Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

Transcription

1 PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Jamestown, NY Permit No. 336 Address Services Requested Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 15 Francis Street PO Box 264 Jamestown, N.Y Website: St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Cordially Invites You to Our Christmas Play December 6th after Live Your Orthodox Faith Please notify Sabrina Piaschyk as soon as possible if your child wants to participate. Roles will be assigned and practice will start in a few weeks. Christmas cookie donations would be greatly appreciated for coffee hour November - December 2015

2 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We can say that the theme of this Newsletter is ANGELS. Here is why: About thirty years ago, the Priest of Saint Nicholas Church Father Nicholas Raphael of blessed memory informed the congregation at a general assembly meeting, that to complete the beautiful Pantocrator Icon donated by the Theofilactidis family, Angels are needed to surround Christ. The word Pantocraton means the Lord God of all. A pledge was made to fulfill this obligation sometime in the future. Athena Dimitri is a witness to this Now, all these years later this pledge is to be fulfilled. This is a necessity because throughout the Bible and throughout our there are quotes pronouncing that the Angels surrounded Christ at all times. Every complete Church has Angels around the Icon of the Pantocrator. Notice this picture from my past Church St. John in Myrtle Beach. The Pantocrator was just recently completed there also. We must thank the Ladies Erene Philoptochos Society for fulfilling this pledge to God. It will be their Legacy to Saint Nicholas Church. Throughout the years, their fundraisers along with giving necessary items to the Church The chairs in the fellowship hall, the movable chair going up and down the stairs and much more; also to the charitable giving they do every month, helping the poor, etc, they have saved enough to gift the Angels to our Church. This major event will take place starting November 2. There will be publicity on this from the Post Journal. Come and see this historic event taking place. In memory of Anthony Marano Mary Michos Riolo (deceased) In memory of Ordella Noni Loretta Searls In memory of Louis Dimas Loretta Searls Helen and Kenneth Bruner Mary Michos Riolo (deceased) In memory of Mary Cotsonas Nora Bitchakas, Pete Bitchakas, and Argery Cooke In memory of Anthony Marano Mary Michos Riolo (deceased) Ted Cottillion In memory of Ordella Noni Loretta Searls In memory of Louis Dimas Loretta Searls Helen and Kenneth Bruner Mary Michos Riolo (deceased) Memorials for Sept - Oct 2015 In memory of Eleni Cothalis Nora Bitchakas, Pete Bitchakas, and Argery Cooke In memory of Mary Michos Riolo Toula and John Bechakas Athena Constantine Helen and Kenneth Bruner Terry Constantine Ethel Enserro Betty and Albert Raistrick Joanne and Anthony Vitello Memorials for Nov - Dec 2015 * donation to Johnson Scholarship Fund In memory of Mary Cotsonas Nora Bitchakas, Pete Bitchakas, and Argery Cooke In memory of Eleni Cothalis Nora Bitchakas, Pete Bitchakas, and Argery Cooke In memory of Asimo Triantafilou Evdoxia Tsitso His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas has given his blessings for this project and will formally bless it when he visits. Remembering that an Orthodox Church is to replicate the Heavens, we must continue to beautify our Church in every way possible. In His Service, Father George S. Zervos Proistamenos In memory of Mary Michos Riolo Toula and John Bechakas Athena Constantine Helen and Kenneth Bruner Terry Constantine Ethel Enserro Betty and Albert Raistrick Joanne and Anthony Vitello Terry Jonethis Athena Dimitri Lowell and Nancy Patric Anthony Zonna Laurel Lockhart Mary Beers Mary Hale * Elizabeth and Mark Frederick Bill and Eileen Sarro Loretta Searls Virginia Cummings Angelo Cusimano Athena Jonethis David and Andrea Jonethis John Jonethis Barbara (Jonethis) and Michael Jo Ann and Michael Dimitri Louise Pillittieri Hendrickson family Katherine Theofanis Dina Beers Hurdle Ted Cottillion Cassell

3 Answered Prayer I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey... I asked for health, that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity, that I might do better things... I asked for riches, that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise... I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God... I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life; I was given life, that I might enjoy all things... I got nothing that I asked for - but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed. - Source Unknown I have called you by your name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and through the rivers they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shallnot be burned... nor shall the flame kindle upon you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Isaiah 43:1-3 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid... -Luke 2:10 (NIV) Statistics for 2015 Weddings - 1 Baptisms - 7 Funerals - 7

4 Weddings Kypros Panteli and Allison Leigh Colbourne were wed on July 24, 2015 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Buffalo As of October 23, Stewardship Report Crystal Newburg was wed to Jeffrey Roberts on October 17, 2015 at the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox CHurch in Jamestown. Congratulations and best wishes from your Saint Nicholas family. Na Zysonai! Condolences Our condolences to Joanne Christ on the death of her beloved mother Jennie Hall on October 14th. Condolences to the family of Florida Presvytera Euphosyne (Irene) Mentis. Interment was October 9, 2015 in Wellsville, New York. 40 Day Blessings Theofilactidis, baby boy Anderson, Sawyer, baby boy Demetrius Piaschyk, baby boy Baptisms July 5, 2015, Demetrius Piaschyk Congratulations to the Godparents, Jim and Christine Cheronis Upcoming Baptisms Nov. 7, 2015, Theofilactidis Dec. 5, 2015, Anderson Anderson, Greg & Christina Anderson, Tim & Rachel Bechakas, John & Toula Bechakas, Michael & Heather Bechakas, Terry & Soultana Beers, Mary Benchley, Andrew & Sonja Benchley, M&M Andrew Bertrand, John & Victoria Bruner, Kenneth & Helen Cheronis, James & Christine Christ, James Christ, Terry & Joanne Constantine, Athena Constantine, Terry Coustenis, Virginia Crandall, Brittany & Chad Cretekos, Kathryn Cummings, Bryan Ecker, Jim & Kathy Deppas, Lou & Melissa Dimas, George & Dorothy Dimitri, Athena B Dimitri, John & Julianne Dimitri, L. Michael Enserro, E. Fanaritis, Magda Feell, Theodora Frederick, Elizabeth S. Gianas, Sophia Hennas, Andrew Hill, Louise Jamesson, Kalope Johnson, Mark & SaraJane Kianos, Robert & Michelle Kianos, Violet Kum, D. Kum, Wendy Lundmark, Jason Marano, Maria & Kim Matjoulis, John T. Michos, Alexandra Michos, Crist Michos, Elizabeth Mignoli, Constance Morrison, Heath & Kathleen Moumoulidis, Stamatia & Elpiniki Newburg, Elizabeth & Jerry Noni, Ordella M. Panteli, Pantelis & Linda Pappas, Elizabeth Piaschyk, Damian Psychos, Constance Raptis, James G & Demetra Rigas, Constantine & Reba Rigas, John & Doris Rigas, Michael Rigas, Timothy Riolo, Mary Michos Ross, Anna P. Ross, Ethel Saines, James Searls, Robert & Loretta Silo, John & Barbara Singleton, Todd & Alexis Snell, William & Affroula Spanos, George & Mary Ann Spero, Kathleen Spiridon, Dean & Linda Stanton, Dean & Maria Theofilactidis, George & C. Kathleen Tsitso, Nicholas L. Tsitso, Spiro Turner, Bill & Angie VanGinhoven, Mary Jane Verleni, Nick P. Voulgaris, Anthony & Helen Zorich, Ronald & Voula

5 There could be many ways of stating the goal of education in the life of the Orthodox Church. In the mid-1980s, the Department of Religious Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese developed the following statement: The purpose of Orthodox Christian Education (catechesis) is to help build up the Church, the Body of Christ, by nurturing every person in the life of personal communion with the Holy Trinity (theosis), and thus, through this ministry, to bear joyful witness to God s loving and redeeming work in the world. Being only one part of the total life of the Church, Christian education is effective in the context of living faith in the home and the local parish. Living faith is concretely expressed through all believers bishops, priests, parents, teachers, parish leaders, youth leaders, and all Orthodox Christians seeking to know and to live the new life in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Key Term: Curriculum Why Do We Educate in the Church at All? People often ask, When will the curriculum be finished? The glib answer would be, When the student has learned everything! Really, the question points to how most of us have confused and conflated the term curriculum with textbook. Offices regularly say that they have produced a new curriculum on a topic. What they mean is a book, a resource guide, a program guide for an activity, or some other product with information or set of instructions for people to follow when working with a specific topic or audience. So what does curriculum really mean? It comes from the Latin word currere, which means to run a course, like a racecourse or track. It refers to the path that one follows. In education, a curriculum is an entire course of study that one follows in order to achieve or acquire the objectives of the program. For example, if you were studying to become a physician, the entire program of medical school comprises the curriculum, including the academic courses, the study groups, the clinics, the labs, the internship and residency, and the manner of instruction. All of these elements transmit the knowledge and create the experiences that prepare someone to practice medicine. What happens in the entire life of the school or classroom comprises its curriculum. What happens in one day of that life is just one episode in that curriculum. A textbook is just one dimension of that curriculum. Applying this to the Church, then, means that the life of the parish is the curriculum for teaching people what it means to be an Orthodox Christian. The curriculum of the parish is its life of worship, its social programs for its members, its service to the world, and its witness of the Orthodox Church and faith to others. All of these together teach the Orthodox faith. So, if you were to read all of the books about Orthodox Christianity that you could find, but never attended the, participated in it, or received Holy Communion, your education would be deficient. The intentional programs of schooling, classes, lectures, Bible studies and so on are just one dimension of this curriculum. In a Sunday Church school program, the curriculum is what happens from the moment the students gather until they depart, which includes far more than the textbook used in class. Religious Education Basics Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Department of Religious Education PRAXIS Fall 2008 November 2015 Birthstone: Topaz Flower: Chrysanthemum Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Ladies Erene Society Meeting 7:00 pm Daylight Savings Time Ends Veteran s Day honoring Saint Nectarios the Wonderworker 9:15 am General Assembly Meeting following for the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple 9:15 am Parish Council Meeting 6:30 pm Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Thanksgiving Day honoring Saint Katherine the greatmartyr 9:15 am December 2015 October

6 December 2015 Birthstone: Turquoise Flower: Narcissus Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday November 2015 January 2016 in honor of Saint Barbara the greatmartyr 9:15 am Ladies Erene Society Meeting 7:00 pm in honor of Saint Spyridon the wonderworker, 9:15 am for the patron saint of our parish, Saint Nicholas the wonderworker, Annual Bazaar & Bake Sale by Erene Society, Christmas pageant and luncheon to follow.* Parish Council Meeting 6:30 pm Christmas Divine Liturgy, Parents, please bring your children to the Liturgy. It s our duty. Father George Zervos First Day of Winter Christmas Day * 12/13 Pageant by Sunday School Children following liturgy in Church proper Luncheon following pageant in fellowship hall. Adults $10, Children free. New Year s Eve Live the Liturgy. Teach the Liturgy F or nearly four decades, Orthodox Christian religious educators have emphasized that Sunday Church school should not be held during the. In his classic book, Liturgy and Life, Fr. Alexander Schmemann writes, It seems self-evident to me that to organize a so-called Sunday School during the deeply contradicts the spirit of Orthodoxy Sunday is primarily a liturgical day, and it should be churchcentered and liturgy centered. In agreement with Fr. Schmemann, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese since the 1970s has emphasized that children should attend as much of the as possible and practical for the parish. We spend the bulk of our adult lives as Orthodox Christians in various worship settings not in classes or other parish activities. The habit of attendance and participation in worship begins very early in life. A recent study from the Pew Forum on American Religious Life reported that adults who had not formed the habit of regular attendance in worship as children and teenagers (i.e., acquiring it from their parents) were more likely to drift away from the religion of their family later in life. Teachers play a large role in helping children understand the, the actions, the rituals, the words and, importantly, how to participate in the service. Classroom time should be set aside for questions and answers about that day s worship. To answer the questions, teachers should continue to learn as much as they can about the development, nature and meaning of Orthodox Byzantine worship. There are practical steps you can take right now. Use the following checklist as a guide to begin incorporating the Divine Liturgy in each of your classroom sessions: students to attend the Divine Liturgy with their families? importance of attending the from the time it starts, with Blessed is the Kingdom...? participation in the Divine Liturgy? attending the and participating in the service? Epistle and Gospel lessons in your classes? read the lessons together before the Liturgy and discuss them on the way home, especially in light of that day s sermon? prayers (or hymns) in class reflect the liturgical season, such as Great Lent or the feast day closest to the day of the class session? those saints lives? This is the assurance we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything acording to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14

7 What Your Child Should Know NOTICE OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY: The Goals and Objectives of Education in the Orthodox Church W hat should our children know about the Faith by the time they are X years old? This question, which is often asked of religious educators, is fueled by a number of influences: Schools have expectations that their students should reach certain milestones at various stages in their education. Schoolteachers are expected to prepare their students to meet those points in the course of the year, usually because there will be some kind of test. Education itself is goal-oriented. Educational performance is measured by the acquisition of certain objectives. Teachers and students want to check their progress. Parents want to help their children in the learning process. Knowing the expectations and what the program hopes to accomplish is beneficial. The aim of education in the Orthodox Church is to nurture, instruct, and direct each member of the community of faith the Church in Christian living, or, as Orthodox writers typically call it, the life in Christ, so that each person grows in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18) and become a partaker of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Alternately stated, the goal of catechesis is for each person to become an icon, a living image of God, a person who lives in continual fellowship communion with God, reflecting a particular way the Christ-like way of knowing and living in the world. (A. Vrame, The Educating Icon, 1999, p. 63). This vision of education involves acquiring information but also involves living according to the precepts of that information. Thus, an Orthodox Christian ought to be well-informed about the rich content of the Orthodox Tradition. Being able to name, to retell, to identify, to list, and more are dimensions of what it means to know one s faith. A Church school program should be able to transmit these concepts to its students. But knowing the Faith also involves being able to appreciate its Anton C. Vrame content, to consider how it influences one s life, to participate in it, and to respond to its call of commitment to faith in Jesus Christ and His Church. For example, what is the benefit of reciting the Lord s Prayer in a classroom setting, and a teacher s assessment that the student has memorized it, without praying the Lord s Prayer at home and reflecting on the words themselves? The real curriculum for learning the Orthodox Faith is the life of the Church as experienced in a dynamic, faith-filled parish. Our education in faith is a lifelong journey. The Department has created its textbook series with this in mind. Concepts become more involved and the number of stories increase as the learner progresses. Our textbook series is not structured such that it presents all of the information on a single topic at once, never to return to it. Instead, we revisit key topics, e.g., the Divine Liturgy, in an unfolding pattern of discovery for the learner These topics are presented in new ways based on the theme of the book and student s maturity. We always hope for the best cisrcumstances that child attends Church school faithfully, has a well-prepared teacher, and a family that is involved in the life of the Church, takes interest in the learning process, and reinforces the concepts at home but this looping of crucial topics helps fill any gaps that may occur. Yet no Church school curriculum can include or teach everything. Any series of published textbooks is merely the first step of learning. Even in the best series, the authors, editors and publishers make choices about what they believe most valuable for learners to achieve in a certain timeframe. Of course, individual parishes and teachers add material, information (e.g., lives of saints and feast days) and activities that fit the needs of their parish s students and ministries. Therefore, on our website, we have distilled our textbooks objectives, by grade level. Visit the Resources for Supervisors section of religioused.goarch.org for our specific answers to the perennial question: What should my child learn in grade X? There will be a Parish General Assembly to be held in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday November 8, 2015 immediately following the. The purpose of the General Assembly is to review the year to date financials, approve a 2016 Budget and to nominate candidates for Parish Council, among other things. All stewards in good standing are strongly encouraged to attend. Please make every effort to be at this meeting, thank you! Erene Society Submitted by Athena Constatine, Pres. On October 7th, We had our meeting at the Heritage Green Health Care Center, in honor of Virginia Cummings, who is a resident there, and a long time member of the Society. She was so happy to see all of us. Christina Anderson made the refreshments and the nursing home provided us with coffee. Thank you to all the members who attended this meeting and visit. Donations for the month were given to the following: Mouth and Foot artists; Arthritis Foundation and to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Plans were discussed for our coming Christmas Bazzar and luncheon to be held on Saturday December 12th in the Fellowship Hall. Our fall rummage and bake sale were a huge success. Thank you to all who donated especially to Christine Cheronis and Angie Turner who made us spinach pies and donated them. Our latest project with the approval of Father George and the church board is to have six angels painted on the ceiling surrounding the painting of Jesus. We have seen pictures of other churches who had this done and it s beautiful. The Erene Society wanted to donate something permanent and solely from us to the church. Father George contacted the iconographer and it will be completed before the holidays. Happy Holidays to you all from the Erene members! Council Corner This year our St. Nicholas Parish sent representatives to the bi-annual Detroit Metropolis Clergy-Laity Conference held in Troy, Michigan. Fr. George Zervos was joined by Council President Jim Cheronis and lay person Kathleen Morrison. It was a very well attended event that included a number of lectures and seminars pertaining to the Orthodox faith and parish daily life. Metropolitan Nicholas gave a very informative talk, including giving information on the highly anticipated Pan Orthodox Council set for some time in He also said that he was appointed to work with our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Constantinople, Turkey. Fr. George was asked to address his fellow clergymen the day before the actual start of the Conference, which was an honor. The event was highlighted by a dinner banquet featuring Archbishop Demetrios of America. He addressed the group and later gave out achievement awards with Metropolitan Nicholas to two deserving lay people from each Detroit Metropolis parish. Our awardees were Spiro Tsitso and Athena Constantine. Respectfully submitted by Jim Cheronis Council President Bible study resumes in Church fellowship hall, Thursday, November 5th. Thank you. Religious Education Basics Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Department of Religious Education religioused.goarch.org

8 ADULT ORTHODOX EDUCATION We re pleased to announce that Adult Orthodox Education will resume in the fall. Classes will be held in the St. Nicholas Fellowship Hall one Sunday per month starting promptly at 9:15 a.m. Fr. George has given his blessing for this ministry whose purpose is to educate the faithful in our beautiful Orthodox Way of life. Jimmy Cheronis will facilitate the classes, using a format of lectures, selected podcasts and readings. Classes promise to be interesting and spiritually edifying, so please make every effort to attend! Scheduled dates include: 11/22/15 - The Power of Prayer (don t miss this one) 12/20/15 - Repentance & Confession: The Transformational Experience of God s Forgiveness Classes in 2016 are expected to be held every 3rd Sunday of the month. Choir Corner On October ll, the Choir hosted its annual Luncheon in honor of our Patron Saint, Romanos, the Melodist. We had a great turn-out and thank Jerry Newburg for his delicious stuffed-chicken-breast entrée. The choir members brought side dishes of rice pilaf, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, salads, vegies, fruit salads, rolls and various desserts. Thank you one and all. On this day, also, music pins were distributed to all the choir members present for their service to the Church. Father George also read a special prayer over us. Beautiful pictures were taken throughout the event, but some members are missing from the pictures. Jerry Newburg was cooking, Kathy Theo was away, and Joanne and Madison Christ were unwell as was Christ Christodoulos. We are making great use of our robes, thanks to Kalope Jamesson. The choir has been diligently practicing for weeks for our performance at the lst Lutheran Church of Jamestown on Oct. 25th. As usual, we outdid ourselves and received much applause and many compliments. We sang a Cherubim Hymn, arranged by myself, incorporating our regular Cherubim hymn with that of the composer Christos Kypros. The melody is so beautiful that you cannot get it out of your mind. We thank all those who came to practices, the Newburgs for hosting a practice at their home and all of you who attended the Ecumenical Choir event. We thank also, our fellow Albanian choir members Nick Manno and Tom Getska, of St. Elias, for joinging us. There will be more pictures in the next newsletter. At the First Lutheran Church s Choir Festival October 25th Pictured in our robes on the Solea are from left to right: Bottom row : Kathy Nieva, Presvytera Anne Zervos, honorary member Helen Verleni, Father George, 2nd row: Angie Turner, Liz Newburg and Kathleen Morrison and Ashley Stanton. 3rd row: Basil Getz, Dean Stanton and James Cheronis. The choir will be participating in the Sunday School s Christmas pageant also. - Presvytera Anne He who measures the heaven with the span of His hand lies in a manger a span s breadth; He whose cupped hands contain the sea is born in a cave; His glory fills the heavens and the manger is filled with His splendor... St. Ephraim the Syrian Dear Parents, More than 2,000 years ago, Christ entered this world as a tiny baby. In many ways, His birth wasn t much different from that of our own babies. Christ was bathed, swaddled, and likely given to his mother to nurse. People came to celebrate his birth bringing gifts. On the eighth day He was given His name, and on the fortieth day He was presented to the Temple. But His seemingly ordinary entry into the world was actually quite extraordinary! He was born of a virgin a gift of love from our heavenly Father for the salvation of the world. He didn t receive gifts of cute outfits or toys, but gold, frankincense, and myrrh: gold a gift for a king, frankincense a gift for God, and myrrh a gift for a man who is to die. For to Us a Child is Born was created for young people in grades 6-9. The title, taken from the book of Isaiah, is a prophecy of the extraordinary event. This guide is offered as a companion for you and your family to use alongside the zine and as a way to bring the lessons of the feasts into your home. You can download it from As we enter into this season, we pray that this resource will help your family grow closer to our Lord and Savior. May we all experience the joy of the Nativity so that we proclaim triumphantly: Christ is Born! Glorify Him! With Love in Christ, Center for Family Care Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America For Families with Older Children Lord Jesus,You have come so many times to us and found no resting place, forgive us for our overcrowded lives, our vain haste and our preoccupation with self. Come again, O Lord, and though our hearts are a jumble of voices, and our minds overlaid with many fears, find a place however humble, where You can begin to work Your wonder as You create peace and joy within us. If in some hidden corner, in some out-of the-way spot, we can clear away the clutter, and shut out the noise and darkness, come be born again in us, and we shall kneel in perfect peace with the wisest and humblest of men. Help us to enter into this Christmas Fast with humility, yet with joy. And finally Lord, give us Christmas from within, that we may share it from without, on all sides, all around us, wherever there is need. God help us, every one, to share the blessing of Jesus, in whose name we keep Christmas holy. Amen. (From Presbytera Emily Harakas and Fr. Anthony Coniaris, Daily Meditations and Prayer for the Christmas Advent Fast and Epiphany, p , Light and Life Publishing. Used with permission.) FOR TO US A Child Is Born PARENT GUIDE PRAYERS FOR THE NATIVITY FAST For Families with Younger Children Lord, Our God as you entered into the world as a newborn baby, enter also into our hearts so that we may prepare for your glorious coming. Help us to be still so we can hear the angels announce your Nativity. Help us to keep our eyes clear so we may follow the star to your Son s birth. Help us to turn our minds, hearts, and whole bodies toward you so that we may realize that the best gifts come from above. As You so loved the world that You gave us your only begotten son, help us to share this love with family, friends, enemies, and everyone we meet. We ask this in your holy name Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

9 September 2015: Bible Basics September 13: Sunday school begins (Blessing) Nativity of the Theotokos Elevation of the Holy Cross The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian October 2015: Oratorical Festival Iconography Sunday of the Ecumenical council The Holy Protection of the Theotokos November 2015: Old Testament Entrance of the Theotokos Nativity Fast begins Creation Eden Cain and Abel Noah s Ark David and Goliath December 2015: Old Testament For Us a Child is Born 6: St. Nicholas day: Luncheon- Children speak about St. Nicholas/Christmas Concert Holy Nativity St Nicholas Orthodox Church Church School Calendar January 2016: Old Testament Theophany of our Lord Stewardship/Tower of Babel/Abraham/Moses February 2016: Our Life in the Church The Presentation of our Lord Godparent Brunch Scout Sunday Triodion Begins: Passports begin Publican and Pharisee Prodigal Son Great and Holy Lent Begins March 2016: Lessons: Journey through Great Lent St. Patrick s Day 12th. Sunday school sponsored coffee hour 13th. Saturday of Souls Meatfare Sunday Forgiveness (Cheesefare) Sunday Sunday of Orthodoxy Annunciation of the Theotokos St Gregory Palamas April Lessons: Journey through Holy week Holy Cross Mary of Egypt 23: Lazarus Saturday/Cross making/sweet bread baking/children s confession/breakfast 24: Palm Sunday/Bake Sale Holy Monday, Tuesday, Wednesay, Thursday, Friday (Myrofora Girls) May : Great and Holy Pascha (Easter Egg Hunt) Thomas Sunday Myrrh-Bearing Women Mother s day No Sunday School- Memorial day Special Events: Graduation/Scholarships Festival Flowers Picnic On Saturday, Oct. 24, Father George conducted at St. Stephens Church in Olean. As usual, attendance was great and wonderful conversations took place afterwards at the lovely luncheon. We thank Betty Pappas for again organizing this event.

10 A Brief Synopsis of the Metropolis Clergy Laity Conference. The Metropolis of Detroit Clergy-Laity Conference which we as a parish belong to was held in Detroit Michigan from September 29th-October 3rd. James Ceronis, council president, Kathleen Morrison and I represented our beloved Saint Nicholas there. We met and talked with his eminence Nicholas though out those days and he spoke with all delegates. Archbishop Demetrio s was present October 1st & 2nd. He was the one who presented to us this year s Saint Nicholas honorees a certificate/gift. Mrs. Athena Constantine president philoptorhos and Spiro Tetsos for their long time service to our community. We attended religious lectures and seminars regarding church life. It was gratifying to see so many people from various churches who also shared a love for our Orthodox faith. I spoke to all the clergy regarding the priest life. The Metropolis philoptorhos hosted meetings also for philoptorhos representatives from many churches. Enclosed is an article page you might find interesting. Any of us three would be happy to answer any of your questions regarding the conference. Congratulations Athena Constantine and Spiro Tsitso who were recognized at this year s Clergy-Laity Conference for their service to the church. To the right is a photo of Bishop Nicholas and Archbishop Demetrios presenting their awards to Jim Cheronis & Fr. George. On October 12, 2015, Spiro Tsitso was honored for his many years of selfless service to St. Nicholas parish. He received a Certificate of Appreciation that was issued by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America and His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit at the 2015 Detroit Metropolis Clergy Laity Conference in Troy Michigan. His family joined him to celebrate the award. Pictured from left to right are his granddaughter Kelsey Tsitso, grandson Christopher Tsitso, granddaughter Ashley Tsitso, Spiro Tsitso, son Louis Tsitso, daughter Christine Tsitso, Fr. George Zervos and granddaughter Sara Tsitso. Congratulations Spiro! On October 12, 2015, Athena Constantine was also honored for her many years of selfless service to St. Nicholas parish. She received a Certificate of Appreciation that was issued by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America and His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit at the 2015 Detroit Metropolis Clergy Laity Conference in Troy Michigan. Her family joined her to celebrate the award. Pictured from left to right are Fr. George Zervos, son in law Greg Anderson, Athena Constantine, daughter Christina Anderson, grandson Jason Anderson, daughter in law Rachel Anderson, great granddaughter Raegan Anderson, grandson Timothy Anderson, and great grandson Sawyer Anderson. Congratulations Athena!