Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

Saint Nicholas
Greek Orthodox Church
15 Francis Street
PO Box 264
Jamestown, N.Y. 14702
716-483-0022
Website: www.stnicholasjamestown.org
Email: [email protected]
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Live Your Orthodox Faith
August/September
2014 Stewardship List
O THEOTOKOS, YOU ARE VERY BLESSED
The third Ecumenical Council had the task of explaining the Christian truth regarding the Incarnation of
Jesus Christ by the Panaghia Mariam.
At this particular council, a Bishop named Nestorius claimed vehemently that Jesus Christ was born with
only ONE nature – Divine. He bolstered his position through the medium of songs, poetry, writings and other
means, and it’s still a point of confusion in discussions with the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
At this Council, the Fathers quoted the part of the Nicean Creed which we recite today at all our Church
services “Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from Heaven and was incarnated of the Holy
Spirit and of the Virgin Mary and became man.” These Fathers inspired by the Holy Spirit said that the everVirgin Mary gave birth to the Son of God and to Jesus – perfect, sinless man. Thus, He is our Savior and
Redeemer. The Father further said that the Son of God was and is fully divine and Jesus was and is fully
human. And He had and has two distinct natures and each one is separated from the other: unconfused and
unmingled. One example of Jesus’ humanity is that when He was told that His friend Lazarus had died, He
shed tears (John 11:35). He displayed His divinity when He foretold of Peter’s forthcoming denial, protesting
three times that he did not know Jesus (Mt. 26:34).
It was understood and taught at this Council that Mary, the mother of Jesus, had become the new Eve and
Jesus the new Adam. It was this sinless Jesus who washed away our sins when He was crucified on the Cross.
Sin, which is the destructive nemesis of humankind, was conquered.
Nestorius and the Monophysites’ heresy was correctly condemned by the Fathers of the third and fourth
Ecumenical Councils. The Panaghia was proclaimed as the Theotokos – the Greek word meaning “she who
gave birth to God,” accomplished through her nine-month pregnancy.
O Theotokos, you are very blessed and because of you we, your spiritual children, are very blessed and
grateful to you for all you have done and continually do for us. Thank you!
THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS
When the glorious all-holy Panaghia was about to die, the Lord Jesus miraculously transported each of the
twelve Apostles from wherever they were to her deathbed. They talked with her, they prayed, they sang hymns,
and they cried for she was greatly loved by them.
Upon her death, her soul was immediately taken by her Son into Heaven as the Icon of the Dormition
depicts. Her body was placed by the Apostles in a tomb on the hillside of Gethsemene. Three days later, her
immaculate and unspoiled body was transported by the Angels into Heaven where today she stands to the right
of her divine son, Jesus Christ, the son of God as Psalm 44:9 states. “The Queen stood on our right, in a garment inlaid with gold and arrayed in various colors.”
We come to the Divine Liturgy in her honor on Friday, August 15th to join with the Apostles and angels in
singing, praising, and praying for her help, protection, and guidance in our life.
On August 1, 4, and 8, we will sing hymns to her in the Service of the small Paraclesis at 10:00 am. come
and join us. This is a special season – the first fifteen days of August or “Dekapentavgoustos.” “Through the
prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior save us.”
“Tes presvies tis Theotokou, Soter, Soson imas.” (Sung at every Divine Liturgy.)
Father George Zervos, Economos
as of 7/17/14 • Total Pledged: $62,127• 94 Stewards
Alexander, Dan G., MD.
Anderson, Greg & Christina
Anderson, Tim & Rachel & family
Bechakas, John & Toula
Bechakas, Michael & Heather
Bechakas, Terry & Soultana
Beers, Mary
Bertrand, John & Victoria
Bruner, Kenneth & Helen
Cheronis, George
Cheronis, James, Christine &
Allie, Christian
Christ, James W. Sr. & Children
Christ, Terry & Joanne
Constantine, Athena
Constantine, Terry
Coustenis, Theodore D. & Virginia
Crandall, Chad, Brittany & James
Cretekos, Kathryn
Cummings, Bryan
Cummings, Virginia
Decker, Jim and Kathy
Deppas, Deborah & Chelsa,
Joshua, Anthony
Deppas, John
Deppas, Lou, Melissa & family
Dimas, George & Dorothy
Dimas, Louis & Thomaidha
Dimitri, Adam & Szymanowicz, Kelly
Dimitri, Athena B.
Dimitri, John & Julie
Dimitri, L. Michael & Jo Ann
Elia, Mark & Vanessa
Enserro, Ethel Goller
Fanaritas, Magdaline
Feell, Theodora
Frederick, Elizabeth S.
Gedz, Basil G.
Giopulus, John & Shirley
Giopulus, Peter
Harter, Jude & Ashley
Hastas, Mary
Hennas, Mr. & Mrs. Andrew J.
Hill, Louise H.
Hunter, Ashley
Jamesson, Kaliope
Johnson, Mark J & Sara Jane
Juvelis, Nicholas G. & Martha
Kianos, Robert & Michelle,
Frank, Ricky, Paige
Kianos, Violet
Kioumourtzis, Dimitrios
Kum, David & Wendy
(Kassie, David, Triston)
Louis, L. Terry
Lundmark, Jason
Marano, Maria & Kim
Marano, Anthony S. & Nancy C.
Matjoulis, John Sr.
Matjoulis, John Jr.
Michos, Alexandra
Michos, Crist & Robin
Michos, Elizabeth
Mignoli, Connie
Morrison, Heath & Kathleen
Newburg, Elizabeth & Jerry
Noni, Ordella M.
Panteli, Pantelis & Linda
Pappas, Elizabeth “Betty”
Petro, Harriet G.
Piaschyk, Damian & Sabrina
Psychos, Constance
Rafael, Presvytera Claire
Raptis, Jim & Demetra
Rigas, John & Doris
Rigas, Michael
Rigas, Tim
Riolo, Mary M.
Ross, Anna P. (Dean & Peter)
Ross, Ethel
Saines, George
Saines, James
Searls, Robert “Ted” & Loretta C.
Silo, John & Barbara
Singleton, Todd, Alexis & Family
Spanos, George & Mary Ann,
Pano, Thoma, Teo
Spirdon, Dean P. & Linda K.
Stanton, Dean & Maria, (Ashley)
Theofilactidis, George & Kathy
Theofilactidis, Lazaros & Courtney
Tsitso, Christine
Tsitso, Evdoxia (Evelyn)
Tsitso, Nicholas
Tsitso, Spiro L.
Turner, Angie & William
VanGinhoven, Mary Jane
Verleni, Nicholas & Helen
Voulgaris, Tony & Helen
Zorich, Ron & Voula, (Jimmy)
People that have donated to the GA Letter
as of 7/20/14 GA Letter Donation $1,250
Alexander, Dan
Bacalis, Nicholas Rev. & Vivian
Bechakas, Terry & Leia
Cheronis, James & Christine
Coustenis, Virginia
Havale, Peter & George
Mary Jane VanGinhoven
Piaschyz, Eric & Olga
Zervos, George Rev. & Anne
Ecclesiastical Calendar
Internet Ministries by Sabrina Piaschyk
Are you concerned about safety and privacy of the internet, social networks, computer, mobile,
and gaming devices that your children are using? The Greek Orthodox Archodiocese of America
(GOA) and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has created a Faith and Safety
Technology Safety through the eyes of faith website. This site is an attempt to give you some
simple, straightforward advice and tools on how to navigate this digital world with your family.
Each article and section has been designed to be a self-contained reference. Check out this great
resource at; https://faithandsafety.org/home
Family As Church
Your Family, a blessed gift from our Heavenly Father, is called by God to provide love and
security, to nurture faith and hope. To do this, He has provided your Family with the Church, a
place where true relationships with God and one another are fostered and sustained. In fact, the
attributes of the Church that guide the community to life and salvation are essential to the wellbeing of your Family.
As the Church gathers to worship God as a community of believers, your Family needs to gather
for worship in the home. As the Church offers a witness of the presence of Christ in our world,
your Family is called to reveal His love in your relationships. As the Church reaches out to serve
those in need, your Family is led by our Lord to offer service in your community. As the Church
teaches the true Faith, your Family needs to be a place where each member grows in spiritual
knowledge and understanding. As the Church is a place of fellowship in Christ, your Family can
and should be characterized by friendship, trust, and respect.
Thus, "Family as Church" affirms that the attributes of the Church, which have been revealed to us
by God in Holy Scripture and through the local parish, can help you to know what it means to be a
Family, a healthy Family that lives in faith and love.
For more information go to: http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/family/aboutus/family_archives/family_worship
Inspirational Thoughts
Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there
- Will Rogers
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us
- Morrow
Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and the blind can see
- Mark Twain
The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right
- Benjamin Franklin
The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it - Anonymous
August
September
Sunday August 3
Sunday Divine Liturgy, 10:00 am
Monday August 4
Small Paraclesis, 10:00 am
Wednesday August 6 Divine Liturgy for the
TRANSFIGURATION OF
CHRIST 9:15 am
Grapes to be brought and blessed
Friday August 8
Small Paraclesis, 10:00 am
Sunday August 10
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
40 Day Memorial Service for
George Cheronis
Father George and family will be gone on vacation from
August 11-August 22
Friday August 15
Divine Liturgy for the Falling
Asleep of the Theotokos.
Father Stephen Gousios of Buffalo will celebrate the Liturgy.
Please come for this important day in our Church Life. His
Presvytera will chant the Liturgy. Make them welcome.
Sunday August 17
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Celebrated by Father Stephen
Saturday August 23
Wedding of
Panos Spanos to Teodora Cristea
Sunday August 24
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Father George will be back August 22-24 and leave again
on August 25 for Sofia’s annual check-up in Alabama,
returning August 30.
Sunday August 31
Wednesday Sept 3
Ladies Erene Society Mtg
7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Sunday Sept 7
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Sunday Sept 14
Divine Liturgy for the
HOLY CROSS 10:00am
First Day of Sunday School
All Children are to participate in the Procession around the
Church
Wednesday Sept 17
Parish Council Mtg 6:30 pm
Sunday Sept 21
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Sunday Sept 28
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
WEEKDAY LITURGIES IN SEPTEMBER
Monday Sept 8
Divine Liturgy in honor of the
birthday of the Panaghia 9:15 am
Wednesday Sept 17
Divine Liturgy in honor of
Saint Sofia & her three daughters
Faith, Hope, Love 9:15 am
TO BE ANNOUNCED
Saturday Bible School event featuring arts and crafts,
practice for a play to be presented to the Congregation,
games and hymns
Wendy Kum thanks everyone who came to the twins’
graduation party on July 20th. The family was overjoyed.
Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Prayer List
Please keep these Church Members on your prayer list:
Helen Bruner
Christian Cheronis
Virginia Cummings - now at
Greenhurst
Tomaida and Louis Dimas
Athena Dimitri
Helen Douvlos
Teresa Duro
Sophia Gianas
Stephanie Lampropolos
Tony & Nancy Marano
Jimmy Saines
Loretta Searles
Helen Verleni
Sofia Zervos
Jessica De Jesus
Joanne & Terry Christ
Anthony Voulgaris
Please let us know if we have missed
anyone.
Church News
WEDDINGS
Adam Dimitri was married to Kelly Ann
Szymanowicz on June 7, 2014. The
Koumbaro (best man) was Aaron Dimitri
Memorials for August 2014
In memory of R. Ted Searls
Virginia Cummings
Stephen & Sara Cummings
James Cummings & families
Charlie & Valerie Heggarty & family
Athena Dimitri
In memory of Dr. Thomas Verleni
Athena Dimitri
Bryan Cummings was married to Victoria A. VanBuskirk
on July, 19, 2014. The Koumbara was Brittany Crandall.
FUNERAL
Mr. George Cheronis fell asleep in the Lord. His funeral
was conducted on July 2, 2014. He was interred in
Oakland Cemetery in Warren, PA. May God rest his soul.
Christina Hollobaugh passed away on July 26, 2014 in Kane, PA.
GRADUATION PARTIES
Everyone was invited and had a great time!
Donna Turner:
Sunday June 22, 2014,
Conewango Country Club, Warren PA
Nicholas Christodoulou:
Sunday July 13, 2014, Fellowship Hall
David & Kassandra Kum:
Sunday, July 20, 2014, Fellowship Hall
DIVINE LITURGY
The Divine Liturgy for Saint Elia was performed on July
20, Sunday. Parishoners from our sister Church of Saint
Elia joined us in worship in honor of the namesday of
their Church. Also with us from Philadelphis, was Deacon
Andrew Roumbas who co-celebrated with Father George.
Not only was it a Holy Day, followed by a lovely party
for our graduates but it was the 48th anniversary of Fr.
George’s Ordination in Detroit, Michigan.
DIVINE LITURGY, OLEAN NY
On Saturday, July 26, the namesday of Saint Paraskeve
(patron saint and healer of the eyes) was celebrated at St.
Stephens Church in Olean, NY. Father George annointed
all present with the Holy Water from St. Paraskeve Shrine
in Greenlawn, NY.
In memory of Elaine Johnson
Theodora Plumpis Feell
In memory of Aphrodite Silo
Mary Riolo
In Memory of Eftihia Kioumoutzis
Dimitri Kioumourtzis
Voula, Ron & James Zorich
Afrouls, Bill & Victoria & William Snell
Crump, Sandy, Steve & Jonathan
Harter, Ashley & Jude
In Memory of Goldie Gioulekas
Bitchakas, Nora
Bitchakas, Peter
Cooke, Argery & families
In Memory of George Cheronis
*All donations made to the Johnson Scholarship Fund
Dimitrios Kiou Mourtzis
The Zorich Family
The Snell Family
The Crump Family
Bechakas, Toula & John
Bechakas, James
Enserro, Ethel
Dimitri, Athena
Riolo, Mary
Turner, Loretta & Dan
Vicello, Debbie & Jim
Nancy J. Shattuck Real Estate Associates
Speta, Kimberly & Dale
Thomas, Dr Sunny, Siby & Joscelyn
Verleni, Nicholas, Helen & Nicolette
Christ, Joanne & Terry
Titso, Spiro & family
Stanton, Maria & Dean
Council Corner
Dear Fellow Parishioners,
The parish held a Special Assembly on June 1st. The meeting went very well, with a
number of proposals being approved by the parishioners. The first topic was the replacement
of the 50+ year old boiler system. That investment was approved at a cost of about $16,300.
I’m pleased to report that the boiler is now installed and operational. Council also received
approval to repair any existing pews that need maintenance, and also to install pew cushions
with the total cost of that project not to exceed $8,000. Finally, we also received approval to
complete the landscaping of our church grounds. That project will be initiated after we
address the nagging issue of leaking in the stage area. This has been a problem that we
thought was solved, but moisture is still coming in and damaging the stage. There is a plan
in place to excavate the area outside of the church and to install French drains to channel the water away from the building.
Other projects we are working on include the installation of a new video security system and the replacement of the Narthex
flooring.
Some people have been questioning the fundraising letter that was sent out recently asking for donations for these
projects. The thought is, “well, if we just had a Yassou Festival, and if we have money from the Goumas inheritance, then
why are we being asked to donate more money?” The answer to that, my fellow parishioners, is that the Yassou Festival
income supports our annual operating expenses; it is not “extra” money that can be used for special projects. Also, Goumas
funds were indeed used last year (over $80,000) to improve the church, as well as for the above projects. However, if we were
to rely only on the Goumas funds and Yassou Festival income, then the church would find itself in poverty within two years
if it weren’t for the financial support of our parishioners. Thank you for your support of our beloved St. Nicholas parish,
both spiritually and materially.
Finally, the council is planning to have a Fall Picnic on Sunday September 7th. We hope that our parishioners will
come out to Divine Liturgy that morning and then join the fellowship of that event afterwards.
With love in Christ,
Jim Cheronis, Council President
Erene Society
Submitted by Athena Constantine, President
Choir Corner
Ride for Roswell
Yassou Festival Update
This will be the fourth year that a group of people from Warren, PA have formed a team (29 members) for the Ride for
Roswell Park. This year’s team raised over $20,000 for Roswell Park. An astounding 10 members of the team rose
over $1,000 individually. Three of these members are a part of the St. Nicholas parish family; James and Kathryn
Decker (not pictured) and Sabrina Piaschyk.
Graduate Section
kassandra kum
Graduated from Jamestown High School.
She will attend JCC for 2 years, then transfer to Damon
College for forensic science
david kum
Graduated from Jamestown High School.
He will attend JCC for 2 years, then plans to transfer to a
formal art college.
Fr. George, Alex Dimitri, Kelsey Tsito, Kassandra & David Kum. Missing Nicholas Christdoulou
nicholas christadoulou
Graduated from Jamestown High School.
He will attend JCC
Dora Christine Turner
Graduated from Warren Area High School.
She will attend the University of Pittsburgh’s main
campus, majoring in pre-medicine biology
Kelsey Rose tsitso
Graduated from Jamestown Community College and
is transferring to SUNY Fredonia.
My name is Kelsey Tsitso. I’m currently in my junior
year in college studying at SUNY Fredonia,
majoring in Social Work.
I’m active with helping out during the Yassou Festival
and with Sunday School.
Alexander Dimitri
Graduated from Fredonia High School with Honors, with
an Advanced Regent’s Diploma. He will attend Fredonia
State, majoring in Biochemistry and has been awarded a
Presidential Scholarship in science and math from SUNY
Fredonia and a Johnson Scholarship from St Nicholas.
Alex is the son of John & Julie Dimitri. During his high
school years he was involved in Symphonic band, Student
Government, Model United nations and the newspaper.
He is a member of The national Honors Society as well as
Key Club. He earned the Baush-Lomb Honorary Science
Award, Rotary Student of the Month and the John Phillip
Sousa Award for his band performance.
Mother Teresa