THE ORTHODOX POST. Pastor s Message by Fr. Nathan Preston. President s Message. The Orthodox Post Page 3 INSIDE THIS ISSUE WHO WON THE RAFFLE?

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1 Page 3 THE ORTHODOX POST January 2014 Volume X, Issue 1 St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church, Midland Parkway, Jamaica Estates, New York, NY Web site: fr.nathan@stnicholasalbanian.org Tel: (718) Pastor s Message by Fr. Nathan Preston There are jokes that priests tell each other, though, truth be told, there are almost never any new jokes only the same ones told and retold with a sense of shared humor more periodic than novel. One of these concerns two faithful men speaking to each other about life in their respective parishes. I don t know what it is, says one, but at my Church, every time I go, they try to give me a red egg. Such is the humor of our clergy dry but biting, innocuous but painfully close to truth. Paschal eggs, palm fronds, flowers blessed and pilfered from the epitafi, anointings, icon cards, and probably some things that I have forgotten, all are given away at certain times of the Church year, each at its appointed day or service. And there is a truism in the Church, a bit of folk wisdom that we all know but, like our jokes, hope is not too true: people come to Church when they can get something, when they can walk away clutching something in hand that was not there before. This is a routine cause for complaint from those who attend Church regularly, a scale sometimes for determining insider and interloper. It is also, frankly, often a strategy employed by priest or parish leaders to try to drum up attendance, to induce or convince. This desire to get something, though, is worse than mere inconvenience, it is a sign of our spiritual sickness. President s Message by Jim Liolin WHO WON THE RAFFLE? It was an exciting time this year at the St. Nicholas Luncheon. There was a good crowd of over 120 adults and children enjoying the meal and friendship. Everyone there was hoping to be the big winner and why not, if you had a ticket you had a chance. Unfortunately there can only be one or two--winners. And the winners are: Car Prize winners are M/M Vasil Pecani Staten Island, NY $1000 prize winners are M/M Jim Oswald Rockville Centre, NY We wish you the best and hope you enjoy your gifts! Several secondary prizes were raffled off adding to the joyous time. A special thanks to Tomi Beno for running the very successful fundraising raffle and thanks to all of you who bought/sold raffle tickets. Larry Jance, the elder of the parish, in recognition of his devotion to the parish, was asked to draw the raffle tickets from the drum. For close to seventy years Larry prepared the meals for the St. Nicholas luncheons. This year he was able to enjoy INSIDE THIS ISSUE Pastor s Message & President s Message 1 Daughters Corner & Kendi Shqip 2 Icon Presentation & Natural Church Development 3 St. Nicholas Celebration & Raffle Winners 4 Christmas Pagaent, Pancake Breakfast & Sant s Visit Pledge Program & Community News 6 January s Major Feast Days 8 Merchant Ads 9-11 Major Events & Ushers Sunday Schedule 12 As a priest, I hear many reasons why people come to Church, most often while these same people are simultaneously trying to describe why they have not been. There are things to which we all believe we are entitled at Church, and perhaps we are, but these are nearly always different lists of wishes from different groups of people. Yes, we should be able to find some peace. Yes, we should be hearing some teaching that speaks to our lives and problems. Yes, we should know that our concerns and fears are heard by God and our brothers and sisters in the faith. Yes. But in all Continued on Page 7 the day by being seated and served. All those present acknowledged the service of this wonderful man who has done so much to make St. Nicholas a happy place. The St. Nicholas Luncheon was well attended and all were served a wonderful meal. And what made the feast even more enjoyable and smooth was having reservations in advance thanks to Ilia and Agathia Luka. The kitchen crew handled the meal distribution without a spill thanks to Mark Papalexis, Robert Korra, Greg Papalexis, Greg DiTullio (Mark Papalexis future son-in-law from Western Albania). Table servers were Laura Papalexis, Tina Korra, Vasian Gjoka, Christina Liolin, Andrea Kutali. The children s pasta was donated by Phil and Janna Foundos and the cakes were handled by Christine Beno. Thank you all for your efforts. This month, January is also busy with special days in the life of the Church. Please keep in mind Icon Presentation day on January 12. Also, consult the Orthodox Post and weekly bulletins for service schedules. Happy New Year! Gezuar Vitin e ri!

2 Page 2 KENDI SHQIP (The Albanian Corner) by A. Llupa Janar, 2014 Këtë muaj po japim një pjesë nga Zbulesa e kapitullit të parë Burimet e Dokrtinës së Krishterë nga vëllimi i parë Doktrina i Tomas Hopko. Titulli i parë që iu dha Jezusit nga populli, është titulli RABAI, që do të thotë MËSUES. Pasuesit e Tij u quajtën dishepuj, që do të thotë NXËNËS. Pikësëpari, Jezusi erdhi tek njerzit si Mësuesi i dërguar nga Perëndia. Ai u mëson atyre vullnetin e Perëndisë dhe e bën Perëndinë të njohur tek ata. Ardhja e Jezusit si mësues është një aspektet i të qënurit të tij Krisht, Mesia. Fjala KRISHT është përkthimi në greqisht i fjalës hebraike MESIA, që do të thotë I Lyeri i Perëndisë. Ishte parathëne, se kur të vijë Mesia, njerzit do të mësoheshin nga Perëndia (Isaia 54:13; John 6:45). Daughters Corner by Linda Foundos Happy New Year!! It s time for a new beginning. Time for us to make some adjustments in our lives..healthier eating, more exercise, more regular church attendance, more prayer, contact that someone that s been on our mind, visit a sick friend, make better use of each day, help someone in need, learn something new each day, less cell phone time, do something new, explore a place you ve never been, etc. etc. Each day is a gift not to be taken for granted. We wish you a healthy & prosperous 2014! Santa did not disappoint us again this year. He stopped by for a visit with treats for the children at our annual Christmas Pancake Breakfast! Our thanks to all those that pitched in to make it such a delightful & delicious morning following our Church School Christmas Pageant with some new stars this year. A Daughters meeting will be held on Sunday, January 19, We d love to have you join us. House Blessings Begin Jezusi erdhi tek njerzit si mësuesi hyjnor. Ai thotë në shumë raste, që fjalët e tij janë të Perëndisë. Ai foli si një që ka autoritet, jo si mësuesit e zakondshëm hebrenj. Ai akuzon ata që nuk pranojnë mësimin e tij, sikur nuk pranojnë Perëndinë vetë...ai që beson tek une, nuk me beson mua, por atë që më dërgoi mua. Edhe ai që më sheh, sheh atë që më dërgoi. Kam ardhur si drita për botën sepse nuk fola prej vetes, por Ati që më dërgoi më dha porosi çfarë të them. Ajo që them është ajo që Ati më ka udhëzuar.(xhon 12:44-50) Jezusi i mësoi njerzit, jo vetëm me fjalët e Tij, por me veprat e Tij; dhe për më tepër me vetë personin e Tij. Ai thotë, se Ai është e Vërteta dhe Drita. Ai e tregon veten e Tij, jo vetëm që flet para Perëndisë, por që ai vetë është FJALA e GJALLË e PERËNDISË në mish njerëzor, LOGOS (fjala) që është i përjetshëm dhe i pakrijuar, por që u bë njeri si Jezusi i Nazaretit për ta bërë Perëndinë të njohur në botë. Continued on Page 7 Avoid the rush! Speak to Fr. Nathan now about coming to bless your home. Appointments may be made for any time after January 12 th Church: , Cell:

3 Page 3 ICON PRESENTATION Sunday, January 12 th - After Liturgy ICON RETURN Bring in your Icons from last year s Icon Auction, As Soon As Possible!!! We need them to prepare for the January 12th Icon Auction ORTHODOX NATURAL CHURCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM UPDATE Now that the New Year is upon us, the Orthodox Natural Church Development (ONCD) team will be working on the next phase of the process. During 2013, we have held 7 Focus Groups with over 60 parishioners participating. We received excellent feedback, ideas, and reflections from each of our participants. It was a blessing to see the excitement and enthusiasm from the members of St. Nicholas. In January, we will hold the final Focus Group which will consist of the teens in our community. The date will be announced in church and if you know of any teen church member who would like to participate, please let Fr. Nathan or one of the committee members know. After the Focus Groups are completed, the ONCD team will begin the next phase which will consist of gathering all the data from the sessions. We will communicate the feedback received in future issues of. Our goal is to select 2 or 3 suggestions from the feedback and begin to implement them in the next several months. Many participants expressed their concern for an improved Sunday School experience. One suggestion that has already begun is the creation of a Men s Club. There are many more ideas that we will be evaluating during the implementation phase. The Committee would like to thank all the gracious hosts for their exceptional generosity and hospitality, and each of the participants for giving of their time for such an important Church endeavor. If you have any questions or you want more information, please feel free to speak with members of the Health Team: Fr. Nathan, Tomi Beno, Chris Liolin, Joanne Heiser, Mark Papalexis and Nick Filis.

4 Page 4 ST. NICHOLAS DAY LUNCHEON & RAFFLE WINNERS As described in the President s Message, The St. Nicholas Feast Day Celebration on Sunday, December 8 th was a great success! Services and the Luncheon were enjoyed by all. A record number of attendees were present, more than 120 adults and children. In addition, the special feature of having the Car Raffle drawing increased the enthusiasm and excitement for the day. The winning raffle tickets were picked by John Jance. His many years of service were acknowledged. The big winner for the first place prize of a BMW Car or $15,000 was Vasil and Suzana Pecani. And the second place prize of $1,000 was won by Jim and Donna Oswald. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! A very gratefull Thank You goes to all those who bought Raffles, sold Raffles and worked on making this fundraiser a big success. The profits are being used as a payment toward the Church s Building Expansion Loan.

5 Page 5 CHRISTMAS PAGEANT, PANCAKE BREAKFAST And A VISIT FROM SANTA On Sunday, December 22 nd, Parishioners once again enjoyed the performance by the Sunday School and Albanian Class children of the Christmas Pagaent. Children from nursery school age to teenagers all performed very well. Credit and Thanks go to Joanne Heiser, Jana Foundos, Christine Beno, Cleo Filis and Adelina Llupa for a job well done. Afterwards, in our Fellowship Hall, our traditional Pancake Breakfast sponsored by The Daughters of St. Nicholas treated Parishioners to a hearty breakfast. A Thank You goes out to all those who worked to make it a success, especially Daughters Vice President,Tina Korra and the cooks Tina Peters, Christina Liolin and Robert Korra. Finally, all the children, both young and old, were thrilled by a visit from Santa. Gifts and photos were enjoyed by the children and adults.

6 Page 6 Santa s Visit - Continued 2014 Pledge Program In Progress Every year, St. Nicholas Church asks each Parishioner to make a financial Pledge for the next year in order to support the Church. The Pledges provide the money that enables the Church to serve the Community, to perform its day-to-day operations, and to be there when each of us needs the Church. The Pledge Program campaign runs from October into the Winter. It begins with letters and Pledge Cards going to Parishioners asking for an individual Pledge. It is important to the life of the Church that everyone participates in the Annual Pledge Program. Please think about how important St. Nicholas Church is to you and your family. Then make as generous a Pledge as possible for Fill in the information about you and your family and mail the Card or bring it to Church. Submit Your Pledge Card Soon!!! COMMUNITY NEWS by Linda Foundos We send our wishes for a speedy recovery to Betty Kelapire after her recent surgery. What a joy for Tina & Bill Peters to have their daughter, Alexis, and her family, husband Stefan, & daughters Skyler & Sophia, from Switzerland here in New York for the Christmas holidays. It s a great family reunion! In this cold & flu season it s so difficult to stay well, especially for the very young & the elderly. Staying well rested, drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding crowds, getting the flu shot, covering your sneezes and washing your hands frequently all help. Our get well wishes to all those suffering at this time. It s so nice to have our away-at-college young people back in town for the holidays. We miss seeing them! It s also so nice to see so many babies & little ones in church! We welcome them. Lou & Linda Foundos traveled to San Diego, California for the Thanksgiving holidays to visit with their son, Mark, and his family, wife, Amy, and sons, James 7 and Evan 4 in their beautiful, new home. It was a fun-filled week of laughs, games & day trips. On the return trip, they stopped in Chicago for a family wedding. It was very special to be with childhood friends and family for such a happy event.

7 Page 7 KENDI SHQIP Continued from Page 2 Në fillim ishte Fjala (LOGOS) dhe Fjala ishte me Perëndinë, edhe Fjala ishte Perëndia. Ajo ishte që në fillim me Perëndinë. Të gjitha u bënë me anë të saj, edhe pa Atë, nuk u bë asgjë që është bërë. Në Atë ishte jete dhe jeta ishte drita e njerzve. Edhe drita ndrit në errësirë, edhe errësira nuk e kuptoi. Ishte drita e vërtetë, që ndrit çdo njeri kur vjen në botë. Ishte në botë dhe bota u bë nga Ai, por bota nuk e njohu. Edhe fjala u bë mish dhe ndenji ndër ne (dhe pamë lavdinë e Tij, lavdi porsi të vetëmlinduri nga Ati), plot me hir e me të vërtetë.edhe të gjithë ne morëm prej të mbushurit të atij, edhe hir mbi hir. Sepse ligji u dha me anë te Moisiut, por hiri dhe e verteta me anë të Jezu Krishtit. Asnjë kurrë s e ka parë Perëndinë, vec i Vetëmlinduri Bir, që është në gji të Atit. Ai na e tregoi. Në këtë mënyrë, të krishterët i shikonin disa filozofë grekë të antikitetit si të ndriçuar nga Perëndia, për t i shërbyer çështjes së të Vërtetës dhe për t i udhëhequr njerzit drejt plotësisë së jetës në Perëndinë, meqënëse Fjala dhe Dituria e Perëndisë ështe zbuluar tek tërë njerzit dhe gjendet në tërë ata, të cilët në pastertinë e mendjes dhe zemrës së tyre kanë qënë frymëzuar nga Drita Hyjnore, e cila ndriçon çdo njeri që vjen në botë. Kjo Dritë Hyjnore është Fjala e Perëndisë, Jezuesi i Nazaretit si njeri, përsosja dhe përmbushja e vetëzbulesës së Perëndisë në botë. Duhet theksuar gjithashtu se zbulesa hyjnore në Dhjatën e Vjetër, në Kishën e Dhjatës së Re, në jetët e shenjtorëve, në diturinë e etërve, në bukurinë e krijimit dhe me e plotë dhe më e përsosur në Jezu Krishtin, Birin e Perëndisë, është zbulesa e Vetë Perëndisë. Perëndia ka folur. Perëndia ka vepruar. Perëndia e ka shfaqur Vetveten dhe vazhdon ta shfaqë në jetën e popullit të Tij. Nëse duam të dëgjojmë zërin e Perëndisë dhe të shohim veprat e vetëzbulesës së Perëndisë në botë, në duhet të pastrojmë mendjet dhe zemrat tona nga çdo gjë që është e keqe dhe e rremë.ne duhet të përpiqemi të duam të vërtetën, të duam njeri tjetrin dhe të duam gjithshka në krijimin e mirë të Perëndisë. Sipas Besimit Orthodoks, pastrimi prej mekatit dhe gënjeshtrës është rruga për të njohur Perëndinë.Nëse ne e hapim vetveten ndaj Hirit Hyjnor dhe e pastrojmë vetveten prej çdo gjëje të ligë, atëhere është e sigurt që ne do te jemi të aftë ta kuptojmë drejt Shkrimin dhe të arrijmë një kungim të gjallë me Perëndinë e Gjallë dhe të Vërtetë, që e ka zbuluar Vetveten dhe vazhdon ta zbulojë tek ata që e duan Atë PASTOR S MESSAGE Continued from Page 1 these examples and in that list of other desires that each of us possesses, we should know clearly and with certainty that such things prove us only to be takers, fillers of our hands however regularly we are present. We should know this, and we should be afraid. For paradise is not prepared for those who seek to have God meet their needs; it is prepared for those who are ready and willing to worship Him. Heaven is not our reward but our goal and aim as we strive to unite ourselves to our God. How many of us can claim that, infinity stretching before us, we are ready to spend those uncountable days and hours engaging only in prayer, content only to know God more and more and more and nothing else? Maybe it was easier before. When the Hebrew people went to the temple, they saw their offerings disappear before them into smoke and flame and ash. Perfectly useful things spent, sent heavenward. Maybe it was easier then to know that praise costs us something. This idea and ideal of sacrifice, a constant throughout the world s many faiths, is something we need seek to recover. Worship is not free. Prayer and praise must cost us something to be meaningful, and money, though significant, will ever be inadequate to fund this fully. When we come to Church and every day when we bow our heads, we have to put aside our expectations. We have to give those more expensive commodities of time and concentration and patience and preparation. Most importantly, we have to be ready to give up ourselves. When we have rid ourselves of our wants, our so-called and self-proclaimed needs, our demands of God, then can we begin to know Him and to find that He, better than any parent or prophet, knows already what we really need, and He will bless us. This is the cost of our faith.

8 Page 8 The Three Hierarchs Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom- Commemorated on January 30th Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom: During the eleventh century, disputes raged in Constantinople about which of the three hierarchs was the greatest. Some preferred St Basil (January 1), others honored St Gregory the Theologian (January 25), while a third group exalted St John Chrysostom (November 13). Dissension among Christians increased. Some called themselves Basilians, others referred to themselves as Gregorians, and others as Johnites. By the will of God, the three hierarchs appeared to St John the Bishop of Euchaita (June 14) in the year 1084, and said that they were equal before God. There are no divisions among us, and no opposition to one another. They ordered that the disputes should stop, and that their common commemoration should be celebrated on a single day. Bishop John chose January 30 for their joint Feast, thus ending the controversy and restoring peace. MAJOR FEAST DAYS IN JANUARY St. Basil the Great Venerable Genevieve Feast of the Holy Glorious Prophet Anthony the Great St. Athanasius of Paris Theophany and Baptist John the Great Jan 01 Jan 03 Jan 06 Jan 07 Jan 17 Jan 18

9 Page 9 Ads from Merchants Who Support the Church Please look at the Ads and support these Merchants by buying goods and services from them, whenever possible. Tell the Merchant that you are from St, Nicholas Church and saw their Ad in the Church s Monthly Newsletter!!! For New Ads Please Contact - Tomi Beno at (917) TH Avenue New York, NY (212) SABITA J. BALL00, ATP Income Tax Services ANTON ARMSTRONG SALES & LEASING SPECIALIST Jamaica Avenue Tel: Richmond Hill, NY Fax: sabitaballo@aol.com Cell: (516) Fax: (516) aa1nissan@aol.com Referrals - $250 Finders Fee

10 Page 10 Regency Hotel - Korca Tel: /8/9 hregencyko@hotmail.com

11 Page 11 Bruni Electric Frank Meta th Street, Long Island City, NY Office: Cell: Proprietor: Frank Meta ROLANDO MECHANICAL CORP PIPING & HEATING REPAIR LICENCED MASTER PLUMBER Cell: (917) ROLAND HYSENAS Tel: (718) / th Avenue Fax: (718) Astoria, NY BENO GROUP, LLC Real Estate Investments Phone: (917) Fax: (516) Litras Funeral Home Bernard F. Dowd and Tracy B. Dowd Parsons Boulevard Jamaica, New York

12 Page 12 Major Church Activities and Events Wed, Jan 01: Sun, Jan 05: Vespers every Saturday at 5:00 p.m. January 4, 11, 18 and 25 Liturgy, 10:00 a.m.; St. Basil Liturgy, 10:00 a.m. Great Vespers, 3:00 p.m.; Theophany Jan 05: Jan 12: Jan 19: Jan 26: Ushers Schedule for Sunday Services Lista e sherbimit te dielave ne kishe Ilia LUKA / Bill PETERS Stefan BALTADFORI / Izzy TSAMBLAKOS Nasi PAVLLO / Ardian MILE Tomi BENO / TBD Mon, Jan 06: Liturgy, 10:00 a.m.; Theophany Feb 02: Andrea KUTALI / John JANCE Sun, Jan 12: Fri, Jan 17: Parish Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m. Liturgy, 10:00 a.m.; Icon Presentation Prayers, 11:00 a.m.; St. Anthony the Great We re on the Web! Visit us at: Sun, Jan 19: Liturgy, 10:00 a.m. Sun, Jan 26: Liturgy, 10:00 a.m. St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church Midland Parkway Jamaica Estates, New York Customer Name Street Address City, State Zip Code