the word As we raise and exalt the symbol of the Cross on September 14 at the beginning of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church

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1 Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17 the word Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church Andover, MA September 2018 Message from Fr. Christopher As we raise and exalt the symbol of the Cross on September 14 at the beginning of another beautiful Church year, let us know that the message of the Cross speaks to us in a very real and personal way. Many of our church ministries will start in September. Please refer to the calendar for starting dates. GREEK FESTIVAL 2018 September 8 & 9 Festival Chairwomen: Jeanette Alexandrou and Andrea Zaimes Volunteers needed! Please contact Festival Volunteer Coordinator Martha Coravos at or martha0007@juno.com to get plugged in and serve a shift. Thank you! September 9 First, the Cross helps us through our pain and suffering. Beloved, Jesus more than relates to our difficulties and pain in this life. His crucifixion on the Cross was pain beyond our imagination. In the movie, the Passion of Christ, which graphically depicted the horrific brutality of what happened to Jesus on the Cross, many historians say that the movie actually didn t even come close to the pain that was inflicted and the suffering Jesus endured. Therefore, we have a God who relates to our pain. Jesus experienced it firsthand. Beloved, no matter what you are going through right now, he knows. Whether it s the recent loss of a loved one; a sickness or some emotional distress; anxiety or difficulties in the family, or simply the stress of everyday life, our Lord relates to us. But more importantly He provides relief to us. When we believe and trust in Him, we are not alone. He can relieve and comfort us through our pain and difficulties because He s been there, done that. Secondly, let us know that He endured the Cross and did this all for us because He loves us. Even though humanity rejected Him and crucified Him on the Cross, He never stopped loving. His love is limitless! Many people today think that God is angry at them; that He s disappointed in them. But this is not what the Bible and our Church teaches. You see, even when we sin, God still loves. Sin distances us, but His love is ever present. All one has to do is look at the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). The son left his father and his home and went away and committed every evil sin imaginable. But when he came to his senses and turned back, the father totally forgave him, loved him, hugged him and received him back joyfully. God s love is limitless. He s not disappointed. He s yearning, loving and waiting for us. In summary, the Cross shows us that our sweet Lord Jesus relates and relieves our pain. It also shows us that His love towards us never ends. But it doesn t stop there. Three days after the Cross His glorious Resurrection took place. The Cross reveals our future destiny. Because of Him there truly is life after death. There is heaven and eternal life. We will see our loved ones again. We can t even imagine what God has prepared for us. Because Jesus died and rose again, so shall we! Through the Cross joy has come to all the world, and the greatest victory of all time is ours in Christ, Amen. Get news of additional events and announcements via . Go to the church website and sign up to be on our LISTSERV. 1

2 Fr. Christopher Makiej, Parish Priest Dn. Gary Kent Parish Deacon Buzz Stapczynski, President John Terzakis, Vice President Jim Panagas, Secretary Carol DiPietro, Treasurer Dylan Archambault Voula Danas Sam Diamantis Bess Gorman Dorothy Hatzikonstantis John Karafilidis Nicholas Miminos David Murphy Peter Souhleris Anthony Warren George Xifaras Church Office Karen Davies Office Assistant Dorothy Mastromonaco Philoptochos Olga Pithis, President Chanter Telly Papanikolaou Choir Pres. Katerina Makiej, Director Organist David Harvey Altar Boy Co-Captains Stelios Koutsogiannopoulos & Michael Makiej Sunday School Patty Trant, Director Greek School Voula Nikitas Christian Lending Library Patti George, Director GOYA Advisors Voula Danas & Eleni Xifaras GOYA President Samuel Xifaras JOY Advisor Patty Trant YouthChoir/Women sfellowship Pres. Katerina Makiej Book Store Manager Elaine Demetroulakos Internet Ministry George Xifaras AHEPA Steven Pithis Daughters of Penelope Nancy Pantazopoulos College Fellowship Telly Papanikolaou Young Professionals Ministry Nicholas Miminos Facilities George Perakis Archons Arthur C. Anton James Lolos Telly Papanikolaou Parish Council Notes Dear Parishioners, As the hazy, lazy days of summer draw to an end, I trust you and your family were blessed with a safe and healthy vacation season. In early July, Father Chris, Presvytera Katerina, and I attended the 44 th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress held in Boston. There were over 1,100 participants representing clergy, laity, and Philoptochos members from across the United States. Our very own Mr. Arthur C. Anton, Sr. was the Honorary Chairman, and Presvytera Katerina sang the National Anthem at the Opening Ceremony. Our chanter, Telly Papanikolaou (a Professor of Theology and the Co- Director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University), moderated a lively session entitled, Are We Doing Ministry Correctly: Reflections on the Direction of Our Work. Several of our parishioners volunteered at the conference, including Heidi Marino, Panos Coufos, Dean Smith, and Michael and Nicholas Makiej. Father Chris and I attended a number of informative educational workshops, including one on youth bullying. The Archdiocese has a new youth protection and safety initiative that applies to all adults who work with children in Sunday School, Greek School, JOY, GOYA, dance groups, basketball, etc. We will be getting more information about this program during the year. In August, we had another very successful Vacation Church School with the theme, White Water Worship. A huge thank you goes to Diana Koster, Deacon Gary, and their hardworking team. Now we are looking at September and all the exciting activities that await us during this new Liturgical year. We also have our all-important annual Greek Festival on September 8 and 9, right after Labor Day Weekend. The festival offers our parishioners the opportunity to donate or to volunteer in a number of roles to make it a success. If you haven t volunteered in the past, then this is your chance to have fun, make new friends, and contribute to our wonderful church community. Thank you in advance for sharing your time and talent. See you at the Festival! Buzz Stapczynski Parish Council President ANDOVER GREEK FESTIVAL September 8 & 9 Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church 71 Chandler Rd., Andover The Word Elizabeth Xaros Bigelow, Editor 2

3 Our college students enjoyed a special send off following liturgy on August 19 Bookstore Dear Fellow Parishioners, The Bookstore is schedule to re-open on the weekend of our annual Greek Festival. We are excited at the prospect of another super-successful festival that not only affords our parishioners the opportunity to help promote our church and our mission, but also to have fun, enjoy good food and dance, and renew our commitment to our wonderful parish community. The Bookstore has stocked many new items, and we hope that you and your friends come in to visit. We love to see everyone! We look forward to the start of the academic year and the return to our regular schedules. With love and anticipation of a wonderful year ahead. Elaine Demetroulakos Dotty Vlamis The Word Volume 20, Issue 8 Published monthly except August and January by Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 71 Chandler Road, Andover, MA Phone (978) v Fax Periodicals postage paid at Andover, MA. Permit No POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sts. Constantine & Helen Church. Thank you to the Pantazopoulos and Nikitas families, Elaine Kevgas, and the Daughters of Penelope Chapter 330 for the donation of new altar cloths. Elizabeth Xaros Bigelow, Editor. exbigelow@aol.com. 3

4 Andover youth at Metropolis Youth Camp with Fr. Chris and Pres. Katerina Angelina and Concetta Archambault on Project Mexico mission trip this summer 4

5 VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL 2018 White Water Worship Our youth had a fantastic time this year at VCS. Special thanks to Coordinator Diana Koster and the entire staff! Thank you VCS Volunteers! 5

6 Greek School Registration Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church 71 Chandler Road, Andover, MA 01810, Tel. (978) Child s/children s Name(s) Last Name First Name Birth Date Family Name Mother Father Address Telephone No. Name and phone number of emergency contact I am a member in good standing of this church. I am interested in helping with Greek school activities. My child does not speak any Greek. My child speaks some Greek. My child was in grade of Greek school last year ( ). Registration & Tuition Policy» Registration and tuition for the entire year must be paid before the first day of class.» Church members tuition is $ per child.» Families with three or more children in Greek School will pay the full tuition for the first child and full tuition for the second child. The cost for each additional child enrolled is $50.00.» Non-church members tuition is $ per child.» Non-church families with three or more children in Greek School will pay the full tuition for the first child and full tuition for the second child. The cost for each additional child enrolled is $ I permit photography of my child(ren) for use in church publications. Y N 6

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8 STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 71 Chandler Road Andover, Ma (978) SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION /2019 FAMILY NAME Father Mother ADDRESS TELEPHONE NO. CHILD(REN): Registering for Sunday School Last Name First Name DOB Grade Children still too young for Sunday School - (For Pre-K children must be 4 years old by September) Name DOB Name and phone number of emergency contact Do your children have any allergies? I am a member in good standing of this church. I am currently a member at another church. I am available for substitute teaching. I am interested in helping with PTA activities BOOKS AND MATERIALS FEE: $25.00 PER FAMILY* Fee paid on Amount Check # (Payable to Sts. Constantine & Helen Church) PARENT S SIGNATURE *Fee can be waived in hardship situations. Please mail completed registration form and check to church office at address above. I permit photography of my child(ren) for use in church publications. Y N 8

9 September 2018 SAINTS CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Baptism 11:00 (LaFlamme) 2 Orthros 8:30 Liturgy 9: Nativity of the Theotokos Liturgy 9:30 GREEK FESTIVAL! 9 Winter Hours Liturgy 10:00 Sunday School GREEK FESTIVAL! Morning Meditations 10: Exaltation of the Cross Liturgy 9:30 15 Baptism 11:00 (Xaros) 16 Liturgy 10: Wedding 3:30 (Haddad) Liturgy 10:00 GOYA 6:00 Greek School 4:30 Men s Ministry 7:00 30 Liturgy 10:00 JOY 12:15 9

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