Pastoral Message from Father Michael

¢∂¡ ∂Ã∂π™ ÃO¡O Ó· Ê·˜ Úˆ˚Ófi; √‡Ù ¤Ó· ÌˆÏ Ì ‰ËÌËÙÚȷο ‹ ¤Ó· ÙfiÛÙ; ∫·Ó¤Ó·Úfi‚ÏËÌ·. ¶¿Ú ¤Ó· ·Ú·Û··ÛÌ· Úˆ˚ÓÔ‡ ·fi ·˘Ù¿ Ô˘ ΢ÎÏÔÊÔÚÔ‡Ó ÛÙËÓ ·ÁÔÚ¿ Î·È Ê¿ÙÔËÁ·›ÓÔÓÙ·˜ ÛÙË ‰Ô˘ÏÂÈ¿ ‹ ÛÙÔ Û¯ÔÏ›Ô. ªÔÚ› Ó· ÌËÓ Â›Ó·È ÙÔ ÈÔ ̆ ÁÈÂÈÓfi Á‡̷, ·ÏÏ¿ Â›Ó·È ‚ÔÏÈÎfiÎ·È Â›Ó·È fiÙÈ ÚÔÙÈÌÔ‡Ó ÔÈ ¿ÓıÚˆÔÈ Û‹ÌÂÚ·. ªfiÓÔÓ ÛÙȘ ∏ӈ̤Ó˜ ¶ÔÏÈÙ›˜ ΢ÎÏÔÊfiÚËÛ·Ó Ì¤Û·Ûã¤Ó· ̄ ÚfiÓÔ 30,000 ηÈÓÔ‡ÚÁÈ· ÚÔ˚fiÓÙ·, Û ·Ó·„˘ÎÙÈο, ̆ ÁÈÂÈÓ¿ ÚÔ˚fiÓÙ·, ÚÔ˚fiÓÙ· ÔÌÔÚÊÈ¿˜,ÔÈÎȷ΋˜ ¯Ú‹Û˘ Î·È ˙ˆÔÙÚÔʤ˜! ∆· ÈÔ ‰ËÌÔÊÈÏ‹ ÙˆÓ ÔÔ›ˆÓ ‹Ù·Ó ÂΛӷ Ô˘ ‰‹ÏˆÓ·Ó ¢ÎÔÏ›·¯Ú‹Û˘.

™ÙË ÛËÌÂÚÈÓ‹ ÎÔÈÓˆÓ›·, Â›Ó·È Â‡ÎÔÏÔ Ó· ·ÁÈ‰Â˘Ùԇ̠«ÁÚ‹ÁÔÚ· Î·È Â‡ÎÔÏ·» ۯ‰fiÓ ÛÂÔÔÈ·‰‹ÔÙ ÚÔÛ¤ÁÁ˘ÛË. ∂›Ó·È ÂÈΛӉ˘ÓÔ, fï˜ Ó· ¯¿ÓÔ˘Ì ÙËÓ ÓÂ˘Ì·ÙÈ΋ Ì·˜ ˙ˆ‹, ¯¿ÚË ÙË˜Â˘ÎÔÏ›·˜. ¶Ôχ Û˘¯Ó¿ ÙÔÔıÂÙԇ̠ÙËÓ ÓÂ˘Ì·ÙÈ΋ Ì·˜ ˙ˆ‹ ÛÙÔ ÙÂÏÂ˘Ù·›Ô ÛÙ¿‰ÈÔ ÙˆÓÚÔÙÂÚ·ÈÔÙ‹ÙˆÓ Ì·˜ Î·È ÂÚ¯fiÌ·ÛÙ ÛÙËÓ ÂÎÎÏËÛ›· ÌfiÓÔÓ fiÙ·Ó Ì·˜ Â›Ó·È ‚ÔÏÈÎfi. µÚ›ÛÎÔ˘Ì ÙfiÛ˜ÔÏϤ˜ ‰ÈηÈÔÏÔÁ›Â˜ ÁÈ· Ó· ‰Â›ÍÔ˘Ì fiÙÈ Â›Ì·ÛÙ ÔÏ˘¿Û¯ÔÏÔÈ, ‰ÂÓ ¤¯Ô˘Ì ¯ÚfiÓÔ, Î·È ÁÈ· ÙÔ ÏfiÁÔ·˘Ùfi ‰ÂÓ Ì·˜ Â›Ó·È ‚ÔÏÈÎfi Ó· ÂÎÎÏËÛÈ·ÛÙÔ‡ÌÂ.

∞ÏÏ¿ Ú¤ÂÈ Ó· ÔÌÔÏÔÁ‹Ûˆ fiÙÈ ÔÈ ÂÓÔÚ›Ù˜ Ì·˜ Â‰Ò ÛÙÔ ÕÁÈÔ ¡ÈÎfiÏ·Ô Î¿ÓÔ˘Ó Î·Ï‹ ‰Ô˘ÏÂÈ¿, fiÛÔÓ·ÊÔÚ¿ ÙË Û˘ÌÌÂÙÔ¯‹ ÙÔ˘˜ ÛÙË ∫˘ÚȷοÙÈÎË §ÂÈÙÔ˘ÚÁ›·. ∫·Ó¤Ó·˜ ‰ÂÓ Â›Ó·È Ù¤ÏÂÈÔ˜, ÌÔÚÔ‡Ó fï˜Ó· ÚÔÛ·ı‹ÛÔ˘Ó Ó· ¤Ú¯ÔÓÙ·È ·ÎfiÌË ÈÔ Û˘¯Ó¿.

∂›Û˘ Ú¤ÂÈ Ó· ηٷϿ‚Ô˘Ì fiÙÈ Û·Ó √Úıfi‰ÔÍÔÈ ÃÚÈÛÙÈ·ÓÔ›, ›̷ÛÙ ˘Ô¯Úˆ̤ÓÔÈ Ó·ÂÎÎÏËÛÈ·˙fiÌ·ÛÙÂ Û˘¯ÓfiÙÂÚ· Î·È fi¯È ÌfiÓÔÓ ÙȘ ∫˘ÚȷΤ˜. Œ¯Ô˘Ì ̤۷ ÛÙÔ ÂÎÎÏËÛÈ·ÛÙÈÎfi ¤ÙÔ˜ ηÈ

DON’T HAVE TIME to eat breakfast? Not even a bowl of cereal or a slice of toast? No problem.Just unwrap a “breakfast bar” made from one of many popular cereal products and eat in on your wayto work or school. It may not be the most nutritious meal, but it is convenient and that seems to be whatpeople want most today, anyway. In the U.S. alone, more than 30,000 new beverages, health products,beauty products, household products and pet products appear in just one year! The most popular ofthem emphasized convenience.

In today’s world, it is easy to become hooked on the “quick and easy” approach to almost everything.It is dangerous, however, to lose our spiritual life on what is most convenient. Too often we put ourspiritual life at the bottom of our priorities and only come to church when it is “convenient” for us. Weoften come up with so many excuses to make us look so busy that we do not have time, as that it isinconvenient for us to come to church.

But I must say, that our parishioners here in Saint Nicholas do a pretty good job in their participationin the Sunday Services. No one is perfect and we can still do a better job in our attendance.

We need to also understand that we as Orthodox Christians are not only Sunday participants. Wehave our weekday services, our evening services throughout the ecclesiastical year. This participationbecomes robotic, we always need variety and flavor in our lives. If you had to eat steak everyday afterawhile you will be tired of eating the same thing day in and day out.

It is very healthy spiritually to attend all the services that our Orthodox faith has to offer. Our church

ª‹Ó˘Ì· ·fi ÙÔÓ ¶·Ù¤Ú· ªÈ¯·‹Ï

January/π·ÓÔ˘¿ÚÈÔ˜, 2008

Continued on page 2

™˘Ó¤¯ÂÈ· ÛÙËÓ ÛÂÏ›‰· 2

A Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox

Church Publication, Published Monthly.

520 S. Ponca Street, Baltimore, MD 21224

PAGE 2 January / π·ÓÔ˘¿ÚÈÔ˜—2008KOINONIA

Pastoral Message from Father Michael .....Continued from page 1

ª‹Ó˘Ì· ·fi ÙÔÓ ¶·Ù¤Ú· ªÈ¯·‹Ï .....Continued from page 1

is historical, biblical, scriptural and liturgical. It has the com-plete recipe to fulfill our spiritual needs. As faithful stewards we recognize our obli-gation to promptly attend every Divine Lit-urgy. When listening to Holy Scripture duringthe service, it is as if we are sitting at the feet ofthe Lord hearing for ourselves His words ofeternal life. We are the recipients of this greatFaith and Church established by the HolyApostles and their disciples.

In reading the life of Saint Polycarp he wasquestioned, and when told that if he did notdeny Christ he would be put to death, he re-sponded: “Change of mind from better toworse is not a change allowed to us!” Afterthose remarks, he was tied to the stake and thefire was lit. Eyewitnesses reported that theysaw a miracle as the “fire burst up in an archaround the Saint, the flames surrounding him like souls andinstead of being burned he seemed to go\low like bread bak-ing or gold melted in a furnace! When the captors saw hewasn’t being burned, they stabbed him. The blood thatflowed put the fire out.”

ÙȘ ηıËÌÂÚÈÓ¤˜ §ÂÈÙÔ˘ÚÁ›Â˜, Î·È ÙÔ˘˜ ÂÛÂÚÈÓÔ‡˜. ∏Û˘ÌÌÂÙÔ¯‹ fï˜ ·˘Ù‹ ηٷÓÙ¿ ·ÓÈ·Ú‹ Î·È ÌÔÓfiÙÔÓË,¿ÓÙ· ¯ÚÂÈ·˙fiÌ·ÛÙ ÔÈÎÈÏ›· Î·È Á‡ÛË ÛÙË ˙ˆ‹ Ì·˜. ∞Óı¿Ú ӷ ÙÚÒÙ ηıËÌÂÚÈÓ¿ ÌÚÈ˙fiϘ, ÌÂÙ¿ ·fi Ï›ÁÔı· ÎÔ˘Ú·˙fi˙·ÛÙ ӷ ÙÚÒÙ ÙÔ ›‰Ô Ê·ÁËÙfi.

ª·˜ ·Ó‚¿˙ÂÈ ¯˘¯Èο Ó· ·Ú·ÎÔÏÔ˘ıԇ̠fiϘ ÙȘ∞ÎÔÏÔ˘ı›Â˜ Ô˘ Ì·˜ ÚÔʤÚÂÈ Ë √Úıfi‰ÔÍË ›ÛÙË Ì·˜. ∏ÂÎÎÏËÛ›· Ì·˜ Â›Ó·È ÈÛÙÔÚÈ΋, ‚È‚ÏÈ΋, ÁÂÌ¿ÙË ÁÚ·Ù¿ÌÓËÌ›· Î·È ÏÂÈÙÔ˘ÚÁÈ΋. ∫·Ù¤¯ÂÈ ÙËÓ Ï‹ÚË Û˘ÓÙ·Á‹ÂÎÏ‹ÚˆÛ˘ ÙˆÓ ÓÂ˘Ì·ÙÈÎÒÓ Ì·˜ ·Ó·ÁÎÒÓ.

ø˜ ÈÛÙÔ› ÔÈÎÔÓfiÌÔÈ ·Ó·ÁÓˆÚ›˙Ô˘Ì ÙËÓ ̆ Ô¯Ú¤ˆÛË Ó·Û˘ÌÌÂÙ¤¯Ô˘Ì Û οı £Â›· §ÂÈÙÔ˘ÚÁ›·. ŸÙ·Ó ·Îԇ̠ÙÔπÂÚfi ∂˘·ÁÁ¤ÏÈÔ Î·Ù¿ ÙË ‰È¿ÚÎÂÈ· Ù˘ §ÂÈÙÔ˘ÚÁ›·˜, ›ӷÈÛ·Ó Ó· ηıfiÌ·ÛÙ ÛÙ· fi‰È· ÙÔ˘ ∫˘Ú›Ô˘ Î·È Ó· ·ÎÔ‡ÌÂÙ· ÏfiÁÈ· ∆Ô˘, Û·Ó Ó· ·Â˘ı‡ÓÔÓÙ·È ÌfiÓÔ ÁÈ· Ì·˜, fiÙ·ÓÌÈÏ¿ ÁÈ· ÙËÓ ·ÈÒÓÈ· ˙ˆ‹. ∂›Ì·ÛÙ ÔÈ ÎÏËÚÔÓfiÌÔÈ ·˘Ù‹˜Ù˘ ÌÂÁ¿Ï˘ ¶›ÛÙ˘ Î·È ∂ÎÎÏËÛ›·˜ Ô˘ ȉڇıËΠ·fi ÙÔ˘˜ÕÁÈÔ˘˜ ∞ÔÛÙfiÏÔ˘˜ Î·È ÙÔ˘˜ Ì·ıËÙ¤˜ ÙÔ˘˜.

∏ ‚ÈÔÁÚ·Ê›· ÙÔ˘ ∞Á›Ô˘ ¶ÔχηÚÔ˘ ·Ó·Ê¤ÚÂÈ fiÙÈfiÙ·Ó ÙÔ˘ ›·Ó ·Ó ‰ÂÓ ··ÚÓËı› ÙÔÓ ÃÚÈÛÙfi ı· ÙÔÓı·Ó·ÙÒÛÔ˘Ó, ÂΛÓÔ˜ ·¿ÓÙËÛÂ: «·ÏÏ·Á‹ ÁÓÒÌ˘ ·fi ÙÔηχÙÂÚÔ ÛÙÔ ̄ ÂÈÚfiÙÂÚÔ, ‰ÂÓ ÂÈÙÚ¤ÂÙ·È!» ªÂÙ¿ ·fi ·˘Ù‹ÙËÓ ·¿ÓÙËÛË ÙÔÓ ¤‰ÂÛ·Ó ÛÙÔ ÛÙ‡ÏÔ Î·È ¿Ó·„·Ó ÙË ÊˆÙÈ¿.√È ·˘ÙfiÙ˜ Ì¿ÚÙ˘Ú˜ ›·Ó fiÙÈ Â›‰·Ó ÙÔ ı·‡Ì· «Î·ıÒ˜ ËʈÙÈ¿ ·Ó¤‚·ÈÓÂ Û·Ó ·„›‰· Á‡Úˆ ·fi ÙÔÓ ÕÁÈÔ, Î·È ÔÈÊÏfiÁ˜ Ô˘ ÙÔÓ Ù‡ÏÈÍ·Ó ¤ÌÔÈ·˙·Ó Ì „˘¯¤˜ Ô˘ ·ÓÙ› ӷη›ÁÂÙ·È ¤ÌÔÈ·˙ ӷ ·ÎÙÈÓÔ‚ÔÏ› Û·Ó „ˆÌ› Ô˘ „‹ÓÂÙ·È ‹

Û·Ó ¯Ú˘Ûfi˜ Ô˘ Ï˘ÒÓÂÈ ÛÙÔ Î·Ì›ÓÈ! ŸÙ·Ó ÔÈ ¿ÓıÚˆÔÈÔ˘ ÙÔÓ ·È¯Ì·ÏÒÙÈÛ·Ó Â›‰·Ó fiÙÈ ‰ÂÓ Î·ÈÁfiÙ·Ó, ÙÔÓÌ·¯·›ÚˆÛ·Ó. ∆Ô ·›Ì· Ô˘ ·Ó¿‚Ï˘Û ·fi ÙȘ ÏËÁ¤˜ ÙÔ˘¤Û‚˘Û ÙË ÊˆÙÈ¿.

ÿÛˆ˜ ‰ÂÓ ÏËÛÈ¿˙Ô˘Ì ÙËÓ ÌÂÁ¿ÏË ÎÏËÚÔÓÔÌÈ¿ Ô˘·Ú·Ï¿‚·Ì ̂ ˜ ÎÏËÚÔÓfiÌÔÈ Ù˘ ∞ÔÛÙÔÏÈ΋˜ ∂ÎÎÏËÛ›·˜.ã∂¯Ô˘Ó ÂÚ¿ÛÂÈ ·ÈÒÓ˜ ·fi ÙfiÙ Ԣ ÔÈ ·fiÛÙÔÏÔÈÂÚ¿ÙËÛ·Ó ÛÙË ÁË Ì ÙÔÓ ÃÚÈÛÙfi, Ú¤ÂÈ Ó· ¤¯Ô˘Ì ٷÎËÚ‡ÁÌ·Ù· ÙˆÓ ∞ÔÛÙÔÏÈÎÒÓ Ì·˜ ·Ù¤ÚˆÓ Ó· Ì·˜˘ÂÓı˘Ì›˙Ô˘Ó Î·È Ó· Ì·˜ ÂÓı·ÚÚ‡ÓÔ˘Ó Ó· ¤¯Ô˘Ì ˆ˜Â›ÎÂÓÙÚÔ Ù˘ ˙ˆ‹˜ Ì·˜ ÙÔÓ ∫‡ÚÈfi Ì·˜, πËÛÔ‡ ÃÚÈÛÙfi.

ŸÙ·Ó ı˘ÌfiÌ·ÛÙ ÙÔ ·Ú¿‰ÂÈÁÌ· ÙÔ˘ ∞Á›Ô˘¶ÔχηÚÔ˘, Î·È ˙ԇ̠ÌÈ· ˙ˆ‹ Û‡Ìʈӷ Ì ÙËÓ ›ÛÙËÌ·˜ ˆ˜ ã∂ÏÏËÓ˜ √Úıfi‰ÔÍÔÈ ÃÚÈÛÙÈ·ÓÔ›, ÙfiÙÂ Î·È ÂÌ›˜ÌÔÚԇ̠ӷ ›̷ÛÙ ۛÁÔ˘ÚÔÈ fiÙÈ Ô ∫‡ÚÈÔ˜ Â›Ó·È ÎÔÓÙ¿Ì·˜.

™‹ÌÂÚ·, fï˜, ·ÓÙÈÌÂÙˆ›˙Ô˘Ì ·Ú·ÊÔÚو̤ӷÚÔÁÚ¿ÌÌ·Ù·, Û˘Ó‰ÚÈ¿ÛÂȘ, ÂÚÁ·Û›· Î·È Û¯ÔÏ›Ô. ∂Í·ÈÙ›·˜ ·˘ÙÔ‡ ÙÔ˘ ·Ú·ÊÔÚو̤ÓÔ˘ ÚÔÁÚ¿ÌÌ·ÙÔ˜, Ë›ÛÙË Ì·˜ Î·È Ë ÓÂ˘Ì·ÙÈ΋ Ì·˜ ˙ˆ‹ ÛÙÔ Û‡ÓÔÏfi Ù˘‰È·ÎÈÓ‰˘Ó‡ÂÈ. ™·˜ ·Ú·Î·ÏÒ Ó· ÌËÓ ÚÔÛ·ı›Ù ӷ‰È·Î·ÈÔÏÔÁ›ÛÙ ÂÂȉ‹ ‰ÂÓ ÂÎÎÏËÛÈ¿˙ÂÛÙ ÙȘ ∫˘ÚȷΤ˜.∞ÓÙÈÛÙ·ı›Ù ÛÙÔ Ï¿ÓÂÌ· Ù˘ ¢ÎÔÏ›·˜ Î·È ‚Ú›Ù ÙÔ¯ÚfiÓÔ Ó· ¤ÏıÂÙ ÛÙËÓ ∂ÎÎÏËÛ›· Ì ÙËÓ ÔÈÎÔÁ¤ÓÂÈ¿ Û·˜,Ô‡Ùˆ˜ ÒÛÙ ӷ ÚÔÛ¢¯Ëıԇ̠fiÏÔÈ Ì·˙› ÛÙÔÓ ∂Ô˘Ú¿ÓÈÔ·Ù¤Ú· Ì·˜, ÁÈ· Ó· Ì·˜ ÚÔÛٷهÂÈ ÛÙË Î·ıËÌÂÚÈÓ‹ Ì·˜˙ˆ‹.

“Change of

mind from

better to

worse is not a

changeallowed

to us.”

Perhaps we do not approach the great legacy we have re-ceived as descendants of the ApostolicChurch. Centuries have passed since theapostles walked on earth with Christ, but wehave to have the accounts of the ApostolicFathers to remind us and encourage us tokeep our lives centered to Jesus Christ ourLord. Remembering the example of SaintPolycarp we, too, can remember that theLord is near when we imitate His life asGreek Orthodox Christians. Today, though, we are faced with manyschedules, meetings, work and school. Be-cause of this very “busy schedule”, we areputting our faith and our whole spiritual lifein jeopardy. Please do not try to justify yourexcuses for not participating in the Sundayservices.

Let’s resist the lure of convenience and take time to go tochurch with our family so that we can be with our HeavenlyFather and keep Him in our daily lives.

Fr. Michel L. Pastrikos

January / π·ÓÔ˘¿ÚÈÔ˜—2008 PAGE 3KOINONIA

Stewardship Message from Father Michael

∂ıÂÏÔÓÙÈ΋ ¶ÚÔÛÊÔÚ¿: «ÀÔÛÙ‹ÚÈÍË ÛÙËÓ ∂ÎÎÏËÛ›· Ì·˜»

¶ÚÔÙÔÚÂÛ‚‡ÙÂÚÔ˜ ¶·Ù‹Ú ªÈ¯·‹Ï §. ¶·ÛÙÚÈÎfi˜

∞Á·ËÙÔ› ÂÓ ∫˘Ú›ˆ ·‰ÂÏÊÔ› Î·È ·‰ÂÏʤ˜,∆È ÛËÌ·›ÓÂÈ Ó· Â›Û·È «ÂÓ Ù¿ÍÂÈ Ì¤ÏÔ˜ ÚÔ˜ ÙËÓ

ÂÎÎÏËÛ›·;» ∏ ÂÚÒÙËÛË ·˘Ù‹ Á›ÓÂÙ·È Û˘¯Ó¿ ·fi ̤ÏË Ù˘∫ÔÈÓfiÙËÙ¿˜ Ì·˜.

ª¤ÏÔ˜ ÂÓ Ù¿ÍÂÈ ÛËÌ·›ÓÂÈ Ó· ÂÎÎÏËÛÈ¿˙ÂÛ·È Û˘¯Ó¿, Ó·Û˘ÌÌÂÙ¤¯ÂȘ ÛÙ· Ì˘ÛÙ‹ÚÈ· Î·È Ó· ˘ÔÛÙËÚ›˙ÂȘ ÙËÓÂÎÎÏËÛ›· ÛÔ˘ Ì ÏfiÁÈ·, Ì ¤ÚÁ· Î·È ÔÈÎÔÓÔÌÈο. ∂Ï›˙ˆfiÙÈ Ë ·Ó¿ÁÎË Ó· ÂÎÎÏËÛÈ¿˙ÂÛ·È Î·È Ó· Û˘ÌÌÂÙ¤¯ÂȘ ÛÙ·Ì˘ÛÙ‹ÚÈ· Â›Ó·È Â‡ÎÔÏÔ Ó· ηٷÓÔËı›. ∞ÏÏ¿, Ë ¿Ô„Ë Ù˘˘ÔÛÙ‹ÚÈ͢ Ù˘ ÂÎÎÏËÛ›·˜ Ì ÏfiÁÈ·, ¤ÚÁ· Î·È ¯Ú‹Ì·Ù·Û˘¯Ó¿ ‰ÂÓ Á›ÓÂÙ·È Â‡ÎÔÏ· ·ÓÙÈÏËÙ‹.

ÀÔÛÙËÚ›˙Ô˘Ì ÙËÓ ÂÎÎÏËÛ›· Ì·˜ ·ÓÙ·ÔÎÚÈÓfiÌÂÓÔÈÛÙËÓ √Úıfi‰ÔÍË ÃÚÈÛÙÈ·ÓÈ΋ Ì·˜ ›ÛÙË, fiÙ·Ó ÌÈÏԇ̠ÌÂÙÔÓ ÎfiÛÌÔ. ∆· ÏfiÁÈ· Ì·˜ ı· Ú¤ÂÈ Ó· ÌÂÙ·‚È‚¿˙Ô˘ÓÛÙÔ˘˜ ¿ÏÏÔ˘˜ fiÙÈ ÂÌ›˜, ˆ˜ ̤ÏË Ù˘ ÂÎÎÏËÛ›·˜ Ì·˜,·Á·Ô‡Ì ÙÔ £Âfi Î·È ÙÔÓ Û˘Ó¿ÓıÚˆfi Ì·˜. ªÂ ÙÔÎÚ›ÓÔ˘Ì ÙÔ˘˜ ¿ÏÏÔ˘˜ ‰ÂÓ ‰Â›¯ÓÔ˘Ì fiÙÈ Â›Ì·ÛÙ ÂÈÏÈÎÚÈÓ‹Î·È Â˘Û˘Ó›‰ËÙ· ̤ÏË Ù˘ ÂÎÏËÛ›·˜.

∂›Û˘, Ú¤ÂÈ Ó· ˘ÔÛÙËÚ›˙Ô˘Ì ÙËÓ ÂÎÎÏËÛ›· Ì·˜ ÌÂηϤ˜ Ú¿ÍÂȘ. ªÔÚԇ̠› ·Ú·‰Â›ÁÌ·ÙÈ Ó·ÚÔÛʤÚÔ˘Ì ÙË ‚Ô‹ıÂÈ¿ Ì·˜ ÛÙÔ „·ÏÙ‹ÚÈ, ‹ ÛÙÔ πÂÚfi, ‹ÛÙÔ ∫·Ù˯ËÙÈÎfi ™¯ÔÏ›Ô, ‹ Ó· ̆ ËÚÂÙԇ̠ÛÙÔ ‰ÈÔÈÎËÙÈÎfiÛ˘Ì‚Ô‡ÏÈÔ, ÛÙË ºÈÏfiÙˆ¯Ô, ÛÙË ÓÂÔÏ·›·, ‹ Ó· ‚ÔËıÔ‡ÌÂÛÙÔ˘˜ ηٿ ηÈÚÔ‡˜ ÂÚ¿ÓÔ˘˜ ‹ ÔÔ˘‰‹Ù ·ÏÏÔ‡¯ÚÂÈ¿˙ÂÙ·È ‚Ô‹ıÂÈ·.

∞ÎfiÌË ¤Ó· «ÂÓ Ù¿ÍÂÈ Ì¤ÏÔ˜ Ì ÙËÓ ÂÎÎÏËÛ›·» ›ӷÈÂΛÓÔ Ô˘ ˘ÔÛÙËÚ›˙ÂÈ ÙȘ ÂÚÁ·Û›Â˜ Ù˘ ÂÎÎÏËÛ›·˜ Ì ÙÔ·Ó¿ÏÔÁÔ ÔÛÔÛÙfi ·fi ÙÔ ˘ÏÈÎfi ÙÔ˘/Ù˘ ÂÈÛfi‰ËÌ·. ∏‰ˆÚ¿ η٤¯ÂÈ ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈ΋ ı¤ÛË ÛÙËÓ ÓÂ˘Ì·ÙÈ΋ Ì·˜·Ó¿Ù˘ÍË. ¶Ú¤ÂÈ Ó· Û‚fiÌ·ÛÙ ÙËÓ Â˘ÏÔÁ›· Î·È Ù· ·Á·ı¿Ô˘ ¤¯ÂÈ ̄ ·Ú›ÛÂÈ Ô £Âfi˜ Û fiÏÔ˘˜ Ì·˜, Î·È ÂÌ›˜ Ì ÙË ÛÂÈÚ¿Ì·˜ Ú¤ÂÈ Ó· ÂÈÛÙÚ¤ÊÔ˘Ì ÛÙÔ £Âfi ̤ÚÔ˜ ÙˆÓ ˘ÏÈÎÒÓ·Á·ıÒÓ, Ô˘ ∂ΛÓÔ˜ Ì·˜ ¤¯ÂÈ ·Ïfi¯ÂÚ· ¯·Ú›ÛÂÈ.

¡· ı˘Ì¿ÛÙÂ, fiÙ·Ó ÚÔÛʤÚÂÙ ÛÙÔ Û›ÙÈ ÙÔ˘ £ÂÔ‡, ı·Û·˜ ·ÓÙ·Ô‰Ôı› ÂηÙÔÓÙ·Ï¿ÛÈÔ.

∆Ô ÔÔÈÔ‰‹ÔÙ ÂÈÛfiÛËÌ¿ Ì·˜ ÙÔ ¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈԇ̠ÁÈ·Ó· ηχÙÔ˘Ì ÙȘ ·ÙÔÌÈΤ˜ Î·È ÔÈÎÔÁÂÓÂȷΤ˜ Ì·˜·Ó¿ÁΘ. ∞ÏÏ¿, ·Ó ‰ÂÓ ˘ÔÏÔÁ›˙Ô˘Ì ¤Ó· ÔÛfi ·fi Ù·¤ÛÔ‰¿ Ì·˜ ÁÈ· Ó· ˘ÔÛÙËÚ›ÍÔ˘Ì ÙËÓ ∂ÎÎÏËÛ›· Ì·˜, ÙfiÙ·ÓÂÍ¿ÚÙËÙ· ÙÔ˘ fiÛÔ Î·ÏÔ› ›̷ÛÙÂ, ‰ÂÓ Â›Ì·ÛÙ ÈÛٿ̤ÏË Ô‡Ù Ù˘ ÂÎÎÏËÛ›·˜ Ì·˜, ·ÏÏ¿ Ô‡ÙÂ Î·È Ù˘ ›ÛÙ˘̷˜.

∆· ·ÔÙÂϤÛÌ·Ù· ÌÈ·˜ ÂıÓÈ΋˜ ∞ÌÂÚÈηÓÈ΋˜ ¤Ú¢ӷ˜·¤‰ÂÈÍ·Ó fiÙÈ ÔÈ ·ÌÂÚÈηÓÔ› Íԉ‡ԢÓ: $3 ‰ÈÛÂηÙÔ̇ÚÈ·Û ηÏÏ˘ÓÙÈο, $3 ‰ÈÛÂηÙÔ̇ÚÈ· Û ηÓfi, $10‰ÈÛÂηÙÔ̇ÚÈ· Û ‰È·ÛΉ¿ÛÂȘ, $12 ‰ÈÛÂηÙÔ̇ÚÈ· Û·ÏÎÔfiÏ, Î·È $1.5 ‰ÈÛÂηÙÔ̇ÚÈÔ Û ·Á·ıÔÂÚÁ›Â˜ ηÈÂÎÎÏËۛ˜. ∆È ·Ô‰ÂÈÎÓ‡ÂÈ Ë ¤Ú¢ӷ ·˘Ù‹ fiÛÔÓ ·ÊÔÚ¿ ÙËÓÛÂÈÚ¿ ÚÔÙÂÚ·ÈfiÙËÙ·˜; ¶Ú¤ÂÈ Ë ∂ÎÎÏËÛ›· Ó· ‚Ú›ÛÎÂÙ·ÈÛÙÔ Ù¤ÚÌ· Ù˘ Ï›ÛÙ·˜ Ì·˜, ‹ ı· Ú¤ÂÈ Ó· Û˘ÁηٷϤÁÂÙ·È

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

What does it mean to be a “member in good standing?”This question has been asked from many members of ourparish. A member in good standing is one who attends churchservices, partakes of the sacraments and supports the churchwith words, deeds and financial help. Hopefully, the neces-sity of attending church services and partaking of the sacra-ments is clearly understood. However, the aspect of sup-porting the church with words, deeds and money is not com-monly understood. We are to support the church by reflecting our OrthodoxChristian beliefs when we speak to people. Our words shouldconvey to others that we, as members of the church, loveGod and our fellow man. Being critical and judgmental to-wards others is not indicative of a sincere and conscientiouschurch member. We are, likewise, expected to support the church withgood deeds. This may consist of working in and around the(„·ÏÙ‹ÚÈ) chanter stand, serving as an acolyte, teachingchurch school, being an active member on the parish coun-

cil, a contributing member of the Ladies Philoptochos Soci-ety, being a team advisor, serving in a ministry position,helping in parish fund raising projects and making oneselfavailable for special needs when they arise. In conjunction with the above a “member in good stand-ing” is one who supports the church with a respectable por-tion of his/her material possessions. Giving is a major partof our spiritual upbringing. We must respect the blessing thatGod has given to all of us, and we must give back to God aportion of our material wealth. Remember, when you give to God’s home, He will repayyou a hundredfold. What we possess in life materially we are to use to meetour individual and family needs. But, if we do not set asidean amount proportional to our assets to support God’s workin the Church, then regardless of how good we may thinkourselves, we are not fully committed member of the house-hold of faith. In a national survey it was determined that Americanpeople spent the following : $ 3 billion on cosmetics, $3 bil-

Continued from page 7

™˘Ó¤¯ÂÈ· ÛÙËÓ ÛÂÏ›‰· 7

PAGE 4 January / π·ÓÔ˘¿ÚÈÔ˜—2008KOINONIA

Saint Nicholas: “Our Church”

O ÕÁÈÔ˜ ¡ÈÎfiÏ·Ô˜: «∏ ∂ÎÎÏËÛ›· Ì·˜»T˘ ∂˘·ÁÁÂÏ›· §·Ï¿ ∂›Ó·È ∫˘ÚÈη‹ Úˆ˝, ¿ÂÈ 10 Ë ÒÚ·. ∫·ıÒ˜ ÏËÛÈ¿˙ÂÙÂ,·ÎÔ‡Ù ÙȘ η̿Ó˜ ÙÔ˘ ∞Á›Ô˘ ¡ÈÎÔÏ¿Ô˘ Ó· Ì·˜ ηÏÔ‡Ó Ó·ÂÎÎÏËÛÈ·ÛÙÔ‡ÌÂ, ·Ú¯›˙ÂÈ Ë §ÂÈÙÔ˘ÚÁ›·. ∞ÎfiÌË ÎÈ ·Ó‚ÚÈÛÎfiÌ·ÛÙ ̷ÎÚ˘¿ ·fi ÙÔÓ ã∞ÁÈÔ ¡ÈÎfiÏ·Ô, Ë Î·Ú‰È¿ Ì·˜Ï¤ÂÈ fiÙÈ Ú¤ÂÈ Ó· ›̷ÛÙ ÛÙËÓ ÂÎÎÏËÛ›·, Ó· ÂÔÚÙ¿ÛÔ˘Ì ÙËӣ›· §ÂÈÙÔ˘ÚÁ›·, Ó· ÚÔÛ¢¯ËıÔ‡ÌÂ Î·È Ó· ‰ÔÍ¿ÛÔ˘Ì ÙÔ £ÂfiÌ·˙› Ì ÙËÓ ÂÎÎÏËÛÈ·ÛÙÈ΋ Ì·˜ ÔÈÎÔÁ¤ÓÂÈ·.

∆È ÌÔÚ› Ó· Â›Ó·È ·˘Ùfi Ô˘ ¤¯ÂÈ ÙË ‰‡Ó·ÌË Ó· Ì·˜·ÔÌ·ÎÚ‡ÓÂÈ ·fi ÙËÓ §ÂÈÙÔ˘ÚÁ›· Ù˘ ∫˘Úȷ΋˜, ·fi ÙÔÓ∂ÛÂÚÈÓfi ÙˆÓ ÌÂÁ¿ÏˆÓ ∂ÔÚÙÒÓ, Ó· Ì·˜ ÎÚ·Ù¿ Ì·ÎÚ˘¿ ·fi ÙËÓ∂ÎÎÏËÛ›· Ì·˜, Ì·ÎÚ˘¿ ·fi ÙÔ Ó· ÙÈÌÔ‡ÌÂ Î·È Ó· ¢¯·ÚÈÛÙÔ‡ÌÂÙÔ £Âfi Û·Ó ÌÈ· √Úıfi‰ÔÍË ÃÚÈÛÙÈ·ÓÈ΋ ÔÈÎÔÁ¤ÓÂÈ·; º˘ÛÈο,ÌÔÚԇ̠ӷ ÚÔÛ¢¯Ëıԇ̠ÌfiÓÔÈ Ì·˜, ÛÙÔ Û›ÙÈ ‹ÔÔ˘‰‹ÔÙ ‚ÚÂıÔ‡ÌÂ, ·ÏÏ¿ Ô £Âfi˜ ¢¯·ÚÈÛÙÂ›Ù·È ÂÚÈÛÛfiÙÂÚÔÓ· Ì·˜ ‚ϤÂÈ fiÏÔ˘˜ Ì·˙›, Û·Ó ÌÈ· ÔÈÎÔÁ¤ÓÂÈ·, Ù· ·È‰È¿ ÙÔ˘,Ó· ÚÔÛ¢¯fiÌ·ÛÙÂ Î·È Ó· ‰ÔÍ¿˙Ô˘Ì ÙÔ fiÓÔÌ¿ ∆Ô˘. ∞ÎfiÌË ‰ÂÓηٷϷ‚·›ÓÔ˘Ì fiÙÈ Ë ·Ô˘Û›· Ì·˜ Á›ÓÂÙ·È ·ÈÛıËÙ‹ ÛÙÔ˘˜Ê›ÏÔ˘˜ Ì·˜, fiÙ·Ó ·Ô˘ÛÈ¿˙Ô˘ÌÂ Î·È ‰ÂÓ Â›Ì·ÛÙ ̷˙› ÙÔ˘˜;

∆· ·Ú·Î¿Ùˆ ‰¿ÊÈ· ÚÔ¤Ú¯ÔÓÙ·È ·fi ÙÔÓ ·Ù¤Ú·ªÂÓ¤Ï·Ô ¶··ÁˆÚÁ›Ô˘, ·fi ÙËÓ ∂ÏÏËÓÈ΋ ∫ÔÈÓfiÙËÙ· Ù˘∑ˆÔ‰fi¯Ô˘ ¶ËÁ‹˜ ÛÙÔ ª¿ÚÙÈÓ˜ º¤ÚÚ˘, √¯¿˚Ô Î·È ·Í›˙ÂÈ Ó· Ùԉȷ‚¿ÛÔ˘Ó fiÛÔÈ ¤ÚÓÔ˘Ó ÙÔ ÌËÓÈ·›Ô Ê˘ÏÏ¿‰ÈÔ Ù˘∫√π¡ø¡π∞™.

µy Eve Lallas

It’s Sunday morning, going on 10o’clock. As you approach,you hear the bells of St.Nicholas calling you to worship; the litur-gical service is beginning. Even if we find ourselvesfar from St. Nicholas, our heart tells us that we belongin church, hearing the Good News, celebrating theEucharistic Liturgy, glorifying and worshipping Godwith our church family. What could be so important on Sunday morningsand during the vespers of high holy days as to draw usaway from our church, away from honoring andthanking God as an Orthodox Christian community.Of course, we pray as individuals at home or wher-ever we find ourselves, but it pleases God more to seeHis children-His Body-united in prayer glorifyingHis name. Do we not also realize that our fellow pa-rishioners miss us when we are absent from amongthem?

The following comes from Father MenelaosPapageorgiou of the Greek Orthodox Church“Zoodohos Peghe” in Martin’s Ferry, Ohio and is worthy of shar-ing with the readers of our KOINONIA.

“ I am your church. I am here because you built me. I am beau-tifully situated in your midst. In the center of your community Iwill be a cherished landmark to the thousands who come to mydoor over the years. You built me because you knew that yourlife would be incomplete and unfulfilled without me.

I am your church. I am here not simply to adorn, but to serve.Your children and youth come to me to learn the ways of hon-esty, industry, morality and religion. Your brides and groomscome to my altar that their weddings may be hallowed and sweet-ened by divine blessings.

I am your church. I comfort your sick and sorrowing. I buryyour dead and offer rest and solace to the weary. I bring pardon

and peace to those who are burdened with sin. My message ofmercy brings new life.

I am your church. My doors are open to all-rich or poor, bondor free. My pulpit rings out the message of goodwill to men, of peace andpardon and of a Savior’s love to all. I teach you theway of life and guide you on the road to heaven.

I am your church. Come and worship with me;support me; and I will serve you all your days onthis earth and beyond.” As you read Father Papageorgiou’s meaning ofthe church,can’t you hear our beloved St.Nicholasspeaking to you? Can you imagine life without ourchurch? I don’t think any of us can. St.Nicholas of-fers us many avenues to nurture us spiritually,learning more about our Lord Jesus Christ and thusbringing us closer to Him. How do we re-spond?......

As we begin the new year and make manyresolutions to improve our personal lives, let us

resolve not to overlook resolutions which will benefit our souls.Let us resolve to address our spiritual needs in preparation for oursalvation by giving as much,if not more, thought and effort to ourspiritual well-being as we do to our material needs. Beginning thisSunday morning let us resolve to be IN church regularly; accept-ing the invitation of the Panaghia Platitera embracing us with out-stretched arms,answering the welcoming call to worship of thebells of St. Nicholas. Let us heed the words of Fathe Papageorgiou by taking an in-depth look at our beloved St.Nicholas;showing our appreciationfor all that she offers us by supporting her; not onlymonetarily,but with our time and God-given talents so that she“will serve (us) all (our) days on this earth and beyond”.

“I am yourchurch.Come andworship with me;support me;and I will serveyou all your dayson this earth andbeyond.”

«∂›Ì·È Ë ÂÎÎÏËÛ›· Û·˜. µÚ›ÛÎÔÌ·È Â‰Ò ÂÂȉ‹ ÂÛ›˜ Ì ÎÙ›Û·ÙÂ.ª’¤¯ÂÙ fiÌÔÚÊ· ÙÔÔıÂÙ‹ÛÂÈ ·Ó¿ÌÂÛ¿ Û·˜. £· Â›Ì·È ÙÔÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfiÙÂÚÔ Û‹Ì· ηٷÙÂı¤Ó ÛÙÔ Î¤ÓÙÚÔ Ù˘ ∫ÔÈÓfiÙËÙ¿˜Û·˜, ¯ÈÏÈ¿‰Â˜ ÎfiÛÌÔ˜ ı¿ ¤Ú¯ÂÙ·È ÛÙË fiÚÙ· ÌÔ˘ Ì ٷ ¯ÚfiÓÈ·.ªÂ ÎÙ›Û·Ù ÁÈ·Ù› ÁÓÒÚÈ˙·Ù fiÙÈ Ë ˙ˆ‹ Û·˜ ‰ÂÓ ı· ‹Ù·ÓÔÏÔÎÏËڈ̤ÓË Î·È Ù¤ÏÂÈ· ¯ˆÚ›˜ Â̤ӷ. ∂›Ì·È Ë ÂÎÎÏËÛ›· Û·˜. µÚ›ÛÎÔÌ·È Â‰Ò fi¯È ÌfiÓÔ ÁÈ· Ó·‰È·ÎÔÛÌÒ, ·ÏÏ¿ Î·È ÁÈ· Ó· ˘ËÚÂÙÒ. ∆· ·È‰È¿ Û·˜ Î·È ËÓÂÔÏ·›· ¤Ú¯ÔÓÙ·È Û ̤ӷ Ó· Ì¿ıÔ˘Ó ÙÔ˘˜ ÙÚfiÔ˘˜ ÙÈÌÈfiÙËÙ·˜,ÂÚÁ·Û›·˜, ËıÈ΋˜ Î·È ıÚËÛΛ·˜. √È Ó‡Ê˜ Î·È ÔÈ Á·ÌÚÔ› Û·˜¤Ú¯ÔÓÙ·È ÌÚÔÛÙ¿ ÛÙÔ πÂÚfi ÌÔ˘ ÁÈ· Ó· ¢ÏÔÁ‹ÛÔ˘Ó ÙÔ˘˜Á¿ÌÔ˘˜ ÙÔ˘˜ Î·È Ó· Ï¿‚Ô˘Ó ÙȘ ı›˜ ¢ÏÔÁ›Â˜ ÌÔ˘.

∂›Ì·È Ë ÂÎÎÏËÛ›· Û·˜. ∞·Ï‡Óˆ ÙÔÓ fiÓÔ Û·˜ fiÙ·Ó·ÛıÂÓ›ÙÂ Î·È ÂÓı›ÙÂ. £¿‚ˆ ÙÔ˘˜ ÓÂÎÚÔ‡˜ Û·˜ Î·È ÚÔÛʤڈ·Ó·ÎÔ‡ÊÈÛË Î·È ·ÚËÁÔÚÈ¿ ÛÙÔ˘˜ ÔÓÂ̤ÓÔ˘˜. ¶ÚÔÛÊ¤ÚˆÛ˘Á¯ÒÚËÛË Î·È ÂÈÚ‹ÓË ÛÙÔ˘˜ ·Ì·ÚÙˆÏÔ‡˜. √ Ô›ÎÙÔ˜ ÌÔ˘Ê¤ÚÓÂÈ Ó¤· ˙ˆ‹.

∂›Ì·È Ë ÂÎÎÏËÛ›· Û·˜. √È fiÚÙ˜ ÌÔ˘ Â›Ó·È ·ÓÔÈÎÙ¤˜ ÁÈ·fiÏÔ˘˜- ÏÔ‡ÛÈÔ˘˜ Î·È ÊÙˆ¯Ô‡˜, Ê˘Ï·ÎÈṲ̂ÓÔ˘˜ ηÈÂχıÂÚÔ˘˜. ∞fi ÙÔÓ ¿Ì‚ˆÓ· ÌÔ˘ ˯› ÙÔ Ì‹Ó˘Ì· Ù˘ ÂÈÚ‹Ó˘Ù˘ Û˘Á¯ÒÚËÛ˘ Î·È Ù˘ ·Á¿Ë˜ ÙÔ˘ ™ˆÙ‹ÚÔ˜ Ì·˜ ÚÔ˜ fiÏÔ˘˜ÂÌ¿˜. ™·˜ ‰È‰¿ÛΈ ÙÔÓ ÙÚfiÔ ˙ˆ‹˜ Î·È Û·˜ Ô‰ËÁÒ ÛÙÔ ‰ÚfiÌÔÚÔ˜ ÙÔÓ ¶·Ú¿‰ÂÈÛÔ.

™˘Ó¤¯ÂÈ· ÛÙËÓ ÛÂÏ›‰· 9

January / π·ÓÔ˘¿ÚÈÔ˜—2008 PAGE 5KOINONIA

SAINT NICHOLAS PRIDEThe staff of the Pharos has learned the delightful news of

the Bouloubassis family and is happy to share it with thecommunity!

In June Aris will be graduating from the Gilman Schoolat which he has been a member of the Water Polo teamamong his involvement in several other organizations. TheMaryland Intescholastic Athletic Association has selectedhim (one of seven players) to be on the All Maryland WaterPolo Team.

In December Aris was also accepted to the JohnsHopkins University in Early Decision at which time only284 of almost 24,000 applicants were chosen.

He is the son of proud parents Nick & Ethel Bouloubassisand grandson of George and Rosa Cornias, and Aristidis andCatherine Bouloubassis, all life long active communicantsof Saint Nicholas.

As we have seen Aris excel and graduate from our Sun-day School, we are now very pleased to learn of his m,ostrecent accomplishments. We congratulate Aris and wishhim all the best in his future endeavors. Ke s’ anotera! Namas zisi!

∆√ ∫∞ª∞ƒπ ∆√À ∞°π√À ¡π∫√§∞√À ∏ ∂ÈÙÚÔ‹ Ù˘ ∫√π¡ø¡π∞™ ¤Ì·ı ٷ ¢¯¿ÚÈÙ· Ó¤· Ù˘ÔÈÎÔÁÂÓ›·˜ ªÔ˘Ïԇ̷ÛË, Î·È Â›Ó·È Â˘Ù˘¯‹˜ Ó· Ù·ÌÔÈÚ·ÛÙ› Ì ÙËÓ ∫ÔÈÓfiÙËÙ¿ Ì·˜. ∆ÔÓ πÔ‡ÓÈÔ Ô ã∞Ú˘ ı· ·ÔÊÔÈÙ‹ÛÂÈ ·fi ÙÔ Gilman School,Ô˘ Â›Ó·È Ì¤ÏÔ˜ Ù˘ ÔÌ¿‰·˜ Water Polo, ÌÂٷ͇ ¿ÏψӷÚÎÂÙÒÓ ÔÚÁ·ÓÒÛÂˆÓ Ô˘ Û˘ÌÌÂÙ¤¯ÂÈ. ∏ ∂ÈÙÚÔ‹ ÙÔ˘ Mary-land Interscholastic Athletic Association ÙÔÓ Â¤ÏÂÍ (¤Ó·˜ ÛÙÔ˘˜ÂÙ¿ ·›ÎÙ˜) Ó· Ï¿‚ÂÈ Ì¤ÚÔ˜ ÛÙËÓ ÔÌ¿‰· All ªaryland WaterPolo. ∆ÔÓ ¢ÂΤ̂ÚÈÔ Ô ã∞Ú˘ ¤ÁÈÓ ›Û˘ ‰ÂÎÙfi˜ Ó· ÊÔÈÙ‹ÛÂÈ ÛÙÔJohns Hoplins University in Early Decision, Ô˘ Á›ÓÔÓÙ·È ‰ÂÎÙÔ›ÌfiÓÔÓ 284 ÊÔÈÙËÙ¤˜ ÛÙÔ˘˜ 24,000 Ô˘ οÓÔ˘Ó ·›ÙËÛË. ∂›Ó·È ÁÈfi˜ ÙˆÓ ¡ÈÎÔÏ¿Ô˘ Î·È ∞ÓıԇϷ˜ ªÔ˘Ïԇ̷ÛËÎ·È ÂÁÁÔÓfi˜ ÙÔ˘ °ÂˆÚÁ›Ô˘ Î·È ƒfi˙·˜ ∫fiÚÓÈ·, Î·È ÙÔ˘∞ÚÈÛÙ›‰Ë Î·È ∫·ÙÂÚ›Ó·˜ ªÔ˘Ïԇ̷ÛË, fiÏÔÈ ÂÓÂÚÁ¿ ̤ÏËÙ˘ ∫ÔÈÓfiÙËÙ·˜ ÙÔ˘ ∞Á›Ô˘ ¡ÈÎÔÏ¿Ô˘. ∂›‰·Ì ÙÔÓ ã∞ÚË Ó· ·ÚÈÛÙ‡ÂÈ fiÙ·Ó ·ÔÊÔ›ÙËÛ ·fi ÙÔ∫·Ù˯ËÙÈÎfi Ì·˜ ™¯ÔÏ›Ô, Î·È ÙÒÚ· ÙÔÓ Í·Ó·‚Ï¤Ô˘ÌÂ, ηÈÔÌÔÏÔÁÔ˘Ì¤Óˆ˜ ›̷ÛÙ Ôχ ˘ÂÚ‹Ê·ÓÔÈ ÁÈ’ ·˘ÙfiÓ, ·Ú¯›˙ÂÈÓ· ·ÚÈÛÙ‡ÂÈ Î·È Û ¿ÏÏÔ˘˜ ÙÔÌ›˜, ã∞ÚË, ÛÂ Û˘Á¯·›ÚÔ˘Ì ηÈÛÔ˘ ¢¯fiÌ·ÛÙ ¿ÓÙ· ·ÚÈÛÙ›· ÛÙȘ ÌÂÏÏÔÓÙÈΤ˜ ÛÔ˘ ÛÔ˘‰¤˜.∫·È Û ·ÓÒÙÂÚ·, Ó· Ì·˜ ˙‹ÛÂȘ!

™À§§√°√™ °√¡∂ø¡ ∫∞π ¢∞™∫∞§ø¡√È ÙÂÏÂÈfiÊÔÈÙÔÈ ÙÔ˘ ™¯ÔÏ›Ԣ Ì·˜, Ì·ıËÙ¤˜/Ì·ı‹ÙÚȘ

Ù˘ ŒÎÙ˘ Ù¿Í˘, ı· ÙÈÌ‹ÛÔ˘Ó, fiˆ˜ οı ¯ÚfiÓÔ, ÙËÓÁÈÔÚÙ‹ ÙˆÓ ∆ÚÈÒÓ πÂÚ·Ú¯ÒÓ Ì ۇÓÙÔÌÔ ÂÔÚÙ·ÛÌfi. √ÂÔÚÙ·ÛÌfi˜ ı· Á›ÓÂÈ ÛÙËÓ ∂ÎÎÏËÛ›·, ·Ì¤Ûˆ˜ ÌÂÙ¿ ÙËÓ £Â›·§ÂÈÙÔ˘ÚÁ›·, ÙËÓ ∫˘Úȷ΋, 27 π·ÓÔ˘·Ú›Ô˘ 2008. √™‡ÏÏÔÁfi˜ Ì·˜ ı· ¤¯ÂÈ ÙËÓ Ë̤ڷ ·˘Ù‹ ∞ÚÙÔÎÏ·Û›·.∞̤ۈ˜ ÌÂÙ¿ ÔÈ ÁÔÓ›˜ ÙÔ˘ ∂ÏÏËÓÈÎÔ‡ Ì·˜ ™¯ÔÏ›Ԣ ı·¤¯Ô˘Ó ÙË ¯·Ú¿ Ó· ÚÔÛʤÚÔ˘Ó Î·Ê¤ Î·È ÁÏ˘Î›ÛÌ·Ù· ÛÙÔÂÎÎÏËÛ›·ÛÌ·. ™·˜ ÂÚÈ̤ÓÔ˘ÌÂ!SAINT NICHOLAS DIAMONDS

Our membership is growing but there is always room formore. Each meeting brings something new, plus fellowship,and fun. Hoping to see you in the new year, on Tuesday,

PARISH NEWS - ∫Oπ¡O∆π∫∞ ¡∂AJanuary 8th at 1 p.m. in the downstairs hall. Our Januarymeeting will have a dedicated Health theme.SAINT NICHOLAS P.T.A.

The Greek School will be hosting its annual Three Hier-archs Celebration in the Church with Artocalsia and coffeehour to follow, on Sunday January 27, 2008. Please join usas our 6th graders talk about the Three Parton Saints of ourGreek School.THANK YOU “DIAGORAS

We would like to extend a very special “Thank You” tothe entire Diagoras organization for hosting the fantastic“Breakfast with Santa” for the children of our community.All the children who attended had a great time makingChristmas ornaments, getting their faces painted, watchingballoon animals being made and especially meeting Santaand receiving the very generous “goody bags”.

“Breakfast with Santa” will be a fond memory that willbe remembered for many years. We are truly blessed tohave thoughtful people, such as the members of Diagoras,in our St. Nicholas community.THANK YOU

A note of THANKS and praise to our Saint NicholasChoir for a beautiful program at the Christmas Eve service.The celebration of our Lord’s birth was enhanced by theirbeautiful voices.

LET THE J.O.Y BEGIN!Happy New Year to everyone! The first meeting of the

St. Nicholas J.O.Y program will be on Saturday, January 19,2008 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. in the small social hall. All St.Nicholas children, ages 6-11 are welcome to join us. Thetheme for January’s meeting will be the Baptism of our Lordand Savior Jesus Christ. Many fun activities are planned forthe children which will reinforce the Baptism theme. A lightsnack will be served. Elections of officers will also be held.If you are interested in registering your child(ren) in theJ.O.Y program and if you are interested in an office posi-tion, please stop by the church office and complete the des-ignated paperwork or contact Popi Angelos at (410) 823-7023.GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY MID-ATLANTIC PARADE

Please be advised that the Greek Independence DayFundraiser Dance will be on Saturday, January 19th in St.Nicholas Church at 8pm. The ticket cost is $35.00 dollarswhich include dinner and dessert. Cash Bar. The music willbe played by Zephyros.

Please let me know if you would like a ticket or a table.The check can be made payable to: Greek IndependenceDay Mid-Atlantic Parade. You may send the check to:Greek Independence Day Mid-Atlantic ParadeP.O. Box 6151Baltimore, MD 21231

Please rsvp as soon as you can.I would like to let you know that we need your support

and need your involvement. Please attend a parade meet-ing, on a Thursday, at 7:30pm. St. Nicholas Church is thelocation in one of the classrooms. Please bring a friend.

™˘Ó¤¯ÂÈ· ÛÙËÓ ÛÂÏ›‰· 6 / Continued on page 6

PAGE 6 January / π·ÓÔ˘¿ÚÈÔ˜—2008KOINONIA

PARISH NEWS - ∫Oπ¡O∆π∫∞ ¡∂AHope to see you there and if you cannot make it HappyHolidays. For tickets please call or email me or attend ourparade meeting. Take care, Anna Halikias 410-493-3399.

GOYA UPDATEGOYA would like to thank everyone for their support in

our December fundraisers. Saturday January 12 is theEpiphany in Ocean City Maryland, anyone interested ingoing please let Fr. Michael or one of the GOYA advisorsknow. We will be hosting our tournament on Feb 9 and 10at Goucher College. We encourage everyone to come andsupport our youth.

Greektown CDCA message from John E. Gavrilis, CEO

Greektown is still undergoing major construction but weare well on schedule. Please continue to be patient; it iseveryone’s best interest to work with one another duringthis construction process. We are excited to see more andmore community members and business owners getting in-volved with our Greektown events. The more residents thatget involved, the more we can get accomplished. A recentbusiness dialogue was held with over 40 business owners inattendance. Mr. Aris Melissaratos was our guest speaker.

Baltimore City is currently striving towards a cleanergreener environment. Effective January 8, 2008 the Citywill begin collecting all recyclable materials- bottles, cans,plastic #1-7, mixed paper and cardboard in a single con-tainer on the same day. You can put these recyclable mate-rials in either a trash can labeled ‘recyclable,’ a paper bag ora cardboard box on your regular scheduled trash day. Youcan also purchase a specially marked can from the city. Dial311 for more information. During this winter season, pleaseremember to check on your elderly neighbors and offer as-sistance on ice covered streets.

Remember to dial 311 for all non-police related emergen-cies including sanitation complaints and repair requests.Please dial 911 for all criminal activities as soon as they oc-cur. If you are interested in helping monitor the CCTV cam-eras at the Southeast District Police, please call John Gavrilisor Jason Filippou at 410-327-3306.

Believe in your community!

SAINT NICHOLAS CHURCHPROFIT & LOSS

SEPTEMBER 2007November, 2007——————————————

Ordinary Income/ExpenseIncomeCandles 8,551.00Dances Special Events 5,960.00 Dances / Other 5,504.00

——————————————

Total Dances 11,464.00

DonationsFlowers Income 540.00Christmas Card Income 1,100.00Donations—General 775.00Donations—Hall 550.00Donations Memorial 1,580.00

——————————————

Total Donations 4,545.00

Plateia Income 50.00Stewardship 22,860.00Trays 1,090.00

——————————————

Total Income 48,560.00Cost of Goods SoldDance Expense 6,781.00

——————————————

Total COGS 6,781.00——————————————

Gross Profit 41,778.11 12/26/07, Accrual Basis

January / π·ÓÔ˘¿ÚÈÔ˜—2008 PAGE 7KOINONIA

SAINT NICHOLAS STEWARDSHIP 2008

PLEDGED PAYMENTS BALANCE

TOTALS: $68,905.00 $27,820.00 $41,085.00

lion on tobacco, $10 billion on entertainment, $12 billionon alcohol and #1.5 billion on charities and churches. Whatdoes this tell us about our sense of priorities? Should theChurch be the last on our list or should it be an importantpriority on our lives?

I want to reassure you that this is not my opinion, but thisis what the Gospel says. This is what the Holy Fathers andthe 2000 year-old experience of the church attests to. The

time has come for all of us to reevaluate, to rethink on themethod of our giving.

The bottom line is this: if we give generously, if we do actsof love and labor and service to the Church, if we speakkindly, all out of love for God, in sincere gratitude for Hisblessings, then we can expect to “reap abundantly,” not nec-essarily in this world, but more importantly, in the world tocome.

Yours in the Lord’s Service

Fr. Michael L. Pastrikos – Protopresbyter

Stewardship Message from Father Michael

∂ıÂÏÔÓÙÈ΋ ¶ÚÔÛÊÔÚ¿: «ÀÔÛÙ‹ÚÈÍË ÛÙËÓ ∂ÎÎÏËÛ›· Ì·˜»

ÛÙȘ ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈΤ˜ ÚÔÙÂÚ·ÈfiÙËÙ˜ Ù˘ ˙ˆ‹˜ Ì·˜;£¤Ïˆ Ó· Û·˜ ‰ËÏÒÛˆ fiÙÈ ‰ÂÓ Â›Ó·È ‰È΋ ÌÔ˘ ÁÓÒÌË

·ÏÏ¿ Â›Ó·È ÁÚ·Ì̤ÓÔ ÛÙÔ ∂˘·ÁÁ¤ÏÈÔ. ∂›Ó·È ·˘Ùfi Ô˘Ì·ÚÙ˘ÚÔ‡Ó ÔÈ ÕÁÈÔÈ ¶·Ù¤Ú˜ Î·È Ë Â›Ú· ÙˆÓ 2000¯ÚfiÓˆÓ Ù˘ ÂÎÎÏËÛ›·˜. ◊ÏıÂ Ô ̄ ÚfiÓÔ˜ ÁÈ· fiÏÔ˘˜ Ì·˜ ӷ·ÓÂÍÂÙ¿ÛÔ˘ÌÂ Î·È Ó· Í·Ó·ÛÎÂÊıԇ̠ÙÈ ı·

ÚÔÛʤÚÔ˘Ì ÁÈ· Ó· ˘ÔÛÙËÚ›ÍÔ˘Ì ÙËÓ ÂÎÎÏËÛ›· Ì·˜.∆Ô ·ÔÙ¤ÏÂÛÌ· Â›Ó·È ÙÔ‡ÙÔ: Â¿Ó Â›Ì·ÛÙ ÁÂÓÓ·Èfi‰ˆÚÔÈ,

·Ó οÓÔ˘Ì ڿÍÂȘ ·Á¿Ë˜, ÂıÂÏÔÓÙÈ΋˜ ÂÚÁ·Û›·˜ Î·È˘ËÚÂÙԇ̠ÙËÓ ∂ÎÎÏËÛ›·, Â¿Ó ÌÈÏԇ̠¢ÁÂÓÈο, Î·È fiÏ·Á›ÓÔÓÙ·È Ì ·Á¿Ë ÁÈ· ÙÔ £Âfi, Ì ÂÈÏÈÎÚÈÓ‹ ¢ÁÓˆÌÔÛ‡ÓËÁÈ· ÙȘ ¢ÏÔÁ›Â˜ ∆Ô˘, ÙfiÙ ÌÔÚԇ̠ӷ ÂÚÈ̤ÓÔ˘Ì ӷ«ıÂÚ›ÛÔ˘Ì ¿ÊıÔÓ·,» Î·È fi¯È ··Ú·›ÙËÙ· Û ÙÔ‡ÙË ÙË˙ˆ‹, ·ÏÏ¿ ÈÔ Ôχ, ÛÙËÓ ¿ÏÏË ˙ˆ‹.

™˘Ó¤¯ÂÈ· ·Ô ÙËÓ ÛÂÏ›‰· 3

Continued from page 3

PAGE 8 January / π·ÓÔ˘¿ÚÈÔ˜—2008KOINONIA

DONATIONS IN MEMORIAMIN MEMORY OF DESPINA SAPOUNAKISMr. & Mrs. Theodore OnassisMr. & Mrs. George ArnasMr. & Mrs. George KavouriouMr. & Mrs. Edward & Carol NordbergMrs. Koula MaviasThe Gerapetritis FamilyMs. Maria SalpeasMrs. Ioanna AnagnosMr. & Mrs. Michael KatsarosMr. & Mrs. Basilio TrintisPete & Flora ChristGeorge, Mary & Savas GeorgasMrs. Margaret MarinoMs. Tricia Zoe TrintisMrs. Zoe Moschis- FadokMr. & Mrs. Ector AlexandratosMrs. Rose TsakalosMr. & Mrs. Vasilios SkordalosMs. Sonia GrohNick & Mary AntonasMr. & Mrs. Peter KootsikasMr. & Mrs. Alex KalambihisMrs. Despina KaitisMr. & Mrs. Tharenos PapavasiliouMs. Eugenia KalisManuel & Barbara NicolaidesJohn & Harriett HatzidimitriouJohn, Eve LallasMrs. Anastasia Vasilakopoulos & Family

IN MEMORY OF KATERINA MILONAS &HOMER KEVASMr. & Mrs. Kimon MilonasHomer HOmerHomerKevas-*H

IN MEMORY OF GEORGE DEMETRIDESMr. & Mrs. Michael CardigesFreda, Chris AngelopoulosMr. & Mrs. Nick GialamasMr. & Mrs. George Sfakianoudis

IN MEMORY OF KONSTATNINA LERAKISMr. & Mrs. Nick GialamasMs. Maria Salpeas

IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOS STRATAKOSMrs. Donna Bisbikis SpencerMrs. Helen Bisbikis

IN MEMORY OF KLEOVOULOS NEOFITOUMrs. Athina NeofitouMrs. Maria KoutsonourisMrs. Helen FrapasMrs. Metaxia Chrisomallis

IN MEMORY OF JOHN KOUIMANISFreda, Chris Angelopoulos

IN MEMORY OF VASILIKI &CHRISTOS STRATAKOSMs. Stavroula ChristakouMr. & Mrs. John Kevas

IN MEMORY OF ALEXIOS STAVRAKISMr. & Mrs. George Sfakianoudis

IN MEMORY OF GEORGE STAKIASMr. & Mrs. Nick Gialamas

IN MEMORY OF DIMITRA TSAMBIKOSMr. Steve KouroupisMs. Eugenia KalisMr. & Mrs. George MakrisMr. & Mrs. Theodore OnassisThe Gerapetridis FamilyMr. & Mrs. Frank VasiliosMrs. Margaret KontoyianisMr. & Mrs. John RigopoulosMr. & Mrs. Nick GialamasMr. & Mrs. Vasilis SkordalosMrs. Despina KaitisMrs. Cleo RoxanisMs. Maria SalpeasManuel & Barbara NicolaidesMr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Avgerinos

IN MEMORY OF DIMITRA &VASILIOS TSAMBIKOSMrs. Stephanie Tahinos

IN MEMORY OF SAVAS GEORGASGeorge & Mary GeorgasMs. Maria Salpeas

IN MEMORY OF TONY C. CORNIASMr. & Mrs. Paris PearceMr. & Mrs. Michael KlosteridesMr. & Mrs. Theodore OnassisMr. & Mrs. James MaurakisMr. & Mrs. Prokopes SophocleousMr. & Mrs. Nick GialamasLadies Panchian SocietyMr. Stamatis MavrellosMr. & Mrs. Emmanuel PikounisGeorge & Rosa CorniasMr. & Mrs. Nick StroumbisMrs. Alexandra LygoumenosMr. & Mrs. George SOulikasIN MEMORY OF HARALAMBOS VATISTASLadies Panchian Society

IN MEMORY OF ANTONIOS MARMARASMr. & Mrs. Theodore Onassis

IN MEMORY OF GEORGE KOSMAKOSMr. & Mrs. Theodore Onassis

IN MEMORY OF SAVVAS AMARANTIDISMr. & Mrs. Peter TassisMs. Maria SalpeasSaint Nicholas Sunday School

IN MEMORY OF EVDOKIA SOLLONMr. Paul StratosMrs. Georgia KerasiotisDiane, Pete StratakosMr. & Mrs. Steve ZavakosLai Construction Ser.Inc.Dafni & Scott AndirsonFlora & Ed MillonMr. & MRs. Vasilis SkordalosIN MEMORY OF LAMBROS NEOFITOUMr. & Mrs. Dionisios KoulatsosMrs. Maria KoutsonourisIN MEMORY OF ELEFTHERIA KOLIOFOTISMr. Dimitrios KoliofotisIN MEMORY OF JOHN, CHRYSANTHI MOSTRISMs. Anastasia Hatziefthimiou Loukakis

2008.

2008.

443-742-8314.

January / π·ÓÔ˘¿ÚÈÔ˜—2008 PAGE 9KOINONIA

O ÕÁÈÔ˜ ¡ÈÎfiÏ·Ô˜: «∏ ∂ÎÎÏËÛ›· Ì·˜»™˘Ó¤¯ÂÈ· ·Ô ÙËÓ ÛÂÏ›‰· 4

∂›Ì·È Ë ÂÎÎÏËÛ›· Û·˜. ∂Ï¿Ù ӷ ÚÔÛ¢¯Ëı›Ù ̷˙› ÌÔ˘.ÀÔÛÙ‹ÚÈͤ ÌÂ, Î·È ÂÁÒ ı· Û·˜ ˘ËÚÂÙÒ fiÛÔ ˙›ÙÂ Î·È ·ÎfiÌË¿Ú· ¤Ú·.»

∫·ıÒ˜ ‰È·‚¿˙ÂÙ ÙÔ ÂÎÎÏËÛÈ·ÛÙÈÎfi Ì‹Ó˘Ì· ÙÔ˘ ¶·Ù¤Ú·¶··ÁˆÚÁ›Ô˘, ‰ÂÓ ÓÔÌ›˙ÂÙ fiÙÈ ·Îԇ̠ÙË ÊˆÓ‹ ÙÔ˘ ∞Á›Ô˘¡ÈÎÔÏ¿Ô˘ Ó· Û·˜ ÌÈÏ¿; ªÔÚ›Ù ӷ Ê·ÓÙ·ÛÙ›Ù ÙË ˙ˆ‹ Û·˜¯ˆÚ›˜ ÙËÓ ∂ÎÎÏËÛ›· Ì·˜; ¢ÂÓ ÓÔÌ›˙ˆ fiÙÈ Î·Ó¤Ó·˜ ·fi Ì·˜ÌÔÚ›. √ ã∞ÁÈÔ˜ ¡ÈÎfiÏ·Ô˜ Ì·˜ ‰Â›¯ÓÂÈ ÔÏÏÔ‡˜ ‰ÚfiÌÔ˘˜ ÁÈ·Ó· ·Ó·Ù‡ÍÔ˘Ì ÙÔ Ó‡̷ Ì·˜, Ó· Ì¿ıÔ˘Ì ÂÚÈÛÛfiÙÂÚ· ÁÈ·ÙÔ ∫‡ÚÈfi Ì·˜ πËÛÔ‡ ÃÚÈÛÙfi Î·È Ìã·˘Ùfi ÙÔ ÙÚfiÔ Ó· Ì·˜ ʤÚÂÈÈÔ ÎÔÓÙ¿ ∆Ô˘. ∂Ì›˜, Ì ÔÈfi ÙÚfiÔ ·ÓÙ·ÔÎÚÈÓfiÌ·ÛÙÂ;

∫·ıÒ˜ ÍÂÎÈÓ¿Ì ÙË Ó¤· ¯ÚÔÓÈ¿ Î·È ¤ÚÓÔ˘Ì ‰È¿ÊÔÚ˜·ÔÊ¿ÛÂȘ ÁÈ· Ó· ‚ÂÏÙÈÒÛÔ˘Ì ÙËÓ ÚÔÛˆÈ΋ Ì·˜ ̇ ˆ‹, ·˜ ÌËÓÏËÛÌÔÓ‹Û˘Ì ӷ ¿ÚÔ˘Ì ·ÔÊ¿ÛÂȘ Ô˘ ı· ÔÊÂÏ‹ÛÔ˘Ó ÙȘ„˘¯¤˜ Ì·˜. ∞˜ ·ÔÊ·Û›ÛÔ˘Ì ӷ ‚ÂÏÙÈÒÛÔ˘Ì ÙȘ ÓÂ˘Ì·ÙÈΤ˜Ì·˜ ·Ó¿ÁΘ ÁÈ· Ó· ÚÔÂÙÔÈÌ¿ÛÔ˘Ì ÙË ÛˆÙËÚ›· ÙˆÓ „˘¯ÒÓ

Ì·˜, ÛÎÂÙfiÌÂÓÔÈ ‚·ıÈ¿ ·˜ ‰ÒÛÔ˘ÌÂ Î·È ·˜ οÓÔ˘Ì fiÙÈÌÔÚÔ‡ÌÂ, ·ÎfiÌË Î·È ÂÚÈÛÛfiÙÂÚ·, ÁÈ· ˘Á›· Ù˘ „˘¯‹˜ Ì·˜,·ÎÚÈ‚Ò˜ fiˆ˜ οÓÔ˘ÌÂ Î·È ÁÈ· ÙȘ ˘ÏÈΤ˜ Ì·˜ ·Ó¿ÁΘ.∞Ú¯›˙ÔÓÙ·˜ ·fi ÙËÓ ∫˘Úȷ΋ Ô˘ Ì·˜ ¤Ú¯ÂÙ·È ·˜ ›̷ÛÙ fiÏÔȪ∂™∞ ÛÙËÓ ∂ÎÎÏËÛ›· Û ηÓÔÓÈ΋ ‚¿ÛË, ‰Â¯fiÌÂÓÔÈ ÙÔηψÛfiÚÈÛÌ· Ù˘ ¶·Ó·ÁÈ¿˜ Ù˘ ¶Ï·Ù˘Ù¤Ú·˜ Ó· Ì·˜·ÁηÏÈ¿˙ÂÈ Ì ·ÏˆÌ¤Ó· Î·È ·ÓÔÈÎÙ¿ Ù· ¯¤ÚÈ· Ù˘,··ÓÙÒÓÙ·˜ ÛÙÔ Î¿ÏÂÛÌ· Ù˘ η̿ӷ˜ ÙÔ˘ ∞Á›Ô˘ ¡ÈÎÔÏ¿Ô˘,Ô˘ Ì·˜ Î·Ï¤È Ó· ÚÔÛ¢¯ËıÔ‡ÌÂ.

∞˜ ·Ú·Ú·ÙËÚ‹ÛÔ˘Ì ÚÔÛÂÎÙÈο Ù· ÏfiÁÈ· ÙÔ˘ ¶·Ù¤Ú·¶··ÁˆÚÁ›Ô˘,∫ÔÈÙ¿˙ÔÓÙ·˜ Û ‚¿ıÔ˜ ÙÔÓ ·Á·Ë̤ÓÔ Ì·˜ã∞ÁÈÔ ¡ÈÎfiÏ·. ∞˜‰Â›ÍÔ˘Ì ¢ÁÓˆÌÔÛ‡ÓË ÁÈ· Ù· fiÛ· Ì·˜ ·Ú¤¯ÂÈ ÂȘ ·ÓÙ¿ÏÏ·ÁÌ·Ù˘ ˘ÔÛÙ‹ÚÈÍ‹˜ Ì·˜, fi¯È ÌfiÓÔ ¯ÚËÌ·ÙÈο, ·ÏÏ¿ Ì ÙÔÓ ¯ÚfiÓÔÌ·˜ Ì ÙȘ ¤ÌÊ˘Ù˜ ÂȉÂÍÈfiÙËÙ¤˜ Ì·˜, Ô‡Ùˆ˜ ÒÛÙ ӷ Ì·˜Â͢ËÚÂÙ› fiÏÔ˘˜ fiÏÔ ÙÔ Î·ÈÚfi fiÛÔ ¯Ô‡ÌÂ Î·È ·ÎfiÌË ÛÙÔ ˘ÂÚ¤Ú·Ó».

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS“How Christmas was celebrated Around the World” was the theme of the Sunday School program on Sunday, December 16th. The classesselected a different country and read a story about how the people in that country celebrated Christmas. Some classes also prepared adessert and sang a carol representing that country. Pictured below are some of the students.

Pictured above are the First grade students and theirteacher. Their country was Australia.

Our Pre-K and Kindergarden students kept the beat ontheir drums to the song. “The Little Drummer Boy.”

Our Fourth grade students presented the country ofSweden. Here they are singing their favorite carol.

Germany was selected by the students of the Second grade.They sang “O Christmas Tree.”

The students in the 9t, 10, & 11thgrade selected the country ofEthiopia. Since Ethiopia is part of theAntioch Orthodox, they follow thesame ecclesiastical calendar as we do.The fasting, attending church on Christ-mas and Christmas Day is done by eachfamily member. Gifts are normally ex-changed on New Year’s or onEpiphany.

PAGE 10 January / π·ÓÔ˘¿ÚÈÔ˜—2008KOINONIA

LITURGICAL PROGRAM — MONTH OF DECEMBER 2008

GREEK ORTHODOXARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICAMETROPOLIS OFNEW JERSEY

DATED MATERIAL —

PLEASE DELIVER PROMPTLY

NON PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBALTIMORE, MDPERMIT NO. 2606

January 1, Tuesday—The Circumcision of our Lord andSavior Jesus Christ.Saint Basil the Great¶∂ƒπ∆√ª∏ ∆√À π∏™√À Ãπ™∆√À.Orthros 8:45 Devine Liturgy 9:45 a.m.∆√À ∞°π√À µ∞™π§∂π√À

January 4, Friday—Great Hours—ªÂÁ¿Ï˜ flÚ˜ 9:00 .Ì.Divine Liturgy will not be celebrated.∞˘Ù‹ ÙËÓ Ë̤ڷ ‰ÂÓ ı· ÙÂϤÛÔ˘Ì £Â›· §ÂÈÙÔ˘ÚÁ›·.

January 5, Saturday—Eve of Epiphany. ¶·Ú·ÌÔÓ‹ ÙˆÓºÒÙˆÓ. Orthros 8:45 Divine (Strict Fast)Liturgy of Saint John the Chrysostome 9:45 a.m.ª¤Á·˜ ∞ÁÈ·ÛÌfi˜.

January 5, Saturday—Great Vespers—ª¤Á·˜∂ÛÂÚÈÓfi˜ 7 Ì.Ì.

January 6, Sunday—Holy Epiphany Day.∞°π∞ £∂√º∞¡∂π∞ ∆√À ∫Àƒπ√ÀŸÚıÚÔ˜ 8:45 £Â›· §ÂÈÙÔ˘ÚÁ›· 10:00 .Ì.∞°π∞™ª√™ ∆ø¡ À¢∞∆ø¡We celebrate the holy Baptism of our Lord and Savior Jesus

Christ. Blessing of the Great Waters will take place near theend of the Liturgy.

January 7, Monday—Synaxis of Saint John the Baptist.∏ ™‡Ó·ÍȘ ÙÔ˘ ÙÈÌ›Ô˘ πˆ¿ÓÓÔ˘ µ·ÙÈÛÙÔ‡.Orthros 8:45 Divine Liturgy 9:45 a.m.

January 13, Sunday—Sunday after Epiphany.∫˘Úȷ΋ ÌÂÙ¿ Ù· £ÂÔÊ¿ÓÂÈ·.Orthros 8:45 Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

January 14, Thursday—Saint Anthony the Great.∆Ô˘ ∞Á›Ô˘ ∞ÓÙˆÓ›Ô˘ ÙÔ˘ ªÂÁ¿ÏÔ˘.Orthros 8:45 Divine Liturgy 9:45 a.m.

January 20, Sunday—Sunday of the Ten Lepers.∫˘Úȷ΋ ÙˆÓ ¢¤Î· §ÂÚÒÓ.Orthros 8:45 Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

January 27, Sunday—Sunday of Zacchaeus.∫˘Úȷ΋ ÙÔ˘ ∑·Î¯·›Ô˘.Orthros 8:45 Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

January 30, Wednesday—The Three Hierarchs.∆ˆÓ ∆ÚÈÒÓ πÂÚ·Ú¯ÒÓ.Orthros 8:45 Divine Liturgy 9:45 a.m.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!Happy New Year to Everyone. May it be

blessed with abundant health and prosperity.

A publication of Saint Nicholas GreekOrthodox Church. Published monthly,

Protopresbyter Fr. Michael L. Pastrikos, Pastor

Cell: 443-742-8314Church Office Telephone: 410-633-5020

Church Fax: 410-633-4352

http://www.stnicholasmd.org/

NEW YEAR…NEW BEGINNING…NEW NAME

Happy New Year. May it be blessed and full of Health and Prosperityfor all of you. As many of you know,throughout the years of St. Nicho-las church, the past publications have gone through several names. Westarted with THE VOICE under Father George, then onto PHAROSunder Father Manuel. Now with Father Michael, as our spiritual leader,it is only fitting that we bring about a new change, a new beginning.Thus, we proudly present to all of our parishioners…..KOINONIA. Weare a churchfamily, a community and our newsletter’s name should re-flect this. With this, we kick off the first issueof 2008 publication un-der the new name KOINONIA.