THE FLAME HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL

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1 THE FLAME HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL MONTHLY NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Issue 1 January 2016 CHRIST IS BORN GLORIFY HIM! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! By Father George Wilson The Cathedral Community will become considerably busier with the beginning of the New Year. As we kicked off 2016 in prayer during the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil on New Year s Eve, we had the opportunity to focus on our spiritual life. The Gospel lesson on January 1 is from Luke 2:20-21, These passages describe the young Jesus, Who stayed behind in Jerusalem when his family was returning to their home after the feast of the Passover. When they returned to Jerusalem and found the twelve-year-old, the Virgin Mary asked Him: Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously. And He said to them, How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father s house? (Luke 2:48) What a marvelous message to hear on the first of the New Year. I must be in my Father s house. This is where we all belong, especially at the beginning of a new year. Often, we make and break resolutions, so much in fact that most of us have given up making any type of resolution for the New Year. The thought of making a change in our lives for our betterment is a very good idea, however one that deserves much more of our attention than simply putting it on a list with other things that we probably will not do either. I pray that among the things in which you will regularly participate during 2016 is Sunday worship. As we gather on Sunday to hear the teachings of the Holy Orthodox Church during Matins (Orthros), we can learn more about our Faith. When we hear the Word of God through the Psalms, Epistle, and Gospel readings, we are nourishing our spiritual needs. As we approach the Holy Chalice with Faith, Love, and the Fear of God, we have the privilege to receive the very Body and very Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be empowered to be Christ with those whom we come into contact. On Sunday, January 10, immediately after Divine Liturgy, we offered the Blessing of the Waters of Bayou Saint John and the Cross Retrieval and Dove Release. I am pleased that so many of you attended this annual event, which helps remind us of the wonderful world with which our God has blessed us and how we need to care for and include it in the worship in the Cathedral. Another opportunity for us to grow spiritually is by attending the weekly Bible Study classes that resumed on January 13. We have been studying the Book of Acts and have actually seen how our Christian pioneers, Saints Peter and Paul and the Apostles, struggled for this new Way of Life our Holy Orthodox Christian Faith ROBERT E. LEE BOULEVARD NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA First Greek Orthodox Church in North and South America

2 2 Parents of Sunday Church School children, the Club 10 program has been working well, but we can improve. This program was designed to remind us all that the Divine Liturgy begins at 10:00 am on Sunday mornings and to encourage all Sunday Church School students to be here at 10:00 am. After the Epistle and Gospel are read, we pause the Liturgy for a Children s Sermon/Teaching. All parents are encouraged to step up in the religious education of their children. Our Sunday Church School program offers the basic teachings of the Faith, giving parents assistance in raising their children in the Faith. Still, the primary place for our children to learn about the Holy Orthodox Church is at home during daily prayers, bible study, and discussions. Beginning on Saturday, January 23, at 10:30 am, we are launching our new Adult Catechism and Inquirers Class. This class will meet for ten (10) weeks and is designed for whoever is interested in the very basic teachings of the Faith. The ten (10) weeks will not be consecutive since I will be out of town on some Saturdays. We have probably eight (8) or nine (9) spouses of Orthodox parishioners, who asked to learn more about the Orthodox Faith. This is the perfect opportunity for them or for anyone else desiring to review the basics of Orthodoxy. With the blessing of our Spiritual Father Metropolitan Alexios, Presvytera Harriet will assist me with this class as we offer a team-teaching approach. Presvytera Harriet is a 1980 graduate of Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline, Massachusetts, having received her Master of Theological Study degree. She served as a Catechist at both Saint Paul Church in North Royalton, Ohio, and Saint John the Divine Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Join us for our first class as we review the syllabus and the calendar of class meetings. We are thrilled to announce that His Grace Bishop Gregory (Tatsis) of Nyssa will be our primary speaker at the Spring Family Lenten Retreat on Saturday, April 2, Bishop Gregory, of course, was the Cathedral Dean in New Orleans from October 1, 2011, until September 30, 2012, when he was elevated as Bishop for the Carpatho-Russian Diocese of the United States. In addition to the Family Retreat, the Metropolis Western Conference GOYA Retreat and Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will take place here at the Cathedral that same weekend. Keep in mind that Pascha is late this year Sunday, May 1. This means that Great Lent begins on Monday, March 14. Also, please remember that our Parish Name Day is celebrated on the Major Feast of Pentecost, which this year falls on Sunday, June 19. There are many more events and on-going programs that will take place here in your Spiritual Home, Holy Trinity Cathedral. We encourage you to participate in these wonderful programs at the Cathedral, but most especially I pray that the words of our Lord Jesus: I must be in my Father s house be an ongoing reminder for you this year, and I pray that you too must be in our Father s house! Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral 1200 Robert E. Lee Boulevard New Orleans, Louisiana Fax holytrinitycathedral.org Liturgical Services Sundays Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy 10:00 am Weekdays (when scheduled) 9:00 am Clergy Reverend Father George Wilson priest@holytrinitycathedral.org Chanter: Demetrios Pappas Choir Director: Alex Tiliakos 2015 PARISH COUNCIL President: Constandinos Vennis 1 st Vice President: W. Paul Andersson 2 nd Vice President: Petros Christakis Treasurer: Eleftherios Toras Secretary: Barbara Wolf Members: Maria Anastasiou, Konstantinos Frezoulis, Manoli Ioannidis, Argeta Labatut, Angela Lear, and Ginny Zissis The Flame: Editor, Victoria Catsulis EDUCATION Greek School: Instructor, Fay Kalergi Hymnology: Instructor, Viki Moustoukas Sunday School Following Holy Communion Director: Patrick Latour ORGANIZATIONS Acolytes and Readers Coordinator: Vladimir Ammons AHEPA: President, Lance von Uhde, III Daughters of Penelope President: Sandy Bouzon Education, Culture, and Youth Ministries Chairman: Steven E. Psarellis GOYA Coordinator: Presvytera Harriet Wilson President: Sophia Marathonitis Advisors: Lenna Korominas, Despina Patselikos, Brian Stokes, Maria Stokes, Hellenic Dancers: Coordinator, Vivi Demarinis Assistant, Manoli Ioannidis Assistant, Maria Patselikos Holy Trinity Soccer Director: Ana Commagere HOPE/JOY (age 11 and under) Coordinator: Vicki Mantikos McCallef Advisors: Angeliki Frezoulis, Sina Lawrence, Donna Venturatos Philoptochos: President, Connie Tiliakos PTA: President, Evagelia Vatakis Real Estate Committee Chairperson: Steven E. Psarellis St. Markella of Chios President: Maria Anastasiou Support: Secretary, Victoria Catsulis Maintenance: Dimitri Vatakis

3 January 12, 2016 Dear Church School Families, Blessings in the New Year! This year we are excited to involve all our children in the Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. This is an annual event sponsored by our Archdiocese Department of Religious Education. It provides an opportunity for young people to study and share on a topic of our faith. The program is divided into several groups. The Junior (7-9 graders) and Senior (10-12 graders) will be speaking in Church and have the possibility of representing our parish at the Western Conference Festival, which happens to be in New Orleans this year. Each parish can send two representatives from each division. The Elementary and Preschool grades will show off their presentations (visual and/or written) during a Progressive Coffee Fellowship. Having the younger children participate gives them the opportunity to also share their faith. Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 21, when our parish Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will take place in the social hall. Parents, we will need your help in several ways. First, please encourage and help your child with his/her project. The students will work on them for the next several weeks at Sunday Church School but may need to spend some time at home to finish them up. There will be a practice day closer to the event for those in the Junior and Senior Division. Second, we will need our families to help with the refreshments on February 21. The coffee fellowship will be sponsored by both the Sunday Church School staff and families. Each class will have a table to display its class work and also provide some refreshments. Your classroom teachers will ask for your help closer to the date of the event. If you have any questions regarding this upcoming event, please contact Presvytera Harriet, who is organizing and chairing it. You can reach her at dedousis@juno.com or by phone In the Service of our Lord, Father George Wilson Cathedral Dean Patrick H. Latour Church School Director ADULT CATECHISM & INQUIRERS CLASS Father George has received numerous requests about adult catechism classes, particularly from non Orthodox interested in learning about the Orthodox faith. In response to these inquiries, Father organized a series of ten classes that will meet on SATURDAY mornings at the Hellenic Cultural Center. Each session will run from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. This ministry begins January 23, and everyone, who wishes to expand his/her religious horizon, is most welcome. Simply contact Father at FrGWilson@gmail.com to reserve a spot. January 23 January 30 February 13 February 20 February 27 March 5 March 12 March 19 March 26 April 9 STEWARDSHIP 2016 As a new year begins, it is once again time to consider making your yearly stewardship pledge to Holy Trinity Cathedral. This year s theme taken from the Artoclasia service, those who seek the Lord shall never be in want of any good thing, is especially meaningful because it emphasizes that all good things come from our Lord and that it is our obligation to support His Holy Church with a portion of the blessings that He has bestowed upon us. In short, Stewardship offers back to God a portion of one's time, talent, and treasure to support the Holy Trinity parish and its ministries. The new 2016 Stewardship Campaign Packet will be mailed to you in the very near future. However, you can go ahead and make a pledge at this time by submitting it to the Cathedral office. Like the previous two years, the opportunity to participate in the "Adopt-A-Day" Program in which a steward sponsors a day on the church s calendar for a minimum pledge of $1,000 is offered. Please consider doing this now as a number of days have already been taken. 3

4 DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE Rather than hold a regular Daughters of Penelope meeting in December, the local chapter members opted to unite forces with the newly elected AHEPA officers and host a joint Christmas party at the Hellenic Cultural Center the evening of December 13, Approximately fifty (50) people attended the festive gathering, and all were delighted that Father George Wilson and his daughter Despina joined the group. The Daughters provided drinks, appetizers, and dessert while AHEPA handled the dinner. The collaborative effort produced wonderful results that were enjoyed by everyone. Hopefully, it will become an annual affair. JANUARY NEWS The Daughters will have a visitation by District Governor Johanna Pappas from Houston, Texas, on Saturday, January 16, at 1:30 pm at the Hellenic Cultural Center. Please make plans to attend. Membership dues of $45.00 are due in January. A BIG Thank You to all the supporters of the Holiday Pastry Sale. 4

5 Philoptochos December Senior Citizens Luncheon Thank you to everyone, who made the annual Philoptochos Senior Citizens Christmas Luncheon a great success. This year, once again, many people contributed to making this a special event for more than seventy attendees. The monthly luncheons are prepared by Philoptochos members as an expression of deepest appreciation for the senior citizens that provide a great deal of time, generosity, and support to the community. Magda Pelias, Jeanette Tsatalios, Presvytera Harriet Wilson, Mary Pepps, Faith Kyame, Elaine Nugent, and Cornelia Koniditsiotis A very special thank you is extended to the Helen and Charles Malachias Family, who sponsored the luncheon in memory of Chrisi and Louis Malachias and Bill Malachias. Everyone enjoyed the delicious dinner cooked by George Tzavellas. Vange Malachias baked her husband Bill s favorite cookies and added the tasty treat to each dessert plate. Chairperson Ginny Zissis organized the luncheon and made arrangements for the live music. Cathy Vial's Christmas program enhanced the spirit of the occasion and added to the fun. Philoptochos extends its heartfelt thanks everyone that helped make the luncheon a festive and successful event. Charlie and Helen Malachias Chris Kontos, John Koniditsiotis, Patrick Latour, Panagiotis Tzerefos, Dimitri Petratos, Stamatis Gamvrogianis, and John Kouloubis Pete Michailakis, Suzie Yousif, George Tzavellas, Dimitri Vatakis, Teddy Bozinis, Costa Nicopoulos, and Helen Malachias Vange Malachias, Angela Pembo, and Dea Pappas Cathy Vial, Helen Malachias, Suzie Yousif, Sandy Bouzon, and Ginny Zissis FRONT Joanne Christakis, Irene Papazis, Lemonia Chouzouri, and Angie Kringas BACK Ruby Tahir, Eleftheria Demarinis, Helen Malachias, Suzie Yousif, and Olga Christakis 5

6 GREEK SCHOOL The Greek version of "Jingle Bells," tons of enthusiasm, and equally large quantities of creativity were staple ingredients at the Greek School Christmas-themed workshop held at the Hellenic Cultural Center on December 12, The Greek School students, along with their extended families and guests, artistically expressed their creativity by making handmade Christmas cards. Christmas trees, snowflakes, candy canes, and much more adorned the unique designs. And, inside each card was a message and warm Christmas wishes all written in Greek! The atmosphere was filled with season s greetings ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ, ΚΑΛΕΣ ΓΙΟΡΤΕΣ, ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΑ. The students later shared their creations with parents, grandparents, and friends, who immediately rewarded the young artists with huge hugs and big smiles. The second workshop segment followed the Greek tradition of children going door to door with triangles and singing folk carols called Kalanta. Actually, this tradition of singing Kalanta still lives in the neighborhoods of Greece. At Holy Trinity the Greek School students opted to sing the beloved Christmas song Trigona Kalanta and were carried away by the repeated sound of the triangles. This Christmas celebration experience was greatly enjoyed by the participants, their families, and friends. And, the enthusiasm that it produced encourages the Holy Trinity community to organize more educational and cultural events in the future. Looking forward to a prosperous and Happy New Year, I wish you all the best for 2016 and remain committed to keep working for the advancement of all aspects of Greek Orthodox culture, education, and history through the Greek School program. Καλή Χρονιά Fay Kalergi, Greek School Director 2016 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 6 Holy Trinity Community is pleased to announce the Board of Trustees elected for 2016: President Barbara Stavis Wolf; 1 st Vice President Nicholas S. Bouzon; 2 nd Vice President Paul Andersson; Treasurer Eleftherios Toras (not pictured); Secretary Maria Anastasiou; Argeta Labatut; Angela Fyssas-Lear; Nick M. Moustoukas, MD; Pete Patselikos; Steve Psarellis; and Ginny Zissis.

7 HOLY TRINITY PTA SMILING FACES EQUAL CHRISTMAS CHEER! Pictured above are a few of the many families that attended Celebration in the Oaks before Christmas. The outing capped off a most productive year for Holy Trinity PTA. Its officers, together with the numerous volunteers in the community, look forward to the New Year and a full slate of exciting plans scheduled for Members are asked to remember the following events: January 17 and January 31 Kids Café January 30 PTA Artoclasia for the Three Hierarchs BOOK CLUB SPRING MEETING SCHEDULE 4 th Thursday of Each Month at 10:00 am January 28 February 25 March 24 April 21 Exception/ 3 rd Thursday The group will resume meeting on August 25. AHEPA MEETING WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 17, :00 PM HCC COFFEE ROOM BAPTISMS December 19, 2015 Nicolae Urasche Son of Olga Lipovan and Ruslan Ursache Godparents Marcela Buta, Sergiu Grigoras, and Alexei Lungu December 26, 2015 Emilia Madina Papadopoulos Daughter of Raimunda Semana and Dimitri Papadopoulos Godmother Madina Papadopoulos BIRTH December 16, 2015 Alexios Manolis Grass Son of Mersina (Gamvrogianis) and Jason Grass PARISH REGISTRY Celebrations, Milestones, Comfort, and Support BIRTH December 28, 2015 Ioanna Toras Daughter of Laura (Labropulos) and Socrates Toras MEMORIALS December 27, 2015 January 3, 2016 TRISAGIA December 6, 2015 December 20, 2015 Spiros E. Pavlou, 3-Years Ioannis Trombettas, 1-Year Petros Demarinis, 1-Year Maria Kirkikis, 2-Weeks Violet Pappas, 18-Months 7

8 HOLY TRINITY CATHEDRAL STEWARDS As of January 14, 2016, the Cathedral office received 293 commitments totaling $139, Of this $136, was paid with an average pledge of $ Thank you to all, who supported the 2015 Stewardship Ministry. Reverend George and Presbytera Harriet Wilson Ammons, Denise and Vladimir Anastasiou, Maria and Kosta Andersson, Billie and W. Paul Andres, Christine P. Andrews, Bethlehem K. Andrews, Christy and Gregory Angelico, Robert and Kathy Conklin Angelus, Maria and George Apostolides, Marlene and Spyridon Athas, Nancy Baer, Elisabeth Lorio and Jason Bakamitsos, Marion and Georgios Baldrachi, Peggy Tsatsoulis Barry III, Nicholas Taylor Batricevich, Dragana Lovre & George Bell, Victoria and Jon Benoit, Katherine and Chris Beraki, Yergalem H. Bilalis, Evangelia and Petros Bilalis, Markella Bilalis, Mathoula Bilalis, Michael Bobeica, Luiza and Andrei Boulahanis, Angela and John Bountovinas, Angeliki and Panos Bouton, Bella and Raymond Bouzon, Nicholas Bouzon, Sandy and Spiron Bozinis, Ena and Theodoros Buta, Marcela Cabali, Juanita Cantillon, Rachel and Matthew Caridas, Pauline Casten, Peter G. Cathedral Montessori School Catinis, Ana and George Catsulis, Victoria Chancy, Jr., Dena and James W. Charalampidis, Panagiota & Dimitiros Christakis, Aikaterini and Petros Christakis, Ares Christakis, Joann S. Christakis, Loukia and Michael Christakis, Maria T. Christakis, Nektarios Christakis, Olga Christidis, Georgia and Stylianos Chronis, Diane and Nicholas Cochran, Jennie and Jerry Coluceriu-Dandu, Amanda & Calin Commagere, Anastacia Kanellos Constantinou, Laurie and Antonis Cotsoradis, Brille and Stephen Dabbs, Stella Dagoglou, Christine and Prodromos Daughters of Penelope Nestor Chapter Demarinis, Eleftheria Diamantopoulos, Lila Cedotal & Adam DiGiorgio, Catherine DiGiorgio, Olga Dongieux, Pam Doss, Betty and John B. Doukakis, Ploumi and George Doussa, Sandra Fotiades, Joan Fotiades, Julie Frezoulis, Angeliki & Konstantinos Funti, Deborah Ann and Vasili Fyssas, Despina and George Gambos, Fortunate and Andrew Gamvrogianis, Erin and Dimitris Gamvrogianis, Roula and Stamatis Gattuso, Ioana and Roy Gemisis, Georgios Georges, Constantine Georges, Dathel and John Gervais, Angela and Derrick Gheorghiu, Rodica and Traian Gioganis, Lazaros Gonzalez, Alexander Grass, Kalliope Vassilas and Matthew Grigovas, Serghei Haik, Paraskevi Hansel, Tonya and Andrew Heath, Angela Herta, Svetlana Pizlag and Damian Hionakis, Anna and Nicholas Hoselle, Lisa and Jacques Howard, Homer Howard, Stela Howard, Stephan Huner, Maria and Eldon Ioannidis, Christine and Emmanuel Ioannidis, Eleftherios Johnson, Helen Maskas and Ben Jones, Fotini Kambouris, Ermione and Antonios Kampitsis, Eleni and George Kanellakis, Christ & Sophia Pappas Kanellos, Polimnia and Evangelos Karagiannis, Calliope and George Kardoulias, Despina and Nicholas Kardoulias, Rhonda and Emanuel Karmoukos, Charlotte and James Karmoukos, Antonia and Nicholas Kiriazis, Italia Kleamenakis, Andrew Kleamenakis, Angeliki and John Kleamenakis, Argie and Nick Kleamenakis, Jr., Nicholas A. Kleamenakis, Sue and Michael Klein, Maria and Gary Kloumassis, Evangelos Kloumassis, Niki Kombolias, Alexandra and Stefanos Koniditsiotis, Cornelia and John Koniditsiotis, Jeanne and Elias Koniditsiotis, Jenny and Harry Konos, Marcella and Pete Kontaxis, Athena Kontos, Mary and Chris Korominas, Lenna and George Koublitskaia, Ioulia Kouloubis, Frank Kouloubis, Helen Kouloubis, Mary and John Kringas, Angie Kringas, Connie Ktistakis, Maria Regina Kyame, Faith Kyriakides, Maria and Aris Labatut, Argeta and Lawrence Labatut, Jonathan Labatut, Michael Ladies Philoptochos Society Elpis Lamana, Jr., Cynthia and Eugene Lambousy, Katherine and Peter G. Lambron, Joan Lambron, Nicholas Latour, Patrick Latsis, Katherine and Spiro Latsis, Kathy and George Lawrence, Mersina Gavmrogianis Lear, Angela Fyssas and Darrin Leporda, Daniela and Petru Levendis, Eleni Levidis, Ermioni and Theodosios Leyva, Helen Lipovan, Olga and Ruslan Ursache Lorio, Kathryn and Philip Lupu, Luminita and Viorel Maag, Maggie and Richard Lorio, Megan and Philip MacInnes, Deborah Madonia, Arlene and Jason Mailhes, Konstantina Malachias, Anna Malachias, Anthoula and Paris Malachias, Bobby Malachias, Helen and Charles Malachias, Ilya Malachias, Stephanie and John Malachias, Vange Mantikos, Vasili and Miranda Webb Mantis, Rosy and Thomas Marathonitis, Eleftherios McCallef, Vicki and Anthony McCrary, Mona and Douglas McGee, Kris Diane and Richard Menutis, Ruth Ann and Jimmie Miaoulis, Anita and Chris Michailakis, Bridgett and Kosta Michailakis, Kalliopi and Petros Michailakis, Michael Michailakis, Pam and Gus Michailakis, Petroula and Pete Michalos, Effie Moustacas, Maria and Constantinos Moustaka, Dimitra Moustoukas, Despina Moustoukas, Viki and Nick Munch, Andrea and Joseph Naquin, Georgia and Lee Negru, Oleg and Anastasia Gulica Nevels, Anastassia and John Max Nicoladis, Kristen and Michael F. Nicoladis, Maria Nicoladis, Peggy and Frank Nicopoulos, Sue and Constandinos Nugent, Elaine Michalos Order of AHEPA Order of St. Markella of Chios Orkoulas, Marcelle Owen, Adrienne Dabbs and Greg Pantiushenko, Inna Papadopoulos, Denise and Dennis Papadopoulos, Dimitri Papadopoulos, Laura and Kyriakos Papazis, Irene Pappas, Alexandra Pappas, Christina and Nicholas Pappas, Despina Pappas, III, Nicholas Pappas, John E. Patselikos, Despina and Panagiotis Patselikos, Maria Pavlou, Fotine Payavla, Callie Pelias, Erin and Michael Pelias, Magda Pembo, Angela Pembo, Dayna and Tony Pembo, Tim Pepps, Mary Peterson, Diana and Brian Petikas, Mary and Dimitrios Petratos, Angelina and Demetrios Ponder, Helene and Michael Popa, Maria and Vasile Prekas, Maria Psarellis, Michael Psarellis, Steve Psilos, Gail and Tony Psilos, George Psilos, Nicolle and Christopher Psomas, Stella Ramirez, Anna and Jesus Ramirez, Maria and Ramon Razza, Anna B. Ricciardi, Chrysanthy Rico, Anastasia and Roger Rotari, Natalia Gradinari and Iurie Salles, Vaso and James Salles-Tsatsoulis, Kathy and John Sarantakos, Maria and Steve Savvaides, Despina and Stavros Sher, Anna Skaff, Amy and Brandon Skoufalos, Ofeliamanda and Dimos Sorochuk, Natalia Spanolios, Jeanne and Demetrios Spanolios, Maria and Emanuel Spinu, Cristina and Leonard Stefanias, Maria and Adonios Stokes, Maria and Brian Strain, Martha and James R. Stratikis, Suzanne and George Stratis, Nicholas Stratis, Stavros Surucean, Gabriela and Sergiu Sutton, Katerina and Ashley Tadros, Katherine and Daniel Theodoron, Sophie Thorton, Maria Tiliakos, Connie and Alexander Tiliakos, John Toras, Eleni and Nikolas Toras, Emily and Eleftherios Toras, Laura and Socrates Tsatalios, Peter Tsatsoulis, Angela and John Tsimboukis, Suzanne and Efthimios Tzavellas, Fotini and George Tzerefos, Panagiotis L. Vassilas, Anastasia Vatakis, Evagelia and Dimitris Vatranis, Constantina and Demetrios Vaveris, Matthew K. Veltsos, Carla and Dimitri Vennis, Koula and Costandinos Venturatos, Carol and Steve Venturatos, Donna and Gregory J. Venturatos, Evelyn and James S. Venturatos, Stephanie Vial, Catherine Vial, Stacey Vial, Stephanie Vloutis, Frank Voulgarakis, Claudia and Vassilios Whitehead, Martha and Joel Wisdom, Maria and Andrew Wolf, Angelle and William Wolf, Barbara Stavis Xiros, Nick and Fay Kalergi Yiannopoulos, A. N. Yudina, Larisa Zannis, Marie Zarganas, Glikeria and Alexandros Zissis, Ginny Zissis, Laila and Efthimios Zouboukos, Carol and Nick Zoumberos, Sophia and Nicholas

9 H O L Y T R I N I T Y C A T H E D R AL 2016 EPIPHANY CELEBRATION Dove Release - Cross Retrieval Cathedral Family Luncheon The Cathedral Family extends its hearty congratulations to Eleni Korominas for being selected as the 2016 Epiphany Dove Bearer and to Nikolaos Liaptsios for being the swimmer, who successfully retrieved the 2016 Epiphany Cross. Sincerest appreciation is also extended to Stephen Kleamenakis, Dimitrios Spanogiannis, Nicholas Stathopoulos, and Matthew Vaveris for their courageous and faithful participation in the Cross Retrieval ceremony at Bayou St. John on Sunday, January 10, 2016, particularly considering they endured frigid temperatures. Collectively, these participants provided the community yet another spiritually uplifting example of a wonderful and meaningful Orthodox Christian tradition. The Cathedral Family also offers its sincere appreciation to the entire 2016 Epiphany Committee, Father George, Co-Chairpersons Manoli Ioannidis and Constandinos Vennis, and each of the donor sponsors for the noteworthy effort that went into planning, producing, and conducting this year's Epiphany events. READY, SET, TOSS Parishioners gazed in awe as the five young men, braving frigid temperatures and chilly gusts, plunged into the icy waters of Bayou St. John to retrieve the Epiphany cross tossed by Father George. Father George watches as Nikolaos Liaptsios retrieves the cross and is later joined by his mother Marlene Liaptsios. 9

10 S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F I N T E R E S T 150TH ANNIVERSARY ALBUM Parishioners are advised that work on the 150th Anniversary Album is continuing. Periodic updates will be submitted on the progress of the album as work continues to complete the book as soon as possible. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated as the committee continues efforts to assure proper completion of this historical publication. If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Stavis Wolf. BLESSING OF HOMES To have your home and/or business blessed, fill out the enclosed form and return it to the Cathedral office at your earliest convenience. Father George would like to bless as many homes as possible and for this reason wishes to adhere to a tight schedule. He kindly asks that you not expect him to stay for a meal and thanks you in advance for understanding. BOOK CLUB MEETING UPDATE Please note the day change for the Book Club meetings, which now will be held on the last Thursday of each month, unless otherwise notified. The January meeting is scheduled for Thursday the 28th in the Coffee Room, and the reading is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. If you need help getting the book, please speak with Presvytera Harriet. Also, if anyone still has the last book, The Way of the Pilgrim, please return it ASAP to Faith Kyame. Everyone is invited to be part of the Book Club. Just read the book and come join the group. GOYA JANUARY MEETING/ PARADE PARTY GOYANs are encouraged to attend the next monthly meeting on Saturday, January 30, at 7:00 pm. It will be held at the Patselikos home 1137 Elmeer Avenue in Metairie and will include the annual GOYA Mardi Gras party and viewing the Krewe of Caesar parade. GREEK FESTIVAL 2016 The first meeting of the year will be held Tuesday, January 19, at 7:00 pm in the Coffee Room. All booth and committee chairpersons and co-chairpersons are invited to attend. Please plan to join the Festival Executive Committee for refreshments and a round table discussion for the upcoming Festival. RSVP to Stacy at festival@holytrinitycathedral.org or SAVE THE DATE! The Cathedral Family is asked to mark their calendars for April 2 and 3, 2016, when His Grace Bishop Gregory of Nyssa will be in New Orleans as guest speaker for the Spring Family Lenten Retreat on Saturday and a Hierarchal Liturgy on Sunday. SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL January and February is a time when the Sunday Church School students will gear up for the 2016 Parish Level Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, which will take place on Sunday, February 21. This year's Festival will involve ALL Sunday Church School students. Details are presented inside this issue. SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS Enclosed please find a form, which seeks monthly coffee hour sponsorships for the New Year. The program is an effort by the Parish Council to encourage greater fellowship among parishioners by asking individuals or groups to provide refreshments after church services. For additional information, call Maria Anastasiou at ROAD CLOSURES IN FEBRUARY The Rock n Roll New Orleans Marathon, ½ Marathon, and 10K is coming up on Sunday, February 28, All race courses will affect access to the Cathedral grounds on that day. Parishioners living west of Marconi Drive will need to use I-610 East and exit at St. Bernard Avenue.

11 J A N U A R Y FRIDAY, JANUARY 1 CATHEDRAL OFFICE CLOSED FOR NEW YEAR'S SUNDAY, JANUARY 3 9:00 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy SUNDAY BEFORE EPIPHANY PETROS DEMARINIS 1-YEAR MEMORIAL NEW YEAR NO SUNDAY SCHOOL OR GREEK SCHOOL MONDAY, JANUARY 4 TUESDAY, JANUARY 5 9:00 am Royal Hours EPIPHANY 10:00 am Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil FOREFEAST OF EPIPHANY 11:30 am Minor Blessing of the Waters 7:00 pm Cathedral Montessori School Board Meeting WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6 9:00 am Divine Liturgy EPIPHANY 10:00 am Great Blessing of the Waters THURSDAY, JANUARY 7 9:00 am Divine Liturgy ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST FRIDAY, JANUARY 8 9:45 am CMS Chapel 7:00 pm Hellenic Dancers Free Will Giving Dinner and Special Performance SATURDAY, JANUARY 9 10:00 am Youth Beginner Greek School 10:00 am Philoptochos Board Meeting 10:30 am Philoptochos Meeting 11:00 am Youth Greek Dance Class 11:30 am Youth Elementary Greek School SUNDAY, JANUARY 10 9:00 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY Youth Hymnology and Sunday School after Holy Communion BOARD OF TRUSTEES OATH OF OFFICE 2016 EPIPHANY CELEBRATION DOVE RELEASE AND CROSS RETRIEVAL CATHEDRAL FAMILY LUNCHEON NO GREEK SCHOOL 12:00 pm 2016 Epiphany Celebration Tickets Sold MONDAY, JANUARY 11 6:00 pm Education, Culture, and Youth Ministries Committee Meeting TUESDAY, JANUARY 12 7:00 pm Adult Beginner Greek School 7:00 pm Parish Council Meeting WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13 7:00 pm Adult Intermediate (Low Level) Greek School 7:00 pm Bible Study with Father George THURSDAY, JANUARY 14 6:00 pm Paraklesis (Every 2nd Thursday of the month, unless otherwise specified.) FRIDAY, JANURAY 15 - SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 HELLENIC DANCE FESTIVAL IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 9:45 am CMS Chapel SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 10:00 am Youth Beginner Greek School 11:00 am Youth Greek Dance Class 11:30 am Youth Elementary Greek School

12 J A N U A R Y C O N T I N U E D SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 1:30 pm Daughters of Penelope Meeting District Governor Visitation SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Oratorical Lessons in Sunday School Classes SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 9:00 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy TWELFTH SUNDAY OF LUKE Youth Hymnology and Sunday School after Holy Communion LATSIS 40-DAYS BLESSING Philoptochos Vasilopita Sunday NO GREEK SCHOOL 12:00 pm Community Wide "Family Gras" Pot Luck Family Day Luncheon and HOPE/JOY Valentine's Theme Craft 12:00 pm Holy Trinity PTA Meeting MONDAY, JANUARY 18 7:00 pm Special ECYM Meeting GOYA Lenten Retreat Plans TUESDAY, JANUARY 19 6:30 pm Real Estate Committee Meeting 7:00 pm Adult Beginner Greek School 7:00 pm Greek Festival Chairpersons Meeting WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20 7:00 pm Adult Intermediate (Low Level) Greek School 7:00 pm Bible Study with Father George THURSDAY, JANUARY 21 11:30 am Philoptochos Senior Citizens Luncheon FRIDAY, JANUARY 22 9:45 am CMS Chapel SATURDAY, JANUARY 23 10:00 am Youth Beginner Greek School 10:30 am Adult Catechism and Inquirers Class 11:00 am Youth Greek Dance Class 11:30 am Youth Elementary Greek School 2:00 pm Philoptochos Ozanam Inn SUNDAY, JANUARY 24 9:00 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy FOURTEENTH SUNDAY OF LUKE Youth Hymnology and Sunday School after Holy Communion GRASS 40-DAYS BLESSING 12:00 pm General Assembly 12:00 pm Kids' Cafe 12:00 pm Youth Pre-K/K Greek School TUESDAY, JANUARY 26 7:00 pm Adult Beginner Greek School WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 7:00 pm Adult Intermediate (Low Level) Greek School 7:00 pm Bible Study with Father George THURSDAY, JANUARY 28 10:00 am Archives Committee Meeting 10:00 am Book Club Meeting FRIDAY, JANUARY 29 9:45 am CMS Chapel SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 9:00 am Divine Liturgy THREE HIERARCHS Holy Trinity PTA Artoclasia for Three Hierarchs 10:00 am Youth Beginner Greek School 10:30 am Adult Catechism and Inquirers Class 11:00 am Youth Greek Dance Class 11:30 am Youth Elementary Greek School 7:00 pm GOYA Mardi Gras Parade Party and Meeting SUNDAY, JANUARY 31 9:00 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy FIFTHEENTH SUNDAY OF LUKE Youth Hymnology and Sunday School after Holy Communion 12:00 pm Kids' Cafe 12:00 pm Youth Pre-K/K Greek School

13 2016 BLESSING OF HOMES To have your home and/or business blessed, fill out the form below and return it to the Cathedral office as soon as possible. Please denote a day and time that is convenient for you, and the office will call to confirm the appointed schedule for the blessing. Remember to have an icon available and to prepare a list of your family members to be prayed for during the blessing. NAME ADDRESS HOME PHONE CELL PHONE PREFERRED DAY & TIME Zip Code: Father George would like to bless as many homes as possible and for this reason wishes to adhere to a tight schedule. He kindly asks that you not expect him to stay for a meal and thanks you in advance for understanding.

14 HOLY TRINITY CATHEDRAL 2016 SUNDAY REFRESHMENTS PROGRAM SIGN UP The Parish Council is seeking sponsors to serve refreshments after Sunday church services in order to encourage greater fellowship among parishioners. To provide this service, community organizations and members are asked to consider hosting refreshments for a month during the coming year. Should memorials or other special events be planned on a Sunday, the refreshments from the group would not be needed. Individuals, families, groups of families, or organizations are invited to adopt a month during the upcoming New Year by completing the form below and submitting it to the Cathedral office. If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Maria Anastasiou at We, the following listed Organization or Group of Families volunteer to provide refreshments after Sunday Church Services during the month of, 2016, on those Sundays during that month that are not otherwise designated for special receptions or events. The contact person for this organization or group (with phone number and address) is: The Cathedral office or Board members will communicate with this contact person to organize the schedule for the selected month. Thank you for your cooperation and support.