May / Μάϊος 2017 VOLUME 12, The H ARK - ΚΙΒΩΤΟΣ M ONTHL Y BULLE TIN OF THE ASS UM PTION OF OUR MOST 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 03109 Phone: (603) 623-2045 Fax: (603) 232-6347 info@assumptionnh.org www.assumptionnh.org Join us on Facebook INSIDE THIS ISSUE Monthly Calendar (Greek)... 2 Ministries List... 3 Parish News... 4 Philoptochos News... 4 Youth News... 5 Sacraments. 10 Stewardship... 11 Monthly Calendar (English).. 15 1 May 21 st - Saints Constantine and Helen 21 Μαΐου - Άγιοι Κωνσταντίνος και Ελένη
Μάϊος 2017 ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ ΤΡΙΤΗ ΤΕΤΑΡΤΗ ΠΕΜΠΤΗ ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ 1 Πρωτομαγιά 2 3 4 5 6 7 Κυριακή του Παραλύτου Ορθρος: 8:45 πμ Θεία Λειτ: 10:00 πμ 14 Κυριακή της Σαμαρείτιδος Ορθρος: 8:45 πμ Θεία Λειτ: 10:00 πμ Γιορτή της Μητέρας Πρωϊνό από το Ενοριακό Συμβούλιο 21 Κυριακή του Τυφλού & Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου & Ελένης Ορθρος: 8:45 πμ Θεία Λειτ: 10:00 πμ 28 Κυριακή Πατέρων 1 ης Οικουμενικής Συνόδου Ορθρος: 8:45 πμ Θεία Λειτ: 10:00 πμ Κυριακή των Νουνών Πρωϊνό από την Νεότητα Συσσίτιο Απόρων New Horizons 4:00-6:00 μμ Ανοιξιάτικος Χορός Puritan Backroom 6:00 μμ 4 ΙΟΥΝΙΟΥ Πεντηκοστή Ορθρος: 8:45 πμ Θεία Λειτ: 10:00 πμ 8 9 10 Μεσοπεντηκοστή Ορθρος: 8:30 πμ Θεία Λειτ: 9:30 πμ 15 16 17 22 Συνάντηση Διοικητικού Συµβουλίου 6:00 µµ 29 Memorial Day Τρισάγιον στο νεκροταφείο Pine Grove Δυο ακολουθίες: 8:00 και 10:00 πμ 5 ΙΟΥΝΙΟΥ Αγίου Πνεύματος Ορθρος: 8:30 πμ Θεία Λειτ: 9:30 πμ Γενική Συνέλευση και Εκλογές Φιλοπτώχου Χώλ Εκκλησίας 7:00 μμ Ελληνικό Σχολείο & Ελληνικός Χορός 3:30 7:30 µµ 11 Ελληνικό Σχολείο & Ελληνικός Χορός 3:30 7:30 µµ 18 Ελληνικό Σχολείο & Ελληνικός Χορός 3:30 7:30 µµ Πρόβα Χορωδίας 6:30 μμ 23 24 25 Αναλήψις του Κυρίου Ορθρος: 8:30 πμ Θεία Λειτ: 9:30 πμ 30 31 Ορθόδοξος Λόγος Χώλ Εκκλησίας 6:30 μμ Ελληνικό Σχολείο & Ελληνικός Χορός 3:30 7:30 µµ 12 13 19 20 26 27 1 ΙΟΥΝΙΟΥ 2 ΙΟΥΝΙΟΥ 3 ΙΟΥΝΙΟΥ Ψυχοσάββατο Ορθρος: 8:30 πμ Θεία Λειτ: 9:30 πμ Πανηγυρικός Εσπερινος Πεντηκοστής & κέρασμα: 6:30 μμ στο Holy Trinity, Concord, ΝΗ Γενική Συνέλευσις Χώλ Εκκλησίας 1:00 μμ 2
Reverend Father Gregory Trakas Office Hours Tuesday & Thursday 1-4 PM or by appointment Parish Council 2017 President... James Folopoulos Vice President... Nick Karagianis Treasurer... Peter Xintaras Secretary... Arthur Bakolas Costa Georgopoulos Kathy Papakostas Harold Guidicelli Stathis Kapellakis Penny Papastathis Helen Rainey Kerrie Poplin Anthony Tsekrekas Philoptochos Board 2017 President... Lucie Skouteris Vice President... Maria Chronas Treasurer.. Georgia Palaskas Assistant Treasurer. Nancy Mardanes Recording Secretary...Andrea Moutsioulis Corresponding Secretary.... Sophia Annas Natl. & Local Boards Liaison...Mariana Gasis Advisor... Esther Kereakoglow Martha Galanis Artemis Lazos Evangelia Gregorious Staff Secretary...Janet Malin Chanter.Vasilios Rokas Choir Director.Joan Virga YOUTH MINISTRIES Directors GOYA... Stavroula Bakolas JOY... Julie Karagianis Mommy & Me Ranya Karatzoulidis PARISH SCHOOLS Sunday School Directors: N. Condodemetraky & T. Kapellakis Teachers. Nicole Condodemetraky Theohare Kapellakis Ranya Karatzoulidis Rita Gallos Joni Stamoulis Greek School Director George Kitsis Teacher.Alexandra Bruttaniti Advisor.Connie Stamoulis 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, in a nursing home, or house-bound for any reason, 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 03109 3
Parish Priest It is the Day of Resurrection! All Nations, let us be jubilant! For this Pascha is the Passover of the Lord Christ Our God has passed us over from death to life and from earth to heaven. (Resurrectional Ode 1) I would like to sincerely thank our Parish Council, our Philoptochos ladies, our Youth Ministries, our psalti, our choir, our volunteers and all of you who joined us in reliving the Passion, Death and Burial of our Lord, and celebrating His Holy Resurrection! All those who participated experienced an awesome journey filled with faith, joy, love and sadness. But the sadness was short-lived. After the Cross, follows the Resurrection. Our God and Savior Jesus Christ defeated death, granting to all of us eternal life! Soon, we will celebrate His Holy Ascension to the Throne of the Father and we will receive the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost! Happy name-day to all baptized Constantine or Helen! Christ is Risen! Parish Council News The Parish Council wishes to thank everyone for their generous support in making the Palm Sunday Fish Dinner and Lamb Raffle such a great success! Special thanks to our cooks, Philoptochos ladies, and Youth Ministry for prepping, setting up, cooking, serving, and cleaning up. It truly was a labor of love! Expenses for the Fish Dinner were donated by Helen Rainey in memory of her beloved parents, Menelaos and Glykeria Tsoubanos. Desserts were donated by Mr. & Mrs. John Kitsis and Mr. & Mrs. Elias Gakis and their families in memory of their beloved son and brother, George Kitsis. May their memory be eternal. On Sunday, May 7 th, at 5:00 PM, HOLY TRINITY in Concord celebrates its 85 th ANNIVERSARY with a dinner and dance at the Capitol Center, 44 South Main Street, Concord. Tickets are $100 per person. Reserve your tickets by calling the Holy Trinity office at: 603-225-2961. On Saturday, May 13 th, at 7:00 PM, St. GEORGE Cathedral has its OPA Dance Night, celebrating the name day of St. George. Tickets are $20 per person, children under 16 years old are free. Call 603-622-9113 Our 10 th ANNUAL SPRING DANCE will be held on Sunday, May 28 th at the Puritan Backroom Function Center from 6:30 PM to 11:30 PM. Reserve your tickets by May 18 th. Due to limited seating capacity, we cannot guarantee that additional tickets will be available at the door. We would like to invite everyone to join us for an evening filled with great fun, fellowship, and lots of dancing! For more information, please contact Penny Papastathis at 603-512-0996 or the church office. See flyer for details. Our next Parish Council meeting will be on Monday, May 22 nd at 6:00 PM. Also, on Sunday, June 4 th at 1:00 PM, there will be a Parish General Assembly meeting in our Church Hall. Philoptochos News Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen! Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who gave of their time, talent, and treasure during Great Lent. This includes those who helped with the pot-luck dinners following the Presanctified Divine Liturgies, the baking of the Tsourekia (Easter Bread), the cleaning of the church, the Bake Sale fundraiser, the flower arrangements and the decoration of Epitaphios, as well as the prepping of the red eggs. We also thank everyone who donated money to help us purchase the flowers. Also, our thanks to Father Gregory for designing the new letterhead for the Philoptochos stationery and donating the cost of printing. Our next meeting will be a Philoptochos General Assembly, during which we will hold the election of the next Philoptochos Board. It will be held on Wednesday, May 17, at 7:00 PM. If you haven t already done so, please pay your 2017 dues to be able to vote. All Philoptochos members have received a letter with detailed information about the election. - Lucie Skouteris, President 4
New Horizons Soup Kitchen The New Horizons Soup Kitchen visit this month is on Sunday, May 28 th, 4:00-6:00 PM. We are always looking for 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 Calling all parishioners! We are looking for volunteers to join our talented choir. All ages are welcome! All that is required is your passion and love for our church! Please contact our Choir Director, Joan Virga at 603-553-9525 or the church office. Youth Ministry News ATTENTION CLASS-OF-2017 HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE GRADUATES! If you or a family member is a Class-of-2017 High School, College or Post-Graduate student, please contact our church office at 603-623-2045 weekdays between 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM and give us the graduate's information (i.e. full name, school name, degree, future plans). On Sunday, June 11 th, all graduates will be recognized and presented with a token of congratulations. The presentations will be held in our church immediately following the Divine Liturgy. We hope all graduates and their families will attend! If the graduate cannot be present, a family member is asked to accept on their behalf. GODPARENT SUNDAY AND SPECIAL COFFEE HOUR Sunday, May 28 th Godparent Sunday is a Sunday designated to honor and foster the relationship between Godparents and their Godchildren. On this day, our church calls to mind the importance of this bond in Christ and encourages the development of this special relationship. On Sunday, May 28 th, all Godparents are encouraged to invite their Godchildren to attend the Divine Liturgy with them and all Godchildren to invite their Godparents to come to church with them. They will have the opportunity to receive Holy Communion together and to renew their love and devotion to the Lord and to thank the Lord for each other. We also encourage all Godparents to attend Sunday School with their Godchildren. Classes begin at 9:45 AM in the School Building. Everyone will then proceed from Sunday School to church accordingly. Following the Divine Liturgy, there will also be a special coffee hour in the Church Hall for all to enjoy. In cases where the Godparent may live far away, Godchildren are encouraged to invite a favorite aunt or uncle or a close family friend to stand in as their special guest for the day. IMPORTANT JUNE DATES TO REMEMBER: Thursday, June 8 th, 4:00 PM: Greek School Graduation Rehearsal at St. George s Community Center. Sunday, June 11 th, 11:30 AM: Assumption Church Graduation Sunday. ~ 10:00 AM: Sunday School students and teachers will meet in the School Building. They will then proceed to church together. Immediately following the Divine Liturgy, we will have our Sunday School End-of-Year Program Presentations. We will also recognize all of the High School, College and Post-Graduate students of the Assumption Church at this time. ~ 12:30 PM: Greek School Graduation Celebration (at St. George Cathedral). Following our own High School and College Graduation at Assumption, we will all proceed to St. George's Community Center for our joint Greek School Graduation. Everyone is welcome to attend! 5
2017 METROPOLIS MINISTRY AWARD RECIPIENT ANDROMAHI MOUTSIOULIS Andromahi (Andrea) Lekkas Moutsioulis was born in Fourka, Konista, Greece. In 1968, together with her brother James and their parents Thomas and Angeliki Lekkas, they immigrated to the United States and settled in Manchester, New Hampshire. In 1974, she graduated from Central High School and in 1978 from Saint Anselm College with a BA in Education. After college, Andrea worked as a public-school teacher and as a volunteer to the late NH Senate President Robert Monier. In 1975, Andrea married Athanasios Moutsioulis and together they raised two beautiful daughters: Athena and Angela. Athena is a University of Vermont graduate and also holds a Master s degree from the University of New Hampshire. She is married to G. Carter Bevan and they have three children: Athan, Alexa and Lucas. Angela is a Saint Anselm College graduate and also holds a Master s degree from Plymouth State College. She is married to Darren Lanza. Since 1979, Andrea and Athanasios have successfully owned and operated Pindos Restaurant and Pizza in Manchester NH. Due to their strong work ethic and customer-oriented attitude, Pindos is now running in its 38th year of operation. In memory of her parents, Andrea supports the Alzheimer s Association and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. For several years, she has raised money and participated in the American Cancer Society s, Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk in Manchester and Boston. Andrea has also participated in the Walk MS: Boston to support multiple sclerosis research. She is also a regular volunteer at New Horizons Soup Kitchen in Manchester NH. For forty-nine years, Andrea has been a member of the Daughters of Fourka, serving in many roles including its president and vice-president. She has also served on the 100th Anniversary Dance and 100th Commemorative Album for the Educational Fraternal Association of Fourka Committees. In addition, Andrea is a member of the Daughters of Penelope. Finally, she also serves on the Manchester Greek Independence Day Scholarship Selection Committee. Andrea has been an active member of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church for forty-nine years. She has worked the church s Riverfest and Bingo fundraisers and she has served on the church s Building Committee. In 1989, during the construction of our current church buildings, Andrea and Athanasios would cook food at their restaurant for church fundraisers. She has also been a member of the choir and the 50th Anniversary Committee. She currently serves in the Philoptochos Society Soteria; she is secretary and co-chair of the Easter bread fundraiser; and she volunteers in our annual Philoptochos Bazaar, annual Greekfest and numerous other church benefits. In her spare time, Andrea enjoys gardening, cooking, baking, reading and spending time with her three grandchildren. 6
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Sacraments & Services When planning a baptism or wedding, please check church availability BEFORE booking your reception hall. Thank you! Baptisms May 6th - Olivia, daughter of Krista & Christopher Comrie May 21st - Evangelia, daughter of Callaway & Vasilios Lazos 40-Day Blessing May 7th - Natalie Vasiliki, daughter of Polly & Brendan Mulcahy Memorials May 7th - Konstantinos & Marianthe Zisis Evangelia Maggatou - 40 days May 21st - Efthymios Stamoulis - 40 days Artemios Dongas - 40 days Robert Schultz - 1 year June 3rd -Frederika Kalampalikis- 40 days Funerals April 4th - Christy Pochari April 19th - Ida Saitas April 20th - Artemios Dongas May 1st - Frederika Kalampalikis Planning Memorials When planning for a memorial, please contact the church office at 603-623-2045. There is a certain kind of altar wine and certain incense we use. Please call for details! Donations & Offerings Fuel Fund Sophia Annas Georgia Gancarz Mr. & Mrs. John Karakostas Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Pashos Christmas 2016 Donations Mr. & Mrs. Costas Liolios Donations in Memory of Nick Hart Tillie Papageorge Donations Theodore Farmakis Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Tsekrekas Mary Tsekrekas 10
Stewardship 2017 Anastasia Ahern Sophia Annas Raymond Buckley Mr. & Mrs. Charles Demos Mr. & Mrs. Artemios Dongas Mr. & Mrs. Richard Dryer Mr. & Mrs. James Folopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Mark Folopoulos John Gatsas Mr. & Mrs. Costas Georgopoulos Michael Gregorious Sotirios Iliopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Ilias Kalampalikis Mr. & Mrs. Stathis Kapellakis Mr. & Mrs. John Karakostas Mr. & Mrs. Jason Kolbensen Mr. & Mrs. John Kyriazes Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Matteo Theodora Nakos Georgia Palaskas Mr. & Mrs. Frank Papanicolaou Likourgos Papastathis Helen Rainey Lucie Skouteris Mr. & Mr.s John Stergiou Mr.& Mrs. Demetrios Tentas Michael Tsecaris Mr. Mrs. Anthony Tsekrekas Betty Xintaras Mr. & Mrs. John Xintaras Stewardship 2016 Michael Gregorious Betty Xintaras Please submit your 2017 Stewardship Pledge Stewardship is our God-given OBLIGATION and the PRIMARY source of income for our church! Seek first God s Kingdom and His Righteousness and all other things shall be added to you. (Matt 6:33) And some seeds fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold. (Luke 8:8) Give to Cesar what is Cesar s and to God what is God s. (Mark 12:17) Reap bountifully. God loves a cheerful giver. (St. Paul 2 nd Corinthians 9:6-8) Rich is not the one who has much, but the one who gives much. For what one gives away, he keeps for all eternity. (St. John Chrysostom) Thank you for your love to the House of the Lord and Panagia! May our Lord bless you a hundredfold and remember you in His Kingdom. 11
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Palm Sunday Procession Taking the Lord down from the Cross 13 Easter Egg Hunt 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 $150.00 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!
Baking Easter Bread Baking Lazarakia Palm Sunday Decorating the Epitaphios Epitaphios Procession Resurrection Service Christos Anesti! 14
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GREEKFEST 2017 CALLING ALL PARISHIONERS!!! Our 2017 GreekFest will be held on Saturday August 26th and Sunday August 27th. Festival hours: Saturday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Sunday 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Putting this event together is a massive undertaking requiring 100 volunteers each hour the festival is open! This is our largest fundraiser of the year and we need your help! Many of you have worked for years to make this event a success. But, we need more help and new blood to renew our energies. Please don t be shy! We welcome your assistance, ideas and time. The following are specific needs we have at the moment. Please call if you can do something or know a source for us to pursue. Right now we are in need of: Donations of all kinds, including: monetary, supplies, food, beverage; your time and talents Donations of money and/or prizes for the Penny Sale Table Cooks to join the Philoptochos women in preparing specific Greek foods for the Festival Sounds like a lot of work and it certainly is, but the more help we have, the fewer hours each one of us will need to work! This is a great way to meet new people! It is a lot of fun and a very gratifying way to give support our church. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE ALREADY HARD AT WORK ON FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES! Please fill the form below and return it to our church office or any Parish Council member. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact the church office or Costa Georgopoulos at 603-623-2045. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VOLUNTEER PLEDGE FORM - GREEKFEST 2017 Kitchen Loukoumathes Booth Kids Crafts Kids Games Gyro Booth Food Line (servers) Pastry Booth Salad Station Penny Sale Table Bar Raffle Table Setting up tables - Friday afternoon 8/25 Taking down tables - Sunday evening 8/27 Tray pick-up Trash pick-up Any station Name: Address: City/State: Phone Number: Cell Number: E-mail: Days I can help: Friday, August 25 th Saturday, August 26 th Sunday, August 27 th 16 Hours I can help: From: To: From: To: From: To:
May 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 Greek School & Greek Dance 3:30 7:30 PM 7 Sunday of the Paralytic Orthros: 8:45 AM Div. Lit: 10:00 AM 8 9 10 Mid-Pentecost Orthros: 8:30 AM Div. Lit: 9:30 AM 11 Greek School & Greek Dance 3:30 7:30 PM 12 13 14 Sunday of the Samaritan Woman Orthros: 8:45 AM Div. Lit: 10:00 AM Mother s Day Brunch by Parish Council 15 16 17 Philoptochos General Assembly & Elections Church Hall 7:00 PM 18 Greek School & Greek Dance 3:30 7:30 PM Choir Rehersal 6:30 PM 19 20 21 Sunday of the Blind Man & Ss. Constantine and Helen Orthros: 8:45 AM Div. Lit: 10:00 AM 28 Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council Orthros: 8:45 AM Div. Lit: 10:00 AM Godparent Sunday Brunch by Youth Ministries New Horizons 4:00-6:00 PM Spring Dance Puritan Backroom 6:00 PM 4 JUNE Pentecost Orthros: 8:45 AM Div. Lit: 10:00 AM General Assembly Church Hall 1:00 PM 22 Parish Council Meeting 6:00 PM 29 Memorial Day Memorial Trisagion Pine Grove Cemetery Two Services: 8:00 and 10:00 AM 5 JUNE Holy Spirit Feast Orthros: 8:30 AM Div. Lit: 9:30 AM 23 24 25 Holy Ascension Orthros: 8:30 AM Div. Lit: 9:30 AM 30 31 Orthodox Word Church Hall 6:30 PM Greek School & Greek Dance 3:30 7:30 PM 26 27 1 JUNE 2 JUNE 3 JUNE Saturday of the Souls Orthros: 8:30 AM Div. Lit: 9:30 AM Festal Vespers for Pentecost with a light reception: 6:30 PM at Holy Trinity, Concord, ΝΗ 17
Road NH NON-PROFIT O G. US POSTAGE PAID MANCHESTER, PERMIT NO. 6249 18 Greek Parade in Boston April 30 th, 2017