straight!” The preparation of a

person’s heart and soul, to have

the living Word of God cultivated

within it, begins with blaming one-

self, confession and abstention

from evil.

The understanding of Jesus’

Parables

Jesus ends the Parable of the

Sower by crying out, “He that has

ears to hear, let him hear”. The

focus of the Lord is not on the

ears of a person but on the mind

of a person. The philosopher

Pythagoras once said, “It is the

mind which sees and the mind

which hears”. Psalm 110 by King

David states, “a good understand-

ing have all they that do his com-

mandments”. In spiritually under-

standing the Parables of Jesus, St.

Gregory Palamas teaches the fol-

lowing, “the word is recognized

through deeds, it is not simply the

listener who has ears to hear, but

the obedient man who puts what

he hears into practice.”

As an Orthodox Christian works

his or her garden, or if they ad-

mire the pretty gardens of a

friend’s home or the more elabo-

rate gardens found at the Brooklyn

or the Bronx Botanical Gardens,

may these earthly gardens moti-

vate the spiritual work needed to

cultivate the garden of one’s soul

to prepare it for the best garden

found in heaven or on earth, that

of Paradise.

By Fr. John K. Lardas

Protopresbyteros & Dean

Many, growing up in a Greek

family, have the fond memories

of their parents’ or grandparents’

garden, otherwise known as the

“θήπν”. Having grown up in such

a tradition, there does not a

summer go by without planting a

garden in the backyard!

Throughout the summer, in or-

der for the Garden to produce

good vegetable one has to spend

much time weeding, and then

weeding and then weeding again.

Along with this the garden has to

be watered and the plants need

to receive plenty of nutrition,

“θνπξία”.

The Sower

The great instructor, Christ Him-

self, uses with His divine wisdom,

specific imageries that are basic

to life, in His parables to help

build the spiritual instruction in a

person’s heart and soul for their

salvation. One such parable is

the Parable of the Sower found

in the Gospels of Luke 8:5-15 &

Matthew 13:1-8. The Sower is

Christ Himself, who by His incar-

nation (when He became man

through the Holy Spirit and His

Holy Mother, Mary) scatters the

seeds of the Gospel into people

hearts.

The different types of soil in

poor condition

The heart and soul of a person is

symbolized by the different con-

ditions of soil, on which the

seeds fall. According to St.

Greogory Palamas, the hard soil,

where the seed fell wayside, repre-

sents those whom the Lord casts

out and rejects because they pay no

attention to the divine Spirit’s

teaching. Thus the devil easily en-

snares them. The seed that fell

amongst the thorns and the stones

are those who retain knowledge of

the Gospel but are corrupted by

wealth, glory and self-indulgence of

this life.

The yield of the good soil

The good soil, upon receiving the

Word of God brought forth some

thirty, some sixty and some a hun-

dredfold (as found in the Gospel of

Matthew). Once again according to

St. Gregory Palamas, the different

yields are symbolic of the different

aspects of servitude. The yield that

was thirty fold is compared to a

slave who serves his master out of

fear. The yield of sixty fold is like a

servant who expects a payment.

The yield of a hundredfold is one

who has progressed by love to a

relationship of a son or a daughter

to the master.

Working the soil of our soul

The one major variable in

the Parable of the Sower is the

condition of the soil. Even if a per-

son’s heart and soul is hard or

choked by weeds it may be worked

through repentance. The prelimi-

nary work on a person’s soul must

be done by the person. John the

Baptist began his ministry preaching,

“Repent ye: for the kingdom of

heaven is at hand! Prepare ye the

way of the Lord, make his paths

The Garden of our Soul “And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold.” LK8:8

I N S I D E

T H I S I S S U E :

A. Fantis

School

3

Goya 4

Schedule of

Services

6

Lecture

Series

7

100th Year

Anniversary

8

Inside Story 5

Inside Story 6

S S C O N S T A N T I N E A N D H E L E N G R E E K O R T H O D O X C A T H E D R A L 6 4 S C H E R M E R H O R N S T . B R O O K L Y N , N Y 1 1 2 0 1

The Edict F A L L 2 0 1 3 V O L U M E V I S S U E 1 1

H I G H L I G H T S

I N O U R N E X T

I S S U E

Anniversary

Gala at

Steiner Stu-

dios

Christmas at

our Cathe-

dral

Philoptochos

Vasilopita

Luncheon

Honoring

Bishop

Philotheos

2

T H E E D I C T

The President’s Message

Αγαπεηνί Δλνξίηεο,

Θα ήζεια λα ζαο επραξηζηήζσ όινπο

γηα ηελ ππνζηήξημε πνπ δείμαηε ζηελ

θνηλόηεηά καο θαηά ηε δηάξθεηα ηεο

ηζηνξηθήο ηεο επεηείνπ θαη ηεο

ρνξνεζπεξίδαο πνπ πξαγκαηνπνηήζεθε

ζηηο 9 Ννεκβξίνπ, 2013.

Όπσο όινη γλσξίδνπκε ην 2013 είλαη

κηα εηδηθή ρξνληά γηα καο σο κέιε ηεο

Κνηλόηεηαο ηνπ Καζεδξηθνύ Νανύ ησλ

Αγίσλ Κσλζηαληίλνπ θαη Διέλεο, δηόηη

γηνξηάζακε ηελ 100ε επέηεην ηνπ

ηζηνξηθνύ θαζεδξηθνύ λανύ καο θαη ηε

50ε επέηεην ηνπ αγαπεκέλνπ καο

ρνιείνπ Α. Φάληε. Σώξα πνπ έρνπκε

νινθιεξώζεη ηηο γηνξηέο ηεο επεηείνπ

ηεο θνηλόηεηαο καο, σο θαινί ελνξίηεο

αο ζπλερίζνπκε λα είκαζηε ελεξγά θαη

αλαπόζπαζηα κέξε ηεο θνηλόηεηαο ηνπ

Μπξνύθιηλ.

Διπίδσ λα ζαο δώ όινπο ζηελ

εθθιεζία απηέο ηηο άγηεο κέξεο πνπ

νδεγνύλ ζηα Υξηζηνύγελλα θαη ζηηο

θηιαλζξσπηθέο/θνηλσληθέο εθδειώζεηο

πνπ δηνξγαλώλνληαη γηα λα βνεζήζνπλ

απηνύο πνπ έρνπλ αλάγθε. αο

παξαθαιώ λα θνηηάμηε ην πξόγξακκά

ησλ εθδειώζεσλ γηα πεξηζζόηεξεο

πιεξνθνξίεο. *************************

Dear Parishioners,

I would like to thank everyone for

supporting our community during our

historic Anniversary Gala on Novem-

ber 9, 2013.

As we all know, 2013 is a special year

for the members of Sts. Constantine

and Helen Cathedral as we have cele-

brate the 100th Year Anniversary of

our Historic Cathedral and 50th Year

Anniversary of our beloved Parochial

School of A. Fantis. Now that we

have concluded the celebrations of

our milestone year in the life of our

community, let us continue to be

active and integral members of the

Brooklyn community.

I Hope to see all of you in church

during the Holy days leading to

Christmas, and at our philanthropic

and social events organized to help

those in need. Please look at our

schedule of events for more informa-

tion.

Thanksgiving Food Drive

3

164 students. The students’ range

from the PreK3 until 8th Grade.

A. Fantis thrives by offering an

exceptional education to our

Christian community in Brooklyn

Heights. Our goal is that our stu-

dents excel at A. Fantis education-

ally, culturally and spiritually and

carry our standards of excellence

throughout their lives.

The A. Fantis Parochial School

opened its doors in September of 1963.

This is a very exciting year for our

school as we are in the midst of cele-

bratiing our 50th year anniversary and

looking forward to the next 50 years of

our historic school.

This year, A. Fantis Parochial

School began its first day on Monday,

September 9th, with an enrollment of

A. Fantis Parochial School

4

GOYA This year, once again, Goya is off to a strong start. During the month of September, the Goyans

held their elections. This year, the Goya Officers are: President—Gregory Poulon; Vice-President—Evie

Vlitas; Treasurer—Antonios Gementzopoulos & Secretary—Evie Paloumbis. The Goyans have already had

two events. They met at the Church and then took a walk down to Dumbo and took a trip to Great Adven-

ture for Fright Nite.

This year for the first time in many years, the Boys and Girls Goya Basketball Teams will play

their home games at St. Francis College.

The following events are on the docket for Goya: November-Sat. 23rd—The Thanksgiving Food

Drive; December–Fri. 13th—The Christmas Party for Clients of the AABR, Thur. 26th The Annual Goya

Christmas Party; January–Sat. 4th—The Brooklyn Nets vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sat. 11th—The

MGOBL Goya Retreat, . Fri. 17th—Sun. 19th—The Goya of New York Winter Weekend; February-Sun.

16th—The Midnight Run; April—Sun.13th—Thurs. 17th– The Justinian Work Project

Much thanks is given to Harry Paloumbis, the Goya Advisor, who dedicates many hours to guide

the Goyans reach their full potential. Throughout the year, there will be certain Saturdays where the Goy-

ans will all meet at the gym of St. Francis College to have a Goya night!

5

Baptisms September 2012

15 Annabelle Georgia, daughter of Eleftherios &

Georgia Stefas, Godmother: Maria Lambrianakos Fisher

16 Gerasimos Joseph, son of Richard & Helen

Jones, Godparents: Anastasia & John Paraskevas

17 Theodore Anastasios, son of Bill & Anastasia

Thanopoulos, Godfather: Kostas Petridis

22 Dionysios Christos, son of Dennis & Meropi

Zervos, Goparents: George & Athena

Lampropoulos

25 Andreas Alexandros, son of Alexander

Tsiaras & Susan Daugherty,

Godparent: Fr. John K. Lardas

October 2012

6 Matteo Paul, son of Basil & Mirna

Kampessis, Godfather: Paul

Vassilakos

6 Joel, son of Argimiro & Julia Diaz, Sponsor:

Georgia Patchen

6 Christy Lynn, daughter of David & Donna

Yun, Sponsors: Lenna Cominos & Keli Frentzos

13 Alma (Sophia), daughter of Bayram and

Havusa Kolasinak, Sponsor:

Kleoneke Masouridis

20 Alexandra, daughter of Constantinos &

Euthymia Frangos, Godmother:

Aspasia Dourakis

February

23 Amalia Rose, son of Frank Anthony Fanelli &

Callie Kourniotis, Sponsor: Georgia Madis

April

21 Michael James Hatzidoukas, son of Demetrios

& Lisa Hatzidoukas, Sponsors:

Meredith Petrulakis

27 Angelina Marie & Gabriella Nicole, daughters

of Nicholas & Melissa Ann Kakavas,

Sponsors: Alexandra & John Kakavas

May

11 Spencer Harold(George), son of Paul & Maria

Ginsburg, Sponsor: Fotis Giannakoulis

11 Alice Everly, daughter of Scott Andrew & Christiana

Arnold, Sponsor: Philip G. Mavromatis

18 Fotini Catherine, daughter of Daniel & Melissa

Anthony, Sponsors: Steven Madias &

Danae Piskopanis

June

1 Theodore James, son of Benjamin & Sophia

Cavicchio, Sponsor: Christos George Tsokos

22 Quinn Peter(Panagiotis), son of Richard James &

Evangelia Cunningham, Sponor :

Helen Terzopoulos

22 Nepheli Eve, daughter of Nicholas & Kali Denton

Clark, Sponsor: Minas Liakos

August

3 Milana Emanuella, daughter of Emanuel & Kristina

Papadakis, Sponsor: Eliud Suarez

17 Royce Matthew(John) son of Matthew & Vanessa

Anarde, Sponsor: Alexander Hobson

24 Nikoletta Alice, daughter of Gregory & Amy

Michelle Vagelatos, Sponsors: Anthony & Theofele Kokalis

Confirmations August

9 Adiance(Ambrosia) Correa, Sponsor:

Nicholas Glantzis

November

25 Leni (Eleni) Grillo, Sponsor: Andrew Yenna

June

16 Alexandra Cosmatos,

Sponsor: Ms. Barbara Matarangas

Weddings October

21 George Kordas & Anna Lukashova,

Koumbaros: Ross Kordas

November

3 Joel Diaz & Eleni Soutanis, Koumbaros:

George Xenakis

11 Evangelos Perdikogiannis & Alma(Sophia)

Kolasinac, Koumbara: Spiridoula

Zolotas

17 Anargyros Lathourakis & Maria Zoulis,

Koumbaroi: John & Joanna Zoulis

24 Craig Ciro Traino & Vasiliki Kostopoulos

Koumbaroi: Dimitrios & Despina

Giasemis

December

1 Spyridon Edgos & Christy Lynn Yun,

Koumbaros: Eleftherios Tzimas

June

30 Panagiotis Prassos & Jeanine Giglio,

Koumbaroi: Andrew & Mary Vagena

September

8 Efstathios Peter Petropoulos & Maria

Giannoula Basiou, Koumbaro: Penelope Sanford

Funerals

September 2012

8 +Ero Mafredas

22 +Anna Gavrilis

November 2012

10 +Vasilios Tsirigotis

December 2012

28 +Haralambos Vandoros

29 +Antonia Gravanis

January

2 +Achilleas Vouitsis

14 +Pauline Caris

16 +Stella Rozakis

17 +Constantine Bakakos

February

2 +Eleftheria Manioudakis

May

6 +Stephanie Scourby D’Arc

24 +Cecilia Agnes Turner

August

16 +Anastasia Bravakis

SACRAMENTS

6

December

Fri. 6 The Feast of St. Nicholas Sun. 8 The 10th Sunday of Luke Mon. 9 The Conception of the Theotokos by St. Anna Thur. 12 The Feast of St. Spyridon Fri. 13 St. Eustratios Sat. 14 St. Thyrsos Sun. 15 The 11th Sunday of Luke & The Feast of St. Eleftherios Mon. 16 The Prophet Haggai Tue. 17 St. Daniel Wed. 18 St. Sebastianos Thur. 19 St. Boniface Fri. 20 The Feast of St. Ignatios Sat. 21 St. Juliana Sun. 22 The Sunday Before Christmas

Σue. 24 The Fore feast of Christmas

The Royal Hours of Christmas

4:30 PM

The Vesperal Divine Liturgy of

Christmas 6:00 PM

Wed. 25 The Birth of our Lord and

Savior Jesus Christ Orthros: 9:00AM

The Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM

Thur. 26 The Synaxis of the Most Holy

Theotokos

Fri. 27 Feast of St. Stephen

Sun. 29 The Sunday after Christmas

JANUARY

Wed. 1 The Feast of the Circumcision of

our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

and the feast of St. Basil the

Great, Archbishop of Caesarea of

Cappadocia

Orthros 9:30 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:30AM

Weekday Services

Orthros 8:30am Diviner Liturgy 9:30am

Sunday Services

Orthros 9:15am Divine Liturgy 10:30am

Γεκέμβριος Παρ. 6 Σνπ Αγίνπ Νηθνιάνπ Κσρ. 8 Η Ι΄ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά Γεσ. 9 Η ύιιεςηο ηεο Αγίαο Αλλεο Πεμ. 12 Σνπ Αγίνπ ππξίδσλνο Παρ. 13 Σνπ Αγίνπ Δπζηξαηίνπ αβ. 14 Σνπ Αγίνπ Θύξζνπ Κσρ. 15 Η ΙΑ΄ Κπξηαθή ηνπ Λνπθά θαη

ηνπ Αγίνπ Διεπζεξίνπ Γεσ. 16 Σνπ Αγίνπ Πξνθήηνπ Αγγαίνπ Σρι. 17 Σνπ Πξνθήηνπ Γαληήι Σετ. 18 Tνπ Αγίνπ εβαζηηαλνύ Πεμ. 19 Σνπ Αγίνπ Βνληθαηίνπ Παρ. 20 Σνπ Αγίνπ Ιγλαηίνπ αβ. 21 Σεο Αγίαο Ινπιηαλήο

Κσρ. 22η Πξό ηεο Υξηζηνύ Γελλήζεσο

Σρι. 24η Η Βαζηιεθέο Ωξεο ησλ

Υξηζηνπγέλλσλ, 4:30 κκ

ΔΠΔΡΙΝΗ ΘΔΙΑ

ΛΔΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ΣΟΤ ΑΓΙΟΤ

ΒΑΙΛΔΙΟΤ 6:00 μμ

Σετ. 25η Η ΚΑΣΑ ΑΡΚΑ ΓΔΝΝΗΙ

ΣΟΤ ΚΤΡΙΟΤ ΚΑΙ ΘΔΟΤ

ΚΑΙ ΩΣΗΡΟ ΗΜΩΝ

ΙΗΟΤ ΥΡΙΣΟΤ

Όξζξνο: 9:00 πκ

Θεία Λεηηνπξγία: 10:30 πκ

Πεμ. 26 Η ύλαμηο ηεο Τπεξαγίαο

Θενηόθνπ

Παρ. 27 Η ενξηή ηνπ Αγίνπ ηεθάλνπ

Κσρ. 29 Η Κπξηαθή Μεηα ηεο Υξηζηνύ

Γελλήζεσο

ΙΑΝΟΤΑΡΙΟ

Σετ. 1 Η ΚΑΣΑ ΑΡΚΑ ΠΔΡΙΣΟΜΗ

ΣΟΤ ΚΤΡΙΟΤ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΟΤ

ΥΡΙΣΟΤ θαη κλήκε ηνπ ελ

Αγίνηο Παηξόο εκώλ Βαζηιείνπ

ηνπ Μεγάινπ, Αξρηεπηζθόπνπ

Καηζαξείαο ηεο Καππαδνθίαο

Όξζξνο: 9:00 πκ

Θεία Λεηηνπξγία: 10:30πκ

Καθημερινές Θείες Λειτουργίες

Ορθρος 8:30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία 9:30πμ

Κυριακάτηκες Θείες Λειτουργίες

Ορθρος 9:15πμ Θεία Λειτουργία 10:30 πμ

7

2013 EMMAUS LECTURE SERIES 2014 Sponsored by

The Orthodox Clergy of Brooklyn

Pray therefore in this manner: MT 6:9

The Lord’s Only Prayer? - October 17th

Speaker: The V. Rev. Gerasimos Makris

Church: SS. Constantine and Helen Cathedral 64 Schermerhorn St.; Brooklyn, NY 11201 (718)624-0595

The Prayer of Consecration - Epiclesis - November 21st

Speaker: The V. Rev. Eugene Pappas

Church: Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church 8401 Ridge Boulevard; Brooklyn, NY 11209 (718)836-3510

Praying for Those in Eternal Repose - December 19th

Speaker: The V. Rev. Michael Ellias

Church: Kimisis tis Theotokos, 224 18th St., Brooklyn NY 11215 (718)788-0152

Personal and Communal Prayer, Monologue or Dialogue?- January 23rd

Speaker: The V. Rev. Thomas Zain

Church: St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, 81st Street and Ridge

Boulevard; Brooklyn, New York 11209 (718)238-8008

The Jesus Prayer, The Prayer of the Heart - February 27th

Speaker: The V. Rev. John K. Lardas

Church: Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church, 1724 Avenue P; Brooklyn, NY 11229 (718)339-0280

The Prayer of St. Ephraim against the 7 Deadly Sins - March 20th

Speaker: The V. Rev. Damaskinos Ganas

Church: St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral 355 State Street; Brooklyn, NY 11217 (718)855-6225

Brief Prayer Service - 7:00PM Lecture - 7:10PM Dialogue -7:40PM

Refreshments - 8:00PM

How do I pray?

8

Feast Day of our Cathedral

When the first immigrants

from Greece, saw from their ships

the Statue of Liberty, they envi-

sioned a new life based on the an-

cient principals of democracy. After

being processed at Ellis Island,

many of these Greek immigrants

chose to make their first home in

the 3rd largest city of the United

States, Brooklyn. In 1898, the city

of Brooklyn merged with the Coun-

ties of New York, Queens and Rich-

mond to form New York

City. Brooklyn is known as the Bor-

ough of Churches. Like Greece, on

almost every corner one will find a

Christian church.

During the turn of the

20th century, a Greek community

was formed. The leaders of this

community sent a request to the

Church of Greece to build a church

and in August of 1913, the Church

of Greece granted to the Greek com-

munity of Brooklyn Heights and the

surrounding areas a charter to

build a Greek Orthodox Church.

One-hundred years later, we

are here celebrating and honoring

what our ancestors worked ex-

tremely hard to build. Our Anniver-

sary Celebrations began with our

Anniversary weekend of April 12-

14.

On Friday night our beloved

GOYANS sponsored a Lenten meal

for the entire community after the

Salutations service to the Panagia.

Following that event on Saturday

evening, Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas hon-

ored our Cathedral by returning to

the parish he gave many years of

great service to. Sunday April 14th

was our main celebration. The

morning began with Orthros & Di-

vine Liturgy at our Cathedral offici-

ated by His Eminence Archbishop

Demetrios and His Grace Bishop

Antonios where 7 members of our

Cathedral (Efrosini Ekonomakos,

Nick Lambros, Gus Vlahavas, Katy

Vassilakos, Betty Xanthos, Peter

Yatrakis) were bestowed the St.

Paul’s Medal, the highest bestowed

Message from Fr. John K. Lardas for the 100th Year Anniversary

A

R

C

H

B

I

S

H

O

P

I

E

R

O

N

Y

M

O

S

honor for a lay person by the

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Fol-

lowing the Divine Liturgy we

hosted our 100th Year Anniver-

sary Luncheon at the Grand Pros-

pect Hall where more than 600

people were in attendance.

Our celebrations continued

on May 21st, 2013 we had the

honor to celebrate our Feast Day

with his Beatitude Archbishop of

Athens and all Greece Ieronymos

II, along with five other bishops

i n c l u d i n g H i s E m i n e n c e

Archbishop of America Demetrios.

In the end of the service Fr. John

K. Lardas was elevated to the rank

of protopresbyter, by his Beatitude

Archbishop of Athens and all of

Greece Ieronymos II.

May Sts. Constantine &

Helen continue to intercede for us

as we continue to offer back to this

Historic Community.

9

1963-2013

1913-2013

Genesis 2:15

“The Lord God took the

man and put him in the

garden of Eden to work it

and keep it.”

Our ancestors worked hard for the past

century to build this community to where

it is today. May we continue to work

within the church and preserve it for

future generations.

10

On Sunday, November

10, 2013, at a duly called par-

ish assembly meeting of the

Saint Nicholas Church at

Ground Zero, a major step

forward was taken. Under

the leadership of His Emi-

nence, Archbishop Demetrios

of America, and with the full

support of the parish priest,

the Rev. Fr. John Romas, and

the Parish Council, the com-

munity unanimously ap-

proved a resolution to make

the community a national

shrine of the Holy Archdio-

cese of America.

This advance in the

nature of the only House of

Worship that was destroyed

by the terrorist attacks of

September 11, 2001 has mo-

mentous consequences for the

parish both in the near and

long term.

The resolution that

was unanimously passed pro-

vided for the parish, known

until now as the Saint Nicho-

las Greek Orthodox Church

at Ground Zero, to become a

National Shrine of the Holy

Archdiocese of America while

maintaining its status as a

parish of the Archdiocese.

The parish would continue to

function as such, but the

Board of Trustees would have

a national as well as local

presence. The resolution also

included the final agreement

of the parish to exchange its

land at 155 Cedar Street

(including air and ground

rights) for 130 Liberty Street.

The new parcel, although less

than fifty yards from the pre-

vious location, is more than

three times larger.

The Archdiocese and

the Parish had always seen

that such an evolution for

this historic parish of Man-

hattan was the logical next

step. Not only is the mission

and presence of Saint Nicho-

las at Ground Zero a na-

tional undertaking, but also

likewise are the costs and

responsibilities.

In his exhortation to

the community, Archbishop

Demetrios stressed the enor-

mous visibility of the rebuilt

Church, adding that more

than 10 million visitors to

the World Trade Center site

per year would see and per-

haps enter the new Sanctu-

ary. He noted that as a Na-

tional Shrine, Saint Nicholas

would welcome all and be a

House of Prayer for all peo-

ple. The Archbishop said,

New Architectural Design of

St. Nicholas at the W.T.C.

“This church will not be just a

national shrine, but also an

international shrine. It will

show the will of all people to

rebuild and resurrect from

the ashes of 9/11. This will be

a church for all to light a can-

dle for the beloved that were

lost on September 11th. This

church will be a Greek Ortho-

dox National Shrine on Hal-

lowed, Sacred Ground.”

The members of the

community expressed great

satisfaction and relief that the

Archbishop led the process of

rebuilding from the begin-

ning, and they expressed their

appreciation to His Eminence

for shepherding the project.

Construction for the Saint

Nicholas Greek Orthodox

Shrine will begin early next

year.

11

Η γενική συνέλευση των μελών του Ιερού Ναού του Αγίου Νικολάου του Ground Zero, η οποία συνεδρίασε την Κυριακή 10 Νοεμβρίου 2013, αποφάσισε ομόφωνα την ανακήρυξη της κοινότητος του Αγίου Νικολάου ως Εθνικό Ιερό Προσκύνημα του Αγίου Νικολάου το οποίο θα αποτελεί ίδρυμα της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής. Η ιστορική αυτή απόφαση ελήφθη υ π ό τ η ν η γ ε σ ί α τ ο υ εβασμιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ. Δημητρίου και με την

αμέριστη υποστήριξη του ιερέα της κοινότητος πατρός Ιωάννη Ρώμα αλλά και του Διοικητικού υμβουλίου της κοινότητος. Η α λ λ α γ ή α υ τ ή τ ο υ χαρακτήρα του Ναού του Αγίου Νικολάου, ο οποίος ήταν ο μόνος χώρος λατρείας που κατεστράφη από τις τρομοκρατικές επιθέσεις της 11ης επτεμβρίου 2001, είναι μεγάλης σημασίας για την κοινότητα, στο άμεσο αλλά και στο απώτερο μέλλον. Η ο μ ό φ ω ν η α π ό φ α σ η προβλέπει ότι η ενορία, η οποία ήτο έως τώρα γνωστή ως Ελληνορθόδοξος Ιερός Ναός του Αγίου Νικολάου στο Ground Zero θα γίνει Εθνικό Ιερό Προσκύνημα της Ι ε ρ ά ς Α ρ χ ι ε π ι σ κ ο π ή ς Αμερικής, ενώ παράλληλα θα διατηρήσει και την ιδιότητα και λειτουργία της ω ς ε ν ο ρ ί α τ η ς Αρχιεπισκοπής, υπό την ε π ο π τ ε ί α δ ι ο ι κ η τ ι κ ο ύ συμβουλίου με μέλη τοπικής αλλά και παναμερικανικής εμβέλειας . Η απόφαση συμπεριέλαβε επίσης την έ γ κ ρ ι σ η τ η ς τ ε λ ι κ ή ς συμφωνίας της ανταλλαγής του οικοπέδου (του παλαιού ναού) στη διεύθυνση 155 Ce-d a r S t r e e t (συμπεριλαμβανομένων και των δικαιωμάτων αέρα και γης) με αυτό στη διεύθυνση 130 Liberty Street. Η νέα τοποθεσία, αν και βρίσκεται σε απόσταση λιγότερη των 50 μέτρων από την παλιά, είναι εμβαδού μεγαλύτερου κατά τρεις και πλέον φορές Η Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή και η ενορία του Αγίου Νικολάου θεώρησαν ότι το επόμενο λ ο γ ι κ ό β ή μ α ή τ α ν η ανακήρυξη της ιστορικής α υ τ ή ς κ ο ι ν ό τ η τ ο ς τ ο υ

Μανχάταν ως Εθνικό Ιερό Π ρ ο σ κ ύ ν η μ α , κ α θ ώ ς η αποστολή και η παρουσία του ναού του Αγίου Νικολάου στο χώρο αυτό θα αποτελέσει πανεθνικό εγχείρημα με ευθύνη και οικονομικό κόστος αναλόγου μεγέθους. την ομιλία του προς τα μέλη τ η ς κ ο ι ν ό τ η τ ο ς , ο ε β α σ μ ι ώ τ α τ ο ς Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος τόνισε ιδιαίτερα την τεράστια προβολή που αναμένεται να έχει ο υπό ανέγερση ναός, καθώς όπως είπε οι περισσότεροι από 10 ε κ α τ ομ μ ύ ρ ι α ε π ι σ κ έ π τ ε ς ετησίως που θα επισκέπτονται το Παγκόσμιο Εμπορικό Κέντρο θα αντικρύζουν και πιθανόν θα επισκέπτονται το ναό. Πρόσθεσε δε ότι ως Ιερό Προσκύνημα θα αποτελεί χώρο προσευχής για όλους τ ο υ ς α ν θ ρ ώ π ο υ ς . Ο ε β α σ μ ι ώ τ α τ ο ς ε ί π ε χαρακτηριστικά: «Αυτός ο ναός δεν θα είναι απλώς ιερό προσκύνημα εθνικής εμβέλειας αλλά διεθνούς εμβέλειας. Θα είναι σύμβολο της θέλησης των ανθρώπων για ανοικοδόμηση και ανάσταση από τις στάχτες της 11ης επτεμβρίου. Ο ναός θα αποτελεί ένα καταφύγιο για ν’ ανάβουν ένα κερί όλοι ο ι ε π ι σ κ έ π τ ε ς γ ι α τ α αγαπημένα πρόσωπα που χάθηκαν την 11η επτεμβρίου, ένα Ελληνορθόδοξο Ιερό Π ρ ο σ κ ύ ν η μ α σ ε χ ώ ρ ο εξαγιασμένο και ιερό». Σα μέλη της ενορίας ε ξ έ φ ρ α σ α ν τ η ν μ ε γ ά λ η ικανοποίηση και ανακούφισή τους για τις εξελίξεις και για την εξ αρχής ηγεσία του Αρχιεπισκόπου Δημητρίου που οδηγεί στη ανοικοδόμηση του ναού, η οποία αναμένεται ν’ αρχίσει στις αρχές του 2014.

Since 2001, the Cathedral of Sts.

Constantine and Helen has been a

home to the community of

St. Nicholas at the WTC.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese &

St. Nicholas Church establish

national shrine at Ground Zero at

the World Trade Center

*** Εθνικό Ιερό Προσκύνημα θα

είναι ο Ναός τοσ Αγίοσ

Νικολάοσ στο Ground Zero τοσ

Διεθνούς Εμπορικού Κέντροσ

12

Dedicated to Paulette Hios Feb. 18, 1943 – Jan. 22, 2012

Paulette Hios was truly a Greek Orthodox Christian dedicated to the

church from a young child. She served in the Choir of the Cathedral for over

forty years. She began singing in the choir while still a child. She than began

to play the organ and and ultimately took on the responsibility of the Choir Di-

rector

As a master musician and artist, she founded and operated Belanthi

Gallery on 142 Court Street in 1978. For over thirty years she conducted pi-

ano, voice and music theory classes. She also exhibited art in all styles and

media in her studio. Paulette had established precious relationships with her

students and colleagues that have made indelible impressions even until today.

In her own musical career, she had performed as a concert pianist, appearing at

many major concert venues.

Before her untimely falling asleep in the Lord, Paulette prepared her

estate to be distributed to close family friends, charitable beneficiaries and to

her beloved Cathedral. Her wish and desire was to have written the icon of the

Nativity of Christ above the choir loft. One of the major themes of this icon is

the worship of the new born Son of God by the angels and all the characters

involved in the Nativity Scene, as described in the New Testament. The writ-

ing of the icon was done by a parishioner of SS Constantine and Helen, Mr.

Constantinos Skordelis. Paulette Hios

The Icon of the Nativity of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

13

How can I give back this Christmas Season?

-December 13 – Christmas Party for Mentally Challenged Adults in our Church Hall

-December 22-The Philoptochos Society of Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral is sponsoring

our ANNUAL DRIVE in SUPPORT of the CHILD LIFE FUND at SUNY Downstate Medical Center

-Donate towards the Christmas Decorations of the Cathedral

-Donate to the Christmas Card of the Cathedral

Pastoral visitations

For pastoral visitations and to

receive Holy Communion be-

fore Christmas please call the

church office

( 7 18 ) 624-0595

Ποιμενικές επισκέψεις

Εάν θέλετε τον ιερέα να επισκεφ

τεί έναν ηλικιωμένο η ασθενή γι

α να λάβει τη Θεία Κοινωνία πρ

ιν τα Χριστούγεννα, παρακαλώ

τηλεφωνήστε το γραφείο της κοι

νότητος ( 718 ) 624-0595

***

Σημαντικές Ημερομηνίες: 8 Δεκεμβρίου:

Γενική Συνέλευση 22 Δεκεμβρίου:

-Χριστουγεννιάτικη Γιορτή από τα παιδιά του Κατηχητικού σχολείου μετά α

πό την Θεία Λειτουργία -Χριστουγεννιάτικο πάρτι της Φιλοπτ

ώχου

Important Dates December 8:

General Assembly December 22nd:

Sunday School Christmas Pageant & Philoptochos

Christmas Party Board of Trustees Elections

February 16

Midnight Run

***

Διανομή ρούχων και

φαγητού στους άστε

γους

January 12

Vasilopita Luncheon

Honoring Bishop

Philotheos

***

Γεύμα Φιλοπτώχου, Βα

σιλόπιτα Θα τιμήσουμ

ε τον Θεοφιλέστατο Επ

ίσκοπο Φιλόθεο

14

G.O.Y.A. Trip to Barclays Center

Saturday January 4TH @ 7:30PM

CaValiers vs. Nets St. Demetrios, Astoria, NY G.O.Y.A. will join our G.O.Y.A. to the Brooklyn Nets

We will meet at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral @ 5:30pm

64 Schermerhorn Street

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Tickets: $40.00

There is a possibility that we will play on the court of the Barclay Center after the game.

More information forthcoming.

Contact: Church Office- 718-624-0595

It’s time for our Annual Christmas Party

for the residents of AABR!

HOSTED BY: The Youth from our Sunday School, JOY

and GOYA Programs

WHEN: Friday, December 13, 2013 from 5:30pm-9:00p.m.

WHERE: Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral

Come and share your holiday cheer with the residents of AABR! Santa will also be coming by to deliver your gifts to the residents!

A pasta dinner and yummy desserts will be served!

List of Gifts to Follow….. Questions?

Call Tina Papadakos at 917-450-6561 The AABR, (Association for the Advancement of the Blind and Retarded), is a non-profit organization that

assists and houses blind, mentally retarded and autistic adults.

15

16

Fr. John K. Lardas, Presiding Priest

Board of Trustees

Executive Board: Elias Seremetis - President; Jim Tampakis - Exec. Vice President; Dean Paravalos -1st Vice President; Mat-

thew Mirones - 2nd VicePresident; Andrew Poulos - Treasurer; Ted Dikeakos - English Secretary; Panagiotis Papadapoulos -

Greek Secretary

Board Members

Athanasia Apostolakos * Irakis Argyriou * John Athanitis * Steve Bacas * Andreas Chrysostomou

George Fanourakis * Dimitrios Kostopoulos * Angelo Koutsidis * Jerry Matiatos * Angelo Papadakos

Harry Paloumbis * George Poulon * Chris Sofronis * Peter Stratigakis * Alex Vanech * Peter Vlitas * Peter Yatrakis

Board Committees

Church Order: Steve Bacas; Maintenance and Security: Dean Paravalos; Real Estate: Jim Tampakis; 100th Year An-

niversary Chairpersons: Peter Vlitas & Jim Tampakis; Church Name Day: Konstantinos Varelis and Dean Paravalos;

Technology: Ted Dikeakos;

Youth: Takis Papadopoulos; Church Journal: Hercules Argyriou; Human Resources: George Poulon;

Membership and Pledge: Ted Dikeakos

Philoptochos

Executive Board: Presidents – Marjorie Bacas; 1st Vice President – Lucy Bounas;2nd Vice President – Betty Xanthos; Treas-

urer – Stelene Argyriou; Assistant Treasurer – Peggy Panagopoulous; Corresponding Secretary Evangelia Apostolakos; Re-

cording Secretary – Katerina(Phyllis) James; Advisors – Georgeann Papadakos

Board Members

Presbytera Eleni Lardas, Connie Lambros, Cleo Athanitis, Efrosini Ekonomakos, Pitsa Tampakis, Catherine Vasilakos, Pauline

Apostolakis

A. Fantis Parochial School of SS. Constantine and Helen

School Board Chairperson: Peter Vlitas

Principal: Dr. Alice Farkouh

School Board Committee: John Athanitis, Angela Papadopoulos, Dean Paravalos, Jim Tampakis, Lauren Cramer, Danielle

Makris, Kathy Tsamatsiros, Nia Soumakis, Maria Vlitas

Church Secretary: Effie Katsenis; Sunday School Director: Pauline Apostolakis; Acolytes: Nicholas Paros; Choir Di-

rector: Maria Zollo; Chanter: Nicholas Paros; Sexton: Panagiotis Masourides; Koliva: Evangelia Masourides; Prosforo:

Efrosoni Economakos; News Letter: Fr. John Lardas; Jim Maroosis; Nick Paros; Dino Vassilakos

Affiliates and Organizations of the Cathedral of SS. Constantine and Helen

Goya Advisors: Harry Paloumbis & Ismene Speliotis; Joy: Angela Papadopoulos and Anna Chrysostomou

Joy & Goya Soccer: John Athanitis,, Dean Paravalos. Adult Greek Language: Antigoni Papadopoulou;

Dance Instructor: Michelle Tsigaridas Weller; OPA (Orthodox Paidea Association): Nicholas Paros

The Cathedral of Sts. Constantine and Helen

His All Holiness Bartholomew

Archbishop of Constantinople,

New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch

Rum Patrikhanesi 342 20 Fener-Halic

Istanbul, Turkey

Tel. +011-90-212.531.9670, 531-9676

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios

Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in

America

10 East 79th St

New York, NY 10021

(212)570-3500