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MONTHLY BULLETIN OF THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ΜΗΝΙΑΙΟ ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙ ΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΟΙΜΗΣΕ ΩΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ

Assumption

Greek Orthodox Church

111 Island Pond Road

Manchester NH 03109

Phone: (603) 623-2045

Fax: (603) 232-6347

info@AssumptionNH.org

www.AssumptionNH.org

Facebook:

ASSUMPTIONgocNH

Links and Resources

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

of America

www.goarch.org

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

of Boston

www.boston.goarch.org

Ecumenical Patriarchate of

Constantinople

www.patriarchate.org

ARK - ΚΙΒΩΤΟΣ

ΚΙΒΩΤΟΣ

Thee

H MARCH / ΜΑΡΤΙΟΣ 2018

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VOLUME 13, ISSUE 3

March 25th - Annunciation of Virgin Mary (Evangelismos)

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Parish Priest

March is the month of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. At the same time, the entire month of March is

part of Great Lent. This is no coincidence. Our Church Fathers intentionally placed the Feast of Annunciation

4 days after the Spring Equinox and Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon of Spring. This is

because both Annunciation and Easter are related to the rebirth of nature. Rebirth, not necessarily only of the

nature around us, but more importantly, rebirth of our own nature. Yet, this rebirth inside of us does not

happen without effort. It requires imitating Christ in fasting for 40 days. It requires giving to charity the

money we save by eating less. It requires praying more often by attending the Lenten services we have

Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00 PM during March. It requires confessing our sins, not “directly” to

God, but to a priest, as our Lord urges us to do in John 20:23 and Matthew 16:19, and James does in 5:16!

On the day of Annunciation, the Virgin Mary agrees to give flesh to the Word of God in the person of the

historical Christ Jesus. On the day of Easter, Jesus Christ becomes the first man who escapes from the snare of

death - He becomes the first-born of Hades! But, was Jesus the first one resurrected according to the Holy

Bible? He was not! There are six resurrections recorded in Scripture prior to that of Jesus’ – not counting the

Holy Men resurrected in Jerusalem at the time He gave up His Spirit on Holy Friday. What is different with

His Holy Resurrection though, is that all previous resurrections were temporary. That is, those resurrected

received their old bodies and that meant they had to die again later. Jesus, however, did not and will not

taste death again. His body at the Resurrection is not the same body he had while He was teaching. His Holy

Body remains physical but yet exalted. This means it is forever liberated from death. “Death no longer has

dominion over Him” (Rom. 6:9). Something He promised will happen to our own bodies at the General

Resurrection.

With the Annunciation, our Panagia, the Most Holy Mother of God, becomes a bridge connecting heaven

and earth. She is helping God descent on earth, so all men can ascent to heaven. On Easter, the Son of God,

who became Son of Man, breaks the bondage of man to eternal death. After Easter, death is temporary. After

Easter, death is only a sleep - a sleep which will be interrupted by the Archangel’s voice and the trumpet of

God announcing the Lord’s glorious return.

Annunciation and Easter! Two gateways to eternal life with a spring aroma. Two invitations to change our

own nature. Two opportunities to use the time of Great Lent for bodily and spiritual transformation through

fasting, almsgiving, prayer and repentance. Two occasions to attend more church services, to receive Holy

Communion more often and to confess our sins. Blessed remaining of Great Lent to all!

Parish News

During the past few months, our Board completed three major and expensive projects. Lately, it replaced

the roof and the heating system of our School Building. Prior to that, the lighting of our entire parking lot

was upgraded with low-energy, yet much brighter fixtures. Kudos to our 2017 president, Jim Folopoulos

and the 2017 Board for a job well done for our church! The challenge our 2018 Board will be taking right

after Easter is perhaps bigger that the last three put together. This next project will require pulling the talent

and resources of not only our Board, but also of our entire parish. We will be announcing it soon.

Our next Board meeting will be on March 12th at 7:00 PM.

Philoptochos News

The Philoptochos Society will be very busy in the coming weeks. We are collecting money for flowers for

Great Lent and Easter and taking orders for Easter breads (tsourekia). We will also hold a Bake Sale on

Saturday, March 31st (See enclosed flyers for details).

On Sunday, March 25th we will be baking tsourekia and on Monday, March 26

th we will be bagging the

tsourekia and baking Peta and Baklava for the upcoming Bake Sale. If you can help, please contact Lucie

Skouteris or Andrea Moutsioulis for details.

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If you wish to donate a baked good for our upcoming Bake Sale, please contact Lucie Skouteris. Proceeds of

this Bake Sale will go towards the purchase of a new Loukoumathes machine. Your help will be greatly

appreciated.

If you haven’t paid your 2018 dues yet, please do. Remember that we are always looking for new members to

join Philoptochos. Dues are only $25.00, so please consider joining our organization and supporting our

charitable efforts.

If you would like to donate money for the flowers for Great Lent and Easter, please complete the form below

and either give your donation to any Philoptochos Board member, or mail it in the enclosed envelope.

We sincerely appreciate your support. God bless you.

Lucie Skouteris, President

Please cut here and include the bottom portion with your donation in the enclosed envelope.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLOWER DONATION

NAME: _______________________________________ AMOUNT: ___________________

New Horizons Soup Kitchen

The New Horizons Soup Kitchen visit is Sunday, March 25th, 4-6 PM this month. We are looking for new

volunteers to join our group. This is such a rewarding experience; please join us for less than two hours of

fellowship with the group from the Assumption Church. If you have any questions, please call the church

office. Thank you!

Choir

We are about to hire our new organist and choir director. Also, we are looking for volunteers to join our

talented choir. All ages are welcome! Don’t be shy if you don’t have experience. All that is required is your

passion and love for our church! During the summer the choir is not singing or practicing.

Youth Ministry News

GREEK SCHOOL & YOUTH MINISTRY MARCH 25th CELEBRATION

On Thursday, March 29th, our Greek School students will be reciting poems, Greek dancing and singing songs

in celebration of Greek Independence Day - "Tou Evangelismou.” Please join us for this joyous program and

show your pride in all our children and in our heritage. Doors will open at 5:00 PM. The program will start at

5:30 PM in the Assumption Church Hall. Immediately following the presentations, we will have pizza and

refreshments. Everyone is welcome!

REHEARSAL for the Greek Independence Day Celebration will be held on Thursday, March 22nd

from 4:00 -

6:00 PM in the Assumption Church hall. All Greek School classes together will participate in the rehearsal

during that time.

G.O.Y.A. FRAPPE’ FUNDRAISER - On Thursday, March 29th, our GOYAns will hold a Frappe` fundraiser.

Delicious traditional Greek frappes` will be sold during the Greek School Greek Independence Day

Celebration which will take place in the Assumption Church hall. We appreciate your participation and

support of our Youth Ministries.

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DECORATED EASTER CANDLES Our Youth ministry will be selling decorated Easter candles from March 25th

through Easter Sunday. The cost will be $15 per candle and they will be available in the narthex. All proceeds

will benefit our Youth Ministries. Your support will be greatly appreciated!

IMPORTANT MARCH YOUTH MINISTRY EVENT DATES TO REMEMBER :

Thursday, March 1st – NO Greek School Classes. Greek School classes resume Thurs. March 8

th.

Sunday, March 4th – Family Sunday: Families are encouraging to attend church to celebrate the Divine Liturgy

together. Sunday School classes resume Sunday, March 11th.

Thursday, March 22nd

– 4:00-6:00 PM - Greek School for all classes will be held in the Church Hall to rehearse

for the March 25th Greek Independence Day Celebration.

Sunday, March 25th – The Annunciation (Tou Evagelismou). Please see liturgical schedule enclosed. Our Youth

Ministry children will offer flowers and a few special presentations in church in observance of March 25th.

Thursday, March 29th – 5:00-7:00 PM - The Greek School will present its March 25

th Greek Independence Day

Celebration in the Assumption Church Hall. Coffee, hot chocolate and light snacks will be offered during the

presentation followed by pizza & refreshments immediately after. Everyone is welcome!

Saturday, March 31st – Lazarus Saturday: The Divine Liturgy followed by a Community Pancake Breakfast.

Children will be baking LAZARAKIA in the church hall. After that, we will all fold crosses with palm leaves.

Everyone is welcome!

Palm Sunday, April 1st – Sunday School students should proceed directly to the school building at 10:15 AM.

HOLY WEEK: April 1st – April 8

th (Please see Holy Week insert)

• April 1st – Palm Sunday evening - Brightgroom (Nymphios) Service and candlelight procession.

• April 2nd

– Great and Holy Monday - Brightgroom (Nymphios) Service.

• April 3rd – Great and Holy Tuesday - Chant of Kassiani.

• April 4th – Great and Holy Wednesday – Two Holy Unction Services, one is short, catering to children

• April 5th – Great and Holy Thursday ~ Afternoon – Greek School & Youth Lenten Workshop, 4:00 - 6:00

PM in Church Hall. Dying red eggs! ~ Evening – Gospels of the Crucifixion of Christ. Procession of Holy

Cross.

• April 6th – Great and Holy Friday - This day qualifies as an excused absence from all schools. Notices will be

provided for the children to submit to their schools.

~ Morning: Service of Great and Royal Hours. Decoration of Epitaphios (Holy Sepulcher)

~ Afternoon: Apokathelosis Service (Unnailing of the Lord) with children participating

~ Evening – Epitaphios Procession & Lamentations (Funeral & Burial of Christ - Myrrh Bearers)

• April 7th – Great and Holy Saturday - All families are encouraged to attend this short Divine Liturgy. Children

should bring pots and paddles to make joyous noise at a certain time of the Service (They should be there by

9:45 AM. Please see next month’s bulletin for more details).

• April 8th – Easter Sunday - Agape Vespers.

• Sunday, April 22nd

, 1:00 PM – Greek Independence Day Parade and other festivities in Boston.

• Monday, April 23rd to Friday, April 27

th – School Vacation Week.

• Thursday, April 26th – NO Greek School or Greek Dance.

• Sunday, April 29th – Family Sunday – No Sunday School.

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Fish Dinner

Sponsored by

The Assumption

Greek Orthodox Church

Sunday, April 1st, 2018

12:00 noon

Assumption church hall

ADULTS: $15.00

CHILDREN: $7.00

Tickets can be purchased through:

Parish CounciL members, Philoptochos members or

the church office @ 623-2045

During the Fish Dinner, we will also have the

“LAMB RAFFLE”

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SNHU Basketball Game Outing Clean Monday Lenten Gathering

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GREEK SCHOOL TEACHER

Our evening Greek School is actively seeking a language teacher. The hours are 3:00 – 7:00 PM every

Thursday from September to June. If you are interested, please call our office at 603-623-2045 and/or email

us at info@assumptionnh.org

QUALIFICATIONS

• Fluency in speaking, reading, and writing Greek

• Some type of teaching experience

• Experienced in using techniques for encouraging classroom interaction

• Ability to handle children with knowledge at different levels within same classroom

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

1. Active in the liturgical life of the parish

2. Happy to spend time with youth and be their role model

3. Dependable, flexible, punctual, conscientious, honest, trustworthy and self-motivated

4. Cooperative and team player, willing to share knowledge and assistance, as well as be open to

learning and applying new skills/knowledge

5. Cool under pressure and able to handle multiple tasks

6. Able to communicate effectively and diplomatically

7. Problem solver and decision maker

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Sacraments & Services

When planning a baptism or wedding, please check church availability BEFORE booking your

reception hall. Thank you!

Baptism

March 10th – Marcos, son of

Irene and Michael Kinson

Planning Memorials

When planning for a memorial, please contact the church office at 603-623-2045.

There is a particular altar wine and incense we use. Please call for details!

-623-2045. There is a certain kind of altar wine and certain incense we use. Please call for

details!

PLANNED GIVING is a gesture that comes from the heart!

Leave a legacy! As you plan your financial future, please remember your Parish. There are several types of

planned donations to consider. Here are a few of them to consider. In all cases, please consult your financial

advisor for more information.

Charitable Bequests: Once you secure the well-being of your family, you may choose to include in your will a

significant donation to your church.

Gifts of Life Insurance: Using a life insurance policy makes it possible to make a major gift while protecting the

inheritance of one’s heir(s).

Gifts of Listed Securities: The gift of publicly listed securities, bonds, mutual fund units or other similar securities

is one of the most fiscally advantageous ways to make a substantial donation to a charitable organization

because the donor will avoid paying tax on capital gains. The gift of shares or other securities will give rise to a

tax credit. It is more advantageous to transfer the securities directly rather than to donate the proceeds collected

from selling the securities. This type of donation is advisable to those who wish to make a substantial donation

without encroaching on their liquid assets, or to those who own shares or other securities which have

significantly increased in value since their acquisition.

Charitable Annuities: A charitable gift annuity consists of a donation of money or other assets to a charitable

organization in exchange for guaranteed earnings for life or for a determined period of time.

RECOGNITION

It is with much love and appreciation we have received four considerable bequests

made to our parish which we feel should be recognized. The benefactors are:

DORIS SPRINGER (Alex Demos’ sister), PHYLLIS BROWN, ANASTASIA GALANIS and KELLY LOCKE.

Their thoughtfulness is a tribute to their caring and desire for our parish

to prosper and grow for generations to come.

May their memories be eternal!

Funerals

February 17 - Nancy Predaris

Memorial Services

March 4th - Efthimios Stamoulis - 1 year

March 11th - Stephanos & Ismini Michalapoulos

March 18th - Artemios Dongas

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January Stewardship

Paraskevas Arfanakis

Frank Athanasiou

Barbara Brown

James Camberis

Peter Camberis

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Dryer

Theodore Faramakis

Venice Farmakis

Dimitra Gakopoulos

Mr. & Mrs. Costas Georgopoulos

Evangelia Gregorious

Mr. & Mrs. Stathis Kapellakis

Sophia Koustas

Georgia Kyriazis

Pauline Pappas

Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Poplin

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Tsekrekas

Jean Vlangas

Eleni Younis

Pledges Received in January for 2017

Mr. & Mrs. Nick Karagianis

“Seek first God’s Kingdom and His

Righteousness and all other things shall be

added to you.” (Matt 6:33)

“And some seeds fell into good soil and

grew and yielded a hundredfold.”

(Luke 8:8)

“Give to Cesar what is Cesar’s and to God

what is God’s.” (Mark 12:17)

Reap bountifully. God loves a cheerful

giver.”

(St. Paul – 2nd

Corinthians 9:6-8)

“Rich is not the one who has much, but the

one who gives much. For what one gives

away, he keeps for all eternity.”

(St. John Chrysostom)

Please submit your

2018 Stewardship

Stewardship is our God-given

OBLIGATION and the PRIMARY

source of income for our church!

Christmas Donations

Voula Annas

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Matteo

Donations

Dick Anagnost (winning from raffle)

Venice Farmakis

The Tingos Family in loving memory

Donations in Memory of

Demetra Bartlett

Phyllis Brown

Lorraine Camberis

Pauline Pappas

Effie Janis Tsarouhas

Fuel Fund

Dimitrios Bakolas

Peter Camberis

Paraskevi Grigorakakis

Mr. & Mrs.Ilias Kalampalikis

Arthur Kamberis

Mr. & Mrs. Leon Lampes

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Matteo

Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Nakos

Lucie Skouteris

Mr. & Mrs. John Stergiou

Thank you for your love to the House of the Lord and Panagia!

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Anastasia Ahern

Sophia Annas

Voula Annas

Mr. & Mrs. Ilias Apostolos

Penny Arfanakis

Mary Argeropoulos

Frank Athanasiou

Virginia Athanasiou

Louise August

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Bakolas

Dimitrios Bakolas

Amerisa Baryiames

George Blatsis

Mr. & Mrs. Tyler Boutwell

Mr. & Mrs. William Bruttaniti

Raymond Buckley

Angelo Camberis

Diana Camberis

James Camberis

Peter Camberis

Mr. & Mrs. Christos Chalogias

Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Chronas

Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Comrie

Mr. & Mrs. Stephan Condodemetraky

Nicholas Costakis

Mr. & Mrs. John Costes

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Cote

Fotios Dellas

Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Demos

Mr. Michael & Dr Jennie DiBartolomeo

Spyridoula Dongas

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Dryer

Mr. & Mrs. David Dzenis

Daphne Emanuel

Theodore Farmakis

Tiffany Farmakis

Mr. & Mrs. James Folopoulos

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Folopoulos

Evangeline Fusscas

Nicholas Gabardina

Mr. & Mrs. Elias Gakis

Despina Gakopoulos

Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Galanis

Martha Galanis

Dr. & Mrs. Vasilios Galanis

Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Gallos

Mr. & Mrs. Soterios Gallos

Georgia Gancarz

Mr. & Mrs. Kristian Garces

MEMBERS IN GOOD

STANDING 2018

Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Garoufalis

Mr. & Mrs. George Gasis

John Gatsas

Philip George

Mrs. Christos Georgopoulos

Mr. & Mrs. Costas Georgopoulos

Tena Giavroutas

Michael Goudouros

Evangelia Gregorious

Michael Gregorious

Paraskevi Grigorakakis

Joanna Grimanis

Mr. & Mrs. Harry Guidicelli

Christina Hand

Louise Hart

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hasevlat

Nicholas Hatzibiros

Xanthippi Hatzibiros

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Healy

Jonathan Horton

Sotirios Iliopoulos

Nicole Kalantzis

Mr. & Mrs. Aristidis Kalampalikis

Mr. & Mrs. Ilias Kalampalikis

Lazaros Kalampalikis

Mr. & Mrs. George Kalantzis

Lindsay Kalatzis

Nicole Kalatzis

Arthur Kamberis

Demetrios Kamberis

George Kamberis

Mr. & Mrs. Stathis Kapellakis

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kapos

Mr. & Mrs. John Karagianis

Mr. & Mrs. Nick Karagianis

Mr. & Mrs. John Karakostas

Mr. & Mrs. Anastasios Karatzoulidis

Esther Kereakoglow

Sandra Kereakoglow

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kinson

Mr. & Mrs. George Kitsis

Mr. & Mrs. John Kitsis

Matthew Kitsis

Michael Kitsis

Theodore Kitsis

Mr. & Mrs. Jason Kolbensen

Mr. & Mrs. Steve Koromilas

Maria Kostakis

Pantelis Kotromanos

Stephanie Kotromanos

Mr. & Mrs. Elias Kourtis

Mrs. Epokratis Koutsavlis

Mrs. Demetrios Krideras

Thomas Krideras

Georgia Kyriazis

Mr. & Mrs. John Kyriazis

Mr. & Mrs. David Labore

Mr. & Mrs. Pierre LaBrie

Mr. & Mrs. Leon Lampes

Gregory Laughlin

Matthew Laughlin

Jane Lawson

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Lazos

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Lazos

Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Lazos

Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Lekkas

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Leuchs

Mr. & Mrs. Costas Liolios

Heidi Liolios

Mr. & Mrs. Scott MacDonald

Eleftheria Makris

Mr. & Mrs. John Manelas

Mr. & Mrs. John Mantzoufas

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Mardanes

Elizabeth Marmarou

Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Matteo

Brenda McMillan

Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrois Meimetis

Aspa Michalopoulos

Mr. & Mrs. Brendan Mulcahy

Theodora Nakos

Adamandia Nardi

Stavros Ouellette

Georgia Palaskas

Mr. & Mrs. Efthymios Papakostas

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Papanicolau

Likourgos Papastathis

Panagiota Papastathis

Mr. & Mrs. James Papavlo

Mr. & Mrs. William Pappas

Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Pashos

Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Pervanas

Mrs. Elias Peters

Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Peters

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Piet

Mr. & Mrs. Antonios Pliakos

Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Pliakos

Maria Pliakos

Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Poplin

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Predaris

Mr. & Mrs. Elias Psiras

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BUSINESS CARD ADVERTISING

If you would like to advertise your business card in our

monthly bulletin, please contact the Church Office.

A business card format, about 2 ½” x 1 ½” will run for a

period of 12 months for one set fee of $150.00 a year.

This will help us defray the ever-increasing costs of

printing and mailing these bulletins to our homes and at

the same time you will be advertising your business to our

parishioners, and through word of mouth, to their friends.

This is a great opportunity for all!

Helen Rainey

Konstantinos Raptis

Mihail Rokas

Theodoros Rokas

Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Rokas

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Sakelarios

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Schultz

Mr. & Mrs. William Semos

Lucie Skouteris

Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Skouteris

Mr. & Mrs. Elias Soulios

Mr. & Mrs. Chris Spirou

Mr. & Mrs. Alki Stamoulis

Mr. & Mrs. John Stergiou

Mr. & Mrs. John Stergioulis

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Stroumbos

Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Swanson

Demetrios Tentas

Nicholas Tentas

Artemis Tingas

Patricia Tingos

Basilki Tsihlis

Mr. & Mrs. Costas Tonas

Fr. Gregory Trakas

Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Tsatsopoulos

Michael Tsecaris

Mrs. Thomas Tsecaris

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Tsekrekas

John Tsiamis

Mr. & Mrs. Vaios Tzimas

Georgia Tzimopoulos

Mary Tzimopoulos

Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Vailas

Dr. James Vailas

Nicholas Vailas

Jean Vlangas

Betty Xintaras

Mr. & Mrs. John Xintaras

Nicholas Xintaras

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Xintaras

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Xintaras

Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Yogas

Eleni Younis

Mr. &Mrs. Charles Zoulias

Saturday of Souls Sunday of Orthodoxy

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Road

NH

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