOLY WEDNESDAY 3:00 PM Sacrament of Holy Unction 7:00 PM Sacrament of Holy Unction THE ICON OF THE BRIDEGROOM The Bridegroom Icon portrays Christ during His Passion, particularly during the period when our Lord was mocked and tortured by the soldiers who crowned Him with thorns, dressed Him in purple and placed a reed in His Hands, jeering Him as the King of the Jews. Christ is shown bearing the wounds of his mocking and torture. He is dressed in a purple cloak with His hands bound together, and holding a reed as a staff with a crown of thorns placed upon His head. HOLY AND GREAT WEEK & PASCHAL SCHEDULE APRIL 17 HOLY THURSDAY 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy of the Mystical Supper 7:00 PM The Holy Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Twelve Gospels and the Crucifixion APRIL 18 GREAT & HOLY FRIDAY 9 AM-3 PM Church open for the Veneration of The Cross 9:30 AM Imperial Hours 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Holy Friday Retreat 3:00 PM Apokathelosis, Service of Unnailing, Descent from the Cross and Burial of Christ 7:00 PM The Lamentation Service at the Epitaphios APRIL 19 HOLY SATURDAY 9:30 AM Vesperal Divine Liturgy 11:00 PM Resurrection Vigil & Paschal Divine Liturgy APRIL 19 SUNDAY THE GREAT & HOLY PASCHA 11:00 AM Agape Vespers The Promise ^ March 2014 ^ Volume 38, Issue 3 3

4 Pag. 3 BEHOLD THE BRIDEGROOM COMES 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. The fig tree is symbolic of Israel become barren by her failure to recognize and receive Christ and His teachings. The cursing of the fig tree is a parable in action, a symbolic gesture. Its meaning should not be lost on any one in any generation. Christ s judgment on the faithless, unbelieving, unrepentant and unloving will be certain and decisive on the Last Day. This episode makes it clear that nominal Christianity is not only inadequate, it is also despicable and unworthy of God s kingdom. Genuine Christian faith is dynamic and fruitful. It permeates one s whole being and causes a change. Living, true and unadulterated faith makes the Christian conscious of the fact that he is already a citizen of heaven. Therefore, his way of thinking, feeling, acting and being must reflect this reality. Those who belong to Christ ought to live and walk in the Spirit; and the Spirit will bear fruit in them: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-25). 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. From these parables we learn at least two basic things. First, Judgment Day will be like the situation in which the bridesmaids (or virgins) of the parable found themselves: some ready for it, some not ready. The time one decides for God is now and not at some undefined point in the future. If time and tide waits for no man, certainly the Parousia is no exception. The tragedy of the closed door is that individuals close it, not God. The exclusion from the marriage feast, the kingdom, is of our own making. Second, we are reminded that watchfulness and readiness do not mean a wearisome, spiritless performance of formal and empty obligations. Most certainly it does not mean inactivity and slothfulness. Watchfulness signifies inner stability, soberness, tranquility and joy. It means spiritual alertness, attentiveness and vigilance. Watchfulness is the deep personal resolve to find and do the will of God, embrace every commandment and every virtue, and guard the intellect and heart from evil thoughts and actions. Watchfulness is the intense love of God. 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. The repentance of the sinful harlot is contrasted with the tragic fall of the chosen disciple. The Triodion makes it crystal clear that Judas perished, not simply because he betrayed his Master, but because, having fallen into the sin of betrayal, he then refused to believe in the The Bookstore The Bookstore s Lenten feature... possibility of forgiveness. If we deplore the actions of Judas, we do so not with vindictive self-righteousness but conscious always of our own guilt. In general, all the passages in the Triodion that seem to be directed against the Jews should be understood in this same way. When the Triodion denounces those who rejected Christ and delivered Him to death, we recognize that these words apply not only to others, but to ourselves: for have we not betrayed the Savior many times in our hearts and crucified Him anew? I have transgressed more than the harlot, O loving Lord, yet never have I offered You my flowing tears. But in silence I fall down before You and with love I kiss Your most pure feet, beseeching You as Master to grant me remission of sins; and I cry to You, O Savior: Deliver me from the filth of my works. While the sinful woman brought oil of myrrh, the disciple came to an agreement with the transgressors. She rejoiced to pour out what was very precious, he made haste to sell the One who is above all price. She acknowledged Christ as Lord, he severed himself from the Master. She was set free, but Judas became the slave of the enemy. Grievous was his lack of love. Great was her repentance. Grant such repentance also unto me, O Savior who has suffered for our sake, and save us. Hymns of the Bridegroom Service Troparion: Behold, the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night, and blessed is that servant whom He shall find watching; and again unworthy is he whom He shall find heedless. Beware, therefore, O my soul, lest thou be overcome with sleep, lest thou be given up to death, and be shut out from the Kingdom. But rouse thyself and cry: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God, through the Mother of God, have mercy on us. Exapostelarion: Thy bridal chamber, O my Saviour, do I behold all adorned, and a garment I have not that I may enter therein. Illumine the garment of my soul, O Giver of Light, and save me. ^ Let the Bookstore s Lenten feature, so much more than a cookbook, introduce you to the Saint who is so much more than a cook! SANDY MOURATOGLOU & ANDREA BLASI ALenten Cookbook for Orthodox Christians by the Saint Nectarios American Orthodox Church is a treasury of great recipes and articles. Have you ever seen an icon of Saint Euphrosinos? He is not pictured with an apron, chef s hat, and cooking utensils. Was the whole monastery so filled with the aroma of his baked apples or the fresh scent of his Waldorf salad that his iconographers picture him not with chef-type garb, but holding golden apples? Absolutely not The whole monastery was filled with the sweet spiritual fragrance of the apples that he gave a pious priest THOSE APPLES HAD MIRACULOUS HEALING POWERS! One can imagine that Saint Euphrosinos, deeply humble due to his acknowledgement of his unschooled ignorance and lowly job at the monastery, was such a master of reverent prayer and meditation from the heart that God chose him to tend His garden of healing plants. Thus, anyone who desires to excel at humility, diligent prayer and meditation, gardening, cooking healthful meals, and most especially, praying for the healing of oneself and others, might do well to ask Saint Euphrosinos to pray and intercede. The Bookstore is located as you enter the Bouras Center following Sunday Liturgy. If you don t see a title or item that you want, we can order it for you! In addition, if you would like to enhance your stewardship by being a Book Store cashier whenever your schedule permits during the Fellowship Hour, please stop by our table. ^ 4 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey

5 The Spirit of Lent CONCERT The 24th annual Lenten Concert will be hosted by the beautiful new St. Anna Church in Flemington, NJ on Friday, April 11, 2014 at 8:00 PM. Last year the beautiful new St. George church in Ocean, NJ was the host. It was a delight to show-case these new parishes. The District of New Jersey of the Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians has consistently sponsored these concerts including choir members from our New Jersey and Staten Island parishes. Since 1994 our youth singers now called the Angel-choir and Byzan- teens have participated along with the 50 voiced adult choir. Come and hear this lovely program of inspiring Lenten music which sets the tone for Holy Week. Thank you to the Holy Trinity groupies who have consistently supported these efforts. ^ GOYA REPORTS BY CHRIS BOUTSIKARIS ATHLETIC LIAISON We started off the New Year by attending the Rutgers-Louisville basketball game where 66 tickets were sold and all the parents and GOYANs had a great time. Westfield just capped off a captivating season where all teams placed this year. We are so proud of the following: the senior girls volleyball for winning third place in this years volleyball tournament. Congratulations to all the girls on the team. Also, congratulations to our senior boys basketball team for their second place finish after falling just short in the championship game. Good job guys. Finally, our hats go off to our junior boy basketball team for their hard fought battle to win first place in the junior division for basketball. Now our athletic program looks forward to Olympics. BY ANDIE KANARAS OUTREACH COMMITTEE MEMBER The food drive for the IOCC collected a trunk full of canned & boxed food. To be delivered to the Westfield Food Bank. The collection was a success as we raised $420! Thank you to the parish for all the support! BY ALEXANDRA MAGLARAS RECORDING SECRETARY The past month have been very busy for our fellow GOYANS. They both implored very successful basketball and volleyball seasons. This weekend we have the playoffs for senior boys basketball and senior girls volleyball. Both teams have been preparing for this weekend and we all wish each team the best of luck. Also, the GOYA attended the Rutgers- Louisville basketball game on January 4. All the GOYANs (and parents) had a great time at the gamethe GOYA of Holy Trinity is very proud to have a new website this year. This website is a way to communicate the relevant activities with all registered GOYANs which can be accessed from the homepage of Holy Trinity. Communication is vital and this website is one helpful tool that keeps us connected with the church and state events, as well as with our fellow GOYANs. We thank Kristin Tencza for developing the website for our youth. All of the GOYA related events and information is posted onto the website. The website has several categories at the top toolbar and that the information is organized so that the user can readily locate the details. Some categories include forms, activities, news and photos. These sections are updated regularly. Some new features this year include the GOYA directory, which is located under YHT home, a weekly poll that keeps record of the GOYANs participating in a certain event, and our photos page. We like to post photos of our GOYANs taking part of our various activities throughout the year. This website is one way for all of us to keep track of upcoming/future events. We are very proud of our GOYA website. BY JOHN KATSINGRIS GREEK DANCING LIAISON The past month have been very busy for Our past event, the Metropolis of New Jersey Folk Dance Festival (FDF) was a huge success. Our dance troupe has learned so much and our performance was impeccable. Unfortuanltey, we did not place but we learned a lot from our experience and hope to compete again next year. New Jersey s Sights and Sounds is coming up Pag. 7 The Promise ^ March 2014 ^ Volume 38, Issue 3 5

6 Parish Life ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN ATHLETES Olympic Athletes receiving blessing of Russian Patriarch. Our Holy Trinity Athletes. 6 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey

7 Pag. 5 GOYA REPORTS on the weekend of March first, and the dancers have a high self confidence in placing this year. We are all very excited for Sights and Sounds and hope for everyone to come and s u p p o r twe s t fi e l d. BY GEORGE LEICHTLING, BOARD MEMBER On Saturday February 8th four cars departed the Holy Trinity parking lot at 6:30 am and went to Blue Mountain Ski Area in Palmerton, PA. There were a mix of snowboarders and skiers that hit the slopes. The conditions were great and best of all there were no injuries! We are looking forward to doing this again soon! BY CHRISTINA KALLINOSIS SIGHTS & SOUNDS LIAISON Preparing for Sights & Sounds, the GOYA held a loukoumades fund raiser. This made $480. AMERICAN MONOLOGUE AND DRAMATIC PAIRS - MICHAEL ALTMANN Mr. Altmann is a former casting agent. He has worked on shows such as Boy Meets World and Ellen. He has also had nine years teaching experience from Montclair, Dunellen and South Orange/Maplewood. He taught drama in all of those school systems. He has also directed many shows, from Guys and Dolls to Grease. He has also directed all the fall shows at Edison Intermediate School in Westfield, NJ including this year s show Romeo and Juliet Together (and Alive!) al Last. He is blessed to share his life with his wife, son, and dogs. He loves movies, plays, lifting, and football. But, most of all, he loves to teach. BAND - PHIL RHINALDI Cadillac Phil draws his inspiration from jazz, as well as rock, funk and R&B. He has taught music lessons, both nationally and internationally, with master classes in more than 50 different venues, including Sherbrooke University in Canada. In addition to his private teaching and clinics, Rinaldi, a graduate of New Jersey City University with a BA in Music, performs increasingly in the New York metropolitan area. He has appeared with outstanding groups such as the New Jersey Pops, the Staten Island Philharmonic, Ocean Pops, Ryles Jazz Orchestra in Boston and the Billy Carrion Jazz Orquestra, which has been recognized as one of the most acclaimed in Latin Music. He has performed with such notables as Connie Francis, Joe Piscipo, The Duprees and The Temptations. His band Watson can often be heard in the Sweet Sounds Downtown Jazz Festival in Westfield, as well as at other local events. AMERICAN PLAY - DONNIEE BARNES Donniee Barnes has been performing for over 20 years and has been a teaching artist for over 10. Trained at Weiss Barron Studios, Montclair State University and privately coached by Julliard s Denise Woods, Donniee loves to take her training and her love of the stage to schools and young people. Currently, Donniee teaches The Art of Performing Magic to elementary school students in Essex County. Recently, Donniee has played the role of Rebecca Nurse in The Crucible, with the Driftwood Players Theatre Company in Cranford NJ, Sister Soul in Nobody Love a Black Little Girl When She Becomes a Woman, with Ina Woman Productions in Harlem NY, and has directed the Audelco Award winning play, Long Time Since Yesterday, by PJ Gibson, at the St. Luke s Theatre in Metuchen NJ. CHORAL SINGING DIRECTOR: TERRI BEGOSH CERRITTO Terri Cerritto has been heard singing everything from oratorio to musical theatre. As a singer of American Theatre and popular songs, Terri has been a guest soloist in the Music for Montauk concerts in Long Island; The Plainfield Symphony Pops soloist; The Edison Symphony Pops soloist; and has a recording entitled, Last Night When We Were Young, featuring John Pizzarelli on guitar. Her theatrical experience includes regional and off-broadway performances. Terri participated in a Workshop/Master Class with Adam Guettel, the composer of Lincoln Center s The Light In The Piazza. She has performed in concert for N.J. Governors Thomas Kean and Christy Whitman and has, most recently, sung The National Anthem for a N.J. Devils Hockey game! Her directing experiences include conducting over 30 choral concerts and directing approximately 20 musical theatre productions for middle and high schools. During her tenure as Education Director at the N.J. Performing Arts Center, Terri co-created and supervised the Jazz for Teens program with renowned bassist, Rufus Reid. ^ The Promise ^ March 2014 ^ Volume 38, Issue 3 7

8 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ONLINE STEWARDSHIP GIVING AND DONATIONS PROGRAM Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is excited to announce a convenient new way to automate your regular offerings through our new Online Stewardship Giving and Donations Program. With our new Online Stewardship Giving and Donations Program, you can easily set up a recurring weekly or monthly offering schedule or make one-time donations. Online Stewardship Giving and Donations Program is convenient for you and provides much-needed consistency for Holy Trinity. There is no cost for you to participate. If you are currently giving on a weekly basis, you will no longer need to write out 52 checks a year or prepare 52 envelopes. When circumstances prevent you from attending services, our Online Stewardship will allow your weekly offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis. To get started, visit Holy Trinity Online Stewardship Giving and Donations webpage. ^ Good Friday Retreat HOLY FRIDAY, APRIL 18, :00 AM - 4:00 PM Holy Trinity Religious Education is proud to announce a Good Friday Retreat for our youth, in grades 1-6. The retreat will be held on Holy Friday, April 18, 2014, between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Holy Friday is one of the most solemn occasions in the Orthodox ecclesiastical year. In addition to its significance for worship, Holy Friday provides an opportunity for the parish and our Sunday School to gather young people together in order for them to participate more fully and meaningfully in the evens of Holy Week. It also provides a rich instructional opportunity for them to learn more about their Orthodox faith. Our objective is to have the children experience the Holy Day in a significant, spiritual, and inspirational way. The program fully utilizes the theology, hymnology and iconography of the Orthodox Church. It will offer an opportunity for our children to integrate many of the symbols, liturgical events and traditions of Holy Week into their personal experiences. Our children will attend part of the Imperial Hours service, traditionally performed on Holy Friday morning. They will learn about and participate in the decoration of the kouvouklion (sceplucer). They will lead the procession, when it is brought into the church. They will rotate through a series of Paschal Treasure Stations around the church, learning about signs of the Holy Week & Easter. They will be taught how to sing the three lamentations of Holy Friday and the Paschal hymn Christ is Risen. The retreat will end with their participation in the Apokathelosis Service, seeing everything they learned come to life. Please plan to have your child join us for this beautiful retreat, which will enhance their spiritual and personal growth. ^ 8 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey

9 Orthodox Bishop Answers 4 Questions ON SCIENCE & THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION Metropolitan Nicholas of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki studied Physics at the University of Thessaloniki where he received his Bachelors in 1976, and after serving in the army he continued his studies at Harvard and M.I.T. where he received his Masters of Arts and Masters in Science, and then in a combined program of Harvard and M.I.T. (HST = Health Sciences Technology) he received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. Upon completing his studies he worked simultaneously for New England Deaconess Hospital, NASA and Arthur D. Little. After teaching at Harvard and M.I.T., he went on to teach at the School of Medicine at the University of Crete as well as at the University of Athens. He then went back to Boston where he received both a Masters in Theological Studies and a Masters in Theology from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and a doctorate from the University of Thessaloniki in Bioethics.In 2008 he received an Honorary Doctoral Degree from the University of Athens School of Theology in Science and Religion. The following questions on science and the theory of evolution were presented to His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki: Q. As a person who believes in God, what is your perspective on someone who wants to deal with modern research, especially that which in the end challenges God, such as genetic engineering, cosmology or neurology? A. Research that is done to challenge God, has the disease of prejudice. Research is done to discover scientific truth. What problem is there with someone wanting to broaden the horizons of their thoughts and knowledge? God is approached better this way. God is not an ideology that we should by all means defend, but we believe in Him because He is Truth. In this sense, even scientific truth reveals Him. If He is still questioned, it is time to find out about Him. A believer who fears scientific research, fears the truth. Perhaps he is a believer who does not believe. Q. What do you have to say about the theory of evolution? Does it not contradict the teaching of the Church? A. In regards to this issue, the teaching of the Church is based on the inspired book of Genesis. This is not a book about Physics or Biology. The important thing it talks about is not whether God molded man from soil and where He found it, but that man was made in the image and likeness of God. Everything else falls into details. How can science subvert this? Beyond this, if science improves our understanding of this world and our image of Him, why should we challenge it? The most we can say is that we understand some things better. The God-likeness of man, that is, that we are made with divine life and engraved with the purpose of divine likeness, this cannot be changed by science. Though it can be arrogantly challenged by some scientists. Q. So it doesn t matter if man descended from animals? A. What matters is the divine origin of man and his relationship to God, namely that God created us, not how He created us. And also, the danger is not that man descended from the animals, but rather that we end up like them: People, despite their honor, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish (Ps. 49:12). While our purpose is to be like God, we are trying to prove that we are animals? The problem therefore is not the scientific confirmation of evolution, but the commitment to the sick interpretation of it. The latter does not prove the non-existence of God, but affirms the impassioned nearsightedness of man. To exchange the divine purpose with an unwise degeneration to an animal! Not even animals would like this. Q. But we have important similarities with animals and need to find their importance. A. The interest in our likeness with animals surprises me. If there was similar interest in our affinity with God, how different things would be. We should discover the significance of this affinity. As for the animals, there are certainly similarities. Our body in one way or another resembles the higher primates. We can even teach animals instinctive virtues. There are so many examples that exist in Holy Scripture. Christ Himself says in the Sermon on the Mount to look at the birds in the air and in what way we can imitate them. But what matters is our differences from the animals. Man is psychosomatic. This is the source of his value. It is time to turn our attention away from our similarity with animals and towards the possibility of our likeness to God. ^ The Promise ^ March 2014 ^ Volume 38, Issue 3 9

10 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Great Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha The Promise CLASSIFIEDS Galloping H ill Caterers CONSTANCE EFTHEMIOS-THOMAS PIANO LESSONS George Thomas The Galloping Hill Inn Chestnut St. Union, NJ T F Gallows Hill Road Cranford, NJ ALLYSON AGATHIS, M.D. Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics Specializing in Kids 395 Main Street, Bedminster, NJ Ph.: Fax: Kristin Tencza Principal IT Solutions - Proactive Support, Websites & Custom Programming 2124 Oak Tree Rd. 2nd Fl. Edison, NJ ASIS, LLC We Make Technology Work For You kmt@asis-nj.com Anna Shoshilos d.o., llc Board Certified OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY Laparoscopy / Robotic Surgery 784 Chimney Rock Road, Suite G Martinsville, New Jersey Tel.: Fax: ADC Associates, LLC 1200 Rte. 22 West Bridgewater, NJ Effective Resumes presenting your skills & experience Interviewing Practice & Guidance Anastasia Carumpalos, Principal By appointment PARKWAY LIQUORS Greek Wines & Liquors Greek Wines from different regions. Various kinds of Ouzo, Rakhi & Arak. Great selection of Liquors & Beer Mon - Sat 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Sun. 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM 870 Boulevard, Kenilworth, NJ Tel.: ADCAssoc@comcast.net Advertise in Promise The 10 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church ^ Westfield, New Jersey

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12 Wait for The Promiseof the Father Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 250 Gallows Hill Road ^ Westfield, NJ Change Service Requested 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 HtgocWestfield@htgocnj.org Web site holytrinitywestfield.org Presiding Priest Rev. Peter Delvizis FrPeter@htgocnj.org Schedule of Services Sundays Weekdays Orthros 8:15 AM 8:30 AM Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM 9:30 AM Office Manager Caretaker Admin. Assistant Worship Psaltis Choir Director Organist Head Acolyte Diana R. Waltsak Ocione Nunes E. Joy Daniledes Pascalis Kuvalakis Kathryn Athanasoulas Phyllis Verenes Nik Karsos The Promise: Volume 38, Issue 3 10 issues published annually. No subscription fee. Article deadline - 10 th of the preceding month Parish Council Philoptochos Religious Education Greek School Youth (GOYA) JOY / HOPE TOTS Bookstore Cultural Greek School PTO Trinity Circle Agapios Kyritsis Penny Pefanis Jenny Hantzios-Basis Rita Fitanidis Nik Karsos Julie Vagelos & Peggy Tsirigotis Joanne Paras Sandy Mouratoglou Barbara Manos Christina Warnick Antoinette Genakos