the Official Newsletter Publication of HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH April 2019 HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

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1 the Official Newsletter Publication of HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH April 2019 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit! And having said this he breathed his last. Luke 23:46 HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Hillcrest Road Dallas Texas Office Fax htgoc@holytrinitydallas.org Web Site:

2 Holy trinity greek orthodox church Hillcrest Rd. * Dallas, Texas * * Clergy Rev. Presbyter Peter Kostakis, Presiding Priest frpeter@holytrinitydallas.org Clergy Reverend Protopresbyter Reverend Father Mark Pakes, Assistant Priest Christopher Constantinides Reverend Presbyter Presiding John Priest Essa, Retired Reverend Frchristopher@Holytrinity.info Deacon Athanasios Sharpley Reverend Reverend Deacon Deacon Christopher Mark Pakes Stern Administration Administration Tom Priscilla Clark, Administrator Owens tclark@holytrinitydallas.org Church Administrator Liz Strong, powens@holytrinity.info Administrative Assistant lstrong@holytrinitydallas.org Maureen Rakow Laura Groome, Administrative Assistant lgroome@holytrinitydallas.org Financial Assistant mrakow@holytrinity.info Basil Xeros, Neokoros bxeros@holytrinitydallas.org Vickie Wells Executive Demetrios Administrative Buck, Youth Director Assistant dbuck@holytrinitydallas.org vwells@holytrinity.info Torye Morris, Facilities Manager tmorris@holytrinitydallas.org Support Staff Basil Xeros, Neokoros Torye 019 Morris, Facilities Manager Parish Council President Vice President 2011 Parish Council President Harry Tomisides Vice President Treasurer Christopher John Christon Canellos Treasurer Recording Secretary Sam Charles Paulos Pappas Recording Corresponding Secretary Secretary Dimitrios Chrisoula Horiates Kazanas Corresponding Secretary Charles Pappas Perry Alexandris Matt Fossey Members Harry Tomasides Wade Stephens Gus Kostas John Lanier John Papadopoulos Max Adams George Karahal Monica Ellena Arroyo Fox John Lymberopoulos Nic Carayannopoulos Peter Hronas Constantine Frank Sideris Mathas James Chappel Forest Boaz Frank Dimitri Mihalopoulos Tsevoukas James Dolmas Nick Cimino Michael Bill Zaemes Petridis Tasos Kaiafas Daniel Shaheen Church Office Hours Monday Thursday 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Bookstore Hours Sundays after Divine Liturgy until 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays 12:30-4:30 p.m. Holy Trinity Church is under the Jurisdiction of The Holy Metropolis of Denver 4550 E. Alameda Ave. * Denver, CO Tel. (303) Fax (303) The Holy Archdiocese of America 8 E. 79th St. * New York, NY Tel. (212) * Fax (212) and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople Sunday Bulletin & Ekfonesis All information to be included in the Sunday Bulletin is to be submitted to the office no later than Wednesday at noon. Articles for the Ekfonesis are due by the 15th of the month before. Please submit each article as an attachment to: lgroome@holytrinitydallas.org Ekfonesis April 2019 Memorial Service, Artoclasia Service & 41 Day Blessings All Memorials, Artoclasias, & 40 Day Blessings may be arranged by contacting Laura Groome in the church office at or lgroome@holytrinitydallas.org Sunday Worship Service Orthros 8:15 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Weekdays Orthros 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. 2

3 Pastoral Reflections from Fr. Peter Kostakis Man sentenced God to death; by His resurrection, God sentenced man to immortality. In return for a beating, He gives an embrace. For abuse, a blessing; for death, immortality. These magnificent words of Saint Justin Popovich call attention to God's inescapable love and life! What will we do with that? How will we please the Lord with the blessings that he has given us? The saint makes it sound like we do not want life. Like eternal life is a sentence! But the love of God can be joy and refreshment if we try to make something of it. In the fasting period we are called to heighten our sensitivity, to use our time less wastefully, to resisting temptation, and open our hand to others. This is the preparation for the Bridegroom to come! We are in a constant state of preparing -- not for death but for life. We say "I expect the resurrection of the dead" in our Creed. We memorize the words, but we are always challenged to be examples of this expectation! When we do not believe in our own resurrection, we do not respect life. Saint Paul says "If the dead are not raised, then eat and drink for tomorrow we die." What a miserable existence to be boxed into the passions, where that is all there is! That is not really existence! In the funeral, we are reminded by St. Paul's letter to the Thessalonians not to be without hope. If we are without hope because of death, then we will not respect life -- neither ours nor others' -- and we will pursue the fleeting pleasures of the world. Sometimes, it seems we almost wan to lose the hope so that we can pursue the sinful passions and get out of the eternal life sentence! This kind of pursuit will make us forget the words that we heard not many weeks ago in the Divine Liturgy, "as you did it (or did it not) to the least of my brethren, you did it (or did it not) to Me." Our love or withholding thereof is directly expressed to Christ. When we are fixated on our own agendas, on those persons whose approval we seek, or on our earthly comfort, on the desire for no stress, we can forget to show this love. Everyone who gets in our way of having a good time, enjoying convenience, enjoying our free time, enjoying recognition, doing our own will -- we can forget to love them! We see this played out toward those who need care: babies (born and unborn), the parents who cannot care for children with their own faculties, the poor, the sick, the aged, the disabled, the criminal, the imprisoned. They are often the ones who need our attention the most, and they are often the ones that the world teaches are of no use. God loves us all. The time, talents, time, and treasure of any one of us can leave at any moment. Will we then no longer be of use? We are never unwanted by God! Humans are not created for use. Life was not given to us as a sentence. A person in need is not to be looked on as a burden. Sin is the burden. God is freedom. The works that we do for each other ought to be gifts of love. All of us are in dire need of God. We may lose a lot, but nothing can take love and hope away. Eternal life is coming! We are called to do good works to all people, even the ones whom we judge as "the least". Historically, we have gone so far as to take it upon ourselves to define who is a human being. Does this really appease our conscience? If it isn't born, or if it isn't wanted, it isn't a person. Slaves were not considered human beings. The homeless person is going to misuse our gift, so he deserves no warmth at all. A jail schedule showed "12:00pm -- Feeding". (Would we not normally call that 'lunch'? Is this a zoo or a place where human beings should receive ministry in the hope of their repentance and salvation? Some zoos are, in fact, kinder environments for their captives than prisons.) The rampant pornography and human trafficking, the rudeness, the backstabbing, the neglect, the suicides, the wars, the abuse, the physical and verbal violence-- there are many more unnamed hideous ways to demean the icon of God. These are sent in both subtle and blatant messages. Saint John the Evangelist says that whoever hates his brother is a murderer. Hate, even if it is buried invisibly in the heart, disrespects life. Regardless of whatever effort we may make to appease our conscience, we will not be able unless we tell the truth. It is by the truth that we can return in repentance and all sins are forgiven by the Holy Spirit! When we ponder how we will love with good works and care for all of Christ's brethren, it may feel overwhelming. It is in that moment, though, that we have begun to make a commitment to the challenge. That is when we will start to be prayerful and receptive to the Holy and Life-Creating Spirit, Who will unite us to Christ. We abstain from the passions so that we can be obedient to our Liberator. We do good works because we believe that God raises us from the dead. We live lives of repentance because God raises our bodies, and we ask Him to protect us and preserve us in a holy and pure state. Let us give ourselves to God to show our belief in the resurrection of the dead and to show that we receive life and share life with thanksgiving! May the embrace, the blessing, and the immortality of God us be ever in our hearts and unite us in the joy of the Lord's Resurrection. Fr. Peter 3

4 On his website, John Sanidopoulos has written an article entitled: Bunnies and Chicks or Cross and Resurrection? He quotes Elder Paisios explanation reply to this inquiry. Elder, some children have asked me why we paint the eggs red. Part of Elder Paisios s answer is, Only tell them that just as the red egg is round, it symbolizes the earth which was stained with the Blood of Christ and the whole world was redeemed from sin. This explanation prompted Mr. Sanidopoulos to reflect on what the Elder would have said about bunnies and chicks, which have become associated with the celebration of Pascha. He then suggests some ways parents can help their children understand the true meaning of the Feast. He concludes by quoting Fr. Paisios: If we live Holy Week with reverence and solemnity, we will live with spiritual jubilation and divine joy the Holy Resurrection. Let us help our children learn the true meaning of the Feast of Feasts, Pascha. You may find this article and other helpful resources on John Sanidopoulos website: April Calendar Lenten/Paschal Feasts April 21 Palm Sunday April 28 Pascha - The Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Bright Week Monday, April 29, through Saturday, May 3 April 15 The Sunday of St. Thomas May 5 The Sunday of the Myrrh Bearers May we all have a blessed Pascha! We have many opportunities during Holy Week to prepare for Pascha. Make every effort to come often with your family. All services are important. For young children, be sure to attend services on Holy Friday Afternoon, Holy Saturday Morning, and Pascha (the Agape). Check the church schedule for the services. Don t miss the Lazarakia Baking on Friday, April 19, 6 to 8 pm and on the Saturday of Lazarus, right after Divine Liturgy, the making of the palms for Palm Sunday (there will be breakfast). 4

5 HTGOC Men s Ministry As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 Holy Trinity Men s Ministry will meet the first Saturday of every month in the Boardroom at 9:00 a.m. All men who are members of one of the Metroplex s Orthodox parishes, as well as those who are on the journey to Orthodoxy are invited to attend. For more information about the Men s Ministry group contact: Andy Atalis ( ) Stephen Konstans ( ) or Fr. Mark Pakes ( ) 5

6 Holy Trinity Greek School of Dallas IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS! Attention High School Graduates and College or University Students George Nikolopoulos Endowment Scholarship The George Nikolopoulos Endowment Scholarship Applications are now available for the Academic school year. Deadline for submission is May 31th. Information for applicants and applications are available on the Greek School website at ( Please submit completed applications and supporting documents to the Holy Trinity Greek School, Attention: Presvytera Alexandra Poulos. For questions, feel free to contact Presvytera: Dr. Nicolas L. Carayannopoulos Endowment Fund Philanthropy Aimed at Supporting Educational Aspirations and Hellenic Culture for the community of The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas, Texas Aristia Scholarship To all High School Graduates, whose parents are stewards of Holy Trinity, who have been accepted to a college or university or to those Students who are already enrolled and studying at a college or university and are seeking to complete their undergraduate education, the Committee of the Dr. Nicolas L. Carayannopoulos Endowment Fund invites you to apply for the Aristia Scholarship, awarded annually to one girl and one boy based on demonstrated educational excellence. The deadline for consideration of your application is May 31, Please submit the following to the Holy Trinity business office, either in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested: Name and contact information and list of extra-curricular activities. A typed personal statement of no more than 250 words advising the Committee of your goals and reason for your application for the Aristia Scholarship. A copy of your high school or college transcript (college GPA must be 2.75 or better). If a high school graduate, a copy of your college acceptance letter. If a high school graduate, a letter of recommendation for a teacher and one other member of your school community (such as a coach or teacher in an extra-curricular activity). If a college student, proof of enrollment in the upcoming fall semester of at least 12 hours. The Committee looks forward to receiving the applications from our hard-working students! For any inquiries, contact Presvytera Alexandra Poulos at htagreek@htadallas.com. The Dr. Nicolas L. Carayannopoulos Endowment Fund also offers: Cultural Assistance To promote and underwrite expenses of Parish efforts associated with Hellenic cultural activities Parish groups involved in promoting Hellenic Culture, such as, the Hellenic Dancers, may submit requests for assistance to the Endowment Fund Committee. 6

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8 Youth Ministries FOLLOW US Park Upcoming April 2 Austin Street April 10 GOYA Meeting April 20 Cross Making; Afternoon at Klyde Warren April 26 Good Friday Retreat Holy Trinity Dallas GOYA realdallasgoya realdallasgoya Camp Emmanuel 2019 Senior Session: June 9-15 Junior Session: June Registration is open from March 1 - April 30. NEXT GATHERING: April 3, 7:30pm** **JOY will start after Presanctified Liturgy JOY Retreat at Sky Ranch, April Register today with Demetrios, dbuck@holytrinitydallas.org 8 NEXT GATHERING: April

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10 Our Mission Blankets project that YOU - generous Holy Trinity parishioners - have been supporting has reached to far corners of the globe. Our next shipments will be going to orphanages in Africa. One is the St. Jude Orphanage in Gulu, Uganda where there is an Orthodox presence. And the second is an Orphanage in Liberia. Please pray for the work of this Mission to bring some comfort to young souls and to let them know there are many who care about them. Also, if you can accompany your prayer either with a donation of one or more blankets, or funds we use to send these blankets, we thank you in advance. Our drop box for the blankets is in the Community Center corridor. If sending a donation, please drop it in the church mail box. If you mail your donation, make a note that it is for the Blanket Mission. God bless you for your help, Karen Antos, Nancy Hebert, Liz Michael 10

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12 Cheese Allowed Fish Allowed 21 12

13 Strict Fast 1,2,3,4,5,8,9,10,11,12,15,16,17 18,19,22,23,24,25,26,27, April 2019 Wine/Oil Allowed 6,7,13,14,20 13

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15 Stewardship Outreach BRING THEM TO ME - Mark 6:44 Jesus Is concerned about the 5,000 men plus women and children that are with him in the wilderness. His disciples tell him that all they have are five loaves and two small fish that a boy has offered. Jesus response is the phrase, Bring them to me. Jesus then takes the loaves, blesses and breaks them, and feeds 5,000 men plus women and children. We also bring what we have to Jesus. We offer bread and wine. He returns it to us as His body and blood in Holy Communion. We offer ourselves and we become the Church, His body on earth. No matter how much we give, He cannot be outdone. Just like the boy who offered the loaves and the fish, if we offer what we have however great or small our gift with prayer and humility, God will receive our gifts and multiply them to feed His people. We live in a physical world that places great value on material possessions. Material possessions and wealth may bring power and status. But wealth and possessions can be fleeting. Circumstances change. It is the voice of Jesus Christ and the truth of His Gospel that remain constant. In our spiritual relationship with our Creator, we realize that we are called to be good stewards of His creation. And as stewards of His Gospel, we are called to use our material, worldly possessions to meet the needs of others. 15

16 Bring the Icons back to the Church Sunday of Orthodoxy 16

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19 AHEPA Dallas Chapter 20 Activities Our chapter has witnessed another great beginning this year. Here s what transpired during the first quarter: Thomas Bartz, a past member of our chapter, who in May is about to complete his final semester at Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA was ordained on January 13th to the diaconate by His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver at our Holy Trinity. To Dn. Bartz and his wife, Elizabeth may we add AXIOS and wish him well in his pursuit of becoming a Greek Orthodox clergyman. Chapter Bowling Event, chaired by one of our younger members, Peter S. Doyle. This event was open not only to our chapter members, but also to others such as their friends and HTGOC parishioners. The senior and junior participants enjoyed a fun evening at Pinstack Bowling in Plano, Saturday, February 2nd. Although we were not privy as to who was the best or worse bowler, a great time was had by all. Greek Night was celebrated at the Dallas Mavericks and the Milwaukee Bucks basketball game, which took place at the American Airline Center, Friday, February 8th. All eyes were on both the Bucks Super Phenom, aka Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks and the Mavs own Super Phenom, Dirk Nowitzki. After the game Giannis and his brother, Kostas Antetokounmpo, a member of the Reserve Squad of the Mavs met and spoke in Greek to 88 Dallas AHEPANs and their families, which included a contingent of Greek Air Force Officers, many with their wives, who recently were initiated into the Order of AHEPA and our chapter, and another 40 non-members from HTGOC and the greater Dallas Greek community. All Greek officers are temporarily assigned on a long term basis to Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, TX training many NATO pilots. Tuesday, March 12, AHEPA Delta District Governor, Chris Kaitson. Houston, TX made his annual visitation to our chapter to update us on District matters such as the AHEPA Family District Convention that is to be held June in New Orleans, LA and AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors project to help veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Our chapter sponsored the Lenten Breakfast served prior to the HTGOC Spring General Assembly meeting, Sunday, March 31, Upcoming activities: Our chapter will sponsor the Annual Agape Picnic immediately following Easter Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity on April 28 (See separate Ad for details in this month s Ekphonesis.) Picnic is open to all Dallas AHEPA, Daughter of Penelope, Sons of Pericles, Maids of Athena members and all HTGOC parishioners and visitors, who are visiting Dallas and Holy Trinity that day. An all men s social is being planned for late spring or later to attract new members to our chapter. 19

20 General Interest Coffee Hour Thank you to April s Sponsors! Sunday, April 7 Sunday, April 14 Sunday, April 21 Sunday, April 28 Greek School March 25th The Telos Project Daughters of Penelope Sunday Bake Sale Evia Perry Alexandris To volunteer your organization contact Gus Kostas at taki_gk@hotmail.com Please! We need Your Help! The Ribbon Cross Ministry desperately needs more crosses for the Cancer Center. They use approximately per week. Please contact : Katina Politz at Orthros Prayer In the morning are we filled with Your mercy, O Lord, and we rejoice and delight in all of our days. Let us delight therefore even in the days that you make us lowly and for the years that we have seen evils. And look upon Your servants and upon Your works and lead their sons aright. And let the light of the Lord our God be upon us, and the works of our hands may You guide aright. Yea, the works of our hands may You guide aright. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 20

21 General Interest (continued) PRAYERS FOR OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN Brandon Bell, USAF Michael Bocan-Collins, PO1, US Navy Thomas C. Bouras, 1st Lt., US Army Jorge Brignoni, Lt., US Navy Nicholas Patitsas, 1st Lt., US Marine Corps Haylie Marie Pike, US Navy Stephen Serniak, Major, USAF Space Command Karl Schlotthauer, US Army Alex Steiber, PO2, US Navy 21

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23 Parish Council Schedule April 7 Perry Alexandris John Christon Forrest Boaz Nick Cimino Matt Fossey Ellena Fox John Pappadopoulos Frank Sideris April 14 John Lanier Peter Hronas Chrisoula Kazanas Gus Kostas Harry Tomasides Charles Pappas Wade Stephens Dimitri Tsevoukas Oh the Welcome Wagon is coming! Wrong song...but the smallest ministry of Holy Trinity is looking for volunteers to be greeters. Text me at Thank you, Mary LeBrecht April 21 Perry Alexandris John Christon Forrest Boaz Nick Cimino Matt Fossey Ellena Fox John Pappadopoulos Frank Sideris April 28 John Lanier Peter Hronas Chrisoula Kazanas Gus Kostas Harry Tomasides Charles Pappas Wade Stephens Dimitri Tsevoukas HOLY TRINITY CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP The Caregivers will meet on Saturday, April 13 after Divine Liturgy (about 10:30), only if someone is interested in attending the session. If you are a caregiver and would like to meet with us, please contact one of the following: Steve Pakes spakes1@att.net, Bill Lane lanetex@yahoo.com, Presv. Alexandra Poulos presvyalex@verizon.net 23

24 EKFONESIS APRIL 2019 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Hillcrest Road Dallas, TX Christian Orthodox Gardens at Restland Holy Trinity Cemetery Lots Available Cemetery plots are still available in the Orthodox Christian Garden at Restland. Prices in the funeral industry continue to rise, so please don't miss this opportunity to secure your family s burial needs. Currently: $4000 For more information call the Church Office at