2015 Winter Edition - St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church

Transcription

THE MINISTRY
saint barbara greek orthodox church
winter 2015
volume 19, number 2
Table of Contents
Father Peter’s Message.............................................................. 3
Marriage Preparation Seminars................................................. 4
Strength of Heart, Strength of Faith,
Building Up Together........................................................... 5
Mustard Seed Faith Group for Adults.................................... 7
Great and Holy Week in Pictures............................................ 8
Worldwide Orthodox Missions..............................................12
Missions Trip to New Orleans...............................................13
Missions Trip to Turkana........................................................14
Real Break in New Orleans ...................................................17
Summer Camp Counselor 2015 Application Form............18
Service in Action - The Community Dining Room...........19
Service in Action - The Ronald McDonald House..............20
Mission Trip to Appalachia.....................................................21
Orthodox Appalachia Service Project....................................22
Odyssey Festival 2014..............................................................24
A Taste of Greece 2015..........................................................29
Saint Barbara Parish - Walk For Missions............................30
Saint Barbara Community Center Available to Rent..........32
Continued on page 2
Table of Contents
The M inistry
The Official Publication
of
Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
480 Racebrook Road, Orange, CT 06477 (203) 795-1347
ite: www.saintbarbara.org
e-mail: [email protected]
Rev. Peter J. Orfanakos
Rev. Joel McEachen
Rev. Steven M. Sarigianis
church office hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm, and Sunday following Services
Office Staff: Lea Loussides
SERVICES
Orthros (Matins) 8:30 am
Divine Liturgy 9:45 am
Sunday School 9:45 am
Fellowship 11:30 am
Weekday Services 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Summer Hours 8:15 am - 10:45 am
parish council
PresidentMaria Diamantis
Vice President
Cynthia Anasson
Secretary
TreasurerMary Constantinidi
Assistant Treasurer
Mark Hojnowski
George Antonellis
Paul Redding
Kevin Burr
George Scarveles
Paul Dalakas
Vicky Vagenas John Kaiser
Michael Wachter
Theo Nicolakis
Steven Yates
Parish Ministries and organizations
Parish Council
Dr. Maria Diamantis
Philoptochos Society Mercy Scafariello
Religious Education
Dr. Maria Diamantis, Clio Nicolakis
Bible Study
Rev. Joel McEachen
Summer Camp
Presbytera Vangie Orfanakos
PTO
Marcy Winkel
PATCHES
JOY
Eugenia Spanolios, Stacey Kattis
GOYA
Elias Papadimitriou
OCF Campus Ministry Rev. Peter J. Orfanakos
YAL
Jeannie Daniel
Athletic Organization Elias Alexiades
Greek School
Irene Milas, Theodora Maccone
Adult Greek School Nick Loussides
Choir
Stacey Grimaldi, Harry Pappas,
Stephanie Halepas, Jane Hadjimichael
Psalti
Peter Proestakis, Theo Jenetopulos
Golden Years Ministry Louis Basel, Mary Constantinidi
A.H.E.P.A.
Eugene Esares
Parish Photographer Patric Marchitto
Bookstore
Bobby Chaltas, Flo Sarigianis
I.O.C.C.
Tony Delos
Endowment Fund
Bill Kambas
Scholarship Committee Dr. Elias Lolis
Web Site
Shaun Berner, Stacy Moran
The Ministry
Presbytera Vangie, Eleni Hojnowski
www.saintbarbara.org
Table of Contents continued
Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival..........................36
Special Delivery from Constantinople..................................42
Trip to Hellenic College Holy Cross.....................................43
Greek Independence Day Parade 2015................................44
Saint Barbara Summer Camp 2014.......................................45
Saint Barbara Summer Camp 2015.......................................50
The Hellenic History Tournament........................................51
Horse Drawn Carriage Ride...................................................51
Prayer Vigil For Persecuted Churches in the Middle East.52
Panel Discussions at Fairfield University.............................54
Panel Discussions at YALE University.................................55
Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive........................................55
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service.............................................55
GOYA Day at Holiday Hill....................................................56
Ground Blessing for Saint Nicholas at Ground Zero........60
Young Adult Conference........................................................62
Website Exclusive Version of ‘The Ministry’......................65
Parish Honors Fr. Steven and Presbytera Electra...............66
Parish Honors Fr. Joel and Presbytera Sandra.....................70
Presbytera’s Paragraph.............................................................73
GOYA Retreat at Camp Jewell...............................................74
An Orthodox Theological Response to Poverty.................79
Camp Saint Paul 2015..............................................................82
Parishioner News.....................................................................83
Mustard Seed Faith Group for Adults..................................84
Parish News..............................................................................86
Saint Barbara Stewardship List 2014.....................................87
Greek Language School Christmas Program.......................92
Sunday School Christmas Program.......................................94
Philoptochos Festival of Trees..............................................97
Mustard Seed Faith Group for Adults................................100
Sacraments..............................................................................101
Sponsors..................................................................................102
Prayer of Saint Ephraim.......................................................104
Winter 2015 / The Ministry • 2
Father Peter’s Message
FROM THE PARISH PRIEST
God is Great
Two men set out on a journey together. They took a
donkey to carry their packs, a torch to light their way at
night, and a rooster, who was a friend of the donkey. The
rooster sat on the donkey’s head during the entire journey.
One of the men was deeply religious; the second was a
skeptic. On the journey they frequesntly spoke about
the Lord. “In all things, God is great,” said the first
companion.
“We will see if your opinion bears out on the trip,” said
the second.
Shortly before dusk the two men arrived in a small
village where they sought a place to sleep. Despite their
frequent requests, no one offered them a night’s lodging.
Reluctantly, they traveled a mile outside of town, where
they decided to sleep.
“I thought you said God is great.” the skeptic said
sarcastically.
“God has decided that this is the best place for us to
sleep tonight,” replied his friend.
They fixed their beds beneath a large tree, just off the
main road that led to the village, tethering the donkey
about thirty yards away. Just as they were about to light
the torch they heard a horrible noise. A lion had killed
the donkey and carried it off to eat it, away from the two
men. Quickly the companions climbed the tree to stay
out of danger.
“You still say God is great?” the skeptic asked with anger.
“If the lion hadn’t eaten the donkey, he would have
attacked us. God is great,” his companion declared.
Moments later a cry from the rooster sent them further
up the tree. From this new vantage point they saw a
wildcat carrying the rooster away in its teeth.
Before the skeptic could say a word, the man of faith
declared, “The cry of the rooster has once again saved
us. God is great.”
A few minutes later a strong wind arose and blew out
the torch, their only comfort in the black night. Again
the skeptic taunted his companion, “It appears that the
goodness of God is working overtime this evening.”
This time the believer was silent.
The next morning the two men walked into the village
for food. They soon discovered that a large band of
outlaws had swept into town the previous night and
robbed the entire village of all its possessions.
With this news the man of faith turned to his friend,
“Finally it has become clear,” he cried. “Had we been
given a room in the village last night, we would have
been robbed along with all of the villagers. If the wind
had not blown out our torch, the bandits who traveled
the road near the place where we slept would have
discoverd us and taken all our goods. It is clear, that in
all things, God is great.”1
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see
your good works and give glory to your Father who is in
heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
When reflecting on this passage from the Gospel of
Saint Matthew, Saint John Chrysostom states that this
profound statement of Christ urges us to organize our
life so that it is pleasing to God. Saint John continues,
just as light effortlessly attracts people’s gazes, so a way
of life pleasing to God draws their minds along with
their eyes. Imagine that you are walking outside on a
Marriage Preparation Seminars
very bright and sunny day. Your eyes are naturally
pulled towards the sun. You may try to shield your eyes
because the sun is so great but it is the first place that
you are going to look. And because its rays bring forth
such light, you notice all that is around you. You are no
longer seated or standing in darkness but rather see all
that surrounds you.2 God is great in all things!
Saint John continues, “We do not praise the air which
shines in the brilliance of the sunlight but the sun which
is the source of this brilliance and bestows it upon us.”3
Reflect on the life of the believer in the story I shared
above. In all things, in all circumstances, the person of
faith gave glory to God; even when things seemingly
were not going as planned. Even if things did not seem
to make any sense to either one of the two travelers,
the believer never lost his faith in God, proclaiming that
God is great in all things.
As Orthodox Christians, we are called to live our life
as Christ Himself has shown us; according to the
commandments of God. We are called to allow the
Love of God to shine within us - not bringing praise
or glory to ourselves - but rather giving Glory to our
Creator for His Unsurpassing Love!
That is why Saint John Chrysostom says that we do not
praise the air which shines in the brilliance of the light,
but the sun which is the source of this brilliance. So
we don’t give praise or thanksgiving to ourselves for
being great, puffing ourselves up with words of glory
for things that we really have very little to do about. But
rather through the way that we live our life, we must give
glory to God from Whom all blessings come, to Whom
we owe all things.
Saint John concludes his comments with the following
words “So it is when someone makes the brilliance of the
Son of righteousness visible through his virtuous deeds
as soon as anyone looks at him they are immediately led
towards the glory of the Father in Heaven, of Christ,
a true Son of righteousness.” As we reflect on this
beautiful Gospel truth found in the fifth chapter of
Matthew, let us pray that God continues to use us as
vessels of His Grace to bring glory to His name and to
give thanks to God in all things. God is Great! Amen.
† Father Peter
___
Stories for Telling, pages 23 and 24.
2
Orthodox Study Bible
3
Orthodox Study Bible
1
“The Journey of Marriage”
Preparation Seminars for 2015
Offered by:
the Direct Archdiocesan District
February 7 - Holy Trinity Church, Bridgeport, CT; March 21 - Saints Constantine
& Helen, Brooklyn, NY; March 28 - Church of the Resurrection, Brookville, NY;
September 19 - Annunciation Church, Stamford, CT; October 17 - Cathedral of Saint
Paul, Hempstead, NY; October 31 - Annunciation Church, New York City, NY
Winter 2015/The Ministry • 4
Strength of Heart, Strength of Faith, Building Up Together
Building Up Together
Seven years ago, as a community of faith, we undertook
a five-year capital campaign entitled “Growing in Faith
and Commitment.” This campaign sought to raise funds
to construct an Educational Center with Classrooms;
Permanent Bookstore and Library; Industrial Kitchen;
Community Center/Social Hall; and to pour the
foundation for a future gymnasium. The goal of the
project was to meet the growing needs of our faith
family by providing the necessary infrastructure for all
of our parish ministries.
The capital campaign was very successful as we were able
to raise $1,651,579 through the generosity of our fellow
parishioners as well as the “Friends of Saint Barbara.”
Through the diligent work of our Building Committee
and Parish Council the project was completed ahead of
schedule and under the projected budget of $6,409,700.
In order to bridge the gap between the amount that we
had collected through the campaign and the amount of
money that we, as a community, had saved, the General
Assembly of our parish voted to take a $3,200,000 loan
from Milford Savings Bank while acknowledging the fact
that we would need to commence with a second capital
campaign by the year 2015.
As a community we have always been aware that the
loan from Milford Savings Bank would require another
capital campaign in the “near future.” In fact, charts with
projections were prepared, sent and discussed by the
community at large.
Since 2009 we have all enjoyed the new infrastructure
and have seen all of our programs and ministries
Strength of Heart, Strength of Faith, Building Up Together
increase in size and scope. The continued development
and success of both our Sunday School and Greek
Language School are related to the expanded availability
of classroom space and resources. In addition, all of
the youth, young adult, adult and golden year ministries
have expanded and continue to reach out to members
of our parish as well as the surrounding community.
The newly constructed Industrial Kitchen has assisted us
in our preparations for the Odyssey Festival, countless
luncheons, dinners and fellowship events throughout
the year. During this time we have been making
monthly payments of $21,647 to Milford Savings Bank
using monies that were donated to the Saint Barbara
Building Fund as a result of the “Growing in Faith and
Commitment Campaign.” The truth is that we have all
been enjoying the benefits of our new buildings and
amenities; we just have not finished paying for them yet.
The time has come for us to officially close this campaign.
And, in the course of the next few weeks, we are making
arrangements to honor the donors to this fund drive in
a Tree Mural that will be located just outside the Library.
As we close this campaign we will need to start a new
capital campaign to help pay off the Church mortgage
that currently stands at $2,800,000 ($21,647monthly)
and raise enough money to finish the Saint Barbara
Gymnasium and truly complete the “Master Plan” that
was passed unanimously by all parishioners at a General
Assembly on June 1, 2008. Our current Building Fund
balance is $46,106. And to date, even with a recently
completed successful Odyssey Festival, the fund is not
sufficient to pay the mortgage for the coming year.
Building Up Together
This is the theme of our new three-year capital campaign.
It seeks to invoke the essence of our Christian Family
and who we are as a community of faith. Having grown
in faith and commitment, we are now poised to work
together with the strength of heart and the strength of
faith in God to build up His Church together, hand in
hand as one!
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field,
you are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
Saint Paul’s use of the phrase “fellow workers” refers
to the biblical concept of synergism shown here, by the
way the Apostles work together with God in carrying
out the ministry of the Church. So too, we as God’s
fellow workers, cooperate with Him to do His will. By
this cooperation or “synergy with God”, we do not
mean a working together of equals or a so-called 50/50
arrangement. Rather, we mean that He is the Lord and
we, His servants, are called to participate in His work.
It is for this reason that this new outreach initiative,
“Strength of Heart, Strength of Faith – Building Up
Together” will not simply consist of a capital campaign.
For while it is a necessary aspect of the continuing
presence of the Church it is not the sole purpose of
our efforts. We will also be looking to gain a better
understanding of how our Saint Barbara parish continues
to meet the spiritual needs of its parishioners. We seek
information to continue to assist our parish to grow and
to see how it is we need to expand our ministries to meet
the continuing needs of our parishioners.
We will undertake this task in the following manner. If
you have not already, you should be receiving a phone
call from a fellow Saint Barbara parishioner who will seek
to introduce themselves and ask you several questions
regarding our parish. Please be courteous, honest and
respond in a manner that you would want someone to
respond to you if you were asked to volunteer for this
important task. If you miss their phone call, please call
them back. Please do not wait for them to get back to
you. Again, this will only help us facilitate the process.
Soon, we will ALL be asked to contribute, not
simply with our time and talent but with a monetary
contribution as well. After ninety-five years of existence,
it is time for our parish to finish building and paying
for its infrastructure and to move onto using the parish
facilities to their fullest extent. In so doing, we can focus
on becoming a true Beacon of the Light of Christ in
this world – teaching; preaching; and living according to
God’s Commandments. Truly we can.
I thank you, in advance, for your participation,
cooperation and generosity.
Faithfully,
† Father Peter
Saint Barbara
Greek Orthodox Church
480 racebrok
road - orange, ct
Mustard Seed Faith Group
For Adults
Join us for a panel discussion on the
greek orthodox church's role in the
civil rights movement
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 - 7:00 p.m.
Saint Barbara community center
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he
stands in moments of comfort and convenience,
but where he stands at times of challenge and
controversy.” Martin Luther King Jr.
Join us for the next gathering of the Mustard Seed
Faith Group for Adults on Wednesday, February
25th as we welcome Very Rev. Dr. Nathanael
Symeonides, the Director of the Inter-Orthodox,
Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations. Fr. Nathanael
will lead a panel discussion on the Greek Orthodox
Church’s role in the Civil Rights Movement.
The Mustard Seed Faith Group for Adults is open to
all adults - Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike and is a
Above: Greek Orthodox Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America ministry of Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in
Racebrook
Orange,
Connecticut
06477
- www.saintbarbara.org
walks together with Martin480
Luther
King Jr. andRoad
others- in
Selma, AL
1965. Orange,
Connecticut.
Great and Holy Week in Pictures
Worldwide Orthodox Missions
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FA L L 2 0 1 3 • Vo l u m e 2 9, N u m b e r 2
WORLDWIDE ORTHODOX MISSIONS
God’s
Showers
of Love in
Turkana
page 8
Orthodox Christian Missions Center
inside:
Orthodox Witness
Open Mission Teams
Current Mission Team opportunities available through
the OCMC are listed below. Visit the following link to
find out more information about each Mission Team or
to Sign-Up as a Volunteer if you are interested in sharing
in a journey of faith as an Orthodox Team member.
http://www.ocmc.org/about/open_teams.aspx
Airfare is not included in Team costs. Team members
must travel on scheduled dates; air travel to be coordinated
with OCMC. Ground transportation will be provided.
Team members are encouraged to raise additional funds
to cover the cost of domestic and international travel.
Albania
Teaching - February 27, 2015 to March 8, 2015
Work with youth leaders on outreach to university
students and nurture college students and young adults
in Tirana.
Youth Work - June 15, 2015 to July 1, 2015
Participate in the annual summer youth camp program
at the Children’s Home of Hope in Shen Vlash.
Against New Challenges
page 4
The Necessity
of Missions:
A Missionary’s
Perspective
page 14
Indonesia
Teaching - June 28, 2015 to July 12, 2015
Teach religious education at one of two Orthodox
church schools and offer catechism to the faithful in
Medan.
Kenya
Teaching - April 9, 2015 to April 19, 2015
Work at the Makarios III Seminary in Nairobi and
teach the Faith to catechists (local church leaders) from
outlying areas of Lodwar.
Construction - May 28, 2015 to June 12, 2015
Assist the community of St. Peter with the construction
of a school in the remote village of Loupwala in northern
Kenya.
Moldova
Guatemala
Teaching - April 29, 2015 to May 8,2015
Plan and lead spiritual retreats for clergy wives, women
lay leaders and a women’s group in Orhei.
Outreach - June 26, 2015 to July 8, 2015
Work with the community in Nueva Concepcion to
restore facilities to a senior center and offer outreach to
surrounding communities.
Youth Work - July 11, 2015 to July 23, 2015
Assist with a youth camp in Orhei focused on Orthodox
spirituality and culture among the youth of Moldova.
Healthcare - August 17, 2015 to August 26, 2015
Take part in a holistic health outreach ministering to
spiritual and physical needs in Northern Guatemala.
Uganda
Healthcare - June 1, 2015 to June 12, 2015
Provide health care as part of the ongoing initiative
of the Orthodox Church to minister to the needs of
Eastern Uganda.
Mission Trip to New Orleans
MISSION TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans Trip - January 2014
By: Peter Romanowsky
In January I had the opportunity to go to New Orleans
to assist in IOCC, International Orthodox Christian
Charities’ first seminary home build. Different
seminarians from North America’s Orthodox Seminaries
traveled to New Orleans to help build a home for one of
the families still struggling from the effects of Hurricane
Katrina.
I was one of three seminarians representing Holy Cross
Greek Orthodox School of Theology. In addition,
there were seminarians from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox
Theological Seminary; Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary;
St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary; Christ the
Savior Seminary; and St. Herman Theological Seminary.
It was a weeklong trip where we all came together to help
build homes for people affected by Hurricane Katrina in
2005. This seminary build team worked in conjunction
with Habitat for Humanity who was leading us for the
week and guiding us in the construction progress. Many
people are still putting their lives back in order from this
disaster.
This ministry that Habitat for Humanity performs is
an excellent one that provides lower income housing to
people while also helping those who are buying a home,
learn fiscal responsibility to become good homeowners.
The first evening most of us gathered at the airport
and then headed to Slidell at one of the local Lutheran
Evangelical Churches. We were greeted with a home
cooked meal of gumbo and sausage made by one of
the parishioners, who was a gracious host and cook for
the duration of our stay. The first day we only worked a
half day putting up sheet rock. Sheet-rocking the house
was our main task for the week. The rest of the first day
we had a tour of the lower ninth quarter, where a lot of
people lost their lives in Hurricane Katrina. Many people
have gone back to rebuild amidst the many destroyed
homes. We then had a small tour of the French Quarter
with a trip to a museum dedicated to the events and
people that were involved directly with Hurricane
Katrina which included personal stories and accounts as
well.
Visiting the site of such destruction and suffering
changed my view on how life can change in an instant.
The remainder of our time was spent sheet rocking the
house. We had some difficulty in the beginning, but
eventually got the hang of it. The Habitat for Humanity
workers were patient with us and very helpful. Every
morning and evening we closed with an abbreviated
Matins and Vespers service with reflection time after
Vespers with Father Paul, a local Orthodox Priest.
We closed out the week on Saturday, with one last tour
of the city and a small Vespers service followed by a
reflection of the week. On Sunday we went into the
city for Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity, the oldest Greek
Orthodox Church in the Greek Archdiocese (150 years
old). We had a wonderful Sunday which coincided with
the Feast of Theophany, to which we witnessed the
diving for the Cross in one of the bayous right across
from the Church. Afterwards we made our way to the
airport.
For me, this trip was a witness to the sufferings that
occur around the world and a small glimpse into the
reality people face in different parts of the world. “You
shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other
commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31
Mission Trip to Turkana
MISSION TRIP TO TURKANA
Africa Trip - March 2014
By: Ana Baba
Being embraced by the support and the prayers of many
members of the Orthodox Church, including my parish
here in America, Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church,
I am so grateful for the opportunity to go to Kenya on
an OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center) mission
trip. I have always dreamt of going to Africa someday
on a mission. This year I had the opportunity to go
while studying at the OMSC (Overseas Ministries Study
Center) in New Haven.
Since I became a Christian, at the age of 20, I realized
that the greatest gift to offer to all people is the treasure
of the Gospel. I am so grateful to all the missionaries
who God sent to Albania to share the light of Christ
in a country that was conquered by the darkness of
atheism. I am a product of the missionaries in Albania.
After graduating from seminary in Albania, 12 years ago,
I have been working for the Church of Albania. I have
been leading our Church’s College Students’ Ministry and
Center in Tirana, as well as running the Church’s summer
Girl’s Camp program. In each of these ministries I have
tried to share the light of Christ and help others become
members of His Kingdom, just as previous missionaries
had helped me on my own spiritual journey.
While I was flying to Kenya one specific thought kept
going through my mind. “What can I do in Kenya?”
Then the answer came to me, “It is enough for a disciple
that she be like her teacher…” (Mt. 10:25a). I felt that it
was something special for me to follow the steps of the
great contemporary missionary, Archbishop Anastasios
of Albania, who has brought the Gospel to Albania over
the past 23 years, and of my teacher and my spiritual
father, Father Luke Veronis, a former missionary in
Albania.
On the day that we celebrated the Sunday of Orthodoxy,
March 9th, I arrived in the Turkana region of Kenya,
and I said to myself, this is the Orthodox Church,
which continues to share the Gospel and to build God’s
Kingdom around the world.
Many church communities and people were involved in
making this mission trip happened. Our mission team,
led by Fr. Martin Ritsi, the Executive Director of OCMC,
led us in sharing the Gospel and teachings of Christ in
the two villages of the Turkana tribes, Katanaruk and
Nakenya. In this region there are about 300,000 people
desperately thirsty and hungry for the Word of God.
I’ve also learned that there are still more than 4.7 billion
people around the world who do not know the hope,
love and joy of a life in Christ. I am so grateful to have
gone on this trip, and I want to express my heartfelt
thanks to all who contributed to this mission of Christ!
How can I describe this experience? Words cannot fully
express what I experienced in Kenya. We all witnessed
how the Turkana face a very difficult life. They live in
nature, having little to fulfill their daily needs - no houses,
just tents of sticks; no system of public education;
women have to carry as much as eight to ten gallons of
water from a watering hole and walk for three to five
miles back to their homestead. And yet, the people I
met and the faces that I saw have touched my heart. At
the same time, however, my heart was touched seeing
and experiencing their love, compassion and hospitality
towards each other and towards us.
It was really amazing to see all the members of the
family who would come to listen to the Word of God.
Whenever we gave something to a child, the first thing
he would do is run to find somebody else to share it
with. Syndia, a 12 year old girl from Katanaruk said, “I
want to be like the Good Samaritan to help my people.
Are you coming to help me do that?”
A 13 year old girl whom I named Teacher, said, “I would
like to go to school to study and become a teacher, so
that I can teach the children in my village. Right now,
though, we don’t have a school here.”
During our presentations to the youth, many asked how
to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ because
they struggle with the difficulties of their daily life and
the reality of death that is all around them. What great
lessons I have learned from these people!
I saw children wandering barefoot in the desert. I saw
some of these children use a crayon for the first time
in their lives. I met young people with many dreams in
their hearts, so eager for the light that Jesus brings. I
saw women smile as they found comfort in the Word
of God. I saw men listening carefully to what we had to
share with them.
We prayed for rain and God gave us the miracle of rain.
We even had a flash flood in the river and the people
thanked God for that, because this water would quench
not only their thirst, but the thirst of their livestock as
well.
What a great experience to pray under a tarp and to thank
God who blessed our coming to these people, who are
in such need of the Word of God.
literal sense of the word. But all can have a concern for
the missionary function of the Church; feel responsible
for it; help and support it. In this respect, each diocese,
each parish, and each member of the Church is involved
in the missionary ministry.”
Let us work together to fulfill the final commandment
that Christ has given us: “Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations…” in order that “All nations may
come to know and glorify Him.” We do this not because
God needs us to do it, but when we allow Him to use
us as His instrument to build His Kingdom, He gets the
glory. People get to know Him as their Lord and we get
the joy.
I cannot express adequately my gratitude to God, and to
all who supported our mission to Kenya and helped me
to participate in this mission. Thank you. And to God
be all the Glory!
Witnessing the difficult reality of life in the bush, I kept
reflecting on the question “Why?” I was unable to come
up with an answer. When I saw the need of others
around me I realized that maybe it is better to ask, “What
can I do to help?” instead of “Why?” “What can I do
to build His Kingdom? What can I do to help make the
world a better place?”
The answer that kept coming back to me was, “I will
bless you…so that you shall be a blessing to others”
(Gen 12:3). This is the great responsibility and privilege
that God has given us. As Jesus said, “By this all will
know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
(Jn. 13:35)
Indeed, the greatest need of the world is the HUNGER
for GOD. Fr. Alexander Schmemman describes it this
way, “Man is a hungry being. But he is hungry for God.
Behind all the hunger of our life is God. All desire is
finally a desire for Him.”
Fr. Alexander Schmemman reflects, “Missions is the
organic need and task of the Church in the world, the
real meaning of the Church’s presence in history between
the first and the second advents of her Lord, or in other
terms, the meaning of Christian history. Obviously not
all members of the Church can go and preach in the
Real Break in New Orleans
MISSION TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS
Real Break in New Orleans
By: James Maccone
“Through Lenten worship we are able to participate in
its ‘bright sadness,’ in the joyful repentance by which we
are liberated from the mad rush, obsessive consumption,
and thoughtless routines of daily life.” (Meditations for
Great Lent by Vassilios Papavassiliou.) I feel the term
“bright sadness” is a great way to describe my experience
in New Orleans.
I arrived Sunday afternoon at Louis Armstrong Airport
with 13 other college students from across the country.
Over the rest of the week we grew together in Christ
while trying to bring love and hope to others, particularly
those affected by Hurricane Katrina. However, I
discovered that we did not bring Christ to New Orleans
rather, we discovered that He had been there all along.
Throughout the week we visited the famous French
Quarter, walked down Bourbon Street and even had
dinner once at Acme Oyster House. Seeing these tourist
sites gave us a preliminary exposure to life in New
Orleans. We were then able to experience the devastation
that Hurricane Katrina wrought in the lower 9th Ward.
We visited the oldest Greek Orthodox Church in North
America (Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral) and
viewed the Hurricane Katrina exhibit at the Presbyter
Museum. We even went to Presanctified Liturgy on
Wednesday night at Saint Basil’s Antiochian Church
just outside of New Orleans and shared in the parish’s
potluck dinner.
Later, we returned to the church and chanted hymns on
the Solea for almost two hours. That same night we
heard about the passing of Metropolitan Philip and we
all decided to meet before bed to say our evening prayers
together, in his memory.
In collaboration with IOCC and Habitat for Humanity,
we worked to renovate a house damaged by Hurricane
Katrina. Our group leader from Habitat for Humanity,
Spencer, gave us an introduction to various projects and
we took things from there. I worked with a few others,
on building a fence around the yard. From surveying
the land and pouring concrete footings, to cutting and
drilling in the panels, the job was completed to everyone’s
satisfaction. At the same time, other groups worked
inside the house replacing walls that had water damage
and putting in insulation to prevent future damage.
While working we met residents of neighboring homes.
One young resident Ralph, later came over to help.
Everyone was so kind and grateful that our usual feelings
of trepidation were lost. We became preoccupied instead
with all the virtue that we were able to “cast off the
burdensome baggage of our worldly and often complex
lifestyles.” Street performers played music and spoke
with such happiness and love. God’s glory was revealed
in everything we did and everywhere we went.
Coming home was sad; just like coming home from
church or summer camp. Now is the time to learn from
our experience and benefit from the retreat. We need
to remember and bring that good back with us and into
our daily lives. We cannot forget how wonderful God
truly is. Only then can we become renewed and feel that
sense of peace.
Children are innocent partly because they see the good
in everything and in doing so they see God. As we get
older we slowly begin to see only the bad, and so we lose
sight of God. We become immersed in material and
worldly concerns, forgetting everything God has given
us. This trip provided me the opportunity to see things
as if I were a child again.
Real Break in New Orleans - Saint Barbara Camp Counselor Appication Form
It was, I felt, a true blessing to spend my Spring Break
in New Orleans with a group of such wonderful people.
Together we experienced the city’s culture; witnessed
firsthand the destruction of Hurricane Katrina; chanted
beautiful hymns; assisted in constructing a family’s home;
and above all, made friendships that will last forever.
I am extremely grateful to have been a part of such a
humbling and revitalizing experience. For this I have
the Kulis Foundation and Father Peter, along with my
home parish of Saint Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church
to thank, for all of their support. Thank you to Daniel
Christopoulos, Deacon Paul Kalina, Danielle Xanthos,
and OCF Director Jen Nahas for their leadership during
our trip. And lastly, a great thanks to my new friends and
extended family, Nicole, Basil, Andrew, Maria, Andrew,
Elizabeth, Nike, Eddie, Maria, Maro, Serena, Mary, and
Sarah. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to build
such wonderful relationships. It was truly an amazing
experience.
Summer Camp 2015
June 29 - July 3
Counselor
Application
Form
(Counselors must have completed the 8th Grade)
Name: _________________________________
Address: _______________________________
City: ___________________________________
State: _____________ Zip: ________________
Phone: _________________________________
E-mail: _________________________________
Age: ________ Date of Birth: ___________
Shirt Size: _____________________________
Registration: $40.00
Please note that Counselors will be
required to attend one informational
meeting prior to the beginning of Camp
and must complete a Camp Health Form.
Service in Action - The Community Dining Room
SERVICE IN ACTION
THE COMMUNITY DINING ROOM
Community Dining Room
By: Andrianna Papadimitriou
By definition, a mission is an assigned task or duty.
Missionaries, however, are not only those who
Christianize others and spread the word of God.
Missionaries also do the work of God. This is present
in various community service projects in which our
church, GOYA in particular, partakes - specifically, the
Community Dining Room.
The Community Dining Room in Branford is a place
where those who do not have enough food to eat can
come and have a freshly prepared meal. Additionally, the
Community Dining Room provides a warm, comforting,
nurturing and uplifting environment to those who come.
They however, cannot open their doors unless there are
volunteers like our GOYAns, preparing; serving; and
cleaning up after the meal.
Room, they are not preaching about our faith. They are
in fact doing God’s work. “For I was hungry and you
gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me
something to drink…” Matthew 25: 35-36. Therefore,
missions are more than simply converting people. They
are using what we have learned from scripture and
applying it to our own lives and the lives of others.
In a four hour timespan the food must be prepared;
the tables set; each course served typically salad, main
course, and dessert; each table cleaned; dishes washed;
and the kitchen back in order to the way it was found
upon arrival.
A lot of time and effort is put into serving a lunch to
those in need at the Community Dining Room. However,
the reward that comes from this cannot be matched. The
look of joy on people’s faces when they taste what our
GOYAns have prepared is immeasurable. The GOYAns
have experienced people “happy crying” because their
food moved them so. They have experienced people,
on multiple occasions, coming into the kitchen and
personally thanking them. The reward that comes from
this experience is powerful because you can see the light
you bring to the lives of others.
When GOYA sends volunteers to the Community Dining
Service in Action: The Ronald McDonald House
SERVICE IN ACTION
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
GOYAns as Missionaries: Bringing
Joy to Children in Need
By: Andrianna Papadimitriou
Each year in February, our GOYAns travel to Build-aBear Workshop to create unique teddy bears for children
currently residing at the Ronald McDonald House in
New Haven. Although making these bears is fun for
our GOYAns, delivering the bear is an entirely different
experience.
Delivering the bears takes courage, compassion, patience
and understanding. It is hard for anyone to see people
struggling. It is especially hard to see children in pain.
The residents at the Ronald McDonald House are
children stricken with cancer, along with their families.
In creating and distributing these bears to the residents
of the Ronald McDonald House the GOYAns embark
on a form of mission. We all have been taught to be
kind to one another by showing this type of kindness
to others. And in so doing we are doing the work of
God. In Ephesians 4:32 it says, “Be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ
forgave you.” By being compassionate towards others
and taking time of out of our hectic day-to-day lives, we
are following in Christ’s footsteps.
Imagine packing up your life and moving into a tiny
apartment in a strange city in order to try to save the
life of your child, sibling, etc. What is a reality for those
residents is something that cannot be entirely understood
by our GOYAns or anyone who hasn’t experienced it
firsthand. There is pain, suffering, prayer, and hope.
The purpose of delivering the bears is to put a smile on
the face of a child who is undergoing various treatments
including surgery, chemotherapy, etc. The bear is a gift
to the child that will hopefully be there with them to
comfort them along their way.
The bear serves as much more however. The bear is
there to show that even at a time when they feel alone,
they are not. There will always be someone else there
with them. In addition, the bear is also a reminder of
the joy that life can bring, even in hard times. Finally, the
bear also serves as GOYA’s blessings to the children and
their families.
Mission Trip to Appalachia
MISSION TRIP TO APPALACHIA
Appalachia Service Project
By: Caliope Kaiser
For those who may not know, the Appalachia Service
Project, ASP, is a community service trip in which
teenagers around the country travel to less fortunate
areas to help build or fix houses, porches, trailers, roofs,
walls, or pretty much any other task around a home you
can imagine. In the summer of 2014, 217 teenagers and
adults, including myself, piled onto buses and began the
long, grueling nine-hour ride to Johnson City, Tennessee.
Before we began our journey, Alida, the pastor of
Greenfield Hill Church that sponsored this trip, read a
prayer to bless all of us, “Christ has no body now on
earth but ours, no hands but ours, no feet but ours.Ours
are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ is
to look out on a hurting world. Ours are the feet with
which He is to go about doing good. Ours are the hands
with which He is to bless now. Let it be so. Amen.”
This prayer was repeated various times throughout
the week long trip, and I believe, perfectly portrays the
connection between what I have learned in Sunday
School and in Church. I used my previous knowledge to
work together with my crew, and build the homeowner
John, a fantastic porch.
Although my sister Anna and I were the only Greek
Orthodox Christians on the entire trip and despite the
fact that everyone had different beliefs and faiths, we
all worked together following Christ’s path. Because in
the end, we were all on this trip for the same reason, to
help families in need. I did not look at being one of the
only Greek Orthodox volunteers as a bad thing, but as
a chance to share my beliefs with others around me, and
to represent the love and faith that we practice in church.
This not only brought me closer to my crew members,
but to God by doing His will and spreading His word.
After having this amazing experience, meeting new
people and getting to know them and their different
lives, I am so thankful to God, even more so than before,
for all that he has blessed me with. My eyes were opened
and I had an amazing opportunity to take what I’ve been
learning so many years in a classroom, and actually apply
it in the world. I strongly enourage each and every one
of you to go out and follow God’s footsteps because not
only what we learn in church, but also outside of church,
shows us how to be good Christians.
God Moments
“God moments. It’s a new piece of lingo for most
people who go on the trip for the first time, not
a phrase that most of them have kicked around a
whole lot in the hallways of the high school or on
the Metro North. The first night at ASP this year, our
young, cheerful, college-aged staffperson gathered
our group together and asked “So, any God moments
today?” The freshmen all turned bewildered faces
toward me, wondering why I hadn’t covered this in
the orientations. Then they got it and they started
looking. Each day they started listening for God,
watching for God.
At the end of the week, as the bus pulled out of the
parking lot - I rode on the freshmen bus -- a chorus
of voices from the back of the bus said “Alida, Alida,
come here, come here, we want to tell you all our
God moments this week!”
And here was one. Here was a God moment that one
freshman girl experienced. For her crew, it had been
a tough week. The home they were working on was
in particularly bad shape, so bad that there were a lot
Continued on the next page.
Orthodox Appalachia Service Project
of moments where they had to wonder whether what
they were doing would make enough of a difference.
By: Tess Grimaldi
They were putting on a new roof and they were
installing siding, but the home had been through
a lot. They worried whether their fixes would be
enough. And it was tough because the dad of the
home worked all day, so they hadn’t had a chance
to get to meet him. The young mom and her kids
were mostly at the grandma’s house and were also
unavailable.
As many members of our parish are already aware,
a handful teenagers from our Saint Barbara parish
participate in an annual service project known as the
Appalachian Service project, or ASP. This year’s trip
was to West Virginia in July. There were five members
of Saint Barbara’s youth who participated, along with
Orthodox teenagers from other parishes throughout
Connecticut and New York.
Then came Friday, the Fourth of July. Joe, the dad,
had the day off, so he and his wife, Amy, came to the
house to help our kids. Then this happened - Amy
was helping our kids with the siding. She said, “My
daddy left this house to me. It was in terrible shape,
and he knew that. But before he died he told me that it
was his greatest hope that somehow it could be fixed,
and it could be my home, his daughter’s home, and
his grandchildren could grow up here. After he died,
I was in despair, because we didn’t have the money
to fix it. And I prayed, I prayed so hard. I prayed to
God in heaven and my daddy there with him.”
On our way to West Virginia we attended the Divine
Liturgy at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Bluefield,
WV. The priest and parish were very welcoming, and
the service was a wonderful start to the week. From
there we headed to a hotel to spend the night before our
second and final day of traveling. Upon arrival at the
center in Mingo County, we settled into the living space
that would become our home for five days. We spent the
week in a school facility that we all helped to maintain
and clean.
“And the day that I was at my lowest, that was the
day that the people from ASP came and knocked on
my door.” “You,” she said to our kids, “You are the
answer to my prayers. You are the ones sent by God
and by my daddy who still loves me.” And those
kids, those kids who hadn’t been sure they were doing
enough or making a difference, those kids suddenly
knew that they were the answer to someone’s prayer.
Suddenly they knew that they, in this situation, were
the hands of God. That was their God moment; the
one they took home with them and are still talking
about.”
Taken from the Sermon Alida Ward
Pastor of Greenfield Hill Church in Fairfield
The story that she shares is that of Anna Kaiser
From Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church - Orange, CT
On Monday each team headed out to our designated
families’ homes to begin the week’s work. Over the
course of my particular group’s week, we laid tile flooring
in two rooms and a bathroom; installed sheetrock; and
installed trim to the ceiling of the boy’s room. While it
was hard work, it rarely felt that way since we were too
busy having a great time doing it!
After our work was done and we said our goodbyes to
our new friends we began our journey home, stopping
along the way at Hershey Park to celebrate our hard
work. The next day brought us full circle as we attended
the Sunday celebration of the Divine Liturgy at St.
Michael’s Orthodox Church in St. Clair, PA. Then it was
straight home to be reunited with waiting parents and
family.
Though it was my third year of participation in the
program, the experience was no less valuable. In fact,
I would be willing to say that this time was one of the
most gratifying of the three. The service itself seemed
to benefit me just as much as it did the family whose
house I was repairing. Not only that, but outside the
worksite I was surrounded by wonderful people who I
would not hesitate to call my friends.
Even the ASP staff members made me
feel appreciated and valued every day.
This past summer’s trip was an altogether
invaluable and unforgettable experience,
and I know that the same can be said for
just about anyone who was with me or
who has spent a week with ASP.
The Saint Barbara Parishioners who
participated in the 2014 Orthodox
Appalachian Service Project were
Diamantis Kefalas, Paul DeBassio, Philip
Ellis, Irina Tsifloglou, Napoleon Tsiflogou
and Tess Grimaldi.
Orthodox
Appalachian Service
Project 2015
July 11 - July 19, 2015
Led by:
Fr. Luke Mihaly and Fr. David Cochran
Interested in Volunteering to be part of
the Orthodox ASP Team contact the
Saint Barbara Church Office.
Odyssey Festival 2014
The annual Saint Barbara Odyssey Festival on Labor Day
weekend serves as a wonderful opportunity for Greeks
and those who love Greek food, music, dance and crafts,
to flock to our Church’s grounds and experience the
four-day feast. It is at this festival that all five senses
are activated - taste, touch, sight, sound and smell - by
the wonderful Greek cuisine, music and dancing. The
festival, attracts well over 10,000 visitors a day and
provides the perfect end to the summer season.
Our guests enjoy the wonderful Greek cuisine, Greek
pastries, Greek marketplace, Greek music and dancing,
not to mention the Church tours and lectures, choir
presentations and perusing the book and icon store.
Most of all, our guests enjoy the tremendous hospitality
offered to them by the Saint Barbara parishioners.
Many thanks to the hundreds of volunteers that work
tirelessly throughout the summer and Festival weekend
ensuring that our visitors enjoy a wonderful experience.
It would not be successful without your assistance and
care.
The following pages only begin to highlight much of the
fun shared by all, throughout the weekend.
To view even more photos, visit the Church’s website at:
http://www.saintbarbara.org/multimedia/photos
To view a video created by Alex Yates called:
Odyssey 2014: A Video Journey
Go to the Saint Barbara You Tube Channel
at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NULA7vGbVnE
A Taste of Greece 2015
St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
Presents
Μια γεύση από Ελλάδα • Μια γεύση
από Ελλάδα • aΜια γεύση από
Ελλάδα • Μιαγεύση από Ελλάδα •
Μια γεύση απόTaste
Ελλάδα • Μια γεύση
από Ελλάδα of
• Μιαγεύση από
Ελλάδα • Μιαγεύση από Ελλάδα
• Μια γεύση Greece
από Ελλάδα • Μια
γεύση από Ελλάδα • Μια γεύση
από Ελλάδα • Μια γεύση από
Ελλάδα • Μια
γεύση
από
Ελλάδα
come join us for
• Μια γεύση από Ελλάδα γεύση
Homemade delicacies
απόAuthentic
Ελλάδα
• Μια γεύση από
from
appetizers
to από
desserts:
Ελλάδα
• Μια
γεύση
Ελλάδα
a
souvlaki, spanokopita,
pastitsio,
baklava, galaktoboureko and more!
saturday,
2013
saturday,march
maY 2,9,2015
1111am
amto
to 9pm
pm
st. barbara SOCIAL hall
480 Racebrook Road, Orange
Eat-in or Take-out
Saint Barbara Parish - Walk For Missions
Pictured above are the participants in Saint Barbara Parish’s Walk for Missions
By: Tony Delos, Missions Committee Chairperson
The autumn weather was near perfect for our parish’s
inaugural Walk For Missions. Participants enjoyed
temperature in the mid-fifties, sunshine, and a light
breeze for this special fundraiser to benefit the Orthodox
Christian Missions Center (OCMC). With more than a
month of publicity in the Sunday Bulletin and around the
parish, anticipation for the event finally came to fruition
on Sunday, October 26, following the celebration of
the Divine Liturgy. Walkers were treated to a virtual
cornucopia of refreshments to ensure suitable energy
boosts, as well as special T-shirts sporting a design
selected by Father Peter to commemorate the occasion.
Once the official group pictures were “ceremoniously”
taken, and an appropriate blessing bestowed, the multilap peripatetic journey around the church campus was
embarked upon with great vigor and enthusiasm. A fun
time was expressed by all walkers and like many firstwww.saintbarbara.org
time events ideas for increasing future participation
and success were being formulated in conversations
stimulated by the walk itself.
The dedicated and gracious staff members at OCMC
also provided some wonderful suggestions, including
the adoption of a specific missionary family with whom
our parish can sow the seeds of correspondence that we
might keep apprised of activities in their specific mission
field. This would establish an outstanding means of
personalizing our focus and is certain to generate great
interest within our Saint Barbara community. The parish
missions committee will explore some polling processes
that may offer parishioners opportunity to get more
acquainted with the various OCMC missions. There are
many areas requiring our faithful support, including:
Albania, Ghana, Guatemala, Kenya, Mexico, Moldova,
Tanzania, Uganda and The United States of America.
You may recall reading about several of those mission
fields to which our very own Steven Sarigianis has
dedicated his time and talent. Steve has worked on
four different continents during his seminary studies
at HCHC over the past two years. And of course, this
time last year we enjoyed worship in the Divine Liturgy
alongside Ana Baba of Albania. Ana was in New Haven
studying for the mission work she would be performing
upon return to her homeland. Our congregation
provided contributions to her appeal for support for a
short-term mission to Kenya in March 2014 and Ana
is pictured in the latest edition of OCMC’s Mission
magazine. You will find copies of it and other editions
of the magazine on our missions information table in
the downstairs classroom area. Details about mission
locations and families in the field are readily available
and provided for your consideration. OCMC is the
official missions agency of the Assembly of Canonical
Orthodox Bishops of the United States and has been
sanctioned to help the faithful of North America
proclaim the fullness of the Orthodox Christian Faith.
Each year hundreds of Orthodox Christians answer
the call to make disciples of all nations through one of
OCMC’s many initiatives. Consider joining an OCMC
Orthodox Mission Team in 2015. Mission Teams serve
our Holy Orthodox Church’s unending mission effort
that all people may come to know the saving love of
our Lord. Among the many opportunities available volunteers can become living witnesses in Guatemala
through outreach work with the community in Nueva
Concepcion to restore facilities to a senior center and
offer outreach to surrounding communities; Teach
religious education at two Orthodox church schools
in Indonesia and offer catechism to the faithful in
Medan. Team applications and details are also available
online at www.ocmc.org or by calling the OCMC at
1.877.463.6787 (ext 142) for more information. Team
members must travel on scheduled dates. Air travel
will be coordinated with team leader and the OCMC.
Ground transportation will be provided. Team members
are encouraged to raise the additional funds to cover the
cost of domestic and international travel.
The parish missions committee welcomes all members
of our church community. So please join our own
collective effort to fulfill the Great Commission of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to “Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
Saint Barbara Community Center
Consider Renting
The
Saint Barbara
Community Center
for your next
Family Celebration
Weddings - Baptisms
Anniversaries - Birthdays
Call the Church Office
For more details
203-795-1347
Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
ORATORICAL FESTIVAL
Young Greek Orthodox Orators Compete
By Steven Yates
Saint Barbara Parish
On Saturday, March 8, 2014, Saint Barbara Greek
Orthodox church in Orange held its annual Saint John
Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. This event, part of a
national program, provides a venue for young people
to speak publicly on topics of faith. Students in grades
7-12 compete in two divisions and younger students
speak non competitively.
A record twenty-one students participated in this year’s
parish festival, which featured speakers from Grade 3 to
Grade 11. The twelve Elementary Division speakers were
Ana DeBassio, Kassiani Nicolakis, Giovanna Gonzalez,
John Dalakas, Tennyson DeLos, Stephen Hojnowski,
Irena Komninakas, Alexis Agapiou, Andreas Lolis,
Eleni Wagner, Gia Dalakas, and Ephemia Nicolakis. The
two Junior Division speakers were Katerina Spanolios
and Paul DeBassio. The four Senior Division speakers
were Paige Bullock, Emma Cowper, Peter Kaouris and
Diamantis Kefalas.
In addition to the young orators, this year the festival
included a chance to highlight the skill of young essayists
and poets. Saint Barbara had Junior Division poetry
entries by Peter DeBassio and George Antonellis.
A crowd of more than 80 spectators was treated to 19
speeches from the young people. These outstanding
students demonstrated a love for, and deep knowledge
of their Orthodox faith. Some of the speeches were
personal. Some were informative. Some were deeply
passionate. All of them were well-received.
Two panels of expert judges had the difficult task of
determining the Parish Finalists. The finalist speakers
were Katerina Spanolios and Paul DeBassio in the Junior
Division (grades 7-9) and Paige Bullock and Emma
Cowper in the Senior Division (grades 10-12). They
were invited to compete at the District III oratorical
festival to be held at Saint George Cathedral in Hartford
on April 5. Peter DeBassio’s poem “Christianity in the
21st Century” was submitted directly to the Direct
Archdiocesan District (Metropolis-level) festival that
was held at Saint Paul Cathedral in Hempstead, New
York on May 10.
District III
The District III festival brought together speakers from
five different parishes in Connecticut and New York.
Seven Junior Division speakers and five Senior Division
speakers, who had all been selected as finalists at their
parish-level competitions, presented their speeches.
From this group only two district-level finalists per
division would be invited to compete at the Metropolislevel competition. The quality of all of the speeches was
excellent. All four of the speakers from Saint Barbara
parish were selected as finalists. This impressive “sweep”
of both divisions meant that Katerina Spanolios, Paul
DeBassio, Paige Bullock and Emma Cowper would all
be competing in Hempstead, New York on May 10 for a
chance to go to the Archdiocese festival national finals.
Direct Archdiocesan District (Metropolis-level)
The competition intensified as finalists from four
district competitions gathered in Hempstead. The four
District III finalists, all from Saint Barbara, were joined
Saint John Chyrsostom Oratorical Festival
was selected as the Junior Division finalist! He would
be joined in Cleveland by Christina Hanos of Saints
Constantine and Helen Church in West Nyack, New
York.
Archdiocese Festival - National Finals
Pictured are (left to right): Paul DeBassio, Emma Cowper,
Paige Bullock, Katerina Spanolios
by finalists who had been successful at the District I
competition at Saints Constantine and Helene Cathedral
in Brooklyn, New York, the District II competition at
Saint Paraskevi Church in Greenlawn and the District IV
competition at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Washington,
DC. The four districts included a total of sixty-one
churches, although not every church included in the
four districts participated in the oratorical festival. Eight
Junior Division speakers and eight Senior Division
speakers presented their speeches. Only one speaker in
each division advanced to the Archdiocese festival in
Cleveland, Ohio.
It must be said, that as the competition proceeded
from parish to district to metropolis level, the quality
of the speeches increased dramatically. Even though
the speakers must present the same speech at each level,
their presentations became much more polished and
confident. At the metropolis level, all of the speeches
were delivered almost flawlessly with great feeling and
technique. Being judged a finalist at this level is as much
a function of what the judges may be looking for in
terms of the emotional tone or depth of scholarship in
content as it is the quality of the speech and its delivery.
The Metropolis of Pittsburgh hosted the archdiocese
festival at the Annunciation Church in Cleveland, Ohio.
His Eminence Bishop Savas offered the opening prayer
and some inspirational remarks prior to the competition.
There were nine speakers in each division representing
each metropolis of the archdiocese. A panel of highly
qualified judges and a crowd of well over a hundred
spectators were treated to 18 excellent orations on topics
ranging from race relations to the role of social media in
today’s culture.
At the gala luncheon that followed the speeches, the
competitors and their families nervously awaited the
decision of the judges. Dr. Anton Vrame, the Director
of Religious Education of the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America announced the decision and
presented the awards and prizes.
The first prize was awarded to Christina Hanos in the
Senior Division and Alexandra Nichols of Annunciation
Church in Cranston, Rhode Island, Metropolis of
Boston, in the Junior Division. Saint Barbara’s own Paul
DeBassio was awarded third place.
Paul’s excellent effort was supported by his family, and
Saint Barbara parishioners, who were in attendance, as
well as by his fellow Saint Barbara parish competitors and
Sunday School teachers and many others who watched
his performance online. We congratulate Paul and his
family on this outstanding achievement. It should also
be noted that Christina Hanos, the only competitor who
was judged above the two Saint Barbara Senior Division
competitors in the Metropolis-level competition, was
awarded First Place in the Archdiocese. Congratulations
to all of the competitors and their families.
All four speakers from Saint Barbara parish performed
superbly. In the end, Paul DeBassio, of Saint Barbara
Saint John Chysostom Oratorical Festival
Topic: “I am an Orthodox Christian living in the
21st century.” What does this phrase mean to you?
by: Paul DeBassio
It is very common to see wavering faith as one of the
most prominent issues found in today’s society, mainly
due to several distractions that we encounter on a daily
basis. The reign of social media has taken over most of
our everyday lives, and we feel that there is some sort
of inseparable attachment to it that prevents us from
performing our duties as Orthodox Christians. But first,
what is an Orthodox Christian? A dictionary definition
would be something along the lines of “A form of
Christianity maintained by the Eastern Orthodox
Church”, but we, as Orthodox Christians, can define
it as something much more profound. Belonging to
the Orthodox faith is something much more than just
attending the Pascha services that happen only once a
year. It is a lifelong devotion of both one’s mind and
body, and to be physically and spiritually involved within
the church. In Matthew 25:35, Christ teaches us to feed
the hungry, welcome strangers, clothe the naked, visit
the sick, and comfort those in need as ways to exemplify
good Christian values and ethics.
In the world we live in today, trying to look, feel, and
act like those in the entertainment world has completely
consumed much of our society. These types of “role
models” are corrupting the innocent, yet intelligent
minds of our younger generations. Not very often do
you hear a teenager update their facebook status or
twitter feed about a miracle surgery performed by a
world renowned surgeon. You would be more likely to
hear about something senseless and idiotic like what
color someone had dyed their hair, or what they had for
dinner last night. Although life-saving surgeons have
such a great impact on the world, they never get the same
recognition that a pop star, like Kim Kardashian would
get for just being born into a rich family. This way of
thinking can be directly related to the way people have
little to no accountability when it comes to expressing
their devotion towards the church and the principles
it teaches. It could be something as simple as doing
our cross before eating a meal. We know that it is the
right thing to do, but we feel that because our friends
are around, we would be thought of as “different” and
wouldn’t fit in. Many people nowadays even consider
Sunday to be “just another day off ” and won’t even
consider going to church. My papou, on the other hand,
grew up in Greece where Orthodox practices were
considered the norm. Religion was taught in school,
and children even had daily prayers, which is something
found only in some private schools in the United States.
I am fortunate enough to attend one of these schools
where religion can be expressed and mentioned without
feeling uncomfortable.
Overall, it is a challenge to be an Orthodox Christian in
the 21st century. Influences from our friends and social
media make us feel almost alienated when it comes to
religious practices. Many Orthodox Christians don’t
exemplify the true, holy lifestyle that we should be living
every day of our lives, mainly because we feel “held
back” due to those of different beliefs. Our grandparents
and great-grandparents from Greece never truly had to
experience the challenges that our generation endures
on a daily basis when it comes to religion. Native Greeks
grew up in an environment in which Orthodoxy was the
norm, and part of their daily life. I am thankful that my
church is such a big part of my life, which makes me
feel comfortable expressing my religious beliefs to my
friends with different religious backgrounds. Although
there are challenges, being an Orthodox Christian in the
21st century is of great value to me, and I can’t imagine
being brought up any other way.
Topic: Saint Paul writes, “God is faithful, and He
will not let you be tempted beyond your strength”
(1 Corinthians 10:13, NRSV). What are some times
in your life in which you have experienced the
truthfulness of Saint Paul’s statements?
by: Katerina Spanolios St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians, “God is
faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your
strength.” Facing temptation is something all Christians
have to do. How we respond to these temptations is
what brings us closer to God. The devil tries to tempt
us every day, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Every
night when I say Lord’s prayer I say, “Lead us not into
Saint John Chyrsostom Oratorical Festival
temptation, but deliver us from evil.” God has faith in
us to resist these temptations from the devil. I believe
God knows our limits and never gives us something we
cannot handle.
This year brought a lot of changes into my life. I
started junior high school which means I was given
independence and responsibility. My parents trust me
with having a cell phone, and being home alone with
my brother after school. With my new independence
came temptation. At my new school this year, I met a lot
of new people. Many girls often talk about each other
behind their backs. I know gossip isn’t right, but I was
tempted by peer pressure to join in. I knew that doing
this was wrong and I felt guilty. I have made many close
friends now and avoid gossip. Myself relationship with
my parents is very important to me, and I always want
their trust. Sometimes I am tempted to lie to them or
to disobey them and I know it is wrong. Thankfully, my
strong faith in God allows me to resist these temptations.
When I am tempted, I think to myself; what would Christ
want me to do?
Being a good Orthodox Christian is very important to
me. Sometimes temptations affect my faith. Due to my
busy commitments after school, including homework,
projects, and sports, I often am tempted to forget my
prayers. Sometimes on Sundays, the devil tries to convince
me that these other activities are more important than
going to church. Then, I remember that God won’t give
me anything I can’t handle. I know that going to church
and praying should be my main priority.
In December of 2012, my mother was diagnosed breast
cancer. This was a very difficult time. I found myself
thinking; why did God let this happen to my mom? We’re
good people. We go to church. We pray. My faith helped
me get through this emotional roller coaster. I know the
devil was trying to get me to doubt God. Instead, my faith
became stronger. I knew God was with us during this
difficult time. My mother sailed through her treatments.
God’s faith in me, helped me become a better daughter,
sister, and Christian. Our friends and family supporting
us were a sign of God’s faith. The doctors’ treatments
my mom went through were all because of God. God
did not tempt me beyond my strength.
I know the years to come will also be full of temptation.
In a few years I will be in high school. I know my faith
will keep me strong. God’s faith in me will allow me to
resist the temptation of drugs, alcohol, and other peer
pressures. I know that prayer will give me the strength
that I need to deliver me from evil.
Topic: Fifty years after some of the landmark events
of the American Civil Rights movement, racism and
discrimination persist in American life. How should
an Orthodox Christian respond?
by: Emma Cowper
When you meet someone for the first time, what is the
first thing you notice? Is it their smile? Their clothing?
The color of their skin? Human beings have a tendency
to judge those around them based on a first impression,
frequently dictated by appearance, be it their expressions,
their clothing, or their skin color. Half a century after
the American Civil Rights movement, many people still
negatively judge others based solely on race. As Orthodox
Christians, we should combat this by remembering that
God made all humans equal and of His own image, and
we are all loved equally in His eyes regardless of racial
or ethnic differences. We should all treat one another
with the utmost respect, for every person is a creation
of God.
In the 1960s, nearly a century after the American Civil
War, activists across the country were protesting against
the unequal and unjust treatment of African Americans.
Famous figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and
Rosa Parks defended their rights as American citizens,
and their leadership marked a path that has allowed
significant decreases of racism in our country. Fifty
years later, America’s first black president is in his second
term. In many ways our country is quite progressive,
but it would be a lie to say that racism does not still
exist. However, anybody can stand up for equal rights
regardless of their ethnic background. Archbishop
Iakovos was one of the few non-African American
religious figures who had the courage and persistence to
march alongside Dr. King. When asked about his passion
for the cause, he replied, “We have fought oppressive
and repressive political regimes, based on Christian
Saint John Chysostom Oratorical Festival
principles, for centuries…a Christian must cry out in
indignation against all persecution. That’s what made
me walk with Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama.
We are all responsible, and must continue to speak out.”
Archbishop Iakovos should serve as an example for
other Orthodox Christians; as he said we must speak out
against persecution. We are all equal in God’s eyes and
thus should treat one another with respect and love.
A few years ago, my mother told me a story about my older
brother when he was a young child. She had arrived to
pick him up from Kindergarten and found him standing
with a few friends of his, comparing the colors of all
their arms. Not judging or discriminating anyone based
on this, but simply noticing the differences and moving
on. As children they acknowledged the fact that they all
looked different, but did not see any problem with it,
and continued to laugh and play as children do. Racism
is not something you are born with. It is something
you are taught, something that is impressed upon you
by those around you. As Orthodox Christians, we must
not only speak out against racism but also remember
that everything we do impresses the younger generation
and we must be careful to be fair and loving at all times,
toward all people, for the benefit of the next generation,
and to remember that God knows everything we do and
everything we think, and we must remind ourselves and
one another to refrain from discrimination of anybody.
Atticus Finch, a character from one of my favorite
books, To Kill a Mockingbird, says “there’s something
in our world that makes men lose their heads—they
couldn’t be fair if they tried.” However, I firmly believe
that, as Orthodox Christians, we can use our faith as a
guide to help us to acknowledge our differences, treat
one another equally, and to cry out in indignation against
all persecution.
Topic: Discuss a time when you experienced the
presence of God, whether in church, in nature, or
in other circumstances.
by: Paige Bullock
This letter that I present before you is a letter to God to
thank Him for all he has helped me through and let Him
know how much faith I have in Him. I hope that after
I read this to you, you will believe in him and have as
much assurance in him as I do.
Dear God,
As I get older, I look back to my past and become more
appreciative of what you have done for me. At night, I
like to look up to the sky, and admire the wondrous stars
You have made for us. I think about all the times you
were there for me and every time, sixth grade is drawn
back to my memory. That was the year that I lost the
three girls that I thought were my best friends and I felt
as if I had lost myself. Yet, even when I was all alone, I
always had your presence.
I was often made fun of through my years of elementary
school for my crooked teeth, my absent-mindedness
and my quiet personality. It hurt at times but it never
actually severed my self esteem there were three girls
at one time; not just individuals. They would purposely
not invite me to hangout with them but when they did, I
wished that they didn’t. They would heartlessly tease me,
harass me, or simply pretend I wasn’t even there. Finally,
they decided that they didn’t need me anymore and I was
on my own. I felt unimportant, hopeless, and I ached of
loneliness.
I thought that all hope was lost, Lord. How was I
supposed to get through this summer and start off
junior year by myself ? I prayed to You every night that
it would get better and before I knew it You were there.
A girl that I have never noticed before in my entire life
of going to Sunday school complemented me on my
jacket (which later I found out she didn’t even like) and
became my only friend through the summer time. A few
weeks later, I received an invitation in the mail from a
girl that I have never talked to before. After that day, I
met my four other best friends that kept me confident
and determined in the two years of junior high. I still
have two of those girls as my best friends today and I
don’t believe that I would ever be where I am without
them. We learn from each other’s mistakes and give love
to one another through heart-break when it feels like no
one else is there. We’ve helped each other with countless
obstacles and we’ll stick by each other with all the more
in the future.
2015 Saint John Chyrsostom Oratorical Festival Topics
I’ve realized that life doesn’t get any easier. In fact, it
gets tougher. That’s why you have given us little things
called faith and magic to believe in. Times can become
immensely difficult for everyone and as humans,
sometimes we feel like we should give up or lose faith
in what we believe in because that’s easier than pushing
through. With all that I have been through and all that
I am going through now, I know that it’s not easy, but I
also know that anything is possible through You, Lord.
You’re the one who has given us life and everything
good and bad about us. You’re the one who has given us
everyone we love to help us through our difficulties and
heal us in times of need. I know you are always there for
me and that’s why I believe that miracles are real.
Each year I acquire more faith in You and see all the
beauties that You have blessed us with. However, Your
presence is the most beautiful of them all. I want to say
thank you, Lord, for giving me those rough times that
have molded me into a stronger person. I would not be
able to overcome what I am today if it wasn’t for those
times. I sincerely hope that some day, everyone will have
that ability to open their mind and eyes and recognize
the magic of life and the abilities that You have as I do.
If they do, we can all be faithful and strong through the
hands of You and the world.
2015 Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical
Festival Topics
Junior Division (Grades 7–9)
1. The theme of the 2014 Clergy-Laity Congress was “The Orthodox Christian family: A dwelling of Christ and a
witness of His Gospel.” Discuss how today’s Orthodox Christian families can strive to live according to this ideal.
2. St. Paul writes, “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:5). Discuss the
virtue of honesty in a time when cheating in school, sports, and other activities is reported more and more.
3. Discuss the Orthodox Christian practice of fasting from certain foods and the spiritual discipline it teaches,
especially in light of the Lord’s directive in Matthew 6:16–18.
4. Malala Yousafzai is an inspirational example of fighting fearlessly for a noble cause in spite of threats against her
life. Discuss a young saint or person from the Bible who illustrates such courage.
5. Several leaders in the political and religious arena have been described as people with a prophetic gift. What really
is a prophet? Discuss their actions in light of the Old Testament prophets and in comparison to other contemporary
examples.
Senior Division (Grades 10–12)
1. The Lord said, “I was in prison and you came to me” (Matthew 25:36). What does this teach us about our attitudes
toward those in jails and imprisoned?
2. Psalm 50 (51) begins, “Have mercy on me, O Lord...” It is considered the psalm of repentance. Discuss how
praying this psalm might affect our understanding of repentance, confession, and forgiveness.
3. Women apostles, martyrs, and saints have spread the Gospel and advanced the Church from the beginning of
Christianity. Discuss the significance of their roles and examples for all Christians today.
4. The St. Nicholas Church at Ground Zero, which was destroyed on September 11, 2001, is soon to be rebuilt.
Discuss the ways in which this tiny church building will now become a symbol of the universal themes of victory over
evil; healing and hope; and being a beacon of Orthodox Christianity.
5. Using the parable of the poor widow’s offering to the Temple (Luke 21:1–4), discuss the Orthodox Christian
attitude of offering to the Church’s ministries.
Special Delivery from Constantinople
Special Delivery from Constantinople
During this year’s Saint Barbara parish Oratorical Festival,
one of our young parishioners, Andreas Lolis, spoke
about the plight of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and His
All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew. Andreas was the
only one who chose to speak on this particular topic. His
speech and that of other presenters, were recorded by
one of his fellow speakers, Ephemia Nicolakis.
Meanwhile a world away, her dad, Theo Nicolakis, in
his role as the Chief Information Officer of the Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese of America, was in a meeting at
the Ecumenical Patriarchcate in Constantinople planning
for the historic meeting between the Pope
and Patriarch in Jerusalem.
Above: Note from His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew.
Below: (left to right) Theo Nicolakis, Elpida Lolis, Andreas
Lolis, Nicholas Lolis, Elias Lolis and Steven Yates.
During his visit, Theo had the special
blessing and privilege to meet privately
with His All Holiness. During this meeting
he took the opportunity to play the video
of Andreas’ speech for the Patriarch. His
All Holiness was himself, deeply moved
and inspired by Andreas’ presentation
and prepared for Andreas, a special
handwritten message.
The message was hand-delivered by Theo
to Andreas (see the picture above) on his
return to Connecticut.
Trip to Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology
TRIP TO HELLENIC COLLEGE
HOLY CROSS SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
Trip to Hellenic College Holy Cross
By: Valentina Lott
On Saturday, September 13, 2014 Hellenic College Holy
Cross held the first annual Convocation to inaugurate
the new academic year and begin the celebration of the
Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross. His Eminence
Archbishop Demetrios of America, President of the
HCHC Board of Trustees, presided over the weekend’s
events.
Our enjoyable and memorable day began with an early
morning departure by bus from the grounds of St.
Barbara Church. Fr. Peter and Fr. Joel accompanied
our group that included Fr. Nick Dassouras and his son
from St. George Church in Norwalk.
We received the royal treatment immediately upon our
arrival at Hellenic College / Holy Cross Greek Orthodox
School of Theology and throughout the entire day. Our
specially designated tour guide, Anthony, was most
helpful and informative as we explored the campus in its
setting of verdant, rolling hills.
One of the many highlights of the day was the tour of
the Archbishop Iakovos Library and Museum. We were
able to leisurely view the numerous and varied artifacts
including vestments, ancient coins, awards and gifts
bestowed upon His Eminence of blessed memory.
We visited Archbishop Iakovos’ gravesite. and the
bookstore. We walked though classroom hallways, and
admired the intricately carved woodwork in the Weld
estate home, now the site of HCHC’s Administrative
Offices.
Students and faculty then processed into the Maliotis
Cultural Center for the Convocation. The ceremonies
opened with the Apolytikion of the Feast Day chanted
by the St. Romanos the Melodist Byzantine Choir. Fr.
Nicholas Triantafilou, retiring president of Holy Cross,
welcomed the assembly.
The keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Eugen Pentiuc, Associate
Dean of Academic Affairs, was outstanding. Citing
passages from both the Old and New Testaments, Fr.
Pentiuc’s dynamic speaking captivated his audience with
the topic, “Let the Bridegroom Speak to You!” – how
reading the Bible and prayer form two essential elements
of an ongoing and spiritual dialogue between God
and man. He quoted St. Jerome: “Do you pray? You
speak to the Bridegroom. Do you read the Scripture?
The Bridegroom speaks to you.” Fr. Pentiuc wove Job’s
references to “silence” and the “whisper of God” into
his speech.
He shared his personal experience of how, as an
immigrant from Romania with a wife and two children,
Jesus’ commandment that we “ask, and it shall be
given to you” made possible his attendance at Harvard
University. Holy Cross students are indeed fortunate
to have Fr. Pentiuc as an instructor and inspirational
mentor.
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, known for his
keen powers of observation and recall, expounded
on several of Fr. Pentiuc’s points during his speech. A
reception with light refreshments followed, affording
an opportunity to greet His Eminence and mingle with
others.
Did you know that, owing to its location on a hilltop and
the height of its dome, the chapel is actually the highest
point in Boston? The HCHC campus straddles the cities
of Brookline and Boston. Our group visited the chapel
Trip to Hellenic College Holy Cross - Greek Independence Day Parade in NYC
and venerated the various saintly relics kept therein.
Later in the afternoon, the chapel hosted the Hierarchical
Vespers for the Feast Day of the Elevation of The Holy
Cross, the Name Day of the school. At the end of this
ceremony, male members of the senior class, including
our very own Steven Sarigianis and Peter Romanovsky,
each received their “Exorasson” (outer cassock)
from the Archbishop and from Bishop Andonios of
Phasiane, signifying that they can now preach. The
female member of the senior class received a cross.
AXIOI! How very proud we are of our Steven’s and
Peter’s accomplishments. Congratulations to them, their
parents, and to Fr. Steven and Presbytera Electra!
The Rassophoria, the blessing given by the Archbishop
to the senior seminarians to wear the Exorasson, has
traditionally been connected to “the commission to
preach the Word of God.” The Stavrophoria, the
blessing by the Archbishop to wear the school cross,
serves as a visible reminder to seminarians to daily take
up their Cross and serve Christ.
I believe I speak for all who attended in saying that we
felt honored and privileged to be a part of such a special
day.
Saint Barbara Summer Camp 2014
Follow You... Follow Me... Follow God.
The words “to follow” means to emulate or to imitate,
copy, mirror, echo, model oneself on... and this is the
way we began 2014 Saint Barbara Summer Camp, by
gathering together in the Church for Morning Chapel
Service and praying the prayers that opened us up to
God’s Love, allowing us to be imaging Him who resides
in our hearts.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stbarbaragoc/sets
Remember: You’re an overcomer! Hope to see you again
in church soon as you continue to seek God first in all
you see, say, and do in life!
Speaking of our hearts, we learned from Colossians 3.23
that whatever we do, work at it with all our heart. And
that we did, as we -Staff, Counselors, Campers, Parents
and Volunteers, all prepared day after day of Camp
Week, to meet the daily task of seeking to find God in
every lesson and experience of the day. We looked for
and lived out the teachings of Christ all throughout the
Camp Day. We learned to love one another and to open
out hearts to the spirit of God.
As each day passed by, filled with so many memorable
impressions of images and instructions leading us on
God’s path, we learned how to keep priorities straight,
to keep God first in all we say and do. The spirit of
God is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the third person
of the Holy Trinity that resides in our hearts, always
keeping a place for God in us. We kept working in real
time, moment by moment, sport by sport, craft project
by craft project, on ways to seek, serve, submit, support,
and to find salvation along the way of every moment
of life. As anyone who views the Camp Photo pages or
the Camp Slideshow can attest to, or even a passerby
cannot help but notice the contagious Christ-like Love
that is exuberant and exhibited on the faces of all who
participated in the program.
We hope and pray that by following the Camp Theme
Scripture “Seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness...” Mt. 6.33, we all will follow the teachings
of Jesus, our Saviour. He is the Son of the Living God,
giving freely, his life, for the salvation of the world.
Thanks again for another really terrific summer and
for participating and for caring about the Saint Barbara
Summer Camp Program. “The Follow You, Follow Me,
Follow God” Summer Camp Photos may be viewed at
Follow You... Follow Me... Follow God
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto
you.” Matthew 6.33
The 2014 Summer Camp Slideshow may be
viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=pMo8s7iGt1c
Don’t miss this amazing recap of fabulous moments
from Summer Camp!
Summer
Camp
2015
June 29- July 3, 2015
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Register by may 1, 2015 and save 10% per camper!
Registration Fee:
1 Child...........................$200
2 Children....................$370
3 Children................... $500
non-stewards............ $250 (per child)
open to all children
Campers: Age 4 - Age 14
0pen to counselors ages 14 and up
(Counselors must have completed the 8th Grade)
Staff and counselor positions available
Registration fee covers expenses for session supplies, T-Shirt, Arts & Crafts, Athletics, Snack and Lunch
Registration form available on the Parish Web Site: www.saintbarbara.org
The AHEPA Hellenic History Tournament = Horse Drawn Carriage Ride
Participants in The AHEPA Hellenic History Tournament
The Hellenic History Tournament
On November 22 our local AHEPA Chapter #98 hosted
the Sixth Annual Hellenic History Tournament. This
year 14 teams participated. These three-person teams,
representing ten chapters and five states, participated in
a sudden death elimination tournament.
Think you know your Greek History? Then you would
have fit right in, as each round dealt with questions
regarding Ancient, Byzantine or Modern Greece. The
teams answered the questions posed to them, with the
victor moving on to the next round.
Dabassio, Peter Kaouris and Diamantis Kefalas, who
formed a team called ‘Troy Story.’
In addition to the thrill of preparing and participating,
each team was competing for a first place prize of $1,000
to be awarded to each team member and a second place
prize of $500 to be awarded to each team member.
If you are interested in participating in next year’s
tournament please speak to Fr. Peter or a member of
the Saint Barbara AHEPA chapter.
The Saint Barbara community was represented by Paul
Horse Drawn Carriage Ride
Members of the Saint Barbara PATCHES and JOY
groups gathered on November 8 to enjoy a horsedrawn carriage ride on the Church grounds. The
horses came from a nearby farm in Orange and took
the kids on a fun ride around the parish property.
The members of ‘Troy Story’ - Paul Dabassio, Peter
Kaouris and Diamantis Kefalas.
Over fifty kids gathered with their parents for this
annual event that included S’mores, hot cocoa,
apple cider and other seasonal snacks, making for
lots of smiles!
Prayer Vigil for Persecuted Christian Churches in the Middle East
PRAYER VIGIL FOR PERSECUTED
CHURCHES IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Candlelight Prayer Vigil
Reprinted from the front page of the New Haven Register
An interfaith Candlelight Prayer Vigil was held at
Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut on
September 17 in support of persecuted Christian churches
in the Middle East and the destruction of non-Christian
ethnic and religious communities there. The event was
sponsored by the Quinnipiac University Department of
Cultural and Global Engagement’s Office of Religious
Diversity: the Catholic and Protestant Chaplaincies. The
event included participation by members of the Virgin
Mary & Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church
in Hamden, the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in
Orange and the St. Thomas Assyrian Church in New
Britain, Conn.
“I think that it was much needed. This was something that
needed a little more attention,” said Michaela Belanger, a
graduate student and member of the Chaplaincy.
The Gospel of Matthew sounded across Quinnipiac
University’s quad in Jesus’ language, Aramaic, as well as
Greek, Arabic and English.
“We have come to this moment to say, ‘You are not
alone,’ as we are not alone,” said Rabbi Reena Judd,
Quinnipiac’s Jewish chaplain.
More than 100 students, faculty, staff and local residents
huddled Wednesday night on the Quinnipiac University
quad, the dark chill warmed by candlelight, to pray for
persecuted Christians and other religious minorities in
Iraq, Syria, Egypt and across the Middle East.
The Rev. Peter Orfanakos, pastor of St. Barbara Greek
Orthodox Church in Orange, described how three
children in A.D. 126 were tortured and beheaded,
becoming Christian martyrs. “This type of massacre
continues to take place today in our lifetime and we
cannot ignore it,” he said.
Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Coptic, Protestant
and Jewish clergy offered prayers in ancient languages,
the Gospel still relevant 2,000 years after it was written:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.”
“It was a great way to open people’s minds to remind
them of the suffering of Christians in the Mideast,”
said Nicholas Ruddat, a sophomore and member of the
Catholic Chaplaincy, which organized the vigil.
The students held signs saying, “Tonight I am Egyptian.
I am Christian” and “Tonight I am Iraqi. I am Catholic.”
Christians, who have long been shrinking in numbers
in majority Muslim nations, have come under attack by
militants, especially in Iraq and Syria. The Rev. Jordan
Lenaghan, Quinnipiac’s Roman Catholic chaplain, said
Christians “have been knocked down and told to stay
down. Tonight we will stand for them.”
He said Christians in the Mideast are subject to “vicious,
brutal and barbaric attacks.”
“We stand together and we pray for wisdom, for courage,
for strength and for peace — heavenly peace that comes
from above,” Orfanakos said.
“We stand with them in solidarity and prayer and,
through these lights, in hope,” said the Rev. Andrew
Ober, Quinnipiac’s Protestant chaplain, as candles were
lit.
Prayer Vigil for Persecuted Christian Churches in the Middle East
The vigil included chants in the Greek and Assyrian
traditions and prayers for peace, for the persecuted and
others.
“We thought, what a great idea, reaching out for other
people in the world, to reach out and connect, that’s kind
of the basis of everything,” said Lynn Weed of Hamden.
“It was a great cultural awareness kind of moment,”
said Nicole Kujan, a graduate student. “It really
brought awareness to the fore of how many Christian
communities there are in the world and how we’re all
connected.”
Reflection offered by Fr. Peter Orfanakos
at the Candlelight Prayer Vigil at
Quinnipiac University
On this day, September 17, in the Orthodox Church
we commemorate three holy children martyrs: Pistis,
age 12, Elpida, age 10 and Agape, age 9 - who were
tormented and then killed in the year 126 for refusing
to renounce their faith in Christ.
Each were tortured and then beheaded, from the
eldest to the youngest in front of each other and
their mother in an effort to break their resolve. Their
mother Sophia mourned at their grave for three
days, where she also died in peace; because of her
courageous endurance in the face of her daughters’
sufferings, she is also counted as a martyr of the faith.
“Blessed are the peace makers, for
they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted
for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you
when they revile and persecute you, and
say all kinds of evil against you falsely for
My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,
for great is your reward in heaven.”
The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5:9-12
New King James Version (NKJV)
The name Sophia in Greek means ‘wisdom;’ and her
daughter’s names translate as Faith, Hope, and Love
– they continue to stand as examples of strength and
courage to us all. To this day when we commemorate
their feast day we are taken aback on account of the
utter brutality and viciousness of their martyrdom.
Yet this type of massacre continues to take place
today – in our lifetime – and we cannot ignore it!
We stand together in prayer this evening in unity,
against terror; against the brutal, vicious and
barbaric attacks being committed against humanity
and Christians in the Middle East and throughout
the world. We stand together, speaking in various
languages, but with one voice - that of prayer. We
stand together and we pray - for wisdom; for courage;
for strength; and for peace, Heavenly Peace, that
comes only from above. May God have mercy on us
all. Amen.
Panel Discussion at Fairfield University
PANEL DISCUSSIONs AT YALE &
FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITIES
Left - Right: Dr. David W. McFadden, Dr. George Demacopoulos,
Rev. George Alberts and Rev. Andrew Awad.
The Presence and Role of Orthodoxy
in the Middle East
Fairfield University hosted a very informative and timely
panel discussion on the presence and role of Orthodoxy
in the Middle East on April 24, 2014. The event that
was co-sponsored by the Fairfield University Campus
Ministry, Fairfield Jesuit Community, Orthodox Christian
Fellowship, Muslim Student Association, Russian & East
European Studies Program, Center for Faith and Public
Life, Center for Catholic Studies, Carl and Dorothy
Bennett Center for Jewish Studies, Saint Barbara Greek
Orthodox Church in Orange and Holy Trinity Greek
Orthodox Church in Bridgeport.
The evening began with the celebration of a well-attended
Vespers Service which was followed by a wonderful
Paschal meal offered by the Ladies Philoptochos Society
of Holy Trinity in Bridgeport. Immediately following
the meal the participants gathered in The Egan Chapel
of St. Ignatius Loyola for a wonderful panel discussion.
The first presenter was Dr. George Demacopoulos, a
Professor of Historical Theology at Fordham University
and the director and co-founder of the Orthodox Christian
Studies Center, which is the only university-based center
of Orthodox studies in the Western Hemisphere that
includes the only interdisciplinary minor in Orthodox
Christian Studies. Dr. Demacopoulos’ research and
teaching interests are in the fields of Early Christian and
Medieval Church History. He has published five books
and dozens of scholarly articles on topics ranging from
the fourth to the fifteenth century. Dr. Demacopoulos
spoke on the subject of “Arab Christianity Before and
After the Crusades.”
The second presenter was Rev. George Alberts. Fr.
George is the Pastor of St. George Antiochian
Orthodox Christian Church in Danbury, and was a parttime instructor at Westmoreland County Community
College in Greensburg, PA where he taught Philosophy,
Ethics, Sociology and Marriage and Family courses for
ten years. Fr. George spoke on the subject of the “Plight
of The Orthodox Christian Church in Syria and the
Surrounding Area.”
Our third presenter was Rev. Andrew Awad. Fr. Andrew
is the parish priest at St. Peter and St. Andrew Coptic
Orthodox Church in Stamford. Father Andrew was
born in Egypt in 1970 and migrated to the United States
in 1990 and spoke on the topic of “The Egyptian Coptic
Church.”
At the conclusion of the third presentation, Dr. David W.
McFadden, the Director of the Russian, East European
and Central Asian Studies Department at Fairfield
University, moderated a very lively discussion as various
topics concerning the current situation in the Middle
East were examined and discussed.
Panel Discussion at Yale University - Thanksgiving Can Drive - Interfaith Service
Organized by the Hellenic Studies Program, the Council
on Middle East Studies, the Department of Religious
Studies, the Yale Divinity School, and the Ottoman
Studies Initiative with the support of the Order of
AHEPA, Yankee District #7 and New Haven Chapter
#98, The Hellenic Bar Association of Connecticut, and
Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Order of Saint
Andrew the Apostle.
Left - Right: Dr. Ellen Lust, Dr. Christine M. Philliou, Rev.
Dr. Stephen Davis and George Symiris
Archons of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate co-sponsor symposium,
“Christian Populations in the Middle
East Since the Arab Spring”
On April 25, Archon Districts 1 and 2 of New York
co-sponsored a symposium, titled Christian Populations
in the Middle East Since the Arab Spring, which was
held at Yale University. The panel discussion featured
three professors - Stephen Davis of Yale University,
Ellen Lust of Yale University and Christine M. Philliou
of Columbia University. The event was moderated and
principally organized by George Symiris, Associate Chair
of the Hellenic Studies Program at Yale University,
together with Archon Gregory Stamos.
Approximately 70 people participated in the event.
The panelists described the deteriorating conditions
for Christian populations in the Middle East, including
Egypt, Syria, and Turkey, since the revolutionary wave
of demonstrations and protests that came to be known
as the Arab Spring began in 2011.
A question-and-answer session followed the presentations
by each of the panelists, with much of the discussion
focusing on religious freedom issues in Turkey, especially
those affecting the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The event was co-sponsored with the Order of AHEPA,
the Hellenic Bar Association of Connecticut and several
Yale studies programs and departments.
Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive
Each year around the Thanksgiving holiday, students
of the Saint Barbara Sunday School program are asked
to bring in canned foods and other non-perishable
items to be distributed to local food pantries, who in
turn, distribute them to those families in need. The
local pantries are always in need of replenishment as
more families find themselves in need of assistance,
due to the continuing effect of the poor economy on
their lives. We thank everyone for their participation,
kindness and generosity.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
This year the Episcopal Church of the Good
Shepherd hosted the Interfaith Thanksgiving Day
Service of the Town of Orange on Sunday, November
23. The service was very well attended by members
from the communities of faith around Orange. This
beautiful service provided a wonderful opportunity
to gather in prayer and offer thanksgiving to God for
His many heavenly blessings.
Members from the following congregations, together
with their Clergy and Rabbis, took part in the
service - Holy Infant Roman Catholic Church; the
Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd; Orange
Congregational Church; Congregation Of Shalom;
Temple Emmanuel; and Saint Barbara Greek
Orthodox Church.
GOYA Day at Holiday Hill
On September 20, 2014 over three hundred GOYAns
and Advisors from parishes throughout New York and
Connecticut gathered in Prospect, CT to celebrate the
8th Annual GOYA Day at Holiday Hill. The event,
sponsored and subsidized by the Direct Archdiocesan
District, serves as the official kick-off event of the
GOYA Ecclesiastical Year and was a fun filled day of
fellowship.
The Holiday Hill experience began with a morning prayer
and introduction by Fr. Peter Orfanakos and Deacon
Panagiotis Papazafiropoulos, the D.A.D. Director
and Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and the day
continued with the GOYAns from twenty participating
parishes reacquainting themselves with each other and
rekindling friendships from Camp Saint Paul.
As the day continued the GOYAns participated in events
such as a hula-hoop contest, pie eating contest, limbo
contest, home run derby, 3 on 3 basketball tournament,
egg toss, rock-climbing, mini-golf, tennis, volleyball,
basketball, badminton, softball and soccer. They were
also able to relax by taking a canoe, paddleboat or
rowboat tour of the lake. Or they could take a simple
swim in one of the two heated swimming pools.
An event with all these activities requires a lot of energy
and there was plenty of food available for the teens to
refuel and continue enjoying the festivities, beginning
with a buffet that was available throughout the day,
offering a soup bar, salad bar, taco bar, burgers and fries.
Sprinkle in the cotton candy, fresh popped popcorn
and Good Humor ice cream and you have a recipe for
a delightful day. Mark your calendar from now – next
year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, September 19,
2015 – and join in on the fun!
Ground Breaking for Saint Nicholas Church at World Trade Center
presided at the Agiasmos service, the Sanctification of
Water and the blessing of the foundation for the new
church.
Family members of the victims of 9/11 carried vessels of
water from the two memorial pools, which now occupy the
footprints of the fallen twin towers. The Metropolitans
of the Holy Eparchial Synod, concelebrating the service,
received the water and poured it into the crystal fount
used for the sanctification of the water.
Ground Blessing for Saint Nicholas
Church at the World Trade Center:
A Place of Prayer, Peace, Hope and Love
More than 2,000 people gathered on October 18, 2014
at 130 Liberty Street, the new site for the Saint Nicholas
National Shrine at the World Trade Center, for the
historic event of the Blessing of the Ground and the
symbolic “laying of the cornerstone.”
The small and humble church of Saint Nicholas was the
only house of worship destroyed in the terrorist attacks
on September 11, 2001. The new Greek Orthodox Saint
Nicholas National Shrine Church, designed by worldrenowned Architect Santiago Calatrava, is expected to
begin construction this year and to be completed within
24 months.
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America
Following the Agiasmos and as a symbolic act of “laying
of the cornerstone” for the new church, two Cairns (a
memorial collection of stones) were built, with a total of
12 white marble stones each, layed down by donors and
benefactors, community and institutional representatives,
and public officials. Archbishop Demetrios blessed, with
sanctified water, the two Cairns which will eventually be
incorporated into the new church.
“What we establish today will be a house of prayer and
a place of peace; a place of hope and a place of love,”
said Archbishop Demetrios in his remarks following
the service. His Eminence recounted in brief, the long
road traveled in the last 13 years. He recognized the
contributions and efforts of many individuals and in
particular the “decisive action of Governor Andrew
Cuomo.”
Several officials delivered remarks. Former Governor
of New York, George Pataki, spoke of his resolute
commitment from the start to the rebuilding of Saint
Ground Breaking for Saint Nicholas Church at World Trade Center
Nicholas. Architect Santiago Calatrava said that in
his design for the new church edifice, his inspiration
came from Hagia Sophia, in Constantinople. Senator
Charles Schumer said that this day “is a testament to the
courage of our spirit.” Patrick Foye, Executive Director
of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,
spoke of the resolve of two men - the Archbishop
and the Governor, that led to this day of celebration.
Metropolitan Methodios of Boston read a letter from
His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The service concluded with a moment of silence
remembering the victims who perished in the tragic
attacks on 9/11. The Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir
chanted the service hymns and Georgia Linaris sang the
concluding patriotic song “God Bless America.”
Once rebuilt, the National Shrine, in addition to being a
fully functioning parish of the Archdiocese, will include
a 2nd floor non denominational bereavement center,
welcoming all those seeking comfort and prayer and a
place of solace.
Young Adult Conference
Discipline and distraction:
Maintaining Focus in our Daily Life
Saint Barbara Parish Hosts
Young Adults from throughout the Direct Archdiocesan
District gathered in Orange, Connecticut over the
Columbus Day weekend to participate in the 3rd Annual
Conference with the theme: Discipline and Distraction:
Maintaining Focus in our Daily Life.
The Conference presenters - Jonathan Resmini
and Paulette Poulos expanded on the theme of the
Conference beautifully challenging the participants to
remain diligent to their life’s journey of faith.
The Young Adults also took a bus tour of New Haven,
Connecticut and YALE University traveling to nearby
Lyman Orchards to pick fresh apples off the trees in
their expansive Orchard. Afterwards they all gathered
at the Saint Barbara Community Center for a wonderful
meal and a terrific dueling piano show. Participants
also prepared letters that were sent to members of the
U.S. Armed Forces serving our country throughout the
world.
Jonathan Resmini
Paulette Poulos
If you are interested to hear the presentations
offered at this year’s Young Adult Conference go to
the following links:
Jonathan Resmini - Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQeDqot5Xl4
Jonathan Resmini - Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WALfySwThFo
Rev. Peter Orfanakos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jVflRUTi3Q
Paulette Poulos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWZ00Gorkz8
Website Exclusive Edition of The Ministry
Look for the above information exclusively on the Saint Barbara website
(www.saintbarbara.org) This exclusive edition of The Ministry contains
information on the historic meetings that took place in 2014 between His All
Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and His Holiness Pope Francis.
Saint Barbara Parish Honors Father Steven and Presbytera Electra
SAINT BABRARA PARISH HONORS
FATHER STEVEN & PRESBYTERA ELECTRA
Celebrating Sixty Years!
On Sunday, September 21, the Saint Barbara Parish
gathered in the Community Center to honor Fr. Steven
and Presbytera Electra Sarigianis on the 60th Anniversary
of his Ordination to the Holy Priesthood. Dr. Maria
Diamantis, Parish Council President, welcomed the
capacity crowd by leading all in an exercise of linguistics;
describing Fr. Steven in one word adjectives.
The celebration hosted by the Parish Council, continued
with a lovingly prepared meal and was highlighted by
reflections by Jim and Steven Sarigianis, representing
Fr. Steven and Presbytera Electra’s Children and
Grandchildren.
A letter by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
was read, as well as a letter by Fr. Peter Karloutsos,
the President of the Clergy Syndesmos of the Direct
Archdiocesan District. After which, Fr. Peter offered
some beautiful remarks and introduced a touching video
tribute. As a show of appreciation from our community
it was announced that a special tree has been planted
honoring the ministry of Fr. Steven and Presbytera
Electra near the entrance to the Holy Trinity Chapel.
Then it was time for Fr. Steven to speak. He did not
disappoint! Fr. Steven colorfully and beautifully spoke
about his experiences as a parish priest with such
eloquence, honesty and humor that he had everyone
engaged on every word of his reflection.
A Son’s Reflection:
By: James Sarigianis
In life there are occasions when you have the blessing to
meet individuals who selflessly put the needs of others
first, truly living by the Golden Rule of life. Individuals
such as this shy away from any recognition feeling that
they are simply following God’s commandment of
“loving your neighbor” (Luke 10:27).
I have had the honor of intimately knowing such people
in my parents, Fr. Steven and Presbytera Electra. I have
watched them serve God in His vineyard my entire life
and feel truly blessed to call them my parents. Over the
years, through God’s Grace, they have brought comfort
to those in pain and celebrated with those entrusted
to their care in every parish they have served in the
Archdiocese.
They have always shied away from any type of public
recognition but as we so lovingly reminded them,
sometimes you have to provide an opportunity for
people to show their appreciation. For as much as you
(Mom and Dad) do not like public praise, it is necessary
for all of us, including both of you, to step back and
acknowledge in thanksgiving, the fact that you both have
gone far “above and beyond” with your service to all the
parishes you have served and continue to serve.
In reality, you have devoted your entire adult lives to
service in God’s Vineyard. You have made countless
sacrifices along the way. From Sts. Constantine and
Helen in Middletown Ohio, to St. Nicholas in Bethlehem
Pennsylvania, to Kimisis Tis Theotokou, in Poughkeepsie
New York, to St. George in Kingston New York, and
now to Saint Barbara here in Orange. In all of these
parishes you have exceeded all expectations and have
had such a profound and influential impact on all that
your spiritual presence in these parishes continues to live
to the present day.
At my age of 55, I think of retirement all too often.
But what does it mean for a priest and his presbytera to
retire? It’s just not the same as it is for most of us. There
is the struggle of how one handles the transition from
being the spiritual leader of church communities for
sixty years. How does one handle this adjustment? In
other words, how as a priest, do you adjust to becoming
a parishioner. And what will this be like?
has been frustrating. However, despite this, please know
that your mere presence among us is a blessing beyond
comprehension.
We thank you, your family, your friends, your parishioners,
for your example of true Christian virtues. May God
continue to bless both of you and grant you many years
in His service.
Α Ξ Ι Ο Ι !!!
A Pastor’s Reflection:
By: Rev. Peter Karloutsos
I am privileged to write this letter as President of the
Saint John Chrysostom Clergy Syndesmos of the
Direct Archdiocesan District of the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America. However, I am more fortunate
to write this letter as a co-worker in the Vineyard of our
Lord and as a thankful friend who has always respected
and treasured the example of your priestly ministry and
genuine love and concern for all of God’s people.
In my parents’ case, their move to the New Haven area
was certainly not planned years in advance. Instead, it
was but an idea they shared with each other in the car
on their way back home to New York State after visiting
us about three years ago. And so the move to Hamden.
And how have things actually evolved with their new
roles in parish life? Well, in a nutshell the Saint Barbara
parishioners have all graciously welcomed my parents
into your community with open arms and have made
them feel right at home. Indeed, the extended Sarigianis
family is forever grateful to Fr. Peter and his wonderful
parish of St. Barbara. Words cannot begin to express
what this means to us. Although it’s been only two years
since they arrived here, I think that you will all agree that
it seems longer, as they seemed to fit in right from the
start.
We all know that as we mature in age things slow down a
bit. In particular for you Dad, your difficulty in walking
Father Steve and Presbytera Electra, AXIOΣ-AXIOΣAXIOΣ!!!! Your example of sacrificial love and service
as the shepherd of the souls under your care have
inspired an atmosphere of reverence and prayerfulness,
of peace and love where Christ’s presence and action are
made manifest in the lives you have touched and graced
in your ministry.
You submitted to the will of our Father in heaven “in
tribulations, in needs, in distresses,” following Christ
through the narrow gate which leads to life. Your
compassion, patience and obedience to our Lord’s
calling remain a legacy of priestly ministry and the cost
of discipleship in a powerfully symbolic and tangible
way.
Father Steven, together with Presbytera Electra, you
have served the Church with faith, hope and love. And
your wisdom and knowledge of the Scriptures have
been a light for your flock in the Churches you have
served as they listened to your message of salvation in
the Lord. Also, your talent for telling interesting stories
and anecdotes always brings joy and laughter into our
hearts and lives.
Continued on the next page.
I am thankful to Father Peter Orfanakos and the faithful
parishioners of Saint Barbara Church for honoring
Father Steven and Presbytera Electra on the occasion
of the 60th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Sacred
Priesthood. As you honor Father Steven and Presbytera
Electra, may your faith and commitment to our Lord
continue to be an example of love and respect for
those who serve the Church. I offer my prayers for an
abundance of spiritual fruits in the vineyard which our
Lord’s right hand has planted in Orange, Connecticut
together with blessings and peace in each of your
households.
In Christian Agape,
Father Peter Karloutsos
President of the Saint John Chrysostom Clergy Syndesmos
Office of the Archbishop
Dear Reverend and Dear Father Peter, Members
of the Parish Council, and the Faithful of the
Church of Saint Barbara,
I greet you in the grace and peace of our Lord as
you gather today to give thanks to God for the
blessings Father Steven Sarigianis has bestowed
upon your loving community of Saint Barbara.
As Father reaches this sixty year milestone in his
priestly ministry, I join you in congratulating him
for the manner in which he has heeded to Christ’s
calling and has dedicated his life to Christ and His
Church. He has contributed through his example
and priestly ministry the reality that life can only
be given its genuine meaning when it is defined
as the course of a spiritual sojourn towards God.
We are therefore inspired by this singularity of
purpose and we thank him most of all for receiving
the mantle of the Holy Priesthood and serving it
with dignity and love.
View the special video presentation
offered in honor of
Fr. Steven and Elektra Sarigianis
on the Occasion of the
60th Anniversary to his Ordination
to the Holy Priesthood.
The lives of all in this parish have been enriched by
Father’s presence and love. In thanksgiving may we
pray that he, Presbytera Electra, and all members
of his family continue to be blessed with grace
and strength from above. May Father’s journey as
a good and faithful servant of the Lord continue
for many years as his life and witness continues to
bring God glory and honor.
With paternal love in Christ,
Visit the Saint Barbara You Tube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT0GOLGhslg
Letter From Patriarch Bartholomew in Honor of Fr. Steven and Fr, Joel
Saint Barbara Parish Honors Father Joel and Presbytera Sandra
SAINT BABRARA PARISH HONORS
FATHER JOEL & PRESBYTERA SANDRA
Fr. Joel and Presbytera Sandra
Honored for 45 Years of Service
On Sunday, October 19, the community of Saint Barbara
gathered to honor Fr. Joel and Presbytera Sandra
McEachean on the 45th Annivesary of his Ordination
to the Holy Priesthood. The Jubilee fittingly began with
the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on the Feast Day
of the Holy Prophet Joel.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Parish
gathered in the Community Center for a fitting feast.
Dr. Maria Diamantis offered a heartfelt welcome to
all gathered and congratulatory wishes to Fr. Joel and
Presbytera Sandra. Val Lott then offered a heartfelt
reflection that was followed by a special video tribute.
Father Joel finished the celebration by offering words
of thanks and appreciation to the entire Saint Barbara
Parish and those gathered in the packed Community
Center. A special tree has been planted honoring the
ministry of Fr. Joel and Presbytera Sandra near the
entrance to the Holy Trinity Chapel.
A Friend and Parishioner’s Reflection:
By: Valentina Lott
If my count is accurate, we had eight priests in the first
twenty-two years of my life at Holy Trinity Church
in Ansonia. We were a small community, the first
assignment for most of our priests, many of whom
attended Yale School of Divinity, before moving on
to larger communities throughout the Archdiocese. Fr.
Anthony Gergiannakis, who later went on to become
the Metropolitan of San Francisco, is the most notable
of these former pastors. Then, in October 1974, Fr. Joel,
Presbytera Sandra, and their three children - Elizabeth,
John and Christine - were assigned by the Archdiocese
to serve the Ansonia Parish. Little did we know that he
would remain with us for 35 years.
It was a good fit for both the McEachens and the Parish.
Holy Trinity’s size only warranted a part-time priest;
Fr. Joel had a full-time job in Information Technology
and was looking to serve a parish on a part-time basis.
All of our more recent priests had been priests with a
lay profession. With Fr. Joel though, we were blazing
new territory. He wasn’t Greek and he was a convert
to Orthodoxy. We had a typical mixed congregation of
immigrant, first and second generation Greek-Americans
with several Inter-faith marriages. There was no need
to worry. The Holy Trinity community welcomed the
McEachen family with open arms.
I recall Fr. Joel telling us about his first impression of
Orthodoxy. He accompanied an aunt who was Orthodox,
to a service and he received a flower from the priest. That
flower left its mark on him. Fr. Joel would go on to study
at Rutgers, serve in the US Navy, and then heed a calling
to attend St. Vladimir’s Russian Orthodox Seminary. It
was our good fortune that he decided to join the Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese and spend a year in Thessaloniki
honing his Greek language skills. His first assignment
was as an assistant Priest in the St. Nicholas parish in
Flushing, New York. He later assisted Fr. Constantine
Eliades and other priests in Bridgeport.
Many of you have heard me say that the Church is an
extension of my home and family. In part, it’s because
that’s how it was at our tiny church in Ansonia. It had
the feel of an extended family - in both joyous and in
sorrowful times. Fr. Joel arrived the year after Brad and
the Holy Land with Fr. Joel as our personal tour guide
got to experience it through his recounting of his many
trips, in his sermons. He brought context and a real
historical and archeological perspective to the Gospel
readings.
And so, it seemed appropriate that on the Feast Day of
the Prophet Joel that we as a community would honor Fr.
Joel and Presbytera Sandra for their 45 years of service
to our Lord. We thank Fr. Peter and the Saint Barbara
community for welcoming Fr. Joel as an assistant and
co-celebrant. Having him continue to be a part of our
lives made the merger and transition from Holy Trinity
Parish to the St. Barbara Parish that much easier. May
God grant both of you many years.
I were married. Fr. Joel celebrated Brad’s chrismation.
He baptized my daughter. He, along with Fr. Peter,
buried my mother. At her funeral he recalled having tea
at my mother’s house where, according to Fr. Joel, his
daughter Christine, was treated like a little princess. So
many memories:
• Parishioners would gather at various homes throughout
the year. The McEachens graciously hosted parishioners
many a time over the years at their home in Fairfield;
• We went to Duchess for french fries after Salutations
or Holy Week services;
• We had breakfast after church every Sunday at either
Vonetes, Duchess, Heav’nly Donut or Valley Diner;
• We celebrated the February Birthday Club - Sandra,
Bessie Demo, Irene Aliferis, Gus Laskos and I; and
• We still get together for pizza at Zoi’s occasionally.
With the arrival of Katherine, the McEachen clan was
complete. Katherine and my daughter Kristen, were
both six months apart, and grew up together in the Holy
Trinity family. Unlike my childhood with eight priests,
Fr. Joel was the only parish priest Kristen knew growing
up.
During Maria Diamantis’ adjectives exercise at last
month’s event honoring Fr. Steven and Presbytera Electra
I thought of adjectives that I would use to describe Fr.
Joel, they include academic, scholarly, intellectual and
articulate.
Those of us who were not fortunate enough to travel to
View the special video presentation offered
in honor of
Fr. Joel and Sandra McEachean
on the Occasion of the
45th Anniversary to his Ordination
to the Holy Priesthood.
Visit the Saint Barbara You Tube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdPCG8cKrtc
Office of the Archbishop
Dear Reverend and Dear Father Peter, Members
of the Parish Council, and the Faithful of the
Church of Saint Barbara,
I greet you in the grace and peace of our Lord and
Savior and wish upon you His bountiful blessings as
you honor the Reverend Father Joel McEachen on
this day of full morning and personal significance
for him, i.e., the Feast of Joel the Prophet. I wish
Father Chronia Polla and many happy returns of
the day.
I join all the faithful who offer their prayers of
thanksgiving for his supportive role in the vital
ministry of this community. It is the continuation
of a rich offering in service to the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America; an outpouring of God
given talent that has flowed from his love of God,
his trust in His promises, and his hope in the
healing power of grace and reconciliation.
I congratulate Father Joel for reaching this
milestone of forty-five years of fulfilling the great
dignity and responsibility of the holy priesthood.
I pray that God preserve Father and Presbtyera
Sandra, his children, and grandchildren for many
more years, enriching them with an abundance of
His heavenly blessings.
With paternal love in Christ,
Presbytera’s Paragraph
Presbytera’s Paragraph
By: Vangie Ellen Orfanakos
A written column of comfort for the weary soul. May these writings refresh your determination to grow in the knowledge of our Lord.
You Reached and Helped Me Touch a Rainbow VEO
A raindrop fell upon a window
appearing to be clear.
The drop was filled
with moisture
as if it were a tear.
But, the tear, we know is a blessing
that is given from above,
It is a gift to heal
and cleanse us
and to fill us with great love.
If you, were once the raindrop,
and I the window,
through which to peer
I’d look at you so differently
and see much more than clear.
For like the tear-shaped raindrop
that clings on the window pane,
You stuck with me,
and gave me strength
to strive, to try to gain.
So the tear that once was there
appearing as a drop,
First it seemed so clear
but now, we look and stop.
We stop to see tomorrow
wondering if they’ll be more rain,
We look for times ahead
to meet each other once again.
And now whenever I see you
I view much more than clear,
I see all colors of the rainbow
shining through
that beautiful tear.
For just as sunlight through water
allows a spectrum to glow,
You reached, and helped me touch a rainbow
as you have helped me grow.
Inspired by John-Peter I. Orfanakos, written by Vangie E. Orfanakos, 1996
GOYA Retreat at Camp Jewell
GOYA - Camp Jewell Retreat
Members of the Saint Barbara GOYA traveled to upstate
CT, during the weekend of October 17-19 to participate
in the annual Fall Retreat at Camp Jewell.
In addition to participating in team-building activities
and enjoying the beauty of Camp Jewell, the GOYAns
participated in a retreat focusing on the theme of
perseverance.
Using a film called “Little Red Wagon” as a guide the
theme of perseverance was discussed and examined
in a way that the teens could apply in their own
spiritual growth and journey. The film is based on the
inspiring true story of Zach Bonner’s philanthropic
work as founder of the Little Red Wagon Foundation.
Beginning with his volunteer work gathering food and
supplies for survivors in the aftermath of Hurricane
Charley’s carnage when he was just seven years old, the
film details his walks across the United States between
2007 and 2010 totaling 4,263 miles to draw attention to
the plight of homeless children.
“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the
destitute.”
Psalm 82:3
An Orthodox Theological Response to Poverty
An Orthodox Theological Response
to Poverty
By: Fr. William C. Mills
Poverty is certainly a devastating social problem here
in North America and throughout the world. We often
hear about starvation, famine, and homelessness on the
African continent especially in Sudan and Ethiopia as
well as in the cities and countryside of India, and in
the barrios in Central and South America. Many people
living in major cities simply cannot make a living with
their current income and are considered “working poor”
-- those who work but due to high levels of debt and
expensive housing costs simply cannot survive.
Poverty effects people from all walks of life and from all
social, cultural, religious, and racial backgrounds. Poverty
is not gender specific since there are equal amounts of
both men and women who are either homeless or barely
getting by. While numerous government programs
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on
earth, where moth and rust consume and
where thieves break in and steal, but lay up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust consumes and where
thieves do not break in and steal.”
Matthew 6:19-20
are available to help the impoverished, the need is so
much greater. As Orthodox Christians we cannot look
the other way and allow our fellow brothers and sisters
beg for food, clothing, and shelter. Thus, it is up to
our missions and parishes to assist those in need. Our
scripture readings, hymns, and rich theological tradition
emphasize the love of the neighbor. If we pay attention
to our own theological tradition, hopefully our eyes and
hearts will be open to the world around us.
A Scriptural Understanding of Love
According to the Scriptures, loving God is intimately
connected with loving the neighbor. The shortest
scriptural definition of God is found in 1 John 4, “God
is love.” Later in the same epistle we are told that God
loved us before we loved him and that if we say that
we love God and hate our brother we are a liar, “for
he who does not love his brother whom he has seen,
cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20).
The scriptures teach us that our love for the Lord is
intimately connected with the neighbor, which we see in
the parable of the Good Samaritan. When a Samaritan
traveler notices that there is a hurt man on the side of
the road he puts the man on his own beast, brings him
to a local inn, and pays for the room and whatever else
the hurt man needs. In other words, the Samaritan used
his own time, energy, effort, and money, in order to help
a fellow person in need.
However, God’s ultimate love for his people is seen in
Jesus’ death on the cross. Jesus’ death shows us that
laying down of ones life for another person is the most
perfect act of love. This crucified love is seen throughout
Jesus’ earthly life as he healed and restored people to
physical health and well-being, as he healed people from
demonic possession, and as he fed and nourished people
with the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Throughout
his ministry, Jesus welcomed the stranger, the poor, the
naked, and the outcast. Finally, before his death, Jesus
stooped down and washed the feet of his disciples telling
them that if they want to be a part of him that they
should go and wash one another’s feet. The humble act
of washing feet is a wonderful symbol to keep in front
of us if we want to fulfill our vocation as Christians.
Praying For the Poor
Many of our prayers refer to Jesus as the philanthropos
-- “lover of mankind” which is mentioned at least
six times during the Divine Liturgy. It is from the
Greek word philanthropos where we get the word
philanthropy. At the prayer of the First Antiphon we
hear the following petition, “O Lord our God, Thy
power is incomparable. Thy power is incomprehensible.
Thy mercy is immeasurable. Thy love for mankind is
inexpressible. Look down on us and on this holy house
with pity, O Master, and impart the riches of Thy mercy
and Thy compassion to us and to those who pray with
us.”
Each week when we gather for the weekly Divine Liturgy
we hear the same hymns and prayers which permeate
our minds and hearts, hopefully inspiring us to act upon
our faith. In other words, the prayers and hymns should
ignite a fire in so that we can live out our faith in the
world, serving and loving our neighbor. It also needs to
be said that even the Divine Liturgy itself is a supreme
example for the love of the poor as we offer the gifts
of bread and wine for the entire world as we hear in the
Liturgy, “Thine own of thy own, we offer unto Thee in
behalf of all and for all.”
the Great who in the third century established Church
sponsored hospitals and mental institutions; St. John the
Almsgiver who was one of the most charitable Patriarchs
in Byzantium, Joseph of Volokhlamsk who emphasized
Not only are we reminded about serving the poor but
the Church sets aside an entire festal season of Great
Lent which reminds us about our command to go out
and wash one another’s feet. However, if we fail to serve
the poor and needy we are reminded to do so during
the services that lead up to the season of Great Lent.
Great Lent is a forty day period where we focus on
repentance and care for the neighbor. We hear about
prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and engaging in acts of
charity. These areas instill a sense of repentance as we
make our journey through Great Lent:
Consider well, my soul; dost thou fast? Then despise not
thy neighbor. Dost thou abstain from food? Condemn
not thy brother. Come, let us cleanse ourselves by
almsgiving and acts of mercy to the poor, Not sounding
a trumpet or making show of our charity Let not our
left hand know what our right hand is doing Let not
vainglory scatter the fruit of our almsgiving But in secret
let us call on Him that knows all secrets Father, forgive
our trespasses, for Thou lovest mankind.
Similar hymns are found throughout the season of
Great Lent and especially during Holy Week as the great
philanthropos, Jesus himself, gives his entire life for the
life of the world and its salvation, who pays the ultimate
price for us on the wood of the cross.
Personal Witnesses to Poverty
The Church is clear in its teaching. We are commanded
to love and serve the poor, the hungry, care for the sick
and suffering, because we are given the model to do this
in the personal example of Jesus Christ. If Jesus is the
great philanthropos, we too are called to do the same.
In addition to the scriptures and the liturgical hymns
and seasons we are given persons of faith who are well
known for their love for the poor; St. Nicholas of MyraLycia who distributed money to those in need, St Basil
“Do not let pass any opportunity to pray for
anyone, either at his request or at the request
of his relatives, friends, of those who esteem
him, or of his acquaintances. The Lord looks
favorably upon the prayer of our love, and
upon our boldness before him. Besides this,
prayer for others is very beneficial to the one
himself who prays for others; it purifies the
heart, strengthens faith and hope in God, and
enkindles our love for God and our neighbor.
When praying, say thus: ‘Lord, it is possible
for Thee to do this or that to this servant of
Thine; do this for him, for Thy name is the
Merciful Love of Men and the Almighty.’”
+ St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ
the ancient monastic tradition of hospitality and care
for the poor; Elizabeth Feodorovna, a relative of Tsar
Nicholas II, who when her husband Prince Sergius
was killed, entered into monastic life and established
hospitals for the poor and destitute in Russia.
love with the world. There are numerous resources for
personal and group Bible study available on the internet
as well as in parish bookstores.
Other holy men and women such as Paul Evdokimov
and the newly canonized saint, Mother Maria Skobtsova,
served soup kitchens and established houses of
hospitality in World War II France. Each of these people
who in their own personal and unique circumstances
managed to devote their time, talents, treasure, and
energy to serving the poor and the destitute. Some of
these persons of faith are officially recognized as saints
while others are not. Yet each person in their own unique
calling serve as examples of caring for those who are
less fortunate.
Missions and parishes are challenged to reach out and
adopt one of the many poverty problems in their towns
or cities such as collecting food for a local food bank,
assist at a local homeless shelter, orphanage, or substance
abuse facility. Action is required if we are serious about
our faith.
Towards a Solution
Clearly, poverty is a social problem that will not go away.
While the war on poverty looms large, we have many
opportunities to better assist those in need. Orthodox
Christianity has a rich theological tradition that shows us
very clearly that our vocation is one of service and love.
Our job is to go out and actually do something! Below
I offer several points that may focus our attention on
how we as Orthodox Christians in North America focus
our collective attention on poverty. These are not “quick
fixes” to a very complex social and cultural problem,
but they are beginning points in a life-long battle with
poverty.
Take action.
Remember the poor.
It is common for parishes and missions to get involved
in outreach programs and then forget about them.
Congregations need to be constantly reminded about
their vocation to serve the poor and needy. These are
just four of the many ways in which we as Orthodox
Christians can assist our brothers and sisters in our
towns and cities. We will not solve the poverty problem
overnight, but if we at least take our rich theological and
liturgical heritage seriously, we will all be better served if
we begin to reach out and serve those around us.
Fr. William C. Mills, Ph.D., is the rector of the Nativity of
the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church in Charlotte, NC, as well
as an adjunct professor of religious studies at Queens University
in Charlotte, NC. He is married to Taisia Mills and has two
daugthers, Hannah and Emma.
Listen to the prayers and hymns. Our rich liturgical
heritage provides us with many examples of assisting
the poor and needy. Hopefully priests can focus the
congregations’ attention on a particular prayer, hymn,
scripture lesson, or festal season that specifically
addresses the world around us. Seasons such as Great
Lent provide us with many inspiring examples for
assisting with serving the poor.
Daily Scripture reading. If we are reading and praying
the Scriptures daily we will be constantly mindful of
our common vocation to serving and loving others.
The Scriptures, together with the prayers of the Church
provide us with a “school of theology” which in its basic
teaching reveals God’s love for us. In turn, we share this
Camp Saint Paul 2015
Direct Archdiocesan District
Camp Saint Paul 2015
Sleep-Over Summer Camp of the Direct Archdiocesan District
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
June 29 - July 5
July 6 - July 12
July 13 - July 19
July 20 - July 26
Registration Opens March 3, 2015
For more information visit www.campsaintpaul.org
Parishioner News
PARISHIONER NEWS
Saint Barbara Parishioners Re-Elected
Congratulations to Saint Barbara Parishioners Themis
Klarides and Beverly Streit-Kefalas on their recent reelections. May God continue to bless their service.
Themis Klarides (R)
State Rep. Themis Klarides was recently elected to
her ninth term in the Connecticut General Assembly
representing the 114th District, which includes the
towns of Woodbridge, Orange and Derby since 1998.
She serves on the legislature’s Appropriations, Judiciary,
Legislative Management, Screening and Public Health
Committees and was formerly the Ranking Member of
the Insurance and Real Estate Committee.
She has served as Deputy Leader of the Republican
Caucus under outgoing Leader Larry Cafero since 2007.
On November 6, Themis was chosen by unanimous
acclaim by her House colleagues, as caucus leader. She
is the first woman named to lead the Republicans in the
State of Connecticut.
Beverly Streit-Kefalas (D)
Judge Beverly Streit-Kefalas was recently elected to a
new term as the Probate Judge for the Milford-Orange
Probate Court. She is an attorney with over twenty
years’ experience and has served as judge of probate for
sixteen years, using her legal and judicial experience to
continue to serve the families in Milford and Orange in
times of need.
The Chief Probate Judge of Connecticut also
recognized Judge Beverly’s leadership and expertise by
appointing her as the Administrative Judge responsible
to implement the regional children’s courts in Meriden
and in New London in addition to her responsibilities
presiding over the original Regional Children’s Probate
Court in New Haven.
Two years ago she was chosen unanimously by her
fellow judges, to serve as the President of the statewide
probate judges assembly, the Connecticut Probate
Assembly, having served for many years beforehand
as an elected officer, chair and member of many of its
judicial committees; and to effectuate positive changes
to the probate system across the state.
Sylvia Antonellis Wins Award
Sylvia Antonellis was one of seventeen University of
New Haven students honored by the Connecticut
Geographic Alliance for winning the second annual
Newspapers in Education Geography Connections
Contest. The ‘Geography Connections’ program
with the Hartford Courant is an annual feature of the
Newspapers in Education program. The series of
global articles introduces students to the globe through
interactive and interesting readings about cities and
countries around the world.
Saint
Barbara
Scholarship Applications
Now available on-line www.saintbarbara.org
For more information regarding the available scholarships visit:
http://saintbarbara.org/our_parish/saint_barbara_ scholarships
Mustard Seed Faith Group For Adults
MUSTARD SEED FAITH GROUP
FOR ADULTS
Getting My First Hug
On September 24, 2014, the first meeting of the Mustard
Seed Faith Group was held in the Social Hall at Saint
Barbara. The gathering of about 80 parishioners and
friends heard from author and parishioner Steven Yates
speak about his first book,
“Getting My First Hug”.
Steven spoke about his
retirement from engineering
and his inspiration to write
a book about his son’s
struggles with, and triumph
over, autism. He related an
anecdote about his son’s first
experience as an altar boy at
Saint Barbara and then gave a brief reading from the
book about a youth league basketball game that brought
a tear to the eyes of a few of the attendees, including
Steven.
Then, followed a spirited question and answer session
about the nature of autism, its treatment options and
the role that faith plays in dealing with differences in all
people. Steven was happy to sign books for the many
who purchased copies that night. Additional copies are
available in the Saint Barbara Bookstore as well as online
at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. All profits from
the book will go to either Saint Barbara or to an autismrelated charity.
To view a video created by Steven’s son called:
Odyssey 2014: A Video Journey
Go to the Saint Barbara You Tube Channel
at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NULA7vGbVnE
Extraordinary Hearts
On October 15, 2014, Dr. John Eleftheriades
presented a fascinating lecture on his remarkable book,
“Extraordinary Hearts”. Dr. Eleftheriades, a Saint
Barbara parishioner, is one of the most respected cardiac
surgeons in America, having
treated more than 10,000
patients. He shared several
case studies of patients
who faced life threatening
conditions and displayed
moving strength of character
and will to live.
The Mustard Seed Faith
Group was spellbound as Dr.
Eleftheriades mixed easy-tounderstand medical tidbits with stories of celebrities,
“common folk” and his own life and career. From stories
of the treatment of jazz great Dave Brubeck to NFL
referee Bill Vinovich, Dr. Eleftheriades’ book speaks
from a unique perspective about the “emotional heart”
and the cardiac muscle that keeps us all alive.
There was no shortage of questions after the doctor’s
talk. It is not often an audience gets to engage a
world-renowned surgeon with medical questions.
Dr. Eleftheriades answered each question in an
understandable and compassionate way. He also signed
copies of his book for the many parishioners who bought
one that night. Additional copies of “Extraordinary
Hearts” are available in the Saint Barbara Bookstore as
well as online at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
Mustard Seed Faith Group For Adults
Preparing Good Soil
Dialogue on the Nativity of Christ
On November 19, 2014, Father Peter presided over
another lively meeting of the Mustard Seed Faith
Group. This time the group viewed the 2009 film “The
Secrets of Jonathan Sperry”.
Periodically, Father Peter
paused the movie to ask the
group about the characters as
they were introduced. Lists
were made of adjectives that
described each character.
On December 10, 2014, Father Peter moderated a
timely discussion of the Orthodox Christian perspective
on the Nativity of Jesus Christ. This time of year is
filled with secular ideas
about Christmas and the
For Adults “religious” ideas put forth
are often not consistent with
the beliefs of the Orthodox
Christian church.
Join us for a THOUGHTFUL
As the story unfolded, and the
Christ-centered message of
the title character impacted
the other characters, the
adjectives being applied to them changed. Mr. Sperry
showed first one boy and then several others the value
of using the Bible and prayer to reach out to God. Even
a bully was touched by the faith-based process of self
examination, repentance, forgiveness and, ultimately
change. The film was refreshing in its unabashed
Christian, although not necessarily Orthodox, message
of salvation through belief, repentance and love of our
fellow man.
Father Peter shared a few remarks at the end of the
film about the various ways of approaching reading
the Bible. He explained how the Orthodox Study Bible
with its notes from the Church Fathers can shed light
on and make more understandable, many challenging
passages. The Orthodox Study Bible is available in the
Saint Barbara Bookstore.
Saint Barbara
480 racebrok
road - orange, ct
in depth dialogue
on the
feast of the nativity of Christ
Father Peter presented and
interpreted a number of
the beautiful hymns and
Bible verses centered on the
Coming of Christ. Beginning
with the Isaiah’s prophesy of the Coming of John the
Baptist and, later, Christ Himself, the group discussed
the connections between the fall of man in the Garden
of Eden to the restoration of Man’s relationship with
God through the Incarnation of Jesus.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 7:00 p.m.
Join us for the next gathering of the Mustard
Seed Faith Group for Adults on Wednesday,
December 10th as Father Peter leads a thoughtful
and interactive discussion on the Feast of the
Nativity of Christ.
Gain a deeper understanding of the Nativity
Fast, the Prophecies concerning the Birth of
the Messiah, and the Theological Significance
of Christmas.
The Mustard Seed Faith Group for Adults is open to all adults Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike and is a ministry of Saint Barbara
480 Racebrook Road - Orange, Connecticut
06477 -Church
Greek Orthodox
in Orange, Connecticut.
Of course, such a discussion would not be complete
without considering the person of the Theotokos. Father
Peter explained that much of what we know about Saints
Joachim and Anna, the parents of Mary, comes from the
Gospel According to Saint James, which is not included
in the Bible. Mary’s life story and her special, spiritual
nature were explained as a segue to the Nativity of her
son, Our Lord.
Simply go to the church web site and click under
the Multimedia Tab and go to the link for the Saint
Barbara You Tube Channel or simply use one of the
following links:
Father Peter explained the various images present in
the Icon of the Nativity that is located in our beautiful
sanctuary. It is interesting to think how many times
we have all seen this beautiful icon without fully
understanding all of its imagery. Finally, scenes from the
2006 theatrical release “The Nativity” were played which
depicted the birth of Christ. Although some aspects of
the production did not reflect the Orthodox perspective,
it was nonetheless moving.
Steven Yates Talk: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=XK76E0U1kjg
The evening put all in attendance into a truer Christmas
spirit.
Want to hear one of the sessions that you missed?
Dr. John Eleftheriades Talk: https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=H_KBZyUDbYE
Parish News
Parish Council Elections
Elections for the Parish Council took place on December
14, 2014 for the 2015-2017 term. Congratulations to
the following individuals for their election to the Parish
Council – Cynthia Anasson, George Antonellis, Maria
Diamantis, John Kaiser, Theodore Nicolakis, Paul
Redding and Michael Wachter.
Many thanks and congratulations to the following
outgoing Parish Council members, for their tireless
dedication to our faith and the life of our parish – Nota
Koutroumanis, George Scarveles and Constantina
Karageorge. Without volunteers like you the progression
of our community would not have flourished as it has.
We look forward to others being inspired by all who
serve on the Parish Council and various committees and
organizations of the Church.
Golden Years Christmas Party
The Saint Barbara Community Center was filled with the
sounds of Christmas as members of the Golden Years
Club gathered for the annual Christmas Party. Members
came from near and far to enjoy a wonderfully prepared
meal together and enjoy each other’s fellowship. The
annual event is a highlight for all! Many thanks to
Nelson and Carole Nicholson for their generosity in
sponsoring the party and to all the volunteer chefs for
their assistance in preparing the meal.
GOYA Christmas Caroling
It’s a tradition that began in 1982 and has continued
for 34 years. The GOYA gathers together and their
advisors and/or parents carpool them from one
house to another to spread Christmas cheer to our
parishioners. The GOYAns enjoy the camaraderie and
joy of sharing Christmas carols at each house, business
and nursing home they visit. The GOYAns end their
night in fellowship. Many thanks to the families who
host the GOYA carolers and assist the GOYAns with
their fundraising to support future outreach projects.
Correction
The names of Nelson and Carole Nicholson were
inadvertently left off the Saint Barbara Parish Christmas
Card. We apologize for the oversight and thank them
as well as all those who participated in our community’s
annual Christmas Card.
Vasilopita Sunday
On Sunday, January 4, the Saint Barbara Community
Center was filled with parishioners celebrating the
coming of the New Year and the cutting of the parish
vasilopita. The luncheon was hosted and prepared by
the Saint Barbara GOYA and featured baked pork loin,
garlic mashed potatoes, homemade applesauce and
green beans.
In addition to being festively decorated, each table had
a homemade Vasilopita at its center. After the meal was
served, Fr. Peter gave instructions as each table cut a
Vasilopita, sharing the pieces with their family and
friends who were sitting with them. Many thanks to
GOYA Adisor Michele Papaddimitriou, who served as
the Executive Chef, and to the GOYAns, their advisors
and parents for a job very well done!
Saint Barbara Feast Day Celebration
In honor of the Feast Day of Saint Barbara our parish
celebrated a Great Vespers Service and a Divine Liturgy,
honoring our Church’s Patron Saint, Saint Barbara.
Various area priests arrived to lead us in prayer as the
congregation offered hymns of praise and thanksgiving
to Christ for Saint Barbara and her example.
His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, the Chancellor
of the Archdiocese, led the celebration of the Great
Vespers and Deacon Panagiotis Papazafiropoulos, the
D.A.D. Youth and Young Adult Director, offered an
eloquent and inspiring sermon. A reception offered
by the Saint Barbara Philoptochos followed the
Vespers service. A wonderful luncheon followed the
Divine Liturgy. Many thanks to all for their prayerful
participation.
Saint Barbara Dinner Dance
The Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend was bountiful in
many ways. It was filled with blessings and abundance
of faith, family and fellowship as a large gathering of
Saint Barbara parishioners celebrated together at the
annual Saint Barbara Dinner Dance. The Menu featured
hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, three choices of entrées
and a delectable dessert.
The band, a gathering of musicians from New York and
Connecticut, filled the hall with incredible music that
couldn’t help but keep the dance floor full of celebrating
parishioners.
Saint Barbara Stewardship List 2014
STEWARDSHIP 2014
As of December 31, 2014 we have received 780 Stewardship
Pledge Cards. These 780 stewards pledged a total of $358,622
towards our 2014 goal of $360,000.
Thank you to those who have made and completed their
stewardship pledge for 2014. If you have not done so to date,
please call the Church Office, send in your Stewardship donation
or simply fill out the stewardship form on-line at parish web site.
Remember to give dedicated and sacrificial attention to your
Stewardship donation, keeping an eye toward helping your church
reach its Stewardship goal.
In preparation for the great opportunities that lie ahead in the
life of this community, the Stewardship Committee is asking
everyone to continue that trend and pitch in by increasing your
pledge from last year at least 10% or $50, whichever is greater.
As always, we are grateful for your love and support of our parish.
If there are any omissions or errors in the list below, we ask that
you please call the office and speak to our secretary. Thank you
for your continued support.
Agapiou, John
Agapiou, Bessie
Albanis, Michael
Albanis, Anna
Aldi, Antonio and Kostoula
Alessio, Anthony
Alessio, Pamela
Alexiades, Alex
Alexiades, Alexandra
Alexiades, Elias
Alfaro, Jennifer & Gino
Aligizakis, Nicholas and Chelsy
Amigdalos, Steven and Erika
Amoratis, Antonios
Amoratis, Vasiliki
Amoratis, Iakovos
Anasson, Cynthia
Anastasion, Damon
Anastasion, Jodi
Anastasion, George
Anastasion, Nita
Anastasion, Peter
Anastasion, Maria
Anastasion, Theona
Anastasiou, Evelyn
Anastasiou, Gregory
Anastasopoulos, Anastasios
Anastasopoulos, Maria
Anderson, Peter
Anderson, Lorraine
Andreotis, Ellen
Andrews, Gary & Melanie
Andriotis, Christina
Andriotis-Pampoukidis, Sophia
Angeletti, Joseph and Calliope
Angelopoulos, Athanasios
Angelopoulos, Maryann
Angelopoulos, Georgia
Anthis, Irene
Anthis, Nikolaos
Anton, Vasiliki
Antonakis, Anthony and Anna
Antonakis, Dina
Antonakis, John and Jennifer
Antonellis, Theodore
Antonellis, George
Antonellis, Donna
Antonellis, Diamanto
Antoniou, Kostas
Antoniou, Toula
Aportria, Catherine
Apotria, Cleo
Arabolos, Peter and Adeline
Arabolos, John
Armetta, Philip and Antonia
Arnaoutis, George and Kelly
Arndt, Marcia
Aspras, Michael and Sandra
Athanasiadis, Kostas
Athanasiadis, Noula
Athenson, John and Mary Jane
Auth, Matthew and Tara
Badas, Anastasios
Badas, Effie
Baklas, Steven
Baklas, Debbie
Bakousis, Dennis
Bakousis, Despoina
Baledes, Theodore and Carol
Ballas, Lisa
Ballas, James
Ballas, James and Demetra
Ballas, Paul
Ballas, Mary
Barakis, Florence
Barry, Keith
Basel, Edward
Basel, Lillian
Basel, Claudia
Basel, Louis
Bass, Helen
Belales, Theodore
Belales, Angela
Benas, James
Benas, Marina
Benas, Nicole
Benas, Christopher
Benham, John and Elizabeth
Berner, Shaun
Berner-Valaouras, Constantina
Biela, Lauren
Bielesz, Arkadiusz and Elizabeth
Bitzarakis, Mary
Bitzonis, James
Bitzonis, Kirsten
Bizanis, Zoe
Bondi, Dustin
Bondi, Kathy
Borelli, Andrew and Cornelia
Borelli, Andrew and Mary
Borelli, Laura
Bratsenis, Margaret
Bubaris, James
Burr, Kevin
Burr, Chrisanne
Buzelle, Bruce
Buzelle, Avenya
Caloutas, Dean
Cambras, William and Elizabeth
Cambras, Jonathan
Canevari, Daniel
Canevari, Petrina
Cascio, David & Renee
Chagares, Conella
Chagares, Constantine
Chagares, Helen
Chagares, Dorothea
Chaltas, Basil
Chaltas, Efthalia
Chekas, Pauline
Chomiak, Robert
Chomiak, Nicole
Chow, James
Chow, Theodora
Coclin, Alexis
Coclin, Anastacia
Coclin, Ellen
Constantinidi, Aquiles
Constantinidi, Mary
Contaxis, William
Contaxis, Joanne
Contopoulos, George
Contopoulos, Joanne
Corradino, Joseph and Melissa
Cosmas, Emanuel
Cowper-Rambus, Carolyn
Cox, Edwin
Cox, Sharon
Crescenti, Pauline
Cristiano, Robert and Larissa
Dabakis, L. Gregory
Dabakis, Cathy
Dakis, Mary
Dalakas, Paul
Dalakas, Estell
Daniel, Dorothy
Daniel, Jeannie
Daoutis, Evdoxia
Daoutis, John and Mary
Daskalakis, Elias
Daskalakis, Sophie
Daskalon, Gregg and Catherine
DeBassio, Bessie
Delcos, William & Marianne
Delos, Tony and Stacy
DelPercio, Fred & Renee
Demetropoulos, Peter
Demetropoulos, Julie
Diakogeorgiou, Vasili
Diakogeorgiou, Eleni
Diamantes, Fred
Diamantes, Antigoni
Diamantis, Ilias
Diamantis, Maria
Diamantis, Vasilios
Diamantis, Keira
Diamantis, Panagiotis
Diamantis, Sophia
DiBianco, Angela
DiGrazia, Al & Christine
Dimas, Denise
DiMeola, Joanne
Dolan, Kevin & Persefone
Drago, Dan & Monica
Drakonakis, Kostis and Joy
Drakonakis, Andreas
Drakonakis, Jane
Drenkhahn, Peter
Drenkhahn, Theodora
Efthymiou, Pantelis
Efthymiou, Renee
Ehrhardt, Mark and Maria
Elefteriades, John
Elefteriades, Peggy
Eliopoulos, Paris
Eliopoulos, Virginia
Eliopoulos, Konstantinos
Eliopoulos, Dimitrios
Ellis, Peter
Ellis, Patricia
Emmanouil, Stylianos
Emmanouil, Kaliope
Emmanouil, Rhoda
Esares, Eugene
Esares, Sharon
Esposito, Charles & Despina
Esposito, David
Esposito, Susanna
Faraclas, Paul
Faraclas, Jacqueline
Faraclas, Helen
Faraclas, Anne
Feliciano, Donald
Feliciano, Larisa
Ferraro, Sophia
Fifis, Augoustis
Fifis, Maria
Fifis, Demetrios
Fifis, Evangelia
Fusco, Nicole
Galanakis, Despina
Galanakis, Maria
Ganacoplos, Pamela
Ganim, Christopher & Anastasia
Gekas, Peter
Gekas, Anna
Genetos, Clara
Genetos, Claire
Genetzakis, Thomas and Carla
Gerakelis, Gregory
Gerakelis, Efstratia
Gerakelis, Haralambos
Geremia, Pandora
Giambanis, George
Giambanis, Maria
Giannopoulos, Efthymia
Giannopoulos, Nikolaos
Giannopoulos, Denise
Giatrelis, Dorothea
Ginieres, Alexandra
Ginolfi, Stephen and Sarah
Ginolfi, Christopher
Golub, Stephanie
Goodrich, James
Goodrich, Anastasia
Gorecki, Edward and Betsy
Gotsis, Andreas
Gotsis, Dionisia
Goulopoulos, Alexander and Joan
Goumas, Lucy
Goumas, Elaine
Grigoriadis, Eleni
Grimaldi, James and Stacey
Groumousas, Vasilios
Groumousas, Julia
Groumousas, Dimitrios
Groumousas, Renie
Groumousas, Nontas
Groumousas, Dinah
Guartazaca, Michael and Irene
Guiliotis, George
Guiliotis, Dorothy
Gust, Christopher
Gust, Maria
Hadjimichael, Evangelos
Hadjimichael, Olympia
Hadjimichael, Christos
Hadjimichael, Jane
Hajedemos, Harry
Hajedemos, Jane
Halepas, Peter
Halepas, Mara
Halepas, Stephanie
Haritos, Steve & Jane
Hartoumbekis, Elias & Rebecca
Haskos, Nicholas
Haskos, Angeliki
Haskos, Nicholas
Haskos, Lizabeth
Haskos, John N.
Haskos, Koula
Haskos, Helen
Hathaway, Wendy
Hatzigiannis, Theodore
Hatzigiannis, Mary
Hatzigiannis-Gakidis, Georgia
Heerdt, John and Lisa
Heffernan, William and Evelyn
Herbert, Anastacia
Hionis, Nikolaos and Margaret
Hoffman, Robyn
Hojnowski, Mark
Hojnowski, Eleni
Hojnowski, Stephen
Hoxsie, Frederick and Barbara
Hrampanis, Gregory
Hrampanis, Maria
Hubbard, Thomas and Stephanie
Ikonomou, Mihail
Ikonomou, Helen
Ikonomou, Chris
Ikonomou, Chrissy
Iosifidis, Panagiotis
Iosifidis, Elisabeth
Jenetopulos, Theo and Eileen
Johnson, Scott & Andreanne
Johnson, Stuart and Elaine
Kachoulas, Kostas
Kachoulas, Karen
Kaiser, John
Kaiser, Jamie
Kakaletris, Ioanna
Kakalow, James
Kallivrousis, Dimitri
Kalomiris, Daphne
Kambas, William
Kambas, Ariadne
Kanakis, Tasos
Kanakis, Cathy
Kanakis, Nektarios
Kanakis, Nomiki
Kaoud, Abe
Kaoud, Aida
Kaoud, Charlie & Natalie
Kaoud, Maurice & Kathy
Kaouris, George
Kaouris, Vasilia
Kapernaros, Stelios
Kapernaros, Kay
Kapetaneas, Gregory
Kapetaneas, Georgette
Karageorge, Constantina
Karakolidis, Angelo
Karakolidis, Maria
Karatzas, Dino
Karatzas, Robin
Kariofyllis, Stavroula
Karipidis, George
Karipidis, Maria
Karistinos, Sophia
Katechis, Irene
Katevatis, Manos
Katramados, Aphrodite
Kattis, George
Kattis, Anastasia
Kattis, Nicholas
Kattis, Sophia
Kavathas, Paula
Kefalas, Nicholas
Kefalas, Beverly
Kerames, Daniel
Kerames, Dennis
Kerames, Karen
Kerantzas, Elizabeth
Kikis, Sabatino
Kikis, Virginia
Kitsos, Evangeline
Klarides, Themis
Kokenos, John
Kokenos, Rodanna
Komninakas, Ignatius
Komninakas, Christina
Komninakas, Meni
Koniditsiotis, George
Koniditsiotis, Sotiria
Konstantino, Nicholas
Korosiotis, Nikolaos
Korosiotis, Stavroula
Korosiotis, Haralambos
Korosiotis, Sotirios
Korosiotis, Fotini
Kostas, Demetrios and Heather
Kostas, Konstantine
Kostas, Valentina
Koukos, Marietta
Kourounis, Kay
Koutroulas, Pericles
Koutroumanis, George
Koutroumanis, Panagiota
Koutroumanis, Anthony
Koutroumanis, Maria
Kovlakas, Anastasios
Kovlakas, Kara
Kovlakas, Paul
Kovlakas, Lisa
Kral, Harriet
Krauss, Jason
Krauss, Evangelia
Krist, Vede
Kubicki, Stephen and Jessica
Kyriakides, Tassos and Kristen
Kyrtopoulos, William and Diane
Laggis, Nicholas
Lampadarios, John
Langner, Thomas
Langner, Maria
Lapatas, Panagiotis
Laskos, Peter and Jeanet
Laudano, Jason and Tanya
Lawrence, Joshua and Andrea
Lefkimiatis, Adoni & Cara
Liapakis, Michael
Liapakis, Ann Marie
Liberopoulos, George and Noreen
Light, John and Elissa
Lillios, Niko
Limanni, Thomas and Chryssanthe
Liontas, Arestoteles
Liontas, Vasilios
Liontas, Polyxeni
Liopiros, Anthony
Lolis, Elias
Lolis, Elpida
Loo, Steven and Stephanie
Lord, Fredric and Cynthia
Losh, Michael and Peggy
Losh, Michael and Victoria
Loskant, Robert
Loskant, Patricia
Lott, Bradford
Lott, Valentine
Lott, Kristen
Loucopoulos, John
Loucopoulos, Fotini
Loukakes, James and Halina
Loukides, Terry
Loussides, Nick
Loussides, Hariklea
Loussides, George N.
Loussides, Angeliki
Lundquist, Erik and Melissa
Maccone, Theodora
Madigosky, Ioanna
Magoulas, Spiro
Magoulas, Anastasia
Maniatis, Konstantinos
Maniatis, Anastasia
Maniatis, Theodore
Maniatis, Eleftheria
Maniatis, Peter
Maniatis, Zoi
Maniatty, Linda
Marathas, Catherine
Marathas, Alexander
Marchitto, Patric
Marchitto, Georgia
Margoles, Constance
Marnerakis, Anthony
Marnerakis, Maria
Marnerakis, Anastasios and Francesca
Mase, Tony & Maria
Mastromanolis, George
Mastromanolis, Foula
Matarese, Matthew and Stephanie
Mattie, Mary
Mavrides, William
Mavromatis, Nicholas
McCaffrey, Kevin & Dianna
McEachen, Rev. Joel
McEachen, Presbytera Sandra
McGrath, Harold and Evelyn
Medina, Brian and Maria
Meehan, Anne
Melanidis, Konstantinos
Melanidis, Helen
Melanidis, Peter
Melanidis, Sofia
Menegatos, Spyros
Menegatos, Maria
Messore, Sophia
Messore, John & Jennifer
Michaelides, Elias and Stephanie
Mihalakos, Joanna
Milani, Gino and Christine
Milas, Nicolaos
Milas, Irene
Milas, Kostantinos
Mitchell, Victor and Penelope
Mitchell, Mary
Modlin, Maria
Monaco, Ralph and Melba
Moran, Brian & Stacy
Moriatis, Constantine
Moriatis, Eugenia
Moriatis, Maria
Moriatis, George
Morris, John
Morris, Linda
Morris, Diana
Morris, Philip
Morris, Mary
Morris, William
Morris, Joy
Mosca, Frank and Olga
Mountzouris, Evans
Mountzouris, Christina
Mouratidis, Gregory
Mouratidis, Elizabeth
Mulhall, Andrea and Chris
Myzithras, George
Myzithras, Kathy
Namnoum, Ken & Anna
Necklas, Barbara
Necklas, Georgia
Necklas, Socrates & Elaine
Necklas, Joanne
Necklas, Michael and Antoinette
Nichols, Mathew and Dani
Nicholson, Nelson
Nicholson, Carole
Nicolakis, Theodore
Nicolakis, Clio
Oliveras, Elizabeth
Orfanakos, Rev. Peter
Orfanakos, Presbytera Vangie
Orfanakos, John-Peter
Outhouse, David
Outhouse, Catherine
Overbye, Michael
Overbye, Jeannie
Pacholyk, Steven
Pacholyk, Katherine
Palavra, John
Palavra, Penny
Pallas, Jason
Pallas, Eleni
Panagiotakis, Antonios
Panagiotakis, Annalisa
Pandajis, Timothy
Pandajis, Gregory
Pandajis, Barbara
Pandajis, Florence
Pantelis, Peter
Pantelis, Brenda
Papadimitriou, George
Papadimitriou, Michele
Papadopoulos, Kyriacos and Miriam
Papadopoulos, Matheos
Papadopoulos, Kyriaki
Papadopoulos, Nicholas
Papadopoulos, Niki
Papadopoulos, Alexis and Nicole
Papadopoulos, Stella
Papageorgiou, Harry
Papageorgiou, Elizabeth
Papageorgiou, Peter and Courtney
Pappas, Lella
Pappas, Michael and Gail
Pappas, George
Pappas, Sharon
Pappas, Eleni
Pappas, John
Pappas, Catherine
Pappas, Vivian
Pappas, Peter
Pappas, Helen
Pappas, Daniel
Pappas, Andrea
Pappas, Harry
Pappas, Pat
Pappas, Steve
Pappas, Thane
Pappas, Gabriella
Partalas, Tom & Angela
Passa, Zmara
Patrick, David
Patrick, Stella
Patrick, Teresa
Pavlou, Dimitrios
Pavlou, Joanna
Peccerilli, Anna
Perakos, Sperie
Perakos, Nikki
Perito, Michael and Sophia
Perretta, Philip and Irene
Perrone, James and Stacy
Pertesis, George
Pestilli, Agatha
Petrakis, Evan
Petrakis, Regina
Petrakis, Elizabeth
Piperas, Helen
Piperas, George
Porteses, Edna
Porteses, Maria
Poulmas, John
Poulmas, Nicholas
Poulmas, Lillian
Pozoukidis, Nikolaos
Pozoukidis, Eleni
Principe, Rich and Evelyn
Proestakes, Helen
Proestakes, Peter and Virginia
Proestakes, Dean
Proestakes, John
Proestakis, George and Marla
Proestakis, Peter
Proestakis, Florence
Psaltis, Emmanuel & Judy
Reale, Raymond
Reale, Christina
Redding, Helen
Redding, Paul
Redding, Barbara
Reed, Mary
Reilly-Vartelas, Robyn
Renda, Christina & Al
Rethis, Maria
Riggione, Michael and Penny
Rogers, Chad and Alexis
Rountos, Sophia
Rozum, Adam & Christina
Rubera, Jean
Russo, Ralph and Evelyn
Saatsoglou, Eleni
Sanfilippo, Louis
Sanfilippo, Tina
Saoulidis, Theodore
Saoulidis, Yota
Sarigianis, James
Sarigianis, Florence
Sarigianis, Rev. Steven
Sarigianis, Presbytera Electra
Sarigianis, Eleni
Sarigianis, Anna
Sarris, John
Sarris, Theodora
Sarris, Alexander & Victoria
Sarris, Nikkie
Savakis, Mary
Savakis, Milton
Savakis, Cheryl
Savvidis, Michael
Savvidis, Savva and Nicole
Scafariello, John and Mercy
Scarveles, George and Linda
Sekas, Mark and Roberta
Sellas, George
Sellas, Christine
Sheeley, Richard & Bethanne
Shelley, Kirk
Shelley, Stacey
Simmons, Mario and Arhonti
Simos, Dimitra
Simos, Peter & Barbara
Simos, Peter
Simos, Mersini
Skaltsas, Sotirios
Skaltsas, Penelope
Skitzis, John and Eleanor
Smith, Derek & Ellen
Smith, Peter
Soennichsen, Ryan
Soennichsen, Despina
Sofokleous, Peggy
Spanolios, Paris
Spanolios, Eugenia
Sperry, Burton and Lisa
Stamos, Gregory and Susan
Stamos, Paul and Karen
Stamos, Peter
Stamos Heath, Terry & Paris
Stapleton, Karen
Stardellis, John
Stardellis, Eleni
Stardellis, Sofia
Stavrides, Angelo
Stavrides, Janet
Stavrides, Steven
Stavrides, Joann
Stavrides, Andrew
Stavrides, Joanna
Stefanis, Louis
Stefanis, Marianne
Stefanopoulos, Peter
Stefanopoulos, Angela
Stefanou, Andrew
Stefanou, Diane
Stergakis, Emmanuil
Stournaras, Dana
Suffredini, Michael
Suffredini, Maria
Sullo-Paxton, Nicole
Suppa, Joe & Angela
Szabo, Chris & Kathy
Talnose, William and Sophia
Tambis, Thomas and Family
Teodosio, Joseph
Teodosio, Maria
Terzakis, James
Terzakis, Angeliki
Testo, Carl and Cynthia
Theodos, George
Theodos, Antonia
Timos, Gregory
Tjimis, Yota
Tobias, Christopher
Tobias, Anastasia
Togridis, Spyros
Togridis, Olympia
Togridis, Nitsa
Togridis, Melina
Tomaszek, Frank
Tomaszek, Laurie
Topalis, John
Topalis, Garifalia
Touloumes, George
Tsialas, Gregory
Tsialas, Elaine
Tsichlas, Jim and Kelly
Tsipouras, Petros
Tsipouras, Barbara
Tsoupas, Angelo
Tsoupas, Maia
Tzovolos, Basile
Tzovolos, Olympia
Tzovolos, Paul
Tzovolos, Colleen
Vagenas, George
Vagenas, Vicky
Valaki, Virginia
Van Dusen, Matthew and Kristen
Vartelas, Christopher and Oana
Vartelas, Jonathan
Vartelas, Theodore
Varunes, Bessie
Varzos, Anastasios
Vasil, Helen
Vasilas, Mary
Vasilopoulos, Kosta
Vasilopoulos, Tasia
Vastakis, Harry & Candice
Vautrin, Gregg and Eleni
Verinis, Marie
Verinis, Steven
Verinis, Mary Ann
Vetrano, Todd and Ariana
Vincelette, Catherine
Vlahos, Eleas
Vlahos, Efthymia
Vlandis, Elias
Vlandis, Calliopi
Wachter, Mark
Wachter, Herbert
Wachter, Helen
Wachter, Michael
Wachter, Helen
Wagner, Robert
Wagner, Zoe
Waskiewicz, Rich
Waskiewicz, Eleni
Waskiewicz, Nina
Welsh, Joseph
Welsh, Eleni
Westlund, Robert and Athena
Wheeler, Roger
Wheway, Marika
Winkel, James and Marcy
Yates, Steven
Yates, Helene
Yates, Alexander
Yorgakaros, Nicholas
Yorgakaros, Kalli
Zafiropoulos, Kostas
Zafiropoulos, Joanna
Zahariades, Desbina
Zappas, Andrew
Zappas, Olympia
Zervos, Thomas & Maria
Ziemnicki, Martin and Cindy
Zikos, Nikolas
Zikos, Fedra
Zikos, Kathy
Zikos, George
Zikos, Christina
Zorgias, Emmanuel
Zorgias, Efstathia
Greek Language School Christmas Program
Greek Language School
Christmas Program
The teachers and students of the Saint Barbara
Greek Language School put together a wonderful
Christmas Pageant that included poems about
the Nativity of Christ and traditional Christmas
Hymns. Parents and Grandparents filled the
Saint Barbara Community Center and were
treated to a wonderful evening that concluded
with a meal and dessert.
The pictures in this section showcase the
students of the Greek Language School. We
thank and congratulate the Greek Language
School Staff and Students for their prayerful
participation.
Greek Language School Christmas Program
Sunday School Christmas Program
The members of our Sunday School program helped remind us all of God’s Great Love for us with their wonderful
Christmas Pageant after the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on December 21st. We thank the Sunday School
Teachers and Students for their prayerful participation.
Philoptochos Festival of Trees
The Ladies Philoptochos Society created a weekend of Christmas spirit on December 6 and
7, at our second annual Holiday Fantasy of Trees. Thanks to the support of many generous
sponsors, trees, urns and wreaths were decorated by members and friends to be raffled off to
many winners. Each one had its own special theme to delight the viewers. In preparation for
this event, the ladies baked and cooked many Greek specialties to treat the taste buds of our
visitors. The Sweet Shoppe was filled with Caramel Corn, Peppermint Bark, and other holiday
treats made by our own talented bakers and chefs.
This year we added a Craft Corner and a Holiday Marketplace to our event. Craft
sessions were held to make delightful holiday ornaments and decorations to be sold
at the Craft Corner. Vendors set up their wares in a Holiday Marketplace that had
wonderful gifts to help get some early shopping done. During the weekend we enjoyed
lovely performances by the Suzuki Music School and New England Ballet. There was
also a special visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus who took photos in Santa’s Village.
The dedication and hard work of so many Saint Barbara parishioners kicked
off another beautiful beginning of the Christmas season. We thank all of those
who gave time, talent, and support to make this special Philoptochos event
happen. And we thank all who joined us and helped create a weekend of joy.
Saint Barbara
480 racebrok
road - orange, ct
For Adults
exploring the celebration of
great and Holy Week
in the Orthodox church
Wednesday, April 1, 2015 - 7:00 p.m.
Join us for another gathering of the Mustard
Seed Faith Group for Adults on Wednesday,
April 1st. Father Peter will lead a thoughtful
and interactive discussion on the celebration
of Great and Holy Week in the Greek
Orthodox Church. Explore the Biblical texts
and hymns read and chanted throughout
Holy Week and gain a better understanding
of the services celebrating the Passion and
Resurrection of Christ.
The Mustard Seed Faith Group for Adults is open to
all adults - Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike and is a
ministry of Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in
Orange, Connecticut.
Sacraments
SACRAMENTS
Baptisms
DateNameParentsGodparent(s) 03/16/14
Colette Isabelle
Paul and Colleen Losh
Julianna Proestakis
04/21/14
Panagiotis Sotirios Skaltsas and Pinelopi Belokas
Nikos and Dina Antoniou
04/22/14Ivana SophiaTony J. LilliosGregg Daskalon
05/03/14
Sophia Angela
Christopher and Kathryn Szabo
Christina Kleiner
05/04/14
Luke Peter
Thomas Hansen and Alexandra Ginieres Ann Pickering
05/04/14
Theodoros
Peter and Zoi Maniatis
Gregory Anastasiou
05/09/14
Stephanie Ruth
Charles and Alicia Marcum
Lindsay Pandajis
05/10/14
Arabella Stavroula
Samuel Tringas and Lauren Biela
Demetrios Tringas
05/18/14
Deanna Rae
Robert and Athena Westlund
Christos Papadopoulos
07/07/14
Candice Nichole
Christopher Blair and Kelly Volz
Penny Riggione
07/12/14
Mila Kathleen
Matthew and Tara Auth
Kristofer Haggerty
07/13/14
Jordan Antonios
Giuseppe and Angela Suppa
Liza Touttoulos
07/27/14
Andoni Nikolaos
Adoni and Cara Lefkimiatis
Georgia Angelopoulos
07/27/14
Lia Helen
Christopher and Anastasia Ganim
Christopher Katagis
08/17/14
Panagiotis Raphail
George and Christina Zikos
Kathryn Zikos
08/23/14
Mario Theodore
Thomas and Maria Bruno
George and Kristen Bibikos
09/07/14
Olympia
Konstantinos and Anastasia Maniatis
Melpomeni Togridis
09/27/14
Nikoletta Eleni
Ryan and Despina Soennichsen
Eleni Sarigianis
09/28/14
Layna Sophia
Alexander and Victoria Sarris
Niki Mouzouraki
10/04/14
Annaliese Francesca
Terry Papadopoulos and Shannon Mollica
Elisa Papadopoulos
10/26/14
Leah Mary
Vasilios and Keira Diamantis
Panagiotis Diamantis
10/26/14
Sofia Anne
Robert Mendez and Simona Marchand
Sophia Diamantis
11/08/14
Daniel Emmanuel
Nicholas and Chelsy Aligizakis
Emmanuel Kanterakis
11/23/14
Lucy Marie
Athanasios and Angela Partalas
Alex and Penelope Limbanovnos
11/30/14
George
John and Mary Daoutis
Vasilios and Lauren Kaloidis
12/21/14SophiaSavvas and Nicole SavvidisMihali Savvidis
02/14/15
Kore
Robert and Rachel Duplessis
Peggy Losh
Christmations
DateNameSponsor(s)
06/14/14
Kirsten Bitzonis
Ann Gekas
Sacraments - Sponsors
We thank the following professionals for their support.
Weddings
DateCouple
05/31/14
Andrew and Mary Borelli
Sponsor: Laura Borelli
06/28/14
Kyle and Stephanie (Kerames) Laham
Sponsor: Christopher Shadid
07/05/14
Duncan and Jennifer (Cambras) Miller
Sponsor: Jonathan Cambras
07/19/14
Alkis and Stacey Liopiros
Sponsor: Christopher Ginolfi
08/17/14
Harry and Candice Vastakis
Sponsor: Konstantinos Vastakis
09/20/14
Brian and Katharine (Shagoury) Hopkins
Sponsor: John Rountos
10/14/14
Jesse and Nikie (Sarris) Esquivel
Sponsor: Alexander Sarris
10/26/14
George and Victoria Amoratis
Sponsor: Iakovos Amoratis
11/01/14
Eric and Mallory (Caloutas) Goclowski
Sponsor: Zaya Oshana
11/09/14
Maurice and Katarzyna Kaoud
Sponsor: Charles Kaoud
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Funerals
DateNameAge
03/10/14
03/26/14
03/27/14
03/29/14
04/04/14
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11/09/14
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12/29/14
01/16/15
01/21/15
01/22/15
01/30/15
Angelina Pappas
Peter Zorgias
Marie Basel
Nicholas Mavromatis
Stanley Barakis
Mary Mento
James Vartelas
Evelyn O’Neil
Pagona Patsis
Andrew Kostas
Ourania “Irene” Aliferis
Emanuel Dakis
Gus Kardaras
Dorothy K. Guiliotis
Konstantinos Vamvakas
Brayden Steven Parlato
Tina Passalaris Sanfilippo
John-Peter I. Orfanakos
78
83
89
83
89
92
97
86
93
63
99
92
75
77
59
2
46
20
for more information.
Want Guaranteed Smart Solutions to Your Pest Problems?
WESTERN PEST SERVICES
Termite Control - Mosquito Reduction - Gutter Cleaning
Stink Bug Reduction Program - Bed Bug Control Program
Home Protection Plan - Carpenter Ant Control - Tick Management
ThermoZone Attic Insulation - Duct Cleaning and Sealing
For your local office call 1-800-544-BUGS (2847)
10% OFF Any New Annual Contract Mention Code “Program Book”
This Space Available for your Ad
Contact the Church Office
for more information.
Sponsors
We thank the following professionals for their support.
INTERNAL MEDICINE OF MILFORD, P.C.
OB GYN PHYSICIANS, P.C.
PARIS SPANOLIOS, M.D.
KAY KOUROUNIS DOHR, M.D.
40 Commerce Park, Milford, CT 06460
Hours by Appointment
203-878-3531
309 Seaside Avenue
Fluent in Greek
Milford, CT 06460
Most Insurance Accepted - Please Call for Appointment
CHIP'S RESTAURANT
George Chatzopoulos
Serving famous pancakes & omelets
lunch and dinner since 1966
321 Boston Post Road (Route 1)
Orange, CT 06477
203-795-5065 203-799-0827 (fax)
www.chipsrest.com
GREGORY J. STAMOS
ATTORNEY AT LAW
200 Main Street
P.O. Box 166
Ansonia, CT 06401-0166
203-735-9293 (phone)
203-734-5056 (fax)
AEGEAN FLORIST
Flowers for all occasions at wholesale prices
Holidays are here, send some cheer!
Maria Fifis
203-795-9051 or 203-435-1734
203-877-5634
203-876-1840 (fax)
YORKSIDE PIZZA RESTAURANT
George & Nota Koutroumanis
Come and Experience Yale's Most Popular
Restaurant for over 30 years!
203-787-7471
203-787-7472
288 York Street, New Haven
PEDIATRIC REHAB & FITNESS
A New Comprehensive Facility Designed For Children
We specialize in treating children with:
Physical challenges, neurological conditions
Speech and language delays and autism
Fitness and Exercise Programs
20 years of experience
917 Bridgeport Avenue Shelton,CT 203-225-7514
www.pedirehab.com
DR. ESTELL PAPPAS
DISEASES AND SURGERIES OF
THE FOOT AND ANKLE
Aegean will donate 6% of your total order to the Saint Barbara Pantocrator Fund
136 Sherman Ave.
3851 Whitney Ave.
New Haven, CT 06511
Hamden, CT 06518
203-624-9991
203-248-6543
Most Insurance Accepted
FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY
ANNA RAHO, DDS
BUFFALO WILD WINGS
GRILL & BAR
White Fillings - Implants - Veneers - Crowns/Bridges - Dentures
Emergencies Seen Promptly
New Patients Always Welcome
70 Cherry Street, Milford
203-877-0377
www. MyMilfordDentist.com
1201 Boston Post Road
Milford, Connecticut 06460
at
Westfield Connecticut Post Mall
Phone: 203-877-WILD Fax: 203-877-WINGS
Presorted First Class
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
New Haven, Conn.
Permit No. 1108
Saint Barbara
480 Racebrook Road, Orange, CT 06477
Tel. (203) 795-1347 • Fax: (203) 795-1348
www.saintbarbara.org • [email protected]
THE LENTEN PRAYER OF SAINT EPHRAIM
O Lord and Master of my life!
Take from me the spirit of sloth,
faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity,
humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.
Yea, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors
and not to judge my brother,
for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
Visit the Saint Barbara You Tube Channel
www.youtube.com/user/stbarbaragoc
To view Recorded Services, Sermons, Lectures,
Reflections, Tributes and More!

2015 Winter Edition - St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church

Transcription

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