he Advent Period is the spiritual preparationfor the birth of our Lord and Savior, JesusChrist to take place pragmatically in themanger of a person’s soul. A major themebehind the event of our Lord’s birth is theexample of servitude. By reflecting on theservitude of God and the main characters sur-rounding the birth of Jesus one may respond towoes of the modern world with a perspective

guided by the example of the LordHimself.

During an interaction with His dis-ciples on the issue of prominence,leadership and authority Jesus teachesHis disciples the following, “Just asthe Son of Man did not come to beserved, but to serve, and to give Hislife a ransom for many.” Mt. 20:28From the very moment of the incarna-tion (The 2nd Person of the HolyTrinity taking on flesh) of the LordJesus Christ, the sense of servitude isprominent. First, just that the Son ofGod, the second Person of the HolyTrinity would self-empty (kenosis)Himself to become fully and one hun-dred percent human is in itself and actof servitude. Second, the whole birthsequence is one continual act of serv-ice. While still in His holy mother’swomb, the holy fetus endures a jour-ney on a donkey to Bethlehem toappease the distorted human priderepresented by the Caesar of Rome.While being born, being rejected bymost of the people in Bethlehem, the Lord and Kingof the universe, out of extreme humility, accepts amanger for His birthplace. Seeing the image of theByzantine icon of the Nativity, Jesus is wrapped in awhite swaddling cloth and laying in the cave, alreadyprefiguring His purpose in life, which is to die for thesins of the people. Out of servitude, the infant Christeven tolerates an attempt on His life by the tyrant and

depraved king Herod. At an early age, the Lord Jesusis forced to travel to Egypt to escape infanticide.Jesus Christ as a true rabbi, as a true teacher, lives andexemplifies the virtue of servitude.

It is not only the Lord who serves but also Hisfaithful. Surrounding the sequences of Jesus’ birth,the example of service is presented by all the maincharacters of the Nativity scene. The Panagia, whenshe receives the word from the Archangel Gabriel

that she would barea son by the HolySpirit, respondswith complete free-dom, “Behold themaidservant of theLord! Let it be tome according toyour word.” Lk1:38 The angels ofthe Lord serve byoffering hymns tothe revelation ofthe birth of the Sonof God. “And sud-denly there waswith the angel amultitude of theheavenly hostpraising God andsaying: “ Glory toGod in the highest,And on earthpeace, goodwilltoward men!” Lk.2:13-14 Joseph

accepts his role as the protector of the Virgin Motherwhen he was confronted with trying to comprehendby what means Mary conceived the Holy Child.“Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as theangel of the Lord commanded him and took to himhis wife, and did not know her till she had broughtforth her firstborn Son. And he called His nameJESUS” Mt.1:24-25 The supporting cast of the birth

of Jesus Christ all respond to the outpouring of God’slove with the offering of service.

In an age that is described by Nobel literature lau-reate Mario Vargas Llosa who states, “the entertain-ment industry [has created] what he calls a culture of"banalization, frivolization and superficiality." Thebeauty and entertainment of service is becomingmore and more difficult to attain. In the examplesgiven by Christ Himself, the angels and the saints,this type of service is contrary to the modern world’ssense of progression and success. Social networksystems are often misconstrued and used for the pur-pose of self-gratification and for personal gain.Servitude in Christ is about sacrifice and sufferingwhich ultimately brings complete joy and satisfactioninto a person’s heart. “Blessed are you when peopleinsult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds ofevil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in thesame way they persecuted the prophets who werebefore you.”Mt.5:11-12

In the life of the church, service takes place dailywithin the local parish. Members elected to theparish council find joy in serving their church withtheir God given talents graced upon them.Philoptochos ladies strive with creativity to help thelonely, the sick and the deprived. Teachers and youthleaders serve with gladness countless hours to helpthe youth come closer to the knowledge of JesusChrist. There are countless activities and ministriesthat may take place by the grace of God in the localchurch which also reaches throughout the world as anexpression of the Nicene Creed which states, “InOne, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.” Ending,there was a conversation that took place with aparishioner and the parishioner stated, “I serve thechurch with my family for Christ and [His represen-tative in the church] the priest. This is what bringsjoy into my life and this is what I want to imbue tomy children.”Fr. John K. Lardas

64 Schemerhorn StreetBrooklyn, NY 11201718.624.0595

Vol. 3 No. 3www.stconstantineandhelen.org • fatherjohn@afantis.org

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t“Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their children”

Ps. 90:16

Board Of Trustees

His All Holiness Bartholomew His Eminence Archbishop DemetriosArchbishop of Constantinople, Primate of the Greek Orthodox ChurchNew Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch in AmericaRum Patrikhanesi 342 20 Fener-Halic 10 East 79th StIstanbul, Turkey New York, NY 10021Tel. +011-90-212.531.9670, 531-9676 (212)570-3500

Board of TrusteesExecutive Board

Iraklis Argyriou – PresidentConstantinos Paravalos – Vice-President

Panagiotis Papadopoulos – 2nd Vice-PresidentGeorge Papadakos – TreasurerZeno Gavales – Asst. Treasurer

Andrew Poulos – Asst. TreasurerJohn Anestis – Greek Secretary

Ted Dikeakos – English Secretary

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Board MembersAthanasia Apostolakos, John Athanitis, Steve Bacas, Andreas ChrysostomouGeorge Fanourakis, Anthony Kammas, Matthew Mirones, Angelo PapadakosGeorge Poulon, Peter Rogakos, Chris Sofronis, Peter StratigakisJim Tampakis, Alex Vanech, Konstatinos Varelis, Peter Yatrakis

Board CommitteesChurch Order: Peter VlitasMaintenance and Security: Dean ParavalosReal Estate: Jim TampakisChurch Dance: Dean ParavalosChurch Name Day: Konstantinos Varelis and Dean ParavalosTechnology: Ted DikeakosBonds: Ted DikeakosYouth: Taki PapadopoulosChurch Journal: Hercules Argyriou100th Anniversary: Peter Vlitas and Jim TampakisFestival Chairperson: Michelle TampakisHuman Resources: George PoulonMembership and Pledge: Ted Dikeakos and Deano VasilakosSchool Board Chairlady: Dr. Kathryn Yatrakis

Church SecretaryEffie Katsenis

PhiloptochosExecutive BoardPresident – Georgeann Papadakos1st Vice-President – Fevronia Soumakis 2nd Vice-President – Lucy BounasTreasurer – Stelene ArgyriouSecretary – Katerina(Phyllis) JamesAdvisors – Evangelia Apostolakos and Betty Xanthos

Fr. John K. LardasPresiding PriestSts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral64 Schermerhorn St.Brooklyn, NY 11201(718)624-0595

Board MembersCleo Athanitis, Pauline Apostolakis, Margie Bacas, Efrosini Ekonomakos,Popi Gavales, Soula Kastanis, Connie Lambros, Presbytera Eleni Lardas,Pitsa Tampakis, Catherine Vasilakos, Betty Xanthos, Vaso Xekardakis

A. Fantis Parochial School ofSS. Constantine and HelenSchool Board Chairlady: Dr. Kathryn YatrakisPrincipal: Dr. Alice FarkouhSchool Board Committee: John Adelaide, John Athanitis, AnnaChrysostomou, Jeannine Harris, Anthony Kammas, Angela Papadopoulos,Vincenta Papas, Dean Paravalos, Peter Rogakos , Jim Tampakis, Dr. KathrynYatrakis , Dr. Alice FarkouhSunday School Director: Pauline ApostolakisChoir Director: Paulette HiosChanter: Panagiotis DelicarisKantelinautis: Panagiotis MasouridesKoliva: Evangelia MasouridesProsforo: Efrosoni EconomakosAcolytes: Andrew PoulosNews Letter: Fr. John LardasWebsite: Nicholas and Maria (Mao) Soulakis

Affiliates and Organizations of theCathedral of SS. Constantine and HelenGoya Advisors: Taki Papadopoulos and Leya TropodasJoy Monthly Meetings: Maria VlitasGoya Girl’s Basketball: Calliopi Athanasakos and Agatha ApostolakisGoya Boy’s Basketball: Jimmy Papaspyrou, Adam Hotzoglouand John StathakisJoy Coaches: Angelo Koutsidis, Angelo Papadakos, Taki Papadopoulos,John Athanites, Andrew Poulos, Foti KarantonisAdult Greek Language: Vasiliki PartiglouDance Instructor: Despina and Aspasia HotzoglouMicro Ellinaki: Sylvia MolibosYoung at Heart: Katerina JamesOPA (Orthodox Paidea Association): Fotis Karantonis

Editing StaffFr. John Lardas – Editor Theokli Hatzoglou – Greek EditorCatherine Economakis – Copy Editor Patterson Graham, Taso Gementzopoulos,Andrew Yannakos – Photography and Alumni

Special ThanksMr. Tony Barsamian and the Queen Gazette

for publishing the News Letter

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ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ

Κυρ. 19 Πρό της Χριστού ΓεννήσεωςΌρθρος: 9:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ

Δευ. 20 Η εορτή του Αγίου ΙγνατίουΌρθρος: 8:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ

Τετ. 22 Η εορτή της ‘Αγίας Αναστασίας της ΦαρμακολυτρίαςΌρθρος: 8:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ

Παρ. 24 Η Βασιληκές Ωρες των Χριστουγέννων, 4:30 μμΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΗ ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΥ 6:00 μμ

Σαβ. 25 Η ΚΑΤΑ ΣΑΡΚΑ ΓΕΝΝΗΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΙΘΕΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ Θαχοραστατήσει ο Θεοφιλέστατος Επίσκοπος Μελόης κ.Φιλόθεος Όρθρος: 9:30 πμ Θεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ

Κυρ. 26 Η Σύναξις της Υπεραγίας ΘεοτόκουΌρθρος: 9:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ

Δευ. 27 Η Εορτή του Αγίου ΣτέφανουΌρθρος: 8:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ

ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ

Σαβ. 1 Η ΚΑΤΑ ΣΑΡΚΑ ΠΕΡΙΤΟΜΗ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΗΜΩΝΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ και μνήμη του εν Αγίοις Πατρόςημών Βασιλείου του Μεγάλου, ΑρχιεπισκόπουΚαισαρείας της Καππαδοκίας Όρθρος: 9:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ

Κυρ. 2 Προ Των ΦώτωνΌρθρος: 9:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ

Τετ. 5 Προεόρτια των ΦώτωνΒασιληκές Ωρες: 4:30 μμΟ ΜΕΓΑΣ ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝΜΕΤΑΤΗΣ ΘΕΙΑΣ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΥ 6:00μμ

Πεμ. 6 ΤΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΥΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΩΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΌρθρος: 8:00 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 9:00 πμ

Παρ. 7 Η Σύναξις του Τιμίου Ενδόξου Προφήτου, Προδρόμουκαι Βαπτιστού Ιωάννου Όρθρος: 8:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ

Κυρ. 9 Μέτα Τα ΦώταΌρθρος: 9:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ

Κυρ. 16 Η ΙΒ΄ Λουκά (των Δέκα Λεπρών)Όρθρος: 9:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ

Δευ. 17 Η εορτή του Αγίου ΑντωνίουΌρθρος: 8:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ

Τρι. 18 Η εορτή των Αγίων Αθανασίου και ΚυρίλλουΌρθρος: 8:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 9:30 πμ

Κυρ. 23 ΙΔ΄ Κυριακή του Λουκά(του Τυφλού)Όρθρος: 9:30 πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ

Κυρ. 30 Η Εορτή Των Τρίων ΙεράχωνΌρθρος: 9:30πμΘεία Λειτουργία: 10:30 πμ

DECEMBER

Sun. 19 The Sunday Before ChristmasOrthros: 9:30 AMDivine Liturgy: 10:30 AM

Mon. 20 The Feast of St. IgnatiosOrthros: 8:30 AMDivine Liturgy: 9:30 AM

Wed. 22 The Feast of St. Anastasia, the Deliverer of PotionsOrthros: 8:30 AMDivine Liturgy: 9:30 AM

Fri. 24 The Fore feast of ChristmasThe Royal Hours of Christmas4:30 PMThe Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Christmas 6:00 PM

Sat. 25 The Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ celebrated byHis Grace Bishop Philotheos of MeloaOrthros: 9:30AMThe Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM

Sun. 26 The Synaxis of the Most Holy TheotokosOrthros: 9:30 AMDivine Liturgy: 10:30 AM

Mon. 27 The Feast of St. StephenOrthros: 8:30 AMDivine Liturgy: 9:30 AM

JANUARY

Sat. 1 The Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord and Savior JesusChrist, and the Feast of St. Basil the Great, Archbishop ofCaesarea of CappadociaOrthros 9:30 AMDivine Liturgy 10:30AM

Sun. 2 The Sunday Before EpiphanyOrthros: 9:30 AMDivine Liturgy: 10:30 AM

Wed. 5 The Fore feast of EpiphanyThe Royal Hours 4:30 PMThe Great Vesper of Epiphany and Divine Liturgy of St.Basil 6:00 PM

Thur. 6 The Feast of Epiphany of our Lord and Savior Jesus ChristOrthros 8:00 AMDivine Liturgy 9:00 AM

Fri. 7 The Gathering of the honorable and glorious forerunner Johnthe Baptist Orthros 8:30 AMDivine Liturgy 9:30 AM

Sun. 9 The Sunday after EpiphanyOrthros: 9:30 AMDivine Liturgy: 10:30 AM

Sun. 16 The 12th Sunday of Luke (Ten Lepers)Orthros: 9:30 AMDivine Liturgy: 10:30 AM

Mon. 17 The Feast of St. AnthonyOrthros: 8:30 AMDivine Liturgy: 9:30 AM

Tue. 18 The Feast of SS. Athanasios and CyrilOrthros: 8:30 AMDivine Liturgy: 9:30 AM

Sun. 23 The 14th Sunday of Luke (The Blind Man)Orthros: 9:30 AMDivine Liturgy: 10:30 AM

Sun. 30 The Feast of the Three HierarchsOrthros 9:30 AMThe Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM

ΕΟΡΤΟΛΟΓΙΟΝ ΤΩΝ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΤΩΝΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ 2010 - 2011

THE FEAST DAY CALENDAR OF CHRISTMAS ANDEPIPHANY 2010-2011

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SACRAMENTSBAPTISMSJune 26Nora Elizabeth, daughter of John and Maria MaherGodparents: George and Maria LambrosEleni Alexandra, daughter of John and Maria MaherGodparents: George and Maria LambrosChristopher Nicholas, son of John and Maria MaherGodparents: George and Maria Lambros

June 29Kirk (Kyriakos), son of Antonio and GertudisCeballosGodfather: Dimitrios Giannoudis

July 24Shawn (Anthony), son of Earl and YvonneStephensonGodparents: Angelo and Tina Papadakos

Oct. 29Hector Abel, son of Anastasios and LorenaKyriakopoulosGodparent: Frangisko Kyriakopoulos

Nov. 6Allison (Irene) Zerbe, daughter of Michael and LeighZerbeSponsors: Christina Zanetos and John Zanetos

Nov. 7Demitri Efthemios, son of Efthemios and AretiArgiropoulosGodparent: Christina Poulos

Nov. 14Angelina Misha, daughter of Ioannis and TatianaTsikis,

WEDDINGSJuly 2Richard Jones and Helen HaritosKoumbara: Anastasia Paraskevas

July 3Kirk (Kyriakos) Ceballos and Annette DeniseStamatelatosKoumbaro: Dimitrios Giannoudis

July 17Aaron V. Lemons and Lara M. PosnerKoumbare: Jason Harper Lemons and JennieDiPietro

July 24hawn (Antonios) Stephenson and Panagiota KapanikaKoumbara: Georgeta Teodoresco

Aug. 21Nicholas Katehis and Holly BolligKoumbara: Penelope Iordanidis

Aug. 22Andreas Tsavaris and Diana VillarrealKoumbaro: James Tsavaris

Sept. 25Efthemios Argiropoulos and Areti Andrea NoulasKoumbara: Christina Poulos

Oct. 10Matthew Demitri Turner and Emily Hope GrantKoumbaro: Dr. William Turner

Nov. 6Jonathan Buba and Allison ZerbeKoumbaro: Stephan Buba

FUNERALSJune 5 +Nicholas NomikosJune 29 +Alice SakellarJuly 15 +Theofanis KaparosAug. 21 +Catherine TragasSept. 9 +Eleftherios BaroudosNov. 8 +Sparta Nicholoudis

Jan 9:The Blessings of the Water at Battery Park Jan. 16:Joy Ice Skating at Prospect Park

Jan. 21-23:5 Borough Goya Winter WeekendJan. 23:Annual Litorhoretes Celebration of St. Dionysiosof OlymposJan. 30: Greek Letter Celebration and Philoptochos VasilopitaCelebrationFeb 4:Vigil of St. PartheniosFeb 6:AHEPA Chapter 41 Super Bowl PartyFeb. 26th:1st Saturday of the Souls

March 5th: The Apokreatiko GlendiMarch 7th:The Great Lent BeginsMarch 8th:The 5 Borough Goya Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at St. Nicholas,FlushingMarch 13th:The Sunday of OrthodoxyMarch 18th: Joy Salutation Service at The Ronald McDonald HouseMarch 27th:Godparent SundayApril 9th:PTO Auction at ThalassaApril 24th:PaschaApril 30th:5 Borough Goya Sports Day

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Αγία ΓεθσημανήΠεριληπτική παρουσίαση

Τὸ ὄνομα Γεθσημανὴ παράγεται ἀπὸ τὰς Ἐβραϊκὰς λέξειςΓκάτ-Σέμεν, αἱ ὁποῖαι σημαίνουν ἐλαιοτριβεῖον. Ὁ χείμαρρος, εἰςβάθος τοῦ ὁποίου τοποθετεῖται ἡ Γεθσημανὴ, ὀνομάζεται «Χείμαρροςτῶν Κέδρων» ὅπου εἰς τὰς χριστιανικὰς παραδόσεις συνδέεται μὲ τὸντόπον, εἰς τὸν ὁποῖον θὰ λάβει χώρα ἡ τελευταία θεϊκὴ κρίσις. Μίαἄλλη ὀνομασία τοῦ χειμάρρου εἶναι γνωστὴ ὡς «Κοιλάδα τοῦἸωσσαφάτ». Τὸ ὄνομα Ἰωσσαφὰτ προέρχεται ἀπὸ τὰς ἐβραϊκὰς λέξειςΓιαχβὲ - Σαφὸτ, αἱ ὁποῖαι σημαίνουν: «ὁ Θεὸς κρίνει», ὡς τοπωνύμιονἀπὸ τὸν προφήτην Ἰωὴλ 3,2.

Συμφώνως πρὸς τὴν Καινὴν Διαθήκην ἀπὸ τὴν Γεθσημανὴν

ἤρχισε ὁ δρόμος τοῦ μαρτυρίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ (Ματθ.26,36,Μάρκ.14,32, Λουκ.22,39, Ἰωάν.18). Εἰς τὴν Γεθσημανὴν ἐπροσευχήθηὁ Χριστὸς πρὶν τὸ πάθος Του, ἐκεῖ ἐδέχθη τὸ φίλημα τῆς προδοσίαςτοῦ Ἰούδα καὶ ἐκεῖ συνελήφθη ὑπὸ τῶν στρατιωτῶν τοῦ Πιλάτου, τοῦὄχλου καὶ τῶν ὑπηρετῶν τῶν Φαρισσαίων. Ἤδη ἀπὸ τὸν 4ον μ.Χ.αἰῶνα, τὰ γεγονότα αὐτὰ τῆς Καινῆς Διαθήκης ἐταυτίσθησαντοπογραφικῶς καὶ οἱ χῶροι τους ἀνεδείχθησαν ὡς ἱερὰ καὶλατρευτικὰ Χριστιανικὰ Προσκυνήματα.

Ἡ Γεθσημανὴ δὲν συνδέεται μόνον μὲ τὴν ἀγωνίαν καὶ τὸπάθος τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἀλλὰ καὶ μὲ τὴν Ταφὴν τῆς Παρθένου Μαρίας. Ὁκαθορισμὸς τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Παναγίας ἀνάγεται εἰς τὸ μέσον τοῦ 1ουαἰῶνος. Τὴν ἰδὶαν σχεδὸν ἐποχὴν ἐκτίσθη ἡ πρώτη Ἐκκλησία τῆςΚοιμήσεως τῆς Θεοτόκου, πιθανῶς εἰς τοὺς χρόνους τοῦαὐτοκράτορος Μαρκιανοῦ, τὸ 450-457 μ.Χ. καὶ τοῦ πρώτουΠατριάρχου τῆς Ἱερουσαλὴμ Ἰουβεναλίου.

Τὸ πάνσεπτον καὶ Θεομητορικὸν μνῆμα ἐν Γεθσημανῇ

Εἰς τὰς καρδίας τῶν πιστῶν τέκνων τῆς Ὀρθοδοξίας πάλλει ὁσεβασμὸς καὶ ἡ ευλάβεια ἡ ὀφειλoμένη πρὸς τὴν πάναγνον Μητέρατοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ Σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ καὶ ἀπὸ τῆςἀρχαιοτάτης ἐποχῆς ἡ ὀρθόδοξος τοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἐκκλησία ἐτίμησε τὴνΘεομήτορα καὶ τιμᾶ δεόντως, ἡ δὲ μήτηρ τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν κατέχει ὡςπολυτιμότατον μαργαρίτη εἰς τοὺς κόλπους αὐτῆς τὸν θειότατον καὶἁγιώτατον Τάφον αὐτῆς μετὰ τῶν ἄλλων πανσέπτων καὶ θεοτιμήτωνΤόπων τῆς Χριστιανοσύνης καὶ ὡς ἀτίμητον θησαύρισμα διακρατεῖὡς κόρην ὀφθαλμοῦ αὐτὸν καὶ διαφυλάττει. Ἐπ’ αὐτοῦ δὲ ἀπὸἀρχαιοτάτων ἐτῶν ἀνηγέρθη σταυροειδὴς ναὸς ἐν τῷ μέσῳ τοῦὁποίου ὑψοῦται σεμνὸν καὶ ἀπέριττον κουβούκλιον τοῦθεομητορικοῦ καὶ πανσέπτου Μνήματος ἐν ᾧ οἱ Ἱεροὶ Ἀπόστολοι ἐκτῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς μετρίως φερόμενοι καὶ κηδεύσαντες πιστῶς ἐκτῆς Ἁγίας Σιὼν ἐνεταφίασαν τὸ πανάχραντον τῆς Θεοτόκου καὶἈειπαρθένου Μαρίας σῶμα ἐν Γεθσημανῇ τῷ χωρίῳ.

Ὁ πάνσεπτος οὗτος Ναὸς τῆς Θεοτόκου εὑρίσκεται ἐνΓεθσημανῇ καὶ ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι τοῦ Ἰωσαφὰτ ἢ χειμάρρῳ τῶν Κέδρων,μεταξὺ τοῦ λόφου Μωρία καὶ τοῦ Ὄρους τῶν Ἐλαιῶν, ἐγγὺς τοῦ

τόπου τοῦ λιθοβολισμοῦ τοῦ Πρωτομάρτυρος καὶ ἈρχιδιακόνουΣτεφάνου καὶ τοῦ τόπου τῆς προσευχῆς τοῦ Κυρίου, ἐν ᾧ συνελήφθηκαὶ ἐπροδόθη ὑπὸ τοῦ Ἰούδα. Κατερχόμενος τὶς διὰ κλίμακοςτεσσαράκοντα καὶ ὀκτὼ βαθμίδων εὑρίσκεται ἐν ὑπογείῳ Ναῷσταυροειδεῖ καὶ ὑπενθυμίζοντι ἀρχαίαν κατακόμβην, ἐν τῷ μέσῳ τοῦὁποίου ὀρθοῦται ὁ Θεομητορικὸς Τάφος λελαξευμένος ἐντὸςμονολίθου βράχου καὶ περιβαλλόμενος ὑπὸ κουβουκλίου ἔχοντος δυὸεἰσόδους, ἐκ δυσμῶν καὶ βορρᾶ, ὁδηγούσας πρὸς τὸ ἐσωτερικὸναὐτοῦ τὸν εὐλαβῆ προσκυνητήν. Τὸ σεμνὸν τοῦτο καὶ σεβάσμιον ἱερὸνπροσκύνημα, ἀνεγερθὲν κατὰ τοὺς χρόνους τῆς παλαιᾶς ἀρχαιότητος,ἐφ οὗ θέματος καὶ θὰ ἀσχοληθῶμεν κατωτέρω, ὑπενθυμίζει τὰςκατακόμβας τῆς διωκομένης Ἐκκλησίας τῶν μαρτύρων τῆς πίστεωςκαὶ διὰ μέσου τῶν αἰώνων μᾶλλον διετηρήθη ἀνέπαφον, ἐκτὸς τῶνἐλαχίστων ἀνακαινίσεων καὶ μεταβολῶν, ἃς ὑπέστη ὑπὸ τῶνΣταυροφόρων τῷ 1130. Τὸ Ἱερὸν αὐτὸ προσκύνημα εὑρίσκεται ὑπὸτὴν κυριότητα τῶν ὀρθοδόξων Ἑλλήνων Ἁγιοταφιτῶν, ἐν αὐτῷ δὲκαθημερινῶς τελεῖται ἡ θεία Λειτουργία ἐντὸς τοῦ ἹεροῦΚουβουκλίου τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Θεομήτορος, κατὰ δὲ τὴν παραμονὴντῆς θεομητορικῆς ἑορτῆς (14 Αὐγούστου) πρωτοστατοῦντος τοῦἙλληνορθοδόξου ἡμῶν Πατριάρχου τελεῖται ἡ ἀκολουθία τοῦἐπιταφίου τῆς Θεοτόκου, ψαλλομένων καὶ τῶν ἐγκωμίων Αὐτῆς, εἰςἀνάμνησιν τῆς ὑπὸ τῶν ἁγίων Ἀποστόλων κηδεύσεως τοῦπαναχράντου Θεομητορικοῦ σώματος…... Λίαν ἐνδιαφέρουσαι ὅμωςτυγχάνουσιν αἱ διιστάμεναι γνῶμαι περὶ τοῦ κτήτορος τῆς ἐπὶ τοῦπανσέπτου καὶ θεομητορικοῦ Τάφου ἱδρυθείσης περικαλλοῦςἐκκλησίας καθ’ ὅτι ἀνάγονται αὖται εἰς ἐκκλησιαστικοὺς ἱστορικοὺςσυγγραφεῖς τῆς ἀρχαιότητος. Καὶ ἐπὶ τῇ βάσει αὐτῶν αἱ γνῶμαι τῶντὲ συγχρόνων ἀρχαιολόγων καὶ τῶν παλαιοτέρων, περὶ τῆς ἀρχικῆςπροελεύσεως τῆς ἐν λόγῳ ἐκκλησίας, διχάζονται ἄχρι τῆς σήμερον.Καὶ τινὲς μὲν ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐπιδέχονται τὰς ἐν τῷ καταλόγῳ τοῦΒατικανοῦ πληροφορίας, ὡς καὶ τὰς τοῦ νικηφόρου Καλλίστου, καθ’ἃς καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου ἐκκλησία ἀνάγεται εἰςτοὺς χρόνους τοῦ Μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου, ἕτεροι δὲ ἀνάγουσινταύτην εἰς τοὺς μετὰ αὐτῶν χρόνους, ἄχρι τοῦ αὐτοκράτοροςΜαρκιανοῦ (450-457). Ἐφεξῆς δ’ ἐκθέτομεν τὰ ἐπὶ τοῦ θέματοςτούτου ἱστορικὰ δεδομένα, ἐξ ὧν καὶ θὰ ἐξάγομεν τὰ συμπεράσματαἡμῶν.

Ἐκ τῶν ὑπὸ τοῦ ἐκκλησιαστικοῦ ἱστορικοῦ συγγραφέως τοῦΙΔ΄ αἰῶνος Νικηφόρου Καλλίστου - Ξανθοπούλου συμφραζομένωνδιαπιστοῦται ἀπόλυτος συμφωνία αὐτοῦ μετὰ τοῦ ἐν τῷ ΒατικανῷΒυζαντινοῦ χειρογράφου τοῦ ΙΑ΄ αἰῶνος, καθ’ ὃ ὁ κτήτωρ καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦθεομητορικοῦ Τάφου ναοῦ τυγχάνει ὁ μέγας Κωνσταντῖνος, περὶτούτου δὲ λέγει τὰ ἑξῆς «Ὑπερφυῆ δὲ τίνα ἕτερον ἐν τῷ χωρίῳΓεθσημανὴ ναῶν τῇ Θεοτόκῳ ἐγείρει, ἔωδον θυσιαστηρίου τὸνζωηφόρον ἐκείνης τάφον ἀσφαλῶς περιστείλασα. Κατωφεροῦς δ’ὄντος τοῦ τόπου ἀναβαθμοὺς ἐκ μαρμάρων ποιησαμένη τὸνβουλόμενον ἐκ τῆς ἁγίας πόλεως πρὸς ἀνατολάς κατάγει». Καὶἀλλαχοῦ λέγει «Πολλὰς δὲ καὶ ἄλλας ἐκκλησίας τοῖς ἁγίοις ἐκείνοιςτόποις κατασκευάσασα οὔσας ὑπὲρ τριάκοντα, ἡ θεοφιλὴς βασιλὶςἙλένη, πρὸς τὸν φίλον ταύτης υἱὸν ἐπανέστρεψε, τοῖς ἐσπερίοις μετὰτὴν Σύνοδον διάγοντα μέρεσιν».

Ἄξιον ἰδιαιτέρας ἐξάρσεως τυγχάνει τὸ γεγονός, ὅτι τόσον αἱἄνω εἰδήσεις τοῦ Νικηφόρου Καλλίστου, ὅσο καὶ αἱ τοῦ Βατικάνειουκαταλόγου, περὶ Γεθσημανῆς, ὅτι ἡ περὶ τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Θεοτόκουἐκκλησία τυγχάνει ἔργον τοῦ Μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου, ἐλέγχονταιἀνακριβεῖς ὑπὸ πλείστων νεωτέρων Παλαιστινολόγων, ὡς προείρηται,καθ’ὅτι οἱ ἀρχαῖοι ἐκκλησιαστικοὶ ἱστορικοὶ συγγραφεῖς τοῦ Δ΄αἰῶνος, Εὐσέβιος, Σωκράτης καὶ Σωζόμενος, οὐδεμίαν μνείανποιοῦνται περὶ ἀνεγερθείσης ἐν Γεθσημανῇ, ἐκκλησίας ἐπὶ τοῦ Τάφουτῆς Θεοτόκου, ὅπερ καθ’ ἡμᾶς εὐσταθεῖ. Κατὰ ταῦτα, τὸν χρόνον τῆςἱδρύσεως τῆς ἐπὶ τοῦ Τάφου τῆς Θεομήτορος περικαλλοῦς ἐκκλησίαςθὰ πρέπει νὰ ἀναζητήσωμεν οὐχὶ πρὸ τοῦ 339, ὅτε καὶ ἀπέθανε ὁμηδεμίαν μνείαν ποιούμενος ἱστορικὸς Εὐσέβιος, ἡ εἴδησις τοῦ ὁποίουπολὺ θὰ ἐβάρυνεν λόγῳ τῆς ἀρχαιότητος, αὐτοῦ, εἰς πιστοποίησιν καὶβεβαίωσιν ἑνὸς τοιούτου γεγονότος, σχέσιν ἄμεσον ἔχοντος μὲ τὴνἐποχὴν καὶ τὰ ἔργα τοῦ μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου, διὰ τοὺςμεταγενεστέρους αὐτοῦ. Ἐξ ἄλλου ἡ ἐπὶ τοῦ θέματος τούτουπαρατηρουμένη σιωπὴ τοῦ Εὐσεβίου οὐδέποτε θὰ ἠδύνατο νὰἐκληφθῇ ὡς ἀδιαφορία καθ’ ὅσον οὗτος ὁμιλεῖ καὶ δι’ ἄλλα ἔργα τῆςβασιλομήτορος ἁγίας Ἑλένης συντελεσθέντα ἐν Παλαιστίνῃ, ἐκτὸςτῆς ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου τάφου βασιλικῆς, ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις, καὶ τῆς ἐπὶ τοῦ

Ιερά Προσκυνήματα

Ο Ναός της Παναγίας στον Τάφο της Γεθσημανής

Ἁγίου Σπηλαίου, ἐν Βηθλεέμ. Ἀποκλείεταιὅθεν, ὁ Μέγας Κωνσταντῖνος, ὡς ἱδρυτὴςτῆς ἐν Γεθσημανῇ ἐκκλησίας τῆς Θεοτόκου,κατὰ τὴν σιωπὴν τοῦ Εὐσεβίου.

Μετὰ τὰ ἀνωτέρω, ἀνάγκη, ὅπωςἀλλαχοῦ ἀναζητήσωμεν τὰ ἱστορικὰδεδομένα, ἅτινα θὰ ρίψωσιν ἄπλετον φῶςἐπὶ τοῦ θέματος τούτου καὶ θὰ δώσωσινθετικὴν ἀπάντησιν εἰς τὸ ἐρώτημα, πότε καὶὑπὸ τίνος ἱδρύθη ὁ Ναὸς τῆς Θεοτόκου ἐνΓεθσημανῇ. Οὕτω ἡ πρώτη καὶ ἀρχαιοτέραπληροφορία περὶ τούτου εὑρίσκεται ἐν τῷΒ΄ Ἐγκωμιαστικῷ Λόγῳ τοῦ ἱεροῦΔαμασκηνοῦ πρὸς τὴν ὙπεραγίανΘεοτόκον ἐν τῇ Κοιμήσει Αὐτῆς, ἐξ οὗ θὰπροσδιορισθῇ, κατὰ προσέγγισιν, τὸχρονικὸν διάστημα, ἐντὸς τοῦ ὁποίουἀνηγέρθη τὸ πρῶτον ἡ ἐκκλησία τῆςΘεοτόκου ἐν Γεθσημανῇ, ὡς καὶ ὁ κτήτωραὐτῆς. Ἐν τῷ εἰρημένῳ ἘγκωμιαστικῷΛόγῳ αὐτοῦ, ὁ ἱερὸς Δαμασκηνὸς ἀντλεῖἐκ τῆς λεγομένης «Εὐθυμιακῆς ἱστορίας»,ἵνα πιστοποιήσῃ καὶ βεβαιώσῃ τὰ περὶ τῆςταφῆς καὶ μεταστάσεως τῆς Θεοτόκου,περὶ ὧν λέγει τὰ ἑξῆς: Μετακαλεσάμενοι(δηλ. ὁ αὐτοκράτωρ Μαρκιανὸς καὶ ἡΠουλχερία) Ἰουβενάλιον τὸνἹεροσολύμων Ἐπίσκοπον, καὶ τοὺς ἀπὸΠαλαιστίνης ἐπισκόπους τότε ἐν τῇβασιλευούσῃ ἐνδημοῦντας πόλει διὰ τὴν ἐνΧαλκηδόνι γενομένην σύνοδον, λέγουσιναὐτοῖς: «Ἀκούομεν εἶναι ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοιςτὴν πρώτην καὶ ἐξαίρετον τῆς ΠαναγίαςΘεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου ΜαρίαςἘκκλησίαν ἐν χωρίῳ καλουμένῳΓεθσημανὴ ἔνθα τὸ ζωηρὸν αὐτῆς σῶμακατετέθη ἐν σορῷ. Βουλόμεθα τοίνυντοῦτο τὸ λείψανον ἀναγαγεῖν ἐνταῦθα εἰςφυλακτήριον τῆς βασιλευούσης ταύτηςπόλεως». Ὑπολαβὼν δὲ Ἰουβενάλιοςἀπεκρίθη: «Τῇ μὲν ἁγίᾳ καὶ θεοπνεύστῳΓραφῇ οὐκ ἐμφέρεται τὰ κατὰ τὴντελευτὴν τῆς ἁγίας Θεοτόκου Μαρίας, ἐξἀρχαίας δὲ καὶ ἀληθεστάτης παραδόσεωςπαρειλήφαμεν, ὅτι ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τῆς ἐνδόξουΚοιμήσεως αὐτῆς, οἱ μὲν ἄλλοι σύμπαντεςἀπόστολοι … ἐν καιροῦ ροπῇ μετάρσιοισυνήχθησαν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα …τὸ δὲθεοδόχον αὐτῆς σῶμα μετ’ ἀγγελικῆς καὶἀποστολικῆς ὑμνωδίας παυσαμένηςπαρόντες οἱ ἀπόστολοι ἑνὸς αὐτοῖςἀπολειφθέντος Θωμᾶ, καὶ μετὰ τὴν Τρίτηἡμέραν ἐλθόντες, καὶ τὸ θεοδόχον σῶμαπροσκυνῆσαι βουληθέντος, ἤνοιξαν τὴνσωρόν. Καὶ τὸ σῶμα αὐτῆς τὸ πανύμνητονοὐδαμῶς εὐρεῖν ἠδυνήθησαν, μόνα δὲ αὐτῆςτὰ ἐντάφια κείμενα εὑρόντες... ἠσφαλίσαντοτὴν σωρόν». Ἐκ τῶν ἀνωτέρω συνάγεται,καὶ ὅπερ εἶναι ἡλίου φαεινότερον, ὅτι ἕτεροςτὶς θὰ πρέπει νὰ εἶναι ὁ κτήτωρ τῆς ἐνΓεθσημανῇ ἐκκλησίας τῆς Θεομήτορος,ὅστις ἀμφιβόλως, θὰ ἤκμασε πρὸ τῶναὐτοκρατόρων Μαρκιανοῦ καὶ Πουλχερίας,διότι ἐὰν οὗτοι ἦσαν οἱ κτήτορες, δὲν θὰἔλεγον: «Ἀκούομεν εἶναι ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις»,ὅπερ καὶ προδίδει αὐτοῦ ὡς μὴ γενομένουςκτήτορας αὐτῆς. Κατὰ ταῦτα, τὸν κτήτορακαὶ ἱδρυτὴν τῆς ἐν λόγῳ ἐκκλησίας ἐνΓεθσημανῇ θὰ πρέπει νὰ ἀναζητήσωμεν εἰςτὸ μεταξὺ τῶν ἐτῶν 339 καὶ 450 χρονικὸνδιάστημα, ἤτοι μετὰ τὸν θάνατον τοῦ

Εὐσεβίου, ὡς προελέχθη καὶ πρὸ τοῦΜαρκιανοῦ (450-457).

Οὕτω, σπουδαίως συμβάλλει εἰς τὸνἀκριβέστερον καθορισμὸν τῆς ζητουμένηςχρονολογίας τὸ ἐξαγόμενον ἱστορικὸνδεδομένον ἐκ τοῦ Λόγου τοῦ ἁγίουἹερωνύμου εἰς τὴν Κοίμησιν τῆς Θεοτόκουκατὰ τοῦτον τὸν Λόγον, λεχθέντα κατὰ τὸἔτος 386, ἐπὶ παρουσίᾳ καὶ τῆς ἁγίαςΠαύλας, μέχρι τῶν καθ’ ἡμᾶς χρόνωνδείκνυται ὁ τάφος αὐτῆς (τῆς Θεομήτορος)ἐν μέσῳ τῆς κοιλάδος τοῦ Ἰωσαφάτ,κειμένης μεταξὺ Σιὼν καὶ ὄρους τῶνἘλαιῶν. «Σὺ δέ, ὦ Παύλα, εἶδες τὸν τόπον,ἐν ᾧ πρὸς τιμὴν αὐτῆς ἔκτισαν Ἐκκλησίανδι’ ὡραίων λίθων. Πάντες κηρύττουσιν (ἐνἹερουσαλήμ), ὅτι ἡ Μαρία ἐτάφη ἐν αὐτῇ,ἀλλὰ τὸ μαυσωλεῖον αὐτῆς εἶναι κενόν».

Η Αγία ΒηθλεέμΒηθλεὲμ τῆς Ἰουδαίας. Πόλις ἡ ὁποίαἐχάραξε ἀνεξιτήλως τὴν πορείαν τῆςἀνθρωπότητος. Τὸ ὄνομά της, εἰς τὴνἑβραϊκὴν Bethlehem, σημαίνει οἶκος τοῦἄρτου, τοῦ Ἄρτου τῆς ζωῆς. Ὅπωςἀναφέρεται εἰς τὸ Εὐαγγέλιον τοῦΜατθαίου (κεφ.Β,1) καὶ τοῦ Λουκᾶ (κεφ Β1-15) εἶναι ὁ τόπος τῆς γεννήσεως τοῦἸησοῦ. Ἡ Βηθλεὲμ ἔχει ἐπίσης καὶ τὴνὀνομασίαν Ἐφραθά, καθὼς καὶ Βηθλεὲμ-πόλις Δαυΐδ διὰ νὰ διακρίνεται ἀπὸ τὴνὁμώνυμον πόλιν Βηθλεὲμ νοτίως τῆςΓαλιλαίας. Ἀλλάζει ριζικῶς τὸν 4ον αἰῶναὅταν ἡ Ἁγία Ἑλένη, ἔκτισε τὸ 327-333 ἐπάνωεἰς τὸ Σπήλαιον τῆς Γεννήσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦμεγαλοπρεπῆ Βασιλικήν, συντελοῦσα εἰς τὴνμετατροπήν τοῦ μικροῦ αὐτοῦ καὶἀσημάντου χωριοῦ εἰς σπουδαῖονπροσκυνηματικὸν κέντρον. Τὸ ἐσωτερικόντῆς Βασιλικῆς σώζεται εἰς τὴν ἀρχικήν τουμορφήν. Εἶναι πεντάκλιτος βασιλικὴ καὶ τὰκλίτη χωρίζονται διά τεσσαράκονταμονολίθους κίονας κορινθιακοῦ ρυθμοῦ. Οἱκίονες ἀπεικονίζουν διαφόρους Ἁγίους τῆςἀνατολικῆς Ἐκκλησίας. Τὸ μεγαλύτερονμέρος τοῦ Σπηλαίου τῆς Γεννήσεως εἶναιἐσκαλισμένον εἰς τὸν φυσικὸν βράχον ἐνῶ τὸ

ὑπόλοιπον εἶναι κτιστόν.

Συμφώνως πρὸς τὰ εὑρήματα αὐτὰτὸ Σπήλαιον, ὅπου ἐγεννήθη ὁ Χριστὸς ἦτοἐσκεπασμένον μὲ ὀκταγωνικὸν κτίσμα καὶ οἱπροσκυνηταί ἠδύναντο νὰ δοῦν μέσα ἀπὸ ἕνἄνοιγμα, τό ὁποῖον ὑπῆρχε εἰς τὸ κέντρον.Τὰ δάπεδα τῆς Βασιλικῆς καὶ τοῦὀκταγώνου ἦσαν ἐστρωμένα μὲ πολύχρωμαμωσαϊκά. Τὸ ὀκτάγωνον διεδέχθη τρίκογχονἹερὸν βῆμα ὑπὸ τοῦ ὁποίου εὑρίσκεται τὸΣπήλαιον. Εἰς τὸν δυτικὸν τοῖχον τοῦΝάρθηκος ὁ ὁποῖος ἔβλεπε πρὸς τὴν αὐλήν,ὑπῆρξε ψηφιδωτὸν μὲ τὴν παράστασιν τῆςΓεννήσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ τῆςΠροσκυνήσεως τῶν Μάγων.

Συμφώνως πρὸς τὴν παράδοσιν οἱ

Πέρσαι ὅτανἐπέδραμαν τὸ 614 εἰς τὴν Παλαιστίνην μὲτὸν Χοσρόην, ἐσεβάσθησαν τὸν Ναὸν τῆςΓεννήσεως ἀναγνωρίζοντες εἰς τὸψηφιδωτόν του Νάρθηκος τοὺς ΤρεῖςΠέρσας Μάγους νὰ προσφέρουν τὰ δῶρατους εἰς τὸ Θεῖον Βρέφος. Μετὰ τὴνκατάκτησιν τῆς χώρας ὑπὸ τῶν Ἀράβων τὸ638 καὶ τὴν συνθήκην τοῦ Ὀμάρ, Χριστιανοὶκαὶ Μουσουλμάνοι ἔζησαν ἁρμονικῶς εἰςτὴν Βηθλεέμ, καθὼς οἱ τελευταῖοι ἐτίμων τὸνΧριστὸν ὡς προφήτην καὶ ἐσέβοντο τὴνΠαναγίαν. Τὸ 1250 τὴν δυναστείαν τῶνἉγιουβιδῶν εἰς τὴν Αἴγυπτον διαδέχονται οἱΜαμελοῦκοι. Ἐπακολουθεῖ πλῆθος διωγμῶνκαὶ ταλαιπωριῶν τοῦ χριστιανικοῦπληθυσμοῦ τῆς πόλεως, ἐνῶ κατὰ τὴνδιάρκειαν τῆς ὀθωμανικῆς κατοχῆς ξεκινάεισφοδρὸς ἀγὼν Λατίνων καὶἙλληνορθοδόξων διὰ τὴν κυριότητα τοῦΝαοῦ τῆς Γεννήσεως καὶ τοῦ ἉγίουΣπηλαίου. Τὸ 1757 μὲ διάταγμα τοῦσουλτάνου Ὀσμᾶν Γ΄ τὸ ἙλληνορθόδοξονΠατριαρχεῖον Ἱεροσολύμων ἀνακτᾶ πλήρωςτὸν Ναὸν καὶ τὸ Σπήλαιον τῆς Γεννήσεωςκαὶ προσπαθεῖ νὰ τὰ διατηρήσῃ εἰς τὴνδικαιοδοσίαν του μέσα ἀπὸ ἀντιξόουςσυνθῆκας.

Ιερά Προσκυνήματα

Γενικὴ ἄποψη τῆς αὐλῆς τῆς Βασιλικῆς τῆς Γεννήσεως στὴνΒηθλεὲμ

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My Hero is…..by Paulina Noufrios

My hero is Anna Chrysostomou. She is my herobecause she is a very strong woman in my eyes. Annais also warm hearted. I am very good friends with herchildren. They are wonderful children.

Anna Chrysostomou has a child with autism. He isa very bright boy. She, too, is a very smart woman.She cares for and loves her family. The main reasonshe is my hero is because she fought breast cancer andnow she looks as good as new.

I idolize her because she proves that women can doanything. She is a great teacher, a wonderful mother,and a perfect friend. She is a special person and weare lucky to be close to her. When I grow up tobecome a woman, I would like to like her.

My Hero is…..by Eva Fexy

My hero is my sister, Hope, even though I onlyknew her for less than five seconds. Hope was sup-posed to be a stillborn baby, but she fought like no onehas fought before, for her last and only breath.

This part I will never forget: she looked at me,then my mom; she did not cry. Then, she closed hereyes forever. Hope has taught me more than any oneelse has. She taught me to try, no matter what. Shetaught me that sometimes life does not go the way wewould like. She taught me that your best is alwaysgood enough, and that when you are sad, you alwayshave your family to lean on.

She taught me all these things in less than fiveseconds. May she rest in peace….

A Fantis School Pre-School Program

OXI Day at A. FantisBy Tasos Papadopoulos

In the Greek language the word “οχι” (ohi)means “no.” On October 28, 1940, the Greek primeminister, Ioannis Metaxas, received a message fromthe Italians. The message asked if the Italian armycould march through Greece. Metaxas instantlyanswered ΟΧΙ (ΟΗΙ). OnOctober 28, 2010 grades 5-8 of A. Fantis put on aplay. It was modeled after the 1940s movie “TheGermans Strike Again.” The play was practiced forweeks prior to the day of the show. The play wasabout a man named Theodore Ginopoulos who has adream about the Germans striking again. The char-acters were Theodore Ginopoulos- played by TasosPapadopoulos, The Crazy Guy- played by SpiroHaliotis Ourania

Ginopoulos- played by Lia Fanourakis, KetiGinopoulos- played by Evie Vlitas, Lefteris- played

by Philipp Steimann, Zisi- played by Mark Plimakis,Marigo- played by Joanna Zoulis, Prodoti (traitor)-played by Lefteris Gementzopoulos, German sol-diers- played by George Rogakos and PeterSteimann, News Paper boys- played by HunterArbeeny and Christopher Birney, Person A andPerson B- played by Hunter Arbeeny and JasperJohnson, Doctor- played by Paulina Noufrios,Doctor A and Doctor B- played by ConstantineAthanitis and Adam Chrysostomou, Woman

Doctor- played by Athena Styron, Patrioti (patri-ot)- played by George

Manguravdos, Sotiri- played by NicholasParavalos, civilians- played by Tatiana Welka, JuliaTrifan, and Emily Rassmann, and the person thatsells fruit, played by Brikena Prendaj. We thank thecast for this great production.

The Time Has Come to SayFarewell and Good Luck.INTERVIEW WITH MS. ERINBy Tasos Papadopoulos

Q: What year did you first start working at A. Fantis?A: The 2006-2007 year.

Q: What was your first job at this school?A: A UPK Teacher.

Q: How did you find working at this school?A: I loved every second of it. I loved working with Mrs.Patty, Ms. Jenny, and Ms. Evelyn.

Q: How did you go from being a UPK teacherto becoming the Assistant Principal?A: Dr. Farkouh gave me an amazing opportunity to workunder her guidance so I looked into SchoolAdministration programs and got started right away.

Q: What did you accomplish at this school?A: Going from teacher to Assistant Principal, creatinggreat working relationships, and overall positive relation-ships with teachers, students and families.

Q: What was your favorite part of working at A. Fantis?A: All the great people I have met and worked withthrough the years.

Q: Why are you leaving? How do you feel about leaving?A: I was offered a position as Assistant Principal at apublic school in Long Island, close to my home. I willmiss everyone at A. Fantis very much and plan onstaying in touch and at least celebrating with everyoneat the Greek Festival.

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1- What do you like about this school?There are wonderful and creative children in this school.

2- Have you always taught 3rd graders?This is my first time teaching third graders. Last year I had taught second grade.

3- What school did you teach before this one?I taught in a public elementary school.

4- When did you finish college?I finished college last year, December 2009.

5- Where did you grow up?I was born and raised in Brooklyn.

6- Why did you become a teacher?I love to work with children and help them grow academically.

7- Is this 3rd grade the best class in your teaching career?Yes, they are a class of hardworking students.

8- What is your favorite subject teaching?I like teaching all the subjects especially Math because you can relate it to real life experiences.

Every year the class of the eighth grade has a RingDay Ceremony. This delightful ceremony is to honorthe eighth graders for coming this far. They are almostat the finish line. They worked hard throughout theyears to reach the position they are in. This year theRing Day Ceremony was dedicated to a really funnyand smart class. The class has only one beautiful,young girl named Dominique Thorne and eight hand-some young men named Demetrios Koutsidis, MarkPlimakis, Phillipp Stienmann, Gregory Poulon,Elefterios Gementzopoulos, Spiro Haliotis, and

Anastasios Papadopopulos. At the ceremony two 7thgraders named Nicholas Paravalos and EvangeliaFanourakis were giving out the programs. After theblessing and the presentation of the rings, AnastatiosPapadopoulos said a touching Greek speech about theday they have always been dreaming of. Then, SpiroHaliotis, said a really excellent English speech. Whenthe two intelligent men finished their wonderfulspeeches, happy tears came out of their parents eyeswhen they placed the ring on their child’s finger.“When did the children grow up? ” some parents

announced at the brunch the church hosted for theeighth graders. Many people pitched in to help with thedelicious brunch. They served pancakes with a varietyof fruit and muffins. When everybody finished eatingit was time for cake. The cake was made and welldesigned from Mrs. Tampakis. It was delicious. Manyof you might of even seen her on the cooking channel.As you have noticed your children grow up really fast,so enjoy them when they are young!

Evangelia Fanourakis – 7th grade

The Ring Day Ceremony

Interview with Mrs. Fatema HossainBy Elefterios Gementzopoulos

The new school activity is fencing. Fencingis a great activity to learn. There are only twoinstructors buth they make sure that all the stu-dents understand the techniques from earlyAmerica to modern times. One of the instructorswas in the Olympics and is very well trained.They teach everything from the stands to all thegreat fencing things you will need to know to bean amazing fencer.

The fencing program is divided into towgroups. One group goes with one instructor andthe other group goes with the other instructor.

You would fist start with the warm ups. Afterthat you would play fun fencing games like afencing version of Simon Says. Finally, yourgroup would have fencing matches.

Some people think that fencing is dangerous,but it is very safe. The instructors bring armor,masks and other equipment. The instructors alsomake sure you are not hurt everytime you have amatch. The instructors make sure no one hurtsanyone. Everyone is nice and respectful to theirfriends. The program is the best program theschool ever had!

The New School Activity –FENCINGBy Christopher Birney and Vageli Vasilakos

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