next to heaven there is only greece orqodojos … · next to heaven there is only... greece by...

ORTHODOX LIFE - July/August 2015

24

Next to Heaven There is only... GREECE

METRO TOURS By

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Peabody, MA 01960

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St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church 5 Paleologos Street Peabody, MA 01960-4496

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ORTHODOX LIFE ORQODOJOS ZWH ● A Publication of

SAINT VASILIOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 5 Paleologos Street, Peabody, MA 01960-4496 . Tel: (978) 531-0777 . Fax: (978) 538-9522

Web: www.stvasilios.org . E-mail: [email protected]

July/August 2015

(Continued on page 7)

Inside this issue: Fr. Chris’s Message p.1&7

Church Service Announcements p.2&3

Winter Hours p.2

Dates to Remember p.3

Summer Coffee Fellowship p.3

Fr. Kerry’s Message p.4&7

Parish Council News/President’s Message p.5

Pilgrimage to The Holy Land p.6

2015 St. Vasilios Stewardship p.7

Koimisis of the Theotokos p.8

August/September/October Calendars p.9-11

Greek School News p.12-14

Church School News p.15

Philoptochos News p.16-17

Healthbeat p.18

St. Val’s Men’s Club p.19-21

Donations p.22

Panagia’s Garden Camp p.22

Ads p.23-24

Do We Have Self-Control?

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

Please note that due to

construction in the church all

services will be in the

Educational Center from

July 27 through

September 6, 2015.

Yesterday as I was searching for

a quote from scripture I stumbled

across a pericope from St. Peter’s

second letter. St. Peter writes:

For this reason, you must make

every effort to support your faith

with goodness, and goodness

with knowledge, and knowledge

with self-control, and self-control

with endurance, and endurance

with godliness… What stuck out

for me was the word self-control, and I wondered if I

have self-control?

Let me illustrate this thought with a story. Two

friends walk to the store to buy a paper. One of the

friends buys his paper and thanks the clerk politely.

The clerk in turn did not even acknowledge it. The

other friend says, “Wow that clerk is a brooding per-

son isn’t he?” The friend with the paper responds,

“Oh, he’s that way every night.” “Then why do you

continue to be so polite to him?” his friend replies.

“Why not,” his friend answers. “Why should I let him

decide how I’m going to act?”

As I thought about this story and the words of St. Peter

regarding self-control, it occurred to me how im-

portant these two words are. The friend who pur-

chased the newspaper acts towards people while most

of us react towards them. The friend with the paper

has a sense of inner balance which is lacking in most

of us. Through his prayer life and relationship with

Christ, he knows who he is, what he stands for and

how he should behave. He refuses rudeness for rude-

ness, because then he would no longer be in command

of his own conduct.

Nobody is unhappier than the perpetual reactor. Their

center of emotional gravity is not rooted in Christ,

where it belongs, but in the world around them. Their


2

Funerals The following members of St. Va-

silios have fallen asleep into the

hands of our Lord over the past

months.

George M. Lembidakis

Peter George Sarbanis

Constantina (Kamarinos) Giardina

Phyllis Ethel (Sawyer) Kappotis

Anna (Apostolides) Varinos

May their memory be eternal.

Baptisms

The child of

Michael & Bethany Papacostas

with Godparent

Lia Sandilos Nolan

The child of

Peter & Ana Vasiliou

with Godparents

Evangelos & Panagiota Frangias

The child of

Walter & Stephane Biancuzzo

with Godparents

Patti Fontaine &

Nicholas Fontaine

The child of

Thomas Shevory &

Melissa Davekos

with Godparent

Emily Davekos

Memorials 40–Day

Dimitrios Solomos

James P. Chronis

Solon A. Anezis

William Koulas

1 year

Soula Nikola Joanne Mandragouras

Larry Lekos

2 year

Anthony Koutzoukis

Trisagia

6 month Vasilios Malekakis 1 yr, Charles Karis

3 yr. Anthony Triantafillou

3 yr. George Mavroules

3 yr. Eleni Garabedian

For the electronic version of

ORTHODOX LIFE visit our

website at:www.stvasilios.org

Church Service Announcements

Winter Hours

Please note that winter hours for

Church Services begin on Sunday,

September 13, 2015

Orthros - Greek

8:00 a.m.

1st Divine Liturgy - English

9:00 a.m.

2nd Divine Liturgy - Greek & English

10:30 a.m.

XEIMERINES WRES

Oi xeimerine/c w/rec qa arxi/souv thn Kuriakh,/ 13h Septembri/ou 2015.

‘Orqroc - Ellhnika/

8:00 p.m.

Prw/th Qei/a Leitourgi/a-Agglika/

9:00 p.m. Deu/terh Qei/a Leitourgi/a

Ellhnika/ kai Agglika/

10:30 p.m.


23

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Salem, MA 01970

Tel: (978) 744-5333

Fax: (978) 832-1177

[email protected]

NEW ENGLAND

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43 FOSTER ST PEABODY, MA

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CONSULTING

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Strategic and Financial Planning and Management P.O. Box 3216 Tel: 978-922-0133 Beverly, MA 01915 Fax: 978-921-0139

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Monthly Bulletin Advertising

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Ads starting at $325.00 per year

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Bulletin Advertising

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Religious Items : MATIA

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Bulletin Advertising

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In memory of Peter Sarbanis

$25 James Maravelias

$25 Gregory Leonardos

$25 Anna Campagnolo

$50 Evangelia Siakallis

$25 Toni Porter

$100

Alan & Nancy Maravelias, Michael & Alyssa Maravelias,

Jason & Katja Maravelias

$50 Spiros & Patricia Flomp


22

Donations $200 Margaret Triantafillou in loving memory of husband, father, grandfather & great grandfather Anthony-3yrs. H/A

$200 Georgia Solomos & family in memory of husband, father, grandfather Dimitrios Solomos

$52 Weekday coffee hour

$100 John & Marilyn Venios in memory of Diane "Soula" Nikola-1 yr.

$100 Katherine Mandragouras in memory of mother Joanne Mandragouras-1 yr.

$25 James Maravelias in memory of James Chronis

$100 In memory of Constantina Giardina

$50 Sandra Soseos in memory of Paul Baliotis

$50 Mrs. Lola Kalivas for good health of Mary Franggos & family to celebrate 90th birthday

$50 Mr. & Mrs. John Petradelis in memory of Nick Thrasivoulos

Sevi Diakogeorge in memory of John Diakogeorge

Vasilios Houvardas in memory of parents Nicholas & Stamatia Houvardas

$25 Mary Nickitopoulos in honor of Mary Franggos for good health & happines for years to come

$25 Statia & Tracy Donovan in memory of Solon Anezis

$25 Statia & Tracy Donovan in memory of Anna Varinos

$100 Thomas & Diane Dooley in memory of George Lembidakas

$25 Gregory & Anastasia Diminiture for good health of Mary Franggos

$50 Charles Partaledis in memory of parents Ernest & Martha Partaledis

$25 Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Himaras in memory of Charles Manolopoulos

$2,000 Theodore Eliott Charitable Trust-H/A fund

In memory of Peter Sarbanis

$25 James Maravelias

$25 Gregory Leonardos

$25 Anna Campagnolo

$50 Evangelia Siakallis

$25 Toni Porter

$100

Alan & Nancy Maravelias, Michael & Alyssa Maravelias,

Jason & Katja Maravelias

$50 Spiros & Patricia Flomp


3

Monday, July 20

Prophet Elias

8:00 am Orthros

9:00 am Divine Liturgy

Monday, July 27

St. Panteleimon

8:00 am Orthros


Paraklesis

Monday, August 3 7 pm

Vespers—Lowell

Wednesday, August 5 7pm

Holy Transfiguration

Blessing of Grapes

Thursday, August 6th

8:00 am Orthros


Paraklesis

Friday, August 7th 7 pm

Paraklesis

Monday, August 10 7 pm

Paraklesis

Wednesday, August 12 7 pm

Vespers—Somerville

Friday, August, 14 7 pm

Dormition

Saturday, August 15

8:00 a.m. Orthros

9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy

St. Phanourios

Thursday, August 27

8:00 a.m. Orthros


Beheading of John Baptist

Saturday, August 29

8:00 a.m. Orthros


Nativity of Theotokos

Tuesday, September 8

Orthros 8 am

Liturgy 9 am

Elevation of the Cross

Monday, September 14th

8:00 a.m. Orthros


Weekday Services KAQHMERINES IERES AKOLOUQIES

Church Service Announcements

2015 Dates to Remember

St Val’s Men’s Club 39th Annual Golf

Tournament July 27

Panagia’s Garden Day Camp

August 3 -August 7

Attic Treasures August 26 –August 29

Greek School Begins

Wednesday, September 9

Philoptochos Membership Luncheon Saturday, September 12

Winter Hours Begin Sunday, September 13

Church School Begins

Sunday, September 13

International Festival Sunday, September 20

SUMMER COFFEE HOUR

We all enjoy a cup of coffee with

family and friends on Sundays, after

Church. If you are interested in

hosting a coffee hour all you need is

to get two or three friends together

to bring a few goodies for about 40

people. Plate your treats and bring

them to the Parlor Room after 8:30

am. We will furnish the coffee, sug-

ar, creamers, juice and paper goods.

Please sign up at the Pagari and call

Kristi, 781 334 4043, for further

information.

Deute/ra, 20h Iouli/ou Profh/thc Hli/ac 8:00 pm ‘Orqroc

9:00 pm Qei/a Leitourgi/a

Deute/ra, 27h Iouli/ou Agioc Panteleh/mwn 8:00 pm ‘Orqroc


Para/klhsic Deute/ra, 3h Augou/stou 7 mm

Esperino/c- Lowell Teta/rth, 5h Augou/stou 7 mm

H Metamo/rfwsic tou Kuri/ou Hmw/n Ihsou/ Xristou/ Pempth, 6h Augou/stou

8:00 pm ‘Orqroc 9:00 pm Qei/a Leitourgi/a

Para/klhsic

Paraskeuh/, 7h Augou/stou 7 mm

Para/klhsic Deute/ra 10h Augou/stou 7 mm

Para/klhsic

Teta/rth, 12h Augou/stou 7 mm

Esperino/c- Somerville Teta/rth, 14h Augou/stou 7 mm

Koi/mhsic

Sabba/to, 15h Augou/stou 8:00 pm ‘Orqroc


Agiou Fanouri/ou Pe/mpth, 27h Augou/stou

8:00 pm ‘Orqroc 9:00 pm Qei/a Leitourgi/a

Apokomh/ Kefalh/c Prodro/mou

Sabba/to, 29h Augou/stou 8:00 pm ‘Orqroc


Gene/qlion thc Qeoto/kou Tri/th, 8h Septembri/ou

8:00 p.m. ‘Orqroc 9:00 p.m. Qei/a Leitourgi/a

H /Uywsic tou Timi/ou Staurou/

Deute/ra, 14h Septembri/ou 8:00 p.m. ‘Orqroc

9:00 p.m. Qei/a Leitourgi/a


4

Who Am I and Why Am I Here? “I have come that they might have life and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

A few months ago I was invited to speak to a group of young people and the focus of

our discussion was about Christian living in our modern-day society. During a break

in our discussions, a young man came up to me and asked pointedly: “Father, why

are we here on Earth anyway, when life has become so meaningless for so many peo-

ple these days?”

As a priest, I do some personal counseling, the largest amount of which deals with

confessions such as this: “I am looking for meaning and purpose in life. My work is

going well, but not my life. I am looking for something to live for. I have come to ask

you to help me.”

The question for all of us is: Have we a good reason for living? If someone were to ask us, “give me

one good reason for living.” What would you say?

Dr. Viktor Frankl, the eminent psychiatrist said once:

“Today more than ever, the despair over the apparent meaninglessness of life has become an urgent

topic. Our technological society is out to satisfy each and every need, and our consumer society even creates

some needs in order to satisfy them. The most important need however--- the basic need for meaning, re-

mains --- more often than not---ignored and neglected. It is so important because once the will to meaning is

fulfilled, human beings become happy and also become able and capable of suffering…. of coping with frus-

trations and tensions and, if need be, are prepared to give their life….On the other hand, if the will to mean-

ing is frustrated, they are equally inclined to take their life; and they do so in the midst, and in spite, of all the

welfare and affluence around them. ….Woe to the people who have the means to live but have no meaning to

live by!”

Now, the question for all of us is: What IS the meaning of life? In the Gospel of St. John, Chapter

10:10, we hear Jesus saying: “I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abun-

dantly.” Here is the meaning of life!

Again we hear Jesus saying: “In the world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have over-

come the world.”

Here is meaning, ultimate meaning!

To find meaning for life is to accept Jesus as Lord, to follow Him, obey Him, to live in Him and for

Him as a living member of His body the Church. To find meaning for life is to find our part in the Kingdom

of God and do the work God wants us to do.

As human beings, our quest for meaning has two key questions: “Who am I?” and “Why am I?” Both

questions are answered by the Trinity: “I am loved by God the Father; I am redeemed by God the Son; I am

indwelt by God the Holy Spirit.” That’s who I am! And why I am, is answered by the Great Commandment:

“You shall love the Lord God with all your

mind, heart, soul and strength and your neighbor as yourself.”

To sum it all up then, Jesus is the Son of God Who came to reveal to us the height and depth, length

and breadth of God’s love for us. He is the One who makes everything fit. To our most profound questions

about the meaning of life, He offers the most eloquent answer Himself: “I am the Way, the Truth and the

Life.” He assures us that our fondest hopes, our wildest dreams are destined to be fulfilled in Himself. Not

content with urging me to be my best self, He gives me visions of being the kind of person I would never

have dared to aspire to be; namely, God by grace as He is God by nature.

My dear brothers and sisters, if I were to sum up this message in one sentence, I would say, that with-

out God, life has no meaning whatsoever. With God, life has abundant meaning for now and for all eternity.

(Continued on page 7)


21

Accessibility Project


20

St. Val’s Men’s Club


5

Parish Council News PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Pamela Karamas Katsiris, President

June 2015

My kids, like most, just studied for and completed their final exams for the year and have started three whole

months of summer vacation. I enjoyed, much more than they did, reviewing some of the laws of physics with

them. Boyles’ Laws and Newton’s Laws are some of the ones that gave me pause. It made me think about

fascinating science from my past, a change from my day to day work/home thoughts and started me thinking

how to apply some of these principles to life.

“A body at rest will remain at rest unless some force pushes it.” I, of course, am paraphrasing, but what is true

in physical science seems also to be true in people. If you find yourself sitting on the couch on a rainy Satur-

day and in the afternoon the sun comes out, you tend to just stay on your couch. Also, if you have gotten used

to sleeping in on Sunday morning and the thought of getting up, like on a normal work day, and showering and

going to church instead, it seems much easier to “stay at rest” pull up the covers and go no where. Which

leads me to the next law of physics that impressed upon me.

“A body in motion will remain in motion unless stopped or slowed by an outside force.” Things that you make

routines and patterns have a way of keeping you “in motion”. Getting up an hour early to get to the gym be-

fore work, walking the dog right after dinner (because you know if you sit on the couch first you will never get

up to take her out later! -see the first law above!), and going to church every Sunday. These are all habits and

routines that we have to set into motion. Once they have been set (put into motion) it is harder to stop them.

Sometimes the hardest part is the first couple of times, but you have to move forward and remember how good

you feel after the gym. How happy the dog is when she takes a long walk. How much you enjoyed the peace

of church, the sermon and catching up with your friends at coffee hour.

The other part of this time of year is the rush and pressure of finals, banquets, proms and graduations, which

then ends with a LOT of time off. I used to think that three or four whole months (my kids were out on May

8th and June 8th this year and will start again September 8th) are too long. It is not like when the mandatory

school year was first established and the kids needed the summer off to help on the family farm and home-

stead. Why do they really need all this time? Didn’t the administrators think of the law of physics….the kids

will be at rest too long and getting them back into motion will take a lot of “force”. But I thought again, they

are children. They should be allowed that time to BE children: to sleep and grow, to make lasting friendships

with kids in their neighborhood swimming in pools and playing basketball in the driveway, to recharge their

minds and run in the sun. Too short is childhood, and long is adulthood with years of work and responsibilities

in their futures

This is where the people world differs from the Laws of Physics world. An inanimate object doesn’t need to

emotional prepare for its upcoming motion. It doesn’t need a reward or incentive to move. We sometimes do.

We must be allowed to “be at rest” to get ready for movement. We should look forward to activities with a

clear mind and a revived body. Taking some time off from the gym or church is ok, but we have to get back to

it, newly invigorated and refreshed from our rest. Take a lesson from Physics and from kids this summer. Run

in the sun, rest yourself and then get back into motion. We will be here when you are ready.

Happy Summer! Yours in Christ,

Pamela Karamas Katsiris, Parish President


6


19

St. Val’s Men’s Club


18

HEALTHBEAT


7

2015 St. Vasilios Stewardship

(Continued from page 4)

Below is a listing of the parishioners who have pledged

from 6/2/2015 through 7/6/2015

Let me conclude with these beautiful words by a Bishop of the Church:

“God has created me to DO him some definite service; He has committed some work to me

which he has NOT committed to another. I have my mission. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection be-

tween persons. He has NOT created me for nothing.

I shall do good. I shall do His work.

‘Therefore, I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am, I cannot be thrown away. If I am in sick-

ness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow

may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what he is about. He may take away my friends. He may

throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me ---

still He knows what He is about.”

My dear brothers and sisters, May we ALL go through life espousing these same thoughts.

With love in the Lord,

+Father Kyriakos V. Saravelas

(Continued from page 1)

WHO AM I AND WHY AM I HERE?

spiritual temperature is always being raised or lowered by the social climate around them, and they are mere

creatures at the mercy of these elements. Praise gives them a feeling of euphoria, which is false because it

doesn’t last and it doesn’t come from the depth of their soul. Criticism depresses them more than it should,

because it confirms their own secretly shaky understanding of who they are. Snubs hurt them, and the merest

suspicion of unpopularity in any area of their life rouses them to bitterness.

A serenity of spirit can’t be achieved until we acquire faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance and

godliness as St. Peter says. To let another person determine whether we will be rude or gracious, elated or

depressed is to relinquish our faith and trust in God, which is ultimately all we possess. Our only true posses-

sion is our faith and trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I pray that your summer is filled with good health and that our Lord blesses you with faith, goodness,

knowledge, self-control, endurance and godliness.

DO WE HAVE SELF CONTROL?

Mr. & Mrs. Kyriakos Andrinopoulos

Mrs. Nina Anezis

Mrs. Jean Brothers

Mr. John Chamatsos

Mrs. Christina Crowley

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Davekos

Mrs. Nicole DeBiasi

Mrs. Anastatia Mclaughlin

Mrs. Gail Everson

Mr. & Mrs. Speros Frangules

Mrs. Connie Frisch

Mr. Petros Gouvousis

Mr. Harris Grevelis

Mrs. Estelle Iacovino

Dr. & Mrs. William Kastrinakis

Mr. Frederick P. Koufos

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Makowski

Mr. Emmanuel Makrogianis

Mr. George T. Mandragouras

Mrs. Niki Nikolouzos

Mr. & Mrs. Agathoklis Papachronopoulos

Mr. Justin Petrovitsis

Mr. & Mrs. William Pramas

Ms. Christina Ruggeri

Ms. Anastasia Santos

Mr. & Mrs. George Scangas

Mr. Robert F. Shay, Jr.

Ms. Amanda Tenedios

Mr Arthur Tsionis

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Velonis

Mr. Theodore Yeannakopoulos

Mr.& Mrs. Ioannis Zaralidis


8

On August 15th we commemorate the Koimisis, Dormition, or the Falling Asleep of the Virgin Mary. Much

of the Church’s Holy Tradition is given in the book called the Horologion. In this book we read about the

falling asleep of the Theotokos.

As time drew near for the Lord to call His earthly Mother, He sent an angel to announce this to her three days

beforehand. The Virgin Mary then went to the Mount of Olives to pray. This was a prayer of rejoicing, the

joy of return to the Savior. Ever since the Resurrection, death had a new meaning and attitude. Death no

longer meant the end and despair; now it was a new beginning, a hope, a new life. Death was now, in Chris-

tian terms sleep, which Christ would wake us up from and live forever with Him in heaven.

The event of the Dormition is very important in our Church life and it is preceded by a two week fast period.

During this time we conduct the service of the Paraklesis, the Supplication to the Theotokos. During this ser-

vice we ask the Virgin Mary to pray for us to her Son, to help us, to overcome our illnesses, and to assist us in

times of trouble or need. We do this because the Church feels that since she is so close to God that she will

assist us in our prayers to Him.

During the first two weeks of August, we will be conducting six Paraklesis services and you are invited to

join us and pray with us for the health and needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Paraklesis Service Para/klhsic Akolouqi/ec All services will take place at 7p.m. /Olec oi akolouq/i/ec qa la/boun me/roc sti/c 7:m.m. Monday, August 3 Deute/ra, 3, Augou/stou Wednesday, August 5-Vespers at Lowell Teta/rth, 5 Augou/stou -Esperino/c sto/ Lowell Friday , August 7 Paraskeuh/, 7, Augou/stou Monday, August 10 Deute/ra, 10, Augou/stou Wednesday, August 12 Teta/rth, 12, Augou/stou Friday, August 14 -Vespers at Somerville Paraskeuh/, 14, Augou/stou –Esperino/c sto/ Somerville

Koimisis of the Theotokos

Please write the baptismal names of those people you wish remembered and return this list to the church office.

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16

Philoptochos News

Philoptochos Update My beloved Sisters in Christ and friends of the Philoptochos,

A special congratulations to Mary Franggos who was selected to be our Parishioner of the Year 2015. Mrs.

Franggos had many responsibilities at our Church – she mentored many seminarians from Hellenic College,

was a Sunday School teacher, member of the Church Choir, the Philoptochos, PTA, the Daughters of Penelope

and served on various community committees. We wish Mrs. Franggos best wishes and a heartfelt congratula-

tions.

Congratulations to our top three raffle winners from our end of the year raffle. First prize of $1000.00 winner

- Kristi Fadel, 2nd prize of $500.00 - Esther Crowell and our 3rd prize of $500.00 – Heidi Pappas. Congratula-

tions!

Our Attic Treasurers Sale is scheduled for August 27th through August 30th and will take place downstairs the

Greek School class rooms. Our flyer on the next page includes hours and drop off dates. Please support this

important fundraiser as funds will be used towards the Accessibility Project.

The Children's Medical Fund Luncheon began as the Cancer Fund Luncheon in 1989 at the Waldorf Astoria in

New York City and was followed by a second Cancer Fund Luncheon in 1990. These successful events provid-

ed funds for Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, for the Greek Children's Cancer Fund and for the Kids-n-

Cancer program. In 1991, this event was officially named the Children's Medical Fund Luncheon. Since its in-

ception, the National Philoptochos has raised nearly $3 million for the Children's Medical Fund, and has

awarded over $2.6 million in grants to hospitals and organizations. The remaining funds have been disbursed

for children in need through grants handled by the Social Services department at the National Philoptochos of-

fice.

This year’s luncheon will be at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, Boston, MA. The Chairs of the bi-

ennial event, led by his Eminence Metropolitan Methodios assures an amazing day. Please support the CMF

either by your presence or being a sponsor. Anyone wishing to be a sponsor or would like to reserve a table or

seat, please contact me at 978-532-5782 or email me at [email protected]. Tickets are $125/pp.

As we begin the feast of the Dormition of the Ever Virgin Mary celebrated on August15th, let’s remember this

feast is a feast of hope, Resurrection and eternal life.

With Sisterly Love,

Haritomeni Frangias

Philoptochos President


9

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

8 am Orthros

9 am 1st Liturgy

3 VCS

Paraklesis 7pm

Building Commit-

tee 7:30pm

Men’s club E-

Board

4 Panagia’s

5

Garden

Vespers Lowell

7pm

6 Camp

Transfiguration

Orthros 8am

Liturgy 9am

Blessing of the

Grapes

7

Paraklesis 7pm

8

9

8 am Orthros

9 am 1st Liturgy

10

Paraklesis 7pm

11

12

Paraklesis 7pm

13

14

Vespers

Somerville 7pm

15

Dormition

Orthros 8 am

Liturgy 9 am

Philoptochos Coffee

Hour

16 8 am Orthros

9 am 1st Liturgy

17

Parish Council

7pm

18

19

20

21

22

23 8 am Orthros

9 am 1st Liturgy

24

25 26 No Men’s club

Dinner Meeting

Attic

27 St. Phanourios

Orthros 8am

Liturgy 9am

Treasures

Men’s Club cooks

for Haven from

Hunger

28

29 Beheading of John

Orthros 8 am

Liturgy 9 am

30 31

August 2015


10

1 2

3

4

5

6 8 am Orthros

9 am 1st Liturgy

7

LABOR DAY

OFFICE

CLOSED

Building Committee

7pm

8 Nativity of

Theotokos

Orthros 8am

Liturgy 9am

9 Greek School

Begins

10

11

12

Philoptochos

Membership

Luncheon 11-3

Frangias

Residence

13 WINTER HOURS 8 am Orthros

9 am 1st Liturgy 10:30 am 2nd Liturgy

Church School

Begins

14 Elevation of Cross

Orthros 8am

Liturgy 9am Philoptochos

Coffee Hour

Parish Council

7pm

15 Orthodox Life

3:30pm

Inquirer’s 7 pm

16

17

Prep for

International

Festival

18

19

20 8 am Orthros


International

Festival

21

22

Orthodox Life

3:30pm

Inquirer’s 7 pm

23

24

Daughters of

Penelope cooks

for Haven from

Hunger

25

26

27 8 am Orthros


Ministry Sunday

28

29

Orthodox Life

3:30pm

Inquirer’s 7 pm

30


September 2015 ORTHODOX LIFE - July/August 2015

15

Church school news

We as Orthodox Christian parents, teach our children

to live their faith. We present them to God when they

are baptized and we give them the first visible symbol

of their faith; their cross. We teach them to light their

first candle, venerate their first icon, and take them to

receive Holy Communion. If we parents and church

school teachers don’t commit our time and energy to

our church and church school, our children won’t ei-

ther. And if our children don’t, their children won’t.

They will have lost a living relationship with their Or-

thodox faith and with their St. Vasilios community.

By coming together, parents and teachers can build the

next generation of strong Orthodox adults.

‘Teach’, the word is translated from the Greek word,

matheteus, which literally means ‘make disciples’.

Church School teaching is one of the greatest opportu-

nities in the world to serve God. St. Vasilios Church

School is in need of volunteers. You don’t need any

special talents, as one of our very wise teachers once

said, “All you need is the love of God, the love of

church and the love of children to teach church

school.” If you are interested in teaching, co-teaching,

or helping out in other ways, or have any questions,

please contact either Sophia Hennessey (781-334-

4686) or Pam Gruntkosky (978-210-5818).

St. Vasilios Church School calendar for the month of

September: September 13, 2015 is the first day of

church school, as well as the blessing of the students

and teachers in church at the conclusion of the first

Divine Liturgy. We have tentatively scheduled a visit

to the Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline on Septem-

ber 27th for all interested students from grades 3 and

above. More information regarding this trip will be

given to students on September 13th.

Welcome letters will be mailed out in August. If your

child is new to St. Vasilios or is a returning student

please come to the church school office to fill out a

registration form. Your child’s teacher will also have

registration forms in class. Please know we are

thrilled to have you. On Sunday, September 13th,

classroom assignments will be posted on a board in

the foyer of the Educational Center. Please make sure

to check your child’s classroom location as many have

changed. Because of a decline in attendance and lack

of volunteer teachers, we will be starting church

school at the kindergarten level, for children who turn

5 years old on September 1, 2015. We have also de-

cided to combine grades 3 and 4 into one class. We

will reevaluate these decisions at the end of the 2015–

2016 school year.

It is our responsibility as teachers to promote the spir-

itual growth and transformation of the children of St.

Vasilios. In addition to learning about their faith, clas-

ses provide an opportunity for the children to socialize

and share a sense of community with others. Faith,

fun and friendship won’t happen unless your child

comes to class! We pray you’ve had a great summer

vacation and look forward to seeing you in September.


14

Greek School registration 2015-2016 Our Greek school is open to students of other communities as well as to those of the greater community.

The St. Vasilios Greek School has functioned continuously since the founding of our parish. The Greek School

is the oldest educational program within the church. The school offers the youth of our community knowledge

of the Greek language, a love for the Orthodox Faith, and an appreciation for the culture and history of the

Greek people. Our students build strong bonds with their classmates that last a lifetime.

We will have an open registration this year, you can visit the church website www.stvasilios.org to download

the registration form and bring it to the office at your convenience.

Greek School consists of 8 grades Introductory 3-4 year olds through 6th, open to students age 3 through 7th

grade in American School.

Please note children must be 3 years old by September 1st in order to enroll in the Introductory Class.

Children age 3 can enroll in the Introductory class (3-4 year olds) and students entering Kindergarten can en-

roll in the Pre-School class. The Introductory class will meet every Wednesday. Pre-K through 6th grade will

meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3:30-5:00

Our highly qualified and experienced teaching staff comes together to provide our community’s children with

knowledge of their heritage and Greek language. The staff adjusts the curriculum to the needs and abilities of

our children who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Our curriculum consists of conversational skills,

culture, reading, religion, writing and dance. In addition to this students perform dance at a number of church

and city events throughout the school year.

The first day of Greek School for the 2015-2016 school year will be

Wednesday, September 9th.

A Message to Parents

As members of the St. Vasilios Greek Ortho-

dox Community, we are blessed with the many oppor-

tunities the parish provides that help enrich the quality

of our lives and the lives of our younger generation,

spiritually, morally. socially and intellectually.

As we now face the challenges of a changing

society and a globalized world where business, indus-

try, technology and education have become part of an

international economy, many companies and corpora-

tions prefer to hire college graduates who are profi-

cient in more than one language Special consideration

is also given to those with experience and a back-

ground in a unique foreign language such as spoken

Modern Greek.

Having had experience in reviewing college

applications, rest assured that knowledge of the

Greek language stands out as an asset to your son's or

daughter's college application. You are therefore en-

couraged to take advantage of our St. Vasilios Greek

School by enrolling your child in the afternoon pro-

gram , Grades: Pre-K through 6. This experience will

give your child a foundation in the Greek language,

its culture and tradition which will lead a student to

better identify and appreciate his/her heritage.

Your children should also be encouraged to

continue with their Greek studies at Peabody

High School which is a great plus for the residents of

Peabody, who should take advantage of this great op-

portunity. Peabody High School offers a four year

program in Greek as a world language. This credential

counts as a language requirement for High School

graduation. It can stand out remarkably in strengthen-

ing your child's application in seeking admission to

the good colleges and universities which prefer stu-

dents with strong credentials.

Phyllis J. Dragonas, Ph.D.

On behalf of St. Vasilios

Church Council Education Committee

Greek: An Asset to College Applications


11

1

2

3

4 8 am Orthros


5

COLUMBUS DAY

OFFICE

CLOSED

Parish Council

7pm

6

Orthodox Life

3:30pm

Inquirer’s 7 pm

7

8

9

10

11 8 am Orthros


12

13

Orthodox Life

3:30pm

Inquirer’s 7 pm

14

15

16

17

18 8 am Orthros


19 Prophet Elias

Orthros 8am

Liturgy 9am

20

Orthodox Life

3:30pm

Inquirer’s 7 pm

21

Philoptochos

Meeting 6pm

Investment

Committee

7:30pm

22 Parish Council

cooks for Haven

from Hunger

Vesperal

Liturgy 6pm

St. Iakovos

23

24

25 8 am Orthros


26 St. Demetrios

Orthros 8am

Liturgy 9am

27

Orthodox Life

3:30pm

Inquirer’s 7 pm

28

29 30 31


October 2015

http://www.stvasilios.org/


12

Greek School news

Greek School News

The 2015 Greek School Graduates

The following students graduated from Greek School this year:

Μαρία Λαντζάκη

Maria Lantzakis

Γεωργία Λέων

Georgia Leon

Χρυσοβαλάντης Χριστοφόρος

Valantis Christoforos

Βραβεία της 6ης

Τάξεως 6th

Grade Awards

Βραβείο Πατήρ Χρήστου Φουστούκου

Father Chris Foustoukos Award



Αριστείον για Εξαιρετική Μάθησης Πρώην Διευθύντρια Δεσποινίς

Hμερομίστη

Despinis Emeromistis Highest Honors Awards



Βραβείο Πρώην Αποφοίτων του Ελληνικού Σχολείου

Greek School Alumni Award

Γεωργία Λέων

Georgia Leon

Βραβείο της Φιλοπτώχου Αθηνά

The Philoptochos Athena Award

Maria Lantzakis

Μαρία Λαντζάκη

Βραβείο Γονέων Aποφοίτων του Ελληνικού Σχολείου

Former Greek School Graduates Award

Κωνσταντίνα Λέων

Tina Leon

Δήμητρα Λαντζάκη

Demi Lantzakis

Γεωργία Χριστοφόρου

Georgia Christoforos

A Special Thanks to parents, PTA, Philoptochos, Greek School Alumni, Former Principal Despιnis Emeromistis, Father Chris,

and Greek School Staff!

All of the students of the graduating class received a Greek to English/English to Greek Dictionary by the PTA, a St. Vasilios Cen-

tennial Book and icon by the Greek School Alumni, and a Greek School T-Shirt, by the Greek School. Students and their families

were treated to a breakfast immediately after graduation, compliments of the PTA. Thanks to Chris and Speros Venios for preparing

the delicious breakfast!


13

End of the Year Program Grades Intro through 5th

The end of the year program for grades Intro- 5th grade was held on Wednesday, June 10th at 3:30 pm in the Rev. Andrew J. De-

motses Educational Center. Students performed songs, poems and skits. Students were awarded prizes for perfect attendance and

top student.

SAVE THE DATE:

Students will be performing at the Peabody International Festival on

Sunday, September 20th time TBA

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