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

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1 NOVEMBER / 2018 VOLUME 13, The H ARK - ΚΙΒΩΤΟΣ M ONTHL Y BULLE TIN OF THE ASS UM PTION OF OUR M OST HOLY THEOTOKOS GREEK ORTHODOX CH U RCH Μ ΗΝΙ ΑΙΟ ΔΕΛ ΤΙΟ ΤΗ Σ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΟΡΘΟΔ ΟΞΗ Σ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙ ΑΣ ΤΗ Σ ΚΟΙΜΗΣΕ ΩΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟ ΚΟ Υ Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 111 Island Pond Road Manchester NH Phone: (603) Fax: (603) info@assumptionnh.org Facebook: ASSUMPTIONgocNH Links and Resources Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Boston Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople November 8 - Holy Archangels / Των Παμμεγίστων Ταξιαρχών 1

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

3 Parish Priest My beloved, Winter is around the corner and Church feasts are becoming more frequent. We have more feasts in wintertime because the days are shorter, the weather is colder and the skies are greyer. But here come some great feast days to sprinkle color, brighten our lives and cheer us up. Starting November 7 th, we will celebrate Great Vespers for the Archangels Michael & Gabriel in the Church of Taxiarchae in Watertown, MA, and on the next day Divine Liturgy in our church. The Archangels are very popular, because they make people feel protected by their divine presence. Since they are patrolling the skies, they are also patron saints of the Greek Air Force. November 13 th we will visit St. Philip in Nashua to attend Great Vespers and the reception there. November 16 th we will celebrate the feast of St. Matthew the Evangelist and November 25 th and 30 th St. Catherine and St. Andrew respectively. Please join us on these occasions, and let s collectively pray for the intercessions of these saints for assistance in our lives. Finally, the Presentation of our Lady and Mother of God to the Temple will be celebrated November 21 st. This is one of the four (4) major annual feasts for the Virgin Mary. Please also remember November 15 th the Advent Lent begins. The first month of this fasting period and up until December 12 th, we can consume fish. But from the 12 th until Christmas, most days except Saturdays and Sundays call for strict fasting. Feasts and fasts are followed by our Roman Catholic brethren, but they are almost completely unknown to our Protestant brothers. Yet, as Orthodox Christians we should uphold our sacred Holy Tradition and honor feasts and fasting. How do we get started? By checking daily the wall calendar of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. If you do not have this free calendar, please call our Church Office ( ) and get one. In it, we can quickly be informed of the saints celebrated each day. There we can also find out which days we should be fasting and what is recommended to eat. Feasts and fasts are very important to our faith, as they are directly or indirectly celebrating Christ. In each year, our Holy Church has established 6 great feast days for our Lord, 4 great feast days for Theotokos (the Mother of God), one great feast day for the Holy Spirit and one great feast day for the Holy Cross (12 major feast days in total). In addition, each day of the calendar year is dedicated to one or more saints who imitated Christ and often gave their lives for Him. Without doubt then, honoring the Lord on His feast days AND on Sundays, honoring the Mother of God and honoring the saints by offering them a Divine Liturgy on their feast days is deeply engraved in our Orthodox faith. Furthermore, the feast day of a saint, is both his or her memorial service and birthday party all wrapped in one. It is a memorial because their feast is almost always on the anniversary of their passing. It is also their birthday party, because the day of their passing is their birth to eternal life. The Divine Liturgy on the feast day of a saint therefore, is a both a memorial service and a birthday party. Finally, while fasting we eliminate certain food groups from our diet. Doing so, it allows us to gather abundant blessings. These blessings include that: we imitate Christ and His saints who also fasted; we chase away the devil who hates and advises against fasting; we subdue our passions; we spend less on food and free up money for charity; we temporarily get to feel what is like to be poor and hungry; we detox our body; we prepare for eternal life where food is not needed; but most and foremost., we rise above our earthly self, and by becoming less depended on food, together with prayer, we try to approach God who is a spirit. Happy Name Day for all celebrating their patron saint in November and a Happy & Blessed Thanksgiving! Your Parish Priest, Fr. Gregory 3

4 Parish News There will be a General Assembly meeting on Sunday, November 4 th at 1:00 PM in the Church Hall. Tickets for the George Tzimopoulos Memorial Raffle are on sale. Please see page 8 for more details. The next parish council meeting will be on Monday, November 19 th at 7:00 PM Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, has sent us a letter of appreciation for collecting and sending the Attica, Greece Fire Victims $1, (see page 10). We also thank our parishioners for their generosity in this most worthy cause. We are looking for Stewardship Committee Volunteers to help with a variety of tasks and help coordinate the Stewardship Program. Stewardship is the main source of income for our church and one of its most crucial ministries. We would love your insight, input and assistance. New Horizons Soup Kitchen Our next New Horizons Soup Kitchen visit will be Sunday, November 25 th, from 4:00-6:00 PM. We are always looking for new volunteers to join our group. This is such a rewarding experience; please join us for less than two hours of fellowship with the group from the Assumption Church. If you have any questions, please call the Church Office. Thank you! Choir We are looking for volunteers to join our talented choir. All ages are welcome! Do not be shy if you do not have experience. All that is required is your passion and love for Christ, His Mother and His Church! The next choir rehearsal will be Thursday, November 1 st at 6:30 PM. Philoptochos News Coffee Hours Philoptochos Board members are here to help any person or family who wants to sponsor a regular, Sunday coffee hour. You must provide the food and help with the setup and cleanup. We will supply the coffee, milk, juice and paper goods. Someone will be on hand to help you set up and start the coffee. Poinsettias We are accepting donations for the poinsettias that will decorate the church for the Christmas season. We will need 6 large poinsettias, 4 small poinsettias and several wreaths. If you wish to contribute, please fill the form provided below and contact a Philoptochos Board member. The next Philoptochos Board meeting will be held Sunday, November 11 th, after the coffee hour. Please cut here, complete the form below and return it with your donation POINSETTIA DONATION Donor Name: Amount: Cash Check 4

5 Youth Ministry News Greek School Our Greek School students have been busy building their Greek language and Greek dance skills. It is wonderful to hear their vocabulary expanding each week! Thursday, November 22 nd : No Greek School / No Greek Dance classes. Wishing you and your families a blessed Thanksgiving! Sunday School Our Sunday School continues to grow. We are so happy to see all our students every Sunday morning! Sunday, November 25 th will be a Family Sunday, please take your children with you to church celebrate the Divine Liturgy together. Wishing everyone a blessed Thanksgiving! Our annual Christmas Pageant will be held in church on Sunday, December 23 th after the Divine Liturgy and it will be followed by a community Coffee Hour in the Church Hall. The Sunday School, together with our other Youth Ministries, will be working hard at preparing for the Pageant. Please be sure to include your child (or children) by filling out the sign-up sheet located in the Youth Center or by contacting Mrs. Theohare, Mrs. Ranya or any of the Sunday School teachers. GOYA / Jr. GOYA Sunday, November 11 th, 12:00 PM GOYA / Jr. GOYA meeting. All aged are welcome. Youth Ministries Saturday, November 17 th, 4:30 PM - Youth Family Bowling & Pizza Outing. All families are invited to join us for a fun-filled family evening! 5

6 Sunday, November 18 th, is Youth Ministry Coffee Hour Sunday. Our Youth Ministry continues to sponsor the Coffee Hour on the 3 rd Sunday of each month. Your family can help by assisting with set-up, clean-up and/or by offering a baked good or a purchased snack to share. We will be in the Church Hall or kitchen from 9:30 AM on that Sunday morning for items to be dropped off. Please contact a Youth Ministry director if you would like to help. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan s Purse, an international relief organization. Their mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities who are affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease to children living on Native American reservations in the U.S. After sharing the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said Go and do likewise. Our Sunday School students will again be assembling these shoeboxes on Sunday, November 18 th, 2018 in the Church Hall at 10:00 AM with donations that we will be collecting from our parish community. These shoebox gifts are a way to demonstrate God s love to needy children around the world in addition to teaching our own children to be Good Samaritans and to spread the LOVE of God. Suggested Donation Items: First, decide whether you will pack a box for a girl or a boy, and the age category: 2-4, 5-9, or Then please pack one Wow item and one of each of the remaining categories: A Wow item: such as a stuffed animal, ball with a pump, clothes, doll or a small musical instrument. Personal Care Items: toothbrush, comb, bar of soap, wash cloth, hair elastics or headbands (for girls only). Crafts and Activities: pencils, markers, pens, crayons, coloring book, notebook. PLEASE NO: Candy, toothpaste, used or damaged items, war-related items (such as toy guns, knives, or military figures), chocolate or food, seeds, fruit rolls or other fruit snacks, drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers and aerosol cans. For more information regarding this ministry, please refer to their website: Please keep in mind that these items will be packed in shoeboxes Your donations (along with $9 for each box you create for shipping) can be dropped off in the labeled box located in our Church hall. 6

7 Assumption Christmas Card Fundraiser 2018 As the Christmas season quickly approaches, we are asking our parish community and friends of the Assumption Church to once again participate in our annual community Christmas Card. This year s donation remains at $15.00 per household. However, any amount you wish to contribute above this will be most welcome. It s that time of year again to think about sending our Christmas and New Year s wishes to everyone. Our Christmas Card will be sent to more than 300 Assumption Church parish families and friends. Please complete the form below and return it, together with your check payable to: Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, either to our Church Office, or by handing it to any Parish Council member by Sunday, December 2 nd, Thank you in advance for your participation and Merry Christmas! The Parish Council ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΗ ΚΑΡΤΑ 2018 Καθώς τα Χριστούγεννα πλησιάζουν, ζητάμε για μιά ακόμα φορά από τα μέλλη της κοινότητάς μας και τους φίλους της Εκκλησίας μας να συμμετάσχουν στην ετήσια Χριστουγεννιάτικη κάρτα της κοινότητάς μας. Η ελάχιστη δωρεά είναι $15.00 ανά οικογένεια, αλλά οποιοδήποτε μεγαλύτερη δωρεά είναι ευπρόσδεκτη Η Χριστουγεννιάτικη κάρτα θα σταλεί σε περισσότερες από 300 οικογένειες της ενορίας μας, όπως επίσης και σε φίλους της κοινότητάς μας. Είναι ένας πολύ καλός τρόπος να στείλετε κι εσείς τις δικές σας ευχές, εξοικονομώντας πολύτιμο χρόνο και την δαπάνη της αγοράς και αποστολής των δικών σας καρτών. Αν θα θέλατε να συμμετέχετε και εσείς στην Χριστουγεννιάτικη κάρτα μας, παρακαλούμε να συμπληρώσετε την παρακάτω φόρμα και να την επιστρέψετε, μαζί με την δωρέα σας των $15.00 ή παραπάνω, στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας μας ή στους επίτροπους της ενορίας, μέχρι την Κυριακή 2 η Δεκεμβρίου. Ευχαριστούμε για την συμμετοχή σας και Καλά Χριστούγεννα! ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 2018 Christmas Card Form Please print your name below, as you would like it to appear on the card Please return this form with your $15.00 (or more) donation Name 7

8 2018 GEORGE TZIMOPOULOS MEMORIAL MULTI-PRIZE RAFFLE to benefit the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church $10,000 CASH PRIZES! 1 st Prize - $5,000 2 nd Prize - $1,500 3 rd Prize - $750 2 Prizes of - $500 5 Prizes of - $250 5 Prizes of - $ CHANCES TO WIN ONLY 200 TICKETS IN ALL $100 EACH Drawing will be held on Sunday, December 2 nd, 2018 at the Assumption Church hall following church services A light luncheon will be served. Everyone is welcome to attend! Raffle winners not present will be notified by phone If you are a previous ticket holder and would like to retain your number(s), or if you would like further information, please contact: any Parish Council member, or the Church Office , or Georgia Tzimopoulos , or Kathy Papakostas

9 2 nd Annual ΠΙΤΑ ΦΕΣΤ 9 WHO MAKES THE BEST PITA AROUND? Do you think you know? Is it YOU? Let s find out at our 2 nd Annual Pita Fest Saturday, November 10, :00 PM Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 111 Island Pond Road Manchester, NH Sign-up and enter your pita into a friendly Bake-off to earn bragging rights and a nice little prize or just come to taste and see which are your favorite pitas Judging starts at 8:00 PM Tickets: $10 adults (includes pita samples, desserts & coffee) Bring your dancing shoes along as there will be music & dancing for all! Mezethakia platters & assorted beverages will be available Donations gratefully accepted Hope you get your pita moves on and join us! To enter please contact Joni Stamoulis Effie Kalampalikis Kathy Papakostas

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11 Sacraments & Services When planning a baptism or wedding, please check church availability BEFORE booking your reception hall. Thank you! Baptism November 3 rd - Kole, son of Bridgett and Konstandinos Makris Memorial Service November 25 th - 1 year for Fotini Palaskas Planning Memorials When planning for a memorial, please contact the Church Office at There is a particular altar wine and incense we use. Please call for details! PLANNED GIVING is a gesture that comes from the heart! Leave a legacy! As you plan your financial future, please remember your parish. There are several types of planned donations to consider. Here are a few of them to consider. In all cases, please consult your financial advisor for more information. Charitable Bequests: Once you secure the well-being of your family, you may choose to include in your will a significant donation to your church. Gifts of Life Insurance: Using a life insurance policy makes it possible to make a major gift while protecting the inheritance of one s heir(s). Gifts of Listed Securities: The gift of publicly listed securities, bonds, mutual fund units or other similar securities is one of the most fiscally advantageous ways to make a substantial donation to a charitable organization because the donor will avoid paying tax on capital gains. The gift of shares or other securities will give rise to a tax credit. It is more advantageous to transfer the securities directly rather than to donate the proceeds collected from selling the securities. This type of donation is advisable to those who wish to make a substantial donation without encroaching on their liquid assets, or to those who own shares or other securities which have significantly increased in value since their acquisition. Charitable Annuities: A charitable gift annuity consists of a donation of money or other assets to a charitable organization in exchange for guaranteed earnings for life or for a determined period of time. RECOGNITION It is with much love and appreciation we have received considerable bequests made to our parish which we feel should be recognized. These benefactors are Margaret Spanos and Dorothy Spanos. Their thoughtfulness is a tribute to their caring and desire for our parish to prosper and grow for generations to come. May their memories be eternal! 11

12 September Stewardship Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Bakolas Mr. & Mrs. William Bruttaniti Mr. & Mrs. Richard Dryer Mr. & Mrs. Thedore Farmakis Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Galanis Louise Hart Mr. & Mrs. Aristidis Kalampalikis Nola Kalantzis Arthur Kamberis Mr. & Mrs. Stathis Kapellakis Mr. & Mrs. Martin Krueger Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Laughlin Matthew Laughlin Mr. & Mrs. Robert Leuchs Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Matteo Tammy Nardi Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Oxman Georgia Palaskas Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Pashos Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Pomerleau Helen Rainey Fr. Gregory Trakas Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Tsekrekas Betty Xintaras Mr. & Mrs. John Xintaras BE GREEN! SAVE PAPER, PRINTING & MAILING COSTS. This bulletin can be sent paperless. us at to sign up for bulletin by ! What is Christian Stewardship? Christian Stewardship is: * learning how to be a responsible and concerned caretaker of Christ s Church * learning how to enjoy Church life and be happy in Church work, for in Her dwells the fullness of the Spirit of God * our active commitment to use all our time, talent and treasure for the benefit of humankind in grateful acknowledgment of Christ s redeeming love * caring for the needs of others * offering one s self to God as He offered Himself to us * what a person does after saying I believe as proof of that belief * devotion and service to God and His Church as persons, as families, as diocese & metropolis, as national Church and as Church universal. As Christian Stewards we are called to give back to God from the first fruits of our labor. We support our parish and its ministries in a deliberate way and not with only what is left over after everything else has been taken care of! September Offerings Efthemia Hunt Arthur Kamberis George Kamberis Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Pomerleau Mr. & Mrs. John Xintaras Donations in Memory of Vasiliki Bakolas Theodosia Liolios Stephanie Papajohn John Xintaras, Jr. Greekfest Donations Artemios Dongas (in memory of) 12 Thank you for your love to the House of the Lord and Panagia!

13 Church Wish List - Donations Wanted Two (2) Wooden Icon stands: $2,000 each (est.) One Hundred (100) Div. Liturgy Pew Books: $20 each (est.) Three (3) Holy Table & Holy Gospel covers: $1,500 each (est.) Eight (8) Wooden Chairs for Holy Altar: $800 each (est.) A Granite platform for our historic bell in the rotary: $10,000 (est.) With grateful appreciation for the $250 donation for the Pamphlet/Brochure display case to Georgia Gancarz BUSINESS CARD ADVERTISING If you would like to advertise your business card in our monthly bulletin, please contact the Church Office. A business card format, about 2 ½ x 1 ½ will run for a period of 12 months for one set fee of $150 a year. This will help us defray the ever-increasing costs of printing and mailing these bulletins to our homes and at the same time you will be advertising your business to our parishioners and through word of mouth to their friends. This is a great opportunity for all! 13

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15 Road NH NON-PROFIT O G. US POSTAGE PAID MANCHESTER, PERMIT NO OXI Day Celebration at Holy Cross Seminary 15