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The Official Monthly Publication of Holy Trinity
ISSUE NO. 290 WWW.HOLYTRINITYBRIDGEPORT.ORG APRIL 2014
ADAM
EVE
KING DAVID
ST. JOHN THE
BAPTIST
ABEL
KING SOLOMON
Good
Frid
ay
Good
Frid
ay H
oly
Satu
rd
ay
Holy Tuesday Holy Wednesday Holy Thursday Good Friday
Palm
Su
nd
ay
H
oly
Mon
day
Holy
Tu
esd
ay
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April 2014 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1
5th Tuesday of
Lent
Mary of Egypt
Martyrs Geron-
tius and Basi-
2
Presanctified
Liturgy Ser-vice/
- 7:00 pm
3
5th Thursday of
Lent
Nicetas the
Confessor
Joseph the
4
Akathist
HymnService
7:00pm
5
5th Saturday of
Lent
Claudios & Com-
panions
Theodora the
6
Sunday of St. Mary of
Egypt -
General As-
sembly After
Services
7
6th Monday of
Lent
Holy Martyr
Calliopius
Tikhon, Pat. of
Moscow
8
6th Tuesday of
Lent
Herodion, Aga-
bus, Rufus,
Asyncritus of
the 70
Rufus the Obe-
9
6th Wednesday
of Lent
Martyr
Eupsychius
Vadim the
Righteous of
Persia
10
6th Thursday of
Lent
Martyrs Ter-
ence & Com-
panions
Hieromartyr
Gregory V of
Constantinople
11
6th Friday of
Lent
Martyr Anti-
pas
Pharmuthios
the Anchorite
12
Lazarus Satur-day - 9:00 am
Orthros & Litur-
gy - Holy Com-munion &
Breakfast by
PTO/ Palm Mak-ing
13 Palm Sun-
day / FISH LUNCHEON
after Church
Services/
NYMPHIOS
SERVICES-
7:00 PM
14
Holy Monday
Bride-
groom /
Nymphios
Service-
7:00 PM
15
Holy Tuesday
Bridegroom /
Nymphios
Service Hymn of
Saint Kassi-
ani-7:00
PM
16
Holy Wednes-
day
Holy Unc-
tion-3:00
PM and at
7:00 PM
17 Holy
Thursday -
Liturgy-Holy Communion -
6:15 AM
12 Gospels, Passion of Our
Lord, Proces-
sion of the Cross,
7:00pm / All
night Vigil of the Crucifix
18 Holy
Friday
Reading and decoration of
Tomb 9:30
am Unnailing
from the
Cross the Lamentation
Service 3:00
pm & Proces-sion of Epi-taphios-
7:00pm
19
Holy Saturday
Liturgy of St. Basil and Holy
Communion
9:00 amThe Canon Prior to
Resurrection
11:00pm Resurrection
Divine Liturgy
12 midnight to
1:30 am
20 Great and
Holy
Pascha - The Resurrection
of our Lord Agape (Love)
Services11:00 am
21 Fast Free
Renewal Mon-
day
Hieromartyr
Januarius
Maximian of
Constantinople
22 Fast Free
Renewal Tues-
day: The Com-
memoration of
Saints Raphael,
Nicholas, Ire-
ne,
23 Fast Free
Great Martyr
George - Ser-
vice 9:00am
24
Fast Free
Renewal
Thursday
Elizabeth the
Wonderwork-
25 Fast
FreeFree
Zoodochos
PedgeService 9:00
AM
26 Renewal
Saturday
Hieromartyr Bas-
il of Amaseia
Glaphyra the
Righteous
27
Thomas Sun-day
Hieromartyr
Symeon
Eulogios the
Innkeeper
28
2nd Monday
after Pascha
9 Martyrs of
Cyzicus
Theocharus and
Apostolus
29
2nd Tuesday
after Pascha
Jason & So-
sipater of the 70
Martyr Cercyra
more
30
Apostle James
New Martyr
Agyre
MEMORIAL SERVICES
Sunday April 6 - Ioannis Tsoukalas - 1
year OUR EASTER MEAL OF LOVE will be served
in the Aegean Hall, right after the Resurrection and
Divine Liturgy (1:30am)and is for all Parishioners.
.
Strict Fast Fish Al-
lowed
Wine and Oil Allowed
Dairy,Eggs, and Fish Al-
lowed
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APRIL 2014 3
The Lord my Creator took me as
dust from the earth and formed
me into a living creature,
breathing into me the breath of life and
giving me a soul; He honored me, setting
me as a ruler upon the earth over all things
visible, and making me the companion of
the angels.
But Satan the deceiver, using the
serpent as his instrument, enticed me by
food; he parted me from the glory of God
and gave me over to the earth and to the
lowest depths of death. But, Master, in
compassion call me back again. From The Sunday of Forgiveness Vespers
O n the Sunday of Forgiveness, the last Sunday
before the Great Lent, we are reminded of
something that we usually try not to think of:
our mortality. We hear the ancient words from
Scripture, Then God formed man out of dust from the
ground, and breathed in his face the breath of life; and
man became a living soul. (Gen 2:7). Strange words to the modern ear. Why should we remember our death
when all the world cries "Life" to us? We are urged to
think positive thoughts, to feel good about ourselves, to
reach for the stars, to "be all that you can be." It is
annoying to be reminded that this full life will someday
end. No. Forget all this dust and ashes talk. Let us
keep things in their places, simple and safe - life now,
while there is life; death later, when there must be death.
Death is a fact of this life. But, this realization does
not mean we should despair. St. Paul exhorts us to no
longer fear death because we have the hope of the
Resurrection (1 Thess. 4:13). For Christians, death is not
the end of the story. The Gospel puts things into
perspective - it allows us to think about the unthinkable.
The Lenten story begins with an uncomfortable stirring
of the ashes of existence and forces us to consider our
sin, our guilt, to "Remember, you are dust, and to dust
you shall return." Amid the many, busy and distracting
events of our lives, the quiet hours of Lenten worship
are certainly needed. Lent, taken seriously, provides us
with greater opportunity for solitude, more time for
reflection and meditation as we journey through our
particular wilderness to Holy Pascha. Through fasting
and prayer we tune out the noise or static of the world
and become more in tune with God. We need this time
to consider how we are doing and to
evaluate our relationship with each other
and with God. Great Lent is that
traditional time of the year when we are
urged to probe into the deeper corners of
our being.
During this time of Great Lent, we are also
reminded of other timeless truths from
Scripture: that we are created in the image and likeness of God, and that through repentance we are able to return to our
original purpose in life, to regain our lost
relationship with God. Repentance is
coming to our senses, like the prodigal son
did, and seeing ourselves as we really are.
Repentance is facing up to the powerful desires within
us to deceive - to deceive others and ourselves.
But repentance is not only recognition; it is also
repudiation. Often, getting caught in a sinful act will
produce feelings of remorse, anguish, regret, and
sorrow, but unhappiness is not repentance. Repentance
is realizing ones inadequacy and surrendering to Gods mercy. Genuine repentance means that the direction of
our lives has changed. It means we have come to our
senses and we arise and return to our God. We
ourselves must be changed!
And we can't do this on our own. Our bonds of
captivity are too strong for us to break on our own. In
our sin, we simply do not have the power to direct our
own repentance. Power to repent comes from God's
decision to save. I doubt very much if the prodigal son
would have gone home to an elder brother, but going
home to a loving father is an altogether different matter.
The relationship of love makes all the difference.
This culminates in a glorious day of Resurrection.
The Good News that Christ came to tell us is this: that,
because of Jesus Christ, neither ashes nor dust are the
last word.
I wish to all of you and your families a blessed and
fruitful Lent!
Neither Ashes Nor Dust
are the Last Word
by Father Andreas Vithoulkas
Love is saying 'I feel differently' instead of 'You're wrong.'
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APRIL 2014 4
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(Continued on page 5)
Do not forget small kindnesses and do not remember small faults.
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APRIL 2014 5
It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.
Our Parish
by Constantinos Vlamis , Parish Council President
M arch 25th - This is one of the
holiest days for us Greek
Orthodox Christians, the
Annunciation of the Theotokos, the day
that the Archangel Gabriel told Mary she
will bear a child , the son of God, Jesus
Christ.
By raising a banner, Bishop Germanos
began the revolution on that day. The
flag, a white cloth with a large cross,
represented our religion, ethnicity, and culture. This is
the holiday that ignited our ancestors liberation from the Ottoman Empire. On March 30th, we will march in
the parade in NY, as we do every year. This year, we
are also celebrating the 100 year anniversary of Holy
Trinity Bridgeports Greek School.
During the occupation, children would have to walk
in darkness, and sometimes for miles, to partake in the
crypha scholia. Mrs. Limberis will lead the Greek school , and march with our students and teachers with
a banner that will represent our church and our efforts
to continue our language and
heritage.
With Lent in full swing, Holy Week
is approaching quickly. Its time to
prepare ourselves for Megali Evdomatha. Its a time for all of us to join together and pray, contribute,
and celebrate our traditions, as we
plan for our annual Lenten events.
Donor directed donations for our
kouvouklion/epitaphio flowers,
decorations of our church, altar
candles, etc. , are greatly
appreciated during these holiest of
times. It would be great to break
bread all together on Palm Sunday, the fish luncheon
we traditionally host on April 13th. Lets not forget that, after Anastasi, we are serving magiritsa in the Aegean room with red eggs and tsoureki, as we do
every year.
Also, I would like to thank our Parishioners for their
quick response. The flow of stewardship commitments
has been great and is much appreciated. Please keep
them coming, as they are greatly needed.
With Health, Happiness, and Humility,
Constantinos Vlamis
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APRIL 2014 6
If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did
not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."
Daughters
of Penelope by Kathy Yiannoulis , President
W e would like to wish everyone a b l e s s e d
Lenten season,
as we approach t he E a s t e r
celebration! The Daughters of Penelope
have been busy with our Acts of
Kindness. We completed our Soldier Support Packages drive
and are planning a one-day Pet Food Drive on April 6th. Other
drives are also being planned so
as to continue our Acts of
Kindness through the year.
We had a very special guest at our March meeting where we
had the Grand Vice President, Anna-Helene Grossomanides
coming to visit our chapter. It
was a great to have her with us and share her thoughts about the
DOP on a national level. We wish her the best in the
upcoming elections at the
nat ional convention this summer!
Look out for our annual Spring Raffle supporting our
scholarship fund. We will be
raffling ten gift cards to local grocery stores just in time for
the Easter holiday! The gift cards are valued at $25 and $50
each. Each ticket is only $1 with
the winners to be drawn on
April 13 (Palm Sunday)
We are already planning our Mothers Day Flower. Gift and Sale! Please mark down the dates and refer to our flyer!
Penelopes Caf will be back again!
Our next meeting will be on
April 26th at 7 pm. Please join us!
Please visit us at http://
ho l yt ri n i t ybr i dge po r t . o rg/daughters.html. Our chapter
e m a i l i s daughters@holytrinitybridgepor
t.org. Lastly, Like us on Facebook at Daughters of Penelope - Bridgeport "Hermes"
Chapter 41, District 7. Please consider being a part of our
group. We would love to have
you!
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APRIL 2014 7
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for. Epicurus
Greek
School
by Eleni Limberis, Director
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Sunday School
by Eva Vanioits, Director
O n March 9, the Sunday of Orthodoxy, all Sunday School children stayed for the Divine Liturgy and received Holy Communion with their class. Children,
who had not previously carried an Icon during the pro-
cession, were selected to follow the Icon Procession. Our
many thanks to our PTO for the childrens Communion breakfast.
Mission boxes will be given out to all Sunday School
classes. This is a very special collection for the children
in Sunday school. They are asked to fill the boxes with
coins to support the Orthodox Christian Mission Center
(OCMC), who carry the message of Gods love to all the
nations. The Mission Center, located in St. Augustine,
Florida, sends Missionaries to many mission centers in
different parts of the world to teach the Orthodox reli-
gion.
Upcoming dates to remember:
April 12-Saturday of Lazarus, Bonus Day, Holy
Communion , Breakfast by PTO , Palm
making.
April 13- Palm Sunday -Family Worship
April 20- Easter Family Worship April 5 District Oratorical at St. George Cathedral in Hartford , Holy Trinity will be well represented by
George Zachariadis and Irene Bal.
June 15Sunday school graduation.
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APRIL 2014 8
Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.
PTO
by Effie Vlamis, President
W e would like to thank all who came out to the Apokriatiko
party. The night was fun, and we had some great laughs bobbing for
apples, playing musical chairs, and
crowning two youngsters for the best costume: Nektaria Rountos and Vaggeli Gountas. These two
absolutely made our hearts melt. I would like to thank Irene Manalis for chairing this event.
Even though it was very cold on Kathari Deftera, it didnt stop the children (and some adults) from flying the kites, as well as create a craft indoors. I would like to thank Sophia Rountos and Joanna
Giagkos with their help. The Lenten food that was
brought by all was delicious. Its just a casual, easy going evening, year after year, and nice way to start
the Lenten fast. PTO and GOYA attended services together
(Presanctified Liturgy and the second Xeretismoi).
Afterwards, we served and enjoyed Lenten food as well as each others company.
PTO will be sending out college care packages, Dema Frontida, to the youth who received
scholarships. By end of March, the thirteen
scholarship recipients should have received them. We are looking forward to marching in the
Annual Greek Independence Day Parade in NYC as a group on March 30th.
Dates to remember for the month of April are as
follows:
Monthly PTO meeting will be on
Wednesday April 2 at 5pm. On
Saturday of Lazarus, April 12, the children will have Holy Communion,
and afterwards, we will be joining Miss Eva in the double classroom making
and teaching children how to make
crosses out of the palm fronds, and then participating in the annual Easter Egg Hunt, which
will take place outdoors. To celebrate Protomagia, we will make floral wreaths with the kids. For
GOYANs, this will happen on Tuesday April 29th
and for JOY/HOPE, on Wednesday, April 30th. Details will follow soon. We would love for the
children attending this craft to first collect some fresh flowers and bring them along, as they will be
used on their wreaths.
Please contact Effie Vlamis for Shrek tickets for Saturday, May 3 at 5pm. Easter candles will be on
sale starting March 23. Information for the end the year trip will be out by the end of April. We have
received many interesting trip ideas.
If interested in running for the the PTO executive board for the next Ecclesiastical year, or
would like to chair an event for next season, please let me know so that I can include your name in the
election roster.
"Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. "- Henry Ford
Our next meeting, Wednesday May 7, at 5:30 in
double classroom. Hope to see you there!
Ladies
Phloptochos
Society
by Lena Protopapas, President
W e held our annual
l o u k o u m a d e s
fundraiser in March,
and hope that all of you enjoyed
them. A big thank you to the
two sweet sisters, Mrs. Mina
Pertesis and Mrs. Agelikoula
Trimbalis, for their donations, and
for all the work they did on that
day. Also, a thank you to Mr. Trimbalis. I would like to thank
all of you who participated in our
Loukoumades Fundraiser. The
proceeds went to the National
Philoptochos for our brothers and
sisters in Greece and Cyprus, who
are still in crisis.
This year, our Easter is on April
20th, the same day that non-
Orthodox Christians celebrate. So,
for at least this year, we don't have
to explain to the kids why we have
two Eas ters and not two
Christmases!
After the Salutations of the
Virgin Mary, we reach the
(Continued on page 9)
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APRIL 2014 9
Despite the forecast, live like it's spring.
Saturday of Lazarus; a celebration
of Love from friend to friend!
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!
The week of Passion is the most
important week of Orthodox
Christians. Our whole religion
walks in front of our eyes this
week.
When I was a little girl, I waited
for Holy Thursday to hear:
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. appy Easter to everyone!
We continue to collect food and
clothes for the poor. Last month,
we distributed many coats, and
almost every month, we give food
to the Rescue Mission. We feed the
poor through this organization. For
Easter, we will visit nursing homes,
shut-ins, homes both Greek and
American. We send donations to
organizations such as the Ronald
MacDonald House, Autis tic
Children, Hospitals like St Jude's
for Children with Cancer, St. Basil
's Academy, St. Michael's Home for
the Elderly, National Philoptochos,
District Philoptochos, our Church,
and others.
Please submit your orders for
Easter Bake Sale. With your
don a t i o n s , we s up po r t organizations that are in need.
Thank you again for your trust and your generous donations
and your constant support.
Our regular meeting for
April is: Tuesday, 1st of April, 2014. (Its not Aprils Fool Day. Its a real meeting).
Bake sale: Saturday of
Lazarus and on Palm Sunday.
May 2nd we will have our Festival of Tables. Whoever wants to have a Table please
call : Maria Matsikas at (203)268-2788. Thank you.
May 18th we will go to the Square One Theater to see a
Comedy. Every one is welcome. Please call Maria Cook at (203)
375-9329 for more information.
(Continued from page 8)
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APRIL 2014 10
"A good deed is never lost: he who sows courtesy reaps friendship;
and he who plants kindness gathers love." Saint Basil
Around the
Parish
by Stella Capiris
B elated Happy Birthday greetings to
Father Andreas. We celebrated
with a lovely birthday cake
(donated by the Athenian Diner #3), as we
serenaded Father with birthday greetings
following Church Services . We wish Fa-
ther many more Happy Birthdays with
good health!
Many thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Jim Triantis and to Mr. &
Mrs. George Daoutis for their generous donations to-
wards the delicious Yiouvetsi Apokreatiko Luncheon. Congratulations to John Gregory Kapetaneas upon re-
ceiving his Masters Degree from New York University.
John worked very diligently and put a great deal of effort
into procuring this degree as he continuously traveled
back and forth from New York. John, kai eis anotera.
Continued success!
Congratulations to Eleni Georgakopoulos, daughter of
Kosta and Angeliki Georgakopoulos, who participated in
the Miss Greek Independence Pageant as Miss Kerkyra.
We are very proud of the manner in which she represent-
ed our Community. She will also be on the float during
the Greek Independence Day Parade held at the end of
March. Kai eis anotera, Eleni. Congratulations to Michael and Ashley Cook on the
birth of their beautiful baby girl. The proud grandmother
is Melissa, daughter of Nicholas and Sophie Magoulas
and, of course, the proud great-grandparents are Nicholas
and Sophie Magoulas. Na sas zisse.
Congratulations to Christina (Koloniaris) and
Sean Ripley on the birth of their baby boy, An-
thony. The proud grandparents are Maria and
George Koloniaris. They are so very much en-
joying their first grandchild. Na sas zisse.
Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Car-
ril on the birth of their beautiful baby girl. They
are now living in Manhattan, New York, but we
were happy to see the baby on the occasion of
the 40 day blessing in our Church. Na sas zisse.
Perastika and get well wishes are extended to Paul Bo-
lovinos, to Steve Serevetas, to Demitra Vender, and to
Billie Lycoudes.
The Philoptochos thanks everyone for their support of
their Loukoumades Fundraiser, with the proceeds going to benefit those who are facing hardships in Greece. They
remind everyone of their forthcoming Easter Bake Sale.
Please try to get your orders in for all your needs as soon
as possible.
The Community extends its deepest sympathy to the
family of Gus Vlastaris upon the recent death of his be-
loved sister, Bessie DelVecchio, in Florida. Prior to her
move to Massachusetts, and then to Florida, she was a
very active parishioner, especially a devoted member
with our P.T.O. She was a loving individual to everyone
and will be very much missed. Our deepest sympathy to
the family of Andreas Petrakopoulos on the death of his
brother in Waterbury. May their Memories be Forever
Eternal!
Where God
Dwells
by Vicky Andriotis
R ecently, I was listening to a lecture by the late Fr. Peter Guilquist, author of Be-
coming Orthodox, during which he tells a story about a woman
who had never been to a church of any kind, but had reached a
point in her life where she de-
sired to go.
Her search began in the phone
book, where she looked up the word "Church." She decided to
go to every Church in the list un-
til she found one "where God lived."
At one point during her quest,
she found herself in an Orthodox
Church, which is the Church she eventually chose, and at which
she became a parishioner.
Father Guilquist asked her, "How did you know God dwelt
here?" To which she replied:
"The singing. The hymns.
When the choir began to sing those hymns of praise, I knew
God lived here." And so she converted.
I think Ill take a moment to thank a Church Musician today!
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APRIL 2014 11
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Our Lenten
Journey
Preparing for the Passion
and Resurrection of our
Lord
G reat Lent is a time for
self-examination and
self-denial - a time for
taking control of our lives and our
bodies. The purpose of the fast is
to give us a greater awareness of
Our dependence on God. It is a
time to improve, ourselves and our
relationship with God. Lent is a
time for greater works of mercy
and charity for those less fortunate
than us. It is a time for visitation of
the sick and assistance to the poor,
and generally a more joyful rela-
tionship with those who are close
to us - our family and friends.
Most of all, Lent is a time of joy
and a new beginning. We cleanse
ourselves- mind, body, and soul-
through the physical and spiritual
fast, keeping a Christian attitude in
all that we do. All this is done to
prepare us for the Great Feast of
Pascha - the Resurrection of Christ.
This has been compiled to assist
you on your Lenten Journey, guid-
ing you in fasting, prayer, repent-
ance & confession, Bible reading
and in receiving Holy Communion.
May God bless you and guide you,
and may you reach your Paschal
destination with the joy of renewed
faith in Christ.
Holy Communion The Sacrament of Holy Com-
munionthe Eucharistwhich literally means "Thanksgiving," is
the Mystery whereby the bread and
wine of offering are changed, actu-
ally, not symbolically, into the very
Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
The Eucharist is at the very center
of the Church's life, and from it
flows the prayer of believers in a
sacrifice of entreaty for the peace
of the world, for all those who ask
for help, and for all men and wom-
en. The Eucharist unites us in the
most intimate fashion with the
Lord; it nourishes our soul and
body, and aids our strengthening,
increase, and growth in spiritual
life. According to the promise of
the Gospel, "He that eats this bread
will live forever. " (The Gospel of
John 6:58) The cup which holds the
wine that becomes the blood of
Christ is the chalice, the cup of sal-
vation. When we kneel during the
liturgy, we pray with the priest that
God the Holy Spirit may change
the bread and wine into the Body
and Blood of Jesus. This, means
that when we receive Holy Com-
munion, Jesus comes to live in us.
How do we prepare to receive
the Body and Blood of Jesus? We
pray. We should have love in our
hearts for all people. We should
ask forgiveness from God and from
our parents, brothers, and sisters,
and from anyone we may have
hurt. When we come before the
priest for Communion, we make
the sign of the cross, tell the priest
our baptismal name, hold the Com-
munion cloth under our chin, and
open our mouth wide. After re-
ceiving, we wipe our lips with the
Communion cloth, make the sign
of the cross, and hand the Com-
munion cloth to the person next to
us.
Once we have received Com-
munion , we must remember that
we have become one with Christ
and with all those who received
Communion with us. Christ now
lives in all of us. We are all living
icons of Jesus. It is by loving one
another that we love Jesus. After
receiving Communion our bodies
become holy chalices. God lives in
us. Jesus wants to use our hands,
which have now become His
hands, to help those in need. When
we receive Communion, we be-
come members of Christ's Body,
the Church. This means that Jesus
has no eyes but our eyes, no feet
but our feet to do His work in the
world today. What kind, thought-
ful act will you do for Jesus today?
How to Read the Bible In private study, when a Chris-
tian profitably reads the Bible, re-
ceiving inspiration and strength
from it, family members, friends,
relatives and even acquaintances
will inevitably notice the differ-
ence. Any person who comes into
contact with such a Christian can-
not but notice the growing peace,
love and inner assurance - the spirit
of Christ - in that Christian, and
will frequently ask (if not ask, cer-
tainly think) what gives that person
such strength and radiance. God
will provide many opportunities to
the growing Christian for sharing
with others his or her experience -
with the Bible. What better wit-
ness for the truth of the Christian
faith than a solid Christian, life
nourished by Holy Scripture and
radiating true Christian love at
home, at Church and at work? The
Christian's own life becomes a kind
of gospel, a living Bible, in which
other people observe, read, and
experience-the truths of God in
action.
Suggestions for Family
Bible Reading: Set aside a regular time for daily reading pref-
(Continued on page 12)
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APRIL 2014 12
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
erably in the evening at the supper table when the
whole family is together. When the children are
young, mom or dad can do the reading. When the chil-
dren grow older, they may share in the reading. Read-
ing to children is one of life's greatest joys. Children
treasure it.
Don't read too much or too fast. One chapter a day
is sufficient. Let what you read sink in slowly. If the
children are young, read from a Bible story bookone that has pictures which you can show the children.
Start with the biographies of Jesus (Matthew, Mark,
Luke, John).
Read with the faith and the expectation that God will
really and truly speak to you through what you read.
Don't worry about the passages you do not under-
stand. Concentrate on what you do understand. The
more you read, the more you will understand. One
passage explains another.
Each day memorize at least one verse that grips you.
Say it out loud as a family three or four times. Encour-
age your children to fall asleep with this verse on their
lips.
Repentance and Confession Repentance has its roots in the apostles. In the
Book of Acts the Apostle Peter says, "Repent and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit. " (Acts 2:37-38). When we
fall away from God, we have removed ourselves from
His communion - with Him and with other Christians.
We have excommunicated ourselves. To re-enter com-
munion with God is the on-going activity of all Chris-
tians. We fall away daily in some way or another. No
one is exempt. Often, when children play in competi-
tive games, one will call out "that's a do over!" Haven't
we all wished for that chance to undo the past and start
over? Repentance offers us this new beginning. We
are telling God that we have changed our mind about
our past direction and want to be back in communion
with him. The Greek word for repentance, metanoia, implies a very deep change in the way we see our-
selves, our world, and our relationship to God.
To change our mind in repentance is the starting
point in our Lenten journey. We leave behind regret as
we move toward hope. Repentance is not a single ac-
tion but an attitude, a frame of mind. Think back over
your life of things which you regret having said or
done - hurtful, inconsiderate, selfish, deceitful. Think
also of those things which you have done which may
not have directly affected others, but which you know
to be wrong according to the teachings of the Church.
Bring them to mind as if they were occurring right
now. Think of how it would have been if you had act-
ed differently. Take this regret and turn it into repent-
ance. Acknowledge that you have offended another
person or the Church, and in doing so you have offend-
ed God. If we are to be forgiven by God, He requires
of us that we also forgive one another. For many of us,
this is the most difficult aspect of repentance and con-
fession. Yet we say it each time we pray the Lord's
prayer, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those
who trespass against us. "
Just as God's love for us is personal, so must ours
be for Him. As the Christian grows from child to
adult, his or her personal response to God becomes
crucial. This personal response is the act of confes-
sion.
Guidelines for Fasting The fast for the forty days of Lent is indicated be-
low, though many are not able to, hold to the strict fast.
We offer the following guidelines to be considered
prayerfully with the guidance of your spiritual father
and in consideration of any medical condition or die-
tary requirements.
Strict Fast No Meat, Fish. Milk, Dairy Products, Oil, or Oil Prod-
ucts
Palm Sunday Fish, Oil& Wine permitted .
Feast of the Annunciation, March 25th Fish, Oil & Wine Permitted
Shellfish are permitted throughout Great Lent
Submitted by Vicky Andriotis These excerpts are from :
Lets Take a Walk Through Our Orthodox Church by Fr. Anthony M. Coniaris / Light & Life Publishing - Making
God Real in the Orthodox Home by Fr. Anthony M. Co-
niaris / Light & Life Publishinga Guide published by the Department of , Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism Note: The Orthodox Daily Planner and Resource Guide pub-
lished by the Department of Youth and Young Adult Minis-
tries . offers daily guidance in fasting, scripture readings,
(Continued from page 11)
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APRIL 2014 13
Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.
DETERMINING THE DATE OF EASTER - THE CAL-
ENDAR OF THE ORTHO-
DOX CHURCH
The First Ecumenical Council
convened at Nicaea in 325 and took
up the issue of the differences in the
observance of Pascha. It determined
that Pascha should be celebrated on
the Sunday which follows the first
full moon after the vernal equinox-
the actual beginning of spring. If the
full moon happens to fall on a Sun-
day, Pascha is observed the follow-
ing Sunday. The day taken to be the
invariable date of the vernal equinox
is March 21. Hence, the determina-
tion of the date of Pascha is gov-
erned by a process dependent on the
vernal equinox and the phase of the
moon.
Another factor which figures
prominently in determining the date
of Pascha is the date of Passover.
Originally, Passover was celebrated
on the first full moon after the vernal
equinox. Christians, therefore, cele-
brated Pascha according to the same
calculation-that is, on the first Sun-
day after the first full moon follow-
ing the vernal equinox. The correla-
tion between the date of Pascha and
the date of Passover is clear. Our
Lord's death and resurrection coin-
cided with Passover, thereby assur-
ing a secure point of reference in
time. This assurance lasted, howev-
er, only for a short time.
Events in Jewish history contrib-
uting to the dispersion of the Jews
had as a consequence a departure
from the way Passover was reckoned
at the time of our Lord's death and
resurrection. This caused the Passo-
ver to precede the vernal equinox in
some years. It was, in fact, this
anomaly which led to the condemna-
tion reflected in Canon 1 of Antioch
(ca. 330) and Canon 7 of the Holy
Apostles (late 4th century) of those
who celebrate Pascha "with the
Jews." The purpose of this condem-
nation was to prevent Christians
from taking into account the calcula-
tion of Passover in determining the
date of Pascha.
Most Christians eventually ceased
to regulate the observance of Pascha
by the Jewish Passover. Their pur-
pose, of course, was to preserve the
original practice of celebrating
Pascha following the vernal equinox.
Thus, the Council of Nicaea sought
to link the principles for determining
the date of Pascha to the norms for
calculating Passover during our
Lord's lifetime. A further cause for
these differences was the adoption
by the Western Church of the Grego-
rian Calendar in the 16th century.
This took place in order to adjust the
discrepancy by then observed be-
tween the paschal cycle approach to
calculating Pascha and the available
astronomical data. The Orthodox
Church continues to base its calcula-
tions for the date of Pascha on the
Julian Calendar, which was in use at
the time of the First Ecumenical
Council. As such, it does not take
into account the number of days,
which have since then accrued due
to the progressive loss of time in this
calendar.
Practically speaking, this means
that Pascha may not be celebrated
before April 3, which was March 21,
the date of the vernal equinox, at the
time of the First Ecumenical Coun-
cil. In other words, a difference of 13
days exists between the accepted
date for the vernal equinox then and
now. Consequently, it is the combi-
nation of these variables which ac-
counts for the different dates of
Pascha observed by the Orthodox
Church and other Christian Church-es. Submitted by Vicky Andriotis - ex-cerpt taken from The Calendar of the
Orthodox Church by Dr. Lewis J.
Patsavos, Ph.D.
T he story of the
Icon
One of the most symbolic of
the Festal Icons of the Orthodox Church is
that of the Holy Resurrection. In the center
of this radiant event is Christ pulling Ad-
am and Eve up from their tombs. The gates
of the Realm of Death are broken and
thrown down. Death, personified in human
form is defeated, and bound hand and foot
at the bottom of the scene. We recall the
joyous words of St. Paul: "O death, where
is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victo-
ry?" (1 Corinthians 15:55)
Christ pulls Adam and Eve from their
tombs. Christ is depicted trampling upon
the gates of Hades. In the background
stands the host of the departed, so numer-
ous they can not be depicted. Among them
in the front of the multitude are some of the
righteous dead, though now invigorated by
the Resurrection. King David and his son
Solomon are seen on the left wearing
crowns. Near the center is Saint John the
Baptist. On the other side is Abel, the son
of Adam and the first man to ever die. He
wears a shepherds robe and has a cane.
Many Icons of this subject depict large
crowds with a few other recognizable
prophets. - Submitted by Vicky Andriotis See more at: http://lent.goarch.org/
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Philoptochos Easter Offering Please help us to stock our food pantry and prepare
Gift Baskets for the Needy Our pantry is in need of the following items:
Please bring your items to the Church or
Contact Lena Protopappas for more info: 203-929-1582 . Please label your contribution as Philptochos-Easter Baskets.
Rice Pasta Sauce
Canned Vegetables Olive Oil Cake or muffin mixes
Crackers Cranberry Sauce Non-dairy Cream-er
Peanut Butter & Jelly Pasta
Canned Soup Cookies Vinegar
Canned Sweet Potatoes Chocolates
Coffee/Tea Canned Fruit
Toothpaste/toothbrushes Shampoo & Soap Mens Socks Combs
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
SCHOLARSHIPS 2014 1. Athletic Committee Scholarship
2. Harriett Chirigos Memorial Scholarship
3. Georgia Demont/Pappas Scholarship for High School
girls students
4. Georgia Demont/Pappas for women who are currently
matriculated or have been accepted as undergraduates or
graduate College or university.
5. Pamela & Dean Hatzis Memorial Scholarship
6. Nicholas & Alexandra Keffas Memorial Scholarship.
7. Irene Mellas Memorial Scholarship
8. Philoptochos Scholarship
9. PTO Scholarship
10. Stavroula Rountos Memorial Scholarship
11. Petros Roussas Memorial Scholarship
12. Maria Skenderis Isola Memorial Scholarship
13. Frossie Trigonis Memorial Scholarship
14. Sophia Vlantes Memorial Scholarship
15. GOYA Scholarship
16. AHEPA Scholarship
17. Daughters of Penelope Scholarship
18. FORCC SCHOLARSHIP ( For FORCC Scholarship Applications Please call Eva Vaniotis @ 203-374-0013_
DEADLINE IS MAY 15, 20 14
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS can be obtained at the Church Office. Call at 203-374-5561.
-
$5.00
To order, please call either Holy Trinity203.374.5561, Angeliki Georgakopoulos203.268.3196, Kalliope Tsistsipas at 203.926.0137, or Lena Protopapas at 203.929.1582 by April 6, 2014. Pick up will be Saturday, April 12,2014 from 10:30am and 1:00pm, and on Sunday, April 13, 2014 after services :
12:00pm to 2:00pm.
Lazarakia
for Saturday of Lazarus
$1.00 each
-
PALM SUNDAY
SUNDAY APRIL 13,
2014
ANNUAL PARISH
FISH Luncheon
$15.00 ADULTS $10.00 CHILDREN (under 12 yrs)
MENU: FISH SALAD & OLIVES
BREAD , BEVERAGES WINE SO-DA, DESSERT COFFEE TEA
ALL ARE INVITED & WELCOME Reach out and Bring a Friend
13 2014
-
FOR THE REPOSE:
A FOR THE HEALTH OF:
-
hosted by the Ladies Philoptochos Society
An evening for the whole family
Donation: $20
In the Aegean Room at Holy
Trinity
Friday, May 2, 2014
7:00pm
-
2014 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Bpt. Ct Publishing &Design -Vicky Andriotis-03/17/2014
The Official Monthly Publication of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 4070 Park Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604
Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every Creature. Mark 16:15
Sylvia Bal 814-2131 Michael Bouloubasis 336-2116
Stella Capiris 259-7344 Phil Georgas 257-7452 Petros Karayiannis
631-258-3933 A.J. Metsopoulos 292-6418
Chris Papachristos 380-0566 Pericles C. Rountos 268-7173
Peter Tsimbidaros 334-2578 Constantine Vlamis 268-5464 Nick Vlamis 459-0521 All are codes are 203, unless otherwise
specified.
Parish Council Newsletter Editor Vicky Andriotis
Newsletter Staff
Eleni Limberis Father Andreas
Vithoulkas Vicky Andriotis
HISTORIAN & ARCHIVES ROOM S. Capiris 203-259-7344
HOSPITAL MINISTRY S. Kapetaneas 203-926-1751
JR. CHOIR J.Bogardus 203-736-6501
LOVE 1 ANOTHER M.Mourizakis 203-373-0580
MAINTENANCE G. Hatzis 203-261-3247
L. Tsouris 203-334-2781
NURSING HOME MINISTRY S. Capiris 203-259-7334
OLYMPIANS (GOYA) F. Papachristos 203-380-0566
P.T.O. S. Bal 203-814-2131
[email protected] E. Vlamis 203-685-5464
PARISH COUNCIL Constantine Vlamis 203-268-5464
PHILOPTOCHOS L. Protopapas
203-929-1582
PUBLICITY COMMITTEE E. Vaniotis 203-374-0013
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE S. Karagiannis 203-820-1975
SENIOR CITIZENS G. Agortsas 203-372-1015
STEWARDSHIP A.J. Metsopoulos 203-292-6418
SUNDAY SCHOOL E. Vaniotis 203-374-0013
INTERNET MINISTRIES-WEBSITE- FACEBOOK-TWITTER
-E-BULLETIN-VISION
V.Andriotis
ALTAR DIRECTOR P.Bozikis 917-692-2317
AHEPA J. Bochanis 203-254-7595
AROUND THE PARISH S. Capiris 203-259-7344
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR C. Danas 860-916-3777
BOOKSTORE V. Andriotis
CANTOR G. Bakes 203-374-8561
CHOIR P. Leask 203-258-9160
CULTURAL ASSOCIATION V. Hatzis 203-268-7231
COUNCIL OF CHURCHES S. Kapetaneas 203-926-1751
DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE K. Yiannoulis 203-372-6591
ECCLESIARCH D. Trigonis 203-374-0725
FORCC E.Vaniotis 203-374-0013
GOYA E. Demestihas 203-380-2923
GREEK SCHOOL E. Limberis 203-371-6305
GREEK SCHOOL DANCE GROUP E.Limberis 203-371-6305
Church Office
Eleni Limberis Email: [email protected]
Office: 203.374.5561 Fax: 203.374.5770 Hours: Monday Friday: 9:00am 4:00pm Sundays after Services: 12:00pm-1:00pm
On the Web -www.holytrinitybridgeport.org Bookstore Online -bookstore.holytrinitybridgeport.org
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Father Andreas Vithoulkas, Presbyter
[email protected] phone: 917-334-4192
Services
Sunday: Orthros 8:30am Sunday School Special Services:
10:00am-10:15am Divine Liturgy,Sermons, Announcements:
9:45am 11:30am
: 8:30
: 9:45
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DeJesus Dental Group Cosmetic, Family & Implant Dentistry
Pericles Rountos, D.M.D. General Dentist
T:(203) 372-1220 www.dejesusdental.com
F:(203)371-8540 4131 Main St. Bpt, CT 06606
651 Villa Ave. Fairfield, CT 203-384-8176
www.androsdinerfairfield.com
PETER G. KARAYIANNIS ATTORNEY AT LAW
857 Post Road, #110 Fairfiled, CT 06824
(631)258-3933 [email protected]
Tomlinsons Restaurant 1400 Noble Ave, Bridgeport
Tel. 335-5296
Nicholas Vlamis Constantinos Vlamis- Owners
Phone:
203.538.5014 Fax:
203.538.5001
865 River Rd. Suite 307, Shelton,CT 06484
www.MySmileCT.com
www.cactusrosecantina.com
5 River Road Wilton River Park
Wilton, CT 203.762.8484
Did you Know? The term Pascha () is the Hellenized form of the Jewish word pesach, (or Phaska), which means passage or passover. It does not derive from the Greek verb , to suffer, as some, like the ancient writer Meliton of Sardis, have thought.
Read more at: http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith8504
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 4070 Park Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604 Address Service Requested