The Orthodox Post

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As we enter into the season of Great Lent, it’s good for us to

try do more. We prepare to greet Great and Holy Pascha by

fasting, prayer, by charity and service. We ask more of

ourselves during this holy season of abstinence so that we

can realign our priorities and thereby rediscover our need for

God. Confirmed in this hope, we become participants in His

love. As part of your Lenten discipline, plan to attend a

service you have not before, plan to be present in prayer, and

prepare to be changed, readied for joy.

Canon of St. Andrew

Where are we? As Christians, we say we stand in the midst

of a great line of saints and prophets and of sinners: those

whose lives have been inextricably altered by knowing God.

The meditative hymns of this service help locate us in this

legacy of faith by recounting those who came before and

inviting us to join their ranks of people in progress, learning

to be better and better.

Presanctified Liturgy

Each Wednesday of the fast is like an island of refreshment.

We can be strengthened by receiving Christ Himself into our

lives through Holy Communion.

Though we are busy, though distracted, these sections of

peace in the

middle of the

week help us

know that

God stands

with us in everything.

The Akathist

The Virgin Mary, mother of Christ Himself, is given to us as

a special friend; she is our mother too. Here, we ask that she

console us, that she help us to know her son, that she stand

as witness and companion to all the tragedies of our lives, so

that we can learn to hope as she did and does.

Pan-Orthodox Vespers

Being family is more than just tracing family trees; it is

choosing to live a shared life. Each Sunday evening of the

fast is a family reunion. We get to meet our cousins and

learn about them and enjoy being with them, sharing their

hospitality. And we get to see that our family is large and

interesting and diverse but shares that one necessary thing:

love for God, the Father of us all.

This year, do a bit more. Try a little harder. Go someplace

new. And get ready to welcome the joy of God into these

holy forty days. Lent is coming to prepare the way for

Paschal rejoicing. Don’t get left behind.

March 10 is Forgiveness Sunday, the last Sunday before

Lent begins and I ask all of you to forgive me since I will not

be there.

March 13th is a special time in our church calendar.

Every Wednesday during Lent, there is the Presanctified

Liturgy at 7 p.m. This is a service that everyone should

attend. On Friday evenings during Lent is the short Akathist

prayer service. Take the opportunity to attend at least one of

these services. It will add to your lenten fast experience.

If you have not yet made your pledge for 2019,

please send in or bring your pledge card to church. Your

pledge will help our church continue its work in the

community and beyond. We need the financial support to

operate the physical building as well as continue assisting

several charities.

The Valentine's Dance in February was successful and those

who attended enjoyed the dancing, singing and simply the

time together.

The General Meeting is scheduled for April 7. It is at

this meeting that we have the opportunity to express our

concerns and interests about our church future.

Elections will be held during the General Meeting. It

is an opportunity to do your part to share your time in

administrating the church. We need individuals who are

concerned for the future of our parish. Please submit your

name to Father Nathan or me if you want to be on the

Council. To be eligible, you need to have been a pledging

member in good standing for one year. See you in church

St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church, 181-14 Midland Parkway, Jamaica Estates, New York, NY 11432 Web site: www.stnicholasalbanian.org E-mail: fr.niko@stnicholasalbanian.org Tel: (718) 380-5684

THE ORTHODOX

POST March 2019 Volume XV, Issue 3

2009 Volume V, I ssue 6

President’s Message by Jim Liolin

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Pastor & President’s Messages 1

Coffee List & Reminders 2

Temple’s Mosaic Medallion & Enhancing the Saints 3

Fan Noli Memorial & Thank You Note 4

Start of Lent & Name Days 5

Merchant Ads 6-7

Major Events & Ushers’ Sunday Schedule 8

Pastor’s Message by Fr.Nikodhim

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The Orthodox Post

BRING YOUR CHILDREN TO SUNDAY SCHOOL

For the 2018-2019 school year, Sunday School classes will be held on the 2nd

and 4th Sundays

of each month. There will also be a children’s sermon on the 1st Sunday of each month. This

year we are proud to have 3 classes:

Nursery Class (Age 2-4 – Parents accompany children) During Liturgy

Class 1 (Ages 5-6) - During Liturgy Class 2 (Ages 7-10) – Held after Communion

Reminders:

Dear Ladies,

Below is the schedule for coffee for the next 2 months.

If your name is listed, please be sure to put it on your

calendar. If you need to change the date, please advise

Christina Liolin or Adriana Topore.

It is very important to remember that on the day you are

scheduled for coffee, please arrive at church by 10 a.m. so

that preparations can be made.

What to bring:

· Cake for 50-60 people

· Cookies for the children

· 1 gallon of milk

March 3 Marjeta Vakeflli

10 Open

17 Donna Oswald/Viola Kallinikos

24 Christine Beno/Jana Foundos

31 Barbara Papalexis/Barbara Filis

April 7 Nasi Pavllo/Marcela Guma

14 Adriana Topore/Jonida Dervishi

21 Pancake Breakfast

28 Pascha

2018 PLEDGE PROGRAM

The 2018 Pledge Pogram is still underway!!!

Your financial help is needed to pay for the services

St. Nicholas Church provides to our Parish Community.

Make the best Pledge that you can!!!

Fill out your Pledge Card

Get it to Church as soon as possible.

___________________________________

House Blessings

Speak to Fr. Nikodhim now about coming to bless

your home.

Church: 718-380-5684, Cell: 208-818-3372

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The Orthodox Post

Blessing of our Temple’s Mosaic Medallion

On Sunday, March 3rd

, the Church’s new Mosaic Medallion will be blessed during the services by

Fr. Nikodhim with the participation of the Children of the Parish.

The Mosaic Medallion is located in front of the Alter steps in the center of the Church. Below are some

photos of its development and final placement.

Embracing the Saints

Do you know who your patron saint is? Would you like to learn the story of his/her life?

Do you know your name day and how to celebrate it? Would you like to learn the

prayers and hymns that can help you become closer to the saints? These and many other questions will be the topic of this Lent’s adult study. Meeting

after each Wednesday’s Pre-sanctified Liturgy, we will share a meal and sit down to

spend thirty-forty minutes learning why the saints are important in our Church, why and

how we interact with them, and the stories of how their faith may help us find meaning

and encouragement. Everyone is invited to come and learn and grow closer to the holy

women and men who have been and continue to be a part of our community.

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The Orthodox Post

Fan Noli Memorial: Sunday, March 17

Each year during March, we remember the founder of the Albanian Orthodox Church, Imzot

Kryepishkop Theofan. On the Sunday following the date of his death, we keep the custom of celebrating a

memorial service for this man who was our archpastor and leader in a time of great need. This year is

especially important, for on the sixteenth of March, we remember the hundredth anniversary of Fan Noli’s

election to be the bishop of the Albanian Archdiocese. Please come and join these prayers of thanksgiving and

remembrance for this patriot, pastor, artist, and guide, who kindled the fire that still burns brightly for all.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED AND BECAME PART

OF THE VALENTINE’S PARTY! IT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS!!!

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The Orthodox Post

Beginning of Great Lent Commemorated on March 11

In the Orthodox Church, the last Sunday before Great Lent—the day on which, at Vespers, Lent is liturgically

announced and inaugurated—is called Forgiveness Sunday. On the morning of that Sunday, at the Divine

Liturgy, we hear the words of Christ: “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also

forgive you, but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses...”

(Mark 6:14-15).

Then after Vespers—after hearing the announcement of Lent in the Great Prokeimenon: “Turn not away Thy

face from Thy child, for I am afflicted! Hear me speedily! Draw near unto my soul and deliver it!”, after

making our entrance into Lenten worship, with its special melodies, with the prayer of Saint Ephraim the

Syrian, with its prostrations—we ask forgiveness from each other, we perform the rite of forgiveness and

reconciliation. And as we approach each other with words of reconciliation, the choir intones the Paschal

hymns, filling the church with the anticipation of Paschal joy. (www.oca.org)

March 9 - 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste - St. Pericles

Albert Foundos

March 17 - St. Patrick the Bishop

Petrika Troja, Nicholas Patrick Brehl

- St. Alexis the Venerable

Aleko Bode, Alex Oswald

March 18 - St. Edward the Martyr

Edi Sera, Eduart Shkurti

March 23 - St. Nikon

Archbishop Nikon

March 25 - Annunciation (Evangelismos)

Evangelibe Lass, Vangjeli Family

March 26 - Archangel Gabriel

Gabrielle Peters

March 27 - St. Robert

Robert Korra

MARCH NAME DAYS

If you don’t see your name please contact Fr. Nikodhim.

Nese nuk sheh emrin tend, te lutem lajmero priftin.

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The Orthodox Post

Ads from Merchants Who Support the Church Please look at the Ads and support these Merchants by buying goods and services from them, whenever possible.

Tell the Merchant that you are from St, Nicholas Church and

saw their Ad in the Church’s Monthly Newsletter!!!

For New Ads Please Contact - Tomi Beno at (917) 952-9252

SABITA J. BALL00, EA

____________________

Income Tax Services

117-10 Jamaica Avenue Tel: 718-846-6525

Richmond Hill, NY 11418 Fax: 718-846-0663

sabitaballoo@aol.com

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The Orthodox Post

Regency Hotel - Korca

Tel:

355.82.243867/8/9

www.regencyalbania.com

hregencyko@hotmail.com

Litras Funeral Home Bernard F. Dowd and Tracy B. Dowd

83-15 Parsons Boulevard

Jamaica, New York 11434

718 658-4434

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The Orthodox Post

Major Church Activities and Events March, Sat. 2 - Liturgy, 10am: Saturday of Souls

- Blessing of Graves @ Mt. Tomori, noon

- Vespers, 5pm

March, Sun. 3 - Liturgy, 10am: Meatfare Sunday

- Blessing of new mosaic w/children

March, Sat. 9 - Vespers, 5pm

March, Sun. 10 - Liturgy, 10am: Forgiveness Sunday

***Beginning of Great Lent*** March, Mon. 11 - Canon of St. Andrew, 7pm

March, Tue. 12 - Canon of St. Andrew, 7pm

March, Wed. 13 - Presanctified Liturgy, 7pm

March, Fri. 15 - Akathist, 7pm

March, Sat. 16 - Vespers, 5pm

March, Sun. 17 - Liturgy, 10am: Sunday of Orthodoxy

- Children’s icon procession, 10:15am

- Fan Noli Memorial

- Pan-Orthodox Vespers, 4pm:

St. Nicholas Antiochian Cathedral, Brooklyn

March, Wed. 20 - Presanctified Liturgy, 7pm

March, Fri. 22 - Akathist, 7pm

March, Sat. 23 - Vespers, 5pm

March, Sun. 24 - Liturgy, 10am: Palamas Sunday

- Great Vespers, 5pm: Annunciation

March, Mon. 25 - Liturgy, 9am: Annunciation

March, Wed. 27 - Presanctified Liturgy, 7pm

March, Fri. 29 - Akathist, 7pm

March, Sat. 30 - Vespers, 5pm

March, Sun. 31 - Liturgy, 10am: Cross Sunday

- Pan-Orthodox Vespers, tbd.

Ushers’ Schedule

for Sunday Services

Lista e sherbimit te dielave ne kishe

MAR 03 Jim OSWALD / Tomi BENO

MAR 10 Andrea KUTALI / John JANCE

MAR 17 Robert KORRA / Lou FOUNDOS

MAR 24 Roland LLUPA / Edi SERA

MAR 31 Ilia LUKA / Bill PETERS

We’re on the Web!

Visit us at:

www.stnicholasalbanian.org

St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church

181-14 Midland Parkway

Jamaica Estates, New York 11432

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